South Africa: Amended 2021 school calendar will be retained

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says the amended 2021 school calendar will be retained as is.

Addressing the media on Sunday, Motshekga reported that the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) met on Friday to consider inputs from stakeholders, following rounds of consultations regarding the already amended school calendar for the 2021 academic year.

Three options emerged from the consultations, and these were presented to the CEM for consideration. In the end, CEM agreed that the amended 2021 school calendar must be retained as it was from its very last amendment  that the October vacation, will not be interfered with.

CEM further recommended that the lost number of school days, should be recovered at district and school-level, but with reasonableness, the Minister said.

No COVID-19 vaccines for learners

Meanwhile, Motshekga stressed that there are currently no COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved in the country for people under the age of 18.

Contrary to the rumours on social media, there is no intention whatsoever to vaccinate children for anything else, other than what is already declared in the form for [health services]. Those spreading the rumours, we implore you to stop spreading such rumours, because you are causing anxiety and panic among our school communities, Motshekga said.

The Minister said the Department of Basic Education, in collaboration with the Departments of Health and Social Development, continue to provide health services to learners in schools through the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP).

For children to receive these services, government requires permission from parents and guardians in writing. There is a form (SHS 1a), which has been distributed to schools, which must be completed by parents and guardians to give consent for the services to be rendered to learners.

The health services include checking the childs health; deworming; routine immunisation against measles, polio, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer later in life; as well as checking for common health problems; provide health education; and indeed, mental health and psycho-social support.

On the days when these services are rendered, parents are free to come to school with their children to obtain more information, Motshekga explained.

While acknowledging the legal limitations of parents and guardians consent, Motshekga said it is critical for parents and guardians of learners to allow the sector to provide the health services.

However, she encouraged all the 18-year-olds and older in schools to get vaccinated.

Significant number of candidates passed Maths and Science

Giving an update on May/June examinations, Motshekga reported that a significant number of May/June candidates have attained passes in gateway subjects, including Mathematics and Physical Sciences, with a total of 11 557 candidates who attained a pass in Mathematics and 8 258 attained a pass in Physical Sciences.

The department released the 2021 May/June examination results last week.

The Minister said the examinations were successfully administered, despite the enormous challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both candidates with COVID-19 symptoms and those who tested positive, were allowed to write the examination in special isolation venues. The prevalence of examination irregularities of a serious nature, such as imposters, crib notes, and possession of cell phones during the writing, have declined compared to previous years, the Minister said.

She noted that the results of the May/June examination cannot be reported the same as the end-of-the-year National Senior Certificate examinations, given that candidates for the May/June exams, register to write one or more subjects.

The results of the candidates who wrote these exams are available at district offices or at the centres where the examination was written.

Senior Certificate candidates who sat for this examination can obtain their results from the DBE website at www.education.gov.za.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-08-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
South Africa: Expropriation Bill public hearings wrap up

The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure says it is satisfied that it has conducted an extensive consultation process, as the nationwide public hearings into the Expropriation Bill come to an end.

Committee chairperson Nolitha Ntobongwana said in spite of measures to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which that limited movement, the committee is satisfied by the quality of inputs made by many South Africans across the length and breadth of the country.

We visited four districts in every province, and we are satisfied that we covered as wide an area in the country as is financially and logistically possible. We are thus reasonably satisfied that our hearings were extensive and all those who participated expressed their views openly without any restriction on any basis, Ntobongwana said.

She said the committee will also in the foreseeable future invite stakeholders and individuals, who have made written submissions indicating an interest, to make oral presentations.

We will, following the oral submissions process, discuss the views we got from the public hearings and written submissions to ensure that the report we table to Parliament is as inclusive as possible, Ntobongwana said.

During the public hearings, the committee heard calls of access to land for different purposes from a diverse range of sectors, including pensioners, traditional healers and faith-based organisations.

The farming community, including commercial farmers, highlighted the risk posed by the Bill on the economic future of the country, while emerging farmers - who are forced to share small communal land and are unable to develop into fully-fledged commercial farmers - called for access to land.

The Khoi and San communities also called for recognition and land for their development to better their socio-economic conditions. Women also called for land availability for purposes including feeding their children.

Ntobongwana said the committee will take into consideration all these needs, as it continues with its legislative processes.

The public hearings were held in line with Section 59 of the Constitution, which compels Parliament to facilitate public involvement in the legislative and other processes of the National Assembly, and its committees, as well as Parliaments strategic objective of enhancing access to its work, legislative-making process and improving public participation in general.

The committee resolved to visit all provinces to garner public views on the proposed legislation.

The committee appreciated the willingness by the public, notwithstanding the threat posed by the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges, to participate in the hearings and express their views on the Bill to ensure that the law that is finally agreed upon is responsive to the needs of the people, Ntobongwana said. - SAnews.gov.za

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Hong Kong: HK, Guangdong measure welcomed

The Government welcomed an announcement by Guangdong on the recruitment of Hong Kong Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs) by public healthcare institutions in the Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Bureau of Guangdong Province today announced that Hong Kong CMPs will be recruited within 2021, on contract terms, by selected pilot sites of public Chinese medicine healthcare institutions in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

The recruitment procedures, as well as terms and conditions of employment, will be determined by the relevant healthcare institutions. The authorities will take into account the implementation situation when considering whether the scope of the pilot sites should be expanded.

Secretary for Food & Health Prof Sophia Chan said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government welcomes the measure and expressed gratitude to the relevant authorities of the central government and the province for their staunch support to the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.

The measure enables Hong Kong CMPs to further their practice within the national healthcare system, thereby promoting exchanges in Chinese medicine and providing Hong Kong CMPs, in particular the younger generation, with the opportunity to pursue development in the bay area."

Under Hong Kongs Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement with the Mainland and relevant supplementary agreements, a series of policies has been in place to enable Hong Kong CMPs to practise Chinese medicine and establish healthcare institutions in the Mainland, Prof Chan added.

The latest arrangement allows Hong Kong CMPs to practise in Mainland public healthcare institutions, thereby expanding their scope for development.

This story has been published on: 2021-08-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
South Africa: South Africa detects C.1.2 variant of interest

Recently published research has revealed that the new COVID-19 variant C.1.2 has been identified in South Africa.

According to the researchers, there are concerns that this SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest (VOI) has been associated with increased transmissibility, neutralisation resistance, and disease severity.

Here we report the identification of a potential variant of interest assigned to the Pango Lineage C.1.2, the preprint analysis published last week read.

The Pango, which stands for Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak Linages, refers to the software tool for sequence assignment used by researchers to track the transmission and spread of COVID-19.

This lineage was first identified in May 2021 and evolved from C.1, one of the lineages that dominated the first wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in South Africa and were last detected in January 2021.

According to KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) Director at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Tulio de Oliveira, this was the work of dozens of scientists as part of the Network of Genomic Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA).

The preprint analysis was led by National Institute for Communicable Diseases and KRISP, he said, adding that it also involves young women scientists, including Catherine Scheepers, who is the first author.

The reason why we decided to publish the preprint is that we see the C.1.2 persistence in South Africa and is now in another 10 countries. It is early days as only 95 genomes have been published at GISAID. However, we found that in this pandemic, [it is crucial to] share info quicker than later, the Professor explained.

According to the analysis, C.1.2 has since been detected across the majority of the provinces in South Africa and several other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.

The emergence of C.1.2 was associated with an increased substitution rate, as was previously observed with the emergence of the Alpha, Beta and Gamma variants of concern (VOCs).

Variant of interest (VOI)

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a VOI as a variant where there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease, which may lead to hospitalisation or death.

The national public health agency of the United States said the significant reduction in neutralisation by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures.

Meanwhile, VOCs are associated with specific genetic markers that have been associated with changes to receptor binding, reduced neutralisation by antibodies generated against previous infection or vaccination, reduced efficacy of treatments, potential diagnostic impact, or predicted increase in transmissibility or disease severity.

According to the US epidemiologist and health economist, Dr Eric Feigl-Ding, this means that this new variant has somehow mutated so fast and far that it is now the furthest mutated variant found to date.

This C.1.2 is obviously a very fast-moving variant. We dont know the exact transmission yet or the severity or vaccine efficacy yet. But the best advice that will serve us well is to take the precautionary principles as the approach  move fast, he tweeted.

The Department of Health's Deputy Director-General, Anban Pillay, told News Frame that the prevalence of the new variant in the samples that have been tested is very low at this stage.

New variants are bound to develop as a natural evolution of the virus. The evidence to date indicates that the non-pharmaceutical interventions remain the key responses to these variants, he added.

There are currently four VOCs, namely Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta, and four VOIs, Eta, Iota, Kappa, and Lambda in circulation globally.  SAnews.gov.za

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Hong Kong: Law trek beneficial to youngsters

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng

The Hong Kong Legal Hub, comprising the Justice Place (former Central Government Offices), the former French Mission Building and part of Two Exchange Square, was commissioned in November last year. By housing local, regional and international law-related organisations in the heart of the central business district, it provides a platform for the provision of premier legal services. Some of the places in the Hong Kong Legal Hub are built heritage with high historical value. Today, I am very pleased to welcome a group of students for a visit to better understand the law and the rule of law by having close encounters with Hong Kongs legal development and retracing its footsteps.

The students first stopped by the Function Hall on the first floor of the Justice Place. It was the Legislative Council Chamber a long time ago before becoming the venue for the Government to host important events, such as the announcements of the Policy Address and the Budget. Afterwards, they visited the former Executive Council Chamber where antique chairs and table are preserved. The students were told that the political structure in Hong Kong is an executive-led system headed by the Chief Executive, and the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary which perform their respective functions under the executive-led system in accordance with the Basic Law and complement each other.

At the Legal Hub, known as the West Wing of the former Central Government Offices where many offices of the law-related organisations specialising in different legal or dispute resolution services are located nowadays, the students appreciated that it has reflected Hong Kong's status as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific region. This is also the objective as set out in the National 14th Five-Year Plan and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The visit to the former French Mission Building was the highlight and the finale of the journey. The building was declared as a monument in 1989. It was a temporary residence for the first Governor and later the Russian Consulate, and subsequently acquired by the Missions Etrangeres de Paris in 1915 and rebuilt. After the Second World War, the Hong Kong Government purchased the building housing various departments, the Victoria District Court and the Supreme Court. Since Hong Kongs return to the motherland, it was the home of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) until 2015. After the CFA was relocated, the building was incorporated into the Legal Hub project, and is currently used by international legal organisations as their offices.

Apart from the granite columns, verandahs and balustrades, the cupola and the chapel, the students were impressed by our independent judiciary, the corner stone of Hong Kongs prosperity and stability under one country, two systems. They came to understand that our judicial independence is premised on the solid infrastructure that has been laid down in the Basic Law, including the security of tenure, the immunity of judges, the non-revolving door, and importantly the expressed provision in Article 85 of the Basic Law that guarantees judicial independence, free from any interference. All judges are required to safeguard the rule of law and administer justice without fear or favour. Our judicial system is highly regarded and internationally recognised, as demonstrated by the fact that Hong Kong cases are cited in overseas jurisprudence from time to time and eminent judges of the courts of other common law jurisdictions sit on our CFA.

The Rule of Law Journey is one of the projects under the 10-year initiative Vision 2030 for Rule of Law, aiming to enhance the understanding of the rule of law among young people, in particular students. In addition to this programme, we have organised a series of activities which will enable the youth to better understand the law and develop the culture of lawfulness. I will be happy to give you more details about the activities at the start of the new school year, hoping that our initiatives will contribute to a fair and rule-based society underpinned by the rule of law.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng wrote this article and posted it on her blog on August 30.

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South Africa: KZN Health MECs salary docked by 50% after flouting COVID-19 regulations

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala, has instructed the Provincial Treasury to deduct 50% of Health MEC Nomagugu Simelanes salary at the next payment cycle, after attending an event where there was alleged flouting of COVID-19 regulations.

This after photographs and videos emerged on social media on 21 August 2021, claiming to have been taken at a gathering allegedly hosted by Simelane.

In the footage, the MEC is portrayed in a celebratory mood alongside a number of other guests, and in both the video and the photographs, the patrons, including Simelane, were not wearing masks and do not appear to be practising social distancing.

During a media briefing on Saturday, Zikalala said that upon receiving the reports, he requested a full report, which has been duly submitted by the MEC.

From the report, the following facts are clear: it is the position of the MEC that the images were taken at the venue of a surprise venue for her birthday lunch; the MEC also states that the event was held at a venue which was well-ventilated and which had the appropriate social distancing, and that guests were fully aware and were regularly reminded by both the master of ceremony and the MEC to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations.

The MEC states that the [gathering] was attended by a maximum of 36 people at a venue meant for 200 people and therefore provided enough circulation in compliance with the regulations. With regard to the images, the MEC further states that the images were captured during the period when the patrons were consuming food, Zikalala said.

After receiving Simelanes report, Zikalala also had time to discuss the matter.

Having looked at the facts presented to me, it is my considered view as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal that as leaders, we have the burden of providing ethical leadership," said Zikalala.

While acknowledging that the circumstances that landed the MEC in the situation may have been beyond her control, the Premier emphasised that the public still have the expectation that, as public office bearers, they should lead them ethically.

This does not by any stretch of the imagination imply that public office bearers and politicians are not infallible. The MEC has shown a high level of contrition and she did not go out of her way to violate COVID-19, the Premier said.

Leading by example

The Premier noted that KwaZulu-Natal is in the midst of a deadly COVID-19 pandemic, which has devastated the entire economy of the country and province.

As we speak, we are engaged in a massive vaccination drive as we battle the effects of the third wave and the advent of the Delta variant of the Coronavirus. At the centre of the battle against the virus is the call to the people of KwaZulu-Natal to adopt the non-pharmaceutical preventative measures.

This includes sanitising or washing hands regularly, social distancing and the wearing of masks. In addition, we are on a mass campaign to get the people of KwaZulu-Natal to vaccinate in order to help South Africa achieve the appropriate numbers to attain population immunity."

Zikalala said the MEC for Health has been charged with the responsibility to lead the efforts of the province in the mission to provide a better health for all.

"In addition, the MEC has been given the responsibility to champion the fight against COVID-19. The MEC is therefore at the chest of the war and is expected to lead by example at all times.

"The MEC must within seven days issue a public apology for having been at an event where there was flouting of COVID-19 regulations. The MEC has received a warning from the Premier; [and] we have instructed Provincial Treasury to ensure that at the next payment cycle, 50% of the MECs salary is docked and paid to NGOs that fight against COVID-19 in the district where the MEC is a champion in Amajuba District Municipality, Zikalala said.  SAnews.gov.za

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Hong Kong: HK, Shanghai conference held

Chief Executive Carrie Lam and Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng co-chaired the fifth Plenary Session of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Conference through video conferencing today.

Mrs Lam noted that since the conferences establishment, the current-term Government is the only one which has held plenary sessions twice during the five-year term.

She said this proves that the relationship between Hong Kong and Shanghai has become closer and more diversified, without being affected by external factors, even though Hong Kong has faced unprecedented challenges in the past two years.

The Chief Executive pointed out that Shanghai and Hong Kong are key cities of the country with special status and functions. One is the leading city of the Yangtze River Delta Economic City Group and the other is the core city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

During the 14th Five-Year period, the two places should strive for broader, closer and deeper co-operation, with a view to serving the countrys needs and contributing to the countrys development, Mrs Lam added.

At the meeting, Hong Kong and Shanghai reached consensus on 13 co-operation areas, including expansion in the Mainland domestic market and the Belt & Road Initiative, cultural and creative industries, innovation and technology (I&T) and finance.

Mrs Lam and Mr Gong signed a co-operation memorandum of todays conference.

Four other pacts covering economic co-operation, I&T, healthcare as well as culture were also signed.

This story has been published on: 2021-08-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RTHK: After 20 years, final US troops leave Afghanistan

The United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan, the Pentagon said on Monday, after a chaotic evacuation of thousands of Americans and Afghan allies to close out US involvement there after 20 years of conflict.

The operation came to an end before the Tuesday deadline set by US President Joe Biden, who has drawn heavy criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for his handling of Afghanistan since the Taliban made rapid advances and took over Kabul earlier this month.

The withdrawal was announced by General Frank McKenzie, commander of the US Central Command, who told a Pentagon briefing that the chief US diplomat in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, was on the last C-17 flight out.

Having failed to anticipate that the Taliban would so quickly conquer the country, Washington and its Nato allies were forced into a hasty exit. They leave behind thousands of Afghans who helped Western countries and might have qualified for evacuation.

McKenzie said the final flights also did not include some dozens of Americans who could not get to the airport.

"There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure. We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out. But I think if we'd stayed another 10 days, we wouldn't have gotten everybody out," McKenzie told reporters.

More than 122,000 people have been airlifted out of Kabul since August 14, the day before the Taliban regained control of the country two decades after being removed from power by the US-led invasion in 2001. (Reuters)

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Last updated: 2021-08-31 HKT 05:22

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Update: 30-08-2021 | 11:46:15

More than 16,000 experts and medical workers have been deployed by the Ministry of Health to Ho Chi Minh City and southern provinces to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Minister Nguyen Thanh Long.

Inside a COVID-19 treatment hospital in Ho Chi Minh City

At an online meeting on August 29 of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control with 1,060 communes, wards and towns in 20 provinces and cities now under social distance measures, under the chair of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister Long also announced that the ministry has mobilized a large volume of equipment, ventilators, and medical supplies to send to these localities.

The ministry has established and operated effectively 11 resuscitation centres for patients in critical conditions in the southern region, with six in Ho Chi Minh City, contributing to reducing the mortality rate.

Regarding vaccination against COVID-19, as of August 26, 19 southern localities had been allocated with more than 12.3 million doses, of which about 10.5 million doses had been administered, including more than 9.9 million first jabs, Long stated.

Ho Chi Minh City alone had vaccinated more than 5.78 million doses (81.6 percent), including nearly 5.6 million first injections.

As of August 28, Vietnam had administered more than 19.2 million doses of vaccines against COVID-19./.

VNA
News  Vietnam

Vietnam Banks Association urges Visa, Mastercard to reduce fees
Nano Covax producer asked to provide more data

Nanogen Biopharmaceuticals and the research team behind Vietnams home-grown COVID-19 vaccine Nano Covax, have been asked to provide more data before an emergency use licence can be granted.











A volunteer receives a Nano Covax vaccine as part of human trials on August 27. VNA/VNS Photo Minh Quyet







The request was made by the Advisory Council for the Registration of Circulation of Drugs and Medicinal Ingredients after a meeting held late Sunday evening.



The council said in a press released they and relevant units had carefully considered the application, adding that the dossier had been appraised by the Legal Subcommittee under the National Institute for Control of Vaccines and Biologicals twice; by the Quality Subcommittee four times, and by the Pharmacology and Clinical Subcommittee three times.



The Advisory Council acknowledged the results obtained for the application for a certificate of circulation of the Nano Covax vaccine which had been appraised by the expert subcommittees, and accepted by the Ethics Council. At the same time, the Advisory Council requested the company continue to supplement and clarify some content regarding application quality and pharmacological and clinical records.



Regarding pharmacological and clinical records, the council asked for more information regarding safety, immunogenicity and protection effect.



Specifically, the enterprise needs to add and update data on safety for all subjects who have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine up to the present time and clearly explain the cases of serious adverse events (SAE).



The council also asked for more data according to the latest amendment protocol approved by the Ethics Committee, including: assessment of immunogenicity on new strains (for example Delta strain, UK strain, and others) and sample size for immunogenicity assessment should be carried out in accordance with the approved research protocol.



Regarding the protection effect, it is required that the enterprise coordinate with the research team to analyse and discuss the relationship between the immunogenicity of the vaccine and the protection effectiveness of at least 50 per cent (according to the guidance of the World Health Organization).



Last week, the results from Nano Covax's phase 3a clinical trials involving about 1,000 volunteers were given the green light from the National Committee for Ethics in Biomedicine Research.



Some volunteers reported typical side effects like pain at the injection site, itchiness, nausea, light fever after receiving the vaccine. Two suffered from shock reactions but have completely recovered.



The geometric mean concentration (GMC) of the antibody among the injected volunteers evaluated by PRNT50 tests on Wuhan strain is at 63.5, while GMC for those given placebo is at five.



On day 42, the seroconversion rate reached 99.2 per cent.



Nano Covax, a recombinant spike protein vaccine, is the forerunner in the race for domestically produced COVID-19 vaccine, followed by COVIVAC from the Institute of Vaccines and Biologic Medical and mRNA vaccine ARCT-154 (by Arcturus and VinBioCare) just starting phase 2 trials.
ICUs near capacity, more mandates imposed as U.S. sees new high of COVID-19 cases

Xinhua) 09:22, August 29, 2021

Healthcare workers help a patient in the "COVID Area" of the Beverly Hospital in Montebello City, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2021. (Xinhua)

The Delta variant has swept through the United States, including Louisiana, straining hospital resources, reported Business Insider, adding that many hospitals in the state are approaching "major failure" and have already begun delaying non-emergency procedures and patient transfers.

Intensive care units (ICU) at hospitals are reaching their capacity in more states, and more mandates of vaccine and mask are being placed across the United States, as the COVID-19 pandemic claimed new highs of confirmed cases and fatality toward the weekend.

On Friday, the country reported 155,365 new cases of daily coronavirus, with the 14-day change seeing a 21 percent rise. The daily hospitalizations stood at 98,337, with the 14-day change a 28 percent increase. The daily death toll was 1,266, with the 14-day change a starling 95 percent hike, The New York Times (NYT) updated on Saturday.

MANDATES AND REQUIREMENTS

New York State has ordered all students, staff and visitors inside school buildings to wear masks, a mandate that will not just apply to public school districts but also to private, charter and religious schools throughout the Empire State.

The policy was filed in an emergency regulation Friday night, out of the government's fear that the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant might spread as students head back to school.

New York City already had a mask mandate in place for city schools in advance of the first day on Sept. 13. Mayor Bill de Blasio has also ordered all Department of Education staff to get vaccinated by Sept. 27.

Liberty University is enacting a campus-wide quarantine after reporting its highest rate of COVID-19 cases to date, just days after the Virginia-based evangelical college reopened with no mitigation measures.

The university announced late Thursday it would be switching to online classes and banning all large indoor gatherings starting Monday, reported Forbes on Friday.

The shutdown, which will last through Sept. 10, follows a large uptick in the number of coronavirus cases since students made their return to campus in mid-August. The university's COVID-19 dashboard shows the number of active coronavirus cases increased from three on Aug. 15 to 159 as of Wednesday, including 124 among students and 35 among faculty.

Pedestrians walk past a building of New York University in New York, the United States, July 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

As coronavirus cases surge again across the United States, driven by the highly contagious Delta variant, some hotels have announced they will require proof of vaccination from guests and staff, according to an NYT report published online on Friday.

Accommodations such as PUBLIC Hotel, Equinox Hotel and Wythe Hotel, all in New York City, Urban Cowboy Lodge in New York State, and Pilgrim House in Provincetown, Massachusetts, are among the first in the United States to announce that they will require evidence of vaccination, via a physical card or a digital verification, from their guests.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association, an industry trade group, has issued safety guidelines based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which includes encouraging employees to get vaccinated.

ICU OCCUPIED

Arizona surpassed 1 million COVID-19 cases on Friday, becoming the 13th state in the United States to reach the grim milestone while contending with yet another major spike in infections, according to the CDC's COVID-19 Data Tracker.

"The benchmark is the latest in a tumultuous year and a half where Arizona went from being touted as a pandemic success story to being 'the hot spot of the world' and then being a model again when vaccinations became available." reported the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Now the state, like the rest of the country, is coping with a surge, mostly among the unvaccinated, and in conflicts over mask and vaccine mandates, it added.

Louisiana's hospital system is already straining due to large numbers of COVID-19 patients, and it must now tackle another challenge: Hurricane Ida is expected to hit the majority of the state on Sunday.

Approximately 68 percent of all hospital beds in the state are filled, including 84 percent of all ICU beds, according to The Daily Advertiser's hospital capacity table.

Photo taken on Nov. 13, 2020 shows the Parkland Hospital which admits COVID-19 patients in Dallas, Texas, the United States. (Photo by Dan Tian/Xinhua)

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has swept through the United States, including Louisiana, straining hospital resources, reported Business Insider on Saturday, adding that many hospitals in the state are approaching "major failure" and have already begun delaying non-emergency procedures and patient transfers.

Texas hospitals are also overwhelmed with the latest surge in coronavirus patients. As of Thursday, there were 13,932 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Texas and only 356 available ICU beds statewide, reported news website Changing America on Friday.

"There are many patients that are not doing well," Shawn Nishi, a doctor and associate professor of critical care medicine at University of Texas Medical Branch's Jennie Sealy Hospital, was quoted as saying. "It's very chaotic, because these patients are very unpredictable. At one moment they look great and the next moment, they're dying."

In Texas, just more than half, or 56.2 percent, of the eligible population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, said the report, adding that on Wednesday, coronavirus hospitalizations across the United States eclipsed 100,000 for the first time since January.

(Web editor: Zhange Wenjie, Bianji)
U.S. carries out airstrike targeting suspected ISIS-K vehicle in Kabul

Xinhua) 08:17, August 30, 2021

Taliban fighters are seen on a road in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2021. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

"We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material," said a U.S. Central Command spokesman.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Central Command said on Sunday that U.S. military forces carried out an airstrike in Kabul against a suspected ISIS-K vehicle, which could pose an imminent threat to the airport.

The airstrike eliminated "an imminent ISIS-K threat to Hamad Karzai International airport," U.S. Central Command Spokesman Bill Urban said in a statement, referring to a local affiliate of the Islamic State in Afghanistan.

"We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material," Urban said.

"We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time. We remain vigilant for potential future threats," said the spokesman.

The airstrike came after U.S. President Joe Biden warned on Saturday that another terror attack against Kabul airport could be "highly likely in the next 24-36 hours."

It was the second U.S. military strike in Afghanistan since a suicide bombing outside Kabul airport on Thursday killed 13 U.S. service members and some 170 Afghans. ISIS-K had claimed responsibility for the attack.

In retaliation for the deadly attack, the U.S. military on Friday launched a drone strike against the terror group in Nangarhar province of eastern Afghanistan, which killed two "high-profile" members and wounded another, according to the Pentagon.

The United States has been scrambling to evacuate Americans and its Afghan partners from the country since the Taliban entered Kabul on Aug. 15. The White House said on Saturday that around 111,900 people had left Afghanistan since Aug. 14.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Xinjiang cotton stretches out to bigger market

Xinhua) 08:26, August 30, 2021

-- The cotton and textile industry in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has shown resilience by further tapping markets and winning over more customers with its superior quality.

-- From January to July, Xinjiang's export volume witnessed a robust year-on-year growth of 33.2 percent, reaching 64.87 billion yuan (10 billion U.S. dollars). The exports of textile and garments saw a staggering year-on-year growth of 65.6 percent during the period.

-- As the region opens more to the world, the sustained recovery of Xinjiang's foreign trade has boosted the confidence of foreign business partners to expand a broader market and seek win-win cooperation.

URUMQI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- In the workshop of a textile company in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, workers were busy packaging some 70,000 pieces of knitted underwear for orders from Japan.

The enterprise weathered a downturn in its export last year due to adverse effects, including the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. groundless sanctions over Xinjiang cotton, but the trend has now reversed, said Li Lyuzhi, manager in the foreign trade department of the company based in the regional capital Urumqi.

File photo shows a worker busy working in a workshop of a textile company in Yuli County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

The company is among some 100 cotton and textile firms displaying their high-quality products at the (China) Eurasia Commodity and Trade Online Expo (EACT Expo) 2021 that opened on Aug. 25, both online and offline. The offline part is to conclude later on Sunday, while the online exhibition will last a year.

The EACT Expo has become a significant platform for promoting economic cooperation and trade exchanges with the world since its inauguration in 2015.

"The expo this year has built an interconnected and shared digital platform for global enterprises," said Mamtimin Hadir, acting mayor of Urumqi.

The region's cotton and textile industry has shown resilience by further tapping markets and winning over more customers with its superior quality.

The intelligent apparel production equipment brand Qonvolv is participating in the online exhibition. It is under the technical support of a Hong Kong-based textile and apparel manufacturer.

"Last year, our customers, including clothing, fabrics, and textile manufacturers, had to work at full capacity to fulfill orders from domestic and foreign buyers," said Edward Ho, director of the brand.

The cotton and textile industry is one of the pillar industries in Xinjiang, and textiles are among the major commodities exported from the region.

The cotton output of Xinjiang, the country's largest growing area for the crop, exceeded 5.16 million tonnes in 2020, accounting for 87.3 percent of China's total, figures show. The regional statistics bureau said Xinjiang's cotton output would remain stable in 2021.

Aerial file photo taken on Oct. 17, 2020 shows a machine harvesting cotton in a field in Wenjiazhuang Village, Manas County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

From January to July, Xinjiang's export volume witnessed a robust year-on-year growth of 33.2 percent, reaching 64.87 billion yuan (10 billion U.S. dollars). The exports of textile and garments saw a staggering year-on-year growth of 65.6 percent during the period.

As the region opens more to the world, the sustained recovery of Xinjiang's foreign trade has boosted the confidence of foreign business partners to expand a broader market and seek win-win cooperation.

More than 500 government officials and representatives from business associations and enterprises from home and abroad discussed strengthening economic cooperation, trade exchanges and achieving mutual benefits via a video link during the expo.

Badar uz Zaman, commercial counsellor of Pakistan Embassy in Beijing, said that China is one of Pakistan's largest partners and Pakistan hopes to deepen exchanges and cooperation with Xinjiang in fields like agriculture, industry and infrastructure construction through the expo.

According to Ulakhovich Vladimir Evgenievich, chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, more than 70 Belarusian enterprises participated in the online exhibition of the expo, and he looked forward to further exploring the Chinese market for Belarusian enterprises through the fair.

Zhu Junfeng, manager for the Asian Region of Trade and Investment Department of the government of the South Australia state, Australia, said 18 enterprises from the state participated in the expo.

According to Zhu, Australia is a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and South Australia wants to continue to strengthen its exchanges and cooperation with Xinjiang in the economy, trade, and investment.

Containers are seen at the Horgos Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

An Caili, sales manager of a 40-year-old textile enterprise in Xinjiang, said the expo will help their products reach out to an even bigger market both at home and abroad.

"Via the expo, more local textile brands in Xinjiang are expected to go global, and I believe more people will know and buy textile products made of Xinjiang cotton," said An.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
US foreign policy totally failed amid attacks in Kabul

Global Times) 08:38, August 30, 2021

China urges US to help Afghanistan to control terrorism, end violence

US President Joe Biden might find that the first year of his term is going to be completely different from his previous plan, at least in the field of foreign affairs, as the pullout from Afghanistan now becomes a hasty and chaotic situation with heavy casualties of US troops and local civilians that makes the humiliating ending of the US-launched war even more humiliating and embarrassing, said experts amid another explosion that hit a house near Kabul airport and US latest military strike in Kabul on Sunday after a major terrorist attack at the airport on Thursday.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday urged the US to take practical action to help Afghanistan to control terrorism and stop violence, rather than engage in double standards or selective fighting of terrorism in a phone with call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

On Sunday, another explosion rocked an area near Kabul airport following the one that killed 13 US service members and at least 170 others outside the airport on Thursday. Reuters reported the blast appeared to have been caused by a rocket that hit a house in the northern said of the airport.

Meanwhile, US forces launched a military strike in Kabul on Sunday targeting a possible suicide car bomb that was aiming to attack the airport, US officials said, Reuters reported.

The strike initially appeared to be a separate incident to the one at the residential property north of the airport, though this is yet to be confirmed, media reported.

Biden warned on Saturday that another terrorist attack on Kabul's airport is "highly likely in the next 24-36 hours," hours after the Pentagon said two "high profile" ISIS targets were killed and another was injured in a US drone strike in retaliation against the terrorist attack on Thursday, CNN reported.

"This strike was not the last," Biden said in his statement. He vowed to "hunt down any person involved in that heinous attack and make them pay." Shortly after Biden's statement, the US Embassy in Kabul issued a security alert, urging all US citizens in the vicinity of Kabul airport to leave the area immediately, citing "a specific, credible threat," the alert read.

A series of attacks in Kabul is continually damaging the US' image as it has failed to protect its troops, Afghan locals and other foreign nationals of its allies who want to leave with Americans. Although the US could launch retaliatory attacks against ISIS-K, who claimed that an ISIS militant carried out Thursday's suicide attack at Kabul's airport, it still cannot effectively improve the situation at the airport, said Chinese analysts, adding that the embarrassing and terrible handling of the Afghan issue would make Biden and the Democrats lose badly in the midterm election next year.

In a phone call with Blinken on Sunday, Wang Yi urged the US to take concrete actions to help Afghanistan eliminate terrorism and end violence and not practice double standards to counter-terrorism. This is the second phone conversation between the two on the issue in recent two weeks after one on August 16.

"The facts have proven that the US war in Afghanistan has not accomplished the mission to eliminate terrorists in the country. The hasty evacuation of the US and NATO troops will very likely provide new opportunities for terrorists groups in Afghanistan to stage a comeback," Wang said.

"The US should take concrete actions, based on the precondition of respecting the sovereignty of Afghanistan, to help the country to eliminate terrorism and stop violence, rather than practice double standards on counter-terrorism or selectively strike terrorists," Wang said.

Wang said it is necessary for all parties to engage with the Taliban and actively guide them. The US in particular needs to work with the international community to provide much-needed economic, livelihood and humanitarian assistance, he said.

The situation in Kabul is a complete mess with unnecessary bloodshed as some civilians were not killed by the terrorist attack but were reportedly shot by US troops in the subsequent confusion.

Secunder Kermani, BBC correspondent in Pakistan and Afghanistan, tweeted on Saturday a video of interviews with the locals and survivors of the attack that "Many we spoke to, including eyewitnesses, said significant numbers of those killed were shot dead by US forces in the panic after the blast."

The chaos and tragedy at the Kabul airport proves that the US' 20-year occupation has completely failed as the terrorists have not been eliminated at all and are even more capable of attacking US troops and civilians, said experts, adding that those Afghans who want to leave their country with the Americans and got shot by US troops have been taught a lesson - the US will let anyone with wishful thinking disappointed.

The Pentagon said Saturday that two high-profile ISIS-K targets were killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon said the strike targeted two ISIS-K members believed to be involved in planning attacks against US forces in Kabul. Army Major General William Taylor said Saturday that there were no known civilian casualties following the strike, CNBC reported.

Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times that "although the US claimed that it can sense the potential attack and launch retaliation against ISIS-K, its intelligence gathering capability on the ground will still be undermined after the evacuation."

"Some information from other sources shows that the two ISIS-K members killed by US drone are not really involved the attack at the Kabul airport, and some even say they are civilians but claimed to be 'ISIS-K members,' so it's hard to completely believe the Pentagon's statement, and maybe the action is just a move to respond to the US public," Zhu said.

But the good news is that the attack would force the US and Taliban to have some pragmatic cooperation on specific issues, such as security around the airport, said observers.

"The Taliban could also use this as a chance to distance itself from terrorists in the country but it won't normalize ties between Taliban and the US," Zhu said.

Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, said in a TV interview with CBS that the US would continue working with the Taliban to ensure safe passage for those wishing to leave Afghanistan beyond the 31 August deadline.

US forces are set to wind up their evacuation mission in Kabul before Tuesday's deadline but concerns remain about those remaining in the country beyond the deadline. Since August 14, the US has evacuated and facilitated the evacuation of approximately 114,400 people and roughly 120,000 since the end of July.

Going to lose

This is not the only mess the US is handling. The Biden administration previously planned to use its intelligence agencies to "investigate" the coronavirus origins and to politicize the matter to stigmatize China, and now the investigation with an embarrassing result adds another failure to the US. Biden's approval rating is sinking, which makes the president and his party very likely to lose the midterm elections.

"The warning Biden gave on Saturday suggests that although the US has the ability to anticipate terrorist attacks, the chaos in Kabul has made it unable to guard its own citizens against it, and the administration is urging to speed up the evacuation even before the departure deadline of August 31 arrives," Diao Daming, an expert on US studies and associate professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times on Sunday.

"The terrorist attack came as Biden has been in office for a full seven months. According to comprehensive poll results of the US public's satisfaction with the incumbent, the dissatisfaction rate has overridden the satisfaction rate among the masses," Diao noted.

Biden's approval rating hit its lowest as the US-backed Afghan government collapsed in an upheaval that sent thousands of civilians and Afghan military allies fleeing for their safety, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, Reuters reported on August 17.

A week later, a Gallup poll found that satisfaction rate with the direction the US is going in has also fallen to its lowest since Biden took office, with just 23 percent among 1,006 Americans satisfied, which is in line with increasingly negative reviews of the president's performance in the crisis in Afghanistan, Forbes reported on Tuesday.

In contrast, two of his predecessors, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, were put into such situations much later in their terms - Obama's low approval ratings came a year and a half after he took office, while a similar situation occurred to George W. Bush near the end of his first term, experts noted.

But analysts said that even so, there will be no impeachment or resignation of Biden or Blinken. Next, pressure from the Republicans and the midterm elections will have significant impact on how the current administration defines their existence in Afghanistan, analysts noted.

On Friday, US Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Mike Waltz issued a joint statement calling on Biden to recognize Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh and representatives of Ahmad Massoud as the legitimate Afghan government and urged on them to "designate the Afghan Taliban as a Foreign Terrorist Organization."

What's more, it is clear to Biden that the midterm elections are almost definitely "a lost cause" for the Democrats, Diao said, and Biden may have already begun to look to the big picture for the long term instead of short-term influences.

Observers believe that the US will continue to consolidate its existence in the region and continue to breed its own powers. "The US' swift actions in finding the high-profile ISIS targets have shown that its intelligence network is still working in the region," experts said.

The US is likely to continue playing a "destructive role" to create chaos in Afghanistan and disturb the safety and stability of its neighbors, including China. "It will in some way help the US' scheme to target other major world powers," Diao said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Most Americans killed in Kabul airport attack were 9/11 babies: media

Xinhua) 08:45, August 30, 2021

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Twelve of the 13 U.S. service members killed in Thursday's Kabul airport bombing were 9/11 babies, according to local media reports.

The Pentagon released their names and biographies on Saturday. They were born within a few years of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, which led the United States to launch two lengthy and painful wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"They never knew a United States that was not at war, never lived in the world before the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration, a country without ID checks in office buildings, metal detectors at schools, shoes X-rayed at the airport," a Washington Post report lamented.

"Our generation of Marines has been listening to the Iraq/Afghan vets tell their war stories for years," Mallory Harrison, a friend of 23-year-old Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, one of the 13 dead, wrote on Facebook.

"It's easy for that war &those stories to sound like something so distant -- something that you feel like you're never going to experience since you joined the Marine Corps during peacetime," Harrison said.

ISIS-K, a radical affiliate of the Islamic State active in Afghanistan, had claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on Thursday which also claimed some 170 Afghan lives outside the Kabul airport.

U.S. President Joe Biden warned on Saturday that another attack against the airport could be "highly likely in the next 24-36 hours."

"The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high," Biden said in a statement.

Biden set Aug. 31 as the deadline to end the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Saturday that the U.S. forces on the ground had begun to withdraw from the Kabul airport.

The White House said Saturday that around 111,900 people had left Afghanistan since Aug. 14.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Small fruits drive growth of agricultural industry in Wenchuan, SW China

People's Daily Online) 09:08, August 30, 2021

Farmers pick plums on their farmland in Wenchuan county, southwest China's Sichuan province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the CPC Wenchuan County Committee)

Fruit trees have become a cash cow for farmers in Wenchuan, southwest Chinas Sichuan province as their flowers turn into tourist attractions in the spring and their fruits generate considerable earnings for the growers.

Recently, farmers have been busy picking and selling the locally grown fruits. Chen Hongli, a plum grower, said the production of plums from her orchard could reach as much as 10,000 kg a year. We sell most of our fruits on WeChat, said Chen, adding that she had established a stable sales channel on the platform.

In helping farmers sell fruits online, Wenchuan has opened an e-commerce training center, provided guidance to people on how to open and run online shops, issued supportive policies, and allocated special funds to support the sector. To support the e-commerce sector, Wencuan has built a storage area covering 17,000 square meters and a cold-chain storage area covering 6,340 square meters.

Li Changlei is head of the e-commerce department for a local food company. The man said they collected plums from fruit growers right after they picked the fruits at their orchards. We have delivered several thousand kilograms of plums to clients each day recently, Li said.

At the end of 2020, the planting area for fruits in Wenchuan had surpassed 4,666.7 hectares. With a total yield of 90,000 tonnes, the fruits had generated 900 million yuan in income for local people.

Each and every year over the past several years, the local government has earmarked 20 million yuan in funds to consolidate the localitys foundations for continued agricultural development and to better enhance guarantees for receiving all the necessary factors of production.

The locality has developed a transport vehicle to assist farmers in carrying fruits along rural roads. The lightweight, flexible yet powerful vehicle is widely used in Wenchuan, freeing farmers from carrying the fruits on their own backs.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Cuba receives medical supply donation from China as pandemic worsens

Xinhua) 09:26, August 30, 2021

Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Ma Hui (2nd L) talks with Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca (R) during a handover ceremony at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba, Aug. 28, 2021. Cuba on Saturday received medical supplies donated by the Chinese government to help it combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the island faces the sharpest rise in cases, deaths and hospitalizations. The medical supplies include rapid COVID-19 antigen testing kits, surgical gloves and protective suits, adding to the ventilators and oxygen concentrators donated by China recently. (Photo by Joaquin Hernandez/Xinhua)

HAVANA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cuba on Saturday received medical supplies donated by the Chinese government to help it combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the island faces the sharpest rise in cases, deaths and hospitalizations.

The medical supplies include rapid COVID-19 antigen testing kits, surgical gloves and protective suits, adding to the ventilators and oxygen concentrators donated by China recently.

"China and Cuba express their mutual solidarity and support in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic," which reflects the strong links between the two countries and effort to implement the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Ma Hui during a handover ceremony at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.

"This donation is an example for the international community. China helps not only Cuba but other countries in need," said Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca, adding that governments should work together to stem the COVID-19 crisis.

Cuba had registered 634,161 COVID-19 cases and 5,067 deaths, the Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Remains of more Chinese martyrs in Korean War to be returned

Xinhua) 09:28, August 30, 2021

BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The remains of more Chinese soldiers killed in the 1950-53 Korean War will be returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in September, said China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs on Sunday.

It will be the eighth batch of martyrs' remains returned since 2014, following a handover agreement signed by the two countries.

A burial ceremony will be held in the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs' cemetery in the city of Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Sept. 3, after the aircraft carrying the remains is scheduled to land at a Shenyang airport on Sept. 2, the ministry said.

Ceremonies will also be held in the ROK before the remains of the fallen soldiers were returned to China.

The CPV fought with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Army in the Korean War against the ROK army and U.S.-led UN forces.

Almost 200,000 CPV soldiers were confirmed killed in the war, with most buried on the Korean Peninsula.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Ancient Shu Kingdom relics site found in SW China

Xinhua) 09:31, August 30, 2021

Photo taken on March 17, 2021 shows a bronze sculpture of human figure at Sanxingdui Museum in southwest China's Sichuan Province. The sculpture was unearthed in 1986 from the Sanxingdui Ruins site, a representative heritage site of the early periods of the ancient Shu Kingdom. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

CHENGDU, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese archaeologists have discovered ruins of the ancient Shu Kingdom, a civilization dating back at least 4,800 years, in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The relics site, located in Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital, was found in October last year. Excavation from March to August this year led to the discovery of more than 80 ancient tombs and over 10 house ruins sites that date back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC) and the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC).

A large number of bronze ware, jade ware and pottery, including bronze seal, willow leaf-shaped sword and other typical artifacts of the ancient Shu civilization, have also been unearthed from the site, according to Xiong Qiaoqiao, who leads the excavation project.

Xiong said the relics site is from a key transitional period between the early Shu civilization, represented by the Sanxingdui Ruins site, and the late Shu civilization.

It provides important research materials for reconstructing the history of the ancient Shu Kingdom, which lacks the support of written records, Xiong added.

It is believed that the ancient Shu Kingdom lasted over 2,000 years.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China's sovereign wealth fund sees big return from 2020 overseas investment

Xinhua) 09:32, August 30, 2021

Photo taken on Oct. 26, 2020 from the Sinar Mas Plaza shows a view of the Lujiazui area in Shanghai, east China. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- China Investment Corporation (CIC), a sovereign wealth fund in the country, reported a net annual return of 14.07 percent from its overseas investments on a U.S. dollar basis last year.

That has put its net annualized overseas 10-year return at 6.82 percent, 128 basis points higher than its 10-year performance target, according to an annual report published by the CIC.

Founded in September 2007, CIC was established as a vehicle to diversify China's foreign exchange holdings. It has three subsidiaries -- CIC International, CIC Capital and Central Huijin.

CIC International and CIC Capital are responsible for overseas investment activities, while Central Huijin undertakes equity investments in the domestic market.

CIC's total assets have expanded to 1.2 trillion U.S. dollars by the end of 2020, with its net assets standing at 1.1 trillion dollars, data from the report showed.

Currently, CIC's overseas portfolio consists of public equity, fixed income, alternative assets and cash products.

Faced with the unprecedented challenges amid COVID-19, CIC has remained consistent in its strategic focus, positioned as a long-term institutional investor and saw strong performance despite global headwinds, said Peng Chun, Chairman and CEO of CIC, in the report.

The CIC has also continued to find new ways to deploy capital overseas, strengthened its outbound investment partnerships and pushed ahead with new bilateral fund initiatives, according to Peng.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Chinese mainland reports no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases

Xinhua) 13:06, August 30, 2021

Staff members check a tourist's body temperature and verify her health-code at the Fuzi (Confucius) Temple scenic area in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Aug. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Sunday reported no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Monday.

Sunday saw 23 new imported cases, nine of which were reported in Guangdong, five in Shanghai, three in Yunnan, two in Tianjin, and one each in Shanxi, Zhejiang, Fujian and Shandong.

Four suspected cases arriving from outside the mainland were newly reported, of which three were reported in Shanghai and one in Beijing.

No new deaths were reported on Sunday, the commission added.

A total of 8,284 imported cases had been reported on the mainland by the end of Sunday. Among them, 7,660 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 624 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 94,842 by Sunday, including 1,175 patients still receiving treatment, seven of whom were in severe condition.

A total of 89,031 patients had been discharged from hospitals following recovery on the mainland, and 4,636 had died as a result of the virus.

A total of 24 asymptomatic cases, all arriving from outside the mainland, were newly reported. There were a total of 443 asymptomatic cases, of whom 381 were imported, under medical observation on Sunday.

By the end of Sunday, 12,107 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 15,983 cases, including 834 deaths, had been reported in Taiwan.

A total of 11,783 COVID-19 patients in the Hong Kong SAR had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, while 60 had been discharged in the Macao SAR, and 13,673 had been discharged in Taiwan.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
U.S. reaping benefits of Australia's trade, political disputes with China: media

Xinhua) 14:36, August 30, 2021

HONG KONG, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Observers said the United States is reaping the benefits of Australia's trade and political disputes with China, the South China Morning Post has reported.

The newspaper said the United States has done little to advance its commitment to support its ally and on the contrary, American exporters have cashed in, with wine, coal and beef exports from the United States to China now far greater than those from Australia.

Australia did not export any coal to China for the eighth month in a row, while the United States sold 636,000 tonnes of coal worth 117 million U.S. dollars.

American exporters have also been selling much more bottled wine to China than Australia has. In July, the United States sold China nearly 3.5 million dollars worth of wine in containers of up to two liters, while Australia sold about 400,000 dollars worth of the product.

Monthly beef exports from the United States to China have more than doubled this year, making the United States surpassing Australia in exports of frozen beef, a trade dominated by Australia for years.

Observers have suggested that Washington is prioritizing its own economic interests over those of its ally, despite repeated promises by U.S. politicians to stand with Australia against the so-called economic coercion from China.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Further origin-tracing of COVID-19 must follow the first phase WHO report

16:27, August 30, 2021 By Md Enamul Hassan ( People's Daily Online

For scientists and experts, it is essential to trace the origins of a virus to better understand and deal more effectively with the virus. Therefore, both are now trying to trace the origins of COVID-19. The scientists and experts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) have said that they must try and understand its origins and determine how the virus was disseminated in order to contain further infections and future epidemics.

They also believe that it is necessary to trace the virus back to its starting point to develop better therapeutic and vaccination strategies and prevent future zoonosis transmission. The origin-tracing task is also important to understand how the disease spread and which animals pose a risk of infection. Keeping these scientific suppositions in mind, China wholeheartedly cooperated with the WHO, which finally drew up its first report on the origin-tracing of COVID-19 after a full investigation, with the title of this article also making mention of this first phase WHO report.

A medical worker administers a dose of COVID-19 vaccine for a student at a vaccination site in Jinfeng district of Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Aug. 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

But the US and its allies are pressuring the WHO to launch a second phase of origin-tracing research in China. The WHO Secretariat, giving in to the illegitimate pressure, announced a proposal in this regard. I personally found the WHO Secretariats submission to the pressure not only absurd but also a reneging of the UN health agencys own words as international experts and the WHO itself repeatedly said that China has always participated in international origin-tracing cooperation with an open attitude.

The first phase report was not a joke. The WHO experts were invited to China twice to conduct joint research on origin-tracing, and great efforts were made to this end. The experts went wherever they wanted to go and met all the people they wanted to meet. After a 28-day field visit to China at the beginning of the year, in March this year, the WHO issued a joint research report  the first phase WHO report. The report concluded that a laboratory leak in Wuhan is extremely unlikely. The report also put forward important suggestions such as searching for possible early cases worldwide.

The conclusion of the report on the origins of the virus is a scientific, objective, and authoritative one drawn by the WHO experts after a large amount of serious and meticulous research work, which has already been recognized by the international and scientific communities.

Therefore, the international community must defend and preserve the recommendations and conclusions of the first phase report. They must also confirm that the recommendations and conclusions should be an important foundation for the next stage of global origin-tracing work. The world also believes that the WHO will never eat a humble pie by belittling its first phase report. If it does so, the organization will be like a washed dog that just returns back into the mud again.

Apart from defending and preserving the first phase report on origin-tracing, the international community must keep some important factors in mind to this end.

The origin-tracing task should care about just and rational global voices

The purpose of tracing the origins of the virus is to clarify the origins of the virus so that effective measures can be taken to prevent similar epidemics from recurring, and not to levy blame on a country, let alone dividing up the international community. Therefore, attempts and actions to stigmatize the epidemics origins and politicize the origin-tracing process are resolutely being opposed by the international community. More than 60 countries have already written to the WHO, agreeing with the first phase origins-tracing research results and opposing the politicization of origin-tracing work.

Many government officials, experts, and scholars from across the globe have recently spoken out, demanding a comprehensive and scientific reflection of the origin-tracing process and opposing its politicization and stigmatization. Many countries have clearly stated that the WHO Secretariat proposal on the second phase research in China does not meet the requirements of the World Health Assembly resolution, and does not meet the conclusions and recommendations of the first phase WHO report. The proposal violates the principles of scientific objectiveness and lacks the spirit of cooperation. I think their voices are objective, scientific, and just, and the WHO must pay attention to them for the sake of saving humanity from the curse of the virus.

Virus origin-tracing needs international cooperation

Viruses are the common enemies of mankind. We need to unite and deal with them together. Virus origin-tracing is a major, complex, and diverse scientific issue, which requires that origin-tracing be treated as a global task. Through joint efforts with scientists from various countries, China's origin-tracing research has made positive progress. Many expert teams have also jointly published hundreds of papers related to origin-tracing relying on global information. At present, many research results have shown that the time when the virus appeared in many places around the world was earlier than previously known.

Meanwhile, some scientific studies have proven that COVID-19 was probably already circulating in Italy by September 2019, months before the virus was first documented in Wuhan; in the US as early as mid-December 2019, weeks before China; in Paris as early as Dec 27, 2019, four days before China reported the first cases on December 31; in Brazil in November 2019, at least a month before the first case was detected in China; and, in a Barcelona sewage sample dating from March 12, 2019. The reports suggest that there were more and more reports of COVID-19 cases in multiple locations around the world in the second half of 2019.

As a result, it is vital to expand the horizons of the study and carry out multi-point, multi-directional and three-dimensional origins-tracing around the world. Only by strengthening confidence along the path of science, and carrying out scientific tracing with a scientific attitude, methods, and facts, the truth can finally be revealed. All this shows that the tracing of the COVID-19 virus is a complex scientific issue, which should be carried out in cooperation with the international scientific community based on a global perspective. Therefore, international cooperation is a must in this case.

From what has been discussed above, I have no other option but to conclude that the recent proposal made by the WHO Secretariat to carry out the second phase of research in China is very unreasonable. The proposal also doesnt comply with the relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly. Many countries have already rejected the proposal and the WHO should respect the sovereignty of member states, while communicating and negotiating with them on the second phase of the study. Any further origin-tracing work must continue based on the recommendations and conclusions made in the first phase report of the WHO. Only in this way can we better guard against future risks. In the case of any deviation and exception, the world will have to pay a high price in the long run.

This article was first published in the Bangladesh Post.

Md Enamul Hassan is a news editor and broadcast journalist at the China Media Group (CMG) in Beijing, China.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
New China-Europe freight train route links China's Chongqing with Ukraine

Xinhua) 16:55, August 30, 2021

CHONGQING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A freight train loaded with 50 containers of machinery and equipment left southwest China's Chongqing Municipality Sunday for capital of Ukraine, marking the launch of Chongqing's new freight train route.

The freight train is scheduled to pass through the border port of Erenhot in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and will reach its destination in mid-September.

Previously, exports from Chongqing to Ukraine had to go through Belarus or Poland rather than heading directly for Ukraine. The new route is the municipality's first direct international freight train route to Kyiv. It is expected to further facilitate trade between Europe and the western regions of China.

Chongqing is a primary hub for China-Europe freight trains. The Yuxinou (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) railway, which was the first China-Europe freight train route, saw 1,359 trips in the first half of 2021, up over 50 percent year on year, according to the port and logistics office of the municipal government.

Since the railway was put into operation in 2011, Yuxinou has launched more than 30 routes, connecting over 40 cities across 26 countries, and the routes have recorded over 8,000 freight train trips.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Its happening, WorldTempus family. And when I say it, I mean the first significant and internationally attended physical watch event in 17 months. Geneva Watch Days is back with its second edition, which is shaping up to be bigger and better than the first. Its rare to see a sequel outperforming the original, which makes GWD 2.0 even more special in our eyes.

Over 20 brands will be welcoming visitors as part of the official Geneva Watch Days agenda, not to mention those exhibiting at the affiliated Baselworld pop-up tent. This weeks programme also includes two series of panel discussions (one of them moderated by our very own Sophie Furley), which will be streamed online to reach audiences at home.

Because I see this Monday morning editorial almost like a sort of family bulletin, I want to ask all of you  if you have a moment to spare in your busy lives  to send some good vibes our way this week. Our excitement at seeing the return of physical watch salons is matched only by our apprehension that after nearly two years on pause, we might not be the mentally primed fair-going machines that we used to be. And lets face it, even if we were mentally up to it, our fallible exteriors are not made of titanium and carbon fibre. Spare a little benediction for your beloved editorial team as they dash around the city gathering all the latest horological releases for your enjoyment.

Keep an eye out for our daily video highlights to get an on-the-ground glimpse of what were seeing and experiencing every day. Our staff editor Jordy Bellido will be your guide (its his first physical watch fair! GWD 2021 will be his baptism as a fully-fledged watch journalist) in these videos, so I hope you like looking at skinny millennials in tight pants.

Check back on our site every day for fresh articles, sign up for daily updates and alerts for your favourite brands, and follow us @worldtempus on all social media accounts as we take you through Geneva Watch Days 2021. As the only Geneva-based bilingual watch website in the world, it feels a lot like were welcoming you  our extended WorldTempus family  into our home. Make yourselves comfortable! Nuestra casa es su casa.
Finally! Girard-Perregaux, 230 this year, began its modern permutation under Antonio Calce and continues, just as admirably, under Patrick Pruniauxs stewardship. Of course, this grande dame of La Chaux-de-Fonds has certain ways that need to be respected, hence change has come in small increments. Before tackling the iconic Three Bridges, the brand began by releasing a model with one bridge (Free Bridge) then another with two bridges (Neo Bridges). Then came a Three Bridges in sapphire (the wonderful Quasar Light) that lead to this years return to precious metal. The progression from one to the next has been natural, intuitive and perfectly managed.



This, then, is the return of the historic Three Bridges in gold, but certainly not a journey back in time. On the contrary. This is modern Girard-Perregaux bringing back the Three Bridges, the tourbillon and precious metal in a watch that is completely and utterly anchored in the twenty-first century.

Simply complicated

While the brand hasnt resisted the well-worn marketing angle of connecting tradition and modernity, what matters is that the walk matches the talk. And very successfully so. The Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges is a powerful and intelligent piece that brings exactly the right amount of newness to make it an original creation without losing any of its fundamentals (or customers).

Three Bridges  Girard-Perregaux

Contrasts and oppositions

The watch finds its equilibrium in a retelling of its most identifiable feature, namely the three bridges that are the hallmark of the collection but with an entirely new aesthetic. Yes, they are in gold, but they are also coated with black PVD. Yes, they have their original form, but they are also openworked. The same is true of the indices, with a design similar to those on the Free Bridge but vertically positioned as a frame for the dial. Then there is the tourbillon, in its usual spot at 6 oclock but in a flying version, secured only from below, that accentuates the skeletonised geometry of the three bridges. It is through these constant contrasts and oppositions that the watch reinvents itself.

Three Bridges  Girard-Perregaux

Coherent, intelligent and subtle, it seems the Three Bridges has finally found its footing in the twenty-first century. After the Quasar exercise in style, the Three Flying Bridges once and for all lays the blueprint for the collection in the future.
It has been 175 years already since the adventure began for Ulysse Nardin! But who could have predicted in 1846, when young Ulysse opened his watchmaking workshop in Le Locle, the fabulous odyssey awaiting the company that now bears his name? And, above all, who could have imagined the exceptional influence of his timepieces throughout the world and across successive eras? Accompanied by his son, Paul-David, Ulysse Nardin rapidly established an outstanding reputation as a master of marine chronometers. Witness the numerous chronometry awards he received over the years and his tremendous success with some 50 marine corps, geodesy institutes and astronomical observatories. An exceptional heritage that the Le Locle-based company is particularly celebrating on the occasion of its 175th anniversary with seductive new versions of the Marine Torpilleur model.

Launched in 2017, the Marine Torpilleur line is the worthy descendant of the iconic Marine Chronometer. It owes its name to the small 19th century ships whose agility and speed made it possible at the time to counter larger naval units. This sophisticated, high-performance contemporary line is expanding its horizons this year with seven models incorporating Ulysse Nardins philosophy of excellence embodied in silicon technology, a heritage in the field of tourbillons and astronomy, high-precision chronographs, enameling craftsmanship, and aesthetic creativity.

Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu  Ulysse Nardin

Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu

Case: pink gold, sapphire back, water-resistant to 50m

Diameter: 42mm

Movement: mechanical self-winding (Manufacture caliber UN-128, 60h power reserve)

Functions: hours, minutes, flying tourbillon, power reserve

Dial: black Grand Feu enamel

Strap: black alligator leather, R-Strap compatible or rubber strap

Limited Edition: 175

Marine Torpilleur Panda  Ulysse Nardin

Marine Torpilleur Panda

Case: steel, sapphire back, water-resistant to 50m

Diameter: 42mm

Movement: mechanical self-winding (Manufacture UN-118 caliber, COSC certified, 60h power reserve)

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, date

Dial:: white varnished, Panda-style

Strap: brown or blue alligator leather, R-Strap compatible, rubber or metal bracelet

Limited Edition:: 300

Among the watches composing this incredible armada unveiled in September on the occasion of the Geneva Watch Days, the blue Marine Torpilleur Grand Feu Enamel highlights the impressive mastery of the most demanding enameling techniques exercised by the Donze Cadrans workshop, an independent company based in Le Locle and acquired by Ulysse Nardin in 2011. In addition to a magnificent blue enamel dial produced using the Grand Feu technique, this timepiece produced in a 175-piece limited edition is distinguished by its codes inherited from the first designs imagined by Ulysse Nardin: cathedral hands, Roman numerals and a 60-hour power-reserve indication, all of which are driven by a COSC-certified self-winding Manufacture movement equipped with a silicon balancespring. Also produced in a run of 75, the Marine Torpilleur Tourbillon Grand Feu likewise highlights enameling expertise on the black dial, providing an ideal backdrop for the majestic patented UN flying tourbillon with constant escapement that won the Tourbillon Prize at the 2015 Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Geneve.

Marine Torpilleur Moon Phase  Ulysse Nardin

Marine Torpilleur Moon Phase

Case: steel, sapphire caseback, water-resistant to 50m

Diameter: 42mm

Movement: mechanical self-winding (Manufacture UN-119 caliber, COSC certified, 60h power reserve)

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, moon phase

Dial: PVD-treated sunburst blue or white varnish

Strap: blue or brown alligator leather, R-Strap compatible, rubber or metal bracelet

Limited Edition: 30

Know-how Blue Enamel  Ulysse Nardin

A perfect blend of precision and elegance, the 300-piece limited edition Marine Torpilleur Panda also raises anchor, revealing two small dark blue sub-dials inside a white dial (one for the power reserve, the other for the small seconds and date), an unprecedented design at Ulysse Nardin. This magnificent fleet is rounded off by a moon-phase model produced in two 300- piece versions and an annual chronograph also available in two 300-piece models. The latter are reminiscent of the pocket chronograph watches produced by the Manufacture between 1936 and 1980, measuring time with 1/10th of a second precision and affirming Ulysse Nardins stature as a master of chronometry  since 1846!

Know-how Blue Enamel  Ulysse Nardin

Marine Torpilleur Chronograph

Case: steel, sapphire back, water-resistant to 50m

Diameter: 44mm

Movement: mechanical self-winding (Manufacture UN-153 caliber, 52h power reserve)

Functions:: hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph, annual calendar

Dial: PVD-treated matt blue or white varnish

Strap: blue or brown alligator leather, R-Strap compatible

Limited Edition: 300

Marine Torpilleur Chronograph  Ulysse Nardin

Marine Torpilleur Blue Grand Feu Enamel



Case: steel, sapphire caseback, water-resistant to 50m

Diameter: 42mm

Movement: mechanical self-winding (Manufacture UN-118 caliber, COSC certified, 60h power reserve)

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, date

Dial: : blue Grand Feu enamel

Strap: blue or brown alligator leather, R-Strap compatible, rubber strap or metal bracelet

Limited Edition: 175

Cast off the moorings

Two years after unveiling the Marine Mega Yacht in platinum, Ulysse Nardin is once again raising anchor with a spectacular pink gold variation ready to sail the seven seas. A watchmaking allegory of a maritime voyage aboard a prestigious contemporary ship, this futuristic-looking creation highlights the technical nature of fine mechanics. Its front makes numerous allusions to the world of navigation, starting with its flying tourbillon equipped with a cage inspired by a latest-generation propeller and its Grand Feu enameled 3D dial evoking the prow of a ship ploughing through the ocean. Because it presides over the force of the tides, the moon is also invited onto the dial through an exact 3D representation featuring a laser-engraved surface perfectly in keeping with the original. This is composed of two half-spheres, the first treated with blue PVD for the new moon period, the other rhodium-plated to simulate its appearance when lit up by the sun. A tide indicator and a display of its amplitude complete the vibrant picture of which the visual power is reinforced by an extremely original power-reserve indication by means of an anchor complete with a miniature winch positioned at 12 oclock. The motorization of the Marine Mega Yacht is naturally as powerful as it is efficient. Behind the scenes yet visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, the UN-631 hand-wound Manufacture movement evokes a real model engine room. The perfect metaphor for a modern-day maritime epic, right down to the smallest detail.
If Dangshan county in the eastern province of Anhui distributed locally grown fruit to every one of the country's 1.4 billion people, they would each receive more than 1 kilogram. With annual output of 1.7 million metric tons, the county, which has a population of 1 million, is one of China's largest fruit-cultivation bases, according to the Dangshan government's calculations. "With such a large output volume, marketing could be a huge challenge for local planters," said Duan Xuxu, founder of a startup that processes pears. In 2015, Duan, who has a doctorate in finance, quit her job at a private equity fund in Shanghai and moved to Dangshan, which is administered by Suzhou city and is close to Huaibei, her hometown, in Anhui. More than 70 percent of the county's fruit output consists of Dangshan's suli, or crisp pears, a local species known for its large size, juiciness and sweet taste. Sales setback Duan rented more than 133 hectares of pear orchards from local farmers and expected to make a good profit from the species' fame. She thought the organic, pollution-free plantation would help her win market share. However, when the first harvest season came in the fall of 2016, she was frustrated by the poor sales of the fresh fruit. "Ordinary customers see organic fruit as misshapen, while high-end consumers still need to be persuaded to trust the quality," said Duan, adding that she believes good opportunities lie in the nation's rural vitalization strategy. In 2012, the central authorities listed Dangshan as a national key county for poverty alleviation. At the time, more than 140,000 of its 1 million residents were defined as poverty-stricken, according to the Suzhou government. Meanwhile, the State Council, China's Cabinet, said the poverty threshold, which rose every year, was annual net income of 2,300 yuan ($355) per person. In 2015, the China Food and Drug Administration, the predecessor of the National Medical Products Administration that was founded three years later, was ordered to help alleviate poverty in Dangshan. The NMPA sends an official to Dangshan to serve as deputy county mayor and another as first Party secretary of Lintun village. Each serves a two-year term. In 2014, the State Council mobilized about 1 million poverty alleviation workers to survey the country's impoverished population and open personal files for each poor person. The result of the survey showed that more than 20 percent of Lintun's roughly 5,000 residents were poverty-stricken. Instead of pears, the fruit most planted in Lintun is the yellow peach, fields of which cover more than 300 of the 400 hectares of agricultural land in the village. "The fruit was favored by local canning factories, and one of their main markets was the United States," said Zhang Nianliang, who finished his term as first Party secretary in Lintun last month. "When I arrived at the village two years ago, some canning factories had failed to buy peaches from the farmers. Later, I learned that their business had been affected by trade frictions between China and the US." Thanks to his efforts and those of his predecessors, some young, well-educated returnees to the village started e-commerce businesses, which helped relieve the sales pressure to a certain extent, he said. In 2017, veteran Wang Xiaohui returned to his hometown in Dangshan to sell pears via e-commerce platforms. "My father used to sell fruit on the street, but a whole day's toil would only amount to 200 yuan at most," he said, adding that traditional peddling is a tough way to make a living. On the right track In 2019, Dangshan was removed from the national list of key counties slated for poverty alleviation as a result of generally successful efforts across the area. "Being removed from the list doesn't mean that every poverty-stricken household has been lifted out of poverty," Zhang said. He added that members of his administration continue to offer assistance to the county's vitalization efforts. "To put Lintun on the right track for steady development, many things have to be accomplished," he said. He noted that industrialization is one of the key elements. In 2017, Duan and other investors founded Anhui Liduobao Biotechnology. The company mainly focuses on producing pear syrup, a thick liquid containing protocatechuic acid, which is believed to be effective in relieving coughs. The startup sells the pear syrup as a final product of the processing procedure and also uses it to produce popular items such as candy. Duan said a trial run was successful, so she rented more land to enlarge the orchard. In 2019, Zhang Ying, the deputy county mayor appointed by the NMPA, helped connect Anhui Liduobao with a pharmaceutical company from Shandong province, Anhui's northern neighbor. Anhui Liduobao provides pear syrup to the company as raw material for a popular traditional Chinese medicine that is sold by pharmacies. It takes about 11 kg of fresh pears to make 1 kg of pear syrup as a packaged final product, priced at more than 100 yuan. If the fruit were sold to an intermediary, it would only fetch 11 yuan, according to Duan's calculations. Last year, the company processed about 34,000 tons of pears, but its cultivation base only produced 7,000 tons. The other 27,000 tons were purchased from local farmers, with half coming from previously poverty-stricken households.


The name of Dangshan, a county in the eastern province of Anhui, is a well-recognized public brand for suli, or crisp pears, the region's main agricultural product. Now, local authorities want to build more competitive individual brands. The goal is easily explained by the example of Marvel Comics' The Avengers: the group of male and female superheroes is known as a super strong team, while each member is a well-known individual. "At present, there are few famous individual local brands in Dangshan," said Cao Aiping, deputy director of the county's agriculture bureau. Local officials said the county has been seeking a path to industrialization that will ensure the sector's continued prosperity. "Industrialization is key to the future of modern agricultural development. It requires the integration of several main factorsincluding production, logistics, marketing and financebut the ultimate goal is to create famous brands," said Xu Jie, a manager with Alibaba. Xu, who oversees the internet giant's agricultural digitization business, shared his views at a rural vitalization forum held in Dangshan recently. "At the core of industrialization is the creation of competitive brands," he said. In 2016, realizing that China's expanding middle class was consuming more high-end products, Duan Xuxu started a pear-processing company on a plantation. "I wanted to grow organic pears in an environmentally friendly way, but I was not successful initially," said the 32-year-old entrepreneur, who later shifted her focus to processing the fruit and creating her own brand. She said she has been building a tracing system which will provide customers with detailed information about every part of the production process, from the plantation to storage of the final product. Xu said emerging blockchain technology will better serve such a purpose by not only providing highly detailed information but also making it unalterable to prevent fraud. Official data show that Dangshan is home to more than 60,000 "ancient" trees, which are defined as those with a history of more than 100 years. In 2017, Wang Xiaohui retired from the army and started selling pears via e-commerce. Supported by Alibaba's blockchain technology, he has been building a tracing system that enables consumers to view some parts of the production process. The practice helped the 42-year-old generate sales revenue of more than 60 million yuan ($9.2 million) last year. In the future, the system will allow consumers to observe the entire process, from pears growing on the trees to the delivery of each order, according to Xu.


The central government has repeatedly pledged to vitalize rural industries and build an industrial-type system. As such, it is focusing on promoting agricultural modernization and the integrated development of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in rural areas. Thriving businesses will help raise farmers' incomes, going all-out to eradicate poverty and bring prosperity to rural areas. Dangshan, a county in East China's Anhui province, is one of the best examples of an area that is benefiting from the integrated system. Over thousands of years, the Yellow River, China's second-longest waterway, repeatedly changed course and eventually created some new highlands. From the 13th century, the river's lower section ran through Dangshan. In the 19th century, though, it changed course and started heading north. The change left sandy soil in the area around Dangshan. While the loose, saline-alkali soil is not good for most crop cultivation, it is perfect for growing pear trees, an endeavor that has a long history in the county. In the 1950s, to curb sandstorms and make better use of the land, the local government promoted the large-scale cultivation of pear trees. Its data show that more than 60 percent of local farmland is fruit orchards, mostly pear trees. The local crisp pear species accounts for more than 70 percent of the county's annual 1.7 million metric tons of fruit. However, the abundance of pears was once a curse for local residents. I grew up in a rural part of Hefei, Anhui's capital, and Dangshan's pear farmers impressed me deeply as a child in the 1990s. When the rice harvest season approached in the middle of autumn, I knew that people who spoke with Dangshan accents would arrive in my village with suli, or crisp pears, having driven their tractors hundreds of kilometers. I guessed that they knew very well that the villagers would not use cash to pay for the fruit, because we had little money. Instead, we always proposed exchanging the fruit for our newly harvested rice. Because some people traveled long distances to exchange pears for the grain, businesspeople also came to the county to buy the fruit after the reform and opening-up policy started in the late 1970s. Eventually, Dangshan's pears earned national fame, and the businesspeople also introduced the saplings of local pear trees to many northern parts of the country. Fierce competition and sometimes stagnant sales resulted in many heartbreaking stories. Recently, on my first trip to Dangshan for interviews, I saw pears hanging off the trees almost everywhere, but the locals said they had been accustomed to the sight for many years. During the trip, I was pleased to learn that industrialization and e-commerce have made it easier for local farmers to sell their produce. Some leading fruit-processing companies, including Huiyuan Juice, have been attracted to the county to set up manufacturing bases, and more startups have been founded. Last year, Dangshan's fruit-processing sector saw output value of 19 billion yuan ($3 billion), while its agricultural products recorded gross sales revenue of more than 6 billion yuan.


MANZHOULI, Aug. 30 -- At about 4:00 p.m. on August 28, a train carrying the first echelon of Chinese troops for the "Peace Mission 2021" joint anti-terrorism military exercise went across the borderline at the Manzhouli Port of Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of northern China, and advanced to the exercise venue in Orenburg Oblast, Russia.

The "Peace Mission 2021" joint anti-terrorism military exercise attended by militaries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states is to be held from 11th to 25th of September, 2021.
The US military is coordinating the evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 21.

By Liu Wenlong

The US-waged Afghan war that has lasted nearly 20 years ended up a global laughing stick with the scrambled withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. On the one hand, the US has spent more than USD 2 trillion in Afghanistan in the past 20 years for the claimed goal of overthrowing the Taliban regime, eradicating al-Qaeda, and making Afghanistan no longer a hotbed for terrorism. The USthought it was bringing hope to the country, only to find itself becoming theenemy. On the other hand, the US military thought it had helped the Afghan government build a powerful armed force that was sufficiently capable of handling any domestic crisis, but found to their astonishment that the minute the US troops started withdrawing, the Afghan government was swiftly overwhelmed by Taliban forces, announcing a total failure of Americas political and military operations in the country.

This was not the first debacle in Americas history of external military interference. During the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s, the overwhelmingly strong American forceinvaded Vietnam, only to find itself deeply bogged in a quagmire of war, and had to leave the country in disgrace after causing more than 200,000 casualties. In 2003, the US, taking the opportunity of counter-terrorism, launched the war against Iraq on the pretextthat it developed chemical weapons, and spent nearly 10 years and up to USD 750 billion there, only to aggravate the terrorist situation in the Middle East and drive the quick expansion of the extremist organization,Islamic State (IS). In 2011, armed conflicts broke out in Libya and the US-led western countries stepped in, but the country is still in turmoil today

In the past decades, Americas external military interference ostensibly launched for world stability and development has actually created one big trouble after another. Its not by accident that these military interference operations have failed  its the inevitable outcome of the superpowers bullying, militant and hegemonistic actions.

First of all, the mindset of bullyism and hegemony is too ingrained in the US. After the end of WWII, the US has never stopped invading other countries, fighting proxy wars and supporting pro-America regimes, such as the Gulf War in 1991, the Kosovo War in 1999 and the Afghan War in 2001. By invading others, the US only wanted to secure its strategic interests leveraged on its military superiority but did not care about the situation in those countries at all.

Second, Americas wanton military operations find no support in the world. If we take a look around the world, wed see that wherever there are turmoil, unrest and constant wars, there is America either fighting a proxy war or getting involved itself. Washington intends to break and restorebalance in those already fragile regions, but that will unavoidably escalate the conflicts in the host country, leading to constant battles and throwing the local people into endless misery. Statistics show that Americas 20-year-long military operations in Afghanistan have left more than 100,000 Afghans dead, more than 10 million homeless and over 40% of the working population jobless. They have also aggravated the Afghans hostility and hatred toward intruders. The 300,000-strong Afghan government forces trained by the US and armed to the teeth with American equipment couldnt put up an effective defense in face of less than 80,000 Taliban troops after the American forces pulled out and toppled within a few days, which proved how unpopular Americas military presence was in Afghanistan.

At last, the US is incapable of reflecting on its mistakes. The US has been making military output all these years and wreaked havoc wherever its troops go, but it never takes a minute to think why these military operations have been so widely criticized around the world. As Polly Toynbee, a columnistfor The Guardian, said, the ending chapter of the Afghan war once again exposed the hubris and arrogance of the West. It is because of such hubris and arrogance that the US has never reflected on the military operations it waged, not to mention rectify them, never realized that its American-style democracy is nothing but castle in the air in Afghanistan, Iraq and other regions it rocked, and never seriously thought why its military assistance was out of place everywhere it was provided.

An economist once said, everything looks like a nail to a man holding up a hammer. By imposing military interference all over the world, the US is like a hammer-wielding giant looking for nails wide and far, but it never thinks why there are so many nails wherever it turns its eyes.

(The author is from the School of International Relations, University of International Business and Economics)
YANTAI, Aug. 30 -- The setting-out ceremony for the 9th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali was held at the training ground of a brigade of the PLA 80th Group Army on August 26. After the ceremony, 212 peacekeepers of the first echelon took a special plane from Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport to the mission area in Mali, West Africa to perform a one-year peacekeeping mission.

The 9th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali, which is based on the PLA 80th Group Army, is composed of 413 members, including a 210-member security contingent, a 140-member engineering contingent and a 63-member medical contingent. The peacekeepers in the security and engineering contingents are from the PLA 80th Group Army, while the medical contingent consists of service members from the General Hospital of the PLA Northern Theater Command.

According to the UN deployment, the security contingent will be responsible for sentry post guarding and patrol duty for the Headquarters of Sector East of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The engineering contingent will undertake the engineering construction tasks in the mission area including rush repair of roads and bridges, and renovation of airport runways and barrack facilities. And the medical contingent will take medical support tasks such as emergency rescue, surgical treatment, and evacuation of the wounded.

According to the plan, 201 peacekeepers of the second echelon of the 9th Chinese peacekeeping force to Mali will fly to the mission area from Jinan in late September.
Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on August 26

EditorChen Zhuo Time2021-08-30 16:39:32

By Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, Deputy Director General of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND

Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), answers reporters' questions at a regular press conference on August 26, 2021. (Photo: mod.gov.cn)

(The following English text of the press conference is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

First, I would like to announce three pieces of news.

The first is that the Chinese military will host, for the first time, a multinational peacekeeping live exercise Shared Destiny-2021 at the PLAA Queshan combined tactical training base in central Chinas Henan Province from September 6 to 15. Militaries of China, Pakistan, Mongolia and Thailand will dispatch more than 1,000 troops to participate in the exercise, involving major components of peacekeeping forces including infantry, fast response, security, helicopter, engineering, transportation, and medical services units.

This exercise features a scenario of joint operations of multinational peacekeeping forces, and a close-to-real battlefield environment set in accordance with the international, professional and realistic combat standards. In the exercise, drills of battlefield reconnaissance, security patrol, armed escort, protection of civilians, response to violent and terrorist attacks, construction of temporary operation base, battlefield first aid, and pandemic control will be conducted, for the purpose of responding to the UN Action for Peacekeeping initiative, promoting practical cooperation among troop-contributing countries and making joint efforts to enhance the peacekeeping standby forces capability of carrying out tasks.

China will fight for peace and safeguard peace. China is a firm supporter of and active participant in UN peacekeeping operations. Recently, several senior UN officials, including Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under Secretary-General of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, spoke highly of the outstanding contributions made by Chinese Blue Helmets to UN peacekeeping operations. The Chinese military, as a proactive practitioner of the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, will continue to take a more active part in UN peacekeeping operations and always be a staunch defender of world peace.

The second one. From September 23 to 30, the Peacekeeping Affairs Center of Chinas Ministry of National Defense and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations will co-host the Shared Mission 2021 UN peacekeeping mission joint command post table-top exercise at the training base of the Peacekeeping Affairs Center in Beijing. The exercise will be conducted in accordance with the standard operational procedure of UN peacekeeping missions and unfolded in the three steps of theoretical preparation, case study and review and evaluation, with English as the working language. Participants will study cases and come up with the best solutions in terms of armed patrol, protection of civilians, emergency response, logistics support, military-civilian cooperation and other peacekeeping tasks. About 70 people will participate in the exercise, with the Chinese participants organizing the exercise in Beijing, and the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and UN missions in Lebanon, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan joining the exercise via video link.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Chinas restoration of its lawful seat in the UN. The exercise is aimed at promoting multilateralism, serving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and responding to the UN Action for Peacekeeping initiative. Its results and experience will be shared with the UN and other troop contributing countries.

The third one. The 10th Experts' Working Group meeting on Humanitarian Mine Action under ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM-Plus) will be held via video link at the PLA Army Engineering University on September 14. Co-chaired by China and Cambodia, the meeting will be attended by representatives from 18 members of ADMM-Plus, ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center, and International Committee of the Red Cross. The meeting is designed to have in-depth communication and discussion on the opportunities and challenges regarding mine-clearing cooperation, so as to promote the building of a multilateral mine-clearing cooperation mechanism with deeper cooperation and greater coverage in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since its establishment, the ADMM-Plus mechanism has focused on addressing regional security issues and played an important role in strengthening defense cooperation, promoting common security, and safeguarding peace in the Asian-Pacific region. China stands ready to work with all parties involved in the ADMM-Plus mechanism to actively advance cooperation at all levels and in all areas, provide help and assistance to relevant militaries within its capacity and make new and bigger contributions to preserving peace and stability in the region.

Question: Exercise Xibu Unity-2021 (also known as Zapad/Interaction-2021) has captured close attention from domestic and foreign media and people. Could you please brief us on the highlights and achievements of this exercise?

Answer: China-Russia joint exercise Xibu Unity-2021 recently wrapped up successfully at the PLAA Qingtongxia Combined Tactical Training Base in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The exercise has set a new height of major-country relations, opened up new prospects of major-country military exercises, and explored new models of joint training and exercise. It has achieved the goals of strengthening China-Russia strategic mutual trust, deepening exchanges and cooperation, and tempering real-combat capabilities of the two militaries.

The exercise featured many innovations, breakthroughs and highlights. First, both heads of Chinese and Russian defense ministries attended the event. Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe and Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu observed the live-fire drills together, held talks and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents. Wei also invited Shoigu to visit the Minning Town, a model of poverty alleviation cooperation between the eastern and western China. The construction of the Minning Town was proposed and promoted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. In the town, the two defense ministers witnessed the great accomplishments made by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the past 100 years since its founding, and the remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation led by the CPC. This has given the military exercise more political significance.

Second, this was the first time that Russian has sent sizable troops to participate in strategic and campaign-level exercises organized by the Chinese military. General Li Zuocheng, Member of Chinas Central Military Commission (CMC) and Chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department, acted as chief director of the exercise. Gen. Li attended the opening ceremony of the exercise where he announced the kick-off of the exercise, which marks the transition of the PLAs high-level exercises from the independent research and training to joint exercises opening to foreign militaries.

Third, the Chinese and Russian troops operated in a highly integrated way, realizing the transition from separate grouping and planning to mixed grouping and joint planning, and from joint training in different platforms to joint training in the same platform.

Fourth, a China-Russia specialized commanding information system was used to achieve accurate command and control of the troops operations. The two militaries carried out efficient collaboration by virtue of the network information system, realizing the transition of the joint operations between the two militaries from joint operations in form to joint operations in essence.

Fifth, innovations of joint counter-terrorism operational tactics, including saturation fire assault, in-depth air landing and occupation of key locations, drone swarm penetration and attack, etc. were introduced in the exercise, and the operational mode transformed from air-ground integrated attack to all-dimension and all-domain penetration.

Held against the background of profound changes in the global situation and rampaging COVID-19 pandemic, the exercise, defined by the two militaries joint planning and operation in response to real threats, showed the world the historic achievements and brand new outlook of the Chinese military after its overall revolutionary reform to realize the goal of building a strong military, and displayed the two sides resolve and capability of jointly handling security threats and safeguarding regional peace and stability. The exercise is of great significance in the history of Chinas military development and China-Russia relations.

Next, the two militaries will resolutely implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, keep strengthening strategic communication and practical cooperation, and continue to explore new modes of international military cooperation for the new era, so as to inject new political, contemporary and security connotations into the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

Question: It is reported that the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) has recently deliberated and adopted the newly revised version of the Military Service Law. Whats the purpose of the revision of the military service law? What are the innovations and improvements in military service policies and institutions?

Answer: The military service law is an important law concerning a nations military institution. It is of great importance for standardizing and strengthening the military service work, ensuring performing military services by citizens in accordance with the law, providing sufficient replenishment and reserve of service members, and building consolidated national defense and strong armed forces. On August 20, the newly revised version of Chinas Military Service Law was deliberated and adopted at the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC. On that same day, President Xi Jinping signed the No.95 Presidential Order to officially enact the law, which will come into force on October 1, 2021. The revised version of the Military Service Law follows Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and the military strategic guideline for a new era. It is guided by the goal of building a strong military, aimed at improving combat readiness and driven by reform and innovation. Based on the idea that it is an honor to serve in the military and focusing on building a world-class military, the policies and institutions of military service are innovated and optimized in the revised military law to improve the recruitment of new conscripts and retention of active-duty service members, ensure the support of veterans, and make military service a profession respected by the whole society.

With 65 articles in 11 chapters, the main changes are in eight aspects. First, it strengthens the Partys unified leadership over the military service work in the form of law and confirms the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military. Second, it optimizes the basic military service system by revising combining compulsory service members with volunteers, militia members with reserves into combining voluntary and compulsory military services with the former as the mainstay. Third, it adjusts the reserve service system by defining the reservists as those pre-assigned to active military units and those assigned to reserve units to perform reserve service.

Fourth, it improves the military service registration system by standardizing its subjects and scope, procedures and methods, review and verification, and information management. Fifth, it puts more emphasis on the recruitment of high-caliber service members by stipulating that higher education institutes should have a dedicated office responsible for conscription and raising the age limit of conscription for postgraduates to 26-years-old. Sixth, it improves the benefits for service members by stipulating that compulsory conscripts who have rendered meritorious service may be promoted ahead of time to be non-commissioned officers; recruits may retain their household registration; compensations for the families of compulsory conscripts shall be borne by central and local finance together.

Seventh, it optimizes the retirement and resettlement policies by adding that non-commissioned and commissioned officers may choose to receive monthly retirement pay after exiting active service. Finally, it innovates new ways and approaches of military service work. It is stipulated that the state should strengthen informationalization of military service work, establish mechanisms concerning the assessment, incentives and accountability of the work, and further identify the legal liabilities of offices and individuals.

Question: US defense and military leaders recently made some negative remarks about China-related issues on multiple occasions. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that Chinas sovereignty claim over most waters of the South China Sea violates the rights enjoyed by Southeast Asian countries under international law. Chief of Staff of the US Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. said the PLA Air Force will surpass the US Air Force in 2035 and there will be catastrophic consequences if the US Air Force cannot catch up. Whats your comment on their remarks?

Answer: For some time, some people in the US military have made irresponsible and erroneous remarks on China-related issues repeatedly. We are firmly opposed to that. The relations between the two countries and the two militaries face serious difficulties and are at a critical juncture. The root cause is that the US sticks to hegemonism, Cold-War thinking, and zero-sum game. It doesnt accept, allow or tolerate Chinas growth and development. Taking China as a strategic rival and security threat, the US has launched all-rounded containment and suppression against China, which has seriously damaged Chinas national sovereignty, security and development interests.

China firmly adheres to the path of peaceful development, upholds a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and remains a constructor of world peace, a contributor of global development and a defender of international order.

China is the largest contributor of peacekeeping troops among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Since 1990, the Chinese military has dispatched more than 40,000 peacekeepers to participate in 25 UN peacekeeping missions. In addition, China has dispatched naval vessels to execute regular escort missions at the Gulf of Aden and in waters off the Somalian coast, taken an active part in international disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, and international anti-pandemic cooperation, and carried out extensive global and regional counter-terrorism cooperation. China stays committed to safeguarding multilateralism and international fairness and justice, and promoting common human values including peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom. These efforts are widely recognized by the international community.

Facts have proved and will continue to prove that Chinas defense development is a positive factor in the growth of forces for peace in the world, and the Chinese military is always a staunch force in protecting world peace and stability and serving the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, China has indisputable sovereignty over South China Sea islands and their neighboring waters. China is committed to working with countries directly involved to settle the disputes through negotiation and consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law.

However, the US, a country out of the region, has over and again flaunted its military power, stirred troubles and made provocations in the South China Sea under the disguise of freedom of navigation and in disregard of international law and the basic norms governing international relations. The US has undermined the efforts made by regional countries in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. It is a direct source of heightened tensions in the South China Sea.

A healthy and stable mil-to-mil relationship is in the interests of both China and the US and meets the general expectation of the international community. We urge the US side to truly respect Chinas core interests and major concerns, correct its wrong words and deeds, and do more to facilitate the development of bilateral ties and military relations. The Chinese military will resolutely safeguard Chinas national sovereignty, security and development interests and protect peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

Question: We noticed that the Chinese military has provided COVID-19 vaccines to militaries of some countries this month. Please give us more information.

Answer: The situation of global COVID-19 prevention and control remains complex and challenging. The Chinese military, while making efforts to control the pandemic within, honestly acts on President Xi Jinpings promise of making Chinas COVID-19 vaccine a global public good and continues to provide COVID-19 vaccine assistance to relevant foreign militaries.

Since August, the Chinese military has successively provided COVID-19 vaccines to the militaries of Bolivia, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Next, the Chinese military will continue to work closely with defense departments and militaries of foreign countries to strengthen cooperation on fighting the pandemic, tide difficulties together, and make a greater contribution to building a global community of health for all.

QuestionRecently, the US military held the Large Scale Exercise (LSE) 2021, and troops from the US, the UK, Australia and Japan jointly participated in the exercise. The exercise is aimed to strengthen the rules-based regional order and maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. According to media reports, the US, Japan, India and Australia plan to conduct maritime joint exercise Malabar 2021 in the Philippines Sea from August 26 to 29. Some analyze that the exercise mainly targets China who is increasing maritime activities. What's your comment on this?

Answer: We have noticed relevant movements of the US. China always holds that international military exchanges and cooperation should be conducive to safeguarding regional peace and stability and enhancing mutual understanding and trust, rather than targeting or undermining the interests of any third party. However, the US, for some time, by perceiving some other countries as its imaginary enemies, organized large-scale military exercises, formed small group alliances and showed off its military power in relevant waters, which has severely undermined regional peace and stability, and run counter to the common aspiration of countries in the region to pursue peace, cooperation and development.

What should be emphasized is that practicing unilateralism and instigating confrontation will only lead to tension, instead of bringing about so-called freedom and openness. We hope relevant countries can respect the common expectations of the people in the Asia-Pacific region for peace and development, conform to the historical trend, abandon their Cold War thinking, stop building confrontational blocs, and do more things that are beneficial to regional and world peace and stability. China will continue to promote common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. Weare willing to work with regional countries to deepen security cooperation, jointly address threats and challenges and make the Asia-Pacific region a stable plate in the world.

Question: According to media reports, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi recently said that Japan is highly concerned about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and China is trying to change the status quo unilaterally backed by force and coercion. Japans Ministry of Defense announced that it plans to deploy an electronic warfare unit on the Yonaguni Island and deploy the ground-to-air and ground-to-ship missile units of Japan Ground Self-defense Force on the Ishigaki Island by 2023. It is also reported that Japan intends to revise the Mid-Term Defense Program (MTDP) to increase spending on weapons and equipment of its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) and increase investment in areas of outer space, cyber and artificial intelligence to respond to Chinas increasingly aggressive behavior in surrounding waters. Whats your comment on this?

Answer: For some time, Japan has ignored the basic norms governing international relations, recklessly hyped up the so-called Chinese military threat, fiercely criticized Chinas legitimate maritime activities, and constantly created excuses for its own military expansion, which is extremely wrong and irresponsible, China is firmly opposed to it.

The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands have always been an inherent part of Chinese territory. China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their neighboring waters. China has firm will and resolve to safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests. Meanwhile, China stays committed to settling disputes through dialogue and consultation.

China has never coerced other countries by force or engaged in military expansion, nor enslaved the people of other countries. In modern times, it is the Japanese militarists that frequently launched wars of aggression, oppressed and enslaved the people of Asian countries, and brought lasting and grave disasters to countries like China in this region. Due to these historical reasons, China and other Asian countries are very concerned about the recent wrong actions of the Japanese side, including visiting the Yasukuni Shrine by some politicians, whitewashing Japan's militarism, and its continuous increase of military deployments in the region. We urge the Japanese side to reflect on its history of aggression, draw lessons from history, stop spreading rumors to smear China and do more things that are conducive to enhancing mutual trust with neighboring countries and maintaining regional peace and stability.

Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), answers reporters' questions at a regular press conference on August 26, 2021. (Photo: mod.gov.cn)

Question: The situation in Afghanistan has undergone major changes. The Taliban forces have entered Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and announced founding of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. There are comments that the current situation in Afghanistan is largely due to the hasty withdrawal of the US troops. Whats your comment on this?

Answer: The US launched the Afghan war 20 years ago, plunging Afghanistan into turmoil and the flames of war. Over the past two decades, the war has killed over one hundred thousand Afghan civilians and displaced about 11 million people who have become war refugees. The recent hasty withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan has delivered a significant impact again on the situation in Afghanistan. What has happened proves that problems cannot be solved through power or military means, which, on the contrary, will trigger more problems and greater turmoil .

At present, the situation in Afghanistan has undergone major changes. China always respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, follows the principle of non-interference in Afghanistans internal affairs and adheres to a friendly policy toward the entire Afghan people. China respects the Afghan peoples rights to make independent choice of their own future, and stands ready to continue to develop good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation with Afghanistan and play a constructive role in Afghanistans peace and reconstruction..

Question: Recently, Jaushieh Joseph Wu, head of the Taiwan authorities foreign relations department, has stated on many occasions that Taiwan is at the very forefront of the threat of mainlands military expansion, hence, Taiwan should improve its self-defense capabilities and keep strengthening cooperation with like-minded countries. Besides, its also reported that in order to ensure the accomplishment of the so-called territory defense mission, the Taiwan authorities have been stepping up the research and development of weapons and equipment. Whats your comment on this?

Answer: The one-China principle is the universal consensus of the international community, and adherence to the one-China principle is a universally recognized norm governing international relations. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities blatantly made Taiwan independence remarks, arrogantly clamored for provocations. They are just biting off more than they could chew.

We warn the DPP authorities and the Taiwan independence separatist forces that any attempt to solicit foreign support is doomed to be a pipe dream, and seeking independence by military means leads to a dead end. China must and will be reunified. No one should underestimate the strong determination, firm will and strong capability of the Chinese people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) has maintained a state of high alert at all times and stood ready to smash any Taiwan independence separatist plot.

Question: According to the news released by the PLA Hong Kong Garrison recently, the troops stationed therein have successfully completed the 24th rotation on August 25 since they began garrisoning Hong Kong in 1997. What are the special considerations for this rotation? What anti-epidemic measures have the garrison troops taken? How will the PLA Hong Kong Garrison perform its defense duties in the future?

Answer: The Chinese PLA Hong Kong Garrison has successfully completed the 24throtation since its deployment to Hong Kong in 1997. With the approval of the Central Military Commission (CMC), this routine rotation was organized in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on Garrisoning the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It is conducive to further improving the Garrisons ability to perform defense duties. In response to the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the garrison troops have adopted strict measures in pandemic prevention and control during the rotation, including organizing the screening of people, wearing personal protective equipment throughout the process, and avoiding unnecessary contact en route to ensure that the pandemic prevention and control work could be carried out in a safe and orderly manner.

Next, the PLA Hong Kong Garrison will firmly follow the command of the CPC Central Committee, the CMC and President Xi Jinping, firmly implement the one country, two systems principle and the Basic Law, and perform the defense duties in accordance with the law. The garrison troops will firmly support the HKSAR government in its law-based governance, actively participate in social public welfare undertakings, join hands with Hong Kong compatriots to overcome the difficulties and obstacles, and always serve as an anchor for national sovereignty, security and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Question: It is reported that breakthroughs have been made in the quality and efficiency of the PLA Navys pilot cadet recruitment in 2021, and significant progress has been made in the training of carrier-based fighter pilots. Please give us more relevant information on it.

Answer: The PLA Navy pilot recruitment in 2021 is indeed a hot topic, which has drawn wide attention from all walks of life. Both the number of places open for application and the number of applicants have increased significantly compared with those of previous years, covering more than 200 regions in 22 provinces across China, with more than 13,000 students signing up. At present, the PLA Navy has successfully accomplished pilot recruitment for 2021 with breakthroughs both in quality and efficiency. The recruitment has the following three features:

First, the scores of the admitted students in the national college entrance examination have hit a new high, with an average of 55 points above the cut-off score of the Tier 1 universities, and the admitted students with a score of 600 or more account for 22 percent.

Second, the selection of carrier-borne fighter pilot cadets has been overfulfilled with a large number of excellent cadets of high potential for flying carrier-borne aircraft standing out, effectively meeting the needs in training carrier-borne fighter pilots.

Finally, the navys juvenile aviation schools have gradually become a major channel for fresh pilot cadets recruitment. Since 2015, the PLA Navy has established 14 juvenile aviation schools based on local quality regular high schools in different provinces, which have contributed 38.6 percent of admitted pilot cadet candidates this year.

Next, the cadets will receive comprehensive and systematic training at the Naval Aviation University (NAU). Among them, some will be selected to attend the training program combining carrier-borne aircraft piloting and naval ship operational commanding, and some will be sent to Tsinghua University, Peking University, or Beihang University for joint degree programs with student status both at the NAU and at one of the three civilian universities.

Since last year, the PLA Navy has made a major breakthrough in training carrier-borne fighter pilots. Apart from selecting trained pilots from naval aviation units, the Navy also recruit pilot cadets from high schools. Not long ago, several pilot instructors of NAU obtained the qualification certification for night-time take-off and deck-landing on aircraft carrier, marking that the university is able to carry out full-time domain training of carrier-borne fighter pilot cadets. Gradual progress has been made in large-scale and systematic training of carrier-borne fighter pilots. Those youths who have lofty ambitions to fly aircraft and navigate ships are welcome to join the PLA Navy carrier-borne fighter pilots.

Question: Recently, as variants become more transmissible, the Covid-19 pandemic resurged across the world and infectious cases reappeared in multiple places in China. How does the military strengthen epidemic prevention and control? What specific measures does the military take to support local anti-epidemic efforts?

Answer: Recently, the Covid-19 pandemic resurged across the world and infectious cases reappeared in multiple places in China. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the CMC and President Xi, the military has always regarded epidemic prevention and control as an important political task. In accordance with Chinas overall epidemic prevention and control deployment, the military has activated the emergency response mechanism in the first place, responded to the situation in a scientific and precise manner, and adopted practical and effective measures for the management and control of key regions and cities, the prevention and control of key troops, and the protection of key personnel, so as to minimize the epidemics impact on combat-readiness training and major tasks. All troops of the military have maintained good combat readiness.

At the same time, in response to the current situation of epidemic prevention and control, and at the request of local governments, relevant medical units of the military have proactively assisted local governments in carrying out such tasks as nucleic acid testing and epidemiological investigation, and completed those tasks with high standards and quality. The peoples military will always be ready to follow orders and act without hesitation, resolutely complete the epidemic prevention and control tasks assigned by the Party and the people, and serve as a staunch defender of the peoples safety and health.

SourceChina Military Online
Chinese troops participating in the "Peace Mission 2021" joint anti-terrorism military exercise hold an oath-taking rally. (Photo by Zhong Chongling)

By Mei Shixiong and Liu Min

BAICHENG, Aug. 30 -- The first echelon of the Chinese troops to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) "Peace Mission 2021" joint anti-terrorism military exercise left Baicheng, northeast China's Jilin Province, for the exercise venue in Orenburg Oblast, Russia, by railway on the evening of August 26.

The drill will be held at the Donguz training ground in Orenburg Oblast, Russia, from September 11 to 25. Eight SCO member states including China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan will dispatch a total force of about 4000 to participate in the exercise, among which China will send over 550 troops and 130 vehicles (equipment).

The joint operations command and participating troops of the Chinese side are assigned to the PLA Northern Theater Command. Liu Quan, commander of a combined-arms brigade under the PLA Northern Theater Command, said that by focusing on tactical training, specialized training, group training and multi-element joint training during the preparation stage, they have greatly improved the troops joint command, joint offense and defense, joint strike and comprehensive support capabilities.

It is learned that the Chinese participating troops will use various methods, such as railway transportation and air transportation, to complete the long-distance cross-border delivery in multiple echelons. All the Chinese participants are expected to arrive at the exercise area by September 10.
By Xiao Yongli and Yao Guanchen

The Chinese participating crew passes the obstacle course in the relay race of the Seaborne Assault event. (Photo by Xiao Yongli)

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Aug. 30 -- The closing ceremony of the Seaborne Assault and Sea Cup events of the International Army Games (IAG) 2021 was held at the Vladivostok Military Port on August 29, local time.

In accordance with the results of the Seaborne Assault event, the organizing committee awarded the Chinese participating team the "Best Marine Platoon" title, and named China's Second Marine Squadron as the "Best Marine Squad", and China's soldier Corporal Bai Yongkun as the "Best Sniper".

"All participants competed on the same stage, communicated with each other, and improved together. They have forged deep friendship and shared beautiful memories. The Chinese service members endured hardship and fought very hard for victory, which had won high praise from the organizer and other participating teams," said He Yinsheng, the Chinese team leader. He also expressed that the Chinese troops will further summarize the experience in the competition and apply it to daily combat readiness training after returning to China.

It is learned that the Sea Cup event has a total of five items, and the PLA Navy's guided-missile frigate Guangyuan participated in three of them including the artillery firing against sea targets, removing floating mines, and frigate anchoring. The frigate Guangyuan had left for China on the afternoon of August 29, while the crew members participating in the Seaborne Assault event will return to China by a Chinese naval transport plane on August 30.
President Xi Jinping talked with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso over the phone on Monday.

President Xi said Monday that China is willing to walk together with Cuba in building socialism and be good partners in pursuing common development in a phone conversation with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Xi also said China is willing to join hands with Cuba in being good exemplars of anti-COVID-19 fight and good comrades in strategic coordination.

In their talks, Diaz-Canel conveyed Comrade Raul Castro's sincere greetings to Xi, and briefed Xi on the recent domestic situation in Cuba. Xi asked Diaz-Canel to convey his cordial greetings to Comrade Raul Castro.

Xi pointed out that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, Cuban comrades have forcefully defended their revolutionary achievements with no fear for the powerful and unyielding struggle.

Historically speaking, the socialist cause has never been smooth, and the communists have always strived for survival, development and victory through struggles, he said.

China, Xi said, always believes that the right to choose one nation's own path of social development should be respected, and that unilateral sanctions against other countries or external interference in other countries' internal affairs should be opposed.

China has always supported Cuba in taking the development road in line with its national conditions and building prosperous and sustainable socialism, and backed the country's just fight to safeguard the security of its national sovereignty and oppose interference of the powerful, he added.

China will continue to provide assistance and support within its capacity to Cuba in fighting against the pandemic and improving people's wellbeing, Xi said, expressing his belief that Cuba will make new progress in its socialist cause.

Xi stressed that under the careful cultivation and vigorous promotion of successive generations of leaders of the two parties and countries, China-Cuba relations have grown even stronger as time goes by, becoming a model of solidarity and cooperation between developing countries.

No matter how the situation changes, China's policy of sticking to long-term friendship with Cuba will not change, and its willingness to deepen cooperation in various fields with Cuba will not change, Xi said.

China, Xi said, is ready to intensify high-level exchanges with Cuba, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning in governance of party and state, deepen anti-pandemic cooperation, promote practical cooperation and push for even greater development in bilateral relations.

The two sides should intensify their strategic coordination on international and multilateral occasions to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, Xi said, adding that China will continue to uphold fairness and justice for Cuba in both speeches and deeds on the world stage.

For his part, Diaz-Canel said he appreciates China's precious long-term support for Cuba, including providing Cuba with anti-epidemic supplies, which has shown the brotherly friendship between the two countries.

Cuba firmly follows the socialist path and is willing to strengthen inter-party exchanges and communication with China, as well as practical cooperation in various fields, and to jointly promote the cause of socialism and the development of Cuba-China relations, Diaz-Canel said.

Cuba stands ready to work with China to deepen multilateral coordination, and jointly oppose hegemonism, power politics, and the politicization and stigmatization of the epidemic, he said.

He said Cuba firmly adheres to the one-China policy and opposes interference in China's internal affairs, and will continue to unswervingly support China's positions on issues of core interests such as those related to Taiwan and Xinjiang.

The Cuban side, he added, is willing to play a positive role in promoting relations between Latin America and China.
Republican U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, also on ABC, criticized the Biden administration's evacuation plan. "There is clearly no plan. There has been no plan. Their plan has basically been happy talk," he said. Sasse also said people have died and people are going to die "because President Biden decided to rely on happy talk instead of reality."

"This is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission, these last couple of days," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul had urged U.S. citizens to leave the vicinity of the airport, citing a specific and credible threat. U.S. President Joe Biden Saturday said another attack was likely within the next 24 to 36 hours. Warnings of additional attacks come as the U.S. and its allies wind down an evacuation of their citizens and Afghans fleeing the Taliban.

Islamic State Khorasan had claimed responsibility for a suicide attack outside the airport that killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members last Thursday. A U.S. airstrike last Friday killed two members of the terror group.

"U.S. military forces conducted a self-defense unmanned over-the-horizon airstrike today on a vehicle in Kabul, eliminating an imminent ISIS-K [Islamic State Khorasan] threat to Hamad Karzai International airport," said Capt. Bill Urban, CENTCOM spokesperson. "We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material."

The United States conducted an airstrike Sunday against a vehicle that posed a threat to the Kabul airport, following U.S. warnings of an imminent attack in the area.

The White House says about 2,900 people were evacuated from Kabul in a 12-hour period that ended at 3 a.m. EDT Sunday. It says that since Aug. 14, the U.S. has evacuated or helped evacuate more than 114,000 people. Blinken said in an interview on CNN that about 300 American citizens are seeking evacuation from Afghanistan.

Separately, a U.S. airstrike Friday night against the Islamic State Afghan affiliate group -- retaliation for Thursday's attack -- resulted in the deaths of two important members of the group, the U.S. Defense Department said Saturday. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told Fox News Sunday that President Biden "will stop at nothing" to make the terror group pay for last week's attack. Biden on Saturday said the airstrike was "not the last" and that the U.S. will "continue to hunt down any person involved in that heinous attack and make them pay."



Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reportedly denounced the airstrike, saying it was a "clear attack on Afghan territory," according to the Reuters news agency. He also reportedly said the Taliban expects to take full control of the airport when U.S. forces complete their pullout from the country, scheduled for Tuesday.

 Ongoing Threats

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said at a briefing Saturday that threats against the airport "are still very real, theyre very dynamic, and we are monitoring them literally in real time. And, as I said yesterday, we are taking all the means necessary to make sure we remain focused on that threat stream and doing what we can for force protection."

The security threats have made the evacuation of Americans and some Afghans more difficult.

"There doesn't appear to be any concerted effort to get SIVs [Special Immigrant Visa holders] out at this point," a State Department official told VOA from the airport. But the department is still trying to evacuate local embassy staff, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.



The U.S. evacuation of Afghans at the airport has wound down significantly, with most of the remaining 100 American civilian government staffers set to leave before midnight, according to a State Department official who spoke with VOA Saturday on the condition of anonymity.

The airport terminals are mostly empty, said the official, who expressed mixed feelings about the operation. "I feel the frustration of the failure of the operation overall," said the official, who described the decision-making process of getting Afghans evacuated as "chaotic" and "subjective."

"But I'm extremely proud of the work of the guys on the ground, just the kind of bare-knuckled diplomacy of getting to know the Afghans, even though some of us didn't know the language," the official said.
North Korea appears to have restarted a nuclear reactor that is widely believed to have produced plutonium for nuclear weapons, the UN atomic watchdog has said in an annual report.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has had no access to North Korea since Pyongyang expelled its inspectors in 2009. The country then pressed ahead with its nuclear weapons program and soon resumed nuclear testing. Its last nuclear test was in 2017.

The IAEA now monitors North Korea from afar, largely through satellite imagery. "There were no indications of reactor operation from early December 2018 to the beginning of July 2021," the IAEA report said of the 5-megawatt reactor at Yongbyon, a nuclear complex at the heart of North Korea's nuclear program.

"However, since early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor."


The government faces mounting international criticism for its attempt to curb media freedom in Korea in the name of cracking down on "fake news."

The proposed media reform bill would make reporting "fake news" punishable by vast punitive damages, and has been widely condemned as a tool to quell criticism of the government ahead of next year's presidential election.

At home, the main opposition People Power Party said it will filibuster the bill tabled by the ruling Minjoo Party, which has a sweeping majority. The filibuster may delay the bill past the August session of the National Assembly, but the MP will simply table it again in September.
One senior defector said, "One of the biggest problems leader Kim Jong-un faces is young people who have been influenced by South Korean culture and angry about the economic crisis. The aim appears to be to neutralize them so they can't foment internal dissent."

The practice is being presented as "volunteering," but it appears they are not given a choice.

The North Korean regime has been sending elite young Workers Party functionaries into internal exile at remote construction sites to shore up crumbling discipline.

The official Rodong Sinmun daily on Sunday published a statement from Kim to mark Youth Day the previous day. "What makes me especially happy is to see young people who have been left behind make the magnificent decision to sacrifice themselves for their country and start fresh by moving on to difficult and demanding areas," he said.

He attributed the "weakness" of young North Koreans to the "stubborn ideological and cultural infiltration schemes of the imperialists."

The victims gathered in Pyongyang to hold what was billed as a "debate" last week. They included a graduate from Sariwon Teachers College who "volunteered" to teach in a school in a remote outpost, a youth guidance official from Nampo who "chose" to work on a cooperative farm, and a high-end store worker in Pyongyang who "opted" to work on a ranch in Kangwon Province.

The echoes of the massive reeducation efforts of China's Cultural Revolution or Cambodia's Khmer Rouge are unmissable.

One intelligence official here said, "Many young North Koreans are essentially being sent to labor camps."
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Woburn, MA (01801)

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While a handful of Southern Arizona programs kicked off their seasons during Week Zero, nearly every team will be in action. Flowing Wells and Amphi will battle Thursday night at 7 p.m., with the rest of the games scheduled for Friday.
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August 30, 2021 Drilon: Lao, Pharmally mystery backer key to connect the dots in plunder of COVID-19 funds Senate Minority Leader Franklin said the mystery backer of former head of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) Lloyd Christopher Lao and the Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation is the missing link that will connect the dots in the corruption scandal that involved the procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies. "The challenge now is to be able to identify that backer, because that backer is the missing link that will connect the dots in this controversy," Drilon said on Monday. "We see a pattern of corruption that was perpetrated by Lao and his cohorts. It cannot be done by Lao alone. Kaya mayroon siyang pinagtatakpan at iyon ang dapat nating alamin kung sino," Drilon said. Drilon said the backer is an important piece of the puzzle "in order for us and the Filipino people to find out the truth in this massive corruption of public funds meant to help our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic." "Sino ba yung backer ni Lao? Sino ba yung backer ng Pharmally? Huwag n'yo nang itago dahil lalabas din ang katotohanan," Drilon said as he pressed Lao and Pharmally to reveal their backer and the names of officials who are linked to alleged overpricing of several medical supplies. As early as September last year and even before the Commission of Audit released its report, Drilon had already flagged the overpricing of supplies that PS-DBM bought from Pharmally. In 2020, Drilon exposed and questioned why PS-DBM bought 2,000 units of COVID-19 test kits from Pharmally for P344,000 or for a total of P688 million when it could be bought at P240,000 per kit. Drilon said the purchase is overpriced by P208 million. The minority leader had earlier suspected of a well-planned plot to plunder funds through the PS-DBM. Drilon said the "circumstantial evidence would show patterns of corruption." The plot started with the appointment of Lloyd Christopher Lao to the Department of Budget and Management as early as August 2019 despite a pending extortion case when he was chairman of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board. Then, Lao was appointed as head of the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) on January 2, 2020. Meanwhile, the Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation was incorporated in September 2019 with the Securities and Exchange of Commission (SEC) with a paid-capital of only P625,000. The Government Procurement Policy Board issued a resolution on March 17, 2020 to include face masks and PPEs as common use supply to allow PS-DBM to purchase them. Later on, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III ordered the transfer of around P42 billion of DOH COVID-19 funds to PS-DBM starting March 27, 2020. Drilon labeled it as the "original sin" that allowed the corruption to take place, saying that Duque must be held liable even if he resigns. "Without the transfer of P42 billion from DOH to PS-DBM, the overpricing could not have happened," said Drilon. Just two weeks after DOH transferred the funds to PS-DBM sans a memorandum of agreement, the procurement agency began awarding billions of contracts to Pharmally that reached about P8.6 billion in a span of less than two months from April to June 2020. Lao bought from Pharmally facemasks at P27.72, when other suppliers sold the same to PS-DBM at P13.5, P16, and P17.50 for the same period, according to Drilon. Lao also bought overpriced PPEs from Pharmally worth P3.82 billion on May 8, 2020 and test kits worth P2.88 billion on June 9, 2020, he added. Based on Pharmally's financial statement submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission SEC), Pharmally's income soared to P284.9 million in 2020 from zero declared income in 2019. Its assets also jumped to P284.9 million in 2020 from P599,000 in 2019.
Turkeys Anadolu Shipyard (ADIK) last week delivered one of the cadet training ships (CTS) it has manufactured for the Qatari Emiri Navy, QTS 91 Al Doha, Daily Sabah reports.

The vessel is part of two training ships ordered from the Anadolu Shipyard in March 2018 during the DIMDEX maritime defense exhibition in Doha. The second ordered vessel, QTS 92 A-Shamal, was launched on Dec. 20 last year and is scheduled to be delivered in 2022, the Turkish media notes. The CTSs will also have a helipad for medium size helicopters on its stern and is set to be capable of providing combat management and weapon training to trainees in addition to its main use. It is possible for Qatari Navy to use the vessels for offshore patrol duties, as a secondary mission.

The vessels allow 76 students and 8 instructors on board in addition to a regular crew of 66 sailors.
Sierra Leone has inaugurated Monday its Consulate General in the Sahara city of Dakhla and installed Ms. Zainab Candy as the head of the consular representation.

The inauguration of the Consulate comes just few days after Freetown opened an embassy in Rabat, in the presence of its Foreign Minister David Francis, and appointed Mr. Atumanni Dainkeh as ambassador to Morocco.

Foreign Minister David Francis had then said that the opening of the embassy is a superb demonstration of our commitment and our long-standing partnership.

This diplomatic representation will further consolidate the already very strong bilateral relations and help promote the African partnership, underlined David Francis, who expressed thanks to Morocco for its huge support to Sierra Leone in different areas, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

David Francis had actually said that for Sierra Leone, the Sahara is a territory under the sovereignty of Morocco, and that the opening of a consular representation in Dakhla translates the distinguished relations binding the two countries.

The Sierra Leone officials visit was marked by the signing of a roadmap providing for strengthening cooperation between the two countries in several areas, including education and training; technical cooperation; economic promotion and investments; as well as cooperation in the field of security.

Twenty five countries from Africa, Arab world and Caribbean region have so far installed consular missions in the Moroccan Sahara cities of Dakhla and Laayoune, in moves that translate support to Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara provinces.
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This fall, the College of Liberal Arts welcomes two new department chairs and one new program director to its leadership team. The Department of Philosophy will now be led by G. Michael Watkins, and the Department of Psychological Sciences will be led by Daniel Svyantek. Janice E. Clifford is the new director of the Women's and Gender Studies program.

Michael Watkins has taught at Auburn for over 20 years, during which time he has also held adjunct and visiting appointments at Dalhousie University in Canada, the University of Rijeka in Croatia and Cornell. He publishes in metaphysics, philosophy of mind, aesthetics and ethics, with special interests in philosophical problems related to color, perception, and objectivity. He is a past Lanier Professor and a past chair of the Department of Philosophy.

Daniel Svyantek has been active in the development of the MS online program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology here at Auburn. He is currently editing two books describing the effects of COVID-19 on organizations, and the success and failure of organizational leaders during the pandemic. He is also beginning research in the area of adult neurodiversity in the workplace. Svyantek previously served as department chair here from 2008-2014.

Janice E. Clifford is an associate professor of sociology. She teaches and conducts research in the areas of violent crime, violence against women, and juvenile delinquency with focus on both victimization and offending behavior. The scope of her research is both national and international. Her outreach activities involve co-directing CSI: Auburn, a science literacy program for grades 5-8 that provides education about forensic sciences within an academic context and informs as to its use in various social science disciplines. She is co-editor of Female Victims of Crime: Reality Reconsidered, and her work has been published in Violence Against Women, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Race and Justice, Journal of Quantitative Criminology and Homicide Studies.
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Case opened over organization of banned movements cell in Moscow detention center

 flickr.com/ Albuquerque Film Office

13:25 30/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 30 (RAPSI)  Investigators have initiated probe into the organization of a cell of the banned movement Arestantskoye Ugulovnoye Yedinstvo / Criminal Unity of Inmates (AUE) in Moscows detention center Matrosskaya Tishina, the press service of the Moscow prosecutors office reports.

A criminal case is opened over organization and participation in the extremist organization and extremism funding.

According to the investigation, a group of detainees organized a cell of the banned movement in the penitentiary facility. The group members obstruct conduction of official duties of the detention centers officers, refuse to comply with the facility administrations demands, violate the detention order and organize delivery of banned items to the detention center.

In August 2020, the Supreme Court declared the movement an extremist organization and banned its activities in Russia. The Court granted an administrative claim of the Prosecutor General.

The Prosecutor Generals Office stressed that the activities of the movement based on a criminal and extremist ideology presented a real threat to lives and health of citizens, the society, and the state; members of the movement were involved in extremist crimes and mass riots.

In October, Russias Justice Ministry added the movement the list of extremist organizations banned in Russia.




Russian rights commissioners to take part in video monitoring of State Duma election

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

17:14 30/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 30 (RAPSI)  Russias Federal Ombudsman and regional human rights commissioners will for the first time ever receive access to the video broadcasting of the State Duma election.

The Central Election Commission will give the ombudsmen accounts for the monitoring of videos from the poll stations, Russias High Commissioner for Human Rights Tatiana Moskolkova has written on her Instagram page.

Access to videos of the voting process will give the rights commissioners to immediately react at the complaints of violations of electoral rights and take steps to ensure the election transparency.

The online broadcasting will be held within all three election days and will be kept for three further months, the statement reads.




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Sending human travelers to Mars would require scientists and engineers to overcome a range of technological and safety obstacles.

One of them is the grave risk posed by particle radiation from the sun, distant stars and galaxies.

Answering two key questions would go a long way toward overcoming that hurdle: Would particle radiation pose too grave a threat to human life throughout a round trip to the red planet? And, could the very timing of a mission to Mars help shield astronauts and the spacecraft from the radiation?

In a new article published in the peer-reviewed journal Space Weather, an international team of space scientists, including researchers from UCLA, answers those two questions with a "no" and a "yes."

That is, humans should be able to safely travel to and from Mars, provided that the spacecraft has sufficient shielding and the round trip is shorter than approximately four years. And the timing of a human mission to Mars would indeed make a difference: The scientists determined that the best time for a flight to leave Earth would be when solar activity is at its peak, known as the solar maximum.

The scientists' calculations demonstrate that it would be possible to shield a Mars-bound spacecraft from energetic particles from the sun because, during solar maximum, the most dangerous and energetic particles from distant galaxies are deflected by the enhanced solar activity.

A trip of that length would be conceivable. The average flight to Mars takes about nine months, so depending on the timing of launch and available fuel, it is plausible that a human mission could reach the planet and return to Earth in less than two years, according to Yuri Shprits, a UCLA research geophysicist and co-author of the paper.

"This study shows that while space radiation imposes strict limitations on how heavy the spacecraft can be and the time of launch, and it presents technological difficulties for human missions to Mars, such a mission is viable," said Shprits, who also is head of space physics and space weather at GFZ Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany.

The researchers recommend a mission not longer than four years because a longer journey would expose astronauts to a dangerously high amount of radiation during the round trip -- even assuming they went when it was relatively safer than at other times. They also report that the main danger to such a flight would be particles from outside of our solar system.

Shprits and colleagues from UCLA, MIT, Moscow's Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology and GFZ Potsdam combined geophysical models of particle radiation for a solar cycle with models for how radiation would affect both human passengers -- including its varying effects on different bodily organs -- and a spacecraft. The modeling determined that having a spacecraft's shell built out of a relatively thick material could help protect astronauts from radiation, but that if the shielding is too thick, it could actually increase the amount of secondary radiation to which they are exposed.

The two main types of hazardous radiation in space are solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays; the intensity of each depends on solar activity. Galactic cosmic ray activity is lowest within the six to 12 months after the peak of solar activity, while solar energetic particles' intensity is greatest during solar maximum, Shprits said.

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Seed Group, a company of the Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, has entered into a strategic partnership with Signzy, a Bangalore-based banking workflow automation company, for financial services, to give further push to digital transformation of businesses across the UAE.

With the support of Seed Group, Signzy aims to triple its growth in the region by the end of fiscal 2022.

The partnership comes at a time when the UAE is expediting tech transformation across government services and industries, as per the goals of the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025.

Under the partnership, Seed Group will help Signzy expand its operations in the Emirates and the wider Middle East, reach the right audience, access top decision-makers in government as well as private sectors, and market their products effectively in the region.

The AI startup, on the other hand, will bring the best products and technologies to the region and help companies automate their back office operations, create security and data protection infrastructure and speed up digitisation of their processes.

Hisham Al Gurg, CEO of Seed Group and The Private Office of Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, said: The UAE is taking giant strides to meet the objectives of the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025 and double the size of the digital economy in the next 10 years. Businesses are going through a phenomenal digital transformation and are on a lookout to adopt affordable smart technologies.

Having Signzy as our strategic partner will give the countrys digitisation agenda the much-needed push. Signzy has been successfully providing to various institutions cutting-edge digital solutions. We see a huge potential for their services in the UAE and the Middle East, he added.

Signzy Co-founder and CEO Ankit Ratan said: Seed Group brings a wealth of experience and regional access to the MENA region which will power us to rapidly grow market share. Businesses, especially banks, financial institutions, and fintechs across UAE and Middle East are doubling efforts to digitize and automate services to build a robust digital financial infrastructure that improves access, transparency, and speed of delivery. We are pleased to partner with Seed Group to fulfil UAEs vision of digital transformation.

Signzy, a company that works with over 100 financial institutions, including the four largest banks in India and the top three banks in the US, and various other businesses, seeks to help financial institutions automate their back-office operations, create security and data protection infrastructure, and speed up digitisation for faster customer onboarding and real-time verification and fraud detection. With over 240 fintech API pre-integrated on the platform, Signzy assists banks become digital ready from day one and expedite customers digital journey.

Seed Group is a notable force in the technology, healthcare, hospitality, and telecommunications landscape in the Middle East. Over the past 16 years, it has formed successful strategic alliances with leading global companies representing diverse regions to accelerate their sustainable market entry and presence within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. -TradeArabia News Service
Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has signed an agreement with Meydan City Corporation to provide district cooling services for Meydan master community, one of the largest mixed-use development projects in Dubai.

As per the deal, Empower will be cater to the 750 existing and upcoming buildings within Meydan master community providing 382,000 refrigeration tons (RT) district cooling and acquire an existing district cooling plant for a value of AED100 million ($27.2 million).

The agreement was signed by Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower, and Issam Galadari, CEO of Meydan City Corporation, the master developer of Meydan, in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Emirates and Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy.

Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Chairman of Meydan City Corporation, and Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Empower were also present at the ceremony.

Under this deal, the Dubai group will provide the entire Meydan master community with its environment- friendly district cooling services to meet the needs of the existing and upcoming projects including Meydan One, Meydan Avenue and Royal Pearl, "MBRAMC  District 1", "Medan Horizon" and "Meydan Business Park". Currently, Meydan Racecourse projects, which include Meydan Boat House, The Gallery, Meydan Hotel, Meydan Receiving Barn, DHL Building and others, are being supplied with district cooling energy through the existing district cooling plant with a total capacity of 45,000 RT, of which, 25,000 RT are connected to these projects.

According to Empower, the new acquisition deal reflects companys firm plans for the future of district cooling sector, represents a qualitative surge in the growth of the company and its projects portfolio, features an expansion of its services and an increase in its market share in Dubai to reach 79.5%.

In addition, Empower is also set to invest more than AED1.6 billion ($435 million) to build four district cooling plants and construct the pipeline network in the development to meet the demand for energy efficient district cooling services.

Sheikh Ahmed said the district cooling industry represents as the cornerstone of the sustainable development of modern cities.

"Competency in developing and providing world-class district cooling services to customers is a legitimate goal that Dubai is keen to encourage, through the booming investment climate and positive legislative and legal structures, he added.

Al Shaibani said agreement was a strategic decision that allows Meydan to focus on its core business and reinforces the companys commitment to ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of residents, tourists and visitors.

It also reflects Meydans confidence in Empowers ability to supply world-class services at the development.

Al Tayer pointed out that Empower district cooling solutions adopts the best practices and technologies.

"This agreement enables both parties to carry out their tasks to the fullest, and Empower's acquisition of the district cooling allows Meydan to enhance its efforts to continue developing the city to reach its main goal of completing the remaining urban, tourist, recreational and residential icons under construction," he noted.

Bin Shafar said: "We are proud of the new strategic partnership established with Meydan  a well-known group with multi investments portfolios. The acquisition of Meydan district cooling systems reflects Empower's diligence on attaining excellence in providing district cooling services and its pioneering role in adopting advanced technologies and solutions of artificial intelligence in its operations, to ensure the highest customer happiness, conservation of natural resources and rationalization of energy consumption."

"The deal also shows Empowers effective contribution to the important goal of making Dubai the city with the lowest carbon footprint in the world, in line with the directives of the wise leadership that aims to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050," he added.
The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) World Marinas Conference (IWMC) Dubai edition will be held from October 12-14

Scheduled to be held over three days, the event will be hosted by Leisure Marine Association MENA (LMA) and is supported by P&O Marinas, QE2, D-Marin Dubai Harbour Marina, Dubai Tourism.

More than 200 delegates from all over the world are expected to attend the conference, including leading marina and club operators, owners and vendors of marina infrastructure, along with related government agency representatives.

The conference will be moderated by Shirley Robertson, double Olympic sailing medallist and an accomplished presenter across multiple channels.

The organisers of the conference have announced an Early Bird offer valid until Tuesday, August 31.-TradeArabia News Service
Plug and Play, the largest innovation enabler in the world, is set to launch a first-of-its-kind Industry 4.0 open innovation platform in Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).



As part of the platform, key industry stakeholders and thought leaders from across Plug and Play Abu Dhabi's ecosystem will define tech challenges and innovation bottlenecks to be solved by startups as part of accelerator programmes and bespoke challenges. Plug and Play Abu Dhabi will also help to accelerate deployment of innovative pilots, tech integrations and new products.



The first-of-its-kind platform has been designed to boost Abu Dhabis industrial innovation capabilities and attract high-calibre tech startups to the emirate. It seeks to establish a stronger, unified marketplace and forum to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange across major industrial entities and exceptional technology startups, bringing real value and solutions in areas such as supply chain management, manufacturing, storage, telecommunications, maintenance, mobility, logistics, energy, construction and real estate.



The joint effort between Plug and Play Abu Dhabi and ADIO is a part of a larger partnership agreement that focuses on enhancing the innovation scope in the region by accelerating opportunities for startups.



The UAE has launched a new industrial strategy to increase contribution of the manufacturing sector from Dh133 billion ($36 billion) to Dh300 billion in the national economy over the next 10 years, and this programme strives to support the vision by establishing a sustainable and open innovation platform for Industry 4.0 innovators. The open innovation platform further encourages ambitious projects, better policies, real economic value and global thought leadership.



Dr Tariq Bin Hendi, Director General of ADIO, said: The incredible progress that Abu Dhabi has made over the past decades can be traced to our ambition of driving progress through innovation. We want to support the startups and companies that are contributing to real and lasting change through the development of cutting-edge technologies and solutions. The open innovation platform will harness the power of collaboration to shape a brighter future on a global scale.



The inherent strengths of Abu Dhabi make it a perfect fit for an Industry 4.0 open innovation platform, said Babak Ahmadzadeh, Director of Plug and Play Abu Dhabi.



The size, diversity and mindset of the industrial players in Abu Dhabi can be a powerful leverage to attract world-class tech startups to the emirate through collaboration opportunities yielding real business, co-creation and investments. This unique B2B tech startup market creation focused on Industry 4.0 will empower the emirate and the UAE to adopt transformative technology which can substantially increase productivity and competitiveness in many key sectors such as Manufacturing, Logistics, Energy, Food Security and Mobility.



He added: "We are excited to play the long-term game focused on real value creation and sustainable organic growth with this Industry 4.0 open innovation and tech accelerator program. And whatever we build is designed and developed by our local private and public sector partners, for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.



That has always been a bedrock to our approach. Tech adoption and digital transformation is a step-by-step process that requires a collaborative community. Above all, we at Plug and Play know we can support this tech transformation, as we have achieved it in 40+ countries every year through our 60+ programs working with 400+ of the most innovative corporations and government entities in the world."



Abu Dhabi and the UAE are perfectly poised to be a globally recognized hub for tech startups, entrepreneurship and venture capital within 2 years. With the bold and ambitious leadership of the UAE, and the great aspirations of the dynamic and diverse people that reside here and have driven this young nations extraordinary growth, there is no reason why UAE cannot become the world leader in the 4th Industrial Revolution. We only need to come together to create the market and conditions needed for transformative tech collaborations and opportunities to thrive, Ahmadzadeh said.



The finalizing of the founding anchor partners for this innovation platform is set to officially happen in Q3 2021.  TradeArabia News Service
Zain KSA has announced that it is supporting the "National Roaming" initiative launched by the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC).

The initiative has been launched with the aim of maximising the inclusiveness of telecommunication services throughout all Saudi regions and cities, with a particular focus on remote villages and desert areas.

According to CITCs plan, the initial phase of the initiative saw the launching of the service in Asir, enabling mobile users in the region to utilise any available telecommunications network whenever they are outside their carrier networks coverage area.

The roaming service is set to include all populated areas in remote villages and desert areas, covering around 21,000 villages and desert lands across 147 governorates throughout the kingdom and serving over 5 million users.

Commenting on the initiative, Chief Business and Wholesale Officer at Zain KSA, Eng Saad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Sadhan, lauded the introduction of the National Roaming service, emphasising Zain KSAs role as a key partner of CITC on this initiative which falls within the companys unwavering commitment to support the nation-wide efforts of Vision 2030 to achieve inclusive digital transformation, delivering the best telecommunications and data services throughout the kingdom.

He added: "Inspired by the vision and ambition of our astute leadership to offer the best for our society, at Zain KSA we are pioneers in embracing such national initiatives, avidly seeking to ensure the sustainability and inclusiveness of telecommunications and data services in the kingdom, which constitutes a fundamental part of our strategy to enhance the quality of life for citizens and residents. As such, the rollout of National Roaming will certainly contribute to introducing a balanced digital transformation strategy that ensures inclusiveness in delivering the service to all residents and visitors wherever they are within the kingdom while also improving users experience and providing them with more options and competitive offers.

The National Roaming service will be part of the package offered by the service operator at no additional cost incurred by the user. -- TradeArabia News Service
Nissan has announced that it has joined the Race to Zero campaign supported by the United Nations, accelerating the Japanese automakers full electrification and carbon neutrality goals.

As the first Japanese automaker to join the campaign, the company also signed the Business Ambition for 1.5C commitment, aligning Nissan with the goal to keep global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

Nissan has joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a requirement for participation in the campaign. It's below 2C carbon reduction targets have been validated by the SBTi, ensuring that they are aligned to climate science, according to a company statement.

President and CEO Makoto Uchida said: Through joining the SBTi and participating in these campaigns, we are renewing our determination to work with like-minded companies and local governments around the world to solve the challenges of climate change and realise a sustainable society.

To accelerate global efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, we will continue to address various issues in a responsible manner, including further promotion of electrification.

In 2010, Nissan launched the LEAF, the first mass-market electric vehicle, and, through new all-electric vehicles and electrified technologies rolling out zero emissions driving and zero emissions power.

Earlier this year the company pledged to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050. It is looking to accelerate these efforts through initiatives like Nissan EV36Zero  the new manufacturing blueprint combining electric vehicle production, battery manufacturing and renewable energy generation.

SBTi Managing Director and Co-Founder Alberto Carrillo Pineda said: Bold and urgent action is needed to limit the worst effects of climate breakdown and unlock a sustainable future for us all.

"As the first Japanese automaker to commit to the Business Ambition for 1.5C campaign, Nissan is joining more than 700 companies worldwide in working towards the most ambitious and robust science-based emissions reduction targets.

COP26 (UN Climate Change Conference) President-designate Alok Sharma said: It is fantastic to see Nissan join the Race to Zero. They are the first Japanese vehicle manufacturer to sign up and through their manufacturing of batteries in North East England for electric cars, are demonstrating real leadership in the transition to net zero across the UK."-TradeArabia News Service
The Gulfs retail sector has recorded a string of positive gains over recent quarters, suggesting continued momentum behind post-pandemic growth, especially in brick-and-mortar retail.

The Covid-19 pandemic did initially impact the physical retail landscape, both locally and globally, notes Mohammad A Baker, CEO and Deputy Chairman of international retail conglomerate GMG, and who is also a member of the Advisory Board of Dubai Chamber.

A drop in consumer footfall coupled with social distancing measures, international travel restrictions, and a wider macro-economic slump put pressure on the sector.

In the UAE alone, studies estimate that the pandemic cut out AED13.5 billion ($3.68 billion) in sales in 2020.

A surge in eCommerce helped to offset the initial pandemic shocks. Earlier this year, Bricklin Dwyer, chief economist and head of the Mastercard Economics Institute, noted when commenting on the future of retail that the company broadly expects to see a much faster rate of digitalisation in the Gulf both this year and in the years ahead.

There is massive potential in the regions eCommerce space, no question. But thats only one part of the story, contends Baker. Brick-and-mortar retail should not be overlooked.

Emaar Malls, for example, recently confirmed that for the mall operators tenants, their H1 2021 sales were 77% higher than during the same period in 2020. Overall occupancy levels at the developers mall properties were at 91% during the period. Moreover, its tenant sales, including those from locations like the Dubai Mall, were an improvement over H1 2019 figures.

Consumers today are not looking for products when they come to a store - they are looking for an experience. Many of these experiences are based on personalised, in-store engagement, and that is what is being delivered, adds Baker.

As an example, the executive cites how all of GMGs flagship brands are located at the Dubai Mall in UAE, and that the group has already welcomed over 2.4 million customers across its storefronts in the Dubai Mall alone this yeara double-digit percentage rise year on year.

The inaugural State of the UAE Retail Economy report released this June further suggests that there are clear signs of optimism returning to the regions consumer market, and that the UAE is predicted to have the fastest growth within the GCC in 2021.

Major global brand campaigns have meanwhile returned in force to the UAE. The launch of the Middle Easts first Air Jordan concept store in the Dubai Mall in July is just one example.

A new concept by Nike, it includes unique artworks commissioned by famed artists such as Syrian-American artist Jason Seife, and is only the fourth such store to be opened internationally.

These collaborations between brands, retailers, and mall operatorsas well as new studies into the sector as a wholesignal a positive outlook for the Gulfs retail recovery.

Brick-and-mortar has long been a pillar of national economies throughout the region across nearly all segments. It still accounts for the lions share of all retail transactions, Baker highlights. Now is actually the ideal time for us as retailers to push ourselves to go beyond what we thought possible.

-- TradeArabia News Service
Wego, a leading online travel marketplace in the Mena region, has partnered with the Austrian National Tourist Office to bring in more GCC tourists to the country this summer.



Travellers from countries with a low incidence rate (such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar), that can either show proof of negative PCR test infection or a proof of full vaccination starting 15th day after their second dose, can visit the country without the need to self-isolate. Also, travellers from other countries like UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait can currently enter Austria without the need to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated.



The joint campaign will increase Austrias awareness as a safe destination and one of the most serene and beautiful travel countries. It will also drive the conversation rate to generate interest and bookings to the country.



Austria will be promoted on all Wego platforms through both the website and application. This will include targeted emails to Wegos vast Mena users in addition to articles, push notifications and social media campaigns focusing on Austria as a safe and one of the must go-to tourist destinations for this summer.



Mamoun Hmedan, Managing Director, Mena and India, Wego, said: Were excited to expand our partnerships to one of the most beautiful European countries. Located in the heart of Europe and nestled between the Danube and the Alps, Austria is a must go to country for every traveller. GCC travellers have been eagerly waiting to visit Austria. Through such partnerships, we aim to drive more travellers to the country through promoting it to our large user base in the Mena region. We look forward to forging a long-lasting relationship with The Austrian National Tourist Office.



The country offers its visitors a safe experience through keeping Covid-19 numbers low and applying stricter measures to curb the spread of the virus. From 15 August, vaccinated guests have to be fully vaccinated to enter restaurants, hotels or need to present a negative PCR test.



Robert Groblacher, Director of the Austrian National Tourist Office Middle East, commented: In 2019, almost half a million visitors from the GCC created about 1.4 million bednights in Austria. In 2020, there was almost no touristic activity from the GCC due to the Covid-19 situation. We can see a vast interest in visiting our country again since the borders for travellers from the region opened again on the 1st of July 2021.  TradeArabia News Service
Dubai-based leading independent hotel management company Aleph Hospitality has appointed Jad Shamseddin in the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Middle East.

Shamseddin joins Aleph Hospitality from his most recent role as Chief Hospitality Officer at Ajlan Bros Holding Group in Riyadh, KSA. Previously, he was Managing Director of the hotels division at Al Hokair Group in KSA and Regional Director Hotel Openings for the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Georgia at Millennium & Copthorne Middle East & Africa.

Based in the Aleph Hospitality headquarters in Dubai and a member of the executive team, Shamseddin will be responsible for developing and driving Aleph Hospitalitys operational excellence and lead the implementation and management of the companys operational strategies across its growing hotel portfolio.

Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, commented: We are very excited to welcome Jad to the team in what is a critical role for the business as our growth accelerates with the expansion of our hotel portfolio across the Middle East and Africa. Jad is a highly experienced and dynamic hospitality leader with a very strong track record, and his entrepreneurial spirit is the perfect fit for our company culture.

A Lebanese national, Shamseddin brings over 20 years of international hospitality experience to Aleph Hospitality of which he spent 15 years in leadership roles in strategy, development, operations, business transformation, commercial, and mergers, takeovers and acquisitions in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Turkey.

In addition to his focus on operational strategy and excellence, Jad will be instrumental in further strengthening our relationships with hotel brands, owners and investors across the Middle East and Africa which is at the core of our success, added Haddad.

Shamseddin said: Third-party hotel management is rapidly growing in the Middle East Region, following its success in Europe and the United States over the past decades, with owners looking for a shift from the traditional hotel management agreements. I am very proud to join Aleph Hospitality as the leader in its field, and as team, we look forward to further expansion in the region, ensuring unparalleled deliverables to hotel owners, whilst practicing the highest industry standards to protect brand integrity for the brand owners.

Aleph Hospitality, which has earmarked a pipeline of 50 hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2025, manages hotels directly for owners, either on a franchise basis for branded properties or as a white label operator for independently-branded hotels.  TradeArabia News Service
People infected with the Delta variant of Covid-19 carry twice the risk of needing to be treated in hospital than those with the Alpha strain, a study has suggested.

Researchers looked at more than 43,000 cases in England between March and May with their findings published in medical journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Nearly three-quarters of coronavirus cases in the study were in people who were unvaccinated, with 1.8% coming in those who had received both inoculations.

The study said around one in 50 patients were admitted to hospital within two weeks of their first positive test, or 2.3% of Delta cases and 2.2% of those with the Alpha variant, first identified in Kent.

Researchers then adjusted these figures to take into account other factors to determine the risk of being admitted to hospital was more than doubled with the Delta variant compared with the Alpha variant.

These included someones age, ethnicity and vaccination status.

Dr Gavin Dabrera, one of the studys lead authors and a consultant epidemiologist at the National Infection Service, Public Health England, said: This study confirms previous findings that people infected with Delta are significantly more likely to require hospitalisation than those with Alpha, although most cases included in the analysis were unvaccinated.

We already know that vaccination offers excellent protection against Delta and as this variant accounts for over 98% of Covid-19 cases in the UK, it is vital that those who have not received two doses of vaccine do so as soon as possible.

It is still important that if you have Covid-19 symptoms, stay home and get a PCR test as soon as possible.

The authors said it is not possible to draw conclusions about risk among those who have been vaccinated and go on to develop infections, and studies have shown a link between vaccination and prevention of serious illness from coronavirus.

Data from the UK Government shows 88.2% of people aged 16 and over have had at least one dose of a vaccine, and 90.2 million doses given overall.

Dr Anne Presanis, one of the studys lead authors and Senior Statistician at the MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, said: Our analysis highlights that in the absence of vaccination, any Delta outbreaks will impose a greater burden on healthcare than an Alpha epidemic.

Getting fully vaccinated is crucial for reducing an individuals risk of symptomatic infection with Delta in the first place, and, importantly, of reducing a Delta patients risk of severe illness and hospital admission.
by Nirmala Carvalho

Right-wing extremists are behind the violence. The false accusation of proselytising unleashed the attack. A 25-year-old clergyman and his family were the target. For GCIC president, the mob carried out deliberate acts of violence even against women. Scriptures and sacred books were torn up, wounding Christians religious feelings.

Delhi (AsiaNews)  More violent attacks against Christians have been reported in India. The latest involves a Pentecostal clergyman who was brutally assaulted by more than 100 Hindu extremists.

The incident took place yesterday in Polmi, a rural village in Kabirdham, a district in Chhattisgarh, a state in central India, this according to Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).

Speaking to AsiaNews, the activist explained that the violence against 25-year-old Kawalsingh Paraste follows false charges of promoting activities aimed at conversion.

In their report, the police, who intervened shortly after the attack, note that the attackers "devastated the property and beat up the pastor's family".

Soon after being alerted, a police team rushed to the scene, said Kabirdham Police Superintendent Mohit Garg.

As per the preliminary information, a crowd of over 100 people stormed into his house and allegedly damaged articles of worship and household items, and tore scriptures, he noted, adding that They allegedly beat up Paraste and manhandled his family members, including women, and then escaped.

Although police opened an investigation, more than 24 hours after the attack there are no suspects, and the case, like other past attacks against Christians and other minorities, is likely to end up in nothing.

Once again, Christians are the victims of violence, discrimination and denial of the free practice of worship, noted GCIC president George.

India is a secular country, he explained, but Indians, especially in Chhattisgarh, are routinely deprived of religious freedom.

The extremists, George added, barged into the house, committed deliberate acts of violence even against women and deeply wounded our religious feelings, tearing up scriptures and sacred books.

The Indian Christian population is a minuscule 2.3 per cent, which proves how the Hindutva conversion claims are just propaganda.
The structure is about 70 km north of Aden. Several wounded are in serious condition and the toll is likely to worsen. The condolences of President Hadi to the families of the victims. Peace talks at a standstill, with the parties unable to reach a compromise.

Sana'a (AsiaNews/Agencies) - At least 30 people were killed and more than 60 wounded in an attack launched yesterday morning by Houthi rebels against a structure of the pro-government army in southern Yemen. A spokesman for the southern forces says that the target of the operation is the air base of al-Anad, where are stationed soldiers of the Saudi-led Arab coalition in the war against the pro-Tehran Shiite militias. Houthi militiamen hit the military facility with missiles and armed drones.

A soldier reports that the attack happened shortly after breakfast, when the military spotted a drone flying overhead. "WWe tried to fire at it and bring it down, but we couldn't hit it," he told AFP news agency. "The craft flew over and headed directly towards the hangar, where it fired two missiles." Another soldier wounded in the attack, Nasser Saeed, told The Associated Press that there were more than 50 soldiers inside a compound.

Mohammed al-Naqeeb, a spokesman for government forces in the south, reports that several wounded are in critical condition and the death toll could rise in the coming days. Rescue teams are busy digging through the rubble looking for survivors in the area of al-Anad, about seventy kilometers north of Aden.

President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and promised that the Houthis will pay "heavily for all the crimes committed against the people of Yemen". The raid came at a time of stalemate in peace talks between the international coalition backed by the UN and the United States and Houthi proxies, with the parties unable to reach a compromise. At the center of the negotiations the end of the blockade to the ports controlled by the Shiite rebels and to the airport of Sana'a, in exchange for a truce in the fighting.

The war in Yemen broke out in 2014 pitting the Saudi-backed government and Iranian-supported Shia Houthi rebels.

In March 2015 the conflict escalated when Saudi Arabia decided to get directly involved, resulting in more than 10,000 dead 55,000 wounded. However, independent observers put the death toll for the period between January 2016 and July 2018 at about 57,000.

For the United Nations, the war is worst humanitarian crisis in the world, aggravated by the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is such that millions people are close to famine with children expected to suffer consequences for the next 20 years.

In recent days, dozens of activists had staged a bicycle ride for peace.
The international agency called the recent nuclear activity "deeply worrying". Pyongyang criticized the joint operations between Seoul and Washington. South Korea and the U.S. last week discussed humanitarian assistance for North Korea to get it to return to dialogue.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - North Korea has reportedly restarted its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, according to a report issued today by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), calling Pyongyang's activity "deeply troubling." The assessments are based on satellite imagery since North Korea expelled IEA observers in 2009.

The report claims the complex has been releasing cooling water since July, which would indicate that the plant is operational. In addition, the steam plant connected to the 5-megawatt nuclear reactor was in operation from mid-February to mid-July of this year.

The last time the Yongbyon complex had shown signs of activity was in December 2018, after U.S. President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore.

South Korea's foreign ministry told Yonhap news agency that Seoul is "monitoring the North's nuclear and missile activities in close cooperation with the United States." In recent days, North Korea had commented negatively on the joint exercises between Seoul and Washington, calling them "the most vivid expression of hostile U.S. policy" and denouncing a "serious security crisis." Since Aug. 10, North Korea has not responded to calls from the South about summer exercises with U.S. forces.

Last week, in his trip to Seoul, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim had declared that Washington has no hostile intent toward Pyongyang, renewing his offer to "meet with North Korean counterparts anywhere, anytime." During the Aug. 23 talks, Sung Kim had discussed with South Korea the possibilities of humanitarian assistance to the North to encourage the North Koreans to return to dialogue.
In a televised interview, a Taliban leader suggests that trade with India could go through Pakistan. India pulled out its diplomatic personnel from Afghanistan but with 20 years of investments and US$ 900 million in exports at stake, it is holding a wait-and-see position. New Delhi is worried about jihadist infiltrations in Kashmir. New rockets fall in Kabul this morning. Local media say that children were among the victims of yesterday's US raid.

New Delhi (AsiaNews)  Under the Taliban, Afghanistan plans to maintain close relations with India, based on trade and economic ties, said Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, a senior Taliban leader and current head of the Taliban's political office in Doha (Qatar) in an interview with Pakistani TV.

In addition to hoping that air links with India remain open, Stanikzai also hinted at the possible opening of a land trade route through Pakistan. This comes after a recent report indicate that the Taliban are seeking to keep channels open with India.

Unlike Russia and China, India withdrew its diplomatic personnel from Afghanistan, as did Western countries. Nevertheless, the Modi government remains in a wait-and-see position.

After joining the policy of isolating the Taliban between 1996 and 2001, seen as a tool of Pakistan, India invested heavily in Afghanistans reconstruction when the latters government was supported by the international coalition. Over the years, New Delhi invested more than US$ 3 billion to build dams, roads, power lines, and telecommunications.

Inaugurated in 2016, the Salma or India-Afghanistan friendship dam, in Herat province, symbolises Indias involvement. India also built Afghanistans parliament building in Kabul, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating it.

For India, this brought a windfall in trade. In 2019-2020, bilateral trade was worth almost US$ 1.5 billion with Indian exports reaching about US$ 900 million, including pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, computers and related materials, and cement.

Trade grew despite the lack of an easy land route, hindered by Pakistan. To get around this, Indian authorities set up an air corridor to Kabul and Herat, and focused heavily on the port of Chabahar in Iran, as a link to Afghan territory.

Now the Taliban seem to want to continue along the same path. But the political situation remains an issue. New Delhi is still concerned that Afghanistan could again become a sanctuary for jihadist groups that operate in India.

The Kashmir question is at the top of the list. To deal with it, the Modi government restricted the autonomy of the countrys only Muslim-majority state which borders with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the US military continues its the evacuation operations, which should end tomorrow.

In Kabul some rockets landed near the airport this morning. According to local media, five rockets were fired from the back of a vehicle and intercepted by an anti-missile system, but the shrapnel fell on houses in the area.

Yesterday, US forces carried a drone attack against a suspected suicide bomber. Local media report that several children and an entire family were among the victims. As a consequence, US authorities announced an investigation into the incident.
by Melani Manel Perera

The UN today marks International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances celebrates. In Sri Lanka, the missing remain an open wound years after the civil war. Human rights activist Rev Sathivel asks, Why is the government not saying anything about Tamil fighters who surrendered.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Today is the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010.

In Sri Lanka, the issue of people going missing during the countrys long civil war is an open wound, as evinced by struggle of Tamil mothers seeking news about their loved ones.

Most of those who disappeared were Tamil, but some Sinhala suffered the same fate.

For the past five years, Tamil mothers have been protesting in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, demanding to know what happened to their loved ones who  after they surrendered to Sri Lankan security forces at the end of the war  never made it home.

After years, the struggle has taken a heavy toll among them; some 98 mothers have died without obtaining answers.

More recently, with COVID-19 making street protests impossible, many of them have opted to pursue their battle from home.

All of them want to know What happened to their children. Why is the government not saying anything? asks Rev Marimuttu Sathivel, Anglican priest and human rights activist.

The worst thing is that despite their determination they are not listened to. Yet, the death of some mothers who have not heard anything about the fate of their loved ones weighs on the conscience of the authorities.

The United Nations Commission for Human Rights (UNHRC) does not see these enforced disappearances as a war crime, but 'only' a violation of human rights.

But Tamil mothers are still waiting for an answer from the government. The issue and those responsible should be brought before the International Criminal Court for trial.

The Christian Solidarity Movement (CSM) launched a digital campaign this week to keep alive the memory Sri Lankas missing people.

This is a way to raise awareness about this problem and ask for justice for those who have disappeared," said CSM coordinator Father Shared Jaayawardhane speaking to AsiaNews.
The PSC order does not authorize this specific condemnation, Ausby said. And it goes to great lengths to note that there just was not evidence presented or enough evidence to the commission to be able to even make a determination as to whether or not actual construction at a particular place in Baltimore City would serve a public interest.
What we dont know is how much antibody is required to protect you from infection, or being in the hospital or dying from the virus, Frieman said. The general consensus from studies published is you dont need high [level] of antibody to protect you from severe disease, but you probably do need [a] high level to keep from being infected in the first place, especially from the delta variant.
Twenty-one schools  nearly 13% of all schools in the city  are without AC, according to officials. And three others currently have air-conditioning units with ongoing repairs; those schools will also dismiss students early or close in cases of uncomfortable heat.
After most board members discussed disagreement with a state decision and Superintendent Steve Lockards suggestion to implement a mask mandate on the first day of school, the board voted 4-1 during a special meeting to wait on the mask order, request an exemption from masks at the state hearing, ask for flexibility on the mask mandate based on local COVID-19 conditions, work with parents who are concerned for their children wearing masks and suggest masks only be required for buildings that house students.
The cool thing about Pat was he always made you feel like you were welcome and you were important and what you had to say mattered, she said. Im really bummed that I dont get to serve with him. But now, I get to serve for him.
When the intruder tried to run, Brown gave him a couple knuckles, as he puts it. Enough to send the message  and send the man to the Johns Hopkins Hospital for a few days. Only Brown didnt count on his lesson landing him before a judge and jury one year later, staring down a felony assault charge with as much as 25 years in prison.
Beyond that, we have invasive plants that need to be uprooted. English ivy, for example, is an invasive species that blankets Marylands native trees and starves them of sunlight and nutrients until they die; leaving the city with dead trees that need to be felled. Its astonishing to look at the trees that line Perring Parkway and the Inner Loop and realize that most of the greenery is actually vines blanketing dead trees. There is years of work to do improving this city and the end result will be a city that residents find more beautiful and that nonresidents will be more willing to consider moving to.
Belak said that while sustained wind speeds are only expected to be from 10 to 20 mph when the front reaches Maryland, with gusts up to 30 mph, it could cause some trees to uproot because the surrounding soil will be saturated from the sustained rainfall.
Name: _________________________ Period: ___________________

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. As Alan rides through the countryside outside Venice and as he walks around Padua, what seems to impress him most about Italy?

(a) Its friendliness.

(b) Its foreignness.

(c) Its beauty.

(d) Its age.

2. In the restaurant in Spoleto, what is Frank distracted by?

(a) A stain on his lapel.

(b) The overly familiar waiter.

(c) A beautiful Swedish woman.

(d) The birds outside the restaurant.

3. How does Frank feel when he smells leaf smoke on the way to Florence?

(a) Triumphant.

(b) Nostalgic.

(c) Ashamed.

(d) Confused.

4. After they drop Eda off, what does Alan say to Frank about the encounter?

(a) It will land them in trouble.

(b) Eda is a beautiful girl.

(c) Frank's behavior is immoral.

(d) He would like to see Eda again.

5. Why is Brenda heading to Rome?

(a) Rome is where her flight to New York is leaving from.

(b) Rome is where she is thinking of moving.

(c) Rome is where she is supposed to meet an old friend.

(d) Rome is where her mother and daughters are waiting for her.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the English translation of the word "Basta" (41)?

2. Which is the best description of the husband and wife conversation that Frank mimics?

3. From context, which is a reasonable interpretation of the simile "They had separate rooms, like staterooms, like passengers on a fading boat" (36)?

4. What technique is used in the sentence, "On the curtained upper floors the legs of countesses uncoiled, slithering on the sheets like a serpent" (38)?

5. At what time of year are Frank and Alan in Venice?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Frank decide not to tell Alan about his conversation with Eda, and why?

2. Where do Frank and Alan take Eda, and what does Frank buy her there?

3. What does Brenda suggest to Frank about New York, and what is it implied that she is hinting about?

4. Whom do Frank and Alan meet in Arezzo, and how do they meet her?

5. What is Eda's reaction to Frank's explanation of the situation with Alan, and how does Frank treat her decision?

6. What do Frank and Brenda fight about when it is time for her to leave Italy, and how does Alan become involved in the argument?

7. What has happened in Brenda's life since she and Frank broke up?

8. When the second part of the story opens, where are Alan and Frank, and who is with them?

9. When Frank and Alan are leaving a Spoleto restaurant with Eda between them, what does the clerk say, and what is his meaning?

10. In the hotel bar in Spoleto, what does Alan tell Frank about Europe, and what is Frank's response?

(see the answer keys)
Congressional Democrats have responded to the Republican efforts to make it harder to vote by approving legislation earlier this week that would restore sections of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. The bill would require the Justice Department to once again police changes to voting laws in states with a history of restricting the vote, a practice that was put on hold by the Supreme Court in 2013.
I dont think citizens out there are comfortable with the amount of authority weve relinquished over to our administrators, he said. We may need to re-examine how weve been conducting business  . Ultimately, at the end of the day, we have a constitutional authority that our constituents want us to fulfill.
Works will be exhibited and available for sale at a free exhibition from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.18, in the Bel Air Armory. The Liriodendron Mansion will also host a limited exhibition of works from the festival on Wednesdays, Sept. 22 and 29 and Oct. 6, 13 and 20 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment. All paintings will be available for purchase virtually on the Maryland Center for the Arts website from Sept. 19 through Nov. 20.
In February 2021, more than 300 Annapolis housing authority residents were behind on rent and ACDS provided legal assistance to them so they could avoid being evicted. The organization contracted with Civil Justice Inc., a Maryland legal services organization, to give legal assistance and financial counseling, among other resources, to residents of the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis. The initiative, called the Renter Eviction Avoidance Program, was funded with $106,000 in county eviction prevention funds administered by ACDS.
Clay Center, KS (67432)

Today

Cloudy in the morning with scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 91F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 70F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
But many of the doses that the Palestinian Authority did have were siphoned off to the senior ranks of the governing party, allies in the media and even to family members of top dignitaries. Last spring, Israel gave vaccines to more than 100,000 Palestinians who work in Israel but not to the millions of other Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.
The onslaught of COVIDs delta variant has put a new focus on the risks to children under the age of 12, who are ineligible to be vaccinated. Dr. Eve Bloomgarden, an endocrinologist and chief operating officer of the advocacy group Illinois Medical Professionals Action Collaborative Team, said while the virus tends to hit adults harder than children, many kids still have been hospitalized in the recent surge.
I think you should go ahead and write a letter to this professor. Frame your experience as a lesson. Give him credit for inspiring you to prove him wrong, and for providing you with a great example regarding the kind of teacher you have been determined to be.
There is starting to be an inherent distrust for school boards, that theres some notion that we are out to indoctrinate children or to undermine parents or things like that, when we are on the same team, said Pratt, who has been on the board six years. We are here to help children.
DeChant, a legal engineer for a software firm, said hes fortunate enough to work remotely from home and has the time to share carpooling duties. The plan is to share the burden with other parents, DeChant said Sunday. Weve got cars and Ive got time and so I feel pretty lucky. My first priority was basically to get the kids on our bus stop, making sure those parents arent panicking because they have a job to show up to at a certain time.
Blake was shot by Kenosha police Officer Rusten Sheskey after he and two other Kenosha officers tried to arrest Blake on an outstanding warrant. A pocketknife fell from Blakes pants during a scuffle. He said he picked it up before heading to a vehicle to drive away with two of his children in the back seat. He said he was prepared to surrender once he put the knife in the vehicle. Sheskey, who was not charged, told investigators that he feared for his own safety.
I think for the museum what we find the most interesting in collections like this are the materials that might actually have historical or research value, meaning you look at this material and actually gleam something from it. It has information in it, point of access, that it actually opens up a window into the past and tells you something about the past, about this person, about these events, Russick said. For a history museum we find often that having that be the critically important criteria to use, it often then leads to the most appealing artifacts. It isnt just eye candy, its actually a powerful visual but its linked to an amazing story. I think thats where the real action is for the (Chicago) History Museum. Were looking for those places where an object, an artifact really reveals something for us in the present.
This law wont help other citizens who are truly rehabilitated and reformed after a felony conviction, Finko said. There is no road map to obtain a restoration of rights by which any other person could A, determine if he or she is eligible and B, apply for a restoration of rights.
Chinese archaeologists have discovered ruins of the ancient Shu Kingdom, a civilization dating back at least 4,800 years, in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The relics site, located in Chengdu, Sichuan's provincial capital, was found in October last year. Excavation from March to August this year led to the discovery of more than 80 ancient tombs and over 10 house ruins sites that date back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046 BC-771 BC) and the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC).

A large number of bronze ware, jade ware and pottery, including bronze seal, willow leaf-shaped sword and other typical artifacts of the ancient Shu civilization, have also been unearthed from the site, according to Xiong Qiaoqiao, who leads the excavation project.

Xiong said the relics site is from a key transitional period between the early Shu civilization, represented by the Sanxingdui Ruins site, and the late Shu civilization.

It provides important research materials for reconstructing the history of the ancient Shu Kingdom, which lacks the support of written records, Xiong added.

It is believed that the ancient Shu Kingdom lasted over 2,000 years.
Cultural watchdogs Historic England announced Saturday that official protection has been granted to six seaside gems around the coast of England.

Sites listed for conservation and protection by the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport include a picturesque boathouse in Devon built to celebrate the coronation of King George VI in 1937.

Eight decorative shelters along Britain's best known promenade at northern England's seaside resort, Blackpool, have also been added to the list. It also includes a stone obelisk, The Crow Stone, in Southend in southern England that marks the City of London's historic jurisdiction over the River Thames.

"England has a rich and distinctive seaside heritage. Ranging from piers to pavilions, bathing pools to beach huts, there are many colorful historic sites that reflect almost 300 years of seaside holidays and are still welcoming millions of visitors each year," said Historic England.

"This summer our seaside resorts are enjoying an influx of visitors again and these six newly listed sites offer a small insight into the range of seaside heritage England has to celebrate," it said.

The listings were announced as millions of day trippers across England headed to the seaside this summer.
A recombinant COVID-19 fusion protein vaccine (V-01) developed and manufactured in China has been approved for phase-III clinical trials in the Philippines.



The vaccine V-01 was developed by the Institute of Biophysics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Inc. (LivzonBio) in south China's Guangdong Province.

V-01 is a fusion recombinant protein vaccine with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) as the antigen, which is the most important part of the virus spike protein binding with human cellular ACE2 receptors. The binding process grants the virus access to the host's cells and leads to infection.

The Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines had granted approval for the phase-III clinical trial of the V-01 vaccine to evaluate its safety and efficacy. The trial has started recruiting participants in adults aged 18 and older in the country. The first participant was enrolled on Aug. 25 and inoculated with the first dose.

Hu Zhenxiang, vice president of LivzonBio, told Xinhua that the phase-I and phase-II trials of V-01 vaccine had produced satisfactory results.
Last month, Chinese authorities introduced a set of guidelines to ease the burden of excessive homework and off-campus tutoring on students undergoing the nine-year free compulsory education, which covers elementary and junior high school.

According to the guidelines, no more new off-campus tutoring institutions teaching curriculum subjects for students in compulsory education will be approved for establishment, and existing institutions are required to register as non-profits. Off-campus curriculum subject tutoring courses can also no longer be taught on national holidays.

These new directions have caused mixed responses among parents.

In the coming fall semester, Ms. Xu's daughter will begin her third year of junior middle school in Beijing, one of the nine national pilot cities to implement the guidelines.

Xu is anxious about the new policies. Her daughter used to attend extracurricular classes in math, English and geography, but all these classes have been suspended since the release of the document. "Based on the quality of teaching in my daughter's school, it will be hard for her to get into a top-tier university in the future," Xu said. "So, we'll have to turn to other channels, like one-to-one tutoring."

Xu hopes that the problems can be tackled from the root, for which the new guidelines do offer some instructions. These include promoting quality and balanced development of compulsory education, and improving the teaching quality in classrooms.

Some parents, however, are in favor of the new policies. Ms. Zhou, a mother of a third grader, is one of them. Zhou said the new regulations made no difference to her child's studies, since her daughter doesn't participate in any off-campus classes in curriculum subjects.

In her spare time - during this summer holiday, for example - apart from self-study and doing homework at home, Zhou's daughter usually reads, plays games, and attends dance classes.

Zhou thinks that tutoring institutions negatively affect the instincts and stamina of students and that the best education doesn't come from off-campus tutoring or getting a house in the right school district. Instead, Zhou believes that "the key is to cultivate children's initiative and increase their efficiency in learning."

In addition to the influences on students and parents, the guidelines deal a heavy blow to the maladies afflicting the off-campus tutoring sector, including profiteering, unlicensed and excessive training, false advertising, and improper connections with schools. These problems may lead to students' declining physical fitness, increased psychological problems and heavy financial burdens on families.

The new plans force training institutions to reshape themselves if they want to survive. For instance, VIPKid, a company which hires North American teachers to offer one-on-one online English courses to children aged 3-15 in China, is now seeking to move beyond school-level programs into English training for adults. It is also mulling over using Chinese teachers to provide online English courses.

Despite the mixed reaction, the goal of the new guidelines is to ease the pressure on students from competitive tutoring and alleviate parents' anxiety. In that way, children can grow healthily and develop in a more all-around manner.






Speakers:

Wang Wentao, minister of commerce





Wang Shouwen, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative





Qian Keming, vice minister of commerce





Chairperson:

Chen Wenjun, head of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO





Date:

Aug. 23, 2021

Chen Wenjun:





Ladies and gentlemen, good morning! Welcome to this press conference from the State Council Information Office (SCIO). The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has played an active part in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Today, we are delighted to be joined by Mr. Wang Wentao, minister of commerce; Mr. Wang Shouwen, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative; and Mr. Qian Keming, vice minister of commerce. They will share relevant information and answer your questions. First, let's give the floor to Mr. Wang Wentao.

Wang Wentao:

Friends from the media, ladies and gentlemen, good morning! I am very glad to be attending this SCIO press conference today. First of all, I would like to extend my appreciation to you for your long-term attention to and support for China's commerce work.

At the ceremony marking the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), General Secretary Xi Jinping announced that we have realized the first centenary goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. This historic achievement made by the Chinese people under the CPC's leadership is a key milestone in our socialist modernization drive.

The commerce work connects China with the world, links urban and rural markets, and concerns each and every household. It has also played an important role in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China's commerce work has made historic achievements and undergone significant reforms. China has further consolidated its position as a major economy and trading nation, and is accelerating its move toward becoming a quality economy and trader. While being the world's second largest consumer market and largest trading nation, China also leads the world in paid-in foreign investment and outbound investment with growing global economic governance capacities, which in turn promote economic prosperity, social development and the people's well-being. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the commerce system bears in mind the country's most fundamental interests and carries out the "four commitments."

Next, I would like to share with you some information about our commerce work.

First, we are committed to expanding domestic demand as a strategic priority to foster a strong domestic market. China enjoys the advantage of a unique and super-sized market with a population of 1.4 billion people and a 400-million strong middle-income group. Domestic demand is a fundamental driver of China's economic growth and its expansion is essential to meeting people's aspirations for a better life. We have driven innovation in circulation by creating 15-minute community service circles for the convenience of residents, upgrading pedestrian streets, transforming the retail sector, promoting the innovative development of commodity markets, improving cold-chain logistics facilities for agricultural products, enhancing the urban and rural logistics distribution system, and advancing the standardization of commercial circulation to make it smoother and more convenient. We have upgraded consumption by boosting the consumption of goods such as cars and home appliances, and services such as catering and housekeeping. We have recently announced five leading cities for developing into international consumption centers. Meanwhile, we have strengthened commercial systems in counties and boosted rural consumption. We have worked to ensure emergency supplies. In response to unexpected situations, such as the recent floods and sporadic coronavirus cases, we enhanced the joint supply security mechanism to ensure market supplies. In 2020, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached 39.2 trillion yuan. Consumption has been the strongest engine driving economic growth for many years.

Second, we are committed to expanding high-level opening-up to promote high-quality development. Opening-up is the only way for China to achieve national prosperity. Driven by greater opening-up, reform and development holds the key to China's continual development achievements. High-quality development requires a high-level of opening-up. We continue expanding the scope of opening-up and further broadening market access. The negative list for foreign investment has been shortened from 93 to 33 items. We have also raised foreign equity caps in areas including the automotive, finance and securities sectors. We have launched comprehensive pilot demonstration programs for wider opening-up in the services sector. We have actively built new highlands and platforms for opening-up, pushed for the establishment of 21 pilot free trade zones and the high-quality development of the Hainan Free Trade Port while promoting the innovative upgrading of national economic development zones. We ensured the success of major expos such as the China International Import Expo, Canton Fair, China International Fair for Trade in Services, and China International Consumer Products Expo. We have accelerated institutional opening-up and improved systems and mechanisms commensurate with new business types and models such as cross-border e-commerce. We have promulgated the Foreign Investment Law and regulations for its implementation, implemented a pre-establishment national treatment plus negative list management system nationwide. We aim to align with international rules and advance trade and investment liberalization and facilitation.

Third, we are committed to serving the people through commerce and contributing to the victory in eradicating poverty. Winning the fight against poverty is the most daunting and complex task for achieving moderate prosperity in all respects. We have been upholding a people-centered development philosophy in the commerce work. On one hand, we have leveraged the strengths of commerce and introduced measures in five commerce-related areas of e-commerce, housekeeping services, overseas labor services, industrial growth and border trade. On the other, we have actively cooperated with other countries and international organizations to channel more development aid to impoverished regions in central and western China to support local industrial development.

Fourth, we are committed to pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation and common development under the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. We have pressed ahead with the Belt and Road cooperation by intensifying trade and investment cooperation with partner countries and forging closer business and cultural exchanges, so that all countries can enjoy new development opportunities and broader markets, and share in the dividends of China's reform and development. Through our well-implemented cooperation and foreign aid projects, we have provided assistance within our ability to developing countries, notably the least developed countries, as part of our efforts to implement the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind. We have played an active part in international economic governance, put forward China's proposals and contributed Chinese wisdom to multilateral meetings such as the G20, APEC and BRICS. We firmly uphold the multilateral trading system with the WTO as the core and are striving to build an international network of high-standard free trade zones.

Looking ahead, we will march forward on the new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country. The positioning of the commerce work can be summarized in three important aspects, that is, commerce work, as an important part of the domestic circulation and an important link between domestic and international circulations, plays an important role in building a new development paradigm. Commerce work is an important part of the domestic circulation as it includes domestic trade. The position as an important link between domestic and international circulations involves foreign trade, foreign investment and domestic trade. Our work can play an important role in building a new development paradigm. Ahead of us are heavy responsibilities and a noble mission. We will follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, ground our work in the new stage of development, and fully and faithfully apply the new development philosophy. With our focus on the positioning in the above three important aspects, we have introduced a portfolio of "5+5" measures for this year's work. Specifically, for smoother domestic circulation, we will take five measures of elevating traditional consumption, fostering new types of consumption, upgrading consumption platforms, optimizing distribution networks, and developing stronger distributors. To promote international and domestic circulations, we will also make efforts in five aspects of keeping the fundamentals of foreign trade and foreign investment stable, deepening Belt and Road economic and trade cooperation, promoting the integration of domestic and foreign trade, developing high-standard opening-up platforms, and strengthening multilateral and bilateral trade and economic cooperation. To sum up, the three important aspects will be implemented through the five measures in domestic circulation and another five in international and domestic circulations, which together constitute our fundamental tasks this year.

Next, my colleagues and I will answer your questions. Thank you.

Chen Wenjun:



Thank you, Mr. Wang. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify your news outlet before asking your questions.
ThePaper.cn:

In recent years, there have been a growing number of free trade agreements in the world. How is the development of China's free trade agreements coming along? What role do they play? What are the future plans?

Wang Wentao:

Mr. Wang Shouwen will answer this question.

Wang Shouwen:

Thank you for your question. Indeed, currently, international free trade agreements are flourishing. According to WTO statistics, more than 350 free trade agreements have been reached so far. It is particularly noteworthy that some large free trade agreements have been signed and entered into force. For example, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the RCEP, the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement are all large-scale free trade agreements. Under the correct leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we have followed the general trend of international regional economic integration, actively carried out free trade agreement negotiations with trading partners and made great progress. In 2002, China's first free trade agreement, the free trade agreement reached with ASEAN, enabled us to embark on a new journey of free trade agreements. So far, we have successfully negotiated19 free trade agreements and signed agreements with 26 countries and regions.

It is worth mentioning that since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have signed nine free trade agreements (FTAs), including eight with individual countries, such as the Republic of Korea (ROK), Australia and Switzerland, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. Meanwhile, we've upgraded existing free trade agreements, including the China-ASEAN FTA, and proceeded with negotiations on upgrading the China-Chile FTA, the China-Singapore FTA, and the China-New Zealand FTA. These are all very important works.

You asked what important role FTAs have played for our country. I should say that the role is very clear. First, the FTAs play a significant role in expanding trade and investment relations with our free trade agreement partners and stabilizing the overall performance of foreign trade and foreign investment. For example, trade volume with its FTA partners accounted for only 12.3% of China's total foreign trade in 2012, but last year, the proportion rose to nearly 35% of the total. Last year, the epidemic had a great impact on global trade, however, China's trade with its FTA partners grew by 3.2%, while trade with non-FTA partners only increased by 0.8%. Therefore, FTAs play a very significant role in foreign trade. In terms of investment relations, last year, nearly 70% of China's outbound investment was to its FTA partner countries and 84% of foreign investment in China was from FTA partners. Therefore, FTAs play a very significant role in investment relations.

Second, FTAs have further deepened economic and trade relations with FTA partners. For example, bilateral trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was only more than $78 billion in 2003, however, the figure reached $685.1 billion last year, an increase of 8.7 times. If there are no FTAs, trade cannot grow so much. China has remained ASEAN's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. In 2020, ASEAN also became China's largest trading partner. Take another example - Chile. Chile's trade with China accounted for 20%, or one-fifth, of its total foreign trade in 2012, compared to one-third last year. This goes to show just how effectively the FTA and the FTA upgrade have worked to promote trade between the two countries. Pakistan is another example. We inked the China-Pakistan FTA in the past, with a low level of trade liberalization. We upgraded the FTA the year before last. After the upgrade, the level of liberalization has increased. Pakistan's exports to China have grown rapidly, and the trade imbalance between China and Pakistan has also been narrowed.

Third, FTAs have greatly promoted China's opening-up. In terms of trade in goods, China has an average most-favored-nation tariff rate of 7.5%. Under FTAs, China and its trading partners implement zero tariffs on 90 percent of products, so the level of tariff liberalization in goods trade is very high. In terms of trade in services, of the 160 services sub-sectors under the 12-sector WTO classification, China committed to opening up 100 sub-sectors under 9 sectors when entering the organization. By promoting free trade agreements, we have greatly enhanced the openness of trade in services. Take the RCEP agreement as an example. China added 22 new services sectors to the 100 sectors it committed to open upon its accession to the WTO, and raised the level of openness of 37 sectors. In terms of investment, there are no agreements regarding investment openness in the WTO. The FTAs have created many rules regarding investment openness, investment market access, investment facilitation, and investment protection, which will help develop mutual investment between China and its FTA partners, and advance regional integrated development to form more stable industrial and supply chains.

We will further expand opening-up by signing more free trade agreements and upgrading our existing free trade agreements. In accordance with the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we will step up our efforts to build a network of high-standard free trade zones, which focuses on neighboring economies, radiates across the Belt and Road Initiative-related economies, and has a global reach. Next, we will upgrade our existing free trade agreements, including the China-Singapore FTA and the China-ROK FTA. At the same time, we will accelerate negotiations on new agreements, including the China-Japan-ROK FTA, China-Gulf Cooperation Council FTA, China-Israel FTA and China-Norway FTA. We are actively considering joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). We will thoroughly implement the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee. Thank you.
China's National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) has released a notice on preventing minors from becoming addicted to online games.

Online game providers can only offer one-hour services to minors from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on official holidays, according to the document made public on Monday.

It also urged the strict implementation of real-name registration and logins, saying that online game providers must not provide any form of game service to users who fail to register and log in using their real identifications.

Press and publication administrations at all levels have been asked to supervise the implementation of related measures and deal with companies that fail to put measures in place.

Minors' addiction to online games has drawn much attention from the society, an official with the NPPA said, adding that the newly-released notice is meant for minors who are still in the developmental stage physically and mentally, and have poor self-control.

A limited amount of gaming time for minors is understandable and acceptable as some online games can play an active role in their development, like sports, programming or chess, the official told Xinhua.

In 2020, over 10,000 games had been checked by the NPPA, and more than 50 companies have been admonished and handled.

The NPPA has pledged to carry out a special campaign in primary and middle schools, and efforts will be made to strengthen communication among the online gaming industry, parents, teachers and schools to create a better environment for the healthy development of minors.
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U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday attended a solemn ceremony at a base in his home state of Delaware where the remains of 13 troops killed in Afghanistan last week were returned to the U.S. soil.

Biden was joined at Dover Air Force Base by first lady Jill Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley and other senior military officials.

The president and first lady met privately with the families of the fallen before observing flag-draped cases carrying 11 service members' remains were loaded into vans. The sounds of crying could be heard and one woman collapsed and was taken to an ambulance.

The remains of two other fallen U.S. service members are being brought home privately at the request of their families.

The 13 U.S. troops were killed in a terrorist attack near the gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul last week as U.S. forces were working to evacuate Americans and allies from Afghanistan.

The Pentagon on Saturday released the names of the fallen troops, mostly aged from 20 to 25 years old.

The White House said on Saturday that around 111,900 people had left Afghanistan since Aug. 14. The U.S. pullout from Afghanistan is set to complete by Aug. 31.
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With the needs of Afghan children greater than ever before, the world "cannot abandon them now," a senior official with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) appealed on Sunday after concluding a visit to the country.

George Laryea-Adjei, regional director for UNICEF South Asia, said children have paid the heaviest price in recent weeks of increased conflict and insecurity.

Not only have some been forced from their homes, and cut off from their schools and friends, they have also been deprived of basic healthcare that can protect them against polio, tetanus and other diseases.

"Now, with a security crisis, skyrocketing food prices, a severe drought, the spread of COVID-19, and another harsh winter just around the corner, children are at greater risk than ever," he warned.

UNICEF has predicted that if the current trend continues, 1 million under-fives in Afghanistan will face severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition.

Laryea-Adjei said more than 4 million children, including 2.2 million girls, are out of school.

Around 300,000 youngsters have been forced to flee their homes, some of whom were in bed sleeping, "and too many of them have witnessed scenes that no child should ever see," he said.

"Children and adolescents are struggling with anxieties and fears, in desperate need of mental health support," he added.

With some humanitarian partners considering cutting aid to Afghanistan, Laryea-Adjei voiced concern over having enough resources to keep health centers up and running, schools open, and services available to treat severely malnourished children.

UNICEF, which has been in Afghanistan for more than six decades, continues to maintain a field presence across the country, and is engaging with interlocutors to scale up response.

The agency is currently supporting mobile health and nutrition teams at camps for displaced people, and setting up child-friendly spaces, nutrition hubs and vaccination sites, while also prepositioning additional lifesaving supplies and supporting thousands of students in community-based education classes.

However, Laryea-Adjei stressed that more resources are direly needed. UNICEF recently launched a 192 million U.S. dollars appeal to address the escalating humanitarian crisis, and urged donors to step up support.
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Another 33,196 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 6,731,423, according to official figures released Sunday.

The country also reported another 61 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 132,437. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

"The Delta variant was responsible for the uptick in COVID cases this summer in the UK, and many of us have heard of even vaccinated people that became infected," said Dr Zania Stamataki, a viral immunologist at University of Birmingham.

The latest data came as the latest figures showed that infections were higher in the week leading up to Aug. 20 than in the corresponding week of the second wave.

Around one in 70 people in private households in England had COVID-19 in the week to Aug. 20, up from one in 80 in the previous week, according to the latest estimates from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

"We are likely to see numbers increase in the weeks ahead due to a number of reasons. Cooler autumn weather, leading to increased indoor social mixing, is likely to drive further increases in the coming weeks," said Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology, University of Reading. "The end of summer holidays and return of people to work and education, without clear guidance on physical measures to avoid transmission such as mask wearing or social distancing, is also likely to push up infection rates."

The British government has been preparing for a booster programme expected from next month, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) said such shots should be delayed to raise vaccination rates globally.

Earlier this month, the WHO called for a moratorium on COVID vaccine booster shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution between wealthy and poor countries.

More than 88 percent of people aged 16 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and more than 78 percent have received both doses, the latest figures showed.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.
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The death toll from Houthi-fired ballistic missiles that struck a strategic air base of Yemen's government forces in the southern province of Lahj climbed to 40, local officials said Sunday.

An official of Lahj's local authority told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the Houthi rebel group launched a coordinated attack using three ballistic missiles and two explosive-laden drones against the government forces stationed at the Anad military air base in Lahj.

"Soldiers of the 3rd Giants Brigades were struck by three ballistic missiles while they were gathering for morning military training exercises inside the large air base of Anad," he said.

"Another two explosive-laden drones targeted other government soldiers while they were having their breakfast inside the same air base," he added.

More than 40 soldiers, including senior officers, of the pro-government Giants Brigades forces were killed and nearly 70 others were left injured by the Houthi coordinated attack in Lahj, according to the official.

Another official of pro-government Yemeni forces said that "the Houthis used their intelligence agents to plan this deadly attack against the government forces and exploited a lack of air defenses in the area."

He said that a number of previous Houthi missile attacks were carried out against the strategic Anad air base during the past period.

A medical official of Lahj's health department told Xinhua that the medical centers and hospitals in Lahj were overwhelmed by the number of injured soldiers following the Houthi attack.

"The hospitals are now fully crowded with scores of injured soldiers amid lack of medical equipment to save their lives," said the health official.

He urged the Yemeni government and the local humanitarian organizations to intervene and help the medical teams in coping with the large number of injured soldiers.

Witnesses said that a series of huge explosions rocked the Anad air base and plumes of smoke covered the area.

The Anad airbase, which is located 60 km to the north of Aden, is considered as the largest military airbase in Yemen. Forces of the Saudi-led coalition are using military bases including Anad air base in Lahj for training hundreds of newly-recruited Yemeni government soldiers to fight the Houthi militia.

Yemen's internationally-backed government, allied with the Saudi-led Arab military coalition, has for about seven years been battling the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for control of the impoverished Arab country.
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Huaxin Cement Narayani Pvt. Ltd, a China-Nepal joint venture, is preparing to start producing cement after completing the project in the central Dhading district of Nepal, a representative of the Nepali partner said Sunday.

"We've completed the construction facilities of the factory and installed machinery," Suraj Vaidya from Vaidya's Organization of Industries & Trading Houses (VOITH), a leading business group in Nepal, told Xinhua.

"We plan to start production in the next two months," Vaidya added.

It is the second Chinese-invested cement factory in Nepal after Hongshi-Shivam Cement Pvt. Ltd.

The new cement plant set up by the Huaxin Cement Narayani Pvt. Ltd, a joint venture of Huaxin Central Asia Investment (Wuhan) Co., Ltd. and the VOITH, has a production capacity of 3,000 tons per day, while Hongshi-Shivam is the largest with a daily production capacity of 6,000 tons.

Huaxin Cement was registered with Nepal's Department of Industry in 2017, but the construction of the factory, which began in March 2019, was delayed by floods, disputes over land acquisition and the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Vaidya, former president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the factory has now entered the production phase after damaged infrastructure and machineries were repaired and maintained, and the remaining works of construction completed.

According to a recent study by Nepal's central bank, 55 cement factories currently operating in the South Asian country are producing 7.49 million tons of cement against a domestic demand for 9.05 million tons per year, though they have a combined production capacity of 15 million tons per year.

Vaidya is confident that the new factory would be able to compete in the market. "There is still a lot of room for growth for the cement industry in Nepal," he said.

"Several major infrastructure projects, which have high a demand for cement, have been planned in the country," he said, adding that several hydropower projects are under construction and they also need cement.

The central bank study also projected that cement demand in Nepal would reach 25.88 million tons by mid-July 2025.

Nepal has been moving toward self-sufficiency in cement production in recent years.

In the 2020-21 fiscal year that ended in mid-July, the country imported cement worth 560 million Nepali rupees (4.73 million U.S. dollars) and cement clinkers, raw materials for cement production, worth 3.6 billion Nepali rupees (30.5 million dollars), a sharp drop from 1.31 billion rupees (11 million dollars) and 11.67 billion rupees (98.79 million dollars), respectively, from the 2018-19 fiscal year, according to the Trade and Export Promotion Center under the Commerce Ministry.

The operation of large cement manufacturers like Hongshi-Shivam, which is also supplying clinkers to a large number of cement producers in Nepal, "has been helping significantly in closing the gap between domestic demand and the production of cement in the country," said the central bank study.
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Following is the full text of the Statement by Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu on Release of U.S. Intelligence Report on COVID-19 Origins, issued on Saturday:

The U.S. intelligence community has recently compiled a so-called report on the origins of COVID-19. It is a mendacious report made up for political purposes. There is no scientific basis or credibility in it. The United States has also released a statement slandering and attacking China. The Chinese side hereby expresses its firm objection. It has made strong representations with the United States.

We have stressed on multiple occasions that origins tracing of COVID-19 is a complex issue of science. It should and can only be undertaken by scientists around the world through joint research. The United States, however, disregards science and facts. It is instead obsessed with political manipulation and origins tracing by the intelligence community. Without providing any evidence, the United States has cooked up one story after another to defame and accuse China. The aim is to use origins tracing to shift blame onto China and spread the political virus. The deployment of the intelligence community in origins tracing is in itself a compelling evidence of the politicization of the issue.

The United States accuses China of not being transparent or cooperative on origins tracing. This is sheer nonsense. China attaches great importance to international scientific cooperation on origins tracing, and has taken an active part in such cooperation. Acting on the principles of science, openness and transparency, we have twice invited WHO experts to China for origins tracing research. Early this year, a WHO-China joint study team of leading international and Chinese experts conducted a 28-day research in China and released a Joint Report containing authoritative, professional and science-based conclusions. This is a good foundation for international cooperation on origins tracing. We have been supporting science-based efforts on origins tracing, and will continue to stay actively engaged. That said, we firmly oppose attempts to politicize this issue.

It is actually the United States that is not being transparent, responsible and cooperative on this issue. The United States has been refusing to respond to the international community's reasonable doubts on the Fort Detrick biolab and the over 200 overseas bases for biological experiments, trying to cover up the truth and avoid being held responsible. The onus is on the United States to give the world an answer.

The U.S. attempts to politicize origins tracing have found no support and met widespread opposition from the international community: More than 80 countries have written to the WHO Director-General, issued statements, or sent diplomatic notes to voice their objection to the politicization attempts and call for the Joint Report by the WHO-China joint study team to be upheld; over 300 political parties, social organizations and think tanks from more than 100 countries and regions have submitted a joint statement to the WHO Secretariat on opposing the politicization of origins tracing; and over 25 million Chinese netizens have signed an open letter asking for an inquiry into the Fort Detrick base. These are people's calls for justice.

As a Chinese saying goes, a just cause attracts abundant support, while an unjust one finds little. We want to once again warn the U.S. side that politicizing origins tracing will lead nowhere. We urge the United States to immediately stop doing anything that poisons the atmosphere for international cooperation on origins tracing or undermines global solidarity against the pandemic, and return to the right track of science-based origins tracing and cooperation in the face of the pandemic.
The China, Japan, and South Korea cleanroom disposable gloves market was valued at $481.1 million in 2018, and is expected to reach $919.1 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 8.3% from 2019 to 2026. Cleanroom disposable gloves serve the purpose of protection during various activities that involve toxic chemicals, reactive materials, or unhygienic conditions. They find their application in procedures such as examination, diagnosis, and surgeries.

The major factors that drive the growth of the China, Japan, and South Korea cleanroom disposable gloves market include rise in concern for safety and hygiene among healthcare professionals and introduction of novel manufacturing technologies for fabricating medical gloves temperature resistant, rupture resistant, and control latex-associated infections.

The China, Japan, and South Korea cleanroom disposable gloves market is segmented into material, end user, and country.

Depending on type, the market is divided into natural rubber/latex gloves, vinyl gloves, nitrile gloves, polyethylene/neoprene gloves, and others. By end user, it is categorized into aerospace industry, disk drives industry, flat panels industry, food industry, biotechnology, medical devices industry, pharmaceuticals industry, electronics & semiconductors industry, and others.

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The China, Japan, and South Korea cleanroom disposable gloves market analysis covers in-depth information of the major industry participants. Some of the major manufacturers profiled in the report include Asiatic Fiber Corp,, Ansell Ltd., Hartalega Holdings Berhad, Jiangxi Haorui Industrial Materials Co., Ltd., Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd, Neo Yuandong Medical Equipments Limited, Riverstone Holdings ltd., Top Glove Corporation Bhd, Carda Group, Valutek, UG Healthcare Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Professional Sunmax Group, and Sempermed.

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u The market forecast is studied from 2019 to 2026.

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KEY MARKET SEGMENTS

 By Material

 Natural Rubber

 Vinyl

 Nitrile

 Neoprene

 Others

 By End User

 Aerospace Industry

 Disk Drives Industry

 Flat Panels Industry

 Food Industry

 Biotechnology

 Medical Devices Industry

 Pharmaceuticals Industry

 Electronic & Semiconductors Industry

 Others

 By Country

 China

 Japan

 South Korea

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KEY MARKET PLAYERS

 Asiatic Fiber Corp

 Ansell Ltd.

 Hartalega Holdings Berhad

 Jiangxi Haorui Industrial Materials Co., Ltd.

 Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd

 Neo Yuandong Medical Equipments Limited

 Riverstone Holdings ltd.

 Top Glove Corporation Bhd

 Carda Group

 Valutek

 UG Healthcare Corporation

 Kimberly-Clark Professional

 Sunmax Group

 Sempermed.

The other players in the value chain include Dia Rubber Co. Ltd.; Woojin ACT Co. Ltd.; Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Careplus Group Berhad, UG Healthcare Corporation, Nitritex Limited, Valutek, and Jiujiang Haorui Industry & Trade Co. Ltd.

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The global biodegradable plastic market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2018, and is projected to reach $6.0 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 21.3% from 2019 to 2026.

Biodegradable plastic is a plant based plastic with no hazardous effects on the environment. It composed of petrochemical, renewable material, and micro-organisms. The idea of biodegradable plastic reveals little or no degradation of plastic material over the period, causing least hazards to environment. Hence, plastic that is defined as biodegradable is made of molecule that can break down naturally by the action of micro-organisms. Some of the major known types of the biodegradable plastic includes, Poly(lactic Acid (PLA), Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), Polybutylene Succinate (PBS), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and Starch Blends.

The global biodegradable plastic market is in introductory phase of industry life cycle and is expected to explore new growth opportunities during the coming years. Some of the basic factors driving the demand for biodegradable plastic include governmental initiatives to eliminate single use plastic and strict regulatory outlook against the use of conventional plastic products. Industry trends are shifting toward bio based products to reduce dependence on conventional plastics. Biobased and biodegradable plastic is least toxic and causes no adverse effects environments. Hence, its demand is on the rise at significant pace.

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Moreover, most of manufacturers from each industry vertical are shifting toward use of biobased plastic due to pressure from regulatory bodies. Packaging textile, and agriculture industries are being some of them. Such factors are largely impacting the growth of the global biodegradable market. On the other hand, the growth of the market is restrained by high cost of biodegradable plastic over its conventional counterparts. Growth opportunities in this market are promising which is projected to come from concept like corporate social responsibility and decreased dependence on synthetic resources.

The global biodegradable plastic market is segmented on the basis of type, application, and region. Based on type, the market is bifurcated into includes (Poly(lactic Acid) (PLA), Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT), Polybutylene Succinate (PBS), Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), Starch Blends, and others. On the basis of application, the global biodegradable plastic market is categorized into packaging, agriculture, textile, consumer durable and others. Based on region, it is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Some of the major manufacturers studied and profiled in the global biodegradable plastic market are BASF SE, DowDuPont Inc, Novamont S.p.A., Plantic, Natureworks, Corbion N.V., Biome Technologies plc, Eastman Chemical Company, and Danimer Scientific.

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Police responded to a domestic dispute at 1077 Blue Hills Ave. at about 12:40 a.m. and found the 28-year-old victim suffering from a stab wound to the neck. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The report offers the first complete public account of the incident since it occurred the morning of Jan. 6, prompting mayhem, as one witness described it, throughout the North End. But the chaos of that morning was overshadowed just a few hours later when thousands of rioters stormed the steps of the U.S. Capitol and laid siege to the building as members of Congress met to certify last years federal election results.
Its hard. Please remember that weve been there before. This is actually the third school year teaching and learning in a pandemic environment, Torres-Rodriguez said. That means that yes, as educators, as leaders, as support staff, we have to be extra mindful of the stress  our stress, of our peers. It also means we have so much experience and learnings that we can lean on.
Some other states previously outlawed mask mandates, but the policies were overturned by courts or are not being enforced, including in Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Arizona. The Education Department has not opened investigations in those states but said it is watching closely and is prepared to take action.
As for when COVID-19 might go away for good, Wu said that will depend on vaccination. Connecticut has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, but with hundreds of thousands still unvaccinated and immunity likely waning even for those who have gotten their shots, that clearly isnt enough.
Lincoln, NE (68508)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 82F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely in the evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms later on. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Lincoln, NE (68508)

Today

Cloudy in the morning with scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 82F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely in the evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms later on. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Dave Ress Staff writer

Dave Ress covers the military. He's been a reporter in Virginia since 1990 and before that for Reuters in Canada, Britain and Africa. Dave has a PhD in history from the University of New England (Australia) and is the author of 4 books on U.S. and Australian history.
The initiative would also fund an accelerated pace for ordering the Virginia-class submarines, which are built by Newport News Shipbuilding and Electric Boat, by increasing procurement of these from two a year to three. It also calls for building one more guided missile destroyer than the two called for in the Navy budget, as well as an additional amphibious assault ship and oiler.
Lyndon German Staff writer

Lyndon German is a Virginia native born in Mechanicsville. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2016, he went on to work for the Hopewell News, the Progress Index, the Richmond Free Press and Virginia Public Media. He has a passion for news, radio, podcasts and the NBA.
During the January peak of the pandemic, over 40,000 standard COVID-19 tests were happening on a daily basis throughout the state. But as a fourth wave has swept over Virginia this month, testing efforts have not kept that pace. Right now a little over 20,000 tests are being conducted per day.
Eastern Virginias Chickahominy and Upper Mattaponi members were eager to get vaccinated once doses became available, according to their chiefs. For Lovelace and other tribal members, hearing their chiefs affirm the vaccines efficacy and take the shot themselves made it clear that it was the right thing to do. But they have not forgotten the violence, coercion and mistreatment their ancestors suffered from the U.S. federal government, especially when it came to receiving health care.
Hyderabad: Any school  including those run by private managements  that seeks an undertaking from parents indemnifying the school of any responsibility towards the health of a child will face strict action from the government, the Hyderabad district education officer (DEO) has said.

DEO R. Rohini told Deccan Chronicle on Monday: It is learnt that many private schools are taking such undertaking letters from parents. If any school does that, inform the DEOs office. Action will be taken on such schools.

No school should seek any undertaking from parents regarding Covid-19 risk to the students, she said.

She issued memos to teachers at different government schools who were not present on duty whose absence she came to know about during her surprise inspections of schools on Monday.

Some teachers who were supposed to be present at the Government High School, Vengal Rao Nagar, as per the attendance register but were not, were issued memos by Rohini.

She also visited the Raj Bhavan School, and inspected all the preparations. She said, The Governor is likely to visit this school on the first day of the reopening. Rohini said the GHMC staff were working to clean all the government schools and their premises including the grounds, repairing toilets, cleaning drinking water tanks and the like.

In an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, she answered questions on the reopening of schools from September 1.

Q. How are you monitoring, supervising what is happening at the schools?

A. We are having regular online review meetings with the principal secretary, and standing instructions have been issued to schools over preparedness.

Q. What are the documents should be carried for a parent, if he is seeking admission in the government school?

A. There are lot of new admission enquiries at the schools. Till Class 8, no transfer certificate is mandatory.

Q. Will students be having online classes as well the physical classes as an option?

A. No, as per the present government instructions, there will not be any online classes. From September 1, only physical classes will be held.

Q. What arrangements are you making to ensure social distancing in the classes or on the school premises?

A. The recess timings will differ from class to class. In a classroom, teachers will ensure some distance is maintained between student to student.

Q. Have your schools getting in connect with the parents, to give them information regarding opening of the schools for physical classes?

A. Each class will be having a WhatsApp group via which all the information is sent, most of the student are aware that the schools are opening from September 1.

Q. What should parents be doing?

A. I urge parents to send their children to schools for the physical classes, the schools are seeing to that all the precautionary measure are taken to keep the students in safe zones.
He pointed out that the MIM opposed formation of separate Telangana, but the TRS was allying with it and looting Telangana.  Twitter

HYDERABAD: BJP state president Bandi Sanjay Kumar intensified his attack on the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) on the third of his padayatra on Monday. Sanjay Kumar said the BJP would humiliate both the parties, if they did not stop humiliating Hindus, who comprise 80 per cent of the population, and provoking them with hate speeches.

Sanjay sustained some injuries to his toes and underwent physiotherapy treatment twice. The BJP leader addressed thousands of activists at the Aramaisamma temple premises as part of his Praja Sangrama Yatra.

Stating that Goddess Bhagyalakshmi had witnessed the BJP activists breaking MIM barriers in the Old City of Hyderabad, Sanjay said he was confident that his party would dominate not only the old city, but would flourish in any basti, adding that it had the courage to go to any town and hoist the saffron flag.

All Nizams palaces and properties were built in the land of Hindus and if the BJP came to power in Telangana in 2023 it would take over all assets of the Nizams and convert them into Hindu properties, he said.

He pointed out that the MIM opposed formation of separate Telangana, but the TRS was allying with it and looting Telangana. Recollecting the role of senior BJP leader late Sushma Swaraj in the formation of Telangana, Sanjay Kumar expressed dissatisfaction over the TRS government and alleged that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao ignored all his promises.

His family has a history of buying acres of land from farmers at a low rate and selling it at Rs 50,000 per yard. Chandrashekar Rao, his son Rama Rao, son-in-law and daughter K. Kavitha are planning to build empires in government lands using Go 111 GO. People in Kokapet area are suffering a lot and the government is selling lands belonging to SCs, STs and BCs, he said. He alleged that Telangana was captured by Kalvakuntla family and said the BJP would only provide freedom to people of state.

Speaking on the occasion, BJP MLA T. Raja Singh said if the BJP came to power, it would send the Owaisi brothers to Pakistan. The MLA also alleged that the Owaisi brothers were looting the capital with the support of the ruling party.

The yatra, which started from Bapu Ghat proceeded to Aziz Nagar via Sun City, Aramaisamma temple and Himayatnagar. Sanjay stayed overnight at Kancharla Prakash Complex at Aziznagar.

Swamy Goud, former chairman of the Legislative Council, Munuswamy, Kolar MP from Karnataka and SC Morcha state in-charge, Lal Singh, SC Morcha national in-charge, Dr G. Manohar Reddy, BJP state vice-president, BC Commission national member Achari, SC Morcha national secretary S. Kumar, state presidents Koppu Bhasha and Gudur Narayana Reddy and others participated in the meeting.
HYDERABAD: Though the Telangana state Assembly polls are 27 months away, in December 2023 as per schedule, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) leadership seems to have initiated the process to gauge anti-incumbency against the party's legislators in order to assess their winning prospects.

Party sources said that TRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao started obtaining reports from various independent survey agencies on the performance of sitting MLAs, anti-incumbency they faced and their winning prospects in the 2023 elections.

The TRS currently has 103 MLAs. It won 88 of the 119 seats in the Assembly in 2018; 12 legislators from the Congress, two from the Telugu Desam (TD) and two Independents joined the TRS later, taking the total number of MLAs to 103.

Of them, 68 MLAs have been elected twice or more to the Assembly. The party leadership expects anti-incumbency against local MLAs in 2023 Assembly polls who were elected multiple times to the Assembly.

Although the TRS banks heavily on Chandrashekar Raos leadership, charisma, welfare schemes and development programmes, the party leadership fears that anti-incumbency against local MLAs may play spoilsport in 2023 polls.

For the 2018 Assembly polls, Chandrashekar Rao retained all the sitting MLAs barring five, based on survey reports. The TRS won all the five seats where sitting MLAs were replaced. However, the party paid a heavy price in the 2020 December GHMC polls, as it retained the majority of corporators while ignoring the survey reports which found severe anti-incumbency against them. Of the total 99 corporators, the TRS retained 78 of whom only 44 could win, bringing down the TRS tally in the GHMC general council from 99 to 55.

The party also lost Dubbak Assembly bypoll to the BJP in December 2020 by a slender margin after the party fielded Solipeta Sujatha, wife of the deceased MLA Solipeta Ramalinga Reddy despite survey reports finding anti-incumbency against his family.

Learning from these experiences, the TRS chief has started assessing anti-incumbency on sitting MLAs much in advance for 2023 Assembly polls to ensure that required corrective measures could be taken to set right the things in that constituency or find an alternative candidate.
HYDERABAD: Speculation is rife about the new Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, with the three-month extended term of incumbent Adityanath Das ending on September 30.

Contrary to expectations, Das may not press for another three months and may instead take up an advisory role in the irrigation department.

According to sources, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was of the view that Das, with his vast experience in the irrigation department, where he worked for almost a decade, could be immensely resourceful in the crucial phase of inter-state river dispute with Telangana state.

This will leave the field open for senior bureaucrats and the surprising entry into the race is that of Ajay Sawhney, who is currently secretary, IT, at the Centre.

His wife Nilam Sawhney has served as Chief Secretary earlier; post-retirement she was the State Election Commissioner. Ajay joined then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidus CMO in 2014 with great fanfare but left within no time for Central deputation.

Sources said the senior bureaucrat evinced an interest to return to the state and take up the coveted post. A powerful bureaucrat in the present dispensation, who earlier lobbied for another blue-eyed official of Naidu  Satish Chandra  is said to have switched the choice.

In case Ajay Sawhney misses the bus, those in contention would be Chief Commissioner of Land Administration Neerab Kumar Prasad and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) executive officer K.S. Jawahar Reddy. While a lobby in the ruling party tried to push the candidature of special Chief Secretary, municipal administration, Y. Srilakshmi, sources said that the Chief Minister was not keen as she had five more years in service and could be accommodated sometime later.

Sources also said that the powerful bureaucrat moved a novel idea of replacing chief secretaries every six months so as to keep most aspirants in good humour. As such the role of CS has shrunk, he is said to have commented before some officials.

Neerab Kumar has maintained a low profile all through his career and maintains an equidistance with all dispensations. Another senior bureaucrat, Poonam Malakondaiah, may not be considered at all due to allegations of large-scale corruption during her stint in the health department. A proposal to initiate an Anti-Corruption Bureau inquiry against her is pending with the Chief Minister.

Jawahar Reddy held several important positions and was picked by the Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy for the CMO at the beginning of his second term. Rajasekhar Reddy died before formally issuing the orders. Jawahar Reddy got into CMO within a few months and remained there till 2014.

Jawahar Reddy left his mark by effectively handling Covid-19 containment operations and was called by the Chief Minister to deal with the second wave containment even after he had moved out of the health department to the TTD. He will be in service till the end of Jagan Mohan Reddys tenure in 2024.
Apart from an intensive drive for PLA recruitment, the stability of the borders seems to be the Chinese leaderships main worry. Representational Image. (AFP)

China wants us to believe that it liberated Tibet 70 years ago. It didnt really happen like that. Its true that on May 23, 1951, Tibet and China signed an Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, also known as the 17-Point Agreement; but it sealed the invasion of Tibet, not its liberation.

In his memoirs, the Dalai Lama said the agreement was forced under duress on the Tibetan delegates, and even the seals on the agreement had been forged. When he crossed the Indian border in March 1959 and reached Tezpur in Assam, the Tibetan leader immediately denounced the accord.

Strangely, the Communist Party of China decided to commemorate the May 23 event in August. No one knows why the so-called liberation wasnt celebrated May 23 or even when core leader Xi Jinping visited Tibet in July. Was Beijing nervous about the border situation in Ladakh in May?

On August 19, a high-level Beijing delegation led by Wang Yang, head of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference and member of the politburo standing committee, landed in Lhasa to attend the 70th anniversary functions. Mr Wang is fourth in the Communist pantheon.

Besides several officials of the United Front Work Department, which deals with minorities (and Tibet in particular), including its minister, You Quan, and a handful of hardcore Tibetan Communists, Mr Wang was accompanied by Adm. Miao Hua, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and director of the CMC political work department.

Though very few commentators noticed the admirals presence, it was certainly a first for landlocked Tibet to see the white uniform of a three-star admiral. Later, Adm. Miao, accompanied by Lt. Gen. Zhang Xuejie, the powerful political commissar of the Tibet Military District (TMD), went by a fast train to the remote, cold, deserted high-altitude region of Nagchu. Adm. Miao had probably come to the Roof of the World for political work and to follow up on his colleague Gen. Zhang Youxias border discussions with the TMD during President Xis visit in July.

What is really cooking on the Roof of the World?

Apart from an intensive drive for PLA recruitment, the stability of the borders seems to be the Chinese leaderships main worry. In his speech from Potala Square, Mr Wang said: At present, the social situation in Tibet is harmonious and stable, the quality of development is constantly improved, peoples living standards are comprehensively raised, the ecological security barrier is increasingly solid, ethnic and religion aspects are harmonious, the frontier is consolidated, and the border is safe, the Partys construction is comprehensively strengthened, and the new socialist Tibet is vibrantly alive. It could all be wishful thinking.

Besides the construction of 605 moderately well-off villages on Indias borders, another way to stabilise the border is inter-marriage between Hans and Tibetans. Over the past 70 years, this has been rare: Tibetans have always been reluctant to lose their Tibetanness. This seems to be changing.

In March 1955, in a report to the external affairs ministry, Apa Pant, the political officer in Sikkim, said people in the Chumbi Valley near Sikkim were taken in by Chinese efforts to win over Tibetans; and he mentioned inter-marriages. One of the aspects of the policy of establishing a closer bond between Tibet and China is the great encouragement, even at times through a great deal of propaganda, that is being given to Sino-Tibetan marriages, he wrote, saying many Tibetans feared the Chinese would marry the most eligible Tibetan girls and produce a new generation of Sino-Tibetans who will have deeper emotional feelings towards China. However, this type of inter-marriage practically stopped after the Dalai Lama took refuge in India in 1959.

The situation has changed, as an article in China Daily puts it: Han-Tibetan couples reflect the regions love of unity. The newspaper published several quotes attributed to Xi Jinping during his interaction with local officials in Tibet in July: The border area is the first line of defence and the barrier for national security. We must strengthen the construction of border infrastructure, encourage people of all ethnic groups to take root at the border, protect the country or build their hometown.

The Chinese paper noted: Official statistics showed that more than 40 ethnic minorities live in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and Tibetan inhabitants account for over 90 per cent of the 3.64 million population. Nowadays, families consisting of members of different ethnic backgrounds are quite common in Tibet.

Whether its true or not is difficult to say.

The partys newspaper cites the example of four couples, their Han-Tibetan inter-marriage being a great demonstration of ethnic unity in this new era of development.

Is it State policy to be implemented before the next Tibet Work Forum in 2025? These decisions (like compulsory conscription of Tibetans in the PLA) usually remain secret till they are fully implemented.

A few months ago, Xinhua had touched upon the issue: According to statistics, there are more than 560 multi-ethnic families in Metok [near Upper Siang of Arunachal Pradesh]. People of different ethnic groups help each other in farming and animal husbandry, and children of different ethnic groups study in the same classroom. People here celebrate New Years Day, the Lunar New Year, Tibetan New Year or folk culture festivals of the Monpa ethnic group.

The official news agency highlighted the case of Zhang Chunhuan and his family celebrating together the Chinese New Year: Eight years ago, Zhang Chunhuan, a young man from Shanxi Province, came to Metok. At that time, the traffic in the county located at the southern foot of the Himalayas was inconvenient. Zhang had to walk three-four hours from some townships to the county seat to buy daily necessities. He never planned to make his home here one day, recalled Zhang.

These are obviously model cases to be emulated by many more Tibetans: Beijing calculated if thousands of Tibetan girls marry Chinese migrants (for example, those coming to work on mega infrastructure development projects at the border), a page will be turned forever, with no chance for Tibet to again become Tibet in the future.

Both New Delhi and the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala must take up this issue seriously, otherwise border populations across North India will soon have to face new neighbours, with all the consequences it implies.

This, along more intensive Tibetan recruitment in the PLA, the means to stabilise the border was certainly discussed by Adm. Miao Hua with the TMD generals.
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Emporia, KS (66801)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine in the morning with more clouds for later in the day. High near 90F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early followed by thunderstorms late. Low 72F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Watch the Livestream here.

8 p.m.

Sanders entertained questions from the crowd on topics from rising pharmaceutical prices to students getting involved in politics.

If we are successful in our bill, itll be the first time in history that the Senate has stood up to the pharmaceutical industry, Sanders said.

Sanders said a good way for young people to get into politics is by going to local school boards.

You have to go out and talk to other students about what is on their minds, he said. You guys can go together to your local school board. You have the right as students to go to the school board.

You are very important. When you put together a meeting with hundreds of young people, politicians are going to want to listen, Sanders said.

7:40 p.m.

Addressing young people in the audience, Sanders motivated the crowd to take part in their local politics.

Im here to encourage all of you to educate and organize and get people to stand up for their rights, Sanders said.

7:30 p.m.

The final audience count for the event is 2,328, according to Sanders' volunteer team. As Sanders introduces local guests to speak, however, some members of the crowd leave.

7:20 p.m.

Shannon Kang, Purdue student body president and West Lafayette city council member took the stage to talk about the climate crisis.

"I (know) that my passion as a climate activist is essential," she said.

7:00 p.m.

Sanders continues to share his campaign goals, generating cheers from the audience.

The crowd slowly continues to grow as more individuals come to listen to Sanders speak.

6:45 p.m.

Sanders quickly moved to discrimination issues facing the United States.

If we do not allow politicians to divide us up based on the color of our skin or where we were born or our religions or our sexual orientation, Sanders said, If we can stand together I am absolutely certain that not only can we successfully address the crises that we face, but that we can move this country forward in a very different and positive direction.

Unemployment is down by half and wages are going up compared to last year, Sanders said.

We have reduced childhood poverty by over 50 percent. We are giving working families the help they need to raise their families with dignity.

The plane continues to fly overhead in protest, making circles around the venue.

6:38 p.m.

Sanders first began speaking at 6:32 p.m. after having a moment of silence for soldiers lives lost. He was introduced by West Lafayette City Councilor James Blanco.

Sanders was greeted by a standing ovation and chants of Bernie, Bernie, Bernie.

We are living in very difficult times, Sanders said. COVID-19 has claimed over 600,000 American lives. The ICUs are filled, mostly with the unvaccinated.

Sanders thanked medical professionals for saving our lives, and urged every citizen to get vaccinated.

He addressed global climate change as well as the crisis in Afghanistan.

6:25 p.m.

Sanders has taken the stage behind a group of police officers.

A plane flew overhead and continued to make circles with a banner behind it reading STOPTHESPENDINGSPREE.COM. The group sponsoring the banner is Americans for Prosperity, a group founded in 2004 that opposes President Biden and Sanders spending plans, according to their website.

6:20 p.m.

The venue has reached maximum capacity, and around a dozen individuals are still searching for seats. Those who did not reserve seats have begun gathering outside of the venue to listen. The venue has exceeded 1800 people.

6:19 p.m.

The Amphitheater is more than full  about 20 people are looking for a place to sit. The event still has not begun.

6:12 p.m.

The stage continues to be set up, as the Sanders team is delayed because of the nature of public events, volunteers said. Media interviews with Sen. Sanders began a half hour after anticipated, also delaying the start of the town hall.

6:01 p.m.

With only minutes left before the town hall begins, fewer than 20 seats are empty and groups of individuals are struggling to find where to sit as people await Sen. Sanders.

5:50 p.m.

RSVP forms that audience members filled out prior to the event stated that masks were required in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Less than half of the crowd has abided by that rule, and while no volunteers from Sen. Sanders team are enforcing the mandate, they themselves are following it.

5:48 p.m.

Tippecanoe police say the protesters who showed up earlier had RSVPed, and were allowed entrance. Those protesters told The Exponent they were barred from entering. They left the scene more than 20 minutes ago.

5:38 p.m.

The roughly 1500-seat capacity amphitheater has reached around 75% capacity. The town hall is scheduled to start in 20 minutes.

5:30 p.m.

Stay Outside, a musical group from Marion, Indiana is performing in front of the growing crowd before Sanders takes the stage.

5:28 p.m.

Two buses full of protestors have arrived, and officials are not allowing them inside. It's unclear at this time if the group had RSVPed for the event.

5:15 p.m.

Randy Conkright, a Purdue maintenance worker and Afghanistan veteran, expressed his distrust in the media while he waited for the event to begin, a Donald Trump hat on his head.

Ive heard all kinds of things, and I want to hear it straight from the horses mouth, Conkright said. Its going to take a lot, but Im here with an open mind.

5 p.m.

Doors opened, letting an estimated 400 people through the gates, not counting additional people going through bag check.

4:35 p.m.

West Lafayette Junior and Senior High School students Rahul Durai and Lily Shen, along with a dozen other members of Confront the Climate Crisis, began waiting outside of the amphitheater at 3:30 p.m.

We are the leaders of Confront the Climate Crisis, a group of high school students fighting for climate justice in the state of Indiana, Durai said. Sen. Sanders is a key leader in the fight for climate justice."

Over 150 student volunteers from cities all around Indiana are a part of the climate action group. The group began in West Lafayette, and through word of mouth and social media, the group has expanded state-wide.

We are working for state-wide legislation for this years legislative session, Shen said. Were really pleased with the amount of climate justice initiative Bernie has put into the budget resolution.
In the meeting with Israeli PM Bennett, Joe Biden seems to doze off during the discussion. This is one of the reasons why he was called 'Sleepy Joe' by Donald Trump in one of his speeches that ridiculed his opponent.

Last Friday, the one-on-one meeting with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett was important because it covered the Iran nuclear deal, which was supposed to get his undivided attention.Instead, another of these critical moments was that he lost track of what his guest was stressing about.

Biden doze off during meeting with Bennett

This is the first time the two leaders met after Benjamin Netanyahu was replaced by Naftali Bennet, who has the same stand on the nuclear deal with Iran. Reportedly, the goal of the Israeli PM is to persuade that the US president to abandon any talks with the Iranian regime, noted the Express UK.

Historically, Barack Obama started the deal but was thrown out the window by President Donald Trump, who charged that the agreement was violated. Iranians were not sanctioned by Obama, who still enriched weapons-grade uranium.

During the meeting, Bennett was talking to Joe Biden, who seemed to be asleep during the vital discussion. The US leader wore a face mask with his hands together and appeared 'sleepy' in crucial parts of the meeting. Sitting in the chair, he closed his eyes, and his head dropped while his counterpart explained the importance of US-Israeli ties. Even if Jen Psaki gives a reason for it, Joe Biden seems to doze off, and that was evident.

Read Also: China Not Pleased With Japan, Taiwan Talks; Tries to Coerce Both Countries to Silence

Bennett had to continue what he was saying to an allegedly half-asleep US president. The Israeli PM was fleshing out the two nations' history and why it is so critical. He added that both want to do good things and be stronger than ever.

Diplomacy is Biden's first option

Observers noted the US president had no reactions, with eyes closed even as Bennett tried to connect with an eye to eye contact. The silence of the US leader lasted for a disturbing minute and left those seeing what happened wondering if they saw 'Sleepy Joe' snoozing when he should be wide awake. The LBC radio host Maajid Nawaz saw what happened in the video and shared it, asked why Biden was sleeping at such a moment. In a tweet, he said whether the US president was sleeping as the Israeli PM was in mid-sentence, cited FR24.

Last Friday, the US leader told Bennett that diplomacy is the first option; even though the Iran Nuclear Deal is dangerous, it will be revived, not the answer expected, reported Belfast Telegraph. Diplomacy is placed before the Iranians cannot be trusted, and the meeting did not meet the Israeli's PM goal. Biden will apply the same diplomacy with Iran despite its consequences with a hostile Taliban.

When Trump taught Iran a lesson by ending the one-sided nuclear deal by Obama in 2018, Iran has been busy trying to have weapons-grade uranium. The Israelis worry that the Biden administration might ignore the special relationship of the US and Israel.

Related Article: Israeli PM Naftali Bennett Dissuades Joe Biden from Iran Nuclear Deal; US Allies are Wary After the Kabul Debacle

@ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The U.S. military acknowledged that a drone attack was carried out on Sunday, successfully destroying what looked to be an explosives-laden truck on its way to Kabul's international airport.

Drone Strike Comes in the Wake of Biden's Warning

In a recently published article in CBS News, the drone strike against a vehicle packed with explosives comes after President Joe Biden's national security staff warned a day earlier that an attack on Kabul's airport was "very probable in the next 24-36 hours."

Captain Bill Urban, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, said that a self-defense unmanned over-the-horizon attack by US military troops on a vehicle in Kabul today eliminated an impending ISIS-K danger to Hamad Karzai International Airport.

He also explained that they feel confident in their ability to strike the objective. The existence of a significant quantity of explosive material was suggested by subsequent explosions from the truck. They are also evaluating the possibility of civilian deaths, but no signs have been given at this time. However, they keep an eye out for possible dangers in the future, according to a published article in Newsweek.

Read Also: 12 US Service, At Least 60 Afghans Die After a Suicide Bomb Attack and Assault at Kabul Airport

Biden and the First Lady Will Meet the Families of the Fallen Heroes

White House confirmed that President Joe Biden and the first lady will meet with the families of the fallen U.S. service personnel and attend a respectful handover of the remains at Dover Air Force Base, according to a report published in the Associated Press.

A somber procedure in which the bodies of deceased military personnel are transferred from an airplane to an awaiting vehicle is known as a dignified transfer. Every U.S. military man killed in combat receives a respectful send-off.

Moreover, Pres. Biden said during the wake of the attack "To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay."

ISIS is Likely to Continue the Attack Before the Evacuation Deadline

In a recently published article in MSN News, ISIS is expected to attempt to resume assaults until the end of the evacuation, according to Marine Corps General Kenneth McKenzie, head of US Central Command. This is after ISIS attempted to have another attack.

The four-star general told reporters at the Pentagon that the U.S. was watching a very active threat stream against the airfield and that they think they intend to continue the assaults. Additionally, the threats against Western troops and people at the airport, according to McKenzie, who supervises U.S. military operations in the area, ranged from shooting to rockets to suicide bombers.

Numbers of People Evacuated from Afghanistan

In the past 24 hours, Western troops have flown 41 military cargo planes out of Kabul, evacuating 2,900 people. Approximately 114,400 individuals have been flown out of Afghanistan since the mass evacuations started on August 14.

Since the end of July, approximately 120,000 individuals have been evacuated, including around 5,500 Americans and their families. Approximately 250 Americans are still requesting evacuation, according to a State Department spokesperson.

Related Article: US Drone Strike Against ISIS, Biden Says There Will Be Another Terrorist Attack in 24-36 Hours



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President Joe Biden stood idly by as flag-draped boxes containing the bodies of American service members slain in Afghanistan arrived in the United States on Sunday.

The President's participation at a "dignified transfer," as the military calls it, is one of the most important tasks for any American commander in chief, serving as a stark reminder of the implications of his actions and the gravity of the position. Biden aspires to be the final US president to see combat dead repatriated from Afghanistan by removing all US troops from the country.

The 13 service members whose remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base on Sunday morning were among the 6,000 US troops the president deployed to assist in a massive airlift evacuation. They were killed last week in a terrorist attack outside Kabul airport gates, a deadly coda in America's longest war. More than 170 individuals were killed in the suicide bombing.

Biden snapped at a reporter

Only the hushed instructions of the honor guards in combat uniform who carried the flag-draped cases, the hum of the C-17 airplane that had brought the dead, and the occasional sobs of the bereaved could be heard during the somber ceremony of the "dignified transfer," as per WBTW.

Before the president became the fourth commander in chief in two decades of war to stand at attention at Dover Air Force Base as the remains of the fallen from Afghanistan returned home, Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, met privately with family members of those killed in the suicide attack near the Kabul airport.

Meanwhile, he rushed out of a press conference today as a reporter attempted to question him on the current Afghan issue. The president snapped at a reporter who questioned him about the recent unrest in Afghanistan.

Before suddenly exiting the press conference platform, he remarked, "I'm not going to respond to Afghanistan right now." The tense exchange occurred as Hurricane Ida made landfall during the US President's visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) headquarters.

Per Express.co, President Biden held the press conference to outline his administration's storm preparations. He said the storm is "life-threatening" and that the damage will "likely be immense." According to the president, it might take weeks for certain areas to regain electricity, and his government is getting ready for the worst.

Read Also: China Reportedly Introduces "Xi Jinping Thought" on Chinese Schoolchildren as Part of Marxist Brainwashing

US troops families criticized Biden

He'd arrived in Delaware under a cloudy sky at an air facility that handles what the military refers to as dignified transfers. It was the kind of bereavement-filled day he hoped to erase from history by finishing the US war in Afghanistan.

Instead, he and the first lady met privately with the relatives of the fallen for the first half of the morning. The deceased was between the ages of 20 and 31, and they came from all across the country, from Massachusetts to California.

Several of the families have criticized Biden, questioning his choice to send them to Kabul during such a tumultuous departure. Their anguish was concealed at Dover airbase, hidden from view yet audible. As the second victim, in a transfer case wrapped in a flag, was transported by a Marine guard from a C-17 aircraft to a transfer truck, sobbing wails of agony could be heard.

As corpse after a corpse was brought past him, Biden stood gravely, hand on heart. With first wife Jill Biden behind him, he kept his gaze locked on each transfer case as it went from plane to vehicle. He bent his head from time to time, as though in silent prayer.

The sound of the C-17 airplane and the calm commands of honor guards in war uniform and white gloves who carried the cases were the only other sounds. Their deaths on Thursday, when they guarded an evacuation of Americans and vulnerable Afghans from an ISIS-K suicide bomber, brought home the perils of ending the US involvement in Afghanistan and the political cost to Biden.

After an almost 20-year conflict that cost 2,400 American lives, the Taliban were able to reclaim control as a result of the departure of US troops. Allies across the world have openly accused Biden of blindsiding them with his haste to leave by August 31. And his handling of the situation, which included blaming Afghan forces for failing to combat the Taliban and criticizing his predecessor's peace pact with the enemy, drew vehement condemnation from all parties at home, as per Daily Mail.

Related Article: Joe Biden Vows to Complete Evacuations in Kabul, Avenge US Deaths After America's Longest War Turned Into Deadly Debacle

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Solar storms might cause disruptions in the global internet architecture for weeks at a time, warns a study. The massive network of underwater cables will be most affected since many industries are dependent on the world wide web.

This warning came from Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi, a computer scientist from the University of California who studied how space conditions originating from the sun will impact the internet. Unstable electromagnetic fluctuations are caused by a massive solar flare that will generate intense radiation in the earth's atmosphere.

Solar flares could send harmful electromagnetic surge

Most modern equipment and components like undersea cables have metallic elements that can be affected by electromagnetism, reported the Daily Mail.

It is made worse by the fluctuations in magnetic fields that will knock out signal boosters along the underwater cables which connect at immense distances.

Furthermore, these submarine cables could be affected by solar storms. Undersea cables are more affected than land links when a solar flare occurs in space, and the repair is complicated if something happens.

Internet cutting out all over on a global scale could happen, including blackouts due to overloaded power grids and disable GPS systems everywhere caused by a massive electromagnetic pulse, cited News Sky.

As mentioned, a solar flare or solar storm extending farther than the sun's surface sends waves of radiation into space. These charged ions and electromagnetic energy could fluctuate hastily, which disrupts global internet architecture.

This weekend, the Sun released a significant solar flare. This was an X-class flare, which denotes the most intense flares. Here on Earth, were protected from flares radiation by our atmosphere, though they can impact communications signals. More: https://t.co/tArnFhqTN8 pic.twitter.com/yxKRqQZymb  NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) July 6, 2021

Read Also: 25 Years After Finding the First Exoplanet, There Are Many but Not All Supported Life

A solar flare could affect the earth since it usually happens. But large solar flares are uncommon. An electromagnetic pulse can fry unshielded submarine cables when it does hit devices crucial to the power grid, noted Nation Lk.

In September 1859, a large solar flare caused a record geomagnetic storm that produced harmful currents from the US to Europe in the telegraph poles. Space weather showered the earth with electromagnetic pulse radiation that made telegraph pylons spark, and telegraph operators were shocked by its effect. A few places were able to use the telegraph network still to send and receive info of the day. Even if they were no direct power source, immense electrical fields could connect devices due to the space storm.

Copper was used in the telegraph lines during the Victorian period. Still, high-speed fiber optic cables are primarily used, which are faster through strands of silicone complex, making them not directly susceptible to magnetically-induced currents.

Electromagnetic surge most likely to affect internet repeaters

Undersea cables are not directly affected by a magnetic current. The repeaters are vulnerable to a surge of energy placed at 30-90 miles apart. If a power surge comes from a terrestrial connection, it will travel to fiber optic cables, frying the repeaters and wires.Land cables do not need a repeater compared to undersea cable, which needs repeaters to boost the signals.

Land cables are more shielded and durable than sea-based connections against a power surge. Hardening cables against solar storms and the global internet architecture need to be implemented to avoid a catastrophic shutdown.

Related Article: NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Unveil 10 Discoveries About the Sun

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The United States' top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has previously announced that health officials recommended a COVID-19 booster shot after eight months from the initial vaccination date.

This week, the medical expert said during an interview that government authorities will be flexible when it comes to administering booster shots depending on available data. Fauci said health officials will observe data and be in line with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

He said that while they are recommending the booster shots eight months after the initial vaccinations, that timeframe could change based on the data they observe. However, Fauci argued that there are many other ways that the United States can take to curb the spread of the coronavirus infection across the nation.

Fauci said about 80 million Americans who were now eligible to be vaccinated against the coronavirus who have not yet had their chance to get inoculated. He said the government's priority should be to vaccinate all residents who are able to receive the treatments. The medical expert said the vaccines are the highly effective tools that they can use to fight the virus, Politico reported.

Over the last month, data showed that the daily coronavirus case average in the country has increased by 153%. Health officials also reported that hospitalizations in the United States surpassed 100,000 for the first time since January and deaths related to the COVID-19 are surging.

Read Also: New Zealand Extends Lockdown Again as COVID-19 Infections Surge, Passing 300 Cases in Less Than a Month

On Friday, United States President Joe Biden announced his administration was discussing whether or not booster shots should be given as early as five months after vaccination. The Democrat's concept was shared during a meeting with the Israeli prime minister who recommended the idea.

From late 2020, the region has experienced its steepest surge of COVID-19 cases, recording the highest number of hospitalized patients in the last seven months. Since July 4, pediatric hospital admissions also shot up, seeing a rise of 514% for children under 18 suffering from the coronavirus, ABC News reported.

Possibility of Adding More Doses

On Sunday, Fauci said he also expected Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines to have always needed a third dose while the Johnson & Johnson treatment needed a second dose. This is despite the fact that health officials previously said the original dose regiment of the treatments was the standard.

The medical expert said the vaccines were made in a rush to prevent the deaths of more people who were not protected against the virus. Fauci said that if given the standard deadline, pharmaceutical companies would have given Phase 2 studies various intervals of dosing to see which is more effective. He said it was entirely possible that the mRNA vaccines would have had a different dose regimen to what they are currently suggesting.

Fauci said that at the beginning of creating the coronavirus vaccines, medical experts were in a fight against time. They wanted to save lives as quickly as they could so as to not allow the pandemic to grow to uncontrollable proportions. He noted there was nothing wrong with starting with two doses but said there should be a consensus to consider adding more doses to the original plan, Business Insider reported.

Related Article: Arkansas Physician Allegedly Gave Inmates Ivermectin to Treat COVID-19, Investigation Ensues

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North Korea seems to have restarted a Yongbyon plutonium-producing reactor that has been idle since December 2018.

Report from International Atomic Energy Agency

In a recently published article in MSN News, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in its annual report that the reactor seems to have been restarted in July. According to the report, there have been signs of reactor activity since early July, including the release of cooling water.

The activities inside the facility are "very worrisome," according to the article, and there are also signs that a neighboring laboratory is being used to extract plutonium from spent fuel that has been taken from the reactor, according to the Journal.

The restart of the Yongbyon reactor seems to indicate that the nation is speeding up its nuclear weapons development, according to Gary Samore, Director of Brandeis University's Crown Center for Middle East Studies, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Read Also: How North Korea's Leader Kim Jong Un Keeps Advancing With His Nuclear Missile Plans

Sister of North Korean Leader Threatened to Strengthen Military Force

In reaction to joint military drills between the U.S. and South Korea earlier this month, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, vowed to boost the country's military, according to a published news article in Yahoo News.

She said in a statement that an exercise of the staff for crisis management will take place from Aug. 10 to 13 and a "combined command exercise" will take place from Aug. 16 to 26. They are the most visible manifestation of the United States' hostile policy toward the DPRK, designed to suffocate the state through force; and an unwelcoming act of self-destruction for which a high price should be paid, as they endanger the safety of North Korean citizens and worsen the situation on the Korean peninsula.

She also added that the hazardous military drills being carried out by the U.S. and South Korea, despite the country's repeated warnings, will undoubtedly expose them to a greater security threat. The combined military exercises, regardless of size or method, are hostile in character since they constitute a war rehearsal and preparatory nuclear war exercise to finish off the preparations for putting the operational plan into reality, with a preemptive attack on North Korea as the essence, according to a published article in Reuters.

Biden Administration Tries to Reach Out to North Korea

According to the Journal, the Biden administration's strategy toward North Korea is to seek a diplomatic solution and conduct negotiations. In March, it was discovered that the administration had attempted to communicate with the North Korean government many times but had been ignored.

The restart of the Yongbyon reactor, according to Joel Wit, a former State Department official, shows that North Korea's nuclear weapons development cannot be ignored and should be a greater priority for the Biden administration.

Furthermore, the new report, which was revealed in the CIA's yearly report on North Korea's nuclear operations, adds a fresh obstacle to President Biden's foreign policy agenda, which already includes the risky U.S. departure from Afghanistan and stalled negotiations to restore the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement.

Related Article: US, Japan, South Korea, Urge North Korea To Limit Nuclear and Missiles Program



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Over the last year, Russia's major independent media outlets have appealed to Vladimir Putin and other top government officials to cease a crackdown on journalists that have seen some of the country's biggest media labeled as foreign agents or outright banned.

More than a dozen media outlets, including Meduza, TV Rain, and Novaya Gazeta, have signed an open letter to the government urging it to remove individual journalists and their outlets off its blacklists, as well as abolish legislation on "foreign agents" and "undesirable organizations."

Media outlets appealed to Putin

Journalists from TV Rain, the iStories survey website, regional publications, Novaya Gazeta, US-funded Radio Free Europe, Riga-based Meduza, Bellingcat partner The Insider, and others, including prominent human rights activists, appealed to President Vladimir Putin to revoke the 2017 Russian law that designated top outlets and journalists as "foreign agents."

Investigative media Proekt was labeled an "undesirable organization" earlier this year. The letter said that the only "guilt" for Russian media is that they are honestly executing their professional obligations to their readers and that this is a death sentence for independent media. The law also directly infringed freedom of speech and media independence, as per The Republic World.

The term "foreign agent" has bad connotations from the Soviet period, and it forces outlets to identify their status in disclaimers on their output, which they argue is equivalent to defacing their product and drastically reduces advertising income.

For refusing to post the disclaimer after being designated as a foreign agent, Russia fined Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty significantly and blocked its Moscow bank accounts this year, Reuters via MSN reported.

It said that the designations demonstrated that the foreign agent law was in effect, that the legislation was essential to protect Russia from foreign influence, and that journalists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) could be manipulated.

Read Also: China Reportedly Introduces "Xi Jinping Thought" on Chinese Schoolchildren as Part of Marxist Brainwashing

Kremlin refuted claims calling the appeals "emotional"

More than a dozen media outlets, including Meduza, TV Rain, and Novaya Gazeta, have signed an open letter to the government urging them to abolish the law, which they claim is a death sentence for independent journalism by scaring away advertisers, prospective sources, and reporting partners.

Per WION via MSN, some sites claimed that a foreign agent disclosure had caused them to shut because it had ruined their business models. Russia penalized US station Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and blocked its Moscow bank accounts earlier this year for refusing to publish the disclaimer after being designated as a foreign agent.

The Kremlin dismissed allegations that the media is being persecuted, describing the outlets' appeals as "emotional." According to the report, such designations demonstrated that the law was in effect and that the legislation was necessary to protect Russia from foreign involvement.

Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov, the presidential spokesperson, assured reporters that "the law should and will exist." Peskov added that the administration has yet to decide how the law would be implemented.

President Vladimir Putin passed two bills into law in 2017 that empowered government officials to label media outlets as "foreign agents." The law was in effect on the day of publication, according to the Kremlin statement. The Russian action was triggered as a precaution after former US President Donald Trump accused Russia of influencing presidential election voters through its media.

Related Article: Russia Expels BBC Journalist Sarah Rainsford in Retaliatory Move for British Discrimination of Russian Media

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Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the government's plan to pass legislation aimed at promoting and maintaining racial harmony and preventing discrimination in the workplace.

On Sunday, the official made his National Day Rally speech, where he said the new law would be called the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act. The prime minister said the legislation was designed to collect together in one place all the government's powers to deal with racial issues in the workplace.

Singapore's Anti-Workplace Discrimination Legislation

The Penal Code and Sedition Act have various laws that combat serious racial offenses, including hate crime or causing racial enmity. But the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act would include "softer, gentler touches," the official said.

"For example, the power to order someone who has caused offense to stop doing it, and to make amends by learning more about the other race and mending ties with them. This softer approach will heal hurt, instead of leaving resentment," Lee said, Yahoo News reported.

The prime minister said that the country has never before implemented any of the punishments in another similar law, the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act. However, Lee said that the existence of the legislation itself was already bringing a salutary effect to the nation.

The decision to pass the law was made amid a series of racist controversies that occurred during the coronavirus pandemic. Lee's address focused on residents that were affected by these incidents and vaunts social harmony.

Read Also: Joe Biden Pays Tribute to 13 Fallen US Troops; Snaps at Question, Storms Out After Reporter Asks About Afghanistan

The legislation's measures mark one of the biggest recent updates to a set of policies in the country by the People's Action Party's (PAP). The prime minister's priorities also included workplace discrimination and economic stress faced by low-income employees. During his speech, Lee announced an expansion of the progressive wage model that Singapore has been using in place of a universal minimum wage for some time, the South China Morning Post reported.

Complaints Since Before the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lee's announcement came after speaking out about the government's need to support Singaporean workers' plea for assistance regarding workplace discrimination. The official said foreigners in the country were growing restless in the region. The prime minister said the problem had always been there since before the start of the coronavirus pandemic but noted that the health crisis intensified the issue.

The Singaporean prime minister also addressed the complaints about the number of foreigners in the country's finance sector. He said there were many who expressed concerns about financial institutions and IT companies who were allegedly hiring too many foreigners. Lee reassured residents that there would be fair treatment at the workplace.

Lee argued that the country's finance and IT companies focused on both regional and global functions, which required them to have local and foreign talent on their teams. He added that skills in the sector were in short supply, which forced the growing sectors to hire more people.

The prime minister noted that the companies have hired too many Singaporeans, training local residents to acquire senior and international positions. He said that if the companies did not expand to Singapore, many more residents would have lost job opportunities, Channel News Asia reported.

Related Article: Joe Biden Blasts China for Withholding Critical Information on COVID-19 Origins After Beijing Warns Counterattack

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Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in southeast Louisiana on Sunday, causing "catastrophic" devastation in certain areas, according to government officials.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Describes the Hurricane as 'Extremely Life-Threatening'

In a recently published article in MSN News, National Weather Service meteorologist Jennifer McNatt said on Sunday that everyone in Ida's path should be prepared for torrential rains, high gusts, life-threatening storm surge along the coast, and isolated tornadoes.

On Monday, the storm is anticipated to travel "far inland" across portions of Louisiana and Mississippi. Once it reaches land, it will weaken quickly, but rainfall of up to six inches is likely as far north as the Upper Ohio Valley through Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

From Burns Point, Louisiana, to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, flooding by a "very life-threatening" storm surge was anticipated imminently, based on the reports from hurricane center. As Ida comes ashore over Louisiana's southeast coast during the next few hours, it is expected to cause "catastrophic wind damage," according to the National Hurricane Center in a published article in NBC News.

Read Also: Hurricane Delta's Casualties Retrieved From Rubble in Louisiana

Flooding Over the Next Few Days

Hurricane Ida is wreaking havoc on southeast Louisiana, and the risks of destructive winds, floods, and tornadoes will only expand inland over the next several days throughout the South, according to a recently published article in The Weather Channel.

Bands of heavy rain with high wind gusts are still sweeping over the northern Gulf Coast, as far east as Alabama and as far west as the western Florida Panhandle. The worst circumstances, however, are still in southeast Louisiana, where the eyewall of Ida is tracking.

Storm surges are very dangerous. Near Grand Isle, Louisiana, flooding was accompanied by wind gusts of above 100 mph, and footage recorded several feet of storm surge from Lake Pontchartrain in LaPlace, roughly 25 miles west-northwest of downtown New Orleans. Water up to the height of a stop sign was observed pouring into the Venetian Isles community in New Orleans East, which was ordered to evacuate because of the lack of levee protection.

Biden Signs Emergency Declarations

In a recently published article in CBS News, Biden said he signed disaster declarations so Mississippi and Louisiana could take use of the federal government's full resources and assistance. After being briefed by authorities from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Biden informed reporters.

Residents who did not flee were advised to have loose mattresses within reach in case their roofs were torn off by strong winds, according to Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. He said that since strong winds may cause damage to houses, it is a good idea to keep a mattress handy that they may use to protect themselves and other family members from falling debris.

However, despite the grave warnings, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell advised those who choose not to evacuate not to be alarmed. In the middle of the storm, he also claimed to remain calm. LaToya said this at a press conference on Sunday as Hurricane Ida approached landfall.

Related Article: Tropical Storm Beta Nears Landfall, Expected to Bring Heavy Rain and Flooding



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A professor from the University of Georgia announced his resignation in the middle of a class after a student failed to follow his requests of wearing a face mask over her nose properly amid the coronavirus pandemic surge in the region.

The 88-year-old professor, identified as Professor Irwin Bernstein, told the University of Georgia's students newspaper, that one of his students went into class without a face mask on the second day of school. Despite a classmate giving her a mask to wear, she refused, arguing it was difficult to breathe when the mask covered her nose.

Georgia Professor Quits

The professor repeatedly asked the student to wear her face mask properly while out in public, but she refused. Bernstein, who taught psychology, said he risked his life in service to the Air Force to defend the United States and was not willing to teach a class where a student was unwilling to properly protect herself and those around her, Yahoo News reported.

Bernstein announced to his class during the first day of school that he required students to wear face masks, putting a "No mask, no class" message at the front of the classroom, one of the professor's students said. He explained that he had underlying health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes that made him more susceptible to the coronavirus infection.

However, despite the professor's repeated warnings and recommendations, the student did not wear her face mask properly. Minutes into the seminar, Bernstein announced his resignation, saying, "That's it. I'm retired." A student said the class watched the professor pack all of his papers into his bag and walk out of the classroom.

Read Also: Americans Could Get COVID Booster Shots 8 Months After Initial Vaccination, Fauci Recommends

A similar incident occurred when Meridith Styer, who taught rhetoric at Georgia College & State University, requested a student to wear his face mask properly. The professor argued that she had a family member who was considered high-risk and could die from the virus quickly if they became infected, Newsweek reported.

Coronavirus Pandemic in Georgia

However, the student said that the University System of Georgia did not mandate students to wear face masks in classrooms. When asked by Styer to cover his face, the student said, "I respectfully decline to do it."

Later, the student said that the professor did not explicitly tell him to get out of the class but noted that Styer's body posture, her expression, and her tone of voice made it clear to him that she wanted her out of the classroom.

The incidents come as Dr. Stephanie Jones pushed schools to protect their students and staff from natural disasters and the coronavirus pandemic. She argued that many educational establishments did not have mask mandates, which put them at risk as emergency procedures called for employees and students to huddle up in small, poorly ventilated places. She said that places designed to keep Georgians safe in the event of natural disasters could be making them vulnerable to the health crisis.

Jones said it was concerning that officials decided to continue to have students go to in-person learning amid a health pandemic with nearly zero precautions to protect them. She argued the coronavirus has been mutating and has only grown deadlier since the beginning of the pandemic, AJC reported.

Related Article: New Zealand Extends Lockdown Again as COVID-19 Infections Surge, Passing 300 Cases in Less Than a Month

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Social media users have continuously shared a clip that seemed to show United States President Joe Biden falling asleep during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

While the video recording appears to show off a dozing Biden, the clipped footage has been misleadingly cropped. A look into longer recordings of the event showed that the Democratic president later shows he responded to Bennett.

Sleepy Joe Dozing Off in Meeting with Israeli PM?

On Aug. 27, 2021, Biden and Bennett conducted their meeting where they discussed the reset of U.S.-Israeli relations and narrow differences on how to properly deal with Iran's nuclear advances. The two officials' encounter was delayed for a day due to a suicide bombing in Kabul as the United States continued its withdrawal of American soldiers.

A full recording of the meeting shows Biden talking and engaging with Bennett throughout the meeting. The short clip that claims the Democrat was asleep was cut at the 12:42 minute mark and did not show the point from 13:14 where the U.S. president continued speaking. Online users left out that part of the discussions on shared viral videos on social media platforms, Reuters reported.

During the meeting, Biden said that the White House was putting "diplomacy first" and would observe how things pan out. However, the Democrat said that if that plan failed, they would be ready to turn to other options and backup plans.

Read Also: Joe Biden Pays Tribute to 13 Fallen US Troops; Snaps at Question, Storms Out After Reporter Asks About Afghanistan

Biden did not detail what other options the American government had in dealing with the issues. He also refused to answer questions following his and Bennett's Oval Office comments. The Israeli prime minister said he was happy to learn about the U.S.'s commitment to not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was later asked about Biden's alleged other options where she replied by saying, "Any president has a range of options at their disposal. I'm not going to outline those from here," Voice of America reported.

Iran's Nuclear Programs and Advancements

Since 2018, Tehran has slowly abandoned every limitation the accord imposed on its nuclear enrichment. Now, the country enriches up to 63% of uranium, which is only a short step away from being weapons-grade levels, compared to the deal's limit of 3.67%. Officials have also opted to spin far more advanced centrifuges, more than allowed under the accord, which has caused concern among nuclear nonproliferation experts despite Tehran arguing that its programs are not designed to be dangerous.

During the meeting, Bennett said Israel had its own plans to deal with Iran's nuclear programs that he wished to discuss with Biden in private. He argued that Iran was the number one exporter of terror, instability, and human rights violations worldwide. The official argued that if the Iranians were allowed to do as they pleased, it could cause massive problems for every nation across the world.

Bennett made it clear that he did not want an Iran deal, arguing that the country has already advanced its uranium enrichment to a level that could pose a threat to other countries. He noted that sanctions relief could give the region much more resources to support Israel's enemies in the area, the Associated Press reported.



Related Article: Joe Biden has Dropped it in Afghanistan; Allies Fear US Fail Against China in the Future

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A new round of stimulus checks may be coming as Democrats mull over an overhaul on international taxation.

A Democratic plan aimed at partially rolling back former President Donald Trump's 2017 tax law could help the federal government in securing around $800 billion, a tax expert at the American Enterprise Institute Kyle Pomerleau said.

"The international provisions, at most, will raise around $800 billion," Pomerleau told NBC News.

Two Rounds of $1,400 Stimulus Checks?

The figure is enough to fund two rounds of stimulus checks worth $1,400, similar to the checks President Joe Biden sent out under his $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

Under the Democrat's tax overhaul plan, the government will increase taxes on multinational corporations as part of an effort to raise revenue to pay for President Biden's spending proposals, including child allowance, universal pre-k, and tuition-free community college.

"Our draft legislation would generate critical revenue to pay for priorities in Democrats' reconciliation bill, and encourage additional investment in our country and its workers," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-OR, said in a statement, according to The Hill.

Wyden, who was joined by committee members Sherrod Brown, D-OH, and Mark Warner, D-VA, said they hope their tax proposal would gain widespread support from their Democratic colleagues, noting that the proposal would "fix our broken system" of rewarding companies that ship jobs overseas.

Brown, a progressive senator, also said the tax proposal could allow the federal government to invest in American workers and children.

Read Also: Will You Receive $1,600 Tax Refund in Unemployment Benefits? Here's The IRS Stimulus Payment Schedule

Calls for the fourth round of stimulus payments have steadily earned support from Democratic lawmakers and the general population. A petition posted by Denver restaurant owner Stephanie Bonin in 2020 has earned 2,847,753 signatures and is near hitting its three million goal.

The petition calls for the U.S. Congress to send out $2,000 monthly recurring checks to every American adult and $1,000 recurring payments to every child throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recurring Payments to Eligible Individuals

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-MN, has also introduced the Sending Unconditional Payments to People Overcoming Resistances to Triumph (SUPPORT) Act, which would send $1,200 monthly recurring checks to eligible adults and $600 for children in guaranteed income.

The SUPPORT Act, which is co-sponsored by Reps. Cori Bush, D-MO, Dwight Evans, D-PA, Jamaal Bowman, D-NY, and Pramila Jayapal, D-CA, would launch a pilot program from 2023 to 2027. Under the pilot program, different communities would receive monthly checks.

Depending on the results of the pilot programs, the SUPPORT Act could begin sending the monthly stimulus checks to Americans earning less than $75,000 per year and heads of households earning less than $112,000 yearly by 2028.

Families with children would also receive an extra $600 per child, including those from the households of undocumented immigrants and people without bank accounts.

Despite the growing calls for the fourth round of stimulus checks, the U.S. government has yet to indicate any plans to propose legislation with measures that would send out another batch of relief payments to Americans who continue to struggle with the economic devastations of the coronavirus pandemic.



Related Article: $3,600 Child Tax Credit for Babies Born in 2021: Here's How To Claim the Payment

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Foreign nationals and Afghan citizens with travel authorization from another country will be allowed to leave Afghanistan, the Taliban has promised.

The UK, the US, and other countries issued a unified international statement announcing the development. The nations, which included Australia, Japan, France, Spain, and others, will continue to provide travel papers to selected Afghans, according to the statement.

British soldiers have already departed Kabul, and US troops will be out of Afghanistan by August 31, according to US President Joe Biden's timetable. However, there have been concerns about the thousands of Afghans who may have been qualified for resettlement programs but were unable to get to Kabul airport for evacuation or were not processed on time.

Taliban will allow Afghans to leave the country

The Taliban had indicated that anyone who wanted to leave Afghanistan may do so, according to a joint statement issued by the US and more than 90 other countries. It comes after UK forces evacuated 15,000 civilians from Afghanistan over nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting, which is thought to be the biggest evacuation effort since WWII.

Sir Laurie Bristow, the British ambassador to Afghanistan, returned to the UK on Sunday after staying in the country and relocating the embassy near Kabul airport to process as many refugees as possible. He pledged to continue to assist British nationals as well as Afghans who stay in the country and want assistance, as per Daily Mail.

As the Taliban moved in on Kabul airport, US President Joe Biden stated on Saturday that a fresh terror assault in Afghanistan is highly possible over the weekend. The US military is hurrying to finish its final evacuation in time for the Taliban's August 31 deadline for troops withdrawal, MIRROR reported.

Read Also: France Faces Thousands of Protests Against COVID-19 Health Pass For Six Consecutive Weekends

The US says it destroyed vehicle with would-be suicide bombers

When an ISIS-K suicide bomber struck the airport on Thursday, 13 US personnel were among the 170 persons murdered, including three Britons. The Taliban's main spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, claimed the Taliban were holding certain locations within the airport to "peacefully take control" after the US soldiers had left.

However, a dedicated group of SAS members has chosen to remain in Afghanistan to avenge the deaths of the 13 American soldiers. Meanwhile, the United States claimed to have destroyed a vehicle carrying five would-be suicide bombers on their way to assault Kabul's airport.

Early Monday, rockets were fired at Kabul airport, but at least five were intercepted by a missile defense system, underscoring the ongoing threat to the international rescue operation as the deadline for American soldiers to leave approaches. Per The Washington Post via MSN, the Taliban spokesman claimed there have been no reports of Afghan casualties and the Islamist organization is examining the strike.

Last week, a top US commander warned that a local branch of the Islamic State, which carried out a bombing at an airport gate on Thursday, killing 13 US troops and injuring at least 170 others, is planning to launch rocket assaults against Kabul airport. According to Pentagon sources, the US military carried out an airstrike on a vehicle that presented an "imminent" ISIS threat to the airport on Sunday.

Related Article: Taliban Warns of Consequences If US Extends Evacuation, Orders British Paratroopers Out of Afghanistan Within a Week

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The former head of the Food and Drug Administration and current member of Pfizer's board of directors, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, said that the pharmaceutical company's coronavirus vaccine could be approved for young kids below the age of 12 by early winter.

The official was interviewed in the "Face the Nation" where he expressed his prediction as being a crucial development in the United States' vaccination efforts. This comes as authorities continue to work on getting children back to in-person learning.

Pfizer's Vaccine for Children Under 12 Years

Gottlieb said that Pfizer would be in a position to file its observation data with the FDA sometime next month. The company would then expand its emergency use authorization to include children five years old and older as early as October later this year.

"The agency will be in a position to make an authorization, I believe, at some point, late fall, probably early winter. And probably, they're going to base their decision on what the circumstances around the country, what the urgency is to get to a vaccine for kids," Gottlieb said during the interview with CBS News.

In May, the pharmaceutical company's vaccine was authorized by the FDA to be allowed for use to vaccinate children aged 12 years to 15 years. The pharmaceutical company has been testing its two-dose COVID-19 vaccine in children aged two and older for some time.

Gottlieb said that the agency has "historically" taken about four to six weeks to review a company before giving its authorization. However, the official cautioned the process could take much longer if the FDA requests additional information.

Read Also: Georgia Professor Quits During Class After Student Refuses to Properly Wear Face Mask Amid Region's COVID Surge

Across the United States, schools are struggling to fight off the spread of the coronavirus infection. Tens of thousands of students have already been forced to stay at home to quarantine or isolate themselves after being exposed to the virus.

During his speech, Gottlieb also shared his recommendations of how establishments can curb the spread of infections in schools. He said that school officials had two things they could do to decrease the chances of having students exposed to the virus. The first is to have testing twice a week, and the second is to keep students in "geographic pods" and "social pods" to keep them from interacting with the entire student body, The Hill reported.

Coronavirus Surge in the US

Gottlieb said that those two practices are the two most effective steps that school officials can take to protect their students. He also urged the use of face masks and emphasized their effectiveness in slowing down the spread of the infection.

In an earlier statement, the former FDA head also said that the Delta variant was responsible for the coronavirus surge experienced in the American South. He said he witnessed a clear indication that the pandemic in the South was peaking.

The official's comments come amid the United States recording a seven-day average of about 147,300 for new coronavirus cases. Based on data from Johns Hopkins University data, the numbers are an increase of 13% from the previous week. Many regions in the southern parts of the country, including Louisiana and Arkansas, have observed a spike in COVID-19 cases, primarily due to lower vaccination rates, CNBC reported.



Related Article: Americans Could Get COVID Booster Shots 8 Months After Initial Vaccination, Fauci Recommends

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Former President Donald Trump issued another comment on President Joe Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan on Sunday, this time concentrating on the US military equipment that was left behind and is believed to have ended up in the hands of the Taliban.

Trump claimed that the Biden administration should demand the Taliban return the equipment immediately, but if they refuse, he suggested employing "unambiguous military action" to recover it or at the very least bombing "the hell out of it."

Taliban took billions of dollars worth of US weapons

Following the Taliban's takeover of the Afghan government, it was stated that the Taliban had taken billions of dollars worth of US weapons, including firearms, vehicles, and several aircraft. Without training, the planes are practically useless, but their seizure provides the Taliban with propaganda tools.

Afghan forces are thought to have had 211 aircraft provided by the United States in its inventory as of June 30. At least 46 of those aircraft are now in Uzbekistan, having been used by Afghan forces to flee the Taliban, as per The Hill.

Last week, House Oversight and Reform Committee members James Comer (Ky.) and Glenn Grothman (Wis.) wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, asking details on the Pentagon's intentions to retrieve these weapons.

Although a lack of training and spare parts may prevent the Taliban from ever lifting a more complicated US aircraft off the ground, videos of Taliban fighters posing proudly next to UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters circulating on social media show that these spoils are being used as key propaganda tools.

Over the previous two decades, the US has spent an estimated $83 billion on training and equipping Afghan security personnel. According to a 2017 report by the Government Accountability Office, the US delivered approximately 76,000 vehicles, 600,000 weapons systems, and 208 aircraft to the Afghan Security Forces between 2013 and 2016.

Read Also: Taliban Promises to Allow Afghan People Leave Afghanistan After August 31 Evacuation Deadline

Trump says he would not let Taliban conquer Kabul

A recent Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) analysis indicates the Defense Department has supplied Afghan forces over 4,700 Humvees, 7,000 machine guns, and over 20,000 grenades in the previous several years.

Trump's February 2020 peace pact with the Taliban, in which he pledged to withdraw US troops and free 5,000 Taliban prisoners provided they did not attack the US or house terrorists, has also come under fire.

Trump, on the other hand, stated that he would never have permitted the Taliban to conquer Kabul. Last week, Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt that if the Taliban had broken the peace agreement, he would have "bombed the hell out of them" and they would never have entered Kabul, Daily Mail reported.

Per Media ITE, the departure of US military forces during the Biden administration did not proceed as planned, and most rational people would agree that it was terrible, at the very least in terms of public relations, if not more. In less than two weeks, 300,000 Afghan troops seemed to hand up control of the whole war-torn country to Taliban fighters, along with $85 billion in high-grade weapons handed to them over the previous two decades.

During Trump's four years in office, he and his government attempted to negotiate with the Taliban to take over the nation, but they failed to remove all troops. President Joe Biden followed through on that pledge, but in a way that opponents say has made an already perilous political position unimaginably worse.

Related Article: Joe Biden Pays Tribute to 13 Fallen US Troops; Snaps at Question, Storms Out After Reporter Asks About Afghanistan

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BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE: ADC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that David D. Darling has agreed to join the Company as Vice President of Real Estate. Mr. Darling will be responsible for the Company's leasing activities and management of key retailer relationships.

Additionally, Nicole Witteveen has been promoted to Executive Vice President, People & Culture and Chief of Staff. In her new capacity, Ms. Witteveen will continue to oversee Human Resources in addition to now having an enhanced focus on project management, strategic priorities as well as communications.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome David to our growing Team," said Joey Agree, President and Chief Executive Officer. "His many years of retail leasing expertise will serve as an invaluable resource as we continue to develop our leasing capabilities for our growing portfolio and bolster our strategic relationships."

"I am also very excited to announce Nicole's promotion to Executive Vice President, People & Culture as well as her new additional role of Chief of Staff. Nicole is a best-in-class leader who has made a dynamic impact on our organization. This is the next step in a long and successful career, and we are fortunate to have such a talented individual at our Company."

Mr. Darling has over 30 years of real estate leasing, acquisition, and disposition experience. Most recently, he served as Director of Leasing at Bedrock, a commercial real estate firm based in Detroit, Michigan, where he was responsible for retail leasing activities. Prior to Bedrock, Mr. Darling was the Director of Leasing for RPT Realty (formerly Ramco-Gershenson Properties Trust) where he led all leasing activity, and provided acquisition, due diligence, and disposition value enhancement. He has been active member of ICSC since 1987 and is a registered Real Estate Licensee in Michigan.

Ms. Witteveen joined Agree Realty in 2019 and is responsible for the Company's talent management practices and the administration team, as well as being a member of ADC's Leadership Team and Steering Committee. Prior to joining Agree, she previously worked in Human Resources in the telecommunications, defense, and financial technology industries. Nicole has extensive experience in talent management, leadership development, and workforce planning.

About Agree Realty Corporation

Agree Realty Corporation is a publicly traded real estate investment trust that is RETHINKING RETAIL through the acquisition and development of properties net leased to industry-leading, omni-channel retail tenants. As of June 30, 2021, the Company owned and operated a portfolio of 1,262 properties, located in 46 states and containing approximately 26.1 million square feet of gross leasable area. The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ADC". For additional information on the Company and RETHINKING RETAIL, please visit www.agreerealty.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agree-realty-names-david-d-darling-as-vice-president-of-real-estate-301364882.html

SOURCE Agree Realty Corporation
Mark Cuban gave Dogecoin a huge boost once again. The American entrepreneur is selling Dallas Mavericks merchandise for crypto, but with a twist. Doge users get a free $25 e-gift card for every $150 worth of purchase.

The billionaire recently tweeted a Dogemania event happening in his team's online shop, Mavs.com. This is to encourage Doge investors to use their coins as a mode of payment through freebies and gift cards.

Mark Cuban Dogemania Happening Now!

As seen in the tweet, anyone paying with crypto would receive a $25 e-gift card after purchase. Specific conditions for the event are as follows:

The Mavs Cryptomania event is exclusive to eligible cryptocurrencies.

The free $25 e-gift card is only awarded to customers who made their purchase through DallasMavs.Shop

Customers must spend a minimum of $150 worth of merchandise before tax and shipping expenses are added

Customers are limited to one e-gift card per transaction

Promotion is valid starting August 13 until September 30

E-gift cards will expire by December 31

E-gift cards will be subjected to DallasMavs.Shop e-gift card terms and conditions

E-gift cards may be deducted from the refund amount on eligible returns

The Mavs reserve the right to cancel, revoke or deactivate the e-gift card if they suspect abuse on the Cryptomania campaign

With the current information available, it is undetermined if the event is exclusive to Doge crypto or inclusive to coins like Bitcoin and ETH. The hype intensified when Twitter user TT Macro asked if suites and lower level tickets are included in the promo, and Cuban replied, "you can buy those too!"

you can buy those too !  Mark Cuban (@mcuban) August 27, 2021

Read Also: Child Tax Credit Update Portal: 1 Tool to Check If You're Eligible for $300 Per Child Payment

Dogecoin Price Prediction: The Doge Influx

Earlier reports highlighted that Dogecoin was trading at very dangerous levels in these last few weeks. Doge dropped below the $0.27 trade marker, so analysts warned it could dip to $0.22 .

After the Dogemania announcement was made, Dogecoin spiked out of its stump. Its value at $0.26 Friday jumped to $0.29 by Saturday. Doge stabilized at $0.28 in the hours that followed. At the time of writing, Dogecoin was priced at $0.28 with a downward trend of 1.84 percent in these last 24 hours, according to Coin Desk.

Dogecoin is a meme altcoin of cryptocurrency. The crypto coin has a logo of a Shiba Inu as a reference to the dog meme. It was developed as a joke that eventually gained power and market value due to internet popularity. However, its market is warned to be one of the most volatile among other cryptos.

Nonetheless, Dogecoin has shown a lot of potential that investors are willing to risk on it. Dogecoin also has a reputation for rapidly soaring values which is a good source of quick profits for coin holders.

With its current trading values, Dogecoin's price is predicted to drop between $0.22 to $0.64 anytime this week. Investors who plan to ride this wave should reconsider joining the Dogemania event.



Related Article: Ethereum, Bitcoin Price Forecast: 'Seismic' Change Could Boost Value!
The SpaceX Dragon capsule resupplied the International Space Station with an interesting assortment of deliveries. Full video of spacecraft takeoff is available for online streaming.

Since its space shuttle program closure in 2011, NASA relied on SpaceX and other US companies to deliver cargo and crews to the ISS. This most recent delivery marked the 23rd SpaceX commercial resupply mission serviced for NASA in the last decade.

The resupply mission was done through a recycled Falcon rocket and Dragon capsule, blasting from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. The Dragon capsule carried 4800 pounds of supplies and experiments during its flight.

SpaceX Resupply Launch for ISS: Where to Rewatch Rocket Flight

The video for the flight was streamed through SpaceX's official YouTube Channel. The video also included clips of:

The Dragon cargo unit

The supplies loaded

ISS flight control room in Houston Texas

ISS Columbus and Destiny Module

After its launch, Falcon was retrieved through SpaceX's newest rocket-catching droneship called "A Shortfall of Gravitas." SpaceX founder Elon Musk named the vessel as a tribute to the late science fiction writer Iain Banks.

The full video of the mission is embedded below.



Read Also: Hubble Telescope Pictures: NASA Observatory Snaps Rare Galaxy Phenomenon, Iconic Eagle Nebula

SpaceX Dragon Capsule Carried Strange Payloads

SpaceX has a history of sending unlikely objects outside Earth's atmosphere. According to DailyStar, they previously launched a 2008-model Tesla Roadstar into space, which has reached a year-long orbit around the Sun. As such, they are no strangers to eccentric space cargos.

Many researchers take advantage of ISS low-gravity environments to launch different and exciting experiments. In this most recent delivery, ISS received ants, fruits, and a robotic arm from SpaceX.

According to CBS Miami, Dragon delivered fresh foods like avocados, lemons, and ice cream for the seven astronauts onboard the ISS. These are classified as provisions and treats for the hardworking researchers.

A section of the payload included samples of concrete, solar cells, and other materials that need to be tested in a weightless environment.

The Girl Scouts of Citrus also delivered three student-led investigations to space, all meant to evaluate the characteristic of living organisms in low-Earth orbit. These experiments involved ants, brine shrimps, and plants.

Researchers from the Houston Methodist Research Institute have a long history with the ISS. Their latest delivery was a tunable drug delivery implant that, in theory, could be remotely controlled to release specific amounts of a drug in the body. If completed, this tool should be able to provide individualized treatment for different patients.

University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists also contributed mouse-ear cress, a small flowering plant used for genetic research.

Lastly, the Japanese start-up company Gitai Inc sent an experimental robotic arm designed to undertake minor repairs on the spacecraft and perform mundane chores normally done by the astronauts. Ideally, this arm would also be upgraded for futures space ventures, like remotely building lunar bases for space exploration.

This should be an exciting few weeks of non-stop experiments for the ISS crew.

Related Article: NASA Hubble Telescope Pictures of Heaven: Space Observatory Snaps Remarkable Spiral Galaxy
This satellite photo released in May by 38 North, a U.S.-based website for analysis of North Korea, shows satellite imagery of North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear complex. Yonhap



IAEA says North Korea appears to have restarted nuclear reactor in Yongbyon



By Kang Seung-woo



A recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report indicating that North Korea has restarted its nuclear reactor in Yongbyon is likely to pour some cold water on South Korea's efforts toward the early resumption of the stalled Korean Peninsula peace process, according to diplomatic observers, Monday.



"Since early July, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor," the IAEA said in its annual report, adding that there were no indications of reactor operation from early December 2018 to the beginning of July of this year.



"The new indications of the operation of the reactor and the radiochemical laboratory are deeply troubling," the report also said.



The report comes as Noh Kyu-duk, the South Korean chief nuclear envoy, flew to the United States, Sunday, to discuss with officials at the White House and the State Department ways to reactivate President Moon Jae-in's peace initiative.



"With the report coming to light, South Korea and the U.S. are likely to see their bandwidth limited in their move to restart the Korean Peninsula peace process," said Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University.



"Given the fact that the North Korean regime is set to continue to pressure the U.S. in the mid- to long-term, it remains to be seen how the allies will respond."



President Moon's peace initiative has been seeking engagement between South and North Korea and the United States in order to improve inter-Korean relations, but the unstable ties between the two Koreas have been stymieing the initiative.



However, with the U.S. grappling with the fallout of its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Seoul seems to have found room for negotiations with Washington to resume the peace process, Park noted.



When Sung Kim, the U.S. special representative for North Korea, visited Seoul last week, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong appealed to the importance of reactivating the Korean Peninsula peace process at an early date. In addition, ahead of his departure for Washington, D.C., Noh told reporters that he will discuss with U.S. officials ways for the early resumption of the peace process.



"When Sung Kim visited here, he provided a clear glimpse of the U.S. wanting to stably manage the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in that respect, the South Korean government seems to have taken steps to convince the U.S. administration to stand on the same line regarding the issue," Park said.



The professor added that the Biden administration will not oppose the idea, given that when the two Koreas are on good terms with each other, North Korea is less likely to stage a military provocation.



When Noh arrived in the U.S., Sunday (U.S. time), he said that South Korea and the U.S. were at a critical point for restarting the Korean Peninsula peace process.



"I came to Washington in order to continue the discussions I had with Special Representative Sung Kim in Seoul last week," Noh told reporters upon his arrival at Dulles International Airport.



"I wish to hold in-depth discussions on various issues related to the Korean Peninsula, including the North Korean nuclear issue, with U.S. government officials during my U.S. trip."






South Korean government agencies agreed Monday on the need to extend its peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and South Sudan, the foreign ministry said.







Officials from the foreign, defense, finance and interior ministries as well as the military and police participated in a virtual consultative meeting to discuss extending the presence of the Dongmyeong Unit in Lebanon and the Hanbit Unit in South Sudan, the ministry said.







In the meeting led by Second Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-moon, they "confirmed the need to extend their missions, considering that the regional situations in the host nations remain relatively stable and the high recognition that the troops have gained from the United Nations and the local governments," the ministry said.







The 280-strong Dongmyeong Unit has been operating as part of the U.N. force in the conflict-ridden country since 2007. The Hanbit Unit has been stationed in the war-torn African country on peacekeeping missions.







The extension of the deployment is subject to parliamentary consent on a yearly basis.







At Monday's meeting, Choi also asked the related ministries and agencies to maintain close communication to steadily prepare for the successful hosting of the U.N. Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference, slated to take place in Seoul on Dec. 7-8, the ministry said. (Yonhap)


Afghan evacuees, who arrived aboard a C-130 military transport aircraft via Islamabad, leave the arrival lounge at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, Aug. 27. Yonhap



Almost 70 percent of South Koreans support the government's plan to grant long-term stay visas to hundreds of Afghan civilians who fled their homeland to be sheltered here from the Taliban, a poll showed Monday.



According to the poll of 500 people aged 18 and above conducted by Realmeter on Friday, a combined 68.7 percent of the respondents said they approve of the plan to issue long-term visas to Afghan evacuees who arrived here last week, allowing them to get jobs here.



Among those who supported the long-term stays, 28.9 percent said they strongly approve of the idea, while 39.8 percent said they somewhat do.



Another combined 28.7 percent said they oppose the plan, with 15.1 percent of them showing strong disapproval. The remaining 2.6 percent said they were undecided on the matter.






gettyimagesbank



Justice ministry vows to make anklets stronger, improve monitoring system



By Lee Hyo-jin



A series of crimes committed recently by ex-convicts who were obliged to wear an electronic anklet has prompted criticisms that the tracking device is ineffective in deterring perpetrators from reoffending.



The government introduced the GPS-enabled electronic device in 2008 to keep a close watch on sex offenders after their release from prison. They are ordered to wear the tracking devices for a designated period of time, enabling probation officers to check their whereabouts in real time.



However, a number of ex-convicts have committed crimes either while wearing or after removing the electronic trackers.



Most recently, a man surnamed Kang, 56, was arrested, Sunday, for allegedly murdering two women and removing his electronic anklet.



He cut off the device at his home in southern Seoul's Songpa District at around 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 27, and fled. The police launched a manhunt, and Kang surrendered himself two days later and confessed to killing the two women. He told police that he killed one victim while wearing the device at home and the other after destroying it.





This photo taken Monday shows the residence in Seoul's Songpa District of a man surnamed Kang, who has been arrested for allegedly murdering two women and destroying his electronic anklet. Yonhap

According to the police, Kang had been released from prison in May after serving 15 years for sexual assault. He had 14 previous convictions for a number of crimes including robbery, sexual assault and rape.



On Aug. 20, a man in his 40s was arrested for allegedly raping a woman in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, while wearing his electronic anklet. Another ex-convict, who went missing after cutting off his anklet in Jangheung, South Jeolla Province, on Aug. 21, is still at large.



According to data from the Ministry of Justice, there have been 13 incidents this year so far in which ex-convicts escaped their electronic anklets.



Experts believe the electronic anklets cannot serve as a panacea in crime prevention, and thus called on the government to come up with better measures.



"Using the electronic tracker, probation officers can monitor only the whereabouts of the ex-convicts, not their actions on a real-time basis, which makes it less effective in preventing their crimes," Lee Yoon-ho, a professor of police administration at Dongguk University, told The Korea Times.



Lee insisted that the probation office should closely cooperate with law enforcement authorities. "Under the current system, police officers are informed about the violations only after they occur. In order to prevent further crimes, the police should also have access to the movements of the ex-convicts."



Seung Jae-hyun, a researcher at the Korean Institute of Criminology, said that the government should introduce additional measures.



"The anklets do not help authorities monitor every action of ex-convicts. More effective measures are needed such as a protective supervision system, under which sex offenders are housed in a separate facility after their release," he said.



Following public criticism over the latest murders by Kang, the justice ministry made an apology and announced a set of countermeasures, Monday.





Yoon Woong-jang, head of the crime prevention policy bureau at the Ministry of Justice, speaks during a briefing at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, Monday. Yonhap
A notice announcing the temporary suspension of operation is posted, Monday, on Jincheon County's online shopping mall, which sells regional specialties such as rice. Screen capture from JC mall



By Jun Ji-hye



Jincheon County located in North Chungcheong Province is receiving applause from people across the country for housing hundreds of Afghans who were evacuated from their homeland, which has been overrun by the Taliban.



As a means to express their respect for the county's acceptance of the Afghan evacuees, many people have been flocking to its online shopping mall, which sells regional specialties such as rice, in recent days. A flood of orders from all over the country has resulted in the temporary suspension of the operation of the online mall.



A total of 390 Afghans who worked for Korea's embassy and its humanitarian and relief facilities in Afghanistan, were evacuated to Korea with their family members in two groups on military aircraft last week amid worsening security conditions there, due to the ongoing withdrawal of U.S. troops and the Taliban retaking power.



The evacuees arrived at the Leadership Campus of the National Human Resources Development Institute in Jincheon, Friday, to stay for about eight weeks, including a two-week self-isolation period aimed at curbing the possible spread of COVID-19. After two weeks, they will be offered Korean language and cultural education for six weeks to help them if they choose to settle here.





Two children among Afghan evacuees wave as they arrive at Incheon International Airport via a KC-330 military tanker transport aircraft, Thursday. Yonhap
The floor leaders of the Democratic Party and the People Power Party greet each other during their meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Aug. 29. Yonhap



The National Assembly on Monday is set to vote on a string of contentious bills in a plenary session.



The ruling Democratic Party (DP), holding an absolute parliamentary majority, initially planned to push a highly contested media reform bill through the meeting scheduled for 5 p.m., but the prospect of its imminent passage remains slim amid the main opposition's threat to launch a filibuster.



Among the bills likely to be submitted to the session are one to block U.S. tech giant Google's upcoming policy to enforce the exclusive use of its in-app payment system and the law mandating the installation of surveillance cameras inside hospital rooms.



The former bill would prohibit app market giants, such as Google and Apple Inc., from forcing mobile content providers, based on their dominant market status, to exclusively use designated billing methods that impose a 30 percent commission for in-app transactions of digital content, such as music, web-based comics and stories, as well as mobile games.



If the revision to the Telecommunications Business Act is approved by lawmakers, South Korea will become the first country to introduce such curbs on global tech giants' in-app billing policies, which have been increasingly under scrutiny around the world.



The latter bill has been pending at parliament for nine months in the face of stiff opposition from doctors' organizations arguing it could create distrust between doctors and patients, eventually debasing the quality of medical service.



With an aim to protect patients against medical negligence or malpractice, the proposed revision to the Medical Service Act would mandate recording medical procedures in video images and keeping them longer than 30 days for reference in the event of legal disputes. It allows a two-year grace period before it officially goes into force after its promulgation.



Also expected to be up for a vote is a revision to the Military Court Act, which will subject sexual violence or death cases involving military service personnel to trial at civil courts, not military courts. It will also abolish the military appellate court to send all appeal cases involving the military to civil courts.



The revision, proposed following a recent series of sexual violence cases inside barracks, aims to step up legal protection for victims in military-related cases.



The floor leaders of the DP and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), meanwhile, were set to meet and discuss the fate of the controversial media arbitration bill ahead of the plenary session.



On the back of fierce backlash from the local media industry, the PPP has threatened to mount a filibuster to block the bill's passage, pressing the DP to reverse the initial plan to press ahead with the bill in the upcoming voting session.



The bill is designed to impose a fivefold increase in penalties on media outlets that make false or fabricated news reports, prompting heated criticism from the media industry that it is intended to gag critical media in the run-up to next year's presidential election. (Yonhap)


Time for NIS to be reborn as agency for state and people



National Intelligence Service (NIS) director Park Jie-won apologized Friday for the spy agency's illegal surveillance of civilians and political interference in the past and vowed not to repeat such blunders. "The illegal surveillance and interference were carried out systematically via the NIS command structure at the behest of Cheong Wa Dae. Politicians, government officials, scholars, members of related organizations and their families were illegally spied on and persecuted," Park said at a news conference in Seoul.



Having enumerated such wrongdoings from the past, including gathering information on artists and religious leaders, drawing up blacklists of entertainers and offering money to expand pro-government organizations, he said the NIS mistook itself for an agency to protect those in power. "But I dare to say that there has been no such interference or illegal surveillance since the current administration took office. All NIS members will surely keep a distance from politics."



Park's apology is a follow-up to a resolution passed by the National Assembly last month. The resolution had urged the NIS to declare a complete end to its surveillance of civilians and sincerely apologize to the victims. Nonetheless, Park's apology deserves credit, given that it could prompt the intelligence agency to renew its determination not to repeat past misdeeds and commitment to political neutrality in the run-up to next year's presidential election.



Under a revision to the National Intelligence Service Act approved last December, the agency is obliged to maintain political neutrality and is prohibited from undertaking domestic surveillance operations. Now, its duties are confined to gathering information on foreign countries and North Korea, anti-espionage, counterterrorism, cybersecurity and space. If the NIS fulfills its duties faithfully under the law without being swayed by political power, it will be able to regain public confidence someday. But this requires painstaking efforts by the NIS to be reborn as an agency serving the state and the people. Hopefully, there will be no more need for apologies from the NIS.


Rep. Yun hit for father's alleged land speculation



Controversy is growing over Rep. Yun Hee-suk of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) after she declared she would give up her Assembly seat over her father's speculative purchase of farmland in the new administrative town of Sejong. Yun said that though she had never been involved in any illegal real estate dealings, she would forsake her seat to assume her political responsibility.



Yun's move has triggered disputes in political circles. The PPP praised her for displaying humility based on common sense, while the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized her for playing a "political gambit." Yun's father bought 10,871 square meters of farmland at about 800 million won ($687,000) in 2016. The land price is estimated to have more than doubled to 1.8 billion won now. Her father is suspected of violating the Farmland Act which allows only farmers to buy farmland. He has reportedly never tilled the land by himself, raising suspicions that his purchase was for speculative gain.



Now the question is whether her father purchased the farmland by using confidential information leaked by someone, probably Rep. Yun or other family members. Yun faces an allegation that she might have obtained inside information about a land development plan near the farmland her father bought, during her time working as a researcher at the state-run Korea Development Institute (KDI) which conducted a feasibility study on a plan to build an industrial complex there. Another allegation is that Yun's brother-in-law, who served as an aide to the minister of economy and finance, could have leaked details about the development plan to Yun's father, leading him to buy the farmland for speculative purposes.



The DPK has launched its offensive at Yun, dubbing her a "hypocrite" who was adroitly trying to turn the situation in her favor. In swift reaction, Yun convened a press conference Aug. 27 to renew her claim of innocence. In an apparent bid to dramatize her assertion, Yun asked the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to investigate her for any direct involvement in her father's real estate purchase. Yoon said the DPK lawmakers attacking her should be held accountable if she is cleared of all charges. Yet, Yun has invited criticism because her case is not subject to a CIO investigation as it took place when she was serving as KDI's research department director, which was not a high-ranking position then.



For starters, the DPK and the PPP have been engaged in political wrangling over Yun's case. They have yet to hold a vote in a plenary session to decide whether to accept her resignation. The PPP cannot deflect criticism as it arbitrarily cleared Yun of the speculation allegations from the beginning. On Aug. 24, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) identified Yun and 11 other PPP lawmakers suspected of having engaged in irregular real estate dealings.



The PPP should first apologize for clearing Yun of the allegations hastily despite simmering suspicions. Worse still, the party has yet to punish its lawmakers suspected of property speculation. PPP leader Lee Jun-seok vowed to convene an ethics committee to discuss possible punishment for them. Yet, he has triggered skepticism as the PPP has not yet set up such a committee. The DPK also has yet to punish its lawmakers entangled in illicit real estate transactions.



Four of 12 DPK lawmakers, who were also found by the anti-corruption watchdog to have engaged in speculative property transactions, are still refusing requests that they leave the party. The party withdrew its decision to expel three lawmakers including Rep. Woo Sang-ho, citing the results of police probes which cleared them of suspicions. However, the DPK should punish its lawmakers strictly if their speculation allegations are confirmed.



Against this backdrop, the police-led special government investigation team should immediately question the rival parties' lawmakers over the speculation allegations. We urge the parties to stop futile political haggling and cooperate closely with the upcoming investigations.










By Yang Moo-jin





The situation on the Korean Peninsula, which has been frozen since the Hanoi summit between the United States and North Korea, is still in a stalemate. North Korea is focusing on self-reliance and internal solidarity while refusing to engage in dialogue with the U.S. and South Korea. However, the conflux of problems, including sanctions against North Korea, natural disasters, COVID-19 and the de facto closure of the border for preventive measures against the pandemic are exacerbating North Korea's economic difficulties.



Under these circumstances, the restoration of the inter-Korean communication lines on July 27 was expected to be an important turning point. At the time of the reopening of the inter-Korean communication lines, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) supported this expectation, calling the reopening "a big step toward restoring trust and promoting reconciliation" with "a positive effect on the improvement and development of inter-Korean relations."



But these hopes did not last long. North Korea denounced the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises in August as "the most intensive expression of its hostile policy toward Korea," and effectively cut off the inter-Korean communication lines again on Aug. 10, after they had previously been restored with great difficulty.



On Aug. 26, the South Korea-U.S. joint exercises ended. It is fortunate that there has been no military response from North Korea, so it is time quickly to revive the atmosphere for the resumption of dialogue and improvement of relations, which was built on the trust between the leaders of the two Koreas.



North Korea is likely to emphasize its importance through provocation if it thinks that the U.S. will return to Obama's policy of "strategic patience" or that North Korea is a low priority for the U.S. Based on this understanding, I would like to make some suggestions as a scholar.



First, I hope that the U.S. makes its policy position clear so as to bring North Korea to the negotiating table. It will be of great help to create an environment for dialogue if the U.S. makes public that not only denuclearization, but also North Korea's concerns  such as sanctions relief, security guarantees and a peace regime  will be discussed when the dialogue resumes, and that corresponding measures will be fully considered in the process of phased denuclearization.



From North Korea's point of view, the U.S. is all talk and no action, although North Korea has taken good-faith measures towards denuclearization and building trust, such as halting nuclear and inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) test launches, closing the Punggye-ri nuclear test site and returning the remains of U.S. soldiers.



Pyongyang's disparagement of the Biden administration's proposal, to meet anytime and anywhere without condition, as "hypocrisy to conceal aggressive intention," in the Aug. 10 statement of Kim Yo-jong, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's powerful sister, can be interpreted as a request for Washington to show its will to improve relations through actual actions.



If the U.S. presents concrete outcomes that North Korea can achieve through future negotiations, it can show the sincerity of the Biden administration's North Korea policy principle of resolution through dialogue and diplomacy, and it can be a good cause for North Korea to return to dialogue.



Second, I hope that North Korea comes to the table and engages in serious negotiations. While the Trump administration preferred attempting grand bargains through so-called "big deals," the Biden administration is advocating a phased and pragmatic approach aimed at reducing threats.



As it can be seen that the U.S. and North Korea are in agreement with each other to a considerable degree when it comes to the denuclearization methodology, North Korea needs to show flexibility, breaking away from its rigid position that it will resume dialogue only when the U.S. abandons its hostile policy toward the North.



Meanwhile, the Biden administration has announced a new North Korea policy that is different from the Obama and Trump administrations, but it has not even started dialogue with North Korea.



In addition, there may be political constraints that make it difficult to provide substantive concessions to North Korea before the start of dialogue. I believe that it is more reasonable and pragmatic for North Korea to return to the negotiating table and listen to the Biden administration's North Korea policy, to achieve what it wants while having negotiations.



Third, I hope that North Korea responds to the South Korean government's proposal for cooperation in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. South Korea is constantly emphasizing the importance of health and medical cooperation with North Korea, including the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, saying that South and North Korea, connected by sky, land and sea, share a common destiny in the fight against infectious diseases.



In addition, South Korea has announced its plans to discuss the issue of establishing a videoconferencing system between the two Koreas. If North Korea responds, a system that enables inter-Korean dialogue even during the COVID-19 pandemic  such as videoconferencing and safe face-to-face talks  can be completed as soon as possible.



The continuation of the current stalemate is in no one's interest. While spending time doubting the intentions of the other party, the security threat posed by North Korea's strengthening of its nuclear capabilities will intensify, and the economic development and improvement of people's livelihoods that North Korea wants will inevitably be constrained. I hope that the U.S. and North Korea make a courageous decision to break away from the accusatory cliche of "you first" and make a wise choice.





Yang Moo-jin (yangmj@kyungnam.ac.kr) is a professor at the University of North Korean Studies and the vice chairman of the Korean Association of North Korean Studies. He is also a standing committee member of the National Unification Advisory Council and a policy consultant at the Ministry of Unification.


Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang / Captured from Nvidia Korea's webpage



By Baek Byung-yeul



U.S. graphic chip giant Nvidia's suggested multi-billion-dollar acquisition of British chip design company Arm is rattling the market as Tesla, Amazon and even Samsung Electronics were said to have strongly opposed the acquisition due to looming antitrust issues.



Citing multiple sources, U.K.-based outlet Telegraph said Samsung Electronics expressed its opposition to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (USFTC) over Nvidia's acquisition of ARM. Also, Amazon and Tesla have voiced their suspicions of the validity of the deal to the U.S. antitrust regulator.



Established in 1990 in the U.K., Arm is a global leader in mobile chip architecture design. It generates profits by licensing its intellectual property to tech firms including Samsung Electronics, Apple and Qualcomm.





Tesla CEO Elon Musk / Reuters-Yonhap
Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong, Seoul / Courtesy of Hyundai Department Store



By Kim Jae-heun



Two major local retailers, Hyundai Department Store and Shinsegae Group, are moving their competition stage from luxury fashion to premium cosmetics.



Both companies realize that the luxury fashion market here has become saturated, and that they need a new growth engine.



As of the first half of this year, the sales and operating profit of Hyundai Department Store's fashion unit, The Handsome, reached 646 billion won and 68.7 billion won, respectively. Shinsegae's fashion and beauty business, Shinsegae International, reached 682.6 billion won in revenue and 47.8 billion won in profit.



The companies expect that customers who have purchased their high-priced luxury items in the past will also show interest in their premium cosmetic brands.



Shinsegae International launched its premium cosmetics brand, Poiret, in March and The Handsome opened its first luxury skincare brand, Oera, at Hyundai Department Store in Apgujeong, southern Seoul, in July.



Oera uses top-of-the-line ingredients  including water from Switzerland  to produce its beauty items, and their prices range between 200,000 won ($171.51) and 500,000 won ($428.78), which is quite high compared to other local cosmetics brands. In particular, its iconic Signature Prestige Cream, which comes in a 50-milliliter size, costs 1.2 million won ($1,029.07).



Poiret's skincare products prices also vary from 81,000 won ($69.46) to 720,000 won ($617.34), depending on the type of item.



Apart from Poiret, which Shinsegae has been preparing to introduce for the past 10 years, the retail giant has been expanding its cosmetics business by importing popular global brands exclusively in the country or by acquiring them. In 2012, Shinsegae took over a 100 percent stake in Swiss Perfection, which runs Vidi Vici. Now, the retailer operates five in-house private brands and some 20 international brands.



LF started its cosmetics business even earlier, in 2016, when it first introduced the French perfume brand Buly 1803 here. Three years later, the fashion unit of LG Group launched the men's cosmetics brand Hazzys Men Rule 429 in September 2019, and the vegan beauty brand "Athe" one month afterwards.



For Samsung, instead of introducing a specific global brand, it launched "Label. C," a curated shop of selected cosmetics brands, and imported individual beauty items based on the concept of "naturalism."



"Cosmetics has already become an important growth engine in the fashion industry. Through continuous investments, the discovery of new brands with a high potential for growth and by fostering our private brands, Shinsegae will establish ourselves both in the local and global beauty markets," a Shinsegae International representative said.


Hotel Figueroa still embraces its feminist roots by partnering and featuring female artists, business owners and leaders, while also serving as a symbol of aid for the community.


The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch is seeking a Database Administrator (Information Technology Analyst II) for the Information Technology Division, Database Administration Unit. The successful candidate will possess the following experience in the specific functional area of Database Administration: Install and Configure Database Software including SSRS, SSAS, SSIS

Test and Install SQL Server Updates and Service Pack

Backup and Restore Database using SQL Native Backup and Red Gate Tools

Create, Test and Implement Database Recovery Plan including Disaster Recovery

Proficiency with Diagnostic tools like SQL Diagnostic Manager, SQL native Activity Monitor and Windows Resource Monitor

Provide 24x7 support for critical production systems

Configure and Monitor High Availability Database solutions using AG, Replication and Log Shipping

Familiar with setting up SQL Server Service Broker

Grant and Audit Database Access requests

Proactively Tune database in Production

Manage SQL Server databases through multiple product lifecycle environments, from development to mission-critical production systems

Apply data modeling techniques to ensure development and implementation support efforts meet integration and performance expectations

Assist developers with complex query tuning and schema refinement

Experience working with Windows server, including Active Directory, VMWare

Analyze and Recommend database improvements Starting Salary $83,403  plus State of Connecticut benefits. EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING General Experience: Six (6) years of experience in information technology (IT), programming, systems/software development or another IT related field with a concentration in the specific area of the position being applied for.



Special Experience: One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the Information Technology Analyst I level or its equivalent.



Substitutions Allowed:

1) College training in management information systems, computer science, electrical engineering or related area may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling six (6) months of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelors degree.



2) A Masters degree in management information systems, computer science, electrical engineering or related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.



3) Relevant certification in management information systems, computer science, electrical engineering, project management or related area may be substituted for up to six (6) months of the general experience. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Incumbents may be required to travel within the State in the course of their daily work. Applications must be received by September 13, 2021. Applications must be submitted through the on-line application site at: www.jud.ct.gov/hronline/. Resumes or paper applications will not be accepted. Please reference posting number 21-4000-005 AA/EOE

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Conagra Brands is looking for Production Technicians to staff its Armour plant in Ft. Madison, Iowa! The Vienna Sausage capital of the world is looking for candidates that have a strong work ethic, possess strong technical skills with a solid mechanical aptitude, capable of making equipment adjustments based on sound decisions and have the desire to work in a team-based environment. Pay Structure: Starting pay is $18.58 per hour

per hour Advance to $20.20 per hour within 12 months

per hour within 12 months Advance to $22.38 per hour within 30 months

per hour within 30 months Annual pay increases per contract

$137 Company Contribution to your pension from date of hire Main Responsibilities What you will do: Make the best quality food by learning, using and maintaining the highest food safety standards possible.

Follow standard operating procedures to operate various pieces of processing and packaging equipment

Work with a safety-first mindset to keep yourself and others safe.

Diagnose and troubleshoot problems with machinery and partner with maintenance staff to resolve issues

Calibrate processing and packaging systems daily to meet required specifications

Participate in start-up, change over and shut down of operating equipment Perform sanitation procedures in order to conduct periodic facility sanitation requirements Be responsible for executing all required quality processes and documentation

Participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives in order to increase platform performance

Assists in training new employees

Attend meetings and trainings as required

Perform additional related tasks as assigned Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent

Must be able to effectively use the English language, in verbal or written form

Must be able to effectively communicate and interpret work instructions and safety rules

Ability to pass criminal background check and pre-employment drug test.

Repetitive arm and hand motions during working shift

Able to stand on feet continuously during working shift

Able to lift 40 pounds consistently

Must be able to perform physical tasks for extended periods of time including: standing, walking, climbing, bending, pushing, pulling and twisting over surfaces

Willing and able to work any shift schedule, including nights and weekends

Willing and able to adhere to all safety standards and wear all necessary personal protective equipment

Willing and able to adhere to all grooming requirements necessary for a food manufacturing environment Our Benefits: We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role: Health: Medical, dental and vision insurance, company-paid life, accident and disability insurance

Wealth: great salaries, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan

Growth: online courses, virtual and classroom development experiences

Balance: paid-time off , flexible work-schedules Our Company: Conagra Brands is one of North America's leading branded food companies. We have a rich heritage of making great food, and a team thats passionate about innovation and growth. Conagra offers choices for every occasion through iconic brands, such as Birds Eye, Marie Callender's, Banquet, Healthy Choice, Slim Jim, Reddi-wip, and Vlasic, and emerging brands, including Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, Duke's, Earth Balance, Gardein, and Frontera. We pride ourselves on having the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in the food industry. Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law.

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Senior Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) , California , United States Hardware Summary

Posted: Aug 26, 2021 Role Number: 200282720 Apple is looking for a Senior SRE with automation tooling experience to drive and be part of a team that is building, monitoring, and maintaining large scale highly resilient systems. You'll be contributing to bare metal, OS stack, platform and network infrastructure for a critical and unique customer-facing Apple service. This is a rare opportunity to design, build and control the entire @scale end to end infrastructure, along with all supporting components such as provisioning, logging, metrics, monitoring, deployment and SW development platform, from the beginning within a team with a no-ops culture. Location: We are open to Santa Clara Valley (Cupertino) California, -OR- Austin Texas Key Qualifications Experience in a DevOPS or SRE role

Experience with modern web-scale services including servers, VIPs, load balancers, proxies

Able to write software needed to build and operate a large scale platform 24x7 including the development and staging platforms

Proficient in at least one of these languages: Python, Golang, Rust, C++

Familiar with bare metal bootstrap, provisioning, configuration and orchestration

Highly experienced with one of these: Puppet, Chef, Saltstack, Ansible

You're comfortable testing and rolling new kernels, drivers, libraries, OS changes, config sync and building the systems to keep servers at an appropriate level and functionality.

You're knowledgable running systems for containerized services(docker) and managing how they interact with network & system resources

You've implemented and utilized your own metrics (TSDB) and logging platform with a front end such as Grafana

You've implemented a monitoring system such as Sensu, Zabbix or Nagios even better if you've written your own

You're comfortable building and operating infrastructure that employs a Chaos Monkey. Bonus: You've written that Chaos Monkey service

You enjoy analyzing performance, end to end service experience and overall system health. You dig and dig at what initially seems like a small oddity until you determine the root cause, and drive it to resolution if it's a potential issue (regardless of whose problem it is)

Flexibility and comfort working on a dynamic, fast-growing effort with minimal documentation and process in a small team environment. Quick learner. Aptitude to deal with ambiguity, and enthusiasm to help solve difficult issues

Bonus: Native Kubernetes implementation including CNI, Kafka, etcd experience

Bonus: You're familiar with distributed orchestration systems

Bonus: Experience with Cisco, Juniper, or Arista routing and switching hardware (+OS), including wireless Description You will build and run an Apple service that millions of customers use every day. You'll also build and run the infrastructure that powers those services. We're looking for people who like to solve operational problems using software rather than shell prompts as we scale Apple's services for customers around the world. Help us build the Apple experience on a global scale! Education & Experience - Networks, Computers, Electronics and Software have been your hobby since you were in grade school - Technical engineering BS would be nice though not required - MS in CS, CE or EE is even better




Salary $57,387.20 - $114,732.80 Annually Location Arlington *METRO-accessible*, VA Job Type Full-Time Permanent Department Department of Environmental Services Job Number 4411-22A-DES-SD Closing 9/9/2021 11:59 PM Eastern Position Information Arlington County's Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a Management & Budget Specialis t to perform a full range of budget and financial management activities and provide financial support for a section of the large and diverse transportation capital program which includes bus & Metro facilities, public infrastructure improvements for commuters, cyclists and pedestrians, and streetscapes.



The Specialist will work within DES to provide budgetary expertise to one of the largest and most diverse County departments in terms of its lines of business and expenditures. The department's operating General Fund budget is approximately $100 Million and the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for transportation projects totals more than $1.3 Billion over 10 years.



Specific duties include: Assisting with budgeting, expenditure tracking and closeout for a portfolio of transportation projects;

Performing variance analysis of actual expenditure vs. projected to help improve the forecasting process;

Working collaboratively with project managers and teams in the central finance organization;

Submitting requests for reimbursement of grant funds expended to various funding agencies;

Maintaining complete grant files including documentation related to appropriations, agreements, reimbursement requests, grant amendments, etc.;

Ensuring the use of the various funds adheres to the requirements for each funding source;

Assisting with developing annual budget requests for the biennial Capital Improvement Plan;

Conducting ex-post analysis of completed transportation capital projects to understand differences between actual execution vs. forecasted and identify lessons learned to help inform future projects;

Ensuring accurate accounting for project expenditures and revenues, and preparing/entering journal entries and accruals as necessary; and

Entering purchase requisitions and processing invoices for payment. The ideal candidate will:

Be a detail-oriented, innovative, and an analytical team player;

Possess the discipline and diligence to accurately track and provide detailed budget information;

Have the ability to prioritize, to problem solve and to collaborate with others;

Thrive in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment;

Have the capacity to quickly learn new financial and project management systems; and

Have a passion for local government.

Selection Criteria Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, Public Administration or a related field; and

Experience in the finance, planning and administration of publicly funded programs or related work. Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis.



Desirables : Preference may be given to candidates with a Master's degree in a related field and experience/certification in one or more of the following:

Budget preparation, expenditure analysis, and accounting;

Grants management; and

Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Special Requirements A resume and a short cover letter detailing your interest and experience directly related to this job are required for this application. If you do not provide this information, you may not be considered for the opportunity.



A background check is required and may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure and credit check, which may require signing a release authorizing the County to obtain this information.



An assessment of MS Excel skills may be administered.

Additional Information Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with flexible work hours.



Please complete each section of the application. A resume and cover letter must be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. A completed application, cover letter, resume, and your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Arlington County Government employee benefits depend on whether a position is permanent, the number of hours worked, and the number of months the position is scheduled.



Specific information on benefits and conditions of employment can be found on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: (see application details)



Permanent, Full-Time Appointments

All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:



Paid Leave : Vacation leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases every three years until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. There are eleven paid holidays each year.



Health and Dental Insurance : Three group health insurance plans are offered - a network open access plan, a point-of-service plan, and a health maintenance organization. A group dental insurance plan is also offered. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. A discount vision plan is provided for eye care needs.



Life Insurance : A group term policy of basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance is available with rates based on the employee's age and smoker/non-smoker status.



Retirement : The County offers three vehicles to help you prepare for retirement: a defined benefit plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service. The County also contributes to this plan.



For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)) . The County also matches your 457 contribution, up to $20 per pay period, in this plan. The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to set aside money on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your base pay.



Other Benefits: The County also offers health, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; long-term care insurance; tuition assistance; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other employee benefits.



Permanent, Part-Time Appointments:

Part time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.



Limited Term Appointments:

Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.



Temporary Regular Appointments:

Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.



Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments:

Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.


AIG PC Global Services, Inc. Other Existing work authorization required for United States Direct Hire, Full-Time ****** See below Not specified Computers - Other

Unspecified from anywhere

English - Fluent

See below See below English

No cover letter requested rQms2nXOp7mZBqvbJOUxKBM9OcnonI / Latpro-3819858 Aug-29-2021 North Carolina, 28202


Online Marketing Specialist



Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati embarks upon its third century  building on the past and defining the future by leading urban, public universities into a new era of innovation and impact through its strategic direction, Next Lives Here. Underscoring the power of creativity, ingenuity, invention and inclusion, whats Next will accelerate our unrivaled momentum, evidenced by eight straight years of record enrollment and rankings that include placement among Americas top 100 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. Home to a diverse student body of nearly 47,000 and more than 4,200 distinguished faculty, the university combines its Research 1 (Very High Research Activity) Carnegie Classification with a physical setting that The New York Times recently acclaimed as the most ambitious campus design program in the country.



About UC Online

At the University of Cincinnati Online (UC Online), we deliver a world-class experience for students seeking online flexibility and University of Cincinnati quality. From inquiry to graduation, we push the boundaries of what is possible and drive innovation in online education at the University of Cincinnati. With a student-centric approach and data-driven decision-making model, we support students through the online lifecycle of program discovery, program participation, and degree attainment. Our students realize their hope for a better future through real-life learning at an institution with a legacy of research, innovation, and accomplishment.



Job Overview

Responsible for the support and execution of unique marketing strategies and campaigns in support of University of Cincinnati Online (UC Online) certificates and degree programs.



Essential Functions

 Support the Marketing team to adapt and tailor the marketing vision of UC Online into a multi-channeled and comprehensive marketing plan for each educational program.

 Assist the UC Online team as needed with execution of various marketing efforts.

 Execute all promotional print, direct mail marketing and conferences for UC Online marketing.

 Lead marketing strategy and tactics, including research, messaging and positioning, copy, campaigns, and media placement for all programs assigned and new program launches as they occur.

 Collaborate in the development, implementation, and execution of an integrated, marketing, and communications strategy.

 Monitor, track, and report on marketing campaigns and program activities.

 Track inquiries from potential students for educational programs from national, regional, and local audiences.

 Prepare weekly and monthly program and dashboard reports.

 Assist with marketing retention efforts, program development, and the launch of new educational programs.

 Coordinate and/or lead special projects related to UC Online.

 Develop and execute on-going student engagement efforts and performed other duties as assigned by UC Online leadership.

 Perform related duties based on departmental need. This job description can be changed at any time.



Required Education

 Bachelors Degree

 Four (4) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.



Additional Qualifications Considered

 Demonstrated capacity for developing and understanding strategy.

 One (1) year of experience in product marketing, campaign planning including direct and/or interactive marketing, research, messaging, positioning, copywriting.

 An understanding of search, online advertising and pay-per-click (PPC).

 Excellent creative and copywriting skills.

 Proficient with Microsoft Office, Canva and Photoshop.

 Strong knowledge of project management fundamentals.

 Excellent organizational and analytical skills and ability.



Physical Requirements/Work Environment



 Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.



Interested candidates, please go to: https://bit.ly/2Y3FM05



The University of Cincinnati, as a multi-national and culturally diverse university, is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of learning and employment. As part of a complete job application you will be asked to include a Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion statement.



As a UC employee, and an employee of an Ohio public institution, if hired you will not contribute to the federal Social Security system, other than contributions to Medicare. Instead, UC employees have the option to contribute to a state retirement plan (OPERS, STRS) or an alternative retirement plan (ARP).



The University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer / Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran.


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In respect of the fire incident involving Fishing Vessel FV RUEY CHIEN TSAI 112 which occurred in the evening of 24 August 2021, the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA) wishes to provide an update of the situation as at 30 August 2021 morning, as detailed below: 

1. Pumping operations started on Saturday 28 August 2021 and continued till 18:30 hours on Sunday 29 August 2021.

2. An environmental survey was carried out on Saturday 28 August 2021 by the appointed marine scientist and no adverse effects on the marine ecosystem were observed.

3. No oil spill or any other incident have been observed during the pumping operations.

4. The sum total of contaminated diesel recovered from the wreck as at now is 62 m3.

5. About nine (9) tanks have been pumped so far.

6. As the pumping operations have caused the wreck to become lighter, an additional mooring rope has been placed to secure it to the shore.

7. Ecofuel Ltd with the assistance of the crew will continue to clear the debris and locate the other tanks today so that they can be pumped.

8. The volume of contaminated diesel that would be recovered is expected to exceed the 65 m3.

9. The exact amount of pure diesel recovered will only be known after Ecofuel Ltd filters out the water at its treatment plant.

10. The MPA has taken all precautionary measures in case of any spillage and to avoid any damage to the marine environment. Moreover, the situation is being closely monitored by the authorities concerned.
Audere Beaute is thrilled to announce their official partnership with renowned American brand, Stila Cosmetics. It is their promise to you  bringing you the best in global beauty.

A selection of Stila Cosmetics products has been curated from their best-selling range, such as the Stay All Day, One Step Correct and their Liquid Eyeshadows, and are now available for purchase at their shop in Grand Baie, La Croisette and on their website.

For their anniversary month this August, Audere Beaute has marked another milestone by officially launching Stila Cosmetics in Mauritius. Established in 2019, Audere Beaute has experienced a rapid growth in the Indian Ocean region leading to the opening of their first physical shop at Grand Baie La Croisette. This has been achieved through their constant effort on bringing a wide array of beauty products from global brands, curated for the Mauritian demographic.

Audere Beaute currently offers more than 20 beauty brands that are distinguished worldwide for their quality and performance. They are the official retailer and exclusive stockist of various beauty brands such as Pixi, Alya Skin, Huxley, Sigma, REN, Saya, Patchology and much more. On their mission of bringing the best in global beauty, they are constantly working on launching new brands and products that cater to the different skin types and skin needs of Mauritians to help them on their journey to beautiful skin.

You can receive personalised skincare advice from their team of trained beauty advisors that have extensive years of experience working on the international scene in the cosmetic industry and who undergo regular professional training from global brand representatives giving them in-depth knowledge about their products and skin benefits.

Speaking on the launch of Stila Cosmetics, Nirisha Haines, Founder and Managing Director of Audere Beaute said, Our aim at Audere Beaute is to bring the best in global beauty to Mauritius and is something that we have been working on relentlessly. We are honoured to be adding an iconic brand such as Stila Cosmetics to our product offering.

Famous both in performance and finesse, Stila Cosmetics has been winning hearts of many for more than 25 years. One of the most iconic award-winning products of this American brand is the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner which is a cult-favourite product about beauty enthusiasts as its known for its long-lasting and smudge-free formula and can be easily applied, even for the least experienced. Another best-seller is their liquid eyeshadows that will most definitely amaze many make-up lovers!

The brand advocates innovative and high-performance cruelty-free makeup. Stila is all about embracing your individual style and having fun with it. Founded by Jeanine Lobell in 1994, Stila makeup is inspired by the runway and the Italian passion for beauty and fashion.
Participants of a G20 Compact with Africa meeting this week assessed Africas progress in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. We are meeting at a pivotal time in the relationship between Africa and the rest of the world, said Italian prime minister Mario Draghi.

The Compact with Africa is a G20 initiative that promotes macroeconomic, business and financing reforms to attract more private investment in Africa, including in infrastructure.

The conference brought together heads of state of the 12 Compact members and institutional partners, including the African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It involved strategy discussions around attracting higher inflows of foreign direct investment to Africa and the urgent imperative to develop vaccine manufacture capability on the African continent. Securing the continents recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 is one of the Compacts near-term objectives.

Vaccine inequity was a recurring theme, and heads of state shared reforms that they had undertaken as part of the initiative. Closer international cooperation was urged to address climate change, debt levels and investment shortfalls.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa emphasized that Africa will not be able to recover until Africans are vaccinated. President Emmanuel Macron said France had committed to providing $10 million vaccine doses for Africa.

African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina said the African Development Bank had committed to investing $5 billion to support vaccine manufacturing across Africa, while World Bank President David Malpass highlighted vaccine financing programs set up in 54 countries, noting that more than half of these are in Africa.

African leaders expressed consensus on the need for vaccine self-sufficiency as a longer-term solution. President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana said there should have been lessons learned from Ebola. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen drew attention to the initiative to develop mRNA technology in Africa across different regional hubs.

African Development Bank President Adesina referred to gains made by Compact members. We have seen a lot of improvement in public private partnerships and in the cost and ease of doing business but also in terms of the companies that are investing in a lot of African countries. He also underscored the African Continental Free Trade Area and its expected impacts.

Other constraints discussed included rising levels of debt and restricted fiscal space resulting from the pandemic. The reduction of liquidity, hit us hard, said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. Although Ghana sustained growth through 2020, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that national debt had risen to 77.1% of GDP.

Many speakers noted that reforms were yielding results. The IMFs Georgieva said that Compact countries outperform their peers. Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his country had stabilized its debt through prudent management and opened up its telecom sector for investment.

A virtual session held on the sidelines of the conference provided a forum for German and African private sector representatives to discuss investment opportunities on the continent.

The Conference also included a follow-up session that focused on how to overcome economic, skills and intellectual property constraints to developing domestic mRNA vaccine manufacture across Africa.
Heads of international development institutions held a closed-door session with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday to discuss the uneven global economic recovery, access to vaccines, and strategies to drive a recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

Merkel was joined by the heads of the African Development Bank, World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

We have noted that the recovery after the pandemic is a two-speed recovery, which is cause for concern, Chancellor Merkel said.

The German leader added that the G7, IMF and World Bank continued to take measures to assist lower- and middle-income countries. She mentioned the IMF Special Drawing Rights and the importance of channeling them in a way that benefits the worlds poorest countries.

Highlighting the IMFs projection of 6% global growth in 2021, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said: The composition of the 6% is changing, with advanced economies broadly accelerating growth, whereas most emerging markets and developing economies are falling further behind. This is a dangerous divergence.

The consequences of the disparity include continuing supply chain disruptions and the risk of giving up hard-won gains in development, which would fuel unrest and instability.

Georgieva concluded that vaccines remain the number one priority today. World Bank President David Malpass reiterated this. He said progress had been made under the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) initiative of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, but that advanced economies still need to make doses available to the rest of the world.

On debt relief, Malpass said: I have actively advocated for more transparency with regard to debt, as well as a greater balance within the debtor/creditor relationship around the world.

Addressing Africas economic prospects, African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. Adesina said the continents economies were forecast to grow by 3.4%. He said the IMF special drawing rights were invaluable in facing down economic headwinds. The recent IMF release of $650 billion in SDRs, with $27 billion to Africa, will go a long way in helping to boost reserves for developing countries, he said. He added: If the developed countries reallocate $100 billion of SDRs to Africa, as agreed at the Paris leaders meeting and by the G7, that will further support faster economic recovery in Africa.

ILO Director General Guy Ryder said the impact of the pandemic on labour markets was four times greater than the 2008-2009 financial crisis. Weve recovered perhaps half of the damage done in terms of work being done, but all of us agree that the recovery process is incomplete, uneven and fragile, Ryder said.

The institutional heads included messages of praise and farewell for the outgoing chancellors leadership on her thirteenth and final sit-down as head of state with them.

The meeting took place a day before a Compact with Africa conference, which several African heads of state are attending. The Compact with Africa is a G20 initiative that promotes private investment in Africa. It involves reform of the continents macroeconomic, business and financing frameworks.
According to the CDC, it is unknown what causes the condition, but for the majority of children who develop it, catching or being exposed to the coronavirus is a common factor. The condition can be serious or even fatal, but most children who were diagnosed with it get better with medical care.
Mask mandates in classrooms have been a point of contention for months across the region, with parents vocal both in favor and against them. It has sparked a lawsuit in Allegheny County, where masking in schools is recommended but not required. Some parents there are seeking an injunction to require that the requirement be reinstated. A group of parents also sued the Central Bucks School District, alleging the districts plan to start the school year Monday without masks or other COVID-19 mitigation measures violates their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
On Monday, rocket fire struck a neighborhood near the international airport in Kabul from which Haishas family and tens of thousands of other people have been evacuated in recent weeks. The attack came four days after 13 U.S. military personnel and at least 169 Afghans were killed in a suicide bombing at the airport.
Gaffney, 34, pleaded guilty in Northampton County Court to aggravated assault, eluding police and drunken driving. Judge Craig Dally sentenced Gaffney to 33 months and three days to six years in prison for the crimes. Dally also sentenced Gaffney to six months to a year in prison for assaulting a Northampton County prison guard but that sentence will run at the same time as the other sentences and would not add to the total sentence.
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Keokuk, IA (52632)

Today

Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. High 79F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Overcast. Low 64F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
: aquastar (aquastar), : Biology

 : Postdoctoral Position at UCSF-Ophthalmology in Stem Cell Research

: BBS  (Mon Aug 30 12:38:19 2021, )



Postdoctoral Position at UCSF-Ophthalmology in Stem Cell Research

A Postdoctoral Research scholar position is available with the Lamba lab in

the Department of Ophthalmology on Stem Cell Vision Research at the

University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine.

Position Summary

Dr. Deepak Lambas Lab at UCSF is looking for creative, self-motivated and

hard-working individual interested in stem cell research. The Lamba lab

studies retinal degeneration and repair using pluripotent stem cells. The

lab focuses human disease modeling using iPSCs as well as cell replacement

therapies. The position is focused on generation in vitro organoid models

from patients at UCSF clinics for mechanistic analysis and development of

novel therapies.



Requirements

The ideal candidate will have a recent Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (less

than 2 years). Experience with hESC/iPSC culture, developmental neurobiology

, neuro-immunology. Retinal microsurgery and/or genome editing technologies

esp. CRISPR/Cas is highly desirable. She/he will be expected to work well in

a collaborative environment.



Department of Ophthalmology: The UCSF Department of Ophthalmology consists

of approximately 230 employees including faculty, basic scientists,

postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, residents, fellows, clinical and

research staff. The Department is currently the #1 recipient of funding from

the National Eye Institute (NEI) and Research to Prevent Blindness among

peer departments nationwide. Research is further enhanced by an NEI P30 Core

for Vision Research which includes equipment and support for a wide range

of services such as advanced imaging, computation, rapid prototyping, IT,

and histology services. The Department sponsors numerous invited speakers,

research seminars, journal clubs, as well as a postdoctoral training program

focused on mentorship, networking, and recognition.



University of California, San Francisco: UCSF is one of the worlds leading

biomedical institutions and is devoted solely to graduate education and

research in the health sciences. The university is the #1 public recipient

of funding from the National Institutes of Health and is home to numerous

Nobel laureates, National Medal of Science winners, National Academy of

Sciences members, American Academy of Arts and Sciences members, National

Academy of Medicine members, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute

investigators. The community, resources, and collaborative environment of

UCSF are outstanding.



UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or

community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to

diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal

Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will

receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion

, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age

or protected veteran status.

Please send curriculum vitae, a brief statement describing research

experience and scientific interests and the names of three references to

[email protected]



To learn more, please contact Dr. Deepak Lamba.

Deepak A. Lamba, M.B.B.S., Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Dept. of Ophthalmology

Email: [email protected]

http://lambalab.ucsf.edu



--

 :WWW  mitbbs.com [FROM: 156.]


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International

Abbas, Israels Gantz hold new high-level talks, urged by US

JERUSALEM, AUG 30 (AP) | Publish Date: 8/30/2021 11:50:03 AM IST

Israels defense minister has held talks with the Palestinian president in the occupied West Bank, the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years, officials said.

Sundays meeting between Benny Gantz and Mahmoud Abbas signaled a possible shift of direction after the near-complete breakdown of communication between Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years.

It came two days after President Joe Biden urged Israels new prime minister during a White House meeting to take steps toward improving the lives of Palestinians. Gantzs office said he told Abbas that Israel will take new measures to strengthen the Palestinian economy. It said they also discussed security issues and agreed to remain in touch. It was believed to be the highest-level public meeting between the sides since 2014. A Palestinian official said Gantz and Abbas discussed possible steps toward improving the atmosphere.

He said this included Palestinian demands for a halt in Israeli military operations in Palestinian areas of the occupied West Bank, allowing unification of families with relatives inside Israel and allowing more Palestinian workers into Israel.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the late-night meeting. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is a hard-liner who opposes Palestinian independence, as do key partners in his diverse, ruling coalition.

But Bennett has said he supports building up the Palestinian economy and expanding autonomy for Palestinians. He also is interested in bolstering Abbas in his rivalry with the ruling Hamas militant group in Gaza.

While Biden supports a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, his administration is focused on interim confidence-building measures. Israels former prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, pursued a hard-line policy toward the Palestinians, backed by former President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration took a number of steps that favored Israel, including moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to contested Jerusalem. Abbas halted most contacts with the US and Israel in return.

Netanyahu had repeatedly claimed Abbas was not a reliable partner for negotiating a peace deal, a portrayal dismissed by Netanyahu critics as a pretext for avoiding making concessions.

Hussein Sheikh, a top Abbas aide, confirmed the meeting in a statement on Twitter. It took place on Sunday night in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where Abbas maintains his headquarters.
International

Turkeys combat drone delivered to armed forces

Ankara, Aug 30 (IANS) | Publish Date: 8/30/2021 11:50:27 AM IST

Turkeys domestically-produced combat drone, named Bayraktar Akinci, was delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces with a ceremony held in the northwestern province of Tekirdag.

Bayraktar Akinci, a high-altitude long-endurance combat unmanned aerial vehicle, has so far made more than 870 sorties in test flights and hit its targets with full accuracy, the state-run Anadolu agency said.

The vehicle features a wingspan of 20 metres and is reportedly among the largest Turkish drones currently in production, Xinhua news agency quoted Anadolu as saying.

It is also capable of conducting intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

With our combat unmanned aerial vehicle Akinci, Turkey has become one of the three most advanced countries in the world in this technology, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the ceremony.

Erdogan also said that the countrys goal is to develop armed drones that can take off and land on aircraft carriers with short runways for use in missions abroad.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 05:39:21|Editor: huaxia

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Trees along a street are blown by strong wind before Hurricane Ida's landfall in New Orleans, Louisiana, the United States, on Aug. 29, 2021. (Photo by Lan Wei/Xinhua)

"It's going to be a horrible day. All of the worst things we thought the storm could do I think are about to happen," National Weather Service Meteorologist Benjamin Schott said shortly before the landfall.



HOUSTON, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Dangerous high-end category 4 Hurricane Ida on Sunday made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles (about 240 km) per hour just west of Grand Isle, southern U.S. state Louisiana, bringing life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and dangerous rainfall flooding.

The U.S. weather channel said Ida's center crossed the coast near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, at 11:55 a.m. CDT. Port Fourchon is less than 100 miles south of New Orleans.

Hours later, power was out to nearly 302,000 homes and businesses in the state, according to the tracking website poweroutage.us.

"It's going to be a horrible day. All of the worst things we thought the storm could do I think are about to happen," National Weather Service Meteorologist Benjamin Schott said shortly before the landfall.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said at a briefing Sunday afternoon that Ida is "one of the strongest storms to make landfall here in modern times, as it rapidly intensified at an unprecedented rate, right up until landfall."

The entirety of the Louisiana National Guard has been activated and currently more than 4,900 guardsmen are staged across 14 parishes, the governor said, adding that all of the structures within the state's Hurricane Protection Systems are fully operational currently.

Ida could dump up to 20 inches of rain on New Orleans, it was forecast. City officials urged residents who did not evacuate to remain sheltered until the city can assess damage, likely Monday morning.

New Orleans Emergency Management Services tweeted Sunday it has suspended all operations due to Hurricane Ida.

"Be calm in this midst of this storm," Mayor LaToya Cantrell said. "We will get through this together."

New Orleans has spent 14 billion U.S. dollars to upgrade its flood protection system after suffering from Hurricane Katrina 16 years ago, according to a USA Today report.

However, facing the threat of Ida, Deputy City Administrator Officer Ramsey Green has warned that "it's an incredibly fragile system. That system can change at any point."

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme wind warning for far southeast Louisiana until at least 1:30 p.m. CDT. This means winds of 115 to 150 mph are possible in this area as the eyewall of Ida approaches.

Bands of heavy rain containing strong wind gusts are spreading into the northern Gulf Coast as far east as the Florida Panhandle.

More than 95 percent of the Gulf of Mexico's oil production has been shut down due to Hurricane Ida, regulators said Sunday. The widespread loss of oil supply from one of U.S. energy hubs is likely to lift prices.

As of 11:30 a.m. CT on Sunday, personnel have been evacuated from a total of 288 oil-and-gas production platforms, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. The figure represents about 51 percent of the manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, said a CNN report.

Weakening of Ida to a tropical storm and then a tropical depression is expected as it tracks inland through the lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys early this week. Flooding was reportedly already underway in parts of Mississippi on Sunday morning.

Ida grew into a Category 4 storm within hours. The so-called "rapid intensification" is typically defined to be a tropical cyclone intensifying by at least 35 mph in a 24-hour period, according to Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach. That can happen when a storm encounters an extremely conducive environment such as very warm water, low vertical wind shear and high levels of mid-level moisture.

Ida has tied two other hurricanes for the strongest landfall on record in Louisiana based on maximum wind speeds. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 08:31:43|Editor: huaxia

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Pedestrians enjoy their time on Kiseleff Avenue in Bucharest, Romania, on Aug. 29, 2021. Bucharest launched the initiative Open Streets to open pedestrian zones in the center with car access restricted in these areas at weekends from May 29 to Oct. 17 this year. (Photo by Gabriel Petrescu/Xinhua)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 09:53:09|Editor: huaxia

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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian arrives at the Damascus international airport, Syria, on Aug. 29, 2021. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday discussed economic cooperation with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in the capital Damascus, according to the state news agency SANA.

Both sides discussed the economic and trade cooperation and ways to cope with the sanctions imposed by the Western countries, mainly from the United States.

Talks between the two sides also focused on the latest regional and international developments.

Abdollahian briefed Assad on the outcomes of the Cooperation and Partnership Conference, with the two sides affirming that the region's future should be made by the will of its people, according to SANA.

Assad also stressed that the continuous cooperation between Syria and Iran has given positive results in protecting the interests of the two countries and peoples, particularly in combating terrorism.

Syria will continue to combat terrorism until all the lands are liberated, Assad affirmed.

Meanwhile, Abdollahian pointed out that Iran and Syria have achieved great victories in the war against terrorism, reiterating his country's continuous support for Syria and its people to confront terrorism in all its forms. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 12:48:09|Editor: huaxia

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by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- In areas where many Americans do not want to get jabbed, recent weeks have seen the COVID-19 Delta variant spread fast, while debates over freedoms continue.

As the virus kills more and overwhelms more hospitals, some experts expect the federal government to step in, if and when it can do so legally.

HOSPITALS OVERWHELMED

Hospitals in some southern states, including Florida, South Carolina, Texas and Louisiana, are "struggling with oxygen scarcity" after shortages of hospital beds and staff, and some risk having to use reserves or running out of oxygen soon, CNN reported Sunday.

Florida has seen a major increase in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths, more than at any previous time. Hospitalizations have nearly tripled over the past month, federal data shows.

Statewide, 52 percent of residents have been fully vaccinated, but that number stands at less than 30 percent in hard-hit counties.

In Louisiana where new infections have been skyrocketing, the governor reinstated an indoor mask mandate on Aug. 2, effective until at least Sept. 1, as hospitals have been delaying elective surgeries and placing limits on visits.

Texas has also seen a surge -- overwhelmingly among those who declined the vaccine. Preliminary data released last month shows that 99.5 percent of people who died from the COVID-19 in Texas between Feb. 8 and July 14 were unvaccinated, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

VACCINES, MASKS POLITICIZED

With over 17,000 hospitalizations in the state, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has dug his heels in the sand and banned vaccine mandates. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has banned mask mandates in schools, although many schools are ignoring him.

A Florida judge Friday ruled on a lawsuit brought by parents who say DeSantis overstepped his authority when his administration said school districts couldn't order students to wear masks. DeSantis had warned that "there will be consequences" for districts that defied the ban.

In states including Texas and Florida, the vaccine, as well as other precautions such as mask wearing, have been politicized: conservatives do not want the government to force them to do anything, whereas liberals tend to back mask and vaccine mandates.

And the issue goes far deeper than that with complex reasons. Many people in the South and rural areas nationwide argue that constitutional freedoms far outweigh health concerns -- even in a pandemic. Polls also show those who decline the jab fear its possible side effects more than the virus itself, which have been fueled by unproven stories about the vaccine on social media.

At a recent rally in the state of Alabama, former U.S. President Donald Trump was booed after he urged the crowd to get vaccinated, but he did not push too hard, saying "You got your freedoms."

Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua that the unvaccinated include those who had COVID-19 once and survived, or who work in a medical environment like a hospital and have some knowledge.

"They will argue that the vaccine's development process was too rushed, and that they can handle their own health. These attitudes also fit well with not wanting to take orders ... and encouragement from many right-wing politicians and publicists who exploit these folks and successfully get them to send money," said Ramsay.

FEDERAL STEP-IN LIKELY

Some experts believe the federal government will step in, if and when it can do so legally. Though Washington can not simply impose a blanket vaccine mandate under U.S. law, it can levy mandates in certain industries and on federal property.

Christopher Galdieri, assistant professor at Saint Anselm College, told Xinhua that he believes the federal government will do more and more to make the vaccine a requirement where it can, such as for entering federal property or getting on an airplane.

The United States has been seeing more industries and local governments impose vaccine requirements in workplaces and public buildings, Galdieri said.

Nationwide, more people are getting jabbed. Since mid-July, the daily number of individuals receiving the first dose had increased from 260,000 to 450,000 by over 70 percent, which is a "critical progress," the White House said on Aug. 24.

The vaccination rate in Mississippi increased by 107 percent over the month ending Aug. 10, though the state has one of the country's top infection rates and hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, according to the local media outlet Mississippi Today.

As of Sunday, 52.3 percent of the U.S. population had been fully vaccinated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 16:31:21|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China is willing to walk together with Cuba in building socialism and be good partners in pursuing common development in a phone conversation with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Xi also said China is willing to join hands with Cuba in being good exemplars of anti-COVID-19 fight and good comrades in strategic coordination.

In their talks, Diaz-Canel conveyed Comrade Raul Castro's sincere greetings to Xi, and briefed Xi on the recent domestic situation in Cuba. Xi asked Diaz-Canel to convey his cordial greetings to Comrade Raul Castro.

Xi pointed out that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba, Cuban comrades have forcefully defended their revolutionary achievements with no fear for the powerful and unyielding struggle.

Historically speaking, the socialist cause has never been smooth, and the communists have always strived for survival, development and victory through struggles, he said.

China, Xi said, always believes that the right to choose one nation's own path of social development should be respected, and that unilateral sanctions against other countries or external interference in other countries' internal affairs should be opposed.

China has always supported Cuba in taking the development road in line with its national conditions and building prosperous and sustainable socialism, and backed the country's just fight to safeguard the security of its national sovereignty and oppose interference of the powerful, he added.

China will continue to provide assistance and support within its capacity to Cuba in fighting against the pandemic and improving people's wellbeing, Xi said, expressing his belief that Cuba will make new progress in its socialist cause.

Xi stressed that under the careful cultivation and vigorous promotion of successive generations of leaders of the two parties and countries, China-Cuba relations have grown even stronger as time goes by, becoming a model of solidarity and cooperation between developing countries.

No matter how the situation changes, China's policy of sticking to long-term friendship with Cuba will not change, and its willingness to deepen cooperation in various fields with Cuba will not change, Xi said.

China, Xi said, is ready to intensify high-level exchanges with Cuba, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning in governance of party and state, deepen anti-pandemic cooperation, promote practical cooperation and push for even greater development in bilateral relations.

The two sides should intensify their strategic coordination on international and multilateral occasions to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, Xi said, adding that China will continue to uphold fairness and justice for Cuba in both speeches and deeds on the world stage. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 16:36:07|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China is ready to work with Ecuador to achieve more results in bilateral practical cooperation and create more benefits for their peoples.

In a phone conversation with Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, Xi said China is willing to expand the scale of imports from Ecuador, further liberalize and facilitate bilateral trade and investment, and cultivate new growth points such as the building of a health Silk Road, a digital Silk Road and a green Silk Road.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Ecuador have supported each other and stood together through difficulties, demonstrating the profound friendship between the two peoples, said Xi.

China appreciates Ecuador for attaching great importance to developing ties with China, Xi noted.

In the face of a complicated situation that combines profound global changes and a pandemic both unseen in a century, China and Ecuador, as comprehensive strategic partners, should approach and develop the bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, continue to support each other, coordinate and cooperate with each other, so as to make the traditional friendship everlasting and the China-Ecuador relationship a benchmark for cooperation between developing countries, said Xi.

Xi added that China stands ready to continue to provide support and assistance to Ecuador in its fight against the pandemic and carry out various forms of anti-pandemic and vaccine cooperation with Ecuador.

Xi expressed his belief that the China-Ecuador relations will achieve greater development with the joint efforts of both sides.

Xi stressed that Ecuador is an important partner of China in jointly building the Belt and Road, and both sides have yielded fruitful results in their cooperation in such traditional fields as infrastructure, energy and minerals, and finance.

China's economy, Xi said, has entered a new stage of development and will be more open and dynamic, which will bring new opportunities to Ecuador and other countries.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral affairs with Ecuador, safeguard international fairness and justice and the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Xi. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 20:59:41|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- China strongly opposes the deportation of three Chinese students from the United States and has lodged solemn representations with the country, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here on Monday.

According to media reports, three Chinese students with legal visas were returned to China on Aug. 15 after being interrogated by U.S. officials on arrival at Houston Airport.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China is strongly dissatisfied with and resolutely opposed to the U.S. move. China has lodged solemn representations with the United States.

According to Wang, the reason cited by U.S. officials is that the three students are funded by the Chinese government or suspected of having military backgrounds because photos of military training were found on their mobile phones.

The United States repatriated Chinese students based on absurd excuses, which seriously damaged the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students pursuing their education in the United States, and undermined normal China-U.S. cultural exchanges and educational cooperation, Wang said.

He said the United States' discriminatory approach to international students from a specific country is completely contrary to its self-proclaimed concept of openness and freedom, and its attitude of welcoming Chinese students to study in the United States.

"China urges the United States to correct its mistakes, stop using various excuses to restrict and suppress Chinese students, and stop undermining the cultural exchanges between China and the United States," Wang said.

He added that China will continue to support Chinese students studying abroad to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 21:21:12|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. intelligence community recently concocted a so-called investigation report on COVID-19 virus origins tracing, doing its best to discredit China politically.

It seems that the United States does not want to rely on science or really promote global cooperation on the issue of virus origins tracing, but only to achieve its goal of smearing China, so as to shirk responsibility for its own failures in battling the pandemic.

Since the start of the pandemic, U.S. politicians have put politics above the lives and health of their own people and shown a contempt of science and medical expertise, leading to a catastrophic failure in combating the disease.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) figures, the United States has reported more than 38 million cases and 631,000 deaths, despite the fact that the United States is one of the richest countries in the world and boasts the most advanced medical technologies.

The United States accuses China of being opaque and uncooperative on the issue of origins tracing, completely ignoring the fact that China attaches great importance to and actively participates in global scientific cooperation on the issue based on the principles of science, openness and transparency.

China has invited WHO experts to China twice to conduct research on virus sources tracing.

Early this year, a WHO-China joint study team of leading international and Chinese experts conducted a 28-day research in China and released a joint report containing authoritative, professional and science-based conclusions. This is a good foundation for international cooperation on origins tracing.

Virus origins tracing is a scientific problem. Politicizing the issue will not help but impede this effort. China's position on global origins tracing is consistent and clear: it resolutely opposes politicizing the efforts, especially the so-called origins tracing led by intelligence agencies of the United States, because such activities do not help the global cause of fighting the virus. The virus origins tracing should be comprehensively extended on the basis of the first stage of origins tracing, and it should be carried out in many countries and places around the world, so as to find the truth.

Given that the Wuhan Institute of Virology has received two visits from WHO experts, it is only fair and natural that Fort Detrick base and the University of North Carolina should be put under international investigation, particularly as the United States insists on the lab leak hypothesis.

Fort Detrick is the center of U.S. bio-military activities. After it was shut down in 2019 because of serious safety incidents, disease with symptoms similar to that of COVID-19 broke out in the United States. The U.S. government has not yet given any explanation to the world.

The United States has falsely accused the Wuhan Institute of Virology of causing the pandemic with its coronavirus research. The fact is the United States has sponsored and carried out more such research than any other country. The Baric team of the University of North Carolina leads the world in research of this field and has mature capability in synthesizing and modifying coronavirus. An investigation into the university will clarify whether such research has created or can create the virus that caused COVID-19.

The global fight against the pandemic has made progress but also faces grave challenges. The spread of the Delta variant has caused a resurgence of the pandemic in many countries including the United States. Effectively fighting the pandemic demands close cooperation between scientists of all countries. Politicizing a scientific issue is the last thing the world needs.

The U.S. attempts to politicize origins tracing have found no support and met widespread opposition from the international community: More than 80 countries have written to the WHO Director-General, issued statements, or sent diplomatic notes to voice their objection to the politicization attempts. Over 300 political parties, social organizations and think tanks from more than 100 countries and regions have submitted a joint statement to the WHO Secretariat on opposing the politicization of origins tracing.

The United States should listen carefully to these just voices and stop poisoning the scientific atmosphere in which scientific origins tracing should operate. Continuing political manipulation will cost more lives in the United States and worldwide. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 23:59:27|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday stressed efforts to strengthen anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition regulations, improve the country's reserve system and fight against pollution.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while presiding over the 21st meeting of the central committee for deepening overall reform.

The meeting reviewed and approved a series of guidelines, including those on strengthening anti-monopoly regulation and promoting fair competition, those on improving the reserve system for materials of strategic importance or for emergency use, those on fighting pollution and those on giving better play to the supervisory role of statistical work.

The implementation of anti-monopoly regulations and policies promoting fair competition is an intrinsic requirement for improving the socialist market economic system, Xi said, underlining efforts to foster a level playing field, create broad development space for all types of market entities and better protect the rights and interests of consumers in accordance with the strategic vision of fostering a new development paradigm, and promoting high-quality development and common prosperity.

Xi also called for efforts to optimize the mechanisms for the storage and management of strategic and emergency response supplies to strengthen the country's capability to guard against major risks.

The country's anti-pollution achievements should be further consolidated, Xi said, stressing targeted, scientific and law-based measures in the fight against pollution.

He also underlined the supervisory role of statistical work, better data quality and faster construction of a statistical supervision system that is complete, efficient and effective.

Li Keqiang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and deputy heads of the central committee for deepening overall reform, attended the meeting.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, a series of major decisions have been made on anti-monopoly and anti-unfair competition to improve the fair competition system and foster a unified and open-market system with orderly competition, said the meeting.

China has stepped up anti-monopoly supervision, investigated and punished relevant platform enterprises with behaviors of monopoly and unfair competition in accordance with the law, the meeting said, noting initial progress on preventing the disorderly expansion of capital and the steady improvement of fair competition in the market.

The meeting emphasized the significance of balancing development and security, efficiency and equality, vitality and order, as well as domestic and international markets. Measures should be taken to guide enterprises to serve the overall interests of economic and social development under the leadership of the CPC.

The meeting underlined the importance of moving faster to improve the market-access system, the fair competition review mechanism, the fair competition regulation system on the digital economy, and the system for preventing and restraining the abuse of administrative power to exclude and restrict competition, said the meeting.

Efforts should be made to promote the sound interaction and coordinated development of large, medium-sized and small enterprises, it said.

It underscored unswervingly promoting high-level opening-up, protecting property rights and intellectual property rights, and making policies more transparent and predictable.

The meeting emphasized strengthening enterprises' awareness of fair competition and guiding the whole society to form a market environment that advocates, protects and promotes fair competition.

It stressed strengthening law enforcement and jurisdiction in key areas including the platform economy, scientific and technological innovation, information security and ensuring people's livelihoods.

The anti-monopoly mechanism should be improved and the anti-monopoly supervision force should be strengthened, the meeting said.

China's state reserves and emergency response capacity should match its status as a major country, said the meeting, which urged efforts to shore up weak links in the reserves of key materials and establish a unified system for providing strategic and emergency response supplies.

The meeting decided to improve the mechanism of market adjustment for strategic reserves, strengthen the ability to reserve and adjust bulk commodities and have the strategic reserves play a better role in stabilizing the market.

China has entered a crucial period in advancing ecological civilization in the 14th Five-Year Plan period, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions, according to the meeting.

The country aims to promote the synergy of anti-pollution and carbon reduction work, facilitate the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, and realize qualitative changes in improving the ecology.

The meeting urged more efforts in paying close attention to the key areas and links related to pollution prevention and control, while concentrating on solving prominent ecological problems that affect people's lives.

More work should be done to implement a total ban on imported waste and make breakthroughs in key regions and fields, as well as in terms of major indicators, said the meeting.

In terms of environmental protection, the meeting decided that the ecosystem should be taken into consideration as a whole, and the formation of an integrated plan for reducing pollution and carbon emissions should be accelerated.

To promote green development in the country, measures should be taken to accelerate adjustments in the structure of industry, energy, transport and land use, while strictly controlling projects with high energy consumption and high pollution, according to the meeting.

It also called for support for the economical and efficient use of resources, as well as fostering new impetus for green and low-carbon development.

Concerning institutional guarantees for ecological conservation, the meeting stressed the strengthening of laws and regulations, and severe punishments for relevant crimes.

Statistical supervision work should focus on the evaluation of the implementation of China's major development strategies, the handling of major risks and the solution of prominent problems that are of great concern to the people, it said.

The meeting also stressed efforts to get a clear sense of situations and ensure data accuracy, so that the results of statistical supervision can stand the tests of practice and time. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 00:15:53|Editor: huaxia

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-- Survivors in the recent bombing at the Kabul airport have raised the possibility that a number of Afghan people were actually killed by American fire amid the chaos and confusion instead of by bombing.

-- Some injured claimed on condition of anonymity that U.S.-made bullets had been extracted from some wounded people.

-- There were doubts about how ISIS-K fighters could launch such a massive attack at the heavily-fortified airport and why no dead bodies of the fighters have been found, as well as about the bullets' suspicious trajectories.

People injured in the Kabul airport attacks receive medical treatment at a local hospital in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2021. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- After the deadly suicide blast which killed some 170 Afghan people and 13 U.S. soldiers at the Kabul airport on Thursday, some survivors have raised the possibility that a number of Afghan people were actually killed by American fire amid the chaos and confusion instead of by bombing.

Lying on a hospital bed on Monday, an injured Afghan man who only gave his name as Kamyab told Xinhua about his ordeal at the Hamid Karzai international airport on Thursday night. "The blast was followed by gunshots and due to the firing, my hand was injured outside the airport," he recalled.

"No other armed men except the American soldiers were in the area when the shooting took place," he said. "Under a rain of bullets, everyone was trying to escape the tragic scene."

Some injured claimed on condition of anonymity that U.S.-made bullets had been extracted from some wounded people.

An ambulance is seen at the explosion site near the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2021. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

On Saturday, a BBC reporter named Secunder Kermani posted a video on Twitter, in which Afghan civilians were interviewed at the Kabul airport. "Many we spoke to, including eyewitnesses, said significant numbers of those killed were shot dead by U.S. forces in the panic after the blast," Kermani said.

In the video, a brother of a London taxi driver called Mohammed Niazi said Mohammed was at the airport with his wife and two daughters to help his family evacuate from Afghanistan, yet the couple lost their lives in the attack, and their two daughters went missing.

"Somehow, I saw an American soldier and beside him there were Turkish soldiers," the brother said, adding that "The fire came from the bridges, like the towers."

"From the soldiers?" Kermani asked. "Yeah, from the soldiers," the interviewee said, nodding.

Nouma Hamid was another man killed in the attack. "The guy has served the U.S. army for years and (this is) the reason he lost his life," said a friend showing Hamid's ID card. "He wasn't killed by (the) Taliban, he wasn't killed by ISIS. (The) U.S. army started shelling."

When asked why he was so sure that Hamid was killed by U.S. fire instead of the bombing, the man said, "The bullet went inside his head, near to his ear."

Kermani said in a following tweet that the U.S. Department of Defense has given no response to the BBC's question about the firing.

Photo taken on Aug. 27, 2021 shows the explosion site near the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

Echoing the bullet trajectory theory, an Afghan online channel called Faisal of Kabul Lovers posted a video which was retweeted with English subtitles by Sangar Paykhar of Podcast Afghan Eye on Saturday. In the video, an Afghan medical worker at an emergency hospital in Kabul said that many victims from the airport were shot from an upper-front angle, "striking sculls, necks and chests."

"No bullet holes from this area below," said the Podcast host, pointing to below the chest. "All victims were killed by American bullets except maybe 20 people out of 100. They (the others) were struck by the suicide bombing, they were blown into pieces."

At least 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. soldiers were killed and about 200 people wounded in the blast that hit an eastern gate of the airport on Thursday, when huge crowds were awaiting evacuation flights. ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State group, claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Photo taken on Aug. 28, 2021 shows the site of an airstrike conducted by the United States against a planner for the Islamic State in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. (Str/Xinhua)

The Pentagon said there was firing from "ISIS gunmen" after the bombing, and called the gunfire at the airport gate "a complex attack." However, there were doubts about how the ISIS-K fighters could launch such a massive attack at the heavily-fortified airport area and why no dead bodies of the fighters have been found, as well as about the bullets' suspicious trajectories.

U.S. President Joe Biden has vowed to avenge the deaths of the U.S. soldiers. U.S. military forces launched drone strikes against ISIS-K suspects in the eastern Nangarhar province on Friday and a neighborhood west of the airport on Sunday.

The Taliban said the U.S. air strikes have caused civilian casualties and violated the U.S.-Taliban peace deal signed in Doha last year. (Video reporters: Jiang Chao, Shi Xiantao, Hu Yousong, Zhang Mocheng; Video editor: Zhao Xiaoqing)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 00:27:29|Editor: huaxia

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YAOUNDE, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least two Cameroonian government forces have been killed in an ambush by suspected separatist fighters in the country's restive Anglophone region, local defense sources said Sunday.

The incident occurred in Lipenja, a village of the Southwest region Saturday.

A senior military official told Xinhua that bodies of the two government forces were recovered after the gunmen ambushed the security check point in the locality.

Two other members of the security were injured in the attack, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The separatist fighters have been clashing with government forces since 2017 when they declared the "independence" of Cameroon's two Anglophone regions of Northwest and Southwest. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 21:08:54|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Kenya plans to raise 100 million shillings (910,000 U.S. dollars) for the conservation of the iconic elephant species, a senior government official said on Monday.

Najib Balala, cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife said that the funds will be raised from contributions during the upcoming Inaugural Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival.

"The funds will be used to support conservation initiatives designed to boost the population of elephants in both national parks, sanctuaries and reserves," Balala said in Nairobi.

The Inaugural Magical Kenya Tembo Naming Festival is set to be held on October 8 in Nairobi. Individuals will be allowed to give names to selected elephants after donating funds towards the program which is aimed at boosting conservation efforts of the endangered species.

The funds raised will also be used to sustain elephant conservation initiatives that are intended to reduce human-wildlife conflict involving large mammals. Balala added that the east African nation lost more than 386 elephants in 2013 but the figure dropped to 11 in 2020.

Government data indicates that the number of elephants in Kenya increased from approximately 16,000 in 1989 to an estimated 36,000 currently. Kenya has resolved to reduce the number of elephants lost to poachers to less than ten annually. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 22:48:18|Editor: huaxia

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MOGADISHU, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Somalia and the UN children's fund (UNICEF) on Monday launched an online Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS+) to enhance the protection of the most vulnerable children in Somalia.

Hanifa M. Ibrahim, Somali Minister of Women and Human Rights Development said the CPIMS+ will strengthen their collective ability to identify these children, provide them with lifesaving services, and protect them from exploitation and abuse.

"Today, we are taking a crucial step towards keeping the extremely vulnerable children - including children living in the streets, child survivors of sexual violence, children in conflict with the law, abandoned babies, and children without primary caregivers - in our country safe," Ibrahim said in a joint statement issued in Mogadishu.

The CPIMS+ provides intuitive digital forms for child protection workers to assist with documenting case management processes, from identification and registration to assessment, case planning, referrals and transfers, and case closure. Its key features will help child protection workers reach children with vital protection and support.

These features include case-specific data on individual children stored in a confidential cloud-based system, up-to-date referral information for caseworkers and partner agencies in the police, clinical, justice, social services sectors, and case management tools to manage individual cases and facilitate children's access to quality social services.

UNICEF says 1.8 million children are at risk of violence, abuse and neglect in Somalia due to the ongoing conflict, recurring climatic shocks, poverty, and the socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Violence prevention and response services remain disrupted and many parents and caregivers are under increasing financial strain and at risk of losing their jobs.

The ministry said it worked together with UNICEF and child protection partners to customize and deploy the new information management system, an important platform for professional social workers to coordinate social, legal, clinical, and psychosocial services for the children in need.

Mohamed Ayoya, UNICEF Somalia Representative said the launch of CPMIS+ represents a key milestone in the government's efforts to provide accountable and professional social services and it will help to ensure no child, even in the most challenging circumstances, is left behind.

He said more than 30 partners, consisting of UN agencies and local NGOs, have subscribed to the management system. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 00:29:05|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-In-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) faction under First Vice President Riek Machar on Monday denied agreeing with President Salva Kiir on the ratios within the unified army command.

Puok Both Baluang, acting press secretary for Machar, dismissed a recent claim by Martin Elia Lomuro, the minister of Cabinet Affairs, alleging they have agreed to share positions on the unified army command.

Lomuro told journalists Saturday at the end of the cabinet meeting that the opposition in the coalition government agreed to take 40 percent positions, while the Interim Transitional Government of National Unity (ITGoNU) led by Kiir took 60 percent positions.

"We strongly refute this false information and also underscore that the issue remains unresolved," Baluang said in a statement issued in Juba, capital of South Sudan.

He disclosed that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional body, mediated the 2018 revitalized peace deal initially proposed a 55:45 ratio for ITGoNU and opposition, respectively, insisting that the proposal by IGAD for the unified army command has not even been discussed to its conclusion by the parties.

He said that in May 2019 at a workshop held in Juba by IGAD and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) which monitors the peace deal determined a 50:50 ratio for both ITGoNU and the opposition.

Baluang, however, said this was rejected by ITGoNU.

South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013 following a political disagreement between President Salva Kiir and his then-deputy Riek Machar, leaving soldiers loyal to the respective leaders to fight.

The conflict has led to the killings of tens of thousands and the displacement of over 2 million people both internally and externally.

The parties signed the 2015 peace deal in Ethiopia that collapsed in the aftermath of renewed fighting in July 2016, leading IGAD to renegotiate the 2018 revitalized peace deal. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 09:12:50|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Parts of Europe have been battling devastating wildfires over recent weeks amid extreme summer heat, which, according to experts, is the result of "widespread, rapid, and intensifying" climate change that can be attributed to human activities and greenhouse gas emissions.

WILDFIRES TORMENTING VARIOUS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

In France, the violent fire blazing the southern tourist region of Var in past days was brought under control last Monday, after killing two people, devastating 7,000 hectares and forcing the evacuation of over 14,000 residents and tourists.

Some 400 firefighters remain mobilized to treat the edges. It was the biggest wildfire in France this year. Last Monday, many massifs around the French Mediterranean were placed on fire red vigilance.

The local authorities are working on the exact cause of the fire, whose damage is very heavy from an environmental point of view. Local officials said that "it will take between 30 and 40 years" to restore the ecosystem.

In Greece, a new big fire broke out in Vilia, northwest of Athens, where a large blaze has been put out after burning for five days and ravaging swathes of pristine pine forest, according to Greece's fire service.

Greece has been experiencing a wave of violent fires across the country since the beginning of August, totalling about 600, according to the Greek government. At least two volunteers have died and dozens have been injured due to the fires, while thousands have to be evacuated to safer places. The country's firefighting capabilities were stretched to the limit and the government has to appeal for help from abroad.

The fires broke out as Greece experienced the most intense and protracted heat wave in around 30 years, with the temperature in many parts reaching 42 to 45 degrees Celsius and nearly 100,000 hectares of forestry and farmland burned in less than two weeks in Greece, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS).

In Italy, major wildfires have raged since July in parts of the country ranging from the island region of Sardinia, the dry southern parts of the country, to the most inland part of Lombardy, Italy's most populated region and home to the country's financial and fashion capital of Milan.

The situation remained grim in early August, when flames stretched from the Sicily island in the south, the Abruzzo region in the heart of Italy, to Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. Southern Italy was hit particularly hard by wildfires, which prompted the Sicilian regional government to declare "a state of crisis and emergency for six months."

According to a report based on EFFIS data and released by Italian green political party Europa Verde(Green Europe), over 150,000 hectares of woods and forests have gone up in smoke in Italy this year, an area equal to Rome, Naples, and Milan put together.

"In Sicily, since the beginning of 2021 alone, over 78,000 hectares have been burned, equal to 3.05 percent of the region's surface. In Sardinia, 20,000 hectares were burned causing the evacuation of hundreds of people," the report says, adding that it will take at least 15 years to rebuild the woods and the Mediterranean scrub destroyed by the flames.

In Spain, the largest wildfire seen in the country so far in 2021 has been put out in the central province of Avila on Aug. 21 after burning around 22,000 hectares of brush, woodland and pasture, officials said.

Helped by temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius and gusting winds, the fire spread so fast that in two days it reached a perimeter of 40 km, leading to the evacuation of around 1,000 people from the municipalities of Solosancho, Sobedillo, Riofrio, Sotalbo and Villaviciosa.

The flames were fought by around 500 firemen, including 150 members of the Military Emergency Unit of the Spanish armed forces, along with the help of five aircraft and two helicopters. Ash particles from the fires fell in some outlying towns in the neighboring Comunidad de Madrid, while the smoke was visible over 120 km away.

REPORT WARNS OF WORSENING CLIMATE CHANGE

In its starkest warning yet, a new landmark report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in early August stressed that climate change is "widespread, rapid, and intensifying." The intense heat in Italy, Spain and North Africa follows an extreme heatwave accompanied by devastating wildfires in Greece and Turkey earlier in the month, the report said.

The report warned that the human-caused climate crisis is "unequivocal" and that temperatures are likely to rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius over the next 20 years, triggering more extreme weather events worldwide.

According to the report, many of the changes observed in the climate are unprecedented in thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years, and some of the changes are irreversible over hundreds to thousands of years.

Experts warned that Europe will need to prepare for the eventuality of further records being broken with temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius being possible in Europe in the future.

"Climate models that we run with scenarios show that these extremes will intensify and get stronger with increasing temperatures," said Gian-Kasper Plattner, one of the report's authors and also senior scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research.

However, there is still time to halt this trend if urgent global action is taken, he added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 22:41:38|Editor: huaxia

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BRUSSELS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) intends to increase cooperation with Afghanistan's neighbors to help them cope better with the consequences of the Afghan crisis, the European Commission said here on Monday.

"They are at the forefront, on the firing line, in terms of the consequences of this crisis: the humanitarian consequences, the migration consequences, regarding stability or the lack thereof, and also terrorist threats," said Peter Stano, the European Commission's lead spokesperson for external affairs.

Stepping up cooperation with countries such as Iran and Pakistan, which are the most likely to bear the burden of the crisis, was the first decision made by the EU when the Afghan crisis began, Stano said.

Top EU officials have already opened a dialogue with officials of Afghanistan's neighboring countries on ways to expand cooperation. High Representative Josep Borrell, vice president of the European Commission, met last week with Hossein Amir Abdollahian, the Iranian minister of foreign affairs, to discuss the "implications of the Afghanistan crisis."

The EU also cooperates with other countries and international organizations to help Iran and Pakistan cope with the repercussions of the Afghan crisis.

"The EU is one of the main players but is not the only party involved and which needs to take responsibilities regarding this region ... A lot of countries have participated in the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) mission in Afghanistan. As the Commission president said, it's up to those countries too to play their part in managing the current situation," said Eric Mamer, the European Commission's chief spokesperson. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 23:53:59|Editor: huaxia

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MOSCOW, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Russian Special Presidential Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said Moscow is working towards establishing normal relations with the Taliban and will refrain from imposing any outside values.

"Our embassy is continuing to actively operate in Kabul," the TASS news agency reported, quoting Kabulov.

"We need to maintain normal relations with any Afghan government," he said, adding that while Russia is still concerned about the developing military and political situation in the region, nothing should be imposed on the Afghan people and the existing cultural and religious values must be respected.

The official said Russia respects that the Afghan people may have their own perception of democracy, adding that the country's traditional institutions can be considered "conditionally democratic."

Kabulov didn't rule out the possibility of new U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan and urged the West to assist in normalizing the situation in the country through humanitarian aid rather than "create additional obstacles" such as freezing Afghanistan's gold and foreign exchange reserves.

The official reiterated that Russia is ready to participate in any international efforts aimed at ensuring "the social and economic rehabilitation of the region."

The statement came amid a chaotic and dangerous situation in Afghanistan.

A deadly attack on the Kabul airport on Thursday left more than 170 people dead, including 13 U.S. soldiers.

In retaliation, the U.S. military on Friday launched a drone strike in Nangarhar province of eastern Afghanistan against ISIS-K, an Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State group, killing two "high-profile" members and wounding another. Another airstrike was carried out in Kabul on Sunday against a suspected ISIS-K vehicle.

Taliban senior leader Abdul Haq Wasiq denounced the U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan and described the move as a violation of the U.S.-Taliban peace deal. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 00:19:36|Editor: huaxia

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People drink and eat at a pub in London, Britain, Aug. 30, 2021. Another 26,476 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 6,757,650, according to official figures released Monday. (Photo by Ray Tang/Xinhua)

LONDON, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Another 26,476 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 6,757,650, according to official figures released Monday.

The country also reported another 48 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 132,485. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

The latest data came as the British government has been preparing for a booster programme expected from next month, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) said such shots should be delayed to raise vaccination rates globally.

Earlier this month, the WHO called for a moratorium on COVID vaccine booster shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution between wealthy and poor countries.

However, during a news briefing on Monday, Hans Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe, said a booster shot is a way to keep the most vulnerable safe.

"A third dose of vaccine is not a luxury booster (that is) taken away from someone who is still waiting for a first jab. It's basically a way to keep the most vulnerable safe," Kluge said.

More than 88 percent of people aged 16 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and more than 78 percent have received both doses, the latest figures showed.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the United States have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 12:15:29|Editor: huaxia

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by Yosley Carrero

HAVANA, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cuba has seen a slight decline in COVID-19 daily infections over the past week thanks to the island's government efforts to slow the spread of the pandemic nationwide.

The number of new coronavirus cases in the Caribbean nation continued to fall for the fourth day in a row on Sunday, due to the sanitary emergency measures.

According to the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), the country logged 6,277 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest figure since July 20 this year.

Still, statistics released by MINSAP showed that the number of daily COVID-19 deaths in Cuba have remained elevated through August as 77 people died of COVID-19 on Sunday.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the island has registered 640,438 confirmed cases and 5,144 casualties.

Francisco Duran, national director of hygiene and epidemiology at MINSAP, said that self-responsibility and discipline are fundamental to tackle the health emergency.

"The COVID-19 infection rates are high across the country, except in the Isle of Youth special municipality, which reported five imported cases today," he said.

It comes as the island faces medical oxygen shortages amid the intensification of the six-decade U.S. economic, commercial and financial embargo against the Caribbean nation.

In Havana, the country's capital and most populous metropolitan area, daily cases have slightly decreased in the past few days while infections among children have peaked.

Meanwhile, in the central province of Sancti Spiritus, a primary school was turned into a makeshift isolation center for the treatment of COVID-19 patients under 12 years old.

At present, there are 38,391 confirmed cases in Cuba, 453 of whom receive medical treatment at intensive care units across the country.

In parallel, more than five million people on the island have had a first shot of the homegrown vaccines as part of the national immunization campaign against COVID-19.

In addition, more than 13 million doses of domestic vaccines have been administered across the country since the start of the vaccination rollout last May.

Enerida Chavez, a senior citizen from the central province of Villa Clara, said that she expected the epidemiological situation in Cuba would improve in the coming months.

"I have no doubt that we will successfully go through this nightmare. I just want that the pandemic comes to an end," the 80-year-old told Xinhua via phone. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 21:04:28|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Iran will downscale its nuclear activities if the United States fully returns to "all of its commitments under the nuclear agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 2231 in a verified manner."

"The Vienna talks are not about reaching a new text. The Vienna talks are to ensure the implementation of the nuclear deal point by point by the United States," Saeed Khatibzadeh, spokesman for the ministry, said in a press conference, as quoted by official news agency IRNA.

If Washington abides by its obligations in such verified way, he added, Iran will accept that the United States' delegates sit "in the nuclear agreement room" and will "stop its mitigation measures."

Khatibzadeh described the talks to revive the 2015 landmark agreement as a "technical dialogue," and added that they will continue, on the basis of a consensus across the ruling structures of the Iranian state.

The role of Iran's Foreign Ministry in the upcoming continuation of the talks, he went on to say, has yet to be decided by the Iranian rulership and will be made public.

On Aug. 22, Iran's then Foreign Minister-designate Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said in his confidence vote session in Iran's parliament that Tehran was willing to engage in "reasonable" negotiations that serve the Iranian people's interests.

Former U.S. president Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 agreement in May 2018 and unilaterally re-imposed old and new sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran has gradually stopped implementing parts of its commitments to the deal since May 2019.

After six rounds of talks in Vienna since April, the parties said serious differences remained between Iran and the United States for the revitalization of the deal. The sixth round of talks ended on June 20, with the talks currently on hiatus. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 04:24:13|Editor: huaxia

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Nearly all residents of the city of South Lake Tahoe in U.S. Northern California was ordered to evacuate Monday morning due to the raging Caldor Fire, local media said.

Local fire and sheriff's officials upgraded the evacuation warning issued Sunday night to a mandatory order Monday morning, which affected South Lake Tahoe, a major city in Northern California and one of the most popular vacation destinations in the United States.

The city authority said on its official Facebook page that the evacuation "will be done systematically by neighborhood," urging residents to "stay calm, gather your go bags and important items, and execute your evacuation plan."

Evacuation from South Lake Tahoe should be done eastbound on Highway 50 toward Nevada, California's firefighting and sheriff's officials said, since the main routes liking the city to other parts of California had been cut by the wildfire which had been creeping toward the lake for more than two weeks since Aug. 14.

Barton Memorial Hospital, the biggest hospital in South Lake Tahoe, evacuated its patients Sunday night and would transfer its emergency services to the Lake Tahoe Surgery Center in Zephyr Cove, Nevada, on Monday.

The Caldor Fire scorched 177,260 acres (717.3 square kilometers) with 14 percent containment, firefighting and forest service officials reported Monday morning. It grew nearly 10,000 acres overnight.

Fire risk early this week was dire, the National Weather Service predicted, warning gusty winds which could reach up to about 25 mph (40.2 kph) were expected to sweep into the Tahoe area Monday and Tuesday.

More than 20,000 structures were threatened by the Caldor Fire and nearly 500 homes had already been destroyed, many of them in the town of Grizzly Flats south of Pollock Pines, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the U.S. Forest Service. Enditem




CHAOS characterised yesterdays schools reopening as dozens of teachers failed to travel to their workstations citing incapacitation.

Teachers unions attributed the chaos to poor planning by government. Government last week ordered schools to open in the middle of a level 4 lockdown, with the examination classes opening yesterday, while the rest of the classes are set to follow suit on September 6.

Schools opened, but they remain closed practically, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) president Takavafira Zhou said.

Even half of the schoolchildren failed to go to school. At least three-quarters of the teachers did not go, but there are others, especially in the urban areas, who want to conduct extra lessons that went to school.

The government was shocked and sent circulars by 10am for headmasters to take down names of those who failed to attend classes.

Zhou added: This was ill-prepared. The teachers remain incapacitated and they need a rescue package. They cannot even send their children to school and cannot also travel to their workstations. How can a teacher pay for rent, school fees, food and also transport from the $21 000 they are paying? There are schools that cost $62 000 and how can the teachers pay for their children?

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu said: Reports are indicating that there was a good turnout in urban schools where teachers did not face huge transport problems.

We had a number of rural school teachers who failed to travel because there was no transport at all. The long-distance buses that they were waiting for were not available and in some instances, were expensive and the teachers did not have the United States dollars they were being charged.

It emerged that there was an extremely low turnout, particularly in rural schools, with only two out of 56 attending at Gaza Primary School in Chipinge district, while four out of 36 were present at Jersey Primary School in the same district, according to reports.

Only one teacher out of 11 was in attendance at Hotburg Primary School, with Mutema High School recording only one teacher in attendance.

In Bulawayo, most teachers failed to attend classes citing incapacitation, with PTUZ Bulawayo chairman Vusumuzi Mahlangu saying they failed to raise money to travel to their schools.

Some of them are parents who also failed to raise money for their childrens school fees due to incapacitation, especially those who have children attending boarding schools as school authorities in those schools demanded fees upfront, Mahlangu said.

Zimta acting secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said it was too early for them to give a comment.

At a school where I teach, we have two Grade 7 teachers and I noticed that only one Grade 7 teacher was available. If this is a microcosm of what is happening throughout, it is possible that there are teachers who are not yet at schools as we speak, he said.

The Education ministry yesterday conducted roadshows in the high-density suburbs of Bulawayo pleading with parents to send their children to school.

No child should be left behind. No child should be at home when others are at school. No child will be sent away from school. Please ensure that your children report for class as schools have reopened, the education officials announced using a hailer.

A police vehicle led the convoy of about six Education ministry vehicles. Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro, however, claimed said the opening went on smoothly.

The opening went on well and we have had no cases of COVID-19 so far. Teachers reported for duty, with over 50% available, but remember, its only examination classes, so we are going to be checking as the week progresses and we get to the next phase of opening, he said. Newsday
A body of a Domboshava man found dead near a dam on Tuesday has been taken for a second post-mortem after the family registered a complaint against police over results.

The deceased Johannes Tapera Chitawunhike aged 42s body was found with bruises along a river bank at Pasipamire village and the family queried the first post-mortem results which dismissed any foul play.

Chitawunhike family questioned the results implicating investigating officers for dining with suspected murderers.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the case saying family members had demanded a second post-mortem and registered a complaint against police.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is investigating a suspected murder case involving a 42-year-old man of Mutake village in Domboshava, said Ass Comm Nyathi.

Body of the deceased was found in water along a river at Pasipamire village and taken for postmortem.

Family members registered a complaint against police and the body was taken for a second post-mortem expected tomorrow (Tuesday), said Ass Comm Nyathi.

Family spokesperson Tatenda Chitawunhike, 37, told H-Metro that the family was forced to approach Chief Chinhamora according to custom since the grave had been prepared for burial.

We have been robbed of our loving brother in a way we are all yet to accept considering that the deceased is reported to have been attacked on the last day he went missing, said Chitawunhike.

Takange tatochera bwiro asi pakauya postmortem ichirasa kupondwa kwemufi takaramba kugamuchira saka tave kutonozivisa Mambo Chinamhora sezvo rinda risingatenderwi kuramba rakashama.

The body was taken for a post-mortem and results were that it was natural death but reports circulating among mourners indicated that the deceased was attacked after mistakenly taken as a thief in one of the villages.

Upon viewing the body we discovered some bruises on face and hands and this led the family to consider taking it for second post-mortem.

According to custom it is taboo to leave a grave open for some days and we are appealing for the post-mortem to be carried on time considering that the grave remain open which is against tradition, said Chitawunhike. H Metro
CHEGUTU West legislator Dexter Nduna (Zanu PF) has dragged RioZim Ltd (RioZim) to the High Court, accusing the gold producing giant of invading his gold mining claim.

Nduna accuses RioZim of forcibly taking over Danly Mine located in Chakari. The company is being sued together with one Langton Ndlovu, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer-in-charge Chakari, Mashonaland West provincial mining director, Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe.

Nduna is accusing police of assisting RioZim to take over the mine. The legislator is seeking a spoliation order, which would suspend the current activities being carried out by Ndlovu, and that he be declared the lawful owner of the controversial mine claim.

Nduna said he had all along been carrying out mining operations at Danly Mine peacefully until RioZim, Ndlovu and the ZRP arrived on August 24 this year.

On the strength of the prospecting licence related above, I took up and have been in peaceful and undisturbed possession of the said claims carrying out my prospecting operations. On or about August 24, 2021, I went to the mine to go about my normal business there and the three barred me from operating on my claim without my consent and had thus halted all mining activities, he said in his application.

Upon inquiring with the respondents, I was told that they had been given a verbal authority by provincial mining director and could not give any lawful explanation to conduct themselves in that manner. They went on to the extent of erecting a fence within my boundary. It is this conduct on the part of the first to third respondents which has necessitated the bringing of the present application. The respondents have claimed that the officer-in-charge has given them authority to dispossess me, Nduna added.

Without my consent and authority, the first, second and third respondents have illegally barred me access to my claim and have halted all of my mining and prospecting activities claiming authority from the fourth respondent. Ndlovu has commenced illegal mining activities on my claim and continues to carry such out at the time of this application. If they are not stopped from continuing with their illegal conduct, I stand to suffer irreparable harm as gold is a finite resource which can never be recovered and thus the matter is urgent. Ndlovu is illegally extracting gold at my claim and there is no way of recovering or knowing how much they have extracted. It is on those grounds that I humbly submit that this matter is urgent and cannot wait to be set down on the normal basis.

RioZim is yet to file its answering affidavit. Newsday


TEACHERS unions have warned of unprecedented school dropouts as parents struggle to raise school fees following a government-imposed 33% hike for the extended term.

Schools reopen today for examination classes, but parents have accused the government of ambushing them as they were given only four days to raise fees and related costs for the new term.

Permanent secretary in the Primary and Secondary Education ministry Tumisang Thabela said government had approved schools fees increases on a pro rata basis, which translates to a 33% hike, since the term was 80 days long, unlike the usual 60 days of an ordinary term.

In the circular, Thabela said examination classes would attend schools everyday while the rest of the learners will be alternating to allow adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

Teacher representatives, however, notified government that it was unlikely their members would attend lessons today as they were incapacitated.

They urged government to utilise part of the funds received by the government from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the Special Drawing Rights to revamp the education sector.

According to the new calendar announced by government, non-examination classes will reopen on September 6, 2021 and schools will close on December 17, 2021 for all learners.

Amalgamated Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) mobilised teachers and parents to stage a demonstration today, saying they were all not prepared for the reopening.

We conducted a snap survey among parents in Zimbabwes 72 education districts and the result showed that the parents were not ready for schools to reopen because they cant afford the fees being charged, Artuz president Orbet Masaraure said.

There are various outstanding issues, hence reopening of schools will be a flop. Both teachers and parents are incapacitated. The COVID-19 lockdowns wiped away citizens savings and teachers have not been spared. The date of the reopening of schools was announced at a time teachers had already used up their meagre earnings. By the way, teachers dont last for a day with their salaries. Teachers have a significant number of children in school and they cant afford to pay for their fees, let alone travel to their work places.

Zimbabwe National Teachers Union chief executive Manuel Nyawo said governments policy guidelines on reopening schools were vague and likely to cause confusion.

Nyawo wrote a letter to Thabela, dated August 27, 2021, demanding that government revise the guidelines and address concerns raised by teachers on salaries and working conditions to ensure smooth reopening of schools.

We would be happy madam if you will give clarity on more serious concerns regarding the reopening of schools, Nyawo said.

Our members, including those from sister unions, are disgruntled. It should not surprise you if you get the usual bad news that there is no effective teaching and learning in schools as teachers are generally disgruntled over salaries. You allowed schools to technically increase fees under a naive argument that is devoid of logic, but you could not demand that teachers should be paid reasonably in order to motivate them as they go back to work.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill Taderera bemoaned lack of COVID-19 statistics to inform stakeholders about the preparedness of schools for reopening.

We believe that more consultations could have been done in order to ensure that stakeholders such as staff associations, parents, donors and communities are involved in mobilising resources, to ensure that schools run smoothly amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Taderera said.

Education Coalition of Zimbabwe acting national co-ordinator Clemence Nhliziyo told NewsDay that there was need to invest in the education sector using part of the IMF grant in procuring personal protective equipment (PPEs) and making sure that schools were safe.

Some parents were sceptical that the schools would reopen because as the impasse between teachers and government over salaries was unresolved.

Some said they had failed to raise fees for their children as there had been limited industrial activity during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Others raised concern over the safety of their children as they were financially incapable of providing enough PPE as required by government.

Addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing recently, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said when schools opened, parents would be asked to help government by providing PPE.

Government has also imposed mandatory vaccination by barring its uninoculated workers from workplaces but has remained mum on unvaccinated teachers, amid reports that majority of them had not yet received their jabs.

Contacted for comment Thabela said she was not aware of the government position on unvaccinated teachers. She said she had been out of office and referred questions to ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro.

I am travelling and I have been out of the office, Thabela said. The spokesperson might know whether there is any communication from the relevant ministries on that issue.

Ndoros number was not reachable. Newsday
villagers with elepant dung VILLAGERS in Mbembeswani and Umlala Park in Kwekwe District are living in fear after they started spotting elephants since Wednesday afternoon.

They saw the jumbos as they drank water in Mbembeswani River whilst another herd was spotted in Poledale area.

The about seven elephants are still wandering in the area and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) are said to have visited the areas. Zimparks spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo said they had received a report on the matter.

We received the report and we are aware that the animals could have escaped from a conservancy in that area. Our personnel are on the ground. We continue encouraging villagers to be aware of the animals and avoid provoking them until our rangers manage to drive them back to their area, said Mr Farawo

Ward 2 Councillor, Rodgers Nhari said the elephants were still in the area.

About seven elephants were seen in the area. They were spotted at two different occasions. The first group was spotted as they were drinking water in Mbembeswani River. The other group was latter spotted in Poledale area where they were passing through, he said.

The councillor said they had also been seen at Umlala Park Primary School. Cllr Nhari said the animals had not caused any harm to anyone but their presence poses danger to villagers.

We are just warning villagers to be wary of the animals presence although so far they are yet to harm anyone. You never know with animals, anything can happen. We are just warning villagers not to provoke the animals as we wait for the way forward from rangers, he said.

Cllr Nhari said Zimparks rangers are in the area.

We alerted our Zibagwe Rural District Council rangers who reacted swiftly and they in turn contacted their Zimparks counterparts. As we speak, they are attending the scene, said Cllr Nhari.

It is not yet clear where the elephants came from as the nearest Sebakwe Game Park does not have elephants.

Last week, twelve stray elephants were also spotted in Shurugwi at Ruchanyu resettlement.

Shurugwi District Development Coordinator, Mr Romeo Shangwa said they have since alerted Zimparks.

We have alerted Zimparks and they came on the ground. We keep warning our villagers to desist from provoking the animals and exercise extreme caution, he said.

Three weeks ago, two people were trampled to death and two others were left nursing injuries by an elephant in Gokwe. Chronicle
JUSTICE minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said 16-year-olds can legally consent to sex, but cannot marry.

He said this while responding to questions from Mutare Central legislator Innocent Gonese in the National Assembly last week.

Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a row over the age of consent triggered by the death of 15-year-old girl Anna Machaya while giving birth at the Johane Marange Apostolic Church shrine in Manicaland last month.

Her 26-year-old husband Hatirarami Momberume has since been charged with rape and murder. Gonese had asked Ziyambi to clarify government policy regarding the age of consent.

He also wanted Ziyambi to explain governments interpretation of section 78 of the Constitution, which specifies that one can only get married after turning 18 years, whereas the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act says girls at 16 years can consent to sex.

Gonese, a lawyer by profession, said this variance was causing confusion with people assuming that girls between 16 and 18 could legally consent to sex, but could not marry.

Can the minister indicate to us what the government thinking is relating to that age of consent because at present it is 16. We are in the dark as to what the governments position is and we are all aware that there are so many people who are opposed to this amendment because they are predators, Gonese said.

The biggest problem that we are confronted with is older men who indulge in sexual intercourse with young girls, which is where the problem mainly lies. Most of the predators are not comfortable with the raising of the age of consent because that will actually increase the number of criminal cases that will be before our courts where girls are between the ages of 16 and 18, he said.

Ziyambi said there was a distinction between marriage and the age of consent.

It is very important to separate issues of marriage and age of consent. There is nowhere in the world where the age of consent to sexual intercourse is 18 years. In any event, it is very difficult to stop those teenagers from engaging in sex. What we are doing is, we need to separate issues of marriages that come with certain responsibilities with an age where a teenager can consent voluntarily to an act, he said.

I know that already in our Act we have offences whereby if you have sexual intercourse with a young adult  it is statutory rape. So that is covered, but what I was referring to is to streamline it and ensure that it becomes clear rather than how it is currently couched. We have outlawed marriages of anyone below 18, but if we have two young teenagers who are below 18, we cannot criminalise if they engage in sexual intercourse, he added.

My plea is, it is work in progress, we want to streamline it and ensure that we bring it here and have a debate on how we can now look at the age of consent.

Ziyambi added that there was a contradiction in that at 16 years people were allowed to drive, but at the same time could not be held responsible for their actions if they engage in sexual activities.

I know Honourable Gonese is very much aware that you can have a drivers licence at 16. So you must also appreciate that on one hand, you must say that somebody is responsible for his/her actions when he/she is driving at 16. On the other hand, you say he/she is not responsible for his/her actions in engaging in sexual intercourse  it is contradictory. So, we must separate issues of marriage which we said is 18 and it comes with certain responsibilities. Those who want to be married must wait until they are over 18, but there are certain things that we cannot control. Moreso at 16, we agree that you can drive, but if you have an accident, what do we say? he said. Newsday
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Happy is an Asian elephant born in the wild in 1971, most likely in Thailand. If left wild, Happy would have spent her days as a naturally curious and playful animal should, exploring the world around her, engaging in social activities with other elephants, and, of course, playing with her herd mates. But the freedom to flourish in her own way was stolen from her. Soon after birth, she was captured and sent to the United States. Held first in California and Florida, since 1977 she has been captive, mostly alone, in the Bronx Zoo.
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There are certainly more questions than answers. I cant tell you when the power is going to be restored. I cant tell you when all the debris is going to be cleaned up and repairs made, Edwards told a news conference. But what I can tell you is we are going to work hard every day to deliver as much assistance as we can.
In interviews with more than a dozen attendants from major and regional carriers, crew members said they were getting squeezed on both sides  from passengers and the airlines. They described regularly working shifts of more than 14 hours, being assigned up to four or five flights a day, not being given sufficient time to sleep and being deterred from taking leave if fatigued or unwell.
The initial plan was to extinguish bin Ladens al-Qaida, which had used Afghanistan as a staging base for its attack on the United States. The grander ambition was to fight a Global War on Terrorism based on the belief that military force could somehow defeat Islamic extremism. Afghanistan was but the first round of that fight. Bush chose to make Iraq the next, invading in 2003 and getting mired in an even deadlier conflict that made Afghanistan a secondary priority until Barack Obama assumed the White House in 2009 and later that year decided to escalate in Afghanistan.
The Heralds 2018 reporting first revealed that Tiffany Carr, executive director of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, had been paid the absurd sum of $761,560 the prior year, thanks to pay raises of more than $300,000 granted by the groups board of directors. The Herald also found that the boards directors were involved in separate programs that were getting funding from the coalition, a glaring conflict of interest for directors.
The news hit me like a ton of bricks. When Gloria sidled up to me and said The Bank was being sold to Fairwinds Credit Union, I told her to check the calendar; it was not April 1. We never had to say Citizens Bank. Everyone in Oviedo knew when you said the bank, you were talking about that institution. When you said, Im going to the bank, it meant that structure across from the hardware store, the place where the chickens hung out.
I absolutely think that if this had been promoted better I think you wouldve kept a lot of people out of the hospital, I think youd have saved a lot of lives, DeSantis said. Theres a lot of different tools here. No ones saying this is the only game in town. No ones saying that this is something you should put all your eggs in that basket.
I saw the devastation of Hurricane Katrina firsthand and I know it is a significant event for those who live in the area. So when our personnel deploy into that area, know they are indeed going into harms way, Demings said. Godspeed as they help hurricane-stricken residents recover from this historic storm.
Oswego, NY (13126)

Today

Sunshine in the morning followed by mostly cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 67F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy during the evening. A few showers developing late. Low 58F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Ensuring the right to a nationality and eradicating statelessness is achievable and more pressing than ever, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, stressed on Monday, as the international community marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
W. Dean Lee, a retired minister, US military veteran, and natural leader who served in the Air Force for twelve years, earned a degree in religion at California Baptist College, and became an ordained minister in 1972, working tirelessly to rebuild memberships in the small churches he pastored, has completed his new book Betrayed: a gripping and potent adventure that keeps the pages turning until its satisfying conclusion.

Betrayed is a novel about an Iranian soldier/sniper, Assad Ahmid, sent to the United States. He goes by way of Venezuela, where he meets Raul, his handler, and gets his orders and a new name: Daniel Aikman, his deceased uncles name. Its a Jewish name, so he has to take on the identity. But with his mother being Jewish, still living in Iran, it is not a difficult task.

With the aid of Juan Hernandez, he travels to Mexico, buys a sniper rifle and scope, and is hustled aboard a coyotes boxed truck loaded with people who will be entering the States illegally. Aboard the truck, he comes to the aid of a Mexican woman, Isabella, who is being hassled by the other travelers. Together, they cross the border and travel to California, then across the States to where Daniel comes in contact with the target he was sent to take out.

Published by Page Publishing, W. Dean Lees engrossing book is a compelling choice for avid spy fiction readers.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Betrayed at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com
Lawyer Tretyakov again denied review of collection of $4 mln from him

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

12:47 30/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 30 (RAPSI)  The Moscow Regional Commercial Court has repeatedly dismissed an application filed by lawyer Igor Tretyakov seeking to reconsider a ruling on the recovery of 308.5 million rubles ($4 million) from him review on new or newly discovered facts, according to court records.

In March, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals ordered the first instance to reconsider Tretyakovs bid to review recovery of 308.5 million rubles ($4 million). The court thus overturned the ruling of the Moscow Regional Commercial Court of late October 2020 refusing to rehear Tretyakovs case upon the applicants appeal.

In late November 2018, the Moscow Regional Commercial Court ordered recovery of the money Tretyakov allegedly received in the S.A. Lavochkin Scientific Union under the pretence of legal services. The court also declared 21 contracts signed by the Scientific Union and the lawyer between July 2016 and January 2018 invalid.

The court therefore granted a claim filed by the Moscow Region Prosecutors Office on behalf of the Federal Property Management Agency (Rosimushchestvo) and the state corporation Roscosmos. Prosecutors insisted that the agreements were invalid as Tretyakov had not participated in court proceedings himself. Thus, the lawyer has only created a semblance of his activity.

In May and September 2019, the Tenth Commercial Court of Appeals and the Moscow District Commercial Court upheld the ruling.

Currently, Tretyakov is a defendant in the case on embezzling 330 million rubles (about $5 million) from Roscosmos. In late December, the case was returned to prosecutors, according to the lawyers attorney Stanislav Shostak. He is in detention now.

Two other defendants, ex-CEO of the S.A. Lavochkin Scientific Union Sergey Lemeshevsky and chief of the Unions legal department Yekaterina Averyanova were also detained. Later, Averyanova admitted guilt and signed a deal with investigators in exchange for release from detention under house arrest.

According to investigators, the defendants have stolen assets of Roscosmos by signing fraudulent contracts for provision of legal services with the law firm. All the works were allegedly performed by the corporations own specialists. The overall sum of payments to the firm reached 330 million rubles.

Tretyakov pleads not guilty.
One more municipal lawmaker restricted of liberty for sanitary breaches at illegal rally

 Moscow's Basmanny District Court, AGN Moskva

15:08 30/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 30 (RAPSI)  The Preobrazhensky District Court of Moscow on Monday sentenced municipal lawmaker Dmitry Baranovsky to 1.5 years of restriction of liberty as part of a case over violation of sanitary rules during an unauthorized rally held in the city in January, the courts press service told RAPSI.

Baranovsky is prohibited from leaving his place of living from 10 pm to 6 am, changing his permanent place of residence without notification of an authorized specialized body, attending mass events and participating in them, and leaving Moscow and Moscow Region without special permit.

He was found guilty of inciting to the violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules.

Last week, another municipal lawmaker Lucy Stein was restricted of liberty for a year as part of the same case

In August, the court also sentenced other defendants Nikolay Lyaskin and Lyubov Sobol to the restriction of liberty. Oleg Navalny, the brother of convicted blogger Alexey Navalny, received 1-year suspended term as part of the case.

According to the Interior Ministry, coronavirus-positive persons ordered to isolation were identified among participants of the rally held in Moscow on January 23, 2021. A criminal case over violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules was opened over this fact.




A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
After 29 cases of mite-borne rickettsiosis, known as 'scrub typhus', were detected in Mathura, Congress General Secretary in-charge Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday demanded better health facilities in the state.

She said in a tweet in Hindi: "Firozabad, Mathura, Agra and other places in UP, children and adults have died due to fever which is heart-wrenching. UP government should step in immediately to control the disease and provide better health facilities."

As per reports the health department has sounded an alert after the lab reports confirmed that 29 patients, aged between two to 45 years, had tested positive on Sunday.

Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).

The most common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches and sometimes rash. In severe cases, it can result in pneumonitis, encephalitis, mental changes ranging from confusion to coma, congestive heart failure and circulatory collapse.

Additional director of Uttar Pradesh health department A.K. Singh, said: "At least 29 cases of scrub typhus have been reported in Mathura district. Required medicines have been provided to the patients and none of them is critical. We have issued an alert regarding its spread to other districts.

"Early diagnosis is important. Patients are put on antibiotics and they recover fully after a week-long course of treatment."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed state officials to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Taking cognizance of viral fever cases in Mathura, Mainpuri and Firozabad districts, he has asked state officials to deploy special medical teams in these areas.
Page Content

On Wednesday, August 25, 2021, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs held an introductory meeting with Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ballast Nedam International Projects B.V., Mr. Roy van Eijsden. Ballast Nedam International Projects B.V. (BNIP) was chosen as the General Contractor for the Airport Terminal Reconstruction Project and officially signed the agreement with PJIAE N.V. on Tuesday, August 24. Also present at this meeting were Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PJIAE N.V., Mr. Brian Mingo, Director of National Recovery Program Bureau, Mr. Claret Connor and Deputy Director of National Recovery Program Bureau, Mr. Abel Knottnerus.





Prime Minister Jacobs stated, Construction of the Airport Terminal is scheduled to begin by October 2021, and will last just over a two-year period. I am elated to learn that the chosen company will be employing local contractors and workers to complete the reconstruction of our International Airport. After some delays and challenges, we have finally made it to this point whereby we are now able to begin the process that will get our International Airport back online at full capacity.





The Airport Terminal Reconstruction Project is jointly funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and via a loan from the Government of St. Maartens Trust Fund. The Sint Maarten Trust Fund is financed by the Government of the Netherlands, managed by the World Bank and implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau.
The predictable Western reaction to this statement was that we now see how false and hypocritical the Taliban's assurance that womens rights to education and work will be respected: now they are showing their true colors... But the reality is more complex.

by Slavoj Zizek

Theres a surprising similarity between the Talibans stance on protecting women from their soldiers aggressiveness and the politically correct vision on the protection of women from sexual assaults causing delayed traumas.

The Taliban has suddenly changed its stance toward women in public and working places. Their spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, said at a news conference on Tuesday that working women should stay at home for their own safety, undermining the Taliban's efforts to convince international observers that the group would be more tolerant toward women than when they were in power in Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001.

Mujahid added that the guidance would be temporary, and would allow the Taliban to find ways to ensure that women are not treated in a disrespectful way or God forbid, hurt. He also said that the measure was necessary as the Taliban's soldiers keep changing and are not trained. This is why, he said, the new Afghan government asked women to take time off from work until the situation gets back to a normal order and women related procedures are in place, then they can return to their jobs once it's announced.

The predictable Western reaction to this statement was that we now see how false and hypocritical the Taliban's assurance that womens rights to education and work will be respected: now they are showing their true colors...

But the reality is more complex.

We dont need direct accusations of lies and hypocrisy to understand the shift in the Talibans position.

The soft attitude toward rape in Muslim countries is based on the premise that a man who raped a woman was secretly seduced (provoked) by her into doing it. Such a reading of male rape as the result of a woman's provocation is often reported by the media.

Here we stumble upon what I take the risk to call the ideological unconscious: an ideological edifice implies and relies on a set of claims which are necessary for its functioning, but which should not be stated publicly.

Back in 2006, Sheik Taj Aldin al-Hilali, Australias most senior Muslim cleric, caused a scandal when he compared women not wearing a scarf to raw meat. Reportedly, his comment was made shortly after a group of Muslim men were jailed for gang rape in Sydney.

If you take uncovered meat and place it outside on the streetand the cats come and eat it whose fault is it  the cats or the uncovered meat? The uncovered meat is the problem, he said.

The explosively-scandalous nature of this comparison distracted attention from another, much more surprising, premise underlying al-Hilalis argument: if women are held responsible for the sexual conduct of men, does this not imply that men are totally helpless when faced with what they perceive as a sexual provocation, that they are simply unable to resist it, that they are totally enslaved to their sexual hunger, precisely like a cat when it sees raw meat?

In contrast to this presumption of the complete lack of male responsibility for their own sexual conduct, the emphasis on public female eroticism in the West relies on the premise that men are capable of sexual restraint, that they are not blind slaves to their sexual drives.

In a debate years ago, an Australian Muslim woman emphatically claimed that Islam is the most feminist of all religions. Now we can understand why: Islam  at least in its fundamentalist version  is obsessed with the idea of protecting women. But protecting them from what? From aggressive men? Beneath this public justification it is easy to discover its (mostly) hidden truth: not from men  the true fear is that a woman might enjoy being sexually mistreated and used by men. Beneath the desire to protect and control women, there is thus lurking a much more ambiguous mixture of panicky fear and of the deep distrust of the moral composure of men themselves.

Is all this simply a remainder of the oppressive Muslim tradition?

Reading about life in Kabul these days one should take a minute to look at some of the images from Afghanistans capital in the 60s and 70s that are easy to find on the internet. We see young women there walking around in miniskirts, modern record stores, dancing clubs, university halls full of women, etc. Yes, there were conservative Muslim communities in the countryside, but they peacefully coexisted with other religions and with elements of contemporary secular culture. There is no direct continuity between this past and the Taliban: precisely in what appears as its most archaic features (very narrow interpretation of Sharia, using state power to prohibit modern secular life like playing music in public), the Taliban is a product of modernity, a reaction to the enforced modernization of Afghanistan first by the Soviet and then by the Western occupations.

The ultimate proof of this secret link between the Taliban and modernity is the surprising similarity between the militant groups stance on protecting women from male aggressiveness and the politically correct vision of women threatened by male aggressiveness which can cause life-long delayed traumas even if it wasnt directly experienced as traumatic. This vision elevates sexual experience into the ultimate trauma, talking about sexual assault survivors who hide their trauma  even from themselves. How, then, can such a brutal act as rape be unacknowledged, i.e., not experienced as what it is?

It happens when, during a sexual encounter, deep down I knew that what had happened had felt violating, degrading and not what I signed up for Yet it took me a whole decade to realise what had really happened: I had been sexually assaulted.

Why did it take such a long time, till the rise of #MeToo movement, to get it was a sexual assault? My limited understanding of consent and sexual violence at that time, and my overall sexual inexperience, meant I believed I was to blame for what had happened, that perhaps I just didnt know how sex usually is. Only when, more than a decade later, a therapist said thats trauma, hearing these words gave me permission to feel the weight of what I had endured at 19, to understand why anxiety lurked close to the surface of my body. A voice inside my head finally said: That was sexual assault. At 33, I know that now. So it can take years  sometimes decades  for some survivors to realise or accept that their experience amounts to sexual assault or rape.

Such things definitely happen: it is easy to imagine a young woman who feels uneasy and abused in sex, but dismisses this experience as the result of her naive notion of what sex is  under the influence of prevailing ideology, she decides to endure her suffering. So we should not denounce the idea that a trauma can be recognized a decade later as a ridiculous PC retroactive projection. When new higher standards of what womens rights and freedoms become the norm, we have the full right to read past events through this new frame. One should absolutely reject false historicism here, the idea that, in previous eras, oppression of women, racism and slavery were considered normal and we should not judge them by todays standards.

There are nonetheless some further observations to be added here.

First, the case described above is not a case of repression in the strict Freudian sense: it is a fully conscious feeling of disgust and humiliation kept at bay because of (male chauvinist) social values. So what would or could be really repressed and traumatic here? The most obvious answer is: the exact opposite, i.e., the true trauma was that the woman secretly enjoyed being mistreated, and was absolutely not ready to admit it. Her being disgusted and feeling humiliated was already fake, a cover destined to obfuscate this disavowed enjoyment, a fact much more traumatic than her mistreatment by the sexual partner. To avoid a misunderstanding: this in no way implies that the mans mishandling was justified (since the woman enjoyed it, so she got what she wanted)  quite the opposite. We all have secret dirty fantasies, and perhaps the most humiliating experience is to get what we secretly dream about brutally imposed from outside. This is why  an extreme example  a woman who secretly dreams about being raped will be much more traumatized when raped in reality than a strong autonomous woman.

These paradoxes already indicate the way emancipation should take place. Men should not be portrayed as brutal oppressors but as weak beings whose macho exterior covers up their frailty and impotence. And women should learn to treat men like that. A strong man is the only true feminist  he doesnt need to oppress women in order to assert himself.

Slavoj Zizek is a cultural philosopher. Hes a senior researcher at the Institute for Sociology and Philosophy at the University of Ljubljana, Global Distinguished Professor of German at New York University, and international director of the Birkbeck Institute for the Humanities of the University of London.
Both Prof. Gunaratne and Samaranayake found fault with US strategy vis-a-vis Afghanistan with the former alleging that the failure on the part of successive US political leaderships though the US military enjoyed superiority over any other military.

Director General of Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) Prof. Rohan Gunaratne says hasty recognition of the illegitimate Taliban administration would be inimical to Sri Lanka.

Prof. Gunaratne asserts that consequences of such a move would be catastrophic and may result in domestic challenges to the government.

Prof Rohan Gunaratne

In an exclusive interview on Hide Park on Derana 247 recently, Prof. Gunaratne, the author of Afghanistan After the Western Drawdown explained how a wrong move on Sri Lankas part vis-a-vis Afghanistan could give a wrong signal to both Tamil and Muslim communities here as well as to the international community.

Pointing out that Taliban hadnt regained power through an internationally accepted election, Prof. Gunaratne who earlier had the opportunity to interview senior Taliban figures emphasized the responsibility on the part of the current government to await the UNs response to the developments in Afghanistan.

Gunaratne succeeded Asanga Abeygoonasekera as DG of INSSSL, which comes under the purview of the Defence Ministry. The change took place in the wake of the 2019 presidential election. Abeygoonasekera, who contested the Gampaha district at the 2015 general election on the UNP ticket had been the founding DG of the outfit established by then President Maithripala Sirisena and later became an advisor to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Declaring that Taliban hadnt changed and essentially remained an extremely violent outfit among international coalition of terrorist organizations, Prof. Gunaratne advocated toughest possible measures against terrorism.

The academic emphasized; Nothing short of death penalty for terrorism. The government should consider, at least at this stage, especially after developments in Afghanistan and the continuing presence of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, how to deal with the situation.

Gunaratne asserted the importance of the government reaching consensus on what he called proper legal and policy framework to manage external threats.

Prof. Gunaratne appeared on Derana 247 before the Islamic State mounted a suicide attack just outside the Kabul airport compound. The single blast claimed the lives of nearly 180 persons, including 13 US personnel.

Prof. Gunaratne advised that Sri Lanka shouldnt recognize any group that hadnt gained power through constitutional means. The official stressed the importance of having a proper general election in Afghanistan, formation of an all-inclusive government followed by UN recognition before Sri Lanka decided on the issue at hand.

Gunaratne, who first cut his teeth as a journalist in the now defunct Sun newspaper in the early 80s emphasized the need to examine carefully what was going on there before Sri Lanka recognized the Taliban whom he categorized as new actors.

During the interview Prof. Guneratne made reference to the Islamic State as the party behind those who carried out the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage here blamed primarily on the NTJ (National Thowheed Jamaat) now a proscribed group.

About a week ago Illankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) member and Jaffna District TNA lawmaker S. Sridharan compared the Talibans triumphant return to Kabul and the Tamil communitys struggle here. The MPs declaration didnt receive the backing of his party.

Mohan Samaranayake

Former Director General of Presidential Media Division (PMD) and the incumbent Director General of the Government Information Department Mohan Samaranayake told ITN yesterday (29) that recognition of a country by a particular government would depend on its agenda. Samaranayake was responding to the interviewers query regarding China quite clearly indicating its desire to work with the Taliban.

Samaranayake, formerly with the UN mission in Colombo said that recognition of Afghanistan would largely depend on five permanent members of the UN Security Council comprising the US, Russia, China, UK and France.

Both Prof. Gunaratne and Samaranayake found fault with US strategy vis-a-vis Afghanistan with the former alleging that the failure on the part of successive US political leaderships though the US military enjoyed superiority over any other military.

Samaranayake discussed the challenge experienced by China and Pakistan in the wake of rapid changes in Afghanistan. ITN interviewed Samaranayake close on the heels of a devastating Islamic State attack directed at Afghans seeking to leave the country and the withdrawing Americans.

Sri Lankas Ambassador in Kabul retired Navy Chief Admiral Piyal de Silva returned to Colombo before the fall of President Ghaniss administration clearly kept afloat with the military muscle of US and its NATO allies. Admiral Silva succeeded retired Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinhala following the 2019 presidential election.

Diplomatic sources say both Pakistan and China appeared to have adopted a sort of soft approach towards Taliban and are working with the new leadership. Recently, Afghanistan developments had been taken up when Pakistan High Commissioner in Colombo Maj. Gen. (retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak met newly appointed Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry, where the Pakistanis gave an assurance on the safety of Lankans in Afghanistan on behalf of Taliban according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

The statement quoted HC Khattak as having told Prof. Peiris that Pakistan has received an assurance from the Taliban as regards the safety of foreign nationals in Afghanistan and also made a pledge that rights of women and children would be protected. The High Commissioner also said Pakistan hoped that Afghanistan would soon establish a peaceful government structure and integrate with the rest of the world.

Former Premier and the UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned against hasty recognition of Taliban. Former PA National List lawmaker and Sri Lankas former Ambassador to Iran M.M. Zuhair, PC, strongly criticized the UNPs stand.

The US led NATO forces evicted the Taliban from Kabul in late 2001 following 9/11 Al Qaeda attacks on the US. Foreign forces reached agreement with Taliban on the basis of Doha talks initiated during the previous Trump administration. Foreign forces are scheduled to complete their withdrawal on August 31.

( Courtesy: The Island )
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Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f63932fab88)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f63928f8fb0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f63932fab88)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f63928f8fb0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f6393314b68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f63928f8fb0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f63928f8fb0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f6392db8498)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f6392db6138)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f6392db6138)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0
ICQPodcast - Grand Field Day

In this episode, Martin Butler (M1MRB) is joined by Chris Howard (M0TCH), Frank Howell (K4FMH), Bill Barnes (WC3B) and Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief and in the episode we feature a Grand Field Day.



We would like to thank Michael Casavant (N1XRR) and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate



News stories include: -



 Woman Says Hams RF Interferes with Her Insulin Pump

 Ham Saves Long-Distance Radio Friend (by accident)

 Contacts over 5,000 km in 144 MHz Opening

 FCC Application Fees Unlikely to go into Effect Until 2022

 Sailing Vessel with Ham Radio History Marks 100 years

 Vanderbilts Silent CubeSat Awakens 6 months after Launch

 Bonaire Amateur Radio Club Established



The ICQPodcast can be downloaded from http://www.icqpodcast.com
Shahid Al-Hafed, 29 August 2021 (SPS) - Prime Minister, Bushraya Hamoudi Bayoun, chaired Sunday a government meeting devoted to discussing preparations for the social admission for the new year 2021-2022.



The meeting, which was attended by members of the National Secretariat, the National Council and representatives of the sectors concerned with the social admission, reviewed the outlines of the social admission 2021/2022 for the sectors of education and vocational training, culture, religious affairs, social welfare and womens promotion, health, economic development, youth and sports, foreign affairs, information, where each ministry presented its accompanying program for the social admission.



Prime Minister, Bushraya Hamoudi Bayoun, stressed the need to keep pace with the social admission at the level of all sectors, pointing out that the completion of teaching middle education students in refugee camps came in accordance with the decisions of the 15th Congress of the Polisario Front and was discussed at the level of the National Secretariat. (SPS)



062
The lock-down didnt work  the virus still got in  so we know it got in through the workers, she said. If the staff loves the residents as much as they say they do, and I believe they do, then they have to do everything in their power to protect them. And in my opinion, that includes getting vaccinated.
The number of deaths right now is unprecedented, said Lynne Drawdy, executive director of the Central Florida Disaster Medical Coalition, who ordered the units for health systems here. What were hearing from the hospitals is that the death count right now is higher than it ever has been.
Why: 12 violations (two high-priority), including an infestation of 12 live cockroaches crawling on vegetables on cook line, inside the oven and on the wall behind the sink and prep tables. Inspectors also noticed examples of a soiled kitchen in disrepair, and spotted missing ceiling tiles, a dirty kitchen hood and reach-in cooler, and food improperly stored inside nonfood-grade to-go bags. The states Aug. 27 reinspection found five more live and dead roaches, keeping the restaurant shut. The state kept the restaurant closed after its third inspection on Aug. 28 found four more live roaches and an unclean kitchen.
Virginia Egan had just stepped onto her balcony on the east side of the Intracoastal to cut some herbs Sunday when she heard a woman screaming for help. She ran down to the seven-unit complexs dock as the woman was desperately trying to raise Esposito from the water and onto the dock.
We do not have the authority to mandate the vaccine for our students and employees, we do not have the authority to require everyone to wear a mask indoors, and we no longer have the authority to move our classes online, Fuchs said in the address.
Family members of the fallen often travel to Dover to be present for the return of the remains of their loved ones to American soil. Thursdays attack left so many casualties that military officials said the Dover Fisher House, which the Defense Department provides for the families of the fallen, was not large enough to accommodate all the grieving families, so some loved ones stayed off base.
The speed with which the Taliban captured Kabul on Aug. 15 caught the Biden administration by surprise. It forced the U.S. to empty its embassy and frantically accelerate an evacuation effort that featured an extraordinary airlift executed mainly by the U.S. Air Force, with American ground forces protecting the airfield. The airlift began in such chaos that a number of Afghans died on the airfield, including at least one who attempted to cling to the airframe of a C-17 transport plane as it sped down the runway.
Floridas existing discovery framework provides trial courts with the necessary tools to address abusive discovery practices, ranging from mandating the method of discovery to be used, to prohibiting the discovery from occurring in the first place.  Accordingly, there is no need for the special discovery protection afforded to top-level corporate officers by the majoritys new rule, Labarga wrote.
When we look at our recruitment and selection process I think most of the folks were trying to recruit end up going to other agencies in many cases because our starting salary is right around the $40,000 range by the time we get them out in the field, Thompson said.
The superintendents of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach are astute leaders who have articulated whats at stake and the importance of protecting children. They are looking out for our community and parents firmly stand behind them. As you can see from poll results, your idea to withhold school officials income is not working  nor should it have been considered.
In April this year, Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, revealed "Focus Africa", his flagship plan to reform infrastructure and education in Sub Saharan Africa over the next decade. The hope is that improved conditions in the region will reduce the flow of illegal migration to Spain, specifically to the Canary Islands and the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the Mediterranean coast.

Despite its practical shortcomings, "Focus Africa" has theoretical appeal, because it seeks to solve a formidably difficult problem once and for all, rather than to just manage its effects. Paradoxically, though, this is also its biggest flaw: if the project ever launches - a huge "if", given the amount of resources required and the reluctance of Spain's private sector to invest in a notoriously corrupt region - it will take years, if not decades, to reduce migratory flows from Sub Saharan Africa to Spain. In the meantime, what's to be done about the crises in the Canaries, Ceuta and Melilla?

Events this week have raised that question once again. On Tuesday night, a group of over forty migrants attempted to swim around a fenced breakwater from a neighbouring Moroccan town into Ceuta, but were stopped by police. Earlier that day, a lone survivor was found lying next to two dead bodies on an overturned boat, 217 kilometres off the coast of Gran Canaria. The 30 year-old woman told rescuers that she'd left North Africa with "about forty people", all of whom are now feared dead. As of the end of July this year, 7,531 migrants had arrived in the Canaries, more than double the amount during the first seven months of 2020.

The Spanish government has already started sending unaccompanied minors back from Ceuta, although human rights organisations have expressed concerns about the legality of these group deportations. Deportations have also been carried out from the Canaries, without having much impact on the number of migrants living in improvised camps or sleeping rough. In May this year - a month in which 10,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta - Sanchez said that Spain's borders will be defended "under any circumstance and with all the necessary measures."

Sanchez adopted a rather different stance in June 2018, when he took in a rescue ship carrying 629 migrants that had been rejected by Italy and Malta.

That same month, the Socialist leader also announced his intention to restore free healthcare to all undocumented people arriving in Spain, in a reversal of cuts made by his Conservative predecessor, Mariano Rajoy.

Whereas previously Sanchez flung Spain open and welcomed migrants with open arms, he's now promising tighter border control and returning new arrivals to places they've risked their lives trying to escape. What, exactly, is the Socialist leader's stance on migration?
A total of 25 people were injured after the San Gwann ferry of the FRS shipping company ran aground on Saturday night, including a 10-year-old boy in a serious condition who was transferred to the Son Espases de Mallorca University Hospital,

According to FRS the incident happened at around 9.30pm on the northern islet of Es Malvins, between Ibiza and Formentera. At the time of the accident, a total of 35 passengers and 12 crew members were travelling on the ferry.

After the impact, the crew assisted the passengers until all of them were safely evacuated from the ship.

According to the Ibiza and Formentera healthcare authhorities the SAMU 061 emergency services transferred 19 people to the Can Misses Hospital, two of them by helicopter in serious condition, seven cases in less serious condition and 10 mild. Another six people in mild condition were transferred to the Clinica del Rosario.

The two cases initially assessed as serious were two children aged 10 and 12, both of Spanish nationality. The 10-year-old boy was transferred to the Son Espases University Hospital, where was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit is described as 'seriously injured but stable'. The 12-year-old has already been discharged from hospital.

Of the other 17 injured, three people remain in hospital, two 41-year-old men and a 32-year-old woman, due to multiple injuries. The remaining 14 people have been discharged.

Nine people onboard the ferry were evacuated by helicopter and the remainder by boat. Another ferry that was in the area also helped in the rescue efforts.

The Salvamento Maritimo coastguard service said that five essential crew members remained on the ship while arrangements were made to refloat it. According to the authorities there have been no fuel spills from the ferry.
Sir,



The concept of financial benefit is often seen in cases of the sugar daddy syndrome, where impoverished families push their school-aged children to provide sexual favours to wealthy older men in exchange for money. And lately, having a sugar daddy among young women is often seen as the in thing, even if they are not excusably pushed by poverty; they are simply manipulated and deceived by the older men into sleeping with them. While pursuing a sugar daddy is something we would never personally feel comfortable doing or find very sugary-sweet, we dont think its helpful to bash those who choose to do so.

Doubt

There is no doubt that the popularity of sugar daddy relationships is a modern manifestation of our societys patriarchal nature  and this we despise. On a theoretical level, we think sugar daddy dating websites (yes, theres a whole bunch of them) and relationships as one of our cultures many practices that celebrate male power and economic clout in a way that simultaneously works to reduce women to purely physical and sexual worth. Any sensible woman would be outraged by this, but these same women also recognise the lived hardships of women and want to be careful not to police the choices of other women in a shaming manner, the practice by which women are criticised and shamed for engaging in sexual relations outside a traditional marriage would not work effectively. It is like shaming someone into losing weight, although it is a good cause, the way in which it is done is not right.

Economic

Considering the economic situation, the steep cost of higher education, healthcare needs or the necessity to provide for children, it is relatively easy for each of us to imagine why and how women could choose to pursue a relationship with a sugar daddy. We might be challenged to consider the possibility of sugar daddy relationships being more nuanced than they may first appear. Feminist theorist Judith Butler, in one of her writings, argues that because these spaces and situations are molded by the hands of social construction, like traditional gender roles, it is very easy to highlight such a nature as superficial and essentially invented to maintain inequality. The example that Butler uses in her writing is drag queens because their exaggerated display of femininity highlights the fact that gender is highly performative and in no way engrained in our genes, which destabilises everything we think to be true about gender roles. Thus, perhaps it is possible to take part in a sugar daddy relationship in a feminist manner that subverts the patriarchal norms that brought it into existence in the first place. She elaborates to say that one possible example of this would be using the money one receives from a sugar daddy to finance a PhD in a field underrepresented by women.

Convincing

It is really not convincing enough, and does not justify sugar daddy relationships, this is an adequate subversion of patriarchy from within a relationship brought into existence by the very devil we speak of, but we still believe strongly in refraining from bashing a group of fellow women for how they choose to lead their personal lives. At the very least, we think its best to try to have an open mind about these types of things. After all, some sugar babies have alleged that their relationship with sugar daddies have made them feel powerful, how that is, is still mysterious to some of us!
MANZINI  Directors of HB Motors are concerned that two months after losing assets valued at E13.2 million, government officials are yet to visit their premises.

HB Motors is an import car dealership that had 90 of its vehicles set alight during the political unrest which started on June 29, 2021. It is located at Sobhuza area, less than 500 metres from the Nazarene Traffic Lights. Munawar Mubashar, 35, expressed concern that since they suffered this loss, there had been no communication from government despite that their compound is along the Matsapha  Manzini Public Road (MR3 freeway). The communication weve had was with the police when we recorded a statement. Other than that, there is nothing else and it is sad, he said. The businessman said this was disheartening and he did not want to believe it was influenced by the fact that they were expatriates. He said following the unrest, they witnessed the then Acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, touring some of the destroyed businesses for inspection and hoped someone would also come to assess theirs.

Compensated

He said they were equally in the dark on whether they formed part of the businesses that would be compensated by government under the Reconstruction Fund. Worth noting is that another import car dealership that had its vehicles torched during the political unrest was Motor Centre at Logoba. It suffered losses estimated at E6.5 million as 40 vehicles were set alight. To the concern raised by Mubashar, Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini said: I am not sure yet of this weeks governments calendar as it is only approved by Cabinet on Tuesday. Dlamini also said details of the Reconstruction Fund would be announced during its launch on September 6, 2021 as announced by the Finance Minister  Neal Rijkenberg. Dlamini was asked to assist with information on whether the inspections conducted by government officials were still ongoing and also how those who suffered damages to their businesses would be assisted following the announcement of the Reconstruction Fund.

Subsequent to the political unrests in the kingdom, His Majesty King Mswati III pledged E500 million on behalf of government for the reconstruction of businesses that were affected. The King said the money would come from the government consolidated fund and would be merely the first contribution towards the reconstruction of businesses that suffered. Meanwhile, Mubashar said the aftermath of the political unrest was not just wreckage of burnt items; but the threat of being blacklisted for HB Motors.

He said his prospects of being in the import car dealership business hung in the balance as his business faced being blacklisted in Japan for a debt with their suppliers. Mubashar said the total value of the cars that were burnt to ashes was E10.135 million.

This debt is for stock that was taken on credit and was to be paid for after the vehicles had been sold. In total, HB Motors suffered E13.2 million worth of damages when their compound was set alight.

Mubashar said the challenging part was that after losing everything during the mayhem, they still stood to be blacklisted by their suppliers if they failed to honour their contractual obligations. He said there were eight trucks which were burnt, inclusive of five Toyota trucks, one Toyota Dyna, Nissan Atlas and Nissan Vannette. Mubashar said there were also 19 Toyota vehicles, 16 Honda Fit sedans, 14 VW vehicles, 10 Mazda sedans, six Audi sedans, five BMW vehicles and five Nissan X-Trail sport utility vehicles (SUVs). There were also three Mitsubishi vehicles, a Nissan Murano SUV, Mini Cooper, Peugeot, Mercedes Benz. Furthermore, Mubashar said besides being blacklisted, they could not even afford to remove the torched vehicles from their compound. He said they had lost everything such that they could not afford rebuilding their structure as well. He said: According to a quotation we made, to refurbish the offices will cost us about E690 640. Any money that could be coming in from debtors is hard to get as all documents that were business-related were gutted by the fire.

These documents were blue books that were withheld while their clients had not paid off the vehicles, invoice books, sale agreements with customers procuring vehicles on credit and customer details. Also, he said the value of the items that were within the offices when it was burnt was about E2.393 million. Mubashar said the office items included mobile phones, office furniture, stationery and fittings. He further said to them, the political unrest had also deprived them of nine employees whom they had worked with for a lengthy period. The employees, he said, had to be retrenched as there was no work. Worth noting is that government estimated the value of the destruction during the violent protests characterized by looting, vandalism and burning of property at E3 billion. It was further said over 5 000 people were rendered unemployed.
MBABANE  Allegations have surfaced that Members of Parliament (MPs) were lobbied by Cabinet to vote for the new deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker is Mhlangatane Member of Parliament (MP) Madala Mhlanga. He was last week Wednesday voted into the position by 34 MPs and he beat Manzini South MP Thandi Nxumalo, who received 16 votes and Kubutha MP Musa Mabuza, who only managed 13 votes. One of the candidates who withdrew from the race was Gilgal MP Sandla Fakudze. However, some of the legislators said the election was just a formality as Mhlangas name had long been chosen.

Discuss

The MPs alleged that two Fridays ago, Cabinet met at length to discuss who should be given the position of the deputy Speaker, which was left vacant after Matsanjeni North MP Phila Buthelezi was appointed Minister of Labour and Social Security. There were two names which were presented before Cabinet, which was MP Mhlanga and another returning MP, alleged one of the MPs, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said these had been chosen because in most instances the MPs had defended or sided with government whenever certain issues had been raised in the House. The legislators said initially, the MPs were earmarked for Cabinet positions after there was speculation that Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini would make a reshuffle. However, this did not happen and instead MP Buthelezi and Maphalaleni MP Mabulala Maseko were the only two appointed into the vacant positions in Cabinet, said the MP.

He alleged it was then that Cabinet agreed that they would reward Mhlanga for being on their side. In response, Government Spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini said Cabinet did not impose decisions on Parliament and as such there was no Cabinet decision to this effect. It is important to note though that MPs are allowed to lobby each other on any issue before the House, said Dlamini. He said Cabinet ministers were Members of Parliament and could lobby or be lobbied individually as MPs or senators.

Faceless

Meanwhile, the deputy Speaker said this was news to him and that it was a pity that the people who were making these allegations were faceless. MP Mhlanga said he was democratically elected last week Wednesday, which was a process that was done through a secret ballot and was transparent for all to see. But Cabinet does not even reach the number 34, which is the amount of votes I received so where did the others come from? wondered Mhlanga. It should be noted that ministers who are senators were not allowed to participate in the election. Mhlanga urged whoever was making these allegations to come forward so that they could work together. Asked if he was ready to face the challenge given that he had no previous parliamentary experience, MP Mhlanga said he was ready for the task at hand.

He further said the Constitution did not require the position of the deputy Speaker to have parliamentary experience. I have been in Parliament for three years and I know the procedures and I will be capable of directing the House, he said. While the Constitution is silent on whether the deputy Speaker should have parliamentary experience or not, some of the legislators were of the view that the one who replaced Buthelezi should have experience. According to Section 102 (3) of the Constitution, a person shall not be elected Speaker of the House unless they have some parliamentary experience and is otherwise able to maintain order in the House and properly guide the members of the House in the discharge of the business of the House in terms of the Standing Orders.

Dissolution

Meanwhile, Section 103 (2) states that where the office of the deputy Speaker falls vacant at any time before the next dissolution of Parliament, the House may elect as soon as practicable another person to that office. However, one school of thought was of the view that should the Speaker be away then the deputy Speaker presides over that sitting and therefore it should only make sense that the person elected has parliamentary experience. For example the former deputy Speaker, MP Buthelezi, was in his second term in office when he was elected deputy Speaker and therefore it only makes sense that an experienced person should be deputy, said one of the MPs. He said from as far as he could recall, a majority of the previous deputy Speakers had some form of experience. These included former Mbabane East MP Esther Dlamini and former Nkilongo MP Trusty Gina.
MANZINI  The jobless rate in the country is high such that Eswatini is rated 11th out of 94 countries in the world.

The current percentage of unemployed people in the country is 23.4. The challenge with unemployment has been constant with each year in the kingdom and statistics published by trading economics revealed that the country was 11th out of 94 countries and the fourth in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in terms of unemployment rate. The highest unemployment rate was recorded by South Africa as it rose to 34.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2021/22 from 32.6 per cent in the three months through March in that republic.

Angola was the second in SADC with 31.6 per cent followed by Lesotho at 24.7 per cent. Botswana on the other hand was ranked fifth in SADC as it had an unemployment rate of 23.3 per cent. The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Thulani Mkhaliphi, confirmed that the countrys unemployment rate was 23.4 per cent. He said the issue of unemployment was a challenge the world over given the grip of the coronavirus pandemic. To curb the spread of COVID-19, governments including Eswatini had to impose restrictions that limited trade thus forcing certain sectors out of activity. Mkhaliphi said following this, government had initiated programmes that would lure foreign direct investments (FDIs) into the country. He said collaborations were being done by government departments in attracting FDIs which was centred on the ease of doing business spear-headed by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade.

Economics

The PS was requested to assist with information following that there was a ranking by trading economics which lists the country as 11th out 94 countries with the highest unemployment. His comment was sought to establish if this record was true and how the ministry was dealing with the challenge. He was also sought to elaborate on how high the impact was brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Worth noting is that the unemployment rate is likely to deteriorate because government tightened COVID-19 restrictions early in the year to deal with the second wave of the coronavirus. Also, at the height of political unrests in the kingdom in June and July 2021, business activity at some point ended at 3pm for retail outlets and was later shifted to 6pm in the face of a third wave of infections, hindering efforts to revive an economy that was projected to grow by 1.4 per cent in this financial year. There was also an eruption of deadly riots in June and July, which saw many businesses being looted, vandalised and burnt. The unrest cost the country about E3 billion in damages and placed at least 5 000 people jobless, according to then acting Prime Minister, Themba Masuku.

On the other hand, Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini said the challenge with unemployment was also caused by governments hiring freeze, which was imposed in 2018. He said there were posts for qualified teachers but instead, government was recruiting them through perpetual contracts that did not bring stability to their lives while also limiting their benefits, which would help them have a higher buying power. He further punched holes in the education system, saying that the ability for companies to hire was undermined by a rigid education system that did not evolve with the times given that there was digital evolution. He said it had always been his organisations call for government to review the education accorded to pupils to accommodate the needs of the economy. Also, University of Eswatini (UNESWA) lecturer Sanele Sibiya said the unemployment rate in the country was relatively high. He said even the South African economy was failing to create jobs which made it dire for the domestic economy to create more jobs.

The economics scholar said this meant that there would be no jobs that people wanted and it would in turn affect the exported human resource that was exported to South Africa. He said this meant it would have a negative impact on the country. It spells tough times ahead and the country needs short- term and long-term thinking. In the short-term, the country needs to grow public works programmes to improve the economy. Sibiya said despite that this model was not popular; they did get the job done in the short to medium term. Economist Thembinkosi Dube recently shared his opinion in that there was a need for government to change the strategy of rebuilding the economy. For a long period, he said, the country depended on foreign direct investment (FDI), which he said was good but it was critical for government to invest in the citizenry.

Its important to invest in the youth and start programmes that would empower them to have sustainable formal businesses just like countries such as Nigeria, wherein local citizens have airlines and hotel businesses, Dube said. He said blame should be shouldered by both government and the citizenry for not creating employment opportunities. Dube said the working class at the peak of their career should also consider venturing into formal businesses like consultancy firms. He said this would create employment opportunities while also empowering some of the graduate employees to be partners. Despite this, he acknowledged that some people had explored this opportunity but had faced resistance from the markets such that most had resorted to returning to seek jobs.

Insurance

The environment needs to be levelled for people to be asset managers, initiate insurance companies and proper consulting firms. Dube said government also had to include emaSwati in the ease of doing business. He said if FDIs were offered tax holidays or factory shells, the same should be afforded to emaSwati with minimal red tape. Worth noting is that leading to the political unrests in the kingdom, petitions that were delivered to the various Members of Parliament (MPs) centred on the issue of unemployment in the kingdom.

The country has 59 constituencies and from these constituencies, protesters comprising mostly the youth in various constituencies have been delivering petitions to their constituency centres. In the petitions, the protesters made demands that included that they wanted government to deal with the high level of unemployment and also improve social benefits for the vulnerable members of society. Recently at the official launch of Infracast, Business Eswatini Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nathi Dlamini said the joblessness of the youth was reaching fever pitch and it was uncontrollable because when the youth is hungry they get angry. An effort to get a comment from Dlamini yesterday was unsuccessful. A questionnaire that was sent to him through Mbuso Sacolo sought to establish what the ranking of the country meant to the business community and what ought to be done to avail opportunities of employment.
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Alstom, a global leader in rail transport and sustainable mobility, has pioneered several sustainable mobility solutions across the Middle East and North Africa.

The Coradia iLint is a perfect illustration for the commitment to designing and delivering innovative and environment-friendly solutions making Alstom the first company to have developed and put into operation hydrogren trains.

Developing a train powered by hydrogen fuel cells is the most illustrative example, in addition to offering an extensive portfolio of sustainable solutions adaptable to the different challenges of customers and to local specificities.

Railway applications are ideally suited for the use of hydrogen, as the quantities of hydrogen required are large, predictable, localised and constant over a long period of time. It can cover ranges up to 1,000 kilometres.

Through innovations in electric transport and hydrogen fuel, Alstom aims to shape the future of the regions mass transit and mobility for the better. In doing so, it remains dedicated to significantly reducing emissions, minimising land use and carbon footprint, and decarbonising rail transport.

At Alstom, we are proud to be contributing to promoting the use of hydrogen as our aim is to position hydrogen as a strategic factor in the energy transition, as we are convinced it will bring about the change in road and rail transport - towards a clean and ultimately emission-free energy system. The key advantage of the technology is that it is emissions-free when used to power a train (the only by-product is water) and is zero-emission throughout its full lifecycle if produced from renewable energy. The railway industry is already one of the cleanest sectors in the field of transport. As a dedicated and long-standing partner of the regions transportation and mobility development, Alstom will continue to play an integral role in improving the environmental performance of rail across the region, says Mama Sougoufara, Managing Director Alstom Menat.

The regions governments are taking major strides towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting down on the use of fossil fuels, and decarbonising transportation.

Supporting the UAE Vision 2021, the National Agenda focuses on improving the quality of air, preserving water resources, increasing the contribution of clean energy, and implementing green growth plans.

Consequently, outlining Dubais commitment to transitioning to a green economy, the leadership inaugurated the Green Hydrogen Project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park  a first of its kind project in the Mena region that aims to produce eco-friendly hydrogen using renewable energy.

As a part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to move towards an economy less dependent on oil by launching several projects and initiatives to promote clean and affordable energy.

The kingdom has committed to developing an additional 10,000 km of rail and metro by 2030 as a part of the National Renewable Energy Programme initiatives within the transport sector.

With Alstoms sole focus being transport and mobility, it continues its support of the kingdoms economic growth and development, through the enhancement of infrastructure and the supply of sustainable solutions such as the Riyadh Metro.

In September 2020, Saudi Arabia became the first country to export blue hydrogen for zero-carbon power generation and signed an agreement to develop and operate a $5 billion facility to supply green hydrogen to the world outlining the kingdoms effort in implementing the circular carbon economy framework and supporting the global energy transition.

Known as a global driver of innovation towards carbon neutrality in rail transport  Alstom places a huge focus on greener and smarter mobility solutions. Alstom has been the first company worldwide in 2018 to introduce a new regional train based on hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. Most recently, Alstom completed the acquisition of Helion Hydrogen Power.

This promising, innovation-driven company, a 100% subsidiary of Areva Energies Renouvelables, is specialised in high power fuel cells, thus complementing Alstom's expertise in hydrogen technology.

Alstom acknowledges its responsibilities to further decarbonise mobility and thus is committed to accompany its clients in this major transition by offering efficient alternatives to diesel trains.-- TradeArabia News Service
Emirates Airline has announced several commercial leadership movements across West Asia, Africa, the GCC, and Central Asia.

Six seasoned team members in leadership roles, all UAE nationals, will help drive the airlines commercial initiatives across key markets with a strategic focus on rebuilding its leadership position and growing its customer base as countries continue easing their restrictions. All of the new appointments are effective September 1, 2021, said the airline.

All of the movements include Emirati talent into key leadership positions, either being promoted from within the organisation or through portfolio rotations, underpinning the airlines commitment to career development and progression of its UAE Nationals, it said.

Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline, said: "Thanks to the strength of the Emirates brand, our laser focus on executing strategic customer and commercial initiatives, and rationally rebuilding our network based on tangible demand, the airline is well-positioned in the long-term to generate improved results as we navigate recovery. The movements within the commercial team that have been put in place significantly strengthen our management structure across key markets. Were proud of the hard work and dedication that UAE Nationals appointed to these roles have demonstrated to tackle the challenges of the last 18 months, and todays announcement demonstrates our commitment to build bench strength from within.

Jabr Al-Azeeby has been appointed as Vice President for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Al-Azeeby has been with Emirates for 16 years, previously holding country manager roles in Uganda, Cyprus, Thailand, Pakistan, before taking on his most recent role as Vice President, India and Nepal.

Mohammed Alnahari Alhashmi has been appointed as Vice President for Pakistan. Alhashmi has held several roles throughout his 18-year career with Emirates, including management posts in Kuwait, Indonesia, Syria, the UAE, and most recently he was the Vice President for KSA.

Mohammad Sarhan, who previously held the role of Vice President for Pakistan, will become Vice President, India and Nepal. Sarhan's first post with Emirates came in 2009 in Cote dIvoire, and since then hes held several commercial leadership roles in Vietnam, Greece, Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Rashed Alfajeer, Manager Morocco, will become Country Manager Iran. Alfajeers career with Emirates began in 2013 as part of the commercial manager training programme. He has taken on several roles since then, including Commercial Manager Sri Lanka, District Manager Dammam and the eastern province in KSA, as well as Country Manager Tanzania.

Khalfan Al Salami, Country Manager Sudan, will become Manager Morocco. Al Salami joined the Emirates commercial management training programme in 2015, and went on to train further in Madrid before taking on a Commercial Manager role in Kuwait. Since then, hes held the Country Manager role in Sudan.

Rashed Salah Al Ansari, will become Country Manager Sudan. Al Ansari has been with Emirates since 2017, holding various Commercial Support Manager roles in Singapore and Jordan. - TradeArabia News Service
Four people killed in clash in Central Afghan province of Parwan  Source 02 Sep 2021 | 9:50 AM Kabul, Sep 2 (Sputnik) Four people have been killed and five more injured in a clash between the Taliban (banned in Russia) and unknown gunmen in the central Afghan province of Parwan, a source told Sputnik. see more..

Resistance forces in Afghanistan's Panjshir say will continue fighting Taliban 02 Sep 2021 | 9:25 AM Kabul, Sep 2 (UNI/Sputnik) The resistance forces in Afghanistan's northeastern province of Panjshir said on Wednesday that they would continue fighting the Taliban (terrorist group, outlawed in Russia) as their negotiations did not lead to any results. see more..

South Africa refuses to accept refugees from Afghanistan - Foreign Ministry 02 Sep 2021 | 8:45 AM Cape Town, Sep 2 (UNI/Sputnik) South Africa refused to temporarily accommodate refugees from Afghanistan, who then planned to go to a third country, the country's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement. see more..

Taliban, Qatar still lacking deal on restoration of Kabul Airport  Spokesman 02 Sep 2021 | 7:13 AM Moscow, Sep 1 (UNI/Sputnik) The Taliban (a terrorist group, banned in Russia) have not yet reached an agreement with Qatar on the restoration of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Mohammad Naeem, a spokesman for the Taliban's political office, told Sputnik. see more..
Jammu, Aug 30 (UNI) The security forces on Monday neutralised two terrorists and foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Army sources said that in continuation of operation launched in Poonch, searches were carried out near the Line of Control. "During searches, it was revealed the presence of body of another terrorist with AK-47 across the LoC," they said.

They further added that two terrorists have been successfully neutralised by the Indian Army.
Communicating astronomy to the public, trying to instill in others a sense of beauty of the night sky and how much fun all these things are, all these different fascinating topics [and] exploring them with people."

Thomas Willmitch, planetarium director

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The atmosphere the festival creates is really great. It really brings the community together. I was just watching the juggling performance and it is crazy to think about the coordination the members have.

Abby Dionne, sophomore

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JAKE SERMERSHEIM is a Sports Editor for The Vidette. He can be contacted at vidette_jrserme@ilstu.edu. Follow Sermersheim on Twitter at @JakeSermersheim

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(The Center Square)  Louisiana has paid $26.4 million out of $161 million in federally allocated Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds for 57 parishes since the program was launched in March.

The ERA program was created to help residents who are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and works in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions eviction moratorium for parishes and counties with heightened levels of community transmission.

The CDC considers the entire state of Louisiana, as well as every other state except Maine, at high risk of COVID-19 transmission.

When asked about the funding disparity  about 16% of available funds paid over five months  a spokesperson for the Louisiana Office of Community Development cited issues stemming from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

The processing of payments to applicants has been slowed by eligibility requirements and constantly changing program documentation guidelines issued by the U.S. Treasury," the spokesperson said. "The state has utilized its on-line processing, and collaboration with other agencies to share data, in order to streamline and speed up its process.

The state has steadily sped up its rental assistance disbursement since the program launched on March 5, 2021, more than doubling payments disbursed in the past month, and the speed of funding continues to pick up pace. The number of applications submitted also continues to climb, with more than 1,300 applications newly filed this week.

The ERA program applies to renters and landlords. State data through Aug. 25 indicated Louisiana residents have started 32,198 applications for assistance, while 12,178 applications were submitted and 4,905 applications were approved. Another 10,122 requests for utility bill assistance also have been made.

A program status report for the month of July showed $7.86 million was paid to 1,370 households across the 57 parishes. In June, $5.89 million was paid to 976 households, $3 million was paid to 498 households in May and $1 million was paid to 154 households in April.

The remaining seven of Louisianas 64 parishes  Caddo, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafayette, Orleans and St. Tammany  are operating their own ERA programs. According to the state, the seven local government units have received $59 million in emergency rental relief funds directly from the U.S. Treasury Department since March.

As of June 7, the most-recent data published by the New Orleans Office of Housing Policy and Community Development, $5.4 million in rental assistance out of $11.6 million in allotted funds had been distributed to qualifying residents in need.

An additional $15.8 million in Orleans Parish local ERA funds are expected, in addition to a $15.1 million commitment in state ERA funds from Gov. John Bel Edwards, the New Orleans OCD said.

The gap in disbursed funds versus allocated funds is not unique to Louisiana. The U.S. Treasury Department announced Wednesday only $5.1 billion has been disbursed by state and local governments nationwide from the first round of ERA funding occurring in December, totaling $25 billion.

Another $21 billion was approved through the American Rescue Plan Act in March, marking 11% of total ERA1 and ERA2 funds distributed to renters and landlords facing financial hardships in COVID-19 stricken communities across the country.

One of the biggest challenges many state and local government programs continue to face in getting assistance to renters and landlords is application processing delays, a Treasury Department statement said Wednesday. According to public dashboards, hundreds of thousands of applications are in the pipeline beyond those that have already been paid.

Treasury officials issued seven new recommendations as a result to accelerate assistance to those in the pipeline in addition to those who have yet to apply. Similar attempts to streamline ERA funding occurred in February, May and June.

An email response from Gov. John Bel Edwards' office earlier this month said the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program must work within the rules that the U.S. Treasury established.

However, once a tenant and a landlord submit all of the required information and have an approved application, they should expect to receive rental assistance payouts in approximately two weeks, a spokesperson said.

Landlords are among those who are hardest hit, as tenants cannot be evicted for failing to pay rent and rental assistance has been slow to compensate them.

Eloise Gauthier, a real estate agent and rental-income investor of more than 33 years said shes had to sell 10 units to make up for losses since the federal eviction moratorium began.

Ive never seen anything like this, Gauthier said earlier this month.

They stood in line for three hours, and, to this day, they have not gotten any assistance, she said about several tenants who applied in April.

Louisianas $161 million allocation follows an earlier round of ERA1 funding totaling $24 million.

After September, programs that are unwilling or unable to deliver assistance quickly will be at risk of having their rental assistance funding reallocated to effective programs in other high-need areas, the Treasury Department said.

We constantly are re-examining the process in order to find a way to accelerate payments to landlords and renters, the Louisiana Office of Community Development spokesperson said.
NEW ORLEANS - The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Wind Warning for much of southeast Louisiana, with forecasters warning of winds as high as 150 mph from Hurricane Ida.

The warning stretches stretching from Pilottown at the Mississippi River's mouth to west of Houma, and includes portions of the West Bank area of New Orleans.

''Widespread destructive winds of 115 to 150 mph will spread across St. Bernard Parish, St. Charles Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Lafourche Parish, Jefferson Parish, Plaquemines Parish, producing swaths of tornado-like damage," said the warning message from the weather service.

The warning will last until at least 10:45 a.m. Sunday.

"At 7:47 a.m., NOAA hurricane reconnaissance aircraft and maritime observations indicated extreme winds, associated with the eyewall of Hurricane Ida, will move onshore over portions of southeastern Louisiana," the message said. "This is an extremely serious and life-threatening situation."

Communities included in the warning are: Houma, Cut Off, Galliano, Larose, Belle Chasse, Port Sulphur, Timberlane, Marrero, Harvey, Lockport, Golden Meadow, Jean Lafitte, Mathews, Chauvin, Empire, Dulac, Buras, Poydras, Myrtle Grove and Raceland.

An extreme wind warning is rarely used and provides "alerts in the final moments prior to the rapid onset of destructive winds associated with the inner rain-bands of major hurricanes," meteorologist Kevin Gilmore said in a message to emergency managers. "This truly poses a very significant threat of casualties. Everyone needs to shelter in place."

Criteria for the warning is sustained surface winds of greater than 115 mph.

At 7 a.m., the National Hurricane Center forecast update predicted Ida's eye will be in Barataria Bay to the north and west of Port Fourchon at 1 p.m., with sustained winds of 155 mph and gusts to 190 mph.

The eye of the storm will continue moving north-northwest along the east side of Houma, reaching a point just northeast of Baton Rouge at 1 a.m., still with sustained winds of 80 mph and gusts to 100 mph.

The National Weather Service received a report of sustained winds of 105 mph at 7 a.m. at Southwest Pass, with gusts of 121 mph.
BATON ROUGE, La. - As hurricane Ida bears down on southeastern Louisiana Sunday, residents should prepare for delays in emergency response times, Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesman Curt Monte said.

Once winds reach a sustained force of roughly 50 miles per hour or higher, Monte said crews will no longer be dispatched to emergency calls.

There are times, when the winds get too high, that we wont be able to respond, he said. Its up to the commander or supervisor in charge, but generally somewhere around 50 mph winds.

Ida had winds of about 150 mph upon making landfall, and could have winds of 110 mph by the time it gets to Baton Rouge.

Public safety crews, including the parishs swiftwater rescue and structural collapse teams, are in place and have been strategically spread throughout the city, Monte said.

As of Sunday afternoon, Mayor-President Sharon Western Broome said the city-parish has more than 180 water rescue personnel across all its first-responding agencies on standby.

EMS teams were briefed Friday about emergency protocol. Spokesman Mike Chustz said backup generators will keep EMS headquarters and dispatch center running even in a worst-case scenario.

Similar to BRFD, EMS personnel will not be dispatched to emergency calls once winds reach a sustained impact of 45 miles per hour.

However, Monte said saving lives remains the highest concern.

"Life is our first priority," he said. "If life is in jeopardy, were going to respond."
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Halls Sophie Garner-MacKinnon has been named the 2020-21 Gatorade Connecticut Softball Player of the Year, according to a release from Gatorade. Garner-MacKinnon is the first Gatorade Connecticut Softball Player of the Year to be chosen from Hall High School.
Police: Missing Paducah Teen Returned Home

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - The Paducah Police Department is reporting that Deonna A. Harper returned home and is safe.The Paducah Police Department is requesting the public's help with locating a missing teen.Fifteen-year-old Deonna A. Harper was last seen in the 2400 block of Washington Street wearing a white top, blue jean jacket, multi-color jogging pants, and a gold necklace.She is black, 5 feet 9 inches tall, approximately 170 pounds, with orange and brown hair, and brown eyes.Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Paducah Police Department.
One Dead in Southern Illinois Shooting

By West Kentucky Star Staff

ULLIN - One man is in custody and another dead after a shooting Saturday night in Johnson County, Illinois.The Illinois State Police responded to the shooting on Dutchman Lake Road in which 51-year-old Josephy E. Geyman of Tunnel Hill had been shot and later died.Police arrested 68-year-old Larry D. Cavitt of Goreville. Cavitt has been charged with first degree murder and is currently in custody at the Massac County Jail.Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 7 at 618-542-2171 Extension 1207.
Anticipated Rain Delays Trigg Culvert Project

By West Kentucky Star Staff

TRIGG COUNTY - The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has delayed the start of a culvert replacement project along Roaring Springs Road in southern Trigg County until further notice.KYTC plans to close KY 164 for about three weeks to allow the Casey Creek Branch Culvert be replaced between South Road and Delmont Church Road.
Missouri Man Arrested on DUI, Drug Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

BALLARD COUNTY - A traffic stop in Wickliffe on Saturday led to the arrest of a Missouri man on DUI and drug charges.Ballard County deputies stopped a vehicle on North 4th Street for alleged equipment violations.The driver, Jeffrey Elliott, was reportedly under the influence of intoxicants, and a search of his vehicle allegedly uncovered marijuana and a handgun.Elliott was arrested and taken to the Ballard County Jail, where deputies say he was found to be concealing additional illegal drugs.He was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of illegal substances, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, possession of a controlled substance (drug unspecified), possession of marijuana, promoting contraband, and rear license plate not illuminated.
Illinois Indoor Mask Mandate Now in Effect

By West Kentucky Star Staff

SPRINGFIELD - A mask mandate issued by Governor J.B. Pritzker went into effect Monday across Illinois regardless of a persons vaccination status.Everyone ages 2 and up is required to wear masks in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. The mask mandate is based on the number of hospital and ICU beds available.At latest count, 96 percent of COVID patients in Illinois hospitals are not vaccinated.Pritzker also made mandatory vaccinations or regular COVID tests for all state teachers, health care, and daycare workers. Starting on Sept. 5, individuals working in a vaccine-required setting who are unable or unwilling to get the shot will be required to get tested at least once a week.More frequent testing may be required, such as in the case of an outbreak, he said.Pritzker said he is not currently considering business capacity limits.
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 00:28:50|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) opened the door of employment, education and development opportunities for the people of the country's southwest Gwadar district through the development of Gwadar Port and welfare work by the Chinese government and people, a Pakistani senator from Gwadar said.

Gwadar came into the limelight because of CPEC, which not only tapped the potential of the Gwadar Port but also brought a lot of positive financial changes in the lives of the residents of the district, Senator Kahuda Babar said.

"Now we have many things which we wanted to have ... We had educational issues, we had health issues, we had electricity issues, but because of CPEC we were heard, and we got facilities," he said.

Lauding the Chinese government for its support to the people of Gwadar and creating opportunities for them, the Pakistani senator said that "thanks to the Chinese government, they have granted us Gwadar East-Bay Expressway, our vocational training centers, international airport and providing more health facilities."

He noted that the Chinese government and people not only did infrastructural development in the district but also provided funds to uplift the lives of local people.

The official said that the people of Gwadar got a chance to know the culture of China through the Chinese living and working in the district and vice versa.

"Chinese are living here with us ... We live like friends, as brothers and as a family," he said, adding that there is so much cultural integration between the people of the two countries that the locals think of them as their own family, and the Chinese people also respect the culture and norms of the locals.

"We wear the same dresses; we eat the same food, we share our sorrows and happiness," he added.

Citing the example of the investment of Chinese companies in the livestock sector of Gwadar and uplifting the sector in the district, he said through it they "offered jobs exclusively for the residents of Gwadar. They are promoting the livestock market of Gwadar and giving opportunities to the locals. Before establishing the port, there were only a few opportunities for us, but now there are many."

He said that in the construction of the port, 70 percent of people had been hired from Gwadar, adding that a lot of infrastructural development work is going on in the city and the real impact of the developmental work will be visible after their completion.

Talking about the future of Gwadar, he said the industrialization process is about to start in the district in CPEC's special economic zone, which will bring a lot more employment and business opportunities for people.

Launched in 2013, CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar Port with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 00:32:55|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in a cross-border attack by militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan's northwest Bajaur district, an army statement said on Sunday.

The terrorists opened fire at a military check post located at the border in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement.

Pakistan Army troops responded in a befitting manner. As per intelligence reports, due to fire of Pakistan army troops, two to three terrorists got killed and three to four terrorists got injured, the statement added.

"Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that existing and future setup in Afghanistan will not allow such activities against Pakistan," said the statement.

Earlier, addressing a press briefing, Director-General of the ISPR Babar Iftikhar said that his country expects that the Afghan Taliban will keep their words of not letting the Afghan soil be used against Pakistan or any other country. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 11:38:05|Editor: huaxia

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CANBERRA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Australia on Monday reported its 1,000th coronavirus death since the start of the pandemic, according to the Department of Health, as the country continued to battle the third wave of COVID-19 infections.

On Monday morning, New South Wales (NSW), Australia's most populous state with Sydney as the capital city, reported another four deaths, bringing the nation's death toll beyond 1,000.

There have been 93 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since June 16, said NSW health department, with a record 1,375 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 on Monday.

Of the news cases, 1,290 were from NSW. Victoria, the second-most populous state with Melbourne as the capital city, reported a further 73 new local cases.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) confirmed 12 new cases, six of which have been linked to previous cases.

Only two of the cases were in quarantine for their entire infectious period.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr will soon announce whether Canberra's strict lockdown imposed on Aug. 12 will end as planned on Thursday.

"The Delta strain is very, very challenging to contain. And as today's data confirms, we still have people who are infectious in the community," he said.

"We still have cases that don't have clear epidemiological links. This is concerning."

Barr also said "it is very clear" that ACT will require ongoing public health measures in place beyond this week. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 12:05:48|Editor: huaxia

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CANBERRA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Support for the Australian government has fallen to its lowest level this term amid outbreaks of COVID-19.

According to the latest Newspoll, which was published on Sunday night, the opposition Labor Party now leads the governing coalition 54-46 percent on a two-party preferred basis.

The coalition's primary vote - the portion of voters intending to give the party their first preference votes at the next election - fell to 36 percent, its lowest level since March 2019.

By comparison, primary support for Labor increased to a three-year high of 40 percent.

The poll was conducted amid Australia's biggest wave of coronavirus infections.

The country reported a new record number of locally acquired COVID-19 cases several times in the past 10 days, with outbreaks of the Delta variant in the two biggest cities of Sydney and Melbourne continuing to grow.

However, Newspoll found that support for Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison grew as his party lost ground.

Half of the respondents to the poll chose Morrison as their preferred prime minister - up from 49 percent earlier in August - compared to 34 percent for Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese - down from 36 percent.

The number of voters satisfied with Morrison's performance increased to 49 percent while those dissatisfied fell to 47 percent, restoring his positive net approval rating. Albanese had a net rating of negative 7 points.

A separate poll of 15,000 Australians published by YouGov on behalf of the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) on Sunday revealed widespread support for greater action on climate change in all 151 federal electorates.

It found that 67 percent of voters - and 59 percent in Morrison's electorate - believe the federal government should be doing more to address climate change.

Support for increased action was broadly stronger in metropolitan areas and was highest in the Northern Territory (NT). Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 13:02:16|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Aug. 30, 2021 shows a damaged vehicle after rockets were fired in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Five rockets were fired early Monday at Kabul airport in the Afghan capital, where the evacuation of U.S.-led troops is underway, witnesses said. "The rockets attached to a sedan were fired towards the airport form Khair Khana Minia locality. It looked to me that the U.S. missile system intercepted the rockets," witness Sayyad Mohammad told Xinhua. (Photo by Kabir/Xinhua)

KABUL, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Five rockets were fired early Monday at Kabul airport in the Afghan capital, where the evacuation of U.S.-led troops is underway, witnesses said.

"The rockets attached to a sedan were fired towards the airport form Khair Khana Minia locality. It looked to me that the U.S. missile system intercepted the rockets," witness Sayyad Mohammad told Xinhua.

There is no report of casualties yet, and the Taliban has not confirmed the incident so far.

On Sunday, at least six civilians and a suspected militant of ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, were killed in a U.S. drone attack in a neighborhood west of the airport. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Evacuation flights continued as the U.S. troops were at the final stage of their withdrawal from Afghanistan. The pull-out is expected to be completed on Tuesday.

U.S. unmanned planes have been flying over Kabul since Sunday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 16:34:56|Editor: huaxia

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TOKYO, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday that its global output rose 11.9 percent in July from a year earlier to 773,135 vehicles, but the pace of increase has been slowing amid the COVID-19 pandemic and a global shortage of semiconductors, local media reported Monday.

The output grew for 11 months in the row but compared with the 41.2 percent increase in June, July's growth rate has dropped significantly.

The top Japanese automaker is expecting a production cut ahead because of rising difficulties in securing components as the COVID-19 infections surges in Southeast Asia where many of Toyota's suppliers are located.

Toyota has said that its global production in September is expected to cut by 40 percent, or around 360,000 units, from its original plan.

The firm's overall overseas production rose 6.1 percent to 463,997 units. Output in China and other Asian countries gained 9.1 percent, but the production in North America decreased by 2.4 percent as the impact of the chip crunch has gradually shown up.

Its domestic output increased 21.8 percent to 309,138 units.

Rising for the 11th consecutive month, Toyota's global sales were 858,569 units in July, driven by a recovery in auto demand in key overseas markets including North America.

Its overseas sales rose 16.0 percent to 718,762 units. Robust demand for the RAV4 sport-utility vehicle helped boost sales in North America, Toyota said.

Meanwhile, its domestic sales, including those of minicars with engines of up to 660 cc, also increased 9.4 percent to 139,807 units with strong demand for the Yaris compact car and the Roomy minicar. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 17:31:10|Editor: huaxia

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by David Williams, Lin Jing

COPENHAGEN, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The United States' hasty military withdrawal from Afghanistan and its refusal to extend the withdrawal deadline scheduled on Tuesday has left its European allies feeling dazed and betrayed as they are scrambling to depart the war-torn country with their own meagre resources.

Without a U.S. security guarantee during the evacuation, the U.S. allies are facing a chaotic situation at Kabul airport, the major exit for foreigners to leave the country. As the deadline is looming, many European countries had to halt their evacuation plans.

Meanwhile, concerns are surging over a possible flood of Afghan refugees into Europe after the U.S. military withdrawal, casting doubt over Europe's long-standing strategic dependence on the United States.

CHAOTIC WITHDRAWAL

On Sunday, six Afghan civilians, including four children, were killed after a rocket was fired at Kabul airport, where the U.S.-led evacuation flights were continuing, but the rocket failed to hit the target, a local source confirmed.

Earlier, a suicide bomb attack rocked the Kabul airport on Thursday, killing 13 U.S. service members and some 170 Afghans.

During a Group of Seven (G7) virtual summit on Tuesday, leaders of the U.S. allies tried to persuade U.S. President Joe Biden to extend the evacuation deadline.

However, despite the deteriorating situation and pleas from the allies, Biden has maintained his country still aims to complete its withdrawal by Aug. 31.

Without U.S. military support, the Europeans would not be able to evacuate their own personnel and local Afghan forces from Kabul, said Senior Policy Fellow Jana Puglierin at the European Council of Foreign Relations.

After the G7 meeting, German Chancellor Angela Merkel admitted that without the U.S. security guarantee, they are facing difficulties to continue their withdrawal operations. According to German media, it is estimated that there are still over 200 German citizens in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, France halted its air evacuation operation in Afghanistan on Friday. French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that the U.S. decision not to extend the deadline for withdrawing from Afghanistan beyond Aug. 31 has put "all of us in a situation which is no more under control."

The Belgian federal government made a decision on Wednesday evening to end all evacuations from Kabul airport over a suicide bomb threat, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said Thursday.

"Clearly, the decision to leave Afghanistan on the part of the United States surprised many partners. We need to have a frank discussion," said the prime minister.

POSSIBLE REFUGEE CRISIS

According to the United Nations (UN) Refugee Agency, 550,000 people have been forcibly displaced inside Afghanistan this year, joining 2.9 million others already internally displaced across the country at the end of 2020, and 2.6 million Afghans have fled worldwide over the past decades.

European countries are worried about a possible influx of Afghan refugees as the hasty U.S. withdrawal will destabilize the region and push more people to flee.

In Greece, fear of a potential tsunami of refugees from Afghanistan is spreading. Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi said Friday that Greece will not become a gateway to Europe for irregular migration flows, like what happened during the period from 2015 to 2019.

Since 2015, over one million people have reached Greece fleeing warzones and extreme poverty, and most have continued their journey to other European countries until the borders along the Balkan route to Central Europe were sealed off.

"The Afghan crisis is creating new data in the geopolitical sphere and at the same time is creating possibilities for migration flows. We have to prepare ourselves for the possible consequences," Greek Minister of Civil Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis told national broadcaster ERT recently.

Last week, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan jointly urged the international community to provide more support to countries closer to Afghanistan to handle the crisis.

Meanwhile, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has declared that there will be no further admission of Afghans to Austria "under his chancellorship."

"The European Union (EU) must move very quickly and offer material and technical assistance where needed to ensure that people fleeing Afghanistan stay in neighboring countries with the prospect of returning to their homeland at some point," Constantinos Filis, executive director of the Institute of International Relations at Panteion University in Athens, told local news website Newsbeast.

CALL FOR STRATEGIC AUTONOMY

For European leaders, the fallout from the United States' hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan serves as a reminder that instead of blindly relying on the United States, they should seek some strategic autonomy.

In an exclusive interview with The Economist in November 2019, Macron was already predicting rumbling discontent with the U.S. leadership, describing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as "brain dead" and reiterating his demand for the development of "strategic autonomy" in Europe.

The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan is now a wake-up call that Europe needs to develop military capabilities independent of those of the United States, said Josep Borrell, the EU policy chief for foreign affairs and security.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto further reiterated the call for Europe to be able to do something in the absence of the United States as the EU's role in the Afghan crisis is "invisible."

"It is certainly necessary to discuss the role of Europe in the world. I have also personally insisted on the need for such a discussion," said Niinisto, adding that "to be able to deal with the growing power political pressures independently, Europe needs a force of its own."

Dissatisfaction with Europe's incompetence in Afghanistan also reared its head at German local news outlet NTV, which lashed out with a scathing commentary about the European forces and admonished Europe's dependence on the United States in Afghanistan.

"That the Europeans cannot achieve this despite decades of efforts to develop their own military strength, that too is a glaring sign of powerlessness," the article said.

However, some European leaders are shying away from a pan-European solution to ease the woes of humiliating impotency, and are advocating a reform of existing organizations like NATO instead.

In a recent interview with Blesk news website, Czech President Milos Zeman proposed that NATO needs to be radically reformed and at the same time should define international terrorism as its primary enemy, rather than being a service organization of the United States.

"We need a collective leadership of NATO, a certain equality of the member countries. Not that when some president gives an order, all the others obey it," he said. Enditem

(Xinhua reporters Ren Ke and Pan Geping in Brussels, Liu Fang and Tang Ji in Paris, Zhang Yuan in Berlin, Yu Shuaishuai in Athens, Yang Xiaohong in Prague, Zhu Haochen and Juhani Niinisto in Helsinki, and Patrick Ekstrand in Stockholm also contributed to the story.)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 18:21:57|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Taliban senior leader Abdul Haq Wasiq denounced the U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan and described the move as a violation of U.S.-Taliban peace deal, local media reported.

The airstrikes inside Afghanistan violated the Doha agreement inked in February last year and "America does not have the right to conduct operations in Afghanistan soil," Tolo News quoted the official as saying.

Following the deadly terrorist attack on the Kabul airport Thursday evening for which ISIS-K, an affiliate of the Islamic State group active in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility, the U.S. military launched a drone strike in the eastern Nangarhar province on Friday.

In the meantime, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told media that two persons were killed and four others including two children and two women injured in the drone strike.

Mujahid also said the United States had to share its intention for the attack with the Taliban before launching it.

According to the Pentagon, the U.S. military on Friday launched a drone strike against the terror group in Nangarhar province of eastern Afghanistan, which killed two "high-profile" members and wounded another, in retaliation for the deadly airport attack.

In addition, U.S. military carried out an airstrike in Kabul on Sunday against a suspected ISIS-K vehicle, which could pose an imminent threat to the airport.

"We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time. We remain vigilant for potential future threats," U.S. Central Command Spokesman Bill Urban said in a statement.

Kabul is under the spell of attacks in recent days.

Following the terrorist attack on the airport on Thursday which left more than 170 people dead, including 13 U.S. soldiers, six civilians including four children were killed as a rocket fired by unknown militants in Kabul's Khwaja Bughra neighborhood on Sunday evening.

Five rockets were also fired early Monday at the airport where the U.S.-led evacuation flights were continuing, witnesses said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 19:47:31|Editor: huaxia

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COLOMBO, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has detected nearly 60,000 COVID-19 infections in recent weeks which authorities believe may be caused by a rapid spread of what they called "Super Delta" variant, local media reported here Monday.

According to health officials, Sri Lanka's active COVID-19 patient count is 59,796 with an average of 4,000 new infections being detected daily. So far, 8,775 deaths have been reported from the virus.

Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Sciences of the Sri Jayawardenapura University Neelika Malavige said the Delta variant of COVID-19 was spreading like wildfire in the country's capital Colombo and there was a great risk of it reaching other parts of the country.

In addition, Professor Malavige and Chandima Jeewandara of the university's department of allergy and immunology said that the Delta variant had gone beyond the Alpha variant and was spreading rapidly, while the variant that was newly spreading in the country could be a "Super Delta" variant.

Jeewandara said if the vaccination drive met its target of 80 percent among eligible population by the end of September, there was hope of controlling it.

Sri Lanka is in the midst of a large-scale vaccination program with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructing authorities to finish inoculating all citizens above the age of 30 with the first doses by September. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 20:08:10|Editor: huaxia

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KATHMANDU, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's aviation entities lost around 37 billion Nepali rupees (313 million U.S. dollars) in potential earnings due to flight restrictions imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, aviation regulators said in an annual report.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) said in its report for the 2020-21 fiscal year ending in mid-July that the aviation sector lost around 12 billion Nepali rupees (102 million dollars) in potential earnings.

Airlines as a whole lost about 25 billion Nepali rupees (212 million dollars) due to flight restrictions enforced after the first and second waves of the pandemic that hit the country in early 2020 and this April, the report said.

According to the report, the Nepal Airlines lost around 7 billion Nepali rupees (59 million dollars), and the Himalaya Airlines, a China-Nepal joint venture, lost around 3 billion Nepali rupees (25 million dollars) in potential earnings.

Nepal's other airlines involved in domestic flights lost around 15 billion Nepali rupees (127 million dollars).

The South Asian country first suspended international flights on March 22 last year and later a lockdown imposed from March 24 to July 21 halted domestic flights as well.

Domestic and international flights resumed on Sept. 1 last year, but the ban was reinstated after the coronavirus battered the country again in early April this year.

The government suspended regular domestic flights from May 3 and international flights from May 6, and allowed limited international and domestic flights from June 1 and July 1, respectively, after the pandemic eased to some extent.

Raj Kumar Chhetri, CAAN's spokesman, told Xinhua on Monday that the suspension of domestic and international flights have resulted in heavy losses to both the regulator and the airlines.

"For example, our monthly income has come down to 200 million Nepali rupees (about 1.7 million dollars) to 300 million Nepali rupees (about 2.56 million dollars) in recent days from 800 million Nepali rupees (about 6.83 million dollars) to 900 million Nepali rupees (about 7.69 million dollars) in normal times before the pandemic first hit the country," said Chhetri.

"Our monthly income plunged to as low as 40 million Nepali rupees (about 341,650 dollars) a month when the lockdown was strictly enforced," he added.

The CAAN has raised various fees from the airlines, including airport development fee.

"In recent days, only 12 to 18 international flights are taking place daily from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu," said Chhetri. "In normal times, there are over 40 international flights in a day in July and August."

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Dim Prasad Poudel, managing director of the Nepal Airlines, said that for the last one and a half years, the national flag carrier was failing to repay massive loans it received to procure aircraft for international flights due to pandemic-induced losses. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 22:52:44|Editor: huaxia

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YANGON, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Ministry of Transport and Communications on Monday announced the extension of suspension period of international commercial flights until the end of September.

The extension was made to continue preventing the importation of COVID-19 to the country through air travel.

According to a release from Ministry of Health, Myanmar reported 3,583 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the tally in the country to 395,883 on Monday.

A total of 104 new deaths were reported on Monday, bringing the death toll to 15,287 in the country, the release said.

According to the ministry's figures, a total of 348,682 patients have been discharged from hospitals and over 3.57 million samples have been tested for COVID-19 so far.

Meanwhile, Myanmar's State Administration Council on Monday has further extended the public holiday period for 10 more days to Sept. 10 for further prevention, control and treatment of COVID-19 infection.

According to the council's order, the Central Bank of Myanmar and its subordinate government banks and private banks will be exempted from public holidays.

Myanmar's Central Committee on Prevention, Control and Treatment for COVID-19 also announced an extension of closure of basic education schools until Sept. 10, due to the need to continuously curb the spread of COVID-19 infections.

Myanmar detected its first two positive cases of COVID-19 on March 23 last year. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-30 23:03:20|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- After the deadly suicide blast which killed some 170 Afghan people and 13 U.S. soldiers at the Kabul airport on Thursday, some survivors have raised the possibility that a number of Afghan people were actually killed by American fire amid the chaos and confusion instead of by bombing.

Lying on a hospital bed on Monday, an injured Afghan man who only gave his name as Kamyab told Xinhua about his ordeal at the Hamid Karzai international airport on Thursday night. "The blast was followed by gunshots and due to the firing, my hand was injured outside the airport," he recalled.

"No other armed men except the American soldiers were in the area when the shooting took place," he said. "Under a rain of bullets, everyone was trying to escape the tragic scene."

Some injured claimed on condition of anonymity that U.S.-made bullets had been extracted from some wounded people.

On Saturday, a BBC reporter named Secunder Kermani posted a video on Twitter, in which Afghan civilians were interviewed at the Kabul airport. "Many we spoke to, including eyewitnesses, said significant numbers of those killed were shot dead by U.S. forces in the panic after the blast," Kermani said.

In the video, a brother of a London taxi driver called Mohammed Niazi said Mohammed was at the airport with his wife and two daughters to help his family evacuate from Afghanistan, yet the couple lost their lives in the attack, and their two daughters went missing.

"Somehow, I saw an American soldier and beside him there were Turkish soldiers," the brother said, adding that "The fire came from the bridges, like the towers."

"From the soldiers?" Kermani asked. "Yeah, from the soldiers," the interviewee said, nodding.

Nouma Hamid was another man killed in the attack. "The guy has served the U.S. army for years and (this is) the reason he lost his life," said a friend showing Hamid's ID card. "He wasn't killed by (the) Taliban, he wasn't killed by ISIS. (The) U.S. army started shelling."

When asked why he was so sure that Hamid was killed by U.S. fire instead of the bombing, the man said, "The bullet went inside his head, near to his ear."

Kermani said in a following tweet that the U.S. Department of Defense has given no response to the BBC's question about the firing.

Echoing the bullet trajectory theory, an Afghan online channel called Faisal of Kabul Lovers posted a video which was retweeted with English subtitles by Sangar Paykhar of Podcast Afghan Eye on Saturday. In the video, an Afghan medical worker at an emergency hospital in Kabul said that many victims from the airport were shot from an upper-front angle, "striking sculls, necks and chests."

"No bullet holes from this area below," said the Podcast host, pointing to below the chest. "All victims were killed by American bullets except maybe 20 people out of 100. They (the others) were struck by the suicide bombing, they were blown into pieces."

At least 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. soldiers were killed and about 200 people wounded in the blast that hit an eastern gate of the airport on Thursday, when huge crowds were awaiting evacuation flights. ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State group, claimed responsibility for the bombing.

The Pentagon said there was firing from "ISIS gunmen" after the bombing, and called the gunfire at the airport gate "a complex attack." However, there were doubts about how the ISIS-K fighters could launch such a massive attack at the heavily-fortified airport area and why no dead bodies of the fighters have been found, as well as about the bullets' suspicious trajectories.

U.S. President Joe Biden has vowed to avenge the deaths of the U.S. soldiers. U.S. military forces launched drone strikes against ISIS-K suspects in the eastern Nangarhar province on Friday and a neighborhood west of the airport on Sunday.

The Taliban said the U.S. air strikes have caused civilian casualties and violated the U.S.-Taliban peace deal signed in Doha last year. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-31 00:16:03|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least 39 persons, mostly children, have died in India's northern state of Uttar Pradesh over the past several days due to dengue, or a dengue-like fever, said media reports on Monday.

The deaths occurred in the state's Firozabad district and its nearby areas.

English daily Hindustan Times quoted state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as confirming that 32 children and seven adults died in Firozabad due to a suspicious dengue-like fever in the district.

Adityanath visited the families of those who lost their members and assured them all possible help.

The chief minister also visited a local hospital where children showing symptoms of the disease are being treated. Enditem
Xi Jinping Speaks with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera on the Phone

2021/08/27

On August 27, 2021, President Xi Jinping had a phone conversation with Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera.

Xi Jinping pointed out that since the establishment of China-Malawi diplomatic ties, bilateral relations have witnessed rapid and sound development, with political mutual trust continuously enhanced, friendship between the two peoples constantly deepened, and the two sides understanding and supporting each other in international affairs. The two sides have joined hands to fight against COVID-19, and their practical cooperation has been steadily moving forward. China is ready to continuously strengthen anti-pandemic cooperation with Malawi, and hopes that the COVID-19 vaccines provided by China will play a positive role in helping the country prevail over the pandemic.

Xi Jinping stressed that China is a sincere and reliable development partner of Malawi. The Chinese side appreciates Malawi's adherence to the one-China principle, supports the country in independently exploring a development path that suits its own national conditions. China is ready to continue providing support for and aid to Malawi's economic and social development within its capacity. China stands ready to better synergize development strategies with Malawi, deepen exchanges and cooperation in such areas as state governance, poverty alleviation and development, promote cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture, health care and other fields, and continuously achieve new results in bilateral friendly practical cooperation. China is also ready to expand cooperation with Malawi on international and regional affairs and safeguard the common interests of developing countries as well as international equity and justice.

Chakwera extended congratulations once again on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and on China's historic achievements in poverty alleviation. The Malawian side attaches great importance to its relations with China, values the sound cooperation between the two countries in various areas, and hopes to build an even more solid and robust relationship with China. The Malawian side thanks China for providing valuable assistance to the country's fight against COVID-19. Investment from and cooperation with China have played an important role in Malawi's economic and social development. Malawi looks forward to working with China to strengthen practical cooperation in infrastructure, development and other fields, and deepen cooperation within the framework of the Forum on Africa-China Cooperation, so as to help Malawi achieve national development. Malawi unswervingly upholds the one-China policy, opposes interference in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, and rejects the politicization of COVID-19 origins tracing. The Malawian side is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with China on international and regional affairs.
Esta tarde, un nuevo lote de un millon de vacunas contra la #COVID19 arribo al Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez, para continuar con el proceso de vacunacion a nivel nacional, ante una tercera ola. pic.twitter.com/PtXZMlwhKV
?? AHORA | Titular de la PCM, junto a ministros @MinemPeru, @MTC_GobPeru y autoridades @MinamPeru @MinjusDH_Peru y PCM, llego a Cusco para reunion sobre propuestas de accion ante principales demandas de comunidades campesinas del corredor vial sur de la provincia de Chumbivilcas. pic.twitter.com/qULycgYdRT
YEREVAN, AUGUST 21, ARMENPRESS. Within the framework of cooperation between the government, communities and the UNDP Armenia, a thermo-modernization project of buildings is underway in Armenia for the first time, which has reduced heating expenses for residents in numerous communities, cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The project is carried out through a governmental subvention program where the government is providing co-funding at 55-70% proportionality.

ARMENPRESS talked to UNDP Armenia Climate Change Program Coordinator Diana Harutyunyan on the De-risking and Scaling-up Investment in Energy Efficient Building Retrofits project, the main goal of which is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

This project is implemented by UNDP Armenia, with funding from the Green Climate Fund and under the coordination of the Armenian Ministry of Environment. The main goal of the project was the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as an environmental task in fighting climate change. The reason is that Armenia, as an energy importer and not exporter, is interested in its energy independence. Our studies showed that primary energy resources are consumed in buildings, mostly in the residential sector. With this project we will be able to solve two issues at once  reduce fuel consumption and related greenhouse gas emissions, and also social issues, Harutyunyan said.

The thermo-modernization is done either partially or fully. Partial retrofitting involves thermal insulation of the rooftops and installation of energy-efficient doors and windows in entrances and basements, and a new lighting system. The full retrofitting also adds thermal insulation of external walls and basements.

In 2020, as a result of cooperation between the UNDP Armenia and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures, this program was included for the first time in the list of actions available under governmental subvention.

In the first year, thermo-modernization bids for 125 buildings from 14 communities across the country were submitted, with 110 receiving approval. 55 multi-apartment buildings are now in various stages of implementation in Vedi, Spitak, Kajaran, Dilijan, Berd, Akhtala, Stepanavan, Tashir, Ijevan and Ashtarak. The thermo-modernization work will soon begin in another 29 buildings which were approved last year, but the funding will be implemented under a new proportionality, she said, adding that the retrofitting is mainly done in buildings which initially had poor thermal insulation and were built without considering energy losses.

Harutyunyan says the thermo-modernization in buildings is cutting heating expenses up to 50% and reduces greenhouse emissions. In addition, the market value of apartments increases 15-20% and the buildings become more attractive. Temporary jobs are also created, and the construction material market is becoming active, Harutyunyan said.

The governmental co-financing with such proportionality has significantly decreased the burden of communities. Program Coordinator Harutyunyan noted that initially the program was to be implemented by government-involved loans. During the negotiations process the European Investment Bank expressed such readiness. After the project was launched, the direction of using the loans changed. However, the government attached importance to the issue and decided to support this program with its resources as part of a subvention program, says Harutyunyan, adding that the governments participation and the community initiative were very effective because the organizational matters proceeded smoothly.

Currently the state subvention program co-funding is carried out 55-70% by the government, 25% by the UNDP Armenia, and the remainder by the community.

The government is implementing co-funding with such proportionality because it is attaching importance to the social needs of residents living in multi-apartment buildings. The size of the subvention share depends on the location of communities, for example: whether it is located more than 100 kilometers from Yerevan, or is it a border community etc. The thermo-modernization work of 55 buildings implemented with this proportionality is nearing completion. The other multi-apartment buildings approved under the 2020 state subvention program are waiting for their turn. Here, the government decided to make changes. It is proposed to carry out the co-funding of 30 buildings under a new proportionality, despite their bids having been approved back in 2020 under the previous proportionality. The works of 29 of them will start this year and will be completed in 2022, Harutyunyan said, warning that the governments new proposal will create a big burden for the communities, and there are risks that the realization of the 14 million dollars in environmental grants provided for the thermo-modernization program will be jeopardized and it will not be possible to complete the program in the outlined volumes.

The Green Climate Fund describes the project as improving energy efficiency (EE) in Armenia through building retrofits, addressing high levels of energy poverty and high use of imported fossil fuels for heating. The project will build the market for EE building retrofits in Armenia, leading to sizeable energy savings and GHG emission reductions (up to 5.8 million tCO2 of direct and indirect emission savings over the 20-year equipment lifetimes), green job creation and energy poverty reduction.

According to the UNDP Armenia, the Project scope will cover single-family houses, multi-apartment buildings as well as public buildings. The expected total number of direct beneficiaries is 210,000.

Interview by Lilit Demuryan

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan will send another official reports to international organizations, as well as to Armenias state structures and civil society organizations over the deliberate acts committed by the Azerbaijani side against the Armenian citizens on August 30.

On August 29, in the morning the Azerbaijani servicemen deliberately set fires near Sotk and Kut villages.

The fires in the direction of Sotk village of Gegharkunik province have been extinguished, whereas the fires near Kut have not been stopped and spread due to weather conditions. The photos published show the situation of this moment. Given that the Azerbaijani armed forces have illegally infiltrated and are located near the direct vicinity of the villages, in the sovereign territory of Armenia, these fires are a real danger also for the civilian population of those villages, the Ombudsman said in a statement on social media.

He stated that these sabotage criminal acts against the civilian population of Armenia are carried out deliberately.

Moreover, the Azerbaijani servicemen understand that the current weather conditions are such which lead to the quick spread of fires that would destroy the areas belonging to the people. And then they also understand that the residents will see these fires and they obviously do that for scaring the people.

The withdrawal of Azerbaijani armed forces from the roads between the villages and communities of Armenia has no alternative, in order to guarantee the rights of the border residents of Armenia, peoples peaceful and safe life.

The facts of the recent acts of the Azerbaijani side in Syunik, Gegharkunik and Ararat provinces, including the shots fired by them prove that they become more and more dangerous for the civilian population, are being done deliberately, have become targeted, and the violations of rights are of a mass nature, the Ombudsman stated.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Recovery growth has been registered in almost all branches of the economy of Armenia in the first half of 2021 according to the results of the economic research conducted by the Eurasian Expert Club.

Coordinator of the Club, political analyst Aram Safaryan told a press conference in Armenpress that in 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the Artsakh War, Armenia has registered an economic regress, nearly by 8%.

After last years coronavirus pandemic, we are registering significant recovery growth rates in the first half of this year. We can be optimistic after this fact, moreover, in July 2021, compared to May, these developments are of a progressive nature. This shows that the economys recovery dynamics is at a positive field, Aram Safaryan said.

According to him, this recovery growth registered in all branches of the economy has a tendency to continue. He said there are exclusively opportunities for Armenias economic development thanks to its membership to the Eurasian Economic Union.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan received today the delegation led by US Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy, the ministry told Armenpress.

The defense minister introduced the US Ambassador on the current situation in Armenias borders, stating that the Azerbaijani side is regularly taking provocative actions. Arshak Karapetyan reaffirmed the readiness of the Armenian side to solve the issues with peaceful means, at the same time highlighting the determination to protect the borders and territorial inviolability of Armenia.

The opportunities of giving new impetus to the Armenian-American cooperation in the defense field were also discussed.

The sides expressed readiness to continue the productive cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
According to information published by the Daily Sabah website on August 29, 2021, Turkey will purchase a second batch of Russian-made S-400 air defense missile systems. Turkey is very close to signing a new contract with the Russian defense industry.

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TEL Transporter Erector Launcher unit of Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system. (Picture source Vitaly Kuzmin)

According to information provided by Alexander Mikheev, the head of Russias state arms exporter Rosoboronexport,, Russia is in the process to sign a new with Turkey for the delivery of more S-400 air defense missile systems.

The first reports about the talks between Russia and Turkey on the deliveries of S-400 air defense missile systems emerged in November 2016. Russia confirmed in September 2017 that the $2.5 bln contract had been signed. Under the deal, Ankara will get a regimental set of S-400 air defense missile systems (two battalions).

In September 2017, Russia said that it had signed a contract worth 2.5 billion dollars with Turkey for the delivery of S-400 systems. The deal envisages partial technology transfer to the Turkish side. In November 2019, Russia has delivered the first batch of S-400 air defense missile systems to Turkey.

The S-400 also nicknamed Trium, NATO code-named SA-21 Growler is an air defense missile system developed in the 1990s by Russia's Almaz Central Design Bureau. It enters into service with the Russian army in 2007.

A battery of S-400 includes a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and command and control center. The missile of the S-400 is able to destroy a wide range of aerial targets including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ballistic and cruise missile with a maximum range of 400 km and an altitude of up to 30 km. It can simultaneously engage 36 targets.
Azerbaijan, with the complicity of Turkey, is sending militants from Afghanistan to the occupied part of Nagorno-Karabakh, Artsakh Foreign Minister David Babayan told NEWS.am.

August 30, 2021, 15:33 Artsakh FM: Azerbaijan, with Turkeys complicity, sending militants from Afghanistan to occupied part of Karabakh

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 30, ARTSAKHPRESS: "After the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, some of the Al Qaeda militants were immediately deployed in the Artsakh Republic territories [now] occupied by Azerbaijan. This is done jointly with Turkey, and pursues several goals. Naturally, Turkey wants to save the backbone of its militants whom it uses in various regions, mainly in the Middle East. The deployment of militants in the occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh will create serious problems for Russia, Iran, and regional security in general, and is a kind of oversight over Azerbaijan proper. There are already many international terrorist groupswhich are not actually overseen by Baku, but overseen by Turkeyin these regions.

Thus, Turkey is strengthening its position in Azerbaijan. Despite the slogans of brotherhood, one people, two states, Turkey uses levers of force to prevent the brother from reconsidering its brotherly relations on Ankara's task.

We see a deeply thought-out geopolitical line where radical terrorist forces are actively used. In order to somehow hide what is happening, information is disseminated about the alleged relocation of Afghan refugees to the occupied part of Nagorno-Karabakh.

We all know that refugees from Afghanistan prefer Western countries. Since [these] refugees are people who have collaborated with the Western coalition in one way or another, they have views that differ from the Taliban regarding public order and state-building in Afghanistan, and they have nothing to do in Azerbaijan, especially in the occupied territories where Azerbaijan is destroying everything, turning those areas into a bridgehead. Therefore, it is necessary for this information to be re-checked by international organizations, and relevant structures of the interested states, taking into account what stability and security threat this transfer of militants poses," said David Babayan.
The construction of a three-storey residential building continues in the town of Chartar, Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh.

August 30, 2021, 16:30 A three-storey residential building is being built in Chartar

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 30, ARTSAKHPRESS: Alexander Saghyan, Head of the Urban Development and Local Self-Government Department of the Martuni regional administration told Artsakhpress.

The construction works were started before the 44-day Artsakh war with the financial support of the "Armenian Villages Development Fund". The building was designed for Chartar's large families. After the war it is being built with the funding support of the Government of Artsakh Republic.

The residential building will have 9 apartments. The apartments will be provided to the displaced families, "A. Saghyan said and noted that the building will be put into operation in November of this year.
We have spent all month trying to deny it, but summer is clearly on its way out. And as sad as that is, at least we have Labor Day to celebrat
Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine contamination woes in Japan have widened with another million doses temporarily suspended after foreign substances were found in more batches and two people died following shots from affected lots.

The suspension of Moderna supplies, affecting more than 2.6 million doses in total, comes as Japan battles its worst wave of COVID-19 yet, driven by the contagious Delta variant, with new daily infections exceeding 25,000 this month for the first time amid a slow vaccine rollout.

The latest reports of vaccine contamination came from Gunma prefecture near Tokyo and the southern prefecture of Okinawa, prompting the suspension on Sunday of two more lots in addition to the 1.63 million doses already pulled last week.

A tiny black substance was found in a Moderna vaccine vial in Gunma, an official from the prefecture said, while in Okinawa, black substances were spotted in syringes and a vial, and pink material was found in a different syringe.

Japan's health ministry said some of the incidents may have been due needles being incorrectly inserted into vials, breaking off bits of the rubber stopper. Other vials from the lots can continue to be used, the ministry said on Monday.

The contamination cases followed a government report on Saturday that two people died after receiving Moderna shots that were among lots later suspended.

The government had said that no safety or efficacy issues had been identified and that the suspension was a precaution. The causes of death are being investigated.

"It is unlikely, in my opinion, that contamination of foreign substances led directly to sudden deaths," said Takahiro Kinoshita, a physician and vice chair of Cov-Navi, a vaccine information group.

"If the contaminated substances were dangerous enough to cause death for some people, probably many more people would have suffered from some symptoms after the vaccination.

Japan earlier halted the use of 1.63 million Moderna doses, shipped to 863 vaccination centres nationwide after the domestic distributor, Takeda Pharmaceutical, received reports of contaminants in some vials.

Story continues

Some 500,000 people received shots from those supplies, Taro Kono, the minister in charge of the vaccine push, has said.

Moderna and Spanish pharma company Rovi, which bottles Moderna vaccines for markets other than the United States, said at the time that the contamination could be due to a manufacturing issue in one of Rovi's production lines.

The affected vaccines in Gunma are from a Moderna lot that is different from those whose use has already been suspended, the Gunma official said.

Vaccines from the same lot have been administered to 4,575 people in Gunma, but the prefecture has heard no reports of ill health, the official said.

The contamination "is a serious problem" and there is need to investigate, but given rising COVID-19 cases, Moderna vaccinations should "continue with appropriate precautions", said Nicholas Rennick, an Australian doctor practicing at the NTT Medical Centre in Tokyo.

Only 44 per cent of Japan's population has been fully vaccinated, lagging vaccination rates of several developed countries.
The United States remains on Britains amber travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the U.S. to the U.K. dont have to self-isolate. A negative COVID-19 test within three days before arriving in the U.K. is required and another negative test is needed two days after arriving.

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe travel list on Monday.

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc to do so. Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EUs executive arm remained in discussions with the Biden administration but so far both sides have failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case-by-case basis."

The European Council updates the safe travel list every two weeks, based criteria related to coronavirus infection levels. The threshold for being on the EU safe list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.
The U.S. war effort at times seemed to grind on with no endgame in mind, little hope for victory and minimal care by Congress for the way tens of billions of dollars were spent for two decades. The human cost piled up  tens of thousands of Americans injured in addition to the dead.

More than 1,100 troops from coalition countries and more than 100,000 Afghan forces and civilians died, according to Brown Universitys Costs of War project.

In Biden's view the war could have ended 10 years ago with the U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden, whose al-Qaida extremist network planned and executed the 9/11 plot from an Afghanistan sanctuary. Al-Qaida has been vastly diminished, preventing it thus far from again attacking the United States.

Congressional committees, whose interest in the war waned over the years, are expected to hold public hearings on what went wrong in the final months of the U.S. withdrawal. Why, for example, did the administration not begin earlier the evacuation of American citizens as well as Afghans who had helped the U.S. war effort and felt vulnerable to retribution by the Taliban?
It was the second airstrike in recent days the U.S. has conducted against the militant group, which claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing Thursday at the Kabul airport gate that killed 13 U.S. service members and scores of Afghans struggling to get out of the country and escape the new Taliban rule. The Pentagon said a U.S. drone mission in eastern Afghanistan killed two members of IS' Afghanistan affiliate early Saturday local time in retaliation for the airport bombing.

In Delaware, Biden met privately with the families of the American troops killed in the suicide attack, and solemnly watched as the remains of the fallen returned to U.S. soil from Afghanistan. First lady Jill Biden and many of the top U.S. defense and military leaders joined him on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base to grieve with loved ones as the dignified transfer of remains unfolded, a military ritual for those killed in foreign combat.

Sullivan said earlier that the U.S. would continue strikes against IS and consider other operations to go after these guys, to get them and to take them off the battlefield. He added: We will continue to bring the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan to make sure they do not represent a threat to the United States.
Continued uncertainty over the Buffalo Bills' future in Western New York has prompted another push to make the New Stadium Working Group subject to the state Open Meetings Law.

A new stadium to replace Highmark Stadium, formerly Ralph Wilson Stadium, is projected to cost $1 billion, whether it was built near the existing facility in Orchard Park or at a downtown site. Staying at Highmark Stadium, which opened in 1973, would cost $540 million for the next series of renovations, according to a 2014 study by AECOM. The study based its estimates on what it cost the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs to extensively renovate their facilities over the previous decade.

Questions over the Bills' lease has prompted speculation the team may move, though Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told the Associated Press in early August it was too early in lease negotiations to worry about the team moving. Poloncarz also said the team wouldn't get a "blank check" from the state and county, either.

"We will get a deal done," Poloncarz told the Associated Press. "It's just got to be a fair deal for all."
France has implemented a nationwide maximum speed of 30 kilometres per hour from today. The new rule applies to almost all streets of the French capital Paris. Violating this rule will be quite expensive for vehicle owners, as the authority is instructed to slap fines of at least 90 euros.

As of Monday, motorists and drivers of two-wheelers will have to slow down to travel in the French capital. However, there will be exceptions on certain sections of Paris, like the Marshals or the Champs-Elysees, where speed limit remains 50 kmph.

The decision has been taken in an attempt to reduce accidents and making Paris more pedestrian-friendly. Before the new rule was implemented, Paris already had around 60 per cent of its roads where speed of vehicles were limited to 30 kmph. According to surveys, the average speed of vehicles in

some of the most congested streets of Paris does not exceed 16 kmph currently.

The decision has left a large section of vehicle owners in the French capital fuming. Commercial vehicle drivers said that this will not only result in longer waiting times for customers, but will also shoot up rates of cabs and hurt business.

Under Socialist Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the Paris city government has already restricted or banned vehicle traffic on several streets and multiplied the number of bike lanes. Besides trying to reduce accidents or providing more space to pedestrians and cyclists, Hidalgo backs the rule as it promises to improve the city's air quality. She had named Spain as a model to reduce the chaos of inner-city traffic.

With the new speed limit of 30 kmph, Paris has joined a list of other French cities, such as Lille, Montpellier, Grenoble, Nantes and Rennes where similar rule already exists. In other parts of Europe, Lausanne in Switzerland or Hamburg, Bremen, Munich and Berlin in Germany also have similar speed limits for vehicles.
Tata Motors, in collaboration with Sipradi Trading, has launched Safari SUV in the Himalayan country Nepal at starting price of NPR 81.99 lakh (roughly converted to 50 lakh). The vehicle that was launched in India earlier this year, comes in six- and seven-seat layouts.



Tata Safari

SUV will be made available in Nepal in a total of nine trims starting from the XE variant and going up to the XZA+ variant. The automaker has also made available the higher-spec Adventure Persona trim of the Safari SUV in the country. The SUV has currently been put on display and is being made available for test drives through the dealer network of Sipradi Trading.



(Also read | Tata Safari vs Hyundai Alcazar: Spec shootout as three-row SUV war hots up)

Tata Safari is based on the automaker's Impact 2.0 design language and the OMEGARC architecture, derived from the D8 platform from Land Rover. It comes with a mile-long list of features such as advanced ESP with 14 functionalities and Boss Mode providing enhanced ride comfort.



The SUV gets a 2741 mm wheelbase and a panoramic sunroof. On the inside, it features signature Oyster White theme with Ashwood finish dashboard. An 8.8-inch floating island infotainment system completes the premium interior package offered inside the SUV.

Tata Safari is being offered in Nepal in various colour options including Tropical Mist, Daytona Grey and Orcus White along with the signature Royal Blue. (Image: HT Auto/Sabyasachi Dasgupta)

The Adventure Persona trim comes equipped with R18 black tinted charcoal grey machined alloy wheels and a Safari mascot placed on its bonnet. It features all-piano black finish in its grille, roof rails insert and outer door handles along with. On the inside, it gets earthy brown interiors, dark chrome accents on air vents, knob, switches, inner door handle and instrument cluster. The steering wheel, grab handles, floor console frame and IP mid pad finisher feature a piano black colour.



(Also read | From Safari and Hector Plus to Hyundai Alcazar, is Innova Crysta under threat?)

Tata Safari is being offered in Nepal in various colour options including Tropical Mist, Daytona Grey and Orcus White along with the signature Royal Blue. It sources power from a 2.0 litre Turbocharged Kyrotec engine that is rated to deliver an output of 170 PS and 350 Nm of peak torque.



After achieving a production milestone of 10,000 units of Safari in India in a span of less than six months since launch, Tata Motors aims to replicate the success of the SUV in the Nepalese market as well. Wishing for a similar love and adulation for the New Safari from our Nepal customers and brand enthusiasts," said Mayank Baldi - Head PVIB, Tata Motors.
Hollywood actor Tom Cruiser drove a motorcycle off a giant cliff in Norway while shooting for a stunt in his upcoming movie Mission: Impossible 7. The actor, who is known for performing his own dangerous stunts, showed a clip of the motorcycle stunt during a gathering of movie theater operators

and Hollywood studio executives at the CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Nevada, US.



The video clip was an aerially shot footage of the actor who jumps off the giant cliff with his motorcycle and remains air-bound until his parachute is released and he lands back safely.



(Also read | Watch bike stunt gone wrong, biker gets nearly killed doing wheelie)



Cruise trained for the stunt for more than a year by taking at least 500 sky-diving sessions and 13,000 motor-bike jumps, while the original stunt was filmed a total of six times, as reported by Hollywood Reporter. "This is far and away the most dangerous thing Ive attempted; weve been working on this for years," Cruise told Deadline Hollywood. "I wanted to do it since a little kid."



The Hollywood actor's preparation for the bike stunt was showed as behind-the-scenes footage, where he performs sky dives and motocross jumps, during the convention. He then traveling on his motorcycle across an elaborate ramp constructed on a remote Norwegian cliff to shoot the stunt itself.



(Also read | Stuntman dies while trying to break record for longest motorcycle ramp jump)
Li Auto Inc. Announces Unaudited Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Operating Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2021

Deliveries of Li ONEs were 17,575 vehicles in the second quarter of 2021, representing a 166.1% year-over-year increase.





2020 Q2

2020 Q3

2020 Q4

2021 Q1

2021 Q2





















Deliveries

6,604

8,660

14,464

12,579

17,575

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had 97 retail stores covering 64 cities and 167 servicing centers and Li Auto-authorized body and paint shops operating in 127 cities.

Financial Highlights for the Second Quarter of 2021

Vehicle sales were RMB4.90 billion (US$759.4 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 41.6% from RMB3.46 billion in the first quarter of 2021.



Vehicle margin2 was 18.7% in the second quarter of 2021, compared with 16.9% in the first quarter of 2021.



Total revenues were RMB5.04 billion (US$780.4 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 40.9% from RMB3.58 billion in the first quarter of 2021.



Gross profit was RMB952.8 million (US$147.6 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 54.5% from RMB616.7 million in the first quarter of 2021.



Gross margin was 18.9% in the second quarter of 2021, compared with 17.3% in the first quarter of 2021.

Loss from operations was RMB535.9 million (US$83.0 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 31.4% from RMB407.7 million in the first quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP loss from operations3 was RMB365.5 million (US$56.6 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 62.6% from RMB224.8 million in the first quarter of 2021.



Net loss was RMB235.5 million (US$36.5 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing a decrease of 34.6% from RMB360.0 million net loss in the first quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP net loss3 was RMB65.1 million (US$10.1 million) in the second quarter of 2021, compared with RMB177.0 million net loss in the first quarter of 2021.



Operating cash flow was RMB1,407.6 million (US$218.0 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 52.0% from RMB926.3 million in the first quarter of 2021.



Free cash flow4 was RMB982.1 million (US$152.1 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 72.2% from RMB570.2 million in the first quarter of 2021. Li ONE; photo credit: Li Auto



Key Financial Results

(in millions, except for percentages)



For the Three Months Ended

% Change5



June 30, 2020

March 31, 2021

June 30, 2021

YoY

QoQ



RMB

RMB

RMB









Vehicle sales 1,919.2

3,463.7

4,903.3

155.5%

41.6%

Vehicle margin 13.7%

16.9%

18.7%

5.0%

1.8%























Total revenues 1,947.2

3,575.2

5,039.0

158.8%

40.9%

Gross profit 259.7

616.7

952.8

266.9%

54.5%

Gross margin 13.3%

17.3%

18.9%

5.6%

1.6%























Loss from operations (176.3)

(407.7)

(535.9)

204.0%

31.4%

Non-GAAP loss from operations (176.3)

(224.8)

(365.5)

107.3%

62.6%























Net loss (75.2)

(360.0)

(235.5)

213.2%

(34.6)%

Non-GAAP net loss (159.2)

(177.0)

(65.1)

(59.1)%

(63.2)%























Operating cash flow 451.7

926.3

1,407.6

211.6%

52.0%

Free cash flow 300.8

570.2

982.1

226.5%

72.2%



Recent Developments

Deliveries Update

In July 2021, the Company delivered 8,589 Li ONEs, representing a 251.3% increase from July 2020. As of July 31, 2021, the Company had 109 retail stores covering 67 cities, in addition to 176 servicing centers and Li Auto-authorized body and paint shops operating in 134 cities.

Hong Kong Dual Primary Listing

On August 12, 2021, the Company successfully completed its global offering (the Global Offering) and dual primary listing of Class A ordinary shares on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) under the stock code "2015." The net proceeds from the Global Offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, were HK$11.6 billion (US$1.5 billion), assuming no exercise of the option to purchase additional Class A ordinary shares.



The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Global Offering for research and development of HPC BEV technologies, platforms, and future models, intelligent vehicle and autonomous driving technologies, and future EREV models; expansion of production capacity, retail stores, delivery and servicing centers, roll-out of HPC network, and marketing and promotion; and working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Collaboration in New Production Base

In July 2021, the Company signed a memorandum of understanding with a local company for collaboration in a reconstruction and expansion project of an automobile manufacturing plant in Shunyi District, Beijing, China.

Investment Agreement

On August 27, 2021, the Company signed an investment agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xinchen China Power Holdings Limited relating to the formation of a company to be held in the majority by the Company in Mianyang, Sichuan Province, China, to develop and manufacture a next generation range extension system for the Company.

CEO and CFO Comments

Mr. Xiang Li, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Li Auto, commented, "Our remarkable second quarter results reflect the undeniable strength and appeal of our Li ONE. The 2021 Li ONE received rave reviews and strong endorsement from users, contributing to our second quarter deliveries of 17,575 vehicles and July deliveries of 8,589 vehicles, resulting in cumulative deliveries of over 70,000 vehicles. We are also excited to share that Li ONE topped sales charts in the large SUV and new energy SUV categories in July, making us a leading domestic NEV manufacturer in China."

"We have achieved outstanding performance in the second quarter, with total revenues hitting a record high of RMB5.04 billion, up 158.8% from the same period last year and an increase of 40.9% from RMB3.58 billion of last quarter, mainly driven by higher deliveries. Our vehicle margin reached 18.7% this quarter, up 5.0 percentage points year over year, and gross margin stood at 18.9%, demonstrating our consistently effective cost management approach," added Mr. Tie Li, Li Autos chief financial officer. "With the completion of our global offering and dual primary listing, we successfully raised over US$1.5 billion in net proceeds, positioning us well for future growth. We expect our enhanced product lineup and increased deliveries following production ramp-up to help us continue to deliver strong results."

Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2021

Revenues

Total revenues were RMB5.04 billion (US$780.4 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 40.9% from RMB3.58 billion in the first quarter of 2021.



Vehicle sales were RMB4.90 billion (US$759.4 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 41.6% from RMB3.46 billion in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in revenue from vehicle sales from the first quarter of 2021 was mainly attributable to the increase in delivery of the 2021 Li ONE since its release on May 25, 2021.



Other sales and services were RMB135.7 million (US$21.0 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 21.7% from RMB111.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in revenue from other sales and services over the first quarter of 2021 was mainly attributable to increased sales of charging stalls, accessories and services in line with higher accumulated vehicle sales.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin

Cost of sales was RMB4.09 billion (US$632.9 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 38.2% from RMB2.96 billion in the first quarter of 2021.



Gross profit was RMB952.8 million (US$147.6 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 54.5% from RMB616.7 million in the first quarter of 2021.



Vehicle margin was 18.7% in the second quarter of 2021, compared with 16.9% in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in vehicle margin from the first quarter of 2021 was primarily driven by higher average selling price in the second quarter of 2021 due to our launch of the 2021 Li ONE in late May.



Gross margin was 18.9% in the second quarter of 2021, compared with 17.3% in the first quarter of 2021, mainly driven by the increase of vehicle margin.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses were RMB1.49 billion (US$230.6 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 45.3% from RMB1.02 billion in the first quarter of 2021.



Research and development expenses were RMB653.4 million (US$101.2 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 27.0% from RMB514.5 million in the first quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP research and development expenses3 were RMB543.7 million (US$84.2 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 36.6% from RMB397.9 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in research and development expenses over the first quarter of 2021 was primarily attributable to increased headcount and increased research and development activities for the Companys next vehicle models.



Selling, general and administrative expenses were RMB835.3 million (US$129.4 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 63.8% from RMB509.9 million in the first quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expenses3 were RMB780.9 million (US$120.9 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 73.6% from RMB449.8 million in the first quarter of 2021. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses over the first quarter of 2021 was primarily driven by increased marketing and promotional activities, as well as increased headcount and rental expense with the expansion of the Companys distribution network.

Loss from Operations

Loss from operations was RMB535.9 million (US$83.0 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 31.4% from RMB407.7 million in the first quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP loss from operations was RMB365.5 million (US$56.6 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 62.6% from RMB224.8 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Net Loss and Loss Per Share

Net loss was RMB235.5 million (US$36.5 million) in the second quarter of 2021, compared with RMB360.0 million net loss in the first quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP net loss was RMB65.1 million (US$10.1 million) in the second quarter of 2021, compared with RMB177.0 million net loss in the first quarter of 2021.



Basic and diluted net loss per ADS6 attributable to ordinary shareholders were both RMB0.26 (US$0.04) in the second quarter of 2021. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net loss per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders3 were both RMB0.07 (US$0.01) in the second quarter of 2021.

Cash Position, Operating Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

Balance of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, time deposits and short-term investments was RMB36.53 billion (US$5.66 billion) as of June 30, 2021.



Operating cash flow was RMB1,407.6 million (US$218.0 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 52.0% from RMB926.3 million in the first quarter of 2021.



Free cash flow was RMB982.1 million (US$152.1 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 72.2% from RMB570.2 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Business Outlook

For the third quarter of 2021, the Company expects:

Deliveries of vehicles to be between 25,000 and 26,000 vehicles, representing an increase of 188.7% to 200.2% from the third quarter of 2020.



Total revenues to be between RMB6.98 billion (US$1.08 billion) and RMB7.25 billion (US$1.12 billion), representing an increase of 177.8% to 188.9% from the third quarter of 2020.

This business outlook reflects the Companys current and preliminary view on the business situation and market condition, in particular, the ongoing industry-wide semiconductor shortage due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which are all subject to change.
Gasgoo Daily: Tesla adds six charging stations in Beijing

With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

XPeng P5 to start sales on September 15

The XPeng P5 will come into the market for sales on September 15, the company announced.

XPeng P5; photo credit: XPeng

Farasis to build new battery project in Wuhu

Farasis Energy plans to build a battery project in Wuhu, Anhui province with a designed annual capacity of 24GWh. The project will need a large sum of money.

Tesla adds six charging stations in Beijing

Another six new supercharging stations of Tesla started to operate in Beijing, the company said.

Caocao reportedly finishes new funding round

Caocao Chuxing has completed new financing round with a billion yuan raised, people familiar with the matter said.

Sinopec accelerates hydrogen business expansion

Sinopec Group plans to build 1000 hydrogen refueling stations during the 14th Five-year Plan period. In 2021, the company will have 100 new hydrogen refueling stations.

NIO builds charging route for Qinghai-Tibetan area

NIO builds the first charging route for Qinghai-Tibetan area, which starts from Xining and ends in Lasa, covering a total of 2400 kilometers.

GAC Aion launches new battery tech with high charging multiplier speeds

GAC Aion, GAC Group's wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to new energy vehicle (NEV) business, officially launched its super-fast charging battery technology that boasts 6 charging multipliers assisted by the A480 supercharger, which made its world's debut at the same time.



SenseTime files for IPO in Hong Kong

The Chinese artificial intelligence company SenseTime filed for its IPO in Hong Kong Stock Exchange on August 27th, with CICC, Haitong International and HSBC as its co-sponsors.



Li Auto Inc. Announces Unaudited Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Li Autos total revenues in second quarter of this year were RMB5.04 billion (US$780.4 million) in the second quarter of 2021, representing an increase of 40.9% from RMB3.58 billion in the first quarter of 2021.



Geelys ZEEKR launches EV charging sub-brand ZEEKR Power

ZEEKR announced the launch of its EV charging sub-brand ZEEKR Power at the Chengdu Motor Show 2021, envisioning an energy supply network composed of large-sized charging stations and multiple practical functions designed to facilitate users' EV charging.



Great Wall Motor H1 net profit surges 207.87% YoY



Thanks to the stable increase of vehicle sales and average vehicle price, Great Wall Motor managed to achieve growth in both revenue and net profit for the first-half of this year.



BYD scores 50.22% YoY jump in semi-annual revenue



The revenue for the first six months of the year at BYD Company Limited (BYD) surged 50.22% year on year to 90.885 billion yuan ($14.052 billion), the company reported in a filing last week.
Shanghai-led alliance included in Chinas first FCV pilot application city clusters

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- A city cluster led by Shanghai and formed for pilot application of fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) has become one of Chinas first conurbations authorized for FCV demonstration, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization (SMCEI) announced on August 26 via its WeChat account.

SAIC Maxus EUNIQ 7 fuel cell MPV; photo credit: SAIC Maxus



The approval was jointly given by five agencies under China's State Council, namely, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the National Energy Administration.

In addition to Shanghai, the city cluster encompasses Jiangsu province's Suzhou and Nantong cities, Jiaxing city in Zhejiang province, Zibo city in Shandong province, the Ningdong Energy-chemical Industry Base in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Ordos city in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

According to the SMCEI, the Shanghai-led city cluster will focus on the FCV pilot application in mid-/long haul +mid-/heavy-duty trucks scenarios, and strive to make breakthroughs in a number of FCV-related core components, roll out high-end FCV models, and hammer out relevant industrial standards.

The commission also revealed that a strategic goal has been set for the city cluster, which aims to plan and build nearly 100 hydrogen filling stations, output annual industrial value of 100 billion yuan ($15.429 billion), and deploy nearly 10,000 FCVs by 2025.

Before Shanghai's announcement, the Beijing Municipal Finance Bureau said several days ago a Beijing-led city cluster was also included in Chinas first FCV demonstration conurbations. During the four-year demonstration period, it will be rewarded by the State Council according to its fulfillment of targets.
Geely's EV brand ZEEKR to raise $500 million from five external investors

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- ZEEKR Intelligent Technology, a high-end EV company launched this year by Geely, signed an agreement on August 27 to issue and allot to five investors a total of 126,470,585 Series Pre-A Preferred Shares, at a consideration of $500 million, according to an announcement of Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (Geely Auto).



Photo credit: ZEEKR

Those investors, who are all independent third parties, include Intel Capital Corporation, CATL, Cathay Fortune Corporation, Bilibili, and Boyu Capital. Notably, Bilibili is an iconic brand and a leading video community for young generations in China.

The shares to be sold will represent roughly 5.6% of the enlarged issued share capital of ZEEKR Intelligent Technology.

According to Geely Auto's announcement, ZEEKR Intelligent Technology and its subsidiaries mainly engage in the businesses related to design, R&D, sales, and after-sale services of new energy vehicles manufactured and marketed under the ZEEKR brand.

The newly-agreed external fundraising will be conducive to improving the market image and future prospects of ZEEKR Intelligent Technology, said Geely Auto. This is the first step for ZEEKR to build an ecosystem where all participants interests are aligned and open doors for more strategic cooperation among ZEEKR and its partners.

Moreover, the latest investment represents an opportunity for ZEEKR Intelligent Technology to raise more funds, while widening ZEEKR's investor base for expansion and development of its EV business.

The first ZEEKR-branded production model, the ZEEKR 001, hit the market in mid-April this year. Its 2021 orders have already been booked out, said Geely Auto.

ZEEKR plans to launch 6 all-new models over the next three year and is ambitious to achieve a sale target of 650,000 per year by 2025.
The White House said Monday morning that about 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul over the prior 24 hours aboard 26 U.S. military flights and two allied flights.

Sullivan said the U.S. does not currently plan to have an ongoing embassy presence after the final U.S. troop withdrawal. But he pledged the U.S. will make sure there is safe passage for any American citizen, any legal permanent resident, after Tuesday, as well as for those Afghans who helped us. But untold numbers of vulnerable Afghans, fearful of a return to the brutality of pre-2001 Taliban rule, are likely to be left behind.

Blinken said the U.S. was working with other countries in the region to either keep the Kabul airport open after Tuesday or to reopen it in a timely fashion.

He also said that while the airport is critical, there are other ways to leave Afghanistan, including by road, and many countries border Afghanistan. The U.S., he said, is making sure that we have in place all of the necessary tools and means to facilitate the travel for those who seek to leave Afghanistan" after Tuesday.
Think about that: Even after the 22-month Mueller witch hunt and two bogus impeachments, Trumps popularity is soaring. For a half-decade, the former president has faced unprecedented vitriol from left-wing Democrats and unrelenting media bias, yet Republicans support him now more than ever. For years, the entire world witnessed a well-coordinated, masterfully orchestrated effort to destroy Trumps family, tarnish his credibility, and limit the success of his administration  yet that effort failed. The Trump administration successfully implemented the most conservative agenda since the Reagan years, which Republicans proudly acknowledge today.

What Trumps enemies fail to grasp is that, with each bogus attack, they only reinforce his persona and entrench the loyalty of his supporters. They have literally created a political figure of mythical proportions, one who will be analyzed and dissected for decades to come. Seeing the lack of fairness and objectivity of the Trump years, tens of millions of Americans are quick to come to his defense.

An attack on him is an attack on Trump supporters writ large. That loyalty endures. As the head of the anti-Biden Committee to Defeat the President, which routinely backed Trump in 2020, I saw that loyalty firsthand on the campaign trail. The grassroots run deep.
Birthday wishes

Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun.

Happy Birthday Wishes
Crazy English founder Li Yang is allegedly beating one of his daughters, claimed Kim Lee, his American ex-wife whom he abused a decade ago. Since their divorce, Lee took custody of their three daughters, Li Li, Li Na and Li Hua.

Crazy English is an unorthodox language learning programme that emphasises oral learning, particularly by shouting. It has been very popular in China and has attracted about 20 million followers.

Ten years ago, Li Hua rescued me from your violence. This year, Li Na had to rescue Li Hua from your violence. You have not changed a bit, Lee wrote on Weibo on Sunday night, with an accompanying video clip.

The video, which only shows a dark screen, with a mans voice screaming in English: What happened? Sit down!. Then a womans voice screamed back, What are you doing? Why do you want to kill me?



Lee said on Weibo that when Li beat her, he said it was Chinese culture, so she divorced him. She forgave him for the abuse as he was the father of their three children, and even gave him her blessing when he remarried and had another child.

But you brutally beat our daughter, you and your Crazy English cult members threatened them to not tell their mother, not tell anyone  how could you do that?, she wrote. I hope everyone from Crazy English can understand that China has an anti-domestic violence law. You are worshipping a criminal.

Lee has confirmed to the South China Morning Post the authenticity of the post.



Im OK. Kids are safe, she told the Post. Just have to deal with many things and feelings.

Li did not respond to the media request for comments.

ln 2011, Lee set off a national discussion about domestic abuse after she posted photos online of injuries caused by Li. She filed for divorce later that year.

In 2013, a Beijing court granted Lee 12 million yuan (US$1.86 million) when dividing the familys assets and custody of their three daughters.

At the time it was seen as a landmark case that fostered awareness about domestic violence in China. Since the sentencing, Lee has urged mainland women to stand up for their rights.

In 2019, Lees status as a voice for abused women came under attack, when she said she had forgiven her ex-husband on Weibo. She clarified to the media afterwards, telling The Beijing News her forgiveness did not extend to condoning domestic violence.

[Li] thinks that he is the victim  and did not [recognise what he did wrong], she said.

In 2016, Chinas Anti-domestic Violence Law, which is the first of its kind in the country, formally came into effect. It enables victims of intimate partner violence or child abuse to seek restraining orders and revoke legal guardianship. It also mandates education in schools and requires law enforcement to take action against alleged abusers.
China has a new rule for the countrys hundreds of millions of young gamers: No videogames during the school week, and one hour a day on Fridays, weekends and public holidays.

China on Monday issued strict new measures aimed at curbing what authorities describe as youth videogame addiction, which they blame for a host of societal ills, including distracting young people from school and family responsibilities.

The new regulation, announced by the National Press and Publication Administration, will ban minors from playing videogames entirely between Monday and Thursday. On the other three days of the week, and on public holidays, they will be only permitted to play between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The announcement didnt offer a specific age for minors, but previous regulations targeting younger videogamers have drawn the line at 18 years old.



Enforcement measures werent detailed, but in response to previous moves by the government to limit videogame playing by young people, Tencent Holdings Ltd. , the worlds largest videogame company by revenue, has used a combination of technologies, automatically booting off players after a certain period of time and using real-name registration and facial-recognition technology to limit game play for minors.

In restricting videogame play for younger people, the government is seeking to effectively protect the physical and mental health of minors, Chinas state-run Xinhua News Agency said Monday.

Mondays new rule is likely to be felt through Chinas online gaming industry, one of the worlds largest. The measure comes as the Chinese government seeks to rein in Chinas technology industry, a campaign that has ignited a trillion-dollar selloff in Chinese equities and hit a range of businesses, including for-profit education providers, ride-hailing services and e-commerce platforms.

Videogames have become a particular object of ire as Beijing seeks to reshape an industry it has described as motivated by profit at the expense of public morals. A state-media outlet this month triggered a selloff in shares of Tencent, Chinas largest technology company by market capitalization, after it published an article that described online games as opium for the mind.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, too, has warned publicly in recent months about the perils of youth gaming addiction, remarks that have put more pressure on officials to act.

After the regulations were published on Monday, following the close of stock-market trading, Tencent said it had introduced a variety of new functions to better protect minors. It vowed to continue to do so as it strictly abides by and actively implements the latest requirements from Chinese authorities.

Tencent backs some of the biggest videogames in the industry and has invested in Fortnite maker Epic Games Inc. and World of Warcraft creator Activision Blizzard Inc.

In 2018, China stopped issuing videogame licenses for almost nine months amid similar concerns, costing Tencent more than $1 billion in lost sales, according to analyst estimates, and leading to a prolonged slump in its share price.

In 2019, the government banned users younger than 18 from playing videogames between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., and restricted them from playing more than 90 minutes of videogames on weekdays. Users between 16 and 18 years old arent permitted to spend more than 400 yuan, the equivalent of about $60, each month on videogames.

Tencent President Martin Lau warned during an earnings call this month that regulators are focused on limiting the amount of time and money that minors devote to online games across all platforms.

The company also said minors were only a small percentage of its online game revenue. Players under the age of 16 accounted for just 2.6% of its gross game receipts in China during the April-to-June quarter, it said, a quarter in which the companys electronic-game revenue rose at its slowest pace since 2019.
https://www.collegetransitions.com/blog/how-to-get-into-duke-admissions-data-and-strategies/

:

North Carolina

California

New York

Florida

Virginia



Asian American: 30%

Hispanic: 10%

African American: 11%

Caucasian: 41%

Native American: 2%



Male: 51%

Female: 49%



Public: 64%

Private: 24%

Outside of U.S.: 8%

Other: 4%

Dukes yield rate  the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted  was 49% last year, down from 54% the previous year. For comparison, schools like Stanford, Harvard were over 80%, and the University of Chicago, MIT, and Yale all sported 70%+ yield rates. Duke finished just behind schools like Northwestern, Notre Dame, and Dartmouth in this category.
The Andean condor is declining due to exposure to pesticides, lead and other toxic substances, said Sergio Lambertucci, a biologist at the National University of Comahue in Argentina.

Widespread use of an anti-inflammatory drug in livestock led to the rapid decline of vultures in South Asia. The birds died after eating carcasses, shrinking the population of some species by 95% in recent decades.

In East Asia, many raptor species are long-distance migrants: They breed in northern China, Mongolia or Russia and travel down the eastern coast of China to spend summers in Southeast Asia or India.

Certain areas of the coast will see 30 to 40 species during peak migration, said Yang Liu, an ecologist at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, who was not involved in the study.

But eastern China is also the most populous and urban part of the country, with steep development pressures. Sites that are bottlenecks for migration, with thousands of birds passing through, are important to protect, he said.
Masks have emerged as a major source of contention as the nation's schools start a new school year during a surge in COVID-19 cases. Although most states let schools decide their own policies, some have taken firm stances for or against mandates.

States including California, New York and Louisiana have issued statewide mask requirements inside schools, while Texas, Florida and others moved to prevent schools from requiring masks.

In Florida, which had taken one of the toughest stances against mask mandates, a judge ruled Friday that schools are legally allowed to require masks. The judge overturned an order from Gov. Ron DeSantis that had barred such mandates, ruling that it was unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.

Other states opposing mask mandates face similar legal challenges. In South Carolina, the American Civil Liberties Union last week filed a federal lawsuit over the state's policy forbidding mask mandates. The suit, filed on behalf of parents and disability rights groups, argues that the ban excludes vulnerable students from public schools.

In Iowa, a mother of twin boys recently sued the state over its ban on school mask requirements. In her suit, Frances Parr said her children were set to start first grade this year, but she is now teaching them at home over fears about their safety.
Law enforcement isnt necessarily a popular thing right now, but locally, I have never seen more support for being a cop, in 19 years, than I have probably in the last year, Osborn said.

Rhoades echoed that sentiment.

I just cant say enough about our community and how supportive of us (they are) ... compared to other places, even in Wyoming, were treated so well in the community, Rhoades said. People really do appreciate us and we appreciate them.

Osborn and Rhoades speak a kind of Dutch-German-gibberish hybrid language to Borys and Torc. The words  whatever language they actually are  are less important than their meaning, which each dog has successfully been trained to learn.

Torc has only been on the street since June 24, but in that time hes just gotten a lot of use, Osborn said. In his early months as a K-9 handler himself, Rhoades and Borys have gotten the ropes, too.

What began as an ill-timed sequence of events ended up with the Sheriffs Office gaining a new K-9 force of the future. All thanks to a little help from the people they typically help.
An endowment will also be established to generate funds for student nursing scholarships. Details on that are not yet final, according to Tracy Ellig, the vice president of communications for MSU.

The goal is to have all construction completed and enrollment expanded by no later than 2030, "but we will certainly aim to have everything done sooner than that," Ellig said by email.

Ellig said the university has used federal data to project a shortfall of 2,700 nurses in Montana by 2030. Currently, MSU produces 256 baccalaureate-level registered nurses a year, and the university is expecting it can graduate 400 annually by 2030. Ellig said that with that growth taken into account, MSU believes it will be able to cover the projected nursing shortfall in the state.

Robyn Jones explained the gift was motivated in part by the importance she and her husband place in education and their desire to help Montanans. She mentioned the scholarship that had allowed her husband to attend Harvard Business School without their family taking on "a crushing amount of student loans."

"The opportunity to attend Harvard Business School was a turning point in our lives, it changed the trajectory of our lives and the lives of our children and of our grandchildren," she said.
Student researchers from MSU and the tribal colleges who are working on disease ecology-related research  like West Nile virus, sustainable food systems and more  will be recruited to help create the framework for the kits. The researchers will be trained how to present their findings to a younger audience, and theyll meet monthly to discuss what programming will go in the kits and what topics are most important for their communities.

Cornish said the team will develop two kits with five-to-eight activities each. The first will be in a format meant for informal learning spaces, such as afterschool programs, community science nights and summer camps. The information will be designed to be communicated easily in a short amount of time. The second format will contain the same information, but it is meant for classroom spaces where students and educators can discuss the topics in depth.

The kits will be tested in tribal communities and compared against other learning activities to see their effectiveness. Once the kits have been approved, Cornish said, the team will train informal educators across the state on how to incorporate the activities into learning spaces. She added that after the five years of the grant, the team projects it will work with approximately 30 college students, 2,260 students and 50 educators across the state.
The Wyoming Hospital Association is urging staff at the states hospitals and nursing homes to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The message comes as the number of COVID-19 patients in Wyoming hospitals continues to grow. As of Friday, the states hospitals were collectively treating 178 COVID patients, the highest number recorded since Dec. 14.

Cases have also shot up, coinciding with the emergence of the more contagious delta variant, which is now the dominant strain in Wyoming. The states number of total active cases stood at 3,538 on Friday. That number represented a 2,822 increase from a month ago.

We are urging all healthcare workers to receive the free, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, the association wrote in a statement released Saturday. The WHA is available to assist all hospitals and nursing homes in whatever ways needed to achieve 100% vaccination in our facilities.

Wyoming has one of the poorest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the nation. Only 48% of the states adult population is fully vaccinated, the fourth-worst rate in the U.S., according to a New York Times count.
COVID-19 by the numbers: I challenge The Billings Gazette to write an article showing infection rates, hospitalizations, deaths, and other relevant data, comparing the Bullock administration, and Gianforte's administration. Both administrations had a Republican majority. We (Montana) are currently seeing our health care systems challenged as evidenced by The Gazette letter to the editor that 110 local doctors recently signed, begging Montanans to get vaccinated and mask up.

It's worth noting, that the current Legislature passed a law forbidding private business from requiring vaccination as a condition of employment, which Gianforte, signed into law. And, as I understand it, Montana is the only state to have passed such a law. Montana had some of the best COVID numbers prior to the recent laws. It is time to reconsider these facts the next time you go to the ballot box. Freedom isn't worth much, if you end up on a ventilator, or dead.
Back in May, there was a man speaking during a Zoom call with John Dickerson on Face the Nation. They were talking politics and the gentleman told John, It will always be us against them.

Why? Who is us, and who is them?

Montana Rep. Wylie Galt, a Republican, said May 2 in the Billings Gazette that they have had to force their ideas on people. Force?

Our election officials in Montana have found no voter fraud in any county, yet Republicans have passed bills to make it harder for folks to vote. If we want photo IDs, then the state should issue them to everyone. It needs to be done in a manner that will include all voters, even the poor, those who dont have transportation and other homebound people. Our Legislature is very smart, they should be able to figure that out so no one gets left behind.

In reality, we are all guilty of the us and them thing in politics and now we see it in science. Rather than call each other out, we need to call each other and talk. That can be hard.
North Dakota's economy is showing signs of stagnation and a slowing recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a quarterly outlook from North Dakota State University.

The most recent modeling predicts declines in gross state product, labor force participation, and total wages and salaries, according to the report published this month.

The overall economic outlook for the state had been improving amidst the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but the most recent data shows a state economy that is at risk of declining economic growth and a shrinking labor force, said NDSU economics professor Jeremy Jackson, director of the Center for the Study of Public Choice and Private Enterprise.

Total wages and salaries are expected to hold steady with a slight decline in the third quarter of this year. The labor force is predicted to decline in the third quarter with that trend continuing into next year. The unemployment rate is projected to have a slight increase in the third quarter and then return to its declining trend. The unemployment rate is slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol says troopers found 10 pounds of marijuana and a tracking device in a delivery van that the driver said contained a load of ramen noodles being hauled from Washington to New York.

A trooper stopped the van for speeding Saturday morning on Interstate 94 in Mandan, according to an affidavit. The trooper noticed an odor of marijuana and asked the driver, Tariq Alexander, 28, to sit in his patrol car. Alexander said he was traveling from Tacoma, Washington, to New York with a delivery of noodles that another company worker had loaded onto the van, according to authorities.

Alexander and a passenger in the van, 24-year-old Latifah Rivers, both of Philadelphia, were arrested. Alexander told troopers the two had smoked marijuana three days before the traffic stop; Rivers said the last instance was a couple of hours earlier, according to the affidavit.

Troopers said they found marijuana in three small packages and in a jar before unloading the three pallets of noodle boxes. The tracking device, which troopers say is commonly used by drug dealers, was found in one of the first boxes they opened; 5-pound bags of marijuana were found in each of two boxes, the affidavit states.
North Dakotans are sharing personal experiences and painful stories of loss due to COVID-19 as part of a public education campaign aimed in part at boosting the state's dismal vaccination rate.

The North Dakota Health Dakota Departments COVID-19 Impact Wall was launched Wednesday and will feature videos and short stories from North Dakotans impacted by the coronavirus. The website also is intended to serve as memorial for those who have died due to the virus, Health Department spokeswoman Marie Moe said.

The campaigns rollout comes as COVID-19 cases in the state surged to the highest level of the year, driven by highly infectious delta variant that is spreading rapidly across the United States.

When people are hit with tragedy, people come together, Moe said. This is a place where people can come and gather and share how Covid impacted them and to share their stories of loss.

Along with testimonials, health officials said the site will provide information about COVID-19 vaccines, and interviews with health experts on long-term effects, risk of hospitalization and death.

Moe called the site a virtual gathering place to share experiences, reflect, remember, and learn.
Retire That Noisy '90S Ids, Upgrade To Ng-Ids

The Verizon DBIR reported only 2.5% of nearly 3,000 breaches investigated originated with a vulnerability exploit that IDS could identify. What about the other 97.5% of attacks sneaking past your preventative defenses? How do you add an in-depth layer against the most prevalent tactics?

NG-IDS aims to fill the gaps left by traditional IDS:

Detects attackers movement across the kill chain before they do real damage

Closes compliance gaps caused by crypto blind spots

Catches up to cloud initiatives without impeding the business

Saves money & time with one tool to detect, investigate & respond

Read on to learn more about how NG-IDS can streamline investigation & response workflows.
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Five schools in Cullman, Alabama, are closing their doors for two weeks due to rising Covid cases. According to the Cullman County school district, one-third of the students in the district's 29 campuses were reported absent due to positive Covid tests or contact tracing, and the Cullman Times reported that the district has 107 reported positive cases of Covid among students. This news comes only days after a local superspreader event: Donald Trump's recent rally.

Prior to Trump's rally, health officials said they were "shivering in their boots" about the prospect of a COVID-19 surge in the wake of not only Trump's rally, but also a Rock the South concert held at the same venue the weekend before. City officials also declared a state of emergency in advance of Trump's rally, with the state running out of ICU beds. via Raw Story

The Alabama Republican Party reported that the rally hosted nearly 50,000 people, saying it was the largest political event in the state's history  even if the ex-president was booed for encouraging residents to get vaccinated.
A vocally anti-vax and pro-Ivermectin police captain in Georgia is now dead from COVID-19 and the same misinformation he was spreading.

Yahoo News:

A Georgia police officer who frequently posted anti-vaxx messages on Facebook and took an anti-parasitic drug instead of a vaccine has died of COVID-19. Captain Joe Manning, 57, of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office died on Wednesday after a short battle with the virus, according to local news station WSAV. Sheriff Chuck Moseley said, "Captain Manning was an integral part of our family and our hearts are broken. Our love and prayers go forward to his family," according to WSAV."

Captain Manning was quite vocal on social media about his lack of vaccination and shared information about how to acquire a horse dewormer.
Former FDA head Scott Gottlieb, a member of Pfizer's board of directors, said yesterday he expects the company's COVID-19 vaccine will be available to children aged 5-12 by early winter or even late fall. According to Gottlieb, there are as many as 300 children hospitalized with COVID-19 every day. On Face the Nation, he said that that Pfizer expects to submit its trial data to the FDA in September and apply for emergency use for children 5 the following month. From CBS News:

"The agency will be in a position to make an authorization, I believe, at some point, late fall, probably early winter," Gottlieb told "Face the Nation. "And probably they're going to base their decision on what the circumstances around the country, what the urgency is to get to a vaccine for kids." If the FDA authorizes Pfizer's vaccine in kids between the ages of 5 and 11 in November or early December, "that, again, puts you on a timeframe that you could start rolling out these vaccinations before the end of the year."

Data on kids two to five will be available in November, Gottlieb adds.
Gavin Grimm, assigned female at birth but identifying as a man, was refused access to the boys' bathroom at his Virginia high school. Grimm sued, and now the Gloucester County School Board must pay $1.3m for breaking gender discrimination law after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear its appeal.

Grimm sued the district in 2015 in federal court, alleging that its policy of prohibiting him from using the boys' bathrooms violated a federal law, known as Title IX, that bans sex discrimination in school programs. Grimm was assigned female at birth but legally changed his name and began hormone therapy as a freshman in high school. His school principal allowed him to use the boys' bathrooms, but the board overruled the decision and prohibited it. Federal courts twice sided with Grimm, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case in June.

The school board apparently spent much more fighting the case, all paid for by the taxpayers in a country with a per-capita income, according to wikipedia, of less than $20,000 a year. It seems the school board has a reputation for financial improvidence and impropriety. A recent sales tax hike, sold to voters as necessary for school construction, was spent otherwise.

"It feels like what they're doing is extremely sneaky, and it's just very disappointing," Stone said. School Board members aired several concerns at the joint meeting Tuesday. One was how little flexibility the budget allows  what if an HVAC system unexpectedly fails? Rice said voters will expect them to use the sales tax money, but there won't be any left. "They will be screaming mismanagement of that sales tax revenue," Rice said. "And they will be screaming rightly so." Several School Board members were worried about the legality of the move, given the narrow language of the law. During the joint meeting, the board voted 5-1 to seek a ruling from Attorney General Mark Herring on the matter.

Good luck tacking on another percent to meet your future insurance premiums, Gloucester County!
If youre looking for the city feel, JTs is the place. Our table was almost on the sidewalk. Plenty of people walking by; I even saw an old friend that I havent seen in years walking by. We got a chance to catch up. When we lived in the city, we walked to the restaurants on Elmwood all the time.

The food at JTs is excellent. Huge Caesar salad perfectly prepared. I loved the Pork Trilogy (meatball, sausage, pork shoulder) and Riccia pasta. Lots of leftovers to take home for another meal the next day. One of our friends had the pork chop and said it was one of the best he had ever had. The next time we go to JTs I will order one of their wood oven pizzas, which looked wonderful.

Stop the presses...

Id already submitted this column but was able to sneak in one more restaurant under the wire!
WKBW-TV anchor-reporter Jeff Slawson had one of the more memorable goodbyes in his final broadcast at 11 p.m. Saturday.

He partially quoted lyrics from a 2000 song Bye Bye Bye from the boy band NSYNC that consisted of Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, JC Chasez and Chris Fitzpatrick.

Slawson ended the Eyewitness News late newscast with the words, it aint no lie, bye, bye, bye and smiled as he said it.

It was short and sweet  and made me laugh out loud.

It would have been even funnier if he had used some of the lyrics that preceded the words he did say.

The song ends with the lines, I just want to tell you that I'vehad enough, it might sound crazy but it aint no lie, bye bye bye.

Slawson, who attended Williamsville North and had been at Eyewitness News for four years after graduating from Syracuse University, thanked viewers for allowing a Western New Yorker report on his hometown before quoting the song.

In a brief interview Sunday, he said that the NYSNC song has been a favorite of his and his wife.
With the child on the ground, the officers then entered the first floor of the house, just off Fillmore Avenue, north of East Ferry Street, to check if anyone else other than the woman was still inside.

When they came back out of the house, firefighters carried a ladder toward the home, in front of the porch. Before the ladder could be set up to reach her, the woman trapped on the second floor jumped down onto the porch into the waiting arms of an officer and another man.

There was a lot going on when police arrived, and many members of the public were emotional because of the circumstances, McLean said. He said he tried to control his emotions and do the best he could to respond.

"I'm just glad we were all really able to work together, even though we're separate departments," McLean said. "And the community helped us tremendously."

Mayor Byron W. Brown, along with fire and police department brass, praised the actions of the firefighters and officers.

"The work that you see on these videos is work that's representative of what police officers and firefighters do on a regular basis," Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph A. Gramaglia said. "We're extremely proud of the bravery shown by everybody in this video."
On the elementary bus run, students in the northernmost and southernmost parts of the district will be picked up first and dropped at Blasdell Elementary in the north and Pinehurst Elementary in the south. Then drivers will pick up elementary students in the middle of the district and bring them to the remaining two schools.

And there's another change. Students will get off buses as soon as they get to school, instead of waiting for all buses to arrive at a school and unloading students at the same time.

"We couldnt do that anymore because we had to get our buses in circulation. Every minute really counted for us," Swiatek said. "Its tight, but were pretty sure were able to do it."

In the Williamsville Central School District, it "kind of feels like 'Groundhog Day,' " transportation supervisor Graham Violino said.

"I kind of feel like we were having the same conversations on Aug. 25 of last year," he said. "During last school year we had a number of drivers that either resigned or opted out for a number of reasons. Some were due to Covid, some were due to child care issues."

Many parents drove their children to school last year because of the pandemic, and the district asked parents to let them know if they would do the same this year.


MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Mothers of two children with serious illnesses are asking a federal judge to block enforcement of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees order allowing parents to opt out of pandemic mask requirements in schools. They argue that it endangers kids with health conditions and hurts their ability to attend in-person classes.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman heard testimony in Memphis on Monday as part of the lawsuit filed by the parents of two students in the Shelby County suburbs of Collierville and Germantown.

The school districts had been under a mask mandate issued by the county health department when the school year began earlier in August. However, the governors Aug. 16 order allows parents to send their children to school without masks, and hundreds of students have been attending classes without masks.



WASHINGTON  U.S. government advisers on Monday reiterated that Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people 16 and older.

The vaccine was the first to win full approval in the U.S. for that age group last week. It also remains available for emergency use by 12- to 15-year-olds.
The final pullout fulfilled Biden's pledge to end what he called a "forever war" that began in response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and rural Pennsylvania. His decision, announced in April, reflected a national weariness of the Afghanistan conflict. Now he faces condemnation at home and abroad, not so much for ending the war as for his handling of a final evacuation that unfolded in chaos and raised doubts about U.S. credibility.

The U.S. war effort at times seemed to grind on with no endgame in mind, little hope for victory and minimal care by Congress for the way tens of billions of dollars were spent for two decades. The human cost piled up  tens of thousands of Americans injured in addition to the dead, and untold numbers suffering psychological wounds they live with or have not yet recognized they will live with.

More than 1,100 troops from coalition countries and more than 100,000 Afghan forces and civilians died, according to Brown University's Costs of War project.

In Biden's view the war could have ended 10 years ago with the U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden, whose al-Qaida extremist network planned and executed the 9/11 plot from an Afghanistan sanctuary. Al-Qaida has been vastly diminished, preventing it thus far from again attacking the United States.
ALBANY  Efforts to create a complex regulatory system that will bring fully legal retail marijuana sales to New York State are suddenly moving again.

And all it took was a change of address for the previous resident of the Executive Mansion.

Less than a week after taking over from Andrew M. Cuomo, Gov. Kathy Hochul has already discussed with legislative leaders how to jump-start the marijuana cultivation, distribution and sales program created in March.

Hochul is expected to do something that Cuomo avoided since the laws passage: begin a required regulatory process that can commence soon after she picks an executive director and board chair of the new Office of Cannabis Management. That person must iron out final regulatory details of what will become a multibillion-dollar industry.

They are definitely prioritizing this," State Sen. Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, said of the Hochul administrations push to get the marijuana program going.

The good thing is that there is a new governor and she has agreed to move the issue forward," added Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, a Buffalo Democrat.

The two lawmakers authored the law approved earlier this year that immediately decriminalized the possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana for people 21 and over, and created a new, regulated and taxed system for retail sales of the drug.

Krueger and Peoples-Stokes spoke with Hochul shortly before she became governor last week. Both said they are satisfied Hochul is moving to undo the delay the program saw the past five months under Cuomo.

Political benefits for Hochul

For Hochul, the focus not only will please Democrats in the Legislature who pushed through the marijuana legalization, but also liberal Democratic voters she needs to woo early and often in her new administration if she hopes to achieve a primary-free path to her next political goal: a general election contest for a full term in November 2022.

Even if Hochul acts swiftly, both Krueger and Peoples-Stokes say it will be another 18 months until marijuana retail sales might begin. Thats because a multistep process must occur to approve regulations to implement the law before growers and sellers can get licenses.

Proponents have been disappointed by what lawmakers and advocates say was foot-dragging by Cuomo. He reluctantly backed efforts years ago to legalize medical marijuana and was opposed, for years, to a broader legalization effort.

Its about time," said Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a New York-based group that presses for changes in drug laws nationwide.

New Yorkers have been clear that cannabis is a critical criminal justice issue that the administration should be prioritizing. And theyve also been clear that they want to see the communities that have been most impacted governing the new market and the larger regulatory institution. It makes sense, since women were at the forefront of leading this reform, that the first woman governor would be the one to get it done," she said.

Hochul to push regulatory scheme

Cuomo eased his marijuana opposition as public opinion polls shifted and more states enacted cannabis legalization.

The March legislation was part one. To be implemented, regulations concerning thousands of specific details must be created by the agency overseeing the program.

But that new agency has yet to be created. As a first step, the governor must nominate an executive director and a board chair; both need State Senate approval. The Senate and Assembly get one appointment each and the governor then also gets two other direct appointments.

Soon after passage in March, the Legislature and Cuomo sparred over Cuomos choice for an executive director of the new agency. That person would, in the words of one stakeholder, be the potential Robert Moses of the states future regulated marijuana industry, a reference to the man who essentially controlled New York as an unelected bureaucrat for decades. The agency head will oversee the new "adult-use" sales system, an expanded medical marijuana program, and the agricultural hemp industry.

Krueger said it was made clear to Cuomo that his choice  whose lack of experience, among other things, with such a huge new program came into question  would not be confirmed.

So, nothing happened. Cuomo, facing a barrage of scandals that just kept mounting since the spring, stopped any movement on the new program.

Few were surprised, though. While various marijuana expansion laws were passed during the Cuomo years, Krueger said Cuomo had to come kicking and screaming. He was extremely ambivalent about all the issues tied to cannabis," she said.

But Hochul, she said, now wants to move with some expediency on the matter.

Why is Hochul different from Cuomo?

Well, maybe its because I asked her, thats one reason why," People-Stokes said of a conversation she had with Hochul just before she became governor. Hochul, she said, agreed that the delay would be harmful to the anxious-to-expand marijuana marketplace, which includes people and entities in low-income, minority neighborhoods given special access to become part of the new marijuana sector.

Krueger said the regulatory process must begin in earnest for another reason behind the Legislatures intent with the law: to put a dent in the illicit marijuana trade in which consumers cant be certain what is in the drug they are purchasing.

Its extremely confusing out there," she said of constituents every day who ask her to clear up the current law that permits people to smoke marijuana in many public places without fear of arrest but that still makes it illegal  until the state-regulated program is underway  to purchase the drug.

Jeremy Unruh, senior vice president at Chicago-based PharmaCann, which operates medical marijuana facilities in New York, including one in Amherst, said there are no-brainer steps the state can take now with that program and not wait on the broader regulatory work. The March law gave greater discretion for physicians, for instance, to recommend marijuana for a patient and allow patients to be prescribed cannabis flowers that they can smoke instead of the more limited ways to consume the drug.

Unruh said New York is now in a foot race to gets its broader marijuana program in place before possible federal legislation is enacted that, he added, would not feature the various social equity licensing rules or tax provisions in the March New York law.

Marijuana foes raise concerns

Opponents, from the New York State PTA and medical organizations to law enforcement, pushed for years to try to stop the march to legalize marijuana. They raised concerns about a host of health and societal matters, including that: government should not be promoting  and profiting via tax systems  a drug that can be harmful to some people; that more people will become addicted in a state where some dont have easy or affordable access to drug or mental health treatment; and that the illegal drug market will still keep operating underground in a more lucrative and untaxed marketplace.

The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police has had a direct message of concern: traffic safety.

Other states that have legalized marijuana have seen dramatic increases in crashes and traffic fatalities related to persons driving under the influence of marijuana. We would simply ask that the legislature allocate funds to combat the certain increase in driving under the influence of marijuana," said Patrick Phelan, executive director of the Rochester-based, statewide group representing large and small police chiefs.

Phelan said there is also a dire need for drug recognition experts, which are specially trained police officers called upon when a driver is suspected of being under the influence of drugs. He said the number of such experts now is completely inadequate even before legal retail sales commence.

Also, he said, the regulatory process needs to address measures to determine impairment by marijuana use and must also make a determination as to what the level of impairment really is that makes a person unable to operate a motor vehicle.

The Hochul administration did not reveal its timetable for nominations to the new Office of Cannabis Management. A spokesperson said Hochul officials are actively working to ensure the new agency and its board can begin implementing a safe, equitable and transparent adult-use cannabis industry as soon as possible.

The official said Hochul is committed to naming individuals to the agency with diverse experiences."

The administration envisions, as Democratic lawmakers do, that the players in the new industry will include everyone from small businesses to new entrepreneurs to people with past marijuana convictions to legacy operators  the term used to describe people now in the illegal marijuana drug trade.

Unions play key role

Representatives of workers at existing medical marijuana companies  which will be vying for recreational marijuana licenses  also believe movement will occur soon with Hochul.

This has legs and is starting to move," said Joe Fontano, secretary/treasurer of Local 338 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union/United Food and Commercial Workers union, whose membership, located from Buffalo to Long Island, includes about 500 workers at companies licensed to grow and dispense medical marijuana in the state.

Fontano said his union shares the same goals as other proponents about the laws broader social objectives, but also wants to ensure workers have certain wage and job protection benefits. The new law, like the 2014 state medical marijuana law, has labor components, such as requiring marijuana license applicants to have labor peace agreements in place with unions.

Fontano said the unions goal is to create career-oriented positions in the new three-tiered marketplace of cultivators, distributors and retailers.

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She may have been prescient. The man, who had pleaded guilty to sex crimes against four girls, was back in court last week because authorities say he failed by repeatedly viewing online pornography. Murphy expects to rule next month on whether the man violated the terms of his probation.

It seems plain that this individual needs help, and we hope he gets it. We dont presume to suggest how Murphy should deal with him other than to observe that he committed crimes of sexual violence that need to be taken seriously. Listen to one victim:

He told me if I stopped resisting, it wouldnt hurt as bad, the woman said in court on Wednesday. She said she remembers a green plant I studied in the corner of (the defendants) bedroom as he raped me.

But how Murphy handles the convicts behavior is separate from the extrajudicial arrogance of his gag order, for which there was no legal justification. Judges do have that authority in some cases, before a verdict has been rendered, as a way to balance the publics First Amendment rights to a free press and a defendants Sixth Amendment rights to a fair trial. But thats not the situation here.
Picture this; some 243 years ago an estimated 3% of New World, American colonists took up their guns to fight against a world powerful England. Those brave freedom fighters made way for the United States of America to becoming a formal country that most of us undyingly embrace today. Through it all our Constitution of America guarantees all of us Americans many certain inalienable rights.

Most importantly, we Americans have the right to bear arms to protect ourselves against perpetuators of evilness who would do us harm. Besides our 15 million hunters with chambers already loaded there are also another 300 million citizens who have the right to carry guns if wished. With that thought in mind we are surely the largest standing or sitting army the world has ever known.

The real shame is, that we Americans who lost a loved one or knew of someone who was killed or wounded while fighting in Afghanistan within the last 20 years or more will never know true closure. Thirty-nine million citizens of Afghanistan gave up at the commands of an estimated 80,000 armed thugs of the Taliban.
Almost immediately upon my entering theyd begin trying to sell me a second pair of glasses or a pair of prescription sunglasses that were not covered. Once I paid extra to get a pair of glasses with a sunglasses clip, so I wouldnt have to buy prescription sunglasses. Once, I tried to buy another pair of those from my current provider but was told, No one makes that kind of frame anymore.

Ive since seen them at a number of non-employer/union providers.

We used to go to family eye doctors. Dr. Goldstein and his opticians took good care of our family for years.

These days, it seems most independent opticians have been swallowed up by big eyeglass chains. One I went to felt like a bad auto showroom. I was greeted at the door by a high-pressure always be closing salesperson who confided she wasnt an eye care professional, just a commissioned salesperson. There was no extra charge for the sticker shock I received reading her price tags.

Im a bit of a Luddite. This visit, my eye exam felt like something out of Star Trek except no one was wearing pajama tops.
You may observe the wind field diameter broadening prior to landfall, which occurred near barrier island Grand Isle early Sunday afternoon, where a peak gust of 146 mph was measured. The local storm reports to the National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge office will be incomplete for some time, but this was one of the strongest gusts at landfall.

As of 8 p.m. Sunday, more than 625,000 homes and businesses were already without power, with outages bound to multiply as Ida slowly turns north, then northeast, crossing Mississippi on Monday as it weakens to tropical storm strength. Those winds will still be strong enough to bring down thousands of trees onto power lines in the sodden soil, while torrential rains continue. We learned long ago that even a decaying tropical storm can produce some of its worst damage long after landfall and weakening, as Harvey did in south and southeast Texas in 2017. In that weakened state, it dumped more than 40 inches of rain over a large area, and the highest U.S. total ever recorded, 51 inches, at one measuring site. Because of the massive flooding, Harvey became the costliest U.S. weather disaster ever. Ida is not likely to stall as Harvey did, but its NHC track forecast is not encouraging.
LAVAL, QC, Aug. 30, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - As its 70th anniversary celebrations get under way, St-Hubert is proud to announce that its delivery service is now carbon neutral. This reaffirms the company's sustainable plan, the commitment to the environment and leadership in the fight against climate change. As a symbol of its 70 years of evolution and innovation, the famous rotisserie chain unveiled today a completely revamped and electrified 1967 Volkswagen Beetle.

Investing in the environment

Over the next five years, St-Hubert will invest more than $200,000 to purchase carbon credits, ensuring that its delivery service is carbon neutral. In addition to this investment, St-Hubert and its franchisees will continue their work to increase the number of electric and hybrid vehicles under its banner. To date, more than 20% of St-Hubert's delivery fleet of over 400 vehicles are electric or hybrid. The carbon neutrality of the company's delivery service is part of its sustainable development plan. This new initiative is in line with environmental actions taken in the past, such as the implementation of composting by the rotisserie, the replacement of its packaging with recyclable materials and its involvement as a founding member of the Circuit electrique driven by Hydro-Quebec. In the last few years, St-Hubert has invested more than 2 million dollars in the environment. With this new announcement, the company continues to play a pioneering role in its industry.

Purchase of Quebec carbon credits

To make good on its commitment to carbon neutrality of its delivery service, St-Hubert turned to WILL Solutions, a Canadian B Corp certified company headquartered in Beloeil, Quebec, Canada. For more than 12 years, the company has been helping many Quebec SMEs reduce their GHG emissions, in particular through its Sustainable Community project. This Verra-certified project is a catalyst for local action, enabling various stakeholders to work together to reduce their GHG emissions. Each carbon credit purchased represents a one (1) tonne reduction in GHG emissions by Quebec SMEs, municipalities and community organizations. All reductions are qualified, measured, externally audited, and registered with the VCS/VERRA voluntary market program.

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Ingenext electrifies an icon

The task of electrifying the yellow Beetle was entrusted to Ingenext, a Trois-Rivieres-based company specializing in the reuse of EV parts, transportation electrification and automotive technology development. Ingenext used its expertise to create a powerful symbol of St-Hubert's green initiative. The company swapped the original '67 Beetle's engine for a Chevrolet Volt battery and a Tesla Model 3 engine, a tall order considering the retro model's limited space. A touch screen was also added to the dashboard to display data and control various vehicle functions. After extensive testing, the new electrified Beetle has met the SAAQ's safety requirements and has been deemed roadworthy. It will hit the roads of Quebec in the coming weeks to mark St-Hubert's 70th anniversary and its commitment to the carbon neutrality of its delivery service.

St-Hubert, Goodness that Lasts

In 1951, Helene and Rene Leger founded the very first St-Hubert Bar-B-Q rotisserie on St-Hubert Street in Montreal, not knowing that their restaurant would one day become one of Quebec's most popular chains. They grew their business through hard work and dedication, becoming the first restaurant in Canada to offer free delivery in the early 1950s. That's when the yellow Beetle became an enduring symbol of the company. In the 1960s, St-Hubert started selling its legendary BBQ sauce in grocery stores. Fifty years later, it had 450 products for sale in supermarkets under various brands. In 2012, St-Hubert created the St-Hubert Foundation, which has donated over $7 million to 450 organizations to date. In 2021, St-Hubert is inviting its customers to celebrate 70 years of great taste, comfort and community involvement with contests and surprise activities.

Quotes

"St-Hubert has always been about daring to innovate and make a real difference for customers and local communities. We're very proud to offer now a carbon-neutral delivery service and to be making this announcement as we celebrate our 70th anniversary. For 70 years, we've made it our mission to constantly innovate while remaining authentic, true to our values and dedicated to our customers. It'll be a real joy to see our electric Beetle on the roadboth our history and our aspirations on full display."

Richard Scofield, President, St-Hubert Group

"Ingenext is very proud to have worked with St-Hubert to restore and electrify their Volkswagen Beetle. It's gratifying to have been entrusted with this project, considering that we're the only company in Quebec that specializes in reusing motors and batteries from various automobile manufacturers. Drawing on our electrification expertise, we were able to integrate modern components into the St-Hubert Beetle, turning it into a unique, 100% electric car. We're very excited to see it hit the road in celebration of St-Hubert's 70th anniversary!"

Guillaume Andre, CEO, Ingenext

About St-Hubert Group

St-Hubert Group has more than 6,000 employees in two divisions. Founded in Montreal in 1951, St-Hubert BBQ Ltd. has over 120 rotisseries in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick and serves more than 28 million meals annually. St-Hubert Group also has a Retail division that manufactures and distributes many food products, including sauces, soups, ribs, meat pies and savoury tarts, under the St-Hubert brand and other brands. The company has a long tradition of innovation and is constantly striving to meet the needs of its customers.

@St-Hubert | sthubert | St-Hubert Group | @sthubert

About Ingenext

Ingenext is a Trois-Rivieres-based company made up of engineers and technicians specializing in transportation electrification. Leveraging the circular economy, Ingenext reuses motors and batteries from various electric vehicle models to develop electric conversion kits. The company also sells motor and battery controllers and operates the biggest dedicated electric vehicle dismantling facility in North America.

About WILL Solutions

WILL Solutions Inc. (WILL) is a B Corp.-certified Canadian private company based in Quebec, Canada. The company is active in the voluntary carbon market sector with the Sustainable Community project. WILL has a social philosophy based on sharing. It rests on two major pillars: democratizing access to carbon credits through the pooling of local GHG reduction projects by SMEs and NPOs and returning as much money as possible to these partners following the sale of carbon credits by WILL. The company has been carbon neutral since 2007 and is committed to returning 40% of its revenues to GHG reduction projects and 10% of its net profit to community based projects and initiatives that support sustainable development.

SOURCE Groupe St-Hubert

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2021/30/c9985.html
The energy supplied in these PPAs is 100% renewable and generated by the wind farms Mastokangas (68.4 MW) and Korkeakangas (43.2 MW).



These are Statkrafts first deals in Finland with Aquila Capital, one of its longstanding partners in the Nordics.

(Oslo, 30 August 2021) Statkraft, Europes largest generator of renewable energy, and Aquila Capital, a German real asset investment manager, have signed their first power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Finland.

These are long-term PPAs starting in 2022 in which Aquila Capital will provide Statkraft with 100% green electricity from two wind farms at competitive price levels. The wind farms are currently under construction and are expected to be completed in late 2021 and early 2022. When completed, the wind farms will have a total installed capacity of 111.6 MW. Once they are connected to the grid, these plants are expected to produce more than 350 GWh of wind energy per year.

The power generated by the wind farms will be used to supply our industrial and commercial customers. We are proud to be able to respond to the specific demands of renewable energy buyers. The agreements with Aquila Capital enable us to fulfil these needs, now also in Finland, says Arne Kolbeinstveit Wist, Head of Origination and Portfolio Management Nordics at Statkraft.



Aquila Capitals relationship with Statkraft in the Nordic countries has been ongoing for many years and it has resulted in important operations such as Aquilas acquisition of Smakraft AS in 2015. After signing their first agreement in Spain earlier this year, Statkraft and Aquila Capital are now continuing their cooperation by entering the Finnish market.



We are very pleased to have signed these PPAs with our long-standing strategic partner Statkraft. This agreement will allow us to continue the expansion of renewables in Finland, which supports our ambition to drive the energy transition forward, says Lars Haavik, director Power Markets Nordics at Aquila Capital.



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About Statkraft



Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and Europes largest generator of renewable energy. The Group produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power and supplies district heating. Statkraft is a global company in energy market operations. Statkraft has 4600 employees in 18 countries.

About Aquila Capital



Aquila Capital is an investment and industrial development company focused on generating and managing essential assets on behalf of its clients. By investing in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, Aquila Capital contributes to the global energy transition and strengthens the worlds infrastructure backbone. The company initiates, develops, and manages these essential assets along the entire value chain and lifetime. Currently, Aquila Capital manages around EUR 13 billion on behalf of institutional investors worldwide. The company has around 600 employees from 48 nations, operating in 15 offices in 13 countries worldwide.



For more information, please contact:



Lars Magnus Gunther, Press spokesperson, Statkraft AS

Tel.: +47 91241636

E-mail: lars.gunther@statkraft.com

Eliza De Waard, Group Head Corporate Communications, Aquila Capital

Tel.: +49 (0)40 875050 101

E-mail: eliza.dewaard@aquila-capital.com








Season kicks off Sept. 8 with political analyst David Wasserman

HARTFORD, Conn., August 30, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), today announced its "Wednesdays with Woodward" fall schedule. The webinar series, which launched in 2020, will be hosted by Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers.

"Our upcoming lineup covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to both individuals and businesses  from politics and new legislation to public health issues, cybersecurity and technology advancements," said Woodward. "Were looking forward to hearing from our experts this season as they share their perspectives on these pressing issues and help us more effectively navigate a world of constant change."

The series kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Sept. 8 and features a discussion with David Wasserman, one of the countrys top political forecasters and Senior Election Analyst for The Cook Political Report. The webinar will include an in-depth analysis of the 2020 census results, demographic changes across the U.S., redistricting efforts and what those trends might mean for future elections.

"Im excited to join the Travelers Institute for a data-driven discussion," said Wasserman. "With new census data, control of Congress on a knife-edge and redistricting just ahead, there couldnt be a better time to dive into the numbers."

All events are free and open to the public, and participants can register on the Travelers Institute website. Programs include:

Sept. 8  "U.S. Census, Redistricting, and Rethinking Demographic and Political Trends" with David Wasserman, Senior Election Analyst for The Cook Political Report.

Sept. 22  "High Risk? Marijuana Legalization and Roadway Safety" with Matt Moore, Senior Vice President, Highway Loss Data Institute; Christy Thiems, Senior Director, American Property Casualty Insurance Association; and Bill Zielinski, Senior Vice President, Product Management & Analytics, Personal Insurance, Travelers.

Oct. 6  "The Fight Against Cyber Crime  from Prevention to Prosecution" with Edward Chang, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Connecticut, U.S. Department of Justice; and Jeff Klenk, President, Bond & Specialty Insurance, Travelers.

Oct. 20  "The Tech-Enabled Insurance Claim Revolution" with Patrick Gee, Senior Vice President, Auto and Property Claim, Travelers.

Oct. 27  "The Changing Risk Landscape: Underwriting for the New Normal" with Rick Keegan, Chief Underwriting Officer, Travelers.

Nov. 3  "The Pandemic-Era Opioid Crisis: Where Are We Now? How Can We Break the Cycle?" with Sabrina Spitaletta, Senior Director, Center for Public Health, Milken Institute; and Rich Ives, Vice President, Business Insurance Claim, Travelers.

For more information about the Travelers Institute or the "Wednesdays with Woodward" schedule of events, please visit Travelers.com/Travelers-Institute.

Story continues

About the Travelers Institute

The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc., engages in discussion and analysis of public policy topics of importance to the insurance marketplace and to the financial services industry more broadly. The Travelers Institute draws upon the industry expertise of Travelers senior management as well as the technical expertise of many of Travelers underwriters, risk managers and other experts to provide information, analysis and solutions to public policymakers and regulators. Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. For more information, visit Travelers.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005365/en/

Contacts

Media:

Sperry Mylott, 860.277.5075

smylott@travelers.com
Page Content

Charlotte, N.C.  (Monday, August 30, 2021) - The victim has been identified as Carleton Cartier, DOB: 06/12/1963. His family has been notified of his death. Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Homicide Unit have also charged Kevin Jordan, DOB: 07/29/1997, in the murder of Carleton Cartier.

As a result of their continued investigation, Homicide Unit Detectives, alongside North Division officers and North Divisions Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), identified Jordan as a suspect in this case. On August 28, 2021, North Division's initial investigation yielded actionable information for the North Division Crime Reduction Team. North CRU's work related to the initial investigation led them to a location where they located Jordan and the vehicle used in the crime. Officers initiated a traffic stop when Jordan failed to stop, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. With the assistance of our K9 and Aviation Unit, Jordan was apprehended shortly after he jumped from the vehicle and fled the scene.

Jordan was transported to the Law Enforcement Center for an interview with Homicide Detectives. Following the interview, he was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office and charged with Murder, Discharging a Firearm Into An Occupied Vehicle, Felony Flee to Elude, and Resisting Public Officers.

The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Detective Porter is the lead detective assigned to this case. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20210828-1752-00.

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Charlotte, N.C.  (Saturday, August 28, 2021)  Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation that occurred on S I-85 near Statesville Ave in the North Division.



Shortly before 6:00 p.m. on August 28, 2021, officers responded to reports of a shots fired on S- I 85 near Statesville Ave. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle with an adult victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The driver was pronounced deceased on scene by medic.



Detectives with the CMPD's Homicide Unit, and Crime Scene Search responded to conduct the investigation and collect physical evidence. The CMPD's Operations Command, Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Homicide Prosecution Team, CFD, and Medic also responded to assist.



The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Office. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Detective Porter lead detective assigned to this case. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20210828-1752-00.



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Chippewa Herald

A terror attack in Kabul last week resulted in nearly 170 individuals dead, 13 of which were active U.S military personnel. In order to honor those who gave their lives for the United States, Loopys Grill and Saloon in Chippewa Falls has put together a tribute to the fallen soldiers in their establishment.

The display features 13 full beers sat evenly around the table with a reserved sign so no one can sit at those tables for the next week. The display symbolizes that they will never be able to come home to their families again, but they will also remain in the hearts of the American people and wont be forgotten. The display also states that any donations made inside the bar will be matched by Loopys 3-1 and donated to area veterans charities and organizations.

Loopys owner, William Kleich, said the tribute wasnt about getting any attention or making a big statement, but rather it is about those who have served and given the ultimate sacrifice.

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Andrew Strabel, a patron at Loopys, said seeing the tribute when he came in for lunch on Monday afternoon was a welcome sight and made him feel proud to support the local business.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30)  The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is batting for the immediate passage of a bill amending the current bank deposits secrecy law, citing the protection it will give depositors.

"Ultimately, the reforms will benefit depositors as the BSP's capacity to shield them from losses due to fraud and other unlawful activities will be strengthened," said BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno on Monday.

House Bill 8991 seeks to amend Republic Act No. 1405 or the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law. The proposed measure allows the central bank to examine bank deposits provided there's reasonable ground to believe fraud, serious irregularity or unlawful activity is present.

The bill is currently on its period of sponsorship, according to the website of the House of Representatives.

The bill states the results of bank inquiries will not be arbitrarily disclosed, and may only be shared with courts and other regulators if it is needed to prevent or to prosecute an offense.

"Provisions of the bill limits inquiries to specified persons only; sets parameters for information sharing; and protects against political persecution, harassment or attempts to hamper competition in trade and commerce," noted the central bank.

The BSP added that proposed reforms will place the national deposit secrecy law "at par" with global standards. The Philippines, it noted, is the only country in the world with a bank secrecy law as Lebanon passed in December a legislation lifting such secrecy.

The proposed measure became part of President Rodrigo Duterte's legislative priorities earlier this month, as BSP previously announced.

"The BSP is committed to further boost its efforts to coordinate with Congress and various offices of Senators for the immediate passage of the Bank Deposits Secrecy Bill," it added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31)  Majority of local governments in Ilocos Norte will remain under localized enhanced community quarantine until September 7, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc announced.

On Monday, Manotoc issued Executive Order No. 151-21 that extends the implementation of the strict ECQ from September 1 to 7 in 19 areas except for Adams, Carasi, Dumalneg, and Pagudpud.

There has been a continuous upsurge of COVID-19 cases in all cities and municipalities in the province except for the municipalities of Adams, Carasi, Dumalneg, and Pagudpud, the governor said.

In August, the national pandemic task force placed Ilocos Norte under modified enhanced community quarantine. This was before Manotoc shifted 21 areas under ECQ due to the rising number of infections.

Affected residents were also reminded that only essential travels are permitted, and strict border controls will be implemented. Likewise, social gatherings are still prohibited except those that have prior approval from the provincial government, city or municipality.

Individual outdoor exercise shall be permitted only within the vicinity of ones residence.

The provincial liquor ban and curfew hours from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. will also remain. Cities or municipalities may adjust this to 8 p.m. to 4 a.m

Some essential industries will be allowed to operate while ECQ is enforced but under strict limitations. Work in government offices will continue under a skeleton workforce.

Corresponding penalties will be applied to violators.

Meanwhile, Manotoc also announced the lifting of the moratorium on accepting locally stranded individuals and returning overseas Filipinos on Sept. 1. Concerned residents were advised to coordinate with their respective local government units to facilitate their return.

Latest data from the Health department show that total COVID-19 cases in Ilocos Norte have reached 15,543  of which 1,796 are currently ill patients. Recoveries stood at 13,579 and death toll at 168.
(CNN) -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has said he sees only three possibilities for his future: death, prison or winning the 2022 presidential elections.

"I have three alternatives for my future: being arrested, killed or victory," Bolsonaro said Saturday in remarks to a meeting of evangelical leaders that were broadcast on social media.

"I'm certain that the first alternative, being arrested, won't happen. No man on Earth scares me. I'm conscious that I'm doing the right thing. I owe nobody anything," added Bolsonaro, who was stabbed in the stomach during a campaign rally in 2018.

Bolsonaro was in the central Brazilian state of Goias to meet with political leaders and businessmen to discuss national affairs, such as the economy, the pandemic situation and the prolonged drought in Brazil.

"We are also facing one of the biggest hydrological crises in Brazil, which will partly affect our agriculture and has affected energy generation, but God willing, the rains in September, October, are coming," Bolsonaro said.

Bolsonaro also mentioned an indigenous protest taking place in the capital, claiming not to understand the reasons for the demonstrations.

"There are now approximately 5,000 people camped in Brasilia. The vast majority, almost all, don't know what they are doing there," Bolsonaro asserted.

"They are people that are gathered by the MST (Rural Landless Workers Movements), people that are gathered by Cimi (Indigenous Missionary Council, linked to the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil), indigenous people who are there protesting against no one knows what," Bolsonaro added.

The demonstrations come as Brazil's Congress considers a bill that would limit the rights of indigenous peoples to claim traditional lands, a matter also being considered by the Supreme Court. Human Rights Watch says the proposed law violates the rights of indigenous peoples under international law.

A Datafolha poll from July 7 and 8 currently shows Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly raised doubts about the electoral system, more than 20 points behind his main opponent, former leftwing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in a first round of voting.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Bolsonaro says he will either be arrested, killed or win Brazil's next election"
(CNN)  North Korea appears to have restarted operations at a power plant capable of producing plutonium for nuclear weapons, according the United Nation's nuclear watchdog.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said that clues, such as the discharge of cooling water, observed in early July indicated the plant is active. No such evidence had been observed since December 2018, the IAEA said.

The IAEA said the findings, published Friday in an annual report on Pyongyang's nuclear program, were "deeply troubling" and "a cause for serious concern."

"The continuation of the DPRK's nuclear program is a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and is deeply regrettable," the report added, referring to North Korea by its official acronym, The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The IAEA said there also were signs of activity at the nearby radiochemical laboratory, from mid-February until early July. The power plant is used to make nuclear fuel, and the radiochemical laboratory is used to reprocess the fuel rods from the plant into plutonium that can, theoretically, be used in the manufacturing of nuclear weapons.

Both the plant and the lab are located in North Korea's best-known nuclear complex, Yongbyon.

The IAEA and other independent analysts have previously reported on the observed activity at the radiochemical laboratory and believed it may have been part of a campaign to turn nuclear fuel into plutonium for nuclear weapons.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said in June that the duration of activity at the lab was consistent "with the time required for a reprocessing campaign."

However, Grossi said it was not possible to confirm that reprocessing was taking place. IAEA inspectors were kicked out of North Korea in 2009, and the agency has been forced to monitor the country's nuclear facilities remotely.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry said it is observing North Korea's nuclear and missile activity continuously under close cooperation with the United States.

The fact that a reprocessing campaign has been underway likely indicates that North Korea had already produced nuclear fuel to be reprocessed. Whether that fuel was a few years old or produced recently, and covertly, remains unclear.

Jeffrey Lewis, a weapons expert and professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, said that though the IAEA's report was expected, it is an important reminder of the challenges US President Joe Biden faces with respect to a nuclear-armed North Korea.

"At some level, none of this is new, but it is notable that the IAEA has said business at usual is going on at Yongbyon," Lewis said. "One of the problems that we've had with North Korea is because it's been business as usual for the past several years, people have kind of just gotten used to the idea (of a nuclear-armed North Korea) and kind of forget about it. This stuff has been happening, and we only check in now and again."

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un purportedly offered to dismantle the Yongbyon complex in exchange for sanctions relief during negotiations with former US President Donald Trump in Hanoi in 2019. However, those talks collapsed in part because neither side was willing to budge. Trump's team wanted either ballistic missile or other nuclear sites included in the deal, and Kim refused to accept a trade of Yongbyon for partial sanctions relief, Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, wrote in his memoir.

Relations between the two longtime adversaries have been frosty since, and both Washington and Pyongyang have been focused on containing the threat of Covid-19 since the pandemic swept the globe in early 2020. North Korea's borders have been sealed to keep the virus at bay, despite the knock-on effects on trade with China, an economic lifeline for the impoverished country. Kim's regime is now reportedly dealing with a food crisis.

President Biden's administration has made several attempts to reach out to North Korea by email to start discussions with Washington, a senior South Korean official with direct knowledge of the situation told CNN.

North Korea has acknowledged receipt of the emails, the official said, but did not feel compelled to respond due to what is seen as a lack of a detailed agenda or any serious indication the US is willing to move the conversation forward from what was agreed upon at Trump and Kim's first summit Singapore in June 2018.
(CNN)  With nearly 100,000 Americans hospitalized with COVID-19 and infections surging among the unvaccinated population, it's possible another 100,000 people could die from the virus by December, according to a recent University of Washington model.

"What is going on now is both entirely predictable, but entirely preventable," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN's Jake Tapper Sunday, saying the outcome of the model is possible. "We know we have the wherewithal with vaccines to turn this around."

Around 80 million eligible Americans are still not vaccinated -- the very group that could help turn the pandemic around, Fauci said.

"We could do it efficiently and quickly if we just get those people vaccinated. That's why it's so important now, in this crisis that we're in that people put aside any ideologic, political or other differences, and just get vaccinated," he said.

With a daily average of 155,000 newly reported infections, many hospitals are buckling under the weight of another surge.

Across the south last week, many hospitals were reporting oxygen shortages amid a rise in hospitalizations from the virus.

Among those hospitalizations were pediatric patients, which have also been increasing since students returned to classrooms in some areas.

Thousands of children were in quarantine over the past week due to Covid-19 exposure, creating an uncertain start to the school year as officials, teachers and parents weigh safety precautions.

On Monday, data presented by a vaccine adviser from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a hospitalization rate 16 times greater in the unvaccinated population than in those vaccinated.

"This to me seems to be a strong indication that the current epidemiologic curve that we're seeing is really a reflection of failure to vaccinate, not vaccine failure," Dr. Matthew F. Daley said at the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (AICP) meeting.

Vaccines a possibility for children under 12 in coming months

While vaccines are currently the best defense against the spread of the virus, they have not yet been approved for those under the age of 12.

For these children, masking and vaccination of the adults and teens around them are their only protection. But that could change in the coming months.

Pfizer is working to file data that would help authorize its vaccine for those ages 5 to 11, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, said Sunday on CBS.

Gottlieb, who is on the board of Pfizer, said the drug maker could be in a position to file the data for authorization "at some point in September."

He went on to say that Pfizer could then file the application for Emergency Use Authorization for this age group "potentially as early as October."

Gottlieb told CBS's Ed O'Keefe Sunday that "we have to throw everything we can" at minimizing cases among school children.

"I don't think that we should be going into the school year lifting the mitigation that may have worked and probably did work last year to control outbreaks in the school setting, until we have firm evidence on what works and what doesn't," he explained, adding measures such as frequent testing and putting students in social pods "are probably the two most effective steps schools can be taking."

Schools that have been successful in mitigating spread include those that frequently test, contact trace, and set quarantine protocols when a positive case is detected.

"Using masks and improving ventilation is also going to be very important. And finally, getting kids vaccinated. About 50% of kids who are eligible to be vaccinated, have been vaccinated. So there's still a lot of work we can do there, getting parents more information trying to encourage parents to vaccinate their children," Gottlieb added.

Fauci echoed those sentiments when he told CNN Sunday he would support a mandate for school children to be vaccinated should the FDA approve use of the vaccine in those under 12.

"I believe that mandating vaccines for children to appear in school is a good idea," Fauci said.

He pointed out that this wouldn't be out of the question, saying that schools already have many vaccine mandates in place.

"This is not something new. We have mandates in many places in schools, particularly public schools that if in fact you want a child to come in -- we've done this for decades and decades requiring (vaccines for) polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis. So this would not be something new, requiring vaccinations for children to come to school," he explained.

Boosters and treatments

Those who are already vaccinated will still likely need a booster shot to fight the spread of new variants.

Starting the week of September 20, those who received their second shot eight months ago should be eligible for their third, according to Fauci, who noted there is flexibility in the plan based on the data that is available.

On Wednesday, Pfizer began submitting data to the FDA for approval of a third dose of its Covid-19 vaccine.

On Monday, a Pfizer official said the company plans to have data from its trial on Covid-19 vaccine booster efficacy by late September or early October.

Dr. William C. Gruber, the company's senior vice president of vaccine clinical research and development, told the AICP there's data from Public Health England, Israel and others that speaks to the decline in vaccine efficacy over time and potential for boosters, but the company is hoping to provide a controlled study of the efficacy of boosters.

"I'm figuring sort of late September, October time frame for actually being able to demonstrate the nature of efficacy," he said.

The possibility of a third dose comes as many hospitals face an uptick in hospitalizations and a decrease in supplies, with cases in the south increasing as available oxygen -- a key component in treating those with the virus -- has decreased.

"We've had some very challenging situations over the last couple of weeks, where hospitals have had their oxygen deliveries disrupted with hours delay, putting them in a situation where they've had very low oxygen supplies," Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, told CNN. "Hospitals are using 3-4 times the amount of oxygen they would normally use," she added.

Another ongoing challenge in the fight against Covid has been misinformation, the latest example of which has people taking anti-parasitic medicine in an attempt to fight the virus.

Fauci urged those considering taking the drug Invermectin -- which is used to treat parasites such as worms and lice in humans and is used by veterinarians to de-worm large animals -- to avoid it.

"Don't do it," he said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday. "There's no evidence whatsoever that that works and it could potentially have toxicity ... with people who have gone to poison control centers because they've taken the drug at a ridiculous dose and wind up getting sick, there's no clinical evidence that indicates that this works."

The CDC already sent out a warning about the drug, saying it has seen an increase in reports of severe illness caused by the drug to poison centers.

Texas K-12 schools surpass highest Covid-19 weekly total from last year

The Texas Health Department says 20,256 students and 7,488 employees have tested positive for Covid-19 throughout Texas districts that returned to school in August.

That amounts to 0.38% of the state's 5,340,108 students and 0.93% of its 800,078 employees. Last week alone, 14,033 students tested positive for Covid-19 statewide, surpassing the highest weekly total from the prior school year.

In contrast, at its peak during the last school year, the state reported a total of 10,487 Covid-19 cases among students for the week ending January 10.

Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, is putting its entire campus under quarantine for two weeks to "slow the spread" of Covid-19 among its student body.

According to the university's Covid dashboard, there are currently 159 active cases -- 124 students and 35 staff members. That accounts for about 0.55% of the university's total population.

The university announced indoor classes will be moved online and no large indoor gatherings will be held during the "temporary mitigation period" starting today and going through September 10, but emphasized in a statement that this is not a "campus wide lockdown."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "This is how to prevent another 100,000 Covid deaths by December, Fauci says."
(CNN)  The last US military planes left Afghanistan, Commander of US Central Command, Gen. Frank McKenzie announced Monday at the Pentagon. The US departure marks the end of a fraught, chaotic and bloody exit from the United States' longest war.

The departure marks the first time in nearly two decades that the US and its allies have not had troops on the ground in Afghanistan and -- after $2 trillion in spending and nearly 2,000 US troops killed in action -- the pullout raises questions about the utility of a war that saw the service of parents and then their grown children.

A senior State Department official said Monday that the State Department will not have civilians on the ground once the US military leaves Afghanistan. "We are not going to have civilians on the ground once the military has left," they said.

The official said that they expected the US Embassy in Kabul to suspend embassy operations upon the end of the military retrograde, but said "that doesn't mean that we are suspending any commitments to American citizens in Afghanistan, to at risk Afghans, to the Afghan people."

Nearly 20 years after the US invaded Afghanistan to avenge the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, and strike at al Qaeda and the Taliban, which hosted Osama bin Laden, another American administration is leaving the country in the control of Taliban militants who still maintain close ties to al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

Even as Biden pulls the US from the country, Afghanistan looks likely to shadow him politically and engage him militarily -- on Monday, White House officials said the President is continuing the hunt for terrorists in the country, telling his military commanders to "stop at nothing" to avenge the deaths of 13 US service members at Kabul airport last week.

As of Monday, more than 122,000 people had been airlifted from Hamid Karzai International Airport since July, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters, including 5,400 Americans.

A senior State Department official said the department believes there are fewer than 250 American citizens currently in Afghanistan who may wish to leave, as US officials stressed a Taliban commitment to let Afghans leave the country after the US and allies' withdrawal. The State Department official put the number of American citizens who have left the country through evacuation flights or other means closer to 6,000.

"We believe there's still a small number who remain, and we're trying to determine exactly how many," the official told reporters Monday. "We are going through manifests of people who have departed, we are calling and texting and WhatsApping and emailing our lists, in an effort to have a more concrete figure regarding how many Americans may remain."

In the 24 hours leading up to Monday morning, 26 military C-17 aircraft lifted off from Kabul carrying 1,200 evacuees, according to Gen. Hank Taylor, the deputy director of regional operations for the Joint Staff, who spoke alongside Kirby at a Pentagon briefing earlier Monday. In total, 28 flights departed from Kabul airport in that 24-hour window, Taylor said.

In the same 24-hour period, the US conducted a drone strike that killed multiple civilians, including children, the Kabul airport was targeted by rocket fire, and military officials continued to warn of active, specific threats to the evacuation effort.

The "threat stream is still real. It's still active, and, in many cases, it's still specific," Kirby said at the Monday morning briefing when asked if another attack on the airport was still likely. Taylor added that military operations were continuing with a focus on the security of the US troops in Kabul, and the military would have capability to evacuate Afghans until the very end.

"We're taking it very seriously and we will right up until the end," Kirby said.

Along with the military exit, the US is pulling out all diplomatic representation, leaving open the question of whether it will formally recognize the Taliban as the rulers of Afghanistan.

The formal military and diplomatic "retrograde" is ending even as the US leaves behind Americans, some of whom did not want to leave and others who may have already left, according to State Department officials, as well as vulnerable Afghans who worked for the US military and now face possible Taliban retaliation.

That tragically unfinished business will become part of the broader political challenge that Biden faces as he enters the second half of his first year in office. As a devastating hurricane batters the South and the Covid-19 pandemic once again gains traction, Biden is also facing calls for an accounting of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

The airlift, which started as a seemingly haphazard and hastily organized effort, was scarred by the deaths of 13 service members last week and the death sentence hanging over Afghan translators who helped US troops and diplomats but were unable to escape the country. In addition, Biden's decision to leave will be shadowed by questions about whether and how well the threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan has really been addressed.

The President has already committed to prolonging some US engagement with Afghanistan, telling his military commanders that they should "stop at nothing" to make ISIS pay for the service members' deaths, Psaki said Monday.

I can tell you that the President has made clear to his commanders that they should stop at nothing to make ISIS pay for the deaths of those American service members at the Kabul airport," Psaki said at a White House press briefing.

Sunday's drone strike, targeting a suspected car bomb headed to the airport, killed nine members of one family, including six children, according to a relative of those killed who spoke to a local journalist working with CNN. US Central Command, which oversees US military missions throughout the region, had said earlier they were assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties.

As the US presence drew to a messy close, Blinken convened an international ministerial on Afghanistan, meeting virtually with members of the coalition present in Afghanistan and other allies and the United Nations Security Council met in New York.

The UN body was briefed on the latest news out of Afghanistan after France and Germany proposed a Security Council resolution "calling for safe passage for those leaving Afghanistan," that would include counterterrorism, human rights and humanitarian elements, diplomats told CNN over the weekend.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "The last US military planes have left Afghanistan marking the end of the United States' longest war."
(CNN)  As a high schooler growing up in a small town in eastern China, Li Xiaoming dreamed of moving to a big city where he could have a better life.

Now 24, Li just wants to take a rest.

Across the country, young people like Li  who requested to be referred to by that pseudonym because he fears career and political repercussions for his views  are getting tired of the fierce competition for college and jobs, and the relentless rat race once they get hired.

They're now embracing a new philosophy they've called "tang ping," or "lying flat."

The phrase apparently traces its origins to a post earlier this year in an online forum run by the Chinese search giant Baidu. The author of that now-deleted post suggested that instead of working one's entire life chasing after an apartment and traditional family values, people should pursue a simple life.

In other words, just "lie flat."

Talk of "lying flat" has spread rapidly through China as young people contend with intense competition for the most attractive jobs, especially in tech and other white collar fields. As the country cracks down on private enterprise, meanwhile, the public has grown wary of what many see as a grueling work culture. Commonplace at many tech firms and startups are demands for people to work nearly double  or more  the number of hours in a typical work week.

Interest in "lying flat" has exploded on social media and attracted the interest of censors, who in some cases have restricted the use of the term. Several state media outlets have also pushed back against the conversation, suggesting that young people should strive to work hard instead.

This type of phenomenon, though, isn't limited to China. Across East Asia, young people say they've become exhausted by the prospect of working hard for seemingly little reward.

In South Korea, young people are giving up on marriage and home ownership. In Japan, they are so pessimistic about the country's future that they are eschewing material possessions.

"Young people are very burnt out," said Lim Woon-taek, a professor of sociology at Keimyung University in South Korea. "They don't know why they have to work so hard."

As more young people grow frustrated with relentless pressure, they say they want to  and in some cases are  giving up conventional rites of passage, such as getting married or having children.

Where the young people just want to lie flat

Li spent every day in high school studying. On his college entrance exam, his score placed him in the top 0.37% among all high school seniors in Shandong province. He's studying for his master's degree at one of the top three law schools in China, and was hoping to get a job at a prestigious international law firm based in Beijing.

But when he applied for graduate jobs and internships in March, he got rejected from more than 20 international law firms in China. Instead, he settled for a trainee position at a domestic law firm.

"The competition between me and other interns was so intense," said Li. "When I see those students who are still trying to go to prestigious international law firms, I feel exhausted and unwilling to contend with them anymore."

The "tang ping" lifestyle has started to resonate with him, he said. Tired of trying to get to the top, Li has decided to "lie flat" by doing the bare minimum at his internship.

"Many people who were better than me were working harder than me, so I felt anxious," he said. "'Tang ping' is ... contending with the status quo, not being ambitious, not working so hard."

Supporters of the phrase have also developed a philosophy that extends beyond the initial Baidu post. In one group on the social platform Douban, someone posted a manifesto describing the characteristics of the "tang ping" lifestyle.

"I will not marry, buy a house or have children, I will not buy a bag or wear a watch," the "lying flat manifesto" read. "I will slack off at work ... I am a blunt sword to boycott consumerism."

That group was eventually banned this spring, after attracting thousands of participants. A hashtag for the term was also censored on Weibo, China's version of Twitter.

The pressures facing young people in China are high. A record 9.09 million students graduated from university or college this year, according to data from China's Ministry of Education.

Even after finding jobs, many workers have bemoaned intense work schedules, especially at major tech firms. The culture, known as "996," refers to working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. The excessive work culture was blasted by China's top court on Thursday. It called out companies across a range of industries it said violated labor rules, including an unnamed courier firm that told employees to work 996 hours.

A lot of young people are working for such companies, according to Terence Chong, an associate professor of economics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

"They compete with each other," he said. So even if not everyone wants to work such hours, they may feel compelled to do so to keep up.

Those stresses aren't limited to the tech sector. Tony Tang  a 36-year-old university professor in Guangdong  said he was tired from working 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

"I think I'm too overworked," said Tang, who requested to be referred to by the pseudonym Tony Tang because he was afraid of facing repercussions for his views. "They just regard working hard as one kind of things for Chinese people to do."

The rising cost of housing is adding to the pressure. As measured by square meter, the average cost of a unit in a residential building in Beijing more than doubled in the six years to 2019, according to China's National Bureau of Statistics. Over the same period, the average annual disposable income in the city increased 66%.

"No matter how hard they work, it is very difficult to buy [a] house," said Chong of CUHK. "In a society [where] you see some hope there, if you work hard, then you can ... buy [a] house and so on, then you can work hard. But the thing is if you cannot see any hope, then you want to 'tang ping.'"

Opting out of dating, marriage and kids

While "tang ping" is a relatively new trend in China, young people in other parts of East Asia say they've been struggling with similar frustrations for years.

At just 22, Shin Ye-rim has given up on ever getting married, giving birth or owning a home.

"I think the biggest problem is that house prices are going up too severely," said Shin, who studies at the prestigious Yonsei University in Seoul. She added that she didn't know if she could financially support a child.

In 2011, a South Korean newspaper coined the word "sampo"  literally "give up three"  to describe a generation who has given up on dating, marriage and having kids.

In 2014, interpersonal relationships and home ownership were added to that list, giving rise to the "opo" generation, or "give up five." More sacrifices have been added since then, eventually giving rise to the term "n-po," referring to the nth degree.

In 2017, 74% of South Korean adults said they gave up at least one thing  meaning marriage, dating, leisure activities, home ownership or another aspect of life  because of economic difficulties, according to a survey of 3,880 people conducted by job portal Incruit.

As in other countries, pressures on South Korea's job market have increased, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, South Korea's unemployment rate rose to 4%, its highest level in 19 years, according to government website Statistics Korea. The data also showed that 9% of people between the ages of 15 and 29 were unemployed.

"The job market is so poor that it becomes hard to get a job," said Lim, the Keimyung University professor. "Because there are no jobs, you are less able to plan a future-oriented life."

As in China, apartment prices are skyrocketing. Median prices for an apartment in July were higher than at any point since KB Kookmin Bank began keeping records in December 2008.

There are also social reasons for giving up on traditional roles. Feminist issues, such as gender discrimination and digital sex crimes, have recently come to the fore in patriarchal South Korea.

Shin, the Yonsei student, said her mother quit her job after giving birth to her and her younger sister. Now, she doesn't want to let marriage get in the way of her own personal or professional life.

"I thought that my marriage partner could get in the way of my professional work or things that I want to do personally," Shin said. "I've been studying and working hard to achieve self-fulfillment, but I don't want to give up on that by getting married or having a child."

Resignation generation

Young Japanese people have been frustrated with work pressure and economic stagnation for years, too.

Some identify as the "satori sedai," or "resignation generation," a term first used in 2010 on 2channel, an anonymous message board in Japan that was popular at the time. It's characterized by pessimistic attitudes towards the future and a lack of material desire.

"I spend my money only on things [that] I like and find value [in]," said Kenta Ito, 25, who describes himself a minimalist and identifies with the satori sedai. He earns a decent wage at a consulting firm in Tokyo, but doesn't care about owning things like a house or a car.

Almost 26% of the 2,824 people ages 16 to 35 living in Japan surveyed by the consulting firm Dot in Tokyo in 2017  its most recent survey on this topic  said they associate themselves with the characteristics of the satori generation.

"They would do what they're expected to do, but maybe not so much beyond that," said Sachiko Horiguchi, an associate professor of anthropology at Temple University's Japan Campus. "They're less materialistic, not so interested in consumption."

She added that the "satori sedai" have not seen a lot of economic development, resulting in their outlook.

"The resignation partly comes from the gap between the older generation who have seen economic progress ... versus this generation," she added.

Japan's economy has remained largely stagnant since its asset bubble burst in the early 1990s. The country's GDP growth slowed from 4.9% in 1990 to 0.3% in 2019, according to the World Bank, while the average real annual salary declined from 4.73 million yen ($43,000) in 1992 to 4.33 million yen ($39,500) in 2018, according to data from the country's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

"Their salary isn't basically going to go up either under the economic decline, so you can't look for economic reward or material reward for what you do," Horiguchi said of the satori generation.

For 21-year-old Nanako Masubuchi, a senior at Gakushuin University in Tokyo, stagnant wages are one of the factors that impacted her decision to work overseas a few years after she graduates.

"About [the] Japanese [economy], I still cannot feel positive," she said.

What the future looks like

Ito, the 25-year-old consultant in Tokyo, is pessimistic about Japan's future. He worries that the country's resources will be focused on taking care of its elderly population, rather than his generation.

People in their 20s and 30s make up a fifth of Japan's population, while more than a third are over the age of 60, according to the Statistics Bureau of Japan. By contrast, about 27% of the US population in 2019 was in their 20s and 30s, while less than a quarter was over 60.

"As elderlies keep increasing and we Generation Z become a minority, most of Japan's tax will be spent to make those elderlies live long," Ito said. "Things will be difficult for us."

Shifting demographics are a concern across other parts of East Asia, too.

Last year, South Korea recorded more deaths than births for the first time ever, according to Statistics Korea.

China's population, meanwhile, grew at its slowest rate in decades in the 10 years prior to 2020, according to census data.

In a bid to arrest a demographic crisis, China announced in May it will allow couples to have three children  but it's not clear how effective that will be. A two-child policy introduced in 2015 failed to spur more births.

With 13.5% of its people now age 65 or above, China has as many elderly people as Japan in the early 1990s, spurring concerns that there won't be enough young workers to keep powering its economic growth.

How much of that shift toward an older population will ultimately be attributable to "tang ping," though, may not become clear.

And some experts, like CUHK's Chong, suggested that while the trend might reflect what's taking place in the minds of some young people right now, many aspects of the manifesto  like slacking off at work and forgoing material things  may never become widespread.

"'Tang ping' may be just the thought of some young people," Chong said. "Ultimately, in the heart of people, people still want to work hard and get a good life."

 Zixu Wang, Laura He, Oh So-yeong, Chie Kobayashi, Wako Sato, Miku Morigasaki, Lauren Lau, Sasha Chua and Kazumi Duncan contributed to this report.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Exhausted and without hope, East Asian youth are 'lying flat'."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30)  The Hong Kong government is barring incoming passenger flights from flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) for two weeks after recording imported COVID-19 cases on Sunday.

A statement from the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said three passengers on PAL's flight PR300 from Manila tested positive for the virus.

The ban took effect on Sunday, and will end on September 11.

The decision was confirmed by the airline in a statement issued Monday.

However, the Philippine air carrier said all three passengerstwo Filipinos and one Chinese nationalpresented negative COVID-19 test results when they boarded the flight.

It also said that PAL "consistently [complies] with industry and regulatory safety protocols in the Philippines and abroad."

"We assure the flying public that strict safety measures are in place to protect our passengers throughout the journey on all our flights," it added.

PAL also said it would continue its passenger flights from Hong Kong to Manila. Its cargo flights will not be affected by the ban, it said.
(CNN)  Ed Asner, who rose to fame as the crusty but lovable newsman Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," died Sunday morning, his publicist confirmed to CNN. He was 91.

Asner was was surrounded by family in Los Angeles, publicist Charles Sherman said.

The news was also shared in a post on Asner's official Twitter account.

"We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully," the post read.

"Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you."

Asner, a veteran of Chicago's comedy theater scene -- he was part of the Compass Players, a predecessor to Second City -- was a noted character actor before landing the role of WJM-TV news director Grant in "Mary Tyler Moore," which premiered in 1970. Originally portrayed as gruff and snappish, with his tie forever unknotted and a bottle of whiskey at the ready, his character mellowed over the show's seven-year run to become a fan favorite.

The character was spun off into his own series, "Lou Grant," a one-hour drama that ran from 1977 to 1982.

Asner won five of his seven Emmy Awards for playing Grant, three as best supporting actor in a comedy series for "Mary Tyler Moore" and two for lead actor in a drama for "Lou Grant." He also won Emmys for his work in the 1976 mini-series "Rich Man, Poor Man" and the 1977 miniseries "Roots."

After "Lou Grant" was canceled, Asner continued to work prolifically in movies and television, popping up in such series as "Modern Family," "ER," "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," "The X-Files," "The Good Wife," "Grace and Frankie," "Hot in Cleveland" and "Cobra Kai." The stocky actor played Santa Claus more than once, perhaps most notably in the film "Elf" (2003).

Asner won fans among a new generation of moviegoers when he gave voice to the bespeckled widower and retired balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's 2009 heartwarming film, "Up."

The child of Orthodox Jewish immigrants, Asner was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He first became interested in performing through a weekly radio program produced by his high school. He served in the military before landing in Chicago, performed on Broadway and later headed to California.

Asner was never shy about airing his liberal political opinions. He headed the Screen Actors Guild from 1981 to 1985, regularly contributed to Democratic candidates and liberal causes and seldom shied from a debate. In 2012, he lent his voice to a short animated film about the causes of the financial crisis.

Asner was married twice and is survived by four children.

He had more than a dozen credits on upcoming projects, with some in post-production listed on his IMDb page at the time of his death.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, Asner talked about his career, shared his thoughts on the upcoming California recall and showcased his humor when asked how old he felt.

"If it weren't for my bad left leg, I would feel younger," Asner told the publication. "I've got many parts that need to be bolstered and refurbished. And I haven't got time to undergo all those changes."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 29)  The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) concluded in its investigation that Filipino traditional tattooist Apo Whang-Od was not aware that she would teach in a Nas Academy masterclass, an online learning platform.

"Apo Whang-Od did not consent or was made aware she would teach the Kalinga art of tattooing in Nas Academy," the NCIP said in its findings.

The NCIP added that the 104-year-old mambabatok did not know about the existence of a contract to teach in the online academy founded by Arab Israeli vlogger Nas Daily.

"She did not affix her thumb mark in any contract for this account," said the NCIP, which stated that a forensic study is ongoing to determine an apparent disparity regarding the authenticity of Whang-Od's affixed thumb mark in the contract.

The NCIP also emphasized that the contract was grossly onerous on the part of Whang-Od, which also stated that the agreement must be governed by Singaporean law, as Nas Academy is based in that country.

Stella Palangdao, Whang-Ods niece and one of those interviewed by NCIP-Cordillera Administrative Region officers, said the provisions of the contract were not explained to them, but they were made to sign the agreement regarding filming, interviews, photography, and other related concerns.

"The contract states that the Nas Academy has exclusive ownership of any content that the show would produce including the likeness, image, voice, etc. of Apo Whang-Od and such ownership is in perpetuity, inclusive of the right (to) alteration and the right to assign and transfer the same without consent," the agency said.

The NCIP stressed that Nas Academy's move to commercialize access to the Kalinga art of tattooing will contribute to the demise of their tourism industry, which, it said, is culturally driven.

The agency reminded those who wish to conduct activities within the indigenous groups' ancestral domain must notify concerned government authorities, get the consent of the community, and be culturally sensitive, especially in dealing with Whang-Od, one of the oldest traditional tattoo artists of Kalinga.

"The art of tattooing is a cultural expression and it is practiced by the ICCs/IPs of Kalinga. Teaching of said cultural manifestation or expression in an open platform accessible to millions of people would render it generic and thus it would lose its authenticity and cultural meaning," the NCIP said.

In a statement made on Aug. 5, Nas Academy maintained it obtained Whang-Od's consent.

The online platform took down the class following a backlash in social media. Grace Palicas, another relative of Whang-Od and a tattoo artist herself, even called the masterclass a "scam" in a social media post.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30)  The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) said Monday it could issue the so-called 'yellow cards'the country's official COVID-19 vaccination certificatefor free instead of the current 300 per application if the bureau can secure a budget from the national government.

Quarantine Director Roberto Salvador Jr. said there were discussions in the Department of Health to waive the fees being imposed for the processing of yellow cards, or the International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.

Salvador expressed openness to the idea but stressed this would depend on funds that the agency can get for this service.

"Talagang may bayad ito since nag-start nag issue noong 1970s, regulatory agency po kami. Kung mapapasa ng DOH na mabigyan kami ng allotment, mas maganda po," he said during a virtual briefing.

[Translation: It really involves a fee since the issuance started in the 1970s, we are a regulatory agency. If the DOH can give us an allotment, that's better.]

Iloilo Representative Janette Garin, during a congressional inquiry last week, also proposed to waive the fees for the yellow card.

"Congress should lobby for that. We owe it to our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers)," said Garin, a former health secretary.

Salvador reiterated during Monday's briefing that Filipinos who have no plans to travel abroad should not apply yet for the vaccination certificate so as not to delay work on applications from outbound travelers with set departure schedules.

The World Health Organization-recognized certification includes a person's vaccination details and passport number.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30)  State auditors have questioned their own colleagues at the Commission on Audit Central Office over unliquidated cash advances amounting to over 12.3 million.

The independent audit led by COA Director Pearl Ramos found that 99% of the agencys cash advances for foreign and local travel remained unliquidated as of end 2020.

Interview with the accounting staff disclosed that a memo was sent to respective accountable officers regarding their outstanding cash advances, but still some cash advances remain unliquidated as of Dec. 31, 2020, the report reads.

According to the report, some COA officials also failed refund excess cash advances on time.

Auditors also observed that 42 additional cash advances amounting to over 13.6 million were granted to officers and employees despite the non-liquidation of their previous advances.

They recommended that management follow existing rules on the granting and utilization of cash advances.

Require from officials and employees a certification from the accountant that their previous cash advances have been liquidated and accounted for prior to granting another cash advance, auditors said.

In its reply, COA management said over 11.3 million cash advances for foreign and local travel were liquidated by April 2021.

Overstocking of office supplies

The audit report also flagged the COAs supposed continuous overstocking of office supplies amounting to over 9 million.

Based on the report, the purchases consist mostly of IT supplies such as toners and ink cartridges.

Auditors said COA failed to monitor stock availability as many of these items remain unused.

The recurring practice of bulk purchasing and overstocking demonstrated the lack of meticulous and judicious procurement planning of office supplies requirements...resulting in significant wastage of government resources through obsolescence, auditors said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier vowed to audit COA should he be elected as vice president next year. In his weekly address last week, Duterte claimed that he was a victim of COAs reports.

However, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said its not the vice presidents job to conduct an audit on agencies.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30)  The International Criminal Court said it received immense support from victims who want an investigation into potential crimes against humanity that were allegedly committed in the Philippines in the context of the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

A report released by the ICC Registry on Aug. 27 showed 94% or 192 of the 204 qualified forms that were submitted indicated they want the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) to conduct the full-blown investigation.

"The representations received overwhelmingly support the OTP Request," the 28-page redacted report said.

The 204 victim representations were submitted on behalf of 1,530 individual victims and 1,050 families to ICC Pre-Trial Chamber.

The victims said they want a genuine investigation by an impartial international court, for perpetrators to be brought to justice, and for impunity to end. The report added some submissions said they want their names cleared of false accusations.

Some victims also raised other issues including about the effectiveness of the Philippine judicial system and the government's ability and willingness to investigate drug war-related crimes.

The ICC cited five representations who said they did not want a probe, but their reasons were not stated. The ICC's Victims Participation and Reparations Section (VPRS), however, believes they were afraid of "reprisals or re-traumatization." Seven others were unclear whether they want an investigation or not.

In June, outgoing ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda requested for a probe into the alleged crime against humanity committed during President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign which, according to latest government data, saw over 6,000 people dead since 2016. But local and international human rights groups believe the death toll is much higher.

The ICC then asked the victims to submit "representations," which will be shared to the judges but will not be used as evidence.

The ICC noted that crimes reported in the context of the war on drugs are murder; attempted murder; imprisonment or other severe deprivation of liberty; rape and other forms of sexual violence. The representations alleged the crimes were committed by the police and unidentified men.

More of an opinion

In a statement on Monday, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the report of the ICC registry was more of an opinion by victims, "rather than erosion of support of the Filipino people."

"The Prosecution in the International Criminal Court (ICC) Pre-Trial Chamber, such as the one held in the case involving the situation in Afghanistan, has a responsibility to evaluate the prospective feasibility of a probe, considering and balancing the realistic expectations for cooperation by the most relevant national authorities in the collection of evidence and in the surrender of potential suspects, on the one side, and the concrete interests of justice, included the interest of the victims, on the other," Roque said.

However, Roque said alleged victims can seek redress as all the legal remedies in the country are available to them.

Duterte in June said he will never face the ICC probe alive, even claiming Filipinos benefited from the state-sponsored drug war.

Malacanang said the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC after Duterte withdrew the country's participation in March 2019 so it's not compelled to cooperate.

The Supreme Court, in resolution released in July, ruled that the Philippines is obliged to cooperate with the criminal proceedings despite its withdrawal from the ICC. It said withdrawal from the Rome Statute of the ICC does not discharge a state party from obligations it has incurred as a member.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30)  Embattled online learning platform Nas Academy is sticking to its original statement that its contract with Kalinga mambabatok Apo Whang-Od was legitimate, belying the findings of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

"It is not true that Apo Whang-Od's consent was not obtained and that she did not affix her signature," Nas Academy said in a statement on Monday.

"It is also not true that the contract was not discussed with her," it added.

READ: NCIP: Whang-Od did not give consent to teach in Nas Academy tattoo masterclass

Nas Academy said it tapped a local production company to coordinate with Whang-Od for the planned masterclass, where she would teach the Kalinga art of tattooing.

The online platform took down the class following a backlash in social media.

The online academy founded by Arab Israeli vlogger Nas Daily argued that the contract was "presented and translated to Whang-Od by her niece, Estela Baydon Palangdao" in the presence of other family and tribe members.

It also stressed that it has a video showing the 104-year-old mambabatok (traditional tattoo artist) affixed her thumbprint on the contract after the contents had been explained to her.

Under the deal, Nas Academy vowed to provide shared revenue to Whang-Od from the income of the project.

It claimed Whang-Od's niece, Palangdao, even "opened a bank account where the proceeds from this project would be sent."

Nas Academy also criticized the investigation process of the NCIP, saying it "was not given the chance to explain its side..."

"This is not how a fair investigation is held," it argued. "Both sides must be heard to reach a fair and informed conclusion."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 30)  The guidelines on giving booster shots to healthcare workers and the elderly who received Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine should be reviewed after recent studies showed its "waning" efficacy against the Delta variant, a vaccine expert said on Monday.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante shared a recent study in Thailand which showed that while the efficacy of Sinovac vaccine against the original coronavirus strain is 98.33%, it went down to 75% for Alpha variant and 70% for Beta variant.

The vaccine's level of protection against Delta variant dropped to 48.33% six months after receiving the second dose. This is lower than the 93.33% efficacy of neutralizing antibodies that protect a person from the virus following a recent COVID-19 infection.

"Meron kang natural infection antibody more effective against the Delta variantThat concerns us kasi kung ganun ang nangyayari in Sinovac, why is it not able to produce antibodies enough to protect us?" he said.

[Translation: There is a natural infection antibody more effective against the Delta variantThat concerns us because if that is happening with Sinovac, why is it not able to produce enough antibodies to protect us?]

"Is there something wrong with the preparation? Is there something wrong in the way the vaccine stimulates our immune response?" he added.

Solante said this means those who have yet to receive their Sinovac shots can still benefit from the protection it offers against severe disease, but a booster shot may be needed six months after receiving the vaccine.

"Those unvaccinated now, Sinovac can still protect you against variants of concern. The question now is how about those vaccinated six months ago? There is already waning immunity and that waning immunity decreased the effectiveness of the vaccine to protect us against COVID-19," he said.

"Maski may exposure, mataas protection against severe disease. In fact na-experience natin on ground, fully vaccinated, wala naman nag-severe sa healthcare workers, may severe 75, 80 years old, Sinovac, age group na borderline protection," he added.

[Translation: Despite exposure, there's a high protection against severe disease. In fact

we have experienced this on the ground, we saw that fully vaccinated healthcare workers did not get severely sick. The severe cases are those in the 70-85 age group with borderline protection]

The Duterte administration has ordered 27 million doses of Sinovac, the country's largest stockpile. Last week, the government announced that it used 26 million shots procured from Chinese manufacturer Sinovac.

The Food and Drug Administration said 6.4 million people have been fully vaccinated with Sinovac shots as of Aug. 22, while 4 million received at least one dose of this vaccine brand. It accounts for nearly half of the total number of fully vaccinated individuals in the country.

Solante also weighed in on the brand of vaccine that should be used as booster shot as the more contagious Delta variant spreads across the country. He said that if majority of Filipinos are infected with the feared variant, Sinovac may not be the best one to be used as booster shot.

He also stressed that there is a need to recalibrate the kind of booster shot that will be given to healthcare workers who are most exposed to the virus and to senior citizens who are more vulnerable.

"If majority of the Filipinos have the variants, then we cannot totally rely on just getting the Sinovac at this point in time," he said. "Baka kailangan ng ibang bakuna, mas higher efficacy than Sinovac ang ibibigay sa elderly.

[Translation: Perhaps we need another vaccine with a higher efficacy than Sinovac, and we should give it to the elderly.]

"Definitely we need booster for those fully vaccinated with Sinovac to maintain protective efficacy," he added.

A steady supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, however, remains a problem.

"Isang factor diyan ang supply. If there will be more Sinovac vaccines coming, then wala tayong choice but to have a third dose of Sinovac," he said.

[Translation: One factor is the supply. If there will be more Sinovac vaccines coming, then we have no choice but to give third dose of Sinovac.]
Disclaimer: The text below is an advertorial article that was not written by Cryptonews.com journalists.

Latin America'sFfintech sector is booming lately, and global investors are taking notice of it and investing accordingly. Data shows that over 7 billion USD were invested into financial services in Latin America since 2016. What's more, the annual investment has also grown since 2018, reaching an amount of 2 billion USD in 2020.

Yet, it's not just foreign and local investors noticing these innovative financial services. Average Latin Americans do, too. Data from Statista suggests that Fintech usage has grown in the region during the past decade.In fact, experts believe that it will surpass 380 million users by 2025. Its easy to know why this is happening. Like people around the globe, Latin Americans are demanding easy-to-use, digitally accessible, and reliable financial products. For this reason, digital payments are believed to comprise the most widely used Fintech sector in the area, attracting nearly nine out of ten Fintech users in 2021.

All these Innovative financial services are creating a virtuous circle, attracting even more attention and investment in the country's digital financial sector.

Likewise, it is also attracting more competition between international and local investors. These are exciting results in a dynamic and booming industry that is set to thrive in Latin America area.

What's driving Latin America's Fintech Sector Boom?

For a long time, Latin Americans saw poor services from banks in the region. Slow financial services uptake and other challenges were driven mainly by problems of inclusion and quality. Like most traditional financial sectors around the globe, the traditional financial industry in Latin America has also been late and hesitant in bringing innovation to the table. However, this is no longer a problem for many Latin Americans as digital financial products have finally made their appearance in the region. A mass of dissatisfied consumers is one of the strong reasons that has driven the formation and growth of the Fintech industry.

What else has contributed to the sector's boom?

Payment & FinTech Expert, Jason Simon, shared his views on the emerging financial technology industry in Latin America. "FinTech poses a significant challenge to incumbent institutions within the financial services sector in Latin America. There is an enormous amount of untapped opportunity in Latin America for financial services of all types. FinTech products in LATAM are beginning to bring financial services to underserved populations and into markets where traditional banks don't dare to tread, particularly in Mexico, El Salvador, and Brazil." Jason Simon as a FinTech Expert has decades of experience in Fintech solutions and electronic payments, which has allowed him to develop a superior level of understanding on all fintech areas.

Now, this amount of untapped opportunity in Latin America is being noticed by the global eye. After a series of Fintech success stories in the region have become widespread, more investors are gaining the confidence to look for opportunities to join the market. One of the most well-known Fintech success stories is the finance startup Nubank, which impressed everyone in the industry by raising a 14 million USD round in 2014. At the moment, Nubank is Latin America's largest digital bank and also one of the largest around the world. Besides that, there are many other examples of Fintech companies that have grown into multi-million dollar businesses with help from venture capital (VC) investment.

Local investors are also major contributors to the Latin American region's thriving Fintech sector. Driven by the rise, and success, of unicorns in the region, local investors were also given the opportunity to get involved in the country's sector more actively. The industry here has a unique characteristic which is a friendly and supportive ecosystem. More precisely, investors support founders of new Fintech startups who have proven to have expertise in the industry. This leads to an ecosystem that continues to grow financially as investment continues to flow into the same bright minds that have proven their value to the industry.

Another reason why the region is enjoying a boom in its Fintech sector is the fact that Latin America is a large market. The area is home to over 650 million people across 33 countries. Notably, the region's largest countries, Brazil and Mexico, are home to populations of 210 million and 130 million. This translates into a tremendouse market that is ready for digital financial products that can be distributed to a huge number of eager new customers.

The Fintech-friendly regulation in the region is also a strong support pillar for the industry. With a proFintech government policies, companies can develop and grow more easily than they would be able to in other parts of the world where traditional financial institutions are deeply rooted in the financial industry's monopole. In the Latin American region, things are different. In Mexico, for example, a FinTech Law, "Ley Fintech," was passed in 2018. It created a legal framework for digital financial businesses to provide customers with new products. Additionally, itallows digital financial businesses to function legally under the same regulatory and supervisory laws as traditional financial institutions.

Major Fintech Markets and Players in Latin America

The region's thriving Fintech industry is mainly driven by three major markets: Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. These three are the leading countries in the area in terms of the total number of Fintech startups operating there. They are also the top countries in terms of gross domestic product. Brazil and Mexico are the two countries in the region that concentrate most of the investments that target Fintech companies. More precisely, together they gathered investments of over 2.5 billion USD in 2020. As for the most significant Fintech players in the region, they are also found in these leading countries with a strong digital financial ecosystem. Brazil is home to well-known startups like Nubank, RecargaPay, and Vortx. Each of these companies saw over 35 million USD of funding in the first part of 2021. As for Mexico, the country is home to successful Fintech startups like Konfio, Credijusto, and Clip, startups that successfully raised the most considerable amount of funds in the first part of 2021. Impressively, each of the startups received over 100 million USD of investment.

In Latin America, the Fintech industry is undoubtedly experiencing its best period so far, growing at a fast pace and constantly opening doors to new opportunities.
Information is from police reports and may be incomplete depending on the status of an investigation. Phone numbers are nonemergency.
But with many roads impassable and cellphone service knocked out in places, the full extent of its fury was still coming into focus, according to the Associated Press.

New Orleans residents faced a massive cleanup effort and possibly weeks without power. Whole toppled trees blocked streets, pulled down power lines, covered yards and damaged homes.

Ida and the Midstate

Wednesday will feature bouts of heavy rain and Wednesday night could bring the heaviest rain as Idas low moves through, Thackara said. The storm will exit early Thursday.

He predicted rainfall amounts of between 2 to 5 inches through Thursday morning. There is concern that much rainfall could cause streams, creeks and even the Susquehanna and Juniata rivers to rapidly rise.

If you live in a low-lying flood-prone area, or if your basement typically takes on water, you should prepare now, Thackara said. Dont wait. River flooding isnt likely at this time, but we will continue to monitor. Behind Ida, Thursday will turn less humid and much nicer later in the day.
The state is renowned for its fly fishing and trout. Hemlocks are one of the great protectors of their waters.

The towering trees that often live for hundreds of years create their own ecosystems. Certain kinds of animal life, like warblers and salamanders, as well as insects and plants, depend upon them. Deer and others bed down under them for warmth in winter and to stay cool in summer.

Hemlocks often reside along streams, their vast root systems helping to stabilize water levels and prevent erosion. Their thick evergreen branches provide unparalleled, cooling shade. Native trout, for example, require waters that dont rise above the low-60s to spawn and thrive. They also eat the insects that eat the hemlock needles that fall into the streams.

When hemlocks die, theres nothing substantial to take their place in short order. Even optimum native options, such as red maple and yellow birch, take years to grow large enough to provide similar benefits.

And so there is a race underway, even if it is a slow and deliberate one: Ensure that hemlocks do not go the way of the American chestnut, elm and ash trees in Pennsylvania and throughout the East.

Because this is potentially more than just a tree problem.

Under attack
She got in touch with the Marshall Islands War-Bereaved Families Association, made contacts with her media colleagues and contributed to several stories. The exposure generated a buzz but no leads. At one point the Marshall Islands group reached out to the daughter of an actor, thinking he might be the young man with the sword. But the daughter said it was not him.

A mystery man

After the Marshall Islands fell, the U.S. took Guam in July and August 1944. Harry fought there and was shot in the arm. He spent several months in a hospital on New Caledonia.

My arm is coming along swell and is healing up remarkable, be good as new in a short while, he wrote to his parents. I sure would like to hear from you soon, so I could find out how things are going with Bob over on the other side. Right now things as a whole are going mighty good.

Earlier that August, as the Allies pushed across France after D-Day, Bob sent a hopeful letter to his brother  he addressed him as kid  saying the European war might be over soon. After that, he said, the full force of our men can be turned in your direction. Dont get me wrong, I am not trying to insinuate that you need help but it sure would speed things up. After all, thats of utmost importance, the day when you and I can get back to the village.
You see something like Stoppy that gets constantly abused, it sticks out because its uncommon and then as it keeps on getting harmed  we cant help but think of it as a suffering creature, Gray said. Nothing makes the human mind try to make sense of things more than bad things because we want bad things not to happen.

Nobodys quite sure when Stoppy first appeared but most agree it started taking hits around the time the Target replaced the movie theater at the shopping complex in 2009.

The stores loading dock is very close to Stoppy, and the prevailing theory among members of the Facebook group is that most hits to Stoppy come from truck drivers leaving or entering the dock who either cant see it or have difficulty maneuvering the tight turns.

Al Sergio, code administrator for Cheltenham Township, said Stoppy has gone down at least once a year in the last seven years, easy, maybe more.

The section of Shoppers Lane Stoppy is on is private property and Sergio said repair and replacement of the sign is handled by Paramount Realty Services, the property management company for the shopping center. Requests for comment to Paramount were not returned.
For the second year in a row, the Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce held a virtual Celebration of Success Awards Banquet due to the health concerns of holding a live event in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The recipient of this years Daily Journal/Farmington Press Citizen of the Year Award was a bit of a surprise, as it was determined by the newspaper's editorial board that no individual or organization deserved the recognition more than the Farmington Regional Chamber of Commerce itself.

In presenting the award to Chamber Executive Director Candy Hente, Director of Events Cassie Thomas, the chambers board of directors, and the organizations membership, Farmington Press Editor Kevin Jenkins noted that the longtime civic organization had risen to the challenge by helping local businesses in a variety of ways that were hit hard by the economically devastating pandemic.

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The chamber immediately went to work to find ways to help local businesses survive financially by finding federal and state funding sources, as well as providing a number of practical training opportunities, Jenkins said. Candy and Cassie worked tireless hours to be a strong support system for its membership. Rather than ducking its responsibility, the chamber stood tall and took a strong position of leadership.
So how did this happen? There's strong evidence to indicate a massive intelligence failure. After all, barely a month ago, Biden said confidently, "The likelihood there's going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely."

But there were also plenty of signs that Biden's optimism was uninformed and ill-advised. "In fact," reported the Post, "U.S. military officials privately harbored fundamental doubts for the duration of the war that the Afghan security forces could ever become competent or shed their dependency on U.S. money and firepower."

If the military harbored those doubts, why wasn't the president told? And if he was told, why didn't he believe them?

Perhaps the answer lies in one of gravest mistakes any policymaker -- or journalist, for that matter -- can make: confirmation bias. It's embracing evidence that reinforces your prejudices, while rejecting contradictory information. It's the same sin, the Sin of Self-Delusion, that led to disaster in Vietnam.
With the board of directors set up and funding and other support in hand, Venture Central is looking for an executive director to guide the organization.

In charge of hiring and firing staff, the director also will see to the strategy, operations and sustainability of the organization and work with the board. The board is considering local candidates and those from similar organizations nationwide.

The board recently began reviewing applications, but will continue accepting them until someone is hired.

Rogers said the executive director will be the force behind the organizations effort to help someone bring a plan to fruition by connecting with nonprofits and agencies that assist with business plans, finances, grants and other needs.

For most entrepreneurs, between having the idea and starting the business, there is a large gap, he said. Were not trying to duplicate the efforts of others, but we want to build alliances and share funding options. Our goal is that an entrepreneur can walk in with an idea and when they walk out, theyve been [connected to] resources they need to get the idea to the market.

The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.
Members of the American Legion Post 128 stopped by The Harbor at Renaissance to honor 95-year-old Haywood Lawson, whos going into his 73rd year as a member of the Legion.

Im going to put this [Legion hat] on you, and then were going to all do what we should do in your presence and give you a nice clean salute, said Post Commander Peter DeForth as he presented Lawson with the newly updated hat, complete with pins for Army service, World War II, being a past commander of the Legion (twice) and a lifetime member.

Lawson was born in Quinque in February 1926. He was inducted into the United States Army in June 1944. During 1945, he served in combat in Europe and Germany, becoming a Technical Sergeant in Battery C, 790th Field Artillery Battalion. He was honorably discharged at Fort Meade, Md., on June 29, 1946, after which he returned to his home town.

Lawson became a member of American Legion Post 128 in 1948, serving a record-setting 73 years with the group. He has been an active and enthusiastic participant in many of the Legions activities ever since, even selling six books of raffle tickets this year while residing at The Harbor, according to DeForth. He also served as commander of Post 128 twice.
The fire destroyed multiple homes Sunday along Highway 50, one of the main routes to the lakes south end. It also roared through the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort, demolishing some buildings but leaving the main buildings at the base intact. Crews used snow-making machines to douse the ground.

Cabins burned near the unincorporated community of Echo Lake, where Tom Fashinell has operated Echo Chalet with his wife since 1984. The summer-only resort offers cabin rentals, but was ordered to close early for the season by the U.S. Forest Service due to ongoing wildfires.

Fashinell said he was glued to the local TV news. Were watching to see whether the building survives, he said.

The Caldor Fire has scorched 277 square miles (717 square kilometers) since breaking out Aug. 14. After the weekends fierce burning, containment dropped from 19% to 14%. More than 600 structures have been destroyed, and at least 20,000 more were threatened. Gov. Steve Sisolak on Monday declared a state of emergency in Nevada, citing the anticipation that the wildfire in the Lake Tahoe area in California would burn across the state line into the Silver State.

The National Weather Service warned of dangerous fire conditions and winds through Wednesday.


WASHINGTON  The U.S. general who oversaw the final evacuation and withdrawal from Afghanistan says the Taliban was significantly helpful in enabling the airlift of Afghans, Americans and others.

The U.S. military spent most of the past two decades fighting the Taliban, but now are adjusting to the fact that the militants have taken control of the country.

Gen. Frank McKenzie is head of U.S. Central Command. He also said at a Pentagon news conference Monday that he thinks the Taliban will have difficulty securing Kabul in the coming days, not least because of the threat they face from the Islamic State groups Afghanistan affiliate.

McKenzie says Taliban fighters in recent days have freed IS fighters from prisons, swelling their ranks to an estimated 2,000. In his words, Now they are going to be able to reap what they sowed.



UNITED NATIONS  A divided U.N. Security Council is pressing the Taliban to live up to pledges to let people leave Afghanistan after the U.S. withdraws its forces. But China and Russia have refused to back the resolution, which they portray as diverting blame for the chaos surrounding the U.S. pullout.
Invalidating the candidacy would, in effect, deprive voters of a fair choice in a democratic election (emphasis on the small d). Its unlikely that Democrats (big d) could find an effective replacement on short notice, and whoever they did find would be at a competitive disadvantage in starting the race late.

As Gilbert said, its hard to see how this upheaval would actually serve the cause of democracy.

Thats not to say the error should be completely ignored  at least, not by voters.

Voters will have to decide whether this error by McAuliffe is immaterial, or whether it should be taken more seriously as part of a pattern of free-wheeling inattention to detail.

Readers might remember his mass restoration of voting rights, which  despite admirable intentions  was undertaken in contradiction to the state constitution, according to the Supreme Court of Virginia. Or his book about the events of Aug. 12, 2017, which several sources criticized as containing important inaccuracies.

Thats not to say that Republicans arent afflicted with carelessness, too, from time to time.
Re: Medicaid dental care hard to find, guest editorial published in the Aug. 26 Daily Progress:

Susan Sherman, executive director of the Charlottesville Free Clinic, has it correct: The reality is that there arent a lot of dentists that are accepting Medicaid.

Politicians in Richmond offer expanded coverage and increased Medicaid benefits while limiting Virginian's access to dental treatment.

As a dentist myself, I know that not too long ago, Virginia had a robust system of public health dentistry. There were clinics throughout the state where people without insurance or money could go for basic dental needs. State lawmakers gradually defunded the program in favor of free Medicaid money from Washington. Now many of those former clinic patients have Medicaid cards in their pockets but limited care options. Their options include the most expensive  hospital emergency rooms.

If you were in need, what would you prefer  dental care or dental coverage?
RE: This is real history in making, Stan Hall, Aug. 24, Democrat-Herald 

Mr. Hall accuses me of not backing up statements on the Second Amendment, and he has cited a law professor, Adam Winkler of the University of California.

Prof. Winkler claims gun control has always been a part of the Second Amendment 

So what does that have to do with my previous letter Mr. Hall appears to rebut, wherein I argued against Robert B. Harris claiming the main reason the Second Amendment was enacted was to ensure suppressing Black people?

These are two totally different subjects, Mr. Hall.

And accusing me of not citing sources? Just put Second Amendment into the search; you will see plenty.

You would do better by researching the thoughts of our forefathers on the right to bear arms. That would clearly show the mindset of those patriots who had just finished fighting for independence from a tyrannical government. A tyrannical government like you see now forming in Afghanistan to rule the Afghan people.

As for endless gun laws: Present gun laws do nothing to suppress criminals. They suppress lawful gun owners.
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Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Dozens of first responders from Colorado deployed to Louisiana to aid in the states response to Hurricane Ida, which made landfall midday Sunday.

Forty-five Colorado firefighters from 14 agencies were deployed with Colorado Task Force 1, one of the 12 Federal Emergency Management Agency's urban search-and-rescue teams responding to the hurricane, the agency said Sunday.

The Colorado Task Force has responded to several disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Colorado floods in 2013 and Ground Zero after 9/11, the agency said.

The group is trained to carry out "water and wide-area search and rescue" and will be strategically located to assist local agencies, the West Metro Fire Rescue said. They arrived in Lafayette, Louisiana, after driving 26 hours Saturday.

"We know it's going to be a tough one for sure," said Lt. Aaron McConnellogue, a Colorado Springs firefighter and rescue team manager. "But we're just getting ready for whatever they throw at us."

Twelve volunteers from the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming have also left for the Gulf Coast to provide emotional support, health resources and recovery service to those affected by Hurricane Ida, the Red Cross said Sunday.

Of the 12 volunteers, 11 are from the Western Colorado, Southern Colorado and Mile High chapters of the Red Cross.

On average, the Colorado Task Force 1 and Red Cross volunteers are deployed for between 14 and 21 days, depending on the amount of assistance needed by local agencies. It is not yet known when the Coloradans will return home.

Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm, hit the coast near Port Fourchon on Sunday at 11:55 a.m. CDT, carrying maximum sustained winds of 150 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Ida was downgraded to a tropical storm Monday morning as it moved toward Mississippi, 16 hours after it made landfall in Louisiana.

More than 1 million people have been left without power because of the storm and at least one person has died, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office. An unknown amount of people are stranded on rooftops because of flooding.
Hungarian IT company 4iG has signed a preliminary agreement with the Minister for the Management of National Assets on gaining a majority stake in state-owned telecom infrastructure company Antenna Hungaria (AH) through a capital increase.

4iG will transfer the telecommunications assets in its portfolio to Antenna Hungaria, giving it control of the company, creating one of the leading telecommunications holding companies in the CEE region.

With the transactions, 4iG can acquire a majority stake in Antenna Hungaria. According to the agreement, the state will still have a minimum 20% stake in the company.

Antenna Hungaria has been a key player in the Hungarian telecommunications sector for decades. The company is the exclusive provider of national digital terrestrial television and analogue radio broadcasting in Hungary.

Gellert Jaszai, President and CEO of 4iG said: The acquisition of the majority stake in Antenna Hungaria and the combination of the two companies' telecommunications portfolios, expertise, and know-how will contribute to the technological development of the Hungarian telecommunications sector and the provision of competitive and high-quality services in the business and retail segments.

The company has a 25% stake in Telenor Hungary (Telenor Hungary and Telenor Real Estate, CETIN Hungary). Antenna Hungary also provides satellite communications services, LoRaWAN IoT network services, and other telecoms/ICT services.

After the completion of the ongoing acquisition, it will also own MVM NET Zrt., Which has or operates the governments telecommunications infrastructure. MVM Net operates a national 450MHz LTE-based network providing government/public sector/wholesale clients with critical communications/M2M/IoT services, supported by a 9,000km-plus fibre network.

Budapest Stock Exchange-listed 4iG has been present in the field of the industry- and industry-independent innovative technologies for more than 25 years, and the group is also constantly expanding its interests (CarpathiaSat, Hungaro DigiTel) and services in the field of telecommunications and satellite communications.

4iG agreed to acquire 100% of broadband, pay-TV, and mobile network operator DIGI (Hungary)  including subsidiaries Invitel and i-TV  in late March, a deal which it expects to wrap up in September. Furthermore, at the start of June 4iG bought a 75% stake in satellite operator Hungaro DigiTel, and later that month it entered into a preliminary agreement to buy a 51% stake in another international satellite provider, Israels SpaceCom.
Another potential major player in the African mobile money market has received serious financial backing. African fintech pawaPay has announced that it has secured $9 million in a seed funding round.

The round was co-led by independent and interdisciplinary investment firm MSA and UK-based investment fund 88mph (whose website notes that it invests in web / mobile start-ups that target the African markets).

A number of other financial services companies and investment groups are also participating.

According to the Ventureburn financial news website, the funding will be used to help scale the fintechs operational presence, grow the existing team and expand in new markets across Africa.

It is not, however, a complete newcomer. pawaPay originated as the payments part of pawaTech, a UK software company with experience building mobile money solutions for African markets. It was spun out as a standalone business in early 2020 and now claims to be a mobile money payments leader on the continent, processing more than 100 million mobile money transactions per year across ten or more countries.

pawaPay assists global companies in accepting payments from African consumers. This is done through what the company describes as its simple API which enables merchants to access over 300 million customers in over 10 markets through mobile money. The platform also offers transparent and reliable payments, with the aim of ensuring security and safety for merchants and consumers.

According to pawaPay, its single API allows customers to access all telco mobile money systems and send and receive payments to hundreds of people.

The company handles local operations, compliance and regulatory cover and bank accounts, targeting Africas underbanked population.
As a wildfire approached her Moscow Mountain rental home Monday, Ruth Garfield smelled smoke but was unsure of how close the danger truly was. When she heard a helicopter overhead, Ruth said she went onto her back porch to see if she could catch a glimpse. It was then she saw the fire that would swallow the home roaring up the hill perhaps 30 yards away.
Our students go on to graduate from college in whatever type of post secondary education they desire, said Tameka Owolabi, TRIO Educational Talent Search Director at Wallace Community College. They become successful.

Recent Wallace graduate Breshayla Franklin is a local Talent Search success story. Franklin was a 2021 honor graduate from Eufaula High School and has been involved in Talent Search since 6th grade. Through the dual enrollment program at Wallace, she graduated in May of 2021 from the Phlebotomy program and afterwards secured employment at Medical Center Barbour. Franklin was also the recipient of numerous scholarships including one from the Alabama Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, an organization consisting of TRIO professionals. She will attend the University of Alabama in Birmingham this fall.

Over the years, Talent Search has played a huge role in my educational career because it provided guidance and the steps to take to get to college, Franklin said. One of the college tours I took the during the 2019 summer enrichment program is actually how I found my dream school that I attend today. I owe a huge thanks to Mrs. Owolabi, Ms. Pierce and the TRiO program for their contribution to my success. I couldnt have done it without them. I am beyond excited and ready for these next four years of my educational career!

For more information on Wallace Community Colleges Talent Search TRiO program, contact Tameka Owolabi at towolabi@wallace.edu or 334-687-3543, ext. 4280; Mary Pearl Morris at mmorris@wallace.edu or 334-687-3543, ext. 4281; Catherine Pierce at cpierce@wallace.edu or 334-687-3543, ext. 4283; or Dorothy Hawkins at dhawkins@wallace.edu or 334- 687-3543, ext. 4226.
It would be wonderful to have a cheap oral medicine to treat COVID, said Bulloch. But the blood concentrations needed for the active ingredient are substantially higher than ever studied and is not safe in humans. Research shows that it does not work in normal human doses.

Bullochs colleague, Spencer Durham, agrees.

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To achieve adequate blood concentrations would require a lethal dose of the human formulation, said Durham, who is also an associate clinical professor of pharmacy practice at Auburn.

Bulloch and Durham also point out that hundreds of drugs have shown promise in a lab setting against COVID-19 but failed to be effective against the disease in people.

Currently, there is a well-designed, large-scale study in people underway in the United Kingdom to investigate if ivermectin could be effective in more normal human doses, said Bulloch. But we do not know how long that study will run and when the data will be available.

Durham said that long-term studies into dose sizes, dosing schedules and potential side effects in people are what is needed.

These types of studies are what we need to make well-researched and safe recommendations, he said.
A Florida man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for stealing a gun from Dothans Gander Outdoors in March of 2020, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart on Monday.

Tevin Michael Coffman, 30, pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking a firearm from a federal firearms licensee, possession of stolen firearms, and being a felon in possession of a firearm on March 3 and was sentenced to 72 months in prison on Aug. 24.

Following his prison sentence, Coffman will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

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Gander Outdoors, a Dothan business authorized to sell firearms, was burglarized and multiple guns were stolen, according to court records and statements made in court.

Surveillance footage showed someone entering the store, smashing the glass casing of a firearm display counter, and removing 13 handguns. The suspect then placed the guns into a black bag and left the store.

The Dothan Police Department began an investigation and, after reviewing video footage along with other evidence, developed Coffman as a suspect. Shortly afterwards, Coffman was spotted driving a recreational vehicle (RV) that had also been stolen from Gander Outdoors.
We are closely coordinating with State and local officials every step of the way, Biden said.

The administration said more than 3,600 FEMA employees are deployed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. FEMA staged more than 3.4 million meals, millions of liters of water, more than 35,700 tarps, and roughly 200 generators in the region in advance of the storm.

As the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression Monday afternoon and continued to make its way inland with torrential rain, it was blamed for at least two deaths  a motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge.

But with many roads impassable and cellphone service out in places, the full extent of its fury was still coming into focus. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards, said that given the level of destruction, Were going to have many more confirmed fatalities.

The governor's office said damage to the power grid appeared catastrophic  dispiriting news for those without refrigeration or air conditioning during the dog days of summer, with highs forecast in the mid-80s to near 90 by midweek.
An instant noodles product of Thien Huong has been recalled in Norway due to the presence of a banned substance, the second such incident in the Europe this month.

The "dried noodles with chicken - and beef spices" of Ho Chi Minh City-based Thien Huong has been found to contain ethylene oxide, which is banned from food products in the country.

A product containing dried noodles with chicken and beefspices of Thien Huong. Photo courtesy of Thien Huong

Vietnamese authorities have ordered Thien Huong to provide relevant samples to examine the claim.

A spokesperson for Thien Huong said Monday the recalled product is sold exclusively in Norway and not in Vietnam.

It has been sold for four months in "small" volume, the spokesperson told VnExpress, adding there is no ethylene oxide in any part of production.

Thien Huong exports to the E.U., the U.S., Africa, Japan and South Korea.

On Aug. 20, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) announced batches of Hao Hao and Good branded noodles were being recalled after they were also found to contain ethylene oxide.

Kajiwara Junichi, general director of Acecook Vietnam that produced the products, said the firm has abided by all the rules in Vietnam and in all the countries that it exports noodles to.

The firm has contacted its suppliers who have asserted they do not use ethylene oxide during production, he said, stressing Acecook Vietnam does not allow the use of ethylene oxide in any production process.
A subsidiary of conglomerate Bitexco Group has signed a deal to buy Talisman Vietnam, a company that operates two southern offshore oil fields.

The acquisition by Bitexco Energy from Spains Repsol Exploracion SA is expected to be completed by the end of the year when the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained.

Talisman has been producing oil since 2013 from the Hai Su Trang (White Sea Lion) and Hai Su Den (Black Sea Lion) fields 20 kilometers to the east of Vung Tau Province.

Block 15-2/01 covers nearly 280,000 hectares in the Cuu Long Basin and is operated by the Thang Long Joint Operating Company in which Talisman holds a 60 percent stake and the state-owned PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation Limited the rest.

Bitexco says in its website it has been operating in the energy industry since 2002 and owns 21 power projects.
Amid the month-long Covid-19 lockdown in HCMC, locals are helping foreigners navigate the restrictions, in many cases ensuring they get food and vaccination.

Andrew Scott has not stepped out of home since July, and has been ordering food from a nearby supermarket.

Last weekend, after coming to know about a tightening of coronavirus restrictions which would require people to shelter in place, he rushed to the supermarket to buy groceries, but there was nothing left.

"But I am lucky my landlord later gave me meat, rice and eggs," the Australian, an English teacher in District 11, says.

He also receives help from housemates in getting food.

"We share our food, so no one will go hungry and can overcome the lockdown together."

He is among thousands of foreigners in HCMC who have got help from locals amid the lockdown, which has impacted their incomes and even mental health.

As of Monday, the city has had some 210,000 cases of Covid-19 in the current outbreak, and nearly 8,500 deaths.

A Briton wanders in HCMC's District 1 after losing his English teaching job in the pandemic. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Due to the language barrier and overwhelming number of online orders, many expats struggle to buy food and groceries. But their landlords and local friends are helping out.

Jongrak Choi, a South Korean, says he feels safer after receiving food necessities from his neighbors and local authorities.

"The neighbors know we are foreigners and help us a lot. I am touched by the kindness of the Vietnamese."

Ward officials have been providing food in areas where people are prohibited from leaving their house.

Michal, an English teacher from Slovakia who refused to reveal his full name, too says local authorities helped him when his area was in the red zone.

"We got some vegetables, instant noodles, eggs, and rice."

But with the pandemic causing his income to dry up, he returned home last December.

Meanwhile, many expats have been able to learn about the vaccination campaign and get vaccinated thanks again to help from locals.

Singaporean Jordan Ng was notified about the vaccination in his neighborhood by his landlord, enabling him and his housemate could get their shots in time.

"My landlord is very helpful."

He plays the piano to calm himself and his housemate.

Daniel Evans, an English teacher in Thu Duc City, also got help from his Vietnamese neighbors for filling the vaccination registration form and traveling to the vaccination site.

"They are so nice that they got me fruits and cooling pads, worrying I would get a fever after my first shot," he says.

As HCMC made its coronavirus restrictions more stringent, many locals have been helping foreigners prepare for them.

Last Friday, when Simon Wilson was working in his living room, his landlord sent a message in a Facebook group, telling her guests about new restrictions that require people to stay at home and get food delivered by military personnel.

He immediately went to a supermarket to buy some groceries.

"Thanks to her message in the group chat, I knew what was going on and could prepare for the stringent lockdown," he says.

In many buildings in Thao Dien Ward, District 2, where many expats live, people have received tickets to order food through local authorities.

"I do not tend to stock up on stuff because I know there are a lot of people who need food during the lockdown, and I feel at ease when local authorities help me and others buy things we need," Wilson says.

To support expats better, the HCMC people's committee has recently decided to check the number of foreign residents who face difficulties in covering their living expenses and have not been vaccinated in town.

Robin Deepu (middle) and his friends give free meals to people, July 27, 2021. Photo courtesy of Robin Deepu

Lie low or leave

According to statistics from embassies and consulates, more than 200,000 foreigners live and work in HCMC.

As coronavirus risks grow and a month-long lockdown causes economic woes, the dream expat life has soured for many, and some have decided to leave.

Michal in Slovakia worries his girlfriend and their cat Luma might have to stay in Vietnam longer since they are unable to get their documents sorted out amid the lockdown.

On a Facebook group for expats, many members ask others how they could get to Tan Son Nhat International Airport amid the lockdown and nighttime restrictions.

While many expats have boarded planes, some are trying to keep a positive mindset while staying back.

Like locals, many have turned to new hobbies and activities like cooking, reading, helping people, and listening to broadcasts to avoid feeling low.

Trevor Long, a Covid survivor, has been bonding with his six-year-old son George and has set up a gym at their home in Thao Dien to keep both of them occupied.

"Maybe a positive life habit he can take out of it by the end too," Long wrote on his Facebook.

Robin Deepu, owner of an Indian restaurant in District 2, keeps making thousands of free meals every day for poor people and healthcare workers even when he and his staff cannot deliver them due to the shortage of new travel permits.

He tells VnExress International: "I call hospitals and tell them to come to my restaurant to pick up the food. I will keep cooking."

Many of those staying back believe that as long as people adopt strict preventative measures and get vaccinated, the outbreak will be contained.

"I cannot abandon the life I have built here just because times are tough," Jarred Srot, an English teacher in District 6, says.

"Vietnam has been good to me and I want to be good to Vietnam in return. I miss my family terribly but I have a family here too."
Lukas Musil (L), Czech Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam, and Deputy Minister Truong Quoc Cuong (C) attend a ceremony to make the handover of the Czech Republic's Covid-19 vaccine donation to Vietnam, August 30, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Nhien

Vietnams Health Ministry received more than 210,000 AstraZeneca and 40,800 Moderna doses from the Czech Republic government in Hanoi on Monday.

Deputy Minister Truong Quoc Cuong received the vaccines from Lukas Musil, Czech deputy ambassador to Vietnam.

The vaccines had arrived in the city last Friday and been sent to cold storage.

"Vietnam is a priority in the Czech Republics vaccine support policy," said Musil, recalling Vietnams support for his nation during the pandemic last year.

So far, Vietnam has received 27 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from different sources, including government support, the Covax facility, and commercial contracts.

Of the vaccines, more than 17 million doses are AstraZeneca while the rest are more than five million doses of Moderna, over three million Pfizer doses, and 2.5 million Sinopharm doses.

According to the Health Ministry, as of last Saturday, more than 2.43 million people had been double vaccinated, and almost 17 million had received the first dose, in a population of more than 96 million.
A drone captured the image of a man walking out on an alley in Da Nang's Hai Chau District. Photo courtesy of the Hai Chau People's Committee

Da Nang's Hai Chau District on Sunday began using drones to monitor residents during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Fifteen drones, provided for free by a group of volunteers, are capable of flying around 25 minutes. They come with around eight batteries so they could fly for hours, Hai Chau District People's Committee said.

Each ward in the district would be equipped with one drone. Wards with high numbers of Covid-19 cases like Hoa Thuan Dong or Binh Hien would have two drones each.

Tran Huu Duc Nhat, head of the volunteer group, said the drones are capable of flying at low levels, which is useful to monitor small streets and alleys. They also produce noise so people would be aware of them. Images captured by the drones would be transferred to the People's Committee so violators could be dealt with immediately, he added.

Le Tu Gia Thanh, chairman of Hai Chau People's Committee, said the risk of contracting Covid-19 in small alleys is high. In certain street sections, like on Ly Tu Trong or Hoang Dieu, dozens of cases have been detected, which further necessitates the need for monitoring.

"High-risk areas include those with isolated coronavirus cases. If someone wants to enter such areas they would need to wear protective suits, which is cumbersome, so there's no constant patrol here. Drones are therefore very useful," he said.

Drones cannot fly all day, so the district has also installed surveillance cameras, even mobile ones so they could be sent to coronavirus hotspots if needed. Thanh said the Da Nang military command has approved the use of drones for monitoring, while Hai Chau District is seeking approval from the 5th Military Region.

Da Nang has recorded 4,122 local Covid-19 cases since the fourth coronavirus wave hit Vietnam in late April. A lockdown is in place, which bans people from going out until Sept. 5.
Its been a year since the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus, which was deemed neither free nor fair by the international community. Massive nation-wide protests emerged against Alyaksandr Lukashenka, the man dubbed Europes last dictator.

The protests were met with brutal force by the Lukashenka regime. As the U.S. State Departments 2020 human rights report on Belarus notes, at least four protesters were killed and thousands were arrested, some subjected to beatings, sexual abuse, and electric shock. To this day, over 600 people remain unjustly detained. On the anniversary of the fraudulent election, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken deplored the imprisonment of peaceful protesters, closing of independent media outlets, and attempts by Belarusian authorities to silence NGOs and civil society.

As Secretary of State Blinken noted, in recent months the Lukashenka regimes terror tactics have reached beyond the land borders of Belarus. In May, Belarusian authorities diverted a commercial airliner flying over Belarusian airspace for the purpose of arresting a Belarusian journalist.

Most recently, Belarusian authorities attempted to force Belarusian Olympian Krystsyna Tsimanouskaya, who has since been offered a humanitarian visa by Poland, to return to Belarus against her will simply for exercising her freedom of expression and criticizing the Belarusian Olympic Committee on social media.

In response to the continued flagrant disregard for human rights and Belarus failure to comply with its obligations under international human rights law, on August 9 Secretary of State Blinken announced sanctions against forty-four individuals and entities in order to hold Alyaksandr Lukashenka and his regime to account for its continued, violent repression of Belarusians inside and outside the country. Those targeted by the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control include state-owned enterprises, government officials, and others who support the regime; facilitate its violent repression; and violate the rule of law.

Secretary Blinken welcomed sanctions imposed the same day by the United Kingdom and Canada, as well as those announced by the European Union on June 24. The United States further commends the ongoing close coordination with Lithuania and Poland as a demonstration of the steadfast international resolve in supporting the Belarusian peoples democratic aspirations. We will continue working with the international community to hold to account those responsible for human rights violations and abuses in Belarus. We stand with the people of Belarus in support of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Nicaragua struck the nail in the coffin of free and fair elections. On August 6, Nicaraguas Supreme Electoral Council disqualified opposition party Citizens for Freedom from running in the November 7 elections. The ruling should come as no surprise, since, as the State Departments most recent human rights report on Nicaragua notes, [President Daniel] Ortegas Sandinista National Liberation Front party exercises total control over the executive, legislative, judicial, and electoral functions.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the ban on the last genuine opposition party in Nicaragua underscores the desire on the part of Ortega and his wife, Vice-President Rosario Murillo to remain in power at all costs. He notes that the opposition partys disqualification follows the detention of seven presidential candidates and 24 opposition figures, human rights activists, business leaders, students and NGO workers over the last two months.

President Ortega is seeking to secure his fourth term in office and is determined to allow no obstacles to stand in the way  certainly not democratic processes, institutions, or advocates. Secretary Blinken said the election in Nicaragua including its eventual results, has lost all credibility.

In response to the wave of repression taking place in Nicaragua, including the undermining of democracy and the abuse of human rights, on June 9 the United States imposed sanctions on four members of the Ortega-Murillo regime. On July 10, the U.S. imposed visa restrictions against 100 Nicaraguan legislators, judges, and prosecutors, as well as some of their family members.

On August 6, the United States restricted the visas of an additional 50 immediate family members of Nicaraguan National Assembly representatives and Nicaraguan prosecutors and judges. According to State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, Anyone benefiting from the undermining of free and fair elections in Nicaragua is not welcome in the United States.

In his statement, Secretary Blinken noted that the Ortega-Murillo regime has failed to comply with its international commitments under the Inter-American Democratic charter, as well as the rights of the Nicaraguan people to freely choose their own leaders. We will continue to work closely with other democracies to respond diplomatically and economically to these dire developments, which only further deprive the Nicaraguan people of their desire for a representative government and economic prosperity.
Flower decorations in Tian'anmen Square attracted more than a million visitors after the centennial celebration of the CPC's founding on July 1. [Photo by He Jianyong/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Experts worldwide hailed a key publication shedding light on the Communist Party of China's mission and contributions as "powerful" and "inspiring", saying it has outlined the successes of the first century of the Party's history and charted the route in the coming decades.

The report, titled "The CPC: Its Mission and Contributions", was released by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee on Thursday, expounding on the Party's mission and contributions.

The document stressed that the CPC is a political party that seeks happiness for the people and progress for humanity, and "achieving national rejuvenation is the historic mission of the CPC".

Carlos Martinez, co-editor of Friends of Socialist China and co-founder of the international No Cold War campaign, said the document is "a powerful and inspiring document, outlining the successes of the first century of the CPC's history, and describing the Party's goals and challenges in the coming decades".

"The document also outlines the CPC's vision for the coming period, emphasizing its commitment to high-quality growth, to tackling inequality, to fighting climate change, building common prosperity, and working relentlessly on the global stage to promote peace, cooperation and development," Martinez said.

Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, said the document is a work of great importance and a must-read for all those who want to understand how the CPC has brought China back to being one of the most important countries in the world.

There are certain striking features of the CPC that have contributed to the success of China's development, said Lins, adding that the Party always puts the people's interests first, which has been well manifested in China's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

As indicated in the document, China also took an active role in the global cooperation against the pandemic, said Dennis Munene, executive director of the China-Africa Center at the Kenya-based Africa Policy Institute.

As of June, China had provided $2 billion in aid for the international COVID-19 response, sent medical supplies to more than 150 countries and 13 international organizations.

The CPC is today the most powerful political party remaking the post-COVID-19 world order. As an intellectual-oriented and reformist party, the CPC has contributed immensely to world peace and development, said Munene.

Under the CPC leadership, China has created solidarity bonds across cultures and civilizations becoming a powerful advocate for a new humanism and a leader of globalization, Munene added.

Ryuji Ishida, a researcher at the International Peace Research Institute of Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo, Japan, called for more profound studies like the document to make foreigners better understand China and the CPC.

"A number of people in Japan do not have a comprehensive understanding of China or the CPC, and I think for foreigners and foreign scholars, the best way to understand the CPC or China is to become deeply involved in Chinese people's ordinary lives," said Ishida, adding that some characteristics of the CPC such as "be practical and realistic" deserve more attention.

Zhao Ruinan and Liu Hongjie in Beijing and Wang Xuin Tokyo contributed to this story.
Photo: SIEMENS

Siemens officially launches a contest titled Best Applications of SIMATIC IOT2050 on August 30th 2021 in Ho Chi Minh City with an aim to provide an opportunity for automation engineers and students in Vietnam to demonstrate their talent, particularly to encourage them to use their creativity and out-of-the-box thinking in order to come up with innovative ideas and solutions for the automation industry with support from Siemens IOT gateway.



SIMATIC IOT2050 is typically used for preventive machine maintenance and linking production to the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) level in order to minimize expensive production downtimes.



By joining the Best Application for SIMATIC IOT2050 competition that takes place from 30 August to 11 November 2021, candidates will be offered a great chance to keep abreast of the latest trends in automation and digitization, to access Siemens state-of-the-art technology, to stay connected and expand professional network, and most importantly, to use their knowledge and skills to design and develop innovative applications. They will also have amble opportunities to receive attractive presents from Siemens Digital Industries.



This contest is open to Vietnamese engineers and students across Vietnam who are creative and technophiles themselves. All submissions will be published on the Facebook page of Siemens Vietnam for public voting. There are four rounds and at the final round, the top ten candidates will meet the Jury and present their ideas and solutions respectively. Winners will be awarded with valuable prizes.



Siemens Vietnam is delighted to organize this contest deliberately for automation engineers and students in Vietnam. Apart from offering them an exciting and meaningful playground to demonstrate their talent, we would like to help nurture creative problem solvers and brilliant solution designers strongly needed by Vietnamese enterprises in their digital transformation journey. We believe giving students the opportunity to exercise their academic strengths is a great way to motivate them to pursue their passion, and to develop generations to come, said Siemens ASEAN and Vietnam CEO Pham Thai Lai.



Detailed information about the contest is available at: https://sie.ag/3iNXBrH
-- The cotton and textile industry in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has shown resilience by further tapping markets and winning over more customers with its superior quality.

-- From January to July, Xinjiang's export volume witnessed a robust year-on-year growth of 33.2 percent, reaching 64.87 billion yuan (10 billion U.S. dollars). The exports of textile and garments saw a staggering year-on-year growth of 65.6 percent during the period.

-- As the region opens more to the world, the sustained recovery of Xinjiang's foreign trade has boosted the confidence of foreign business partners to expand a broader market and seek win-win cooperation.

by Xinhua writers Ding Jiangang, Pan Ying and Zhang Zhongkai

URUMQI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- In the workshop of a textile company in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, workers were busy packaging some 70,000 pieces of knitted underwear for orders from Japan.

The enterprise weathered a downturn in its export last year due to adverse effects, including the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. groundless sanctions over Xinjiang cotton, but the trend has now reversed, said Li Lyuzhi, manager in the foreign trade department of the company based in the regional capital Urumqi.

File photo shows a worker busy working in a workshop of a textile company in Yuli County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 24, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

The company is among some 100 cotton and textile firms displaying their high-quality products at the (China) Eurasia Commodity and Trade Online Expo (EACT Expo) 2021 that opened on Aug. 25, both online and offline. The offline part is to conclude later on Sunday, while the online exhibition will last a year.

The EACT Expo has become a significant platform for promoting economic cooperation and trade exchanges with the world since its inauguration in 2015.

"The expo this year has built an interconnected and shared digital platform for global enterprises," said Mamtimin Hadir, acting mayor of Urumqi.

The region's cotton and textile industry has shown resilience by further tapping markets and winning over more customers with its superior quality.

The intelligent apparel production equipment brand Qonvolv is participating in the online exhibition. It is under the technical support of a Hong Kong-based textile and apparel manufacturer.

"Last year, our customers, including clothing, fabrics, and textile manufacturers, had to work at full capacity to fulfill orders from domestic and foreign buyers," said Edward Ho, director of the brand.

The cotton and textile industry is one of the pillar industries in Xinjiang, and textiles are among the major commodities exported from the region.

The cotton output of Xinjiang, the country's largest growing area for the crop, exceeded 5.16 million tonnes in 2020, accounting for 87.3 percent of China's total, figures show. The regional statistics bureau said Xinjiang's cotton output would remain stable in 2021.

Aerial file photo taken on Oct. 17, 2020 shows a machine harvesting cotton in a field in Wenjiazhuang Village, Manas County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

From January to July, Xinjiang's export volume witnessed a robust year-on-year growth of 33.2 percent, reaching 64.87 billion yuan (10 billion U.S. dollars). The exports of textile and garments saw a staggering year-on-year growth of 65.6 percent during the period.

As the region opens more to the world, the sustained recovery of Xinjiang's foreign trade has boosted the confidence of foreign business partners to expand a broader market and seek win-win cooperation.

More than 500 government officials and representatives from business associations and enterprises from home and abroad discussed strengthening economic cooperation, trade exchanges and achieving mutual benefits via a video link during the expo.

Badar uz Zaman, commercial counsellor of Pakistan Embassy in Beijing, said that China is one of Pakistan's largest partners and Pakistan hopes to deepen exchanges and cooperation with Xinjiang in fields like agriculture, industry and infrastructure construction through the expo.

According to Ulakhovich Vladimir Evgenievich, chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, more than 70 Belarusian enterprises participated in the online exhibition of the expo, and he looked forward to further exploring the Chinese market for Belarusian enterprises through the fair.

Zhu Junfeng, manager for the Asian Region of Trade and Investment Department of the government of the South Australia state, Australia, said 18 enterprises from the state participated in the expo.

According to Zhu, Australia is a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and South Australia wants to continue to strengthen its exchanges and cooperation with Xinjiang in the economy, trade, and investment.

Containers are seen at the Horgos Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 6, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

An Caili, sales manager of a 40-year-old textile enterprise in Xinjiang, said the expo will help their products reach out to an even bigger market both at home and abroad.

"Via the expo, more local textile brands in Xinjiang are expected to go global, and I believe more people will know and buy textile products made of Xinjiang cotton," said An.

(Xinhua correspondents Lu Yifan, Lyu Qiuping, Li Zhihao, Ding Lei and Aman contributed to the story. Video reporters: Aman, Pan Ying; video editors: Lin Lin, Liu Yuting)

Editor: GSY
The Cabinet of Ministers, together with the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPF), shall remove state-owned stakes of shares in operators of electricity distribution systems (regional power supply companies) from the list of large privatization objects and the list of small privatization objects with their subsequent transfer to the management of the Ministry of Energy.

The instruction is enshrined in the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) made on July 30 this year, which was put into effect by president decree No. 452 dated August 28 and published on the website of the head of state.

"To complete the implementation of measures to separate the activities of operators of electricity distribution systems, which shares are state-owned, and universal service providers, and to transfer state-owned universal service providers to the management of the state-owned enterprise National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom," it is said in the document.

As reported, for several years, 70%of shares in Khmelnytskoblenergo and Mykolaivoblenergo, 65% in Kharkivoblenergo, 60.25% in Zaporizhiaoblenergo and 50.99% in Ternopiloblenergo had been prepared for privatization. In June this year, the SPF presented an updated privatization schedule, in which the sale of four regional power suppliers (Mykolaivoblenergo, Kharkivoblenergo, Zaporizhiaoblenergo and Khmelnytskoblenergo) is scheduled for February 2022, while the schedules for two more regional power suppliers (Ternopiloblenergo and Cherkasyoblenergo) are not yet available.
Zelensky to be in Washington on Aug 31, Sept 1, before traveling to California - Ukrainian ambassador to U.S.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will be in Washington on August 31 and September 1 before continuing his official visit to the United States in California, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova said.

"We, the embassy team, and the president's office are finalizing preparations for a very busy visit of the president to the United States. The president will stay in Washington for two days - August 31 and September 1, before traveling to California," Markarova said on Facebook early on Monday morning.

The events due in Washington have been planned and approved by both sides, she said.

"The events due in Washington include a meeting of the Ukrainian and U.S. presidents at the White House - the primary elements of this meeting have been planned and approved by both sides, as well as meetings with departments essential for Ukrainian-U.S. relations, and two important public presentations to be made by the president and the first lady for the media, the public and information analysis centers," Markarova said.

"It is also planned to open the Ukrainian House and to visit Washington sites essential for Ukraine-U.S. relations," she said.

"Hopefully, we will provide more details shortly," Markarova said.

It was reported earlier that Zelensky's meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden had been moved from August 31 to September 1.
Shift of Zelensky-Biden meeting connected with expiration of Taliban ultimatum on evacuation of foreigners from Kabul airport

The meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with U.S. President Joseph Biden has been postponed to September 1 at the request of the American side in connection with the expiration of the Taliban ultimatum in Afghanistan to evacuate foreigners from Kabul airport, said presidential press secretary Serhiy Nikiforov.

"The postponement of Zelensky-Biden meeting from August 31 to September 1 has been confirmed by the President's Office. This is due to the request of the United States. On August 31, the Taliban ultimatum expires - or the term for evacuating foreign citizens from Kabul airport - is exactly the time given by the Taliban. And The American side asked to postpone our visit for one day in connection with this, and to devote the whole day to this important topic for the American side," Nikiforov told Interfax-Ukraine.

He added that "the Ukrainian side treats the request of the American side with absolute understanding."

"We support our partners. We understand that security issues are always in the first place. Therefore, we agreed to the U.S. request to postpone for one day," said the presidential press secretary.

According to Nikiforov, the program of Zelensky's visit to the United States has also completely changed.

"Regarding Zelensky's other meetings in the United States, some will take place earlier than originally planned, others later. The program has completely changed, but this does not mean that something has fallen out of it," he said.

"President Zelensky is leaving for the United States right now. He will spend two days upon arrival in Washington and then in California," Nikiforov said.

As reported, the date of Zelensky's meeting with Biden has been postponed for the second time. Previously, it was postponed from August 30 to August 31 due to the extension of the visit program.
The situation in eastern Ukraine will be a priority issue in the upcoming talks in Washington between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States, Volodymyr Zelensky and Joseph Biden, said Verkhovna Rada Chairman Dmytro Razumkov.

"I think that the issue of war is always in the foreground, because it is a question of people's lives. It has always been, is and will be [in the foreground] ... And for us, for a country that is at the stage of war, this is the number one issue around the clock. Well, as I understand it, the Nord Stream issue will also be one of the key topics for discussion, along with other current issues," Razumkov told journalists in Donetsk region on Monday.

As reported, the speaker of the Ukrainian parliament is on a working trip in the area of the Joint Forces Operation on August 30.
State Agency for Tourism Development agrees to provide services for popularization of river tourist routes in Ukraine for UAH 2.5 mln

The State Agency for Tourism Development has agreed to provide services for the popularization of river tourist routes in Ukraine for UAH 2.5 million.

According to the agreement, the text of which was published on the ProZorro portal, according to the results of tenders, State Agency for Tourism Development agreed with the private enterprise Ischuk Serhiy Mykolaiovych to provide services for the popularization of river tourist routes Kyiv-Kaniv-Kyiv and Kyiv-Chornobyl-Kyiv for UAH 2,498,144.

The aim is to organize promotional river tourist trips Kyiv-Kaniv-Kyiv and Kyiv-Chornobyl-Kyiv (four trips each) and organize focus groups to prepare research on attracting investments for organizing regular transportation.

The service includes renting a motor ship for 35 seats, catering for the participants of the promotional tour, guided tour, filming two promotional videos, PR support for the event, conducting a study of interest in the tourist product and developing investment proposals.
On International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, United States calls on Russia to release all Ukrainian political prisoners in Crimea

On International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the U.S. Embassy calls on Russia to immediately end the occupation of Crimea and release all Ukrainian political prisoners on the peninsula.

"On International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, we remember at least 43 individuals who have gone missing since Russia's forces occupied Crimea in 2014. We call on Russia to immediately end its occupation of Crimea, release all Ukrainian political prisoners it unjustly holds, and return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine," the U.S. Embassy said in a statement on Facebook.
Russian-occupation forces have violated the ceasefire in Donbas three times since the beginning of the day, there are no casualties among Ukrainian servicemen, the press center of the Joint Force Operation (JFO) headquarters said.

"During the day, on August 30, three ceasefire violations were recorded. At Novozvanivka, the enemy fired at our positions from heavy anti-tank and automatic heavy grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. Not far from the village of Shumy, Russian-occupation forces fired using heavy anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms," the JFO said on Facebook.

Near Troyitske, the enemy fired using heavy machine guns.

Over the current day, there are no casualties among the soldiers of the Joint Forces. The Ukrainian defenders opened fire on enemy shelling.

"The Ukrainian side of the JCCC informed the representatives of the OSCE Mission about the facts of violations by Russian-occupation forces, using the established coordination mechanism," the JFO said.
Viktor Yushchenko visited International European University on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Ukraines Independence. Students and lecturers had a unique opportunity to talk to the living legend, dip into history and get answers to relevant questions.

Alla Navolokina, a co-founder and vice-rector for educational and scientific work and international relations, introduced the honored guest to the university team, as well as to Franz-Volodymyr von Habsburg-Lothringen, President of International European University, Anatolii Tolstoukhov, the head of the University Development Council, and Mykhailo Polianchych, a member of the University Development Council.

Alla Navolokina stressed that the meeting with Mr. Yushchenko brought together the audience motivated to knowledge required for further professional activities. She also introduced the teaching staff, student population and partners of the university.

As part of his speech, Viktor Yushchenko shared memories of his life journey, stages of professional growth, scientific achievements and plans.

Education is a key to Ukraines prosperity: those who win education win the future, Mr. Yushchenko said.

The third President of Ukraine told the teaching staff and the young generation about challenges faced by Ukraine at the current development stage.

Nowadays, your University is a new powerful complex. I believe that great traditions will be continued by a new generation whom Im addressing today. Youre teaching true citizens of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko stated.

To express acknowledgement, respect and recognition, Alla Navolokina presented authors painting to the Ex-President. Viktor Yushchenko highly appreciates art. He confessed to taking paints, brushes, canvas and drawing.

A talented person is all-around talented These words are referred to an incredible individual and wonderful vice-rector of International European University, Viktor Yushchenko mentioned.

At the end of the meeting, the honored guest congratulated International European University on the 30th anniversary of Ukraines Independence and wished prosperity and talented graduates to become worthy representatives of the Ukrainian nation. By the way, International European University can boast solid international relations encouraging the implementation of major projects.

Impressed with a university atmosphere and warm welcome, the third President of Ukraine left unique feedback and authors drawing in the IEUs comments book.
The minimum grades required for admission into Egyptian public universities for the upcoming 2021/22 academic year  including the most desirable faculties, such as medicine and engineering  have recorded a considerable drop for the first time in decades.

The admission requirements for the first phase of the most desirable universities in the country were announced by Minister of Higher Education Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar during a press briefing on Sunday in Cairo, hours after the stage's students submitted their university applications.

University admissions in Egypt are divided into three stages representing different grade categories, with the first stage reserved for the students that scored the highest in their Thanaweya Amma exams.

The first stage includes 220 higher education institutions this year, Abdel-Ghaffar pointed out.

This year, high school seniors in the science division that have managed to achieve a cumulative grade of 90.2 percent or above will be welcomed into around 37 public medicine and dentistry universities, the requirements of which were always above 97-98 percent in the past several years.

The requirements for 25 public physiotherapy and pharmacy universities countrywide have decreased as well, creating several vacancies for students scoring 88.5 percent or higher.

Students in the mathematics division with a score of 80 percent will also be accepted this year into 20 engineering universities  engineering being the most prestigious major achievable in the division. The minimum grade requirement to major in engineering in a public university in Egypt has been no less than 94 percent for years.

As for students in the humanities division, 138 faculties were included in the first phase of university admissions, with the minimum requirements to major in political science and economics or foreign languages being set at 86.2 percent and 84.8 percent respectively; a 10 percent drop from previous years.

Some of the top universities in the country still have room for second-stage students, who are scheduled to commence choosing their desired majors starting Tuesday, with the final requirements for the second stage set to be announced shortly, the higher education minister said.

The drop in requirements is a result of the newly introduced changes to the Thanaweya Amma examinations, which significantly lowered the passing rate and ended the phenomenon of students obtaining full marks in their senior year of high school.

The passing rate of the Thanaweya Amma exams in the recently concluded 2020/2021 academic year  which was attended by roughly 650,000 students  is 74 percent, a significant decrease from the 81.5 percent of the previous year.

Egypt introduced bubble sheet-based exams for Thanaweya Amma students in the 2020/21 academic year for the first time ever, with non-standardised models provided for all divisions.

The change in examination styles aimed to gauge students critical thinking skills and abolish the culture of memorising for exams, according to Minister of Education Tarek Shawky.

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Egypt Sunday condoled with the Democratic Republic of Congo for victims of a terrorist attack in the east of the African country.

A raid on a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo left 19 civilians dead earlier today.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, condemned the terrorist attack and voiced solidarity with the government and people of the DRC after such heinous act



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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has urged support for Libya's 5+5 commission, formally named the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission (JMC), to enable it to complete its mission, which includes ensuring the departure of all foreign forces and mercenaries from the oil-rich country.

Addressing a meeting of foreign ministers of Libya's neighbours in Algeria on Monday, Shoukry praised what has been achieved by the JMC, including the opening of the coastal road between east and west.

The 5+5 Joint Military Commission, which brings together five military officials from the eastern and western camps in the Libyan conflict, is one of the three tracks in the settlement process that emerged during the Berlin Conference on Libya in mid-January 2020.

The Egyptian top diplomat affirmed Cairo's "unwavering" position of supporting security and stability in Libya and prioritising political solutions to preserve the countrys unity and national institutions in order to achieve a comprehensive settlement that takes into account all aspects of the Libyan issue.

Shoukry called for "comprehensive and credible" elections in December 2021 as agreed upon previously to put an end to the extended transitional period, end the Libyan division, and initiate a new phase where all Libyan institutions are united together to serve the aspirations of the people.

Shoukry also highlighted the significant role of neighbouring countries in helping ensure the stability of the security and political situation in Libya and achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people.

The two-day meeting is attended by Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, and representatives of the UN, the African Union, and the Arab League.

Ahead of the meeting Shoukry discussed with UN Special Envoy to Libya Jan Kubis means to expedite the implementation of a comprehensive political settlement in Libya.

Shoukry and Kubis discussed intensifying efforts to achieve a comprehensive political settlement in Libya in order to preserve the Libyan people's resources and meet the people's aspirations in stability and development, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read.

The meetings in Algeria are scheduled to be attended by Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, and representatives of the UN, the African Union, and the Arab League.

Earlier in the day, Shoukry met with his Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, to discuss bilateral relations and coordination on regional issues.

In a press conference with Lamamra, Shoukry affirmed the historic relations between Egypt and Algeria and the two countries keenness to enhance bilateral relations and address the issues facing the region.

He said the countries participating in the meetings in Algeria have been significantly impacted by the situation in Libya and are highly keen that stability is restored in Libya so that the Libyan people could live in peace and security.

The top Egyptian diplomat thanked Lamamra for his countrys resumption of the meetings involving Libyas neighbours to support Libyan stability and preserve its peoples resources.

The meetings in Algeria aim to expedite the end of the Libyan crisis in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the outcome of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum along with the first and second Berlin conferences on Libya.

Shoukry was received by Algeria's foreign minister upon his arrival in the Algerian capital on Sunday evening.

An official statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry said Shoukry's participation reflects Cairo's keenness to support the Libyan people and all efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement in Libya.

The settlement, the statement added, includes holding the country's elections as previously agreed on by various Libyan parties by the end of this year as well as guaranteeing the departure of all foreign forces from the country to achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people.

The country's top diplomat is set to hold bilateral meetings with a number of his counterparts to discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation regarding regional issues of common interest, the statement added.

Neighbours converge for Libya

Over the past few years, Algeria has hosted meetings with Libya's neighbours, including Egypt and Tunisia, to search for solutions to setlle the Libyan crisis and push forward the United Nations efforts in this regard.

This meeting today and tomorrow is the first of its kind in Algeria since Libyas warring parties agreed on a ceasefire late last year and the parliament approved a unity government in March to lead Libya until the general elections, slated for 24 December, are held.

The ministerial meeting of Libya's neighbours is meant to resolve differences between Libyan political parties and ensure the removal of obstacles that are feared to delay the elections, and thus threaten the UN roadmap and the political process in the country.

Libya's interim authorities have recently reopened the Mediterranean coastal highway linking the long-divided eastern and western cities in the latest bid to reunite the territories after years of civil war.

However, the gathering in the North African country comes amid a growing rift between the unity government under Interim Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibeh and the parliament under Speaker Aguila Saleh only four months before the election date.

Last week, Dbeibah refused to attend a parliamentary session to be questioned about the governments performance or face a no-confidence vote.

In a speech last week, the interim PM accused parliament of deliberately obstructing the governments work when it failed to vote on a state budget.

Egypt-Algeria efforts

Egypt and Algeria, who share long borders with Libya. have been coordinating efforts to push for a political solution for the crisis in Libya and ensure that the elections will be held as scheduled.

In a visit to Egypt late in July, Ramtane Lamamra, the Algerian foreign minister, discussed the Libyan issue with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

El-Sisi and Lamamra agreed on the need to activate the Libyan peoples political will by supporting state institutions and backing current efforts to preserve the countrys territorial integrity, a presidential statement read.

They affirmed the need for the implementation of the UN and international resolutions in this regard, including holding elections next December without delay and ensuring the exit of foreign mercenaries from the country.

In a press conference with Shoukry in Cairo, Lamamra said Egypt and Algeria have decided to shoulder their solidarity-related responsibilities towards Libya, urging the need for vigilance and support to Libyan legitimacy to end the crisis.

Lamamra affirmed continuous coordination with Egypt and Libyas neighbours, voicing keenness to support the positive developments in the country and open new horizons of progress.

During the press conference, Shoukry said Egypt and Algeria are concerned about the challenges facing the Libyan people and want to restore stability in the country.

Egypt, Shoukry added, is optimistic that Libya will end its crisis and implement its election entitlement on 24 December, as scheduled, so that a government that represents the Libyan people and achieve security and stability is formed.

Egypt pushes for political solutions

Cairo has been pushing for a political settlement in Libya for years, a complete disarming of militias, an end to foreign intervention in the country, as well as a fair distribution of wealth between various regions in the country.

Egypt has hosted a number of Libyan dialogue meetings in Hurghada to bridge the gap between various Libyan parties.

On Wednesday, the head of Egypt's diplomatic mission in Tripoli Tamer Mustafa met with a number of ministers in the Libyan government to discuss preparations for re-opening the Egyptian embassy in Tripoli and the consulate in Benghazi.

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Health Minister Hala Zayed said on Monday that the coronavirus vaccines plant at the Holding Company for Biological Products and Vaccines (VACSERA) complex is planned to produce up to 24,000 packs per hour.

The plant is set to be the biggest in the Middle East and North Africa for the production of COVID-19 vaccines, Zayed said during a tour of the complex with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

Zayed expects the plant to become a regional hub for the production of vaccines planned for export to African countries.

The factory is built over 6,000 square metres as part of the VACSERA complex  10-fold the size of the plant  located in the industrial zone of Gizas 6 October City, Zayed added.

The plant is expected to open by the end of the year, she noted.

The VACSERA complex will work with leading international companies to produce different types of vaccines. This cooperation aims to transfer the technologies of manufacturing seasonal flu and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines to Egypt, Zayed said.

Madbouly said the complex is a giant edifice that aims at producing eight vital types of vaccines, noting that Egypt had been previously producing these vaccines but their production was halted.

At a press conference following his tour in the complex, Madbouly said it will be ready by the end of November and will be operational after sealing an agreement with a company to run it.

The complex is set up on an area of 15 feddans and is meant to revive the local production of vaccines, which is an issue of national security to Egypt, the premier added.

Madbouly urged citizens to adhere to the coronavirus preventive measures, especially during the coming period, in light of the latest surge in coronavirus cases.

Egypt has set a strict plan to secure coronavirus vaccine doses to the largest possible number of people before the end of the year, Madbouly affirmed.

Egypt has been reporting over 200 new coronavirus cases on a daily basis since 25 August, for the first time since 2 July.

The Ministry of Health in August said the fourth coronavirus wave is expected to hit Egypt around the end of September or the beginning of October.

Zayed announced on 23 August that the first case of the new Delta Plus coronavirus variant was recorded in July.

To date, Egypts vaccination campaign has included the use of the imported version of the Sinovac vaccine along with the Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinopharm vaccines.

Egypt also plans to produce millions of Sinovac and Sputnik shots annually to cover local and African needs.

The government has set a goal to vaccinate 40 million citizens by the end of the year, representing around 40 percent of the population, a step hailed by the World Health Organisation.

Last week, Egypt released the first one million doses of its locally-produced Sinovac/VACSERA vaccine after the completion of the required evaluation tests, the Ministry of Health announced.

The one million doses were distributed among coronavirus vaccination centres nationwide, totalling 657 so far, including 145 centres for those traveling abroad, health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed said in a statement.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Monday conferred with chairmen of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority and the Watanya Company for Roads, as well as presidential adviser for urban planning, to follow up implementation of a network of new axes and roads nationwide, said Presidential Spokesman Bassam Rady.

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Egyptian prosecutors ordered on Sunday evening the release of famous Egyptian YouTuber Shady Srour pending investigation into charges of spreading false news and misusing social media.

Srour, who was arrested in December 2019, also faces charges including joining a terrorist organisation.

Srour, who started his career in 2012 with short comedic videos, is one of Egypts most famous and searched for YouTubers.

The prosecutors also ordered the release of Zyad Abou-Alfadl, a member of the Bread and Freedom Party, and researcher Shimaa Samy pending investigations into charges of disseminating fake news, misusing social media and knowingly aiding a terrorist group in achieving its goals.

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A high-ranking Russian delegation seeking investments in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZ) toured on Monday the Russian Industrial zone (RIZ) at the SCZ.

The delegation comprised representatives from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Institution for Development as well as representatives from Russian companies and investors.

The visit comes only one month after a preliminary deal was reached between Egypt and Russia's authorities to expand the RIZ into East Port Said and the Ain Sokhna industrial zone over an area of more than 5 million square metres.

In July, the Suez Canal Economic Zone announced the success of the discussions and negotiations with the Russian side about expanding the Russian Industrial Zone to include East Port Said and the Sokhna zone.

The first phase of the project will include an extension of 1 million square metres in East Port Said and 500,000 square metres in Ain Sokhna.

The Russian Delegation took a tour inside the industrial zone to start the first stage of the Russian investments in an area of 1 million square metres in East Port Said and 500,000 square metres in Ain Sokhna, a statement by the SCZ read.

The zone is receiving requests from Russian investors to invest in Sokhna in various industrial sectors, the SCZ's statement added.

A final contract for establishing a company to manage the zone is set to be signed by the end of this year, according to a previous statement of the SCZ.

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It was just the latest blaze in a summer of wildfires that have swept across the Mediterranean region, leaving areas in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Algeria and Spain in smoldering ruins.

The wildfire started Monday evening, in the height of France's summer vacation season, about 40 kilometers (24 miles) inland from the coastal resort of Saint-Tropez. Fueled by powerful seasonal winds coming off the Mediterranean Sea, the fire had spread across 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of forest by Tuesday morning, according to the Var regional administration.

Some 6,000 people were evacuated from homes and a dozen campgrounds in the region prized by vacationers, while others were locked down in a holiday center for Air France employees. At least 22 people suffered from smoke inhalation or minor fire-related injuries, Var's top government official told broadcaster France Bleu. Two firefighters were among the injured.

Water-dumping planes and emergency helicopters zipped back and forth over hills lined with chestnut, pine and oak trees. Images shared online by firefighters showed black plumes of smoke leaping across thickets of trees as the flames darted across dry brush.

One evacuee told France-Bleu that smoke enveloped his car as he returned to his campsite and he had just enough time to grab his baby daughter's milk and basic belongings before fleeing. Another told BFM television about escaping as his hotel caught fire.

Backed by planes and helicopters, more than 900 firefighters worked Tuesday to contain the blaze, civil security service spokesman Alexandre Jouassard said.

Local authorities closed roads, blocked access to forests across the region and urged caution. French President Emmanuel Macron, who has been vacationing in a nearby coastal fortress, was to visit the fire zone later Tuesday.

The regional administration warned that fire risk would remain very high through Wednesday because of hot, dry weather. Temperatures in the area have reached 40 degrees C (104 F) in recent days.

Such extreme weather is expected happen more frequently as the planet is warming. Climate scientists say there is little doubt climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events, such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods and storms.

Intense heat and wildfires have also struck countries around southern Europe and North Africa in recent weeks, with fires killing at least 75 people in Algeria and 16 in Turkey.

In Greece on Tuesday, hundreds of firefighters backed by water-dropping planes were battling a large forest fire that has led to the evacuation of a nursing home and several villages northwest of Athens.

Hundreds of wildfires have burned across Greece this month, fueled by the country's longest and most severe heat wave in decades. Italy has also seen several fire-related deaths.

Also Tuesday, Israeli firefighters worked for a third consecutive day to contain a wildfire that has consumed a large swath of forest west of Jerusalem and threatened several communities.

Worsening drought and heat _ linked to climate change _ have also fueled wildfires this summer in the western United States and in Russia's northern Siberia region.

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Security forces patrolled South Sudan's capital Juba on Monday and many shops were shut as the authorities warned of a tough crackdown against anyone planning to join a planned protest against the government.

The world's newest nation has suffered from chronic instability since independence in 2011, with deepening discontent prompting a coalition of civil society groups to urge the country's leadership to step down, saying they have "had enough".

The demonstration was set to take place the same day as President Salva Kiir is to inaugurate a newly created national parliament, a key condition of a 2018 peace deal that ended South Sudan's brutal civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people.

The government has taken a hard line against the People's Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) and its calls for a peaceful public uprising, arresting at least eight activists and detaining three journalists this month in connection with the demonstrations, according to rights groups.

Although the protest organisers have urged the public to come out in force, the mood in Juba on Monday was decidedly subdued, with residents telling AFP they were nervous to leave home.

"We are hearing that there is no work today and besides we are fearing (what the day will bring)," food hawker Emelda Susu told AFP.

"I will go to the market when I see things are normal but for now one's life (comes) first, my friend. Yes I am fearing so I have to be careful," Jimmy Bandu, a small-scale trader, told AFP.

National security officers with militarised mounted vehicles patrolled usually busy neighbourhoods in Juba, which also saw a ramped up police presence and low levels of traffic.

'Government in full control'

The authorities have branded the protest as "illegal" and warned of strict measures against anyone who defies the ban.

"The government is in full control and... so everybody should resume his or (her) normal duties and... not fear anything," Information Minister Michael Makuei told AFP.

He dismissed reports of an internet shutdown, after users reported problems with accessing two of the country's main networks, Zain and MTN, saying any issues were due to technical troubles.

The US embassy in Juba has asked its citizens to avoid the areas where protesters may assemble, urging them to "exercise caution".

The PCCA -- a broad-based coalition of activists, academics, lawyers, and former government officials -- has described the current regime as "a bankrupt political system that has become so dangerous and has subjected our people to immense suffering".

The 2018 truce and power-sharing deal between former foes President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar still largely holds but it is being sorely tested, as politicians bicker over power and promises for peace go unmet.

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The UN envoy to Libya Jan Kubis said on Monday that time was pressing for Libyans to finalise a legal framework for elections to be held on time in December.

"The (Libyan) government has taken the necessary dispositions to hold elections but we need a legal framework," Kubis said at the opening of a meeting in Algeria of Libya's neighbours.

"The members of parliament are now trying to finalise the electoral law and time is running out," Kubis said in statements carried in French by the official Algerian news agency APS.

The two-day ministerial meeting is aimed at helping Libyans achieve national reconciliation and draw a roadmap for organising the polls.

But recent talks in Geneva have exposed deep divisions over when to hold elections, what elections to hold, and on what constitutional grounds, threatening to plunge Libya back into crisis.

The North African country was gripped by violence and political turmoil in the aftermath of the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted dictator Moamer Kadhafi and in which he was killed.

In recent years, the oil-rich country split between two rival administrations backed by foreign powers and myriad militias.

After the libyan National Army forces lead by Khalifa Haftar were routed from the country's west last year, the two camps signed a ceasefire in Geneva in October.

An interim administration was established in March this year to prepare for presidential and parliamentary polls on December 24.

Kubis on Monday said that Libya's unity government backed by the UN has "allocated the necessary budget for the elections.

"But it is important that as soon as possible we have a legal framework" for the polls, he said.

Kubis said he told MPs to "assume their responsibilities and not waste time". He also called on Libya's neighbours to appoint observers to monitor the polls.

* This Story was edited by Ahram Online

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Israel's defense minister has held talks with the Palestinian president in Ramallah, the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years, officials said.

Sunday's meeting between Benny Gantz and Mahmoud Abbas signaled a possible shift of direction after after the near-complete breakdown of communication between Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years.

It came two days after President Joe Biden urged Israel's new prime minister during a White House meeting to take steps toward improving the lives of Palestinians.

Gantz's office said he told Abbas that Israel will take new measures to strengthen the Palestinian economy. It said they also discussed security issues and agreed to remain in touch. It was believed to be the highest level public meeting between the sides since 2014.

A Palestinian official said Gantz and Abbas discussed possible steps toward improving the atmosphere.

He said this included Palestinian demands for a halt in Israeli military operations in Palestinian areas of the occupied West Bank, allowing unification of families with relatives inside Israel and allowing more Palestinian workers into Israel.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the late-night meeting.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is a hard-liner who opposes Palestinian independence, as do key partners in his diverse, ruling coalition.

But Bennett has said he supports building up the Palestinian economy and expanding autonomy for Palestinians. He also is interested in bolstering Abbas in his rivalry with the ruling Hamas militant group in Gaza.

While Biden supports a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, his administration is focused on interim confidence-building measures. Israel's former prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, pursued a hard-line policy toward the Palestinians, backed by former President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration took a number of steps, including moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to contested Jerusalem. Abbas halted most contacts with the U.S. and Israel in return.

Netanyahu had repeatedly claimed Abbas was not a reliable partner for negotiating a peace deal, a portrayal dismissed by Netanyahu critics as a pretext for avoiding making concessions.

Hussein Sheikh, a top Abbas aide, confirmed the meeting in a statement on Twitter. It took place on Sunday night in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Abbas maintains his headquarters.

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An Israeli border police officer who was shot in the head at point-blank range during a violent protest on the Gaza border last week died of his injuries on Monday, the Israel police announced.

Barel Hadaria Shmueli, 21, suffered critical injuries when he was shot in the head by a Palestinian gunman on Aug. 21 during a demonstration staged by Hamas, the Islamic militant group ruling the Gaza Strip. He was hospitalized for more than a week in critical condition.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed his condolences, saying ``there aren't sufficient words to console the family in its deep mourning.``

Recent weeks have seen mass demonstrations by Palestinians along the Israel-Gaza border that organizers say aims to pressure Israel to ease the blockade of the territory.

Israel has maintained the blockade since Hamas seized power in 2007, a year after winning the Palestinian parliamentary elections.

Two Palestinians, including a 12-year-old boy and a Hamas militant, have been killed by Israeli gunfire during the protests.

Israel and Hamas have fought four wars since Hamas took power, most recently an 11-day round of fighting in May. Egypt has been working in recent weeks to shore up a cease-fire agreement that ended the fighting.

At least 260 Palestinians were killed during May's Hamas-Israel war, including 67 children and 39 women, according to the Gaza health ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier.

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Pakistan's ambassador to Kabul said on Monday that his country's national carrier is setting up an airlift for medical supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistan's northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

The diplomat, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, announced on Twitter that the state-run Pakistan International Airlines will serve as a humanitarian air bridge for essential supplies to Afghanistan, in coordination with international agencies.

He thanked PIA, as the carrier is known, for the supplies. It wasn't immediately cleat when the airlift would begin.

The latest development comes days after WHO sought Pakistan's help in airlifting medical supplies to Afghanistan following last week's deadly attack on the Kabul airport.

Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

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The Kremlin on Monday welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to create a "safe zone" in Afghanistan's capital Kabul to protect humanitarian operations.

"This is certainly a proposal that must be discussed," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

He said that it was "very important" to discuss all aspects of "such a zone".

France and Britain will urge the United Nations Monday to work for the creation of this secure area to "allow humanitarian work to continue," Macron said Sunday.

The French leader said that such a safe zone would allow the international community "to maintain pressure on the Taliban," who swept into power earlier this month.

Macron's comments came as international efforts to airlift foreign national and vulnerable Afghans come to an end.

France ended its evacuation efforts on Friday, Britain did so on Saturday and the United States is set to complete its efforts on Tuesday.

Russia for its part last week airlifted several hundred of its citizens and those of neighbouring ex-Soviet states as the security situation deteriorated.

President Vladimir Putin has warned that militants could use the unstable situation in Afghanistan to enter neighbouring countries under the guise of seeking asylum.

Moscow earlier this month staged military drills with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, two former Soviet republics in Central Asia that share a border with Afghanistan.

But the Kremlin is nonetheless taking a cautiously optimistic stance to the new Taliban government.

Peskov on Monday said it was "premature" to discuss withdrawing the "terrorist" designation from the militant group in Russia.

"It is necessary to watch the first steps that the new government will take," he said.

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A plane provided by the government of Pakistan has brought medicine and health supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistan.

WHO said Monday's shipment was the first of medical supplies to land in Afghanistan since the country came under control of the Taliban two weeks ago.

The plane, which departed from Dubai, landed in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

WHO said the supplies included trauma kits and emergency health kits enough to cover the basic needs of more than 200,000 people, as well as treat 6,500 trauma patients. It said the supplies will be delivered to 40 health facilities in 29 provinces across Afghanistan.

The plane was loaded with supplies by WHO's logistics team at the International Humanitarian City in Dubai. WHO said that ``a reliable humanitarian air bridge is urgently required.''

``The demanding humanitarian work of meeting the needs of tens of millions of vulnerable Afghans who remain in the country is now beginning,'' the agency added.

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The threat to Kabul airport remains "real" and "specific" as the United States winds down its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Monday.

"We're in a particularly dangerous time right now," Kirby told reporters. "The threat stream is still real, it's still active, and in many cases it's still specific."

US Army Major General Hank Taylor said more than 122,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul so far including 5,400 Americans.

The United States is scheduled to complete the pullout of US troops from Afghanistan on Tuesday.

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The UN Security Council adopted a resolution Monday requiring the Taliban to honor their commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan, but the measure did not cite a "safe zone" mentioned by French President Emmanuel Macron.

The resolution -- drafted by the United States, Britain and France, and seen by AFP -- was passed with 13 votes in favor and no objections. China and Russia abstained.

The resolution says the council expects the Taliban to allow a "safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals."

It refers to an August 27 statement by the Taliban in which the hardline Islamists said Afghans would be able to travel abroad, and leave Afghanistan any time they want to, including by any border crossing, both air and ground.

The Security Council "expects that the Taliban will adhere to these and all other commitments," the resolution says.

Macron had raised hopes of more concrete proposals in comments published in the weekly Journal du Dimanche over the weekend.

He said Paris and London would present a draft resolution which "aims to define, under UN control, a 'safe zone' in Kabul, that will allow humanitarian operations to continue," Macron said.

"I am very hopeful that it will be successful. I don't see who could be against making humanitarian projects secure," he said.

But the UN resolution on the table is far less ambitious. It is not clear whether another resolution proposing a "safe zone" will be circulated later on.

"This resolution is not an operational aspect. It's much more on principles, key political messages and warnings," a UN diplomat told reporters.

Experts said the text was watered down to ensure China and Russia would not use their vetoes to block it, including softening some of the language related to the Taliban.

"This is a pretty thin text," said Richard Gowan, UN expert at the International Crisis Group.

"Macron was guilty of overselling the idea of a safe zone at Kabul airport this weekend, or at least not communicating very clearly," he told AFP.

Tuesday's deadline

"The resolution does at least send a political signal to the Taliban about the need to keep the airport open and help the UN deliver aid."

The text calls for the Taliban to allow for "full, safe, and unhindered access" for the United Nations and other agencies to provide humanitarian assistance.

It also "reaffirms the importance" of upholding human rights, including of children, women and minorities and encourages all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement with the "full, equal and meaningful representation of women."

The text also calls for Afghanistan to "not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts."

The resolution comes as international efforts to airlift foreign nationals and vulnerable Afghans out of the country come to an end after the Taliban swept back into power on August 15, with the United States withdrawing from the country after 20 years.

France ended its evacuation efforts on Friday and Britain followed suit on Saturday.

US troops have been scrambling in dangerous and chaotic conditions to complete a massive evacuation operation from the Kabul airport by a Tuesday deadline.

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Famous Egyptian marimba player Nesma Abdel-Aziz will perform with her band at the Alexandria Opera Houses Sayed Darwish Theatre on Friday 3 September, one week before they take the Cairo Opera Houses Fountain Theatre on 10 September.

The two concerts will be featuring numerous compositions beloved by Egyptian audiences, arrangements of Arabic classics, as well as Western music and jazz flavours.

Abdel-Aziz, who performed in many international festivals and events, began her career in 2001, when she performed with renowned musician and composer Omar Khairat. She later started her own band to work on personal projects.

Considered to be one of the best Marimba players in the Arab world, Abdel-Aziz studied at the Cairo Conservatory of Music before traveling to continue her studies in the United States.

Programme



Alexandria Concert

Friday 3 September, at 8pm

Alexandria Opera House, Sayed Darwish Theatre



Cairo Concert

Friday 10 September, at 8pm

Cairo Opera House, Fountain Theatre

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Asiut governorate's city of Sahel Selim celebrated the conclusion of creative and cultural activities of the Decent Life initiative. The celebration took place in Sahel Selim Centre last week.

The Decent Life presidential initiative is meant to improve the quality of life in 4,500 villages across Egypt.

The activities included programmes to raise the awareness of and promote positive values among village inhabitants. Trainings and workshops were held to discover and nurture talents.

This was done through a series of film screenings for children and youth and empowerment programmes tailored for women. Workshops discussed entrepreneurship projects for villagers and held exercises for traditional crafts in cooperation with the National Council for Women.

The Ministry of Culture offered a large number of publications to schools in the villages of Sahel Selim.

In the closing event, local women displayed their handicrafts and many publications were presented to education centres that operate in the community.

The closing ceremony was attended by Culture Minister Ines Abdel Dayem, Governor of Asiut Major-General Essam Saad Ibrahim, and officials from ministerial bodies and Asiut governorate.

The Decent Life initiative was launched in 2019 when President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi charged the Ministry of Social Solidarity with developing Egypts poorest 1,000 villages.

In December 2020, El-Sisi decided to expand the initiative to include 4,500 villages within the framework of the Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt's Vision 2030.

The initiative aims to establish infrastructure, including networks for clean water, sewage, electricity, gas, and communications. It also includes awareness programmes for citizens in rural areas, training programmes, and provides village-based jobs that empower inhabitants, including female-headed households, and funding for micro and medium-sized projects.

The initiative addresses women through family guidance, counselling offices, and reproductive health clinics. It provides decent housing in new complexes and, wherever possible, develops existing housing.

In terms of education services, the initiative is building 13,000 classrooms, while health services will be enhanced by developing health units, constructing new hospitals, and activating the new Universal Health Insurance System.

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Despite the sweltering heat in Baghdad, the streets were full of positive energy. Shops and cafes were open, and people were moving freely; almost like the city had not witnessed decades of devastation and ruin. When I felt this positive energy, I rejoiced at the fact that Iraqis are nothing if not resilient.

For four decades, Iraq had become a symbol of misery and destruction. Starting from the Iranian Iraqi War, to the Invasion of Kuwait and the blockade that followed, to the US Invasion of Iraq and the resulting devastation of the entire country.

In January 2011, when American troops were pulled out of Iraqs territories, ISIS crawled out of their nests to launch a long-term campaign of mass destruction and slaughter, blowing every sign of life in sight to smithereens.

Eventually, Iraqis managed repel ISIS forces, and the country finally managed to attain some modicum of security. However, ISIS, desperate to remain a looming menacing presence, occasionally executes sporadic bombings around the country from time to time.

Yet, despite four decades of tragedy and ruin, Iraqis are hosting the Neighbourhood Summit, where a good number of Arab and foreign leaders will be making an appearance.

Baghdad will thus build a bridge of cooperation and brotherly ties and establish new horizons for peace and security throughout the region.

The country which has been a hotspot for destruction, calamities, and regional disputes is now leading the region towards peace, development, and prosperity.

Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan have been working hard to promote the launching of a new era of regional cooperation and development which is currently becoming a reality in the Neighbourhood Summit.

It is beyond doubt that security must come first. To work towards stability and holistic development, security must be part and parcel of regional states efforts.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has been insistent in all his appearances in the United Nations as well as African, Asian, and European forums that uprooting terrorism and settling disputes among nations are imperative to achieving sustainable development.

Baghdad has thus become a bridge where Arab states will meet with their regional and international counterparts to approach the dream that their peoples have been longing to accomplish for decades.

The region has also been looking forward to resolving the refugee crisis and mitigating the effects of climate change  including pollution, destructive earthquakes, floods, forest fires, and the dry weather that has become commonplace around the earth  both of which require serious collaboration on the regional and international levels.

Baghdad will become a model of positive and creative human effort stemming from the peoples capability to stand up for their lives and their country.

Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan have worked together to lay the foundations for a new Middle East, building new ties based on cooperation that could and should be extended throughout the region.

I believe that these efforts will be met with the right response from fellow Arabs, simply because the people have been paying dearly for the long-present turmoil within their nations and, therefore, are well aware of the dire need for peace, security, and above all economic development.

Recently, the three states have been working hard to make this dream come true; with construction on an electric network that connects the three states underway as well as an extension of oil transport pipelines from Basra in Iraq to Aqaba in Jordan and then to Sinai in Egypt among the most recent mega projects spanning the Middle Eastern trifecta.

Iraqi oil will, thus, find an outlet on the Mediterranean at a time when Baghdad welcomed Egyptian corporations to take part in the reconstruction process of the electric networks and water pipelines.

It is high time for Iraqis to breathe freely and turn Baghdad into a city for peace and development and move on from the dark days of yesteryear when it was ground zero for regional and international disputes.

The ongoing cooperation between Amman, Baghdad, and Cairo is a shift in policy away from warmongering and closer to rebuilding and rebirthing the states that have always been critical to the worlds history.

The three states have the political and economic power  as well as the common views and shared clear goals  to achieve their targets of establishing peace, security, fighting terrorism, and putting an end to the occupation of lands and resources.

The steps that have been taken are expected to produce tangible results and push forward cooperation among the three states, which could easily spread to other Arab countries in Asia and Africa. This tri-partite forum will spread a culture of peace and cooperation and maintain sustainable development all over the region.

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Egypt court drops charges against 4 NGOs in 'foreign funding case', brings total to 67 NGOs with charges dropped



El-Sayed Gamal El-Din, , Monday 30 Aug 2021



The charges against the four NGOs were dropped due to insufficient evidence



Charges of receiving illegal foreign funding pressed against four NGOs operating in Egypt have been dropped, as per a recent judicial ruling, raising the number of NGOs that have had charges dropped in the same case, commonly known as the 2011 foreign funding of civil society case, to 67 organisations.



"There is no ground to file a criminal lawsuit against the four organisations and entities due to insufficient evidence," judge Ali Mokhtar, the judge in charge of the investigation into the case, said in an official statement on Monday.



The four NGOs are the United Group, the Egyptian Democratic Institute, the Egyptian Society for Upgrading Societal Participation and Lawyers for Justice and Peace.



The court ruling consequently lifts asset freezes and travel bans on the staff of the four exonerated NGOs, according to the statement.



The famous case dates back to the January Revolution in 2011 that toppled late President Hosni Mubarak and involves dozens of defendants and entities.



Mokhtar is the latest investigating judge  succeeding a number of previous judges  delegated by the Cairo Court of Appeals to investigate the report by a fact-finding committee formed in 2011 to look into the foreign funding of civil society groups.



Charges filed against 63 NGOs and asset freezes and travel bans on their staff have been dropped and lifted upon four previous judicial rulings issued over the past two years.



With this latest decision, a total of 67 entities and over 180 persons have been acquitted.



In 2020, Egypt ratified the bylaws of a new NGO law to regulate the work of tens of thousands of NGOs in Egypt. The previous version of the law was criticised for imposing steep restrictions on the work of these organisations in the country.



Judge Mokhtar called upon all NGOs in Egypt to settle their legal status as soon as possible in line with the NGO law.



Failure to legalise status one year after the issuance of the law's executive regulation carries a fine of up to EGP 1 million, the judge said.



The executive regulation for the amended law was issued by the Egyptian prime minister in January 2021.



Judge Mokhtar stressed that the NGOs have an active role in achieving sustainable development in countries, and can act as a major partner for countries to confront various challenges.



https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/422104.aspx
Palestinian president holds high-level talks with Israel defense minister, urged by US



AP, , Monday 30 Aug 2021



It came two days after President Joe Biden urged Israel's new prime minister during a White House meeting to take steps toward improving the lives of Palestinians



Israel's defense minister has held talks with the Palestinian president in Ramallah, the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years, officials said.



Sunday's meeting between Benny Gantz and Mahmoud Abbas signaled a possible shift of direction after after the near-complete breakdown of communication between Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years.



It came two days after President Joe Biden urged Israel's new prime minister during a White House meeting to take steps toward improving the lives of Palestinians.



Gantz's office said he told Abbas that Israel will take new measures to strengthen the Palestinian economy. It said they also discussed security issues and agreed to remain in touch. It was believed to be the highest level public meeting between the sides since 2014.



A Palestinian official said Gantz and Abbas discussed possible steps toward improving the atmosphere.



He said this included Palestinian demands for a halt in Israeli military operations in Palestinian areas of the occupied West Bank, allowing unification of families with relatives inside Israel and allowing more Palestinian workers into Israel.



The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the late-night meeting.



Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is a hard-liner who opposes Palestinian independence, as do key partners in his diverse, ruling coalition.



But Bennett has said he supports building up the Palestinian economy and expanding autonomy for Palestinians. He also is interested in bolstering Abbas in his rivalry with the ruling Hamas militant group in Gaza.



While Biden supports a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, his administration is focused on interim confidence-building measures. Israel's former prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, pursued a hard-line policy toward the Palestinians, backed by former President Donald Trump.



The Trump administration took a number of steps, including moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to contested Jerusalem. Abbas halted most contacts with the U.S. and Israel in return.



Netanyahu had repeatedly claimed Abbas was not a reliable partner for negotiating a peace deal, a portrayal dismissed by Netanyahu critics as a pretext for avoiding making concessions.



Hussein Sheikh, a top Abbas aide, confirmed the meeting in a statement on Twitter. It took place on Sunday night in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Abbas maintains his headquarters.



https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/422047.aspx
UN Council adopts Afghanistan resolution, but no 'safe zone'



AFP, , Monday 30 Aug 2021





The UN Security Council adopted a resolution Monday requiring the Taliban to honor their commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan, but the measure did not cite a "safe zone" mentioned by French President Emmanuel Macron.



The resolution -- drafted by the United States, Britain and France, and seen by AFP -- was passed with 13 votes in favor and no objections. China and Russia abstained.



The resolution says the council expects the Taliban to allow a "safe, secure, and orderly departure from Afghanistan of Afghans and all foreign nationals."



It refers to an August 27 statement by the Taliban in which the hardline Islamists said Afghans would be able to travel abroad, and leave Afghanistan any time they want to, including by any border crossing, both air and ground.



The Security Council "expects that the Taliban will adhere to these and all other commitments," the resolution says.



Macron had raised hopes of more concrete proposals in comments published in the weekly Journal du Dimanche over the weekend.



He said Paris and London would present a draft resolution which "aims to define, under UN control, a 'safe zone' in Kabul, that will allow humanitarian operations to continue," Macron said.



"I am very hopeful that it will be successful. I don't see who could be against making humanitarian projects secure," he said.



But the UN resolution on the table is far less ambitious. It is not clear whether another resolution proposing a "safe zone" will be circulated later on.



"This resolution is not an operational aspect. It's much more on principles, key political messages and warnings," a UN diplomat told reporters.



Experts said the text was watered down to ensure China and Russia would not use their vetoes to block it, including softening some of the language related to the Taliban.



"This is a pretty thin text," said Richard Gowan, UN expert at the International Crisis Group.



"Macron was guilty of overselling the idea of a safe zone at Kabul airport this weekend, or at least not communicating very clearly," he told AFP.



Tuesday's deadline



"The resolution does at least send a political signal to the Taliban about the need to keep the airport open and help the UN deliver aid."



The text calls for the Taliban to allow for "full, safe, and unhindered access" for the United Nations and other agencies to provide humanitarian assistance.



It also "reaffirms the importance" of upholding human rights, including of children, women and minorities and encourages all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement with the "full, equal and meaningful representation of women."



The text also calls for Afghanistan to "not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts."



The resolution comes as international efforts to airlift foreign nationals and vulnerable Afghans out of the country come to an end after the Taliban swept back into power on August 15, with the United States withdrawing from the country after 20 years.



France ended its evacuation efforts on Friday and Britain followed suit on Saturday.



US troops have been scrambling in dangerous and chaotic conditions to complete a massive evacuation operation from the Kabul airport by a Tuesday deadline.



https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/422102.aspx
KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2021 - 22:20 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Chiefs of local governments in central Japan on Monday condemned the organizer of a hip hop music event held the previous day in Aichi Prefecture for its lax COVID-19 measures despite a pledge to follow the anti-infection guidelines set by the live concert industry.

According to the Aichi prefectural government, about 8,000 tickets had been sold for the event, Namimonogatari2021, held at a convention center in Tokoname, which its organizer says is one of the largest outdoor music events in Japan, bringing together hip hop, and rhythm and blues artists.

"No social distancing was observed near the stage, and some alcoholic beverages were sold at the venue. It is extremely regrettable that our safety requests were not followed," Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura said in a press conference.

The prefectural government began implementing business restrictions on Aug. 8, including a request for large event organizers to refrain from selling alcohol. Tightened restrictions under the state of emergency declared for the entire prefecture on Friday set an audience cap for large events at 5,000.

The event's organizer, office keef Co. based in Nagoya, says the annual music event has been held since 2005. Under event guidelines posted on its website, attendees were asked to wear masks, stay at least 1 meter from each other and refrain from shouting. The company originally planned to sell 10,000 tickets for this year's event.

Omura said the prefectural government will protest against the organizer's failure to implement anti-infection measures and that it will no longer allow the company to use any of the prefecture's public facilities.

Aichi officials later said a letter of protest has been sent to the company, requesting it to report on how COVID-19 measures were taken at the venue.

The organizer issued a statement saying audience members did not observe social distancing despite repeatedly being reminded about anti-infection guidelines via the main display screen and speakers.

At one point, a host of the event cautioned people against removing their masks, it said.

The company said the preparations to implement COVID-19 measures at such a large event should have been better and it "deeply apologizes for causing trouble."

As for alcohol sales, the organizer said it reported to the prefecture in advance that some beverages it had already bought from suppliers would be sold during the event, with sales limited to two servings per person.

Tokoname Mayor Tatsuya Ito said during Monday's session of the city assembly that he will also send a letter of protest to the event's organizer.

"It was an extremely pernicious event in which none of the safety guidelines was followed," Ito said.

Japanese hip hop artist Zeebra, who performed at the event, said in a Twitter post, "I performed at yesterday's Namimonogatari because I was told that rules set by the prefectural government will be followed (at the venue), but it was a dangerous environment."

Japan has been grappling to control a rapid spike in coronavirus infections, with 21 of the country's 47 prefectures currently under a COVID-19 state of emergency.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2021 - 23:05 | All, World, Japan

Japan is considering withdrawing its Self-Defense Forces from their mission to evacuate people including its nationals from war-torn Afghanistan on Wednesday at the earliest, citing security reasons, amid heightened tensions following the recent seizure of power by the Taliban, government sources said Monday.

Japan has assessed it is difficult to ensure operations at the airport in the Afghan capital of Kabul would be safe after the Tuesday deadline of the U.S. troops' pullout from Afghanistan, the sources said. Such a move would come after Japan had evacuated one national and transported 14 Afghans out of the country.

Security in Kabul remains volatile following last week's deadly explosions near the airport that killed more than 100 people. Media have reported that a U.S. anti-missile defense system intercepted as many as five rockets that were fired at the airport early Monday.

SDF aircraft -- a C-2 transporter and two C-130 planes -- have remained on standby in Islamabad in neighboring Pakistan to discern developments in Kabul, where foreign governments have been rushing to evacuate their citizens.

The sources said up to about 500 people including local staff of the Japanese Embassy and Japan International Cooperation Agency as well as their families remain in the country.

While assessing security on the ground, the government has been looking into possible alternative methods to evacuate them such as by using commercial airlines, according to the sources.

Hiromi Yasui, a Kyodo News staff member who lives in Kabul and also runs a business there, was evacuated aboard an SDF aircraft on Friday.

Prior to that, there had been attempts to evacuate but they failed to bring out any evacuee as people were reportedly unable to reach the airport on their own due to strict Taliban checkpoints.

Government officials have said a very few number of Japanese remain in Afghanistan as they did not wish to leave.

The evacuation of 14 Afghans was the first SDF airlift of foreign nationals to another country as part of a mission to evacuate Japanese citizens.

Related coverage:

Afghan man calls for Japan gov't help to leave Kabul with family

Japan airlifts 14 Afghans from Kabul to Islamabad at U.S. request

Japan evacuates one citizen left behind in Afghanistan
KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2021 - 13:57 | All, Japan

Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday its global output increased 11.9 percent in July from a year earlier to 773,135 vehicles, but the pace of increase has been slowing on the coronavirus pandemic and a global shortage of semiconductors.

The output grew for the 11th straight month but the rate of rise was well below the 41.2 percent gain in June. The top Japanese automaker is expecting a production cut ahead due to difficulties in securing components due to surging coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia where many suppliers are based.

Toyota has said it expects its global production in September to fall by 40 percent, or some 360,000 units, from its initial plan.

Its overseas production rose 6.1 percent to 463,997 units, with output in China and other Asian countries gaining 9.1 percent.

The impact of the chip crunch has already been felt in North America where Toyota's production dropped 2.4 percent. In Japan, it made 309,138 units, up 21.8 percent.

Toyota globally sold 858,569 units, up for the 11th straight month and the largest figure for the month of July, driven by a recovery in auto demand in key overseas markets including North America.

It sold 718,762 units overseas, up 16.0 percent. Robust demand for the RAV4 sport utility vehicle helped boost sales in North America, Toyota said.

Its domestic sales, including those of minicars with engines of up to 660 cc, came to 139,807 units, up 9.4 percent, on strong demand for the Yaris compact car and the Roomy minicar.

Related coverage:

Toyota eyes 40% cut in global output amid chip crunch in Sept.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2021 - 21:11 | World, All, Coronavirus

Malaysia's new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was inaugurated Monday, but the new leader missed the swearing-in ceremony of ministers after coming into contact with someone infected with the coronavirus.

The Prime Minister's Office, in a statement, said he will virtually attend the national day celebration on Tuesday, without specifying how long he will be self-isolating.

Ismail Sabri was sworn in as Malaysia's ninth prime minister on Aug. 21 amid the country's struggle with the coronavirus pandemic and the economic crisis worsened by the country's political instability.

The new prime minister, who was deputy prime minister and defense minister in the previous government, replaced Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned on Aug. 16 after losing majority support in the parliament amid strong disapproval of the government's COVID-19 response.

Malaysia has seen an unabated wave of coronavirus infections as the country confirmed a record 24,599 daily cases and the highest daily death toll at 393 last Thursday.

Some 45 percent of the population have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination, but infections are rapidly expanding in rural areas where vaccine rollout has not picked up pace.

The pandemic has roiled the economy as the ongoing lockdown in Kuala Lumpur has caused economic activities in the country's largest city to slow down.

Related coverage:

Malaysia's new PM retains many in new Cabinet

Ex-deputy PM Ismail Sabri appointed as Malaysia's new leader

Malaysia's PM quits, coalition gov't collapses
KYODO NEWS - Aug 31, 2021 - 18:32 | All, Japan

A couple in their 20s were arrested Tuesday on suspicion of disposing of the body of an 18-year-old Tokyo high school girl in Yamanashi Prefecture near the capital after she went missing over the weekend, police said.

Shohei Komori, 27, and his wife Izumi, 28, who live in Gunma Prefecture, have admitted to dumping the body of Kana Washino, the Tokyo police said. The couple also said they killed the girl in a storage shed, according to investigative sources.

Komori said he had become acquainted with Washino about two years ago through Twitter, and that his wife became jealous after finding out about it, the sources said. He told investigators he called Washino to meet with him and his wife.

After going missing on Saturday, Washino, a senior at a private high school and a resident of Tokyo's Sumida Ward, was found dead in the storage shed in a mountain area with blood around her chest.

The police said they found four stab wounds on the back of Washino's body as well as a rope and a mark around her neck suggesting she had been strangled. They did not discover any sharp objects likely used in the stabbings.

Washino is believed to have died on Monday, the police said, adding they will conduct an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death.

The girl had left home at around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, telling her mother she planned to see friends and would return later that afternoon. Her mother called the police at around 6:30 p.m. as she had not come home and could not be contacted.

Security camera footage showed the high school student getting into a car on a street near her home, the investigative sources said.

The vehicle was found in Nagano Prefecture on Monday night and the couple who were in the car told investigators they had disposed of the girl's body in neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 22, 2021 - 23:01 | All, Japan

Japan plans to dispatch a Self-Defense Forces plane to Afghanistan to evacuate Japanese nationals there and local staff who have worked for the Japanese Embassy amid the worsening security situation in the country, government sources said Sunday.

The government, which plans to send the aircraft as soon as preparations are complete, will also evacuate local staff that worked for the Japan International Cooperation Agency and other organizations, the sources said.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga met with his national security adviser Takeo Akiba and the vice ministers of the foreign and defense ministries at his office Sunday to discuss the dispatch plan, according to the sources.

Suga will further discuss the plan with Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi and other senior officials at a National Security Council meeting on Monday, they said.

In a related development, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he has called a Group of Seven summit on Tuesday "for urgent talks on the situation in Afghanistan."

"It is vital that the international community works together to ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people to secure the gains of the last 20 years," Johnson said on Twitter, in reference to online talks with his counterparts from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Japanese diplomats were evacuated to Dubai on Tuesday after the embassy in the capital Kabul was shut on Aug. 15, but Afghans and other local staff who worked at the embassy still remain in the country.

There are believed to be dozens of local staff yet to be evacuated, and even more if their families are included.

Should they wish to leave for Japan or a third country, the Japanese government will respond accordingly, according to the sources.

Earlier this month, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan 20 years after it was ousted from power by U.S.-led forces, with President Ashraf Ghani fleeing the country following the Islamic militant group's seizure of Kabul.

Other countries such as the United States and Britain have been evacuating their nationals and local staff via their own military aircraft.

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party criticized the decision to evacuate Japanese Embassy staff via a British military airplane last week, saying an SDF plane should have been dispatched instead.

In 2016, an Air Self-Defense Force transport aircraft was dispatched to South Sudan amid a deteriorating security situation to evacuate Japanese Embassy staff to a neighboring country.

Related coverage:

One week into Taliban rule, Afghans look on with suspicion

70% of Americans back U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan: poll
KYODO NEWS - Aug 30, 2021 - 09:03 | Sports, All, Japan, News

Paralympians and their equine companions in Tokyo are proving that specializing early is not the only recipe for sporting success.

Riders with disabilities who started horseback riding for therapeutic or recreational purposes later in life have progressed to the point that they are competing at the Paralympic level thanks to the healing power of horses.

Horse therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy, provides physical, cognitive and psychological benefits that help to improve balance, joint mobility, coordination, muscle tone, posture, socialization and communication.

The potential for individuals to benefit and succeed in riding was first noted when Lis Hartel, a Danish equestrian competitor and polio survivor, won Olympic dressage individual silver medals at the 1952 and 1956 Games.

The Tokyo Games mark the 25th anniversary of equestrian being included on the Paralympic program.

Equestrian athletes say dressage is like pairs figure skating and horses are like their partners.

Soshi Yoshigoe is a Japanese equestrian athlete who took up horseback riding as part of his rehab program. It was not until junior high school he became interested in the Para sport, but he quickly made his mark on the scene in Japan.

The 21-year-old was born with cerebral palsy and had trouble walking, but riding was effective in reducing muscle stiffness he experienced. He moved up a sport class from Grade I, for riders with the most severe impairments, to Grade II, out of five grades in Para dressage.

Yoshigoe and his horse Hashtag competed in the individual dressage Grade II event at the Tokyo Paralympics on Thursday, but as he was not among the top eight finishers in the event, he did not advance to the individual freestyle test event.

But fellow Japanese Mitsuhide Miyaji finished seventh on Charmander and has moved on to the individual freestyle on Monday for a shot at an individual medal.

Before The Para dressage competition got under way on Thursday, 77 horses from 27 countries passed the official horse inspection.

Miyaji, who worked with horses at one of the two stables owned by the Japan Racing Association, had problems speaking following a stroke in 2005. But his love for horses and passion to ride helped the 63-year-old restore some of his ability to communicate.

The Japan Riding Association for the Disabled is using the Tokyo Paralympics as an opportunity to expand social welfare using horses as means of therapy.

Megumi Tsukamoto, a spokesperson for the association, said "horses move in a rhythmic motion that mimics the human movement of walking," which is supposed to strengthen riders' muscles, move their joints, and improve balance and coordination for walking.

Tsukamoto, who hopes to see more humans forming bonds with horses through the experience of watching the Paralympics, said it is important to work not only with horse riding clubs but with local governments to plan for equestrian-friendly communities.

"It's important to get the word out at this time when there's public attention (on the Paralympics)," she said.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 31, 2021 - 00:24 | World, All

Extremist group Islamic State claimed responsibility for multiple rockets fired at Kabul's airport early Monday morning as the United States rushed to complete its pullout from Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting, Western media outlets reported.

The group earlier took credit for last Thursday's suicide bombing outside the same airport that killed 13 U.S. service members and scores of Afghans desperate to leave on evacuation flights ahead of the Tuesday deadline to withdraw U.S. forces from the country, now under Taliban control.

"By the grace of God Almighty, the soldiers of the Caliphate targeted Kabul International Airport with six Katyusha rockets," the group's Nasher News said on its Telegram channel, Reuters reported from Cairo on Monday.

There were no immediate reports of any casualties from the rockets, some of which were reportedly intercepted by U.S. anti-missile defenses.

The Associated Press reported that in the capital's Chahr-e-Shaheed neighborhood, the remains of a four-door sedan used by the attackers was found with what appeared to be six homemade rocket tubes mounted in place of back seats.

Citing witnesses, AP said some of the rockets landed across town in the Salim Karwan neighborhood, some 3 kilometers from the airport, striking residential apartment blocks.

CNN reported that the U.S. military's C-RAM defense system -- designed to protect ground forces against rockets, artillery and mortars -- targeted the rockets in a hail of machinegun fire.

The rockets were launched after the U.S. military conducted a drone strike in Kabul on Sunday, destroying a vehicle believed to have been loaded with explosives.

The U.S. Central Command said Sunday's attack eliminated "an imminent ISIS-K threat" to the airport, referring to an Islamic State affiliate group known as Islamic State-Khorasan that is known to have major differences with the Taliban.

It also said the attack, the second by the U.S. military on the group in recent days, caused "significant secondary explosions from the vehicle," indicating the presence of "a substantial amount of explosive material."

CNN reported that nine members of a family, including six children, were killed in the strike, citing a relative.

"We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life," the Central Command said regarding reports of civilian casualties.

Related coverage:

Journalists in Afghanistan say press freedom threatened under Taliban

U.S. strikes IS in retaliation for deadly attack near Kabul airport

Death toll from Afghanistan terror attacks rises to 170: U.S. media
New Delhi:

The air quality in the countrys gas chamber, NCR, deteriorated as a consequence of Delhiites who continued to burst firecrackers long after the deadline imposed by the Supreme Court, the authorities exclaimed. On Wednesday, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 302 at 11 pm. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), this level of AQI falls under the very poor category.

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Soon after 7 pm, the quality started dropping rapidly. The AQI was 281 at 7 pm, 291 at 8 pm, 294 at 9 pm, and further deteriorated to 296 by 10 pm, according to the CPCB.

The Apex Court had said that bursting of firecrackers was allowed from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals. Other than that, the manufacture and sale of only green crackers, which have a low light and sound emission with less harmful chemicals, was permitted.

The court had asked the police to ensure that banned firecrackers were not sold and said in case of any violation, the station house officer (SHO) of the police station concerned would be held personally liable and it would amount to committing contempt of the court.

However, incidents of its violation from many areas long after 10 pm were reported, despite the Supreme Court order.

Several areas showed a prickling level of air pollution. Anand Vihar, ITO and Jahangirpuri, were among the areas that recorded extreme pollution levels.

Also Read | bypoll results: Setback for BJP as Cong-JD(S) wins four of five seats

Violations of the SC order were reported from Mayur Vihar Extension, Lajpat Nagar, Lutyens Delhi, IP extension, Dwarka, Noida Sector 78, among other places.

The online indicators of the pollution monitoring stations in the city indicated "poor" and "very poor" air quality as the volume of ultra-fine particulates PM2.5 and PM10, which enter the respiratory system and manage to reach the bloodstream, sharply rose from around 8 pm.

According to the CPCB data, the 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10 were 164 and 294 micrograms per cubic metre respectively.

The SAFAR forecast "bad" air quality Thursday even though partially toxic crackers were burst as compared to 2017. It also said the pollution levels would peak between 11 am and 3 am on Wednesday and Thursday.

The acute air pollution was witnessed not only in Delhi but also in the neighbouring areas such as Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad. Here the firecrackers were burst, as usual, neglecting the apex courts ban.

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A "very poor" AQI essentially means that people may suffer from respiratory illnesses on a prolonged exposure to such air. If the air quality dips further, the AQI will turn "severe", which may trouble even those with sound health conditions and seriously affect those with ailments.

As many as 209 calls were received by the Delhi Fire Services on Diwali, including one related to a huge fire in a factory at Bawana, officials said.

The Centre, in collaboration with the Delhi government, has launched a 10-day "Clean Air Campaign" from November 1 to 10 to monitor and report polluting activities as well as to ensure quick action.

About 52 teams deployed under the campaign are visiting different parts of Delhi and the adjacent towns of Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Noida.

The teams are being led by the sub-divisional magistrates of the respective areas and comprise senior officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), representatives of the CPCB, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).
Bengaluru:

Signals emanating from the ground in Karnataka are worrying for the Bharatiya Janata Party as it lost four of the five by-elections to three Lok Sabha and two state assembly seats that were held earlier this month. By winning four of the five seats in the by-elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly, the Congress-Janata Dal-Secular combine has shown that its coalition was working on the ground.

What is significant is that despite the pin pricks from disgruntled elements in the two coalition partners, the Congress and JD-S managed to convince the voters they were there to stay and work for them.

Clearly, the chemistry is being seen to be working on the ground as the alliance picked up two seats and both the assembly seats  Ramanagara and Jamkhandi  with the two alliance partners contesting one each.

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More important, the Opposition victory in two of the three Lok Sabha by-polls indicated that the Narendra Modi government has to worry as this puts a question mark on its ability match or better its 2014 performance in the state.

In the 2014 general elections to Lok Sabha, the BJP won 17 of the total 28 on offer in the state, when the issues were different as also the coalition of political forces. The Congress and the JD-S were fighting separately then, but this time around in 2019, both the coalition partners have announced that they will contest the Lok Sabha polls jointly. For the BJP, a good performance in Karnataka is very important, as it is bound to be losing seats in the states where it peaked last time around in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

The BJP was looking to scale up its ambitions in South India and Karnataka is its gateway to the South.

Barring the Shivamoga Lok Sabha seat that Yeddyurappas son, BY Raghavendra, all the other candidates of the BJP were trailing since counting began early in the morning and lost by the time the results were announced late in the afternoon.

In fact, the victory margin in Shivamoga came down so drastically, to about 10 per cent of its previous victory margin of three lakh votes, should also be a matter of concern for the BJP leadership.

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Vivek Reddy, Karnataka BJP spokesperson, admitted that loss of Bellary and Shivamoga victory margin, was a reminder for introspection. It is no reflection on the performance of the Modi government, he said.

What the bye-elections results prove is that the Congress and Janata Dal (S) alliance is holding and showing signs of solidity, despite the BJP efforts to paint it as an opportunistic one. The people of Karnataka are reposing their faith in the alliance, much to the relief of the two coalition partners.

For the BJP, the loss of Bellary is particularly a significant one in that it is a seat that it won consistently since 2004 general elections and was considered the strong hold of the infamous Bellary brothers. It is the sister of mining baron B Sriramulu, Shanti, who lost out to Congress candidate VC Ugrappa. Here, the in-charge for the Congress was its strongman DK Shivakumar, who was the person responsible for saving the party MLAs from poaching, whether they were from Maharashtra, Gujarat or Karnataka. The massive majority of victory in Bellary is what must be a worrying factor for the BJP, indicating that there could some disenchantment with the Modi government as well.

In fact, the BJP has had a massive embarrassment ahead of the bye-elections, the BJP candidate from Ramanagara L Chandrashekhar left the party and joined the Congress, dealing it a body blow. It is being seen as a personal loss of face for the BJP state unit chief and leader of the opposition BS Yeddyurappa who was instrumental in candidate selection.

More significantly, with the two victories in the assembly by-polls the combined strength of the Congress and the JD-S has become 120 and is absolutely safe. During the campaign as well and in private conversations, the BJP leaders used to talk about felling the government and destabilising it. Yeddyurappa even tried to lure in some Congress and JD-S MLAs, but failed to bring in the requisite numbers. The results of the Karnataka by-polls are, indeed, a morale booster for the JD-S and the Congress for the 2019 general elections. What the Congress leaders hope is that they could have a domino effect in the general elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh that are taking place in November and December.
New Delhi:

Data from "almost all" Pakistani banks were stolen in a recent security breach, the head of the Federal Investigation Agencys (FIA) cybercrime wing said."

According to a recent report we have received, data from almost all Pakistani banks has been reportedly hacked," FIA Cybercrimes Director retired Capt Mohammad Shoaib told Geo News on Tuesday.

Shoaib told DawnNewsTV that hackers based outside Pakistan had breached the security systems of several local banks. "The hackers have stolen large amounts of money from people's accounts," he said.

Shoaib added that the agency has written to all banks, and a meeting of the banks' heads and security managements is being called.

"Banks are the custodians of the money people have stored in them," Shoaib said. "They are also responsible if their security features are so weak that they result in pilferage."

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New Delhi:

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process. Former chief minister advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Abdullah impressed on the governments of India and Pakistan to start a sustained dialogue process and advocated an Ireland-type settlement model to resolve the procrastinated Jammu and Kashmir issue," an NC spokesman said.



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He added that the NC chief said this while addressing a public gathering at Uri in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Abdullah urged the Centre to restore autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest. "Autonomy is the only way ahead to address the political and developmental deficit of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. It will secure the secular character of our state and strengthen the bonds of amity and brotherhood," he said.

The Member of Parliament from Srinagar also said a day would come when the people of the state would breathe in a peaceful atmosphere, without any insecurity.

"We should not feel disheartened. The current situation is grave, but we have witnessed even worst throughout the history. At one time in our history, people would not buy the idea that the autocratic rule will end. But a day came when democratic forces usurped the kings's throne with determination and struggle," he added.

Abdullah asked the people to keep the faith and follow the path shown by the prophet of Islam.

"In this hour of grief and uncertainty, we should not let anxiety and hopelessness overpower us. We should follow the teaching of the prophet of Islam in our day-to-day lives. Hopelessness is a curse," he said.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the NC had to face many challenges since its inception and that scores of party functionaries were "preyed upon by the monster of conflict".



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"Our party was back-stabbed by many political shenanigans and turncoats, but history bears testimony to how they eventually faded on their own. The NC is a people's party, we owe our being to people and we are a grassroot-level party," he added.

Abdullah said the state's special status was "infringed upon by the machinations of national political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, and their attitude has not changed".

"The current situation is no different. People should remain watchful of crafty politicians who are products of these machinations. Self-respect and dignity of our state should not be bartered for a few pennies," he added.

(With PTI inputs)

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Mumbai:

Benchmark indices ended a highly volatile session in the green on Tuesday on firm Asian cues, ending the Samvat year 2074 higher by over 7 per cent.

The benchmark Sensex has gained 2,407.56 points, or 7 per cent, in the Hindu Samvat year 2074, while the broader NSE Nifty rose by 319.15 points, or over 3 per cent.

In Tuesdays session, the Sensex commenced higher at 35,076.24 points and continued its upward march to hit a high of 35,196.03. However, profit-booking in the last one hour of trading, in line with losses in European markets, wiped-off most Sensex gains as it hit a low of 34,889.72 and settled at 34,991.91 points, up 40.99 points or 0.12 per cent.

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The gauge had lost over 60 points Monday.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty, after shuttling between 10,600.25 and 10,491.45 points, ended the last session of Samvat 2074 with a rise of 6 points, or 0.06 per cent, to end at 10,530.

Sentiments were also influenced by positive cues from other Asian markets, supported by Wall Street gains. However, momentum was tempered ahead of the US mid-term elections, the first major electoral test of President Donald Trumps big tax cuts and hostile trade policies.

Investors adopted a cautious approach in the last session of Samvat year 2074 ahead of a long Diwali break, and kept their positions restricted.

TCS emerged as the best performer among Sensex constituents, rising 2.22 per cent, followed by Yes Bank gaining 1.95 per cent.

Other gainers included Tata Motors, RIL, Sun Pharma, PowerGrid, Bharti Airtel, Vedanta, ICICI Bank, Coal India, ONGC, L&T, Infosys, HDFC, NTPC and M&M, rising up to 1.69 per cent.

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Bucking the trend, state-run SBI suffered the most by falling 2.98 per cent, while Axis Bank lost 2.67 per cent.

Maruti Suzuki, IndusInd Bank, Adani Ports, ITC, HUL, Asian Paints, Bajaj Auto, Tata Steel, Hero MotoCorp and HDFC Bank too ended lower and lost up to 1.31 per cent.

Sectorally, the BSE teck index took the top position by rising 1.03 per cent, followed by IT gaining 0.99 per cent, realty (0.40 per cent) and infrastructure (0.17 per cent).

However, consumer durables, metal, FMCG, PSU, oil & gas, auto, bankex, healthcare and power ended in the negative zone, falling up to 1.79 per cent.

Broader markets depicted a weak trend with the midcap index falling 0.75 per cent, while smallcap index shed 0.19 per cent.

Exchanges will conduct a special Muhurat trading session Wednesday between 1700 and 1830 hours on the occasion of Diwali.

The markets will remain closed on Thursday for Diwali Belipratipada.

Elsewhere in Asia, Japans Nikkei was up 1.14 per cent, South Koreas KOSPI Index rose 0.61 per cent, while Hong Kongs Hang Seng rose 0.82 per cent. Shanghai Composite index, however, fell 0.23 per cent.

Key indices in Europe such as Paris CAC fell 0.22 per cent, while Frankfurts DAX shed 0.13 per cent in the late morning deals. Londons FTSE also slipped 0.21 per cent.

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New Delhi:

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday India, China and Japan are among eight countries temporarily allowed to continue buying Iranian oil as they showed "significant reduction" in oil purchase from the Persian Gulf country over the past six months after the US reimposed crippling sanctions on Tehran.

"We have decided to issue temporary allotments to a handful of countries responsible to specific circumstances and to ensure a well-supplied oil market. The US will be granting these exemptions to China, India, Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Turkey," Pompeo told reporters in Washington.

Two of those eight have already completely ended imports of Iranian crude and will not resume as long as the sanctions regime remains in place, he added. "We continue negotiations to get all of the nations to zero," he said.

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On Friday, Pompeo had said the US would temporarily allow the eight countries to continue buying Iranian oil even after enforcing its sanctions on Tehran. However, he didnt mentions Indias name.

The US had previously wanted countries, including India, to completely stop oil purchases from Iran by November 4 when its full sanctions against Tehran come into force.

India, which is the second biggest purchaser of Iranian oil after China, was willing to restrict its monthly purchase to 1.25 million tonnes or 15 million tonnes in a year (300,000 barrels per day), down from 22.6 million tonnes (452,000 barrels per day) bought in 2017-18 financial year, sources in New Delhi said.

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In May, Donald Trump pulled the US out of the 2015 landmark nuclear the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) terming it as disastrous".

Under the Obama-era deal, involving five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany, Iran agreed to stop its nuclear programme in exchange of relief from economic sanctions.

After the US' withdrawal from the deal, Trump signed fresh sanctions against Iran and warned countries against any cooperation with Tehran on its controversial nuclear weapons programme.

Speaking with the reporters at the White House on Friday before leaving on a campaign trail, Trump said Iran was not the same country which it was when he started almost two years ago.

"Iran is a much different country since I terminated that deal. That was one of the most ridiculous deals ever made by any country, at any time: the Iran nuclear deal," he said.

"They're very serious sanctions. They're very big. They'll be elevated from there. But, as you know, sanctions are starting on Iran and, Iran is taking a very big hit," he added.

More than 20 importing nations have zeroed out their imports of crude oil already, taking more than 1 million barrels of crude per day off the market. The Iranian regime to date since May has lost over $2.5 billion in oil revenue, he said.

Additionally, today, 100 per cent of the revenue Iran receives from the sale of oil will be held in foreign accounts. Iran can only use this money for humanitarian trade or bilateral non-sanctioned goods, he asserted. The US on Monday imposed "the toughest ever" sanctions on a defiant Iran aimed at altering the Iranian regime's "behaviour".

The sanctions cover Iran's banking and energy sectors and reinstate penalties for countries and companies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere that do not halt Iranian oil imports.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi:

Fugitive diamond jeweller Nirav Modis 11 properties worth more than Rs 56 crore in Dubai were seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its money-laundering probe in the $2-billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

The seized assets were in the name of "Modi and his group company M/s Firestar Diamond FZE and they bear a market value of $7.79 million, which is equivalent to Rs 56.8 crore," said the ED. The ED has issued a provisional order for attachment of these assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

In September, the ED attached Rs 637 crore assets of Modi, a key accused in the multi-billion fraud case. The billion-dollar assets include two immovable properties having a total value of $29.99 million and 5 overseas bank accounts belonging to the fugitive businessman and his family in India, UK and three other countries.

The agency has attached assets worth over Rs 700 crore of Modi and his family in the country till now. It has also filed a chargesheet against the fugitive diamond jeweller, alleging that he laundered and diverted over Rs 6,400 crore of bank funds to dummy companies abroad, which were under his and his family's control.

Nirav Modi along with his wife Ami Modi, a US citizen, brother Nishal Modi, a Belgian citizen, and uncle Mehul Choksi, all accused in the CBI FIRs in the case, had left the country in the first week of January, weeks before countrys biggest banking scam surfaced.

(With PTI inputs)

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Bhubaneswar:

Police on Saturday registered a case against the teacher of a reputed English medium school on charges of sexually harassing some girl students, police said.

The Mathematics teacher of the school in the state capital has been accused of sexually harassing girl students of Class VI and VII for the last few months.

The police have registered a case against the teacher, said Chandrasekhar police Inspector-In-Charge Deepak Kumar Mishra.

Mishra said that the accused teacher has been absconding.

The police registered the case based on a complaint lodged by the school authorities after it was revealed that the allegation against the teacher was true.

Also Read | Karnataka By-Elections 2018: 42.6% polling recorded till 3 pm in five constituencies

The entire incident was captured by CCTV installed inside the school premises, an official said.

As per the complaint, the teacher used to sexually harass girl students for the last few months. Earlier, the school authorities were informed about the teachers activities by a girl student who hailed from Kharagpur and stayed in the hostel.

The girl narrated her ordeal before the school authorities following which the principal checked the CCTV footages. Later, some other girls also came up with similar allegations.

The girl students said the teacher harassed them in classrooms, libraries and while checking their homework.

On the basis of CCTV footage, we have lodged a complaint and urge the police to initiate proper probe and take stringent action against him, said school Principal Rabi Kumar.
New Delhi:

The doors to Ayyappa temple opened on Monday for the second time in three weeks for a two-day special puja amid unprecedented security and protests but no girl or a woman in the age group of 10-50 years entered into the temple. The puja commenced at 5 pm on Monday and will end at 10 pm on Tuesday.

The police said Anju, a 30-year-old woman, had reached the base camp at Pamba along with her husband and two children.

A native of Cherthala in Alappuzha district, the women, however told the police that she was not keen to visit the Ayyappa shrine and admitted that she had come to Pamba following pressure from her husband, Abilash. The Police claimed it was her husband, who was forced the family undertake the pilgrimage.

While a local official claiming that the woman had sought police protection, the Superintendent of Police Rahul R Nair said the woman had not sought police escort.

#Visuals from Kerala: A 30-yr-old woman Anju arrived at Pamba, with her husband&2 children, to visit #SabarimalaTemple. They've been taken to Pamba police station.Superintendent of Police Rahul Nair says "She hasn't asked for police protection yet. If she does, we'll provide her" pic.twitter.com/PfeU2BjWfD  ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2018

As the husband continued to stick to his stand, police decided to ask their relatives to come to Pamba to take a final decision, reported news agency PTI. Anju and her family waited at the police control room as the temple closed its doors at 10 pm.

Sabarimala virtually turned into a fortress with hundreds of police personnel, including armed commandos, dotting the place where surveillance cameras and mobile phone jammers were installed.

Thousands of pilgrims entered the temple as temple tantri (head priest) Kandararu Rajeevaru and melshanti (chief priest) Unnikrishnan Namboothiri jointly opened the portals of the sanctum sanctorum around 5 pm.

No special puja will be performed Monday, temple authorities earlier said, adding the doors will be closed at 10 pm. It will open again Tuesday for the "Sree Chitira Atta Thirunal" puja to mark the birth anniversary of the last king of the princely state of Travancore Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma.

Several BJP leaders and Ayyappa Dharama Sena president Rahul Easwar reached 'Sannidhanam', the temple complex, in the evening.

Security at Sabarimala and nearby places was stepped up following violent protests by fringe Hindu groups and mainstream political parties like the Congress and the BJP against the Kerala government's decision to enforce the Supreme Court order lifting the ban on girls and women of menstruating age from entering the temple.

The temple has been witnessing protests following the Supreme Court's September 28 order to permit women in the 10-50 age group to offer prayers at the Kerala shrine. At least 12 women had made a failed attempt to trek the hills soon after the verdict, however, had to return midway amid violent protests and threats from temple authorities to shut down the shrine.

(With PTI inputs)

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The Hague :

Families of those killed when a Buk missile blew Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 out of the sky above Ukraine in 2014 are calling on US President Donald Trump to press his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to provide answers about the downing.

Also Read | I will be Chhattisgarh chief minister, Mayawati should be PM, says Ajit Jogi

In a letter to Trump published Friday on Twitter, relatives of about 30 of the 298 passengers and crew killed on July 17, 2014, say we have a right to know what happened to our loved ones.

Trump and Putin will both be in Paris this weekend for commemorations of the centenary of the end of World War I, but are not expected to hold a bilateral summit. They plan to hold talks at a Group of 20 summit in Argentina at the end of the month.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced that Faizabad district will now be known as Ayodhya, days his government renamed Allahabad as Prayagraj.

"Ayodhya is a symbol of our 'aan, baan aur shaan' (honour, pride and prestige)" he said in the pilgrim town, about 120 km from state capital Lucknow. "Nobody can do injustice to Ayodhya," he said, adding that the holy city is identified by Lord Ram.

Adityanath was speaking on the occasion of "Deepotsav" on Diwali eve.

He also announced setting up of a medical college in the name of King Dashrath, father of Lord Ram, in the district, adding that an airport will be constructed here named after Lord Ram.

Nobody can do injustice to Ayodhya, asserts Adityanath.

South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook was also present on the occasion. She arrived in Ayodhya to attend Diwali festivities in the holy city and began her tour by offering tribute at the Queen Heo Memorial.

Kim visited the site, along with Adityanath, and attended a ground-breaking ceremony for upgrade and beautification of the memorial dedicated to the legendary princess of Ayodhya who went to Korea.

Later she went to the banks of the Saryu river to welcome artists donning the avatar of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, who arrived at Ram Katha Park in a ceremonial chopper as part of 'Ram Durbar'.

#WATCH: South Korean first lady Kim-Jung Sook arrives on stage at Ram Kath Park in Ayodhya, welcomed by CM Yogi Adityanath. pic.twitter.com/qhRhGSasUj  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 6, 2018

Kim garlanded 'Sita' as they descended from the helicopter and Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Adityanath welcomed Lord Ram and Laxman by garlanding them.

Kim's stand-alone visit to India, which began on November 4, has rekindled interest in the legendary princess who married a Korean king.

The temple town of Ayodhya has been all decked up for the biggest Diwali celebrations where three lakh earthen lamps or diyas will be lit as part of the Deepostsav on Tuesday.

Visuals from 'Ram ki paidi', on the banks of Sarayu river in Ayodhya #Diwali pic.twitter.com/IpvQoEpu8x  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 6, 2018

According to Korean legend, a princess of Ayodhya went to Korea in 48 AD and married King Kim-Suro. A large number of Koreans trace their ancestry to this legendary princess, who is known as Queen Heo Hwang-ok in South Korea.

Three lakh earthen lamps, made by local potters, will be lit at the "Ram ki Paidi" followed by a water show and fireworks. Multicoloured lights have been installed at various places in Ayodhya to illuminate the entire city. Beautiful statues of Ram and Hanuman at the Saryu ghat have also been a centre or attraction among the people.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi:

Diwali 2018 is upon us and as the nation rejoices and celebrates the Festival of Lights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine in Kedarnath and will review the Kedarpuri reconstruction projects Wednesday- November 7. The prime minister arrived at the holy pilgrimage town at around 9:45 am this morning and is gearing up to celebrate Diwali, the carnival of lights. After offering prayers at the temple, Modi took a stock of the reconstruction projects underway at Kedarpuri. He was shown a video at the guest house within the temple premises to apprise him about the progress of the projects at the township.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is celebrating Diwali with the Indian Army troops deployed at forward posts in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang valley, along with Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane and other senior Army officials. She will fly over the Dibang Valley and visit Anini and Andrala Omkar forward posts in the district and meet the troops there, Kohima-based Defence spokesman Col Chiranjit Konwer told reporters.

Read | Deepotsav: Faizabad district to be renamed as Ayodhya; hospital, airport will be built: Yogi Adityanath

Diwali, the 'festival of lights' is one of the biggest carnivals in India. It is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across India and abroad. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil, calling for a fresh start with the opportunity to let go of past grudges, and make merry.

As part of the Diwali festivity, thousands of Indians from across the globe return home and enjoy the warmth of families and friends to paint a perfect picture of the celebrations. Candlelights, earthen lamps, homes filled with the delicious aroma of mouth-watering sweets, delicacies and fireworks are also an important part of the festivity.

Based on their religious believe, people worship Lord Ganesha, Lord Rama and Goddess Kali in different parts of the country. In most of the regions, Diwali is believed to be the homecoming of Lord Rama with Sita and Laxmana after a long exile of 14 years.

Read | Dhanteras 2018: Gold never disappoints its investors | Know why

Here are the LIVE updates from Diwali celebrations 2018:

13:20 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi extensively walked around the temple complex, where reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the work



On #Diwali, PM Modi visited Kedarnath today. He offered prayers at Kedarnath Temple. He extensively walked around the temple complex, where reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the work. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/ZL38dK6PIZ

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



13:19 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In As an RSS member, I got the opportunity to live among Army men. At that time I heard a lot about One Rank One Pension. Many governments came and left. Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So, after becoming PM it was my responsibility to fulfill your dreams of OROP: PM Modi



As an RSS member,I got opportunity to live among Army men. At that time I heard a lot about One Rank One Pension.Many govts came&left.Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So,after becoming PM it was my responsibility to fulfill your dreams of OROP:PM in Harsil pic.twitter.com/SjcB59EOLn

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



13:18 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by the locals in Harsil



Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by the locals in Harsil earlier today, where he celebrated #Diwali with Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/eOLx6Hugip

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



13:17 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: People throng the flower mandi in Ghazipur to purchase flowers on the occasion of Diwali



Delhi: People throng the flower mandi in Ghazipur to purchase flowers on the occasion of #Diwali pic.twitter.com/3Aih3CsYl3

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



11:37 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Diwali



Punjab: Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at Attari-Wagah border today, on the occasion of #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/CuO8VG7CfL

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



10:56 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Narendra Modi meets locals at Kedarnath after offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple



Uttarakhand: PM Narendra Modi meets locals at Kedarnath after offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple. pic.twitter.com/GHvnjcqCwr

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



10:08 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Kedarnath. He is gearing up to celebrate Diwali at the divine pilgrimage town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand



Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Kedarnath. He will celebrate #Diwali here today. pic.twitter.com/k4tcUnUiY8

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



10:55 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi said India is taking great strides forward in defence. He mentioned various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including One Rank, One Pension. The prime minister said that Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations



Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces at Harsil, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/YW0m6YAbTb

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



10:03 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In PM Modi addresses Indian Armed Forces in Uttarakhand's Harsil: Your devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, says PM Modi



Your devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians: PM Modi to Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces at Harsil in Uttarakhand #Diwali (file pic) pic.twitter.com/C2bMq38AuS

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



07:14 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Dehradun to celebrate the festival of Diwali in Kedarnath



Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Dehradun; he will celebrate the festival of #Diwali in Kedarnath pic.twitter.com/rAhdGJg1Dd

 ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018



07:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends Diwali greetings to the nation: Happy #Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyones lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!



                   ,     



Happy Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyones lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!

 Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2018



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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday celebrated Diwali with Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel in the icy terrain near the India-China border in Uttarakhands Harshil cantonment area. After becoming prime minister in 2014, Modi has been celebrating Diwali with jawans. The devotion towards duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation, said the prime minister while greeting the soldiers.



Through their commitment and discipline, they are securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians and helping spread a sense of security and fearlessness among the people, he said. Army Chief Bipin Rawat was also present on the occasion.



ALSO READ | Gujarat government follows path of UP CM Yogi Adiyanath; to rename Ahmedabad as Karnavati



Speaking to the soldiers Modi said, "You are not only protecting one corner of our land. By securing the country's borders, you are making safe the lives and dreams of 125 crore Indians."

Likening the soldiers with 'diyas' (earthen lamps), the prime minister said, "The way a diya burns itself to light up the world you lead a hard life to spread the light of fearlessness all around."



The prime minister said India is taking great strides forward in the defence sector.



Modi said that the Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world. "I feel proud when the Indian peacekeeping forces are praised for their skills, valour and discipline across the world," he said. Remembering his long association with the forces, he said he had a chance to spend time in the company of soldiers early during his career and he was sensitive to their needs.



ALSO READ | Delhi Air Quality Index witnesses slight improvement; drops from 'very poor' to 'poor'

He described the implementation of 'one rank, one pension' (OROP) for ex-servicemen, which had been hanging fire for over 40 years, a result of this close association with defence personnel.



"As an RSS member, I got opportunity to live among Army men. At that time, I heard a lot about 'one rank, one pension'. Many governments came and went. Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So after becoming prime minister, it was my responsibility to fulfil your dream," Modi said.



"Though its implementation required huge funds to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore, it was done. Today I am happy that over Rs 11,000 crore has already been paid under 'one rank, one pension'," the prime minister said.



He also spoke of his interactions with the jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), years ago when he was part of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.



After his address, the prime minister distributed sweets among soldiers. He also met residents of the border village of Bagori and offered prayers on the banks of Bhagirathi, a tributary of the Ganga in Harshil.



The prime minister spent about 1.15 hours in Harshil, a cantonment area situated at a height of 7,860 feet close to the India-China border in Uttarkashi district.



The prime minister later reached Kedarnath to offer prayers and review the progress of reconstruction projects at Kedarpuri.



Kedarpuri, the township situated close to the Himalayan shrine, had bore the brunt of the catastrophic floods of 2013, which killed thousands of people.



A statement from the Prime Minister's Office said Modi extensively walked around the entire temple complex, where significant reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the works. He interacted briefly with several people present at the temple complex.



The Kedarnath Temple complex is currently the focus of a major development and reconstruction effort, following the severe flood and landslide in 2013.



ALSO READ | Demonetisation Anniversary: Congress demands apology from PM Modi; calls for nationwide protest tomorrow



The last time the Prime Minister had been to Kedarnath was in October 2017, just before the portals of the Himalayan shrine close for the winters.



(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi: Indian and Kazakhstan forces will begin a 13-day exercise from today focusing on counter-terrorism operations in hilly areas. A statement from the Defence Ministry said that the "KAZIND-21" exercise will be held between August 30 and September 11 at Training Node, Aisha Bibi, Kazakhstan.

According to the statement, the military exercise will provide an opportunity to the armed forces of India and Kazakhstan to train in militancy and counter-terrorism operations in hilly, rural areas under the mandate of the United Nations (UN). The joint exercise will be attended by 90 army personnel of the Bihar Regiment on behalf of the Indian Army. According to the statement, the joint exercise will share professional strategic skills between the armies of the two countries, planning and implementation of operations in an anti-terrorism environment and experiences of terrorism and extremism operations.

The military exercise will end after the completion of a 48-hour long-term exercise that includes a scenario of destroying the semi-rural hideout of terrorists. The statement also said that the military exercise will boost mutual trust between the armies of the two countries. It will also provide an opportunity to be able to adopt the better trends that exist.

Police kill two dacoits in 13th encounter since May 10

India to Begin Flight Services With Bangladesh Soon

42909 new patients found across the country, corona figures hikes again
Air passengers planning to fly to Bangladesh, here comes a piece of good for you. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Saturday that flights between India and Bangladesh will restart on September 3, 2021, after a long break. According to a statement released by the Ministry, under an air bubble agreement between the two nations, passenger planes can resume operations after four months. It should be remembered that air travel between the two nations was halted when the number of Covid cases surged during the pandemic's second wave earlier this year.

"The air bubble may be resumed w.e.f. 03.09.21 till resumption of scheduled international passenger flights," MoCA letter read.



The Central government before announcing the operation of flights had imposed a number of restrictions for flights with limited passengers and strict health protocols. "Passengers travelling from Bangladesh to India shall be mandatorily subjected to self-paid confirmatory molecular tests on arrival at the Indian airports concerned (port of entry). Therefore instead of a blanket restriction of 140 passengers per aircraft it is proposed that the capacity may be restricted to a specific percentage of the installed seat capacity of the aircraft (say 90 per cent or 95 percent)," MoCA Said.

"This Ministry has examined the proposal in consultation with the health authorities of India and would like to propose resumption of operations under the Air Bubble with 7 frequencies per week (for carriers of either country)," the Indian aviation ministry said.

Flights between India and Bangladesh to resume from September 3 under air bubble agreement after four months, as per Ministry of Civil Aviation  ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2021

Deepa Malik, Abhinav Bindra hail history creator Avani Lekhara

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad talked about economic cooperation with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in the capital Damascus, according to the reports. Discussions between the two sides also focused on the latest regional and international developments.

Both sides discussed the economic and trade cooperation and ways to cope with the sanctions imposed by the Western countries, mainly from the United states, the report added.

Abdollahian Assad stressed that the continuous cooperation between Syria and Iran has given positive results in protecting the interests of the two countries and peoples, particularly in combating terrorism. He also briefed on the outcomes of the Cooperation and Partnership Conference, with the two sides affirming that the region's future should be made by the will of its people, according to SANA.

Meanwhile, Abdollahian pointed out that Iran and Syria have achieved great victories in the war against terrorism, reiterating his country's continuous support for Syria and its people to confront terrorism in all its forms.

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Home  Business  Nepals aviation industry has lost Rs 37 billion to the Covid-19 pandemic so far

Kathmandu, August 30

Nepals aviation industry has lost around Rs 37 billion due to the Covid-19 pandemic as of mid-July 2021, informs the countrys aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The authority says it estimated the losses based on the earnings the industry recorded in the previous years.

Between March 2020 and July 2021, the airline companies lost Rs 25 billion and the authority, which is also mandated to operate airports across the country, lost Rs 12 billion, the authority says.

Of Rs 25 billion loss incurred to the airlines, the biggest share of Rs 7 billion belonged to the national flag carrier, Nepal Airlines Corporation. It is followed by Nepals second international flight operator, Himalaya Airlines that lost Rs 3 billion.

Meanwhile, domestic flight operators losts Rs 15 billion in total.
" " What have we created?! Bettmann/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

"Hear my tale; it is long and strange ... "

Withered lips utter these words. The speaker's face seems nothing more than a rotting mask of skin, barely stretched into place over sinew and vein. Wild, black hair cascades down the figure's massive shoulders, and gleaming eyes stare out through the tangled strands. Tattered garments adorn his towering frame.

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Despite his size, the monster moves with agility and grace. Despite his brutish appearance, his speech betrays a formidable intellect. He is nameless. He is angry. His words steam in the cold air as he confronts the tormented chemist responsible for his very existence, a man named Victor Frankenstein.

Related in Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's original 1818 novel, this encounter occurs halfway through a book already marked by the power of science and human misery. For Victor Frankenstein, this exchange is a confrontation with his brother's murderer, as well as the shameful fruit of his own scientific recklessness. For the creature, it is an audience with the man who formed his disfigured body out of cadavers and animal parts -- who gave him life only to abandon his creation to an unforgiving world.

This reunion of creator and creation results in a fleeting truce. Victor agrees to assemble a female companion for the creature, who in turn promises to spare the lives of Victor's remaining loved ones and depart for the wilds of South America. When Victor reneges on his promise, however, their peace collapses into a bloody feud.

This conflict is the backbone of the famous fictional work "Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus," a tale of vast scientific achievement and deep existential failure. The relationship between Victor and his creation is a complex one, far more nuanced than the man-versus-monster and brains-versus-brute scenarios splashed all over popular culture. Just who is this nameless, synthetic being? What cultural ideas does he embody, and why does his presence continue to haunt us?

In this article, we'll uncover the heart of Frankenstein's monster.
Workforce

GSA launches new Digital Corps to attract early-career techies

On Monday, the Biden administration announced the creation of a new, two-year fellowship for early career technologists  the U.S. Digital Corps.

Set to launch this fall with 30 fellows, the program is meant to bring early-career workers with skills in software engineering, data science, design and cybersecurity into the federal government.

The Digital Corps is a joint effort between the General Services Administration, Office of Management and Budget, Office of Personnel Management and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy that'll be housed in GSA's Technology Transformation Services (TTS).

"One of my priorities is building a pipeline of diverse talent to GSA and recruiting the next generation of public servants," said GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan in a statement about the new program. "The Digital Corps fellowship offers technologists just starting out in their career the opportunity to work on some of the most pressing challenges that we face and develop innovative solutions that make government work better for the American people."

The program's first class will work the administration's priorities for pandemic response, the economy, cybersecurity and streamlining government services, according to GSA's announcement.

Agency hosts for this first class will include GSA, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and others.

The Digital Corps is meant to complement other fellowships like the Presidential Innovation Fellows, the U.S. Digital Service and the Presidential Management Fellows, according to GSA's announcement of the program.

The program's own website pitches the corps as a "grass roots effort."

"The idea for a Digital Corps was sparked by technologists across government who identified a gap in the federal government's journey towards digital success  a lack of earlycareer technology talent," it says. "TTS recognized the need for entrylevel technologists to not only bring immediate innovation but also to serve as a continuing resource for government digital transformation. These technologists would help complement the civic technology efforts already underway by organizations like TTS while bringing in fresh perspectives."

Recruiting efforts for the first class will focus not only on undergraduate programs but also alternative training programs like apprenticeships and certificate programs.

Federal CIO Clare Martorana said the program will help agencies fill critical talent gaps.

"To provide best-in-class service delivery, agencies must have the right combination of workforce talent in place as their existing personnel accelerate towards retirement. The U.S. Digital Corps is a forward-looking solution that will build a deep bench for technology modernization and digital transformation across the federal government and meet the Biden Administration's goals of advancing federal IT and cybersecurity," she said.
(Adds details of court-awarded debt payments, comments by Guedes on letter by business leaders)

SAO PAULO, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Brazil Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said on Monday he agrees with the solution proposed by the president of the Supreme Court, Luiz Fux, for payment of court-awarded debt owed by the government.

The Supreme Court proposed last week that instead of paying the debt in installments, the government make sure the volume of payments does not exceed the budget spending ceiling. The proposal would reduce by around 50 billion reais ($9.6 billion) the total amount the government would have to pay next year.

Instead of 89 billion reais, the government would have to pay around 40 billion reais in court awarded debt next year.

Guedes said he supports the Supreme Court proposal, after meeting with Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Pacheco said he will meet with Fux on Tuesday to discuss the proposal. House speaker Arthur Lira will also be at the meeting, he said.

Previously, the ministry had proposed the payment of all debt in installments.

Guedes also commented to reporters on an open letter that Brazilian business leaders had been contemplating publishing that would criticize the government. Lobbying groups representing manufacturers and banks were expected to sign the letter.

Guedes said he knew the letter was going to "attack the government" and that disagreements among the business leaders caused publication to be postponed.

It was not immediately clear how Guedes knew of the letter's contents.

The letter was originally expected to be published on Tuesday and may now be published next week, House speaker Lira said. ($1 = 5.1936 reais) (Reporting by Isabel Versiani in Brasilia and Tatiana Bautzer in Sao Paulo Editing by Matthew Lewis)
(Bloomberg) -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has dismissed 10 staffers for publicizing an employees account of sexual assault allegations against a former manager, people familiar with the matter said, as the e-commerce giant moves to resolve a case thats rocked Chinas tech establishment.

Alibaba announced internally last week it fired the group for sharing a harrowing account posted on an internal forum by a colleague surnamed Zhou, who accused a former manager of rape. Their offenses include sharing screenshots of the womans post in the public domain after removing watermarks that bore their IDs, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing an internal matter. Another three people have been reprimanded for making inappropriate comments in public forums, they added.

Zhous account went viral this month and turned Chinas No. 2 company into the highest-profile symbol of abuses regarded as prevalent throughout Chinese businesses and tech firms, the by-product of an environment that often prioritizes achievement over culture. Alibaba has dismissed the accused manager and accepted the resignations of two senior executives, acting after the case sparked debate about sexism in corporate circles.

Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang has acknowledged his companys handling of the complaint was a humiliation. Zhous account of being forced to drink excessively and getting harassed during and after a dinner with clients has aroused widespread sympathy for her plight, including internally.

But Alibaba had little choice but to fire the 10 employees in question because they violated very strict policies against exposing content carried on employee forums, the people said. The internal platform -- which is open to Alibabas 250,000 employees as well as many at fintech giant Ant Group Co. -- is considered off-limits and the company has fired others for leaking information in the past, they added. Alibaba representatives didnt immediately respond to a written request for comment.

Story continues

Read more: Alibaba Workers Desperate Plea for Help Sparks #MeToo Reckoning

The Alibaba incident this month shone a spotlight on criticisms that Chinese women are overlooked, objectified or forced to take part in male-dominated rituals like drinking with clients, then brushed aside when reporting abuse. It coincides with intense government scrutiny on issues ranging from exploitative and monopolistic behavior to the abuse of low-wage workers.

Zhou posted her lengthy account internally after claiming to have made no progress in two weeks of complaining directly to supervisors and human resources, culminating in a dinner-time protest at one of Alibabas staff cafeterias.

The company launched an internal probe after her demonstration was captured on video and viewed millions of times online. Alibaba later publicly reprimanded its head of human resources, set up a hotline for sexual harassment complaints and created a high-level committee to resolve future disputes.

Alibaba made its decision to fire the 10 workers after wrapping up an internal investigation in past weeks, other people familiar with the matter said. It hasnt announced the final results of that probe to the public, they said.

Chinese police made their first arrest in the case last week, a former employee of Jinan Hualian Supermarket surnamed Zhang who was at the dinner with Zhou. Her ex-manager, surnamed Wang, remains under investigation by the police on suspicion of forcible indecency -- a charge that can encompass sexual assault.

Read more: China Makes First Arrest in Sex-Assault Case That Rocked Nation

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Wendy's is helping Columbus parents prepare for the back-to-school season in a big, breakfast way

DUBLIN, Ohio, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Wendys Unveils One Million Dollar Back-to-School Breakfast Giveaway for Columbus Community

WHAT:

Columbus parents, listen up! Ohio is home to your very favorite red headaka Wendy'sand the brand is stepping up in a big, bold, breakfast way just in time for the school year. That's right, to help Ohio parents and teachers get in the back-to-school groove, Wendy's is launching a duo of delicious deals to combat the morning madness:

One Million Dollar Back-To-School Breakfast Giveaway*: Ohio-based Wendy's restaurants are giving away "breakfast for a school year" to parents and teachers in central/southern Ohio with its $1MM Back-to-School Breakfast Giveaway*. No, this isn't a dream! Hosted across fan-favorite radio stations, Wendy's is awarding over 3,500 free breakfast combo meals to radio listeners, valued at over ONE MILLION dollars' worth of delicious morning meals*.

$1.99 Breakfast Croissants: Now through October, parents can snag Wendy's Sausage, Egg & Swiss or Bacon Egg & Swiss Croissants for just $1.99 each**. Simply order in-restaurant, via drive-thru or via mobile order to secure this craveable deal.

WHERE & WHEN:

Parents, teachers, faculty members and the Columbus community alike can take advantage of the back-to-school breakfast giveaway by tuning into their local radio station or checking their station's website until September 12. Take a few extra minutes for yourself in the morning and let Wendy's breakfast carry you through those first few back-to-school weeks. Check out your favorite local radio station for more details.

And while you're waiting to find out if you're one of the lucky thousands of winners, head to your local Wendy's for a delicious $1.99 Sausage, Egg & Swiss or Bacon Egg & Swiss Croissant** from now through the end of October. Now that's something to get the kids excited for!

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WHY:

Back-to-school means one thing: new routines, rushed mornings and very little time for the most important meal of the day. A recent back-to-school survey*** of Ohio-based parents found:

Morning Mayhem: School Day mornings are the most hectic time with their children*** according to 80% of Ohio parents.

More Time, Please: Four out of five Ohio-based parents say that they wish they had more time in the morning as school starts.

Back-to-School Mode: Activated: Despite the chaos that comes with the school year, more than 80% of Ohio parents are just as excited for back to school as they are for Halloween and vacation plans.

And that's where Wendy's comes in. It's simple math: let Wendy's make your breakfast to give you more time in the morning + affordable breakfast before school = a happier Wendy's hometown. Problem solved. (shoutout to teachers!)

ABOUT WENDY'S:

Wendy's was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Dave built his business on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Wendy's is best known for its made-to-order square hamburgers, using fresh, never frozen beef****, freshly-prepared salads, and other signature items like chili, baked potatoes and the Frosty dessert. The Wendy's Company is committed to doing the right thing and making a positive difference in the lives of others. This is most visible through the Company's support of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and its signature Wendy's Wonderful Kids program, which seeks to find a loving, forever home for every child in the North American foster care system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 6,800 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. For details on franchising, connect with us at www.wendys.com/franchising . Visit www.wendys.com and www.squaredealblog.com for more information and connect with us on Twitter and Instagram using @wendys, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendys .

*Free Breakfast for a year consists of 42 Free Breakfast Combo Meals

**Limited time only. U.S. price and participation may vary. Excludes Maple Bacon Chicken Croissant. Not valid in combo. Third-party delivery prices may vary. Check your local Wendy's for breakfast hours.

***Ketchum Analytics partnered with third-party vendor, Savanta, to survey 500 nationally representative Parents who live in Ohio and have children in school (K-12th grade). The survey was fielded between August 2 and August 6, 2021, at the 95% confidence level and with a margin of error of /-4%.

****Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada.

Wendy's logo (PRNewsfoto/Wendy's)

Cision

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SOURCE The Wendy's Company
If you're looking for a multi-bagger, there's a few things to keep an eye out for. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. So on that note, Australis Oil & Gas (ASX:ATS) looks quite promising in regards to its trends of return on capital.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What is it?

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Australis Oil & Gas, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.012 = US$960k  (US$94m - US$14m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2021).

Thus, Australis Oil & Gas has an ROCE of 1.2%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Oil and Gas industry average of 4.0%.

View our latest analysis for Australis Oil & Gas

roce

Above you can see how the current ROCE for Australis Oil & Gas compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

So How Is Australis Oil & Gas' ROCE Trending?

We're delighted to see that Australis Oil & Gas is reaping rewards from its investments and is now generating some pre-tax profits. Shareholders would no doubt be pleased with this because the business was loss-making five years ago but is is now generating 1.2% on its capital. In addition to that, Australis Oil & Gas is employing 117% more capital than previously which is expected of a company that's trying to break into profitability. This can tell us that the company has plenty of reinvestment opportunities that are able to generate higher returns.

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For the record though, there was a noticeable increase in the company's current liabilities over the period, so we would attribute some of the ROCE growth to that. The current liabilities has increased to 15% of total assets, so the business is now more funded by the likes of its suppliers or short-term creditors. It's worth keeping an eye on this because as the percentage of current liabilities to total assets increases, some aspects of risk also increase.

The Bottom Line

Long story short, we're delighted to see that Australis Oil & Gas' reinvestment activities have paid off and the company is now profitable. However the stock is down a substantial 84% in the last five years so there could be other areas of the business hurting its prospects. Still, it's worth doing some further research to see if the trends will continue into the future.

On a final note, we found 4 warning signs for Australis Oil & Gas (1 makes us a bit uncomfortable) you should be aware of.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.



Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
Petlove&Co, a Sao Paulo-based digital platform for products and services for the pet market, announced today that it has raised about $150 million (R$750 million) in a funding round led by Riverwood Capital.

The round is nearly double that of what Petlove has raised in its history. The company started its life as PetSuperMarket when it was founded in 1999 in the early days of the internet. Today, the company continues to operate an online store offering a wide range of pet products and services.

Tarpon, SoftBank, L Catterton, Porto Seguro and Monashees also participated in the funding round, which brings the companys total raised to a known $225.8 million over its lifetime, according to Crunchbase. Since January 2020 alone, Petlove has raised over $192 million. The company has declined to reveal at what valuation this last round was raised. But it did say that overall, sales increased by 65% in 2020 compared to the year prior.

Petlove CEO Talita Lacerda said the company will use the new capital in part to further expand its logistics network with the goal of accelerating its delivery capabilities. In particular, it plans to expand to other geographies its express delivery service, Petlove Ja, which allows products to be delivered within four hours of an order being placed. Currently it is only available in a few cities in Brazil, such as Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte.

The funding will also go toward growing Petlove's subscription program, which Lacerda said is the first of its kind in the country, and one of the company's flagship services. During the pandemic, the company saw "a substantial growth" in its subscription service, which reached 75% of Petlove's volume, according to Lacerda.

The Brazilian pet market is one of the largest in the world and Brazilian consumers are increasingly demanding digitally native products and services with a high level of customer-centricity, said Francisco Alvarez-Demalde, co-founding partner and managing partner at Riverwood Capital, in a written statement.

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The company has evolved and grown after a recent integration with DogHero, the acquisitions of Vetus and VetSmart and the launch of Porto.Pet.

We have built an increasingly comprehensive and inclusive platform to meet the needs of all stakeholders in this rapidly expanding market, Lacerda said.

Brazil is the fourth largest pet market in total spend, the company says. According to the Instituto Pet Brasil, total sales of the Brazilian pet market surpassed US$7 billion (R$40 billion) in 2020, growing 13.5% compared to the previous year, while Petlove grew 65%. Overall, pet ownership in the country is high, with 60% of Brazilians owning pets, compared to 50% in the U.S.

Petlove has more than 400 employees, according to PitchBook.

Alex Szapiro, head of Brazil and operating partner of SoftBank Latin America Fund, described the work that Petlove has done to help "form the largest ecosystem in Latin America" as "one of the most extraordinary in the segment and in the entire retail sector."




With this acquisition, the Company will enhance its offering in the construction segment, gaining greater in-house capabilities, control over the value chain, and market share opportunities.

London, August 30, 2021

CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) announces the execution of an agreement to purchase 90% of the capital stock of Sampierana S.p.A., a privately-owned Italian company that specializes in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of earthmoving machines, undercarriages and spare parts, and to obtain 100% control of the company over four years following closing of the transaction.

The debt and cash free consideration for the total transaction will be equal to 101.8 million subject to certain closing and post-closing adjustments. The consideration will be funded with available cash on hand of CNH Industrial. Closing is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

This latest strategic acquisition will further accelerate the profitable growth of our construction equipment business. Sampieranas exceptional portfolio solidifies our presence in critical market segments and provides our dealers and customers access to industry-leading products backed by our brand, distribution, and manufacturing experience, said Scott Wine, Chief Executive Officer of CNH Industrial. I want to thank Stefano Pampalone, President Construction, and his team, both for driving this deal to completion and for their excellent work turning around our construction business, rightsizing the footprint and returning it to profitability  an impressive achievement given the challenging period.

Recognized in the construction sector for its line of Eurocomach mini and midi excavators and for special undercarriages, Sampierana Group has recorded excellent performance year-over-year, particularly in Europe, and is acknowledged for its reliability, quality and innovative technology. Its broad product portfolio, high customization capacity, and existing electric power prototypes are an ideal fit with CNH Industrials customer-centric and sustainable approach, and substantially augment the Companys in-house product and technology offerings.

This acquisition will enable CNH Industrials Construction Equipment business to integrate Eurocomach mini and midi excavators, Sampierana undercarriages and spare parts into its current product portfolio alongside those of its existing third-party OEM partners. It confirms CNH Industrials commitment to invest in and grow its construction equipment business, better positioning it in the high-demand mini and midi excavator market.

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Sampierana is based in Italy with its headquarters and production sites. Furthermore, it operates a fully controlled subsidiary with production facilities in Kunshan, China.

CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI / MI: CNHI) is a global leader in the capital goods sector with established industrial experience, a wide range of products and a worldwide presence. Each of the individual brands belonging to the Company is a major international force in its specific industrial sector: Case IH, New Holland Agriculture and Steyr for tractors and agricultural machinery; Case and New Holland Construction for earth moving equipment; Iveco for commercial vehicles; Iveco Bus and Heuliez Bus for buses and coaches; Iveco Astra for quarry and construction vehicles; Magirus for firefighting vehicles; Iveco Defence Vehicles for defence and civil protection; and FPT Industrial for engines and transmissions. More information can be found on the corporate website: www.cnhindustrial.com

Sign up for corporate news alerts from the CNH Industrial Newsroom:

bit.ly/media-cnhindustrial-subscribe

Contacts:

Corporate Communications

Email: mediarelations@cnhind.com

Investor Relations

Email: investor.relations@cnhind.com

Attachment




DALLAS, August 30, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Generation Hemp, Inc., a Dallas/Fort Worth based midstream hemp company (OTCQB: GENH) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, GENH Halcyon Acquisition, LLC (collectively the "Company"), today announced that its Chairman and CEO, Gary C. Evans, plans to speak at The Southern Hemp Expo located in Raleigh, NC on September 2, 2021 regarding the financial wellness for hemp companies. Also announced today is the Companys plan to implement green policies wherever possible for its existing operations of drying, cleaning, stripping, and located in western Kentucky.

The Southern Hemp Expo is a respected industry event, founded by hemp industry pioneers and provides a platform of collaboration and networking for industry professionals, along with an educational outlet and marketplace for the public. Mr. Evans is slated to speak at 2:50 PM on the opening day of the show, this Thursday.

The Companys recent decision to launch its animal bedding segments, Rowdy Rooster and Kentucky Gold, is, in part, a result of the companys efforts to implement a "Green Policy" into its operations, wherever possible. The Companys drying and processing facility operations created a byproduct of millions of pounds of hemp hurd, which is the woody stalk of the hemp plant. To avoid adding additional disposal or haul-away costs to farmers and other corporate clients and in an effort to create a zero waste, sustainable operation, the Company brought in specialized engineers to assess the byproduct and provide management the guidance on what additional steps and equipment would be required to make this byproduct into high quality hemp animal bedding. Now that the necessary equipment has been ordered, installed, and is operational, the facility is operating with zero waste and has taken the first step in the realization of the "Green Policy" goals.

Generation Hemp Chairman and CEO, Gary C. Evans commented, "When you are involved as a business owner in the hemp industry, you also become part of the hemp community. This community was pioneered by a group of passionate people who have fought over the years for the legalization and utilization of hemp in our everyday lives. At the core of the hemp communitys principles, is an environmental awareness that is acute, and the potential of hemp to have immeasurable positive impact on the environment is an element in hemps every use. As a former fossil fuels executive for over three decades, I want to leave an impact that I can be proud, regarding our goal to fix the environment in which we live and breathe. Its incumbent upon hemp companies to make every effort we can to align with these principles. We, as a corporate citizen, will continue our efforts to make our operations sustainable and implement Green policies whenever and wherever that is possible."

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About Generation Hemp, Inc.

Generation Hemp, Inc. is a Dallas/Fort Worth based hemp company that operates in the midstream sector. With operations in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and Denver, Colorado, the company uses its proprietary technology to dry, clean, process and store hemp. In addition, Generation Hemp also owns and leases real estate to companies needing seed storage facilities located within the greater Denver area.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The use of words such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "estimates," "projects", "forecasts", "proposes", "should", "likely" or similar expressions, indicates a forward-looking statement. These statements and all the projections in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management, and information currently available to management. The actual results could differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection in the forward-looking information. The identification in this press release of factors that may affect the companys future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is meant to be illustrative and by no means exhaustive.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005163/en/

Contacts

Melissa M. Pagen

Generation Hemp, Inc.

Phone: (310) 628-2062

Email: mpagen@genhempinc.com
Figure 1

Longitudinal Projection  Fosterville Gold Mine

Longitudinal Projection  Fosterville Gold Mine

Figure 2

Longitudinal Projection  Swan/Lower Phoenix South Mineralization

Longitudinal Projection  Swan/Lower Phoenix South Mineralization

Figure 3

Plan View  Cygnet Fault System

Plan View  Cygnet Fault System

Figure 4

Longitudinal Projection  Cygnet HW Splay, Pen & Ptarmigan Faults Mineralization

Longitudinal Projection  Cygnet HW Splay, Pen & Ptarmigan Faults Mineralization

Figure 5

Longitudinal Projection  Cygnet Fault Mineralization

Longitudinal Projection  Cygnet Fault Mineralization

Figure 6

Longitudinal Projection  Curie Mineralization

Longitudinal Projection  Curie Mineralization

Figure 7

Location Map

Location Map

Drilling from recently completed P3912 drill drive intersects high-grade, visible-gold (VG) mineralization down-plunge of Swan Zone, 500 metres (m) from deepest Mineral Reserves Key intercepts: 51.7 g/t over 2.6 m (ETW 2.2 m) and 9.6 g/t over 6.4 m (ETW 4.9 m)

New high-grade, VG-bearing intercepts reported along Cygnet Fault system ~150 m footwall to Swan Zone; results support potential for growth in Mineral Reserves and include identification of multiple new splay structures and opportunities for further extension of the fault system to the north Key intercepts: 258 g/t over 1.8 m (ETW 1.4 m), 142 g/t over 2.0 (ETW 1.5 m), 49.4 g/t over 4.1 m (ETW 3.4 m), 27.5 g/t over 6.0 m (ETW 4.3 m) and 67.1 g/t over 0.3 m (ETW 0.3 m)

New VG-bearing mineralization intersected up to 1,000 m down-plunge of existing Mineral Reserves along Curie Fault at Robbins Hill Key intercepts: 81.3 g/t over 2.6 m (ETW 2.5 m) and 23.1 g/t over 2.2 m (ETW 1.4 m).



Abbreviations include: VG  Visible Gold; g/t  grams per tonne gold; ETW  estimated true width.

TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (Kirkland Lake Gold or the Company) (TSX:KL) (NYSE:KL) (ASX:KLA) today announced results from 197 underground and 58 surface holes of drilling as an update of exploration drilling carried out at Fosterville Gold Mine since the December 31, 2020 Mineral Resources and Reserve update released in February 2021. The release includes diamond drilling results from five key areas across the Fosterville property, including underground targets at Lower Phoenix, the Cygnet Fault System, with associated hangingwall splay structures, and the Curie and Herschel Fault structures at Robbins Hill (Figure 1). Of the 197 underground diamond drill holes, 109 tested the Lower Phoenix structure, with the remaining 88 holes related to drilling of the Cygnet Fault System and associated hangingwall structures. At Robbins Hill, 58 new surface diamond drill holes targeted the Curie and Herschel Fault structures. All drilling results and collar information are presented in Tables 1 and 2.

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Tony Makuch, President and CEO of Kirkland Lake Gold, commented: The results being released today continue to support our view that substantial potential exists to discover new high-grade mineralized areas and extensions and to grow Mineral Reserves at Fosterville. Following completion of the new P3912 underground drill drift, we commenced an extensive underground drilling program down-plunge of the Swan Zone in Lower Phoenix and have already returned a number of high-grade intersections containing the same quartz with VG mineralization that accounts for the ultra-high grades found in Swan. While the down-plunge extension of Swan Zone is obviously a key target for future growth in Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources, we are also very encouraged by continued favorable results at Cygnet, a parallel structure near the Swan Zone. The results at Cygnet include new high-grade, VG-bearing intersections as well as the identification of new splay structures and opportunities for further growth of the Cygnet Fault System to the north.

Turning to Robbins Hill, drill results continue to confirm the size and scale of the target areas at what we expect to become our second mining operation feeding the Fosterville Mill. Along the Curie Fault, we have now intersected VG mineralization up to 1,000 m down-plunge from current Mineral Reserves and at elevations from surface similar to where we first detected VG in the Lower Phoenix and Harrier systems. With the progress achieved advancing the new Robbins Hill Decline, we have now commenced underground drilling at Robbins Hill to support future exploration of the Curie, Herschel and other Fault targets. Underground drilling from the new Decline will significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Robbins Hill exploration programs. We currently have nine underground and eight surface diamond drills operating at Fosterville, with a total of 210,000 metres of drilling expected to be completed during 2021.

Lower Phoenix Infill and Extension Program

During 2021, underground diamond drilling targeting areas down-plunge of the Swan Mineral Reserves has returned encouraging results, demonstrating continuity of mineralization within, and extensions of Inferred Mineral Resources, in the Lower Phoenix System (Figure 2).

Drilling was undertaken from several underground drill platforms, including the Harrier link drive, P4040 drive, and the new P3912 drive following its completion in early June. A total of 109 Lower Phoenix diamond holes (31,106 m) has progressively tested the Swan/Lower Phoenix over 550m down-plunge length from the Swan Mineral Reserve. Significant recent results include two that are at the southern extremities of the Lower Phoenix Inferred Mineral Resources approximately 500 m down-plunge of current Mineral Reserves. Drill testing down-plunge of these intercepts is planned to assess the continuity and extents of these VG occurrences.

Recent significant intercepts from drilling in Lower Phoenix include:

51.7 g/t (1) over 2.6 m (ETW 2.2 m), Including 215 g/t 1) over 0.6 m (ETW 0.5 m) in hole UDH4051

9.6 g/t (1) over 6.4 m (ETW 4.9 m), Including 78.8 g/t (1) over 0.5 m (ETW 0.4 m) in hole UDH4048

10.8 g/t (1) over 4.8 m (ETW 3.7 m), Including 31.2 g/t (1) over 1.1 m (ETW 0.8 m) in hole UDH3954

10.0 g/t over 17.6 m (ETW 10.4 m) in hole UDH3980

(1) Visible-gold drill intercept

New drilling outside of the existing Indicated Mineral Resources reaffirmed the continuity of the largely sulfide-hosted mineralization with 30 intercepts greater than 15 gram-metre (gram-metre = gold grade x estimated true width), of which 11 are greater than 30 gram-metre, and two are greater than 100 gram-metre. One of the 100 gram-metre intercepts includes the presence of VG (UDH4051 as detailed above), while the other is a sulfide-gold hosted intercept (UDH3980).

Infill and extension drilling of the Lower Phoenix area is continuing from the Phoenix 3912 Drill Drive.

Cygnet and Hangingwall Splay Program

Continued infill and extension drilling of 88 underground diamond drill holes (15,545m) into the Cygnet Mineral Resource and adjacent area has identified several new hangingwall structures. With recent geological interpretation the broader structure has been resolved into several faults, now called Cygnet, Cygnet Hangingwall, Dove, Pen, and Ptarmigan Faults (Figure 3). Of significance, the Pen and Ptarmigan Faults have similar strike trends, approximately 325 Mine Grid, as the northern parts of the Swan Fault, and have returned significant VG in quartz intercepts (Figure 4).

Ongoing drilling in the area and to the north will test for additional hangingwall splay faults.

Key Intercepts include:

Pen Fault Splay

49.4 g/t(1) over 4.1 m (ETW 3.4 m), including 589 g/t(1) over 0.3 m (ETW 0.2 m) in hole UDH3851

153 g/t(1) over 0.5 m (ETW 0.5 m) in hole UDH4065

Ptarmigan Fault Splay

258 g/t(1) over 1.8 m (ETW 1.4 m), including 4,460 g/t(1) over 0.1 m (ETW 0.1 m) in hole UDH4018

142 g/t(1) over 2.0 m (ETW 1.5 m) including 1,590 g/t(1) over 0.2 m (ETW 0.1 m) in hole UDH3924

Infill drilling of the Cygnet Mineral Resource and Reserve area has encountered eight holes with VG in quartz mineralization, of which four have the potential to expand the adjacent Mineral Reserves (Figure 5). The other three intercepts have the potential to increase the Mineral Resources.

Key Cygnet intercepts include:

24.1 g/t (1) over 7.3 m (ETW 5.6 m), including 328 g/t (1) over 0.4 m (ETW 0.3 m) in hole UDH3751

18.7 g/t (1) over 2.6 m (ETW 2.5 m) in hole UDH3752

27.5 g/t(1) over 6.0 m (ETW 4.3 m), including 166 g/t(1) over 0.4 m (ETW 0.3 m) in hole UDH3753



Robbins Hill Drilling Programs

Since late 2020, up to five surface diamond drills have operated in the Robbins Hill area, primarily targeting gold mineralization along the west-dipping Curie Fault, one of the controlling structures for mineralization at Robbinss Hill. The program of extension drilling comprised 58 surface diamond drill holes (58,125 m) testing the Curie Fault and adjacent structures. The drilling, down-plunge of the current Curie Mineral Reserve, has continued to encounter strong mineralization and VG at elevations similar to those where VG was first noted in the Lower Phoenix and Harrier Gold Systems.

VG drill intercepts were previously reported for the Curie structure at depths of approximately 500 m in the Companys news release dated December 10, 2019, with intercepts of 11.7 g/t(1) over 8.8 m (ETW 7.2 m) in hole RDH321, and 24.5 g/t(1) over 3.7 m (ETW 3.4 m) in hole RHD334A. The new drilling has intersected VG at greater depths, with occurrences recorded between 950 to 1,150 metres below surface on the Curie structure in four holes (RDH413, RDH439C, RDH441 and RDH441A) and are detailed below. These intercepts, as well as other sulfide-hosted gold results, increase the down-plunge extent of Curie mineralization to greater than 1,000 metres from current Mineral Reserves (Figure 6).

Key Curie intercepts include:

23.1 g/t (1) over 2.2 m (ETW 1.4 m), including 103 g/t (1) over 0.4 m (ETW 0.2 m) in hole RHD413

81.3 g/t (1) over 2.6 m (ETW 2.5 m), including 982 g/t (1) over 0.2 m (ETW 0.2 m) in hole RHD439C

28.0 g/t (1) over 1.5 m (ETW 1.1 m), including 103 g/t (1) over 0.2 m (ETW 0.2 m) in hole RHD441

19.7 g/t (1) over 3.8 m (ETW 3.4 m), including 158 g/t (1) over 0.4 m (ETW 0.4 m) in hole RHD441A

6.8 g/t over 7.7 m (ETW 5.7 m) in hole RHD440A

9.0 g/t over 2.9 m (ETW 2.7 m) in hole RHD409A

(1) Visible-gold drill intercept

Three surface drills continue to operate at Robbins Hill and are focused on the down-plunge extension of the Curie Mineral Resource, and testing of other targets. Two underground diamond drills, located at approximately 10,500mN, have commenced operating from the new Robbins Hill Exploration Decline. These drills are also targeting down-plunge extensions of the Curie mineralization.

The Herschel Fault, located hangingwall to the Curie Fault, was drill tested as part of the drilling that targeted Curie Fault mineralization at depth. Drill intercepts for the Herschel structure are mostly less than 500 m below surface. Currently, the most significant intercept contains VG in quartz and is 160 g/t over 4.4 m (ETW 3.8 m), including 1,160 g/t Au over 0.6 m (ETW 0.5 m), in hole RHD412.

Additional drilling into the Herschel Fault will be undertaken once the Robbins Hill Decline has progressed further to the north (approximately 12,000mN).

Robbins Hill Underground Decline Development

Underground development of the Robbins Hill Exploration Decline commenced in January 2020 and has progressed well, advancing a total of 5,932 m as of July 30, 2021. The mid-2020 arrival of a smart jumbo has provided increased development capacity since commencement. The development, since the Q1-2021 has been used an underground drill platform for exploration diamond drilling activities as the ramp progressed northwards.

Qualified Persons

Troy Fuller, MAIG, Director of Exploration, Australia, is a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information and data included in this press release.

For further information regarding the Companys 2020 Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources estimates for the Fosterville Gold Mine, please refer to the Companys News Release dated February 25, 2021 and the Technical Report entitled Updated NI 43-101 Technical Report Fosterville Gold Mine In the State of Victoria, Australia effective December 31, 2018, both available on the Companys website and on SEDAR.

Drilling and Underground Sampling Assay QAQC

Kirkland Lake Gold has in place quality-control systems to ensure best practice in drilling, sampling and analysis of drill core. All surface diamond drill hole collars are accurately surveyed using Leica TS16 Total Station Trimble R10 GPS and underground holes using a Leica TS16 Total Station (Table 2). Down-hole deviations are measured by either electronic gyro or single-shot instruments.

Sampling consisted of diamond drill core that was either half core or full core sampled. Half core samples were cut longitudinally in half with a diamond saw; one-half of the drill core was sent to an independent laboratory for analysis and the other drill core half retained for reference. Sample pulps are returned from the assay laboratory for reference and future geological or metallurgical studies. Drill core sample intervals vary between 0.1 and 1.3m in length and were determined from logging of sulfide and VG to geological boundaries.

For assay QAQC purposes Certified Reference Material (CRM) and Blank samples are inserted into the sample stream at rates of approximately 1 in 25.

Samples containing visible-gold or considered likely to contain visible-gold were separated from sulfide gold samples and dispatched separately for assaying. At the laboratory visible-gold jobs were processed through a single pulverizer and material barren of gold (quartz wash) was crushed before and after each sample to minimize the potential for gold to contaminate successive samples.

Assays are either based on 25-gram fire assay or screen fire assay with Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) finish. Mean grades are calculated using a variable lower grade cut-off (generally 2 g/t Au) and maximum 2 m internal dilution. No upper gold grade cut-off is applied to the data. However, during future Mineral Resource studies the requirement for assay top cutting will be assessed.

The samples were assayed at On Site Laboratory Services, an independent laboratory in Bendigo, Victoria. The facility is registered under ISO 9001:2015 (CERT-40147) and operates in accordance with ISO/IEC17025 (accreditation no. 20456) under National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA).

About Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.

Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. is a senior gold producer operating in Canada and Australia that is targeting 1,300,000  1,400,000 ounces of production in 2021. The production profile of the Company is anchored by three high-quality operations, including the Macassa Mine and Detour Lake Mine, both located in Northern Ontario, and the Fosterville Mine located in the state of Victoria, Australia. Kirkland Lake Golds solid base of quality assets is complemented by district scale exploration potential, supported by a strong financial position with extensive management expertise.

For further information on Kirkland Lake Gold and to receive news releases by email, visit the website www.kl.gold.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This News Release includes certain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to planned exploration programs, costs and expenditures, the potential for the discovery of additional high-grade mineralized zones at the Fosterville Gold Mine, including statements made with respect to the future growth potential at Lower Phoenix, the Cygnet Fault and Robbins Hill, changes in Mineral Resource estimates, potential growth in Mineral Resources, conversion of Mineral Resources to proven and probable Mineral Reserves, the ability to extend mine life and other information that is based on forecasts of future operational or financial results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future exploration potential, project economics, timing and scope of future exploration, anticipated costs and expenditures, changes in mineral resources and conversion of mineral resources to proven and probable reserves, and other information that is based on forecasts of future operational or financial results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

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, using words or phrases such as expects or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, estimates or intends, or stating that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Exploration results that include geophysics, sampling, and drill results on wide spacings may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit. 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. A mineral resource that is classified as inferred or indicated has a great amount of uncertainty as to its existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any or part of an indicated mineral resource or inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category of resource. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into proven and probable reserves. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward looking information are the following: the future impacts of COVID 19 and any government response to COVID 19, the ability of the Company to continue operations at its mine sites in lieu of the pandemic, its ability to reduce the spread of COVID 19 through the implementation of various COVID 19 screening and health and safety protocols at site, future planned exploration activities, risks relating to first nations and Aboriginal heritage, currency exchange rates (such as the Canadian dollar and the Australia dollar versus the United States dollar), risks associated with labour and employment matters, changes in the financial markets, future gold price, changes in applicable laws and compliance with extensive government regulation.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking 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 Companys expectations include, among others, risks related to international operations, risks related to obtaining the permits required to carry out planned exploration or development work, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as future prices of gold, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled Risk Factors in the Companys Annual Information Form, financial statements and related MD&A for the periods ended December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021 and other disclosures of Risk Factors by the Company and its predecessors, which are filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces in Canada and available on SEDAR. Although the Company has attempted to identify key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause unanticipated and unintended results. 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.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors - Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates

This press release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ in certain material respects from the disclosure requirements of United States securities laws. The terms mineral reserve, proven mineral reserve and probable mineral reserve are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the CIM)  CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the CIM Standards). These definitions differ significantly from the definitions in the disclosure requirements promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) applicable to domestic reporting companies. Investors are cautioned that information contained in this Annual Information Form may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Anthony Makuch, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Phone: +1 416-840-7884

E-mail: tmakuch@kl.gold

Mark Utting, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

Phone: +1 416-840-7884

E-mail: mutting@kl.gold

Table 1: Drill Assay intercepts for Underground and Surface (Robbins Hill) Drilling at Fosterville Gold Mine

(The results are later than those used for the December 31, 2020 Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves update of The Fosterville Gold Mine)
Citing a BuzzFeed News article published Thursday, attorneys for five defendants in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are seeking information about an FBI agent with a previously undisclosed relationship to a cybersecurity company.

The article revealed that the special agent, Jayson Chambers, is the registered owner of an internet intelligence company called Exeintel LLC, and that an online troll claiming to be Exeintels CEO appeared to have tweeted about the Michigan investigation before it was revealed to the public.

The defense attorneys have previously sought data from Chambers cellular phone. The new pleading, filed late Friday night, argues that the revelations about Exeintel underscore the urgency of their request.

Attorneys for Adam Fox, Barry Croft, Kaleb Franks, Daniel Harris, and Brandon Caserta are also seeking cellphone data from a second FBI agent, Henrik Impola, and a confidential informant in the case, identified in court papers as Dan, Big Dan, or Thor.

According to evidence presented by law enforcement, Dan infiltrated an armed extremist group called the Wolverine Watchmen and recorded hundreds of hours of conversations and text messages for the FBI as members of the group developed what prosecutors call a plot to kidnap Whitmer. A total of 14 people have been brought up on a variety of state and federal charges, many of them classified as domestic terrorism. Many of the defendants have argued that they were entrapped, and in the new pleading, five of them claim that access to the cellphone data is essential to making their case.

In the brief filed late Friday, the defense attorneys also cited a message from Chambers to Dan, apparently directing him to urge another suspect to plot against the governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam. A screenshot of a text message allegedly sent by Chambers to Dan that is included in the new filing reads, Mission is to kill the governor specifically.

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The suspect, a Vietnam veteran identified only as Frank in the filing, was ultimately not charged in the case.

The FBI referred comment on court filings to the Justice Department. A spokesperson for the US Attorneys Office for the Western District of Michigan did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter. Chambers did not respond to a request for comment.

The BuzzFeed News article reported that a right-wing troll, @ravagiing, who claimed to be the CEO of Exeintel appeared to tweet multiple times about the Michigan investigation before it was revealed to the public, including one just hours before the suspects were arrested in October. The story also found that Chambers had incorporated a company by the same name more than a year earlier  although it was not possible to determine Chambers relation to the Twitter account.

FBI policy bars special agents from owning companies or having second jobs without express permission from the bureau. Attempts to contact the holder of the @ravagiing account were not successful.

There is no indication that the tweets had any impact on the case. One defendant, Ty Garbin, who pleaded guilty early this year, was sentenced this week to 75 months in prison. Thirteen other defendants have pleaded not guilty. A trial for the federal defendants  Fox, Croft, Harris, Franks, and Caserta  is set for Oct. 12.

Those five men have asked that prosecutors hand over a variety of evidence about the case, including information about as many as a dozen confidential informants employed by the government during the investigation. The Justice Department has resisted those calls, arguing it has provided all that is legally required.

In Fridays filing, defense attorneys argued that if Chambers relationship to Exeintel meant he had a financial stake in the investigation, that was all the more reason that prosecutors should be compelled to hand over the information contained on his phone.

If the government was unaware of this information until the BuzzFeed article was published, then the government should agree to disclose the information immediately, the attorneys wrote. If the government knew about the information earlier, the problem is much greater.

A hearing on those discovery issues is scheduled for next Thursday in Grand Rapids federal court.

More on this
Liberty University has joined a handful of colleges that have been forced to shift to online learning as the fall semester kicks off due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The private evangelical Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia has ordered a campus-wide quarantine that will go into effect on Aug. 30 and expire on Sept. 10. Prior to the fall semester beginning on Aug. 24, the school did not have a mask or vaccine mandate in place.

"To me, it's just been a very unsafe environment," Robert Locklear, a 21-year-old journalism student at Liberty, told Yahoo Finance. "We're seeing thousands of students from literally all over the country gathered together with zero restrictions... you're on the bus with 50 other people packed together, you're in the cafeteria with hundreds of other people, you're passing in the hallways and coming in very close contact with no one wearing masks."

Liberty's COVID-19 dashboard noted 159 active COVID-19 cases, out of which 124 were students. The university has around 15,000 students and 5,000 faculty or staff on campus. The dashboard was last updated on Aug. 25.

Michelle Gougler, right, helps her daughter Morgan Gougler,a student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, move out of her dorm on March 31, 2020. (Photo by Amanda Andrade-Rhoades / AFP)

Liberty University sees 'chaotic' start to semester

Liberty's temporary pivot to remote learning follows schools including Rice University in Houston, University of Texas in San Antonio, Rhode Island College in Providence, and others who have changed plan ahead of fall semester.

Many others are watching nervously as positive cases tick up.

Locklear, who got vaccinated in the spring semester and moved back in on Aug. 21, noted that this year has been "pretty chaotic" also in part because Liberty's freshman class grew. In May, a Liberty University spokesperson told one outlet that the university is on track to have as many as 500 more incoming residential students than last year.

Furthermore, despite the recent surge of the highly contagious Delta variant, Locklear said masks were largely out of the picture.

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"I've hardly seen any at all, for the past week, maybe five or six every day, out of literally hundreds of people," he said.

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Colleges dangling perks to boost vaccinations

Other schools have dangled cash incentives to persuade students to get vaccinated.

For instance, Norfolk State University recently started offering $500 to students who show proof of vaccination by September 20. Oklahoma Christian University also ran a sweepstakes for vaccinated students, which included AirPods, Xboxes, and more. (California colleges instituted vaccine mandates.)

Some schools re-started regular testing, such as Stanford University, but that effort will be another Herculean task given how colleges handled last year's outbreaks.

"Looking at past semesters, last spring, only about 8% of institutions tested at what we would consider to be an adequate level of testing," Chris Marsicano, assistant professor of educational studies at Davidson College, told Yahoo Finance Live (video above). (Testing once weekly, using high-quality tests, was considered for adequate for that analysis.)

Back in Lynchburg, the 21-year-old Locklear said this entire episode was a little disconcerting given Liberty's Christian mission.

"I just think it's a case where people should be looking to the values that they truly believe in," he said. "That's a major, major problem, especially for Liberty, because they're supposed to be caring more for others."



Aarthi is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. She can be reached at aarthi@yahoofinance.com. Follow her on Twitter @aarthiswami.

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Brown will also serve as Executive Vice President at Mass General Brigham, Helping to Lead System Strategy

Boston, MA, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mass General Brigham President and CEO Anne Klibanski, MD announced that David F. M. Brown, MD, FACEP, has been named President of Massachusetts General Hospital and Executive Vice President at Mass General Brigham effective September 8.



Brown currently serves as Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at MGH, Interim President of Cooley Dickinson Health Care and the MGH Trustees Professor of Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School.



At this moment of great change and opportunity, Davids deep and proven commitment to our academic mission, to the patients and people of MGH and our system, and to Mass General Brighams strategic vision make him the perfect choice for this important position, said Klibanski. As a leader, David has advanced our long-standing legacy of delivering the highest-level care, research and innovation  and has a clear vision of the path forward as we continue to build the integrated academic health care system of the future with patients at its center.



As Chair of Emergency Medicine at MGH since 2013 and Vice-Chair for a decade before that, Brown has significantly advanced MGHs research and education missions. He has been recognized with multiple awards and currently also serves as the Chair of the Executive Committee on Teaching and Education and as the Academic Head of the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency at Mass General Brigham. In these roles, he has led the training of a generation of world-class clinicians, educators, scientists, and policy experts, many of whom have gone on to leadership positions in their own right.



Over the last three decades, Brown has seen the needs of the communities Mass General Brigham serves up close and unfailingly applies an equity lens to his decisions, actions and outcomes. In addition to attending in the MGH ED and ED Observation Unit, Brown has also cared for inpatients on the MGH medical service and outpatients in Chelsea, Revere and the Internal Medicine Associates Clinic.



Brown was a co-founder and an inaugural board member of Mass General Brigham Urgent Care, which serves 9 locations across the region and has chaired the Mass General Brigham Emergency Medicine Leaders Committee since 2014. He has also been integral to a number of systemwide efforts, including committees on senior appointments, education and multiple search committees for hospital leadership. Since March, Brown has been serving as Interim President of Cooley Dickinson Hospital while a search was conducted for its next PresidentLynnette M. Watkins, MD, MBAwho was announced last week.



Brown received his undergraduate degree at Princeton, his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and then completed his residency training at MGH. He is a diplomate of both the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine.



Brown succeeds Peter Slavin, MD, who has served as President since 2003.



About Mass General Brigham

Mass General Brigham is an integrated academic healthcare system, uniting great minds in medicine to make life-changing impact for patients in our communities and people around the world. Mass General Brigham connects a full continuum of care across a system of academic medical centers, community and specialty hospitals, a health insurance plan, physician networks, community health centers, home care, and long-term care services. Mass General Brigham is a non-profit organization that is committed to patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. In addition, Mass General Brigham is one of the nations leading biomedical research organizations and a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. For more information, please visit massgeneralbrigham.org.

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Attachment

CONTACT: Rich Copp Mass General Brigham 617-278-1031 rcopp@partners.org




STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuExcell Therapeutics (www.neuexcell.com), a gene therapy company focusing on neurodegenerative diseases, has announced a $10+ million Series Pre-A financing round. The round was led by Co-Win Ventures, joined by other institutional investors YuanBio, Oriza Seed, Tsingyuan and InnoAngel.

NEUEXCELL THERAPEUTICS

"We are honored to have this highly reputable group of investors join us," stated Peter Tombros, Board Chair at NeuExcell Therapeutics. "The investors' experience and support will enable the Company to leverage our proprietary neuroregenerative gene therapy platform across multiple neurodegenerative indications. The strength of this financing validates the Company's strategy and further validates our science within the biotech industry."

"We are so excited about the prospects of accelerating our innovative technology to bring effective therapies to millions of patients around the world," said Professor Gong Chen, the company's co-founder and chief scientific advisor. "There is a desperate need for breakthrough therapies like ours."

"We view this as a great opportunity to invest in experienced leadership," stated Dr. Xin Huang, managing partner at Co-Win Ventures. "NeuExcell's proprietary technology has the potential to serve as a platform to treat many neurodegenerative diseases, offering hope to groundbreaking new therapies to patients without adequate options today."

With the closure of this successful Pre-A round, the Company welcomes Dr. Xin Huang and Jonathan Sun to the Board of Directors.

About NeuExcell Therapeutics

NeuExcell is a privately held early-stage gene technology company, with its headquarters in Pennsylvania, USA and Shanghai, China. Its mission is to improve the lives of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases and CNS injuries. Based upon the scientific work of Prof. Gong Chen, the Company has developed a potentially disruptive neural repair technology through astrocyte-to-neuron conversion in vivo by introducing neural transcription factor(s) through adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy. NeuExcell's pipeline covers major neurodegenerative diseases such as Stroke, Huntington's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, and Glioma.

About Co-Win Ventures

Founded in 2009, Co-Win Ventures is a dedicated early-stage investor in Healthcare and TMT, who values equality, transparency, sharing and innovation. Co-Win's business network covers China and USA. With a total AUM of about 1 billion USD, Co-Win aims to become the trusted partner for exceptional entrepreneurs to build breakthrough technologies and companies. Co-Win Ventures has backed over 140 portfolio companies including Cytek, Connect, Thrive (acquired by a Nasdaq listed company, EXAS), Taimei Technology, Genecast, Sinovation and Aucta, outstanding leaders in their respective sub-sectors.

SOURCE NeuExcell Therapeutics
CENTENNIAL, Colo., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NioCorp Developments Ltd. ("NioCorp" or the "Company") (TSX:NB) (OTCQX:NIOBF) joined with a group of rare earth industry players to urge the U.S. Congress to approve bipartisan legislation in order to provide tax incentives for U.S. manufacturing of permanent rare earth magnets in the United States.

(PRNewsfoto/NioCorp Developments Ltd.)

In a letter delivered to the Democrat and Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives, the industry coalition urged support for HR 5033, cosponsored by Reps. Eric Swalwell (CA-15) and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), and urged that its provisions be added to pending federal infrastructure legislation. The bill would create a $20 per kilogram production tax credit for magnets that are manufactured in the U.S., or $30 per kilogram for magnets that are both manufactured in the United States and for which all component rare earth material is produced and recycled or reclaimed wholly within the United States. To be eligible, the rare earth magnets may not include any component rare earth magnet material produced in non-allied foreign nations, such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.

Rare earth magnets are used in a variety of applications, such as electric vehicles, wind power turbines, home appliances, factory automation systems, computers, cellphones, and energy-saving electric motors. The majority of all electric vehicles made today contain a powertrain driven by rare earth magnets, and virtually all modern automobiles use rare earth magnets in smaller electric motors throughout the vehicle.

The Biden Administration recently issued an executive order setting a goal that 50% of all new vehicles sold in 2030 will be zero-emissions vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or fuel cell electric vehicles, all of which rely on rare earth magnets. The bipartisan infrastructure bill recently passed by the U.S. Senate includes $5.75 billion to replace thousands of transit vehicles, including buses, with zero-emission vehicles.

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NioCorp is currently evaluating the potential for production of rare earth elements ("REEs") as a byproduct of planned production of the critical minerals niobium, scandium, and titanium from the Elk Creek Project (the "Project"), subject to receipt of necessary project funding. The Company's REE initiative was launched in response to intense interest by governments and industrial consumers around the world for additional sources of rare earths beyond current suppliers.

Commercial rare earth products currently being examined for potential production by NioCorp include neodymium-praseodymium oxide ("NdPr"), dysprosium oxide ("Dy2O3"), and terbium oxide ("Tb4O7"). These are the primary REEs used to manufacture the world's most powerful permanent magnets, known as neodymium-iron-boron ("NdFeB") magnets.

Other legislative proposals in the U.S. Congress would provide a variety of tax incentives for the mining of REEs and the production of separated rare earth oxides, which NioCorp is considering.

"This bipartisan legislation would provide important tax incentives for the production of permanent rare earth magnets, which, if enacted, could provide powerful incentives for investment across all areas of rare earth production in the U.S., from mining to magnet manufacturing," said Mark A. Smith, CEO of NioCorp. "We are pleased to support this legislation and to work in this alliance to push this bill and other legislative initiatives designed to promote greater production of these and other critical minerals in the U.S."

@NioCorp $NB $NIOBF #ElkCreek #Niobium #Scandium #Nebraska #rareearth #Swalwell #Reschenthaler #magnets

For More Information:

Contact Jim Sims, VP of External Affairs, NioCorp Developments Ltd., 720-639-4650, jim.sims@niocorp.com

About NioCorp

NioCorp is developing a superalloy materials project in Southeast Nebraska that will produce Niobium, Scandium, and Titanium. The Company also is evaluating the potential to produce several rare earth byproducts from the Project. Niobium is used to produce superalloys as well as High Strength, Low Alloy ("HSLA") steel, which is a lighter, stronger steel used in automotive, structural, and pipeline applications. Scandium is a superalloy material that can be combined with Aluminum to make alloys with increased strength and improved corrosion resistance. Scandium is also a critical component of advanced solid oxide fuel cells. Titanium is used in various superalloys and is a key component of pigments used in paper, paint and plastics and is also used for aerospace applications, armor, and medical implants. Magnetic rare earths, such as Neodymium, Praseodymium, Terbium, and Dysprosium are critical to the making of Neodymium-Iron-Boron ("NdFeB") magnets, which are used across a wide variety of defense and civilian applications.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimers

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the success of the Company's effort to support federal tax incentives for the production of rare earth products, the Company's expectations that the Project will reach production stage if it is able to secure project financing, and its ability to produce its planned products commercially. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause a change in such assumptions and the actual outcomes and estimates to be materially different from those estimated or anticipated future results, achievements or position expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause NioCorp's plans or prospects to change include risks related to the Company's ability to operate as a going concern; risks related to the Company's requirement of significant additional capital; changes in demand for and price of commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; changes in economic valuations of the Project, such as Net Present Value calculations, changes or disruptions in the securities markets; legislative, political or economic developments; the need to obtain permits and comply with laws and regulations and other regulatory requirements; the possibility that actual results of work may differ from projections/expectations or may not realize the perceived potential of NioCorp's projects; risks of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in development programs; operating or technical difficulties in connection with exploration, mining or development activities; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities of grades of reserves and resources; and the risks involved in the exploration, development and mining business and the risks set forth in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators at www.sedar.com and the SEC at www.sec.gov. NioCorp disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Cision

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SOURCE NioCorp Developments Ltd.
SUGAR LAND, Texas, Aug. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Noble Corporation (NYSE: NE, "Noble" or the "Company") today announced that all personnel onboard the Pacific Sharav, Noble Globetrotter I, and Noble Globetrotter II ultra-deepwater drillships in the US Gulf of Mexico are safe and accounted for following Hurricane Ida. Each rig successfully secured its respective well in progress and took evasive actions to avoid the storm's path. Of the three, the Noble Globetrotter II is the only vessel that encountered hurricane-force conditions. The vessel maintained stability throughout the weather event and is operating on its own power with functional marine and safety systems. A full assessment of its condition will be completed as soon as the weather clears.

About Noble Corporation

Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile, and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. Currently, Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 24 offshore drilling units, consisting of 12 drillships and semisubmersibles and 12 jackups (including the four that are subject to an agreement to sell to ADES), focused largely on ultra-deepwater and high-specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Noble is an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability with registered office at P.O. BOX 309, Ugland House, S. Church Street, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com .

Forward-looking Disclosure Statement

This communication includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this communication, including those regarding the effects of the storm and condition of the affected rig, are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, or in the documents incorporated by reference, the words "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "project," "should," "shall" and "will" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication and we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. We have identified factors, including, but not limited to, uncertainties regarding determination of consideration for the transaction, regulatory approvals, client consents, and satisfaction of other conditions to closing the transaction, uncertainties relating to our emergence from bankruptcy, the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Pacific Drilling acquisition, the effects of public health threats, pandemics and epidemics, such as the recent and ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, and the adverse impact thereof on our business, financial condition and results of operations (including but not limited to our growth, operating costs, supply chain, availability of labor, logistical capabilities, customer demand for our services and industry demand generally, our liquidity, the price of our securities and trading markets with respect thereto, our ability to access capital markets, and the global economy and financial markets generally), the effects of actions by, or disputes among OPEC+ members with respect to production levels or other matters related to the price of oil, market conditions, factors affecting the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, supply and demand of drilling rigs, factors affecting the duration of contracts, the actual amount of downtime, factors that reduce applicable dayrates, reset of dayrates under the commercial enabling agreement with our client for rigs operating in Guyana, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with operations outside the US, actions by regulatory authorities, credit rating agencies, customers, joint venture partners, contractors, lenders and other third parties, legislation and regulations affecting drilling operations, compliance with regulatory requirements, violations of anti-corruption laws, shipyard risk and timing, delays in mobilization of rigs, hurricanes and other weather conditions, and the future price of oil and gas, that could cause actual plans or results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statements. These factors include those "Risk Factors" referenced or described in the Company's most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q's, and other filings with the Commission. We cannot control such risk factors and other uncertainties, and in many cases, we cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. You should consider these risks and uncertainties when you are evaluating us.

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NC-934

08/29/2021

Cision

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SOURCE Noble Corporation
NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

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SpendEdge has been monitoring the Office Supplies Market and it is poised to grow by USD 33 Billion during 2021-2025. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the major market threats for Office Supplies Market?

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the Moderate bargaining power of suppliers.

Who are the top players in the market?

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Lyreco Group, Target Corp, and Amazon.com Inc., are some of the major market participants.

What are the pricing models followed by buyers?

Volume-based pricing model, and fixed pricing model are the widely adopted pricing models in commercial vehicle cabin procurement.

What will be incremental spend in Office Supplies?

The procurement market will register an incremental spend of about USD 33 Billion, during 2020-2024.

What is the expected price change in Office Supplies procurement?

During the forecast period, the price for Office Supplies procurement will increase by 1%-2%.

Get more such questions answered, download our free sample report now!

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Asset Recovery Services - Forecast and Analysis: The asset recovery services will grow at a CAGR of 9.49% during 2021-2025. Asia Asset Recovery Pte Ltd., TES-Amm Singapore Pte Ltd., and Iron Mountain Inc. are among the prominent suppliers in asset recovery services market. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. Vulnerability Management Sourcing and Procurement Report: Vulnerability Management Procurement Market, prices will increase by 4%-6% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a Moderate bargaining power in this market. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report. Celebrity Talent Management Services - Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report: This report offers key advisory and intelligence to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their celebrity talent management services requirements. Click the above link to download the free sample of this report

Key Insights Provided in the Office Supplies Research Report:

Story continues

What are the changes expected in the price forecast report?

Is my Office Supplies TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable?

Is my Office Supplies TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable?

Which pricing models offer the most rewarding opportunities?

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

Appendix

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SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions.

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Contacts

SpendEdge

Anirban Choudhury

Marketing Manager

Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340

https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us

SpendEdge Logo (PRNewsfoto/SpendEdge)

Cision

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SOURCE SpendEdge
School Purchases Its Own Facility Ahead of Schedule

WASHINGTON, August 30, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building Hope, a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating high-quality K-12 charter school opportunities for students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services, announced its partner school OnTECH Charter High School in Syracuse, N.Y., has finalized the purchase of its permanent location. Building Hope helped the school secure financing and renovate its facility in 2018.

Dru Damico, president of Building Hope Real Estate and a native of Syracuse, N.Y., remembers "the opportunity to develop a charter school like OnTECH in my own hometown" as a shining career moment. The inspiring educational model truly prepares students for the future. Since opening, the school has thrived. Because of OnTECHs leadership, community support and fiscal management, the school was able to buy the property from Building Hope this summer.

"This is a significant win for OnTECH  its administrators, families and students  as well as the Syracuse community and our Building Hope Family," said Building Hope Vice President for Finance Lance Helming. "We are proud to help this school grow and serve more students through its innovative curriculum and top-quality facility."

The land and building previously served a Catholic school that had been vacant for a number of years before the property was acquired by Building Hope for OnTECH. Even through challenges presented by the pandemic, the schools leadership was able to secure funding and purchase the property from Building Hope well ahead of schedule. OnTECHs Principal Ellen Eagen said this exemplifies the schools commitment to the community and demonstrates solid financial footing for OnTECHs future.

OnTECHs small class size enabled it to be one of the only schools in the area to have in-person classes last year. Eagen said she believes that has played a role in her students success and the schools growth. "We plan to begin the 2021-2022 academic year with a hybrid learning model that will include in-person and live online instruction."

Story continues

OnTECH joins career and technical education with project-based learning. Teachers combine English language remediation with authentic learning experiences, focusing on agri-business, renewable energy and the sustainable sciences. These areas of concentration are made possible thanks to local partnerships and business leaders. The school serves more than 300, 9th-11th grade students  nearly 89 percent of them qualify for free and reduced lunch prices.

Building Hope helps charter schools identify, finance and build facilities customized to schools needs. The organization also provides support services that allow school administrators to keep their focus on educating students. For more information about how Building Hope helps charter schools nationwide with facilities, financing, and operational services, visit www.buildinghope.org.

About Building Hope

Building Hope is a non-profit foundation created to support education and public charter schools. Since 2003, Building Hopes purpose has been to identify and finance viable facilities so that all students have access to a quality K-12 education. Building Hope has grown the capacity of charter schools nationwide by providing facilities, financial, and operational services so that schools can focus on and devote more resources to educating students in underserved communities. Building Hope has supported 300 charter school projects and 150,000 students in 20 states and the District of Columbia, by providing more than $363 million in direct loans, credit enhancements, and equity investments to support $1.9 billion in school construction.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005458/en/

Contacts

Elizabeth McKinnon

ShinePR for Building Hope

elizabeth@shinepr.com

Martha Holler

ShinePR for Building Hope

PR@buildinghope.org
(Bloomberg) -- New Orleans may be without power and air conditioning for more than three weeks in the wake of Hurricane Ida, which roared ashore with more powerful winds than Hurricane Katrina, according to utility owner Entergy Corp.

Almost 750,000 homes and businesses were without power across Louisiana as of 7:26 p.m. local time on Sunday, according to Poweroutage.us, which tracks utility outages. The blackouts were concentrated in the southeastern tip of the state that includes New Orleans and where Ida made its U.S. landfall.

Hours earlier, Entergy shut its 1,152-megawatt Waterford nuclear plant about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of the city and will keep it offline until local grid issues are assessed after the storm.

Customers in the hardest-hit areas should plan for the possibility of experiencing extended power outages, the company warned in a tweet.

(Updates outage figure in second paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- The port of New Orleans has halted container terminal and break-bulk operations as Hurricane Ida lashes the Louisiana coast with torrential rain and heavy winds.

New Orleans Terminal and Ports America, ceased loading and unloading at the terminals on Monday, the port authority said on its website. Other companies involved in break-bulk, or the moving of cargo onto smaller ships, will also stop work the same day.

Hurricane Ida barreled into the Louisiana coast on Sunday, packing winds more powerful than Hurricane Katrina and a catastrophic storm surge that left New Orleans without power and facing mass flooding and destruction.

Ships are diverting away from the Mississippi river to avoid Hurricane Idas wrath, potentially affecting exports of grains from the U.S. South. The U.S. Coast Guard closed the lower stretch of one of the worlds longest rivers on Saturday, prompting the New Orleans port authority to reschedule vessel arrivals.

The lower Mississippi river is by far the largest export region for soybeans and corn, accounting for more than half of U.S. shipments, according to Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition.

Any lengthy disruption to export activity in this key region warrants our attention and concern, he said.

U.S. gasoline and natural gas futures have also spiked as the storm shuts in 91% of crude production and 85% of natural gas output in the Gulf of Mexico.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 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 Piedmont Lithium Inc. ("Piedmont" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:PLL) from March 16, 2018 through July 19, 2021 (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleges violations of the Exchange Act of 1934.

If you purchased Piedmont securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Piedmont Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Rujul Patel toll free at (877) 779-1414 or rpatel@bernlieb.com

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Piedmont has not, and would not, follow its stated steps or timeline to secure all proper and necessary permits; (ii) Piedmont failed to inform relevant people and governmental authorities of its actual plans; (iii) Piedmont failed to file proper applications with relevant governmental authorities (including state and local authorities); (iv) Piedmont and its lithium business does not have "strong governmental support"; and (v) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times.

On July 20, 2021, before market hours, Reuters published an article entitled "In push to supply Tesla, Piedmont Lithium irks North Carolina neighbors." Among other things, the article reported that "[t]he company [] has not applied for a state mining permit or a necessary zoning variance in Gaston County, just west of Charlotte, despite telling investors since 2018 that it was on the verge of doing so." The article went on to report that "[f]ive of the seven members of the county's board of commissioners, who control zoning changes, say they may block or delay the project[.]"

Story continues

On this news, Piedmont shares fell $12.56 per share over the trading day, or nearly 20%, to close at $50.52 per share on July 20, 2021, damaging investors.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 21, 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 Piedmont securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/piedmontlithium-pll-shareholder-class-action-lawsuit-fraud-stock-420/apply/ or contact Rujul Patel toll free at (877) 779-1414 or rpatel@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

Rujul Patel

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(877) 779-1414

rpatel@bernlieb.com

SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP





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Firm's infrastructure, investments, readiness help deliver voice, data and internet connectivity during storm

RIDGELAND, Miss., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- C Spire's extensive wireless and wireline networks in Mississippi has largely escaped the wrath of Hurricane Ida's damaging winds, flash flooding and storm surge thus far as the company's focus on dependability and resiliency has paid off for its 1 million-plus consumer and business customers.

C Spire's wireless and wireline networks escaped the wrath of Hurricane Ida this far as the company's extensive preparations and network resiliency thwarted negative impacts from high winds and heavy rainfall on consumers and businesses throughout its footprint - image courtesy of the National Weather Service

"... We have and will always meet (our customers') critical voice and data communication needs" - Alan Jones, C Spire

Despite operating over 1,000 cell sites, managing over 10,000 route miles of fiber optic infrastructure and dozens of facilities in the state, the diversified telecommunications and technology company has weathered the storm with minimal impacts on its extensive wireline and wireless networks.

All C Spire employees and contractors, along with an extensive suite of network resources, continue to be on "high alert" through today and tomorrow and are ready to respond to any issues caused by the storm. The firm also has activated its Emergency Response and Crisis Communications plans, which guide the use of company resources and people.

C Spire takes precautionary steps and puts restoration teams through rigorous training and disaster scenarios and masses equipment and materials to protect critical network facilities and cell sites. The firm uses back up batteries and diesel generators at mobile sites and switching centers and plans for loss of commercial power or road closures.

Over the weekend and into Monday, only a handful of cell sites had reduced capacity and less than 100 cell sites and facilities were continuing to operate on generators due to the loss of commercial power. Fiber-based Gigabit internet service to home consumers and an array of voice and data services for businesses have not been affected by the storm.

The biggest challenge is the loss of commercial power to cell sites and facilities, but C Spire's experienced field crews already plan to refuel the generators where they are accessible until electricity is restored in affected areas.

Story continues

"As a customer-inspired company, we have and will always be there for our customers to meet their critical voice and data communication needs regardless of the circumstances," said Alan Jones, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Development for C Spire. "Whenever and wherever our customers need to make that connection, we are there."

Hurricane Ida made landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River on Sunday as a powerful Category 4 storm with winds up to 150 mph and accompanied by torrential rain, tornadoes and life-threatening storm surge in coastal areas. The slow-moving tropical cyclone is causing flash flooding and widespread power outages as it moves up the state's inland areas.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency Saturday ahead of the storm, clearing the way for a federal disaster declaration for 24 counties in the southwest portion of the state and along the Gulf Coast. Over 65,000 residents and businesses in the state are currently without electricity.

C Spire customers should go to cspire.com/wireless to get the latest updates on store hours and operations in storm-impacted areas.

The company is coordinating its emergency response efforts with local (city and county), state and federal agencies, including emergency response lead agencies in Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.

About C Spire

C Spire is a diversified telecommunications and technology services company that provides world-class, customer-inspired wireless communications, 1 Gigabit consumer Internet access as well as a full suite of dedicated Internet, wireless, IP Voice, data, cloud and managed services for businesses. This news release and other announcements are available at www.cspire.com/news. For more information about C Spire, visit www.cspire.com or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cspire or Twitter at www.twitter.com/cspire.

C Spire (PRNewsFoto/C Spire) (PRNewsFoto/C Spire) (PRNewsFoto/C Spire) (PRNewsfoto/C Spire)

Cision

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SOURCE C Spire
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 29, 2021 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of SelectQuote, Inc. ("SelectQuote" or the "Company") (NYSE:SLQT). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.comor 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether SelectQuote 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 May 11, 2021, SelectQuote held a conference call in connection with its third quarter 2021 financial results during which it disclosed that its fourth quarter results would be impacted by a "negative cohort and tail adjustment" due to "lower second-term persistency for the 2019 cohort."

On this news, SelectQuote's stock price fell $5.50 per share, or 20.07%, to close at $21.90 per share on May 12, 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.

SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP





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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Oatly Group AB ('Oatly' or 'the Company') (NASDAQ:OTLY) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investors who purchased the Company's securities between May 20, 2021 and July 15, 2021, inclusive (the ''Class Period''), are encouraged to contact the firm before September 24, 2021.

If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.

We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at brian@schallfirm.com.

The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Oatly overinflated its gross margins, capital expenditure financial metrics, and revenues. The Company exaggerated the proprietary nature of both its product formulas and manufacturing processes. The Company overstated its success in China. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Oatly, investors suffered damages.

Join the case to recover your losses.

The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.

Story continues

CONTACT:

The Schall Law Firm

Brian Schall, Esq.,

www.schallfirm.com

Office: 310-301-3335

info@schallfirm.com

SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm





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The Station is a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things transportation. Sign up here  just click The Station  to receive it every weekend in your inbox.

Hello readers: Welcome to The Station, your central hub for all past, present and future means of moving people and packages from Point A to Point B. I'm back after a one-week hiatus. Did ya miss me? Yes, of course you did.

A lot happened while I was away and I'll try my best to highlight the important stuff. Before I get to the hard news, I want to direct your attention to the latest founders' Q&A  an ongoing series to highlight people who have started and are running transportation companies. Our twist? We will check on these founders a year from when their interview has been published.

This week, Zum co-founder and CEO Ritu Narayan was in the hot seat. Check it out.

Also, it's been awhile since I have directed y' all to The Autonocast, the podcast I co-host with Alex Roy and Ed Niedermeyer. We've had some great episodes in recent weeks, notably our interview with mobility-focused venture capitalist Olaf Sakkers. He joined the show to discuss "The Mobility Disruption Framework," a funny, insightful book about the trends and technologies transforming the ways we get around. You can read the book here.

As always, you can email me at kirsten.korosec@techcrunch.com to share thoughts, criticisms, opinions or tips. You also can send a direct message to me at Twitter  @kirstenkorosec.

Nuro's Nevada play

Image Credits: Nuro

Earlier this month, we published a series of articles that took a deep dive into autonomous vehicle technology company Nuro. We mentioned that the company was aiming to move into Nevada. Now, there are more details.

Nuro, which is applying its AV tech to delivery, is investing $40 million to develop a factory and closed-course test track in southern Nevada. Nuro co-founder and CEO Jiajun Zhu said this will allow Nuro to "build tens of thousands of robots."

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And Nuro isn't wasting any time getting started. Construction on the factory will begin in fall 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2022. Both the factory and closed-course testing facility are expected to be fully operational in 2022, the company said.

The factory, which will be more than 125,000 square feet, will be used to build Nuro's third-generation autonomous vehicles with current and future partners. BYD North America will be Nuro's manufacturing partner.

Nuro is also taking over 74 acres of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to build a closed-course testing facility that will allow the development and validation of its autonomous on-road vehicles. The testing track will measure bot performance in a broad range of scenarios, from avoiding pedestrians and pets to giving bicycles space on shared roadways, as well as environmental tests and vehicle systems validation, the company said.

Deal of the week

money the station

Rivian has raised more than $10.5 billion in its lifetime, funds that have been directed toward the design, development and production of its first two electric vehicles, as well as commercial vans for Amazon.

It's a hefty sum that should be enough to fulfill that mission  and more. And yet, even Rivian is no match for the public market's siren song.

The company, just weeks before its first electric pickup trucks are expected to be delivered to customers, confidentially filed paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to go public. A Rivian IPO announcement has been expected for months now. The valuation the company is shooting for is the big surprise. If Bloomberg's sources are right, Rivian is shooting for a valuation roughly around $80 billion.

That's nearly three times larger than the last valuation I was able to nail down in January. At that time, the company had just raised another $2.65 billion from existing investors T. Rowe Price Associates Inc., Fidelity Management and Research Company, Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, Coatue and D1 Capital Partners. New investors also participated in that round, which pushed Rivian's valuation to $27.6 billion, a source familiar with the investment round told TechCrunch at the time.

Rivian has raised more money since then. In July, the company announced it had closed a $2.5 billion private funding round led by Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, D1 Capital Partners, Ford Motor and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. Third Point, Fidelity Management and Research Company, Dragoneer Investment Group and Coatue also participated in that round. The company did not share a post-money valuation at the time of the July 2021 announcement.

Officially, Rivian says the size and price range for the proposed offering have yet to be determined.

Other deals that got my attention this week ...

Coco, the Los Angeles delivery robot startup, raised $36 million in a Series A round led by Sam Altman, Silicon Valley Bank and Founders Fund, with participation from Sam Nazarian, Ellen Chen and Mario Del Pero. It brings the company's total funding up to around $43 million.

DealerPolicy, an insurance marketplace for automotive retail, raised $110 million in a Series C round led by the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Additional investors include 3L Capital and Hudson Structured Capital Management Ltd. Goldman Sachs' Paul Pate will also join the company's board of directors.

Getaround, the peer-to-peer car-sharing startup, is in talks to go public through a merger with special purpose acquisition company Altitude Acquisition Corp , Reuters reported. The company has confidentially sought investors to participate in the deal through a private placement in public equity, or PIPE, at a valuation of around $1.7 billion.

HyPoint, the two-year-old fuel cell developer, has secured a $6.5 million development agreement with Piasecki Aircraft Corporation for the design and certification of hydrogen fuel cell systems. Through the partnership, HyPoint aims to deliver five full-scale, 650 kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell systems for ground testing, demo flights and the certification process.

KKR, the global investment firm, has plans to acquire New Zealand bus and coach company Ritchies Transport, which currently has a fleet of more than 1,600 vehicles and 42 depots that operate across the country. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but sources familiar with the circumstances say the deal values Ritchies at over $347 million ($500 million NZD). This is KKR's first infrastructure investment in New Zealand.

Malta Inc., an energy storage company, said that Chevron Technology Ventures and Piva Capital have joined a group of investors (including Proman, Alfa Laval, Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Dustin Moskovitz) in its oversubscribed Series B financing, increasing the round to more than $60 million.

MaxAB, the Egyptian B2B e-commerce platform that serves food and grocery retailers, raised a $15 million extension from existing investors RMBV, IFC, Flourish Ventures, Crystal Stream Capital, Rise Capital, Endeavour Catalyst, Beco Capital and 4DX Ventures. The extension brings its total Series A fundraise to $55 million.

Point Pickup Technologies, a last-mile delivery service, acquired white-label e-commerce platform GrocerKey for $42 million. The acquisition means Point Pickup will be able to offer retailers services such as same-day delivery under their own brand name, rather than under third parties like Instacart.

Upstream, the Israeli automotive security firm, raised $62 million in a Series C funding round led by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance and was joined by new investors I.D.I. Insurance, 57 Stars' NextGen Mobility Fund and La Maison Partners. Existing investors Glilot Capital, Salesforce venture, Volvo Group Venture Capital, Nationwide, Delek US and others also participated in the round. With this latest round, the company has raised a total of $105 million since its founding in 2017.

Volvo Group has agreed to buy a heavy-duty truck subsidiary of Jiangling Motors Corp. for about 1.1 billion Swedish crowns ($125.7 million) to make trucks in China, Reuters reported.

Policy corner

Welcome back to policy corner! The stalemate over the budget reconciliation that I warned might take months to break -- just kidding! The House managed to pass the $3.5 trillion budget resolution and made progress on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill on Tuesday, in a 220-212 bipartisan vote. The vote includes a nonbinding agreement to vote on the infrastructure bill by September 27.

The path is now clear for Democrats to pass one of the most socially progressive budgets in decades, with a slew of social safety net provisions for childcare, healthcare, climate and education. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had previously sworn she would stall the infrastructure bill until the budget passed, so the infrastructure bill passing sometime in our lifetime is suddenly looking like a much more realistic proposal!

Progressive Democrats in particular are committed to keeping the fate of the two bills intertwined. "We will only vote for the infrastructure bill after passing the reconciliation bill," Progressive Caucus chairwoman, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D., Wash.), said in a statement.

Speaking of the two bills... while consumer incentives for electric vehicles were slashed from the infrastructure bill, they did survive the budget reconciliation. Right now, there currently exists a 30D tax credit, but the $7,500 incentive doesn't include automakers that have sold more than 200,000 EVs (so General Motors and Tesla don't qualify).

Leilani Gonzalez with the Zero Emission Transportation Association urged reform to the EV tax credit. She suggested that Congress slash means-testing for the credit, like one that only allows people under a certain annual income to access it.

"Congress should ensure that this tax credit is not impeded by restrictive means-tested requirements, like low manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) or adjusted gross income (AGI) caps," she wrote. "These limitations ignore the public benefits of EVs that leave everyone better off, and they would only serve to hinder EV adoption."

Even beyond reform, some Democrats are pushing for a direct cash rebate -- meaning that the dollar amount would just be taken off the cost of the car at the point of sale, rather than the consumer having to wait to get that money back at tax time. But we're still a long way from seeing a new kind of consumer incentive put into law, with some Democrats urging a $12,500 tax credit, and others arguing for a rebate, with still others arguing for either but with means-testing like what Gonzalez writes about.

In any case, we'll be keeping an eye on it. It's very hard to imagine how the country will achieve any kind of meaningful transition to electric vehicles by 2030 without some mechanism to make them easier (and cheaper) to buy.

In other news, the Federal Aviation Administration is spending $20.4 million in grants to airports that want to electrify equipment and transition to ZEVs. This isn't about the planes themselves, though they tend to get the most media attention. These grants would be for less sexy things like airport shuttle buses and mobile ground power units, but which collectively still generate a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. The FAA has earmarked $300 million out of its $3.5 billion budget for electrification initiatives.

 Aria Alamalhodaei

Notable news and other tidbits

It's one of those weeks folks. Lotta news, so let's get down to it.

ADAS

Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted that the latest version of its so-called FSD tech  which is an upgraded version of its Autopilot advanced driver assistance system  is "not great." He went on to write that the "Autopilot/AI team is rallying to improve as fast as possible. We're trying to have a single tech stack for both highway & city streets, but it requires massive [neural network] retraining."

Autonomous vehicles

Cruise, GM's self-driving car subsidiary, launched a new initiative called Farm to Fleet that will allow the company to source solar power from farms in California's Central Valley. Cruise is directly purchasing renewable energy credits from Sundale Vineyards and Moonlight Companies to help power its fleet of all-electric autonomous vehicles in San Francisco.

Jalopnik's Jason Torchinsky has a great explainer on the various levels of SAE autonomy.

Toyota suspended the operation of its e-Palette autonomous shuttles  which do have two human safety operators on board  at the Paralympic Games Athletes' Village after one of the shuttles struck an athlete. The schedule for resuming operations at the Paralympic Games has not yet been determined, the company said. A spokesperson also noted to me that only the shuttles at the Olympics were halted. The e-Palette program is still operational.

Update: Since the newsletter went out to subscribers over the weekend, Toyota has restarted the e-Palette shuttles in the Olympic village. It's important to note that these shuttles use a combination of manual and autonomous driving modes while underway. Toyota President Akio Toyoda apologized for the incident during a recent interview. The translation provided in closed captioning isn't great, but he does make some interesting comments about the readiness of autonomous vehicle technology. In short: it's not ready and humans are still better drivers.

Waymo has launched a robotaxi service that will be open to certain vetted riders in San Francisco. The company officially kicked off its Waymo One Trusted Tester program in the city with a fleet of all-electric Jaguar I-PACEs equipped with the company's fifth generation of its autonomous vehicle system. This is a big step for Waymo and we'll be watching closely to see how the ramp mirrors, or differs, from its service in the Phoenix area.

Greg Bensinger took a look at the terms of service on the Waymo One ride-hailing app and in a tweet thread provides a breakdown of what riders are agreeing to, including that the company will record video of riders while being driven around San Francisco.

Waymo also has decided to get out of the lidar sales business as it shifts its focus to deploying its autonomous vehicle technology across its ride-hailing and trucking divisions. In 2019, Waymo announced it would sell its short-range lidar, called Laser Bear Honeycomb, to companies outside of self-driving cars. It initially targeted robotics, security and agricultural technology.

Electric vehicles

GM expanded (again) its recall of Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles due to fire risks from battery manufacturing defects. The automaker said it would seek reimbursement from LG Chem, its battery cell manufacturing partner, for what it expects to be $1 billion worth of losses. This is the third recall GM has issued for this vehicle related to batteries.

Lordstown Motors hired Daniel A. Ninivaggi, a longtime automotive executive and former head of Carl C. Icahn's holding company, as CEO and a board member. The appointment follows months of tumult at Lordstown, which became publicly traded via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company.

Other bits

Aria Alamalhodaei wrote up a feature on Buoyant, a recent Y Combinator grad and one of several airship startups that have popped up recently.

Mercedes-Benz's chief technology officer Sajjad Khan is leaving the automaker to start a venture capital fund, the company said in a statement. Khan's replacement, Magnus Ostberg, will take over the CTO role effective September 1.

Porsche Cars North America added its entire U.S. inventory of new cars to an online marketplace that it launched in May 2020. The platform, called Porsche Finder, is one of the ways the automaker is trying to keep up with customer demands and the industry's shift to digital commerce. The product lets customers search by vehicle model and generation as well as price, equipment, packages and colors, on all new and used vehicle inventory from its 193 U.S. dealerships.

Tesla wants to supply electricity directly to customers, according to an application filed with Texas electricity regulators earlier this month. Energy Choice Matters first reported on the application.

The application, filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Texas on August 16, is a request to become what's called a "retail electric provider" under its subsidiary Tesla Energy Ventures. On the deregulated, idiosyncratic Texas power market, REPs generally purchase wholesale electricity from power generators and sell it to customers. More than 100 REPs currently compete on the open market.
TenMax announces partnership with Gojek to provide AI-based Martech solution to marketers in Indonesia, enabling merchants and brands to access plan and monitor their digital marketing efforts in real time manner.

TAIPEI, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TenMax.io, a marketing technology (Martech) firm, announced a partnership with Gojek, Southeast Asia's leading on-demand platform, to support GoGAN, Gojek Advertisement Network, in delivering best-in-class ad services to consumer brands, merchants, and ad agencies of all sizes in Indonesia.

Logo

Tenmax exec team in Taipei HQ: Front row from left to right - Jeremy Lin, Dr.Nathan Chiu (CEO), Brian Yang (Managing Director), Eureka Tseng (PM). Back row from left to right - Tom Su, Jay Chau, Tsung-Yin Tsai and Dr.Richard Hsiao (VP of Engineering).

Leveraging TenMax's artificial intelligence and Gojek's insights-driven platform, the partnership will enable brands, agencies, and merchants to access a one-stop advertising solution to plan, measure, and optimize their digital marketing efforts across social media and content sites.

"We are thrilled to partner with Gojek to support GoGAN in Indonesia, by combining our expertise and Gojek's valuable insights to introduce solutions to Indonesian digital economy," said Dr. Nathan Chu, TenMax's CEO.

Gojek is founded on the principle of utilizing technology to remove life's daily frictions by connecting consumers to the best providers of goods and services in the market, from transportation to food and many other services.

"In collaboration with TenMax.io, we are further reducing the friction of digital media buying, allowing our merchant partners and global brand clients to optimize their digital marketing initiatives of all sizes, powered by our user-base and first-party insights, and the proprietary martech platform from TenMax.io, to create value for the Gojek ecosystem," Antoine de Carbonnel, Gojek's Chief Commercial Officer added.

GoGAN's proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) or deep learning technology can assist marketers in key aspects of programmatic media buying through:

One-stop shopping cross-channel media buy: buy Facebook/Instagram and local website ad space in a few clicks. The real time bidding (RTB) capability makes sure advertisers get superior costs per click and impressions to reach their target audiences.

Real time analytics and performance report generating dashboard, which provides brands and agencies insights and allows them to recalibrate marketing strategy.

"Co-working with the Gojek team has been a pleasure, the insights allows us to further train and optimize our real time bidding (RTB) algorithm, placing the right contents to the right audiences at the right cost. With satisfactory initial results, we now work with more partners from the ad agencies world, premium content publishers, and the entire Gojek ecosystem, from global FMCG brands, consumer electronics, to regional SMBs, and MSMEs, to GoGAN platform as a solution for any company in Indonesia and beyond," said Brian Yang, TenMax.io's Managing Director.

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"We engaged with brands beyond the food sectors, including insurance, banking, lifestyle, fashion, gaming, and we look forward to working with ad agencies as well to provide the innovative solution to more world brands," said de Carbonnel.

Globally, ad-services on e-commerce giants are now contributing billions of revenues per quarter and growing at 60%+ YoY, which further increases overall transaction volume. Yang hopes the collaboration can help drive such flywheels for the new partnership between TenMax and Gojek and benefit the entire ecosystem.

Through long-standing commercial and technical partnerships with leading ad platforms such as Facebook and Google, TenMax and its sister company cacafly.com , has provided digital marketing services to over 10,000 clients in Taiwan, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

About TenMax

Established in 2015, TenMax Ad Tech Lab developed full suite digital marketing solution, which includes DSP (Demand Side Platform), SSP (Supply Side Platform), DMP (Data Management Platform), and Ad Exchange system. TenMax is part of funP Innovation Group, backed by leading VCs such as CDIB Capital Group and the CID Group.

SOURCE TenMax
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / TPT Global Tech, Inc. ("TPTW or TPT Global Tech") (OTCQB:TPTW) www.tptglobaltech.com based in San Diego, California, a technology-based company with divisions providing telecommunications, medical technology, media content for domestic and international syndication as well as technology solutions today announced its Hong Kong Subsidiary, TPT Asia, has signed an initial $240K USD per year Telecommunications Services contract christening the division. The contract covers a Submarine Data transport system that will provide 200G of data service between Hong Kong and Singapore. The Hong Kong Fiber contract will be the first of what the company anticipates will be a series of contracts and was delayed due to the global pandemic. The company will continue to work to secure additional work to expand its Submarine Fiber Optic telecommunications services throughout the region.

"We are very pleased that TPT Asia is now generating revenue. I know it has been very difficult for our Hong Kong team to gain traction during these trying times due to the pandemic. It's great to see our domestic and international divisions gaining momentum as we manage our way through this pandemic. Great job team, keep up the good work," said Stephen Thomas, President, and CEO, TPT Global Tech. "

About TPT Global Tech

TPT Global Tech Inc. (OTC:TPTW) based in San Diego, California, is a Technology/Telecommunications Media Content Hub for Domestic and International syndication and also provides Technology solutions to businesses domestically and worldwide. TPT Global offers Software as a Service (SaaS), Technology Platform as a Service (PAAS), Cloud-based Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS), and carrier-grade performance and support for businesses over its private IP MPLS fiber and wireless network in the United States. TPT's cloud-based UCaaS services allow businesses of any size to enjoy all the latest voice, data, media, and collaboration features in today's global technology markets. TPT also operates as a Master Distributor for Nationwide Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) and Independent Sales Organization (ISO) as a Master Distributor for Pre-Paid Cellphone services, Mobile phones Cellphone Accessories, and Global Roaming Cell phones.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, commonly identified by such terms as "believes," "looking ahead," "anticipates," "estimates" and other terms with similar meaning. Specifically, statements about the Company's plans for accelerated growth, improved profitability, future business partners, M&A activity, new service offerings, and pursuit of new markets are forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that the assumptions upon which its forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these assumptions.

CONTACT:

Frank Benedetto

619-915-9422

fb@miradorconsulting.com

SOURCE: TPT Global Tech Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Monday it is continuing to review Boeing 777-200 planes equipped with Pratt & Whitney (PW) engines like the one involved in a United Airlines emergency landing in February in Denver.

FAA Administrator Steve Dickson told a U.S. House committee in May that the agency was going to mandate strengthening a key part on those engines. Those planes have been grounded for more than six months.

A Boeing spokesman said Monday it was "working closely with the FAA, our customers and Pratt & Whitney to safely return PW4000-112-powered 777 airplanes to service. We have identified design changes and are working to finalize them, including a robust certification effort."

The FAA said its "safety review is ongoing."

The United Airlines flight was heading to Honolulu in February when it suffered an engine failure. The Boeing 777-200 plane landed safely at Denver International Airport soon after takeoff.

A United spokesman said Monday it expects "these aircraft to return to service but providing anything beyond that in terms of timelines would be premature."

United Chief Commercial officer Andrew Nocella had said in July the airline was "really disappointed" they were not able to fly 777s with the PW engines.

"The 777 aircrafts that are grounded are large capacity domestic movers. And we used those for Hawaii and hub-to-hub. And so right now, we're flying well below where we like to be in Hawaii," he said. "We really want those aircraft back."

United is the only U.S. operator of 777s with the PW4000 engine and has 52 such planes.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday the 777s may not fly until early 2022.

(Reporting by David Shepardsonin Washington and Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Bernadette Baum)
Top Players Covered in the US Biosimilars Market Research Report are Pfizer Inc. (New York, U.S.), Samsung Bioepis (Incheon, South Korea), Celltrion Inc. (Incheon, South Korea), Novartis AG (Basel, Switzerland), Inogen (Goleta, U.S.), Amgen Inc. (California, U.S.), Mylan N.V. (Pennsylvania, US.), Coherus BioSciences (California, U.S.), and other key market players

Pune, India, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The US Biosimilars Market size is expected to gain momentum by reaching USD 30.83 billion by 2028 from USD 5.78 billion in 2021 while exhibiting a CAGR of 27.0% between 2021 to 2028. In its report titled US Biosimilars Market, 2021-2028, Fortune Business Insights mentions that it stood at USD 3.36 billion in 2020.

The demand for affordable and accessible healthcare facilities is expected to drive market growth. Moreover, the U.S. government spends a considerable amount of its budget on healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the rising prevalence of diseases such as cancer and other diseases in the region demands effective biosimilar drugs. Therefore, the government agencies and companies are working together to launch several drugs. For instance, in the year 2019, Amgen and Allergan launched two biosimilar drugs for cancer treatment. It was a breakthrough in the U.S. market, and such initiatives are expected to drive the market during the forecast period.





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COVID-19 Impact

The negative effect of the global pandemic, COVID-19, has been felt across several economies facing unprecedented loss. However, the healthcare segment was least affected due to the improved logistics of pharmaceutical drugs and increased R&D capabilities in these tough times.

For instance, Coherus BioSciencess Udencya emerged as one of the leading pegfilgrastim biosimilars during peak times of the pandemic. The company managed to generate a revenue of USD 465.0 million in 2020.

Therefore, the market for U.S. biosimilars is expected to thrive during the forecast period

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Industry Developments

December 2020 RIABNI, a biosimilar drug by Amgen for the treatment of adult patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), was approved by the US FDA.

What does the Report Provide?

This market report provides a thorough analysis of various factors such as the drivers and restraints that will impact the markets growth. In addition, the report provides country insights that cover different regions of the country, contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape, recent industry developments that involve the strategies, new launches, and several other insights of leading players that will contribute to the markets growth.





For more information in the analysis of this report, visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/u-s-biosimilars-market-100990





Driving Factors

Patent Expiry of Biologics to Spur the Market Growth

A rising number of healthcare companies are losing patient protection in the region. The report suggests that around the top 25 biologics drive approximately 83% of sales. Therefore, the patent expiry of their products has opened new possibilities for the market players, thereby promoting the US Biosimilars Market growth. The companies are taking advantage of the loss of patents of biologics to mark their presence in the market with highly effective and potent drugs. For instance, in April 2020, Samsung Bioepis and Merck collaborated and launched the trastuzumab biosimilar Ontruzant in the U.S. market for the treatment of early cancer after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Market Segmentation:

By drug class, the market is segmented into filgrastim & pegfilgrastim, monoclonal antibodies, and others.

Based on drug class, the monoclonal antibody segment held the highest 59.5% of the US Biosimilars Market share. This is attributable to several U.S. Food Drug Association approvals.

By disease indication, the market is divided into cancer, autoimmune diseases, ophthalmic diseases, and others. Based on the distribution channel, it is trifurcated into hospital pharmacy, retail pharmacy, and online pharmacy. Lastly, in terms of region, the report talks about only the United States.





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Strategic Partnerships Aid Growth in the Regions Market

The market stood at USD 1.52 billion in 2019 and USD 3.36 billion in 2020. This is ascribable due to strategic partnership between companies in the region to provide high-quality, affordable therapies accessible to the patients.

For instance, in September 2020, Mylan and Biocon Biologics announced the launch of biosimilar Semglee to help control high blood pressure in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes and adults with type 2 diabetes.

Key Players to Focus on Establishing Partnerships to Intensify Competition

The market is consolidated by the presence of major companies that are striving to maintain their position by establishing partnerships. For instance, In September 2020, Henlius entered into an exclusive license agreement for the commercialization of HLX02 (biosimilar, trastuzumab) in the U.S. and Canada. With this partnership, HLX02 has the ability and capacity to cover most of the mainstream markets of biologics to come up with high-quality and affordable treatment options for patients worldwide, and this is expected to favor the growth of the market in the forthcoming years.





List of Key Players Profiled in this Market Report:

Pfizer Inc. (New York, U.S.)

Samsung Bioepis (Incheon, South Korea)

Celltrion Inc. (Incheon, South Korea)

Novartis AG (Basel, Switzerland)

Inogen (Goleta, U.S.)

Amgen Inc. (California, U.S.)

Mylan N.V. (Pennsylvania, U.S.)

Coherus BioSciences (California, U.S.)

Other Prominent Players





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Our reports contain a unique mix of tangible insights and qualitative analysis to help companies achieve sustainable growth. Our team of experienced analysts and consultants use industry-leading research tools and techniques to compile comprehensive market studies, interspersed with relevant data.

At Fortune Business Insights we aim at highlighting the most lucrative growth opportunities for our clients. We, therefore, offer recommendations, making it easier for them to navigate through technological and market-related changes. Our consulting services are designed to help organizations identify hidden opportunities and understand prevailing competitive challenges.





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The company saw 151% growth over the last three years!

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantagepoint A.I. has been recognized by Inc. Magazine in their Inc. 5000 list. This is the second year Vantagepoint A.I. has made the annual list of the fastest-growing private companies.

Small businesses are integral to the nation's economy. Vantagepoint A.I. was the first company to give independent traders the power of artificial intelligence for their home computers. The company's groundbreaking, patented software gives traders predictive forecasts 1-3 days in advance of financial market movements with up to 87.4% accuracy. Vantagepoint A.I. has been a stable part of the Tampa Bay business community for over 42 years.

"Even in the throes of a pandemic we were able to grow our product and our business," says Lane Mendelsohn, President of Vantagepoint A.I., "To me, being on the list this year is a signpost for our company. Our top priority during this public health crisis was to ensure the safety of our team while making sure our world class customer service continued without interruption for our traders. I am so impressed that my team was able to create so much growth in such unique times!"

Over the last year, Vantagepoint A.I. has dramatically expanded its team to meet customer needs in keeping with the company's long-standing reputation for superior customer care. The company also expanded its training for traders and released a cadre of new tools to ensure their success.

"We are constantly improving our company and our product to make traders' lives easier and responding to their needs," notes Mendelsohn, "By my measure, that can only mean continued success!"

See how predictive A.I. is leveling the trading field for independent traders at a live, interactive training.

About Vantagepoint AI, LLC. Vantagepoint's artificial intelligence-based software forecasts Stocks, Futures, Options, Forex, Cryptocurrencies, and ETFs with proven accuracy of up to 87.4%. Family-owned, Vantagepoint employs over 90 team members and is actively committed to giving back in the Tampa Bay community including regularly donating a portion of revenue to Shriners Hospitals for Children and The Children's Cancer Center. For a private demonstration: www.vantagepointsoftware.com/demo

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Media Contact: Lisa Moretti, lisam@vantagepointsoftware.com

Cision

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SOURCE Vantagepoint AI, LLC
- Call to investigate three specific and separate incidents of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the six-year Saudi-led war

- Call to use jurisdiction over three ICC signatory states Jordan, Senegal, and Maldives  also members of Saudi-led Coalition - to hold those responsible to account

- Call to investigate citizens of ICC signatory state Colombia - hired as mercenaries by US private military company contracted to UAE

- Legal counsel additionally considering other measures including Universal Jurisdiction Arrest Warrants; class action in the United States, United Kingdom, and elsewhere.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of victims of the war in Yemen today submit evidence to the International Criminal Court  calling on the new Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC to open an investigation into War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity committed during the six-year conflict.

In their application - filed by their legal counsel Guernica37 International Justice Chambers of London  evidence is submitted by survivors, their relatives, and families of the deceased murdered in three, well-documented and already international NGO-investigated and global reported events:

- Against a school bus in August 2018, killing 34 and maiming dozens more in an attack so devastating many families could not recover any recognisable body parts of the child victims;

- In a double missile attack launched in October 2016 against the same funeral gathering which led to at least 110 deaths and over 600 life-changing injuries;

- Torture and murder of civilians in Aden, southern Yemen by Colombian mercenaries under the command of a US private military company contracted to the United Arab Emirates.

Since the Saudi-led war commenced in 2015, destroying a well-advanced UN-mediated peace and reconciliation process, it is estimated some quarter of a million have been killed and a further three million displaced.

Speaking of the attack on behalf of victims of the school-bus attack, Almudena Bernabeu co-founder of Guernica37 said:

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"At the time of the attack the Coalition claimed they would investigate and hold the perpetrators to account. Of course, they did no such thing.

"As the court of last resort, victims and families have no choice but to call on the International Criminal Court to ensure justice is done".

In 2017 the ICC opened an investigation into crimes allegedly perpetrated by British military personnel in Iraq. While the investigation did not proceed to trial, it set a precedent that it is possible to investigate and hold accountable citizens of countries that are members of the ICC for crimes committed in countries that are not.

Although neither Yemen nor key protagonists Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are State Parties to the Rome Statue  the international treaty that establishes the jurisdiction of the ICC - other members of their war coalition, namely Jordan, Senegal, and The Maldives, are.

In addition, evidence submitted that Colombian nationals were hired as mercenaries by a US private military company contracted to the United Arab Emirates means, when Colombia is a State Party to the ICC, they too could be investigated.

Speaking as the submission is made, Toby Cadman co-founder of Guernica37 and lead counsel to the applicants added:

"Three signatories to the Rome Statue  Jordan, Senegal, and The Maldives  were members of the Saudi-led coalition at the time of both the school bus and funeral attacks.

"Similarly, citizens of another ICC member Colombia were combatants in the war at the same time.

"The ICC can and must use its clear jurisdiction to investigate these undeniable and evidenced crimes".

In addition to the submission before the ICC, counsel for the victims is considering other legal options to pursue political and military figures of ICC signatory states. These include the issuance of Universal Jurisdiction Arrest Warrants, and the launching of a class action suit in the United States of America, United Kingdom, and in other countries and jurisdictions worldwide.

Commenting on these other legal avenues, Toby Cadman of Guernica37 added:

"While our campaign begins at the International Criminal Court, we intend to fight our case using all and every legal avenue available. Those who perpetrate the worst crimes can and will be held accountable".
The G3 tuition-free initiative is available to students who qualify for state financial aid with a household income thats less than $100,000 and are pursuing degrees or credentials in one of five of Virginias most in-demand careersearly childhood education, health care, information technology, public safety and skilled trades.

Approximately 7,700 people statewide have been awarded a total of $19.6 million in G3 funding since it became available July 1. Almost $11 million in funding is still available statewide and with courses at Germanna beginning on a rolling basis, there is still time to take advantage of it, Gullickson said.

The funding has become available at a perfect time, Gullickson said. Along with the rest of the country, the Fredericksburg area is experiencing workforce shortages in many areas, including early childhood education, one of the G3 initiatives identified in-demand fields.

And I think the pandemic has caused some people to step back and say, Lets see what I really want to do with the rest of my life,  Gullickson said. We have free tuition in all these courses for students and at the same time people are looking at doing something different with their lives.

Visit germanna.edu to apply for G3 funding.

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Long said during the hearing in Cherokee County he planned to kill himself that day and went to the massage businesses thinking the shame he felt from paying for sex acts would push him to do it. But while sitting in his car outside the first spa, he decided to kill the people inside.

After shooting five people at that spa in Cherokee County, he drove about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south to Atlanta, where he shot three women at Gold Spa and one woman across the street at Aromatherapy Spa, police have said.

He then headed south on the interstate, and authorities have said he intended to carry out similar attacks in Florida.

But his parents had called police after recognizing their son in images from security video posted online by authorities in Cherokee County. His parents were already tracking his movements through an application on his phone, which allowed authorities to find him and take him into custody on a south Georgia interstate.

Long told detectives he struggled with pornography and sex, and Wallace said during last months hearing that Long blamed the victims for his inability to control his impulses.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
It's unclear why it's taken so long to charge them before the military commission. Military prosecutors filed charges against the men in June 2017, but the Pentagon legal official who oversees Guantanamo cases rejected the charges for reasons that haven't been publicly disclosed.

The case has many elements that make it complex, including whether statements the men made to authorities can hold up in court because of the abuse they experienced in CIA custody, the fact that people have already been convicted, and in some cases executed, in Indonesia for the attack, and the long time it has taken to bring charges.

Some of these same issues have come up in the case against five Guantanamo prisoners charged for planning and aiding the Sept. 11 attacks. They were arraigned in May 2012 and remain in the pretrial phase, with no trial date yet scheduled.

Funk predicted a lengthy period of defense investigation that will require extensive travel, once the pandemic is over, to interview witnesses and look for any evidence or witnesses that might still be available. Still, she said, her client is anxious and eager to litigate this case and go home.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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CANBERRA, Australia  Australia says it has reached a deal with Singapore to acquire 500,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine next week in return for delivering the same number of shots to Singapore in December.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Even as the U.S. and its NATO allies left Afghanistan, some of the gains of the last 20 years were on display as boys and girls rushed to school early Tuesday.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  A SpaceX shipment of ants, avocados and a human-sized robotic arm rocketed toward the International Space Station on Sunday.

The delivery  due to arrive Monday  is the companys 23rd for NASA in just under a decade.

A recycled Falcon rocket blasted into the predawn sky from NASAs Kennedy Space Center. After hoisting the Dragon capsule, the first-stage booster landed upright on SpaceXs newest ocean platform, named A Shortfall of Gravitas. SpaceX founder Elon Musk continued his tradition of naming the booster-recovery vessels in tribute to the late science fiction writer Iain Banks and his Culture series.

The Dragon is carrying more than 4,800 pounds (2,170 kilograms) of supplies and experiments, and fresh food including avocados, lemons and even ice cream for the space stations seven astronauts.

The Girl Scouts are sending up ants, brine shrimp and plants as test subjects, while University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists are flying up seeds from mouse-ear cress, a small flowering weed used in genetic research. Samples of concrete, solar cells and other materials also will be subjected to weightlessness.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has urged countries that took part in the airlift in Afghanistan to work together to provide safe passage for those eligible to leave.

Raab joined the foreign ministers of several countries in a virtual meeting on August 30 organized by the U.S. State Department to discuss their next steps in Afghanistan as an airlift evacuation winds down.

Raab also said Afghanistan's Taliban leadership should be judged on its actions and on whether people are allowed to leave, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

A Foreign Office official said earlier that Britain was a "long way" from offering diplomatic recognition to the Taliban.

The State Department said the virtual meeting was to "discuss an aligned approach for the days and weeks ahead." In addition to Britain, representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kingdom, Turkey, Qatar, the European Union, and NATO were to participate.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to speak after the meeting to give an update on recent U.S. efforts in Afghanistan.

Pentagon officials said earlier on August 30 that more than 122,000 people had been flown out of Kabul's airport since the evacuation began in late July. The vast majority have been flown out since the Taliban took over the government two weeks ago.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said some 6,000 Americans had been evacuated from Afghanistan so far. The Biden administration is still trying to determine how many Americans want to leave ahead of the August 31 deadline to withdraw U.S. troops.

U.S. officials have said the State Department would continue efforts to get people out even after the military presence ends.

One of the countries that has played a key role in the airlift is Qatar. Many of the U.S. military's flights in the rushed evacuation used the U.S. military base in Qatar as a transit stop.

Once the U.S. military leaves Kabul, Qatar is expected to provide civilian technical assistance to the Taliban at Kabul's international airport.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry has been taking part in negotiations about the operations of the Kabul airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the United States and Turkey.

In addition, UN agencies are asking Qatar for help and support in delivering aid to Afghanistan.

The UN Security Council is expected to vote later on August 30 on a resolution requiring the Taliban to honor their commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan, but the measure won't require a safe zone as proposed earlier by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron had raised the idea of a safe zone over the weekend and said France would propose it in a resolution.

Separately, a State Department statement on August 30 addressed the situation regarding Islamic State (IS), which has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that last week killed scores of Afghans and 13 U.S. troops at a perimeter gate to the Kabul airport.

The statement said an existing coalition to defeat the IS group and its partners "continue to stand shoulder to shoulder" to defeat IS, which it said "remains a determined enemy."

It will use the coalition's expertise to counter the global branches of IS, including Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), to identify and bring their members to justice.

"We will draw on all elements of national power -- military, intelligence, diplomatic, economic, law enforcement -- to ensure the defeat of this brutal terrorist organization," the statement said.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Foreign ministers from several countries will meet virtually on August 30 to discuss coordinating policy toward Afghanistan, the U.S. State Department said, as U.S. forces prepare to leave the Taliban-controlled country and wind down an airlift from Kabul.



The United States will host "key partners" for the virtual meeting, the State Department said in a statement on August 29.



The participants will discuss an aligned approach for the days and weeks ahead, it said.



Representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Qatar, the European Union, and NATO are set to participate.



Secretary of State Antony Blinken will also deliver remarks on the evacuation efforts over the past two weeks and discuss a path forward, the statement said.



The meeting will come one day before an August 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden for all U.S. forces to leave Afghanistan.
A growing number of Western governments have decided to halt development assistance to Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of virtually the entire country on August 15 in a move that will put a severe strain on the militant Islamist groups ability to govern.

Donor countries that for more than 20 years have provided billions of dollars to the war-torn country are now declaring they will not abandon the Afghan people but wont give a cent to the Taliban.

Recipe For Disaster?

The International Monetary Fund announced on 18 August that it would block the Afghan governments access to $460 million, and the United States has frozen nearly $9 billion in Afghan currency reserves. In Sweden, the development assistance minister and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) say they will continue to fund UN programs and NGOs but not a Taliban government.

This is a recipe for disaster. Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world and one of the most dependent on foreign aid. Consider two sectors that are usually referred to as success stories in the past 20 years: education and health.

Presently, there are around 7 million children (40 percent girls) with 200,000 teachers at Afghan state schools, according to official figures from the Afghan government that was recently ousted.

The health sector has seen a colossal expansion during the past 20 years, not to anything even remotely resembling European standards but far better than ever before in Afghan history. This has contributed, among other things, to radically lowered maternal and child mortality rates. Roughly 70,000 people are employed in the health sector nationwide.

The annual cost to the state for education is an estimated $800 million, while the corresponding figure for the health sector is $1.7 billion. Both are to up to 85 percent financed by foreign donors, and if development assistance is discontinued health and education professionals will not receive their salaries and both programs -- as well as other aid-dependent programs run by the former government -- will imminently collapse.

It is out of the question that the UN and NGOs could manage to substitute the foreign aid being withheld and to keep the education and health sectors functioning as they do.

UNICEF and other UN agencies support education partly through the Afghan government and partly through NGOs. It is estimated that some 200,000 to 250,000 students attend schools supported by these NGOs.

It goes without saying that it is impossible for the NGOs, even if they double or triple their capacity, to take over and fill the void when the development assistance funds from foreign entities to ministries are terminated.

It would also highly unlikely that the Taliban would allow foreign organizations to run the countrys modern education system in what they perceive as their country.

Mounting Problems

The annual GDP of Afghanistan is about $500 per capita, and investments are decreasing to the point of extinction. There is also a critical internal refugee crisis, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting nearly 400,000 Afghans being internally displaced at the beginning of August.

On top of those problems, a severe drought and COVID-19 have worsened the situation even further.

The World Food Program estimates that 14 million Afghans need food assistance. There is every reason -- considering all the problems Afghanistan faces -- to expect a humanitarian disaster.

A justified question is whether European and U.S. politicians have thought of the consequences of their policy of not one cent to the Taliban.

One of the greatest worries by European governments is a new wave of Afghan refugees trying to find their way to Europe. With no development assistance, the refugee flow -- which has never stopped and has grown this year  will undoubtedly increase.

Rush To Judgement?

It is understandable that donor countries do not want to support a hardline Islamist government in Afghanistan, but we know that the Taliban is not a monolith. There are moderates and radicals within the leadership ranks, and it will take some time before we see which faction dominates.

We do know, however, that there will be a downturn in democratic practices, rights, and values that have been enacted through the countrys constitution and laws enacted since the U.S.-led invasion of the country overthrew the Taliban in 2001. Exactly what form life will take under the Taliban this time is still unknown.

The Taliban has been unified in its goals of pushing U.S. and other foreign military forces out of Afghanistan and overthrowing the government of President Ashraf Ghani.

But the groups leadership must decide on concrete policies and decide how similar it will be to the brutal Taliban rule in the 1990s. The Taliban has hinted it will have a broadly based government and there is some hope among observers that its policies will be more akin to modern Islamic countries.

In this context, an argument for the moderate side undoubtedly is, or rather was, the continuation of at least some development assistance.

But with the current European and U.S. policies of not a cent, that argument cannot be used. Western governments have thereby deprived the moderates of an argument and themselves of one of the few instruments by which to influence the politics of the Taliban.

It would be advisable for Western governments to protest atrocities and human rights violations by the Taliban but to otherwise stay calm and wait several weeks until it is clear what Taliban rule really looks like.

At that point, Western governments could make decisions more firmly anchored in fact than in a principled rejection of the Taliban.

That would be the true meaning of not abandoning the Afghan people.

These views are the author's alone and do not represent those of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has issued a stark warning that as thousands of people flee Afghanistan, "a far greater humanitarian crisis is just beginning" for the war-torn country and its 39 million people following the Taliban's seizure of power.



In a statement on August 30, Grandi reiterated a call for borders to remain open and for more countries to share "this humanitarian responsibility," with Iran and Pakistan already hosting 2.2 million registered Afghan refugees -- nearly 90 percent of the total.



The UNHCR, said last week that up to 500,000 Afghans could flee by the end of the year.



The U.S.-led airlifts of thousands of foreigners and Afghans out of Kabul airport since the Taliban took control of the capital will end in a matter of days, and the tragedy that has unfolded will no longer be as visible, Grandi said.



But it will still be a daily reality for millions of Afghans. We must not turn away, he added.



Grandi made the plea on the eve of an EU interior ministers meeting in Brussels to discuss the Afghan crisis.



According to a draft statement seen by Reuters, the ministers will say that the EU and its member states stand determined to act jointly to prevent the recurrence of uncontrolled large-scale illegal migration movements faced in the past, by preparing a coordinated and orderly response.



They will also repeat the bloc's pledge to give more money for Afghanistan and neighboring countries to ensure that those in need receive adequate protection primarily in the region.



EU governments are eager to avoid a repeat of the massive influx of migrants in 2015 that caught the bloc unprepared and sowed divisions among them.



There has been growing concerns about the fate of Afghanistans population since the takeover of the country by the hard-line Islamist Taliban group more than two weeks ago.



On August 29, the UN childrens agency, UNESCO, warned that Afghan children are at greater risk than ever.



We know some partners are considering cutting aid to Afghanistan. This is very concerning and poses some major questions, it said in a statement.



If the current trend continues, UNICEF predicts that one million children under 5 in Afghanistan will suffer from severe acute malnutrition -- a life-threatening condition. Meanwhile, over 4 million children, including 2.2 million girls, are out of school. Around 300,000 children have been forced out of their homes, the statement said.
KABUL -- A group aligned with Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for several rockets fired at Kabul's airport in the waning hours of a U.S.-led military operation to complete the withdrawal from Afghanistan of diplomats, foreign citizens, and Afghans who helped them over 20 years of war.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the August 30 attack, which comes the day before the United States is set to withdraw all its remaining forces from Afghanistan, drawing to a close its longest-lasting war.

Islamic State's Nasher News said on its Telegram channel that its militants, operating under Islamic State-Khorosan (IS-K), fired six Katyusha rockets at the airport.

Pentagon officials said at a briefing that five missiles were fired and that one was intercepted by anti-missile defenses. Another rocket landed inside the airport perimeter "with no effect,' Major General Hank Taylor said, adding that the other three landed outside the airport perimeter.

The missiles show that the United States is dealing with "very real ongoing threats" as the August 31 deadline for completing the withdrawal approaches, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

"We are in a particularly dangerous phase now," Kirby told reporters, adding that enemy combatants still had the capability to carry out attacks.

Kirby defended a drone strike on August 29 that hit a vehicle near the airport, saying it was carried out to remove "what we believed to be a very real a very specific and a very imminent threat" to the airlift.

The military is certain that there was a secondary explosion after the vehicle was hit, Kirby said.

The subsequent explosions indicate there was a large amount of explosive material inside the vehicle that may have caused additional casualties, U.S. Central Command said earlier in a statement.

Kirby did not dispute reports that the strike killed a number of civilians but said the military always tries to avoid civilian casualties. An investigation was under way and the Pentagon would be "transparent" with the results, he said.

A Taliban spokesman said the strike resulted in civilian casualties and chided the United States for failing to inform the militants before ordering the strike. The Tolo news agency said at least 10 civilians died in the air strike.



The drone strike was the second carried out by the U.S. military over the weekend.

The first killed two members of Islamic State-Khorosan (IS-K) on August 28 in eastern Afghanistan in retaliation for a deadly suicide bombing outside Kabul airport two days earlier. The group claimed responsibility for killing the bombing, which killed more than 170 people -- including 13 U.S. troops.



In recent years, IS-K has been behind some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan. While both IS and the Taliban are hard-line Sunni Islamist groups, they are bitter foes.



The Taliban has promised an inclusive government since sweeping back into power on August 15, and to exercise a softer brand of rule compared with their first regime in Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001.

But many Afghans fear a repeat of the militants' brutal interpretation of Islamic law, as well as violent retribution for working with foreign militaries and missions and with the previous Western-backed government.

Late on August 29, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi that the group's leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, was in the southern city of Kandahar.



A Taliban source said the Taliban was "preparing for a mass gathering after August 31 to discuss the future government in Afghanistan."



As evacuations from Kabul draw to a close, Biden's national-security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on August 29 that for those U.S. citizens seeking immediately to leave Afghanistan by the looming deadline, "we have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining."

The U.S.-led airlift, the biggest air evacuation in history, has taken 122,000 foreigners and Afghans out of Kabul airport since it began in July, Kirby said. The vast majority have been airlifted out since the Taliban took control of the capital over two weeks ago. The updated number includes 5,400 Americans.

As the August 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden approaches, U.S. forces are now mostly focused on flying themselves and U.S. diplomats out safely.

International media reported on August 30 that "core" U.S. diplomatic staff had left Kabul, though they did not say whether this included top envoy Ross Wilson, who is expected to be among the last to leave before the final troops themselves.

Western allies have warned that thousands of at-risk Afghans have not been able to get on the evacuation flights by the United States and its allies.



But the United States and dozens of other countries have committed to ensuring that "our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan."



"We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries," according to a joint statement published on the State Department website on August 29.



Russia was not among the signatories, but the Russian Embassy in Kabul said it was accepting applications from those seeking to leave Afghanistan on additional evacuation flights, after Moscow evacuated about 360 people from the country last week.



Later on August 30, the United States said it will host a virtual ministerial meeting with allies such as Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, Turkey, Qatar, the European Union, and NATO to discuss "an aligned approach [on Afghanistan] for the days and weeks ahead."

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that France and Britain plan to propose at a meeting of the UN Security Council's permanent members on August 30 a resolution "aimed at defining a safe zone in Kabul under UN control" that would allow for continued "humanitarian operations."



The permanent members of the Security Council are Russia, China, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom.



In Rome, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the Afghan crisis exposed the need for the bloc to set up a rapid-reaction force of about 5,000 soldiers to respond to similar events in future.



"As Europeans we have not been able to send 6,000 soldiers around the Kabul airport to secure the area. The U.S. have been, we haven't," Borrell told the newspaper Il Corriere della Sera in an interview.



This story includes reporting by Radio Azadi correspondents on the ground in Afghanistan. Their names are being withheld for their protection.

With reporting by AFP, Reuters, and AP
Dozens of human rights activists gathered in Islamabad to mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on August 30. Rights activists say more than 8,000 people have been abducted by Pakistan's intelligence agencies in the name of anti-militant operations, leaving their families with no knowledge of their whereabouts or whether they are still alive. The Pakistani authorities reject the allegations, saying that many of the disappeared were either killed in anti-Taliban operations or crossed into Afghanistan to hide there.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
In case you couldnt tell from the photos, its right there in the fine print: Not for those wanting a typical log cabin in the woods.

Elsewhere in the Airbnb listing are words like peculiar and intentionally unconventional and thing of splendor. Those who stay there call the Pagosa Springs place magical, enchanting and an absolute dream. It made one visitor feel like a Disney princess.

To the woman who holds the keys, its known simply as the Wonder Haus.

I named it that for a reason, Adrian Young said. Its just full of this sense of wonder.

Before Young was deemed a super host on Airbnb, in part because of the uniqueness of her Wonder Haus, and before her house got noticed by magazines and Netflix producers, she was a new mom with questions. The existential ones, like, Is this what our life should be like?

She and her husband, Jeff, had recently moved from Denver to Oklahoma to raise their young kids closer to family. The adventure-loving couple used to be the type that would hop on a plane to Europe with just a backpack and no plan. Now they were spending their days renovating a house and their nights staying in. Their sense of spontaneity was being replaced by monotony.

This isnt the way, Young told her husband one day. Weve got to figure something out.

He bought her a plane ticket to Colorado, where Young thought she might like to build a getaway for the family as well as other families. Thanks to a recurring dream, Young had a specific picture in her head of an off-the-grid mountain haven with an arched glass-sided structure to feel immersed with the outdoors. She figured the place only existed in her imagination.

Flying to Colorado, she didnt have a game plan. She had a rental car and an inspo photo resembling what she wanted to build. After two days of driving aimlessly around the state, Young reached the charming little town of Pagosa Springs. She called a local Realtor to share her crazy idea.

Young was shocked by the Realtors response: I have the exact perfect place.

She went to see a house that looked like a near replica of the one in the photo shed been carrying around.

She was told the former owner constructed the passive solar earth house in 2010 as a way to satisfy his love for astronomy. The underground house comes with a stunning star-gazing observation tower and is set on 7 acres of land surrounded by the San Juan National Forest.

It was so cool, Young said. I was crying my eyes out.

It felt like a sort of destiny that she wouldnt have build the place of her dreams from scratch because someone else had already built it.

It just felt like, woah, Young said. Kismet.

Within a week, the house was theirs.

It didnt match my budget or logistics I had in my head, Young said. But we loved it. We did it as economically as we could.

The family sold their Oklahoma house and moved into a condo to help fund a full remodel, which included filling the house with lots of comfy and colorful furniture, Southwest-inspired decor and some mementos passed down from Youngs grandmother.

By early 2018, the Wonder Haus was listed on Airbnb. It took time to get any bites, though, on the bizarre lodging option.

A group of 20-somethings, who Young calls trailblazers, were the first to try it. Any nerves quickly faded.

They were texting and calling me so excited about it, Young said. They were like, This is incredible.

More rave reviews have followed. One guest wrote a poem inspired by Wonder Haus. Conde Nast named it one of the best Airbnb stays in Colorado. The clothing retailer Anthropologie called about getting photos there for its fall catalog.

I think the allure is that you dont see a lot of houses like that, Young said. Its distinct. Its completely unorthodox.

It fits in the category of quirky places, along with yurts, huts, barns and houseboats, that has become more and more sought after on Airbnb, according to a recent report from the vacation rental company.

Announcing its new Flexible Destinations feature, which helps users who are not confined to a certain destination or dates to find one-of-a-kind stays, Airbnb featured Wonder Haus as one of its quirkiest roadside Americana stays.

Its a bit of an odd shout-out since the house is tucked away and not visible from the roadside.

Netflixs characterization of Wonder Haus might be more accurate. The major streaming service will feature the Pagosa Springs spot in the second season of Worlds Most Amazing Vacation Rentals, which comes out Sept. 14.

Thats far beyond what Young imagined for the house, which is listed for $425 per night and which she hopes cultivates curiosity, connection and a sense of wonder for whoever lays their head there. It has hosted one wedding so far and Young, who works as a social impact advisor, hopes to offer wellness retreats there.

At least once a month, the house stays available for the Young family. Staying there ensures the four of them stick to a life of adventure and that they dont get stuck in routine.

When youre there, its an immediate disruption to expectations, Young said. It just opens our mind to ask, what else could our days be like?

It does everything  and more  that Young dreamed about. That a home can do that, she said. I think it means something to people.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening, then skies turning partly cloudy after midnight. Low 58F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
The Space Force would get its own contingent of part-time troops under a measure from Colorado U.S. Reps. Jason Crow and Doug Lamborn to create a Space National Guard.

The measure would move satellite troops now working in Army or Air Force National Guard billets to under the Space Force, the eighth armed service branch, which was created in December 2019. National Guard troops generally serve one weekend a month and have two weeks of summer training unless called up by governors or the Defense Department to assist in emergencies.

"For 25 years, our National Guard space units have provided operational and tactical assistance to protect our nation's vital interests in space and enhance our military lethality." Lamborn, a Colorado Springs Republican, said in a statement. "Today, they work side-by-side with their active-duty counterparts, both in uniform and often as civilian contractors, bringing vital experience to the mission that enhances our national security space enterprise. This important legislation would officially create the Space National Guard."

Envisioned as a "leaner" armed service, Space Force has a tiny contingent of troops. At full strength, the service will have about 13,000 troops  about half of the number of soldiers serving at Fort Carson. But the service, with troops at Buckley, Peterson and Schriever Space Force bases in Colorado, has a massive mission of controlling and protecting military satellites, including the Global Positioning System.

And while every other service branch has a reserve component, the Space Force was created with only full-time troops on its roster.

In Colorado, hundreds of part-time troops with the Air Guard's 233rd Space Group and the Army Guard's 117th Space Battalion work with satellites. The troops, many of whom work in the civilian aerospace industry, have been praised for delivering expertise often unmatched by their full-time comrades.

Nationwide, National Guard units have about 2,000 satellite troops, with more than a third of them in Colorado.

Creation of a Space National Guard branch has been mulled, but proposals that would put it into law have stalled.

The measure from Crow, an Aurora Democrat, and Lamborn could gain traction as the House Armed Services Committee, where both serve, wraps up work on the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual Pentagon policy bill.

"Expanding the force to include this National Guard component will ensure mission readiness as we continue U.S. dominance in space. Crow said in a statement.
The Black Mountain fire started in Grand County west of the East Troublesome fire burn scar Sunday afternoon, consuming 170 acres, the Grand County Sheriff's Office said.

Officials with the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management announced a closure of the Black Mountain fire area Monday afternoon shortly before 4 p.m.

The fire started about 1 p.m. Sunday northeast of Kremmling, burning mixed conifer and sending up a column of smoke visible in the surrounding area, the agency said.

This map reflects the #BlackMountainFire footprint this morning. The fire remains on National Forest System Lands. An area closure is forthcoming. Check InciWeb for more details: https://t.co/05x7rkJm3q pic.twitter.com/PZSWpqBGyb  Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG (@FS_MBRTB) August 30, 2021

The sheriff's office issued a pre-evacuation order for areas K11 and the west half of HSS21 between Kremmling and Hot Sulphur Springs.

Multiple fire engines, a large air tanker and a helicopter responded to the fire with more resources on the way, InciWeb, a fire information website, reported.

The cause of the fire is unknown and it's burning on mostly National Forest Service land.

"We are monitoring the conditions of this area very close, as it is a constant reminder to our citizens about what occurred last year," Sheriff Brett Schroetlin, said.

The East Troublesome fire burned more than 193,812 acres last year.

The Gazette's Hugh Johnson contributed to this report.
A 20-year-old man hit a pregnant woman on the head with a "large rock" near the Springs Rescue Mission in Colorado Springs on Sunday afternoon, law enforcement said.

Officers responded to East Las Vegas Street near the Springs Rescue Mission shortly before 1 p.m. where two people were hit in the head with a "large rock," police said.

Police alleged that 20-year-old Brandon Getz attacked a 21-year-old pregnant woman, then a man nearby tried to intervene and was also hit on the head.

Emergency responders took the woman and the man who tried to intervene to a hospital with injuries, police said.

Officers did not specify the extent of the injuries, but they suspect Getz of attempted murder and felony assault, police said.

Click or tap here for more local public safety updates.
Expired drivers licenses open lane for cybercriminals

After the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year, many states issued emergency declarations allowing drivers licenses to remain valid past expiration dates. But those extensions mostly have ended, and drivers now need to make sure their licenses are renewed.

Scammers are exploiting that shift, cybersecurity experts say.

Drivers license phishing scams designed to steal peoples identities have been popping up across the U.S., according to state motor vehicle agencies.

Fraudsters send out texts or emails falsely warning that the targets license needs to be updated, is missing information or is expiring. If the person clicks the link, it typically opens a Google Forms spreadsheet requesting personal information such as a Social Security number and date of birth.

Its really despicable, said David Druker, a spokesperson for the Illinois secretary of states office, which issues drivers licenses. Its just outrageous that when the country is going through the COVID crisis, people are taking the time and energy to steal information from others.

In typical phishing, scammers email malicious links or attachments and people unwittingly click them. When the scammers operate through texting, the method is called SMS phishing or smishing.

In the past two months, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Vermont and Wyoming were among the states warning residents about the scams.

In Illinois, Druker said, thousands of people have received texts and emails in which scammers pose as the secretary of state or as officials from the state department of transportation. Druker said he is not aware whether anyone has fallen for the ploys.

After learning about the phishing and smishing, Illinois officials alerted the FBI and IRS, which have worked with Google to take down the sham webpages. So far, the agencies have identified 1,035 sites and Google has shut down nearly 900 of them, Druker said.

We do not communicate with people about personal information through text or email, he said. We send formal letters from our office.

Scams in some states have played off the Real ID, a secure government-issued drivers license or identification card that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will soon be requiring for air travel or access to government-restricted areas. The federal government has extended the deadline for states to issue Real IDs from Oct. 1, 2021, to May 3, 2023, because of the pandemic.

In New York, the Department of Motor Vehicles alerted residents to a text scam that asks them to update their mailing address and contact information for expedited compliance with new Real ID regulations.

The agency posts a running list of examples of the many phishing ruses in which scammers pretend to be the DMV. The texts and emails often include DMV logos, images and content copied from the departments website or from another state government agency.

Perfect scam storm

Fraudsters love to create a sense of urgency when trying to hook victims, cybersecurity experts say.

Drivers license phishing texts and emails play into that strategy, and have become the scam du jour, said Alex Hamerstone, risk management director at TrustedSec, a cybersecurity consulting company based near Cleveland.

Its very topical. A lot of states extended drivers license expirations because of COVID. It feels real and looks like it comes from the DMV, Hamerstone said. Its a perfect scam storm.

In New Jersey, the Department of Transportation posted a warning on its Facebook page last month with a screenshot of a bogus text message that claimed the target needed to validate their drivers license.



NJDOT is not involved in drivers licenses or vehicle registrations. They are handled by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, the department wrote. We will never ask for or need your drivers license information.

Earlier this month, New Jerseys Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness issued its own alert about a similar, email-based phishing effort.

Its been difficult for some residents to get in-person appointments with the states motor vehicles department, so these scams may have played into that backdrop, said Michael Geraghty, New Jerseys cybersecurity director.

While New Jersey officials have alerted Google about the scams and gotten it to take down the sites, that wont necessarily stop the criminals, Geraghty added.

It doesnt prevent the same bad actors from opening a new Google account with a fictitious name, creating a form and using software to blast out text messages, he said.

In Utah, the state departments of transportation and public safety issued a joint warning about the texting scam. The phony text pretends to come from the DOT and asks people to click on a link because their contact information seems to be invalid or missing.

Clicking on the link opens a Google Forms page soliciting personal information. The document, which the agencies included with their warning, features a header image from the state DOT, which doesnt even issue licenses in Utah.

We really hope that anyone who received this noticed a lot of red flags, said Joe Dougherty, the public safety agencys spokesperson. Asking for someones Social Security number is a huge one. Even your credit card company only asks for the last four digits.



Dougherty said Utah officials reached out to Google, as other states have, and the company killed the web page.

In a statement from Google to Stateline, the company said its policy prohibits the use of its products for phishing, including for soliciting or collecting sensitive data.

"We are deeply committed to protecting our users from phishing abuse across our services, and are continuously working on additional measures to block these types of attacks as methods evolve," the spokesperson wrote.

While shutting down the pages helps, it may not be enough, Dougherty said. That doesnt stop a person from going out and doing this again.

This article first appeared on Stateline, an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts.
On Monday morning, Worthwhile Wind's compliance with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources was brought into question at the Worth County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The wind ordinance has been drafted partly in response to Invenergys Worthwhile Wind project, which aims to build a 30,000-acre wind farm in Worth and Winnebago counties.

Opponents of Worthwhile Wind have pointed to the negative impacts of wind turbines on the health and safety of county residents as a reason for more regulation. Proponents of the project claim there were no objections to the wind turbines until recently, and point to the $4.8 million in tax revenue the project would bring in for infrastructure improvements to the county.

Jeff Gorball, Worth County Planning and Zoning Commission chair, spoke at length in support of the proposed ordinance on wind energy. Gorball urged the supervisors to accept the ordinance rather than enter into a one-time agreement with Invenergy.
That sounds somewhat reassuring.

Indeed, some legislators have taken the courts statement to mean that not much will change.

We hope theyre right. Unfortunately, the high court has refused to answer follow up questions about how this would work.

Iowas unique system of redrawing political boundaries is successful in large part because of the constraints put in the law and the fact that much of the heavy lifting is centered in a non-partisan agency. Politicians in Iowa arent permitted to do the kind of, well, tinkering that is done in so many other states. (Yes, were looking at our neighbors in Illinois, but also many other states, such as Texas.)

In fact, gerrymandering across the country has been so pervasive that it has distorted Statehouse and congressional delegations to the point that it has yielded the much-quoted saying that lawmakers tend to pick their constituents, rather than the other way around. (Iowas constitutional deadline, by the way, does not apply to the redrawing of congressional boundaries.)

Unlike other states, in Iowa, politicians arent allowed to direct the map drawing and, when the boundaries are presented to them, they arent allowed the chance to amend them. Its an up or down vote.
TGC wrote:

When a district attorney (DA) leaves office in the middle of the term for whatever reason, the political party to which the outgoing DA belonged when he or she took office is allowed to choose a replacement. Since our DA will leave in the middle of her term to become the states attorney general, her replacement will be a member of the Federal Party.



Which of the following most strengthens the argument above?



The outgoing DA has not changed her party affiliation during her time in office.

The DA now leaving in the middle of her term was a member of the Federal Party when she took office.

The party to which the outgoing DA belongs always chooses a member of the Federal Party when replacing elected officials.

When the states attorney general leaves in the middle of the term, the replacement is decided by the state senate.

The Federal Party plans to choose to replace the outgoing district attorney with a close associate of the former DA.



Source:

Incorrect

Hardly matters.The new DA will be chosen by the party and he may be from any party.

Incorrect

the DA was a member of the federal party initially...now the current political party will chose the dA from any party

Correct

Incorrect

Opposes the argument.The argument clearly says that the political party of the leaving DA decides the new DA

Incorrect

This doesnt strengthen that the new member will be from federal party...it says that the new member should be a close associate of the former DA and its quite possible that the close associate is not the member of federal party.

Preparing for another shot... Signature Read More

1-The outgoing DA has not changed her party affiliation during her time in office.-2-The DA now leaving in the middle of her term was a member of the Federal Party when she took office.-3-The party to which the outgoing DA belongs always chooses a member of the Federal Party when replacing elected officials.-4-When the states attorney general leaves in the middle of the term, the replacement is decided by the state senate.-5-The Federal Party plans to choose to replace the outgoing district attorney with a close associate of the former DA-Hope it helps_________________
Three more residents of the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District have died of COVID-19, and more people 19 years old and younger are testing positive for the virus.

The fatalities were reported Saturday but not revealed to the public until Monday morning, because the Virginia Department of Health no longer updates its COVID-19 dashboard of information on weekends.

Very little is known to the public when someone dies of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Only by charting day-to-day shifts in demographics can some details be extracted.

The recent deaths  two women and one man  occurred in two city residents and one person who resided in Pittsylvania County. One was 80 or older, one was in his or her 60s, and the other was in his or her 70s.

When the date of the deaths isnt clear, they likely happened at least weeks earlier. Health workers must wait for a death certificate before verifying a death is linked to COVID-19, a process that can take two or more weeks.

So far, 242 Danville and Pittsylvania County residents have lost their lives to the virus since the first fatality was logged on March 25, 2020. Thirteen of the deaths have been added this month.
Edwards said the state will soon be transitioning into a grid search of the hardest hit areas, going to search every single home on each street to determine if anyone is home and needing assistance.

Then, to make sure that weve adequately covered the area, well go back and do a secondary search, he said. But what we did mostly to date today was try to catch up on the 911 calls. So we were actively partnered with local authorities and going out and doing search and rescue at individual addresses where we know people had called for help.



BATON ROUGE, La.  Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards urged evacuees not to try to return home, citing the widespread power outages, road closures and other dangerous conditions.

There are an awful lot of unknowns right now. There are certainly more questions than answers. I cant tell you when power is going to be restored. I cant tell you when all the debris is going to be cleaned up and repairs made and so forth. What I can tell you is were going to work hard every single day to deliver as much assistance as we possibly can.
When I was in public school, a TV ad asked: "It's 10 o'clock. Do you know where your children are?"

Here's a better question for today: Do you know what your children are being taught and exposed to in their schools?"

This summer's controversy over the teaching of critical race theory and whether to wear masks is only part of the problem. When kids claim to be a different sex than what they were born as and are allowed to use the locker rooms, restrooms and showers previously reserved for what we used to call girls and boys, it further erodes the morals and values we once considered part of a solid education.

Added to this is a bill passed by Oregon's legislature and signed by Gov. Kate Brown that suspends essential-skills testing in order for a student to graduate from high school  despite an uproar from parents. This is where the education establishment is headed.

The "rationale" behind the law is that minorities don't test well. Is that not racist on its face? Why don't schools focus on bringing struggling students of whatever race or background up to a standard instead of lowering the bar and making their diplomas worth less than Confederate money?
Many years ago, one of my sons came to me, excited about a promotional offer from some bank. I no longer remember the offer or the bank, but I do remember telling him not to fall for it; I had accepted a similar offer years before, and it cost me several of my favorite limbs and the shirt off my back. If a thing sounds too good to be true, I advised, it probably is.

Long story short, he signs up anyway. A couple years later, he tells me his decision has, yes, cost him several of his favorite limbs and the shirt off his back.

You were right, he says, ruefully. We were driving at the time, and I swear, I almost went off the road. Because, of course I was right. There was never a question that I was right. So why couldnt he have just listened to me and saved himself some grief?

Ive always taken it as illustration of an enduring paradox. Namely, that experience is a thing of extraordinary value and often exorbitant price. And yet, when you try to give it away, to hand it over to someone else free of charge, they frequently refuse to accept it.
"If we have a group of fourth-graders that came to me and I recognized they didn't have this third-grade skill because they didn't learn it last year, I'm able to put them in small groups and work with them differently to get them to where they need to be, to do the actual standard and the work that that we're doing right now," she explained.

Mabry of the NWEA agreed with that approach  if a child has lost confidence in reading, the answer may not be to take them out of social studies for extra literacy classes, for example, but to give them small-group teaching and divide text into chunks rather than assigning a whole chapter.

Ball-Oliver said this could be the time to refresh and revisit strategies  and keep things that did work in the pandemic  rather than just trying to get back to the old ways.

Her district used money it got from the federal CARES Act to boost its summer school, giving extra in-person instruction to about 6,000 students. That program is planned again for next summer, and Ball-Oliver hopes even more children will take part.

At the heart of everything are the teachers who were also impacted by the pandemic and could not enjoy the year in the classroom growing their students as they had planned.
"The last thing we want is to have people believe that even if they are having crushing chest pains or stroke-like symptoms, that because we are full and at capacity that they cannot come or dangerous to come," Harkins said. It is a safe place to get care."

She said 95% of doctors are vaccinated, adding there has not been staff exposure that has caused a positive COVID case.

Dailey said it is really tough to come to work every day knowing she will be hit with very sick patients who were not sick weeks ago and were unvaccinated.

And now they are fighting for their lives every day. They are alone in their rooms. They are scared, theyre nervous, their families are terrified, she said. Its a terrifying situation for everybody involved and they just keep getting sicker and we see it every day we come in.

She said it is disheartening. She said "you spend weeks and days with these patients and you hope they turn a corner and you think they are going to make it."

And then the next day it all comes crashing down, Dailey said. And they are headed to a higher level of care because they can no longer be on a normal floor.
Hundreds of emergency responders were in place in Louisiana and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had power restoration experts and generators at the ready as Hurricane Ida hit on Sunday as one of the most powerful hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S., federal officials said.

The Coast Guard prepositioned vessels for deep water search and rescue efforts," and President Joe Biden said federal support would remain in the region for as long as it takes.

I want to make sure that we're ready to surge all the response capacity, capability that we have to deal with whatever comes next, and a lot's going to be coming, Biden said during a stop Sunday at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters.

Much of the response began days before landfall and included special precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the White House said. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told CNNs State of the Union a few hours before Idas landfall that there were 600 people ready to deploy for search and rescue efforts, including teams from 15 other states, with many more on the way.

Were as ready as we can be, he said.
Those policies conflict with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends universal mask wearing for students and teachers in the classroom. The CDC issued the guidance in light of the rapid spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19.

In announcing the investigations, the department said it will examine whether the policies violate a federal law protecting students with disabilities. Under that law, students with disabilities must be given access to a free appropriate public education alongside their peers without disabilities.

But states that outlaw mask mandates could be preventing schools from taking necessary steps to protect students with disabilities or medical conditions, the department said.

In its letters, the department said it's concerned that the states may be preventing schools from making individualized assessments about mask use so that students with disabilities can attend school and participate in school activities in person."

Education Department investigations often end with voluntary agreements that remedy alleged violations. But if the agency concludes that states violated civil rights laws, it could issue sanctions as severe as a loss of federal education funding.
We arent going to give up on our bills, and well try once more when the Legislature meets again in 2023. Farmers and ranchers cant wait that long, though, and they cant go through another growing season without the ability to repair their tractors. Fortunately, a few weeks ago President Biden directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to put rules in place that protect farmers and ranchers right to repair their own equipment. Every week counts, and those protections arent here yet, so we joined 39 of our Democratic colleagues from the Legislature to put pressure on the FTC. We are pushing them to work with farmers and ranchers to get strong right to repair rules on the books.
Todays Highlight in History:

On Aug. 30, 1967, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Thurgood Marshall as the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

On Aug. 30:

In 1861, Union Gen. John C. Fremont instituted martial law in Missouri and declared slaves there to be free. (However, Fremonts emancipation order was countermanded by President Abraham Lincoln.)

In 1905, Ty Cobb made his major-league debut as a player for the Detroit Tigers, hitting a double in his first at-bat in a game against the New York Highlanders. (The Tigers won, 5-3.)

In 1945, U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur arrived in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters.

In 1983, Guion S. Bluford Jr. became the first Black American astronaut to travel in space as he blasted off aboard the Challenger.

In 1987, a redesigned space shuttle booster, created in the wake of the Challenger disaster, roared into life in its first full-scale test-firing near Brigham City, Utah.

In 1992, the television series Northern Exposure won six Emmy Awards, including best drama series, while Murphy Brown received three Emmys, including best comedy series.

In 1993, The Late Show with David Letterman premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1997, Americans received word of the car crash in Paris that claimed the lives of Princess Diana, her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, and their driver, Henri Paul. (Because of the time difference, it was August 31 where the crash occurred.)

In 2005, a day after Hurricane Katrina hit, floods were covering 80 percent of New Orleans, looting continued to spread and rescuers in helicopters and boats picked up hundreds of stranded people.

In 2007, in a serious breach of nuclear security, a B-52 bomber armed with six nuclear warheads flew cross-country unnoticed; the Air Force later punished 70 people.

In 2011, remnants of Hurricane Irene washed out roads and bridges in a deluge that had taken many people in the landlocked New England state by surprise. Libyan rebels said they were closing in on Moammar Gadhafi and issued an ultimatum to loyalists in his hometown of Sirte, his main remaining bastion: Surrender, or face attack.

In 2012, Mitt Romney launched his fall campaign for the White House with a rousing, personal speech to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, proclaiming that America needs jobs, lots of jobs.

In 2015, the White House announced that President Barack Obama would change the name of North Americas tallest mountain peak from Mount McKinley to Denali, bestowing the traditional Alaska Native name on the eve of a historic presidential visit to Alaska.

In 2016, Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and Democratic U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy each easily won their Florida Senate primaries; Rubio won the election the following November. U.S. Sen. John McCain beat back an Arizona primary challenge from a Republican tea party activist, Kelli Ward, to win the right to seek a sixth Senate term in November (McCain went on to defeat Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick and Green Party candidate Gary Swing).

In 2020, President Donald Trump praised supporters who clashed with Black Lives Matter protesters in Portland, Oregon, calling them great patriots; Trump and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler blamed each other for the violence. A tally kept by Johns Hopkins University found that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases globally had topped 25 million; the U.S. led the count with 5.9 million cases. Lady Gaga won multiple honors at the MTV Video Music Awards, most of them for her hit with Ariana Grande, Rain on Me, while The Weeknd took home the top prize.

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Hurricane Ida is expected to bring rain and wind to the greater Bristol region as early as Tuesday.

Winds up to 30 mph and rain totals of three inches are expected in Wise County, Virginia, along the Kentucky border, said Brandon Wasilewski, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee.

Hurricane Ida made landfall on Sunday in Louisiana with winds as high as 150 mph, Wasilewski said.

The storm is expected to move north but stay west of Knoxville as it passes over Tennessee en route to Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio, Wasilewski said.

Theres still some uncertainly in the exact track of it, Wasilewski said.

Its looking to move into Middle Tennessee on Tuesday, he said. As it gets Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, the forecast has the center of it going north of Wise County.

Hurricane Ida should be a low-pressure system once it moves this far inland, Wasilewski said.

Were definitely looking at some rain, Wasilewski said.

In Virginia, Wise and Russell counties could see a total of three inches of rain and may pose a flood threat, Wasilewski said.
Its the vaccine refuseniks who enabled this new surge, so its only fitting that they should now be forced to reap the consequences of their irresponsibility.

Delta Air Lines, whose brand name shares an unfortunate association with the variant, announced this week that it will impose a $200 monthly health insurance surcharge on unvaccinated employees. The U.S. military is now requiring all 1.4 million active-duty and reserve service members to get vaccinated. And that makes complete sense when it comes to protecting combat readiness, as demonstrated last year when an outbreak took the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt out of service and forced 4,800 crew members into quarantine.

In St. Louis, Mayor Tishaura Jones took the bold decision of requiring all city workers to be vaccinated by Oct. 15 or undergo weekly testing. Other employers are imposing similar mandates  but with the added twist of requiring the unvaccinated to pay for their own testing.

In other words, they can no longer skate by without paying a price.

Insurance companies also are weighing ways to charge higher premiums on the unvaccinated  again making clear that people who behave irresponsibly, endanger their own health and raise the costs of medical care for everyone do not deserve to escape financial penalty for their decision.
Catawba County is facing a tsunami of COVID-19 cases, according to the countys public health director.

The current surge in coronavirus cases caused by the delta variant is growing at a rapid rate, Catawba County Public Health Director Jennifer McCracken said during a Catawba County Board of Commissioners subcommittee meeting on Monday.

The number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Catawba County grew from 55 reported for the week of June 30 to 398 new cases last week. And in the past month, the number of cases reported weekly grew by 202 percent, McCracken said.

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We know that cases are rising at a faster rate right now than they ever have in the pandemic, McCracken said. If you look at the cases from last year, it was really just like a big wave. It gradually got bigger, and then it ebbed. But if you look at how the cases are rising right now, its more like a tsunami. It is big and it is tall and it is growing.

The steep increase in cases isnt limited to Catawba County, she said. The entire state is seeing a rise in cases. Catawba County has seen a total of 21,068 confirmed COVID-19 cases in county residents.
Investing in a methane digester for your dairy is a big commitment, but one that can have a significant payoff for the environment and even the farm. There are multiple ways to go about the project to find an option that best fits your business goals, said Mark Stoermann on the August 18 Hoards Dairyman DairyLivestream.

Stoermann, the chief operating officer at Newtrient, broadly described three approaches a farm could take to a digester project. The first is taking on everything yourself  from construction (with the consult of engineers) to contracting with buyers. Taking all of the risk would allow you to capitalize on all of the rewards of any renewable natural gas (RNG) or electricity sales, he noted.

The other option is to combine and work with somebody whos already developing projects and already financially secure and already got the contracts, Stoermann said. A farm contributes equity to become a partner in the project, and there are companies that look to work with dairies in that way, he added. Part of Newtrients work is helping farmers know what to look for in developing these relationships.

Other companies will take nearly all of the risk on themselves as they put the digester on the farm, he explained. These projects allow a farm to contract to provide the feedstock for the digester to process, often manure and sometimes also food waste.

Choosing a path

So, how do you know what is right for you? Based on how much risk the farm takes on, there will be different costs to taking on the project, Stoermann said. But he described the easy way of thinking of it like this:

One cow produces about 21 million British thermal units (MMBtus) a year. Youre going to need probably in the neighborhood of 40% of that to cover the cost of the project and the contracts, no matter whether you build it yourself or whether you partner with somebody else, he laid out. So, thats going to leave you 13 MMBtus per cow per year to sell. If you partner with a developer and are splitting that cost and putting your equity in, youre going to get a larger share of that. If youre just partnering to supply your feedstock and taking very low risk, then youre going to get a much smaller amount of that return.

Most important to consider, though, is the relationship youll have with anyone you are partnering on the project with, Stoermann emphasized. I think the key in these sorts of projects is you need to find something thats going to work for you as a dairy. Work with those people that youre comfortable with in a way that is around good communication and where you both value the participation and the expertise of the other entities that are getting this project done.

To watch the recording of the August 18 DairyLivestream, go to the link above. The program recording is also available as an audio-only podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and downloadable from the Hoards Dairyman website.

An ongoing series of events

The next broadcast of DairyLivestream will be on Wednesday, September 15 at 11 a.m. CDT. Each episode is designed for panelists to answer over 30 minutes of audience questions. If you havent joined a DairyLivestream broadcast yet, register here for free. Registering once registers you for all future events.





To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2021

August 26, 2021
Australian hyperscale data centre specialist AirTrunk has opened its Japan headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, ahead of the opening of its first Japanese data centre in Inzai.

In a statement, AirTrunk chief executive Robin Khuda said the new data centre, the company's sixth, was part of a planned expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.

Today [27 August] marks a major milestone in the AirTrunk story as we officially open our new corporate office in Japan to accommodate our fast-growing Japan business now and into the future," he said.

"Our new Japan headquarters in Tokyo demonstrates our commitment to growing in this strategic market as we continue to expand our data centre platform and investment in Japan.

In the next five years, cloud adoption in Japan is expected to grow by about 12% CAGR, accelerated by COVID-19 and driven by the rapid enterprise migration from on-premise and traditional data centres to the cloud.

"Hundreds of megawatts of enterprise data will need to be migrated to the cloud, enabled by critical digital infrastructure including hyperscale data centres like AirTrunk TOK1.

A purification ceremony, known as OHARAI, underway at the Japan headquarters. Supplied

Khuda's figures were based on a report from Fuji Chimera Research Institute in May 2021, commissioned by AirTrunk.

In March, AirTrunk opened a new facility in Sydney's north, the 110+ MW AirTrunk SYD2 centre.

The company already has centres in Western Sydney and Melbourne. It opened two centres in Singapore and Hong Kong last year, providing more than 80MW of IT load.

Earlier in August, the Japan office was blessed by a priest in an OHARAI purification ceremony. However, while it is officially open, most staff are working remotely in line with government advice.

The hyperscale data centre is set to open in late 2021 and will be the largest and most efficient data centre in Japan when complete, at over 300+ MW of IT load and an industry-low power usage effectiveness of 1.15, delivering significant energy efficiency.

AirTrunks head of Japan, Nori Matsushita, said: A year ago, we announced our plans to build the largest data centre in Japan, TOK1 in Inzai. Over this time, we have continued to build our local team of hyperscale data centre experts who have made huge progress in preparation for the data centre launch later this year.

"Our team in Japan is working closely with the broader regional team to deliver scalable, fast, flexible and reliable data centre solutions for customers.

Our Tokyo headquarters are designed to support AirTrunks dynamic culture. The office includes collaborative working spaces with an open kitchen, cafe seating, lounges and breakout areas including a pool table. And importantly, there is a strong focus on sustainability as we minimise waste, water, and energy usage.
Current advisory committee vacancies are on the agenda for the Sept. 16, Board of Commissioners meeting. The application deadline for those interested in serving on the committees is Sept. 8 at 5 p.m. For more information on how to apply for these volunteer opportunities, visit coforsythnc.civicweb.net/Portal/BoardApplication.

Q: I saw that Senior Services has an urgent need for Meals-on-Wheels volunteers, but Im not sure if I have enough time to commit. Is there any flexibility with how routes are scheduled?

 MW

Answer: It is true that Senior Services has an urgent need for Meals-on-Wheels volunteers, and yes delivery schedules are flexible. On average, Meals-on-Wheels delivers 20,000 hot nutritious meals per month to older adults in Forsyth County. It takes an enormous amount of volunteer support to deliver that many meals. Senior Services values volunteers time and does its best to accommodate volunteer availability.

Volunteers can deliver any day, Monday through Friday, anytime between 9:45 a.m. and noon. Delivery routes take between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. Most can be done on a 1-hour lunch break and fortunately, many employers offer time off for community service. A person can volunteer once per week, once per month, or any frequency in between.
RALEIGH  North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill Monday that would have done away with the permit someone must obtain from a county sheriff before buying a pistol, turning back a key agenda item of conservative gun-rights activists.

Cooper's veto was expected, and an override will be difficult for Republicans who control the General Assembly, since they lack veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. Only two Democrats  both in the House  voted for doing away with the pistol purchase permitting system, which goes back more than 100 years.

Cooper supports more gun-sale restrictions, not less, and his office expressed his opposition to the bill the day after the final legislative vote this month.

Gun permit laws reduce gun homicides and suicides and reduce the availability of guns for criminal activity," Cooper said in a news release. At a time of rising gun violence, we cannot afford to repeal a system that works to save lives. The legislature should focus on combating gun violence instead of making it easier for guns to end up in the wrong hands.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's defense minister on Monday announced a series of gestures aimed at strengthening the Palestinian Authority, including plans to loan $150 million to the cash-strapped autonomy government in the occupied West Bank.

The announcement came a day after Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years.

The stepped-up contacts and Israeli gestures mark a shift in direction after the complete breakdown of communication between Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years. Israel's new government has said it is interested in bolstering Abbas in his rivalry against Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group.

The stronger the Palestinian Authority is, the weaker Hamas will be, Gantz was quoted as telling Israeli military correspondents Monday. And the greater its ability to govern is, the more security well have and the less well have to do.

The Israeli moves come two days after President Joe Biden urged Israel's new prime minister during a White House meeting to take steps toward improving the lives of Palestinians.
Others argue that we should let in Afghans because many of them who were helpful to U.S. military forces over the last 20 years are now in danger of being killed by the Taliban because of their efforts. But at the same time, they want to keep out Central American migrants who they fear will only speed up the process of America becoming largely Latino.

Talk about a silver lining. Afghans have at least one thing going for them. There is still a system in place to handle those Afghans who wish to claim asylum. Theyre likely to have the chance to plead their case to judges in immigration court.

That is not the case for would-be refugees from Central America. The Biden administration  which talks a good game about welcoming immigrants and refugees even as it turns away immigrants and refugees  plans to forgo due process for those gathered at the U.S.-Mexico border. Folks from Central America dont have to go to court, say administration officials. They can have their chances for asylum judged on the spot by the same border patrol agents who are tasked with keeping them out of the country. Hows that for efficiency?
Briese is a Republican and both Morfeld and Lathrop are Democrats and the exchange was a reminder that redistricting tends to turn into a partisan exercise even in Nebraska's nonpartisan Legislature.

While Monday's exchange centered on rural vs. urban interests, that translates in Nebraska into Republican vs. Democratic representation.

Late census figures delayed by the pandemic have forced the Legislature into a swift time frame that Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, committee chairwoman, said the committee is prepared to meet.

It will hold public hearings in Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island once it has reached its decisions.

"I am sure there already are lots of maps," Linehan said in answer to a question following the committee session. "All kinds of maps."

Census figures suggest that the Omaha-Lincoln-Sarpy County metropolitan complex may be entitled to two additional senators, but rural senators hope to hold that figure to one through allowable deviation in population numbers.

Lancaster County itself would be entitled to one additional senator under equal population numbers.
The hue and cry over President Bidens extracting us from the quagmire in Afghanistan begs for an historical perspective.

During the 19th century Anglo-Afghan wars (183942, 187880), Great Britain attempted to extend its control into Afghanistan from its colonial outposts in India. They squandered both men and money in their unsuccessful attempts before finally withdrawing.

During the 20th century (1979-1989), the Russians, not learning from Great Britains mistakes, also wasted money and lives prior to their embarrassing exit.

At the dawning of the 21st century, ignorant of and/or indifferent to this tragic history, the then commander-in-chief, George W. Bush and his vice president, Dick Cheney, spawned the United States fiasco in Afghanistan. Twenty years later, $2 trillion poorer, with tens of thousands of lives lost, our name has been added to this ignominious list.
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From hemp to high: Delta-8 THC brings marijuana-like product to unregulated Wisconsin

AMBER ARNOLD, LEE NEWSPAPERS Sam Santana, owner and operator of Wisconsin Growing Co., walks through a field of hemp in southern Dane County that, when mature, will be used to make CBD and delta-8 THC products.

MADISON  In November, Herbal Aspect made just two sales when the Madison-based online retailer only stocked CBD products.

By the following month, the business started selling delta-8 THC  a chemical cousin of the main psychoactive component in marijuana  and sales soared to more than $10,000. Since then, business has taken off exponentially, said Herbal Aspect co-founder Alan Robinson.

In the past year, delta-8 has boomed in popularity nationwide as the product  sometimes referred to as marijuana light  is billed to offer a euphoric high similar to but milder than marijuana. It occupies a legal gray area, allowing businesses in many states where cannabis is illegal to sell gummies, vaping devices and other products infused with delta-8.

Delta-8 is found naturally in low concentrations in cannabis and hemp plants, but it can also be produced through a series of processes starting with raw material from hemp plants. Buds from hemp are turned into CBD oil  a nonintoxicating compound abundant in the plant and touted for medical benefits  which in turn is converted into delta-8.

AMBER ARNOLD, LEE NEWSPAPERS Green County Hemp sells several delta-8 products, including a vape pen, at right, and oil drops known as a tincture.

Locally, delta-8 products are found at CBD stores and head shops but also inside Woodmans Market locations or sold at booths during festivals. The unregulated aspect of the industry, though, is prompting concerns about consumer and product safety, which has no legally enforceable age restriction.

Concern across the board

State Rep. David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, said theres concern across the board about ensuring delta-8 is produced and sold safely, including from some inside the industry. The demand for delta-8 is more evidence that we should be moving in a direction as a state to officially legalize marijuana and to officially provide medical marijuana as well, he said.

AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL In an extraction lab on Madison's East Side, which is awaiting final city approval before it can be used, Brook Bartels, co-owner of Green County Hemp, talks about how hemp can be processed using the machine at right into CBD and then delta-8 THC.

Bowen, who has supported previous marijuana legalization attempts, said he and other legislators are working with legislative staff on potential bills regulating delta-8 in Wisconsin.

We will be looking at a number of different angles to provide some regulation around delta-8, he said.

Established in 2018, Green County Hemp began selling delta-8 products nine months ago, said co-owner and operator Brook Bartels. Now, the companys delta-8 products account for about half of its sales, with the other half coming from CBD.

The market is taking off for everyone who makes it, Bartels said of delta-8.

The chemical structure of delta-8 is nearly identical to the main psychoactive component of marijuana, known as delta-9 THC, with the only difference being the position of a double bond on the compound, said Daniele Piomelli, director of the Center for the Study of Cannabis at the University of California-Irvine.

Its a good educated guess both THC compounds, which bind to the same brain receptors, have similar psychoactive effects, said Piomelli, who has a doctorate in pharmacology. But with minimal research conducted on the traditionally overlooked delta-8, Piomelli said we really dont have the type of data that we need to be able to affirm that with certainty.

Despite the slight difference between the two compounds, he said consumption of delta-8 could produce a positive result for THC in a urine-based drug test.

Piomelli heads up the scientific journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, which he said recently received its first paper on delta-8.

Dane County hemp farm

The product can be made locally. For example, Green County Hemp uses hemp grown on a 15-acre farm in southern Dane County to make its CBD products as well as convert some of the CBD into delta-8, Bartels said.

The company is in the process of opening an extraction lab on Madisons East Side for the growing business, said Scott Chalmers, another co-owner and operator of Green County Hemp. The lab, which is waiting on final city approval before production can begin, would help Green County Hemp process more CBD and delta-8 products, Bartels said.

Thats what Green County Hemp is: High purity, high potency, thats all we do, Chalmers said. We do it for far less than everybody else does, because were seed to sale.

Other retailers, such as Herbal Aspect, purchase delta-8 products from third-party manufacturers. Robinson and his two partners are looking to open a store for Herbal Aspect on University Avenue near Hilldale because of the growing demand.

Robinson, who is the executive director of the Wisconsin chapter of marijuana-advocacy organization NORML, said delta-8 customers usually dont report the things that would typically associated with being uncomfortably high, such as anxiety and paranoia.

When describing the effects of delta-9 compared to delta-8, Robinson uses an analogy appropriate for a college town.

If (delta-9) were a college student, it would be a frat boy: Party, party, party, Robinson said. If delta-8 were a college student, it would be a sorority girl. She parties too  not quite like the frat boys, which is often a good thing  but she certainly parties.

AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL Under a 2018 federal law legalizing hemp and hemp-derived products, plants must be kept under a strict threshold for delta-9 THC  the main intoxicating ingredient of marijuana  but no limit on delta-8 THC is mentioned.

Legal status

Despite businesses making significant investments in delta-8, the legal status of the product is surrounded by uncertainty, according to a legal brief produced last month by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Council.

State and federal laws place a strict threshold on how much delta-9 THC can be contained in hemp or its byproducts but mention no limit on delta-8 THC.

According to the legal brief, the debate over legality boils down to whether delta-8 converted from hemp-derived CBD is protected by the federal 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and derivative products, or if the processing makes it a synthetic THC, which would be an illegal controlled substance.

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, which oversees Wisconsins hemp program, hasnt tested any delta-8 products to see whether theyre above the delta-9 limit, but instead focuses on hemp production, said spokesperson Leeann Duwe.

The complicated question over its legality crosses multiple regulatory jurisdictions, Duwe said, and these questions are still under discussion across various agencies and entities at different levels of government.

Several states, including those where marijuana is legal and others where its illegal, have banned delta-8 products in the past year. Producers and retailers contend the recreational marijuana industry feels threatened by the burgeoning popularity of delta-8.

The legal cannabis industry, ironically, isnt thrilled with delta-8 THC, Robinson said. Its a real disrupter because of the price point, because of anecdotal similar efficacy and relief that it provides in regards to delta-9 THC. Its really quite similar.

Bartels and Chalmers both want to see regulation of the industry. In the absence of state oversight, they said Green County Hemp polices itself to provide quality products, such as testing all goods through a third-party lab before sale and being selective about what retailers it partners with.

AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL Green County Hemp, which is co-owned by Brook Bartels, left, Scott Chalmers, right, and a third partner, has sales split nearly in half between its CBD products and those infused with delta-8 THC.

Robinson said Herbal Aspect also gets third-party lab results for potency and leftover residuals, known as certificates of authenticity, on all the products the company sells. Both Herbal Aspect and Green County Hemp have a 21-or-older policy for delta-8.

But Piomelli, the cannabis research director, takes a skeptical view of the delta-8 trend, calling it a rather misguided ruse to circumvent already muddy federal and state laws across the country on marijuana regulation.

Id rather the people use delta-9 THC, which we know and understand, and then use it responsibly because we know what the risks are, in terms of acute risks and long-term risks, rather than now experimenting on a relatively different compound, (about) which we have so little information, he said.

Market conditions

Despite a majority of Wisconsin voters favoring legalized marijuana, the Republican-controlled state Legislature has rebuffed several attempts to adopt medical and recreational marijuana. Wisconsin has become an island of prohibition, a group of Democratic state lawmakers said when introducing the latest legalization attempt earlier this month, as all surrounding states have some form of legal cannabis use.

Hemp in Wisconsin After decades of prohibition, Wisconsin farmers could again grow hemp in 2018 under a pilot program unanimously supported by the state Legislature and signed by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. The program, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, was initially hailed for the "industrial hemp" it would bring back to a state that once was one of the country's leaders in production before the industry died at the end of World War II and the plant later outlawed. Lawmakers and industry representatives spoke of a variety of health, manufacturing, high-tech and food applications for hemp upon its return. But CBD oil  a nonintoxicating component of the plant touted for medical benefits  quickly became the dominant byproduct of the plant. After the inaugural growing season in 2018, the number of licensed hemp growers and processors ballooned in 2019, stayed steady in 2020 and significantly dropped this year.

Tim Nicholson sells delta-8 gummies through the website of his hemp-farming business, Driftless Dreams, and partnered with Woodmans to sell them inside the grocery stores. If marijuana were legal in Wisconsin, Nicholson believes the market for delta-8 would largely dry up.

People want legalized marijuana, which I will not be a part of  not morally and ethically, just because I think Id get crushed by the bigger players, he said.

But Robinson said delta-8 products appeal to casual users of cannabis because of their comparatively lower potency, especially when, he said, the marijuana black market emphasizes high potency.

A much more casual user can really get a lot of enjoyment out of what we have available, Robinson said.

AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL Wisconsin started an industrial hemp pilot program in 2018 after decades of prohibition on growing the plant.

Driftless Dreams entry into the delta-8 market was driven by consumer demand, Nicholson said. He started his 3-acre hemp farm in 2018 on property Nicholson has owned near Viola for 20 years after former Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill allowing an industrial hemp pilot program.

Despite knowing nothing about hemp farming or processing CBD from the plant, Nicholson said he wanted to grow the crop to spur economic activity in the area. But more than three years on, Nicholson is blunt about his experience with the demand for CBD products: Theres no market for it. I mean theres a small market. Very small.

Nicholson said he has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into infrastructure and equipment to process his hemp into CBD products. But since the market for CBD is small, Nicholson says, he has turned to selling delta-8 gummies, which are purchased from a third-party supplier.

He said that, if delta-8 does become illegal, then that will put every CBD farmer, every CBD shop out of business in Wisconsin.

Know Your Madisonian 2021: Profiles from the Wisconsin State Journal's weekly series They're your neighbors, co-workers or friends you may not have met yet. And they all have a story to tell.
Confused.

Thats how the loved ones of Andre Sandoval feel right now. The 21-year-old Burlington native was killed Saturday outside Angels Beauty Salon, 2221 Durand Ave., Mount Pleasant.

Police say that a barber at the salon shot Sandoval after Sandoval allegedly didnt pay for a haircut.

Sandoval had a giving heart. He had been active in his churchs youth group as a teen. Over this past summer, he said hed come back for one day to help with home improvement projects in the community.

He didnt come back for one day. He ended up coming to help all seven days in a row. And that was after he had already put in a 4-9 a.m. shift at his day job as a dock worker at Dayton Freight.

He had that servant-leadership heart, said Eloy Contreras, who acted as a mentor for Sandoval as youth pastor for the local Active Catholic Teens In Service (ACTS) Youth Ministry, a collective ministry run through three Catholic churches: St. Patrick, St. Edward and St. Richard. He also has gone on several mission trips with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Sandoval, as a teen, had been part of ACTS and remained an active member at St. Patrick prior to his death; ACTS is the organization that led the home improvement projects Sandoval came back to help with two months ago.

Sandovals parents, Lupe and Maria, rarely had to ask him to help with anything. He did it naturally.

He was having a big heart, Lupe said. He would reach out to help others; that was his natural most inspiring characteristic  He naturally had it.

In a Facebook post, Contreras wrote: This loss really hurts. Im so glad that I was fortunate enough to have been part of your life and walk along side you on your spiritual journey. Not only as your youth minister or mentor, but as your friend. You were one of the success stories that I loved to brag about.

A forgiver

Friends said they were shocked when they found out Sandoval was dead.

He wasnt related to any gangs, never looked for problems with anyone. A really peaceful guy. Thats why it hurts so much, said 18-year-old Johnny Aguila, who said that Sandoval took me under his wing when the two were in ACTS together.

He always told me to pursue my goals and dreams. Thats something Ill always be thankful for, Aguila said.

Isaac Dombrowski, who was trained by Sandoval when they both were working at Panera Bread four years ago, said he broke down after finding out his friend was dead. After a rough night Sunday, he said Monday he was doing better.

Im keeping my head up. Hed want me to keep moving, keep grinding, Dombrowski said.

Sandoval was the kind of guy who would call someone to ask for forgiveness over even slight transgressions.

It would bother him so much to have any type of hurt in his heart, Maria said.

Lupe added: I believe in my heart that, knowing my son and how hes been raised, the things we try to teach him, I know he wouldve forgiven the guy who did this. Thats what we believe. He never wanted to hold any resentment toward anybody.

Aguila said something similar. I think hed forgive the person who killed him. He didnt hold grudges. A really good person.

Fundraiser A GoFundMe online fundraiser set up Sunday, one day after Andre Sandoval was killed, has already surpassed its goal of raising $8,000 to cover Sandoval's family's funeral fees and other costs. As of noon, Monday, more than $11,000 has been raised. Go to gofund.me/e5845bcf to donate.

Finding out

Lupe and Maria found out something was wrong while they were volunteering. They had been working at a festival when another of their children called them. Police are at the house. You guys need to come home. They wouldnt tell us what happened over the phone.

They rushed home.

Maria said the moment was terrifying.

They told us that he got killed, Maria said during a phone interview Monday, her voice breaking with sobs. They couldnt tell us anything else.

Three homicides in August

This is, like, the third violent death in less than two weeks. This gun violence thing is bad, said Linda Boyle, co-president of the Racine Interfaith Coalition, which organizes a vigil after every death caused by gun violence in the community.

On Aug. 13, Rebecca Becky Rannow, 41, a beloved local bartender, was discovered in her Edgewood Avenue home dead from multiple gunshot wounds. On Aug. 24, Musa Tawfig Musa, 44, was gunned down near the intersection of LaSalle and English streets. At least two other non-fatal shootings have occurred in Racine since Rannow was killed.

Amid the violence, the Racine Police Department is trying to increase its presence in neighborhoods with high rates of crime and shots fired reports.

Boyle expects a large turnout for a vigil planned for 6 p.m. Wednesday at 2221 Durand Ave., where Sandoval was killed. Loved ones of Sandoval and the faith communities he was part of will be re-sanctifying of the ground during the vigil, hosted by RIC, an organization that holds a vigil for everyone killed in Racine.

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Rental assistance funds are available to renters with household incomes of up to 80% of their areas median income who have struggled to pay rent during the pandemic. Renters can get up to 12 months of back rent paid.

To apply for rental assistance, go to wiscap.org/wera, email support@wera.help or call 833-900-9372.

Fight to reinstate

Some progressives are pushing for Congress to put a ban on evictions back in place. A letter signed by more than 60 Democrats urged Congressional leaders to act, arguing that the ongoing COVID-19 spike coupled with a potential flood of evictions could increase the spread of the coronaviruss delta variant.

The impending eviction crisis is a matter of public health and safety that demands an urgent legislative solution to prevent further harm and needless loss of human life, the letter stated. Allowing an eviction crisis to take hold will only erase the gains weve made and put our recovery further out of reach.

Whether or not there will actually be a massive amount of eviction filings remains to be seen.
MADISON  In November, Herbal Aspect made just two sales when the Madison-based online retailer only stocked CBD products.

By the following month, the business started selling delta-8 THC  a chemical cousin of the main psychoactive component in marijuana  and sales soared to more than $10,000. Since then, business has taken off exponentially, said Herbal Aspect co-founder Alan Robinson.

In the past year, delta-8 has boomed in popularity nationwide as the product  sometimes referred to as marijuana light  is billed to offer a euphoric high similar to but milder than marijuana. It occupies a legal gray area, allowing businesses in many states where cannabis is illegal to sell gummies, vaping devices and other products infused with delta-8.

Delta-8 is found naturally in low concentrations in cannabis and hemp plants, but it can also be produced through a series of processes starting with raw material from hemp plants. Buds from hemp are turned into CBD oil  a nonintoxicating compound abundant in the plant and touted for medical benefits  which in turn is converted into delta-8.

Locally, delta-8 products are found at CBD stores and head shops but also inside Woodmans Market locations or sold at booths during festivals. The unregulated aspect of the industry, though, is prompting concerns about consumer and product safety, which has no legally enforceable age restriction.

Concern across the board

State Rep. David Bowen, D-Milwaukee, said theres concern across the board about ensuring delta-8 is produced and sold safely, including from some inside the industry. The demand for delta-8 is more evidence that we should be moving in a direction as a state to officially legalize marijuana and to officially provide medical marijuana as well, he said.

Bowen, who has supported previous marijuana legalization attempts, said he and other legislators are working with legislative staff on potential bills regulating delta-8 in Wisconsin.

We will be looking at a number of different angles to provide some regulation around delta-8, he said.

Established in 2018, Green County Hemp began selling delta-8 products nine months ago, said co-owner and operator Brook Bartels. Now, the companys delta-8 products account for about half of its sales, with the other half coming from CBD.

The market is taking off for everyone who makes it, Bartels said of delta-8.

The chemical structure of delta-8 is nearly identical to the main psychoactive component of marijuana, known as delta-9 THC, with the only difference being the position of a double bond on the compound, said Daniele Piomelli, director of the Center for the Study of Cannabis at the University of California-Irvine.

Its a good educated guess both THC compounds, which bind to the same brain receptors, have similar psychoactive effects, said Piomelli, who has a doctorate in pharmacology. But with minimal research conducted on the traditionally overlooked delta-8, Piomelli said we really dont have the type of data that we need to be able to affirm that with certainty.

Despite the slight difference between the two compounds, he said consumption of delta-8 could produce a positive result for THC in a urine-based drug test.

Piomelli heads up the scientific journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, which he said recently received its first paper on delta-8.

Dane County hemp farm

The product can be made locally. For example, Green County Hemp uses hemp grown on a 15-acre farm in southern Dane County to make its CBD products as well as convert some of the CBD into delta-8, Bartels said.

The company is in the process of opening an extraction lab on Madisons East Side for the growing business, said Scott Chalmers, another co-owner and operator of Green County Hemp. The lab, which is waiting on final city approval before production can begin, would help Green County Hemp process more CBD and delta-8 products, Bartels said.

Thats what Green County Hemp is: High purity, high potency, thats all we do, Chalmers said. We do it for far less than everybody else does, because were seed to sale.

Other retailers, such as Herbal Aspect, purchase delta-8 products from third-party manufacturers. Robinson and his two partners are looking to open a store for Herbal Aspect on University Avenue near Hilldale because of the growing demand.

Robinson, who is the executive director of the Wisconsin chapter of marijuana-advocacy organization NORML, said delta-8 customers usually dont report the things that would typically associated with being uncomfortably high, such as anxiety and paranoia.

When describing the effects of delta-9 compared to delta-8, Robinson uses an analogy appropriate for a college town.

If (delta-9) were a college student, it would be a frat boy: Party, party, party, Robinson said. If delta-8 were a college student, it would be a sorority girl. She parties too  not quite like the frat boys, which is often a good thing  but she certainly parties.

Legal status

Despite businesses making significant investments in delta-8, the legal status of the product is surrounded by uncertainty, according to a legal brief produced last month by the nonpartisan Wisconsin Legislative Council.

State and federal laws place a strict threshold on how much delta-9 THC can be contained in hemp or its byproducts but mention no limit on delta-8 THC.

According to the legal brief, the debate over legality boils down to whether delta-8 converted from hemp-derived CBD is protected by the federal 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and derivative products, or if the processing makes it a synthetic THC, which would be an illegal controlled substance.

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, which oversees Wisconsins hemp program, hasnt tested any delta-8 products to see whether theyre above the delta-9 limit, but instead focuses on hemp production, said spokesperson Leeann Duwe.

The complicated question over its legality crosses multiple regulatory jurisdictions, Duwe said, and these questions are still under discussion across various agencies and entities at different levels of government.

Several states, including those where marijuana is legal and others where its illegal, have banned delta-8 products in the past year. Producers and retailers contend the recreational marijuana industry feels threatened by the burgeoning popularity of delta-8.

The legal cannabis industry, ironically, isnt thrilled with delta-8 THC, Robinson said. Its a real disrupter because of the price point, because of anecdotal similar efficacy and relief that it provides in regards to delta-9 THC. Its really quite similar.

Bartels and Chalmers both want to see regulation of the industry. In the absence of state oversight, they said Green County Hemp polices itself to provide quality products, such as testing all goods through a third-party lab before sale and being selective about what retailers it partners with.

Robinson said Herbal Aspect also gets third-party lab results for potency and leftover residuals, known as certificates of authenticity, on all the products the company sells. Both Herbal Aspect and Green County Hemp have a 21-or-older policy for delta-8.

But Piomelli, the cannabis research director, takes a skeptical view of the delta-8 trend, calling it a rather misguided ruse to circumvent already muddy federal and state laws across the country on marijuana regulation.

Id rather the people use delta-9 THC, which we know and understand, and then use it responsibly because we know what the risks are, in terms of acute risks and long-term risks, rather than now experimenting on a relatively different compound, (about) which we have so little information, he said.

Market conditions

Despite a majority of Wisconsin voters favoring legalized marijuana, the Republican-controlled state Legislature has rebuffed several attempts to adopt medical and recreational marijuana. Wisconsin has become an island of prohibition, a group of Democratic state lawmakers said when introducing the latest legalization attempt earlier this month, as all surrounding states have some form of legal cannabis use.

Hemp in Wisconsin After decades of prohibition, Wisconsin farmers could again grow hemp in 2018 under a pilot program unanimously supported by the state Legislature and signed by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. The program, which is overseen by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, was initially hailed for the "industrial hemp" it would bring back to a state that once was one of the country's leaders in production before the industry died at the end of World War II and the plant later outlawed. Lawmakers and industry representatives spoke of a variety of health, manufacturing, high-tech and food applications for hemp upon its return. But CBD oil  a nonintoxicating component of the plant touted for medical benefits  quickly became the dominant byproduct of the plant. After the inaugural growing season in 2018, the number of licensed hemp growers and processors ballooned in 2019, stayed steady in 2020 and significantly dropped this year.

Tim Nicholson sells delta-8 gummies through the website of his hemp-farming business, Driftless Dreams, and partnered with Woodmans to sell them inside the grocery stores. If marijuana were legal in Wisconsin, Nicholson believes the market for delta-8 would largely dry up.

People want legalized marijuana, which I will not be a part of  not morally and ethically, just because I think Id get crushed by the bigger players, he said.

But Robinson said delta-8 products appeal to casual users of cannabis because of their comparatively lower potency, especially when, he said, the marijuana black market emphasizes high potency.

A much more casual user can really get a lot of enjoyment out of what we have available, Robinson said.

Driftless Dreams entry into the delta-8 market was driven by consumer demand, Nicholson said. He started his 3-acre hemp farm in 2018 on property Nicholson has owned near Viola for 20 years after former Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill allowing an industrial hemp pilot program.

Despite knowing nothing about hemp farming or processing CBD from the plant, Nicholson said he wanted to grow the crop to spur economic activity in the area. But more than three years on, Nicholson is blunt about his experience with the demand for CBD products: Theres no market for it. I mean theres a small market. Very small.

Nicholson said he has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into infrastructure and equipment to process his hemp into CBD products. But since the market for CBD is small, Nicholson says, he has turned to selling delta-8 gummies, which are purchased from a third-party supplier.

He said that, if delta-8 does become illegal, then that will put every CBD farmer, every CBD shop out of business in Wisconsin.

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Recent news reports about a doctor coming forward saying he wasnt going to treat patients who didnt have the COVID vaccine were very concerning.

Dr. Jason Valentine, a family medicine physician at the Diagnostic and Medical Clinic Infirmary Health in Mobile, Alabama, said he was fed up with people refusing to get the shot and then getting sick.

He posted on Facebook, COVID is a miserable way to die and I cant watch them die like that.

At this point, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has fully approved the Pfizer vaccine. And the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are near the point of approval. People should be getting the vaccine.

But doctors cannot pick and choose their patients. If a person smokes or drinks too much does that mean they shouldnt get treatment? If a person is overweight, should they wait for care?

If someone gets measles or chickenpox, should they be refused treatment if they didnt get that vaccine?

The list goes on and on.

When you are admitted to the hospital, you are supposed to trust that you are in good hands. You are not supposed to worry about if your doctor is going to take good care of you.
1. Yes. An unvaccinated worker is a potential health liability for the entire workforce.

2. Yes. But it should only be required in some businesses, like health care or food service.

3. No. The requirement shouldnt be forced on employees; its a discriminatory practice.

4. No. Not only should they not require COVID shots , but no proof of vaccination either.

5. Unsure. Its a hard choice between public safety concerns and personal freedoms.

Vote

View Results
Robert Henri the Revolutioniser Navigating Impression and Realism

Brittany Strupp, Ph.D. candidate, Tyler School of Art, Temple University

Nebraska Sign-Posts: The Nebraska Legacy of Robert Henri

Peter Osborne, executive director, Robert Henri Museum and Art Gallery

A dinner at the conclusion of the conference will take place at the Elks Lodge in Cozad with a special presentation about the Cozad family afterward.

On Sunday a special program will take place at the Museum of Nebraska Art led by Nicole Herden, the director of the Museum of Nebraska Art who will lead a private tour of the Henri works there.

This conference will be the first ever undertaken in Nebraska about Americas greatest art instructor and where Robert Henri (1865-1929) spent the formative years of his life from 1873 to 1884. Leading Henri experts will gather to take a new look at Robert Henri.
This pandemic has greatly affected many parts of our daily lives, but especially our education system  and we arent out of the woods yet. Children 12 and under, who amount to almost half a million of the students in Wisconsin schools, are still unable to get vaccinated. The number of children hospitalized for COVID-19 across our country have hit record highs in recent weeks. Data is proving that children are more vulnerable to infection from the Delta variant than past strains of COVID-19.

As a parent, I understand the concern and hesitation many families may have about sending their children to school in this climate. I hear you. That is why I continue to implore our schools to take every measure possible to ensure all students remain safe, and that we have a successful, uninterrupted school year. Across the nation, weve watched schools open with limited mitigation measures in place be forced to close just weeksor even daysinto the new school year. We all want our schools open. We must collectively do our part to make sure that is possible. And its on us to do everything in our power to serve the children, families, and educators of Wisconsin. Our schools are the glue of our communities and our economy. They connect us, but most of all, they serve as the bond advancing our successful future.

Finally, to Wisconsins educators: Please know we have your back. We understand the immense amount of pressure you are under. Ive seen firsthand how tirelessly you worked to reinvent your practice throughout this pandemic, and watched you go great lengths to focus on your students and their well-being. Please continue to innovate and serve as positive role models for your students. Do your best to ignore the noise and take a few moments to realize the importance of the impact you make on our kids. You are helping us grow our next generation of teachers, scientists, doctors, and leaders. The work you put in today has an immeasurable impact on our future.

Jill Underly is the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

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Reviewing voting practices: The House has passed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4), sponsored by Rep. Terri A. Sewell, D-Ala. The bill would change the criteria for federal review of changes to voting procedures by state and local governments by requiring those governments to seek federal preapproval, before making changes, if they are found to have violated voting rights too many times in the past 25 years. Sewell said of the need for greater federal oversight: While literacy tests and poll taxes no longer exist, certain states and local jurisdictions have passed laws that are modern-day barriers to voting. A bill opponent, Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., called it a radical and unprecedented federal power grab over state-administered elections under the guise of updating the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The vote, on Aug. 24, was 219 yeas to 212 nays. Yeas:
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (AP)  Three prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention center had their first day in court Monday after being held by the U.S. for 18 years without charge in connection with the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots in Southeast Asia.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., rushing from the Louisiana coast toward New Orleans and one of the nation's most important industrial corridors.

The Category 4 storm with winds of 150 mph (230 kph) hit on the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier, coming ashore about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of where Category 3 Katrina first struck land.

Keep scrolling for a gallery of photos from the storm

The rising ocean swamped the barrier island of Grand Isle as landfall came just to the west at Port Fourchon. Ida made a second landfall about two hours later near Galliano. The hurricane was churning through the far southern Louisiana wetlands, with the more than 2 million people living in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge up next.

"This is not the kind of storm that we normally get. This is going to be much stronger than we usually see and, quite frankly, if you had to draw up the worst possible path for a hurricane in Louisiana, it would be something very, very close to what we're seeing," Gov. John Bel Edwards told The Associated Press.
Were in good spirits, he said. We were not anticipating the level of interest in the business as it sits as a turnkey operation.

Dilba, just a few days into negotiations, of course declined to name any of those could-be buyers or partners but did say they included several well-known and respected members of the Wisconsin and Midwest brewing scene as well as name-brand entrepreneurs outside the industry.

I cant pick a single one that I wouldnt want to work with, he said.

What an outright buyer would be getting, in addition to Ale Asylums name and recipes, is a top-of-the-line brewery thats only nine years old and has a lot of excess capacity. Dilba said the brewery can make 50,000 to 60,000 barrels per year; in the past five years Ale Asylum has brewed between 12,000 and 19,000 barrels, in addition to making some beer for other companies.

The only craft brewery in Wisconsin that made more of its own beer last year than could be made at Ale Asylum is New Glarus Brewing at about 210,000 barrels; Lakefront was next at about 40,000. (That excludes contract brewers like the big and growing Octopi Brewing in Waunakee.)
Boosters will present logistical challenges, however, Safdar said. Annual flu shots are also given in the fall, and hospitals and clinics are already facing staffing shortages. Some people might want to get a flu shot and a COVID-19 booster at the same time, while others might want to avoid that, given that each injection can result in achiness or a low-grade fever.

It may be advisable to separate them for that reason, but not if it comes at the cost of getting people back, she said.

Fully vaccinated

The definition of fully vaccinated likely will change, to require three doses of the Pfizer or Moderna shots or two for J&J, Safdar said. How will workplaces or venues requiring that status adjust? Will people now considered fully vaccinated remain that way until exactly eight months after their last immunization?
Breakthrough COVID-19 infections are on the rise in Dane County, but unvaccinated residents have been more than twice as likely than the vaccinated to test positive or be hospitalized for the coronavirus amid the surging delta variant, the local health department said Monday.

Residents not fully vaccinated were 2.5 times more likely to be infected in August, Public Health Madison and Dane County said. In July, they were 2.1 times more likely to be infected and 2.3 times more likely to hospitalized for COVID-19, the department said in a blog post.

Since June, the rate of infection for people without shots has increased more than for those fully vaccinated, according to a chart included in the post. But it's not clear exactly how much either rate has gone up because the department declined to release the data used to make the chart.

The bottom line: The vast majority of people who are fully vaccinated are not being hospitalized with COVID-19, the department said. In the event of an infection among people who are fully vaccinated, severe outcomes (hospitalization and death) are rare.
Now that the face mask mandate has been extended through January 2022 by the federal government, a new wrinkle.

Its no longer a question of wearing a face mask on some airlines, but the right face mask.

Turns out, some airlines are banning fabric face masks.

Finnair became the latest to do just that, tweeting its new policy out earlier this week:

"Starting 16 August, we will no longer accept fabric masks on our flights. We accept surgical masks, FFP2 or FFP3 respirator masks without a valve or other valve free masks with the same standard (N95). Please remember you need to wear a mask throughout the entire journey."

Cloth masks became popular when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the spring of last year, many made individually with colorful designs, even more made by companies looking to cash in with messages.

From a medical standpoint, however, they might not be as protective as other masks.

According to the aviation blog The Points Guy, so far its mostly been international airlines that have banned fabric masks.
The Education Department announced Monday that it's investigating five states with universal mask bans, saying the policies could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions.
A Lancaster man has been charged with assault after knocking a man to the ground, resulting in the mans death several days later, according to Lancaster city police.

Jesus Samuel Torres Jr., 28, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault, two counts of criminal use of a communication facility and two felony drug violations.

Torres punched 61-year old Hipolito Gonzalez in the face, causing Gonzalez to fall backwards and strike his head on the sidewalk in the first block of New Dorwart Street at 6:53 p.m. on March 18, according to an affidavit of probable cause. A police news release previously stated that Gonzalez was later found unconscious on Dorwart Street, a different street located about two blocks off of South Prince Street.

Ambulances were called to the area three minutes later after a neighbor found Gonzalez unconscious on the sidewalk. The neighbor did not see what happened, according to the news release.

Gonzalez was then transported to Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital with severe head injuries. He died there on March 26, Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni confirmed Monday.

An autopsy determined Gonzalez died of a traumatic brain injury, Diamantoni said. His death was ruled a homicide.

Investigators began looking into the incident which lead to Gonzalezs death on March 26, obtaining video footage from the Lancaster Safety Coalition, private residences and businesses in the area, police said. Authorities were able to use the footage to identify Torres, who was seen entering a Manor Street address immediately after the encounter.

Torres met with investigators on March 31, where he admitted to using a cellphone to arrange two meetings with Gonzalez on the day of the incident to deliver crack cocaine in exchange for $80, according to the affidavit. A first delivery, which took place at a pub in the 700 block of High Street around 3:15 p.m., took place without incident.

The second delivery in the first block of New Dorwart Street resulted in a physical struggle where Torres knocked Gonzales to the ground, police said. It was not clear what caused the altercation.

A forensic pathologist determined that Gonzalez sustained multiple large fractures to his skull from the fall, killing him, according to the affidavit.

Investigators worked with Lancaster County Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman, who was the final authority for the charges that were filed and approved the charges against Torres after the incident was fully investigated, said Lt. Glenn Stoltzfus, a police spokesperson. Torres was charged on April 12.

The investigation into the incident is complete, Stoltzfus said.

Attempts to reach the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office on Monday were not immediately successful. Attempts to reach Torres attorney, Beverly Heather Rampaul, were also not immediately successful.

Torres turned himself in to police on April 20 and was released on $50,000 unsecured bail, court records show. He is currently awaiting trial.

Torres has previously pleaded guilty to defiant trespass in 2014 and 2015, according to court records.

Gonzalez was the third of eight apparent homicides in Lancaster County so far this year, according to newspaper records.

Mitchell C. Bewley, 27, of Quarryville, was found shot to death in a Strasburg parking lot on Feb. 14; Helen Miller, 19, of Manheim Township, was found stabbed to death in her home on Feb. 22; Richard Williams, 35, of West Hempfield Township, was shot and killed at his ex-wifes home in Mountville on April 16; Victoria Preston, 60, was killed with prescription drugs at her Mount Joy home before it exploded in a murder-suicide on June 1; Donald Meshey Sr., 67, of Lancaster, was found stabbed to death and dismembered in his home on Aug. 11; Jomar Almestica, 26, of York, was shot and killed after an argument outside a Lancaster city party on Aug. 20; and Rolando Rivera, 23, of Lancaster, was shot and killed near a Lancaster city park on Aug. 27.

No charges have yet been filed in connection with Riveras death. Mount Joy Township police said David Preston died of suicide after killing Victoria Preston. All other homicide deaths in Lancaster County so far this year have resulted in charges of criminal homicide.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Even as the U.S. and its NATO allies left Afghanistan, some of the gains of the last 20 years were on display as boys and girls rushed to school early Tuesday.

Masooda was hurrying to get to her fifth grade class at a private school. Im not afraid of the Taliban, she said. Why should I be?

Students had been called back to school four days ago. The Taliban have said students will be segregated by sex, but in many schools that was already the practice , except for the early grades.



MORE ON AFGHANISTAN:

 Rockets fired at Kabul airport amid US withdrawal hit homes

 Qatar emerges as key player in Afghanistan after US pullout

 Afghans killed outside airport were seeking new lives abroad

 White House: US has capacity to evacuate remaining Americans

 Slain Marine who cradled baby at Kabul airport loved her job

 Evacuated Afghan activist dreams of going back home one day



 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/afghanistan



HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

WASHINGTON  Secretary of State Antony Blinken says fewer than 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan who want to leave and the U.S. will continue to try to get them out.

Blinken says the number of Americans left may be closer to 100. He says the U.S. would work with Afghanistans neighbors to secure their departure either overland or by charter flight once the Kabul airport re-opens.

Speaking shortly after the Pentagon announced the completion of the U.S. military pullout Monday, Blinken said the U.S. Embassy in Kabul will remain shuttered and vacant for the foreseeable future.

He says American diplomats who had worked from the now-closed embassy will be based in Doha, Qatar.



WASHINGTON  The U.S. general who oversaw the final evacuation and withdrawal from Afghanistan says the Taliban was significantly helpful in enabling the airlift of Afghans, Americans and others.

The U.S. military spent most of the past two decades fighting the Taliban, but now are adjusting to the fact that the militants have taken control of the country.

Gen. Frank McKenzie is head of U.S. Central Command. He also said at a Pentagon news conference Monday that he thinks the Taliban will have difficulty securing Kabul in the coming days, not least because of the threat they face from the Islamic State groups Afghanistan affiliate.

McKenzie says Taliban fighters in recent days have freed IS fighters from prisons, swelling their ranks to an estimated 2,000. In his words, Now they are going to be able to reap what they sowed.



UNITED NATIONS  A divided U.N. Security Council is pressing the Taliban to live up to pledges to let people leave Afghanistan after the U.S. withdraws its forces. But China and Russia have refused to back the resolution, which they portray as diverting blame for the chaos surrounding the U.S. pullout.

French Deputy Ambassador Nathalie Broadhurst, said after Mondays vote that this lack of unity is a disappointment for us and for Afghans. Russia and China abstained from the vote and did not veto the measure.

France sponsored the resolution along with Britain and the U.S. It also calls for letting humanitarian aid flow, upholding human rights and combating terrorism.

The vote came shortly before the U.S. moved its last troops out of Afghanistan, ending Americas longest war.

The resolution says that the Security Council expects that the Taliban will adhere to commitments about letting Afghans and foreigners depart safely.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel after assuming control of the Kabul airport following the U.S. withdrawal.



WASHINGTON  The Pentagon says that some Americans who wanted to leave Afghanistan were unable to make it to the Kabul airport to board U.S. evacuation flights before the complete evacuation of U.S. forces.

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters that the U.S. believes it was able to evacuate the vast majority of Americans in the country who wanted to leave, but that it was aware of some who were couldnt depart.

McKenzie says that in the final American flights out of Afghanistan, We were not able to bring any Americans out. The last American civilians were evacuated about 12 hours before U.S. forces left.

McKenzie says the effort to bring out Americans will now fall on diplomatic channels.

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden pledged that the U.S. would remain in Afghanistan until it was able to get all of its citizens out of the country. If theres American citizens left, were going to stay until we get them all out, he told ABC News.



WASHINGTON  The Pentagon says it remains prepared to airlift more Americans from the Kabul airport, even as the evacuation winds down.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters Monday there is still time for remaining Americans to get out. He would not be more specific about the state of the evacuation. He said a total of 5,400 Americans have been airlifted thus far.

President Joe Biden has set Tuesday as a deadline for completing the evacuation.



DOHA, Qatar  The Taliban have called on all employees of private and state universities in Afghanistan to resume their work starting Tuesday.

A spokesman for the insurgent group's political office in Doha, Qatar tweeted a statement, which calls on both male and female employees to return to work.

The statement says the Ministry of Higher Education calls on rectors, deans, professors and administrative staff to report to their jobs Tuesday "and resume their administrative and academic works including making due preparations for starting classes.



ISLAMABAD  Pakistans interior minister says his country has not granted refugee status to a single person from Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in Kabul this month.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Monday that Pakistan is helping to facilitate the evacuation of those foreigners desiring to leave Afghanistan. However, he said so far there has not been any influx of foreigners from Afghanistan, as was feared last week following the attack at the Kabul airport.

Pakistani authorities have repeatedly said they cannot accommodate any new influx of Afghan refugees.

About 2 million Afghans are already living as refugees in Pakistan, some for more than 40 years reflecting Afghanistans decades of violence.



DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Qatar is in talks about providing civilian technical assistance to the Taliban at Kabuls international airport once the U.S. military withdrawal is complete on Tuesday.

Qatars Foreign Ministry confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that the country has been taking part in negotiations about the operations of Kabul airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the United States and Turkey.

Qatars Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater said in a statement Qatars main priority is restoring regular operations while preserving safety and security at the airport facilities.

Qatar has ties with both Washington and the Taliban, which took control over nearly all of Afghanistan in past weeks. The tiny Gulf Arab state is taking part in a meeting of key partners hosted by the United States on Monday to discuss next steps in Afghanistan.



DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  A plane provided by the government of Pakistan has brought medicine and health supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistan.

WHO said Mondays shipment was the first of medical supplies to land in Afghanistan since the country came under control of the Taliban two weeks ago.

The plane, which departed from Dubai, landed in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

WHO said the supplies included trauma kits and emergency health kits enough to cover the basic needs of more than 200,000 people, as well as treat 6,500 trauma patients. It said the supplies will be delivered to 40 health facilities in 29 provinces across Afghanistan.

The plane was loaded with supplies by WHOs logistics team at the International Humanitarian City in Dubai. WHO said that a reliable humanitarian air bridge is urgently required.

The demanding humanitarian work of meeting the needs of tens of millions of vulnerable Afghans who remain in the country is now beginning, the agency added.



CAIRO  The Islamic State groups affiliate in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for Mondays rocket attack in Kabul, saying it fired at least six Katyusha rockets at the airport in the Afghan capital.

The rockets stuck a neighborhood close to the Kabul airport. The claim of responsibility was carried by the militant groups media arm, the Aamaq news agency. It didnt provide further details.

The U.S. military said five rockets targeted the airport on Monday morning and that U.S. forces on the airfield used a defensive system to intercept them.

The attack did not halt the steady stream of U.S. military C-17 cargo jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

It was the latest attack by the militants. The Islamic State group launched a devastating suicide bombing Thursday at one of the airport gates that killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members.



WASHINGTON  The U.S. military says five rockets targeted the Kabul airport on Monday morning and U.S. forces on the airfield used a defensive system to intercept them.

Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for the U.S. militarys Central Command, said there were no U.S. casualties. He said U.S. forces used a defensive weapon known by the acronym C-RAM  a Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System  in response to the attack.

It targeted the rockets in a whirling hail of ammunition, Urban said. The system has a distinct, drill-like sound that echoed through the city at the time of the attack.

He said the Kabul airfield remains operational as the evacuation continued on Monday. Other details were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, Ross Wilson, the charge daffaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul now working out of the airport, insisted that evacuations remain ongoing Monday. He dismissed as false claims that American citizens have been turned away or were denied access to the Kabul airport by U.S. Embassy staff or American troops.

This is a high-risk operation. Claims that American citizens have been turned away or denied access to HKIA by Embassy staff or US Forces are false, he said in a message on Twitter, using the acronym for the Kabul airport. He did not elaborate.



ISLAMABAD  Pakistans ambassador to Kabul said on Monday that his countrys national carrier is setting up an airlift for medical supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistans northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

The diplomat, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, announced on Twitter that the state-run Pakistan International Airlines will serve as a humanitarian air bridge for essential supplies to Afghanistan, in coordination with international agencies.

He thanked PIA, as the carrier is known, for the supplies. It wasnt immediately cleat when the airlift would begin.

The latest development comes days after WHO sought Pakistans help in airlifting medical supplies to Afghanistan following last weeks deadly attack on the Kabul airport.

Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

Later on Monday, Pakistans state-run news agency said the PIA plane landed in Mazar-e-Sharif after taking of from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.



TIRANA, Albania  Another plane carrying 150 Afghans who fled their homeland fearing the Taliban takeover arrived in Albania early on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said.

The new arrivals brought the total number of Afghans brought to this Balkan country to 607. A ministry statement said the plane had come from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Albania has accommodated most of the Afghans in hotels and some of them temporarily at the students campus in the capital of Tirana.

The government has said it may house up to 4,000 Afghans for at least a year before they move to the United States for final settlement.



ISLAMABAD  Pakistans military says suspected militants fired across the border from Afghanistan at a military post in northwestern Pakistan, killing two soldiers.

The military says the cross-border attack took place on Sunday, in the district of Bajur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It said Pakistani troops returned fire in a befitting manner, killing some attackers and wounding others.

The military said Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan" and expects the current and future authorities in Afghanistan not to allow such activities.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack and the Pakistani military provided no further details. Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused one another of harboring militants fighting against the other's government.

The two share an internationally recognized border known as the Durand Line, which was drawn in the 19th century when the British dominated South Asia. Kabul has never recognized the boundary.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 30 , 2021

End of One Endless War Is NearWill All Regime Change Wars End?

Aug. 29, 2021 (EIRNS)The final flights bringing foreigners and Afghan refugees out of Kabul are now in process, with President Biden sticking to the Aug. 31 deadline. A second U.S. drone attack today, in Kabul, claimed to take out a car with several intended suicide bombers inside who were heading to the airport. The profound issue facing the world today is whether or not the U.S. will join with China, Russia and the countries in the region to begin an economic development process for this war-torn nation, to become the prosperous crossroad of Eastern and Western civilizations, or to become again an impoverished center of terrorism and drug production. If the former, such a transformation would serve as a model for the development of the other nations destroyed by the Anglo-American regime change wars over the past 20 years, establishing the notion of peace through development as the necessary new paradigm to replace the failed geopolitics of British imperialism.

In Iraq today, the government held a ten-nation conference entitled Conference for Cooperation and Partnership, including France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Turkey, Kuwait, U.A.E. and Jordan. Like Libya and Syria, Iraqs industrial infrastructure was utterly destroyed by the insane and illegal regime change war, falsely justified through lies by Tony Blair and the Bush-Cheney administration. While China has offered to bring the Belt and Road process into Iraq through an oil-for-infrastructure plan, this has been repeatedly sabotaged by foreign interests and manipulated intrigue within Iraq, just as the reconstruction of Syria has been prevented by the vile U.S. Caesar Sanctions, punishing any country which offers to invest in Syrian reconstruction. These imperial sanctions policies must be ended if the current descent into a new Dark Age is to be reversed.

The Schiller Institute has provided the framework for the world to come together behind Afghan development in a series of conferences and publications (see AfghanistanA Turning Point in History After the Failed Regime-Change Era and Will Afghanistan Trigger a Paradigm Change?). This approachto end the geopolitical division of the world into warring tribes, and to address the common aims of mankindis not just a good idea, or a naive dream. The choice of peace through development, which has driven every renaissance throughout history, is the only option to end the current global crisesthe out-of-control pandemic; the exploding financial bubble; the threat of thermonuclear war; and the cultural decay dragging the Western nations into a drug-infested perversity reminiscent of the last days of the Roman Empire.

The upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11 will be the occasion of a Schiller Institute conference celebrating the cultural and intellectual ideas required to defeat this evil, and to bring about, at this moment of profound phase-change in human history, the necessary creative direction required of our citizens, and citizens around the world (details of the conference will be available soon). Anticipating that event, the Schiller Institute has announced the publication of the first issue of a new quarterly magazine of art, science and statecraft, Leonore. The announcement of the new publication asks: What would a world look like if every young person could fully exercise their creativity? Leonore will be sent automatically to every sustaining member of the Schiller Institute.


Japanese health officials announced Sunday they were suspending the use of another 1 million doses of Modernas COVID-19 vaccine. The latest action came as Japan already put on hold 1.63 million doses after they were found to contain foreign particles.

The news comes as the Delta variant of COVID-19 is infecting more people than ever before. In August, Japan recorded over 25,000 daily COVID-19 cases for the first time.

The Japanese health ministry said it suspended the use of the Moderna vaccine after two men died. The men had fevers after getting their second shots and died two days later. Health officials warned they did not have evidence that the vaccine shots caused their deaths.

The latest reports of particles  thought to be either metal or plastic  in the vaccine containers came from an area outside of Tokyo and in Okinawa. Japans health ministry said the foreign particles might be pieces of rubber used to cover the small glass bottles containing the vaccine. If a doctor or nurse did not insert the needle properly, they could have broken off small pieces of rubber.

The health ministry said no safety or efficacy issues had been identified with the vaccine. It said the suspension was a precaution while the causes of death are being investigated.

"It is unlikely, in my opinion, that contamination of foreign substances led directly to sudden deaths," said Takahiro Kinoshita, a doctor with a vaccine information group. However, he agreed that more investigation is needed.

Earlier suspension of Moderna vaccine

Last week, Japan halted the use of 1.63 million doses of the Moderna vaccine. Moderna and the Spanish company Rovi, which bottles Moderna vaccines for countries other than the United States, said at the time that a manufacturing issue could have led to the contamination.

Japanese drug company Takeda said Monday it is working to find out what went wrong with Rovis production. Takeda sent the supplies of Moderna vaccine around the country.

Throughout Japan, 500,000 people received shots from those supplies. Over 4,500 people received doses of vaccine from that supply in Gunma, an area close to Tokyo. So far, however, no one has reported a problem.

Nicholas Rennick is an Australian doctor working at the NTT Medical Center in Tokyo. He said health officials should investigate the problem. But Rennick urged Japan to continue vaccinating people because so many of the population remain unvaccinated and unprotected.

Im Dan Friedell.

Rocky Swift wrote this story for Reuters. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

What should people in Japan do about the COVID-19 vaccine shots? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

dose n. the amount of medicine to be taken at one time

variant adj. different in some way from others of the same kind

fever n. a body temperature that is higher than normal

needle n. a very thin, pointed steel tube that is pushed through the skin so that something (such as a drug) can be put into your body or so that blood or other fluids can be taken from it

efficacy n. the power to produce a desired result or effect

precaution n. something that is done to prevent possible harm or trouble from happening in the future

contamination n. the state of something being impure, unclean or dangerous


The United States can expect to see nearly 100,000 more COVID-19 deaths by December 1 unless people change their actions. That estimate comes from the nations most closely watched prediction model.

Health experts say the number of deaths could be cut in half if nearly everyone wore a face covering in public spaces.

These predictions show that what happens with coronavirus infections this fall depends on human behavior, said Lauren Ancel Meyers. She is director of the University of Texas COVID-19 Modeling Consortium.

We cannot stop Delta, she said, but we can change our behavior overnight.

That means wearing face coverings, limiting social gatherings, staying home when sick and getting vaccinated.

Those things are within our control, Meyers said.

The U.S. is in the middle of its fourth wave of infection. The highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus is partly to blame. It has caused a sharp rise in cases, hospitalizations and deaths, and has set back months of progress against the virus.

In the U.S., deaths are now above 1,100 a day on average. The number has not been that high since the middle of March.

Experts with the University of Washington predict that 98,000 more Americans will die by the start of December. That will make the total number of U.S. deaths nearly 730,000.

The prediction says deaths will rise to nearly 1,400 a day by the middle of September, then lessen slowly. But the model also says many of those deaths can be avoided if enough Americans change their ways.

We can save 50,000 lives simply by wearing masks. Thats how important behaviors are, said Ali Mokdad. He is a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington and is involved in making the predictions.

There are already signs that Americans are taking the threat more seriously.

In the past several weeks, the demand for COVID-19 vaccine shots has gone up. The number of shots given each day has climbed around 80 percent over the past month to an average of about 900,000.

More people in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi got their first shots in the past month than in the two earlier months combined. Jeff Zients, the White House COVID-19 coordinator, announced that news last week.

Millions of students across the country are now required to wear masks. And more companies are requiring workers to get the vaccine after Pfizers shot got full government approval last week. In addition, cities like New York and New Orleans are requiring that people show proof of vaccination if they want to eat at restaurants.

Half of American workers support vaccine requirements at work, says a new opinion study from The Associated Press research center.

Early signs suggest change may already be lowering infection rates in a few places where the virus has been a big problem this summer.

An Associated Press study shows the rate of new cases is slowing in Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana and Arkansas. They are some of the same states where first shots are on the rise.

In Florida, pleas from hospitals and a battle over face coverings in schools may have pushed some to protect themselves. And late last week, a judge blocked Florida governor Ron DeSantis attempt to ban face covering mandates in schools.

However, the news is more troubling for places like Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming. In those states, new infections have continued to rise.

Even vaccinated people should be careful, said Dr. Gaby Sauza of Seattle, Washington, who is vaccinated. Days after an August wedding in Vermont, she and other attendees tested positive for COVID-19. It happened even though events were mainly held outdoors. And attendees had to show proof of their vaccinations.

Sauza says she really wishes she had worn a face covering. She says she knows the vaccine kept her infection from being severe. But she still suffered through several days of body pains, high temperatures, tiredness, and coughing.

If we behave, we can contain this virus, Ali Mokdad said. If we dont behave, this virus is waiting for us.

Im Alice Bryant.



The Associated Press reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.

__________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

delta  adj. a dangerous and contagious form of COVID-19

variant  n. something that is different in some way from others of the same kind

metric  adj. of, relating to, or based on a method of measuring something

mandate  n. an official order to do something

cough  v. to force air through your throat with a short, loud noise often because you are sick


The United States is continuing to fly people out of Afghanistan in the final hours before its planned total withdrawal from the country on Tuesday.

As evacuation efforts continued Monday at Kabul airport, a series of rockets targeted the area. U.S. Central Command spokesman Bill Urban said five rockets were fired at the airport, but were stopped by a missile defense system. He said there were no U.S. casualties and the airfield remained open.

The Islamic State group in Afghanistan claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks. The extremist group also claimed responsibility last week for a suicide bombing at an airport gate that killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members.

Islamic State is far more extreme than the Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan earlier this month after capturing most of the country in a matter of days. The two groups have fought each other in the past, and the Taliban has said it will not provide shelter to terrorist groups.

The U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan was launched in 2001 to oust the Taliban for providing refuge to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida. Al-Qaida was the extremist group that led the September 11 terrorist attacks in America that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Getting the last Americans out

The U.S. evacuation effort is centered on getting the last Americans out of Afghanistan before President Joe Bidens promise to withdraw all U.S. forces by August 31. U.S. officials said Sunday there were about 300 remaining American citizens who want to leave.

Officials said Monday that about 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul during the past 24 hours aboard U.S. military flights and two allied flights. The officials said about 114,000 people have been flown out of Afghanistan since August 14.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told ABC News on Sunday the final evacuation effort will be the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission these last couple of days.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the U.S. does not plan to have an ongoing embassy presence in Afghanistan after the final U.S. troop withdrawal. But, he promised, the U.S. will make sure there is safe passage for any American citizen or legal permanent resident, after Tuesday. In addition, he said safe passage would be provided to those Afghans who helped us.

Blinken said the U.S. was working with other countries in the area to either keep Kabul airport open after Tuesday or to reopen it in a timely fashion. He noted that while the airport was important, there were other ways to leave Afghanistan, such as by road. Many countries border Afghanistan, Blinken said.

He added that the U.S. was making sure that we have in place all of the necessary tools and means to facilitate the travel for those who seek to leave Afghanistan" after Tuesday.

Qatar to help with plans for Afghanistan

As the U.S. completes its withdrawal, officials will be looking to work with the Gulf nation of Qatar to help shape the countrys future. This is because Qatar has close ties with both the U.S. and the Taliban.

On Monday, Qatar was taking part in a virtual meeting led by Blinken and attended by major U.S. allies. Officials said the purpose of the meeting was to map out a cooperative plan for Afghanistan in the coming days.

Reports say Qatar has also been asked by the Taliban to provide civilian technical assistance at the airport once U.S. troops leave. Officials in Qatar have not commented on the reports.

United Nations agencies recently sought help from Qatar to support its humanitarian aid efforts in Afghanistan.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press and Reuters reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

___________________________________________

Words in This Story

evacuation  n. the act of moving people from a dangerous place to somewhere safer

casualty  n. someone who is injured or killed in an accident or war

extraordinary  adj. very special, unusual or strange

mission  n. an important job a group of people are sent to do

fashion  n. the way in which something is done

facilitate  v. to make something possible or easier

virtual  adj. used to describe something that can be done or seen using computers or the internet instead of happening in a physical place
According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, COVID-19 cases statewide are up 4,953 from the prior week and hospitalizations are up by 37 from the prior week.

DHHS reported, 2,957 variants of concern were identified among Nebraska residents, up 167 from the prior week.

In the past week, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department reinstated its indoor mask mandate due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases. The department was able to do so due to a quirk in the law, as the department was founded before the statewide system of local health departments was founded across the state.

Governor Pete Ricketts recently denied the Douglas County health directors request to reinstate a mask mandate.

Governor Ricketts and DHHS have not supported a mask mandate and continue to encourage Nebraskans to exercise personal responsibility when it comes to masking and vaccination, a DHHS letter stated.
Goodwill washed over Biden through his first six months or so, when he scored points with the public and much of the world simply by not being Donald Trump. The United States appeared on the verge of victory over the pandemic, too. Vaccine supplies surged, cases plunged in response and even Republicans gave Biden a measure of the credit.

Those days now seem like a distant memory. Criticism is raining down on him, with Republicans blaming him for the calamity in Kabul and even Democrats breaking from him for the first time on a major issue.

Asked whether Biden is feeling frustrated or a sense of resignation from the turmoil of the moment, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said "there's just not a lot of time for self-reflection right now."

To Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph Ellis, the bloody, harried scenes the world is witnessing from Kabul are not the fruit of poor evacuation planning or incompetence by the United States, but, simply, of defeat.

"It seems to me that we're watching something occur that was inevitable once we stepped in," he said. "There's no memory here. This is what happens when you lose a war."

Presidents are defined by how they handle crises, and Biden now confronts more than one, each requiring urgent attention.
An important recent addition continues Saturday afternoon and early evening, Sept. 4, before the third performance of the 78th annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo.

Its the third annual Cowboy Up Casino at the AJ Diani Silver Dollar Saloon on the midway just outside the arena.

Its our largest fundraiser for the Golden Circle of Champions, said Elks Recreations Chief Operations Officer Tina Tonascia. Its going to be a lot of fun.

Tickets cost $50 and are only available at elksrec.com or by calling the Elks Rec office at 805-925-4125.

Admission includes dinner, desert and $200 in play money that can be used to enjoy a variety of Cowboy Up Casino games managed by the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary. No host cocktails will also be available.

Were also holding a live and silent auction with a number of exciting items going up for bid, said Tonascia. And all the money goes to the Golden Circle of Champions.

Elks Rec started the Golden Circle in 2016 to raise awareness about children battling pediatric cancer.

The program provides funds to 25 local families. The children range in age from three-months up to 17-years-old.

The money can be used in any way to meet each familys needs, said Tonascia. They can use it to pay for medical care, pay bills or to provide for their family.

+3 American workers to be honored as unsung heroes at Santa Maria Elks Rodeo The Santa Maria Elks have a longstanding tradition of dedicating each of their four performances to a community member. This year instead of honoring just one person, theyll be honoring all the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each year, the children and their families are honored during the rodeos opening night.

The families get a special dinner catered by Bill Ostini and the Hitching Post, said Tonascia. The kids get to meet many of the cowboys and cowgirls and get to watch opening night from a special reserved section of the grandstands.

What started as a plan to help children on the Central Coast is now spreading across the country.

A number of rodeos have started their own Golden Circle programs.

The National Finals Rodeo is also embracing the program.

Our goal is to bring awareness, both locally and nationally, to pediatric cancer and to help families who are going through this. We want them to know that our entire community is here for them.

Everyone who attends the rodeo can contribute to the Golden Circle.

Each performance will take some time to Pass the Boot  money can be placed in cowboy boots that will circulate through the arena.

Over the past three years, the Golden Circle of Champions has been added to a number of rodeos across the country including the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

Well send two local children and their families to the NFR, said Tonascia. Another 18 will come from the Las Vegas area and from other rodeos who have their own Golden Circle.

This past December, the Golden Circle of Champions, in conjunction with Las Vegas Events, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), Red Bluff Roundup, the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation and Santa Maria Elks Rodeo honored 20 children and their families  two from Santa Maria and the rest from around the country. The children got the royal treatment. They got to meet their heroes, the NFR cowboys and cowgirls.

Its one of my favorite parts of the rodeo, said 11-year-old Kayden Sorenson, the 2021 Santa Maria Elks Miss Mini Rodeo. I got to go to Las Vegas with the Golden Circle kids and we had a great time.

I made special blankets for the Golden Circle kids two years ago and Im doing it again but with a different pattern this year, said 10-year-old Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Junior Barrelman Caleb Moon. Well auction one of the blankets but the rest will go to the kids here in Santa Maria and (at the NFR) in Las Vegas. It was fun to go help them in Las Vegas.

Its hard to think what theyre going through. Theyre 10- maybe 11-years old, they can be any age. Im just trying to do what I can to help.

Cowboy Up Casino is a great time for a great cause, said Tonascia. People should get their tickets early to make sure they can come out and play  and help our Golden Circle of Champions children.
Mounted posses and marching bands, radio talents and local honorees, youth organizations and traditional parade floats will stroll, ride and glide down Broadway in true Elks Rodeo Parade tradition Saturday beginning at 8:45 a.m.

For the first time in its 78-year tradition, the 2021 Elks Rodeo and Parade, plus all related events, have been shifted from June to Labor Day Weekend. While the dates new, the plan includes the same traditions with some new twists in the mix.

To me, the parade is a celebration of the community. We showcase the best of our community with this free event. The weathers going to be real nice. You can see local entries, youth groups and bands. Come out and have a good time. All you have to do is show up on Broadway. Well be there, said Elks Rodeo Parade Chairman Tim Murphy.

The U.S. Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard is scheduled to lead the charge  a changeup from past years when the spring event conflicted with other guard appearances.

Theres only one Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard in the entire nation. Theyve done a lot of big parades. This year, we look forward to having them here, Murphy said.

The Kings County Sheriffs Posse will also be among equestrian entries set to clippity-clop along the parade route on Broadway from Mill Street to Enos Street.

Theyre always a great entry to have, Murphy said.

Early entries were light as the deadline drew near, but Murphy hoped the lineup would maintain its tradition of offering more than 100 entries to the celebration of community.

I dont now if its because weve changed the date, its a holiday weekend, or because theres COVID out there. Were missing a lot of entries we normally have, but were trying to round everyone up. It might be a little smaller this year, which means the parade might not last as long, but well still have the lunch after the parade and the street festival. Well just have to walk a little slower, Murphy said.

Local honorees in the parade will include co-Grand Marshals Jay Turner and Tony Chief Gonzales, Santa Maria Elks Lodge Elk of the Year Tommy Gee, Citizen of the Year Clifford Labastida of Cruzin for Life, and Junior Grand Marshal Parker Reynolds of Santa Maria Swim Club.

Tommys been at the lodge forever. Hes done so much for the lodge. Hes a great pick. And Clifford and his Cruzin for Life has raised millions for Mission Hope Cancer Center. We hope hell have a Cruzin for Life entry right behind him at the parade, Murphy said.

Rodeo honorees will also be highlighted during the parade including Junior Barrel Man Caleb Moon and Miss Mini Rodeo Kayden Sorenson.

Pioneer Valley High School and Orcutt Academy marching bands led the charge with their early entries in the marching band category. Central Coast Chordsmen will join the first-timer entries with their barbershop tunes.

And Michael Clayton, a staple to Santa Maria Valley parades for the past quarter century, has once again committed to take the long ride down Broadway.

Hes been in every parade Ive ever worked on in 25 years, Murphy said. I was working on the lineup up on Mill Street and here he came with Miss Liberty. He built that on a frame of a Winnebago. Hes been with us every parade since then.

Ed Carcarey of Fuego 97.1 FM will bring star power to the parade with Edgar Shoboy Sotelo, a proud bicultural, bilingual Marconi Award winning radio host, motivational speaker and content creator. Carcarey also continues as the driving force in the post-parade street fair that continues this year.

The parade would not be possible, Murphy said, without the support of its many sponsors including long-time supporter Santa Maria Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.

Without them, we wouldnt have the parade, Murphy said.

Community Bank of Santa Maria, Tognazzini Beverage Company and Plantel Nursery make possible the free hot dog barbecue lunch provided all parade participants, Murphy said. Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is always onboard. And the City of Santa Maria provides support through its Recreation and Parks Department, Police Department and in securing the CalTrans permits to shut down Highway 135/Broadway for the event.

We could never do that without them, Murphy said.

Nor could the parade happen without the 75 volunteers who make up the Elks Rodeo Parade Committee. They staff the parade route, organize in advance, run the VIP tent area and organize and serve lunch for up to 1,500 people.

We have people who have volunteered on this parade 25 or 35 years. Some of em we may only see once a year, with this parade being the thing they dedicate their time and energy to support. None of the volunteers get paid, and this event really couldnt happen without a lot of people willing to step up and do the work, Murphy said.

This years parade will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube with replay available on YouTube after the event. Look for Elks Rodeo Parade on your favorite social media outlet to find them.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Robert Nichols is the state senator for Senate District 3. First elected in 2006, Nichols represents 19 counties, including much of East Texas and part of Montgomery County. He can be reached at 699-4988 or toll-free at (800) 959-8633. His email address is robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov.
GUEST COLUMN: Expanded tax credit is reducing child hunger  but it can do much more
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We really believe that the most effective way to track folks is through the internal testing system that we're using. We either have a vaccination record for a student or employee, or we don't. And if we don't have a vaccination record for you, you'll be hearing from us directly, McGlone said. We're absolutely ready to enforce that. We take it very seriously.

Students and professors alike have expressed concerns regarding the university's approach, noting the risks of having thousands of unvaccinated, and potentially untested, students in classrooms.

Angie Li, a junior, sympathized with immunocompromised students and staff who can't receive the vaccine being placed among those who choose not to.

"Although I think going back to in-person would be ideal, I also understand the risks that come with it are also high  especially for those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons. I'm not sure the university is exactly ready for a whole year of in-person with masks as the only preventative measure," she said.
Providing hotel shelter is the right thing to do at this time, and it is expensive to maintain, Parisi said. In addition to these resources for people experiencing homelessness, additional (federal) dollars may be needed to relaunch pandemic responses in other areas that only two months ago we thought we could wind down.

According to Wegleitners resolution, 139 people are being housed in hotels, and 60 people are on the waitlist.

Wegleitners resolution would also make some more immediate changes that do not require funding, including directing county staff to find sites for lawful car camping and changing county ordinances to allow homeless people to stay for free at county campgrounds for extended periods of time.

Current county campground regulations require registration and a camping fee, and limit stays to 14 consecutive days. Those requirements would be waived for homeless campers through March 31 under the proposal.

The city doesnt have any campgrounds, but some temporary encampments were allowed during the pandemic, and the city is pursuing two sites for campgrounds. OKeefe said the City Council will hopefully take up a resolution to allow for some campgrounds at its Aug. 31 meeting.
ATLANTA  Republican efforts questioning the outcome of the 2020 presidential race have led to voting system breaches that election security experts say pose a heightened risk to future elections.

Copies of the Dominion Voting Systems software used to manage elections  from designing ballots to configuring voting machines and tallying results  were distributed at an event this month in South Dakota organized by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, an ally of former President Donald Trump who has made unsubstantiated claims about last year's election.

"It's a game-changer in that the environment we have talked about existing now is a reality," said Matt Masterson, a former top election security official in the Trump administration. "We told election officials, essentially, that you should assume this information is already out there. Now we know it is, and we don't know what they are going to do with it."

The software copies came from voting equipment in Mesa County, Colorado, and Antrim County, Michigan, where Trump allies had sue unsuccessfully challenging the results from last fall.

The Dominion software is used in some 30 states, including counties in California, Georgia and Michigan.
Invisible culprit

A lesser-known culprit in the salting of Wisconsin waterways is the common water softener. Allison Madison, coordinator for Wisconsin Salt Wise, said the salt put in water softeners goes straight down the drain to the sewage treatment plant. Most people may assume the sodium and chloride ions are then filtered out, but Madison said the ions are far too small. The only way to remove the ions would be through reverse osmosis, a process that is both financially and energetically expensive. In Dane County, the waste water treatment plant discharges into Badfish and Badger Mill creeks, which connect to the Sugar River and, eventually, the Mississippi.

It all goes to our water. It is a permanent pollutant so it doesnt biodegrade at all and concentrations are increasing, Madison said. Instead of just putting it down and thinking more is better, we really need to only use salt as needed.

Using salt as needed means upgrading and optimizing water softeners. In Southern Wisconsin, where groundwater is hardened after sitting in limestone, many rely on water softeners. Soft limestone formations dissolve into aquifers, filling water with minerals that calcify and cause buildup on pipes.
Thanks to the poorly planned withdrawal and evacuation efforts, ISIS-K did not need to come stateside to find U.S. targets, given that members of the armed forces were working their fingers to the bone trying to get Americas Afghan allies to safety and a better life, where they would not have to fear government oppression and retribution.

Biden hardly is the only president to blame for this mess. There is no question that President Donald Trumps intemperate deal with the Taliban reduced the options open to his successor, not least because it signaled to the Taliban that all it had to do was sit and wait. By telegraphing a lack of U.S. will to continue to work with allies to protect freedoms in Afghanistan, the Afghan government and its security forces were further weakened. Hence the rapid collapse.

So while its surely tempting for Republicans to use this debacle for political gain and to try to render the Biden presidency a single-term affair, the reality is that the mistakes here have been bipartisan. And few Republicans have openly repudiated the Trump deal.

For centuries, Afghanistan has been a quagmire for nations such as Britain, Russia and the United States. Bidens belief that it had to end, that it was not worth more American lives over many more years, is entirely defensible.
USFRA CEO Erin Fitzgerald said the decade of agriculture requires unprecedented commitment.

It is a clarion call to figure out how we can nourish our neighbors and do so with less resources to invest in the sector and mobilize climate-smart solutions, she said. We have done this before, when we have invested in agriculture after the Civil War, after the Dust Bowl, and after World War II. We unleashed unprecedented economic growth through agriculture. The world is looking for solutions, and what theyre asking for is a decade of action.

Gov. Little said the state is already engaged in many sustainable practices and investing in much-needed research to inform the future.

Change is inevitable; adaptation and survival are optional, he said.

The people that are still in agriculture in this state all did that.

They adapted to change. Theres not a family farm or ranch or food-processing facility that hasnt done incredible work, whether its through their own innovation, whether its research from one our great research institutions, or whether its from just plain old common sense about what they needed to do to survive.

The governor said farmers and ranchers just need to have the right signals.
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Report: Lack of child care results in $479M loss for Idahos economy. These groups hope to help.

(Courtesy of Giraffe Laugh) A teacher at Giraffe Laugh Early Learning Center works with one of the enrolled children.

Editors Note: This is the first in an ongoing series of articles related to the cost of child care and lack of state support for early childhood education.

In early 2020, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a report about the economic effects of breakdowns in access to child care in four states. Idaho was one of them.

The report found that issues related to child care result in an estimated $479 million annual loss for Idahos economy through absences and employee turnover.

Armed with the results of that national report, the leaders of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry and Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children joined forces to start addressing the issue in Idaho.

Our plan was to come back and do a big push with businesses, said Beth Oppenheimer, executive director of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children. And of course, the second we got back, COVID hit.

Oppenheimer has been working with Alex LaBeau, president of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry, for several years on the issue. While his association represents plenty of businesses, child care providers are not among those partners, and he wanted to collaborate with someone who had a better understanding of the industry.

I would put (Oppenheimer) at the top of the list of somebody who understands the issue, LaBeau said.  We decided there was probably a way for us to work together and move this issue in a way that is unique to Idaho.

Lack of quality child care a barrier to employment, IACI finds

Workforce availability is a constant issue for businesses of any size in Idaho, LaBeau said, particularly since the state has a steady low unemployment rate. And when the association conducted a statewide survey to determine what factors were barriers to employment, the biggest barrier was the sheer cost and lack of quality child care in Idaho.

Theres a substantial difference between putting a fence up in your backyard and letting kids run around and quality care, he said.

LaBeau and Oppenheimer have worked to promote the idea of public and private partnerships to help with access to child care programs.

Historically, businesses would say, Thats a family issue, not my responsibility, Oppenheimer said. But once they started recognizing and realizing that the lack of affordable quality child care impacts their ability to run their business, then their eyes started opening up a little bit more.

Early learning collaboratives in Idaho offer bottom-up approach, organizers say

The idea is to create early learning collaboratives between various stakeholders such as city and school leaders and local businesses and pool resources to provide affordable, comprehensive early learning opportunities. Collaboratives are already in place in 15 areas of Idaho, including Caldwell School District and Kendrick School District. Oppenheimers association provides a toolkit to help organizations set up a collaborative, and provides backbone support, technical assistance and grant opportunities.

Idaho industry representative: Lack of state support wont deter our efforts

The idea was partially born out of frustration with a lack of support from the state level.

For years and years, we tried to kick this football down the field and were always met with, Nope, were not going to do that, Oppenheimer said. So, five or six years ago we took a step back and started looking at this issue from a different angle and flipped it on its head, and we said rather than a top-down approach, what if we looked at this as bottom up?

Its up to the individuals involved to decide how to run the collaborative, LaBeau said, nothing is prescribed. A business could offer to subsidize child care for an employee at one of the partnering agencies, or the business could buy a certain number of spots in the organization and reserve them for employees. The goal is to see how the partnerships work and determine how effective they are at supplying additional opportunities for workers and businesses.

We look at it as this is no different than offering your employees health insurance, a retirement plan, all the other different life infrastructure things that are provided to employees across the board, LaBeau said.

Idaho is one of four states, including New Hampshire, South Dakota and Wyoming, that does not provide any state funding for pre-K programs. And when the Idaho Legislature had the opportunity to approve a $6 million grant from the federal government that would have supported the education collaboratives at no cost to the state, the House of Representatives voted it down over fears from some legislators that it would lead to critical race theory teachings to children. In April, then-President of the Idaho State Board of Education Debbie Critchfield told the House Education Committee that she did not know of any formal complaints or grievances with regard to critical race theory.

LaBeau said that wont deter their efforts, and the collaboratives will continue and expand.

Were not going to let something get derailed over what was, frankly, complete BS, and the Legislature should know better, LaBeau said. At least, most of them should.

The reality, Oppenheimer and LaBeau said, is that the politics in Idaho are what they are, and they prefer to let local communities and businesses determine what works best for them rather than trying to rely on the state for support.

I dont really count on the state for much of anything right now with the way that theyre operating, LaBeau said. That doesnt mean that this is not an important issue. There are a lot of very important issues that are out there and important to the economy of the state of Idaho.

The economic argument is one Oppenheimer said should sway officials like Gov. Brad Little, who has touted Idahos economic strength, particularly throughout the pandemic.

Since child care does impact so many different areas in our communities and our state, it is really the glue that holds everything together, she said. Investing first and foremost in child care is not only going to help us continue with our strong economic growth, but also just support children and families.
Donda by Kanye West (Def Jam/UMG)

Kanye West donned a full face mask to host three livestreamed listening parties for his 10th studio album. Beyond that, he didn't say a word, or even tweet. After years of alienating longtime fans with forays into conservative politics and sometimes exhausting media spectacle, pops King of All Controversy mostly let the music speak for him when unveiling Donda.

In the tradition of Marvin Gayes Here, My Dear or Phil Collins Face Value, its a prickly, personal divorce album full of introspection, conflicting emotions and bursts of musical innovation. Its also a nearly-overbooked showcase for of-the-moment talent, some half Wests age: Shenseea, Fivio Foreign, Baby Keem, The Weeknd, Lil Yachty, Roddy Ricch. Theres drill music alongside church organs  so many organs!

Theres New Kanye earnest praise of God  hes done miracles on me  mingling with Old Kanye jokey self-awareness: Ill be honest, we all liars, I repent for everything that Imma do again. Theres reggae legend Buju Banton, rap legends JAY-Z, The LOX and Jay Electronica, multiple jabs at longtime foil Drake. Its 27 tracks clock in at one hour, 49 minutes.
Their population has been devastated by habitat destruction, including construction of hydroelectric dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers, as well as overfishing and climate change. High water temperatures on the Columbia and Snake rivers have also been detrimental as much of the Northwest has faced excessive heat and relentless drought.

Commissioners and staff with the Oregon and Washington departments of fish and wildlife met virtually Friday to discuss options for limiting damage. Most fisheries on the Columbia require fishermen to release any steelhead they catch this fall.

There just arent many more places to get significant savings, said Ryan Lothrop, Washingtons Columbia River fishery manager.

The groups that wrote the letter to commissioners say thats not true. They say closing recreational steelhead fisheries altogether for the fall could prevent unnecessary fish deaths  and that fishermen stand to benefit.

(W)e simply do not believe that fishing for ESA-listed steelhead during their worst return on record is appropriate for these fish or future generations of fishermen, the letter reads. For a species that has provided generations with memorable fishing experiences, asking fishermen to sit a season out is reasonable and necessary considering the circumstances.
Kiley has raised close to $1 million, mostly in small amounts from thousands of contributors across the state and has pledged to not accept money from special interests. But it takes many millions to mount the kind of statewide media campaign that can raise his name recognition in a Republican field that includes talk radio host Larry Elder, ex-Olympian Caitlyn Jenner and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Voters have two choices in the Sept. 14 election: Should Newsom be removed from office and who among 46 candidates should replace him? If a majority votes to oust Newsom, whoever gets the most votes on the second question will be governor. With so many candidates dividing the votes it's likely a winner could emerge with 25% or less.

Jon Fleischman, former executive director of the California Republican Party, is among GOP observers who say Kileys campaign is more about the future than pulling an upset next month. No Republicans hold statewide office in California and the party is desperate to find new political leaders to rally around.

The state is home to 5.3 million registered Republicans  more than the total populations of more than half the states. Jon Fleischman, publisher of the Flash Report, a conservative news website, said many people forget that reality because Democrats have such a stranglehold on power in the state.
But after several thousand years of such freedom and inventiveness, suddenly there are legal clauses being tucked in dense purchase agreements saying that todays owners of products MUST NOT even peek, much less poke, inside the inner workings of the devices that are supposedly ours. Makers of anything with a computer chip in it (everything from your car to your toothbrush) have been especially vehement about this, rewriting human nature by outlawing our right to repair things we own. Yes, they assert, you own the thing, but we own the intangible ideas that make it work, so if the product malfunctions, then you must return it to us  and pay us a premium  to repair it. Plus, they prattle, you could hurt yourself trying to do it yourself, so trust us.
Did he not know that tens of thousands of British troops in the 19th century and more that 100,000 Soviet troops in the 20th century had failed to bend the culture and the will of this rugged and wretched country? President Barack Obama accepted the Bush scheme and continued the American occupation, as well as the mission-impossible task of democracy building.

This gambit  born of Bushs incompetence and nurtured by Obamas arrogance  was one of the worst foreign policy errors in modern American history.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Donald J. Trump split with his own party to denounce the forever war in Afghanistan and vowed to bring the troops home. Trumps heart was in the right place  he was sick and tired of war  but his head was not.

In early 2020, thinking hed be reelected president that year, Trump dispatched his secretary of state to negotiate with the Taliban for a peaceful withdrawal of nearly all U.S. forces and a total end to the U.S. occupation. Trumps diplomats did not negotiate with the government of Afghanistan but with the government-in-waiting, the Taliban.
Henry County now has lost 128 residents, and Franklin County has lost 84. And we know that 298 of those deaths districtwide have been people at least 60 years old, with most of theme white and slightly more of them male.

Although the virulent delta variant is getting a lot of focus across the country as reason for this recent deadly spike in cases, the impact of that variant in the West Piedmont Health District takes more time to ascertain.

Since early July of this year, in our district, we have seen an increasing trend of new cases for which the delta variant has been identified, Sharon Ortiz-Garcia, district epidemiologist, said in an email shared by spokesperson Nancy Bell. It is important to note that not all cases are tested for variants as antigen, and PCR tests dont provide that information. Variants are identified by additional laboratory testing of specimens that are positive for COVID-19.

She described the process for additional testing and said that based on the information from these results, the increasing number of new cases and the fact that in the rest of the Nation, State, Southwest Virginia and WPHD the delta variant has continued to be identified, we can infer that this variant may be causing many of the current infections.
Two police officers who found themselves in a shootout with a Martinsville man were honored last week by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.

Martinsville Police Officer Jason Griffith and former MPD Officer Michael Panos, who is now a deputy with the Henry County Sheriffs Office, were recognized for their actions on New Years Day 2020, when Panos was shot and Griffith managed to apprehend the shooter and provide first-aid to Panos until help arrived.

Thomas Joe Braxton, III, 39, was found guilty in Henry County Circuit Court earlier this month for the attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer among other firearms, drugs and traffic offenses.

He pointed his gun at me, looked at me in the face and shot me, Panos testified at Braxtons trial. I heard another bullet and felt it as it whizzed by my head.

Panos and Griffith returned fire, shattering Braxtons pelvic bone and ending a potentially deadly altercation.

The incident began when Braxton failed to stop on Memorial Boulevard when Panos activated his emergency equipment, sending Panos and Griffith on a high-speed chase that ended several miles away in the parking lot of Glen Ridge Apartments on Theater Street in Henry County.
Shirley loves McDowell County and she loved MTCC, said Breanna Wilson, co-worker during Browns time at McDowell Tech. She spent countless hours working hard to make MTCC a great place. I have seen few people who have shown the type of loyalty and dedication that she has shown to the growth and development of our college. She spent over 34 years of her life dedicating her time, energy and love for this campus to make it a better place.

Julie Padgett, a co-worker who first met Shirley when Julie was working for the NC Extension Service. Her professionalism in the community was noteworthy. She was always kind and offered practical insight into issues that involved our county and its needs. She was proud of (this) school and it was obvious to anyone who watched her in action. She always made decisions that would ultimately make it shine to others.

Outstanding Alumni Award (College Transfer): Rodney Wheeler 00

Rodney attended McDowell Tech after several years of service in the United States military. After graduating from the college, he went on to further his education at the bachelors and masters degree levels and completed NC teacher licensure. He taught school for several years before being named an assistant principal, first at McDowell High School and then East McDowell Middle School.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  Mothers of two Tennessee children with serious illnesses asked a federal judge Monday to block an order by the governor allowing parents to opt out of coronavirus-related mask requirements in schools, arguing that it endangers kids with health conditions and hurts their ability to attend in-person classes.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman heard testimony in Memphis federal court as part of a lawsuit filed by the women, whose two children attend school in the Shelby County suburbs of Collierville and Germantown.

The municipal school districts opened earlier this month under a universal mask requirement issued by the county health department. Republican Gov. Bill Lee has resisted implementing a statewide mask mandate for schools, and he had initially left the decision to local officials. But on Aug. 16, he signed a statewide order allowing parents to opt out of the requirement. Hundreds of students have been attending classes without masks ever since.

While local decision-making is important, individual decision-making by a parent on issues regarding the health and well-being of their child is the most important, Lee said when he issued the order.
Health officials said Tuesday that they are confident the country remains on track to quell the outbreak.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield says most of the new cases appeared linked and officials arent seeing an exponential rise in infections.

New Zealand is scheduled to remain in lockdown until at least Friday, while the city of Auckland where most of the cases have been found will stay in lockdown until at least the end of the month.

The outbreak is the first in New Zealand in six months.



SYDNEY  An Australian state leader is indicating that a slight easing of pandemic restrictions is coming for Sydney after achieving a vaccination milestone.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Tuesday she will announce before the weekend a new freedom for fully vaccinated people now that 6 million vaccine doses have been administered across the state. She said that equates to 60% of the population having at least one dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca and 32% being fully vaccinated.

Australias most populous state is in lockdown because of the virus outbreak, as is Victoria, which is the countrys second most populous state.
I tried to provide that, without the ranting and raving that mark too much political discourse. I sought to be thoughtful, reasonable and educational  to provide history, context and explanation that would help make sense of politics today.

Not that its easy to make sense of politics today. How do you make sense of politicians who resist common-sense protections against a virus that has killed more than 600,000 Americans  and 14,000 North Carolinians? People are dying, and children are suffering, because of politics.

The Republican Party has been taken over by an anti-science, anti-government, anti-democracy ideology. We expected the worst from Donald Trump, and he was worse than we expected. He has disrespected and trashed our great countrys history, laws and Constitution.

Too many otherwise thoughtful and responsible Republicans are unable or unwilling to resist, even after Trump tried to overturn the election and his supporters ransacked the Capitol.

Democrats have their hearts in the right place, but I fear theyre not ready to win in 2022 and 2024.

As one reader said, It takes courage not to get discouraged.

He was a Republican, by the way.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As tensions continue to run high in the Middle East, a new study from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis finds that adolescents from the conflict-affected region who are residing in the United States have lower levels of resilience and a heightened risk of suicide ideation compared with their American-born peers.

"Given the collapse in Afghanistan and President Biden's stated commitments, we need to be prepared to not only welcome refugees, but to understand how to support them," said Lindsay Stark, associate professor and associate dean of global programs. "Our findings show that having a strong sense of hope for the future and a sense of school-belonging bolstered resilience and reduced risk of suicide ideation for students coming from the Middle East."

Stark, an internationally recognized expert on the protection and well-being of women and children, is lead author of the article "Correlates of Suicide Ideation and Resilience Among Native- and Foreign-Born Adolescents in the United States," which was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

"Our study suggests a need for targeted, culturally responsive interventions to destigmatize mental health and psycho-social well-being, bolster sources of resilience and encourage help-seeking," said Ilana Seff, research assistant professor at the Brown School and co-author on the study.

Stark and her co-authors analyzed quantitative data from the Study of Adolescent Lives after Migration to America in Detroit and Harrisonburg, Virginia. More than 40 percent of the sample was born outside the United States, with the majority born in the Middle East and North Africa. The authors modeled outcomes of resilience and suicide ideation using measures of hope, school belonging, stressful life events and being born outside the United States.

Adolescents with greater hope and school belonging showed higher resilience, while lower levels of school belonging were correlated with higher levels of suicide ideation. More stressful life events and being born outside the U.S. were both associated with suicide ideation, while those from the Middle East and North Africa regions faced a significant increase in the risk of suicide ideation.

Explore further Emotional violence in childhood, adolescence associated with suicidal thoughts

More information: Lindsay Stark et al, Correlates of Suicide Ideation and Resilience Among Native- and Foreign-Born Adolescents in the United States, Journal of Adolescent Health (2021). Journal information: Journal of Adolescent Health Lindsay Stark et al, Correlates of Suicide Ideation and Resilience Among Native- and Foreign-Born Adolescents in the United States,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.07.012
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new way to identify patients with heart failure who will benefit from treatment with beta-blockers.

Their study involved 15,669 patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (low function of the heart's main pumping chamber), 12,823 of which were in normal heart rhythm and 2,837 of which had atrial fibrillation (AF)a heart rhythm condition commonly associated with heart failure that leads to worse outcomes. Heart failure is one of the most common heart conditions, with substantial impact on patient quality of life, and a major driver of hospital admissions and healthcare cost.

Published today in The Lancet, the study used a series of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to deeply interrogate data from clinical trials. The research showed that the AI approach could take account of different underlying health conditions for each patient as well as the interactions of these conditions, to isolate response to beta-blocker therapy. This worked in patients with normal heart rhythm, where doctors would normally expect beta-blockers to reduce the risk of death, as well as in patients with AF where previous work has found a lack of effectiveness. In normal heart rhythm, a cluster of patients (who had a combination of older age, less severe symptoms and lower heart rate than average) was identified with reduced benefit from beta-blockers. Conversely, in patients with AF, the research found a cluster of younger patients with lower rates of prior heart attack but similar heart function to the average AF patient who had a substantial reduction in death with beta-blockers (from 15% to 9%).

The research was led by the cardAIc group, a multi-disciplinary team of clinical and data scientists at the University of Birmingham and the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, aiming to integrate AI techniques to improve the care of cardiovascular patients. The study used data collated and harmonized by the Beta-blockers in Heart Failure Collaborative Group, a global consortium dedicated to enhancing treatment for patients with heart failure. The research used individual patient data from nine landmark trials in heart failure that randomly assigned patients to either beta-blockers or a placebo. The average age of study participants was 65 years, and 24% were women. The AI-based approach combined neural network-based variational autoencoders and hierarchical clustering within an objective framework, and with detailed assessment of robustness and validation across all the trials.

Corresponding author Georgios Gkoutos, Professor of Clinical Bioinformatics at the University of Birmingham, Associate Director of Health Data Research Midlands and co-lead for the cardAIc group, says that "although tested in our research in trials of beta-blockers, these novel AI approaches have clear potential across the spectrum of therapies in heart failure, and across other cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular conditions."

Corresponding author Dipak Kotecha, Professor and Consultant in Cardiology at the University of Birmingham, international lead for the Beta-blockers in Heart Failure Collaborative Group, and co-lead for the cardAIc group, added that "development of these new AI approaches is vital to improving the care we can give to our patients; in the future this could lead to personalized treatment for each individual patient, taking account of their particular health circumstances to improve their well-being."

First Author Dr. Andreas Karwath, Rutherford Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham and member of the cardAIc group, added that they "hope these important research findings will be used to shape healthcare policy and improve treatment and outcomes for patients with heart failure."

The research is being presented today at the ESC Congress 2021, hosted by the European Society of Cardiologya non-profit knowledge-based professional association that facilitates the improvement and harmonization of standards of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

More information: Andreas Karwath et al, Redefining -blocker response in heart failure patients with sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation: a machine learning cluster analysis, The Lancet (2021). Journal information: The Lancet Andreas Karwath et al, Redefining -blocker response in heart failure patients with sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation: a machine learning cluster analysis,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01638-X
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More than a year after the pandemic resulted in many employees shifting to remote work, virtual meetings have become a familiar part of daily life. Along with that may come "Zoom fatigue"a feeling of being drained and lacking energy following a day of virtual meetings.

New research conducted by Allison Gabriel, McClelland Professor of Management and Organizations and University Distinguished Scholar in the University of Arizona Eller College of Management, suggests that the camera may be partially to blame.

Gabriel's research, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, looks at the role of cameras in employee fatigue and explores whether these feelings are worse for certain employees.

"There's always this assumption that if you have your camera on during meetings, you are going to be more engaged," Gabriel said. "But there's also a lot of self-presentation pressure associated with being on camera. Having a professional background and looking ready, or keeping children out of the room are among some of the pressures."

After a four-week experiment involving 103 participants and more than 1,400 observations, Gabriel and her colleagues found that it is indeed more tiring to have your camera on during a virtual meeting.

"When people had cameras on or were told to keep cameras on, they reported more fatigue than their non-camera using counterparts," Gabriel said. "And that fatigue correlated to less voice and less engagement during meetings. So, in reality, those who had cameras on were potentially participating less than those not using cameras. This counters the conventional wisdom that cameras are required to be engaged in virtual meetings."

Gabriel also found that these effects were stronger for women and for employees newer to the organization, likely due to added self-presentation pressures.

"Employees who tend to be more vulnerable in terms of their social position in the workplace, such as women and newer, less tenured employees, have a heightened feeling of fatigue when they must keep cameras on during meetings," Gabriel said. "Women often feel the pressure to be effortlessly perfect or have a greater likelihood of child care interruptions, and newer employees feel like they must be on camera and participate in order to show productiveness."

Gabriel suggests that expecting employees to turn cameras on during Zoom meetings is not the best way to go. Rather, she says employees should have the autonomy to choose whether or not to use their cameras, and others shouldn't make assumptions about distractedness or productivity if someone chooses to keep the camera off.

"At the end of the day, we want employees to feel autonomous and supported at work in order to be at their best. Having autonomy over using the camera is another step in that direction," Gabriel said.

More information: Kristen M. Shockley et al, The fatiguing effects of camera use in virtual meetings: A within-person field experiment, Journal of Applied Psychology (2021). Journal information: Journal of Applied Psychology Kristen M. Shockley et al, The fatiguing effects of camera use in virtual meetings: A within-person field experiment,(2021). DOI: 10.1037/apl0000948
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A new UO study, which was recently shared with the U.S. secretary of labor, shows that COVID-19 has caused long-term economic, social, physical and mental health challenges for farmworkers in Oregon.

Professor Lynn Stephen, a Philip H. Knight Chair in anthropology and Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences, helped lead the study and, specifically, the examination of farmworkers' mental health. She brought it to the attention of Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh when he visited with UO faculty experts and university leaders about farmworkers and their employment conditions.

"The opportunity to meet with U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh was an amazing opportunity," Stephen said. "Our study has focused not only on research findings, but also on concrete recommendations and strategies to alleviate the problems we documented."

The Oregon COVID-19 Farmworker Study highlighted the final findings from a survey of 300 Oregon farmworkers and offered policy recommendations to help address the harm the virus has caused farmworkers and their families. The effort was the first statewide assessment of how COVID-19 has affected Oregon farmworkers. The study was conducted by the UO and other institutions and organizations across the region.

"The state's farmworker population, a majority of whom are Latino or Indigenous peoples from Mexico and Guatemala, experienced disproportionately higher rates of COVID-19 infections than people from other ethnic and racial backgrounds and labor sectors," the group wrote in a press release. "Many face economic, social, physical and mental health challenges without adequate safety nets and protections. Recovering from the pandemic requires immediate and deliberate attention to farmworkers' safety and well-being at work and home."

The survey showed that farmworkers struggled with mental health challenges triggered by things like the loss of income, inability to pay bills, disruption of the financial help they send to relatives in their home communities, and difficulties providing education to children at home during the pandemic. Many farmworkers reported symptoms related to anxiety, stress and depression, but the majority of respondents also reported that they have no access to mental health treatment.

"Sadly, 91 percent have no access to mental health services," Stephen said. "All of this is borne on the backs of people who are putting food on our tables."

UO linguist Gabriela Perez Baez and graduate student Tim Herrara also contributed to the study.

The large community of Indigenous farmworkers reported that they had to deal with language barriers in accessing things like COVID-19 safety information and schooling materials for their families as most things were only available in English and Spanish. Farmworkers in Oregon speak more than 20 Indigenous languages.

The survey also highlighted the lack of adequate safety measures or conditions to control farmworkers' risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, especially in the workplace. Despite being well-informed about COVID-19 and doing their best to control conditions at home, workers reported that employer demands made it difficult to practice social distancing and other safety measures while at work.

Farmworkers also faced many barriers to testing and quarantining due to crowded living quarters and fear of losing income and work.

The estimated 174,000 farmworkers in Oregon have seen disproportionate infection rates, the report says. Latinx farmworkers have accounted for approximately 24.2 percent of COVID-19 cases in Oregon, despite representing only 13 percent of the population. And the Oregon Health Authority has regularly reported agricultural worksites and food packing facilities with higher rates of infection and places more vulnerable to spread of the virus.

The group of 11 organizations offered 14 policy recommendations to help farmworkers and their families.The list also aims to address the longstanding disparities that existed long before the pandemic and were exacerbated as it progressed.

The recommendations include initiatives like culturally informed mental health support, financial help for child care, income support available to workers in the country legally or illegally, stronger safety regulations in workplaces and more communication about vaccines and testing in Indigenous languages.

"We exchanged ideas with Secretary Walsh on reforming immigration policy to bring relief to the undocumented farmworker population and others, improving working conditions, extending COVID-19 worker safety rules and establishing permanent smoke and heat regulations for farmworkers, expanding overtime pay for farmworkers, providing information and access to services for farmworkers in the 26 Indigenous Mesoamerican languages they speak in Oregon, and working to build stronger protections for workers," Stephen said. "The ability to share our study results at such a high level was inspiring, and I look forward to continued exchanges with Secretary Walsh."

In another related study, a UO sociology doctoral candidate conducted similar research in rural Washington, looking into the experience of immigrant and refugee food processing workers during the pandemic. Lola Loustaunau conducted 40 in-depth interviews with workers in Eastern Washington, which has many food processing facilities and cases of COVID-19, and analyzed news from agencies and the media to examine the issue.

Loustaunau found that the workers also faced a myriad of challenges introduced or exacerbated by the pandemic. Their working conditions made it difficult to practice physical distancing and they had limited access to personal protective equipment and other safety measures.

They also faced language barriers to information about benefits and assistance and felt pressured to continue working, even if they had symptoms or had a sick family member at home. And, like farmworkers in Oregon, they have not had access to affordable mental health care to help them cope with the added stress and mental toll of the pandemic.

Explore further Poll finds broad support for farmworkers who labor through pandemic
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While stories about the delta variant flood the news, there may be some measure of relief in these tense timesat least for the vaccinated.

A plethora of antibody in the nose and mouth, entry points for SARS-CoV-2, offers "good news" for the sites of immune protection in a vaccinee, according to Ross Kedl, Ph.D., a professor of immunology and microbiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Numerous studies have shown, in both humans and primates, that the COVID-19 vaccines produce large amounts of antibody in the nose and saliva of the vaccinated. The mRNA vaccines, as well as protein-based vaccines such as Novavax, produce neutralizing antibodies that localize to the virus's main ports of entry, Kedl said.

He and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus department colleagues Rosemary Rochford, Ph.D., Thomas (Tem) Morrison, Ph.D., and Elena Hsieh, MD, have found similar evidence in nasal swabs and in saliva from vaccinated individuals.

Counting the viral load

"If you have been vaccinated, you do have a lot of immunity in your nose and mouth," Kedl said. "The mRNA vaccines generate a significant amount of IgG (immunoglobulin G), the dominant form of antibody, that ends up in your nasal cavity and your saliva," he said.

"The vaccines also make another flavor of antibody, called IgA (immunoglobulin A), which is even better at protecting mucosal surfaces. Vaccines delivered via the intramuscular route do not normally make much IgA, but for some reason, these vaccines do," Kedl said.

The delta variant may replicate up to 1,000 times the rate of the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and, as a result, seems to be able to overwhelm the waning immunity in some vaccinated individuals. In response, President Joe Biden on Aug. 18 called for booster shots for all vaccinated adults.

In the unvaccinated, viral load in nasal cavities predicts transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Kedl said. "The more virus, the more you are likely to give it to someone else."

Comparing apples to oranges?

Because delta seems to be able to replicate to similar levels in both the unvaccinated and the vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has inferred that a vaccinated person has just as much chance of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 as the non-vaccinated person.

But the data used for measuring virus in the nasal cavities by the CDC are based on detecting viral RNA via a PCR test. "A real challenge in understanding the studies of viral shedding in the nasal cavity is that we don't know if that virus in the vaccinated is infectious," Rochford said. "All we know is that the PCR tests can detect the genetic information of SARS CoV-2."

Kedl agreed, noting, "They haven't taken into account the fact that the virus in the nasal cavity of the vaccinated person should be coated with antibody and therefore less infectious and transmissible than virus derived from a non-vaccinee, even at the same viral load. Exactly how much less is yet to be determined. But that's good news regardless."

Delta has changed the equation regarding the risk the unvaccinated pose to those already vaccinated.

"Before delta, breakthrough infections were really rare and always reduced in severity," Kedl said, supporting the CDC's recommendation for un-masking anyone fully vaccinated. "The combination of delta's infectivity arriving just as those vaccinated are hitting six to eight months out from their vaccine was somewhat of a perfect storm," he said.

Moving the needle?

"Though the vaccines are still doing well controlling the most severe consequences of infection, the amounts of virus a non-vaccinated person can produce are now resulting in a rate of breakthrough infections of 10% to 20%. With that level of risk to the vaccinated, wearing a mask when around those unvaccinated can be important for reducing one's chances of infection, especially if you are at higher risk for severe disease."

Whether masking the vaccinated does much to prevent virus transmission is more complicated and far less certain, Kedl said. "That's the big question: Given what we know about the level of oral/nasal immunity after vaccination, how many vaccinated people really spread an infection?

"If it's, say, 50%, that's a major problem, and masking the vaccinated will likely have an impact on viral spread," Kedl said. "If it's only 10% of people with breakthrough infections that can transmit the infection to others, then the recommendation to mask vaccinated people more broadly might not be valuable enough to counter the disincentive it is for the unvaccinated to get a vaccine," he said.

"The thing we know that will affect the spread of the virus for sure is getting more people vaccinated. Now that the Pfizer vaccines are fully FDA approved, maybe that will help move the needle on, well, moving the needle," Kedl said.

Boosting the need for boosters

Kedl emphasized that already-vaccinated people will benefit from a booster because it will increase immunity against the variants. "The most good would be done by the unvaccinated getting their first round of vaccines. But it's easier to count on those who already got one to be willing and interested in getting another," he said.

"As always, we are hanging on the actions of the unvaccinated and the behavior of the virus within that community," Kedl said. "So, the extent to which it circulates and percolates within the non-vaccinated community will determine the rate at which variants spin out. So far, we've actually been very fortunate because the vaccines have handled those variants very well."

Older vaccinees, especially those over 60, experience a steeper waning of vaccine efficacy over time, thus gaining the most benefit from the boosters.

"After this boost, (the efficacy) should plateau pretty well," Kedl said. "The problem with it waning this fast is a combination of the way immunity works and the way they delivered the vaccines to ramp up protective immunity as fast as possible."

Although it's "highly debatable," Kedl suspects it could be years after this newly suggested booster rollout before another dose is needed. "But it's all variant dependent."

Explore further New data shows the power of COVID vaccines
(HealthDay)In another grim reminder of the toll that the pandemic continues to take on Americans, the daily average for hospitalized COVID-19 patients is now higher than any previous case surge except last winter.

As that daily average topped 100,000, coronavirus deaths have also risen to an average of more than 1,000 a day for the first time since March, The New York Times reported.

In the past two months, hospitalizations nationwide have increased by nearly 500 percent, fueled by the rapid spread of the highly infectious Delta variant and a large pool of unvaccinated Americans. Things are particularly dire across Southern states, which have some of the country's lowest vaccination rates and widespread opposition to mask mandates.

In Florida, 16,457 people are hospitalized, the most of any state, followed by Texas, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

As cases and hospitalizations surged in Tennessee, the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville on Thursday requested assistance from the National Guard.

"I've never seen anything quite like it," Dr. Shannon Byrd, a pulmonologist in Knoxville, told the Times. "It's bringing whole families down and tearing families apart. They're dying in droves and leaving surviving loved ones with a lot of funerals to go to."

With the latest surge overwhelming hospitals, a nursing shortage has hindered treatment of coronavirus patients, leading to longer emergency room waiting times and rushed or inadequate care, the Times reported.

This month alone, 1 in 5 ICUs reached or exceeded 95 percent of beds full. As in earlier surges, hospitals have been forced to create makeshift ICUs in areas typically reserved for other types of care, and even set up beds in hallways or spare rooms, the Times reported. Experts say maintaining existing standards of care for the sickest patients may be difficult or impossible at hospitals with more than 95 percent ICU occupancy.

Dr. Ijlal Babar, director of pulmonary critical care for the Singing River Health System in coastal Mississippi, said the influx of mostly unvaccinated, younger COVID-19 patients was hampering care across the system's hospitals.

"Because a lot of these patients are lingering on, the ventilators are occupied, the beds are occupied," he told the Times. "And a lot of other patients who need health care, we can't do those things, because we don't have the ICU beds, we don't have the nurses, we don't have the ventilators."

Like many health care workers, Babar is frustrated with the refusal of many residents to get inoculated, even after they had lost an unvaccinated family member to the virus.

"The families, you don't see them going out and talking about the benefits of vaccine," he said. "Nobody brings it up, nobody expresses any remorse. It's just something that they absolutely do not believe in."

COVID symptoms haunt nearly half of hospitalized patients a year later

Nearly half of coronavirus patients in a large, new study were still suffering at least one lingering symptom of their illness a full year after being hospitalized for COVID-19.

The latest findings add to a growing pile of evidence that suggests recovery is no easy task with this virus.

Published Thursday in The Lancet journal, the study involved just over 1,200 patients admitted to Jin Yin-tan Hospital in the pandemic's city of origin, Wuhan, China. All of the patients were discharged between Jan. 7 and May 29, 2020. Their average age was 57.

After first looking at the patients six months after hospitalization, the researchers found that while many symptoms improved over time and many of the 479 people who had been employed when they got COVID-19 had returned to work, 49 percent still struggled with at least one health problem.

Twelve months later, shortness of breath and mental health issues such as anxiety or depression were slightly more prevalent than at the six-month mark, with the reasons for that "worrying" increase unclear, the study authors noted.

Patients in the study were also compared with people in the community who had not had COVID-19 but had similar pre-existing health conditions. After 12 months, COVID survivors had worse overall health than people who had not been infected. They were also much more likely to be experiencing pain or discomfort, anxiety or depression, and mobility problems than those who had been spared a COVID-19 infection.

During the course of the study, the patients were given physical exams, lab tests and a standard measure of endurance and aerobic capacity called a six-minute walk test. They were also interviewed about their health.

While the study involved patients who were sick enough to be hospitalized, they were generally not the most severely ill. Roughly 75% required supplemental oxygen when they were hospitalized, but most did not need intensive care, ventilators or even high-flow nasal oxygen.

Women were more likely than men to struggle with mental health issues and lung problems. One of the most common symptoms was fatigue or muscle weakness, reported by 20 percent of patients. But that was a big drop from the 52 percent who reported such symptoms six months after hospitalization.

In people who were more severely ill, shortness of breath was more common, but that didn't hold true for all symptoms. One example: 244 patients underwent a lung function test that found that from six months to one year after hospitalization, there was no decrease in how many showed reduced flow of oxygen from their lungs to their bloodstream, no matter how sick they had been while infected.

An editorial that accompanied the study stressed the urgency in understanding these lingering symptoms, a condition that has been coined "long COVID" by medical experts.

"The need to understand and respond to long COVID is increasingly pressing," the editorial said. "Symptoms such as persistent fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog, and depression could debilitate many millions of people globally."

"Long COVID is a modern medical challenge of the first order," the editorial added.

Explore further Wuhan COVID-19 study finds some hospitalized patients still have health problems after one year

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on Journal information: The Lancet The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19

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Fewer than 5% of well-child visits for privately insured young children included a recommended dental fluoride varnish application, despite mandatory insurance coverage for this service, according to a University of Massachusetts Amherst study.

Fluoride varnish helps reduce tooth decay, which affects nearly 25% of 2- to 5-year-olds and more than half of 6- to 8-year-olds in the U.S., according to earlier studies.

The new research, published Aug. 30 in JAMA Network Open, was the first to assess delivery of this evidence-based service recommended by the U.S. Preventive Task Force and the American Academy of Pediatrics for privately insured children. Previous research showed that fewer than 8% of 1- to 5-year-olds covered by Medicaid receive fluoride varnish in medical settings.

While Medicaid in most states has paid for fluoride varnish applications for at least a decade, private insurance coverage was mandated in 2015 under the Affordable Care Act with no cost-share for families, explains lead author Kimberley Geissler, associate professor of health policy and management in the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences.

"Most kids are not getting fluoride varnish applications in the medical office," Geissler says. "I wasn't surprised due to the low rates we've seen in Medicaid-covered children, but I was disappointed that it wasn't higher. Medical providers are not required to do this; it's like a mammogram. It's recommended and it's good and they should do it, and the questions we were looking at were: do they do it and how often?"

Co-author and pediatrician Dr. Sarah Goff, associate professor of health policy and management at UMass Amherst, saysknowing that very low rates of fluoride varnish application are found in both Medicaid and commercially insured populations is important because it suggests that broader, system-level barriers exist. "As a health services researcher and primary care pediatrician, I am excited about our next steps of learning what sorts of things are presenting barriers to applying fluoride varnish and developing strategies for overcoming these barriers so all eligible children receive this important preventive intervention," Goff says.

The JAMA study is part of a larger project in Massachusetts that will delve into more complex questions, such as whymedical providers aren't applying fluoride varnish during well-child visits. The preventive treatment is especially critical in light of the statistic that fewer than one in three children under age 5 have an annual dentist visit, where this service also could be provided.

The research team, including senior author Ashley Kranz of the RAND Corporation, examined data from 2016-2018 for privately insured young children in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

The sample included 328,661 well-child visits in the four states. Fluoride varnish application was more common among visits for younger children. A 2-year-old was nearly 8 percentage points more likely to receive fluoride varnish than a 5-year-old, an analysis of the data showed.

Fluoride varnish applications were most common in Rhode Island, with a regression-adjusted probability of 8.7%. New Hampshire had the lowest rate, with a regression-adjusted probability of 2.2%.

Geissler points to one "hopeful takeaway" from the study: the regression-adjusted probability of fluoride varnish application increased from 3.6% in 2016 to 5.8% in 2018. "That's still really low," she says, "but it did go up over time."

The study concludes, "Although increases over time were encouraging, very low rates of fluoride varnish in medical settings suggest substantial expansion of this service in medical settings is critical for improving children's oral health and overall well-being."

Explore further USPSTF advises applying fluoride dental varnish for young children
Kendall Nettles, Ph.D. (center) meets with two students in his lab, Jacqline Njeri (left) and Charles Min (right). Nettles and colleagues designed drug-like molecules that appear to fight estrogen-sensitive breast cancer in two ways, in cell studies. Njeri and Min are co-authors on the paper, published August 27, 2021, in PNAS. Credit: Scripps Research, Florida

A set of compounds developed by scientists at Scripps Research in Florida target estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells in new ways, potentially creating better options for patients with treatment-resistant cancers.

"Hormone therapies for breast cancer have been one of the greatest success stories of molecularly targeted medicines. But a significant fraction of patients don't respond to these therapies," says Kendall Nettles, Ph.D., associate professor of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, and lead author on the study published August 27 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"There's a continued unmet medical need for better hormone therapies. This represents the first change in approach in 20 years," Nettles says.

Drugs like tamoxifen, fulvestrant or anastrozole are frequently prescribed for estrogen-sensitive breast cancers. But over time, some breast cancers can develop resistance, through inflammatory processes identified by Nettles's group and others in 2017, and through expression of resistance genes including EGFR.

The compounds developed by Nettles and colleagues work by interfering with estrogen's ability to activate its cellular receptor in the traditional way, as seen with the hormone therapy tamoxifen, but also by a second inhibitory mechanism. Tests in cells showed greater efficacy in the presence of drug-resistance mechanisms, Nettles says.

Estrogen and cancer: Going up

Seven out of 10 breast cancers are sensitive to estrogen. The hormone promotes cancer growth by activating receptors on the cell surface which respond a bit like an elevator's up button. When touched, they send chemical signals into the cell nucleus that lead key growth and proliferation genes to march into action.

That's why doctors treat estrogen-sensitive cancers by either suppressing estrogen production or interfering with estrogen's ability to bind those receptors. If the cell can't receive the signal, the estrogen won't activate more tumor growth. However, shutting off all of estrogen's activity brings menopause-related side effects including osteoporosis and hot flashes.

Depending on a breast cancer patient's age, and whether that patient is a woman who has passed menopause, doctors will prescribe either a group of medicines called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as tamoxifen, or ones called selective estrogen receptor down-regulators (SERDs) such as fulvestrant, Nettles says.

At a molecular, structural level, those drugs interact with the pocket where estrogen binds and use a single, carefully positioned side chain to block the receptor's growth promoting activity.

Structural studies drive design

Working with colleagues from Scripps Research and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Nettles's team designed the set of compounds to interfere with estrogen binding, via distortion of the estrogen receptor binding pocket, and via binding with two different molecular side chains.

Their studies showed the compounds acted either as estrogen receptor down-regulators, or much like tamoxifen, as selective estrogen receptor modulators. Their two different side chains can be altered in a variety of ways to influence potency and manage side-effects, Nettles says.

Chemist John Katzenellenbogen, Ph.D., built the molecules in Illinois, while in Florida, at Scripps Research, Tina Izard, Ph.D., oversaw X-ray crystallography studies that revealed the molecules' structure, and Pat Griffin, Ph.D., oversaw hydrogen-deuterium mass spectrometry studies that enabled studies of the compounds' effect on estrogen receptors. Those studies showed the compounds destabilized or repositioned the receptor shape, allowing for a different method of direct binding.

One-third of women with early-stage breast cancer treated with tamoxifen developed resistance to the drug within two to five years, a recent study found. The new compounds are urgently needed, Nettles says.

Next steps include testing the compounds in mouse models of breast cancer, and tweaking the molecules to enhance their drug-like properties, such as staying in the bloodstream for the appropriate length of time. Most investigational drugs fail endpoints before reaching the clinic, but Nettles is optimistic about the compounds' path forward.

"We're hopeful this could be a breakthrough for treatment-resistant breast cancer," Nettles says. "With a new mechanism of action, the compounds do what you could expect from combining two different drugs, but in one molecule."

Explore further Researchers discover key to drug resistance in common breast cancer treatment
In this Friday, July 16, 2021 file photo, visitors enjoy the view from top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The European Union is expected to recommend that its member states reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infection levels in the country, EU diplomats said Monday, Aug. 30. Credit: AP Photo/Michel Euler, File

The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers in.

The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses the advice that it gave in June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on all U.S. travelers before the summer tourism season.

The EU's decision reflects growing anxiety that the rampant spread of the virus in the U.S. could jump to Europe at a time when Americans are allowed to travel to the continent. Both the EU and the U.S. have faced rising infections this summer, driven by the more contagious delta variant.

The guidance issued Monday is nonbinding, however. American tourists should expect a mishmash of travel rules across the continent since the EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism policy and national EU governments have the authority to decide whether or how they keep their borders open during the pandemic.

More than 15 million Americans a year visited Europe before the coronavirus crisis, and new travel restrictions could cost European businesses billions in lost travel revenues, especially in tourism-reliant countries like Croatia, which has been surprised by packed beaches and hotels this summer.

"Nonessential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed (on the safe list) ... is subject to temporary travel restriction," the council said in a statement. "This is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers."

U.S. travelers would have to be immunized with one of the vaccines approved by the bloc, which includes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson&Johnson.

Possible restrictions on U.S. travelers could include quarantines, further testing requirements upon arrival or even a total ban on all nonessential travel from the U.S.

In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stressed Monday that the EU travel restrictions applied to the unvaccinated, adding that "the fastest path to reopening travel is for people to get vaccinated, to mask up and slow the spread of the deadly virus."

Paski told reporters that the U.S. government is working across federal agencies to develop its own policy for international travel, with the possibility of strengthening testing protocols and potentially ensuring that foreign visitors are fully vaccinated. But she said no final decision has been made yet.

The EU recommendation doesn't apply to Britain, which formally left the EU at the beginning of the year and opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. earlier this month.

The United States remains on Britain's "amber" travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the U.S. to the U.K. don't have to self-isolate. A negative COVID-19 test within three days before arriving in the U.K. is required and another negative test is needed two days after arriving.

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe travel list on Monday.

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc to do so. Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EU's executive arm remained in discussions with the Biden administration but so far both sides have failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that "reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case-by-case basis."

The European Council updates the safe travel list every two weeks, based criteria related to coronavirus infection levels. The threshold for being on the EU safe list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.

The U.S. , meanwhile, is averaging more than 155,000 new coronavirus cases and 1,200 deaths per day, and several U.S. states have more COVID-19 patients in the hospital now than at any other time during the pandemic.

Authorities in Oregon are seeking extra refrigerated trucks because morgues are at capacity and Florida is in a similar situation after a week in which more than 1,700 people died from the virus in the state. Hospitals are desperately running out of staff in several states, and the start of the school year has brought even more fears that the outlook will worsen as millions of unvaccinated students return to their classrooms.

U.S. school districts have been struggling over whether to impose mask mandates, sometimes even suing in states where officials are against such requirements.

Vaccine hesitancy also remains a problem in many locations in the U.S., where 61% of the eligible population is inoculated against the virus. In contrast, Britain has fully vaccinated over 78% of adults and EU countries have inoculated nearly 70% of those over 18.

Explore further EU narrows down border list, US unlikely to make the cut

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

On Feb. 28, David Campbell woke up with a terrible case of vertigo.

"I couldn't open my eyes without the room and all of the objects around me just spinning violently," he said. "Any slight movement of my head massively exacerbated the symptoms."

Campbell, a 58-year-old retired pharma director, couldn't walk. He had intense nausea. He called a family member, who carried him down the steps of his Northern Liberties home and took him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center's emergency department.

An EKG and CT scan found nothing life-threatening. Over the course of a day and night in the ED, he got medicines that helped the nausea and dizziness, but he was still sick enough that, under normal circumstances, he would have been admitted to the hospital. Instead, he entered a clinical trial supported by Penn Medicine and Independence Blue Cross that was testing an alternative to hospitalization: going home.

As part of the Practical Alternative to Hospitalization (PATH) program, Campbell got extra support from a team headed by emergency physician Austin Kilaru. A nurse practitioner called him every day to discuss his symptoms, explain vertigo and answer his questions. The program coordinated follow-up care with his primary care doctor.

Campbell was understandably worried about his disturbing symptoms. He didn't trust himself to decide whether he needed to go back to the hospital. He felt vulnerable, disoriented. The nurse calmed him. "I've not needed someone in the past to help me manage caring for myself," he said.

After a few days, Campbell felt better. He emerged a fan of the experimental approach. "It was phenomenal," he said. "I would imagine that, without it, the outcome would have been several unnecessary trips to the ER on my part." That, he said, would have added cost to the health system and inconvenience for him.

Kilaru, who has a masters in health policy, initially hoped to prevent emergency department visits entirely by sending home health nurses or paramedics to the homes of sick people. That proved difficult, because those patients still needed lab and imaging tests that were difficult to deliver at home.

He changed his focus to helping emergency patients avoid hospitalization. In 2018, a quarter of patients admitted to the hospital through Penn Presbyterian's emergency department stayed for two days or less, a sign that some had problems that could be managed elsewhere.

Working with Penn's Center for Health Care Innovation, Kilaru and his team developed a program that would identify patients who could safely go home and coordinate the personalized support they would need for about a week once they got there. That included nursing care, lab work, transportation, medication refills, and physical therapy. Extra support has become common after hospitalized patients are discharged, Kilaru said, but he believes Penn's emergency department program is unique.

Two pilot tests of PATH were successful. Results of one of them, which involved 30 patients, were published in April in the journal Healthcare. The most common diagnoses for participating patients were chest pain, heart failure and high blood sugar, the study found. Researchers estimated that the program reduced time in the emergency department for those patients by 8.2 hours and prevented hospital inpatient stays averaging 2.3 days. Four participants returned to the emergency department within the next 30 days.

Kilaru's team did a larger randomized trial with 72 patients this year. Results are still being analyzed and Kilaru said he could not discuss them in detail before they are published in a medical journal. "Our results look very promising," he said. The program itself is on hiatus now while the evaluation is underway.

Patients with COVID-19 were not included in the trial, but Penn had a similar program for those who sought help for infection in the emergency department.

COVID-19 was not on Kilaru's radar when PATH was conceived. Even before the pandemic, occupancy at Penn Presbyterian was often high, making it important to use available space wisely and increase outpatient capacity. COVID-19 surges have only emphasized the importance of reserving hospital beds for patients who really need them.

Independence Blue Cross chose to give Penn a grant to test PATH after hearing about it during a competitive pitch day, said Rodrigo Cerda, an internist who is vice president of clinical care transformation at the insurer. His program seeks to improve health care value, which it defines as a combination of quality, patient experience, equity and cost. "PATH was clearly one of the ones that has the most potential," he said.

Patients generally prefer to receive care at home, he said, and COVID-19 has pushed health providers to improve efficiency. "COVID helps us sometimes to move faster because of being really careful with hospital capacity," he said.

Cerda said PATH's results look "encouraging" so far. If that continues, IBC will figure out how it can change the way it pays for care at home to encourage wider use of the concept.

IBC is also interested in "hospital at home" models, which provide more complicated care at home. It is in discussions with providers, but no one is trying it yet.

Cerda's program this year gave five Clinical Care Innovation Grants of about $200,000 each to study ideas ranging from enhanced primary care treatment for chronic kidney disease to automated text messaging for cancer patients on complicated, at-home chemotherapy regimens.

Kilaru said that both physicians and patients accepted the idea that some could go home. "Patients loved it," he said. "The consistent thing that amazes me is that patients really do want to be at home."

Leslie Meeks, who was also part of the recent trial of PATH, went to Penn Presbyterian in early February with extreme gastric distress. Meeks, who would say only that she is in her "golden years," has had short stays in the hospital before.

"You don't get a lot of rest in the hospital, because there's a lot of things going on all the time," she said. "... It's just not very quiet and calming."

She got IV fluids and medications at home after she was stabilized at the emergency department. A nurse called every day. Meeks called once with a question. Her roommate was there to help her.

She thought it was a good experience. At the hospital, she said, "it's always busy. At home, you get more rest and you start feeling better."

Explore further New emergency department program enables patients to recover at home safely

2021 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Figure 1. Study flow by analysis phases. Credit: DOI: 10.2196/26180

In a recent study, a multidisciplinary team of Texas A&M University researchers identified reasons why men seek health information online. The study specifically looked at middle-aged and older African American and Hispanic men living with one or more chronic conditions.

While previous research has identified disparities in seeking web-based health information, few studies have explored the correlation between web-based health information seeking based on factors such as race, gender, age and the presence of chronic health conditions.

Ledric Sherman, assistant professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the Texas A&M University College of Education & Human Development, along with colleagues Matthew Lee Smith, co-director of the Center for Population Health and Aging and Kirby Goidel, political science professor in the College of Liberal Arts, along with Caroline Bergeron of Employment and Social Development Canada, recently published their findings in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

"Despite the prevalence of chronic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease among middle-aged and older populations, utilization of preventive health services remains low," Sherman said. "This is especially true among males, who traditionally underutilize clinical and community-based health resources. However, little is still known about the reasons why men underutilize health services, and this is the main reason for conducting this study."

Using an online survey questionnaire for data collection, the researchers identified 2,028 men who met the inclusion criteria including demographics, health-related behaviors, availability of resources for managing care, and technology use and credibility. However, 106 were omitted from the study based on not having used the internet in the previous two weeks.

The study was conducted in two phases. In phase one, participants were asked about their two-week internet usage and if their information seeking was about a "specific disease or medical problem" or "a certain medical treatment or procedure."

To be included in the second phase, participants had to respond "yes" to the information-seeking variables in phase one, in addition to reporting having had a routine healthcare visit with a physician in the past year. Phase two asked participants if they shared this online information with their healthcare provider.

In phase one, the average age of the 1,922 participants who reported having used the internet in the past two weeks was 56.63, with about 1,221 participants being African American and 801 being Hispanic. Of these men, more than half were partnered or married (51.87 percent) and a majority had at least some college (79.92 percent) and had seen a healthcare physician in the past year (84.65 percent). In addition, these men reported having an average of close to four chronic conditions (3.93) and taking a little more than three daily medications (3.39). More than half (57.7 percent) of the men reported having received support in improving and managing their health and chronic conditions, with 17.43 percent reporting they had attended programs or classes to help manage their chronic conditions.

Researchers found that on average, the men who sought health information online were younger, had more people living with them in their households, had multiple chronic conditions, and reported more healthcare frustrations and barriers to self-care.

"These findings suggest that African American and Hispanic men with more complex disease profiles and those who are dissatisfied with their current and past interactions with healthcare and healthcare providers are more likely to seek information, recommendations and solutions about their health conditions online," said Smith. "This suggests a proactive approach to health information seeking, which may be driven by their urgent necessity to meet health needs and obtain practical support."

Furthermore, the participants who reported using multiple sources of technology when seeking online health information found the online information to be more reliable.

"Online information seeking can help inform the interactions African American and Hispanic men have with their medical providers and improve the overall quality of their healthcare," Goidel said. "Even so, there are disparities in terms of who, among these populations, seeks out information and then uses that information in subsequent conversations with their doctors."

Sherman added that there can be barriers to seeking health information online.

"The first barrier would be any information that is not from a credible source such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association, National Institute of Health, etc. The second would be websites that have incorrect, outdated or biased information listed," Sherman said. "A third is frustration or anxiety due to not being able to find the information that one is seeking. However, nothing beats personalized advice and treatment from a doctor or healthcare provider, so, when possible, that should always be the first point of contact."

In the second phase of the study, researchers found that of the 1,035 men who discussed their internet findings with their physician in the past year, those who looked up information only about specific diseases on the web were less likely to discuss what they found with their healthcare provider. In addition, Hispanic men who had attended health management programs for their chronic diseases were more likely to discuss online findings with their healthcare provider.

"This suggests that men with comorbidities and complicated health needs who recognize their struggles with self-care may be more inclined to seek help using online information and interactions with healthcare providers," Smith said. "This highlights that men need multiple sources of information and support to overcome obstacles and better self-manage their conditions."

Sherman added that online information-seeking serves as a means of education for these men.

"These men seek health information online as a way of educating themselves on the conditions they are living with, but more importantly, how they best manage their conditions within the confines of their readiness, residence and community, place of work, and personal behavior choices," he said. "Additionally, the online platform serves as a method of communication and education in addition to their healthcare provider."

Explore further Older people reluctant to seek help for mental health concerns

More information: Ledric D Sherman et al, Web-Based Health Information Seeking Among African American and Hispanic Men Living With Chronic Conditions: Cross-sectional Survey Study, Journal of Medical Internet Research (2021). Journal information: Journal of Medical Internet Research Ledric D Sherman et al, Web-Based Health Information Seeking Among African American and Hispanic Men Living With Chronic Conditions: Cross-sectional Survey Study,(2021). DOI: 10.2196/26180
Representative images of wounds treated with or without gel and oxygen-release microspheres for 16 days. Credit: Jianjun Guan lab

About one-fourth of people with diabetes develop painful foot ulcers, which are slow to heal due to low oxygen in the wound from impaired blood vessels and increased inflammation. These wounds can become chronic, leading to poor quality of life and potential amputation.

Jianjun Guan, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, has developed a hydrogel that delivers oxygen to a wound, which decreases inflammation, helps remodel tissue and accelerates healing. Results of the work, which were in a mouse model, are published Aug. 28 in Science Advances. Ya Guan, a doctoral student, and Hong Niu, a postdoctoral research associate, both in Guan's lab, are co-first authors.

Guan's hydrogel delivers oxygen to the wound using microspheres that gradually release oxygen to interact with the cells through an enzyme on their surface that converts what is inside of the microsphere into oxygen. The oxygen is delivered to the wound over about a two-week period, and inflammation and swelling decrease, prompting healing.

"The oxygen has two roles: One, to improve skin cell survival under the low-oxygen condition of the diabetic wound; and two, oxygen can stimulate the skin cells to produce growth factors necessary for wound repair," Guan said.

Tissues in the body require oxygen to survive and need even more when tissue is injured. While there are several existing treatments for chronic wounds in people with diabetes, the most common treatment is dozens of sessions in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, but its effectiveness is inconsistent and includes the risk of oxygen toxicity.

In the mice, wounds treated with the hydrogel containing the oxygen-releasing microspheres had a greater rate of closure than wounds treated with only the gel or those with no treatment. By day 16, the wounds treated with the hydrogel had reduced to 10.7%. Those treated with the gel only were reduced to 30.4%, and those with no treatment had reduced to 52.2%.

In addition, the wounds treated with the hydrogel containing the oxygen-releasing microspheres had the thickest epidermis on day 8, but the thinnest by day 16, indicating the wound was healing and inflammation was reduced.

Over the past 14 years, Guan has been developing this type of gel, which has nearly 70 different functions and chemical structures.

"The gel is a liquid before we put it into the skin tissue, so it is easy to mix in the microspheres," he said. "Once we put the mixture of the gel and the microspheres into the wound, it becomes a solid because it is temperature-sensitiveat lower temperatures it is a liquid, and at body temperature it's a solid."

One risk of delivering oxygen to wounds is delivering too much, which creates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can damage or kill cells at elevated levels. Guan's hydrogel is able to scavenge for ROS content and destroy it, eliminating any risk.

Next, Guan's team plans to use the hydrogel in a large animal model with the expectation of future human clinical trials.

"This represents a new therapeutic approach to accelerating healing of chronic diabetic wounds without drugs," Guan said. "It also has the potential to treat other diseases in which oxygen is low, such as peripheral artery disease and coronary heart disease."

Explore further Hydrogel may help heal diabetic ulcers

More information: Ya Guan et al, Sustained oxygenation accelerates diabetic wound healing by promoting epithelialization and angiogenesis and decreasing inflammation, Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances Ya Guan et al, Sustained oxygenation accelerates diabetic wound healing by promoting epithelialization and angiogenesis and decreasing inflammation,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj0153
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Half of pregnant women who had a simple blood test to check their iron stores had low iron levels, and one in four had severe iron deficiency, according to a paper published today in the journal Blood Advances. But despite how common iron deficiency is, 40% of pregnant women in this large regional study never had their iron levels checked, and women of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to get tested. Researchers said the findings underscore the need to revisit clinical guidelines to ensure that ferritin testing, the standard measure of iron deficiency, is included as a routine part of maternal care and pregnancy health screenings.

"Despite the very high prevalence of iron deficiency in pregnancy, and how easy it is to treat, we are not doing a very good job of checking for it," said lead study author Jennifer Teichman, MD, of the University of Toronto, Canada and its affiliated hospitals including St. Michael's Hospital/Unity Health Toronto, where the study was conducted. "It's not top of mind, in part, because of inconsistent recommendations for ferritin testing across clinical guidelines."

Iron requirements in pregnancy are high to support the developing fetus, the growing placenta, and the increased blood supply needed to sustain the pregnancy. This demand for iron increases over the course of pregnancy. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia (low hemoglobin or red blood cell count) during pregnancy, which has been linked to poorer outcomes for both mother and baby, including a higher risk of premature delivery, low birth weight, post-partum depression, and even maternal death. Anemia early in pregnancy has also been associated with neurodevelopmental delays in the offspring, even as the child approaches school age and beyond, which points to potentially long-lasting effects. Even low levels of iron alone can cause pregnant women to experience fatigue, weakness, and brain fog, Dr. Teichman explained.

The study included 44,552 pregnant women who received prenatal testing at community laboratories in Ontario, Canada, between 2013 and 2018 to determine how often ferritin testing was offered. Researchers also sought to provide more robust data about the prevalence and severity of iron deficiency among pregnant women and to identify whether certain clinical or demographic factors played a role in the likelihood of someone receiving a ferritin test.

Altogether, about 60% of patients got a ferritin test during pregnancy; 40% did not. Most tests were ordered by general practitioners (48%) and obstetricians/gynecologists (32%). The vast majority of ferritin testing (71%) occurred at or around the time of the first prenatal visit, when the risk of iron deficiency is lowest and, often, patients' iron levels were only checked once during their pregnancy.

"Iron deficiency becomes more common as women progress through pregnancy," said Dr. Teichman. "If we don't re-evaluate iron stores later in pregnancy, we miss a lot of women who are becoming iron deficient in later trimesters."

Dr. Teichman emphasized that the women in the study received care in Canada, a publicly funded health care system, which means patients don't incur the cost of ferritin testing. Despite this, the researchers found that women of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to be tested for iron deficiency, which further underscores differences in access to care and how clinicians may treat these patients differently.

Based on their findings, Dr. Teichman urges pregnant womenand those who plan to become pregnantto ask about their iron levels before and during their pregnancy.

"Iron deficiency is very common, and there can be poor outcomes for both mom and baby if it isn't identified and treated," she said. "The good news is that it's easily found with a simple blood test and completely correctable with iron supplements."

She is quick to caution that standard prenatal vitamins by themselves cannot treat iron deficiency.

"Prenatal vitamins contain only a sprinkling of iron and many combine iron with calcium, which can inhibit the absorption of iron," said Dr. Teichman. "The way to address the problem is by identifying iron deficiency early on and then supplementing women with therapeutic doses of iron, which has 10 times the amount found in most prenatal vitamins."

Another important step, she said, will be to revise guidelines to ensure women are screened appropriately. Currently, the United States Preventative Services Task Force does not recommend universal screening for iron deficiency in pregnancy, citing the evidence as "insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women." But, as Dr. Teichman explained, there are now sufficient data showing the harms of iron deficiency and anemia in pregnancy, such that it would be unethical to conduct a study in which iron-deficient women are not given supplementation. Conversely, there are no conceivable harms to iron screening, she explained.

The study is limited to the Ontario region of Canada and didn't account for women who may have had a miscarriage, who received fragmented care, or were referred to a hospital-based obstetric practice. Information about patients' ethnicity and education levels were unavailable.

Explore further Probiotic strain helps pregnant women maintain healthy iron levels

More information: Jennifer Teichman et al, Suboptimal iron deficiency screening in pregnancy and the impact of socioeconomic status in a high-resource setting, Blood Adv (2021). Journal information: Blood Advances Jennifer Teichman et al, Suboptimal iron deficiency screening in pregnancy and the impact of socioeconomic status in a high-resource setting,(2021). doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2021004352
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Scientists in South Africa are monitoring a new coronavirus variant with an unusually high mutation rate, and whose frequency has gradually increased in recent months, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said Monday.

The variant, known as C.1.2., was flagged last week by the KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation and Sequencing Platform in a preprint study that has yet to be peer reviewed.

While the majority of South Africa's coronavirus cases are currently caused by the Delta variantfirst detected in IndiaC.1.2. caught scientists' attention because its mutation is almost twice as fast as observed in other global variants.

Its frequency remains relatively low, however, and it has so far been detected in less than three percent of genomes sequenced since it was first picked up in Mayalthough this has increased from 0.2 to two percent last month.

NICD scientists on Monday said C.1.2. was only "present at very low levels" and that it was too early to predict how it might evolve.

"At this stage we do not have experimental data to confirm how it reacts in terms of sensitivity to antibodies," NICD researcher Penny Moore said during a virtual press briefing.

But "we have considerable confidence that the vaccines that are being rolled out in South Africa will continue to protect us against severe illness and death," she added.

So far C.1.2 has been detected in all nine of South Africa's provinces, as well as in other parts of the world including China, Mauritius, New Zealand and Britain.

It is however not frequent enough to qualify as a "variant of interest" or a "variant of concern" such as the highly transmissible Delta and Beta variants, which emerged in South Africa late last year.

South Africa is the continent's hardest hit country with over 2.7 million COVID cases reported to date, of which at least 81,830 have been fatal.

The Beta variant drove a second wave of infections in December and January, and the country is now grappling with a persistent third Delta-dominated wave predicted to overlap with a looming fourth.

Explore further South Africa reports four cases of India virus variant

 2021 AFP
Papua New Guinea is to hold discussions with ExxonMobile on the potential development of Pnyang gas field in the country's Western province soon.

This followed signing of a letter of intent by the two parties last Monday.

Papua New Guinea Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua told a media briefing last Friday that the project represented an important potential revenue for the State.

Photo. ExxonMobile Billboard

We started the process of negotiations on Nov, 15, 2019, and explored the possibilities of there being a gas agreement signed between the State and ExxonMobil on behalf of the developers, he said.

We wound up our negotiations last January to give ourselves a break to reconsider our respective approaches.

We are grateful that Exxon is now prepared to invite us to recommence our discussions one more time.

This time, we are intent in making sure that we cross the line, we bring in all good faith and sincerity into the negotiations to reach some terms and conditions that are satisfactory to both sides so that the project can happen to all our mutual benefit.

The State is always battling for finance to meet the demands of our people in all the developmental aspects of this country.

Every new project proposal that comes to our table represents an important potential for us to develop additional revenue to assist us.

This process (discussions) will start very shortly.

To show we are sincere this time than before, we have executed a letter of intent on Aug 16.

The actual negotiation process will start in about a week or two.

ExxonMobil PNG Ltd managing director Peter Larden said the intent to develop Pnyang field demonstrated growth opportunities for the companys operations in the country.

This is an important step towards alignment between parties on the terms of a gas agreement to facilitate the project to develop Pnyang gas field just North West of our existing facilities at Hides, Larden said.

Together with our joint venture partners, we look forward to working closely with the Government and the landowners to progress the Pnyang field development proposal and secure licenses needed to develop this resource.

Statement/TheNational/PacificMiningWatch

Next : PAC LNG did not declare assets worth US$900mil: Koim
Earlier on Monday, Daines spoke with a small family from Afghanistan, he said. One member of the family, a man, worked directly with U.S. Special Forces and that person expressed fear they would have been killed if they had stayed in the country, Daines said.

The veterans at the roundtable mostly supported bringing individuals who had worked with the United States into the country, though some expressed concern with the vetting process.

Several also questioned U.S. leadership and the way the withdrawal of U.S. forces played out.

Daines said he was "disgusted" about how events have played out in Afghanistan over the past few weeks. He also questioned the U.S. abandoning Bagram Air Base, which for much of the war was the center of American operations.

"It's outrageous, it's been a disaster," Daines said. "No ifs, ands or buts about it."

Some at the roundtable also said they were frustrated with the visa process and the status of people who remained in Afghanistan. Others said they were worried about the mental health of veterans from the war, specifically those that feel their service was for nothing.

"We need to be reminded of the incredible importance of that counterterrorism mission that was going on in Afghanistan ... the number of specific terror attacks that were thwarted as a result of what was going on on the ground in Afghanistan and lives saved," Daines said in response.

Jordan Hansen covers news and local government for the Missoulian. Shout at him on Twitter @jordyhansen or send him an email at Jordan.Hansen@Missoulian.com

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The damage from Trumps lies went far beyond the attack, however. Chalk up more than 38 million Americans infected with Covid-19, resulting in more than 600,000 deaths, to his insane claim that the Chinese virus wasnt serious, we didnt need to wear masks, and even if you did get it, it was no worse than a cold. Tragically, those numbers continue to climb.

Likewise his continuous lying seems to have emboldened other politicians to think they can get away with it, too. Take, for instance, the latest deception by Montanas Republican Sen. Steve Daines and Gov. Greg Gianforte that lawsuits by fringe environmentalists are frivolous. Can they cite the instances in which Montana judges threw out environmental lawsuits because they were frivolous? If they cant, they should drop the lie.

There are frivolous lawsuits, however. Last week a judge in Michigan condemned and sanctioned the Trump lawyers who facetiously challenged the vote there. They now must pay the costs of the state to defend against their lawsuit and may be disbarred. Thats what happens when truly frivolous lawsuits are filed.
Trapped in a laundry room as terrified people screamed for help outside. Howling winds shearing away the front of a house. Crawling out from the wreckage of what was once a home.

Those are just some of the harrowing experiences survivors recount after Hurricane Ida's devastating smash into southern Louisiana.

As day broke Monday, residents emerged from their homes to assess the damage as others, heeding the call of local officials, remained inside to make way for rescue operations. More than 1 million homes and businesses were without power across a swath of Louisiana and Mississippi, and thousands of people were in shelters.

Ida is tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the U.S. mainland and struck 16 years to the day after deadly Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The storm was downgraded from a Category 4 hurricane to a tropical storm early Monday.

Power could be out 6 weeks for some: Rescue boats fan out across Louisiana amid Ida flooding

Hurricane Ida: Catastrophic photos and video show hurricane's path of destruction across Louisiana'

"We've just been through a horrendous night with winds, rain, gusts, water coming up, rivers rising, power outages. It's incredible," Mike Cooper, president of St. Tammany Parish, said in a Facebook video update Monday. "Unless you have an emergency reason to be out on the highways, please refrain from being outdoors this morning and today."

'The tree fell first. Boom'

In Houma, Paten Neville leaned against the mailbox outside his mothers home Monday afternoon with a cigarette between his fingers. Yards away, his classic white Chevy Caprice was barely visible underneath a tree that was uprooted by Hurricane Idas winds.

"It was horrible," said Neville, 34. He stayed at his mother's house with at least six other family members, children and adults. They spent at least half the storm underneath the carport.

"The tree fell first. Boom. Then after a while, the roof (was) flying off (and) water started pouring through," he said.

Story continues

Neville said the water that poured in could be measured by buckets.

He and his family have stayed for hurricanes before, he said; they even stayed through Hurricane Katrina years ago. Neville said Katrina was worse because of the flooding; Ida, however, appeared to be mainly a wind event, at least in the Houma area.

 Emily Enfinger, Houma Today

Fran Tribe and her dog Dave sit outside home destroyed by Hurricane Ida in Houma, LA. Monday, Aug. 30, 2021.

Texas man in canoe rescues dozens in LaPlace

Paul Middendorf, a volunteer with CrowdSource Rescue, a Houston-based nonprofit, said he spent nine hours early Monday in LaPlace, rescuing dozens of people stuck in their attics and bringing them aboard his canoe.

Middendorf said he drove from Houston to Baton Rouge on Sunday and spent the night in a parking garage before making his way to LaPlace. Middendorf said he set out early in the morning and didn't see any other rescue groups.

Hundreds of people were trapped in attics in the neighborhood, where some homes saw 10 feet of water, he said.

"There was still a few people that were in their attics that were waving to me through holes they had chopped in the ceiling," Middendorf said. "A lot of these people went in the attic with nowhere to go. They were just there praying that the water would recede, and thankfully it did."

Later in the morning, there was a "frenzy" of rescue activity as the military and Coast Guard pulled people out of the water with helicopters, Middendorf said.

"Its real bad. Its real bad out there," Middendorf said.

'We are always, always here to serve the community'

Franks Restaurant Grill & Bar is among the few places that remain with power in Prairieville Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 after Hurricane Ida struck. The restaurant has a long history of serving others after storms like this, a member of the restaurants founding family said.

In Prairieville, Louisiana, Jazmine Milburn showed up to Franks Restaurant Grill & Bar for a late lunch Monday. It was one of the only places in Prairieville with electricity thanks to generators, and Milburn noticed all the cars and the lighted sign flashing "buffet" while driving around town. She wanted something to eat and a chance to get out of the house, where she had no power or cell service.

Milburn teaches chemistry at a local high school, and she doesnt know when schools will reopen other than the two-day closure announced before Ida hit.

"I know were out til Tuesday, but theres no service to know anything," Milburn said.

Franks has a long history of serving others after storms like this, a member of the restaurants founding family said.

"Come rain, shine, hurricane, whatever the weather  we are always, always here to serve the community," Deborah Dedman said. "We have done that since 1964."

 Leigh Guidry, Lafayette Daily Advertiser

Franks Restaurant Grill & Bar is among the few places that remain with power in Prairieville Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 after Hurricane Ida struck. The restaurant has a long history of serving others after storms like this, a member of the restaurants founding family said.

'I'm still trying to process the last 48 hours'

Lafourche Parish was without power and phone service for much of Monday, after Idas high winds knocked down trees, power lines and phone service throughout the region.

Hundreds of people at two evacuation centers in the area spent the night with limited food, water and almost no bedding or sleeping supplies beyond what people brought with them. Many residents, including families with young children, sprawled on blankets or jackets on the hard linoleum floor, or tried to relax in metal chairs. Families claimed different hallways and corners of the high school, separated by groups in an attempt to maintain social distancing measures.

The staff at the Thibodaux High School shelter were expecting supplies and food from local charities Monday, but staff said they still needed more help, and volunteers.

"I'm still trying to process the last 48 hours," Thibodaux shelter coordinator Amanda Metis said.

 Nicole Foy, Austin American-Statesman

From left to right, Erica Bordreaux, Waylon Bordreaux, Nicholas Beltier, and Hank Bordreaux sit on the floor in an emergency shelter set up inside of Thibodaux High School in Thibodaux, Louisiana on Aug. 30, 2021 where they stayed during Hurricane Ida.

'I stay through all the storms'

Eileen Lirette strode through the foot of water pooling in her front yard in Terrabonne Parish, dodging downed tree branches and worrying what she might find inside her home.

"Ill look in a minute," she said Monday morning. "When I work up the courage."

After a cautious peek inside, Eileen hurried through the house in relief. A few items in disarray, no water damage, no broken windows. Just a single branch that had punctured the ceiling directly in the bedroom, the sharp end pointed straight down toward her and her husbands bed.

"Were fortunate to just have that," her husband, Randy Lirette said.

Randy drove further down the road to survey the damage at the home of his daughter, who had evacuated to Texas. At both houses, they took photos of as much as they could before they began clearing debris.

"I stay through all the storms," Randy said. "I dont run. I like my kids to run, but I dont run."

The Lirettes had stayed with family just 10 minutes away in Thibodaux for the night. Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for Terrabonne and Lafourche Parishes, and a curfew was still in place Monday morning. But the roads slowly filled with residents returning to check on their homes or help friends who needed them.

Thats what people do, the Lirettes said, after a storm like this.

"I love Louisiana," Randy said. "Ill stay here the rest of my life. A hurricane aint gonna drive me away."

 Nicole Foy, Austin American-Statesman

Neighbors help one another rake debris in Jefferson Parish

In Jefferson Parish, residents cleared out their yards Monday morning. Toppled trees and foliage littered the roadways as neighbors helped one another rake debris to the edges of the road.

Passersby stopped and gawked at the burned-out husk of a vehicle nearby the entrance of the Relais Esplanade Apartments, a crumbled, still-smoldering block of apartment units.

A bright sky hung over a police officer as he stood aside his patrol car, parked in front of the on ramp to the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Everyone who stopped had one question for him: "When will it reopen?" The officer, unsure, answered, "Whenever the inspection is done."

 Kirsten Fiscus, Lafayette Daily Advertiser

'We'll be all right'

New Orleans residents faced a massive cleanup and possibly weeks without power. Whole toppled trees blocked streets, pulled down power lines, covered yards and damaged homes.

Sitting on a screened porch while listening to a battery-operated radio and feeding her 1-year-old daughter, Pamela Mitchell wasnt sure what she would do. She had already spent a hot and frightening night at home while Idas winds shrieked. She was thinking about trying to leave. But her 14-year-old daughter, Michelle, was determined to stay, preparing to clean out the refrigerator and put perishables in an ice chest.

"We went a week before  with Zeta," she said, recalling the hurricane that hit the city last fall. "So, well be all right."

 Associated Press

'It was like a freight train'

Josh Welch, 39, of Anacoco, said he rode out the storm on a boat with four other men in Grand Isle. Welch said it was too late for his group to take shelter inland by the time the storm worsened.

"It was a long night," Welch, who had no cellphone service, said in a call on WiFi early Monday. "It was like a freight train running through our boat."

The storm broke one of the windows on the boat, Welch said. From his view on the water, Welch said, he saw a small cottage on its side, several signs turned upside down and the dock covered with water.

"It looks like a big ol' pond," he said.

'We didn't think it would get this bad'

Jaki Sikaffy lost cell service at her home in LaPlace Sunday night as Hurricane Ida pounded their neighborhood. She looked outside to see her black Dodge Charger, which had been parked next to her partners white Dodge Charger, float down the street. It was time to find higher ground.

Sikaffy, her partner, Solomon Smith, and their nearly 3-year-old pup, Walle, hunkered together atop their washer and dryer to weather Ida. The winds screamed and the rain pummeled their home. They got very little sleep curled up together.

"We didnt think it would get this bad," Smith said.

"In the six years weve lived here, its never flooded," Sikaffy said.

Throughout the night, Sikaffy and Smith could hear people calling out for help.

"We just didnt know if the winds were going to pick up again," Sikaffy said. "It was the scariest part."

They spent 12 hours in their laundry room. Soon after sunrise, they surveyed the damage to their home. Their roof was peeled back. The stained glass windows in the bathroom were smashed.

They had heard that more rain was on the way, and they worried that waters would continue to rise. So when given the opportunity to jump on a boat, they did, along with a neighbor.

"They make me want to invest in a boat and be a good Samaritan, for next time," Sikaffy said as she watched one putter under the overpass. "Lord, bless them for the work theyre doing."

The boat took them to a nearby hotel that was at capacity and without power.

"So we thought wed take our chances on the road," Smith said as he braced himself against the winds, clutching Walle under his arm like a football.

They carried several backpacks filled with what supplies werent ruined and carried food for Walle. They were starting their roughly 30-mile journey to Kenner, Louisiana, where Sikaffys mother lives, on foot. Sikaffy had no shoes on.

 Kirsten Fiscus, Lafayette Daily Advertiser

Soloman Smith holds Walle and Jake Sikaffy walk along I-10 after being rescued from their damaged house in LaPlace, La., by a boat on Monday August 30, 2021, after Hurricane Ida came ashore in Louisiana on Sunday August 29, 2021.

'At least I'm alive'

Monday morning, Dartanian Stovall of New Orleans examined the house that collapsed with him inside at the height of the storm.

Stovall said he was inside the house he was renovating in the city's Uptown neighborhood when he said the chimney collapsed and the rest of the house followed. Stovall said he managed to crawl to safety.

"At least I'm alive," he said.

 Michael DeMocker, USA TODAY Network

Monday, Aug. 20, 2021 - Dartanian Stovall looks at the house that collapsed with him inside during the height of Hurricane Ida in New Orleans. Stovall was inside the house he was renovating on Lasalle Street in the Uptown neighborhood when he said the chimney collapsed the rest of the house followed. He managed to crawl to safety and despite the loss of the home said, "At least I'm alive."

'My neighbor's house broke in half'

About 68 miles southwest of New Orleans, Albert Naquin sheltered in Pointe-Aux-Chenes with seven others. Naquin, traditional chief of the Isle de Jean Charles tribe, watched Ida rip shingles from his home and peel away the front of his house.

"I saw bits and pieces," Naquin said. "My neighbor's house broke in half."

 Melissa Brown, Lafayette Daily Advertiser

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Ida: Louisiana residents emerge from homes to destruction
Western Piedmont Community College announced the continued funding of its Educational Talent Search Grant. After receiving a perfect score and applying for a nationally competitive grant, WPCC has received $1,819,580, which will be dispersed over the next five years.

Educational Talent Search is a college access program funded by the Federal Governments Department of Education with the goal to break down barriers that underserved students may encounter on their college journey.

Students must complete an application process and express a desire to attend college. The program grant will continue to serve the need in our community by providing opportunities such as college tours and cultural enrichment experiences for students sixth through twelfth grade in Burke County Schools.

Educational Talent Search has benefitted me by giving me a better understanding of colleges and careers, student Esmeralda E. said. The counselors are very patient, understanding, and are always willing to help.

ETS also aims to assist students with time management, test taking, study and organizational skills, in addition to completing college applications, registering for classes, preparing for college entrance exams and applying for scholarships  including federal and state financial aid.
Carping about alleged displays of weakness and loss of credibility is the familiar fallback of those trying to sustain a pointless military undertaking. They insist that ending it will have harmful effects on how others perceive us  a claim so vaporous it is impossible to disprove.

Their logic is that if we do something stupid, we have to keep doing it no matter what, because, you know, only weak people repent of their stupidity.

But if committing 20 years  as well as nearly 25,000 American casualties and more than $2 trillion  didnt persuade other governments of our resolve and staying power, its hard to believe that Year 21 would be a game-changer. Foreigners might instead marvel at our willingness to lavish so much for so long on a mission that did little or nothing to enhance our security. They could deduce that when genuine U.S. interests are at stake, the sky is the limit on what wed be willing to do.

Biden has shown a dedication to strengthening our alliances that his predecessor did not. President Donald Trump showed much fonder feelings for Russian President Vladimir Putin than for German Chancellor Angela Merkel or French President Emmanuel Macron.
That went on for six weeks, then cohorts got another two teachers for six weeks, and so on. It was all in an effort to minimize multiple class changes and mingling that might make it easier for the virus to spread.

This year, though kids throughout the district are starting out with mask mandates, they go to several classes with different teachers each day, just like it was before the pandemic hit in March 2020. The kids call that normal school.

Its kind of weird going back to normal school but Im happy to be back, said eighth grader Cayde Stajcar. Us eighth graders, we didnt get the seventh grade experience of normal school. We had the COVID year and it was kind of hard. So everything is new this year.

Fellow eighth grader Gunner Bushman agreed.

I liked the summer but this gives you something to do and this is the first normal year in middle school and its like new, he said.

Butte Central Schools started their new year on Aug. 23, while kids at Ramsay began classes last Wednesday. Divide, like Butte Schools, began Monday and Melrose gets going on Sept. 7, the day after Labor Day.
By most accounts, significant placer gold was first discovered in the Butte area on July 13, 1864, by Barker and party. Theres a monument on Nissler Road between Nissler Junction and Silver Bow Station, placed by the Silver Bow Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1931, to commemorate the discovery.

The exact identity of the Barker party has suffered in the translation over the years. Books usually refer to Butterworth H. Bud Barker, though his name might have been Barber, together with Frank Ruff and Pete Slater as the group that made the discovery in Silver Bow Creek that brought around 1,000 prospectors to the area within months, creating the town of Silver Bow by the end of 1864.

There might have been an earlier expedition led by Bud Barker. An 1869 note written by one Captain Mills says that in January 1864 Bud Barker, P. Allison, and Joe and Jim Ester (or Joe and Jim Heister) were on a prospecting trip when the clouds parted, and they named Silver Bow Creek for the silvery glint on the sun on a wide curve in the stream. Most accounts indicate that the view of the silver bow was from the top of Sherman Butte, which was probably the reddish hill on the south side of the creek west of Nissler Junction.
Removal of the tailings was pushed by the state and resisted by the Environmental Protection Agency and Atlantic Richfield for over a decade. In 2015, Gov. Steve Bullock declared the state would unilaterally act to remove the tailings.

The removal has been supported by NRDP funds from settlements with Atlantic Richfield. In 2010, a sum of $28 million was put into the hands of the Butte Natural Resource Damage Restoration Council. The councils volunteer members are appointed by the governor and the Butte-Silver Bow chief executive.

The members were charged with putting that money to the best use possible. Many worthy projects demanded funding, but Parrot stood out like only toxic bright blue water can.

Elizabeth Erickson, chair of the BNRC, said the council was designed to be the voice of the local community in Buttes cleanup conversation.

We for two years had meetings on how we were going to spend this money. There were a multitude of projects we could have spent the money on. And far and away the most attended meetings were anything to do with the Parrot tailings. We had multiple meetings where people were standing in the back on the Parrot tailings. It was something that the community really wanted to see done, Erickson said during the Parrot tour last week.
State universities to the east and west of Montana Technological University adopted guidelines this summer than can require students, faculty and other staff to wear masks in classrooms and laboratory settings.

At the University of Montana, the distinction is that faculty can elect to require masks in lab and classroom settings. Masks are encouraged but not required in other indoor spaces.

The goal is to try to protect students, faculty and staff from COVID-19 and its delta variant, which evidence suggests is both highly transmissible and potentially more serious for people of college age.

Yet Montana Tech reported Monday that it continues to rely on strongly encouraging mask wearing by students and staff in all indoor spaces on campus.

Chancellor Les Cook said he does not believe current state law provides the college the means to enforce a mask mandate.

He said the college can ask people to do the right thing, which he said is to get vaccinated and wear a mask.

Cook said that without an effective way to enforce a mask mandate, such a requirement isnt feasible.

The only thing we can do is ask, he said, and articulate expectations.
DES MOINES  According to court records, the Iowa Supreme Court recently returned exhibits admitted during Annette Cahills 2019 murder trial and no word is given whether the court will grant an appeal or a new trial.

Two months after her September 2019 conviction on a charge of second-degree murder in the 1992 beating death of Corey Wieneke, Cahills attorneys filed a motion to appeal the verdict to the Iowa Supreme Court. She was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Muscatine County District Court after a jury trial.

During the trial, a hearing to dismiss was held on Jan. 28, 2019, and a motion for a new trial was made on Nov. 13, 2019. Cahills attorneys argued the verdict was contrary to the weight of the evidence and a new trial was requested based on newly discovered evidence. The defense argues there is an alternate suspect in the murder named Bob Morrison. The prosecution argued there was nothing new about the evidence and it was disclosed to the defense. The defense had said that after the conclusion of the trial someone had left a letter on the defense teams table with an unsigned document claiming that Missy Morrison, who is deceased, had made some kind of statement the Bob Morrison had killed the victim.
MUSCATINE  On Monday the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors took action to solve a problem with delinquent tax collection from buildings on leased land.

During the regular supervisors meeting, the supervisors approved changing the burden of taxation from the building owner to the property owner. Muscatine County Attorney Jim Barry proposed a two-step process to address the issue of collecting taxes. He said this had become an issue because the county had taxed the building owner and not the owner of the real estate. The supervisors were given legal opinion that showed what Barry called a very solid legal foundation to pursue the landowners.

It has been a long standing process, Barry said. During the process we gathered the public officials that are involved or surround that particular issue.

The solution will go into effect Jan. 1, 2022. Collection of delinquent taxes that occurred prior to this can include such punitive measures as denial of vehicle registration, a civil lawsuit, or denial of building permits. Barry has prepared a notice that will go to all landowners explaining the change. Barry said two lawsuits were filed recently against building owners who tried to transfer their buildings.
The Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) says it has resolved that the temporary radio frequency spectrum assigned to network operators must be returned by 30 November 2021.

Icasa said the temporary radio frequency spectrum was first assigned by means of an expedited Invitation to Apply during April 2020 on the initial declaration of the National State of Disaster brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has since twice extended the duration of the temporary radio frequency spectrum assignment  the last expiry date being 31 August 2021.

Icasa said it has taken into account the current environment in relation to the number of infections, the gradual reopening of the economy, and the steady progress in the vaccination program.

More importantly, the Authority is mindful of the need to focus its efforts on the permanent licensing of spectrum, Icasa stated, adding that it is important that the industry be allowed adequate time to plan and adjust their operations.

The Authoritys interventions with regards to the release of the temporary radio frequency spectrum have indeed contributed immensely to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and to ensuring that South Africans were, and continue to be, able to communicate during these unprecedented times, said Icasa chair Keabetswe Modimoeng.

However, the Authority cannot allow the temporary spectrum assignment to assume a state of permanence.

Modimoeng said that, having allowed operators to use the temporarily assigned spectrum for a period of seventeen months, it is reasonable that they be allowed a further three months as a winding down period.

To allow the licensees to wind down their operations on the temporary spectrum, and to notify consumers about the impact thereof on their service offerings, Icasa has resolved to amend the Covid-19 National Disaster Regulations to provide for continued use of the temporary radio frequency spectrum until 30 November 2021.

Now read: Icasa must stop micromanaging Internet companies in South Africa
As the fight against corruption gathers momentum, South Africa needs to urgently review its approach to witness protection and the broader protection of whistleblowers, President Cyril Ramaphosa says in his weekly letter to the country.

While numerous systems are in place to enable whistleblowers to report anonymously, we need to tighten up existing systems and provide greater support to those who publicly come forward with information, Ramaphosa stated.

As society, we need to identify where existing laws and policies are inadequate in protecting the livelihoods, reputations and safety of whistleblowers  and work together to address these.

Ramaphosa referred to the recent murder of Babita Deokaran, a senior finance official in the Gauteng health department.

He said that her murder is a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the quest to remove the cancer of corruption from our society.

The President commended the work of the South African Police Service and the private security teams who apprehended seven suspects for Deokarans murder last week.

The intent of the criminals who target whistleblowers is not only to silence particular individuals  it is also to send a message to other potential whistleblowers, Ramaphosa stated.

We cannot let them down. We must, and we will, ensure that their disclosures result in prosecutions and do much more to ensure that they are protected from harm.

Ramaphosa said that as South Africans, the government wants to send a strong message that we will not be intimidated.

Those behind the killing of witnesses and whistleblowers will be arrested and face the might of the law, as will all who are found guilty of the very corruption these assassins are trying to cover up.

Ramaphosa said that without whistleblowers brave and principled interventions, South Africa would be unable to unmask those committing corruption.

Though much focus in recent times has been on whistleblowers in the public sector, we also owe a debt of gratitude to those in the private sector whose actions receive less attention, but are equally important, the president said.

Whistleblowers are important guardians of our democracy. They raise the alarm against unethical acts and practices in government and organisations.

Deokaran was reputed among her colleagues for uncovering irregularities and fraud at the Gauteng health department.

Gauteng premier David Makhura on Wednesday confirmed there was a link between her assassination and the people involved in a dodgy R332-million tender to procure personal protective equipment for several hospitals.

Police apprehended seven suspects from KwaZulu-Natal aged between 24 and 31 after tracking one of their vehicles back to a suspects rented home in Gauteng with the help of surveillance conducted by Fidelity.

Over the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that the hitmen accused of gunning down Deokaran spied on her phone and used remote tech to disable CCTV cameras close to her home to avoid detection.

Some of these cameras supposedly pointed at the complex gate and could be used to identify the suspects.

Deokaran was shot at least five times at her home in a townhouse complex in Winchester Hills in Johannesburg on Monday morning, shortly after dropping her daughter off at school.

Ramaphosa said that in South Africa, there is extensive legislative protection for whistleblowers, including through the Protected Disclosures Act, Labour Relations Act, Companies Act, Protection against Harassment Act, and the Constitution itself.

The Department of Justice and Correctional Services, working with other law-enforcement agencies, also administers the Office of Witness Protection to support vulnerable and intimidated witnesses in any judicial proceedings.

Entering witness protection is voluntary, and neither the SAPS nor the NPA can compel a witness to do so, Ramaphosa said.

Should a witness receive threats to their life or feel unsafe, they have to inform investigators and apply for admission to the programme.

Ramaphosa said that this programme had played a key role in securing successful prosecutions, particularly with regard to organised crime.
A cheap and inexpensive drug can help prevent high-risk persons who have contracted Covid-19 from developing serious symptoms and ending up in hospital.

This was one of the findings of the Together clinical trial, a comprehensive study on the efficacy of using Fluvoxamine, often sold under the brand name Luvox, for treating Covid-19.

The oral capsule is currently prescribed as an antidepressant in South Africa, while its commonly used in the US to treat obsessive-compulsive behaviour.

Led by Professor Edward Mills of the McMaster University in Canada and Professor Gilmar Reis from the University of Minas Gerais in Brazil, the study was carried out over more than six months between June 2020 and January 2021.

It included 3,238 Brazilian adults who tested positive for Covid-19 and had a known risk factor for progression to severe disease.

739 of the patients were given fluvoxamine, 733 received a placebo, and the remaining 1,766 patients received other treatments. The median age of the participants was 50 years, while the majority were women.

The study concluded that administering two doses of fluvoxamine (2 x 100mg) each day over a 10-day period among high-risk patients with early diagnosed Covid-19 reduced the need for extended emergency room observation over 6 hours or hospitalisation by around 30%.

Given fluvoxamines safety, tolerability, ease of use, low cost, and widespread availability, these findings may have an influence on national and international guidelines on the clinical management of Covid-19, the researchers said.

According to Drugs.com, Luvox sells for around $13.39 (R196.45) per capsule in the US, making it a relatively cheap treatment.

The study has not yet been peer-reviewed, but transmissible diseases expert at Wits university, professor Francois Venter, told Netwerk24 the researchers are reputed scientists.

Mills is known for his research on Ebola.

Venter labelled the finding as one of the most important since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is the type of medicine we are looking for, Venter said. Its utterly frustrating that we dont yet have anything to treat Covid-19 in the early stages to help keep patients out of the hospital.

Researchers around the world have been scrambling to identify medicines that could help combat Covid-19 alongside vaccines.

The cheap steroid dexamethasone was found to be effective at treating the disease in Covid-19 patients that required oxygen or ventilators to assist with breathing.

However, it should not be used in treatment at early stages, as it could disrupt the bodys immune response.

Many South Africans have resorted to using Ivermectin to treat Covid-19, but the evidence on the efficacy of this anti-parasitic drug remains disputed and clinical trials are still ongoing.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved Ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19 under strict guidelines.

It has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating Covid-19.

The FDA issued a warning last week that people should avoid Ivermectin intended for use on animals, following reports that several people had been hospitalised after consuming the drug.
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Net-zero does not mean that the use of oil, cows or landfills will end anytime soon. In fact, most believe that the emission of greenhouse gases will continue to increase. The hope is that offsets will combat the increase. These include mechanically removing CO2 and methane from the atmosphere, planting more trees, developing methods to reduce methane escape from landfills and using different food stocks (algae, for example) to reduce methane emission from animals.

What the world looks like at higher temperatures

The Paris Agreement adopted a goal of halting temperature increases to between 1.5 and 2.0 C by midcentury. As mentioned above, we are currently at 1.1 C, but to put what seems like a relatively small temperature change into perspective, a world at 1.5 C is bad enough, but at 2.0 C basically, all coral reefs would be gone, ocean levels would cover low-lying islands and many coastal locations, extreme heat and drought would impact nearly half of the worlds population, crops would fail to grow in many regions, swaths of forests would die back and large populations of plants, animals and humans would be displaced. Beyond 2.0 C things would get even uglier.
Cosmetology online

Curley Wikkeling-Miller has taught cosmetology for years at both Solano Community College in Fairfield and at Peralta.

Switching from hands-on beauty training to online "was a disaster," she said. She had two classes at each college and spent "probably 200 hours" learning remote teaching and finding ways to make her curriculum work online "I'd always taught face to face. We were just trying to make it."

Wikkeling-Miller got $1,000 from Peralta, she said. Solano paid adjuncts up to $500 for the extra work depending on their teaching load, a district spokesperson said.

"It wasn't very much," Wikkeling-Miller said.

She said she will keep some changes, including videoed hair-styling demonstrations, which students can watch repeatedly. "I'd never thought I'd have a YouTube channel," she said.

The head of the Peralta Federation of Teachers, Jennifer Shanoski, said the district at first balked at paying anything for the transitioning class. But the union filed a grievance based on language in its contract that Shanoski said required payment for such work.
Harrison referred to the current step in the process as phase 2. The first phase, he said, occurred in 2019, and was inspired by a report from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute that said Napa was missing opportunities to grow its creative and manufacturing sectors. Artspace and PlaceMade, working with the city, determined at the time that investments could improve the citys offerings for creatives, Harrison added.

Deaver said in 2019 the two nonprofits had listened to focus groups, looked at potential locations the city thought would be great for reuse, and then modeled a concept of a facility that would have affordable artist housing, makerspaces and a community engagement component  a kind of campus facility that would be a place people could make, work, live and share with the community, she said.

Now, Harrison added, the team is trying to drill down and figure out the specifics of what Napas creative community really needs. The action plan developed by the nonprofits will be delivered to the city in October or November, he said, which will give the city a path for where to take the initiative next.
So why do I bring up this bit of recent history? Because Republicans attempted to shift the blame from the previous Republican governor and legislature to Gray Davis for the financial collapse of Californias public energy utilities. They were so successful in this character assassination that they were able to foist a recall election upon the voters. It worked and Davis was removed; Arnold Schwarzenegger succeeded him as governor.

Now Republicans are doing the same thing to Gavin Newsom, blaming him for shutting down the economy to stop the spread of COVID. The virus got out of control in this nation due to the ineptitude and denial of former President Donald Trump. It appears Republicans could care less about the spread of the virus or how many people die; they are all about the politics of power. This deception is brought to you by many wealthy Republican donors (in and out of state) who have millions to spend in this corrupt power grab.

Do not sit this election out and let a minority party misuse the election recall process to install their own fringe conservatives. If you dont want this state to end up like Texas, Mississippi, Alabama or Florida, you need to vote No on the recall of Californias current governor.

Ron Rogers

Napa
We have created trainings to educate the community, collected data, have run marketing campaigns, developed resources for survivors of suicide loss, and are developing a comprehensive strategic plan. I will outline our programs after I give you as current as possible data of suicides for 2020:

Nationally there were 48,344; in California there were 4,491; and in Napa County there were 22.

Our first endeavor was to develop posters and flyers about suicide prevention, and important phone numbers to call while in crisis. We also created business cards with similar information that we pass out to the public. We educate the public by offering two trainings, one being a one-half hour introduction about suicide and the work of our council. The second is a comprehensive and evidence-based training called QPR, (Question, Persuade and Refer), which follows the model of CPR. It empowers people to be able to respond to a potential suicidal person with a skill set, and includes a very helpful booklet. We have several trainers and have trained all of the organizations on our council, and also business organizations, churches and schools.
Newspaper: Armenia authorities decide to make insidious amendments to Electoral Code

Newspaper: Why opposition Armenia Faction MP Vahe Hakobyan met with Artsakh ex-president Bako Sahakyan?

World Health Organization monitoring new coronavirus variant named Mu

Talks between Biden and Zelenskyy kicked off at the White House

Google appeals EUR 500 million fines imposed by French regulators

Israeli FM: US plan to reopen consulate in Jerusalem is 'bad idea'

Armenian FM: There are no talks on delimitation and demarcation of borders

Armenian FM briefs his Iranian counterpart on consequences of Azerbaijan's illegal invasion

Digest: Armenian soldier killed at Ararat positions, Azerbaijan returns Karabakh citizen injured

Human rights activist: We have indisputable evidence of 80 more Armenian POWs being captured by Azerbaijan

Artsakh parliament holds special session dedicated to 30th anniversary of declaration of Karabakh independence

Azerbaijan prosecutor general complains about Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh

Armenia opposition MP: Azerbaijanis throw burning wheels at several Gegharkunik Province villages

Caucasus Heritage Watch: Azerbaijanis destroy Makun Bridge in Karabakh

Russias Lavrov: Armenia is our ally

Soldier, 39, killed after Azerbaijan opens fire on Armenia positions

Russia, Azerbaijan deputy FMs discuss implementation of Karabakh agreements

Armenia army General Staff chief meets with 3-month training camp reservists

Armenia health ministers adviser appointed deputy head of UCLA Promise Armenian Institute

Prosecutor's Office: Numerous injuries found on Artsakh citizen returned by Azerbaijan

Artsakh President appoints new labor, social, migration affairs minister

Armenia national airline to be named Fly Arna

Armenia defense minister pays working visit to some military units

Pashinyan: I am convinced that Armenia-Uzbekistan mutual relations will further develop

615 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Moody's leaves Armenia sovereign rating unchanged

Russia peacekeepers ensure order, security in Karabakh on Knowledge Day

Psaki: US partners with Turkey, Qatar on Kabul airport

Artsakh to mark Independence Day anniversary for first time without Armenia top leadership attendance

President to Armenia students: Learn to overcome challenges, to pursue dreams without despair

Five missing after US Navy helicopter crashes off California coast

Armdaily.am: Armenia President reacts to recent events taking place in Syunik Province

Newspaper: Azerbaijan carrying out large-scale construction in Artsakhs Shushi

Newspaper: Armenia authorities compile 'blacklist' of opposition MPs

Biden calls Afghanistan evacuation mission extraordinary success

Armenian Foreign Minister and CSTO Secretary General discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani border situation

Merkel says that Germany is trying to establish contact with Taliban

Digest: More on COVID-19 in Armenia, armed robbery takes place in Yerevan

Russia FM calls on Azerbaijan to unconditionally release Armenian POWs

Russias Lavrov: Rhetoric of both sides of Karabakh conflict needs to be moderated

Armenias Mirzoyan: We will respect Afghanistan peoples choice

Armenia FM: No negotiations on peace agreement with Azerbaijan underway

Eurasian Development Bank wants to become one of largest creditors of Armenia economy

Armenia Investigative Committee: Man found dead with gunshot wound inside car in Yerevan

Lavrov: In talks with Armenia FM we will separately discuss Nagorno-Karabakh situation

Opposition MP: Positive signals being exchanged with Turkey are new trap for Armenia

Armenia FM: Tense situation in region is consequence of Azerbaijan's destructive policy

ECtHR ruling: Ambassador to Sweden, Iceland to get compensation from Armenia government

Armenia, Russia FMs hold tete-a-tete meeting

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan, former deputy PM Gevorgyan case court hearing not held

Ombudsman: Azerbaijan MOD aims to cover up their criminal acts against Armenia civilian population

Fallen soldiers family stages protest outside Armenia government building

No electricity in court where Armenia 2nd president Kocharyan, ex-deputy PM Gevorgyan criminal case is heard

Armenia ex-president Kocharyan, former deputy PM Gevorgyan criminal case court hearing resumes

524 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

OSCE Minsk Group new Russian Co-Chair visits Azerbaijan

Armed robbery occurs at bank branch in Yerevan shopping mall

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As of 11am, Azerbaijani servicemen deliberately set firefrom nearby their tentsin the vicinity the villages of Sotk and Kut. This is stated in a statement issued Sunday by the Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Armenia (RA), Arman Tatoyan.

During the day, the fires in the direction of Sotk village of RA Gegharkunik Province were extinguished, whereas the fires in the vicinity of Kut were not extinguished and spread due to weather conditions. Published photos show the current state of affairs.

I especially mention that in these places there are grasslands and meadows of the residents of the communities, and they are simply destroyed by fires. Also taking into account that the Azerbaijani armed forces have invaded and are located in the immediate vicinity of the villages in the sovereign territory of the RA, the fires pose a real threat also to the civilian population of the villages.

The inspections of the residents' alarms prove that these subversive criminal acts against the RA civilian population are committed intentionally.

First of all, the Azerbaijani servicemen are well aware that they are located in pastures and grasslands, as well as arable lands belonging to civilians, and that people cannot even use the areas adjacent to the Azerbaijani positions, as even when people approach those places, they [i.e, the Azerbaijani soldiers] fire shots.

In addition, the Azerbaijani servicemen realize that the current weather conditions are such that the fire will spread rapidly and will destroy areas belonging to people, depriving [them] of a source of livelihood. And then they realize also that the residents will also see these fires, and they are obviously doing this to intimidate the civilian population.

I had noted yesterday that the departure of the Azerbaijani armed forces from the roads between the RA villages and communities has no alternative to guarantee the rights of the RA border residents, the peaceful and secure life of the people.

Recent Azerbaijani actionsincluding facts of shootings, in Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Ararat [Province]show that they are becoming more and more dangerous to civilians, are directly intentional, have become targeted, and that human rights abuses are widespread.

This regular report of the RA Human Rights Defender will be officially sent to the international structures, as well as to the RA state bodies and the RA civil society organizations on Monday, August 30, with relevant proposals or requirements, Tatoyan added.
The law enforcement bodies find that the head of the headquarters of the most ordinary battalion of the most ordinary military unitwith the rank of Lieutenant Colonel Arsen Ghazaryan, is responsible for the defeat. Vahan Hovhannisyan, the lawyer of Ghazaryan who is accused in the capture of 62 Shirak Province residents by Azerbaijan, said this at a press conference Monday.

"Many people think that the highest bodies of our political or military authorities () are guilty of handing over Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd [villages in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] and capturing of 62 people, but in reality this is not the case," the lawyer said, in particular.

According to Hovhannisyan, Arsen Ghazaryan is a long-term officer with many years of experience.

Referring to the charge brought against Lieutenant Colonel Ghazaryan, the lawyer noted that the body conducting this proceeding had departed from the current procedure for deciding this charge, and the latter was not clear.

Touching upon the attack by the Azerbaijani army to Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd, Vahan Hovhannisyan stated that Arsen Ghazaryan, being deployed in the area, had carried out the order by his commanding officer.

"The actual attack on the villages of Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd took place on December 13. On December 13, the Armenian communication operators are accidentally disconnected in the given area. If before that at least it was possible to contact the subordinate divisions with mobile phones, there was no mobile connection on the day of the incident.

The body conducting the proceedings needs to take certain actions to find out how the connection was accidentally cut off on the day of the attack of the Azerbaijani troops and it was not possible to carry out a proper defense. The Armenian side was armed with machine guns, whereas the Azerbaijani servicemenarmed to the teeth," the attorney said.
On 21 December 2010, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution expressing its deep concern on the increase of the enforced or involuntary disappearances in various regions of the world, including enforced or involuntary arrests and declared 30 August as International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Monday stated this in a message issued on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

Victims of enforced disappearance are in fact deprived of all their rights: the right to liberty and security of person, the right to identity and the right to a fair trial. Unfortunately, in many cases they are also deprived of the right to life.

On this symbolic day, I would like to once again raise the issue and draw the attention of all our partners to the imperative of restoring the rights of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians illegally detained in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani authorities deny the capture of dozens of Armenian servicemen and civilians, on which there is clear evidence, thus these people are victims of enforced disappearance.

Official Baku also explicitly disregards the relevant decisions of the ECHR on providing information on Armenian servicemen and civilian hostages in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan continues to impede the return of prisoners in flagrant violation of the international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions and the provision 8 of the Trilateral Statement of November 9, 2020.

Meanwhile, in continuation of the anti-Armenian policy of hatred pursued by the top leadership of Azerbaijan, the Armenian captives in Azerbaijan are subjected to torture, inhuman and humiliating treatment. Cases of deprivation of their right to life have already been registered. At the same time illegal, fake trials of Armenian prisoners of war continue.

Another indication of war crimes and crimes against humanity is the concealment of the true number of the Armenian POWs and captured civilians and places of their detention by Azerbaijan.

In this regard, it is noteworthy that in a report on its visit to Armenia and Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], the Human Rights Watch described the humiliating treatment and torture of Armenian captives by Azerbaijan as a war crime.

It is commendable that many other human rights organizations, including Freedom House, have addressed this issue, in particular calling on the Azerbaijani authorities to fully cooperate with the European Court of Human Rights in providing comprehensive information on Armenian prisoners and protecting their rights.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the European Parliament, as well as the parliaments of a number of countries, including the Netherlands, Slovakia, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, heads of states, high-ranking clerics, dozens of human rights defenders, human rights activists, world-renowned artists and cultural figures, parliamentarians, international organizations and individuals who, fighting for the highest values of human rights and respect for dignity, raised the issue of the Armenian prisoners of war in their statements, appeals, resolutions, speeches, calls and demanded their immediate release and repatriation.

Following the advice of the day, we call on our international partners, as well as human rights organizations, to intensify international pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities, demanding respect for international humanitarian law, as well as the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in inhumane conditions in Azerbaijan, the Armenian FM added in his message.
I do not agree with the charges; they are even ridiculous. Lieutenant Colonel Arsen Ghazaryan, who is charged with Azerbaijans capturingin Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)62 soldiers from Shirak Province of Armenia, said this at a press conference Monday.

"The personnel, the servicemen, the unit consisting of reservists, who walked with me on the battlefield during the [44-day Artsakh] war [last fall], have unconditionally fulfilled the tasks given by the superior. Everyone knows me, and knows that I am not an officer who leaves the soldiers alone on the battlefield," Ghazaryan noted.

He said that ever since December 9, Azerbaijan had deployed large numbers of troops in Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd villages of Artsakh, about which he had informed his superior command via mobile phone.

"On December 11, we received information that an open attack was carried out by the adversary on the left side of them. We had wounded, we tried to provide medical assistance to the wounded. As the place was high [elevation], it was not possible to climb by car; they climbed on foot. And after the December 11 attack, the left wing personnel and they were evacuated from Khtsaberd by their superior command and Russian by peacekeepers", he added.

Ghazaryan said that during the open attack on December 13, the Armenian side had two wounded, and its ammunition was run out.

"It was not even possible to keep that area. They were forces 15 times greater. We performed a tactical trick to evacuate the two wounded, to occupy more favorable positions, to contact the superior, to try to ask for help. [But] there was no help; we were left alone," Lieutenant Colonel Arsen Ghazaryan added.
Azerbaijan, with the complicity of Turkey, is sending militants from Afghanistan to the occupied part of Nagorno-Karabakh, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Foreign Minister David Babayan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.

"After the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, some of the Al Qaeda militants were immediately deployed in the Artsakh Republic territories [now] occupied by Azerbaijan. This is done jointly with Turkey, and pursues several goals. Naturally, Turkey wants to save the backbone of its militants whom it uses in various regions, mainly in the Middle East. The deployment of militants in the occupied territories of Nagorno-Karabakh will create serious problems for Russia, Iran, and regional security in general, and is a kind of oversight over Azerbaijan proper. There are already many international terrorist groupswhich are not actually overseen by Baku, but overseen by Turkeyin these regions.

Thus, Turkey is strengthening its position in Azerbaijan. Despite the slogans of brotherhood, one people, two states, Turkey uses levers of force to prevent the brother from reconsidering its brotherly relations on Ankara's task.

We see a deeply thought-out geopolitical line where radical terrorist forces are actively used. In order to somehow hide what is happening, information is disseminated about the alleged relocation of Afghan refugees to the occupied part of Nagorno-Karabakh.

We all know that refugees from Afghanistan prefer Western countries. Since [these] refugees are people who have collaborated with the Western coalition in one way or another, they have views that differ from the Taliban regarding public order and state-building in Afghanistan, and they have nothing to do in Azerbaijan, especially in the occupied territories where Azerbaijan is destroying everything, turning those areas into a bridgehead. Therefore, it is necessary for this information to be re-checked by international organizations, and relevant structures of the interested states, taking into account what stability and security threat this transfer of militants poses," said David Babayan.
With the final seconds ticking down on the massive evacuation and withdrawal from Afghanistan, some reports have suggested that the United States might exert its influence to deny the Taliban access to billions of dollars in gold and currency held in the New York Federal Reserve Bank and to millions in funding apportioned to Afghanistan through international lending organizations.

Caroline Bradley, law professor, Deans Distinguished Scholar, and associate dean for international and graduate programs at the University of Miami School of Law, and Michael Connolly, an international trade and finance specialist with the Miami Herbert Business School, explored the complicated questions regarding the possibilities.

Because multiple issues are at play, Bradley emphasized the importance of addressing them separately.

First, for assets belonging to the state of Afghanistan there is a question about who is entitled to claim and exercise authority over these assets, said Bradley, noting that the question will be determined through litigation examining principles of international law and that the proceedings will take place wherever the assets are held.

Bradley likened the scenario to that of Venezuela that has generated litigation in both the U.S. and England. Both the Maduro government and the Guaido-led opposition have asked the Bank of England to recognize their rights over gold deposits held in the bank. While the UK has recognized the Guaido government as the legitimate authority, the case remains unresolved based on an interpretation of recognition.

In a case in the U.S. involving rights to appoint members to the PDVSA Board Petroleos de Venezuela, the national petroleum company, the Delaware courts took a similar approach, basing the decision on the U.S. governments recognition of the Guaido government.

The U.S. government therefore can affect how courts in the U.S. would assess claims to assets of Afghanistan through decisions as to whether to recognize the government of the Taliban, Bradley said. She added that the situation remains complicated and might hinge on whether the Taliban establishes effective control over the territory, a questionable scenario based on the bombings last week.

In terms of recognition, Connolly noted that China has shown clear signs that it will recognize the Taliban government.

There are lot of resources in Afghanistanmining, natural gas, other raw materialsthat China wants, Connolly said. Theyre [the Taliban] going to get a ton of money from China for access to their raw materials.

Yet at least in the short- to mid-term, the new regime, he pointed out, will be under considerable stress because of the lack of cash in the economy in Afghanistan, among the poorest nations in the world.

It looks like there will be a liquidity crisis due to the central bank not having reserves to make available to the banks, which themselves, have practically no reserves, Connolly said. The distress may be so great that the U.S. might indeed have some leverage over the Taliban.

In regard to the estimated $440 million pertaining to Afghanistan through the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Connolly explained that these monies were generated through a recent IMF initiative geared to support emerging nations in the battle to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. agreed to provide $60 billion, and Connolly noted that because the amount did not reach a certain threshold, congressional approval was not required.

Other monies, through existing international grants, pertain to Afghanistan through the World Bank, yet both the IMF on Aug. 17 and the World Bank on Aug. 25 blocked funding to the Taliban.

Bradley highlighted that the same issue of recognition will determine the Taliban's ability to access these funds.

Although here the issue plays out differently because rather than a domestic court making a determination based on recognition by its own government, international organizations will assess the state of recognition within the international community, Bradley said. This is a much more complex assessment.

Yet to that point, Connolly emphasized the strong U.S. influence in the IMF, based in large part over the fact that the U.S. provides more than 20 percent of the organizations funding and holds the largest voting quota.

Its just not going to happen, at least in the short run he said, speaking to the possibility that the organization would go against U.S. interests to continue to restrict funding.

Additionally, Bradley noted that even if the Taliban were to be recognized as the government of Afghanistan, loans from international financial institutions depend on an assessment of what the government is doing or will do with the loaned money.

In reference to the estimated $9 billion pertaining to Afghanistan that is held in the New York Federal Reserve Bank, Connolly explained that the idea of safeguarding a combination of currency and gold deposits in the U.S. banking system dates back to the 1930s with the onset of the German offensives that led to World War II.

There is a long history of this common practice among nations all over the world to hold their reserves within the stable and secure U.S. banking system, Connolly explained. He noted that the monies are held there free of charge and highlighted the immense security surrounding the protection of access to the monies.

The same question of recognition governs access to these deposits, he said.

So long as the Taliban dont have signature authority, the Federal Reserve could not and would not send any monies to themtheyre effectively frozen, he said, while referencing funds pertaining to Iran in recent years that were frozen for over a year and only unfrozen when the Obama administration recognized that certain conditions had been satisfied.

These same conditions could be tranchedwhich implies sequenced disbursements conditioned on satisfied demands, he said.

So, the U.S. may have more leverage as the economic crisis unfolds, said Connolly, noting that for now the Taliban are sticking to the Aug. 31 evacuation deadline.
Helpers' quarantine hotel already fully booked

Foreign domestic helpers from the Philippines and Indonesia can now come to Hong Kong to work from Monday but have to quarantine in a designated hotel. Image: Shutterstock

The Silka Tsuen Wan hotel is so far the only hotel designated for foreign domestic helpers to complete their 21 days' quarantine.



It said it was fully-booked until November 1, with just over 280 rooms available for the helpers.



Under current regulations, hotels can only have an occupancy rate of around 70 percent.



There's been a shortage of helpers here after the government banned flights from the Philippines and Indonesia from April and May respectively.



In a deal struck last week, helpers can begin arriving from Monday.



But it looks to be complicated by a two-week flight ban imposed on Philippine Airlines yesterday, after three Covid cases were found on a flight.
This Labor Day, you might be firing up the grill and making some classic hamburgers.

Celebrity chefs, from Ina Garten to Gordon Ramsay, have their own recipes for delicious burgers.

Ree Drummond wraps hers in lettuce, while Rachael Ray makes her own version of a McDonald's Big Mac.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Bobby Flay adds potato chips to make his signature "crunch burger."

For the signature burger served at Bobby's Burger Palace, Flay starts out with four 6-ounce burgers made from ground chuck or ground turkey. He then adds American cheese, beefsteak tomato, lettuce, red onion, a homemade horseradish mustard mayonnaise sauce, and potato chips for the perfect amount of crunch.

See the recipe here 

Gordon Ramsay says seasoning can make or break your burger.

Ramsay makes his burger using ground beef and brisket and recommends storing the formed and seasoned burger patties in the fridge before putting them on the hottest spot of the grill. For toppings, Ramsay adds American cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled white onions, and mustard mayonnaise.

See the recipe here 

Ina Garten makes her hamburgers using two types of beef and egg yolks.

Ina Garten and Seth Meyers eating burgers. Lloyd Bishop/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images; Food Network

To make Ina Garten's "real burgers," mix together 2 pounds of ground chuck and 1 pound of sirloin, steak sauce, egg yolks, salt, and pepper. Garten also adds a small pat of butter to each burger, sticking it inside so it is perfectly covered by the meat before adding the burger to the grill.

See the recipe here 

Martha Stewart adds Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce to her burgers.

Martha Stewart adds mustard and Worcestershire sauce to ground chuck to make her hamburgers. She also recommends adding cheese, tomatoes, raw or grilled onion, pickles, and jalapenos to the burger to make them even better.

See the recipe here 

Ree Drummond wraps her "low-carb" burgers in lettuce.

To make these Pioneer Woman-approved "low-carb" burgers, you'll need lettuce leaves large enough to fold over the entire hamburger patty, tomato slices, red onion, avocado, and chopped pickles. Drummond also adds her own version of a special sauce, which uses Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.

Story continues

See the recipe here 

Jamie Oliver tops his "insanity burger" with homemade burger sauce and pickles.

British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's insanity burger comes directly from his cookbook "Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food." The recipe calls for a burger patty made from ground chuck steak.

For toppings, Oliver uses sliced red onions lightly dressed in vinegar and sea salt, bacon, yellow mustard, Tabasco chipotle sauce, cheese, ketchup, pickles or "gherkins," and homemade burger sauce.

See the recipe here 

Joanna Gaines tops her "Gaines brother burgers" with drip jam and melted Gruyere cheese.

Joanna Gaines. Donna Ward/Getty Images; JLwarehouse/Shutterstock

Found in her first cookbook, "Magnolia Table," Gaines makes her famous burgers using ground beef, beefsteak tomato, homemade bacon-tomato drip jam, and Gruyere cheese.

See the recipe here 

To make Alton Brown's "burger of the gods," you'll need ground chuck and sirloin.

Alton Brown. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images; Breaking The Walls/Shutterstock

Brown's "burger of the gods" patties are made with trimmed and cubed chuck and beef sirloin, plus kosher salt. The celebrity chef and "Iron Chef" host recommends cooking the 5-ounce patties in a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.

See the recipe here 

Guy Fieri's "straight-up with a pig patty" burger requires a ton of ingredients, including "donkey sauce" and applewood smoked bacon.

Guy Fieri. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

To recreate Fieri's burger, you'll definitely want to read through the entire recipe to find out everything that's included. However, some highlights from this "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives"-worthy burger are applewood smoked bacon, heirloom tomato, Vidalia onion, iceberg lettuce, dill pickles, and two different kinds of sauce.

See the recipe here 

Giada De Laurentiis' game-day burgers are topped with cheese, tomatoes, and avocado.

To make these burgers, you'll need 2 pounds of ground chuck. The Food Network star elevates these simple burgers with toppings like grilled onions steamed with balsamic vinegar and sugar, mashed avocado, Provolone piccante cheese, arugula, and thinly sliced tomato.

See the recipe here 

Emeril Lagasse is famous for his blue cheese-stuffed burgers.

For Emeril's "kicked-up" blue cheese-stuffed burgers, you'll want to crumble the cheese and form it into small patties. Then, sandwich the cheese between two beef patties before adding it to the grill. Legasse recommends topping the stuffed burgers with sliced tomatoes, romaine, sliced onions, and his green peppercorn mayonnaise.

See the recipe here 

Rachael Ray's version of a McDonald's Big Mac calls for homemade special sauce.

Rachael Ray's "Big Smack" burgers call for the celebrity chef's own special sauce, which is made with sour cream or Greek yogurt, ketchup, dill pickle relish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.

She makes the actual burgers with ground beef sirloin and tops them off with the special sauce, yellow American cheese, chopped Vidalia or white onion, dill pickle chips, and chopped iceberg lettuce.

See the recipe here 

Read the original article on Insider
Problem: In Newark, pandemic-induced school closures have significantly disrupted student academic progress, with only 9% of Newark students meeting state expectations in math and 11% of students meeting expectations in reading. Parents are demanding intensive learning support for their children but the district is largely indifferent.

Solution: In a city often riven by fractious posturing for power, three groups break the mold and coalesce around the establishment of a faith-based initiative called Newark Unites Tutoring Center, anchored by best practices to accelerate learning for 9th and 10th grade students throughout the city.

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This collective response to an academic crisis came about through a home-grown collaboration among Reverend Dr. David Jefferson of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Jared Taillefer, Executive Director of Great Oaks Legacy Charter School, and Kyle Rosenkrans, Executive Director of the New Jersey Childrens Foundation (NJCF). They explained to me that the Newark Unites initiative was prompted, in part, by a town hall in June called Where Do We Go from Here: COVIDs Impact on Education in Newark and the Lessons that Can Be Learned. There, parent after parent expressed frustration and anger at their childrens learning loss after months of interrupted schooling and inadequate remote instruction.

Pastor Jefferson said, these families were looking for solutions. I am in the business of hope after all, I preside over the largest group of Newark parishioners in the city. So, given the urgency of the moment and this overwhelming consensus of parents that their children need immediate help, I knew we had to come up with a plan, especially since my congregants dont have the resources to pay for it themselves.

The plan evolved over the next two months, culminating in this threefold partnership. Pastor Jefferson, Taillefer, and Rosenkrans were also influenced by a Project Ready poll that asked Newark voters, in part, how Newark should spend over $200 million in federal stimulus dollars to supplement education. An astounding 92% said the money should go to one-on-one tutoring, 35 points higher than the New Jersey average.

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What if I told you there is a non-profit that is a specialist in learning loss and driven by results? asked Rosenkrans, whose foundation is funding the initiative. What if I said we had the citys largest church with the greatest impact? What if we brought them together to create a program that uses one of the greatest interventions to stem learning loss and expand it to other students across the city and get them back on track?

This effort is anchored by Great Oaks, well known for its distinctive tutoring model. This public charter, which came to Newark a decade ago, serves 1,600 K-12th graders and has gained national and state recognition during the pandemic for providing one of the most effective, research-based interventions to address learning loss. At Great Oaks, tutor fellows support teachers, students, and parents all year long, which leads to both college matriculation rates of 80-90%far higher than the state average and a more diverse teaching staff.

And, in a dash of serendipity, Great Oaks is in the midst of a long-planned expansion; now, part of that expansion will be the new community Tutoring Center, which will provide individualized support to 9th and 10th graders throughout the city in reading and algebra.

Tutoring works, explained Taillefer. There is a real hunger for it right now in Newark and it is our moral responsibility to respond to this call to action with substance. There is not one single solution to addressing the historic and unprecedented learning loss we have seen in Newark over the last year and half, but we must do something and the Center can be a start.

Added Pastor Jefferson, parents have lost so much confidence, so much trust in the district. They feel their voices have not been heard. Recent reports have even suggested that district leaders have attempted to hide valuable data from parents  this is unacceptable. So lets get the best of what we have. Theres something about a faith-based institution that leads to trust, that leads to hope. Were laying the groundwork for a bigger expansion, a different vision of education in Newark that can break through barriers.

This is not about politics, he continued. This is about children and families, about getting past polarization and distractions. We always say children are our future. I say children are our present. Theres no time to waste. We have to act now because we have a big problem. Our solution is the creation of Newark Unites Tutoring Center.

The Newark Unites Tutoring Center will be located at Metropolitan Baptist Church at 149 Springfield Ave, Newark, NJ. The Church itself has a long history of community-based education initiatives, including their mentorship program with the Eagle Academy School for Boys, partnering with the Leaguers to host its own preschool program, and hosting summer Freedom Schools to support learning in Newark. Metropolitan will also provide snacks, school materials, and security during the tutoring sessions.

The free tutoring program will be available to 9th and 10th graders from any Newark public school and will take place starting in September. Those enrolled will be expected to attend each Saturday with their designated tutor. Families interested in the service can sign up here or by going on the Great Oaks website. The program will accept students on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This analysis originally appeared at New Jersey Education Report.

Disclosure: The City Fund provides financial support to the New Jersey Childrens Foundation and The 74.

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Joseph Palko first learned about North Carolinas troubled history of eugenic sterilizations from school  but not the one he attended.

Down the road from his Central Cabarrus High School stood the abandoned campus of the Stonewall Jackson Manual Training and Industrial School. Old and rundown, but with an elegant brick facade and tall white columns, the school had a mythology about it, Palko said. His classmates would sneak onto the grounds, which operated from the early to mid-20th century as a reform school for boys, and would spook each other with stories claiming the buildings were haunted.

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His curiosity piqued, Palko turned to the internet for information on the Jackson school. He quickly learned that in 1948, six teenage boys at the facility  some as young as 14  underwent vasectomies by order of the states eugenics board.

That was really shocking, Palko told The 74. Its scarier than anything anyone said was going on.

Six boys attending the Stonewall Jackson Training school received state-ordered vasectomies in the late 1940s. The building still stands. (Charlottestories.com/Instagram)

Those six operations, which medically robbed their victims of the ability to have children, were some of the over 7,600 sterilizations carried out by the state of North Carolina between 1929 and 1974 in a campaign to weed out disabled and so-called feebleminded individuals under the states eugenic sterilization law. Over 30 states in the U.S. enacted similar laws, but North Carolina carried out the third-highest number of sterilizations in the nation, after California and Virginia, and in its later years, the program almost exclusively targeted poor Black women.

Palko, who is now a college junior at NC State University, is among the vast majority of North Carolinians who were never taught about their states eugenic past in school. Previous reporting from The 74 uncovered that, despite a 2003 state-level directive that information on the states eugenics program be included in K-12 curricula, none of the states 10 largest districts require that students learn about the tragic episode.

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The 74 asked readers of that story to tell us if they knew about North Carolinas history of forced sterilization and if they had learned about it in school. Responses from 175 individuals help quantify the impact of those untaught lessons:

Out of 90 respondents who identified as North Carolinians, 87 said that they had never learned about the states eugenics past in school, though a few were introduced in college.

A majority said they had never even heard of the history prior to reading The 74s reporting.

Several North Carolina respondents were familiar with the states forced sterilization program because their family members were victims of it.

Related: Genocide In My Own Backyard

In history class, Palko remembers the national eugenics movement surfacing briefly, but without any information specific to North Carolina. No one prodded further about where sterilizations had happened, and whether they might have taken place in the state they called home.

I did feel that something was missing in that sense, said Palko.

From North Carolina Eugenics Study Committee Report to the Governor, June 2003 (North Carolina Digital Collections)

Spurred by his curiosity toward the Jackson school sterilizations, the high schooler searched for information on his own.

While most states pulled back from their programs after the atrocities of Nazi Germany laid bare the ethical flaws of eugenics theory, North Carolina accelerated its campaign, he learned, conducting more than 70 percent of all sterilizations after 1945. More than 2,000 sterilization victims were under 18, the youngest being a 10-year-old boy, and procedures often occurred against the will of victims and their parents.

In the latter years of the campaign, 60 percent of those sterilized were Black and 99 percent were female, leading a recent Duke University study to conclude that the state worked to systematically breed out Black people through its eugenics program during the late 1950s and 60s.

Dr. Laura Gerald (right) listens as Mary English recounts her forced sterilization to the crowd during the Eugenics Task Force Listening Session Wednesday June 22, 2011 in Raleigh Chuck Liddy (NEWSOBSERVER.COM)

Eugenics control is not exclusive to the Nazis, Karin Zipf, history professor at East Carolina University, told The 74. Numerous U.S. states, including North Carolina, maintained a mutual exchange of information on eugenics theory and practice with Germany in the years leading up to World War II, said the historian, who authored a book about a reform school for poor, white girls in Eagle Springs, North Carolina: Bad Girls at Samarcand: Sexuality and Sterilization in a Southern Juvenile Reformatory.

As an anti-Critical Race Theory bill advances in the North Carolina legislature, Palko worries that the right-wing outcry against teaching race could further scare teachers away from covering eugenics.

[It] creates an environment of fear, especially for teachers, of what they can talk about, he said. In Palkos own district, the school board passed an anti-CRT resolution that one observer said could incite witch hunts for educators covering supposedly controversial topics.

Whats at stake in failing to teach students about this history, said Zipf, is that we make the mistakes of the past, that we are ignorant of those mistakes.

Related: Chaos Theory: Amid Pandemic Recovery Efforts, School Leaders Fear Critical Race Furor Will Paralyze Teachers

For Jonathan Burtnett, who graduated from high school in 1979, learning about North Carolinas eugenics program as a young person led to meaningful conversations. He grew up in Raleigh and was one of three survey respondents from the state who said they had learned about the sterilization campaign in school.

The topic made a huge impact on me and it became the topic of multiple dinner conversations at our house with my parents and my siblings, Burtnett wrote in his survey response.

The 10th of 13 siblings, Burtnett was the only child in his family to receive any instruction on eugenics in school. When his fifth-grade teacher broached the topic in the early 1970s, Burtnett was still learning in a segregated elementary school, nearly 20 years after the landmark Brown v. Board decision.

The eugenics program was still active at that time.

Two pages from a pamphlet extolling the benefit of selective sterilization in North Carolina, published by the Human Betterment League in 1950. (North Carolina Digital Collections)

As discussions of eugenics made shockwaves in his nuclear family, Burtnetts parents told him that his own second cousins who lived in Whiteville were the victims of sterilization against their will, even though they were white and the program affected a greater share of Black families.

Every weekend for more than a month, Burtnetts parents took him and his siblings to a school for young people with mental disabilities, giving their children a chance to play with the students at the school.

They wanted us to see that these were the type of children that eugenics was trying to prevent, but they still had value, Burtnett told The 74. I think it molded our family the best possible way it could.

Related: Tulsa Commits to Teaching Hard History After State Restricts Antiracist Instruction

Numerous other survey respondents shared their personal connections to the eugenics program, but chose not to identify themselves:

My aunt was sterilized! She was not feebleminded but she was poor and Black and legally blind and so was her husband. My aunt gave birth to their only child and then the state of NC used her being legally blind as a reason to sterilize her so she could not have more kids. Their son was not blind or feebleminded but instead grew up to be a military language expert. He  even worked at the UN.

I learned about this mostly from the news stories during Gov. Easleys term. That was when I realized this is what happened to my childhood next-door neighbor. She was my fathers age, but had the cognitive abilities of a 12-year-old or younger. I had always been told that she couldnt have children because of an operation.

My mother had me prematurely at 6 1/2 months in 1965 at age 18 then being 17 while I was conceived, wrote a respondent from Virginia, where sterilization was also common. Now I appreciate being here a little more  due to abortion and being my mother [was] sterilized.

I learned about it when working at Wake County [Department of Social Services] in the late 70s. One of my supervisors was part of a group who determined who should be sterilized. She still believed it was a good program and shouldnt be discontinued.

To Palko, who drives by the Jackson school from time to time when hes home from college, the old buildings  still standing and now on the National Register of Historic Places  provide him an important reminder about his states eugenics past.

Its really not distant history, he said.

Related: Sign up for The 74s newsletter
The U.S. drone strike targeting a vehicle believed to pose an "imminent ISIS-K threat" to Kabul's airport killed 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children, family members and witnesses told the New York Times.

The latest: Asked about the reports of civilian casualties, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said at a briefing on Monday: "We are not in a position to dispute it right now."

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"We're assessing and were investigating. Make no mistake: no military on the face of the earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the US military," Kirby said.

He added that the U.S. is coordinating with the Taliban  in addition to examining press reports and other methods of investigation  to determine whether civilians were killed.

Catch up quick: The drone strike was the second carried out by the U.S. military in response to a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians last week.

Pentagon officials said the first strike, carried out on Friday, killed two "high-profile targets" involved in the planning of the airport bombing, which the U.S. has attributed to ISIS-K, the terrorist groups affiliate in Afghanistan.

Sunday's drone strike targeted an explosives-laden vehicle also believed to be linked to ISIS-K, according to U.S. Central Command spokesperson Capt. Bill Urban. Urban said the military was investigating reports of possible civilian casualties and would be "deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life."

Details: Shortly before the drone strike, Zemari Ahmadi, who worked for the Nutrition and Education International charity in Afghanistan, pulled into his street in Kabul where he lived with his three brothers and their families, witnesses told the Times.

A number of children came outside to greet Ahmadi when the strike occurred, per NYT.

The missile hit the rear end of the car, destroying it, spraying shrapnel and killing Ahmadi and many of the children surrounding the vehicle.

What they're saying: "At first I thought it was the Taliban," Samia Ahmadi, Ahmadi's daughter who was inside the house when the blast struck, told the Times. "But the Americans themselves did it."

Story continues

I saw the whole scene, she added. There were burnt pieces of flesh everywhere. Her fiance Ahmad Naser, a former army officer and contractor with the U.S. military who had applied for a Special Immigrant Visa, was among those killed.

Steven Kwon, the president of NEI, said Zemari Ahmadi "was well respected by his colleagues and compassionate towards the poor and needy, and that he had just recently prepared and delivered soy-based meals to hungry women and children at local refugee camps in Kabul, per NYT.

Go deeper: ISIS claims responsibility for rockets fired at Kabul airport

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WASHINGTON  The last plane carrying U.S. forces left Afghanistan on Monday, meeting an Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw U.S. forces from the Taliban-led nation, after 20 years of war that left nearly 2,500 American troops dead and spanned four presidencies.

The Biden administration has spent weeks scrambling to evacuate Americans and Afghan translators who helped the American military after the Taliban quickly gained control of Kabul on Aug. 15.

The withdrawal also comes in the aftermath of an ISIS-K suicide bombing that killed dozens of people, including 13 U.S. service members, on Aug. 26. The U.S. retaliated with airstrikes targeting Islamic extremists on Friday and Sunday.

Evacuations originally began in July with at least 122,000 people evacuated out of Afghanistan as of Monday, including 5,400 Americans.

--Mabinty Quarshie

More: With last plane out of Kabul, America's 20-year war in Afghanistan is over

Taliban leaders walk across airport runway to mark triumph over US

Taliban officials walked across the sole runway at Kabuls airport in a symbolic gesture of victory just hours after the last U.S. military plane departed, signaling the end of Americas longest war.

The world should have learned their lesson, and this is the enjoyable moment of victory," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a livestream posted by a militant, according to the Associated Press.

The scene unfolded at Hamid Karzai International Airport where heavily armed Taliban fighters walked through hangars on the military side, passing some of the CH-46 helicopters the State Department used in its evacuations before rendering them unflyable, the AP reported.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday the U.S. wants the Taliban to re-open the airport to commercial service soon so that about 100 Americans and Afghans at risk for helping the U.S. mission can leave safely if they choose.

--Ledyard King

With soldiers gone, security for remaining Americans in Afghanistan will depend on diplomacy

Story continues

WASHINGTON  Now that U.S. troops have left Afghanistan, remaining Americans who want to leave and the scores of Afghanis at risk because they helped the U.S. mission will have to rely on diplomatic pressure  not American military might  to ensure their safe exit.

For Afghans whose lives are in danger because they worked with U.S. or allied forces, the U.S. withdrawal marked a terrifying moment, a bleak end to weeks of furtive efforts to snag a coveted spot on a U.S. evacuation flight.

"No option for us," one Afghan who worked for an American project said in a message to USA TODAY on Monday. "Just hide."

Read more here: With soldiers gone, security for remaining Americans in Afghanistan will depend on diplomacy

--Ledyard King and Deirdre Shesgreen

Photo of the last boots on the ground

Nearly 20 years after the first U.S. troops set foot on Afghan soil, Major Gen. Chris Donahue became the last soldier to depart the country.

The last American soldier to leave Afghanistan: Maj. Gen Chris Donahue, commanding general of the @82ndABNDiv, @18airbornecorps, boards an @usairforce C-17 on August 30th, 2021, ending the U.S. mission in Kabul reads a tweet from the Pentagon.

In the photo, Donohue is alone and stone-faced, carrying his firearm, with a Kabul airport hangar behind him as he gets ready to climb aboard the aircraft that left just before a self-imposed U.S. deadline to evacuate.

The photo is shot through a night-vision lens, giving the scene an eerie green tint.

--Ledyard King

What happens next in the nation now led by the Taliban?

WASHINGTON  After the last flight carrying United States forces departed Afghanistan Monday, the country entered a new era as the 20-year war with the U.S. came to a close.

The Taliban now in control of the country will have to contend with terror group ISIS-K as the United Nations and President Joe Biden urge the new government to allow for safe travel for Afghans and to uphold human rights.

Though forces left Afghanistan, the U.S. is still working to get remaining American citizens out of the country.

Heres what happens next in Afghanistan.

Read the rest here: The US is out of Afghanistan. What happens next in the nation now led by the Taliban?

--Rebecca Morin

Blinken leaves open possibility of engaging with Taliban

Blinken left open the possibility of continued engagement with the Taliban, the militant Islamic group the U.S. routed from power twenty years ago after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Any engagement with a Taliban-led government in Kabul will be driven by one thing only -- our vital national interests, he said.

If the U.S. can work with a new Afghan government in way that helps protect American interests, brings stability to the region and preserves the gains of the past two decades, we will do it, Blinken said. But we will not do it on the basis of trust or faith.

He noted that the Taliban is seeking international legitimacy; its leaders can achieve that by meeting commitments and obligations on freedom of travel, respecting the basic rights of the Afghan people, including women and minorities, and keeping promises to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorists, among other steps, Blinken said.

He said the U.S. would also continue to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan, with funding being channeled through independent organizations.

--Deirdre Shesgreen

How many Americans are left in Afghanistan?

The number of Americans remaining in Afghanistan are estimated to be fewer than 200 and is likely closer to 100, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday.

Speaking only hours after the last U.S. military plan left Kabul, Blinken said the State Department has made thorough efforts to identify Americans who wanted to leave beyond the roughly 6,000 already evacuated.

Were trying to determine exactly how many, were going through manifests, and calling and texts pre-existing lists, Blinken said.

Part of the challenge with fixing a precise number is there there are longtime residents of Afghanistan who have American passports and who were trying to determine whether or not they wanted to leave.

Many are dual citizens with deep roots and extended families and face a painful choice.

--Ledyard King and Deirdre Shesgreen

Blinken: US has suspended diplomatic operations in Kabul

Blinken said U.S. diplomats worked around the clock to get thousands of Americans and Afghans out of Afghanistan.

He called the evacuation an extraordinary feat of logistics and coordination under some of the most challenging circumstances imaginable.

As of today weve suspended our diplomatic operations in Kabul and transferred operations to Doha, Qatar.

Given the uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take.

--Deirdre Shesgreen

Goodbye, Afghanistan: From George W. Bush to Joe Biden, no celebration as America's longest war ends

America's longest war has tested, and defied, four presidents.

Twenty years after George W. Bush ordered the first B-52s to bomb al-Qaida strongholds in Afghanistan, the final C-17 cargo jet carrying troops and equipment lifted off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

American forces are out.

"No words from me could possibly capture the full measure of sacrifices and accomplishments of those who serve, nor the emotions they're feeling at this moment, but I will say that I'm proud that both my son and I have been a part of it," said Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the head of U.S. Central Command.

Operation Enduring Freedom was launched at a moment of almost unprecedented national unity. The nation was reeling from the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and Washington in 2001, and U.S. intelligence agencies quickly identified as culprits Osama bin Laden and the Islamic extremist group he led, which was given haven by the Taliban.

Read the rest here: Goodbye, Afghanistan: From George W. Bush to Joe Biden, no celebration as America's longest war ends

--Susan Page

The 13 US service members who died in the Kabul airport attack

The US service members who died in Thursday's Kabul airport bombing included 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman and one Army soldier.

They came from across the United States, California to Massachusetts, Wyoming to Texas. Many of them were too young to remember 9/11.

Their names are:

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas

Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee

Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyoming

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California

Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska

Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts

Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri

Navy Hospital Corpsman Max W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

Learn who they were: They made the 'ultimate sacrifice': The 13 US service members killed in Afghanistan airport bombing

Biden to address nation on Tuesday

President Joe Biden said he will address Americans on the U.S. compl its military withdrawal from Afghanistan on Tuesday afternoon as he commended the military for executing the largest airlift in U.S. history.

They have done it with unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve, Biden said in a statement. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended.

A separate White House release of Biden's Tuesday schedule showed the address slated for 1:30 p.m. EDT.

In his statement, Biden said it was the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end the airlift mission as planned on Aug. 31.

Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead, Biden said.

Biden urged Americans to pray tonight for three things: the troops and diplomats who carried out the mission in Afghanistan, the network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation and to everyone in the U.S. and around the world who is welcoming Afghan refugees.

Finally, I want to end with a moment of gratitude for the sacrifice of the 13 service members in Afghanistan who gave their lives last week to save tens of thousands, he said, listing out their names.

-- Joey Garrison

Taliban celebrate victory as U.S. troops leave Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Taliban fighters watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky around midnight Monday and then fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a 20-year insurgency in Afghanistan that drove the worlds most powerful military out of one of the poorest countries.

The departure of the cargo planes marked the end of a massive airlift in which tens of thousands of people fled Afghanistan, fearful of the return of Taliban rule after they took over most of the country and rolled into the capital earlier this month.

The last five aircraft have left, its over! said Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabuls international airport. I cannot express my happiness in words. ... Our 20 years of sacrifice worked.

American soldiers left the Kabul airport, and our nation got its full independence, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early Tuesday Afghanistan time.

More: Biden says the Taliban are 'not good guys.' So why is the U.S. cooperating with them against ISIS-K?

--The Associated Press

Read Biden's full statement on US withdrawal

"I want to thank our commanders and the men and women serving under them for their execution of the dangerous retrograde from Afghanistan as scheduled  in the early morning hours of August 31st, Kabul time  with no further loss of American lives. The past 17 days have seen our troops execute the largest airlift in US history, evacuating over 120,000 US citizens, citizens of our allies, and Afghan allies of the United States. They have done it with unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended.

"Tomorrow afternoon, I will address the American people on my decision not to extend our presence in Afghanistan beyond 8/31. For now, I will report that it was the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned. Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops, and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead.

"I have asked the Secretary of State to lead the continued coordination with our international partners to ensure safe passage for any Americans, Afghan partners, and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan. This will include work to build on the UN Security Council Resolution passed this afternoon that sent the clear message of what the international community expects the Taliban to deliver on moving forward, notably freedom of travel. The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments. It will include ongoing diplomacy in Afghanistan and coordination with partners in the region to reopen the airport allowing for continued departure for those who want to leave and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.

"For now, I urge all Americans to join me in grateful prayer tonight for three things. First, for our troops and diplomats who carried out this mission of mercy in Kabul and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results: an airlift that evacuated tens of thousands more people than any imagined possible. Second, to the network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport, and provide support along the way. And third, to everyone who is now  and who will  welcome our Afghan allies to their new homes around the world, and in the United States.

"Finally, I want to end with a moment of gratitude for the sacrifice of the 13 service members in Afghanistan who gave their lives last week to save tens of thousands: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss."

More: They made the 'ultimate sacrifice': The 13 US service members killed in Afghanistan airport bombing

--White House statement

Likely 'very low hundreds' of Americans left

In announcing the completion of the evacuation and war effort. Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said the last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. Washington time, or one minute before midnight in Kabul. He said a number of American citizens, likely numbering in the very low hundreds, were left behind, and that he believes they will still be able to leave the country.

--The Associated Press

'We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out'

It's not clear who or how many people were on the final flight out of the airport in Kabul.

"There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure. We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out," McKenzie said. "But I think if we stayed another 10 days, we wouldn't have gotten everybody out that we wanted."

The final flights for the American retreat, with the deadline of Tuesday, would have had room for a few civilians, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly. Some equipment used to protect the retreat would have had to be abandoned.

Aircraft, including Apache attack helicopters, would likely have to be destroyed by an air strike, according to a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. Radios and other sensitive equipment would be burned up by incendiary hand grenades that can cut through steel.

The collapse of the U.S.-supported Afghan government on Aug. 14 stunned the Pentagon and White House. They had planned to guard the U.S. embassy and airport with about 600 troops. But the Talibans onslaught, which toppled provincial governments over the summer with relatively few shots fired by Afghan security forces, left Kabul surrounded.

--Joey Garrison

Watch: Pentagon confirms final U.S. military plane has left Afghanistan

The Taliban and the US withdrawal

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr. said Monday that the Taliban was very helpful as the United States closed down operations in Afghanistan.

When asked about the role the Taliban played from a security perspective, McKenzie said that the Taliban helped establish a front perimeter outside of the airfield to prevent people from coming on the airfield during our departure. He said the Taliban, however, did not have direct knowledge of our time of departure.

We chose to keep that very information very restricted, McKenzie said. But they were actually very helpful and useful to us as we closed down operations.

--Rebecca Morin

More: What happened to US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan?

Taliban will 'have their hands full with ISIS-K'

McKenzie estimated there are 2,000 "hardcore ISIS fighters in Afghanistan now," many of whom were released from prisons by the Taliban but who will now pose a threat to the Taliban's rule.

I do believe the Taliban is going to have their hands full with ISIS-K, he added.

Asked about his personal reflections on the war's end, he said, "It was very very conflicted actually but ... I was pretty much focused on the task at hand. I'll have days ahead to actually think about that.

--Deirdre Shesgreen and Joey Garrison

Withdrawal complete, diplomatic mission continues

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr. said the withdrawal signified "both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan" shortly after 9/11.

"While the voluntary evacuation is complete, the diplomatic mission to ensure additional US citizens and eligible Afghans who want to leave continues. "

--Joey Garrison

Psaki on U.S. troop withdrawal: This is exactly what government is supposed to do.

The White House continues to monitor the final troop withdrawal from Afghanistan with only hours left before the Aug. 31 deadline for full withdrawal arrives. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said President Joe Biden would be speaking in the coming days about Americas withdrawal.

Since Aug. 14, the U.S. has evacuated 122,000 people from the country, including 6,000 Americans, Psaki said Monday. The State Department believes there are about 300 Americans left in the country, according to the White House.

On the U.S. troop withdrawal, Psaki said this is exactly what government is supposed to do, noting that the effort was currently the largest airlift in history.

Psaki declined to answer when asked whether Afghanistan was a safer country than when the U.S. first invaded while noting that the administration remains vigilant against terrorism.

She also noted that Biden has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritize doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground. The presidents directive comes after a deadly attack on the airport claimed the lives of 13 Americans and hundreds of Afghans.

The U.S. has since responded with two drone strikes against ISIS-K/ targets. At least one of the those strikes killed multiple children, according to the Washington Post and CNN.

The president stands by his decision to bring our men and women home from Afghanistan. We would have sent thousands of troops in harm's way to fight a war that Afghans werent willing to fight in to preserve their government, Psaki said during a Monday press briefing.

--Matthew Brown

Aug. 31 deadline is down to hours

As of 3:30 p.m. EDT, the American military is down to its last day in Afghanistan before it runs up against a withdrawal deadline.

Biden administration officials repeatedly have said the U.S. will will fully leave the country by Aug. 31.

US soldiers stand on the tarmac as a US Air Force aircraft prepares for take off from the airport in Kabul on Aug. 30, 2021.

Obviously we are reaching the end of our prescribed mission, Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor told reporters on Monday. Final details of the American withdrawal from the country are being concealed due to security concerns.

Since the withdrawal began, the military has evacuated around 122,000 people from the country, including 5,400 Americans. Most people evacuated through American flights are being ferried through U.S. military bases in the Middle East and Europe, especially in Qatar in Germany.

 Matthew Brown

More: 24 hours to go: It is now Aug. 31 in Afghanistan, but there are few details about how America's longest war will end

Marine relieved of duties after critical social media post

JACKSONVILLE, NC - A Marine who spoke out against senior military and civilian leaders about Afghanistan has been relieved of his duties.

Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller posted a video to Facebook on Thursday, "demanding accountability, integrity, and honesty from senior leaders in the Marine Corps" after 13 U.S. service members were killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul.

"People are upset because their senior leaders let them down and no one is raising their hands and accepting accountability, saying we messed this up," he said in the video. "Did any of you throw your rank on the table and say, hey, its a bad idea to evacuate Bagram Airfield, a strategic airbase, before we evacuate everyone? Did anyone do that,"

A veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Scheller was recently assigned to the School of Infantry East, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, as the commanding office aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in June, according to his bio.

After 17 years of service, Scheller closed the video out by saying he is willing to throw it all away to demand accountability.

On Friday, Scheller made a separate post to Facebook stating as of 2:30 p.m. he was relieved of his duties. He has declined comment to all media until his official exit from the military.

Lt. Col Stuart Scheller of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was relieved of his duties last Friday after posting a Facebook video demanding accountability from senior military leaders, questioning the handling of Afghanistan evacuations.

Base officials confirmed the news, adding Scheller was relieved of command by Col. David Emmel, commanding officer of School of Infantry-East, due to a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to command.

"This is obviously an emotional time for a lot of Marines, and we encourage anyone struggling right now to seek counseling or talk to a fellow Marine. There is a forum in which Marine leaders can address their disagreements with the chain of command, but its not social media," said Marine Corps spokesperson Maj Jim Stenger.

 Trevor Dunnell, Jacksonville Daily News

Pentagon vague on final evacuation plans

Nearing its last day of U.S. operations in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense has been unspecific on how the military will fully wind down its mission in the country.

"We continue to have the capability to evacuate and fly out those until the very end, said Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor during a briefing at the Pentagon.

Noting the high level of danger, neither Taylor nor Pentagon press secretary John Kirby would provide details, or even answers, to some reporter questions on the evacuation operation or the current state of play in Afghanistan.

Taylor added that since evacuations began in July, about 122,000 people have been evacuated out of Afghanistan as of Monday, including 5,400 Americans. In total, 28 flights left Kabuls international airport in the last 24 hours.

The Pentagon reported there are now 3,700 passengers are traveling to the U.S. via 11 flights to Dulles International Airport near Washington and via six flights to Philadelphia International Airport.

Kirby referred reporters to the State Department when asked about the number of Americans who may still be on the ground and trying to leave the country.

The military is further using a number of intermediate staging bases to move thousands of evacuees through military bases in the Middle East and Europe to the U.S.

Exactly how and when troops finally withdraw from the country, however, was left unclear. Pentagon officials also did not go into great detail on the security situation at the airport, only noting that it is secure for the time being.

"We are operating on the assumption that we need to be prepared for future potential threats," Taylor said, confirming that the airport was attacked by five missiles on Sunday, though there were no casualties. Three missiles missed the airport, one failed to hit any important targets or people, and another was intercepted by a U.S. defense system.

The threat stream is still real. It is still active. And in many cases, it's still specific, Taylor continued.

 Matthew Brown

Islamic State claims Kabul rocket attacks

CAIRO  The Islamic State groups affiliate in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for Mondays rocket attack in Kabul, saying it fired at least six Katyusha rockets at the airport in the Afghan capital.

The rockets stuck a neighborhood close to the Kabul airport. The claim of responsibility was carried by the militant groups media arm, the Aamaq news agency. It didnt provide further details.

The U.S. military said five rockets targeted the airport on Monday morning and that U.S. forces on the airfield used a defensive system to intercept them.

 Associated Press

Evacuations top 116K since Aug. 14

The U.S. military evacuated about 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul on Aug. 26, bringing the total number of people evacuated from Afghanistan since Aug. 14 to be around 116,700 people, per the White House.

Another 50 people were evacuated on two allied coalition flights. The U.S. conducted 26 flights yesterday to ferry evacuees out of the country. Since late July, around 122,300 people have been evacuated.

The latest numbers, lower than in previous days, underscore that evacuations in Kabul are winding down as U.S. forces face an Aug. 31 troop withdrawal deadline. Many allied forces ended their evacuation efforts last week, claiming that their operations could not function without U.S. security assurances.

 Matthew Brown

U.S. will be able to evacuate remaining Americans

The United States has the capacity to evacuate the approximately 300 U.S. citizens remaining in Afghanistan who want to leave before Tuesday's deadline, senior Biden administration officials said, as rocket fire in Kabul and another U.S. drone strike against suspected Islamic State militants underscored the grave threat in the war's final days.

The steady stream of U.S. military jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital continued Monday even after rocket fire targeted the airport. No one claimed responsibility for the rockets, which hit a nearby neighborhood.

 Associated Press

Drone strike may have killed civilians

A United States drone strike targeting ISIS-K bombers in Afghanistan on Sunday may have also killed civilians.

"We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today, said Navy Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for U.S. Central Command, on Sunday.

At least one of the occupants of the vehicle was believed to be a suicide bomber, according to a U.S. official. The Pentagon confirmed the drone strike Sunday, saying it was against an "imminent ISIS-K threat" to the airport in Kabul.

We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties, Urban said. It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further.

At a Monday press briefing, officials said the incident is being investigated.

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The U.S. Embassy in Kabul had warned of a "specific credible threat" and urged those hoping to evacuate to leave the airport. President Joe Biden said Saturday the Kabul airport was "highly likely" to be the target of another attack before the Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline.

A blast at the airport on Thursday killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 169 Afghans. A retaliatory U.S. drone strike on Friday killed two ISIS-K members.

President Joe Biden after attending mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington on Sunday.

Biden administration taps former acting FEMA head to lead resettlement efforts of Afghan refugees

Former Acting FEMA Administrator Robert Fenton, Jr. will lead the Biden administration's effort to resettle refugees from Afghanistan, the Department of Homeland Security announced Sunday.

Fenton, who will report directly to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, will lead a broad range of operations to resettle Afghans, including immigration processing, COVID-19 testing and isolation and securing permanent homes for refugees who are neither American citizens nor permanent residents, DHS said.

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Bob has dedicated his career to public service and has decades of experience managing complex and critically important missions. He will help lead this interagency effort with incredible adeptness and the highest standards of honor and integrity," Mayorkas said in a statement.

Fenton has a long history of responding to national disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, wildfires in California and the 9/11 terrorist attack. He was acting FEMA administrator during the presidential transition periods in 2017 and 2021.

 Kristine Phillips

About 300 Americans still waiting to leave Afghanistan, Blinken says

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that the United States is doing everything possible to get out about 300 American citizens who indicated they want to leave Afghanistan by the Aug. 31 deadline.

We are very actively working to help them get to the airport, get on a plane, and get out of Afghanistan, Blinken said during an interview on ABCS This Week.

The White House said Sunday that about 2,900 people were evacuated from Kabul in the last 24 hours that ended at 3 a.m. Sunday. Since Aug. 14, about 114,400 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan.

 Rebecca Morin

Biden: For President Biden, the worst-case scenario takes hold in Afghanistan with terror attack

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Afghanistan live updates: Taliban in full control of Kabul airport
An American drone strike. Illustrated | Getty Images, iStock

In Afghanistan this Sunday, a U.S. drone blew up a car with a missile. Military sources told journalists it was an ISIS vehicle filled with explosives, and the story was reported as such across the American media.

Except it seems that wasn't the whole story. The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and CNN report family members of the victims saying that the missile also destroyed a nearby car and killed 10 civilians, including a guy who worked for a U.S. defense contractor and seven children. Whether there was any ISIS vehicle at all is unclear as yet.

If you want to know why the American occupation of Afghanistan failed, look no further.

Perhaps nothing is more emblematic of the American approach to empire than the drone strike. To even attempt the putative goal of the Afghanistan occupation  to build up a liberal democracy in an impoverished country with no experience of one  would have required a massive occupation force in the hundreds of thousands. Pacifying every single province of the country, establishing basic security and law and order, and setting up a functioning government with a true monopoly on the use of force would have been the task of half a million troops and a decade at least.

(Now, I am quite sure that such an occupation would have failed just like the real one did. I'm just saying what a real attempt might have looked like.)

But all presidents from George W. Bush to Donald Trump knew for certain that the American public would not tolerate the level of U.S. casualties that a massive, years-long occupation would have entailed. So they relied ever-more heavily on airstrikes, especially from drones, which could be carried out at no physical risk to the operator (though at considerable mental risk, it turns out). For ground forces, they relied more and more on Afghan proxies, which were obtained in part by looking the other way at rampant corruption or tolerating pedophile warlords.

The drone strike gone wrong last weekend was the first in years to get the kind of attention it is getting. In September 2019 a drone bombing reportedly killed at least 30 pine nut farmers by mistake. In December that year another one reportedly killed five civilians, including a brand-new mother. Another in September 2016 reportedly killed 15 more civilians. A drone strike reportedly hit a wedding in November 2008 and killed another 40 innocent people. Overall, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates that between January 2004 and February 2020, the U.S. carried out at least 13,072 drone strikes, which killed between 300-909 civilians, including 66-184 children. Only a handful of these got more than passing mention in American media.

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And aside from innocent people directly killed or wounded by American airstrikes, untold thousands more have gotten PTSD from the constant fear of being vaporized. Just imagine if a drone bomb shot by a foreign conqueror blew up your neighbor's house and killed half your family. Imagine if you then heard that same drone circling endlessly over your house, day after day, for years on end. Would you not be driven to the brink of madness? Would you not be filled with boiling rage? Would you not welcome virtually any way to make it stop?

So when former ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq Ryan Crocker writes, "Mr. Biden's decision to withdraw all U.S. forces destroyed an affordable status quo that could have lasted indefinitely at a minimum cost in blood and treasure," he is not only dead wrong  remaining in Afghanistan would have re-started the war and gotten more Americans killed  he is also displaying the monstrously callous selfishness that doomed the occupation to failure in the first place.

For members of the foreign policy Blob, the only blood that matters is American. Afghans can get killed by the tens of thousands fighting an unwinnable war until the end of time, and Blob warmongers won't bat an eyelash. Is it any surprise that an occupation conducted with a sociopathic indifference towards the people of the country being occupied was a bloody failure? Can you blame former Afghan MP and women's rights activist Malalai Joya for calling American troops "a cancer in the body of my society, in the body of my beloved country  they are like COVID-19."

That indifference was also what allowed the Taliban to whip America politically. They set up elementary structures of governance that were reasonably reliable and free of corruption  at least by the wretched standards of the U.S.-backed regime  and thereby could credibly promise that they could end the war and allow some semblance of peace to return. The Financial Times reports that before taking power, the Taliban had already developed a system of taxation that accounted for almost all their revenue. A video report from Kabul way back in 2007 found even many Shias (who had suffered terribly under prior Taliban rule) wistful for the pre-occupation days when there was at least modicum of security and only modest corruption.

A continued American presence in Afghanstan would simply mean more insecurity, more corruption, and more errant drone bombs turning children into red mist. As my colleague Damon Linker argues, let us not prolong the war by arming the so-called opposition, or as historian Adam Tooze writes, by imposing counterproductive sanctions on the country out of some sense of prideful vindictiveness. The Taliban victory is an accomplished fact. The least America can do is not make things worse than they already are.

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(Reuters) - British drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc on Monday joined a growing list of companies in requiring U.S. employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to its offices.

The company said the mandate will also apply to the employees of Alexion, the U.S. drugmaker that AstraZeneca acquired in July.

"We will provide accommodations for those unable to be vaccinated due to medical, religious or other restrictions," a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

COVID-19 vaccine makers Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc have also made similar moves in mandating vaccination for employees in the United States.

(Reporting by Manojna Maddipatla in Bengaluru; Editing by Amy Caren Daniel)
By Paulina Duran

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Australian government is considering new laws that would tighten the regulation of digital payment services by tech giants such as Apple and Alphabet's Google.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said he would "carefully consider" that and other recommendations from a government-commissioned report into whether the payments system had kept pace with advances in technology and changes in consumer demand.

Services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and China's WeChat Pay, which have grown rapidly in recent years, are not currently designated as payment systems, putting them outside the regulatory system.

"Ultimately, if we do nothing to reform the current framework, it will be Silicon Valley alone that determines the future of our payments system, a critical piece of our economic infrastructure," Frydenberg said in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review newspaper.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) earlier this month called for global financial watchdogs to urgently get to grips https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/financial-regulators-urgently-need-to-ge-idUSKBN2F30YF with the growing influence of 'Big Tech', and the huge amounts of data controlled by groups such as Google, Facebook, Amazon and Alibaba.

The Australian report recommended the government be given the power to designate tech companies as payment providers, clarifying the regulatory status of digital wallets.

It also recommended the government and industry together establish a strategic plan for the wider payments ecosystem and that a single, integrated licensing framework for payment systems be developed.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), which is currently in charge of designating who is a payment services provider, reported that payments through digital wallets had grown to 8% of in-person card transactions in 2019, up from 2% in 2016.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, which has estimated digital wallet transactions more than doubled in the year to March to A$2.1 billion, has urged regulators to address "competition issues" and consider the safety implications of their use.

(Reporting by Paulina Duran in Sydney; Editing by Jane Wardell)
President Joe Biden has faced a torrent of criticism for abandoning Afghan partners as their country fell to the Taliban. Now, there is also a looming political controversy over the thousands of Afghans Biden will end up resettling over here.

An increasingly vocal group of Republicans  led by Donald Trump, who made immigration restrictions a hallmark of his presidency  oppose the resettlement of Afghan refugees in the U.S., claiming that they could be dangerous, or will change the make-up of the country. And they plan to make it an issue in next years midterm elections, along with broader attacks about Bidens messy withdrawal from Afghanistan.

One of those Republicans, Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana, said the chaos in Afghanistan should not be an excuse to flood the U.S. with refugees.

We have to make sure that the people that enter into our country want to support our country, not want to attack our country, Rosendale said in an interview. He said he plans to urge fellow Republican Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte to reject refugees housed in his state without proof of vetting.

The White House is moving swiftly to try and tamp down any backlash, and avoid the sort of politicization and outrage that plagued efforts to resettle Syrian refugees in 2015 and created havoc in the federal refugee program.

Administration officials say they have been working behind the scenes to brief local and state leaders on how extensively refugees are vetted before they step foot on American soil. Refugee organizations, which are working with the administration, are doing the same in communities. And both are conducting media outreach to try and dispel myths on the resettlement process.

Biden had planned to meet virtually Thursday with governors who had offered to temporarily house or help resettle Afghans but scrapped the event after 13 U.S. troops were killed in a terrorist bombing in Kabul. The next day, the White House announced Biden named the Department of Homeland Security the lead agency coordinating the relocation of evacuated Afghans to the U.S.

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A senior administration official said Afghans undergo robust security that includes biometric and biographic security screenings conducted by our intelligence, law enforcement and counterterrorism professionals who are working quite literally around the clock to vet Afghans before they're allowed in the United States. In many cases, the refugees are taken to a third country, such as Qatar or Kuwait, where they undergo additional screening.

There is little evidence that refugees, generally, lead to rising crime or security threats. Research shows refugees coming to the United States in recent decades committed crimes at a lower rate than the general population and were not responsible for any credible threats to the homeland.

Officials at organizations working with Afghans say some of the refugees already had started the process of securing a visa and were close to being vetted. The background check generally takes 12 to 24 months.

Already, thousands of Afghan refugees have made their way to the United States, settling across the country in large numbers in California, Texas and Virginia, areas that already had existing populations of Afghans.

The State Department had previously identified 19 welcoming communities where Afghans could settle based on local support, resources, including house, and cost of living. Only one of those communities has a Republican leader.

Organizations helping refugees and members of Congress say that list has been expanded in the days since the Taliban took control of Afghanistans capital and Afghans rushed to the airport to evacuate.

Since Aug. 14, the U.S. has helped more than 114,400 people evacuate Afghanistan, including about 5,000 Americans, according to the White House.

Administration officials believe about 80,000 Afghans are eligible to come to the U.S. But the prospect of them coming has sparked a wave of preemptive criticism from certain quarters of conservative circles. Steve Cortes, a former Trump adviser, tweeted an image of a planeload of refugees leaving Afghanistan with the words, Raise your hand if you want this plane landing in your town? America paid unimaginable costs in Afghanistan because of uniparty globalists who dominated the Bush & Obama administrations. And FOX News host Tucker Carlson declared that first we invade & then we're invaded.

What I find is that a lot of Congress people or people like Trump think it's useful to get their base riled up but it's not really representative of what's actually happening in the community, said Jennifer Sime, senior vice president of resettlement, asylum and integration at the International Rescue Committee, working with Afghans. The lower you go in terms of the communities, the more support you start seeing.Once you get to the level of a mayor, you start seeing a lot more support.

The White House has acknowledged the politics of bringing refugees to the U.S. will be tricky. We also know that there are some people in this country, even some in Congress, who may not want to have people from another country come as refugees to the United States. That's a reality, said White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who dealt with similar backlash while serving in the State Department during the Obama administration. We can't stop or prevent that on our own ... And we're going to continue to convey clearly that this is ... part of the fabric of the United States and not back away from that.

A similar controversy took place six years ago when Republicans fought President Barack Obamas plan to resettle 10,000 refugees from Syria during that countrys civil war.

Thirty governors, all Republicans except one, tried to ban refugees from that country from entering their states. After the federal government said the state could not stop the refugee resettlement, lawmakers introduced a bill in Congress that would restrict Syrians nationwide.

Obama lashed out at them. We are not well served when, in response to a terrorist attack, we descend into fear and panic, he said at the time. We dont make good decisions if its based on hysteria or an exaggeration of risks.

But the attacks on refugees fueled right-wing populism both in the U.S. and abroad, serving as one of the pillars of Trumps successful run for the presidency in 2016.

We can only imagine how many thousands of terrorists have been airlifted out of Afghanistan and into neighborhoods around the world. What a terrible failure, Trump wrote in a statement that came this week but echoed those hes issued in the past. NO VETTING. How many terrorists will Joe Biden bring to America? We dont know!

Some refugee organizations say its different this year because many refugees are Afghans who helped the U.S. military over the last two decades, along with their families.

I think that it has tapped into a sentiment or a sense of loyalty, said Bill Canny, executive director of Migration and Refugee Services of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, working with Afghans. Loyalty is just an incredibly important trait.

Only 16 House Republicans voted against a bill to increase special visas for Afghans who assisted the U.S. They did so, in part, because they say they do not trust a Democratic administration to properly vet them. Additionally, some Republican governors, including those leading the deep red state of Arkansas, Utah and Oklahoma, have said they welcome Afghans, in contrast to some of the more Trump-allied figures in the party.

On the other side of the aisle, more than 65 House Democrats are now calling on Biden to increase the annual refugee admissions cap to no less than 200,000 for fiscal year 2022  up from BIdens pledge of 125,000  given the situation in Afghanistan and elsewhere. To those questioning if it is really our responsibility to provide refuge for those fleeing conflict, persecution, or dire living conditions  yes, it is. In fact, it is not only our responsibility, but it is our greatest strength, the lawmakers wrote in a letter.

The U.S. is focused on bringing Afghan allies to the U.S. who worked with the military, many as translators, as well as other vulnerable Afghans the U.S. has identified, the senior administration official said. Some are being granted Special Immigrant Visas and others are being granted "humanitarian parole" because they otherwise don't have legal permission to enter the U.S.

Many refugees are being flown into Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C. and housed at designated military bases for no more than 30 days, refugee organizations and Capitol Hill aides say.

The Pentagon had designated four bases  Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, Fort Lee in Virginia, Fort Bliss in Texas and Fort McCoy in Wisconsin  to help house and process refugees. But more are being added, including Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Dulles Expo Center, an exhibition facility for consumer shows and trade events, was also added, lawmakers say.

At the military bases, refugees receive assistance with their paperwork and orientation on American culture while refugee organizations search for a location to settle them. Refugee organizations say they consult with local officials, school districts, health authorities and faith-based organizations to assess which community may be the best fit.

The new residents also are tested for Covid  and isolated if they test positive. Some are starting to receive a Covid vaccine. A mass vaccination site has been opened at the Dulles Expo Center and a second will open near the Philadelphia International Airport.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), whose office is trying to help 5,000 Afghans come to the U.S., criticized Republicans for what he called their hypocrisy over the situation in Afghanistan.

If you believe we had a moral obligation or any kind of obligation in the 20-year struggle in Afghanistan, he said, then by extension and logic, you've got to accept we have an equally moral obligation to try to protect the people who cooperated with us during that endeavor.
Somalian refugees displaced by drought wait for rations in Dadaab, Kenya, July 14, 2011. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times)

Parts of Afghanistan have warmed twice as much as the global average. Spring rains have declined, most worryingly in some of the countrys most important farmland. Droughts are more frequent in vast swaths of the country, including a punishing dry spell now in the north and west, the second in three years.

Afghanistan embodies a new breed of international crisis, where the hazards of war collide with the hazards of climate change, creating a nightmarish feedback loop that punishes some of the worlds most vulnerable people and destroys their countries ability to cope.

And although it would be facile to attribute the conflict in Afghanistan to climate change, the impacts of warming act as what military analysts call threat multipliers, amplifying conflicts over water, putting people out of work in a nation whose people largely live off agriculture, while the conflict itself consumes attention and resources.

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The war has exacerbated climate change impacts. For 10 years, over 50% of the national budget goes to the war, said Noor Ahmad Akhundzadah, a professor of hydrology at Kabul University, said by phone Thursday. Now there is no government, and the future is unclear. Our current situation today is completely hopeless.

A third of all Afghans face what the United Nations calls crisis levels of food insecurity. Because of the fighting, many people havent been able to plant their crops in time. Because of the drought, the harvest this year is certain to be poor. The World Food Program says 40% of crops are lost, the price of wheat has gone up by 25%, and the aid agencys own food stock is due to run out by the end of September.

Afghanistan is not the only country to face such compounding misery. Of the worlds 25 nations most vulnerable to climate change, more than a dozen are impacted by conflict or civil unrest, according to an index developed by the University of Notre Dame.

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In Somalia, pummeled by decades of conflict, there has been a threefold increase in extreme weather events since 1990, compared with the previous 20-year period, making it all but impossible for ordinary people to recover after each shock. In 2020, more than 1 million Somalis were displaced from their homes, about a third because of drought, according to the United Nations.

In Syria, a prolonged drought, made more likely by human-made climate change, according to researchers, drove people out of the countryside and fed simmering anti-government grievances that led to an uprising in 2011 and, ultimately, a full-blown civil war. This year again, drought looms over Syria, particularly its breadbasket region, the northeastern Hassakeh province.

In Mali, a violent insurgency has made it harder for farmers and herders to deal with a succession of droughts and flood, according to aid agencies.

Climate change cannot be blamed for any single war, and certainly not the one in Afghanistan. But rising temperatures, and the weather shocks that come with it, act as what Marshall Burke, a Stanford University professor, calls a finger on the scale that makes underlying conflict worse. That is particularly true, he argued, in places that have undergone a long conflict and where government institutions have all but dissolved.

None of this means that climate is the only or the most important factor in conflict, said Burke, co-author of a 2013 paper looking at the role of climate change in dozens of conflicts across many years. But based on this evidence, the international community would be foolish to ignore the threat that a warming climate represents.

The combination of war and warming compounds the risks facing some of the worlds most vulnerable people: According to the U.N. childrens agency, Afghanistan is the 15th-riskiest country in the world for children, because of climate hazards, including heat and drought, and a lack of essential services, including health care. Two million Afghan children are malnourished.

That is in sharp contrast to Afghanistans part in global warming. An average Afghan produces 0.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, compared with nearly 16 metric tons of the average American.

The collapse of the government has also made Afghanistans participation in the next international climate talks entirely uncertain, said one of its members, Ahmad Samim Hoshmand. Now I dont know. Im not part of any government. What government I should represent? he said.

Until recently, he had been the government official in charge of enforcing the countrys ban on ozone-depleting substances, including refrigerants used in old air-conditioners and that are banned by the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement that Afghanistan had ratified. Just days before the Taliban seized Kabul, he fled to Tajikistan. The traders of illegal substances whom he helped arrest are now out of prison, keen to exact revenge. He says they will kill him if he returns.

Hoshmand is now scrambling to emigrate elsewhere. His visa in Tajikistan expires in a matter of weeks. My only hope is the ozone community, the Montreal Protocol community, if they can support me, he said.

Afghanistans geography is a study of extreme hazard, from the glacier-peaked Hindu Kush mountains in the north to its melon farms in the west to the arid south, stung by dust storms.

Climate data is sparse for Afghanistan. But a recent analysis based on what little data exists suggests that a decline in spring rains has already afflicted much of the country, but most acutely in the countrys north, where farmers and herders rely almost entirely on the rains to grow crops and water their flocks.

Over the past 60 years, average temperatures have risen sharply, by 1.8 degrees Celsius since 1950 in the country as a whole and by more than 2 degrees Celsius in the south.

Climate change will make it extremely challenging to maintain  let alone increase  any economic and development gains achieved so far in Afghanistan, the United Nations warned in a 2016 report. Increasingly frequent and severe droughts and floods, accelerated desertification, and decreasing water flows in the countrys glacier-dependent rivers will all directly affect rural livelihoods  and therefore the national economy and the countrys ability to feed itself.

This is the countrys biggest risk, Akhundzadah argued. Three-fourths of his compatriots work in agriculture, and any unpredictable weather can be calamitous, all the more so in a country where there hasnt been a stable government and no safety net to speak of.

The Taliban, for their part, appear more exercised by the need to scrub womens pictures from billboards than addressing climate hazards.

But climate change is a threat multiplier for the Taliban, too. Analysts say water management will be critical to its legitimacy with Afghan citizens, and it is likely to be one of the most important issues in the Talibans relations with its neighbors as well.

Already on the Afghan battlefield, as in many battlefields throughout history, water has been an important currency. The Taliban, in their bid for Herat, a strategic city in the west, repeatedly attacked a dam that is critical for drinking water, agriculture and electricity for the people of the region. Likewise, in Kandahar province in the south, one of the Talibans most critical victories was to seize control of a dam that holds water for drinking and irrigation.

Climate change also stands to complicate the Talibans ability to fulfill a key promise: the elimination of opium poppy cultivation. Poppies require far less water than, say, wheat or melons, and they are far more profitable. Poppy farming employs an estimated 120,000 Afghans and brings in an estimated $300 million to $400 million a year, according to the United Nations, and has, in turn, enriched the Taliban.

Areas under poppy cultivation grew sharply in 2020.

Analysts said the Taliban would seek to use a poppy ban to gain legitimacy from foreign powers, such as Qatar and China. But it is likely to face pushback from growers who have few alternatives as the rains become less reliable.

Its going to be a gigantic political flashpoint, said Vanda Felbab-Brown, who studies the region at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

The last drought, in 2018, left 4 million Afghans in need of food aid and forced 371,000 people to leave their homes, many of whom havent returned.

The effects of the severe drought are compounded by conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic in a context where half the population were already in need of aid, U.N. humanitarian coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov said by email from Kabul on Thursday. With little financial reserves, people are forced to resort to child labor, child marriage, risky irregular migration exposing them to trafficking and other protection risks. Many are taking on catastrophic levels of debt and selling their assets.

Akhundzadah, a father of four, is hoping to emigrate, too. But like his fellow academics, he said he has not worked for foreign governments and has no way to be evacuated from the country. The university is closed. Banks are closed. He is looking for research jobs abroad. For now, there are no commercial flights out of the country.

Till now, Im OK, he said on the phone. The future is unclear. It will be difficult to live here.

 2021 The New York Times Company
Officials in Canyon County have released the name of a man shot and killed by police early Friday morning in Nampa.

The man killed was identified by the Canyon County Coroners Office as 53-year-old Nampa resident Vladislav Fomin, according to a news release from the county. The Canyon County Sheriffs Office is assigned as the lead agency for the countys Critical Incident Task Force investigation.

Just before midnight Thursday, Nampa police were dispatched to the area near Lincoln Avenue and Elder Street after someone reported a man with a gun who had chased their car.

Officers found the man  now identified as Fomin  near Sherman Avenue and Banner Street. Police allege Fomin pulled out a gun before at least one officer fired. The shooting took place just after midnight, according to Canyon County spokesperson Joe Decker.

Fomin died at the scene. Investigators have yet to publicly identify the officer or officers involved in the shooting.

The Nampa shooting is the ninth fatal police shooting in Idaho so far this year. Its the third shooting by Nampa police officers this year, and the second fatal shooting. Both previous Nampa police shootings took place in July.

Richard Bigby-Garcia was shot on July 7 after police tried to pull over his car and he allegedly pointed a rifle at police before fleeing. Garcia was in an upstairs window of his home when an officer shot him. He was taken to a nearby hospital and was later booked into jail.

Less than two weeks later, Nampa police shot and killed 51-year-old Dawn Simpson on July 17 when she tried to flee from police and later allegedly fired a gun at officers.

The Nampa Police Department was the recipient of a recent tort claim filed by family members of Leonel Salinas, who police shot and killed on Dec. 18. Salinas reportedly stabbed a police officer after a traffic stop and was later shot by police. His family filed the tort claim in August, which alleges police used excessive force and failed to provide life-saving efforts on Salinas.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Check Point Software Technologies said on Monday it acquired U.S.-Israeli cyber security company Avanan, which specialises in protecting email, where most cyber attacks begin.

Check Point, which is based in Israel, did not disclose financial details.

"More and more businesses are moving to cloud-email platforms and with email becoming a major channel to launch devastating cyber-attacks, this acquisition represents a huge potential, said Dorit Dor, Check Points chief product officer.

Avanan was founded in 2015 and its technology blocks malicious emails before they reach a user's inbox, Check Point said. It has more than 5,000 customers and protects more than 2.5 million email accounts.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch, Editing by Dan Williams)
HONG KONG  China's increasing effortsto regulate society have led Beijing to a new target: celebrity culture and the often raucous fan groups surrounding it.

The country's top internet watchdog has said it will bar platforms from publishing lists that rank celebrities and will also regulate the lucrative industry of fan merchandise sales.

Last week's announcement is a doubling down on Beijings efforts to curtail the chaotic influence of the entertainment industry after a series of controversies involving celebrities.

Online celebrity fan clubs have become a widespread phenomenon, with the country's "idol economy" thriving.

But they have also been criticized for their influence over minors and for deviating from the Communist Partys desired social order.

Competing fan clubs regularly clash on social media and trade online abuse in "fandom wars" over lists that rank popular celebrities or other points of fan contention. Some spend large amounts of money to vote for their favorite stars on idol competition programs.

Although this type of fan culture has become common across Asia, in China the government is taking notice  and moving to exert its influence over what has been a largely unregulated space for digital expression.

Image: (Ng Han Guan / AP)

This policy is an attempt to regulate the pop culture market rather than the culture itself, said Jin Vivian Zhan, Associate Professor of Politics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Many organizers of the fans' communities are not really fans but economic actors who seek business opportunities in supporting/cultivating idols and make profits out of it. she said.

The internet regulator began a two-month campaign in June in an effort to address the phenomenon and on Friday it said that while it had made some progress, it would now unveil new guidelines for local authorities across the country.

Platforms will no longer be able to publish lists of popular celebrity individuals and fan groups must be regulated, the watchdog said.

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It also moved to stop variety shows from charging people to vote online for their favorite acts and spoke out against enticing young fans into buying celebrity merchandise.

Regulators need to "increase their sense of responsibility, mission and urgency to maintain online political and ideological security," the Cyberspace Administration of China said in a statement.

Carol Sun, a 22-year-old student from Beijing and a fan of the online sensation Xiao Zhan, told NBC News that she thinks the crackdown could help young people realize the risks in fandom culture. Although in the long term, oversight alone is unlikely to solve the problem she said.

Celebrities in China have access to an unrivaled base of fans, but are also no strangers to public backlash or government scrutiny.

According to Reuters, in late July, around 64 Chinese celebrities attended a government-arranged course where the content included Communist Party history and the responsibilities that public figures have.

Hugely popular actress Zheng Shuang was given a $46 million tax evasion fine on Friday by Shanghai tax authorities after a probe that followed a surrogacy controversy which engulfed Shuang in January.

Image: FILES-CHINA-CELEBRITY-TELEVISION-MEDIA (AARON TAM / AFP - Getty Images)

Separately, Chinese video platforms on Friday took down films starring or directed by Zhao Wei, one of China's biggest stars, citing "relevant laws and regulations," which prompted widespread online speculation over the reason. Her name was also removed from online casting lists.

Chinese celebrities have been subjected to such treatment in the past when they have fallen foul of the authorities or public sentiment.

In 2017 the country's biggest female star, Fan Bingbing, disappeared from the public eye for months before re-emerging to apologize and accept paying $129 million in overdue taxes and fines.

Reuters contributed to this report.
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's top securities regulator pledged on Monday to crack down on mismanaged private funds and weed out fake ones, as the government becomes more assertive in dealing with an industry worth 60 trillion yuan ($9.28 trillion).

China has been seeking to channel more household savings into the capital markets to fund innovation and aid its economic recovery, while reducing the economy's reliance on bank lending.

Fund managers should align their interests more closely with investors, and refrain from hyping their products, Yi Huiman, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission said.

"China is actively promoting high-quality growth of its capital markets, and healthy development of the 60 trillion yuan fund industry is a crucial part of it," Yi told a meeting held by the Asset Management Association of China.

Chinese mutual fund managers also face rising competition from global asset managers such as BlackRock and Fidelity International after regulators scrapped foreign ownership in the sector on April 1, 2020.

By July-end, the country's mutual fund industry stood at 23.5 trillion yuan, 1.6 times the size at 2016-end, Yi said.

The private securities fund sector doubled to 5.5 trillion yuan, and its private equity and venture capital industry tripled to 12.6 trillion yuan during the period.

Despite a recent cleanup of China's private fund industry, there're still many small and weak players hampering the high-quality growth of the sector, Yi said, adding that the regulators will publish new rules in due course.

Some private-fund managers even raise money publicly, and misappropriate clients' funds, he added.

Yi urged fund managers to prioritize clients' needs and interest, as "it happens from time to time that funds make money, but investors don't".

He asked money managers to address the issue of fund churning, in which fund salespeople, seeking higher commissions, encourage investors to redeem existing funds and subscribe to just-launched ones, resulting in massive fund flows.

($1 = 6.4671 Chinese yuan)

(Reporting by Samuel Shen and Andrew Galbraith, Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
(Bloomberg) -- Arabica coffee extended its monthly surge as the aftermath of Hurricane Ida brings supply-chain snags and adverse weather forecasts point to more stress ahead of beleaguered crops in top supplier Brazil. Sugar also gained.

Weekend rains brought relief to Brazils central regions including Mato Grosso do Sul and parts of Parana and Sao Paulo, though it didnt reach the top growing region of Minas Gerais, said Donald Keeney, senior meteorologist for Maxar Technologies Inc. Major arabica areas of Sao Paulo and Minas may also face dry conditions and above-normal temperatures in the next two weeks, according to Somar Meteorologia.

The main driver is Brazils forecast, said Hernando de la Roche, senior vice president for StoneX Financial Inc. in Miami. This will remain a weather market for the next few weeks, at least until the typical arrival of the rainy season by the second half of September. Traders are weighing that against potential impact of Covid-19 variants on the economy and demand, he said.

Supply concerns also emerged after Ida shut down the U.S. port of New Orleans during a period of already high freight costs, shortage of containers and shipping delays. Some big companies roast coffee in the port city.

Idas impact will probably slow traffic for weeks in New Orleans, said Nick Gentile, managing partner for NickJen Capital Management. Given all the supply headwinds, the only thing that could keep coffee from another major leg up, possibly toward $3 a pound would be if the world shuts down again for Covid.

Gathering Steam

Arabica coffee for December delivery settled at $1.999 a pound on ICE Futures U.S., up 4% and the highest for a most-active contract since since late July. The beans favored by Starbucks Corp. are headed for a 11% gain in August, jumping 55% in the past year after last years drought and last months frosts slashed yield prospects for at least two more years.

The price is still down from a seven-year high reached last month, following the chilling blow that left trees defoliated and burned.

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Prices seem to have regained upside momentum and could be heading back to a retest of their late July highs, according to the Hightower Report in Chicago.

Brazil isnt the only coffee giant with problems. Too many cloudy days have hindered crops in Colombia, the second-biggest shipper of arabica, and pandemic lockdowns are curbing export flows out of Vietnam, the biggest exporter of robusta beans traded in London, where markets are shut Monday for a holiday.

In other soft commodities, raw sugar for October delivery gained 0.9% to 20.22 cents a pound in New York, for a monthly jump of 13%. There are signs of further demand despite the higher costs, with Egypt recently buying 200,000 tons of Brazilian raw sugar.

Minor sugar-cane regions in Louisiana probably were hurt by Ida, which made landfall Sunday in the second-largest growing state.

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Who will replace Meghan McCain on The View? ABC has yet to tap a permanent new panelist, but a lineup of guest hosts has been revealed.

The View's executive producer said Monday the show will be "taking a little time" to find a replacement for McCain on the daytime talk show, but for its upcoming season, it has set a rotating series of guest hosts to fill her spot, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The list of "conservative voices" set to co-host the show this season includes former Utah Rep. Mia Love, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Hewlett-Packard CEO and 2016 presidential contender Carly Fiorina, former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson, and former White House Director of Strategic Communications Alyssa Farah, per the Reporter. Additionally, S.E. Cupp, Eboni K. Williams, Mary Katherine Ham, and Cameran Eubanks will also guest host. And on "Flashback Fridays," The View will bring back former co-hosts, with the first being Star Jones.

McCain, a conservative and the daughter of late Arizona Sen. John McCain, announced her departure from The View in July, citing her desire to remain in Washington, D.C. with her family rather than return to the show's studio in New York. She was known to frequently clash with her co-hosts on the show throughout her tenure, which began in 2017. According to the Reporter, the show is set to return to its studio with a live audience for its new season.

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Aug. 30ALBANY  The week started on an upbeat note for the Turner Job Corps Center, as Congressman  and long-time supporter of the National Job Corps Program as well as Turner Job Corps Center  Sanford Bishop and Administrator Kenneth Cutts took a targeted tour of the center.

Along with members of TJCC's Management and Training Corporation Corporate Leadership Team  Jeffrey Barton, Bryan Mason and Celeste McDonald, who were joined by former Georgia U.S. State Rep. Jack Kingston  center officials say they were honored to host Congressman Bishop on what they called a "brief but very special visit."

Center officials said that, while it's always nice to host guests, sharing with them recent upgrades and improvements to our center, Bishop's visit Monday was an opportunity to draw attention to some of the concerns on the center's campus in an effort to secure funding to make necessary changes. Among the concerns are needed repairs to two of the center's seven dorms and the main cafeteria facility, which helps to serve 732 student employees when the center is at full capacity.

Just as he has always been more than happy to help when he is able, Bishop discussed with members of the center's local and national leadership team the implications and requests related to the tour highlights after visiting Jackie Robinson, Colin Powell and C.B. King residential halls, in addition to the cafeteria.

TJCC officials said it was "comforting" to hear the Congressman's feedback and commitment to doing all that is in his power to continue advocating for the needs of the center's facilities and the many young people, families and communities it serves when appropriating budget funds with his congressional colleagues in the near future.

The Congressman shared his thoughts over breakfast served by the TJCC Culinary Arts trade student employees.

Strong voices in government, TJCC officials noted, are keys to the success of the National Job Corps Program's mission.
As an interpreter for the American military in Afghanistan, Seyyed Wahidi played a key role in helping the troops in the war against the Taliban.

Now living in West Hartford, Wahidi is deeply concerned about 51 family members who are still living in Afghanistan considered at high risk. Thousands of Afghanis, including his family, have been trying to flee the country in fear of Taliban reprisals once the American military leaves.

Wahidi, 42, appeared at a press conference Monday outside the state Capitol in Hartford. (His representative asked photographers not to take his picture for security reasons.)

In the province where I am from, everyone knows I am a U.S. citizen, and I served in the U.S. Army against the Taliban,' said Wahidi, who served from 2010 to 2013 as a contractor to help the U.S. forces.

My familys life is in danger, he said. I put my life in danger, and I believe in American history. America will never leave their allies alone. Please help my family.'

Wahidi lived in Afghanistan until arriving at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on November 18, 2006. He says he is now in daily contact with his family members back home who are now living in fear.

Two of my brothers are already dead,' he said. The Taliban killed them in 2013 because I worked in the U.S. Army, and I am an infidel in their eyes because I worked with the U.S. Army against the Taliban.

American forces raced to evacuate as many Americans and Afghans as possible ahead of the Aug. 31 deadline to leave. More than 123,000 people were evacuated since August 14.

As thousands were fleeing, Wahidi says his family members have been trying to escape from the Taliban.

They will find my family. They are hiding, Wahidi said. Two days ago, they put a letter behind my familys door that we are looking for you.  We are really worried that they will get to my brother, and they will torture him. The Taliban were asking about him.

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For years, Wahidis family never considered trying to escape. Instead, they wanted to remain behind and help their home country. Now, though, they want to leave in wake of the Afghan governments swift collapse and Taliban takeover.

We should not trust the Taliban, he said.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who appeared at the news conference with Wahidi and others, said many families in Afghanistan are living in fear. The Taliban have offered assurances they will allow Afghanis with foreign travel papers to leave, though there is widespread skepticism as to whether that will happen.

The important point here is this story is not an isolated or aberrant instance, Blumenthal said. There are many Afghan allies whose families are at risk  very severe danger. The Taliban are not to be trusted. We should use whatever means of escape are possible. We should use every point of leverage to put pressure on the Taliban.

While President Joe Biden has remained steadfast on the August 31 deadline, Blumenthal said, My wish was that they remain as long as possible to enable the evacuation of even more Afghan allies and American citizens who may be there.'

Blumenthal added, There are literally tens of thousands of our Afghan allies who have targets on their back who face torture and murder, literally, as retribution and revenge from the Taliban. My heart is with all of the people of Afghanistan who face a surge of misery and despair, brutal restrictions on rights and cruel physical abuse, and retribution for their cooperation with the United States. We owe them a moral imperative that we cannot abandon them.'

Even with the American military pulling out, Blumenthal says he remains hopeful that Wahidis family can escape.

We have partners there  other countries that will continue to have diplomatic presence,' Blumenthal said. I dont want to exaggerate or create false expectations. I dont want to preclude anything but also not promise anything.'

Wahidi fears that his family is among many who are facing an uncertain future due to his service.

I am, in the Taliban eyes, their enemy, Wahidi said. I served against them.

The tension,' he said, is to the sky because of my family.'

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
Armin Laschet, the conservatives' candidate to succeed Chancellor Angela Merkel, went on the offensive in the first major prime-time TV debate Sunday in a battle to save his ailing campaign less than a month before elections.

The 60-year-old leader of Merkel's CDU-CSU alliance had gone into the election race with a comfortable lead over his rivals from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens.

But several missteps in recent weeks have left his popularity in the doldrums and support for his party slipping just as Merkel is due to bow out of politics after 16 years as German leader.

Instead, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz, who was largely written off by many at the beginning of the campaign, given lacklustre support for his SPD, has sprung forward in the race.

The 63-year-old has also overtaken the leader of the Greens, Annalena Baerbock, as she stumbled too from a series of scandals including plagiarism claims.

A poll published by Bild am Sonntag newspaper just hours before Sunday's TV battle showed support for Scholz's SPD climbing to 24 percent. The CDU-CSU alliance meanwhile sank to its all-time worst score at 21 percent. The Greens were at steady 17 percent.

- 'Headwinds' -

Laschet acknowledged the poor showing in the polls but sought to sell his party to Germans as the face of stability.

"I have always felt headwinds. Even now," he said, but added that "in such moments we need steadfastness, reliability".

"That is the offer of the (CDU-CSU) -- stability and reliability in difficult times," he said.

But viewers appeared unmoved.

A poll commissioned by broadcaster RTL of 2,500 viewers found 36 percent saying they felt Scholz won the television debate.

Some 30 percent plumped for Baerbock while only 25 percent were in favour of Laschet's performance.

Laschet, currently state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, saw the tide turn against him during the deadly floods that struck western Germany in mid-July.

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Caught on camera chuckling behind in the background with local officials while Germany's president gave a speech mourning victims of deadly floods, Laschet has since been unable to halt a falling trend in popularity.

Going on the attack on Sunday, Laschet sought to call out the SPD's refusal so far to rule out a coalition with the far-left Linke party.

But Scholz would not be drawn, saying only that his party would not sign up to a coalition with a party that did not make a clear commitment to NATO.

Laschet also blasted Merkel's coalition, of which Scholz's party is a junior partner, over the situation in Afghanistan.

"It is a disaster... a disaster for the West but also a disaster for the government," he said, noting that it was already clear by April that the US was pulling out of Afghanistan but that too little was done to prevent the frantic evacuations seen in recent days.

- No mistakes -

Observers said Scholz had steered well away from mistakes, giving him an edge over his gaffe-prone challengers.

"Like no other of his competitors, he has embodied the statesman in the election battle, the one who finds the right words, be it during the flood disaster in July or about the terrible images that have reached us from Afghanistan," noted right-leaning Welt daily.

It also pointed out that for those longing for a continuation of Merkel's style of no-frills but steady government may have picked Scholz as their choice.

Even if they hail from different parties, Scholz himself is not shy about letting a bit of the shine from the still popular Merkel rub off on him.

"It is never bad for a man to be compared with a successful chancellor," he said in a recent interview with Sueddeutsche daily.

Asked who they prefer as a chancellor, Germans have in polls given Scholz a commanding lead over Laschet and Baerbock.

Underlining the seriousness of the situation for Merkel's conservatives, which have led four consecutive coalitions, Sueddeutsche said the CDU-CSU "will have to fight at the moment to be even in a position to be in negotiations for the next government".

"At the CDU headquarters, they are now placing their hopes on the three-way debate of the chancellor candidates," it said.

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Officials in states with skyrocketing hospitalizations due to the COVID-19 delta variant have touted underutilized monoclonal antibody treatments as the best way to avoid serious illness. Still, they stand by their decisions to ban vaccine mandates.

The treatment was given to former President Donald Trump when he was hospitalized with COVID-19 in October 2020. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who tested positive after getting vaccinated, was also prescribed the treatment earlier this month. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal governments top infectious disease expert, also touted the treatments efficacy, saying on Tuesday the risk of hospitalization or death due to COVID-19 could decrease by 70%-85%.

This monoclonal treatment is probably one of the best ways to be able to [prevent serious illness], it's important to do it early, though, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Thursday. If you wait till you're very, very ill and in need of hospital admission or intensive care, these antibodies at that point probably have missed their window to really nuke this.

The state opened 21 sites where people exposed to COVID-19 can receive the monoclonal antibody treatment, a lab-made protein that mimics the bodys immune response to the coronavirus, free of charge. It is given to a patient intravenously within 10 days of testing positive before they become seriously ill and require hospitalization.

BIDEN OFFICIALS STEP UP PRESSURE TO USE INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES IN SCHOOLS

DeSantis, a staunch opponent of mask and vaccine mandates, has expanded state-sponsored treatment sites this month as Florida hospitals have been pushed to their limits trying to keep up with waves of COVID-19 patients, the vast majority unvaccinated.

We're doing thousands [of antibody treatments] every day. Just think, a lot of those folks  would have needed to be admitted to a hospital had they not had access to that treatment, DeSantis said. It also makes sure that you're not having admissions that continue to explode, that takes a lot of stress off the hospital.

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Over 28% of hospital beds in Florida are currently occupied by COVID-19 patients, more than any other state, and nearly 95% of hospital ICU beds are in use, according to federal data.

Meanwhile, Gov. Abbott announced Friday the state now has 13 monoclonal antibody treatment sites across the state, which is also dealing with surges in severe cases caused by the delta variant. Of the nearly 7,600 beds in Texas ICUs, nearly 94% of them are occupied. To help hospitals deal with the influx of unvaccinated patients, Abbott directed the state health department to send 8,100 medical personnel to healthcare facilities in Texas, including hospitals and nursing homes.

JUDGE ENDS FLORIDA GOV. DESANTIS'S BAN ON SCHOOL MASK MANDATES

The treatment has been granted emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration to prevent severe coronavirus infection, but doctors have continued to push people to get vaccinated if they are eligible.

Most of the states contending with the worst of the delta outbreak  such as Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama  have relatively low vaccine rates compared with states in the Northeast and the West Coast. Less than 50% of Texans have been fully vaccinated. Less than 41% of people have been fully vaccinated in Louisiana, and Alabama has vaccinated about 37%.

Florida has vaccinated nearly 52% of the population  an overall vaccination rate on par with several other states. Still, the state has one of the country's highest per capita case counts, with 105 confirmed cases per 100,000 persons.

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Tags: Healthcare, News, Coronavirus, Ron DeSantis, Greg Abbott, Texas, Florida, Vaccination

Original Author: Cassidy Morrison

Original Location: Demand for antibody treatment used by Trump grows in states where delta is surging
Cars line up for Covid-19 testing in Miami, on August 3, 2020. (AFP via Getty Images)

Echoing Donald Trump, who frequently argued extensive Covid testing  makes us look bad , Florida governor Ron DeSantis has argued that his states surge in Covid numbers among young people was actually over-representing the problem because of widespread testing.

As the whole back to school stuff and some of that testing goes, I actually think its going down in school-age kids, its just that theyre testing so much that the numbers are being held, but the percent positive I do think is going down, the Republican governor and Trump loyalist said at a press conference on Monday.

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The Independent has reached out to Mr DeSantis for comment.

According to the Florida Department of Healths most recent data update, which does not include testing numbers, cases have been rising among children aged 12 to 19 since June, and the state is by all indications experiencing an unprecedented, Delta-fuelled wave of the coronavirus.

Mr Trump repeatedly made the argument that more Covid testing would create more coronavirus cases in official data, even though public health officials argue this is false and discredits a vital tool in pandemic response.

Last week, children and teenagers had a higher Covid positivity rate of any age group in Florida, with people younger than 19 making up a quarter of infections . Over the weekend, Florida had the highest hospitalisation rate in the country, and the states average death total has now reached heights not seen during any other period of the pandemic , even before vaccines were widely available. The states mortality rate for young people has also been increasing since June .

The state has made a major push to vaccinate the most vulnerable populations, like seniors, but the governors office has gone to war with local authorities and school administrators over measures like mask mandates.

On Friday, a judge ruled that the state cant go forward with its policy to ban local mask mandates, finding that it violates Floridas constitutional guarantees to safeguarding children. The governor and Education Department said on Monday they plan to appeal .

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Public health officials have criticised how the state has handled getting children back to school without rules around masking.

When you try to get mandating of masks, theres pushback from certain authorities, which I feel is really unfortunate because its going to really endanger the health of the children when we do that," Dr Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told NBC News Meet the Press on Sunday.

Morgues and crematories are becoming full, and cities in Florida have been asking residents to conserve water so liquid oxygen used in water treatment can be spared for hospitals.
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Back in June, Tamra Judge announced that she was going to give the Keto Diet a try. "Never thought Id say this, since its against everything Ive believed in (as far as a healthy diet)  but Im trying the [Keto] diet to see if it helps with my autoimmune issues," The Real Housewives of Orange County alum wrote back then. So, how did it go? In a recent Ask Me Anything thread on Instagram, a follower asked Tamra whether she is still following the low-carb, high-fat eating plan. "No I gained wei
Following through on prior warnings, the U.S. Department of Education is opening civil rights investigations into states that prohibit local districts from requiring masks for all students.

The departments Office for Civil Rights on Monday sent letters to five states  Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah  explaining that their policies prevent districts from protecting students that might be at higher risk of health complications from COVID-19 because of a disability.

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Its simply unacceptable that state leaders are putting politics over the health and education of the students they took an oath to serve, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement. The Department will fight to protect every students right to access in-person learning safely and the rights of local educators to put in place policies that allow all students to return to the classroom full-time in-person safely this fall.

The OCR letters, sent to the superintendents in each state, are the latest development in an ongoing, three-way standoff between the Biden administration, Republican governors and districts trying to respond to rising numbers of students testing positive for COVID-19 because of the Delta variant. Districts, especially in Florida and Texas, have moved ahead with mandates regardless of governors threats to withhold funding.

Local leaders are not being given the freedom that they want and need right now as those closest to the ground, said Mike Magee, CEO of Chiefs for Change, adding that universal masking, buys us time to finish the job on vaccination. Thats one of the reasons why its so critical right now.

Related: Waiting for Someone Else to Blink: Next Move DeSantis as Florida Districts Refuse to Rescind Mask Mandates

The organization includes superintendents such as Chad Gestson of the Phoenix Union High School District in Arizona and Pedro Martinez of the San Antonio Independent School District who have defied state laws banning the mandates.

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Oklahoma Superintendent Joy Hofmeister anticipated the OCRs action, saying in a statement that officials were not surprised by this civil rights investigation spurred by passage of a state law prohibiting mask requirements in Oklahoma public schools.Her department, she said, will fully cooperate.

The U.S. Department of Education said OCR did not send letters to Texas, Florida, Arkansas and Arizona. Governors in those states have also banned local mandates, but the courts have intervened, temporarily suspending the bans on universal masking.

In Florida last week, a Leon County county judge ruled for a group of Florida parents that sued over Gov. Ron DeSantiss ban on local district mask mandates. And in Texas, a judge has ruled that Gov. Greg Abbott overstepped his authority and that some districts should be allowed to require masks. But the states attorney general quickly appealed, leaving districts in further limbo.

Related: Conflicting Legal Rulings Leave School Districts in Texas With Choice: Flout Gov. Abbott and Mandate Masks For Students  or Wait For the Dust to Settle

On Tuesday, the South Carolina Supreme Court is scheduled to hear two lawsuits filed over the states ban, and Superintendent Molly Spearman has urged the legislature to reconsider it. On Aug. 18, she sent districts a letter stating that mandates might be necessary for those teaching or coming in contact with medically fragile or immunocompromised students.

The [department] is particularly sensitive to the laws effect on South Carolinas most vulnerable students and are acutely aware of the difficult decisions many families are facing concerning a return to in-person instruction, according to a statement.

Cardona has said publicly that hes concerned some parents might not send their children to school if masks arent required, and President Joe Biden on Aug. 18 authorized the secretary to use the enforcement authority of OCR.

The fact-finding process will focus on what is known as Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, which protects students from discrimination because of their disability and guarantees them the right to a free and appropriate public education. The agency will also look at whether the states are violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires public buildings, including schools, to accommodate those with disabilities.

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As thousands more schools return to full-time in-person instruction, President Joe Biden's administration is investigating five states that are banning districts from mandating masks, on the grounds that such policies violate the civil rights of children with disabilities and underlying health conditions.

State superintendents in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah received letters Monday outlining how prohibiting indoor masking in schools prevents districts from implementing health and safety measures necessary to protect students, the Education Department said in a news release.

The banning of mask mandates may keep schools "from meeting their legal obligations not to discriminate based on disability and from providing an equal educational opportunity to students with disabilities who are at heightened risk of severe illness from COVID-19," the letters said, according to the department.

50-state roundup: School mask and vaccine mandates

Lucie Phillips, 6, joins parents and students during a rally at Utah State School Board Office calling for mask mandate Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Salt Lake City.

The Biden administration had previously threatened to use its authority to enforce civil rights law against states that have forbid schools from enforcing universal indoor mask-wearing. Under federal law, public schools have to provide an equal education and reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities.

Disability rights: Families are suing over mask mandate bans

Across the country, parents of children with disabilities and related medical conditions have complained that state bans on mask mandates exclude their children from participating fully in public education, because they can't attend safely in person without universal masking.

At least seven lawsuits have been filed recently in states such as South Carolina, Arizona, Florida and Texas. In one of the Florida suits, a circuit court judge has already issued a ruling, concluding the states order banning school mask mandates is unlawful and districts have the right to set their own policies.

The litigation and subsequent Education Department investigation comes amid a surge in pediatric COVID-19 cases largely due to the delta variant.

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Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said it's unacceptable for state leaders to put politics over the health and safety of students.

"The department will fight to protect every students right to access in-person learning safely and the rights of local educators to put in place policies that allow all students to return to the classroom full-time in-person safely this fall," he said in a statement.

Porter Boevers, 4, has autism and lives in South Carolina. His mother is part of a lawsuit alleging South Carolinas policy of prohibiting schools from requiring everyone to mask up violates federal law by effectively excluding students with disabilities from participating in the public education system.

School reopening marked by mask fights

Fights over mask mandates in schools  or a lack of them  have roiled communities around the country and complicated the massive effort to safely reopen school buildings for full-time instruction.

About 63% of parents with children in school think their child's school should require unvaccinated students and staff to wear masks, according to an August poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation. But the attitudes differ sharply by parents' political leaning: 69% of Republican parents oppose that mask requirement, the poll showed.

Some large districts in Florida, such as Miami-Dade County and Broward County, have outright defied state orders and required all students and staff to mask up anyway.

The federal Office of Civil Rights has not opened investigations in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, or Arizona because those states bans on universal indoor masking are not currently being enforced as a result of court orders or other state actions, according to the Education Department.

But the department will continue to monitor those states, and may take action if state leaders "prevent local schools or districts from implementing universal indoor masking or if the current court decisions were to be reversed," the release said.

Alia Wong contributed to this story.

Contact Erin Richards at (414) 207-3145 or erin.richards@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @emrichards.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: School masks: Biden team probes 5 states for banning universal masks
At 2:42 p.m. on Jan. 6, rioters clashed with officers guarding a door to the US Senate gallery. Two videos captured the scene.

The first is limited to a rioters vantage point, and tilts and jerks and at one point turns entirely away from the action.

The second video doesnt have sound, but its stable, clear, and comprehensive. The 1-minute, 21-second video captures the full altercation, as well as events leading up to the fight, immediately after it, and unfolding nearby.

The second clip came from a security camera down the hall. Surveillance cameras captured more than 14,000 hours of footage between noon and 8 p.m. on Jan. 6. These videos would paint the most complete picture of what happened inside, but the US Capitol Police, backed by federal prosecutors, have strictly controlled who can see them and how much footage can be shared with the public.

The full accounting of the movements of key players that this collection of footage would provide  not just of rioters, but also lawmakers and police officers  is exactly why Capitol security officials dont want them out there.

The videos would help fill in the timeline of where members of Congress went, what they were doing, and who they were with as rioters breached the building. Rep. Bennie Thompson, chair of the special House committee investigating Jan. 6, told the Washington Post that theyre exploring information about the activities of Republican members who may have been in contact with former president Donald Trump during the riots. A committee spokesperson told BuzzFeed News via email that theyre in the process of getting materials from other congressional committees that investigated the insurrection, including records from Capitol Police; a Capitol Police spokesperson said the committee hadn't made a request for the footage directly with the agency.

The clips of the Senate doorway incident were from a collection of videos prosecutors presented to a judge in arguing that Nathaniel DeGrave  charged with, among other things, being part of the hallway melee  should stay in jail pending trial. The US attorneys office in Washington released nine videos from DeGraves case this month in response to a legal effort by media outlets (including BuzzFeed News), but successfully argued to keep two secret: recordings from surveillance cameras positioned elsewhere in the Capitol.

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It goes without saying that disclosing this sensitive infrastructure to the public, including hundreds of individuals who have already shown a willingness to storm the Capitol in an attempt to obstruct such crucial proceedings to our democracy as the certification of the Electoral College vote, would be detrimental, the prosecutor in DeGraves case wrote in a July brief. Once the capabilities of a U.S. Capitol interior surveillance camera, including its position and whether it pans, tilts or zooms, is disclosed to the public via the release of a single video from that camera, the cat is out of the bag.

The security concerns inherent in revealing the extent of the Capitols closed-circuit camera network have convinced at least one judge so far to keep videos sealed. But the ongoing investigations into Jan. 6 will continue to place pressure on the governments desire to keep as much of this footage out of the public eye as possible.

Lawyers for a media coalition (including BuzzFeed News) are filing requests for videos on a rolling basis once prosecutors present them in court, and have argued that every time the government does release surveillance footage, it undermines their effort to keep other clips secret. If any of these cases go to trial, the public interest in seeing evidence the government presents to a jury will be even stronger.

Separate from the criminal prosecutions and congressional probe, a journalist filed a lawsuit this month attempting to pry loose Jan. 6 surveillance footage, as well as other records about how Capitol Police handle security and public transparency. The Freedom of Information Act doesnt apply to Congress, but the suit argues that the overarching common law right of access to public records should apply to some legislative materials, and particularly records related to Jan. 6; the case was first reported by Politico.

The government has cleared some footage for release in the months since the attack. During Trumps impeachment trial in February, the Democratic impeachment managers  who were given access to all of the videos  played clips showing just how close lawmakers, congressional staff, and other public officials came to the rioters. One clip showed Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman running past Sen. Mitt Romney and gesturing at him to go back; Romney spins around and runs after Goodman.

Other clips showed former vice president Mike Pence being evacuated as Goodman led a nearby mob in the opposite direction, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer running down a ramp hed walked up seconds earlier to avoid a confrontation.

Surveillance footage has been a wellspring of evidence for the FBI agents and prosecutors building cases against the nearly 600 people charged with participating in the riots. Theyve used it to bolster the mountain of evidence scattered across social media and other publicly available sources. Screenshots from these videos frequently crop up in charging papers as the governments proof that a defendant was in a specific area of the Capitol at a specific time.

Defendants and their lawyers are getting access to surveillance footage, but only under protective orders that restrict their ability to make the videos and other evidence they receive from the government public.

Theres a wealth of videos posted online by people who went inside the Capitol  although that footage can be limited to the perspective of the person holding up their cellphone or GoPro. The same goes for videos that the government has been OK releasing from cameras worn by Metropolitan Police Department officers; Capitol Police officers didnt use body cameras, so there isnt footage from their vantage point.

The closed-circuit video (CCV) footage, which doesnt have audio and usually shows events at a distance, doesnt pack the same visceral punch as other videos from Jan. 6  for instance, the police bodycam videos that capture every grunt, scream, crunch, and chant. But the footage is unique in that it recorded the entirety of the insurrection including the movements and locations of Congress members throughout the day.

To the extent prosecutors have agreed to release a small amount of Capitol surveillance footage, its been a mix of videos from inside and outside of the building. In opposing the release of videos from Nathaniel DeGraves case, the prosecutor argued that the bar should be higher for interior footage, since lawmakers typically do not congregate en masse outside. The government also argued that just because theyd allowed the release of footage in another case  revealing where that particular camera was mounted in the Capitol  didnt mean that the floodgates should open.

Chuck Tobin, one of the lead attorneys representing the media coalition, said it was no secret what the Capitol looked like inside, and since officials had already said they were upgrading surveillance equipment after Jan. 6, information about the positioning of cameras during the riots was obsolete or soon to be.

Given the vast amount of other video evidence from Jan. 6 that was already public, Tobin said, theres nothing left to protect in terms of vantage points.

In an Aug. 13 ruling, the judge sided with the government and kept the two surveillance videos from DeGraves case under seal. US District Judge Paul Friedman wrote that the security risks the government had identified outweighed the presumption of public access to criminal case proceedings and evidence under the First Amendment and whats known as common law.

Such disclosure would reveal information that could be used by anyone who might wish to attack the Capitol in the future, Friedman wrote.

The Capitol Police limited access to surveillance footage long before Jan. 6. In a March affidavit, the government has relied on in fights over videos, the Capitol Polices chief lawyer Thomas DiBiase described the CCV system as the backbone of security for the buildings and grounds that make up the Capitol complex. Footage isnt backed up to the cloud, and typically can only be viewed at specific workstations. When a member of Congress wanted video of a staffer interaction with officers, the agency made him come to an office to see it, under the supervision of an employee, he wrote.

DiBiase explained that theyd only share videos in criminal investigations and other court proceedings under certain circumstances; theyve refused to turn over videos to people suing over being injured on Capitol grounds unless they involved serious injuries or death, he wrote  and even then, a lawyer or investigator would have to view the footage with a Capitol Police employee in the room.

By the time DiBiase signed his statement in March, the Capitol Police had turned over Jan. 6 surveillance footage to four categories of investigators: congressional committees that oversee the Capitol Police, the House impeachment managers who prosecuted Trump, the FBI, and the Metropolitan Police Department. DiBiase noted that the congressional overseers later requested and received footage from the entire day.

The disclosures to federal and local police came with conditions. FBI and MPD officials signed agreements days after the insurrection stating that the videos remained under the legal control of the Capitol Police. These agreements, which the government submitted in court along with DiBiases declaration, state that any rules that apply to other congressional materials apply to the videos. That meant that they couldnt be released to the public via a hypothetical Freedom of Information Act request to the FBI now that the videos were in its possession.

In the meantime, the case-by-case legal fight over what videos the public can see presses on. As defendant Eric Torrens prepared to enter a guilty plea to illegally demonstrating inside the Capitol, US District Chief Judge Beryl Howell asked the government to show her videos theyd cited in describing his activities that day. Once they did, the judge asked the government and the defense to weigh in on whether she should release them to the public. The government objected to releasing five surveillance videos, citing security concerns.

The judge didnt end up ruling on the videos at the Aug. 19 plea hearing, explaining that it wasnt a live issue since no one had asked for them yet; the media coalition has since filed a request thats pending. But Howell did note that there was a strong presumption in favor of public access to judicial proceedings, and specifically when it involved evidence that a judge or the government had relied on.

Despite the fact that the attack of the Capitol was broadcast on television  not just in the United States, but globally  and into the homes of millions of Americans, debate and dispute over what really happened that day continues, Howell said. In this context, it behooves the government to explain its prosecutorial decisions in how different kinds of conduct are being charged and resolved, and support those decisions with the evidence at hand.

More on this
"Natively Digital: A Curated NFT Sale' auction at Sotheby's in New York. NFTs can be anything digital from drawings and paintings to music, but they can also be applied to a physical item such as coins or a stamp. Photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

A growing number of people are spending a fortune on things that cant be seen or felt in real life, from artwork and GIFs to clothing, thanks to a frenzy for non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

As the world continues to shift to all things digital, this unique, one-of-a-kind crypto asset enables collectors to authenticate, own and trade original authenticated versions of special digital goods using blockchain technology.

They can be anything digital from drawings and paintings to music, but they can also be applied to a physical item such as coins or a stamp.

In economics, a fungible asset is something with units that can be readily interchanged, like money. You are able to swap a 10 note for two 5 notes and it will have the same value.

However, if something is non-fungible, it has unique properties so it cannot be interchanged with something else.

When an NFT is bought, the person purchasing receives a certificate secured in blockchain technology, which makes them the owner of that specific digital asset. Specifically, NFTs are typically held on the Ethereum (ETH-USD) blockchain, but other blockchains support them too.

This cannot be replicated or substituted, and it can only have one official owner at any given time.

NFTs are transparent and no one is able to modify the record of ownership or copy/paste a new NFT into existence.

Due to this unique quality the NFT market has become popular over recent years, drawing in a number of wealthy consumers since their creation in around 2014.

Watch: What is an NFT? Here's why some are paying millions for digital art

NFTs sales

In March, digital artist Mike Winkelmann, better known as Beeple, sold an NFT of his work for $69.3m (50.5m) at Christies in New York, putting him among the top three most valuable living artists. It became the most expensive NFT ever sold.

Elsewhere, even digitally created horses with unique algorithms have been sold. Zed Run, a company which launched in early 2019 with horses selling for as little as $30, recently sold a stable of digital racehorses for more than $250,000.

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On its platform, owners pay an entry fee to race their horses against others for a prize pool.

The viral internet clip known as Charlie Bit My Finger was also taken down from YouTube earlier this year, selling as an NFT for more than 500,000.

Meanwhile, Jack Dorsey, chief executive of Twitter, sold his first tweet as a non-fungible token for over $2.9m in March. The tweet, which says, just setting up my twttr, was first posted on 21 March 2006.

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Dorsey said that all proceeds from his NFT sale would be converted to bitcoin and donated to GiveDirectly, a charity giving cash to people living in poverty. Dorseys gift will specifically go to its Africa COVID-19 response.

The craze for NFTs has also extended into fashion, where digital shoes and dresses sell for couture prices. In March, a streetwear-focused brand RTFKT sold $3.1m worth of digital sneakers in just seven minutes in a collaboration with 18-year-old artist Fewocious.

As we spend more time in virtual worlds, we will care just as much about our digital sneakers and handbags as we do our physical ones, Jon Lai, an investor in RTFKT, tweeted in May.

Read more: NFT mania hits the stock market with 35m London listing

Value

According to a study from NonFungible, the total value of NFT transactions quadrupled to approximately 178m ($244m) last year. The number of digital wallets trading them doubled to over 222,179, the report said.

The website tracks NFT marketplaces, and the average price for NFTs went from $142 in October 2020 to $4,000 in February 2021.

However, similarly to cryptocurrencies, which are generally encoded with the same underlying software, NFTs can be volatile, and have been criticised for generating more emissions every time its bought or re-sold.

How to buy or sell NFTs

A digital wallet that allows you to store NFTs and cryptocurrencies is required to buy or sell them.

The wallet will need to be funded by purchasing cryptocurrency, which will be dependent on what currencies the NFT provider accepts. Most exchanges charge at least a percentage of your transaction when you buy cryptocurrency.

NFTs are risky because their future is uncertain, and we dont yet have a lot of history to judge their performance, said Arry Yu, chair of the Washington Technology Industry Association Cascadia Blockchain Council. Since NFTs are so new, it may be worth investing small amounts to try it out for now.

Watch: UK Fashion House Burberry Releases First NFTs in Collaboration With Mythical Games
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan launched a new English-language news and media streaming platform on Monday aiming to give it a greater voice on the world stage and help to tackle Beijing's "squeeze" of the Chinese-claimed island on the world stage.

Taiwan+, backed by T$775 million ($28 million) in government funding, will broadcast content online focusing on news, as well as features about Taiwan, from food and tourism to culture and technology.

President Tsai Ing-wen, in a recorded message to the launch party at a Taipei museum, said Taiwan needed a platform to highlight to the world the island's diversity, democratic achievements and aspiration to contribute to the international community.

"It is our own international media platform, a key part of our collective effort to show what Taiwan has to offer," she said.

Taiwan+'s founding comes at a time when China is increasingly active in English-language media, putting across the ruling Communist Party's views to an outside audience, especially via state television's English language news channel China Global Television Network, or CGTN.

China is also squeezing Taiwan's international space, including forcing foreign companies to refer to it as being part of China on their websites and routinely carrying out military drills near the island.

Parliament speaker You Si-kun said Taiwan needs to be able to tell its own stories and confront misconceptions put about by China.

"For a long time, the Chinese Communists have been squeezing Taiwan's international space and creating a false image of Taiwan, leading to the diplomatic challenges Taiwan now faces," You said.

"In recent years, however, there has been a dramatic change in how the world sees the Chinese Communists. Major democracies around the world are now raising the alarm over China's rise," he added.

Taiwan already has a handful of domestic English-language media, the most prominent of which is the Taipei Times, founded in 1999 and published by the mass circulation Liberty Times.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie)
The FBI reported Monday that hate crimes rose to their highest level in 12 years, with attacks on Black and Asian people driving much of the increase.

Why it matters: This is the sixth time in seven years the number of hate crimes has risen, the Washington Post notes.

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Details: The number of anti-Black hate crimes went up from 1,930 to 2,755, an increase of about 42%, while the number of anti-Asian hate crimes went up from 158 to 274, an increase of about 73%, per the FBI report.

The total number of hate crimes increased from 7,287 to 7,759, about a 6% increase.

Attacks against white people increased 16%, while reported attacks on Jewish people decreased.

Driving the news: In May, President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, which is meant to help law enforcement better identify anti-Asian hate. There's been a rise in anti-Asian attacks since the start of the pandemic.

Of note: Groups, like Stop AAPI Hate, have noted that anti-Asian hate crimes are notoriously difficult to count and the FBI is likely undercounting the true number.

Stop AAPI Hate reported 6,603 hate incidents from March 2020 to March 2021, an increase from 3,795 the same time the previous year.

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Associated Press

Patrick Cantlay and Harris English are among those not expecting to get any of the $40 million bonus money from the Player Impact Program, which measures through five digital metrics how a player engages with fans. Cantlay is No. 4 in the world  thats for his golf. If I were to win any portion of the 10, I would let you know and I would be compelled to give all that money back to the fans that made it possible, Cantlay said.
A Florida fire department played the part of good neighbor when it rescued a goat from a 30-foot-deep sinkhole.

Firefighter Adam Hudson with the High Springs Fire Department in Alachua County descended into the sink on Sunday, according to a post on the departments Facebook page.

Once at the bottom, the goat was found on a ledge a few feet away from Hudson. Scared and exhausted, our four-legged friend nearly fell into the outstretched arms of his rescuer. The goat and Firefighter Hudson were hoisted back up, with little trouble and no injury, the post stated.

The department has made five sinkhole rescues already within the last year. In this case, the owner of the goat heard the cries of the animal and called the fire department.

Thanks to a recent purchase of new rope-rescue gear, and continued technical rescue training by your firefighters, crews were on-scene for only 90 minutes, the post stated.
Associated Press

Flooded out by Hurricane Katrina, Roy Comardelle wasn't going to let another hurricane beat him. Comardelle thought he was winning against Hurricane Ida until the Category 4 winds at its heart battered his house and sent water spilling over the grassy walls of his handmade levee, which includes a pump and a homemade flood gate for the driveway. As he worked, Comardelle couldn't help but wonder when he might be able to get back out on the water to make a living catching crabs.
(Bloomberg) --

The head of Libyas state energy company was suspended, the oil minister said, in a move that raises tensions and potentially threatens stability in a sector that serves as the OPEC nations financial lifeline.

Mustafa Sanalla, whos served as the National Oil Corp.s chairman for seven years, traveled abroad on a business trip without getting the necessary approval, according to a letter from the oil minister and seen by Bloomberg on Sunday. That was a violation of ministry policy, the letter said.

Oil Minister Mohamed Oun confirmed the contents of the letter in a phone call. NOC officials , including Sanalla, either werent immediately available or couldnt be reached for comment.

Tension between Oun and Sanalla has grown in recent weeks, especially after the minister requested that the government dismiss the NOC chief and reshuffle the companys board. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dheibah told Bloomberg in an interview earlier this month he hadnt studied the request, but a change at the NOC was needed, though maybe not in the form sought by the oil minister.

Its unclear if Oun will be able to enforce his decision in a country where officials have often ignore directives from above and the leadership of key state institutions has been claimed by more than one person.

The jostling is in part a consequence of a decade of conflict and rival governments in the nation that sits atop Africas largest crude reserves. A truce brokered around the middle of last year and the formation of a unity government helped stabilize oil output in recent months at almost 1.2 million barrels a day.

Naysayers and losers

Sanalla was at the NOCs headquarters in Tripoli on Sunday and chaired a board meeting, the NOC said in a statement posted on its Facebook page after the ministers decision. NOC board member Jadalla Alawakly, whom the letter said will serve as an acting NOC chief, was himself present at the meeting, it said.

The NOC has faced great challenges and overcome them all, thanks to God and the cooperation of its workers, Sanalla was quoted as saying. The statement didnt mention the ministrys decision, but Sanalla said the NOC wouldnt be deterred from its patriotic message by naysayers and losers.

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Sanalla effectively ran the energy sector -- including representing Libya at meetings of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries -- until Oun was appointed in March as the countrys first oil minister since 2014. The NOC has been one of the few institutions able to work across Libyas political divides.

(Updates with details, context starting in lead.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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Howard University announced it's clearing student debt for upperclassmen facing financial hardships.

It's the latest HBCU to use Biden's stimulus funds to erase debt students owe to the school.

At the same time, lawmakers are urging Biden to act on federal student debt and cancel it broadly.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Some juniors and seniors at Howard University just got a major back-to-school gift.

The university announced on Friday it would join the growing ranks of schools that are using funds from President Joe Biden's stimulus plan to erase debt students owe the institution. Since the Education Department announced in March that colleges could do so, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), in particular, have led the charge to give their students financial relief.

The DC HBCU will clear institutional debts for juniors and seniors facing financial hardships as a result of COVID-19. Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick said in a statement that for students who have an expected family contribution of $0 and an outstanding balance for the spring 2021 semester, the university will eliminate all of their current debt.

"We take our responsibility to our community, and to all those who place their trust in us for their education or employment, very seriously," Frederick said. "Howard will always devote as much of our resources as we can to minimize the challenges our staff and students encounter."

The university did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on how much this relief will total, but according to the press release, the school has so far distributed $27 million in direct cash payments, waived fees, and other services since the pandemic started.

Institutional student debt, or debt owed to schools by students, is different than the federal student debt that makes up the $1.7 trillion student debt crisis and if often collected by loan companies that profit from debt collection. As Insider previously reported, though, this type of debt that schools like Howard are erasing still can pose significant barriers to education, such as the holding of transcripts and preventing enrollment in classes until that debt is paid off.

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So far, over 20 HBCUs have used federal funds to wipe out institutional debt for their students, while at the same time, federal student debt continues to grow. While Biden has canceled about $9.5 billion in student debt for certain groups of borrowers since he took office, many Democrats and advocates want him to go further and cancel $50,000 in federal student debt for every borrower.

"The president has the power to cancel $50,000 in student loan debt right now," Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren previously told Insider. "Senator Schumer and I are going to continue to push for this, but Biden doesn't need any authorization from Congress. He needs to pick up the pen and do it himself."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Associated Press

After seeing gusty winds in the forecast as the fire moved closer to his Lake Tahoe community, Johnson said he planned to leave Tuesday afternoon to join his girlfriend in Reno, once he had packed up a few precious items to take with him. While more than 20,000 residents and likely thousands of tourists packed roads leading out of Lake Tahoe on Monday to flee the Caldor Fire closing in on the resort community, a handful of people decided to buck the mandatory evacuation orders and stay behind. In the West, where bigger and hotter wildfires rage through the forests each year, more communities find themselves staring down evacuation orders.
OPINION: It is imperative that groups seeking to offer humanitarian relief direct funds to grassroots groups who are closest to the pain of marginalization

Stay with The Weather Channel for live coverage of Ida and download our app on your TV. Existing cable and satellite subscribers can get The Weather Channel on Roku, Fire Stick, and on your smart TV for 24/7 access to the latest alerts, forecasts , local radar and live coverage.

Today, one day after the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I cannot help but reflect as Ida ravishes our state. This storm comes as our region faces the worst impacts of a fourth surge of COVID-19, the Delta variant, exacerbating joblessness, food, and housing insecurity.

I have always been struck by the inhumanity of these storms; they always hit at the end of the month when working class folks are forced to choose between evacuating and paying bills. The utter destruction of all that they have worked to build is cruel, but the storm is the first slight. The rebuilding process is the next, and given the strained supply chain, rebuilding is always more difficult than it looks .

I have had the pleasure of serving the people of Louisiana through Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike and supported the community through the BP Oil Spill. Our work in disaster recovery has taught me many things and, if you know me, then you know the countless people I have helped and that remain on my heart.

There are not adequate words to describe what it is like to listen and hold the stories of so manytheir loss and heartbreak becomes my own. I reconcile it by working tirelessly to respond, but for those of us that do this work we know even if we work night and day, we wont be able to help them all. It is that grief that I carry with me, that settles over me as each storm passes through our state.

A man takes pictures of high waves along the shore of Lake Pontchartrain as Hurricane Ida nears, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A grief steeped in doing the same thing over and over to help people and feeling like we arent learning the lessons! Lessons that always point to the fact that we must center people in every recovery. Otherwise, we risk perpetual rebuilding and having the future of our state built on shaky ground. No one can be resilient in the face of multiplier disasters.

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I want to remind people that yes, Louisiana is full of beautiful, resourceful people. But folks cannot continue to expect us to be resilient. Resilience is a short-term condition where one stretches themselves until problems can be resolved. The idea that resilience is a permanent state is false. If we do not address the problems causing people to be resilient, it is simply oppression.

Government, at all levels, must respond differently. We must absorb the lessons that we have learned time and time again. Our recovery and changes must center communities that have been left behind in previous efforts. Communities of color, low- income areas, and rural communities must be prioritized. We must also invest in a climate change workforce that can respond when we must rebuild, which, due to climate change, is annually as we face storms, hurricanes, flooding and more.

We have gotten some things right. In 2005, in the aftermath of Katrina, fighting for equity was not a popular idea. The work of many that have stayed and fought for a more equitable New Orleans and Louisiana can see the impacts of our work. However, we still have work to do. Lake Charles still languishes after the impacts of Hurricanes Laura and Delta, as well as the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

A young girl blocks her face from the wind and rain produced by Hurricane Ida, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Policymakers must direct federal resources to directly impacted people. They must center communities and get resources to the ground. They must remove barriers to getting resources to people and families by doing the following:

1. Stop erecting endless bureaucracies to funding due to a perceived fear of fraud that hardly exists. Move with the urgency the nation saw when policymakers moved PPP dollars and help move resources. For example, Louisiana has $500 million in housing COVID-19 recovery dollars, but has only distributed $57 million. We can use a process like PPP to get dollars moving to help those with the greatest need.

2. Address contractor fraud and enforce laws already on the books so that people do not get taken advantage of in the process of rebuilding.

3. Invest in and use local workers to rebuild. Storm after storm elected leaders fail to invest in local workers to support the rebuilding process. It does not make sense to have high unemployment during the reconstruction phase and not train and engage a local workforce that can rebuild. There is no need to bring workers in from other states. Train and build a local workforce. This could have lasting impacts on the lives of Louisianans and our economy for years to come.

4. Climate change and its impacts are here to stay so we must address the issues it causes, such as bills due on the first of the month at the same time a storm is hitting. We must also work with hotels to provide ongoing relief and emergency housing following a catastrophic storm. These storms also hit during preparing for election administration, we need a plan so that we dont stop folks from being able to access their vote as they rebuild.

A collapsed historical building is seen on S. Rampart St. in New Orleans, La., early Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (Max Becherer/The Advocate via AP)

Long before the COVID-19 global health crisis shuttered schools and companies, communities of color were victimized by over-policing, mass incarceration, under-resourced schools, aging infrastructure, lack of good paying jobs, and unaffordable or inaccessible health insurance. This has created a sea of suffering, particularly among groups long impacted by systemic racism and social exclusion.

But now, with toll of Hurricane Ida yet to be tallied, we appear to be moving from trauma to trauma. Many people are being displaced and they must navigate fallout of yet another crisis at the same time they are recovering from one of the worst pandemics in a generation.

During this time of instability and uncertainty, we must remember that communities of color are at heightened risk. It is imperative that groups seeking to offer humanitarian relief direct funds to grassroots groups who are closest to the pain of marginalization.

It is also critical that the media center the voices and perspectives of the local community, particularly Black women and women of color who are more likely to head households, more likely to be raising children and youth, and more likely to have a pulse on what is needed in this moment.

This is indeed a crisis, but doing what is outlined above will not only help, but support the community for years to come.

Ashley K. Shelton is the Executive Director of the Power Coalition, a statewide 501c3 table in Louisiana. She is also a founding member of the Black Southern Womens Collective. Shelton was the former Vice President of Programs at the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), now the Foundation for Louisiana. In her role at the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, Ms. Shelton managed a system of integrated, value-added programs in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In her role at LDRF, she designed, initiated and coordinated a comprehensive policy strategy, which led to a systemic, multi-pronged approach to equitable policy development on a local, state and national level. She utilized a participatory model that engaged local, state, and national partnerships to develop and nurture civic engagement throughout the state.

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The post On Hurricane Ida, COVID-19, and trauma: Resilience cannot be a permanent state appeared first on TheGrio.
The U.S. Coast Guard says Hurricane Ida has gotten so bad that it cannot deploy resources into the area but is ready to send them the moment conditions permit.

Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Vice Admiral Steven Poulin, the commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area, said the service had been for the past several days prepositioning its assets in the Gulf region and has moved additional aircraft and crews in from as far as California, New England, the Great Lakes and North Carolina.

"Unfortunately, the weather right now is preventing us from responding down into the impact area," Poulin said. "Its beyond our weather parameters but well respond to any distress needs of assistance as soon as we can."

Just when exactly, that may be, is too early to tell, Poulin said. He noted that there are many parameters involved  wind, rain and thunderstorm  all of which are playing a part right now.

HURRICANE IDA'S IMPACT ON LOUISIANA IS UNPRECEDENTED, CAJUN NAVY RELIEF PRESIDENT SAYS

"We are very much linked in with state and local emergency management officials. All of that makes up what we call a search and rescue system," Poulin said. "And so, we're closely working with state local officials to make sure that we'll respond when needed and in concert with other search and rescue responders."

Coast Guard and other rescue personnel will respond to people in stranded areas, areas that may be flooded, or even boaters or vessels that are in distress.

"Were focused on saving lives and thats our number one priority," Poulin said.

Hurricane Ida, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., made landfall Sunday, blowing off roofs and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River as it rushed from the Louisiana coast toward New Orleans.

The Category 4 storm hit on the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier, coming ashore about 45 miles west of where Category 3 Katrina first struck land.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The head of the Illinois Manufacturers Association is calling on lawmakers to get serious about the electric vehicle business.

Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the IMA, says theres a chance right now for the state to position itself to compete in a growth industry.

Auto manufacturers are having those discussions today, and they were having them a month ago, about where to locate and what facilities to retool, Denzler said. We have the opportunity to invest in some of these facilities in Illinois and be part of that movement toward electric vehicles.

Denzler says a major hurdle in the efforts to attract the attention of auto manufacturers is the lack of tools available in the recruitment effort.

Illinois incentives oftentimes lack what neighboring states do, Denzler said. We have the EDGE credit, which can be effective, but a number of other states provide cash up front, or land, or other types of incentives that we don't have available in Illinois.

Hes calling on state lawmakers to take steps during the fall veto session to remain competitive with surrounding states that might also be interested in these facilities.

The fact is that other states have moved ahead of us and Illinois has not been doing anything to really attract them or change any incentive packages, Denzler said. We're working hopefully to enhance some of the incentives, but we also have to address some of the longstanding concerns that the business community has.

According to the IMA, the auto industry directly supports more than 30,000 jobs in the state, including work at three assembly plants in Bloomington-Normal, Belvidere, and Chicago. Denzler says the possibility exists to recruit new facilities, given proper support from Springfield.

I think there are great opportunities, especially with battery technology now, Denzler said. A lot of the electric car makers want to be near the battery production. There may be a case if we're trying to attract a new facility, not only are we trying to attract that auto manufacturer, but also the battery facility that may supply it as well.

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Denzler says a recent Illinois law dealing with how automakers pay dealerships for warranty work was a step in the wrong direction.

One of the things that really sent a negative message was the legislature passing and the governor signing this car warranty bill that's going to add about $250 million in costs to auto manufacturers and make Illinois an outlier, Denzler said. We're the only state in the nation now with a law like this.

He said Illinois has many advantages when compared to other states, including transportation infrastructure, an educated workforce, and access to rail and water, but hes worried a delay in action until 2022 could cost the state opportunities to expand in the auto sector.

We would hate for manufacturers to make decisions and Illinois not be on the list because we're not competitive with some of our neighboring Midwest states or other states where they have auto plants, Denzler said.

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Tags: News, Illinois, State

Original Author: Scot Bertram, The Center Square

Original Location: IMA leader calls on Springfield to help lure electric vehicle companies to Illinois
Reuters

KPMG allegedly provided "false and misleading" information about its audits of collapsed builder Carillion and data erasure company Regenersis for regulatory checks, Britain's accounting watchdog said on Wednesday. The information was provided in connection with the Financial Reporting Council's (FRC) routine annual quality checks of audits by the main accounting firms. "The formal complaint alleges misconduct against KPMG and several individuals regarding the provision of allegedly false and misleading information and/or documents to the FRC by KPMG in connection with the FRC's inspections of two audits carried out by KPMG," the watchdog said in a statement.
NAIROBI (Reuters) -Internet services in South Sudan were disrupted on Monday and security forces patrolled the streets after activists called for protests against President Salva Kiir's government.

The capital Juba was quieter than usual as residents sheltered inside. Internet access was restored on Monday evening, residents said, although service was slow.

A coalition of activist groups had reiterated their call on Sunday for rallies demanding Kiir's resignation. However, there was no sign by mid-afternoon of big street gatherings in Juba. Some activists told Reuters they were in hiding for security reasons.

The activists accuse Kiir's government of corruption and failing to protect the population or provide basic services. The government has repeatedly denied allegations from rights and advocacy groups of abuses and corruption.

Addressing lawmakers as he opened a new session of parliament, Kiir termed those behind the calls as people "who wish us ill".

"Improving the wellbeing of our people is our priority," he said.

Parliament should urgently approve the government's budget, Kiir said, adding that lawmakers should also help to facilitate the process towards an election due at the end of a transitional period to stave off instability.

Police said the activists had not sought permission to protest and therefore any large demonstration would be illegal.

"We deployed the forces at least to keep order in case of any problem. Those forces are in the streets for your safety," police spokesperson Daniel Justin Boulogne said.

Mobile data had been unavailable on the network of South African mobile operator MTN Group from late on Sunday, and by Monday morning it had also been halted on the network of Kuwait-based operator Zain Group.

Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, a London-based group that monitors internet disruptions, said it had detected "significant disruption to internet service in South Sudan beginning Sunday evening, including to leading cellular networks".

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Internet service resumed on Monday evening, residents said.

Deputy Information Minister Baba Medan told Reuters he could not comment on the reported shutdown as he was attending the opening of parliament. MTN did not immediately respond to a comment request.

An industry source with direct knowledge of the matter said the outage was due to a directive by the government.

Activist Jame David Kolok told Reuters that the internet shutdown was a sign "the authorities are panicking".

(Reporting by Nairobi newsroomAdditional reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Dubai and Nqobile Dludla in JohannesburgWriting by Maggie Fick; Editing by Peter Graff and Angus MacSwan)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa woman has amended her lawsuit over the state's ban on mandatory face masks in schools to include allegations the law violates state and federal constitutional protections, a move that came as federal education officials on Monday questioned Iowas ban and as hospitals scramble to care for increasing numbers of people sick with the coronavirus.

Frances Parr, of Council Bluffs, last week sued the state, Gov. Kim Reynolds and several state officials last week in Polk County District Court. The lawsuit seeks an order requiring the state to issue a universal mask mandate for all students and school personnel until a voluntary plan can be implemented that segregates mask-wearing students and staff from those who opt not to wear masks.

A revised petition was filed on Friday by Parr's attorney Daniel McGinn. It additionally asked the court to declare that the law violates equal protection and due process rights guaranteed in the federal and state constitutions. The lawsuit also claims the law is unenforceable under a doctrine recognized in Iowa since 1918 that holds that schools must be safe by putting students at risk of COVID-19 and the delta variant for no rational reason. Neither the state nor parents have a right to unnecessarily expose a child to a communicable disease.

Parr  whose children were set to start first grade in the Council Bluffs Community School District this fall, but will instead be taught at home over their mother's fear for their safety  asks the court to prevent the state from enforcing the law or at least the section of the law that applies to schools.

The additional filing came on the day that the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court signed an order making masks mandatory in areas controlled by the courts in contrast to the state law, which bans similar mandates in public schools. The order signed by Chief Justice Susan Christensen cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for mask wearing, recommendations Reynolds has ignored when it comes to schools. She has voiced her doubt about whether masks would prevent outbreaks in schools despite significant evidence that they do help slow coronavirus spread.

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Also on Friday a state court judge ruled that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis overstepped his authority when he issued an executive order banning mask mandates. The judge noted that school boards can reasonably argue that maskless students endanger the health of other students and teachers. DeSantis is expected to appeal.

The U.S. Education Department announced Monday that its investigating Iowa and four other Republican-led states enforcing universal mask bans, saying the policies could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions. Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah are the other states that have barred schools from requiring masks among students and staff, a move that the department says could prevent some students from safely attending school.

Its simply unacceptable that state leaders are putting politics over the health and education of the students they took an oath to serve, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

The Des Moines school district, which has often clashed with Reynolds over health precautions amid the pandemic, issued a statement offering support for the federal action.

Des Moines Public Schools strongly supports and encourages the wearing of face masks by our students and staff at this time," district spokesman Phil Roeder said in the statement. Unfortunately, Iowa has outlawed the ability of local governments to take even the most basic steps in order to protect the health and well-being of children in our care. If our state government doesnt change its position as the pandemic continues then hopefully the federal government will find a legal path that allows us to do more to keep our students and staff safe."

Reynolds also issued a statement, accusing Biden of picking a political fight" with the governors to distract from news from Afghanistan, the U.S. border and inflation.

As Ive said all along, I believe and trust in Iowans to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families," Reynolds said. Iowas democratically elected legislature endorsed that view as well when they passed a law to support a parents right to decide whats best for their own children. In Iowa, we will continue to support individual liberty over government mandates.

The controversy over the law is building as Iowa experiences a surge in COVID-19 delta variant cases. In the past month Iowa has gone from a seven-day moving average of cases of less than 300 a day to now more than 1,000 a day. Hospitalizations statewide went from from 120 to 450 in the past 30 days.

Its very alarming to us because we havent seen cases like this since October of 2020, said Polk County Health Department spokeswoman Nola Aigner Davis. We are surging again.

Des Moines area hospitals had 125 COVID-19 patients on Monday, up from 109 a week ago and positive tests show the trend of new cases isn't slowing. Davis said the county saw 340 positive cases over the weekend.

University Hospitals in Iowa City had 45 COVID-19 patients up from 13 at the beginning of August. Included in the current patients are six children.
KCRA - Sacramento Videos

Caltrans has issued a cease and desist notice to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, claiming the law enforcement office acted "prematurely" and was "unauthorized" when deputies and sheriff's employees cleaned up a homeless encampment along the Mokelumne River on Turner Road and Highway 99 in Lodi. Sheriff Patrick Withrow said his deputies have been trying to work with Caltrans for weeks, and have issued the proper notices when clearing the homeless encampment. By law, people experiencing homelessness must be notified at least 72 hours before a cleanup. See more in the video above.
A Baltimore City judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to condemn a Westport developers land to build a high-speed maglev train, casting doubt on the future of the Baltimore-to-Washington rail project.

Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby granted Sparks-based Stonewall Capitals request to dismiss the eminent domain case after a 30-minute virtual hearing Monday.

Stonewall purchased 43 undeveloped acres on Kloman Street in South Baltimores Westport neighborhood in June for a 1,300-unit apartment and town house project. About two weeks earlier, Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail filed a lawsuit to condemn the land, calling the filing a last resort that we sincerely wish we did not have to pursue after trying unsuccessfully to buy the property.

I am overly appreciative to the community and mayor and planning department for their support of ONE Westport, said Stonewall Principal Ray Jackson, who has proposed features such as publicly accessible parkland to connect new waterfront development to the existing Westport neighborhood. This has been a collaborative effort and I am appreciative Judge Ausby found in our favor.

Ausby, who issued a decision after hearing both parties arguments, agreed with Stonewall that the rail company lacks the authority to acquire the Westport property for public use through eminent domain.

But the rail operator plans to appeal the ruling and is forging ahead with planning the $10 billion project, CEO Wayne Rogers said Monday. Rogers said that connecting Baltimore and Washington with a 15-minute trip would transform Baltimore, helping to create jobs, reverse population decline, boost real estate values, and improve climate and air quality by taking16 million cars off the road.

This is more than a few more houses, Rogers said. This is a huge future benefit for Baltimore. ... Were going to continue bringing this crucial, needed project to Baltimore and the Northeast corridor.

The railroad argued that its authority came from its 2015 acquisition of the former Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railroad Co. franchise, approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission. The maglev company said condemnation power came with the franchise.

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Condemnation was to be a last resort if the railroad failed to reach an agreement to acquire the essential land for a Baltimore-to-Washington route, Rogers has said.

But the judge found that the public service commissions order did not authorize the Westport condemnation. To approve a condemnation to serve a railroad, a court would have to find the taking of property necessary for a public use or agree with a public service commission order making that finding, she said.

The PSC order does not authorize this specific condemnation, Ausby said. And it goes to great lengths to note that there just was not evidence presented or enough evidence to the commission to be able to even make a determination as to whether or not actual construction at a particular place in Baltimore City would serve a public interest.

Rogers has said the economic and environmental benefits of a train whisking riders between Baltimore and Washington in 15 minutes, and eventually up to New York in under an hour, would outweigh the benefits of waterfront housing, not only for Baltimore but the state and the Northeast corridor.

A draft of the environmental impact statement for the project, which has been in planning stages for five years, was unveiled in January, showing Westports undeveloped waterfront as essential to either of the two potential routes alongside the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Rogers has said.

The rail operator plans to file an appeal with the state Court of Special Appeals based on errors the company believes were made in Mondays ruling, Rogers said.

While the decision is a setback, I dont think it will delay the project overall, he said.

The railroad is finalizing design elements and working on getting permits and submitting an environmental impact statement to the Federal Railroad Administration, which is expected to make a decision next year.

Rogers said the currently vacant Westport property remains part of the preferred route because it would allow the railroad to achieve its goal of building the entire project without having to condemn any houses.

What started this problem was the plan by the developer to come in and put 1,500 houses right square in the path of the train, Rogers said. We didnt want anyone to buy a house and find out a train is coming through the area.

Baltimore City recently asked the federal government not to approve the train, citing concerns about equity and the projects effects on the environment in a letter submitted during the projects unusually long public comment period, which ended in May. The citys consent is required under state public utilities law, a requirement the rail developers have not met, Ausby noted in explaining her decision.

The Westport Community Economic Development Corp. also weighed in against the maglev during the environmental review process, saying the neighborhood group preferred the proposed housing development to the train.

Stonewall purchased the land, one of the citys last undeveloped waterfront sites, from Westport Property Investments, an entity controlled by Under Armour founder Kevin Planks real estate firm. The developer is subdividing the land along the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River into six parcels and has contracts or is in negotiations to sell three of them for housing or commercial development.
Taliban militants stood in the studio of a Kabul TV station as an anchor praised the new Islamic Emirate, according to footage posted to Twitter.

The 42-second clip, which went viral over the weekend, shows the news presenter speaking to the Afghan people while being stared down by militants holding guns and standing on each side of him.

The delivery took place on the news program Pardaz, and the anchor spoke in the native language, insisting the people should not be scared.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST ON THE AFGHANISTAN CRISIS

With eight gun-touting Taliban surrounding him, the visibly shaken anchor discussed the collapse of Afghanistan's U.S.-backed government and said the new Emirate does not want the Afghan people to be afraid.

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Many of the responses to the clip on Twitter spoke about a loss of freedom in the country.

"Taliban itself is synonymous with fear in the minds of millions," one user tweeted. "This is just another proof."

Another user, a reporter, called the situation surreal.

"This is what a political debate now looks like on Afghan TV, Taliban foot soldiers watching over the host," BBC's Yalda Hakim said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

U.S. military forces have been wrapping up evacuations of U.S. citizens and Afghan allies at Kabul's airport ever since the swift Taliban takeover of most of Afghanistan this month. Thirteen U.S. service members and scores of others died in a suicide blast outside the airport's gates on Thursday. An Islamic State affiliate claimed it was responsible, after which the U.S. conducted multiple drone strikes against those military officials say were plotting more attacks.

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Tags: Taliban, News, Afghanistan, War in Afghanistan, Military, National Security

Original Author: Luke Gentile

Original Location: Kabul TV anchor insists Afghans should not be afraid as armed Taliban militants stand behind him
The 67-year-old veteran meteorologist stood just yards away from Lake Pontchartrain during Sundays live broadcast, being hit multiple times by waves as winds reached 150 miles per hour

What does legendary meteorologist Al Roker have in common with six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan, other than their shared birthplace of New York City and their widely-regarded status as all-time greats of their respective professions?

Send a slanderous comment their way and they just might take it personally.

Having spent over 40 years in the weather reporting business, Roker had plenty of experience to draw upon during his live report on the scene of Hurricane Ida on Sunday  so he didnt take too kindly to that comments that began circulating social media suggesting the 67-year-old was too washed up to be in harms way and could get washed away by the devastating conditions.

Al Roker attends the Today Show at Rockefeller Plaza on July 16, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

During the broadcast on NBCs Meet the Press, Roker delivered his report standing a few yards away from Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, Louisiana, keeping his balance despite being visibly hit multiple times by waves blown by the hurricanes 150 mile-per-hour winds.

Immediately after the Sunday morning broadcast, social media lit up with comments from viewers concerned about the networks decision to deploy Roker so close to the Category 4 storm.

Al Roker is almost 70 years old, why is this necessary, tweeted HuffPost front page editor Philip Lewis.

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Meet the Press is hazing Al Roker, tweeted NBC television writer Mike Scollins.

Roker addressed the comments later on Sunday during an appearance on MSNBCs The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart, telling any young punks who doubt the veteran meteorologists capabilities to keep up.

I volunteered to come out here, this is what I do. Ive done this for 40 years, Roker said. Our crews, we all make sure we are safe, and were not going to do something to put ourselves in harms way. As much as I love the weather and I love NBC, Im not going to risk my life for it.

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Secondly, well, hes too old to be doing this, well, hey, guess what? Screw you, okay? Roker joked, eliciting a big laugh from Capehart.

Try to keep up. Keep up, OK? he continued. These young punks. Ill come after them. I will drop them like a bag of dirt.

Roker also posted a video to his Instagram account documenting him emptying the water from his boots after returning safely from the broadcast.

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For all those who were worried about me out on #lakepontchartrain a) I volunteered to do this. Part of the job. b) My crew and I were safe and we are back at our hotel and c) for those who think Im too old to to be doing this, try and keep up, he wrote.

Already one of the most powerful storms in U.S. history, Hurricane Ida touched down Sunday along the Gulf Coast near Louisianas Port Fourchon. Coincidentally, 16 years earlier to the day, Hurricane Katrina touched down in New Orleans.

President Joe Biden has deployed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide emergency response services to the affected areas as approximately 212,000 New Orleans residents are currently without power, per NBCs TODAY.

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The post Keep up: Al Roker claps back at viewers concerned he is too old to report live from Hurricane Ida appeared first on TheGrio.
Officials in Paducah, Kentucky have put out the help wanted sign. And theyre looking for 25 applicants to move to the western Kentucky city on the banks of the Ohio River. One catch is you have to have a job already.

In another city, that is.

Earlier this month, Paducah launched its Remote Workers Incentive Program. For the 25 individuals selected, theyll receive a waiver on the citys payroll tax, an allowance for 12 months of internet service, reimbursement for relocation costs and several perks and passes to local businesses, attractions and institutions.

For someone who makes $100,000 a year, taking full advantage of the benefits would equate the incentive package to almost $6,500.

Paducah is among several cities and states that have opened their doors to remote workers. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a massive change in how many companies operate. With more workers able to do their job via computers, VPNs and Skype, they realize they no longer need to live in the same place where they once occupied a cubicle.

According to an article from Bankrate.com, communities like Morgantown, West Virginia and Tulsa, Oklahoma - both larger than Paducah - have local- or state-backed remote worker attraction campaigns. So does Maine, which offers tax credits to recent college graduates with an emphasis on graduates in STEM fields.

The city of more than 27,000 people serves as the hub city of Kentuckys Jackson Purchase, the states westernmost region. Its about 140 miles from Nashville, 175 from Memphis and St. Louis and about 200 from Louisville. Just west of town is Barkley Regional Airport, which features twice-daily service from a United Airlines regional carrier to Chicago OHare International Airport.

But city leaders tell The Center Square proximity isnt the main selling point of the initiative. Rather, its whats the city has itself. Paducah offers a symphony orchestra, arts centers, museums, theaters, boutiques, antiques, and many local dining options.

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A lot of folks will say we punch above our weight We dont operate as a 27,000 population city, Paducah Communications Manager Pam Spencer said. Nobody believes that were that. We look a lot bigger. We act a lot bigger.

It does keep in good company with cities several times its size. Eight years ago, the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (UNESCO) deemed it a Creative City for its role in connecting cultures through creativity. Paducah is one of just nine Creative Cities in the U.S., joining the likes of Austin, Kansas City, Santa Fe and Seattle.

Its the creative type that Paducah hopes to attract as well as young professionals who are often attracted to the types of amenities the city touts. A free one-year membership into the citys young professionals association is part of the citys incentive package to select newcomers.

That group features more than 200 paid members, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilson told The Center Square, and the group has been a vital resource for chamber sponsors and others who want their input on the community.

We felt like its been a great success, she said. When the city was developing the remote worker program they consulted with young professionals on a call about whats attractive about Paducah to them.

Besides already having a job thats at least 100 miles from the city and currently be living at least 100 miles from Paducah, there are other requirements for applicants to meet.

They must be at least 21 and either be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident or able to verify they can work legally in the country. Their job must allow them to either work from home or at a co-working space within the city.

After accepting the citys incentives offer, they must own or lease a primary residence within Paducahs city limits within three months. They must also agree to stay for at least one year after the end of the incentives.

Anyone who meets that criteria can apply. However, Paducah Business Development Specialist Kathryn Byers said there is a focus on workers in Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Houston and Louisville.

If theyre researching opportunities for remote workers, we will pop up there and theyll be able to learn more about our incentive program, Byers told The Center Square.

The project originated from a strategic planning session for the Paducah City Commission, which includes the mayor and the four commissioners (one of whom is Wilson), about six months ago. They made it a priority, Spencer said, because they knew people across the country were interested in remote working opportunities.

That led to the board passing an ordinance for the program and including funding in the citys fiscal year budget, which started on July 1.

The incentive package includes up to $2,500 in reimbursement of relocation expenses, with eligible expenses including a rental deposit or a down payment on a house as well as typical moving expenses. It also includes an internet allowance of up to $70 a month for 12 months as well as nearly $1,150 in local memberships - like the young professionals group - or passes to local attractions and events - like the citys symphony orchestra concerts.

But one of the keys is the 12-month waiver on the citys payroll tax. At 2%, someone who earns $100,000 would save $2,000. Byers said that is an important benefit, especially when attracting workers from a state that does not have income taxes, like Tennessee and Texas.

This is a really unique incentive piece that were able to offer, Byers said. There are a few others that offer this, but we stand out against the crowd with it.

Once the city approves 25 applicants, Spencer said officials will go back to the commission with a summary of how the project worked.

Then it will be the commission's decision on whether they want to fund more money so that we can attract more workers, she said.

More information on the program is available on the Paducah city website.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, State, Kentucky

Original Author: Steve Bittenbender, The Center Square contributor

Original Location: Kentucky city offers incentive program, amenities to attract remote workers
KABUL, Afghanistan  Even as the U.S. and its NATO allies left Afghanistan, some of the gains of the last 20 years were on display as boys and girls rushed to school early Tuesday.

Masooda was hurrying to get to her fifth grade class at a private school. Im not afraid of the Taliban, she said. Why should I be?

Students had been called back to school four days ago. The Taliban have said students will be segregated by sex, but in many schools that was already the practice , except for the early grades.

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MORE ON AFGHANISTAN:

 Rockets fired at Kabul airport amid US withdrawal hit homes

 Qatar emerges as key player in Afghanistan after US pullout

 Afghans killed outside airport were seeking new lives abroad

 White House: US has capacity to evacuate remaining Americans

 Slain Marine who cradled baby at Kabul airport loved her job

 Evacuated Afghan activist dreams of going back home one day

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 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/afghanistan

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

WASHINGTON  Secretary of State Antony Blinken says fewer than 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan who want to leave and the U.S. will continue to try to get them out.

Blinken says the number of Americans left may be closer to 100. He says the U.S. would work with Afghanistans neighbors to secure their departure either overland or by charter flight once the Kabul airport re-opens.

Speaking shortly after the Pentagon announced the completion of the U.S. military pullout Monday, Blinken said the U.S. Embassy in Kabul will remain shuttered and vacant for the foreseeable future.

He says American diplomats who had worked from the now-closed embassy will be based in Doha, Qatar.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. general who oversaw the final evacuation and withdrawal from Afghanistan says the Taliban was significantly helpful in enabling the airlift of Afghans, Americans and others.

The U.S. military spent most of the past two decades fighting the Taliban, but now are adjusting to the fact that the militants have taken control of the country.

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Gen. Frank McKenzie is head of U.S. Central Command. He also said at a Pentagon news conference Monday that he thinks the Taliban will have difficulty securing Kabul in the coming days, not least because of the threat they face from the Islamic State groups Afghanistan affiliate.

McKenzie says Taliban fighters in recent days have freed IS fighters from prisons, swelling their ranks to an estimated 2,000. In his words, Now they are going to be able to reap what they sowed.

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UNITED NATIONS  A divided U.N. Security Council is pressing the Taliban to live up to pledges to let people leave Afghanistan after the U.S. withdraws its forces. But China and Russia have refused to back the resolution, which they portray as diverting blame for the chaos surrounding the U.S. pullout.

French Deputy Ambassador Nathalie Broadhurst, said after Mondays vote that this lack of unity is a disappointment for us and for Afghans. Russia and China abstained from the vote and did not veto the measure.

France sponsored the resolution along with Britain and the U.S. It also calls for letting humanitarian aid flow, upholding human rights and combating terrorism.

The vote came shortly before the U.S. moved its last troops out of Afghanistan, ending Americas longest war.

The resolution says that the Security Council expects that the Taliban will adhere to commitments about letting Afghans and foreigners depart safely.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel after assuming control of the Kabul airport following the U.S. withdrawal.

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WASHINGTON  The Pentagon says that some Americans who wanted to leave Afghanistan were unable to make it to the Kabul airport to board U.S. evacuation flights before the complete evacuation of U.S. forces.

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters that the U.S. believes it was able to evacuate the vast majority of Americans in the country who wanted to leave, but that it was aware of some who were couldnt depart.

McKenzie says that in the final American flights out of Afghanistan, We were not able to bring any Americans out. The last American civilians were evacuated about 12 hours before U.S. forces left.

McKenzie says the effort to bring out Americans will now fall on diplomatic channels.

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden pledged that the U.S. would remain in Afghanistan until it was able to get all of its citizens out of the country. If theres American citizens left, were going to stay until we get them all out, he told ABC News.

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WASHINGTON  The Pentagon says it remains prepared to airlift more Americans from the Kabul airport, even as the evacuation winds down.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters Monday there is still time for remaining Americans to get out. He would not be more specific about the state of the evacuation. He said a total of 5,400 Americans have been airlifted thus far.

President Joe Biden has set Tuesday as a deadline for completing the evacuation.

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DOHA, Qatar  The Taliban have called on all employees of private and state universities in Afghanistan to resume their work starting Tuesday.

A spokesman for the insurgent group's political office in Doha, Qatar tweeted a statement, which calls on both male and female employees to return to work.

The statement says the Ministry of Higher Education calls on rectors, deans, professors and administrative staff to report to their jobs Tuesday "and resume their administrative and academic works including making due preparations for starting classes.

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ISLAMABAD  Pakistans interior minister says his country has not granted refugee status to a single person from Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in Kabul this month.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Monday that Pakistan is helping to facilitate the evacuation of those foreigners desiring to leave Afghanistan. However, he said so far there has not been any influx of foreigners from Afghanistan, as was feared last week following the attack at the Kabul airport.

Pakistani authorities have repeatedly said they cannot accommodate any new influx of Afghan refugees.

About 2 million Afghans are already living as refugees in Pakistan, some for more than 40 years reflecting Afghanistans decades of violence.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Qatar is in talks about providing civilian technical assistance to the Taliban at Kabuls international airport once the U.S. military withdrawal is complete on Tuesday.

Qatars Foreign Ministry confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that the country has been taking part in negotiations about the operations of Kabul airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the United States and Turkey.

Qatars Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater said in a statement Qatars main priority is restoring regular operations while preserving safety and security at the airport facilities.

Qatar has ties with both Washington and the Taliban, which took control over nearly all of Afghanistan in past weeks. The tiny Gulf Arab state is taking part in a meeting of key partners hosted by the United States on Monday to discuss next steps in Afghanistan.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  A plane provided by the government of Pakistan has brought medicine and health supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistan.

WHO said Mondays shipment was the first of medical supplies to land in Afghanistan since the country came under control of the Taliban two weeks ago.

The plane, which departed from Dubai, landed in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

WHO said the supplies included trauma kits and emergency health kits enough to cover the basic needs of more than 200,000 people, as well as treat 6,500 trauma patients. It said the supplies will be delivered to 40 health facilities in 29 provinces across Afghanistan.

The plane was loaded with supplies by WHOs logistics team at the International Humanitarian City in Dubai. WHO said that a reliable humanitarian air bridge is urgently required.

The demanding humanitarian work of meeting the needs of tens of millions of vulnerable Afghans who remain in the country is now beginning, the agency added.

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CAIRO  The Islamic State groups affiliate in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for Mondays rocket attack in Kabul, saying it fired at least six Katyusha rockets at the airport in the Afghan capital.

The rockets stuck a neighborhood close to the Kabul airport. The claim of responsibility was carried by the militant groups media arm, the Aamaq news agency. It didnt provide further details.

The U.S. military said five rockets targeted the airport on Monday morning and that U.S. forces on the airfield used a defensive system to intercept them.

The attack did not halt the steady stream of U.S. military C-17 cargo jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

It was the latest attack by the militants. The Islamic State group launched a devastating suicide bombing Thursday at one of the airport gates that killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. military says five rockets targeted the Kabul airport on Monday morning and U.S. forces on the airfield used a defensive system to intercept them.

Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for the U.S. militarys Central Command, said there were no U.S. casualties. He said U.S. forces used a defensive weapon known by the acronym C-RAM  a Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System  in response to the attack.

It targeted the rockets in a whirling hail of ammunition, Urban said. The system has a distinct, drill-like sound that echoed through the city at the time of the attack.

He said the Kabul airfield remains operational as the evacuation continued on Monday. Other details were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, Ross Wilson, the charge daffaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul now working out of the airport, insisted that evacuations remain ongoing Monday. He dismissed as false claims that American citizens have been turned away or were denied access to the Kabul airport by U.S. Embassy staff or American troops.

This is a high-risk operation. Claims that American citizens have been turned away or denied access to HKIA by Embassy staff or US Forces are false, he said in a message on Twitter, using the acronym for the Kabul airport. He did not elaborate.

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ISLAMABAD  Pakistans ambassador to Kabul said on Monday that his countrys national carrier is setting up an airlift for medical supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistans northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

The diplomat, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, announced on Twitter that the state-run Pakistan International Airlines will serve as a humanitarian air bridge for essential supplies to Afghanistan, in coordination with international agencies.

He thanked PIA, as the carrier is known, for the supplies. It wasnt immediately cleat when the airlift would begin.

The latest development comes days after WHO sought Pakistans help in airlifting medical supplies to Afghanistan following last weeks deadly attack on the Kabul airport.

Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

Later on Monday, Pakistans state-run news agency said the PIA plane landed in Mazar-e-Sharif after taking of from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

___

TIRANA, Albania  Another plane carrying 150 Afghans who fled their homeland fearing the Taliban takeover arrived in Albania early on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said.

The new arrivals brought the total number of Afghans brought to this Balkan country to 607. A ministry statement said the plane had come from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Albania has accommodated most of the Afghans in hotels and some of them temporarily at the students campus in the capital of Tirana.

The government has said it may house up to 4,000 Afghans for at least a year before they move to the United States for final settlement.

___

ISLAMABAD  Pakistans military says suspected militants fired across the border from Afghanistan at a military post in northwestern Pakistan, killing two soldiers.

The military says the cross-border attack took place on Sunday, in the district of Bajur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It said Pakistani troops returned fire in a befitting manner, killing some attackers and wounding others.

The military said Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan" and expects the current and future authorities in Afghanistan not to allow such activities.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack and the Pakistani military provided no further details. Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused one another of harboring militants fighting against the other's government.

The two share an internationally recognized border known as the Durand Line, which was drawn in the 19th century when the British dominated South Asia. Kabul has never recognized the boundary.
With less than two weeks before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the United States has announced the end of its military mission in Afghanistan.

"I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens," Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., U.S. CENTCOM commander, announced at a Pentagon briefing on Monday evening. The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 30, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m. east coast time.

All of the remaining U.S. troops in Afghanistan, a number that progressively dwindled ahead of the exit date, had left the country shortly after midnight in Kabul, in line with President Joe Bidens self-imposed withdrawal date, as celebratory gunfire rang out across the capital city.

HAQQANI LEADER SAYS 'WE ARE THE TALIBAN,' CONTRARY TO STATE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS

"Tonight's withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after Sept. 11, 2001," he added. "It's a mission that brought Osama bin Laden to just end along with many of his al Qaeda co-conspirators, and it was not a cheap mission."

McKenzie said that some American citizens, likely in "the very low hundreds," were left behind. He said he believed they would still be able to depart Afghanistan if they so desire.

In the 20 years U.S. forces were in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense spent $837 billion dollars on warfighting while the government spent an additional $145 billion trying to rebuild the country, its security forces, and economy, according to the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstructions August report detailing lessons from twenty years of Afghanistan reconstruction.

When the war began in 2001, the U.S. government, led by President George W. Bush, sought to eliminate al Qaeda, the terrorist organization responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and hurt the Taliban for allowing the group to use the country as a safe haven.

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After approximately 3,500 American and allied troops lost their lives in the war, the United States is leaving with the Taliban once again in control of Afghanistan and a terror organization, ISIS-K, posing threats. An ISIS-K orchestrated terrorist attack killed more than 170 people and 13 U.S. service members last Thursday, making it one of one the bloodiest days of the 20-year war, one of its final ones.

The Taliban launched an 11-day military offensive in which they easily defeated the Afghan forces that the U.S. had trained and expected to maintain control of the country for months, if not years. Once the Taliban took control of the country, the U.S. and other Western allies began evacuating their citizens and Afghans who could be targeted under the Taliban regime.

The U.S. has evacuated or facilitated the evacuation of approximately 116,700 people since Aug. 14 and roughly 122,300 during the entire month of August, according to the White House, making it the biggest air evacuation in history.

John Sopko, the Afghan inspector general, found that there were several areas of improvement during the U.S.s time in Afghanistan, specifically citing healthcare, maternal care, and education, though he noted, Progress has been elusive, and the prospects for sustaining the progress that was made are dubious.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

He also concluded that the U.S. didnt have a coherent strategy for what it hoped to achieve, that they consistently underestimated the amount of time required to rebuild Afghanistan, and that many of the institutions built were not sustainable.

Biden, who spent eight years as vice president during the war, repeatedly said he was determined to make sure he did not pass the war along to his successor. Four presidents, two Democrats and two Republicans, served during the war.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Afghanistan, War in Afghanistan, Joe Biden, National Security, Foreign Policy

Original Author: Mike Brest

Original Location: 'Military mission' and evacuations over in Afghanistan
TSA

A mother in North Carolina has filed a lawsuit against the Transportation Security Administration over an incident in May 2019 that took place at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The mother says that TSA agents pressed her trans daughter to be strip-searched.

According to the lawsuit filed last week, Kimberly Erway and her then-15-year-old daughter, Jamii Erway, were flying from the airport. As Jamii went into the TSA body scanner it reported a false positive, according to USA Today. Erway spoke to the TSA about the scan and her daughter.

Eventually, a TSA screener told the pair that Jamii would have to have her genitals checked, the lawsuit claims.

On its website, the TSA states that once someone enters the scanner, the TSA officer presses a button designating a gender (male/female) based on how you present yourself.

The agencys website also says it recognizes the concerns that some members of the transgender community may have with certain security screening procedures at the nation's security checkpoints. TSA is committed to ensuring all travelers are treated with respect and courtesy. Screening is conducted without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, religion or disability.

Jamii told the scanner operator she was transgender and asked to be rescanned after the false positive, but the lawsuit says the operator refused. The operator then called over a supervisor. That supervisor told Jamii would have to go in a private room and wouldnt be allowed to leave the area if she refused.

The supervisor called a police officer to them when Kimberly wouldnt agree. The officer wouldnt detain the teen, CNN reported.

The family then rented a car and drove 600 miles home, according to the complaint.

Erway is requesting a jury trial, unspecified damages, and an injunction preventing similar situations from happening in the future. The family is also suing the TSA supervisor.
The heckler got right up in Brewsters face while the anchor attempted to push him back

NBC News correspondent Shaquille Brewster was covering Hurricane Ida when he had to cut his live report short after an aggressive heckler violated his space.

Craig, Im going to toss it back to you because we have a person who needs a little help right now, Brewster told MSNBC anchor Craig Melvin on Monday as the unknown man approached the crew during the live shot.

The heckler is seen in the background pulling up in a white pickup truck and then rushing towards the news crew. He gets right up in Brewsters face and the anchor attempts to push him back by pressing his hand to the mans chest.

(Credit: screenshot)

Watch the moment via the clip below.

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The heckler is unintelligible for the most part but as reported by Mediaite, he seems to be demanding that Brewster report the news accurately.

Another member of the crew intervenes as the shot returns to Melvin in the studio who is shocked by the unfolding scene.

Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Ummmm, were going to check in with Shaq Brewster just to make sure all is well. There is a lot of crazy out there. There is a lot of crazy, Melvin said. He then cut to an interview with Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), before coming back later to update viewers about Brewsters safety.

You probably saw or heard a few moments ago, one of our correspondents was disrupted by some wacky guy during his live shot there in Mississippi, Melvin said. Pleased to report that Shaquille Brewster is just fine. Shaq is okay.

Melvin also addressed the altercation on Twitter, writing, This is beyond unacceptable and disgusting. [Brewster] was trying to do his job on a beach in Gulfport, MS. Shaq is ok. This guy who nearly attacked him clearly is not.

Brewster also tweeted that he was unharmed.

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At the time of this report, the man who accosted Melvin has not yet been identified.

MSNBC President Rashida Jones praised Brewster as a consummate professional for how he handled the heckler.

Story continues

Shaq Brewster is an exceptional journalist, Jones said. Like the consummate professional, he did not let someone intimidate him from doing his job. Were glad he and the team are safe, and we couldnt be more proud and supportive of their work.

Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the US, blowing off roofs and at one point, temporarily reversing the flow of the Mississippi River as it rushed from the Louisiana coast toward New Orleans and one of the nations most important industrial corridors, theGrio previously reported.

The Category 4 storm hit on the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier, coming ashore about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of where Category 3 Katrina first struck land.

Idas 150-mph (230 kph) winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the mainland U.S. It dropped hours later to a Category 3 storm with maximum winds of 120 mph (193 kph) as it crawled inland, its eye 25 miles (40 kilometers) west-southwest of New Orleans.

Officials said Idas swift intensification from a few thunderstorms to a massive hurricane in just three days left no time to organize a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans 390,000 residents. Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged residents remaining in the city on Sunday to hunker down.

Comparisons to the Aug. 29, 2005, landfall of Katrina weighed heavily on residents bracing for Ida. Katrina was blamed for 1,800 deaths as it caused levee breaches and catastrophic flooding in New Orleans.

Idas hurricane-force winds stretched 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the storms eye, or about half the size of Katrina, and a New Orleans infrastructure official emphasized that the city is in a very different place than it was 16 years ago.

At least 619,000 customers were already without power Sunday after nightfall, according to PowerOutage.US, which tracks outages nationwide.

This story contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.

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The post NBCs Shaquille Brewster accosted by heckler during live storm coverage appeared first on TheGrio.
One student was shot and injured at a North Carolina high school Monday morning, drawing a heavy police presence.

The New Hanover County Sheriffs Office arrested and charged a 15-year-old with multiple charges, including possession of a weapon on school grounds, discharging a weapon on school grounds and attempted first-degree murder.

MOLLIE TIBBETTS' KILLER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON

Sheriff Ed McMahon said the shooting took place after an argument escalated to a fight around 11 a.m. near New Hanover High School.

The injured student was taken to hospital for treatment. The students injuries appeared to be not life-threatening.

WISCONSIN BOY, 12, DIES AFTER ALLEGED HAMMER ATTACK; 8-YEAR-OLD ALSO INJURED, REPORT SAYS

"We were lucky today," said Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo. "I saw that video and to see a person take matters into their own hands and start shooting a gun in a crowded school is unfathomable. Were not going to tolerate it."

"This culture of retaliation has got to stop," he added. "Were going to use all of our resources to make sure it stops."

CHICAGO POLICE INVESTIGATE VIDEOS OF WHITE OFFICER CONFRONTING BLACK WOMAN WALKING DOG

School district administrators put both Williston Middle School and Gregory Elementary under a shelter in place order, WECT News 6 reported. School officials evacuated students to Williston for a headcount before allowing parents to collect their children.

A video circulated on social media purportedly showing the fight that led to the shooting, but the connection has not been confirmed; however, three gunshots can be heard at the end of the video.
CINCINNATTI  A suburban Cincinnati woman, whose husband has been on a ventilator in the hospital with COVID-19, won a court order forcing the hospital to treat her husband's virus with an anti-parasitic treatment commonly used for livestock.

The case is one of a handful nationwide where courts have sided with family members and forced doctors to use Ivermectin, which is unproven in the treatment of COVID-19 and is not recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Jeffrey Smith, 51, came down with COVID-19 in early July and has been in the intensive care unit of a Butler County hospital for weeks. His wife, Julie Smith, asked in Butler County Common Pleas Court on Aug. 20 for an emergency order for the use of Ivermectin.

Fact check: Ivermectin is not a proven treatment for COVID-19

UC Health will open a liver transplant evaluation clinic at West Chester Hospital on Friday, Feb. 19.

Judge Gregory Howard gave the go-ahead on Aug. 23 to Dr. Fred Wagshul's prescription of 30 milligrams of Ivermectin daily for three weeks, as requested by his wife. Court documents show Julie Smith is the guardian for her husband.

Wagshul is a Dayton, Ohio-area pulmonologist who is listed as a founder of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, a nonprofit that touts Ivermectin as both a preventative and treatment for COVID-19. The organization's How To Get Ivermectin section on its websites includes prices and locations of pharmacies that will supply it.

Julie Smith explored Ivermectin as an option for her husband's treatment on her own and connected with Wagshul. He prescribed the drug, and the hospital refused to administer it.

Poison control centers have been an uptick in calls about the drug, with some callers reporting significant symptoms such as extreme vomiting or blurred vision.

Ivermectin was originally developed to deworm livestock animals before doctors began using it against parasitic diseases among humans. The drug is available with a prescription to treat head lice, onchocerciasis (river blindness) and other ailments in humans.

Story continues

The FDA, the CDC and the National Institutes of Health have warned Americans against the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19, a viral disease. The drug is unproven as a treatment, they say, and large doses of it can be dangerous and cause serious harm.

As the delta variant has caused high transmission rates of COVID-19, rising interest in the drug has been fueled by endorsements from allies of former President Donald Trump as well as U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., and Fox News personalities Laura Ingraham and Sean Hannity. The CDC warned reports of poisoning related to use of Ivermectin have increased threefold this year, spiking in July.

Protesters gather across the street from the Hamilton County Public Health building in Cincinnati's Corryville neighborhood on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021.

An animal dewormer to treat COVID?: Poison control centers see uptick in calls; stores sell out

Julie Smith filed the lawsuit on behalf of her husband of 24 years. He tested positive for COVID-19 July 9, and was admitted to the ICU July 15 where he was put on the hospital's COVID-19 protocol of the antiviral drug Remdesivir along with plasma and steroids. On July 27, "after a period of relative stability," Jeffrey Smith's condition began to decline.

He was sedated and intubated and placed on a ventilator on Aug. 1 and later placed in a medically induced coma. "My husband is on death's doorstep; he has no other options," she wrote in an affidavit filed with her lawsuit, adding at another point that her husband's chances of survival had "dropped to less than 30%."

Julie Smith says her husband is a network engineer for Verizon. "He enjoys fishing, hiking and campaign with our family," she said in the affidavit. The Smiths live in Fairfield Township and have three children. "Family is his everything," Julie Smith said.

The lawsuit doesnt mention whether Jeffrey Smith is vaccinated against COVID-19. However, overwhelming majorities of people currently hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated  data from the Ohio Department of Health shows of roughly 21,000 Ohioans hospitalized with COVID-19 since Jan. 1, only about 500 were vaccinated.

COVID-19 treatment: Arkansas doctor prescribed anti-parasitic drug 'thousands' of times for COVID

A sign at a Missouri store warns customers that Ivermectin is

A hospital spokeswoman said she couldn't comment on litigation and federal patient privacy laws prevent her from commenting on any specifics of patient care.

Smith is represented by lawyer Ralph Lorigo, the chairman of New Yorks Erie County Conservative Party, who has successfully file two similar cases in Illinois (one against a Chicago area hospital and two more in upstate New York).

In an interview with the Ohio Capital Journal, Wagshul said the science behind Ivermectins use in COVID-19 patients is irrefutable. The CDC and FDA engaged in a conspiracy, he said, to block its use to protect the FDAs emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines. He said the mainstream media and social media companies have been engaging in censorship on Ivermectins merits, and that the U.S. governments refusal to acknowledge its benefits amounts to genocide.

Wagshul also said he had no financial interest in the sale of Ivermectin.

Dr. Leanne Chrisman-Khawam, a physician and professor at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, called the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance snake oil salesmen.

She reviewed the associations research on the drugs uses and said there are some serious problems with its cited studies: many of them dont show positive results, and those that do bear design flaws like small control groups, unaccounted for variables, nonblinded studies, not accounting for mitigations like vaccines and masking practices, and others.

Based on evidence-based medicine and my read on this large number of small studies, I would find this very suspect, even the positive outcomes, she told the Ohio Capital Journal.

This report was originally published in the Ohio Capital Journal

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio judge orders hospital to treat COVID patient with Ivermectin
People gather at a building destroyed by Saudi-led air strikes in the northwestern city of Amran, Yemen (Reuters)

Three years ago in Yemen, a missile struck a school bus killing 26 children, more bystanders, and maiming close to 100. There was no military target, no opposing soldiers, no militants, no reason. Just a stationary bus and a driver gone to seek water for thirsty kids, while others shopped for groceries in the local market. When families came to collect the dead, the blast had been so devastating some were unable to recover any body parts at all.

There have been so many more attacks just like the school bus in Yemen over the last six years, during the worlds worst and least known war. From a double missile launch on an indoor funeral delivering death for hundreds and life changing injury for more, to the use of foreign mercenaries in combat and torture  they risk being nothing but stories: truths, detailed by international NGOs, and reported in the worlds media  but not evidence laid out in any courtroom where such crimes of war and inhumanity should be held to account. For in Yemen there is no tribunal and there will be no trial to hear these charges. The victims would never secure one.

Nor can anyone believe the words of the coalitions public relations officials  who claimed, after these attacks, there would be investigations. They are, after all, just three incidents in a six-year war of 20,000 airstrikes, a quarter of a million deaths, and four million civilian displacements. For this coalition, three is a number that must surely move no heart. A school bus, a funeral, and abuse and death at the hands of foreign mercenaries: this is nothing.

Thats why we raise a submission today before the International Criminal Court at the Hague in Europe on behalf of more than 200 victims and their families. When many of the applicants remain living in Yemen, they risk their lives to submit it. No matter: they call on the worlds court to launch an investigation into these three incidents  and many more  and start to assuage their grief.

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The ICC, established to deal with the most serious offences, remains a voluntary tribunal. Yemen is not a member; nor is Saudi Arabia, nor UAE  the two, undisputed leaders of the war coalition. Without crimes committed either within a signatory state, or by one, the cause is surely lost. As recent attempts to open a case into genocide against the Chinese Uighurs demonstrate, no matter how terrible the evidence, even launching an investigation is beyond a court which holds uncertain jurisdiction to do so.

But with Yemen it is different. There were, and there still are, members of the Saudi-war coalition that are state signatories to the court. Their allegiance to both offers a route to redress. ICC member Jordan has contributed warplanes and has taken part in airstrikes; ICC member Senegal has provided more than 2,000 ground troops. Another ICC signatory and coalition partner at the time of these three attacks was the Maldives. Whilst their practical contribution is less clear, a formal investigation would establish the facts.

So too would an investigation into the extent of involvement of several hundred mainly Colombian mercenaries  their home also an ICC member country  reported as contract killers for the United Arab Emirates. Victims making the submission are giving evidence of imprisonment, torture, and worse by their hands.

The evidence submitted today opens doors to the prosecution of senior military and politicians for war crimes. Ever since the ICC initiated an investigation into alleged crimes of military personnel from the United Kingdom (a member state) in Iraq (a non-member state), this jurisdiction has been firmly established and consolidated. Here no case was subsequently begun  it was concluded that the UK was more than capable of addressing such cases itself  and the opportunity for plaintiffs to seek redress in Britain was substantial. No-one needs to be a lawyer to realise the chance of such cases going to court in other ICC states must be more slender.

But this submission offers more than just hope for victims: it offers promise for the court and its cause of international justice. The ICC is plagued by accusations of bias  from putting only Black Africans on trial, to not bringing investigations conducted beyond that continent to court. It offers a chance for its vindication, and an opportunity for the new Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC to reimagine its international remit and relevance after some $2bn (1.4bn) spent on only 10 convictions in close to 20 years.

So, with clear evidence and strong jurisdiction, the case is there to be investigated. But will the court grasp it? What is certain is that Yemenis have no choice but to come to the ICCs door. They deserve truth and trials. And if not at the ICC, then where?

Almudena Bernabeu is co-counsel for the victims, a winner of the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award, and founder of the Guernica Center for International Justice. She was formerly director of the San Francisco-based Center for Justice & Accountability.

Toby Cadman is co-founder of Guernica37 Chambers of London, and lead counsel for the victims.

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Associated Press

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam granted posthumous pardons Tuesday to seven Black men who were executed in 1951 for the rape of a white woman, in a case that attracted pleas for mercy from around the world and in recent years has been denounced as an example of racial disparity in the use of the death penalty. Cries and sobs could be heard from some of the descendants after Northam's announcement. The Martinsville Seven," as the men became known, were all convicted of raping 32-year-old Ruby Stroud Floyd, a white woman who had gone to a predominantly black neighborhood in Martinsville, Virginia, on Jan. 8, 1949, to collect money for clothes she had sold.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday pushed back on a recent report that the U.S. gave the Taliban lists identifying the Americans and Afghans trying to evacuate the country through the airport in Kabul.

Psaki acknowledged that U.S. commanders have provided the names of evacuees to the Taliban as they arrived at checkpoints, but denied that the military has provided lists of would-be evacuees to the Taliban preemptively, as indicated by Politico.

First let me say there have been reports that we provided lists of people who want to leave Afghanistan to the Taliban. Thats inaccurate. Thats misreported and misconstrued, Psaki said.

There have been limited cases where it is possible that when buses or individuals are at a border checkpoint and theyre trying to get through, in order to get them through to evacuate them successfully, we have had to coordinate and provide details, Psaki continued. I dont have confirmation of those events, but that is the scenario in a limited case where that would happen. And in the vast majority of cases, those individuals have been evacuated.

In response to a follow-up question, Psaki attempted to clarify her remarks.

Reports or suggestions that we were giving a preemptive list of Afghans who want to leave the country is inaccurate, Psaki said. There could be cases where commanders who are communicating with the Taliban to get people through checkpointswere saying heres individuals who need to get through.'

The U.S. gave names of American citizens, green-card holders, and Afghan allies to the Taliban so that militants providing security at the Kabul airport would let them through the outer perimeter, Politico reported on Thursday. Thousands of Americans and Afghans have attempted to leave Afghanistan via the airport and have faced hurdles reaching it including Taliban checkpoints and threat of terror attacks.

National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne told Politico at the time that in limited cases we have shared information with the Taliban that has successfully facilitated evacuations from Kabul.

Story continues

Critics of the administration responded to the Politico report by accusing the military of providing the Taliban with a kill list that would enable the terrorist group to quickly round up and execute any Afghans who worked with the U.S. military throughout the 20-year occupation.

President Biden said on Thursday that he couldnt say with any certitude that theres actually been a list of names.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also pushed back on media coverage of the issue in an interview on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday.

Weve given no list of all the American SIV holders to the Taliban or any other kind of big list, Sullivan said. The way that we are moving thousandsof Afghans at risk to the airport is asking them to muster, many of them on buses, bringing them to the airport. And then we work with the Taliban, group by group, bus by bus, to get them through the Taliban checkpoints and on to the airport compound.

More from National Review
Storyful

Imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations GOESWest and GOES17 satellites shows the nearly 300-square-mile Caldor Fire burning near Lake Tahoe, California, from space on August 30.The Caldor Fire grew to 191,607 acres and was 16 percent contained by Tuesday, August 31, official reports said. Since August 14, the wildfire had destroyed 486 single residences and 11 commercial structures, fire officials reported.On Monday, California Gov Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency proclamation for Alpine, Amador, and Placer counties due to the fire.Mandatory evacuations were in place in parts of the three California counties, and an evacuation warning was in place for nearby Douglas County, Nevada, as of Tuesday. Credit: NOAA Satellites via Storyful
The ACLU and other reproductive rights advocates Monday said they have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a restrictive Texas abortion law that is set to take effect Wednesday.

Why it matters: The law bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks, and before many people know they are pregnant. The law also offers at least $10,000 to citizens who successfully sue any person assisting pregnant people in violation of the ban. It is one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the U.S.

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"Our creator endowed us with the right to life and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said when he signed the law in May.

It also does not provide exceptions for incest or rape.

What they're saying: About 85% to 90% of people who access abortion services in Texas are at least six weeks into pregnancy, "meaning this law would prohibit nearly all abortions in the state," according to the ACLU.

It also "creates a bounty hunting scheme that encourages the general public to bring costly and harassing lawsuits against anyone who they believe has violated the ban," including people driving someone to get an abortion, health care workers and clergy members who offer counsel, the ACLU said in a statement.

"The law would present an insurmountable barrier for many patients, with particularly severe impact on the communities that already bear the brunt of Texass pre-existing web of medically unnecessary abortion restrictions: people of color, people with low incomes, and young people," per the Center for Reproductive Rights.

The filing comes after an appeals court declined to block the law on Sunday.

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(Reuters) - Rolls-Royce shareholder Causeway Capital Management has called on the British engine-maker's incoming chair to refresh the board, the Financial Times reported.

"I really believe the board needs some fresh thinking. The company is facing some challenges," Jonathan Eng, portfolio manager at Causeway Capital Management, told the Financial Times in an interview.

The California-based investment group is Rolls-Royce's second-largest shareholder with an about 7% stake, behind Capital Research Global Investors which owns about 9%, as per Refinitiv data.

Causeway Capital could not be immediately reached by Reuters for a comment.

"We regularly review the effectiveness, composition and skillset of our Board, using independent advice and benchmarking," a spokesperson for Rolls-Royce told Reuters.

Rolls-Royce said in June that Anita Frew would succeed Ian Davis as chair on Oct. 1. Frew, who would become the first woman to chair the company, will take over at a time when the British firm is undertaking cost-cuts and asset sales to repair its finances.

Revenues at Rolls' civil aviation unit, its biggest business, tumbled as airlines stopped flying last year, resulting in a perilous few months before the company raised more cash and secured loans.

Rolls-Royce also needed to make sure it had the right expertise to tackle the decarbonisation challenge, Eng added.

(Reporting by Kannaki Deka in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
A Twin Cities acupuncture school and clinic that had a massage program shuttered by the state last year over suspicions of sex trafficking is facing more questions about its practices, Axios has learned.

What's happening: A class action suit filed against the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) alleges that owners engaged in an "illegal, intentional, and systematic scheme" to steal wages from its acupuncturists.

The federal complaint claims the clinic's previous owner didn't pay overtime or provide meal breaks, and illegally withheld 5% of employees' salaries to offset losses from canceled appointments. The lawsuit was filed in April but it has not been previously reported.

Three named plaintiffs, who either currently work at the school or once did, are seeking unspecified damages on behalf of all impacted employees.

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Context: Minnesota's Office of Higher Education shuttered the school's Chinese-language massage program and ordered the former owners to relinquish control in 2020, after its office "determined there is a theme of prostitution and/or human trafficking" involving students and internships.

The school has since reopened under new ownership as the American Academy of Health and Wellness. The lawsuit does not list the new owner by name, only as "successors."

Zoom out: AAAOM was featured in a new report from nonprofit Seldin/Haring-Smith Foundation that details troubling signs of sex trafficking in state-authorized schools across the nation. The researchers behind the case study highlight failures in oversight and enforcement related to the issue.

What they're saying: Attorneys representing the defendants denied all allegations in a legal filing. School officials who served under the previous owners have denied the trafficking claims, saying the program was unfairly targeted.

Story continues

The new owner disputed overtime claims via email and told us plaintiffs are being paid at an agreed upon rate.

In July, he told the Star Tribune he's working to rebuild community trust so he can continue teaching the practice to new students.

Plus: The foundation's report on suspicions of sex trafficking at AAAOM and other massage schools, highlighted in a USA Today investigation, has caught the eye of federal regulators and lawmakers.

The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter this month to the accrediting agency that renewed AAAOM's certification in 2018, seeking more information about that vetting process and approval of the change in ownership.

The U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee is also calling for more action to address sex trafficking in trade schools.

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Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin , is investigating reports that buses of Americans were turned away from the Kabul airport as they tried to evacuate the country last week.

Johnson sent a letter on Friday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin regarding "troubling" news reports that "contradict the Biden administrations narrative" on their botched troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The senator pointed at allegations that buses full of American evacuees were turned away from the Kabul airport in the early morning last Thursday.

PENTAGON UNABLE TO DISPUTE CIVILIAN CASUALTIES, DEFENDS DRONE STRIKE ON IMMINENT THREAT

Johnson's letter noted that "Chad Robichaux, who has been working with non-government organizations to help evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies, stated that a group of over 400 individuals including U.S. citizens were turned away at the airport."

"Robichaux alleged that after buses full of potential evacuees arrived at the airport they "were met by the commander of the 82nd Airborne Brigade" who told them to get back on their buses and turn around because 'the rescue was over,'" the senator continued.

Johnson wrote that it is "not clear what happened to the Americans and the other individuals after they left the airport" and demanded information regarding the report from the Cabinet secretaries.

Specifically, the senator asked for the secretaries to hand over the "generalized or specific order was given to the commander that caused him to take this alleged action," where the order came from, and who the order originated from.

The Wisconsin Republican also asked if either department was "aware" of the allegations of Americans being turned away at the airport, if there was an open investigation into the matter, and what the administration is "doing to locate and evacuate the American citizens that were allegedly turned away."

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The secretaries were given a deadline of Monday, Aug. 30 to provide answers to the questions.

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the State Department pointed Fox News to a tweet from acting Afghanistan Ambassador Ross Wilson denouncing the claims of Americans being turned away as "false."

"This is a high-risk operation," Ross tweeted on Monday. "Claims that American citizens have been turned away or denied access to HKIA by Embassy staff or US Forces are false."

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to Fox News request for comment.
Aug. 29Spokane Valley firefighters quickly doused a garage fire and rescued a dog on Sunday afternoon, according to a news release.

The fire was reported just after 1 p.m. in the 2700 block of South Bowdish Road, according to the fire department. Neighbors had noticed the smoke in the garage and were attempting to extinguish the flames using garden hoses.

Firefighters forced entry into the garage and put the fire out within minutes, according to the news release. The dog was found inside and safely removed from the garage.

There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
By Abdel Hadi Ramahi and Mohammed Benmansour

AJMAN, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) - Five months ago, 35-year-old Abadat left Afghanistan with her two teenage daughters for the Gulf fearing for their safety after a series of explosions rocked the neighbourhood where they lived.

Now safely in the United Arab Emirates, Abadat fears for her family back in Afghanistan following the swift take over by the Taliban that culminated in the capture of Kabul on Aug. 15.

"Im really scared for them and I wish I can help them and bring them to me or to any other country that is safe, she said of her mother and three sisters, all Kabul residents.

The UAE, who sent troops to Afghanistan during the twenty year war including to train Afghan forces, says it has facilitated the evacuation of at least 36,500 people from Afghanistan and that as of this week it was temporarily housing around 8,500 Afghans.

Abadat now lives in Ajman in the north of the UAE, and is getting support from the local groups helping people in need.

Abadat said she worries that Afghan women's lives will become increasingly difficult under the Taliban, an ultra-hardline Sunni Islamist group which largely barred women from working or studying during their 1996-2001 rule.

"Women's rights are lost ... Our life is difficult in Afghanistan with the Taliban in charge, it's very hard," said Abadat, who declined to disclose her surname for security reasons.

Since capturing Kabul on Aug. 15, the Taliban have shown a more moderate face and said they will respect women's rights this time round, but these statements have done little to reassure Abadat.

"I am frightened and tense. It's not safe to live in that country," she said, adding that the country was not safe even before the Taliban took over.

In neighbouring Saudi Arabia, Afghan Khalid Abdulrasheed told Reuters he prays for peace in his country and that all those who recently fled will be able to return safely.

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Others hope that a looming economic crisis caused by the Taliban takeover can be staved off.

"We want a government to be formed. The Taliban are also our brothers... We want to have a government so that in future everything gets back to normal," Afghan Sheren Agha said in Riyadh.

(Benmansour reporter from Riyadh, writing by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
(Reuters) - The final U.S. departure from Kabul airport is under way and "core diplomatic staff" have departed, a U.S. official who left Kabul earlier on Monday told Reuters.

A second official confirmed that the bulk of diplomats had pulled out. The officials did not say whether they included top envoy Ross Wilson, expected to be among the last to leave. Washington is expected to withdraw all its diplomats from Kabul before pulling out the final troops by a Tuesday deadline.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Peter Graff)
Reports from the ground indicate that a U.S. drone strike targeting the Islamic State killed 10 Afghan civilians, including several children, in Kabul on Sunday.

The strike reportedly took out a vehicle armed with explosives that allegedly posed a threat to Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport, which was the site of a devastating suicide bombing just days before. U.S. Central Command later acknowledged in a statement that "we know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties," adding that "it is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further."

Los Angeles Times foreign correspondent Nabih Bulos, who is in Kabul, reported that it's still not certain whether the U.S. drone strike was the cause of the fatalities because there were also reports of a mortar attack in the same area. One way to tell, he said, is by the Pentagon clarifying what type of missile it used.

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If it was the same strike, though, Bulos lamented that the 20-year war in Afghanistan ended the way it started, "with civilians bearing the brunt of it."

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City on September 24, 2019. Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to meet with President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

US interests in Ukraine are principally about avoiding conflict with Russia.

Biden won't do himself or Zelensky any favors if he keeps backing Ukraine's maximalist positions.

Matthew Mai is an intern at Defense Priorities.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

In June, President Joe Biden hosted Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the White House. Notably, he did not bother masking the inevitable security challenges the government would face once US troops left the country, saying, "Afghans are going to have to decide their future, what they want."

The message was clear: After 20 years, $2 trillion in costs, and 2,500 Americans killed, the reality on the ground in Afghanistan was not going to be fundamentally changed by continued US military involvement.

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits the White House on Wednesday, Biden has another opportunity to bring that same realism to bear.

When Russia deployed infantry and armor units to Ukraine's eastern border back in the spring, the administration offered its support for Ukraine's "sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations." More specifically, the US does not officially recognize Crimea or Donbas as part of Russia and supports Ukraine eventually becoming a member of NATO.

Zelenskiy visiting the war-hit Donbas region in eastern Ukraine on April 8. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP

Despite these official positions, the Biden administration's policy decisions instead reflect the constraints on US power abroad and the peripheral importance of Ukraine's security to US national interests.

Rather than alienate Germany - a country Biden's foreign-policy team views as a key ally - the administration waived sanctions on the controversial but nearly completed Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Both Ukraine and the Baltic states understandably view this as a threat to their energy security and made their displeasure known.

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And while the administration maintains that more anti-corruption reforms are needed from Kyiv before it can join NATO, Biden and his team know that France and Germany both oppose voting on Ukrainian membership since doing so would trigger another crisis with Russia overnight.

Fortunately, for all of the "democracy versus autocracy" talk, even this liberal internationalist administration recognizes the basic limits of its ideological worldview when it comes to dealing with other great powers.

Therefore, just as Biden leveled with Ghani before the inevitable fall of Kabul, he should be equally honest with Zelensky in outlining US interests.

Russian naval assault forces disembarking BK-10M fast assault boats during an exercise in Crimea on April 22. Sergei Malgavko\TASS via Getty Images

Currently, the biggest problem between Kyiv and Moscow is the conflict in the eastern region of Donbas, where two self-declared Russian-backed separatist republics, Donetsk and Luhansk, are battling Ukrainian government forces.

Frustratingly, the Minsk 2 agreement signed between Ukraine and Russia has never been implemented given the routine violations of the critical cease-fire measure.

But as far as US policy is concerned, the legitimacy of Ukraine's territorial claims face potent challenges on the ground in Donbas.

Since 2019, over a half-million Russian passports have been given to people in the region. In both Crimea and Donbas, over three-quarters of the inhabitants speak Russian. Unsurprisingly, pro-Russian political parties do well in the semi-autonomous regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

The Ukrainian government has refused to negotiate with the two would-be republics since doing so would amount to a de facto acceptance of their sovereign claims. Instead, throughout the summer, Kyiv has waged an aggressive public-relations campaign to join NATO and the European Union.

Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline outside the eastern Ukrainian city of Debaltseve, in the Donetsk region, on December 24, 2014. SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images

In an interview with Reuters before the NATO summit, Zelensky demanded that Biden be more specific about the road map for membership in the alliance.

The Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs took to the pages of Foreign Affairs to assert that, "in Ukraine and elsewhere, cutting ties with Moscow will proceed no matter what Putin or his entourage has to say about it."

This is a brazenly maximalist position for Kyiv to take even though its leaders correctly assume Russia has no intention of letting Donbas lose its self-declared autonomy.

By pushing for NATO membership, Kyiv wants the US to help solve Ukraine's territorial disputes militarily by invoking the Article Five mutual-defense clause. Moscow knows this, which is why it has threatened that "those who would try to start a new war in Donbass - will destroy Ukraine."

Biden's message to Zelensky should instead make it clear that NATO membership is off the table and resolving the situation in Donbas is for Kyiv and the separatists to work out between themselves.

US interests in Ukraine are principally about avoiding conflict with Russia. The administration is not doing itself or Kyiv any favors if it continues to offer rhetorical assurances that the US will back up its position.

Matthew Mai is an intern at Defense Priorities. Previously, he was a fall 2020 Marcellus policy fellow with the John Quincy Adams Society.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A sign reads 'Please wear a face mask' in a classroom. Ben Hasty/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

The US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is probing five states over mask bans.

It's investigating bans in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah, all governed by Republicans.

The question is, are they keeping high-risk students from "safely accessing in-person education."

See more stories on Insider's business page.

The US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is investigating whether indoor mask bans in five states prevent students with disabilities who are at a heightened risk for COVID-19 from "safely accessing in-person education."

The office sent letters to state education leaders in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah to inform them their state mask bans were being investigated.

"National data also show that children with some underlying medical conditions, including those with certain disabilities, are at higher risk than other children for experiencing severe illness from COVID-19," Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Suzanne Goldberg wrote to each of the five states. "At the same time, extensive evidence supports the universal use of masks over the nose and mouth to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission."

The US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement that his department had heard from concerned parents who feared their students with disabilities or underlying health conditions weren't receiving equal access to learning.

"It's simply unacceptable that state leaders are putting politics over the health and education of the students they took an oath to serve," he said in the statement. "The Department will fight to protect every student's right to access in-person learning safely and the rights of local educators to put in place policies that allow all students to return to the classroom full-time in-person safely this fall."

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The civil rights office said it was not launching investigations into Florida, Texas, Arkansas or Arizona - which all have attempted to implement mask bans - because those bans are not being enforced due to court orders "or other state actions."

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Last week, President Joe Biden asked Cardona to look into legal action that can be taken against schools banning the use of masks as the Delta variant surges. If the investigations find that state mask bans have discriminated against students with disabilities, those states could lose federal education funding.

Throughout the pandemic, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has taken extreme positions against some public-health measures ahead of school reopenings, such as signing an order that would strip funding from schools that required mask-wearing and another that banned vaccine passports in the state.

Insider reported last week that a judge struck down DeSantis's mask mandates ban, saying the ban was unconstitutional and DeSantis did so "without legal authority," which is why Florida will not be included in the investigations.

Failure to wear a mask has put those who are immunocompromised at greater risk during the pandemic. An 88-year-old professor recently resigned in the middle of a lecture because a student of his refused to wear a mask properly, even after explaining that he had type 2 diabetes, which put him at higher risk for COVID-19.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The US military announced it has completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan after a brutal 20-year war -- one that started and ended with the hardline Islamist Taliban in power, despite billions of dollars spent trying to rebuild the conflict-wracked country.

Celebratory gunfire rang out in Kabul in the early hours of Tuesday to mark the moment, which came after the fraught final days of a frantic mission to evacuate tens of thousands of Americans and Afghans who had helped the US-led war effort -- and which left scores of Afghans and 13 US servicemembers dead in a suicide bombing last week.

That attack -- claimed by the Islamic State's Afghan offshoot -- gave edgy urgency to the final days of the US-led effort to allow those seeking to flee Taliban rule out of the country.

The withdrawal came before the end of August 31, the actual deadline set by President Joe Biden to call time on America's longest war.

"I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal to Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens," US General Kenneth McKenzie told reporters Monday.

The final flight left at 1929 GMT Monday - just before the start of Tuesday in Kabul, he said.

The return to power a fortnight ago of the Taliban movement, which was toppled in 2001 when the United States invaded in retaliation for the September 11 attacks, triggered a massive exodus of people who fear a new version of hardline Islamist rule.

The evacuation flights have taken more than 123,000 people out of Kabul airport, according to McKenzie.

The regional Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) group, rivals of the Taliban, posed the biggest threat to the withdrawal, after carrying out a suicide bombing outside the airport last week that claimed more than 100 lives, including those of 13 US troops.

On Monday, they claimed to have fired six rockets at the airport. A Taliban official said the attack was intercepted by the airport's missile defence systems.

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Before the US withdrawal was confirmed, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution requiring the Taliban to honor their commitment to let people freely leave Afghanistan in the days ahead, and to grant access to the UN and other aid agencies, but did not create a "safe zone" in Kabul.

- 'We can't sleep' -

On Monday, the White House confirmed the evacuation effort had been targeted by a rocket attack directed at the airport, but said airlift operations there were "uninterrupted".

An AFP photographer saw a destroyed car with a launcher system still visible in the back seat.

While there were no reports of fatalities or airport damage from the apparent IS-K rocket salvo, they caused greater anxiety for locals already traumatised by years of war.

"Since the Americans have taken control of the airport, we can't sleep properly," Abdullah, who lives near the airport and gave only one name, told AFP.

"It is either gunfire, rockets, sirens or sounds of huge planes that disturb us. And now that they are being directly targeted, it can put our lives in danger."

An AFP journalist in Kabul said there was a constant sound of planes overhead all day Monday, with aircraft taking off and landing, as well as jets offering surveillance and protection.

- 'Potential loss of innocent life' -

The United States said Sunday it had carried out a drone strike against a vehicle threatening the Kabul airport that had been linked to the regional Islamic State chapter -- its second targeting IS-K in recent days.

But on Monday, it looked like they had possibly made a terrible mistake.

Members of one family told AFP they believed a fatal error had been made, and that 10 civilians were killed.

"My brother and his four children were killed. I lost my small daughter.. nephews and nieces," Aimal Ahmadi told AFP.

"We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today," Captain Bill Urban, a US Central Command spokesman, said in a statement.

"We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life."

In recent years, the Islamic State's Afghanistan-Pakistan chapter has been responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in those countries.

They have massacred civilians at mosques, public squares, schools, and even hospitals.

While both the Islamic State and the Taliban are hardline Sunni Islamists, they are at times also bitter foes -- with each claiming to be the true flag-bearers of jihad.

Last week's suicide bombing at the airport was one of the deadliest bombings for civilians in Kabul in recent years, and led to the worst single-day death toll for the US military in Afghanistan since 2011.

The IS threat has forced the US military and the Taliban to cooperate in ensuring security at the airport in a way unthinkable just weeks ago.

- Taliban leader -

The Taliban have promised a softer brand of rule compared with their first stint in power, which the US military ended because the group gave sanctuary to Al-Qaeda.

But many Afghans fear a repeat of the Taliban's brutal interpretation of Islamic law, as well as violent retribution for working with foreign militaries, Western missions or the previous US-backed government.

On Sunday, the Taliban revealed their supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada was in southern Afghanistan and planning to make a public appearance.

"He is present in Kandahar," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, referring to the movement's spiritual birthplace.

bur-fox/sst/st
The U.S. military said it was still assessing the results of the latest airstrike amid reports of civilian casualties.

Officials launched a self-defense unmanned over-the-horizon strike on Sunday, according to CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Bill Urban, who also said the military eliminat[ed] an imminent ISIS-K threat to Hamid Karzai International Airport."

They were confident we successfully hit the target, he noted, adding that there were significant secondary explosions from the vehicle, which indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material.

SECOND ATTACK IN KABUL 'HIGHLY LIKELY' WITHIN 24 TO 36 HOURS, BIDEN SAYS

There were reports that six civilians, including four children, were killed, and in a second statement, Urban added, We are aware of reports of civilian casualties. He continued, We are still assessing the results of this strike, which we know disrupted an imminent ISIS-K threat to the airport."

We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties, he continued. It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul warned of a credible threat to the airport area on Saturday, where U.S. and coalition forces have evacuated approximately 114,400 foreign citizens and Afghan citizens who would be at risk under the new Taliban regime, according to the White House. The number increases to roughly 120,000 people relocated for the entire month of August.

State Department officials have issued several similar warnings in recent days as the U.S. prepares to end its evacuation efforts after Tuesday's deadline, while President Joe Biden said that the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high, and he described another attack as highly likely in the next 24-36 hours.

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A suicide bomber killed as many as 170 civilians and 13 members of the U.S. military on Thursday.

Among the deceased were 11 Marines, identified as Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover, 31; Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25; Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23; Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22; Cpl. Daegan Page, 23; Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, 22; Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, 20; Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, 20; Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20; Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, 20; and Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, 20. Navy Hospitalman Maxton Soviak, 22, as well as 23-year-old Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss were killed as well, according to the Defense Department.

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There has been a spate of warnings issued in recent days as the troops working to evacuate at-risk individuals are themselves a target for ISIS-K, the terrorist organization responsible for the attack.

The Pentagon announced that it had conducted a successful airstrike where two "high-profile ISIS targets were killed and one was wounded," on Friday night, though officials on Saturday declined to specify if these individuals were directly involved in Thursday's attack, instead describing them only as "planners and facilitators."

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Tags: News, Defense, War in Afghanistan, Afghanistan, ISIS, Pentagon

Original Author: Mike Brest

Original Location: US military still assessing latest airstrike after reports of civilian casualties
TASHKENT (Reuters) - Uzbekistan is willing to open its borders to people fleeing from Taliban rule in Afghanistan who are on a German list of those at-risk in the country and need to be evacuated, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told journalists on Monday.

Germany has identified tens of thousands more people who need to be evacuated from Afghanistan, including German citizens, local Afghan staff and at-risk groups such as human rights activists and journalists.

Maas is on a trip to Turkey, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Qatar, among other to find ways to evacuate these people, either by plane if Kabul airport can be kept open after NATO withdraws or overland to neighbouring countries.

"Uzbekistan is prepared to help us with this group of people," Maas said.

Maas had told Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Sunday that Germany was ready to support efforts to continue to operate Kabul airport after NATO's withdrawal.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Edmund Blair)
By Jonathan Barrett

SYDNEY (Reuters) - As Australia's COVID-19 deaths exceed 1,000, a grim toll but modest by global standards, a country that has used relentless lockdowns now faces perhaps its biggest health policy challenge of the pandemic - how to reopen.

The highly infectious Delta variant has breached the country's fortress-style controls and entrenched itself deep enough in Sydney, Australia's biggest city, and with a foothold in Melbourne, that authorities have dispensed with plans to eliminate it.

Instead, they plan to ramp up Australia's lagging vaccination effort and live with COVID-19, an approach that would help struggling businesses but which is opposed by states determined to crush the disease.

Australia reported four fatalities on Monday, taking the total death toll from COVID-19 to 1,003, according to government data. It has logged an average of two to three deaths a day recently, the data shows.

But while deaths are creeping higher, infections are surging to successive record highs above 1,200 a day. With more than half the population in lockdown, even those areas with little or no infections are affected.

The exuberance that accompanied Australia's early suppression success has since been replaced with community frustration https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/locked-up-fed-up-australian-voters-put-prime-minister-notice-2021-08-19 at a delayed vaccine programme that has only recently picked up pace.

Just over 33% of those aged 16 and older have received two vaccine doses, well below most comparable nations, according to a Reuters tracker https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/vaccination-rollout-and-access.

As the weary nation reopens, authorities hope to avoid the soaring infections and rising death experienced in countries such as Britain https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/britain-reports-174-deaths-highest-since-march-12-2021-08-24 and the United States - which recently posted more than 1,000 deaths https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-reports-more-than-1000-covid-deaths-single-day-2021-08-18 in a single day.

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The lesson for Australia is that mask-wearing should not be discarded as restrictions ease and that classrooms should be better ventilated to protect students from the airborne virus, said epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre.

"Wearing a mask is a small price to pay to get that additional layer of control," said MacIntyre, head of the Biosecurity Research Program at the Kirby Institute, UNSW Medicine. "We'll need a vaccines-plus strategy as well as ventilation."

PUSHBACK AGAINST LIVE-WITH-IT PLAN

Australia plans to start easing restrictions once 70% of those aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated, expected late in the year. After 80% comes a gradual reopening of international travel, according to the government-backed plan modelled by the Melbourne-based Doherty Institute.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants Australia to treat COVID-19 like the flu as vaccination rates rise. "That is our goal, to live with this virus, not to live in fear of it," he said last week.

But some largely infection-free states, including Queensland and Western Australia, are pushing back as they watch health services at the centre of the Delta outbreak in the Sydney area come under stress.

There are 840 people in hospital being treated for COVID-19 in the epicentre, with 137 in intensive care and 48 requiring ventilation.

Mark McGowan, premier of Western Australia, said his iron ore-exporting state wanted to continue to "crush and kill" the virus, with lockdowns when necessary.

The outbreaks and lockdowns are devastating tourism operators, said Daniel Gschwind, chief executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

"We are not in lockdown and that's great, but tourism is like a pipeline," he said. "It doesn't matter where that pipeline is broken. If you sit at the end of the pipeline nothing is coming through."

The Australian economy, which rebounded swiftly in the pandemic's early stages, is set to contract sharply this quarter, threatening to push the country back into recession https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-retail-sales-plunge-july-economy-set-shrink-2021-08-27 if the decline persists for the rest of the year.

In the Group of 20 big economies, Australia is the last to mark 1,000 COVID-19 deaths. Among major Asia-Pacific economies, four  New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore  have well below 1,000 fatalities, with New Zealand having the lowest at just 26.

Australia's rising case count means it will try to reopen under a cloud of infections when, up until the Delta strain, it was largely virus-free.

Delta's high infectiousness, short incubation, and asymptomatic spread, meant it spread quickly after being first detected in Sydney in June. Caseloads are higher for younger people, who have had limited or no access to vaccines.

(Reporting by Jonathan Barrett; Additional reporting by Jill Gralow and Roshan Abraham; Editing by William Mallard)
A Brazilian court has sentenced Francoise de Souza Oliveira to 31 years in prison for murdering her husband, Greek ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis, authorities said Sunday.

Amiridis, 59 at the time of his death in 2016, lived in Brasilia and was on vacation for the Christmas holidays with his wife and his daughter in Rio de Janeiro.

Days after Christmas, the remains of the diplomat were found inside his charred rental car and ripped out under a bridge, in the municipality of Nova Iguacu, near the state capital.

A police investigation found numerous clues, including blood on a sofa and security camera footage, that implicated Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho, military policeman and lover of Francoise.

The two were sentenced to 22 years in prison, initially without parole.

"The circumstances of the crime are atypical, since (the ambassador) was executed during the Christmas holidays ... in this case, this family was torn apart," said the Judge Anna Christina da Silveira Fernandes, of the 4th Criminal Court of Nova Iguacu.

In her sentence, she also indicated that "the crime was carefully thought out, premeditated," by De Souza Oliveira.

"According to the testimony collected, the defendant planned and designed, being the mastermind behind the entire macabre plot," she added.

The trial had a third defendant: Eduardo Moreira Tedeschi de Melo, a relative of the policeman, who was acquitted of the murder charge but sentenced to one year probation, already served, for helping to hide the body.

In the trial, which lasted for three days, until Friday, the judge heard 18 witnesses.

In her decision, the magistrate also referred to the accused in their capacity as public servants.

"He swore to defend society and not rebel against it (...) dishonoring the Military Police and all the trust placed in him by the State," she said, referring to Sergio Gomes Moreira Filho.

And she pointed out that De Souza Oliveira, "who calls herself an ambassador, tarnished the name of Brazil and embarrassed the nation with her conduct, given the negative international repercussions of the events."

De Souza Oliveira and Amiridis had married in 2004, when he was consul in Rio de Janeiro.

mls/mdl/st
Good Morning America

Sleeping too much or too little each night can harm adults' brain performance, increase symptoms of depression and weight and raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study. "There appears to be a real sweet spot," said Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News chief medical correspondent and a board-certified OBGYN. "People who got less than six hours of sleep on PET scan brain imaging had a higher rate of these brain plaques that weve found in association with Alzheimers disease."
The letter also expressed concerns that the mechanism to get approval to do online teaching only applies to the health and conditions of the individual doing the teaching. So if a professor has a child at home who is immunocompromised, the process to get the online teaching accommodation wouldnt apply in this scenario, disability advocates argue.

We know from the past year that providing remote access is possible, the letter states. You have the power to provide for the safety of faculty members, staff, students, and children in the New River Valley.

Sands and Clarke replied to the open letter in a joint email message, saying that remote learning was necessary last year when there was an incomplete understanding of the virus. But the university found online learning negatively impacted the quality of the educational experience of our students and instructors, and hindered our ability to deliver on the research and engagement elements of our mission.

They wrote the university will evaluate requests from people with disabilities for accommodations to figure out what could be done without placing an undue burden on the ability of Virginia Tech to accomplish its mission.
An outdoor music festival held on Sunday in central Japan has come under fire for failing to take anti-coronavirus measures, including serving alcoholic drinks to the crowds packing the venue.

The "NAMIMONOGATARI2021" event was held at an open-air facility on an island in Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture.

Guidelines posted on the organizer's homepage required participants to wear face masks, maintain social distancing and refrain from screaming.

But videos shared on social networks by the performing artists and attendees at the event showed many young people packed closely together and yelling without masks.

The venue is managed by Aichi Prefecture. Governor Ohmura Hideaki said on Monday that prefectural officials had called on the organizer to take thorough anti-infection measures, such as refraining from serving alcohol.

The governor said it is extremely regrettable that the requests were not complied with, and indicated that the organizer will be banned from using facilities belonging to the prefecture.

Tokoname City officials also expressed strong criticism of the organizer, saying that the incident took place at a time when they are asking residents to adhere to various antivirus measures.
"Im a 35-year-old mom who never went to UNL, and even I have heard the word-of-mouth warnings about the fraternities she mentioned," Sen. Megan Hunt tweeted after speaking at Thursday's gathering. "These open secrets are a big clue."

In 2009, a former fraternity member filed a lawsuit claiming he had been hazed for months. Another said he had been sexually assaulted during an off-campus party. The two former pledges settled with UNL and Sigma Chi out of court.

Sigma Chi was suspended for more than two years before entering a probationary period in 2011. The fraternity was suspended indefinitely in 2012 because of underage drinking at an off-campus party during its probation. It was reinstated in 2014 after "a reboot," a member of the chapter's advisory council told the Journal Star then.

The latest incident appears to be the second reported sex offense at the Sigma Chi house since 2010. In September 2012, campus police fielded a report of a rape at the fraternity house, according to archived reports.
Added Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls, a Coralville Democrat and leader of the minority Senate Democrats, Its inexcusable that Kim Reynolds and other statehouse Republicans are putting our children in danger to advance their extreme political agenda. We should be doing everything we can to keep our kids safely in school, and Im glad the (federal) Department of Education is stepping in to investigate Reynolds failure.

Additionally, a Council Bluffs mother is suing the state to end its ban on schools enacting face mask requirements. The lawsuit was filed Aug. 24 in a district court in Polk County on behalf of Frances Parr, who has two young children who attend Council Bluffs public schools. The suit names Reynolds, state Public Health Director Kim Garcia and state Education Director Ann Lebo as defendants.

The ban was approved by the Republican-led Iowa Legislature and signed into law by Reynolds in May.

The suit says the ban violates the rights of Parrs children and other students to attend school without a threat of contracting COVID-19 or the delta variant, the symptoms of which could lead to hospitalization, permanent physical harm, emotional harm and even death.
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(Bloomberg) -- Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. is planning to unveil targets for reducing the carbon footprint of its biggest customers, marking a shift in approach for the worlds no. 4 exporter of iron ore.

The firm will follow rivals including Rio Tinto Group and BHP Group in setting specific goals to cut so-called scope 3 emissions, which in Fortescues case are generated by steel-makers using the companys iron ore. Founder and chairman Andrew Forrest was previously not in favor of setting such benchmarks.

Fortescue resisted setting Scope 3 targets until it had a concrete plan that could really help its customers decarbonize, Forrest said on the media call following the companys annual results. More details, including the targets, will be unveiled by September 30.

Global resources companies are under increasing pressure to be more accountable for emissions beyond their own operations, with powerful investors including Norways $1.3 trillion sovereign wealth fund threatening to drop firms that dont meet their environmental standards.

Efforts to reduce scope 3 emissions should focus on developing technology to make climate-friendly steel cheaper, Forrest said. He has previously predicted that the coal-fired blast furnace still dominating the steel industry will be obsolete by 2050, and is investing in projects to supply hydrogen that could help to decarbonize the sector.

Gas Powered

The company will set aside 10% of annual profit to invest in hydrogen, ammonia and other green industrial projects backed by renewable power, marshaled by its Fortescue Future Industries division. Forrests plan is to supply over 15 million tons of hydrogen, produced from renewable power, by 2030.

Rio Tinto said in February it would collaborate with customers to reduce the carbon intensity of steel-making by at least 30% by 2030, and aim for carbon-neutral steel-making by 2050. BHP Group also has targets for reducing scope 3 emissions.

Fortescue has been working with buyers for some time on reducing their emissions, Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines said on the same call. The Perth-based company is targeting net-zero greenhouse gases from its own operations by 2030, well ahead of a 2050 goal set by Rio and BHP.

Story continues

Fortescues scope 3 emissions -- the bulk of which come from the steel manufacturing process -- were 252 million tons of CO2-equivalent in its 2021 fiscal year, according to its latest climate change report. That compares to gross operational emissions -- scopes 1 and 2 -- of 2.2 million tons.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
After taking a hiatus in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Love Island Australia is officially coming back for season three later this year.

Channel Nine has revealed the first look at the new season, which for the first time ever is taking place in Australia.

Love Island Australia is being filmed in Australia for the first time. Photo: Channel Nine

Unlike previous years in Spain and Fiji, the dating series will instead be filmed in Port Douglas in Far North Queensland.

The new trailer makes it very clear that the Love Island villa has been relocated to Australia with the use of the song Down Under by Men At Work.

RELATED

Host Sophie Monk transforms into a mermaid for the video, complete with long blonde hair and an Australian flag bikini.

While sitting on a rock by the ocean, she plays along to the iconic Aussie anthem on a flute as her siren song.

Follow me you beautiful sexy singles, she declares. Dive in, theres plenty of fish in this sea.

Another scene shows mermaid Sophie by the pool surrounded by attractive singles eating a variety of Australian foods, including lamingtons and Vegemite sandwiches.

Love Island is in our own backyard, Australia! Where its beautiful one day, perfect the next, she says.

The first look also features a cockatoo, a crocodile, a koala and the divisive footwear, Crocs.

Many fans have called the new trailer cringe. Photo: Channel Nine

While many fans have praised the Channel Nine series for filming in Australia for the very first time, others have called the new trailer cringe.

Ok this is their weirdest intro yet, one person commented. It's not as good as UK for sure but surely it will help fill the Love Island void for a bit.

That was the most horrific introduction to a great show. Still watching though, another added.

If the ad is anything to go by, I look forward to watching a crappy show, someone else remarked. Better than watching serious TV during lockdown.

Story continues

This intro makes me hate it, a different user shared, while a fifth said, Already looks lame but we are still watching it.

Love Island Australia is coming soon to Channel Nine.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyles daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.


Thank you for Reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.
Repeated Ignored Safety Requirements Leads to $145K in Penalties for a Denver Contractor

Premier Roofing LLC exposed employees and subcontractors to fall hazards.

Citations and penalties are confirmed against a Denver roofing contractor by a federal administrative law judge for ignoring federal requirements to protect workers and subcontractors continuously from the risk of workplace falls, which is the leading cause of injury and death in the construction industry. An OSHA administrative law judge granted the U.S. Department of Labors request for summary judgement after an April 2019 federal safety and health inspection was conducted. It found that Premier Roofing LLC failed to site safety inspections and repeatedly exposed its employees and workers of M&M General Construction LLC, a subcontractor, to fall hazards at a large Aurora roofing project. OSHA issued repeat citations for both companies.

Premier Roofing LLC contested its citations to the commission while M&M settled its penalties in 2019. On August 6, the judge affirmed Premier Roofings citations for failing to conduct safety inspections and its repeated citation for its lack of fall protection. The court also ordered the company to pay $145,858 in penalties that OSHA declared, according to a press release.

"Exposing workers to fall hazards is an all-too-common violation in the roofing industry," said OSHA Area Director Chad Vivian in Englewood, Colorado. "Premier Roofing has repeatedly put its workers at serious risk at its jobsites. Employers have a responsibility to inspect their worksites for hazards, train their employees to recognize and correct hazards, and enforce safety rules on the job."

"Although Premier had a safety program requiring employees to wear fall protection while working at heights, it still allowed its employees to work on roofs without wearing any such protection, while also ignoring numerous similar violations by its subcontractor. Contractors have an obligation to take steps to protect their workers, and those of their subcontractors. A safety program is useless if it sits on a shelf gathering dust," said U.S. Department of Labor Regional Solicitor John Rainwater in Denver.

Learn more about fall protection here.
Wind energy holds enormous potential to generate carbon-free electricity around the world, and the energy industry finally seems to be catching on. Last year the United States broke records for wind energy installation, and it looks like the wind revolution is just getting started.

While current global wind power capacity is capable of generating just a fraction of the world's energy demand, wind powers technical potential actually exceeds worldwide energy production. The technical potential of a renewable energy technology is the amount of energy generation that is theoretically achievable once system performance, topographic, environmental, and land-use constraints are accounted for. And even when taking all of these constraints into consideration, wind energy alone would be capable of filling the entire worlds energy needs. In order to actually make that happen, though, massive scaling of both on- and offshore wind farms would be necessary -- and that kind of scaling is not without its drawbacks.

Other than initial cost, which could be a barrier to entry but which is decreasing all the time thanks to technological improvements and economies of scale, large-scale wind projects pose potential negative environmental and social externalities. Wildlife, such as bird and bat collisions on-shore and marine life offshore, must be considered. In terms of social impact, wind farms alter landscapes, block views, and can cause potential radar interference. These negative impacts, however, pale in comparison to the benefits of wind power, not to mention the negative externalities of global warming.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the energy used and greenhouse gases emitted in the life cycle of a wind turbine, from manufacturing to decommissioning, are puny in comparison to the energy generated and emissions mitigated over the apparatus lifetime. the GHG emissions intensity of wind energy is estimated to range from 8 to 20 g CO2 /kWh in most instances, whereas energy payback times are between 3.4 to 8.5 months, a 2018 report stated.

Related: Oil Could Be Primed For Up To 50% Rally, Strategist Says

In this light, the wind power revolution cant come fast enough. Just this month, the United Nations and the IPCC sounded a code red for humanity which stated in no uncertain terms that we have reached the point of no return for climate change, and the global clean energy transition must be swift and absolute in order to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. Wind energy will have to be a considerable part of that front.

The technology is already being scaled at unprecedented rates. 2020 saw more wind energy capacity installed in the United States than any other year before, and in 2019 wind power surpassed hydropower to be the countrys top source of renewable energy in the same year that renewable energies overtook coal in the U.S. energy mix. This success story owes a lot to wind-friendly policy in the United States, where the federal government has been offering a tax credit to wind producers. That policy, however -- and subsidies in general -- has been controversial and the federal incentive was slated to end last year, resulting in a rush to expand production while the tax credit was still in place.

On the one hand, these government motivators have been good enough that the U.S. now has the third-highest per capita wind power generation in the world, according to Marketplace. Thats a distant third, however, lagging far behind the global leaders, Denmark and Germany. Even after the massive expansion in 2020, the United States total wind energy capacity is just half that of Chinas. On the other hand, we are a distant third  behind Denmark and Germany. The U.S. total capacity is half of Chinas, and our volatile and cyclical policy of subsidies followed by subsidy cancellations is part of the reason why. While wind power is unequivocally a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient means of carbon-free energy production, its continued expansion is no guarantee without broad support.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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Back in April, in the midst of a contentious trade spat and unofficial coal embargo between China and Australia, Oilprice speculated that the winner of the battle may not be either of the nations involved, but the United States. As China refused Australian coal imports, other coal-producing nations were all too happy to step up and fill the demand. Now, as the dust settles, its clear that the winner was not only the United States but some other less likely contenders, including India, Indonesia, Mongolia and Russia.

While China has been talking a big game about decarbonizing, the nation still consumes gargantuan volumes of coal day to day, with coal accounting for more than half of the countrys energy mix. President Xi Jinping surprised the world with his unexpectedly lofty climate pledges in late 2020, when he promised that China would reach peak oil consumption by just 2030 and then achieve all-out carbon neutrality by 2060. At the same time that Beijing was making these pledges out of one side of its mouth, however, China was also ramping up coal production both domestically and overseas, imperiling global climate goals while also presenting itself as a leader in the decarbonization initiative.

Such is the magnitude of Chinas coal addiction that when China ramped up its trade spat with Australia by instituting an informal boycott of Australian coal, entire Chinese cities went dark. The unofficial embargo was just the latest in a far lengthier saga of intensifying political tensions between China and Australia in the last two years. Relations between the two nations soured last year after Australia supported an international inquiry into Chinas handling of the coronavirus pandemic, CNBC reported toward the end of 2020. Coal was not the only Australian good being boycotted, but the outsized effects of the coal ban revealed the lengths to which China is willing to go for a bit of geopolitical strong-arming, as Oilprice reported in April of this year.

Related: Oil Stages Strong Recovery

The blackouts didnt last long, however, as coal producers around the world stepped up to fill the gaps left in the vast demand of the worlds largest coal importer, as well as to buy up the price-reduced Australian coal. In April, at the height of the saga, when Australian coal-bearing ships were stranded in Chinese waters, India purchased a record amount of Australian thermal coal. South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan also bought increased amounts of the cheap Australian thermal coal, which was suddenly far more affordable than its South African counterpart of a similar grade. These disruptions are continuing to ripple through global supply chains. Global trade flows will be self-adjusting with Australian coal flowing to Indian and European markets and South African and Colombian sources coming into China, Winston Han, chief analyst from China Coal Transportation and Distribution Association, was recently quoted by Reuters.

Thermal coal importers were not the only beneficiaries of the spat between China and Australia. The ban has also benefited coal exporters in Indonesia, Mongolia and Russia as Chinas buyers switched suppliers, according to the latest Chinese customs data, Reuters reported, noting that Indonesian coal miners inked a $1.5 billion supply deal with China in November 2020. The United States, Canada, and Russia, have also reaped the benefits of China's increased appetite for high-quality metallurgical coal outside of Australia. China has had to pay a premium for this kind of coal used in the steelmaking process, as U.S. coal is more expensive and incurs higher shipping costs.

This scramble for coal market share is taking place at a time when experts are imploring world leaders and industry executives to leave coal in the ground. Just this month, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres introduced the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report as a code red for humanity that must sound as a death knell for coal. But while we have reached the point of no return for global warming, the coal trade and consumption in China shows that coal will not be stamped out overnight.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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China is cracking down on its private-sector oil refiners in a bid to close tax loopholes and mitigate pollution. Approximately a quarter of the nations mammoth refining capacity comes from these independent refineries, known as teapots. Beijing allowed these private refiners with their most limited crude import quota since 2015, when teapots were first able to directly buy their own oil. This blow to a significant portion of the nations refining capacity is currently causing major disruption to the supply chain of crude oil in the region. This is not only a problem for Chinas oil supply and voracious demand, but for all of the many countries that supply petroleum to the worlds largest crude oil importer. Because of the crackdown, oil tankers are currently piling up off the shores of key Asian ports. Vessels off Singapore, Malaysia and China had about 62 million barrels last week after hitting a near three-month high earlier this month, Bloomberg reported earlier this week. Some of these stranded ships are carrying oil from Iran and Venezuela, countries which are currently under sanction from the United States, and which will therefore have a very hard time finding another buyer for their oil if the Chinese market dries up.

These barrels sitting off Southeast Asia are distressed, Braemar ACM Shipbrokings tanker researcher Anoop Singh told Bloomberg. Theyre going to have a tough time finding homes other than China, unless the situation surrounding the U.S. sanctions changes dramatically, or Chinas clampdown on its independents is eased. The sticky situation for the sanctioned oil is compounded by a Chinese consumption tax that Beijing rolled out in June as part of its extended crackdown. With the stated purpose of addressing pollution, the tax impacts bitumen blends used for road-making, which have historically served as a cover for the comings and goings of Iranian and Venezuelan crude. The tax has hit imports hard, with bitumen imports shrinking by a massive 80 percent since their peak in May.

Related: Fujairah Oil Terminal To Upgrade As Crude Trade Is Expected To Surge

In the last five years, Chinas teapots have gained significant power in Chinas energy sector. The current crackdown serves a dual purpose. According to Chinese officials, the goal is to shore up oversight, ensure legal compliance, and cut back on widespread bad behaviors such as tax evasion, fuel smuggling, and violations of environmental and emissions standards. Unofficially, however, the crackdown serves to re-establish state control over private-sector entities who have gotten a little big for their britches in the eyes of Beijing.

While the politics of the oil pileup are complex and especially fraught for Venezuela and Iran, whose suffering economies will be hit hard by their trickle of oil trade drying up, the move is a popular one among environmentalists and climate activists. Earlier this month the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sounded a code red for humanity in a damning report announcing that the world has reached a point of no return for global warming. Any amount of oil that remains unused can be seen as a win for the climate, even if that oil is doomed to float off Asian shores for the foreseeable future.

Arguably, no nation is as instrumental in the fight against climate change as China, the worlds largest carbon dioxide emitter and its second-largest economy. President Xi Jinping has committed to lofty climate pledges, promising that China will reach peak oil demand by just 2030 and go completely carbon neutral by 2060, but its also clear that Chinas primary goal is energy security at any cost. For example, Beijing has ramped up coal production overseas at the same time it promises to limit its domestic capacity.

Whether or not Chinas private refinery crackdown is aimed at compliance with environmental regulations or with re-establishing the states chokehold on the sector, however, refining and burning less oil in China stands to have some very good consequences for all of us.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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The oil tanker industry faces brighter prospects in the coming months with more crude set to arrive on the international markets, according to the Nordic American Tankers.

In its second-quarter update, tanker operator Nordic American Tankers said that Demand for oil is going up. OPEC is raising its output.

Current high oil, gas and electricity prices, even long before the winter has arrived, is a sign of an energy chain in need for more. With an abundance of spare capacity of oil in the world, we believe it is just a question of time before even more oil will hit the world markets, and our tankers, Nordic American Tankers said today.

While tanker owners and operators enjoyed rather good tanker rates in the first half of last year, rates have been down so far this year, as the OPEC+ group continued to withhold a large amount of crude from the markets.

Although the second quarter of 2021 has been challenging, All around the world we see evidence of a growing demand for oil, the tanker operator said.

In the long term, oil demand will still be a key pillar of global economy, according to Nordic American Tankers, which said that The world will continue to need oil and has still not come up with a realistic alternative to this versatile and valuable raw material.

Energy transitions take time and oil will be needed for decades to come, Nordic American Tankers added.

Early this month, Teekay Tankers president and CEO Kevin Mackay said that Looking ahead, although the near-term outlook is uncertain due to COVID-19, we believe many of the leading indicators for a tanker market recovery continue to improve, including planned increases in OPEC+ production, declining global oil inventories, which are already below five-year average levels, and positive tanker fleet supply fundamentals as reflected in a low orderbook, heightened scrapping and a very limited amount of new tanker orders.

OPEC+ is set to meet on September 1 to discuss its monthly easing of the cuts by 400,000 bpd. Although comments have emerged that the group could reconsider the timetable for tapering the cuts, expectations are that OPEC+ will proceed with the easing as planned.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Crude oil prices could rise further if OPEC+ stops adding barrels to global supply, which is a possibility after the cartel's next meeting, according to the Kuwaiti oil minister.

"The markets are slowing. Since COVID-19 has begun its fourth wave in some areas, we must be careful and reconsider this increase. There may be a halt to the 400,000 (bpd) increase," said Mohammad Abdulatif al-Fares, as quoted by Reuters.

OPEC+ had agreed to boost oil production by 400,000 bpd every month beginning August until the group's combined output reached pre-agreement levels towards the end of next year. But now that demand concerns are once again coming to the fore, OPEC+ is signaling that it is always ready to change tack.

It's worth noting that the Kuwaiti minister's comments come soon after U.S. President Joe Biden called on OPEC+ to boost production by more than 400,000 bpd to offset strongly rising fuel demand in the world's top consumer that led to a sharp rise of prices at the pump.

"There are meetings with OPEC countries, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and so far there are different views on how to handle this issue," Mohammad Abdulatif al-Fares told Reuters when asked about this call.

"Competitive energy markets will ensure reliable and stable energy supplies, and OPEC+ must do more to support the recovery," White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement earlier this month, in what was one of the first direct calls from the Biden administration on the OPEC+ alliance. "Higher gasoline costs, if left unchecked, risk harming the ongoing global recovery," he added.

Different opinions about how to respond to this call, however, are understandable. President Biden has prioritized emissions-cutting and a switch from gasoline-powered to electric cars that would diminish the demand for oil. In the context of his administration's quest against the fossil fuel industry, a call for more oil sounds not a little confusing. Yet if OPEC does indeed reconsider its cuts at its meeting on Wednesday, there will likely be more calls.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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An ETF explosion has taken over the financial market as exchange-traded funds enjoy the lion's share of investment dollars globally--even as investors continue flocking to passive funds and shunning actively managed mutual funds. The sheer growth numbers have industry punters licking their chops.

From just a handful of offerings a couple of decades ago, we're now bombarded with a cornucopia of everything ETF: nearly 150 providers in the United States now offer more than 2,000 ETFs to investors backed by an impressive $5 trillion in assets under management (AUM).

But passive investing is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon.

According to independent ETF research firm ETFGI, assets invested in the global ETFs and ETPs (exchange-traded products) space clocked in at $8.56 trillion by the end of the first quarter, meaning the ETF industry is now bigger than the mutual fund industry.

Yet, as Deborah Fuhr, founder of ETFGI, has told CNBC's ETF Edge, these are simply the early innings, with the burgeoning industry set to scale to even higher heights thanks to the SEC recently creating a more level playing field after watering down its arduous exemptive relief rule.

Mainstream energy funds have been recording strong inflows this year thanks to a strong rebound in oil and gas prices, while reverse and clean energy ETFs have performed poorly.

Source: ETFGI

Here are the best and worst-performing energy ETFs.

Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exp. & Prod. Bull 2x Shares ETF(GUSH)

AUM:$772.5M

Expense Ratio: 1.14%

YTD Returns: 81.1%

The Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exp. & Prod. Bull 2x Shares (NYSEARCA:GUSH) is an exchange-traded fund that was launched by Direxion Investments in May 2015.

GUSH invests in public equity markets of the United States. The fund uses derivatives such as futures and swaps to create its portfolio and invests in growth and value stocks of companies across diversified market capitalization. It seeks to track 2x the daily performance of the S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry Index (SPSIOP).

United States Oil ETF, LP (USO)

AUM: $2.9B

Expense Ratio:0.83%

YTD Returns: 45.9%

The United States Oil ETF, LP (NYSEARCA:USO) seeks to track the daily changes in percentage terms of the spot price of light, sweet crude oil delivered to Cushing, Oklahoma. USO invests primarily in futures contracts for light, sweet crude oil, other types of crude oil, diesel-heating oil, gasoline, natural gas, and other petroleum-based fuels.

USO gained notoriety last year after becoming the focus of the worst oil price crash in history.

Last year, WTI futures contract sunk an agonizing 310% to minus $38.45/barrel marking the first time that a futures contract for U.S. crude prices went negativeand made all those seemingly improbable 'negative oil' prognostications suddenly appear prescient. Negative oil prices is an absurd notion that essentially means that producers would pay traders to take the oil off their hands. USO, the country's largest long-only crude oil exchange-traded fund (ETF) was to blame for the debacle as it owned 25% of the outstanding volume of May WTI oil futures contracts.

Thankfully, a repeat of that kind of mayhem is unlikely after USO moved 20% of the WTI contracts it holds into later months in a bid to lower volatility.

SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF(XOP)

AUM: $3.0B

Expense Ratio: 0.35%

YTD Returns: 42.6%

If you are not content settling for a vanilla fund that targets obvious energy candidates such as ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron (NYSE:CVX), SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (NYSEARCA:XOP) offers a good way to dip your toes into something different. XOP currently invests in 57 energy exploration and production companies. The fund is pretty well diversified: The top holding in the fund, Antero Resources Corp. (NYSE:AR) has a weighting ?3% of the entire portfolio.

That said, diversification is not always what it's cracked up to be: XOP is highly exposed to smaller energy companies, which can lead to high volatility and poor returns when the energy markets sputter.

Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE)

AUM: $4.7B

Expense Ratio: 0.10%

YTD Returns: 33.5%

Vanguard funds are popular for undercutting the competition on costs; the Vanguard Energy ETF (NYSEARCA:VDE) has remained true to this ethos by offering the lowest pricing in the sector. With 95 stocksalbeit with less AUMVDE is a little bit better diversified than XLE, though XOM and CVX still play outsized roles with weightings of 21.95% and 16.56%, respectively.

Related: The Future Of Oil Is Offshore



VDE tracks the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Index (IMI)/Energy 25/50, an index consisting of stocks of large- and mid-cap US energy companies.

Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE)

AUM: $22.3B

Expense Ratio: 0.12%

YTD Returns: 30.1%

With $22.34B in assets under management, the Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLE) is the largest dedicated energy fund. It's also the most liquid and among the cheapest, with an expense ratio of just 0.12%.

XLE tracks the price and yield performance of companies in the Energy Select Sector Index. The index offers investors broad exposure to companies in the oil, gas, and energy equipment industries. One shortcoming though is that the ETF holds just 25 stocks in its portfolio, with ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron Corp.(NYSE:CVX) over-represented, accounting for nearly 45% of the entire portfolio value.

Worst Performers:

Direxion Daily S&P Oil & Gas Exp. & Prod. Bear 2x Shares ETF (DRIP)

AUM: $32.0M

Expense Ratio: 1.06%

YTD Returns: -67.4%

The Direxion Daily Energy Bear 2x Shares (NYSEARCA:ERY) seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of 200% of the inverse (or opposite), of the performance of the Energy Select Sector Index (XLE). Industry bellwethers Exxon Mobil Corporation and Chevron Corporation account for about 30% of the tracked benchmark, making the fund suitable for those who want a leveraged bet against those names.

ERY features tight bid/ask spreads and daily turnover of 265,000 shares, making it a traders' favorite among the segment. ERY outperformed during last year's energy bear market but has, predictably, been a disaster in the ongoing bull market. The provider, Direxion Investments, warns that the ETF seeks daily goals and should not be expected to track the underlying index over periods longer than one day.

ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil ETF (SCO)

AUM: $257.8M

Expense Ratio: 0.95%

YTD Returns: -61.4%

The ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil (SCO) aims to deliver 2X the inverse daily performance of the Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex. To achieve its objective, this 14-year-old fund invests its assets in futures and options contracts for light sweet crude oil, making it a handy instrument for oil bears who want a straightforward bet against the commodity

SCO offers a narrow 0.08% spread coupled with an average daily volume of roughly $30 million.

iShares S&P Global Clean Energy Index ETF (ICLN)

AUM: $6.2B

Expense Ratio: 0.42%

YTD Returns: -18.1%

The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (NYSEARCA:ICLN) is an exchange-traded fund launched and managed by BlackRock, Inc. The fund invests in stocks of companies operating across clean energy sectors, including growth and value stocks of companies across diversified market capitalization. ICLN seeks to track the performance of the S&P Global Clean Energy Index, by using a representative sampling technique.

After a bumper year in 2020, clean energy funds have lagged in the current year mainly due to valuation concerns. Despite being down 18% this year, ICLN still boasts a 37.5% gain over the past 12 months and 151% over the past five years.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The European Union's carbon border tax, to enter into effect in five years, was conceived with the idea of leveling the playing field for European industrial producers and importers who manufacture their goods in much laxer emissions-related regulatory frameworks. But the border tax could have a welcomed side effect for Brussels: it could have a more devastating effect on Russia's economy than sanctions.

This is the warning Rosneft's head, Igor Sechin, recently gave President Vladimir Putin in a letter detailing the steps that could be taken to address the emissions problem, per a report in business daily Kommersant. According to the letter, initially, the carbon border tax would affect Russia's exports of metals, fertilizers, electricity, and cement, but could later expand to oil products, of which Rosneft is the largest Russian exporter, Kommersant wrote.

The carbon border tax idea has been problematic from the beginning, even though it is already a fact in the EU. It came after a pushback from European industrial associations when Brussels slapped even stricter emissions-reduction targets on them, hiking carbon prices to a level where, industrial producers argued, their products became uncompetitive with imports from countries such as Chinaand by extension Russiawhere emissions-cutting standards for the industry were much laxer.

China, standing to lose the most from a carbon border tax, sounded the alarm as soon as Brussels set a date for the tax to enter into effect. "CBAM is essentially a unilateral measure to extend the climate change issue to the trade sector. It violates WTO principles ... and (will) seriously undermine mutual trust in the global community and the prospects for economic growth," a spokesman for China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment told media last month.

Related: Oil Glut In Asia Worsens

Also last month, the Russian Institute for Natural Monopolies Research, an industrial research think tank, said that it had calculated that Russian exporters could lose some $2.3 billion annually from the EU carbon border tax, which would be equal to an export tariff of some 24 percent, as the carbon tax mechanism in its current form would affect some $9 billion worth of Russian exports.

The calculations were made based on a carbon price of $60 per ton, which is what carbon emissions are currently trading at. Still, there are those who say that for the decarbonization of heavy polluters to really take off, carbon prices need to be much higher. And this means Russia could suffer a lot more in export losses.

However, the EU carbon border tax mechanism is not the only emissions-related problem looming on Russia's industrial horizon. The United States is considering its own version of a carbon border tax, and none other than the International Monetary Fund recently proposed what it calls an international carbon price floor.

The floor would be tiered to reflect the degree of development of emitters and their share in total emissions. Based on this, the IMF proposed a minimum carbon price of $75 per ton for the biggest emittersthe U.S., Canada, the UK, China, India, and the EUa floor of $50 for developing countries that don't emit so much, and another of $25 per ton for low-income countries.

Carbon taxes, therefore, are increasingly looking like they will be a fixture of the global economic future. Russia is among the top five emitters of carbon dioxide, so the losses it could suffer from such taxes would only rise in the future. But Sechin, in that same letter that spelled out the warning against EU carbon border taxes, has an idea.

Russia is home to the world's biggest carbon sink: a fifth of the world's forests. And this carbon sink is absorbing even more carbon dioxide than previously thought, according to a recent study published in Nature. According to data collected by the researchers, Siberian forests have grown substantially over the past three decades, and so has their carbon absorption rate.

And there is Sechin's idea: have Russia's carbon sinking capabilities recognized by the EU and have the country exempted from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism for its carbon emission absorption potential. For this, Russia would need international certification for this emissions absorption potential. It would also need regulatory support for carbon offset projects.

It is doubtful that the EU would exempt a polluter as large as Russia from its carbon border tax, despite its enormous carbon sink. After all, the idea of the mechanism, officially, is to increasingly discourage polluters from polluting and encourage them to invest in lower-carbon production instead. The fact that Rosneft's head is sounding the alarm on the consequences of this idea means that it has the potential to become really damaging for Russia and, by extension, to other exporters of high-carbon goods.

"Carbon border tax is essentially a kind of unilateral measure," said China's Environment Ministry spokesman in July. "The unprincipled extension of climate issues to trade is not only a violation of WTO rules, a blow to the free and open multilateral trading system, and may cause serious damage to international trust and economic growth, it is also inconsistent with the principles and requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Paris Agreement."

China and Russia are using two very different approaches to tackling the carbon border tax problem. It would be interesting to see which one will have more success.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The tension among Libyas top oil officials escalated on Sunday when Oil Minister Mohamed Oun said he had suspended the chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), which is the most important revenue asset for OPECs African member.

NOCs chairman Mustafa Sanalla is under investigation and has been suspended, Oun said in a letter confirmed to Reuters by oil ministry sources.

The tension between Oun and Sanalla has been growing since Oun was appointed oil minister in March in the government of national unity, which includes a post for an oil minister for the first time in five years.

Earlier this month, reports emerged that Oun had recommended to the government of national unity that it replace NOCs long-serving Sanalla in a board reshuffle.

Since getting a unity government in March and a petroleum minister for the first time in five years, Libya has vowed it would raise its oil production, provided that the NOC receives the necessary funds.

However, the tensions between the oil minister Oun and NOCs boss Sanalla have reportedly increased, also because of the overlapping of their functions and duties and the jurisdiction of the oil ministry and the national oil corporation.

Last week, Oun said that Sanalla couldnt act as chairman of NOC while traveling abroad and appointed Jadallah al-Awkali to be the head of the oil corporation while Sanalla was not in Libya. Sanalla, for his part, rejected the decision, saying there is no procedure or process in which the oil minister alone could replace a chairman at NOC, according to Reuters.

At the end of July, Oun said that Libya could boost its oil production to 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) by the middle of 2022 if the industry has the necessary funding. Currently, the North African producer exempted from the OPEC+ cuts pumps around 1.2 million bpd.

Libya will struggle to keep its oil production at current levels if the country fails to resolve a long-running dispute over its budget, Oun told Bloomberg earlier this month. The success of Libyan plans to boost oil production remains in jeopardy due to disagreements over the nations budgetthe first national budget in nearly a decade.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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State-controlled Rosneft, the largest oil producer in Russia, has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to be allowed to export natural gas with giant Gazprom acting as an export agent, Russian newspaper Kommersant reports, citing a letter which Rosnefts boss has sent to Putin.

Gazprom is the sole exporter of natural gas in Russia.

Rosnefts chief executive office Igor Sechin wrote a letter to Putin dated August 13, asking the Russian oil producer to be allowed to export 10 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe per year, Kommersant says.

Rosneft proposes to sign an agreement with Gazprom, in which the gas monopoly will act as the export agent for the gas Rosneft plans to ship to Europe, according to Sechins letter seen by Kommersant.

Such an agreement would not affect Gazproms monopoly in Russian exports, Sechin notes in the letter. Rosnefts key argument for being allowed to export natural gas is that increased exports will raise the budget revenues for Russia at a time when gas prices in Europe are hitting records due to high demand and insufficient supply, including from Gazprom.

Additional revenues could bring Russia as much as US$502 million (37 billion Russian rubles) annually, Sechins letter says, as per Kommersant.

Rosneft did not indicate in the letter which pipeline route the company would use if it was allowed to export gas. However, gas exports from Rosneft could help lift the EU restrictions on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, according to the letter.

Back in 2017, Rosneft and its 20 percent shareholder BP agreed to cooperate in the gas business, including with delivering gas to Europe.

Meanwhile, a German court ruled last week that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany would have to obey European Union regulations that separate owners of the pipelines from suppliers of gas, dealing a blow to Russian gas giant Gazprom who had sought to have EU rules waived for the controversial pipeline.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Govt-and-politics

Partisanship expected as Nebraska lawmakers tackle math, geography puzzle of redistricting

LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers will dig in Monday on a set of big, challenging math and geography problems.

The first one: Even out the populations of the states three congressional districts by taking 47,170 residents from the Omaha-centered 2nd District and 5,981 people from the Lincoln-based 1st District and adding that total to the already vast 3rd District.

Next, do the same for 49 state legislative districts, subtracting here, adding there and redrawing boundaries in a statewide puzzle until the districts are as nearly equal in population as may be.

Finally, repeat the process for six Supreme Court districts, eight University of Nebraska Board of Regents and State Board of Education districts and five Public Service Commission districts.

Omaha posts solid population growth, 2020 Census shows Annexations of suburban areas helped the city capture a larger share of the Omaha metro population. But Omaha's gains also may reflect success in attracting residents to the city's urban core.

And complete the whole task within 30 days, with the two major political parties doing everything they can to jockey for advantage and engaged citizens on alert for political shenanigans.

Lou Ann Linehan

Its going to be hard and there will be disagreements, said State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who chairs the Legislatures Redistricting Committee.

She will lead the process of redrawing state political districts that is required every 10 years following the federal census.

Normally, that process would have been completed by this time of the year. But the coronavirus pandemic slowed the 2020 national headcount and delayed distribution of population data to the states. Nebraska and other states just received the official census numbers Aug. 12.

The Legislature has to complete its work by Sept. 30 so that counties, school districts and other local subdivisions have time to redraw their election districts and local election officials can make changes to voting precincts.

The committee will meet Monday to start crafting a redistricting proposal. Linehan said she wants the plan to be ready for unveiling to the public by Sept. 10. It will be introduced as legislation when the full Legislature convenes for a special session on redistricting on Sept. 13.

Sen. Steve Lathrop of Omaha, a Redistricting Committee member, said he cant predict what may emerge from the committee. But he expects many more members of the public will be watching, given the heightened awareness of the political gamesmanship that can occur during redistricting.

Steve Lathrop

State Democrats raised accusations of gerrymandering  drawing boundaries to give one party an unfair advantage in elections  in 2011 after Republican lawmakers pushed through a plan that moved the Democratic-leaning Bellevue out of the 2nd Congressional District, where it had been traditionally, and replaced it with GOP-heavy western Sarpy County.

The change came after the 2nd District gave an electoral vote to Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election. Unlike nearly every other state, Nebraska awards three of its five Electoral College votes based on the winner of each congressional district.

The redrawn 2nd District remains competitive, however. It elected Democrat Brad Ashford to Congress in 2014 and gave an electoral vote to Democrat Joe Biden last year.

I think whats important is this entire process be transparent, said Lathrop, a Democrat. At the end of the day, it needs to be done right and not be a partisan undertaking.

But both Linehan, a Republican, and Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said redistricting is heavily partisan by its nature, even in the Nebraska Legislature, where members are elected and serve without party labels. The process can determine which party is more likely to win elections.

No matter how anyone tries to take the partisanship out of the redistricting process, there will always be partisan interest, Kleeb said.

Gov. Ricketts calls lawmakers back for special session on redistricting Gov. Pete Ricketts issued a proclamation calling the Nebraska Legislature into special session to redraw congressional, legislative and other political districts. The session will start Sept. 13.

As the minority party, Democrats will be on the defensive. But, with 17 Democrats in the Legislature, they have the power to mount a filibuster and stop plans they oppose. It takes 33 votes in the 49-member Legislature to end a filibuster, which Republicans would not have unless they convince one or more Democrats to join them.

Party divisions have already shown up in the current committee, which has five Republican and four Democratic members. Earlier this year, members voted along party lines on adopting the guidelines to be used for redistricting.

The guidelines, which are similar to those used 10 years ago, require the new districts to be compact, contiguous and follow county lines whenever practicable. Districts are to be drawn, if possible, to keep cities together and preserve communities of people with similar interests.

The guidelines say new district lines should not dilute the political power of minority groups or favor any party, group or person. In addition, they are to be drawn without regard to political party registration, past voting patterns and population differences.

Nebraska Legislature adjourns 'historic' session that provided tax cuts, help for military families Nebraska lawmakers wrapped up a session that the governor, citing a slew of tax-cutting bills, called "historic."

One critical issue this time around will be how the committee redraws the fast-growing 2nd Congressional District. Some proposals floated this summer would involve splitting Douglas County. Depending on how the county was split, it could dilute the countys Democratic strength.

Linehan said she has heard that idea rumored and would take a look if somebody would bring me a map that would make sense. But she expressed doubt that the idea would get very far. Kleeb called it an absolute no-go for Democrats.

Another option would be to move the line dividing Sarpy County farther west. But if it moved too far, it would put Rep. Don Bacon outside of his district. Bacon lives south of Shadow Lake Towne Center, a couple of miles from the districts eastern boundary. Though the U.S. Constitution does not require members of the House of Representatives to live within the district they represent, residing outside a district can make a candidate vulnerable to political attacks and allegations that they are out of touch with their constituents.

A second critical issue will be how the Legislature draws new legislative districts, given the loss of population in rural Nebraska and the gain in urban areas. Rural Nebraskans urged the committee earlier this year to preserve as many rural-focused districts as possible.

In 2011, lawmakers eliminated a rural district held by a term-limited senator and moved the district to the Gretna area. John Murante, a legislative aide who had worked on the redistricting and lived in the new area, won election to the newly vacant seat.

Nebraska legislators adopt standards to guide redistricting on party-line vote The partisan divide in Nebraska's officially nonpartisan State Legislature was evident as lawmakers adopted guidelines for redrawing the state's voting districts following the 2020 census.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, a Republican on the Redistricting Committee, said he doesnt expect to see outright removal of a rural district again. Instead, he is hopeful that district boundaries can simply be shifted farther east to maintain as much rural area as possible.

Tom Briese

He also argues for making full use of the population deviation, or fudge factor, in drawing districts. Guidelines adopted by the Legislature allow for legislative districts to have up to 5% more or 5% fewer people than the 40,030 target number. Lawmakers could maximize the number of rural lawmakers by leaving rural districts a little short and urban districts a little long.

Were not going to meet that one-person, one-vote requirement precisely, Briese said. The goal is to come up with something that is fair to everyone.

Tackling redistricting during a special session will compress the timeline for the legislative process, especially for getting public input on the legislative proposal. Hearings in each of the congressional districts are planned for Sept. 14 and 15. But the special session structure means that lawmakers and the public will not be distracted with other issues.

Linehan said she is optimistic that theres a good committee with good representation across the state, and said she hopes to see a process where everybody gets some of what they wanted, but not all of what they wanted.

This is a process where we need to make sure were serving Nebraska well, she said. We may differ on what that means, but thats my goal.
Mold removal was just finished in the basement after a water line burst and flooded the house when it was emptied by the fire.

Were just getting really started with removing the damaged portion, Blaschko said. Were getting things ready and ordered.

Shes the keeper of the spreadsheet that includes new plumbing, electrical and HVAC work and will be responsible for making sure the professionals show up as required. JLS Construction will do the bulk of the exterior and interior work.

She, with the help of Vasholz, will do the finish work such as tiling and painting and constructing things like kitchen cabinets.

Because of its plaster walls, Blaschko said, much of the structure was protected from the fire in one wing and is actually in good shape. The house, with 3,000-square-feet of finished space, is double the space of their former home east of Duchesne High School.

My parents will be happy to have a place to stay when they visit, said Blaschko, who grew up on a farm near Kearney. Vasholz is from Omaha.
Lawler said a community really needs vaccination rates well above 70% before vaccination can significantly blunt cases and, more important, hospitalizations.

I think we can anticipate a similar level of cases, and for all the Southern states that have seen delta (increase case) rates, they have not seen a blunting of hospitalizations, Lawler said.

The highest per-capita case counts, for now, remain in the South, led by Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Nebraskas per-capita caseload remains below the national average but continues to climb, now ranking 27th.

Nebraska and a couple of its northern neighbors were among the largest gainers over the past two weeks. South Dakota leads the nation in two-week case growth at 170%, followed by West Virginia (130%), Pennsylvania (115%), North Dakota (110%) and Nebraska (88%). Iowa, too, was on the rise, with its two-week growth rate at 44% and ranking 19th among states.

Lawler noted that the surges in Southern states that now have reached peaks  Missouri, Arkansas, Florida and Louisiana  all began before schools returned to session. Nebraskas fall peak may be higher, he said, because its existing increase in cases is coinciding with the opening of school.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  A bill approved by the Republican-led Oklahoma Legislature this year that seeks to crack down on protesters is unconstitutional and would chill the ability of groups to mobilize people to advocate for racial justice, a civil rights group argues in a federal lawsuit filed Monday.

The Oklahoma chapter of the NAACP filed the lawsuit in federal court in Oklahoma City, along with the national NAACP, the nation's oldest civil rights organization, and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center.

The lawsuit argues the law, which takes effect Nov. 1, was written to discourage peaceful demonstrations and violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee the right of the public to peacefully assemble and give citizens equal protection under the law.

The new law increases the penalties for blocking roadways, grants motorists civil and criminal immunity if they kill or injure someone while fleeing from a riot and authorizes hefty fines for national organizations that coordinate with those found guilty of committing crimes under the state's rioting statutes.
The guidelines, which are similar to those used 10 years ago, require the new districts to be compact, contiguous and follow county lines whenever practicable. Districts are to be drawn, if possible, to keep cities together and preserve communities of people with similar interests.

The guidelines say new district lines should not dilute the political power of minority groups or favor any party, group or person. In addition, they are to be drawn without regard to political party registration, past voting patterns and population differences.

One critical issue this time around will be how the committee redraws the fast-growing 2nd Congressional District. Some proposals floated this summer would involve splitting Douglas County. Depending on how the county was split, it could dilute the countys Democratic strength.

Linehan said she has heard that idea rumored and would take a look if somebody would bring me a map that would make sense. But she expressed doubt that the idea would get very far. Kleeb called it an absolute no-go for Democrats.
Fiddelke added the "self-suspension" announced by Sigma Chi on Sunday is "not an official protocol" used by the university. UNL could take its own action following an investigation.

Four days before the alleged incident, Sigma Chi had posted a statement of solidarity as protests went on outside the Fiji house, vowing to "do our part to create a safe and comfortable environment for all in our community."

Demonstrators on Wednesday marching for the abolition of Fiji walked within steps of the Sigma Chi house as they moved in a loop from the Fiji house near 14th and R Streets in a route that moved through the intersection nearest to the Sigma Chi house at 16th and Vine Streets.

While chants through four nights of protests last week largely centered on the expulsion and prosecution of the 19-year-old member of Fiji  and the permanent abolition of his fraternity  some organizers had called for a reckoning with Greek culture altogether.

At least three women who spoke at a sit-down gathering at the Nebraska Union on Thursday night said they were instructed as UNL freshmen to avoid Fiji, among other fraternities.
KABUL, Afghanistan  The last U.S. forces flew out of Kabuls airport, the Pentagon said Monday, bringing down the curtain on Americas longest war.

The head of the U.S. Central Command, Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, said the final liftoff of American military aircraft came one minute before midnight in Kabul  just before the start of Tuesday, the day set by President Joe Biden as the final deadline for the departure of U.S. troops.

Every single U.S. service member is out of Afghanistan, McKenzie said  setting a capstone on a military presence that once exceeded 100,000 American troops and drew the U.S. into a conflict that cost trillions of dollars and thousands of lives.

Within moments of the final U.S. takeoff, Taliban fighters swiftly moved into Hamid Karzai International Airport, the scene of a massive airlift that carried more than 116,000 people out of the country since the militant group seized power two weeks earlier in a swift but nearly bloodless offensive.

Taliban fighters fired salvos into the air and shouted Allahu akbar! Strings of tracers lit the sky as the last U.S. plane flew toward the horizon.
KSA updated on Kingwood homicide

Police arrest woman in Kingwood murder

Emma Presler, a 19-year-old woman, has been charged with murder after authorities ruled a house fire that left one dead and another injured was intentional. The incident happened around 10 p.m. Aug. 6 at a home on Aspen Glade Drive near Northpark Drive. Devin Graham, 33, was set on fire in his home and later died. Karissa Lindros, 26, was also burned and is in serious condition. Presler was arrested in Waller County Aug. 25. She is in the Montgomery County Jail. Presler was previously charged with murder in Sept. 2020 after a 20-year-old was shot and killed as she slept in her bed. Charges were later dropped.

Commander L.J. Baimbridge of the Houston Police Departments Kingwood Station updated the Kingwood Service Association (KSA) Public Safety Committee at its Aug. 11 meeting on the status of what is now a likely murder that occurred in a North Woodland Hills home Aug. 6. At the time it happened it was treated by the HPD, the fire department and local Houston TV stations as a house fire with two, critically burned victims. However, since then one victim has died and HPD is now investigating it as a homicide. As of this writing, the other victim remains in critical condition.

As you are all aware, last Friday evening we had an incident where two individuals were in a home, and someone doused them with gasoline and set them on fire. It was very horrific. They were both rushed to the medical center, one by Life Flight. He later died. Thats what makes this a homicide, Baimbridge said and emphasized the investigation is something the HPD is working very hard to solve.

We have a pretty good idea of who the suspect is. [Police have since identified the suspect which was not public at the time of the meeting.] This was not a random act, he said. HPD believes there may have been some drug activity going on at the house. However, Baimbridge did not want to get into the details at this point without knowing for sure that the suspect and the activity were the basis behind the crime.

We did have a number of reports at the house for various things, he said and noted some of HPDs known actors had been involved in that location. So, it seems pretty likely that this was one of those high-risk lifestyles that resulted in this; something to do with drugs and money, which is more often than not the case, Baimbridge said.

The major assaults unit is working the case instead of the homicide division because they were assigned the case and already working on it before the victim died. As a result, it is continuing to handle it at the present time.

They do have a suspect, a female, which is unusual, and also another male, so hopefully we will get them. We know who they are and hopefully we can get charges on them and get them into custody soon. I wanted to pass that on because I know people are obviously concerned whenever we have a homicide in Kingwood, Baimbridge said.

On a more positive note, Bainbridge advised that Officer Sam Cleveland, who was critically wounded in the line of duty in Kingwood July 5, is now at home recovering and doing well, although it will still be a long recovery. He thanked Ray Rhodes of the committee for offering to remove a tree stump in Clevelands yard and explained when they were arranging to do it, a group of firemen appeared with a stump grinder and made quick work of it. Both Baimbridge and Cleveland wanted to pass their thanks on to Rhodes and the rest of the Kingwood community for all the support he and his family have received since the shooting.

Baimbridge also raised the issue of traffic safety around Kingwood High School, especially when school is getting out in the afternoon now that school has started. He announced actions the HPD is preparing to take as a result. He explained he knows he is new to Kingwood and last year when he arrived, it was a COVID year during which the traffic was not nearly as bad as now, but it is an issue that needs more attention now.

I was shocked when I came into it the other day and wondered what was going on. We will have the ticket books out and ready to go, Baimbridge said. One of the big issues he saw besides the heavy traffic and the high speeds near the school was what HPD calls blocking the box at the intersection of Kingwood Drive and West Lake Houston Parkway, especially during that period of the day.

Its where everybody wants to get through and they keep blocking traffic and no one can move. So, we are going to do some enforcement, Baimbridge said.

So spread the word, dont block the box. You wont be getting a ticket if you do, but most of the ones I saw doing it the other day were students. We need to get that message out because it creates havoc for everyone, he said.

In other business, Dee Price of Sand Creek provided a proposed public safety committee budget for 2022 she had put together for village associations to review. She explained it is essentially unchanged in its overall amount from the last two years and allows for flexibility in projects such as high school Shattered Dreams sponsorship if those programs are produced by either Kingwood Park or Kingwood high schools. Once finalized in the September committee meeting, it will be submitted for approval by the KSA board of directors as part of the KSA budget for 2022 in its October quarterly meeting.

The next Public Safety Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday., Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at the South Woodland Hills Community Room. The public is invited to attend. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, you are encouraged to call the Kingwood Association Management office at 281-358-5192 a day or two prior to confirm if the meeting is still scheduled as planned or will take place as a Zoom teleconference.
NORMAL  Midwest Food Bank of Normal is sending two semitrailer truck loads of family food boxes to the New Orleans area to aid in Hurricane Ida relief efforts.

The trucks are expected to head out by Tuesday in response to requests for assistance from The Salvation Army. Volunteers are assembling additional disaster relief packages in anticipation of more requests.

"We are ready to support the families impacted by Hurricane Ida," said Tara Ingham, executive director of the Midwest Food Bank of Normal, in a statement. "We are thankful for the faithful support of volunteers and generous donors making our disaster relief efforts possible."

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Midwest Food Bank is a Salvation Army first responder and can mobilize aid within 24 hours of a call. All family food boxes are stocked with shelf-stable food and can support a family of four for up to five days, the organization said.

A semitrailer truck-load of cleaning supplies, including bleach, gloves, rags, shop towels, and other items are also being deployed in a partnership between the food bank and Somebody Cares.

Midwest Food Bank Logistics Director Mike Hoffman said the organization is expected to send additional relief to Louisiana and Mississippi this week. The nonprofit is accepting monetary donations for the cost of supplies and fuel at midwestfoodbank.org.

Those wishing to donate should select "disaster relief" for the designation on the organization's donation form, or text @MFB to 52014 to donate.

Contact Sierra Henry at 309-820-3234. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_sierrahenry.

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NORMAL  Illinois State Police are investigating after a north Normal shooting that left three people injured and three dead, including the suspect, authorities said Monday.

The shooting in the 2000 block of Lambert Drive, in the Landing Estates Mobile Home Park, was reported at 3:44 p.m., Normal police Chief Rick Bleichner said.

Arriving officers found multiple victims with gunshot wounds and began to render aid, he said. Others found the suspect, who was shot by police. Bleichner said officers discharged their firearms based on their fear of imminent harm to themselves and others.

Two women were declared dead at the scene, Bleichner said. Three other victims were taken to Carle BroMenn Medical Center in Normal with what he described as serious injuries. Victims names were being withheld pending family notification.

State police are taking over the investigation as part of the protocol for officer-involved shootings, officials said.

It's an ongoing investigation, said state police Capt. Jason Henderson, speaking to reporters Monday evening. It's very fluid at this point in time. I would just like to reassure the community that this does look to be an isolated incident and there's nothing that they need to be in fear of at this time.

Around the time officers arrived on scene, residents were told to shelter in place, with all vehicle traffic not entering or exiting. McLean County Unit 5 rerouted some school buses in the area. Deputies began allowing traffic to the nearby Ironwood Gardens Apartments shortly before 5 p.m., and Linden Street was reopened around 6 p.m.

Allison Quinn was working outside in her driveway when she heard what sounded like a round of fireworks or firecrackers being set off.

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At first it was a cluster, then it stopped, there was an occasional shot, then at the end of it it was just like a constant going off, then it just stopped, Quinn recounted to The Pantagraph Monday afternoon. Then I heard a whole bunch of sirens, people yelling and I saw people running down my street.

Quinn, who lives on North Midway Avenue, said the shots sounded like they originated from the north part of the mobile home park. The whole encounter lasted at least a couple of minutes, she said.

It wasnt until the sirens of emergency vehicles blared through her neighborhood that Quinn put two and two together and realized that the echoes of the shots werent from pyrotechnics.

Thats when I knew they were gunshots, said Quinn, who lives in the park with her two sons. Its crazy. ... Im kind of in shock over it still. It hasnt set in yet. You hear about this and never think it can happen in your own neighborhood.

The Pantagraph has filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking body and dashboard camera footage of the incident.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos characterized the shooting as appalling, telling The Pantagraph that its unfortunate that something like this would happen in our community.

Koos said hes hopeful that the survivors will recover from their injuries, and that if the town can help victims families in any way, well be there for them.

To their families, I know its an unbelievable shock. Our hearts go out to them, Koos said. Well figure this out. Its an unfortunate situation for our community.

A representative for the mobile home park answered the park's phone Monday evening, but declined to comment on the shooting.

Contact Kade Heather at 309-820-3256. Follow him on Twitter: @kadeheather

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BLOOMINGTON  Patrice Rusk of Normal has been hired as the new shelter director for Wish Bone Canine Rescue.

The organization described Rusk as an animal advocate with more than 20 years of management experience. She will oversee daily operations at the Bloomington nonprofit, 2020 Bunn St.

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For the past four years, Rusk was the shelter coordinator at the Humane Society of Central Illinois in Normal, where she handled intakes and adoptions, implementing outreach programs, planning adopting events and fundraising.

We are so glad that Patrice has joined our rescue," said board member Linda Krueger, a member of the hiring committee. "She has valuable experience and leadership skills that will ultimately help save more homeless dogs."

Rusk said "a canine rescue is perfect for me" and is happy to be helping Wish Bone dogs find their forever homes. She plans on assisting with the organization's pending transition into a new building, resuming low-cost spay-neuter clinics that were put on hold during COVID and planning more fundraising events.

Contact Olivia Jacobs at (309)-820-3352. Follow on Twitter: olivia___Jacobs. Reach out with questions.

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Lake County authorities identified her as Yarianna Wheeler. Her body was recovered Aug. 15 after a fisherman saw it floating in the water three miles southeast of Waukegan Harbor.

She was about six to seven months pregnant and her body had likely been in the water for several. Her autopsy showed she had suffered "several sharp force injuries," but an official cause of death hasn't been released.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, Kwasi Kwarteng has said the solution to mass failure in an exam does not lie in abolishing the exams.



The spokesperson of the education ministry highlighted the following :



For quality and Standardization purposes, many professions and agencies use license systems to select individuals into their respective fields. All over the world the most efficient module used in this process is examination; whether written or unwritten (oral, physical or medical). For instance, in the enlistment of personnel into any of our security services, one will need to meet certain standards/test (Medical and Physical examination) before qualifying. The standard becomes even higher in the context of a teaching appointment where the prospective employee as part of his job requirement is to ensure the academic excellence of students through the imparting of knowledge and skills.



Against the backdrop of many institutions (Public and private) training teachers, there is the need for setting a common denominator in meeting the quality test hence the teacher licensing regime. The license system validates the legal authorization of the mandate of the NTC in indicating that a teacher has met all the minimum standards (knowledge, skills, values and attitudes, competencies and experience) necessary to deliver effectively in schools and protect the public through the enforcement of standards that restricts practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education.



Suffice to say, the concept of the Professional Teacher License goes beyond standardization and quality purposes. It demonstrates the highest mark of professional accomplishment that makes the Ghanaian teacher a member of a larger network of accomplished educators shaping the teaching profession as well as human resources. At no point should the profession become the last resort for anyone who isnt successful at his/her chosen career. Like in other fields, there must be that professional differentiator that sets our teachers at par with players in other disciplines/professions.



In view of the Global standards and recognition we aspire for, this exam is a matter of necessity. It cannot also be substituted with any other form of exam for that matter an internal exam. For instance, a schools internal exam does not negate the relevance of exams like WASSCE within the context of ensuring proper educational standardization within the West African Region. Hence an effective teacher license system places a higher premium, value and integrity on Ghanas education system thereby making our teachers and students globally competitive and recognizable. Recall we rode on the back of similar global recognition and goodwill to export Ghanaian-trained nurses to Barbados. With a good teacher licensure, we should be looking at leading the export of teachers in the Global space. It is possible!



Consequently, the solution to failure of candidates in undertaking a professional exam does not lie in the abolition of such exams; we do not scrap BECE when students do not perform. Neither do we scrap WASSCE when students fail to perform. Rather the non-performance should serve as an opportunity to thoroughly evaluate and hold a broader conversation into the quality of education at our training institutions. Proposals for Educational reforms must be scientifically driven. Regards.



Kwasi Kwarteng

Spokesperson-Ministry of Education

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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More than half of the backlog of people awaiting their second shot of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine are expected to take the jab, starting tomorrow.

The nationwide exercise, expected to be concluded on Saturday, is targeting people above 18 who received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine from March 10 to 29 this year.



Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), Dr Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, said the backlog was a little over 400,000.



He said they were targeting people who took the jab between March 10 and 29 this year because the last consignment of AstraZeneca that was deployed was targeted at those who took their first jab from March 1 to March 9 this year.



He asked the target group to take along a valid national ID card and the COVID-19 vaccination card they received for the first jab.



He said a number of health facilities had been designated vaccination centres, and published in both the traditional and social media for easy access.



Assurance



Dr Amponsa-Achiano assured the general public, particularly those who were waiting to be vaccinated and those who were waiting for a second jab but might not benefit from the current exercise, not to be anxious because processes were underway to bring in enough vaccines for the majority of the population.



He said currently the Ghana Health Service was ensuring equitable distribution of the vaccines among vulnerable groups, the entire population and frontline health workers to ensure a proper response.



We are getting more than enough AstraZeneca soon to cater for any backlog and new vaccinators. In the pipeline currently is 350,000 doses, which we are preparing to receive very soon. Apart from that, substantial number of vaccines are also expected soon.



The government and the GHS are ensuring that no one is left behind and that would be delivered sooner than expected, he said.



The upcoming exercise has been facilitated by the arrival of the 249,600 doses of the COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine delivered under the COVAX facility, courtesy the United Kingdom (UK) government.



Vaccines so far



As of August 18 this year, 1,765,050 doses of COVID-19 vaccines had come into the country, out of which 1,566,450 were the AstraZeneca double-schedule vaccine.



Under the National Vaccine Deployment Plan (NVDP) for COVID-19, the government received the initial 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca Covishield under the COVAX facility in February this year.



In March, 366,850 doses of the Covishield came in.



In May, 350,000 Covishield doses were rechanneled from the Democratic Republic of Congo under the COVAX facility.



In March 2021, Ghana received Russias Sputnik V before the latest arrivals of Johnson & Johnson a fortnight ago and 249,600 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine last Wednesday.







Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre (CCPTC) of the Catholic Hospital at Battor has taken delivery of three iBreastExam (CervAIcal colposcopes) equipment that can be used to screen women for both breast and cervical cancer.



The purchase and delivery of the equipment was funded by the Ben Addy Foundation and it is intended to further support the centre in its efforts to help train more healthcare givers to deliver the service of breast and cervical screening and treatment to the doorstep of all women in Ghana.



It is the first of its kind in the country and has been described by the CCPTC as a new era for cervical and breast cancer screening in Ghana.



IBreastExam



The iBreastExam is a simple gadget which is USA FDA approved and considered a crucial tool in the fight against breast and cervical cancers.



CervAIcal, a mobile colposcope, is integrated seamlessly with iBreastExam, which allows for breast cancer screening and cervical pre-cancer screening/follow up at the same setting, even in decentralised or remote settings.



It enables the scanning of the breasts by middle cadre staff (nurses, midwives, etc.) with little training as with it, they are able to detect breast lesions at the level of specialist breast surgeons.



Trained nurses, using the iBreastExam, can detect some clinically non palpable breast lesions which specialist surgeons cannot pick up during Clinical Breast Examinations.



Two-in-one service



In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Director of the CCPTC, Dr Kofi Effah, said the arrival of the equipment would simplify the screening process as well as make it convenient for women to get the services at a go.



He said with breast and cervical cancers being the top two cancer killers of women in Ghana, it was important that the efforts to screen and provide services for every woman, no matter her location, was sustained and stepped up to save lives.



Breast and cervical cancers when detected early can be treated. The good thing is that the IBreastExam is a two-in-one service equipment and it will help the CCPTC to achieve its main objective of training healthcare givers to deliver screening services to the doorstep of women and on every CHIPS compound, he said.



Dr Effah, who is an Obstetrician Gynaecologist, explained that the advantages the IBreastExam had over the widely known mammogram was that it was able to screen the breasts of women of all ages and not for only the above 40s as the mammogram.





The mammogram is restricted to women above 40 years because it cannot be used for dense breasts, but the IBrestExam can be used for women at all ages because it can screen the various levels of density of breasts and that is key. What it means is that being a handy tool, the healthcare giver equipped with the gadget can visit any facility either on a CHIP compound or in a remote area, set up and screen women for both cervical and breast cancer in a very convenient manner, he stressed.



He said apart from using it in its training programmes, the CCPTC would also make the equipment available for use during its periodic screening exercises which form part of the training and also its corporate social responsibility for people within its catchment area.



The CCPTC



The CCPTC in early 2021 added training in early breast cancer detection to its training in cervical cancer prevention (screening and treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix).



The iBreastExam will be used together with Clinical Breast Examination and trainees at the CCPTC will be taught to use it in their institutions across the country.



Among the key supporters of the centre are the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Ben Addy Foundation and its Founding President, Mr Ben Addy, as well as the Accra Lions Club. The Cervical Cancer Prevention and Training Centre (CCPTC) of the Catholic Hospital at Battor has taken delivery of three iBreastExam (CervAIcal colposcopes) equipment that can be used to screen women for both breast and cervical cancer.



The purchase and delivery of the equipment was funded by the Ben Addy Foundation and it is intended to further support the centre in its efforts to help train more healthcare givers to deliver the service of breast and cervical screening and treatment to the doorstep of all women in Ghana



It is the first of its kind in the country and has been described by the CCPTC as a new era for cervical and breast cancer screening in Ghana.



IBreastExam



The iBreastExam is a simple gadget which is USA FDA approved and considered a crucial tool in the fight against breast and cervical cancers.



CervAIcal, a mobile colposcope, is integrated seamlessly with iBreastExam, which allows for breast cancer screening and cervical pre-cancer screening/follow up at the same setting, even in decentralised or remote settings.



It enables the scanning of the breasts by middle cadre staff (nurses, midwives, etc.) with little training as with it, they are able to detect breast lesions at the level of specialist breast surgeons.



Trained nurses, using the iBreastExam, can detect some clinically non palpable breast lesions which specialist surgeons cannot pick up during Clinical Breast Examinations.



Two-in-one service



In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Director of the CCPTC, Dr Kofi Effah, said the arrival of the equipment would simplify the screening process as well as make it convenient for women to get the services at a go.



He said with breast and cervical cancers being the top two cancer killers of women in Ghana, it was important that the efforts to screen and provide services for every woman, no matter her location, was sustained and stepped up to save lives.



Breast and cervical cancers when detected early can be treated. The good thing is that the IBreastExam is a two-in-one service equipment and it will help the CCPTC to achieve its main objective of training healthcare givers to deliver screening services to the doorstep of women and on every CHIPS compound, he said.



Dr Effah, who is an Obstetrician Gynaecologist, explained that the advantages the IBreastExam had over the widely known mammogram was that it was able to screen the breasts of women of all ages and not for only the above 40s as the mammogram.



The mammogram is restricted to women above 40 years because it cannot be used for dense breasts, but the IBrestExam can be used for women at all ages because it can screen the various levels of density of breasts and that is key. What it means is that being a handy tool, the healthcare giver equipped with the gadget can visit any facility either on a CHIP compound or in a remote area, set up and screen women for both cervical and breast cancer in a very convenient manner, he stressed.



He said apart from using it in its training programmes, the CCPTC would also make the equipment available for use during its periodic screening exercises which form part of the training and also its corporate social responsibility for people within its catchment area.



The CCPTC



The CCPTC in early 2021 added training in early breast cancer detection to its training in cervical cancer prevention (screening and treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix).



The iBreastExam will be used together with Clinical Breast Examination and trainees at the CCPTC will be taught to use it in their institutions across the country.



Among the key supporters of the centre ishealth4 the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Ben Addy Foundation and its Founding President, Mr Ben Addy, as well as the Accra Lions Club.





Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has admonished the security services and Ghanaians to stay on guard against any possible terrorist attacks in the country.



Commenting during a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show ''Kokrokoo'', Kwesi Pratt made reference to reports that an Islamic terrorist group have infiltrated Ghana.



Ghana Isn't Immune To Terrorist Attacks



It could be recalled that, in 2019, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo gave an indication of possible terrorist threats on the nation.



The President, delivering a speech at the Kofi Annan Peace and Security Forum held in Accra, noted that Ghana is not immune to terrorist attacks despite the growing peace and democracy in the country.



Despite it being a beacon of peace, stability and democracy in a region that is plagued by the activities of terrorist and extremist groups, Ghana must know she cannot be immune to terrorist attacks.



She is determined however to deepen the religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence that exists between majority Christian and the minority Muslim religious groups in the country. They are hallmarks of our nation which we cherish.



Our major encounter with the terrorist group came in 2015 when agents of the so-called Islamic State, succeeded in recruiting a few adherents from the countrys university campuses to join the ranks and the groups fightings in Libya and Syria. They are known to have died in conduct. Two Germans of Ghanaian parentage are also known to have joined the group with one currently serving a jail term in Hamburg, Germany, the President said.



Kwesi Pratt's Take



Mr Pratt, speaking to host Nana Yaw Kesseh, sought to find out what the security agencies are doing or have done to proactively avert terror attacks since they have already picked intelligence on the threats.



''Where did the tip come from that they are here and that they will soon strike? If indeed we know that they are here, then where are they? If we know their whereabouts, why are we waiting for them to undertake their terrorist action before we do something about it?'' he questioned.



He also advised Ghanaians to cooperate with the security services and report individuals they find strange in their neighbourhoods.



''The cooperation with the security services in the fight against terrorism, it must be maximum. We must all become the Police. We are all CID agents.''



He believed the collective efforts of all Ghanaians and the security services will help to make Ghana terrorism-free.







Background



The Presidents comments came following terrorist threats in the sub-region.



Four persons were killed in an attack on a Catholic church in northern Burkina Faso late in May.



Burkina Faso has seen more than 230 terror attacks in a little over three years.



Ghana On High Alert



The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, also recently disclosed that Ghana is on high alert for terrorist attacks.



It is increasingly clear that the greatest threat we have in this sub-region is terrorism although it has not even hit Ghana yet. Terrorism is, therefore, top security concern of the President of the Republic of Ghana and indeed all of us, he said.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Government has commended the Police for their swift response in arresting persons suspected to have been involved in a robbery attack that led to the death of international journalist, Syed Taalay Ahmad on the Tamale-Buipe Highway last week.



Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, commiserating with the victim's family urged the new IGP and his team to deepen efforts to curb the incidents of crime, robberies, and homicides recently reported in other parts of the country.



Additionally, outstanding crimes of similar nature under investigation should be completed and perpetrators brought to book in good time, he said.





Robbers suspected to have killed international journalist arrested



Four persons are currently in police custody for their alleged involvement in some robbery and murder cases on the Kintampo-Buipe-Tamale highway.



The four  Saaju Bukari, Bertor Saabi, Ali Amadi and Isaad Seidu  were arrested following an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Special Anti-Robbery Task Force.



The operation also resulted in the killing of two robbers after they exchanged gunshots with the Police Intelligence and Operational Teams.



Preliminary investigations suggest that these suspects were behind many robberies including the killing of an international journalist some days ago, a statement issued by the police on Sunday, August 29 said.



Syed Taalay Ahmed of London-based MTA News met his untimely death on Monday, August 23 after the bus he was traveling in, together with another victim Omaru Abdul Hakim, was attacked by robbers.



They were joined by the driver of their Toyota Hiace with registration number GT 7405-16 to the Buipe Policlinic. However, due to the severity of the injuries, they were all transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where Taalay was pronounced dead.



The police said they have instituted rigorous measures to effectively combat series of crimes that have plagues the area over the past few years. Items retrieved by the police are two locally manufactured pistols and live cartridges, machetes, bayonets, pepper spray cans and stun guns. Some suspected stolen items were retrieved and they include mobile phones and motorbikes.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Private legal practitioner cum media practitioner and political strategist, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko is calling on Ghanaians to give credit to award winning architect, Sir David Adjaye for producing a world class design which reduced the cost of the district hospital in the governments flagship Agenda 111 Hospital project.



According to him, the design produced by the lead architect for the agenda 111 project, Adjaye Associates reduced the cost of a district hospital almost half.



The member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) explained that the world most celebrated architect was only contracted by government to design one standard district hospital for a record low price compared to the prices of district hospitals constructed in Ghana.



He wondered why some section of Ghanaians, especially members of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have suddenly developed hate for the renowned architect instead of applauding him for helping the nation to save cost.



So why this big negative focus on one of the worlds most celebrated starchitects, David Adjaye? He is Ghanaian and his firm, Adjaye Associates, is Ghanaian, with offices also in London and New York. He has not been engaged to design 101 or 111 hospitals. No! He designed just one and did a damn good job at it which should give us a bargain of buy 1 get 1 free.



He was legally contracted as lead architect to design one standard district hospital and his task was to do so at a record low price with a significant use of local materials, to be environmentally friendly and to do all this at a high quality standard. This is what we are paying for, he clarified.



Giving background on how the agenda 111 project design came by, Mr. Otchere-Darko indicated that Government first procured the services of Hospital Infrastructure Group Ltd, owned by the highly respected Kwabena Nyarko, former Vice President of GREDA, to coordinate the single largest health infrastructure project ever commissioned in Ghana, the Agenda 111 project, working closely with the Ministry of Health.



HIG engaged the services of some key architects, engineers, surveyors, etc, to deliver on this important mandate. HIGs job is to let the hospitals be designed and built as much as possible by Ghanaians, using as much as possible local materials, and to do so at a cost far lower than we are used to paying.



Mr. Otchere-Darko mentioned the number of local firms, especially architects contracted by the government and not only David Adjayes Adjaye Associates.



In all, over 20 Ghanaian Architectural and Engineering Consulting firms and 300 Ghanaian built-industry professionals are participating in the delivery of Agenda 111.Sir David only designed one standard district hospital! His job is not to build them!



Sutherland & Sutherland Architects, designed the new Accra Psychiatric Hospital. Which means that once done we will finally have a decent, modern, well-equipped, friendly to visit psychiatric hospital in the heart of the capital city.



Another Ghanaian firm, Victor Randolph, did the standard specialist psychiatric hospital. Which means that now if you live in the middle belt or in the North, you dont have to come to Accra for a specialised mental care. Another team of Ghanaian architects were tasked to design the standard regional hospital, which will serve the six new regions. Photos of the various designs by the various architects are attached to this post.



Stating how David Adjayes company have save cost for the nation, he stated that His specific design job was to come out with a standard design for a district hospital. He has delivered a world class standard design and at $17 million per hospital.



District hospital normally costs between $30-35 million. This is like Buy 1 Get 1 Free! Sadly, we have chosen not to celebrate the fact that we are getting over 5 million people in 101 districts to be served with 101 hospitals at a price that would have provided about 50 hospitals serving 50% fewer.



There is another 8 Ghanaian consultanting firms, whose services have also been procured through PPA, to supervise zonally the execution of all the 101 district hospitals across the country.



Mr. Otchere-Darko wondered the offence of the celebrated architect to attract hatred from some persons in the country.



So what has been the crime of Sir David? His design does not use the antiquated materials of cement block and mortar for the hospitals. It is interlocking earth bricks system, using local laterite from the respective regions. This has helped to bring down the cost. It also means, building with speed. He is using locally insulated roofing sheets.



His design allows for natural ventilation. It shows how we can build better, cheaper and relying more on locally produced materials, he questioned.



He was optimistic that some African countries copy the idea invested and the work done in the Agenda 11, calling on Ghanaians to support the project to succeed than discredit the project.



Mark this down. I foresee other African countries modelling their hospitals and schools from the designs, technology, materials and engineering that have gone into Agenda 111. We are doing something that, in my view, will set the standards for providing healthcare facilities for Africa and beyond. For me, we have something to be proud of and lets help it succeed. We may or may not celebrate the team making it happen, but let us not malign them. It can be demoralising.



This team, including Adjaye Associates worked under HIG and closely with Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to develop the brief as well as the designs and technical details for the various hospital types (District, Psychiatric and Regional) which have been approved by the Ministry of Health. There are several others as wel, according to him.







Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The police have gunned down two suspected robbers believed to be behind the killing of an international journalist on the Buipe-Tamale highway.



The suspects, Hamidu Umaru and another, identified only as Haadu, were killed after a shootout with personnel of the Special Anti-Robbery Task Force on an intelligence-led operation on the directives of the acting Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare.



The police have also arrested four other persons, who have been identified as Saaju Bukari, Bertor Saabi, Ali Amadu, and Isaad Seidu, in connection with the murder of the journalist.



International journalist



The journalist, Taalay Ahmed, with the London-based Muslim TV (MTA International), was killed about 6:30 p.m. last Monday during a robbery attack on a vehicle he was travelling on with members of his crew.



They were said to be returning after shooting a documentary.



Another victim, Omaru Abdul Hakim, who was travelling from Tamale to Accra with Ahmed on the Toyota Hiace mini-bus with registration number GT 7405- 16, sustained gunshot wounds when the robbers shot indiscriminately into the vehicle.



The driver, Rahman Baa, was not harmed, however.



The suspected robbers are said to have emerged from a bush at a section of the road at Sarikyekura on the Tamale-Buipe road and opened fire, deflating some of the tyres of the vehicle with some bullets penetrating the vehicle to hit the two.



The armed men fled after robbing their victims of their mobile phones and money.



The injured were taken to the Buipe Polyclinic by the police and later transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, but Ahmed was pronounced dead on arrival.



Shootout



The acting Director-General of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kwesi Ofori, told the Daily Graphic that the suspects were allegedly involved in a number of robberies and murder cases along the Kintampo-Buipe-Tamale highway.



The special operation, he said, led to the retrieval of two locally manufactured pistols and some live cartridges, machetes, bayonets, pepper spray cans and stun guns.



Other items retrieved from the suspects were mobile phones and motorbikes suspected to be stolen items.



"Preliminary investigations suggest that these suspects were behind many robberies, including the killing of the international journalist, some days ago," Mr Ofori said.



He said the police had instituted some measures to effectively combat crimes that had plagued the Kintampo-Buipe-Tamale highway and neighbouring communities recently.



ACP Ofori said similar intelligence-led operations were being employed in other regions to combat crime.



He urged the public to collaborate with the police by providing credible information on suspected criminals for immediate action.



"Policing is a shared responsibility. Therefore, we entreat everyone to get involved for a safer and peaceful society, he said.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The government has assured workers of the Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) at Awaso in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai municipality in the Western North Region of its commitment to keep the company running.

No worker will be thrown under the bus. With the plan we have for the company, we may even end up employing more, a Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr George Mireku Duker, assured.



The minister said this when he led a government delegation on a fact-finding mission to the company at Awaso.



The visit was necessitated by recent agitation by the workers over fear of losing their jobs following a decision by the strategic investor of the GBC, the Bosai Minerals Group from China, to sell its stake and pack out.



The delegation to Awaso included the Western North Regional Minister, Mr Richard Obeng; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Mr Martin Kwaku Ayisi; the CEO of the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Company (GIADEC), Mr Michael Ansah, and the Western North Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr Ernest Akrasi Kirk Mensah.



The delegation held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the workers.



The Bosai Minerals Group, which has an 80 per cent stake in the company, has written to the government about its intention to sell its shares, and per the agreement between the two, the government must respond by the end of August this year.



Mr Duker said the government was considering all options to protect the interest of the workers, adding that whatever decision was taken would be in the supreme interest of the country.



If, in the end, we feel it will not be in the interest of the taxpayer for the government to run the company, we will obviously offload it to a third party, he said.



According to the minister, discussions were still ongoing with the strategic investor, adding that in the event the investor had to pack out, the government would ensure that it fulfilled all the conditions under the law.



Concerns



The major concern raised by the workers was the payment of severance packages when the strategic investor packed out.



The GBC Branch Secretary of the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU), Mr Richard Ayiehu, explained that the workers were demanding a severance package because the company was set to go into a development stage when the lifespan of the current mine site ends in six months time.



He appealed to the government to ensure that the strategic investor paid severance packages to the workers before leaving.



Rationale for pulling out



The Bosai Minerals Group said it had decided to pull out of the country over what it described as a deliberate attempt by government agencies, spearheaded by GIADEC, not to have the GBCs mining lease, which expires on January 9, 2022, renewed.



The General Manager of the GBC, Mr J. K. Fang, said the company applied for a renewal of its mining lease in January 2020, but as of now the application was still pending.



According to him, they had managed the GBC very well, taking it from a loss-making company to a profit stage.



He refuted assertions by GIADEC that the company only made profits in 2019 and 2020.



Apart from 2019 and 2020, Bosai ensured that the GBC also made profits in 2015 and 2017 and had consistently been reducing the $11 million loss it was making when the strategic investor took over in 2010, Mr Fang added.



First discovered in the country by Sir Albert Kitson in 1914, bauxite is an ore and main source of aluminum.



Although the British Aluminium Company gave approval for the mining of bauxite at Awaso in the then Western Region in 1928, exploration and mining works started only in the 1940s.



The GBC has been working on the mining site at since 1941. The site is said to have enough reserves to last more than three decades.



In 2009, the Bosai Group successfully acquired the GBC from the world mining giant, Rio Tinto.

Source: Graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Trade Minister and member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kyerematen has condemned the act of violence that ensued between party supporters at Suhum on Saturday.



According to Mr Kyeremanten, the ideals of the party has no room for violence, thus the unfortunate incident that has left some persons injured should not be supported by Ghanaians particularly the rank and file of the NPP.



The incidence of reported violent clashes between supporters of our great party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Suhum Constituency of the Eastern Region on Saturday, August 28, 2021, is most unfortunate and must be condemned by all well-meaning Patriots, the Minister stated in a press release.



Reports that reached JoyNews on Sunday disclosed that the partys Lower West Akyem Communications Officer, Bernard Kwesi Amoani, was allegedly slashed on the forehead with a cutlass by the driver of the Suhum MP during a free-for-all-fight.



The chaos, which happened at the funeral grounds of one Opare, saw supporters of the Member of Parliament, Kwadwo Asante, and a Presidential staffer, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as Protozoa exchanging blows.



But although this has been the report, Mr. Kyeremateng says there are persons twisting the facts and putting the blame on himself and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.



According to him, such actions only seek to tarnish their image.



He said, Rumors currently circulating on social media that the clash was between my supporters and those of our Vice President are not only completely false, but mischievous and have been contrived to bring both the Vice President and my good self into public ridicule, adding that, I condemn without reservation this barbaric act of some members of our great party.



For him, such misunderstandings should never escalate to the point where lives are put at risk. He reiterated that barbarism of any sort does not have a place in the New Patriotic Party as violence does not form part of the partys ideals.



I believe strongly that any disagreement whether relating to a contest for position or differences in ideas and opinions should not be manifested in such violence in a party such as ours. The ideals of our party and tradition call for peaceful and harmonious co-existence and our motto, (Development in Freedom), has no place for violence.



Mr Kyerematen has, therefore, called on the Suhum Constituency Executives, the Eastern Regional Executives as well as the National Executives of the party to take immediate steps to resolve the differences between the two feuding sides to restore peace and discipline in the party.



Meanwhile, the Suhum District Police Command has launched investigations into the case.



Find full statement below



ALAN KYEREMATEN CONDEMNS CLASHES BETWEEN SOME NPP SUPPORTERS IN SUHUM



The incidence of reported violent clashes between supporters of our great party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Suhum constituency of the Eastern Region on Saturday, August 28, 2021, is most unfortunate and must be condemned by all well meaning Patriots.



Rumors currently circulating on social media that the clash was between my supporters and those of our Vice President are not only completely false, but mischievous and have been contrived to bring both the Vice President and my good self into public ridicule. I condemn without reservation this barbaric act of some members of our great party.



I believe strongly that any disagreement whether relating to a contest for position or differences in ideas and opinions should not be manifested in such violence in a party such as ours. The ideals of our party and tradition call for peaceful and harmonious coexistence and our motto, (Development in Freedom), has no place for violence.



I therefore urge the Suhum Constituency Executives, the Eastern Regional Executives as well as the National Executives of the party to take immediate steps to resolve the differences between the two feuding sides to restore peace and discipline in the party.



Signed:

Alan Kyerematen







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Fredua Ofori-Atta, has condemned the violent clash among some members of the party at Suhum in the Eastern Region over the weekend.



Some NPP members were caught in a viral video in a fierce fight on a funeral grounds of the late father of one of the partys communicators known as Opare.



The partys Lower West Akyem Communications Officer, Bernard Kwesi Amoani, was allegedly slashed with a cutlass on his forehead by the driver of the Suhum MP and another victim, Alexander Odei, sustained injuries on his lips.



The incident occurred on Saturday, August 28, 2021.



The violent clashes are said to have been between supporters of the Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.



Commenting on the incident on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Nana Fredua distanced the NPP from the behaviour of the angry fighters.



According to him, ''this is not an NPP behaviour . . . they happen to be in NPP T-shirts but that's not an NPP behaviour".



Also, the Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen has denied claims that the clash was between his supporters and that of the Vice President's.



In a statement, Mr Kyerematen said; the incidence of reported violent clashes between supporters of our great party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Suhum constituency of the Eastern Region on Saturday, August 28, 2021, is most unfortunate and must be condemned by all well meaning Patriots."



Rumors currently circulating on social media that the clash was between my supporters and those of our Vice President are not only completely false, but mischievous and have been contrived to bring both the Vice President and my good self into public ridicule. I condemn without reservation this barbaric act of some members of our great party.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Head of Psychology at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo, has condemned the violent clashes between some members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Suhum in the Eastern Region.



The incident that occurred on Saturday, August 28, 2021 had the partys Lower West Akyem Communications Officer, Bernard Kwesi Amoani's forehead slashed with a cutlass allegedly by the driver of the Suhum MP and another victim, Alexander Odei, also sustained injuries on his lips.



Those involved in the clashes were said to be supporters of the Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia but the Trade Minister has refuted the claims saying rumors currently circulating on social media that the clash was between my supporters and those of our Vice President are not only completely false, but mischievous and have been contrived to bring both the Vice President and my good self into public ridicule. I condemn without reservation this barbaric act of some members of our great party.



Contributing to Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo", Prof. Joseph Osafo rebuked the party supporters over their violent fight and suggested that to avoid party violence, it is imperative on the parties to hire psychologists.



According to him, the psychologists will provide assistance with engaging the parties' grass roots to ensure they exhibit the right behaviors.



"As we build the nation, political parties also need to have psychologists. I'm serious on this. They will help them with the grass root engagements because that is where emotions are intense...They need to hire psychologists. In fact, if you go to very serious developed democracies, they have it who help the party. They check what is the terrain, what is the attitude in town; it all helps and holds talks with the grass roots as well as engaging them," he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Terrorism is not a successful communication strategy. After an attack, the attention quickly shifts from the terrorists to authorities and citizens. This is what Jeanine de Roy van Zuijdewijn argues in her dissertation: The aftermath: meaning-making after terrorist attacks in Western Europe. "A year after an attack there is hardly any attention left for the message of the terrorists."

For her dissertation (defense on Wednesday 1 September at 4:15 pm), De Roy van Zuijdewijn investigated the aftermath of four jihadist attacks in Western Europe. These were the attacks in Brussels (Zaventem airport and metro in March 2016), Nice (boulevard in July 2016), Berlin (Christmas market December 2016) and Manchester (concert hall May 2017). "Terrorism research focuses mainly on the attackers themselves, who they are and why they commit attacks. Hardly any attention is paid to the aftermath; what happens after such an attack and what role do societies play in affecting the impact of terrorism? With my research, I hope to give the initial impetus to look more closely at the effects after an attack," explains the Ph.D. candidate.

In her thesis, the researcher and lecturer at ISGA focuses on two important actors: the authorities and the citizens. She looked at how these two groups use frames, rituals and symbols as part of the meaning-making process; in other words, the way groups interpret attacks and give meaning to them.

De Roy van Zuijdewijn studied the first day, the first week and the first year after the attacks. "The four attacks in the four countries are somewhat comparable in terms of background and ideology of the attackers. I also wanted to understand these countries culturally and speak the languages. So I conducted the research in four languages and a year later I attended all four commemorations. I spoke with survivors, you really see how it affects people rather than relying only on secondary literature. It was sometimes quite intense. Of course, as a scholar you have to keep your distance, but I think that this certainly adds something to my thesis."

Going along with the rhetoric of terrorists

The research provides thorough insight into how the process of meaning-making evolves after an attack. De Roy van Zuijdewijn: "What you see is that authorities were afraid that the population would not react in the right way, but the cases showed that authorities actually went along more closely with the rhetoric of the terrorists than citizens did. Like in France, where the population called for restraint, but the government actually imposed extremely strict measures they found necessary in such an exceptional situation."

According to the researcher, there are two lessons for policymakers and authorities. "Have faith in citizens, trust that they will find a way to deal with the situation. And second: be more aware of your own role in the meaning-making process. Pull together and learn from each other. I have seen so many differences in the way societies coped with and commemorated attacks. Sometimes it was completely unclear who did what. For instance, In Brussels, everyone just organized something. In France it was very top-down, people could come and wave their flags and that was it. In Manchester, people really pulled together during the commemoration. That immediately gave a feeling of solidarity and was part of a strong story of resilience."

The most important conclusion drawn by De Roy van Zuijdewijn is that, fairly soon after an attack has been carried out, the attention shifts to citizens and authorities. As such, terrorism is not a successful communication strategy. "There is no long-term attention for the message of terrorists. What the research also shows is that widespread solidarity or polarization, the assumed automatic responses after attacks, did not occur in such a binary fashion. That is why I also argue for looking at issues from different disciplines. In my opinion, scientists still operate too often within their own frameworks. I have brought all kinds of disciplines together, terrorism studies, sociology, crisis management, in order to be able to connect all these insights."

De Roy van Zuijdewijn is happy that the job is done and looks forward to the defense. "It was very interesting, but also difficult. Especially in the last year, in the midst of the pandemic, alone behind the laptop. Normally you find support from your colleagues when you get stuck. A quick chat in the corridor or at the coffee machine. Now I was sitting at home and I tried all kinds of things to stimulate my own creativity. I put up a whiteboard and bought a 30-meter roll of paper to draw on the floor like some kind of detective. I'm glad it worked out and I'm looking forward to the defense, especially now that there will be 50 guests, I'm really happy about that."

Explore further Do people find terrorism more important after major attacks?

More information: The Aftermath: Meaning-making after terrorist attacks in Western Europe. The Aftermath: Meaning-making after terrorist attacks in Western Europe. www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/e  ks-in-western-europe
The freshwater swamp forest of Hlanzoun is one of the last of its kind in Benin and is at risk of disappearing.

In the freshwater swamp forest of Hlanzoun in southern Benin, majestic trees hum with chirping birds and playful monkeys.

Home to once bustling flora and fauna, experts now warn that the fragile environment, one of the last of its kind in the West African country and accessible only by canoe, is at risk of disappearing.

The 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of forest, which takes its name from the river Hlan, is home to 241 plant and 160 animal species including the rare red-bellied monkey, the marsh mongoose and the sitatunga, a swamp-dwelling antelope.

Perched at the top of a gigantic tree squawks a hornbilla big bird known for its long, down-curved and colourful bill, similar to toucans.

"Hornbills feed on insects and fruits. They like to follow monkeys around because they force insects to come out when they move around, making it easier for hornbills to catch," explains Vincent Romera, a French ornithologist and photographer.

With his binoculars, Romera admires a family of monkeys jumping from tree to tree, while keeping a clear distance.

"The animals here have become fearful," he says. He's considering using camera traps to try to photograph them, but also to count the forest's animal population.

The 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of forest, named after the river Hlan, is only accessible by canoe.

"The numbers are in freefall," he says.

Sometimes, the forest's noisy concert is interrupted by gun shots, he says, probably from poachers.

Logging

Communities living around the forest "need money, so those who can shoot go and kill animals," explains Roger Hounkanrin, a local tourist guide.

Despite steady economic growth in recent years, poverty is widespread in Benin, especially in rural areas, and 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line according to World Bank data.

On the side of the road that lines Hlanzoun forest, lizards, crocodiles and snakes killed by hunters are sold and bought. Monkeys, too, are sometimes sold for meat.

But even more than poaching, excessive logging threatens the forest.

Between 2005 and 2015, Benin's forest cover was slashed by more than 20 percent according to the World Bank, and the deforestation rate continues to be high at 2.2 percent annually.

Between 2005 and 2015, Benin's forest cover was slashed by more than 20 percent, according to the World Bank.

Trees are cut down for firewood, and the fermented sap of palm trees is used to make a local alcohol, sodabi.

The damaging practice of slash-and burn agriculture has also become more prevalent, warns Josea Dossou Bodjrenou, director of Nature Tropicale, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works on environmental issues in Benin.

The destruction of the forest habitat reduces areas where animals can thrive, forcing them towards farms to find food and exposing them to poachers.

"This is a location that is at risk of disappearing," says local agricultural economist Judicael Alladatin.

"It's a poor area and we can't blame people for wanting to feed themselves," Alladatin says, urging authorities "to create conditions for alternative sources of income."

The government does not officially recognise Hlanzoun forest despite the lobbying efforts of several NGOs and scientific papers on the forest since 2000.

The government does not officially recognise Hlanzoun despite lobbying efforts.

But it has started to recognise the importance of safeguarding forests in general, according to the World Bank.

In Hlanzoun, the state "must act quickly" said Bodjrenou, and "support forest communities so that they can continue to make profit... but in a different way" by developing agriculture, trade and sustainable tourism.

Explore further Light at the end of the tunnel: Restored forest now shelters dozens of endangered species

 2021 AFP
Freshly deposited bowfin eggs attached to nest material. Male bowfin build nests in which females lay eggs. After the male fertilizes the eggs, it will remain with the nest to guard the young. Credit: M. Brent Hawkins

The fish species Amia calva goes by many names including bowfin, freshwater dogfish, grinnel, and mud pike. No matter what you call it, this species is an evolutionary enigma because it embodies a unique combination of ancestral and advanced fish features.

In a paper published August 30 in Nature Genetics an international and collaborative team of researchers, headed by Ingo Braasch and Andrew Thompson of Michigan State University, have begun to unravel the enigma by sequencing the genome of the bowfin fish. Their collaborative analysis yielded unexpected insights into diverse aspects of the biology of this mysterious, ancient lineage.

The bowfin is a bony fish endemic to eastern North America and is the sole surviving member of a once large lineage of many species that are now known only from fossils. Scientists have long been fascinated with the bowfin because it bears a combination of ancestral features, such as lung-like air breathing and a robust fin skeleton, and derived features like simplified scales and a reduced tail. The bowfin also occupies a key position in the fish family tree, where it sits between the teleosts, a large and diverse group that arose recently, and more ancient branches that include sturgeons, paddlefish, and bichirs.

Due to this special position in the fish family tree, the bowfin can help scientists understand how aspects of modern fishes evolved from their ancient antecedents. By examining the bowfin genome, scientists can investigate the genetic basis of the unique set of old and new features of the bowfin. They can also use this genomic information as a framework to better understand the origin of the teleosts, which have duplicated and extensively modified their genomes since separating from the bowfin lineage and emerging as the dominant lineage in most aquatic habitats.

Schematics show the arrangement of bones in fins and limbs. Elements that are derived from the ancestral metapterygium are shown in magenta. The tetrapod limb and a portion of the bowfin fin arose from the metapterygium, while teleosts have lost the metapterygial components. Credit: M. Brent Hawkins

As a doctoral candidate in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University, study co-author M. Brent Hawkins (Ph.D. '20) examined the evolution and development of the bowfin pectoral fin. Hawkins' doctoral thesis, conducted with Professor Matthew P. Harris, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, and Professor James Hanken, Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard university, contributed some of the study's most surprising findings.

Hawkins focused on the pectoral fin of the bowfin because of its ancestral configuration of the skeleton. The bowfin retains the metapterygium, which is a portion of the fin skeleton that is homologous to the limb bones of tetrapods. Model organisms such as the widely used zebrafish and medaka have lost the metapterygium, which makes comparisons between the fin and the limb difficult. By studying the bowfin fin, scientists can use knowledge of bowfin development as a steppingstone to bridge teleost fin development to tetrapod limb development and help explain the evolution of the fin-to-limb transition.

With co-authors Emily Funk and Amy McCune, both at Cornell University, Hawkins collected young bowfin embryos from nests in the wild in upstate New York. Hawkins raised the embryos, collecting pectoral fin samples as they developed. He extracted mRNA from the samples and performed Transcriptome Sequencing with the help of the Harvard University Bauer Core to determine which genes are turned on in the developing fin by parsing the transcriptome data using the genomic reference sequence. Once identified, he used in situ hybridization to visualize where these genes are activated during fin outgrowth. Initially, Hawkins expected the bowfin gene data to look very similar to other fins and limbs. "As a field, we have characterized many of the genes involved in appendage patterning. We have a good idea of what the essential fin and limb genes are and where they should be turned on," said Hawkins. However, when he analyzed the fin data he was shocked by the results.

While the bowfin pectoral fins did express many of the expected appendage growth genes, some of the most critical of these genes were in fact entirely absent. One such gene called fibroblast growth factor 8 (Fgf8) is turned on at the far tip of developing fins and limbs and is required for the outgrowth of these appendages. When Fgf8 is lost appendage outgrowth is impaired, and if extra Fgf8 is applied to an embryo, it can cause a new limb to form. "Every other fin and limb we know of expresses Fgf8 during development," Hawkins said. "Discovering that bowfin fins don't express Fgf8 is like finding a car that runs without a gas pedal. That the bowfin has accomplished this rewiring indicates unexpected flexibility in the fin development program. With the genome in hand, we can now unlock how this flexibility evolved."

A recently hatched bowfin larva facing to the left as seen through a microscope. Credit: M. Brent Hawkins

While some genes like Fgf8 were mysteriously absent from the bowfin fin, other genes were unexpectedly activated in the fins. The HoxD14 gene is expressed in the fins of fishes from the deeper branches of the fish family tree, such as paddlefish, but this gene was lost in more recent branches including the teleosts. When the authors found this gene in the bowfin genome data, they thought it must not be expressed because the DNA sequence did not encode a functional protein. Surprisingly, Hawkins and colleagues found that bowfin fins made HoxD14 gene transcripts at high levels, even though it did not code for a protein. "The fact that the HoxD14 gene can no longer make a protein, but it still transcribed into mRNA at such high levels suggests that there might be another function that we do not yet understand. We might be seeing a new level of Hox gene regulation at play in the bowfin," said Hawkins.

Taken together the Fgf8 and HoxD14 results indicate that genetic programs, even those that guide the formation of important structures such as fins and limbs, are not as invariable as previously thought. "By studying more species, we learn which rules are hard and fast and which ones evolution can tinker with. Our study shows the importance of sampling a broader swath of natural diversity. We might just find important exceptions to established rules," said Hawkins.

Hawkins also suggests that the results of the bowfin study serve as a warning against treating members of deeper branches of the tree of life as stand-ins for actual ancestors. "Some people might describe species like the bowfin as a 'living fossil' that reliably represents the ancestral condition of a lineage. In reality, these deeper branches have been evolving past that ancestor for just as long as the more recent branches, doing their own thing and changing in their own ways. In evolution, old dogs do learn new tricks."

Hawkins is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Matthew P. Harris at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital.

More information: The bowfin genome illuminates the developmental evolution of ray-finned fishes, Nature Genetics (2021). www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00914-y Journal information: Nature Genetics The bowfin genome illuminates the developmental evolution of ray-finned fishes,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00914-y
An artists conception of cold planet distribution throughout the Milky Way. For comparison, the cyan cone is the Kepler transit survey field. The inset shows an artistic conception of a planetary system in the galactic bulge. Credit: Osaka University

Although thousands of planets have been discovered in the Milky Way, most reside less than a few thousand light years from Earth. Yet our galaxy is more than 100,000 light years across, making it difficult to investigate the galactic distribution of planets. But now, a research team has found a way to overcome this hurdle.

In a study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, researchers led by Osaka University and NASA have used a combination of observations and modeling to determine how the planet-hosting probability varies with the distance from the galactic center.

The observations were based on a phenomenon called gravitational microlensing, whereby objects such as planets act as lenses, bending and magnifying the light from distant stars. This effect can be used to detect cold planets similar to Jupiter and Neptune throughout the Milky Way, from the galactic disk to the galactic bulgethe central region of our galaxy.

"Gravitational microlensing currently provides the only way to investigate the distribution of planets in the Milky Way," says Daisuke Suzuki, co-author of the study. "But until now, little is known mainly because of the difficulty in measuring the distance to planets that are more than 10,000 light years from the Sun."

To solve this problem, the researchers instead considered the distribution of a quantity that describes the relative motion of the lens and distant light source in planetary microlensing. By comparing the distribution observed in microlensing events with that predicted by a galactic model, the research team could infer the galactic distribution of planets.

The results show that the planetary distribution is not strongly dependent on the distance from the galactic center. Instead, cold planets orbiting far from their stars seem to exist universally in the Milky Way. This includes the galactic bulge, which has a very different environment to the solar neighborhood, and where the presence of planets has long been uncertain.

"Stars in the bulge region are older and are located much closer to each other than stars in the solar neighborhood," explains lead author of the study Naoki Koshimoto. "Our finding that planets reside in both these stellar environments could lead to an improved understanding of how planets form and the history of planet formation in the Milky Way."

According to the researchers, the next step should be to combine these results with measurements of microlens parallax or lens brightnesstwo other important quantities associated with planetary microlensing.

More information: Naoki Koshimoto et al, No Large Dependence of Planet Frequency on Galactocentric Distance, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2021). Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters Naoki Koshimoto et al, No Large Dependence of Planet Frequency on Galactocentric Distance,(2021). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ac17ec
Debris throwing by Octopus tetricus in the wild: Panel A - Octopus (left) projects silt and kelp through the water (from video by Peter Godfrey-Smith); B  an octopus (right) is hit by a cloud of silt projected through the water by a throwing octopus (left; see SI for video of this event); C, D The mechanics of throwing behavior, C  shells, silt, algae or some mixture is held in the arms preparatory to the throw, mantle is inflated preparatory to ventilation during the throw, siphon at this stage may still be visible in its usual position projecting from the gill slit above the arm crown; D  siphon is brought down over rear arm and under the web and arm crown between the rear arm pair (arms R4 and L4), and water is forcibly expelled through the siphon, with contraction of the mantle, as held debris is released, projecting debris through the water column. Illustrations by Rebecca Gelernter. Credit: biorxiv (2021). DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.18.456805

A team of researchers from Australia, Canada and the U.S. has found that female octopuses sometimes throw silt at males who are attempting to mate with them. The group has written a paper describing their observations and has posted it on the bioRxiv preprint server.

Back in 2015, members of the research team recorded instances of octopuses throwing things at other octopuses. At the time, it was not clear if the other octopuses were being intentionally targeted or if it was accidental. To find out, they went back to the same site in Jervis Bay, off the coast of Australia, a site where large numbers of Sydney octopuses live.

In making more recordings and studying them carefully, the researchers were able to see that the female octopuses engaged in multiple types of object-throwing. In most instances, throwing material such as silt or even shells was simply a means of moving material that was in the way or when building a nest. Less often, they saw what were clearly attempts by females to hurl material at a nearby maleusually, one trying to mate with her.

The researchers found that the hurling was done by grabbing material such as rocks, silt or shells and holding them under the body. Then the material was placed over a siphon that the creature uses for pushing out a jet of water very quickly. Doing so propelled the material ahead of a jet of water, sometimes as far as several body lengths.

In studying the tape, the researchers found multiple instances of females targeting males. In one scenario, a female threw silt at a male individual 10 times. They also found that the males often tried to duck when objects were thrown at them, and were successful approximately half the time. They also noted that throws meant to get rid of material were performed differently than those aimed at another octopus, involving tossing between the two front tentacles; suitor-repelling projectiles were usually launched between the first and second tentacles. The researchers also witnessed one female toss a shell like a frisbee using one of her tentacles. Notably, they did not see any evidence of males retaliating by tossing things back at females who were targeting them.

Explore further 16 things you probably didn't know about cephalopod sex

More information: Peter Godfrey-Smith et al, In the Line of Fire: Debris Throwing by Wild Octopuses, biorxiv (2021). Peter Godfrey-Smith et al, In the Line of Fire: Debris Throwing by Wild Octopuses,(2021). DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.18.456805

 2021 Science X Network
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

An Australian study of companies which test and clean up contamination and chemicals left by illegal methamphetamine labs has raised concerns about inconsistent standards, guidelines and operating procedures when making dwellings safe for future use.

The meth testing and decontamination industry has grown rapidly in Australia and New Zealand in response to awareness about this growing public health problem, putting pressure on clean-up companies to set best practice standards within the guidelines, say experts at Flinders University.

"The guidelines are very broad, so business owners must establish and interpret what techniques and chemicals are most effective," says Flinders University researcher Emma Kuhn, Ph.D. candidate and lead author in a new paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

"Currently the methamphetamine testing and remediation industry has no standardized methods, nor any regulatory organization to enforce the Australian Government Guidelines, so further reform is required," Ms Kuhn says.

"Not only do residents find it difficult to know who to trust with testing a home for possible contamination, but testing and remediation companies appear to find it difficult to operate with little or no regulation in the industry."

While still a relatively new industry, this nationwide study found more than 100 companies are involved in meth testing and remediation.

Most of the companies who took part in the study were small or medium sized businesses who adapt existing cleaning methods to the comply with the Australian Clandestine Drug Remediation Guidelines.

However, this leaves room for maneuver and different standards of operating and testing, adds senior author, environmental health researcher Associate Professor Kirstin Ross.

"You wouldn't get an unregulated tradie in to do your wiring or connect a gas heater so why would you allow an unregulated person to come into your home and spray chemicals around without a clear idea of what they are doing and what effect these chemicals could have on them and the occupants of the home," asks analytical and forensic chemist and fellow co-author Associate Professor Walker.

Flinders University environmental health senior lecturer Dr. Harriet Whiley and Flinders graduate Dr. Jackie Wright, now director of Environmental Risk Sciences in Sydney, also worked on the paper.

The study provides a foundation for determining common remediation industry practices. Researchers hope to keep working with the industry to raise remediation and sampling techniques in dwellings exposed to both commercial production and personal meth use.

Explore further COVID-19 lockdowns increase meth exposure risks

More information: Emma J. Kuhn et al, Overview of Current Practices in the Methamphetamine Testing and Decontamination Industry: An Australian Case Study, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021). Journal information: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Emma J. Kuhn et al, Overview of Current Practices in the Methamphetamine Testing and Decontamination Industry: An Australian Case Study,(2021). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18178917
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A simple fish stock assessment model applied to over 500 years of catch data demonstrated that if Canadian authorities had allowed for the rebuilding of northern Atlantic cod stock off Newfoundland and Labrador in the 1980s, annual catches of about 200,000 tons could have been sustained.

A new study by researchers from the Sea Around Us initiative at the University of British Columbia, the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research and Dalhousie University modeled the cod population trajectory for the entire period from 1508 to 2019.

"Our assessment suggests that the biomassthe weight of the population in the water of northern cod is currently around 2 per cent of what it was earlier," said Rebecca Schijns, lead author of the study and a researcher with the Sea Around Us at UBC's Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries.

"The interesting thing is that we got to these results by applying a computer-intensive but very simple stock assessment methodsknown as CMSYto catch data for five centuries. Different from previous assessments that required large amounts of information, this method basically requires only a time series of annual catches," Schijns said. "The other information that is required is available from the scientific literature, and from people with knowledge of the fishery."

Working with such a long time series allowed the researchers to reliably estimate maximum sustainable yieldor the highest catch that a fish stock can support in the long-term, given that environmental conditions remain more or less constant for northern cod at 380,000 tons per year.

But such high catches are now only a dream.

Fisheries used lines and later traps for 400 years and were sustainable, generating catches of 100,000 to 200,000 tons per year. However, in the mid-1950s the introduction of bottom trawlers reduced northern cod biomass to levels that could not sustain high catches.

Although Canada declared a fishery exclusion zone in 1977, fishing did not actually halt to allow the stock to rebuild. This led to a final collapse of the northern Atlantic cod fishery, which remained open to small-scale fishers even during a moratorium imposed in 1992.

And in recent years, every time northern cod populations appear to increase, the fishing quota is raised.

"As a student, I was on board a German trawler fishing off Newfoundland and Labrador in 1973 and I have vivid memories of this cod rush," said Dr. Daniel Pauly, co-author of the study and the Sea Around Us principal investigator.

"If artisanal fishers in the outports had been listened to when they warned about running out of cod to catch, things would be different now," said Dr. Pauly. "The scientists then monitoring the cod stock ignored small-scale fishers and relied only on the data from trawlers which, however, did not reflect the cod stock's decline because the trawlers could follow the cod further out than the small-scale fishers."

Paying attention to what local and/or Indigenous fishers have to sayand integrating centuries-old catch data into stock assessments can help manage marine populations more effectively for the long term. This approach is also helpful to understand the total impact of fisheries on marine ecosystems, Dr. Pauly noted.

"The CMSY method proved to be useful to assess the data-rich cod stock, but it also works with stocks for which we have only a catch data. This method is able to provide more reliable estimates of stock status by incorporating past data-limited periods," Dr. Pauly said.

The CMSY method offers researchers, fisheries managers and policymakers the possibility of taking a comprehensive look into the status of the world's most important fish stocks.

"Ancient catch data exist for several stocks, such as Bluefin bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean, which started being commercialized around the 8th century, Atlantic herring in the Baltic Sea, whose fishery started in the 13th century, and Atlantic salmon in the Celtic Sea, whose fishery started in the 14th century," said Dr. Jeffrey Hutchings, co-author of the study and a researcher at Dalhousie University. "There is a real opportunity to use these data to design policies that prevent collapses similar to that of the cod stock."

Explore further Can fisheries benefit from biodiversity and conserve it too?

More information: Rebecca Schijns et al, Five centuries of cod catches in Eastern Canada, ICES Journal of Marine Science (2021). Rebecca Schijns et al, Five centuries of cod catches in Eastern Canada,(2021). DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsab153
Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns as a chairlift sits motionless at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

A popular vacation haven normally filled with tens of thousands of summer tourists was clogged with fleeing vehicles Monday after the entire resort city of South Lake Tahoe was ordered to leave as a ferocious wildfire raced toward Lake Tahoe, a sparkling gem on the California-Nevada state line.

Vehicles loaded with bikes and camping gear and hauling boats were in gridlock traffic in the city of 22,000, stalled in hazy, brown air that smelled like a campfire. Police and other emergency vehicles whizzed by.

Ken Breslin was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic less than a mile (1.6 kilometers) from his home, with only a quarter-tank of gas in his Ford Escape. His son begged him to leave Sunday night, but he shrugged him off, certain that if an evacuation order came, it would be later in the week.

"Before, it was, 'No worries ... it's not going to crest. It's not gonna come down the hill. There's 3,500 firefighters, all those bulldozers and all the air support,'" he said. "Until this morning, I didn't think there was a chance it could come into this area. Now, it's very real."

By Monday night the fire had crossed state highways 50 and 89 and burned mountain cabins as it churned down slopes toward the Tahoe Basin. Flames came within just a few miles of South Lake Tahoe and residents of communities just over the state line in Douglas County, Nevada were warned to get ready to evacuate.

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Monday's fresh evacuation orders, unheard of in South Lake Tahoe, came a day after communities several miles south of the lake were abruptly ordered to evacuate as the Caldor Fire raged nearby. The city's main medical facility, Barton Memorial Hospital, proactively evacuated dozens of patients, and the El Dorado Sheriff's Office transferred inmates to a neighboring jail.

"There is fire activity happening in California that we have never seen before. The critical thing for the public to know is evacuate early," said Chief Thom Porter, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. "For the rest of you in California: Every acre can and will burn someday in this state."

The threat of fire is so widespread that the U.S. Forest Service announced Monday that all national forests in California would be closed until Sept. 17.

Seen in a long camera exposure, chimneys stand at residences leveled by the Caldor Fire along Highway 50 on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

"We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety," Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien said.

Overnight, the already massive Caldor Fire grew 7 miles (11 kilometers) in direction in one area northeast of Highway 50 and more than 8 miles (13 miles) in another, Cal Fire officials said.

More than 15,000 firefighters were battling dozens of California blazes, including crews from Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia, said Mark Ghilarducci, director of California's Office of Emergency Services. About 250 active-duty soldiers were being trained in Washington state to help with the arduous work of clearing forest debris by hand.

Crews from Louisiana, however, had to return to that state because of Hurricane Ida, "another major catastrophic event taking place in the country and is a pull on resources throughout the United States," he said.

Seen in a long camera exposure, a snowmaking machine blasts water as the Caldor Fire burns at Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Porter said that only twice in California history have fires burned from one side of the Sierra Nevada to the other, both this month, with the Caldor and Dixie fires. The Dixie, the second-largest wildfire in state history at 1,205 square miles (3,121 square kilometers) about 65 miles (105 kilometers) north of the Lake Tahoe-area blaze, prompted new evacuation orders and warnings Monday.

The Lake Tahoe area in the Sierra Nevada mountains is usually a year-round recreational paradise offering beaches, water sports, hiking, ski resorts and golfing. South Lake Tahoe, at the lake's southern end, bustles with outdoor activities, and with casinos available in bordering Stateline, Nevada.

On weekends, the city's population can easily triple and on holiday weekends, like the upcoming Labor Day weekend, up to 100,000 people will visit for fun and sun. But South Lake Tahoe City Mayor Tamara Wallace said they've been telling people for days to stay away due to poor air from wildfires.

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

She said she thought the Caldor Fire would stay farther away. Fires in the past did not spread so rapidly near the tourist city.

"It's just yet another example of how wildfires have changed over the years," she said as she gathered treasures passed from her deceased parent and her husband's while they prepared to leave.

The last two wildfires that ripped through populated areas near Tahoe were the Angora Fire that destroyed more than 200 homes in 2007 and the Gondola Fire in 2002 that ignited near a chairlift at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

Since then, the dead trees have accumulated and the region has coped with serious droughts, Wallace said. Climate change has made the West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive, scientists say.

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns at Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Wallace said traffic was crawling Monday, but praised the evacuation as orderly because residents heeded officials' orders. Authorities have also been more aggressive in recent years, issuing warnings and orders sooner so people have more time to flee.

Not everyone agreed as fierce winds kicked up dust and debris and drivers sat in gridlock. The California Highway Patrol added "quite a bit of additional personnel" to help guide a chaotic evacuation from South Lake Tahoe, as huge traffic jams slowed the evacuation of vehicles, said CHP Assistant Commissioner Ryan Okashima. Congestion had eased by Monday afternoon.

South Lake Tahoe resident John Larson said the evacuation probably went as smoothly as possible, considering how swiftly flames moved into the area.

"The fuel went so fast and it climbed the ridge so quick," Larson said of the fire after settling into an evacuation center at a park in Carson City, Nevada. Red Cross volunteers set up the facility with 50 cots after another evacuation center in nearby Gardnerville reached capacity.

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns as chairlifts hang at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

The fire destroyed multiple homes Sunday along Highway 50, one of the main routes to the lake's south end. It also roared through the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort, demolishing some buildings but leaving the main buildings at the base intact. Crews used snow-making machines to douse the ground.

Cabins burned near the unincorporated community of Echo Lake, where Tom Fashinell has operated Echo Chalet with his wife since 1984. The summer-only resort offers cabin rentals, but was ordered to close early for the season by the U.S. Forest Service due to ongoing wildfires.

Fashinell said he was glued to the local TV news. "We're watching to see whether the building survives," he said.

The Caldor Fire has scorched 277 square miles (717 square kilometers) since breaking out Aug. 14. After the weekend's fierce burning, containment dropped from 19% to 14%. More than 600 structures have been destroyed, and at least 20,000 more were threatened. Gov. Steve Sisolak on Monday declared a state of emergency in Nevada, citing "the anticipation" that the wildfire in the Lake Tahoe area in California would burn across the state line into the Silver State.

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Seen in a long camera exposure, the Caldor Fire burns as a chair lift sits at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, Calif. The main buildings at the ski slope's base survived as the main fire front passed. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

The National Weather Service warned of dangerous fire conditions and winds through Wednesday.

Diane Kinney, who has lived in the city since the 1970s, said this is the first time her neighborhood has been ordered to evacuate. She and her husband were packing up keepsakes, jewelry and insurance papers shortly after noon. They had to leave their 1964 Chevelle, but she hopes it stays safe.

"Everybody wants to live in Lake Tahoe. There are definitely advantages of being in the mountains, being with these beautiful pine trees," she said. "But we definitely have to get out now."

Explore further California winds shifting as wildfire battles go on

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: David Bassett, Author provided

Imagine having to fly non-stop for five days over thousands of kilometers of ocean for your survival. That's what the Latham's snipe shorebird does twice a year, for every year of its life.

This migratory shorebird, similar in size to a blackbird, completes this grueling migration to warmer climes, where it prepares itself for its return flight and the next breeding season.

Unfortunately, their wetland habitat is now being lost to development and other pressures, putting this tough little bird at risk.

A feat of incredible endurance

Latham's snipe breeds in northern Japan and parts of eastern Russia during May-July and spends its non-breeding season (September to March) along Australia's eastern coast.

Like other migratory shorebirds, it has incredible endurance, undertaking a non-stop, over-ocean flight between its breeding and non-breeding grounds.

It arrives at its destination severely malnourished and spends the Australian summer months building up its strength and body fat to complete its long return flight.

Unlike many other migratory shorebird species in Australia, you won't find Latham's snipe in large flocks enjoying picturesque estuaries and bays. Instead, it hides away in thickly vegetated wetlands during the day to avoid local predators.

Their characteristic brown mottled feathers help them hide in wetlands.

Large eyes high on their heads allow them to see far and wide. Their exceptional eyesight helps them constantly scan for dangers at night, when they forage for food in open wet and muddy areas.

The Lathams Snipe arrives at its destination severely malnourished and spends the Australian summer months build up its strength and body fat to complete its long return flight. Credit: David Sinnott/instagram.com/birdsbydave/, Author provided

Latham's snipe is the ultimate sun-seeker. It breeds in the northern hemisphere when the snows have melted and the weather is warm, then returns to the southern hemisphere to take advantage of spring rains, warmer weather and food-rich wetlands.

It spends its entire time in Australia feeding, resting and growing new flight feathers in preparation for the long haul back to Japan in autumn.

No food and nowhere to rest

Latham's snipe, formerly known as the Japanese snipe, was once a popular game bird. Hunting and wetland loss during the 20th century have contributed to a decline in Latham's snipe in south-eastern Australia.

The signing of the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement in 1981 has stopped snipe hunting in both countries. However, their wetland habitat continues to be lost due to land development and drying of wetlands.

Imagine flying for five days straight, arriving at your destination emaciated and exhausted, only to find your habitat has disappeared. No food and nowhere to rest. This is the crisis facing Latham's snipe and many other migratory shorebird species.

No formal protection for many of its wetlands

Under the Australian government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, any grouping of 18 or more snipe at a wetland site is considered nationally important. Unfortunately, however, development on snipe habitat still occurs.

In 2014triggered by a plan to allow housing construction on an important snipe wetland areaa team of passionate researchers and citizen scientists banded together to initiate a monitoring program of Latham's snipe in south-west Victoria.

First report of waders having returned to Australia includes 2 Latham's Snipe!

If you see a Snipe in your local wetland, be sure to get in touch with the Snipe Project!https://t.co/f5zjCJVTX0 https://t.co/I6HaExDmPg  Victorian Wader Study Group (@vwsg_web) August 18, 2021

After the first year of the monitoring, the Latham's snipe Project expanded to other parts of the country with help from a large number of dedicated volunteers and professionals.

The Lathams Snipes characteristic brown mottled feathers help it hide in wetlands. Credit: Mark Lethlean, Author provided

The story from this monitoring is still unfolding but two clear patterns are emerging:

Latham's snipe often congregate in urban wetlands; and

the majority of these important wetlands have no formal protection from development or disturbance.

7,000km, non-stop, in three days

Between 2016 and 2020, the Latham's snipe Project started tagging snipe with small electronic devices to try and learn about their migratory routes.

The team uncovered an amazing migration from a female snipe captured in Port Fairy. She left her breeding grounds in northern Japan and flew directly to south-east Queensland in three days, a non-stop flight of around 7,000km. A trip that might normally take around five days, this incredible individual did in three.

This is one of the fastest bird migrations on record and highlights how demanding these over-ocean migrations are. It also shines the spotlight on the critical importance of good quality wetland habitat when the snipe return to Australia.

Urban development continues to threaten Latham's snipe habitats. Several snipe sites in eastern Australia are at risk from housing developments and large infrastructure projects.

However, a different way of doing things is possible.

Eco-friendly developments like the Cape Paterson Ecovillage in Victoria provide hope. Here, researchers and citizen scientists have worked with the developer to help design conservation areas within the development to protect and restore wetlands for snipe.

Such progress is heartening, but a critically important next step is to make changes to local planning schemes that explicitly recognize wetlands for Latham's snipe.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Location and old-growth strand structure of the four forest types. Top from left to right: Turkey oak and Bosnian pine. Bottom; beech and fir. Credit: Michele Colangelo

European old-growth forests are estimated to occupy only 0.7% of the total forested area; they are of prime ecological value, representing small vestiges of how Europe's past primeval forest may have looked. In addition, old-growth forests provide various and important ecosystem services, such as biodiversity maintenance, long-term carbon storage, and landscape uniqueness. Therefore, old-growth forests represent valuable natural laboratories for evaluating how trees of different dimensions and ages respond to global change drivers, including climate warming and land-use changes. Although there is increasing attention on these ecosystems, knowledge of the long-term impacts of climate change in the Mediterranean environment is still limited. A recent study published in Science of The Total Environment, led by the University of Basilicata (Italy) and Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC, Spain), in collaboration with researchers from the University of Tuscia (Italy) and Pollino National Park (Italy), found that in Mediterranean mountainous area old-growth forests show remarkable resistance to climate warming.

The Pollino National Park: An ideal setting for studying the climate change impact

The first author from Pyrenean Institute of Ecology says that "the study has been carried out within the Pollino National Park, the largest protected area in Italy. We analyzed two conifer species (Abies alba and Pinus leucodermis) and two hardwood species (Fagus sylvatica and Quercus cerris) that were sampled along an altitudinal gradient, ranging from a drought-limited low-elevation hardwood forest to a cold-limited subalpine pine forest. Using a dendrochronological method we characterized radial growth dynamics of old versus young age trees."

"The sites were selected for their biological and ecological values, representing an exceptional example of an intact and ancient forest in Europe thanks to the presence of large trees, standing dead trees, abundant woody debris on the ground, and high structural heterogeneity," says Aldo Schettino from Pollino National Park. "Notably, some of the oldest dated trees in Europe (P. leucodermis, F. sylvatica) have been found in the Pollino massif. These stands are restricted to mountain sites characterized by irregular topographic conditions (i.e., steep slopes and shallow soils), which allowed them to be nearly untouched for centuries. The very few cases of traditional livestock and silvicultural activities were abandoned over the past century, contributing to their transition to increasingly natural conditions."

Landscape view of Serra delle Ciavole - Pollino National Park. Credit: Gianluca Piovesan

Mediterranean old-growth forests: A treasure chest of biodiversity and resistence to climate change

"This result constitutes a relevant finding in contrast to what is happening in the Mediterranean environment where various forest ecosystems are threatened by climatic extreme events showing clear signs of growth decline and dieback phenomena with negative consequences in terms of carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and ecosystem services," says Francesco Ripullone professor of Ecology at the University of Basilicata. "However some differences have been found depending on tree taxa and local climatic conditions. P. leucodermis showed marked growth enhancement in response to warming at cold sites; while, old trees of low-elevation hardwood forests showed stable growth behavior, highlighting the ability of F. sylvatica, A. alba, and Q. cerris to acclimate to warming in the Mediterranean mountains."

Large Turkey oak tree - Bosco Magnano. Credit: Francesco Ripullone

Relevant implications for biodiversity and forest naturalness conservation

"The presence of young and old cohorts in the same stand represented a unique opportunity" says Gianluca Piovesan professor of Forest Ecology at the University of Tuscia. "We found evidence for a fast-growth trend in young individuals compared with that in their older conspecifics. Studying and monitoring the growth performance of young trees in association with old trees is a strategic task to track old-growth functioning in the face of global change. The conservation of mountain ecosystems represents an important target (15.4) of Agenda 2030. These findings could have also relevant applied implications in the carbon cycle mitigation and in biodiversity conservation supporting programs for restoring forest naturalness."

Explore further Old pine trees witness the rewilding in Mediterranean mountain forests in consequence of late-medieval pandemics

More information: Michele Colangelo et al, Mediterranean old-growth forests exhibit resistance to climate warming, Science of The Total Environment (2021). Journal information: Science of the Total Environment Michele Colangelo et al, Mediterranean old-growth forests exhibit resistance to climate warming,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149684
Not5 condensates (on the top, in green) exclude an mRNA translation acceleration factor (visible in red, middle). On the bottom, merged staining: yellow would indicate co-localization, but condensates are green so the mRNA translation acceleration factor is absent. Credit: UNIGE  Laboratoire Collart

In all eukaryotic organisms, genetic material is stored in the cell nucleus in the form of DNA. In order to be used, this DNA is first transcribed into messenger RNA in the cell cytoplasm, then translated into protein with the help of ribosomes, small machines capable of decoding messenger RNA to synthesize the appropriate proteins. However, the speed with which this mechanism takes place is not uniform: it must adapt to allow the protein to adopt the right configuration. Indeed, a deregulation of the production rate leads to structural defects. The proteins, which are not correctly folded will aggregate, become unusable and often toxic for the cell. By analyzing the rate of ribosome movement in yeast cells, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, in collaboration with the University of Hamburg, has succeeded in demonstrating that the rate of protein synthesis is modulated by regulatory factors that modify at will the rate of translation of messenger RNA into proteins. These results can be found in the journal Cell Reports.

Proteins are 3D structures that, in order to act, must interlock with each other or interact with partners. In case of a structural defect, the proteins clump together, becoming toxic and potentially pathological. This phenomenon is actually observed in many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. "We already knew that the rate at which proteins are made varies according to need: sometimes fast, sometimes very slow", explains Martine Collart, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine at the UNIGE Faculty of Medicine, who led this research. "However, we did not yet know how this mechanism was controlled."

Ribosome profiling

In order to understand this process, the scientists used a very innovative and still not well-known technique: ribosome profiling. "This methodology makes it possible to determine the position of ribosomes at a given moment in the cell", explains Olesya Panasenko, a researcher in Martine Collart's laboratory and head of the 'BioCode: RNA to Proteins' Core Facility at the Faculty of Medicine, who specialized in this technique. "It consists of degrading, at a specific moment, all the RNA that is not protected by the ribosome, to keep only the ribosome protected fragments (RPFs). We then sequence these RPFs in order to define how many ribosomes were on the mRNA, and at which positions, at that particular moment. This indicates the speed and efficiency of translation."

The scientists observed the speed and dynamics of protein production in natural yeast cells as well as in genetically modified yeast, in order to identify possible differences depending on the genetic code. During synthesis, small condensates of RNA and proteins appear in the cell, with the function of slowing down the rate of ribosome production. "The formation of these condensates depends on the presence or absence of regulatory factors, called Not, which act as decelerators", explains Martine Collart. In their absence, the mechanism accelerates in the wrong places and results in aggregated proteins.

A speed regulated by the genetic code

Thus, Not factors associate with the ribosome at precise moments during protein synthesis, to slow down the ribosome during translation by condensing the RNA and the nascent protein. "One may wonder whether this regulatory mechanism is affected during neurodegenerative diseases or with age", the authors ask. It is therefore possible that small disturbances, when adding one to the other, may ultimately have a significant cumulative effect over time.

Explore further A solid scaffolding for cells

More information: Martine Collart et al, Cell Reprots (2021). Journal information: Cell Reports Martine Collart et al,(2021). doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109633
Credit: Kyle Finn

A new study has revealed how one of the world's most enigmatic creatures uses smell to maintain a crucial form of "social distancing."

The Damaraland mole-rat is a burrowing rodent found across southern Africa, in places like Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Closely related to the hairless naked mole-rat, it lives in a labyrinthine network of subterranean tunnels.

Now a first-of-its-kind study, led by Liverpool Hope University's Dr. Amy Leedale, has shed intriguing new light on how the mole-rat's olfactory senses are vital to breeding and survival in its sandy, pitch-black home.

Like African Meerkats, the Damaraland mole-rat is what's known as a cooperative breeder.

They live in groups of up to 41 individuals comprising a dominant breeding pair and their non-breeding offspring, who perform vital duties like burrow excavation and maintenance, group defense and pup care while forgoing their own chance to mate.

The problem comes, however, when the group fragments and disperses, through events like wet weather or the death of one of the breeding individuals.

In such circumstances, individuals disperse up to a kilometer away from where they started, in search of new mating opportunities.

The prospect of a dispersing mole-rat joining an actively breeding group is highly unlikelybecause group members often attack intruders. Instead, dispersing females tend to establish a new group, while males go off in search of these single females.

But how do visually challenged mole-rats navigate their way towards these potential new partners? And, equally, how do they sniff-out the threat from competing individuals from other breeding groups, who might not take kindly to a new intruder into their underground family?

According to Dr. Leedale, Lecturer in Environmental Science at Hope and a specialist in evolutionary animal behavior, it's largely down to odor cues in the extruded sand of a particular burrow system.

In new research published in the journal Animal Behaviour, Dr. Leedale writes that "using a series of behavioral experiments, we reveal that mole-rats can discriminate between breeding groups and solitary, non-breeders of the opposite sex by using odor cues."

"Our experiments showed that subjects spent more time investigating sand taken from other mole-rat groups than control sand, indicating an ability to recognize substrate-borne conspecific (other mole-rats) odors."

"Mole-rats also spent more time digging and sweeping in sand taken from the tunnels of unfamiliar, solitary animals of the opposite sex than sand taken from unfamiliar breeding groups and removed a higher volume of this sand during the experiments."

"Together, these results suggest an olfactory preference in both sexes for solitary, opposite-sex animals over breeding groups."

"Our results are supported by observations from the field that immigration into breeding groups is rare, with dispersing females typically establishing new groups, where they are subsequently joined by unfamiliar males. This study supports olfaction as a potential recognition cue which may facilitate adaptive dispersal."

She adds that "the implication of the research is really importantbecause if we can understand how animals are adapted to, and interact with, their environment then we can predict how they're going to be able to respond to environmental changes, protecting them in the future."

Dr. Leedale and her team tested 25 mole-rats from a captive population of over 500 animals at the Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman River Reserve, South Africa, housed in artificial burrows made from transparent plastic which allows their behaviors to be properly observed.

The sharp-toothed test subjects were presented with four types of aromasand collected from the tunnel systems of solitary, nonbreeding males, sand collected from the tunnel systems of solitary, nonbreeding females, sand collected from the tunnel systems of active breeding groups, or control sand simply lifted from a nearby dune.

One by one, the mole-rats were placed in a T-shaped maze, where they were presented with two tunnels at either side packed with a 30cm 'plug' of experimental sand.

Dr. Leedale says the more a mole-rat interacted with a certain type of sand, the more they were 'engaged' with that specific odor.

She adds that "in our study, subjects were considered to exhibit a preference for the experimental stimulus if they spent proportionally more time moving sand from the arm containing the experimental stimulus compared to the control and, or, removed more experimental sand."

And what the researchers found was that mole-rats of both sexes could very easily identify conspecificsi.e., other mole-ratsthrough their odorseven though they'd never come into contact with each other before.

Mole-rats spent more time moving the sand taken from the tunnels of solitary opposite-sex individuals, or moved more of this sand during the experiments, compared with sand taken from breeding groups.

And the report, described by the authors as "an important step in guiding future studies on social recognition in mole-rats," concludes that "Damaraland mole-rats are able to discriminate between sand taken from the tunnel systems of other mole-rat groups and control sand, suggesting they have the capacity to identify conspecifics using olfactory cues."

"Odor cues in sand could be used by dispersers to locate mates, and even avoid encounters with active breeding groups, which comes with the risk of attack, via olfactory cues."

"This study provides timely insight into the role of olfactory cues in discriminatory behavior and reveals a putative mechanism by which mole-rats are able to make adaptive dispersal decisions."

More information: Amy E. Leedale et al, Odour-based social recognition in Damaraland mole-rats, Fukomys damarensis, Animal Behaviour (2021). Journal information: Animal Behaviour Amy E. Leedale et al, Odour-based social recognition in Damaraland mole-rats, Fukomys damarensis,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.019
Study shows the replacement of large species by others that are less valuable commercially, and 37 species were considered overfished (Dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus). Credit: Diego Delso/Wikimedia Commons

In an article published in the journal PLOS ONE, Brazilian scientists show that one of the effects of overfishing in Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, is the replacement of large, valuable species by smaller species for which there used to be little demand.

According to the authors, the decline in stocks of Pomatomus saltatrix (bluefish), Epinephelus marginatus (dusky grouper), Caranx hippos (crevalle jack) and Seriola fasciata (lesser amberjack) has been followed by an increase in the capture of less commercially valuable but more abundant species, such as Trichiurus lepturus (beltfish), Balistes capriscus (gray triggerfish), Aluterus monoceros (unicorn leatherjacket), and Priacanthus arenatus (Atlantic bigeye).

In the article, which focuses on artisanal fishing, the authors note that fishers have to spend longer at sea to obtain the same yields as in the past, and that the youngest are switching to other sources of income such as tourism and are often encouraged by their families to quit fishing.

Concentrating on large-bodied fish can cause the decline of top predators such as groupers, sharks and tunas, and even lead to local extinction of some species, the article stresses. The first author is Carine O. Fogliarini, a researcher at the Federal University of Santa Maria's Marine Macroecology and Conservation Laboratory.

Also signed by Vinicius J. Giglio Fernandes, a researcher at the Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) with a postdoctoral scholarship from FAPESP, the article confirms the existence of a well-known trend scholars refer to as fishing down the food web.

"The decline in stocks of higher trophic-level species [larger species and apex predators] leads to more fishing of smaller-bodied species at a lower trophic level. Overfishing eventually leads to concentration on the smallest species at the bottom of the food chain. In an article published in 2014, we had already highlighted the decline in several mesopredator species [mid-level carnivores], including grouper and bluefish, and now, by combining local fishers' knowledge and landing data, we've shown how upper-level species are being overfished in Arraial do Cabo and the average size of landed species is decreasing," said Mariana G. Bender, who heads UFSM's Marine Macroecology and Conservation Laboratory and is last author of the article.

To confirm this latter finding, the researchers used mean trophic level (MTL) as a metric and set out to estimate its decline in a 16-year time series. "Roughly speaking, when this number falls significantly, it's a sign that we're fishing many more low-level species," Fogliarini said. "We had some difficulty with MTL because it's a general metric that takes into account the mean trophic level of landed biomass and its variation over time. So we divided MTL into four categories: all landed species; species from a trophic level [TL] above 4; TL equal to 3.5 or higher; and TL below 3.5."

The researchers observed a downtrend in MTL and landings of species with a TL above 4 and with a TL equal to 3.5 or higher. "Catches with a TL above 4 tended to rise and then fall sharply," Bender said. "This means landings of species with a TL above 4 were indeed declining, and they tended to be replaced by species with a lower TL."

The study also suggests that assessing changes on the basis of a single indicator, such as MTL, may mask results and that the use of several approaches, including local knowledge, can make the changes more explicit.

New targets

The researchers interviewed 155 artisanal fishers in Figueira, Monte Alto, Praia Grande, Praia dos Anjos, Prainha and Pontal, corresponding to 10.3% of the artisanal fisher communities concerned. They classified the interviewees into four groups: less experienced (under 20 years of experience), intermediate (21-35 years), experienced (3640 years), and very experienced (over 40 years).

"Fishers with more years of experience recognized a significantly larger number of overfished species than those with fewer years of experience," Fogliarini said. "We observed the same pattern for the number of species recognized as target species. The more experienced the fisher, the more species mentioned as new targets of local fishing."

The researchers identified 37 species as being overfished, led by bluefish in all experience categories (45%), but grouper and crevalle jack were most cited by the most experienced group. "They've fished grouper in the region for many decades and it's important to the local economy. Grouper and crevalle jack have always been highly valued there, but both species are increasingly scarce," Bender said.

Beltfish ranked second among overfished species and first among new target species. "According to the most experienced fishers, the species initially had no value and was buried in the sand when landed as bycatch, but a market gradually emerged for the species, which became a new target and was eventually overfished," Fogliarini noted.

The second most cited species among new targets was gray triggerfish, followed by Argentine conger (Conger orbignianus), unicorn leatherjacket and Atlantic bigeye. "The same downtrend reported for bluefish, beltfish, grouper, crevalle jack and lesser amberjack was confirmed by the landing data we were able to access," Fogliarini said. "We also found that the younger fishers reported new target species more than the older ones, and this also matched the most recent landing data we had."

Reasons for overfishing

According to the interviewees, the reasons for overfishing were rising numbers of fishers and fishing boats, the presence of industrial fishing vessels in the area, and unsustainable fishing techniques such as trawling and purse seining.

Marine fishery data from the Rio de Janeiro Fishery Monitoring Project for the period January-June 2020 shows that 59.9% of the artisanal catch in Arraial do Cabo was obtained by purse seining, with a skiff hauling out the net from the fishing boat to surround the fish. Hook and line came second, and beach seining came third.

"In beach seining, they use several skiffs and pull the net to the beach, where they land the catch. We also know about shark fishing, where they surround the fish and haul them to the beach. This is highly predatory because it catches a lot of pregnant females," Fogliarini said.

Data and public policy

According to Bender, the monitoring project data analyzed by the researchers was for too short a period (16 years, between 1992 and 2008), and more recent data exists but they did not have access to it. More assertive public policy is needed to assure continuous monitoring as well as data production and availability.

"Monitoring is irregular in Brazil, in the sense that it isn't done everywhere and it isn't continuous. It should ideally be periodic [once a month, for example] and include inspection of landings at various points of the coast, because catches vary in terms of composition from one place to another," Bender said. "Most important of all, it should be based on species and be as detailed as possible, avoiding the use of common or popular names, which is the current methodology and makes it hard to construct stock scenarios for the entire coast. There may be several species in a generic category such as 'grouper', which anyway refers to different species in Bahia and Santa Catarina states. Common names can change from one region to another."

For Fogliarini, consumers are also very important. "Few initiatives try to reach the consumer, and yet it's demand that determines what's caught," she said. "We need consumer awareness campaigns. A lot remains to be done to reach a reasonable level of awareness about fish consumption."

Explore further How fishing communities are responding to climate change

More information: Carine O. Fogliarini et al, Telling the same story: Fishers and landing data reveal changes in fisheries on the Southeastern Brazilian Coast, PLOS ONE (2021). Journal information: PLoS ONE Carine O. Fogliarini et al, Telling the same story: Fishers and landing data reveal changes in fisheries on the Southeastern Brazilian Coast,(2021). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252391
Probability of impact for mammals. Credit: Harfoot et al., (2021) Using the IUCN Red List to map threats to terrestrial vertebrates at global scale, Nature Ecology and Evolution. 10.1038/s41559-021- 01542-9

Using a novel modeling approach, new research published today in Nature Ecology and Evolution reveals the location and intensity of key threats to biodiversity on land and identifies priority areas across the world to help inform conservation decision making at national and local levels.

A team of leading researchers have produced global maps for the six main threats affecting terrestrial amphibians, birds and mammals: agriculture, hunting and trapping, logging, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. Results show that agriculture and logging are pervasive in the tropics and that hunting and trapping is the most geographically widespread threat to mammals and birds. There are sizeable continental areas in which there is more than a 50% chance that any particular amphibian, mammal or bird species is threatened by logging, hunting and trapping, agriculture, invasive species or climate change.

The world is facing a global nature crisis, yet information about the location and intensity of the threats responsible for biodiversity loss remains limited. Information on the spatial intensity of threats and how they affect species on the ground is critically important to improving and targeting conservation responses. This study presents both a first attempt to map this information and a research track to improve our understanding of how threats to biodiversity vary across the world.

Using the IUCN Red List to map threats to terrestrial vertebrates on a global scale identifies the most prevalent threat for each taxa. It finds that agriculture is the greatest threat to amphibians, being the most prevalent threat to these species across 44% of global lands. For birds and mammals, hunting and trapping is most prevalent, ranking as the highest threat across 50% of land for birds and 73% of land for mammals. Agriculture is the most prevalent threat for amphibians, mammals, and birds combined.

The research also identifies locations where threats are particularly prevalent. In Southeast Asia, particularly the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, as well as Madagascar, there is a high risk of impact from all six threats to amphibians, birds, and mammals. For amphibians, Europe stood out as a region of high threat impact due to a combination of agriculture, invasive species and pollution. Polar regions, the east coast of Australia and South Africa are mostly likely to be impacted by climate change, affecting birds in particular.

Dr. Mike Harfoot, one of the two lead authors of the paper, UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), says: "We are facing a global nature crisis, and the next ten years is a crucial window for taking decisive action to tackle biodiversity loss. Our results reveal the location and intensity of human-caused threats to nature. This information can support decision-makers at a range of levels in identifying where action to reduce these threats could yield the best results for people and planet. With further work, we will improve this information in terms of accuracy and the breadth of nature considered."

To help guide conservation action, the authors also combined threat impact data with spatial information on biodiversity importance to create conservation risk maps that identify high priority areas for threat mitigation. These maps are one tool that can support and inform decision-making on national and other levels as appropriate. The areas identified include the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, the east coast of Australia, the dry forest of Madagascar, the Albertine Rift and East Arc Mountains in eastern Africa, the Guinean forests of West Africa, the Atlantic Forest, the Amazon basin and the Northern Andes into Panama and Costa Rica in South and Central America.

Dr. Jonas Geldmann, assistant professor, Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, University of Copenhagen, and co-lead author of this paper says: "These maps also reveal that priority areas for one threat rarely overlap with that of other threats, meaning that to effectively respond to the current human impact on biodiversity we need a global response."

Dr. Piero Visconti, a study co-author who leads the Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation Research Group at IIASA, says: "Despite ubiquitous sensors and advanced technology, we still know so little about the exact location and intensity of some of the most important threats to species such as hunting and trapping and the presence of invasive species. On-the-ground surveys are irreplaceable to have an accurate local picture of the distribution and impacts of these threats, but they are challenging and resource-intensive, therefore difficult to do at the scale at which some conservation decisions are made. This analysis is an important first step that can help efficiently direct local assessments of specific threats to terrestrial biodiversity, and start identifying the most appropriate local solutions."

In 2022, the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will meet in Kunming, China, and is expected to adopt a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, a new global plan for nature. The research released today helps to demonstrate the various types and geographic breadth of the threats to terrestrial species, and so the scale of the challenge for transformation that the framework must deliver if we are to conserve life on Earth.

Explore further Transforming crop and timber production could reduce species extinction risk by 40%

More information: Using the IUCN Red List to map threats to terrestrial vertebrates at global scale, Nature Ecology and Evolution (2021). www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01542-9 Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution Using the IUCN Red List to map threats to terrestrial vertebrates at global scale,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01542-9
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Selfies taken by missing persons before they disappear could prove key for future forensic dental identification, according to a researcher studying at the University of Dundee.

Selfies showing teeth and gum shields are just some of the new dental identifiers to now appear on a checklist designed to aid the police and forensic odontologists in missing person cases.

The Dental Identification Record Checklist, which is the first of its kind, was developed by Dr. Claire Sallis and her supervisor Dr. Scheila Manica at the University of Dundee's School of Dentistry.

It aims to speed up the process of forensic identification by allowing police to request more dental by-products than ever before, such as bleaching trays or teeth molds and helps remind law enforcement officers to check for supplementary evidence such as selfies that may portray the missing person's teeth.

Working in collaboration with the British Association for Forensic Odontology and the UK Missing Persons Unit, Dr. Sallis hopes the free checklist, which has already been translated into 14 languages, will reduce the time it takes for police to gather important evidence, mitigating the emotional weight on families awaiting closure.

"You may not think about it but your teeth are incredibly individual to you," said Dr. Sallis, a 29-year-old from Chester, who is studying MSc Forensic Dentistry in Dundee.

"When a dentist places a filling, they will never make the same filling ever again in their lifetime. That's how unique they are and that's why they are great for identifying missing people.

"It's the role of forensic odontologists to identify the deceased by their teeth but this process can be frustrated by both general dentists and police not knowing exactly the types of evidence that could help speed up the process. The checklist should be applicable all across the world and so far it has been translated into Mandarin, Arabic and Malay amongst other languages and has been downloaded more than 200 times.

"Ultimately though, creating the list was about the families and relatives of missing people and helping reduce the time they might be anxiously waiting."

A cheaper alternative to DNA-testing, Dr. Sallis says teeth play a larger part in identifying the missing or deceased than popular culture gives credit for.

"Fingerprints, DNA and comparative dental analysis are the three primary identifiers recognized by INTERPOL. In the UK we don't have a national database of fingerprints unless you are a criminal; therefore, it is more likely that an individual has attended their dentist at some point than having had their prints taken. In certain situations, DNA can also be rendered unusable. For this reason, dental identifiers can be relied upon more frequently.

"We don't tend to talk about how forensic odontology is used in books or films, but teeth are composed of one of the hardest tissues in your body-enameland therefore can last a very long time and withstand a variety of assaults. In cases where the bodies of the deceased have begun post-mortem changes, the police have been able to rely upon dental identification due to the natural resilience of teeth.

"Looking ahead, with less and fewer people needing root-canal treatments or fillings, selfies could prove particularly useful to help match up the deceased with missing person profiles, especially if the missing person has distinctive dental features such as rotations or gaps; or in the cases of missing children where we might not have any dental records at all.

"So, even if you think your teeth are fine, getting a check-up to update your dental records could help should the worst ever happen."

Dr. Sallis plans to return to work as a dentist in Chester but aspires to become a registered forensic odontologist with BAFO where she may be asked to help on missing persons cases in the UK or abroad. She believes her time at Dundee will play a significant role in her new career.

She said, "There are few international opportunities for dentists to gain expertise in forensic dentistry and Dundee is the only university in the UK that offers a one-year program within an active forensic medicine department. It is thanks to amazing supervisors like Dr. Manica that we are able to contribute to the field in such an important way."

Explore further New product for identifying burn victims

More information: Dental Identification Record Checklist: Dental Identification Record Checklist: dentalidrecordchecklist.com/
Galaxies pump out contaminated exhausts. Credit: James Josephides, Swinburne Astronomical Productions

Galaxies pollute the environment they exist in, researchers have found.

A team of astronomers led by Alex Cameron and Deanne Fisher from the ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D) used a new imaging system on at the WM Keck Observatory in Hawaii to confirm that what flows into a galaxy is a lot cleaner than what flows out.

The research is published today in The Astrophysical Journal.

"Enormous clouds of gas are pulled into galaxies and used in the process of making stars," said co-lead author Deanne Fisher, associate professor at the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University in Australia.

"On its way in it is made of hydrogen and helium. By using a new piece of equipment called the Keck Cosmic Web Imager, we were able to confirm that stars made from this fresh gas eventually drive a huge amount of material back out of the system, mainly through supernovas.

"But this stuff is no longer nice and cleanit contains lots of other elements, including oxygen, carbon, and iron."

The process of atoms flooding into galaxiesknown as 'accretion'  and their eventual expulsionknown as 'outflows'  is an important mechanism governing the growth, mass and size of galaxies.

Until now, however, the composition of the inward and outward flows could only be guessed at. This research is the first time the full cycle has been confirmed in a galaxy other than the Milky Way.

Galaxies pump out contaminated exhausts. Credit: James Josephides, Swinburne Astronomical Productions

To make their findings, the researchers focused on a galaxy called Mrk 1486, which lies about 500 million light years from the Sun and is going through a period of very rapid star formation.

"We found there is a very clear structure to how the gases enter and exit," explained Dr. Alex Cameron, who has recently moved from University of Melbourne in Australia to the UK's University of Oxford.

"Imagine the galaxy is a spinning frisbee. The gas enters relatively unpolluted from the cosmos outside, around the perimeter, and then condenses to form new stars. When those stars later explode, they push out other gasnow containing these other elementsthrough the top and bottom."

The elementscomprising more than half the Periodic Tableare forged deep inside the cores of the stars through nuclear fusion. When the stars collapse or go nova the results are catapulted into the Universewhere they form part of the matrix from which newer stars, planets, asteroids and, in at least one instance, life emerges.

Mrk 1486 was the perfect candidate for observation because it lies "edge-on" to Earth, meaning that the outflowing gas could be easily viewed, and its composition measured. Most galaxies sit at awkward angles for this type of research.

"This work is important for astronomers because for the first time we've been able to put limits on the forces that strongly influence how galaxies make stars," added Professor Fisher.

"It takes us one step closer to understanding how and why galaxies look the way they doand how long they will last."

Other scientists contributing to the work are based at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Maryland at College Park, and the University of California at San Diegoall in the USplus the Universidad de Concepcion in Chile.

Explore further Cosmic galaxy assembly and the evolution of metals

More information: The DUVET Survey: Direct Te-based metallicity mapping of metal-enriched outflows and metal-poor inflows in Mrk 1486, Astrophysical Journal (2021). The DUVET Survey: Direct Te-based metallicity mapping of metal-enriched outflows and metal-poor inflows in Mrk 1486,(2021). iopscience.iop.org/article/10.  847/2041-8213/ac18ca Further information about the Survey: www.deannefisher.com/duvet Journal information: Astrophysical Journal

Provided by ARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)
Statewide, 66.9% of the total population has received at least one shot. Washington County is behind with only 59.3%, according to the state Department of Healths vaccine tracker website.

During fair week, covidactnow.org ranked the countys risk level as high, above Saratoga, Warren, and Rensselaer counties, where it was only substantial.

The fair tends to attract a rural, conservative-leaning population that, according to surveys, is less likely to be vaccinated. During fair week, almost no one on the grounds, including visitors, staff, vendors and exhibitors, wore masks or seemed to pay much attention to distancing, even in crowded buildings or in lines.

Its been tough getting people out for vaccinations, Hamilton said.

People who have rolled up their sleeves told her they were concerned about their safety and their familys.

Now some have to get it for work, she said.

Hamilton thought the reluctance to be vaccinated is just a hesitancy. People are unsure of it. But weve been giving it for eight months with not a lot of bad reactions or bad side effects.

About 33,000 people out of 61,000 in the county are fully vaccinated, she said.

COVID is definitely out there, Hamilton said. People need to be careful.

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BRIDGETON  Two New Jersey prison guards have been indicted on charges including assault and misconduct after one of the guards entered an inmate's cell and physically assaulted the man last summer.

The incident unfolded on June 21 at South Woods State Prison, according to a law enforcement affidavit.

Senior Corrections Police Officer Jeffrey Shelton was captured on surveillance camera entering an inmate's cell and later admitted to assaulting the man, according to the document. Also present was Senior Corrections Police Officer Carlos Lebron, who failed to intervene and report the assault, according to the document.

A message was left Monday with the mens attorney.

It's unclear from the documents what led to the altercation and how it unfolded. The documents say the inmate was physically injured but do not describe the injuries.

The inmate was released from prison in January after serving time on burglary, drug and gun charges, state Department of Corrections records show.
In addition to payments to customers, Wawa would also have to spend at least $35 million to improve its cybersecurity. And lawyers for the plaintiffs have asked for $3.2 million to cover fees and expenses, administration costs, and cash payments of up to $1,000 for 13 named plaintiffs.

Wait, why am I getting a gift card?

Lawyers representing consumers in the case said the gift cards are appropriate because Wawa has unusually loyal customers, who routinely return to the companys roughly 900 stores. The convenience store chain, based in Wawa, Delaware County, said its gift cards have a 97.2% usage rate, according to court filings.

More than 3,000 products in Wawa stores, or about 78% of the items, cost less than $5. The gift cards, which would be valid for one year, cant be used for cigarettes or other tobacco products.

But not everyone is happy with the deal. Attorneys for Wawa employees argued that gift cards provide little value to consumers who no longer live near a Wawa or choose not to shop there. However, U.S. District Judge Gene E.K. Pratter said the gift cards were adequate relief and preliminarily approved the deal.

What are my legal options?
MARGATE  Warren and Donna Tasca wish the city never tried to replace the water and sewer main near their North Clermont Avenue home.

The infrastructure project caused a fracture of the right side of the foundation system of their home. Now, their house is in serious structural distress. They are supposed to evacuate their residence immediately in the event of high winds, a tornado or a hurricane warning.

Our house has dropped even more. The roof has twisted. Our floors are lifting in the house, and we have even more cracks. The cabinets are coming off the wall, Donna Tasca said recently.

The city installed four 18-foot steel rods into their home in May to stabilize it, the Tascas said.

The Tascas wasnt the only home damaged during the infrastructure work.

+2 Some Margate residents say construction work damaged their homes MARGATE  Most homeowners would tolerate a period time of construction noise and torn-up str

Kevin and Barbara McHughs home on Amherst Avenue experienced damage in the form of cracking of the concrete slab inside their driveway, cracking of the driveway concrete and concrete on the side of their house, cracking of the driveway apron and damage to their sprinkler system, landscaping and fence.
Most of those participating in Freedom Summer were young, Allison said, drawing comparisons to last summers Black Lives Matter marches around the country.

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The discussion kept returning to Hamer, and would then go wide, taking in the national impact. An audience member described Hamer as a reluctant leader, one who stepped forward to address a pervasive injustice.

Allison embraced that description, saying circumstances put her in a position to become a leader.

Shabazz praised Hamer, calling her a phenomenal person, but cautioned against focusing too much on a single individual.

I think we should remember that there were many Fanny Lou Hammers we dont even know, all over the South and all over the North, he said. Thats not to diminish anything she did. I think we need to keep that in mind, there are many people who made significant contributions that we dont even know about.

That included many who risked their lives or faced assaults for the cause of civil rights.

Allison said the efforts of the summer of 1964 helped lead to the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. That work is not over, she said.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET POWER BACK?

The power company that serves the region said it could be weeks before some hard-hit areas see power restored. The power company, New Orleans-based Entergy, says it is working to provide backup power for water and sewer services, and the city says it is using its own generators at drainage pumping stations, but its not clear how long those efforts can sustain.

More than 11,000 Entergy workers, supplemented by 25,000 workers from at least 32 states and the District of Columbia, were working to restore power. As officials begin to assess damage, power will restored in a way that gets service to the greatest number of customers as safely and quickly as possible, Entergy said.

But the company faces a massive challenge. As of early Monday, 216 substations, 207 transmission lines and more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines were out of service, the company said. One transmission tower that spans the Mississippi River and had withstood Hurricane Katrina was felled during Ida, Entergy said.

Road closures, flooding and high winds were affecting crews' ability to reach some areas and could delay power restoration in those communities. Entergy said.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday she was in talks to call a special session of the state legislature after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration's temporary federal ban on evictions, just days ahead of the expiration of the state's own ban Aug. 31.

I am in talks with the Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker to call a special session to address the impending eviction crisis, given the Supreme Courts decision, Hochul said in statement Friday afternoon. Our teams will be working through the weekend to address how best to deliver relief to renters and homeowners in need as quickly as possible.

The court's ruling Thursday gave new urgency to Hochul's efforts to aid tenants behind on their rent because of pandemic financial hardship.

The state since the spring has been working to dole out more than $2.4 billion to provide up to 12 months of past-due rent directly to landlords on behalf of eligible low- and moderate-income renters, but the program got off to a slow start.

As of Monday, it had distributed $200 million for 15,500 households. Another $600 million worth of aid has been approved based on applications from tenants, but has not been distributed yet because of trouble identifying and contacting landlords.
AIDS Alliance initiated needle exchange relocation

In response to recent editorial on needle exchange in Atlantic Citys Tourism District, the South Jersey AIDS Alliance, of which I am chief operations officer, agrees that the Tourism District is not the best place for this program. In fact, it was the SJAA that first proactively reached out to the CRDA and city and state officials to seek support for relocation. Because most exchange clients have no personal transportation, SJAA has only stated that these services must be in an accessible place.

It is untrue that SJAA has not cooperated or repeatedly refused offered sites. In fact, the city and Jingoli Associates identified a site near the Rescue Mission for relocation. We were completing architectural plans and we had submitted our initial grant request to CRDA when we heard that the city was introducing its ordinance on syringe access.

SJAA is not a homeless shelter or a drug addiction treatment shelter. Its mission is to reduce HIV/AIDS with needle exchange being one of the most scientifically proven ways to do so. Eliminating secure needle exchange would not result in people no longer doing intravenous drugs in Atlantic City; however, it would definitely result in the sharing of dirty needles and increases in HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and death.
August 30, 2021 in Productivity (E)

[prMac.com] Atlantic Beach, Florida - Tropical Software is thrilled to announce TopXNotesLite 1.6 with WiFi NoteSync to TopXNotes Mac 2.0. TopXNotesLite for iOS (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch) is now available free in the Apple iTunes App store. TopXNotesLite contains 4-way sorting in the NoteOrganizer. The TopXNotes family will keep your notes synchronized between TopXNotes for Mac and TopXNotes Touch for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.



TopXNotesLite for iOS has major improvements to our WiFi based NoteSync process developed for TopXNotes including improved better efficiency, stability and performance (including improved handling of large files with many notes and other conditions.) TopXNotesLite also checks for compatible NoteSync services between Mac and iOS devices and will not attempt sync between incompatible versions. If you suspect a problem be sure you have the latest versions on iOS and Mac.



TopXNotesLite features note creation and editing in landscape and portrait modes, emailing a note, clickable hot links, and note synchronization (NoteSync) with TopXNotes for Mac. Now you can also have your notes "on the go," create new notes, edit notes, delete notes and keep them in sync with your Mac's notes. TopXNotesLite contains an option for In-App Purchase upgrade to TopXNotes.



NoteOrganizer allows sorting by note title or date, ascending or descending for either. NoteOrganizer list titles, list dates, search, email, and the default note font are the preferred iOS family font (Helvetica.) TopXNotesLite has more changes to accommodate retina display and new screen sizes in iPhone and iPad.



TopXNotesLite for iOS, with retina graphics, compliments the latest release of TopXNotes Mac, the latest update to its award-winning personal note manager for Macintosh. When combined with TopXNotes for Mac customers can synchronize notes between one Mac and multiple devices running TopXNotes touch including iPhone, iPod touch and/or iPad. TopXNotesLite for iOS also works perfectly with Apple's latest iOS and even supports the latest iOS spell checking.



This release is the latest advance in a series of companion products we plan to release for Apple touch devices. Be sure to also try our 32-bit note organizing solution for Mac notes, TopXNotes Mac 2.0, today.



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* Fixed an issue with note numbering/note IDs and sync



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* iOS- TopXNotes iOS- Requires iOS 9.2 or later

* Devices: iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

* Requires macOS 11.0 or later to sync with TopXNotes Mac 2.0.



Pricing and Availability:

TopXNotesLite is part of the TopXNotes Freemium Note Suite (comprised of TopXNotesLite, TopXNotes, and TopXNotesPro.) TopXNotesLite for iOS 1.6 is free and available worldwide exclusively through the Apple iTunes App Store in the Productivity category.

Tropical Software makes the award-winning TopXNotes, a modern personal note manager with state of the art proprietary encryption technology for the ultimate in securing personal information. Located in Atlantic Beach, Florida, Tropical Software is owned and operated by former Apple employee James Lee, and is dedicated to improving the lives of its customers by offering easy to use productivity software for Macs and Apple touch devices including iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Copyright (C) 2021 Tropical Software. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPod, iPad and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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Davenport's population has grown over the last decade, but the number of low-cost occupied apartments has decreased, according to data from the 2010 and 2019 American Community Survey. Units priced less than $500 and between $500-999 saw a net decrease of roughly 760 and 180 units, respectively, from 2010 to 2019, while those priced at $1,500 or more per month have grown from 57 to 1,285 in the same period, including 593 new units from 2018 to 2019.

During her apartment search, Pitchford found the qualifications for government-sanctioned affordable housing. She said it would be difficult for people with such low income levels to ever move out of subsidized housing.

You are leaving very little for savings for a person to ever come out of that situation, Pitchford said. Once you get a (higher) income, you are not going to immediately magically acquire savings because you just got a new job.

A promotion might increase their income enough to make them ineligible for subsidized housing, but they would not earn enough to afford other housing, she said.

A cluster of low-income housing

Davenport doesn't have enough low-income housing to meet the needs of vulnerable citizens, according to the Housing Needs Assessment.
SPRINGFIELD  An ethics bill that was hotly debated during the spring legislative session is headed back to the General Assembly with a request for a technical change, but not the technical change that many Republicans had hoped for.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday issued an amendatory veto of Senate Bill 539, saying he supports the legislation but would like to see a minor change in language dealing with the office of executive inspector general.

I am pleased by progress made by my partners in the General Assembly in their efforts to pass meaningful ethics reform, and I support the steps taken in this bill, Pritzker said in his veto message.

An amendatory veto sends the bill back to the chamber where it originated  in this case, the Senate  to consider the governors recommended changes. Lawmakers then can consider whether to adopt the changes and send the bill back to the governor, who then has a choice of whether to sign or veto the final draft.

The bill came in the wake of a number of scandals over the previous two years involving current and former lawmakers as well as the lobbying activities of utility giant Commonwealth Edison.
Well, I guess if all else fails in economic development for a city, you start to sell your assets.

Privatization of our very efficient water department is not the answer. Selling our water department to help pay down debts created by city councils will not solve our problems. It is a band-aid, at best.

As usual, city leaders start to put the blame on pension systems. It has been a whipping post for years and we see it every budget cycle. For decades, the fire and police pensions have been underfunded. Yet, the pension systems are strong. The fully-funded pension system is pie in the sky rhetoric. In 40 years, the police/fire pension systems have not been funded over 50%. It probably wont be in 2040. The state will no doubt extend that date as we get closer. It will always be a liability to the city. We cant rob Peter to pay Paul.
Caroline Vernon, career transition practice leader at Intoo USA, says TikTok is replacing video CVs in the application process.

Creating video CVs is no longer on the cutting edge of job-search strategies. Sharing your value to a prospective employer in 60 seconds or less has become an increasingly popular way to make yourself stand out  for all age groups, Vernon says. Some companies have even ditched the long, monotonous application process, asking job seekers to instead share why they are the perfect fit via a video post accompanied by a specific hashtag for increased searchability. With the over 689 million monthly users of TikTok alone, companies are increasingly trying to tap into this vast audience to source open positions in even more creative ways.

So how can you or a job seeker you know get started using TikTok? Here are four tips:

Catch your desired employers attention

Are you looking for voiceover work? Show your skills in action on your profile. Looking to break into the tech industry? Dazzle your heroes with impressive skills in a TikTok video, says Justin Kline, co-founder of the influencer marketing firm Markerly. Sometimes the best way to get work is to show you can already do it.

Be brief
Normalize movement during classes, not just during movement breaks. For instance, make a neighborhood walk the mode of inquiry for the days science lesson. Ask students to bring back their observations to the whole group.

Begin every class with time to assemble different materials to think and work with, such as notebooks and different kinds of paper, various writing and drawing instruments, putty and blocks. Incorporate interaction with these tools throughout the lesson.

Encourage and use gestures. If online, invite camera use, and back away to give students a wider view.

Build in time for students to tune in to how their body is feeling as a window into their emotional state.

Provide opportunities for iteration, practicing a task in different contexts and with different tools and people that engage the body in different ways. The content or big idea stays the same, but how and with whom students engage shifts.

If online, try out videoconferencing platforms like Ohyay that try to replicate physical closeness and movement in a virtual space.
The Rapid City man accused of shooting and killing 16-year-old McKenzie Garreaux on Friday is being held without bond at the Pennington County Jail on a charge of first-degree manslaughter.

Nathaniel C. Gray Eagle, 19, had his initial court appearance Monday morning at the Pennington County Courthouse. He was arrested shortly after the shooting on Friday at a motel in the 600 block of E. North Street.

Garreaux died at a Rapid City hospital after receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the shooting. According to the South Dakota Attorney General's missing persons webpage, Garreaux was reported missing by the Pennington County Sheriff's Office on Aug. 20.

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The shooting was reported Friday morning near north Maple Avenue and Surfwood Drive, which officials said took place inside an apartment complex.

The shooting call prompted Rapid City Area Schools to place all north side school buildings on secure status, which meant all exterior doors were locked, no one was allowed in or out of the buildings, and students who needed to use the bathroom or anything else in the hallway were escorted by staff.
He noticed the two richest men in town were the mortician and the tax man, Anderson said. He said, Everybody hated the tax man, so he thought he would try being a mortician.

The mortician agreed to take him on as an apprentice, but said with a world war looming he hated to train him and lose him to military service so maybe he should enlist and get that out of the way. Dundon did indeed enlist and wound up dropping behind the front lines into Normandy two days after D-Day as a member of the 101st Airborne and later was at the Battle of the Bulge.

He came home, married Aileen, and started a family. As a member of the Army Reserve, he was called up for the Korean War and later Vietnam. In his 40s, he earned a high school equivalency diploma so he could be promoted in the Army. He retired in the 1960s with two Bronze Stars and many other medals. His last post was at Fort Lee, and the family settled in Chester.

Toward the end of their lives, the Dundons lived with Andy and Amy, the youngest of their five children.

Amy joked that her father, an Army officer accustomed to giving orders, didnt necessarily take them well, and Andy recalled with a laugh that sometimes when annoyed Dundon would say, I fought in three damn wars, I can do as I please.
Officials said Sunday they have been making the rounds and talking to staff in the hospitals  often referred to as the A Team because theyre the ones that go into lockdown when a hurricane arrives and work until the storm passes and they can be relieved. The hurricane comes on top of the year and a half long pandemic that has been an amazing stress on health care workers, and many are sad and frustrated.

Folks realize they got a job to do. There are people who need to be cared for, Thomas said. But it does take a toll.

Dr. Jeff Elder, medical director for emergency management at LCMC Health, said the systems six hospitals went into lockdown mode Sunday. Employees were going to stay at the hospitals for the duration of the storm arrived Saturday and early Sunday and would sleep there.

Elder said one of the first things their hospitals do when storms arrive is discharge patients who are able to leave. However, the patient load is high because of the pandemic so theyre not able to reduce by much. He said the hospitals in the system are more robust since 2005s Hurricane Katrina.
The point is to bring the veterans and their families in contact with the different organizations that are available throughout the county and the state so they can meet them and see whats available to them, Schuett said.

More than 20 organizations were on hand Sunday, including Blue Star Families of Central Virginia, a group that sends care packages to service members from the area who are deployed, and local Veterans of Foreign Wars posts.

New to this years event was the Albemarle Junior ROTC program, which started a year ago at Monticello High School but is open to high school students throughout the county school division.

First Sgt. David Wilcox said attending the event was a way to give back to veterans.

And for these young men and ladies to see what veterans in Charlottesville did for them, he said.

Seas the Day also helped to spread the word about the JROTC program.

So far, about 37 students have signed up. Wilcox said starting the program over Zoom was challenging, but having in-person classes this year is already helping. Classes started in Albemarle last week, and Wilcox said hes slowly getting to know the students and figuring out uniforms.
We had to build the foundation and the tracks and get it all inspected, she said. That was probably one of the hardest parts, is like finding out who knows how to build train tracks and who would be able to go bring a caboose from West Virginia to Lynchburg.

Their original plan was just to build a small house with a wall of glass to overlook the river, Amy Corbett said.

But when we priced that, I mean it was ridiculous, especially after COVID. So, even with a unique stay like this, it was actually much cheaper, she said.

The Corbetts worked with CSE, which went out to West Virginia and brought the caboose back to the area last week.

We wanted to have it coordinated because we wanted to have all our neighbors and friends here to see it, Amy Corbett said. So it kind of all came together pretty quickly, even though the planning of it has been over seven months.

In order to clear the road, the neighbors were all notified with flyers asking them to temporarily move their cars so the caboose could fit down the narrow street.

Our heart is to welcome people to the city of Lynchburg, and we really think that this is going ... to bring guests who would never expect to find what they find here, Corbett said.
Youngkin is facing off against Democrat Terry McAuliffe, the popular former governor, in a state that has increasingly tended to favor Democrats over the past decade. McAuliffe, who is steeped in the inner workings of the state, has released a number of policy plans going back to his partys primary.

McAuliffes campaign on Monday derided Youngkins governing plans: All of Glenn Youngkins Trumpian tax plans have one thing in common: they would lead to drastic cuts to public education and drive Virginias economy into a ditch.

All in all, Youngkins plan calls for about $1.5 billion in recurring tax cuts, and close to $2 billion in one-time tax cuts, which campaign aides said the state can shoulder thanks to its high revenue surplus, which they expect to continue.

In Fairfax, Youngkin criticized the states so-called grocery tax, which applies to food and personal hygiene products. He also railed against the Northam administrations gas tax hike, which state officials said would help shore up the funds that pay for roads, transit and rail projects after years of low gas prices and the proliferation of electric vehicles.

It is absolutely too darn expensive to live in Virginia. The liberal left keeps piling on costs, Youngkin said Monday.
Nurse outlines the plight



of colleagues under stress



Editor, Times-Dispatch:

There's a truth about nursing  that we feel our voices will not be heard. We are being overworked, berated, abused and severely underpaid.

There was a huge nursing shortage before COVID-19, and now it seems hopeless. We are forced to work long hours with little to no staff. Our older generation of nurses is retiring early. The younger generation is struggling with the difficulties we face. A study from the University of Michigan found there is a significantly greater risk of suicides by female nurses than the general female population.

And the caveat to this study, which reviewed a dozen years of data, is that it's pre-COVID.

According to the Joint Commission, health care workers are four times more likely to be assaulted than workers in the private industry. Such assaults often go unreported because little to nothing is done. Supervisors say: "Well, what could you have done differently to de-escalate the situation? Make sure to improve your patient satisfaction scores or we don't get paid."
Thoughts on ticketing



and rights vs. risk



Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Two items in the Aug. 25 Times-Dispatch attracted my interest. One was the front-page article concerning an effort by the Virginia Police Benevolent Association to seek a ban on ticket-writing quotas by law-enforcement agencies across the state. Such a ban is long overdue.

I believe, and certainly hope, that most police officers are well-intentioned, and they carry out necessary functions at the risk of their well-being  and usually for inadequate pay. But I also can believe that ticketing quotas exist and that some officers are overzealous as a result.

Many drivers seem to think that it is all right to drive recklessly, which includes speeding, as long as they can get away with it. But I don't think ticketing quotas are the answer to improve safety.
Someone had flattened the tires, poured concrete into the cars trunk and passenger area, and encased it with rebar. Old Hills & Old Folks Resist, was painted on the side of the car.

Kushner, 66, was perched in a rocking chair positioned on the trunk; Kelley-Dearing, 64, was sitting in a lawn chair on the ground next to her; and Moore, 57, was inside the car. All three had their arms inserted into pipes that secured them to anchors of concrete, steel and rebar.

Using grinders, rotary hammers and other hand tools, Roanoke County police worked until nightfall to extract them.

Moore, a former environmental scientist, said he thought long and hard about the best way to convey his fears that building the fossil fuel infrastructure would harm the local environment, and that its operation would help endanger the world climate.

I really feel like this is a time issue, said Moore, who recently was diagnosed with terminal kidney disease. Time is precious, and I want to do the right thing.

Since construction began in 2018, more than 20 similar blockades have been erected along the pipelines southeastern path from northern West Virginia, though the New River and Roanoke valleys, to connect with another pipeline near the North Carolina line.
PEARISBURG  Child pornography charges filed against a former Giles County church youth group leader will go to a grand jury, a judge ruled Monday.

Justin Elliott Graves, 32, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Giles County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, and Judge Stephanie Murray Shortt said that she would send five felony charges of soliciting a child to appear in a pornographic image and five misdemeanor charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor on to a grand jury. The grand jury will decide if Graves should be tried in the countys circuit court.

Mondays hearing lasted just minutes, with Graves attending through a video link from the New River Valley Regional Jail. Defense attorney Dave Rhodes of Christiansburg said that he had discussed the process with Graves and that they agreed to stipulate that the evidence was sufficient to send the charges on.

At a bond hearing after Graves arrest in May, Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Anthony Needham said that Graves used his position as a volunteer youth group leader at Riverview Baptist Church in Ripplemead to groom young men.
In asking the state water board to stop Mountain Valley from completing the crossings, Sligh cited the companys deplorable record of violating environmental rules since it began work.

Muddy water has often flowed unchecked from construction areas when it rains, and DEQ found more than 300 violations of erosion and sediment control regulations.

Mountain Valley counters that record levels of rainfall were responsible for many of the infractions, and that it has made improvements since 2018 in curbing storm water runoff.

While work has continued along parts of the pipelines route that steer clear of water bodies, a 3.5-mile section that passes through the Jefferson National Forest is still off limits.

In 2018, concerns about erosion prompted a federal court to remand a permit from the U.S. Forest Service that would have allowed the pipeline to burrow through sections of public woodlands in Giles and Montgomery counties.

The Forest Service renewed its approval in January but required Mountain Valley to wait until it has all of its permits in hand before resuming work in the national forest.

Final action on the stream crossing permits by state and federal agencies is not expected until early next year.
Roanoke Valley native Lauren Waldron launched her marketing and communications career by working in various Congressional offices and at the Department of State in Washington, D.C.

A self-described human marketing billboard, she then worked for a national trade group, a large law firm, and another trade group. In the midst of that, she served as an appointed commissioner on the District of Columbia Mayors Commission for National and Community Service.

Earlier this year, she was named one of Alexandrias top 40 people under age 40  at 27.

Now shes returning to Roanoke.

The city named Waldron its community engagement manager, the official in charge of cultivating and maintaining a two-way relationship with city residents. She defined engagement as citizen communication and participation for the welfare of the community.

When engagement is happening, residents play an active part in key conversations and decisions on the direction of the city, she said.

Waldron, who is scheduled to start Monday, will succeed Tiffany Bradbury, who left the position in June for a job in Botetourt County.
I said to myself, How can they do this? Jones said. Ive been here 19 years, never missed a payment, never caused any trouble. He said he tried calling several Hollins officials, including Edmonds, seeking an explanation, and never received a call back.

The universitys decision not to renew Jones lease was a matter of long-term priorities, wrote Hollins Public Relations Director Jeffrey Hodges. We want to be able to leverage our property in ways that will support future needs. At this time, there are no particular opportunities under consideration, but exploration will be ongoing, he wrote in an e-mail.

Hollins is shutting down other university properties on the opposite side of Williamson Road, including a storage building next to Jones cabin and some buildings that held student apartments. The apartments are vacant and will be used during the 2021-22 academic year for COVID-19 quarantine housing for students only as needed, Hodges wrote.

The situation left Jones with little choice but to offer his massive folk art collection for auction, he said, and hes uncertain where he will live next. When youve always been somebody who helps other people, its really difficult to ask for help.
Youngkin is facing off against Democrat Terry McAuliffe, the popular former governor, in a state that has increasingly tended to favor Democrats over the last decade. McAuliffe, who is steeped in the inner workings of the state, has released a number of policy plans going back to his partys primary.

McAuliffes campaign on Monday derided Youngkins governing plans: All of Glenn Youngkins Trumpian tax plans have one thing in common: they would lead to drastic cuts to public education and drive Virginias economy into a ditch.

All in all, Youngkins plan calls for about $1.5 billion in recurring tax cuts, and close to $2 billion in one-time tax cuts, which campaign aides said the state can shoulder thanks to its high revenue surplus, which they expect to continue.

In Fairfax, Youngkin criticized the states so-called grocery tax, which applies to food and personal hygiene products. He also railed against the Northam administrations gas tax hike, which state officials said would help shore up the funds that pay for roads, transit and rail protects after years of low gas prices and the proliferation of electric vehicles.

It is absolutely too darn expensive to live in Virginia. The liberal left keeps piling on costs, Youngkin said Monday.
Every school, business or government that has mandated vaccines has allowed exemptions for medical and religious reasons because federal law requires them. The University of Richmond added a third exemption, a personal request based on personal convictions strongly and sincerely held by the person seeking the exemption.

Some, for example, may be distrustful of the health care system based on their own experiences, that of family members, or knowledge of any number of examples of racial injustice in our health care system, said Sunni Brown, a university spokesperson.

The percentage of students who sought personal exemptions is small, Brown said, but she declined to specify how many.

UR announced in the summer that it would mandate vaccines as soon as one vaccine became fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration, which happened this week when the FDA gave the Pfizer vaccine its full backing. But when asked if the university would remove students who still arent vaccinated, university spokesperson Cynthia Price wouldnt commit to it, saying: We will consider appropriate action under our existing conduct policies should members of our community not comply with the vaccine requirement.

About 94% of UR students had the shot as of Tuesday.
As a member state of the Appalachian Regional Commission, Georgia has effectively used federal funds to make strategic investments in projects to assist communities, support business development and job creation, and improve economic opportunities for hardworking Georgians in the Appalachian region.

The 37 counties of North Georgia  from Trenton to Elberton, and Rabun Gap to Rockmart  are all part of the ARC footprint.

We are proud to have some of the best trout fishing east of the Mississippi, thousands of acres of state and national forests, and farmland that feeds all of America.

Weve used ARC funds to help local governments and development authorities create industrial parks that have become home to a weaving business in Lavonia, a Nissan brake facility in Walker County, and the Hanwha Q CELLS factory in Dalton.

Our ARC investments have provided the opportunity for industry to create thousands of jobs in the region and grow local economies.

ARC funds also allow us to help rural counties with economic development planning so they can recruit new or existing industries that fit their communitys needs.
Invalidating the candidacy would, in effect, deprive voters of a fair choice in a democratic election (emphasis on the small d). Its unlikely that Democrats (big d) could find an effective replacement on short notice, and whoever they did find would be at a competitive disadvantage in starting the race late.

As Gilbert said, its hard to see how this upheaval would actually serve the cause of democracy.

Thats not to say the error should be completely ignored  at least, not by voters.

Voters will have to decide whether this error by McAuliffe is immaterial, or whether it should be taken more seriously as part of a pattern of free-wheeling inattention to detail.

Readers might remember his mass restoration of voting rights, which  despite admirable intentions  was undertaken in contradiction to the state constitution, according to the Supreme Court of Virginia. Or his book about the events of Aug. 12, 2017, which several sources criticized as containing important inaccuracies.

Thats not to say that Republicans arent afflicted with carelessness, too.
It should come as no surprise that Christianity remains the largest faith tradition in every state in the United States, including Virginia.

What is surprising is that Islam is now the second largest religious group in the commonwealth, narrowly edging out Judaism, according to a new report by the Weldon Cooper Center at the University of Virginia.

According to the Pew Research Center, 73% of Virginia residents self-identify as Christian, with 20% self-identifying as religiously unaffiliated or Nones. Evangelical Christians make up the largest segment of Christians (19%), followed by mainline Protestants (11%), and Catholics (8%).

Just 6% of Virginians say they belong to a non-Christian faith. That Other category includes Islam (1%), Judaism (1%), and Buddhism (1%). Adherents of other world faiths such as Hinduism make up less than 1% of the population.

A Pew Research survey in 2020 found that three in 10 Americans (28%) and 49% of white Evangelical Protestants said the COVID-19 pandemic has actually strengthened their faith, more than in any other economically developed countries. Only 4% of Americans said the pandemic has weakened their faith.
At the end of 2020, the plant-based food market was valued at $29.4 billion globally, and it is projected to reach a value of $162 billion by 2030. But plant-based meat offerings such as Beyond Meat were just the banal beginning of the alternative food disruption: The next big push could be into the fringe area of cultured meat.

The drivers are as diverse as massive population growth, fears of global warming and a pandemic thats made everyone think twice about health and wellness.

Earths population in 1971 was 3.7 billion people. Just 50 years later, it has more than doubled to a whopping 7.8 billion people. That means growing demand for protein  but not just any protein. Now, consumers are demanding sustainable protein.

With global warming as a looming concern, many are taking what steps they can in an effort to offset effects. With that comes a growing population of people who eat primarily plant-based foods. Everyones big concern is factory farming, and the sustainability (and ethicality) of the practice. Its not necessarily a new concept, but is moving toward the mainstream where it would be highly disruptive to the food and agriculture industries.

Cultured Meat, as they call it, is a possible alternative to raising and slaughtering farm animals. Its meant to remove the guilt and the environmental impact.

How?

Cultured meat is developed by extracting the muscle cells from animals and multiplying them in a lab to create our most desired cuts of meat.

Much research is being done in the area, and its forecasted that by 2030, cultured meat will be cheaper to produce than an equivalent amount of meat taken from an animal.

And it will be substantially better for the environment. It will emit 93% less greenhouse gases, and take 95% less land for nutrient production.

This could be an amazing opportunity for something new in the ever growing food industry. Whether it be in fast food, fine dining, commercial grocers, local grocers or anyone else in the supply chain; having a cheaper, more sustainable and more ethical meat that is actually still meat will be a major money maker, and saver.

Heres an interesting fact to ponder: Currently, around 50% of the worlds habitable land is used for agriculture. Of that, 77% is used for livestock and dairy production. By replacing only half the meat and dairy we eat and drink globally with lab-grown alternatives, we would free up a land area about the size of North America.

If cultured meat turns out to be good enough--and the jury is still out on this--those percentages could be even higher.

This could be great news, considering the fact that 37% of the world's methane (CH4) emissions come from agriculture. Thats 15% of the worlds emissions in total, just from agriculture.

But thats all if this manages to take off.

The space is quickly getting filled with new entrants, with the most newsworthy for now being Memphis Meats, based in Berkeley, California. Media has jumped on the fact that billionaires Bill Gates and Richard Branson have pumped money into this company. Memphis Meats has also received support from Cargill and Tyson Foods. All the money its bringing in will be used to set up a pilot production facility tentatively late in 2021.

Cultured meat is very much still in development and has some kinks that need to be worked out. A big problem with the process is that in some cases, the meat has been made by using blood and cells from bovine fetuses--when the pregnant mothers are slaughtered. That may reduce animal suffering, but its not going to be enough for the public.

Just as challenging as the science and economics, though, is the marketing. Its got to appeal to the general public. Thats what will ultimately make or break this. As Bloomberg notes, theyve got to stop calling this lab meat or making references to petri dishes. What it will come down to is how they sell it to the public. And so far, its a potentially great idea with massive disruptive capabilities, but the message is falling on horrified ears.

When this becomes commercially scalable and loses the lab element  thats when it can rival the current plant-based offerings. Its definitely one to watch.
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He added that South Carolina is 13th in the nation in broiler production.

If chicken broilers, turkeys and chicken eggs are combined, this equals $1.57 billion.

Sansbury began his presentation by providing statistics for the state of South Carolina. Sansbury said that agribusiness  including farming and forestry  has about a $46.5 billion annual impact on the Palmetto State and the industry creates about 250,000 jobs.

Farming is about 55% of that; forestry is the other 45%, Sansbury said.

That impact is derived from around 25,000 farms on around 4.7 million acres of land.

You do the math, its actually about 190 acres per farm, Sansbury said. Its a little bit smaller than the national average. National average is about 440 acres. The reason for that probably is mainly in the Upstate, weve got a lot of specialty farms: somebodys growing strawberries on two or three acres and things like that.

Sansbury then narrowed his presentation to the Pee Dee area.

His definition of the Pee Dee includes Florence, Darlington, Marion, Williamsburg, Dillion, Marlboro, Horry, Georgetown, Lee, Sumter and Clarendon counties.
EBY has some new backers.

The indie lingerie brand, cofounded by Modern Family star Sofia Vergara and Renata Black, has secured $6 million in a series A round. Now, the New York-based e-tailer, which was established in 2018, has some lofty goals: to become the industry leader in seamless innerwear.

More from WWD

EBY bras and underwear. - Credit: Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo

The goal for EBY is that every single woman who is wearing leggings should be wearing EBY underwear. Hard stop, period, Black, who also serves as EBYs chief executive officer, told WWD. Why? Because I dont care what product you put next to our product, we are the authority when it comes to seamless because of our technology. Its a technology that solves the one problem that women have, which is riding, bunching or picking a wedgie where you dont want to. So its really a performance-based product.

EBY, which stands for Empowered by You, uses a patented flocking, or no-slip-grip, technology for its seamless panties and bralettes.

But Black added that the companys objectives include more than just selling underwear  or even to be known as another female-founded business, or a size-inclusive brand. Rather, EBY aims to have a purpose. Thats why 10 percent of proceeds from EBY underwear go to the Seven Bar Foundation, a nonprofit that supports women living under the poverty line by providing them with loans so they can start their own businesses.

<img class="wp-image-1234904394 size-large" src="https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Eby-Seamless-Luxe-Collection-3.jpg?w=1024" alt="Pieces from EBYs new Seamless Luxe Collection. - Credit: Courtesy Photo" width="1024" height="1024" srcset="https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Eby-Seamless-Luxe-Collection-3.jpg 1440w, https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Eby-Seamless-Luxe-Collection-3.jpg?resize=150,150 150w, https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Eby-Seamless-Luxe-Collection-3.jpg?resize=300,300 300w" sizes="(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px" />Courtesy Photo

Story continues

How many brands are size inclusive? Black said. Its a given [at this point]. Theres representation, of course. That shouldnt be a novelty. But being able to enable women to make an impact with the one decision she makes, thats awesome. I can make an impact with just the underwear I decide to wear. There was definitely a hole in the market, because nobody was really doing that.

People are now looking for more purpose within the brands that theyre supporting, Black continued. Most of our demographic wants to have an impact.

<img class="wp-image-1203136879 size-large" src="https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/sofia-vergara-in-comfort-shape.jpg?w=1024" alt="Sofia Vergara in EBY. - Credit: Courtesy Photo" width="1024" height="679" srcset="https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/sofia-vergara-in-comfort-shape.jpg 2048w, https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/sofia-vergara-in-comfort-shape.jpg?resize=150,99 150w, https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/sofia-vergara-in-comfort-shape.jpg?resize=300,199 300w" sizes="(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px" />Courtesy Photo

Meanwhile, EBY, which began as a subscription model, supplying shoppers with three pairs of underwear once every three months, now operates fully e-commerce, allowing consumers to select between the monthly membership or buying a la carte.

And some people are, like, Do you really need subscription underwear? Black said. When youre getting three pairs of underwear once every three months, its kind of a blessing. Especially if youre super busy. Or, if you dont feel like doing laundry.

<img class="wp-image-1234904454 size-large" src="https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Renata-Black-cofounder-of-Eby.jpg?w=683" alt="Renata Black, cofounder of innerwear brand EBY. - Credit: Courtesy Photo" width="683" height="1024" srcset="https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Renata-Black-cofounder-of-Eby.jpg?w=2048 4480w, https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Renata-Black-cofounder-of-Eby.jpg?resize=100,150 100w, https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Renata-Black-cofounder-of-Eby.jpg?resize=200,300 200w" sizes="(min-width: 87.5rem) 1000px, (min-width: 78.75rem) 681px, (min-width: 48rem) 450px, (max-width: 48rem) 250px" />Courtesy Photo

Black credits former Victorias Secret CEO Grace Nichols as one of her earliest mentors and the person who taught her to pay careful attention to consumer habits.

Shes the one that really made me sit in stores, see how women shop and helped me formulate the best product, and also worked through the message with me, which is ultimately why weve been so successful, Black explained. Weve modeled EBYs subscription service to model our customers behaviors. And the product is something you actually need.

Women are usually buying underwear three or four times a year and buying them in handfuls, Black continued. I know that because I spent the first few months prior to launch just sitting in stores, watching how women shop.

The result led to EBY doubling revenues between 2018 and 2019, Black said, which led to the e-commerce expansion in September 2020. The CEO added that the firm is on track to once again double revenues in the year ahead.

In less than three years, weve had over 10,000 five-star reviews, Black said. Thats a lot for a small company like ours.

The success also attracted the attention of investors, including Colt Ventures, which led the series A round.

Now more than ever, we are excited to invest in a female-led company, such as EBY, that is bursting with market potential and has a notable social mission to support women globally, said Sundeep Agrawal M.D., managing director at Colt Ventures. Just like Colt Ventures, EBY is laser focused on the future. We are excited to support Eby as the company enters its next growth phase.

Other investors include Azure Capital; Robert DiRomualdo, Ulta Beautys chairman of the board; Ken Goldman, former chief financial officer at Yahoo, and Duncan Niederauer, former chief executive officer of the New York Stock Exchange.

Vergara, for her part, is no stranger to the fashion and retail industries either. The actress launched Sofia Jeans by Sofia Vergara with walmart.com in 2019, which includes a full assortment of apparel pieces. Earlier this year, Vergara said she was moving into the beauty space as well. She also has collaborations with sunglasses brand Foster Grant and Payless shoes, and had a four-year deal with Kmart that included apparel, accessories, swimwear, shapewear, jewelry, luggage and home goods. In addition, Vergara has had licensing and endorsement deals with a wide range of companies and brands, including Cover Girl, Head & Shoulders and Kay Jewelers.

This has always been a part of my career, Vergara told WWD in 2019. I like being creative with the businesses that I join, adding that she chooses opportunities based on if its something that I really use, that I really like, that Im really going to wear. It has to be real for me  if its a shampoo, if its a perfume or if its an underwear.

As for EBY, which has about 20 employees right now, the start-up plans to use the added funds to pump up its staff, including hiring a chief operating officer to help run the company; increase marketing efforts, including using influencers in future campaigns; further product development, innovation and new categories, and expand internationally with e-commerce businesses in Canada and the U.K.

First on the list is EBYs limited-edition Seamless Luxe Collection, which launches today.

Post-COVID-19, what our customers said was, I want to put makeup on. I want to get my hair done. I want to wear heels. I want to hang up my sweatpants and I just want to get dolled up and look beautiful, Black said. And thats really what the Seamless Luxe Collection is about. But also not having to sacrifice comfort.

We have some really cool new product launches [coming later in the year], Black continued. We have a mesh launch, seamless mesh, seamless period underwear and a seamless cotton collection. So, it will be a one-stop shop for all things seamless.

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US President Joe Biden

Washington [US], August 30 (ANI): US President Joe Biden has warned that Hurricane Ida will be a major life-threatening storm and has promised all the necessary federal assistance to the states that will be affected.

Hurricane Ida made landfall in the US state of Louisiana as a Category Four storm on Sunday (local time). Notably, Ida hit the Gulf Coast on the 16th anniversary of the disastrous Hurricane Katrina.

Speaking at a Sunday meeting of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Biden said that Ida was a "life-threatening" storm.

"Its devastation is likely to be immense, we shouldn't kid ourselves ... Everyone should listen to the instructions from local and state officials, just how dangerous this is, and take it seriously," Biden said, adding that the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Michigan will get the "full resources of the federal government."

On Sunday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell spoke with government and state officials from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi to update them on the Biden administration's preparations for Hurricane Ida, promising assistance and help in local emergency response efforts.

Biden visited FEMA's National Response Coordination Center on Sunday (local time). On Saturday (local time), he spoke with Criswel, while the day earlier the president spoke with the Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, promising full support.

According to the White House, in advance of the storm, over 2,400 FEMA employees were deployed and the agency has also prepositioned millions of meals and liters of water, as well as tarps, generators, and additional ambulances. Shelters have been opened across the impacted states and the US Coast Guard has already positioned vessels and aircraft for search and rescue efforts.

Biden approved emergency disaster declarations for Louisiana and Mississippi on Friday and Saturday, respectively, authorizing direct federal help, including power generation. More than 504,000 Louisiana residents were without power on Sunday afternoon as Hurricane Ida began moving over the New Orleans area, according to poweroutage.us. The Mississippi River in New Orleans partially reversed its flow on Sunday, according to data from the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards warned on Saturday that Ida could become one of the strongest storms to hit the US state since the 1850s, while New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged people to self-evacuate. (ANI)
An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy who is tipped to be Afghanistans foreign minister has told CNN-News18 that his country will not pick sides between India and Pakistan. Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, speaking exclusively from Doha, said the Taliban is keen to foster friendly relations with India, the clearest sign yet that the new Taliban rulers are keen to engage positively with the Indian government.

The following are the excerpts from his interview:

How do you see Taliban administrations view towards India?

Our foreign policy is to have good relations with all our neighbouring countries and the whole world. The American forces were in Afghanistan for the last 20 years and after which they withdrew. We will have friendly relations with America after this and NATO. So, I think they should come back and take part in the rehabilitation of Afghanistan. Same goes for India. We want to continue friendly cultural and economic relations with them. Not only with India, all our neighbouring countries, including Tajikistan, Iran and Pakistan.

There is a fear that Taliban may be hostile towards India, they may team up with Pakistan and target India. How do you see this assessment. Is this correct or wrong?

What comes up in media is most often wrong, there is no such statement or indication from our side. We want good relations with all our neighbouring countries.

ALSO READ: Amnesty For All, Women in Govt: Is Taliban 2.0 a Milder Version of Their Hardline Brand?

There is a fear that Afghanistan could become a sanctuary for terror groups, such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, which are a threat to India. What are your comments on that?

There was no threat from Afghanistan to any of our neighbours, including India throughout our history and it will not happen at all. There is no doubt that there is a long political and geographical dispute between India and Pakistan. We hope they do not use Afghanistan in their internal fight, they have a long border, they can fight amongst themselves on the border. They should not use Afghanistan for this and we will not let any country use our land for this.

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Its a strong statement that you will not allow LeT or Jaish to play in your territory. Are you confirming that?

This is our duty. We will not allow anyone to use Afghan side against any country in the world.

You were trained in the Indian Military Academy a few decades ago. Any memory of that place and how was your time when you were in India?

It was during my young age, I was trained there before Russians came to Afghanistan. I was trained at IMA and graduated from there.

ALSO READ: He Was a Baby on 9/11. Now Hes One of the Last Casualties of Americas Longest War

Are you still in touch with those people?

No, not in India.

Who do you blame for the Kabul attack a few days ago?

In media, I saw Daish (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) took the responsibility of the attack.

But reports suggest that Haqqani did the blast and ISIS took the responsibility. What do you have to say on that?

This is what enemies of Afghan people say. Its not true and its completely false. Since Daish has taken the responsibility, it is clear that Daish has done it.

There are many Hindus and Sikh who are still in Afghanistan. Will you help India to evacuate them?

I think there is no requirement to evacuate them. Afghanistan is their home land and country so they can live peacefully and there will be no harm to their lives. They can live as they were living before. We hope that Hindus and Sikhs who were in Afghanistan and had migrated to India in the last 20 years would come back soon.

How do you see the recognition of Taliban by world powers and India?

We hope that. On the ground, since the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will form the government, we need to have good relations with our neighbours and other countries of the world. When the new government will be announced, we hope all those countries who are related to the region especially the US will support us.

ALSO READ: Taliban Look to Old Foes for Peaceful Transition of Power in Afghanistan, Who Are They?

India has done a lot of development work in Afghanistan. What do you think will happen to that?

Development works done by India in Afghanistan are our national assets. We will keep it like that and hope in future all incomplete work will be finished by India. We invite India to come and start again and complete those projects.

And will you provide security to them?

Yes, if somebody is coming and working in your country then you will have to provide them with security. I dont think there is no need to ask such questions.

Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here
For the first time since usurping power in the country of Afghanistan, the Taliban has made an outreach to India with the head of its political office Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai terming India an "important country", reports WION. He also called for maintaining good diplomatic and economic ties with New Delhi.

Stanikzai said, "India is a very important country in the subcontinent. We want to continue our economic and diplomatic relations with them. Our business is linked with India through Pakistan, and we want to keep that connectivity opened."

Stanikzai further added that the air freight corridor which was established in 2017 to promote bilateral ties between Kabul and New Delhi bypassing Pakistan would remain open.

Stanikzai also said, "We give due importance to our political, economic and trade ties with India and we want these ties to continue. We are looking forward to working with India in this regard. We want these relations to continue."

Stanikzai also extended support for the strategically located Chabahar port in neighbouring Iran which has been built by India. He said that the traders should use the port, adding there will be no barriers towards for trading through the port.
Represetative image

Washington [US] August 30 (ANI): US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that Washington expects that the Taliban must 'follow through' on its commitments.

These developments came after the Taliban previously made clear that "they would like to see an American diplomatic presence remain in Kabul," Pakistan Today reported citing Ned Price.

"We have heard a range of statements from the Taliban. Some of them have been positive, some of them have been constructive but ultimately what we will be looking for, what our international partners will be looking for are deeds, not words," Price added.

Price also said that the US is not coordinating with the Haqqani network in Afghanistan.

The US had designated the Haqqani Network as a terrorist group in 2012, is now a part of the government in Afghanistan post the Taliban takeover of the war-torn country, said Jason Criss Howk, writing in Clearance Jobs.

During the discussion, Price also reaffirmed that the US military is leaving by August 31, as reported by Pakistan Times.

US is "handing the [Hamid Karzai International] airport back to the Afghan people. What we are doing is trying to lay the diplomatic groundwork and the technical groundwork," he said.

After the hostile takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban has re-imposed repressive laws and retrograde policies on Afghan women that defined its 1996-2001 rule when they enforced their version of Islamic Sharia law.

Experts believe that Afghan women are most likely to face an uncertain future under the terrorist group regime.

Sajjan Gohel, a security and terrorism analyst also said that women are scared out of the Taliban minds. (ANI)
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Washington/Beijing [US/China], August 30 (ANI): US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, spoke to Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the phone on Sunday and discussed the importance of the international community holding the Taliban accountable for the public commitments they have made regarding the safe passage and freedom to travel for Afghans and foreign nationals.

The call comes as the August 31 deadline to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan is nearing. In recent days, the security situation near Kabul Airport from where foreign countries are evacuating their citizens and vulnerable Afghans is deteriorating.

On Thursday, a suicide bomber and multiple ISIS-K gunmen killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 169 Afghan civilians in the attack at the Kabul airport.

Wang, meanwhile, urged the US to take "concrete actions" to help combat terrorism, Chinese state media Global Times reported.

"I spoke with People's Republic of China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi about our efforts to support the safe passage and freedom to travel for Afghans and foreign nationals," Blinken tweeted.

Later on Sunday, State Department spokesman Ned Price issued a brief statement saying that Blinken and Wang spoke "about the importance of the international community holding the Taliban accountable for the public commitments they have made regarding the safe passage and freedom to travel for Afghans and foreign nationals".

This was the second phone call between the two since Kabul fell to the Taliban.

Wang said the domestic situation in Afghanistan has fundamentally changed and it is necessary for all parties to engage with and actively guide the Taliban, especially the US.

"Facts have proved once again that the Afghan war has not achieved its goal of eradicating terrorist forces in Afghanistan and a precipitate withdrawal of US and NATO forces could provide opportunities for various terrorist groups in Afghanistan to return," said Wang.

He also urged the US to work with the international community to help maintain the normal operation of the new Afghan government, social security and stability, and start the peaceful reconstruction of the country as soon as possible.

Blinken said the UN Security Council should send a unified voice to express the expectation of the international community that the Taliban should ensure the safe evacuation of foreign citizens, guarantee that the Afghan people will receive humanitarian aid and avoid becoming a haven for terrorism. (ANI)
SIOUX CITY -- Siouxland Pride Alliance will host Sioux City PrideFest 2021 in the downtown on Sept. 18.

The event will be held on Fourth Street between Nebraska and Jackson Streets. The Sioux City Public Museum, including its green space, will also be used for the event.

PrideFest 2021 will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a LGBTQ+ Walk from Fourth and Iowa streets to the Museum. The purpose of the walk is to honor local LGBTQ+ history. Events run until about 4 p.m.

Although the PrideFest is typically held in early June, Siouxland Pride Alliance made the decision, due to COVID-19, to hold the event in the fall. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear face masks. Hand sanitizer stations will be available on-site and most PrideFest 2021 activities will be held outdoors.

A free lunch will be available to all who attend the event.

A variety of activities will be offered, including a yoga class by Connie Reynolds (The Yoga College), arts and craft for children, a children's story time, face painting, a LGBTQ+ trivia quiz, Drag Queen Bingo and other games. A drag show by Haus of Qui and an organizational fair featuring nearly 40 local and regional organizations and businesses are other highlights of the festival.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand  The number of new coronavirus cases in New Zealand has fallen significantly for the first time since an outbreak was detected nearly two weeks ago.
A Nevada school board member said he had thoughts of suicide before stepping down amid threats and harassment. In Virginia, a board member resigned over what she saw as politics driving decisions on masks. The vitriol at board meetings in Wisconsin had one member fearing he would find his tires slashed.
In the first day since the public learned about the death of a Wyoming Marine in Afghanistan, almost $600,000 was raised online to benefit his pregnant wife and the couple's unborn child.

Rylee McCollum died Thursday in a suicide bomb attack at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan. He and 12 other service members were providing security at the airport as it was being overwhelmed with evacuees trying to leave the county after the Taliban's takeover.

McCollum, who was from Bondurant, was expecting his first child in three weeks, his family says.

In the aftermath of his death, two verified GoFundMe fundraisers have been started to benefit his wife, Jiennah Crayton, and the couple's unborn child.

The fundraisers collected more than a quarter million dollars in the first 18 hours they were created, according to a GoFundMe spokeswoman.

As of early Saturday afternoon, a fund dedicated to the "education and upbringing" of McCollum's child had alone raised $422,000. The child is due in September.

A second fund, set up by McCollum's mother in law, will benefit his wife.
Iowa Democrats issued multiple statements on Monday. Julie Russell-Steuart, chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Partys disability caucus, said in a statement that Reynolds should work to protect Iowas most vulnerable, including children with disabilities or medical conditions.

Democrats want safe schools where our children, educators, and support staff can thrive without fear of getting or spreading a deadly virus. We have the science and the data to understand how to lessen the risks, and we need to be able to use those tools, Russell-Steuart said in the statement. I am heartened to see that President Biden and the federal Department of Education are taking the crisis in Iowa seriously and I welcome their efforts to hold Gov. Reynolds accountable.

Iowa Sen. Zach Wahls, a Coralville Democrat and leader of the minority Senate Democrats, echoed Russell-Steuart's criticisms of the governor.

It's inexcusable that Kim Reynolds and other statehouse Republicans are putting our children in danger to advance their extreme political agenda, Zach Wahls said in a statement. We should be doing everything we can to keep our kids safely in school, and I'm glad the (federal) Department of Education is stepping in to investigate Reynolds' failure.
Reynolds also issued a statement, accusing Biden of picking a political fight" with the governors to distract from news from Afghanistan, the U.S. border and inflation.

As Ive said all along, I believe and trust in Iowans to make the best health decisions for themselves and their families," Reynolds said. Iowas democratically elected legislature endorsed that view as well when they passed a law to support a parents right to decide whats best for their own children. In Iowa, we will continue to support individual liberty over government mandates.

The controversy over the law is building as Iowa experiences a surge in COVID-19 delta variant cases. In the past month Iowa has gone from a seven-day moving average of cases of less than 300 a day to now more than 1,000 a day. Hospitalizations statewide went from from 120 to 450 in the past 30 days.

Its very alarming to us because we havent seen cases like this since October of 2020, said Polk County Health Department spokeswoman Nola Aigner Davis. We are surging again.

Des Moines area hospitals had 125 COVID-19 patients on Monday, up from 109 a week ago and positive tests show the trend of new cases isn't slowing. Davis said the county saw 340 positive cases over the weekend.

University Hospitals in Iowa City had 45 COVID-19 patients up from 13 at the beginning of August. Included in the current patients are six children.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  A Lincoln man who sent two officers to the hospital when he intentionally rammed a police cruiser last year has been sentence to four years in prison.

Connor Sweeney, 30, was sentenced last week after pleading guilty to two counts of assault on an officer using a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an injury accident, resisting arrest and fleeing to avoid arrest, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.

Prosecutors had said the assault happened Dec. 3, when police received reports of a man acting erratically at several convenience stores before walking behind the counter of one and stealing cigars.

A Lincoln police officer used his cruiser to block in Sweeneys car at the store, but when he and a Nebraska State trooper tried to approach Sweeney, Sweeney jumped in his car and rammed the police cruiser several times, pinning the officers to the open door frame.
VERMILLION, S.D. (AP)  Heikes Family Farms is a Community Support Agriculture program, which means community members can buy shares into the operation and get fresh produce weekly.

They serve 92 shareholders, consisting of both businesses and individuals, feeding about 500 people.

Every week, shareholders can come out and collect their produce, which ranges on everything from tomatoes, squash and even fresh fruits. Everything here is not only local, its raised chemical-free.

Ive always been concerned about where my food is coming from and the farming practices associated with the food and its production. So coming here, its just here. Its just a natural extension of going to the farmers market, Carol Geu, Shareholder said.

People want to know whos growing their food, how its being grown. They want to know their farmer, know their food, Heidi Heikes, Farm Manager said. They want to buy fresh, buy local. They are seeing shelves at stores empty and they are coming to us.

Heikes has seen people not only from Vermillion, but also areas like Sioux Falls, Sioux City and Yankton that travel to get her produce.
Experts said the lack of victims was due both to firefighters' speedy response and door-to-door searches as well as to building codes that included firewalls and an ample stairwell.

The fire spread quickly along a cladding that was shaped like a sail, which was both an aesthetic choice and served to screen the balconies.

After the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Italy drafted new rules, with input from firefighters, for claddings of buildings but they have not yet been formally adopted, said Angelo Lucchini, a professor of technical architecture at Milans Polytechnic University.

The rules don't single out any product in particular, such as the one used in Grenfell Tower, but specify how to prevent the spreading of the flames along the facade.

Lucchini said the use of flammable materials themselves per se is not necessarily a danger.

It becomes dangerous when the use of this material does not take into account the potential danger, does not follow the design guidelines and does not include other measures to mitigate the possible threat, he said.

He noted that not all of the panels on the Milan tower burned, indicating that there was some factor that impeded the spread of the fire in some areas.
GOLEM, Albania (AP)  Ghazaal Habibyar is in an Albanian tourist resort, safe with her husband and three children after being evacuated from Afghanistan. But her mind is not at rest, for many others she knows are still in danger from the Taliban.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Thirteen activists were detained Sunday in Poland for trying to destroy part of a barbed-wire barrier that Polish authorities have erected along the border with Belarus to stop migrants from crossing in.

The activists said it was an act of protest against Polish authorities for what they believe is the inhuman treatment" of migrants seeking to enter the European Union nation.

Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski, who is responsible for police and security, said what the protesters did was absolutely unacceptable and that those detained will bear all the legal consequences of their actions.

Those detained include 12 Poles and one Dutch citizen, according to Polish media reports.

Poland  like Lithuania  has seen a surge of migrants arriving across its border with Belarus in recent weeks. The government in Warsaw accuses Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of sending migrants from Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere across the border in a hybrid war to create instability in the 27-nation EU. The borders that Lithuania and Poland have with Belarus form part of the EU's eastern border.

In reaction, Poland has begun building a barbed wire fence along the border.
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Matthew Mindler died by suicide.

The former child actor - who was best known for starring opposite Paul Rudd in 'Our Idiot Brother' - was found dead earlier this week, after going missing from Millersville University in Pennsylvania.

And Lancaster County Coroners Office have now confirmed to TMZ that the actor's sad death has been ruled as a suicide, but there are still pending toxicology results on his body.

Matthew's tragic passing was confirmed by the university.

A message on Millersville University's Twitter page read at the time: "Dear Campus Community, It is with a grieving heart that I let you know of the death of 19-year-old Matthew Mindler from Hellertown, Pennsylvania, a first-year student at Millersville University. Our thoughts of comfort and peace are with his friends and family during this difficult time. A search had been underway for Matthew since Thursday, after he was reported missing. Millersville University Police and law enforcement agencies from the area had been searching for him since that time.
How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Stoya and Rich here. Its anonymous!

Dear How to Do It,

I have an interesting problem that I have never known anyone else to have. I grew up with a burning embarrassment of having a penis. I grew up in a family of women. My mother has four sisters, and all of them had mostly girls. My moms father was horrid, and he left my grandmother to raise all five girls alone. All these women in the family ended up having troubles themselves with men, and while I was growing up, all I heard was how bad men were. Now, I wanted them all to love me, but I quickly grew to understand that because I was male, I was not in the favored group. And I overheard them many times talk about how bad penises were. They did nothing but cause harm to women.

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Without too many guys in the family (and the fact I was a budding gay kid), I didnt get along with the few there were, and so I got this unhealthy obsession with the idea that if I didnt have a penis, all my female relatives would really love me and include me. So as I entered my teen years, I was super embarrassed for anyone to know I had a penis, even the doctor. I felt I would never be able to have sex, because who would want to with this horrible thing I had? Its not that I wanted to be female. I never felt like a woman trapped in a mans body, only shame that I had something that just hurts women. It rapes women; it causes men to think only with their dicks, and on and on. TV and movies were no help, as in the 70s and 80s, you only saw naked women. Mens genitals were always hidden, just proving to me how shameful they were and that no one wanted to see them. Of course, sex overrode my fears as I became an adult, but the shame never left me, and I was never very good in bed because of it. I have talked to male therapists about it, but they just look at me funny. (I just cannot bring myself to talk with any woman, because of that fear of having something they hateI know in my head that women dont hate them, but tell that to my psyche.) I would love to know if any other man has ever felt this way, and what I can do to get over these feelings?

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Penis Shame

Dear Penis Shame,

I tend to believe that there is nothing new under the sun. If its within the realm of human possibility, its already been done or at least thought of. Its much easier to assume this than it is to prove a negative. That said, there is scant reporting of exactly what you describe. Penis shame is most typically associated with negative feelings over size, while hating ones penis is sometimes a symptom of gender dysphoria. Larry Davids early standup in the 70s included a relevant bit, per his recollection in a 2015 New York Times interview (the old joke went: I hate my penis. My penis has no friends. Sometimes Ill just stare at it at night. It just sits there, so depressed.). In fact, the notion of someone hating their penis is so fundamentally absurd to people that its been played for laughs elsewhere (see: Chris Evans shouting it in a spoof trailer of a dark Dennis the Menace reboot that aired on Live with Jimmy Kimmel in 2017).

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I forwarded your question to Dr. Ronald Levant, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Akron. In the 90s, Levant specifically focused his practice on men, and much of his research has been on that segment of the population (his most recent book, The Tough Standard: The Hard Truths About Masculinity and Violence, was released in 2020). He told me via Zoom that in his 45 years as a psychologist, hes never heard of the specific symptom that you describe. Levant, though, believes that what you present is a result of trauma brought on by your upbringing that made you deeply ashamed of your maleness.

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The good news is this is something that could be treated with psychotherapy, Levant said. As options, he suggested exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy and said both are evidence-based treatments for trauma. You mentioned therapists in your letter, but if you havent been treated for trauma or undergone either of those suggested methods, you may want to ask about them. (It may be worth talking to a therapist with a specific concentration in treating trauma.) This man does not have to continue to suffer, Levant told me.

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Levant and I also discussed his work around mens psychology, specifically a theory he developed of male emotional inexpressiveness which he coined as normative male alexithymia. Alexithymia literally means without words for emotions, and its common in men as a result of socialization, Levant says. I mention this because if men are socialized not to express emotions, then its possible that part of the reason why your condition seems so rare is because men who have felt this way may not have had the vocabulary to express it (or interest in doing so). It is unlikely that youre the first or alone here.

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Get the How to Do It Newsletter Sex advice from Rich and Stoya, plus exclusive letter follow-ups, delivered weekly. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time.

Dear How to Do It,

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Im a man, and Ive been with my partner for almost three years now, and we have a daughter of six months. I truly love both of them so much, but inside me is this raging sex-craving demon that wants to have sex with other people. Ive been trying to keep it at bay, but I feel like its impossible. I know if I tell my partner about this, itll devastate her, and the last thing I want to do is hurt her in any way. Writing this makes me feel that its obviously taboo thinking, but thats me, and its nothing new. Its been with me forever. How can I manage this?

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Possessed

Dear Possessed,

While I do think a conversation is in order, now is not the time. Your wife just had a baby, so its best to wait before dropping an earth-shattering revelation. But I do think that at some point when life has settled down and can be about more than just the baby (in six months or maybe a year), you should talk about this. You say disclosure will devastate her, but wont nondisclosure devastate you? And if your cravings should guide your mood or behavior (resulting in cheating, for example), the results could blindside her. If one of you has to be devastated, at least both of you should be aware of the underlying cause.

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Alternately, look into sublimation, which essentially means converting your unused sexual energy to something constructiveFreud believed this was a cornerstone of civilization. I dont buy everything Freud was selling, but there is probably something to this insofar as living a life of hedonism doesnt tend to get much done except oneself. Beware, though, that this is much easier said than done. Its all well and good to say create! but that can be difficult when youre horny to the point of distraction. So, try taking up a hobby or investigate an interest, but dont be surprised if it fails to relieve you in the way that sex can.

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Dear How to Do It,

Im a woman with herpes who grew up in a pretty sexual community, so it hasnt been a real problem for me. Ive always disclosed this to my partners prior to sex; Im not into one-night stands, so this has been easy to do, and so far three men have rejected me over it. Fine.

One grew up really religious, but the last two have been recent and also Im now living on the East Coast where Im finding a different overall approach to sex. The third and most recent was clearly the man of my dreams with ALL THE CHEMISTRY IN THE WORLD, and I will mourn the loss until I die. Obviously.

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But Im writing because what is bothering me, not hurt feelings of rejection, is the response from one of my usually supportive friends. Yeah, he was great about if you want to talk about it, etc. However, his comment was it would be a deal breaker for him and his friends, and he thinks thats just how it is over 30? His rationale was he had tons of anonymous sex when he was younger and didnt ever get anything, so now he couldnt see himself taking those types of risks unless it was with a person he intends to marry. In stunned silence, I let it go.

I was hoping you would have some advice for how to have a constructive conversation about how stigmatizing this attitude is if this comes up again? Or maybe Im completely wrong here, as it is a triggering subject for me? I dont think people should do things they arent comfortable with, which is why I explicitly bring this up with my potential partners. Also, this was not a choice I actually had, my boyfriend of two years was cheating on me with a woman who it sounded like actually knew she had herpes and just didnt tell him. So, hearing statements like this really reminds me why people dont disclose diseases unless called out on it, at which point its probably too late for all people involved.

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Annoyed Out East

Dear Annoyed,

I think you are right, but I also think that this is not a conversation that is worth having again. Firstly, it isnt strictly practical unless youve left out the detail that you want a relationship with this friend of yours. His STI-phobia has no bearing on your life if you never plan on being in a situation with him in which you might directly put him at risk for contracting herpes from you.

(This is, of course, working from his assumption that he isnt already an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, or any other, which is probably giving his intuition more credit than it deserves.) That this vexing conversation you had with him was theoretical makes his words even cruelerwithout any practical application, they could only serve to make you feel bad and, yes, stigmatized. He has his right to an opinion, as well as to protect himself from pathogens; but just because the thinks something, it doesnt mean he should say it, especially given your stated sensitivity on the matter. Its just bad form, and not good-friend behavior.

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But I think given the futile nature of the debate, bringing it up again in the form of a correction (or worse: lecture) would only escalate the conflict. It sucks that he continued the stigma that you already have painful experience with, but given the disposition that would make him feel comfortable to do so in the first place, something tells me hes not going to be amenable to your notes on compassion. I would do what feels natural here: Either forgive him or pull back and be less communicative. If you opt for the latter, he may notice and ask whats wrong, in which case you can tell him. But Id keep it pithy and based in your own reality. My feelings were hurt when you said what you did about having a partner with herpes, may be more intelligible than a Power Point on avoiding stigmatizing language. And here, as in any communication, its important to speak to be heard.

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Did you write this or another letter we answered? Tell us what happened at howtodoit@slate.com.

Dear How to Do It,

Im a 45-year-old white gay man dating a 37-year-old Mexican guy. I mention our races because, when we play, he wants me to call him derogatory namesI cant even bring myself to write them here. He is a very submissive bottom, but I havent been able to bring myself to agree to his request. I saw you had a recent column with a Black woman uncomfortable with her white partners sexual requests. This is kind of the oppositeits ME whos uncomfortable. I REALLY like this guy, we have fun outside the bedroom and hang out, bike together, go hiking, etc. He says that this is why it would be OK to do what hes asking because (direct quote) I know in my heart you dont really feel that way. So  I really want him to get what he likes in bed, but am just not comfortable with racism, even in play. He keeps bringing it up or, sometimes, while were doing it, hell say derogatory things about himself.

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Gringo

Dear Gringo,

Look at how not submissive this very submissive bottom is acting. Hes insisting you engage in behavior that makes you uncomfortable. What you arentsomeone who freely uses derogatory terms for Mexican peopleis more important to him here than what you are, someone who under no circumstances wants to use derogatory terms for Mexican people. In demanding you perform degradation of his humanity hes  degrading your humanity. I dont like that at all.

In a previous column, actress and BDSM expert Mollena Williams-Haas broke down the essentials of race play for us, stating in part that it is absolutely vital that the person who is living in a body that leaves them vulnerable to racism and bigotry absolutely needs to take the lead on these scenes, ESPECIALLY if they are bottoming (receiving) the sensation or consensual abuse. So, in a sense, you have the right dynamic to make this kink work  but for the fact that you arent actually into said kink, which is actually the most essential ingredient. In order for this play to be sustainable, you have to both be into it. Otherwise, youre setting yourself up indefinitely for routine gritting of the teeth and going through the motions as you try to please your partner. That doesnt sound like a good time to me. As much as you like this guy, if race play is as essential to his sex as hes suggesting, youve found yourself in a mismatch. Its a shame, but there is little to do besides conforming or moving on.

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Im a mid-40s hetero man withwell, Im not sure Id go so far as to call it a fetish, more of a hankering. Im attracted to older ladies. Older as in 60s, 70s, and sometimes beyond. Im not especially looking for an older girlfriend, more along the lines of fun and friendly banging and general foolin around. From what Ive found, the usual online suspect sites (rhymes with Cinder) arent great places for finding willing ladies of a certain age. I am a registered nurse, and I work in a hospital, but that isnt, ahem, a particularly good or ethical place to play pick up. I happen to live in a rural-ish area that is demographically skewed toward an older population, and I know for a fact that people tend to be horny creatures regardless of age. Any suggestions on how I can go about hooking up with the Golden Girl (or Girls) of my dreams?
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Bidens top coronavirus adviser, said he supports the idea of COVID-19 vaccine mandates for children attending schools. I believe that mandating vaccines for children to appear in school is a good idea, Fauci told CNNs State of the Union. Fauci recognized the idea would be met with lots of resistance but he said that the government has long mandated vaccines for children to attend school. This is not something new, Fauci said. Weve done this for decades and decades, requiring polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis vaccinations.

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I believe that mandating vaccines for children to appear in school is a good idea, Dr. Anthony Fauci says about Covid-19 vaccines.



Weve done this for decades and decades, requiring polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis. So this would not be something new #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/5zWmCpaPoh  State of the Union (@CNNSotu) August 29, 2021

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Although children under 12 are still not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine that could soon change. Fauci said on ABCs This Week that federal regulators are set to start examining the data on children under 12 sometime in mid-to-late September. Hopefully well be acting quickly, depending on the data, and their assessment of the risk-benefit ratio, Fauci said. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner who is on the board of Pfizer, said the companys vaccine could be available for children under 12 before the holiday season. The agency will be in a position to make an authorization, I believe, at some point, late fall, probably early winter, Gottlieb told CBS Face the Nation. And probably theyre going to base their decision on what the circumstances around the country, what the urgency is to get to a vaccine for kids. Under the timeline, its possible that children under 12 could start getting the vaccines before the end of the year.

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If Pfizer files the application [with FDA] in October, it could be available and authorized sometime in late November, maybe early December, @ScottGottliebMD says. So that puts you on a timeframe that you could start rolling out these vaccinations before the end of the year. pic.twitter.com/A1HAtKJCTa  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) August 29, 2021

As the United States sees a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the highly infectious Delta variant, Fauci said the White House is sticking with its recommendation that booster shots be given out eight months after a completed COVID-19 vaccination. But he also made clear that could change. Although were sticking with eight, were remaining flexible, that if the data tells us differently, well make adjustments accordingly, Fauci told ABC.

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In the early 1970s, American corporate executives were in a state of panic. From the Great Depression through the social movements of the 1960s, mass popular and institutional outrage had arisen against their companies sins, including discrimination and toxic pollution. Even the supposedly conservative, business-friendly Richard Nixon was signing legislation that added more regulation of corporate practices.

The education director for the national Chamber of Commerce, Eugene B. Sydnor Jr., wanted a plan of action to counter these forces, and he reached out to a good friend to draw that up: Lewis Powell, then the head of the American Bar Association, an attorney for tobacco companies like Philip Morris, and a rumored Supreme Court nominee. Powell himself had faced down movements that were hostile to his clients, including anti-tobacco initiatives that flourished after scientists began linking smoking and cancer, and he was frustrated with growing influence of a young Ralph Nader and his burgeoning consumer protection movement.

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In 1971, Powell wrote a lengthy, confidential memo to Sydnor and the Chamber, titled Attack on American Free Enterprise System, outlining ways that corporations could band together not only to fight off regulations but also to infiltrate American institutionsuniversities, publishers, magazines, ad agencies, TV networks, and even courtsto make them more broadly sympathetic to business. The tone of the prose indicates that this was a personal venture for Powell: The time has comeindeed, it is long overduefor the wisdom, ingenuity and resources of American business to be marshalled against those who would destroy it.

Fifty years later, that vision has come to pass. A right-wing dark money network, financed over the decades by magnates from Bryce Harlow to Richard Mellon Scaife to Joseph Coors, has funded think tanks, media outlets and writers, college programs, legal organizations, and politicians dedicated to advancing pro-business causes. As journalists like Jane Mayer have documented, the strategy has worked all too well: Megacorporations now enjoy fewer regulations, lower taxes, more lobbyists, more businesspeople in power, and the ability to impede policy perceived as hurting their bottom line, whether that be related to climate protections or health care reform.

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Many of the leaders of this counterinsurgency were directly inspired by Powells memo, which was circulated among Chamber of Commerce members and other CEOs, went public in 1972 after its author had been appointed to the Supreme Court, and inspired the establishment of various pro-business organizations and institutions that still hold major influence today, from the American Legislative Exchange Council to the Manhattan Institute. Its clear, reading the hectoring language in the memo and the detailed steps it requires for Big Business to take the power back, that Powellwho would go on to serve as a Supreme Court justice for 16 yearshelped lay the ideological groundwork for our current politics.

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To mark the 50th anniversary of the memo and analyze its impact on American politics, I spoke with historian Nancy MacLean and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lisa Graves, who have long written and spoken about the memo and its history. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

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Nitish Pahwa: How would each of you describe the Powell memo, for those unfamiliar with its legacy?

Nancy MacLean: It was a call to arms for the corporate mobilization that weve seen over the ensuing five decades. It portrayed corporations as victims and actually the least powerful constituency in America. If you look at all thats happened since and you know what Powell did, how the memo was received within the Chamber of Commerce and among CEOs in America, you can see how it had huge impact. He particularly pointed to the media, politics, the courts, and higher education as sites of what he alleged was hostility to the free enterprise system, which is capitalism as he wanted it to be.

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Lisa Graves: This document was not a product of the democratic process, but it has had a profound impact on our process by pushing forward a structure for how corporations can exert more influence on American life. That came in response to a brief period in U.S. history where Americans were having increasing influence on our public policy: the postrobber-baron era, with the rise of the New Deal and then the [civil rights movements] efforts in the 50s and 60s to have the 14th Amendment mean what it says; the rising environmental movement in the United States; efforts by Ralph Nader to ensure that products like cars were safe. There was a period where the federal government and state governments were more responsive to the interests of ordinary people, and that was intolerable to people like Powell, who served corporate and right-wing interests. The architecture set forth in that memo has had a profoundly distorting effect on American democracy.

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MacLean: I would add that the courts have been so transformed since the Powell memorandum. He said, pretty chillingly, The judiciary may be the most important instrument for social, economic, and political change. We sit now with a Roberts Supreme Court that is to the right of 90 percent of the populationincluding most Republicanson the issues.

Graves: Nixon had been soliciting Powell for a couple of years to go on the Supreme Court. That nomination came less than two months after the memo was written by a man who clearly had aspirations to the Supreme Court, who was articulating this notion of how the courts could transform American society. Then he used his post on the Supreme Court to engraft onto our Constitution, onto the First Amendment, corporate rights that did not previously exist.

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Nixon had battled a lot with congressional Democrats over his prior Supreme Court nominees. Powell was one they found consensus on, with the exception of Oklahoma Sen. Fred Harris, who said this guy was an elitist who didnt look out for the little people. The memo didnt become public until after the appointment, when Jack Anderson broke the news of its existence for the Washington Post. There are reports from that time that question whether Powell was using his position to shape this activist-minded court, as he put it in the memo. Was there any outrage about this?

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Graves: At the time, there were a bunch of right-wing columnists who defended the memo as perfectly normal and not alarming, despite the alarming language Powell chose. And it wasnt as though he lied under oath in a way that wouldve been impeachable. I dont know whether Congress had any power to remove him, or grounds for removal for, say, misleading the Senate. The senators who might have asked about the memo didnt know about it.

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MacLean: I think part of the reason there wasnt more protest against Powell as this started to come out is that, until quite recently, most progressive activists have seen the Supreme Court as a defender of abortion rights, civil rights, and affirmative action, but they havent thought as much about corporate power. I think thats how Powell went under the radar. He supported Roe. He was a deciding vote in the Regents of the University of California v. Bakke [1978] case to maintain affirmative action, even as he gutted the laws ability to deal with structural racism. Also, he had very nice Virginia manners.

Nixon was determined to put a white Southerner on the Supreme Court, as part of the Southern strategy. And, as right-wing as [Nixons other appointee William] Rehnquist was, Powell was to the right of him on corporate rights. It was Powell who laid the groundwork for Citizens United in a case called [First National Bank of Boston v.] Bellotti [1978], and Rehnquist criticized Powell for misrepresenting the precedence that he was using to try to claim free speech rights for corporations. Until that point in American history, it was recognized that corporations were artificial persons under the law. They had property rights, but they didnt have liberty in the way of speech, and Powell distorted the jurisprudence in order to claim that they did. It was, frankly, to protect tobacco companies like Phillip Morris that he was an attorney for, as well as other corporations that were being criticized by consumer and environmental advocates.

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It seems to me that America was not as anti-corporate as Powell made it out to be, even during the New Deal. Roosevelt worked closely with executives. Powell, in the memo, says big businesses tended to be pretty mealy-mouthed on politics, at the time he wrote it, but before that you had stuff like the Business Plot, Hearst and corporations cracking down on Upton Sinclair, the Taft-Hartley Act, and the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower, who appointed a lot of corporate executives to his Cabinet. Im sure Powell understood that things were not as one-sided as he portrayed them. Did he help pioneer the culture war victimization we see so much from conservatives?

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MacLean: Its also a way of talking that goes way back in American history, to the American Liberty Leagues response to the New Deal in the name of property rights, to the development of free enterprise as a framework in reaction to the New Deal. I think that also comes from elements of human psychology: Its very hard to make normal people attack others unless they think theyre being attacked themselves.

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Graves: Its particularly noteworthy that Charles Koch wrote a reply, in essence, to the Powell memo in a speech he gave to the Institute for Humane Studies, which he had taken over in the early 1970s. He said the Powell memo didnt go far enough because it did not urge specific restrictions on money being given to universities. He asserted that Powell was wrong in assuming that most businesses believe in free enterprise because Kochs definition of that term was even narrower: He rejected the idea of equal opportunity laws and wage rules and health and safety laws, and framed them as inherently anti-capitalist, antifree market. He didnt believe the business community was actually committed to free enterprise because it was willing to go along with common sense regulations that the people wanted. Now, Kochs agenda has captured the Republican Party when it comes to business deregulation.

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MacLean: [But] when Powell claimed that no one has less influence on public policy than the American businessmen, that was utterly false even then. They definitely [had] some significant influencethey just werent so dominating.

A lot of the memo seems to have been spurred explicitly in reaction to Ralph Nader and the consumer protection movement. But theres been writing in recent years thats suggested that movement helped play a role in turning even liberals against big government. I dont think Nader and Powell would see themselves as helping achieve the same goal, but Im wondering what you think of consumer protections possible role in the corporatization of America.

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MacLean: I think its actually a larger question than the public interest movement. There was tremendous popular organization, but then we have the Cold War and the Red Scare. There was the movement against the war in Vietnam. There was the obstruction of civil rights. So there was legitimate frustration with government, but I think a real problem was the nature of the rhetoric, which sometimes seemed to make government itself the problem. I saw that with the New Left critique of public education, which really played into the rights push for privatization of public education. Youre right: This wasnt achieved only by the right, and we have to acknowledge the way progressives have shot ourselves in the foot by only talking about whats wrong rather than pointing to the good that can be done through government.

Graves: We have to admit to ourselves that when government has less power, its not that people have more power, its that corporations come in to fill that vacuum.

There has been a little bit of pushback over the years as to how influential the Powell memo actually was. Mark Schmitt wrote some pieces claiming that there are various facets of the memo, from its support of unions to its focus on the Chamber of Commerce, that may show its not as influential. Powells biographer called the concept that the memo helped spur a new conservative movement a conspiracy theory. Im wondering what you would say in response.

MacLean: I dont think either one of us would say that the Powell memorandum single-handedly did everything. I think it was riding a wave of corporate reaction to all the legislative advances that popular movements made from the New Deal forward. I think you could go back to so many transformative things in history like The Feminine Mystique, or Silent Springpeople are understanding that something is happening, and somebody puts words to it and gives a blueprint to action and a call to arms. If there hadnt been corporations inclining in this direction and smarting under the impact of that regulation and being angry because they felt like theyve lost power, it wouldnt have had the effect that it did.

But the memo was important. I think we can see the impact in the transformation of the Chamber of Commerce itself: Its multiplied its political operations, and it created its Litigation Center thats now winning 7 out of every 10 cases it brings before the Supreme Court.
Last Thursday, an attack at Afghanistans Hamid Karzai airport in Kabul killed scores of Afghan civilians and multiple American service members. The Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, immediately claimed credit for the airport attack. The group is an Afghan offshoot of the ISIS organization were familiar withthe one that terrorized Iraq and Syria. As the U.S. wraps up its withdrawal and evacuation efforts in Afghanistan, which groups are vying to fill the vacuum? And as we watch the chaos unfold, what kind of outcome should we be hoping for, from afar? To find out, I spoke with Colin Clarke, director of policy and research at the intelligence and security consulting firm the Soufan Group, on Mondays episode of What Next. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Seth Stevenson: As soon as the U.S. withdrawal neared its conclusion this summer, the Taliban swept across the country and seized power. The next question became: How would the Taliban govern? Are they even capable of governing?

Colin Clarke: I have my doubts that the Taliban is capable of running the country. And frankly, I think thats what the Biden administration is banking on. I think its hoping that the Taliban, because of that, will have to compromise and work with other groups and ultimately get to some kind of power-sharing arrangement in Afghanistan. But the Taliban doesnt strike me as a group that is amenable to sharing power.

As things stand, theres uncertainty over how much control the Taliban has in Afghanistan. ISIS-K, an even more hard-line rival of the Taliban, is one of the groups hoping to exploit that uncertainty. Its a group that was formed as the original ISIS organization was losing its foothold in Iraq and Syria.

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In response to aggressive Western counterterrorism efforts, these groups decentralized and relieved some of the pressure off the core. If you look at where the Islamic State is active or has been active, youre talking about Libya, youre talking about West Africa and the Sahel, the Philippines, and certainly Afghanistan is another node in that in that network. ISIS lost its last territory in Syria in the spring of 2019. I identified ISIS-K as one of the most potent ISIS affiliates and a group to be concerned about going forward.

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When we talk about ISIS-K, how big is it, and what kinds of backgrounds do these fighters come from?

The U.N. has put out estimates of it having 1,5002,200 fighters. This is a group thats comprised of battle-hardened fighters, some from other extremist groups in Pakistan that are also highly sectarian. My main concern is that an event like what we saw at the airporta high-profile terrorist attackis intended to draw recruits to the organization, like Look, were going to be the winning horse here. Come join our side.

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Beyond building itself and getting these recruits, whats the larger goal of ISIS-K now?

I think there are several goals. I think ISIS-K wants to embarrass the Taliban and humiliate them and show Afghan civilians that the Taliban might have been an effective insurgent force but is not capable of governing the country. A group like this, just like the core group in Iraq and Syria, is going to look to carve out a piece of territory and govern it. But I dont think were ever going to see a situation akin to what we saw in Iraq and Syria, where you had 40,000 foreign fighters from different countries and a group controlling territory the size of Great Britain. Moreover, even within Afghanistan, the Taliban are the top dog. The Taliban and their allies will be able to militarily keep their foot on the neck of ISIS. They just have, quantitatively and qualitatively, an advantage in that regard. So I dont think ISIS is ever going to usurp the Taliban, but its also not going to go away without a fight.

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The focus is on ISIS right now because of this attack. But youve said that al-Qaida is also an emergent threat there. Whats the web of relationships between the Taliban, al-Qaida, ISIS, and other groups in Afghanistan?

The Taliban are very, very closely aligned with al-Qaida, not only the al-Qaida core in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also affiliates like al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent. Theyre all on one side. ISIS-K is on the other. If theres any connective tissue or sinew between these groups, its probably the Haqqani network.

The Haqqani network is a part of the Taliban. Its a jihadi group that goes all the way back to the Osama bin Laden years in Afghanistan, as part of the mujahideen. Its a major power broker in Afghanistan, a highly capable network that is responsible for a lot of the attacks in Kabul. There have been jihadis who have fought on multiple sides of this conflict at various points.

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The decision to pull out of Afghanistan was never going to come without trade-offs. As weve seen in the past couple of weeks, some of those trade-offs are deeply painful.

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There are no good options. Its not like there was this clear, obvious winning strategy that the president just neglected. Weve never had a strategy. And this is a bit of a cliche you may have heard, that we havent fought a 20-year war in Afghanistanweve fought a series of 20 one-year wars.*

Some of the risks as we leave Afghanistan are less about Afghanistan itself and more about other countriesin some cases, our rivalsthat will look to use this fluid situation to advance their own interests.

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With the United States leaving, the Iranians, the Russians, the Chinese, the Pakistanis, the Turks, the Indianstheyre going to cultivate their own proxies and look to exert influence in that country. Were going to have very little leverage.

What does the bombing do in terms of how other countries in think about Afghanistan?

It depends on the individual country, I think some countries are circling over like a vulture, right, looking to feast on a carcass. Theyre looking to get access to mineral wealth. Theyre looking to develop potentially proxy forces that could be used in other conflicts. So how about Pakistan? What do they see when they look at Afghanistan? Well, they see the potential to use terrorist and insurgent groups and other violent non-state actors one day against India in Kashmir. Thats always been their game. The long game, right. Saving these guys for a rainy day. The Chinese have that. The Chinese are primarily driven by economic concerns,//he Russians have potential blowback from Chechens. Theres so many different scenarios here. // So, you know, what I foresee is a really muddled situation, a very unstable situation. And the more actors you have in a civil war, both states and non-state, the longer that civil war lasts.

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Are we back to square one in Afghanistan, where we started 20 years agoor what, if anything, is different now than it was then?

No, I think it would be unfair to say were back to square one because al-Qaida is significantly diminished from what it was. Weve spent 20 years hollowing that organization out. That said, they have the capability to regenerate now, but theyre nowhere near as dangerous as they were. And our capabilities are much better. So it is different, and I cede that point to the president. My concern is, going forward, does that change? And if it does, how quickly does it change?

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At age 19, Elizabeth Holmes dropped out of Stanford to start Theranos, a blood-testing company that promised to revolutionize the industry. Seventeen years later, shes set to go on trial for conspiracy and fraud and faces up to 20 years in prison, because the highly touted Theranos blood tests didnt work like they were supposed to, and the company was using standard commercial machines even while they told everyonedoctors, patients, and the mediaotherwise.

On Fridays episode of What Next: TBD, I spoke with Rebecca JarvisABC News chief business, technology, and economics correspondent, who has spent years covering Elizabeth Holmes and made an investigative podcast about her called The Dropout. We discussed Holmes rise and fall, how she might fare at trial, and what Silicon Valley can learn from the cautionary tale of Theranos.

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Lizzie OLeary: What was the elevator pitch for Theranos, and why do you think it was so appealing?

Rebecca Jarvis: Holmes had this message, I was afraid of needles. I sought to change the world. I started out as this precocious young woman. I am a dropout of Stanford, one of the best universities in the country, so I was weeded out of many students. Shes an outlier. She raised almost a billion dollars in capital, and this is something thatfor womenits almost unheard of.

In 2015, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Theranos machines didnt work like the company said they did, and that they were instead using commercial machines to test patient samples. Since then, Holmes has settled separate civil fraud charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission without admitting guilt. But what the government has to prove now, in the criminal case, is that Holmes wasnt just a true believer with bad luck, but someone who intended to deceive investors and patients.

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The case with the investors is an easier one for Elizabeth because of this idea of Silicon Valley puffery, fake it till you make it, that might work. These were early-stage investments, and the investors should have had a better sense of things. Now that said, shes lost some of the civil battles on that front. There have been settlements along the way where investors have been paid some degree back of their original investments because they claimed that they made the investment under false pretenses, and that claim was settled out of court.

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The second part of the prosecutions case is about patients. People who used Theranos blood tests and got inaccurate and sometimes devastating results. People like breast cancer survivor Sheri Ackert.

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Sheri had breast cancer. She had recovered. She went out, got a Theranos test. The Theranos test came back showing levels that indicated her breast cancer had returned. Sheri has a week of her life where she believes, based on a Theranos test, that her breast cancer has returned. It only becomes clear that that is not the case when she takes a blood test that is not a Theranos test.

There are people who thought one thing about their lives, and the diametric opposite was the case, and it was because of a Theranos test. In the last year and a half, Ive thought so much about these Theranos tests. What if in the time of COVID, there was something like that that existed? What if we were fully misinformed about health care and our healthcare decisions based on faulty information?

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Sheri Ackert has been subpoenaed to testify. There are 11 patients whose experiences youll be hearing about in the courtroom.

The defense is multi-pronged but really central to it is this issue of a missing database. What is that? Why does it matter?

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Theres this database that includes results of Theranos tests, millions of them, over the course of a handful of years. They could be very useful because youd love to see if millions of tests were inaccurate. If a huge percentage of the test based on these results were inaccurate. That is very useful to the governments case, that this company wasnt doing what they said that they were supposed to be doing, and they knew it because they have the results.

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That someone must have known that these results were inaccurate if there were so many of them.

Thats right. Theranos gave the government what they say is access to this database. The government says, We never actually got access to it. The file never worked. We could never access the data. Once the company was dissolved, Theranos wiped its servers. The database is gone. The question is now, hows the jury going to respond to the evidence of individuals coming forward and saying, heres my story, I got an inaccurate test, versus having a database to back up and say, statistically, heres a large percentage of people who got inaccurate tests. The defense will argue that its all anecdotal. Youve got 11 people who say that they got bad results, but like thats 11 peoplemillions of people got these tests. At the end of the day, though, I have talked to a lot of legal experts on this. They dont think this makes or breaks the case. Every single legal expert comes back to Elizabeththat Elizabeth Holmes herself, what she presents to the jury, whether 12 people by the story that Elizabeth Holmes did not intend to do wrong.

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When Theranos started to unravel, Holmes was argumentative and denied that anything was wrong. When the company started to be exposed, Holmes seemed to double down. I wonder, as we prepare for the trial, what that behavior might tell you about her, and how she is going to come into this trial?

That is such an important question. Ive asked a lot of legal analysts and people who are close to Elizabeth what they expect. I think the key question is, is Elizabeth herself going to testify at her trial? The issue there is the SEC depositions, which Elizabeth conducted in 2017. In the depositions, its mostly taking the Fifth. I mean, she might not explicitly say that, but

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She says, I dont know. I dont know. I dont know.

Yeah. So which Elizabeth are we going to see at trial? One thing that we will see at trial is that we will see a recent mom, new mom. She will have time to be with her newborn son. Theres breaks that will be set up, and she will also have three individuals in the courtroom with her, family and/or friends who will be at her side.

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Holmes defense may also try to argue that she was under extreme duress and couldnt tell right from wrong at the time. We dont know a lot about this approach yet, but court documents hint at it.



The defense has filed a number of documents to this effect that there could be a conversation around a mental disease or defect. The defense has, in these documents, suggested that theres a specialist, an expert that they could call on at trial, who is an expert in sexual assault and the impact of that.

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Ive talked to a number of legal experts who believe that that type of defense, a mental disease or defect, can really backfire with a jury. Juries are far less likely to buy into the idea of insanity or somebody doing something not in their right mind, particularly when its a series of events over the course of many years versus a one-time breaking point.

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Gender is so complicated in this story. And on the one hand, the path for a female founder is unquestionably harder than it is for a man. On the other, so many people, including George Shultz and Jim Mattis, who were on her board, seemed to look the other way past some of the red flags. In part, because they wanted a young woman to succeed. What role you think gender plays in all of this and how might that play out in the courtroom?

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I think its incredibly complicated. I read an article just the other day, and Ive heard this from a handful of female founders who say they have struggled in the wake of Elizabeth Holmes to raise money from the venture community because there are people in that community who look at Elizabeth Holmes and say, Are you the next Elizabeth Holmes? as though that would only fit one gender. Fraud is genderless.

Im really struck by the fact that many of the board members and investors never had to own up for their part in promoting Elizabeth Holmes and her lies. Do you think that Silicon Valley has learned anything about what role investors and professional board member class plays in things like this?

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I would love to say yes. I think that the sad truth is that history continues to repeat itself. This idea of affinity investing, it still exists, saying, Oh, I know that guy or girl. Theyre great. Theyre brilliant. Put your money with them. That still fully exists today. I do think there are some who will be more cautious. I dont mean to be cynical, but I dont get that impression.

Ive heard people say that theres more riding on this than just Elizabeth Holmes. That if she goes to prison, that it might be something that says to Silicon Valley, Hey, fake it till you make it is not a great way to do business. And if she doesnt, then its game on for whatever you want to do. Do you think thats fair?

I do. I think a lot of people in Silicon Valley are watching this case. They certainly watched the story unfold, and it will send a signal.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Cost of electricity reaches yet another record high in Spain



Average August household bills in Spain are expected to top 100 euros

The summer of 2021 has seen an almost unbroken rise in the wholesale cost of electricity in Spain, and on Monday August 30 the price will reach yet another record high of 124.45 euros per Megawatt hour.

This marks a startling 22 per cent increase from the figure of 102.03 euros the day before as well as the seventh new record in the last two months, with the peak rate set at 132.92 euros between 9.00 and 10.00 in the morning. To put the latest increases into perspective, on the last day of August last year the equivalent price was just 42.01 euros, underlining the extent to which energy has become more expensive in Spain over the last twelve months.

So great is the level of concern over this seemingly endless upward spiral in energy costs that on Monday Teresa Ribera, the Minister for Ecological Transition, will appear in Congress to address the topic.

The wholesale cost of electricity is not the only component of household electricity bills, but it is an important one, making up around 24 per cent of the amount payable by owners throughout the country. As a result, consumers associations estimate that despite the rate of VAT on electricity having been temporarily lowered from 21 per cent to 10 per cent until December, the average monthly bill in August will come to 100.78 euros, equating to a 43.7 per cent increase over the last year.

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Celebrations of rebellion against Nazi regime in Slovakia disrupted by protesters

The number of participants in the annual commemoration of the Slovak National Uprising was restricted due to the pandemic.

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The annual celebration of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), one of the largest resistance movements in Europe against the Nazis during World War II that started on August 29, 1944, had a different character this year.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of participants in the official celebrations held at the premises of the SNP Museum in Banska Bystrica was strictly limited to 1,000. Only invited guests were allowed to come, including former SNP participants, top political representatives, foreign diplomats, and the representatives of political parties, while the organisers prepared several other events people could attend.

However, a group of protesters booed and whistled during the official speeches. They also interrupted the speech of one of a few living SNP participants, which was criticised by the SNP Museum director.

Politicians thanked the participants

The official celebrations of the 77th anniversary of SNP kicked off with a flight of Armed Forces planes and the laying of wreaths on the SNP memorial.

War, heroism and history in Slovakia (Spectacular Slovakia - travel guide) Read more

In her speech, President Zuzana Caputova praised the bravery of SNP participants and stressed they underwent a great personal risk and decided to step to the right side of history, as well as the side of humanity, democracy and human dignity.

30. Aug 2021 at 11:35 | Compiled by Spectator staff
About a 400,000-strong crowd flocked to Sastin in 1995 to attend a mass served by Pope John Paul II. It was his second visit to Slovakia in the brief period following the fall of the totalitarian regime. The service was held on a 54-hectare meadow near Sastins emblematic basilica minor.

Fast forward 26 years later, the small western-Slovak town is getting ready for another papal visit, albeit with smaller attendance due to the pandemic. Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with the Slovak bishops in Sastin and then hold a holy mass with the homily of the Holy Father on the last day of his upcoming visit to Slovakia on September 15.

The day marks the religious holiday of Our Lady of Sorrows, the patron saint of Slovakia. It is a national holiday around the country, while in Sastin, the one-time pilgrimage site of the Kingdom of Hungary, it is a day of an annual national pilgrimage.

Sastin is considered the national Marian shrine and as such has a special place among Slovakias churches, Juraj Tirpak, priest and member of the Order of St Paul the First Hermit that cares for the basilica, told The Slovak Spectator.

It began with a bad marriage

Sastin has been marked on the religious map since the Middle Ages. The first written mention of the place comes from 1204.

The site was an important fortress to protect the trading routes between the Hungarian and Czech kingdoms. The castle, standing near the Myjava River, served as the seat of the archdeacons office, who acted as the deputy of the bishop.

Its beginnings as a pilgrimage site date back to the second half of the 16th century, closely connected to a legend about a married couple: Countess Angelika Bakicova and her husband Imrich Czobor.

How a troubled marriage led to a miraculous baroque church Read more

Czobor had been treating his wife badly and in 1564, left her stranded in the forest in Sastin. She was frightened and began to pray to the Virgin Mary for help, promising to build a wooden statue of the Our Lady of the Sorrows if her prayers were answered.

The legend says that her marriage indeed improved significantly. The countess kept her promise and had a wooden statue made and placed on a pillar where she had prayed.
Military special plane successfully brought more people from Afghanistan

The operation in Kabul lasted about 80 hours.

Another military special plane landed in Slovakia on Monday, with people evacuated from Afghanistan onboard.

28 people were evacuated from Afghanistan, with six holding a residence permit in Slovakia, and the rest being the wives and children of people with a residence permit in Slovakia, said Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS nominee).

It is already the second military special plane sent to Afghanistan. The first landed in Slovakia less than two weeks ago, with 20 people onboard, including four Afghan citizens. Another four Afghans were brought on a Czech plane. All eight subsequently applied for asylum in Slovakia.

If we described the first mission as a big success, this was an even bigger one, PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO) told the press on August 31.

Lets offer safety to people from Afghanistan, NGOs call on government Read more

Two nights in Kabul

The current rescue operation took place under very difficult circumstances, with a Slovak special unit being present. The unit arrived in Kabul on Saturday, August 28, as the Governments Office wrote, spending two nights at the local airport.

The people from the departments of defence, foreign affairs and interior who participated in this operation, worked for several days without a break, using all their strength, said Heger, as quoted by the TASR newswire, adding that thanks to their persistence, the evacuation was successful.

He also thanked Defence Minister Jaroslav Nad (OLaNO) and Foreign Affairs Minister Korcok, as well as the US, which helped with the evacuation.

The operation in Kabul lasted about 80 hours. In the end, the Slovak special plane transported 14 people, and the remaining 14 were transported onboard a US plane. After being dropped off in a NATO ally country, they were taken to Slovakia, Nad specified.

They were all checked out by Slovakias authorities, and those without a residence permit in the country have been placed in a facility in Humenne.

One failed attempt

The group of 28 Afghans comprised 20 people that Slovakia originally wanted to evacuate on a Norwegian plane last Friday.

The Taliban hates educated women, says Afghan-Slovak filmmaker rescued from Kabul Read more

However, this attempt was marred by the Taliban, which did not let them pass the checkpoint, these Afghans failing to make it to the airport.

Were very glad that we helped people with ties to Slovakia, who finally left Afghanistan for safety, Korcok wrote on Facebook on August 30.

Four challenges

The official evacuation from Afghanistan ended with the departure of the last US troops. Further processes will now follow during which more people will be able arrive to Slovakia.

The representatives of the Slovak government presented a list of 250 people from Afghanistan who may be in danger, Korcok said, adding that he expects the list to continue increasing.

In his opinion, there are four main challenges the international community will have to deal with: the influx of refugees, terrorism threats, humanitarian and development aid, as well as the political consequences of the situation in Afghanistan.

30. Aug 2021 at 17:35 (modified at 31. Aug 2021 at 17:39) | Compiled by Spectator staff
28 people to arrive from Afghanistan. Universities to decide on opening new semester. Slovak ice hockey players qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics. More in today's digest.

Good evening. Catch up on the main news of the day in less than five minutes with the Monday, August 30, 2021 edition of Today in Slovakia. We wish you a pleasant read.

More people evacuated from Afghanistan

Slovakia sent its Spartan military aircraft to Afghanistan. (Source: SITA)

After Foreign Affairs Minister Ivan Korcok (SaS nominee) announced last Friday that a group of 20 Afghans with relatives in Slovakia did not board a Norwegian plane after failing to pass a checkpoint, the government confirmed that the Slovak military special plane successfully evacuated a group of 28 people.

The plane with mostly women, children and students is set to land in Slovakia on Monday, August 30.

Though the cabinet ministers plan to reveal more details tomorrow, the Governments Office informed that the plane arrived in Afghanistan on Saturday, and the special unit spent two nights in the country under difficult circumstances. PM Eduard Heger (OLaNO) thanked the defence and foreign affairs ministers for their help, as well as the US for its help and support on the ground.

It is the second time the special military plane carried people evacuated from Afghanistan. About two weeks ago, the plane transported 20 people, mostly Slovaks, and another four were onboard a Czech plane.

Yet non-governmental organisations called on the government last week to help many more people who are in danger, and even launched a petition.

For a deeper insight into current affairs, check out our Last Week in Slovakia, published earlier today. You can sign up for the newsletter here.

Coronavirus and vaccination developments

The map of districts from Monday, August 30, 2021. (Source: Health Ministry)

14 districts are in the orange tier of the warning system, known as the Covid automat, as of today. The stricter rules are applied in the districts of Banska Stiavnica, Bardejov, Gelnica, Kezmarok, Kosice I-IV, Kosice-okolie, Levoca, Nove Zamky, Poprad, Vranov nad Toplou, and Ziar nad Hronom.

are in the orange tier of the warning system, known as the Covid automat, as of today. The stricter rules are applied in the districts of Banska Stiavnica, Bardejov, Gelnica, Kezmarok, Kosice I-IV, Kosice-okolie, Levoca, Nove Zamky, Poprad, Vranov nad Toplou, and Ziar nad Hronom. 49 people were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 1,485 PCR tests performed on August 29. The number of people in hospitals remains unchanged at 85 people . The vaccination rate is at 43.14 percent , 2,372,924 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here.

were newly diagnosed as Covid positive out of 1,485 PCR tests performed on August 29. The number of people in hospitals remains unchanged at . The vaccination rate is at , 2,372,924 people having received the first dose of the vaccine. More stats on Covid-19 in Slovakia here. Cross-border workers coming to Slovakia who are not fully vaccinated against Covid will not have to undergo self-isolation. According to a new ordinance of the Public Health Authority (UVZ) that came into force today, they will have to register with the eHranica online form once a month , present a negative PCR test no older than 7 days as well as proof from their employer when entering the country. For more rules to follow when entering Slovakia click here.

who are will not have to undergo self-isolation. According to a new ordinance of the Public Health Authority (UVZ) that came into force today, they will have to register with the eHranica online form , present a as well as proof from their employer when entering the country. For more rules to follow when entering Slovakia click here. The decision on opening the winter semester inthe 2021/2022 school year will be fully up to universities and other higher education institutions . At the same time, they should receive more than 15 million in total in the coming days for compensations related to the coronavirus pandemic.

will be and other . At the same time, they should receive more than 15 million in total in the coming days for compensations related to the coronavirus pandemic. 22 percent of children aged 12-17 years have been vaccinated against Covid so far, Education Minister Branislav Grohling (SaS) has said.

have been vaccinated against Covid so far, Education Minister Branislav Grohling (SaS) has said. Six people are currently waiting for the second shot of the unlicensed Russian vaccine Sputnik V. Altogether 37,021 doses of the vaccine have been applied in Slovakia so far, with slightly more than 18,500 people receiving them.

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Picture of the day

Slovak ice hockey players have qualified for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. They won the spot in the qualification tournament, after defeating the teams from Austria, Poland and Belarus. This will be the eighth winter Olympics for the Slovak team.

Slovakia will attend its eighth Winter Olympic Games. (Source: TASR)

Feature story for today

The history of a pilgrimage site in Sastin in western Slovakia is closely linked with the legend of making a bad marriage better. Since then, several people who came to pray in Sastin have reported various miracles, while other factors helped the site rise to fame as well. Now Pope Francis will visit Sastin during his visit to Slovakia, as the second pontiff since the fall of the communist regime.

People come here to pray for miracles. Now, Pope Francis will visit Read more

In other news

In Banska Bystrica, a group of protesters disrupted celebrations of the 77th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), one of the largest resistance movements in Europe against the Nazis during World War II. This year, the official celebrations were limited due to the pandemic, with only invited guests (including politicians and diplomats) being present.

About 46,000 people have registered for events held during the mid-September visit of Pope Francis so far. About 23,000 people have registered for the event in Sastin that will be held on September 15, which marks the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows and is a national holiday in Slovakia.

for events held during the mid-September visit of Pope Francis so far. About 23,000 people have registered for the event in Sastin that will be held on September 15, which marks the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows and is a national holiday in Slovakia. MPs failed to hold two unscheduled parliamentary sessions planned for today. First, they did not approve a programme of the session where the opposition wanted to discuss higher energy prices for next year and the steps following the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Neither were there enough MPs to open another session where the opposition wanted to oust Interior Minister Roman Mikulec (OLaNO); the session has been postponed until tomorrow morning.

planned for today. First, they did not approve a programme of the session where the opposition wanted to discuss higher energy prices for next year and the steps following the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Neither were there enough MPs to open another session where the opposition wanted to oust Interior Minister Roman Mikulec (OLaNO); the session has been postponed until tomorrow morning. Interior Minister Mikulec has filed a criminal complaint against Smer chair Robert Fico for slander.

against Smer chair for slander. Rimavska Sobota Mayor Jozef Simko is leaving the deputy caucus of far-right Kotlebovci  Peoples Party Our Slovakia (LSNS), citing diverting opinions from other party members. This includes vaccination against Covid  Simko has been inoculated, while the party rejects it as a whole. (Aktuality.sk)

is leaving the deputy caucus of (LSNS), citing diverting opinions from other party members. This includes vaccination against Covid  Simko has been inoculated, while the party rejects it as a whole. (Aktuality.sk) Comenius University in Bratislava is the only university in Slovakia to be listed in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (also known as the Shanghai Ranking), placing 801st-900th.

is the only university in Slovakia to be listed in the (also known as the Shanghai Ranking), placing 801st-900th. For the first time in the past 13 months, the number of deaths reported in July was lower than the five-year average . Moreover, Covid was not among top 10 causes of death, with only 18 people dying from the disease. (Statistics Office)

. Moreover, Covid was not among top 10 causes of death, with only 18 people dying from the disease. (Statistics Office) The economic mood in Slovakia was again more pessimistic in August 2021 than a month ago, but this time only slightly. The seasonally adjusted economic sentiment indicator (ESI) decreased by 1.6 points to 99.2 and is approximately at the level immediately before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. (Statistics Office)

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If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

30. Aug 2021 at 18:14 | Radka Minarechova
The Outrageous Art filly Divine Art dashed from a pocket trip to an open-length romp in the second of two $22,500 divisions of the Emerald Filly Pace, a race for two-year-old pacing fillies, on Sunday (Aug. 29) at Century Downs.

Odds-on favourite Shoot The Whiskey pushed for the lead from pylon post while trainer-driver Nate Sobey tucked Divine Art in behind to a :28.1 first quarter. She then stayed put as Memum Knownothing flushed first over by Wrangler Jewel, who raced off the pegs from the start, moving to a :58.2 half.

Memum Knownothing applied minor pressure to Shoot The Whiskey up the backside, but began to falter after three-quarters in 1:26.1. And then, off the final turn, Shoot The Whiskey broke stride, leaving Divine Art to dart to the front and leave her competition in her wake as she stormed to a 7-1/4-length win in 1:55.3. Tin Foil Hat followed up the pylons for second while Wrangler Jewel rallied off cover for third.

Owned by Robert T. Jones, Diane Bertrand and John Hind, Divine Art won her first race from four starts, earning $19,485. She paid $8.90 to win.

Saphire Blue slid to the lead and took the field gate to wire in the first division of the Emerald Filly Pace, stopping the clock in 1:57.2.

Driver Michael Hennessy secured the top with Saphire Blue to a :29.3 first quarter and raced uncontested through the stretch into a 1:00.3 half. Two Fingers Gold angled first over from fourth moving into the second turn and ranged to within a length of the lead heading to three-quarters in 1:28.2. But the wide trip proved taxing to Two Fingers Gold and she began to falter into the final turn as Saphire Blue scooted away towards the stretch, winning by 3-1/2 lengths over closing Hazels Wildling. Metaki took third.

A filly by Vertical Horizon, Saphire Blue remains unbeaten from four starts, banking $42,250 for owner Donald Richardson. Harold Haining trains the $3.90 winner.

The two-year-old pacing colts and geldings sparred earlier on the card in three $15,000 divisions of the Rocky Mountain Boys, with the first division going to heavy favourite Vegas Gambler in 1:56.1.

Leaving from post 5, Vegas Gambler grabbed command with ease to a :27.1 first quarter and faced no pressure through fractions of :57 and 1:26.1. In his stroll to the finish, Vegas Gambler opened 7-3/4 lengths on second-place finisher So Strange, while Bearcat Sue finished third and pocket-sitter Chuck You Farlie broke stride into the stretch and settled for fourth.

Co-owned by trainer Rod Starkewski with Clauzette Byckal, Vegas Gambler won his third race from four starts, earning $36,475. Phil Giesbrecht drove the Mystery Chase colt who paid $2.30 to win.

Redstone Arsenal wired his rivals in the second division of the Rocky Mountain Boys, winning in 1:57. The colt by Huntsville protected position from the pylons post and posted splits of :28.2, :58.4 and 1:27 in progress to a length victory over Restless And Wild. Ladner Lad rallied from the back of the pack to take third.

Owned by Lorne Duffield, Redstone Arsenal won his second race from three starts, earning $9,750. Michael Hennessy drove the $6.90 winner for trainer Rod Hennessy.

Trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt lunged to the finish with the Vertical Horizon colt Lets Tie One On to snag the final Rocky Mountain Boys split in 1:58.

Prairie Pursuit overtook the lead past a :28.4 first quarter from Light My Shadow moving into the stretch first time. Joe Rich rolled first over from fourth approaching a :59.1 half and swept to the lead as the field entered the backstretch, where Hoerdt got underway with Lets Tie One On. He took cover from first-over Subzero moving to three-quarters in 1:27.1 and fired off the helmet around the final turn to land a neck in front of Subzero at the beam. Prairie Pursuit faltered and settled for third.

Co-owned by Hoerdt with Derek Gilbert and Chris Lancaster, Lets Tie One On stayed unbeaten from two starts while earning $9,750. He paid $6.60 to win.

Lets Tie One On completed a training hat trick for Hoerdt on the 11-race card. He first sent and steered Watch Me Boogie ($13.50) to a 1:55.2 victory and came back in the following race for a wire-to-wire score with Cenalta Express ($4.70).

Century Downs will be closed on Tuesday (Aug. 31) for track maintenance, so the Calgary oval will host a substitute 11-race card on Monday (Aug. 30) starting at 2:15 p.m. (MDT).

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Century Downs.
A pair of kings, King Klueber and Kings Cruiser, won for the second time this year in the Buckeye Stallion Series (BSS) as the series returned to Eldorado Scioto Downs on Saturday (Aug. 28). Four divisions of three-year-old pacing colts and geldings went head-to-head with each division won going gate to wire.

King Klueber and Kayne Kauffman took the third division in 1:53. From post 2, the pair briefly sat in the pocket before taking the front midway through the first turn. The Bruce Sturgeon trainee cut fractions of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:23.4 to win by a nose over Rockinmyshoe and Barnard Hanover. Karen Heaberlin and Sturgeon own the Allamerican Native gelding who has now hit the board in 12 of 16 starts after not racing as a two-year-old. He was a winner in the second leg of the BSS on July 4 at MGM Northfield Park.

The fourth division was won by Kings Cruiser, with Tyler Smith in the sulky for trainer Jeff Nisonger in 1:51.2. After cutting fractions of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:23.4, they won by 2-1/4 lengths over Feelin Western and Hardt At Work. Kings Cruiser, a Yankee Cruiser gelding, is owned by Mark Ater and had won three in a row on the Ohio fair circuit; four starts back, he had finished second in BSS at Northfield. He was a winner in the first leg of the series.

Odds On Pick Six won the first division in 1:50.2. Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. took the son of Racing Hill straight to the front from post 2 and led at every fraction of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:23.2 to win by 9-3/4 lengths for trainer Melanie Wrenn and owner Odds On Racing. Knight on Ice was second and Brighter Days finished third.

The second division was won by Sir Charles Of Sky in 1:51.1. Chris Page took his time with the Ron Burke trainee, getting him to the front midway through the first turn to fractions of :27.1, :56 and 1:23. Burke Racing Stable and Weaver Bruscemi own the gelding who is now 1 for 1 after switching barns. Caviart Sargent was second with JWs Chrome finishing third.

The Buckeye Stallion Series will return to Eldorado Scioto Downs on Sept. 3 for the two-year-old colt trot and Sept. 4 for the three-year-old colt trot. First-race post time is 6:15 p.m. (EDT).

(OHHA)
The Massachusetts Standardbred breeding program has grown exponentially in recent years thanks to the Commonwealths Race Horse Development Fund (RHDV) that was started in 2011 in conjunction with the states expanded gaming legislation.

The program is designed to promote the breeding of Massachusetts Standardbreds to both upgrade the racing program and sustain industry jobs along with supporting agricultural businesses associated with breeding and racing.

Since the inception of the RHDF, interest in the breeding program has gone well beyond the states borders as horsemen across North America have taken notice of the growing and lucrative stake program that has evolved. With this influx of business, Standardbreds foaled in Massachusetts have achieved new heights and their recent records and earnings numbers are the proof.

Of the 18 categories that make up race records kept in the state (2yo/3yo/4yo+ -- fillies/mares, colts, geldings -- trotters, pacers), Massachusetts-bred Standardbreds have set new marks in 16 of them since the RHDF was started, with 13 of the 18 taken in just the last two years.

And these horses are earning more money for their connections, making it easier for them to reinvest in the industry. In the history of harness racing in the state, 80 of the top 100 money earning horses bred in Massachusetts were foaled after the RHDF began.

The resident mare program in Massachusetts requires broodmares to be registered in the state by December 1 in the year prior to foaling and the foaling must be reported to the Department of Agriculture while the foal remains on a Massachusetts farm. This program offers the flexibility of breeding to any stallion in any other state, giving the owner the option of racing in two sire stake programs each year. This has become more prominent recently and as a result, the Massachusetts Sire Stakes have become more competitive with stakes tested horses coming to Massachusetts in late September ready to roll.

This year, the Massachusetts Sire Stakes (MASS) could be the most lucrative ever, but also holds the possibility of being the most productive on the track as many eligible horses are already competing at a high level in New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Maine.

Since 2017, every Massachusetts stakes record has been broken at least once. Seven records were broken last year (five new, two of them broken twice) including all four pacing categories.

As the MASS series prepares to kick off again on Sunday, Sept. 26, these are some of the horses that may rewrite the Massachusetts record books this year.

Two-year-old filly trotters

Moni Heist (Walner-Nothing But Moni) started in the New Jersey Sire Stakes this year and has recently won two straight starts in the Kentucky Commonwealth Series, taking a new lifetime mark of 1:55.4.

(Breeder: Moni Maker Stable - Owner: Moni Maker Stable - Trainer: Domenico Cecere)

Raised By Lindy (Walner-Birthright) won a leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes in a personal best 1:54.3 at the Meadowlands in June and just raced in the $326,850 Jim Doherty Memorial at the Meadowlands, finishing six lengths behind Venerable, who won in 1:52.

(Breeder: Lindy Farms of Connecticut - Owner: Lindy Farms of Connecticut - Trainer: Domenico Cecere)

Two-year-old colt trotters

Branded By Lindy (Chapter Seven-The Lindy Label) is currently on a two-race winning streak in the Kentucky Commonwealth Series. But the trotter has also earned the designation of now being the fastest two-year-old trotting colt ever bred in Massachusetts on the strength of his 1:54 win at The Red Mile on August 15. He replicated that time one week later during his second win on August 23.

(Breeder: Lindy Farms of Connecticut - Owner: Lindy Farms of Connecticut - Trainer: Domenico Cecere)

Two-year-old filly pacers

Dudes Sweet Bet (Dudes The Man-Sweet Bettor) has been racing in the New York Sire Stakes and Excel A Series and just took a lifetime mark of 1:54.1 in the Excel A at Tioga Downs on August 22.

(Breeders/Owners: Triple C Stables and Christopher Lems - Trainer: Jessica Okusko)

Pembroke Legacy (Baron Biltmore-Pembroke Oasis) is currently the top point-getter in her category in the Maine Sire Stakes, having won three out of her four lifetime starts with a best outing of 1:58.1 at Skowhegan.

(Breeder/Owner: William Varney - Trainer: Valerie Grondin)

So Flo (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) won a leg of the New York Sire Stakes Excel A at Saratoga Raceway in 1:56.2 on August 10 and has improved weekly over her only four lifetime starts.

(Breeders/Owners: Nancy Longobardi, Domenic Longobardi - Trainer: George Ducharme)

Two-year-old colt pacers

Treacherous Tom (Captaintreacherous-Kate Is Well Said) has yet to win this year but has found his competition very tough so far. After finishing second in the Tompkins-Geers Stake at the Meadowlands in June, Treacherous Tom moved to the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes, where he has done very well with two thirds in four starts and has been race timed in 1:52.1.

(Breeder: Fashion Farms - Owners: Thomas Dillon, Scott Dillon - Trainer: Ron Burke)

Ugotaearnyrstripes (Deuce Seelster-Armbro BMW) is the current freshman colt pacing leader in the Maine Sire Stakes and has three wins in four lifetime starts.

(Breeder/Owner: Edward Blash - Trainer: Stephen La Casse)

The sophomore class has all four two-year-old MASS champions returning to defend their titles.

Three-year-old filly trotters

Moni For Lindy (Credit Winner-Live Moni) was a $70,000 winner at two and has more than doubled that this year with $161,377 on her card. She is the current point leader in her division of the New York Sire Stakes having won three out of four starts with one second. Her 1.53.4 win at Vernon Downs on June 4 was a lifetime mark but also made her the fastest three-year-old trotting filly ever bred in Massachusetts.

(Breeder: Moni Maker Stable - Owner: Greathorse - Trainer: Domenico Cecere)

Royal Envy (RC Royalty-Temper Of Will) was the two-year-old MASS distaff trotting champion last year and she swept all three legs of the stake before winning the final. This year she has two wins -- one in Excel A stakes action -- and has been on the board more than 50 per cent of the time. She took a new lifetime mark of 1:55.3 at Vernon Downs and should be a top contender in the MASS once again.

(Breeders/Owners: Al Ross, Ray Campbell Jr. - Trainer: George Ducharme)

Three-year-old colt trotters

Incommunicado (Chapter Seven-Gran Cavalla) was the two-year-old male trotting champion in the MASS after finishing third in the $225,000 New York Sire Stakes final and has kept rolling this year. He won the $115,583 Dexter Cup at Freehold in May and finished third in the $206,500 Empire Breeders Classic at Vernon Downs in June. Now with earnings of $331,390 lifetime, he ranks as the 12th richest Standardbred ever bred in Massachusetts.

(Breeder: Moni Maker Stable - Owners: Knuttson Trotting, Little E, Arthur Geiger and David Stolz - Trainer: Ake Svanstedt)

Three-year-old filly pacers

Rightfully Mine (American Ideal-Leah) has not missed a cheque in the New York Sire Stakes this year, winning one leg in June and currently sitting seventh in points in her NYSS division. She is seven out of eight in the money this year with a new lifetime mark of 1:52.2 taken at Plainridge Park.

(Breeder: Monique Cohen - Owners: Arthur Scussel, Monique Cohen - Trainer: Sheena Mcelhiney)

So Amazing (So Surreal-Teddy Ballgirl) is having a great year hitting the board nine out of 10 starts in 2021. She is currently the leading three-year-old filly money earner in the New York Sire Stakes Excel A Series having won three legs and has also taken a new lifetime mark of 1:52.3 at Plainridge Park in June.

(Breeders/Owners: Nancy Longobardi, Domenic Longobardi - Trainer: George Ducharme)

Seafood Sweetheart (American Ideal-Seafood Annie) is the leading point-getter in the New York Sire Stakes Excel A Series and has three victories in that stakes this year. She too lowered her mark to 1:53.1 at Plainridge and will be formidable competition in the upcoming MASS.

(Breeder/Owner: Seafood Delight Stable - Trainer: Sheena Mcelhiney)

Purameri (American Ideal-JK Pure Pearl) was the MASS two-year-old champion and set a new stake record of 1:52.4 in the process. This year she has been racing in the New York Sire Stakes with one win and just competed in the $214,000 Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs on Sunday against Test Of Faith.

(Breeders: 3 Brothers Stable, Camelot Stable - Owner: Purple Haze Stable - Trainer: Jessica Okusko)

Northern Storm (Mcardle-Betit To Getit) won back to back starts in Lexington last year at two before making consecutive breaks in her only two stake starts in Massachusetts. This year, she won an overnight event at the Meadowlands in 1:49.4 in June to gain the distinction of being the fastest Standardbred regardless of age, gait or gender ever bred in Massachusetts. With only 11 lifetime starts to date and the exhibition of speed shown earlier this year, this filly could be one to watch in September.

(Breeder: Holland Farms - Owner: Holland Racing Stable - Trainer:Tony Alagna)

Three-year-old colt pacers

Mullinax (American Ideal-Up Front Kellie Jo) was the two-year-old MASS champion and set a new stakes record of 1:53.4 in the process. He spent most of his summer this year in New York winning the Landmark Stakes in Goshen and garnering cheques in all four of his New York Sire Stakes appearances. On Sunday, he finished third in the $104,000 Empire Breeders Classic and was race timed in 1:51. He is the definite favourite to repeat in the division this year.

(Breeder: Ed Mullinax - Owner: William Varney - Trainer: Mark Ford)

Call Me Maverick (Western Maverick-Briefly) has been the leading three-year-old pacing colt in Maine stakes competition for two years. He was a perfect eight for eight in 2020 and two-year-old Maine Sire Stakes champion. He is currently seven out of eight this year with one second due to broken equipment. His lifetime mark is 1:54 at Plainridge taken in stake action last year but he paced his best mile of 2021 in 1:55.3 over the half at Skowhegan. His consistency may be his ticket to MASS rewards next month.

(Breeder/Owner: Upland Farm - Trainer: Gordon Corey)

Here is the complete Massachusetts Sire Stakes schedule for 2021:

Sunday, Sept. 26 - Three-year-olds - First Leg

Monday, Sept. 27 - Two-year-olds - First Leg

Sunday, Oct. 3 - Three-year-olds Second Leg

Monday, Oct. 4 - Two-year-olds - Second Leg

Sunday, Oct. 17 - Two-year-olds - Third Leg

Monday, Oct. 18 - Three-year-olds - Third Leg

Monday, Oct. 25 - Two-year-olds & Three-year-olds - Finals

(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)
They pointed to the fact that the current standard is silent on rules for vaccinated employees, in contrast to CDC guidance earlier this summer that vaccinated people could stop wearing masks in most places.

The CDC walked those guidelines back in late July as the delta variant spread, urging the vaccinated to start wearing masks again indoors in areas where community spread is high.

Throughout, Virginias rules requiring employees to wear masks when not spaced six feet apart stayed the same.

While business groups saw that as evidence of the rules failings, worker groups framed it as an example of why the states stricter standard remained important, blaming the CDCs initial relaxation of mask guidance for the delta variants surge.

CDC standards have been shown to not be keeping people safe, said Rachel McFarland, a lawyer with the Legal Aid Justice Center, which helped initiate the state standard with a petition for rules protecting farm workers.

The states rules have always allowed businesses to follow CDC guidelines instead of state guidelines, but only if they provided equal or greater protection than Virginias rules. The revisions strike that language.
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In this photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, a flag flies at half-staff in honor of the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, at Marine Corps Security Force Company, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Republican concerns over the screening process for thousands of Afghan refugees who stood side by side with Americans and are now being processed through Fort McCoy are unfounded dog whistle crap, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Monday.

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have criticized the vetting process and warned about terrorists being allowed into the country. After a tour of the base last week, Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson questioned whether the refugees at Fort McCoy had been fully vetted and said White House assurances about the process were lipstick on a pig.

Evers also toured the base last week and met with refugees. He said Republicans criticizing the vetting of those refugees are vastly uninformed.
Stolen vehicle

200 block of Kelso Drive, Kelso. Friday. Greenish blue 1996 Ford F150 regular cab, two-wheel drive. Unknown license plate number.

2700 block of Colorado Street, Longview. Friday. Blue 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Washington C67881T.

Thefts

1100 block of Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, Castle Rock. Friday. Womens 21-speed purple aluminum Schwinn bike with a special seat on it worth $100. Bike was chained up with another bike, but it was the only one taken.

400 block of 20th Avenue, Longview. Friday. Daughters cellphone stolen from the 20th Avenue grocery store at 2:30 p.m. and is pinging at Walmart.

1400 block of Dike Access Road, Woodland. Friday. Car keys taken from key ring.

600 block of Frontage Road, Kalama. Saturday. Wallet taken overnight.

100 block of Parker Place, Kelso. Sunday. Rear license plate stolen. Washington BRX3188.

Vandalism/malicious mischief

300 block of Dike Drive, Castle Rock. Friday. Someone smashed out car window.
Reliance Jio is all set to launch the companys upcoming budget smartphone, the JioPhone Next. The device is expected to arrive on September 10, as per the announcement made during the 44th Annual General Meeting of the company on June 24. With less than two weeks to the launch of the upcoming smartphone, pre-orders are expected to begin this week, according to reports.

A recent report suggests that the telecom operator, which appears set to disrupt the budget smartphone market with competitive pricing for the JioPhone, is in talks with retail partners to begin pre-orders for the device. The smartphone is expected to arrive on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, according to the company.

Also read: Looking for a smartphone? Check Mobile Finder here.

JioPhone Next expected specifications and features

The upcoming JioPhone Next is expected to come with a customised version of Googles Android operating system optimised by Google and with special features such as a tailored Google Assistant and an improved camera app. It is expected to ship with smaller versions of Googles apps such as Chrome Go, Camera Go, and Duo Go.

While Reliance Jio is yet to officially announce the hardware specifications of its upcoming JioPhone Next smartphone, various leaks and reports have hinted towards the device sporting a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 chipset which might be powered by a 2,500mAh battery under the hood. The smartphone could also come with a 5.5-inch display, along with a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP selfie shooter.

JioPhone Next expected price and launch date

We do know when the JioPhone Next is scheduled to launch in the country, as it was revealed during the companys 44th AGM event. However, when it comes to pricing, there is no official word on the price -- reports have suggested that the pricing could be lower than 5,000. This could give the established players like Xiaomi, Realme and Samsung a run for their money, as comparable smartphone with these expected specifications are priced around the 6,000 mark. However, it is better to take these details with a grain of salt the official price of the JioPhone next will only be announced when the device is officially launched.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Facebook, Google and Twitter and other technology companies are being asked to hand over records on efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the deadly Capitol attack.

Letters sent out Friday by the congressional committee investigating the Jan. 6 violence seek internal reviews, data and communications about social media posts.

The House Select Committee is seeking records on policy changes social media companies made, or failed to make, to address the spread of misinformation, violent extremism and foreign influence, including decisions to ban content.

Records of contacts with law enforcement and intelligence agencies are also being sought.

Google said it was "committed to working with Congress on this."

"The events of January 6 were unprecedented and tragic, and Google and YouTube strongly condemn them," the company said in a statement to U.S. TODAY. "We're committed to protecting our platforms from abuse, including by rigorously enforcing our policies for content related to the events of January 6."

Facebook said it looked forward "to continuing to work with the committee." Twitter declined to comment.

The request for materials dating back to the spring of 2020 highlights the central role social media platforms played on Jan. 6 when a rally over former President Donald Trump's baseless claims of election fraud led to the storming of the Capitol.

Hundreds of people were arrested, many of whom were identified by photos, videos and posts on social media.

"The Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is examining the facts, circumstances, and causes of the attack and relating to the peaceful transfer of power, in order to identify and evaluate lessons learned and to recommend corrective laws, policies, procedures, rules, or regulations," Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., wrote.

The other social media companies the panel is targeting are 4chan, 8kun, Gab, Parler, Reddit, Snapchat, Telegram, theDonald.win, TikTok, Twitch and Zello.

"As we are a free to use online publishing platform, it is inevitable that criminal actors will seek to abuse our services, as indeed they abuse all online services," Gab CEO Andrew Torba said in an email to users. "We work hard to ensure that our services are denied to these bad actors."

"We look forward to getting in touch with the Committee in the coming weeks," he added.

Seven Democrats and two Republicans sit on the committee which was formed by House Democrats after a Jan. 6 independent commission was blocked in the Senate by Republicans.

Shortly before its first hearing, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., denied two Republican nominations to the committee, Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, over their votes to contest the 2020 election.

Explore further Controversial social network Parler announces relaunch

(c)2021 U.S. Today

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The wireless charging room under construction at The University of Tokyo. Credit: The University of Tokyo

In a move that could one day free the world's countertops from their snarl of charging cords, researchers at the University of Michigan and University of Tokyo have developed a system to safely deliver electricity over the air, potentially turning entire buildings into wireless charging zones.

Detailed in a new study published in Nature Electronics, the technology can deliver 50 watts of power using magnetic fields.

Study author Alanson Sample, U-M professor of computer science and engineering, says that in addition to untethering phones and laptops, the technology could also power implanted medical devices and open new possibilities for mobile robotics in homes and manufacturing facilities. The team is also working on implementing the system in spaces that are smaller than room-size, for example a toolbox that charges tools placed inside it.

"This really ups the power of the ubiquitous computing worldyou could put a computer in anything without ever having to worry about charging or plugging in," Sample said. "There are a lot of clinical applications as well; today's heart implants, for example, require a wire that runs from the pump through the body to an external power supply. This could eliminate that, reducing the risk of infection and improving patients' quality of life."

The team, led by researchers at the University of Tokyo, demonstrated the technology in a purpose-built aluminum test room measuring approximately 10 feet by 10 feet. They wirelessly powered lamps, fans and cell phones that could draw current from anywhere in the room regardless of the placement of people and furniture.

The finished charging room, located at The University of Tokyo. Credit: The University of Tokyo

The system is a major improvement over previous attempts at wireless charging systems, which used potentially harmful microwave radiation or required devices to be placed on dedicated charging pads, the researchers say. Instead, it uses a conductive surface on room walls and a conductive pole to generate magnetic fields.

Devices harness the magnetic field with wire coils, which can be integrated into electronics like cell phones. The researchers say the system could easily be scaled up to larger structures like factories or warehouses while still meeting existing safety guidelines for exposure to electromagnetic fields.

"Something like this would be easiest to implement in new construction, but I think retrofits will be possible as well," said Takuya Sasatani, a researcher at the University of Tokyo and the corresponding author on the study. "Some commercial buildings, for example, already have metal support poles, and it should be possible to spray a conductive surface onto walls, perhaps similar to how textured ceilings are done."

A key to making the system work, Sample said, was building a resonant structure that could deliver a room-size magnetic field while confining harmful electric fields, which can heat biological tissues.

The team's solution used devices called lumped capacitors. Placed in wall cavities, they generate a magnetic field that resonates through the room, while trapping electric fields inside the capacitors themselves. This overcomes a limitation of previous wireless power systems, which are limited to either delivering large amounts of power over a few millimeters or very small amounts of power over long distances.

Lumped capacitors set into wall cavities in the wireless charging room. Credit: The University of Tokyo

A second hurdle was how to generate a magnetic field that reaches every corner of the roommagnetic fields tend to travel in circular patterns, creating dead spots in a square room. In addition, receivers need to align with the field in a specific way to draw power.

"Drawing power over the air with a coil is a lot like catching butterflies with a net," Sample said. "The trick is to have as many butterflies as possible swirling around the room in as many directions as possible. That way, you'll catch butterflies no matter where your net is or which way it's pointed."

To make that happen, the system generates two separate, 3D magnetic fields. One travels in a circle around the room's central pole, while the other swirls in the corners, traveling between adjacent walls. This approach eliminates dead spots, enabling devices to draw power from anywhere in the space.

Tests with anatomical dummies showed that the system could deliver at least 50 watts of power to any location in the room without exceeding FCC guidelines for electromagnetic energy exposure. Sample said it's likely, however, that it will be possible to deliver higher levels of power with further refinement of the system.

The researchers note that implementation of the system in commercial or residential settings is likely years away. They're currently working to test the system in a building on U-M's campus. They'll implement it as both a retrofit and new construction in a series of rooms that use standard construction techniques, with a completion date set for this fall.

The team also includes Yoshihiro Kawahara, professor of electrical engineering and information systems at the University of Tokyo. The research was supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

Explore further Wireless power transmission safely charges devices anywhere within a room

More information: Sasatani, T. et al, Room-scale magnetoquasistatic wireless power transfer using a cavity-based multimode resonator. Nat Electron (2021). Journal information: Nature Electronics Sasatani, T. et al, Room-scale magnetoquasistatic wireless power transfer using a cavity-based multimode resonator.(2021). doi.org/10.1038/s41928-021-00636-3
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With the final cut into what remains of the shipwrecked Golden Ray more than halfway complete, salvors paused work Tuesday night in the St. Simons Sound to replace the cutting chain, said U.S. Coast Guardsman Michael Himes, spokesman for Unified Command.
Local_news

College of Coastal Georgia sees some enrollment increases for fall semester

Terry Dickson/The Brunswick News Jackson Hutton glides along on his one-wheel with friends Collin Quinn, left, Madison Smith, Faith Bridges and Kiara Navarez as they walk between classes at College of Coastal Georgia. Terry Dickson/The Brunswick News College of Coastal Georgia students Madison Smith, from left, Kiara Narvaez, Faith Bridges, Jackson Hutton and Collin Quinn sit at an outside table during a break between classes. Terry Dickson/The Brunswick News Vianna Hernandez works on her laptop at a table outside the Gould Library at College of Coastal Georgia.

College of Coastal Georgia students are back on campus for their fall semester, and the college is continuing to encourage all on campus to get vaccinated and to wear face masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fall semester began Aug. 16, and while enrollment numbers for this semester are still in flux, the college has seen a slight increase in the number of students from the Coastal Georgia area as well as students returning from a temporary pause in their enrollment.

I really cant fully describe how much we were anticipating and excited about this fall semester, and all of our plans to welcome new students and returning students, said Michelle Johnston, president of CCGA.

The number of freshmen students from local counties increased this semester, while the number of out-of-state students has held steady, Johnston said.

The college has also seen a 2% increase from last year in the number of former students who previously took a pause from their enrollment at the college.

Financial incentives offered by CCGA may play a role in that, Johnston said.

We did have in a state designation that came out in June that the college was named the No. 1 best value of colleges and universities in the state of Georgia, and I think that our quality, our return on investment and our cost, all of those things have factored into that, Johnston said.

The college will also begin a second eight-week term in mid-October.

We have courses that go for a whole semester, but we also have additional ones that will start in mid-October, so we know that were already having students planning to start in mid-October and take classes then, Johnston said.

Staff at the college are continuously meeting to discuss plans and make changes to adjust to the ongoing pandemic, Johnston said.

The college reports its most recent COVID-19 case numbers online each Monday. Last week, the college reported 30 new cases among students and three among employees.

Right now we are asking employees, students and guests to wear face coverings or masks, Johnston said. We are asking everyone that can do so to get their vaccine. We are providing incentives and encouragements for our students and employees to be fully vaccinated.

An off-campus residence designated last year for quarantine space will continue to serve that purpose, and the college is continuing to promote messaging asking students and staff to get vaccinated and wear masks.

All University System of Georgia institutions, including CCGA, are required to return to back to normal operations this semester, Johnston said, which means that any courses that switched to online or hybrid formats during the most recent academic year must return to a face-to-face format. Classes that were offered in an online or hybrid format before the pandemic began are able to continue being offered in that format.

Most of our courses here at the college are in person, so primarily face-to-face, Johnston said.

The college has several initiatives taking place this semester, including the use of $3 million in funding provided by the state legislature that will be used to renovate the Andrews Center on campus.

The center is a centralized hub that includes offices for financial aid, technology services, the on-campus deli, registrar, college police and more.

Were in the process now of kind of working through the timeline and the details of that, but that will be something in the works this year, Johnston said.

Planning for the new performing arts center will also take place this year, she said, following the Glynn County Board of Educations approval of an intergovernmental agreement for the project in June.

The college will also create a new cybersecurity lab on campus this semester.

The USG recently released the economic impact of its institutions across the state. CCGAs economic impact locally was $99.7 million last fiscal year, and the college created 1,036 jobs in the community as well.

Considering the devastating effects of the pandemic in 2020 and into this year, were really proud to have contributed that much to the area and we hope to make an even bigger impact in fiscal year 21, Johnston said.

She said she hopes to see the college make a significant impact in the community and in students lives this semester.

We just continue to be committed to our every student every time philosophy here and making sure that students needs are taken care of, but also that were really challenging students and making sure that theyre prepared in this world thats ever-changing, as weve seen from the pandemic, Johnston said.


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The Great Plains and Intermountain West are home to the historic range of bison distribution and are where the most bison are produced today, said Martin. It is likely that new producers will be in or near these regions, so we anticipate that they will also likely need to know about the additional resources being produced out of the Center of Excellence for Bison Studies at South Dakota State University.
Economic activity related to the importation and exportation of agricultural products benefits consumers and helps stimulate both the Texas and U.S. economy, according to experts from the Department of Agricultural Economics in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The U.S. imports a huge volume of agricultural products, such as fruits and vegetables, from other countries, especially Mexico, to meet domestic consumer needs, said Luis Ribera, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist, Bryan-College Station.

He said although there is sometimes a negative connotation associated with agricultural importation, the fact is that our ability to import fruits and vegetables from other countries, as well as our ability to export them, is beneficial to our consumers and economy.

It means consumers can get the products they want when they want them, and the two-way trade serves to bolster both the Texas and U.S. economy, he explained.

Ribera said some examples of U.S. agricultural imports in terms of commodity percentage of domestic consumption in 2019 include coffee, 99.8%; limes, 99.9%; bananas, 99.9%; avocados, 90%; tomatoes, 61.5%; and orange juice, 52.8%.
The Texas A&M Forest Service continues to send firefighters, overhead and equipment to respond to wildfires burning across the country.

There are large fires burning across the U.S., nearly all of them in the west, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. More than 21,000 wildland firefighters and overhead support are committed to these incidents.

Since June, 174 of Texas agency personnel have responded to wildfire incidents in other states. More than 50 agency employees are assisting with suppression efforts in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Our experienced personnel will continue to bolster wildfire response across the country, said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service interim director. We are privileged to be in a position to assist our counterparts in the west, just as they have assisted us in the past.

Texas A&M Forest Service personnel are highly skilled and well-trained to meet the needs of these incidents. Firefighters are held to rigorous fitness standards, ensuring they can work 16-hour days in adverse conditions while hiking through rugged terrain.
Brazos County health officials reported 126 new cases of COVID-19 among county residents on Monday as the number of active cases surpassed 1,000.

Health officials have confirmed 26,483 cases of COVID-19 in the county since the pandemic began more than a year ago. Of those, 1,058 cases were active on Monday. This is the most active cases in the county since March.

Officials with the Brazos County Health District said 25,150 cases were considered recovered on Monday; health officials classify all cases older than two weeks as recovered.

Fifty-two Brazos County residents were hospitalized on Monday for treatment of symptoms related to the virus, officials said.

The percentage of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the states Trauma Service Area N  Brazos County and six surrounding counties  was 30.85% on Sunday, the most recent day reported by the state. Other counties in the Brazos Valley region are Burleson, Robertson, Grimes, Madison, Washington and Leon counties.
I truly believe in our message, she said. Even though Im the only one, I still go out. My husband goes with me and we do road trips. See Nebraska, meet people, educate them. Its fun.

Chamber President Cindy Johnson called Operation Lifesavers efforts very important to both urban and rural Nebraska.

There is no better time to recognize the group than when people are traveling to Grand Island for the Nebraska State Fair, Johnson said.

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Sometimes we move too fast. We forget to look at our surroundings and take in whats happening to us, she said. One accident at a train crossing is one too many, and any death at a train crossing is absolutely unacceptable.

Johnson added, The work they do is amazing and critically important to the health and safety of the people in Grand Island.

Carol Daley, Nebraska Operation Lifesaver executive director, applauded Ashworth for her ongoing educational efforts.

Shes just the kind of person we want, to educate everybody and to be out there, Daley said. Operation Lifesaver isnt about being paid. Its about the passion behind it. The people involved are passionate about railroad safety. A lot of that comes from being on the railroad.
YORK  Lisa Hurley, the executive director of the York County Development Corporation (YCDC), has been named the 2021 Nebraska Economic Developers Association (NEDA) Professional of the Year in the community category.

The award was presented by NEDA, the largest association of economic development professionals in Nebraska, during its annual conference in Sidney.

Hurley has been the director of the YCDC since 2013  hers is the longest tenure of anyone to serve in that capacity since the YCDC was created 25 years ago.

Hurley was recognized for her accomplishments and dedicated service to the economic growth in the State of Nebraska.

Hurley has been a powerful force for positive change in York County since her arrival at York County Development Corporation in 2013, said a press release from Brian Vasa, NEDA president. Her anything is possible attitude is infectious within the community and has created ripples of development across York County. Hurleys innovative and creative mindset keeps YCDC moving forward with purpose. Hurleys passion for York County and economic development is unparalleled.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Malaysia's new prime minister missed the swearing-in ceremony of his new government on Monday after coming into contact with someone infected with COVID-19, his office said.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob has begun self-isolating and will virtually attend Tuesday's official National Day celebrations, according to a statement from his office. It did not say whom he came in contact with, whether he was tested and how long he would remain in self-isolation.

Ismail took office Aug. 21 amid public anger over the previous government's failure to control a raging pandemic. Daily cases have soared above 20,000 since Aug. 5, with total infections surpassing 1.7 million. Vaccinations are moving rapidly, with 62% of the adult population fully inoculated.

His predecessor, Muhyiddin Yassin, resigned on Aug. 16 after less than 18 months in office as infighting in his coalition cost him majority support in Parliament.
Starting Sept. 1, Texans ages 21 and older will be allowed carry handguns without training or a license as long as they are not legally prevented from doing so. Gov. Greg Abbott said the law protects American gun rights. Some law enforcement officers worried the law may increase crime rates while putting officers and civilians in danger. Do you support Texas becoming a constitutional carry state?

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Education

editor's pick alert top story

OCtech invests in tech; college preparing for regular SACS review

CHRISTOPHER HUFF, T&D FILE Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College is set to improve the educational experience of students on campus and online with the update of its technological infrastructure.

OCtech President Dr. Walt Tobin reported during an OCtech Area Commission meeting on Aug. 10 that the college has made investments in technology at the school.

We have just made a significant investment in our technology and technology infrastructure. So ultimately all of our classrooms and board rooms will have up-to-date technology that we think provides a good academic experience for our students whether or not they're online or face-to-face, Tobin said.

Tobin said the college is also preparing for its five-year review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

That report is due in September, Tobin said We're slowly but surely putting that document together.

Berry: 'OCtech is my foundation'; college's new VP of academic affairs builds on experience Williette Waring Berry loves learning, but she also enjoys sharing what she learns with others, particularly among the students and administration at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, where she has become the new vice president of academic affairs.

I think it's important to mention again that our student success metric, which is a six-year completion rate, was the highest in the system. Horry-Georgetown (Technical College) was behind us, but we were only one point off of the national average. So kudos to the faculty and staff for their work, the president said.

OCtech held its trio of summer graduation ceremonies July 29 at The Cinema in Orangeburg.

We will continue with that fall, spring, summer graduation just because we've learned how valuable that experience is for our students and family members. We will be hopefully looking for bigger venues to host the graduation in the coming semesters, he said.

OCtech tuition wont increase; Area Commission approves budget Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College wont increase the cost of tuition next year under a budget approved by its Area Commission.

The college also recently announced it is offering guaranteed free tuition this fall to South Carolina residents enrolled in at least six credit hours in an eligible career certificate, diploma or degree-seeking program.

It is an opportunity for us to reduce the burden of going to college for our students, Tobin said.

OCtech Vice President for Student Services Dr. Sandra Davis said federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund money was used to pay off balances students owed from the spring 2020 semester through the spring 2021 semester.

OCtech Vice President of Financial Affairs Kim Huff said, "We actually cleared 473 accounts for about $287,000."

Also in his report, Tobin said the college would be restarting its Youth Apprenticeship initiative.

"We've identified some additional partners. OCtech took on some youth apprentices this spring and summer. We'll continue that with the City of Orangeburg, the County of Orangeburg, Thermo King, Gibbes Ford. We've found some additional partners that will allow our students to get some back-to-work experience while they're in school," Tobin said.

He announced that the following faculty and staff members won peer-selected awards administered by the South Carolina Technical Education Association:

 Faculty of the Year - Dave Odom, engineering graphics instructor

 Staff of the Year - Youlanda Johnson, administrative assistant to the vice president of financial affairs

 Faculty Award for Teaching and Innovation Excellence - Billy Ethridge, dean of the college's criminal justice department

 Faculty of the Year for Advising and Recruiting - Lynn Fralix, program coordinator for the college's physical therapy assistant program

In the summer I created four faculty/staff awards that are based on objective information, Tobin said Those folks get a monetary award, and we're trying to figure out what kind of recognition we can provide to those folks.

The president said the future of the college's Fine Wines and Foods event, which is generally held in the fall, was also discussed at an OCtech Foundation board meeting on Aug. 9.

With the spread of the COVID-19 delta variant, he said the board is not sure whether the event will be held this fall.

I think folks are eager to gather and have a good time, but at the same time, we are keenly aware we need to keep folks safe, he said. We may be in a situation where that event is held possibly in the spring, or not at all. I think we just need to decide what the best route to take is, but at the same time making sure folks are safe and feel safe coming on campus.

Tobin welcomed Cindy Garrick as the new executive assistant to the president. She previously served as the administrative specialist for the college's vice president of academic affairs.

Academic affairs

OCtech Vice President of Academic Affairs Williette Waring Berry said the college's fall orientation on Aug. 10 went well.

The individual program sessions and the Early College sessions were well attended. We had a lot of questions. So we're looking forward to starting the new academic year, she said.

Richard Murphy, the college's former dean of engineering and advanced manufacturing technologies, has been hired as the college's assistant VP of academics.

We want to welcome Richard aboard in his new position, she said.

Student affairs

OCtech Vice President for Student Services Dr. Sandra Davis said nearly 200 students arrived on campus Aug. 10 for fall semester orientation, which was also held virtually.

It was very refreshing to see so many of them on campus. That's our first in-person orientation since fall of '19 because of spring of 2020, she said.

Davis said student refunds will also be delivered faster and more efficiently beginning this fall.

We typically have had to print a check and mail a check to students if there was an overage of any kind left on their student accounts, but beginning this fall those funds will be delivered to those students by an EFT (electronic funds transfer), she said.

She said the flow of paper forms would also be more streamlined through the college's partnership with Dynamic Forms.

One of the things that we learned when we had to go virtual March of last year was that we very heavily dependent upon students completing certain forms for different things that we need in student services. While we were able to provide them with those forms electronically, we're looking to streamline that now a little bit more. We're working with Dynamic Forms so it allows students to not only complete a form online, but also be able to submit it online, she said.

Davis continued, We are beginning to plan for some semester activities. ... both virtually with some in-person activities as well.

Finance

OCtech Vice President of Financial Affairs Kim Huff delivered a June finance report. The college reported revenue of $20.1 million at the end of June, with expenses standing at $18.7 million.

It is not the final numbers. We still have year-end entries that are happening. July is a heavy month to do journal entries for the year end, even into August where we are now. So we're getting closer, but there's still a few more entries to be made, Huff said.

Expenses were down from a budgeted $19.5 million, he said.

We were blessed to have funds help us with the revenue side, but we were down in expenses, Huff said. So financially for the operating account, it was a very good year.

The college is working to address grading issues around the nursing building.

We're getting close to having a contractor over there to fix some of those grading issues. Hopefully that will be the last piece of what we need to do for that building, Huff said.

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As far the health science building, he said, We are in the middle of working on phase 1 with the architects. The commission will be presented with some estimates on the project cost.

We have capital project funds that could cover that, and we also have received for this year from the state maybe $3.9 million in deferred maintenance and renovation money. So we've got that project. We've got other projects that we need to do. It might be some shuffling of the funds to know what's going to be used for what, Huff said.

He said the college is also going to have an architect study the area for a potential student learning commons area and give us some ideas on flooring, acoustics and lighting.

Huff said the college received an additional $2 million in state funds to help purchase equipment and move its machine tool department to from Building J to Building T.

Once we have better cost estimates for these things is when I can come back to you for some kind of official approval to move forward, Huff said.

Other business

The commission approved the transfer of $500,000 from the colleges operating fund to the plant fund. It also approved the revision and/or review of five policies.
Its easy to imagine the rationalizations for why the U.S. would refuse to risk going to war for Taiwan. Biden might find it quite simple not to rush to Taiwans defense since Taiwan is not a treaty partner. The U.S., like most other countries, recognizes Beijing as the capital of all China and maintains relations with Taiwan through an American institute, the equivalent of an embassy. The U.S. has no bases or troops in Taiwan. With Biden as president, the danger is that we would resort to hand-wringing and statement-making, no defense against a Chinese onslaught.

The U.S. alliance with Korea should in theory be much stronger than any U.S. commitment to Taiwan, The Americans, having risen to the defense of the Republic of Korea in 1950, have maintained bases and troops in South Korea ever since. Biden, however, is no Harry Truman, the president who got the UN to set up the UN Command and ordered U.S. forces into the South, halting the North Koreans at the Pusan perimeter, driving them back to the North and fending off the Chinese after they had overwhelmed Seoul.

North Korea, now armed with nukes and missiles, poses a much more severe threat than in 1950. It will take an American president with the will to guarantee the independence of the South from North Korean dictatorship. Biden, as shown by his performance in Afghanistan, has no guts. Koreans will have to defend the South against a North Korean menace that may worsen as China gains strength throughout the region.

Donald Kirk is the author of 10 books on Korea, Okinawa, the Philippines and the Vietnam War. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.

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Rowan University researchers are developing promising ideas and new technology in their labsthe trick is getting their new inventions out into the marketplace. The National Science Foundations Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program accelerates the commercialization process.

Since 2018, Rowan researchers have earned 10 national I-Corps awards, plus another through the National Institutes of Healthmore than any other R2 institution without a formal designation as an I-Corps site or node, noted Dr. Yatin Karpe, director of the Universitys Office of Technology Commercialization and Rowan Innovations.

Its an indicator of Rowans emerging reputation for innovation and self-driven entrepreneurial focus, said Dr. Tabbetha Dobbins, interim vice president for research.

The I-Corps program is the National Science Foundations chief mechanism for developing innovators among university faculty, Dobbins said. Rowan Universitys track record demonstrates were a fast-growing incubator for big ideas.

The I-Corps program teaches researchers how to tailor their ideas to meet the needs of potential customers and industry, and gain a clearer understanding of the value of their inventions in the marketplace. Designed to support deep technologies stemming from fundamental discoveries in science and engineering, the I-Corps program includes regional training workshops and networking opportunities for researchers.

Fifteen Rowan teams have attended regional I-Corps training, qualifying them for potential national funding, Karpe said. Thats a significant achievement for an institution that doesnt serve as an I-Corps training site, since busy faculty researchers arent required to invest the time and energy into building a new venture.

We get them excited and get them to understand the entrepreneurial process, said Karpe, who used his own connections to tap Rowan into the I-Corps network.

A growing national initiative involving eight federal agencies, the I-Corps program has been pivotal in helping translate scientific discoveries into products and processes that benefit society, said Christina Pellicane, a nationally certified NSF I-Corps instructor and independent consultant specializing in entrepreneurship education.

Rowan University has a strong foundation of basic research and, nowadays, also has a culture of entrepreneurship and innovationnot only at the faculty level, but also within upper administration, said Pellicane, who is also COO and co-founder at Lignolix, a chemical tech startup. That combination of strong scientific research and an entrepreneurial-minded culture will continue to reap strong technology-enabled startups.

Dr. Nidhal Bouaynaya earned Rowans first $50,000 national I-Corps award to support her innovation: artificial intelligence to dramatically improve the detection of brain tumorsabout three years earlier than the standard of care. Shes also the first researcher from Rowan to secure additional I-Corps training through the National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research funding program.

Everything is done by eye-balling nowadays with doctors, or by hand, said Bouaynaya, who co-founded MRIMath, LLC, in 2017 with Dr. Hassan Fathallah-Shaykh, a neuro-oncologist and mathematician at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. We built an AI agent that achieves pixel-level accuracy and delineates the tumor, computing exact volumetrics and 3D coordinates for tumor surveillance in neuro-radiology and radiotherapy in oncology.

The I-Corps program gave their Rowan-affiliated startup a jump on product development.

The NSF I-Corps training helped my team take our research outside of the lab and define a data-driven commercialization plan, said Bouaynaya, professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering.

With his I-Corps support, Dr. Mohammad Abedin-Nasab and his team interviewed 143 trauma surgeons, hospital executives and patients with broken femurs, finding a huge unmet need for improving the alignment outcomes of femur fracture surgery.

Since then, he has successfully taken his orthopedic surgical robotic system, Robossis, through cadaver testing.

It was a major milestone for commercialization of the first surgical robot for long-bone fracture alignment in the market, said Abedin-Nasab, a biomedical engineering professor.

Dr. Cheng Zhu and his research partner from the School of Earth & Environment, Dr. Charles McGlynn, are working together to build a strong, inflatable shaker shield intended to protect people from earthquakes and flash floods. Using their I-Corps award, they interviewed more than 200 potential customers and have a patent pending for their innovation, developed from aircraft evacuation slide technology.

Through I-Corps, they attended the Earthquake Countermeasures Technology Exhibition in Yokohama, Japan; conducted site visits at emergency response centers in St. Louis and on the West Coast; and visited with private sector professionals responsible for skyscrapers with seismic protection systems.

The program provided us with a great opportunity to interview a large variety of potential customers and develop our business model, said Zhu, a civil and environmental engineering professor.
Dear EarthTalk: How did Toyota go from being the leader in mass-produced greener cars to being a laggard in the sector?  P. Brooks, Demarest, New Jersey

Its hard to believe that Toyota, the automaker behind the hugely successful hybrid-electric Prius, is no longer viewed as a leader in greener cars. According to Danny Magill, an analyst at the London-based think tank InfluenceMap, Toyota has gone from a leading position to an industry laggard in clean-car policy as other automakers push ahead with ambitious electric vehicle (EV) plans.

InfluenceMap gives Toyota a D- grade  the worst among automakers  saying it exerts policy influence to undermine public climate goals. While companies like Tesla have produced fully electric cars that are all the rage now on the American road, Toyota, focusing on gas-electric hybrids and futuristic fuel cell vehicles, has started to lose market share. Records show that the Prius hybrid reached its peak in 2012 as the worlds third bestselling car line with 247,230 sales; sales declined to 69,718 in 2019, and 2020 was certainly much worse (given the pandemics pull on the economy at large).
AS majority State-owned First Citizens Bank (FCB) ponders whether to participate in the new Additional Public Offering of shares in publicly listed Barita Investments Ltd, dozens of financial executives in Jamaica are more concerned to find out the details of a company called Barita Finance.
I never knew I was being abused... There was no hitting, no drinking, no cussing Nah that wasnt abuse; it wasnt happening because he was a pundit- so I would think. He was God sent. But yet still I always felt unworthy; I always felt abandoned
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DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center has been a shell of its old self since the COVID-19 pandemic drove away the Sunday evening concerts with Tucson Pops Orchestra.

But the orchestra and its colorful, animated and beloved conductor Laszlo Veres are coming back.

On Sunday, Sept. 5, as the sun goes down just around 7 p.m., Veres will take his place at the podium to strike up the band  mostly moonlighting pros from the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and the University of Arizona  for the first of four Music Under the Stars concerts through September.

Its going to be interesting after being away for a year and half, Veres joked. Im out of the routine, but its going to come back.

Before the pandemic, Tucson Pops Orchestra packed the grassy Reid Park on Sunday evenings in the fall and spring with thousands of families, who would spread out on blankets or set up lawn chairs to hear the orchestra perform light classical music and Broadway showtunes.

Veres also leads the volunteer Arizona Symphonic Winds, which performs its Music in the Park series on Saturday evenings at the Laszlo Veres Amphitheater at Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road.
PHOENIX  Arizona is about to become the first state in the nation to eliminate the ability of attorneys to strike prospective jurors based on what may only be hunches, a practice that often ends up culling minorities.

The state Supreme Court will announce this week approval of a new rule eliminating what are called peremptory challenges. This is the ability of attorneys in civil and criminal trials to disqualify potential jurors without citing any reason at all.

Instead, as of Jan. 1, lawyers will need some specific reason to strike someone from the jury pool, like an admitted bias or their personal knowledge of the parties or the dispute.

The move comes over the objections from several prosecutors who contend, as does Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel, it will ultimately lead to trials that are less fair for all sides.

Instead, the Supreme Court justices accepted the recommendation of two judges from the state Court of Appeals, Peter Swann and Paul McMurdie, who argued that the move will go a long way to eliminating persistent problems with juries that often do not reflect the racial and ethnic backgrounds of their communities.

The primary tool by which this discrimination is practiced is the peremptory strike, they wrote in their petition.
When a Catholic church receives its name, it is like a human being baptized, he said.

The bishop also said the statue of Our Lady of La Vang will be moved to St. Frances Cabrini under the merger. Our Lady of La Vang serves predominantly Vietnamese Americans. In the 1970s and into the 1980s, the diocese aided Vietnamese refugees through its resettlement programs. The churchs namesake was an apparition of the Blessed Mother in 1798 when Catholicism was restricted and Catholics were persecuted in Vietnam.

In recent years we have seen parishes closed across our nation. To see parish property closed and sold, as we saw with the Benedictine Convent (Monastery) in recent years in Tucson, is painful for many, states the bishop in a letter to St. Frances Cabrini parishioners. Not wanting to go in that direction, I reached out to the Parish of Our Lady of La Vang, which has been working toward the purchase or building of a new church.

After extensive communication with the leadership of both parishes I now believe that a merger, with St. Frances Cabrini under the full leadership of Our Lady of La Vangs pastor, Corporate Board, and Parish Councils, will result in a win-win situation for both parishes, wrote Weisenburger.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  Some of the biggest school systems in the U.S. are taking a hard line with teachers and staff members who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19: Get a jab or lose your job.

Most teachers already are vaccinated, and national teachers' unions have endorsed vaccine mandates, but the policies have sparked protests from educators and, in some cases, pushback from local district leaders who fear large numbers of departures.

In Oregon, where school staffers statewide are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, the board for the 7,500-student district of Redmond last week passed a resolution protesting the mandate and mandatory mask-wearing in schools after significant opposition.

This could do serious damage to the other mandate that we have, which is to provide excellent education to the children and the families of our district, board member Michael Summers said. Were attempting to speak for people.

Teachers in many school districts with vaccine requirements can opt out as long as they submit to regular testing for the coronavirus, but New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis are among a growing list of places that are limiting exemptions to bona fide medical and religious reasons. Washington and Oregon have adopted similarly strict vaccination policies statewide.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  A space station astronaut is celebrating her 50th birthday with the coolest present ever  a supply ship bearing ice cream and other treats.

SpaceXs latest cargo delivery showed up Monday at the International Space Station after a day in transit. Overseeing the automated docking was NASA astronaut Megan McArthur.

No ones ever sent me a spaceship for my birthday before. I appreciate it, she radioed after the capsule arrived.

Launched Sunday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the capsule contains lemons, cherry tomatoes, avocados and ice cream for McArthur and her six crewmates, along with a couple tons of research and other gear.

The shipment arrived just a few days ahead of the first of three spacewalks.

Starting Friday, the two Russians on board will perform back-to-back spacewalks to outfit a new laboratory that arrived in July.
LINCOLN, Maine (AP)  A U.S. Army special forces soldier who died while performing a rescue of a downed helicopter crew in Somalia was immortalized Monday with a memorial in his hometown.

Master Sgt. Gary Gordon, a native of Lincoln, Maine, pleaded to be allowed to protect the helicopter crew members against a mob in Mogadishu in 1993. He and another soldier were killed.

The pilot who survived was among those in attendance for the unveiling of the memorial for the Medal of Honor recipient.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who attended Monday's event, said the "integrity, devotion to duty, and courage that Master Sergeant Gordon demonstrated in Somalia nearly three decades ago were forged right here in Lincoln, in his family and in this community.

The memorial consists of a statue of Gordon holding a rifle with a scope atop a base engraved with his name.

Gordon was a Delta Force sniper. He was portrayed by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the 2001 movie Black Hawk Down.

The day began with U.S. forces doing battle with a Somali warlord's soldiers. During the battle, two U.S. helicopters were shot down, and one of the crashed choppers was isolated from U.S. forces.
There's something about the delta strain that it affects children just as much as older people, and so what we're seeing is a dramatic rise in children," Sunenshine said. That was slowly happening, but really started when delta started. And it dramatically shot up when kids went back to school.

There are other factors driving the increase, Sunenshine said in her presentation to the board. One is that many schools were still in hybrid learning last winter and so fewer students were in class; now, school is mainly in person. There also were mask mandates last year, and many schools do not have them now. On the plus side, many teachers and staff are vaccinated, as are some students 12 and older. No COVID-19 vaccine is yet approved for children under 12.

Schools without mask mandates are twice as likely to have an outbreak, Sunenshine said.

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation in June barring schools from requiring masks, but a judge ruled this month that the law does not take effect until Sept. 29. Ducey said any school with a mask mandate will not be eligible for additional federal funding that he controls.
"Before going into this storm, our hospital was already almost at capacity," Ochsner Health System's Dr. Derek Smith told CNN. "We know the coming hours are going to be even more of a test."

The hospital, which is near New Orleans, is running on generators, and staff there have been locked in -- sleeping on air mattresses and working around the clock to care for patients, Smith said.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, hadn't yet felt the worst of Ida when Mayor Toby Barker spoke to CNN Sunday night, but officials there were bracing for damage from the storm and stress on their hospitals.

"We know that both our hospitals are at capacity because of Covid, and we really need everyone tonight just to make good decisions," Barker said.

The storm has also impacted access for rescuers to get in and residents to get out.

The Kerner Swing Bridge in Jefferson Parish was hit by a barge Sunday as Ida beat down on Louisiana, according to the parish government, prompting officials to warn residents it may not be safe to drive across.
Strickland, of Kansas City, was 18 when he was arrested in the April 25, 1978, deaths of Larry Ingram, 21; John Walker, 20; and Sherrie Black, 22, during a home invasion. The motion said that at the time, he was a hot-headed teenager" and made cocky and sarcastic comments that aroused police suspicion."

But he has maintained his innocence since his arrest. Jurors in his first trial were unable to reach a verdict. Strickland, who is Black, was convicted the second time by an all-white jury.

Cynthia Douglas was wounded but pretended to be dead, and the case against Strickland rested largely on her identifying Strickland as the killer. But she retracted her statement before she died in 2015, sending an email to the Midwest Innocence Project in 2009 that said: I am seeking info on how to help someone that was wrongfully accused, this incident happened back in 1978, I was the only eyewitness and things were not clear back then, but now I know more and would like to help this person if I can."

Her family also has signed affidavits saying Douglas wanted Strickland released from prison. The motion said that one longtime family friend said in an affidavit that Douglas told everyone that the detectives told her what to say.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office issued a statement Monday saying the case now is before the board, and he can't comment until it is before him without compromising the legal validity of his decision."

Robert F. Kennedy was a U.S. senator from New York and the brother of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. RFK was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination when he was gunned down at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after delivering a victory speech in the pivotal California primary. Five others were wounded.

Joe Kennedy II is one of RFK and Ethel Kennedy's 11 children, nine of whom are still alive. Two of them, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Douglas Kennedy, said they supported the release of Sirhan.

Joe Kennedy and five of his siblings said Friday they oppose parole and pledged to fight the process every step of the way. He was joined by Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Maxwell T. Kennedy and Rory Kennedy.

Joe Kennedy said Sunday that anyone who kills for political reasons should know that he will at a minimum spend life in prison without parole. 
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Monday that the retrograde vision of Turkeys president to cement Cyprus ethnic divide by striving for a two-state deal is wrong for all Cypriots.

Robert Menendez, a Democratic senator from New Jersey, said a peace accord for Cyprus based on two separate states flies in the face of U.N. Security Council resolutions as well a decades-old arrangement between Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators to reunify Cyprus as a federation.

Speaking after receiving Cyprus highest honor  the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III  from President Nicos Anastasiades at a ceremony, Menendez said Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could strike a reunification deal if left to negotiate on their own.

Cyprus has been divided into a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south where the islands internationally recognized government is seated since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup aiming at union with Greece.

Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the north.
The governor has always said its up to any new business models and companies to prove themselves, his aide Daniel Scarpinato said then. He is pleased the attorney general was able to reach a settlement on this issue.

Holmes founded Theranos in 2003, at age 19, saying she wanted to change the practice that forced people to have vials of blood taken for testing. She claimed to have developed technology that would allow accurate tests with just a few drops.

At the 2015 signing ceremony with Ducey, Holmes said she thought the new law would lead to better health. She said anywhere from 40% to 60% of people who get lab orders from their doctors do not bother to follow through.

Holmes said the Arizona law put people in control to decide what tests to have. And once they had the results, she said, they would take the paperwork and go see a doctor if they have questions.

Two years later, Theranos signed a consent degree with Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

Company lawyers denied Theranos violated the states Consumer Fraud Act in selling blood tests where the results were not always accurate. They conceded, though, that more than one out of every 10 of the test results given to Arizonans by the company were ultimately voided or corrected.
But experts don't know if the latest crack on U.S. 191 was caused by the overpumping of groundwater, leading to subsidence, or by natural causes.
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Cathalena has covered music for the Star for more than 20 years. She's a graduate of Arizona State University has worked at Sedona Red Rock News, Niagara Gazette in Niagara Falls, New York; and USA Today.
Oklahomans were paying an average of $2.86 a gallon, the 10th-lowest price in the nation and a cent lower than last week, AAA said.

"Until the power is restored, its too early to know the full impact of any damage Ida caused on the oil and gas industry, but motorists regionally can expect price fluctuations leading into Labor Day weekend, said Leslie Gamble, AAA Oklahoma spokeswoman. Typically, a category 4 storm could mean three-plus weeks before refineries are back to normal operations, while offshore production is more likely to resume this week.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics, said there could be a brief spike in gasoline prices because of the production shutdowns, but the increase in pump prices should last for only a few weeks.

The worst-case scenario is Ida might add 10 cents to 20 cents to the price of a gallon of gas through September, Zandi said. That would be consistent with what has happened in the past when we have had bad storms blow through Louisiana.

Brian Bethune, an economist at Boston College, also said a brief spike of up to 20 cents per gallon for gas was likely but cautioned that the price increase could be more severe, depending on how long the production shutdowns last and whether various regions have alternative supplies.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education announced Friday afternoon that it was awarding $5.25 million in 21st Century Community Learning Center grants to 20 new recipients across Oklahoma over a five-year period.

The 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative provides learning opportunities and enrichment activities to complement school-day learning for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The grant funding helps students meet state and local academic performance standards, particularly in high-poverty areas and low-performing schools. Activities take place before and after school, on summer breaks and during school holidays.

Area recipients for this funding cycle include Cave Springs Public Schools, Hominy Public Schools, Checotah Public Schools, Miami Public Schools, Sand Springs Public Schools, Union Public Schools, Westville Public Schools and TOUCH Tulsa, a non-profit organization that operates an afterschool program on Charles Page Boulevard.

Job fair: Tulsa Public Schools is hosting a job fair Sept. 9 at the Wilson Teaching and Learning Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
We want to love them as if they are Christ, which they are. They are the treasures of the church, and we want to build them up, Chacon said. Its not easy for people to ask for help in general, but we have a trusted partnership.

CCEOK has served 1,511 households through TIRF funding alone, equating to approximately 4,381 people, Chacon said. They offered $387.98 on average in cash relief assistance per household. People can ask CCEOK for assistance directly and discreetly through their website at cceok.org/tirf.

The cash relief mostly went toward utility assistance (63%), rent assistance (18%), and medical assistance (4%), Chacon explained.

Through all partnerships, TIRF has worked with 3,133 immigrant families in Tulsa County since its conception.

As a first generation Mexican American, I identify with the struggle of our immigrant community. Its important to me, and countless others, to always see each others humanity and stand with our immigrant families and workers.

Jasso said the experience shifted her mindset. She understands the power of leveraging her own personal role to meet community needs.

It has been one of the most transformative experiences to co-found the fund, Jasso shared.
The unavoidable agony in the pandemic is behind us, but Oklahoma is in the thick of unnecessary suffering as overwhelmed hospitals and distraught health care workers try to cope, according to a COVID data expert.

Oklahomans are dying of COVID at nearly twice the rate of the U.S.  a top 10 ranking in the country  in a state that also rates poorly for cumulative vaccinations.

More than 90% of the states hospitalized COVID patients since July 1 have been unvaccinated people. That date is about when the delta variant-fueled surge began here.

Since July 11, 395 Oklahomans have died with COVID-19 infections; 53 vaccine-breakthrough cases have ended in deaths.

Its one thing to have had the death (rate) at the beginning of this pandemic because we didnt know any better, said Dr. Jennifer Clark, who leads Project ECHOs COVID-19 data and information sessions for Oklahoma State University and described virus-related deaths and illness as necessary suffering before vaccines and advanced therapeutics became available. All of the deaths that we have now, so many of them are unnecessary and preventable.

And that burden is not something we should ask anyone to bear  particularly our health care providers.
Lets start at the beginning: We never should have been there in the first place.

The sudden fall of Afghanistans U.S.-backed government to the Taliban is tragic testament to the recklessness and futility of our rush to invade and then occupy that nation for 20 years. The 2001 invasion was initiated and promoted by the George W. Bush administration as essential to nabbing 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden. But it would be 10 years before U.S. forces, under the Obama administration, captured and killed bin Laden  and then not in Afghanistan, but in Pakistan.

Still our troops remained in Afghanistan for another decade. What everyone apparently failed to understand was that the U.S. cant muscle its way into uprooting an entrenched repressive regime like the Taliban, and expect democracy to bloom. After all, we helped spawn the Talibans precursors back in the 80s in our proxy war against the former Soviet Union.

So when President Donald Trump in February 2020 announced a plan negotiated with the Taliban to withdraw U.S. forces by May 2021, it seemed the right move. But it didnt include the U.S.-backed Afghan government. And it stipulated freedom for up to 5,000 imprisoned Taliban soldiers when the Taliban was still attacking Afghan government forces.
Vietnamese authorities have required domestic instant noodle maker Thien Huong to clarify their manufacturing procedures after Norway officials found traces of a banned chemical substance in their products.

The manufacturer on Sunday worked with the Food Safety Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City (FSMA) following the recall of their products, Dried noodles with chicken - and beef spices,' in Norway, a company representative told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

The European Union (EU), with which Norway is associated through its membership of the European Economic Area, decided to lift the Thien Huong product off the Norwegian market after they detected 0.052 mg/kg of ethylene oxide in the food -- a concentration that violates EU standards for food safety.

Ethylene oxide is a pesticide not authorized for use in food sold in the EU, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

During a meeting with FSMA, Thien Huong handed over information on the manufacturing of their recalled product, saying they are also working to figure out the emergence of ethylene oxide in their noodle packs.

We are working with functional agencies to pinpoint the root cause of the issue through extensive probing of [our] ingredients, production line, and manufacturing procedure, the company representative explained.

The recalled product is manufactured by Thien Huong over a commercial contract with a foreign business partner, and is sold exclusively in Norway, the representative added.

The company official acknowledged the delay in its late response to the issue and attributed it to epidemic-related hindrances.

He also promised to provide the public with details on ethylene oxide issues after the investigation on their product completes.

We guarantee that all of our products have undergone examinations to ensure adherence to quality standards, the representative affirmed.

Following reports of pesticide traces in Thien Huongs product, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued an emergency letter requiring the company to clarify their production of Dried noodles with chicken - and beef spices.

The ministry also ordered FSMA to continue the investigation and test other Thien Huong products on the domestic market for ethylene oxide traces.

Ethylene oxide has also been recently detected in Acecook Vietnams Hao Hao sour-hot shrimp flavor instant noodle and Good spare ribs flavor instant noodle products, which served as the ground for these products to be recalled from the Irish market, according to a recent announcement by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Replying to Tuoi Tres query regarding the issue, Japanese-invested firm Acecook Vietnam said that clarification is underway.

The global demand for instant noodles increased sharply 14.79 percent in 2020 from 2019 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Instant Noodles Associations data.

In 2020, Vietnamese people consumed 7.03 billion packages of instant noodles, ranking third after China and Indonesia.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Editor's note : The article below is written by Ted Osius, President & CEO of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council. He was U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam from 2014 to 2017, and is the author of 'Nothing Is Impossible: Americas Reconciliation with Vietnam' (Rutgers University Press, October 2021). U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited Vietnam from August 24 to 26.

The first sitting U.S. vice president to visit Vietnam in decades, Kamala Harris showed the world that the United States can manage a crisis while chasing opportunities.

Although she fielded questions about the unfolding tragedy in Kabul, Vice President Harris remained focused on strengthening vital relationships in Southeast Asia. The Biden-Harris administration clearly views its partnership with Vietnam as significant, as the vice presidents visit followed that of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin by only a few weeks.

Before the vice president traveled to Singapore and Hanoi, some believed that her trip was all about China. However, Vice President Harris made it very clear in each of her interactions that Americas relationship with Vietnam is intrinsically important.

Our two economies are more interconnected than ever, as U.S.-Vietnam trade has increased from almost nothing when I began working in Vietnam in 1996 to $90 billion last year.

Today, the United States is Vietnams second-largest trading partner, and the number-one destination for Vietnamese exports. For the United States, which seeks resilient supply chains, it matters that Vietnam is a major hub for semiconductor manufacturers, including Intel, which has its largest factory near Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnamese and Americans are focused on responding to COVID-19 and spurring post-pandemic economic recovery. The vice president announced the U.S. will donate an additional one million doses of Pfizer vaccines to Vietnam, bringing the total donation to six million, and committed to providing 77 ultra-low temperature vaccine freezers to support distribution efforts across all 63 provinces.

This support builds on a long history of collaboration on health, which began during the SARS and HIV/AIDS epidemics and has since strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic as Vietnams Ministry of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) share epidemiological data in real time.

Over the decades, our public health institutions have become trusted partners, which the vice president underscored when opening a new regional office for the CDC in Hanoi.

The vice president also focused on a key aspect of President Bidens global foreign policy effort -- climate change.

The vice president launched a $36 million project aimed at accelerating Vietnams transition to a clean, secure, and market-driven energy system, and a new Green Index will help foreign companies invest in provinces that are actively going green.

The Vietnamese government and businesses are increasingly serious about sustainability, and U.S. industry also cares deeply about these issues.

With more than 65 participating companies, the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council spearheads the largest private-sector led sustainability initiative in Southeast Asia.

Vice President Harris also boosted efforts to preserve coastal habitats in the Mekong Delta, whose 20 million citizens depend on the mighty river for water and life-giving nutrients. Millions more throughout the region depend on Mekong farmers for rice, vegetables, and seafood.

People-to-people ties also featured prominently on the vice presidents trip. She announced that Peace Corps volunteers will begin serving in Vietnam, a signal of deepening trust between Hanoi and Washington.

Some said this would never take place but, as former U.S. Ambassador Pete Peterson once said, nothing is impossible in U.S.-Vietnam relations. Sending young Americans to teach English in Vietnam will help us understand the country better. Young Vietnamese are eager to learn about America, too, and 30,000 Vietnamese students come to study in the United States each year, contributing nearly $1 billion to the U.S. economy.

The vice president witnessed the signing of a 99-year lease for a new U.S. embassy in Hanoi, an action which addressed a long-standing concern of the United States.

The security relationship continues to move forward at a slow but steady pace. Vice President Harris confirmed Americas support for Vietnam and its ASEAN neighbors on freedom of navigation in the [East Vietnam Sea], saying, The U.S. stands with our allies and partners in the face of threats."

She discussed possibly providing a third U.S. Coast Guard high-endurance cutter to Vietnam, subject to Congressional approval, and she committed to deeper collaboration on cyber-security.

Trade irritants remain, though progress was made on facilitating the export of U.S. agricultural products to the Vietnamese market. Vietnam has high aspirations for its digital economy, and the U.S. could provide a huge boost to businesses on both sides of the Pacific by negotiating a digital trade agreement with Vietnam and other Indo-Pacific nations to create common rules for the most dynamic part of the global economy.

Some have focused on the label given to the U.S.-Vietnam partnership. It really doesnt matter what we call it  what matters is the work we do together on what matters to both countries, the region, and the world. Ultimately, the vice presidents trip continued the long process of showing respect and building trust and reconciliation between two former adversaries who are now good friends.

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On the weekend before Ho Chi Minh Citys shelter-in-place mandate took effect, Michael, a 30-year-old Filipino, received rice, spices, sauces, and vegetables from a local charity group near his home in Thu Duc City.

Michaels family of four, including a five-year-old and a ten-month-old, has struggled to survive the pandemic since he and his wife became unemployed two months ago.

Only days ago did Michael learn about Tam Long Chung, a charity that has been helping local residents survive the pandemic, and decide to contact them for help through their Facebook page.

The situation in my home country is not so good, so we have to try to stay in Vietnam," he told Tuoi Tre News.

"We have children to take care of so any support means a lot to our family.

Im so grateful for the package and the enthusiasm of these young Vietnamese people.

Meanwhile, Karen Tacmo, another Filipino, reached out to Tam Long Chung in order to seek out help for a friend.

I still have some savings to rely on, but I wanted to find help for my friend, Tacmo explained.

Both my friend and I are very grateful for the support weve received from Vietnamese people.

"Hopefully the pandemic will end soon, both here and in my hometown.

Calls for help

Michael and Tacmo are just two out of dozens of foreigners from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines who have received assistance from Tam Long Chung.

Prior to the current stay-at-home order, which took effect on August 23 and is expected to last until September 6, the group had planned to provide essentials for over 50 foreign families across the city based on requests received through their Facebook page.

The requests followed the groups post about their activities to give free meals to foreigners on the streets.

Each time the city is hit by the pandemic, our group tries to help vulnerable people, regardless of whether they are Vietnamese or foreigners," said Phung Thi Thuy Nga, a member from the groups organizing board.

"Everyone deserves help.

In an earlier event to help homeless people, we happened to meet some foreigners so we started to plan how to help more.

But we dont focus on specific groups.

"We just try to help everyone affected by the pandemic.

Nga added the messages she and the group receive from helping people make the hard work worth it.

They tell us how valuable support is during these difficult times and always wish us good health, Nga said.

If we were in their shoes, living in a foreign country, wed also need a little help to survive the situation.

A foreigner in Ho Chi Minh City receives a package of groceries from Tam Long Chung charity group at home. Photo by courtesy of Tam Long Chung

Mission begins

After receiving a request for help, Tam Long Chung creates a plan to find volunteers and deliver groceries to those in need.

We work hard to find groceries and mobilize volunteers in order to support as many people as we can, Nga explained.

According to Nga, the groups volunteers are required to wear protective gear, take a quick test for COVID-19 every three days, and have received at least one vaccine shot.

The groups members also carry the necessary documents to pass through checkpoints on the streets.

Most of the foreigners who have contacted her group are teachers, nannies, or waiters who have been deeply impacted by the fact that all non-essential services have been shuttered since the newest wave of the coronavirus hit in May, Nga said.

While making purchases has not been easy due to movement restrictions, language barriers have posed challenges for those foreigners to reach for help from local charity groups, she added.

Our package is modest but it does include some essentials which can be hard to buy during this period. We hope it helps people overcome the current situation, Nga said.

Filipino Febegen Catig, who is living in Ho Chi Minh Citys District 7, receives groceries from Tam Long Chung charity group at home. Photo by courtesy of Tam Long Chung

The language barrier sometimes led the groups volunteers to wrong addresses, Nga added, but that has not stopped the group from reaching those in need.

Our young volunteers are very patient and never complain while helping others, she said.

Currently, the group is planning to ask Vietnamese people who are able to provide free accommodations for foreigners so as to help them cut down the rent.

In addition, they are trying to find jobs for those who have lost their employment.

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Read what is in the news today:

Society

-- All 4,931 COVID-19 cases detected in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday were community-based, according to the citys COVID-19 portal.

-- The Peoples Committee of Ho Chi Minh City issued an urgent order on Sunday night asking app-based delivery workers to undergo quick pool tests of three samples every day as they resume operation in districts at very high risk of COVID-19 transmission from Monday.

-- Functional forces in Ho Chi Minh City imposed fines topping VND8.6 billion (US$377,360) on 6,296 cases violating social distancing rules and helped 411,922 households shop for food in the first week of the shelter-in-place mandate, according to the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

-- Police in Thu Dau Mot City under Binh Duong Province are hunting for a bus driver who used a machete to cut off the hand of a coronavirus patient with mental illness after a conflict.

-- Heavy rains and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the south-central, Central Highlands, and southern regions from Tuesday to Thursday due to the influence of a low-pressure trough, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

-- People in the highlands of south-central Phu Yen Province have had to pay more than VND50,000 ($2.2) per cubic meter of water for months due to prolonged drought.

-- A fisherman drowned during a 13-kilometer swim with a lifebuoy from the sea to the mainland in the southernmost province of Ca Mau, local authorities said on Sunday afternoon when the victims body was found.

-- The Peoples Committee of southern Dong Nai Province has decided to relocate 228 households with 986 people living in a local nature reserve.

Business

-- Many small- and medium-sized enterprises affected by the adverse impacts of COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City have called for 5,000 signatures to an online petition for the governments support in three main groups of issues related to employment, tax - cost, and finance - banking.

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Police in Thu Dau Mot City under Binh Duong Province, located in Vietnams southern region, are hunting for a bus driver who used a machete to cut off the hand of a man with mental illness after a conflict on Sunday.

Tran Hoang Huynh, a 27-year-old man hailing from southernmost Ca Mau Province, is wanted for intentionally causing injury to V.D.K., a 49-year-old internal migrant in Binh Duong Province hailing from northern Thai Binh Province.

Huynh and Dang Quoc Hung, a 44-year-old resident of Ho Chi Minh City, each drove a 50-seater bus carrying coronavirus patients from Thuan An Elementary School in Thuan An City to Binh Duong Medical College in Thu Dau Mot City on Sunday, according to an initial investigation.

K. and Hung got into a conflict while the patients were getting off the latters bus.

As K. threw stones at Hungs bus, Huynh took a machete kept in his vehicle to slash K., severing the victims right hand.

Hung then drove one of the two buses to carry Huynh away from the scene.

Later on the same day, Hung returned to the scene to drive the remaining bus away but was arrested.

Initial investigation results determined that the victim, Hung, and Huynh were strangers and had no conflicts with each other before the incident.

K. had shown symptoms of psychiatric disorder, living alone and often wandering in front of the COVID-19 centralized quarantine facility set up inside Binh Duong Medical College.

Local police called on Tran Hoang Huynh to turn himself in and demanded that people report Huynhs whereabouts to help with handling the case.

This supplied photo shows a portrait of Tran Hoang Huynh.

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Police in Vietnams Mekong Delta are investigating a case where a fisherman drowned while swimming back to the mainland after his captain did not agree to steer their boat ashore.

Huynh Ky Quang, chairman of the Peoples Committee in Phu Tan Commune, located in the namesake district in Ca Mau Province, confirmed on Sunday that a body was found drifting near a local estuary at around 5:40 am the same day.

After being notified of the case, police officers took the body ashore for an investigation.

The deceased man was about 25 years old and did not have any ID documents on him.

Officers believed that the man was a fisherman hailing from the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang.

He worked on the fishing boat of a local resident in Tran Van Thoi District, Ca Mau.

Preliminary information showed that the boat anchored in the maritime area about seven nautical miles off Tran Van Thoi District a few days ago.

Three fishermen on the boat wished to go back ashore but their captain did not agree.

The three then decided to swim to the mainland with lifebuoys.

However, only two of them made it alive while the other drowned.

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Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City imposed fines topping VND8.6 billion (US$377,360) on 6,296 cases violating social distancing rules and helped 411,922 households shop for food in the first week of an ongoing shelter-in-place mandate.

The municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reviewed those figures at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.

The city administration gave out 115,973 food aid packages to poor people in local districts and Thu Duc City last week, increasing the total number of the packages donated between August 15 and Sunday to 960,210.

Authorities also persuaded more than 20,000 landlords to either reduce or exempt rents worth over VND158 billion ($6.96 million) for tenants of 273,728 accommodations.

The Ho Chi Minh City chapter of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee granted 465,000 travel permission certificates to organizations and individuals to participate in charity activities.

Functional forces and volunteers in 312 wards, communes, and towns helped 411,922 out of 508,666 households that contacted them go shopping for food with the frequency of once a week.

The city has also received support in terms of manpower from central agencies in many provinces and cities, including 4,666 health workers from hospitals run by the Ministry of Health, 786 officers and soldiers under the Ministry of Public Security, and 11,777 medics of the Ministry of National Defense and military zones.

It also mobilized reinforcements of 754 officers to COVID-19 prevention and control task forces in Thu Duc City and 21 districts.

On August 23, city authorities issued a shelter-in-place order, requiring everyone to stay home to stall coronavirus spread.

Police, soldiers, and local officers have been mobilized to help residents buy essentials daily.

The order takes effect until September 6.

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Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City will provide mandatory COVID-19 testing for app-based delivery workers free of charge for one week before deciding on the most suitable approach.

App-based delivery workers across the city will not have to pay for their compulsory COVID-19 tests for one week starting Monday, according to a decision from the citys leaders.

The testing will be conducted at 414 mobile medical stations operated by military medics in 21 districts and Thu Duc City, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade stated.

After the first week, the municipal authorities will determine the most suitable testing plan for local delivery staff.

The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee on Sunday announced that app-based delivery workers would be allowed to resume operation in high-risk areas, including Thu Duc City, District 8, District 12, Go Vap District, Binh Tan District, Binh Thanh District, Binh Chanh District, and Hoc Mon District, from Monday.

The service had been suspended in these areas from August 23, when city authorities began implementing a shelter-in-place mandate.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, delivery workers in high-risk districts are required to undergo testing at 5:00-6:30 am every day.

The method will be rapid pool testing with three samples.

These deliverers must receive at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and be registered at the citys industry department.

In other districts where the risk of COVID-19 transmission is lower, delivery staff are required to be tested once every two days.

All delivery workers in the city must not travel among districts.

Following Sundays announcement, many app-based delivery workers expressed their concern over the cost of testing, stating that it would greatly affect their earnings.

Ho Chi Minh City is currently the largest epicenter in the country, with nearly 210,000 local infections logged since the fourth wave began on April 27.

The municipal authorities have enforced a social distancing drive at various levels since May 31 and asked people to stay where they are from August 23 to September 6, with the participation of police and soldiers.

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All 4,931 COVID-19 cases detected in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday were community-based, according to the citys COVID-19 portal.

Functional forces discovered the new infections after testing 330,856 samples on Sunday.

According to statistics, 1.5 percent of the taken samples returned positive for the coronavirus and all of them were community-based, unlike previous results in which most transmissions had been detected in centralized quarantine facilities and zoned-off areas.

Tan Binh District accounted for the majority of Sundays transmission counts with 651 cases, followed by Nha Be District with 539, Thu Duc City with 384, District 6 with 365, and District 4 with 356.

Sunday marked the highest community infection rate in the southern city since the start of the shelter-in-place mandate on August 23.

The rate had ranged between 77 and 90 percent from August 23 to Saturday.

Authorities finished the COVID-19 testing campaign in most of the very high- and high-risk areas on Friday, according to Pham Duc Hai, deputy head of the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Meanwhile, less than 40 percent of the people in other areas have been tested.

The committee has urged functional forces in those areas to accelerate the testing drive, using on-site personnel and encouraging people to take samples on their own for rapid antigen tests, to reach completion by the end of Monday.

City leaders plan to carry out the second round of citywide tests shortly until September 6.

As of Sunday evening, Vietnam had documented 435,265 COVID-19 cases, with 219,802 recoveries and 10,749 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country has confirmed 431,072 domestic transmissions in 62 out of 63 provinces and cities in its current fourth bout with the virus, which began on April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City is hit the hardest with 209,921 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 104,208, Dong Nai Province with 22,641, Long An Province with 20,933, and Tien Giang Province with 9,217.

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Vietnams 9th Military Region has given 50 metric tons of vegetables and 50,000 eggs to Ho Chi Minh City as a gift amid the raging coronavirus epidemic.

The food was carried by a convoy of 17 military trucks that left the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho for Ho Chi Minh City on Monday morning.

As the city has applied enhanced social distancing measures since August 23, local people have faced multiple difficulties, said Major General Nguyen Minh Trieu, deputy commander of the 9th Military Region.

Therefore, the Military Region Command has spent over VND550 million (US$24,100) purchasing the vegetables and eggs from suppliers in the Mekong Delta to donate to city residents.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Xuan Dat, commander of the 9th Military Region, gives instructions to his subordinates before their departure for Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre

The present will be handed over to the 7th Military Region for distributing to people, the major general said.

The 9th Military Region will continue giving more support to the southern city in the coming time, the official added.

Since late April, when the pandemics fourth outbreak erupted in the country, the military force has gifted Ho Chi Minh City 200 metric tons of rice, 75 metric tons of meat and fish, one metric ton of dried fish, 217 metric tons of vegetables and fruits, and other necessities.

The total value of these items has amounted to some VND45 billion ($1.97 million).

The 9th Military Region, tasked with defending the Mekong Delta, has mobilized 15 ambulances and 32 officers, doctors, and nurses to support the citys epidemic prevention and control activities.

The 7th Military Region is charged with protecting southeast Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City.

A convoy of military trucks is seen departing Can Tho for Ho Chi Minh City at 6:30 am on August 30, 2021. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre

All the soldiers engaged in food transport wear protective clothes and follow other epidemic prevention measures. Photo: Chi Quoc / Tuoi Tre

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Vietnams Ministry of Health confirmed 14,219 domestic coronavirus cases on Monday, along with over 9,000 recoveries and 315 fatalities.

The latest local infections were recorded in 41 provinces and cities whereas the nation also reported five imported cases on the same day, the health ministry said in a report.

The ministry had logged 12,752 domestically-infected patients on Sunday.

The agency detected 7,504 of the new cases in the community, with the remaining found in isolated areas or centralized quarantine facilities.

Binh Duong Province 6,050 local infections, up by 636 patients; Ho Chi Minh City 5,889, up by 932 cases; Long An Province 524; Dong Nai Province 491; Khanh Hoa Province 126; Hanoi 110; and Da Nang 54.

Vietnam has documented 445,291 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth  and worst  virus wave emerged in the country on April 27.

Ho Chi Minh City is most affected with 215,810 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 110,258, Dong Nai Province with 23,132, Long An Province with 21,457, Tien Giang Province with 9,438, Khanh Hoa Province with 6,434, Da Nang with 4,176, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province with 3,406, and Hanoi with 3,436.

By comparison, Vietnam confirmed a combined 1,570 locally-acquired infections in the previous three waves.

Recoveries have reached 228,816, with 9,014 patients declared recovered on Monday.

The health ministry recorded 315 deaths on the same day, including 245 in Ho Chi Minh City and 39 in Binh Duong Province, taking the toll to 11,064 fatalities.

Vietnam has confirmed 449,489 patients since the COVID-19 pandemic first struck it early last year.

The Southeast Asian country has received about 27 million vaccine shots as yet, administering more than 19.7 million doses since vaccination was rolled out on March 8.

Around 2.5 million people have been fully vaccinated.

Health authorities aim to immunize at least two-thirds of a population of nearly 98 million people against COVID-19 by the first quarter of next year.

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Veteran US actor Ed Asner, best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Lou Grant, has died aged 91.

He died at his home surrounded by his family.

His family confirmed the death on social media, writing, We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully.

Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you.

Asner starred as irascible boss Lou Grant on hit series The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970 to 1977. Alongside Mary Tyler Moore the cast included Ted Knight, Valerie Harper, Gavin MacLeod, Cloris Leachman and surviving cast member, Betty White. He won three Emmys for his work on the show (he was nominated for an Emmy 20 times).

He had the rare feat of a spin-off series, Lou Grant, playing the same character but in a drama, from 1977  1982. He believed the show was cancelled by CBS due to his outspoken political views, not due to ratings.

There were numerous TV credits including Route 66, Stoney Burke, The Reporter, Mission: Impossible, The Outer Limits, The Fugitive, The Invaders, W.I.T.C.H., The Virginian, Rhoda, Roseanne, Thunder Alley, The Bronx Zoo, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Hawaii Five-O (both versions), Police Story, Roots, Rich Man Poor Man XXIII, Dead to Me, Cobra Kai and Papa Giovanni: Ioannes.

Asner was known for his liberal politics and his stint as Screen Actors Guild president in the 1980s when he criticised US involvement in Central America during the administration of a previous head of the actors union, then-president Ronald Reagan. He also frequently clashed with conservative actor Charlton Heston.

In 2009 Asner provided the voice for the main character, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen, in animated film, Up, who after the death of his beloved wife ties balloons to his house and floats off to fulfil his fantasy of exploring South America.

I didnt really put my toe into the water of comedy until I went up to read for Mary Tyler Moore. I was afraid of it, Asner said in 1995 .

Not that I couldnt do an initial spark of humour but I didnt know how to maintain it.

Source: ABC
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
Tyler, TX (75702)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. Hot and humid. High 96F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low around 75F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Leading marketing and print solutions provider hosts in-person meeting for special event

DENVER, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AlphaGraphics , a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, honored its top franchisees during the company's annual conference recently. The leading print franchise celebrated its 51st anniversary in San Diego, California, with an in-person event that welcomed 225 people.

AlphaGraphics honored its top franchisees during the company's annual conference in San Diego, California.

"After a yearlong virtual journey, both the senior management team and the franchisees were excited to meet in person," said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development. "The past year was difficult because of our inability to network and connect in-person with one another, but we made tremendous strides in our growth that were unmatched in previous years. So, this year's conference offered the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the top franchisees among the AlphaGraphics family."

This year's winners included:

Rising Star: Rob Barnett (Suwanee, Georgia)

A franchisee with 30 years in finance and leading sales teams, Barnett was chosen for the award because of his ability to inject renewed passion into the chemistry of his team while quickly becoming a leader in the southeast region.

Most Improved: Steven Service (Rochester, New York)

An owner of an AlphaGraphics location since 2013, Service was chosen because his goal is to always meet customer's expectations by providing value and solutions without sacrificing high standards and quality.

Project of the Year: Phil Davis and Lynn Nelson (American Fork, Utah)

Davis and Nelson tackled a task for MX, a financial technology data company, that required them to deliver a packaging that would "speak for itself." The center did just that by creating a box with an embedded video player that automatically started playing when it was opened.

Community Impact: A.B. Barrera and Paco Barrientos (Laredo, Texas)

Barrera and Barrientos, along with the Laredo staff, helped slow the spread of COVID-19 in their community by partnering with the Laredo Mask Coalition. The organization launched a city-wide public service media campaign encouraging people to wear their masks. AlphaGraphics Laredo donated their services to the cause.

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Community Advocacy: Johanna Higginson (West Jordan, Utah)

Higginson gave two former inmates a chance when she hired them to work in her center. The two prospective employees showed enthusiasm and had relevant experience at the prison's print facility. They continue to work in the center.

AlphaGraphics was founded in 1970, and the company began offering franchise opportunities in 1979. For more information, visit http://www.alphagraphics.com .

About AlphaGraphics

AlphaGraphics, Inc., with more than 285 locations in 6 countries, is one of the largest U.S.-based networks of locally-owned and operated Business Centers offering a complete range of print, visual communications, and marketing products. Solutions include: full-service digital, offset, and large format printing; design services; mailing; one-to-one marketing solutions; promotional products; and web to print solutions. For more information about AlphaGraphics services, visit www.alphagraphics.com . To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.alphagraphicsfranchise.com .

About MBE Worldwide

MBE Worldwide S.p.A. ("MBE"), a privately-owned company based in Milan - Italy, is a third-party provider of shipping, fulfillment, print and marketing tech-enabled solutions to small and medium enterprises and retail consumers via a Network of mainly independently owned and operated locations. MBE Service Centers facilitate the activities of entrepreneurs, people and businesses through an easy-to-access distribution Network and customized services and products delivered with a distinguished and unique level of customer service. MBE presently operates under multiple brands: Mail Boxes Etc. (excluding the US and Canada), AlphaGraphics, PostNet, Spedingo.com, Print Speak, PACK & SEND and Multicopy and its global Network counts currently more than 2,800 locations in 53 countries, with 11,000+ associates and FY2020 System-wide Sales of 879 Million (US$1,004 Million).

For additional information please visit MBE Worldwide Group websites at www.mbecorporate.com - www.mbeglobal.com - www.postnet.com - www.alphagraphics.com - www.spedingo.com/en - www.printspeak.com - www.packsend.com.au - www.multicopy.nl - www.mbe.it - www.mbe.es - www.mbe.de - www.mbefrance.fr - www.mbe.pl - www.mbeportugal.pt - www.mbe.co.uk

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

Cision

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SOURCE AlphaGraphics
RCB all-rounder Washington Sundar (Photo/ iplt20,com)

Dubai [UAE], August 30 (ANI): Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Monday confirmed that all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remaining Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season due to an impending finger injury.

"Royal Challengers Bangalore's all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2021 due to an impending finger injury," the franchise said in an official statement.

Akash Deep, a state cricketer from Bengal and net bowler with the franchise, has been named as replacement. The move reiterates the focus RCB has on grooming and nurturing young players as the team continues to develop exceptional talents and create a pathway for young talents to find their way into IPL and Indian cricket.

Earlier, RCB had named English pacer George Garton as a replacement for Kane Richardson for the remainder IPL 2021 season.

Ahead of the resumption of Season 14 of the IPL, RCB announced changes to the squad as the team gears up for the action in the UAE this September. RCB head coach Simon Katich has stepped down due to personal reasons and as part of the team's business continuity plan, Mike Hesson will step in and discharge the duties of Head Coach for this season, in addition to his existing role of Director of Cricket Operations, RCB.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanidu Hasaranga will be part of RCB for the second leg of IPL 2021 in UAE. He replaces Adam Zampa. Hasaranga was the player of the series in the recently concluded Sri Lanka-India T20I series taking 7 wickets in 3 matches at an economy rate of 5.58.

Another Sri Lankan, Dushmantha Chameera confirmed his place in the Banglore side. The fast bowler replaces Daniel Sams. Tim David who is no stranger to the T20 format replaced Finn Allen at RCB for the remainder of the season.

Royal Challengers Bangalore resume Season 14 of the IPL on September 20 as they square off against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. (ANI)
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz met Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank on Sunday for the first official Israeli-Palestinian talks since Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took office in June.

Gantz travelled to the West Bank city of Ramallah for security and economic discussions with the 85-year-old Palestinian leader, officials said on Monday.

They came hours after Israeli premier Bennett returned from Washington where he met with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

"Defence Minister Benny Gantz met with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmud Abbas (Sunday) evening to discuss security policy, civilian and economic issues," Israel's defence ministry said in a statement.

Gantz, head of a centrist party in Israel's government coalition, told Abbas "that Israel seeks to take measures that will strengthen the PA's economy. They also discussed shaping the security and economic situations in the West Bank and in Gaza," it added.

"They agreed to continue communicating further."

The meeting included the head of the Israeli military branch responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, Ghasan Alyan, senior PA official Hussein Al Sheikh and Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj.

Al Sheikh confirmed the meeting on Twitter. Gantz's office said the defence minister and Abbas held "a one-on-one meeting" after the larger talks.

Relations between Israel and the PA, which is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, have deteriorated substantially in recent years.

Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in power from 2009 to 2021, was derided by Palestinians.

He made no substantive efforts towards resolving the decades-old conflict while overseeing a steady expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, communities regarded as illegal under international law.

Bennett is a hardline nationalist who opposes Palestinian statehood and previously led a powerful settler lobbying council.

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His office has made clear that Israel's ideologically disparate coalition, which includes left-wingers and hawks like the premier, has no plans to initiate a new round of peace talks.

But top Israeli officials have indicated a desire to boost the PA amid concern over a fresh conflict with Hamas Islamists who control Gaza, an Israeli-blockaded Palestinian territory that is separate from the West Bank.

Eleven days of conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza in May marked the worst hostilities in the area since 2014 and unrest has persisted despite an Egypt-brokered ceasefire.

Abbas's PA has also come under mounting global criticism over an alleged crackdown on key rights following the death in Palestinian custody of a prominent activist.

The United Nations and European Union last week expressed alarm over a spate of arrests targeting leading critics of Abbas and the PA.

(AFP)
SAO PAULO, August 30, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SoftBank Group International ("SBGI") today announced that Eduardo Vieira has been appointed Head of Communications for Latin America, effective Sept. 1, 2021. Mr. Vieira is based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and will report to Mark Kornblau, Global Head of Communications for SoftBank Group, and Marcelo Claure, Corporate Officer, Executive Vice President & COO of SoftBank Group and Chief Executive Officer of SBGI, and Chief Executive Officer of SBLA Advisers Corp., Manager of the SoftBank Latin America Fund.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005385/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

In this role, Mr. Vieira will be responsible for directing the Company's external and internal communications functions in the region, leading SBGI's marketing, public relations, content, events, digital and corporate communications. He will also work with the SoftBank Latin America Funds 50+ portfolio companies to foster alignment and value creation across the SoftBank ecosystem.

"I am excited to welcome Eduardo Vieira as our new Head of Communications at SoftBank for Latin America," said Mr. Claure. "Not only does Eduardo have a deep understanding of marketing and communications, he is also an entrepreneur at heart. He will be instrumental in helping SoftBank and our unique ecosystem in Latin America to better engage with all relevant stakeholders in the region."

"I am thrilled to join SoftBank's remarkable team and to be a guardian of its branding and reputation in Latin America," Mr. Vieira said. "By helping structure strategic communications initiatives for companies that are part of SoftBanks portfolio in the region, we will have the chance to help transform the lives of millions of people. Im honored and especially energized by this enormous opportunity to create value for Latin Americas startup and innovation ecosystem. The horizon for entrepreneurs in the region has never been brighter."

Story continues

Mr. Vieira joins SBGI after a career of more than 23 years as a journalist, digital entrepreneur and corporate executive. Most recently, he was a Founding Partner of Ideal, the first digital PR agency in Latin America and a Partner at WPP Plc. in Ideal Group in Brazil, the holding company that oversees H+K Strategies and Ogilvy PR operations in the region, as well as serving as President and Co-CEO for Latin America and as a member of the Global Leadership Council at Hill+Knowlton Strategies, one of the worlds largest PR firms.

Previously, Mr. Vieira was an awarded journalist, covering technology, innovation, media and business segments for media outlets such as EPOCA, EXAME, INFO and Gazeta Mercantil.

Mr. Vieira serves in an advisory capacity for a number of organizations, including as a Member of the Board and Partner at Esfera Brasil, an Editorial Board member and Columnist at Fast Company in Brazil, and a Board Member for PRCA Latin America. He is the author of Os Bastidores da Internet, a national bestseller in Brazil. He received his B.D. in Journalism from University of Sao Paulo and has post-graduate certifications from Seoul National University (SNU), Harvard and Wharton Online.

"Eduardo is a talented communicator who has overseen the communications strategy for hundreds of clients in Latin America," said Mr. Kornblau. "He understands the market and will prove invaluable to our team and our portfolio in the region."

The appointment of Mr. Vieira further strengthens SoftBanks Latin America leadership team. In July, Nicola Calicchio, former co-Chairman of the Global Client Council at McKinsey, was appointed Chief Strategy Officer of SBGI; and in March, Alex Szapiro, former Country Manager for Amazon Brazil, was appointed Operating Partner and Head of Brazil for SoftBanks Latin America Fund.

About SoftBank Group

The SoftBank Group invests in breakthrough technology to improve the quality of life for people around the world. The SoftBank Group is comprised of SoftBank Group Corp. (TOKYO: 9984), an investment holding company that includes stakes in telecommunications, internet services, AI, smart robotics, IoT and clean energy technology providers; the SoftBank Vision Funds, which are investing more than US$100 billion to help extraordinary entrepreneurs transform industries and shape new ones; the $US5 billion SoftBank Latin America Fund, the largest venture fund in that region, and the SB Opportunity Fund, a US$100 million fund dedicated to investing in enterprises founded by entrepreneurs of color in the U.S. To learn more, please visit https://global.softbank.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005385/en/

Contacts

In Brazil:

Fabio Marrey

Ideal H+K Strategies

Fabio.marrey@idealhks.com

+55 11 98182-3912

In Mexico:

Astrid Ceron

Hill + Knowlton Mexico

astrid.ceron@hkstrategies.com

+52 5560122912

In the U.S.:

Hannah Dunning / Ben Spicehandler

Sard Verbinnen & Co.

SoftBank-SVC@SARDVERB.com
President Joe Biden will meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House on Wednesday in a show of solidarity between the two countries, the White House said on Sunday.

The meeting is taking place two days later than originally scheduled, as Biden oversees the response to Hurricane Ida and the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

"This visit will affirm the United States unwavering support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russias ongoing aggression," a White House statement said.

Kyiv and Moscow have been at odds since Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and backed separatists in a conflict in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, which Ukraine says has killed 14,000 people.

The leaders will also discuss energy security as well as the White House's "backing for President Zelenskiys efforts to tackle corruption and implement a reform agenda based on our shared democratic values," the statement added.

The meeting comes after the Biden administration announced a deal last month with Germany intended partly to allay Ukrainian concerns about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea to carry gas from Russia's Arctic region to Germany.

U.S. ties with Ukraine were in the spotlight over Zelenskiys unwilling involvement in events leading to the first of two impeachment trials for Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump.

Trump was impeached in 2019 over what White House aides described as an effort to withhold nearly $400 million in aid and a coveted White House visit unless Ukrainian officials announced investigations into Biden, then a Democratic presidential candidate, and his businessman son, Hunter Biden.

(REUTERS)
Artur Martirosian Overcomes David Peters to Win SHRB Europe Event #6: $100,000 No-Limit Hold'em

August 30 2021 Will Shillibier

Artur Martirosian secured the biggest win of his poker career with victory in Event #6: $100,000 No-Limit Hold'em at the Super High Roller Bowl Europe.

The Russian took home $1.4 million after defeating a field of 35 players. After coming into the final day as the overwhelming chip leader, Martirosian held a more than 7:1 chip advantage over David Peters heads-up. However, Peters would double four times over the course of heads-up play to extend the contest, before Martirosian finally closed it out for the biggest cash of his career.

Super High Roller Bowl Europe Event #6: $100,000 NLHE Final Table Results

Place Player Country Payout (USD) 1 Artur Martirosian Russia $1,400,000 2 David Peters United States $910,000 3 Johan Guilbert France $560,000 4 Selahaddin Bedir Turkey $385,000 5 Viacheslav Buldygin Russia $245,000

Final Table Recap

With only five of the seven players making the money when play resumed, caution was expected from everyone apart from Martirosian. However, it took only a few hands for Chi Zhang to bust in seventh at the hands of Martirosian.

Martirosian moved further ahead as the ICM pressure built, before Chris Brewer was sent to the rail on the money bubble. He raised with ace-king and called a shove from Martirosian who held nine-three. Both players flopped a pair, but Martirosian improved to two pair on the river to eliminate Brewer and guarantee the remaining five players $245,000.

The aggression continued from Martirosian who, after the elimination of Buldygin in fifth, held 5.6 million of the 7 million chips in play. There were doubles for Johan Guilbert and David Peters, both through Martirosian, before Peters doubled again through Selahaddin Bedir.

Bedir would double once but ultimately succumbed in fourth. Guilbert followed him out the door for a new career-best cash and play was heads-up.

Heads-Up Play

If fans were expectating a short heads-up, they were mistaken. Peters would double twice during the early exchanges to cut Martirosian's chip lead. He would then secure a third double to gain the chip lead, the first time anyone other than Martirosian had led at the final table.

As the stacks leveled out, the chip lead switched between the pair from hand to hand. Martirosian eventually eked out an advantage, only for Peters to double into the chip lead once again.

However, back came Martirosian who moved into the lead and closed it out at the next opportunity for the $1.4 million payday. Peters would have to settle for $910,000, the eleventh cash of $900k+ of his career.

Super High Roller Bowl Europe Live Coverage

Just three events remain on the schedule at the Super High Roller Bowl Europe. Super High Roller Bowl Europe Event #7: $100,000 Short Deck Holdem kicked off earlier today, and you can catch all the updates right here on PokerNews.

We will also be bringing you live updates on all remaining events from the Merit Casino in Cyprus, including the $250,000 buy-in Super High Roller Bowl Europe.

Head to the SHRB Europe Live Reporting Hub
Turkey has sufficiently fulfilled its humanitarian and ethical duties regarding migration and cannot take the burden of an additional migrant wave from Afghanistan, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a joint news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Turkey's Antalya province.

He noted that ensuring the security of Kabul airport was an extremely important issue and that they were carefully considering options in this regard.

Meanwhile, Maas highlighted that Germany aims to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan to prevent another wave of migrants.

A proposal by France to create a secure U.N. zone in Kabul to enable the continued evacuation of citizens and local staff was backed by Maas, while Cavusoglu expressed scepticism. "This proposal actually sounds good. But is it easy or possible to implement? We have to look at that," Daily Sabah cited him as saying.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum-seekers attempting to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution. Ankara has made it clear that it will not bear the burden of migration crises experienced as a result of the decisions of third countries.
The White House has informed U.S. President Joe Biden that evacuation operations will continue to remain uninterrupted amid rocket attacks at the Hamid Karzai airport in Kabul on Monday.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chief of Staff Ron Klain have briefed the President on the rocket attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.

As many as five rockets were fired at the Kabul airport as the US rushed to complete its withdrawal process from Afghanistan before the end of this month.

The rockets were intercepted by a missile defence system, Reuters reported. The U.S. military reportedly engaged its C-RAM missile defence system, however, it is still unclear if all the rockets were successfully brought down.

According to local media, the rockets were fired from a car in Kabuls Khair Khana area aimed at the airport and hit parts of the capital. The attack came a day after the U.S. said it carried out a drone strike in Kabul eliminating sleeper threats.
The meeting between U.S. and Ukrainian Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Zelensky in Washington was moved from August 31 to September 1, according to the U.S. leaders schedule published by the White House press service on Sunday.

It noted that Biden would meet with Zelensky at the White House on Wednesday, According to the document, the visit will confirm the U.S. support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as close cooperation of the two countries on energy security. It is stressed that the U.S. supports Zelenskys efforts on fighting corruption and implementing reforms.

Initially, it was anticipated that Biden would receive Zelensky at the White House on August 30. The Ukrainian president stated that he expected a substantive and productive meeting with the American leader. Later, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba reported that the meeting had been moved up from August 30 to August 31 due to an expanded program of the Ukrainian leaders visit to the U.S.

On Sunday, the RBC-Ukraine agency reported, citing a source, that the meeting had been moved from August 31 to September 1.
Turkey has no hesitations about purchasing a second batch of the S-400s from Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday, days after it was reported that Ankara and Moscow were close to signing a new contract for additional units of the air defense missile systems.

Regarding... the purchase of the second [S-400] package and so on; we have no hesitation regarding these matters. We have taken many steps with Russia, whether it be the S-400 or the defense industry, Erdogan told reporters aboard the presidential plane on his return from a short trip to the Balkans.

The president said all matters would be discussed during his visit to Russia, without providing further details, Daily Sabah reported.
Turkey is ready to gradually develop relations with Armenia after hearing Yerevan's conciliatory statements, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

"I wish success to the new government of Armenia. Our region needs a constructive approach. Even if there are disagreements, neighborly relations should be developed on the basis of respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Therefore, we can gradually normalize the relations with Armenia, whose new government has stated its readiness to move in this direction," Erdogan told reporters, as quoted by Turkish broadcaster NTV.

Lasting peace is a prerequisite of regional economic development and cooperation, the Turkish president said, adding that allied Azerbaijan agrees and, therefore, has proposed to start comprehensive peace negotiations with Armenia.

"We are ready to work with all sides who want to use this historical opportunity. The agenda has our proposal to create a 'Platform of Five' or a 'Platform of Six' involving Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, and Armenia. We proposed to include Georgia, too. If such a platform is set up, the region will become more peaceful," Erdogan said.

An ultimate benefit of the regional rapprochement will be the overhaul of transport networks, including railroads, he said. Erdogan said he has already "discussed and reached an agreement" on these issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and plans to discuss them with Iran's new president, Ebrahim Raisi.

On Friday, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he saw "positive signals" from Turkey in the context of regional peace.
Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid told the national Diplomaatia magazine that the European Union should fund medium-range air defence systems for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

In an interview, Kaljulaid noted that anti-aircraft warfare could be useful for "holding back Russia."

"The EU meets every year and discusses the development of the defence potential of member states. Five years in a row we have been sitting in Brussels and saying that the Baltic countries including Estonia, spend over 2% of GDP, but they do not have, for example, medium-range air defence system yet. Is it reasonable to face this fact for the sixth year in a row or create a mechanism which will enable these expenditures to be re-distributed instead?" the president said.

During the past years, Russia was reporting unprecedented activities of NATO near the country's western borders, which the alliance calls containment of the "Russian aggression." Moscow has repeatedly said that Russia does not pose a threat to any state, but will not ignore the actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests, Sputnik reported.
Second Karabakh War actualized the issue of captured and missing Azerbaijanis, representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Azerbaijan Ariane Bauer said.

According to Bauer, the ICRC is doing everything possible to clarify information about the prisoners and pass it on to their families.

"The ICRC continues and will continue to support countries to inform them about the fate of prisoners of war and missing persons," she added.

Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva said Armenia hasnt yet provided information about seven Azerbaijanis missing since the second Karabakh war [in 2020].

According to Aliyeva, in Azerbaijan, such steps as the improvement of the health of the Armenian military are based on the principles of humanism. "As the ombudsperson of Azerbaijan, I keep the issues of protection and restoration of the violated rights of prisoners and hostages at the center of attention. Undeniable facts require the adoption of the measures," she added.
Fuzuli International Airport is the air gate of Karabakh, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a video footage of Fuzuli International Airport shared by First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva.

In the video footage taken in the car, President Aliyev says: "We are approaching Fuzuli International Airport. On the left is the airport terminal and the runway is in front of us. In a matter of a few months, the airport is almost ready to open."

"The construction of the airport began this year. I said that Fuzuli International Airport would be opened this year. Perhaps no airport in the world has been built at this rapid pace. The runway is ready. Final finishing work is currently under way here," he added.

"I would like to note again that I laid the foundation of the airport this year, and now we are here to get acquainted with the progress of construction. This airport is the air gate of Karabakh," AzerTAc cited the Azerbaijani leader as saying.
While mixed classes will be banned, Afghan women will reportedly be permitted to study at university under Taliban (the movement banned in Russia) rule, according to a statement made by the group's higher education minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani.

The hardline militant group that stormed to power in mid-August after ousting the Western-back government have vowed to rule differently compared to their 1990s stint, when girls and women were banned from education.

"The people of Afghanistan will continue their higher education in the light of Shariah in safety without being in a mixed male and female environment," Haqqani said at a meeting with elders on Sunday.

He said the Taliban want to "create a reasonable and Islamic curriculum that is in line with our Islamic, national and historical values and, on the other hand, is able to compete with other countries," Daily Sabah reported.

Girls and boys will also be segregated at primary and secondary schools, which was already common throughout Afghanistan. The group have pledged to respect progress made in women's rights, but only according to their strict interpretation of Shariah.

Whether women can work, get education at all levels and be able to mix with men have been some of the most pressing questions. But the Taliban rebranding is being treated with skepticism, with many questioning whether the group will stick to its pledges.
Friends in Belarus can always count on Moscows support, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a congratulatory birthday message to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko who turned 67 on Monday.

"Our Belarusian friends can always count on Russias support. I have no doubt that we will continue to work together to boost Russian-Belarusian ties in various fields," the message reads.

The Russian head of state pointed out that he highly appreciated Lukashenkos efforts to strengthen allied relations between the two countries and promote mutually beneficial integration processes in Eurasia.

"I am sure that your vast experience as a national leader will continue to serve to ensure unity and harmony in Belarusian society, and enhance stability and security in the country," the Russian president added, warmly wishing his Belarusian counterpart good health, prosperity and success.
Moscow believes that there is a need to maintain normal relations with Taliban (the movement banned in Russia), Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov told the Rossiya-24 TV channel on Monday.

"We are already building [ties with the new authorities], our embassy in Kabul is working, and quite actively," he pointed out. "We established these ties a while ago. And we will continue to boost them," Kabulov vowed. "We need to maintain normal relations with any government in Afghanistan," the Russian presidential envoy insisted.

"Clearly, like many others, we have certain concerns related to the future military and political situation in the country, the implementation of fundamentals norms and human rights but at the same time, we need to take the cultural and religious background of the Afghan people into account and refrain from trying to impose anything on them based on our own view of democracy, order and other things," TASS cited Kabulov as saying.
The Turkish military Sunday received a delivery of the most advanced and sophisticated drone built by the country to date, enlarging a fleet that has already proved its success in the field.

The Bayraktar Aknc, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), was developed by the drone magnate Baykar.

This cutting-edge combat drone entered the inventory of the Turkish security forces with a ceremony held in the northwestern province of Tekirdag and attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Baykars Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Selcuk Bayraktar and many other officials.

Addressing the ceremony, Erdogan said Aknc places Turkey among the three most advanced countries in this technology.

The aircraft  whose designs, software, avionics and mechanics all belong to Baykar  is more advanced than the companys Bayraktar TB2 UCAV, which has been sold to countries including Ukraine, Qatar, Azerbaijan and Poland. In May, Poland became the first European Union and NATO member state to acquire drones from Turkey.

Saudi Arabia is also said to have been interested in buying Turkish drones. Latvia also hinted that it could be the second European Union and NATO member state to acquire the Turkish UCAVs. Albania is also interested in striking a deal to procure Bayraktar TB2s.

Erdogan said many more export deals have been made, adding that new agreements were underway. Many more countries are waiting in line for our national UCAVs, he noted.

The Aknc is longer and wider than the Bayraktar TB2 and will perform strategic tasks. It has a 20-meter wingspan with its unique twisted-wing structure. It promises high flight safety thanks to its fully automatic flight control and triple-redundant autopilot system.

It has two 450-horsepower engines but can be equipped with 750-horsepower engines or locally made 240-horsepower engines.

The Aknc will carry various weaponry, including a range of missiles such as Smart Micro Munitions (MAM-L) developed by prominent Turkish contractor Roketsan.

It will be equipped with the locally produced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and air-to-air missiles Gokdogan (Merlin) and Bozdogan (Peregrine).

It will be able also to launch several other types of locally made munitions, such as the Roketsan-built Stand-Off Missile (SOM), a long-range air-to-surface cruise missile that can hit targets up to 240 km away.

Baykar says the Aknc can attack targets both in the air and on the ground. It can also operate alongside fighter jets and fly higher and stay in the air longer than Turkeys existing drones.

Aknc in July set a new national aviation record as it flew at an altitude of 11,594 meters.

Although it was initially designed to have an impressive 24 hours of endurance, the drone stayed in the air for 25 hours and 46 minutes during the flight tests in the Aknc Flight Training and Test Center in the Corlu district of Tekirdag. The drone covered a distance of 7,507 kilometers in the air.

The UCAV made its first flight on Dec. 6, 2019. It passed its first firing test in late April using the latest Roketsan-built smart munitions.

Turkey has made impressive progress in drone production in recent years, particularly with the Bayraktar TB2. Officials have said the country has become the worlds fourth-largest drone producer since Ankara took the helm for domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms.

The defense industry will be a locomotive of every other success that Turkey will achieve in the period ahead, Erdogan said.

Cutting the defense industrys external dependency to 20% from 80% in such short time is one of greatest achievements in the history of the Republic, he noted.

Having been heavily used by the Turkish security forces, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have seen combat and proven themselves.

Bayraktar TB2 earned worldwide fame following its deployment in Syria, Libya and Azerbaijan, paving the way for more export deals.

They devastated Bashar Assad regime ground forces during clashes in Idlib province in February-March 2020. They also gave decisive air support to Turkeys ally in Libya and successfully guided airstrikes that assassinated senior leaders of the PKK terrorist group over the last two years.

Erdogan stressed, the world will enter into much different negotiations. Anyone who wants to move even a tiny stone in our region will first have to look at Turkey, seek its consent and evaluate its approach to peace and stability, he noted.

Currently under development at the Baykar facilities, the Bayraktar TB3 will be able to takeoff and land at Turkeys flagship-to-be amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu.

The landing helicopter dock (LHD) type ship is said to be the first of its kind in the world as a vessel allowing the landing of UCAVs on its dock. It will be used in multipurpose operations and is set to be delivered by the end of the year or in 2022.

Baykar is also working on a domestically-made unmanned fighter jet, which Bayraktar said would make its maiden flight in 2023.

The jet is projected to conduct a multitude of military actions, such as strategic offensive, close air support (CAS), missile offensive, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and destruction of enemy air defenses (DEAD).

The aircraft is set to have a high operational altitude and take-off weight of 5,500 kilograms. It will carry a 1,500 kg useful payload. The jet is set to have five hours of endurance and will be able to reach speeds of up to 800 kilometers per hour.
The Turkish Embassy in Afghanistan was relocated back to its premises in Kabul after it was temporarily stationed at the Kabul airport, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

"Two weeks ago our embassy was temporarily relocated to the Kabul airport. Yesterday, they [embassy staff] returned to their headquarters in the centre of Kabul and resumed their work there. Our plans are to maintain our diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. We are constantly monitoring the development of the security situation and have options ready just in case. Our priority is the safety of our personnel," Erdogan said as quoted by Turkish NTV broadcaster.

On August 15, the Taliban (banned in Russia) entered Kabul, which led to the collapse of the U.S.-supported civilian government and the movement gaining control over almost all of Afghanistan.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. will likely not have a diplomatic presence on the ground in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American forces on August 31.

"Thats not likely to happen," Blinken told NBC on Sunday. "What is going to happen is that our commitment to continue to help people leave Afghanistan who want to leave and who are not out by September 1st, that endures."

"And we have ways, we have mechanisms to help facilitate the ongoing departure of people from Afghanistan if they choose to leave," he added.

The Taliban (the movement banned in Russia) have given "assurances" that foreign citizens and Afghans will be able to leave the country, according to a U.S. State Department press release in conjunction with other nations.

"We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country," the State Department said. "We have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that [Afghans] can travel to our respective countries."

"Of course, we dont take the Taliban at their word. We take them by their deed, and thats what were going to be looking to," Blinken stressed.

Americans and Afghan allies have faced hurdles reaching the Kabul airport in their attempts to leave after the Taliban took control of the city in mid-August.
The Government has issued a resolution on the reduction of electricity bills for the fifth time for businesses affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, as proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The Government assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and relevant agencies to implement the policy.

The Covid-19 outbreak is still severe in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and many southern provinces and cities, affecting the country's socio-economic development. The Ministry of Industry and Trade proposes reducing electricity bills for customers who meet the following conditions:

Factories or production facilities located in provinces and centrally-run cities implementing social distancing in accordance with Directive No. 16 on August 25, which are maintaining production in the following fields: processing and preserving aquatic products, fruit and vegetables, or producing export goods with an export turnover of over $1 billion in 2020.

They must buy electricity directly from the Electricity of Vietnam Corporation (EVN) or a power company under EVN or other electricity retailers.

These customers will enjoy a reduction of 10% of the electricity bill (pre-VAT) from September through November 2021.

This is the fifth time that electricity users are benefiting from reduction of power charges and power bill. According to EVN, the total amount of support this time is about VND650 billion (excluding VAT).

The list of factories and production facilities eligible for electricity bill reduction is being certified and provided by the People's Committees of the provinces and centrally-run cities on the basis of business registration and actual production of the enterprises.

On June 2, the Government issued resolution No 55/NQ-CP to reduce electricity prices from June to the end of this year to support those heavily affected by the prolonged pandemic, including tourist accommodation facilities. The reduction was estimated to be worth a total of VND1.57 trillion.

Early this month, the Government also approved the reduction of power prices for August and September for households in provinces and cities applying social distancing. The EVN estimated that the total reduction for customers would be worth VND2.5 trillion ($106.4 million).

There were two similar discounts offered last year. The first ran from April 16 to July 17, 2020 and supported more than 27 million customers with the total reduction reaching around VND9.3 trillion.

The second was from October to December 2020 with more than 25.4 million customers enjoying reductions worth VND3 trillion.

T. Nam
Contrary to all predictions, the real estate market has been hot during the pandemic. People are rushing to buy apartments for fear that prices will escalate after the pandemic ends.

In early 2021, Do Xuan Thang in Hanoi and his fiance began looking for an apartment to buy in Thanh Xuan district. With total income of VND30 million a month, the couple planned to buy an apartment priced at VND3 billion with payment by installments. At that moment, they had VND1 billion and they planned to borrow money from banks.

However, even with this amount of money, Thang still could not find a satisfactory apartment. Brokers told him that very few projects at that price have been on sale in Hanoi over the last 1-2 years.

Good products are running out. The prices will go up, brokers told him.

According to Ministry of Construction, housing demand will continue to increase in 2021-2030, especially in large cities like Hanoi. This is attributed to the rapid population increase and urbanization.

The urban population of the country is expected to increase to 45 percent by 2030 from 40 percent currently, which means that 70 more million square meters of urban floor area will be needed each year. Also, the decrease in household size brings a new source of demand in the market.

More and more young people want to own accommodations of their own. Apartments fit their pockets and they can easily access home loans provided by banks.

While demand is high, the supply in the market has decreased since 2019. Nguyen Van Dinh, Deputy Chair of the Vietnam Association of Realtors, said the recent actions of checking, inspecting and tightening control over legal procedures of all real estate projects nationwide have led to a sharp fall in supply.

The short supply is the major reason behind the price increases. In Hanoi, the average price of mid-end apartments has risen from VND30 million per square meter to VND40 million, mostly in projects located in the districts of Ha Dong, Thanh Xuan, Cau Giay and Gia Lam.

Analysts have noticed a high increase in demand for high-end apartments, as people now tend to choose urban areas with good facilities and services.

When Covid-19 broke out in early 2020, many analysts believed that the real estate market would slow to a crawl as people tightened their purse strings and cancelled home purchase plans.

Vo Huynh Tuan Kiet from CBRE Vietnam said despite the economic growth slowdown, housing demand is high as people now are staying home more.

Meanwhile, professional investors and those who have high incomes tend to pour money into real estate, which is considered a safe long-term investment, because during the pandemic, capital flow to production and business has gone more slowly.

The high-end market segment has the most potential, because only developers with powerful financial capability can ensure the high quality of products and delivery time. CBRE estimated that the absorption rate of high-end and luxury apartments is 80 percent.

Survey found that Vietnamese consider houses as valuable long-term properties. Therefore, when living standards improve, people tend to be choosier about their accommodations. High-end products are the choice of many clients.

Moreover, real estate developers now join forces with banks to run programs to fund home purchases. Clients can borrow up to 80 percent of value of apartments up to 35 years. This makes it easier for people to own high-end real estate products.

These factors explain why real estate products have stable prices or have even increased, despite the pandemic.

Matthew Powell from Savills said that short supply, improved infrastructure conditions, higher development standards and higher steel prices all have led to apartment price hikes.

He said the apartment price hike is the inevitable result of a supply-demand imbalance in the market, not artificial fever as many people think.

Do Thu Hang from Savills Vietnam noted that there are hot spots for investment in the capital city in the suburbs, with developed infrastructure, large projects and prestigious developers. There are investors who even seek opportunities to keep pace with development in the next five or 10 years.

Bui Quang Anh Vu from Phat Dat Real Estate said opportunities exist despite the current crisis. If Vietnam succeeds in developing vaccines, purchasing power to buy houses will increase.

Duy Anh

Street-front high-rise owners incur losses as renters leave The long fourth Covid-19 outbreak and social distancing regulations have posed great challenges to the office leasing market.
Many Covid-19 map systems have been created to assist pandemic prevention and control, providing people with an official, centralized and intuitive information based on digital maps.

Johns Hopkins University's Covid-19 epidemiological map - one of the first online Covid-19 maps in the world.

In January 2020, after the first Covid-19 case appeared in Washington state (USA), Ensheng Dong, a PhD student in the civil construction and systems engineering program at Johns Hopkins University, created the Covid-19 Dashboard. This is an online dashboard that visually depicts on a map the extent and rate of spread of the coronavirus around the world.

In Vietnam, such Covid-19 maps have also been made to provide people with an official, centralized and intuitive information based on digital maps.

Since mid-2021, many provinces have deployed epidemiological information mapping systems to provide information to people and serve epidemic prevention and control. Among them are Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, Lang Son, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Hau Giang, Tien Giang, Binh Phuoc, Long An, and Ben Tre.

Recently, eKMap - a digital map service provider - has developed a Covid-19 map system and provided it to many provinces and cities across the country.

The information system for Covid-19 prevention and control of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

eKMap's Covid-19 map is a two-dimensional map which can help authorities update and manage all data on the Covid-19 epidemic on a digital map platform.

This Covid-19 map system will provide information on disease management, vaccination management, testing management, and medical equipment and medical human resource management. People can monitor the progress of the epidemic visually and uniformly on an official website. This solves the problem of receiving fragmented information on many different sources and fake news.

This system can help simplify data entry work of medical staff, reducing pressure on the health sector and related agencies. The system data source is updated from the daily reports of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Health.

eKMaps Covid-19 map has been used in the provinces of Quang Nam, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, and Quang Binh and will be expanded to other provinces.

Compared to other Covid-19 maps, this system is highly appreciated for the effectiveness of information related to infected cases, including the location and date of infection. The analysis of infection risk by commune scale on this map is also practical and relatively suitable to the needs of management agencies.

Trong Dat
VIBOT medical robots are playing an important role in transporting food, supplies for Covid-19 patients, and medical supplies from outside to isolation areas.

Make-in-Vietnam robot VIBOT-1.

In April, scientists at the Military Technical Academy (Ministry of National Defense) successfully researched and manufactured a medical assistance robot system with modern features based on TUG robot model of Aethon (USA).

VIBOT robots can work in groups in the isolated area to replace and support medical staff in serving and taking care of Covid-19 patients and suspected infected people.

VIBOT also has the ability to transport garbage racks to patient rooms to collect garbage and transport them to the rubbish dump, and move to patient rooms to enable doctors and family members (outside the isolated area) to have remote communication with patients.

According to the robot developers, the robot was updated in phase 2 (VIBOT-2).

Experts from the Ministry of Science and Technology evaluated the features of VIBOT-2 robot system at Hanoi-based 108 Military Hospital in April 2021.

VIBOT-2 is designed with more intelligent features such as the ability to self-build maps, self-locate and set operating routes, and safely move in and out of designated areas to perform tasks without assistance.

After one year of implementation, the VIBOT-2 transport medical robot system was installed and tested at the Hanoi-based 108 Military Hospital.

Since late April, the VIBOT-2 system has been used at the isolation and treatment area for Covid-19 patients of Bach Mai Hospital in Phu Ly City, Ha Nam Province, serving over 150 Covid-19 patients.

After that, the robots were used during the third pandemic outbreak in the northern province of Bac Giang in May. In early August, the robots were working at the field hospital No. 7 in Thu Duc, HCM City.

The robots are appreciated for their smooth, effective operation, demonstrating all the designed functions and set goals such as transporting food, necessities, and medical supplies from outside to the isolation area and vice versa.

Developers will further improve the functions and manufacture more robots to serve pandemic prevention and control in Vietnam.

Trong Dat

Robots used to treat severe Covid-19 cases in HCM City The robots talk to Covid-19 patients and send information about the situation to medical experts. They can also transport food, drinks, and medical materials to patients' rooms.
The Ministry of Science and Technology is calling for all individuals and organizations working in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in Vietnam to join the Vietnam-Australia Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Network.

Vietnamese technology companies have launched many products that apply AI technology to serve epidemic prevention. In the photo is an illustration of a project to recognize people wearing masks using AI.

Within the framework of the program to promote the National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence, the Ministry of Science and Technology has launched the Vietnam Australia Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Network (Vietnam - Australia AI).

This network will gather individuals, businesses and organizations working in the field of Artificial Intelligence in Vietnam to cooperate with Australian partners.

Vietnam - Australia AI is operated by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, in collaboration with FISU Club (Vietnam Informatics Association), which consists of members from faculties, institutes and training schools in information technology in Vietnam. The network is also accompanied by ASUS4 Innovation - A development assistance program worth AU$13.5 million to strengthen Vietnam's innovation system.

Initially, the Vietnam Australia AI will create opportunities for members to cooperate with Australian partners to update the situation of artificial intelligence in Vietnam, Australia and the world. After that, the network will expand cooperation to many other countries and aim to build a sustainable artificial intelligence community with many computer science development activities in Vietnam.

The way AI is used by TheHe GEO - a Vietnamese company - to count vehicles, analyze traffic density, predict traffic congestion, traffic jams, and optimize traffic signal control at Cong Hoa - Truong Chinh intersection in HCM City.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy said: The Vietnam-Australia AI is a premise for a sustainable community of cooperation in AI in Vietnam, as well as internationally in the future. We look forward to learning from Australia as well as other countries to create a favorable environment for AI development in Vietnam, realizing the ambitious goal set out in the National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence - bringing Vietnam to the top 4 of ASEAN and the top 50 leading countries in the world in research, development and application of artificial intelligence by 2030."

The Vietnam-Australia AI will build an online community space and management software for members to participate in periodic activities, to share, contribute and develop the artificial intelligence industry in Vietnam. The network operations will be managed by the Department of High Technology (Ministry of Science and Technology).

The Ministry of Science and Technology calls on all individuals and organizations working in artificial intelligence in Vietnam to join this network. The goal is to attract at least 100 businesses and 1,000 individuals to join the network's Facebook group.

Individuals who can register to join the network include scientists, experts, individuals working in this field, including overseas Vietnamese.

Trong Dat

Young engineers want the world to know more about VN through technology In the past few days, the news about two Vietnamese engineers who surpassed 1,600 teams to win the international Show US the Data contest has attracted public attention.
CAIRO, Ga. (AP)  Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of one of two Georgia prisoners accused of killing two guards more than four years ago.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Donnie Rowe in the killings of Sgt. Christopher Monica and Sgt. Curtis Billue in June 2017. Rowe and Ricky Dubose are accused of using the guards' guns to shoot them while escaping from a prison transfer bus southeast of Atlanta. They were arrested in Tennessee a few days later.

Dubose also faces the death penalty and will be tried separately.

The trial is set to be held at the Putnam County courthouse. But because the case garnered so much public attention, jury selection will be held in Grady County, in south Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Jurors will then be brought about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north to Eatonton for the trial.

Rowe's lawyers had asked last week for the trial to be delayed, saying the surge in new COVID-19 cases means there's a risk of a mistrial, the newspaper reported.
Earlier in the day, Owens said he was hurriedly placing towels under leaking windows in his duplex and charging electronics. He tried to go to Dollar General and Dollar Tree to pick up food, but they were closed. His family has lights glued around the walls of the house. They planned to hide in the laundry room or the kitchen when the storm hits  places without windows.

Theres a general feeling of fear in not knowing whats going to be the aftermath of this, he said. Thats the most concerning thing. Like, what are we going to do if it gets really bad? Will we still be alive? Is a tree going fall on top of us?

Owens said his mother-in-law is on disability. His roommates both work for Apple iOS tech support. His wife works scheduling blood donations. All of them rely on the internet to work from home, and if it goes out, they wont be able to bring in any money.

We might be without work, and rent, power, water, all of those bills will still be needing to get paid, he said. We are a little bit concerned about losing our utilities or even our house  if it's still standing  because were not going to have the money for any other bills.

He said it's hard to feel so vulnerable, like his family is getting left behind.
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As the Afghanistan mission enters its final days of the military withdrawal, the United States military command will almost certainly be required to develop a contingency plan to remove American citizens from the country, adding yet another complex aspect to an already unstable situation in the country.

The last of the United States military troops in Afghanistan are scheduled to depart the nation on Tuesday, bringing an end to a nearly two-decade-long military involvement in the country.

Despite this, the Biden administration will face a number of challenges, including deciding whether to continue evacuation missions for Americans and Afghan allies who were left behind, as well as dealing with the fallout from a deadly ISIS attack last week that killed more than a dozen American service members.

President Barack Biden is under pressure from Republicans and even some Democrats to prolong the military operation beyond September.

Many Democrats have pressed President Biden to do more to evacuate or assist Afghan friends and refugees in recent weeks. In contrast, some Republican members have attempted to instill anxiety about being let into the United States.

Lawmakers from both political parties want Biden to verify that all Americans have been evacuated from Afghanistan.

The ability of the White House to complete the United States operation in Afghanistan without incurring any more fatalities may define Biden's first year in office, even as officials warn that the last hours could be the most dangerous for troops on the ground.

During the Trump administration, Nathan Sales, the former director of the State Department's Counterterrorism Bureau, warned that the country should prepare itself for greater instability and unrest.

"It's very difficult to do an evacuation at the same time you're doing a military retrograde, and that's essentially the situation we're in now."

In the wake of the suicide attack outside Kabul's international airport on Thursday, White House officials have made it plain that the United States would conclude its military operation on Tuesday, stating that the timetable has not altered.

According to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, this mission's "most hazardous phase to date" will occur over the next three days, which was announced in a statement on Friday.

The United States attacked an ISIS-K planner late Friday night, marking the first documented military action against the group after the catastrophic blast. ISIS-K terrorists claimed responsibility for the deaths of hundreds of people.

President Barack Biden traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday to meet with the families of service members who perished in the attack and to take part in the respectful transport of the victims.

Also, on Sunday, the United States Embassy in Kabul announced that the United States had successfully evacuated all local Afghan staff members.

The military is in the last stages of its departure from Afghanistan, which means commanders are putting soldiers in a position to leave the nation while also destroying equipment and placing gear removed from the country.

Although the military operation will be completed in the coming hours, most of the focus will be on ensuring the safe exit of American service members and Afghans who have contributed to the war effort over the last two decades.

In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security is in charge of efforts to screen and relocate Afghan refugees, a matter of worry for some Republicans who have tried to portray the enormous relocation operation as a matter of national security concern.

Biden has promised that any American who wishes to return home from Afghanistan would do so without difficulty.

Nonetheless, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Friday that the United States could not "promise" that all visa holders and other at-risk Afghan civilians would be evacuated by the deadline.

After the military withdrawal is complete, U.S. troops will probably have to devise a strategy for evacuating American residents from the nation, adding even another complicated element to an already unstable scenario.

According to the State Department, up to 250 Americans remaining in Afghanistan have signaled that they are attempting to leave the country, in addition to about 280 others who have not yet decided whether they want to leave the country or plan to remain in the nation.

Escalating evacuation flights are likely to come to an end before the entire military withdrawal is finished.

Nearly 3,000 individuals were evacuated from Afghanistan between early Saturday morning and early Sunday morning, bringing the total number of evacuees out of the country since the end of July to almost 120,000.

A short time after the assault on Thursday, several U.S. allies called off their evacuation operations.

The United Kingdom stated that it would stop operations and that only those who were already at Kabul International Airport would be transported out of the country.

Germany declared on Thursday that its troops had completed its withdrawal from Kabul.

Before Thursday's horrific assault, resident Joe Biden was under increasing pressure to extend the August 31 deadline.

Representatives Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Peter Meijer (R-MI), both of whom are military veterans, traveled to Afghanistan earlier this month to persuade President Barack Biden to extend the deadline. After their trip, they stated that it was "clear" that everyone would not be out of Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, let alone by the end of August, as they had hoped.

Similarly, another Democrat, Rep. Susan Wild (PA), was the driving force behind a bipartisan letter calling on Biden to prolong the military operation beyond August 31 and begin talks with NATO about turning over the Kabul airport to a NATO force so that Afghans may continue to be evacuated.

"The evacuation procedure seems to have been egregiously mismanaged," Wild said in one of Biden's most harsh comments, which was one of the few from inside his own party to be so frank.

However, Biden has made it plain in speech after speech over the past several months that he is not willing to commit to maintaining soldiers in Afghanistan indefinitely.

After the airport assault on Thursday, he said that he stands by his decision to depart from the nation and has no plans to return.

During a Friday press conference, Psaki did not directly address Wild's criticism. Still, she did admit that the decision-making process and the deaths of 13 military men have been a significant source of concern for the president and White House officials.

"I don't have any direct response to any member of Congress, but what I will say is it is easy to throw stones or be a critic from the outside. It is harder to be in the arena and make difficult decisions. And the decisions a commander-in-chief has to make include among difficult options, right? These were the options."
After being out of action for more than a year, one of New Zealands most iconic vintage military aircraft is undergoing preparations for her return to the Southern Hemispheres biggest warbird air show  Warbirds Over Wanaka. The Canadian Vickers PBV-1A Canso A (RCAF 11054) has been in mothballs since the pandemic-induced cancellation of last years event, however, as the aircrafts chief pilot, Brett Emeny noted, the downtime has provided the maintenance team with the opportunity to fine-tune the aircraft at their New Plymouth base. We want to ensure she is in peak condition for the upcoming summer culminating in our big trip to Wanaka, Emeny said.

Witnessing the 77-year-old flying boat coming in low over Wanaka township and landing on Lake Wanaka is always one of the highlights of the air shows lakeside event.

Emeny also remarked on how special these lake landings are: I believe this is the only remaining Catalina in the world still doing water landings, so its quite unique.

The NZ Catalina Preservation Society owns and operates the Canso, a Canadian-built version of the Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina, on a ride cost-share basis, providing Society members and their friends with the chance of experiencing the thrill of flying in the aircraft while also contributing to her preservation.

The organization plans to see the aircraft flying well beyond her centennary, with Emeny joking: After a major overhaul was completed back in 2016, and with all the work weve done over the past year, the Cat is now in better condition than most of us and should outlast us all!

Another iconic warbird which is now confirmed for Warbirds Over Wanaka 2022 is Brian Halls former Saudi Air Force BAC Strikemaster. Brian Hall may be described as something of a late bloomer when it comes to the world of warbird flying and ownership. His interest in aviation follows a similar story to many others

Growing up in Ashburton in the latter part of WWII, Brian had a great interest in the comings and goings at the nearby RNZAF training base, noting: I spent every Sunday watching the activity on the airfield until finally a member of the local aero club took me up in a Tiger Moth. I was eight years old and was immediately hooked on flying.

During his teens, Brian was a member of the local ATC squadron, but then his career and business interests, both in New Zealand and Australia, took all his attention so his passion for aviation had to take a back seat. It would be another 40 years before Brian realized that he had not fulfilled his childhood dream of learning to fly. So, at the age of 56, he began flight training to gain his Private Pilots License and purchased his first aircraft, a Piper PA28-235.

His attention soon turned to helicopters Over the years, Brian has owned six rotary wing aircraft including an Enstrom 280FX Shark, Bell Jetranger, Robinson R44 and Robinson R22. Indeed, his first Warbird purchase was also a helicopter, ex-Royal Navy Westland Gazelle HT.2 (XX441), a British-built variant of the Aerospatiale SA341C, which had once served within the services now-disbanded 6-ship helicopter display team, the Sharks. My particular aircraft was flown by Lt Commander Tricky Dane who was famous for performing loops and barrel rolls in it, Hall commented.

Brian Halls warbird collection soon turned to fixed wing aircraft, of course, with a Yak-52 joining his stable, soon followed by an ex-Royal Saudi Air Force BAC167 Strikemaster jet and then former RNZAF North American Harvard Mk.III NZ1066. Finally, Brian purchased his impressive North American T-28B Trojan (BuNo.138218).

Today Brian owns three aircraft. The Strikemaster is based at Christchurch Airport, while the Trojan is a flying exhibit at the Ashburton Aviation Museum. He also keeps his Piper Cherokee 235 at Ashburton for private use.

Brian is now keen to let a lot more people see his Warbirds displayed. He has agreed to bring both his Strikemaster and Trojan to Wanaka next Easter for their first displays at a major New Zealand air show. Both will be flown by the NZ Warbirds Associations Chief Flying Instructor and ex-RNZAF Skyhawk pilot, Dave Brown.

The display team is rounded out by engineer Kevin Langford. Lauding his engineers capabilities, Brian noted, Not only does Kevin do a fantastic job of keeping the Strikemaster and Trojan flying, he is rated to fly in both as well, a great achievement.

The Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2022 will take place next Easter (April 15th, 16th, 17th with Rides Day on April 18th). For more information and tickets, please visit www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com
Carahsoft's Abod says 'community' is critical success factor

As this year's FCW Eagle Award recipient, Carahsoft founder and CEO Craig Abod was recognized at the annual Fed 100 gala Friday for the many strides he and his company have made to make it easier for government customers to buy the technology they need to meet their missions.

One recent example includes the Carahsoft Cloud Purchasing program launched last year to simplify cloud purchases and give government buyers access to more than 90 cloud-related vendors.

But in accepting his award, Abod didnt talk technology or process breakthroughs. His speech centered on community.

This industry is really a community, he said. One that is unique and vibrant... and everyone in this industry contributes to our joint successes.

Abod founded Carahsoft in 2004 and it has since grown into one of the largest value-added resellers and technology product distributors in the market. Carahsoft ranked No. 30 on the 2021 Washington Technology Top 100 with $1.2 billion in prime contracts, up 10 spots from the year before.

Abod cut his teeth in the market working for people such as Dendy Young, former CEO of GTSI and one of the pioneers of the reseller business.

He gave me my first job and my second job in this industry, Abod said. Young sat at Abods table during the Fed 100 gala Friday night.

I truly believe that this award -- that tonights gala -- celebrates the intersections and synergies among these community members, he said. And as our community continues to evolve, each of our roles become more important.

He included small businesses, large systems integrators, emerging companies and large technology firms as those in the community.

We all exist, grow and partner together to serve the greatest customer in the world, he said.

He urged the government officials in attendance to push their industry partners and to leverage them as more than sources of technology.

Push us to be advocates for your important missions, push us to listen to your needs and bring the best solutions to bear. So you can better serve your constituents, he said.

In accepting the award, Abod thanked the Carahsoft team, which now includes his daughter Carah. She lent her name to the company and joined it three years ago. Abods son Connor now works for another emerging technology company, founded coincidentally by two former Fed100 winners.

He also recognized his wife Kim, who has supported me throughout this journey and has put up with decades of late nights and long weekends.
Phebe Novakovic offers career, leadership advice in rare interview

General Dynamics CEO Phebe Novakovic is famously reticent about talking to media. She answers questions from financial analysts representing institutional investors during GDs quarterly calls and will occasionally speak with certain national business outlets -- the operative word there is occasionally.

But she recently spoke with Carlyle Group founder David Rubenstein for an episode of his Peer-to-Peer Conversations show on Bloomberg Television that aired this past weekend. The full interview is embedded below this article.

I watched for couple reasons. First, she so rarely gives interviews that the show is almost must-see TV for anyone in the government market.

Second, I wanted to hear what she said about the two parts of GD we pay the most attention to: the Information Technology services business and Mission Systems, which makes IT hardware.

At round the 12:48 mark, Rubenstein asks about the information business as he calls it. He sets the question up by wondering if the information business is the biggest driver of growth for defense companies because of the cyber work they do.

She tells us nothing beyond the nugget that there is cyber in all we do, including the massive Abrams Main Battle Tank that serves as the backdrop for the interview.

She also said submarines are what is driving GD's growth. But thats it.

As a colleague said, it was an inartful question. There was no probing about why nearly all the other large defense hardware companies have jettisoned their IT services businesses, while GD invested with the CSRA acquisition three years ago. Why does being in that market make sense for GD when it didnt make sense for its peers?

That was a disappointment when I have my narrow IT-focused goggles on.

Otherwise, I thought the interview offered some nice highlights even if it retreaded some familiar storylines such as her time working as a case officer for the CIA. She actually admitted to being a spy but declined to share any of her cover stories.

Rubenstein asked a couple questions around whether she knew early on that she could be the CEO of General Dynamics. She dismissed that kind of thinking as hubris.

Novakovic praised former CEO Nicholas Chabraja, who led GD from 1997 to 2009. She worked as his chief of staff, which gave her an up close look at how a strong and intelligent CEO operates.

I was the beneficiary of a lot of learning, she said.

Her advice for women looking to rise in the corporate ranks:

Be part of a team and do the job in front of you as best as you possibly can. In a functional organization, the rest will take care of itself, she said. If it is a dysfunctional organization, all bets are off. Get out of there.

She gives the same advice to men.

Novakovic also offered some insights on the qualities necessary for a successful CEO.

A good leader needs good character, she said. You also need a smattering of capabilities -- finance, problem solving, and thinking strategically.

And you need perseverance. Sometimes you just have to never stop. Never quit."

A good leader also needs a strong moral compass.

You have to constantly question, Am I doing the right thing? If you arent asking yourself that regularly, you run the risk of failing to see potential errors, Novakovic said.

She also talked about the need to see around square corners by questioning your decisions and your strategy.

Why are we doing this? Why arent we doing that? she said. Teasing out those answers is where you find opportunity.
WATERLOO  A Cedar Falls man has been sentenced to a century in prison for sexually abusing two boys, including one who was abused over a period of years.

Judge Joel Dalrymple sentenced Tenko Julius Wilde, 30, also known as Roman Casey Gray Bezek, to a combination of concurrent and consecutive sentences totaling 100 years during a Monday hearing in Black Hawk County District Court.

Wilde will have to serve 35 years before he can be considered for parole, and once released he will be on lifetime parole and have to register as a sex offender.

Wilde was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child  an offense that carries 50 years in prison and went on the books during Wildes crimes  four counts of second-degree sexual abuse and one count of indecent contact with a child following a June bench trial.

Assistant Black Hawk County Attorney Elizabeth ODonnell said the children experienced the kind of atrocities we only think happens in movies.

Before sentencing, the defense had asked the court for a new trial, arguing the judge should have barred testimony about furries  a lifestyle adopted by Wilde and his friends that involved taking on animal personas  and cubbies.
CEDAR FALLS  University of Northern Iowa researchers examined COVID-19s impact on indigenous populations in the Arctic and how it could be crucial to addressing the pandemic both today and in future epidemics.

Their study was published last week in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine.

It examines how the unique factors of the Arctic both aided and hindered the regions response to the pandemic, which in many cases was more successful than temperate areas south of that region in the same countries.

Lessons learned in the Arctic may provide important resiliency tools against the spread of COVID-19 among vulnerable populations in other parts of the world, particularly in remote or indigenous communities, Andrey Petrov, co-author of the paper and director of UNIs ARCTICenter, said in a news release. The center is a hub for many Arctic research and educational projects funded by various U.S. and international organizations.

Places in which indigenous knowledge and traditions were combined with effective public health interventions may have had an advantage in fighting the pandemic, he said.
Although the number of eviction filings has been somewhat muted during the pandemic, Kornya has seen a general rise in filings in Linn County.

Weve been creeping closer to pre-moratorium numbers, he said.

There are 171 evictions currently filed in Linn County that are set for hearing sometime in the next few weeks. Thats about 23% of the 730 evictions pending a hearing statewide, he said.

Typically, the number of eviction notices increases in the second and third weeks of the month, but Kornya said the U.S. Supreme Court decision Thursday night might trigger action by landlords sooner than mid-September.

Renters were anticipating the moratorium expiring in July, so they had an opportunity to prepare, Kornya said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extended the moratorium, but the court ruled the agency lacked the authority to do so under federal law without congressional authorization.

The impact of the moratorium ending will depend on what actions landlords will take and how quickly they act, he said.
In 1993, The Late Show with David Letterman premiered on CBS-TV.

In 1997, Americans received word of the car crash in Paris that claimed the lives of Princess Diana, her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed (DOH-dee FY-ehd), and their driver, Henri (AHN-ree) Paul. (Because of the time difference, it was August 31 where the crash occurred.)

In 2005, a day after Hurricane Katrina hit, floods were covering 80 percent of New Orleans, looting continued to spread and rescuers in helicopters and boats picked up hundreds of stranded people.

In 2007, in a serious breach of nuclear security, a B-52 bomber armed with six nuclear warheads flew cross-country unnoticed; the Air Force later punished 70 people.

In 2012, Mitt Romney launched his fall campaign for the White House with a rousing, personal speech to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, proclaiming that America needs jobs, lots of jobs.

In 2015, the White House announced that President Barack Obama would change the name of North Americas tallest mountain peak from Mount McKinley to Denali, bestowing the traditional Alaska Native name on the eve of a historic presidential visit to Alaska.
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths had been plunging across the U.S. and in Iowa since January, when rollout of the vaccines first started to pick up steam. But since June, all those numbers have been surging again as 39% of the eligible U.S. population (12 years and older) and nearly half of the overall population remains unvaccinated, according to federal data, helping to enable the virus more transmissible delta variant to spread.

Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in July said COVID-19 has become a pandemic of the unvaccinated. And Kelly Garcia, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, in April said the campaign to get Iowans and Americans vaccinated is a literal race against the virus variants.

At least five national health care organizations  including the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics  have formally advocated for requiring all health care workers to be vaccinated.

Walgreens, with 72 locations in Iowa, also is requiring all workers based in support offices to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30. Any worker who is unable to be vaccinated, a company spokesman said, will be required to enroll in a COVID-19 testing program.
With schools about to start, parents of children who are mandated to attend schools unprotected by required mask wearing rules will understandably be upset for the safety of their children.

Our schoolrooms will be populated by students sitting shoulder-to-shoulder -- the philosophy of our governor takes away the only tool we now have to reduce the spread of a killer virus to our children. Whenever an outbreak of any disease in schools occurs, the demanding voices of parents and teachers is always weve got to protect the kids. Although a childrens vaccine is on the way, the strongest tool we currently have is a mask requirement.

Let me be clear: I was raised on, and still hold, both conservative and progressive principles. My favorite radio commentator was the late Paul Harvey, a conservative commonsense commentator. I still remember and revere his stern pronouncement, your freedom ends where my nose begins. This killer virus spreads from mouth-to-nose and nose-to-mouth through airborne transmission.
Willamette University is excited to welcome its new Associate Dean of Students at PNCA, Dr. Olivia Oli Munoz. In this new role, Munoz will oversee the Office of Student Life at PNCA which includes areas such as student activities, ArtHouse, intercultural engagement, student care team, and student conduct. She will also serve as a deputy title IX coordinator at PNCA.

Munoz brings a wealth of interdisciplinary experience in academia, nonprofits, and media to her work. She has held several positions at universities, including serving as the Director of Residential Life at Mills College, and as a Residence Director at the University of San Francisco and two semesters on the Semester at Sea study abroad program. Her most recent university experience was in Student Activities at Willamette University in Salem. Advocating for marginalized and underrepresented students has been a priority throughout her career. Highlights include the founding of an UndocuWeek at the University of San Francisco, developing inclusive hiring practices, and presenting on the use of testimonio in educational research at professional convenings such as the National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in Higher Education.

Prior to working in education, Munoz worked as a reporter for several publications, including The Detroit News and the Associated Press. She has published essays and poetry, informed by growing up Latinx in the Midwest. A lifelong arts enthusiast, she enjoys volunteering and visiting museums, sites of street art, and performance venues throughout the world. Oli is a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion in higher education and is motivated to ignite individual growth, community connection, and social change.

Munoz earned a B.A. in Journalism and Art from Central Michigan University, a Master of Fine Arts in Nonfiction Writing from California State University, Fresno, and a doctorate in International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco. She will join the Willamette community on September 8th.
According to the survey, 68% of Millennials  those between 25 and 40  said the celebrity endorsement influenced their buying decisions, while 86% of the Gen Z buyers said they could care less.

RTDs are beginning to drink hard seltzers lunch. While the breakout drink of 2019 and 2020 is still growing, its not what 21-plussers say they will reach for first this summer, Drizly says. Ready-to-drink cocktails and other new canned drinks are playing off of hard seltzers innovation, and, in the process, taking some of its growth momentum.

Recently, we have been bombarded with reports about the behavior of American drinkers during the current pandemic, many of them apparently at variance with each other. The basic issue is that people vary in their behavior, so that some people might increase their drinking, for example, while others decrease it, and yet others stay the same. So, some people are drinking more, lots of people are buying alcohol online (and not in shops), and restaurants are wondering what to do with their wine collections (given that they have few food customers).Moreover, most of the data presented tends to compare 2020/21 with only 2019; but what about long-term trends? The data I have used to look at this question comes from Wine Sales in the USA (includes wine shipments from within the U.S. states and foreign producers entering U.S. distribution). It covers the volume of sales over the years 2009 to 2020, inclusive, by category. The first graph shows the total (in black), plus each of the four categories separately.It is clear that total sales increased steadily over time. For example, sales were 25.6% higher in 2019 compared to 2009, which represents a cumulative increase of 2.3% per year. This greatly exceeded the increase in population over the same period of time, which went up only 7.4% (according to Worldometer ). So, the wine industry in the USA was apparently very successful during the second decade of the 21st Century, in the commercial sense, and industry-wide.It is also apparent in the graph that there was a distinct up-tick in wine sales during 2020, marking the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Wine sales increased by 7.0% in that year alone, which was 3 times the annual increase over the preceding decade. Some, at least, of the wine industry accountants are presumably even happier about this.This does not, of course, mean that each individual U.S. winery is financially happy. For example, it has been reported that Wine sales are up but winery profits down , due to increasing market share by the bigger wineries, along with a pronounced shift to cheaper wines. That is, not all wineries have been in a position to benefit from the increased sales, especially given the noted switch from shop sales to online sales.If we now look at the four wine categories individually, we can see that the steady increase in total sales was principally due to table wine, as also was the 2020 up-tick. However, the other three categories were somewhat different, as shown in the second graph, which pulls them out separately.We can see that sparkling wine also followed a nice steady increase over the decade, but had a distinct down-turn in 2020, instead of going up. Perhaps not too many people were celebrating in that year: Champagne loses its fizz as pandemic hits sales . Mind you, this could also be part of the shift to less expensive wine: From the pandemic to Prosecco: Why Champagne sales are plummeting ; along with the recent export difficulties due to a trade dispute with the USA.Dessert wine has had a somewhat rocky ride in the graph. The increase in dessert wine sales started in 2013 and ended in 2016; and it has been pretty steady since then, including in 2020. The change in sales may represent a transition from Millennials to Generation Z amongst consumers. That is, it starts with the arrival of late-period Millennials at drinking age, and ends with the arrival of early Generation Z drinkers.The flavored wine products maintained fairly steady sales for most of the decade. However, a distinct up-turn started in 2019, which then became a boom in 2020. This coincides with the arrival of increasing numbers of Generation Z consumers at drinking age (i.e. those born in 2000/01). Generation Z is formally defined as including those people born from 19972012; and they will thus be an increasing component of wine consumers until at least 2030.This latter point will be interesting if the down-tick in sparkling wine sales is in any way related to the boom in flavored wine products. A recent survey has concluded that: American Gen Z are thoughtful boozers . This apparently means that they do not behave anything like their predecessors, the Millennials (born 19811996). For example:That is quite a difference! In terms of preference for flavored wine products, the report also notes:Perhaps the biggest issue is that there is reported to be a decreasing level of recruitment among Generation Z wine drinkers in the USA, which may slow any continuation of the patterns shown in the graphs above. Wine marketers have now been warned!
For most of us, dining at one of San Francisco's most acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurants is a special-occasion event, but we never need an excuse to take a Saturday drive up to dreamy Bolinas.

On August 21st, we got an extra treat: an invitation to a summertime alfresco meal, prepared by Quince's chef Michael Tusk, on a bucolic farm in Marin County's famed coastal enclave. It was just the staycation we needed.

The exclusive event served to kick off a new Summer Dining Series hosted by Capital One and the Michelin Guide itself. Exclusive to Capital One cardholders (and this very lucky member of the press), the series celebrates Michelin's Green Star designation that awards restaurants for their efforts in sustainabilityincluding D.C.'s The Inn at Little Washington and Brooklyn's Aska.

"When we kicked off plans for this summer series with Michelin, we thought it would be meaningful to highlight some of these incredible, sustainable-minded restaurantslike Quinceand create unique experiences that you wouldn't get just from making a reservation on your own," says Monica Bauder, head of branded card partnerships and experiences at Capital One. "Access to events like this are just one of the exciting benefits we offer Capital One cardholders."



In fact, Capital One cardholders also have access to James Beard Foundation events and the James Beard House; the New York City Wine & Food Festival; and South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

Chef Michael Tusk hand-harvesting produce for a meal at Bolinas' Fresh Run Farm. (Adahlia Cole and Colin Peck)

Since 2003, James Beard Awardwinning chef Michael Tusk, who now holds three Michelin stars for his famed Jackson Square restaurant Quince, has created produce-centric Cal-Italian fare drawing from his experience at European Michelin-starred establishments as well as Berkeley's heralded Chez Panisse. Tusk's restaurants support the nonprofit foundation Feed the Future, which is working to solve global hunger, and his menus feature a bounty of meticulously grown produce from Bolinas' Fresh Run Farm.



Sprouting from the Bolinas hills, Fresh Run Farm is a certified-organic farm owned by third-generation farmer Peter Martinelli, who supplies exclusively to Quince and chef Michael and Lindsey Tusk's other nearby eateries, Cotogna and Verjus. Last summer, Quince began offering Covid-safe alfresco meals by reservation at the farm, but those are now reserved for special events only as Quince prepares to reopen its SF dining room for service in September.

Until then, the idyllic farm was the perfect location for Capital One and Michelin Guide's first summer dining event.

When we arrived in Bolinas on Saturday afternoon, we were whisked away up a narrow road blooming with flowers and frequented by horses before being deposited at the farm and greeted with glasses of Bollinger bubbly.

(Adahlia Cole and Colin Peck)

Champagne in hand, we set off on small group tours where we saw vibrant flowers and vegetablesrainbow chard, kale, artichokes, squash, and beansbeing hand-picked for later appearances on our plates. We stopped along the way to watch chefs meticulously preparing producelike the La Ratte potatoes for our first seated courseall the while receiving Champagne top-offs and sampling the produce as it was transformed into appetizers before our very eyes.

Our feast on foot began with bites of country pork topped with smoked and pureed Gravenstein apples and whole grain mustard; a basket filled with the whole fruit was there for the taking. Later, entire artichoke stalks would serve as a nest for crispy artichoke fritto topped with caper aioli; then, near plantings of bowling ballsized squash, we were treated to two summery squash bites: squash blossoms with creamy ricotta and Meyer lemon, and squash cups filled with king salmon tartare. On our final stop before lunch, we were given refreshing tomato broth with basil oil, pepper juice, cucumber, and melon, followed by sunchokes with black truffle aioli served in front of towering sunflowers.



Chef Tusk gave a few remarks before we were seated at lovely open-air tables with a proper view of the intricate preparations going down in the outdoor kitchen and greenhouse. The communal setting offered a taste of pre-pandemic normalcy and the chance to mingle with fellow foodies.

(Gary He)

The leisurely afternoon meal began with La Ratte potatoes, served with Champagne and Point Reyes oyster sauce and topped with sustainable California Tsar Nicoulai caviar; the pairing of Charles Dufour Bistrotage Extra Brut Champagne sent this first taste over the top.



Next, the terre et mere salad featured bush and pole beans, local anchovy, and a freshly baked stuffed squid ink roll, and was served with Amorotti Trebbiano d'Abruzzo. While pots of fish soup were cooking on outdoor stoves between our tables, our glasses were filled with Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose from Provence. Chef Tusk, who chatted amongst the tables, hand-ladled the Bolinas rockfish, saffron, leek, and shallot soup into our bowls.

For our final savory course, rosemary-scented grilled and smoked local duck was served family-style over a bed of vine cuttings and arrowhead cabbage, which doubled as a rustic centerpiece. The dish was accompanied by shelling beans and a creamy breadcrumb topping. The meaty Black Trumpet Syrah, from Charles Heintz vineyard in nearby Occidental, was the perfect complement.

Because this is California and also a celebration of farm-to-table sustainability, there were also primo vegetarian options.

(Adahlia Cole and Colin Peck)

Sweet caps to the day came in the form of poached white peaches with wild berries, lemon verbena, almond ice, and noyaux cream. The summery flavors paired well with the lightly sweet Moussamousettes pet nat from Rene et Agnes Mosse in France's Loire Valley. The assortment of mignardisestrawberry and gianduja bonbons; Linzer cookies with plum jam; gold-topped dark chocolate mendiants with dried cherry and apricot; and coffee caramelswas almost too pretty to eat. Almost.



The chance to harvest our own produce to take home made for the ideal post-feast exercise and then, after mini cones of stracciatella gelato, we said our goodbyes, arms laden with fresh beans and bags filled with gourmet goodies, dreaming of making reservations for Quince's San Francisco reopening on September 2nd. Chloe Saraceni



// For more information about Michelin Guide and Capital One's Summer Dining Series, as well as other Capital One experiences available to cardholders, visit capitalone.com.
Seeing the scale tick upward can be alarming for a host of reasons, but oncologists including Acharya-Leon are concerned that weight gain  plus other troublesome lifestyle shifts  could predispose more women to breast cancer, a disease that already hits 1 in 8 of them.

"There are some things in life you can't control, such as your genetics, but some aspects of breast cancer risk we can control, says Deborah Lindner, M.D., chief medical officer of Bright Pink, a breast and ovarian cancer education and advocacy group.

Though lifestyle alone rarely determines whether someone gets breast cancer  genetics and simply getting older tend to be more influential factors  85 percent of breast cancers occur in women with no family history of the disease. You should also know that not everyone who carries a genetic predisposition will develop cancer: Something has to trigger it, Acharya-Leon says. We know that lifestyle plays a big role."

Ask a cancer expert about which pandemic-related lifestyle changes are most worrisome and you'll learn that delaying routine health screenings, including mammograms, tops the list. (Staying on top of screenings doesn't prevent cancer, but it helps catch it in the earliest, most treatable stages.) Next in line? Gaining weight, being sedentary and consuming too much alcohol.

The cancer-weight connection

An estimated 22 percent of adults have gained weight during the pandemic, according to a recent survey. Increased stress and boredom, decreased physical activity, and lack of sleep (which affects hunger hormones) may all be contributing to this trend.

Once COVID-19 became a threat, Becky Hellwig was among those who were eating and drinking a little too much. By August, however, Hellwig, a San Jose, California, native who recently relocated to Germany, resolved to turn things around, so she pulled back on both food and alcohol. I feel better, lost weight and have more control, she says. That's a good thing, as numerous studies have found a connection between excess weight and an increased risk of breast cancer.

Becoming overweight or obese seems to be most problematic after menopause, says Acharya-Leon. You store estrogen in fatty tissue, she says. And estrogen in turns drives the growth of some breast cancers.

Why exercise matters  a lot

Though obesity and physical activity are often closely connected, they're actually independent risk factors for breast cancer. And lack of exercise seems to be the bigger offender of the two, Lindner says.

"Overweight people who exercise have a lower risk than thin ones who don't exercise, she says. Becoming more sedentary contributes to an increased risk of breast cancer because it is believed that activity may help regulate hormone levels in your body. For these reasons, Lindner calls it super important to get the recommended minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly.

Older adults aren't exempt from that recommendation, yet it's easy to fall short  especially now that many are hunkering down at home. While this isn't the best time to hit the gym or go mall-walking, fear of the coronavirus should not prevent you from taking walks in your neighborhood, Lindner says. (Remember to wear a mask and/or keep a safe distance from others.)

When drinking gets risky

Whether it's due to stress, boredom or a desire to feel connected (virtual happy hour, anyone?), adults of all ages have been drinking more during the pandemic. Women in particular seem to be drinking more often and more heavily, according to recent data.

And plenty of older adults were drinking too much even before COVID hit: Nearly 11 percent of adults age 65 and older reported consuming four or more drinks in a day, according to research gathered between 2015 and 2017.

"People are bored, stressed and self-medicating, Lindner says. But studies have found that up to a third of breast cancers in the average-risk group could be attributable to alcohol intake. (An average-risk group is defined as those with no genetic predisposition to the disease.)

How much is too much? When it comes to breast cancer, less really is best: Women who have just three drinks per week are 15 percent more likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who abstain. Alcohol is a likely carcinogen and also plays a role in hormone regulation.

"If you've noticed that you've started significantly increasing your alcohol intake during this time, take time to reassess, says Jennifer Litton, M.D., a breast medical oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Giving bad habits an expiration date

Overdoing alcohol, being sedentary and gaining weight are damaging for many reasons, Lindner says. For one thing, the same lifestyle choices that raise breast cancer risk also raise the risk for heart disease, an even bigger killer. These are shared risk factors, she says.
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Whether you're already back in the office or preparing to return, you may have questions about the safety of your workspace. And a fair amount of that concern may have to do with how many people in your office have been vaccinated. According to MassMutual's Consumer Spending & Saving Index, which measured attitudes and behaviors about returning to the office, nearly one-fourth of U.S. office workers (24 percent) are stressed about colleagues who haven't been vaccinated. And 27 percent worry about their offices not adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines.

While it may be possible to simply come out and ask coworkers about their status, it's a good idea to think about a few things before doing so, says industrial organizational psychologist Adam Bandelli, managing director of New York City-based consulting firm Bandelli & Associates and author of What Every Leader Needs. It's important for everyone's safety and well-being to know what's going on in their workplace, Bandelli says. But determining how to get the information you need to feel comfortable while not alienating others in the office can be tricky.

As you face new expectations about how you should interact with coworkers while also considering your own safety concerns, here are some tips to navigate this tricky situation.

Start with your company policy

Some aspects of office life will require trial and error. Figuring out whether to shake hands or how to navigate a meeting where half the people are remote may require you to make adjustments to your personal etiquette in the office. But one area where the guidance should be coming directly from the company brass is the COVID-19 safety protocol.

In July, the U.S. Justice Department offered its view that federal law doesn't prohibit employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccines as a condition for getting or keeping a job, with exceptions for medical conditions or religious beliefs that prohibit vaccinations. Several state legislatures, however, are considering banning vaccine mandates, and Montana recently enacted a law that does. Your company likely will have a COVID-19 safety and vaccine policy in place based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with other federal, state and local authorities, says Kelly DuFord Williams, of Slate Law Group in San Diego. Williams says it's best for employees who have questions about the vaccination status of coworkers to address those concerns to specific company representatives instead of approaching coworkers directly, especially because the topic can be so contentious.

But since there's no legal reason employees can't ask about vaccine status, it's likely some will. So, it's also important to set ground rules for behavior, says employment attorney Marta Manus with San Diego-based law firm Marble. Employers shouldn't demand that employees not discuss vaccines or ask about vaccine status because there's nothing in the law preventing that. However, companies should have strong, written policies about behavior expectations, including what constitutes harassment. If vaccine-related questioning becomes hostile or bullying behavior, then it may be in violation of harassment policies and require disciplinary action. They should just make sure their employment policies regarding harassment and bullying are tight and legally compliant, she says.

Tread carefully

How and if you ask someone directly about their vaccination status may also depend on how well you know that person, Bandelli says. If you're work friends and have a good relationship, the individual may be more inclined to share their status than if you are not well-acquainted. And it's a good idea to lead with your own status to establish trust.


Annual Report

Sydney, Aug 30, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - During the year Betmakers Technology Group Ltd ( ASX:BET ) ( FRA:T07 ) continued to invest in the development of its global strategy.On 1 December 2020 BetMakers announced it had entered into binding agreements to acquire Sportech PLC's Racing and Digital assets ('Sportech') for a consideration of GBP 30.9 million. The transaction completed on 17 June 2021.To support the funding of the Sportech asset acquisition, on 2 December 2020 BetMakers announced it had received firm commitments to raise $50,000,000 (before costs) under a placement via the issue of approximately 83.3 million new fully paid ordinary shares at an offer price of $0.60.In addition to the above, the company announced the launch of a $10,000,000 Share Purchase Plan to existing eligible investors, to issue new fully paid ordinary shares at an offer price of $0.60. This offer closed on 15 January 2021 and was oversubscribed.On 17 February 2021, the company announced that it had entered into an exclusive agreement with Mr Matt Tripp to become a strategic advisor. In addition to this, Mr Tripp also agreed to subscribe for $25,000,000 of new ordinary shares in the company at an issue price of $0.70 per share. The company also received firm commitments of $50,000,000 from several existing shareholders, also at an issue price of $0.70 per ordinary share.On 23 June 2021, the company acquired the technology platform assets, databases and intellectual property of racing data company Form Cruncher Pty Ltd. In consideration for these assets, the company agreed an initial payment of $1,000,000 and a performance payment of up to $1,000,000.On 23 June 2021, the company acquired the technology and intellectual property associated with Swopstakes betting product. In consideration for these assets, the company agreed an initial payment of $634,750 and a performance payment of up to $15,000,000.To view the Annual Report, please visit:About Betmakers Technology Group Ltd

Betmakers Technology Group Ltd (ASX:BET) (FRA:T07) is an ASX-listed holding company and a global provider of online wagering products and services to both wholesale and retail markets through its various wholly owned subsidiaries. The Company operates a retail wagering business, offering consumers wagering, fantasy tournament and content products and services.
Nusenda Credit Union employees say a sense of being valued sets their workplace apart.

The company, which employs 608 New Mexicans at 22 locations, has ranked on the Journals Top Workplaces list for nine years, and this year ranked first in the large workplace category.

I love my job because I feel valued, one staff member wrote. Each day I feel like I am making an impact in the community, in the organization, and in my department. Nusenda has done an amazing job of putting employees first during the pandemic and I am so grateful for everything they have done for us and the countless hours spent to ensure The Power of WE did not fall to the side.

I am valued and have the opportunity to express my thoughts and ideas without hesitation, another employee wrote.

I am appreciated for what I contribute, a third wrote. My voice and opinion is always heard. My boss and senior management team genuinely care for my well being.

President and CEO Joe Christian told the Journal the company has always been committed to treating employees like families. In the past 18 months, thats meant adjusting to and embracing the rhythms and quirks of remote working  including learning to welcome videoconferencing cameos from staff members furry friends.

Can you talk a little generally about how your organization responded and adapted to the pandemic?

Very early on, we were trying to predict what the pandemic would do to our employees and  not just their work life, but their personal life.  So what we tried to do was be as open-minded as we could, and actually show a lot of grace in terms of  you may be talking to an employee that has a young child sitting in the background working on homework, or, you know, their, their cat  may want to participate.  At first  that was unusual and uncomfortable for everyone, but eventually  we kind of rolled with it and embraced it, to the point that  we had employees sharing their home office or their pets.

What is the biggest challenge that you have faced as an employer during the pandemic?

I would say its just  the ongoing fight for talent.  Its just more obvious that you have to retain and attract the top talent and you need people who are committed to your organization and people who are willing to be a little bit more versatile and kind of look around corners in terms of what the future may have in store for us.

How has your workplaces culture shifted since COVID started?

The shift has been more towards empathy and communication and openness. You know, so we understand what our employees need, so we understand what our members need and what people are going through and really just trying to be there.  When you frame things, as  Were a family, and were going to get through this, and were going to chip in where we can, you see some really amazing, amazing kindness and creativity.

What makes Nusenda a good place to work?

The way I like to describe it to people is, you know, we work hard and we play hard.  We come to work every day with the thought of how can we make our members lives better? What do our members need? And  what is the right thing to do for membership?

Why do you personally still work there?

Ive been with the credit union  a little over 35 years now. I started fresh out of graduate school in a role in the data processing department. But throughout the years, its like Ive had maybe five or six careers at Nusenda.  The credit union has invested in me and Ive invested in the credit union, and  Ive experienced a great deal of professional growth here. And Ive also contributed to some of the growth of the credit union  in collaboration with an awesome board of directors and a  tremendous senior leadership team.  This may sound a little trite, but when work and play kind of meld, like work and passion, its like it doesnt feel like work.

Editors Note: An earlier version of this story misquoted Joe Christian, president and CEO of Nusenda Credit Union, when describing where he worked when he first started with the company. The story should have said he worked in the data processing department. The story has been updated.
Renewable power developer Pattern Energy is nearing completion of a mammoth wind project in east central New Mexico that, once fully operational in December, will constitute the largest single-phase renewable energy build-out in U.S. history.

The company broke ground last December on its Western Spirit project, which includes four wind farms with 1,050 megawatts of joint generating capacity, plus a new, 155-mile transmission line that will carry the electricity from New Mexicos gusty eastern plains to California markets.

At more than 1 gigawatt, the Western Spirit farms will be twice the size of Xcel Energys 522-MW Sagamore Wind Farm in Roosevelt County, which was pegged as the states largest wind facility when it came online last December. Likewise, the new Western Spirit transmission line is the biggest such project to be constructed in New Mexico in 35 years.

To be sure, there are bigger renewable-generation facilities currently operating in the country, said Pattern Energy spokesman Matt Dallas.

But those other facilities were all built in stages over time, Dallas said. Our project is the largest one getting built all at once in U.S. history.

In general, although electric consumption varies by state and size of homes, 1,050 mW of generating capacity can provide enough electricity to meet the needs of roughly 365,000 homes, Dallas said.

Nearly all the electricity will be sold to California utilities under long-term power purchase agreements, or PPAs. That includes the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the city of San Jose in Northern California.

The company also signed a 15-year PPA last May with Uniper North America, which will buy up to 219,000 mW hours of electricity annually, or enough to power about 20,000 homes per year. Uniper North America  a Chicago-based subsidiary of the European company Uniper  will sell most of the electricity to end users in New Mexico.

Both the transmission line and the wind farms are now about two-thirds complete, said Jeremy Turner, Patterns New Mexico project development director. The transmission line will be finished by November, and the wind farms will be fully commissioned by the end of December.

Were about 90% complete with constructing all the transmission foundations, and about 70% of the transmission structures themselves, Turner told the Journal.  Most of the (wind farm) turbines are now installed as well. We have less than 70 to go out of a total of 377 turbines.

Pattern is investing nearly $1.8 billion in the project. Its employed more than 1,000 construction workers since last year. And once operational, the transmission line and the wind farms together will provide about 100 permanent jobs.

Project operations will also bring significant revenue to the state, and to local governments, schools districts and landowners. That includes:

 $36 million in property taxes from the transmission line operations over 40 years

 $3 million per year in payments from just the wind-farm operations for local government and school districts in Guadalupe, Lincoln and Torrance counties over the life of those facilities

 $426 million in land-lease payments to local landowners from both the transmission line and wind farms

Pattern executives discussed the Western Spirit project and the potential for building more transmission lines and wind farms in New Mexico with U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who visited the state in mid-August. While in Albuquerque, Granholm held a roundtable discussion with Pattern, and with other local industry representatives and public officials to learn about the challenges facing renewable energy development here.

Participants told Granholm that a lot more transmission construction is needed for private developers like Pattern to tap into the immense wind potential offered by New Mexicos eastern plains.

We have vast renewable energy resources, but we cant access them without the transmission, said Fernando Martinez, executive director of the New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority.

RETA is a quasi-governmental agency established under former Gov. Bill Richardson. It works in partnership with private developers to build transmission capacity.

RETA actually owns the rights to the Western Spirit transmission line that Pattern is now developing. Once finished, the line will be sold to Public Service Company of New Mexico to maintain and operate it.

But it took 11 years to get all federal, state and local permits in place to build Western Spirit, reflecting immense regulatory hurdles that must be streamlined going forward if the U.S. plans to convert the national electric grid to 100% non-carbon generation by 2035 as proposed by President Joe Biden, said RETA Chairman Bob Busch.

Eleven years is too long, Busch told Granholm.  If we want more transmission to enable renewables, we have to find ways to get the approvals done much faster.

Pattern itself is planning to invest $2 billion to $3 billion more to build out another 3 GW of local wind farms after the Western Spirit project is complete. But those plans depend on the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, a massive, 520-mile line that, if built, could carry up to 4.5 GW of electricity from Central New Mexico to Arizona for export to Western markets.

SunZia, however, has been tied up for 15 years in permitting red tape.

The problem is not figuring out where to build high-voltage transmission lines, Busch told Granholm. We know where to build, and even financing isnt a problem. Its about one thing  getting the needed permission to site and build it.

Apart from streamlining regulatory processes, an investment tax credit is also key for driving more transmission development in New Mexico and elsewhere, said Pattern CEO Mike Garland.

Thats something U.S. legislators are now considering in congressional discussions on Bidens infrastructure investment plans, which could incorporate transmission incentives as part of $300 billion in new renewable energy tax breaks.

We have big plans to continue here in New Mexico, Garland told Granholm.  But we have to have transmission, and investment tax credits are a critical piece of that.

Kevin Robinson-Avila covers technology, energy, venture capital and utilities for the Journal. He can be reached at krobinson-avila@abqjournal.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I started a new job right before the pandemic and have been there throughout the entire process. I also have often been working extra hours for my boss. Now that things are turning around, Im hearing from my other friends that they are getting raises and promotions at their jobs, but Ive heard absolutely nothing from my boss. I have to be honest: Hes pretty intimidating, and Im a little afraid to ask. How can I bring this up to him?  Venetta

DALE: You need to reduce the pressure you feel about broaching the subject of a raise. You do this with preparation, about which J.T. always has great advice, and by this simple formula: Questions are the answer. Youre not going in demanding a raise; no, youre just inquiring about how it works and where you fit in. Do it right and theres no downside, so no need to be apprehensive.

J.T.: Yes, its a shame that you dont feel comfortable having that conversation with your manager. Apparently, his management style is making you feel intimidated. So, I agree with the questions mindset. However, before you set the meeting, make a list of all the things you are hired to do and all the additional tasks youve taken on since getting hired. Also, estimate how many hours a week you do each task. Then come up with a couple of additional tasks you could take on if promoted. When its time to sit down, share with your manager this document and walk him through what you learned and how you have created more value for the organization by taking on more work. Then, ask him what you need to do to get a raise and a promotion. As for the latter, ask if he could see you taking on a few other things that you believe you could add to your responsibilities. This way youre not putting him on the spot for an answer, but youre also giving him the information he needs to realize that its time for you to get more money. Also, hell realize that if he says no, then youll be in a position to start looking for something different.

DALE: And remember, a great boss would be way ahead of you on this, helping you advance and motivating you to excel and earn raises and promotions. Said another way, dont sit back and hope  do that and youll be letting a mediocre boss guide you to mediocrity.

Dear J.T. & Dale: Im 66 years old, and I cannot get a job of any kind. Im about to lose my apartment. Any suggestions?  Ron

J.T.: It concerns me that you cant get some kind of hourly job. Everywhere you look, companies are saying theyre short on staff. I would take a gap job right now just so that you can get some cash. The next thing I would do is reach out to your local staffing companies  temporary agencies are booming. A lot of companies are turning to staffing agencies for help in getting workers. Many of these employers are not necessarily ready to hire people full-time, but they are looking to hire temporary workers to see if the work will sustain itself. Later, a lot of these temporary workers will become full-time employees. In the past, I found this to be an amazing way for more seasoned professionals to get their foot in the door.

DALE: Yes, please do that. And as you do, keep in mind that employers dont just hire workers, theyre hiring the ability to get tasks done, and that means theyre really hiring energy. Just assume that age discrimination will lead hiring managers to assume that youre going be low energy. So, when interviewing, youll want to move confidently, sit up and lean in, and talk about how you cant wait to get to work because you have so much drive and vigor to bring to a job. Let them know you wont just be coming to work, youll be coming to help the team.

Jeanine J.T. Tanner ODonnell is a career coach and the founder of the leading career site www.workitdaily.com. Dale Dauten is founder of The Innovators Lab and author of a novel about H.R., The Weary Optimist. Please visit them at jtanddale.com, where you can send questions via email, or write to them in care of King Features Syndicate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2021 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
A focus on mission and care has always been part of Behavior Change Institute, an Alamogordo-based autism care provider.

BCI has seven locations across New Mexico and 150 employees working in applied behavior analysis therapy for those diagnosed with autism and their families.

This is the sixth year the behavioral health provider has made the Top Workplaces list and the second year in a row as No. 1 in the midsize employer category.

Employees said they love BCIs atmosphere.

I love my job because I am able to provide quality, compassionate and ethical care to clients and their families, one staff member wrote. It is so wonderful to work with this population and see the growth and confidence that emulates as a result! I feel comforted in knowing every decision made is client-centered and in the best interest of the client. There are no hidden agendas at BCI, just integrity and a genuine passion to help others. That mindset is not to be taken for granted in my book.

I feel that I am truly making a difference in this world, another employee wrote. BCI gives validation to my life in the sense that I am helping/supporting families in need of (applied behavior analysis) services in my community.

That focus on mission hasnt changed during the pandemic  but the stresses and anxieties pressing on BCIs staff have changed, according to Kathleen Karimi, co-founder and CEO of business operations for the organization. Karimi said in an interview that the organizations leaders tried to address the uncertainty of the pandemic by being flexible, supportive and creative to meet staff where they were.

How did your organization respond and adapt to the pandemic?

On the employees side, we created a lot of creative, short-term benefits to address some of the challenges that our employees were experiencing as a result of the pandemic. So for example, with schools and day cares closed knowing that our employees were providing child care for their children during the day  we were able to provide flexible schedules  to accommodate having children in the workplace when  necessary. We rolled out supplemental benefits so we were able to offer financial assistance for child care for our employees, student loan repayment, because I know a lot of people were suffering financially as a result of the pandemic. And then I think a lot of our employees, like everyone else, experienced significant stress, anxiety, isolation, depression and so we were able to put in place an employee assistance program to offer 24/7 free counseling, not only for our employees, but also for their family members.

What is the biggest challenge you faced during the pandemic?

Leading through such uncertainty and unknown, changing our operating procedures based on constantly changing guidelines from the CDC and the state. And trying to do everything we possibly could to keep everyone safe and healthy was definitely the biggest challenge with so much unknown.

How has your workplace shifted in the last year-and-a-half?

We have always had work from home opportunities for our administrators as well as our telemedicine clinicians. So the work environment has not changed much, but I will say that we have bolstered our engagement opportunities as well and had to find ways where, traditionally we would meet up, our staff would meet up in person, and have casual events in downtime outside of work. And because of social distancing regulations weve had to find ways to creatively bring those opportunities online.

Why do you personally still work here?

Its really inspiring to work for a company that is so amenable to change. We have gone through a lot of changes not just because of the pandemic, but also within our field of practice and every day is different. We have been able to innovate and grow our services and extend care in communities that would not otherwise have access. The mission truly drives me every day. The other piece that keeps me here is the people (they) are amazing and I think that this can be a difficult job, were providing intensive treatment to patients in their homes and it really takes a special person to feel passionate about that day in and day out and when you get all those people together, again, its just a really great supportive place to be.
NEW ORLEANS  Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., knocking out power to all of New Orleans, blowing roofs off buildings and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River as it rushed from the Louisiana coast into one of the nations most important industrial corridors.

The hurricane was blamed for at least one death. The Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office said on Facebook that deputies responded to a home in Prairieville on a report of someone injured by a fallen tree. The person, who was not identified, was pronounced dead. Prairieville is a suburb of Baton Rouge, Louisianas capital city.

The power outage in New Orleans heightened the citys vulnerability to flooding and left hundreds of thousands of people without air conditioning and refrigeration in sweltering summer heat.

Ida  a Category 4 storm  hit on the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier, coming ashore about 45 miles west of where Category 3 Katrina first struck land. Idas 150-mph winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the mainland U.S. It dropped hours later to a Category 2 storm with maximum winds of 105 mph as it crawled inland, its eye about 40 miles west-northwest of New Orleans.

Significant flooding was reported late Sunday night in LaPlace, a community adjacent to Lake Pontchartrain, meteorologists in New Orleans said. Many people took to social media, pleading for boat rescues as the water rose.

The rising ocean swamped the barrier island of Grand Isle as landfall came just to the west at Port Fourchon. Ida made a second landfall about two hours later near Galliano. The hurricane was churning through the far southern Louisiana wetlands, with the more than 2 million people living in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge under threat.

This is going to be much stronger than we usually see and, quite frankly, if you had to draw up the worst possible path for a hurricane in Louisiana, it would be something very, very close to what were seeing, Gov. John Bel Edwards told The Associated Press.

People in Louisiana woke up to a monster storm after Idas top winds grew by 45 mph in five hours as the hurricane moved through some of the warmest ocean water in the world in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

The entire city of New Orleans late Sunday was without power, according to city officials. The citys power supplier  Entergy  confirmed that the only power in the city was coming from generators, the citys Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness said on Twitter. The message included a screen shot that cited catastrophic transmission damage for the power failure.

The city relies on Entergy for backup power for the pumps that remove storm water from city streets. Rain from Ida is expected to test that pump system.

More than 1 million customers were without power in two Southern states impacted by Ida  more than 930,000 in Louisiana and 28,000 in Mississippi, according to PowerOutage.US, which tracks outages nationwide.

In New Orleans, wind tore at awnings and caused buildings to sway and water to spill out of Lake Ponchartrain. The Coast Guard office in New Orleans received more than a dozen reports of breakaway barges, said Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom. In Lafitte about 35 miles south of New Orleans, a loose barge struck a bridge, according to Jefferson Parish officials.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Ricky Boyette said engineers detected a negative flow on the Mississippi River as a result of storm surge. And Edwards said he watched a live video feed from around Port Fourchon as Ida came ashore that showed that roofs had been blown off buildings in many places.

The storm surge is just tremendous, Edwards told the AP.

Officials said Idas swift intensification from a few thunderstorms to a massive hurricane in just three days left no time to organize a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans 390,000 residents. Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged residents remaining in the city on Sunday to hunker down.

Marco Apostolico said he felt confident riding out the storm at his home in New Orleans Lower 9th Ward, one of the citys hardest-hit neighborhoods when levees failed and released a torrent of floodwater during Katrina.

His home was among those rebuilt with the help of actor Brad Pitt to withstand hurricane-force winds. But the memory of Katrina still hung over the latest storm.

Its obviously a lot of heavy feelings, he said. And yeah, potentially scary and dangerous.

The region getting Idas worst includes petrochemical sites and major ports, which could sustain significant damage. It is also an area that is already reeling from a resurgence of COVID-19 infections due to low vaccination rates and the highly contagious delta variant.

New Orleans hospitals planned to ride out the storm with their beds nearly full, as similarly stressed hospitals elsewhere had little room for evacuated patients. And shelters for those fleeing their homes carried an added risk of becoming flashpoints for new infections.

Forecasters warned winds stronger than 115 mph threatened Houma, a city of 33,000 that supports oil platforms in the Gulf.

The hurricane was also threatening neighboring Mississippi, where Katrina demolished oceanfront homes. With Ida approaching, Claudette Jones evacuated her home east of Gulfport, Mississippi, as waves started pounding the shore.

Im praying I can go back to a normal home like I left, she said. Thats what Im praying for. But Im not sure at this point.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Elephant Butte Reservoir has significantly more sandbars, exposed shoreline and high-and-dry boat docks than it did 20 years ago.

The lake in southern New Mexico bears the telltale bathtub rings of dropping water levels, made worse by megadrought and a changing climate.

The states largest reservoir may end this summer at 4% of capacity, or about 31 billion gallons.

Although thats a meager fraction of the capacity of the reservoir, which is 40 miles long when full, it reflects a somewhat brighter outlook than earlier estimates.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation forecast in mid-June that Elephant Butte could drop to 1% of capacity by the fall.

Jennifer Faler, Reclamations Albuquerque area manager, said monsoon rains have been a big help to reservoirs in a year with minimal spring runoff.

The federal water agency forecasts reservoir levels using expected snowpack runoff and likely water demand from downstream users.

The monsoon rains are notoriously difficult to predict, so we used conservative but realistic monsoon estimates in our models early this year, Faler said.

Elephant Butte was about 5% full as of Friday.

Water flowing into the reservoir is a measuring stick for how New Mexico is performing under its federal obligations to deliver river water to downstream users.

The Middle Rio Grande

Conservancy District will end the irrigation season a month early on Oct. 1 to help meet that demand.

New Mexico fell further behind on its Rio Grande Compact deliveries in 2020.

The state released about 11 billion gallons in July 2020 from El Vado Reservoir for Middle Rio Grande Valley use.

We bet that that compact water would buy us another year, so we borrowed against our debt, said Mike Hamman, Conservancy District CEO and chief engineer.

Piling on the debt threatens to restrict New Mexicos use of water stored in El Vado, Hamman said.

Summer rains have provided some relief to farmers and ranchers irrigating from reservoirs in southeastern New Mexico.

Earlier this month, the Carlsbad Irrigation District board increased this years water allotment for farmers from 0.5 foot per acre to 1.31 feet because heavy rainstorms had raised reservoir levels on the Pecos River.

A full allocation for those irrigators is about 3.7 feet.

Theresa Davis is a Report for America corps member covering water and the environment for the Albuquerque Journal.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

High-profile murder trials have become the new normal in New Mexico courts in recent weeks as the criminal justice system emerges from the pandemic shutdown.

Judges faced with limited capacity to hold trials are prioritizing defendants who have remained in jail awaiting trial, in some cases for years.

The result is a spate of older, complex cases that remained on hold during the state Supreme Court-ordered prohibition on jury trials.

The states highest court allowed jury trials to resume in March, but courts have to work out bugs to restart trials while observing stringent COVID-19 protocols that remain in place.

Our capacity to get trials through has been diminished greatly, said Brett Loveless, presiding judge for the criminal division of Bernalillo Countys 2nd Judicial District Court.

The 2nd District last year held a mock trial  essentially a practice trial  complete with jurors, attorneys and court personnel, to help determine how to hold trials under COVID-19 restrictions.

Jury trials resumed in July in Bernalillo County, but stringent social-distancing requirements limit the number of trials the court can hold.

As a result, Albuquerque judges are prioritizing cases for defendants who remain in jail awaiting trial, Loveless said in a recent interview.

Fewer trials mean that more people are waiting for their day in court, which means theres more time in jail, he said.

Before the pandemic, the 2nd Districts 11 criminal division judges routinely held six or seven jury trials a week, Loveless said.

We cant do that anymore, he said. At the very most, we can do three. And for major cases, such as rape or murder, the court can handle no more than one trial at a time.

The reasons are the need to limit the number of people who enter the courthouse and to maintain social distancing between them.

Pressure to bring older cases to trial also comes from defense attorneys.

Jennifer Barela, Albuquerque district defender for the Law Offices of the Public Defender, said she tells defense attorneys to focus on getting cases to trial for their in-custody clients.

Those clients need a resolution one way or another, Barela said. Get those cases ready, get them on the trial dockets.

When the Supreme Court issued the green light to resume jury trials, courts at first were hesitant to schedule big murder and rape cases because they take longer and require more jurors, Barela said.

The courts started this spring with trials for lesser felonies, but over time, attorneys and judges have become more comfortable with COVID trials, she said.

Now, you are seeing some of the bigger trials coming up, Barela said.

Some defendants who have gone to trial since June had remained in jail for years awaiting trial. Examples are:

 Damian Herrera remained in jail more than four years facing charges in a June 2017 killing rampage that included the shooting deaths of his mother, brother and stepfather. A 1st Judicial District jury in Santa Fe found him guilty Aug. 13 of four counts of first-degree murder.

 Elexus Groves remained in the Bernalillo County jail for 4 years awaiting trial in a fatal crash that killed an Albuquerque woman and her 14-year-old daughter. A 2nd Judicial District jury found Groves guilty Aug. 19 of two counts of vehicular homicide and other charges.

 Leland Hust, 24, has remained in jail since his arrest in October 2018 in connection with the rape and killing of a 6-year-old Rio Rancho girl earlier that year. On June 23, a 13th Judicial District jury in Los Lunas found Hust not guilty of first-degree murder and deadlocked on two other felony charges. He remains in jail pending retrial on the deadlocked charges.

Each of New Mexicos 13 judicial districts has taken its own approach to resuming jury trials.

The 12th Judicial District, in south-central New Mexico, held 68 criminal jury trials in fiscal year 2021, which ended June 30, according to state data. That compares with just 22 criminal jury trials held in Bernalillo Countys 2nd Judicial District during the same period.

The 12th District, which includes Lincoln and Otero counties, contains less than 5% of New Mexicos population but held 23% of the states 298 criminal jury trials in fiscal year 2021.

The 2nd Judicial District Court has taken a more cautious approach to resuming jury trials.

The court published a detailed plan last year for resuming operations. It calls for no more than 22 jurors to assemble at the courthouse at one time. As a result, the process of seating a jury  typically a one-day matter  now requires two or three days.

Trials now are unusual in many ways.

Only about half of jurors are allowed in the jury box. Others are spaced throughout the gallery, all separated by 6 feet of social distancing.

Witnesses, judges and other court personnel sit behind plexiglass barriers, and everyone wears a mask at all times.

A second courtroom is required for jury deliberations. We cant put them in the jury room anymore, because there isnt enough space, Loveless said.

Spacing the jury throughout the courtroom leaves little room for spectators, so that requires another room where folks can view it on closed-circuit television or on Zoom, he said.

That means for any given trial, we are using three rooms, and that reduced significantly the number of jury trials we can conduct in any given week, he said.

The Supreme Court-ordered pause and gradual resumption of jury trials has resulted in a backlog of cases. Loveless estimated that about 1,000 criminal cases are pending in the 2nd District.

But Loveless said he is optimistic the court can resolve the backlog efficiently once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

He noted that the 2nd District faced a much larger backlog in 2014, the year the state Supreme Court implemented a case management order in the 2nd District that imposed strict deadlines intended to resolve cases more quickly.

I think we had upwards of 10,000 cases that were pending in 2014, he said. And yet within a period of two years of that case management order, based on some creative work from the court, we were able to get rid of that backlog.
SANTA FE  New Mexico education officials this month touted a plan to address an ongoing lawsuit over educational opportunities for Indigenous and low-income students as an accomplishment of the outgoing public education secretary.

But a draft of the document obtained by The Associated Press shows that it offers few specifics for fixing systemic inequities in the states public school system.

The 100-page document outlines strategies to resolve a 2018 state court ruling that found New Mexico failed to provide adequate education for most students required under the states constitution.

In most cases, the draft reiterates the general goals of PED without laying out specific plans to solve problems identified in the ruling.

It prioritizes increasing access to high-speed internet, but does not suggest providing it to all students or to all students unable to attend school in-person, which District Judge Matthew Wilson ordered this year.

The draft was presented to a summit of tribal leaders when they met last week with state government officials.

The Public Education Department plans to release a full version of the proposal by Dec. 1, after getting additional feedback, the document states. That leaves about four weeks for the public to comment before legislation starts to be filed next year.

The final draft will likely drive policy discussions ahead of the 2022 legislative session where lawmakers will hash out the states education budget.

The timing is driven by the need for giving the public time to weigh in before the (legislative) session, said Public Education Department spokeswoman Carolyn Graham.

State Rep. Derrick Lente, a Democrat who sponsors much of the state House legislation supporting Indigenous issues, and other prominent Native American education advocates complained that they had not been given a copy of the document by state education officials.

Lente says feast days and other religious holidays in December will limit the publics ability to participate.

He said they should release the document sooner so there is time for people to have input.

Its insulting to think that they expect the public who yes, education is absolutely a priority, but during the holiday season, to take time out of, out of their life, and out of their holiday, Lente said, on something like this that theyve had all year to do.

The draft focuses on what needs to be done to address the lawsuit, but not necessarily who will do it or how.

The 2018 ruling found that the state offers a second-rate education to marginalized groups, and hasnt hired enough qualified teachers who can serve Indigenous students, English-language learners, or disabled children. It also found that children in poverty were not receiving an adequate education.

The Public Education Department policy draft sets goals of increasing teacher training and recruitment, driving down dropout rates and absenteeism, and increasing funding to support students outside of class, from counseling to at-home internet and computers.

One of the few specific recommendations in the report cites the need to increase pay for teachers who obtain Spanish bilingual certifications or Native American language and cultural certificates, as well as technical support and training for schools for absenteeism interventions. Boosting pay for those hard to fill positions would attract more candidates, the draft said.

While follow-up rulings from state court Judge Wilson set a specific standard for high-speed internet and required students to have access, the draft does not.

Former PED Secretary Ryan Stewart has said that the state follows a federal standard that sets minimum upload and download speeds. The judge issued a higher standard, based on outcomes, saying that all students should be able to participate in a two-way video chat with their teacher.

Wilson also ordered the department to identify which students lack essential technology. The department has not released the data. Education officials said more detailed recommendation items will be included in the version released to the public.

PED is developing 90-day action plans that will include specific measurable actions as well as identifying the people responsible for those actions, the timelines, and the metrics for success, Graham said.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

New Mexico State Police officers in Albuquerque arrested a man accused of ordering another man to open fire on a vehicle full of people  injuring a man and a woman  near Farmington last month.

Jaden Ortega of Farmington was arrested Friday in the 200 block of San Clemente NW, near Fourth and Griegos, and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

The 21-year-old is charged with criminal solicitation to commit first-degree murder, attempted murder, shooting at or from a motor vehicle resulting in great bodily harm and tampering with evidence in a July 20 shooting.

The alleged shooter, 18-year-old Samuel Stevens, is charged with attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, shooting at or from a motor vehicle and tampering with evidence in the case.

Stevens was booked into the San Juan County Detention Center on Wednesday.

Prosecutors filed a motion to detain Stevens until trial, saying that authorities found a fully automatic pistol at his home and that his mother has encouraged him to go to Sweden, where he has dual citizenship, as a change of lifestyle and bad influence from New Mexico.

Stevens does not have much of a criminal history, aside from a drug possession charge, but Ortega has been arrested numerous times since 2016 on charges including kidnapping, shooting at or from a motor vehicle, child abuse, breaking and entering and rape. At least four of the cases against him have been dismissed, three of those because victims and witnesses did not cooperate.

Ortega is currently awaiting trial for first-degree child abuse resulting in death after he allegedly let his year-old son drown in the bathtub while Ortega slept in the next room in February.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Magistrate Court in connection with the Farmington shooting case:

San Juan County sheriffs deputies responded around 7:15 p.m. July 20 to the San Juan Regional Medical Center after a man and woman showed up with gunshot wounds. The woman told deputies they were headed home with the mans parents in the back seat when gunfire erupted at a light on N.M. 350 south of Flora Vista.

The woman said the car windows shattered, glass hit her in the face and a bullet went through her ankle. The woman told deputies she ducked until the gunfire stopped and the driver, who had been shot in the head and leg, was able to get them to a nearby gas station, where they met rescue personnel.

The driver told deputies a man wearing a black mask had shot at them from a gray car before driving off. Deputies were able to get a good description of the car from nearby surveillance cameras and on Aug. 19 a deputy saw the car in Farmington.

Deputies traced the license plate to Stevens and took him into custody for questioning. Initially, Stevens  who deputies say was noticeably nervous  denied having anything to do with the shooting.

But Stevens eventually told detectives he had shot at the vehicle on Ortegas orders. Stevens said the two were leaving a Dollar General store in Flora Vista when Ortega saw a vehicle he knew and told him to follow it.

Stevens told deputies Ortega pulled out a green handgun and told him to shoot the people in the vehicle. According to Stevens, Ortega threatened him with a gun, and said that if he shot at the vehicle, he would also have to kill Stevens because he would be a witness.

Stevens told deputies he grabbed the gun from Ortega, pulled up to the vehicle and fired multiple rounds at those inside before driving off. Stevens said Ortega wanted him to shoot at the people because the man driving had snitched on Ortegas brother.

Stevens said, after the shooting, Ortega told him to get rid of any shell casings in the car. Deputies searched Stevens vehicle and found gunshot residue all over the drivers side and a spent 9 mm bullet casing in the trunk.
LAWMAKERS, DO I HEAR DECIBEL INSPECTIONS? Ann P. Boland emails, We have to have our vehicles inspected regularly for polluting emissions, and that is fine as far as it goes. But one source of pollution, noise, does not seem to be of concern to the authorities. I am an 80-year-old widow living in a retirement community next to Juan Tabo and a block from Montgomery. My sleep and daytime peace are constantly battered by unnecessary noise from extra-loud vehicles such as motorcycles and un-muffled cars and trucks. Racing seems to be the hobby of immature drivers, as well as revving of motors.

Why cant there be inspection of the decibel levels of vehicles as we get other pollution sources inspected? It would certainly cut down on aggravation and thereby improve mental health.

Why indeed. New Mexico does not require vehicle inspections for registration; only Bernalillo County requires an emissions inspection  on vehicles including hybrids 1987 and newer  every two years.

OR HELMET REQUIREMENT? Eileen also has a request for lawmakers. Thanks for your article (Aug. 9) highlighting how unsafe it is right now for motorcyclists. Is the state Legislature or the city considering a helmet law?

In New Mexico law currently says, Persons under the age of 18 must wear a safety helmet when operating or riding on a motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle (ATV). No word on anyone moving to expand that.

CANT GO STRAIGHT AT I-40/SIXTH: Wally says in an email the westbound off-ramp roadside sign and pavement are out of sync, with the sign saying the right lane allows turns and through traffic while the reality is you must turn right or hit a median.

Kimberly Gallegos, who handles information for the New Mexico Department of Transportations District 3 Albuquerque office, passed this one on to our sign crew, so they can replace the white sign the reader mentioned.

TRAMWAY STOP BACK IN THE DARK: Earlier this year, Judy and Tom Christopher emailed we pass through (the Tramway Boulevard and Tramway Road) intersection every time we leave our neighborhood. Its been a dangerous one, for decades, as the north- and southbound cars frequently approach it at speeds pushing 60 mph  the posted speed limit is 50 mph  and the stop signs are standard size.

Those drivers coming down hill from the east have a posted speed limit of 35. At one time the stop signs for both north- and southbound drivers flashed with illumination, at night, alerting drivers of the approaching stop. Its been several months since those ceased.

Gallegos says NMDOT had placed the stop signs with inlaid lights as a test of the product. They had been there for quite a while, and then a crash occurred in the area and the signs were damaged, so just the regular stop signs were installed back at that intersection. (The lighted signs) were a test product and have not been placed on NMDOTs inventory list.

However, DOT has done an extensive evaluation of that intersection and installed enhanced signing to alert the traffic to the presence of the stop condition and to address the speeding issue. We will look into the possibility of adding some STOP AHEAD pavement markings.

Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109.
The Indiana Citizens Redistricting Commission held numerous public hearings. It produced a report prioritizing redistricting criteria. Soon, the bipartisan panel will cap its work by drafting new voting maps for Indianas nine U.S. House seats and 150 state legislative districts based on the latest census data.

Despite all that work and its official-sounding name, the commission created by a coalition of advocacy groups has no official role in Indianas redistricting process. The actual line-drawing is being done by the Republican-led Legislature, which could ignore the commission entirely and use its overwhelming majorities to create districts that help the GOP continue to win elections for years to come.

Rather than amounting to a mere exercise in futility, advocates for redistricting reform hope the Indiana commission and similar efforts elsewhere can draw public attention to partisan gerrymandering and pressure the real mapmakers to temper their political inclinations. If that doesnt work, they hope their alternative maps ultimately could be implemented by judges resolving redistricting lawsuits.

We think our process will produce better maps  maps that better serve the interests of voters and communities, said Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, which helped form the citizens commission.

The once-a-decade redistricting process has ramped up with the recent release of 2020 census data showing how populations have changed in neighborhoods, cities and counties since 2010. U.S. House and state legislative districts must be redrawn to rebalance their populations. But mapmakers can create an advantage for their political party in future elections by packing opponents voters into a few districts or spreading them thin among multiple districts  a process known as gerrymandering.

Redistricting can have significant consequences. Republicans need to net just five seats in 2022 to flip control of the U.S. House. After the 2010 census, Republicans who wielded mapmaking power in more states than Democrats used their ensuing edge in state capitols to reduce taxes, restrict abortion and pare back union bargaining powers.

Some redistricting reform advocates believe states can cut down on gerrymandering by shifting the task to independent commissions. Since the last redistricting, voters in Colorado, Michigan, New York, Utah and Virginia have created redistricting commissions  nearly doubling the number of states with them.

Ohio voters approved constitutional amendments that will require majority Republican lawmakers and executive officials to gain support from minority Democrats for new maps to last a full decade. But that didnt go far enough for some advocacy groups.

A coalition of left-leaning organizations formed the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, which launched a website, held public hearings and plans to draft maps that prioritize opportunities for minority voters and competitive races. Republicans currently hold a 12-4 advantage in Ohios U.S. House seats and overwhelming majorities in both legislative chambers.

This commission is modeling what we believe the official process should have done, said Jeniece Brock, vice-chair of the citizens commission and advocacy director for the nonprofit Ohio Organizing Collaborative.

State Senate President Matt Huffman, a Republican, said earlier this month that he was unfamiliar with the citizens commission. Huffman is a member of the official Ohio Redistricting Commission, which held its own series of public hearings last week about new state House and Senate districts.

When the Indiana citizens commission hosted its hearings, retired software developer Rob Albrecht-Mallinger was eager to testify about his belief that Indianas districts have stifled competition between political parties  resulting in primaries in which candidates try to appeal to fringe voters.

Weve got the technology of slicing and dicing voters down so well that you can have the appearance of compact reasonable lines, Albrecht-Mallinger told The Associated Press. Yet you are really tricking everybody into making the primaries one-party partisanship contests, rather than an open election where both parties actually have to appeal to the most number of people.

Republicans held a consistent partisan advantage in Indianas congressional and state House elections this past decade, according to an AP analysis that identified states where parties won more seats than expected based on their percentage of votes. Albrecht-Mallinger lives in the states northwestern 1st Congressional District, a Democratic-held seat that will have to expand geographically because the census showed it is nearly 22,000 residents short of the new population target.

State Rep. Tim Wesco, the Republican chair of the House redistricting committee, didnt directly address an AP question about the extent to which his panel will weigh the recommendations of the citizens commission. But he said in an email that his committee will consider all feedback and added that many citizens shared insightful information during its hearings.

Dan Vicuna, national redistricting manager for Common Cause, said there are efforts underway across the country trying to shame the legislature into doing the right thing.

But if lawmakers dont adopt citizens redistricting suggestions, we think it could be more powerful to judges, who have less of a partisan stake in how these districts are drawn, Vicuna said.

Though redistricting commissions are viewed by some as a way to reduce partisanship, that has not always been the case in states that have formally adopted them.

In Missouri, a bipartisan commission responsible for redrawing state House districts deadlocked repeatedly this month over who should be chair. Virginias new bipartisan commission couldnt agree on a single consultant to help draft maps. Arizonas commission was criticized in May by Democrats for hiring consultants who they asserted had aligned with Republicans and disfavored Latino communities. And a recent decision by Michigan commissioners to hire a law firm that defended Republican-drawn maps elsewhere was denounced by Voters Not Politicians, the group that sponsored the ballot initiative creating the commission.

Faced with legislatures controlled by opposing political parties, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin each formed their own citizens commissions to make recommendations to lawmakers responsible for redistricting. Marylands Democratic-dominated U.S. House districts and Wisconsins largely Republican state Assembly districts often are cited as some of the most gerrymandered nationally.

But lawmakers in those states are under no legal obligation to heed the commissions recommendations.

When the Wisconsin panel was announced, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, a Republican, criticized it as a fake, phony, partisan process. But Vos recently told the AP in an email that the Legislature is open to suggestions from anyone, and if the Governor or his commission submit a plan, we will take a close look at it.

Marylands top lawmakers appointed themselves to a separate advisory commission that will hold a dozen meetings. Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat, said voters instilled their trust in this institution to conduct redistricting.

Howard Community College President Kathleen Hetherington, an independent voter who is co-chair of the citizens commission created by the governor, said she hopes lawmakers will embrace the panels recommendations for new maps.

What weve heard so far from Marylanders is that they want districts that are compact instead of looking like flying dragons or ketchup spills, she said. And they also want districts that avoid breaking up counties into a lot of little pieces where that isnt necessary.
A Nevada school board member said he had thoughts of suicide before stepping down amid threats and harassment. In Virginia, a board member resigned over what she saw as politics driving decisions on masks. The vitriol at board meetings in Wisconsin had one member fearing he would find his tires slashed.

School board members are largely unpaid volunteers, traditionally former educators and parents who step forward to shape school policy, choose a superintendent and review the budget. But a growing number are resigning or questioning their willingness to serve as meetings have devolved into shouting contests between deeply political constituencies over how racial issues are taught, masks in schools, and COVID-19 vaccines and testing requirements.

In his letter of resignation from Wisconsins Oconomowoc Area School Board, Rick Grothaus said its work had become toxic and impossible to do.

When I got on, I knew it would be difficult, Grothaus, a retired educator, said by phone. But I wasnt ready or prepared for the vitriolic response that would occur, especially now that the pandemic seemed to just bring everything out in a very, very harsh way. It made it impossible to really do any kind of meaningful work.

He resigned Aug. 15 along with two other members, including Dan Raasch, who wondered if his car and windshield would be intact after meetings.

The National School Boards Associations interim executive director, Chip Slaven, said there isnt evidence of widespread departures, but he and several board members reached by The Associated Press said the charged political climate that has seeped from the national stage into their meetings has made a difficult job even more challenging, if not impossible.

In Vail, Arizona, speakers at a recent meeting took turns blasting school board members over masks, vaccines and discussions of race in schools  even though the board had no plans to act on, or even discuss, any of those topics. Its my constitutional right to be as mean as I want to you guys, one woman said.

The board moved on after more than an hour, only to be interrupted by more shouting. Board member Allison Pratt recalled thinking that if she werent already on the board, she wouldnt aspire to be.

There is starting to be an inherent distrust for school boards, that theres some notion that we are out to indoctrinate children or to undermine parents or things like that, when we are on the same team, said Pratt, who has been on the board six years. We are here to help children.

Pratt said she strives to view issues from the perspective of even the most extreme members of the community, and she has no plans to resign. But she has stepped up security at her home.

Police have been called to intervene in places including Vail, where parents protesting a mask mandate pushed their way into a board room in April, and in Mesa County, Colorado, where Doug Levinson was among school board members escorted to their cars by officers who had been unable to de-escalate a raucous Aug. 17 meeting. Why am I doing this? Levinson asked himself.

Kurt Thigpen wrote in leaving the Washoe County, Nevada, school board that he considered suicide amid relentless bullying and threats led by people who didnt live in the county, let alone have children in the schools. I was constantly looking over my shoulder, he wrote in July.

Susan Crenshaw resigned from the Craig County, Virginia, school board this month with more than a year left in her term after being blindsided, she said, by her boards decision to defy the states mask mandate in a move that she said felt more driven by political than educational considerations.

This is something thats come into play against government overreach and tyranny and other things that have absolutely nothing to do with the education of children, said Crenshaw, who taught for 31 years and whose district has just 500 students. Its a bigger issue than the mask. I just feel like the mask is the spark or trigger that got this dialogue started.

While experts say the widespread use of masks can effectively limit virus transmission in school buildings, opponents say they restrict breathing and the ability of children to read social cues. Conflicts over masks have put some boards in Florida, Texas and Arizona at odds with their Republican governors.

In several states, embattled board members who do not resign are facing recall efforts. Ballotpedia lists 59 school board recall efforts against 147 board members in 2021.

Vail board President Jon Aitken is among them, targeted by critics who say the mental and physical health of students has declined under pandemic restrictions. The Arizona board has faced contentious issues in recent years, including the Red for Ed movement three years ago, when 50,000 people rallied at the state Capitol for increased education funding. But he said this is different.

That was a very real issue, with legitimate concerns on both sides, Aitken said. Much of what is said today, is false or simply made up, he said.

Even so, Slaven said many sitting board members are more enthusiastic than ever because their work, amid a public health crisis, has taken on new importance.

You actually now know what you do is important. The decisions you make as an elected official have ramifications, he said.
WASHINGTON  Americas 20-year war in Afghanistan entered its final hours Monday with the last Americans seeking to be evacuated and the U.S. military preparing to end its airlift and depart the Taliban-controlled capital.

Obviously we are reaching the end of our prescribed mission, Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor of the Pentagons Joint Staff told reporters, adding that details of the final evacuation movements were being kept secret for security reasons.

Speaking at the same news conference, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it was not too late for any remaining Americans to get to the Kabul airport for evacuation flights.

There is still time, Kirby said.

Later, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said a small number of Americans were believed to still want to get out of the country. She did not offer an exact number but said about 6,000 had been evacuated by various means so far. She said some of the remaining Americans had not fully decided whether to leave.

The Islamic State groups Afghanistan affiliate claimed responsibility for targeting the Kabul airport with rockets. The U.S. military reported no American casualties.

The focus of the U.S. evacuation was increasingly on getting the last Americans out. Senior administration officials said Sunday that the United States has the capacity to evacuate the approximately 300 U.S. citizens remaining in Afghanistan who want to leave before President Joe Bidens Tuesday deadline.

This is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission these last couple of days, said Americas top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The steady stream of U.S. military jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistans capital continued Monday even after rocket fire targeted the airport and rockets hit a nearby neighborhood. U.S. Central Command spokesman Bill Urban said five rockets targeted the airport and a U.S. defensive system on the airfield known as a Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System, or C-RAM, was employed against them. He said there were no U.S. casualties and the airfield continued to operate. Further details were not immediately available. The White House said Biden had been briefed on the rocket attack.

Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Sunday that for those U.S. citizens seeking immediately to leave Afghanistan by the looming deadline, we have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining.

The White House said Monday morning that about 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul over the prior 24 hours aboard 26 U.S. military flights and two allied flights.

Sullivan said the U.S. does not currently plan to have an ongoing embassy presence after the final U.S. troop withdrawal. But he pledged the U.S. will make sure there is safe passage for any American citizen, any legal permanent resident, after Tuesday, as well as for those Afghans who helped us. But untold numbers of vulnerable Afghans, fearful of a return to the brutality of pre-2001 Taliban rule, are likely to be left behind.

Blinken said the U.S. was working with other countries in the region to either keep the Kabul airport open after Tuesday or to reopen it in a timely fashion.

He also said that while the airport is critical, there are other ways to leave Afghanistan, including by road, and many countries border Afghanistan. The U.S., he said, is making sure that we have in place all of the necessary tools and means to facilitate the travel for those who seek to leave Afghanistan after Tuesday.

There also are roughly 280 others who have said they are Americans but who have told the State Department they plan to remain in the country or are undecided. According to the latest totals, about 114,000 people have been evacuated since Aug. 14, including approximately 2,900 on military and coalition flights during the 24 hours ending at 3 a.m. Sunday.

Members of Congress criticized the chaotic and violent evacuation.

We didnt have to be in this rush-rush circumstance with terrorists breathing down our neck, said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah. But its really the responsibility of the prior administration and this administration that has caused this crisis to be upon us and has led to what is without question a humanitarian and foreign policy tragedy.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the U.S. policy in Afghanistan, with 2,500 troops on the ground, had been working. We were, in effect, keeping the lid on, keeping terrorists from reconstituting, and having a light footprint in the country, he said.

U.S. officials said Sundays American drone strike hit a vehicle carrying multiple Islamic State suicide bombers, causing secondary explosions indicating the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material. A senior U.S. official said the military drone fired a Hellfire missile at a vehicle in a compound between two buildings after people were seen loading explosives into the trunk.

The official said there was an initial explosion caused by the missile, followed by a much larger fireball, believed to be the result of the substantial amount of explosives inside the vehicle. The U.S. believes that two Islamic State group individuals who were targeted were killed.

In a statement, U.S. Central Command said it is looking into the reports of civilian casualties that may have been caused by the secondary explosions. An Afghan official said three children were killed in the strike. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

It was the second airstrike in recent days the U.S. has conducted against the militant group, which claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing Thursday at the Kabul airport gate that killed 13 U.S. service members and scores of Afghans struggling to get out of the country and escape the new Taliban rule. The Pentagon said a U.S. drone mission in eastern Afghanistan killed two members of IS Afghanistan affiliate early Saturday local time in retaliation for the airport bombing.

In Delaware, Biden met privately with the families of the American troops killed in the suicide attack and solemnly watched as the remains of the fallen returned to U.S. soil from Afghanistan. First lady Jill Biden and many of the top U.S. defense and military leaders joined him on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base.

The service members were the first killed in Afghanistan since February 2020, the month the Trump administration struck an agreement with the Taliban in which the militant group halted attacks on Americans in exchange for a U.S. agreement to remove all troops and contractors by May 2021. Biden announced in April that the 2,500 to 3,000 troops who remained would be out by September, ending what he has called Americas forever war.

Sullivan appeared on CBS Face the Nation, CNNs State of the Union and Fox News Sunday. Blinken was interviewed on ABCs This Week and NBCs Meet the Press. McConnell was on Fox and Romney was on CNN.

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Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Hope Yen in Washington, Aamer Madhani at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, and Kathy Gannon in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed to this report.
DENVER  The body of a 5-year-old boy was found in the Colorado mountains last week, about a month after authorities believe he was abused and died in Texas, according to an arrest warrant.

The body of Domenic Patrick Aguilar-Acevedo was found Wednesday in a deep ravine near Fraser, according to an arrest warrant filed in Bexar County, Texas, KUSA-TV reported.

According to the complaint, the boys mother, Nickolle Cristina Aguilar, 25, told authorities that her boyfriend, Daniel Garcia, 26, threw the boy against the wall in a hotel room in San Antonio and he started vomiting. The following day, Aguilar said she and Garcia drove to Colorado, camped near Rocky Mountain National Park and left her sons body near their campsite, according to the warrant. The couple then drove south to Mexico and then Costa Rica, according to the filing.

Aguilar allegedly later told her mother what had happened to her son and her mother contacted San Antonio police and the FBI, the document said.

Aguilar and Garcia were arrested in Florida last week. Court records do not list an attorney for Garcia, who was arrested Friday. No court record could be found for Aguilar, who was arrested on Saturday.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland married her longtime partner Skip Sayre Saturday night in New Mexico.

Haaland wore a dress designed and sewn by her sister, said Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz. The ceremony incorporated elements honoring her Native American ancestry. The former New Mexico congresswoman is a member of the Laguna Pueblo.

According to Schwartz, guests had to be vaccinated to attend and wear masks per CDC and New Mexico guidelines.

But pictures on social media that show some people, including Haaland, not wearing masks indoors the whole time have drawn criticism. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
BRUSSELS  The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers in.

The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses the advice that it gave in June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on all U.S. travelers before the summer tourism season.

The EUs decision reflects growing anxiety that the rampant spread of the virus in the U.S. could jump to Europe at a time when Americans are allowed to travel to the continent. Both the EU and the U.S. have faced rising infections this summer, driven by the more contagious delta variant.

The guidance issued Monday is nonbinding, however. American tourists should expect a mishmash of travel rules across the continent since the EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism policy and national EU governments have the authority to decide whether or how they keep their borders open during the pandemic.

More than 15 million Americans a year visited Europe before the coronavirus crisis, and new travel restrictions could cost European businesses billions in lost travel revenues, especially in tourism-reliant countries like Croatia, which has been surprised by packed beaches and hotels this summer.

Nonessential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed (on the safe list)  is subject to temporary travel restriction, the council said in a statement. This is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers.

U.S. travelers would have to be immunized with one of the vaccines approved by the bloc, which includes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson&Johnson.

Possible restrictions on U.S. travelers could include quarantines, further testing requirements upon arrival or even a total ban on all nonessential travel from the U.S.

In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stressed Monday that the EU travel restrictions applied to the unvaccinated, adding that the fastest path to reopening travel is for people to get vaccinated, to mask up and slow the spread of the deadly virus.

Paski told reporters that the U.S. government is working across federal agencies to develop its own policy for international travel, with the possibility of strengthening testing protocols and potentially ensuring that foreign visitors are fully vaccinated. But she said no final decision has been made yet.

The EU recommendation doesnt apply to Britain, which formally left the EU at the beginning of the year and opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. earlier this month.

The United States remains on Britains amber travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the U.S. to the U.K. dont have to self-isolate. A negative COVID-19 test within three days before arriving in the U.K. is required and another negative test is needed two days after arriving.

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe travel list on Monday.

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc to do so. Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EUs executive arm remained in discussions with the Biden administration but so far both sides have failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case-by-case basis.

The European Council updates the safe travel list every two weeks, based criteria related to coronavirus infection levels. The threshold for being on the EU safe list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.

The U.S. , meanwhile, is averaging more than 155,000 new coronavirus cases and 1,200 deaths per day, and several U.S. states have more COVID-19 patients in the hospital now than at any other time during the pandemic.

Authorities in Oregon are seeking extra refrigerated trucks because morgues are at capacity and Florida is in a similar situation after a week in which more than 1,700 people died from the virus in the state. Hospitals are desperately running out of staff in several states, and the start of the school year has brought even more fears that the outlook will worsen as millions of unvaccinated students return to their classrooms.

U.S. school districts have been struggling over whether to impose mask mandates, sometimes even suing in states where officials are against such requirements.

Vaccine hesitancy also remains a problem in many locations in the U.S., where 61% of the eligible population is inoculated against the virus. In contrast, Britain has fully vaccinated over 78% of adults and EU countries have inoculated nearly 70% of those over 18.

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Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

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Josh Hoffner in Phoenix, Arizona, Sylvia Hui in London and Joshua Boak in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
PORTLAND, Ore.  Some of the biggest school systems in the U.S. are taking a hard line with teachers and staff members who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19: Get a jab or lose your job.

Most teachers already are vaccinated, and national teachers unions have endorsed vaccine mandates, but the policies have sparked protests from educators and, in some cases, pushback from local district leaders who fear large numbers of departures.

In Oregon, where school staffers statewide are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, the board for the 7,500-student district of Redmond last week passed a resolution protesting the mandate and mandatory mask-wearing in schools after significant opposition.

This could do serious damage to the other mandate that we have, which is to provide excellent education to the children and the families of our district, board member Michael Summers said. Were attempting to speak for people.

Teachers in many school districts with vaccine requirements can opt out as long as they submit to regular testing for the coronavirus, but New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis are among a growing list of places that are limiting exemptions to bona fide medical and religious reasons. Washington and Oregon have adopted similarly strict vaccination policies statewide.

As a new school year begins, governments are taking a harder line on vaccinations to ward off the highly contagious delta variant, which has sent children to hospital intensive care beds in record numbers. Many students are too young to get the vaccine, which is available only to those 12 and over.

This is to ensure that the children we all cherish are safe, that their families are reassured, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, said last week.

Underscoring the risks of classroom infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presented a case study in its weekly report Friday detailing how an unvaccinated teacher in Marin County, California, spread the virus to 22 of the instructors 24 students at school. The CDC said the teacher sometimes read aloud to the students while unmasked.

Some school staff members who have held off on getting vaccinated say they would leave their jobs before taking the shots.

Marlene Washington, an elementary school teacher in New York City, said as she protested de Blasios order outside City Hall last week that she is considering retirement after two decades in the classroom. She said she questions the long-term safety of the vaccines.

Im still undecided about what to do, said Washington, 62. But I do know that Im not taking the vaccine.

Kiara Coleman, a food service worker for Philadelphia schools, said she isnt budging despite uncertainty over the consequences of refusing a vaccine.

Ill just have to cross that bridge when I find out more details of the mandate. I would hate to throw away all that time I have with the schools, said Coleman, who also has concerns about potential effects of vaccines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week gave full approval to Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, citing months of real-world evidence that serious side effects are extremely rare.

Philadelphia parent Rebecca Smith, who has daughters in the third and sixth grades, said she should not have to worry about school employees making them sick.

School employees are tasked with caring for some of the most vulnerable members of our society  our children under 12, who right now are the ONLY group who can not get a vaccine to protect themselves, she said in written testimony to the school board.

While teachers unions including the United Federation of Teachers, which represents New York City teachers, have supported the no-opt out rules for vaccines, they also advocate on behalf of dissenting members in negotiations with the city. Some of those talks focus on severance packages for those who leave their jobs and leaves of absences that could allow some teachers to return once the public health crisis passes.

We will represent them and we will protect their interests. But there is a deep disagreement here, said Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, the parent organization of the New York City teachers union.

At the end of the day, employers have the right to impose these kinds of vaccination policies and they will do that, she said.

At least 72% of the 75,000 public school teachers in New York City have gotten at least one shot of a vaccine.

Protestors gathered in Olympia, Washington, when Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, announced teachers would have until Oct. 18 to be fully vaccinated or face firing. A protest on Saturday attracted hundreds of state employees, from ferry workers to teachers, who rallied against the vaccine mandate.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, moved toward mandatory vaccinations as COVID-19 hospitalizations have surged nearly 1,000% since early July.

About 700 teachers have contacted the Freedom Foundation, a right-wing legal organization that has represented businesses cited for violating COVID-19 restrictions in Oregon and elsewhere.

Weve been telling everybody to make the school fire you, said Jason Dudash, the groups Oregon director. Dont quit. If theyre going to do this, make them do it.

A 675-student district in central Oregon delayed the start of school three weeks until Sept. 20 to deal with the fallout from the vaccine mandate, Culver School District Superintendent Stefanie Garber said in a letter to families.

She said her district will comply but feels state officials are threatening unreasonable penalties, including the possible loss of a districts liability insurance and the revocation of teachers licenses.

In another small, rural town, a district-sponsored vaccine clinic set up after Browns vaccine mandate attracted fewer than 10 teachers and there is concern about staffing if some decide to leave rather than get the shots, said Lebanon Community School District Superintendent Bo Yates.

Yates estimated that between 50% and 60% of the teachers and staff in his 4,000-student district are vaccinated. Several dozen teachers and their supporters protested the mandate when it was announced earlier this month.

In a certain sense, I empathize with them because some of the people that are protesting have been our superstars during this COVID period. Theyve been the food service workers that have been feeding our community on a nonstop basis or our bus drivers, Yates said. But weve got to follow the mandates that were given or well be swimming in this sea forever.

In Redmond, Oregon, the school board resolution protesting the vaccine mandate passed on a 3-2 vote. The district will comply with the vaccine mandate as it fights to regain local control of decisions around mask-wearing and vaccines in schools, board members said.

One board member who voted against the resolution, Liz Goodrich, noted COVID-19 is surging in central Oregon and only 57% of eligible residents in Redmond are fully vaccinated.

To me, local conditions are not good and we have heard over and over, she said, that the spike of this delta variant is not done.

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Calvan reported from New York. Associated Press reporters Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia and Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington, contributed to this report.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Taliban fighters watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky over Afghanistan around midnight Monday and then fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a 20-year insurgency that drove the worlds most powerful military out of one of the poorest countries.

The departure of the U.S. cargo planes marked the end of a massive airlift in which tens of thousands of people fled Afghanistan, fearful of the return of Taliban rule after the militants took over most of the country and rolled into the capital earlier this month.

The last five aircraft have left, its over! said Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabuls international airport. I cannot express my happiness in words.  Our 20 years of sacrifice worked.

In Washington, Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, announced the completion of Americas longest war and the evacuation effort, saying the last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. EDT  one minute before midnight Monday in Kabul.

We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out, he said.

With its last troops gone, the U.S. ended its 20-year war with the Taliban back in power. Many Afghans remain fearful of their rule or of further instability, and there have been sporadic reports of killings and other abuses in areas under Taliban control despite the groups pledges to restore peace and security.

American soldiers left the Kabul airport, and our nation got its full independence, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early Tuesday.

The U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack on the United States, which al-Qaida orchestrated while sheltering under Taliban rule. The invasion drove the Taliban from power in a matter of weeks and scattered Osama bin Laden and other top al-Qaida leaders.

The U.S. and its allies launched an ambitious effort to rebuild Afghanistan after decades of war, investing billions of dollars in a Western-style government and security forces. Women, who had been largely confined to their homes under the Talibans hard-line rule, benefitted from access to education and came to assume prominent roles in public life.

But the Taliban never went away.

In the coming years, as the U.S. focused on another troubled war in Iraq and the Afghan government became mired in corruption, the Taliban regrouped in the countryside and in neighboring Pakistan. In recent years, they seized large parts of rural Afghanistan and carried out near-daily assaults on Afghan security forces.

Eager to end the war, the Trump administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020 that paved the way for the withdrawal. President Joe Biden extended the deadline from May to August and continued with the pullout despite the Talibans rapid blitz across the country earlier this month.

Now the Taliban control all of Afghanistan except for the mountainous Panjshir province, where a few thousand local fighters and remnants of Afghanistans collapsed security forces have pledged to resist them. The Taliban say they are seeking a peaceful resolution there.

They face much graver challenges now that they govern one of the poorest and most war-ravaged nations on Earth.

In recent days Afghans have lined up outside banks as an economic crisis that predates the Taliban takeover worsens. A string of attacks by the Islamic State extremist groups local affiliate, including a barrage of rockets fired at the airport Monday, shows the security challenges the Taliban face.

On Thursday, an Islamic State suicide attack at an airport gate killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. The extremist group is far more radical than the Taliban, and the two groups have fought each other before. The Taliban say they will prevent Afghanistan from again being used as a base for terror attacks, a pledge that will likely be tested soon.

McKenzie said the Taliban were significantly helpful in enabling the airlift but will have difficulty securing Kabul in the coming days, not least because of the threat they face from IS. He said the Taliban had freed IS fighters from prisons, swelling their ranks to an estimated 2,000.

Now they are going to be able to reap what they sowed, the American general said.

Many Afghans fear the Taliban themselves, who governed the country under a harsh interpretation of Islamic law from 1996 until 2001. In those years they banned television and music, barred women from attending school or working outside the home, and carried out public executions.

The Taliban have sought to project a more moderate image since the takeover. They say women will be able to attend school and work, and have renounced any revenge attacks on Afghans who worked with the former government, the U.S. or its allies.

Many Afghans are deeply skeptical of such promises, and fear of the Talibans rule drove tens of thousands to flee the country over the past two weeks. Thousands more waited in vain outside the airport, many of them standing for hours in a sewage canal.

The Kabul international airport had been one of the few ways out. At one point people flooded onto the tarmac and seven fell to their deaths after clinging to a plane that was taking off. Another seven died in a stampede of people outside an airport gate.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel, but it is unclear how they will run the airport and which commercial carriers will begin flying in, given security concerns.

Qatar, a close U.S. ally that has long hosted a Taliban political office, has been taking part in negotiations about operations at the airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the U.S. and Turkey. Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater said its main priority is restoring regular operations while maintaining security at the airport.

The last known U.S. military operation in Afghanistan came Sunday, when American officials said a drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying IS suicide bombers who were planning to attack the airport.

But like so much about the Afghanistan war, it may not have gone as planned.

Relatives of those killed in Sundays strike said it killed civilians who had nothing to do with the extremist group.

Najibullah Ismailzada said his brother-in-law, Zemarai Ahmadi, had just arrived home from his job working with a Korean charity. As he drove into the garage, his children came out to greet him, and that is when the missile struck.

We lost 10 members of our family, Ismailzada said, including six children raging in age from 2 to 8. He said another relative, Naser Nejrabi, who was a former soldier in the Afghan army and a former interpreter for the U.S. military, also was killed, along with two teenagers.

U.S. officials have acknowledged the reports of civilian casualties without confirming them.

Hours before the withdrawal was complete, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. military takes steps to avoid civilian casualties when carrying out targeted strikes.

Of course, the loss of life from anywhere is horrible, and it impacts families no matter where theyre living, in the United States or around the world, she said.

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Akhgar reported from Istanbul and Krauss from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell and Aya Batrawy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Rahim Faiez in Istanbul; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; Samy Magdy in Cairo; and Robert Burns and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.
DENVER  The Colorado secretary of state sued Monday to remove a rural countys election clerk who is accused of allowing a security breach of voting equipment that the FBI also is investigating.

An initial investigation shows images of election management software were obtained by conspiracy theorists and posted on far-right blogs, said Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat. Griswolds office also said it believes one of the images was taken on May 23 from a secure room where the equipment was stored and accessed by Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters, who allowed a non-employee into the office.

The secretary of states office identified that person but refused to say anything more about who he is or why he was there. The Associated Press isnt naming him until more information becomes available. He has not been charged with a crime.

In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Griswold said legal action was necessary because she cannot officially remove a sitting county clerk from acting as a designated election official.

The lawsuit also calls for the appointment of former Secretary of State Wayne Williams to replace Peters and for former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Sheila Reiner to serve as the elections supervisor for the countys November elections.

Peters has not made any local appearances since the secretary of state announced the investigation in early August, but she has appeared on broadcasts hosted by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump who has made unsubstantiated claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

On those broadcasts, Peters claimed that Griswolds investigation is an attempt to take over one of the few remaining conservative counties in Colorado. Peters also said Reiner has a history of liberalism and has tried to derail Peters position since she was elected in November 2018.

Griswolds lawsuit says Peters has been absent and adds that even if she returns to the Mesa County Clerk and Recorders Office, she is unable to perform the required duties as a result of her above wrongful acts and breaches of duties.

The secretary of states inquiry is one of two investigations into the security breach. The FBI and Mesa Countys district attorney also are conducting a criminal probe.

Griswold also has called for Mesa County to change its voting equipment following the security breach. Annie Orloff, a spokesperson for Griswold, said the county has agreed on the replacement.

The lawsuit to formally remove Peters comes after the Mesa County commissioners unanimously voted to replace her with Williams at an Aug. 17 meeting. As an elected official, Peters is still being paid.

The commissioners praised the changes in a statement Monday, saying that Mesa County will have arguably the most secure and transparent election system in the United States.

I appreciate the confidence the commissioners, the secretary, and the attorney general have shown, Williams said in a statement. He also promised transparent and fair election this fall for the citizens of Mesa County.

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Nieberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
AVONDALE, Ariz.  Two employees of a commercial truck wash have died after being exposed to an unknown residual chemical substance, Avondale police said Monday.

They said the men were caught inside the tanker vault of a semi-truck Sunday afternoon while it was in the cleaning bay at a Dannys Truck Wash location.

Avondale Fire crews said the men were exposed to residual chemicals inside the empty tank. The exact nature of the chemical hasnt been released yet.

Police said the men were assigned to clean the inside of the tanker truck.

One man went inside the tank, then collapsed and became unconscious shortly afterward.

The second man went inside the tank to assist and became unconscious as well.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Their names havent been released yet.

Police said fire crews extricated the bodies of the two men out of the vault while wearing full protective gear.

Four firefighters suffered heat-related injuries and were transported to hospitals for treatment.

Avondale is about 19 miles (30 kilometers) west of Phoenix.
Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Heather Benavidez, a former municipal and magistrate judge, has launched a campaign for state treasurer, vowing to be an effective manager of public funds.

Benavidez, a Democrat, works in the Treasurers Office now as coordinator of ABLE New Mexico, a savings program for individuals with disabilities  experience she says makes her well-qualified to succeed outgoing Treasurer Tim Eichenberg.

I will be an effective steward of our states financial resources, Benavidez said in an interview. Its important that the person who holds the office operates ethically, honestly and with total transparency.

Benavidez, 43, joins one other prominent candidate in the race, former Sandoval County Treasurer Laura Montoya. Both are seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed Eichenberg, a Democrat who has served two terms and cannot run for reelection because of term limits.

The primary election is in June.

The State Treasurers Office manages and invests the cash used to operate state government and runs an investment pool for local governments. The treasurer also serves as a member of the State Investment Council and other state boards.

In addition to working in the Treasurers Office, Benavidez has a background in the judiciary. She has served as a manager in the 13th Judicial District, municipal judge in Rio Communities and magistrate judge in Valencia County.

The experience, Benavidez said, demonstrates her ability to hold a position of trust to help the community.

If she is elected, she said, her priorities will include strengthening financial literacy efforts and retirement savings programs offered by the Treasurers Office.

The treasurer makes about $85,000 a year.

New Mexico voters next year will decide races for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, 70 seats in the state House and other offices.
A Texas-based technology consulting firm has selected Albuquerque as its base of operations in the Southwest, and is planning to hire 250 employees in the city with an average salary of more than $100,000.

City and state leaders welcomed MTX Group Inc., which provides technology designed to help partner organizations modernize their operations, to Albuquerque at an event Monday morning. Das Nobel, CEO and co-founder of MTX, said the company plans to use its Albuquerque office as a hub for operations taking place in Nevada, Utah and other parts of the Southwest.

To staff the office, Nobel told the Journal that MTX plans to begin hiring soon for a wide variety of roles, from project managers to more technical positions. Alicia Keyes, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Economic Development Department, said during the event that the company expects to have around 250 employees at the office, with an average annual salary of $106,000.

The MTX expansion means opportunity for New Mexico, a place that is affordable, engaging, culturally rich, and blessed with open spaces and outdoor recreation, Keyes said.

Mayor Tim Keller added that MTXs expansion is part of a larger shift toward attracting higher-paying tech employers.

We are now investing in the future, and were not trading on being a low-cost labor provider anymore, Keller said.

Nobel, who emigrated to the United States from Bangladesh as a teenager, said MTX started growing quickly about two years ago, and the company looked to establish regional offices to keep up with that growth. MTX looked in other Southwest markets, but ultimately settled on Albuquerque.

Nobel cited a few reasons for the choice, including financial support from the state, a pipeline of talent from Central New Mexico Community College and University of New Mexico, and shared cultural values. He said the company places a lot of value on creating a familial environment, with generous maternity and paternity leave programs, adding that he believes New Mexico echoes those values.

Going through the process that we went through, it just made a lot of sense, Nobel said.

To support the expansion, EDD has pledged $2 million in funding through its Local Economic Development Act job-creation program and additional financial assistance through the Job Training Incentive Program. Additionally, CNM announced a workforce collaboration with the company designed to make it easier for qualified graduates to find work at the company.

Workforce training and support is vital as companies look to bring on new workers in these uncertain times, Keyes said.

MTX is still looking for an office space in the city. Nobel said the company has narrowed its search to three sites, located mainly in Downtown Albuquerque and near CNM and UNM. The company plans to make a decision on an office space in the next several weeks.
Instagram Celebrity

The Big Cat Rescue owner has sold the Wynnewood zoo previously owned by her rival and ensured the park won't be used as a zoo again after changing owners.

Aug 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Carole Baskin has sold rival Joe Exotic's zoo.

The animal rights campaigner ensured that the exotic animal park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, which she was awarded by a judge in 2020 as part of a trademark lawsuit settlement, will not be used as a zoo again, by including a special stipulation in the sale.

TMZ reports that Carole sold the property in June (21) to Francisco and Nelly Vazquez and, according to the paperwork, they are "expressly barred from using the land to house exotic animals of any kind - or as a zoo, wildlife park or menagerie - for 100 years."

Additionally, the new owners cannot use any name related to "Tiger King" for any new business on the property.

Netflix's "Tiger King" docu-series chronicled the bitter rivalry between Big Cat Rescue's Carole and private zoo owner Joe.

Last year, a federal judge in the western district court of Oklahoma ruled that Joe previously fraudulently transferred the property to his mother, Shirley Schreibvogel, to avoid paying Carole a settlement in a trademark infringement lawsuit.

The zoo had been run by Joe's former business partner Jeff Lowe since 2016 but he was given 120 days to vacate the property, including removing all of his animals housed there, before Carole seized control.

Exotic - whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage - is currently serving 22 years in prison for plotting to murder Carole.

He is battling prostate cancer while in prison and is worried his disease has spread amid incarceration.
WENN Music

Kanye calls out label bosses for allegedly releasing his new studio album without his consent and attempting to block DaBaby from LP, claiming it's a premature release.

Aug 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Kanye West has taken aim at his record label bosses, accusing them of releasing his much-delayed new album "Donda" without his permission.

After three public listening parties, "Donda" hit the Apple Music and Spotify platforms early on Sunday morning (29Aug21), and in a series of social media messages overnight, Kanye's manager, Bu Thiam, blamed fellow rapper DaBaby's aides for the most recent release hold-up, explaining they hadn't signed the necessary paperwork to clear his verse for new song Jail.

Instead, Jay-Z appears on the track.

Jay-Z featured on the tune when Kanye played it at his first listening party event in Atlanta, Georgia. DaBaby replaced the "99 Problems" star on the track when West staged his most recent bash in his native Chicago, Illinois on Thursday night (26Aug21).

West's manager, Bu Thiam, attempted to explain the latest delay in an Instagram post on Sunday, stating DaBaby's manager hadn't given clearance for "Jail" to be included on the album.

"We won't be able to Upload unless we take him off," Thiam confirmed.

Kanye responded by insisting he was "not taking my brother off," adding, "So the album is not coming out... God gotta bigger plan."

But the album dropped regardless, with many fans believing Kanye had changed his mind.

The rapper took to Twitter on Sunday afternoon to vent his frustrations about the release, and made it clear he wanted to wait for clearance from DaBaby's management.

"Universal put my album out without my approval and they blocked 'Jail 2' from being on the album," he wrote.

"Donda", named after West's late mother, was initially set for release on 23 July.

Fans who jumped on the album when it was finally released to streaming sites were quick to note Kanye appears to be badmouthing his estranged wife Kim on several tracks, including "Jail".

"Don't you curse at me on text/Why you try to hit the flex?/I hold up, like, What?/I scroll, I scroll up like, Next, guess who's getting exed?" he raps on the track, before implying she made a mistake in filing for divorce from him in February (21).

"You made a choice that's yo bad/Single life ain't so bad," he continues, adding in another song, "Believe What I Say", "I ain't never question what you was askin' for/I gave you every single thing you was askin' for/I don't understand how anybody could ask for more."

Devotees also seemed most impressed by the "Donda" track "Believe What I Say", which features a sample of Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)". Kanye previously sampled Hill on his 2004 hit "All Falls Down".
The Weinstein Company/Instagram Celebrity

The former child actor has been found dead near the Millersville University where he was a freshman, a few days after he was reported missing from college.

Aug 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Former child star Matthew Mindler has been found dead, days after police in Pennsylvania launched a missing persons investigation.

The 19-year-old "Our Idiot Brother" star was reported missing from Millersville University in Pennsylvania on Wednesday (25Aug21), and he was found deceased on Saturday morning (28Aug21) near the campus.

His remains were transported to the Lancaster County Forensic Center by the coroner for further investigation.

"This is a time of grief for the family, our campus and the community," a statement from university president Daniel A. Wubah reads.

Matthew, a native of Hellertown, Pennsylvania, was a first-year student at Millersville University.

"Our thoughts of comfort and peace are with his friends and family during this difficult time," Millersville University President Daniel A. Wubah said in a statement. "A search had been underway for Matthew since Thursday, after he was reported missing."

"Millersville University Police and law enforcement agencies from the area had been searching for him since that time. Matthew was found deceased this morning, Saturday, August 28 in Manor Township near campus."

Matthew Mindler was reported missing when he did not return to his dorm room and failed to return calls from his family.

The university released a screenshot from the security camera that showed his last sighting, "Matt was last seen walking from his residence hall, West Villages toward the Centennial Dr. parking lot area at 8:11 p.m. Tuesday night."

"He was wearing a white Millersville University hooded sweatshirt with black stripes on the arm, black backpack, jeans and white sneakers. Matt attended classes Monday and Tuesday but did not attend yesterday or this morning."
WENN/Avalon/Instar Celebrity

A number of Hollywood figures are sending support and condolences shortly after the 'Up' voice star passed away at the age of 91 in Los Angeles, California.

Aug 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Josh Gad and Patricia Arquette are leading tributes to Ed Asner following the acting veteran's death on Sunday (29Aug21).

"Frozen" star Gad, who teamed up with Ed for the cartoon comedy series "Central Park", tweeted a GIF of the character voiced by the star in the movie "Up", and admitted he was "heartbroken."

"I am heartbroken to say goodbye to our friend #EdAsner who graced #CentralParkTV as the voice of Bitsy's brother Ambrose," Gad wrote. "He was a Legend, a beautiful soul and a truly brilliant actor."

"Love you sir! We will miss (you) down here, but smiling that you are have fittingly gone Up."

Meanwhile, Arquette wrote, "Oh Ed Asner. Rest In Peace and power friend. what a truly good and honorable human you were. gratitude for all you did for the screen Actors Guild, when it was a true Union bless you."

Ed served as the president for the union twice.

There were also Twitter tributes from Frances Fisher, Ellen Barkin, Marc Maron, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and George Takei, who wrote, "Ed Asner, who won seven Emmy awards including five for the unforgettable role of Lou Grant, has passed away. He was a giant on the screen, and a philanthropist, too. A man of true heart and talent. He will be missed."

Meanwhile, SAG-AFTRA union president Gabrielle Carteris released a statement that read, "There have been few actors of Ed Asner's prominence who risked their status to fight for social causes the way Ed did. He fought passionately for his fellow actors, both before, during and after his SAG presidency. But his concern did not stop with performers. He fought for victims of poverty, violence, war, and legal and social injustice, both in the United States and around the globe."
Instagram Music

While the 'Masterpiece' spitter performs 'Live Show Killa' on a fence, the 26-year-old Atlanta rapper entertains the Baton Rouge crowds with his hit single 'Drip Too Hard'.

Aug 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Nothing can stop DaBaby and Lil Baby from performing their music. Despite news that Hurricane Ida was predicted to hit Louisiana land on Sunday, August 29, the two hip-hop stars managed to heat up Boosie Badazz (Lil Boosie)'s Boosie Bash on Saturday, August 28.

Dababy pumped energy into the Baton Rouge show, which took place at the A.W. Mumford Stadium, by performing "Live Show Killa" on a fence. He even took to Instagram to share a video of him rapping near the packed crowds. "#LiveShowKillerrrrr," he captioned it. "Had fun w/ y'all BR #BoosieBash."

Lil Baby, meanwhile, entertained the audience with his hit single "Drip Too Hard" with Boosie vibing out next to him on the stage. He also performed his and 42 Dugg's collaboration single, "We Paid".

Ahead of the show, Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards warned residents that Hurricane Ida was approaching the state. "Let's use the limited time we have to prepare for Hurricane #Ida. This storm will be serious and we have until nightfall tomorrow to make sure that we're in the best position possible once the storm is here. Be smart, be prepared and be safe," so read the announcement shared on Instagram.

Also warning about the hurricane was East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broom. In a Saturday morning meeting with the press, Sharon stressed, "This is a very dangerous storm and  it will possibly bring life-threatening impacts It's a powerful storm."

Despite the caution, Boosie refused to cancel his show as he informed fans that Boosie Bash was still happening. "World, the Boosie Bash is still on," he said in an Instagram video. "No cancellations, we still on. Beautiful day, we still on. Just talked to Lil Baby, just talked to DaBaby, they finna get on the jet. Boosie Bash is still on. Y'all better bring y'all a**."
Instagram Celebrity

In addition to the 'On the Floor' hitmaker, celebrities like January Jones, Ciara, Heidi Klum and Normani Kordei attend the grand event held at St Mark's Square in Venice, Italy.

Aug 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Jennifer Lopez made a minor fashion faux pas at the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show. When attending the event that was held at St Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, the "On the Floor" hitmaker accidentally left a price tag on her regal outfit.

The price tag was seen hanging on a green silk floral cape that the 52-year-old pop star donned for the Sunday, August 29 event. Regardless, the mother of two still turned heads with her breathtaking ensemble which included a colorful crop top and curve-hugging pants.

Jennifer Lopez accidentally left a price tag on her outfit at Dolce & Gabbana event.

The "Shotgun Wedding" actress completed her look with a sparkling tiara atop her updo, a gold bracelet, diamond earrings, as well as sparkly gold heels. The girlfriend of Ben Affleck also carried a D&G handbag at the event.

J.Lo even flaunted her glamorous outfit in a series of Instagram posts, one which showed her strutting toward the camera. In the accompanying message, she wrote, "That Runway show glow @DolceGabbana @JLoBeauty #DGLovesVenice #JLoOnTheGo @chrisappleton1 @maryphillips @marielhaenn @robzangardi @tombachik."

Aside from J.Lo, celebrities like January Jones, Heidi Klum, Ciara and Normani Kordei attended the fashion show. January looked stunning in a pink layered gown that featured diamond detailing at the waist and bust. Heidi, meanwhile, showed off her long legs in a gorgeous black dress. The supermodel was accompanied by her husband Tom Kaulitz and daughter Leni Klum on the occasion.

As for Ciara, the wife of Russell Wilson stunned in a glimmering, metallic copper dress as she walked into the star-studded event. Normani, on the other hand, turned heads in a black-green Avant-Garde gown.

Former "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" matriarch Kris Jenner and her daughter Kourtney Kardashian were also among the attendees. They joined the likes of Helen Mirren, Christian Bale, Saweetie, Bebe Rexha, Zoe Saldana, Doja Cat, Vin Diesel as well Jennifer Hudson.
Instagram Celebrity

The 'View' co-host's company named Whoopi Inc. is accused of conspiring to oust real estate developer Prism Capital Partners from a plan to revitalize downtown West Orange.

Aug 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Whoopi Goldberg has found herself being entangled in legal trouble. It was reported that "The View" co-host's company, Whoopi Inc., is being sued for $50 million over a plan to revitalize downtown West Orange in New Jersey.

Launching the legal action against Whoopi Inc. was Prism Capital Partners. The real estate developer alleged that the TV host's company conspired with the city's mayor, Robert Parisi, to remove it as the current developer.

Prism Capital Partners, which is also suing West Orange officials and other real estate developers, first secured the redevelopment project in 2006. Its first aim was to "revamp the historic Thomas Edison Battery Building and surrounding grounds with thousands of square feet of retail space and hundreds of units of housing."

However, Prism failed to complete the project after almost 15 years. It prompted West Orange officials to find a new developer to continue the task and terminate their deal with Prism in June this year. Now, the real estate developer demands their agreement to be restored as well as $50 in damages for the "opportunistic and nefarious scheme to acquire the property for below market value so they can use the land for a sound studio."

In a statement to the New York Post, Prism principal partner Eugene Diza said, "West Orange Township changed its mind from creating a residential neighborhood around our Edison Lofts property. They asked us to speak to Ms. [Whoopi] concerning her company's interest in a small studio."

"Those conversations grew into something larger, and once we presented that deal and take the property for less money than we paid for it in 2007- so they could negotiate a deal directly with Ms. [Whoopi]'s company," Eugene added. "They are not only trying to avoid paying the $20 million owed but they are trying to profit by being a middleman that flips the property to Ms. [Whoopi]."

While Whoopi has yet to respond to the lawsuit, Mayor Robert said, "For Prism Green to attack prominent members of the West Orange community and volunteers in our collective effort to improve the township is atrocious and unacceptable."
Instagram Celebrity

Canadian rapper Tory Lanez is one of the social media personality's acquaintances who send their condolences as a relative posts a statement asking to respect the family's privacy.

Aug 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Instagram community is mourning the death of Mercedes Morr. The social media personality, who had more than 2 million followers as of now, has reportedly passed away at 33 years old.

An apparent relative posted a statement on Instagram about Mercedes' passing. "Thank you for all the prayers and calls in regards to Mercedes. Her parents are asking that you respect the family," so read the statement shared by a user @htownciara. "We know everyone is concerned. We will update everyone when all the information is confirmed. Thank you."

Tory Lanez was one of Mercedes' acquaintances who have sent their condolences. "Rest in peace queen," the Canadian rapper posted on his Instagram Story along with a picture of the late model.

Tory Lanez paid tribute to late IG model Mercedes Morr.

Others flooded the comment section of Mercedes' post on the social media platform with their messages expressing their sadness. "Mercedez I'm so sorry you did not deserve this at all. You had your whole life ahead of you," a friend wrote. "I remember all our times we had and you have always been the sweetest woman in the world. God bless you and your family. I'm sorry Mercedez rest in heaven."

Another added, "I can't believe it." Someone refused to believe as saying, "Stop playing we just spoke on thurs dont do me like this yo! Naaa." One person admitted, "this one hurts.I met you through Gigi when we danced in Houston you were so sweet Gigi now youThis is so sad man." Someone else remembered her, "always a sweetheart. The city will truly miss you!"

Over on the Internet, there were also rambling talks about how Mercedes died. While details of her death are not immediately available, there was a speculation that she was killed. "Wow they killed my homie Jenae. Something wrong in the world for real man. Sick of all of it. R.I.P Mercedes Morr," one Twitter user claimed.

Another shared a swirling story that Mercedes was killed due to her relation to a pimp who apparently enraged some drug dealers. Seemingly confirming this theory, another commented, "This girl is gone behind some bulls**t because she was selling p***y for a damn Idiot."

"It was a murder, gun shot to the head," someone boldly claimed. Another responded to a question about how she died, "Set up, robbed & killed."
WENN Celebrity

Cecily Chapman was taken into police custody in Honolulu for alleged domestic violence following an altercation with her boyfriend during a boozy night in July.

Aug 31, 2021

AceShowbiz - Duane Chapman's stepdaughter Cecily was arrested last month (Jul21) after allegedly assaulting her boyfriend during a drunken row.

According to police reports obtained by TMZ, Honolulu police were called before midnight on 31 July (21) over allegations the stepdaughter of the "Dog the Bounty Hunter" star punched and bit her boyfriend of five years.

Cecily allegedly punched the man twice before biting his upper back. He told police the couple had been drinking before "she became verbally and physically abusive" and added it wasn't the first time she physically abused him.

While officials from the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's Office declined to file charges, prosecutors have up to two years to change their mind if new evidence surfaces.

Speaking about the incident, Cecily told TMZ there was an "altercation where a man struck me and said vile things about the memory of my dead mother."

"I used proportional response, disabled the aggressor, and stood up for the memory of my mum," she said. "She would have handled it quite the same way, I can assure you."

"If you put your hands on Cecily Chapman, you will get your ass kicked," she added.

The incident comes amid a feud between Cecily and her stepdad after he snubbed her from his upcoming wedding to Francie Frane. The pair got engaged in May 2020 - 10 months after his beloved wife Beth, Cecily's mum, lost her battle with cancer.

Duane also snubbed another daughter Bonnie from his wedding as Bonnie disapproved of his fiancee and accused him of cheating when wife Beth was still alive.
Facebook Celebrity

The former child actor is forced to cancel a scheduled appearance as he's taken to the emergency room for medical treatment because of his struggle with pneumonia.

Aug 31, 2021

AceShowbiz - Former child star Tony Dow has been hospitalised as he battles pneumonia.

According to TMZ, Dow - most famous for playing Beaver's older brother Wally Cleaver in U.S. TV sitcom "Leave It to Beaver" from 1957 to 1963 - was taken to the emergency room on Thursday (26Aug21).

He tested negative for COVID-19 five times in the hospital, his wife Lauren told the website, but was in the E.R. for 24 hours because there were no beds available.

Dow is now on a ward and on the mend, and Lauren said his doctors had told her he could be released within the next week.

"On behalf of Tony and myself we thank you for your concern for him," she added.

As well as his acting career, Dow is an established director and has also found success as a sculptor, with some of his work even featured in the world-famous Louvre museum in Paris, France.

Due to his young age, the actor was not allowed to watch his own show during early career. "They actually asked our parents not to let us watch the show on TV so we wouldn't get a big head. So there are probably some episodes that I haven't seen yet And there was no swearing on set at all, not even from the crew. They wanted to keep it as family-friendly as possible at all times," he said in a 2019 interview.

Tony Dow was forced to call off a scheduled event over the weekend because of his illness.
Walt Disney Pictures Movie

The Shuri depicter has been out of hospital after needing medical treatment for the injuries she suffered during filming on the set of 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.'

Aug 31, 2021

AceShowbiz - Letitia Wright has been released from the hospital after sustaining minor injuries while filming a stunt on the set of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever".

The actress, who plays tech boffin Shuri in the Marvel film, was hurt when a stunt rig malfunctioned during an overnight shoot in Boston, Massachusetts on Tuesday and Wednesday (24-25Aug21), according to Deadline sources.

"Letitia Wright sustained minor injuries today while filming a stunt for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She is currently receiving care in a local hospital and is expected to be released soon," a spokesperson for Marvel said.

The incident was minor and will not have an impact on the film's shooting schedule.

The sequel is set for an 8 July, 2022 release.

Wright joins Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, and Lupita Nyong'o among the stars returning for the "Black Panther" sequel. The original male lead Chadwick Boseman passed away last year following a secret battle with cancer.

While director Ryan Cooglar admitted it was "incredibly hard" to film the second movie without Boseman, the crew and cast members have full confidence that the sequel will make the late star proud.

"It's clearly very emotional without Chad," Marvel boss Kevin Feige said. "But everyone is also very excited to bring the world of Wakanda back to the public and back to the fans. We're going to do it in a way that would make Chad proud."
REDDING, Calif.  Early Sunday morning police in Redding chased a stolen car, but after they gave up the chase they said the driver ran a red light at Mistletoe Ln. and Hilltop Rd. and crashed into another car, causing the death of one person and injuries to others, according to the Redding Police Department.

There were five juveniles inside of the stolen car, according to police. A 15-year old was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others ran from the scene, which was the parking lot of the Circle K. Two other teens suffered major injuries and were taken to a local hospital.

Police said the stolen car was a silver 2017 Honda Accord that had been reported to them as stolen on Friday.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on Sunday is when the police were first alerted to the stolen car and attempted to make the traffic stop.

Police said the driver of the stolen car turned off their headlights and fled westbound on Mistletoe Lane from Churn Creek Road.

When officers arrived at the intersection of Hilltop Dr. and Cypress Ave. they said they discovered that the stolen Honda had crashed into a 2001 black 2021 Nisan Sentra.

The driver of the Nissan was 42-years old. She had moderate injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

The two teen girls that fled the scene were found later in the day and taken for medical treatment. The two teens taken to the hospital were 15 and 16 years old.

The driver of the Honda was 15 years old. Police said he admitted to driving, fleeing from officers, and driving recklessly when he was interviewed at the hospital.

According to the Redding Police Department, investigators are working in collaboration with the Shasta County District Attorneys Office.

The names of the involved parties are not being released due to their ages and the ongoing investigation. A School Resource Officer has been in contact with the local schools the juveniles attend and is coordinating resources with school administrators.

The Redding Police Departments Traffic Unit and Detective Division are still actively investigating this incident.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Redding Police Department Traffic Unit at (530) 225-4200.
GRIDLEY, Calif. - It was nothing but smiles and laughter at the 75th Butte County Fair and CAL FIRE thought this would be a great opportunity to connect with the community, especially with the large fires happening in our area.

Many people were stopping by, asking CAL FIRE personnel questions, and picking up packets of information about fire safety.

The CAL FIRE team told Action News Now that compared to years past, a lot more people were coming up to their booth and grabbing pamphlets about wildfire safety and preparation.

CAL FIRE Public Information Officer Rick Carhart says along with bringing people to comfort about what crews are doing on the fire line, they are bringing people information about what they can do so they dont start the next fire.

Theres a lot of interest in the fires that are nearby the Dixie Fire and also the fires down south like the Caldor Fire, Carhart said. People are really interested because all of these fires really affect all of the North State. People up here have family, friends and others that live near El Dorado. This whole Northern California community is an amazing community, but it really is a community.

The CAL FIRE booth had everything from homeowner checklists and defensible space requirements to fun items like coloring books and stickers.

The biggest question they have been getting is, How can I help?

Their answer is always, Create defensible space around your home, no matter where you live.

The Butte County Fair is open until 11 p.m. on Sunday.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Islamic State militants have fired a volley of rockets at Kabul's international airport without hurting anyone.

The airfield appeared to be emptying out with only hours left before the Tuesday deadline for U.S. forces to withdraw and end America's longest war.

The Pentagon has been tight-lipped about final operations and has not specified when the withdrawal will be completed ahead of the deadline.

But spokesman John Kirby told reporters "there is still time" for Americans to join a massive airlift.

The Taliban, meanwhile, released a video shot from the airport's grounds, saying the Americans had removed or destroyed most of their equipment and that troop numbers were far lower.
TARC, one of the largest real estate development companies and land bank holders in the New Delhi Metropolitan Area, has associated with PROSE Integrated for its communication mandate.

TARC aims to leverage the growth wave post-COVID and develop projects across different verticals such as upscale high-rise residential condominiums to hospitality and boutique retail. The company has plans to launch numerous projects in 2021-22, while transforming urban living spaces.

PROSE has been selected to support and associate with TARC to position the company and effectively communicate their seamless and wholesome approach to lifestyle living across the business and consumer ecosystem.

The communications mandate covers strategic planning, ideation, content support and heighten thought leadership for TARC. PROSE will focus on accentuating the brand's leadership position in the industry and support TARC achieve its business and communication goals. PROSE will also assist TARC with integrated Investor Relation (IR) strategy and planning, including navigating complex legal and regulatory framework.

Elaborating on the development, Mr. Amar Sarin, Managing Director & CEO TARC, says, We are elated to work with PROSE, to make the brand presence stronger as well as have sustained engagement with various stakeholders of our business ecosystem. We aim to offer our customers curated services and set higher benchmarks with every project we launch and our synergies with PROSE will be crucial to achieve this objective.

Commenting on the association, Setu Shah, CEO, PROSE Integrated, says, We are delighted to associate with TARC in creating awareness and cementing thought leadership of the founding team. Our team has been catering to several brands in the real estate sector and are geared up to deliver great strategic advice and visibility to TARC. Our Delhi office will also be deploying our client servicing BOT on this project for automation and seamless updates.
Have you noticed how strikingly similar both the mindsets and actions are between the suicide bombers at Kabuls airport, and the anti-mask and anti-vax people here? They both blow themselves up, inflict harm on those around them, and are convinced they are fighting for freedom. Arne Duncan, 8/29.21 Twitter

The cruelty, ignorance and moral superiority drip off the screen from former Secretary of Education under President Obama Arne Duncan. We can shrug it off, call him a jerk, move on. Or we can take a hard look at the thought process of people with current or former power within our government and their platform/capacity to incite deep fears that have one goal - compliance. Secretary Duncan might want to pay some of us a visit, to find out how akin we are to suicide bombers as we care for our children 24/7/365. It is WE who got bombed, and 25 years into the autism epidemic, we are less respected and more hated than ever - how's that for an ugly truth. Hard to believe where we are today as a nation. Hard to believe.



Here is the Tweet text below: www.twitter.com/arneduncan

Managing Partner, The Emerson Collective. #ChicagoCRED. Author of How Schools Work. Here are the Emerson Collective's stated priorities:



Immigration Helping aspiring Americans and new immigrants succeed

Education Clearing pathways to a meaningful education

Climate Building solutions at the intersection of climate innovation and environmental justice.

XQ: The Super School Project Rethinking America's high schools

Chicago CRED Creating real economic destiny in Chicago

Equity & Justice Shaping new systems of opportunity for all

Media & Journalism Provoking thought and strengthening democracy

Health Accelerating cancer research and empowering patients
WEST FARGO, N.D.  With over 900 exhibit booths, training sessions, demonstrations and countless opportunities to connect with your peers, the Big Iron Farm Show is the place to be for farmers looking to immerse themselves in three days of agricultural advancements this fall.

The 41st annual Big Iron Farm Show, presented by Cass County Farm Bureau, will be held Sept. 14-16 live from the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo, N.D.

Its the largest farm show in the nation when it comes to layout, footprint wise, said Cody Cashman, CEO of the Red River Valley Fair. Nobody has as big of a grounds as we do for a farm show.

Cashman, who is currently in his second year as CEO, says the Big Iron Farm Show is a must-come event, not only for those involved in the agriculture industry, but also for the general public.

A lot of people, myself included, who have not been brought up in agriculture, are amazed at all the different things involved with agriculture  especially all the equipment there is that farmers have to purchase in order to be successful, Cashman said.

We have the newest and the best when it comes to equipment. I think there are 3-4 new pieces of equipment, Im told, that are going to be unveiled at Big Iron this year. Thats pretty awesome to think that were the type of show for these big companies to want to unveil some new equipment here, he added.

Another unique aspect of the Big Iron Farm Show is the global presence at the event every year. With COVID vaccinations available during the show this year, Cashman expects that presence to possibly increase.
Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 does not make you safe against transmitting the virus to others, so what's the point of a vaccine mandate? Unlike the classic childhood mumps, measles, rubella (MMR) vaccine, which prevents measles with 97% efficacy, the COVID "vaccine" is different  the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 95% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 infection. The measles vaccine is expected to give lifelong protection against measles  meaning you're now free from getting or spreading measles. Prior to general use, the Pfizer mRNA COVID vaccine demonstrated two months of protection against symptomatic COVID-19.

What happens after two months? Last week, an Israeli hospital reported that 59% of positive hospitalized patients were fully vaccinated. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) reports 30% of positive county cases were among the fully vaccinated in late July, an increase from 20% of cases in June. A Dutch study demonstrated that breakthrough infections are infectious  of the 25,000 healthcare workers (HCW) who were PCR positive, live virus was cultured from nasopharyngeal swabs in 69% of vaccinated and 85% of unvaccinated patients. Has the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine efficacy against symptomatic infection dropped from 95% since trial results were reported in November 2020? Recent Mayo Clinic Health data measure Pfizer's vaccine at 42% efficacy against symptomatic infection in July.

If we're serious about "stopping the spread" of COVID, why ignore a group with better protection than the vaccinated group? Those with a prior COVID infection show consistently better immunity against re-infection than the vaccinated, yet they are strangely ignored by those pushing a vaccine mandate. A recent Israeli health care study shows 1,300% better protection from natural immunity than vaccination. In the Cleveland Clinic staff study, no previously infected unvaccinated staff tested positive, while 15 vaccinated staff without prior infection tested positive over a five-month period. This study suggests that natural immunity lasts 10+ months and produces more effective immunity than vaccine-induced immunity. Also, New York's Rockefeller University study compares antibody response of vaccinated and recovered patients to conclude that "SARS-Co-V-2 infection produces neutralizing memory antibodies that evolve over a year ... [with] greater potency and breadth than antibodies elicited by vaccination." Not surprising that natural immunity would be superior after Singaporean researchers detected memory T cells in SARS-recovered patients seventeen years following the 2003 SARS outbreak.

If there were a test that showed freedom from spreading the virus, that would be antibody levels. The FDA dismisses the importance of antibody levels  its website states that "antibody testing is not currently recommended to assess immunity." At the same time, the FDA relies on those antibody levels to document immune responses to add new groups to a vaccine approval license. The FDA did not require Pfizer-BioNTech to show the efficacy of the vaccine in the 12+ population. They required them to show only that the antibody levels achieved by 12- to 15-year-olds were at least as good as that of 16+-year-olds. With the recent apparent FDA approval of one mRNA vaccine, why not release the Pfizer trial data on the 2.2% who showed antibodies prior to the vaccine? Why not update the data to show us breakthrough infections in the trial's vaccine arm at six months?

What does a vaccine mandate achieve? Recently, New York City (NYC) and San Francisco (S.F.) residents are requiring people to show proof of vaccination to enter an indoor restaurant, bar, museum, or movie theater. At the time of the announcement, 78% of S.F.'s residents and 64% of NYC residents are eligible to engage in normal indoor life. Hundreds of universities are mandating vaccination as a condition to return to campus. Many governors, after mandating vaccines for public servants, are asking private companies to mandate vaccines to return to work or as a condition of employment. We know that restricting an indoor venue to vaccinated people doesn't create a zero COVID zone. Are they, like Virginia Democrat Terry McAuliffe, asking businesses to mandate COVID shots to "make life difficult" for the unvaccinated? Should the "unvaccinated" be second-class citizens?

Why not exempt those with natural immunity, who gain no benefit from vaccination? Why not exempt children from vaccination, since a fully vaccinated 70-year-old has a higher risk of spreading infection than an unvaccinated child? Will I revert to unvaccinated status if I don't get a booster shot in October? Given that both vaccinated and unvaccinated positives are both potentially infectious, and many have pre-existing immunity stronger than vaccine-induced immunity, segregation by vaccine status makes no sense.

Jamaica Plain is a pseudonym.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.

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The Golden Boy of the Golden State, politically propelled by Getty family gold, could very well come crashing down to earth like a hair gel slathered lead balloon come September 14th. As the impossible has become possible, Newsom still does not seem to understand why he, of all people, is being held responsible for the myriad list of woes plaguing California.

His factory-built career and factory-built personality simply have not prepared him psychologically for the possibility that maybe, just maybe, he really is an empty suit. Groomed from birth by an extremely wealthy coterie of San Francisco friends and family to be President of the United States, he clearly cannot grasp the fundamental reality that, while his persona and policies may seem good in theory, they are actually terrible in reality.

The impending recall wasnt even supposed to happen. The Newsom team so utterly dismissed it that they even forgot to put the word Democrat next to his name on the ballot (a rather important omission in a state that has twice as many Democrats as Republicans).

Since the recall has become reality, the Newsom campaign has done everything in its power to make sure the vote is not about him. Its the evil Trumplicans, the supremacists, the conspiracists, the reddest of the red trying to use an illegitimate process to succeed where it failed on January 6 to subvert democracythats why Gavin is fighting and why everyone around the country must stand with him to strangle this evil baby in its crib before it can move beyond California, especially just in case Dianne Feinstein dies.

Thats his entire campaign message.

He is not campaigning on how he made sure the unemployment agency didnt send $30 billion to fraudsters while millions of legitimate benefit claimants went hungry...because he didnt.

He is not campaigning on how he managed to keep 25,000 small businesses from shuttering permanently during the pandemic by having reasonable COVID response policies...because he didnt.

He is not campaigning on how he reduced the risk of forest fires by clearing millions of acres of underbrush as he claimed he did...because he didnt.

He is not campaigning on how the billions of dollars the state has spent on the homelessness issue fixed the problem...because it hasnt.

He is not campaigning on how releasing thousands of prisoners and eliminating the penalties for crimes like shoplifting have made California safer...because they havent.

He is not campaigning on how he reined in and re-directed infrastructure spending to make sure that power blackouts and water restrictions do not occur...because he didnt.

He is not campaigning on how he kept hundreds of thousands of middle-class Californians and hundreds of large businesses from fleeing the state by creating a less burdensome tax and regulatory environment...because he couldnt be bothered to.

In other words, his campaign strategy is not about himself or even California; it is a purely deflective exercise to protect him personally (not even the party, really, because he didnt want to be upstaged by a just-in-case replacement Democrat on the ballot) to try to keep the dream of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue alive.

One of the odder aspects of his campaign is that the Newsom team seems to have missed the very, very big difference between a regular and a recall election. In fact, that difference is quite stark. In a regular election, just as occurs when you hire an employee, buy a car, or decide what to order in a restaurant you have options. Joe or Jane or Bill or Mary for the opening in accounting? A Buick or a Toyota? Steak or chicken? Frank or Judy for city council?

But a recall election is quite the opposite and quite personal because you must focus solely on whether to remove one single person from office. (Trust me on this. I, personally, have been throughand prevailed inboth types of elections.)

Decisions of this kind, which involve passing judgment on specific individuals, go beyond party affiliation, ideological kinship, or other political considerations. The perception of Newsom personally is extremely important, and that perception is not good. He is widelyand relatively accuratelyperceived as an elitist, entitled, arrogant, pampered, disconnected, narcissist who would never go out of his way to help anyone else unless he personally received some benefit for doing so.

In California, the Democrat brand is incredibly strong, and Newsoms campaign is almost exclusively based on this fact as it tries to overcome Newsoms personal brand weaknesses. But in a recall election that may simply not be enough. While most Democrats have the partys back, they do not have Gavins back because he has never had theirsnor even thought he needed to. Voters understand when they are being taken for granted and/or ignored. Therefore, they see no need to do him a solid and bother to vote No on the recall.

Unsurprisingly, the nationalization of the campaign has been amplified by a supportive media narrative, with a very large percentage of the coverage being devoted to how wacky, silly, and possibly unconstitutional (it isnt, by the way) the recall process is and how shocking it is that the tinfoil hat brigade could unseat a popular governor. Stories are flooding the ether lamenting how a low turnout in such an odd election is both incredibly unfair and/or potentially damaging to Newsom. And, of course, the big worry is the unthinkable domino effect a recall could have nationally if Feinstein, for whatever reason, calls it a day and a paleolithic Republican gets to appoint her replacement.

Thankfully, for the Newsom campaign, the California-specific problems are being ignored so, in that sense, his strategy may be working, But of course, that discounts the possibility that maybe a bunch of people who do not have cable news on 24/7 might decide to vote, too.

If the recall fails, the media will be full of items on how its a great day for democracy, people really love the direction in which California is headed, and a new, battle-tested Newsom is now an even stronger candidate for national office. If the recall succeeds, there will be barrels of ink and zillions of pixels spent on telling the world that it was a COVID-related blip, that a disgusting abuse of the electoral system, that lazy and confused Californians messed up but really dont support the outcome, and that it should serve as a wake-up call to Democrats nationwide that they must fight for the good and the right and the proper even harder.

Neither of those narratives will dwell on Californias real problems or Newsoms indolent combination of incompetence and ego as having anything to do with the actual result.

Until September 14th, California voters will be deluged with $40 million dollars worth of ads, texts, door knockers, calls, and mailers telling them to make sure that a Democrat stays in the Governors mansion. But what they wont be hearing much about is why, other than the fact hes already there, that Democrat specifically must be Gavin Newsom.

Thomas Buckley is the former Mayor of Lake Elsinore and a former newspaper reporter. He is currently the operator of a small communications and planning consultancy and can be reached directly at planbuckley@gmail.com. You can read more of his work at https://thomas699.substack.com

Image: Gavin Newsom. YouTube screen grab.

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So, Harvard University named Greg Epstein, an atheist, as their head chaplain because, apparently, nothing makes more sense to them than turning over the spiritual direction of their students to someone whose entire belief system is built around the belief that there is no God.

At least Epstein is somewhat honest about his belief system, which is more than I can say about the more than 40 religious leaders of apparently 20 different faiths who gave unanimous consent to this grotesque travesty.

Most of Americas universities have been post-Christian, if not openly hostile to Christianity, for many years, so Harvard is just putting their stamp of approval on what they see as the natural progression.

I remember being a young lieutenant in Europe in the 1990s and noticing that it was largely a post-Christian continent, a fact that was hard to miss. I marveled at the many beautiful monuments that stood as silent witnesses of its Christian past.

This was not without tremendous cost for Europe. The lack of a real belief system left Europe defenseless to deal with the rise of Islam that is now crashing through their society like a wave while they can muster little more than acquiescent apologies for not surrendering to it faster. After all, you cant stop a primal force armed with nothing but a weird concoction of aimless guilt and dangerously incoherent slogans about diversity and inclusion.

At the time I was wandering through largely empty cathedrals, I wondered if the same thing could happen here, even as some people assured me that it could not.

Thirty years later, it is clear weve largely followed Europes disastrous example.

The problem is that once Christianity is driven into the corners of society, people will believe the most noxious things and what once would have been considered the very definition of insanity becomes the norm. As I watch our cultural heritage being shredded and thrown away like valueless shreds of paper, I often think on the admonition in the Bible in 1 Timothy 4:1 that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. That some that Paul warned about has metastasized into quite a cancer.

The elevation of a chaplain at what is still considered Americas most prestigious university should make obvious the fact that atheism is a religion, one that places man at the center of the universe unbound from any moral limits. It has long had its own tenets of faith that start to resemble the worst religions of ancient times.

The ancient people who sacrificed their children to Chemosh and Molech have nothing on todays death cultists who consider the unwavering belief in the goodness of the killing of unborn babies to be a tenet of their being, a clear sign that this new religion is brought to us courtesy of the same demons of old.

Most of todays isms are all part of this same new religion that is really nothing more than age-old enmity towards God repackaged with a modern spin. Humanism, Marxism, Secularism, Racial Justice Theory, Leftism, Post-Colonialism, the latest crazy university ism" of the day its all essentially a competing religion that has at its roots opposition to God.

It was only a matter of time before cultural elites started to declare their own high priests, and what better place to start than at universities, which have been the epicenter of Americas decline. Harvard just wanted to ensure that they were the first to get credit for elevating godless chaplains into leadership roles.

Harvard is the nations oldest college and was founded to educate the clergy back in 1639. It educated some of the greatest thinkers in early American history, men with a profound respect for their creator who had a God-centered view of the universe, men who set this nation on its course. How far it has fallen to where today Harvards idea of spiritual guidance is to tell students that they are alone in the universe but fear not, you can be the change you are waiting for.

It is notable that not a single chaplain objected to the elevation of a man who doesnt believe in God to be the spiritual honcho, indicating that Bible-believing chaplains have largely already been purged in favor of the new caste of diversity is our strength types that seem to now be dominant caste in so many institutions, to include the military. Apparently, the chaplain core is so diverse in these schools that not a single dissenting viewpoint existed. Diversity indeed.

I dont even need to read about this new atheist head chaplain at what was once Americas top university to know what he likely believes. His belief system is almost certainly in lockstep with nearly every professor at that university.

We recently returned from dropping off our last daughter who is starting as a freshman at Hillsdale College. As they do every year, the college had a wonderful convocation in which they promised to help the students achieve their best selves in partnership with God above as the students embarked on their educational journey. It was the perfect start to her college education and a profound contrast to the direction Harvard has chosen.

My daughters roommate was accepted to both Hillsdale and Harvard and chose Hillsdale. Wise decision.

I firmly believe the battle for the future of America must take place in Americas schools and universities that have been the source for the pathologies that are ripping America apart at the seams.

Andrew Breitbart, that great observer of American culture, once observed, You send your kids off to college. They love you. You walk away with a Cornell mom T-shirt. You are walking away going this is great, and come Thanksgiving, your kid tells you that you are an imperialist and a racist and a homophobe. That is not worth $120,000.

No, it is not, but it might be worth that much to avoid. Many kids never recover from that level of indoctrination. Meanwhile, Americans scratch their heads and wonder why todays young people seem so listless and depressed, even as we tell them that they are the source of goodness in a world without God.

Its long past time for parents across America to start wising up and stop sending their most treasured inheritance, their children, to Americas propaganda factories, where putting an atheist in charge of the spiritual development seems like a grand idea. This is where the battle for the soul of America will be won or lost. If something doesnt change quickly in how parents and their children choose colleges, the battle against the corrosive culture will remain a rearguard action that will end in defeat. The grassroots pushback against Critical Race Theory is a start but that type of momentum at demanding reform in our educational system will need to be sustained.

Expect more universities to follow Harvards example in todays America where the number of good colleges committed to providing a first-rate education is growing smaller by the year.

Image: Harvard University

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Americas abrupt withdrawal from Afghanistan portends a humanitarian disaster of unknown proportions.

Sam Faddis, a former CIA field operations officer, summarized the appalling situation in Afghanistan in a bulletin put out some days ago. He concluded that because of the policies being put into place in that country, the watching world may be looking at another version of the killing fields:

Folks, for those of you trying to help get people out of Afghanistan. Here is assessment based on information coming out of policy circles and from sources on the ground. Biden is hard over that we will have the last military personnel out of Kabul airport NLT 31 August. We may be gone before then. Drawdown could begin within next 72 hours.

This is not conditions-based. Biden has already disregarded all sound military advice. We can expect him to continue to do so. Anybody not out by the time the last plane leaves gets cut away.

On the ground in Kabul all processing of Afghans has effectively stopped. Only AmCits being moved. People are finally realizing on the ground that this administration really will do things that are unthinkable.

Faddis adds that consensus assessment of on-the-ground intelligence is that the Panjshir Valley, traditionally a stronghold of resistance for over one hundred years, will probably be overrun, though it may hold for a while. Any Afghan who hopes to get out will not find haven in the valley but will need to get across the border.

He concluded: After we are gone, the plan is apparently to take down the internet, expel foreign journalists and begin the Afghan version of the killing fields.

The term killing fields refers to the disastrous power vacuum created in Cambodia in the 1970s. That vacuum was filled by Pol Pot, the communist leader of the Khmer Rouge regime. He rapidly put in a plan that included the arrest and butchering of those he suspected of connections hostile to his regime. A quarter of the Cambodian people -- more than a million -- died, either by execution or lack of medical care and food.

A similar power vacuum has been created by the Biden administrations deliberate policy of abandoning Americans left behind in Afghanistan. Those who have assisted America in any way are also without recourse.

Further, a vast supply of military equipment is being left behind, armaments that will assuredly be used by the Taliban and their allies against Americans and their sympathizers.

Historians recall the equipment left behind at Dunkirk was repurposed by the Wehrmacht and used against Russian in Operation Barbarossa. That effort saw the use of Einsatzgruppen to "cleanse" newly occupied territory of "undesirable" elements.

It is possible history will repeat itself.

Already, reports of the Taliban Einsatzgruppen searching door to door for Christians with phones having Bible apps have surfaced. Terrorists attacked Kabul airport where refugees from the Taliban wrath to come have been holed up. Thirteen U.S. Marines and nearly 200 Afghanis have been killed. Many more have been wounded.

Worryingly, as Politico reports, the Biden administration has given the Taliban a list of people it purportedly wishes for them to escort out of the country. The article reports the response of an anonymous defense official: Basically, they just put all those Afghans on a kill listIts just appalling and shocking and makes you feel unclean.

How long will it be before the globe is treated to videos of Americans being beheaded by the Taliban because the newly emboldened and empowered terrorists demands are not met? Do we recall the beheading of orange-jump-suited Coptic Christians by a like-minded group? Do we remember the pilot who was caged and burned alive by ISIS?

Meanwhile, America has as its head a commander in chief who to all appearances has abandoned his own people and former allies, Afghani and European alike, to an enemy determined to annihilate themyes, to commit genocide.

Its important that Americans be grateful for the behind-the-scenes efforts of operation Pineapple Express, whose leaders efforts at creating rescue missions have been as heroic as those who led the Underground Railroad or the French Resistance. But the laudable actions of the Pineapple Express also make it stunningly apparent that the man who is supposed to put United States government and military resources to work in rescue efforts is missing in action.

Biden has been pretty much deaf to the repeated warnings and pleas of Americans in Afghanistan and stubbornly resistant to putting into effect the withdrawal plan of his predecessor in the White House, a plan that included countermeasures if Americans were harmed. To all appearances, he has been more interested in cooperating with the Taliban and its backers.

In sum, this administrations policies may be setting up the complete collapse of Afghanistan, thus offering millions up on a silver platter to whomever has the power to annihilate them. Some forty million people, most of whom are Muslim, may be delivered not just to the Taliban, but perhaps eventually to a country whose leaders are experts in the genocide of religious groups--a country that has had years of practice in eliminating Muslim Uighurs, Chinese Christians and other indigestible anomalies not conforming to Chairman Xis program of total Sinicization. If, as some suspect, China increases its presence in the country, Afghanistans Uighur Muslims are expressing the fear they will be treated as their compatriots in China are treated.

Meanwhile, Biden is articulating the equivalent of Cains response to the death of his brother Abel: Am I my brothers keeper?

The answer?

Yes. Yes, you are the protector and keeper of Americans here and in Afghanistan. At least you are supposed to be. As the commander in chief, you swore to protect your own people and to stand with Americas allies.

There is a name for leaders who refuse to protect or who hand over their own countrymen and women to an enemy. That word is traitor.

Because traitors endangered entire peoples, leaving them to be slaughtered or enslaved, the poet Alighieri Dante reserved for them the ninth bolgiathe very lowest circle of Hell.

While we must withhold judgment concerning the eternal fate of the current administration, it is time to hold them to account for their present treasonable actions.

Be it by demanding resignations, impeachment proceedings, or court-martials, none should escape the punishment genocidal war crimes deserve.

Fay Voshell holds a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, which awarded her the prize for excellence in systematic theology. Her thoughts have appeared in many online magazines. She has been a regular contributor to American Thinker for a decade. She may be reached at fvoshell@yahoo.com

Image: Paul Mannix, via Flickr // CC BY 2.0

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During an interview regarding the recent suicide attack on Kabul airport, a former Navy SEAL quipped that no one making military decisions for the United States seems to have read a history book. Lack of knowledge, he implied, is partly why America is suffering a humiliating and unconscionable defeat in Afghanistan.

Here, then, is a short skeletal history of Muslim-Christian relations beginning with Islams founding in 622 AD by Muhammad, an Arab military leader intent on unifying the Arab world and conquering the rest. The lessons learned might put us on the right path forward.

Muhammad died in 632 and, soon thereafter, his followers began Muslim military advances into the Christian Levant. In your minds eye, if you can picture the Mediterranean Sea on your left, the landmass to its right  Syria, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and part of Turkeyis known as the Levant, which means the place where the sun rises. A great trading center in ancient and medieval times, conquering the Levant was the Muslims first great conquest over the Christian Greeks at the Battle of Yarmuk, in 636, only four years after Muhammads death. Jerusalem surrendered in 638.

Islam pushed on vigorously after this battle, sweeping over North Africa, uniting Arab countries, and setting its sights on conquering Constantinople, the Greek capital. Today, Constantinople is known as Istanbul and is part of Turkey. In 717, however, at what is known as the Siege of Constantinople, 80,000 Muslim troops and 1,880 galleys laid siege to the city. Possessing the equivalent of napalm, a fire that is very difficult to put out, the Greeks set fire to the galleys and after a year of siege and attack without success, Muslim forces retreated.

This Christian victory is thought to have slowed Muslim conquest of Europe but Islam penetrated Europe by crossing the Gibraltar Strait into Spain. Not content, in 732, Muslim forces moved north into what is now France. At this time France, western Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands were part of the Frankish Empire, led by Charles Martel, or Charles the Hammer, and his victory over the Muslim attack at the Battle of Tours, in France, is credited with reversing Islams spread in Europe. Christianity, not fully established in Western Europe at this time, began to unify Western Civilization around the Roman Catholic Church.

So, here is one of the great moments of history. Were it not for Charles Martel, Europe would have been swept up in the advance of Islam instead of the advance of Christianity. One of the differences is Christianitys mental openness to science and intellectual inquiry  hence the rise of the great universities of Europe and Europes eventual influence on America.

The story does not end here. The struggle continued back and forth for another 1,289 years. Muslim Turks defeated the Christian Greeks at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071. The Greeks had re-conquered the Levant in the 1100s but lost again at the Battle of Hattin in 1187. Back and forth it went. Muslim victories  then Christian victories  finally ending at the Siege of Acre in 1291 when the last of the Crusader influence was dispelled from the Holy Lands and the Hospitallers moved to Cyprus and Rhodes, where they held out until 1523.

Islam had conquered Spain. Islam had conquered the Holy Lands. Islam had conquered the Levant.

Islam laid siege to the Greek capital, Constantinople, which surrendered in 1453. That surrender marks the end of the Roman Empire and a victory for the Muslim Ottomans.

Painstakingly, Western Civilization began to fight back. Spain was re-conquered at the Battle of Navas de Tolosa in 1212. A fleet of the Holy League, mostly from Spain and Venice, fought the last rowing naval battle at Lepanto, in 1571, routing the Muslims. Finally, in 1683, the Muslim Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Holy Roman Empire fought it out literally at the gates of Vienna. The Ottoman defeat there meant that Islam ceased to be a menace to the West, especially with the Ottoman Empires and caliphates final dissolution on March 23, 1924, after World War I.

America was colonized by Christian Europe, specifically Protestant Christian Europe, beginning in 1607 at Jamestown, Virginia, and Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. Americans take for granted the intense battle for humanitys mind that this history represents. The notion of natural individual rights through a Creator; the notion of the development of the person (male or female); the notion of personal Liberty; the notion of people as a reflection of the divinethe undergirding of our way of life is the result of being on the Western side of this war.

We are now at the Battle of Afghanistan, 2021. Because our military and political leaders have not read a history book, they deem it a 20-year war, but they are wrong. It is a thirteen-hundred-and-eighty-nine-year war that we will lose because we do not know we are in it.

The Navy SEAL was right. Our political and military leaders make decisions without a clue. We had a stable and neutralized position in Afghanistan, with very few troops, that served as a check on Islamic Jihad and the rise of an Islamic caliphate and harsh Sharia Law.

We do not need to be there to nation-buildsomething that anyone who knows history knows cannot be successful. We are there because Islam decided to attack the West once again in 2001. We are there to save Western Civilization. We cannot allow a humiliating defeat.

M.E. Boyds Apples of Gold  Voices From the Past that Speak to Us Now is available at www.amazon.com using the title and subtitle.

Image: The Battle of Lepanto. National Maritime Museum of London. CC BY-SA 3.0.

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The tightness of polling on the recall of Gavin Newsom, combined with the frontrunner status of Black conservative Larry Elder, has driven many progressives over the edge, into madness. Nothing infuriates condescending Whites and racialist Blacks more than an independent-thinking, articulate Black conservative. The continuing disgraceful treatment of Justice Clarence Thomas by the corporate media and establishment Black institutions is the most prominent example to date. But the prospect of the governorship of our nation's most populous state, deep blue California, falling into the hands of a Black conservative has driven people to say absurd things, laughable on their face.

Heather Mac Donald has a characteristically excellent piece at City Journal on the left playing the race card on Elder. Understand that crime and homelessness are seriously affecting the quality of life for most Californians. Fear now plays a role in life that it did not prior to the governorship of Newsom. Elder's commonsense approach discards the progressive shibboleths and therefore outrages the progressives. Elder has even been called a "white supremacist" in major publications. The fear of crime, especially among Blacks, who are the disproportionate victims, could well push him into the governor's office if the election is not stolen.

Read the whole thing, especially for the thorough debunking of left-wing claims against Elder's factually correct observations on the source of crime. Nobody masters crime statistics the way Mac Donald does. Her conclusion is self-evidently correct:

Trying to ensure that blacks get the policing they need in order to stay alive would not seem to be the gesture of a white supremacist, black or white.

One other thing that she does, though, is examine the total absence of media consideration of the possibility of the "historic first" Black California governor. Because the hypocrisy is so deep, it becomes downright amusing.

If Elder were running as a Democrat, the press would be celebrating the possibility of California's first black governor. Instead, we hear nothing about "shattering glass ceilings" or "diversifying" the ruling elite. The New York Times ran an entire front-page article on Elder's candidacy without once mentioning that he was black. (The article did claim in passing that Elder was an affirmative-action admit to Brown University, an unthinkable charge regarding a black liberal.) A column by Paul Krugman two days later was equally colorblind regarding the Elder candidacy. Has the Times renounced identity politics? Only selectively. Adjacent to the August 25 front-page article was a story on New York's new governor, headlined "Hochul Breaks a Barrier and Pledges a New Era." The story opened with the observation that "Kathleen C. Hochul became the first woman to ascend to New York's highest office on Tuesday." Yet Hochul's entry into the governor's mansion in Albany does not even signify anything about gubernatorial voting patterns; she was not elected but slotted in after Andrew Cuomo's resignation. Black governors have been much rarer than female ones. Elder would lead the nation's largest state and be just the third black governor ever elected in the United States, following Douglas Wilder in Virginia and Deval Patrick in Massachusetts. Elder is indifferent to the silence regarding the "historic" nature of his candidacy. But the media's effort to portray his run merely as a resurgence of alleged Trumpian racism depends on a shameful duplicity regarding crime and policing. As long as that duplicity remains in force, in the California governor's office and elsewhere, the country will continue sliding toward anarchy.

Alas, I see every sign that the left is pulling out all the stops to steal the election. Ballot envelopes have been designed to reveal a yes vote on the recall when the voter folds the ballot in the most logical way and puts it in the envelope. Easy to spot and discard before counting.

People are even allowed to print their own ballots, which seems redundant since the election is entirely by mail with a huge mailing of ballots, purportedly to every registered California voter.

It seems that quite a few people not eligible to vote are also receiving ballots, in addition to whatever fake ballots may be printed up:

Wow this is obvious what Democrats are doing https://t.co/GkXT68u4pX  Cernovich (@Cernovich) August 29, 2021

How the hell did I get a mail in ballot to vote in the next California recall election?!



When Im not even a citizen! Smh  voter fraud is real!!  Ismael Cruz (@ismacruz616) August 29, 2021

While I am as cynical as can be about election integrity in California, I still have a slim hope that, given the level of panic we see on the left, he still has a chance to win.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, license.

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There are some pictures that just seem to sum up a public figure in America. Vietnam vets, rightly, will never forgive Jane Fonda for palling around with the Viet Cong and sitting on one of the weapons used to kill American troops. The picture of Obama, with his limp arm in Raul Castro's grasp as Castro raised it triumphantly in the air, seemed to sum up Obama perfectly  a weak leader who gave himself over to the world's tyrants. And then there's Kamala Harris, who, while in Vietnam, is seen smiling happily in front of a bust of Ho Chi Minh, the founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party.

I had the pleasure of traveling in Vietnam several years ago and came away utterly charmed. It is a remarkably beautiful country, and the people are lovely: hardworking and surprisingly friendly to the Americans who spent ten years warring in their land.

The whole country bears the scars from that war  and, when people conclude that you won't get them in trouble, they'll freely tell you of the terrible suffering the Viet Cong caused when the Americans withdrew. When we were in Hue, the site of the Tet Offensive, which American troops won and American leftists turned into a defeat, our guide told us that thousands died in the Viet Cong's revenge killings after the Americans withdrew.

Moreover, Vietnam's social and economic policies were a deadly disaster. Just as with Mao's Great Leap Forward, which killed an estimated 50 million people, Vietnam's "Land Reform" saw the government summarily execute hundreds of thousands of people for the crime of being landlords. (Here in America, so far, the leftists just don't let landlords collect rent, a situation Supreme Court justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan would like to see continue.)

My view is that while Americans botched the war, the cause wasn't a bad one. Wherever socialism goes, it kills. Whether in Europe (Western Europe had Nazism, and Eastern Europe had communism), Asia, South America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, or Africa, mass death and terrible suffering invariably follow nations' efforts to implement Karl Marx's crackpot theories. Anyone who wants that kind of power, no matter how good his stated or intended motives, automatically cannot be trusted with that power.

But Kamala is a leftist. She's one of the people who believes that socialism just hasn't been done right and that once we put the American government in her hands, we'll soon be heading for a new socialist Utopia.

Maybe that's why Kamala seems to have participated happily and willingly in an official appearance in front of a flower-bedecked bust of Ho Chi Minh, the leader of the brutal Vietnamese Communist Party. The picture that's making waves is from Getty, so I can't publish it here, but this screen grab shows her sitting just below that same Ho Chi Minh bust:

(You can see the Getty picture here, at The Gateway Pundit.)

It's entirely possible that Kamala Harris was too polite to protest when Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vietnam's vice president, positioned her there, but one would think one of Kamala's flacks would have come forward or maneuvered things around. But no, all we got was the American vice president standing (and, in the Getty photograph, stiffly saluting) in front of a bust of the founder of the Vietnamese communist party.

Our current administration seems to be powered by a combination of anti-American malevolence and incompetence. It's a bad look and a dangerous one.

Image: Kamala Harris in Vietnam. YouTube screen grab.

Monica Showalter adds:

Does anyone notice that she's always "touring" on her overseas travels? She's supposedly making these trips to demonstrate her foreign policy chops, but on both this trip and her trip to Mexico/Guatemala, an inordinate time was spent playing Lady Diana, or a visiting a first lady, touring the sights, visiting ordinary institutions such as schools, waving her hand, and posing for Instagrams and news photos. Not much is coming out about any foreign policy initiatives. Most trips abroad by U.S. officials are tightly timed with official business paramount, and many do not include touring the sights at all. If she's trying to make herself appear a serious player on the foreign policy front, she's doing it wrong.

The other thing: Harris's dad was an economics professor at Stanford University specializing in Marxism in the 1960s and 1970s when Harris was growing up. You can bet Ho Chi Minh was family table talk in that household. Odds are good she grew up in that era viewing Chairman Ho as a family hero, so honoring his shrine may well have been something she wanted to do.

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For criticizing President Biden's disastrous pullout from Afghanistan, Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller has given up his commission and is having his mental health questioned by the Marine Corps. Meanwhile, with the current POTUS showing signs of cognitive impairment, a noted psychiatrist who maintained that President Trump was mentally impaired appears to be silent.



Stuart Scheller (LinkedIn video screen grab).

Questions currently raised, in the context of Biden's Afghanistan humiliation reminded me of the attacks on President Trump's mental stability from leftist psychiatrists, most famously Dr. Bandy Lee, then at Yale University. Could she be expressing doubts, now, about Biden's fitness for the presidency; could she now be concerned about his mental stability?

By way of a Google search, I learned that Dr. Lee is no longer at Yale, having been terminated in May 2020. I further learned that she has a website: Bandylee.com. At her website, I noticed this entry, which explains why she filed suit against Yale for terminating her.

So when Mr. Alan Dershowitz complained about my speech about him and the president he was defending, and Yale dismissed me, I filed the lawsuit. If I can be silenced, then professionals and intellectuals are imperiled everywhere. I care about Yale, and it is a matter of academic freedom, the obligation to share our knowledge in our civic contribution to society, and freedom of speech that is our protection against authoritarianism and dangerous leadership.

Apparently attorney Alan Dershowitz complained to Yale when Dr. Lee indicated that Dershowitz, like any Trump-follower, was afflicted with the psychosis besetting the former president. It seems that this was too much for Yale to accept, and Dr. Lee got terminated. In his response to Dr. Lee's attack on him, Dershowitz pointed out that she had never met him and has no business attempting to diagnose him. It should be pointed out that Dr. Lee rejects "the Goldwater rule," instituted after many psychiatrists gave a harsh diagnosis of Barry Goldwater for FACT magazine  without ever meeting him. When it comes to politics, leftist psychiatrists seem to have no problem in conforming their diagnostic facts to the predilections.

There is a problem with her comment in the quoted remark: "If I can be silenced..." Lee hardly has been silenced, as a visit to her site will demonstrate. A superficial scan of her site suggests that she is far too busy going after the former president, even with him out of office, to pay much attention to the issue of the current incumbent's fitness for office, including his mental state.

Note that in her comment on her lawsuit against Yale, above, Dr. Lee seems to be opposed to threats against free speech, to the danger of authoritarian government. There is no indication from my visit to her website, admittedly a quick survey, that Dr. Lee has any concerns that the threat to free speech in the United States comes from the left or defenders of Biden.

Seven months of Biden should indicate that Dr. Lee, in her denunciation of President Trump, and others, in their attacks on Mr. Trump, have been engaging in projecting their biases onto the 45th president when it is his successor who deserves opprobrium.

It is, after all, Biden who is seen to threaten the special relationship with Britain, given the unprecedented criticism coming from members of the British parliament against Biden.

Dr. Bandy Lee, however, appears to have some problems with political reality. A visit to her website will indicate that she believes, even with him out of office, that Donald Trump must go to prison  so as to be unable to seek election in 2024.

The title of a Scientific American article, consisting of an interview with Dr. Lee, is titled "The 'Shared Psychosis' of Donald Trump and His Loyalists." Behold how this journal, too, falls under projectionism, the psychosis known as "Trump Derangement Syndrome" being shared by Dr. Lee and her loyalists.

How politically unbalanced is Dr. Lee? The Washington Times quoted her, November 2, 2020, as saying Hitler was better than Donald Trump because Hitler "at least 'improved the daily life of his followers.'"

For evidence that leftists are projecting when they accuse Mr. Trump of being an authoritarian, see Amy Chozick's quote of a June 2016 tweet by former Obama functionary David Plouffe in her August 3, 2016, New York Times article. Plouffe is quoted as saying Trump and "his kind" must be destroyed.

Destroy the opposing candidate and his voters? Sure sounds as if the Democrats intend to make the U.S. a one-party country, and what is a one-party country if not a place of authoritarianism?

In this regard, take note of Jim Banks's comment the other day, on over-reaching by Rep. Bennie Thomson, chair of the January 6 House Select Committee, warning his GOP colleagues that the Democrats are moving toward authoritarian rule.

Thank heavens, Rep. Jim Banks gets it. Now it's up to his Republican colleagues in the House to realize that the Democrat party, led by the rabid radical leftist Pelosi, is not playing games: they indeed aim to make this a one-party state, where patriots are regarded as "the enemy."

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The Biden administration will go to great lengths to downplay the significance of the debacle in Afghanistan. But no amount of wishful thinking and no number of meaningless creations like over-the-horizon capabilities will deny the reality that the loss of Afghanistan has implications for the conflict with radical Islam far beyond Afghanistan's geographic borders.

Culture is the primary context in which statecraft takes place. It is a concept that runs through the works of the late Professor Adda Bozeman, who understood that diplomats often talk past each other because the culture and linguistic context in which they operate mean different things.

To properly understand the meaning of the current catastrophe, it is necessary to ask the most fundamental question, which is not how is this playing in Peoria, but how is this playing throughout the Islamic world? The Biden administration can spin the collapse of Afghanistan endlessly, but no number of press conferences will change the perception within Islam of America's defeat.

We in the West believe in the triumph of an ineluctable future that will be a vast improvement over the past. When our progress toward that future is limited or regressive, we become impatient. In non-Western societies, however, it is not the future that is looked toward, but a golden past that needs to be resurrected.

Since centuries have elapsed without that resurrection, time is perceived differently. The rebirth of a golden past is inevitable. All that is required is to have faith and patience. Twenty years might seem like an endless war to Americans, but to Muslims, it is a grain of sand in the measure of time. If the Taliban had to resist another twenty years, if they had to sacrifice another generation to be rid of the infidels on their land, they would have done so.

For Islam, the choices are not the ones the Biden administration has articulated, a choice between leaving and a war without end. The choice is between resurrecting the golden age of Islam or ceding victory to the infidel. It is not a choice.

The American debacle has done nothing if it has not confirmed the theology of fundamentalist Islam. Patience, persistence, and faith will triumph over superior forces. In the Taliban's victory, other fundamentalist and terrorist groups have found inspiration. The ideology of radical Islam will permeate the Islamic world with renewed vigor.

Already thousands of jihadists are going to Afghanistan to become fighters. Afghanistan will be a training and logistics center for jihadi activities beyond its borders. Even the Iranian mullahs will be emboldened by the religious symbolism of the Taliban victory. Hamas and Hezb'allah have already sent their congratulations. In Pakistan, the Taliban victory was greeted with jubilation.

Radical Islam is an ideology that has persisted for centuries. As such, it has mollified the divisions of tribal societies and even races. It is an encompassing, transcendent ideology. Its strength is in its unquestioning obedience, the elimination of moral ambiguities, and the promise of a reward in the afterlife.

It does not eviscerate its history to examine sins real and imaginary. It does not promote divisions along racial and ethnic identities. Like all overarching ideologies, it promotes a sense of homogeneity and belonging.

We will win battles and wars, but radical Islam will not be extinguished. And the culture of the Islamic world will not yield to the Western notion of liberal democracy, even as the West itself struggles with its democratic inheritance. Under the surface of espoused liberalism exists a desire to embrace authoritarianism. Our colleges and universities, once the inheritors and transmitters of liberal culture, have become fiefdoms for repressed speech and identity politics.

Defeating radical Islam will take more than bullets, missiles, and technology. It remains to be seen, in the clash of civilizations, who will be the winner.

Abraham H. Miller is an emeritus professor of political science, University of Cincinnati.

Image: Public Domain.

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One of the things that happens to old people who are slipping into dementia is that they lose all sense of place and appropriate behavior. In this regard, they've regressed to a more childish state. For ordinary people, sometimes it's amusing and sometimes embarrassing. But when the person in the Oval Office has no sense of place and appropriate behavior, it's a national humiliation  as is the case for Joe Biden checking his watch even as the coffins of those who died in the Kabul terrorist place were being unloaded from the plane in front of him, and, which is just as bad, failing to salute them.

There is no more serious and solemn responsibility that an American president, as commander in chief of our military forces, can perform than to honor those who died in America's service when they are returned to America for burial. Obviously, in a hot war, the president cannot be there for every plane, but there are times when it's both appropriate and politically necessary.

Considering how many people believe that Biden has on his hands the blood of those Americans who died when ISIS-K set off a bomb at Kabul Airport, it would have been political suicide had he failed to travel to Dover, Delaware to pay his respects to the troops. Once there, the president's role is limited. It consists of showing respect. That's all that's asked, and Biden couldn't even do that.

As this video shows, Biden absolutely checked his watch. It was quick, but it wasn't subtle:

Lots of people caught what he did and were appropriately disgusted:

It's true. Joe Biden checked his watch during the dignified transfer of the servicemembers killing in Afghanistan at the airport. You can see him jerk his left hand to pull the watch out from under his sleeve, then look down at it. pic.twitter.com/M3QVzJbTIm  Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) August 29, 2021

Joe Biden had one job today. One. To stand on a tarmac. He didnt have to say one word. He didnt have to move or do anything ceremonious. Just stand still and pretend like youre Commander-in-Chief. Dipshit checks his watch like hes got somewhere better to be. pic.twitter.com/LdIIdS9pCN  Eric Matheny  (@EricMMatheny) August 29, 2021

While Biden was busy checking his watch, he forgot that he's actually commander in chief. As each casket passed by him, he stood there like a civilian with his hand over his heart instead of saluting his troops as they made their final journey:

President Trump, on the other hand, understood what to do:

The tale of two Presidents



Trump, back in 2019, saluting and paying his respects to the U.S. soldiers killed in Syria as they return.



Biden, today, CHECKING HIS WATCH in the middle of the dignified transfer as the 13 U.S. service members killed in Kabul return home.



Sad. pic.twitter.com/rwoPmaK9ik  The Truth Gazette (@Truth_Gazette) August 29, 2021

For someone who's been in federal politics more than half his life, including eight years as vice president, you'd think Biden would know how to behave at such a solemn ceremony...but he doesn't. It's so deeply disrespectful and more evidence, if we need it, that whether because of his inherent personality flaws or encroaching dementia, Biden has no idea what to do at the appropriate time and place.

Images: YouTube screen grab.

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It's the end of August, and all over the United States, children are heading back to school. While some parents went to homeschooling during the lockdown and are continuing to educate at home, most are thrilled to see their children return to schools outside the home. Over the past year and a half, parents were forced to stay at home while their children went to Zoom school, an unmitigated disaster that resulted in far too many children losing a year and a half of their education. As excited as children are to go back to school, some parents are even more excited to be going back to work.

However, not everybody is embracing the opportunity to get back to normal. Amanda Rinehart worked in hospitality and was promoted just before the pandemic hit. Her life was thoroughly disrupted, but, thanks to Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), she was able to stay home and pay her bills.

Now she's worried about the Labor Day cut-off, which will end her benefits, because she doesn't want to go back to work and send her eight-year-old to school. He's too young for the vaccine, and she's too afraid he'll get COVID to entertain the possibility of letting him socialize with other children. She believes he's too high-risk for COVID because a couple of years ago he wound up in the hospital with a rhinovirus, so until there is a vaccine he can take, he'll be doing virtual learning.

I sympathize with Amanda. I really do. It's pretty scary when your kid has to go to the hospital. It's even scarier when there are news stories every day of the horrific toll COVID is taking on the world. It has a survival rate between 98% and 99%, which means some people are going to die of this disease. Even though most will recover, the media are making the most of those few who don't survive.

Last week, for example, a number of news outlets focused on a teacher who infected half of her class with COVID. To read the headlines, which is all that most people do, one could be pardoned for thinking most of the children were either dead or fighting for their lives in the hospital. In fact, some of the students got fevers, headaches, coughs, and sore throats, all of which can happen with the common cold, but no one got seriously ill or had to go to the hospital.

The only reason anyone knew that COVID was involved is that the students were tested after the teacher came up positive, and some of them came up positive as well. Still, with a little adroit reporting, this incident was turned into another reason for scaremongering, and, once again, people were reminded to be terrified of the big, bad coronavirus.

The result of panicking the population is that a lot of people, like Amanda, don't want to go back to work. And they have the option not to go back to work because they are getting paid handsomely to stay home. In addition to regular unemployment benefits, an extra $300 a week has been doled out.

Why should anyone work when he can get all the money he needs while staying home? A reckoning is coming in September, when the extra benefits are due to be cut off. At that point, a great many people may find that if they want to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, they will have to return to work.

The problem is that, like Amanda, far too many people have been intimidated by the government and the media into believing that COVID is lurking around every corner, ready to pounce and kill them off if they leave the safety of their homes.

First, they were enabled to remain in that safe space by generous benefits. Now, though, horrifying news stories enable them to believe that they will die if their benefits are cut off. It's time to stop all this enabling. Sending people back to work and children back to school is not a death sentence, and the government and news media should stop acting as though it's not safe for the world to return to normal.

Pandra Selivanov is the author of The Pardon, a story of forgiveness based on the thief on the cross in the Bible.

Image: Child in mask by Kelly Sikkema. Unsplash license.

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In a briefing last week, Joe Biden told inquisitive reporters that every American who wants to get out of Afghanistan would get out of Afghanistan, and he was counting on the Taliban's "self-interest" in letting the Americans leave.

Toss that one into the bin of lies and errors coming from this Biden Afghanistan fiasco.

Turns out the Taliban has its own ideas about what its self-interest is.

The Taliban have offered Joe Biden a deal: unfreeze the Afghan funds and they will extend the deadline.  Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) August 29, 2021

Grenell, a former acting director of National Intelligence during President Trump's administration, has been consistently accurate about what is going down at State and other government agencies during the ongoing Afghanistan fiasco, so his disturbing report is very likely accurate.

What we are seeing here is an emerging hostage situation in that country as Biden insists on pulling out by his Aug. 31 deadline, which the Taliban is holding him to, under penalty of "consequences." The State Department has claimed that 300 Americans are awaiting evacuation and have not made it to the Kabul airport yet. According to this disturbing collection of reports from AT deputy editor Andrea Widburg, it's likely more. Her sources report that with the State Department thwarting even private efforts, they are having a hellish time getting out.

Grenell's report demonstrates that far from having "self-interest" in seeing Americans out, the Taliban terrorists have a "self-interest" in hostage-taking hardball with Americans left behind after August 31.

It all points to heavy Iranian influence in how they're going about in setting up their vicious regime as state-sponsored terrorists.

One, the hostage-taking as a new "religious" regime sets up power is redolent of the Iran hostage crisis of 1979 that went on for 444 days as smelly mullah-linked "students" danced around and waved guns, humiliating, torturing, and terrifying American diplomats as the pathetic Carter administration stood around helplessly for the most part and tried to negotiate their freedom. The malevolent "student" clown show helped the mullahs consolidate their ill-gotten power and made them prestigious with all the world's bad actors, prompting them to continue to spread terror through the region and beyond over the years. Many of these "dirty-necked galoots," to use the description of R. Emmett Tyrrell, have since turned up in high positions of power in the mullah regime, rewarded for their criminality. The tyrants running Iran these days know all about the use and value of taking American hostages.

Two, the $1.7 billion wooden "pallets of cash" scandal, where the Obama administration shipped back more than $1 billion in otherwise sanctioned cash on a secret dead-of-night flight into Iran in exchange for the Iran deal with the mullahs (exposed by Wall Street Journal reporter Jay Solomon), looks a lot like this demand from the Taliban for its own pallets-of-cash Iran-style deal. The U.S. has frozen $7 billion in Afghan-owned hard currency, which is most of Afghanistan's $9 billion in foreign reserves, which had been held for safety, likely in the New York Federal Reserve's underground vaults (Treasury secretary Janet Yellen and her minions should get some credit for acting quickly on this). The Taliban likely has the other $2 billion, which might be visible in this video of Taliban lowlifes running their fingers through the cash, each brick of cash being fondled, holding large stacks of what drug dealers call "Benjies."

Trending Politics has a report on that here, and Grenell has a video:

They've got $2 billion, plus $83 billion in abandoned U.S. weaponry, and these pirates just want more. They are, after all, in significant numbers criminals, given that their ranks were swelled by the emptying out of jails as the Afghan government collapsed. Like the Iranians, at whose knee they must be learning, they are willing to take American hostages in order to get what they want, and they want baksheesh.

The Iranian mullahs famously hold the Afghanis in general contempt as a people, considering them hopeless barbarians, same as they hold the Azeris ("cockroaches") and the neighboring Tajiks. But this kind of hostage-taking and this kind of ransom-demanding takes this mullah-pioneered thievery to new heights. More hostages, four times the money, and they're calculating that Joe Biden is even easier to roll than Carter or Obama.

Joe Biden is entirely familiar with the one-hand-washes-the-other style of political bargaining being practiced by the Taliban now. Democrats, and Biden in particular, play it constantly at a lower level. Biden, who has no idea what he is doing and is failing hugely based on his inability to show any resolution, let alone stick up for America, or scare the Taliban with U.S. might, may well go along with this hideous deal, which will make the Taliban very rich terrorists, given that he's "been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades," as former CIA director Bob Gates wrote. He'd be wrong on this one, too, to our eternal shame and to the extended consequences of which will be very ugly, indeed.

Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License.

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From the beginning of the COVID pandemic, former New York Times reporter Alex Berenson has been focused on following the facts no matter where they lead. More often than not, the facts have led him in a different direction from those emanating from the World Health Organization or from Anthony Fauci. What's important to remember about Berenson, though, is that, while his conclusions may differ from those being pushed on the American people, he never deviates from the facts. That's why Twitter just kicked him off.

Because Berenson's conclusions did not support mask mandates and lockdowns, the tech tyrants hate him. He's routinely been locked out of Twitter, and, last year, Amazon tried to shut down his self-published works about the virus.

Now Twitter has banned him permanently for pointing out the obvious about the vaccines: they're not real vaccines that provide permanent protection against an illness. (I liken them to space-age flu shots.)

Berenson has known for a while that he was going to get the ax, which is why, when he's appeared on Tucker Carlson's show (as he has regularly since the pandemic began), he's been urging people to visit his Substack account.

On Saturday, Berenson put up a short post at Substack entitled "Goodbye Twitter: I am officially suspended." The eye-catching thing on the post is the "entirely accurate" tweet that got him suspended  and he's right that it is entirely accurate:

Here's Berenson making the same point on Tucker Carlson's show a week and a half ago:

What was a little more interesting to me was a throwaway line Berenson dropped into his accompanying comments (emphasis mine):

This was the tweet that did it. Entirely accurate. I can't wait to hear what a jury will make of this.

That certainly sounds as if Berenson intends to sue Twitter  and the sooner the better. Twitter has defamed him by announcing to the world that Berenson  a man who makes his living as a journalist  is a liar. Considering how meticulous Berenson is about his facts, and how accurate he is about a vaccine that functions like a flu shot with some really scary side-effects, there's no way that Twitter can defend against the action.

I post on Twitter only to bring to your attention Tucker Carlson videos that don't appear on YouTube. When they're on the Fox News site, the embed code doesn't work at American Thinker, so the workaround is to run those videos through Twitter. I also use Twitter posts here as a form of shorthand. Since my posts aren't long-form writing, a Twitter post is often a good way to pack in a lot of information for you.

Although Twitter is a convenience for me, I wouldn't mind seeing it go. Any forum that bans the president of the United States but allows the head of the Taliban and the president of Iran to use it as an outlet for their statements to the world is a deeply corrupt entity that deserves to be destroyed.

Therefore, I wish Berenson the best of luck with his lawsuit. In the same way, I sincerely hope Donald Trump's suit against Twitter and Facebook prevails and that both Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg have cut out from under them the enormous amount of power these two abnormal, totalitarian men have amassed.

Image: Alex Berenson. YouTube screen grab.

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American troops are due to leave Afghanistan on Tuesday, even though uncounted Americans are stuck in the country. And by stuck, it appears that our American government is deliberately denying them access to Kabul airport. This isn't a wild rumor. Instead, it comes from two eminently reliable reporters (Lara Logan and Emily Miller) and from Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL.

On Saturday afternoon, Lara Logan first notified the world that American passports weren't getting people into the airport:

All that stands between these Americans & safety/home is the US govt & military.  Lara Logan (@laralogan) August 28, 2021

By Sunday, she had something worse to report:

If anyone is not paying att, the one thing you need to know about what is happening now in Afghanistan that will explain much of what happens from here is this:

THE UNITED STATES IS DIRECTING PERSECUTED AFGHANS AND HIGH VALUE TARGET ALLIES INTO TALIBAN CONTROLLED CHECKPOINTS.  Lara Logan (@laralogan) August 29, 2021

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a former Navy SEAL, who knows his way around a war zone, corroborated Logan's report:

Also hearing State Department actively blocking efforts to land private aircraft for extractions.



For context, most of the efforts youve been hearing about are essentially coordination, not veterans physically flying in privately to extract people. https://t.co/2FlOMPug8k  Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 29, 2021

The consequences of this evil behavior are real and deadly. By late Sunday night, Emily Miller, another reliable reporter, had stomach-churning updates from a retired Special Ops person on the ground in Afghanistan trying to rescue Americans and Afghan allies:

Report that buses of female American citizens were turned away at the gate at Kabul airport today from retired Army ops involved in the rescue efforts.  Emily Miller (@emilymiller) August 30, 2021

"The TB have been mass executing people on the streets of Kabul too. But that's not on the news. Confirmed by 2 sources on the ground."- Ret. Special Operator in US  Emily Miller (@emilymiller) August 30, 2021

"Were dealing with Kabul. Theres 7 buses of female American citizens. The CG refused to open the gate. We have a congressman with us and he had the state department reach out. MG Donahue refused. 10 minutes ago the females were taken by the Taliban. They are likely dead now."  Emily Miller (@emilymiller) August 30, 2021

(If not dead, they're on their way to becoming Taliban sex slaves.)

"We have made some headway in the past 12 hours or so. We finally have access into one country and guys were told they could fly tomorrow." - RET Special Operator leading teams in Afghanistan



*Tomorrow is now today there - Monday  Emily Miller (@emilymiller) August 30, 2021

"The state dep and military command at the airport have informed several former spec ops guys running these private ops that they have no exit assistance and they are at the mercy of the TB. They are sitting ducks for the terrorists all these guys have been fighting for 20 yrs."  Emily Miller (@emilymiller) August 30, 2021

Yes source is the retired special ops on the ground in Afghanistan trying to rescue Americans & Afghans but the USG stopped cooperating and on Sunday started actively blocking their efforts on Sunday - cited Biden @whitehosue @StateDept and @DeptofDefense https://t.co/UqLv6lzA0h  Emily Miller (@emilymiller) August 30, 2021

"Taliban now demanding phone calls from US citizens to vouch for every family on a manifested bus in order to get to the gate"  Emily Miller (@emilymiller) August 30, 2021

At this point, there are only two conclusions that can be drawn from what's happening in Afghanistan, beginning with Biden's decision to jettison Trump's careful plan and continuing through to the present day:

(1) Everyone in the White House, the State Department, and the Pentagon is so incompetent that a roomful of drunk kindergarteners could have handled the withdrawal from Afghanistan better than they have, or

(2) What we're witnessing is deliberate. I can believe that of Biden, who is a Chinese puppet. That the Pentagon brass would engage in this conduct means that they too are on the Chinese payroll which is a very distressing thought. Alternatively, it's deliberate because these people have been so steeped in America-hatred that they are willingly sabotaging America to destroy it. They are the contents of the Trojan Horse.

Further support for complicity rather than incompetence comes from Lara Logan:

Correct. and can be STOPPED BY THE US IF IT CHOOSES TO DO SO. Spent all night on the phone with dozens of military & Intel people involved & the consensus: if the American people knew what capability we have that we are not using, they would be STUNNED. https://t.co/PmG5L30GSz  Lara Logan (@laralogan) August 28, 2021

For the past five days, at least once a day, I receive a submission from someone that ends with these words: God help us. That's never happened before. These authors understand, as I do, and I'm sure you do, that with the current configuration of the White House, the State Department, and Pentagon, God's help is all that we have left.

Image: Afghans heading for American planes. YouTube screen grab.

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Painting false equivalences is a tool that is frequently used by the left when they commit massive blunders that are both untenable and undeniable.

The most frequently used false equivalence used by the left is that all religious extremists are identical.

We know that in contemporary times there is only one group of religious extremists who kill blasphemers, who indulge in the savage practice of beheading, who subjugate women and compel them to coverup from head to toe, who perform honour killings, who practice slavery, who kill homosexuals, who amputate the offender's hands for theft and who persecute and kill followers of other religions.

Now for the situation in Afghanistan.

Biden and his allies realize that it is impossible to disguise or spin the situation to their advantage since the occurrences are unfolding right on our screens.

Hence they apply the false equivalence technique with claims that both President Trump and Biden are equally responsible for the catastrophe in Afghanistan. Some audacious propagandists even attempt to place the heavier burden of the blame on President Trump. The claim is that President Trump set the table and Biden took the tough decisions. You would be forgiven for presuming that these are works of a news parody organization.

This is a blatant attempt to put the Republicans on the defensive, especially during the mid-terms. Instead of lambasting Biden for his disaster, the left intends to place a hurdle and lure Republicans into a debate about who is culpable.

Where there is black and white they intend to introduce shades of grey so the burden of the blame can be shared. Since they cannot convince, they intent to confuse. It helps them that there are many casual news consumers and headline readers who believe anything they read without much thought.

Lets use the pin of facts to pop the bulging balloon of propaganda.

Fact 1: During the Trump Presidency, Afghanistan had made fair progress, despite the Afghan governments considerable inadequacies and corruption. It was relatively peaceful and there was respectable economic growth.

Fact 2: Women were relatively safe and could step out of their houses and even go work without fear, especially in the cities.

Fact 3: Schools and Universities were functioning with students, including girl students being able to attend.

Fact 4: Less money was spent by the US government and there were no US soldier causalities for over a year.

Fact5: President Trumps strategy was to evacuate US personnel first, then the weaponry, finally the US armed forces would leave. All through the evacuation, the Bagram airbase would remain in US control.

Fact 6: President Trumps peace deal with Afghanistan was strictly conditions-based. There were retaliations in various forms whenever promises were violated.

Fact 7: President Trump had made it amply clear to the Taliban that if they did attempt to subvert the course of democracy in Afghanistan they would pay with their lives.

Now for what Biden actually did.

Bidens surreptitious and abrupt withdraw began with the US armed forces, quite soon the control of the Bagram airbase was relinquished.

Biden then proceeded to end all U.S. air support for Afghan forces, even depriving the Afghan military of most of the contract and maintenance support it needed .

Many Afghans who had worked alongside the US in hope to bring peace and progress to their country woke up that morning to discover that their long-time allies had disappeared without notice.

The psychological impact especially on Afghan security forces of this abandonment can hardly be exaggerated. It caused them to feel hopeless and surrender which was the most significant contributor to the ease at which the Taliban could seize control.

The Taliban also knew that, unlike President Trump, there would be no sort of reprisals from Biden when they took over Afghanistan by force

Biden did not even keep his allies in the loop. Biden reportedly ignored British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons attempts to contact him for approximately 36 hours as the Taliban cemented its control over Afghanistan.

The result is the US and its allies all over the world are now at the mercy of the Taliban for evacuating its citizens. The worst among Islamic terrorists have made Afghanistan their abode. Billions of dollars worth U.S. weaponry including Black Hawks and Humvees are now in the custody of the Taliban. It is likely that the Russians, the Chinese, and even the Iranians will exploit the chaos to their advantage. With a nuclear-armed terror state such as Pakistan as a neighbour, the situation in the region is likely to become highly volatile.

There were those who were hopeful that the Taliban 2.0 will do the right thing. But the Kabul airport terror attack that killed at least 60 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops, proved beyond any doubt that Afghanistan has descended into absolute anarchy.

In addition, the Taliban has ordered women to remain indoors. There also have been reports of women and children being attacked by the Taliban. There have been reports of journalists being brutalized by the Taliban. Taliban fighters also massacred nine ethnic Hazara men. The Taliban even admitted to killing an Afghan comedian. The incidences of brutality are numerous.

The resettling of Afghans who are in peril into the US is an act of kindness. But it could also be an act of extreme unkindness towards US citizens if these potential refugees are not properly vetted. Europe recently witnessed a sharp rise after their after accepting Afghan refugees without proper screening .

The biggest challenge is that owing to relative lack of development in Afghanistan, it is unlikely that their record-keeping of citizens was ever comprehensive, if it existed at all, this makes vetting almost impossible. Since allies were not included in the decision-making process to withdraw, the US may have no option but to accept the larger burden of refugees regardless of the outcome of the vetting. This is the riskiest and most dangerous aspect of the hasty withdrawal.

To sum it up, this is an unmitigated disaster at every level, the consequences of which may be felt for decades to come.

Even if we hypothesize that President Trumps withdrawal plan and peace deal was deficient. Biden had all the time and authority to develop plans of his own, set his own timelines and implement them.

Let there be no more confusion, the buck stops with Biden.

Biden and only Biden is responsible for this unmitigated disaster.

Do not allow the propagandists and spin masters to convince you otherwise.

Note: This version is slightly different from what originally appeared at the site. Rogue code was duplicating some content and deleting others.

Photo credit: YouTube screen grab (cropped).

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.




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Confusion On AP Capital Continues:- Several legislators and leaders of YSRCP turned over-excited and announced that the Centre declared Visakhapatnam as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. The issue has been pending in the AP High Court and the process of shifting from Amaravati is yet to commence. The government of Andhra Pradesh made all the arrangements for the new capital. With the announcements coming from the AP government, the Centre issued a statement soon saying that they haven't issued any confirmation about the capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The Centre said that Visakhapatnam is referred as the city of Andhra Pradesh and not the capital city of the state. It all started after the Petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri provided the details of the taxes that are levied by different states for petrol and diesel. He enclosed the details of the taxes by the states in their capitals. For Andhra Pradesh, he referred Vizag and the government of Andhra Pradesh revealed that the Centre made an official statement for the same. The people of Amaravati have been protesting in the city urging the state government not to shift the capital of Andhra Pradesh to Vizag. The AP government is keen to move to Vizag and YS Jagan will continue his governance from the coastal city.
TTD Cancels Controversial Sampdraya Bhojanam:- After the YSRCP government took charge in Andhra Pradesh, several controversial decisions are made in Tirumala. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) came up with a new plan to provide healthy food to the pilgrims visiting Tirumala and it is named Sampdraya Bhojanam. The traditional meal will be made using organic ingredients. The eight-day trial run commenced at Annamayya Bhavan on Thursday and it consisted of 14 dishes. But TTD is criticized as they wanted to charge the food from the pilgrims. The TTD has been offering free food for the pilgrims from the past few years as crores are donated for the food scheme.

TTD is badly criticized across the circles of social media for initiating a plan to charge from the customers when the free food scheme is happening without any jolts. TTD Chairman YV Subba Reddy announced that Sampdraya Bhojanam is now kept on hold. He said that the officials met and discussed about the new food scheme. The entire board members voted for the free food scheme which is served as the prasadam from god from the past few years. Social media erupted with fire against the government of Andhra Pradesh. YV Subba Reddy clarified that the free food scheme will continue in Tirumala without any delay.

(Video Source: ABN Telugu)
Samsungs brand-new Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic smartwatches support Gboard in case you arent liking the default Samsung keyboard. Well, Gboard is anyways better at voice-to-text translation than the default solution. So you might just want to get it for more accurate text input.

The small size of smartwatches significantly limits the richness of text input support on them. Its best done by voice as typing on the tiny screen can be a real pain. This makes the voice-to-text tech a crucial part of these wearables.

Samsung ships its smartwatches with its in-house keyboard and voice engine. It does quite a decent job at voice-to-text translation and has been serving millions of Galaxy Watch series users all this while. But since the latest Galaxy Watch 4 series runs Wear OS instead of Tizen OS, users now have a better option in the form of Gboard. Googles voice engine is more accurate and fast. So Gboard can better recognize your speech and translate it into text input faster than Samsungs default keyboard.

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As 9to5Google notes, it can still take a second before Gboard starts recognizing voice input. But when it does, its faster and more accurate, meaning there will be lesser errors and mistakes.

Gboards QWERTY layout makes it more helpful

Gboard also wins over Samsungs solution with support for a full QWERTY layout. The default Samsung keyboard only offers T9 input. It might be more small-screen-friendly but typing longer text on a T9 keyboard is painful. If you have a fairly long Wi-Fi password, which you wouldnt want to enter over voice, you are in for some repeated taps on your tiny wearable screen. Perhaps you cant input a Wi-Fi password over voice unless its a straightforward English sentence, so typing it in is the only option.

Gboards QWERTY layout, meanwhile, is tested on many other Wear OS devices in the past and it works great. Its predictive text input makes things easier if you have longer bits of text to type and you cant speak to type it over voice.

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Long story short, if youre planning the get the Samsung Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Watch Classic, or have already got one, replacing the default keyboard with Gboard might be one of the first things youd want to do on it. Note that Gboard doesnt come pre-installed in the new Samsung watches. But you can download it from the Google Play Store.
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(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 30 - COVID- 19 hospitalizations have been halved recently compared to previous waves of the virus, health group GIMBE said Monday.

"We saved the summer tourist season thanks to vaccinations," said GIMBE Foundation President Nino Cartabellotta.

"The percentage of hospitalizations is very much lower than the number of cases in the previous waves, it is around half," he told Radio Cusano Campus.

The differences at a regional level depends on the percentage of over 50s who have not been vaccinated in each regions, percentages that vary strongly, he said.

Some 3.5 million of over 50s have not yet been vaccinated and this could spell "a higher number of hospitalizations and fresh lockdowns", Cartabellotta said.

Looking ahead to the coming months, he said, the greatest concerns were the emergence of new variants and the potential drip in vaccine cover.

Italy aims to get 80% of its over 12 population jabbed by the end of next month.

COVID Commissioner Francesco Figliuolo said last week the vaccine rollout was on target to do that. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - TURIN, AUG 30 - An Italian lorry driver was crushed by own truck while he was unloading goods near Turin on Monday.

The incident happened in a supermarket car park at La Loggia.

The man reportedly failed to pull the hand brake and the vehicle went forward and crushed him to death as he was unloading articles to be placed on shelves.

An emergency team rushed to the scene but were unable to do anything for him.

An autopsy has been ordered.

Italy is in the middle of a spate of fatal workplace accidents which has spurred calls to raise workplace safety.

A 39-year-old Italian diver died in a workplace accident at a fish farm owned by a firm at Piombino near Livorno on Thursday.

Rescue teams said the man was probably hit by a boat.

The death of the 22-year-old mother of a five-year-old boy, Luana D'Orazio, in a textile mill accident near Prato on May 3, placed the issue at the centre of public debate once again.

Another five people died at work in the first week of May, in accidents. They were followed by six more in June.

Premier Mario Draghi said that more must be done on workplace safety.

Over 2,000 additional workplace safety inspectors will be hired adding to the 4,500 now on duty, he said.

The rash of fatal accidents earlier this month with more deaths.

A 36-year-old man died at a foundry that produces aluminium components for cars in San Paolo d'Argon, in the northern province of Bergamo, following a fall.

Also, a 56-year-old man died after suffering burns on 70% of his body in a workplace accident in Asti. The man was a technician who was working at a retail outlet.

Two workers died in Italy on August 9, including an 18-year-old who fell down a gorge on his first day on the job as a game warden.

The run of workplace deaths also includes that of Laila El Harim, a 40-year-old woman originally from Morocco who died on August 4 at a plant at Camposanto, in the northern province of Modena, after getting caught up in the machine she was working on.

She left behind a four-year-old daughter and her partner.

The head of Italy's workplace accident and occupational illness insurance agency INAIL blasted the situation as "shameful".

"A leap forward in relation to workplace security and prevention is fundamentally important because you can't keep having these deaths," INAIL President Franco Bettoni told RAI television.

"We have to keep investing in prevention and INAIL will continue to do this together with businesses and trade unions.

"It is necessary to develop a culture of safety, starting from school, and INAIL will work on this too".

Maurizio Landini, the leader of Italy's biggest trade-union confederation CGIL, suggested introducing a points-based penalty system regarding workplace accidents for firms, like that of driving licences.

"The time has come to make serious investments," Landini said.

"And a points-based licence is needed too so that firms with too many accidents cannot continue to take part in public tenders".

El Harim was not trained to use the machine that killed her, investigators have concluded. (ANSA).


Israeli soldier wounded at the border with Gaza dies Shot nine days ago during clashes

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, AUGUST 30 - Sergeant Barel Hadarya Shmueli, 21, died on Monday at a hospital in Beer Sheba. He was wounded nine days ago near the demarcation line with Gaza during extensive clashes. He was shot in the head at close range by a Palestinian youth who, according to social networks, is a member of Hamas. Mass prayers were held for days in front of the hospital in the hope that he would recovery, though his condition was serious. Premier Naftali Bennett, Defense Minister Benny Gantz and opposition leader Benyamin Netanyahu offered condolences.



News of the soldier's death came as growing tension has been registered over the past days along the demarcation line between Israel and Gaza. At the initiative of Hamas, groups of demonstrators have gathered over the past two nights along the border fence, firing bombs and fireworks against Israeli patrols. Soldiers responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.



Incendiary balloons launched yesterday from Gaza, moreover, set Israeli fields nearby on fire and the Israeli air force responded attacking two Hamas positions. The Israeli army boosted its presence along the border and deployed to the area Iron Dome air defense batteries.(ANSAmed).




MADRID - At least 289 migrants have landed on the Canary Islands since Saturday, according to the latest data on the route between northwestern Africa and the Spanish archipelago over the past weekend provided by the regional emergency service and Spanish news agency Efe. The latest landings occurred last night in Gran Canaria. Some of the boats that arrived over the weekend landed without the intervention of authorities while others needed to be rescued at sea.



The migrants who arrived on Saturday included the 27 survivors of a particularly dramatic trip: they were sighted while they were adrift over 500 miles from the Canaries, on a boat with the bodies of four people on board. One of the 27 people, a woman, died when she reached the port of Gran Canaria.



The survivors said they spent more than 10 days at sea.



According to the latest data provided by the Spanish interior ministry, as of August 15 at least 8,222 people had already landed on the Canary Islands this year, up 144.4% on the same period in 2020.
TEL AVIV - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz met last night in Ramallah, in the West Bank. It was the first high-level meeting between Palestinian and Israeli officials in a decade and followed recent talks between Premier Naftali Bennett and US President Joe Biden in Washington.



"President Abu Mazen (as Abbas is also known) - wrote on Twitter Hussein al-Sheikh, adviser to the head of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) - has met with Minister Benny Gantz in Ramallah. Together they discussed all aspects of relations between Israelis and Palestinians".



Gantz's office explained that the themes discussed were connected to security, diplomacy and civil affairs. "Gantz told Abu Mazen - the defense ministry's office continued - that Israel is ready to undertake a series of measures aimed at strengthening the PNA's economy and there was also talk of modeling the reality of security, civil and economic of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and Gaza".



According to Gantz's office, the meeting was divided into two parts: the first was attended by security representatives from both sides while the second consisted of bilateral talks between Abbas and the Israeli minister. Sources close to Premier Bennett were quoted by Haaretz as saying that there is currently no ongoing "diplomatic path with the Palestinians". However, the last time Israelis and Palestinians met for high-level talks dates back to 2010, at the beginning of the second mandate of Premier Benyamin Netanyahu.
Libya: ministers of neighboring countries gather in Algiers To discuss upcoming elections, security challenges in region

(ANSAmed) - TUNIS, AUGUST 30 - A meeting of foreign ministers from Libya's neighboring countries is scheduled today and tomorrow in Algiers. Representatives of Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Niger and Chad will discuss, among other issues, the upcoming elections in the North African country and the challenges of security in the region.



The meeting will be attended by Congo's Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso, representing President Denis Sassou-Nguesso who leads the high-level committee of the African Union on Libya. Also present will be the secretary general of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the representative of the UN secretary general in Libya, Jan Kubis.



"This meeting - according to a statement of Tripoli's foreign ministry - is an opportunity to keep more consultations and coordination on the latest developments in Libya and means to support the initiative of Libyan stability, launched by Foreign Minister Najila al-Mangoush during the second Berlin conference, to end any interference in Libya's domestic affairs, as part of a process to hold an international conference, chaired and organized by Libya, which will be attended by all regional and international actors of the Libyan dossier".



"This conference - the statement also said - aims to reach security and stability across the entire Libyan territory, to unify the State's sovereign institutions, in particular military and security ones, to reach the elections according to a precise schedule.(ANSAmed).




Migrants: Brussels expects 30,000 resettlements until 2022 300 mn to be allocated, according to general data, spokesperson

(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, AUGUST 30 - The European Commission expects to allocate 300 million euros to the resettlement of 30,000 refugees in the EU, until 2022. This is according to general data not specifically referred to Afghan asylum seekers, a spokesperson of the European executive said, responding to a question.(ANSAmed).




A former Royal Marine has admitted his emotions got the better of him when he left an expletive-laden message for a Government aide while trying to evacuate around 170 dogs and cats from an animal shelter in Afghanistan to the UK.

Paul Pen Farthing arrived at Londons Heathrow Airport in a privately funded charter flight at about 7.30am on Sunday, following his Operation Ark campaign to get workers and animals from the Nowzad shelter in Kabul out of the country.

A recording, obtained by The Times, captured Mr Farthing berating Peter Quentin, a special adviser to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, earlier in the week, accusing him of blocking efforts to arrange the evacuation flight.

On Monday, Mr Farthing told ITVs Good Morning Britain: Im incredibly embarrassed about my language, I do apologise to everybody whos listened to that.

I was at the lowest point I could possibly be. I understand how the world works but emotions got the better of me, so for all those who had to listen to that I do apologise for my language.

I should not have said it like that, but the sentiment, yes, I was just incredibly upset, angry, frustrated, it was the lowest point. I had no other option, I didnt know what else to do.

So thats why youve probably heard some colourful language.

Ben Wallace (Leon Neal/PA)

Mr Farthings Operation Ark campaign became hugely topical on social media, but Mr Wallace had complained it was distracting from the focus on evacuating the most vulnerable out of Afghanistan.

Mr Wallace previously said Ministry of Defence staff had faced abuse from Mr Farthings supporters.

However, Mr Farthing dismissed claims that he was helped by the UK Government to get into Kabul airport with his animals.

He said: Nobody in the British Government facilitated my entry into that airport  I did that with the Taliban.

I came up to the British checkpoint, that was the first time  and this is well into the airport, the Taliban and British are stood there, theres some barbed wire separating them  that was the first time I spoke to any British people.

Pen Farthing (Nowzad/PA)

So whoever is making any accusations or any comments needs to actually have been stood there on the ground to see how I got into that airport.

Nobody facilitated my entry any interpreters or anybody else, there was me and the truck full of dogs and cats, which went into a cargo hold where you cannot put people.

Mr Farthing added he was the only person on the flight but he was told there was enough capacity to get the remaining people in the airport out.

He said: I was probably like the last person to enter that airport  it was closed. Americans, the British, had obviously stopped taking people in because there had to be a point where they stopped taking people in.

So they assured me they had enough capacity for everybody who was inside the airport.

All of the almost 100 dogs and 70 cats on the flight were healthy, with the dogs placed in kennels, according to Dominic Dyer, an animal welfare campaigner and supporter of Mr Farthing.

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly insisted the Government had prioritised the evacuation of people over pets.

He told LBC Radio: We have always prioritised evacuating people over evacuating animals.

Mr Farthing is a British national, he had the opportunity to leave Afghanistan much earlier. His staff are enrolled on to the scheme by which Afghans that worked with the British were able to be evacuated.

But as I have said, we have always prioritised the evacuation of people.
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YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has registered a 23% growth in export in the first half of 2021 according to the 7th ongoing economic research of the Eurasian Expert Club.

Member of the Club, Doctor in Economics, Professor Ashot Tavadyan told a press conference in Armenpress that economic growth of a country with small economy is ensured by export.

23% growth in export has been registered in 2021 compared to 2020, but this has been ensured mainly thanks to external factors. Internal factors remain expensive and not effective. The export to Russia grew by 35%, and to Kazakhstan by 2 times, he said.

The economist noted that there are positive trends in terms of import as mainly the import of various types of fuels has increased.

We have a very low figure in tourism sector. We have a serious problem with transformation of economic governance, Tavadyan said.

As for the possible foreign investments, he said all enterprises in Armenia are Closed Joint Stock Companies and its not known what an investor must do in that case, whether he must start from zero on his own.

He noted that investors must be attracted by reforms.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. Chancellor of Austria Sebastian Kurz has sent a congratulatory letter to Nikol Pashinyan on the appointment as Prime Minister of Armenia, the PMs Office told Armenpress.

The letter reads:

Your Excellency,

Mr. Prime Minister,

I warmly congratulate you on your re-appointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

On September 21, 2021, Armenia will mark the 30th anniversary of its independence. During all these years the relations between our countries have constantly deepened and expanded. I am happy that the Austrian Development Agency has greatly intensified its engagement in the past years. Currently Armenia is among the central countries for Austria in the context of development policy. I am expecting further development of bilateral relations also in the economic sector.

You are assuming the position of the prime minister in difficult times. COVID-19 pandemic and the escalation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict last year were heavy challenges for Armenia. Austria is concerned by the escalation of new violence on border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which continues to claim lives. I want to assure that Austria will continue maximally support confidence building in the region, as Foreign Minister Schallenberg has stated during the visit to Armenia paid by an EU mandate.

I wish you health and success while fulfilling your duties, the letter says.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, 30 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 30 August, USD exchange rate is down by 0.22 drams to 493.49 drams. EUR exchange rate is up by 1.82 drams to 582.27 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate is up by 0.03 drams to 6.70 drams. GBP exchange rate is up by 1.87 drams to 678.70 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price is up by 176.17 drams to 28535.13 drams. Silver price is down by 1.20 drams to 374.6 drams. Platinum price is down by 7.01 drams to 15723.28 drams.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. A meeting between the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Arshak Karapetyan and Chinese Ambassador to Armenia Fan Yong took place on August 30.

Military Attache for Defense of the Chinese Embassy in Armenia, Senior Colonel Sun Jilun and his assistant took part in the meeting.



As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MoD Armenia, Ambassador of the PRC congratulated Arshak Karapetyan on the occasion of being appointed as Minister of Defense and wished new success in the responsible state mission.



During the meeting the Minister of Defense of Armenia informed Ambassador Fan Yong about the regional situation and the recent developments at border areas of Armenia.



The parties praised the Armenian-Chinese cooperation in political, economic, humanitarian, educational and other fields. The process of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense and future programs were discussed.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 30, ARMENPRESS. A consultation was held on August 30 chaired by Defense Minister Arshak Karapetyan,s uring which the process of the 3-month training of the reservists was discussed. The heads of departments in charge for the trainings presented reports on the results of the first a few day.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press serviceof the MoD Armenia, the Defense Minister positively assessed the readiness of the citizens to participate in this important event aimed at raising the defense capacities of the country, and instructed to do utmost for ensuring maximal productivity of the trainings by enriching the theoretical and practical knowledge of the participants.
Finland and Latvia together with Patria have signed a Frame Agreement for a production phase management of the joint 6x6 armoured vehicle. Within this agreement, the parties involved can exercise joint procurement management, achieving technical and economic benefits from the overall procurement scope of the programme.

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Latvia and Patria signed a supply contract comprising over 200 units of Patria 6x6 armoured personnel carriers developed under the joint development programme (Picture source: Patria)

At the same time, Latvia and Patria signed a supply contract comprising over 200 units of 6x6 armoured personnel carriers developed under the joint development programme, also including their support and training systems. The vehicle deliveries will take place between 2021 and 2029. Finland and Patria in turn signed a Letter of Intent on the forthcoming serial order of Finland.

The joint programme is open to other countries with the mutual consent of the participating countries. In general, this common vehicle system will improve the mobility, cost-effectiveness, interoperability, and security of the supply of armies in the participating countries.

"The serial production start of 6x6 vehicles is a significant milestone for us, and we at Patria are proud of providing our expertise in the joint programme, which offers a very cost-effective solution for the participating countries. We believe that this will certainly be of interest also to other countries which are keen on enhancing their army mobility", states Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO of Patria.

"Patria 6x6 vehicle is our latest product combining excellent off-road mobility and ease of use. Long-life cycle and efficient maintainability make it very cost-efficient to operate. It adapts to several mission needs and provides high versatility to match future needs. We think that Patria 6x6 is simply the best of the market for this purpose. We at Patria have potential for creating production and maintenance capacity building up the security of supply capability", says Jussi Jarvnen, President of Patria's Land business unit.

The Patria 6x6 vehicle combines all the proven features of Patria XA and AMV vehicles. It is simplified, reliable and designed to meet the highest requirements of customers. Its capable off-road mobility is guaranteed by an efficient power unit and the independent suspension familiar from Patria AMV vehicle. Due to the spacious interior and well-defined functions, the vehicle is easy to operate and to train.
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As chaos prevails and the region gets further destabilised, undoubtedly borders will get erased

The 'XR' activists were joined by 'Animal Rebellion' activists who went on to pour red colour in the iconic fountain outside the Buckingham Palace gates. (Twitter)

Everyday we face news about Afghanistan: about people being attacked, threatened, being forced to leave the country they belong to, and love. About divided families. About traumatised children. About women and the atrocities inflicted on them.

Those of us familiar with the fallout of the Partition of India (and our team which has set up the Partition Museum in Amritsar, Kolkata and now in Delhi, certainly is)  know this is what happens when people are divided, by force. The largest migration in the world, which took place in 1947, was suddenly announced and led to immense tragedy and killings.

This is reflected in Afghanistan today.

Unless plans were in place  and people were evacuated over a period of months and not days  this was bound to happen. And as we can see  it is the thugs of yesterday and the terrorists of today who take advantage of the innocent. Those who still dont understand the bloodshed of 1947  can find in Afghanistan a reflection of what happened in India 75 years ago.

But at least many among the Afghans who want to migrate are being helped by the airlifts of the superpowers. In India at the time of Partition  unless there were some proactive local officer, or well connected benefactors  people were left mostly on their own.

As chaos prevails and the region gets further destabilised, undoubtedly borders will get erased. One border that looks increasingly fragile is between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as refugees flee across, around 20,000 daily.

On the other hand, of course more than 14,000 refugees have entered the UK, legally and are being given protection. The process continues  and already over 500,000 Afghans have left their country, trying to find safe refuge, in different parts of the world.

But to reiterate the incredible generosity of the British: at least 10,000 hosts have registered with a charity to open up their spare rooms for refugees. This will be only a temporary stay of course, but it will help immensely help those who have lost everything.

London rocks with rebellions! And Extinction Rebellion, in which people occupy public spaces, just shows the extent to which people take climate change seriously! This time they occupied Trafalgar Square, blocked traffic and definitely got noticed. It is more or less the strategy followed by the farmers in India  except here they are allowed straight into the city centre. They were protesting against the use of fossil fuels and managed to sit right outside the department for business, energy and industrial strategy.

The XR activists were joined by Animal Rebellion activists who went on to pour red colour in the iconic fountain outside the Buckingham Palace gates. This, according to them, symbolised blood on the Queens hands, as she had allowed her the Crown lands to be used for hunting as well as animal farming.

These protest programmes certainly cause immense disruption  but then that is the whole idea of civil disobedience. Interestingly, the XR group does feel that their message of saving the planet is getting across more widely. But whether they will be able to stop policies of road building or encourage the Queen to grow healthy food on crown lands for the country is doubtful. In the meanwhile, we have been subject to dramatic red colour floating in the fountains at the foot of the palace, as though a murder had just taken place. Disturbing! Just as the activists wanted!

Jabbing children between the ages of 12 and 15 years might be next on the agenda as a means of controlling Covid in schools. Not all parents are enthusiastic, though, as results from other countries that have vaccinated young children are still awaited. However, the government might allow children who want Covid jabs to get them without parental consent. This, of course, could lead to unforeseen consequences but right now no one is thinking of that. Another key change could be that children would be vaccinated at the schools, rather than in GP clinics. Surveys have also shown that most 10- to 17-year-olds are really keen to get vaccinated.

But more information and transparency is often required before one feels completely safe with any vaccine. For instance, there is still not much knowledge about the India-made Covaxin here nor is it recognised. The long-delayed clearance from WHO has created an impediment for students and business travellers from India who had taken the vaccine on the assurance that it was only a matter of time before it was put on par with the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines. One hopes that the approval from WHO will be fast tracked. It will not only provide relief in an already challenging environment for education and jobs abroad, it will also be a step in the right direction in boosting the Made-in-India campaign.
The party high command will take a call on it very soon, he said

Raipur: Chhattisgarh health minister T.S. Singh Deo on Sunday raked up the contentious chief minister rotation issue that has threatened to trigger a crisis in the Bhupesh Baghel government, indicating that he was not ready to allow it to be swept under the carpet.

Opening up on the issue for the first time since it cropped up a month ago, Mr Deo said: The issue was an internal matter of the Congress. But the matter is now being discussed in public since it leaked to the media. The party high command will take a call on it very soon.

Speaking to reporters here after returning from New Delhi, Mr Deo said: The party high command has discussed the issue with the concerned parties and a decision (on a change of leadership in the state) will be taken very soon.

Incidentally, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel had earlier categorically denied that there was any formula to rotate the chief ministership for two and half years each between him and Mr Deo, as claimed by the latter, during the formation of the Congress government after the party romped home in Chhattisgarh in the 2018 Assembly polls.

It is a conspiracy to destabilise my government by spreading such a rumour, Mr Baghel had earlier told reporters here.

AICC general secretary in charge of Chhattisgarh P.L. Punia has also clarified that there was no rotation chief minister formula.

Mr Deo said the Congress MLAs who visited New Delhi recently also expressed their views on the issue before the AICC leaders. There should be a permanent resolution to the issue, he observed.

Asked to comment on the visit of more than 50 Congress MLAs to New Delhi amid the crisis in the party, Mr Deo said: Around 90 per cent of them told the AICC leadership that they would abide by the decision taken by the party high command on the matter.

Mr Deo said he had a free and frank discussion with the high command on the issue during his recent visit to New Delhi. The party high command has taken note of it, he added.

Asked if he saw himself as a prospective chief minister, Mr Deo quipped: If anything is permanent, that is change.

Mr Deos statement, incidentally, comes a day after the chief minister exuded confidence that he would continue in office by holding a victory rally here on his return from Delhi on Saturday.
The writer is based in South India for the past 40 years. He writes on India, China, Tibet and Indo-French relations.

Both New Delhi and the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala must take up this issue seriously

Apart from an intensive drive for PLA recruitment, the stability of the borders seems to be the Chinese leaderships main worry. Representational Image. (AFP)

China wants us to believe that it liberated Tibet 70 years ago. It didnt really happen like that. Its true that on May 23, 1951, Tibet and China signed an Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, also known as the 17-Point Agreement; but it sealed the invasion of Tibet, not its liberation.

In his memoirs, the Dalai Lama said the agreement was forced under duress on the Tibetan delegates, and even the seals on the agreement had been forged. When he crossed the Indian border in March 1959 and reached Tezpur in Assam, the Tibetan leader immediately denounced the accord.

Strangely, the Communist Party of China decided to commemorate the May 23 event in August. No one knows why the so-called liberation wasnt celebrated May 23 or even when core leader Xi Jinping visited Tibet in July. Was Beijing nervous about the border situation in Ladakh in May?

On August 19, a high-level Beijing delegation led by Wang Yang, head of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference and member of the politburo standing committee, landed in Lhasa to attend the 70th anniversary functions. Mr Wang is fourth in the Communist pantheon.

Besides several officials of the United Front Work Department, which deals with minorities (and Tibet in particular), including its minister, You Quan, and a handful of hardcore Tibetan Communists, Mr Wang was accompanied by Adm. Miao Hua, member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and director of the CMC political work department.

Though very few commentators noticed the admirals presence, it was certainly a first for landlocked Tibet to see the white uniform of a three-star admiral. Later, Adm. Miao, accompanied by Lt. Gen. Zhang Xuejie, the powerful political commissar of the Tibet Military District (TMD), went by a fast train to the remote, cold, deserted high-altitude region of Nagchu. Adm. Miao had probably come to the Roof of the World for political work and to follow up on his colleague Gen. Zhang Youxias border discussions with the TMD during President Xis visit in July.

What is really cooking on the Roof of the World?

Apart from an intensive drive for PLA recruitment, the stability of the borders seems to be the Chinese leaderships main worry. In his speech from Potala Square, Mr Wang said: At present, the social situation in Tibet is harmonious and stable, the quality of development is constantly improved, peoples living standards are comprehensively raised, the ecological security barrier is increasingly solid, ethnic and religion aspects are harmonious, the frontier is consolidated, and the border is safe, the Partys construction is comprehensively strengthened, and the new socialist Tibet is vibrantly alive. It could all be wishful thinking.

Besides the construction of 605 moderately well-off villages on Indias borders, another way to stabilise the border is inter-marriage between Hans and Tibetans. Over the past 70 years, this has been rare: Tibetans have always been reluctant to lose their Tibetanness. This seems to be changing.

In March 1955, in a report to the external affairs ministry, Apa Pant, the political officer in Sikkim, said people in the Chumbi Valley near Sikkim were taken in by Chinese efforts to win over Tibetans; and he mentioned inter-marriages. One of the aspects of the policy of establishing a closer bond between Tibet and China is the great encouragement, even at times through a great deal of propaganda, that is being given to Sino-Tibetan marriages, he wrote, saying many Tibetans feared the Chinese would marry the most eligible Tibetan girls and produce a new generation of Sino-Tibetans who will have deeper emotional feelings towards China. However, this type of inter-marriage practically stopped after the Dalai Lama took refuge in India in 1959.

The situation has changed, as an article in China Daily puts it: Han-Tibetan couples reflect the regions love of unity. The newspaper published several quotes attributed to Xi Jinping during his interaction with local officials in Tibet in July: The border area is the first line of defence and the barrier for national security. We must strengthen the construction of border infrastructure, encourage people of all ethnic groups to take root at the border, protect the country or build their hometown.

The Chinese paper noted: Official statistics showed that more than 40 ethnic minorities live in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and Tibetan inhabitants account for over 90 per cent of the 3.64 million population. Nowadays, families consisting of members of different ethnic backgrounds are quite common in Tibet.

Whether its true or not is difficult to say.

The partys newspaper cites the example of four couples, their Han-Tibetan inter-marriage being a great demonstration of ethnic unity in this new era of development.

Is it State policy to be implemented before the next Tibet Work Forum in 2025? These decisions (like compulsory conscription of Tibetans in the PLA) usually remain secret till they are fully implemented.

A few months ago, Xinhua had touched upon the issue: According to statistics, there are more than 560 multi-ethnic families in Metok [near Upper Siang of Arunachal Pradesh]. People of different ethnic groups help each other in farming and animal husbandry, and children of different ethnic groups study in the same classroom. People here celebrate New Years Day, the Lunar New Year, Tibetan New Year or folk culture festivals of the Monpa ethnic group.

The official news agency highlighted the case of Zhang Chunhuan and his family celebrating together the Chinese New Year: Eight years ago, Zhang Chunhuan, a young man from Shanxi Province, came to Metok. At that time, the traffic in the county located at the southern foot of the Himalayas was inconvenient. Zhang had to walk three-four hours from some townships to the county seat to buy daily necessities. He never planned to make his home here one day, recalled Zhang.

These are obviously model cases to be emulated by many more Tibetans: Beijing calculated if thousands of Tibetan girls marry Chinese migrants (for example, those coming to work on mega infrastructure development projects at the border), a page will be turned forever, with no chance for Tibet to again become Tibet in the future.

Both New Delhi and the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala must take up this issue seriously, otherwise border populations across North India will soon have to face new neighbours, with all the consequences it implies.

This, along more intensive Tibetan recruitment in the PLA, the means to stabilise the border was certainly discussed by Adm. Miao Hua with the TMD generals.
The case has been referred to the coroner and the cause of death has not yet been determined

Wellington: New Zealand health authorities reported what they believe to be the countrys first death linked to the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

A woman died from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle wall, following her Pfizer vaccination, New Zealands Covid-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board said in an emailed statement on Monday. It said myocarditis is known to be a rare side effect of the Pfizer vaccine.

The case has been referred to the coroner and the cause of death has not yet been determined, however the board considered that the myocarditis was probably due to vaccination, it said. This is the first case in New Zealand where a death in the days following vaccination has been linked to the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

New Zealand is currently in a national lockdown due to a community outbreak of the highly infectious delta strain of Covid-19. It is ramping up what has been one of the slowest vaccine rollouts in the developed world, and is only using Pfizer. More than 3.3 million doses of the two-dose vaccine have so far been administered, enough to fully immunize about 23% of the population.

The benefits of vaccination with the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine continue to greatly outweigh the risk of both Covid-19 infection and vaccine side effects, including myocarditis, the board said. The Pfizer vaccine is highly effective in protecting against serious illness and death from Covid-19, and we remain confident about using it in New Zealand.
ICE

Just like some petrolheads will forever stay loyal tovehicles, no matter how alluring EVs may sound, people who know a thing or two about aviation wouldnt give away a vintage military airplane for a contemporary business jet or, even worse, an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft).Luckily, warbird enthusiasts can get their hands on perfectly functional aircraft that had served in the Army decades ago - some of them quite rare, all of them with a fascinating history. This 1960 A-4C Skyhawk, listed for sale via Controller , is a fine example of that. One of the U.S. Navys best aircraft, it was innovative at the time of its built, due to the significantly reduced weight.During the 1950s, Douglas Aircraft Companys designer, Ed Heinemann, noticed the increasing cost and weight of combat aircraft, so he developed the A-4 with a small delta wing, fewer cockpit components and other modifications that made it much lighter than standard airplanes.

Dubbed the Tinker Toy by the pilots, Skyhawk not only reached a world speed record of 695 mph (1,118 kph) over a 310 miles (500 km) course in 1959, but also conducted more combat missions than any other naval aircraft during the Vietnam War.If youve got $1.3 million laying around, you could find out what its like to fly an A-4C Skyhawk. This one apparently underwent a serious upgrade, and what stands out about it are the Argentinian Navy markings  several versions of the Skyhawk were delivered to foreign air forces, including Israel and Argentina. Equipped with Collins and Garmin avionics, the A-4C can reach a top speed of 670 mph (1,078 kph) at sea level, and boasts a 2,525-mile (4,060 km) range.Production ceased in 1979, and the Navy retired its last Douglas A-45 in 2003. So, if you always dreamt of flying a rare naval aircraft, this Tinker Toy looks like an interesting option.
Of those cars, only 797 were specified with the A-833 four-speed manual. Revered as the grandfather of performance transmissions from Chryslers Mopar division, this fellow remained an important feature in the automakers lineup into the late 1980s thanks to its world-class durability.Documented with two build sheets, the Honey Bronze-painted example offered by the Illinois-based Volo Auto Museum is arrow straight in every respect. No signs of rust or damage compromise the design, which includes red striping on the sides and matte-black hood stripes. Presented in like-new condition, the powered top is complemented by a crystal-clear windshield.Optioned with fender turn signals that still operate, the open-air muscle car rides on Magnum wheels and redline tires from BFGoodrich. The front bucket seats flank a tidy-looking center console, and every piece of interior trim shows minimal wear. The original AM eight-track stereo plays through a pair of factory speakers, and all six interior lights work as intended. Presented with the original seatbelts and Road Runner-branded floor mats, the matching-numbers car is completed by a trunk mat, jack, and spare tire.Painted in Mopar orange, the 383 Magnum cranks out 335 gross horsepower and 425 gross pound-feet (576 Nm) of torque. In this application, less is more because the 6.3-liter engine doesnt weigh as much as the 440 or HEMI options. Under the hood, youll also find a Road Runner beep-beep horn, the original washer bottle, radiator, and a battery disconnect switch.Hooked up to the period-correct mufflers and tailpipes, the 383 is kept in check by disc brakes up front and drums for the rear axle. Jay Grams of the Volo Auto Museum says that were looking at one of the best-driving cars hes ever been in, a very honest Road Runner that performs like it is new.Appraised at $90,000 at the moment of reporting, this incredible-looking blast from the past is carrying a selling price of $86,998 or $905 per month.
Does anyone need an introduction to the Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand? Its success is so great that even automobile lovers, especially truck fans, want a piece of the action. So, automakers and aftermarket companies obliged, creating Harley-Davidson-themed special editions. One of them would be Tuscany Motor , a company that can hook up GMC Sierra 1500 and Harley-Davidson fans with a pickup truck that potentially blends the best of both worlds.Its rugged performance appeal hasnt escaped the all-seeing eye of the virtual artists of the world. And Oscar Vargas, the pixel master behind the wb.artist20 account on social media has decided to mix an entire host of pop culture icons. There are so many of them that we could even see the love for the utilitarian GMC Savana skyrocket a little bit after this one.So, the CGI expert decided to bring back into the 21st century his vision of The A-Team's 1983 GMC Vandura van. Naturally, its complete with the signature red stripe and crimson rooftop spoiler, as well as the red-and-black turbine mag wheels. But rather than just taking the contemporary GMC Savana and working on that alone, he also chose to bring in some of the goodies from Tuscanys Harley-Davidson Sierra 1500 pickup truck.Additionally, just in case anyone wants something tamer and doesnt have the fictitious United States Army Special Forces unit in the blood, theres also a standard Savana. Granted, its not the same with Chevrolets Express. Instead, this base GMC Savana also keeps the new DNA taken from the official Harley-Davidson GMC truck. And, although beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, it could be said that it looks spot on.
It is not clear if the Weibo user Yuguo Tianqing 7577 is a woman or a man. CNEVPost referred to a male owner, but the Weibo post in which this person complained about the apparent defect has the picture of a woman, so we will treat the Weibo user as such.Yuguo Tianqing 7577s message on Chinese social media was to say how disappointed she was about her car. She would be speechless for driving for so many years and still having to hear that she had to take her car to the Nio service center for inspection with a broken accelerator pedal. The post brought pictures of the damaged component and tagged William Li, founder and CEO of Nio. Nio executive took care of the answer. Ma Lin, the companys director of communications, apologized for the issue and said that the accelerator pedal is designed with a fracture-inducing groove if it suffers intense lateral forces. The idea would be both to protect the passengers in case of a crash and to avoid getting the accelerator pedal stuck in a position that keeps it activated.According to CNEVPost, Nios explanation for the issue was that the owners shoe dragged the accelerator pedal when she was getting out of the car. That may reinforce the fact that the Weibo user is actually a man, but even a massive fellow would have a hard time breaking a piece of metal just by dragging it with his feet. CNEVPost remembers that Chery, Tesla, and BYD vehicles had accelerator pedals fracturing. Volkswagen and Aston Martin would even have made recalls to fix pedals prone to breaking more than they should. Although more manufacturers are involved in similar issues, it definitely seems that the situation deserves a better explanation.
In other words, Jolla wants to use its AppSupport system to develop an infotainment solution that comes with standalone Android compatibility. The latter part is important, as Jolla's fully-licensed Sailfish OS has had Android app compatibility since 2013.The part with Android app compatibility means that the system would provide support for popular apps without reliance on Google. The latter aspect is important in markets where Google is not that popular, like Russia and China, but also where users want a more privacy-focused solution.Jolla has managed to become profitable in 2020, and that has changed the company's view of the future. With stable finances, the company will expand in the current direction, which is becoming an alternative to Google's Android , even in open-source form, that will meet the needs of businesses and governments.The Sailfish OS has reached its fourth generation in February 2021. It was first launched on the market in 2013, and it started as a platform to run trusted mobile solutions securely. Jolla is focused on remaining a European alternative to the current dominating mobile operating systems.The Finnish company offers exclusive licensing options for local implementations, and Jolla hopes to enter the IoT market, as well as the automotive industry. In the case of the latter, companies would have another option for their infotainment systems, which would continue to have support for popular apps on Android.As TechCrunch notes, Jolla was founded by a group of former Nokia staff. The company's founders left the Finnish communications giant to be sure the world will have a Linux-based Android rival. While it took them several years to reach profitability, they are now ready for new directions with their product.
In this file photo, tenants rights advocates demonstrate outside the Edward W. Brooke Courthouse in Boston. States have begun to ramp up the amount of rental assistance reaching tenants but there are still millions of families facing eviction who havent gotten help. The Treasury Department says just $5.1 billion of the estimated $46.5 billion in federal rental assistance, or only 11%, has been distributed by states and localities through July.
The United States, along with 97 other countries, announced Sunday that they had reached an agreement with the Taliban to allow them to continue to get Afghan allies out of the country after the Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline.

Why it matters: "We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan," the joint statement said.

"We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country," the statement continued.

"We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding."

Sher Mohammed Abas Stanekzai, the Taliban's chief negotiator, said on Friday that the group would not stop people from departing.

Of note: National security adviser Jake Sullivan said on "Face the Nation" the U.S. has "considerable leverage" to "hold the Taliban to its commitments."
Armen Grigorian was the secretary of the Armenian governments Security Council before being named first deputy foreign minister on July 14 in what some political allies of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian described as a prelude to his appointment as the countrys new top diplomat.

The key ministerial post remained vacant, however, even after Pashinian handpicked in early August the 13 other members of his new cabinet formed as a result of the June 20 parliamentary elections.

Media reports claimed that the prime minister is having second thoughts about appointing Grigorian as foreign minister because of Russian objections. Grigorian, 37, worked for or cooperated otherwise with Western-funded civic groups and criticized Russia up until the 2018 velvet revolution that brought Pashinian to power.

Pashinian gave the job to another ally, former parliament speaker Ararat Mirzoyan, and sent Grigorian back to the Security Council on August 18.

In a weekend interview with RFE/RLs Armenian Service, Grigorian insisted that Pashinian still had no final decision on whom to name foreign minister when he began effectively running the Armenian Foreign Ministry in July.

Asked whether Russia indeed thwarted his ministerial appointment, Grigorian said: I have worked with Moscow very productively for the last three years.

He specifically claimed to have enjoyed a good rapport with Nikolay Patrushev, the influential secretary of Russias Secretary Council.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov congratulated Mirzoyan, his new Armenian counterpart, on August 20. The two men are scheduled to meet in Moscow on Tuesday.

Armenias previous foreign minister, Ara Ayvazian, stepped down on May 27 amid mounting tensions on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. At a May 31 farewell meeting with the Armenian Foreign Ministry staff, he signaled strong objections to Pashinians policies on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and national security.

All of Ayvazians four deputies tendered their resignations in the following days. Three of them -- Artak Apitonian, Avet Adonts and Gagik Ghalechian -- were formally relieved of their duties on June 8.

Adonts launched a thinly veiled attack on Pashinian in an open-ad article published by the Mediamax news agency on June 24 He said that Armenias and Nagorno-Karabakhs security is being jeopardized by emotional and primitive one-man governance.
Opposition lawmakers insisted, by contrast, Ankara continues to set unacceptable preconditions for establishing diplomatic relations with Yerevan and opening the Turkish-Armenian border.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian spoke on Friday of some positive signals sent by Ankara of late, saying that his government is ready to reciprocate them.

Commenting on Pashinians remark the following day, Erdogan said regional states should establish good-neighborly relations by recognizing each others territorial integrity and sovereignty.

If Yerevan is ready to move in that direction Ankara could start working on a gradual normalization of relations with Armenia, he reportedly told journalists.

In that context, Erdogan noted that Azerbaijan has expressed readiness to negotiate a comprehensive peace treaty with Armenia after last years war in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev complained in July that Yerevan is reluctant to sign such a treaty with Baku which would commit the two sides to recognizing each others territorial integrity. This would presumably mean a formal Armenian recognition of Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh.

The Armenian government maintains that the disputed territorys status should be determined only through renewed peace talks mediated by the United States, Russia and France.

The government did not officially react to Erdogans latest statement as of Monday afternoon. Still, Maria Karapetian, a parliament deputy representing the ruling Civil Contract party, described it as a positive message for discussing regional peace.

This is just an indirect exchange of public messages, she told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Karapetian, who is a member of the parliament committee on foreign relations, said Erdogans remarks contained no preconditions unacceptable to the Armenian side.

Senior members of the two opposition groups represented in the Armenian parliament claimed the opposite. They said the Turks want Yerevan to agree to the restoration of Azerbaijani control over entire Karabakh and to stop campaigning for greater international recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide in the Ottoman Empire.

Throughout his tenure Erdogan has periodically made such statements and has been rebuffed by the Armenian authorities and told to talk to Armenia, open the border and normalize relations without preconditions. Now Erdogan is coming up with a huge package of preconditions, said Gegham Manukian of the Hayastan alliance.

The current authorities must categorically reject all those preconditions, he told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. But judging from their actions and constant readiness to make concessions, I have no such hope.

Tigran Abrahamian, a senior lawmaker from the Pativ Unem bloc, said, for his part, that Ankara and Baku continue to coordinate their actions relating to the Karabakh conflict. He said those include Azerbaijani cross-border incursions into Armenian territory and Aliyevs regular threats to forcibly open a corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave via Armenias Syunik province.

Turkey provided Azerbaijan with strong diplomatic and military support during the six-week war stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire last November. It has kept its border with Armenia closed since 1993.
Kocharian and three other former officials were prosecuted in connection with the 2008 post-election violence in Yerevan. Anna Danibekian, a district court judge presiding over their trial, acquitted them in early April ten days after the countrys Constitutional Court declared the charges unconstitutional.

The trial prosecutors appealed against the acquittal. One of them, Gevorg Baghdasarian, said on Monday that the Court of Appeals must allow investigators to charge the defendants with abuse of power and order Danibekian to resume the high-profile trial.

Baghdasarian said that is also essential for protecting the rights of the families of eight opposition protesters and two police servicemen killed in street clashes that broke out in Yerevan in the wake of a disputed 2008 presidential election.

The vote was held less than two months before Kocharian completed his second and final term in office.

Kocharian, his former chief of staff Armen Gevorgian and two retired army generals reject the accusations leveled against them as politically motivated. Lawyers representing them maintain that Danibekians decision to clear them of the alleged overthrow of the constitutional order stemmed from Armenian law.

The judge also ruled on April 6 that Kocharian and Gevorgian will continue to stand trial on bribery charges which they also strongly deny. Court hearings on that case resumed in July.

Kocharian, who is highly critical of Armenias current leadership, was first arrested in July 2018 shortly after the velvet revolution that brought Pashinian to power. He was set free on bail in June 2020.

The ex-president, who will turn 67 on Tuesday, set up an opposition alliance in May this year. It finished second in parliamentary elections held on June 20.
Carnival Cruise ship sailed into Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Ida barreled down. Why?
The French Fire has grown to 25,411 acres and is 33 percent contained, according to the California incident management team overseeing the fire.
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The nation's roiling tensions over vaccination against covid-19 have spilled into an unexpected arena: lifesaving blood transfusions.

With nearly 60% of the eligible U.S. population fully vaccinated, most of the nation's blood supply is now coming from donors who have been inoculated, experts said. That has led some patients who are skeptical of the shots to demand transfusions from only the unvaccinated, an option blood centers insist is neither medically sound nor operationally feasible.

"We are definitely aware of patients who have refused blood products from vaccinated donors," said Julie Katz Karp, who directs the blood bank and transfusion medicine program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia.

Emily Osment, an American Red Cross spokesperson, said her organization has fielded questions from clients worried that vaccinated blood would be "tainted," capable of transmitting components from the coronavirus vaccines. Red Cross officials said they have had to reassure clients that a coronavirus vaccine, which is injected into muscle or the layer of skin below, doesn't circulate in the blood.

"While the antibodies that are produced by the stimulated immune system in response to vaccination are found throughout the bloodstream, the actual vaccine components are not," Jessa Merrill, the Red Cross director of biomedical communications, said in an email.

So far, such demands have been rare, industry officials said. Louis Katz, chief medical officer for ImpactLife, an Iowa-based blood center, said he has heard from "a small handful" of patients asking for blood from unvaccinated donors. And the resounding answer from centers and hospitals, he said, has been "no."

"I know of no one who has acceded to such a request, which would be an operational can of worms for a medically unjustifiable request," Katz wrote in an email.

In practical terms, blood centers have only limited access to donated blood that has not in some way been affected by covid-19. Based on samples, Katz estimated that as much as 60% to 70% of the blood being donated is coming from vaccinated donors. Overall, more than 90% of current donors have either been infected with covid or vaccinated against it, said Michael Busch, director of the Vitalant Research Institute, who is monitoring antibody levels in samples from the U.S. blood supply.

"Less than 10% of the blood we collect does not have antibodies," Busch noted.

In addition, outside of research studies, blood centers in the United States don't retain data noting whether donors have been infected with or vaccinated against covid-19, and there's no federal requirement that collected blood products be identified in that manner.

"The Food and Drug Administration has determined there's no safety risk, so there's no reason to label the units," said Claudia Cohn, chief medical officer for AABB, a nonprofit group focused on transfusion medicine and cellular therapies.

Indeed, the FDA does not recommend routine screening of blood donors for covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Respiratory viruses, in general, aren't known to spread by blood transfusion and, worldwide, there have been no reported cases of the coronavirus being transmitted via blood. One study identified the risk as "negligible."

All donors are supposed to be healthy when they give blood and answer basic questions about potential risks. Collected units of blood are tested for transmissible infectious diseases before they are distributed to hospitals.

But that hasn't quelled concerns for some people skeptical of the vaccines.

In Bedford, Texas, the father of a boy scheduled for surgery recently asked that his son get blood exclusively from unvaccinated donors, said Geeta Paranjape, medical director at Carter BloodCare. Separately, a young mother fretted about transfusions from vaccinated donors to her newborn.

Many patients expressing concerns have been influenced by rampant misinformation about vaccines and the blood supply, Paranjape said. "A lot of people think there's some kind of microchip or they're going to be cloned," she said.

Other patients have balked at getting blood from people previously infected with covid-19, even though federal guidance greenlights donations two weeks after a positive test or the last symptom fades.

Some industry experts were hesitant to discuss the vaccine-free blood requests, for fear it would fuel more such demands. But Cohn and others said correcting widely spread misinformation outweighed the risk.

Patients are free to refuse transfusions for any reason, industry officials said. But in dire situations - such as trauma and emergency surgery - saving lives often requires using the available blood. For patients with chronic conditions requiring transfusion, alternative treatments such as medication or certain equipment may not be as efficient or effective.

People who require transfusions also may donate their own blood in advance or request donations from designated friends and family members. But there's no evidence that the blood is safer when patients select donors than that provided by the volunteer blood system, according to the Red Cross.

Earlier in the pandemic, many blood donations were tested to see whether they contained antibodies to covid-19. The hope was that blood from previously infected people who had recovered could be used to treat those who were very sick with the disease. Tens of thousands of patients were treated with convalescent plasma under a Mayo Clinic-led program and through authorization from the FDA.

But the use of convalescent plasma largely fell flat after studies showed no clear-cut benefits for the broad swath of coronavirus patients. (Research continues into the potential benefits of treating narrowly targeted patient groups with high-potency plasma.) Most hospitals stopped testing blood and labeling units with high levels of antibodies this spring, Busch said. "It's really no longer a germane issue because we're not testing anymore," he said. "There's no way we can inform recipients."

Busch stressed that the studies also have shown no harm associated with infusing antibody-containing blood plasma into coronavirus patients.

Past health crises have raised similar concerns about sources of donor blood. In the mid-1980s, recipients scared by the AIDS epidemic didn't want blood donated from cities such as San Francisco with large gay populations, Busch recalled. Even now, some recipients demand not to receive blood from people of certain races or ethnicities.

Such requests, like those for vaccine-free blood, have no medical or scientific basis and are soundly refused, blood center officials said.

The most pressing issue for blood centers remains the ongoing shortage of willing donors. As of the second week of August, the national blood supply was down to two days' worth or less at a third of sites affiliated with America's Blood Centers. That can limit the blood available for trauma victims, surgery patients and others who rely on transfusions to survive.

"If for some reason we didn't want vaccinated people to donate blood, we'd be in a real problem, wouldn't we?" Karp said. "Please believe us when we tell you it's fine."

- - -

This report is a product of Kaiser Health News, a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
Beaumont residents could see their utility bills increase after Oct.1.

City staff is recommending a 5% increase to water/sewer rates and a $1 increase to the garbage collection.

The increased rates would generate an estimated $2.35 million for the water fund and an estimated $400,000 for the solid waste fund, City Manager Kyle Hayes said.

The water fund, which accounts for all water and sewer operations  including the water plant, the sewer plant  is all paid for by water and sewer charges on your water bill, he said. Its based on utilization, and the water and sewer revenue pays for the system.

Hayes said the water/sewer rate increase is necessary because expenditures are outpacing how much customers are paying. Ultimately, without a rate increase, the city would have to take $3.4 million from the water/sewer rainy day fund to make up for the deficit.

Rates should be raised, as opposed to using one-time grants such as from the American Rescue Plan or relying on money in the rainy day account, because the fund is supposed to be largely self sustaining.

The water fund, by the charter, and the solid waste fund transfers money to the general fund, Hayes said. So, youd have to find additional money in the general fund and then next year, lets say you need additional funds or another increase, youve got to catch up even more.

Additionally, specific to the American Rescue Plan, City Chief Financial Officer Todd Simoneaux said the federal money has to be used on projects approved by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and is for larger capital projects, not day-to-day operations, which the water fund covers.

Hayes said the potential then arises for an 8%, 10% or 12% rate increase to catch up in future years, which doesnt make any sense to do.

Simoneaux added that not bringing in enough money to cover expenditures could hurt the citys future ability to get bonds.

The citys last rate increase was 5% in 2020. Before that, the city hadnt seen a rate increase since 3% in 2017.

Its based on what the fund needs, Hayes said. When the fund is doing well, we dont ask for an increase  the last thing you want to do is charge the citizens more unless its needed.

The garbage rate increase, which covers solid waste operations; garbage collection; and operating the landfill, would raise customers monthly rate from $19.75 to $20.75.

Both rate increases would come out to an estimated $3 increase on the average residents monthly utility bill, according to a PowerPoint city staff showed at a recent City Council meeting. An average resident who uses 6,000 gallons of water could expect a monthly bill of $69.72.

The PowerPoint compared this increased bill to other cities in Texas and showed Orange residents had a monthly bill of $82.43 using the same volume of water, Port Arthur residents had a bill of $78.65, Groves and Nederland residents with bills in the lower $50 range and Abilene, which has a similar-sized population to Beaumont, with a bill of $57.95.

None of us want to see a rate increase, unless its just absolutely necessary, said At-large Council Member Randy Feldschau. In simplistic terms, this is a cost of living increase  its just keeping up with the cost of doing business. If we dont do this increase, then we start falling behind, and it compounds the problem.

The City Council will take a final vote on the possible increase on a part of its final budget vote. The budget is due Aug. 15.

oliviasmalick@gmail.com

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HARRISON, Maine (AP)  Police in Maine are investigating a crash in which a sport utility vehicle collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the death of a motorcyclist.

The crash happened on Sunday evening in Harrison. Police said a motorcycle operated by Christopher McCue, 38, of Naples, crossed into the opposite lane and struck the front of the SUV.
MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP)  An inmate at a western Michigan prison was attacked and killed over the weekend by two other inmates, correction officials said.

The inmate was in his cell at the Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility in Muskegon around 3:30 p.m. Saturday when two other prisoners walked in and attacked him with a weapon, the Michigan Department of Corrections said Sunday in a statement.
Southeast Texas residents can still help support a relief effort led by area members of the hospitality and tourism industry seeking to make sure impacted Louisianans are fed.

A large trailer is currently parked at the Madisons Bar and Grill at 4020 Dowlen Road in Beaumont where it is being filled and waiting to be driven to Houma, Louisiana, one of the areas left devastated after Hurricane Idas Sunday arrival.

Once there, team members from Gator Country, Madisons and Rickenjacks will rely on partnering local churches and organizations to distribute supplies while they set up a feeding center to provide meals for those in need of a warm meal and some respite.

Frankie Randazzo, owner of Madisons and Rickenjacks, said the effort was a part of returning the hospitality that has been far too needed in our own communities over the past few hurricane seasons and remembering just how easily the roles could be reversed.

Its time to pay it back, Randazzo said. If we were fortunate enough not to be damaged by the storms, then we should take the time, energy and money that we would have had to use repairing our own homes and make sure others are cared for.

Gary Saurage, owner of Gator Country, has helped laid the groundwork for the effort with connections in Louisiana, but there is still planning left to see if the caravan can safely make it through Lafayette and beyond to make it to the most impacted areas.

Thats why Randazzo said the group was traveling light initially, only bringing essential items that likely wont be provided by FEMA or other aid agencies, and will assess what is needed and the best way to send it from Southeast Texas if it isnt available locally.

The team has plans to keep supplying meals at least until Friday, but expects to make continues trips back and forth to keep food and essential items coming to the people that need them. Both monetary and supply donations will be accepted at Madisons during the next week.

We understand that this doesnt change over night, Randazzo said. Were still dealing with similar issues in Lake Charles(, Louisiana), but two weeks of helps can maybe make the next two years of recovery a little easier.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/jd_journalism
JERUSALEM (AP)  Hundreds of Palestinians gathered Sunday night along the separation fence with Israel, setting tires on fire and throwing explosives as Gaza's Hamas rulers pressed ahead with a campaign aimed at pressuring Israel to ease a stifling blockade of the territory. One protester was moderately wounded by Israeli gunfire.

It was the second consecutive nighttime border protest and took place hours after Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes on alleged Hamas targets in response to the unrest. Hamas officials have promised to hold nightly protests all week.

The Zionist occupation bears all the repercussions and consequences of the tightening of the siege on Gaza and the escalation of the humanitarian crisis among its residents, said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum. No calm or stability will be achieved as long as our people lack a free and dignified life."

The Israeli military said protesters set tires on fire and lobbed explosives toward Israeli troops, and that its forces took unspecified measures to disperse the crowd. The Palestinian Health Ministry said one protester was shot and suffered moderate wounds. No further details were immediately available.

Israel, with Egypt's help, has maintained a tight blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007, a year after winning a Palestinian election.

Israel says the closure, which tightly restricts the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, is needed to prevent Hamas from building up its military capabilities. Critics say the closure, which has devastated the economy, amounts to collective punishment.

Israel has tightened the blockade since an 11-day war against Hamas in May while Egypt tries to broker a long-term cease-fire. Israel has demanded that Hamas return the remains of two dead soldiers and release two captive Israeli civilians in exchange for easing the blockade.

Hamas has grown increasingly angry over the lack of progress in the cease-fire talks. Its operatives have launched a series of incendiary balloons across the border in recent weeks, sparking a series of wildfires in southern Israel.

Hamas also has allowed a number of violent demonstrations along the border.

Two Palestinians, including a 12-year-old boy and a Hamas militant, have been killed from Israeli gunfire, while an Israeli soldier was critically wounded when a militant shot him in the head at point-blank range during one of the protests.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, speaking before returning to Israel from Washington, said the pressure on Hamas would continue.

We will operate in Gaza according to our interests," he said in Hebrew on the tarmac.

Israel and Hamas are bitter enemies that have fought four wars since Hamas took power, most recently in May.

At least 260 Palestinians were killed during Mays Hamas-Israel war, including 67 children and 39 women, according to the Gaza health ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier.
Luke Sharrett / Bloomberg

Two shelters have opened in Orange for evacuees from Louisiana taking refuge from Hurricane Idas impact on the state, and local residents are still needed to lend a hand.

The American Red Cross established shelter at Orange Church of God at 1911 North 16th Street and the Orange County Convention and Expo Center at 11475 FM 1442 as a part of their continuing partnership with local governments and organizations.
A fix for Riverfront Park, three new dog parks and a new delivery line and pump station for the citys water treatment plant could all be coming down the pike in the next few years.

But those projects had to first conquer the initial hurdle  receiving approval from the Beaumont City Council for their inclusion in the citys annual capital plan.

Through projects in the capital program, the City of Beaumont strives to enhance the quality of life for its residents, said City Manager Kyle Hayes. This plan represents our best effort to identify projects that provide the greatest benefit to the citizens of Beaumont.

Council member AJ Turner thinks tackling the issues with the Loeb groundwater treatment plant is one of the most important projects.

The Loeb plant is one of the only fresh water sources we have, he said of the reservoir in Lumberton that has had issues since it was damaged by Tropical Storm Harvey. If you look at the water that were actually producing in Beaumont, its all mainly coming from the Neches, and that's a huge problem because that's not naturally fresh water.

Turner thinks any investments that would aid plants function are necessary. And it seems at least some Beaumont residents would welcome an efficient water system.

Harvey messed a lot of things up here in Beaumont, said Sheila Lane, a resident of northeast Beaumont whose house was severely damaged by the storm and is still not fixed to this day. We didnt have any water at all. We only had the water that we bought.

That sort of emergency is something she doesnt want to happen again, and she hopes that new water pumps will prevent another crisis.

But hurricanes aside, Beaumont has another major water issue that needs to get fixed.

Weve been having brown water issues, Turner said said. I think that Loeb plant can be a big asset to us in eliminating some of those brown water issues. We need to make that more of a priority, and I'm going to push for that.

Other projects Turner would like to see come to fruition are fixing roads in Ward 2 and the Amelia area. He singled out Fourth, Lucas and Pine streets at the top of the list. Ward 2Council member Mike Getz of and At-Large Council member Randy Feldschau prioritize infrastructure as well  streets, drainage, water, and sewer.

But Turner doesnt think the city has to pick infrastructure over development.

Right now, this is some of the healthiest fund balance we ever had in the history of Beaumont, he said after considering the budget. So, I think we're now in financial position to do quality-of-life as well as infrastructure improvements.

Getz believes the construction of at least one dog park is especially important for the many animals who live in apartments and dont have space to run.

People signed a petition to have a dog park created at Rogers Park, he said.

Lana, a cleaner at a Beaumont hospital who did not want to give her last name, is hoping for a new dog park to be made sometime soon. She said that the Ida Reed dog park used to be taken care of, but the grounds arent maintained well anymore. On a recent day, the grass was extremely long, and there are deep holes where rainwater floods.

And it gets dangerous around here at night, she said, starting to leave.

Antoinette Hardy, Real Property specialist for the city of Beaumont, plans to get a dog soon and envisions taking it to the park.

But she also has a larger vision for the city. She recalled fond memories of Riverfront Park before Harvey  family reunions, pictures, romantic picnics and tree lightings for Christmas.

It was fabulous during the holidays, she said. For the Fourth of July, the symphony would be on the platform, and people would sit around and listen to music. They would have food trucks and things like that and then at 9:00, they would have fireworks over the Neches.

But Harvey washed away much of the shoreline, Getz said, and with it, the music platform.

Hardy is awaiting the new-and-improved Beaumont.

They actually had a town meeting about it a couple months ago, she said. Theyre going to be doing a green space for different (activities), and they want to attract businesses and restaurants.

She thinks it would resemble another major Texas city not too far away.

I love San Antonio. I love the Riverwalk, Hardy said. Its time for Beaumont to start moving toward that.

The city estimates the cost to repair Riverfront Park will be just over $28 million with help from FEMA. The three dog parks are expected to cost a total of $460,000. The raw water delivery line and pump station are estimated at a combined more than $38 million.

rachel.kersey@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/ontheREKord
KABUL, Afghanistan  Even as the U.S. and its NATO allies left Afghanistan, some of the gains of the last 20 years were on display as boys and girls rushed to school early Tuesday.

Masooda was hurrying to get to her fifth grade class at a private school. Im not afraid of the Taliban, she said. Why should I be?

Students had been called back to school four days ago. The Taliban have said students will be segregated by sex, but in many schools that was already the practice , except for the early grades.

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MORE ON AFGHANISTAN:

 Rockets fired at Kabul airport amid US withdrawal hit homes

 Qatar emerges as key player in Afghanistan after US pullout

 Afghans killed outside airport were seeking new lives abroad

 White House: US has capacity to evacuate remaining Americans

 Slain Marine who cradled baby at Kabul airport loved her job

 Evacuated Afghan activist dreams of going back home one day

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 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/afghanistan

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

WASHINGTON  Secretary of State Antony Blinken says fewer than 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan who want to leave and the U.S. will continue to try to get them out.

Blinken says the number of Americans left may be closer to 100. He says the U.S. would work with Afghanistans neighbors to secure their departure either overland or by charter flight once the Kabul airport re-opens.

Speaking shortly after the Pentagon announced the completion of the U.S. military pullout Monday, Blinken said the U.S. Embassy in Kabul will remain shuttered and vacant for the foreseeable future.

He says American diplomats who had worked from the now-closed embassy will be based in Doha, Qatar.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. general who oversaw the final evacuation and withdrawal from Afghanistan says the Taliban was significantly helpful in enabling the airlift of Afghans, Americans and others.

The U.S. military spent most of the past two decades fighting the Taliban, but now are adjusting to the fact that the militants have taken control of the country.

Gen. Frank McKenzie is head of U.S. Central Command. He also said at a Pentagon news conference Monday that he thinks the Taliban will have difficulty securing Kabul in the coming days, not least because of the threat they face from the Islamic State groups Afghanistan affiliate.

McKenzie says Taliban fighters in recent days have freed IS fighters from prisons, swelling their ranks to an estimated 2,000. In his words, Now they are going to be able to reap what they sowed.

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UNITED NATIONS  A divided U.N. Security Council is pressing the Taliban to live up to pledges to let people leave Afghanistan after the U.S. withdraws its forces. But China and Russia have refused to back the resolution, which they portray as diverting blame for the chaos surrounding the U.S. pullout.

French Deputy Ambassador Nathalie Broadhurst, said after Mondays vote that this lack of unity is a disappointment for us and for Afghans. Russia and China abstained from the vote and did not veto the measure.

France sponsored the resolution along with Britain and the U.S. It also calls for letting humanitarian aid flow, upholding human rights and combating terrorism.

The vote came shortly before the U.S. moved its last troops out of Afghanistan, ending Americas longest war.

The resolution says that the Security Council expects that the Taliban will adhere to commitments about letting Afghans and foreigners depart safely.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel after assuming control of the Kabul airport following the U.S. withdrawal.

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WASHINGTON  The Pentagon says that some Americans who wanted to leave Afghanistan were unable to make it to the Kabul airport to board U.S. evacuation flights before the complete evacuation of U.S. forces.

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters that the U.S. believes it was able to evacuate the vast majority of Americans in the country who wanted to leave, but that it was aware of some who were couldnt depart.

McKenzie says that in the final American flights out of Afghanistan, We were not able to bring any Americans out. The last American civilians were evacuated about 12 hours before U.S. forces left.

McKenzie says the effort to bring out Americans will now fall on diplomatic channels.

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden pledged that the U.S. would remain in Afghanistan until it was able to get all of its citizens out of the country. If theres American citizens left, were going to stay until we get them all out, he told ABC News.

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WASHINGTON  The Pentagon says it remains prepared to airlift more Americans from the Kabul airport, even as the evacuation winds down.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters Monday there is still time for remaining Americans to get out. He would not be more specific about the state of the evacuation. He said a total of 5,400 Americans have been airlifted thus far.

President Joe Biden has set Tuesday as a deadline for completing the evacuation.

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DOHA, Qatar  The Taliban have called on all employees of private and state universities in Afghanistan to resume their work starting Tuesday.

A spokesman for the insurgent group's political office in Doha, Qatar tweeted a statement, which calls on both male and female employees to return to work.

The statement says the Ministry of Higher Education calls on rectors, deans, professors and administrative staff to report to their jobs Tuesday "and resume their administrative and academic works including making due preparations for starting classes.

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ISLAMABAD  Pakistans interior minister says his country has not granted refugee status to a single person from Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in Kabul this month.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said Monday that Pakistan is helping to facilitate the evacuation of those foreigners desiring to leave Afghanistan. However, he said so far there has not been any influx of foreigners from Afghanistan, as was feared last week following the attack at the Kabul airport.

Pakistani authorities have repeatedly said they cannot accommodate any new influx of Afghan refugees.

About 2 million Afghans are already living as refugees in Pakistan, some for more than 40 years reflecting Afghanistans decades of violence.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Qatar is in talks about providing civilian technical assistance to the Taliban at Kabuls international airport once the U.S. military withdrawal is complete on Tuesday.

Qatars Foreign Ministry confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that the country has been taking part in negotiations about the operations of Kabul airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the United States and Turkey.

Qatars Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater said in a statement Qatars main priority is restoring regular operations while preserving safety and security at the airport facilities.

Qatar has ties with both Washington and the Taliban, which took control over nearly all of Afghanistan in past weeks. The tiny Gulf Arab state is taking part in a meeting of key partners hosted by the United States on Monday to discuss next steps in Afghanistan.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  A plane provided by the government of Pakistan has brought medicine and health supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistan.

WHO said Mondays shipment was the first of medical supplies to land in Afghanistan since the country came under control of the Taliban two weeks ago.

The plane, which departed from Dubai, landed in Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

WHO said the supplies included trauma kits and emergency health kits enough to cover the basic needs of more than 200,000 people, as well as treat 6,500 trauma patients. It said the supplies will be delivered to 40 health facilities in 29 provinces across Afghanistan.

The plane was loaded with supplies by WHOs logistics team at the International Humanitarian City in Dubai. WHO said that a reliable humanitarian air bridge is urgently required.

The demanding humanitarian work of meeting the needs of tens of millions of vulnerable Afghans who remain in the country is now beginning, the agency added.

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CAIRO  The Islamic State groups affiliate in Afghanistan has claimed responsibility for Mondays rocket attack in Kabul, saying it fired at least six Katyusha rockets at the airport in the Afghan capital.

The rockets stuck a neighborhood close to the Kabul airport. The claim of responsibility was carried by the militant groups media arm, the Aamaq news agency. It didnt provide further details.

The U.S. military said five rockets targeted the airport on Monday morning and that U.S. forces on the airfield used a defensive system to intercept them.

The attack did not halt the steady stream of U.S. military C-17 cargo jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

It was the latest attack by the militants. The Islamic State group launched a devastating suicide bombing Thursday at one of the airport gates that killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members.

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WASHINGTON  The U.S. military says five rockets targeted the Kabul airport on Monday morning and U.S. forces on the airfield used a defensive system to intercept them.

Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for the U.S. militarys Central Command, said there were no U.S. casualties. He said U.S. forces used a defensive weapon known by the acronym C-RAM  a Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System  in response to the attack.

It targeted the rockets in a whirling hail of ammunition, Urban said. The system has a distinct, drill-like sound that echoed through the city at the time of the attack.

He said the Kabul airfield remains operational as the evacuation continued on Monday. Other details were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, Ross Wilson, the charge daffaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul now working out of the airport, insisted that evacuations remain ongoing Monday. He dismissed as false claims that American citizens have been turned away or were denied access to the Kabul airport by U.S. Embassy staff or American troops.

This is a high-risk operation. Claims that American citizens have been turned away or denied access to HKIA by Embassy staff or US Forces are false, he said in a message on Twitter, using the acronym for the Kabul airport. He did not elaborate.

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ISLAMABAD  Pakistans ambassador to Kabul said on Monday that his countrys national carrier is setting up an airlift for medical supplies from the World Health Organization to Afghanistans northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

The diplomat, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, announced on Twitter that the state-run Pakistan International Airlines will serve as a humanitarian air bridge for essential supplies to Afghanistan, in coordination with international agencies.

He thanked PIA, as the carrier is known, for the supplies. It wasnt immediately cleat when the airlift would begin.

The latest development comes days after WHO sought Pakistans help in airlifting medical supplies to Afghanistan following last weeks deadly attack on the Kabul airport.

Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the Taliban on Aug. 14, a day before Kabul.

Later on Monday, Pakistans state-run news agency said the PIA plane landed in Mazar-e-Sharif after taking of from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

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TIRANA, Albania  Another plane carrying 150 Afghans who fled their homeland fearing the Taliban takeover arrived in Albania early on Monday, the Foreign Ministry said.

The new arrivals brought the total number of Afghans brought to this Balkan country to 607. A ministry statement said the plane had come from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Albania has accommodated most of the Afghans in hotels and some of them temporarily at the students campus in the capital of Tirana.

The government has said it may house up to 4,000 Afghans for at least a year before they move to the United States for final settlement.

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ISLAMABAD  Pakistans military says suspected militants fired across the border from Afghanistan at a military post in northwestern Pakistan, killing two soldiers.

The military says the cross-border attack took place on Sunday, in the district of Bajur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It said Pakistani troops returned fire in a befitting manner, killing some attackers and wounding others.

The military said Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan" and expects the current and future authorities in Afghanistan not to allow such activities.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack and the Pakistani military provided no further details. Pakistan and Afghanistan have long accused one another of harboring militants fighting against the other's government.

The two share an internationally recognized border known as the Durand Line, which was drawn in the 19th century when the British dominated South Asia. Kabul has never recognized the boundary.
CANBERRA, Australia  Australia says it has reached a deal with Singapore to acquire 500,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine next week in return for delivering the same number of shots to Singapore in December.

Australia bought 1 million Pfizer doses from Poland for an undisclosed price earlier this month.

Half of Australias population is locked down due to an outbreak of the delta variant of the coronavirus that began in Sydney in June.

Australian government leaders plan to end lockdowns once 80% of an areas residents aged 16 and older are fully vaccinated. Only 34% of that target population was fully vaccinated by this week.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 Hurricane Ida slams Louisiana hospitals brimming with virus patients

 Texas man who worked against COVID-19 measures dies from virus

 Once a beacon of safety, Hawaii is seeing a surge of coronavirus cases driven by delta variant

 Anxious tenants await assistance as evictions resume

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 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronvirus-vaccine

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

PORTLAND, Ore.  City employees in Portland, Oregon, must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus  or obtain a medical or religious exemption  by the middle of October or they will be fired.

Mayor Ted Wheeler and all four City Commissioners wrote Monday in a letter to municipal workers: With COVID-19 filling hospitals and claiming lives, we must do everything within our power to end this pandemic and restore our communitys health.

The city will require its approximately 6,800 employees to either submit proof of vaccination, show they are in the process of being vaccinated or apply for an exemption by Sept. 10. They must be fully vaccinated or granted an exemption by Oct. 18.

The letter says that those who fail to meet the deadline will be put on a list for separation from employment.

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HONOLULU  The mayor of Honolulu says the city will soon require patrons of restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and other establishments to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test.

The rule takes effect Sept. 13 and is aimed at helping the city beat back a surge in cases from the highly contagious delta variant. Honolulu joins other cities such as New Orleans and New York that have implemented similar requirements.

Children under age 12 will be exempt.

Employees of the establishments will have to show proof of vaccination or undergo weekly testing. Businesses that dont comply could be fined or shut down.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Florida officials have begun to make good on threats to withhold funding from school districts that defy Gov. Ron DeSantis ban on mask mandates despite a court ruling last week finding his order unconstitutional.

The state Department of Education announced Monday it has withheld an amount equal to monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward counties. It says funds will continue to be withheld until the districts comply.

President Joe Biden has said if money was withheld, federal money would be used to cover any costs.

The Alachua and Broward districts are among 10 that require all students to wear masks unless they have a medical exemption in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

DeSantis says the districts are violating parental rights by not allowing a parent or legal guardian to opt out their child.

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LANSING, Mich.  Four female soccer players at Western Michigan University are challenging the schools coronavirus vaccine requirement for athletes, saying it violates their Christian beliefs.

The lawsuit filed Monday came days after a Michigan State University employee sued to block that schools mandate, which is broader and applies to all students, faculty and staff.

The players say Western Michigan ordered them to get a shot by the end of August or be removed from the team.

Western Michigan says it has a compelling interest in acting to avoid the significant risk of an outbreak due to unvaccinated athletes.

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SEATTLE  Health officials in Washington state say the coronavirus pandemic is filling hospitals at an alarming rate and continuing to strain health care workers.

The executive medial director of womens health at Swedish Health Services also said Monday that for the first time during the pandemic, hospitals are seeing large numbers of pregnant women ill with COVID-19. Dr. Tanya Sorensen noted that pregnant women are generally less likely to be vaccinated.

The Washington State Hospital Association says that as of Monday morning, the states hospitals and health care centers were treating 1,570 patients for COVID-19. Of those, 188 are on ventilators. Eleven days ago, the hospital association counted 1,240 patients with 152 on ventilators.

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CHICAGO  An Illinois judge has reversed a ruling to bar a divorced mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she isnt vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Cook County Judge James Shapiro issued an order Monday vacating his Aug. 10 decision, though he offered no explanation.

Rebecca Firlits lawyer has said the judge, and not Firlits ex-husband, raised the issue during a child support hearing for the former couple who share custody of the boy.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that Shapiro asked the mother if she was vaccinated. When she said no, the judge withdrew her rights to see the boy until she gets vaccinated.

Firlit said she has had adverse reactions to vaccinations and that her doctor advised her not to get a coronavirus shot.

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ROYAL OAK, Mich.  Some animals are rolling up their fur for a coronavirus vaccine at the Detroit Zoo.

The zoo in suburban Detroit says its gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers and lions are getting a vaccine developed by Zoetis, a veterinary drug company, and authorized by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Other animals will follow.

The zoo's chief life sciences officer, Scott Carter, says: Were both thankful and relieved a special vaccine is now available to protect against COVID-19. The animals routinely get other vaccinations.

The zoo says no coronavirus infections have been found in its animals.

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ATLANTA  Coronavirus infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations in Georgia are nearing the peaks set in January.

The state Department of Public Health says Georgias seven-day rolling average for cases was just below 9,591 Saturday, close to the high of 9,635 reached Jan. 11. About 5,600 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Monday, just short of the 5,715 set Jan. 13.

Also on Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order calling up as many as 1,500 more National Guard soldiers to help short-staffed hospitals with nonmedical jobs. He previously authorized 1,000.

Also, teachers and state employees insured by the state health plan will qualify for a cash incentive to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The governor is focusing on voluntary vaccination as a solution to the pandemic and opposes other interventions such as mask mandates and, capacity reductions in public places.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama has set a new high for the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care, although the total number of hospitalized COVID patients remains slightly below the winter peak.

There were 884 COVID-19 patients in intensive care Sunday, the most since the pandemic began, according to the Alabama Hospital Association. Dr. Don Williamson heads the organization and he said Monday that the previous high was 848 in January.

The total number of COVID-19 patients in state hospitals was 2,829 on Monday, still below the high of 3,087 set in January.

About 38% of the people in Alabama are vaccinated against the coronavirus, which is one of the lowest rates in the country.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The number of COVID-19 patients in West Virginia hospital intensive care units is approaching the high mark in the pandemic.

There are 203 virus patients in ICUs across the state, the most since Jan. 11. The record of 219 came on Jan. 6,

A total of 640 people are hospitalized for the illness that can be caused by the coronavirus, a fourfold jump in the past month. The record of 818 was set on Jan. 5.

Officials said at a news conference Monday that 82% of current virus hospitalizations and 74% of the statewide deaths over the past two months involved unvaccinated people.

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PHOENIX -- Health officials in Arizonas most populous county are sounding the alarm about a growing number of coronavirus outbreaks in schools.

The medical director for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health told the county Board of Supervisors on Monday that the agency tracked almost three times the number of school outbreaks in August as during the pandemics peak in February.

Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine says that of 188 outbreaks this month, 166 continue  far more than at any other point during the pandemic.

She adds that more than one in four COVID-19 cases in the county are now among children, a rate never seen before. One in six of those cases are among children under age 12.

Maricopa County is home to nearly 60% of Arizonas residents.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Mothers of two children with serious illnesses are asking a federal judge to block enforcement of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees order allowing parents to opt out of pandemic mask requirements in schools. They argue that it endangers kids with health conditions and hurts their ability to attend in-person classes.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman heard testimony in Memphis on Monday as part of the lawsuit filed by the parents of two students in the Shelby County suburbs of Collierville and Germantown.

The school districts had been under a mask mandate issued by the county health department when the school year began earlier in August. However, the governors Aug. 16 order allows parents to send their children to school without masks, and hundreds of students have been attending classes without masks.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. government advisers on Monday reiterated that Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people 16 and older.

The vaccine was the first to win full approval in the U.S. for that age group last week. It also remains available for emergency use by 12- to 15-year-olds.

The full approval gave advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a chance to look at all the extra evidence about safety since vaccinations first began last December. And data revealed Monday showed one serious side effect, heart inflammation, remains exceedingly rare after both the Pfizer vaccine and the similar Moderna shot.

The CDC has counted 2,574 cases of heart inflammation after hundreds of millions of doses of both vaccines. It mostly strikes males under 30 about a week after vaccination. CDC tracking shows the vast majority recover without lingering symptoms.

The CDC put the rare risk into sharper perspective. For every 1 million Pfizer vaccine doses administered to 16- to 17-year-old males, it estimated there would be 73 cases of the heart inflammation. But 500 COVID-19 hospitalizations among these teens would be prevented over the next four months.

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MIAMI  The number of patients with the coronavirus in Florida hospitals is dropping as infection rates stay high. It's a sign that while more people test positive for the virus, they are not necessarily developing severe illness.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tallied 15,488 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals, an 8% decrease over the past week.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the more than 30,000 people have been able to get monoclonal antibodies at 21 state sites set up over the past two weeks and avoided worsening their symptoms.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  The four largest hospitals in Oklahoma City on Monday said they either have no intensive care bed space available or no space for COVID-19 patients.

Mercy, Integris and SSM Health said they had no ICU beds available and OU Health had none for COVID-19 patients in the states largest city.

OU Health, the states only trauma center, must keep some ICU beds available for other critically ill or injured patients.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health, which reported 1,572 virus-related hospitalizations statewide Monday, including 422 in ICU, stopped providing daily hospital bed availability data in May when Gov. Kevin Stitt ended a COVID-19 emergency declaration. The department has said it will resume providing the data, but has not yet done so.

SSM Health spokesperson Kate Cunningham said the information provided by the hospitals is not in response to anything the state agency has or has not provided.

The only motive for acting together in this is because of regular requests for information from reporters, and we want to be transparent to the public, Cunningham said.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Kosovo on Monday received 55 armored security vehicles donated by the United States for the Kosovo Security Force, or KSF.

The U.S. has heavily supported the KSFs 3,400-troop force which was turned into a regular army more than two years ago, although its name has not been changed to armed forces as planned. This is the final donation.
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Kalpana Jain, The Conversation

(THE CONVERSATION) For people who would like to learn more about Islam, The Conversation is publishing a series of articles, available on our website or as six emails delivered every other day, written by Senior Religion and Ethics Editor Kalpana Jain. Over the past few years she has commissioned dozens of articles on Islam written by academics. These articles draw from that archive and have been checked for accuracy by religion scholars.

When I was growing up in India, my fathers Muslim friends would get me new clothes for Eid al-Fitr, a festival that celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, just as they would for their own children. Later in the day, loads of sewain, a vermicelli dessert filled with nuts, would be sent to our home.

I learned about many cultural rituals in these interactions, but as someone who is not a Muslim, I did not have a deep theological understanding of the Islamic faith until reading the writings of our scholars as an ethics and religion editor.

Today, we will take you through some of the basic tenets of the Islamic faith.

For Muslims, Prophet Muhammad is the most revered of all men. He is the last and most authoritative in a line of prophets that includes Moses and Jesus and is believed to have received direct revelations from God through the archangel Gabriel.

These revelations form the basis of the Muslim holy text, the Quran. The Quran refers to God as Allah, which is the Arabic word for God.

Muslims belong to many different sects  including some you may have heard of, like Sunni and Shiite  but they all share these same fundamental beliefs.

The Islamic faith

There are five pillars  or basic tenets  of the Islamic faith. These are professing ones faith; praying five times a day; giving zakat, or donating a certain portion of ones wealth; fasting during Ramadan; and making a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Each of these pillars is an important part of being Muslim. As scholar Rose Aslan writes, Many Muslims organize their days around the call to prayer and others stop what they are doing during the call and make supplications to God.

In countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and India, the call to prayer can be heard through loudspeakers mounted on minarets. The sacred text is recited by professionals to evoke piety in their listeners.

Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Inside mosques, a prayer niche, a recess in the wall, known as the mihrab, indicates the direction of Mecca.

Scholars explain that for many Muslims, the practice of prayer helps them experience God in an intimate way. The 13th-century Persian Sufi poet Rumi spoke of his experience of prayer as a delight, that opened the window of his soul.

For all Muslims who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey, the five-day pilgrimage to the Great Mosque of Mecca and the surrounding area is an obligation to be undertaken once in their lives. Inside the Great Mosque of Mecca is a black, cube-shaped structure, the Holy Kaaba.

The Kaaba holds a deep religious significance for Muslims. The Quran tells the story of Ibrahim, who, when commanded by God, agreed to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Scholar Ken Chitwood explains that Muslims believe the Kaaba holds the black stone upon which Ibrahim was to sacrifice Ismail.

The pilgrimage ends with Eid al-Adha, the feast of the sacrifice.

Fasts and feasts

If you have heard about or seen your Muslim neighbors fasting, then what they are observing is Ramadan. Muslims believe that the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and lasts either 29 or 30 days. During Ramadan, Muslims observe a fast from sunrise to sunset each day, so they wake up early to share food before the sun appears and end it in later in the evening.

In the 12-month Gregorian calendar used in much of the world, the timing of Ramadan can vary from year to year. The dates depend on when the new crescent moon is visible.

The fasting, as scholar Mohammad Hassan Khalil explains, is a way for Muslims to be conscious of God. It is also meant to help them understand what it is like to be poor.

The fasting ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Muslim communities often organize large feasts for breaking the fast that are known as Iftaar (literally, breakfast) at which people from all religions are welcomed. Ive often attended Iftaar feasts in India.

On Eid, Muslims gather in the mosque for prayers, which are followed by celebrations. In many South Asian countries, sewain are distributed around to friends and neighbors. But customs can vary, and Muslims from different countries and cultures will bring their unique food and traditions to the celebrations of this holy day.

This article was reviewed for accuracy by Ken Chitwood, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Berlin Graduate School of Muslim Cultures & Societies at Freie Universitat Berlin. He is also a journalist-fellow at the University of Southern Californias Center for Religion and Civic Culture.

Fact: The first Muslim to ever recite the call to prayer was Bilal Ibn Rabah, son of an enslaved Abyssinian woman, in the city of Medina in the seventh century. At the time, early Muslims were debating the best way to audibly announce the time for prayer so people would know when to gather at the mosque.  From an article written by Rose Aslan, Assistant Professor of Religion, California Lutheran University.

Do now: Listen to these sounds of the call to prayer, and ask yourself how they make you feel.

In the next issue: Who is an American Muslim?

You can read all six articles in this Understanding Islam series on TheConversation.com, or we can deliver them straight to your inbox if you sign up for our email newsletter course.

Articles from The Conversation in this edition:

-

Explaining the Muslim pilgrimage of hajj

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What is the significance of Friday prayers in Islam?

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Why Ramadan is Ramadan: 6 questions answered

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On Eid 2017, a peek into the lives of Puerto Rican Muslims

Further Reading and Resources:

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Institute of Social Policy and Understanding: ISPU conducts research to help journalists and others better understand the lives of American Muslims.

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Islam: An Introduction, by Annemarie Schimmel: A comprehensive introduction to Islam by an influential Islamic scholar who was a professor at Harvard University from 1967 to 1992.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content.
Courtesy, San Antonio Zoo

Soon, San Antonio Zoo jaguars will have a larger habitat, which will provide them with more space to roam, and a new way for guests to encounter the giant cats.

Skip the Line: San Antonio Zoo General Admission Ticket Viator viator.com $25.00 Shop Now

The zoo broke ground on an innovative catwalk in April. Once complete, guests will be able to see jaguars stalk the tracks overhead. San Antonio Zoo CEO Tim Morrow shared exclusive photos with MySA showing the installation of the main track on Thursday.
Afghans studying in Bangladesh who were evacuated from Kabul are seen on a bus, Aug. 28, 2021

More than 150 young Afghan women enrolled at a university in Bangladesh were among those evacuated on a U.S. military plane in the final days of a chaotic airlift marred by suicide bombings at the Kabul airport, officials said Monday.

Kamal Ahmad, founder of the Asian University for Women in Chittagong in southeastern Bangladesh, described the evacuation as a miracle and said student leaders had helped make it happen.

Our students and alumnae have been evacuated in U.S. military planes out of Kabul. They have now safely reached bases in the Middle East where they will be processed for their onward journeys, Ahmad said in a jubilant note on the AUW website on Monday.

This ordeal succeeded only after two grueling but failed attempts with our students huddled in a convoy of seven buses for forty straight hours, Ahmad said.

The students were flown out Saturday, two days after suicide bombings that killed more than 180 people just outside Kabul's international airport, and two days before the United States wrapped up the massive airlift effort just before midnight on Monday.

"As of today, more than 122,000, including 5,400 Americans, have been evacuated from Afghanistan," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a briefing in Washington, as the U.S. commander who oversees Middle East operations announced the final flights out of Kabul.

"I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third-country nationals and vulnerable Afghans," Army Gen. Kenneth McKenzie told the briefing.

Five minutes away

The students got stuck in Afghanistan after the Taliban toppled a U.S-backed government on Aug. 15.

During one of two failed attempts to leave Kabul, they were waiting in vehicles outside Hamid Karzai International Airport when a suicide attack at one of the air fields crowded airport gates killed about 170 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members.

The Afghan students and a handful of Bangladesh nationals had been trying to enter Kabul airport since last week.

On Aug. 25, the group waited for hours for the Taliban to let them enter the airport, but in the end they were not allowed in, Bangladeshi national Rajib bin Islam, who was part of the group, told BenarNews by phone.

Then on Thursday, when the students and the Bangladeshis tried again, from the north gate of the airport, the U.S. military ordered them to go to another gate, Rajib said.

They were five minutes away from that gate when the suicide bombers struck, Islam said. The Afghanistan branch of the terrorist group that calls itself Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

A senior AUW official, who was not authorized to talk to reporters, told BenarNews that the students left Afghanistan on Saturday.

An extraordinary group of people helped us pull off this miracle, Ahmad, the university founder, said Monday.

Our Afghan student leader, Sepehra Azami, AUW Class of 2022 and six others who supported her in the overall coordination and communication, showed a measure of competence, tenacity, and what Ernest Hemingway described as grace under pressure that I have not seen before, even myself as a child of a civil war of our own in Bangladesh, he said.

They reached Saudi Arabia by a U.S military flight, an official at the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh told BenarNews.

As we know, the 160 Afghan students and five Bangladeshi nationals are now under the care of the U.S military in Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, a press secretary at the embassy, told BenarNews.

Around 160 Afghan women studying in Bangladesh are seen on a U.S. military plane that evacuated them from Kabul to Saudi Arabia, Aug. 28, 2021. [Courtesy Asian University for Women]

Shahriar Alam, Bangladeshs state minister for foreign affairs, said 12 Bangladeshi nationals also managed to leave Afghanistan on Saturday.

Of them, five are now in Saudi Arabia and seven are in Qatar and Tajikistan, Alam told BenarNews.

In Dhaka, a senior foreign ministry official told BenarNews, There is a policy decision to allow the Afghan students to come to Bangladesh. The official requested anonymity because he or she is not permitted to talk to the media.

AUW is an independent, regional institution that offers an American-style liberal arts and sciences education. It currently enrolls more than 1,000 students from 18 Asian countries.

We are very happy to know that our students have finally managed to leave Afghanistan. They [students] communicated with us after the situation in the country deteriorated, the AUW official said.

Of them, there are some newly admitted students.

A dire existential challenge

Two weeks after the hardline Islamic outfit took over Afghanistan, the Taliban's acting higher education minister said Afghan women would be allowed to study at university but classes of both genders would not be allowed, news agencies reported.

A former lecturer in Afghanistan, who worked at a city university during the last government, told Agence France-Presse news agency, there is a gap between the Taliban's commitments and actions.

Ahmad, AUWs founder, said neither the university nor the Afghan students and alumnae had any illusions about the convictions of and methods used by the Taliban.

Anticipating the Taliban takeover, in June, Ahmad had said, Perhaps no other group within our community faces as dire an existential challenge as our Afghan students and alumnae, he said back then.

Still, he said on Monday that Afghanistans future cannot be relinquished.

We pledge to continue to support that vision of another Afghanistan that has eluded us till now but inshallah will one day be realized, Ahmad said.

It is because of these women, like Sepehra and the others whom AUW has helped educate over the years, that that day must come and shall come.
Two state-owned Chinese companies are set to begin building Bangladeshs first runway jutting into the sea, after the prime minister virtually inaugurated the $184 million project on Sunday.

The runway at the airport in Coxs Bazar, a coastal district in the countrys southeast, will be extended  through land reclamation from the Bay of Bengal  so it can accommodate wide-bodied aircraft, said Mahbub Ali, the state minister for Civil Aviation.

The government is funding the project to extend the existing runway. We have tasked the two Chinese companies to convert the domestic airport into an international one, Ali told BenarNews on Monday.

The current 9,000-foot runway will be extended by 1,700 feet, reclaiming land from the sea. After its extension, the Coxs Bazar airport would host the longest runway in Bangladesh.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh signed a deal in February with a joint venture between two Chinese state-owned companies to extend the runway and make it an international airport.

The joint venture includes the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Changjiang Yichang Waterway Engineering Bureau. The deadline of the projects completion is May 2024, but Bangladesh has asked the Chinese companies to finish the work by 2023, Ali said.

According to a report by Xinhua, the state-run Chinese news agency, Ali said that the runway extension would enable the Airbus 380  a double-decker jumbo jet which is the worlds largest passenger plane  to take off and land at the airport in Coxs Bazar.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the runway would have to be developed in way to allow the worlds largest planes to land at the airport and refuel, reported state news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

I believe that after completing expansion work of the runway, the Coxs Bazar Airport will be the most comfortable place for the planes travelling from the east to west or the west to east, she said after virtually inaugurating he project.

The runway extension is not part of Chinas One Belt One Road initiative. OBOR is Beijings geopolitical program to build a modern-day Silk Road through a network of ports, railways, roads and trade routes to connect China to markets in Southeast Asia, South Asia and beyond.

Faruk Khan, a retired colonel and former civil aviation minister, said that flights bound for Southeast Asia and the Pacific could refuel at the Coxs Bazar Airport, because it is situated along the air route between the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific regions.

Minister Ali said the airport would open up huge tourism opportunities for Bangladesh. Coxs Bazar is the worlds longest natural sea beach.

Former minister Khan said Coxs Bazar could also attract Chinese tourists.

Travelers from southwestern China now need to travel several thousand kilometers to see a Chinese beach. We can attract these Chinese tourists who can reach Coxs Bazar in just two hours flight time, Khan said.

The international airport would help Bangladesh brand Coxs Bazar as one of the best beaches in the world.

Tourism is the backbone of Coxs Bazar economy, said Abu Taher Chowdhury, a civil society leader in Coxs Bazar.

Now, foreign tourists must reach Coxs Bazar via Dhaka, Chowdhury told BenarNews.

If the airport is converted into an international one, flights from different countries would directly arrive in Coxs Bazar. It will open up new opportunities for us.
Bangladeshi workers unload tannery waste at the Tannery Industrial Area on the banks of the Dhaleshwari River in Savar, Bangladesh, June 28, 2018.

A parliamentary committee is urging Bangladeshs government to shut down tanneries that are dumping waste into a river in the Dhaka suburb of Savar because a Chinese-built waste treatment plant is not operating properly, officials said.

The tanneries have been dumping large amounts of chromium  a heavy metal used in the production of rawhide  into the Dhaleshwari River, according to an investigation by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

At least 15,000 cubic meters of untreated waste-water goes into the Dhaleshwari River each day, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, the committees chairman, told BenarNews.

The chromium goes straight goes into the Dhaleshwari River, putting the environment and the people in great danger, he said. So we have asked the Department of Environment to close the estate immediately.

The findings were revealed during a meeting of the committee last week, at which it recommended that the government order the tanneries closed until the problem was fixed.

Kazi Sakhawat Hossain, an additional secretary at the Ministry of Industries, acknowledged that toxic waste from the tanneries was being dumped into the Dhaleshwari.

The Chinese company has not made the arrangement to separate chromium from tannery waste. They have handed over the incomplete CETP and left the country. So chromium is going into the Dhaleshwari River, he said, referring to the Central Effluent Treatment Plant by its acronym.

Leather and the leather goods sector is one of the big export items. If we close it down, what would happen to the huge volume of raw-hide generated every day? This sector employs hundreds of thousands of people. So I think it is not possible to close down the tannery estate, Hossain told BenarNews.

The government had allocated 10.1 billion-taka (U.S. $119 million) to build the estate and treatment plant, to lure tanneries away from another location in the Dhaka area where rampant dumping of toxic effluent from the lucrative industry had killed another river.

The tanneries resisted but were forced to move to the new site after a 2017 ruling by the Supreme Court. Scores of tanneries now operate there.

We built an estate to save the Buriganga River. Now this industry pollutes the Dhaleshwari. What do we get from the estate? Chowdhury said.

They did it to save money

Jiangsu Lingzhi Environmental Protection Co. Ltd is the Chinese firm that Bangladesh had contracted to build the effluent plant at the Savar Tannery Industrial Estate, allocating 4.9 billion taka (nearly U.S. $58 million) of the total project cost for that purpose.

But the Chinese company, which managed the plant until June 2021, only built it partially and not according to the governments specifications, Bangladeshi officials said.

The CETP at the leather estate  can at best purify 25,000 cubic meters of liquid waste per day. But the estate generates at least 40,000 cubic meters every day, Chowdhury said.

The government took over the plant in early July after officials terminated the contract with Jiangsu Linghzhi because of the incomplete work, according to a July 24 report in the Daily Star newspaper.

They did not operate the CETP sincerely. In many cases, they did not use required quantities of chemicals to treat the pollutants. They did it to save money. So chromium and other pollutants ultimately fell into the river, J.N. Paul, director of the Savar tanneries estate, told BenarNews.

After the exit of the Chinese company, we have been trying to separate and recover chromium  Hopefully we will find a solution to separate and recover chromium, he said.

Officials declined to release a copy of the contract, and representatives of Jiangsu Lingzhi did not immediately respond to efforts by BenarNews to contact the company for comment.

A Bangladeshi laborer processes leather at a factory on the banks of the Dhaleshwari River in Savar, Bangladesh, June 28, 2018. [AP]

Cash cow

The Department of Environment acknowledged the problem but said the government did not want to close the tanneries estate for fear of crippling the $1.5-billion leather industry.

We support the standing committees decision in this regard, said Ziaul Haque, a director of the Department of Environment, which has withheld an environmental permit for the tannery estate because of the pollution.

The environment department has relayed these concerns to the Ministry of Industries, which oversees the estate, but they told us they do not want the estate to be closed, Haque said.

The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, which was active in litigation against tanneries over the pollution of the Buriganga River, praised the parliamentary committees call for the government to shut down the new tannery estate.

The recommendation is a very courageous step. We welcome it. The tannery estate  must be shut now to stop the pollution of the Dhaleshwari river, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, BELAs chief executive, told BenarNews.

The tannery industry, she said, had killed the Buriganga.

The government must not allow the killing of several rivers, the environment and peoples lives for securing the interests of a handful of tannery owners, Hasan said.

The office of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, meanwhile, has yet respond publicly to or act over the parliamentary committees recommendation.
In this photo taken Aug. 29, 2021, and reviewed by U.S. military officials, flags fly at half-staff in honor of victims killed in a terrorist attack in Afghanistan on Aug. 26, outside the U.S. military facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where three Southeast Asian inmates are due to be arraigned on terrorism charges.

Updated at 6:31 p.m. ET on 2021-8-30

The prosecution of three Southeast Asian prisoners and terror suspects got underway Monday as the trio held by the United States for 18 years appeared in a military courtroom at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Bearded, masked, and dressed in black or white shirts and pants, the three men sat unrestrained in the courtroom but under heavy guard. Shortly after the proceedings started, a U.S. military judge questioned whether they were satisfied with their legal representation.

The man accused of masterminding the 2002 bombing of a nightclub in Bali that killed 202 people asked that an Indonesian lawyer be added to his defense team.

I would like to be represented by an Indonesian lawyer, Encep Nurjaman  an Indonesian national more commonly known as Hambali  told Commander Hayes Larsen, the military judge, through an interpreter.

The three defendants are accused of being involved in massive bombings in Indonesia in 2002 and 2003 that were linked to al-Qaeda.

BenarNews viewed the arraignment remotely from a U.S. army base near Washington, under media arrangements provided by the Office of Military Commissions. The military did not allow photographs or video to be taken during the proceedings.

The arraignment was supposed to have taken place originally in February but was postponed because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

In 2017, the Trump administration announced that it planned to bring terrorism-related charges against Hambali. And in January 2021, eight days after President Joe Biden was sworn in as commander-in-chief, the Office of Military Commissions announced that Hambali and the two Malaysians were to be arraigned before a military tribunal.

The case against the three men is the first take place at Guantanamo in seven years, according to the New York Times.

The three Southeast Asians are among 39 inmates left at the prison inside the U.S. Navy base, reports said. At the height of the U.S. war on terror that followed the 9/11 attacks by al-Qaeda in New York and Washington, the military prison held close to 800 terrorist suspects from across the globe.

Five other prisoners charged with planning and aiding those attacks on American soil 20 years ago were arraigned in May 2012 but their cases are still in the pretrial phase, with no trial date yet scheduled, the Associated Press reported.

Issues with interpreters

Mondays hearing got off to a bumpy start as lawyers for Hambali and Malaysians Nazir Bin Lep and Farik Bin Amin questioned the neutrality and quality of foreign-language interpreters provided by the American military.

Lawyer James Hodes asked for the proceedings to be recorded and put on the record.

I can give you my cellphone and they can start recording, said Hodes, the attorney representing the red-bearded Hambali.

He later argued that the Indonesian interpreter should be removed from the case, alleging that the translator was not impartial.

The Indonesian interpreter has made statements that these guys are all terrorists and should be killed, Hodes told the judge. Thats just one of the reasons.

Lawyer Christine Funk said her client, Farik bin Amin, expressed frustration about the translations, as the hearing began on Monday morning.

She said he was not proficient in English but was forced to listen to two languages, Funk said.

The judge called on the lawyers to respond slowly so we can get an accurate interpretation.

I want to ensure that the accused understand all that is happening, Larsen said.

The hearing dragged on into the late afternoon with much of the courtroom discussion focusing on the issue of interpreters. The hearing was adjourned till Tuesday morning after a prosecutor read out the general charges against the three defendants.

Hambali faces eight charges while the Malaysians face nine, according to charge sheets uploaded online by the Office of Military Commissions. All three are charged with conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, intentionally causing serious bodily injury, terrorism, attacking civilians, attacking civilian objects, and destruction of property.

The two Malaysians also face a charge of accessory after the fact  all in violation of the law of war. Prosecutors allege that the accused conspired with al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and others to commit terrorist attacks across Southeast Asia and elsewhere.

Hambali is said to have met bin Laden in 1996 in Afghanistan, the U.S. says.

Hambali was arrested in Thailand in August 2003 along with the two Malaysians. They were sent to secret black sites operated through a CIA international prison network, according to a U.S. Senate investigation, before being moved to the prison at Guantanamo Bay in September 2006.

The Indonesian, who is called Southeast Asias Osama, faces eight terror charges related to the 2002 bombing in Bali and a bombing at the J.W. Marriott hotel in Jakarta the following year, while the two Malaysians face nine charges. Indonesian authorities blamed those attacks on Jemaah Islamiyah, al-Qaedas affiliate in Southeast Asia.

The charges do not carry the death penalty.

Mondays hearing ended without the three defendants entering a plea. The judge adjourned the case until 9 a.m. on Aug. 31.
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Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
An electron microscope image shows the virus that causes COVID-19. Stories circulating online incorrectly assert that a study from the Francis Crick Institute in London found that Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine destroys a type of white blood cell, called the T cell, and weakens the immune system. On the contrary, the vaccine generates a strong T cell response and boosts immunity, according to medical experts.
Even as the U.S. and its NATO allies left Afghanistan, some of the gains of the last 20 years were on display as boys and girls rushed to school early Tuesday
BENNINGTON, Vt.  Director Jillian Armenante has been wanting to direct Jeffrey Hatchers stage adaptation of Henry James The Turn of the Screw for more than 20 years. Opportunity never came knocking. Now it has.

Armenantes production of The Turn of the Screw for Oldcastle Theatre Company opens Friday, Sept. 3, at Bennington Performing Arts Center, where it is scheduled to run through Sept. 12.

Onstage What: The Turn of the Screw. Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher. From the story by Henry James. Directed by Jillian Armenante Where: Oldcastle Theatre Company, Bennington Performing Arts Center, 331 Main St., Bennington, Vt. When: Sept. 3-12. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Tickets: $25 Evening performance on Sept. 8 is pay-what-you-can. Reservations and information: 802-447-0564; oldcastletheatre.org

Considered by many to be the gold standard for ghost stories, The Turn of the Screw was serialized in Colliers Weekly in 1898 and subsequently published as a novella. It tells the story of a young governess who is hired to look after two orphan siblings, Miles and Flora, who live on a remote estate outside London. It is not long before the governess comes to believe that the children are being haunted by the specters of their previous governess, Miss Jessel, who committed suicide, and the estates groundskeeper, Peter Quint, who died under mysterious circumstances.

Hatchers adaptation is the essence of both simplicity and complexity. He wrote the play for only two actors  one female to play the governess; one male to play all the other characters.

The specters of Jessel and Quint never appear onstage. And so, among the questions that have haunted James readers and Hatchers audiences, is whether the apparitions are real or imagined as this naive governess is thrown into a physical, psychological and emotional setting that is alien to anything she has known.

Hatchers The Turn of the Screw was commissioned in 1995 by Greg Leaming, then artistic director of Portland Stage Company in Maine where the play was workshopped and developed at the theaters Little Festival of the Unexpected and had its premiere in 1996. The play was produced at Primary Stages in New York in March 1999 and has since been widely produced at regional and college theaters.

Like the novella, Hatchers play takes a deep, subtle dive into the labyrinth of the mind and psyche in an era of restraint and repression, especially sexual repression.

That kind of restraint, said Rebecca Mozo, who is playing the governess, I just dont think its a natural state for us.

The only thing that cant be restrained is the imagination, said Armanente in a joint pre-rehearsal interview at the performing arts center with her actors, Mozo and Oliver Wadsworth.

This is a time period of rigid furniture, Gothic art; corseted, buttoned. The moment a Victorian woman gets to run her own show (shes restrained).

There is a moment in Turn of the Screw in which the governess catches a glimpse of her body in a full-length mirror. Shes never even seen herself until then, Armanente said.

The governess has lived a protected life. She shows up at her job interview as a naive young woman looking for a better life than what shes had, Mozo said. There is little she knows or understands about the world. She is tightly wound.

She is a study in restraint and release; like a pressure cooker, Mozo said. The governess journey over the course of the play is to gain her own power, even if that comes at a cost.

The governess has an unrequited need for love and belonging, Armanente said. Thats where she dwells.

We can never really fully know anyone, Wadsworth said. We can go along on the journey with them and try to understand. Theater is about who we are.

I know a lot of people who are unfinished, Armanente said. I manifest them every day.
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Tony Dobrowolski's main focus is on business reporting. He came to The Eagle in 1992 after previously working for newspapers in Connecticut and Montreal. He can be reached at tdobrowolski@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6224.
The bell in the First Congregational Church of Becket is in danger due to extensive damage from powderpost beetles in the timber-frame structu
People of a certain age become aware that their roster of very long-term friends is getting shorter by the month. Thats when you might start thinking about which ones youve known the longest.
A man passes by a section of roof that was blown off Sunday by Hurricane Ida's winds in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Written by Written By Nigel Roberts

Reggae icon Lee Scratch Perry died Sunday (Aug. 29) at the Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Jamaica, the Jamaica Observer reported. He was 85 years old. Perry, who worked with reggae giant Bob Marley, is credited with pioneering dub, which impacted a range of music genres.

Reggae legend Lee "Scratch" Perry died this morning.https://t.co/75UOB9Vwnv  Jamaica Observer (@JamaicaObserver) August 29, 2021

Lee came into prominence in the late 1960s as a producer of cutting-edge music by revolutionary artists, the newspaper said. He was nominated five times for a Grammy, winning the coveted award in 2002 for the Best Reggae Album, Jamaican E.T. RELATED: OPINION: The History Of Reggae Music Is A Bigger Part Of Black History Than You Know Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness sent his condolences to Perrys family, friends, and fans, as he paid tribute to the musicians accomplishments.

Undoubtedly, Lee Scratch Perry will always be remembered for his sterling contribution to the music fraternity. May his soul Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/k1QnyzfLoo  Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) August 29, 2021

Beastie Boys Mike D was among those who honored Perry for his influence on their music. We are truly grateful to have been inspired by, worked with and collaborated with this true legend. Let us all listen to his deep catalog in tribute, his message read in part.

Questlove wrote, Pure Innovation. Pure Imagination. This Man Was Plug Ins long before you studio cats today can simply press one button and instantly created sound chaos.
Rather than moving in accordance with the music industrys Friday release date, Kanye West released his new album on a Sunday following a series of listening parties around the nation.

Kanyes highly-anticipated tenth studio album Donda was released to major streaming platforms on August 30. The 26-track body of work has seen many placeholder dates on iTunes, with the latest being September 3. Placeholders are typically put into play as a temporary date.

RELATED: 10 Things You Should Know About Kanye Wests New Album, Donda

The album features appearances by Jay-Z, Lil Baby, Jay Electronica, Vory, the late Pop Smoke, The Weeknd, Kid Cudi, Lil Durk, and many more.

The album is named after Yes late mother, Donda West, who passed away in 2007. The album rollout, in typical Kanye fashion, was less than predictable. Late last month, Kanye West partnered with Beats by Dre for an ad starring American sprinter, ShaCarri Richardson.

With the song No Child Left Behind playing during the commercial, the anticipation for Kanyes album releasing on said date of July 25. That Friday then turned into the following Friday, and this cycle repeated until August 30.

Jay-Z being featured on Kanyes Jail track has stirred up a lot of talk, as the two have had a very public clash in the past.

Kanye, 44, has held a total of three listening sessions for Donda. Two were held in Atlanta at Mercedes Benz Stadium and he ended the last session in Chicagos Soldier Field this past Thursday (August 26), even recreating his childhood home. At one point, Kanye lived in Mercedes Benz stadium as he worked on the album.
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Gabe Heck (Belle Fourche football): Heck had four receptions for 101 yards and he had seven tackles on defense.

Peyton Millis (Spearfish football): Millis had six catches for 176 yards and one touchdown. He also had seven tackles on the night, and he had a total of 20 return yards.

Charles Alberts (Belle Fourche boys soccer): Alberts tallied three goals against Sturgis Brown on Tuesday, which resulted in a 5-1 win for the Broncs. Alberts has scored 19 goals in only five games for the Belle Fourche this season.

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I'm a mountain gal myself, so whenever I want to dive into a topic like mountains in the Bible, I plunge headfirst. It's hard to read a book of the Bible without encountering a mountain first. And many items of significance happen on mountains such as Horeb or Olives. So what are the most significant mountains in the Bible? And what happened at these sites?

Also, do the mountains in the Bible have a symbolic significance. After all, passages such as 1 Corinthians 13:2"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing"seem to indicate that. We'll dive into all of this and more in this article.

What Are the Most Important Mountains in the Bible?

We could spend far more than one article covering the important areas of topography found within Scripture. But for now, we'll address some of the most significant mountains we can find within Scripture.

Mount Ararat

Genesis 8:4: "and on the seventeenth day of the seventh month the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat."

Located in modern-day Turkey, this untouchable mountain supposedly houses the landing spot of Noah's Ark. Why untouchable and why supposedly? Well, because of the political stability in the land, Mount Ararat does not allow for tourists to scale the site, let alone search for the remains of Noah's Ark.

Scripture does appear to confirm the location of the Ark.

Mount Sinai/Mount Horeb

You may know Mount Sinai as the place where Moses received the 10 Commandments. But did you know that God had also met Moses on that same mountain in the form of a burning bush? How cool that in the same place where God promises to free the Israelites he also creates a covenant with his people.

Mount of Olives

Zechariah 14:4: "On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward."

Located near Jerusalem, the Mount of Olives hosted Jesus when he ascended into heaven. It will also be the location where he returns again (see the Zechariah reference above). More than a thousand years before Christ, David had fled to these same mountains when his son abdicated the throne. For more interesting facts about this particular set of mountains and their biblical importance, read this article here.

Mount Tabor (Mount of the Transfiguration)

When Deborah stood as judge of Israel, she led her troops to Mount Tabor to free the Israelites from their newest oppressor, the Canaanites (Judges 4). But how we probably know Mount Tabor better is that it's the site where Jesus performed the transfiguration. According to Christianity.com, "The transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a powerful demonstration of His divine nature and manifestation of His glory, which Jesus possessed prior to coming to earth in the human body."

At the transfiguration, Elijah and Moses also appear, and Jesus has a conversation with them.

Mount Carmel

Notice how a few of the mountains have food themes in the English language. If you're anything like me, the first time you read this mountain's name, it made you hungry. But what happened there would probably not stir up your appetite.

On Mount Carmel. Elijah famously challenged the hundreds of prophets of Baal. There he proved that the LORD is God over all (1 Kings 18).

Mount Zion

This mountain appears in a lot of prophecies. According to Christianity.com, "Mount Zion is the City outside of Jerusalem, or Israel or Temple of the Mount or the Western Hill, the City of David, the descendant of Christ, the City of our God and the location of Christs rule on earth, and it is a spiritual location and an eternal Jerusalem."

We often associate this mountain with the Temple mount. Solomon's temple was constructed on this mountain. But as explained above, it also has a spiritual significance and will play a role in Christ's second coming. As stated in the Christianity.com article, Zion is the place of the future eternal Jerusalem.

Now that we've covered some important mountains in the Bible, let's talk about the symbolic significance of these landmarks.

What Is the Symbolism behind Mountains in the Bible?

It shouldn't surprise us that sometimes mountains can serve as a symbol for obstacles. After all, we use those symbols today. "I climbed that mountain." "I defeated that mountain." Etc. The Bible seems to juxtapose the same position. It often talks about faith that can move mountainshinting that the mountains had stood in the way of someone accomplishing something.

Mountains also tend to represent grandeur and majesty, pointing to the power of our Savior. Scripture often talks about mountains crumbling and giving way, but we do not lose heart, for God is everlasting (Isaiah 54:10).

Mountains can also symbolize eternity. We can witness this in a number of ways. First of all, Jesus transfigured on a mountain. He gives us a foretaste of what it will look like when he returns to earth. God will also touch down on Mount of Olives in the second coming and will establish his eternal Jerusalem on Mount Zion. On every mountain, we see God's power as he gives us the picture in part, that we will one day see in full.

Bible Verses about Mountains

Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, Your God reigns!

Isaiah 54:10: "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you."

Micah 1:4: "The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope."

For more Bible verses on mountains, check out this article here.

Why Should We Know about Mountains in the Bible?

First, we have a Creator God. We can often see elements of his character throughout creation. Mountains reminds us of his splendor, majesty, and power.

But often biblical landmarks can point us to something far greater, a narrative that shows us time and time again that God rescues his people and gives them a hope for a future. We see this when Deborah marches with 1000 troops to take down the Canaanites on a mountain, when God establishes his covenant with his people on Mount Sinai. Important events have taken place on mountains, and important events are yet to take place on them.

When we study the Bible, we ought to study it within the cultural context. The more we know about the places where major events happened, the greater our understanding increases about God's story for his people then, and his people now.

Finally, we should task ourselves with learning as much as possible about the Bible. The more we know the word, the more we can speak boldly about it.

Photo credit: GettyImages/TomasSereda

Hope Bolinger is an editor at Salem, a multi-published novelist, and a graduate of Taylor University's professional writing program. More than 1,100 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer's Digest to Keys for Kids. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Her modern-day Daniel trilogy released its first two installments with IlluminateYA, and the final one, Vision, releases in August of 2021. She is also the co-author of the Dear Hero duology, which was published by INtense Publications. And her inspirational adult romance Picture Imperfect releases in November of 2021. Find out more about her at her website.
Who Was Bartholomew in the Bible?

Bartholomew is an apostle of Jesus Christ mentioned in Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14, and Acts 1:13. Some say he may be Nathaniel in John 1:45. He is one of the 12. He lived during the first century A.D. and was martyred.

Apostle means one sent out or commissioned to go. The Lord gave them specific tasks as listed in Matthew 10. They were to not go into the way of the Gentiles and not enter any city of the Samaritans. Jesus instructed them instead to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. During Jesus time on earth, they were to preach saying the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Jesus further instructed them to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have received and freely give. They were not to carry any money, any clothes, or shoes. The apostles were like traveling ministers, and it was expected that they would be cared for by the community.

If people did not receive them or their testimony, Jesus instructed them to depart out of that house or city and shake the dust off their feet. Jesus compared those who would not receive His apostles to Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jesus disciples would be the first to understand his plan of redemption (The KJV Study Bible, Barbour Publishing, 2011). They would spread the good news of Christianity around the world. Jesus had warned His disciples that they would be hated of all men for His sake. If they were persecuted in one city, He instructed them to flee to another city (Matthew 10:22-23).

What Did Bartholomew Do after Jesus Ascended?

After Jesus ascended into heaven, two men stood by them in white apparel. All the disciples witnessed Jesus ascension with the exception of Judas Iscariot. Reference Acts 1 starting at verse 10. These were more than likely angels who asked them Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. The disciples returned to Jerusalem and went into an upper room. They prayed and made supplication, with the women, with Jesus mother Mary, and with his brethren. It is interesting to note that Jesus half-brothers did not believe that He was the son of God until after His ascension. Look to John 7:3-5. Verse five says for neither did His brethren believe in Him. They wanted Him to reveal Himself to them if He was the Christ. Jesus told them that it wasnt time yet. If Jesus had revealed Himself at this time, that would have escalated His crucifixion (The KJV Study Bible, Barbour Publishing, 2011).

So, this is some firepower for those who are called, and your relatives and close friends dont believe that God has called you to anything. Continue to study Gods word to show yourself approved. You dont have to perform miracles, signs, and wonders to make people believe that you have a ministry. You just need to do what God has called you to do and prepare yourself as much as possible until He sends you out to wherever that might be. Understand that you might be mocked for your religion or called names such as a holy roller. Still, be encouraged. The end game is to find that your name is written in the Lambs book of life and that you have done whatever it is that God has called you to do and go to heaven. Seek to live your life on purpose. If you dont know it, ask God to reveal it and He will. Sometimes, we dont think God has a plan or purpose for us. Many purposes and plans are tied to jobs in particular industries. God needs people of integrity in these industries. Dont think that your walk is insignificant. It is not.

We dont have many details about what Bartholomew did after the ascension. We can guess that he fulfilled his mission to spread the Gospel, and like so many of Jesus followers, was martyred.

How Did Bartholomew Die, according to Tradition?

Most sources revealed Bartholomew was martyred in Armenia. He was either decapitated or skinned alive. There is no reference in Scripture about his death. He is only named in Scripture a few times. Other references of Bartholomew or Nathanael many times include him with the group of disciples. History shows that Bartholomew served as a missionary to Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia (Modern Iran), Lycaonia (Modern Turkey), and Armenia. It is believed that he was flayed and beheaded for converting the king of Armenia to Christianity. The kings brother ordered his death.

Sometimes, we as Christians dont realize the price that was paid by not only Jesus but also his disciples and others so that we might have access to the teaching of Christianity. We should not take our religion for granted but instead witness to others as much as possible. There have been crusades and wars because of Christianity.

5 Important Lessons from His Life

He had a relationship with Jesus Christ. He was one of Jesus' 12 disciples. Since Bartholomew is also referred to as Nathanael in the Bible, we will reference John 1 starting at verse 43. Here we see that the disciples of Christ have started following Him. When Phillip started following Jesus, he said to Nathanael, we have found Him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write. Nathanael told Phillip Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Phillip said unto him, come and see (John 1:45-46). Jesus saw Nathanael coming and acknowledge that he was an Israelite without guile. Nathanael wanted to know how Jesus knew details on him. Jesus said, Before that Phillip called thee, when thou were under the fig tree, I saw thee. Then Nathanael acknowledged that Jesus was the Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus told Nathanael that he believed because the Lord provided specific information about him. Jesus told him that greater things were coming. In John 1:51, Jesus prophesied to him that he would see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

He was chosen by God and commissioned. None of the disciples appointed themselves. He commissioned them and gave them specific instructions (Matthew 28:16-20). Here Jesus says All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

He saw the Lord at least three times after He is raised from the dead. Read John 20 and John 21. In chapter 21, the disciples had been fishing and had caught nothing. Jesus appeared on the shore, but they didnt recognize Him. He asked them was there any meat. He told them to cast the net on the right side. When they did this, they had so many fish that it was difficult to draw them in.

He was one of the few to witness Jesus ascending into heaven. The Lord had been appearing and disappearing for about 40 days (The KJV Study Bible, Barbour Publishing, 2011). Read Acts 1:1-9. Jesus announced that John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence (verse 5). Jesus told them, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. He told them that they shall be witnesses of Christ both in Jerusalem and in all of Judaea, and in Samaria.

He was not afraid to witness about Christianity and paid the ultimate price. Bartholomew was skinned alive and decapitated for converting a king to Christianity. Many of us dont have to die because we witness to others. Therefore, we should be bold in knowing that we can do this freely especially if you live in the United States and other countries where there is freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Ismael Paramo

Dr. Sandra Hamer Smith is a Christian and wife to Sylvester Smith. She has one stepson, Greg. Smith lives and resides in Memphis, Tennessee. The University of Memphis alumnae has been in education for about 20 years after receiving the call to teach. Dr. Smith primarily teaches language arts. Prior to education, she worked in local and national television news for 13 years including positions as an overnight news anchor, reporter, and assignments editor at two local network affiliate stations. Smith was also a freelance correspondent for BET news. Dr. Smith has freelanced for the Tri-State Defender newspaper and Contempora magazine. She is the author of the self-published novel GLORYTHE HAIR. Smith is also a playwright and poet. The Tennessee native is a member of Temple of Deliverance COGIC, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, Omicron Delta Kappa, The Golden Key International Honour Society, and Kappa Delta Pi.

This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul.

The Bible Story of Elijah

The Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons

The Bible Story of Queen Esther

The Greatest Villain - King Nebuchadnezzar

The Bible Story of Mary Magdalene
BOISE - New hunters interested in getting their Hunter Education certification can do so in person through courses held throughout the state of Idaho in September and early October, or complete the online course and get certified without having to attend a field day.

To see a list of courses available go to the Hunter Education webpage.

Traditionally, students who took the online Hunter Education course were required to attend a field day to get certified, but that requirement has been temporarily waived to allow people 9 years or older to pass the online course only and be immediately eligible to buy a hunting license. The online course costs $24.50 and can be taken at https://www.hunter-ed.com/idaho/.

While an online course is convenient for some people, taking the Hunter Education Course in person is a tradition for many Idaho families. It provides the opportunity for students to be to taught by an experienced hunter who teaches Idaho-specific topics, such as local regulations, animal identification and hands-on training for gun-safety skills.

Beckley recognizes the value of the online classes, but also the benefits of new hunters learning from experienced hunters.

We have a great group of instructers with combined decades of experience, and they've shown thousands of new hunters how to take their first hunting seasons in the field safely and with confidence, Beckley said.
PULLMAN - With the Inland Mountain West facing extended droughts, frequent wildfires, and population growth, Washington State University researchers are joining a new $15 million National Science Foundation-funded project to help communities deal with these complex problems.

The five-year effort, called the Transformation Network, takes a convergent science approach, meaning it brings an array of knowledge, theories, data, and methods to bear on particularly difficult challenges. The Network is led by University of New Mexico and includes seven other universities and more than 50 organizations.

The network partners will combine scientific research and work with communities, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and Tribes to share knowledge gained from different regions  the upper Rio Grande/San Juan river watersheds, Colorado Front Range corridor, and inland Pacific Northwest  all of which face similar issues.

The whole idea of this project is to use convergent science to help communities integrate knowledge from different fields, disciplines, and ways of thinking about the environment to help find more sustainable solutions, said Julie Padowski, who is leading WSUs portion of the work. We envision generating some meaningful science that can help communities who are struggling with climate change to find real solutions that fit at the local and regional scale.

In the Inland Northwest, WSU researchers will focus on three different dimensions of community resilience, Padowski said: one that deals with headwaters systems, which are communities such as the Yakima Basin, that are reliant on the mountain snow pack for water, a supply that is dwindling because of climate change. A second focus will look at food-energy-water systems, addressing the often-conflicting demands for water for use in agriculture, fishing, and power generation. The third area will work with the various agencies, organizations, and community leaders to address policies affecting these issues.

Padowski, an associate professor of environmental science with the State of Washington Water Research Center, is also assistant director for WSUs Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach or CEREO, and this project will draw on the interdisciplinary strengths of that center. Other WSU researchers include Jan Boll, interim director of CEREO; Brad Gaolach and Patricia Townsend of WSU Metropolitan Center for Applied Research and Extension; and Georgine Yorgey and Sonia Hall from WSUs Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The Transformation Network, which starts work on September 15, is part of $30 million in funding that the NSF announced last week to create two new research networks to understand and design innovative and equitable solutions that build community resilience.

The impacts of climate change have affected the western United States especially hard in recent years, said Mark Stone, a University of New Mexico professor who is leading the Transformation Network. Much of the area has been stressed by rapid urban population growth while also dealing with catastrophic wildfires and drought. The Networks research will focus on both Tribal and rural communities to understand how systemic inequities have compounded climate change impacts.

We want the Network to be a resource for the Intermountain West in developing innovative and equitable solutions to adapt to the impacts of climate change. To achieve our goal, we must also work towards racial and environmental justice, Stone said.

Network projects will utilize a novel framework for what is known as guided transformation, which incorporates diverse perspectives, including Indigenous and place-based knowledge as well as valuing community and environmental well-being.

During the project, the Network has several goals:

Improving understanding of interlinked urban and rural systems feedbacks, processes and actors;

Creating a diverse and engaged network of Intermountain West partners to advance understanding of community needs and explore sustainable solutions;

Training a new cohort of scientists and leaders with expertise in convergent, complex systems thinking; and

Documenting and sharing the processes for developing sustainable urban and rural systems through a guided transformation framework.

The network will also include an extensive educational outreach component, funded by the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program. This will translate into a variety of research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students as well as activities focusing on attracting K-12 students into STEM disciplines.

In addition to WSU and UNM, the Network includes five other universities: Colorado State University, the University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Utah State University, New Mexico Tech and New Mexico State University.

The project is being co-funded by the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the NSF INCLUDES (Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners of Underrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science) program.
Watch the latest video at FoxNews.com By Bill O'Reilly Because President Obama was not forth coming about the assassination of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton now bearing the brunt of the public exposure. Today she testified in front of the Senate and the House Foreign Relations Committees. The overall tone, soft; but there were some intense moments. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. RON JOHNSON (R), WISCONSIN: We were misled that there were supposedly protests and then something sprang out of that, an assault sprang out of that and that was easily ascertained that that was not the fact and the American people could have known that within days and they didn't know that. HILLARY: And with all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans -- JOHNSON: I understand. CLINTON: -- was it because they protest or was it because of guys out for a walk when now they decide they go kill some Americans. What difference at this point, does it make? (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: With all due respect, it makes a huge difference, Ms. Secretary because Ambassador Stevens was very worried about security and asked for help. But no help arrived perhaps because Secretary Clinton didn't even read the Ambassador's cables. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CLINTON: The specific requests pertaining to Benghazi you know were handled by the security professionals in the department. I didn't see those requests. They didn't come to me. I didn't approve them. I didn't deny them. SEN. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: Had I been president at the time and I found that did you not read the cables from Benghazi, you did not read the cables from Ambassador Stevens, I would have relieved you of your post. (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: Secretary Clinton had no response to Senator Paul right there. And her demeanor in general angered John McCain. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: The answers, frankly that you've given this morning are not satisfactory to me. The American people deserve to know answers. And they certainly don't deserve false answers. And the answers that were given the American people on September 15th by the Ambassador of the United Nations were false. (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: Once again Secretary Clinton didn't respond, allowing Senator McCain's comments to float in the air. It should also be noted that not one, not one Democrat asked Mrs. Clinton the tough question. Now, come on. That's appalling. Are you guys looking out for the folks or what? Secretary Clinton will leave her job as soon as John Kerry is confirmed as the new Secretary of State, which should be in early February. But going forward, Mrs. Clinton doesn't really have to worry much about Libya. It's clear Americans are not holding her accountable. In a new Fox News poll 59 percent of Americans approve of Secretary Clinton's job performance. Just 29 percent disapprove. So clearly the folks think she's been effective running the State Department. Many Americans believe that Hillary Clinton will run for President in 2016. And if she does, she will be formidable. Everybody knows she dodged bullets in various controversies while her husband was president including the fact that she made nearly $100,000 in very questionable commodities trade. Summing up, if there is one politician in the country who should be advertising Teflon? It's Hillary Clinton. And that's "The Memo." - You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the Fox News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com. Transcript Show Name: O'Reilly Factor
Watch the latest video at FoxNews.com By Bill O'Reilly The controversy over illegal immigration took another turn today. In order to persuade conservatives to support the new law, some Republican senators including John McCain and Marco Rubio are hoping that tough new border proposals that will cost billions will be enough to pass legislation that would allow illegal aliens already here to work legally. Basically the new stuff comes down to doubling the border patrol from 20,000 to 40,000 on the Mexican front, building 700 miles of new fence and installing a variety of high tech gizmos designed to track those who cross the border illegally. In addition the E-Verify system would be used so aliens who do not follow the rules couldn't work in the USA at all. Now the bill is extremely complicated and if passed would take years to implement. Senator Rubio told me on the phone today that it would be at least 13 years, 13, before the people in the country illegally right now could gain full legal working status and even longer to achieve citizenship. "Talking Points" supports immigration reform, even though I well understand the new law will be somewhat chaotic and will be a magnet for even more people to come here illegally which is why we need step up security on the border. For conservative Americans the issue is a difficult one because immigration reform would reward bad behavior; the illegal entry into the USA. But please keep in mind that part of that illegal behavior was actually encouraged by the federal government which for decades did nothing to stop it. Also some business people who make money from cheap labor aided and abetted illegal immigration. The Republican Party has a lot to lose here. If it doesn't compromise many Hispanic voters will reject the GOP entirely pretty much dooming the party in the future. That's reality. Liberals on the other hand are generally soft on illegal immigration because it helps the Democrats as most new voters support the entitlement party. Also the left likes to bill itself as the ideology of compassion. A footnote off all of this comes in "The New Yorker" magazine which implies that Fox News colluded with Republican senators on immigration reform. The writer Ryan Lizza reports that I, your humble correspondent, had private conversations with Republican senators and agreed to support the immigration bill in those conversations. That never happened. I never collude with anyone. This is a no collusion zone. I occasionally talk with politicians who give me information, as every political analyst and reporter does. But there are never ever any deals made here about anything. Back to reality. It is time for the USA to pass immigration reform. For years I've called for a more secure southern border, you know that. And now it looks like the secure border is in reach at least somewhat. So I hope this bill does become law. And that's "The Memo." - You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the Fox News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com. Transcript Show Name: O'Reilly Factor
Watch the latest video at FoxNews.com By Bill O'Reilly It is absolute chaos in Washington; Republicans trying to destroy Obamacare, Democrats desperately trying to hold on to the new law which kicks in this coming January 1st. Today the Senate voted 54-44 to remove language that defunds Obamacare. From the bill that passed the House earlier this week. So, now the bill goes back to the House, which is controlled by Republicans and an effort will be made to neuter the Senate bill. It's a merry go round back and forth and back and forth. If a resolution is not reached, it's possible that no money will be allocated for anything. Thus, the government would have to shut down. There is bitterness all over the place. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And now you want to threaten to not only shut down our government but to blow up the world economy unless we go back and undo what we did according to the processes of our democracy? How dare you? (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: That soliloquy posed to Republicans, of course and many in the GOP reply this way. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. RAND PAUL (R), KENTUCKY: What we have to think about when we think about ObamaCare is we have to think about do you believe in freedom or coercion? ObamaCare is riddled with mandatory -- mandatory this, mandatory that. I think there are several hundred mandates. When you hear the word "mandate," that's not freedom. That's your government telling you, you have to do something. (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: Now the problem with the debate is that the Affordable Health Care Law was passed legally and the Supreme Court upheld it. But now there is buyer's remorse from the American public. All the polls say majority of Americans do not want ObamaCare because they think it will hurt them. And initial evidence says that may be true. Here is a partial list of companies and enterprises that are cutting back hours for workers to avoid have higher healthcare costs. Wal-Mart, Trader Joe's, Subway, Sea World in San Diego, Dave and Busters, Lands End, White Castle, Taco Bell, Burger King, Home Depot, Wendy's, Five Guy's Burgers and even the Sesame Place Theme Park in Pennsylvania. Obviously the folks who could least afford it, hourly workers, are getting hammered and ironically ObamaCare is aimed at helping those people. Nevertheless, the President is standing firm. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Over the last few weeks, the rhetoric has just been cranked up to a place I have never seen before. One congressman said that ObamaCare is the most dangerous piece of legislation ever passed. Think about that. Affordable healthcare is worse than a law that lets slave owners get their runaway slaves back. I mean these are quotes. I'm not making this stuff up. (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: And there has been hysteria over ObamaCare no question. But it's not just on the right, Mr. President. Many of your supporters have entered the land of lunacy. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: We're not going to bow to Tea Party anarchists who deny the mere fact that Obama is the -- ObamaCare is the law. We will not bow to Tea Party anarchists who refuse to accept the Supreme Court ruled Obamacare to be constitutional. DAN PFEIFFER, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISER: We are for cutting spending. We're for reforming our taxes. We're for reforming our entitlements. What we're not for is negotiating with people with bomb strapped to their chest. (END VIDEO CLIP) O'REILLY: That bomb would be denying funding to the government by shutting it down. "Talking Points" believes there should be a compromise. Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia says he would support a one-year delay for folks who do not want to be forced into the ObamaCare arena. But the truth is that the Senate and the President will never give up the whole deal, they'll never going to do it. And so if a compromise is not reached the government could essentially shutdown. That would tank the stock market, affect our military people fighting overseas and break down essential services across the board. In effect Washington would become Detroit, a place completely out of control. And there are some Americans who don't care. But most of us do care. We don't want scorched earth and we don't want a government shutdown that would directly hurt many of our fellow citizens. So it is that President Obama and the Republican leadership in Congress must sit down and hammer out a deal. Both sides have to give something here. Those who will not compromise will be hurting the country and the American people will know exactly who they are. And that's "The Memo." - You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the Fox News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com. Transcript Show Name: O'Reilly Factor
Glenn Beck of TheBlaze joined me on Monday's No Spin News and, among other topics, we discussed the president's utter malfeasance in Afghanistan and how it compares to other American military debacles.

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Watch the latest video at FoxNews.com By Laura Ingraham In all my years of warning about the GOP moderates, I'm certain that this Senate immigration deal is the worst thing they've ever done. It's not good for the country. It's not good for the poor. It's not good for any of the principles they claim to support. And of course the whole thing was a big rush job in order to prevent an all-out revolt in the GOP. The more time folks have to read this mess, the more we learn about how it doesn't do what it claims to do. Like the fact that border agents don't really have to be hired until 2017 and that it gives Janet Napolitano the discretion to nix any part of the border fence if she feels like it or that not only does the bill forgive past visa overstays but some future visa overstays are forgiven as well. Or that they stuff the bill with so much pork - it's unbelievable, to appease senators who are last-minute holdouts. This is totally shady and it's shameful. This week the GOP should have focused on the Edward Snowden debacle, which is becoming more and more humiliating and which underscores Obama's complete inability to deal with China or Russia. We'll get into that later in the program. But instead, the GOP will continue infuriating its own base and affirmatively hurting the wage earning prospects for American workers with this toxic immigration bill. You know, I don't see how the GOP coalition can really continue on this path because the priorities of the working people are either ignored all together or they are being openly dismissed. So in other words, if Speaker John Boehner doesn't put an end to this nonsense, how can he expect an enthusiastic grassroots to rally around the GOP in the future? To the Senate Democrats who never gave up on this issue, and who played the GOP brilliantly, I say congrats. And to all the Republicans who supported this, well, know that you're writing your own political obituary. I hope you know that you've just participated in the political equivalent of a one-night stand. Once the Democrat leadership has had their way with you, they are not going to love you in the morning. And that's "The Memo." Transcript Show Name: O'Reilly Factor
To encourage visits of students to attend courses, conduct seminars

Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-G) is collaborating with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (AVV), a private, deemed-university based in Coimbatore, in education and research activities. This will help in enriching academic programmes and promote the exchange of students between two institutions.

IIT Guwahati and AVV will encourage cooperation between their faculty members, departments, and research centres including visits of faculty members to deliver lectures, conduct seminars, discussions, research and supervise student studies. Students visits to attend courses and jointly develop teaching programmes would also be encouraged along with collaboration in research projects.

An MoU towards this collaboration was signed by Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, and Prof. Venkata Rangan, Vice-Chancellor, AVV.

Sitharam said, This mutual collaboration will help both the institutes scale new heights in research and academics.

Dr Rangan said, I am sure we will leverage our strengths and work for a sustainable world to the betterment of humanity as our Chancellor Amma has always envisaged.
Amidst the many challenges to business-as-usual of the past year, the South African advertising industry has needed to act quickly to maintain sales revenues for clients. To ensure effectiveness in a fast-evolving media, technology and consumer landscape, agencies have been compelled to re-think their strategies and act faster than they might have anticipated in the pre-pandemic era.

Dale Hefer, 2021 FM AdFocus project director

This year, to celebrate the industrys triumph over circumstance, the theme of the 2021AdFocus Awards and brand communication review will shine the spotlight on 'How Advertisings Game-Changers Take on Change'.Since their inception in 1990, theAdFocus Awards have established themselves as the leading platform for individuals and agencies to be recognised - not only for their creative marketing skills - but for their overall business acumen. The Awards have grown to become a landmark on the South African marketing and communications landscape, where business effectiveness is the primary measurement tool.The innovation that has been adopted and the direction that many agencies have plotted should be an encouragement to the broader marketing industry, says FM AdFocus jury chairperson Tumi Rabanye.Many agencies - big and small - have pivoted at lightning speed. Not only have they learnt to cope with the disruption to the traditional work environment and working remotely in a socially-distanced manner, but the media and consumer landscapes have also irrevocably shifted as people depend more on digital platforms and devices to live their lives.For many, the curve-ball has fuelled a unique ability to drive change and do things differently - often taking agencies to the very edge of their comfort and competency zones, pushing them to extend their horizons. Rabanye, now in her second year as jury Chair, says the determination and no-holds-barred innovation that has been achieved in a relatively short space of time must be celebrated.Respected marketing industry leader and CEO of the Nedbank IMC Conference, Dale Hefer, also takes the reins as the 2021 FM AdFocus project director.Now is an important time to examine how agencies are re-inventing themselves with a focus on ROI, says Hefer. This is what has shaped this years theme she says.The FM AdFocus publication is South Africas leading brand communication review and will be published on 25 November. It will examine how agencies will address the business of change by unpacking issues such as transformation, the move towards taking advertising functions in-house, and the growing influence of digital marketing. It will also showcase the agencies that partner with their clients to deliver on creativity, reach and reward, and who are changing their game as the game changes.Entries for the 2021 FM AdFocus Awards closes at midnight on 10 September 2021. Award categories, closing dates and entry criteria can be found at www.adfocus.co.za . The winners will be announced on 24 November 2021.For more, go to www.adfocus.co.za
Liz Gorbunova is the general manager: chief marketing manager of light commercial (LCVs) and large sport utility vehicles (SUVs) at Nissan South Africa. Gorbunova has almost 16 years of experience in the automotive industry and started her career in Sub-Saharan Africa Jaguar as national sales manager, where after she moved on to become Toyota South Africa's product marketing manager in the passenger vehicle line.

Liz Gorbunova of Nissan South Africa | image supplied

Tell us more about yourself and your career path

Tell us more about your role at Nissan South Africa

What future plans does Nissan South Africa have for women empowerment and inclusion?

What challenges have you faced as a female in the automotive industry?

Tell us more about Nissan South Africas women empowerment journey

What do you think can be done to break down barriers that prevent women from professional development?

Focused talent development and robust succession planning that includes women in strategic positions

Use of regional programmes like Nissan GTR graduate programme to attract and accelerate the development of females

Use of programmes like Engineering Career Ladder (ECL) to increase female representation in the engineering fields

Use of leadership programmes to attract females into technical trades historically reserved for males

What do you think can be done to address the pay disparity issue for women in South Africa?

Since we are celebrating Womens Month, what words of encouragement do you have for women?

This, coupled with her experience with international markets, as well as her MBA from Gordon Institute of Business, has provided her with a high level of strategic scope and insight within the automotive industry.Here, Gorbunova reveals more about herself, her career, Nissan South Africa's plans for women empowerment, and more.Ive been with Nissan for five and a half years and it feels like only yesterday when I joined the Sub-Saharan Africa team as general manager for sales and aftersales operations. Ive since moved on to the product marketing team in my current role as general manager: chief marketing manager for the light commercial (LCV) and large sport utility vehicles (SUV). Every day in the role brings with it a host of new and exciting challenges, which is what makes it so fulfilling. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of a team of extremely talented colleagues all working towards bringing new vehicles to the South African and Sub-Saharan Africa markets.Im the chief marketing manager in charge of LCVs and SUVs at Nissan South Africa. Among others, I am also responsible for the commercialisation of the recently launched and locally produced new-generation Nissan Navara.At Nissan South Africa, we have set employment equity targets to reach by the year 2025, prioritising the recruitment and empowerment of women at all levels, with a focus on the inclusion of women of colour. These targets include an increase in female representation at top management or and at an executive level to 25%, contributing to and an overall increase overall of female representation at both senior and middle management levels.The new targets the company has set are simply to ensure an upwards trajectory of the current efforts and achievements by women at Women @ Nissan Diversity and Inclusion Council (#NissanWomen). In recent times, Nissan has seen multiple female senior managers leading some of the most crucial projects for the company.Some of these projects include the upgrading of the Rosslyn Manufacturing Plant in Pretoria and the building of the Nissan Navara locally, led by senior manager Chantelle Nkosi. Since the opening of the Rosslyn Plant, Nissan has ensured a 50/50 gender split in training programmes, allowing up-and-comers to make it to the top regardless of their gender, orientation or culture. At Nissan, there are equal opportunities for upward mobility.The day-to-day challenges based on technical ability are no different to those encountered by my male counterparts. When I first joined the automotive industry as a graduate trainee in 2005, the perception of being less knowledgeable than my male colleagues was my most difficult challenge. Fast forward 16 years later, and thankfully some strides have been made towards the support of women in the industry.As a global entity, Nissan believes that enabling women, particularly in management positions, is essential to providing diverse value to customers. Our CEO, Makato Uchida, is very proud of the strides that the company has made seen towards an increase in female management globally from 6.7% in 2008 to 13.9% in 2020, owing to its career development support and training provided for women in all regions. Since 2017, Nissan South Africa has spent upwards in excess of R56m in training and development of female employees. In addition to this, Nissan has ensured a 50/50 gender intake for graduate opportunities, ensuring that women are able to access the same opportunities as their male peers.Further to this, Nissan leaders make a conscious effort to dedicate time to mentorship programmes in the organisation on a formal and informal basis. Sharing our journey inspires young graduates to envision a prosperous future within the industry. Within various teams, we ensure that all parties have an equal voice and know that they are worthy of being heard. As the lead of the Women @ Nissan Diversity and Inclusion Council, I also ensure that the priorities of women at Nissan are tabled and kept top of mind.To that end, I had the opportunity and privilege of partaking in the Nissan Lead (Leadership Excellence and Development) Programme in 2016, being just one of the many programmes at various management levels offered at Nissan. I have also participated in the Nissan Mentorship Programme with an assigned mentor to assist drive my career growth within the Nissan executive landscape.Many women continue to see the automotive industry as male-dominated. To ensure the achievement of the new employment equity, we have identified multiple programmes and activities including:My view on remuneration in any industry has always been quite simple, equal pay for equal effort.Dream big! Young women have the world at their feet. There are many more barriers to break and cliches to disprove. Women should not restrict themselves in terms of what they can or cannot do, because whether they believe that they can, or cant  they are right.Ultimately, we as women are equally as competent and as capable as our male counterparts and should never restrict our ambition. If I could close off with one of my favourite quotes from Oprah Winfrey, The great courageous act that we must all do, is to have the courage to step out of our history and past so that we can live our dreams.
In celebration of Women's Month, we shine the spotlight on Busisiwe Khaba, head of public policy for Uber sub-Saharan Africa. Passionate about women and youth empowerment - and considers herself an activist in her own right - Khaba is responsible for the management of the company's public policy strategy, regulatory requirements, engagements with senior regulatory stakeholders, and local and international organisations and governments in the seven countries in SSA where Uber operates.

Source: Supplied - Busisiwe Khaba

Tell us a bit about yourself - your background?

Describe your role at Uber - what does a typical workday look like for you?

Tell us more about your position as a woman in the technology and transport space?

Do you have any role models? If so, who?

What are your thoughts on the impact of Covid to the industry? How has Uber dealt with this challenge?

Do you think its important to have a month dedicated to women? And why.

What advice would you ?

What is the best advice anyone has given you?

As a woman, have there been any significant challenges in the workplace that stand out for you?

Do you have any pearls of wisdom to share this Women's Month or words of encouragement?

Here, Khaba tells us more about her position as a woman in the technology and transport space, the challenges she has faced and some advice for those wanting to enter the industry.I hold a Masters Degree in Political Science from North-West University. I am passionate about women and youth empowerment and consider myself an activist in my own right. I am an avid chess player - I like to solve complex problems.My first part-time job was at age 14, at a pharmacy in Ermelo. I was editor of the school's newspaper and served as a member of the Learners Representative Council (LRC).At university, I was a Student Representative Council (SRC) member and served nationally for South African Union of Students (SAUS). I value love, knowledge and learning. I have completed two executive leadership programmes with the London School of Economic and Political Science (public policy and regulatory strategy). I am enrolled as a PHD candidate in politics and international relations. Prior to joining Uber in 2021, I lectured at various universities in South Africa in Political Science. I enjoy shaping and inspiring young people.Prior to joining Uber, I worked as a corporate affairs, external affairs and public policy consultant for over 10 years and I have done political analysis on various media platforms. I sit on an advisory board in the Presidency of South Africa on Maritime Economy matters which includes over 22 member states, this has opened a lot of opportunities for global travel and engagement with high level officials across the world.in and across South Africa. I am also married and have two daughters.The activities I enjoy are spending time with family, engaging in politics, updating on current affairs, watching movies - when I can, playing chess. I love exploring new cultures, meeting new people and travelling. I am also married and have two daughters.As the head of public policy for sub-Saharan Africa, I am responsible for the management of the company's public policy strategy, regulatory requirements, engagements with senior regulatory stakeholders and local and international organisations and governments in the seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa where Uber operates.It is important that more women occupy spaces in these sectors that were once only open to men. While the numbers are not where we want them to be, we are slowly seeing change and that is encouraging.Uber is committed to creating economic opportunities for employees and female driver-partners and is keen to provide women with additional skill sets that help them thrive at being independent entrepreneurs.As an example, we have launched the Women Preferred View feature which allows women and non-binary drivers to only pick up women riders. Uber hopes that this feature will increase the number of women drivers in the rideshare industry.We have already doubled the number of women in our active driver base and launching the Women Preferred View feature is another positive move towards paving the way for more women to take part in the ridesharing industry. We are also excited that this feature enables current female drivers with the power of choice and convenience when using the Uber app.Another example is Ubers partnership with African Management Institute (AMI) to help drive business forward across Africa, offering practical business skills programmes to women partners and communities in Kenya and South Africa. The Skills on the Go and the Micro-enterprise Accelerator programmes, not only provide women with the necessary skills needed to thrive as independent entrepreneurs but also help them expand income generation opportunities for their families and communities.Playing our part to support and upskill women by developing them professionally, has given Uber the opportunity to drive change that is positive, meaningful and empowering. Female drivers benefit from these programmes as they are able to apply what theyve learnt to improve and grow their own businesses. We are committed to our partnership with drivers and we are working hard every day to ensure their businesses continue to succeed.We have also hosted a number of Women in Tech events that encourage collaborative discussion, whereby challenges faced by women in the tech industry can be discussed. In previous events, we brought together innovative women leaders in technology such as Google, Microsoft and Facebook, as well as the local start-up, SweepSouth, to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by women in technology.Our partnership with Moove is now in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa this year. Moove is Sub-Saharan Africas first flexible car ownership company, to provide potential and current Uber drivers in Sub-Saharan Africa with long-term access to vehicles. We have done this because we believe in accessibility for all, and we are most excited about extending these opportunities to women, especially as the transport industry has traditionally been male-dominated. Women now have the opportunity to get into the driving seat and increase their earning opportunities to suit them.I look up to my mother who helped shape my life. I admire her resilience and strength, she is a self-made businesswoman.The Covid-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented set of challenges for countries across the globe. It has become a litmus test, not only for global leaders, national governments, and the frontline workers stepping up to protect the communities they serve, but also for businesses and their leaders, who need to find ways to adapt their business models to ensure they respond to the "new normal".For a global company with the object of moving people from point A to B, the lockdown disrupted how we operate in various countries - each with different regulations and its own set of challenges. As part of our safety commitment, it was important that we promoted social distancing on both our apps, to help flatten the curve. This presented us with a unique opportunity to look at other ways we can help businesses and riders Move What Matters. For example, we launched Uber Connect, to assist people by moving packages to one another while they stay at home.The health and wellbeing of our communities is our highest priority during this time and our primary focus is quickly adapting our technology of both the Rides and Eats apps to meet the evolving needs of communities and companies. Our various teams have worked very hard to innovate as quickly as possible, to adapt the business to help people stay at home and still get the items they need or get them to where they need to be, safely and reliably.We have and continue to partner with organisations around the world to Move What Matters - from free meals or rides for frontline workers to delivery of essential medicine to homebound patients, to getting food parcels to those most vulnerable. In response to improving access to the vaccination, Uber has partnered with Mastercard and the Department of Health to provide one million free trips to vaccination sites countrywide.Our platform also allows us to quickly adapt to unlock economic opportunities for delivery people and drivers now and beyond the lockdown. Safety continues to be a top priority, but now in addition to our current safety features, we have also rolled out a number of new features and policies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in order to help protect the health of riders, drivers and delivery people including mask verification tech, no-contact delivery, free cancellations, providing sanitizing supplies and updating the feedback options. We also provide users with the information they need to help them stay safeWe also witnessed a trend in consumer spend. With the price-sensitive consumer in mind, Uber also launched Uber Go - a more affordable option for consumers which makes use of smaller, fuel-efficient hatchback vehicles, to boost rider demand and unlock further earning opportunities for drivers. Our focus remains on providing industry-leading safety features (in-app button, mask verification), lowering access to mobility with products like Uber Go, providing cost-saving solutions such as Uber Pass and creating earning opportunities for locals.Yes I think it is important. This is a time for us to recognise the challenges women face and focus greater attention on womens rights and gender equality to mobilise all people to do their part to emancipate women in society. However, it is important that we do these as an ongoing effort, while ensuring company policies are focused on diversity and inclusion.To just do it and to identify mentors who can help guide you on your career path. We hardly have to reinvent the wheel, but rather learn from those before us.1. Initiation: Be highly motivated and energized by opportunities. When an opportunity comes, you may have only seconds to claim it before someone else does.2. Be flexible and adaptable3. Always be willing to learnWomen empowerment is not only womens focus but also requires the participation of men to help address the gender disparity problem that continues in our society today. Its no secret that women are very much underrepresented in the tech and transport industry but companies like Uber have allowed women to enter a traditionally male-dominated industry and have contributed to this shift by championing equality and creating an inclusive environment.In the words of Brene Brown: "Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it."
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COVID-19 wave could peak by Labor Day but not end until near Halloween
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BRANDON Elections Canada is taking steps to ensure Canadians have easy access to cast their ballot in the upcoming federal election.

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If theres an easily accessible at-home voting like if I can vote online or a mail-in vote I would probably prefer that. Graeme Knight

BRANDON Elections Canada is taking steps to ensure Canadians have easy access to cast their ballot in the upcoming federal election.

A new tool has been added to the website to provide information on special ballot voting kits. It is designed to provide data on how many Canadians have asked for a special ballot kit, to vote by mail or to vote at an Elections Canada office from inside or outside of their riding or from another country.

Insights will also be provided to let Canadians know how many kits have been returned.

Users will be able to see the top 10 jurisdictions where vote-by-mail kits have been issued to electors voting abroad.

A record number of mail-in votes are expected for the 2021 federal election as Canada faces the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Im vaccinated. Were going to be wearing masks when we go into those spaces and I think thats my comfort level right now. Jonathan Lovegrove

Up to 5 million Canadians are expected to use mail-in ballots rather than show up in person to vote.

The last federal election saw more than 50,000 people choose the mail-in option, most of them Canadians who were out of the country and had no other choice.

Canadians can apply online or at any Elections Canada office for mail-in ballot kits. The deadline for applications is 6 p.m. on Sept. 14. Once an application is submitted voters will be unable to cast their ballot at the advance polls or in-person on election day.

The Brandon Sun conducted an informal poll at the Global Market on Saturday asking residents, "Do you plan on voting in-person for the federal election?"

Linda Clearsky said she will be voting on Sept. 20 because she prefers casting her ballot on the official election day. She explained waiting for the official day gives her time to better understand the platforms of candidates.

Shes interested to see what candidates have to say, and to learn what promises have been made or broken.

Im not sure in-person or mail-in. Sherri Hurdal

"Ill do it in-person and take my adult children with me," Clearsky said.

Vickie White said she is comfortable voting in person.

"Im a nurse and Ive been vaccinated and Ive been following all the rules. I think if you do that, it shouldnt be a problem."

Deciding between mail-in or in-person voting is a challenging decision, said Sherri Hurdal.

She is waiting to see where the provinces COVID-19 measures and case numbers stand when it is closer to the election. She appreciates having different options to cast her ballot when the time comes.

"I think its important that we all do [vote]," Hurdal said.

Im a nurse and Ive been vaccinated and Ive been following all the rules. I think if you do that it shouldnt be a problem. Vickie White

Having different options for voting is especially important for rural Canadians, said Graeme Knight. He is looking forward to casting his ballot and appreciates steps are being taken to ensure everyone has different options to vote.

Knight said mail-in ballot options are especially important because they can serve as an opportunity to ensure rural voters head to the polls.

"If theres an easily accessible at-home voting, like if I can vote online or a mail-in the vote, I would probably prefer that," Knight said.

The 2021 federal election marks his first time voting since moving to a rural area south of Brandon and it can be challenging planning his schedule to vote.

"Especially when the weather starts getting cold  September could be anything," Knight said. "I just hope the election goes smoothly."

Jonathan Lovegrove said he plans on voting in-person this year.

It will be in-person. Ill wait until the day comes and Ive encouraged my adult children to actually go vote Its super important. Linda Clearsky

"Im vaccinated. Were going to be wearing masks when we go into those spaces and I think thats my comfort level right now."

He has not looked into advanced polls or mail-in ballots and said he likely will not because it is not complicated to cast a ballot on election day and attend a regular poll.

"Its such a short cycle this time, that theres not a lot of time to hear what they have to say if we vote in advance," Lovegrove said.

Elections Canada said voting in-person remains the easiest way to cast a ballot, but is watching as the health crisis continues to change.

Those who visit a poll on election day can expect to see Plexiglas barriers installed, social distancing in place and bottles of hand sanitizer readily available.

Elections Canada has cautioned that sanitizing surfaces between ballots being cast could make waits longer than usual.

Elections workers and in-person voters will be required to wear masks.

Elections Canada said it will have special ballot boxes stationed at regular polling locations so those who requested to vote by mail can drop off their ballot on election day to ensure it is received by the deadline.

For more information on voting by mail and special ballot voting, go to elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868.

With files from The Canadian Press

 ckemp@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
SAINT-HYACINTHE, Que. - Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole did not distance himself Sunday from comments made by a longtime member of his caucus who warned constituents the Liberals are preparing for a "climate lockdown."

SAINT-HYACINTHE, Que. - Federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole did not distance himself Sunday from comments made by a longtime member of his caucus who warned constituents the Liberals are preparing for a "climate lockdown."

But the party later said Cheryl Gallant has removed a video she posted in June that included a photo of Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau appearing to have some sort of noose around his neck.

Conservative Leader Erin OToole speaks to the media at a bowling alley Sunday, August 29, 2021 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Canadians will vote in a federal election Sept. 20th. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

"In light of events unfolding today, it's understandable how this photo can be misconstrued without context," party spokesman Cory Hann said in an email. "That's why Ms. Gallant has removed her video."

Gallant is running for re-election in the Ottawa Valley riding of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke for the eighth time.

The events Hann referred to were angry crowds of anti-Trudeau agitators who have disrupted his campaign events in recent days, often hurling expletives and threatening violence. Their actions were deemed a threat too great to proceed with Trudeau's planned rally in Bolton, Ont., Friday and delayed his Sunday event in Cambridge, Ont., for more than hour as they surrounded his campaign buses shouting slurs and profanity.

At the Cambridge event, one person carried a sign with a manipulated picture of Trudeau about to be executed by hanging.

Hann said the photo Gallant used was one Trudeau had posed for himself, recreating a 1968 image of his father, prime minister Pierre Trudeau, who had pretended to hang himself with his own tie at a press club event.

The original photo clearly shows that Trudeau is holding the cord himself, and that it is a lanyard attached to a plastic ID badge. Gallant's version had cropped the image so it was not clear that Trudeau was holding the cord himself.

"How long do you think it will take before the Trudeau Liberals start calling for a climate lockdown?" Gallant asks in the video.

"Trudeau is counting on Liberal-minded Canadians not looking too closely at his agenda. If they did, they might realize Trudeau's a con man and climate change may be his biggest grift," she said.

Gallant also sent correspondence to her constituents before the election started, asking them if they were in favour of a "climate lockdown."

O'Toole was asked multiple times Sunday if he agreed with Gallant's statements or the anti-climate change sentiment behind them and did not once answer the question.

In an interview on Radio-Canada on Sunday evening, O'Toole was pressed to say whether he denounced Gallant's statements, but he once again skirted the issue.

"I have expectations of all our candidates that they have a positive approach to the campaign," he said in French.

In another instance during the interview, O'Toole said each of his party's candidates supports the plan he's put forward, which includes a plan to tackle climate change.

Earlier Sunday, he said Canadians are tired of lockdowns and reiterated his focus is on talking to residents about his party's plan to help the country's economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We're not running on things that were said five months ago, five years ago," he said.

Gallant did not immediately respond to request for comment.

The only response came from a tweet she sent Sunday evening.

"I'm proud to run on Canada's Recovery Plan, in its entirety," she wrote, referencing the name of the Conservative platform.

O'Toole has denounced the angry crowds that have dogged Trudeau, and told four Conservative volunteers who appeared in the crowd in Bolton Friday that they were no longer welcome in the campaign.

On Sunday, Trudeau pointed to the noisy crowd trying to intimidate and drown out his event as proof O'Toole needed to condemn Gallant's comments to show her supporters and protesters that they are wrong.

"We know they don't listen to me," he said. "Perhaps they will listen to Erin O'Toole if he tells them that climate change is real. If he tells them that vaccines are safe and secure and demonstrates with real leadership, how we're going to move forward as a country to be safer, to be better and more prosperous."

"That's the choice that Erin O'Toole needs to make right now around Cheryl Gallant and all of these conspiracy theories being peddled.

O'Toole's campaign stop in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., also saw the Tory leader propose a tax credit he said is meant to help small businesses bounce back from losses incurred during pandemic-related lockdowns.

The incentive dubbed the "Rebuild Main Street tax credit" would allow individuals who invest up to $100,000 in a small business to claim a 25 per cent tax break over the next two years. O'Toole also pledged to offer loans of up to $200,000 to small and medium-sized businesses.

O'Toole also spoke to a crowd of 180 masked Conservative supporters in Trois-Rivieres, Que., championing the party's plans to support the province where it hopes to pick up seats from the Liberals and Bloc Quebecois.

Climate change has long been a thorny issue for O'Toole and the party he leads.

In March, Conservatives rejected a motion to declare climate change as real during the party's convention, a result O'Toole said was a distraction.

He later released a climate platform that for the first time saw Conservatives include some form of carbon pricing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 29, 2021.
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante says the city will invest an additional $5.5 million in its police force in order to help fight gun crime.

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante and Police Chief Sylvain Caron chat following a news conference in Montreal on Thursday, February 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante says the city will invest an additional $5.5 million in its police force in order to help fight gun crime.

Plante said today alongside Chief Sylvain Caron that the amount would to dedicated to the effort to eradicate criminal gangs.

The funds will allow the force to hire another 42 officers and civilian employees, including 28 who will work with the Eclipse organized crime unit.

The announcement comes in the wake of several shootings in Montreal in recent weeks, including at least two reports of shots fired Saturday night.

Earlier this month, the Quebec government announced a new unit composed of Montreal city police and provincial police to reduce gun trafficking and address what they described as a rising number of shootings in the provinces largest city.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug 29, 2021
Injuries to food delivery riders have fallen by more than 70 per cent across NSW as the industry booms amid the coronavirus pandemic, with new government figures revealing just six incidents were recorded in Sydney over a three-month period.

Less than a year after a spate of rider deaths sparked a state government crackdown on the industry, reported injuries have fallen, with no deaths recorded between April and June 2021 despite new safety laws still to come into effect.

Spending on food delivery apps in Australia has surged by more than 200 per cent since the beginning of the pandemic, according to UberEats. Credit:Wolter Peeters

Rider injuries peaked during the second quarter of 2020, with 25 incidents reported to the states workplace safety regulator, before declining slightly for six months and increasing again to more than 20 in the first quarter of 2021.

The figures are contained within the state governments quarterly monitoring report, which is set to be released on Tuesday. Of the six injuries reported to SafeWork NSW in the latest reporting period, four involved motorcycle riders, one involved an electric bike, while one cyclist was hit by a car from behind.
The heads of high-profile private schools have described a decision to delay the HSC by a further three weeks as cruel and a complete muck-up, saying exams should begin when most year 12 students are allowed back into classrooms on October 25.

The NSW government last week said the beginning of the examination period would be postponed until November 9, and exams for some subjects are likely to be axed to ensure papers can be marked and results released in January. A decision on the subjects to be cut is due in September.

While some principals welcomed the delay, the heads of several high-profile private schools - including Sydney Grammar, Trinity and Santa Sabina - said it would prolong year 12s stress and make holding the exams more logistically fraught as they coincided with other year groups returning to school.

Within hotspot areas, some school leaders - who are concerned their students will be disadvantaged by not being allowed back onto campus for two weeks of face-to-face lessons between October 25 and November 9 because of high case numbers - argue the exams should be scrapped.
A 22-year-old man allegedly stalked and intimidated residents of a home over two days in Sydneys south-east, where police say they also found a suitcase containing detonators and explosives with wires protruding.

Eastern suburbs police were called to the property at Lasseter Avenue, Chifley, about 11am on Sunday after reports of a domestic-related incident.

Officers from Strike Force Raptor (not pictured in this generic image) were called to the address in Chifley. Credit:NSW Police

Marcus Tekorona was arrested at the home and taken to Mascot police station before officers returned to the address about 2pm.

Police say they seized a black pistol and a bag containing rounds of ammunition before locating a suspicious case with wires protruding, prompting an evacuation.
The death of a former Cumberland Hospital patient on Monday has focused attention on more than 100 cases that have been acquired in public hospitals during Sydneys current COVID-19 outbreak.

The woman in her 60s died at Westmead Hospital and is linked to a developing cluster at Cumberland, a mental health facility in Sydneys west.

Eleven patients at Cumberland have now tested positive after a patient was admitted having caught COVID-19 in the community.

Meanwhile, affected wards at Canterbury Hospital have been reopened after 22 patients who caught the virus from three patients across two wards earlier this month were transferred to other hospitals.
NSW has reported 1290 new local COVID-19 cases on Monday, the highest number ever recorded in a state in one day, and four deaths.

Health authorities predict October will be the worst month for intensive care hospitalisations and pressure on the health system, with west and south-west Sydney continuing to be the epicentre of the crisis.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, together with Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant and Health Minister Brad Hazzard, warns the pressure on the hospital system will be most acute in October. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Up to 840 patients are being treated in hospitals, with 137 people in intensive care.

Our hospital system is under pressure. Will we need to do things differently? Of course, we will. We will need to manage things differently because we are in the middle of a pandemic, but we will cope, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Monday.
The NSW prison system has been locked down statewide as COVID-19 clusters grow among inmates and staff, with authorities rushing to roll out rapid antigen testing and vaccines.

At least 12 cases among inmates at Parklea Correctional Centre were confirmed over the weekend and two correctional officers at Bathurst prison have since tested positive, bringing a cluster at the facility in the Central West to eight.

There have been 31 cases of COVID-19 at Parklea Correctional Centre over the last month. Credit:Janie Barrett

Amid significant fears about the Delta variant spreading through prison populations, Corrective Services has moved to lock down all facilities, according to sources familiar with the decision, but not authorised to comment publicly.

The lockdown is intended to help Corrections assess the COVID-19 measures in place in the prison system and prevent outbreaks growing.
A man who worked for the Australian embassy in Kabul for many years was set to be evacuated from Afghanistan before a bomb blast killed three men who were waiting to meet him at the airport.

The man, who cannot be named to protect his safety, said he had been standing in sewer water near the Abbey Gate entrance to Amid Karzai Airport for more than 20 hours before his youngest child became ill.

A US marine assists at an evacuation control check point during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Credit:Reuters

In the days before the blast it had been difficult to get into the airport as the crowd of people surrounding it continued to swell. But a US marine who he had worked with as an interpreter arranged for three other marines to meet him on Thursday because of the difficulties he had faced.

I received a message from the marines before the explosion. I waited until 5pm (Kabul time) and received another message from the marines that they were waiting for me. When I was close to the Abbey Gate the explosion happened, he said.
Shepparton community leaders are demanding an urgent assurance that day-13 testing will be stepped up as thousands of residents forced into quarantine at the start of the citys COVID-19 outbreak prepare to end their isolation this week.

The community leaders say authorities must ensure there are sufficient resources for residents to receive their day-13 tests as the city struggles with a shortage of essential workers.

Boots on the ground: ADF personnel perform COVID-19 testing at the Shepparton showgrounds. Credit:Justin McManus

Many of those employees, including supermarket and healthcare workers, are in home quarantine.

Committee for Greater Shepparton chief executive Sam Birrell said on Monday that all resources must be available to ensure that day-13 tests can happen and no one stays in isolation any longer than they need to.
The Andrews government will aim to vaccinate every Victorian year 12 student with their first dose before exams start, blaming a lack of supply for the decision not to make the cohort a vaccine priority.

VCE exams are set to begin in October and, given the gap between Pfizer vaccine doses has been extended to six weeks, many students will not have had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated before they start.

You cant distribute what you dont have, Health Minister Martin Foley said on Monday.

His comments come as Victoria recorded 73 new local cases of coronavirus on Monday and as authorities considered whether some restrictions can be safely eased across the state.
The 22 identified contacts of two COVID-positive truck drivers who entered WA from New South Wales last week have all tested negative for the virus.

The drivers, aged 23 and 29, crossed the Eucla border into WA on Thursday before their surveillance tests from the day before came back positive on Friday morning.

The infected men entered WA through the Eucla border. Credit:Nine News Perth

The men had minimal interactions with the public, only stopping at fuel stations before arriving at a Kewdale warehouse in Perth and sleeping in their cabin.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said there was a low risk the pair had infected anyone along their journey.
More than 60,000 residential aged care workers remain unvaccinated less than three weeks before the jab becomes a requirement in facilities across the country, sparking fears nursing homes could be left without enough staff to care for residents.

But workers on student visas can work additional hours in the sector after the federal government extended the easing of work-hour restrictions to reduce pressure on aged care staffing.

About 60,000 aged care workers are yet to be vaccinated. The deadline for first doses is September 17. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The federal government in June set a deadline for all aged care workers to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by September 17.

To date, 78 per cent of the 273,214 residential aged care workers, including nurses, personal care workers, administration staff, cooks and cleaners, have had their initial jab.
A split between the two most senior Nationals in federal cabinet is threatening to inflame tensions within the party over the federal governments multibillion-dollar Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail project.

Several Nationals MPs are accusing Agriculture Minister David Littleproud of breaching cabinet solidarity, undermining both the massive project and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce by privately agitating against the current route.

Several Nationals MPs have accused David Littleproud, right, of undermining Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce by privately agitating against the current route. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

A five-page document arguing the case for changing the inland rail route through Queensland was circulated among several Queensland Coalition MPs about 10 days ago. It suggested the current freight route should be altered from the NSW border to Toowoomba, avoiding a floodplain and major agriculture producers in Mr Littleprouds electorate.

The document, seen by this masthead, identified that just two of the 23 stakeholder groups would be against changing the route while 16 were against or would be adversely affected by the current route from North Star through Millmerran to Gowrie in the Darling Downs region.
New Orleans: Nearly the entire US state of Louisiana had lost electrical power on Monday after one of the most powerful hurricanes to strike the region downed power lines, littered roads with debris and flooded isolated communities south of New Orleans.

At least one person was killed in Louisiana and more fatalities were expected, Governor John Bel Edwards told media, as Ida grinded north as a tropical storm.

Residents wait to be rescued after Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, Louisiana. Credit:Bloomberg

Edwards said power was down across the state, as we many water systems. Energy company Entergy said customers in the hardest-hit areas could expect power outages for weeks.

Complicating rescue efforts, the emergency 911 service was not available in New Orleans, 160 kilometres from where Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane.
"I thought he did an excellent job," Gutekunst said. "(We) really saw the growth we needed to see in (him)."
on Monday said it has started issuing under its Rs 35,000 crore-debt raise plan announced earlier this year.

In April, the private sector lender had said that its board had approved capital raise proposal up to Rs 35,000 crore by issuing various debt instruments in Indian or foreign currency in domestic/overseas markets in one or more tranches.

The shareholders of the bank had approved the proposal in bank's annual general meeting in July.

"The bank has initiated the process of issuing of the debt instruments, in the form of the additional tier 1 notes (notes) in foreign currency, subject to market conditions," said in a regulatory filing.

This will be a sustainable bond under the sustainable financing framework of the bank.

The issuance is part of the existing global medium term notes (GMTN) programme of the bank, it said.

The lender said the offering under the GMTN has been informed to Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) and the International Securities Market (ISM).

"The notes will not be offered or sold in India under the applicable laws," it added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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As thermal power generation units across the country grapple with coal shortage, India's largest power generator is looking at several methods to augment supply to states. It is also relying on gas-run units to improve power supply in the middle of a

NTPC, however, added states were not scheduling power from gas-based stations but were drawing from the grid. Gas-run power units sell power at higher rates than coal, hydro and renewable energy units as most rely on imported gas. As on August 29, the peak power demand stood at 173 Gw while the peak shortage was 201 Mw. In energy consumption terms, demand was 4,032 million units (MUs) while the deficit stood at 24 MUs (on Saturday).

On Friday, the energy deficit was 75 MUs. Several thermal units across the country are pointing at a shortage of coal. Close to 87 Gw of power generation capacity has coal stock less than 8 days, and 17 Gw capacity has less than one day of coal stock.

said the company was augmenting its imported coal capacity of 2.7 million tonne, which was drawn from its earlier contracts. It is also making available coal at its units with critical coal positions (less than seven days of stock) by getting coal from units that have adequate stock.

said it was increasing coal production in all its captive mines. The company has 10 coal mines of its own and of these, three are operational. Darlipalli Unit-2 (800 Mw) was put into operation and commercial operation is to start from September 1. The plant is a pit-head station, and coal is being fed from the Dulanga mine of NTPC, said. Darlipalli is located in Odisha. The company said it was coordinating with Coal India and railways for augmenting at critical stations and diverting (freight) rakes wherever required. NTPC said 7 Gw of gas power capacity is available, as against 3 Gw last week during peak demand hours.
Ride-hailing startup has selected banks including Inc. and Ltd. to manage its Mumbai initial public offering that could raise about $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.



The company, backed by SoftBank Group Corp. and Tiger Global Management, has also picked for the listing, said the people, who asked not to be named as the information is private. The Bangalore-based startup could seek a valuation of more than $8 billion in the IPO and could lodge a filing as soon as October, one of the people said.

The 11-year-old would be joining a strong pipeline of Indian startups that are ready to tap the IPO market in the coming months. Paytm, the countrys leader in digital payments, Flipkart, the Indian e-commerce giant controlled by Walmart Inc., and digital education startup Byjus are also preparing for their first-time share sales, Bloomberg has reported.

Details of Olas IPO including size and timeline could still change as deliberations are ongoing, the people said. More banks could be added later, they said. A representative for Citi declined to comment, while representatives for Kotak Mahindra, and didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Ola currently partners with about 1.5 million drivers across 250 cities in India, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. The Uber Technologies Inc.s rival in July raised $500 million from investors including Temasek Holdings Pte and an affiliate of Warburg Pincus.
The two power units in Gujarat using imported coal -- Tata UMPP and Adani Mundra -- might have a chance at revival as the Centre opens up merchant power sale for them in the middle of domestic coal supply shortages.

The two units have been in a constant tussle with five states to which they sell power over the compensation due to higher imported

It is expected that and Adani Power could make gains on selling on the power exchanges, especially since they are not selling power to any state on a long-term basis due to no clarity on tariffs.

The current prevailing rates at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), the countrys largest power exchange platform, are more than double the tariffs at which Adani and Tata pledged to sell power.

Officials in the Ministry of Power said the two Mundra units had imported coal stocks of more than 15 days. They should either be allowed to sell power on the exchanges or the power should be bought by the states. Gujarat is one of the states facing a power supply deficit. It is one the top states buying spot power on the exchanges, said a person in the know.

located in the Western and Northern states are having the lowest domestic coal availability of six days stocks.





ALSO READ: Regulation of Coal supply to power plants to free up 177,000 tonnes

There was no official order from the ministry on allowing the two to sell power in the open market till print time. The scrips of Adani Power and closed higher by Rs 4.45 and Rs 1.9, respectively, on Monday.

The Adani Power project in Mundra (1,980 Mw) has a power-purchase agreement (PPA) with utilities in Gujarat and Haryana at a levelised tariff of Rs 2.35 per unit (Kw/hour). Tata Powers 4,000 Mw ultra-mega power plant (UMPP) has PPAs with Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Haryana to sell power at Rs 2.26.

The ministry is pursuing these five states to allow the two units to sell in the spot market on the power exchanges. Officials said Gujarat had agreed to power sale from the units on the exchanges for a limited period. There has been no approval from the others. Apart from Gujarat and Haryana, all other states are non-BJP ruled.

Following an order by the Indonesian government increasing its coal benchmark price in 2010, the landing cost of coal in India increased. Adani and Tata, which were importing from Indonesia, asked the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to grant them compensatory tariff for the increased fuel cost. This would have been passed through on the final power rates.



The two since then have been in a legal and regulatory tussle with its buyer states to allow escalated tariffs. After several rounds of petitions in the CERC, Supreme Court, and Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, Gujarat last year decided to revise the terms of its PPA with the imported coal units in the state, including the two Mundra ones.

The state, however, reversed its decision in July 2020 and said the earlier government resolution allowing these developers to charge higher tariffs now stands cancelled. It said it would now sign supplemental PPAs with these units on a case to case basis over and above the existing PPAs.

The two developers have been in talks with Gujarat and the other four procurers to agree to the revised tariffs under the supplemental PPA.

Due to scarcity of coal, several states are now lining up in the spot power market because they fear shortages in coal supply. Prices in the spot day ahead market touched an average of Rs 6.59 per unit while the highest market clearing price received on Monday was Rs 16 per unit.

The ministry last week also allowed power units to import coal. This comes within months of the Centre declaring that India would have no imported coal and the domestic coal capacity would meet the growing demand. Due to a delayed and staggered monsoon, peak power demand in the country touched a record high of 200 Gw in August.
picks banks for $1 billion IPO, may file papers in Oct: Report

Ride-hailing startup has selected banks including Citigroup Inc. and Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. to manage its Mumbai initial public offering that could raise about $1 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The company, backed by SoftBank Group Corp. and Tiger Global Management, has also picked Morgan Stanley for the listing, said the people, who asked not to be named as the information is private. Read more

Payment firm receives broking licence from insurance regulator

Walmart-backed payment firm on Monday said it has received a broking licence from the insurance regulator, which will enable it to distribute insurance products from all insurance in the country.

In a statement, the company said, the new broking licence will allow it to start offering personalised product recommendations to its more than 300 million users, and offer a much more diverse portfolio of insurance products for Indian consumers. Read more

Won't shy away from raising tariffs: Bharti Airtel's Sunil Mittal

Telecom operator Bharti Airtel's chairman Sunil Mittal on Monday said the company won't shy away from raising tariffs.

Mittal was speaking with investors a day after Airtel's board approved raising up to Rs 21,000 crore by way of rights issue, at a price of Rs 535 per share. Read more

HSBC Asia appoints ex-SBI chief Rajnish Kumar as an independent director

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) on Monday said it has appointed former State Bank of India (SBI) chairman Rajnish Kumar as an independent director and a member of Audit Committee and Risk Committee of the Asian entity.

The Indian operation is a branch of this Asian entity. HSBC is also listed in the UK as a separate entity called HSBC Plc. Read more
Chief Minister on Sunday said that if the crops sown by the farmers in the state during the ongoing kharif season get destroyed due to drought-like conditions, then they would be given a financial assistance of Rs 9,000 per acre.

"Shortage of rainfall has given rise to drought-like conditions in several areas (of Chhattisgarh). The state government stands with farmers in this time of crisis," an official statement quoted the chief minister as saying.

Those farmers who have sown paddy, kodo-kutki (millet), arhar pulse in the ongoing kharif season and if their crops get destroyed due to lack of rainfall, they will be given an assistance of Rs 9,000 per acre on the basis of survey (for assessment of damage) under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana (RGKNY), he said.

Under the RGKNY, the state government provides input assistance to farmers for crop production.

The chief minister said the biography of folk artists late Punaram Nishad and late Madan Kumar Nishad would be published and directed the State Text Book Corporation chairman to take necessary steps in this regard, the statement said.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
External Affairs Minister on Monday held talks with Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic advisor to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a focus on "regional concerns" of common interest.

It is learnt that Jaishankar and Gargash deliberated on the Afghan crisis besides the overall situation in the Gulf region.

"Happy to welcome Diplomatic Advisor to President of UAE, Dr. @AnwarGargash. Noted the steady progress of our relationship.

Discussed regional concerns of common interest," Jaishankar tweeted.

The visit to India by the senior diplomat of the UAE comes at a time is witnessing fast-paced developments following the Taliban's capture of power.

The Taliban seized control of Kabul on August 15, hours after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Four days later, Ghani surfaced in the

On Saturday, senior Taliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai said that the group wants to maintain Afghanistan's trade, economic and political relations with India while describing it as an important country in the region.

"We attach great importance to our trade, economic and political relations with India and want to maintain that relation," Stanekzai said.

India is adopting a wait and watch approach to see whether the new dispensation in will be solely a government of the Taliban or be part of a power-sharing arrangement with other Afghan leaders.

India has been a key stakeholder in and has invested nearly USD 3 billion in carrying out nearly 500 projects across that country.

India has been in touch with all major regional players including those in the Gulf region on the developments in Afghanistan.

In the last few years, India's ties with the UAE have witnessed a major upswing.

In December last year, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane travelled to the UAE and it was the first-ever visit by a head of the Indian Army to the influential Gulf nation.

In July, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria visited the UAE, in reflection of India's growing strategic ties with the country.

Earlier this month, the navies of the two countries carried out an exercise off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

The UAE Air Force had provided mid-air refuelling to a number of Rafale fighter jets on their journey from France to India.

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Reiterating that was Prime Minister material, the JD(U) on Monday asserted it was not staking claim to the highest seat of power for the chief minister but numbers would be no problem if such a situation arose.

A statement to the effect was made by the party's parliamentary board chief Upendra Kushwaha, who testily brushed aside remarks by some leaders in the state that one needed the support of 272 MPs to become the PM, and that the JD(U) was unlikely to win as many seats on its own.

Kyun nahin ho sakta hai (why not)? was Kushwaha's curt reply when asked if Kumar were to aim for the top post, would he be able to muster the requisite number in view of the limited reach of the JD(U), which has little presence outside

The former Union minister, however, hastened to add we are not making a claim to the PM's post at present. We are with the NDA and acknowledge the leadership of Narendra Modi. But, if people talk about a hypothetical future, then nothing can be dismissed as impossible.

Kushwaha had rekindled sentiments about Kumar being PM material a few weeks ago and the chorus got louder on the previous day when Mission Nitish became the rallying cry at the JD(U) council meeting here.

One of the resolutions passed on the occasion asserted that though not a claimant to the top post, the leader had all the qualities for the same.

When I first spoke about being PM material, many of you scoffed at me. Now you can see it has happened often that I say something and it becomes a widespread sentiment later on, Kushwaha said with a mischievous smile, referring to Sunday's happenings.

The idea of Kumar fitting the bill first gained currency about a decade ago and following his radical move of snapping ties with the in 2013, he was widely seen as a secular alternative to the juggernaut unleashed by Narendra Modi.

The JD(U) de facto leader had, however, sought to make light of the utterances of Kushwaha who had parted ways seven years ago to float the RLSP, but returned to the parent party a few months ago merging his outfit into it.

On Sunday, too, the chief minister refused to reply to queries of journalists who were eager to know his take on the party's projection of him as a veritable cult figure.

Kushwaha was also asked about the need for a coordination committee in the NDA, which was stressed by JD(U) general secretary K C Tyagi on the previous day.

I met Tyagi ji at my residence this morning. The demand is right. There is a need for better coordination, said Kushwaha, whose reinduction into the JD(U) is being seen as Kumar's bid to consolidate his Kurmi-Koeri base following the party's poor show in the assembly polls.

It is true that we are sharing power with the for so many years. Yet, it does not look good when different people in the same party speak in different voices. Caste census is a case in point, remarked Kushwaha, who had recently sought to underscore internal conflict within the saffron party on the issue.

Second only to the BJP, in the NDA in Parliament, in terms of numerical strength, the JD(U) has created ripples by forcefully taking up the issue of non-inclusion of OBCs in the census, after the Centre disclosed that it proposed to enumerate only the SCs and the STs.

The CM had recently met the PM, heading a delegation comprising legislators of all parties in the state with the plea that the Centre consider their request.

The JD(U) council meet, among other things, had also resolved to rally other states for the caste census demand, which has so far been most vociferous in where the OBCs have dominated the political scene for close to three decades.

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Defence Minister said on Monday that India wants a solution to the border dispute with China through dialogue and asserted that the government would never allow the sanctity of borders to be violated.

The Modi government has made it clear to the forces that any unilateral action on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) should not be ignored, he said.

Singh was delivering virtually the third Balramji Dass Tandon Memorial Lecture organised by Panjab University on the issue of security.

The defence minister said that there have been perception differences on the border with China. Despite this, there are some agreements, protocols which the armies of both countries follow to conduct patrols.

Referring to the clashes in eastern Ladakh last year, Singh said Chinese forces had ignored the agreed protocols.

We cannot allow the Chinese Army PLA to act on the LAC in a unilateral manner under any circumstances.

"That is what the Indian Army did that day in Galwan and bravely confronted the PLA soldiers and forced them to retreat, he said while terming it as a "historic" incident.

India wants a solution to the border dispute with China through dialogue, the defence minister said and asserted that the government will never compromise on issues of the "country's borders, its honour and self-respect".

We will never allow the sanctity of borders to be violated, he said.

Recalling the Galwan incident, he said the bravery, valour and restraint shown by the Indian Army are incomparable and unparalleled.

In the first deadly clash in the border area in nearly five decades, 20 Indian soldiers were killed on June 15 last year in the Galwan Valley in fierce hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops, triggering a large deployment of troops and heavy weaponry by both armies at the friction points in eastern Ladakh.

In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher.

In a significant forward movement towards the restoration of peace and tranquility in the region, the Indian and Chinese armies completed the disengagement process and restored the pre-standoff ground position in Gogra in eastern Ladakh after 15 months.

The development came after the 12th round of military talks between the two sides on July 31 at the Chushul-Moldo meeting point in eastern Ladakh.

Earlier, the Indian and Chinese frontline troops had conducted the first synchronised disengagement at the south and north banks of the Pangong lake in February.

The Army is trained to press the trigger on seeing the movement of the enemy, but the Indian Army has shown both courage and restraint while working with great maturity, said.

He said despite this, questions were raised by some opposition leaders on the Army's capability.

The defence minister said India has learnt a lot from the 1962 war against China.

On improving infrastructure, he said that the Atal Tunnel project in Rohtang, which was on hold for a long time, was completed by the Modi government. This tunnel has strategic importance, he said.

The Border Roads Organisation is developing infrastructure projects and all-weather connectivity was being given to Ladakh, he said, adding work on several alternative roads has started.

The minister said it will also help the people who live in border areas as these people have strategic importance for us.

Keeping their interests in mind, it is necessary to strengthen the border infrastructure, he said.

Referring to the situation in the Northeast, the minister said an era of peace has come in this region in the last seven years.

There was a time when the entire region was in the grip of insurgency, he said and dubbed the restoration of peace in the Northeast as the biggest strategic victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure.

The minister said the government has succeeded in controlling Left Wing Extremism as well in the last seven years.

When the BJP government was formed in 2014, as many as 160 districts were facing the Naxal problem, while this number reduced to 50 in 2019.

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The (ED) recorded the statement of actor Jacqueline Fernandez on Monday in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, officials said.

They said the 36-year-old actor was examined for four hours here as a witness in the case and her statement was recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The questioning of the actor was done in connection with the money laundering probe being conducted against Chandrasekhar who is an accused in an alleged multi-crore extortion racket.

The ED last week had raided some of his premises and seized a sea-facing bungalow in Chennai, Rs 82.5 lakh cash and over a dozen luxurious cars.

It had claimed in a statement that Chandrasekhar is a "known conman" and is being probed by the Delhi Police in a case of alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and extortion to the tune of about Rs 200 crore.

"Chandrasekhar is the mastermind of this fraud. He has been part of the crime world since the age of 17. He has multiple FIRs against him and is presently lodged in Rohini jail (in connection with the Delhi Police case)," the ED had said.

Despite being in the jail, it said, Chandrasekhar "did not stop conning" people.

"He (with a cellphone procured illegally in the prison) with the help of technology, made spoofed calls to dupe people as the numbers displayed on the called party's phone number belonged to senior government officers.

"While speaking (from the prison) to these persons, he claimed to be a government officer offering to help people for a price," the ED had claimed.

Chandrasekhar was arrested in 2017 for allegedly taking money from TTV Dhinakaran to bribe Election Commission officials to get the AIADMK two leaves' symbol for the Sasikala faction in a by-election to the R K Nagar Assembly seat in Tamil Nadu.

He was early this month arrested from Rohini jail for allegedly running an extortion racket from behind bars.

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Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's "anti-farmer agenda" has been exposed as he defended the assault on peasants by accusing the Congress government in of fuelling the unrest against the Centre's three farm laws, Amarinder Singh said on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Khattar put the onus of the unrest in his state against the Central legislations on the Amarinder Singh government in Punjab, the Congress and the Left.

Hitting back, the chief minister said, "The BJP's adamant refusal to revoke the laws reflected the vested interests of the party and its leadership, which had once again placed their crony capitalist friends over the common man."



Blaming the BJP squarely for the unrest, Amarinder Singh said the crisis would not have assumed such grave proportions had the BJP, including the chief minister and his deputy, heeded the farmers' concerns and empathised with them "instead of taking refuge in shameful lies for the horrendous attacks on the peaceful farmers".

He said Khattar's "anti-farmer" agenda has been exposed as the chief minister tried to defend the criminal assault on protesting by putting the onus of their agitation on

"Can't you see that the of your own state are angry with you for your apathetic attitude towards them and your party's stubborn refusal to repeal the farm laws?" he posed.

The were fighting for their survival and did not need provocation from Punjab or any other state to protect themselves and their families, CM Amarinder Singh said.

"Repeal the farm laws instead of blaming Punjab for the mess your party has put the farming sector in. The BJP will have to pay for their sins in the upcoming Assembly elections in various states and in every poll thereafter," he said.

Around 10 people were allegedly injured on Saturday as police lathi-charged a group of farmers disrupting traffic movement on a highway while heading towards Karnal to protest against a BJP meeting.

A Kisan Mahapanchayat on Monday sought registration of a case against those involved in the lathi charge and threatened to lay siege to the secretariat there if their demands are not met by September 6.

The Punjab chief minister said the Khattar government's repeated attempts to "forcibly end the farmers' agitation and the derogatory and obnoxious terms used against farmers by various BJP leaders, will backfire".

Recalling that the farmers had held protests across Punjab for two months before shifting focus to the Delhi borders, Amarinder Singh said his state had not witnessed a single incident of violence during the period.

"Even recently, when sugarcane farmers staged protests, we negotiated with them and resolved the issue instead of using brute force," he added.

The Punjab chief minister said he and his government were firmly with the farmers in their anti-farm laws stance and were even giving compensation and jobs to the families of those who have died at the Delhi borders "because of the BJP's follies".

"A government or a political party which allows such tragic and totally avoidable loss of lives to continue under its watch cannot survive," he added.

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Prime Minister on Monday congratulated shooter Avani Lekhara for clinching a gold medal in Tokyo and said that it was possible due to her industrious nature and passion for shooting.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister wrote, "Phenomenal performance @AvaniLekhara! Congratulations on winning a hard-earned and well-deserved Gold, made possible due to your industrious nature and passion towards shooting. This is truly a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes for your future endeavours."

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur also lauded her efforts and tweeted, "Amazing Avani wins for! A historic achievement as she becomes the only woman in Olympics and to win a gold! *Shooting in 10m AR Standing SH1 Final * Score of 249.6 creating a Paralympic Record * Equalling the World Record #Praise4Para@AvaniLekhara"

Indian shooter Avani Lekhara created history by winning the gold medal at Asaka Shooting Range in the women's R2 -- 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event on Monday.

The 19-year-old became the first woman from India to win a gold medal. Avani finished with a Paralympic Record and in-process equalled the World Record with 249.6 points.China's Cuiping Zhang grabbed silver by scoring 248.9 points while Ukraine's Iryna Shchetnik won bronze.

Avani Lekhara started the final at a very good pace as she scored consistently above 10 points. Just two-shot of her went below 10 in the 1st competition stage which landed her in the second position.

Going into the elimination stage Avani grabbed 1st spot and maintained a very healthy lead against her opponents. The Indian continued with her fine performance and ended with 249.6 points in the end.

Earlier in the qualification round, the ace shooter finished seventh with a total score of 621.7. Avani staged a good recovery after a slow start to advance to the finals of the showpiece event.





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The government is constructing two inside portable containers in Shakurbasti area of the city, which the authorities plan to replicate in dense cluster colonies where creating health infrastructure at a dedicated building is a challenge owing to space constraints.

A senior official had earlier said the city currently has over 500 mohalla clinics, a neighbourhood facility for providing free primary healthcare to residents.

A typical mohalla clinic has a doctor and a midwife-cum-nurse. It provides an array of diagnostic services and essential medicines free of cost.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain Friday visited the sites of two being constructed in giant containers in Shakurbasti and took stock of the situation.

"Visited the construction site of 2 new at Shakurbasti. These Clinics have been set up in portable containers. Such Clinics are easy to set up & transport in Cluster areas like Jhuggi-Bastis & narrow streets where healthcare infrastructure is less accessible," he tweeted after his visit



Creating physical healthcare infrastructure in dense area, JJ colonies, unauthorised colonies and inner areas of the city having narrow walls is a challenge, due to lack of space.

The AAP government had in February 2019 flagged off 16 bike ambulances, known as First Responder Vehicles (FRVs), in a district in east on pilot basis.

The facilities available in FRV include a portable oxygen cylinder, a first aid kit and dressing materials, air-splints, foldable transfer sheets, ambu bags, glucometer, pulse oxymeter, a portable manual suction machine, a GPS device and a communication device.

These FRVs are manned by trained ambulance manpower.

Buoyed by the "overwhelmingly positive response" to the bike ambulance project in east Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in September 2019 had said that plans were afoot to expand the service across the capital.

"A large number of people in Delhi live in unauthorised colonies or other such areas where streets are very narrow. I was very concerned about how to provide better emergency healthcare to the people living in these colonies. With this in mind, the Bike Ambulance service was launched... is planning to extend the service to the entire city," he had said.

Mohalla clinics, one of the flagship initiatives of the Kejriwal government to boost the primary healthcare system in Delhi,.

Jain recently had opened a new mohalla clinic at Tis Hazari court.

In January 2020, two months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Delhi, Chief Minister Kejriwal had inaugurated 152 mohalla clinics en bloc.

Earlier, Jain had said that mohalla clinics help in keeping quacks away, as people have a facility to go to for simple ailments. The plan is to have such facilities as close to households as possible.

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President on Monday extended his greetings to countrymen on the occasion of

"Hearty greetings to all the countrymen on the auspicious occasion of This festival is an opportunity to learn about the life story of Lord Shri Krishna and dedicate ourselves to his messages. I wish that this festival brings happiness, health and prosperity to everyone's life," tweeted Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The President said is also an occasion to spread the message of Lord Shri Krishna that emphasised the virtue of righteousness, truthfulness and more on duty than reward. "May this festival, inspire us to assimilate all these eternal values," he said.

Janmashtami is celebrated every year to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Believers observe the day by keeping a fast and praying at the temples.

As per the Hindu calendar, Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born on the eighth day of the month of Bhadra. The day mostly falls in the months of August or September as per the Western calendar.

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Several workers of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) burnt an effigy of Haryana Chief Minister on Monday to protest against the lathicharge on farmers in Karnal on August 28.

The party workers gathered in Pinna village here and raised slogans against the Haryana government.

Around 10 people were injured on Saturday as police allegedly lathicharged a group of farmers disrupting traffic movement on a highway while heading towards Karnal in Haryana to protest against a BJP meeting.

The police, however, said only four protesters were injured, while 10 cops also sustained injuries.

The Haryana Police drew severe criticism for the action against the farmers, and several roads and highways, including toll plazas, were blockaded at different places in protest for hours on Saturday.

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has enforced strict monitoring at its borders with for people entering the state after the latter recorded 29,836 Covid-19 positive cases, with a positivity rate of 19.67 per cent.

The health department officials along with the police are monitoring the borders at Kaliyakkavilai near Nagercoil and in Walayar adjoining Coimbatore district.

The officials and the police are verifying the Covid-19 vaccination certificates or a negative RT-PCR certificate taken within 72 hours of the journey.

Several people from were sent back at the Walayar border after they failed to present the certificates.

The state government has issued guidelines mandating the travelers from to present either a two-dose fully vaccinated certificate or a negative RT-PCR certificate taken 72 hours within the journey.

According to officials at the Walayar check post, more than 3000 people reached the border on Sunday alone to enter into the state, out of which several were sent back after failing to provide the mandatory certificates.

After the Onam holidays, a large number of people are returning to from Kerala and most of thm have not adhered to the guidelines, officials said.

Rajalakshmi, a software developer from Palakkad who was returning to Coimbatore, her workplace, after the Onam holidays said: "As we had all the mandatory certificates with us, there was no trouble in getting into the state, but we saw several people from Kerala being sent back as they failed to provide the necessary documents. If a state has put such a guideline, we should be equipped with that. So if people don't provide the required certificates, naturally they would be sent back and this was what witnessed at Walayar."

However, the police said that there were no scuffles or issues with the people and those who were not able to produce the certificates went back without much complaining.

Kerala has been recording Covid-19 fresh cases of around 30,000 for the past several days and the number of fatalities per day is also increasing.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister, Ma. Subramanian while speaking to IANS said: "We are safeguarding the people of Tamil Nadu by strict monitoring as mandated in the guidelines prepared by our health experts. There is stringent checking at all borders."

--IANS

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An Afghan official says three children were killed in a drone strike that the US says targeted a vehicle carrying suicide bombers. Indian IT services companies head to campuses to hire engineers. More in our top headlines this morning.

Bharti Airtel approves Rs 21,000 crore rights issue

Bharti Airtels on Sunday approved fund-raising to the tune of Rs 21,000 crore, mainly to make payments towards adjusted gross revenue (AGR)-related liabilities due in 2021-22 (FY22). The board approved the issuance of equity shares of a face value of Rs 5 each of the company on a rights basis to eligible equity shareholders.

Govt looks to sell 8 lakh shares of RIL

The government is looking to sell shares of held through Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India and is soon going to appoint an intermediary to manage it.

The plan is to sell about 8 lakh shares.

Chip shortage may spoil the party for carmakers

For Indias automakers, the festive season is about raking it in through ramped up sales and attractive consumer offers. However, despite the robust demand, what may spoil the party this year is a global shortage of semiconductors.

3 children killed in US drone strike on IS: Afghan official

An Afghan official says three children were killed in a drone strike that US officials said struck a vehicle carrying Islamic State suicide bombers. U. S. officials said the vehicle was carrying explosives and that the initial strike on Sunday set off secondary explosions.

IT firms flock to campuses

With high attrition and the struggle to fill the skills gap due to a surge in demand on account of digital transformation, the Indian IT services industry is heading back to campuses to hire engineers in thousands.
As millions of children return to school for the new academic session, vaccinating and other school staff against Covid-19 disease can help make a safe place against the infectious disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Unicef said on Monday.

Children aged 12 years and above who have underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of severe Covid-19 disease must also be vaccinated, the global health body said in a statement.

Other measures to ensure that can stay open throughout the pandemic include better classroom ventilation, smaller class sizes where possible, physical distancing, and regular testing of children and staff.

"The pandemic has caused the most catastrophic disruption to education in history. It is therefore vital that classroom-based learning continues uninterrupted across the WHO European Region. This is of paramount importance for children's education, mental health and social skills, for to help equip our children to be happy and productive members of society," said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in the statement.

"It will be some time before we can put the pandemic behind us but educating children safely in a physical school setting must remain our primary objective, so we don't rob them of the opportunities they so deserve. We encourage all countries to keep schools open and urge all schools to put in place measures to minimise the risk of Covid-19 and the spread of different variants," he added.

The highly transmissible Delta variant has added an additional layer of concern and complication to this year's school opening season. The high incidence of Covid-19 in the community makes transmission in schools much more likely. Studies have clearly shown that being fully vaccinated can significantly reduce the risk of severe disease and death.

"Vaccination is our best line of defence against the virus, and for the pandemic to end we must rapidly scale up vaccinations fairly in all countries, including supporting vaccine production and sharing of doses, to protect the most vulnerable, everywhere. We must also continue to follow the public health and social measures we know work, including testing, sequencing, tracing, isolation and quarantine," Kluge said.

Further, to help keep schools open and safe, the WHO European Technical Advisory Group for schooling during Covid-19 has also stated a set of expert recommendations for schools. These are: schools must be among the last places to close and first to reopen, a testing strategy put in place, effective risk-mitigation measures ensured, children's mental and social well-being, as well as the most vulnerable and marginalised children, protected, the school environment improved, children and adolescents involved in decision-making, and a vaccination strategy designed to keep children in school be implemented.

--IANS

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The wants to maintain Afghanistan's trade, economic and political relations with India, senior leader of the outfit Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai has said while describing it as an important country in the region.

In a video address in Pashto, Stanekzai said consultations with various groups and political parties are going on to form a government in Kabul that will have representations from people from "different walks of life".

"We attach great importance to our trade, economic and political relations with and want to maintain that relation," Stanekzai said on Saturday.

"We also need to keep the air trade open," he was quoted as saying by Pakistani media outlet Independent Urdu.

The leader was referring to the air corridor between and that was established to boost trade between the two countries in view of Pakistan's denial to allow transit access.

Stanekzai also described as an "important country" in the region.

Without elaborating, he said Afghanistan's trade with India through Pakistan is "very important".

In his address, the leader also referred to Afghanistan's relations with Pakistan, China and Russia.

He said consultations are going on among the Taliban leadership and with different ethnic groups and political parties about the formation of an "inclusive government" in Kabul.

"Currently, the Taliban leadership is consulting with different ethnic groups, political parties and within the Islamic Emirate about forming a government that has to be accepted both inside and outside and to be recognised," Stanekzai was quoted as saying by Tolo News.

Following the Taliban seizing control of Afghanistan, India has been focussing on the evacuation of its citizens, while carefully monitoring the unfolding developments in Kabul.

"The situation on the ground is uncertain. The prime concern at present is the security and safety of the people. Currently, there is a lack of clarity or no clarity about any entity forming a government in Kabul," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Friday when asked whether India will recognise a Taliban regime.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told leaders of various political parties on Thursday that India is engaged with the key stakeholders and regional countries on the Afghan crisis.

He also said India is adopting a "wait-and-watch" approach to see whether the new dispensation in will be solely a government of the Taliban or be part of a power-sharing arrangement with other Afghan leaders.

India has been a key stakeholder in Afghanistan and has invested nearly USD 3 billion in carrying out around 500 projects across the country.

Stanekzai was part of a group of foreign cadets who received training at the prestigious Indian Military Academy in Dehradun in the early 1980s. He later quit the Afghan Army.

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Chief Minister on Monday accused the Amarinder Singh government in Punjab, besides the Congress and the Left, of fueling farmers' unrest against the Centre's three farm laws in his state.

Khattar also cautioned the agitating farmers against resorting to violent ways and means of protest which may harm their agitation and turn the society against them.

On Karnal SDM Ayush Singh, who was caught on camera purportedly telling police to break the heads of agitating farmers, Khattar said the IAS officer's choice of word was inappropriate but defended the police action.

Deputy CM and JJP leader Dushyant Chautala had on Sunday promised action against Sinha amid mounting opposition's attack against the Khattar government over the Saturday lathi-charge on farmers and their demand of strict action against the magistrate.

The government will definitely take whatever action is deemed fit, he said.

Addressing media on the completion of 2,500 days of the BJP-JJP combine government in Haryana, Khattar insisted on the government's role in making farmers choose to protest against the farm laws.

There is a clear hand of the government in it, said Khattar, arguing had it not been so, BKU leader Balbir Singh "Rajewal would not have gone and offered sweets to the CM".

It's a harsh reality, Khattar added.

The chief minister also accused the Congress and Left leaders of of fomenting trouble in the state.

Here in Haryana, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other Congress leaders besides some Left leaders are instigating farmers to take law in their hands," the CM said.

Khattar also hit out at his Punjab counterpart Amarinder Singh for seeking his resignation over the police action against farmers protesting against the farm laws in Karnal on Saturday.

He said rather Punjab CM Amarinder Singh should resign as most of the people sitting at the Tikri and Singhu borders -- I would say around 80 per cent -- are from Punjab.

Farmers are happy in Haryana," he said.

Cautioning farmers against their frequent agitations at different places in Haryana, the CM said, "It is damaging their agitation and the society at large is turning against them."



He appealed to farmers to adopt democratic means to protest rather than getting violent.

"Hindrances in any work will not be accepted. There are limitations on every freedom. There is no absolute freedom," he said.

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Exports from (SEZs) grew by about 41.5 per cent to Rs 2.15 lakh crore during the April-June quarter of the current fiscal on account of healthy growth in pharmaceuticals, engineering, and gems and jewellery sectors, as per official data.

SEZs are key export hubs which contribute about one-fourth of the country's total outbound shipments.

According to commerce ministry data, exports from these zones dipped to Rs 7.56 lakh crore in 2020-21 as against Rs 7.97 lakh crore in 2019-20.

In the first quarter of the current financial year, SEZ exports rose about 41.5 per cent to Rs 2.15 lakh crore.

As many as 427 such zones have been approved by the government, out of which 267 are operational as on June 30.

The data showed that till June 30, Rs 6.25 lakh crore have been invested in these zones and a total of 24.47 lakh people are employed there.

Export Promotion Council for EoUs and SEZs (EPCES) is the nodal body, set up by the commerce ministry, to promote shipments from these zones.

The council has announced Bhuvnesh Seth as its new chairman and Srikanth Badiga as the new vice-chairman.

Seth said the council would work on taking the country's exports to USD 400 billion during the current fiscal.

The major export destinations include the United Arab Emirates, US, UK, Australia and Singapore.

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Will banking meet the sorry fate of newspapers? With the tech industry creeping up on licensed deposit-taking institutions in India, its time to take the question seriously.

Alphabet Inc.s Google already provides one of the two most popular payment wallets in the country. But now wants to push time-deposit products of small Indian that dont have much of a retail liability franchise of their own. According to a press release, Equitas Small Bank will offer customers up to 6.85% interest on one-year funds as part of a branded commercial experience on the platform. The Mint newspaper, which has reviewed the application interface built by Setu, a Bangalore-based fintech, says other lenders may also sign up.

The move has global significance. It shows the tenuous nature of the hold financial institutions have on a core operation like deposit-taking, and their vulnerability to an assault from online search, social media and e-commerce behemoths. Alphabet, Facebook Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. may pose a far bigger challenge to brick-and-mortar lenders than fintech startups that dont have the scale of platform businesses. Just like in India, deposit-strapped challenger might throw the keys to tech intermediaries with hundreds of millions of active users. When the giants storm the fortress, even larger will lose control of banking.





ALSO READ: Good show by private banks, better by PSBs

Chinas homegrown tech titans have already shown how easy it is to dislodge traditional lenders from lending. In a growing network of users, real-time nonfinancial data can be a more powerful predictive tool than credit scores relied upon by banks. Adding a layer of financial activity to an online platform brings in yet more information. Before Beijing stepped in to clip its wings, Jack Mas Ant Group Co. pursued this advantage to the hilt.

Silicon Valley never had a chance in China. However, its in a stronger position in the worlds second-most-populous nation, where everything to do with money is increasingly about plugging into an open network. Banks historic moat has been breached by tech innovation.

For instance, the governments digital identification system for 1.3 billion people has made paper trails and physical presence redundant, and turned the banks cumbersome know-your-customer processes (verifying an address or being introduced by another account holder) into a cheap utility with standard protocols. A wallet can establish customer identity as easily as a bank and manage the process of seeking her consent.

Nor do Indias deposit-taking institutions have any special advantage left in moving retail money. Yes, they still hold the accounts for sending or receiving funds. But rather than transacting on their bank apps or cards, customers prefer to use or Walmart Inc.s PhonePe to pay one another and merchants. The two wallets were used to transfer 5 trillion rupees ($70 billion) last month, giving the duo an 85% share of a market that has more than 50 apps, including from banks.

Thats the power of platforms data-network-activity, or DNA, loop, as researchers at the Bank for International Settlements describe it. When Facebooks WhatsApp Pay is fully ready, the half a billion Indian users of the messaging service are bound to give it a leg-up in financial businesses.



ALSO READ: Central banks should not mandate 'green' investments: Raghuram Rajan

The environment is ripe for Silicon Valley to encroach into banking. Equitas doesnt have a pre-existing relationship with the Google Pay customer to whom its marketing fixed-term products. Even after getting the money, the lender might not get to build long-term association with the saver. Once the deposit matures, the money will simply get swept back into whichever banks account it came from. Since it wont even take two minutes for a platform to book deposits from scratch, if another lender offers a better deal, idle funds might go there next. Customer loyalty, which is often just plain inertia, will no longer ensure stickiness. Savers will gain.

If the playbook is successful, the likes of PhonePe and WhatsApp Pay might also want to copy it. For a fee, platforms can easily extend their insights into consumer behavior and payment flows to influence deposit mobilization. The higher the commission, the lower the banks profit. Indias state-run lenders, in particular, will need to become more efficient. Or theyll have to lobby with regulators to rein in the tech giants. Amazon, Google and Facebook were all competing to build a brand-new payment network in India, But the central bank has put the license on hold because of data safety concerns, according to a separate report in Mint last week.

Globally, banks and regulators have been bracing themselves for the challenge from Diem, a Facebook-backed project that promises to replicate major global currencies to broaden financial inclusion. But lenders can be on a slippery slope even without new payment instruments. As Big Tech asserts control over the flow of yield-seeking savings, an imposing high-street presence will no longer serve as a ticket to cheap funding.

Regulated institutions may be left holding a license to take deposits--and a thick rule book accompanying that privilege--but platforms will decide if a banks promotional offer is to be displayed prominently or buried in an obscure corner. The same slow, painful decline that gutted the print media after readers and advertisers moved online and publishers lost their sway over them may be waiting in the wings for banking, too.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said it has received applications from two more entities under the on-tap bank licensing guidelines of 2019, taking the total number of applicants to six.

Cosmea Financial Holdings Pvt Ltd and Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd have applied to the for a bank licence, informed in a statement.

Bengaluru-based Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd is a technology and innovation company, which, according to its website, delivers business software for small and medium businesses (SMBs). Established in 1986, Tally Solutions is headed by Tejas Goenka, with Sheela Goenka as the chairperson, and Bharat Goenka as the vice chairperson of the company.

On the other hand, Cosmea Financial Holdings Pvt Ltd is a Mumbai-based entity, which is involved in activities, which are auxiliary to financial intermediation. It has four directors namely, Soumen Ghosh, Lav Ramji Chaturvedi, Mihir Kanak Sundhani, and Amit Agarwal. Ghosh was previously associated with Reliance Capital as its executive director and chief executive officer for nine years.

Previously, the had received four applications under the on-tap SFB licensing guidelines. Those who had applied for licence for small banks (SFBs) were VSoft Technologies, Calicut City Service Co-operative Bank, Akhil Kumar Gupta, and Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services.
US anti-missile defences intercepted rockets fired at Kabuls airport early on Monday, as the United States flew its core diplomats out of in the final hours of its chaotic withdrawal.

The last US troops are due to pull out of Kabul by Tuesday, after they and their allies mounted the biggest air evacuation in history, bringing out 114,000 of their own citizens and Afghans who helped them over 20 years of war.

Two US officials said the core diplomatic staff had withdrawn by Monday morning. They did not say whether this included top envoy Ross Wilson, expected to be among the last to leave before the final troops themselves.

A US official said initial reports did not indicate any US casualties from as many as five missiles fired on the airport. Islamic State  enemies of both the West and the  claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks. The rockets followed a massive suicide bombing outside the teeming airport gates on Thursday, which killed scores of Afghans and 13 US troops.

In recent days Washington has warned of more attacks, while carrying out two air strikes. It said both hit Islamic State targets, including one on Sunday it said thwarted an attempted suicide bombing by blowing up a car packed with explosives in Kabul, but which Afghans said had struck civilians.

US President at the grim homecoming for 13 US troops killed in a suicide bombing near Kabul airport. (Photo: Reuters)

But having failed to anticipate that the would so quickly conquer the country, Washington and its Nato allies were forced into a hasty evacuation. They will leave behind thousands of Afghans who helped Western countries and might have qualified for evacuation but did not make it out in time. The Taliban, who carried out public executions and banned girls and women from school or work when last in power 20 years ago, have said they will safeguard rights and not pursue vendettas.

Terrified



Afghan media said Mondays rocket attack was launched from the back of a vehicle. The Pajhwok news agency said several rockets struck different parts of the Afghan capital. People are terrified and worried about the future, worried that the rocket launching might continue, said Farogh Danish, a Kabul resident.

On Sunday, Pentagon officials said a US drone strike killed an Islamic State suicide car bomber preparing to attack the airport. The Taliban condemned the strike and said seven people died. The New York Times quoted family members as saying it killed 10 people, including seven children, an aid worker for an American charity and a contractor with the

US Central Command said it was investigating reports that civilians were killed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President has warned that Ida will be a major life-threatening storm and has promised all the necessary federal assistance to the states that will be affected.

Ida made landfall in the state of Louisiana as a Category Four storm on Sunday (local time). Notably, Ida hit the Gulf Coast on the 16th anniversary of the disastrous Katrina.

Speaking at a Sunday meeting of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Biden said that Ida was a "life-threatening" storm.

"Its devastation is likely to be immense, we shouldn't kid ourselves ... Everyone should listen to the instructions from local and state officials, just how dangerous this is, and take it seriously," Biden said, adding that the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Michigan will get the "full resources of the federal government."

On Sunday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell spoke with government and state officials from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi to update them on the Biden administration's preparations for Hurricane Ida, promising assistance and help in local emergency response efforts.

Biden visited FEMA's National Response Coordination Center on Sunday (local time). On Saturday (local time), he spoke with Criswel, while the day earlier the president spoke with the Governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, promising full support.

According to the White House, in advance of the storm, over 2,400 FEMA employees were deployed and the agency has also prepositioned millions of meals and liters of water, as well as tarps, generators, and additional ambulances. Shelters have been opened across the impacted states and the US Coast Guard has already positioned vessels and aircraft for search and rescue efforts.

Biden approved emergency disaster declarations for Louisiana and Mississippi on Friday and Saturday, respectively, authorizing direct federal help, including power generation. More than 504,000 Louisiana residents were without power on Sunday afternoon as Hurricane Ida began moving over the New Orleans area, according to poweroutage.us. The Mississippi River in New Orleans partially reversed its flow on Sunday, according to data from the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards warned on Saturday that Ida could become one of the strongest storms to hit the US state since the 1850s, while New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged people to self-evacuate.

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Antony Blinken, secretary of state

Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Monday will host a virtual ministerial meeting with key partners on Afghanistan, his spokesperson said.

The countries that were listed by the for the virtual ministerial meeting on include, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Qatar, along with the European Union and the NATO.

The participants will discuss an aligned approach for the days and weeks ahead, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

Later in the day, Blinken will speak on American efforts since August 14 and discuss the way forward, he said.

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The death toll from Houthi-fired ballistic missiles that struck a strategic air base of Yemen's government forces in the southern province of Lahj climbed to 40, local officials said on Sunday.

An official of Lahj's local authority told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the Houthi rebel group launched a coordinated attack using three ballistic missiles and two explosive-laden drones against the government forces stationed at the Anad military air base in Lahj, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"Soldiers of the 3rd Giants Brigades were struck by three ballistic missiles while they were gathering for morning military training exercises inside the large air base of Anad," he said.

"Another two explosive-laden drones targeted other government soldiers while they were having their breakfast inside the same air base," he added.

More than 40 soldiers, including senior officers, of the pro-government Giants Brigades forces were killed and nearly 70 were left injured by the Houthi coordinated attack in Lahj, according to the official.

Another official of pro-government Yemeni forces said that "the Houthis used their intelligence agents to plan this deadly attack against the government forces and exploited a lack of air defences in the area."

He said that a number of previous Houthi missile attacks were carried out against the strategic Anad air base during the past period.

A medical official of Lahj's health department said that the medical centres and hospitals in Lahj were overwhelmed by the number of injured soldiers following the Houthi attack.

"The hospitals are now fully crowded with scores of injured soldiers amid lack of medical equipment to save their lives," said the health official.

He urged the Yemeni government and the local humanitarian organizations to intervene and help the medical teams in coping with the large number of injured soldiers.

Witnesses said that a series of huge explosions rocked the Anad air base and plumes of smoke covered the area.

The Anad airbase, which is located 60 km to the north of Aden, is considered as the largest military airbase in Forces of the Saudi-led coalition are using military bases including Anad air base in Lahj for training hundreds of newly-recruited Yemeni government soldiers to fight the Houthi militia.

Yemen's internationally-backed government, allied with the Saudi-led Arab military coalition, has for about seven years been battling the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for control of the impoverished Arab country.

--IANS

int/rs

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By Emily Chow

SHANGHAI (Reuters) -For many affluent young Chinese consumers, modern simplicity is out and tradition is back in when it comes to jewellery.

Sales of gold bracelets, pendants, earrings and necklaces that draw on dragons, phoenixes, peonies and other traditional Chinese patterns and symbols are flying among consumers, especially those in their 20s and 30s, helping drive a rebound in in the country after a pandemic-induced slump.

An e-commerce boom and national pride are fuelling the rise in demand for what is known as heritage gold jewellery, which requires intricate craftsmanship and can command premiums of 20% or more over conventional gold jewellery, industry executives say.

The popularity of these new pieces began to take off in mid-2020 and helped gold jewellery demand in - the world's top consumer of the metal - more than double in the first half of 2021 from a year earlier to pre-pandemic levels, according to the World Gold Council (WGC).

A strengthening economy and improving consumer spending are helping sales. Young consumers' interest in the classic designs and often chunky gold jewellery with a matte finish marks a turnaround in their appetite for the precious metal, previously eschewed as an ostentatious sign of wealth and status symbol for older generations.

It also provides a boost for gold at a time when demand from India, the world's second-largest consumer, has been hit as the pandemic delayed weddings, where gold is traditionally included in the dowry.

Major Chinese jewellery retailers like Hong Kong-listed Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd and Luk Fook Holdings Ltd said their heritage gold collections are doing well especially among young consumers.

Chow Tai Fook, China's largest jeweller by market value, said its heritage gold collection accounted for 40% of the total value of its retail sales of gold products in mainland in its fiscal year-ended March 2021 - up from 29% the previous year, faster growth than for other jewellery.

Part of heritage gold jewellery's appeal, especially among young consumers, reflects a desire to be patriotic amid a backlash against Western apparel brands in that expressed concern over allegations of rights abuses in the Chinese region of Xinjiang. Beijing has denied the allegations.

"The younger generation grew up when China's economy was stronger, they have more confidence in Chinese development and may have less admiration for Western culture," said Roland Wang, managing director of WGC China.

"They want to have more traditional Chinese culture in their daily life, which can be represented through what they wear or how they decorate their home... Heritage gold can deliver this."

Gao, a 29-year-old sales executive from eastern Jiangsu province, who only wanted to be identified by a single name, says she has spent 30,000 yuan ($4,620.15) this year on a bracelet and hairpin, featuring filigree patterns, for everyday use. She plans to pass them on to her two-year old daughter one day.

"I really like Chinese culture and prefer products with Chinese history. I often wear (traditional) Han-style clothing, which is why I choose heritage gold, to match my overall look," Gao said.

Jewellers say the products are increasingly popular with millennials in Beijing, Shanghai and other big cities too and a boom in e-commerce, giving consumers access to much greater choice of jewellery products, is reinforcing the trend.

"The pandemic indeed made me spend more on gold jewellery... It sparked a lot of live-streaming sales," said Gao.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

In anticipation of longer-term demand, gold jewellery manufacturers are stepping up investment in heritage gold. A manager at a Shenzhen-based manufacturer, who declined to be identified as he was unauthorized to speak to the media, said his firm is mainly promoting heritage gold this year after receiving large orders from major brands and customers.

"Heritage gold sales were amazing this Lunar New Year holiday, surpassing that of conventional gold jewellery," he said.

"After seeing this trend, our company expanded research and development on design and technology to create more new designs of heritage gold. Other gold jewellery manufacturers in Shenzhen are doing the same."

The China Gold Association says heritage gold jewellery has become the main driving force in the industry's recovery from the impact of the pandemic. And fast growth looks set to continue. According to industry and market research consultancy Beijing Zhiyan Kexin Consulting, the market for heritage gold in China increased tenfold between 2017 and 2019, and is seen reaching nearly 100 billion yuan ($15.43 billion) by 2024. Its share of China's gold jewellery market is forecast to jump from less than 2% in 2017 to nearly a quarter by 2024.

"Gold jewellery enterprises are rapidly recognising the importance of cultural value and are digging deep into it," the consultancy said in a report on heritage gold in January.

($1 = 6.4815 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Emily Chow in Shanghai, additional reporting by Beijing and Hong Kong newsrooms; Editing by Shivani Singh and Susan Fenton)

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The recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising infections there.

The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential reverses advice from June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on U.S. travellers before the summer tourism season. The guidance is nonbinding, though, and U.S. travellers should expect a mishmash of rules across the continent.

The EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism policy and national governments have the authority to decide whether they keep their borders open to U.S. tourists.

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe list.

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India has sunk billions into Afghanistan, hedging its bets with a combination of soft and hard power.

Now, as nations desperately evacuate their troops, people and equipment, stunned by the Talibans quick takeover and attacks on those trying to flee, its worth examining what New Delhis strategic goals were and what the gains have been over the last two decades.

In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Afghan Parliament house, built by India at a cost of $90 million, describing it as his countrys tribute to democracy in The following year, Modi unveiled the renovated 19th century Stor Palace in Kabul, that was home to Afghan King Amanullah Khan during his reign in the 1920s. In 2016, he inaugurated the Salma Dam, a significant infrastructure undertaking in the western city of Herat that allows water access to the surrounding districts and the irrigation of thousands of hectares of land. With its investments in other highway and building projects, in total, India has put around $3 billion into Afghanistan, making it one of the largest regional donors to the country.

While the absolute amount may not be a huge sum compared to Indias $1.4 trillion domestic infrastructure promise this month, or even the hundreds of billions of dollars in losses from the teetering banking system that taxpayers have had to swallow, its hard to see what the policy achieved as images of the Taliban inside the parliament go viral.





ALSO READ: There's little in common between US' ignoble exit from Vietnam, Afghanistan

The Modi governments Neighborhood First foreign policy approach focuses on keeping the peace and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships in the region. It invests billions of dollars into countries from Bhutan to Nepal through its external affairs ministrys budget and other departments. A key goal of this approach toward has been to ensure the country doesnt fall into the hands of Pakistan-supported Taliban or some such force, as former ambassador V.P. Haran put it in his speech at an Indian external affairs ministry lecture series in 2017. Friendship and goodwill aside, India has always known whats at stake.

That fear has now become a reality India will have to reckon with. Its security establishment how has to assess whether Kashmir will once again be in play as it was three decades ago, when Islamist militants turned their attention to the region after the Soviet retreat from

Indias investment hasnt put it in a position to manage this risk, though, because New Delhi failed to create the strategic foothold it badly needs in Afghanistan. While Modis administration has long said such diplomacy isnt about reciprocity, the reality is that as Afghanistan falls into chaos, India doesnt have any leverage to ensure the country doesn't become an even larger security threat across South and Central Asia.

On Thursday, Indias external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said India had only invested in its friendship with Afghan people and insisted it would get the full value in return. For now, he noted, India will take a wait and watch approach.

But if Indias strategy was meant to ensure it had a meaningful presence in a geographically strategic place, then it has fallen well short. Indeed, beyond its infrastructure investments, it has been unable to get significant projects off the ground, like the $11 billion Hajigak mine in Afghanistans Bamyan district. Friendship only gets you so far. Another key development, the Chabahar Port in Iran, was supposed to open up an important route to connect Afghanistan to Central Asia while bypassing Indias key rival, Pakistan. Already affected by Covid and the threat of more sanctions on Iran, the port is likely to face an even more difficult operating environment now the Taliban is in power.

A lesson from China may be in order here. The Belt and Road-style build up across Africa, Eastern Europe and places like Sri Lanka and the Maldives has ensured Chinas heft is front of mind. In Afghanistan, despite putting in very little, Beijing ensured it had a hold on some mining rights there, even though theres been no output because of security considerations. It assessed the risk-reward.



ALSO READ: Changes in Afghanistan challenge for us, made us rethink strategy: Rajnath

Part of Chinas success has come from its strategic engagement with the Taliban. As a result, the world is now talking about how China could benefit from the recent turn of events, in the same breath that it mentions Indias geopolitical challenges.

Its clear New Delhi failed to change its diplomatic posture in line with the shifting balance of power on the ground in Afghanistan. In a working paper looking at Indias options once the U.S. completed its troop withdrawal, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that being more engaged in international negotiations, and even agreeing to talk to certain sections of the Taliban as part of a broader diplomatic initiative, are options that India can no longer afford to disregard.

Indias policy in Afghanistan was mostly about soft power. Along with the parliament and the dam, several community projects and schools were set up, and of course, Afghans do love their Bollywood. Yet, Indias middling path has turned into a diplomatic dead end.
Joe Bidens hopes of keeping the Afghan in check will rely heavily on Pakistan, a neighboring nation that has close ties to the militant group but which has often proven an unreliable partner to the U.S.



Islamabad has long tried to balance its relationship with the U.S. and its support for the Taliban, stoking frustration in Washington and a sense now that the militant groups triumph has a lot to do with its base of support in

Americans believe Pakistans support for the over 20 years was the main reason for the U.S.s failure, said Husain Haqqani, who served as Pakistans ambassador to the U.S. from 2008 to 2011. U.S.- relations are in for a rough ride.

remains an indispensable power in the region and even if the werent ruling next door, the U.S. would want to maintain a foothold in the country to keep Chinas influence in check and ensure Islamabads nuclear arsenal is secure. That will be even more critical after American troops wrap up their Afghan withdrawal on Aug. 31.

Bin Laden Refuge



The U.S. and Pakistan were never closer than after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, when the U.S. turned to Afghanistans neighbor for bases and intelligence. But the relationship hit a nadir in 2011, when U.S. special forces killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the city of Abbottabad, not far from a key Pakistani military base.

Many U.S. officials assume bin Ladens presence was at least known by some in the Pakistani government, military and intelligence services, a charge officials there rejected. But the bitterness and distrust caused by that event still linger on both sides.

Now, more than half a year into his presidency, Biden still hasnt called Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan.

I keep hearing that President Biden hasnt called me. Its his business, Khan told journalists this month. Its not like I am waiting for any phone call.

Deadly Kabul Attack Shakes Bidens Afghan Exit Strategy

Pakistani officials have complained over the years that the Americans have simultaneously wanted them to use their influence on the Afghan Taliban to help reach a political settlement while also cracking down on the group. Pakistan also has a large Pashtun population, the dominant ethnic group of Taliban leaders, complicating the politics of meeting U.S. demands.

Leaving out Pakistans historic support for the Taliban, particularly from the countrys security services, Khan said the militant groups success in retaking was probably inevitable and urged the world to work with them as a new government gets formed. The 300,000-strong Afghan security forces, equipped with sophisticated American weapons, couldnt withstand 70,000 Taliban fighters because no one fights for a corrupt government, he said. Lets help them if the Taliban want to establish peace.

China Ties



Despite the tensions, both sides still need each other.

For starters, our intelligence-gathering ability in isnt what it used to be, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Aug. 20 when asked about the U.S.s ability to track terrorists in the country as troops withdraw. Pakistan can help fill that gap, better than other neighboring nations.

Another key incentive is China. The U.S.s biggest strategic rival maintains close ties with Islamabad and stands to gain from Americas withdrawal from the region.

Pakistan is a crucial part and original participant in Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. Beijing and Islamabad signed $11 billion in projects last year alone. Close relations with Pakistan also provide China with leverage in its strained relationship with India.

Khurram Schezad, chief executive officer at Karachi-based advisory Alpha Beta Core Solutions Pvt, said Islamabad needs to keep its options open, even as its long-standing political and economic ties with Beijing continue to deepen.

China is a large trading partner for Pakistan but so is the U.S. Schezad said. We should keep diversification rather than concentrating risk with one specific nation.

China-Pakistan trade totaled about $15 billion last year, more than double the $6.5 billion between Pakistan and the U.S., according to Monetary Fund import data compiled by Bloomberg.

Investors are still cautious about the developing situation. While the stock market has seen little impact from the Taliban takeover, Pakistan bonds were the worst performers among emerging-market peers when the militant group took Kabul, according to a Bloomberg index, a reflection of the possibility that the country will face a backlash for its role supporting the Taliban.

If that happens, it would add to the economic troubles facing Pakistan, which is dependent on a $6 billion Monetary Fund program.

Homegrown Terrorists



Pakistan also faces its own terrorist threats for which security and intelligence cooperation with the U.S. could prove useful. The Pakistani Taliban have been blamed for 70,000 deaths of civilians in the country since the U.S. invasion of in 2001.

The group has carried out multiple terrorist attacks in the country in recent years, including a car bomb explosion at a luxury hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador in the Pakistani city of Quetta this year. In 2014, the organization assaulted a school, leaving 145 dead -- mainly children.

Now, Pakistan is worried about terrorist attacks from across its border after militants were released from Afghan jails.

The Talibans Pakistan faction was using Afghan soil against Pakistan, Pakistans Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a news conference this week. Our concerns are genuine, and our expectations are also natural. We dont want to see Afghanistan become a safe haven for any terrorist outfit.

Qureshi has urged a political accommodation with the Taliban during visits to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran to discuss the evolving situation. He argues that peace in Afghanistan would bring stability to the region and promote trade.

Hard to Forget



Besides Pakistans history hosting bin Laden, Americans will find it hard to forget that Pakistan gave the Taliban in Afghanistan the opportunity to rebuild and regroup after the U.S. invasion.

No U.S. administration in the last 20 years was able to end the Pakistani sanctuary the Taliban enjoyed, said Lisa Curtis, former senior director for South and Central Asia on the National Security Council under President Donald Trump. So long as the Taliban could fall back safely to Pakistan and the Pakistani military allowed them to freely cross back and forth across the border, the Taliban were never going to lose the stamina, will, and resources to fight.

Trump cut back on military assistance to Pakistan in 2018, wary that U.S. taxpayer dollars were being used to fund Americas enemies.

Yet for all the problems, neither America nor Pakistan seems capable of extricating itself from their awkward relationship.

The U.S. looks at the region and says we have a potentially festering terrorism sanctuary in Afghanistan we need to deal with, said Richard Fontaine, chief executive officer of the Center for a New American Security who was an adviser to the late Republican Senator John McCain. Theyre going to need regional partners, and Pakistan is going to be one of those.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) is not engaged in any discussions regarding the possibility of sending a mission to following the Taliban's (terrorist organization, banned in Russia) takeover, a source told Sputnik.

"There are currently no discussions at the SC on sending a mission to and in particular to Kabul," the source said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that Paris and London would be holding talks on Monday discussing the possibility of creating a "safe zone" in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Macron told Journal du Dimanche that France and the UK are developing a "draft resolution" which "aims to define, under UN control, a 'safe zone' in Kabul to allow humanitarian operations to continue."

"UK/US/FR text under negotiations. It is hoped to be endorsed by the whole council as soon as possible. The aim would be to ensure that those Afghans who wish to leave can do so in a secured manner - and with a safe and secure access to the point of departure," the source 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.)
on Monday delivered medical supplies to northern Afghanistan's Mazar-e-Sharif, the fourth largest city of the country which fell to the on August 14.

A Airlines (PIA) flight - PK-234 carrying medical essentials from the World Health Organization (WHO) landed at the Mazar-i-Sharif Airport the first flight to the city after the swept in mid-August, state-run Associated Press of reported.

The PIA is providing air transport for the operation while will be arranging logistics on the ground.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Mansoor Ahmad Khan confirmed that the national flag carrier took essential medical supplies of to Mazar-i-Sharif in a cargo flight.

"First PIA Cargo flight with WHO medical supplies from Islamabad to Mazar Sharif today. A humanitarian air bridge for essential supplies to in coordination with agencies. Thanx PIA, he said in a tweet.

Trauma kits and emergency supplies for hospitals, as well as medicines for treating chronic malnutrition in children are among priority items for Afghanistan, where 18 million people depend on aid, a WHO official said.

Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, fell to the on August 14.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US was set to complete its troop withdrawal after a costly two-decade war. This forced Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country to the UAE.

The Taliban insurgents have stormed across Afghanistan, capturing all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security forces trained and equipped by the US and its allies melted away.

Thousands of Afghan nationals and foreigners are fleeing the country to escape the new Taliban regime and to seek asylum in different nations, including the US and many European nations, resulting in total chaos at Kabul airport and deaths.

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The government has said it will continue to drive a coordinated response to under control after its last troops left the country over the weekend, with a series of diplomatic efforts planned from Monday.

According to diplomatic sources in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will participate in a meeting with Qatar, Turkey, fellow G7 partners and NATO on Monday.

He will use the US chaired meeting with like-minded partners on to emphasise the UK's four priorities: preventing from becoming a haven for terrorists; responding to the humanitarian plight; safeguarding regional stability; and holding the to account on human rights.

In particular, the minister is expected to stress the importance of ensuring the stand by their commitment to allow safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans authorised to enter third countries.

On counter-terrorism, he will underline the need for the Taliban to demonstrate that they are implementing the counter-terrorism commitments made in Doha, the sources indicated.

Raab will also set out some principles for how the West should engage the Taliban: on a pragmatic basis, responsive to the actions of the Taliban not just their words and coordinated across the community with as broad a coalition as possible.

Meanwhile in New York, the says it has been working hard behind the scenes to establish a joint position among the five permanent members (P5) the US, France, China, Russia and the UK of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Following a meeting of Deputy Permanent Representatives of the P5 last week, the UN Secretary General is convening P5 Ambassadors on Monday evening.

The UK acknowledged the need to work with Russia and China, given their potential ability to influence the new Afghan government and collective interests in countering terrorism and narcotics, preventing a refugee crisis and averting further economic collapse.

In parallel, the UK said that working with the US and France it will continue to press for a UNSC resolution that would send a clear message to the Taliban on standing by their commitment to safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans with travel authorisation from third countries, the imperative that Afghanistan is not be allowed to be used as a base for terrorist attacks, and the importance of enabling humanitarian access and so that UN staff have a safe environment to continue their vital humanitarian work on the ground.

The draft resolution has been under negotiation amongst UNSC members over the weekend with the aim of adopting it early this week.

Finally, in Doha, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Special Representative for Afghan Transition, Simon Gass, is set to engage partners on the same set of issues seeking to ensure a coordinated message is delivered by special representatives to the Taliban and to advance the four priority areas.

"If [the Taliban] start acting like a government, if they start facilitating both internal travel and exiting from Afghanistan, then we will engage with them on that basis," UK Middle East Minister James Cleverly told the BBC.

"But of course what we are not able to do, what no country is ever really able to do, is give an absolute cast-iron guarantee," he said.

Ahead of the August 31 exit deadline from Afghanistan, the UK said more than 15,000 people have been evacuated since August 14. However, it is feared that about 800 to 1,100 eligible Afghans, including those who worked for the UK government, and 100 to 150 British people were unable to get on evacuation flights.

On Sunday, prime minister Johnson said the UK and its allies would "engage with the Taliban not on the basis of what they say but what they do".

"If the new regime in Kabul wants diplomatic recognition, or to unlock the billions that are currently frozen, they will have to ensure safe passage for those who wish to leave the country, to respect the rights of women and girls, to prevent Afghanistan from, again, becoming an incubator for global terror, because that would be disastrous for Afghanistan," he said.

The Opposition Labour Party has criticised the government's handling of the crisis and accused ministers of being "missing in action".

Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy has written to Raab warning him that the government was working with a "serious underestimate" of the number of people eligible for evacuation who had been left behind.

(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 United States is aware of reports of civilian casualties in Kabul following its drone strike on an explosive-laden vehicle headed towards the Hamid Karzai Airport, the Pentagon said.

We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today, Capt Bill Urban, spokesman of the US Central Command, said.

We are still assessing the results of this strike, which we know disrupted an imminent ISIS-K threat to the airport, he added.

Urban said the US would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life in the strike.

We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties. It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further, he said.

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The United States has evacuated all the local Afghan staffers at the Embassy in along with their families, said media reports.

According to an internal report of ABC News, about 2,800 Afghans have been successfully evacuated as of Saturday night at 8:30 pm ET on Saturday.

The Hill reported that an internal State Department Cable sent out last week reportedly said local embassy staffers were "deeply disheartened" by the evacuation operations. The cable relayed reports of staffers being harassed, being spat on and cursed at by fighters at checkpoints.

"Our local staff and their families have suffered hardship, pain and loss because of their dedication to working with to build a better future for all Afghans. We have a special commitment to them because of that," a State Department spokesperson had said.

The United States and its partner countries in a joint statement on Sunday reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safe travel of their citizens and at-risk Afghans outside

Since August 14, the US has evacuated and facilitated the evacuation of approximately 114,400 people. Since the end of July, the US has relocated approximately 120,000 people.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday had said that the US will be engaging with the to ensure the safe evacuation of people from Afghanistan following the August 31 deadline for withdrawal,

"The President directed the Secretary of State to continue diplomatic efforts with partners to secure means for third-country nationals and Afghans with visas to leave the country even after the US military presence ends," Psaki had said during a press briefing.

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saw outflows of $417 million in July, led by non-ETF outflows of $365 million, taking the total outflows in the category to $2.5 billion in CY21, the EPFR data compiled by Kotak Institutional Equities shows.

Flows from global emerging market (GEM) funds into India amounted to $459 million, led by non-ETF inflows of $318 million, taking the total inflows in CY21 to $5.6 billion.

Inflows from India-dedicated, GEM, and other categories of funds into India totalled $6.1 billion in CY21.

Assets under management (AUM) of have risen 9.6 per cent in the year to July to $42.6 billion. of GEMs have surged 23 per cent to $139.4 billion in the same period.

Listed emerging market fund flows were positive for most countries. China witnessed $5.2 billion of inflows, followed by Taiwan and South Korea, which saw $979 million and $219 million of inflows.

The EPFR fund-flow data primarily tracks mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, variable annuity funds, and insurance-linked funds. It does not include investments from hedge funds, proprietary desks and sovereign wealth funds, which are tracked by NSDL.

Allocations to China and India constitute 47 per cent of the average Asia ex-Japan fund portfolio. Allocations to India by Asia ex-Japan funds increased to 14.8 per cent in July from 13.5 per cent in the previous month, while allocations to India by funds increased to 11.6 per cent from 10.8 per cent in the same period.

Allocations by Asia ex-Japan non- to India increased to 15.6 per cent in July from 14.3 per cent in the previous month, while allocations to India by non- increased to 11.2 per cent from 10.6 per cent.

Financials witnessed heavy selling in July, with outflows of $1.5 billion, while consumer discretionary saw the most buying to the tune of $517 million.
Shares of companies that were included in the derivatives segment (Futures & Options contracts) on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) from the new series that began last Friday, remained in focus for the second straight day as they rallied up to 9 per cent on the bourses in Monday's intra-day trade.

Among individual stocks, InterMESH, Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), Polycab India, Can Fin Homes, Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) gained between 5 per cent and 9 per cent on the NSE.

Dixon Technologies, Ipca Lab, Oracle Financial Services Software and Syngene International among the 10 stocks that were included in the F&O segment were up in the range of 2 per cent to 3 per cent. In comparison, the Nifty50 index was up 0.95 per cent at 16,863.75 points at 11:56 am. The move is expected to boost participation in these stocks as investors and institutions can hedge underlying positions in them.

The stock of HAL hit a record high of Rs 1,457, up 5.5 per cent on the NSE in intra-day trade today. The stock of the state-owned defence company surpassed its previous high of Rs 1,423.55 touched on August 14. In the past eight trading days, HAL has soared 37 per cent after the company said it has signed a $716 million deal with GE Aviation for procurement of 99 engines for manufacturing 83 LCA Tejas for Indian Air Force (IAF).

The stock of too hit a record high of Rs 471.70, up 9 per cent on the NSE. It surpassed its previous high of Rs 454.85 touched on July 23, 2021.

is Indias premier energy exchange providing a nationwide, automated trading platform for physical delivery of electricity, renewable power, renewable energy certificates and energy saving certificates. The exchange platform enables efficient price discovery and increases the accessibility and transparency of the power market in India while also enhancing the speed and efficiency of trade execution.
Leading integrated steel company Shri Bajrang Power and Ispat Ltd has received capital regulator Sebi's go-ahead to raise Rs 700 crore through an initial share sale.

The initial public offer (IPO) consists of the issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 700 crore, according to the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP).

Shri Bajrang Power and Ispat Ltd (SBPIL), which filed its draft papers with in July, obtained its observations on August 26, an update with the regulator showed on Monday.

In parlance, the issuance of observations implies its go-ahead for the IPO.

Going by the draft papers, proceeds from the issue would be utilised towards repayment or prepayment, of certain borrowings of the company, funding incremental working capital requirements, and for general corporate purposes.

SBPIL is one of the leading integrated steel companies based out of central India and a key player in the country in terms of capacity for iron ore pellets, iron ore beneficiation, and sponge iron.

The company utilises its captive iron mine (with approval to mine 1.2 MTPA), and manganese ore mines to manufacture intermediate and long steel products, such as TMT Bars, ERW pipes manufactured through tubular section mill, wire rods, HB wires including binding wires, ferroalloys, steel billets, iron pellets, and sponge iron.

The Raipur's based firm has a consistent track record of delivering operating profitability, and since fiscal 2005, has remained profitable in each of the financial years.

It currently operates three manufacturing units located in Raipur. Further, the company intends to set up a 50MW solar power plant at Raipur.

Equirus Capital Private Limited and SBI Capital Limited are the books running lead managers to the issue. The equity shares of the company will be listed on the BSE and NSE.

(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.)
Anupam Rasayan India rose 3.96% to Rs 767.20 after the company received and signed Letter of Intent (LoI) worth Rs 135 crore with a Japanese multinational chemical company for supplying a life sciences related speciality chemical product.

The company will enter into a long-term contract with the Japanese multinational firm for next four years to supply this life science related speciality chemical product.

Speaking about the order, Anand Desai, managing director of Anupam Rasayan, said, This order will further strengthen our revenue and profitability visibility and also showcases the quality of the product allowing the customer to depend upon the company on long term basis making Anupam Rasayan, a preferred partner for these MNCs.

Anupam Rasayan India is one of the leading companies engaged in the custom synthesis (CSM) and manufacturing of specialty chemicals in India.

The company's consolidated net profit surged to Rs 32.12 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 0.23 crore in Q1 FY21. Net sales rose 72.61% YoY to Rs 233.68 crore during the quarter.

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Axis Bank jumped 4.86% to Rs 786.35 after the bank said that it has initiated the process of issuing of the debt instruments, in the form of the Additional Tier-1 (AT-1) Notes in foreign currency, subject to market conditions.

The notes, being a sustainable bond, will fall under the Sustainable Financing Framework of the bank. The issuance is part of the existing Global Medium-Term Notes (GMTN) programme of the bank.

The notes will not be offered or sold in India under the applicable laws, including the Companies Act, 2013, as amended, the bank said.

On 27 April 2021, the board of Axis Bank had authorized the bank to borrow/raise funds in Indian currency/foreign currency by issue of debt Instruments including but not limited to long term bonds, non-convertible debentures, perpetual debt instruments, AT-1 bonds, infrastructure bonds and Tier-II capital bonds or such other debt securities as may be permitted under the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India, from time to time, up to an amount of Rs 35,000 crore in domestic and overseas markets, in one or more tranches.

The resolution for the same was passed by the bank's shareholders at its 27th annual general meeting (AGM) held on 30 July 2021.

Axis Bank is a private sector bank offers the entire spectrum of financial services to customer segments covering large and mid-corporates, MSME, agriculture and retail businesses. As on 30 June 2021, the bank had a network of 4,528 domestic branches and extension counters situated in 2,559 centres.

The private sector bank reported a 94.2% jump in standalone net profit to Rs 2,160 crore on a 2.4% rise in total income to Rs 19,591 crore in Q1 FY22 over Q1 FY21.

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Bharti Airtel said that its board of directors has approved the issuance of equity shares on rights basis of an issue size of upto Rs 21,000 crore. The firm said that the right issue price is set at Rs 535 per share.

Tech Mahindra (Americas) Inc., a wholly-owned-subsidiary of Tech Mahindra, will acquire 13.8% stake of AustinGiS, an IT services provider, for a total cash consideration of $1.25 million.

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) said that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a major contract to Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS) worth Rs 1349.95 crore.

Burger King India said it has entered into discussions regarding acquisition of a controlling stake in PT Sari Burger Indonesia, which manages and operates Burger King brand in Indonesia.

The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has issued a revocation order under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 for resumption of operations in SRF's P2 and the two other allied plants with immediate effect.

Jammu & Kashmir Bank (J&K Bank) on Saturday announced that its board will meet on 2 September 2021 to consider raising of capital (Tier I/Tier II).

The Central Government on Thursday, 26 August 2021 extended the term of office of Atul Kumar Goel, managing director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UCO Bank for a period of two years beyond the notified term which expires on 1 November 2021.

A S Rajeev, the MD and CEO of Bank of Maharashtra, received an extended term of office for a period of two years beyond the notified term which expires on 1 December 2021.

CH.S.S. Mallikarjuna Rao, the MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank (PNB), received an extension for a period beyond 18 September 2021 (date of completion of his current tenure), till the date of his superannuation i.e. 31 January 2022.

Nazara Technologies said that that it has acquired 100% stake in Hyderabad-based skill gaming company OpenPlay for a total consideration of Rs 186.4 crore.

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has revised Coromandel International's (CIL) outlook to positive from stable while affirming its long-term issuer rating at 'IND AA+'.

Max Healthcare Institute (MHIL) said it acquired exclusive rights to aid development and provide medical services to a proposed 500 bed hospital in South Delhi.

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Dalmia Bharat said its subsidiary, Dalmia Cement (Bharat), signed three memorandum of understandings with the Government of Jharkhand to invest Rs 758 crore in the state.

Dalmia Cement will invest Rs 500 crore in its manufacturing unit at Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority Bokaro. In addition to expanding its existing capacity of 3.7 Mnt through debottlenecking, the company plans to set up a new grinding unit, taking the overall cement manufacturing capacity at Bokaro to 6.3 MTPA.

Further, the company has signed a pact with the Government of Jharkhand to set up a solar power plant to provide clean energy to the state. The company will further invest Rs 250 crore for establishing the solar power plant. Besides this, another MoU was signed for solid waste management wherein the company will invest Rs 8 crore for setting up material recover facility and legacy waste-bio mining activity for solid waste management under Ranchi Municipal Corporation.

Earlier this month, Dalmia Bharat had unveiled a long-term plan to grow its cement capacity in the country. It plans to raise its cement manufacturing capacity to 110-130 million tonnes per annum by 2031, which would be done through a mix of organic & inorganic opportunities with an inclination towards the more planned & cost-effective organic route. The company will expand into new regions of operations while consolidating its position in its existing markets.

Dalmia Bharat's consolidated net profit surged 26.6% to Rs 238 crore on a 36.2% jump in net sales to Rs 2,589 crore in Q1 June 2021 (Q1 FY22) over Q1 June 2020 (Q1 FY21).

Dalmia Bharat is a cement manufacturing company. Its segments include cement, refractory and power.

Shares of Dalmia Bharat rose 0.92% to Rs 2,050 on BSE.

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The benchmark indices hit a record high in morning trade. The Nifty traded firmly above the 16,850 level. All sectoral indices on the NSE were trading in the green. Sentiment was upbeat due to positive Asian stocks.

At 10:26 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 543.27 points or 0.97% at 56,662.68. The Nifty 50 index was up 157.35 points or 0.94% at 16,862.85.

The Sensex hit record high of 56,677 while the Nifty scaled all time high of 16,866.40 in morning trade.

The broader market traded with strong gains. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index and the S&P BSE Small-Cap index were up by 1.23% each.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong.

On the BSE, 2177 shares rose and 729 shares fell. A total of 156 shares were unchanged.

COVID-19 Update:

Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 216,364,257 with 4,500,596 global deaths.

India reported 376,324 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 438,210 deaths, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

With the administration of 73,85,866 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has surpassed the cumulative figure of 63.09 crore (63,09,17,927) as per provisional reports till 7 am yesterday. India's recovery rate now stands at 97.53%.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Metal index gained 2.2% to 5,613.30, rising for the second trading session. The index has added nearly 4% in two trading sessions.

Hindalco Industries (up 2.84%), Tata Steel (up 2.68%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 2.43%), Steel Authority of India (up 2.37%) and NMDC (up 2%) were the top gainers. Among the other gainers were Vedanta (up 1.81%), JSW Steel (up 1.66%), Coal India (up 1.48%), Hindustan Zinc (up 0.71%) and APL Apollo Tubes (up 0.61%) jumped.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Bharti Airtel rose 0.98% to Rs 599.75 after the company said its board approved a proposal to raise upto Rs 21,000 crore through rights issue of shares. In an exchange filing made on Sunday, the teleco said that its board comprehensively reviewed the industry scenario, business environment, financial/ business strategy of the company and approved the company's plan to raise further capital. Accordingly, the board approved the issuance of equity shares of face value of Rs 5 each of the company on rights basis to eligible equity shareholders of the company as on the record date (to be notified later), of an issue size of upto Rs 21,000 crore.

Dalmia Bharat gained 2.04% after the company's subsidiary, Dalmia Cement (Bharat), signed three memorandum of understandings with the Government of Jharkhand to invest Rs 758 crore in the state.

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Steel Strips Wheels (SSWL) rose 2.65% to Rs 1921.80 after the company said that it has signed an agreement with Tata Steel Long Product (TSPL) for rolling of round bars of various grades for a period of 3 years.

The supplies from SSWL Saraikela Plant will start from October 2021. This deal has a supply potential of 50000 MTs of rolled round bars per annum. These products will target automotive customers in India.

SSWL is engaged in the manufacturing of steel wheel rims catering to different segments of automobile industry. The firm operates in automotive wheels segment. Its geographical segments include India and overseas.

Tata Steel has had a strategic equity stake in SSWL since 2008. The steel major held 6.96% stake in SSWL as on 30 June 2021.

SSWL reported a net profit of Rs 51.08 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a net loss of Rs 38.09 crore in Q1 FY21. Net sales surged 463.84% YoY to Rs 678.13 crore during the quarter.

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Tinplate Company of India gained 2.4% to Rs 228 after the company's board approved an expansion plan of Rs 1,800 crore.

Tinplate Company's board of directors approved an expansion plan, by putting up an additional capacity of 3,00,000 TPA at Jamshedpur. The estimated capital expenditure towards the project is Rs 1,800 crore and the project is expected to be completed in about three years. The time period of about three years is assuming that the company is able to obtain expeditiously all regulatory approvals from appropriate authorities concerned. Any delay in obtaining regulatory approvals or events like the COVID-19 may impact project timeliness.

The company's existing capacity is 3,79,000 TPA located at Jamshedpur with the existing capacity utilization above 90%. The company intends to finance the project through a combination of internal accrual and/or external funding, including seeking financial support from the promoter, Tata Steel.

The company said it is the market leader in the industry with a market share of approximately 40%. The company is operating at close to its rated capacity and therefore needs to expand its capacity to meet the growing needs of the market.

Tinplate Company of India is an associate of Tata Steel. The company manufactures various grades of electrolytic tinplates, tin-free steel sheets and full hard cold rolled sheets (FHCR) used for metal packaging. Tinplate Company is in the business of providing cost effective metal packaging solutions for processed edible products.

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The AAP Monday promised quality health services to the people of free of cost if the party comes to power in the state.

The party claimed that according to the CAG report has the worst health services amongst the Himalayan states.

"If an government is formed in Uttarakhand, good quality and free health services will be available to the people of Uttarakhand, just like Delhi," AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj told reporters.

"The condition of health services in is so bad that patients lose their lives even before they reach the hospital. Uttarakhand's health budget was Rs. 188 crore in 2018-19, reduced to just Rs 97 crore in 2019-20. Only 5.25 paise is being spent per person on health in a year," claimed Bhardwaj.

Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in Uttarakhand next year.

The AAP has announced intention to contest polls in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.

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Tightening the noose around and providing jobs only on the basis of merit are the two biggest achievements of his government, Chief Minister said here on Monday on the completion of 2,500 days of the BJP-JJP regime.

He said the changes brought in the system of governance have not only eradicated corruption, exploitation of the poor and non-meritorious selection, but have also increased the trust and belief of the common man in the government manifold.

"Tightening the noose around and providing jobs only on the basis of merit can be termed as our two biggest achievements," Khattar said at a press conference here.

Taking a jibe at the Congress, he said on October 26, 2014, when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in Haryana, years of corruption, exploitation of the poor and dynastic had pushed the state into a vulnerable situation.

Government property was being looted, leaving people at the receiving end, he added.

"We always advise the Opposition to play a positive role, but since they do not have any logical and fundamental issues to raise, they do nothing more than creating doubts in the minds of people by spreading rumours. I would like to warn them that their future is dark, people are going to choose us for the next five years too as gone are the days when they used to live in hallucinations," the chief minister said.

Talking about the recent constable recruitment examination paper leak case, he said 28 people have so far been arrested.

Khattar said the government has also enacted a law to stop cheating.

"We have complete trust in our state investigation agency. Our police have reached the roots of this case. Any case is transferred to the CBI only when a state investigation agency reaches a dead-end or fails to carry out the required probe," he said while responding to a question regarding transferring the paper leak case to the central agency.

Responding to another question on the Opposition's allegations regarding the state government's debt liability, Khattar said the knowledge of the Congress about the debt figures is poor and therefore, it always spreads lies.

He said the Congress left the state with a debt liability of Rs 97,000 crore.

Khattar said his government revolutionised the system by introducing digital reforms to bring transparency in each of its wing.

Responding to another question on the regularisation of illegal colonies, the chief minister said for regularising such colonies located within the limits of the urban local bodies, a bill has been passed and around 1,200 colonies that fulfil the criteria have registered themselves and would be regularised.

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 30 (ANI/NewsVoir): Bajaj Finance Limited, the lending and investment arm of Bajaj Finserv, cautions its customers and the public at large to stay vigilant against fake loans offered by fraudsters in exchange of an insurance policy purchase.

Fraudsters are duping the public:

(i) by luring them to compulsorily buy life insurance as a pre-condition to avail a loan

(ii) by impersonating to be a representative of Bajaj Finance Ltd. and misguiding the public to buy an insurance policy by stating that the premium amount shall be some percent of the loan amount desired by potential borrowers.

The modus operandi is mostly as under:

The insurance policy is used as a bait by the fraudster who ensures that the victim receives all insurance documents from the insurance company

The Fraudster stays in contact with the victim for a long time and cites excuses for the delay in the loan disbursal process

Most insurance policies have a 90 days free look period for insurance policy, where the customer can cancel the policy, and the premium will be refunded. After the said free look period is over, the fraudster will stop answering the victim

It is thereafter that the victim realises about the suspicious conduct of fraudster and reaches out to Bajaj Finance Ltd.

Bajaj Finance Ltd., has alerted its customer through its social media handles to not to fall for such traps by fraudsters. The post states:

'Loan lenekeliye life insurance policy purchase karnazaroorihai'. Aur ye jhoothai!. Always remember that Bajaj Finance Ltd., does not require you to make a compulsory purchase of any other products to avail a loan. Don't fall into such traps!

Twitter: (twitter.com/Bajaj_Finance/status/1430494743247478784)

Bajaj Finance Ltd., cautions its customers and the public at large that any person in need of loans should approach its nearest branch or check the company's official website at (www.bajajfinserv.in), and never engage with any unofficial/unknown intermediaries/unidentified fraudsters. Through various channels, the Company is driving awareness initiatives against such fraudulent incidents and has mentioned clear directives on the loan availing and sanctioning process.

Bajaj Finance earlier launched '#SavdhaanRaheinSafeRahein', a public awareness campaign across all its digital and social media platforms, to educate people on various financial fraud risks. The Company also released an animated infomercial campaign on YouTube called (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZJunlYKiNM) NajiNaji: Online Fraud Se Bachein to spread the message around the growing incidences of financial fraud.

Apart from giving the message to its customers, Bajaj Finance Ltd. has also shared some safety tips for the public/customers to stay protected, to name a few:

Always be careful while speaking with unknown callers offering instant loans

Bajaj Finance Ltd. does NOT require compulsory purchase of any other product as a condition for availing loan by an eligible customer. Hence, exercise caution against any such calls/communication

Never transfer any money to strangers/unknown callers offering lucrative deals and cashback

Never share your mobile number, EMI card number, One Time Password (OTP), PAN/Aadhaar details, Address proof over calls/social media pages/internet/e-mails

Always verify Bajaj Finance related loan offers/social media IDs/website links on (www.bajajfinserv.in) or directly from the nearest branch

Never tag fraud accounts on social media for any of your queries. Follow only our official pages/accounts

Refrain from downloading any third-party mobile apps or documents from any clickbait links sent on social media pages, e-mails, or SMS from unknown sources

In addition to the cautionary message cautionary-notice-new.pdf (bajajfinserv.in)on the website, Bajaj Finance Ltd., keeps alerting the public on social media pages through publishing (https://www.bajajfinserv.in/cautionary-notice-new.pdf) cautionary information to help them understand the modus operandi of various scams ranging from social media frauds, phishing attacks, and clickbait fraud to ensure that customers stay alert and protect their money.

To know more about staying protected from financial frauds, click here - (www.bajajfinserv.in/insights/fraud-awareness).

Bajaj Finance Limited, the lending arm of the Bajaj Finserv group, is one of the most diversified NBFCs in the Indian market, catering to more than 50 million customers across the country.

Headquartered in Pune, the company's product offering includes Consumer Durable Loans, Lifestyle Finance, Digital Product Finance, Personal Loans, Loan against Property, Small Business Loans, Wallet, Co-branded Credit Cards, Two-wheeler and Three-wheeler Loans, Commercial lending/SME Loans, Loan against Securities and Rural Finance which includes Gold Loans and Vehicle Refinancing Loans along with Fixed Deposits.

Bajaj Finance Limited prides itself on holding the highest credit rating of AAA/Stable for long term borrowing, A1+ for the short term borrowing, and FAAA/Stable for FD program. It has also been credited for Long term issuer credit rating of BB+/Stable and short-term rating of B by S & P Global ratings for ECB.

To know more, please visit(https://www.bajajfinserv.in/).

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

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In a tussle between the bulls and bears, the former so far has managed to have an upper hand, with only small bouts of profit-taking visible here and there. What many assumed to be the 'beginning of a crash' turned out to be a healthy correction inside a larger bull market.

The Sensex and Nifty are making new all-time highs each week on the expected performance of the economy, and therefore, of the corporates. But this week could be the deciding factor as a host of macroeconomic data is lined up for release and that will help decide if the market is overestimating the pace of recovery.

First and foremost, a reaction to the US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell's address at Jackson Hole Symposium can be expected when the open for trade on Monday. The Fed commentary will also have a bearing on FPI flows going ahead who already have turned somewhat cautious on the Indian markets, with a mere investment of Rs 986 crore so far in August.

Although, soon thereafter the focus will shift to the Q1 GDP print for the financial year 2021-22 slated to be out on Tuesday, August 31.

According to an SBI research report, the GDP is expected to grow at around 18.5 per cent in the first quarter of the current financial year. This estimate is lower than the Reserve Bank of India's GDP growth projection of 21.4 per cent for the April-June quarter. Meanwhile, Acuite Ratings pegs GDP growth at 22-23 per cent for Q1 on the back of a severe contraction a year ago and recovery in economic activities towards the end of the quarter. Any disappointment on the growth front could send in a tailspin.

That apart, the India Manufacturing PMI and Services are also up for release this week on September 1 and September 3, respectively. Both figures had improved in July on a month-on-month basis. Furthermore, the auto stocks will be on investors' radar as the sales figures for August will start trickling in next week.

The action will return to the primary as two new issues -- Ami Organics and Vijaya Diagnostic -- are lined up to open on September 1. Ami Organics looks to raise Rs 570 crore via a mix of fresh issue and offer for sale. It is priced in the range of Rs 603-610 per share. Vijaya Diagnostics's Rs 1,894 crore IPO is entirely an offer for sale and priced in the band of Rs 522-531 per share. Analysts at Angel Broking have assigned Neutral Rating to both these issues.

Lastly, oil price movement, rupee's trajectory and stock moves will also sway market direction.

The benchmark indices had ended the volatile last week on a positive note but the gains were concentrated in select stocks, suggesting the polarised nature of the market. Analysts believe investors should continue to buy into quality names on dips.
Amid the Uncertainty, Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy is Ready to Help Students Succeed in the New School Year
As China Huarong Asset Management Co. Ltd. belatedly confirmed the vast amount of red ink it spilled last year, the Herculean scope of the government-led rescue is becoming clear  with billions of dollars in offshore bonds and domestic debt at stake.

The scandal-plagued state-owned bad asset manager reported a record loss Sunday of 102.9 billion yuan ($15.9 billion) for 2020, in line with the preliminary figure it issued Aug. 18. The Beijing-based company missed the March deadline for reporting last years results, triggering the suspension of its shares in Hong Kong and roiling markets across Asia as doubts over its financial health festered.

News Aug. 18 of a long-expected rescue plan involving new state-backed investors eased some of the concerns about the companys future and buoyed its battered dollar bonds. And yet, the prospective bailout may require capital injections totaling nearly 100 billion yuan from strategic investors and asset sales, Caixin learned.

The restructuring is likely to lead to an ownership change. As of June 2020, Huarong was controlled by the Ministry of Finance with 61.41%, followed by the National Council for Social Security Fund with 6.34%. Citic Group Corp., the state-owned giant leading the rescue, said it plans to invest 20 billion yuan to 50 billion yuan in Huarong, becoming the largest shareholder, ahead of the Finance Ministry.

The four other strategic investors lined up for Huarong are China Insurance Investment Co. Ltd., China Life Asset Management Co. Ltd., China Cinda Asset Management Co. Ltd. and Sino-Ocean Capital Holding Ltd.

The new investors are expected to bring billions of dollars of fresh capital to Huarong, which is trapped under a mountain of debt after decades of reckless expansion. Huarong has not publicly given details of its total debts. But the group and its subsidiaries have nearly $20 billion of outstanding offshore bonds, market data showed.

The company said it will make share placements with the new investors. It did not disclose the amount of the strategic investment but said the funds will help replenish capital and consolidate the companys foundation for sustainable operations. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Although Huarongs shares will remain suspended as the reshuffle unfolds, the progress has offered some relief to investors. The shares had plunged 67% since debuting in Hong Kong in 2015.

Now, the biggest uncertainty of Huarongs fate has been settled, one market source said.

Established in 1999, Huarong is one of four national asset management companies created to dispose of a massive volume of nonperforming assets held by Chinas big state banks. Their job is buying up distressed debt and trying to recoup as much money as possible by selling or restructuring the assets or applying other methods of recovering the debt.

Huarong has been in turmoil since the downfall of former Chairman Lai Xiaomin in April 2018. Under Lais decade-long tenure, Huarong expanded beyond its original mandate and grew into a financial conglomerate engaged in a wide range of financial services, including securities, trusts, banking and financial leasing. But the aggressive expansion through opaque deals with affiliated companies left Huarong with hundreds of billions of yuan of unresolved bad debt.

Lai was sentenced to death and executed in January in the countrys biggest financial-sector corruption case. He was convicted of taking a record 1.79 billion yuan of bribes from 2008 to 2018 as well as bigamy and embezzlement.

Lai Xiaomin was convicted of taking a record 1.79 billion yuan of bribes from 2008 to 2018 as well as bigamy and embezzlement.

In its Aug. 18 statement, the company said the 2020 loss reflected the clearing and disposal of risky assets taken on under Lais aggressive operation and disorderly expansion.

Since the downfall of Lai, the actual size of Huarongs risky assets has become a burning question. Caixin learned that Citic Group sent a due diligence study team to Huarong in June to review the companys books, interview staff and make spot checks. The inspection is set to be completed in October, ahead of the strategic investment that is scheduled by Dec. 31, sources said.

Huarongs auditor Ernst & Young has classified about 380 billion yuan of the companys assets as risky  meaning part of their value may be unrecoverable.

Most of Huarongs risky business endeavors on Lais watch were related to overseas expansions, affecting nearly 400 billion yuan of the companys offshore assets. The company raised more than $20 billion through offshore bond sales to fund the deals, according to authorities investigation.

According to the Sunday earnings release, Huarong reported a 102.9 billion yuan loss for 2020 but returned to a profit of 158 million yuan in the first half this year. Its capital adequacy ratio was 6.32% as of June 30, falling from 13.2% at the end of June last year and was far below regulatory requirements.

The companys borrowings amounted to 782 billion yuan as of June 30, of which those coming due within one year amounted to 578 billion yuan.

Risk exposure

Huarong has spun off some of the souring assets to its subsidiary Huarong Huaqiao Asset Management Co. Ltd. in preparation for a restructuring. By the end of 2020, more than 200 billion yuan of questionable assets were transferred to Huarong Huaqiao, Caixin learned.

In April 2020, Huarongs wholly owned arm Huarong Zhiyuan Investment Management Co. Ltd. said it planned to sell its 91% stake in Huarong Huaqiao, a move seen as an effort to separate Huarong from the risky assets. But no progress on that deal has been published.

Since early 2019, Huarong has started to pare back its operations outside the distressed asset disposal business at the request of regulators. The company has consolidated its overseas businesses into two platforms  Huarong International Holdings for normal operations and Huarong Huaqiao for disposal of bad assets.





Huarongs risk exposure in the home market is a concern.

During the years when the bad asset businesses underwent reckless expansion, asset managers led by Huarong have aggressively purchased some assets that will be difficult to dispose of, said one industry source.

In its half-year financial report for 2019, Huarong said it would write off a total of 42.3 billion yuan for 2018 and 2019 for impairment. In its report for 2020, the bad loan manager said it booked 107.8 billion yuan of impairments and suffered a 12.5 billion yuan loss on financial assets.





Strategic investors

A restructuring plan for Huarong has long been under discussion, Caixin learned. In June, Citic proposed to lead the Huarong restructuring and won regulatory support. As Chinas largest state-owned financial conglomerate, Citic had total assets of 8 trillion yuan as of the end of 2020 with annual profit of 47.2 billion yuan. The company has a wide range of financial businesses but lacks a national license for distressed asset management.

With such a huge size, Huarongs restructuring can only be led by industry leaders such as Citic, one industry source said. The strategic investment will help (Huarong) defuse risks accumulated from aggressive expansion.

While introducing new investors, Huarongs restructuring will also include asset disposals to downsize its noncore businesses. Huarongs assets expanded from 309.3 billion yuan in late 2012 to more than 1.87 trillion yuan by the end of 2017 during Lais tenure. But many of the investment turned out to be risky bets, leaving the company with huge piles of bad assets.

As Huarong steps up asset disposals, total assets shrank to 1.7 trillion yuan by 2020. Its employment headcount fell from 13,000 to 10,000.

Huarong is seeking to raise cash by selling its stakes in at least seven units, involving 700 billion yuan of assets, to repay debt and downsize the business. The company reassured investors in August that its liquidity was sufficient and indicted that there is no plan for debt restructuring.

The units up for sale include Huarongs holdings in Huarong Xiangjiang Bank Corp. Ltd., Huarong Securities Co. Ltd., Huarong International Trust Co. Ltd., Huarong Consumer Finance Co. Ltd. and China Huarong Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., as well as its stakes in two local asset management companies, Caixin learned.

Huarong holds a 76.79% stake in Huarong International Trust, which managed 142.5 billion yuan of assets as of the end of 2019. Around 70 billion yuan of assets managed by the trust have become nonperforming, sources said.

Huarong Securities, 72% owned by Huarong, is also hobbled by risky assets totaling about 30 billion yuan. In January, the Beijing branch of the top securities regulator ordered the brokerage to work out a plan for the disposal of its risky assets as soon as possible.

Uncertain outlook

Investors are closely monitoring how Huarongs restructuring will affect its bond repayments. Since the share trading suspension, Huarongs bonds have suffered waves of selloffs amid growing concerns over its financial health.

In early April, Chinas financial regulator tried to calm investors in its first official comments on Huarong after a wild plunge of the companys bonds.

Operations at Huarong remain normal, and the company has ample liquidity, an official at the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission said. The company is actively cooperating with its auditor and will complete its annual report as soon as possible. Huarongs offshore bonds rebounded following the comments but remained highly volatile in following months.

Despite its problematic overseas assets and investments, Huarong aims to guarantee the liquidity of offshore debts from the perspective of the whole company  it generally makes liquidity arrangements three months ahead of the maturity of overseas debt. Overall, Huarong is nowhere near defaulting on its offshore bonds, and neither the major shareholder nor the regulators will allow that to happen, analysts said.

As of Aug. 24, Huarongs outstanding offshore bonds totaled early $20 billion, down from $22 billion in April. The company said it repaid 94 offshore bonds totaling 63.3 billion yuan on time between April 1 and Aug. 18.

Although Huarongs offshore bonds rebounded on news of the bailout plan, global credit rating companies remain cautious on the companys outlook.

On Aug. 23, Moodys Investors Service cut Huarongs credit rating to Baa2 from Baa1 and left the company on watch for a potential further downgrade. The ratings company cited the deterioration of the asset managers capital. While the prospective capital injection by state-owned enterprises indicates Huarongs systemic importance, the plans exact impact remains unclear, Moodys analysts wrote.

Moodys said Huarongs outlook will depend on the impact of the bailout and the government support it obtains. It is also important to assess whether Huarong can improve its asset quality and profitability after the capital injection and asset sales, as well as its ability to maintain abundant liquidity, Moodys said.

Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) and editor Bob Simison (bobsimison@caixin.com)

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Follow the Chinese markets in real time with Caixin Globals new stock database.
The China Manned Space Engineering Office released a series of photos taken by Shenzhou-12 crew members on Tuesday, attracting great interest online. The aerial photos present overhead views of different continents as seen from space, including the Ethiopian highlands and the Pacific Ocean. Crew members completed their second spacewalk on Aug. 20. The three astronauts  Tang Hongbo, Nie Haisheng, and Liu Boming  are set to return to Earth in mid-September

Sep 01, 2021 05:36 PM
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Streamlined communications are key to efficiency. But for one large business focused on feeding the world, connecting and operating a myriad of locations is a core IT challenge. The company produces and sells packaged foods across five continents via millions of points of sale and hundreds of corporate locations, ranging from large campuses to small offices to manufacturing facilities and distribution centers.

Previously, the company relied on a hub-and-spoke wide-area network (WAN) architecture that used a combination of two managed IP MPLS VPN links and broadband, one MPLS and two broadband, or one broadband and 4G depending on location. All local traffic was funneled through the regional data centers for inspection by a corporate firewall.

The WAN was expensive, and network performance in many locations was slow enough to inhibit end user productivity. Business units were requesting security policy changes to accelerate connectivity to the companys largeand perpetually growingportfolio of web-based applications. Moreover, each location experienced extremely slow failover between its MPLS links in the event of a problem. The food producer needed a different solution.

As the IT team researched possibilities, they discovered that software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) could solve for multiple challenges at once; network performance, high costs for global MPLS links, and network complexity. Due diligence revealed that a solution focused on security-driven networking, such as Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, could provide even bigger benefits.

An All-New WAN

The company transitioned to a new WAN infrastructure, in which each large corporate location has one local MPLS link with two broadband connections for redundancy and performance, while each sales office has three broadband or 4G LTE links. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN appliances connect each locations local-area network (LAN) with the WAN links, utilize all WAN connections capacity, and provide failover in less than one second.

And since the SD-WAN is an integrated service delivered via the FortiGate next-generation firewall (NGFW), critical security functions such as intrusion detection and intrusion prevention system (IDS and IPS) and antivirus capabilities are built-in. Fortinet Secure SD-WAN provides protection for each locations network edge comparable to what they receive at the corporate data center. So instead of requiring backhauling through the nearest data center, internet traffic can utilize the more cost-effective broadband links for direct connectivity, without sacrificing security or performance.

This approach has created a huge improvement in WAN performance for end users connecting to the growing number of critical cloud applications they use on a daily basis. Fewer hops from desktop to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers equates to faster application response and enhanced user productivity. Additionally, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN appliances have a specialized, dedicated security processing unit (SPU) to further minimize latency and provide industry-leading security effectiveness and performance.

Finally, application-aware steering ensures that business-critical traffic is always given the highest priority and traverses the network first. Granular application steering applies to both encrypted and unencrypted traffic, with quality of service (QoS) rules for egress and ingress traffic determined specifically for each application and each WAN link. As a result, the company reports a significantly better user experience.

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN to Provide Better Security and Substantial TCO Savings

For the IT team, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN simplifies both networking and security across the companys broad and diverse infrastructure. Previously, it would have required considerable staff time to integrate a series of different solutions to connect and protect hundreds of global locations, and then manage them through multiple separate administrative interfaces.

By contrast, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN brings together networking, advanced routing, and security into a single solution with one management interface. This consolidation simplifies architecture, streamlines provisioning and implementation, eliminating integration concerns. This also simplifies system updates and enhancements, as well as troubleshooting and analytics. In addition, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN automates VPN authorization by matching policies to users via their Active Directory credentials.

Crucially, the streamlined management within Fortinet Secure SD-WAN facilitates faster detection of, and response to, security threats, improving overall network protection. The solution has also reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) worldwide by minimizing the staff time required to handle networking and security issues, meaning the IT team now has more time for value-added activities and better flexibility to respond to business and user needs.

The replacement of MPLS links with broadband and 4G connections around the world further reduces TCO and allows for greater flexibility to support dynamic business needs.

Fortinets Secure SD-WAN solution allowed this leading global food supplier to simplify operations enabling IT teams to respond quickly to business and user needs, eliminate many direct and hidden costs that are impacting business performance and streamline network connectivity and security effectiveness across their distributed enterprise landscape improving user experience.

Take a security-driven networking approach to improve user experience and simplify operations at the WAN edge with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN.
As part of the country's growing scrutiny over the tech sector, China enacted on August 21 a sprawling and comprehensive data privacy law, the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), which goes into effect on November 1, 2021. In combination with China's newly enacted and still little-understood Data Protection Law, which goes into effect on September 1, 2021, this law promises to impose a host of new data privacy, security, and protective obligations on all US and global companies doing business in China.

These significant laws fit into China's broad "informatization policy," which Chinese President Xi Jinping has described as the modern equivalent of industrialization. However, the data protection law comes closer to serving more as a cybersecurity law than the PIPL. In his efforts to boost China to" cyber superpower" status, President Xi has famously said that "cybersecurity and informatization are two wings of one body, and two wheels of one engine."

Both national security and the public interest come into play

Modeled in part on the EU's stringent and pace-setting General Data Protection Regulation (GPDR), PIPL creates a legal regime for all data from both the perspectives of national security and the public interest. It aims to achieve four objectives:

Protect the rights and interests of individuals Regulate personal information processing activities Safeguard the lawful and "orderly flow" of data Facilitate reasonable use of personal information

Its focus on national security departs from Western privacy frameworks such as the GDPR and California's Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The PIPL further differs from these two forms of data privacy by containing provisions addressing China's digital sovereignty. These provisions aim to limit the ability of overseas entities to infringe on Chinese citizens' rights and constrain the danger to the country's national security.

Organizations handling Chinese citizens' data must meet conditions

The PIPL states that "personal information processors," namely any organization handling the personal data of Chinese citizens, may handle that information only if the processor meets one of the following conditions:

The processor obtains personal consent The information is necessary for the conclusion and performance of a contract in which the individual is a party or necessary for the implementation of human resource management by following the labor rules and regulations established under the law and the collective contract signed per the law. The information is necessary to perform statutory duties or statutory obligations. The information is necessary to respond to public health emergencies or to protect the life, health, and property safety of natural persons in an emergency. The information is necessary to carry out news reports, public opinion supervision, and other acts for the public interest, and handle personal information within a reasonable range. Processing personal information disclosed by individuals or other legally disclosed personal information within a reasonable scope is conducted by following the provisions of this law. The information is processed under other circumstances stipulated by laws and administrative regulations.

The law emphasizes that users must consent to allow their data to be processed, and users must be fully informed. Individuals are granted the right to withdraw their consent at any time. Moreover, information processors cannot withhold goods or services from individuals who refuse to allow their information to be processed or used.

How organizations can comply with PIPL is still unclear

How organizations doing business in China can comply with the PIPL's complex provisions is unclear because many regulatory proceedings that flesh out how compliance would work have yet to occur. "This is a very new law and quite complex, so US companies that have operations in China are only just now beginning to focus on this law and are trying to figure out how it will affect their operations," Judith Alison Lee, partner at Gibson Dunn and co-chair of the firm's International Trade Practice Group, tells CSO.

Moreover, although PIPL might go into effect in November, the fine print on how the law operates won't emerge until later when various Chinese ministries issue regulations, Rogier Creemers, China Digital Economy Fellow at New America and a postdoctoral scholar in Law and Governance of China at the University of Leiden's Van Vollenhoven Institute, tells CSO. "Many laws in China, such as the Personal Information Protection Law, work as framework laws," Creemers tells CSO.

"For instance, the new law creates a mandate for there to be a security review for the export of personal data. But the Cyberspace Administration of China, the regulator in this specific sector, is empowered to make those rules. So, until those specific rules come out, we don't know what's going to happen."

Cross-border flow of information and avoiding sanctions are top priorities

However, organizations that deal with any form of personal data in China can start prioritizing the critical aspects of the law ahead of any further regulatory clarity. "The single most important provisions are going to be those that deal with the cross-border flow of personal information. Those are going to be crucial," Creemers says.

"My practice is focused on OFAC [the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control] sanctions, so one particular area of concern is whether this new law will impede the efforts of companies to ensure that they are in compliance with OFAC sanctions," Gibson Dunn's Lee says. "This usually involves 'screening' the personal information of customers, suppliers, employees, and business partners against a number of prohibited party lists.

"Sometimes, this screening function is performed outside of China. If companies violate OFAC sanctions, there can be really significant civil monetary penalties, so US companies are worried about being caught in the crossfire of the laws of the US and China, which can be conflicting."

Whatever shape the final law takes, it is clear that many international organizations may have to staff up to handle at least some of the law's provisions. For example, the law requires data handlers outside of China that process the personal information of Chinese citizens to establish a dedicated entity or appoint a representative within China to be responsible for matters related to their information processing.
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This winerys namesake white silo serves as the beacon letting you know youve arrived at this picture-perfect farm winery. Grab a table overlooking the rolling farmland framed by wooded hills in the distance as you sip on fruit wines such as the champagne-like sparkling red raspberry and apple cider or semisweet rhubarb, blackberry or other wines. You can pair all these drinks with cheese platters with homemade membrillo and mustard as well as cookies, scones and pastries all prepared daily by the vineyards in-house chef. Gourmet picnic lunch boxes are also available. While the offerings change seasonally, one recent lunch box included turkey and arugula with White Silo mustard on seven-grain bread, Mediterranean quinoa salad, mini cheese plate, salted mixed nuts and a chocolate caramel turtle bar.  EO

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NEW HAVEN  Residents looking up in the sky this morning might have noticed a plane flying overhead with a banner promoting climate action.

The banner, reading Connecticut Must Lead on Climate, comes from the Connecticut Citizen Research Group, an affiliate of Connecticut Citizen Action Group.

With the state having just endured a sweltering week, activists are calling for Gov. Ned Lamont to take swift and bold administrative climate action to stop all fossil fuel expansion, ramp up energy efficiency and renewable energy for all, and push to end the financing of fossil fuels through community and online engagement, the group said in a press release.

Ann Pratt, the executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Research Group, said state leaders need to stop kidding themselves, and us, that we are doing enough to address climate justice.

We are at a point where real steps need to be taken on climate, and our leaders need to stop dragging their feet, Pratt added.

The banner was scheduled to fly over Lighthouse Point in New Haven and Hammonasset Beach in Madison from about 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and Seaside Park in Bridgeport around 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

At the same time, activists will be canvassing these beaches. There will be a mobile billboard with the same slogan, Connecticut Must Lead On Climate, traveling through the state, including past Lamonts residence in Hartford, the group said in a press release.

The group purchased carbon offsets, which reduce carbon emissions to compensate for emissions from another source, to counteract any emission impacts from the banner, according to a statement.
ATLANTA (AP)  A man accused of killing eight people at Atlanta area massage businesses is already destined to spend the rest of his life locked up after pleading guilty in four of the killings. But he faces more charges  and a possible death sentence  in the other four slayings.

Robert Aaron Long, 22, is accused of shooting four people to death at a massage business and shooting and wounding a fifth person in Cherokee County on March 16 and then killing four more people at two massage businesses in Atlanta. Six of the eight slain victims were women of Asian descent.

Long made a brief first appearance in Fulton County Superior Court on Monday, where he faces charges including murder, aggravated assault and domestic terrorism in the Atlanta killings. District Attorney Fani Willis is seeking the death penalty, as well as a sentencing enhancement under Georgias new hate crimes law.

Those killed in Cherokee County were: Paul Michels, 54; Xiaojie Emily Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; and Delaina Yaun, 33. The Atlanta victims were: Suncha Kim, 69; Soon Chung Park, 74; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; and Yong Ae Yue, 63.

All of the Atlanta victims were women of Asian descent, and Willis said she believes the killings were motivated by bias based on the gender and race of the victims. Calling it one of the most horrific cases to have occurred in Fulton County, Willis said her decision to seek the death penalty was made with the complete support of the victims families.

Every person here is going to be valued, everyone is considered equal before the law, and I dont ever want our victims to get lost, Willis said during a news conference after Mondays hearing. These are all women who worked and lived and played in our community.

While Longs attorneys had reached out to her about the possibility of a plea deal, Willis said she plans to continue to seek the death penalty.

In contrast, Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace last month agreed to a plea deal in the interest of swift justice and avoiding lengthy appeals. She said she made her decision after conversations with survivors and families of victims. Long pleaded guilty to charges including four counts of murder and received four sentences of life without parole plus an additional 35 years.

Wallace said that if the case had gone to trial, she was prepared to seek the death penalty and would have argued that Long was motived by gender bias. But she said during the hearing last month that investigators found no evidence of racial bias in the killings there. She noted the diversity of the victims and said Long walked through Youngs Asian Massage shooting anyone and everyone he saw.

When asked about the differing assessments of Longs motivation, Willis said she has great respect for Wallace but added that she made her own decision based on the facts, the law, her conscience and her personal experience.

I am very comfortable in my decision to request sentencing enhancements based on the fact that race and gender played a role, she said.

Georgias hate crimes law does not provide for a stand-alone hate crime. After a person is convicted of an underlying crime, a jury must determine whether it was motivated by bias, which carries an additional penalty.

During the hearing Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville went through some preliminary steps and established that Longs lawyers are qualified to handle a death penalty case. Then he said the hearing would continue Sept. 28, when the reading of the indictment and entry of a plea is expected.

Willis acknowledged that the case could take a long time to prosecute and said the families understand that Mondays court appearance marked the start of a of a very long journey and a very long process.

The killings March 16 sparked fear and outrage among Asian Americans, who were already on edge because of increased hostility stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. Many have been upset by assertions that Long was motivated not by racial bias but by the shame he felt from a sex addiction, which is not recognized as an official disorder.

Long said during the hearing in Cherokee County he planned to kill himself that day and went to the massage businesses thinking the shame he felt from paying for sex acts would push him to do it. But while sitting in his car outside the first spa, he decided to kill the people inside.

After shooting five people at that spa in Cherokee County, he drove about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south to Atlanta, where he shot three women at Gold Spa and one woman across the street at Aromatherapy Spa, police have said.

He then headed south on the interstate, and authorities have said he intended to carry out similar attacks in Florida.

But his parents had called police after recognizing their son in images from security video posted online by authorities in Cherokee County. His parents were already tracking his movements through an application on his phone, which allowed authorities to find him and take him into custody on a south Georgia interstate.

Long told detectives he struggled with pornography and sex, and Wallace said during last months hearing that Long blamed the victims for his inability to control his impulses.
Hundreds of emergency responders were in place in Louisiana and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had power restoration experts and generators at the ready as Hurricane Ida hit on Sunday as one of the most powerful hurricanes to make landfall in the U.S., federal officials said.

The Coast Guard prepositioned vessels for deep water search and rescue efforts," and President Joe Biden said federal support would remain in the region for as long as it takes.

I want to make sure that we're ready to surge all the response capacity, capability that we have to deal with whatever comes next, and a lot's going to be coming, Biden said during a stop Sunday at Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters.

Much of the response began days before landfall and included special precautions due to the coronavirus pandemic, the White House said. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told CNNs State of the Union a few hours before Idas landfall that there were 600 people ready to deploy for search and rescue efforts, including teams from 15 other states, with many more on the way.

Were as ready as we can be, he said.

Biden met via videoconference with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on Saturday to discuss storm preparations, and he said Sunday that prepositioning in the region had been a critical part of the response. More than 100 ground ambulances and 20 air ambulances were deployed to help evacuate nursing homes in the storms path, FEMA said. Precautions were also being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the large shelters the American Red Cross is opening, including masking, rapid testing and social distancing.

FEMA deployed 10 Incident Management Assistance Teams to support states  six in Louisiana, two in Alabama and two in Mississippi  and said three more teams were on standby to deploy if needed. More than 2,400 FEMA employees were in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and ready to provide additional help, FEMA said.

Biden said the agency has provided 2.5 million meals and more than 3 million liters of water. Nine Urban Search and Rescue teams were in place in Louisiana and three more teams were in Alabama, FEMA said.

Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman Jennah Durant said the agency's personnel are coordinating with FEMA as well as state and local authorities in Louisiana. She said the agency had contacted the owners and operators of the 23 highly polluted Superfund sites in the state to ensure prestorm security preparations were being made.

Biden approved an emergency disaster declaration for Louisiana on Friday, which authorized direct federal help for all 64 parishes, including power generation, air transportation, wildlife management assistance and water management. The White House said Biden also spoke with the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to make clear that States have the full support of the Federal government to provide assistance as needed and to aid local emergency response efforts.

Biden also spoke Saturday with National Hurricane Center Director Kenneth Graham, about how Ida will likely be very strong and destructive, with dangerous, life-threatening storm surge and significant rainfall that would impact both coastal and inland areas, according to the White House.

Edwards told CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday that Ida was a major, major storm that will test the state in ways it hasn't been tested before, as it happens along with the pandemic.

Its impossible today to say how long the power will be out. And that begins to test your systems, Edwards said, whether its the opportunity to deliver water to the hospitals. You cant run a ventilator without electricity.

___

Associated Press reporter Michael Biesecker contributed to this report from Washington.
MADISON  Two lawsuits filed against the towns police department in the last two years describe a pattern of sexual discrimination against female officers, including allegations by two current members of the force who say women are routinely passed over for promotions and coveted job assignments.

The allegations against the department and Madison Police Chief John Jack Drumm, who is not a party to the litigation, are outlined in two lawsuits, one filed in January 2020, and the second filed this past June.

The two women involved in the June lawsuit still work for the department  Sgt. Kimberly Lauria and Officer Natasha Pucillo  while the third, Officer Cara Hewes, who filed the January 2020 lawsuit, left the department last year.

Hewes filed a federal lawsuit against the department shortly before she left in March 2020, alleging she was stripped of her job as a narcotics K-9 handler after she became pregnant in 2018, despite a note from her doctor stating she could continue to perform the work.

The second lawsuit was filed in June in state Superior Court at New Haven. Co-plaintiffs Lauria and Pucillo each alleged they were subjected to hostile and belittling remarks by colleagues, and they were passed over for job assignments given to male officers with the same or lesser qualifications.

According to court records and the attorney representing Pucillo and Lauria, of the six women who have been members of Madisons police force in the last decade, four have left the department, and three have filed lawsuits, alleging discrimination.

I think its pretty clear that when the department under Chief Drumm is zero for six in keeping [female officers] employed or content  theres clearly a pattern of discrimination, said Stephen Fitzgerald, an attorney for Lauria and Pucillo.

Cindy Cieslak, an attorney with the Rose Kallor Law Firm, who is defending the town against the suits, released a statement in response to the allegations.

With respect to the allegations raised in those lawsuits, the town recognizes that individuals have the right to bring such charges; however, the Town of Madison and the police department wholly deny all allegations of discrimination and harassment, Cieslak wrote in an email.

Because these matters are the subject of ongoing litigation, the town looks forward to further litigating these matters and vindicating itself in court, she said.

The lawsuits are the latest complaints filed by female police officers, alleging discrimination within the Madison department. Former police officer Patricia Alonso sued the force in 2013, claiming Drumm had declined to assign her desk duty during a pregnancy, and when she returned from maternity leave, she was subject to extra training requirements not placed on male officers returning from extended leave.

Alonsos lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount in 2016.

I think theres a clear pattern of treatment that the town has toward their female officers, in particular, their pregnant female officers, said Claire Howard, an attorney for Hewes.

Attorneys for the town have yet to respond to the lawsuit filed by Lauria and Pucillo. However, in a response to Hewes federal lawsuit, the town denied knowledge about many of her allegations, while disputing the accuracy of others.

In her lawsuit, Hewes alleged that Drumm told her he was thinking more like a parent than a cop when explaining his rationale for pulling her from K-9 and narcotics duty. In a response filed with the court, the town stated it did not have specific knowledge of the conversation, but it was wholly reasonable for Drumm to be concerned about Hewes handling narcotics during her pregnancy.

The response also stated that Hewes never applied to return to her job as a K-9 handler when she came off maternity leave, rebutting the officers claim that she was unable to apply for openings on the team that were given to male officers.

All three women said in their lawsuits they were subject to degrading comments from colleagues.

For example, Hewes said she was publicly reprimanded and written up for arriving late to work when other officers were not, the lawsuit stated. Lauria said she was falsely accused by a lieutenant of having a sexual relationship with a person involved in an emergency she responded to, the lawsuit stated.

In another instance late last year, Pucillo alleged that Drumm hurled insults at her after she filed a grievance, alleging she had been improperly assigned an overtime shift, the lawsuit stated. Pucillo said Drumm called her a troublemaker during the confrontation, which was also overheard by Lauria, according to the lawsuit.

Drumm declined to comment about the accusations, citing the ongoing litigation.

According to the lawsuits, all three women filed discrimination complaints against the Madison Police Department with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Laurias complaint with the CHRO was dismissed, according to her attorney.

The remaining, made by all three women, were released from the jurisdiction of the commissions, allowing them to take their claims to court, their lawyers said.
With just over a week to go before unemployment payments dial back down to pre-pandemic levels, new federal data has yet to suggest any burst of hiring is under way in Connecticut.

Unemployment filings eroded only stubbornly in Connecticut entering August, despite employers listing nearly 90,000 openings last month according to The Conference Board.

Over the final two weeks of July, just 3,500 people came off unemployment insurance to leave the total receiving aid at just under 129,000 beneficiaries.

Employers say they continue to see evidence that some workers are riding out the summer on enhanced benefits that include an extra $300 weekly, a boost that will not continue beyond Saturday, Sept. 4. The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services continues to offer a $1,000 bonus to people who take jobs after an extended period of unemployment, with details online at portal.ct.gov/drs.

A [bottling] plant that we use in New York cant staff a second and third shift, said Norm Snyder, CEO of the Norwalk-based Reeds which sells ginger beer and other craft sodas. Knock on wood, weve got good employees that are dedicated and weve had no issues with [departures]. Its been challenging as we grow to add people ... because of COVID.

The start of the new school year could remove one complicating factor, for any parents that had difficulties arranging for child care in the summer months. And another major program ends in September  the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance package that allowed self-employed contractors to receive jobless aid for the first time.

But the Delta variant is raising alarms, with the Connecticut Department of Public Health reporting as of Thursday more than 7,100 breakthrough cases in which those who have completed their vaccination doses have contracted COVID-19. DPH notes that amounts to just 0.32 percent of those in Connecticut who have been vaccinated.

While some Connecticut job openings require professional certifications  more than 4,000 openings are available statewide for registered nurses according to The Conference Board  many more do not, including the retail sector where between counter help and management had nearly 5,000 jobs for the taking in Connecticut.

Abercrombie & Fitch is among the retailers hiring in Connecticut with nearly three dozen openings across stores in Norwalk, Danbury, New Haven, Milford, Fairfield, Trumbull, Waterbury and Farmington  many of them for manager-in-training roles.

The company is fresh off a new Social Tourist marketing initiative with its Hollister brand that features the Norwalk TikTok star Charli DAmelio.

Weve been pleased with the U.S. back-to-school season to date, said Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Fran Horowitz, speaking Thursday on a conference call. We will focus on controlling what we can control.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  Some of the biggest school systems in the U.S. are taking a hard line with teachers and staff members who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19: Get a jab or lose your job.

Most teachers already are vaccinated, and national teachers' unions have endorsed vaccine mandates, but the policies have sparked protests from educators and, in some cases, pushback from local district leaders who fear large numbers of departures.

In Oregon, where school staffers statewide are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, the board for the 7,500-student district of Redmond last week passed a resolution protesting the mandate and mandatory mask-wearing in schools after significant opposition.

This could do serious damage to the other mandate that we have, which is to provide excellent education to the children and the families of our district, board member Michael Summers said. Were attempting to speak for people.

Teachers in many school districts with vaccine requirements can opt out as long as they submit to regular testing for the coronavirus, but New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis are among a growing list of places that are limiting exemptions to bona fide medical and religious reasons. Washington and Oregon have adopted similarly strict vaccination policies statewide.

As a new school year begins, governments are taking a harder line on vaccinations to ward off the highly contagious delta variant, which has sent children to hospital intensive care beds in record numbers. Many students are too young to get the vaccine, which is available only to those 12 and over.

This is to ensure that the children we all cherish are safe, that their families are reassured, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, said last week.

Underscoring the risks of classroom infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presented a case study in its weekly report Friday detailing how an unvaccinated teacher in Marin County, California, spread the virus to 22 of the instructors 24 students at school. The CDC said the teacher sometimes read aloud to the students while unmasked.

Some school staff members who have held off on getting vaccinated say they would leave their jobs before taking the shots.

Marlene Washington, an elementary school teacher in New York City, said as she protested de Blasio's order outside City Hall last week that she is considering retirement after two decades in the classroom. She said she questions the long-term safety of the vaccines.

Im still undecided about what to do, said Washington, 62. But I do know that Im not taking the vaccine.

Kiara Coleman, a food service worker for Philadelphia schools, said she isn't budging despite uncertainty over the consequences of refusing a vaccine.

Ill just have to cross that bridge when I find out more details of the mandate. I would hate to throw away all that time I have with the schools, said Coleman, who also has concerns about potential effects of vaccines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week gave full approval to Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, citing months of real-world evidence that serious side effects are extremely rare.

Philadelphia parent Rebecca Smith, who has daughters in the third and sixth grades, said she should not have to worry about school employees making them sick.

School employees are tasked with caring for some of the most vulnerable members of our society  our children under 12, who right now are the ONLY group who can not get a vaccine to protect themselves, she said in written testimony to the school board.

While teachers unions including the United Federation of Teachers, which represents New York City teachers, have supported the no-opt out rules for vaccines, they also advocate on behalf of dissenting members in negotiations with the city. Some of those talks focus on severance packages for those who leave their jobs and leaves of absences that could allow some teachers to return once the public health crisis passes.

We will represent them and we will protect their interests. But there is a deep disagreement here, said Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, the parent organization of the New York City teachers union.

At the end of the day, employers have the right to impose these kinds of vaccination policies and they will do that, she said.

At least 72% of the 75,000 public school teachers in New York City have gotten at least one shot of a vaccine.

Protestors gathered in Olympia, Washington, when Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, announced teachers would have until Oct. 18 to be fully vaccinated or face firing. A protest on Saturday attracted hundreds of state employees, from ferry workers to teachers, who rallied against the vaccine mandate.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, moved toward mandatory vaccinations as COVID-19 hospitalizations have surged nearly 1,000% since early July.

About 700 teachers have contacted the Freedom Foundation, a right-wing legal organization that has represented businesses cited for violating COVID-19 restrictions in Oregon and elsewhere.

Weve been telling everybody to make the school fire you, said Jason Dudash, the groups Oregon director. Dont quit. If theyre going to do this, make them do it.

A 675-student district in central Oregon delayed the start of school three weeks until Sept. 20 to deal with the fallout from the vaccine mandate, Culver School District Superintendent Stefanie Garber said in a letter to families.

She said her district will comply but feels state officials are threatening unreasonable penalties, including the possible loss of a districts liability insurance and the revocation of teachers licenses.

In another small, rural town, a district-sponsored vaccine clinic set up after Browns vaccine mandate attracted fewer than 10 teachers and there is concern about staffing if some decide to leave rather than get the shots, said Lebanon Community School District Superintendent Bo Yates.

Yates estimated that between 50% and 60% of the teachers and staff in his 4,000-student district are vaccinated. Several dozen teachers and their supporters protested the mandate when it was announced earlier this month.

In a certain sense, I empathize with them because some of the people that are protesting have been our superstars during this COVID period. Theyve been the food service workers that have been feeding our community on a nonstop basis or our bus drivers, Yates said. But weve got to follow the mandates that were given or well be swimming in this sea forever.

In Redmond, Oregon, the school board resolution protesting the vaccine mandate passed on a 3-2 vote. The district will comply with the vaccine mandate as it fights to regain local control of decisions around mask-wearing and vaccines in schools, board members said.

One board member who voted against the resolution, Liz Goodrich, noted COVID-19 is surging in central Oregon and only 57% of eligible residents in Redmond are fully vaccinated.

To me, local conditions are not good and we have heard over and over," she said, that the spike of this delta variant is not done.

___

Calvan reported from New York. Associated Press reporters Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia and Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington, contributed to this report.
LINCOLN, Maine (AP)  A U.S. Army special forces soldier who died while performing a rescue of a downed helicopter crew in Somalia was immortalized Monday with a memorial in his hometown.

Master Sgt. Gary Gordon, a native of Lincoln, Maine, pleaded to be allowed to protect the helicopter crew members against a mob in Mogadishu in 1993. He and another soldier were killed.

The pilot who survived was among those in attendance for the unveiling of the memorial for the Medal of Honor recipient.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who attended Monday's event, said the "integrity, devotion to duty, and courage that Master Sergeant Gordon demonstrated in Somalia nearly three decades ago were forged right here in Lincoln, in his family and in this community.

The memorial consists of a statue of Gordon holding a rifle with a scope atop a base engraved with his name.

Gordon was a Delta Force sniper. He was portrayed by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the 2001 movie Black Hawk Down.

The day began with U.S. forces doing battle with a Somali warlord's soldiers. During the battle, two U.S. helicopters were shot down, and one of the crashed choppers was isolated from U.S. forces.

Aloft in another helicopter, Gordon asked twice, and was turned down both times, to be allowed to help the unprotected crew. He and Sgt. 1st Class Randy Shughart were granted permission after a third request.

The pilot of the aircraft that inserted him said no one in their right mind would have asked to do that," said retired Col. Ron Russell, a veteran of the battle who spoke at the memorial's dedication.

During the rescue, Gordon and Shughart pulled the injured pilot, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Durant, from the helicopter. Durant, a native of Berlin, New Hampshire, was in attendance at Monday's ceremony.

The soldiers understood the Ranger and Special Forces creed that I will never fail my comrades, Russell said.

There were comrades in arms down below them who needed their help, and they were determined to provide it, Russell said. Gordon and Shughart were both killed by enemy fire.
ORANGE  With the states legalization of recreational marijuana, the Town Plan & Zoning Commission is grappling with whether to prohibit the retail sale of the drug or create regulations to control it.

They also have the option of doing nothing, which would allow sales in a retail zone without restrictions, but that was taken off the table.

The planners, it appears, are leaning toward creating regulations for the sale of marijuana that might include signage and rules concerning proximity to certain establishments, such as schools and houses of worship.

Selectman Mitch Goldblatt said hes all for a pending measure to ban the smoking of marijuana and tobacco on town property and in outdoor dining settings  but he believes marijuana should be sold in town, with regulations, because the town allows stores that sell other products many find objectionable, including liquor, guns, cigarettes and cigars, and tattoos.

Goldblatt said Orange also has pharmacies and the sale of cannabis will be highly regulated just like the drugs sold there.

There also will be a financial benefit to the town, with a special 3 percent tax on sales, per state regulations. Goldblatt said that adds up.

The question of whether to ban or regulate sale of the product will get further discussion  two of the five PZC members were absent at an August meeting  and then Town Attorney Vincent Marino will be asked to draft a resolution that will be brought to public hearing for residents.

Meanwhile, the Board of Selectman is poised at a public hearing scheduled for Sept 8 to ban the smoking of marijuana and tobacco on property owned by the town, as well as at outdoor dining settings at restaurants.

Selectmen will vote on the proposed measure after hearing comments from the public at the hearing, to be held at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at High Plains Community Center.

Goldblatt, who made comments at the meeting in favor of allowing sales, said it would be shortsighted to ban retail sale of marijuana because small businesses are good for the town and that tax would bring in money.

After a discussion among PZC members at an August meeting, chairman Oscar Ozzie Parente said it sounds like his commission doesnt want to do nothing and doesnt want to prohibit it, so they need regulations that could include conditions such as prohibiting sales in close proximity to schools and/or houses of worship.

Parente noted at the recent meeting that he and another board member, Judy Smith, went into the meeting leaning toward prohibiting sales, then by the end seemed to favor regulation.

PZC member Paul Kaplan said from the outset that its legal in Connecticut, the town is going to make money off it and they need regulations.

Parente originally said, I dont see much value to the town, in allowing cannabis sales.

To that Kaplan asked whether they usually consider the type of business in making planning and zoning decisions. The answer was no.

One factor the PZC took into general consideration is that marijuana is likely to be sold retail in abutting Milford and West Haven anyway. Oranges busy Route 1 corridor is between the towns.

The PZC tried to come up with way to get public opinion on the matter before it takes a stand, but couldnt because it needs to have a draft proposal to have a public hearing, it was decided.

Another question that arose was whether the PZC would review every application for cannabis retail use or such a business would be allowed to just move in if in a location where no permit or variance was otherwise needed.

If a zoning commission is going to enact regulations permitting a cannabis establishment to locate within the town, the law requires that any approval be handled through the special permit process, Marino said.

He said the first step is for the retailer to be licensed by the state to sell cannabis and, I do not expect that licenses will be free-flowing, Marino said.
Isolation continues to be a growing issue in the workforce as the pandemic rages on. Yet this is more of an employee experience issue than an inherent property of working from home, and both the office and working from home can contribute to a sense of isolation. New WFH workers are hit hardest, but this has been a long-running problem.

Weve gathered our own data and interviewed leaders who have created engaging employee experiences and built strong communities that include both those in the office and those at home. Here well dive into a few strategies to reduce this sense of isolation wherever your staff are working.

At Home

Steelcase just posted their annual report on employee engagement, this year with a work-from-home component. The results were dismal, with isolation being reported as the biggest challenge for home workers followed by a hit to productivity and speed of decision-making processes. New-to-WFH employees reported 14% higher rates of dissatisfaction than when they were in the office, and 12% lower productivity.

Those hardest hit are the youngest workers who have had the least time to build strong connections with their peers, and who havent had the benefit of years of professional experience to ease the transition to WFH.

Microsoft is one of the leaders in pandemic remote working experiences, and we sat down with Erik Anderson, their Director of Workplace Intelligence, to learn how they did it. He offered advice to help credit unions develop stronger working-from-home strategies.

Right away, managers established 30-minute one-on-one weekly meetings with their staff. Not to keep tabs on them, but to help them establish healthy work-life boundaries and understand what is a priority and what isnt. They listened to concerns and talked though issues that employees were facing and took an active effort to minimize feelings of isolation and the negative feedback loops that can result.

Meeting norms also shifted away from longer meetings with large numbers of attendees to smaller, informal meetings. 30-minute meetings became a norm, and employees were encouraged to have meetings to chat and stay connected. The data gathered around meeting usage showed that coffee meetings and small talk moved online.

The results were incredible, employees managed to maintain and build new networks of communication across the organization.

Were interested in how networks help people do their work. So, if you think of a credit union, not every group is working only within their own silo, said Erik. Theres collaboration that has to happen across the whole credit union and people form networks when they do. We find that these networks of people are really strong enablers of them to be successful.

Replicating this strategy in your credit union can help you go against the trends and stave off isolation.

At the Office

An office doesnt fix isolation by default, it actually requires deliberate strategies and designs to bring people together.

Our own data gathered from over 1,200 credit union professionals shows that only 63% of workers believe that their workplace contributes to a sense of community at work. All too often workplaces fail to build an environment where people feel connected to each other, and instead the only impromptu conversations are in passing at the water cooler.

Offering employees a mix of both private focused spaces and collaborative areas, supplemented by breakaway public areas where more informal meetings or away-from-desk work can happen, can help employees feel a sense of community and connection without the constant distraction. The breakaway areas especially can promote collisions and deeper impromptu conversations that spark innovation and build stronger networks across the organization.

Getting Started

The first step is learning more and taking a deep dive into how your employees work both at home and in the office. Last year, during the pandemic, we released a whitepaper analyzing the data we gathered from over 1,200 credit union professionals. We dive deep into issues facing credit unions in the future of work and this is a great place to start your journey. Download it today!
The cannabis industry has been a steadily growing business in America as more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana. At the same time, credit unions have begun to see an opportunity to work this emerging industry and help it grow further.

According to FinCEN, at the end of 2020, 169 credit unions and more than 500 banks served cannabis businesses. While opportunities are out there for credit unions and cannabis, getting into this type of banking does come with some additional risk. I recently spoke with the Allied Solutions Senior Vice President Patrick Touhey about what credit unions need to know if they are considering cannabis-related banking.

One of the biggest concerns for credit unions considering cannabis banking is money laundering, Touhey advised. Cannabis is primarily a cash-only business, and in this environment, its critical for credit unions to be cautious in terms of the due diligence that is exercised to determine that their business members implement and practice high ethical standards.

The requirements needed to run a cannabis banking operation are substantial, particularly to be able to meet the heightened Bank Secrecy Act compliance which is much more demanding than the average BSA program. Its an education that involves so much more than what you would be doing with a standard relationship, Touhey said. To comply, credit unions must ask questions such as:

What does knowing your member consist of? What are the state laws? What are the laws set by the Attorney General and FinCEN?

The staff training thats necessary to ensure compliance is both extensive and the most important piece of the puzzle even before any cannabis-related transactions can begin. Regulators are not going to look the other way if they spot something wrong with your program, especially when theres a potential for money laundering.

Touhey pointed out, There have been many products and services over the years that credit unions have gotten involved in that, at some point or another, may have caused financial strain on the credit union because they didnt do their homework as much as they needed to.

Yes, there are risks involved with cannabis banking, but it does come with some positives that can work incredibly well for your credit union in the long run.

Income potential: Credit unions can always use more sources of income, and cannabis banking holds a lot of potential for that. Community safety: As long as cannabis businesses are forced to continue to work with only cash, if they dont have a safe place to put that money away, theres increased risk of robbery and violence. By providing a safe and secure place to store cannabis transactions, they are not only protecting their cannabis partners, but also protecting their community at large. Setting Up For The Future: Should cannabis become federally legal, interest in this industry is sure to spread across the country. By investing in serving cannabis businesses now, your credit union could be setting itself up for success in the future as the industry continues to grow.

Cannabis banking has its risks and challenges, but if your credit union behaves prudently and within the law, it can lead to great rewards. For more insights on this subject, watch my full conversation with Patrick, Room to Grow: Why the Cannabis Business Needs Better Banking.
Broken Bow, NE (68822)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 59F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Elizabeth City, NC (27909)

Today

A shower is possible early. Considerable clouds early. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. High near 80F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low around 60F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Donald Lee Brock, Sr. 83 of Tunnel Hill passed away Tuesday August 31, 2021 at Hamilton Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Thelma Brock; his brother Jerry Brock and brother-in-law, John Marcus. Donald is survived by his sons, Donald Lee Brock, Jr. (Jay Ann) 
Gregory (Greg) Boggs of Greenup, age 68, died on August, 20 2021, at Kings Daughters Memorial Center.. Gregory is survived by his wife of 43 years, Tina (Madden) Boggs; his daughter Jennifer (Boggs) Brown and son in law Bill Brown, of South Portsmouth; his daughter Anna Collister and son in 
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A trio of style-conscious millenials have revealed how they've managed to make a static holiday caravan - famous for their wobbly walls and dated interiors - look so trendy that tourists are willing to spend 200 a night staying in it.

Whinnie Williams, Anna Hart and Emma Jane Palin, all in their thirties and with successful careers in fashion, travel and interiors, wanted to invest in a bricks and mortar holiday rental they could rent out on Airbnb but didn't have the funds to realise their dreams.

Instead, spurred on by the nostalgia of childhood holidays on caravan sites, they decided to club together - at the height of the pandemic - and buy a three-bedroom Willerby 2010 Bluebird static caravan, chipping in just 8,000 each.

Plotted over coffee: Pictured from right, Anna Hart, Emma Jane Palin and Whinnie Williams, all in their thirties and living on the same street in Margate on the Kent coast, decided to buy a holiday property that was within a modest budget - and found a ten-year-old static caravan was just the ticket

Staid and very beige: The mobile home, which is on the Birchington Vale site near Margate, as it looked when the ladies bought it for 24,000 in September 2020

Transformed: The caravan was renamed and revamped, with the beige carpet replaced by green and cream tiles and the soft furnishings covered with Seventies-style fabric. Wooden cladding on the ceiling and bamboo light fittings added the on-trend look

The biggest bedroom in the mobile home as it looked before the 'Pontins meets Palm Springs' overhaul

Inspired by US kitsch, the rooms each have a different theme, with this one incorporating faux cowhide and pink Wild West wallpaper

Tempted? You can snap up mobile homes in various conditions on ebay for anything from a few hundred pounds to in excess of 80,000...although there's transport and renovation costs and site fees to consider too

Open plan: Hart says the space that mobile home caravans afford are underestimated and more Brits should consider them for a staycation

Caravan-a-gram: The static's stylish interiors have seen Club Jupiter amass 10,000 followers on Instagram

Undeterred by the enduring image problem that mobile homes have, the trio spent another 4,000 each giving the property an almighty makeover.

Alongside a new roof, they also visually refreshed every part of the caravan, with the Palms Springs-inspired revamp including a bamboo bedroom inspired by a boudoir in Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion, a stylish charcoal green kitchen and a pink-hued bedroom that incorporates faux cowhide and Wild West wallpaper.

The caravan sits on the Birchington Vale site, just ten minutes' drive from hipster magnet Margate, where the three women live. An Instagram profile, @clubjupiteruk, has crept up to 10,000 followers in less than a year.

Using their respective skills - Williams is an interior designer, former fashion editor Hart is a specialist in ethical travel and Palin a consultant in art and design - they set about transforming the staid interiors into something much cooler.

Sheets of bamboo line one of the bedrooms, while green and cream floor tiles helped to transform the open plan living area

The women took on a bedroom each, transforming the three bedroom caravan with bold colours and on point accessories

A bamboo bedroom in Club Jupiter, which was inspired by a boudoir in Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion

The mobile home can now command 200 a night and has been almost fully booked in the first two months of being open

Hart told FEMAIL that the fellow caravan owners on the Birchington Vale site have been 'friendly and supportive', realising the women were serious about the project 'when we arrived at 7am to work on it'

The soft furnishings in the living room area were replaced with authentic Seventies fabrics and the ceiling lined with wood. Bamboo features heavily in one of the bedrooms, which, says Hart, wasn't easy to obtain during lockdown.

Camping has had glamping and mid-priced hotels have become 'boutique hotels' - we're just doing the same for the caravan... Anna Hart, Club Jupiter co-owner

There's trendy products in the bijou bathroom although Hart says they have had to warn people not to expect a power shower.

Since the first guests bedded down in the caravan, now called Club Jupiter, in July stays there have been in high demand, and the trio are now considering similar sites where they can work their magic.

Anna, from Belfast, says childhood camping holidays inspired the trio to try and make caravans cool.

'Growing up my family holidays were in soggy 1980s tents on Lough Erne, but my cousins had a fancy caravan, and so my first real sense of 'luxury travel' was a caravan at Juniper Hill on the Antrim Coast.

'Camping has become glamping, and we've seen mid-priced hotels being named 'boutique hotels', we're just doing the same for the caravan.'

Bye bye loneliness...the trio re-designed the bedroom lay-outs, scrapping single beds and introducing doubles in all three

Yee-ha! A neon-lit cowboy boot artwork and shimmering draped fabrics set the tone for the third bedroom

Explaining how they decided to take the plunge, Anna told FEMAIL they were dispirited by the fact Margate was becoming overrun with airbnb landlords trying to cash in on the town's appeal as a weekend destination.

She says: 'Essentially we're three friends who really love each other's tastes in design, and really believed in each other's professional abilities.

'When we began meeting for weekly coffee mornings early in the pandemic, to support and encourage each other through a tricky time, we didn't intend to go into business together.

'But when we hit on the idea of renovating a caravan, and crunched the numbers, I knew it was the perfect low-risk, high-pleasure business venture with my mates.'

Hart told FEMAIL that the fellow caravan owners on the Birchington Vale site have been 'friendly and supportive', realising the women were serious about the project 'when we arrived at 7am to work on it'.
Lounging on a luxury yacht with a glittering posse of famous friends, Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley look the epitome of the young Hollywood power couple in these photographs taken months before their split.

Grant, now 60, and Hurley, now 56, were photographed on holiday in the Caribbean in early 2000, months before they parted ways that May.

The couple, who met in the late 80s, spent the day galivanting with supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova, and Italian designer Valentino Garavani, who has a long-running friendship and professional relationship with Hurley.

The photos were shared on Instagram by Giancarlo Giammetti, the co-founder of the fashion house and Valentino's onetime lover.

Bright young things: Lounging on a luxury yacht, Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley look the epitome of the young Hollywood power couple in these photographs taken months before their split in May 2000. The photos were shared on Instagram by Giancarlo Giammetti

Natural beauty: Even without a scrap of makeup, Elizabeth Hurley's beauty shines in this photo taken on board the yacht. She was seated next to Italian designer Valentino, pictured

Caught in action: In one of the photos, Grant lies topless on the sun deck, half-turned towards the camera, while Hurley is captured making her way over to him on her hands and knees. It is thought the woman on the far left is supermodel Eva Herzigova

Giammetti, who has been friends with everyone from Andy Warhol to Liza Minnelli, is known as the 'most well-connected man in fashion' and delights in sharing photos from his personal archive online.

The most recent selection were shared this week with the caption: 'I like to share with you an album of an amazing trip to the Caribbean for the beginning of the year 2000! No tag.. you know who you are!'

Hurley responded to the photo to say: 'Heavenly memories'.

Valentino and Giammetti own a yacht but it is not known if it was the one hired for this trip.

Sun-kissed: Supermodel Claudia Schiffer smiles coyly at Giancarlo's camera, with Hugh Grant seen talking in the background. The group enjoyed lunch on the deck of the superyacht

Deep in conversation: Grant chats to another guest on board the yacht, where fresh vegetables were served along with crisp cold glasses of white wine

Fashion power player: Valentino poses with a glamorous friend in one photo shared online

Some of the photographs were taken at an informal al fresco lunch on board the vessel. The plain wooden tables were laid with plain placemats and white napkins and guests enjoyed glasses of crisp white wine.

Makeup-free Hurley, who was sat next to Valentino, flashes a smile to the camera in one of the photographs, her brunette hair blowing across her face.

The actress, then in her mid-30s, was fresh from the success of the Austin Powers films.

She showed off her stunning figure in a white bikini, which she wore under a sun guard.

Happy memories: Giancarlo shared this photo from the sun deck of the yacht on Instagram

Meanwhile Grant looked typically debonair in a grey t-shirt and sunglasses.

In one of the photos, Grant lies topless on the sun deck, half-turned towards the camera, while Hurley is captured making her way over to him on her hands and knees.

In another Grant smiles at Hurley while she makes her way up the stairs of the yacht ahead of him.

Grant and Hurley's 13-year relationship came to an end in May 2000. Speaking about the split recently, Grant said the 'sex bit fizzled out' but the pair remain best friends.

Giammetti made headlines last year when he shared unseen photos of Princess Diana on board the Valentino yacht two years before her separation.

He has also shared photos of late American fashion designer Halston to mark the release of the Netflix
For some newlyweds, those early weeks of married life can be so blissful it feels like one long honeymoon.

But for Lady Kitty Spencer, who tied the knot five weeks ago, it seems that's truly been the case.

It appears the society beauty and her new husband, millionaire Michael Lewis, can't tear themselves away from their honeymoon and return to normal life at their 19 million London home.

Here, we look at the photo album of their idyllic 'honey-month'. . .

JULY 24: ULTIMATE LA DOLCE VITA WEDDING DAY

Lady Kitty, 30, went from being a daddy's girl to marrying a man five years older than her father when she tied the knot in Rome with Michael Lewis, 62.

Having enjoyed a three-day-long hen do in Tuscany, Kitty's wedding weekend in Rome kicked off with a dinner for guests on Friday, July 23, at the Galleria Del Cardinale, a baroque events venue.

Lady Kitty Spencer in her wedding dress ahead of tying the knot with Michael Lewis

The following day was the wedding itself, at the opulent Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati, during which Kitty wore three stunning bespoke gowns from Dolce & Gabbana, for whom she is a brand ambassador.

The hand-painted floral creation pictured here was her second of the day.

The label also kitted out many of the wedding guests, including former Strictly star Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath.

JULY 26: GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU!

Lady Kitty and Michael Lewis looked smitten following their nuptials

The honeymoon was on, and didn't our bride look the smitten kitten as she snuggled up to new husband Michael for an intimate set of photos?

Was it a chance to show their love for one another  or another opportunity for Kitty to model a bespoke D&G frock? Her three-day-long wedding celebration in Italy gave her the chance to showcase five of the label's gowns, including this one.

JULY 28: SPLASHING OUT AT SAN PIETRO

The stunning Positano in Italy was where Lady Kitty's honeymoon began

From Rome it was on to Positano on Italy's Amalfi Coast for the honeymoon to begin in earnest.

The couple stayed at the five-star Il San Pietro Hotel, where top suites cost 4,000 a night during high season.

The cost is no problem for Kitty's husband  who made his 80million fortune in the retail industry as chairman of the Foschini Group, which owns British brands Phase Eight, Hobbs and Whistles (not that you'll ever see Kitty dressed in any of those labels).

JULY 30: soaking up the MED MAGIC

Lady Kitty steps away to make a phone call while her husband takes a dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea

'Hi, Dolce & Gabbana? Kitty here. We're extending our honeymoon and I'm running out of dresses  can you send more?'

Here, Kitty makes a phone call while her husband takes a swim in the azure Tyrrhenian Sea, part of the Mediterranean.

The couple met three years ago through her one-time boss, former defence secretary Liam Fox, for whom Kitty worked at military charity Give Us Time.

AUGUST 8: NEWLYWEDS IN NAPLES

Lady Kitty kept it chic in a flower print dress while soaking up the sun in Positano

Wearing a 1,800 vibrant floral dress by her favourite Italian designing duo (oh, it's a hard life having to wear all these expensive frocks), Kitty and Michael enjoyed lunch at the exclusive Conca Del Sogno restaurant in the Bay of Naples, an hour along the coast from their hotel, where Kitty posed on the balcony (left).

AUGUST 23: HOME FOR A SOCIETY SHINDIG

Lady Kitty (right) at the wedding of her friend Lady Jemima Herbert

Italy's nice, but a girl does need a dose of high society.

So Kitty took a break from her honeymoon to attend the Wiltshire wedding of pal Lady Jemima Herbert.

She left hubby sunning himself and attended the nuptials with her brother, Louis, Viscount Althorp.

AUGUST 24: DOUBLE DELIGHTS OF THE EUROPEAN COAST

Lady Kitty and husband Michael enjoy lunch in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France

Why stick to one riviera when you can enjoy two?

Kitty and Michael swapped the Italian Riviera for the French one to enjoy lunch on a cobbled street at Gran Cafe in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Some things stayed the same  she wore yet another D&G dress, teaming it with a red shoulder bag and sunglasses.

You can't say she doesn't earn the perks that come with her ambassador job.

Lady Kitty stuns in a tight-fitting red dress as she poses for a picture amid a stunning backdrop of the Riviera

AUGUST 26: DATE NIGHT? MORE LIKE DATE MONTH!

Photos or it didn't happen, so the saying goes among millennials, and Kitty shared snaps of her honeymoon on Instagram with her 744,000 followers.

After a few weeks together as a couple, it seems it was time for friends and family to join in.

Businesswoman chum Natasha Poonawalla tagged along for a boat ride (below) in a series of pictures that Kitty entitled 'Postcards from Positano'.

Lady Kitty Spencer (right) dons a colourful sun dress while catching a boat to shore with businesswoman chum Natasha Poonawalla

But it wasn't without romance.

'Date night' declared Kitty in her Instagram stories  although 'date month' might have been more accurate.

Donning an orange sundress and sandals (no prizes for guessing the designer), she shared snaps of her and Michael dining at Rossellini's, which Kitty said was 'the most romantic and unforgettable evening'.

AUGUST 27: PASTA IN POSITANO

Lady Kitty rocks a floaty kaftan while sunning on the Amalfi coast

A floaty kaftan to enjoy lunch at Carlino restaurant on the glamorous Amalfi coast.

Not many people can eat in Italian restaurants every day and still fit into designer dresses.

Perhaps pencil-slim KItty was planning on pasta and a pud?

AUGUST 28: MEETING IN MILAN ...

Lady Kitty with half-brother Samuel Aitken at a restaurant in Milan

The honeymoon was a family affair, with Kitty's half-brother Samuel Aitken (from mother Victoria's second marriage) taking centre stage as he joined Kitty at a restaurant in Milan, in a photo she shared on Saturday.

Young Samuel, 18, also walked Kitty down the aisle at her wedding, with her brother Louis.

... AND FULL CIRCLE WITH D&G

Lady Kitty Spencer dons a green D&G suit paired with white heels and clutch bag

Continuing her Italian tour, Saturday also saw her move on to Venice for a launch party with D&G.

After lunch, it was off to an evening do at the Palazzo Ducale.

Kitty's aunt, Princess Diana, once famously said there were three people in her marriage  but, in the case of her niece, you'd be forgiven for thinking there were four: Kitty, Michael, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.
The average amount of pocket money Australian children under the age of 12 receive has been revealed in a new survey of 1,033 parents across the country.

According to Finder's Parenting Report 2021, nearly half of children receive pocket money, with the average weekly allowance sitting at $9.80.

One in four children receive between $5 and $10 per week, while eight per cent receive between $11 and $20. A further seven per cent receive more than $30 per week from their parents.

Parenting experts Sharon Witt and Michael Grose, both from Melbourne, agreed pocket money teaches children the value of money, but should be done the right way.

According to Finder's Parenting Report 2021, which surveyed 1,033 parents of children under 12, nearly half (49 per cent) of children under 12 receive pocket money, with the average weekly allowance sitting at $9.80

Parenting expert Sharon Witt (pictured) said pocket money teaches children the value of money

'It's valuable for children to learn the value of money from as early as they can. From early primary school, children could certainly begin to have a list of jobs they could do to earn themselves a small amount of pocket money,' Ms Witt told Daily Mail Australia.

'Learning to earn, budget and save money for themselves is a valuable skill we can teach them.'

Mr Grose agreed and added that children as young as five should receive pocket money to start learning what money is and how it can be used.

'If anything, it's far more important to give children pocket money today as we have become more of a cashless society,' he said.

The research revealed 1 in 3 (34 per cent) children have received an increase in pocket money in the past 12 months - equivalent to over 600,000 kids

The research revealed 1 in 3 (34 per cent) children have received an increase in pocket money in the past 12 months - equivalent to over 600,000 kids.

Meanwhile, 1 in 2 (58 per cent) children are receiving the same amount of pocket money as they were 12 months ago, and a further 8 per cent are receiving less.

Mr Grose said the amount of money given to a child should depend on their age, and the amount should increase slightly as the child ages.

In regards to parents giving $30 or more in pocket money to kids, Ms Witt said this is an 'unrealistic amount' and should instead be kept in a savings or investing account for schooling or university.

The average weekly pocket money per state Victoria - $12.10 New South Wales - $11.35 Western Australia - $9.29 Queensland - $6.36 South Australia - $4.72 Source: Finder's Parenting Report 2021 of 1,033 parents of children under the age of 12 Advertisement

Mr Grose and Ms Witt said while children can earn pocket money by doing chores, it shouldn't be received after completing 'every little task' or maintaining good behaviour.

'Activities such as making their bed and tidying their clothes, should be part and parcel of living as part of a family and community - we shouldn't teach our kids to expect payment for every task expected of them,' Ms Witt said.

'But there are some great benefits of teaching our children and teenagers the principle of "delayed gratification" where we actually have a goal that we are saving towards.

'This is a great life skill to develop and I am all for beginning as early as we can.'

Mr Grose and Ms Witt said while children can earn pocket money by doing chores, it shouldn't be received after completing 'every little task' or by maintaining good behaviour

If possible, Mr Grose recommended parents give children coins rather than cash to further teach them the value of money.

He also suggested implementing strategy using three jars - one for spending, one for saving or budget and another for giving - and allowing them to choose where to allocate their pocket money.

The data also shows boys ($10.30) receive more pocket money on average than girls ($9.30) - a weekly difference of $1 per week, or $52 per year, between the genders.

The nation's top earning children are from Victoria ($12.10), followed by New South Wales ($11.35) and Western Australia ($9.30).
Customers are praising an affordable IKEA buy that's ideal for neatly organising personal skincare and haircare products.

The $19.99 compact Saxborga storage box is designed with 12 compartments and a mirror under the lid for added convenience.

TikTok sensation Ayeh Far, from Sydney, recommended the $19.99 product in a video shared with her 700,000 followers and wrote: 'Where has this been all my life? Saw this and couldn't help myself but buy it.'

'Girls run and buy this from IKEA!' she added.

Scroll down for video

The $19.99 compact Saxborga storage box is designed with 12 compartments and a mirror under the lid for added convenience

The product will ensure you keep all your small items organised or can also be used when travelling

On the IKEA website the product has received an average star rating of 4.6 out of 5

In the short video Ayeh used the product to store her perfumes, skincare and nail polish in the larger bottom compartment and smaller essentials in the three tinier trays.

The clip has since been viewed more than 230,000 times and many seemed eager to purchase the 'cute' item.

The product will ensure you keep all your small items organised and can also be used when travelling.

TikTok sensation Ayeh Far, from Sydney, recommended the $19.99 product in a video shared with her 700,000 followers

On the IKEA website the product has received an average star rating of 4.6 out of 5, with many customers recommending the storage box to others.

'This is a perfect organiser for makeup, jewellery or both! Looks great and saves space,' one person wrote.

'I use it for my earrings and bracelets. It's a great little box for small storage,' another added.

The product is also lightweight, made from a wood plastic composite with a wooden lid and can be ordered from the IKEA website or purchased in store.
Former princess Tessy of Luxembourg has given birth to a baby boy - just one month after she married her hunky Swiss businessman husband.

The ex royal, 35, shared the news on Instagram over the weekend, posting a selfie alongside Frank Floessel and their newborn son in hospital and writing: 'Our little Theodor. After 29 hours of labour.'

Tessy has spent much of the year in lockdown with her two sons Prince Gabriel of Nassau, 14, and Prince Noah of Nassau, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Prince Louis of Luxembourg, 34, who she divorced in 2019.

She is believed to have known financier and CEO Frank, for several years, and announced her engagement to him on New Year's Eve before marrying him in a low-key ceremony last month.

Former princess Tessy of Luxembourg, 35, has given birth to a baby boy - just one month after she married her hunky Swiss businessman husband (pictured)

The ex royal shared the news on Instagram over the weekend, posting several images of her newborn son Theodor

Tessy went on to share several further snaps of her newborn son, including one of the youngster dressed in tweed dungarees and a matching hat.

The doting mother captioned the image: 'Mamas little Angel.'

And yesterday, the mother-of-three revealed she and Theodor were on their way home from the hospital, posting a photograph of the baby strapped into a car seat.

Thanking royal fans for their support, she wrote: 'Home we go. Thank you all for the hundreds of messages, calls, wishes, gifts, love and incredible support.

Tessy married hunky Swiss businessman Frank Floessel in a low-key ceremony in Zurich last month (pictured, Tessy with her two sons Prince Gabriel of Nassau, 14, and Prince Noah of Nassau, 12, alongside her new husband and stepdaughter Julia)

Tessy has spent much of the year in lockdown with her two sons Prince Gabriel of Nassau, 14, and Prince Noah of Nassau, 12, whom she shares with ex-husband Prince Louis of Luxembourg, 34, who she divorced in 2019 (pictured, Tessy with Prince Louis and their sons Gabriel and Noah in 2014)

'We send you all our love. And congratulations from Frank and I to all parents to be, parents and new parents.'

In a gushing post shared last month, Tessy revealed she had married her partner Frank in a low key ceremony in Switzerland.

She wrote 'we said yes' before commenting: 'Thank you all again for your hundreds of messages! So much kindness and love in each and every of your words!

'Such a spread of love and appreciation for our wedding day has enormously touched our hearts.'

She continued: 'Enjoy your weekend. Mama will take some time off now this weekend and soak in family love and snuggles on the sofa together. Sending you all a big hug!'

Tessy's new stepdaughter chats with her son Prince Noah in one of the new images shared of her big day last month

Meanwhile she also shared a series of images from the big day, including one as she walked down the corridor holding hands with her new stepdaughter Julia.

In another, Julia can be seen chatting to Prince Noah over dinner, while in a third, Frank beams as he poses for a selfie with his daughter.

Tessy's two sons Prince Gabriel and Prince Noah served as the best men while Julia, was a bridesmaid.

The simple ceremony was a different occasion than her first wedding to Prince Louis in 2006, which took place in a modest country church, six months after giving birth to their first child, Prince Gabriel.

The beautiful bride wore a simple tiered midi wedding dress that featured a black ribbon under the bust, with the floaty material covering her blossoming baby bump

As only a small number of people were allowed inside the venue, with guests gathered outside watching a livestream on their phones and showered the happy couple with confetti after the ceremony.

Later, the guests were treated to a sit-down meal with gorgeous views overlooking a lake and were given traditional wedding favours of sugared almonds to take home.

Ahead of the ceremony, Tessy revealed that her nuptials were approaching in a post saying she felt like she was living in a 'romantic movie', writing: 'Lots of exciting memories happening at the moment.

'We are getting married next week and despite loads of last minute work and other arrangements, everyone is super looking forward for Mama and Papa to formalise this relationship before little bean arrives.

'Gabriel, Noah and Julia will be the best men and bride maid. It feels like I am in a beautiful and romantic movie indeed.'

Her two sons Prince Gabriel and Prince Noah whom she shares with ex-husband Prince Louis of Luxembourg, served as best men for the ceremony

With only a small number of people allowed inside the venue, guests gathered outside to watch a livestream on their phones and showered the happy couple with confetti after the ceremony

Later, the guests were treated to a sit-down meal with gorgeous views overlooking a lake and were given traditional wedding favours of sugared almonds to take home

She continued: 'It will be a very small and intimate gathering of close family and friends. We do know that many close friends from abroad, especially UK will be missed due to Corona regulations.

'However, do not worry, the big wedding ceremony will be held in a few months time after baby has arrived and i am sure by then that the corona regulations should be adjusted.

'Thank you all again for all your continues messages, letters, wishes and numerous gifts for little bean. We are showered with love.'

In May, Tessy shared a sweet sonogram of her baby on Instagram, and revealed her adorable nickname for the baby is 'little bean', writing: '"Our life together has just begun. Youre part of me my little one".

The ex royal and mother-of-two in currently expecting a baby boy with her, now husband, Frank, which is due later this summer after announcing her pregnancy in February

Tessy is believed to have known financier and CEO Frank Floessel, for several years, and announced her engagement to him on New Year's Eve

Alongside the image of the sonogram, Tessy wrote: 'Meet little Bean. Your big brothers and sister are super excited to be meeting you in the summer for real in person and not just your strong karate kicks.'

She continued: 'Thank you all for your wishes, cards, letters, prayers, and numerous gifts already received for little bean.

'We are looking forward to be receiving more of them over the next weeks and months. We are planning on replying in July to all of them.'

She added: 'We feel very blessed and are humbled that you chose to share our joy with us in such a meaningful way. Such an act of compassion, kindness and love.'

Tessy announced her pregnancy several months ago by sharing a snap on Instagram cuddling up with Frank, while the businessman's hands gently rested on the mother-of-two's growing baby bump.

It comes after the couple announced their engagement to one another at the end of last year, with Tessy posting on Instagram : 'Yes to 2021 and many more years together.'

Frank also shared his own joy over the big news, telling RTL Today: 'After having mastered the extraordinary and difficult last year together, I took my chance to take the next step in our relationship and I am overjoyed that Tessy said yes.'

Entrepreneur Frank got his master's degree in ETH Zurich and Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is currently CEO and president of CBA Finance.

The former royal appears to have known Frank for several years, having written about his work on her blog in September 2018.

He has also acted as a trustee for the organisation Professors Without Borders, which Tessy co-founded in 2016.

In 2019, Tessy told Hello magazine that it 'took a long time' after her divorce, when she was stripped of her royal titles, explaining: 'After every relationship it takes a while to heal when the heart has been broken. It has been really, really wonderful for me to realise that I am able to trust and love again. It's nice to see that life goes on.'

Former princess Tessy announced she is expecting her first child with her hunky Swiss businessman boyfriend in February

Tessy went on to reveal how she is 'very happy' that her ex-husband Prince Louis maintains a close bond with their sons, despite the fact they can't see each other during quarantine.

She said her son's 'love and trust' with their father had 'become stronger' because of the separation during the pandemic.

Tessy has previously told how her family 'suffered greatly' when she became a princess in 2006 after marrying Prince Louis, whom she met in 2004.

Speaking on Sky News special report The Meghan Effect, Tessy explained: 'My little cousin needed to change schools twice. My twin brother was incredibly bullied at work  he still is today.

Tessy became a princess in 2006 when she married Prince Louis, six months after Tessy gave birth aged 19, to their first child

Frank was first pictured on a family hike with the proud mother and her two boys last year, with Tessy captioning the photos 'Family is all that matters' with two love heart emojis

'My sister, my parents suffered, my oldest brother doesn't talk to me anymore because of that, because it was too much for him to handle.

'That was when I married in, and when I got divorced, oh my gosh the same.'

Born a commoner, Tessy joined the Luxembourg Army in 2002 at the age of 18, rising to the rank of corporal. Two years later, when she was one of a handful of female UN peacekeepers in Kosovo, she met Prince Louis, who was visiting the army.

His family only became aware of their love affair when Tessy fell pregnant and gave birth aged 19, and unmarried, in September 2005, providing Grand Duke Henri with his first grandson.

It infuriated the royal family, and Prince Louis renounced any claim to the title of Grand Duke due to the constitutional crisis they had created by having a child out of wedlock.

When Tessy married Prince Louis in September 2006, six months after giving birth, in a modest country church wedding, the Grand Duke stripped her of any claim to his title.

The couple's fairytale marriage broke down in 2016, and they were granted a decree nisi in February 2017.

A judge ruled that Prince Louis should pay 4,000 for each child, per year, the equivalent of 75-a-week, after finding that Luxembourg's royal family could not be expected to cover the costs of the Prince's break-up
Vigil star Martin Compston has told how his late grandfather served at sea in real life  in the Second World War.

The Scottish actor, 37, who gained fame in BBC hit Line Of Duty, posted a photo online as his Vigil character chief petty officer Craig Burke alongside a snap of his grandfather, who was in the merchant navy.

Writing on Instagram, Compston said: 'On the left [referring to himself] we have a guy worried he looks daft in this hat and might take a slagging off his mates, on the right a guy who doesn't look bothered at all he's in the midst of a World War.

Family ties: Scottish actor Martin Compston, 37, who gained fame in BBC hit Line Of Duty, posted a photo online as his Vigil character chief petty officer Craig Burke (right) alongside a snap of his grandfather, who was in the merchant navy (left).

'Can surprise you what hits you on a job but doing this standard prop picture for VIGIL got me misty eyed wondering what my Granda must've been thinking when he got that portrait done.

'He's sadly no longer with us and never got the opportunity to ask him but gave me a feeling of immense pride in him. #weehorsey.'

The post was met with support by friends, family and followers, with some saying they remember his grandfather from their own childhoods.

Vigil, which premiered last night, is a murder mystery set on board a nuclear submarine.

Burke dies after raising concerns over the commanders' decision not to help a fishing trawler that finds itself in difficulty, potentially after coming into contact with an enemy submarine

Chief petty officer Burke (Compston) dies in the first 10 minutes after raising concerns over the commanders' decision not to help a fishing trawler that finds itself in difficulty, potentially after coming into contact with an enemy submarine.

Detective Chief Superintendent Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) is brought on board to investigate Burke's death. It has been made to look like a drug overdose but she suspects something more sinister at play.

Meanwhile on land her ex-partner Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie), discovers that Burke was having an affair with a CND activist, Jade (Lauren Lyle).

Jade has found out that Burke is dead, and that a sub sank the trawler. 'Everyone knows it's a cover-up. This is the Navy, this is what they do,' she declares.

Exactly what they are covering up or why they are doing it remains to be seen.

The show has been met with some criticism from TV critics but has been well reviewed by fans.

Suranne Jones's submarine drama Vigil is all adrift... but it still reels you in: CHRISTOPHER STEVENS dives into the naval whodunnit

Where do you keep a dead body on a nuclear submarine? It's a dilemma, and one that has never occurred before to the flustered Captain Newsome on Vigil (BBC1).

HMS Vigil is the ultimate weapon of war, designed to stay at sea for years on end, even in the event of a world-ending holocaust.

You'd think the naval boffins would remember to include cold storage.

But when stroppy sailor Craig Burke (Martin Compston) is found dead from an apparent heroin overdose in his bunk, the skipper (Paterson Joseph) isn't sure where to put him.

Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva being dropped to the nuclear submarine from a helicopter in episode one of BBC's Vigil

There's a freezer in the galley, but it's full of food. Anyway, the sub's head chef is in tears over Burke's demise. Perhaps she's worried her cooking is to blame.

In the end, Newsome opts to park his crewman in an empty torpedo tube. It's cold, it's sealed, it's ideal. The only puzzle is why, when the captain is later trying to cover up the death, he doesn't just press the 'fire' button and jettison the body. Torpedoes away!

It's all completely crackers, and that's before Glasgow detective DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) is winched down from a helicopter to board the sub at sea.

Silva is an intriguing and complex character  claustrophobic, terrified of water, a depressive who usually copes by going for long runs, she is a terrible candidate for an investigation in a tin can half a mile below the waves.

She has been despatched because apparently this is standard Royal Navy procedure when someone expires on a patrolling nuclear sub  you stick the corpse in a missile launcher and summon a copper from dry land. From the start, Vigil expected us to suspend our disbelief from about the height of a Sea King rescue copter.

The six-part serial, which continues tonight, opened aboard a trawler in the Irish Sea, where the crew were casting their net after spotting a couple of encouraging blips on the underwater radar.

Christopher Stevens: Silva (played by Suranne Jones, pictured) is an intriguing and complex character  claustrophobic, terrified of water, a depressive who usually copes by going for long runs, she is a terrible candidate for an investigation in a tin can half a mile below the waves

'Nice little shoal under us,' chuckled the chief trawlerman. His monitor must have been playing up, because those shadows on the screen were submarines  Vigil and the enemy boat stalking it.

One snagged the nets and dragged the trawler down. Everyone involved with the scene did their best  the actors leaned sideways and yelled, while stage hands sloshed buckets of water at them. It still looked like an am-dram production of Moby-Dick.

On board Vigil, radar operator Burke was the only sailor to spot the sinking trawler. He sounded the alarm, and the captain dismissed it, telling him to ignore what he'd seen.

Instead of obeying orders, Burke staged a one-man mutiny. A senior officer put an arm round his shoulders and led him away for a lie-down.

There's no brig or cat-o'-nine-tails in the modern British Navy for crew who yell at their commanding officer... just a friendly admonition and a chance to put your feet up.

At this point, only five minutes into the drama, viewers were faced with their own dilemma: switch over and watch Brenda Blethyn in Vera, or suspend their dwindling disbelief from an ever greater altitude.

This wasn't a question of minor details being wrong. Absolutely everything about Vigil rings false.

The whole crew is an argumentative bunch, ill-disciplined and arrogant. Newsome's second-in-command (Adam James) can't open his mouth without sneering.

The bridge below deck is more like the Starship Enterprise than the command room of a submarine. The corridors are wide enough to walk three abreast and, instead of sharing bunks by rota, every crewman has a personal berth with family photos on the wall.

The Coxswain, Elliot Glover (played by Endeavour's Shaun Evans), takes DCI Silva to Missile Deck Three  where, he explains, off-duty personnel like to 'hang around'.

Well, there's no recreation room aboard this boat, so where else are they going to mooch and gossip, except in the atomic arsenal?

Meanwhile, back on land, Silva's sidekick, Kirsten Longacre (who is also her ex-lover, played by Rose Leslie), discovers that Burke was having an affair with a CND activist, Jade (Lauren Lyle).

Jade's hobby is lying down on roads outside nuclear bases and pretending to be dead. She also has access to all the Navy's secrets.

She's found out that Burke is dead, and that a sub sank the trawler. 'Everyone knows it's a cover-up. This is the Navy, this is what they do,' she declares.

For all this, Vigil is not unwatchable. Ignore the fact that it's written with no accurate knowledge whatever of life on a nuclear sub, and that the anti-military bias is blatant. Despite that, there's a lively murder mystery here.

Above all, there is a first-rate cast. With these actors, headed by Jones as a sleuth who is one panic attack away from crash-diving, any drama is well worth watching... even one as far adrift from reality as this.

Vigil continues tonight at 9pm on BBC1.
For many parents, the back to school shop means a frantic dash to the supermarket to pick up a new school uniform and maybe a new backpack.

But for the children of the ultra wealthy, it is a chance to showcase the latest in designer fashion.

Big name brands from around the world have released eye-wateringly expensive children's collections in time for the new term, including Gucci and D&G.

Parents with cash to burn favour websites like Alex and Alexa and Children's Salon which specialise in designer clothing for little ones and help curate clothes for any occasion, whether that is a summer holiday or family wedding.

Gucci girl: Ditch the grey dress and white shirt for this chic alternative... but it'll set you back more than 1,000. Blazer: 610, dress: 485, tights: 80. Available at Alex and Alexa

Cool dude: Celebrity favourite Moncler dresses children in comfortable leggings and a puffy jacket. Jacket: 475, t-shirt: 100, sweatpants: 170, trainers: 330

On the move! Dolce & Gabbana has this monochrome moment for wealthy children. Pictured: Jacket: 495, leggings: 150, bag: 495. The boots and hat are also D&G

The Alex and Alexa back to school edit includes a 410 miniature Burberry trench coat, a 130 DKNY jacket and a pair of 71 white Veja trainers so your well-heeled son or daughter can look just like a yummy mummy on the school run.

While most families recycle winter coats or pass them down, the children of the mega rich are more likely to be found zipping themselves into a 475 coat by Moncler once the label turns.

This year acclaimed American designer Thom Browne released his first ever line for mini trendsetters.

His collection focuses on tailored separates: blazers, trousers and skirts, reflecting the adult clothing he is best known for.

Easy breezy: A pretty take on the popular prairie trend. Pictured: dress: 306, boots: 301

Always accessorise: A 560 Versace bag (left) and 320 black boots by the designer

Preppy perfection! From Gucci pictured: Blazer: 495, trousers: 370 shoes: 260 (similar style)

Speaking on his decision not to buy into the bright, graphic design that defines most childrenswear, he said: 'Theres something really charming about their true personality really coming through, as opposed to the clothing being what dictates what type of personality someone has.

'I think when a lot of people go to buy clothing, they want their clothing to make them individuals as opposed to themselves being the individual.'

Unsurprisingly most designers into the childlike when it comes to dressing kids.

Designer threads: Two outfits from Balmain. Pictured: Dress: 471 (left). Right: 344 hoodie

Mini essential: A 700 reversible Burberry trench coat, part of the brand's childrenswear line

Stella McCartney, whose childrenswear collection is made from 85 per cent eco-conscious fabrics, offers up backpacks in a neon flower print and dresses festooned with scribbly flowers. The Financial Times describes it as a 'riot of colour and print'.

No outfit is complete without accessories, even when you're a kid going to school.

Gucci's 80 tights are a chic alternative to a scratchy pair or stitched up hand-me-downs while D&G's 425 gym bag will certainly make sure they stand out in PE.
A woman who has lived in the UK for 15 years has criticised British people for their attitudes to children, claiming they're 'treated as an invconvenience' by their parents and strangers alike.

The unnamed 'foreign person' shared her opinion on the British parenting forum Mumsnet, claiming people in the UK don't coo over children in public, but make no secret of their disapproval if they misbehave.

She asked if it's a hangover from the Victorian era, to expect them to always be well behaved and 'do as they're told'.

Other critcisms included low breastfeeding rates, lack of affordable childcare and fewer options such as holiday camps and clubs.

While some parents agreed, others said it was a matter of not wanting children to misbehave in public, rather than not liking them.

One foreign resident in the UK sparked a debate when they claimed on Mumsnet that the UK was not child-friendly (stock image)

The parent said they felt the UK didn't let children be children and were expecting them to always do as they were told

The person, who had been living in the UK for the past 15 years, explained why they feel culture in the UK is not child-friendly.

'Generally kids aren't accepted to be kids,' she said, adding: 'They are expected to be quiet (ish) if out and about eg in a restaurant or a cafe.'

She said that it's not commonplace to see British mothers breastfeeding in public, citing that the country has the lowest rate of breastfeeding in the world.

This is backed by a 2018 study which found that 34 per cent of babies were still being breastfed at age six months in the UK, compared to 62 per cent in Sweden.

Parents were split, with some saying they agreed and that other countries were nicer to children, and others saying the UK was no different

The commenter also went on to claim that children in the UK are expected to 'do as you're told,' which she feels is a 'weird expression in itself', and means that they can 'never show a wild side'.

She also claimed that if you're out in public with children in other countries, they're doted on by strangers, but not so much in the UK.

'If on a train or other public spaces people tend not to engage with them even with babies (where I'm from there would be talking and smiling and general admirations) or they make faces, huffing and puffing etc if the children "misbehave",' she added.

And to prove her point further, she pointed out British parent's habit of complaining about their children as a form of banter.

'On top of that there aren't many affordable childcare options or things like holiday camps and clubs (I know they exist in bigger cities sometimes but it isn't the same),' she added.

Some said more places were making an effort to be dog-friendly than they did to be child-friendly

'Overall it's no place for young people! Does it come from the Victorian "kids are to be seen not heard" thing?

'Again where I'm from kids are celebrated as the future here they are mostly treated as inconvenience.'

British parents had lots of thoughts about these claims, with some agreeing the UK is not as child-friendly as other countries.

'People seem to accept any old s*** (literally) to make places dog friendly. But kids should be seen and not heard,' one said. 'I really hate the performance moaning about your kids too.'

Others said there was nothing with children learning to behave, and that the UK had more changing stations than other countries

'I never really got the difference until my eight-year-old broke a plate at a posh restaurant in Spain,' one said.

'We were telling her off as we'd been telling her not to mess with it but waitress was over in a moment to give her a hug and man from next table gave her another plate.

'And I thought: "Oh she's a distressed child and that's what they see, not a parenting failure - you're showing us up!",' they added.

However, many said there were no difference, and that it was a matter of educating children, rather than not being child-friendly.

'What's wrong with children being expected to be quietish in restaurants or cafes? It's respectful to other diners,' one said.

'I'm in the south and everyone makes a fuss of children Where on earth are you?' the parent asked.

Another said they'd spent a two week holiday abroad changing nappies and feeds her child on her knee because 'not a single place had a highchair or changing table, unlike here where it's basically a given'.

They were friendly though to be fair,' she added.

'What is wrong with children learning how to behave?' one asked.

'I think people in this country love to see children running around in a playground, at the beach, in the countryside etc, but don't want to see that behaviour in a restaurant or cafe. I don't understand how that is a problem.

'I'm in the cold, unfriendly south and (*gasp*) people talk to babies here too,' one said.

'Really? Perhaps it's where in the country you are? I'm also in the north of England and all three of my children got masses of attention from strangers as babies and toddlers (including current baby),' one mother said.

'I've also never had a problem breastfeeding in public. Unlike in Greece where I was asked to face a wall so no one could see,' she added.

'Ive found France to be more non child-friendly than the UK in my experience. Ive been many times as I have friends there and its common for parents to regularly shush their children as they are expected to be quiet in public. It doesnt mean they dont like children though, its just a different culture,' one claimed.

Some said they didn't recognise the foreign parent's description at all and that the UK was in fact 'child obsessed'

'I can guarantee most people here love their children just like in every country in the world. Our culture is different to the one you were brought up in,' one said.

'Thats all. How are the mothers treated in your home country? Are they expected to do everything to provide this happy child friendly experience,' they added.

'Children being expected behave in restaurants is far from unique to the UK. It's a good thing,' one said.

'Compared to what country? I find the UK far more child friendly than many European countries' one mother said.

'In my experience we have great access to baby change, kids menus, spacious tables, kids activities, pram spaces and activities than any other city I've been to,' she went on.

'Also, try the US... Even Orlando wasn't great, with limited high chairs, menu choices abs general attitudes to smaller children,' she concluded.
A mother has revealed her heartbreak after her adopted baby daughter was taken away from her after just five days when the little girl's birth parents changed their minds about giving up their child.

Sarah Howell, 31, a registered nurse from Richmond, Virginia, was given less than a one per cent chance of conceiving naturally after being diagnosed with endometriosis - so she decided to approach an adoption agency with husband Chris, 32.

The couple experienced double baby joy in early 2018 when Sarah discovered that she had defied the odds and conceived a child naturally - and one hour later, they received a call from their adoption agent, who said they had been paired with a newborn baby girl.

But just five days after picking their adopted infant up from the hospital and taking her into their home, the baby's birth parents changed their mind, forcing a devastated Sarah and Chris to return their newborn daughter.

Heartbreak: A mother who was told she had just a one per cent chance of conceiving naturally has reveal her devastation at having to return her adopted baby girl to her birth parents

Upset: Sarah and Chris Howell, from Virginia, were thrilled to learn they'd been matched with a daughter in 2018 - but five days after taking her home, her birth parents changed their minds

Speaking about the heartbreaking experience of giving up the little girl they had so quickly fallen in love with, Sarah said that it was more painful than 'words can describe' - revealing that she was so upset, she feared she would suffer a miscarriage.

Sarah and Chris picked up their adopted daughter while Sarah was eight weeks pregnant on March 7, 2018, and they fell in love instantly.

'When I walked into the hospital room her birth mom was holding her and lovingly placed her into my arms, she said, "Meet your mom, baby girl,"' she said.

'We loved each other well and really cared for one another.'

But, after five days of family bliss, they received a devastating phone call.

The birth parents of their newborn daughter had changed their minds and wanted her back, which, under the terms of the adoption agreement, they were legally able to do up to ten days from the birth.

'I was feeding her when the call came through,' Sarah revealed.

'I fell to the floor in despair. I kept saying over and over to my husband, "You're joking, this is a joke right?"

'I always say the pain we felt that day was worse than our three years of infertility combined.

'Saying goodbye to her hurt more than words can adequately describe. It felt like an actual death to us because we knew we would likely never see her again.

'She made us parents. She helped heal a part of our hearts that infertility broke. She made me a mom even if it was only for a few days.'

Incredibly Sarah says that she has no ill-feelings towards the birth parents who took back their daughter - and is actually grateful that they gave her the chance to become a mother to such a precious baby girl, even for just a few short days.

Bittersweet: Sarah, 31, has endometriosis, which doctors said would make it nearly impossible for her to get pregnant - however in January 2018, she learned she had conceived

Surprise! The news of her pregnancy came just one hour before Sarah and Chris, 32, learned they had been matched with a baby girl to adopt

Fear: Sarah was eight-weeks pregnant with son Noah (seen) when they went to pick up their baby girl - and she feared the heartbreak of losing her would cause a miscarriage

'We do not hold anything against her birth parents,' she insisted.

'If we could, we would tell them how much we love them, and how lucky baby girl is to have them as parents.'

And while they still feel the heartbreak of that moment, they were given the opportunity to become parents once again just a few months later, when Sarah delivered their first-born child Noah.

The baby boy's arrival was filled with joy for the couple - who faced a horrific infertility struggle in the early months of their marriage.

Just 11 months after they tied the knot, Sarah was diagnosed with endometriosis - having suffered horrific period pains for much of her life.

Grateful: Despite likening the experience of giving up their adopted daughter to 'actual death', Sarah says she and Chris have no ill-feelings towards the girl's birth parents - and they were overjoyed when they became a mom and dad themselves to son Noah, who was born in October 2018

She was warned that her conditions could cause serious fertility complications - and that she should start trying to get pregnant 'sooner rather than later' if she wanted to have any chance at conceiving naturally.

'It was devastating and sent me into a situational depression. We knew we wanted a family,' Sarah said of her diagnosis.

'My husband was more positive and was able to often view things from the bright side, but for me it was a major grief process.

'Marriage counselling during this time was crucial and I don't think our marriage would have withstood that low place in our lives without help.'

The young couple tried to get pregnant for three years, struggling through multiple surgeries and hundreds of injections, pills, and negative pregnancy tests.

In April 2017, they travelled to a reproductive immunologist in Chicago for a whole day of tests, but were again told that the likelihood of them conceiving naturally was less than one per cent, and that door was finally closed.

Sarah said: 'Hearing our chances of conceiving were so slim allowed us to move on and begin the grieving process of possibly never experiencing pregnancy.'

She and construction project manager Chris decided then and there that they were ready to adopt a child. They had both always wanted to do it and spoken about regularly since they started dating.

They completed their home assessment and were added to the up to three-year-long waiting list.

But to their surprise, on January 31, 2018, Sarah felt a bit 'off' and took a pregnancy test.

She said: 'When I opened my hall closet that morning the pregnancy tests were staring at my front and center when they are normally tucked away and out of sight.

Brood: Eager to give Noah a sibling, the couple pursued other adoption opportunities, and when their oldest son was one, they adopted another baby boy, Levi

Helping hand: The couple have now started fostering children, and are currently caring for a third baby boy

'I had been going back and forth on whether to test before this so once I saw them I decided to go for it.'

It was positive for the very first time.

'I sobbed. I cried so hard I could barely breathe. It really was the shock of my life,' Sarah revealed. 'I remember I asked myself a million times that day, "How is this possible?"'

Seven months after the couple were forced to give up their adopted baby daughter, they welcomed their newborn son, Noah, who weighed a healthy 9lbs 6oz, and whom the couple quickly hailed as their 'miracle' baby.

'It was surreal and felt like an out of body experience,' Sarah said of her son's arrival.

'When I pulled him to my chest I found myself talking to God thanking him for giving us this miracle and making it to the other side of infertility.'

Eager to expand their brood and provide their son with siblings, the couple continued to investigate adoption opportunities - and just one year after their son Noah was born, they received another call from a social worker to let them know they had been matched with another baby boy.

They went up to meet the one-day-old in the NICU at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, and named him Levi.

But this happy union did not come without the fear that he could be taken away just as their daughter had been before.

'I knew I wouldn't be able to prevent this so it felt vulnerable and scary to love a child again knowing they might not stay,' said Sarah.

The Howell family decided to become foster parents to help more children, and took in a baby boy on June 29 this year.

Sarah said: 'As a mom of three boys under three I feel like I am forever cleaning up messes, playing referee, and changing diapers.

'I will miss this one day so I remind myself to enjoy the now. It is what we prayed for for so long after all.

'Three under three is certainly an adventure and at times utter chaos. But the giggles, laughter, and joy far outweigh anything else.'
Prince Harry had a 'very special' reunion with the Queen at Prince Philip's funeral despite the fallout following his bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, Finding Freedom has claimed.

An updated epilogue for the biography - written by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand and due to be released on August 31, the 24th anniversary of Princess Diana's death  reports that the Duke of Sussex got to 'spend precious moments' with his grandmother following the funeral of Prince Philip in April.

The Duke of Sussex travelled to London from his 11million mansion in Santa Barbara, California, without his wife Meghan Markle, who was advised not to fly due to being heavily pregnant with daughter Lilibet at the time.

While the book claims Prince Harry spent most of his time after the funeral with his cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank at Frogmore Cottage - where he is believed to have stayed while in the UK - he also reportedly spent a few 'precious moments' with the monarch after being separated for more than a year amidst the pandemic.

'To see each other after so long apart, the longest he hadn't seen the Queen for, was very special,' a source told authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, according to Town and Country.

Prince Harry, 36, during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on April 17, 2021 in Windsor

Queen Elizabeth II speaks with Prince Harry as they leave after the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor to Thomas Kingston at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 18, 2019 in Windsor

'Despite everything that has happened, he has the utmost love and respect for her. Her life of duty and service is one of the many ways in which she has inspired him to also serve.'

The late Duke of Edinburgh's funeral marked the first time Harry and William had been seen together since March 2020, when they attended a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey with other royals.

Relations were reportedly soured by the couple's explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, in which they attacked senior royals while Philip, who died on April 9 at the age of 99, lay in hospital in London.

However, all tensions appeared to be pushed aside at the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral, with the princes talking while walking out of St George's Chapel following the service, having earlier taken part in the procession either side of their cousin Peter Phillips behind the Duke of Edinburgh's coffin.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview

Harry was initially seen speaking to his sister-in-law Kate Middleton as they left the chapel and began walking, but then she appeared to hang back so he could talk to William for a few moments without her.

The source went on to claim that the Duke of Sussex spent most of his time after the funeral with cousin Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank.

Harry and Meghan were handed the keys to Frogmore, on the royal-owned Windsor Home Park estate, as a wedding gift by the Queen.

But, after spending 2.4million in taxpayer-funded renovations, which they later agreed to pay back, the couple quit the UK and jetted off to America.

Eugenie and husband Jack then moved into the five-bedroom home in November last year. The couple welcomed their first child, August, in February.

Harry quarantined at Frogmore after arriving from the US for Prince Philip's funeral.

Harry reportedly stayed at Frogmore Cottage - which was initially gifted to Harry and Meghan by the Queen before their move to the US - during his stay

An updated edition of Harry and Meghan biography Finding Freedom also made a string of other fresh claims that are likely to trigger debate about the state of their relationship with the Royal Family.

A leaked version of the epilogue claimed the couple had considered naming the royal they alleged had made a racist comment about their son, Archie; that some royals were 'quietly pleased' the Duchess of Sussex missed Prince Philip's funeral and that Prince William was 'furious' about their interview with Oprah.

The new edition also said the Sussexes had 'no regrets' about quitting their royal roles and that Meghan found her explosive Oprah interview 'cathartic' and 'liberating'.

Meghan plunged the monarchy into crisis after telling Oprah Winfrey that an unnamed royal had expressed 'concern' about Archie's skin before he was born.

The epilogue reveals that a source told authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand that the Sussexes had considered naming the family member  but had ultimately decided not to.

It also claimed that 'sources close to the Sussexes' had said that the Royal Family's reaction to the allegations made by the couple 'was not positive'.

The source told the authors that there had to be 'some acknowledgment' about what the Sussexes went through for there to be 'progress'.

The criticism came after a carefully-worded statement from the Queen following the controversial Oprah interview, which expressed concern for the couple but insisted that 'some recollections may vary'.
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When a president's only surviving son marries the daughter of one of the country's most prominent religious leaders, its set to be a grand affair.

So it's no wonder no expense was spared for one of Nigeria's biggest celebrity events last Friday - the wedding of Muhammadu Buharis son, Yusuf, 27, to Zahra Ado Bayero, 19, the daughter of the Emir of Bichi.

Thousands attended the nuptials of with locals in the Abuja in the northern state of Kano reporting the air was filled with hundreds of private jets as West African dignitaries 'filled up all the five star hotels in the area'.

The bride who met the groom at the University of Surrey, wore a traditional pink and white gown for the reception, while opting for a western-style white dress for the ceremony.

No expense was spared for one of Nigeria's biggest celebrity events on Friday - the wedding of President Muhammadu Buharis son, Yusuf, 27, to Zarah Ado Bayero, 19, the daughter of the Emir of Bichi. Pictured getting married

Thousands attended the nuptials of with locals in the town in the northern state of Kano reporting the air was filled with hundreds of private jets as West African dignitaries 'filled up all the five star hotels in the area'. Pictured during the ceremony

Take a bow! The bride's dress featured a striking bow and long trail while the groom opted for traditional Nigerian dress for the big day

A wedding between presidential and royal families is 'unprecedented in Nigeria', according to the BBC, who also said the groom's family paid 500,000 naira (900) for the bride price, a traditional part of the Islamic marriage contract. 500,000 naira is about 10 times the average bride price in northern Nigeria.

Local media reports each guest was gifted the latest iPhone and iPad, with the newlyweds spending upwards of 100,000 on gifts alone.

Despite the grand nuptials, it's understood the wedding was scaled back due to coronavirus pandemic, with heavy police and military security also guarding the Old Banquet Hall of the State House.

In the days before the wedding, the couple treated guests to a special Polo tournament while Zarah had a Frozen-themed bridal shower.

Meanwhile, her new mother-in-law, Aisha Buhari, the first lady of Nigeria shared sweet photos of happy couples to Instagram writing: 'All is set to welcome and receive our new daughter into the family.'

A wedding between presidential and royal families is 'unprecedented in Nigeria'. The bride and groom are pictured in a pre-wedding ceremony

Taking to Instagram after the wedding. The first lady (centre) wrote: 'On behalf of my family, I convey our sincere appreciation to all that contributed in making this event a success. We appreciate all our guests, relatives and friends and thank you all for your tremendous support and prayers. Wishing my children Yusuf and Zahra, a happy married life'

The newlyweds pose with their mothers following the opulent ceremony in Kano. The couple met at University of Surrey

Communications Minister Isa Ali Pantami, a qualified imam, conducted the wedding.

Also in attendance was President Muhammadu Buhari's predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan,Gambia's First Lady Fatoumata Bah Barrow and the former president of neighbouring Niger, Muhammadu Issoufu, according to society bible Tatler.

Following the wedding, the bride's father Nasir Ado Bayero was crowned as the Emir of Bichi, while his brother is the Emir of Kano - one of the countries most prominent Islamic leaders. However the bride and groom didn't attend this ceremony.

She also shared dozens of pictures of wedding guests in colourful clothing, as well as a neon-lit sign reading: 'ZYB Welcome to the family' surrounded by a floral wreath

Aisha Buhari, the first lady of Nigeria shared sweet photos of the well-dressed guests during the reception

Aisha - who is wife of president Muhammadu Buharis - also shared photos of the crowds enjoying a singer. Most of the guests wore masls

Meanwhile, her new mother-in-law, Aisha Buhari, the first lady of Nigeria shared sweet photos of happy couples to Instagram writing: 'All is set to welcome and receive our new daughter into the family.'

She also shared dozens of pictures of wedding guests in colourful clothing, as well as a neon-lit sign reading: 'ZYB Welcome to the family' surrounded by a floral wreath.

Despite apparent joy in the shots, the lavish nuptials didn't have a completely positive reaction in Kano - as some residents reacted furiously given the level of deprivation in the state.

Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Mahmud Gumi told local media: 'People are facing all manner of problems, yet politicians spent public funds on private jets.'

'Some people are in captivity in both the bush and cities. Hunger is everywhere'.
By Alison Boshoff for The Daily Mail

Short-lived: Naomi was linked to the One Direction star Liam Payne, 23 years her junior, in 2009

2019: Liam Payne

Naomi was linked to One Direction star Liam Payne, 23 years her junior, following her break-up from Skepta and his break-up from Cheryl.

They are said to have enjoyed a few dates but it was ultimately short-lived.

It began with a seemingly harmless flirtation on Instagram, liking and commenting on one another's steamy posts.

Liam described her as 'perfection in a person', with her branding him 'a beautiful soul'. They were then spotted at the concert of musician Davido at The O2 in London.

There were reports about Liam bragging about the couple's 'mind-blowing' sex, but when Naomi was asked outright about the tryst on The Jonathan Ross Show she said the rumours were 'humorous'. Any romance appeared to end shortly after this.

Hot off the press: Rapper Skepta and Naomi's tryst appeared to be done and dusted before too long, shortly after appearing in a joint GQ shoot in their underwear

2018: Skepta

Their raunchy cover of GQ magazine, in only their underwear, sent fans wild.

But rapper Skepta and Naomi's tryst appeared to be done and dusted before too long.

Of the shoot, Naomi said afterwards: 'We basically did that shoot on our own, it wasnt for any publication, and once I saw the pictures I was like no, no, no we should come out..."

'And so then I started making some calls. It wasnt like I was going to wait months for it to come out  its either got to come out in the next few or it aint coming out at all.'

Come out indeed it did, with the duo taking part in a joint interview at the time, playing coy about any romance. To this day it's still unclear, but Skepta seemingly mentioned Naomi on one of his tracks in 2020. They are thought to still be close.

Louis Carey Camilleri is pictured at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy in 2018

2017: Louis C. Camilleri

It was claimed in 2017 that Naomi was dating Egyptian multimillionaire Louis C. Camilleri, who was 66 at the time.

The supermodel was said to be enjoying a string of London dinners with the businessman, who was worth over 150 million.

Naomi reportedly met Louis through their shared love of Formula One as they frequented the same races and are said to have met and bonded at the events.

Snapped: In July 2016, Naomi was pictured with billionaire businessman Hassan Jameel when they attended the British Summer Time Festival together

2016: Hassan Jameel

In July 2016, Naomi was pictured looking cosy with billionaire businessman Hassan Jameel when they attended the British Summer Time Festival together in London - although their romance was never confirmed.

In 2017, it was claimed that the supermodel had fallen out with singer Rihanna after she was spotted putting on a steamy display with Hassan, 32, in Ibiza.

The Sun reported at the time that Naomi was disgruntled that the singer and Hassan, who split in early 2020, had fallen so hard - as she hates feeling 'second best'.

Long-term love: Thought to be her longest relationship, Naomi dated Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin for five years [pictured 2012]

2009-2013: Vladislav Doronin

Thought to be her longest relationship, Naomi dated Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin for five years.

They enjoyed lavish trips to the topics together and appeared to have a solid romance, but it ended in 2013.

Runaway bride: This dalliance was brief, but Naomi and Brazilian equity magnate Marcus Elias were said to be engaged at one point [pictured 2008]

2008: Marcus Elias

This dalliance was brief, but Naomi and Brazilian equity magnate Marcus Elias were said to be engaged at one point.

Their relationship both began and ended in 2008, however.

Friendly exes: Naomi has been seen socialising with Gerard Butler at events, despite their alleged romance fizzling out in 2007 [pictured 2009]

2007: Gerard Butler

Naomi and the Scots action star were rumoured to be an item in 2007 when they were seen hanging out together on multiple occasions.

Seemingly a friendly ex to many, Naomi has since been seen socialising with him at events, despite their alleged romance fizzling out.

Party hard: Apparently, for Naomi's 35th birthday, Badr Jafar hired out eight floors of the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai to throw her a 1 million party [pictured 2012]

2005-2006: Badr Jafar

Naomi and oil heir Badr Jafar were reportedly a couple for 10 months.

Apparently, for Naomi's 35th birthday, he hired out eight floors of the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai to throw her a 1 million party. He himself has an estimated worth of 2 billion.

Close but no cigar: Naomi and music star P Diddy were linked in 2002. Since, they have been very close friends [pictured 2017]

2002: P Diddy

It's still unclear how romantic Naomi and music star P Diddy were, but they were linked in 2002.

Since, they have been very close friends and are thought to consider one another more as siblings.

Flavio of the month: Despite a lengthy dalliance, Naomi and Flavio Briatore split because, according to Naomi, he wanted her as 'a trophy' [pictured 2001]

1998-2002: Flavio Briatore

Flavio Briatore - the boss of Benetton - was with Naomi from 1998 until they parted ways in 2002.

The Italian - who is 21 years Naomi's senior and worth 258 million - famously said after their split: 'Shes great but better as a friend than a girlfriend!'

Naomi later told Marie Claire: 'Im not going to be a trophy. If you expect me to be in the kitchen cooking breakfast in high heels, looking as though I just stepped out of a fashion magazine, its not going to happen.'

Still friends: Naomi and Leonardo Dicaprio are seen chatting at the Vanity Fair Oscars party in Los Angeles in 2007 - 12 years after being romantically linked

1995: Leonardo DiCaprio

Known for a revolving door of romances, a penchant for models and being seemingly disinterested in settling down, Leonardo DiCaprio was perhaps a kindred spirit for Naomi when they were linked in 1995.

The couple's dalliance was fleeting, however. They appeared to have remained pally ever since, seen chatting at events on many an occasion since.

While she has never been married, Naomi was previously engaged to U2 bass player Adam Clayton after getting together in 1993 and despite their split in 1994, the stunner has always spoken fondly of the musician.

In a 2015 interview with the Irish Independent, she mused: 'I'm friends with the whole [of U2]. The whole band were great. Their kids are all grown up.

Nearly beloved: While she has never been married, Naomi was previously engaged to U2 bass player Adam Clayton after getting together in 1993

'It's nice to know people for so long and still have a relationship... I only have very positive things to say about him. I am very proud of Adam.'

I n the early 90s, Naomi was also briefly linked to Hollywood star Robert De Niro.

But, addressing her dating life at the time, she told WSJ: 'For me, privacy is important to know each other, and I always worry that my job will not allow that.

'But I have ways. I was taught that by Robert De Niro. Being alone doesnt mean you are lonely. I dont have time to be bored, and I dont have time to be lonely.'

Spotted: In the early 90s, Naomi was briefly linked to Hollywood star Robert De Niro

Last year, in an interview with Times Weekend magazine, Naomi said she is on good terms with all her previous ex-boyfriends, but admitted she isn't friends with her 'last' ex.

Discussing who she has dated, she said: 'Why don't you say it the other way round? Surely it was their privilege just as much as mine to be with them? But yes, I had some wild and exciting times until I changed my life aged 29.

'Whatever they say about me, I have remained friends with all my exes... except the last one.'

Asked if she means Skepta, she simply said: 'A lady never discusses the details of her private life.'




Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created a glue that mimics the natural adhesive made by barnacles to help wounds heal more quickly, it was reported earlier this month.

And thats far from being the only medical breakthrough that has taken inspiration from the animal kingdom. In a fascinating new book, BBC broadcaster and conservationist Patrick Aryee reveals how animals have inspired incredible developments in healthcare.

How can we make injections less painful for all of us  even for hardcore needle-phobes? Is there anything that might rid hospitals of deadly superbugs?

Will we ever be able to buy a so-called waterproof plaster that doesnt fall off when it gets soggy?

These might seem like impossible medical conundrums that affect us every day, but Mother Nature is helping us solve them.

All we have to do is design medical products using wildlife as our blueprint, a process known as biomimicry.

As Ive discovered, after more than a decade spent producing natural history documentaries, such as Frozen Planet, for the BBC, the latest scientific advances revolutionising healthcare use everything from octopuses to spiders and woodpeckers as inspiration.

Shark skin that could wipe out superbugs

When diving in South Africa, I came up close to a great white shark. Thankfully, I was protected by a diving cage, but the shark got close enough for me to see how spotlessly pure its skin was: no algae, no barnacles, nothing.

Large marine animals (and, indeed, ships and submarines) are usually host to all manner of natural hitchhikers, such as bacteria and barnacles, which cling on in search of food.

But when Professor Anthony Brennan, a specialist in materials science and engineering at the University of Florida, was called upon by the U.S. Navy in 2002 to help rid its submarines and ships of thick algae, as part of his research he examined which marine animals are resistant to the build-up of microorganisms.

In fact, there was just one: the shark.

Why? Well, if you imagine stroking a great white from head to tail, youd feel smooth skin. Stroke the other way, though, and youd feel something akin to rough sandpaper.

Thats because a sharks skin is made up of millions of V-shaped scales called dermal denticles.

If you imagine stroking a great white from head to tail, youd feel smooth skin. Stroke the other way, though, and youd feel something akin to rough sandpaper

Using a powerful microscope, Professor Brennan could see that the dermal denticles had a clearly defined diamond pattern, and how each appeared to be lined with millions of tiny ridges. This design prevents bacteria and other microorganisms from settling on a shark, simply because they find it tricky to attach themselves.

Professor Brennan measured the width-to-height ratios of the ridges, and from this designed a synthetic surface called Sharklet. This has been used to imprint everything from yoga mats to urinary catheters with bacterial resistance.

A groundbreaking application for this kind of bug-proof surface is now being rolled out in hospitals, where keeping surfaces free from bacteria is a real issue. As many as 2,985 people in England died from antibiotic-resistant infections in 2018; and 60,788 patients were infected  a rise of nearly 10 per cent over the previous year.

By upgrading surfaces with bacteria-resistant materials, wed have the potential to reduce the spread and the infection rates of killer superbugs such as MRSA.

Whats more, beyond hospitals, the same sort of synthetic, bug-proof surface could be used on any high-contact surfaces in public areas, including door handles, light switches and desk surfaces, to stop the spread of dangerous infections such as Covid-19 in the same way.

Spider webs for truly waterproof plasters The reason plasters seem to lose their stickiness and peel away from the skin when you swim or get them wet in the shower is down to something scientists call interfacial water. This is water that gets between the glue and the surface to which its supposed to be sticking, forming a slippery layer that interferes with the adhesive bonds between the glue and the surface. So how do we overcome the effects of interfacial water? U.S. researchers are looking to spider silk for an answer. The silk threads of spider webs are coated in a type of glue to trap its prey. Known as a hydrogel (a bit like a thick jelly), its one of the most effective glues in the natural world, even when things get damp. Researchers examined hydrogel glue produced by orb web spiders, and discovered it is made of three elements: two specialised proteins called glycoproteins, a collection of LMMCs (low molecular mass compounds) and water. The glycoproteins act as a glue, but the chemicals which do the really clever stuff are the LMMCs. They absorb water, which keeps the glue soft, tacky and perfect for sticking to things. Perhaps more importantly, the LMMCs can also move water away from a boundary, so the glue can stick even to a damp surface. So the humble spider could help us one day make a plaster that sticks  come rain or shine. Advertisement

Pain-free jabs? It's a mosquito's trick

The thing about a mosquito is that although you may hear it coming, you rarely feel its bite.

Thats because of the way its needle-like mouthpart pierces the skin, and because the bloodsucker first injects you with saliva, which has skin-numbing powers.

Experiments have seen mosquitoes feeding for three to four minutes without their host (thats you, by the way) feeling a thing.

If we can develop needles that have similar qualities, then it will help people who have a fear or dislike of needles  like myself  become blood donors, for example, and reduce injection site pain during vaccination.

Professor Seiji Aoyagi, a mechanical engineer at Kansai University in Osaka, Japan, is working on developing a needle that mimics the mosquitos mouthpart.

Traditional medical syringes have a sharp end to pierce through the skin, and a smooth surface along its length that enables it to pass through flesh uninterrupted.

A lot of the pain you feel isnt because of the pointy end, its more to do with the metal along the needles length coming into direct contact with your skin, which stimulates pain nerves.

The thing about a mosquito is that although you may hear it coming, you rarely feel its bite

The key to a mosquitos powers lies in one of its mouthparts, the maxillae, which has jagged blades that pierce the skin. Because it is serrated, there is very little contact with the skin, few pain nerves are activated and, as a result, you dont feel much pain.

The mosquito-inspired needle is 1mm long and 0.1mm wide  roughly the thickness of a human hair. It has two shanks with jagged edges which penetrate the skin (they are powered by tiny motors), after which a tiny tube is inserted between them, which can deliver drugs or withdraw blood. The design means the needle only touches the skin at the sharp tip.

Like a true scientist, Professor Aoyagi tested the needle on himself and a few volunteers. All reported that the pain was far less than expected, although the period of injection lasted longer than it would have done using a standard syringe.

The ultimate goal is not just to replace needles we use for vaccination, say, but to pave the way for injecting or blood-collecting devices which are permanently attached to the body.

They might end up injecting you several times a day with that life-saving medication you need, or collect samples to monitor blood sugar levels if you have diabetes, or monitor cholesterol if youre at risk of heart disease.

Bike helmets based on woodpeckers How can woodpeckers bash their head against trees 22 times a second without sustaining any internal damage? In fact, they have the equivalent of a brain safety belt, called the hyoid bone, which forms a loop around the entire skull  and is the inspiration behind the design of a safer helmet for cyclists. Anirudha Surabhi was doing a masters degree in design at the Royal College of Art when he was hit by a bus while on his bike. His helmet cracked and he was concussed. Curious about the spongy hyoid bone in the woodpecker, he began to try to replicate its shock-absorbency and eventually created a dual-density cardboard with an internal honeycomb structure, mimicking that of the woodpeckers hyoid. To construct the liner, he laser-cut ribs of this cardboard and assembled them into an interlocking helmet-shaped lattice. The lattice was designed with more give and flexibility than the polystyrene foam liners that are commonly used in helmets. It is also light and recyclable. Anirudha has since worked with a number of companies to bring his Kranium liner (pictured) to the market. Advertisement

Tiny snow flea's transplant power

So small are snow fleas that they look like specks of black pepper against the snow where theyre often found. Yet these tiny creatures contain a secret that could extend the shelf life of organs used for transplants. Snow fleas can survive sub-zero temperatures without freezing.

Normally, the cold makes ice crystals form inside the cells of plants and animals. When these crystals grow, they draw water out of the surrounding cells, which destroys their structure, ultimately killing the cell.

Think about a strawberry turning to mush after being frozen. Its the same principle.

However, snow fleas contain unique molecules called antifreeze proteins (AFPs) which stop cell damage when things get a little too chilly by lowering the freezing point of the water in the cells.

After studying snow fleas, scientists have now managed to develop synthetic AFPs. These could be critical in preserving organs destined for transplant surgery.

One of the challenges with organ transplants is that you want to keep the organs super-cold, but not so cold they end up frozen and damaged.

AFPs (if injected into the organs, for example) would allow them to be stored at lower temperatures without them freezing.

With thousands of people waiting for a transplant  its estimated some 7,000 are on the UK transplant waiting list, while more than 470 people died last year waiting for an organ donation  the ability to transport organs farther afield, or being able to store them for longer periods, would be hugely beneficial.

Mussel glue to save unborn babies

Any kind of surgery comes with risk, but the decision whether or not to perform surgery on a foetus is undoubtedly one of the most challenging in medicine.

One of the greatest risks isnt the surgical procedure itself, but getting into and out of the very fragile amniotic sac  the fluid-filled bag which surrounds and protects the foetus.

Sealing this sac after surgery is no simple task. Its like trying to sew up a water balloon.

Sealing the membrane with a conventional surgical glue poses its own challenges. The membrane of the amniotic sac is wet, and delivering surgical glue through a small hole at the end of the operation is in itself difficult.

To make things even trickier, the developing foetus is biologically sensitive, so you definitely dont want to use any harsh chemicals that could affect the growth or health of the baby.

Now, however, studies of the humble mussel may have provided surgeons with a potential answer.

The mussel routinely glues itself onto rocks deep in the ocean. If you have ever tried to prise one off a rock, youll know just how strong its glue can be. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have isolated the proteins within the mussels glue to develop a synthetic version.

To test it, they used pieces of the wet, filmy membrane that surrounds a cows heart as a model of the amniotic sac. When they applied the glue and it made contact with moisture on the tissues, the mixture immediately became rubbery, taking only an hour to set and hold the pieces together.

Routine clinical use of the glue is some way off, as the researchers are still perfecting their solution. But if its successful, it could be used for other delicate surgeries, for example on the bladder, the spinal cord or intestines.

Tissue grafts and octopus dexterity

They might not look it, but the suckers that line an octopuss tentacles are highly sensitive and genius pieces of machinery. So much so that scientists have looked to them to help in one of the most delicate areas of surgery: soft tissue transplantation.

This is the process in which organs and tissues are moved from one part of the body to another  either within the same person or between a donor and a recipient  to restore essential bodily functions or even to save lives.

For example, lets say we have a patient with corneal blindness. By removing all or part of the damaged cornea (thats the protective, transparent front part of our eyes) and grafting on a new one from a donor, we can fully restore their sight.

One of the biggest problems is that it can take between 30 and 60 minutes to transfer a single sheet of tissue, and it runs the risk of tearing or wrinkling as you physically pick it up, compromising the success of the operation.

They might not look it, but the suckers that line an octopuss tentacles are highly sensitive and genius pieces of machinery

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, U.S., researchers watched the way an octopus can pick up both wet and dry objects of all shapes, using small pressure changes in its suckers.

They got to work making what they call a manipulator, which looks a bit like a tiny plunger but is far more technical.

The suction end is flat and has a temperature-responsive layer of soft hydrogel (a bit like thick jelly). It is attached to an electric heater in the handle. When the heater is turned on, the hydrogel warms up, which makes it shrink. The hydrogel is then pressed against a sheet of tissue that doctors want to pick up and the heater is turned off. As a result, the hydrogel expands again and, in a movement rather like that of the octopus, it creates suction. The tissue is then lifted and gently placed on the target.

The heater is switched on again, making the hydrogel shrink and release the sheet. The entire process takes about ten seconds, which is an astonishing 180 times faster than normal  all thanks to an octopuss sucker.

Its still a work in progress, but its a fascinating area of research.

Antibiotic ability of spider silk

Spider silk has been used as a wound dressing for centuries. After applying a mixture of honey and vinegar as an antiseptic to clean soldiers wounds, ancient Greeks and Romans would use wads of spider silk to stem the bleeding.

And scientists say spider silk has many advantages as a dressing. Its non-toxic, biodegradable and, unusually for a protein from a different organism, it is not known to cause inflammatory or allergic reactions on our skin.

Now, researchers at Nottingham University have been further inspired to create a synthetic spider silk that has antibiotic properties. This could be useful in both delivering medicines and for closing open wounds with a reduced risk of infection.

They began with spider silk theyd cloned using bacteria. Several different types of molecules were attached to the silk, including the antibiotic levofloxacin, a drug commonly used for treating bacterial infections, and also a molecule which is fluorescent, enabling the degradation of the silk dressing to be monitored when placed on wounds.

One potential use, the team suggests, could be in the treatment of slow-healing wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers. The controlled release of antibiotics means that infection could be prevented.

Adapted from 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter, by Patrick Aryee, to be published by BBC Books on Thursday at 16.99.  Patrick Aryee 2021.

To order a copy for 15.29 go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193. Free UK delivery on orders over 20. Promotional price valid until September 14, 2021.

This book is based on episodes from the BBC World Service podcast, 30 Animals Which Made Us Smarter, which is available to listen to on BBC Sounds.
Dr Timothy Geary (pictured) is one of the top experts on ivermectin and has researched the drug for over a decade

Ivermectin has been available for human use for three decades, but not until recently did its name become well known by many Americans.

The anti-parasite drug has been incorrectly deemed by some to be a potential treatment for COVID-19 after some misinterpreted a March 2020 study conducted in Australia.

In the time since, the drug has flown off of shelves, spurring the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue warnings about its misuse.

Many have also been purchasing dosages of the drug meant for animals - which are larger than what is safe for humans - leading to some getting sick from its effects.

Dr Timothy Geary is one of the world's foremost experts of ivermectin, and has done research on the drug for over a decade.

Geary, who is the Research Chair in Parasite Biotechnology at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, says that the study which spawned much of the ivermectin-craze is not being correctly read.

He told DailyMail.com that the study did show that ivermectin could inhibit the replication of COVID-19 virus cells, which is what many are reading from the study that makes them believe the drug has virus killing properties.

Geary explained, though, that the concentration of the drug used in the study were so high that it could not be used for treatment in a human, and would likely cause an overdose.

'In that study they showed that in cell cultures, ivermectin could inhibit [Covid] replication, but the concentrations required for that effect were in a range called the micromolar range - very high concentrations relative to what you would find in the plasma of a treated person or an animal, which would be 20 to 50 times lower.'

'At high concentrations in cell culture, many compounds can have all kinds of effects but when you look at what we would call pharmacological levels - what we actually see and treated patients - it is far higher than [what would be used in humans]

'So the standard doses of ivermectin that we use for people are never going to reach the levels that would be effective in against the virus based on that one study.'

Dr Geary (pictured) said that ivermectin is safe for human consumption in standard doses, but using versions of the drug made for horses, sheep and other stock could cause a person serious side effects, and maybe even death

Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug that has been FDA approved for use fighting certain conditions. It has not shown any effectiveness in combatting viruses in humans

He does not see too much harm in people using the drug in human-sized doses, though, as Geary assures that it is safe for consumption.

It is safe to use in doses of around 200 micrograms, and even people who are using it to incorrectly treat Covid are unlikely to suffer any major symptoms.

'There's no significant toxicity from those doses,' Geary says.

He also mentioned that the drug has been used billions of times in between humans and animals, and has never shown any ability to combat viruses outside of the laboratory.

The drug is FDA approved for use in humans - though for treatment for conditions like onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis instead of viruses - and is even available by prescription.

Prescriptions of the drug have even increased 24-fold from numbers before the pandemic.

Dr Jim Morris, a professor at the Eukaryotic Pathogens Innovation Center at Clemson University, in South Carolina, told DailyMail.com this is likely because many younger doctors are misinformed as well.

Morris also agrees that ivermectin can not treat COVID-19.

'There's no proven benefit whatsoever,' he said.

Many Americans are purchasing ivermectin from feed stores, which can be dangerous as they are using dosages of the drug meant for animals that weigh over 1,000 pounds

Many Americans are facing problems with ivermectin because they are not using the versions of the drug prescribed by doctors.

Instead, many are finding their own over-the-counter solutions, most notably going to local feed stores and buying medicine meant for horses, cows and sheep.

Prescribed versions of the drug come in pill form, while these versions are liquid.

The dosages are also much larger, meant for an animal that can weigh over 1,000 pounds, not a person that can weight less than one-fifth of that.

Taking doses too large can cause a person to have nausea, body pains, diarrhea limb swelling and other serious side effects.

In more serious cases, a person could overdose and suffer severe damage to their central nervous system, and potentially even die.

Some conservative figures have called for the drug to be used in Covid treatment regimens, though.

Sen Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican and early proponent of the drug, had his YouTube channel suspended in June after claiming the drug could treat Covid.

Fox News' Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham have also promoted the drug as a treatment for the virus.

Sen Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, said that the only reason further research was not being done into the drug's effectiveness combatting Covid was due to hatred against former President Donald Trump.

'[It] about as ridiculous as statements I can imagine,' Geary said in response to Paul's claims.

'There is a reason people haven't started [studies], there's no reason to think it works.

'There is no scientific justification for spending that money [on research].'

Geary recommends the COVID-19 vaccines to be combat the virus, as they have been proven safe and effective by regulators around the world, including the FDA.

'I've worked in infectious diseases now for 45 years. As we know, stuff in the sciences is solid. There's really no reason to fear the vaccines that are out there,' he said.

'There's a lot of reason to fear the virus, it can cause significant illness.'

Geary also believes the ivermectin rush is part of a larger distrust in science that has cropped up in recent years.

'I feel sorry that people have adopted the deal that they can't trust [science] and that they have to look to unproven remedies that are just rumors,' he said.

'It really is unfortunate that our society has got to this point.'
An 11-year-old boy was left with a 5cm-long stick hanging out of his scrotum after falling out of a tree.

The youngster, from Makassar in Indonesia, lost his footing while climbing the two-metre trunk.

The unidentified boy fell on a branch, which doctors revealed pierced his genitalia and missed his testicles by millimetres.

Medics gently prised the foreign object out and gave him antibiotics. He made a full recovery within a month.

Experts told MailOnline the boy was 'fortunate' the stick didn't slam into his testicles or vital arteries, which could have led to life-changing injuries.

The 11-year-old boy lost his footing climbing a tree in Makassar, Indonesia, and fell on a tree stump. In the fall his scrotum was impaled on a stick (pictured) which missed his testicles by millimetres

Doctors ran scans to ensure there was no damage to his testicles. Then they gradually prised the stick from his scrotum. Pictured above is the stick in his scrotum

This scan shows the 5cm stick (shown by the blue arrow) impaled into his scrotum. It missed his testicles by millimetres. Experts said he was lucky not to suffer long-term injuries

The accident happened in Makassar, Indonesia. It was reported in Urology Case Reports

What makes up the scrotum? The scrotum is effectively a sack of skin and soft tissue that protects the testicles and keeps them at the right temperature. It is formed of two layers with a layer of skin on the outside  the first line of defence  and a muscular layer called the Dartos muscle underneath. This works to keep the testicles at the right temperature. It contracts when it is too cold to make the skin wrinkle and conserve heat. And relaxes when it is too warm causing the testicles to 'hang low'. The body prefers to keep testicles at 34C (93.2F), which is slightly below its average temperature of 37C (98.6F). The scrotum also contains a middle layer of skin  or raphne  that divides the two testicles into separate compartments. It is visible on the outside of the body as a ridge running down the middle of the scrotum. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica Advertisement

In the journal of Urology Case Reports they described how the boy was taken to hospital four hours after the accident.

Grisly pictures showed the stick had penetrated the bottom left of his scrotum, and reached his pubic bone.

Doctors scanned the area to confirm his testicles weren't damaged before removing the stick.

A small plastic pipe was placed in his wound  called a Penrose drain  to remove any excess fluid.

The boy was given antibiotics and a tetanus vaccine to help stop him developing any infection.

When he was examined a month later, doctors who treated him said he had made a full recovery.

Jonathan Glass, a consultant urological surgeon and member of the Royal College of Surgeons, said the boy had a lucky escape.

He told MailOnline: 'This young boy was fortunate in that the foreign body did not pierce any vital structures.'

Mr Glass added: 'Penetrating injury to the scrotum and perineum is fortunately rare.

'Life changing injury could occur if the penetrating object were to pass through the urethra, the testis or the penis.

'Other structures at risk, had the object passed within the abdomen would be the bladder, the small and large bowel, and (major arteries and veins).

'All of these injuries could have had life-long consequences for this patient.'

Injuries to the scrotum are fortunately rare. But in February last year a 21-year-old athlete was left needing 18 stitches after his scrotum was impaled by a pole.

Stomach-turning footage showed Zach McWhorter successfully complete his pole vault in Provo, Utah, only for his scrotum to be hit by the pole as he came back to land.

The student was rushed to hospital by his urologist father to have the wound quickly stitched up.
A stunned migrant boy could only watch as a man who appeared to be his father was tackled to the ground and beaten as a caravan of migrants clashed with security forces near Mexico's border with Guatemala in their attempt to reach the U.S., shocking new video shows.

A man cradling his son in his arms was also seen on video being pushed away by Mexican National Guard troops in riot gear.

The migrant shouted at the guardsmen, 'Kill me with my child. It doesn't matter. Kill me with the child,' before he was able to walk continue down the road.

Another male migrant bound for the U.S. was placed in a choke hold and then slammed to the ground by National Institute of Migration agents who repeatedly punched and kicked him.

The latest incident unfolded Saturday in the southern Mexican town of Tapachula, where at least 600 asylum-seekers from Haiti, Cuba and Central America split into two groups and and set out on foot before they were dispersed by the National Guard several hours later.

After about eight hours, they passed through an immigration checkpoint without problems, but then National Guard troops in riot gear blocked their way as a heavy rain fell. Some of the migrants were arrested while others eluded capture and kept heading north.

A migrant man holds on to his son as he attempts to go pass Mexican National Guard members in riot gear on Saturday as nearly 600 people joined a caravan that departed from the southern Mexico border town of Tapachula and headed towards the north in hopes of crossing to the United States

A member of Mexico's National Institute of Migration lies on top of a migrant as a child (left) who was traveling with him looks on moments after security forces and nearly 600 migrants from Haiti, Cuba and Central America clashed in the southern border town of Tapachula on Saturday

By Saturday night about 200 had arrived the town of Huixtla, said Reverend Heyman Vazquez, a priest who works with migrants.

Immigration agents also helped break up the group.

The Collective of Monitoring and Documentation of Human Rights of the Southeast, which is a coalition of groups that work with migrants, said some people were injured though it gave no numbers. It said the detained migrants had been loaded on buses and driven away.

The flow of migrants from Central America has increased since the beginning of the year and in recent days despair had grown especially among the Haitian community stranded in Tapachula, where some 125,000 foreign nationals are camping out in the open.

This week they began to demonstrate seeking to speed up their immigration procedures and threatened to leave in a caravan if Mexican officials did not pay attention to them.

One of the migrants told Univision that some of the people who joined the caravan had been in Tapachula for 'four to five months with a humanitarian visa, but they were allow us to move.'

Haitian migrants demonstrate in front of the facilities of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid (Comar), in Tapachula, Mexico. Some 125,000 migrants hoping to reach the United States are camping out in the border city, which is located near Guatemala

A man seeking to reach U.S. border clashes with immigration agents in the southern Mexican border town of Tapachula, where two groups of nearly 600 migrants set off in a caravan on Saturday with the plan of reaching Mexico's northern border with the United States

The group that started out Saturday was the biggest one this year and recalled the caravans that occurred in Mexico before the pandemic and the big formation that tried to leave Honduras in January but that was blocked from crossing Guatemala.

The Mexican government has insisted this week that it will continue with its policy of containing migrants. Defense Secretary Luis Cresencio Sandoval said Friday that the main goal of the deployment of the army, navy and National Guard is to 'stop all migration.'

More than 14,000 military and National Guard personnel are deployed in Mexico's south, a move that was made by the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in the summer of 2019 after former United States President Donald Trump threatened to slam his country with import tariffs if they didn't do their part to stem the flow of migrants towards the 1,954-mile long border region shared by both nations.

However, tens of thousands of migrants have continued to march north, managing to stay in shelters or sleeping in tent camps set up along the border towns in the states of Baja California, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon and Coahuila.

For several weeks now, the administration of President Joe Biden has been petitioning the Mexican government to put an end to the ad-hoc camps housing thousands of migrants in border cities due to concerns they pose a security risk and attract criminal gangs, officials familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The officials emphasized the importance of eradicating conditions that encouraged cartel members to try to extort migrants, or to pressure them into joining their ranks.

Haitian foreign nationals congregate in front of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid in Tapachula, Mexico, on August 23

An agent with Mexico's National Institute of Migration kicks the head of a migrant pinned to the ground on a highway in the souther border town of Tapachula

The bodies of Salvadoran migrant Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez and his nearly one-year-old daughter Valeria lie on the bank of the Rio Grande in Matamoros, Mexico

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Biden to comply with a Texas-based federal judge's ruling to revive a Trump administration immigration policy that forced thousands of asylum seekers to stay in Mexico to await U.S. hearings.

The Migrant Protection Protocols, or 'Remain in Mexico,' police was instituted under orders of Trump in which migrants who attempted to enter the U.S. illegally or without legal documents could be expelled to Mexico where they would have to await their immigration proceedings.

The move was widely criticized by opponents of the administration and also tested the patience of migrants, including several parents and children who died in the process of crossing the border, including 25-year-old Oscar Ramirez, who was found dead on the banks of the Rio Grande with his one-year-old daughter Valeria by his side after they were swept away by a rip current in June 2019.

The family from El Salvador had spent two months at a camp in the northern Mexico border town of Matamoros waiting for an appointment with U.S. But the lagging wait times drove Ramirez and his pregnant wife, Tania Avalos, 21, to migrate illegally to the U.S.

Ramirez crossed the Rio Grande lethal currents in Matamoros first with his child before returning to other the side for Avalos.

But their youngster, misunderstanding why she had been left on the other side got back into the water and Ramirez fatefully went in to save her.

Avalos could only watch in horror as her husband and daughter were swept a few hundred yards downstream to their deaths.
Afghans already enrolled at Sandhurst can join British Army if they pass course

MPs and former military leaders have called on the government to create a new regiment in the British Army for Afghan special forces - just like the Gurkhas.

Ministers are set to consider suggestions on how to best utilise the skills of hundreds of Afghan commandos, who UK troops helped train, who have arrived in the UK on the last evacuation flights from Kabul.

The move already has support from veterans now in Parliament as well as the former head of Army.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Afghans already enrolled at Sandhurst, who were due to join the Afghan National Army, could now join the British Army instead.

MPs and former military leaders have called on the government to create a new regiment in the British Army for Afghan special forces

It reported that the special forces had played a key role in the evacuation effort from Kabul by heading into crowds to find those eligible for evacuation and handing them over to British forces.

Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat said the personnel should be welcomed into the Army.

The Tory MP, who served in Afghanistan, told The Telegraph: 'We trained and fought alongside many Afghans who are now in the UK.

'They've proved their loyalty a thousand times.

It reported that the special forces had played a key role in the evacuation effort from Kabul by heading into crowds to find those eligible for evacuation and handing them over to British forces

'If they want to serve, we should welcome them, I would love to see a regiment of Afghan scouts.'

Fellow Conservative Tobias Ellwood, who is chairman of the Defence Select Committee and also a veteran, added: 'Given that we've helped train these forces, it's certainly something that needs to be a consideration.

'One avenue is they are kept as a unit, as the Gurkhas have operated.

'The other avenue is they are blended into our own system.'

Former veterans minister Johnny Mercer told the newspaper it would be an 'absolute waste not to make use of them'.

The Ministry of Defence told the Telegraph it was 'assessing how to best support them and utilise their skills and expertise going forward'.
Plans by the New South Wales government to selectively lift lockdown measures in areas with few Covid cases stands to benefit some of Sydney's wealthiest suburbs first.

Several postcodes in the city's east, north shore and south - mostly exclusive suburbs with high average incomes housing white-collar professionals who can easily work from home - have reported no active cases of the virus since June 26, despite the state experiencing a record-breaking day with 1,290 new cases of Covid-19 on Monday.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said lockdown measures would gradually be relaxed as vaccination rates climbed, with the earliest easings being in areas with high jab percentages and few cases.

Already the government had announced that gatherings of up to five people will be allowed from September 13.

Here are the Sydney areas which stand to have lockdown eased earliest:

A surprising number of Sydney suburbs have remained relatively unscathed by the rapid spread of coronavirus even as daily case numbers continue to skyrocket

Jannali (pictured), around 30km south of the CBD in the Sutherland Shire, has reported just three Covid-positive residents since the start of the outbreak

Jannali

In the city's Sutherland Shire, Jannali and its neighbouring suburbs Bonnett Bay and Como have no active cases of Covid-19.

The suburb, around 30km south of the CBD, has reported just three Covid-positive residents since the start of the outbreak more than 18 months ago.

Testing rates in the area are also strong with 60 tests per day and a total of 22,243 tests so far this outbreak.

The majority of locals have received one dose of the vaccine - between 70 and 79 per cent - with between 40 and 49 per cent of resident being fully vaccinated.

An impressive 170 tests are carried out each day in Gymea (pictured) in the city's south with a total of 22,289 Covid tests administered throughout the outbreak

Gymea

Less than a ten minute drive east from Jannali lie Gymea and Gymea Bay which have also remained untouched by the Delta outbreak, with zero active cases.

An impressive 170 tests are carried out each day in the area with a total of 22,289 tests administered throughout the outbreak.

The southern suburbs have reported just seven active cases since the end of June, with 70 to 79 per cent of residents having received one dose of a vaccine.

NSW recorded a pandemic-record of 1,218 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday (pictured, people exercising beside Luna Park in Milsons Point)

Darling Point

The exclusive Sydney suburbs of Darling Point, Edgecliff and Point Piper in Sydney's east have also avoided the contagious Delta variant.

The waterfront suburbs, which are three of the wealthiest in Australia, have reported no active cases of the virus so far and have only had 14 residents test positive for Covid-19.

About 70 residents get tested for Covid each day, with 16,295 tests carried out so far during the current outbreak.

Between 40 and 49 per cent of residents in these areas are fully-vaccinated.

As seen on this map of Sydney, the majority of active Covid-19 cases live in the LGAs of Liverpool, Penrith and Blacktown in Sydney's Covid-ravaged west and southwest

Rozelle

Rozelle, in Sydney's trendy inner west, has been relatively spared by the current outbreak despite its close proximity to the CBD.

The suburb has no active cases of Covid-19 and has reported only 14 cases since the lockdown began on June 26.

Around 80 tests are administered each day with the suburb recording a total of 16,542 tests since the start of the outbreak.

Between 70 and 79 per cent of residents have received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine while 40 to 49 per cent are fully-vaccinated.

Cremorne

On Sydney's wealthy lower north shore, Cremorne and nearby Cremorne Point have no active cases with only 19 cases of Covid-19 reported since the start of the outbreak.

Cremorne, which has a population of around 11,000, also has a high vaccination rate with 60 to 69 per cent of residents having received their first dose of a vaccine.

A total of 12,274 tests have been carried out in the harbourside suburbs with around 60 Covid tests a day.

Cammeray

Adjacent to Cremorne is Cammeray, which has recorded no active cases of the virus so far, with only 12 residents testing positive since the start of the outbreak.

About 60 Cammeray residents present for a Covid test each day, with a total of 12,274 tests administered since the end of June.

Between 70 to 79 per cent of residents have received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine while 40 to 49 per cent are fully-vaccinated.

The harborside suburb of Lavender Bay (pictured) has also remained relatively unscathed by the virus, with just 17 people testing positive since the outbreak begun in June

Lavender Bay

This harbourside suburb across the water from the CBD - along with Victoria Cross and Waverton - has also remained relatively unscathed by the virus, with just 17 people testing positive since June.

That low number has been sustained despite around 140 people being tested for the virus each day, totalling 24,936 tests carried out since the start of the outbreak.

Between 50 and 59 per cent of residents have received one dose of the vaccine while 30 to 39 per cent are double-jabbed.

The waterfront suburb of Milsons Point (pictured) along with its neighbours in Kirribilli have zero active cases of the virus with only ten positive cases since the start of the pandemic

Milsons Point

The waterfront suburb at the north end of the Harbour Bridge, along with its neighbours in Kirribilli, have zero active cases of the virus with only ten positive cases since the start of the pandemic.

The area sees around 40 locals present for testing each day with a total of 8,562 tests carried out since June.

Of residents in Milsons Point between 50 and 59 per cent of have had one dose of a vaccine while 30 to 39 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Just five kilometres from Milsons Point, Artarmon on Sydney's lower north shore can report no active cases of coronavirus and only seven Covid-positive residents since June 26

Artarmon

Just five kilometres from Milsons Point, another suburb on Sydney's lower north shore can report no active cases of the virus.

The area has had only seven residents test positive for coronavirus since the start of the outbreak with around 40 tests carried out each day.

The postcode has administered 14,018 Covid-19 tests so far with between 30 and 39 per cent of residents fully-vaccinated.

Willoughby

Willoughby, Middle Cove and Castlecrag on Sydney's lower north shore have also been able to dodge the current outbreak with no active cases of the virus.

As it stands, the suburbs have had 16 people test positive for the virus since June 26, with as many as 100 tests administered each day.

A total of 30,933 tests have been carried out so far with between 70 to 79 per cent of the area having received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

Tucked away in Sydney's northern beaches, Seaforth (pictured) has so far successfully avoided the current outbreak with no active cases of the virus

Seaforth

Tucked away in Sydney's northern beaches, Seaforth has so far successfully avoided the outbreak with no active cases of the virus.

Eight people in the area have so far tested positive for Covid-19 with an average of 50 tests carried out per day to make a total of 12,738 tests.

High levels of vaccination can also be noticed in the postcode with between 70 to 79 per cent of residents having received one dose of a vaccine.

On Sunday, the NSW Premier said double-jabbed Sydneysiders would be rewarded with bonus freedoms, including gatherings of up to five people from September 13 (pictured, people exercise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge)

Gordon

The leafy postcode, 15km from the CBD, has had eight positive cases since the end of June with a staggering 70 locals presenting for tests daily.

The exclusive area in Sydney's upper north shore has recorded a total of 13,877 tests since the start of the outbreak.

Between 70 to 79 per cent of residents have rolled up their sleeves for one jab of a Covid-19 vaccine while 40 to 49 per cent are fully-vaccinated.
Health authorities have launched a Pfizer vaccine drive to parts of Sydney's wealthy eastern suburbs as case numbers in the area start to surge again.

NSW Health fears the fallout from an illegal beach party in Maroubra on August 14 is behind a sudden spike in cases.

The party is believed to have started in Lurline Bay and continued in an apartment building in South Maroubra.

Twenty of the estimated 60 guests at the superspreader gathering have since tested positive and they have already infected a further 61 close contacts.

NSW Health fears the fallout from an illegal beach party in Maroubra (pictured) on August 14 is behind a sudden spike in cases in the Randwick area

Over the weekend the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District pushed locals aged 16-49 and authorised workers aged 16-59 to get vaccinated at a hub in Brighton-Le-Sands.

The move sparked speculation the area had been prioritised for extra Pfizer jabs to counter the surging local numbers.

But NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard dismissed the rumours on Monday and said the initiative was to use up doses from cancelled appointments before they expired.

'Southeast Sydney put out a tweet yesterday just letting people know that they had some viable vaccine because there were a number of no shows,' he said at Monday's daily Covid briefing.

'They're just making sure, as all the agencies do, that the vaccine would be offered and taken up.'

He added: 'The main message here is that our frontline staff who are out there vaccinating want you to come in and get a jab in your arm.

'They will make sure that if they have a vaccine because somebody has failed to show then they make sure they get the message out, and that's what they're doing.'

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District said the vaccination hub was in response to the spreading cluster from the Maroubra beach party.

Most of the guests at the party are believed to have been from outside the area, with many from the neighbouring Bayside LGA.

'The criteria has been expanded as the Randwick postcode overlaps the Bayside LGA which is one of the 12 LGAs of concern,' said a SESLHD spokesman.

'There have also been 81 cases associated with a gathering on Saturday 14 August in Maroubra, which is within the Randwick area.'

Twenty of an estimated 60 guests at the Maroubra beach party on August 14 have since tested positive and they have already infected a further 61 close contacts. (Pictured, three people exercising at Maroubra beach last week)

Randwick council area currently has 130 active cases - including 52 in Maroubra alone - with neighbouring Bayside on 236, City of Sydney 185, and Inner West also on 185, while Camden currently has 193 active cases.

By contrast, Woollahra council area - where the current outbreak began on June 16 when a Bondi limo driver was infected ferrying air crew from the airport - has just 19.

Canterbury-Bankstown and Blacktown LGAs currently remain the worst affected LGAs with 2788 and 2016 cases respectively.

But numbers in Penrith and Campbelltown areas have surged over the past few days too, with 1038 and 532 cases there now.

Overall NSW had another record number of cases on Monday, with 1290 new cases reported and four more deaths - a man in his 50s, a woman in her 60s and two men in their 70s.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian admitted on Monday that some LGAs could be added to the areas of concern, while some could be freed from the stricter lockdown restrictions.

'There are a couple of local government areas that we're considering taking out of those areas of concern,' she said at Monday morning's briefing.

'A few local government areas have had a reduction or stabilisation in case numbers with very high rates of vaccination.

'These are the opportunities we have to look at and that obviously depends on the health advice.

'Also on the converse, there could be areas where there is a spillover of cases so we just ask everybody to be on guard.'
The New South Wales government has poured money into suicide prevention services as Sydney residents endure a ninth week of lockdown.

Self-harm attempts have risen as Covid restrictions stop people from having visitors to their home and individuals are cut off from their family and friends.

In NSW, individuals face a $1,000 fine if they have a visitor over to their home who is not registered as part of a government-mandated singles bubble.

Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor noted same-sex attracted people, the elderly and those living in regional areas were particularly at risk, as she announced an $8million funding boost to mental health groups.

The New South Wales government has poured money into suicide prevention services as Sydney residents endure a ninth week of lockdown (pictured are groups of two sitting on park benches at Milsons Point on Sydney's Lower North Shore)

'We know that there are some groups of individuals who are at greater risk of suicide due to issues such as past trauma, stigma or isolation,' she said.

'These experiences not only destabilise their mental health and sense of connectedness, they also make it extremely hard to ask for support.

'This is all about encouraging safe conversations around suicide and suicidal behaviour so people in these priority groups know how and where to access the help that is right for them.'

Gay support group ACON, Anglican Community Services, HealthWISE - New England North West Health, Grand Pacific Health, Suicide Prevention Australia and Wellways Australia are the recipients of the $8million in new funding.

The announcement was made as the NSW government's Suicide Monitoring System noted 8,489 young people under 18 were hospitalised for self-harm or suicidal thoughts in the year to July 29.

That equated to 40 children a day in a state of crisis, a rise of 31 per cent compared with the same time frame in 2020 and 47 per cent higher than 2019 before the pandemic.

In Victoria, the figures are even worse with 156 teenagers a week rushed to hospital for self harm, an 88 per cent increase when the year to May 2021 was compared with 2020, figures from the Victorian Agency for Health Information obtained by The Weekend Australian revealed.

Melbourne's sixth lockdowns is set to be extended, which will see children kept away from the classroom for more than 200 days since the pandemic began.

Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor noted same-sex attracted people, the elderly and those living in regional areas were particularly at risk, as she announced an $8million funding boost to mental health groups (pictured are police at Sydney's Bondi Beach)

University of New South Wales psychology professor Richard Bryant said people struggled to cope the longer lockdowns went on.

'What we tend to see is that people get anxious at the start, then when the effects of social isolation wear on, it becomes a depressive reaction: people's coping resources get eroded over time,' he said.

Professor Bryant said the lockdowns of 2021 to contain the more contagious Indian Delta variant was also a more frightening time.

'I believe we are more frightened than last year's lockdown,' he said.

'If you look at the messaging from the government, the spread of the Delta strain and intensive care unit admissions, these are the reasons people are more scared of the virus.'

The announcement was made as the NSW government's Suicide Monitoring System noted 8,489 young people under 18 were hospitalised for self-harm or suicidal thoughts in the year to July 29. That equated to 40 children a day (pictured is an ambulance in Sydney's inner west)

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said Australia needed to open up once 70 per cent of people aged 16 and over were fully vaccinated, otherwise the mental health crisis would worsen.

He pleaded with the states to back the National Cabinet plan, based on Doherty Institute modelling, as Labor premiers Mark McGowan from Western Australia and Queensland's Annastacia Palaszczuk threaten to keep their borders closed even with 80 per cent of the population fully vaccinated.

'This is why we must stick to the plan. The health of our economy, and the wellbeing of our community, depends on it,' Mr Frydenberg said in an opinion piece for The Australian.

NSW Chief Psychiatrist Murray Dr Murray Wright said everyone was mentally affected.

'We should assume every single person in the community is impacted by the pandemic and restrictions,' he told 2GB's Ben Fordham on Monday.

NSW has recorded 1,290 new daily cases of Covid, with 80 per cent in Sydney's west and south-west.

For 24-hour confidential support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
States and territories will have their Covid-19 financial support largely cut off once 70 to 80 per cent of the nation is vaccinated, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Monday.

The Federal Government has been urging cautious states such and Western Australia and Queensland to stick to the national re-opening plan which phases out lockdowns in two stages when 70 and 80 per cent of over 16s are vaccinated.

The plan, which opens international borders when 80 per cent are jabbed, makes no mention of state borders - but Scott Morrison and Mr Frydenberg have been encouraging leaders to open up because eliminating Covid is unsustainable.

Residents Coolangatta on the New South Wales and Queensland border protest against restrictions on Sunday

After a National Cabinet meeting on Friday, Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan declared he would not 'deliberately infect' his citizens and insisted he would keep state borders closed if WA was Covid-free when it reached the 70 per cent vaccination mark.

The Federal Government is currently supporting states' restrictions with bailouts for business and direct $750-a-week payments to workers - but Mr Frydenberg says the tap will soon be turned off, leaving any pro-lockdown state to support itself.

'When it comes to Federal Government support which is now tracking at more than $1 billion per week, I have been very clear that there can be no expectation from the states and territories that that support can be expected once we hit those 70 per cent and 80 per cent targets,' he told Sunrise on Monday morning.

'Asked if he was threatening to cut off their cash, Mr Frydenberg added: 'There should be no expectation that the Federal economic support that we are providing right now can continue that way.'

Pressed on whether states keeping their borders closed would plunge Australia into recession, the Treasurer said: 'Well, it certainly will cost jobs. It certainly will see businesses close. It will see our debt burden increase and it will see the well-being of Australians suffer.

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan declared he would not 'deliberately infect' his citizens. Pictured: Cottesloe Beach in restriction-free WA

'You could have the ridiculous situation where somebody in NSW could travel to Canada before they could go to Cairns or somebody in Victoria could travel to Singapore and Bali before they could go to Perth. That would be ridiculous.

'That is why it is so important that the agreed national plan is adhered to by the states and the territories,' he said.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the Federal Government was trying to pick a fight with Labor states and insisted Mr McGowan and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had not threatened to derail the plan.

Both have endorsed the plan at three National Cabinet meetings.

The 70 and 80 per cent rates were stipulated by the Doherty Institute which found that if optimal testing and tracing is maintained there would be only 88 Covid hospitalisations, 21 ICU admissions and 13 deaths nationally in the six months after the 70 per cent jab rate is reached.

Queensland and Western Australia both demanded new modelling to take the recent high case load into account - but the scientists came back with the same conclusion that opening with 70 per cent jabbed is safe.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured during a pre-brief for a National Cabinet meeting on Friday) wants Australia to open up once 70 per cent of adults are vaccinated

Some states are threatening to keep their borders closed or require higher jab rates before scrapping lockdowns, raising the prospect that Australia will remain a divided nation for months to come

Federal ministers, who want to revive the economy and give Australians their lives back, have piled pressure on states to stick to the plan by writing op-eds in local newspapers and threatening to turn off financial support to any recalcitrant governments.

At the other end of the scale, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is moving ahead of the plan, vowing to exempt vaccinated residents from restrictions once her state hits a 70 per cent jab rate, even though the plan requires a 70 per cent rate across the nation before any one jurisdiction can move to phase B.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, while initially cautious about opening up, has endorsed the plan and increasingly moved away from his Covid elimination rhetoric, acknowledging that Victorians will have to live with the virus - and South Australia has also backed the plan.
One of the country's top doctors insists Australia will soon open up even if isolationist states are reluctant to abandon Covid-zero.

Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth slapped down suggestions by the Today show's Karl Stefanovic that NSW would be isolated for a long time.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is committed to ending the state's lockdown once it hits 70 per cent vaccination, regardless of case numbers.

Australia's national plan calls for all domestic borders to be open at 70 per cent and no later than 80 per cent, but some premiers are resistant to doing this while NSW has hundreds of cases a day.

'There is no way that [Victorian Premier] Daniel Andrews, no way that [WA Premier] Mark McGowan, no way that [Queensland Premier] Annastacia Palaszczuk will going to open up while NSW numbers are high,' Stefanovic said on Monday.

'If you're saying hospitalisation not Covid numbers, that could be a long, long time?'

However, Dr Coatsworth countered that the states would lose their resistance before long as they accepted reality.

'Well, to be honest, Karl, I think when we start to see what Covid-19 when we start to see what living with Covid-19 in the community looks like in NSW, then I think that the other states and territories will be obligated to follow at some point,' he said.

'So, no, I don't think it's going to be a long time.'

Dr Coatsworth also hosed down Stefanovic's suggestion that NSW did not have control of the outbreak, saying the restrictions were keeping a lid on it.

'If the restrictions weren't happening... there truly would be an overwhelming of the healthcare system,' he told the program via videolink from Canberra.

'Whilst there are large number of hospitalisations and people in intensive care, there are still intensive care beds available, there are still hospital beds available.'

Dr Coatsworth said as vaccination rates go up, the number of Covid hospitalisations should be counted rather than case numbers (pictured: Year 12 students get Covid vaccines at Olympic Park in Sydney in August)

He said though there were a lot of tired and exhausted medical staff, the system was coping and as vaccination increases, less people will be admitted to hospital.

'The proportion of cases going to hospital is not increasing... And once we see the number of hospitalisations decrease, that will be a good indicator that we're on the right track.'

Ms Berejiklian says the state could reach 70 per cent single-dose vaccination coverage within days and at double-dose coverage - expected around mid-October - a number of freedoms will be restored to the fully vaccinated.

'We will stick to our word,' Ms Berejiklian said on Sunday after announcing a record new locally acquired 1,218 cases.

'No matter what the case numbers are doing - of course we want to see them come down - double-dose 70 per cent in NSW means freedom for those who are [fully] vaccinated.'

Dr Coatsworth explained this will mean a shift from counting the numbers of Covid cases to the number of hospitaliations and ensuring the pressure placed on the healthcare system is sustainable.

Dr Coatsworth (pictured) also added the number of children hospitalised with the delta variant is about 0.02 per cent or 2 in every 1,000 cases - neither of which would go to the ICU

When also quizzed about another development of NSW latest delta outbreak - more younger people catching and being hospitalised with the virus - Dr Coatsworth said again, the issue was more about the number of children becoming sick.

'If you look at the Sydney Children's Hospital network, the rate of admission for kids with actual respiratory illness, is about 0.2 per cent,' he said.

'Which is low for a respiratory virus. So, I just think we've got to be very calm and measured.'

As of Monday, all Australians aged 16-39 can get the Pfizer jab as soon as they can arrange an appointment.

Dr Coatsworth, a parent of young kids himself, added that for children under 12 he would 'wait for more evidence' on the effectiveness of the jab.

As of Saturday, 66 per cent of eligible NSW residents had got at least one vaccine dose and 35.9 per cent were fully vaccinated.

The government, having reached a six million jab target, last week announced a 'treat' for fully vaccinated NSW residents allowing them to have small picnics outdoors.

He said Australian states would be 'obligated' to open up sooner rather than later as vaccinations go up

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell is confident that with rising vaccinations rates students can start a staggered return to school from October 25, building up to having all students back from November.8.

'If we have any hot spot areas that still have high case loads, then obviously we would need to look at what we do in those communities,' she told Nine News on Monday.

'But it's just too early to say.'

However, there's hope of an earlier return to school in the regions if a lockdown was lifted earlier, she said.

A survey of 50,000 public school teachers found about 70 per cent had one vaccination and 40 per cent were double vaccinated.

'So that is really encouraging,' Ms Mitchell said.
British Afghan Muhammad Niazi was among dead, but his brother fears he was shot by allied soldiers

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What really happened at the Abbey gate? The Pentagon's changing story of the Kabul terror attack Thursday, August 26 'TWO BOMBERS' 8.59 AM: Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby tweets about the evacuation efforts, before the first blast. He wrote: 'Evacuation operations in Kabul will not be wrapping up in 36 hours. We will continue to evacuate as many people as we can until the end of the mission'. 10:30 AM: Pentagon briefing is pushed back following reports of the first blast in Kabul. Around that time sources in Kabul and journalists start to report there has been a second explosion near the Baron Hotel outside Hamid Karzai international airport. France's ambassador to Afghanistan David Martinon tweeted that a second explosion 'is possible'. There was no official confirmation of the explosion, but there were reports from US officials that US troops had been injured. 10:34 AM: The Pentagon confirms the first explosion. John Kirby tweets: 'We can confirm that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. We will continue to update.' 10:57 AM: The Pentagon confirms there is a second explosion. John Kirby tweets: 'We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.' 3:00 PM: Pentagon holds their delayed briefing on the Kabul suicide attack. General McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command, told the press: 'So, we think one suicide bomb at Abbey gate. Don't know if it's male or female just don't have that information. Don't know much about the second bomb. Except one went off in the vicinity of the Baron Hotel. Which as you're aware is a deeply bunker structure. And as far as I know, no, there were no UK military casualties. As a result of that.' There were multiple reports on the ground of multiple explosions on the ground at the time amid the chaos. Some suggested there could have been as many as six or seven and others believed American forces were destroying weapons and equipment in controlled explosions. 6:30 PM: Media accounts also post information that proves inaccurate. The Reuters news agency reports at least two blasts rocked the area, citing witnesses. The Associated Press also reported on two attacks, citing U.S. and Afghan officials. Friday, August 27 'ONE BOMBER' 10:30 AM: Pentagon officials said there was only one suicide bomber at Kabul airport on Thursday and not two, as was previously claimed, adding to confusion over the attack and fears for the ongoing operation on the ground. Speaking at a briefing on Friday, Army General Hank Taylor said: 'I can confirm that we do not believe there was a second explosion at or near the Baron hotel. It was one suicide bomber. In the confusion of very dynamic events can cause information to get confused,' he said. I can confirm for you that we do not believe that there was a second explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, that it was one suicide bomber. We're not sure how that report was provided incorrectly.' US President Joe Biden vows retribution for the deaths of the 13 marines killed in the attack but will not delay or stop withdrawal from Afghanistan beyond August 31. Sunday, August 28 WITNESSES DISPUTE ISIS GUNMAN Survivors of the bomb blast say American and Turkish soldiers guarding the Abbey Gate opened fire on the crowds running towards them in the aftermath of the suicide bomb. One witness said: 'The bullet went inside his head, right here near to his ear' Monday, August 29 US intelligence sources tell Politico that the Americans wanted the Abbey Gate closed because it was the likely target of a terror attack - but it was kept open to allow the British to keep using it. Advertisement

The so-called 'special relationship' came under further strain after the Pentagon was today accused of trying to blame Britain for making the number of people killed in Thursday's ISIS-K suicide bombing at Kabul airport worse than it could otherwise have been.

US security sources said they begged to shut down a gate being used at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital city before it was hit by the deadly jihadist attack - but Britain wanted it kept open to continue its evacuation campaign.

The new twist came as survivors of the deadly blast claimed panicked US troops opened fire on the crowds of evacuees in the bloody aftermath, killing their loved-ones including a British father-of-two.

Leaked transcripts handed to Politico suggest Pentagon officials had predicted a 'mass casualty' attack at Kabul airport and warned that the Abbey Gate was the 'highest risk' in a meeting just 24 hours before 170 people and 13 US Marines were killed.

In a second conference call at 12pm last Thursday, American commanders set out plans to close the gate by that afternoon. However, the decision was taken to allow Britain, based at the nearby Baron Hotel, to continue evacuating people through it.

Six hours later, an ISIS-K terrorist armed with a suicide vest killed himself and almost 200 others.

The British Ministry of Defence declined to respond to allegations they were to blame for keeping the gate open, but said in a statement: 'Throughout Operation Pitting we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people.

'We send our deepest condolences to the families of the US victims of the senseless attacks in Kabul & continue to offer our full support to our closest ally'.

The terrorist attack happened on Thursday at about 6pm local time at the Abbey Gate to the airport, where thousands had gathered at the perimeter hoping to get on to a leaving cargo plane.

Initially, the Pentagon said that there had been two suicide attacks, including at the Baron Hotel where the British were processing people. The following day the US changed its account and said there had been only one, blaming 'garbled' intelligence from the scene.

And survivors have claimed that frightened soldiers protecting the airport may have opened fire in the aftermath, inadvertently adding to the death toll, which included two Britons and the child of a UK national.

Among the dead was Muhammad Niazi, a taxi driver from London who had travelled back to Afghanistan to get his family out of Kabul. His wife was killed in the blast, and his youngest child and eldest daughter are still believed to be missing.

His brother Abdul Hamid, who survived the blast, made the claims about bullets from western guard posts killing people and told the BBC: 'The fire came from the bridges the towers from the soldiers'.

He added: I saw some small children in the river, it was so bad. It was doomsday for us.'

The second British victim, Musa Popal, 60, was pushing through the crowd trying to attract the attention of soldiers by waving his UK passport when he was killed by the suicide bomber, it was reported last night.

Other witnesses to the suicide bomb attack also say that their relatives weren't killed in the blast but by fire in the confusion afterwards. Abdul says he saw American and Turkish soldiers amid the chaotic scenes as gunfire reined over the crowds of people.

Another man claimed his friend who had helped US forces during the war had been killed by a gunfire from Western troops.

'This guy served the US Army for years,' he told the BBC. 'And the reason he lost his life wasn't because of Taliban, he wasn't killed by ISIS...'

When asked why he was so sure, the man added: 'Because of the bullet, the bullet went inside his head, right here near to his ear,' suggesting a troop guarding the airport may have hit him by mistake. He added that his friend had not suffered any other injuries in the blast.

It came as three children were killed in a US drone strike targeting 'multiple suicide bombers' planning an attack on Kabul's evacuation airport - just hours after Joe Biden warned of the possibility of another jihadist atrocity following this week's attack.

Witnesses said a rocket strike blew up two cars parked outside a residential building near the Hamid Karzai airport to the north of Afghanistan's capital. It is believed the vehicles were going to be used in an 'imminent' attack by ISIS-K militants.

The strike on the vehicles, filled with explosives, is then believed to have caused a secondary blast, killing and wounding several civilians.

An Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity out of security concerns, said that three children were among the dead. It is not known where the children killed in the incident were at the time of the explosion.

The death toll is expected to rise with Afghan TV presenter Muslim Shirzad reporting that as many as six children were dead and nine people in total, including an interpreter who had worked with US troops, and an Afghan army officer due to get married tomorrow.

The Taliban said it welcomed the drone strike in an apparent sign of uneasy co-operation on security around the airport.

This morning as many as five rockets were fired at Kabul's international airport but were intercepted by a missile defense system, a US official told Reuters.

Claims of Afghans being killed by friendly fire came as:

Multiple rockets were fired at Kabul airport in just the latest attack as the US races to get its last troops out;

James Cleverly admitted the Government has no idea how many Afghan citizens the UK left behind;

Dominic Raab will be 'toast' at Boris Johnson's next Cabinet reshuffle because of his handling of the crisis;

Britain is facing the biggest terror threat in years, experts have warned the Prime Minister;

The Government has received Taliban assurances that anybody wishing to leave after August 31 can do so;

MPs and ex-military leaders called for a new regiment in the British Army for Afghan special forces;

A close aide of Osama bin Laden has returned to his home in Afghanistan after 20 years of US occupation.

Pictured: A Taliban fighter stands guard at the site of the August 26 twin suicide bombs, which killed scores of people, at Kabul airport on August 27, 2021

Initially the Pentagon said that there had been two suicide attacks, including at the Baron Hotel where the British were processing people. The following day the US changed its account and confirmed there had been only one, blaming 'garbled' intelligence from the scene

How the bomb attack on Kabul airport unfolded. One of the two deadly blasts near Kabul's airport Thursday happened near a hotel that has been used to process Afghans attempting to flee the Taliban's oppressive regime. The explosion occurred less than one mile from the airport at or near the 160-room Baron Hotel, the Pentagon said

The brother of British Afghan Muhammad Niazi (pictured) who was killed following a suicide bomb attack on Kabul airport says he was shot dead by panicked western troops. Muhammad's youngest child and eldest daughter (pictured but not named) are still believed to be missing

His brother Abdul Hamid, who survived the blast, told the BBC that his brother was shot dead by western troops - not killed by the suicide bomb

Musa Popal (pictured) was pushing through the crowd trying to attract the attention of soldiers by waving his British passport when he was killed by the suicide bomber, it was reported last night

This is the aftermath of Thursday's attack outside Kabul airport. 170 people were killed in the bomb attack and more are imminent, American generals warned

Daughter of British shopkeeper killed in ISIS-K Kabul airport terror attack begs the UK Government to help bring her mother home Mr Popals' 14-year-old grandson, Hameed (pictured), who lived in Afghanistan and acted as an interpreter for his grandparents, is missing and feared dead The daughter of a British shopkeeper who was killed in the attack on Kabul airport is begging the UK Government to help bring her mother home. Zohra Popal, 23, said the family feel 'ignored' by the Foreign Office, which she said has not made contact since news of her father's death was confirmed. Musa Popal, 60, was pushing through the crowd trying to attract the attention of soldiers by waving his British passport when he was killed by the suicide bomber, it was reported last night. His wife Saleema managed to crawl away from the carnage. Their 14-year-old grandson, Hameed, who lived in Afghanistan and acted as an interpreter for his grandparents, is missing and feared dead. Ms Popal said she fears for the life of her mother, 60, who remains in Afghanistan, and members of her family who she believes could be targeted by the Taliban. 'My mum, she has no documents now because my dad was holding everything when he died. 'She and the rest of my family are still in danger, and we still might lose them. And yet we can't get through to the Foreign Office. 'Their number is constantly engaged. We feel completely ignored. 'But we must get them to safety. I can't live without them. We need the Government's help.' Advertisement

Two unnamed US officials earlier confirmed to Reuters that American forces had launched a successful strike in the capital city targeting suspected ISIS-K militants.

US Navy Captain Bill Urban, a military spokesman, had earlier said the military was investigating whether there were civilian casualties but that 'we have no indications at this time'.

'We are confident we successfully hit the target,' Urban said. 'Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material.'

Dina Mohammadi said her extended family were in the building and that several of them had been killed, including children.

Ahmaduddin, a neighbour, said he had collected the bodies of children after the strike, which set off more explosions inside the house.

There were earlier reports of a possible separate incident in which it was claimed a child had been killed in a rocket strike on a house near to the airport. It has since emerged this is the same event.

Taliban promises UK government to allow Afghans 'safe passage' to leave after August 31 The UK Government has received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so. British troops have already left Kabul and US military personnel will be out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden. But there have been fears over the potentially thousands of Afghans who may have been eligible for resettlement schemes, who could not make it to Kabul airport for evacuation or were not processed in time. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that if the Taliban regime wanted diplomatic recognition and aid funding, they would have to ensure 'safe passage' for those who want to leave. And in a joint statement with the US and more than 90 other countries, it was confirmed that the Taliban had said anyone who wished to leave the country could do so. The joint statement said: 'We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.' It comes after 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting, which is believed to be the largest evacuation mission since the Second World War. British ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Laurie Bristow, who had remained in the country and relocated the embassy to Kabul airport to process as many evacuees as possible, arrived back in the UK on Sunday. He vowed to continue to help British nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help. Speaking on the runway at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he said: 'We've had to leave Afghanistan for now and the embassy will operate from Qatar for the time being. 'We will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan, working on humanitarian, diplomatic and security work, and above all bringing to the UK Afghans and British nationals who still need our support, and we will be putting pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those people. 'We will reopen the embassy as soon as we can. We will do everything we can to protect the gains of the last 20 years and above all to help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace that they deserve.' Advertisement

A security official from the recently deposed government told AFP a house was struck while a source at the Afghan Ministry of Health separately told the BBC the blast was near the airport, with two witnesses informing Reuters a house north of the airport was struck by a rocket.

There was no official confirmation and no terrorist group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. A US official told CBS: 'We are confident we hit the target we were aiming for. Initial reports indicate there were no civilian casualties.'

The official added that the drone strike caused 'significant secondary explosions' indicating the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material in the vehicle.

Mr Biden had previously warned another terror attack on the airport was imminent after an attack at Kabul airport carried out by ISIS-K - an Islamic extremist group operating in the Central Asian country - killed 13 American service personnel and scores of Afghans.

The Pentagon said a US drone mission in eastern Afghanistan killed two members of the so-called Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate early on Saturday in retaliation for the airport bombing, and Mr Biden said the extremists can expect more.

The President and First Lady Jill Biden made an unannounced trip to Delaware on Sunday morning for a ceremony to honour the 13, whose remains were flown back to Dover Air Force Base, where fallen troops' return to American soil is marked by a solemn movement known as the 'dignified transfer.'

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Biden said: 'The 13 service members that we lost were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others.

'Their bravery and selflessness has enabled more than 117,000 people at risk to reach safety thus far. May God protect our troops and all those standing watch in these dangerous days.'

Some 300 American citizens are still waiting to be evacuated from Afghanistan, Secretary of State Andrew Blinken revealed, as he warned that 'this is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission'.

The withdrawal of US forces allowed the Taliban to regain power after an almost 20-year war. The President's allies at home and abroad have openly accused Mr Biden of blindsiding them with his rush to exit by August 31 and slammed his bungled handling of the crisis.

The last British troops stationed in Afghanistan landed in RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire this morning. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain's hasty scuttle was 'the culmination of a mission unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes'.

The British Ambassador to Kabul, Sir Laurie Bristow, vowed to continue to help UK nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan thundered that the US has shown in other countries that it is capable of 'suppressing the terrorism threat... without a large permanent presence on the ground. And we will do that in Afghanistan as well as we go forward'.

But untold numbers of vulnerable Afghans, fearful of a return to the brutality of pre-2001 Taliban rule, are likely to be left behind. There also are roughly 280 others who have said they are Americans but have not told the State Department of their plans to leave the country.

The evacuation of Americans proceeded as tensions rose over the prospect of another IS attack. The State Department issued a new security alert early on Sunday instructing people to leave the airport area immediately 'due to a specific, credible threat'.

Mr Sullivan said that for those US citizens seeking to leave Afghanistan by Mr Biden's deadline, 'we have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining'.

He added: 'We moved out more than that number just yesterday. So from our point of view, there is an opportunity right now for American citizens to come, to be admitted to the airport and to be evacuated safely and effectively.'

He also pledged the US 'will make sure there is safe passage for any American citizen, any legal permanent resident' after Tuesday, as well as for 'those Afghans who helped us'.

Mr Sullivan said the US would continue strikes against IS and consider 'other operations to go after these guys, to get them and to take them off the battlefield'.

He added: 'We will continue to bring the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan to make sure they do not represent a threat to the United States.'

The administration's plan 'is not to have an ongoing embassy presence in Afghanistan', Mr Sullivan said.

'But we will have means and mechanisms of having diplomats on the ground there, be able to continue to process out these applicants, be able to facilitate the passage of other people who want to leave Afghanistan.'

The US Embassy said: 'Due to a specific, credible threat, all U.S. citizens in the vicinity of Kabul airport (HKIA), including the South (Airport Circle) gate, the new Ministry of the Interior and the gate near the Panjshir Petrol station on the northwest side of the airport, should leave the airport area immediately.'

Before the warning was issued, Mr Biden vowed that his revenge strike for the terror attack is 'not the last' and added that the 'situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous.'

Following the announcement, United States Marines were seen escorting children and families through an evacuation centre in Kabul.

The Taliban condemned the US drone strike, with a spokesman describing the operation as a 'clear attack on Afghan territory'. 'The Americans should have informed us before conducting the airstrike,' spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters on Saturday.

Crowds pack into the open sewer which runs around the airport perimeter (left) just hours after it was the scene of carnage when a suicide bomber blew himself up

Afghans desperate to flee the country returned to the fetid canal which runs the perimeter of Kabul airport

Taliban fighters stand guard as they block the road to Kabul airport on Friday, a day after the deadly blasts

An US Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit carrying a baby as the family processes through the Evacuation Control Center

The president saluted at the top of the stairs before boarding Air Force One on Sunday morning

Afghan special forces commandos 'could fight for British Army just like the Gurkhas' after getting interpreters safely out of Kabul MPs and former military leaders have called on the government to create a new regiment in the British Army for Afghan special forces - just like the Gurkhas. Ministers are set to consider suggestions on how to best utilise the skills of hundreds of Afghan commandos, who UK troops helped train, who have arrived in the UK on the last evacuation flights from Kabul. The move already has support from veterans now in Parliament as well as the former head of Army. The Daily Telegraph reported that Afghans already enrolled at Sandhurst, who were due to join the Afghan National Army, could now join the British Army instead. It reported that the special forces had played a key role in the evacuation effort from Kabul by heading into crowds to find those eligible for evacuation and handing them over to British forces. Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat said the personnel should be welcomed into the Army. Advertisement

However, Mujahid later took to Twitter to disavow the interview, writing: 'Reuters has interviewed me and distorted my words. I urge the media and journalists not to take these words seriously.'

Mujahid claimed that two women and a child were wounded in the drone strike. The Pentagon says it is not aware of any civilian casualties.

The Pentagon earlier confirmed that two ISIS-K targets were killed and one wounded in the drone strike responding to the suicide attack in Kabul, after earlier confirming only one kill.

The two killed targets were 'high profile', but were not senior members of ISIS-K, Army Major Gen. William D. 'Hank' Taylor said at a Pentagon briefing on Saturday, saying there were no known civilian casualties.

The retaliatory strike was launched a day after an ISIS-K suicide bomber blew himself up outside the walls of Kabul airport, killing 13 US troops and scores of Afghan civilians.

The terror threat at the airport remains 'very real' and 'very dynamic' Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Saturday.

'Threats are still very real, they're very dynamic and we are monitoring them literally in real time. And as I said yesterday, we're taking all the means necessary to make sure we remain focused on that threat stream and doing what we can for force protection,' Kirby said at a briefing.

The Pentagon described the two targets killed in the drone strike as a 'planner' and 'facilitator' of ISIS-K plots who were involved in planning additional future attacks in Kabul, but declined to name them.

'They lost a planner and they lost a facilitator and got one wounded. The fact that two of these individuals are no longer walking on the face of the Earth, that's a good thing,' said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

It was not immediately clear whether the targeted ISIS-K members were directly involved in Thursday's airport attack. The US military had initially said one person was killed.

'They were ISIS-K planners and facilitators and that's enough reason there alone. I won't speak to the details of these individuals and what their specific roles might be,' Kirby said.

Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va.

Thousands of Afghans have been evacuated to the US from Kabul airport after the Taliban took over the country

A United States Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit carried a baby as its family passed through the Evacuation Control Center at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul

Soldiers are seen manning an checkpoint at the Kabul airport earlier this week. 'The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high,' said Biden

He added: 'We have the ability and the means to carry over the horizon counterterrorism capabilities and were going to defend ourselves.'

Kirby declined to say whether all three suspects were intentional targets of the strike, saying: 'It was a single mission to get these targets and as the assessments and information flowed over time, we were able to recognize that another was killed as well and one wounded.'

Another defense official told CNN that the strike on Friday only took place after surveillance on the compound confirmed the target's wife and children had left.

Biden authorized the drone strike and it was ordered by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet publicly announced.

The Pentagon said that 6,800 people had been evacuated from Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, and that 1,400 people are now screened and inside the airport for processing and removal.

Since July, 117,000 people have been evacuated by US and NATO forces, including 5,400 US citizens, said Taylor.

However, hope for escape is dwindling for anyone not already inside the airport, after the Taliban sealed off access to the airport on Saturday to most Afghans hoping to leave.

The Pentagon insisted that some gates at the airport remain open and that US passport holders can still get in.

However, the US Embassy in Kabul issued an urgent alert on Saturday warning citizens not to approach the airport and avoid airport gates.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the US drone strike on ISIS-K as a 'clear attack on Afghan territory' but later disavowed the statement, saying that Reuters had 'distorted' his words

'They lost a planner and they lost a facilitator and got one wounded. The fact that two of these individuals are no longer walking on the face of the Earth, that's a good thing,' said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby

Afghan families live in a temporary shelter at a park in Kabul, Afghanistan on Saturday after the Taliban sealed off the airport

'U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey gate, East gate, North gate or the New Ministry of Interior gate now should leave immediately,' the Embassy said in the alert.

Mujahid, the Taliban's main spokesman said on Saturday they would announce a new government for Afghanistan in the coming week.

He appealed to the United States and other Western nations to maintain diplomatic relations after their withdrawal, which he expected would be completed 'very soon'.

There is mounting frustration in Kabul at the severe economic hardship caused by a plummeting currency and rising food prices, with banks still shuttered two weeks after the fall of the city to the Taliban.

Mujahid said officials had already been appointed to run key institutions including the ministries of public health and education and the central bank.

Meanwhile, the US rescue operation is entering in its final hours ahead of President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline for withdrawal, and US troops will now shift their focus to the final removal or destruction of equipment and extraction of service members.

Most NATO nations have now flown out their troops after two decades in Afghanistan, winding down a frantic airlift that Western leaders acknowledged was still leaving many of their citizens and local allies behind.

The United States, which says the round-the-clock flights have evacuated more than 100,000 people since the Taliban claimed Kabul on August 15, was keeping up airlifts ahead of Biden's Tuesday deadline.

A Taliban militant patrols outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday. The airport has now been reportedly sealed off as the evacuation ends

U.S. service members assist with security at an Evacuation Control Check Point (ECC) during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday

Britain also was carrying out its final evacuation flights Saturday, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to 'shift heaven and earth' to get more of those at risk from the Taliban to Britain by other means.

Britain's ambassador to Afghanistan, Laurie Bristow, said in a video from Kabul airport and posted on Twitter that it was 'time to close this phase of the operation now.'

'But we havent forgotten the people who still need to leave,' he said. 'Well continue to do everything we can to help them. Nor have we forgotten the brave, decent people of Afghanistan. They deserve to live in peace and security.'

Taliban forces were holding some positions within the airport, ready to peacefully take control as American forces fly out, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The Pentagon stressed Friday that the Taliban, who now run Afghanistan, were not in control of any operations at the airport.

A Taliban Badri fighter, a 'special forces' unit, stands guard on Humvee vehicle at the main entrance gate of Kabul airport in Kabul on Saturday, following the Taliban stunning military takeover of Afghanistan

Outside the airport, Taliban leaders deployed extra forces Saturday to prevent large crowds from gathering after a devastating suicide attack two days earlier,

New layers of checkpoints sprang up on roads leading to the airport, some manned by uniformed Taliban fighters with Humvees and night-vision goggles captured from Afghan security forces.

Areas where large crowds had gathered over the past two weeks in the hopes of fleeing the country were largely empty.

A suicide attack Thursday by an Islamic State group affiliate killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members, and there were concerns that the group, which is far more radical than the Taliban, could strike again. The U.S. military said it killed an IS militant early Saturday in a drone strike, after U.S. President Joe Biden promised swift retaliation.

The president traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday to receive their remains, with their family members present.

An Afghan who worked as a translator for the U.S. military said he was with a group of people with permission to leave who tried to reach the airport late Friday. After passing through three checkpoints they were stopped at a fourth. An argument ensued, and the Taliban said they had been told by the Americans to only let U.S. passport-holders through.

'I am so hopeless for my future,' the man told The Associated Press after returning to Kabul, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns. 'If the evacuation is over, what will happen to us?'

People are seen carrying an injured person to a hospital after an attack at Kabul airport on Thursday

Marines secure the airport on Thursday. The rescue operation is now in its final hours ahead of President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline

Finnish coalition forces assist evacuees for onward processing during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport earlier this week

The Pentagon said Friday that Afghans with the proper documents still were being allowed in.

On Saturday, the Taliban fired warning shots and deployed some kind of colored smoke on a road leading to the airport, sending dozens of people scattering, according to a video circulating online that was consistent with AP reporting.

Afghans, meanwhile, faced economic crises as many Western governments withheld support from Taliban rule.

In Kabul, hundreds of protesters, including many civil servants, gathered outside a bank while countless more lined up at cash machines. They said they hadn't been paid for three to six months and were unable to withdraw cash. ATM machines were still operating, but withdrawals were limited to about $200 every 24 hours.

Later Saturday, the central bank ordered commercial bank branches to open and allow customers to withdraw $200 per week, calling it a temporary measure.

The economic crisis, which predates the Taliban takeover, could give Western nations leverage as they urge Afghanistan's new rulers to form a moderate, inclusive government and allow people to leave after Tuesday.

Afghanistan is heavily dependent on international aid, which covered around 75% of the toppled Western-backed government's budget. The Taliban have said they want good relations with the international community and have promised a more moderate form of Islamic rule than when they last governed the country, but many Afghans are deeply skeptical.

The Taliban cannot access almost any of the central banks $9 billion in reserves, most of which is held by the New York Federal Reserve. The International Monetary Fund has also suspended the transfer of some $450 million. Without a regular supply of U.S. dollars, the local currency is at risk of collapse, which could send the price of basic goods soaring.

U.S. Soliders with the 82nd Airborne Division check evacuees during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul earlier this week

U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, assist with security at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC)

A U.S. Marine escorts a young girl at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC) during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Wednesday

A U.N. agency warned Saturday that a worsening drought threatens the livelihoods of more than 7 million people. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said Afghans are also suffering from the coronavirus pandemic and displacement from the recent fighting.

Earlier this month, the U.N. World Food Program estimated that about 14 million people - roughly one out of every three Afghans - urgently needed food assistance.

Biden has said he will adhere to a self-imposed Tuesday deadline for withdrawing all U.S. forces. The Taliban, who control nearly the entire country outside of Kabul's airport, have rejected any extension.

Italy said its final evacuation flight had landed in Rome but that it would work with the United Nations and countries bordering Afghanistan to continue helping Afghans who had worked with its military contingent to leave the country.

'Our imperative must be to not abandon the Afghan people,' especially women and children, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Saturday.

The Taliban have encouraged Afghans to stay, pledging amnesty even to those who fought against them. They have said commercial flights will resume after the U.S. withdrawal, but it's unclear if airlines will be willing to offer service.

The U.S. and its allies have said they will continue providing humanitarian aid through the U.N. and other partners, but any broader engagement - including development assistance - is likely to hinge on whether the Taliban deliver on their promises of more moderate rule.

Taliban fighters beat up a cameraman for the private broadcaster Tolo TV earlier this week in Kabul. Saad Mohseni, the CEO of the group that owns the channel, said the Taliban have been in touch with the station's management about the incident. He said the fighter has been identified, but it's unclear if he has faced any disciplinary action. There was no comment from the Taliban.

PICTURED: All 13 US troops killed by ISIS-K suicide bomber during Kabul airport evacuation On August 26, 2021, 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one Army staff sergeant were killed in a suicide attack in Kabul that also claimed more than 160 Afghan lives. The US servicemembers were on a mission of mercy to evacuate at-risk Afghans after the disastrous US withdrawal led to a Taliban takeover. These are their stories: Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23 Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee was was a maintenance technician with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Roseville, California. A week before she was killed, Gee cradled a baby in her arms at the Kabul airport. She posted the photo on Instagram and wrote, 'I love my job.' Sgt. Mallory Harrison, who lived with Gee for three years and called her a 'sister forever' and best friend, wrote about the magnitude of her loss. 'I can't quite describe the feeling I get when I force myself to come back to reality & think about how Im never going to see her again,' Harrison wrote on Facebook. 'How her last breath was taken doing what she loved - helping people. ... Then there was an explosion. And just like that, she's gone.' Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, is seen four days before she was killed, escorting Afghans on to a plane in Kabul Just days before she was killed in the suicide blast, St. Nicole Gee was photographed holding an Afghan baby Gee, 23, (left and right) of Roseville, California was among those killed in the attack on Thursday in Kabul Nicole Gee (left middle), a maintenance technician with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), awaits the launch of an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise in April Gee's Instagram page shows another photo of her in fatigues, holding a rifle next to a line of people walking into the belly of a large transport plane. She wrote: 'escorting evacuees onto the bird.' The social media account that includes many selfies after working out at the gym lists her location as California, North Carolina and 'somewhere overseas.' Photos show her on a camel in Saudi Arabia, in a bikini on a Greek isle and holding a beer in Spain. One from this month in Kuwait shows her beaming with her meritorious promotion to sergeant. Harrison said her generation of Marines hears war stories from veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, but they seem distant amid boring deployments until 'the peaceful float you were on turns into ... your friends never coming home.' Gees car was still parked in a lot at Camp Lejeune and Harrison mused about all the Marines who walked past it while she was overseas. 'Some of them knew her. Some of them didnt.' she said. 'They all walked past it. The war stories, the losses, the flag-draped coffins, the KIA bracelets & the heartbreak. Its not so distant anymore.' Friends mourned Gee (right) whom they called a 'model Marine' and a 'Marine's Marine' 'She cared about people. She loved fiercely. She was a light in this dark world. She was my person,' said friend and fellow Marine Mallory Harrison in a Facebook post on Gee (center right) 'She cared about people. She loved fiercely. She was a light in this dark world. She was my person,' said Harrison in a Facebook post. 'I find peace knowing that she left this world doing what she loved. She was a Marine's Marine,' she said. 'She was doing God's work..a warrior. Searching Afghan women and children trying to get out of country,' Captain Karen Holliday said in a Facebook tribute. Holliday called Gee a 'Model Marine. A leader on the ground in a chaotic situation.' She said that a photo released of Gee a few days before her death, showing her escorting Afghans onto a waiting plane, had been bombarded with sexist online comments 'degrading her for being a female Marine.' Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, 20 Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, 20 Lance Corporal Merola was a Marine from Rancho Cucamonga, California. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, California. The 20-year-old was a graduate of Los Osos High School, according to KABC-TV. Students honored him at Friday night's football game by wearing red, white and blue. 'Dylan was a beloved son, brother, grandson, great grandson, nephew, a great friend, and a brave soldier,' said family friend Joseph Matsuoka on a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral. Matsuoka said that Merola 'paid the ultimate sacrifice at the Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the evacuation.' Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25 Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25 Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo was a Marine sergeant from Lawrence, Massachusetts assigned to 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Naval Support Activity Bahrain. She was a graduate of Lawrence High School and attended Bridgewater State University. On social media, friends issued and outpouring of grief and devastation at Rosario's death. Nastassia Hyatt, a former Marine, recalled Rosario helping her through difficult times in a Facebook post. 'You brought me back to life. Back to life back to life.' Hyatt wrote. 'I wish i could bring you back to life for just one last hug, one last smile, one last nap, one last meal one last anything.' 'She the second half of my heart next to my son. Like she's everything to me. She is the greatest love I've ever known in a human besides my son. This one hit hard,' Hyatt said. 'We are heartbroken by the death of the service men and women due to the bombing in Kabul this week. I and the City of Lawrence are particularly saddened that one of those brave souls was a daughter of our City,' said Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez in a statement to WCVB-TV. The Dominican Republic's embassy in the United States tweeted that Rosario was originally from that Caribbean nation. On social media, friends issued and outpouring of grief and devastation at Rosario's death Sonia Guzman, the Dominican Republics ambassador to the United States, tweeted that the Dominican community shares in the loss. 'Peace to your soul!' she tweeted in Spanish. Rosario served with the Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which praised her efforts as supply chief this spring and thanked her for a job well done. In Lawrence, Massachusetts, Mayor Kendrys Vasquez said he has been in contact with the family. 'We are heartbroken by the death of the servicemen and women due to the bombing in Kabul this week,' he said. 'I and the city of Lawrence are particularly saddened that one of those brave souls was a daughter of our city.' The family wishes for privacy 'and that their loved one be recognized as the hero that she was,' the mayor said. Rosario (center) was a Marine sergeant from Lawrence, Massachusetts with the Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade Melendez said people have strong feelings about the U.S. involvement that's coming to an end after two decades in Afghanistan. 'There are people on both sides of the fence. I get it,' he said. 'This is about one of our own, a daughter of Lawrence. For us it is definitely about her service and her familys sacrifice. Thats what will be focusing on.' 'I have been in touch with the family of the Lawrencian killed in action to extend mine and my family's most sincere condolences and offer all of the aid that my administration can provide as they grieve this great loss,' the mayor said. 'At this time, the family's most immediate wish is to be given privacy and that their loved one be recognized as the hero that she was.' Hospitalman Maxton Soviak, 20 Soviak, an Ohio native, joined the Navy after high school and became a hospital corpsman Maxton William Soviak was a Navy corpsman from New Berlin, Ohio. He was assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California Weeks before his death, he made a tragic Instagram post on June 10, sharing a photo posing with other service members in what is believed to be Afghanistan. 'It's kill or be killed, definitely trynna be on the kill side,' he wrote in a comment on the post. Navy corpsmen often work alongside Marines, who do not have their own medics. Soviak's sister Marilyn said in her own Instagram post that her brother was there to 'help people'. 'My beautiful, intelligent, beat-to-the-sound of his own drum, annoying, charming baby brother was killed yesterday helping to save lives. He was a f***ing medic. There to help people and now he is gone and my family will never be the same,' she wrote. 'He was just a kid. We are sending kids over there to die. Kids with families that now have holes just like ours,' she added. 'I'm not one for praying but d**n could those kids over there use some right now. My heart is in pieces and I don't think they'll ever fit back right again.' Soviak was named as a casualty of the attack by his high school in Milan, Ohio, where he graduated in 2017. 'It is with deepest sorrow that I am sharing this news,' Edison Local School District Superintendent Thomas Roth said in a statement. 'Max was a good student who was active in sports and other activities throughout his school career. He was well respected and liked by everyone who knew him. Max was full of life in everything he did.' Maxton William Soviak (center), a medic in his early 20s, made this tragic post on June 10, writing 'It's kill or be killed, definitely trynna be on the kill side'. Marines Hunter Lopez (left) and Daegan Page (right) were also killed in the attack Soviak's sister Marilyn said an Instagram post that her brother was there to 'help people' Soviak took pride in his Navy service and worked alongside Marines in Afghanistan In high school, Soviak was on the honor roll and played football. He was named as a casualty of the attack by his high school in Milan, Ohio Soviak's family confirmed his death to local media and have asked for privacy. In high school, Soviak was on the honor roll and played football, according to the Sandusky Register. Soviak was among the nearly 6,000 US troops now working frantically to evacuate Americans and Afghan refugees from Kabul, with just days remaining before President Joe Biden's August 31 deadline to withdraw. Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, 20 David Lee Espinoza, 20, was one of the Marines killed in the attack David Lee Espinoza, was a 20-year-old U.S. Marine from Rio Grande, Texas. His mother, Elizabeth Holguin, said: 'He was a very good person. He served his country. He helped in any way he could. He was there (in Afghanistan), helping innocent people.' This was his second deployment; he first made a trip to the Middle East and arrived in Afghanistan for about a week. Holguin said she was uneasy about him being deployed there. 'I prayed every day,' she said. He is one of four children; he is not married and has no children. The mom last spoke with him Tuesday. 'I just told him to be careful, that I was worried about him and I couldn't wait for him to come back,' Holguin said. 'He told me he was fine and not to worry. He was brave. If he was scared, he didn't show it.' She said she holds no animosity toward the president, saying her son 'wanted to be there.' Holguin learned her son was dead when she received a phone call Friday at 2.30am. 'He was just brave enough to go do what he wanted and to help out people. Thats who he was, he was just perfect,' his mother, Elizabeth Holguin, told the Laredo Morning Times. In a statement, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said Espinoza 'embodied the values of America: grit, dedication, service, and valor. When he joined the military after high school, he did so with the intention of protecting our nation and demonstrating his selfless acts of service.' Cuellar concluded, 'The brave never die. Mr. Espinoza is a hero.' Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, 20 Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum was killed in the attack Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum was named by his high school in Wyoming as a casualty in the attack. He was expecting to become a father and was pictured with his pregnant wife shortly before deploying to Afghanistan in April. Cheyenne McCollum, Rylee's sister, told DailyMail.com her brother had wanted to be a Marine since he was a toddler  and that his own baby is due in just three weeks. 'Rylee was an amazing, man with a passion for the Marines. He was a son, a brother, a husband and a father with a baby due in just 3 weeks,' she said. 'He wanted to be a marine his whole life and carried around his rifle in his diapers and cowboy boots. 'He was determined to be in infantry and this was his first deployment. Rylee was sent to Afghanistan when the evac began. Rylee was manning the check point when he suicide bomb went off. 'Rylee wanted to be a history teacher and a wrestling coach when he finished serving his country. He's a tough, kind, loving kid who made an impact on everyone he met. His joke and wit brought so much joy. 'To his friends and teammates and coaches, he was family. Rylee will always be a hero not just for the ultimate sacrifice he made for our country but for the way he impacted every life around him for the better. Making us stronger, kinder, teaching us to love deeper. We love you Rylee.' Rylee McCollum graduated from Summit Innovations School in Jackson in 2019. Wyoming Schools Superintendent Jillian Balow said in a statement: 'Saying that I am grateful for Rylee's service to our country does not begin to encapsulate the grief and sadness I feel today as a mother and as an American.' 'My heart and prayers are with Rylee's family, friends, and the entire Jackson community,' she added. Rylee McCollum was named by his high school in Wyoming as a casualty in the attack Rylee McCollum was due to become a father. He is pictured with his pregnant wife, right, shortly before deploying to Afghanistan in April The Wyoming-born Marine's wrestling coach and close family friend, Benjamin Arlotta said 'heads should roll' over the disastrous US exit and that the young soldier's family is 'absolutely broken'. Arlotta told DailyMail.com that even in diapers McCollum would stand watch on his porch with a toy rifle, first said he wanted to be a Marine aged eight, and signed up on his 18th birthday. In a glowing eulogy to the young expectant father, whose new baby is due in three weeks, Arlotta described McCollum as a 'personal hero' and a 'fantastic brother, fantastic uncle, and a wonderful friend'. 'I was his wrestling coach since he was six. He was one of the best. A great kid, a great young man and an American patriot. He loved being a Marine,' Arlotta said. 'He was just a good man all around. We're all hurting pretty bad. 'It's impossible. I'm sitting here with the family right now  with his dad and two sisters, his brother-in-law and niece. They're shattered, they're absolutely broken. The entire community is.' Arlotta, 37, said he is furious at the Biden administration and blames the White House for putting soldiers in an unnecessarily dangerous position. 'It's a junk show, an absolute junk show. Not just for Rylee but for every serviceman and woman over there. They were put in a very terrible spot. In my opinion this entire circumstance has been mismanaged from every level,' he told DailyMail.com. 'The only thing I can hope for is that accountability isn't forgotten. Because for the 13 men who were killed yesterday, heads need to roll for the way things have gone. Benjamin Arlotta, and his wife, Talia, are long-time family friends of the McCollums. Benjamin said he is angry and devastated 'We're just seeing the beginning of it. It's not over, it's only going to get worse. Everybody in the country needs to be praying for our servicemen and women right now. They have a scrap out in front of them. 'Sadly those 13 Marines aren't going to be the last ones to perish because of these terrible decisions that were made.' Recalling fond memories of the young Jackson Hole native, the wrestling coach told a heartwarming story of McCollum's determination. 'When he was 13 he came into the competition season 32lbs heavier than where he wanted to be,' Arlotta said. 'He told me he would lose it. We made a bet. I was going to quit chewing tobacco if he could get down there. That was September, by the time the state championship rolled around in January he had made weight. 'He entered the wrestling tournament at that weight and I quit chewing that day. 'He was first and foremost a man of his word. If he said he would do something, by goodness gracious he stood right in front of you until he did it.' McCollum moved to California for training. His pregnant wife Jiennah 'Gigi' Crayton lives in the San Diego area. The 20-year-old lance corporal wanted to be a soldier since childhood, first telling his parents he would join the Marines age eight. 'We were driving back from his first state wrestling tournament, I was riding with his family,' said Arlotta. 'We asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he said he wanted to be in the Marines. 'He enlisted on his 18th birthday,' the coach added. 'When he actually enlisted his recruiter told him he could be anything, he could do any job. He swore up and down he wanted to be an infantryman. 'If you know Rylee, you know you can't talk him out of a damn thing, so that's what he did.' U.S. Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a fellow Wyoming resident, issued a statement when she learned of Rylee's passing. 'I want to offer my deepest condolences to Rylee McCollum's family and loved ones. His bravery and patriotism will never be forgotten. His willingness to put himself in harm's way to keep our country safe and defend our freedom represents a level of selflessness and heroism that embodies the best of America. 'We know that the McCollum family is grieving this tragic loss. I ask that people in Wyoming and across the country please keep those close to Rylee in their prayers, and remember that we are only free because of the courage and valor of service members like him.' Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, 20 Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz was a 20-year-old from Wentzville, Missouri Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz was a 20-year-old from Wentzville, Missouri. His father Mark Schmitz told KMOX the Marines notified his family about 2.40am on Friday about his son's death. 'This was something he always wanted to do and I never seen a young man train as hard as he did to be the best soldier he could be,' Mark Schmitz said. The grieving father grew emotional as he spoke about his son, welling up with tears. 'His life meant so much more. I'm so incredibly devastated that I won't be able to see the man that he was very quickly growing into becoming.' Mark Schmitz slammed Biden and blamed him for his son's death. 'Be afraid of our leadership or lack thereof. Pray every day for the soldiers that are putting their lives at risk, doing what they love which is protecting all of us,' Schmitz's father said. He added that he was relieved when his son signed up as a Marine when Trump was in office because he 'really believed this guy didn't want to send people into harm's way.' Jared Schmitz was killed in the attack Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui, 20 Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui was a native of Norco, California Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui was a native of Norco, California. Nikoui's father Steve, a carpenter, vented his frustrations at Biden in an interview with the Daily Beast. 'They sent my son over there as a paper pusher and then had the Taliban outside providing security. I blame my own military leaders Biden turned his back on him. That's it,' he said Steve Nikoui said he knew his son was dead when he saw two Marines approaching his home on Thursday at 7.15pm PST. He said he sat with the two emotional Marines, who cried more than he cried, and then had them leave. Steve also appeared on Fox with Tucker Carlson on Friday to further criticize Biden in an emotional interview where he said the attack could have been avoided. 'From what I saw of the airport that they're in, looked like a Turkey shoot. It's funneled in to a single file-type entry point at which if you have in sort of chaos of any sort, they would all like gather to that one funneled area, which they would all be accessed. That's what happened. It was just basically so chaotic and not really planned out,' Steve said. As he teared up, he also said he was upset by how long it took to learn of his son's death. 'How long does it take for the military to, you know, inform the next of kin?' Marine Kareem Nikoui, pictured with his mother, was killed on Thursday. His father said he blames Biden for abandoning them in Kabul 'I was actually trying to console them. But at the same time, I just wanted them to get out as soon as possible so that no one from my family came back and saw them. 'I thought it appropriate that I be able to tell them,' he said. He added that his son, who was based at Camp Pendleton in California, would often bring other Marines home on the holidays if they couldn't get back to their own families. 'My wife and I felt very honored that [since] these other boys weren't around their homes, that we were able to provide some sort of family life for them. 'He really loved that [Marine Corps] family. He was devotedhe was going to make a career out of this, and he wanted to go. No hesitation for him to be called to duty,' he said. Speaking outside Kareem's home on Friday, a relative told DailyMail.com that Kareem's family were inside signing the documents required to repatriate him. He added: 'They're totally devastated and they need some time. All the family are here and we're supporting them.' A steady stream of people have been seen coming and going from the home all day, among them some of Kareem's colleagues from the Camp Pendleton Marine base in San Diego. Steve Nikoui, right, father the late Kareem Nikoui, spoke with Fox's Tucker Carlson on Friday to condemn the Biden administration's efforts in Afghanistan that he said led to his son's death An American flag flew half-mast outside Norco Intermediate School in honor of Nikoui Kareem's mother Shana Chappell posted angrily on social media, blaming Vice-President Kamala Harris for the loss of her son. At the social media message of condolence from the Vice-President, she wrote: 'This c u next Tuesday is a joke! They are the reason my son is dead.' Kareem's death is also being mourned by his home city of Norco - a small community of 26,000 people nicknamed 'Horsetown' that sits 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Confirming his death, the city released a message of condolence that read: 'The City of Norco mourns the loss of Norco resident U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kareem Mae'Lee Grant Nikoui who was killed in action while stationed at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, August 26, 2021. 'The U.S. Marine, who graduated from Norco High School in 2019 and served in JROTC, was committed to serving his country and is survived by his mother, father and siblings.' The city of Norco plans to honor Nikoui by placing his name on the 'Lest We Forget Wall' at the George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial Plaza. Lance Corporal Hunter Lopez, 22 Marine Lance Corporal Hunter Lopez Marine Lance Corporal Hunter Lopez, a native of California's Coachella Valley and the son of two police officers, was also killed in the attack, Sheriff Chad Bianco confirmed. 'I am unbelievably saddened and heartbroken for the Lopez family as they grieve over the loss of their American Hero,' Bianco wrote. 'Hunter Lopez, son of our own Captain Herman Lopez and Deputy Alicia Lopez, tragically lost his life while serving our country in the United States Marine Corp. He was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, August 26th,' the sheriff added. 'Before joining the Marine Corp, Hunter proudly served in our Sheriff's Explorer Program. Our entire department is mourning this tragic loss. The Lopez family exemplifies the meaning of Service Above Self.' City of La Quinta issued a statement: 'Our La Quinta Family is in mourning today with the tragic loss of Hunter Lopez, one of the fallen United States Service Members in the attack in Afghanistan,' 'Hunter is the son of Captain Herman and Alicia Lopez, both members of the Riverside Sheriff's Department. Captain Herman Lopez is our Police Chief and Captain over at the Thermal Station,' the statement added. 'We are all so humbled by the service and ultimate sacrifice that Hunter gave to protect our country. He was a brave and selfless soldier who answered the call to be a United States Marine. Like his parents, Hunter wanted to help serve others and protect his community.' Marine Hunter Lopez, a native of California's Coachella Valley and the son of two police officers, was also killed, Sheriff Chad Bianco confirmed 'The Lopez family exemplifies the meaning of Service Above Self,' said the local sheriff 'I am unbelievably saddened and heartbroken for the Lopez family as they grieve over the loss of their American Hero,' Bianco wrote of Hunter Lopez (above) Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, 31 Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, of Salt Lake City, Utah Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was another of the service members killed outside the Kabul airport, his family told KSL-TV. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Friends and family mourned his loss, including fellow students who graduated in the Class of 2008 at Hillcrest High School with him in Midvale. 'Soooooo glad I got to see him before he left. I love you son!!! You're my hero!! Please check in on us once in a while. I'll try to make you proud!!' Hoover's father, Darin Hoover, wrote on Facebook. 'My handsome nephew, Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover. Taylor spent his entire adult life as a Marine, serving. Doing the hard things that most of us can't do. He is a hero,' Jeremy Soto, an uncle, wrote. 'We are wounded. We are bruised. We are angry. We are crushed... but we remain faithful. Thank you for your courage nephew. We love you always.' 'Always a smile. Always respectful. A joy to be around. He is adored beyond measure. The world has lost a true light. Our hearts are broken. Shock, disbelief, horror, sadness, sorrow, anger and grief,' Brittany Jones Barnett, an aunt, added. 'Thank you sweet boy for the ultimate sacrifice. For giving your life for us all. Fighting for freedom and giving absolutely everything you had. You will never ever be forgotten. We love you so much,' she added. Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, pictured holding a young family member, died in Kabul Taylor Hoover, a Utah native, was mourned by his mother Kelly Barnett, left, and girlfriend, Nicole Weiss, right, following his death 'He is a hero. He gave his life protecting those that cant protect themselves, doing what he loved serving his country,' said father Darin Hoover, who lives in a Salt Lake City suburb, in an AP interview. He said he had heard from Marines who said they were grateful they had his son as their sergeant. 'They look back on him and say that theyve learned so much from him,' Hoover said. 'One heck of a leader.' Hoover said his son was also a best friend to his two sisters and loved all his extended family. He had a girlfriend in California and was the kind of guy who 'lit up a room' when he came in, his father said. Hoover, center, was among the Marine troops in Afghanistan to helping with the evacuation Hoover pictured in his uniforms, 'died a hero doing what he always wanted to do and was proud to do, ' a family member said Nate Thompson of Murray, Utah, first met Hoover when they were 10 years old in Little League football. They stayed friends through high school, where Hoover played lineman. He was undersized for the position, but his heart and hard work more than made up for what he lacked in statute, Thompson said. As a friend, he was selfless and kind. 'If we had trouble with grades, trouble with family or trouble on the field, we always called Taylor. Hes always level-headed, even if hes struggling himself,' he said. U.S. Representative Blake Moore, who represents Utah's 1st Congressional District, also mourned the loss of Hoover. 'We'll be forever grateful for his sacrifice & legacy. He spent his last moments serving our state & nation, and we'll never forget his unwavering devotion,' he wrote in a statement. Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote in a statement, 'Burying a child is a grief no parent should bear. Sharon and I mourn with the Hoover family and with all who loved [Hoover]... who gave the last full measure of devotion in Afghanistan. 'He died completing a mission to save his countrymen and civilians from evil and oppression. He lived the Marine Corps motto by living and dying always faithful.' Utah residents tied fellow ribbons to flags in front of Hoover's family home Neighbor Lena McIllece helped arranged the flags to honor Hoover and the other fallen troops Utah Gov. Spencer Cox ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and public grounds effective immediately until sunset on August. 30 to honor Hoover and all those who died in the recent attack. 'We are devastated to hear of the passing of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover. Staff Sgt. Hoover served valiantly as a Marine and died serving his fellow countrymen as well as America's allies in Afghanistan. We honor his tremendous bravery and commitment to his country, even as we condemn the senseless violence that resulted in his death. Abby and I pray for Staff Sgt. Hoover, his family and loved ones during this most difficult time,' Cox said in a statement. A family member told ABC 4 that Hoover, 'died a hero doing what he always wanted to do and was proud to do, serve his country. Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23 Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, was a native of Tennessee Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, was a native of Corryton, Tennessee. Knauss was assigned to 9th PSYOP Battalion, 8th PSYOP Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He first was identified as one of the victims by his grandfather, Wayne Knauss. 'He grew up in a Christian home, attended Berean Christian school through 8th grade and spent, four years at Gibbs High [School],' said Wayne about his grandson. 'A motivated young man who loved his country. He was a believer so we will see him again in Gods heaven.' Wayne told ABC 6 that Ryan had served right out of high school for five years with special training in Psychology Operations. Ryan's stepmother, Lianne Knauss, added that Ryan told them he was looking forward to returning to the U.S. and moving to Washington D.C. 'He was a super-smart hilarious young man,' she said. Knauss, 23, right, said he wanted to move to Washington D.C. when he returned Members of the Knauss family mourned Ryan's death on social media U.S. Representative Tim Burchett, a fellow Knoxville resident, also tweeted a tribute to the fallen marine. 'Ryan gave his life outside that airport helping people he didn't know get to safety. This is what true heroism looks like and Ryan's sacrifice will never be forgotten. The Knauss family is my prayers.' Burchett wrote Diane Trulson Amundson Knauss also urged people to support Wayne and the troops in Afghanistan. 'Please pray for our military in Afghanistan and all over the world,' she wrote. 'Our hearts ache for Wayne and Neena... and all families.' Corporal Daegan Page, 23 Marine Corp. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, was a native of Omaha, Nebraska Marine Corp. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, was a native of Omaha, Nebraska. In a statement, Page's family confirmed that he was one of the slain service members at Kabul airport. 'Our hearts are broken, but we are thankful for the friends and family who are surrounding us during this time,' the family said. 'Daegan's girlfriend Jessica, his mom, dad, step-mom, step-dad, 4 siblings, and grandparents are all mourning the loss of a great son, grandson, and brother.' Page grew up in Omaha and Red Oak, Iowa. He enjoyed playing hockey for Omaha Westside in the local hockey club and was a diehard Chicago Blackhawks fan. He also oved hunting and spending time outside with his father. His family said he was a longtime Boy Scout who was eager to join the U.S. Marine Corps. 'Daegan joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Millard South High School. He loved the brotherhood of the Marines and was proud to serve as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.' Corp. Daegan William-Tyeler Page died in the Kabul airport bombing attack Page, left, was a Marine and member of the 2nd Battalion Marine Regiment They added that Page was looking forward to coming home to see his family and friends. He also had plans to go to trade school, contemplating a career as a lineman. 'Daegan will always be remembered for his tough outer shell and giant heart. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the other Marine and Navy families whose loved ones died alongside Daegan,' the family said. Shana Nicole, a friend of Page, added that 'the world lost an amazing hero. 'My heart hurts for everyone who knew Daegan. He was so so kind always,' she wrote on Facebook. The Omaha, Nebraska, native was looking forward to returning home, his family said Page, center, hoped to reunite with friends back home and go to trade school Page, third from the left, rear, was drawn to the sense of brotherhood within the Marine Corps U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, who represents Page's home district, also issued a statement mourning the loss of the young marine. 'I was just notified about the death of Marine Corporal Page. My heart was already broken over our country's loss of 13 service members in Afghanistan. Now the loss is even harder,' Fortenberry said. 'God bless Corporal Page. He saved lives and served his country honorably. His life was cut short but had ultimate meaning. By his bravery and will, many others will have a chance. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family.' Corporal Humberto Sanchez, 22 Marine Corp. Humberto Sanchez was among those killed Officials in Indiana confirmed that Corp. Humberto Sanchez was also among the dead. Sanchez graduated from Logansport High School in 2017. He also attended Columbia Elementary. 'Like many, I have been heartbroken over the recent loss of the 13 U.S. service members who were murdered in the terrorist attacks against our evacuation efforts in Kabul, Afghanistan,' Logansport Mayor Chris Martin said in a statement on Facebook. 'Even more heartbreaking is learning the news today that one of those killed was from right here at home in Logansport, Indiana. 'This young man had not yet even turned 30 and still had his entire life ahead of him. Any plans he may have had for his post-military life were given in sacrifice due to the heart he exhibited in putting himself into harm's way to safeguard the lives of others.' Adrian Gazcon, a friend, also wrote a tribute on Twitter for Sanchez, saying that 'it hurts that he's gone.' 'Thank you for your service, you're a hero bro.' Sanchez pictured carrying friend Rhiannon Rickerd while attending Logansport High School A friend posted a tribute to Sanchez when he learned about his death Advertisement

'A mission unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes': Boris Johnson praises UK troops as they land in UK on last flight out of Kabul - but PM says Britain 'will return' amid strain on Biden relationship after 150 Brits and 1,000 Afghans were left behind

By JACK WRIGHT, CHRIS JEWERS and ROSS IBBETSON for MAILONLINE

Boris Johnson has described Britain's hasty scuttle from Afghanistan as 'the culmination of a mission unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes' as the last British troops landed in RAF Brize Norton this morning, bringing our two decades of involvement in the country to an end.

In a video clip uploaded to Twitter on Sunday, the Prime Minister said: 'UK troops and officials have worked around the clock to a remorseless deadline in harrowing conditions. They have expended all the patience and care and thought they possess to help people in fear for their lives.

'They've seen at first-hand barbaric terrorist attacks on the queues of people they were trying to comfort, as well as on our American friends. They didn't flinch. They kept calm. They got on with the job. It's thanks to their colossal exertions that this country has now processed, checked, vetted and airlifted more than 15,000 people to safety in less than two weeks.'

The final British troops and diplomatic staff were airlifted from Kabul on Saturday, drawing to a close Britain's 20-year engagement in Afghanistan and a two-week operation to rescue trapped British nationals and Afghan allies who assisted us during our intervention.

A Voyager aircraft touched down at RAF Brize Norton airfield in Oxfordshire this morning, with roughly 250 personnel on board including members of 16 Air Assault Brigade who were stationed at Kabul airport. The plane flew in from Al Minhad airfield in the United Arab Emirates near Dubai where the UK's evacuation flights from Afghanistan first landed.

British Ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Laurie Bristow, who had been processing those fleeing the country at Hamid Karzai International Airport until the last moment, was among those who landed at RAF Brize Norton base. Further flights carrying personnel are expected later on Sunday.

Speaking on the runway, Sir Laurie vowed to continue to help British nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help. He also said: 'It's been an extraordinary, intense effort by the Foreign Office, the military and Border Force together to bring over 15,000 people to safety in under two weeks.'

As images from inside military aircraft were shared online by The Parachute Regiment and the Ministry of Defence last night showing exhausted British troops leaving Kabul, the Prime Minister pledged to return to war-torn Afghanistan when it is safe to do so.

Operation Pitting, the largest UK military evacuation since the Second World War, airlifted more than 15,000 people in a fortnight on more than 100 RAF flights. It included 5,000 British nationals and their families and more than 8,000 Afghan former UK staff and their relatives.

However, 150 British nationals and more than 1,000 Afghans who assisted British forces during the intervention have been left behind. Government sources insisted Britain's absence from the war-ravaged country was only temporary.

Ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Laurie Bristow exits a plane after being evacuated from Kabul

Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after departing a flight from Afghanistan at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire

Members of the British armed forces and diplomatic staff arrive on a flight from Afghanistan at RAF Brize Norton, west of London on August 29, 2021

Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade disembark an aircraft after being evacuated from Kabul

Britain's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Laurie Bristow is greeted by Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, after disembarking a Royal Air Force Voyager at RAF Brize Norton

Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade disembark a flight from Afghanistan at RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire

Boris Johnson has described Britain's hasty scuttle from Afghanistan as 'the culmination of a mission unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes'

Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade depart a flight from Afghanistan at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire

In this handout photo provided by the Ministry of Defence, UK military personnel onboard a A400M aircraft departing Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, August 28, 2021

Kabul animal rescuer Pen Farthing is accused of 'costing lives' as recording reveals his foul-mouthed rant threatening to 'f***ing destroy' an MoD official in the middle of Afghanistan airlift A former Royal Marine who founded an animal shelter in Kabul 'cost lives' as a result of his mission to evacuate 173 cats and dogs from Afghanistan, senior defence sources said last night. Pen Farthing, who flew back to the UK last night with his menagerie of animals rescued by the Nowzad charity, has also been accused of 'bullying' British Government officials. A leaked voice message obtained by The Mail on Sunday has revealed the behind-the-scenes bitterness over the airlift, with Mr Farthing telling an Ministry of Defence official that he would 'spend the rest of my time f****** destroying' him if he did not secure clearance for a flight out of the country. The official, Peter Quentin, an adviser to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, is understood to have also received death threats from supporters of Mr Farthing as a result of his involvement in the animal rescue. On the recording, which was shared by officials as part of an investigation into the alleged threats, Mr Farthing can be heard demanding 'an ISAF number'  a military callsign which has not been in use since 2014  for a charter plane to take him, his animals and staff out of the Afghan capital. Mr Farthing's publicity campaign has angered the MoD because of the distraction it has provided from the 'core mission' of airlifting refugees. A defence source said: 'This selfish charade has cost lives.' Another source said the MoD's help to evacuate animals meant 'this is the first British Government explicitly committed to the idea of non-white people as equivalent to animals since the abolition of slavery.' Yesterday, senior Tory MP and former soldier Tom Tugendhat issued a withering condemnation of the way MoD resources had been used for the animal evacuation. Mr Tugendhat, who served in Afghanistan, revealed how his former interpreter, who is now stuck in Kabul, asked him: 'Why is my five-year-old worth less than your dog? 'I didn't have an answer,' he says. The MP, who is chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told LBC: 'People have been focusing on the aeroplanes. It's not the aeroplanes that are the problem. There's quite a lot of space on the aeroplanes. They are coming and going relatively easily. The difficulty is getting people into and out of the airport. 'And we have just used a lot of troops to bring in 200 dogs. Meanwhile, my interpreter's family are likely to be killed. We run an NHS in the UK that taxes us all about one in seven pounds we spend. What would you say if I sent an ambulance to save my dog rather than to save your mother?' Advertisement

US President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw his forces by the end of the month left Mr Johnson with no alternative but to follow suit - putting the so-called 'special relationship' under strain and prompting angry Tory MPs to question Mr Biden's suitability for the White House.

Yesterday, Mr Biden said that another attack on the Kabul airport could be imminent, while vowing that his revenge strike for an ISIS-K attack that killed 13 US troops is 'not the last'.

As the US military rushes into the final evacuation of Kabul airport ahead of Mr Biden's Tuesday deadline for withdrawal, the President defended his drone strike, which the Pentagon said killed two ISIS-K 'planners and facilitators' in response to the deadly suicide bomb attack.

The Taliban condemned the US drone strike, with a spokesman describing the operation as a 'clear attack on Afghan territory'.

Around 2,200 children were evacuated, the youngest just a day old. Afghan 'sleeper' agents who fed intelligence to MI6, including information about the suicide bomb attack at Kabul airport last week, have also been whisked to safety.

In a bid to put a positive gloss on the withdrawal, the Prime Minister vowed to 'use all the diplomatic and humanitarian tools at our disposal to preserve the gains of the last 20 years'.

Addressing the families and loved ones of the British troops who 'gave their all', Mr Johnson said: 'Your suffering and your hardship were not in vain.' He added: 'It was no accident that there's been no terrorist attack launched against Britain or any other western country from Afghanistan in the last 20 years.

'It was thanks to the bravery of our Armed Forces who fought to knock out (Osama) Bin Laden's networks. Thanks to the devotion of British troops and aid workers and diplomats and others, we've helped educate 3.6 million girls. Whatever the future may hold for Afghanistan, they will have that gift for the rest of their lives, a gift they will pass on to their daughters as well as their sons.'

Speaking at RAF Brize Norton, Vice-Admiral Ben Key, Chief of Joint Operations, who commands Operation Pitting, said: 'Although the United Kingdom's Operation Pitting finishes today, of course the United States are still engaged in their own withdrawal and I would be very nervous in saying we had completed a successful withdrawal from Afghanistan until all our allies and partners have returned.

'The United States has provided the framework for security in Kabul as part of a huge international effort and so operations continue even if the UK's particular contribution concludes today.'

On the fact that not everyone eligible for evacuation from Kabul could be rescued, he said: 'That is both true and a matter of great sadness for all of us that have been involved in this.

'Whilst we recognise and I pay testament to the achievement of everything that has been achieved by coalition forces, but particularly the British contingent, over the last two weeks, in the end we know that there are some really sad stories of people who have desperately tried to leave that we have - no matter how hard our efforts - we have been unsuccessful in evacuating.'

Vice-Admiral Key added: 'There has been a phenomenal effort achieved in the last two weeks. And I think we always knew that somewhere we would fall just short.

'So, this isn't a moment of celebration for us at all, this is a moment to mark a tremendous international effort to evacuate as many people as we could in the time available.

'That sense of sadness that we haven't done all we would have wished and we will continue to work ... in the future with the next leadership of Afghanistan, with the Taliban, and others to make sure those who would wish to come back to his country continue to have an opportunity to do so.

'Sadly, we have just not been able to evacuate them under this framework.'

Speaking to the PA news agency, Vice-Admiral Key said pictures from the airlifts showed UK service personnel were 'deeply tired' having 'given their all over the last two weeks'.

He said: 'Some of the pictures that have come back in the last few days have painted a really good impression of just how desperate and difficult those conditions have been in the last few weeks.

'The pictures of them sitting in the aircraft coming back, these are deeply tired people who have given of their all over the last two weeks. They have travelled with very little equipment - we didn't allow them to carry much kit - and in many cases they have lived in the clothes they have been wearing for many days.

'They have been sleeping in rough conditions, eating off ration packs and their sole motivation has been to help as many of the Afghans and British entitled personnel as they possibly could.

'We will do all in our power to give the Afghan people the future they deserve': UK's ambassador Laurie Bristow promises to help those left behind as he arrives in UK on last flight out of Kabul The British Ambassador to Afghanistan has vowed to help British nationals and Afghan translators who assisted our troops during the intervention now stuck in Kabul and 'do everything' to 'help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace that they deserve'. In a video message on Twitter, Sir Laurie Bristow, who had been processing those fleeing the country at Hamid Karzai International Airport until the last moment, said the British diplomatic mission to Afghanistan will operate from Qatar as the country fell to the Taliban. Speaking on the runway at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this morning as the last British plane from Kabul landed, he said: 'This is Laurie Bristow. The team touched down at Brize Norton a few moments ago. It's been an extraordinary, intense effort by the Foreign Office, the military and Border Force together to bring over 15,000 people to safety in under two weeks. 'We've had to leave Afghanistan for now and the embassy will operate from Qatar for the time being. We will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan, working on humanitarian, diplomatic and security work, and above all bringing to the UK Afghans and British nationals who still need our support, and we will be putting pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those people. 'We will reopen the embassy as soon as we can. We will do everything we can to protect the gains of the last 20 years and above all to help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace that they deserve.' Advertisement

'It's been a combination of deep professionalism, considerable courage, really sophisticated judgment and, on occasion, huge compassion, and it's been difficult for those of us back here not to just have the most enormous admiration for what they've done and how they've gone about it.'

Vice-Admiral Key continued: 'Am I optimistic for the future? I think I watch with interest. I am hopeful the investment we have made will grow into greater things, but I don't think there's any of us would say the last 20 years have not been worth it.'

On the evacuation effort, he said: 'Of course we would have liked (more time) because then we could have brought more people out.

'It would have allowed us to pull in those people who we know were still trying to get across from the city to the airport.

'It would have given us a chance to really make sure we had reached out to those who had helped us so wonderfully and courageously over the last 20 years.

'But the truth is no more time was granted to us by the Taliban, who were very clear that by the end of August not only had the evacuation had to be completed but we, the western militaries, had all withdrawn as well.

'I don't think there is a single person deployed forward, whether the thousand or so in Kabul or the many hundreds of others drawn across from Her Majesty's Government in the Middle East or back here, who could have given more in the last two, two-and-a-half, weeks.

'The effort has been, frankly, truly humbling to see hours worked with exhaustion painted on people's faces, so we tried our best, we have absolutely tried our best.'

Sir Laurie said: 'It's time to close this phase of the operation now, but we haven't forgotten the people who still need to leave.'

A former head of the British Army has said it was 'unfathomable why it would appear that the Government was asleep on watch' in relation to the protection of Afghans who helped soldiers and officials.

Speaking on Times Radio, General Lord Richard Dannatt said: 'On the particular issue of those who we knew were in danger, people who had worked for us, interpreters, former locally-engaged civilians, this issue has been in the media.

'This issue has been on politicians' desks for two to three years and, certainly, it's been there during the course of this year.

'I mean, you might remember, back in July, 45 senior officers wrote to the Government, an open letter to the Government, saying there are people we are concerned about and if we don't do the right thing, their blood will be on our hands. It is unfathomable why it would appear that the Government was asleep on watch.

'I think the issue of Afghanistan sat on the backburner. Maybe it started to come forward. But then, suddenly, when the Taliban took over the country in the precipitate fashion in which they did, it fell off the cooker straight onto the kitchen floor and we've ... had this chaotic extraction.

'We should have done better, we could have done better. It absolutely behoves us to find out why the Government didn't spark up faster.'

Conservative MP and veteran Tobias Ellwood said the UK had 'very little to show' for 20 years in Afghanistan. The chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee told LBC: 'Our armed forces performed so valiantly but they were let down by their political masters.

'We lacked the strategy, the statecraft, the patience to see through, and the manner of our departure is a humiliation, a confirmation of our diminished resolve, and our adversaries will not be slow to exploit it.'

He warned that 'terrorism will raise its ugly face again' and 'until we defeat this ideology, we can have as many drone strikes as we like, we can invade as many countries as we like, we will never win'.

Mr Ellwood added: 'Unfortunately, we've made the situation worse, by absenting ourselves from the very place where it's now very easy for terrorist groups to do their work.'

The last Afghan evacuee saved by British troops: Paras helped interpreter climb over fence in final mission launched by MoD officials angry that Pen Farthing's pets had been saved while people remained stranded British troops helped the last Afghan evacuee climb over a barbed wire fence into Kabul airport, it has been revealed today. The rescue of Sayed - along with his wife, their three-month-old baby and three-year-old son - came as officials complained Pen Farthing's pets had been saved while interpreters remained stranded. Sayed, a 32-year-old interpreter who was blown up while working for the UK in 2011, became the last person who served along-side British forces to be allowed inside Kabul airport and processed for a flight to the UK, The Sunday Times reported. The rescue of Sayed and his family was ordered by senior figures inside the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after the gates to the airport were closed to new arrivals. Before his escape, the Afghan father had spent more than four days trying to find a way to the airport's Abbey Gate where British troops were clearing those who were eligible for sanctuary in the UK. Despite being part of the crowd ordered to leave by the Taliban, who now control Kabul and most of Afghanistan following their take-over this month, Sayed told the newspaper that he stood his ground refusing to give up hope. The interpreter stood in the baking sun for hours wading through sewage, all while holding his young daughter, but after reaching the correct gate he was not called forward. MoD officials - frustrated that Mr Farthing's animals were being saved while Afghans loyal to Britain were set to be left behind - picked up Sayed's case. Despite the gates to the airport officially being closed to prepare for the final evacuation flights from Kabul, British troops were ordered to find him. On Friday night, Sayed received a call from a British interpreter to take a taxi to the airport and once again go to the gate. He said he had to walk 30 minutes after the taxi ride to reach the gate, where he found that there was another large crowd. Sayed was once again called by the interpreter, who told him to leave the crowd and signalled him with a light. 'When I reached the light the British forces took me and my family over the barbed wire. It was amazing, I am happy now,' he told The Sunday Times. 'I thank everyone who worked hard for my family.' Sayed worked with UK forces for three years. He was given permission to come to the UK months ago, but his baby was born before the flight meaning officials required more paperwork. Advertisement

Mr Johnson said: 'Twenty years ago, in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the first British soldier set foot on Afghan soil aiming to create a brighter future for the country and all its people. The departure of the last British soldiers from the country is a moment to reflect on everything we have sacrificed and everything we have achieved in the last two decades.

'The nature of our engagement in Afghanistan may have changed, but our goals for the country have not. We will now use all the diplomatic and humanitarian tools at our disposal to preserve the gains of the last 20 years and give the Afghan people the future they deserve.'

The final flight from Kabul marks the end of a fraught period for Mr Johnson's administration. Footage purporting to show British troops inside a military aircraft as it left Kabul was last night posted on social media.

Despite the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, a Government source insisted: 'We intend to re-establish our diplomatic presence in Kabul as soon as the security and political situation in the country allows and are co-ordinating this effort with allies.'

By yesterday afternoon, the number of Afghans brought to the UK had reached 10,000  double the number anticipated, with the UK evacuating more people than any country apart from the US.

Video and pictures from inside military aircraft shared online by The Parachute Regiment on Saturday showed British troops leaving the Afghan capital.

The Ministry of Defence, which also later released its own images, told the MailOnline that soldiers were in the process of being withdrawn.

The footage, along with pictures of British solders on military aircraft, was shared by the official Twitter account of The Parachute Regiment on Saturday at 12:25pm GMT (16:55pm in Afghanistan).

The video showed smiling soldiers sitting on the floor of the aircraft listening to 'Ride of the Valkyries', while the pictures - taken in the dark - showed troops sitting and facing the front of the aircraft.

Thousands of refugees have been unable to get to the Taliban-guarded airport or are too fearful to do so for the constant threat of terrorism. On Thursday, an ISIS suicide bomber killed at least 170 people, including 13 U.S. soldiers, two Britons and the child of a UK national outside the airport walls.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Taliban had sealed off Kabul's airport to most Afghans hoping for evacuation, as most Nato nations flew out their troops after two decades in Afghanistan, winding down a frantic airlift that Western leaders acknowledged was still leaving many of their citizens and local allies behind.

The Pentagon announced yesterday it carried out a retaliatory drone strike that killed two ISIS 'planners and facilitators' and wounded another militant in Nangahar province, eastern Afghanistan.

Washington described them as 'high profile ISIS targets' but would not specify their roles in the airport bombing.

U.S. troops now face a 'very difficult' few days acting as the 'rear guard' to the withdrawal, he added. It has also emerged that British troops helped the last Afghan evacuee climb over a barbed wire fence into Kabul airport, it has been revealed today.

The rescue of Sayed - along with his wife, their three-month-old baby and three-year-old son - came as officials complained Pen Farthing's pets had been saved while interpreters remained stranded.

Sayed, a 32-year-old interpreter who was blown up while working for the UK in 2011, became the last person who served along-side British forces to be allowed inside Kabul airport and processed for a flight to the UK, The Sunday Times reported.

The rescue of Sayed and his family was ordered by senior figures inside the Ministry of Defence (MoD) after the gates to the airport were closed to new arrivals.

Before his escape, the Afghan father had spent more than four days trying to find a way to the airport's Abbey Gate where British troops were clearing those who were eligible for sanctuary in the UK.

Despite being part of the crowd ordered to leave by the Taliban, who now control Kabul and most of Afghanistan following their take-over this month, Sayed told the newspaper that he stood his ground refusing to give up hope.

The interpreter stood in the baking sun for hours wading through sewage, all while holding his young daughter, but after reaching the correct gate he was not called forward.

After Thursday evening's suicide bombing that killed an estimated 170 people, he and his family were forced to give up hope and return to their home.

Speaking earlier this week, Sayed had said that it hurt that his name was not called at the gate after working for Britain as an interpreter.

Pictured: Taliban Badri fighters, a 'special forces' unit equipped with US gear, stand guard as Afghan wait at the main entrance gate of Kabul airport on Friday

Pictured: Two Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan on Saturday, August 28 as operations by foreign countries to get their citizens out of the country come to an end

Pictured: Five Taliban fighters carrying weapons ride in the back of a truck as they patrol Kabul on August 28, 2021

Taliban members stand guard at a checkpoint around Hamid Karzai International Airport, the centre of evacuation efforts from Afghanistan since the Taliban took over, after yesterday's explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 28, 2021. The picture shows a U.S. military Humvee that has been seized by the Taliban

Pictured: The aftermath of Thursday's suicide bombing, which killed 170 people including three Britons and 13 U.S. soldiers

Afghan woman gives birth on evacuation flight to UK Cradles in a red airline blanket, this little girl was born at 33,000ft while on an evacuation flight to the UK yesterday. Her Afghan mother, Soman Noori, was on the flight from Dubai to Birmingham  having previously left Kabul  when she went into labour. There was no doctor on board, forcing the Turkish Airlines cabin crew to deliver the baby girl in airspace over Kuwait. She has been named Havva, which translates to Eve in English. Havva is the third child of Ms Noori, 26, and her 30-year-old husband, Taj Moh Hammat. Turkish 
With kind eyes and still chubby cheeks, this is Jason Galleghan - the boy, 16, who was allegedly beaten to death by a pack of teenagers in Sydney's west four weeks ago.

Four boys and two girls - aged between 13 and 19 - have been charged with Jason's murder after he was allegedly bashed at a Doonside housing commission home.

Jason's mother gave permission for his identity to be published, as his best mate launches an effort to stamp out senseless youth violence.

Jason was a caring, kind and empathetic person who loved helping people and 'never hurt a soul', grieving friend Ouwais Menzel told Daily Mail Australia.

Growing up in South Coogee, they liked going to the beach together and bodysurfing. Jason even had dreams of becoming a lifeguard.

'But those goals and dreams have been snatched away from him,' Mr Menzel said.

Jason Galleghan, 16, was beaten to death, allegedly by a pack of teenagers, at a home in Doonside, in Sydney's west, earlier this month. Jason's identity can be revealed after the boy's mother gave permission, as his friends launch an effort to stamp out youth violence in his name

Best mates Ouwais Menzel (left) and Jason (right). Ouwais and a band of volunteers are spearheading a new effort called Youth Against Violence to commemorate Jason and say 'enough is enough' to youth violence

Mr Menzel and a band of volunteers are spearheading a new effort called Youth Against Violence to say 'enough is enough'.

The group is backing a commemorative mural for Jason in Blacktown, expected to be painted next month.

In the longer term, they are planning memorials in Coogee and Doonside. They also hope to one day open youth centres to steer children across the country away from violence.

'All I am doing now is because I lost my close friend,' Mr Menzel said as the effort launched on Monday.

'It's time for all this to stop being swept under the carpet and ignored and we ask for community and services to support us.

'We are trying to create a long lasting change nationwide, enough is enough.'

The noble effort by Jason's friends will just be part of the young man's legacy.

After doctors at Westmead Hospital broke the news that Jason couldn't be saved, his mother agreed to donate his organs to others in need.

That wrenching decision has saved five further lives, his aunt said in a post to a community fundraising page.

Bouquets of flowers, balloons and candles have piled up outside the Doonside housing commission home where Jason Galleghan was allegedly beaten to death

An emotionally charged poem was pinned to the front fence of the Doonside home, titled 'You Never Said Goodbye'

A boy leaves a bouquet of flowers for Jason. Daily Mail Australia understands his family have been touched by the community's outpouring of support

About a fortnight ago, dozens of supporters held a candlelit vigil outside the property where Jason was allegedly attacked.

Hundreds of balloons, floral bouquets and messages of support were attached to the front fence.

One placard was a plea to 'stop the violence', while another called for justice for the dead boy.

Another person left a heart-wrenching poem titled 'You Never Said Goodbye'. 'If love alone could have saved you, you would have never died,' it read.

'In life your mum loved you dearly, in death she loves you still. In her heart you hold a place that no-one could ever fill.

'It broke her heart to lose you, but you didn't go alone. For part of her went with you, the day you grew your wings.'

It was a powerful and moving counterpoint to the gruesome scenes police allege occurred inside the property.

Police will allege Jason was lured there over a dispute involving a pair of AirPods and amid 'postcode wars' between youths from different areas of western Sydney.

Kayla Dawson - the 19-year-old occupant of the Doonside home where Jason was allegedly beaten - has been charged with his murder

If Ms Dawson does not return to the housing commission property (above) it will eventually be made available to another family , government sources confirmed

The alleged bashing on the afternoon of August 4 left Jason brain dead, suffering collapsed lungs and trauma to his face and body.

In court, police will allege Kayla Dawson, the home's 19-year-old occupant, called the ambulance after several other alleged offenders left.

Parramatta Children's Court has previously heard another of the teenagers accused with murdering Jason is accused of striking him 52 times.

Video of the alleged gruesome assault will serve as police evidence against the teenagers.

Government sources confirmed the property where the offending allegedly occurred is likely to one day be home to another family.

That day will not happen anytime soon, given court proceedings against Dawson remain on foot.

If or when the home becomes available, authorities are required to disclose the property's history.

Jason's mother has requested privacy while she grieves. Members of the community have raised $50,000 to help the family.
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The brother of Robert F Kennedy's assassin Sirhan Sirhan has been seen for the first time since his killer sibling was granted parole, amid suggestions that the pair will live together in Pasadena when the 77-year-old is released.

On Sunday, Munir Sirhan was pictured running errands in Pasadena, California, where the Sirhans own a home.

Killer Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, was a student and a resident of the Los Angeles suburb at the time of his conviction for assassinating U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy in 1968.

On Friday, a parole board in California voted to recommend that Sirhan be granted parole after nearly five decades in prison.

In exclusive pictures for DailyMail.com, Munir was seen running errands ahead of his brother's expected release from prison.

Wearing a white t-shirt and a matching hat, as well as a blue face mask, the brother was seen leaving a shop with a bag in his hand on Saturday.

Sirhan's lawyer said in a brief to the parole board panel then that if released, the killer hoped he would be deported to Jordan or live with his brother in Pasadena.

Munir Sirhan emerges in Pasadena after his brother Sirhan Sirhan who was convicted of Robert F. Kennedy assassination, was granted parole last Friday

Munir Sirhan leaves a shop with a bag in his left hand on Saturday, a day after his brother Sirhan Sirhan, who was convicted of Robert F. Kennedy assassination, was granted parole

Munir's brother could be free in weeks, after a parole board in California voted to recommend that Sirhan be granted parole after nearly five decades in prison

Munir Sirhan is seen closing the fence of his Pasadena home after running errands following his brother's parole hearing

Sirhan admitted to and was convicted of killing Democrat Robert F Kennedy in 1969.

The latest decision was Sirhan's 16th parole board hearing, and came after the LA County District Attorney George Gascon's office remained neutral on his release.

However, the decision is yet to be reviewed by the full parole board, which can take up to 90 days. The governor of California will then have 30 days to uphold, reverse or send the decision back to the board.

Current California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a recall election on September 14, potentially making it uncertain as to whether he will be the incumbent to make that decision.

'The parole board today made a very reasoned and specific record of the reasons for making their findings,' Sirhan's attorney Angela Berry said.

As to whether the decision stands, she said 'it's going to be pretty tight, but that remains to be seen.'

An undated photo of Sirhan Sirhan (left) and Munir Sirhan (right) on a wall at a family home

Munir Sirhan house's in Pasadena, California, where Sirhan might potentially live if he is released from jail after a California panel recommended that he be granted parole

Sirhan Sirhan, 77, was recommended to be released on parole by a California panel of Friday after 53 years in prison for murder. He is pictured on Friday

Berry said that if the parole is rejected by the governor, then they will file a writ of habeas corpus at the trial court.

The Kennedy family were divided on Friday when a California panel recommended that RFK's assassin, should be granted parole after nearly five decades in prison.

Six of the nine surviving children of the slain New York Senator issued a statement on Friday announcing that they were 'devastated' by the San Diego panel's ruling.

Although most of the Kennedy family has avoided discussing or engaging with their father's death and Sirhan in public, the parole board's recommendation has pushed some of them to 'adamantly oppose the parole and release of Sirhan Sirhan.'

'We are in disbelief that this man would be recommended for release,' the statement from the six siblings read.

It was signed by Joseph P. Kennedy II, Courtney Kennedy Hill, Kerry Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Maxwell T. Kennedy and Rory Kennedy who write that the decision has 'inflicted enormous additional pain.'

But two of RFK's children, Douglas Kennedy, 54, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 67, have supported Sirhan's parole.

FOR: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (left) and Douglas Kennedy (right) have supported Sirhan's recommendation for parole

AGAINST: The statement posted Friday was signed by six of Robert Kennedy's nine surviving children announced that they were 'devastated' by the San Diego panel's ruling. L-R Joseph P. Kennedy II, Maxwell Kennedy and Rory Kennedy

AGAINST: The siblings will continue to fight to keep Sirhan behind bars for their father's murder. L-R Courtney Kennedy Hill, Kerry Kennedy and Christopher Kennedy

Douglas addressed the two-person panel that recommended that parole be granted during a virtual hearing, according to The Associated Press.

'I'm overwhelmed just by being able to view Mr. Sirhan face to face,' he said moved to tears. 'I've lived my life both in fear of him and his name in one way or another. And I am grateful today to see him as a human being worthy of compassion and love.'

RFK Jr. has spoken in favor of Sirhan's release, and wrote in a letter that he met with his father's killer in prison who 'asked for forgiveness,' the AP reported.

He has previously stated that he does not believe Sirhan killed his father.

Paul Schrade, who'd worked with RFK and was also shot that night, also believes that Sirhan was not the shooter and should be released.

'Sirhan did not shoot Robert Kennedy,' Schrade, 96, maintains. 'I got the first shot, the second shot missed Kennedy,' according to NPR.

He believes that unreliable ballistics evidence by the Los Angeles Police Department disrupted the case and advocates for Sirhan's release in order to find RFK's true assassin.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, 70, a former lieutenant governor of Maryland, and Ethel Kennedy, 93, RFK's widow, have not publicly announced their opinions of Sirhan's parole recommendation.

Two of Robert and Ethel's 11 children are deceased. David Kennedy died at age 28 in 1984 and Michael Kennedy died at age 39 in 1997.

RFK was shot in Los Angeles after giving a victory speech following his win in the South Dakota and California 1968 Democratic presidential primaries (Pictured: Ethel, left, RFK, right)

Sen. Robert Kennedy and Ambassador Hotel employee Juan Romero moments after RFK was shot by Sirhan Sirhan, June 1968

A mortally wounded Robert Kennedy on the floor of the kitchen at the Ambassador Hotel, June 1968

Robert Kennedy was walking through the kitchen of the hotel stopping to speak with supporters when he was shot, June 1968

RFK was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital and pronounced dead a day later, on June 6, 1968

This marked Sirhan's 16th attempt at parole. The panel's recommendation still awaits a review by the California Parole Board and a final decision by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The review process could take up to 120 days.

Robert Kennedy was the younger brother to former President John F. Kennedy, serving as his brother's US attorney general. He was then elected as a New York Senator.

RFK was 42 years old when he was pronounced dead on June 6, 1968 at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The rising politician was shot after giving a victory speech following his win in the South Dakota and California 1968 Democratic presidential primaries.

Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death in 1969. He is serving a life sentence at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County, California

Sirhan has attempted to be recommended for parole 15 times before Friday's recommendation. The decision will now move to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk

Sirhan stepped towards RFK with a rolled up campaign poster, hiding his .22 revolver shooting him in the head from only a foot away

He was immediately wrestled to the ground by RFK's security team and taken into custody. He claims that he has been drinking alcohol and did not remember pulling the trigger

The shooting occurred in the kitchen area of the hotel as RFK and several of his staff made their way to the press room. He and five other people were shot as Sirhan was immediately apprehended.

Sirhan was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death the next year. He eluded execution when the California Supreme Court briefly outlawed capital punishment in 1972 and lessened his sentence to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The Palestinian immigrant claimed he had been drinking on the night of the assassination and doesn't remember pulling the trigger.

If Sirhan is released, he may also be deported to Jordan. He never obtained US citizenship after immigrating to the country from Israel as a child.
Annastacia Palaszczuk's selfie debuting her new glamorous look came on the same day she promoted a new social media campaign.

The photo was one of countless posts made by the premier as she attempts to use her social media accounts to promote her campaigns and connect directly with her 299,000 followers on Facebook and 182,000 followers on Twitter.

The Queensland premier had uploaded a photo of her glamorous makeover to her Facebook and Twitter accounts last Wednesday.

While most of her followers praised the new look, several eagle-eyed social media users spotted a stack of papers marked 'urgent' sitting in the background. They took issue with the size of the pile and argued Ms Palaszczuk should focus on her work and less on social media.

The ongoing updates have drawn approval from pundits who view the social media accounts as a personal news channel and even call it the 'Palaszczuk News Network'.

It means Ms Palaszczuk no longer has to rely on big news networks to make her big announcements. Instead, she can turn to her social media pages.

Annastacia Palaszczuk's plans to boost her social media presence backfired after eagle-eyed viewers spotted a glaring detail in a selfie she shared of her new hairstyle and makeup look

The photo was the latest post made by the premier as she attempts to use her social media accounts to promote her campaigns and connect directly with her 299,000 followers on Facebook and 182,000 followers on Twitter

On August 25, she was able to directly inform her followers that Queensland would no longer be accepting NSW, Victoria or ACT travellers into hotel quarantine.

The announcement was delivered before any of the big news networks were able to break the news.

The following day, Ms Palaszczuk was the first to reveal she was setting up a quarantine facility on the Darling Downs - without federal funding.

The news caught Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio and prime minister Scott Morrison off-guard.

Although Facebook and Twitter have allowed the premier to get a head start, her rolling posts have drawn criticism with some followers saying she focusses too much time on social media.

Her selfie bizarrely copped criticism from Queenslanders after eagle-eyed viewers spotted a pile of papers marked 'urgent' sitting unattended in the background.

The premier fired up her Twitter account to share a selfie of her done-up appearance as she sat behind her office desk on August 25.

'Thanks for all the work you're doing, Queenslanders. Keep staying safe,' she wrote.

But social media users looking at the photo suggested the premier should deal with the 'urgent' files she had sitting on her desk rather than racking up 'likes' on the platform.

'Finish the work in the "Urgent" tray before taking your selfies,' one person said.

'You literally have work marked "Urgent". Really great time to stop and take a selfie and show off your nice little purse,' another wrote.

'What's the ETA on those urgent files?' A third said.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to the premier's office for comment.

The ongoing updates have drawn approval from pundits who view the social media accounts as a personal news channel and even call it the 'Palaszczuk News Network'

Others slammed the premier for taking personal snaps while the state's Covid vaccination rates remain low and hard border closures are keeping families separated and crippling the local economy.

'Make sure you whack that two inches of make up before your selfie. I have not seen my son since March this year cause of these stupid lock downs. Miss him so much,' one person commented.

'You post a photo of yourself smiling when you've just made families homeless with no notice whilst in transit with valid permits issued by your government. Sickening,' another added.

'Get off Twitter and Facebook and fix our pathetic vaccination rate. FFS,' a third comment read.

One person asked: 'Just get your hair done and fell the need to share?' while another questioned: 'Was this meant for Instagram?'

'Perhaps take your share of returning overseas travellers, then go and get your hair done! Enjoy your no tourism summer,' someone else said.

Unimpressed Queenslanders urged the premier to deal with the state's Covid crisis before uploading selfies on social media

One person suggested Ms Palaszczuk posted the selfie because she 'felt cute', in reference to the viral meme phrase

But not everyone was disgruntled by the premier's post, with some praising her revamped image and thanking her for running the state.

'Looking very glam there premier! And doing a bloody good job too,' one person complimented.

'I know this is off point but you look stunning!' Another wrote.

'Looking very pretty and healthy,' someone else said.

'Liking the new hairdo Premier, thank you for all you do for us Queenslanders,' a fourth added.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Palaszczuk's office for comment.

The photo was uploaded after Ms Palaszczuk announced Queensland had paused its hotel quarantine program for domestic travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT for two weeks amid capacity pressures as it avoids another Covid outbreak.

Ms Palaszczuk debuted her glam new look at Wednesday's Covid update (pictured) where she announced Queensland had paused its quarantine program for domestic travellers

'So we simply just do not have any room at the moment, we are reassessing, we are looking at other options, but Queensland is being loved to death,' Ms Palaszczuk told reporters on Wednesday.

Anyone from NSW, Victoria or the ACT with a border exemption pass, except extraordinary exemptions, will need to reapply to enter.

A new system is being set up to allocate specific hotel quarantine rooms for travellers from September 8.

Ms Palaszczuk said the federal government's evacuation of personnel from Afghanistan, which she supports, was also putting pressure on capacity.

She said Queensland isn't considering following South Australia with a trial of home quarantine to reduce pressure.

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said it was not as simple as involving more hotels either.

New rules for those who need to quarantine in a hotel when relocating to Queensland will require people to book a room in the hotel facility before they travel and re-apply for a border pass (Brisbane's Hotel Grand Chancellor, pictured)

'They need to be vaccinated, they need to be trained in using PPE, they need to be trained in infection control, and we've just reached that capacity,' she said.

'That's why we just need a pause to recalibrate.'

While Queensland may have avoided an outbreak, the government still sees a risk from the Delta variant outbreak in NSW.

At present only certain essential workers who have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine are allowed to drive into Queensland.

About 120 Australian Defence Force troops have arrived to backup border police at checkpoints.

Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman says four checkpoints will have two ADF personnel operating on a 24 hour basis, monitoring all avenues of access to Queensland along the border.

He added that the pausing of hotel quarantine for two weeks has seen a drastic reduction in vehicles crossing the checkpoints.

'We're sort of averaging 2000-2500 vehicles a day now crossing the checkpoints, which is a drastic reduction,' he said.
A BBC Bargain Hunt expert has been criticised for trading in Nazi memorabilia at his auction house.

Tim Weeks was urged to explain why items including a 2,000 Third Reich banner, a 300 swastika and a collection of badges were due to be sold at his Wessex Auction Rooms this Friday.

It comes amid a rise in far-Right extremism in Britain.

Former policeman Benjamin Hannam, 22, was jailed for four years and four months for being a member of banned group National Action in April.

Sam Armstrong, of counter-terrorism think-tank the Henry Jackson Society, warned of the dangers of selling such products.

He said: We know that a prime market for these vile symbols are the far-Right thugs who wish to attack this country and those who live in it.

Tim Weeks, who is a regular expert on BBC's Bargain Hunt, was urged to explain why items including a 2,000 Third Reich banner, a 300 swastika and a collection of badges were due to be sold at his Wessex Auction Rooms this Friday

A Third Reich banner valued at 2,000 Wessex Auctions Rooms in Chippenham, Wilts

A Nazi SS Party members badge valued at 60 Wessex Auctions Rooms in Chippenham, Wilts

The Board of Deputies of British Jews described the sale as distressing, disturbing and hugely disrespectful

The Board of Deputies of British Jews described the sale as distressing, disturbing and hugely disrespectful.

It is illegal to sell Nazi memorabilia in parts of Europe including Germany and Austria, but not in England.

Mr Weeks, who has been a regular on Bargain Hunt since 2016, withdrew the Nazi memorabilia from the auction after being contacted by the Daily Mail.

He said: Upon learning that a number of Third Reich items are listed for auction I have contacted the head of our militaria department to withdraw them immediately from sale as we would never wish to cause any offence.

'We apologise if any has unintentionally been caused.

The BBC declined to comment.

Tim Weeks also hosts his own weekly radio show on BBC Wiltshire and co-presented the first series of BBC One's Street Auction in 2016.

A 3.5m Third Reich building banner with Nazi Swastika valued at 300 Wessex Auctions Rooms

A Third Reich pennant with Swastika valed at 200 Wessex Auctions Rooms
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Powerful Hurricane Ida battered the southern US state of Louisiana and plunged New Orleans into darkness Sunday, leaving at least one person dead 16 years to the day after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city.

Around a million people are without power in southern Mississippi and Louisiana after the hurricane tore through the region on Sunday, knocking out electricity to all of New Orleans while whipping up sustained winds of more than 150mph and tearing the roofs off buildings.

Authorities late Sunday announced the first death as a Louisiana resident, a 60-year-old man who died when a tree fell on his home in Ascension Parish - even as the storm was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane.

'APSO reports first death related to Hurricane Ida. Shortly after 8:30pm deputies received reports of a citizen possibly injured from a fallen tree at a residence off of Highway 621 in Prairieville,' according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office. 'Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed that the victim is now deceased.'

It was reported by the Army Corps of Engineers that the force of the storm was so strong that the Mississippi river was flowing in reverse, while emergency crews have said they will not be able to go out into the storm-struck regions until dawn due to the unsafe conditions.

Cajun Navy Relief (CNR) president Colleen Udell, who responded to both Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Harvey, said that the impact of Ida was 'unprecedented', adding that the true scale of the devastation would not be known until light breaks on Monday morning.

The National Weather Service issued warnings of storm surges and flash floods for several areas, including the town of Jean Lafitte, just south of New Orleans, where mayor Tim Kerner said the levees had been breached by rapidly rising waters.

'Total devastation, catastrophic, our town levees have been overtopped,' Kerner told ABC-affiliate WGNO. 'We have anywhere between 75 to 200 people stranded in Barataria,' after a barge took out the swing bridge to the island.

'The winds are still too strong, we can't put boats in the water to get to them,' he told WGNO.

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents in Jefferson and St. John the Baptist Parish are stranded as floodwaters exceeding 10ft high and fierce wind gusts make it impossible for first responders to reach them. Officials in Lafitte and Jean Lafitte say that a failed levee was to blame for the surging floodwaters.

'We have a bunch of people trapped that we can't get to, one being the wind, we can't put boats in the water, it's just too rough, it would be life-threatening for the person operating the boat at this time,' Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr told CNN.

'We tried to do high water trucks, we can't get through the water.'

The chief of police of Jean Lafitte in Jefferson Parish said that at least 400 people who were not able to heed the mandatory evacuation order before the storm due to physical or financial reasons are trapped in the area.

Rescue crews are unable to reach them as floodwaters measuring between 10 and 12ft high and sustained winds of 70mph make the area inaccessible, according to WWNO-TV, with no rescue operations expected until morning due to the conditions being too dangerous.

'They're scared because they've never seen this,' Jean Lafitte Police Sergeant Jason Leorwald said of the stranded residents.

'They've never faced a storm like this before. Our residents have gone through this their whole lives and they didn't think that this would happen.'

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said Ida could be the most powerful storm to hit the state since 1850.

'There is no doubt that the coming days and weeks are going to be extremely difficult,' he said at a briefing Sunday, adding that some people might have to shelter in place for up to 72 hours.

A section of a building's roof is seen after being blown off during rain and winds in the French Quarter of New Orleans on Sunday

Pictured: New Orleans police look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La

Pictured: An image taken aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and made available by the European Space Agency (ESA) shows Hurricane Ida churning in the Gulf of Mexico ahead of its landfall in Louisiana, USA, 29 Augutst 2021

The image above shows security camera footage from the Delacroix Yacht Club coming from the Delacroix back levee towards Bayou Terre Bouef

The image above shows a blacked out New Orleans after power was knocked out due to the force of the hurricane

A video posted to Facebook shows the swelling water at a marina in Jean Lafitte, on the tip of the state's mainland

Two boats appeared to collide on the waters off St. Rose, Louisiana, as Hurricane Ida whipped up fierce winds on Sunday

Those that stayed made a 'personal decision,' according to Leorwald. He said financial constraints prevented many of them from evacuating.

Lafitte Police Chief Marcel Rodriguez said: 'I'm hearing that they feel like they're trapped and they understand that nobody can get there, but they are in panic mode and they've got a good right to be.

'I mean, right now, if they have 10 foot of water, they're basically there in the Gulf of Mexico in a hurricane.'

The force of the storm was so strong that the Mississippi River was flowing in reverse, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Some 22 barges docked on the river in Destrehan, a town in St. Bernard Parish, have broken loose, according to officials, posing a threat to the water intake and refinery infrastructure.

One hospital whose generators went out were forced to relocate ICU patients who had oxygen manually pumped into their bodies by doctors and nurses due to a lack of electricity.

The storm is so powerful that Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said that first responders will have to wait until sunrise on Monday to search for stranded residents

Montegut and Bourg firefighters cut through trees on the road in Bourg, Louisiana as Hurricane Ida passes

Montegut fire chief Toby Henry walks back to his fire truck in the rain as firefighters cut through trees on the road in Bourg

A New Orleans resident seeks shelter from the wind and rain as Hurricane Ida makes landfall nearby on Sunday

Montegut and Bourg firefighters cut through trees on the road in Bourg, Louisiana on Sunday

The storm is so powerful that Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said that first responders will have to wait until sunrise on Monday to search for stranded residents even as reports surface of trapped victims.

Edwards told CNN on Sunday that authorities are aware of distress calls from across southeast Louisiana, particularly from Jefferson Parish, which issued mandatory evacuation orders on Thursday.

According to the governor, however, conditions as of late Sunday simply do not allow for crews to offer assistance.

'At the height of a hurricane you can't get first responders out because it's just simply too dangerous. The wind speeds don't allow for that,' Edwards told CNN.

The eye of the storm passed in between Baton Rouge and New Orleans in the early hours of Monday morning

The coastal areas of southeastern Louisiana were hit with the worst storm surge on Sunday

By early Monday morning, Ida weakened to a Category 1 hurricane. When it make landfall earlier on Sunday, it was a Category 4

The forecast calls for Ida to weaken to a tropical storm and make its way through Mississippi, northern Alabama, Tennessee, eastern Kentucky, and West Virginia

'It's just too dangerous': Governor says crews will wait for storm to die down before searching for trapped residents Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said on Sunday that rescue crews won't be able to save trapped residents who couldn't evacuate until Monday morning. Hundreds of residents in Jefferson and St. John the Baptist Parish are stranded as floodwaters exceeding 10ft high and fierce wind gusts make it impossible for first responders to reach them. Officials in Lafitte and Jean Lafitte say that a failed levee was to blame for the surging floodwaters. Edwards told CNN on Sunday that authorities are aware of distress calls from across southeast Louisiana, particularly from Jefferson Parish, which issued mandatory evacuation orders on Thursday. According to the governor, however, conditions as of late Sunday simply do not allow for crews to offer assistance. 'At the height of a hurricane you can't get first responders out because it's just simply too dangerous. The wind speeds don't allow for that,' Edwards told CNN. 'Just as soon as we can, we will be engaged in very robust search and rescue operations.' When the storm calms, there will be around 21 urban search and rescue teams from some 15 states that will search for those stranded, according to the governor, who said that the extent of the damage won't be known until Monday morning. 'Nobody is out of the woods in southeast Louisiana yet,' the governor said. 'We'll be dealing with this until sometime after midnight.' Advertisement

'Just as soon as we can, we will be engaged in very robust search and rescue operations.'

When the storm calms, there will be around 21 urban search and rescue teams from some 15 states that will search for those stranded, according to the governor, who said that the extent of the damage won't be known until Monday morning.

'Nobody is out of the woods in southeast Louisiana yet,' the governor said.

'We'll be dealing with this until sometime after midnight.'

Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr. said rescue boats would be deployed at dawn to rescue the trapped residents.

'If you're in an attic, you're on a roof, rest assured you're going to be all right,' he told WDSU television.

'Once you see that wind starting to die down, look on the horizon, because we're coming.'

Officials in St. John the Baptist Parish said that they have been inundated with 911 calls from stranded residents who are begging for help, but first responders won't be able to search for them as conditions remain extreme as of late Sunday.

Meanwhile, two parishes - Jefferson and St. Charles - have advised residents to boil water as a precaution after damage to water mains caused the system to lose pressure.

New Orleans residents are being asked to limit water usage after the power outage affected the Orleans Parish sewer pumping stations.

The sheriff in Lafourche Parish says that every road in his jurisdiction was impassable as of Sunday night.

St. Charles Parish announced that the phone lines at its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) were down as of early Monday morning.

'Our normal EOC phone lines are down due to Hurricane Ida. In the event of an emergency, please call 911. If you need to report something to the EOC or Public Works please email help@stcharlesgov.net,' an alert to parish residents said.

Authorities in St. Charles and St. John The Baptist Parish are urging residents to seek higher ground as a flash flood emergency has been issued until 1:30am EST on Monday. So far, between 6 to 10 inches of rainfall has been recorded with another 4 to 6 inches expected.

'Life-threatening flash flooding is occurring, and this is a particularly dangerous situation,' according to the National Weather Service in New Orleans.

'Residents are urged to seek higher ground now.'

The NWS also said it has received reports of stranded residents in LaPlace, a town in St. John the Baptist Parish.

'Reports coming in of people trapped in homes in LaPlace,' the NWS said.

'Water completely surrounding a hotel. Numerous people requesting to be rescued.'

The storm hit Louisiana as President Joe Biden warned Ida would be a 'devastating hurricane - a life threatening storm.'

Meanwhile, outbound United and American Airlines flights from the international airport in Jackson, Mississippi have been canceled.

Biden spoke hours after Ida made landfall on the Louisiana coast as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing with it 150mph winds, storm surges of up to 16 feet, and flash floods across a widespread area. Some 940,000 residents were left without power as of Sunday evening.

Biden late on Sunday granted Edwards' request for a presidential disaster declaration for Louisiana.

Louisiana utility officials said that 'catastrophic transmission damage' caused power to go out for all of New Orleans and Orleans Parish.

Utility providers said that the city will remain in the dark until at least Monday morning after all eight transmission lines that deliver power to New Orleans were out of service as of late Sunday.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged residents remaining in the city on Sunday to 'hunker down.' New Orleans has seen continuous flash flooding as 4 to 7 inches of rain have been recorded as of late Sunday night.

Ida maintained Category 4 winds for about six hours after making landfall at around 1pm EST on Sunday before it weakened to a Category 3 hurricane.

Last year, Hurricane Laura, which made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 with 150mph winds, was downgraded to Category 3 after just three hours over land, as did Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Category 3 storms have sustained winds between 111 and 129mph.

Just before 11pm EST on Sunday, the hurricane was downgraded to Category 2. That means the storm has sustained winds of 110mph.

While the storm is weakening, it continues to generate strong wind gusts exceeding 90mph throughout the southern part of the state.

Michael Brown, who is homeless, rides out Hurricane Ida from his bed under a highway overpass in New Orleans on Sunday

A homeless man seeks shelter from the storm under an overpass in New Orleans on Sunday

Rochun Williams of New Orleans uses the microwave from her hotel room in the entry way of the hotel after discovering a working power outlet to heat dinner for her three-year-old child during Hurricane Ida

The image above shows a deserted Canal Street in New Orleans as Hurricane Ida made its way through southeastern Louisiana on Sunday

The image above shows a desolate Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Sunday as Hurricane Ida lashed southeastern Louisiana

A pedestrian walks past a statue of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt outside the National World War II Museum in New Orleans on Sunday

Trees sway in the wind from Hurricane Ida in downtown New Orleans on Sunday

The image above shows a dumpster tossed by gusting winds along Canal Street in deserted New Orleans on Sunday

Pedestrians walk along Bourbon Street during a city-wide power outage in New Orleans on Sunday

Utility officials said that the power outage in New Orleans would likely last until at least Monday morning

The National Weather Service office in New Orleans says that a levee was overrun by rainfall and storm surge on the east bank of Plaquemines Parish between the Parish line and White Ditch.

'If you are in the Braithwaite area...SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!'

In Lafourche Parish, officials said their 911 line and the phone lines that service the Parish Sheriff Office have been knocked down as a result of the storm. Local residents who are stranded in the Parish are advised to call 985-772-4810 or 985-772-4824.

In a press conference Sunday, President Joe Biden commented on Hurricane Ida, saying he's 'ready to surge all the response capacity capability that we have to deal with whatever comes next.'

The images above of the inner wall of the hurricane were taken from cell phone footage filmed by someone who did not evacuate Golden Meadow, Louisiana on Sunday

A generator in the intensive care unit of Thibodaux Regional Health System in Lafourche Parish failed, forcing hospital staff to bag and transport patients on life support to another wing of the facility where there was still electricity, according to NOLA.com.

That means hospital staff manually pushed air into and out of the lungs of patients who had been previously been hooked up to power-generated ventilators.

The strength of the hurricane was on full display on the Fox News Channel, where Fox Weather Multimedia Journalist Robert Ray was providing on-scene commentary from New Orleans.

During a live shot, Ray on Sunday was blown down the sidewalk twice as he gave his report to host Jon Scott, who was based in FNC's New York City newsroom.

Some 22 barges docked on the Mississippi River in Destrehan, Louisiana, a town in St. Bernard Parish, have broken loose, according to officials, posing a threat to the water intake and refinery infrastructure

Local officials do not believe that the loose barges (above) pose a threat to any nearby levees

The Coast Guard is waiting for the strong winds and heavy rains to die down before attempting to moor the loose barges

'The relentless wind that we've been getting over the extended period of time is something that I wasn't expecting,' St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis said

As of 7pm on Sunday, Ida weakened to a Category 3 hurricane, with sustained winds of 125mph

Ray told Scott that the winds were 'like a train all day.'

'We had to retreat here into this parking garage, it's just not safe out there at all,' Ray said.

'I'm going to step back slowly because I have an anemometer that I've been checking the wind speeds with.

'We have had gust up to almost 90 miles per hour, sustained over 60. And the second I step out, you're going to see...'

Before he could finish the sentence, Ray was blown sideways several feet as he stepped out of the garage.'

Ray made his way back into the garage, where another bystander ran over in case he needed help.

He then continued his report, saying: 'I just want to show you the power of this wind right now, very close to the Mississippi River.'

But the force of the wind knocked him backward again. Ray then grabbed hold of the entrance and managed to pull himself out of the wind.

'This is no joke, folks,' he said.

'Everything outside in New Orleans right now and many spots is unraveling and falling apart.'

Ray added: 'We have seen over the past three or four hours, Jon, aluminum coming off buildings...just stuff starting to move off of people's homes.

'Just a very serious situation right now. If anyone is out there, they need to get into shelter.

'I cannot stress this enough as the storm is just battering New Orleans right now.'

The strength of the hurricane was on full display on the Fox News Channel, where Fox Weather Multimedia Journalist Robert Ray was providing on-scene commentary from New Orleans

After the force of the wind knocked him backward, Ray grabbed hold of the entrance to a parking garage and managed to pull himself out of the wind

Plane filled with 60 stray cats and dogs is flown from Louisiana to California A plane filled with 60 stray cats and dogs was flown from Louisiana to California to ensure the needy animals were spared the wrath of Hurricane Ida. The 60 pets landed in El Cajon, about 17 miles east of downtown San Diego, in a flight flown by volunteers and coordinated by Seattle-based nonprofit Greater Good Charities. It landed on Saturday afternoon. 'In Louisiana and Mississippi, they were maxed out to capacity. Kennels were full and kennels were lining hallways,' Jessica Gercke, public relations coordinator for the Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego, told local station KFMB. 'Due to Hurricane Ida, they had to evacuate,' said Gercke, who replied 'absolutely' when Greater Good asked them about hosting some of the animals. 'To see them fly in is really touching to all of us,' she said. 'It always makes me feel like crying.' The pets came from overflowing animal shelters in Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Ida, including this dog called Tiana Advertisement

New Orleans and the parishes surrounding the city have been placed under a flash flood warning as of Sunday evening. The warnings will remain in effect until at least 11pm EST.

Even though the hurricane made landfall some 100 miles south of New Orleans, officials at the city's airport reported wind gusts of up to 81mph.

Ida hit on the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier, coming ashore about 45 miles west of where Category 3 Katrina first struck land.

Katrina was blamed for 1,800 deaths and caused levee breaches and catastrophic flooding in New Orleans, which took years to recover.

The governor of Louisiana says that the newly installed levees which were put in place at a cost of billions of dollars will hold in place.

'I have requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration from President Biden due to the severe impact of Hurricane Ida,' Edwards announced on Sunday after the storm made landfall.

'This declaration will help us better respond to Ida so we can begin getting additional aid and assistance to our people.'

The governor said: 'Hurricane Ida is one of the strongest storms to ever hit Louisiana.

'It is our goal to assist our local agencies and the citizens of the state as quickly as possible, and we have pre-positioned search and rescue teams, boats and other assets to begin helping people as soon as it is safe.'

'This major disaster declaration will help Louisiana better respond to this crisis and protect the health and safety of our people, and I hope the White House will act quickly so we can begin getting additional aid and assistance to our people,' the governor added.

Earlier on Sunday, Edwards told reporters at a news briefing: 'This is one of the strongest storms to make landfall here in modern times.'

The state 'has never been more prepared,' he said, predicting that no levees in the Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System protecting the greater New Orleans area would be overtopped.

'Will it be tested? Yes. But it was built for this moment,' he said. Edwards said some levees in the state's southeast not built by the federal government were predicted to overtop.

The rising ocean swamped the barrier island of Grand Isle as landfall came just to the west at Port Fourchon.

 Slide me  The images above show the extent of the flooding that engulfed Fire Station #12 in Delacroix within a one-hour time span

 Slide me  The heavy rains pounded the area just before 10:30am local time on Sunday

 Slide me  The images above were taken by surveillance cameras on Grand Isle Marina. The flood waters accumulated within a three-hour time span

 Slide me  Ida hit on the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier, coming ashore about 45 miles west of where Category 3 Katrina first struck land. The images above were taken by cameras attached to Fire Station #12 in Delacroix

 Slide me  Ida made landfall in Port Fouchon on the Louisiana coast at 11:55am EST on Sunday, as an 'extremely dangerous' Category 4 hurricane

The image above shows a structure which collapsed as a result of the hurricane-force winds in southeast Louisiana on Sunday

A pole was snapped in two and it fell into electrical lines in southeast Louisiana on Sunday

The extent of the damage is seen above after Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday

Hurricane-force winds uprooted trees and downed power lines across the state on Sunday

Ida made a second landfall about two hours later near Galliano.

The hurricane was churning through the far southern Louisiana wetlands, with the more than 2 million people living in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge up next.

The force of the storm made the Mississippi River flow backwards due to due sheer strength of the winds pushing against the water at the river's mouth.

Speaking hours after Ida hit Sunday, Biden said: 'I've been in touch with the governors of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana and my team at the White House has been in touch with other state and local federal officials in the region, and they know they'll be the full resources and support of the federal government.

'So I want to emphasize again, this is going to be a devastating hurricane - a life-threatening storm. So please all you folks in Louisiana and Mississippi and God knows, maybe even further East, take precautions. Listen, take it seriously, really very seriously.'

The president added that he's 'ready to surge all the response capacity capability that we have to deal with whatever comes next.'

Ida made landfall in Port Fouchon on the Louisiana coast at 11:55am EST on Sunday, as an 'extremely dangerous' Category 4 hurricane.

LAFOURCE PARISH: Part of the roof of Lady of the Sea General Hospital, in Galliano, blew off. @BrennanMatherne told me @LafourcheSO is hearing reports of some broken power poles, roof damage, some structure damage. @wdsu #HurricaneIda pic.twitter.com/iXMmURLNH2  Christina Watkins (@CWatkinsWDSU) August 29, 2021

The image above shows Hurricane Ida striking the coast of lower Louisiana east of New Orleans on Sunday

A person crosses a street in New Orleans as the city felt some hurricane-force winds generated by Ida on Sunday

A group of people walk through the French District during Hurricane Ida on Sunday

Kandaysha Harris wipes her face before continuing traveling through inclement weather generated by Hurricane Ida on Sunday

New Orleans and the parishes surrounding the city have been placed under a flash flood warning as of Sunday evening

The image above shows rain battering downtown New Orleans after Hurricane Ida made landfall 100 miles away in Port Fourchon on Sunday

The National Weather Service announced flash flood warnings for New Orleans and surrounding parishes on Sunday

As of Sunday evening, there were at least 980,000 Louisiana residents, including all of New Orleans, who were without power - the vast majority of them in the areas closest to the hurricane

Its windspeed sat just 7mph short of a category five hurricane, with the weather event predicted to be one of the most severe ever to hit the southern state.

The hurricane's eye is 17 miles in diameter, with the extreme weather event also set to bring flash floods, thunder, lightning, storm surges and tornados to areas in or close to its path.

Palm trees trembled as rain blasted in sideways through New Orleans on Sunday, where retired 68-year-old Robert Ruffin had evacuated with his family to a downtown hotel from their home in the city's east.

'I thought it was safer,' he said. 'It's double trouble this time because of COVID.'

Hours later, howling winds sucked out windows on the hotel's third floor, and blue curtains were seen fluttering outside.

Wind gusts of up to 180mph are expected close to shore, with the National Hurricane Service warning of 'catastrophic damage' to anything in their path.

The NHC also warned of potentially catastrophic wind damage and up to two feet of rainfall in some areas.

The roof was ripped off a building in New Orleans' famous French Quarter by Hurricane Ida on Sunday afternoon

Firefighters use a wet vaccum to soak up water leaking into a firestation as hurricane Ida passes in Bourg, Louisiana on August 29, 2021

A woman walks her dog in the French Quarter during Hurricane Ida on August 29, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana

A truck sits submerged in Bay St Louis, Mississippi, after being abandoned by its driver because of storm surges caused by Ida

A worker rides a bicycle to deliver food in the French Quarter during Hurricane Ida on August 29, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana

Utility workers play in the wind from Hurricane Ida as they wait for the storm to pass to begin repairs on August 29, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana

'Can't afford to leave': Trapped residents lack money for gas and a hotel room Robert Owens was feeling defeated and helpless Sunday as he waited in Louisiana's capital city for landfall by one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike the US. The 27-year-old had spent anxious days watching long lines of cars evacuating from Baton Rouge, bound for safer locations out of state as Hurricane Ida approached. He had hoped he and his wife, his mother-in-law, roommate and four pets would be among them. But leaving would have required money for gas and a hotel room  something they didn't have. Out of desperation, Owens went to ACE Cash Express on Saturday and submitted documents for a payday loan. He was denied, told he didn't have enough credit history. By Sunday, it was clear they would be riding out the storm at home in his family's duplex apartment. 'Our bank account is empty  we can't afford to leave,' he said. Owens said the majority of people in his low-income neighborhood are in the same predicament. They want to leave to protect families, but have no choice but to stay. 'A lot of us here in my neighborhood have to just hunker down and wait, not knowing how bad it's going to get. It's a terrifying feeling,' he said. 'There people who have funds to lean on are able to get out of here, but there's a big chunk of people that are lower-income that don't have a savings account to fall on,' he continued. 'We're left behind.' Advertisement

Residents who have no interior rooms in their home were told to move to a closet or bathroom for protection, with the governor warning it could take 72 hours for emergency responders to arrive.

Some parishes imposed curfews beginning Sunday evening, forbidding people from going outside.

'We're as prepared as we can be, but we're worried about those levees,' said Kirk Lepine, president of Plaquemines Parish on the state's Gulf Coast.

Plaquemines, one of the most vulnerable parishes, is home to 23,000 people along the Mississippi delta.

Lepine feared water topping levees along Highway 23.

'That's our one road in and out,' he said.

Ida is also forecast to bring 'extremely life-threatening' storm surges of up to 16 feet of water, with the region stretching from Burns Point in Louisiana to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, most at risk of inundation.

New Orleans is not forecast to see high surges, amid worries flood water could overcome the city's levees and other flood defenses, which were bolstered in the wake of Katrina.

'Everyone who cares about New Orleans is worried,' said Andy Horowitz, a history professor who wrote Katrina: A History, 1915-2015.

Horowitz fled to Alabama with his family from their home near New Orleans' French Quarter.

Some $14billion was spent strengthening levees after Katrina, but that may still be insufficient in the face of climate change, he said.

As a result of the storm, the Mississippi River is flowing in reverse in southeastern Louisiana as Ida pushes immense amounts of sea water ashore, according to flood-control authorities.

The Big Easy was warned to expect between 15 and 20 inches of rainfall. Forecasters fear such a downpour could cause widespread flash floods, as the city's pumping system struggles to cope.

On Sunday, Edwards said he expects Ida to be 'a big challenge for us.'

While speaking with CNN's Jake Tapper on 'State of the Union,' Edwards said Louisiana 'is as ready as we can be,' but he expects Ida to be 'a very serious test of our levy systems, especially in our coastal Louisiana.'

'This is not the kind of storm that we normally get,' Edwards told Associated Press.

'This is going to be much stronger than we usually see and, quite frankly, if you had to draw up the worst possible path for a hurricane in Louisiana, it would be something very, very close to what we're seeing.'

After the failure of Katrina in 2005, the state invested in shoring up the levy system. The governor said Ida 'will be the most severe test,' but he expects the levees to hold. '

The next 24, 36 hours are just going to be very, very critical for us here in,' Edwards said.

In addition, Edwards compared Ida to be similar in strength to 2020's Hurricane Laura at landfall.

Laura had been Louisiana's strongest-measured hurricane since 1856.

'Your window of time is closing. It is rapidly closing. By the time you go to bed tonight, you need to be where you intend to ride this storm out and you need to be as prepared as you can be,' said Edwards.

A foolhardy utility worker braves a sea wall to take some snaps in Bay St Louis, Mississippi, despite warnings of storm surges of up to 16 feet

A man takes a selfie on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans on Sunday as Hurricane Ida hit the area

Waves crash against the New Canal Lighthouse on Lake Pontachartrain, amid warnings of storm surges of up to 16 feet

A truck makes its way through Bourg, Louisiana, on Sunday, with Ida's winds whipping the trees behind it

The number of Louisiana National Guardsmen in place was around 400, and will rise to around 5,000 in the coming days, Edwards said.

Edwards added that 10,000 electrical linemen were also stationed around Louisiana, with another 10,000 contracted on a needed basis.

Officials had ordered widespread evacuations of low-lying and coastal areas, jamming highways and leading some gasoline stations to run dry as residents and vacationers fled, although Edwards said it was impossible to evacuate patients from hospitals.

Louisiana hospitals were treating some 2,450 COVID-19 patients after a surge in infections, Edwards said, with many in some of the state's parishes already nearing capacity.

When speaking to Wolf Blitzer, Dr. Katherine O'Neal, chief medical officer or Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, said her hospital is ready to sustain Ida, but will be stretched thin due to a spike in Covid-19 patients.

'This hospital is ready to sustain quite a bit of damage, ready to sustain quite a bit of power outages. We're talking about rationing supplies, getting ready for days of having our team here, but we have the ability to do that,' O'Neal said.

What the hospital is lacking is space, in addition to health care workers because of Covid.

'We have 619 people in-house today. We have 157 Covid patients, which is just unbelievable and still higher than we've ever seen in this pandemic before,' O'Neal said.

'Once again we find ourselves dealing with a natural disaster in the midst of a pandemic,' said Jennifer Avegno, the top health official for New Orleans.

Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Lafourche Parish, near where Ida made landfall, reported extensive roof damage.

'All patients and staff are fine at this time without injury; although, our hospital has sustained significant damage,' hospital CEO Karen Collins said in a message relayed via Facebook.

The hospital's phone system was down.

'Once it is safe to do so they will evacuate their small number of patients,' state health department spokeswoman Aly Neel said in an email.

Details on the number of patients involved were not immediately available.

The governor also said 22 nursing homes and 18 assisted living facilities have been evacuated though evacuating the largest hospitals was not an option because there simply aren't other places to send them.

Anticipating that power could be out for weeks in places, Edwards said a big focus will be on making sure there is enough generator power and water at hospitals so they can keep up with vital patient needs such as providing oxygen or powering ventilators.

'I hate to say it this way, but we have a lot of people on ventilators today and they don't work without electricity,' he said.

The sky is seen darkening over Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville, Louisiana, on Sunday morning as Ida approaches the coast of the state

A foolhardy walker checks out the rough waters caused by Ida in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Sunday

Two women walk past a boarded-up business in New Orleans on Sunday, with locals warned to stay inside until Ida passes

A man was seen checking his phone in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Sunday as Ida began to barrel in, with the storm set to be the worst on record to hit Louisiana

Route 90 in Gulfport, Mississippi, saw roads flooded by Ida, with the Category 4 hurricane set to bring flash floods and storm surges of up to 15 feet

Hundreds 'stranded' in Jefferson Parish towns because they 'couldn't afford to evacuate' Hundreds of residents in Jefferson and St. John the Baptist Parish are stranded as floodwaters exceeding 10ft high and fierce wind gusts make it impossible for first responders to reach them. Officials in Lafitte and Jean Lafitte say that a failed levee was to blame for the surging floodwaters. The chief of police of the town of Jean Lafitte in Jefferson Parish said that at least 400 people who were not able to heed the mandatory evacuation order before the storm due to physical or financial reasons are trapped in the area. Rescue crews are unable to reach them as floodwaters measuring between 10 and 12ft high and sustained winds of 70mph make the area inaccessible, according to WWNO-TV. 'They're scared because they've never seen this,' Jean Lafitte Police Sergeant Jason Leorwald said of the stranded residents. 'They've never faced a storm like this before. Our residents have gone through this their whole lives and they didn't think that this would happen.' Those that stayed made a 'personal decision,' according to Leorwald. He said financial constraints prevented many of them from evacuating. Lafitte Police Chief Marcel Rodriguez said: 'I'm hearing that they feel like they're trapped and they understand that nobody can get there, but they are in panic mode and they've got a good right to be. 'I mean, right now, if they have 10 foot of water, they're basically there in the Gulf of Mexico in a hurricane.' The storm is so powerful that Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said that first responders will have to wait until sunrise on Monday to search for stranded residents even as reports surface of trapped victims. Edwards told CNN on Sunday that authorities are aware of distress calls from across southeast Louisiana, particularly from Jefferson Parish, which issued mandatory evacuation orders on Thursday. According to the governor, however, conditions as of late Sunday simply do not allow for crews to offer assistance. 'At the height of a hurricane you can't get first responders out because it's just simply too dangerous. The wind speeds don't allow for that,' Edwards told CNN. Advertisement

Officials at Ochsner Health, which runs the largest hospital network in Louisiana, said roughly 15 of the network's hospitals are in areas potentially affected by Ida.

The network evacuated some patients with particular medical needs from small, rural hospitals to larger facilities.

Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Ochsner Health, said Sunday that the system decided preemptively to evacuate a smaller hospital in St. Charles Parish when the storm's track shifted a bit east.

He said 35 patients were moved to other hospitals in the region over a little less than three hours. When it comes to power at their facilities, Mike Hulefeld said, they are in pretty good shape.

Three of their facilities in areas affected by Ida were moved to generator power in anticipation of losing city power.

Hulefeld said the hospital network ordered 10 days of supplies for facilities in areas that might be affected by Ida, and everything arrived Saturday.

Each facility has backup power that was tested and a backup fuel truck on-site. Many of the chain's hospitals also have water wells in case city water goes out.

With people evacuating and potentially going to stay with relatives or in shelters, medical officials said they are concerned the hurricane could translate into more coronavirus infections in coming days just as hospitalization numbers are going down.

Thomas said the hospital system has seen a decline in almost 200 coronavirus patients over the past week across all their facilities.

Officials said Sunday they have been making the rounds and talking to staff in the hospitals - often referred to as the 'A Team' because they're the ones that go into lockdown when a hurricane arrives and work until the storm passes and they can be relieved.

The hurricane comes on top of the year and a half long pandemic that has been an amazing stress on health care workers, and many are sad and frustrated.

'Folks realize they got a job to do. There are people who need to be cared for,' Thomas said.

'But it does take a toll.'

Dr. Jeff Elder, medical director for emergency management at LCMC Health, said the system's six hospitals went into lockdown mode Sunday.

Employees were going to stay at the hospitals for the duration of the storm arrived Saturday and early Sunday and would sleep there.

Elder said one of the first things their hospitals do when storms arrive is discharge patients who are able to leave.

However, the patient load is high because of the pandemic so they're not able to reduce by much. He said the hospitals in the system are more robust since 2005's Hurricane Katrina.

'We've learned a lot since 2005,' he said.

Key pieces of infrastructure are now raised to keep them out of flooding.

For example, at University Medical Center in New Orleans, which was built after Katrina, the generator is raised, diesel supplies are protected and the first floor doesn't have essential services so even if flood waters get that high nothing essential is lost.

All hospitals in the system have generator backup power, Elder said. He also stressed that communication is now much better between hospitals in the hospital system as well as with various levels of government.

The storm will travel upwards through midweek, with a local flash flood threat penetrating inland into Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley, Central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic.

A few rotating cells in Ida's rainbands may generate tornadoes from southeast Louisiana into southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle Sunday into Monday.

This threat might spread as far north and east as the Tennessee Valley and northern Georgia Monday into Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Jefferson Parish, which sits close to New Orleans, is said to be particularly vulnerable to a breach.

The sky over New Orleans grew dark on Sunday morning, with the city's I-10 freeway largely deserted as locals prepared for Ida

A satellite photo taken from the International Space Station shows just how large Ida is as it sits off the coast of the US

An astonishing satellite image showed lighting bolts flashing amid Storm Ida as it moved towards the Louisiana coast

Leeville in Louisiana is pictured starting to flood as Ida rolled in on Sunday morning

Hurricane expert Eric Blake tweeted Sunday that the strength of Ida has made him 'sick to his stomach'

This would be the first time the newly-upgraded defenses have been breached since they were strengthened in the wake of Katrina.

On Sunday, longtime NBC weatherman Al Roker, headed straight into the storm, making certain viewers got a firsthand look at the category 4 hurricane and what it was doing along the banks of Louisiana.

Judging from Roker's report of the storm, things are escalating quickly.

During Sunday's report, the 67-year-old weatherman was plummeted by waves as the storm surged upwards of 15-16 feet in New Orleans.

On Sunday morning New Orleans - which is set to be hit by the full force of the storm - saw its 911 service go down, with locals urged to call a far longer number instead, although service has since been restored.

It is currently around 50 miles off the Louisiana coast, and is expected to make landfall later on Sunday.

In addition, a tornado warning is in effect for southeast Mobile county and Grand Bay in Pointe Coupee Parish, with twisters a common occurrence at the outer edges of hurricanes as the make landfall.

Evacuations have begun amid warnings of storm surges of up to 15 feet, with Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng saying of the predicted inundation: 'I want to reiterate, the storm surge that we are expecting is unsurvivable.'

Hurricane expert Eric Blake also tweeted his horror at the weather event, writing: 'I feel sick to my stomach watching this #hurricane. #Ida 's eye is clearing out, and the rapid intensification continues. At this point be ready for the one of the strongest to ever make landfall in #Louisiana. This is a very sobering morning godspeed.'

According to the National Hurricane Center, Ida sustained winds of 150 mph, just 60 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River, continuing its way toward Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.

It would take merely 7 mph for Ida to transition into Category 5 storm, the NHC said, the strongest category. If Ida does become a cat 5 hurricane, it will be the first on record to have made landfall in Louisiana.

With Hurricane Ida intensifying over the Gulf of Mexico Saturday and barreling towards the Gulf Coast, thousands of fleeing residents clogged highways as they raced inland, and the New Orleans airport cancelled all of Sunday's inbound and departing flights.

A car sits parked on a levee close to New Orleans, amid fears the flood defenses could be overcome by Hurricane Ida

How similar is Ida to Katrina? Hurricane Ida shares some similarities with Hurricane Katrina, but it's size and wind speed suggest it could be a more concentrated, destructive storm... Similarities: Wind speed: Katrina hit Louisiana as a Category 3 storm with 125 mph winds. Ida will hit the city as a Category 4 with slightly higher winds of 130 mph. Timing: Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005. Ida is making landfall on August 29, 2021, exactly 16 years later. Differences: Size: Katrina was a larger storm, which means it was weaker and its damage was more spread out. Ida is smaller, which makes for a stronger storm with more localized damage. Angle: Katrina hit New Orleans from the south, but Ida is entering from the southeast, which will put New Orleans under the storm's strongest part - the northeastern quadrant. Infrastructure: New Orleans' infrastructure has been updated since Katrina in 2005, when much of the damage was blamed on the levee failures that allowed for extreme flooding. It remains to be seen how they will hold during Ida. Advertisement

On Sunday morning, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency for Alabama's coastal & western counties effective at 2:00 p.m.

As of early Sunday morning, Ida was a Category 3 storm with whipping winds of 115 mph. It was about 145 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center.

But it quickly strengthened to a category four, with forecaster Sam Lillo tweeting: 'Ida is the furthest north hurricane on record in the Atlantic to deepen 50mb (millibars) in 24 hours or less.' Millibars are units used to record pressure.

Edwards said that the storm will be 'one of the strongest hurricanes to hit anywhere in Louisiana since at least the 1850s.'

It's predicted to cause heavy downpours and a tidal surge that could plunge most of the Louisiana shoreline under several feet of water.

'We're going to catch it head-on,' Bebe McElroy told the Associated Press as she prepared to leave home in the coastal Louisiana village of Cocodrie. 'I'm just going around praying, saying, 'Dear Lord, just watch over us.''

'We're not the same state we were 16 years ago,' Edwards said on Saturday, pointing to a federal levee system that's seen major improvements since Katrina swamped New Orleans in 2005.

'This system is going to be tested. The people of Louisiana are going to be tested. But we are resilient and tough people. And we're going to get through this.'

Edwards said 5,000 National Guard troops were being staged in 14 parishes for search and rescue efforts with high-water vehicles, boats and helicopters.

And 10,000 linemen were on standby to respond to electrical outages.

Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba told CNN during a TV interview at 11pm Saturday that he's most concerned about how city's infrastructure will hold up and said the city's hospitals are already filled because of the COVID-19 surge brought on by the 'Delta' variant.

For those who will be weathering the storm were reminded by President Joe Biden not to forego COVID precautions: 'If you have to move to shelter, make sure you wear a mask and try to keep some distance  we're still facing the highly contagious delta variant as well.'

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell urged residents reminded residents during mid-day Saturday press conference that he local COVID surge has city hospitals at full capacity.

She called on those planning to flee from the 'life-altering' hurricane to 'do so immediately' and for those planning to ride out the storm to finish their preparations and shelter in place as quickly as possible.

'This is our time, your time, to prepare yourselves now. This is it,' she said.

'Check on your neighbors, your friends, of course your family, assist them when needed... in Hurricane Katrina, we learned that we are all first responders.'

The city's French Quarter had also begun to disappear behind plywood boards

New Orleans normally bustling Canal Street lay empty Saturday - with a CVS already boarded up

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Edwards had a call with Biden on Friday afternoon to synchronize federal and local storm preparation and response plans.

Also on the call was FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Julie Rodriguez.

FEMA is pre-positioning food, water, generators and other resources in the at-risk region, the president's office said Saturday.

A local buys plywood at a Home Depot in New Orleans on Saturday in preparation for Hurricane Ida

Canal Street in New Orleans stood deserted on Saturday night as locals prepared for Hurricane Ida to hit the city on Sunday

The city's famed Bourbon Street looked far quieter than usual, as Ida was forecast to hit on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Levees strengthened in wake of Katrina could be overcome by Ida Since Hurricane Katrina, the federal government has spent $14.5 billion on levees, pumps, seawalls, floodgates and drainage that provide enhanced protection from storm surges and flooding in New Orleans and surrounding suburbs south of Lake Pontchartrain. The system is a 350-mile network of levees, floodwalls, canals, 24 pumping stations and 99 pumps within the city of New Orleans - suburbs have their own pump systems. Levees are made from compacted soil, whereas floodwalls are erected from man-made materials, usually metal and cement. The National Hurricane Center forecasts between 10 to 15 feet of floodwaters in the West Bank area, which lies east of the main part of the city (the area is named for its position on the Mississippi River) - the upper range of that estimate would 'overtop' most of the southwest-facing levee walls facing the Gulf of Mexico in that area. The average height of the levee walls facing southwest, according to NOLA.com, is 14 feet. If forecasted flood levels prove true, floodwaters will rise over levees for the first time since the system was upgraded post-Hurricane Katrina. In 2005, over 50 levees failed throughout New Orleans, leaving 80 percent of the city underwater. The surge is predicted to weaken as it flows over the marshes and land of southern Jefferson Parish, shrinking in height and intensity as it moved further inland and toward the levees surrounding the communities near the Mississippi River. Exactly how much of an effect that would have, however, is not clear. 'Armoring,' a new strategy applied to the levee system since Hurricane Katrina, involves strategically planting grass and laying mats along the inside of the levees - this prevents floodwaters that flow over the walls from eroding soil at the levee's base, which could cause the structure to collapse. However, because water has never made it over the retaining walls before, this erosion-prevention system has never been tested in practice. Southeast Flood Protection Authority  West Region Director Nicholas Calli, whose agency oversees the levees, said to NOLA.com that he was confident that the system would work as designed. Authorities predict that the rest of the system, lining the Mississippi River to the north of the city of New Orleans, is not expected to be overwhelmed by high water levels. A surge of storm water, in theory, would be slowed and lowered in height as it flowed over the marshes and land of southern Jefferson Parish, putting the walls protecting the communities near the Mississippi River - it is unclear how much, however. Water that overtakes the levees would be pumped out by the same water pumps used to divert rainwater that falls within the levee's walls outside of its perimeter. Parts of the $2billion of drainage equipment installed since 2005 can pump out as much as 4.7 inches of rainwater each three hours, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Combined, the Corps said, the pumps have a capacity of over 50,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), or 400,000 gallons of water. Authorities urged residents on Friday to clean leaves and detritus around storm drains to prevent the system from clogging and, therefore, slowing the removal of water. While some of the pumps were built more recently, according to New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board Executive Director Ghassan Korban, some are antiques. Officials tried to bring an electrical turbine online on Friday in an attempt to provide a back-up power source for less reliable pumps. Three of the 99 pumps are not operation, an obstacle that Korban said will be solved by the 'redundancy' of the system and its back-ups. Just weeks ago, on August 6, the Army Corps of engineers recommended $1.7billion dollars in renovations to the system to ensure that it will work reliably until 2078. Among proposed changes were raising the height of 99 miles of the levees, replacing over a mile of floodwalls and building an additional 3.2 miles of additional flood walls. Advertisement

Meanwhile, the president implored local authorities to reach out for federal assistance, should they need it, before the projected hurricane makes landfall.

'I need to know everything you think we need to do,' he said at a press conference just before 2 pm. 'If you haven't gotten the authority for it, tell me now, we'll get it done.'

'Thank you, thank you thank you, everything that you're doing to prepare for this dangerous storm is going to mitigate the impact and potential. Disastrous results that will [effect] so many people in the region.'

Terrebonne, Lafourche, Plaquemines, Orleans, St. Charles, Port Fourchon and St. Mary Parish all mandated evacuations for some or all of their residents, and New Orleans employers let their employees go home by 6pm so they have adequate time to seek shelter.

Ida was a tropical depression just two days earlier but it strengthened so quickly that New Orleans officials said there was no time to organize a mandatory evacuation of the city's 390,000 residents.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said the city did not have sufficient time to mandate evacuations inside the levee system, or to open up additional lanes of traffic, known as contraflow, to allow more people to evacuate.

An evacuation of that magnitude requires coordination with the state and neighboring locales so that inbound lanes on are highways can be converted to shunt traffic away from the city.

Even without the mandatory evacuation, traffic on Interstate 10 out of New Orleans was heavy or at a standstill throughout the day Saturday. Roads were congested as early as 4 am.

Reports indicate many more heeded the officials' warnings and vacated the area, but those who chose to hunker down in New Orleans and the surrounding areas along the coast boarded up their homes and businesses and made preparations.

The city's emergency planners - simultaneously traumatized and prepared for the worst by Hurricane Katrina - have promised a 'very robust, very quick, post-storm evacuation.'

Inundated with surrendered pets, Louisiana's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is also at full capacity, and will similarly transition to 'post-storm operations.'

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, 70 percent of homes were damaged to some degree, and more than 1,800 people died.

Ten to 15 feet of water is expected to collect around the mouth of the Mississippi River, the National Hurricane Center said, and lower levels of flooding could extend as far east as the coastlines of adjacent Mississippi and Alabama.

In the capital of Baton Rouge, Marvin Broome said he had no choice but to stay home because his wife is the mayor, Sharon Weston Broome.

The 73-year-old English teacher said in a phone interview he was stashing family valuables and important papers in a safe part of their home while Mayor Broome dealt with the city of 224,000.

Predicted storm surges were already happening, exceeding 6 feet in some parts of the coast.

Parts of Highway 90 that runs along the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast had become a choppy river, according to videos posted on social media.

Mayor Broome signed an emergency disaster declaration, and said her city had preemptively stationed sand and sandbags at eight strategic locations as the storm approached.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday that FEMA will send nearly 150 medical personnel and almost 50 ambulances to the Gulf Coast to assist strained hospitals.

Terrebonne Parish officials also told everyone to evacuate, WWL-TV reported.

'If you can leave on your own, please leave on your own,' Parish President Gordon Dove said. 'We are the bullseye by every indication, of everything we have found.'

Heavy rainfall and flooding have already began to affect Mississippi ahead of Ida's suspected landfall.

Hailey DeLaune of Gulf told Reuters today that she and her fiancee spent Friday evening amassing provisions and boarding up the windows of his house in Gulfport, Mississippi.

'Hurricanes have always been part of my life,' said Delaune, a high school theology teacher who was born during 1992's Category 5 Hurricane Andrew. 'You just run through your list and hope for the best.'

Shelves were seen low on stock at a Walmart on Tchoupitolas in New Orleans, Louisiana ahead of Hurricane Ida on Friday. Breads, meats, snacks, canned meats, cases of water, chips and fans are in short supply.

Shoppers at Costco in New Orleans stocked up on supplies like bottles of water and toilet paper ahead of Hurricane Ida. Lines at gas stations flowed into the streets and an Exxon in New Orleans has already closed its pumps because it is out of gas.

City officials said residents need to be prepared for prolonged power outages, and asked elderly residents to consider evacuating. Arnold said the city could be under high winds for about ten hours.

At Governor Edwards' request, Biden issued a pre-landfall federal emergency declaration on Friday, which authorized the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to begin coordinating disaster relief efforts.

'Nobody was out there shrimping today, opening day of shrimp season,' said George Barisich, a shrimper, to CBS News. 'So that ought to tell you. When I got in this morning, late last night... about 75, 80 percent of the boats already left.'

Meteorologist Steve Bowen, head of global catastrophe insight at the risk and consulting firm Aon, said the area that was about to get hit is especially vulnerable, with large swaths of industries that could cause environmental damages as well as homes that still have tarps instead of roofs from multiple storms in 2020.

'It's not just the coastal impact. It's not just New Orleans,' Bowen said.

'We're certainly looking at potential losses well into the billions.'

On Friday, Ida smashed into Cuba's small Isle of Youth, off the southwestern end of the Caribbean island nation, toppling trees and tearing roofs from dwellings.

Jamaica was flooded by heavy rains, and there were landslides after the passage of the storm. Many roads were impassable, forcing some residents to abandon their homes.

Ida, the ninth named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, was expected to exceed the strength of Hurricane Laura, the last Category 4 storm to strike Louisiana, by the time it makes landfall, forecasters said.

A satellite photo shows Ida over the Caribbean sea, just off the coast of Florida

Locals have begun to evacuate areas of Louisiana in Ida's path

Shelves of a New Orleans Walmart were emptied ahead of the hurricane, set to be one of the worst to ever hit the area

As the storm plowed into Cuba on Friday night, the National Weather Service warned that it shows 'no signs of weakening.'

'If Ida maintains a good inner core it will intensify quickly as it enters the Gulf. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THIS! If you are asked to evacuate, LEAVE or you're putting your life in danger!' the NWS asserted.

In another tweet, the NWS wrote: 'The time to act is NOW. Hurricane Ida is now forecast to make landfall as a category 4 hurricane. This will bring SIGNIFICANT impacts to Southern Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. No major changes to the track at this time, moved just a touch to the east.'

'Along with the change to a Category 4 landfall we also now have upgraded to a Hurricane WARNING for parts of southern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. Damaging winds are expected with Ida and could reach the coast by Saturday night.'

The agency said that a storm surge warning is also now in effect for the likelihood of life-threatening storm surge in some areas of southeaster Louisiana and coastal Mississippi - while a storm surge watch is in effect for the potential of life-threatening storm surge for outer areas.

In its biggest weekly gain this year, oil prices shot up by two percent on Friday.

As the storm tore through the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday and Friday, energy companies halted the production of 1.6 million oil barrels and airlifted workers from 90 offshore facilities on Friday and the storm ground through the site of 17 percent of the nation's oil production.

'It's a beast and it's just getting stronger!' NBC star Al Roker is filmed getting drenched by waves while reporting on Hurricane Ida in New Orleans 'We just got word that this will most likely be one of the top five strongest landfalls ever,' shouted weatherman Al Roker in a broadcast aired from New Orleans around 7 am EST this morning. Windswept Al Roker was pummeled by angry waves alongside Lake Pontchartain as he and the TODAY team reported live from New Orleans just hours before record-setting Hurricane Ida made landfall this afternoon. The footage of the 67-year-old meteorologist laid bare the immense force of the Category 4 hurricane that careened from Cuba up into the Gulf of Mexico on Friday and led tens of thousands to evacuate their homes. The power of the storm's 150mph winds, which made landfall around midday local time Sunday, were apparent as Roker's rain jacket and pants fluttered around him and roiling waves crashed down onto his head. Behind-the-scenes footage of weather conditions that Roker shared to Instagram early Sunday morning painted an even clearer picture of the storm's ramping severity. 'We just got word that this will most likely be one of the top five strongest landfalls ever,' shouted Roker in a broadcast aired before 7 am EST this morning. 'It is a beast and just getting stronger,' he said. He said that Ida was 'already tied' with 2020's Hurricane Laura, which is the current strongest hurricane on-record to make landfall in the state of Louisiana and was 'blowing [Hurricane] Velma out of the water.' Today's storm made landfall just before 2 pm near Port Fourchon, Louisiana. Roker said this morning that the storm had sped up by 65MPH within 24 hours, and that the weather system's 150mph winds were moving toward the coast at a speed of 15mph. Roker was barely visible as one huge wave crashed over him - but he later assured viewers that he'd done nothing to compromise his personal safety Over 20 inches of rain could fall onto 'already saturated ground' before the storm blows over - the weatherman predicted widespread power outages, possibly impassable roads and 'significant damage.' 'This is going to be a devastating storm for this evening,' he said. He described the Hurricane's eye wall, the most damaging portion of a hurricane just outside its center, as 'basically a 15 mile wide F3 tornado' in another segment shot that day, in which waves are even stronger. Instagram footage shot from behind Roker's film crew shows the newscaster being struck by waves as plastic protecting the crews' camera, lights and equipment flaps loud and fast in the storms' winds. 'It's a wild morning here in #neworleans along #lakepontchartrain as we await #ida which will most likely be a #top5 strongest land falling US #hurricane,' he captioned the post. TODAY co-anchor Hoda Kotb posted a photo on her Instagram that appears to have been taken around the same time as Roker's video, showing him in knee-deep water with a dark sky behind him. TODAY co-anchor Hoda Kotb posted a photo on her Instagram that appears to have been taken around the same time as Roker's video, showing him in knee-deep water with a dark sky behind him. Instagram users were quick to express concern over the beloved weatherman's safety, prompting him to post another Instagram video from his hotel room. He films his feet as he strips off thick rubber boots in a bathtub and water pours out. 'Be safe buddy xoxo,' she wrote. Instagram users were quick to express concern over the beloved weatherman's safety, prompting him to post another Instagram video from his hotel room. He films his feet as he strips off thick rubber boots in a bathtub and water pours out. 'Just got back from Hurricane Ida with heavy boots on and I brought back a little bit of Lake Ponchartrain with me,' he can be heard saying. 'For all those who were worried about me out on #lakepontchartrain, a) I volunteered to do this. Part of the job. b) My crew and I were safe and we are back at our hotel and c) for those who think I'm too old to to be doing this, try and keep up,' he captioned the video. If Hurricane Ida reaches wind speeds over 157MPH, its designation will be upgraded to a Category 5 - only four storms have ever reached this level of severity in the last century, according to NBC News. On Monday, the storm is expected to grind inland over Louisiana and Mississippi and weaken rapidly upon hitting land. Tornadoes are possible between Sunday and Monday from southeast Louisiana to the western Florida panhandle. Advertisement

'There's pieces of roof coming off': New Orleans nurse captures terrifying moment Hurricane Ida tears chunks off the roof as building sways in the wind

A nurse working near New Orleans has shared a video of the horrifying moment the roof of her hospital was torn off by Hurricane Ida.

Christiane Gottbrath posted a clip to her Instagram stories of her looking out of a window at the Ochsner Health's main campus hospital in Jefferson, a suburb of New Orleans.

Suddenly, the roof of a hospital building opposite peels off in the high winds, sending chunks of debris rattling into the window.

Another clip, shot by nurse Brandon Griffin and posted by a friend on Twitter, shows giant chunks flying from the roof near the tenth floor of the building.

Ochsner Main was also swaying in the storm, according to WWL-TV in New Orleans.

Hospital leaders say that most windows are resilient enough to take the high-speed winds as they are double-paned. They said nobody was injured there or at any other facility.

Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas said some skylights had broken, and water was flowing into stairwells, but insisted there was no 'major' structural problems.

Nurse Christiane Gottbrath posted a video of the roof being torn off a building at Ochsner Health's main campus hospital in Jefferson, a suburb of New Orleans

Another clip, shot by nurse Brandon Griffin and posted by a friend on Twitter, shows giant chunks flying from the roof near the tenth floor of the building

Suddenly, the roof of a hospital building opposite peels off in the high winds, sending chunks of debris rattling into the window. The hospital reported that windows were shattered in two patient rooms, but it is not clear if that damage was caused by debris from the roof

The video of the debris colliding onto the hospital was taken by local nurse Christiane Gottbrath (pictured)

As Hurricane Ida pummels hospitals Sunday night in Louisiana, doctors and nurses are continuing to treat patients.

Ochsner Health system, Louisiana's largest health care organization, reported roof damage and water leaks at several of its facilities.

Hospitals have been depending on back-up generator power in New Orleans and the Bayou region, to name a few in the state.

'There's pieces of roof coming off at lots of our facilities,' Thomas said during a news conference Sunday night.

Nurse Christiane Gottbrath was posting about the damage caused by the hurricane as she worked through the storm with her colleagues

Most of the big facilities owned by the Ochsner system have ten days worth of supplies on hand, along with functioning back-up generators.

Some of the hospitals even have access to water wells, which are going to come in handy as most of the city's tap water will be undrinkable for the upcoming days, if not weeks.

Ochsner Health managed to evacuate some of its patients from smaller, rural hospital sites, before Ida hit the state. These patients are now being taken care of in bigger facilities.

Ochsner's St. Anne Hospital in Raceland, 45 miles away, and Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma, southwest of New Orleans, will be evacuated to other facilities when weather conditions calm down enough for city officials to deem it safe to move them.

That's expected to happen sometime early Monday morning, once weather conditions have calmed down.

Doctors estimate there are 21 patients at Ochsner St. Anne and 45 at Chabert.

Ochsner St. Anne reported that windows were shattered in two patient rooms.

Videos also showed part of the roof being torn off of Lady of the Sea General Hospital, in Galliano - a town to the south of New Orleans.

LAFOURCE PARISH: Part of the roof of Lady of the Sea General Hospital, in Galliano, blew off. @BrennanMatherne told me @LafourcheSO is hearing reports of some broken power poles, roof damage, some structure damage. @wdsu #HurricaneIda pic.twitter.com/iXMmURLNH2  Christina Watkins (@CWatkinsWDSU) August 29, 2021

Cara Castille, of Houma, was supposed to be released from Ochsner in Jefferson, today, but decided to stay because of Ida. She filmed a video from her hospital bed of what she claims were pieces of the roof hitting the double-paned window of her room on the tenth floor

Meanwhile a generator in the intensive care unit of Thibodaux Regional Health System in Lafourche Parish failed, forcing hospital staff to bag and transport patients on life support to another wing of the facility where there was still electricity, according to NOLA.com.

That means hospital staff manually pushed air into and out of the lungs of patients who had been previously been hooked up to power-generated ventilators.
The Metropolitan Police - Britain's biggest force - is considering plans to introduce gender-neutral uniforms, it has been reported.

The force is consulting its 30,000 officers on the current uniform and what changes should be made in future.

Sources claim the force could be in breach of the 2010 Equality Act by not providing separate uniforms for non-binary and gender-fluid officers, the Sun reports.

The newspaper states that an officer, who goes by Alex Blue, believes not providing separate uniforms could be indirect discrimination.

The Met - Britain's biggest force - is considering plans to introduce gender-neutral uniforms

The officer suggested that the Met should provide uniform items that are neither male nor female.

Meanwhile, equality campaigner Peter Tatchell suggested there should be one uniform for all, telling the newspaper: 'Separate uniforms for officers is a legacy of the sexist past.'

The current uniform features helmets, flat caps and ties for men while women are expected to wear cravats and bowler hats.

The Met said the contract with its current uniform supplier is due to expire in 2023 and that they are reviewing what changes needed to be made when a new contract is signed.

Currently, women have to wear bowlers and cravats while men where helmets and ties

The decision could have wider implications on other organisations including the armed forces and other public bodies.

Last year, a gender-fluid engineer who was branded 'IT' by colleagues at Jaguar Land Rover was awarded 180,000 after winning a landmark discrimination case.

Rose Taylor, 43, was teased and harassed at the car manufacturer after she began identifying as gender fluid/non-binary in 2017.

An employment tribunal heard how she suffered insults and abusive jokes at the hands of co-workers after she started wearing women's clothes.
A former interpreter who was shot on the frontline by the Taliban has accused Britain of condemning translators to die by not making their rescue a priority.

Roohullah, who worked for five years with UK forces, said he almost gave his life for Britain but has been left behind.

He is one of two ex-translators who are still in Afghanistan that have claimed that local security staff took bribes from Afghans to prioritise them access into Kabul airport.

Their allegations are said to be supported by two former interpreters who are now in quarantine hotels in the UK.

It came as Britains evacuation from Kabul concluded with the departure of the last remaining military and diplomatic personnel.

Afghan translators have said that British forces have condemned them to die by not making their evacuation a priority

It was claimed that the UK may have left as many as 9,000 Afghans behind after ending its evacuation from Kabul. Ministers insist only 1,000 were not evacuated as part of Operation Pitting, which finished at the weekend

There are fears that Afghans who helped allied forces will be rounded up and executed by the Taliban who are now in control of the country

The UKs ambassador to Afghanistan, Sir Laurie Bristow, touched down in Britain yesterday after leading the operation in Kabul. He returned on a Voyager aircraft, which landed in Oxfordshire, alongside 250 troops.

Speaking on the runway, he said: We will do everything we can to... help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace they deserve.

Meanwhile, the two interpreters said payments of up to 727 exchanged hands between Afghans to allow those with visas to escape the crush around the airport.

Ex-interpreter Hussain, 48, said: These people bought their way into the airport while those of us who risked our lives and tried often to be allowed in with the correct papers were turned away.

Roohullah, 32, added: Interpreters are among the most vulnerable people because they were widely known by the Taliban. Yet many of us have been left while those who risked nothing for the British were allowed to escape. I almost gave my life for Britain but they left me.

The father of a young daughter, Roohullah was approved for sanctuary in Britain in June and was called to Kabul airport  but he claims he was turned back despite showing his authorisation code.

Three other interpreters still in Kabul echoed Roohullahs anger that while the RAF flew 15,000 back to the UK, including 8,000 Afghans, many of those rescued had taken little risk and did not previously work on the frontline.

Adding to the frustration is that many still have not heard anything from the UK. Some yesterday received a short email from British officials telling them there were no more flights.

It came as it was claimed that the UK may have left as many as 9,000 Afghans behind after ending its evacuation from Kabul.

Scores of Afghan translators, interpreters and allies who helped UK and US forces operate in Afghanistan have been left behind as allied forces concluded their evacuation operation from Kabul

Many veterans have voiced their desire to redeploy to Afghanistan to help their former allies

Ministers insist only 1,000 were not evacuated as part of Operation Pitting, which finished at the weekend.

But now it has been suggested that between 8,000 and 9,000 who could have been eligible for rescue have been left behind.

Meanwhile, a whistleblower revealed that thousands of emails to the Foreign Office detailing cases of Afghans trying to escape have not been read.

An official email address used to collate potential cases from MPs and others regularly contained 5,000 unread emails throughout last week, The Observer reported.
A confused little girl sat in her father's arms as he was berated by two police officers for not wearing a mask in a Covid hotspot.

But he was unable to comfort her as he was handcuffed with his arms behind his back, sprawled on the ground in a park in south-west Sydney.

The distressed father, 31, had been stopped by police on a walking path in Garrison Point Reserve, in George's Hall, about 2.20pm on Saturday.

Police alleged he became verbally abusive and aggressive toward the officers when they spoke to him about not wearing a mask.

'Officers warned the man on multiple occasions about his conduct before he was arrested,' NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia.

The incident comes as New South Wales declared 1,290 new cases - the majority of Australia's record 1,355 cases reported on Monday - as the nation struggles to contain the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Officials warned on Monday that the state - the epicentre of its current COVID-19 outbreak, will hit a peak in intensive care hospitalisations in October as cases accumulate, amid reporting the record daily rise in new infections.

A man was filmed being arrested in George's Hall, in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA in Sydney's Covid hit south-western suburbs, for breaching a health order

New South Wales declared a record 1,290 new cases as the nation struggles to contain the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, with over 1,300 nationwide

George's Hall is in Canterbury-Bankstown local council, which is one of the 12 LGAs with the vast majority of NSW's Covid cases and are in a stricter lockdown than the rest of Sydney.

Video shot by a passerby who stopped to intervene shows the man yelling as the officers tell him to calm down.

'Come on guys, be fair a little bit,' the man filming said.

'He's got a daughter here, she is by herself. Look, the little girl is scared man.'

The officers tell the man filming to calm down and they will explain the situation to him after they have finished speaking to the father.

'He's committed an offence,' the officer says.

'He hasn't committed an offence - I walked past and saw everything,' the man filming rebuts.

The father tells one of the officers he will not speak to them until his daughter is standing by his side.

The officers called his daughter over to go back to her dad after he refused to co-operate, with the toddler walking over and sitting down in her father's lap

The officer gestures to the little girl to return her father, with the toddler walking over and plonking down in her dad's lap.

The man filming tries to interrupt the arrest, but moves back after an officer warns he is hindering police.

'I was arrested because I was filming,' the father cries.

'No, you were arrested because you committed an offence. We asked you to get a mask,' the officer replies.

'I told you I am going to drop my daughter off with my sister-in-law then I am going to go for a run,' the man says.

One of the cops replied: 'But then you have to leave. You committed an offence.'

The officers remove the handcuffs after the man calms down and reiterate that he was arrested because he ignored an earlier warning to get a mask.

However, the father insists he did nothing wrong and was handcuffed while asking the officers to clarify their direction.

The father claimed he was arrested after asking the officers to clarify a warning over a public health breach

NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia the 31-year-old man was stopped and spoken to by police for not wearing a face covering as officers conducted Covid compliance checks along Beatty Parade.

'He was unable to provide a valid explanation or exemption,' NSW Police said.

'The man allegedly became verbally abusive and aggressive toward police as they continued with their duties.

'Officers warned the man on multiple occasions about his conduct before he was arrested.'

The man was released and fined for failing to wear a face mark, with no further action anticipated, police said.

Under NSW's state-wide lockdown, residents are only allowed to leave home for essential reasons, such as authorised work, exercise, healthcare, to buy vital goods, or to be vaccinated.

Face masks are mandatory in all public indoor places - including shops, offices, and common areas of apartment buildings - and outdoors unless exercising.

Police patrol Bankstown in western Sydney to enforce the lockdown. Like Canterbury-Bankstown, when the man was arrested, it's under harsher restrictions than the rest of the city.

Those over 18 who do not wear or carry a face mask can be slapped with a $500 fine, with $80 and $40 penalties in place for younger age groups.

Anyone with an exemption must either carry a medical certificate issued by a doctor or a statutory declaration.

Those in Sydney's 12 local councils and 12 suburbs of Penrith council under ultra-hard lockdown are only allowed permitted to exercise for an hour a day and cannot leave home from 9pm to 5am.

These are include Bayside, Blacktown, Burwood, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool, Parramatta, and Strathfield.

The same rules apply to residents in the Penrith suburbs of Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys.

Permits are also required for authorised workers travelling in or out of the LGAs of concern.

Regional and rural parts of NSW are under stay-at-home orders until 10 September, while Greater Sydney's lockdown has been extended until at least the end of that month.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state was preparing for additional hospitalisations as infections pile up, before increased vaccination coverage start to ease the pressure.

'We anticipate that the worst month, the worst time for our intensive care unit will be in October,' Berejiklian said in the state capital Sydney.

'We will need to manage things differently because we are in the middle of a pandemic, but we will cope.'

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state was preparing for additional hospitalisations as infections pile up, before increased vaccination coverage start to ease the pressure. Pictured: Berejiklian speaking during a Covid-19 update on Monday, August 30, 2021

There are 840 people in hospital for COVID-19 in New South Wales, with 137 in intensive care and 48 requiring ventilation.

The state reported four additional fatalities on Monday, taking the COVID-19 death toll to 1,003 in Australia, the last of the Group of 20 big economies to exceed that milestone.

Nationwide, there was a record 1,375 new COVID-19 cases reported.

Australia has used a system of strict lockdowns and quarantine to keep coronavirus infection and death rates lower than in most comparable nations, however the Delta variant is now pressuring health services.

Just over 33% of those aged 16 and older have received two vaccine doses, well below most comparable nations, according to government data.

The delays were partly because of changed health advice over the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was to be the backbone of the country's immunisation programme, after rare cases of blood clots among some recipients.

The pace of vaccination in Australia has since risen to a seven-day average of more than 250,000 doses a day, the fastest rate ever, according to a Reuters analysis.

Australia 's second-most populous state, Victoria, reported 73 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, a day after Premier Dan Andrews said he would extend lockdown measures as daily infections reached the highest in a year.
Australia's other major airline Virgin will follow the lead set by Qantas and make Covid vaccines mandatory for all their staff.

Under the proposed timeframe all frontline workers will be required to get the jab by November 15 while office staff will have until March 31, the airline announced on Monday.

Management said they had discussed the move with employees beforehand and would now consult around specific details of the requirement.

'The majority of our team at Virgin Australia are already vaccinated, and we will be listening to our team members to ensure we find the best fit policy for our organisation,' Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said.

'We will now commence discussing the proposed vaccination requirement in detail with our team through our internal safety committees, unions and other appropriate forums.'

Virgin Australia will require all frontline staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by November 15, while office workers will have until March 31 the airline said on Monday (file image)

The airline said those workers with medical issues that would prevent vaccination would be managed on a 'case by case' basis and an internal vaccine education campaign would be established.

'[Covid vaccines] are vital to keep our team safe, given the high public exposure most of them encounter day to day. We trust medical experts, their advice and the evidence that shows that vaccines save lives and reduce hospitalisation rates,' Ms Hrdlicka said.

A recent in-house survey of frontline Virgin employees found that 75 per cent had already received their first dose of Covid vaccine with an additional nine per cent booked in.

Virgin appears to be following the same model announced earlier this month by rival airline Qantas.

Pilots, cabin crew and airport staff for Qantas will be required to be vaccinated for Covid by mid-November while office and support staff have until March 31, 2022.

Qantas will grant exemptions for employees who provide documented medical proof as to why they cannot be vaccinated.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison weighed in on the move and said while individual companies had to make their own decisions, and the government would not mandate vaccines, the Qantas move was commendable.

'They've come up, I think, with a fair and and well intentioned direction,' Mr Morrison said earlier this month.

'They've shown, I think, the right model about how you go about this.'

Virgin Australia said they had conducted a recent internal survey and found three-quarters of frontline staff had already had a Covid vaccine (pictured: pilots and air stewardesses at Adelaide Airport Virgin lounge opening in February)

As of August 28 there have been nearly 19million Covid vaccine doses administered across Australia.

About 57.5 per cent of Australians have had their first dose while 34.2 per cent are fully vaccinated having had two doses.

Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash this month held a virtual roundtable with 50 leaders from unions, employer groups and government to discuss the workplace vaccination rollout.

She said the government's position of voluntary vaccination did not detract from individual employers seeking their own advice and mandating if they have assessed that as the right decision.

AUSTRALIA'S VACCINE ROLLOUT AUGUST 28 As of August 28 more than 18,927,310 vaccine doses administered. About 57.5 per cent of Australians have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. While 34.2 per cent of the population are fully vaccinated with two doses. Advertisement

The Fair Work Ombudsman presented its guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations.

The guidelines state that: 'Employers should exercise caution if they're considering making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory in their workplace and get their own legal advice.'

ACTU secretary Sally McManus said the key would be cooperation and consultation, not conflict.

'The biggest challenge right now is ensuring that we increase the supply of vaccines and that the government steps forward with a clear education campaign to encourage vaccination.'

Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said the meeting cemented the view that businesses would have to get their own legal advice on whether mandating vaccines was 'lawful and reasonable'.

'It will not be surprising if more businesses that are public facing or have workers in close proximity announce decisions to mandate vaccinations over the months ahead,' he said.

On Monday, NSW recorded another 1,290 Covid cases with the majority in the Sydney's west and south-west as the city remains under a strict lockdown.

Health staff administer COVID-19 vaccines at Sydney's Olympic Park vaccination hub on August 9 (pictured)

Qantas is hoping to resume some international flights by the end of the year on the expectation Australia's vaccination rollout will hit major milestones by then and allow borders to reopen.

The national carrier is planning to restart flights to COVID-safe destinations such as New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada from the middle of December.

That is based on projections Australia will reach the National Cabinet's Phase C vaccination threshold of 80 per cent in December 2021, triggering the gradual reopening of international borders.

Virgin's competitor Qantas said they aim to begin resuming some international flights by December (file image)

It is also hoping for unrestricted domestic travel a month earlier, with the country's overall vaccination rate expected to hit 70 per cent in November.

'When Australia reaches those critical vaccination targets later this year and the likelihood of future lockdowns and border closures reduces, we expect to see a surge in domestic travel demand and a gradual return of international travel,' CEO Alan Joyce said on Thursday.

Qantas shares jumped on the news, rising nearly 3 per cent to $5.01 by 1155 AEST.

In line with those plans, Qantas will bring five A380s - its largest passenger aircraft - back into service from mid-2022 to fly on the Sydney to Los Angeles route, followed by Sydney to London from November 2022.

However, the airline still does not expect to start flying to more risky destinations such as Bali, Jakarta, Manila, Bangkok and Johannesburg until April next year.
Former counter-terrorism adviser and commander of troops in Afghanistan Col Richard Kemp (pictured) said the UK faced the 'greatest danger from terrorism since Islamic State was at its height'

Britain is facing the biggest terror threat in years, experts have warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Former commander of British troops in Afghanistan Colonel Richard Kemp yesterday said the UK faced 'the greatest danger from terrorism since Islamic State at its height'.

The threat could be bigger than that posed by ISIS and Britain faces an 'extremely dangerous' situation, he told Times Radio.

He said the Taliban 'will allow and probably encourage jihadists to pour into the country from around the world, who plan, meet, prepare, train, organise and carry out strikes against the West from Afghanistan.'

The current threat level, which is determined by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre, is 'substantial' which means an attack is likely and is the third highest rating.

The levels above substantial are severe, which means an attack is highly likely, and critical which means an attack is highly likely in the near future.

Col Kemp previously urged the Government to raise the threat level to severe as he warned there is an 'immediately increased threat from British jihadists inspired and motivated by events in Afghanistan'.

It comes as Boris Johnson urged the Taliban to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a base for Islamist terrorists.

Boris Johnson has said the Taliban could get diplomatic recognition if they ensure safe passage for those who wish to leave the country. Pictured: Cargo plane at RAF Brize Norton

Members of the British armed forces disembark a C-17 aircraft after landing at Brize Norton

HOW THE UK'S TERROR THREAT LEVELS WORK The threat level for the UK from international terrorism is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC). Analysts take a variety of factors into consideration before determining the appropriate threat level for the UK. This could include available intelligence, an examination of known terrorist capabilities and the timescale. There are five levels of the terror threat system. These are: LOW - an attack is highly unlikely MODERATE - an attack is possible, but not likely SUBSTANTIAL - an attack is likely SEVERE - an attack is highly likely CRITICAL - an attack is highly likely in the near future The last time the UK was facing a severe terror threat level was from July 2019 to November 2019 at which point it was downgraded to substantial. The threat level has only been critical twice since 2010 - once in May 2017 for four days and once in September 2017 for two days. The critical levels followed the Manchester Arena bombing and the Parsons Green bombing respectively. Advertisement

Mr Johnson said on Sunday: 'If the new regime in Kabul wants diplomatic recognition, or to unlock the billions that are currently frozen, they will have to ensure safe passage for those who wish to leave the country, to respect the rights of women and girls, to prevent Afghanistan from, again, becoming an incubator for global terror, because that would be disastrous for Afghanistan.'

Meanwhile, Tobias Ellwood, Tory chairman of the Commons defence select committee, warned that 'terrorism will raise its ugly face again' and that drone strikes would not defeat it.

A government source told the Sunday Times there was no intelligence suggesting Isis posed a greater threat to Britain as a result of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

The source said that Isis-K was also opposed to the Taliban and there was 'no evidence they have the capacity to launch attacks outside Afghanistan's border'.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and other officials are set to focus on future engagement with the Taliban in a bid to find an international consensus on how to deal with Afghanistan's new regime.

A series of diplomatic meetings are planned for the coming days, after the UK pulled its final troops and diplomatic staff out of Afghanistan on Saturday.

Diplomatic sources suggested Mr Raab would be setting out how the response to the Taliban must be pragmatic and based on the group's actions.

The Government has previously insisted that how the new regime in Afghanistan would be received and engaged with was a decision that had to be made in agreement with international partners.

Mr Raab will on Monday take part in a meeting with G7 counterparts, Nato, Qatar and Turkey.

He is expected to underline how Afghanistan must not become a haven for terrorists, and that stability in the region must be a priority.

The final UK troops and diplomatic staff were airlifted from Kabul on Saturday, drawing to a close a 20-year engagement and a two-week op to rescue UK nationals and Afghan allies

He will also stress the need to hold the Taliban to account on their human rights promises.

Top of the agenda is expected to be the Taliban's promise to allow safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans authorised to enter third countries.

It follows a statement from the UK and more than 90 other countries and organisations that said assurances had been received to this effect from the Taliban.

The Prime Minister's special representative for Afghan transition, Sir Simon Gass, will also push the same messages in Doha.

The pledge is particularly important amid fears that the numbers of Afghans left behind who may be eligible for resettling was far higher than Government estimates.

On Saturday, chairman of the foreign affairs select committee and Tory MP Tom Tugendhat described the UK's efforts to withdraw people from Afghanistan as a 'sprint finish after a not exactly sprint start'.

On Sunday former head of the British Army General Lord Richard Dannatt said it was 'unfathomable why it would appear that the Government was asleep on watch'.

'We should have done better, we could have done better. It absolutely behoves us to find out why the Government didn't spark up faster,' he told Times Radio.
Victoria's Delta outbreak has 'plateaued' and can still be eliminated despite the state recording 73 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, its health minister insists.

The new infections - of which only 24 were in isolation during their infectious period - deal a further blow to the Andrews Government's goal of completely suppressing the spread of cases.

But Health Minister Martin Foley said the slowing pace of the outbreak indicated the state's harsher lockdown was starting to have an effect.

'The situation has - we hope - plateaued, and there's every indication that the measures are starting to kick in,' he said.

Mr Foley said he was confident the state-wide restrictions - which include a 9pm-5am curfew in Melbourne - would mean Victoria could ease lockdown even before the state hits a 70 per cent vaccination rate.

Victoria's Delta outbreak has 'plateaued' and can still be brought back to zero, Health Minister Martin Foley said on Monday

'We've had public health restrictions in different iterations for the best part of 18 months now,' he said.

'I think we can work on the basis that, if we are successful [in driving down the spread of cases] there will be different restrictions.'

Mr Foley said regardless of whether the state eliminates the Delta strain, Victorians would regain some of their freedoms when 70 per cent and then 80 per cent of them are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

If Victoria reaches that target with low infection levels, he said the state could ease restrictions even further.

'When we get to 70 and 80 per cent vaccination rates, our options multiply,' he said.

'If we do that, from the lowest possible infection levels, then our options grow even more.'

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said though it was still too early to tell if and when the state could get the spread of cases back down to zero.

'We can do better in each and every area,' he said. 'We know that more people could come forward for AstraZeneca and that people could follow the public health restrictions even more strongly.

'If we drop our guard it gives Delta that opportunity to break through and cause another outbreak.'

He ruled out implementing a Sydney-style lockdown - where some LGAs are locked down harder than others - if it became apparent the outbreak could not be stemmed.

Pictured: Premier Daniel Andrews. The 73 new cases deal a blow to his government's goal of completely suppressing the spread of cases

'Metropolitan Melbourne has exposure sites right across the metro area,' Professor Sutton said.

'I don't want to be in a situation where you drive people to leave certain LGAs and go to other LGAs and seed it more broadly.'

Mr Foley called on federal officials to increase the supply of vaccines to Victoria as he revealed there were no first-dose bookings of the in-demand Pfizer jab now available anywhere in the state.

'The thing that's holding us back on the vaccination levels is supply,' he said.

'The sooner the commonwealth opens its cheque book and starts providing us more vaccinations, the sooner we can get there.'

Reopening playgrounds, sending Year 12 students back to the classroom, lifting the 9pm to 5am curfew and scrapping the five kilometre travel rule are among the possible changes. Pictured are residents in Melbourne's CBD on Sunday

A Victorian health worker on Monday also explained the toll the virus was taking on patients as she called on the state's residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

'[Ward nurses] come to me and say: "Kylie, it is like nothing we have ever seen before. These patients are young and fit and the next minute they are getting taken to ICU,"' Western Health critical care outreach services manager Kylie Fischer said.

'These are senior ICU nurses who have seen it all before, they have done it all before.

'I will probably ask them to do it all again. They will, but they shouldn't have to.'

Senior government ministers are meanwhile considering rolling back a number of measures after being briefed by the public health team on Sunday.

Reopening playgrounds, sending Year 12 students back to the classroom, lifting the 9pm to 5am curfew and scrapping the 5km travel rule are among the possible changes.

Year 12 students could be allowed to return to the classroom as senior government officials consider what restrictions can be eased

A final decision is expected to be made on Tuesday as the state government considers what lockdown will look like beyond Thursday.

Victorian epidemiologist Catherine Bennett said the virus had now spread too far for health officials to contain the outbreak and achieve zero cases, and measures intended to achieve that fading hope should be scrapped.

'If parents understand how to have their kids in play in playgrounds safely ... where you don't have a whole lot of kids climbing on the same piece of equipment  you can find some kind of safe compromise,' Dr Bennett told The Age.

'This isn't relying on kids to do the right thing, but means parents know how to use those playgrounds by being really mindful of cross-household transmission.'

Grattan Institute health program director Stephen Duckett has suggested reopening cafes and lifting the five kilometre travel limit for fully-vaccinated residents in a bid to ease the mental load on the state's residents who have been dealing with rolling lockdowns for over a year.

He argued strict measures could be eased for regions that had recorded zero Covid cases, while remaining in force in hotspots such as Shepparton, which had 94 active cases.

'This would not mean abandoning a COVID-control goal; it would simply mean recognising the reality that the principal aim is to protect the public and the hospital system, and that we could still achieve that with a lighter touch,' he said.

Sunday's tally is a jump from the previous day's local case figure of 64, and the highest number of new cases recorded since early September 2020, when the state battled the second wave of the virus

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra said he expected the curfew and five-kilometre travel limit to be lifted. He has also called for businesses to be allowed to reopen in regional Victoria.

'Businesses across Victoria are in crisis,' he said.

'They are incredibly frustrated that, despite doing everything that has been asked of them  COVID-safe plans, QR code check-ins, observing density limits and, for many, closing their doors and standing down staff  there is still no clear path to how or when they can open.'

However computational epidemiologist Mikhail Prokopenko insisted restrictions remain in place until the state reached the ambitious target of having 80 per cent of the population fully-jabbed, which was unlikely to be reached this year.

On Sunday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced the sixth lockdown in the state would be extended beyond September 2.

Computational epidemiologist Mikhail Prokopenko insisted restrictions remain in place until 80 per cent of the state was fully-jabbed

'We see far too many cases today for us to seriously consider opening up later on this week,' Mr Andrews said.

Despite the figures, he promised there was 'still a chance' of the state's case numbers returning to zero.

Two-thirds of the state's active cases are in Melbourne's north and west.

'That's not to single out the north or the west, but ... that is where the cases are and that's where the extra effort has to be,' Mr Andrews said.

Western suburbs doctor Amrooha Hussain told reporters at Sunday's news conference that she continued to see people waiting as long as two weeks after the onset of symptoms before taking a Covid test.

Meanwhile, Mr Andrews said the prime minister had promised him in a conversation on Saturday that NSW would no longer get 'preferential treatment' in vaccine distribution

She said entire families with young children had been infected.

'It's hard enough to look after one sick child, but when there's multiple sick children, and then the carers are unwell themselves, it's a really challenging time for those families,' she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Andrews said the prime minister had promised him in a conversation on Saturday that NSW would no longer get 'preferential treatment' over Victoria in vaccine distribution.

'We didn't begrudge them getting additional doses, but we're locked down, they're locked down, and the need is just as great here,' Mr Andrews said.
stuck down by the courts and Alex Salmond acquitted of sexual assault

Court of Session in Edinburgh said Ms Evans' report 'tainted by apparent bias'

Five of the sexual harassment charges against Alex Salmond were upheld by Scotland's most senior civil servant before he was acquitted of attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults.

The investigation into the former SNP leader saw two civil servants, Ms A and Ms B, accuse him of sexually harassing them during his time as First Minister.

Following an inquiry into the allegations, Leslie Evans, the Scottish Government's Permanent Secretary, decided to uphold five charges of sexual harassment before the probe was stuck down by the courts.

Mr Salmond was later acquitted of sexual assault with intent to rape at a criminal trial and won a court battle against the Scottish government over the way it dealt with allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Five of the sexual harassment charges against Alex Salmond were upheld by Scotland's most senior civil servant before the probe was struck down by the courts and Mr Salmond was acquitted of sexual assault with intent to rape at a criminal trial

The latest findings were revealed in the book Break-Up: How Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon went to War, by journalists David Clegg and Kieran Andrews.

In an extract, seen by The Times, the journalists write: 'Ruling on complaints from Ms A and Ms B, Evans wrote that his conduct on a number of occasions was ''unwanted and of a sexual nature'' and had the effect of ''violating'' their ''dignity'' and ''creating an intimidating, degrading, humiliating and offensive environment''.

'Some of the allegations were considered so serious that Evans decided they should be referred to the police  despite both women expressing reservations about becoming involved in a criminal investigation.

'Ms A's four complaints  three of which would be upheld by the Evans inquiry  alleged a rapidly escalating pattern of behaviour by Salmond that ultimately resulted in the December 2013 Bute House encounter that would become a charge of sexual assault with intent to rape.'

In January 2019, the Court of Session in Edinburgh 'reduced' Ms Evans' report and it was never issued to the public.

The courts ruled the report had been 'tainted by apparent bias' because both women were known to Ms Evans.

They also said the Scottish government had acted unlawfully in its investigation, and ordered it to pay out 500,000 to Mr Salmond to cover his legal expenses.

The latest findings come just weeks after Ms Evans denied that the Scottish government's harassment complaints system was set up 'to get Alex Salmond'.

Ms Evans said there had been a 'procedural error' in the inquiry into the allegations against the former First Minister.

Leslie Evans, the Scottish Government's Permanent Secretary, decided to uphold five charges of sexual harassment

Mr Salmond was acquitted by a jury following an 11-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh (pictured outside court)

The civil servant, who has faced calls by Mr Salmond to quit, apologised for the government's handling of allegations but she insisted that investigating the complaints was 'the right thing to do'.

A Holyrood committee has begun its own investigation into what happened.

Ms Evans said: 'When complaints were raised it would have been unconscionable, and a failure in our duty of care, not to investigate those complaints

'It was accepted at judicial review that one part of our procedure should have been applied differently.

'I apologise unreservedly to all concerned for this procedural failure.'

She added: 'We have already learned early lessons from this experience as part of work being led by our people directorate.

'And we also await the findings of the review which I commissioned, externally led by Laura Dunlop QC, now under way.

'But it remains the case that the investigation of those complaints was the right thing to do.'

In 2018, Mr Salmond took the Scottish Government to court over the way it dealt with allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

In January 2019, the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled the Scottish government acted unlawfully in its investigation.

Later that year, the Scottish Government paid out 500,000 to Mr Salmond to cover his legal expenses.

This legal fight was purely over the process of investigating the complaints - not the complaints themselves - which were subject of a police investigation.

In March this year, Mr Salmond was acquitted of attempted rape and a series of sexual assaults - including one with intent to rape - by a jury following an 11-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
A team of Arctic researchers believe they have stumbled across the world's most northerly island.

The Danish scientists had been meaning to fly to Oodaaq, which lies off the northern coast of Greenland, and previously held the title of northernmost island.

But they instead wound up on an unknown patch of land even further north  and realised only when island enthusiasts pointed it out to them on social media.

Expedition leader Morten Rasch, from the University of Copenhagen, said: 'We were convinced that the island we were standing on was Oodaaq, which until then was registered as the world's northernmost island.

The island (pictured), which may have been formed after a major storm, is half a mile north of Oodaaq and consists primarily of small mounds of silt and gravel

'But when I posted photos of the island and its co-ordinates on social media, a number of American island hunters went crazy and said that it couldn't be true.'

The island, which may have been formed after a major storm, is half a mile north of Oodaaq and consists primarily of small mounds of silt and gravel.

It measures just 100ft by 200ft and rises to 13ft above sea level, the university said.

The team hope to name it Qeqertaq Avannarleq  Greenlandic for 'the northernmost island'.

They added that the island may soon disappear when another storm hits.
NSW has recorded 1,290 new Covid-19 cases and four deaths with more than 80 per cent of the new infections recorded in western and south-west Sydney.

Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant flagged Guildford, Merrylands, Auburn and Punchbowl as the suburbs with the highest and most worrying number of cases.

'We are seeing such a high case rate,' she said during a press conference on Monday.

'We are also seeing some spillover into adjacent local government areas and that is usually from workers going into those local government areas of concern and bringing [the virus] back and affecting the families.

'Ryde and Meadowbank and some inner west suburbs such as Marrickville is where we are seeing the introduction in factories and other workplaces.'

Premier Gladys Berejiklian reaffirmed that vaccination was key to ending lockdown and praised the momentous effort of residents to turn out and get the jab.

'Vaccination is the key in terms of our freedom and reducing the spread of the virus,' she said.

'NSW has administered 6.8million jabs which is an outstanding result. So nearly two thirds of our adult population have had one dose and 36 per cent have had two doses.'

NSW has recorded 1,290 new Covid-19 cases and four deaths with more than 80 per cent of the new infections recorded in western and south-west Sydney

Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant flagged Guildford, Merrylands and Auburn as the suburbs with the highest and most worrying number of cases

Premier Gladys Berejiklian reaffirmed that vaccination was key to ending lockdown and praised the momentous efforts of residents to turn out and get the jab

Ms Berejiklian gave a brief insight into what life may look like for residents once the state hits the 70 per cent vaccination rate.

'The important thing to note, when we get to 70 per cent double dose, the freedoms we are expensing will be those of are fully vaccinated,' she said.

'You will have to check in, demonstrate you have been vaccinated, demonstrate social distancing, in certain settings you will have to wear a mask.'

'At 70 per cent double dose life will be better than it is today having said that, we will make sure we never have any settings that will overwhelm our system and that is the absolute challenge.'

The premier would not clarify whether the freedoms would be granted to residents living in areas of concern.

'Please, know that NSW is working towards a roadmap as to what that 70 per cent looks like,' she said.

'We also have to appreciate the next few weeks are critical. They will give us good guidance as to what level of freedom we will have, but my strongest message is: if you are not vaccinated, do not expect to have freedoms.'

Of the new deaths, one was an Indigenous man in his 50s who died at a hospital in Dubbo. It marks the first time a patient has died in regional NSW during the current outbreak.

'Any death is tragic and we are particularly concerned about the case numbers in far west and western NSW because of the overrepresentation of Aboriginal people and the likelihood that Covid will be - and is touching Aboriginal people disproportionately,' Dr Chant said.

A man in his 70s with underlying health conditions and a woman in her 60s also died at Westmead Hospital.

'NSW has administered 6.8million jabs which is an outstanding result,' Ms Berejiklian said

Of the new deaths, one was a man in his 50s who died at a hospital in Dubbo, western NSW

Of the new cases, 83 are in the Nepean Blue Mountains region, 51 in western NSW, nine in the far west, six on the Central Coast, five in the Illawarra Shoalhaven and three in Hunter New England

'Can I just extend my personal sympathies to the families,' Dr Chant said. 'Every time we read out these names, there is a family that is grieving.'

Of the new cases, 83 are in the Nepean Blue Mountains region, 51 in western NSW, nine in the far west, six on the Central Coast, five in the Illawarra Shoalhaven and three in Hunter New England.

Dr Chant warned workplaces were becoming a cause of concern for the spread of the virus.

'It is important that all workplaces consider their COVID safe plans,' she said.

'Make sure you are not sharing the tea room, you are wearing masks ... and make sure you do not attend when you have symptoms.'

There are 848 patients being treated in hospital with 147 in intensive care, of which 48 are on ventilators.

Ambulance paramedic Joe Ibrahim urged residents to take the virus seriously revealing that he had personally seen it destroy families.

A visibly emotional Mr Ibrahim said he had been treating a single mother whose condition was rapidly deteriorating.

'Her son made a comment to me and that comment was, 'I think this is my fault. I think I have given mum Covid',' he said.

A visibly emotional Mr Ibrahim said he had been treating a single mother whose condition was rapidly deteriorating

There are 848 patients being treated in hospital with 147 in intensive care, of which 48 are on ventilators

The NSW Government is committed to restoring personal freedoms to fully vaccinated residents once the state hits 70 per cent double-dose coverage - regardless of case numbers

'We anticipate that the worst month, the worst time for our intensive care unit will be in October,' Ms Berejiklian said

'That stopped me in my tracks and stop my team in our tracks and absolutely broke our hearts. Unfortunately, this incident is not isolated. This is what paramedics see on the frontline every single day.'

Mr Ibrahim called for residents to follow lockdown restrictions saying that compliance would be a big help to an overworked emergency health sector.

'While paramedics are absolutely available to respond to you in medical emergencies and at your time of need, our preference is that you stay healthy and that you do not need to meet me or one of my team and do not need to be in the back of one of our ambulances,' he said.

'As a father, as a paramedic, as a Member of Western Sydney's community, I stand here quite notably, as I am sure you can see, and I'm asking you to follow the rules, stay at home, go and get your vaccines because that is what is going to help us.'

Ms Berejiklian has warned the worst is yet to come for hospitals with intensive care units expected to be pushed to the limits in October.

'We anticipate that the worst month, the worst time for our intensive care unit will be in October,' she said.

Ms Berejiklian has warned the worst is yet to come for hospitals with intensive care units expected to be pushed to the limits in October

Police officers stop Sydneysiders on the streets on Monday as lockdown continues in the city

Sydney's Covid outbreak has spread into Uniting Edinglassie Lodge (pictured), in Penrith

'And the number of cases we have in intensive care will depend on our vaccination rate and also on the number of cases.

'We all have a hand in determining what that looks like and I cannot thank enough the tens of thousands of people that are coming forward every single day in our state.'

The new cases come as the Covid outbreak spread into a nursing home in the city's west with a cleaner and four elderly residents testing positive.

A cleaner is understood to have caught the virus and brought it into Uniting Edinglassie Lodge, in Penrith.

Four residents then contracted the virus and have all been taken to hospital for treatment.

The aged care facility has enacted it's outbreak management plan and families have been briefed about the situation.

Uniting said 90 per cent of residents and employees at the home have received Covid-19 vaccinations.

'At this stage, no other residents or employees have tested positive. All are being tested daily and we are awaiting results,' Uniting said in a statement.

The organisation said it had advised employees, residents and families and would continue to work closely with them and the NSW Health.

Ms Berejiklian has warned the worst is yet to come for hospitals with intensive care units expected to be pushed to the limits in October

A cleaner wheels a trolley past the main entrance to The United Edinglassie Lodge Residential Aged Care Home on Monday after five people linked to the facility tested positive

The contract cleaner tested positive on Wednesday during routine 72 hour testing, despite being asymptomatic.

Under the outbreak management plan, all employees must wear full PPE and staff and residents will undergo daily testing.

NSW recorded 1,218 locally acquired Covid cases and six deaths on Sunday, the highest daily tally throughout the pandemic.

The NSW Government is committed to restoring personal freedoms to fully vaccinated residents once the state hits 70 per cent double-dose coverage - regardless of case numbers.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state could reach 70 per cent single-dose vaccination coverage within days and at double-dose coverage - expected around mid-October - a number of freedoms will be restored to the fully vaccinated.

'We will stick to our word,' Ms Berejiklian said on Sunday.

'No matter what the case numbers are doing - of course we want to see them come down - double-dose 70 per cent in NSW means freedom for those who are (fully) vaccinated.'

NSW also on Sunday reported six deaths in three people in their 80s and three in their 70s, none of whom were fully vaccinated, taking the death toll for the current outbreak to 89.

As of Saturday, 66 per cent of eligible NSW residents had got at least one vaccine dose and 35.9 per cent were fully vaccinated.

The government, having reached a six million jab target, last week announced a 'treat' for fully vaccinated NSW residents allowing them to have small picnics outdoors.

The facility has closed to family and visitors as it enacts its outbreak management plan

Staff must wear PPE and employees and residents are being tested for Covid daily

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell is confident that with rising vaccinations rates students can start a staggered return to school from October 25, building up to having all students back from November.8.

'If we have any hot spot areas that still have high case loads, then obviously we would need to look at what we do in those communities,' she told the Nine Network on Monday.

'But it's just too early to say.'

However, there's hope of an earlier return to school in the regions if a lockdown was lifted earlier, she said.

A survey of 50,000 public school teachers found about 70 per cent had one vaccination and 40 per cent were double vaccinated.

'So that is really encouraging,' Ms Mitchell said.

Meanwhile, there's a COVID-19 alert for Quality Medical Centre at Merrylands in western Sydney, covering last Monday to Saturday at various times.

NSW recorded 1218 new locally acquired Covid cases on Sunday and a further six deaths. Pictured: A health worker at the Hardi Aged Care Nursing Home in Summer Hill on August 2

The NSW government is committed to restoring personal freedoms to fully vaccinated residents once the state hits 70 per cent double-dose coverage - regardless of case numbers

NSW Health says anyone who attended at the times listed on the department's website is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

Fragments of the virus have been detected in sewage treatment plants servicing Trangie, Byron Bay, Temora, Cooma and Tamworth, which is concerning authorities as there are no known cases in these areas.

There were 25 new cases in the Western NSW health district reported on Sunday, bringing the total number of cases in the region in the current outbreak to 510.

There were also two more cases recorded in the Far West health district in Wilcannia, a small town where more than 10 per cent of the predominantly Indigenous population has now tested positive.

Elsewhere, authorities confirmed that a COVID-19 outbreak at Parklea prison in Sydney's northwest has reached 31 cases. This includes at least 12 new COVID-19 infections.

Cases have also been uncovered at Silverwater prison.
NSW residents will finally be allowed to pubs and shops in mid-October under plans being drawn up by the state government.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro is working on a plan to hand back freedoms to fully vaccinated residents once 70 per cent are jabbed, a target expected to be hit in six weeks.

On Monday morning Mr Barilaro said the first steps would include allowing outdoor dining, and letting pubs and shops re-open.

He also mentioned clubs but it's unlikely he was referring to nightclubs, which are considered high risk.

'In that low-risk area of 70 per cent, which we should hit at about the middle of October, we can go back to things like al fresco dining, you can maybe look at pubs, clubs, cafes and retail reopening,' he told Sunrise.

'But you put in place a whole heap of Covid measures like the four-square metre rule, mask-wearing, social distancing. So they're the sort of things we're looking at.'

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said planning for re-opening the economy was going well.

'We are also doing well in terms of planning for our roadmap,' she said on Monday.

'We want to citizens and industry to start preparing Covid safety plans, to make sure they are fully vaccinated,' she said.

'You will have to check in, demonstrate you have been vaccinated, demonstrate social distancing, in certain settings you will have to wear a mask.

'At 70 per cent double dose life will be better than it is today - having said that, we will make sure we never have any settings that will overwhelm our [health] system and that is the absolute challenge.'

The premier warned that October will be the 'worst month' for hospitalisations and deaths because cases will be high but vaccination rates will still be increasing.

NSW recorded 1,290 new cases on Monday as the outbreak which began on June 16 continues to grow.

There are currently 840 Covid-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 137 people in intensive care, 48 of whom require ventilation.

Maddie Pierce works providing takeaway at Flying Elephant cafe in Coolangatta, northern NSW

Pictured: Staff arriving at RPA Hospital in Camperdown on Monday

Mr Barilaro said further freedoms would be handed back once 80 per cent of residents are fully jabbed which is expected in November.

Last week Ms Berejiklian announced most double-jabbed Sydneysiders would be allowed to gather outside with five people from September 13.

But those living in 12 areas with high virus rates in the west and south-west will only be allowed out for an hour with their household.

Residents can prove their vaccination status using the Medicare app on their phones.

In the face of a steadily growing outbreak, the government has abandoned its aim to get Covid cases down to zero, instead focusing on increasing vaccination rates.

'Having a meal with loved ones, or having a drink with friends is just around the corner, but to get there, we need to keep up momentum in the vaccination rollout,' Mr Barilaro said.

The plan is in accordance with the national re-opening plan which phases out lockdowns in two stages when 70 and 80 per cent of over 16s are vaccinated.

The 70 and 80 per cent rates were stipulated by the Doherty Institute which found that if optimal testing and tracing is maintained there would be only 88 Covid hospitalisations, 21 ICU admissions and 13 deaths nationally in the six months after the 70 per cent jab rate is reached.

Some states are threatening to keep their borders closed or require higher jab rates before scrapping lockdowns, raising the prospect that Australia will remain a divided nation for months to come

Covid-free Queensland and Western Australia both demanded new modelling to take NSW's recent high case load into account - but the scientists came back with the same conclusion that opening with 70 per cent jabbed is safe.

Federal ministers, who want to revive the economy and give Australians their lives back, have piled pressure on states to stick to the plan by writing op-eds in local newspapers and threatening to turn off financial support to any reluctant governments.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, while initially cautious about opening up, has endorsed the plan and increasingly moved away from his Covid elimination rhetoric, acknowledging that Victorians will have to live with the virus - and South Australia has also backed the plan.
Pictured: Anti-lockdown protestor Natalie Mendez

A serial Covid conspiracy pest who accused a reporter on live TV of spreading 'fake news' at a truckie rally at the Queensland border has vowed to protest every Sunday against the 'scamdemic'.

Natalie Mendez, 44, has become a habitual protester during the Covid pandemic, attending regular rallies against lockdowns, vaccines and border closures.

Ms Mendez, who claims she's a 'freedom warrior', doesn't believe in mandated mask wearing or vaccines, and boasts she's never worn a face mask, despite breaching Covid health regulations.

She appeared on the Today show early on Monday morning holding a sign that read: 'Freedom is not a privilege. It's a right!'

Ms Mendez was at a demonstration on the M1 in Reedy Creek, south of Brisbane, organised by rogue truckies who blocked the highway to protest against Covid-19 lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations.

She has been promoting the scheduled event on her social media in recent days, begging her network to stand beside her and 'stand up for their freedoms'.

'Our job is to send as many people as we can in support, of what could very likely turn out to be the biggest action of 2021 and signify the turning point for the Australian people,' Ms Mendez said.

'If you were to take a day off work this year, this is the day to do it.'

The 44-year-old hopes to put an end to state emergency powers, pressure the Queensland government into opening state borders and 'put a stop to mandatory jabs'.

And she's willing to protest 'every Sunday at the same location until the border is reopened'.

She's also encouraged followers to bring their children along to the demonstrations despite concerns that such large gatherings could become superspreader events.

Natalie Mendez, 44, has become a habitual protester during the Covid pandemic, attending regular rallies against lockdowns, vaccines and border closures

Peak-hour disruption: The demonstration was held on the M1 in Reedy Creek by furious truckies who promised to bring the major highway to a standstill

Queensland has avoided a widespread Covid outbreak and residents in the Sunshine State have lived with relatively few restrictions in place.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and chief health officer Jeanette Young have run a tight ship and often slammed the borders shut to any other states or territories that experience outbreaks.

As the nation inches closer toward the target 70 per cent double dosed vaccination rate, there are calls for the Queensland government to commit to reopening their borders in line with the national cabinet agreement.

Ms Mendez says she values her 'freedom and health' above all else, and has been vocal in her refusal to wear face masks or consent to the vaccine.

'It's my body and I'll decide what I put in it,' she previously said.

The self-confessed 'freedom warrior' doesn't believe in mandating mask wearing or vaccines and proudly boasts to her loved ones that she's never worn a face mask, even in grocery stores (pictured)

The anti-lockdown activist (right) who came out to support protesting truck drivers on a Gold Coast highway early Monday morning accused Today reporter Jessica Millward (left) of spreading 'fake news' during a tense live TV interview

'I have never worn a mask since the whole thing was introduced,' she boasted online. 'I have accessed restaurants, gyms, yoga studios, hospitals, medical centres etc. Why? Because I know my rights.'

On Monday morning, Today reporter Jessica Millward approached Ms Mendez as she marched around in circles at the Queensland and New South Wales border with her sign.

'I do want to get my message across, absolutely,' she said. 'So what are you going to report on this morning, the fake news?'

Millward looked shaken as she turned her back to the woman, who appeared to be filming her on her phone, abruptly ending the interview.

She then told viewers: 'Okay, alright. There has been anger towards the media. The message that these people wanted to get across is that they want the choice to get the vaccine. They don't want it to be mandatory.

'They want the country to open up.'

Ms Mendez regularly attends anti lockdown protests in Queensland despite the state enjoying very few Covid restrictions and outbreaks

Anti-vaccine: A man holds a sign that reads 'The People's Revolution' beside the M1 on Monday. Tensions have flared within the trucking industry over some jurisdictions ordering vaccination requirements for authorised workers who cross state borders

Traffic was backed up for several kilometres after the protest began at 6am, with the location announced just an hour earlier in an attempt to thwart police.

Within an hour traffic was flowing again after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, who had been supporting the rally, told the truckies it was time to move on.

Ms Mendez boasted about never once believing in the 'scamdemic', claiming she 'smelt a rat straight away' and has spent the last 18 months trying to convince her loved ones of her truth.

Globally, at least 4.5 million people have died of Covid and 215 million have been infected.

Of the 126 people with the virus in intensive care in hospitals across New South Wales, only one is fully vaccinated.

And yet, Ms Mendez is under the false impression that the virus is simply a means for governments to control the population, and has vowed to fight for any freedoms she can.

'We are not going to allow the government to decide what is put in our bodies. We are going to continue to fight for our freedom.'

Ms Mendez boasted about never once believing in the 'scamdemic', claiming she 'smelt a rat straight away' and has spent the last 18 months trying to convince her loved ones of her truth

Australian state and federal leaders have agreed to open borders and effectively put an end to lockdowns as our first defence against the virus when national vaccination rates reach 70 per cent.

The decision was reached after examining the findings of the Doherty Institute, who advises the government, completed a report on the vaccine and Australia's Covid strategy.

The Doherty Institute found if optimal testing and tracing is maintained there would be only 88 Covid hospitalisations, 21 ICU admissions and 13 deaths nationally in the six months after the 70 per cent jab rate is reached.

Doherty Institute chief Sharon Lewin said 'we no longer have zero COVID as a goal' once 70 and 80 per cent of the population has been vaccinated.

Covid-free Queensland and Western Australia both demanded new modelling to take NSW's recent high case load into account - but the scientists came back with the same conclusion that opening with 70 per cent jabbed is safe.

Some states are threatening to keep their borders closed or require higher jab rates before scrapping lockdowns, raising the prospect that Australia will remain a divided nation for months to come

State premiers have also stated fully-jabbed residents will be granted more freedoms as restrictions ease once those targets have been met.

In New South Wales, those who are vaccinated will be the first to get their hair done, enjoy a drink in a pub or dine in at a restaurant when venues are given the green light to reopen.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said on Monday: 'In that low-risk area of 70 per cent, which we should hit at about the middle of October, we can go back to things like al fresco dining, you can maybe look at pubs, clubs, cafes and retail reopening.

'But you put in place a whole heap of Covid measures like the four-square metre rule, mask-wearing, social distancing. So they're the sort of things we're looking at.'

Nationally, 34.2 per cent of the population is fully vaccinated, and 57.5 per cent have had their first dose.

Residents in NSW have rushed to get the jab to see restrictions ease in the state, with 35.9 per cent fully vaccinated and 66.0 protected by one jab.
A young man has tragically died after being struck by a car while helping a ride-share driver change a tyre on the side of the road.

The 21-year-old had been a passenger in a white Mitsubishi Outlander when it pulled over on the side of the Mitchell Freeway in Perth around 5am on Sunday.

The Good Samaritan had just finished changing the tyre and was packing up the equipment when he was hit by an oncoming Toyota Prado.

The 21-year-old had been a passenger in a white Mitsubishi Outlander when it pulled over on the side of the Mitchell Freeway in Perth (pictured) around 5am on Sunday

The Good Samaritan had just finished changing the tyre and was packing up the equipment when he was hit by an oncoming Toyota Prado

It is unclear whether the 32-year-old driver of the Toyota Prado spotted the ride-share driver and his passenger before the collision, 7NEWS reported.

Emergency crews rushed the young man to Royal Perth Hospital where he remained in a critical condition before tragically passing away overnight.

Neither the ride-share driver or the owner of the Toyota Prado were injured.

Investigations into the crash are continuing with WA Police asking any drivers with dashcam footage of the incident to submit it to authorities.
Two hoarder brothers have been arrested in Illinois after cops found two bodies in the backyard of their filthy home, which the men have said belong to their sister and mother.

The brothers allegedly told police that their sister, 44, had killed their mother in 2015, and they buried the body in the yard.

They claimed the sister herself died of COVID-19 in 2019, despite the fact that the first cases of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. were not reported until January 2020.

Michael Lelko, 45, and John Lelko, 41, self-identified as the brothers in an interview with WFLD before they were arrested.

The Lelko brothers were taken into custody on Saturday after two bodies were recovered from the backyard, WLS reported.

The bodies have not been officially identified as the mother and sister.

The brothers have not been officially named by police as charges are still pending against them. They have yet to be listed in custody in Cook County jail records.

Brothers Michael and John Lelko speak to reporters outside their home in Lyons, Illinois

The two hoarder brothers have been arrested in Illinois after cops found two bodies the men said belong to their sister and mother in the backyard of their filthy home

The men are seen being placed into handcuffs by officers with the Lyons Police Department

The Lelko brothers were arrested after they were treated and evaluated for mental illness at a local hospital

Another of the Lelko brothers is pictured being placed into handcuffs

Police said the brothers had claimed that their sister, who had mental illness, pushed their mother, who was in her 70s, down the stairs and that she ultimately died from a stroke, according to WGN.

The brothers said that they had buried their mother in the backyard along with the bodies of several animals that had died at the home because they could not afford funeral costs, WFLD reported.

When their sister died in 2019, the brothers also reportedly buried her in the backyard because of funeral costs and because of fears of COVID-19.

The state of Illinois has no records of those deaths.

Law enforcement stand next to a home along Center Avenue in Lyons, Illinois, where authorities believe they've uncovered bodies in the backyard on Saturday

Tents are set up outside the Lelko residence in preparation for Friday's excavation in search of the human remains

One of the Lelko brothers is pictured being placed in the backseat of a police SUV

Autopsies were expected to be performed on the bodies on Sunday and investigators will use DNA to determine if the bodies do belong to Lelko's sister and mother, according to the outlet.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office for results on the autopsies.

Lyons Police Chief Thomas Herion said during a press conference on Saturday that the conditions of the two bodies indicated that the deaths of the two bodies did occur in 2015 and 2019.

He said the brothers may be telling the truth about how their sister and bother had died, but that investigators are treating the case as a homicide investigation for now.

Brothers Michael Lelko and John Lelko were arrested today after human remains were recovered on the property of their home in Lyons, IL. The remains are believed to be those of their mother and sister who have not been seen since 2015 & 2019. Posted by Sandra Murray on Saturday, August 28, 2021

The inside of the brothers' home is pictured. The brothers had to exit their home through a window because of the clutter inside blocking the doors

Police found the home to be crammed top to bottom with garbage and debris, including bottles of urine, feces smeared everywhere, and no running water or working toilets

Several cats and dogs were found running around the property

Officers with the Lyons Police Department were called to the home in the 3900 block of Center Avenue on Thursday to perform a welfare check on the brothers after the water company reported that water hadn't been used at the home in years.

Police found the home to be crammed top to bottom with garbage and debris, including bottles of urine, feces smeared everywhere, and no working toilets.

Several cats and dogs were found running around the property, which were taken in by the local Humane Society.

'It was multiple liters of urine,' Herion told WLS. 'Every room, the front door, the backdoor were completely barricaded with debris, boxes.'

The brothers, who were said to have physical and mental health issues, had to exit their home through a window because of the clutter inside blocking the doors.

Before their arrest, the brothers had been taken to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn for medical treatment were they went through mental health evaluations, Herion said.

They were later discharged and put up in a hotel, but walked over to their house, still wearing blue hospital gowns, to speak to reporters after seeing news reports on television about the impending excavation in their backyard.

Police were called to the home in the 3900 block of South Center Avenue in Lyons for a welfare check after one of the Lelko brothers had not been seen for some time

Police said they found the residence to be crammed with trash and bottles containing urine; it had no running water or working toilets

Neighbor Martha Aranda Castaneda told WFLD that she had not seen one of the Lelkos in over a year.

'That's the first time I saw him, when [police] took him out,' she said.

She added to WLS: 'I just hope they get the help they need, obviously there's something that's not correct.'

Neighbor Brian King called the mother of the two brothers a 'hard-working lady' who took care of her three kids.

'We've known something going on for some time. I feel sorry for the people because there's been, if you want to say, medical issues for the boys,' King said.

Herion said that the police department has enlisted the help of expert crews, including an archaeologist, to sift through the dirt outside the home and comb through the home for evidence.
North Korea appears to have restarted its plutonium-producing reprocessing reactor, a possible sign Pyongyang is expanding its banned weapons program.

In a report dated Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency - a UN watchdog - called the development, 'deeply troubling.'

The 5-megawatt reactor in YongByon - North Korea's main nuclear complex - is believed to have been inactive since 2018, and its reactivation comes with nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington at a standstill.

The reactor produces plutonium, one of the two key ingredients used to build nuclear weapons along with highly enriched uranium.

In 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to dismantle part of the Yongbyon complex at a second summit with then US president Donald Trump but not other sites, in exchange for sanctions relief.

His offer was rejected.

A cooling tower at the Yongbyon nuclear complex is demolished in 2008. North Korea appears to have restarted the operation of its main nuclear reactor there capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium

The facility had been the subject of nuclear talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and the Trump administration in 2019. Un had offered to dismantle part of the Yongbyon, but not other sites, in exchange for sanction relief. The offer was rejected

President Joe Biden's administration has said it reached out to the North Koreans to offer talks, but Pyongyang has said it has no interest in negotiating without a change in policy by the United States.

North Korea is under multiple sets of international sanctions over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, which have seen rapid progress under Kim.

'Since early July, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor,' the International Atomic Energy Agency said in its annual report.

IAEA inspectors were kicked out of North Korea in 2009, and the agency has since monitored it from outside.

The agency said it uses satellite imagery and open source information to monitor developments in North Koreas nuclear program.

The possible operation of the reactor follows a recent indication that Pyongyang is also using a nearby radiochemical laboratory to separate plutonium from spent fuel previously removed from the reactor.

'The new indications of the operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and the radiochemical (reprocessing) laboratory are deeply troubling,' the agency said in its report.

Satellite image from March 2 provided by Maxar Technologies shows North Korea's main atomic complex in Yongbyon. The International Atomic Energy Agency has been using such imagery to monitor the state of the country's nuclear program since being kicked out of the country in 2009

In June, the IAEA flagged indications of possible reprocessing work at Yongbyon to separate plutonium from spent reactor fuel that could be used in nuclear weapons.

In Friday's report, the agency said the five-month duration of that apparent work, from mid-February to early July, suggested a full batch of spent fuel was handled, in contrast to the shorter time needed for waste treatment or maintenance.

'No way to know why the reactor wasnt operating previously - although work has been ongoing on the water reservoir over the past year to ensure sufficient water for the cooling systems,' said Jenny Town, director of the U.S.-based 38 North project, which monitors North Korea.

'The timing seems a little strange to me, given the tendency for flooding in coming weeks or months that could affect reactor operations.'

Last year 38 North said floods in August may have damaged pump houses linked to Yongbyon, highlighting how vulnerable the nuclear reactor's cooling systems are to extreme weather events.

In recent months, North Korea has warned it would expand its nuclear program if the United States doesn't withdraw its 'hostile' policy on the North, in an apparent reference to US-led sanctions and regular US-South Korean military drills.

Kim Jong Un has vowed in recent months to expand its nuclear program if the US does not withdraw its 'hostile' policy on the north

A senior US State Department official said Washington was aware of the report and was closely coordinating with partner countries.

'This report underscores the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy so we can achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,' the official told AFP.

'We continue to seek dialogue with the DPRK so we can address this reported activity and the full range of issues related to denuclearization.'

US North Korea envoy Sung Kim last week re-iterated his willingness to meet his North Korean counterparts 'anywhere, at any time'.

North Korea is believed to be running multiple other covert uranium enrichment facilities.

North Korea may be trying to extract plutonium to make more nuclear weapons at the complex, recent satellite photos indicated, weeks after leader Kim Jong Un vowed to expand his nuclear arsenal

According to a South Korean estimate in 2018, North Korea might already have manufactured 20-60 nuclear weapons.

Pyongyang has stayed away from nuclear talks since the collapse of the second Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi and has rebuffed South Korean efforts to revive dialogue.

About 60 miles north of Pyongyang, Yongbyon is home to the country's first nuclear reactor, and is the only known source of plutonium for North Korea's weapons program.

Yongbyon is not believed to be North Korea's only uranium enrichment facility and closing it down would not in and of itself signal an end to the country's atomic program.

North Korea suspended nuclear and missile testing during a diplomatic process in 2018 but said it was abandoning its self-declared moratorium in January 2020.

It has subsequently carried out a series of short-range missile launches but has not conducted a nuclear test since 2017.
A police staffer has allegedly been caught selling drugs in Sydney's inner-city while driving a black Mercedes registered in the south-west - which is the subject of Australia's strictest lockdown.

The car was pulled over in Surry Hills, next to the CBD, about 8.45pm on Saturday during a routine patrol after it was found to be registered 15km away.

Officers spoke to the 41-year-old driver - who is a civilian employee attached to a specialist command of NSW Police - before a search of his vehicle allegedly turned up illicit drugs.

Police have been out in force recently checking drivers are adhering to travel restrictions (pictured: police check vehicles in Newtown on July 31)

The driver was charged with allegedly possessing drugs and prescribed restricted substances, and fined for breaching lockdown for being more than 5km from his home.

He was given a court attendance notice to appear on October 14 and NSW Police said his employment status will be reviewed.

An extra 1,400 traffic and highway patrol officers were dispatched across NSW earlier this month to enforce lockdown restrictions - which include a 5km travel limit in Sydney.

When announcing the crackdown on August 14, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said over the next three weeks police would ramp up enforcement of the public health orders.

Fines were increased to $5,000 on the spot for a breach of quarantine from $1000, along with a $5,000 on-the-spot fine for lying about a permit or to a contact tracer.

A $3,000 fine was brought in for breaching the two person exercise rule in any way and those going into regional NSW without a valid reason would be slapped with a $3,000 on the spot fine.

Police are cracking down on those flouting public health orders especially around movement between LGAs (pictured: officers stop traffic on the way into the city on July 31)

The 10km exercise and shopping limit was also decreased to 5km across Sydney as an additional 500 defence force troops were brought in to help.

'The fines are some of the biggest I have seen. The evidence from police on the ground that the is that people have been rorting the regional travel rules. So we see the permit system strengthened around that,' Mr Fuller said.

He added travel limits, the singles bubble, exercise and recreation were particular areas where people were flouting the rules and where police would focus efforts.

Police have issued more than 12,600 penalty infringement notices since the crackdown began, including 327 in the last week for people flouting curfew rules in the 12 LGAs of concern.

Cops pulled over the man's black Mercedes on Saturday (stock image)

Among the fines issued in the last week were a 31-year-old man from Bankstown who was stopped on a train near Parramatta for not wearing a face mask.

Subsequent investigations revealed the man to have already tested positive to Covid and had a warrant for three counts of fail to comply with a self-isolation direction.

He fronted Parramatta Local court on Wednesday and was refused bail to appear again on October 6.

On Thursday, a man, 43, and woman, 39, were issued fines after they were found outside the the 5km travel limit in a parked car at Asquith.

Police allegedly found items associated with illegal drug use in the car and also learned the woman had tested positive to Covid and was supposed to be isolating.

And also on Thursday, police from Bankstown were called after a Doonside man had his wallet stolen from his car.

Cops arrested a 17-year-old male after the stolen credit cards were used at several nearby stores, with the teenager later admitting he tested positive to Covid and had not been isolating.

He was admitted to Westmead Hospital and inquiries are ongoing.
An exhausted health worker has detailed the harrowing conditions in Victoria's Covid ICU wards as they battle the state's Delta outbreak.

Kylie Fisher witnessed the devastating impacts of the virus first hand on both patients and colleagues at Western Health's Sunshine Hospital in St Albans, Melbourne, where she is the critical care outreach services manager.

Last year, there were more than 400 coronavirus-infected patients admitted to the hospital, with numbers again on the rise as the state grapples a new outbreak.

Ms Fisher said healthcare workers were mentally and physically distressed as they worked arduous 12 hour shifts caring for severely ill patients during the state's deadly second Covid wave last year.

Critical Care Outreach Services Manager Kylie Fisher (pictured) has detailed the harrowing pressures faced by health care workers in Victoria's Covid ICU wards

'They would often come to me overwhelmed,' Ms Fisher told reporters on Monday. 'I saw tears, I saw exhaustion, I saw nurses consoling nurses.

'I saw blood across the ridges of their noses and ears for wearing PPE for 12 hours at a time. Long shifts on their feet, kilometres and kilometres they clock up responding to emergency calls, and calls for assistance on the wards.

'They would go home after 12-hour shifts, long shifts, they would have showers before they would leave work, they would drive home, get changed in their garages and have another shower before they got in.'

Ms Fisher said nurses live in constant worry about how to look after patients while balancing the need to protect themselves and their families from the virus.

Many were disturbed by how many fit and healthy Victorians were struck down by the illness.

'They would come to work worried about how they would support their colleagues on the wards, looking after overwhelming numbers of acutely unwell patients,' she said.

'They would come to me and they would say: "Kylie, it's like nothing we have ever seen before. The patients are young and fit, and the next minute they're well, and the next minute, we're taking them to ICU".

Ms Fisher said nurses were pushed to mental and physical limits during the state's deadly second wave last year. Pictured: Health care workers at a drive through vaccination centre in Melbourne

Ms Fisher said she was worried she would going to have to 'ask them to stand up and do it again' as infections continue to surge, with the state recording 73 new Covid cases on Monday.

Although her staff will willingly answer the call, she urged Victorians to get vaccinated to prevent frontline workers from facing such challenging conditions again.

'They've done it all before, and I have to probably ask them to do it all again. They will but they shouldn't have to,' she said.

'We're lucky, we've got science, we've got a vaccine, so I'm asking, please, if you haven't already, get yourself vaccinated.'

Chief health officer Brett Sutton said people were more than twice as likely to be hospitalised if they caught the Delta variant.

Ms Fisher said she feared intensive care units 'will become more overwhelmed' if enough people did not get vaccinated or the outbreak was not brought under control soon.

ICU nurse Michelle Spiteri and anaesthetist and intensive care physician Dr Forbes McGain attending to a Covid-19 patient at Footscray Hospital in Melbourne in July last year

While last year a high number of Covid patients were placed in wards outside intensive care, 'this year I'm seeing admissions straight to the ICUs', she said.

'Last year we managed a large portion of our acutely unwell patients within the ward setting, but I'm worried that, being more contagious, our ICU beds will quickly be utilised and we'll struggle to meet the demand.'

Of the state's new cases, 24 were in insolation and up to 49 may have been infectious in the community.

The source of infection in 21 cases is under investigation, with 52 linked to known outbreaks.

The state has 805 active virus cases, with 49 people in hospital, 15 in intensive care and 11 on ventilators.

Ms Fisher said she was concerned Australians were not heeding health warnings after thousands attended anti-lockdown rallies across the country in the past few weeks.

Ms Fisher said she was concerned by 'flow on' impacts on the hospital system from Australians believing the Covid pandemic was a conspiracy. Pictured: Violence erupts between police and protesters at an anti-lockdown rally in Melbourne on August 21

'When I see things on the news, where lots of people are congregating together without social distancing and without face masks, I worry about the impact and the flow on into the hospitals,' she said.

'I can with my hand on the heart, stand here in front of all of you and say it's very, very real. It's happening. It's not a conspiracy. It's a very real thing.'

As Victoria endures its sixth gruelling lockdown, Health Minister Martin Foley said there was 'every indication' the public health rules were starting to kick in.

He said 'the situation has, we hope, plateaued', but warned there would not be a map like during Victoria's deadly second wave last year.

'In regards to specific timetables and in regards to specific measures, the public health team are working on those,' he told reporters in Melbourne.

'But in terms of time frames... the strategy is the national cabinet agreed position, that when we get to 70 per cent, when we get to 80 per cent vaccination rates, our options multiply.

'If we do that, from the lowest possible infection levels, then our options grow.'

Mr Foley said no first-dose Pfizer vaccine bookings were available at the state's vaccination hubs.

There are currently 805 active Covid cases in Victoria, with 49 people in hospital, including 15 in ICU. Pictured: A healthcare worker transports a person into an ambulance at the Arcare Aged Care facility in June

Monday is the first day that GPs and pharmacies can administer Pfizer to people aged 16 to 39, and Mr Foley encouraged people to book through those avenues if they could not get a state clinic booking.

The virus is continuing to appear in regional areas, with one case announced on Sunday in the Gippsland town of Traralgon, in a person who had been to a funeral in Melbourne.

The outbreak in Shepparton also continues to grow, with nine cases reported on Monday linked to that cluster.

Anyone who attended Sky Salon Hairdressing in Shepparton between August 15 and 19 is urged to get tested.

In Melbourne, the city's west and north remain areas of concern and authorities have repeatedly had to remind people to get tested as soon as they recognise symptoms, as some people wait up to two weeks to get swabbed.

Victoria's exposure site list now stands at more than 900, including a children's ward at Dandenong Hospital across three days from August 25 to 27, which is a tier two site.
A woman with 'medical issues' has died after receiving Pfizer's Covid vaccine in New Zealand, the country's health authorities claimed today.

The unidentified woman, whose age was not specified, was taken ill with myocarditis - or inflammation of the heart - shortly after getting the jab.

The condition, a rare side effect of the vaccine, can cause damage to the heart in the long-run and leave some sufferers needing a transplant.

Myocarditis following Pfizer's vaccine is most common among boys and young men, although the majority cases are mild and easily treated. The complication appears to be more common after the second dose.

The case is the first fatality to be linked to Pfizer's jab in New Zealand, the country's Health Ministry said. More than three million doses have already been administered in the country.

In Britain the condition is at the forefront of debates over whether to give over-12s the Covid vaccine.

The risk of children either dying or falling seriously ill after getting Covid is so low that experts have questioned whether it is worth jabbing them.

Britain has recorded 195 cases of myocarditis following vaccination with the Pfizer jab, and one death from the condition.

It has dished out more than 37.9million doses of the Pfizer vaccine since the roll-out began in December, the equivalent of almost one in 200,000 people suffering the reaction.

A woman with medical issues in New Zealand has died from the Covid vaccine in New Zealand. The condition is most commong among young boys. (stock)

Britain has dished out more than 37million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to date. But it has only recorded 195 cases of the very rare side-effect myocarditis, the equivalent of almost one in 200,000 people suffering the reaction. It has also registered only one death from the condition following vaccination with the Pfizer jab

New Zealand's vaccine safety monitoring panel attributed the woman's death to myocarditis.

But the group encouraged people to keep getting the vaccine, saying the benefits far outweighed the risks.

It said: 'The [panel] extends their sympathies to the woman's family and friends during this difficult time and thanks the family for their assistance with this investigation.

Denmark to offer people with weakened immune systems third dose of vaccine Denmark has today recommended that people with severely weakened immune systems should get a third dose of the Covid vaccine. The Danish Medicines Agency said that some people 'may have insufficient effect of vaccination against Covid, just as they may have reduced effect of other vaccines'. The government agency said it was a recommendation as to which groups should be offered revaccination with a third dose Covid vaccine on the basis of severely weakened immune systems. Britain is still debating whether to hand out Covid booster shots, although sources suggest only the most vulnerable will be offered the extra doses. As of September 10, Denmark will no longer consider Covid as 'a socially critical disease' and phase out the digital pass that required to enter restaurants, among other places, because of the large number of vaccination. More than 80 per cent of all people in Scandinavian the country over the age of 12 have been vaccinated twice, and Denmark has a target of reaching 90 per cent by October 1. Advertisement

'The [panel] considered that myocarditis was probably due to vaccination.

'[We] noted there were other medical issues occurring at this time which may have influenced the outcome following vaccination.'

It added: 'The benefits of vaccination with the Pfizer Covid vaccine continue to greatly outweigh the risk of both Covid infection and vaccine side-effects, including myocarditis.'

A coroner will examine the case before determining the exact cause of death.

The woman died within the last month.

Pfizer said it was aware that myocarditis was an extremely rare side effect of its vaccine.

In a statement, it said: 'Pfizer takes adverse events that are potentially associated with our vaccine very seriously.

'We closely monitor all such events and collect relevant information to share with worldwide regulatory authorities.'

The Pfizer vaccine is the only one approved to dish out in New Zealand.

Regulators in the UK, the US, the EU and the World Health Organization have all said mRNA vaccines  Pfizer and Moderna's shots  can spark myocarditis in very rare cases.

The EU's drug regulator said on July 9 that five people had died due to side-effects after receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Britain's drug regulator the MHRA noted: 'A consistent pattern of (myocarditis) cases occurring more frequently in young males and shortly after the second dose of the vaccines.

'These reports are extremely rare, and the events are typically mild with individuals usually recovering within a short time with standard treatment and rest.'

Most cases occur within 14 days of vaccination.

Britain's medical regulators have recorded 508 deaths following 'suspected adverse reactions' to the Pfizer vaccine, 1,056 deaths following the AstraZeneca jab and 17 after receiving Moderna's shot.

For comparison, more than 150,000 people have died after catching Covid.

NHS England bosses have already told trusts to be ready to expand the roll out to all over-12s in just two weeks' time as scientists warned the virus will 'rip through schools' unless pupils are immunised before the new term. Pictured: 16-year-old festival goer Lottie Beard getting a vaccine jab at a walk-in Covid vaccination clinic at Reading Festival on Thursday

Myocarditis is one of the issues No10's top scientists are weighing up before deciding whether to inoculate 12 to 15-year-olds against Covid.

Britain's medical regulator has already approved Pfizer and Moderna's jabs for children, but the JCVI  which directs the roll out  is yet to decide whether they should be inoculated.

NHS England bosses have already told trusts to be ready to expand the roll out in just under two weeks, amid fears the virus will rip through schools unless pupils are immunised before the new term.

Whitehall insiders claim Boris Johnson wants the NHS to 'crack on' with vaccinating children.

The Prime Minister has reportedly become frustrated with delays over approving the plans, claiming even with the vaccines there is 'nothing we can do' to stop children becoming infected and spreading the virus to older people because jabs are not as effective at cutting transmission.

GP Renee Hoenderkamp said despite supporting vaccines for diseases including measles, mumps and rubella, she would not be keen on her own daughter getting jabbed against Covid because of safety concerns surrounding the rare heart condition myocarditis.

But other mothers say the decision on whether to receive a vaccine should rest with children themselves.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has already told the NHS to prepare to administer Covid vaccines to over-12s, while Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland is also ready to inoculate the age group should the plans get the green light from the JCVI.
A father whose entire family caught the Delta variant of Covid-19 from a worker at his five-year-old's daycare centre says his wife is 'skeletal' after losing 7kg while strapped to a ventilator for almost a week in ICU.

Mother-of-two Gig had only just celebrated her 40th birthday when she caught the virus from her daughter Kaylin, who contracted it from her pre-school in Toongabbie in Sydney's north-west in mid-August.

Her husband Jason, 47, thinks she already had Covid when she went to get her first Pfizer shot, which means the vaccine didn't have a chance to strengthen her immune system before she was exposed.

Days later, her condition deteriorated to the point where her lungs weren't functioning and the oxygen in her blood was so limited that doctors almost intubated her.

She spent five days in intensive care and a further nine in the Covid-19 ward at Westmead Hospital but, on Monday, Gig was finally sent home - a shell of her former self at about 50kg with only 80 per cent lung capacity.

Gig caught covid from her five-year-old daughter Kaylin. Pictured, left to right: Kaylin, Gig, Jayda and Jason

Gig sent her husband Jason some photos from ICU (pictured) but the pair barely had a chance to speak while she was in hospital

'She hasn't eaten for two weeks because she was so sick, and she's so slim,' her husband Jason told Daily Mail Australia, as Gig coughed in the background.

'It's going to take her a few months to recover her lung capacity, and you can see the tendons in her neck.'

Until her lungs heal, she will have to rely on Jason - an out-of-work logistics contractor - to take care of her and their young girls.

The situation unfolded when the whole family tested positive on August 12.

Kaylin, the youngest, had a fever and a runny nose, her seven-year-old sister Jayda had no symptoms at all, and their fully-vaccinated father felt as though he had a 'bad flu'.

'I got my second Pfizer shot when Gig had her first, but the vaccine didn't have time to do anything before I tested positive to Covid a few days later,' Jason said.

Jason said he never thought he would contract Covid, and couldn't believe his wife - who had no underlying health conditions - reacted so badly to the virus

Jason works in logistics and Gig runs a number of massage parlours around Castle Hill, in Sydney's north-west

'I had aches and pains, a headache, and I have asthma so I was really worried, but my wife has no lung problems and no underlying conditions and she was really sick.'

Gig had a fever and muscle aches, but she brushed it off because she thought the pain was associated with her period.

'I went in to check on her at about 9am one morning and she was short of breath,' Jason said.

'I encouraged her to get up and have a shower, and she said "I can't".'

He called an ambulance and Gig was raced to Westmead Hospital where she was placed in intensive care.

'Everyone reacts differently to medications with this virus, so they try them all until you respond to something - luckily her condition did improve and she didn't need to be intubated,' he said.

Both girls, age five and seven, also tested positive to Covid. Jayda didn't have any symptoms and Kaylin had a fever for about two days

Aside from a few ICU photos and video calls, Jason spent most of his time at home in isolation with his girls wondering how his wife was doing.

'There's terrible reception in intensive care and she couldn't really talk, so I didn't even know she was could have been intubated,' he said.

'She went to hospital at about 4am so the girls didn't get a chance to say goodbye - if things turned for the worst, I was worried they'd never see her again.'

Jason said he never thought he would get Covid, let alone his whole family.

When speaking about vaccine sceptics and Covid deniers, he said: 'It's out there, and it's real.'

'I had mild symptoms and that was with the vaccine, so I don't know what would have happened if I didn't have it.'
On August 26, 2021, 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one Army staff sergeant were killed in a suicide attack in Kabul that also claimed more than 160 Afghan lives. The US servicemembers were on a mission of mercy to evacuate at-risk Afghans after the disastrous US withdrawal led to a Taliban takeover. These are their stories:

Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23

Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee was was a maintenance technician with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Roseville, California.

A week before she was killed, Gee cradled a baby in her arms at the Kabul airport. She posted the photo on Instagram and wrote, 'I love my job.'

Sgt. Mallory Harrison, who lived with Gee for three years and called her a 'sister forever' and best friend, wrote about the magnitude of her loss.

'I can't quite describe the feeling I get when I force myself to come back to reality & think about how Im never going to see her again,' Harrison wrote on Facebook. 'How her last breath was taken doing what she loved - helping people. ... Then there was an explosion. And just like that, she's gone.'

Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, is seen four days before she was killed, escorting Afghans on to a plane in Kabul

Just days before she was killed in the suicide blast, St. Nicole Gee was photographed holding an Afghan baby

Gee, 23, (left and right) of Roseville, California was among those killed in the attack on Thursday in Kabul

Nicole Gee (left middle), a maintenance technician with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), awaits the launch of an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise in April

Gee's Instagram page shows another photo of her in fatigues, holding a rifle next to a line of people walking into the belly of a large transport plane. She wrote: 'escorting evacuees onto the bird.'

The social media account that includes many selfies after working out at the gym lists her location as California, North Carolina and 'somewhere overseas.'

Photos show her on a camel in Saudi Arabia, in a bikini on a Greek isle and holding a beer in Spain. One from this month in Kuwait shows her beaming with her meritorious promotion to sergeant.

Harrison said her generation of Marines hears war stories from veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, but they seem distant amid boring deployments until 'the peaceful float you were on turns into ... your friends never coming home.'

Gees car was still parked in a lot at Camp Lejeune and Harrison mused about all the Marines who walked past it while she was overseas.

'Some of them knew her. Some of them didnt.' she said. 'They all walked past it. The war stories, the losses, the flag-draped coffins, the KIA bracelets & the heartbreak. Its not so distant anymore.'

Friends mourned Gee (right) whom they called a 'model Marine' and a 'Marine's Marine'

'She cared about people. She loved fiercely. She was a light in this dark world. She was my person,' said friend and fellow Marine Mallory Harrison in a Facebook post on Gee (center right)

'She cared about people. She loved fiercely. She was a light in this dark world. She was my person,' said Harrison in a Facebook post.

'I find peace knowing that she left this world doing what she loved. She was a Marine's Marine,' she said.

'She was doing God's work..a warrior. Searching Afghan women and children trying to get out of country,' Captain Karen Holliday said in a Facebook tribute.

Holliday called Gee a 'Model Marine. A leader on the ground in a chaotic situation.'

She said that a photo released of Gee a few days before her death, showing her escorting Afghans onto a waiting plane, had been bombarded with sexist online comments 'degrading her for being a female Marine.'

Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, 20

Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, 20

Lance Corporal Merola was a Marine from Rancho Cucamonga, California.

He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, California.

The 20-year-old was a graduate of Los Osos High School, according to KABC-TV.

Students honored him at Friday night's football game by wearing red, white and blue.

'Dylan was a beloved son, brother, grandson, great grandson, nephew, a great friend, and a brave soldier,' said family friend Joseph Matsuoka on a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral.

Matsuoka said that Merola 'paid the ultimate sacrifice at the Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the evacuation.'

Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25

Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25

Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo was a Marine sergeant from Lawrence, Massachusetts assigned to 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Naval Support Activity Bahrain.

She was a graduate of Lawrence High School and attended Bridgewater State University.

On social media, friends issued and outpouring of grief and devastation at Rosario's death.

Nastassia Hyatt, a former Marine, recalled Rosario helping her through difficult times in a Facebook post.

'You brought me back to life. Back to life back to life.' Hyatt wrote. 'I wish i could bring you back to life for just one last hug, one last smile, one last nap, one last meal one last anything.'

'She the second half of my heart next to my son. Like she's everything to me. She is the greatest love I've ever known in a human besides my son. This one hit hard,' Hyatt said.

'We are heartbroken by the death of the service men and women due to the bombing in Kabul this week. I and the City of Lawrence are particularly saddened that one of those brave souls was a daughter of our City,' said Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez in a statement to WCVB-TV.

The Dominican Republic's embassy in the United States tweeted that Rosario was originally from that Caribbean nation.

On social media, friends issued and outpouring of grief and devastation at Rosario's death

Sonia Guzman, the Dominican Republics ambassador to the United States, tweeted that the Dominican community shares in the loss.

'Peace to your soul!' she tweeted in Spanish.

Rosario served with the Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which praised her efforts as supply chief this spring and thanked her for a job well done.

In Lawrence, Massachusetts, Mayor Kendrys Vasquez said he has been in contact with the family.

'We are heartbroken by the death of the servicemen and women due to the bombing in Kabul this week,' he said. 'I and the city of Lawrence are particularly saddened that one of those brave souls was a daughter of our city.'

The family wishes for privacy 'and that their loved one be recognized as the hero that she was,' the mayor said.

Rosario (center) was a Marine sergeant from Lawrence, Massachusetts with the Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Melendez said people have strong feelings about the U.S. involvement that's coming to an end after two decades in Afghanistan.

'There are people on both sides of the fence. I get it,' he said. 'This is about one of our own, a daughter of Lawrence. For us it is definitely about her service and her familys sacrifice. Thats what will be focusing on.'

'I have been in touch with the family of the Lawrencian killed in action to extend mine and my family's most sincere condolences and offer all of the aid that my administration can provide as they grieve this great loss,' the mayor said.

'At this time, the family's most immediate wish is to be given privacy and that their loved one be recognized as the hero that she was.'

Hospitalman Maxton Soviak, 20

Soviak, an Ohio native, joined the Navy after high school and became a hospital corpsman

Maxton William Soviak was a Navy corpsman from New Berlin, Ohio. He was assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California

Weeks before his death, he made a tragic Instagram post on June 10, sharing a photo posing with other service members in what is believed to be Afghanistan.

'It's kill or be killed, definitely trynna be on the kill side,' he wrote in a comment on the post. Navy corpsmen often work alongside Marines, who do not have their own medics.

Soviak's sister Marilyn said in her own Instagram post that her brother was there to 'help people'.

'My beautiful, intelligent, beat-to-the-sound of his own drum, annoying, charming baby brother was killed yesterday helping to save lives. He was a f***ing medic. There to help people and now he is gone and my family will never be the same,' she wrote.

'He was just a kid. We are sending kids over there to die. Kids with families that now have holes just like ours,' she added. 'I'm not one for praying but d**n could those kids over there use some right now. My heart is in pieces and I don't think they'll ever fit back right again.'

Soviak was named as a casualty of the attack by his high school in Milan, Ohio, where he graduated in 2017.

'It is with deepest sorrow that I am sharing this news,' Edison Local School District Superintendent Thomas Roth said in a statement.

'Max was a good student who was active in sports and other activities throughout his school career. He was well respected and liked by everyone who knew him. Max was full of life in everything he did.'

Maxton William Soviak (center), a medic in his early 20s, made this tragic post on June 10, writing 'It's kill or be killed, definitely trynna be on the kill side'. Marines Hunter Lopez (left) and Daegan Page (right) were also killed in the attack

Soviak's sister Marilyn said an Instagram post that her brother was there to 'help people'

Soviak took pride in his Navy service and worked alongside Marines in Afghanistan

In high school, Soviak was on the honor roll and played football. He was named as a casualty of the attack by his high school in Milan, Ohio

Soviak's family confirmed his death to local media and have asked for privacy.

In high school, Soviak was on the honor roll and played football, according to the Sandusky Register.

Soviak was among the nearly 6,000 US troops now working frantically to evacuate Americans and Afghan refugees from Kabul, with just days remaining before President Joe Biden's August 31 deadline to withdraw.

Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, 20

David Lee Espinoza, 20, was one of the Marines killed in the attack

David Lee Espinoza, was a 20-year-old U.S. Marine from Rio Grande, Texas.

His mother, Elizabeth Holguin, said: 'He was a very good person. He served his country. He helped in any way he could. He was there (in Afghanistan), helping innocent people.'

This was his second deployment; he first made a trip to the Middle East and arrived in Afghanistan for about a week.

Holguin said she was uneasy about him being deployed there.

'I prayed every day,' she said.

He is one of four children; he is not married and has no children.

The mom last spoke with him Tuesday.

'I just told him to be careful, that I was worried about him and I couldn't wait for him to come back,' Holguin said. 'He told me he was fine and not to worry. He was brave. If he was scared, he didn't show it.'

She said she holds no animosity toward the president, saying her son 'wanted to be there.'

Holguin learned her son was dead when she received a phone call Friday at 2.30am.

'He was just brave enough to go do what he wanted and to help out people. Thats who he was, he was just perfect,' his mother, Elizabeth Holguin, told the Laredo Morning Times.

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said Espinoza 'embodied the values of America: grit, dedication, service, and valor. When he joined the military after high school, he did so with the intention of protecting our nation and demonstrating his selfless acts of service.'

Cuellar concluded, 'The brave never die. Mr. Espinoza is a hero.'

Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, 20

Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum was killed in the attack

Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum was named by his high school in Wyoming as a casualty in the attack.

He was expecting to become a father and was pictured with his pregnant wife shortly before deploying to Afghanistan in April.

Cheyenne McCollum, Rylee's sister, told DailyMail.com her brother had wanted to be a Marine since he was a toddler  and that his own baby is due in just three weeks.

'Rylee was an amazing, man with a passion for the Marines. He was a son, a brother, a husband and a father with a baby due in just 3 weeks,' she said.

'He wanted to be a marine his whole life and carried around his rifle in his diapers and cowboy boots.

'He was determined to be in infantry and this was his first deployment. Rylee was sent to Afghanistan when the evac began. Rylee was manning the check point when he suicide bomb went off.

'Rylee wanted to be a history teacher and a wrestling coach when he finished serving his country. He's a tough, kind, loving kid who made an impact on everyone he met. His joke and wit brought so much joy.

'To his friends and teammates and coaches, he was family. Rylee will always be a hero not just for the ultimate sacrifice he made for our country but for the way he impacted every life around him for the better. Making us stronger, kinder, teaching us to love deeper. We love you Rylee.'

Rylee McCollum graduated from Summit Innovations School in Jackson in 2019.

Wyoming Schools Superintendent Jillian Balow said in a statement: 'Saying that I am grateful for Rylee's service to our country does not begin to encapsulate the grief and sadness I feel today as a mother and as an American.'

'My heart and prayers are with Rylee's family, friends, and the entire Jackson community,' she added.

Rylee McCollum was named by his high school in Wyoming as a casualty in the attack

Rylee McCollum was due to become a father. He is pictured with his pregnant wife, right, shortly before deploying to Afghanistan in April

The Wyoming-born Marine's wrestling coach and close family friend, Benjamin Arlotta said 'heads should roll' over the disastrous US exit and that the young soldier's family is 'absolutely broken'.

Arlotta told DailyMail.com that even in diapers McCollum would stand watch on his porch with a toy rifle, first said he wanted to be a Marine aged eight, and signed up on his 18th birthday.

In a glowing eulogy to the young expectant father, whose new baby is due in three weeks, Arlotta described McCollum as a 'personal hero' and a 'fantastic brother, fantastic uncle, and a wonderful friend'.

'I was his wrestling coach since he was six. He was one of the best. A great kid, a great young man and an American patriot. He loved being a Marine,' Arlotta said.

'He was just a good man all around. We're all hurting pretty bad.

'It's impossible. I'm sitting here with the family right now  with his dad and two sisters, his brother-in-law and niece. They're shattered, they're absolutely broken. The entire community is.'

Arlotta, 37, said he is furious at the Biden administration and blames the White House for putting soldiers in an unnecessarily dangerous position.

'It's a junk show, an absolute junk show. Not just for Rylee but for every serviceman and woman over there. They were put in a very terrible spot. In my opinion this entire circumstance has been mismanaged from every level,' he told DailyMail.com.

'The only thing I can hope for is that accountability isn't forgotten. Because for the 13 men who were killed yesterday, heads need to roll for the way things have gone.

Benjamin Arlotta, and his wife, Talia, are long-time family friends of the McCollums. Benjamin said he is angry and devastated

'We're just seeing the beginning of it. It's not over, it's only going to get worse. Everybody in the country needs to be praying for our servicemen and women right now. They have a scrap out in front of them.

'Sadly those 13 Marines aren't going to be the last ones to perish because of these terrible decisions that were made.'

Recalling fond memories of the young Jackson Hole native, the wrestling coach told a heartwarming story of McCollum's determination.

'When he was 13 he came into the competition season 32lbs heavier than where he wanted to be,' Arlotta said.

'He told me he would lose it. We made a bet. I was going to quit chewing tobacco if he could get down there. That was September, by the time the state championship rolled around in January he had made weight.

'He entered the wrestling tournament at that weight and I quit chewing that day.

'He was first and foremost a man of his word. If he said he would do something, by goodness gracious he stood right in front of you until he did it.'

McCollum moved to California for training. His pregnant wife Jiennah 'Gigi' Crayton lives in the San Diego area.

The 20-year-old lance corporal wanted to be a soldier since childhood, first telling his parents he would join the Marines age eight.

'We were driving back from his first state wrestling tournament, I was riding with his family,' said Arlotta. 'We asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, he said he wanted to be in the Marines.

'He enlisted on his 18th birthday,' the coach added. 'When he actually enlisted his recruiter told him he could be anything, he could do any job. He swore up and down he wanted to be an infantryman.

'If you know Rylee, you know you can't talk him out of a damn thing, so that's what he did.'

U.S. Congresswoman Liz Cheney, a fellow Wyoming resident, issued a statement when she learned of Rylee's passing.

'I want to offer my deepest condolences to Rylee McCollum's family and loved ones. His bravery and patriotism will never be forgotten. His willingness to put himself in harm's way to keep our country safe and defend our freedom represents a level of selflessness and heroism that embodies the best of America.

'We know that the McCollum family is grieving this tragic loss. I ask that people in Wyoming and across the country please keep those close to Rylee in their prayers, and remember that we are only free because of the courage and valor of service members like him.'

Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, 20

Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz was a 20-year-old from Wentzville, Missouri

Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz was a 20-year-old from Wentzville, Missouri.

His father Mark Schmitz told KMOX the Marines notified his family about 2.40am on Friday about his son's death.

'This was something he always wanted to do and I never seen a young man train as hard as he did to be the best soldier he could be,' Mark Schmitz said.

The grieving father grew emotional as he spoke about his son, welling up with tears.

'His life meant so much more. I'm so incredibly devastated that I won't be able to see the man that he was very quickly growing into becoming.'

Mark Schmitz slammed Biden and blamed him for his son's death.

'Be afraid of our leadership or lack thereof. Pray every day for the soldiers that are putting their lives at risk, doing what they love which is protecting all of us,' Schmitz's father said.

He added that he was relieved when his son signed up as a Marine when Trump was in office because he 'really believed this guy didn't want to send people into harm's way.'

Jared Schmitz was killed in the attack

Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui, 20

Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui was a native of Norco, California

Marine Lance Corporal Kareem Nikoui was a native of Norco, California.

Nikoui's father Steve, a carpenter, vented his frustrations at Biden in an interview with the Daily Beast.

'They sent my son over there as a paper pusher and then had the Taliban outside providing security. I blame my own military leaders Biden turned his back on him. That's it,' he said

Steve Nikoui said he knew his son was dead when he saw two Marines approaching his home on Thursday at 7.15pm PST.

He said he sat with the two emotional Marines, who cried more than he cried, and then had them leave.

Steve also appeared on Fox with Tucker Carlson on Friday to further criticize Biden in an emotional interview where he said the attack could have been avoided.

'From what I saw of the airport that they're in, looked like a Turkey shoot. It's funneled in to a single file-type entry point at which if you have in sort of chaos of any sort, they would all like gather to that one funneled area, which they would all be accessed. That's what happened. It was just basically so chaotic and not really planned out,' Steve said.

As he teared up, he also said he was upset by how long it took to learn of his son's death.

'How long does it take for the military to, you know, inform the next of kin?'

Marine Kareem Nikoui, pictured with his mother, was killed on Thursday. His father said he blames Biden for abandoning them in Kabul

'I was actually trying to console them. But at the same time, I just wanted them to get out as soon as possible so that no one from my family came back and saw them.

'I thought it appropriate that I be able to tell them,' he said.

He added that his son, who was based at Camp Pendleton in California, would often bring other Marines home on the holidays if they couldn't get back to their own families.

'My wife and I felt very honored that [since] these other boys weren't around their homes, that we were able to provide some sort of family life for them.

'He really loved that [Marine Corps] family. He was devotedhe was going to make a career out of this, and he wanted to go. No hesitation for him to be called to duty,' he said.

Speaking outside Kareem's home on Friday, a relative told DailyMail.com that Kareem's family were inside signing the documents required to repatriate him.

He added: 'They're totally devastated and they need some time. All the family are here and we're supporting them.'

A steady stream of people have been seen coming and going from the home all day, among them some of Kareem's colleagues from the Camp Pendleton Marine base in San Diego.

Steve Nikoui, right, father the late Kareem Nikoui, spoke with Fox's Tucker Carlson on Friday to condemn the Biden administration's efforts in Afghanistan that he said led to his son's death

An American flag flew half-mast outside Norco Intermediate School in honor of Nikoui

Kareem's mother Shana Chappell posted angrily on social media, blaming Vice-President Kamala Harris for the loss of her son.

At the social media message of condolence from the Vice-President, she wrote: 'This c u next Tuesday is a joke! They are the reason my son is dead.'

Kareem's death is also being mourned by his home city of Norco - a small community of 26,000 people nicknamed 'Horsetown' that sits 50 miles east of Los Angeles.

Confirming his death, the city released a message of condolence that read: 'The City of Norco mourns the loss of Norco resident U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kareem Mae'Lee Grant Nikoui who was killed in action while stationed at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, August 26, 2021.

'The U.S. Marine, who graduated from Norco High School in 2019 and served in JROTC, was committed to serving his country and is survived by his mother, father and siblings.'

The city of Norco plans to honor Nikoui by placing his name on the 'Lest We Forget Wall' at the George A. Ingalls Veterans Memorial Plaza.

Lance Corporal Hunter Lopez, 22

Marine Lance Corporal Hunter Lopez

Marine Lance Corporal Hunter Lopez, a native of California's Coachella Valley and the son of two police officers, was also killed in the attack, Sheriff Chad Bianco confirmed.

'I am unbelievably saddened and heartbroken for the Lopez family as they grieve over the loss of their American Hero,' Bianco wrote.

'Hunter Lopez, son of our own Captain Herman Lopez and Deputy Alicia Lopez, tragically lost his life while serving our country in the United States Marine Corp. He was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday, August 26th,' the sheriff added.

'Before joining the Marine Corp, Hunter proudly served in our Sheriff's Explorer Program. Our entire department is mourning this tragic loss. The Lopez family exemplifies the meaning of Service Above Self.'

City of La Quinta issued a statement: 'Our La Quinta Family is in mourning today with the tragic loss of Hunter Lopez, one of the fallen United States Service Members in the attack in Afghanistan,'

'Hunter is the son of Captain Herman and Alicia Lopez, both members of the Riverside Sheriff's Department. Captain Herman Lopez is our Police Chief and Captain over at the Thermal Station,' the statement added.

'We are all so humbled by the service and ultimate sacrifice that Hunter gave to protect our country. He was a brave and selfless soldier who answered the call to be a United States Marine. Like his parents, Hunter wanted to help serve others and protect his community.'

Marine Hunter Lopez, a native of California's Coachella Valley and the son of two police officers, was also killed, Sheriff Chad Bianco confirmed

'The Lopez family exemplifies the meaning of Service Above Self,' said the local sheriff

'I am unbelievably saddened and heartbroken for the Lopez family as they grieve over the loss of their American Hero,' Bianco wrote of Hunter Lopez (above)

Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, 31

Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, of Salt Lake City, Utah

Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was another of the service members killed outside the Kabul airport, his family told KSL-TV.

He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Friends and family mourned his loss, including fellow students who graduated in the Class of 2008 at Hillcrest High School with him in Midvale.

'Soooooo glad I got to see him before he left. I love you son!!! You're my hero!! Please check in on us once in a while. I'll try to make you proud!!' Hoover's father, Darin Hoover, wrote on Facebook.

'My handsome nephew, Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover. Taylor spent his entire adult life as a Marine, serving. Doing the hard things that most of us can't do. He is a hero,' Jeremy Soto, an uncle, wrote.

'We are wounded. We are bruised. We are angry. We are crushed... but we remain faithful. Thank you for your courage nephew. We love you always.'

'Always a smile. Always respectful. A joy to be around. He is adored beyond measure. The world has lost a true light. Our hearts are broken. Shock, disbelief, horror, sadness, sorrow, anger and grief,' Brittany Jones Barnett, an aunt, added.

'Thank you sweet boy for the ultimate sacrifice. For giving your life for us all. Fighting for freedom and giving absolutely everything you had. You will never ever be forgotten. We love you so much,' she added.

Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, pictured holding a young family member, died in Kabul

Taylor Hoover, a Utah native, was mourned by his mother Kelly Barnett, left, and girlfriend, Nicole Weiss, right, following his death

'He is a hero. He gave his life protecting those that cant protect themselves, doing what he loved serving his country,' said father Darin Hoover, who lives in a Salt Lake City suburb, in an AP interview.

He said he had heard from Marines who said they were grateful they had his son as their sergeant.

'They look back on him and say that theyve learned so much from him,' Hoover said. 'One heck of a leader.'

Hoover said his son was also a best friend to his two sisters and loved all his extended family. He had a girlfriend in California and was the kind of guy who 'lit up a room' when he came in, his father said.

Hoover, center, was among the Marine troops in Afghanistan to helping with the evacuation

Hoover pictured in his uniforms, 'died a hero doing what he always wanted to do and was proud to do, ' a family member said

Nate Thompson of Murray, Utah, first met Hoover when they were 10 years old in Little League football. They stayed friends through high school, where Hoover played lineman. He was undersized for the position, but his heart and hard work more than made up for what he lacked in statute, Thompson said. As a friend, he was selfless and kind.

'If we had trouble with grades, trouble with family or trouble on the field, we always called Taylor. Hes always level-headed, even if hes struggling himself,' he said.

U.S. Representative Blake Moore, who represents Utah's 1st Congressional District, also mourned the loss of Hoover.

'We'll be forever grateful for his sacrifice & legacy. He spent his last moments serving our state & nation, and we'll never forget his unwavering devotion,' he wrote in a statement.

Utah Senator Mike Lee wrote in a statement, 'Burying a child is a grief no parent should bear. Sharon and I mourn with the Hoover family and with all who loved [Hoover]... who gave the last full measure of devotion in Afghanistan.

'He died completing a mission to save his countrymen and civilians from evil and oppression. He lived the Marine Corps motto by living and dying always faithful.'

Utah residents tied fellow ribbons to flags in front of Hoover's family home

Neighbor Lena McIllece helped arranged the flags to honor Hoover and the other fallen troops

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and public grounds effective immediately until sunset on August. 30 to honor Hoover and all those who died in the recent attack.

'We are devastated to hear of the passing of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover. Staff Sgt. Hoover served valiantly as a Marine and died serving his fellow countrymen as well as America's allies in Afghanistan. We honor his tremendous bravery and commitment to his country, even as we condemn the senseless violence that resulted in his death. Abby and I pray for Staff Sgt. Hoover, his family and loved ones during this most difficult time,' Cox said in a statement.

A family member told ABC 4 that Hoover, 'died a hero doing what he always wanted to do and was proud to do, serve his country.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, was a native of Tennessee

Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, 23, was a native of Corryton, Tennessee. Knauss was assigned to 9th PSYOP Battalion, 8th PSYOP Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

He first was identified as one of the victims by his grandfather, Wayne Knauss.

'He grew up in a Christian home, attended Berean Christian school through 8th grade and spent, four years at Gibbs High [School],' said Wayne about his grandson. 'A motivated young man who loved his country. He was a believer so we will see him again in Gods heaven.'

Wayne told ABC 6 that Ryan had served right out of high school for five years with special training in Psychology Operations.

Ryan's stepmother, Lianne Knauss, added that Ryan told them he was looking forward to returning to the U.S. and moving to Washington D.C.

'He was a super-smart hilarious young man,' she said.

Knauss, 23, right, said he wanted to move to Washington D.C. when he returned

Members of the Knauss family mourned Ryan's death on social media

U.S. Representative Tim Burchett, a fellow Knoxville resident, also tweeted a tribute to the fallen marine.

'Ryan gave his life outside that airport helping people he didn't know get to safety. This is what true heroism looks like and Ryan's sacrifice will never be forgotten. The Knauss family is my prayers.' Burchett wrote

Diane Trulson Amundson Knauss also urged people to support Wayne and the troops in Afghanistan.

'Please pray for our military in Afghanistan and all over the world,' she wrote. 'Our hearts ache for Wayne and Neena... and all families.'

Corporal Daegan Page, 23

Marine Corp. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, was a native of Omaha, Nebraska

Marine Corp. Daegan William-Tyeler Page, 23, was a native of Omaha, Nebraska.

In a statement, Page's family confirmed that he was one of the slain service members at Kabul airport.

'Our hearts are broken, but we are thankful for the friends and family who are surrounding us during this time,' the family said.

'Daegan's girlfriend Jessica, his mom, dad, step-mom, step-dad, 4 siblings, and grandparents are all mourning the loss of a great son, grandson, and brother.'

Page grew up in Omaha and Red Oak, Iowa. He enjoyed playing hockey for Omaha Westside in the local hockey club and was a diehard Chicago Blackhawks fan.

He also oved hunting and spending time outside with his father.

His family said he was a longtime Boy Scout who was eager to join the U.S. Marine Corps.

'Daegan joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from Millard South High School. He loved the brotherhood of the Marines and was proud to serve as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.'

Corp. Daegan William-Tyeler Page died in the Kabul airport bombing attack

Page, left, was a Marine and member of the 2nd Battalion Marine Regiment

They added that Page was looking forward to coming home to see his family and friends. He also had plans to go to trade school, contemplating a career as a lineman.

'Daegan will always be remembered for his tough outer shell and giant heart. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the other Marine and Navy families whose loved ones died alongside Daegan,' the family said.

Shana Nicole, a friend of Page, added that 'the world lost an amazing hero.

'My heart hurts for everyone who knew Daegan. He was so so kind always,' she wrote on Facebook.

The Omaha, Nebraska, native was looking forward to returning home, his family said

Page, center, hoped to reunite with friends back home and go to trade school

Page, third from the left, rear, was drawn to the sense of brotherhood within the Marine Corps

U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, who represents Page's home district, also issued a statement mourning the loss of the young marine.

'I was just notified about the death of Marine Corporal Page. My heart was already broken over our country's loss of 13 service members in Afghanistan. Now the loss is even harder,' Fortenberry said.

'God bless Corporal Page. He saved lives and served his country honorably. His life was cut short but had ultimate meaning. By his bravery and will, many others will have a chance. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family.'

Corporal Humberto Sanchez, 22

Marine Corp. Humberto Sanchez was among those killed

Officials in Indiana confirmed that Corp. Humberto Sanchez was also among the dead.

Sanchez graduated from Logansport High School in 2017. He also attended Columbia Elementary.

'Like many, I have been heartbroken over the recent loss of the 13 U.S. service members who were murdered in the terrorist attacks against our evacuation efforts in Kabul, Afghanistan,' Logansport Mayor Chris Martin said in a statement on Facebook.

'Even more heartbreaking is learning the news today that one of those killed was from right here at home in Logansport, Indiana.

'This young man had not yet even turned 30 and still had his entire life ahead of him. Any plans he may have had for his post-military life were given in sacrifice due to the heart he exhibited in putting himself into harm's way to safeguard the lives of others.'

Adrian Gazcon, a friend, also wrote a tribute on Twitter for Sanchez, saying that 'it hurts that he's gone.' 'Thank you for your service, you're a hero bro.'

Sanchez pictured carrying friend Rhiannon Rickerd while attending Logansport High School
Scott Morrison is finalising another international vaccine deal to bring hundreds of thousands of Pfizer doses to Australia with an announcement expected this week.

Two weeks ago the Prime Minister bought 1million doses from Poland, giving half to Covid-ravaged NSW and splitting the rest between the other states and territories.

Daily Mail Australia understands a second deal is expected to be announced within days - but sources remained tight-lipped about which country the doses will be coming from, and the exact quantity, while the details are finalised.

A second international vaccine deal is expected to be announced this week. Pictured: Queues for the vaccine at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney

Scott Morrison is finalising another international vaccine deal to bring hundreds of thousands of Pfizer doses to Australia. Pictured: Pfizer doses arrive at Sydney Airport in February

The doses will be shared among the states on a per capita basis after Victoria complained that NSW was given preferential treatment last time.

'I'm very keen to make sure that we don't see anything other than a proper proportional distribution of any additional vaccines, and the Prime Minister has given me that commitment,' Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday.

In a press conference on Friday, Mr Morrison said he was working on several deals which gave him confidence to open vaccinations up to younger teenagers from September 13.

'We have some promising leads in terms of doses. I can't confirm those at this point, but we've been working on them now for some time,' he said.

'That is giving us some greater confidence about being able to particularly go forward with this decision to vaccinate children aged 12 to 15.'

Under 18s can only get Pfizer because AstraZeneca is not licensed for children.

Australia's first shipment of the Moderna vaccine - which is similar to Pfizer - will arrive soon with a million doses in September, then another three million in each of October, November, and December.

As of Saturday, 34.16 per cent of over 16s are fully vaccinated and 57.47 per cent have had dose one.

Australia has an abundance of AstraZeneca vaccines but supply of Pfizer - which is preferred for under 60s - is tight, with several states and territories asking for more.

Meanwhile, the federal government continues to pressure premiers to stick to the national re-opening plan which phases out lockdowns in two stages when 70 and 80 per cent of over 16s are vaccinated.

The plan, which opens international borders when 80 per cent are jabbed, makes no mention of state borders - but Mr Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg have been encouraging cautious leaders to open up because eliminating Covid is unsustainable.

Residents Coolangatta on the New South Wales and Queensland border protest against restrictions on Sunday

Some states are threatening to keep their borders closed or require higher jab rates before scrapping lockdowns, raising the prospect that Australia will remain a divided nation for months to come

After a National Cabinet meeting on Friday, Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan declared he would not 'deliberately infect' his citizens and insisted he would keep state borders closed if WA was Covid-free when it reached the 70 per cent vaccination mark.

The Federal Government is currently supporting states' restrictions with bailouts for business and direct $750-a-week payments to workers - but Mr Frydenberg says the tap will soon be turned off, leaving any pro-lockdown state to support itself.

'When it comes to Federal Government support which is now tracking at more than $1 billion per week, I have been very clear that there can be no expectation from the states and territories that that support can be expected once we hit those 70 per cent and 80 per cent targets,' he told Sunrise on Monday morning.

'Asked if he was threatening to cut off their cash, Mr Frydenberg added: 'There should be no expectation that the Federal economic support that we are providing right now can continue that way.'

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan declared he would not 'deliberately infect' his citizens. Pictured: Cottesloe Beach in restriction-free WA

Pressed on whether states keeping their borders closed would plunge Australia into recession, the Treasurer said: 'Well, it certainly will cost jobs. It certainly will see businesses close. It will see our debt burden increase and it will see the well-being of Australians suffer.

'You could have the ridiculous situation where somebody in NSW could travel to Canada before they could go to Cairns or somebody in Victoria could travel to Singapore and Bali before they could go to Perth. That would be ridiculous.

'That is why it is so important that the agreed national plan is adhered to by the states and the territories,' he said.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the Federal Government was trying to pick a fight with Labor states and insisted Mr McGowan and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had not threatened to derail the plan.
A nurse working near New Orleans has shared a video of the horrifying moment the roof of her hospital was torn off by Hurricane Ida.

Christiane Gottbrath posted a clip to her Instagram stories of her looking out of a window at the Ochsner Health's main campus hospital in Jefferson, a suburb of New Orleans.

Suddenly, the roof of a hospital building opposite peels off in the high winds, sending chunks of debris rattling into the window.

Another clip, shot by nurse Brandon Griffin and posted by a friend on Twitter, shows giant chunks flying from the roof near the tenth floor of the building.

Ochsner Main was also swaying in the storm, according to WWL-TV in New Orleans.

Hospital leaders say that most windows are resilient enough to take the high-speed winds as they are double-paned. They said nobody was injured there or at any other facility.

Ochsner Health President and CEO Warner Thomas said some skylights had broken, and water was flowing into stairwells, but insisted there was no 'major' structural problems.

Nurse Christiane Gottbrath posted a video of the roof being torn off a building at Ochsner Health's main campus hospital in Jefferson, a suburb of New Orleans

Another clip, shot by nurse Brandon Griffin and posted by a friend on Twitter, shows giant chunks flying from the roof near the tenth floor of the building

Suddenly, the roof of a hospital building opposite peels off in the high winds, sending chunks of debris rattling into the window. The hospital reported that windows were shattered in two patient rooms, but it is not clear if that damage was caused by debris from the roof

The video of the debris colliding onto the hospital was taken by local nurse Christiane Gottbrath (pictured)

As Hurricane Ida pummels hospitals Sunday night in Louisiana, doctors and nurses are continuing to treat patients.

Ochsner Health system, Louisiana's largest health care organization, reported roof damage and water leaks at several of its facilities.

Hospitals have been depending on back-up generator power in New Orleans and the Bayou region, to name a few in the state.

'There's pieces of roof coming off at lots of our facilities,' Thomas said during a news conference Sunday night.

Nurse Christiane Gottbrath was posting about the damage caused by the hurricane as she worked through the storm with her colleagues

Most of the big facilities owned by the Ochsner system have ten days worth of supplies on hand, along with functioning back-up generators.

Some of the hospitals even have access to water wells, which are going to come in handy as most of the city's tap water will be undrinkable for the upcoming days, if not weeks.

Ochsner Health managed to evacuate some of its patients from smaller, rural hospital sites, before Ida hit the state. These patients are now being taken care of in bigger facilities.

Ochsner's St. Anne Hospital in Raceland, 45 miles away, and Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma, southwest of New Orleans, will be evacuated to other facilities when weather conditions calm down enough for city officials to deem it safe to move them.

That's expected to happen sometime early Monday morning, once weather conditions have calmed down.

Doctors estimate there are 21 patients at Ochsner St. Anne and 45 at Chabert.

Ochsner St. Anne reported that windows were shattered in two patient rooms.

Videos also showed part of the roof being torn off of Lady of the Sea General Hospital, in Galliano - a town to the south of New Orleans.

LAFOURCE PARISH: Part of the roof of Lady of the Sea General Hospital, in Galliano, blew off. @BrennanMatherne told me @LafourcheSO is hearing reports of some broken power poles, roof damage, some structure damage. @wdsu #HurricaneIda pic.twitter.com/iXMmURLNH2  Christina Watkins (@CWatkinsWDSU) August 29, 2021

Cara Castille, of Houma, was supposed to be released from Ochsner in Jefferson, today, but decided to stay because of Ida. She filmed a video from her hospital bed of what she claims were pieces of the roof hitting the double-paned window of her room on the tenth floor

Meanwhile a generator in the intensive care unit of Thibodaux Regional Health System in Lafourche Parish failed, forcing hospital staff to bag and transport patients on life support to another wing of the facility where there was still electricity, according to NOLA.com.

That means hospital staff manually pushed air into and out of the lungs of patients who had been previously been hooked up to power-generated ventilators.
Sitting Labor senator Alex Gallacher has died of lung cancer aged 67.

Mr Gallacher, a married father of four and grandfather, has represented South Australia in the senate since 2010.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2019 and took a leave of absence before returning to work.

Former truck driver and sitting Labor senator Alex Gallacher (right with wife Paola) has died of lung cancer aged 67

He passed away overnight.

'May God bless him, may God bless all of you, and may our colleague and friend rest in peace,' Prime Minster Scott Morrison said on Monday.

Mr Gallacher was born in Scotland in 1954 and came to Australia with his parents when he was 12.

He was a labourer, a truck driver and an airport ground crew worker before working for the Transport Workers Union and later becoming a senator.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese described Mr Gallacher as dedicated and humble.

'Alex's career was indeed a fine one. We in Labor are very proud of Alex. He was a conscientiousness, no nonsense man,' he said.

'He was a long time member of the rural and regional affairs and transport committee. He prioritised road safety, for the people who continue to keep our country going during Covid.

'He was a family man, dedicated to his wife and his children and grandchildren.'

Leader of the Government in the Senate Simon Birmingham also paid tribute and described Mr Gallacher as an 'old school' Labor man.

The senate has been suspended for the day in a mark of respect.
An unvaccinated hospital worker at a Covid-19 ward who sparked a three-day lockdown of millions did nothing wrong, a report has found.

Queenslanders were sent into a snap three-day lockdown when the 19-year-old concierge became infected with the Delta variant and then travelled with her family to the state's far north.

The woman, who worked outside the coronavirus ward of Brisbane's Prince Charles Hospital, was not required to be vaccinated at the time.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was 'absolutely furious' when news of the woman's infection first broke.

'She should have been vaccinated, she was not,' she said on June 30. 'So the health minister will be overseeing that issue in detail.'

A 19-year-old unvaccinated concierge who worked outside a Covid ward at Brisbane's Prince Charles Hospital was not required to be vaccinated in her role, an investigation has found

The young woman was diagnosed on June 29 having been infectious in the community for about 10 days. How he caught the virus is still a mystery.

She worked two shifts as a concierge at the hospital before taking a family holiday to Magnetic Island, near Townsville in North Queensland.

An investigation into how the woman was allowed to work in close proximity to a Covid ward while unvaccinated, handed down on Monday, found that under the relevant health direction, she was not required to be vaccinated.

The report was handed to the Queensland Government by Associate Professor Paul Griffin and Katherine Taylor.

They found the concierge left her desk and the ward area whenever coronavirus patients were transferred into the ward, as part of its Covid-safe requirements.

The report also stated she did not enter the Covid ward, or provide any care to Covid-positive patients.

The investigation found staff within both the hospital and the ward complied with all requirements under the health direction.

The young woman's movements before she was diagnosed with the Delta variant sparked a three-day lockdown across the south-east of Queensland (pictured, Brisbane during the lockdown) and in Townsville, Magnetic and Palm islands

The 19-year-old woman's movements around Queensland while infectious, causing a snap three-day lockdown in the state in late June

Professor Griffin and Ms Taylor made recommendations to improve infection controls in hospitals with Covid wards.

These included limiting entry points to the wards, mandating vaccination for all workers in proximity to a Covid ward, and tighter restrictions on who can swipe into the wards.

'Our view is it should go further. Our recommendation is we should be vaccinating everyone in Covid hospitals,' Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said at a press conference on Monday.

She said 77 percent of workers in Queensland's Covid hospitals were already fully vaccinated, including health staff, cleaners, clerical staff, and security.

How the woman was infected by a Covid-positive person inside the ward remains a mystery, and chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said the source of the transmission may never be known.

'There are only three people involved in the event - the original case from overseas who was being managed in the ward, then the receptionist who sat outside the ward, and she passed it on to one family member,' she said.

'But despite a lot of testing all through the Prince Charles Hospital and through Magnetic Island and Townsville and other exposure venues, we didn't find any other cases.

'I firmly believe that anyone working in our hospitals should be vaccinated against Covid. We haven't been able to do it as quickly as I wanted because of a slow rollout of supply.'

Marlin Bar on Magnetic Island was one of many exposure sites identified after the young woman's holiday in the area

People in cars queued for Covid tests in Townsville after the concierge worker's trip to the area sent the area into lockdown in late June

The investigation found the young concierge recalled being advised that vaccination was optional for her role, though she told the hospital she intended to be vaccinated against Covid in the future.

The young worker's holiday while infectious caused a three-day lockdown that covered 11 local government areas in the state's south-east plus Townsville and Magnetic and Palm islands.

Her movements created a long list of exposure sites named in Townsville, Magnetic Island and the Sandgate area of Brisbane, as fears grew the Delta strain would run rampant.

Queensland has had no active cases of locally acquired Covid for more than 20 days and, as a result, many restrictions were eased last Friday, including 100 people being allowed in homes and no limit on people gathering in public spaces.
Thousands of Australians live in areas without a single coronavirus case and sky-high vaccination, while others lag far behind in the race to reach 70 per cent.

The majority of people in some of the nation's wealthiest postcodes are already double-jabbed with their suburbs also home to zero Covid cases, as poorer remote communities struggle to reach the heralded figure.

Pockets of Victoria's Great Ocean Road, a Queensland border town, Hobart and Darwin are well ahead in the national Covid race, providing strong competition for Sydney's elite suburbs, while Melbourne is surprisingly lagging behind with just 24.5 per cent of people fully-jabbed.

In the Ku-ring-gai council area, on Sydney's Upper North Shore, 53.3 per cent of people aged 16 and over were already fully vaccinated as of August 27, with an impressive 79.4 per cent having received a first dose.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian isn't expecting 70 per cent of adults to have received two jabs of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer until October.

By that time, she is hoping to ease lockdowns in Australia's most populated state, with increased freedoms being tied to vaccine take-up and hopes of a National Cabinet consensus to end hated border restrictions.

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In the Ku-ring-gai council area, on Sydney's Upper North Shore, 53.3 per cent of people aged 16 and over were already fully vaccinated (pictured is a home at Gordon where there are zero active cases)

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian isn't expecting 70 per cent of adults to have received jabs of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer until October (pictured, a locked-down Sydneysider in the Bayside area)

Australia's best and worst for double jabs Queenscliffe, Victoria: 64% Ku-ring-gai, Sydney Upper North Shore: 53.3% Woollahra, Sydney's east: 51.4% Goondiwindi, southern Queensland: 50.6% Mosman, Sydney Lower North Shore: 49.9% *** Cherbourg, Queensland: 4.6% Grant, South Australia: 5.7% Yarrabah: far north Queensland: 8.3% Isaac, central Queensland: 10.7% Coolgardie, Western Australia: 14.9% Advertisement

The upmarket Ku-ring-gai local government area covers Gordon and St Ives, where there are zero active cases of Covid.

Neighbouring suburbs in the Northern Beaches Council, the home of a pre-Christmas outbreak, were also home to zero case postcodes including Dufftys Forest, Terrey Hills, Frenchs Forest and Warriewood.

Avalon Beach, the epicentre of a cluster in December, also had zero cases.

In the Woollahra council area, in the eastern suburbs, 51.4 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated with 73.6 per cent having received a first dose.

Darling Point on Sydney Harbour is home to just one active case.

The Ku-ring-gai and Woollahra council areas have a double-vaccination rate that looks more like the United States, where 52 per cent of people of all ages are fully vaccinated.

Only Victoria's Queenscliffe Borough on Port Phillip Bay has a higher vaccination rate, with 64 per cent having received two doses and 86.9 per cent having had two injections.

Unlike Australia, the US has been administering Pfizer to those aged 12 to 16, not just those aged over 16, meaning its vaccine rate includes a great chunk of the population.

In Australia, just 34.16 per cent of people are fully vaccinated with 57.47 per cent having received a first dose, Department of Health data showed.

HIGHEST VACCINATION RATES IN EACH STATE STATE, AREAS, SINGLE DOSE AND DOUBLE DOSE % New South Wales: Ku-ring-gai (79.4%, 53.3%) Woollahra (73.6%, 51.4%) Mosman (74.9%, 49.9%) Murray River (79.1%, 49.8%) Victoria: Queenscliffe (86.9%, 64%) Surf Coast (73.1%, 48.3%) Buloke (71.6%, 48.4%) Queensland: Goondiwindi (73%, 50.6%) Hinchinbrook (59.2%, 40.6%) Noosa (57.7%, 33.6%) South Australia: Orroroo/Carrieton (72.2%, 41.2%) Victor Harbor (67.7%, 44.7%) Burnside (66.2%, 46.8%) Western Australia: Cottesloe (77.2%, 53.1%) Nedlands (76.5%, 53.8%) Tasmania: Hobart (66.1%, 49.2%) Tasman (67.7%, 45.2%) Kingborough (64.2%, 46.2%) Advertisement

In Victoria, Melbourne surprisingly has the the second lowest vaccination rate in the state with just 24.5 per cent, slightly above Greater Dandenong (pictured, Melburnians wait in line to get vaccinated)

This upmarket local government area covers Gordon and St Ives, where there are zero active cases of Covid

In the Woollahra council area, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, 51.4 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated with 73.6 per cent having received a first dose. Darling Point (pictured) on Sydney Harbour is home to just one active case

Lowest vaccination rates in each Australian state STATE, AREAS, SINGLE DOSE AND DOUBLE DOSE % New South Wales: Edward River (41.7%, 26.4%) Balranald (43.9%, 27.2%) Muswellbrook (47.1%, 21.7%) Byron (47.2%, 25.5%) Victoria: Melbourne (39.3%, 24.5%) Hume (40.8%, 22.4%) Whittlesea (43.2%, 25.6%) Greater Dandenong (43.2%, 24.1%) Queensland: Cherbourg (19.3%, 4.6%) Isaac (23.5%, 10.7%) Yarrabah (24.4%, 8.3%) South Australia: Grant (14.5%, 5.7%) Playford (37%, 22.1%) Adelaide Plains (39%, 22.9%) Western Australia: Chapman Valley (28%, 14.2%) Coolgardie (28.6%, 14.9%) Tasmania: Southern Midlands (44.49%, 29.9%) Brighton (45%, 32.7%) Kentish (45.5%, 27.5%) Advertisement

But some pockets are well ahead with 47.2 per cent fully vaccinated in Darwin, with 69.7 per cent having had one jab.

Hobart did even better with 49.2 per cent fully vaccinated and 66.1 per cent having had one dose.

Victoria's Surf Coast, taking in the Great Ocean Road and Torquay, had a 48.3 per cent double vaccination rate, with 73.1 per cent having had their first shot.

But while some ritzy neighbourhoods are well on their way to freedom, other areas particularly in remote regions are falling behind.

Grant in the southeast corner of South Australia had a double vaccination rate of just 5.7 per cent with only 14.5 per cent having received a first dose.

The jab rate in Cherbourg, 250km northwest of Brisbane in Queensland, is even lower with just 4.6 per cent of residents fully dosed.

Some areas are well ahead with 47.2 per cent fully vaccinated in Darwin and 69.7 per cent having had one jab (pictured, a Darwin resident during a snap three-day lockdown on August 16)

Pockets of Western Australia with high population of vulnerable Indigenous Australians are also falling behind the rest of the country with the Chapman Valley and Coolgardie both having just over 14 per cent full coverage.

In Victoria, Melbourne surprisingly has the the second lowest vaccination rate in the state with just 24.5 per cent double dosed, slightly above Greater Dandenong, despite being in its sixth lockdown since the pandemic began.

Meanwhile in the NSW Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook has seen the lowest take up of the vaccine with just 21.7 per cent of residents double-dosed.

The state reported a record 1,290 cases on Monday with 80 per cent of new infections in Sydney's west and south-west, where people have less ability to be able to work from home.

NSW reported a record 1,290 cases on Monday with 80 per cent of new infections in Sydney's west and south-west, where people have less ability to be able to work from home (pictured, people wait in line outside a coronavirus disease vaccination clinic in Bankstown)

Hobart (pictured) did even better with 49.2 per cent fully vaccinated and 66.1 per cent having had two doses

Overall vaccination rates in Australian Territories STATE, AREA, SINGLE AND DOUBLE DOSE % Northern Territory: Litchfield (33.4%, 20.8%) Palmerston (52.2%, 33.6%) Darwin (69.7%, 47.2%) ACT: Entire region (63.4%, 40.3%) Advertisement

The different demographics of suburbs in those areas have seen the virus passed along in essential workplaces before being unknowingly taken home to extended families.

In Guildford, there are 820 active cases, with just 28.4 per cent of people in the overlapping Cumberland local government area fully vaccinated.

Blacktown is home to 445 active cases but 35.4 per cent of residents have had two doses.

The Ku-ring-gai and Woollahra council areas also fall within safe Liberal Party seats at a state and federal level.

In Sydney's north, Mosman (49.9 per cent), Hornsby (48.1 per cent) and Hunters Hill (48.3 per cent) are also nearing the 50 per cent vaccination mark.

Sydney's south-west and west is still suffering the highest Covid rates, but vaccine number are on their way up (pictured, a resident in Bankstown sporting a face mask on Monday)

A grocery in Sydney's locked-down Bankstown assorts mandarins (pictured) as millions battle through the extended restrictions

Mosman council had just four active Covid cases, while Hornsby Shire Council had 47 active infections, concentrated in Hornsby, Thornleigh, Pennant Hills and Beecroft but zero cases in Berowra, Mount Kuring-gai and Brooklyn on the Hawkesbury River.

The Murray River Council on the Victorian border is also close at 49.8 per cent.

They are well ahead of the Wingecarribee council covering the Southern Highlands (44.4 per cent), Sydney's Northern Beaches (40.6 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (40.3 per cent), North Sydney (42.6 per cent) and Willoughby in Ms Berejiklian's electorate (42.8 per cent).

There were also 73 Covid cases in Victoria on Monday, along with 12 more infections in the ACT.
More than 200 people in a small Louisiana town are in 'imminent danger' due to flash floods caused by Hurricane Ida, after heavy rain and storm surge over-topped the levee.

The National Weather Service warned of potentially life-threatening flash flooding in the town of Jean Lafitte, 20 miles south of New Orleans.

Floodwater was reportedly between 10 to 12 feet, sustained winds in the area have reached up to 70 mph.

The town's mayor, Tim Kerner, warned that winds are too strong to deploy rescue missions.

'There's not a captain that would agree to go in the water right now,' Kerner said. 'Trust me, we've tried.'

He said that more than 200 people are grounded in the high water and that the storm's wind make the area inaccessible for rescue crews.

Kerner said: 'This is the worst storm surge in the history of Lafitte. I've never seen so much (water) in my life. I think tomorrow is going to be more bad news.'

Videos posted on social media by local Cindy Sassoni showed the swelling waters at from a boat at Nick's Marina, on the southern side of Jean Lafitte.

A video posted to Facebook shows the swelling water at a marina in Jean Lafitte, on the tip of the state's mainland

In the clip she says: 'This is sustained winds. I know there's a lot of people needing to be rescued, and a lot of people wanting to help, but this is the conditions we are dealing with.

'The neighborhoods are pretty much underwater. Even some of the houses that were lifted have water in them. Anything lower than that, if you're on the ground you probably have water to your roof.'

Other residents in the area have begged for help on Twitter.

One asked people to 'let someone know where we are in Jean Lafitte' and that the water is 'constantly rising.'

Mayor Kerner said that he will send help out as soon as the wind starts to calm down before reassuring residents that they will be safe as long as they seek shelter in high level areas of their homes.

'If you're in an attic, you're on a roof, rest assured you're going to be all right,' he told WDSU television.

'Once you see that wind starting to die down, look on the horizon, because we're coming.'

One resident and his family begged for help on Twitter, asking people to 'let someone know where we are in Jean Lafitte' and that the water is 'constantly rising'

A flash flood warning has been put in place in the area until 6.45 a.m. Monday morning.

'This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION,' the NWS reported. 'SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!'

The storm is so powerful that Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said that first responders will have to wait until sunrise on Monday to search for stranded residents even as reports surface of trapped victims.

Edwards told CNN on Sunday that authorities are aware of distress calls from across southeast Louisiana, including Jean Lafitte in Jefferson Parish.

Mayor Tim Kerner broke the news that Jean Lafitte's Tidal Levees had overtopped on Sunday evening on Twitter

Mayor Tim Kerner said on Twitter that 'rescue boats' will be in the area 'as soon as the weather permits

According to the governor, however, conditions as of late Sunday simply do not allow for crews to offer assistance.

'At the height of a hurricane you can't get first responders out because it's just simply too dangerous. The wind speeds don't allow for that,' Edwards told CNN.

'Just as soon as we can, we will be engaged in very robust search and rescue operations.'

The storm is so powerful that Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said that first responders will have to wait until sunrise on Monday to search for stranded residents

When the storm calms, there will be around 21 urban search and rescue teams from some 15 states that will search for those stranded, according to the governor, who said that the extent of the damage won't be known until Monday morning.

'Nobody is out of the woods in southeast Louisiana yet,' the governor said.

'We'll be dealing with this until sometime after midnight.'
Any move to significantly reopen the country before 80 per cent of over-16s are vaccinated has been labelled unsafe by ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

Canberra has recorded 12 new Covid-19 cases as the territory government weighs up whether to extend its lockdown due to end on Thursday.

Mr Barr has also hit back at federal threats to cut support should states and territories continue locking down once Australia reaches vaccination thresholds of between 70 and 80 per cent.

'There's this glossing over in the debate 'oh 70 to 80'. Well, let's stop talking about 70 because it's not safe at 70,' the chief minister told reporters on Monday.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has labelled plans to reopen the country before 80 per cent of over-16s are vaccinated as 'unsafe'

Canberra (pictured) recorded 12 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, as authorities decide whether to extend lockdown

'But 80 is the more realistic step. So, 70 will be a gentle step forward, 80 would be a more significant one.'

Mr Barr said a 70 per cent vaccination threshold equated to around 56 per cent of the nation if under-16s were counted.

'That's why there's a massive risk at 70 per cent. And no, states and territories won't be able to come to the rescue of each other,' he said.

The chief minister hoped the ACT would be at 90 or even 95 per cent vaccination coverage by the time the national double-dose rate for people aged 16 and older reached 80 per cent.

He also warned systems to test, trace and quarantine positive cases would not be optimal if there were thousands of new cases a day.

NSW recorded 1290 local infections on Monday.

Mr Barr pushed back on federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's warnings about reduced lockdown support once key vaccination thresholds were achieved.

'The Commonwealth treasurer can speak for himself and will make all of the sort of muscular assertions around what the Commonwealth will or won't do and that's perfectly within his right,' the chief minister said.

'The lived experience has been somewhat different. The national plan does not prohibit lockdowns beyond 80 per cent.'

The ACT has achieved an over-16 full vaccination rate of slightly more than 40 per cent, compared with about 34 per cent nationally.

Mr Barr also slammed the Morrison government's threats to cut lockdown financial support once states and territories hit 70 to 80 per cent vaccination rates

There were 1290 new locally acquired Covid-cases recorded in NSW on Monday

Mr Barr flagged a decision could be announced on Tuesday about whether to extend the territory's lockdown beyond three weeks.

Of Monday's 12 cases, six were linked and at least half had been in the community while infectious.

'We do not want all of the hard work over the last few weeks to go to waste by opening up too early,' Mr Barr said.

Canberra has 236 active cases, including 12 in hospital and three of these in intensive care.

All but one of the hospital patients are unvaccinated. Another has received a single dose.

Health authorities still haven't determined the source of about 20 of its total 261 cases since the outbreak began.
Victoria's top doctor has admitted getting to zero Covid cases may no longer be possible and restrictions could soon be eased regardless.

Chief health officer Brett Sutton said Victorians needed to be given some 'assured' freedoms even if cases do not go down.

'We're not going to achieve [zero cases] if it becomes impossible,' he said, as Victoria recorded 73 new cases on Monday.

'It's doing your utmost to keep numbers down, manage the health system, to get to zero if you can, but with some assured hope if numbers continue to increase.'

Victoria reported another 73 Covid cases on Monday with the health minister saying he said the restrictions have caused numbers to plateau (pictured: Melbourne residents on Monday)

Victoria like other states has committed to opening up when vaccine targets are hit (pictured: a Melbourne vaccination hub on Monday)

When asked directly if Victoria could get back to zero cases, Dr Sutton said he didn't know, but there was more they could do to suppress the outbreak.

'Community engagement, compliance with restrictions, testing... We can do better in every area. We know more people could get AstraZeneca,' he said.

'We know dropping our guard gives Delta the opportunity to break through and cause another outbreak.'

His comments were in stark contrast to Health Minister Martin Foley, who insisted the slowing pace of the outbreak showed the harsher lockdown was working.

'The situation has - we hope - plateaued, and there's every indication that the measures are starting to kick in,' he said at the same press conference.

Mr Foley said he was confident the state-wide restrictions - which include a 9pm-5am curfew in Melbourne - would mean Victoria could ease lockdown even before the state hits a 70 per cent vaccination rate.

'We've had public health restrictions in different iterations for the best part of 18 months now,' he said.

'I think we can work on the basis that, if we are successful [in driving down the spread of cases] there will be different restrictions.'

Reopening playgrounds, sending Year 12 students back to the classroom, lifting the 9pm to 5am curfew and scrapping the five kilometre travel rule are among the possible changes

He added if the outbreak is quashed combined with high vaccination rates, Victorians could return to something resembling pre-pandemic life.

'When we get to 70 and 80 per cent vaccination rates, our options multiply. If we do that, from the lowest possible infection levels, then our options grow even more.'

Dr Sutton said lifting restrictions in some areas and keeping them in others was also not 'off the table' specifically mentioning regional Victoria.

'We're doing pretty well in Shepparton. That gives options for regional Victoria in particular at the moment.'

'[But] metropolitan Melbourne has exposure sites right across the metro area. I don't want to be in a situation where you drive people to leave certain LGAs and go to other LGAs and seed it more broadly.'

Dr Sutton said 'everything is up for review' including Melbourne's 9pm to 5am curfew and whether playgrounds will reopen.

'It's a balancing act... We want to make sure that mental health of adults and kids are supported to the fullest extent we can, within the awful constraints of lockdown,' he said.

Dr Sutton (pictured) said lifting restrictions without getting to zero Covid cases was not 'off the table'

He added that certain rules in 'lower risk settings' are also being looked at.

'Gatherings that are much smaller, where there is doubly vaccinated people [in] age groups that are eligible,' he said.

'In outdoor areas and when there is not prolonged contact, [or] a regulated environment [such as] check-in.'

Despite increasing pressure from business for a road map out of lockdown, Mr Foley said Victoria's plan is the one agreed by national cabinet - to rely on vaccination rates.

'In regards to specific timetables and in regards to specific measures, the public health team are working on those,' he said.

Dr Sutton said a big consideration was the mental health of Victorians, most of whom have spent 212 days in lockdown since the pandemic started.

'Part of the reason why the public health response has been what it's been is to get to a point where we can freely ease restrictions to allow people to live the lives we know we want to live as human beings,' he said.

'All of that has been a primary consideration right through. It remains a consideration in everything we are making determinations going on.'

However, Mr Foley also confirmed Victoria had exhausted its supply of first dose Pfizer vaccines at state-run hubs.

'Whilst there are currently no Pfizer bookings available right now for first doses in that system, don't give up,' he said.

Once more Pfizer vaccines are made available by the Commonwealth government, more bookings will be added to the online system, he said.

Melburnians line up at a vaccination centre on Sunday (pictured)

Mr Foley encouraged people to get the vaccine that is available to them, or to try booking at GPs and community pharmacies which are now offering Pfizer vaccines for ages 16 to 39.

State Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien said Victorians deserved to know what freedoms they would get once the vaccination targets were reached.

'We need to know that when we hit that 70 per cent and 80 per cent mark, we get a lot more freedoms back,' Mr O'Brien told reporters.

'Victorians are lining up for their vaccinations, the government needs to do the right thing as well.'

On Sunday, Premier Daniel Andrews said lockdown will not end on September 2.

The state's outbreak has grown to 805 active virus cases, and up to 49 of Victoria's new cases may have been infectious while in the community.

The source of infection in 21 cases is under investigation.
He forced her into nearby bushes but left after around one minute, said police

A farm worker will appear in court today accused of grabbing a six-year-old girl playing on the street before dragging her into nearby bushes and trying to sexually assault her.

Florin Marin, 35, is also accused of flashing another child in the weeks before he allegedly snatched the young girl in Toddington near Littlehampton, West Sussex, on Monday, August 23.

Following his arrest 24 hours later he has been charged with kidnap and attempted sexual assault of a child.

Officers have also charged Marin with exposure and engaging in a sexual activity in the presence of a child in relation to a separate alleged incident in Littlehampton on August 1.

He has been remanded in custody to appear before Brighton Magistrates' Court today.

The child was playing in an open area on a street called Timberleys (pictured above) in Littlehampton, West Sussex, when she was approached by a man at around 5pm on August 23

Arun and Chichester district commander, Chief Inspector Jon Carter said: 'This was a serious incident.

'I know that this will have caused concern amongst many in the local community.

'I am grateful to those members of the community who have supported this investigation and particularly to those who detained the suspect.

'Even though this was a serious incident, incidents of this nature are comparatively rare, and Sussex Police will continue to work with partners and communities to keep people safe'.

Marin's arrest came after police were called last Monday when a child playing in an open area on a street called Timberleys in Littlehampton was approached by a man at around 5pm.

He forced her into some nearby bushes but left after around one minute, said West Sussex Police. It is believed her attacker was distracted by relatives calling out for the girl.

Police said a 35-year-old man was arrested early on Tuesday evening on suspicion of child abduction, sexual assault and a separate common assault.

In a statement, West Sussex Police said at the time: 'Police have arrested a man following an attack on a young girl in a street in Littlehampton on Monday 23 August.'

A street view of Timberleys in West Sussex. Florin Marin, 35, was arrested on Tuesday and has been charged with kidnap and attempted sexual assault of a child

Chief Inspector Jon Carter, added: 'This is an important development but our investigation continues and if you witnessed the incident or have any other information, please report online or by ringing 101, quoting Operation Assertive.

'The investigation is being pursued quickly and rigorously, and local officers are conducting increased patrols.

'Local people should continue to take sensible precautions to keep their children safe.

'If you see any suspicious behaviour around children call us on 999 at once.'
Mark McGowan has gone on the attack again against the federal government, saying Scott Morrison and New South Wales should be 'grateful' that the Western Australia workforce 'has kept them alive'.

The Labor state leader took aim at Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and the Coalition for threatening to cut off support payments to rogue states who refuse to tow the line on reopening when vaccination targets reach 70 and 80 per cent.

He said keeping the state's resources sector protected against the virus WA has helped pump 'countless billions' into the federal treasury which has then been used to support the 'catastrophic' Covid situation in NSW.

'Frankly the WA workforce and the WA taxpayers are keeping the Commonwealth government and NSW alive,' he said on Monday.

'Perhaps instead of attacking us, they should show a bit of gratitude and appreciation for what Western Australia has done.'

Mark McGowan (pictured) has gone on the attack against the federal government, saying Scott Morrison and New South Wales should be 'grateful' for Western Australia keeping their states 'alive'

The Labor state leader took aim at Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and the Coalition for threatening to cut off support payments to rogue states who refuse to tow the line on reopening when vaccination targets reach 70 and 80 per cent. Pictured: Pedestrians walk through Yagan Square in the Perth CBD wearing face masks

The Federal Government has been urging cautious states such as WA and Queensland to stick to the national re-opening plan set out by the Doherty Institute which phases out lockdowns in two stages when 70 and 80 per cent of over 16s are vaccinated.

The plan, which opens international borders when 80 per cent are jabbed, makes no mention of state borders - but Scott Morrison and Mr Frydenberg have been encouraging leaders to open up because eliminating Covid is 'unsustainable'.

After a National Cabinet meeting on Friday, Mr McGowan declared he would not 'deliberately infect' his citizens and insisted he would keep state borders closed if WA was Covid-free when it reached the 70 per cent vaccination mark.

The Federal Government is currently supporting states' restrictions with bailouts for business and direct $750-a-week payments to workers - but Mr Frydenberg says the tap will soon be turned off, leaving any pro-lockdown state to support itself.

'When it comes to Federal Government support which is now tracking at more than $1billion per week, I have been very clear that there can be no expectation from the states and territories that that support can be expected once we hit those 70 per cent and 80 per cent targets,' he told Sunrise on Monday morning.

'Asked if he was threatening to cut off their cash, Mr Frydenberg added: 'There should be no expectation that the Federal economic support that we are providing right now can continue that way.'

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan declared he would not 'deliberately infect' his citizens. Pictured: Cottesloe Beach in restriction-free WA

Pressed on whether states keeping their borders closed would plunge Australia into recession, the Treasurer said: 'Well, it certainly will cost jobs. It certainly will see businesses close. It will see our debt burden increase and it will see the well-being of Australians suffer.

'You could have the ridiculous situation where somebody in NSW could travel to Canada before they could go to Cairns or somebody in Victoria could travel to Singapore and Bali before they could go to Perth. That would be ridiculous.

'That is why it is so important that the agreed national plan is adhered to by the states and the territories,' he said.

Mr McGowan addressed the Treasurer's comments on Monday morning, telling reporters he find the remarks 'odd'.

'NSW is in a catastrophic situation and he's worried about people flying to Bali. Perhaps instead of attacking us they should show a bit of gratitude and appreciation for what Western Australia has done,' the Premier said.

'Over the course of last 19 months we kept all have our industries open.

'We kept our mining industry open and COVID free, we poured countless billions of dollars into the federal treasury, which they are now pouring countless billions of dollars into NSW.'

Sydneysiders gather at Bondi Beach as the city enters its tenth week in Covid lockdown

London Court in the Perth CBD is seen during lockdown on June 29, with the state only seeing a handful of Covid outbreaks since the pandemic began

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said the federal government was trying to pick a fight with Labor states.

'Mark McGowan has kept Western Australians safe. He's done an outstanding job,' Mr Albanese told ABC Radio National on Monday.

'But what you have is Josh Frydenberg and Scott Morrison looking to distract from their own failures to distract from the fact that they haven't responded to recommendations that had been made to them.

'There's no wonder that there's some frustration from the State premiers that have been taking action.'

He insisted Mr McGowan and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had not threatened to derail the plan.

Both have endorsed the plan at three National Cabinet meetings.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured during a pre-brief for a National Cabinet meeting on Friday) wants Australia to open up once 70 per cent of adults are vaccinated

Some states are threatening to keep their borders closed or require higher jab rates before scrapping lockdowns, raising the prospect that Australia will remain a divided nation for months to come

The 70 and 80 per cent rates were stipulated by the Doherty Institute which found that if optimal testing and tracing is maintained there would be only 88 Covid hospitalisations, 21 ICU admissions and 13 deaths nationally in the six months after the 70 per cent jab rate is reached.

Queensland and Western Australia both demanded new modelling to take the recent high case load into account - but the scientists came back with the same conclusion that opening with 70 per cent jabbed is safe.

Federal ministers, who want to revive the economy and give Australians their lives back, have piled pressure on states to stick to the plan by writing op-eds in local newspapers and threatening to turn off financial support to any recalcitrant governments.

At the other end of the scale, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is moving ahead of the plan, vowing to exempt vaccinated residents from restrictions once her state hits a 70 per cent jab rate, even though the plan requires a 70 per cent rate across the nation before any one jurisdiction can move to phase B.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, while initially cautious about opening up, has endorsed the plan and increasingly moved away from his Covid elimination rhetoric, acknowledging that Victorians will have to live with the virus - and South Australia has also backed the plan.

Residents Coolangatta on the New South Wales and Queensland border protest against restrictions on Sunday
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Pen Farthing's rescued dogs have begun their quarantine at a sanctuary in Britain amid a mounting war of words over how 150 British nationals and scores of translators were left behind in warzone Afghanistan whilst the ex-Royal Marine's animals made it out of the country.

As photographs showed the scores of dogs being taken by animal sanctuary staff to an undisclosed location for their legally required quarantine, critics of the evacuation questioned how the dogs made it to the UK whilst as many as 5,000 people with a right to settle in the UK were abandoned in Kabul.

Ex-Royal Marine Pen Farthing landed in Heathrow on a charter flight with around 200 dogs and cats at the weekend and then took a connecting flight to Norway to see his wife Kaisa Markhus.

Major James Bolter, a reservist in the Royal Logistic Corps, questioned why the UK put 'more effort' into rescuing 'abandoned animals' than those left behind, adding that he was 'torn' between 'anger and despair'.

And ex-paratrooper Major Andrew Fox said it was 'insane' that the dogs were 'facilitated' into the airport whilst British citizens and Afghan allies remained outside it.

In the new images of the dogs, staff members at Lozzas Lurcher Rescue in Hertfordshire was seen checking one of the dogs' side as it lay on the ground. On the Facebook page, they referred to their 'precious cargo' and noted how 'every dog' had been 'well looked after' by Mr Farthing.

Further images posted by Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary, whose staff also helped with getting the animals from London's Heathrow Airport to their place of quarantine, showed dogs including a German Shepherd being cared for.

But whilst the dogs made it to the UK, some fear the true number of people left in Afghanistan - including hundreds of interpreters who aided British troops over the past two decades - is much higher than the 5,000 figure.

Mr Farthing's allies accused the Ministry of Defence of 'endangering lives of crew' by releasing details of the charter flight into Kabul to Sky News on Saturday.

Dominic Dyer, an animal rights campaigner and friend of the ex-Royal Marine, claimed Ben Wallace acted 'disgracefully' towards Mr Farthing, who runs the Nowzad animal charity, after the Defence Secretary denied allegations that he had 'blocked' a private flight to rescue the cats and dogs.

He also rebutted claims that he had insulted British forces by denouncing the MoD and expressed 'huge respect for what they were doing in the most difficult, dangerous circumstances'. He called the withdrawal 'appallingly handled' by Britain and the US.

Ministers including Mr Wallace have expressed frustration at Mr Farthing's tactics after the Mail on Sunday revealed he threatened to 'f**king destroy' Peter Quentin, a special adviser to the Defence Secretary accused of 'blocking' the flight, unless he helped.

Mr Wallace initially said that he would not prioritise 'pets over people' but later allowed a charter plane to land at Kabul to pick up Mr Farthing, and 'facilitated' the charity's entry to the airport.

But speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain from Oslo today, Mr Farthing dismissed claims he was helped by the Government to get into Kabul airport. 'Nobody in the British Government facilitated my entry into that airport - I did that with the Taliban,' he said.

He also admitted that some seats on his animal rescue flight were empty and that five of his cats died of shock on their way to Hamid Karzai airport.

His animals are now in quarantine as per UK law and all the costs of the operation are being met by Nowzad. However, they could be put down if they've brought back disease, with Whitehall officials comparing the situation to Geronimo the alpaca - who is facing destruction after testing positive for Bovine TB - 'on speed'.

It comes after multiple missiles were fired at Kabul airport in the latest act of violence as the US races to get its last troops out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by Joe Biden - less than a week after ISIS-K carried out a suicide bombing killing 170 people including 13 US Marines.

Meanwhile, Scottish Afghan charity Linda Norgrove Foundation said its staff trapped in Kabul have been forced to return to their homes after a 'relentless 46 hours facing gunfire at the city's airport entrance, either in a bus or a panicky crowd, with incessant gunfire and the constant, real threat of a terrorist bomb'.

The charity was set up in memory of a Scots aid worker who was killed after being kidnapped by the Taliban. The foundation previously said it has two staff, sisters aged 25 and 29, who were 'holed up in their flat in Kabul' after the Taliban seized control of the city.

It comes as:

Multiple rockets have been fired at Kabul airport in just the latest attack as the US races to get its last troops out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline;

Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly admitted the Government has no idea how many Afghan citizens the UK left behind in Afghanistan;

Dominic Raab will be 'toast' at Boris Johnson's next Cabinet reshuffle because of his handling of the UK's withdrawal from Afghanistan, it was claimed today

Britain is facing the biggest terror threat in years, experts have warned the Prime Minister;

The Government said it had received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so;

MPs and former military leaders have called on the government to create a new regiment in the British Army for Afghan special forces - just like the Gurkhas.

Pen Farthing's rescued dogs started their quarantine at a sanctuary in the UK as a war of words over how people were left behind in Afghanistan whilst the veteran's animals made it out of the country continued to grow

Photos posted on Facebook by animal sanctuary staff who had been recruited to help ferry the dogs to an undisclosed location for their quarantine showed the pets in their travel containers. Staff from Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary helped to get the dogs to their quarantine facility, which has not been named

One of the sanctuary staff members at Lozzas Lurcher Rescue, in Hertfordshire, was also seen checking one of the dogs' side as it lay on the ground

Major Andrew Fox, an ex-paratrooper who served three tours in Afghanistan and has been helping to evacuate trapped interpreters, took aim at Pen Farthing's animal rescue out of Kabul

The war of words over Pen Farthing's animal rescue mission out of Afghanistan took its latest turn today as his allies accused the Ministry of Defence of 'endangering lives of crew' by releasing details of the chartered flight into Kabul to Sky News on Saturday

Rockets are fired at Kabul airport as US troops race to evacuate: Attack follows American drone strike on ISIS-K that killed three children and other civilians after setting off jihadists' explosives Multiple rockets have been fired at Kabul airport today in just the latest attack as the US races to get its last troops out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by Joe Biden. At least five missiles were fired, an American official told journalists, some of which fell short into the city while others were brought down by defence systems. There were no initial reports of US casualties but that information might change, the official added. Afghan media said the rockets had been launched from the back of a truck and struck multiple parts of the city. No group has yet claimed responsibility, but it comes amid attacks by the ISIS-K terror group. On Sunday, and American drone blew up what was believed to be a group of ISIS-K suicide bombers planning an attack on the airport, killing three children in the process. Several civilians were also injured when a missile fired from a Reaper drone struck two cars parked to the north of Hamid Karzai airport, triggering a secondary explosion which led to the civilian casualties. The death toll is expected to rise with Afghan TV reporting that as many as nine people died in the blast including six children, an interpreter who worked with US troops, and an Afghan army officer due to get married tomorrow. The Taliban - which is now in control of Afghanistan and is enemies with ISIS-K - said it welcomed the US strike. Advertisement

Posting on Facebook yesterday, a staff member at Lozzas Lurcher rescue said: 'Every dog to the despair of the kennels, needed to be fussed, fed treats and told how lucky and wonderful they were by me before being put into their kennel.

'I must have added an extra 3 hrs to the process.

'Every dog has been really well looked after and Pen has done just the most amazing rescue mission. Each dog totally deserved this chance of a new life.

'I know Nowzad [Mr Farthing's charity] are desperately trying to help the people left behind, but today is a celebration that lives have been saved that wouldn't have if it wasn't for Pen's sheer guts and determination.'

A later post said that, 'for safety reasons', 'no information' would be released about where the animals were taken to for their period in quarantine.

UK law requires that the dogs will have to stay in isolation in kennels for up to six months, depending on when they had their rabies vaccine.

If any of the dogs are found to have any diseases, there is a chance they will be put down.

The pictures came as Mr Dyer told GB News today: 'The fact is that we had to put dogs on an airplane without people is a question that we should be asking. How did we get to that point? That plane was sat on that runway, we were in contact with Dominic Raab's office and we were begging him, begging him to let someone get on that plane.

'You know the response we were getting? ''We don't have anyone in this airport we can put on that plane, we have more air capacity than people. But over on the other wall we have hundreds, thousands of people in sewage waiting to get blown up by suicide bombers who have been there for days with their children in the most disgusting conditions.''

'So this whole operation has been appallingly handled. What happened at the end is that Pen got access to the airport because the Taliban let him in with his dogs.'

Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly insisted the Government had prioritised the evacuation of people over pets. He told LBC Radio: 'We have always prioritised evacuating people over evacuating animals.

'Mr Farthing is a British national, he had the opportunity to leave Afghanistan much earlier. His staff are enrolled on to the scheme by which Afghans that worked with the British were able to be evacuated.

'But as I have said, we have always prioritised the evacuation of people.'

Major Bolter said Mr Farthing's publicity campaign British troops on the ground from the task of airlifting thousands of UK nationals and Afghan ex-translators fleeing the Taliban.

He told The Times: 'Was this for worthy Afghan politicians or special forces? No, sadly and infuriatingly, this was to bring one ex-Royal Marine and his rescued cats and dogs to the UK.

'What do I tell those people left behind when they ask me why the UK put more effort into rescuing abandoned animals than them? I have no answers. I am torn between anger and despair.'

Ex-paratrooper Major Andrew Fox, who served three tours in Afghanistan, added: 'The Taliban's agenda is not about killing animals or westerners who cared for them. It's about killing those who worked with NATO.

'It's insane they were facilitated into the airport with British citizens and interpreters left outside.'

Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain today, Mr Farthing said emotions 'got the better' of him during the expletive-laden message and apologised. A recording, obtained by The Times, captured Mr Farthing berating Peter Quentin, a special adviser to Mr Wallace, who he accused of 'blocking' efforts to arrange the evacuation flight.

The Defence Secretary has insisted on Twitter that it is a 'total myth' that he blocked a flight.

'I'm incredibly embarrassed about my language, I do apologise to everybody who's listened to that. I was at the lowest point I could possibly be. I understand how the world works but emotions got the better of me, so for all those who had to listen to that I do apologise for my language,' he told GMB.

'I should not have said it like that, but the sentiment, yes, I was just incredibly upset, angry, frustrated, it was the lowest point. I had no other option, I didn't know what else to do. So that's why you've probably heard some colourful language.'

He also told the show that there were 'several empty seats' on his evacuation flight with around 170 dogs and cats from the animal shelter and insisted he was the only person on the flight.

He added: 'I went around and they reassured me that they had enough capacity for all the people that needed to leave. I was probably like the last person to enter that airport - it was closed. Americans, the British, had obviously stopped taking people in because there had to be a point where they stopped taking people in.

'So they assured me they had enough capacity for everybody who was inside the airport.'

Mr Farthing landed in Heathrow with around 200 dogs and cats from the Nowzad animal shelter he founded in Kabul after denouncing the Government for refusing to help get his menagerie out

The ex-Commando then took a connecting flight to Oslo to see his wife Kaisa Markhus

In a separate interview today, Mr Farthing claimed he was still working to help evacuate his staff from Afghanistan as he thanked the MOD and the Government after his previous criticism.

Mr Farthing said: 'We'd like to thank the Home Office, FCDO, MoD and all of Govt for their support with Op Ark, and look forward to working closely with them over the coming weeks whilst we complete our mission, getting those 68 people out of Afghanistan and back to safety.

'Whilst those vulnerable staff, mostly young women, remain in danger in Afghanistan, we shall not rest.

'In the same way that the MoD needs to be left alone to get on with the important work of evacuating staff and troops out of Afghanistan, likewise we need to focus on the second and most important part of Op Ark, getting those vulnerable vets and vet nurses and their children out of Kabul, rather than having to deal with ill-informed comments from MPs, the press and armchair pundits.'

Mr Farthing flew back to the UK last night with his menagerie of animals.

Scottish Afghan charity says staff forced to return to homes after 'relentless' two days trying to escape at Kabul airport Scottish Afghan charity the Linda Norgrove Foundation said its staff trapped in Kabul have been forced to return to their homes after a 'relentless 46 hours facing gunfire at the city's airport entrance, either in a bus or a panicky crowd, with incessant gunfire and the constant, real threat of a terrorist bomb'. The charity was set up in memory of Scots aid worker Linda Norgrove, who was killed after being kidnapped by the Taliban. The foundation previously said it has two staff, sisters aged 25 and 29, who were 'holed up in their flat in Kabul' after the Taliban seized control of the city. Ms Norgrove's parents, John and Lorna, established the charity as a way of continuing their daughter Linda's work after she died in an attempted rescue by US forces in 2010. Their statement said: 'Thanks to all of you who supported our campaign to evacuate our staff, and to all who worked behind the scenes. 'Although not successful at this time, we are continuing to support our staff in Kabul and are still working towards their eventual evacuation.' It added: 'After a relentless 46 hours at the airport entrance, either in a bus or a panicky crowd, with incessant gunfire and the constant, real threat of a terrorist bomb, our staff and their family returned home safely.' Advertisement

The 57-year-old's chartered jet from Pakistan landed in Kabul at around 6pm local time and stopped off in Muscat before making its journey to Heathrow Airport. He then took a connecting flight to Norway.

Mr Farthing's friend said the ex-Marine had succeeded in evacuating the 170 animals to the UK but 24 staff had to be left behind. Dominic Dyer, an animal welfare campaigner, said the former marine was forced to travel back alone after being told it was not possible to find people to fill the plane's seats.

Mr Dyer said the shelter staff were 'still in their homes' with the charity in contact with them, adding that efforts would be made to try to get them out of Afghanistan.

'They are one of thousands of Afghans... that have a right to leave the country but actually have no safe passage out at the moment,' he said.

The activist said the staff were denied entry to the airport in Kabul on Thursday, with the Taliban claiming they did not have the right paperwork. 'Tragic and not the ending we wanted, but we fell victim to the chaos and the difficulties of getting through those gates,' he added.

All of the almost 100 dogs and 70 cats on the flight were 'healthy', with the dogs placed in kennels, Mr Dyer said. He said armed forces personnel 'willingly and voluntarily' helped Mr Farthing load the animals' crates on to the aircraft in Kabul, but extra passengers were not found.

Mr Dyer claimed an appeal was put in to the British Government 'to see if we could fill seats with refugees within the airport. They told us there was no one they could find that could actually fill that aircraft.'

Mr Farthing's controversial publicity campaign to pressure the British Government to get his staff and animals out of the Afghan capital following the Taliban coup gained huge public support and helped the ex-Royal Marine to raise enough money to charter a private plane.

But it has also led to accusations that the ex-Commando took up resources that could have been used to evacuate more people from Kabul. It was revealed yesterday that up to 150 British nationals and 1,100 Afghans who assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan will be left behind in the country.

Ex-soldier Tom Tugendhat, the Tory chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, criticised the decision to use British troops to evacuate 180 cats and dogs while Afghan ex-UK staff are left fearing reprisals under Taliban rule.

'The difficulty is getting people into and out of the airport and we've just used a lot of troops to get in 200 dogs,' Mr Tugendhat said. 'Meanwhile my interpreter's family are likely to be killed. As one interpreter asked me a few days ago, why is my five year-old worth less than your dog?'

Appearing on ITV's Good Morning Britain today, Mr Farthing said emotions 'got the better' of him during the expletive-laden message and apologised. A recording, obtained by The Times, captured Mr Farthing berating Peter Quentin, a special adviser to Mr Ben Wallace, who he accused of 'blocking' efforts to arrange the evacuation flight

Mr Farthing confirmed he had landed in Heathrow. It has reported he took a connecting flight to Oslo to be with his wife

Mr Fathing's staff and 179 cats and dogs, near the airport in Kabul as they attempted to flee the country

When asked what his answer was to his interpreter's question, Mr Tugendhat replied: 'I didn't have an answer, what would your answer be?'

Major General Nick Carter, the head of the British Army, told the BBC's Radio 4 Today Programme that the army's 'priority has been to evacuate human beings,' amid anger over the decision to evacuate animals.

'We obviously worry about everything that needs to be evacuated, but of course these are very difficult times, and there are very difficult judgements to be made,' he said.

Earlier Mr Farthing revealed how 'depressing' it was that he was forced to leave his Afghan staff behind. He told how his employees were stopped from crossing the Taliban line to the British area at Kabul airport.

His desperate comments were in sharp contrast to his wife, who spoke of her joy that her husband was on his way home. Kaisa Markhus, who fled Afghanistan last week for her native Norway, was eating dinner with her father in Oslo when she was told he was getting out.

It comes as the US military said it used a drone strike to kill a member of the so-called Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate.

The strike came amid what the White House called indications that ISIS-K planned to strike again as the US-led evacuation from Kabul airport moves into its final days. A devastating suicide bombing claimed by the group killed as many as 170 Afghans and 13 American service members at the airport on Thursday.

Mr Farthing flew out of Afghanistan for Tashkent in Uzbekistan with 94 dogs and 79 cats on a private jet and will later return to Britain. But the day was marked with sadness as he was forced to leave behind his workforce to the Taliban.

He told the Sun: 'It is just so depressing I had to leave them behind. Some of them came with me to the airport but they weren't allowed to cross the line from Taliban to British control.

It comes as the US military said it used a drone strike to kill a member of the so-called Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate (pictured, Kabul airport)

'A mission unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes': Boris Johnson praises UK troops on last flight out of Kabul ahead of 'remorseless deadline' - but PM says Britain 'will return' after 150 Brits and 1,000 Afghans were left behind Boris Johnson has described Britain's hasty scuttle from Afghanistan as 'the culmination of a mission unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes' as the last remaining British troops leave Kabul, bringing our two decades of military involvement in the country to an end. In a video clip uploaded to Twitter on Sunday, the Prime Minister said: 'UK troops and officials have worked around the clock to a remorseless deadline in harrowing conditions. They have expended all the patience and care and thought they possess to help people in fear for their lives. 'They've seen at first-hand barbaric terrorist attacks on the queues of people they were trying to comfort, as well as on our American friends. They didn't flinch. They kept calm. They got on with the job. It's thanks to their colossal exertions that this country has now processed, checked, vetted and airlifted more than 15,000 people to safety in less than two weeks.' As images from inside military aircraft were shared online by The Parachute Regiment and the Ministry of Defence last night showing exhausted British troops leaving Kabul, Mr Johnson pledged to return to Afghanistan when it is safe to do so. Some 150 British nationals and more than 1,000 Afghans who assisted British forces during the intervention have been left behind. In a bid to put a positive gloss on Britain's departure, the Prime Minister vowed to 'use all the diplomatic and humanitarian tools at our disposal to preserve the gains of the last 20 years'. Government sources insisted Britain's absence from the war-ravaged country was only temporary. Advertisement

'There were lots of tears when we said goodbye. I feel so many things. I feel very sad for them [but] I'm relieved for me and I feel happy for the animals.'

The Ministry of Defence, which assisted his evacuation, confirmed he was through the airport in a tweet on Friday night. It said: 'Pen Farthing and his pets were assisted through the system at Kabul airport by the UK armed forces. They are currently being supported while he awaits transportation. On the direction of the Defence Secretary, clearance for their charter flight has been sponsored by the UK Government.'

Mr Farthing told how his employees at the animal sanctuary drove with him to the airport in two cattle trucks. But he revealed they had been banned from crossing into the area controlled by British soldiers by armed Taliban fighters.

Soldiers helped him unload 125kg of dry pet food, 72 tins, 270 litres of water, 12 industrial size rolls of paper towel and 20 bottles of disinfectant in a warehouse.

Despite his misery at having to leave behind his staff, Mr Farthing's wife was chuffed he was on his way out. Kaisa was eating dinner with her father in Oslo when Pen video-called her from inside Kabul airport. 'You should have seen the smile on my face,' she said.

Following Thursday's carnage, Kaisa knew her husband was planning another attempt to reach the airport  but had no idea when. She said yesterday: 'He's now inside the airport and we had a quick video call. The second I saw him safely inside... you can imagine.'

Her husband and his animals escaping Kabul is the dream she has clung to ever since she was flown out of the city on a near-empty flight. She learned Pen, having made it through Taliban checkpoints, had been finally allowed to board a flight with 150 rescue cats and dogs from his Nowzad charity - but he was forced to leave his staff members behind.

'I know Pen had a very hard choice. He faced that same choice when he was inside the airport with his staff and their families on Thursday and the animals and the staff were not allowed through,' says Kaisa.

'So, he went back to the compound to ensure everyone was safe and to discuss with them what to do. They decided he should go to the airport again with the dogs.

'He was devastated to leave his staff but knew that by removing both the dogs and himself he would remove two big risk factors.'

Mr Farthing's supporter and animal rights campaigner Dominic Dyer told the Mail: 'Pen is OK, but he is very stressed. He has no choice but to leave and bring the animals with him. We are looking forward to getting them to the UK.

'We are very pleased we've got him out and are very grateful to the British Government for their help, and for the support of the Armed Forces.'

Kaisa was sitting at her mother's dining room table in a top borrowed from her sister and a newly bought pair of jeans. She had fled Kabul with nothing but a toothbrush and some deodorant.

Even the book she had been reading was left behind on the table beside the double bed that, until ten days ago, she shared with Mr Farthing. That they may soon hold each other again - and can start to plan their married life together - is enough to bring her to tears.

'I cried as I was leaving Kabul,' she says. 'I was one of the lucky ones. When I was in the Norwegian camp at the airport there were three kids - babies - I was playing with who'd been separated from their parents. We had to leave them behind.

'I thought, 'I won't see Kabul again. I might not see Pen again'. I was crying for those babies. What the f*** is this crisis about that we're leaving small kids behind who have no one?'

She showed a short video on her phone of the children playing at the airport. The soldiers and evacuees fussed over them.

'Two days later, I heard Norway had decided to bring them [the babies] over here. I told Pen on the phone that the babies were in Norway now. His first reaction was 'tell them we want to adopt one'. I want kids with Pen.'

The hope in her voice could not be further removed from the distraught woman I'd spoken to earlier this week.

UK military personnel onboard a A400M aircraft departing Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday

Mr Farthing's group also narrowly avoided the airport suicide bomb blasts which rocked the area earlier this week, killing 12 US serviceman and up to 90 Afghans. Above: Wounded Afghans in hospital after the blasts

'No one has any money': Taliban beat protesters with branches and hurl stones as desperate Afghans gather outside Kabul bank amid cash crisis Afghanistan's banking system is on the verge of collapse, with the country's banks still closed nearly two weeks after the Taliban seizure of power and leaving many people without access to cash amid fears of an economic and humanitarian disaster. Images show huge crowds of desperate Afghans queueing outside a bank in Kabul, with reports claiming that locals are getting unruly and are being pelted with stones and beaten with branches by Taliban militants standing guard as the country plunges into chaos. Sources at the Afghan central bank told CNN that banks remain shuttered days after the Taliban ordered them and other services to reopen because they have virtually run out of cash. The Afghan economy is heavily reliant on access to foreign currency and international aid, most of which has been blocked since the capital fell to the jihadists in a stunning coup. Grants finance 75 per cent of Afghanistan's public spending, according to the World Bank. The development has sparked fears of a severe economic and humanitarian crisis in the Central Asian country, where 47 per cent of households in Afghanistan live in poverty. Advertisement

On Thursday she feared the worst when, having been advised by the British Government to go to Kabul's airport to board a charter plane to safety, Mr Farthing - along with his 25 staff, their immediate families and 150 crated cats and dogs - was turned away at the last moment.

'I was fearing for his life,' Kaisa said. 'I had this heavy feeling. When he was outside the airport I was afraid because I hadn't heard from him.'

His group had been caught up in the hellish scenes on Thursday as Isis-K bombs killed at least 170 people, including 13 US military personnel.

Pen and his staff were tear-gassed and shot at as they fled for their lives.

'When they got out he called me he said 'oh, Kaisa Jan [an Afghan endearment meaning 'dear'], hell just broke loose. I've had an AK gun in my chest twice now'.'

MoD sources last night made clear Mr Farthing and his convoy did not get preferential treatment and were not on board a military flight.

While Mr Farthing's supporters said he had been turned away by the Taliban on Thursday, sources said he may have gone to the wrong gate.

Mr Ben Wallace initially dismissed Operation Ark, saying it would put 'people before pets' in the rush to flee Kabul. He later agreed to 'seek a slot' for the plane carrying out the mercy mission, but insisted the convoy would not be able to jump the queue.

There were suggestions by Mr Farthing's supporters his change of tone was prompted by an intervention from Boris Johnson's animal-loving wife Carrie - but this was denied by Downing Street sources.

Asked if Mr Farthing had been a diversion to the overall evacuation mission, Mr Wallace told LBC: 'I think it has taken up too much time of my senior commanders dealing with this issue when they should be focused on dealing with the humanitarian crisis.'

But he added: 'I hope he comes back, he was advised to come back, his wife came back last Friday, so I hope he does as well.'

The only sadness for Kaisa now is that Pen has been forced to leave his beloved staff behind.

'When the Taliban took over Kabul, I thought 'if you have to put all the animals to sleep, do it'. There will be other dogs but you can't do anything if you're dead,' she says.

'But then I realised something. Pen has a mother, a brother and me. We are his three family members. Many of his staff have not gone home to their families during lockdown but stayed to help him.

'When there was a big kidnapping threat here a few years ago they wouldn't go home. They stayed in the office to protect him. They are his family.'

Burned-out rocket launchers used in latest ISIS-K attack on Kabul airport lie inside car that burst into flames after the assault following US drone strike which 'killed ten family members, including seven children'

Burned-out rocket launchers were found in the back of a car that burst into flames after firing multiple missiles at Kabul airport today in the latest act of violence as the US races to get its last troops out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden.

At least five rockets were fired at the airstrip on Monday morning, some of which fell short into Kabul while others were brought down by defence systems. No casualties have been reported so far.

ISIS-K, a splinter group of the one that once ruled an Islamist 'caliphate' spanning Iraq and Syria, subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack. It comes less than a week after it carried out a suicide bombing at the airport that killed 170 people including 13 US Marines, with Biden ordering a drone strike that killed two suspected plotters in retaliation.

The missile attack also comes just a day after an American Reaper drone blew up what was believed to be a group of ISIS-K suicide bombers planning to attack the airport, destroying two cars parked in a civilian apartment block.

The blast triggered a secondary explosion, which is thought to have killed 10 civilians who were all from the same family and were getting out of their car when the Hellfire missile struck.

Seven children, the youngest of whom was a two-year-old girl, died in the attack which also killed three adults, according to the New York Times. An interpreter who worked with US troops and an Afghan army officer due to get married tomorrow were among the adult casualties, Afghan media said. The Taliban condemned the strike.

A statement from US Central Command acknowledged a number of 'substantial and powerful subsequent explosions' after the strike hit the intended vehicle, adding that the explosions suggested there had been 'a large amount of explosive inside, that may have caused additional casualties'.

'We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life,' the statement added.

Having evacuated about 114,400 people - including foreign nationals and 'at risk' Afghans - in an operation that began a day before Kabul fell to the Taliban on Aug. 15, U.S. and allied forces are set to complete their own withdrawal by Tuesday to meet a deadline agreed with the Islamist militants.

The number of U.S. troops at the airport had fallen to below 4,000 over the weekend, with efforts to depart becoming more urgent after an Islamic State suicide bomb attack outside the gates on Thursday killed scores of Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. military personnel.

At least five rockets were fired from the back of this car towards Kabul airport on Monday. Some fell short into the city, while others were intercepted by missile defences, American officials said

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the rocket strike and no group has yet claimed responsibility - though it comes amid a wave of ISIS-K attacks on US troops trying to flee the country

Afghans gather around the burned-out remains of a car that was used to launch rockets towards Kabul airport this morning as US troops prepare to fully withdraw from the country

A Taliban soldiers stands guard next to a burned-out vehicle that was used to launch rockets at Hamid Karzai airport

The car which was used to fire rockets at Hamid Karzai airport is seen on fire in the Laab-E Jaar neighborhood of Kabul

Afghan civilians gather around the wreckage of a car used to fire rockets at Hamid Karzai airport in Kabul on Monday

Monday's rocket strike is just the latest in a string of attacks on Kabul airport as the US enters the final phase of its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan

A destroyed vehicle is seen inside a house after a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, this afternoon

The strike destroyed a vehicle carrying 'multiple suicide bombers' from Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate on Sunday

A destroyed vehicle is seen inside a house after this afternoon's drone strike, which vapourised several suicide bombers, according to officials

THE R2-D2 WEAPONS DEFENSE SYSTEM USED BY THE US TO TAKE OUT SHORT-RANGE ATTACKS: C-RAM SHOOTS DOWN ROCKETS AND MUNITION WITH SELF-DESTRUCTING BULLETS The missile defense system used on Monday against the rockets launched at Kabul airport is the C-RAM - the Centurion Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar defense system known to troops as R2 D2, after the Star Wars robot, which shoots down close-range rockets with a powerful machine gun that can fire up to 4,500 rounds per minute. They are used in predominantly civilian-heavy areas and use self-destructing rounds to limit the collateral damage on the ground. The C-RAM was developed in 2004 to react to the rapid acceleration of insurgency in Iraq and it's based on the Navy's Phalanx CIWS system. It has a far shorter range than the Iron Dome, the system Israel uses to shoot down rockets fired by Hamas in Gaza, and is less effective but makes itself known with a piercing drill sound when in use. A file image of C-RAM at Bagram airfield. The defense system is often referred to by troops as R2 D2. It is equipped with a radar that detects munition and evaluates it before firing M-940 20mm Multipurpose Tracer-Self Destruct (MPT-SD) rounds - up to 4,500 per minute - The C-RAM sits on top of a trailer and is used to detect short-range rockets and artillery fire. It is controlled remotely and uses a radar system to detect threats The Iron Dome shoots down munitions in excess of 40 miles, whereas C-RAM shoots down targets within 1-5 nautical miles. The C-RAM is also more maneuverable and less expensive than the Iron Dome. Both use a radar system to detect, evaluate and take out approaching munitions. Ordinarily they are used across bases in the Middle East and southwest Asia, to protect troops. They are given an added layer of protection from the fact it can be controlled remotely. The Pentagon said on Monday morning that the C-RAM 'successfully' took out the five rockets launched at the airport. C-RAM systems have been known in the past to protect other, long-range missile defense systems but it only took out one of the five rockets launched. The other four didn't make it to the field, Army General Major Hank Taylor said on Monday morning. The Pentagon would not say on Monday whether or not it would be removed from Kabul once the last planes leave. Israel's Iron Dome system intercepted more than 90 percent of the rockets launched by Gaza earlier this year. Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system which took down 90 percent of the rockets fired by Gaza earlier this year and offers a wider protective shield of around 40 miles, as opposed to the C-RAM which protects within 1-5 miles Israel's Iron Dome defense system in action on May 12 during rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip Advertisement

U.S. military cargo planes continued their evacuations at the airport following Monday morning's rocket fire.

In Washington, the White House issued a statement saying officials briefed President Joe Biden on 'the rocket attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport' in Kabul.

Taliban promises the UK that Afghans will be allowed 'safe passage' to leave after August 31 The UK Government has received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so. British troops have already left Kabul and US military personnel will be out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden. But there have been fears over the potentially thousands of Afghans who may have been eligible for resettlement schemes, who could not make it to Kabul airport for evacuation or were not processed in time. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that if the Taliban regime wanted diplomatic recognition and aid funding, they would have to ensure 'safe passage' for those who want to leave. And in a joint statement with the US and more than 90 other countries, it was confirmed that the Taliban had said anyone who wished to leave the country could do so. The joint statement said: 'We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.' It comes after 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting, which is believed to be the largest evacuation mission since the Second World War. British ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Laurie Bristow, who had remained in the country and relocated the embassy to Kabul airport to process as many evacuees as possible, arrived back in the UK on Sunday. He vowed to continue to help British nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help. Speaking on the runway at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he said: 'We've had to leave Afghanistan for now and the embassy will operate from Qatar for the time being. 'We will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan, working on humanitarian, diplomatic and security work, and above all bringing to the UK Afghans and British nationals who still need our support, and we will be putting pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those people. 'We will reopen the embassy as soon as we can. We will do everything we can to protect the gains of the last 20 years and above all to help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace that they deserve.' Advertisement

'The president was informed that operations continue uninterrupted at HKIA, and has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritize doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground,' the statement said, using an acronym for Kabul's airport.

US Navy Captain Bill Urban, a military spokesman, had earlier said the military was investigating whether there were civilian casualties in the drone strike.

'We are confident we successfully hit the target,' Urban said. 'Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material.'

Dina Mohammadi said her extended family were in the building and that several of them had been killed, including children.

Ahmaduddin, a neighbour, said he had collected the bodies of children after the strike, which set off more explosions inside the house.

Another American drone strike hit a tuk-tuk carrying two suspected ISIS-K members in the northern city of Jalalabad on Saturday, who the US said was responsible for the suicide bombing on the airport.

Aside from the thousands of American troops who still need to be evacuated from the airport, some 300 US citizens are also waiting to be flown out according to Secretary of State Andrew Blinken.

He warned that 'this is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission'.

Afghanistan fell back into Taliban hands after President Biden made good on a deal struck by Donald Trump to fully withdraw US forces from the country after a 20-year conflict.

It was hoped that government forces which America spent decades training and billions of dollars arming could fight the Islamists to a stalemate, before striking a power-sharing deal.

In the end, Ashraf Ghani's forces capitulated with barely a fight - leaving US forces and allied troops trapped in the Afghan capital as it fell to the Islamists and sparking the hasty and dangerous evacuation mission.

Biden's allies both home and abroad have openly accused him of blindsiding them with his rush to exit by August 31 and slammed his handling of the ensuing crisis.

It is thought that most foreign forces stationed at the airport have now left, with the exception of US troops. The last British troops to evacuate the country have now arrived back home to RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain's hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan was 'the culmination of a mission unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes'.

But, even before the evacuation mission has been fully completed, the UK and America were vowing to go back to Afghanistan - albeit not as an occupying military force.

Mr Johnson has already pledged that Britain will return to the country with diplomatic and humanitarian missions 'to preserve the gains of the last 20 years'.

Meanwhile British Ambassador to Kabul, Sir Laurie Bristow, vowed to continue to help UK nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help. It is thought that some 1,100 Afghans who were promised sanctuary in Britain and 150 UK civilians were left behind when evacuation flights stopped.

Meanwhile US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan insisted that the US has shown in other countries that it is capable of 'suppressing the terrorism threat... without a large permanent presence on the ground. And we will do that in Afghanistan as well as we go forward'.

Mr Sullivan said that for those US citizens seeking to leave Afghanistan by Mr Biden's deadline, 'we have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining'.

He added: 'We moved out more than that number just yesterday. So from our point of view, there is an opportunity right now for American citizens to come, to be admitted to the airport and to be evacuated safely and effectively.'

He also pledged the US 'will make sure there is safe passage for any American citizen, any legal permanent resident' after Tuesday, as well as for 'those Afghans who helped us'.

Mr Sullivan said the US would continue strikes against IS and consider 'other operations to go after these guys, to get them and to take them off the battlefield'.

He added: 'We will continue to bring the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan to make sure they do not represent a threat to the United States.'

The administration's plan 'is not to have an ongoing embassy presence in Afghanistan', Mr Sullivan said.

'But we will have means and mechanisms of having diplomats on the ground there, be able to continue to process out these applicants, be able to facilitate the passage of other people who want to leave Afghanistan.'

A child in Kabul has been killed in an explosion as the US launched a military strike targeting a vehicle containing 'multiple suicide bombers' driving to the Afghan airport

A Kabul police chief said a child was killed. Two witnesses said the blast appeared to have been caused by a rocket that struck a house in Khajeh Baghra area to the north of the airport

The Pentagon said a US drone mission in eastern Afghanistan killed two members of the so-called Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate early on Saturday in retaliation for the airport bombing

The president saluted at the top of the stairs before boarding Air Force One on Sunday morning

The flag-draped coffins of 13 soldiers are flown back to the US for burial after they were killed in a bombing at Kabul airport

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden watch as the flag-draped coffins of American soldiers arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday

Coffins of US troops killed in the ISIS-K bomb blast at Kabul airport are loaded into the back of a truck at Dover Air Force Base

Taliban beat protesters and hurl stones as desperate Afghans gather outside Kabul bank amid cash crisis Afghanistan's banking system is on the verge of collapse, with the country's banks still closed nearly two weeks after the Taliban seizure of power and leaving many people without access to cash amid fears of an economic and humanitarian disaster. Images show huge crowds of desperate Afghans queueing outside a bank in Kabul, with reports claiming that locals are getting unruly and are being pelted with stones and beaten with branches by Taliban militants standing guard as the country plunges into chaos. Sources at the Afghan central bank told CNN that banks remain shuttered days after the Taliban ordered them and other services to reopen because they have virtually run out of cash. The Afghan economy is heavily reliant on access to foreign currency and international aid, most of which has been blocked since the capital fell to the jihadists in a stunning coup. Grants finance 75 per cent of Afghanistan's public spending, according to the World Bank. The development has sparked fears of a severe economic and humanitarian crisis in the Central Asian country, where 47 per cent of households in Afghanistan live in poverty. Advertisement

Speaking on Sunday, Mr Biden vowed that the revenge strike for the bomb attack at Kabul airport is 'not the last' and added that the 'situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous.'

For all the efforts made by Western powers to evacuate as many people as possible, tens of thousands of desperate Afghans faced being left behind.

'We tried every option because our lives are in danger. They (the Americans or foreign powers) must show us a way to be saved. We should leave Afghanistan or they should provide a safe place for us,' said one woman outside the airport.

Two U.S. officials told Reuters evacuations would continue on Monday, prioritising people deemed at extreme risk. Other countries have also put in last minute requests to bring out people under that category, the officials said.

Biden attended a ceremony on Sunday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to honour members of the U.S. military killed in Thursday's suicide bombing attack.

As the flag-draped transfer caskets carrying the remains emerged from a military plane, Biden shut his eyes and tilted his head back.

None of the fallen service members was over the age of 31, and five were just 20, as old as the war in Afghanistan itself.

Biden has vowed to avenge the Islamic State attack.

The United States said on Saturday it had killed two ISIS-K militants. The Taliban condemned the U.S. drone strike, which took place in Nangarhar province, an eastern area that borders Pakistan.

The departure of the last troops will mark the end of the U.S.-led military intervention in Afghanistan, which began in late 2001, after the al Qaeda Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

U.S.-backed forced ousted a Taliban government that had provided safe haven for al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who was finally killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan in 2011, and have involved in a counter-insurgency war against the Islamist militants for the past two decades.

The Taliban's 1996-2001 rule was marked by a harsh version of sharia, Islamic law, with many political rights and basic freedoms curtailed and women severely oppressed.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has said the group will announce a full Cabinet in the coming days, and that the difficulties will subside quickly once the new administration is up and running.

But with its economy shattered by decades of war, Afghanistan now faces a sudden halt in inflows of billions of dollars in foreign aid.

The Pentagon said that 6,800 people had been evacuated from Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, and that 1,400 people are now screened and inside the airport for processing and removal.

Since July, 117,000 people have been evacuated by US and NATO forces, including 5,400 US citizens.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the US drone strike on ISIS-K as a 'clear attack on Afghan territory' but later disavowed the statement, saying that Reuters had 'distorted' his words

'They lost a planner and they lost a facilitator and got one wounded. The fact that two of these individuals are no longer walking on the face of the Earth, that's a good thing,' said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby

Thousands of Afghans have been evacuated to the US from Kabul airport after the Taliban took over the country

Today the Taliban was said to have offered an assurance that it would allow anyone else wanting to leave safe passage

Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va.

As the evacuation entered its final stages on Monday, members of US Congress on both sides of the political aisle lined up to criticise the hasty and poorly-planned exit.

'We didn't have to be in this rush-rush circumstance with terrorists breathing down our neck,' said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.

'But it's really the responsibility of the prior administration and this administration that has caused this crisis to be upon us and has led to what is without question a humanitarian and foreign policy tragedy.'

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the U.S. policy in Afghanistan, with 2,500 troops on the ground, had been working.

'We were, in effect, keeping the lid on, keeping terrorists from reconstituting, and having a light footprint in the country,' he said.

In Delaware, Biden met privately with the families of the American troops killed in the suicide attack, and solemnly watched as the remains of the fallen returned to U.S. soil from Afghanistan.

First lady Jill Biden and many of the top U.S. defense and military leaders joined him on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base to grieve with loved ones as the 'dignified transfer' of remains unfolded, a military ritual for those killed in foreign combat.

The 13 service members were the first U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan since February 2020, the month the Trump administration struck an agreement with the Taliban in which the militant group halted attacks on Americans in exchange for a U.S. agreement to remove all troops and contractors by May 2021.

Biden announced in April that the 2,500 to 3,000 troops who remained would be out by September, ending what he has called America's forever war.

The White House has rescheduled Biden's meeting with Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, from Monday to Wednesday as the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan enters its tense final hours.

US military' blames BRITAIN' for making Kabul suicide attack death toll worse: Pentagon says gate had to be kept open for UK evacuees  as questions grow over how many were killed by panicked troops firing on civilians

ISIS-K suicide bomber detonated bomb in attack outside airport where 170 including two Brits died last week

US security sources leak transcripts claiming they wanted to shut Abbey Gate but Britain wanted it open

13 US troops were also killed with the mother of one victim calling Joe Biden a 'feckless.... piece of crap'

Witnesses who survived bombing claim western troops panicked in the moment and opened fire on crowds

British Afghan Muhammad Niazi was among dead, but his brother fears he was shot by allied soldiers

By William Cole and Martin Robinson, chief reporter for MailOnline

The Pentagon was today accused of trying to blame Britain after US security sources said they begged to shut down a Kabul airport gate before it was hit by an ISIS-K suicide bomber - but London wanted it kept open to continue its evacuation campaign.

What really happened at the Abbey gate? The Pentagon's changing story of the Kabul terror attack Thursday, August 26 8.59 AM: Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby tweets about the evacuation efforts, before the first blast. He wrote: 'Evacuation operations in Kabul will not be wrapping up in 36 hours. We will continue to evacuate as many people as we can until the end of the mission'. 10:30 AM: Pentagon briefing is pushed back following reports of the first blast in Kabul. Around that time sources in Kabul and journalists start to report there has been a second explosion near the Baron Hotel outside Hamid Karzai international airport. France's ambassador to Afghanistan David Martinon tweeted that a second explosion 'is possible'. There was no official confirmation of the explosion, but there were reports from US officials that US troops had been injured. 10:34 AM: The Pentagon confirms the first explosion. John Kirby tweets: 'We can confirm that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. We will continue to update.' 10:57 AM: The Pentagon confirms there is a second explosion. John Kirby tweets: 'We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.' 3:00 PM: Pentagon holds their delayed briefing on the Kabul suicide attack. General McKenzie, the commander of US Central Command, told the press: 'So, we think one suicide bomb at Abbey gate. Don't know if it's male or female just don't have that information. Don't know much about the second bomb. Except one went off in the vicinity of the Baron Hotel. Which as you're aware is a deeply bunker structure. And as far as I know, no, there were no UK military casualties. As a result of that.' There were multiple reports on the ground of multiple explosions on the ground at the time amid the chaos. Some suggested there could have been as many as six or seven and others believed American forces were destroying weapons and equipment in controlled explosions. 6:30 PM: Media accounts also post information that proves inaccurate. The Reuters news agency reports at least two blasts rocked the area, citing witnesses. The Associated Press also reported on two attacks, citing U.S. and Afghan officials. Friday, August 27 10:30 AM: Pentagon officials said there was only one suicide bomber at Kabul airport on Thursday and not two, as was previously claimed, adding to confusion over the attack and fears for the ongoing operation on the ground. Speaking at a briefing on Friday, Army General Hank Taylor said: 'I can confirm that we do not believe there was a second explosion at or near the Baron hotel. It was one suicide bomber. In the confusion of very dynamic events can cause information to get confused,' he said. I can confirm for you that we do not believe that there was a second explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, that it was one suicide bomber. We're not sure how that report was provided incorrectly.' US President Joe Biden vows retribution for the deaths of the 13 marines killed in the attack but will not delay or stop withdrawal from Afghanistan beyond August 31. Sunday, August 28 Survivors of the bomb blast say American and Turkish soldiers guarding the Abbey Gate opened fire on the crowds running towards them in the aftermath of the suicide bomb. One witness said: 'The bullet went inside his head, right here near to his ear' Monday, August 29 US intelligence sources tell Politico that the Americans wanted the Abbey Gate closed because it was the likely target of a terror attack - but it was kept open to allow the British to keep using it. Advertisement

The new twist came as survivors of the blast claimed panicked US troops opened fire on the crowds of evacuees in the bloody aftermath, killing their loved-ones including a British father-of-two.

Pentagon officials had predicted a 'mass casualty' attack at Hamid Karzai airport and warned that the Abbey Gate was the 'highest risk' in a meeting just 24 hours before 170 people and 13 US service personnel were massacred in the jihadist atrocity, according to leaked transcripts handed to Politico.

And in another conference call at 12pm GMT last Thursday, American commanders set out plans to close the gate by that afternoon but the decision was taken to allow Britain, based at the nearby Baron Hotel, to continue evacuating people through it.

Six hours later an ISIS-K terrorist armed with a suicide vest killed himself and almost 200 others.

The British Ministry of Defence declined to respond to allegations they were to blame for keeping the gate open, but said in a statement: 'Throughout Operation Pitting we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people.

'We send our deepest condolences to the families of the US victims of the senseless attacks in Kabul & continue to offer our full support to our closest ally'.

The explosion happened at about 6pm local time at the Abbey Gate to the airport, where thousands had gathered at the the airport's perimeter hoping to get on to a leaving cargo plane.

Initially the Pentagon said that there had been two suicide attacks, including at the Baron Hotel where the British were processing people. The following day the US changed its account and confirmed there had been only one, blaming 'garbled' intelligence from the scene.

The brother of a British Afghan who died when an ISIS suicide bomber hit Kabul's airport today insisted he was shot dead by panicked Western troops - not killed by the blast - as confusion over what happened during the terror attack continues.

And survivors have claimed that frightened soldiers protecting the airport may have opened fire in the aftermath, inadvertently adding to the death toll, which included two Britons and the child of a UK national.

Among the dead was Muhammad Niazi, a taxi driver from London who had travelled back to Afghanistan to try and help get his family evacuated out of Kabul. His wife was killed in the blast, and his youngest child and eldest daughter are still believed to be missing.

His brother Abdul Hamid, who survived the blast, made the claims about bullets from western guard posts killing people and told the BBC: 'The fire came from the bridges the towers from the soldiers'. He added: I saw some small children in the river, it was so bad. It was doomsday for us.'

The second British victim, Musa Popal, 60, was pushing through the crowd trying to attract the attention of soldiers by waving his UK passport when he was killed by the suicide bomber, it was reported last night.

Other witnesses to the suicide bomb attack also say that their relatives weren't killed in the blast but by fire in the confusion afterwards. Abdul says he saw American and Turkish soldiers amid the chaotic scenes as gunfire reined over the crowds of people.

Another man claimed his friend who had helped US forces during the war had been killed by a gunfire from a Western troops.

'This guy served the US Army for years,' he told the broadcaster. 'And the reason he lost his life wasn't because of Taliban, he wasn't killed by ISIS...'

When asked why he was so sure, the man added: 'Because of the bullet, the bullet went inside his head, right here near to his ear,' suggesting a troop guarding the airport may have hit him by mistake. He added that his friend had not suffered any other injuries in the blast.

It came as three children were killed in a US drone strike targeting 'multiple suicide bombers' planning an attack on Kabul's evacuation airport - just hours after Joe Biden warned of the possibility of another jihadist atrocity following this week's attack.

Witnesses said a rocket strike blew up two cars parked outside a residential building near the Hamid Karzai airport to the north of Afghanistan's capital. It is believed the vehicles were going to be used in an 'imminent' attack by ISIS-K militants.

The strike on the vehicles, filled with explosives, is then believed to have caused a secondary blast, killing and wounding several civilians. This morning as many as five rockets were fired at Kabul's international airport but were intercepted by a missile defense system, a US official told Reuters.

An Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity out of security concerns, said that three children were among the dead. It is not known where the children killed in the incident were at the time of the explosion.

The death toll is expected to rise with Afghan TV presenter Muslim Shirzad reporting that as many as six children were dead and nine people in total, including an interpreter who had worked with US troops, and an Afghan army officer due to get married tomorrow.

The Taliban said it welcomed the drone strike in an apparent sign of uneasy co-operation on security around the airport.

Claims of Afghans being killed by friendly fire came as:

Multiple rockets have been fired at Kabul airport in just the latest attack as the US races to get its last troops out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline;

Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly admitted the Government has no idea how many Afghan citizens the UK left behind in Afghanistan;

Dominic Raab will be 'toast' at Boris Johnson's next Cabinet reshuffle because of his handling of the UK's withdrawal from Afghanistan, it was claimed today

Britain is facing the biggest terror threat in years, experts have warned the Prime Minister;

The Government today said it had received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so;

MPs and former military leaders have called on the government to create a new regiment in the British Army for Afghan special forces - just like the Gurkhas.

Pictured: A Taliban fighter stands guard at the site of the August 26 twin suicide bombs, which killed scores of people, at Kabul airport on August 27, 2021

How the bomb attack on Kabul airport unfolded. One of the two deadly blasts near Kabul's airport Thursday happened near a hotel that has been used to process Afghans attempting to flee the Taliban's oppressive regime. The explosion occurred less than one mile from the airport at or near the 160-room Baron Hotel, the Pentagon said

The brother of British Afghan Muhammad Niazi (pictured) who was killed following a suicide bomb attack on Kabul airport says he was shot dead by panicked western troops. Muhammad's youngest child and eldest daughter (pictured but not named) are still believed to be missing

His brother Abdul Hamid, who survived the blast, told the BBC that his brother was shot dead by western troops - not killed by the suicide bomb

Musa Popal (pictured) was pushing through the crowd trying to attract the attention of soldiers by waving his British passport when he was killed by the suicide bomber, it was reported last night

Daughter of British shopkeeper killed in ISIS-K Kabul airport terror attack begs the UK Government to help bring her mother home Mr Popals' 14-year-old grandson, Hameed (pictured), who lived in Afghanistan and acted as an interpreter for his grandparents, is missing and feared dead The daughter of a British shopkeeper who was killed in the attack on Kabul airport is begging the UK Government to help bring her mother home. Zohra Popal, 23, said the family feel 'ignored' by the Foreign Office, which she said has not made contact since news of her father's death was confirmed. Musa Popal, 60, was pushing through the crowd trying to attract the attention of soldiers by waving his British passport when he was killed by the suicide bomber, it was reported last night. His wife Saleema managed to crawl away from the carnage. Their 14-year-old grandson, Hameed, who lived in Afghanistan and acted as an interpreter for his grandparents, is missing and feared dead. Ms Popal said she fears for the life of her mother, 60, who remains in Afghanistan, and members of her family who she believes could be targeted by the Taliban. 'My mum, she has no documents now because my dad was holding everything when he died. 'She and the rest of my family are still in danger, and we still might lose them. And yet we can't get through to the Foreign Office. 'Their number is constantly engaged. We feel completely ignored. 'But we must get them to safety. I can't live without them. We need the Government's help.' Advertisement

Two unnamed US officials earlier confirmed to Reuters that American forces had launched a successful strike in the capital city targeting suspected ISIS-K militants.

US Navy Captain Bill Urban, a military spokesman, had earlier said the military was investigating whether there were civilian casualties but that 'we have no indications at this time'.

'We are confident we successfully hit the target,' Urban said. 'Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material.'

Dina Mohammadi said her extended family were in the building and that several of them had been killed, including children.

Ahmaduddin, a neighbour, said he had collected the bodies of children after the strike, which set off more explosions inside the house.

There were earlier reports of a possible separate incident in which it was claimed a child had been killed in a rocket strike on a house near to the airport. It has since emerged this is the same event.

Taliban promises UK government to allow Afghans 'safe passage' to leave after August 31 The UK Government has received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so. British troops have already left Kabul and US military personnel will be out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden. But there have been fears over the potentially thousands of Afghans who may have been eligible for resettlement schemes, who could not make it to Kabul airport for evacuation or were not processed in time. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that if the Taliban regime wanted diplomatic recognition and aid funding, they would have to ensure 'safe passage' for those who want to leave. And in a joint statement with the US and more than 90 other countries, it was confirmed that the Taliban had said anyone who wished to leave the country could do so. The joint statement said: 'We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.' It comes after 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting, which is believed to be the largest evacuation mission since the Second World War. British ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Laurie Bristow, who had remained in the country and relocated the embassy to Kabul airport to process as many evacuees as possible, arrived back in the UK on Sunday. He vowed to continue to help British nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help. Speaking on the runway at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he said: 'We've had to leave Afghanistan for now and the embassy will operate from Qatar for the time being. 'We will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan, working on humanitarian, diplomatic and security work, and above all bringing to the UK Afghans and British nationals who still need our support, and we will be putting pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those people. 'We will reopen the embassy as soon as we can. We will do everything we can to protect the gains of the last 20 years and above all to help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace that they deserve.' Advertisement

A security official from the recently deposed government told AFP a house was struck while a source at the Afghan Ministry of Health separately told the BBC the blast was near the airport, with two witnesses informing Reuters a house north of the airport was struck by a rocket.

There was no official confirmation and no terrorist group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. A US official told CBS: 'We are confident we hit the target we were aiming for. Initial reports indicate there were no civilian casualties.'

The official added that the drone strike caused 'significant secondary explosions' indicating the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material in the vehicle.

Mr Biden had previously warned another terror attack on the airport was imminent after an attack at Kabul airport carried out by ISIS-K - an Islamic extremist group operating in the Central Asian country - killed 13 American service personnel and scores of Afghans.

The Pentagon said a US drone mission in eastern Afghanistan killed two members of the so-called Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate early on Saturday in retaliation for the airport bombing, and Mr Biden said the extremists can expect more.

The President and First Lady Jill Biden made an unannounced trip to Delaware on Sunday morning for a ceremony to honour the 13, whose remains were flown back to Dover Air Force Base, where fallen troops' return to American soil is marked by a solemn movement known as the 'dignified transfer.'

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Biden said: 'The 13 service members that we lost were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others.

'Their bravery and selflessness has enabled more than 117,000 people at risk to reach safety thus far. May God protect our troops and all those standing watch in these dangerous days.'

Some 300 American citizens are still waiting to be evacuated from Afghanistan, Secretary of State Andrew Blinken revealed, as he warned that 'this is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission'.

The withdrawal of US forces allowed the Taliban to regain power after an almost 20-year war. The President's allies at home and abroad have openly accused Mr Biden of blindsiding them with his rush to exit by August 31 and slammed his bungled handling of the crisis.

The last British troops stationed in Afghanistan landed in RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire this morning. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain's hasty scuttle was 'the culmination of a mission unlike anything we've seen in our lifetimes'.

The British Ambassador to Kabul, Sir Laurie Bristow, vowed to continue to help UK nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan thundered that the US has shown in other countries that it is capable of 'suppressing the terrorism threat... without a large permanent presence on the ground. And we will do that in Afghanistan as well as we go forward'.

But untold numbers of vulnerable Afghans, fearful of a return to the brutality of pre-2001 Taliban rule, are likely to be left behind. There also are roughly 280 others who have said they are Americans but have not told the State Department of their plans to leave the country.

The evacuation of Americans proceeded as tensions rose over the prospect of another IS attack. The State Department issued a new security alert early on Sunday instructing people to leave the airport area immediately 'due to a specific, credible threat'.

Mr Sullivan said that for those US citizens seeking to leave Afghanistan by Mr Biden's deadline, 'we have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining'.

He added: 'We moved out more than that number just yesterday. So from our point of view, there is an opportunity right now for American citizens to come, to be admitted to the airport and to be evacuated safely and effectively.'

He also pledged the US 'will make sure there is safe passage for any American citizen, any legal permanent resident' after Tuesday, as well as for 'those Afghans who helped us'.

Mr Sullivan said the US would continue strikes against IS and consider 'other operations to go after these guys, to get them and to take them off the battlefield'.

He added: 'We will continue to bring the fight to the terrorists in Afghanistan to make sure they do not represent a threat to the United States.'

The administration's plan 'is not to have an ongoing embassy presence in Afghanistan', Mr Sullivan said.

'But we will have means and mechanisms of having diplomats on the ground there, be able to continue to process out these applicants, be able to facilitate the passage of other people who want to leave Afghanistan.'

The US Embassy said: 'Due to a specific, credible threat, all U.S. citizens in the vicinity of Kabul airport (HKIA), including the South (Airport Circle) gate, the new Ministry of the Interior and the gate near the Panjshir Petrol station on the northwest side of the airport, should leave the airport area immediately.'

Before the warning was issued, Mr Biden vowed that his revenge strike for the terror attack is 'not the last' and added that the 'situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous.'

Following the announcement, United States Marines were seen escorting children and families through an evacuation centre in Kabul.

The Taliban condemned the US drone strike, with a spokesman describing the operation as a 'clear attack on Afghan territory'. 'The Americans should have informed us before conducting the airstrike,' spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters on Saturday.

A destroyed vehicle is seen inside a house after a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, this afternoon

The strike destroyed a vehicle carrying 'multiple suicide bombers' from Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate on Sunday

Parts of a destroyed vehicle is seen inside the house in Kabul, the Afghan capital, which has been at the centre of a US-led evacuation effort

Broken windows at a house in Kabul after the US drone strike. An American official said there had been no reports of civilian casualties

A destroyed vehicle is seen inside a house after this afternoon's drone strike, which vapourised several suicide bombers, according to officials

A man stands next to a damaged section of metal sheeting. It is not clear whether this was the site of the US drone strike or the separate rocket attack

An US Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit carrying a baby as the family processes through the Evacuation Control Center today

A Kabul police chief said a child was killed. Two witnesses said the blast appeared to have been caused by a rocket that struck a house in Khajeh Baghra area to the north of the airport

The president saluted at the top of the stairs before boarding Air Force One on Sunday morning

Marines are seen manning a checkpoint at the Kabul airport on Thursday. Thirteen US troops were killed when a suicide bomb went off near this checkpoint, also killing some 160 Afghans

The Pentagon said a US drone mission in eastern Afghanistan killed two members of the so-called Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate early on Saturday in retaliation for the airport bombing, and Mr Biden said the extremists can expect more

Afghan special forces commandos 'could fight for British Army just like the Gurkhas' after getting interpreters safely out of Kabul MPs and former military leaders have called on the government to create a new regiment in the British Army for Afghan special forces - just like the Gurkhas. Ministers are set to consider suggestions on how to best utilise the skills of hundreds of Afghan commandos, who UK troops helped train, who have arrived in the UK on the last evacuation flights from Kabul. The move already has support from veterans now in Parliament as well as the former head of Army. The Daily Telegraph reported that Afghans already enrolled at Sandhurst, who were due to join the Afghan National Army, could now join the British Army instead. It reported that the special forces had played a key role in the evacuation effort from Kabul by heading into crowds to find those eligible for evacuation and handing them over to British forces. Chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee Tom Tugendhat said the personnel should be welcomed into the Army. Advertisement

However, Mujahid later took to Twitter to disavow the interview, writing: 'Reuters has interviewed me and distorted my words. I urge the media and journalists not to take these words seriously.'

Mujahid claimed that two women and a child were wounded in the drone strike. The Pentagon says it is not aware of any civilian casualties.

The Pentagon earlier confirmed that two ISIS-K targets were killed and one wounded in the drone strike responding to the suicide attack in Kabul, after earlier confirming only one kill.

The two killed targets were 'high profile', but were not senior members of ISIS-K, Army Major Gen. William D. 'Hank' Taylor said at a Pentagon briefing on Saturday, saying there were no known civilian casualties.

The retaliatory strike was launched a day after an ISIS-K suicide bomber blew himself up outside the walls of Kabul airport, killing 13 US troops and scores of Afghan civilians.

The terror threat at the airport remains 'very real' and 'very dynamic' Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Saturday.

'Threats are still very real, they're very dynamic and we are monitoring them literally in real time. And as I said yesterday, we're taking all the means necessary to make sure we remain focused on that threat stream and doing what we can for force protection,' Kirby said at a briefing.

The Pentagon described the two targets killed in the drone strike as a 'planner' and 'facilitator' of ISIS-K plots who were involved in planning additional future attacks in Kabul, but declined to name them.

'They lost a planner and they lost a facilitator and got one wounded. The fact that two of these individuals are no longer walking on the face of the Earth, that's a good thing,' said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

It was not immediately clear whether the targeted ISIS-K members were directly involved in Thursday's airport attack. The US military had initially said one person was killed.

'They were ISIS-K planners and facilitators and that's enough reason there alone. I won't speak to the details of these individuals and what their specific roles might be,' Kirby said.

Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va.

Thousands of Afghans have been evacuated to the US from Kabul airport after the Taliban took over the country

Today the Taliban was said to have offered an assurance that it would allow anyone else wanting to leave safe passage

A United States Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit carried a baby as its family passed through the Evacuation Control Center at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul

Soldiers are seen manning an checkpoint at the Kabul airport earlier this week. 'The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high,' said Biden

Army Major Gen. William D. 'Hank' Taylor said at a Pentagon briefing on Saturday that two ISIS-K targets had been killed and one wounded in the drone strike in Afghanistan

Taliban patrols outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Saturday. The Taliban has now effectively sealed off the airport, and the US Embassy is warning any Americans not to approach the gates

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Reuters had 'distorted' his words after he slammed the US drone strike

He added: 'We have the ability and the means to carry over the horizon counterterrorism capabilities and were going to defend ourselves.'

Kirby declined to say whether all three suspects were intentional targets of the strike, saying: 'It was a single mission to get these targets and as the assessments and information flowed over time, we were able to recognize that another was killed as well and one wounded.'

Another defense official told CNN that the strike on Friday only took place after surveillance on the compound confirmed the target's wife and children had left.

Biden authorized the drone strike and it was ordered by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, a defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet publicly announced.

The Pentagon said that 6,800 people had been evacuated from Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, and that 1,400 people are now screened and inside the airport for processing and removal.

Since July, 117,000 people have been evacuated by US and NATO forces, including 5,400 US citizens, said Taylor.

However, hope for escape is dwindling for anyone not already inside the airport, after the Taliban sealed off access to the airport on Saturday to most Afghans hoping to leave.

The Pentagon insisted that some gates at the airport remain open and that US passport holders can still get in.

However, the US Embassy in Kabul issued an urgent alert on Saturday warning citizens not to approach the airport and avoid airport gates.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the US drone strike on ISIS-K as a 'clear attack on Afghan territory' but later disavowed the statement, saying that Reuters had 'distorted' his words

'They lost a planner and they lost a facilitator and got one wounded. The fact that two of these individuals are no longer walking on the face of the Earth, that's a good thing,' said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby

The Pentagon said on Saturday that two ISIS-K targets had been killed in the drone strike responding to the suicide attack in Kabul, after earlier confirming only one kill

Afghan families live in a temporary shelter at a park in Kabul, Afghanistan on Saturday after the Taliban sealed off the airport

'U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey gate, East gate, North gate or the New Ministry of Interior gate now should leave immediately,' the Embassy said in the alert.

Mujahid, the Taliban's main spokesman said on Saturday they would announce a new government for Afghanistan in the coming week.

He appealed to the United States and other Western nations to maintain diplomatic relations after their withdrawal, which he expected would be completed 'very soon'.

There is mounting frustration in Kabul at the severe economic hardship caused by a plummeting currency and rising food prices, with banks still shuttered two weeks after the fall of the city to the Taliban.

Mujahid said officials had already been appointed to run key institutions including the ministries of public health and education and the central bank.

Meanwhile, the US rescue operation is entering in its final hours ahead of President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline for withdrawal, and US troops will now shift their focus to the final removal or destruction of equipment and extraction of service members.

Most NATO nations have now flown out their troops after two decades in Afghanistan, winding down a frantic airlift that Western leaders acknowledged was still leaving many of their citizens and local allies behind.

The United States, which says the round-the-clock flights have evacuated more than 100,000 people since the Taliban claimed Kabul on August 15, was keeping up airlifts ahead of Biden's Tuesday deadline.

A Taliban militant patrols outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday. The airport has now been reportedly sealed off as the evacuation ends

U.S. service members assist with security at an Evacuation Control Check Point (ECC) during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday

Britain also was carrying out its final evacuation flights Saturday, though Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to 'shift heaven and earth' to get more of those at risk from the Taliban to Britain by other means.

Britain's ambassador to Afghanistan, Laurie Bristow, said in a video from Kabul airport and posted on Twitter that it was 'time to close this phase of the operation now.'

'But we havent forgotten the people who still need to leave,' he said. 'Well continue to do everything we can to help them. Nor have we forgotten the brave, decent people of Afghanistan. They deserve to live in peace and security.'

Taliban forces were holding some positions within the airport, ready to peacefully take control as American forces fly out, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The Pentagon stressed Friday that the Taliban, who now run Afghanistan, were not in control of any operations at the airport.

A Taliban Badri fighter, a 'special forces' unit, stands guard on Humvee vehicle at the main entrance gate of Kabul airport in Kabul on Saturday, following the Taliban stunning military takeover of Afghanistan

Outside the airport, Taliban leaders deployed extra forces Saturday to prevent large crowds from gathering after a devastating suicide attack two days earlier,

New layers of checkpoints sprang up on roads leading to the airport, some manned by uniformed Taliban fighters with Humvees and night-vision goggles captured from Afghan security forces.

Areas where large crowds had gathered over the past two weeks in the hopes of fleeing the country were largely empty.

A suicide attack Thursday by an Islamic State group affiliate killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members, and there were concerns that the group, which is far more radical than the Taliban, could strike again. The U.S. military said it killed an IS militant early Saturday in a drone strike, after U.S. President Joe Biden promised swift retaliation.

The president traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday to receive their remains, with their family members present.

An Afghan who worked as a translator for the U.S. military said he was with a group of people with permission to leave who tried to reach the airport late Friday. After passing through three checkpoints they were stopped at a fourth. An argument ensued, and the Taliban said they had been told by the Americans to only let U.S. passport-holders through.

'I am so hopeless for my future,' the man told The Associated Press after returning to Kabul, speaking on condition of anonymity because of security concerns. 'If the evacuation is over, what will happen to us?'

People are seen carrying an injured person to a hospital after an attack at Kabul airport on Thursday

Marines secure the airport on Thursday. The rescue operation is now in its final hours ahead of President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline

Finnish coalition forces assist evacuees for onward processing during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport earlier this week

The Pentagon said Friday that Afghans with the proper documents still were being allowed in.

On Saturday, the Taliban fired warning shots and deployed some kind of colored smoke on a road leading to the airport, sending dozens of people scattering, according to a video circulating online that was consistent with AP reporting.

Afghans, meanwhile, faced economic crises as many Western governments withheld support from Taliban rule.

In Kabul, hundreds of protesters, including many civil servants, gathered outside a bank while countless more lined up at cash machines. They said they hadn't been paid for three to six months and were unable to withdraw cash. ATM machines were still operating, but withdrawals were limited to about $200 every 24 hours.

Later Saturday, the central bank ordered commercial bank branches to open and allow customers to withdraw $200 per week, calling it a temporary measure.

The economic crisis, which predates the Taliban takeover, could give Western nations leverage as they urge Afghanistan's new rulers to form a moderate, inclusive government and allow people to leave after Tuesday.

Afghanistan is heavily dependent on international aid, which covered around 75% of the toppled Western-backed government's budget. The Taliban have said they want good relations with the international community and have promised a more moderate form of Islamic rule than when they last governed the country, but many Afghans are deeply skeptical.

The Taliban cannot access almost any of the central banks $9 billion in reserves, most of which is held by the New York Federal Reserve. The International Monetary Fund has also suspended the transfer of some $450 million. Without a regular supply of U.S. dollars, the local currency is at risk of collapse, which could send the price of basic goods soaring.

U.S. Soliders with the 82nd Airborne Division check evacuees during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul earlier this week

U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, assist with security at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC)

A U.S. Marine escorts a young girl at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint (ECC) during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport on Wednesday

A U.N. agency warned Saturday that a worsening drought threatens the livelihoods of more than 7 million people. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said Afghans are also suffering from the coronavirus pandemic and displacement from the recent fighting.

Earlier this month, the U.N. World Food Program estimated that about 14 million people - roughly one out of every three Afghans - urgently needed food assistance.

Biden has said he will adhere to a self-imposed Tuesday deadline for withdrawing all U.S. forces. The Taliban, who control nearly the entire country outside of Kabul's airport, have rejected any extension.

Italy said its final evacuation flight had landed in Rome but that it would work with the United Nations and countries bordering Afghanistan to continue helping Afghans who had worked with its military contingent to leave the country.

'Our imperative must be to not abandon the Afghan people,' especially women and children, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Saturday.

The Taliban have encouraged Afghans to stay, pledging amnesty even to those who fought against them. They have said commercial flights will resume after the U.S. withdrawal, but it's unclear if airlines will be willing to offer service.

The U.S. and its allies have said they will continue providing humanitarian aid through the U.N. and other partners, but any broader engagement - including development assistance - is likely to hinge on whether the Taliban deliver on their promises of more moderate rule.

Taliban fighters beat up a cameraman for the private broadcaster Tolo TV earlier this week in Kabul. Saad Mohseni, the CEO of the group that owns the channel, said the Taliban have been in touch with the station's management about the incident. He said the fighter has been identified, but it's unclear if he has faced any disciplinary action. There was no comment from the Taliban.

PICTURED: All 13 US troops killed by ISIS-K suicide bomber during Kabul airport evacuation On August 26, 2021, 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one Army staff sergeant were killed in a suicide attack in Kabul that also claimed more than 160 Afghan lives. The US servicemembers were on a mission of mercy to evacuate at-risk Afghans after the disastrous US withdrawal led to a Taliban takeover. These are their stories: Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23 Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee was was a maintenance technician with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Roseville, California. A week before she was killed, Gee cradled a baby in her arms at the Kabul airport. She posted the photo on Instagram and wrote, 'I love my job.' Sgt. Mallory Harrison, who lived with Gee for three years and called her a 'sister forever' and best friend, wrote about the magnitude of her loss. 'I can't quite describe the feeling I get when I force myself to come back to reality & think about how Im never going to see her again,' Harrison wrote on Facebook. 'How her last breath was taken doing what she loved - helping people. ... Then there was an explosion. And just like that, she's gone.' Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, 23, is seen four days before she was killed, escorting Afghans on to a plane in Kabul Just days before she was killed in the suicide blast, St. Nicole Gee was photographed holding an Afghan baby Gee, 23, (left and right) of Roseville, California was among those killed in the attack on Thursday in Kabul Nicole Gee (left middle), a maintenance technician with 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), awaits the launch of an MV-22B Osprey during an exercise in April Gee's Instagram page shows another photo of her in fatigues, holding a rifle next to a line of people walking into the belly of a large transport plane. She wrote: 'escorting evacuees onto the bird.' The social media account that includes many selfies after working out at the gym lists her location as California, North Carolina and 'somewhere overseas.' Photos show her on a camel in Saudi Arabia, in a bikini on a Greek isle and holding a beer in Spain. One from this month in Kuwait shows her beaming with her meritorious promotion to sergeant. Harrison said her generation of Marines hears war stories from veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, but they seem distant amid boring deployments until 'the peaceful float you were on turns into ... your friends never coming home.' Gees car was still parked in a lot at Camp Lejeune and Harrison mused about all the Marines who walked past it while she was overseas. 'Some of them knew her. Some of them didnt.' she said. 'They all walked past it. The war stories, the losses, the flag-draped coffins, the KIA bracelets & the heartbreak. Its not so distant anymore.' Friends mourned Gee (right) whom they called a 'model Marine' and a 'Marine's Marine' 'She cared about people. She loved fiercely. She was a light in this dark world. She was my person,' said friend and fellow Marine Mallory Harrison in a Facebook post on Gee (center right) 'She cared about people. She loved fiercely. She was a light in this dark world. She was my person,' said Harrison in a Facebook post. 'I find peace knowing that she left this world doing what she loved. She was a Marine's Marine,' she said. 'She was doing God's work..a warrior. Searching Afghan women and children trying to get out of country,' Captain Karen Holliday said in a Facebook tribute. Holliday called Gee a 'Model Marine. A leader on the ground in a chaotic situation.' She said that a photo released of Gee a few days before her death, showing her escorting Afghans onto a waiting plane, had been bombarded with sexist online comments 'degrading her for being a female Marine.' Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, 20 Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, 20 Lance Corporal Merola was a Marine from Rancho Cucamonga, California. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, California. The 20-year-old was a graduate of Los Osos High School, according to KABC-TV. Students honored him at Friday night's football game by wearing red, white and blue. 'Dylan was a beloved son, brother, grandson, great grandson, nephew, a great friend, and a brave soldier,' said family friend Joseph Matsuoka on a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral. Matsuoka said that Merola 'paid the ultimate sacrifice at the Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport during the evacuation.' Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25 Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario, 25 Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo was a Marine sergeant from Lawrence, Massachusetts assigned to 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Naval Support Activity Bahrain. She was a graduate of Lawrence High School and attended Bridgewater State University. On social media, friends issued and outpouring of grief and devastation at Rosario's death. Nastassia Hyatt, a former Marine, recalled Rosario helping her through difficult times in a Facebook post. 'You brought me back to life. Back to life back to life.' Hyatt wrote. 'I wish i could bring you back to life for just one last hug, one last smile, one last nap, one last meal one last anything.' 'She the second half of my heart next to my son. Like she's everything to me. She is the greatest love I've ever known in a human besides my son. This one hit hard,' Hyatt said. 'We are heartbroken by the death of the service men and women due to the bombing in Kabul this week. I and the City of Lawrence are particularly saddened that one of those brave souls was a daughter of our City,' said Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez in a statement to WCVB-TV. The Dominican Republic's embassy in the United States tweeted that Rosario was originally from that Caribbean nation. On social media, friends issued and outpouring of grief and devastation at Rosario's death Sonia Guzman, the Dominican Republics ambassador to the United States, tweeted that the Dominican community shares in the loss. 'Peace to your soul!' she tweeted in Spanish. Rosario s
New Zealand will ease some Covid-19 restrictions two weeks after the whole country was plunged into lockdown.

But nearly two million Kiwis in Auckland will remain under level four lockdown for another two weeks after 53 new cases were recorded on Monday.

The rest of New Zealand south of Auckland will move to level three lockdown restrictions from 11.59pm Tuesday and will remain in place for a week for at least a week.

Northland will remains in level four but will move to level three later this week if wastewater tests come back Covid-free.

Auckland will remain in lockdown for another two weeks after 53 new cases on Monday (pictured a drive-through vaccination clinic in the city)

For the rest of New Zealand, cafes, restaurants and takeaways can reopen but only for contactless pick-up, delivery or drive through.

Other popular non-essential retailers such as Mitre 10 and Bunnings will remain closed but many can offer contactless click and collect or deliver.

The wearing of masks remain mandatory on public transport, in taxis and other ride share vehicles, supermarkets, pharmacies and takeaway stores and when visiting healthcare facilities.

Kiwis are urged to stay within their household bubble which can be extended to close family and those in isolation who need support.

Weddings and funerals will be permitted to go ahead with up to 10 attendees.

The rest of New Zealand south of Auckland will move to level three restrictions from 11.59pm Tuesday. Pictured are Kiwi supermarket workers

Some recreational activities will be now permitted again, including swimming, surfing, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

Parents are urged to continue home-schooling but schools are open for parents who are essential workers.

All 53 of Monday's cases were recorded in Auckland after 85 cases were announced 24 hours earlier.

'To move Auckland down a level we need to be confident we don't have Delta in the community, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

She produced modelling that revealed that the country would have recorded at least 550 cases on Monday had level four restrictions not been implemented.

She added more hard work had to be done.

Level three restrictions will see the return of some permitted recreational activities (pictured a cyclist in Christchurch)

'What we can say is level four is making a difference, we're seeing a decrease in cases outside households and decreasing locations of interest,' Ms Ardern addressed the nation on Monday night.

'We are making progress, and sacrifice being made is incredibly important.

'All of that helps but the job is not yet done and we do need to keep going.'

'I'm not making any judgment from today's numbers, I'll look at tomorrow's and the next day's and we'll see what trend emerges.'

She had this message for Kiwis moving to eased restrictions.

'Level three does not mean freedom, it means caution,' Ms Ardern warned.

'It means staying in your bubble, distance and contactless transactions.'

More than 1.65 million Auckland residents will remain under level four lockdown restrictions (pictured residents in Auckland on Monday)

'While you're preparing to move into level three, Auckland is doing a huge service for all of us, not just now but throughout the pandemic.'

New Zealand had been largely virus-free for months, barring a small number of cases in February, until an outbreak of the Delta variant imported from Australia prompted Ardern to order a snap nationwide lockdown on August 17.

There are now 562 cases linked to the Delta outbreak, 13 days after New Zealand recorded its first Covid-19 case in over six months.
Every prison in New South Wales has been put on lockdown after Covid clusters emerged among unvaccinated prisoners and staff.

Inmates will be unable to move around their facilities, there will be no mingling or recreation and visitors will be unable to see their loved ones as officials fear the Delta variant could ravage prison populations.

Parklea Correctional Centre has seen 31 inmates test positive to Covid and Bathurst Correctional Centre recorded eight cases, including correctional officers.

The NSW prison system will enter a state-wide lockdown after a number of Covid clusters were recorded within correctional facilities (pictured, Silverwater Correctional Complex as the lockdown began on Monday)

Silverwater Prison has also suffered an outbreak, with officials not revealing how many inmates or staff were affected.

A spokeswoman for Corrective Services NSW said that rapid antigen screening was already in place at the Surry Hills Cells Complex and Bathurst Correctional Centre, but will be put in place as a priority in other prisons.

The Public Service Association of NSW, the union representing prison guards, said that only half of their officers had been fully vaccinated, calling into question the speed of the government's vaccination rollout.

General secretary Stewart Little told ABC radio on Monday that doses previously allocated to the prison workforce had been redirected to HSC students.

Parklea Correctional Centre recorded the highest number of cases, with 31 inmates testing positive for Covid-19

'If they're not prioritising it, they've got rocks in their heads because I can assure you having Covid in a prison facility is going to be like having a bomb go off,' Mr Little said.

'So there is a degree of anger out there that we don't have the higher level of vaccination.'

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant warned that the situation was very concerning and that correction officers were a target for vaccination.

'Obviously it's a complex operational environment. People are living in close quarters, obviously people are coming in to work in those prisons, Covid can be introduced. We also have high turnover,' Dr Chant said.

Inmates will be unable to mingle or partake in any recreation and visitors will be banned from seeing their loved ones (pictured, Silverwater Prison on Monday)

'Prisons is something we would also see a role for RAT (rapid antigen test) testing and other testing. I know that they've been testing people and isolating them when they go into prisons in order to try and prevent Covid being introduced.'

Currently, all inmates are tested when they arrive at prison facilities in NSW and go through a mandatory 14 day quarantine period before they are allowed to enter the general prison population.

Correction Services officials are hoping they can use the lockdown to assess measures in place to prevent further Covid-19 outbreaks in prison populations.
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Tenants who escaped from a burning Milan tower block have compared the blaze to the Grenfell Tower disaster after the building's 'fire-proof' cladding 'melted like butter'.

Fears are now growing that the 20-storey apartment block is facing the risk of collapse, after temperatures blazed through the outer shell, making it less stable.

The fire broke out around 5:30pm local time on Sunday at the Torre dei Moro building on via Giacomo Antonini in the southern outskirts of Milan, and was tackled by 15 fire engines and over 100 emergency service personnel.

One of the building's residents said that people were assured the panels covering the building were fire-resistant.

'We were told that the panels that covered the building were fireproof, instead, they burned quickly like butter,' a resident told local paper Corriere.

Evacuees from a Milan tower block which went on fire compare the blaze to Grenfell Tower after the building's 'fire-proof' cladding 'melts like butter'

Fears are growing that the 20-storey apartment block could collapse today after a fire broke out around 5:30pm local time at the Torre dei Moro building

Residents said they were assured the panels covering the building were fire-resistant but debris was reportedly seen falling from the tower

Italian residents say the fire was like Grenfell Tower, where seventy-two people died as a result of the blaze at the west London block (pictured)

'The technicians will do a check, but I remember perfectly well that they told us that the panels were fire resistant.'

The fire is reminiscent of the one which blazed through Grenfell Tower, where seventy-two people died at the west London block.

An electrical fault with a fridge-freezer sparked the catastrophic fire, and the tower was coated in flammable materials which contributed to the spread of flames.

In Milan, residents reported seeing debris falling off the cladding after the fire was said to have broken out on the 15th floor.

Another resident added that they 'didn't imagine' the tower would catch fire so quickly, and said within half an hour it 'looked like paper mache'.

The nearly 200 foot tall building, part of a 2012 development project, was designed to look like the keel of a ship and included an aluminium sail on its roof, which burned and fell to the street in pieces.

Policemen walk past the residential building which has been charred by the flames amid fears the structure is no longer stable and may collapse

Firefighters were continuing thorough searches of the building and verifying damage to the structure after tackling the blaze

Vehicles outside the building are burnt out after the fire spread as a firefighter photographer takes pictures of the damage caused

Debris from the tower has been left scattered on the street below as cars parked outside have been charred by the blaze

Carlo Sibia, an Interior Ministry official in Rome, said: 'The cause of the fire still needs to be determined' as firefighters continue their search of the building in case anyone was trapped

The fire was reported by a resident on the 15th floor, who sounded the alarm as he descended the building telling other occupants to evacuate.

Carlo Sibia, an Interior Ministry official in Rome, said: 'The cause of the fire still needs to be determined, but it seems that the rapid spread of the flames was due to the thermal covering of the building.'

Firefighters were continuing searches of the building and verifying damage to the structure. Prosecutors were also investigating for any indication of wrongdoing.

Every tenant has reportedly been safely evacuated and accounted for, but firefighters are conducting a thorough search of the building to ensure no one has been trapped.

Twenty tenants were checked on the scene by emergency services for smoke inhalation, but no hospitalisations have been recorded thus far.

Residents of the building included Italian rapper Mahmood, who was the 2019 winner of the San Remo music festival.

One resident said within half an hour the building 'looked like paper mache' as the blaze tore through the floors

The fire was reported by a resident on the 15th floor, who sounded the alarm as he descended the building telling other occupants to evacuate

Firefighters look inside the building using ariel ladders attacked to the vehicle as ash and debris has been left scattered over the ground

Carlo Sibia, an Interior Ministry official in Rome, said 'it seems that the rapid spread of the flames was due to the thermal covering of the building' which happened with Grenfell Tower in London in 2017

Milan's mayor, Beppe Sala, arrived on the scene after the fire to inspect the damage and ensure the safety of the tenants and firefighters.

He said: 'The firemen are going from apartment to apartment, knocking down doors to make sure no one remains inside.

'We are positive about the fact that there was time to get out, but until the check is done we cannot be sure.'

Sala said that there had been no reports of any victims in the fire so far, but added that some firefighters had sustained burns in their attempts to extinguish the flames.

'They are carrying out commendable work, as always,' he said.

The Torre dei Moro is a residential high rise measuring almost 200 feet high, which was built as part of a regeneration project in southern Milan.

Authorities reported the fire has destroyed many parts of the building almost entirely, and a perimeter has been set up by the Italian carabinieri and fire service to ensure a safe distance is kept from the building's wreckage.

Every tenant has reportedly been safely evacuated and accounted for, but firefighters are conducting a thorough search of the building to ensure no one has been trapped

Now the tower is facing the risk of collapse, after temperatures blazed through the outer shell, making it less stable

#Milano: in #fiamme un palazzo di 18 piani in via Antonini alla periferia sud. Decine le persone messe in salvo. Si sta verificando se qualcuno e' rimasto intrappolato.

Aggiornamenti @TgrRai @RaiTre pic.twitter.com/eoRxqYmHNG  Tgr Rai Lombardia (@TgrRaiLombardia) August 29, 2021

Another resident added that they 'didn't imagine' the tower would catch fire so quickly after the fire reportedly started on the 15th floor

Nearby buildings have not been damaged, but the proximity of the building to a fuel distribution system and neighbouring houses has prompted further precautionary evacuations while firefighters complete their checks.

Firefighters believe the fire started from the upper floors, collapsing the windows of the building's facade and generating a column of smoke visible from miles away, but this has not yet been verified.

'It is difficult to make assumptions about how the fire started - it probably originated on the upper floors and it is not yet clear whether it started from the inside or from the outside,' said Sala.

'What the firefighters are doing is breaking down one door after another starting from the lower floors, in very difficult working conditions and with oxygen cylinders, to see if anyone is left inside.'
Ministers today admitted they have no idea how many Afghan citizens the UK left behind in Afghanistan after Britain completed its withdrawal from the country.

The UK airlifted thousands of people out of Kabul but the Government has conceded that it was not able to rescue everyone who is eligible to come to Britain.

And there are claims that at least 5,000 people with a right to settle in the UK may be still in Afghanistan, but some fear the true number is much higher, including hundreds of interpreters who aided British troops over the past two decades.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Office Minister, said this morning that it is 'impossible' to put a number on how many people failed to make it out after the Taliban took power.

The group has given the international community assurances that eligible people will be able to leave the country and will be granted safe passage.

But Mr Cleverly said Britain is 'sceptical' of those assurances and the UK will 'judge the Taliban by their actions' amid fears of reprisals against people who helped Western forces during the conflict.

Mr Cleverly also insisted the UK is a 'long way' from offering diplomatic recognition to the new Taliban regime.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Office Minister, said this morning that it is 'impossible' to put a number on how many people failed to make it out after the Taliban took power

The UK completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan at the weekend, with the US due to complete its exit by August 31

Approximately 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting.

A joint statement from more than 90 countries, including the UK and the US, was published last night stating that the Taliban had made promises on allowing more people to leave the country.

The statement said: 'We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.'

However, many senior figures in the West fear the Taliban will fail to live up to the pledge amid concerns the number of Afghans left behind who may be eligible for resettling is actually far higher than initial Government estimates.

Asked how many people were left behind, Mr Cleverly told Sky News: Well, thats an impossible number to put a figure on. We had three methods by which, or vehicles by which, people could leave Afghanistan.

Obviously British nationals, we have a much better idea of how many British nationals were in Afghanistan. The vast, vast bulk of British nationals have now left Afghanistan.

The Arap scheme, those Afghans, interpreters and others, who had worked directly for us and with us, have their scheme.

But also we extended to Afghans who were at risk of reprisals and there was no set number of people in that third group.

Mr Cleverly said the Government is 'sceptical' about the commitments made by the Taliban.

Well, we have always said, I think the Prime Minister has said very recently, that we will judge the Taliban by their actions,' he said.

They have made certain commitments about not taking out reprisals on individuals, about facilitating exit.

Obviously we are sceptical about those commitments but we will continue working with them to an extent, based on their conduct, to try and facilitate that further evacuation and repatriation effort.

Mr Cleverly did not deny reports that hundreds of emails sent to the Foreign Office from people trying to get out of the country had been left unopened.

He said: Well, you have got to remember that when we extended our evacuation efforts to Afghan nationals we of course received a flood of requests and those were worked through and they will continue to be worked through.

But I know my own inbox had a huge number of emails came through, some duplicates, and of course we focused on the people who were at the airport who were being processed and who we felt that we could get out through Kabul airport whilst we still had security of Kabul airport.

We will of course continue to work through applications from people who have contacted us, people who are still trying to get out of Afghanistan.

Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Air Force Voyager at RAF Brize Norton, west of London on August 29

The return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan has prompted fears that the country will once again become a breeding ground for terrorism.

Asked if the UK is now less safe than it was a month ago, Mr Cleverly said: 'Sadly we saw the attack at Kabul airport, we saw members of the American military, Afghan citizens and sadly of course British nationals killed in that attack.

We will work tirelessly to protect the safety of British people, both home and abroad, that is what we do.

Ensuring that the Taliban stick to their commitments in terms of maintaining the internal security within Afghanistan is important and of course we will have to keep a very, very close eye on what happens in Afghanistan to make sure it doesnt descend back into a haven for terrorism which the Taliban have said they are committed to preventing and we will seek to hold them to that.

Mr Cleverly said that the Taliban 'want to be treated like a legitimate government' but 'theres a long way to go before we might consider that'.

The UK is now focusing on how to engage with the group after Britain pulled its final troops and diplomatic staff out of Afghanistan on Saturday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to host a virtual meeting with key allies including Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the UKs UN ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward will discuss the situation with her counterparts from the four other permanent member countries of the UN Security Council - China, France, Russia, and the US.
A two-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted to Spain has been safely returned to the UK.

Lancashire Police launched an urgent appeal for missing Gracie-May Rogers on Friday.

Last night it said the toddler had been collected by officers at Manchester Airport on Sunday evening 'in the company of a woman'.

Police had appealed for help to find Gracie-May Rogers, two, on Friday night last week

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: 'We are pleased to say that last night officers collected Gracie-May at Manchester Airport in the company of a woman.

'She has now been taken to a place of safety.

'A 35-year-old woman who we wanted to speak to in connection with Gracie-May's disappearance were detained by officers without incident.

Gracie-May was found safe and well at Manchester Airport last night by the police

'While she is not under arrest she will be voluntarily interviewed in due course.

'A 39-year-old man we wanted to speak to in connection with Gracie-May's disappearance has not returned to the UK.'

'We would like to thank everybody who shared our appeal and played a key role in helping with our investigation to find Gracie-May. Your support, as ever, is massively appreciated.'
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Dominic Raab will be 'toast' at Boris Johnson's next Cabinet reshuffle because of his handling of the UK's withdrawal from Afghanistan, it was claimed today.

The Foreign Secretary is increasingly being tipped to be axed amid an escalating Whitehall blame game.

Allies of Mr Raab believe he is being lined up by other departments as the 'fall guy' after Britain completed its chaotic exit from Kabul.

Mr Raab is expected to launch a fight back and defend his record when he faces a grilling in front of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on Wednesday this week.

Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly defended his boss this morning as he insisted the department had 'sprang quickly' into action.

Mr Cleverly also admitted the Government has no idea how many Afghan citizens were left behind who are eligible to come to the UK and said Britain is a 'long way' from offering diplomatic recognition to the new Taliban regime.

A senior Government source claimed Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, will be 'toast' at Boris Johnson's next Cabinet reshuffle

Mr Johnson is not expected to imminently shake up his top team but reports have suggested that Mr Raab could be replaced by Minister for the Cabinet Office Michael Gove

One senior Government source told The Times: 'I think he is toast in the next reshuffle. It is a poorly led organisation with a control freak in charge who won't delegate anything. Officials are terrified of him.'

Allies of Mr Raab hit back and said it is 'laughable' to try to pin all of the Government's Afghanistan-related failures on the Foreign Secretary.

Pointing the finger at other departments, they said the Ministry of Defence had failed to accurately predict how quickly the Taliban would seize control of the country while the Home Office had been slow to finalise the Afghan resettlement scheme.

Mr Cleverly defended Mr Raab and the department this morning, telling Times Radio about the negative briefings: 'I don't know where that's coming from. The organisation that I see really sprang quickly into an activity that was at a scale and nature that was unprecedented.'

Asked directly whether Mr Raab was a 'control freak', Mr Cleverly said: 'No, that's not true. It's not true.'

On the suggestion Mr Raab was 'toast' in the next reshuffle, the minister told LBC Radio: 'Government departments and ministers  including Dominic  worked incredibly hard, we worked together, we were able to get out over 15,000 people in those last couple of weeks, because all bits of Government had a role to play and discharged those roles and those functions incredibly, incredibly professionally.

'That includes Dominic, as well. None of us could have done it on our own, we could only do it working collaboratively, that's what happened.

'It was a brutal, horrible, incredibly difficult time and yet  as I say  we were able to evacuate over 15,000 people and that is a herculean task.'

A Cabinet reshuffle is not believed to be imminent. Reports have suggested that Mr Raab could eventually be replaced by Michael Gove, the Minister for the Cabinet Office.

The Foreign Office is increasingly under fire over its response to the Afghanistan crisis.

Today it was claimed the department had been slow to talk to the countries surrounding Afghanistan about setting up safe routes for refugees.

One minister told The Telegraph: 'The diplomatic effort has been slightly flat-footed. We should have been further down this road by now.

The UK completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan at the weekend, with the US due to complete its exit by Joe Biden's deadline of August 31

'There's a big job of work to be done in the region and it's frustrating it's not more advanced.'

A senior Tory MP told the newspaper that the Foreign Office is 'seen as a basket case'.

Mr Raab faced criticism earlier this month after he delayed his return from a luxury break at a five-star resort in Crete as the situation in Afghanistan deteriorated.

He insisted last week that he was not 'lounging around on the beach' while Kabul fell and was 'engaged from a hotel room'.

However, Mr Raab admitted that 'with the benefit of hindsight I wouldn't have gone away'.

Approximately 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting which came to a close at the weekend as Britain completed its withdrawal.

But ministers have admitted that they were not able to rescue everyone who is eligible to come to Britain amid fears those remaining in the country could be targeted for reprisals by the Taliban.

The group has given assurances that safe passage will be granted to people trying to leave after the US finishes its withdrawal on August 31.

But many senior figures in the West fear the Taliban will fail to live up to the pledge, with Mr Cleverly saying he is 'sceptical'.

Well, we have always said, I think the Prime Minister has said very recently, that we will judge the Taliban by their actions,' he said.

They have made certain commitments about not taking out reprisals on individuals, about facilitating exit.

A US Air Force aircraft is pictured taking off from the airport in Kabul today as the US deployment in the country comes to an end

Obviously we are sceptical about those commitments but we will continue working with them to an extent, based on their conduct, to try and facilitate that further evacuation and repatriation effort.

Asked how many people were left behind, Mr Cleverly told Sky News: Well, thats an impossible number to put a figure on. We had three methods by which, or vehicles by which, people could leave Afghanistan.

Obviously British nationals, we have a much better idea of how many British nationals were in Afghanistan. The vast, vast bulk of British nationals have now left Afghanistan.

The Arap scheme, those Afghans, interpreters and others, who had worked directly for us and with us, have their scheme.

But also we extended to Afghans who were at risk of reprisals and there was no set number of people in that third group.

Mr Cleverly said that the Taliban 'want to be treated like a legitimate government' but 'theres a long way to go before we might consider that'.
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The RAF today revealed it crammed more than 400 Afghans onto huge cargo jets - more than three times the aircraft's normal capacity - during its evacuations flights from Kabul that ended on Sunday.

One RAF C-17 had 436 people aboard, which 99 Squadron said was the biggest capacity flight in RAF history, although the US Air Force managed to get 823 people aboard the same model of aircraft during the evacuation.

However, despite the packed flights Britain has left at least 1,000 people behind and ministers admit they have 'no idea' how many Afghans with the right to come to the UK have been left to the Taliban after US President Joe Biden abandoned the country and did nothing as the government collapsed in weeks.

The UK says the Taliban has agreed to continue to let people out of the country, although ministers admit they are 'skeptical' about whether the hardline Islamist regime has any intention of honoring this agreement.

One interpreter who aided British troops for years said he was turned away from the airport after waiting for four days and said today: 'I just feel that they don't care about us.'

Those left behind are now forced to try and make it out of the country by land via so-called 'Uber escapes' routes - the going rate is up to $25,000 for a seat on a bus to Pakistan.

Images emerged today showing how every inch of the hold of the RAF cargo planes have been filled with desperate Afghan refugees, British citizens and the meagre possessions they have been able to carry out of the country as it fell to the Taliban.

In a tweet this morning, the RAF's 99 Squadron, who have been flying the C-17s, tweeted: 'Our normal limit for persons on board (POB) is a total of 138, which is limited by life raft capacity (46 x 3 or surge of 69 x 2 = 138 if one is damaged on ditching). 138 - 6 crew = 132 passengers. We more than tripled this on a daily basis for the last 2 weeks'.

The US Air Force holds the record for the most number of people crammed onto a C-17 after one took off from Kabul to Qatar with 823 refugees aboard.

This is well above the official capacity, but the US crew decided to take the refugees after they forced their way aboard the jet in the early chaotic stages of the evacuation from Kabul.

There are claims that at least 5,000 people with a right to settle in the UK may be still in Afghanistan, but some fear the true number is much higher, including hundreds of interpreters who aided British troops over the past two decades.

It comes as:

Multiple rockets have been fired at Kabul airport in just the latest attack as the US races to get its last troops out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline;

Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly admitted the Government has no idea how many Afghan citizens the UK left behind in Afghanistan;

Dominic Raab will be 'toast' at Boris Johnson's next Cabinet reshuffle because of his handling of the UK's withdrawal from Afghanistan, it was claimed today

Britain is facing the biggest terror threat in years, experts have warned the Prime Minister;

The Government today said it had received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so;

MPs and former military leaders have called on the government to create a new regiment in the British Army for Afghan special forces - just like the Gurkhas.

This incredible picture shows a RoyalAirForce C-17 Globemaster leaving Kabul last week carrying 436 people - the single biggest capacity flight in RAF history.

People disembark off a Royal Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft carrying evacuees from Afghanistan and arriving at Al-Maktoum International Airport in the United Arab Emirates on August 19

Record: A US C-17 jet carried 823 Afghan refugees from Kabul to Qatar during the early stages of the evacuation. The refugees ran up the half-open ramp while US forces were preparing for take-off, before the crew decided to take them rather than attempt to force them off

One Afghan who aided the British Embassy, the British Council and came on foot patrols with British troops told BBC Radio 4 today: 'I tried for four days and four nights. I tried every possible way to get in the airport but I couldn't even get within 10 metres of the gate.

Taliban promises UK government to allow Afghans 'safe passage' to leave after August 31 The UK Government has received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so. British troops have already left Kabul and US military personnel will be out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden. But there have been fears over the potentially thousands of Afghans who may have been eligible for resettlement schemes, who could not make it to Kabul airport for evacuation or were not processed in time. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that if the Taliban regime wanted diplomatic recognition and aid funding, they would have to ensure 'safe passage' for those who want to leave. And in a joint statement with the US and more than 90 other countries, it was confirmed that the Taliban had said anyone who wished to leave the country could do so. The joint statement said: 'We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.' It comes after 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting, which is believed to be the largest evacuation mission since the Second World War. British ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Laurie Bristow, who had remained in the country and relocated the embassy to Kabul airport to process as many evacuees as possible, arrived back in the UK on Sunday. He vowed to continue to help British nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help. Speaking on the runway at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he said: 'We've had to leave Afghanistan for now and the embassy will operate from Qatar for the time being. 'We will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan, working on humanitarian, diplomatic and security work, and above all bringing to the UK Afghans and British nationals who still need our support, and we will be putting pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those people. 'We will reopen the embassy as soon as we can. We will do everything we can to protect the gains of the last 20 years and above all to help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace that they deserve.' Advertisement

'It was not just the number of people. The Taliban were hitting people, they hit me and my wife, I got an injury and she was left unconscious.

'They weren't letting people going through. I had no choice but to show them the email showing my job. They shoved an AK47 in my face, abused me and hit me with a stick.

'The email said I was eligible to go to the UK. It was horrible for me [knowing the last flights had left]. I cannot even believe it. I've been asking my friends whether it's true if the last UK flight has left.

'I have no help, no shelter or anything. My house is now a rest area for the Taliban.

'I've got some emails saying that the evacuation has ended. Now you have to go to a second country. Pakistan's border has closed, there's one open, smuggling people, but that's only for the locals.

'The MoD's biometric system is now with the Taliban. Some of the them know my face. They will capture me and kill all my family.

'I cannot walk to the shop to buy something right now.

'I had a lot in the British government because they are powerful and I thought they would care about me. But I just feel that they don't care about us.'

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said it was impossible to say how many people were left in Afghanistan who were eligible to come to the UK.

'That's an impossible number to put a figure on,' he told Sky News.

The 'vast, vast bulk' of British nationals had left Afghanistan, he said, but there were also eligible people under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme - for people who helped UK forces - and others who could be under threat from the Taliban.

'We are going to continue working to get people out who fall into those groups - predominantly now, of course, it will be in that third group - people at risk of reprisals, whether they be high-profile individuals, of religious minorities or others who may be under severe risk of reprisals from the Taliban.'

Mr Cleverly also acknowledged that emails from Afghans desperate to leave the country may not have been read.

Asked if he had unread emails in his inbox, Mr Cleverly told the BBC: 'I suspect everybody has.'

The Government had received a 'huge number of emails directly from Afghanistan and from third parties' after announcing it would help Afghans at risk of reprisals from the Taliban.

'Obviously we had a limited time window and limited flight availability in Kabul airport. We of course were prioritising getting people who had been processed, who were at the airport, on to planes and out of the country.

'We will continue to work with those Afghans in other parts of Afghanistan who had not been processed when the airport closed and we will continue working to get them out of the country.

'We have been and will continue to work through the significant number of emails that we have received to try to get as many other people out of Afghanistan as possible.'

Mr Cleverly defended the response of the department and his boss Dominic Raab to the crisis in Afghanistan.

He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'This was, at every level - from senior ministerial level right through to the people on the ground in Afghanistan - a team effort and every bit of the team pulled out the stops.

'It could never be a perfect operation because of the circumstances that we were operating in.'

The UK Government today said it had received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so.

British troops have already left Kabul and US military personnel will be out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden.

But there have been fears over the potentially thousands of Afghans who may have been eligible for resettlement schemes, who could not make it to Kabul airport for evacuation or were not processed in time.

Taliban stand guard outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul today

Crowds of people wait outside the airport in Kabul in a photo taken on August 25

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that if the Taliban regime wanted diplomatic recognition and aid funding, they would have to ensure 'safe passage' for those who want to leave.

Daughter of British shopkeeper killed in ISIS-K Kabul airport terror attack begs the UK Government to help bring her mother home Mr Popals' 14-year-old grandson, Hameed (pictured), who lived in Afghanistan and acted as an interpreter for his grandparents, is missing and feared dead The daughter of a British shopkeeper who was killed in the attack on Kabul airport is begging the UK Government to help bring her mother home. Zohra Popal, 23, said the family feel 'ignored' by the Foreign Office, which she said has not made contact since news of her father's death was confirmed. Musa Popal, 60, was pushing through the crowd trying to attract the attention of soldiers by waving his British passport when he was killed by the suicide bomber, it was reported last night. His wife Saleema managed to crawl away from the carnage. Their 14-year-old grandson, Hameed, who lived in Afghanistan and acted as an interpreter for his grandparents, is missing and feared dead. Ms Popal said she fears for the life of her mother, 60, who remains in Afghanistan, and members of her family who she believes could be targeted by the Taliban. 'My mum, she has no documents now because my dad was holding everything when he died. 'She and the rest of my family are still in danger, and we still might lose them. And yet we can't get through to the Foreign Office. 'Their number is constantly engaged. We feel completely ignored. 'But we must get them to safety. I can't live without them. We need the Government's help.' Advertisement

And in a joint statement with the US and more than 90 other countries, it was confirmed that the Taliban had said anyone who wished to leave the country could do so.

The joint statement said: 'We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.'

It comes after 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting, which is believed to be the largest evacuation mission since the Second World War.

British ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Laurie Bristow, who had remained in the country and relocated the embassy to Kabul airport to process as many evacuees as possible, arrived back in the UK on Sunday.

He vowed to continue to help British nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said yesterday that 1,000 eligible Afghans and 150 Britons had been left behind.

Speaking on the runway at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he said: 'We've had to leave Afghanistan for now and the embassy will operate from Qatar for the time being.

'We will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan, working on humanitarian, diplomatic and security work, and above all bringing to the UK Afghans and British nationals who still need our support, and we will be putting pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those people.

'We will reopen the embassy as soon as we can. We will do everything we can to protect the gains of the last 20 years and above all to help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace that they deserve.'

Vice Admiral Ben Key, Chief of Joint Operations, who commanded Operation Pitting, admitted there was a 'sense of sadness' that not all could be saved.

He said: 'Whilst we recognise and I pay testament to the achievement of everything that has been achieved by coalition forces, but particularly the British contingent, over the last two weeks, in the end we know that there are some really sad stories of people who have desperately tried to leave that we have, no matter how hard our efforts, we have been unsuccessful in evacuating.'

He added: 'There has been a phenomenal effort achieved in the last two weeks. And I think we always knew that somewhere we would fall just short.'

After official advice earlier in the week changed to advise people to stay away from Kabul airport due to the threat of a terrorist attack, ministers said anyone who could reach a third country could be processed and flown to the UK from there.

But there were concerns the Taliban would not allow this, amid reports of roadblocks.

Among those stuck in Afghanistan was the wife of a British shopkeeper who was killed in the terror attack on Kabul airport on Thursday.

Zohra Popal, 23, broke down in tears as she described the pain of losing her father, Musa Popal, and begged the Government to help bring her mother home.

She said the family feel 'ignored' by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, which has not made contact since news of his death was confirmed.

Mr Popal, 60, was among three British citizens, including a child, who were killed in the suicide attack.

Mohamed Niazi, 29, an Uber driver from Aldershot, Hampshire, was also among the victims.

Ms Popal said she fears for the life of her mother Saleema, 60, and members of her family who she believes could be targeted by the Taliban.

British military personnel boarding a Royal Air Force (RAF) A400M aircraft ahead of departing Kabul Airport yesterday

In a video uploaded to Twitter on Sunday, Mr Johnson praised the more than 1,000 military personnel, diplomats and officials who took part in the operation in Afghanistan.

He said: 'UK troops and officials have worked around the clock to a remorseless deadline in harrowing conditions.

'They have expended all the patience and care and thought they possess to help people in fear for their lives.

'They've seen at first hand barbaric terrorist attacks on the queues of people they were trying to comfort, as well as on our American friends.

'They didn't flinch. They kept calm. They got on with the job.

'It's thanks to their colossal exertions that this country has now processed, checked, vetted and airlifted more than 15,000 people to safety in less than two weeks.'

Meanwhile, officials said a US airstrike has targeted a vehicle carrying 'multiple suicide bombers' from the affiliate of the so-called Islamic State, Isis-K, in Afghanistan before they could target the US military evacuation at Kabul airport, officials said.
A desperate search is underway to track down a middle-aged man who allegedly performed a 'sex act' while lurking outside a childcare centre.

The disturbing alleged incident took place on Thames Street in Balmain, in Sydney's inner west, at about 1.15pm on August 17 leaving parents and staff horrified.

Police said a man captured on surveillance footage near the scene may be able to assist with their investigation.

Have you seen this man? Police are appealing for information to locate this unknown man who they believe can insist with inquiries

A member of the public raised the alarm when they observed the unknown man allegedly in the midst of the indecent act and tried to intervene.

'When the member of the public approached the man and called police, he left the scene,' police said in a statement.

'Officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command attended and conducted extensive patrols of the area; however, the man could not be located.'

Police have now launched a man hunt to track down the alleged sex offender and are calling on the public to help.

Investigators are hoping to speak with this man described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall, aged in his 40s or 50s, of medium build, with brown, thinning hair

The man police want to speak to is seen wearing a dark jacket with blue denim jeans and sneakers

Investigators say a man captured on CCTV may be able to assist with their inquiries.

'The man depicted in the images is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall, aged in his 40s or 50s, of medium build, with brown, thinning hair,' police said.

'He is depicted wearing a dark jacket, blue denim jeans and sneakers.'

Anyone who may have any information about the identity of the man in the video, or the alleged incident, is urged to contact police immediately.
A teenage girl was electrocuted when her home in Brazil was struck by lightning while she was using her mobile phone as it charged.

Radja Ferreira de Oliveira was in her home in the city of Santarem, northern Brazil, when the property was struck by lightning in the early hours of Sunday.

At the moment the lightning struck, the teen was using her phone which was plugged into the mains, and she received a severe electric shock and passed out.

Radja Ferreira de Oliveira was using her phone as it was charging at her family home in Santarem, Brazil, when the house was struck by lightning and she was electrocuted

Medics were called, but the girl's family had given her first aid and taken her to the hospital themselves by the time they arrived at the home.

Despite the best efforts of the girl's family, she was pronounced dead on arrival at the city's hospital.

Radja was the third person to be electrocuted in the Brazilian state of Para last week.

Semeao Tavares was on a phone call in the district of Apolinario when he was struck by lightning during a different storm on Wednesday.

Medics managed to reach him while he was still alive, but were unable to save him and he succumbed to his injuries.

Councillor Raimundo Brito was also electrocuted during the same storm in the same area of the city while he was plucking a duck at his home.

He managed to call for help and was taken to the local health centre, where he was treated for his injuries.

After Oliveira's death, officials warned of the risks while using a mobile phone while it is still charging - particularly during a thunderstorm.
NSW will likely keep periodically inoculating its residents against COVID-19 for years to come, the state's top doctor says, as daily infections hit another high and the nation records its first Indigenous virus death.

A record 1290 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases were detected in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, and another four deaths recorded.

A man in his 50s in Dubbo, two men in their 70s and a woman in her 60s take the death toll from the current outbreak to 93, with the national toll for the entire pandemic surpassing 1000.

NSW's Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant (pictured) has said vaccines will be a regular thing until a jab that provides a permanent immunity is developed

The Western NSW Local Health District on Monday confirmed the Dubbo man - who was not vaccinated - was Aboriginal.

He is the first Indigenous person to die with COVID-19 in Australia since the pandemic began.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said health authorities would likely vaccinate NSW residents on a regular basis in the long term, or until vaccines are developed which provided more permanent COVID-19 immunity.

'We need to get used to being vaccinated with COVID vaccines for the future ... I can't say COVID is not going to be with us forever,' Dr Chant told reporters on Monday.

'As a public health doctor we always want to have diseases go, to be totally eliminated, but that is not on the horizon in the near future.

'Booster doses and repeat doses will be part of that.'

The state government has committed to restoring personal freedoms to fully vaccinated residents once the state hits 70 per cent double-dose coverage (pictured, nurses at a vaccine centre in Sydney's Belmore)

The state government on Sunday committed to restoring personal freedoms to fully vaccinated residents once the state hits 70 per cent double-dose coverage, regardless of COVID-19 case numbers.

About 36 per cent of the state residents have been fully vaccinated so far, with the 70 per cent threshold expected to be reached in mid-October.

But, unlike other jurisdictions such as the UK, Premier Gladys Berejiklian again made clear that reaching 70 and 80 per cent NSW vaccination coverage would not prompt a widespread 'freedom day'.

QR code check-ins, yet-to-be-developed vaccination passports, density requirements and mask use would be long-term suppression tools.

It comes as the number of COVID-19 patients in NSW hospitals nears 850, with 137 patients in intensive care and 48 ventilated.

While NSW has a surge capacity of about 2000 intensive care beds and an equivalent number of ventilators, unions have expressed concern the quality of patient care in such a scenario would be greatly diluted.

Ms Berejiklian said the rate of hospitalisations per COVID-19 infection would continue to fall as more NSW residents are vaccinated, but the overall number of hospitalisations was likely to rise as infections increase.

A man in his 50s has died in Dubbo Hospital (pictured), becoming the first Indigenous man to die of Covid-19

There are currently 850 Covid-19 patients in NSW Hospitals, with 137 patients in intensive care and 48 ventilated (pictured, a nurse gives out a vaccine in Sydney)

October is likely to be the worst month for the NSW health system due to the accumulation of COVID-19 infections from the preceding weeks.

'Every day we get closer to hitting those vaccination targets, meaning the pressure on our hospital system, on our ICU will decline over time, and that is what we need to manage,' Ms Berejiklian said.

'We are going to see more cases but if the majority of the population is vaccinated, the majority of those cases will not need to be in hospital.

'The health system is prepared, but will it stretch? Absolutely.'

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said she was confident rising vaccination rates would also ensure a staggered return to school from October 25, building to a full return from November 8.

A survey of 50,000 public school teachers found about 70 per cent had one vaccination and 40 per cent were double vaccinated.

Authorities on Sunday also revealed a COVID-19 outbreak at Parklea prison in Sydney's northwest has reached at least 31 cases.
Spectators at a rally car event have avoided serious injuries after ignoring warnings not to stand on the track and being hit by a vehicle.

Footage shows the driver losing control of his car at the Tucuman Rally which was held in the town of Tafi Viejo near San Miguel de Tucuman in northern Argentina on Sunday.

Driver Karim Drube was speeding along the track in his highly-modified Volkswagen Golf when he lost control on the loose surface.

Spectators at a rally car event have avoided serious injuries after ignoring warnings not to stand on the track and being hit by a vehicle

Driver Karim Drube was speeding round the corner of the track in his highly modified Volkswagen Gol when he lost control of the car on the loose surface

He appears to get into difficulty and the car begins to violently slalom from left to right whilst he struggles to correct course.

The car eventually flies off the track and ploughs directly into a large group of spectators who had been standing by the race track.

Bodies can be heard cracking against the car whilst the rest of the crowd screams in terror.

Local news site Infobae reports that despite the severity of the crash none of the people who were hit by the speeding car was severely injured.

Footage shows the driver losing control of his car at the Tucuman Rally which was held in the town of Tafi Viejo near San Miguel de Tucuman in northern Argentina on Sunday

The driver is also said to be doing fine and wasn't injured and only a few people had 'scrapes' after jumping out of the way to avoid the impact

According to Carburando, five people suffered blows and were transferred to check on their injuries.

They were treated by a doctor who was at the scene and did not have serious injuries.

Karim stopped his car and according to Inifobae once he was assured by race organisers that no one had been badly injured he continued the race.

Local news site Infobae reports that despite the severity of the crash none of the people who were hit by the speeding car was severely injured

The car eventually flies off the track and ploughs directly into a large group of spectators who had been standing by the race track

The driver is also said to be doing fine and wasn't injured and only a few people had 'scrapes' after jumping out of the way to avoid the impact, according to Cadena 3.

Infobae reports that the spectators were not supposed to be standing so close to the track and despite being warned by race officials to move back they wanted to get as close to the cars as possible.

The rally is expected to continue with the next stage scheduled for the 18th and 19th of September in the municipality of Trancas.
Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner is among scores of social media users mocking Michael Gove's 'dad dancing' after video emerged of the Minister 'raving' on a dancefloor at an Aberdeen nightclub.

The 54-year-old Tory, who recently announced he is to divorce from wife Sarah Vine, was filmed in a suit flailing his arms, dancing wildly and hugging other revellers at Bohemia in his home city.

Mr Gove reportedly turned up to O'Neill's pub alone on Saturday night and was quickly adopted by local punters who urged him to join them in the club upstairs after last orders were called.

Friends suggested he had been in Aberdeen to visit family and friends.

They also said they did not recognise claims that he had attempted to blag his way into the club without paying the 5 entry fee by citing his official title of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Taking to Twitter to mock the Cabinet Office Minister, Ms Rayner said: 'I'm pleased Michael Gove was able to let his hair down on holiday and I hope he had a good night.

'But I'm deeply concerned about reports he tried to not pay his entry fee with the big 'do you not know who I am' routine, and allegedly didn't get his round in. Serious questions...'.

Other social media users wondered if Mr Gove was the 'lovechild' of Theresa May and Rowan Atkinson's Mr Bean, posting short videos online comparing their wild dance moves.

The 54-year-old Tory, who recently announced he is to divorce from wife Sarah Vine, was filmed in a suit flailing his arms, dancing wildly and hugging other revellers at Bohemia in his home city

Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner is among scores of social media users mocking Michael Gove's 'dad dancing' after video emerged of the Cabinet Minister 'raving' on a dancefloor at an Aberdeen nightclub

Other social media users wondered if Mr Gove was the 'lovechild' of Theresa May and Rowan Atkinson's Mr Bean, posting short videos online comparing their wild dance moves

Michael Gove was seen dancing the night away at a Scottish nightclub on Saturday, much to the surprise of fellow revellers

'Michael Gove raving is utterly mesmerising. He trained at the Mr Bean Academy of Dance, apparently,' one person tweeted.

Another said: 'That awkward moment when you realise Michael Gove is Mr Bean's and Theresa May's lovechild...'.

A third wrote: 'Who needs reality TV? Michael Gove spotted raving in a suit at 2am in Aberdeen nightclub'.

One person posted: 'Michael Gove's dancing just made me cringe so hard that I shed a layer of skin'. Another said: 'Offering hope to men in their fifties'.

Musician Emma Lament, who posted the videos to Instagram, wrote in the captions that Mr Gove was 'giving it big licks' as he shook his tailfeathers and bopped to pulsating techno music.

In the videos, one partygoer can be heard yelling over the music: 'Is this real?'

The senior Tory MP reportedly turned up to O'Neill's pub alone and was quickly adopted by local punters who urged him to join them in the club upstairs after last orders were called.

Mr Gove happened to arrive on the Pipe club night on Saturday and early Sunday morning, which is described as 'an unpredictable mix of the most high energy UK and global club music scenes'.

Scores of Twitter users have mocked Mr Gove's dad dancing at an Aberdeen nightclub

The usually reserved minister, 54, was filmed throwing shapes on the dance floor at Bohemia in Aberdeen, pausing only to shake hands with fellow partygoers

He posed for pictures with several punters throughout the night and was still there at 2.30am, according to Lament.

She told The Daily Record that Mr Gove had appeared at O'Neill's around 1.15am just as the pub was closing and appeared to be by himself.

'The Tories aren't too popular in Scotland but people were generally quite nice to him,' she said, adding: 'It's fair to say he'd had a good few shandies when he arrived at O'Neill's.'

Once in the club, Mr Gove appeared to be in his element, bopping along to the music and being treated to drinks by clubbers.

'He really was enjoying himself, I don't think he left the dance floor the whole time I was there,' Ms Lament said.

'People were buying him drinks but were also joking that he should be getting the rounds after he racked up 100,000 in expenses last year.

An Aberdeen native, Gove appeared to be enjoying a night on the tiles in his hometown following news last month that he and his wife of 20 years, columnist Sarah Vine, are to divorce

Gove (right) posed for pictures with several punters throughout the night and was still there at 2.30am, according to one reveller

Ms Lament told The Daily Record that she was happy to see an MP backing Scotland's nightlife, which has recently reopened after an extended closure due to the Covid pandemic.

'This was the last thing I expected to see on a Saturday night in Aberdeen.'

Pipe manager Adam Taylor claimed Gove tried to avoid the club night's 5 entry fee.

'I was welcoming people at the door of O'Neill's for the launch of Pipe, our new club night and art organisation, when Michael Gove, who had been drinking downstairs tried to walk past me upstairs without paying the entry fee,' Mr Taylor said.

'He was saying he shouldn't have to pay because he is the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.'

'Feeling like it was a losing battle as he was already halfway up the stairs I asked him if he liked dance music.

'I told him that my co-manager, Nina Stanger, was upstairs playing Jungle and going hard.

'Michael said 'I LOVE dancing' and did he ever,' Mr Taylor said.

Mr Gove's enthusiasm was also picked up by Saturday night's DJs who name-checked the MP in a statement thanking clubbers for coming out.

'Thanks to all the amazing people, and Michael Gove, who made it out for the first Pipe last night,' they said.

'We had a great time going in for four hours straight. Definitely blew some cobwebs away.'
A Sydney community is mourning the death of a 'humble bootmaker' who spent the 60 years putting a smile on local's faces before being struck down by Covid-19.

Jim Saad, 80, ran Shoe Repairs & Key Cutting at Milsons Point station servicing the shoes of former prime minister John Howard, celebrities and a legion of loyal customers on Sydney's lower north shore.

He even made the over-sized boots worn by the clowns at Luna Park.

The Kirribilli community say the area 'will never be the same again' and have flooded his shopfront with flowers and moving tributes to show his family how much he meant to locals, who passed by his store everyday on their way to work.

Mr Saad died of a heart attack last Saturday, six days after contracting coronavirus.

He is one of the 1,000 Australians who've tragically lost their life after being struck down by the virus`.

An affluent Sydney community is mourning the death of 'humble bootmaker' Jim Saad, 80, (pictured) who spent the past 60 years putting a smile on local's faces

Locals left flowers and moving tributes outside of his shop, Shoe Repairs & Key Cutting, at Milsons Point station

Vale Jim: Locked down residents left messages showing how much Mr Saad meant to them

Mr Saad ran the store for 60 years at Milson's Point station and had an army of loyal customers

Local residents said they wanted to leave tributes at his shop to show his 'beautiful family' how much they 'loved and appreciated' him

'Everybody in the area walked past his place going to and from the area and you'd see him in his shop working away and say hello,' Lloyd Gledhill, who has been mates with Mr Saad for 38 years, told Daily Mail Australia.

'Everybody took their shoes to him because he did such a great job.

'And he just had an interesting sense of humour and would reprimand customers if he thought they weren't looking after their shoes.'

While the highly-skilled cobbler, who started the business after emigrating from Lebanon in 1962, was a master when it came to his craft, customers remember him for his kind-hearted nature.

'Your welcoming wave to come and join you for a chat or a cuppa will hold so many special memories,' a tribute left outside his shop front said.

'Jim was a kind man who always took the time to talk to me and my four children. I miss you Jim. Kirribilli will always miss you.'

Mr Saad started the business after emigrating from Lebanon in 1962 and was a considered a master at this craft

Lloyd Gledhill captured a stunning photography series of his friend at work earlier this year

Mr Gledhill said 'Jim had an interesting sense of humour and would reprimand customers if he thought they weren't looking after their shoes'

Another message said: 'Warmest regards from a community that will never be the same again.

'You meant so much to so many in the local area'.

Locked down local residents said they wanted to leave tributes at his shop to show his 'beautiful family' how much they 'loved and appreciated' him.

'He was just a humble bootmaker who came by bus and train every day for 60 years to serve the people of Milsons Point and Kirribilli,' Mr Gledhill said.

'But Jim had a lot of very prominent people who came in. I believe John Howard was one of his customers and he also worked for Luna Park to provide the oversized giant shoes for the clowns there.

'The thing was he was 80 and had absolutely no intention of retiring. He just wanted to serve and help people.'

Mr Saad is captured in his younger days in a black and white photograph as the community mourn a local legend

Mr Saad's family are working to live stream his funeral service and are set to finalise a date in the coming days

Mr Saad's family say they are overwhelmed by the support of the community (pictured, his beloved shop)

Due to NSW Covid restrictions a large public funeral is not possible.

But the family are working to live stream the service and are set to finalise a date in the coming days.

Many are also calling on the local North Sydney Government to erect a permanent memorial at Milsons Point Station.

Mr Saad's family say they are overwhelmed by the support of the community.

'As a father he provided everything for me and my sister and his grandchildren  the way he was at work was the way he was at home,' his son Matthew the North Shore Times.

'He never wanted the kids to go without and was always happy and smiling.

'The shop was his second home  he worked six days a week and he only had maybe three weeks off each year at Christmas.

'There was nothing he didn't know about shoes.'
The married father-of-two and the son of a police officer were among the three people who were killed after an armed gang used civilian hostages as human shields and tied them to the top of their cars during a series of bank robberies in Brazil.

Around 20 robbers armed with machine guns, bombs and drones reportedly robbed three banks in downtown Aracatuba city starting around midnight Monday.

The suspects attacked the local police headquarters and blocked roads into the city using burned-out cars to stop reinforcements from arriving, before kidnapping terrified locals at gunpoint.

Video shows how gunmen walked lines of hostages through the streets before strapping them to the roofs and bonnets of their cars as they made their escape - scattering infrared proximity bombs along their route to stop police following.

The Aracatuba Military Police said that Renato Bortolucci, 38, had left his wife tending to the gas station he owned so that he could film the bank robbers escape when he was shot dead.

It didn't work out very well. The guy didn't like it, no," Bortolucci said while recording the video footage as gun fire erupted in the background. 'I said I was going to exchange an idea with him. I want a slice too, son."

Marcio Victor, also a resident of Aracatuba, was driving either a motorcycle or bicycle, when the suspects gunned him down.

Victor worked as physical education teacher. His father is an investigator with the Civil Police.

The third dead victim was a gang member who was killed during a shootout with cops in the Aracatuba rural town of Taveira.

Civilian hostages are strapped to the roof and bonnet of a getaway car used during a huge raid on two banks in the city of Aracatuba, near to the Brazilian capital of Sao Paulo

A civilian hostage strapped to the bonnet of a getaway car is driven through the streets of Aracatuba following a huge raid by dozens of gunmen

Renato Bortolucci was one of two civilians killed by an armed gang that robbed three banks in Aracatuba, Brazil, on Monday. The 38-year-old, a married father of two girls, left his wife behind at the gas station he owned so that he could film the suspects, but was struck by gun fire

The Aracatuba police said Marcio Victor was driving either a motorcycle or bicycle when the bank robbery suspects gunned him down Monday. He worked as physical education teacher. His father is an investigator with the Civil Police

Four civilians were injured, including a 25-year-old cyclist who accidentally detonated one of the proximity bombs while riding past it. He was rushed to surgery and had both feet amputated.

A 28-year-old male was shot in the abdomen was listed in stable condition. A 31-year-old man was shot in the arms and face. He has been listed in serious condition.

The suspects also shot a 38-year-old man in the legs and arms, and had a bullet graze his head. He is in serious condition.

A 45-year-old was also shot in the buttocks and discharged from a local hospital after he was treated.

The fate of most of the hostages, including those strapped to the vehicles, is unclear. One woman who said she had been kidnapped at gunpoint later escaped by running into a nearby hotel.

Authorities urged the Aracatuba's 198,129 residents to remain home and school classes were cancelled as they canvassed the area for the suspects and bombs, including one that set up behind a car next to Bortolucci's SUV.

Brazil - for years one of the world's most-violent countries - has been devastated by the Covid pandemic under the leadership of President Bolsonaro, who is now facing corruption investigations, plunging ratings, and possible impeachment.

A convoy of cars with multiple people strapped to their bonnets and poking out their sun roofs turns around in the street as the bank robbers flee

Primeiro Comando da Capital: Gang behind Brazil bank heists It is not clear exactly who was behind Monday's raid on the city of Aracatuba, but suspicion is likely to fall on the PCC - Brazil's largest gang which has carried out similar raids in the past. The gang was founded in 1993 during a game of football by eight inmates at what was then thought to be the safest prison in Sao Paulo state, who bonded over shared anger at a jailhouse raid by Brazilian police the previous year that killed 111 inmates. Immediately after the football match, the men beheaded the prison's deputy director and an inmate with special privileges, with one of their heads placed on a spike. From there, the gang grew to become the largest in Brazil - harnessing popular mistrust and anger at the country's often-brutal police force - and now boasts 20,000 members, some 6,000 of whom are in jail. It operates mostly in Sao Paulo state, but is thought to have branches across Brazil and in neighboring Argentina and Paraguay. In 2017, it orchestrated a huge raid on the Prosegur security company in Paraguay - with 30 heavily armed gunmen using assault rifles, .50 calibre machine guns capable of downing helicopters, explosives, bullet-proof cars and speedboats to get away with some $8million. They are thought to be the driving force behind a string of similar raids that have taken place across Sao Paulo state since and have become known as 'novo cangaco' raids - after groups of bandits that operated in Brazil's north in the 1900s. The PCC is thought to organize and plan the raids, but has been known to call on hired guns and 'sister' criminal outfits to do the dirty work. Advertisement

The country is now struggling to get its hobbled economy back on its feet, with one of the world's highest Covid infection and death rates, with just 16 per cent of adults vaccinated.

Meanwhile violent crime is soaring as law and order declined - with Bolsonaro himself declaring he will end up 'being arrested, killed or winning [the next election]' in a sign of the dire straits the country is in.

The raid began when the robbers hijacked and burned at least four vehicles, using the wrecks to block roads.

One was placed outside the headquarters of the local military police - trapping officers inside - while two more were placed on the main highway.

The suspects then moved to the city center where a fourth burned-out vehicle was dumped near a string of banks.

Experts believe a COVID-19 pandemic welfare program for poorer Brazilians has encouraged robbers to plan bold raids in sleepy regional cities where bank branches are storing more cash.

Raiders then struck branches of the Banco do Brasil, Banco Safra and Caixa Economica, taking an unknown amount of cash.

It was then that they started taking hostages - holding people up at gunpoint before strapping them to the outside of their vehicles.

Bombs fitted with infrared proximity sensors were then scattered along the escape route to stop people following them.

One piece of footage shows two of the raiders planting a device - turning on a green laser which shines a series of dots on the ground which is thought to form part of the proximity sensor - before running away.

At least four people were injured in the shooting, according to the Folha de Sao Paulo site, which did not give any indication of their condition.

One person was shot during the raid while another, a cyclist, was hit by one of the infrared bombs, CNN reported.

The 25-year-old was rushed to hospital with serious injuries to his legs, before surgeons were forced to amputate his feet.

Speaking to G1 after Monday's raid, the woman who managed to escape said: 'We were returning from a party. They stopped the car and... threw me on the ground, they threw us into a truck, they kidnapped us.

'We were praying all the way. They stopped us at the bank, pointed the gun in my face several times. I had to beg for my life, get help. I had to escape, otherwise they would kill me.

'I begged for my life, showed me my waist, they saw I had [no weapon]. Thank God I managed to run away, I entered a hotel. They were heavily armed. They pointed R15, AK 47 in my face.'

The entire city has since been placed on lockdown with police warning that bombs have been scattered through the streets and residents should stay inside.

One photo shows what appears to be a sophisticated bomb left in the street with a proximity sensor attached - meaning it will detonate if anybody gets too close.

The mayor of Aracatuba, Dilador Borges, said police had been forced to stand back due to fear of causing civilian casualties.

'The police can't go on the attack, they can't confront them because there are too many lives on the line,' he told Band TV.

Security forces have since retaken control of the city centre but it is unclear what the fate of the hostages is, he said.

It is not yet clear exactly how much money the robbers managed to steal, while the exact number of hostages is also unknown.

One piece of footage showed at least four people being marched through the streets by two gunmen, at least one of whom was firing shots into the air.

A wounded cyclist lies in the street after one of the proximity bombs exploded, badly injuring both of his legs

Gunmen march four hostages down the street in Aracatuba before tying some of them to the outside of their vehicles as human shields

A line of hostages (right) is marched through the street by two gunmen wearing black (visible centre left and top) during the overnight raid in Brazil

Brazil: One of the world's crime capitals Awash with guns and drugs, Brazil has one of the highest crime and murder rates of any country in the world. Petty crime - including pickpocketing, purse snatching, and smash-and-grab thefts from cars and shops - is common, according to the US State Department, and occurs in most major cities throughout the year. More serious crimes - including rape, sexual assault and kidnapping for ransom - are also frequently reported, particularly by foreign travelers who are targeted due to their perceived wealth and vulnerability. Brazil is also home to many organized criminal gangs, who prey upon huge wealth divisions to recruit members and draw funds from south America's endemic drugs trade. Such gangs often operate out of the country's notorious favelas - lawless inner-city areas that are largely left to run themselves. In 2018, Brazil had the largest number of murders of any country in the world - on average one every 10 minutes - and was ranked in the top 10 for murders relative to population. While the Covid pandemic saw murder rates drop in many south American countries in 2020, in Brazil the rate actually went up. Researchers believe this was in-part due to power-struggles between gangs and members fell sick, leading to them being perceived as weak and ripe for an attack, but was largely driven by unprecedented levels of police violence. In Rio de Janeiro between March and May 2020, police killed 43 per cent more people than the same three months the previous year. And in May this year, police carried out their deadliest raid in the city's history - killing some 27 people, including one whose corpse was posed in a 'humiliating' fashion. The bloodbath came after a cop was shot and killed early in the raid, sparking accusations that the shootings were revenge attacks. Advertisement

Another, taken from a CCTV camera, shows a convoy of cars - believed to be used by the raiders - turning around in the road.

At least ten hostages can be seen strapped to the outside of the vehicles.

Some are left laying on the bonnets, one is strapped to the roof, while others emerge from sunroofs with their hands raised.

The raid is similar to one that was carried out in the same city in 2017, during which the headquarters of a cash transport company was attacked.

During that robbery, up to 30 men surrounded the headquarters of the military police, blocked it with burning cars, then shot at the entrance - killing one officer.

They then used dynamite to blow up the cash firm's safe, load up the bank notes, and make their getaway down the main highway.

Two more trucks were hijacked and burned with the wrecks left along the route to stop police from following.

Similar raids have also been carried out elsewhere in the state in what has become known as the 'novo cangaco' or 'new cangaco' - a reference to bandits who roamed rural Brazil in the 1800 and 1900s.

The original cangaco gangs robbed from the rich and gave to the poor, in return for assistance hiding from police and identifying valuable targets.

The gangs were mostly centered in the north of the country - a region known for its harsh landscape and difficult way of life - and targeted banks and money carriers.

A second crime-wave using similar tactics then struck the region in the 1990s, and lasted until gang leader Jose Valdetario Benevides Carneiro was shot dead during a confrontation with police in 2003.

Today's copycat gangs are mostly situated in southern Sao Paulo state, according to a profile published by the BBC.

The raids are largely organized by a criminal outfit known as the First Command of the Capital - or PCC - though they often recruit mercenaries to do the dirty work.

Such attacks typically target small or medium-sized cities - large enough to contain banks holding cash reserves, but small enough that the police force is not particularly well-equipped or trained.

Attackers then use precision strikes backed by overwhelming force to grab whatever cash they can, and escape.

Working in teams of between 12 and 30, they arrive carrying heavy weapons and explosives, attack the local police headquarters directly, then block key roads using burned-out vehicles.

Explosives are often used to break into the bank's vaults, before the raiders get away in a fleet of high-powered vehicles.

Hostages are often used as human shields, though Monday's raid appears to be unique in that the hostages were physically tied to the cars.

Police said the 'novo cangaco' raids began around six years ago but have become more frequent since.

Before Monday's attack, the most-recent took place in Botucatu in July of last year when 40 armed raiders attacked three bank branches in the city, destroyed one of them with explosives, took hostages and got into a shoot-out with police.
A Russian model who was banned from every bar and nightclub in the UK after drunkenly attacking two police officers has won an appeal to have her sentence reduced.

Irina Fedotova, 36, attacked two officers who were taking her to hospital for treatment after a row at her friend's home in South Kensington, West London.

She bit one on the arm as he tried to remove her handcuffs so she could receive medical care and she later kicked a van door into another PC who was transporting her to be questioned.

The mother-of-one was handed a two-year community order, 150 hours of unpaid work and banned from entering any pub, bar or nightclub in England and Wales for the next two years.

She was also ordered to pay compensation of 100 to one officer and 200 to another, plus court costs of 320 and a victim surcharge of 95.

But she has now had the venue ban lifted and the unpaid work element of her sentence quashed because of medical treatment she was receiving which was not disclosed when she was sentenced.

Instead of community service, Fedotova was ordered to pay a total fine of 1,000 for both counts of assaulting a police officer, plus a victim surcharge of 100 - to be paid in 48 days.

A Russian model who drunkenly attacked two police officers and bit one on the arm after being arrested has won an appeal to have her sentence reduced. Irina Fedotova, 36, attacked two cops who were taking her to hospital for treatment after a row at her friend's home in South Kensington, west London. Above: Fedotova arriving at Westminster Magistrates Court last year

Fedotova, who lives at a 2million apartment in upmarket Belgravia, central London, was also charged with assaulting her friend during the rampage last October 29.

But the case was dropped when Viktoria Goncharova said she did not want to pursue the matter.

Fedotova pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on April 17 to one count of assault by beating and two charges of assaults on emergency workers - identified in court documents as PC Sean Nicoll and PC Alisha Dixon.

Fedotova, who lives at a 2million apartment in upmarket Belgravia, central London, was also charged with assaulting her friend during the rampage last October 29. Above: Fedotova at 2018 hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court after she pleaded guilty to conducting a four-month campaign of harassment against her former partner

Judge John Denniss at Isleworth Crown Court altered Fedotova's sentence on the basis she was unable to carry out the community work because she is receiving medical treatment that was not disclosed to the magistrates at the earlier hearing.

Fedotova claimed self-defence, but the court confirmed the reason for the appeal being successful was due to new medical evidence coming to light.

A spokeswoman for the court said: 'The judge thought that if magistrates had the full medical evidence that the judge had that day [of the appeal] that magistrates wouldn't have imposed the 150 hours of unpaid work, because the appellant wasn't able to complete their unpaid work set by the judge.'

Fedotova, who now says she is a businesswoman and entrepreneur, has won prestigious awards at fashion and art schools internationally.

She claims she will be suing the Metropolitan Police as a result of the court result.

She said after the hearing: 'People don't have any idea what really happened. I acted in self-defence and in hindsight, I should not have pleaded guilty.

Fedotova (pictured above right in 2016) pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on April 17 to one count of assault by beating and two charges of assaults on emergency workers

'Having watched the videotapes, I'll now be suing the police for pushing me around as if I was a rag doll.

'I want to carry on with my life and businesses now and begin a new chapter. Winning the appeal is the start of a new path I'm going to take.'

Fedotova also has two previous convictions and a caution.

The first dates back to 2016 and was over an assault on a PC and drunk and disorderly.

In 2018, she was made the subject of an indefinite restraining order after launching a four-month campaign of harassment against her former partner.

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Fedotova mocked up a fake newspaper article falsely accusing her boyfriend of being a pervert and bombarded him with 'sexually suggestive' texts.

She also received a caution in 2013 for criminal damage.
A New Orleans TV station was forced to evacuate its control room after Hurricane Ida ripped off part of the office roof while they worked on Sunday night.

Journalist Susan Roesgen tweeted at around 8.30 p.m. local time that both producers and directors at ABC affiliate WGNO-TV fled the control room during live coverage as the roof came off.

'WGNOtv producers and directors forced to leave control room during our live coverage- the ceiling has peeled away we are in the Galleria in Metairie,' she said.

Ida battered Louisiana and plunged New Orleans into darkness on Sunday, leaving at least one person dead and around a million people without power in southern Mississippi and Louisiana.

Pictured: A video grab from inside the WGNO-TV building on Sunday night showing water pouring in through the ceiling as Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc in New Orleans

The WGNO studio is located on Galleria Drive in Metairie, New Orleans, which sits on Lake Pontchartrain. The district was badly flooded when Hurricane Katrina struck the city 16 years to-the-day in August 2005.

Video shared by meteorologist Hank Allen showed water pouring in through the ceiling of the WGNO building, with trash bins being placed underneath the leaks.

Another reporter, Chris Wetley, tweeted a photo from inside the building which showed a hole in the roof, through which the sky could be seen outside.

Meteorologist Brooke Laizer took to the social media platform to report that parts of the ceiling were coming down inside the weather centre, along with a photo of what looked like a desk covered in debris.

WGNO Meteorologist Scot Pilie said that one of the station's satellites had been destroyed in the extreme weather conditions, with Hurricane Ida being reported as a Category 4 storm.

There have been no reports of injuries from inside the studio.

Pictured: A tweet from reporter Chris Wetley showing a hole in the roof of the television studio, through which the sky outside can be seen

Journalist Susan Roesgen tweeted at around 8.30 p.m. local time that both producers and directors at ABC affiliate WGNO-TV fled the control room during live coverage as the roof came off

Pictured: The Galleria building on Galleria Drive in Metairie, New Orleans, which sits on Lake Pontchartrain. The district was badly flooded when Hurricane Katrina struck the city 16 years to-the-day in August 2005

The hurricane tore through the region on Sunday, knocking out electricity to all of New Orleans while whipping up sustained winds of more than 150mph and tearing the roofs off buildings.

Authorities late Sunday announced the first death as a Louisiana resident, a 60-year-old man who died when a tree fell on his home in Ascension Parish - even as the storm was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane.

'APSO reports first death related to Hurricane Ida. Shortly after 8:30pm deputies received reports of a citizen possibly injured from a fallen tree at a residence off of Highway 621 in Prairieville,' according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office.

'Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed that the victim is now deceased.'

The National Weather Service issued warnings of storm surges and flash floods for several areas, including the town of Jean Lafitte, just south of New Orleans, where mayor Tim Kerner said the levees had been breached by rapidly rising waters.

A section of a building's roof is seen after being blown off during rain and winds in the French Quarter of New Orleans on Sunday

'Total devastation, catastrophic, our town levees have been overtopped,' Kerner told ABC-affiliate WGNO. 'We have anywhere between 75 to 200 people stranded in Barataria,' after a barge took out the swing bridge to the island.

'The winds are still too strong, we can't put boats in the water to get to them,' he told WGNO.

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents in Jefferson and St. John the Baptist Parish are stranded as floodwaters exceeding 10ft high and fierce wind gusts make it impossible for first responders to reach them.

Officials in Lafitte and Jean Lafitte say that a failed levee was to blame for the surging floodwaters.

'We have a bunch of people trapped that we can't get to, one being the wind, we can't put boats in the water, it's just too rough, it would be life-threatening for the person operating the boat at this time,' Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr told CNN.

'We tried to do high water trucks, we can't get through the water.'

The image above shows security camera footage from the Delacroix Yacht Club coming from the Delacroix back levee towards Bayou Terre Bouef

The chief of police of Jean Lafitte in Jefferson Parish said that at least 400 people who were not able to heed the mandatory evacuation order before the storm due to physical or financial reasons are trapped in the area.

Rescue crews are unable to reach them as floodwaters measuring between 10 and 12ft high and sustained winds of 70mph make the area inaccessible, according to WWNO-TV, with no rescue operations expected until morning due to the conditions being too dangerous.

'They're scared because they've never seen this,' Jean Lafitte Police Sergeant Jason Leorwald said of the stranded residents.

'They've never faced a storm like this before. Our residents have gone through this their whole lives and they didn't think that this would happen.'

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said Ida could be the most powerful storm to hit the state since 1850.

'There is no doubt that the coming days and weeks are going to be extremely difficult,' he said at a briefing Sunday, adding that some people might have to shelter in place for up to 72 hours.
This is the moment a huge fight breaks out between drunken revellers in the middle of a London street over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Video filmed in Stratford on Saturday night5 shows a man wearing a black T-shirt punching another man in the face, who then falls to the ground.

Other people then step in, and another man falls over and is kicked before an all-out brawl breaks out as shocked onlookers try to break things up. It is unclear what happened after the footage ends.

The clip was shared on Twitter, where it has been viewed more than 50,000 times.

This is the moment a huge fight breaks out between drunken revellers in the middle of a London street over the Bank Holiday weekend

Video filmed in Stratford, east London shows a man wearing a black T-shirt punching another man in the face, who then falls to the ground

Other people then step in, and another man falls over and is kicked

Viewers were quick to mock the incident, joking about the fighters' apparent state of inebriation. One person said: 'Oh he was drunk there we go then.'

'They drink too much,' another viewer agreed.

Someone else commented: 'Alcohol lol.' [sic]

Meanwhile, other users appeared confused at the strange clip, describing the group as 'thugs'. One person asked: 'What is going on here?'

'Why these peoples hitting each others?' asked another viewer. Someone else joked: 'Doncha just luv British pub culture.'

An all-out brawl breaks out as shocked onlookers try to break things up

The clip was shared on Twitter, where it has been viewed more than 50,000 times

Viewers mocked the incident, joking about the fighters' apparent state of inebriation

This is the moment a huge fight breaks out between drunken revellers in the middle of a London street over the Bank Holiday weekend

It is unclear what happened after the footage ends

Another viewer was concerned by the lack of Covid safety measures. They said: 'Let's hope they see the error of their ways and wear masks next time they're out and about.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'Police were called at around 2315hrs on Saturday, 28 August, to a fight in Stratford Broadway.

'Officers attended the location but those involved had dispersed. There was no arrest. We are not aware of any serious injury.

'We are aware of footage circulating on social media. Anyone who knows the identify of those involved in this incident is asked to call 101 ref 7976/28aug. To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers.'
A self-confessed conspiracy theorist anti-vaxxer who was left fighting for life in hospital with Covid has begged other Australians to take the virus seriously and get vaccinated.

Sydney mother-of-three Amanda Gulasi, 42, is filled with regret for not realising how dangerous the virus is, which she now describes as a potential death sentence.

Admitting she believed 'every conspiracy theory' about Covid and thought it was 'just another flu', the mum changed her mind when she was admitted to hospital last week after her condition deteriorated.

She filmed harrowing footage from her hospital bed in a Covid ward as she issued a passionate plea urging everyone to get vaccinated.

Now recovering at home in Sydney's south-west, Ms Gulasi is still struggling with the virus as she opened up on the lifechanging wake-up call which has overhauled her concerns about the vaccine.

Amanda Gulasi (pictured) spent several hours in a hospital Covid ward last week - having previously thought the virus was nothing more than a type of flu

'It's just not worth going through just for a few side effects,' she told A Current Affair while struggling to breathe.

'This is a side effect of not being vaccinated.

'I would hate to be someone who's elderly or somebody who is at risk and be feeling the way I feel.'

She described Covid as 'not pleasant' in her video from hospital.

'Vaccinate people, vaccinate. No, seriously, it's not fun,' she said.

She is among 16,866 people currently infected with Covid across NSW as the state recorded a record 1,290 new cases on Monday.

Eighty per cent of the latest cases came from Sydney's west and south-west.

The normally healthy 42-year-old has been knocked to the ground by the virus, which she says has a mind of its own and wouldn't wish on her worst enemy.

'This is nothing like any flu,' Ms Gulasi added.

'Instead of getting better as days go by, you seem to get worse. The symptoms chop and change.

'It's so hard to explain until you've experienced it.

The disability support worker (pictured) now urges everyone to get vaccinated after suffering horrific symptoms

The disability support worker could have been among the first in Australia to get the jab because of her job, but had concerns about the vaccine.

'At the start of Covid, I was completely on the side of the conspiracy theorists,' she admitted.

'Every conspiracy that came out, I was believing in it.

'This time with Delta I thought, OK, maybe there is something to but I definitely believe it now. It is real and it will kill you.'

Ms Gulasi still doesn't know how she contracted the virus, but she lives in the Covid-ravaged Canterbury-Bankstown local government area where it is running rampant in the community.

She opted to stop working during lockdown, partly due to the strict rule of being tested every three days, which is no longer a requirement due to mounting pressure on the health system.

Amanda Gulasi (pictured) vaccinated her kids but previously had concerns about the Covid jab

Amanda Gulasi (pictured) believed Covid wasn't real and 'just another flu' until she was struck down with the virus last week

'I was just a bit hesitant with how fast these vaccines were produced and the scare tactics the government used to make us vaccinate, such as withholding our freedoms,' Ms Gulasi said.

Around 87 per cent of the 137 NSW cases currently fighting for life in intensive care are completely unvaccinated, with only one person having received both jabs.

Ms Gulasi now wishes she'd listened to the warnings about the virus as she issued a desperate plea to Covid deniers who refuse to roll up their sleeves.

'If you don't believe it, then just stay inside. Spread your anti-vax message from inside your home,' she said

'Pray that it doesn't happen to you and pray it doesn't happen to your family. It's a possible death sentence.'

The Greenacre mother of three (pictured) now regrets not taking Covid seriously and believing it wasn't rule

Young single mum Ramona (pictured,left) said the mental anguish is equally as debilitating as the physical aspects of the gruelling disease, while construction worker Fawaz, 50, (right) is seen lying face-down barely able to speak in his hospital bed - as he begged Australians to get vaccinated

She joins a sea of people infected with Covid who have begged other Australians to go and get vaccinated.

Gasping for breath, alone and terrified, brave patients at Sydney's Concord Hospital have begged Australians to take the virus seriously, declaring 'it's not a game'.

In a series of emotional bedside interviews, a young single mother, a devastated tradie and a construction worker who infected his entire family, including his six children, pleaded with the nation to get vaccinated.

Construction worker Fawaz, 50, is seen lying face-down barely able to speak in his hospital bed.

'Today I am really bad: my fever, my headache, my breathing,' he said.

The dad, from Putney in Sydney's north, still has no idea how he contracted the virus which has now spread to his entire immediate family - including his six children.

At the time the video was shot one of his daughters had also been rushed to hospital because her condition was rapidly deteriorating.

'She's getting dizzy, her heart rate is too high and she is finding it hard to breathe,' he said.

'So please get vaccinated. I wish I knew beforehand... It's not a game, it's for real.'

Fawaz had been booked in to get the Pfizer jab for October, before being struck down before the appointment.

Single mother Ramona, 30, who needs the assistance of breathing tubes, had received her first dose of the vaccine but is thought to have contracted the crippling respiratory virus while working at a pharmacy in Greenacre, in Sydney's southwest.

She said the community needs to 'wake and realise this is real'.

'You end up in hospital and you can't breathe,' she said fighting back tears.

'All I can think about is my children. I haven't seen them in a very long time.

'I'm an essential worker. I could have contracted the virus from someone who didn't want to get the vaccination.'
The European Union recommended on Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on American tourists because of skyrocketing coronavirus infection rates in the US.

The decision to remove the US and five other countries from a safe list of nations for nonessential travel reversed advice from June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on US travelers before the summer tourism season.

The guidance is nonbinding, however. The EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism policy and national governments have the authority to decide whether they keep their borders open to US tourists.

Americans travelers should expect a hodgepodge of travel rules across the continent.

Possible restrictions could include quarantines, further testing requirements upon arrival or even a total ban on all non-essential travel from the US.

The New York Times reported that the restrictions would only apply to unvaccinated travelers.

The European Union on Monday recommended that its member states reinstate restrictions on tourists from the US because of rising coronavirus infection levels. This image from July 16, 2021, shows visitors enjoy the view from top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

More than 15 million Americans a year visited Europe before the coronavirus crisis, and new travel restrictions could cost Europe billions.

In early August, Germany added the US to its 'high-risk' area list, requiring unvaccinated travelers to quarantine or undergo testing.

The recommendation doesnt apply to Britain, which formally left the EU at the beginning of the year and opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the US earlier this month.

The United States remains on Britains 'amber' travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the US to the UK dont have to self-isolate. A COVID-19 test is required three days before arrival in the UK and another test is needed two days after arriving.

The United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc for the Biden administration to lift its ban.

The bloc has been divided between those pushing for equal treatment and those more reliant on tourism and reluctant to restrict US travelers.

Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EUs executive arm remained in discussions with the US administration as both sides have so far failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that 'reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case by case basis.'

The European Council updates the list based on criteria relating to coronavirus infection levels. It gets reviewed every two weeks.

Last week in the US new cases averaged over 152,000 a day

US coronavirus deaths have been over 1,200 a day for several days

The threshold for being on the EU list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.

Last week in the US new cases averaged over 152,000 a day, making it more than 300 per 100,000 people, and turning the clock back to the end of January. The number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was around 85,000, a number not seen since early February.

US coronavirus deaths have been over 1,200 a day for several days, seven times higher than they were in early July.
The bondage expert suspended as chairman of the Royal College of Nursing over claims he was 'openly hostile' towards women today insisted the cancellation of its annual congress is nothing to do with him.

David Dawes, 53, who is openly polyamorous, has been under investigation for almost two months but insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing and will be cleared in the next week.

He has been accused of being 'openly hostile' towards women, allegedly being dismissive of staff concerns about discrimination and faced complaints about 'sexual references on his own social media account', according to The Times.

Mr Dawes, a rope bondage expert who has led workshops on techniques who became one of the youngest chief executives in the NHS' history at the age of just 31, today denied the decision of the RCN to cancel its annual meeting of members in Liverpool following 'serious allegations of sexual harassment' is not related to him.

He said: 'I haven't been notified that they are about me. If there are genuine allegations against individuals, I would imagine that those individuals would have been notified.'

Dave Dawes, who was suspended as chairman of the Royal College of Nursing, says he expects to be cleared of any wrongdoing as the union cancelled its annual conference over 'serious allegations of sexual harassment'

His words came after the unprecedented move where his union announced it was moving its annual conference online, after taking 'independent legal advice'.

The RCN, which represents some 465,000 health workers, said that 'as a matter of urgency' it was 'undertaking a full review of all safeguarding policies and procedures as part of our cultural change'.

The RCN Congress was due to be held in Liverpool across three days from September 18.

It did not provide details of the allegations, but said it took a 'zero tolerance approach' at all times.

Carol Popplestone, chair of the RCN Council, said: 'We have acted fast and took a unanimous decision that protects all attendees.

'We know that many members planning to attend were looking forward to seeing each other in person for the first time in two years.

'But this decision was made with members' safety at the top of our minds. That is what we are here to safeguard at all costs.

'I am absolutely determined that Congress will still be its usual fascinating mix of debates, events and speeches.

'Getting together virtually won't stand in the way of that.'

Miss Popplestone took over the RCN's governing body last month after complaints were made against her predecessor David Dawes.

Mr Dawes had also been RCN council member for the North West region but was suspended from both roles pending an investigation.

Days earlier his suspension was announced, the Nursing Times reported that several 'concerns and complaints' had been received by the college about Mr Dawes' conduct following a live question and answer session with members.

Sources said Mr Dawes was alleged to have made 'derogatory and inflammatory remarks' in relation to colleagues.

Mr Dawes said last month that he 'fully intended' to clear his name.

The RCN said it was taking the complaint 'extremely seriously' but it is unclear whether the two investigations are linked.

The decision to cancel the conference received a mixed reaction amongst members, with some praising the union's decision to prioritise their safety. But others accused the RCN over overreacting and suggested it should have banned any individuals who were the subject of allegations from the event, rather than cancelling it entirely.

One member told the Nursing Notes website: 'Banning individual men who may pose a risk (to the membership) is one thing, cancelling an entire event based on the 'alleged' actions of one, maybe two people, is totally absurd and utterly unacceptable.

'Many have made plans to attend Congress on their own time and expense.'

It was due to take place at the ACC Liverpool, a conference centre on the banks of the Mersey, (pictured) from September 18 to 20 but has now been moved online

The decision is likely to detract from the key issue facing the union  nurses pay. It has been lobbying for a 12.5 per cent pay rise.

Last night, nurses expressed their disbelief on Twitter. Learning disability nurse Catriona McIntosh wrote: Are RCN Council announcing they believe the risk of sexual assault at Congress outweighs the effective running of our union? Would that not be a criminal matter for the police, not Council? Why are you not concentrating on the pay campaign?

Another, Paul K Watson, wrote: This isnt a Council matter it sits with the police... My confidence in this organisation has gone. But others backed the decision.

The last time the RCN held its annual meeting in person was in May 2019, also in Liverpool.

It was held online last year due to the pandemic. Normally around 3,000 people attend but the union was expecting smaller numbers, in the hundreds, due to the hybrid nature of the event as planned.
A conservative radio host has become the third DJ who publicly criticized the coronavirus vaccine to die from Covid-19 after battling the disease for weeks.

It was announced that Marc Barnier, 65, who was a long-serving talk-radio host in Daytona, Florida, had died on Saturday night by WNDB, the radio station he had worked with for three decades.

Barnier called himself 'Mr Anti-Vax', telling a guest in December: 'I'm not taking it  Are you kidding me? Mr Anti-Vax? Jeepers.'

'It's with great sadness that WNDB and Southern Stone Communications announce the passing of Marc Bernier, who informed and entertained listeners on WNDB for over 30 years,' WNDB wrote on Twitter.

'We kindly ask that privacy is given to Marc's family during this time of grief.'

The death of Mr Barnier follows those of Dick Farrel on August 4 and Phil Valentine last week - both of whom were also conservative radio hosts who questioned and criticised the coronavirus vaccine.

It has been announced that conservative radio host Marc Barnier (pictured), 65, has died from Covid-19

Barnier was known for inviting guests with different viewpoints onto his show, such as Democrats, but he had publicly spoken out against vaccines. Both liberals and conservatives praised the host for being fair, regardless of viewpoint.

According to the Daytona Beach News Journal, Bernier had been hospitalized since August 7, with friends of the host expressing their sadness at the news of his death.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, a frequent guest of Bernier's show, told the Journal that he was 'numb'. 'To me, this is a death in the family,' he said.

While Chitwood acknowledged the pair didn't always agree on every issue, they never let their disagreements get into the way of their friendship.

'We had the ability to do that give and take,' Chitwood said. 'You don't have to agree with everything a person says for them to be your friend. I don't think a lot of people get that.' He added every conversation 'started with how our kids are doing'.

Earlier this month it was announced that conservative host Dick Farrell has also died after having caught coronavirus in Florida.

Farrell, who was an outspoken critic of Dr Anthony Fauci, is said to have told friends 'I wish I had gotten [the vaccine]' before he passed away aged 65.

The right-wing host had described Fauci - the top immunologist and chief medical adviser to the president - as a 'power-tripping lying freak' who conspired with 'power trip libb loons'.

Farrel was an ardent Trump supporter, and perpetuated the unsubstantiated conspiracy theories of election fraud in the 2020 election that saw Joe Biden elected

He had urged people not to get the vaccine as recently as June, but reportedly changed his opinion about Covid vaccines after falling ill and later being admitted to hospital, where he died on August 4.

Weeks later, it was announced that another conservative host - Phil Valentine from Tennessee.

Valentine's death following a month-long hospitalization was confirmed by Nashville radio station SuperTalk 99.7 WTN in a tweet on Saturday.

Valentine had expressed skepticism of coronavirus vaccines, though his family insist he was not an 'anti-vaxxer'.

After he tested positive for COVID-19, and prior to his hospitalization, he told his listeners to consider, 'If I get this COVID thing, do I have a chance of dying from it?'

If so, he advised them to get vaccinated. He said he chose not to get vaccinated because he thought he had a 'very low risk of dying'.

Valentine had been a skeptic of coronavirus vaccines, questioning their safety and saying he chose not to get vaccinated because he thought he had a 'very low risk of dying'

After Valentine was moved into a critical care unit, Mark Valentine said his brother regretted that 'he wasn't a more vocal advocate of the vaccination'.

'I know if he were able to tell you this, he would tell you, 'Go get vaccinated. Quit worrying about the politics. Quit worrying about all the conspiracy theories',' Mark Valentine told The Tennessean on July 25.

'He regrets not being more adamant about getting the vaccine. Look at the dadgum data,' he said.

His family revealed late last month that he was 'in very serious condition' and was suffering from 'covid pneumonia,' along with other side effects of the virus.

Portable morgues (pictured in file photo) have been sent to 14 hospital systems in Central Florida as hospitals and crematoriums hit capacity due to a surge in Covid cases linked to the highly-contagious Delta variant

The news of Barnier's death in Florida comes as it was revealed portable morgues have been sent to 14 of the state's hospital systems.

The Central Florida Disaster Medical Coalition said each hospital system will be sent different amounts of portable morgues depending on the size of the facility.

Three will go to Advent Health and Orlando Health while only one will be sent to Orlando Health, Leesburg, HCA-East Florida, HCA-North Florida, Steward, Cleveland Clinic and Health First.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings also confirmed hospital morgues are at capacity and announced a seven-day extension of the state of emergency order at the 150th COVID update since March of last year.

According to the mayor's Covid update more than 16,700 people are currently hospitalized in the state of Florida and 36 per cent of those patients have the virus

'Fifty five per cent of those in the ICUs, or intensive care units, have the disease,' Demings reported

During a COVID-19 update on Thursday Demings said: 'The Florida Hospital Association is reporting over 16,700 people are currently hospitalized in the state of Florida. The Hospital Association also reports that this number is nearly two thirds higher than the previous peak of hospitalizations in July of 2020.

Despite the inflated number of infections and hospitalizations Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued executive orders banning mask mandates and vaccine passports for certain businesses.

Only 53.8 per cent of Florida's population is fully vaccinated.

Kimberly Mitchell, the owner of Mitchell's Funeral Home - a crematorium in Orlando - told WKMG: 'COVID has never gone away. As you can see the hospitals are starting to run out of room.'

Mitchell also said that the funeral home is running out of room in the refrigerators used to store dead bodies.

'It is still important that we pull together, get vaccinated and mask up to get a handle on the surge that we're presently experiencing,' Demings said.

'There are now more than 192,000 coronavirus cases reported in Orange County... But for the first time in quite a while now, our new cases are under 1,000 in one day,' he added.
Nicola Sturgeon has ended her self-isolation after testing negative for coronavirus, she revealed today.

The Scottish First Minister said she was 'relieved' by the result of a PCR test, which she had taken after being identified as a close contact of someone with the virus.

The double-vaccinated leader revealed last night that she had been contacted by contact tracers and warned that she would have to quarantine pending a test result.

Under coronavirus rules, double-vaccinated adults and all children can avoid self-isolation if they are a close contact of someone with coronavirus so long as they are symptomless and provide a negative PCR test.

The First Minister had her second dose of a coronavirus vaccine in June.

Ms Sturgeon tweeted this morning she was 'relieved to report that my PCR test is negative'.

She stated: 'Coupled with fact I'm double vaccinated - with second dose more than 2 weeks ago - that means I no longer need to isolate.'

However she said she would continue doing regular lateral flow tests as an 'added precaution' and urged others to do the same.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (pictured) is self-isolating after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, she has revealed on social media

It is not clear where Miss Sturgeon came into contact with a positive coronavirus case.

On Thursday she attended Edinburgh University's graduation celebration and on Wednesday she was at the Golden Jubilee Hospital with health secretary Humza Yousaf.

Today she was due to interview Shuggie Bain author Douglas Stuart at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

According to the event 'both author and interviewer are on stage in the venue'. It is unclear if the event will go-ahead.

Writing on Twitter last night, Miss Sturgeon said: 'I've had notification tonight that I've been identified as a close contact of someone who is positive for Covid.

'Accordingly, and in line with the rules, I'll be self-isolating pending a PCR test result. My thanks to all the contact tracers working so hard in NHS Test & Protect.'

Just hours before Miss Sturgeon's revelation, Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said contact tracing teams had carried out 'exceptional work' under 'difficult circumstances' this weekend.

On Twitter, he said: 'Some exceptional work by contact tracing teams under very difficult circumstances today.

'Thank you to everyone involved. But it's frustrating & really disappointing to hear of increased aggressive behaviour & abuse to staff.

'Please be civil and patient with those trying to help..'
The ex-husband of a popular mother-of-four has appeared in court today accused of her murder at his home.

Russell Marsh, 29, of Shotton, North Wales, was remanded in custody by a special court in Mold, Flintshire.

He is accused of killing Jade Marsh, also known as Jade Ward, 27, last week.

Marsh, represented by solicitor Nick Cross, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a hearing which lasted a minute. He was later seen leaving the court.

He was dressed in a grey sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms in the dock and accompanied by a security guard.

Jade Ward, 27, was found dead at a property on Chevrons Road in Shotton, Flintshire, following reports of 'an incident' on Thursday morning. Her ex-husband has been charged with her murder

Ex-husband Russell Marsh (pictured), 29, appeared at Mold courts in Flintshire on Monday after being charged with her murder

Marsh, represented by solicitor Nick Cross, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a hearing which lasted a minute. Above: The scene last week outside the home where Ms Marsh was found dead

The magistrates' chairwoman said he would appear at Mold crown court on Wednesday.

The prosecution was represented by solicitor Adam Warner. Details of the case weren't outlined.

Scores of floral tributes, balloons, photographs, written messages, candles and teddies have been left on the pavement yards from the semi-detached home where the Co-op worker was found dead on Thursday morning.

Scores of floral tributes, balloons, photographs, written messages, candles and teddies were left on the pavement yards from the semi where Co-op worker Jade Ward, 27, was found dead on Thursday morning

Detective chief inspector Jon Salisbury-Jones of North Wales police said: 'I would like to thank the local community for all the valuable assistance they have provided.'

Zack Robinson, Ms Marsh's cousin, said after news of her death emerged: 'It's a piece of everybody in the community who has gone. It will never be the same without her.'

Ms Marsh's close friend Taylor Wesley has now set up a GoFundMe page which has already raised more than for her children.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Salisbury-Jones said: 'We would like to reassure the public that there is no ongoing threat to the wider community'. Above: The scene last week

Ms Wesley said: 'She had four beautiful boys. It's very, very tragic. We were best mates.

'She was my soul sister. We used to go on day trips. There was never a day we didn't see each other.

She had four kids and I have four as well.

'She was a much-loved member of the community, a devoted mother who lived and breathed for her children and worked part-time.

'There's a feeling of total shock in the local area.'
The death of a Massachusetts woman while hiking a Phoenix mountain in July with a police officer she met online has been ruled accidental by the Maricopa County Medical Examiners Office.

The brief report said 31-year-old Angela Tramontes July 30 death was due to 'environmental heat exposure.'

Tramonte, who was from the Boston area, was in Arizona visiting Phoenix police officer Dario Dizdar for the first time in person after spending two months communicating with him on Instagram.

Despite foul play being ruled out in Tramonte's death by the police, questions have been raised about Dizdar's decision to let her go down Camelback Mountain alone while he carried on with the hike.

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Angela Tramonte, 31, died of accidental heat exposure on July 30 while on a first-date hike with Phoenix police officer Dario Dizdar, a county medical examiner ruled

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office issued this brief statement concerning Tramonte's death

Tramonte was found unresponsive after hiking alone halfway down Camelback Mountain in 104-degree heat without water

Dizdar, who was said to have been untruthful in the past, reportedly made contradictory statements about his familiarity with the hiking trail, according to ABC15.

Authorities said as part of their first in-person date, the pair hiked Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain around 10.00am on July 30. Despite temperatures reaching 104 degrees that day, neither of them reportedly had water with them.

Phoenix Fire Department officials said Tramonte became overheated about halfway up the trail.

The woman asked her companion to continue to the top of the mountain to take pictures so that she could share them on her friends on social media. Dizdar complied and resumed the hike without Tramonte.

Tramonte went back down the mountain, planning to return to the car and wait for Dizdar.

When he returned to the parking lot, Dizdar said Tramonte was nowhere to be found and he called emergency services to report her missing at 1pm.

At around 4.40pm, fire crews found her unconscious near a home along the side of the mountain as she was apparently trying to get help.

Dizdar is seen near the hiking trail after cops responded to his call about Tramonte

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

Tramonte could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. Phoenix police said foul play was not suspected.

Tramonte's friends have called for a thorough investigation into her death and Dizdar's conduct.

'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 prior to the release of the medical examiner's conclusion.

'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.'

The friends' suspicions were exacerbated by the revelation that Dizdar - 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 Dizdar 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.

ABC15 reported that after Tramonte's death, Dizdar told a park ranger that 'he was a local and did this hike all the time.'

Tramonte (left) had traveled to Arizona from Massachusetts to meet Dizdar (right) in person for the first time after talking to him via Instagram for two months

The off-duty cop also allegedly made a similar statement to fire officials at the scene, but they later claimed to have misunderstood him.

During Dizdar's interview with investigators, the officer said it was his first time hiking the Echo Canyon Trail, and that he even got lost returning to the parking lot and had to call an Uber.

Melissa Buttaro has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the cost of bringing Tramonte's body back to Saugus, Massachusetts, and covering her 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.

Friends have called for a thorough investigating into Tramonte's death, describing her as a healthy young woman

'She recently took a trip to Arizona to meet a man she was talking to online for two months. They supposedly went for a hike at Camelback Mountain on Friday, July 30th.'

She added: 'Halfway up the mountain, Angela told this man, who is a police officer and first responder, that she was exhausted and couldn't continue. She supposedly walked back down the mountain ALONE to the car while this man continued on by himself.

'He clearly has no regard for her safety. She went missing for hours and was found dead from heat exhaustion.'

Buttaro continued: 'Angela lived a very healthy, active lifestyle. She woke up early every morning to go the gym. She did weekly meal planning and was obsessed with drinking water. She also loved walking her dog Dolce every day.

'We just want justice for our friend. Please consider donating to help us bring Angela's body home and pay for funeral expenses. Any help would be greatly appreciated.'
A new Covid variant which has been branded the 'most mutated so far' may already be extinct, it was claimed today.

Concerns were raised that the mutant strain  dubbed C.1.2  could be more infectious than other variants and better able to evade vaccines.

But experts said today there was no sign the mutant strain had managed to gain a foothold in South Africa  where it was first identified  or any other country.

The director of University College London's genetics institute Professor Francois Balloux said the variant 'shows no evidence of increasing in frequency'.

He added that it 'may be extinct by now'.

There have been only 101 cases of the mutant strain since it was discovered four months ago, according to Covid variant tracking platform GISAID.

South Africa has spotted 89 cases of the mutant variant, with the last infection recorded in the first week of August.

Britain has recorded four cases of the variant.

But all known mutant strains circulating in the UK are currently being outcompeted by the Indian 'Delta' variant, which is behind almost every infection.

Public Health England began monitoring C.1.2 at the start of the month, but it has not labelled it a 'variant of concern' (VOC) or a 'variant under investigation' (VUI).

It suggests experts are not overly worried by the strain.

Scientists said today that the C.1.2 variant may already be extinct. Pictured above is a graph showing the seven-day average for cases of the variant recorded globally (black line). There have been only 101 infections with the mutant strain to date according to variant tracking platform GISAID, which have not made up more than 0.1 per cent of all infections. Most recently, the proportion of cases down to this variant fell to zero - but this could change in the coming days

This graph shows the seven-day average case numbers of the C.1.2 variant in the UK (black line), and the 95 per cent confidence interval (pink). Britain has recorded four cases of the variant so far, but the variant has not made up more than 0.02 per cent of cases

The above graph shows Covid cases per million people in Britain and South Africa  where the mutant strain originated. South Africa is checking 20 per cent of its 10,000 daily infections for mutant strains, compared to just over 10 per cent of 30,000 cases in Britain

What is the variant C.1.2? Should I be concerned? Some scientists have raised fears the variant could be more transmissible than other mutant strains and able to dodge vaccine triggered immunity. But there is no evidence to definitively say this is the case. Nor is there any proof that the strain is spreading rapidly or gaining a foothold in any country. The variant was first spotted four months ago but to date there have been only 101 cases. The latest was spotted ten days ago. Where have the cases been detected? The mutant strain was first spotted in South Africa. This country has recorded almost nine in ten of all infections recorded, but it has not seen a single infection with the variant since the first week of August. It checks roughly 20 per cent of all cases for variants, compared to just over 10 per cent in the UK. Britain has spotted four cases to date, with the last recorded on August 20. Switzerland has recorded two cases, with the last registered in mid-July. Mauritius, Portugal, China, and New Zealand have all recorded one case. The latest the virus was spotted in these countries was mid-July. Can the strain dodge vaccine triggered immunity? The mutant strain carries several mutations including E484K. Scientists raised concerns that this mutation could make vaccines less effective after it was spotted on the South African 'Beta' variant. But there is no evidence at present that the strain is dodging jabs and gaining a foothold in any country. Advertisement

The mutant variant sparked concern after a study on it was published as a pre-print on the website medRxiv.

The scientists - whose work has yet to be reviewed by other experts - claimed the strain had 'substantially mutated' from the original Wuhan virus identified in 2019.

Its key mutations included N501Y, which was credited with making the Kent 'Alpha' variant more transmissible, and E484K, which scientists say helps the South African 'Beta' variant to evade vaccine-triggered immunity.

It also has the mutation D614G, which is believed to make the virus more transmissible.

The scientists said in their paper that the mutant strain emerged in a metropolitan area of South Africa, before spreading to other provinces in the country.

They added that it appears to be mutating at almost twice the rate of any other variant, at a rate of 41.8 mutations a year.

Harvard University epidemiologist Dr Eric Feigl-Ding said the variant had mutated so fast it was the 'furthest mutated variant found to date'.

But hitting back at the claims, \Professor Balloux said it was 'ridiculous' to raise concerns over the variant at present.

He pointed to data showing very few cases of the variant have been detected to date across the world, despite the numerous Covid surveillance schemes.

Professor Balloux added: 'The C.1.2 lineage is not considered a variant of concern (VOC) or a variant under investigation (VUI).'

South Africa has recorded 89 cases of the variant to date, although none have been spotted since mid-August.

Britain's last case was detected on August 20, more than a week ago.

Switzerland has recorded two cases, with the last registered in mid-July.

Mauritius, Portugal, China, and New Zealand have all recorded one case. The latest the virus was spotted in these countries was mid-July.

South Africa is checking 20 per cent of its Covid cases for mutant variants every week, according to the latest report from the Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa.

It is recording around 10,000 cases a day on average as its third wave continues to subside.

In Britain scientists are checking around 10 per cent of 30,000 daily infections for variants, according to Public Health England.

Several Covid variants have already been drowned out in Britain, after being driven out by Alpha and then Delta.

PHE considers a variant as 'provisionally extinct' if there have been no cases of it recorded in Britain or elsewhere in the world for 12 weeks.

The Liverpool variant (A.23.1 with E484K), the Bristol variant (B.1.1.7 with E484K) and the and the Antigua variant (B.1.324.1 with E484K) have all already been listed as extinct.

There are more than 400 different Covid variants to date, according to Pangolin.
A self-proclaimed 'humble shopkeeper' has shared their views on the current state of Australia's Covid crisis, calling for Aussies to 'be more tolerant' and respect one another's opinions.

As widespread lockdowns and calls for mandatory vaccines have sparked hostile arguments and protests across the nation, the note was stuck to the window of O'Henry Big Menswear in Balwyn, east of Melbourne.

The note gave readers a friendly reminder to take a step back and remember that everyone has their own struggles, even more so during lockdown periods.

The note encourages residents to be more tolerant of each other during Covid induced lockdowns

'We're living through times where fear and mistrust have replaced hope and open-mindedness, despair and isolation have replaced joy and community and for many it has becoming tragically all too much,' the note reads.

'Nobody knows what anybody else is going through, feeling or dealing with and yet if they hold differing views to yours concerning the current world situation they are treated as the enemy'.

'How did we get to this diabolical situation?'

It comes as Victoria recorded 73 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, with only 24 being in isolation.

Victoria is also under strict restrictions, including a 9pm-5am curfew, but health officials are hopeful that case numbers have 'plateaued' meaning the state can return to some normality before the magic 70 per cent vaccination rate.

A Melbourne menswear store (pictured, its owner Chris Ferns) has shared a brilliant message, sticking a note to the window of the clothing store, O'Henry Big Menswear, in Balwyn

If the state is to get out of lockdown, the shopkeeper raises a valid question.

'More importantly what can be done to rectify it or to at least stop making it worse?,' the note went on.

'I am but a humble shopkeeper and don't profess to be terribly wise but I can see and feel the terrible toll that it is taking on us all,' the note continues.

'Pro-vax, anti-vax, pro-mask, anti-mask, pro-lockdown, anti-lockdown etc, it's time we all realised that we all have the right to our own opinion and try to be more tolerant of each other.

'I am but a humble shopkeeper and don't profess to be terribly wise but I can see and feel the terrible toll that it is taking on us all,' the note reads (pictured, O'Henry Big Menswear)

'Remember, just because two people argue, it doesn't mean that either of them is right'.

While many would counter that sentiment, with science and statistics backing up vaccination and mandatory mask wearing, the message still stands.

In an amusing end to the note, the writer then apologised to a person who had opposed his 'previous message', admitting he swore at them and should be 'practicing what I preach. Sorry'.
Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan has changed his account of the January 6 Capitol riot, now saying he spoke with former President Trump 'more than once' during the attack.

'Look, I definitely spoke to the president that day. I don't recall - I know it was more than once, I just don't recall the times,' the conservative lawmaker told Politico in its Sunday newsletter.

The revelation comes a week after the Democrat-led January 6 committee announced it would be looking into phone records and text messages from potential witnesses including Republican members of Congress.

At least one of the calls occurred in the safe room where he and others were held while violent Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. He said he was 'sure' of the fact because they were 'in that room forever.'

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, also a staunch Trump ally, joined Jordan on the safe room call, another source told the outlet.

Ohio Republican Jim Jordan admitted in a Sunday report to have spoken with former President Trump multiple times during the Capitol riot, despite previously only disclosing one conversation

They reportedly pled with the ex-president to tell the rioters to stop, but it's unclear how he responded.

Jordan wouldn't admit whether or not Gaetz was on the call and didn't go into specifics on what he and Trump discussed, but added that he wanted the National Guard to step in.

Gaetz also didn't get into specifics when asked.

'Congressman Gaetz speaks with President Trump regularly and doesnt disclose the substance of those discussions with the media,' his spokesperson told Politico.

Jordan revealed last month that he spoke with Trump the day of the MAGA riot - but only mentioned one conversation.

'I spoke with him on January 6. I mean I talk with President Trump all the time,' he told Spectrum News in July. 'I don't think that's unusual.'

When pressed the lawmaker said he spoke with Trump after the riot, then quickly backpedaled and said he didn't know exactly 'when those conversations happened' or if he spoke with him 'in the morning or not.'

Jordan is changing his tune just a week after Speaker Nancy Pelosi's bipartisan January 6 commission announced its intention to seek the phone records of GOP legislators and Trump associates as part of its ongoing probe.

Jordan is one of several Republican lawmakers who reportedly spoke with Trump on January 6 (pictured: the ex-president arriving at Trump Tower on August 22)

Jordan said at least one conversation occurred in a safe room where lawmakers were being held while Trump supporters stormed the Capitol

A source claims Rep. Matt Gaetz (left) was involved in one of the calls to Trump

Committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson said he'll seek the phone records of several hundred people, including Republican members of Congress, as part of the probe.

The Mississippi Democrat declined to identify which lawmakers would be sought but told reporters on Capitol Hill his committee is reaching out to tech and communications companies as well as social media platforms for hundreds of records from that day.

'We have quite an exhaustive list of people. I won't tell you who they are, but it's several hundred people that make up the list of people we are planning to contact,' he said when asked if the list included Trump's family members.

DailyMail.com reached out to Jordan's office for comment on the Democrat-led committee's hunt for GOP phone records last Tuesday but has not heard back.

Jordan is one of several Republican lawmakers claiming to have spoken with Trump on January 6.

Another is House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who reportedly asked Trump 'Who the f--- do you think you're talking to?' in a tense call after begging him to call his supporters off.

McCarthy nominated five Republicans to serve on the committee, including Jordan, but withdrew his picks in outrage after Pelosi refused to seat Jordan and Rep. Jim Banks.

She later said Banks and Jordan's nominations 'outrageous' and 'not serious' during a virtual summit.

'I mean, they probably - well, look, we'll see what the committee finds out about them,' she warned. 'But they weren't going to be on the committee.'

She said the pair would be nothing but 'antics and clowns' and accused them of being 'participants of the Big Lie' that Joe Biden stole the election from Trump.

Both lawmakers voted against certifying the election results - which Pelosi said she did not hold against them.

'I didn't really care if they had voted to accept the results of the election. All I really wanted them to be is willing to seek the truth,' she said. 'So I said three of the members were welcome to serve that the leader suggested, but not the two.'

Pelosi chose Republican Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger to serve on the panel.

Since Sunday's disclosure of Jordan's January 6 timeline surfaced, multiple people have called for Jordan to face consequences.

Jordan is facing renewed calls for scrutiny since the Politico Playbook report emerged

'Jim Jordan must testify before the 1/6 committee,' Jeff Sites, a Democratic challenger for Jordan's House seat, wrote on Twitter.

Sites also claimed Jordan knows 'exactly what Trump said to him' that day and is 'lying because it incriminates Trump.'

Actor George Takei wrote on the site, 'One takeaway from Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz calling and begging Trump to tell the rioters to stand down on Jan 6 is that they apparently believed Trump had full control over Antifa.'

He was referring to a right-wing conspiracy theory that far-left group Antifa staged the riot.
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told top Pentagon leaders to prepare for a potential 'mass casualty event' 24 hours before the Kabul suicide attack and said Britain wanted to keep the airport gate at the center of the blast open for longer to allow more evacuees through, internal DOD documents reveal.

The documents, which the Pentagon condemned as a leak of classified information and urged the media not to report, detail top military officials trying to sort out security in a situation they already deemed a major risk.

'I don't believe people get the incredible amount of risk on the ground,' Austin said on the call.

Pentagon sources said they begged to shut down Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital city before it was hit by the deadly jihadist attack - but Britain wanted it kept open to continue its evacuation campaign.

The new twist came as survivors of the deadly blast claimed panicked US troops opened fire on the crowds of evacuees in the bloody aftermath.

Austin told more than a dozen leaders who joined a conference call to prepare for a 'mass casualty event,' according to notes on military conference calls obtained by Politico, and warned that the Abbey Gate was the 'highest risk' in a meeting just 24 hours before 170 people and 13 US Marines were killed.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley warned of 'significant' intel that ISIS-K was planning a 'complex' attack  military jargon for an attack involving multiple players designed to boost casualties.

Officials even identified the airport's Abbey Gate, where U.S. troops conducted security sweeps, as a high risk target.

In a second conference call at 12pm last Thursday, American commanders set out plans to close the gate by that afternoon. However, the decision was taken to allow Britain, based at the nearby Baron Hotel, to continue evacuating people through it.

Six hours later, an ISIS-K terrorist armed with a suicide vest killed himself and almost 200 others.

Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin warned of a potential 'mass casualty event' just 24 hours before a suicide bomber set off a bomb that killed 13 U.S. troops and more than 200 Afghans last week. Leaked notes on calls between Defense officials reveal struggles to protect the Kabul airport

Initially the Pentagon said that there had been two suicide attacks, including at the Baron Hotel where the British were processing people. The following day the US changed its account and confirmed there had been only one, blaming 'garbled' intelligence from the scene

Survivors have claimed that frightened soldiers protecting the airport may have opened fire in the aftermath, inadvertently adding to the death toll, which included two Britons and the child of a UK national.

According notes on the security calls among leaders provided to the publication by an unnamed source, officials warned about exactly the type of attack the U.S. now says transpired: a brazen suicide attack by ISIS-K, an ISIS affiliate in the region that has repeatedly clashed with the Taliban.

It all took place in a fraught situation where Taliban members are providing security at checkpoints around a packed Kabul airport as the U.S. tries to fly out Americans and desperate Afghans while evacuating U.S. troops.

The rare view of back-and-forth inside the Pentagon came as survivors of the deadly blast claimed panicked US troops opened fire on the crowds of evacuees in the bloody aftermath, killing their loved-ones including a British father-of-two.

US officials said immediately after the attack that there had been two blasts, including at the Baron Hotel where the British were processing people, later revising that assessment to say there was only one.

The British Ministry of Defense declined to respond to allegations they were to blame for keeping the gate open, but said in a statement: 'Throughout Operation Pitting we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people.

'We send our deepest condolences to the families of the US victims of the senseless attacks in Kabul & continue to offer our full support to our closest ally'.

The terrorist attack happened on Thursday at about 6pm local time at the Abbey Gate to the airport, where thousands had gathered at the perimeter hoping to get on to a leaving cargo plane.

And survivors have claimed that frightened soldiers protecting the airport may have opened fire in the aftermath, inadvertently adding to the death toll, which included two Britons and the child of a UK national.

'I don't believe people get the incredible amount of risk on the ground,' Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin said on the call

A view from the scene after at least five rockets were fired at the Afghan capital Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, 2021

In this image provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, a Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command, takes care of a young girl awaiting processing at an evacuation control checkpoint during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021

How the Kabul airport terror attack unfolded and the 'garbled' intelligence on the ground that has caused confusion ever since Thursday, August 26 6.20pm: A ISIS-K suicide bomb is detonated outside Abbey Gate and blamed for the deaths of 13 US soldiers and 170 Afghan evacuees. 7pm: The Pentagon claimed there had been two militants involved and that an explosion had taken place at the British-run Baron Hotel. There were also incorrect claims that one of the bombs was set off inside a car. Friday, August 27 US security sources said there was no blast at the Baron Hotel and that there was a sole suicide bomber. US President Joe Biden vows retribution for the deaths of the 13 marines killed in the attack but will not delay or stop withdrawal from Afghanistan beyond August 31. Sunday, August 28 Survivors of the bomb blast say American and Turkish soldiers guarding the Abbey Gate opened fire on the crowds running towards them in the aftermath of the suicide bomb. One witness said: 'The bullet went inside his head, right here near to his ear' Monday, August 29 US intelligence sources tell Politico that the Americans wanted the Abbey Gate closed because it was the likely target of a terror attack - but it was kept open to allow the British to keep using it. Advertisement

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby would not confirm the report when asked about it at Monday's Pentagon briefing.

'We have been monitoring as close as we can intelligence that led us to believe that we were in a very dynamic and in some cases specific threat environment,' he said when asked about it.

'Were going to investigate, were going to get to the bottom of what happened last Thursday. Thirteen precious lives are lost. Were going to take that seriously ... And were not going to investigate it in public,' he continued.

'I am absolutely not going to speak to a press story that was informed by the unlawful disclosure of classified information and sensitive deliberations here at the Pentagon. Just not going to do it,' he said.

President Joe Biden had already warned publicly of the high security risk during the evacuation. He warned again Saturday, following the attack, that the chance of another such attempt was 'highly likely.' Biden on Sunday took part in a dignified transfer as the bodies of U.S. servicemen and women killed in the attack last week were returned home at Dover Air Force Base.

Austin during the call did not dismiss the warnings being transmitted by Rear Adm. Peter Vasely, the top commander in Afghanistan.

'We probably ought to listen when you have a former [Joint Special Operations Command] and SEAL commander on the ground saying it's high risk,' Austin said in a subsequent teleconference meeting.

The Pentagon, which has sought to hold back information about security specifics including precise number of U.S. troops, Americans seeking to leave, and precise efforts to fortify the airport, blasted the leak.

'This story is based on the unlawful disclosure of classified information and internal deliberations of a sensitive nature,' fumed Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

He told the publication: 'As soon as we became aware of the material divulged to the reporter, we engaged Politico at the highest levels to prevent the publication of information that would put our troops and our operations at the airport at greater risk.'

'We condemn the unlawful disclosure of classified information and oppose the publication of a story based on it while a dangerous operation is ongoing,' he added.

The publication said the notes on three calls were authenticated by a Defense official. It said it said it held back some information that might impact the security situation amid the risky efforts to withdraw remaining troops, Afghan allies and their families, and remaining U.S. citizens.

One unexplained notation comes from Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, in an exchange that also involved Pentagon policy chief Colin Kahl.

'We're not going to get everyone out. We'll get 90-95 percent,' he said, according to a notation, although it was not clear if he was referring to Americans, allies, or Afghans seeking to evacuate. He had also observed that Taliban ability to provide security would 'decay' over time.

Two US officials speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that American forces launched a strike in the Afghan capital targeting a possible suicide car bomb that was aiming to attack Hamid Karzai International Airport

A US Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit carrying a baby as the family processes through the Evacuation Control Center today

A destroyed vehicle is seen inside a house after this afternoon's drone strike, which vapourised several suicide bombers, according to officials

A destroyed vehicle is seen inside a house after a U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, this afternoon

The strike destroyed a vehicle carrying 'multiple suicide bombers' from Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate on Sunday

His brother Abdul Hamid, who survived the blast, told the BBC that his brother was shot dead by western troops - not killed by the suicide bomb

The brother of British Afghan Muhammad Niazi (pictured) who was killed following a suicide bomb attack on Kabul airport says he was shot dead by panicked western troops. Muhammad's youngest child and eldest daughter (pictured but not named) are still believed to be missing

Among the dead was Muhammad Niazi, a taxi driver from London who had travelled back to Afghanistan to get his family out of Kabul. His wife was killed in the blast, and his youngest child and eldest daughter are still believed to be missing.

His brother Abdul Hamid, who survived the blast, made the claims about bullets from western guard posts killing people and told the BBC: 'The fire came from the bridges the towers from the soldiers'.

He added: I saw some small children in the river, it was so bad. It was doomsday for us.'

The second British victim, Musa Popal, 60, was pushing through the crowd trying to attract the attention of soldiers by waving his UK passport when he was killed by the suicide bomber, it was reported last night.

Other witnesses to the suicide bomb attack also say that their relatives weren't killed in the blast but by fire in the confusion afterwards. Abdul says he saw American and Turkish soldiers amid the chaotic scenes as gunfire reined over the crowds of people.

Another man claimed his friend who had helped US forces during the war had been killed by a gunfire from Western troops.

'This guy served the US Army for years,' he told the BBC. 'And the reason he lost his life wasn't because of Taliban, he wasn't killed by ISIS...'

When asked why he was so sure, the man added: 'Because of the bullet, the bullet went inside his head, right here near to his ear,' suggesting a troop guarding the airport may have hit him by mistake. He added that his friend had not suffered any other injuries in the blast.
Brad Snyder, a gold medal-winning US Paralympian who was blinded while serving with the Navy in Afghanistan, is questioning America's decades-long 'war on terror,' while applauding the withdrawal from the country.

'It plagues me, it keeps me awake at night and I think about it a lot, especially being a person whose life was fundamentally changed by going to Afghanistan,' Snyder told CNN of the war on terror following his gold medal Paratriathlon victory in Tokyo on Saturday.

Snyder, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, said there is a 'prevailing sadness' over the Taliban's return to power, but acknowledged that the US could not stay in the country 'forever.'

Brad Snyder, from United States, and his guide Greg Billington, celebrate after wining the Men's Triathlon PTV1 at the Odaiba Marine Park at the 2020 Paralympics in Toky0

Brad Snyder and guide Greg Billington of Team United States exit the swim stage during the men's PTVI Triathlon on day 4 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Odaiba Marine Park

Snyder was permanently blinded in Afghanistan in 2011 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). He old CNN that he considers himself lucky to be alive. 'Thankfully, I was alone when I got hurt, so it only affected me and, thankfully, it detonated a short distance in front of me ... which largely saved my life and saved my limbs,' he said

Snyder (left) became the first American man to win an individual Olympic or Paralympic triathlon, finishing the course alongside sighted guide Greg Billington in 1:01:16. The 37-year-old Nevada native previously won six gold medals as a swimmer at the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Games

'Having been on the ground in Afghanistan, you can very clearly see the negativity associated with Taliban rule  the way women are treated, the way that the villages react to the notion of the Taliban,' Snyder said. 'That said, we can't be there forever, and unless we're going to fully commit in a way that we haven't done in the last 20 years, the mistakes of the last 20 years don't justify future investment in my view.

'And so I applaud the decisions that have been made to change course and to change our strategy in Afghanistan.

Snyder became the first American man to win an individual Olympic or Paralympic triathlon, finishing the course alongside sighted guide Greg Billington in 1:01:16. The 37-year-old Nevada native previously won six gold medals as a swimmer at the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Games.

Snyder served in the Navy for seven years

He was permanently blinded in Afghanistan in 2011 when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED).

Snyder told CNN that he considers himself lucky to be alive.

'Thankfully, I was alone when I got hurt, so it only affected me and, thankfully, it detonated a short distance in front of me ... which largely saved my life and saved my limbs,' he said.

The way Snyder sees it, he wasn't fighting for the Afghan people, but rather for 'human rights' and 'the notion of liberty, the notion of freedom.'

'And that sacrifice, that fight is still alive, that fight is something we'll be fighting until long after I'm gone,' he said.

Snyder is currently studying for a PhD in Public Policy at Princeton, according to CNN, and hopes to return to the US Naval Academy to help prepare cadets for the 'fights of tomorrow.'

Snyder won gold on Saturday alongside fellow American Paratriathlete Allysa Seely, who was defending her first gold medal.
The devastated family of the youngest woman to die after contracting Covid-19 have revealed she died of pneumonia after findings from the coroner were handed down.

Ianeta Isaako, 30, was reported as the youngest woman in New South Wales to die with the respiratory virus after she collapsed at her home in Emerton, Sydney's west, on August 23.

The beloved mother-of-three had tested positive 10 days earlier, but her health rapidly deteriorated.

A statement issued by the family this week said Mrs Isaako's official cause of death was pneumonia.

Her shattered loved ones are now considering taking legal action 'against those who have contributed false details' about Ianeta, her husband Sako and their three children.

Ianeta Isaako (pictured with her husband Sako) passed away after she was infected with Covid-19. The coroner has found she died of pneumonia, a statement said

'We have been made aware of false information rapidly circulating the internet and media outlets,' the statement published on Facebook read.

'We will be looking at taking legal action against those who have contributed to false details of Ianeta, Isaako and their children.'

The statement went on to say that 'Ianeta was not vaccinated' but had 'complied with all directions' given by NSW Health after contracting the virus on August 13.

'We  as a family  had been conversing and teaching each other about vaccinations and Covid-19 only days before she had passed,' the statement said.

She had been isolating in her bedroom since testing positive.

Pneumonia is a known complication of coronavirus and can develop when the virus progresses to the lungs.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM IANETA BAKER ISAAKO'S FAMILY 1. Results from the coroner declared Ianeta's cause of death was pneumonia. 2. Ianeta had tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday 13th August. NSW Health gave consent for Ianeta to isolate in her home, inside her bedroom for 14 days. Ianeta, her husband Isaako and their children had complied with all directives given by NSW Health. 3. Ianeta was not vaccinated yet. We - as a family - had been conversing and teaching each other about vaccinations and Covid-19 only days before she had passed. 4. We have been made aware of false information rapidly circulating the internet and media outlets. We will be looking at taking legal action against those who have contributed false details of Ianeta, Isaako and their children. Thank you for all your love and support for our family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask you to respect our privacy as we grieve the loss of a pillar in our lives. Sincerely, Family of Ianeta Isaako Advertisement

Police were called to the family's home on Helena Avenue in Emerton following reports the mother was found unresponsive (pictured, ambulances outside the house)

Pneumonia is common complication caused by Covid-19 Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. and is a common complication of coronavirus. When a patient has contracted Covid-19 it can progress to your lungs and when this happens, it's possible to develop pneumonia. Typically, the oxygen you breathe into your lungs crosses into your bloodstream inside the alveoli - the small air sacs in your lungs. However, infection with Covid-19 can damage the alveoli and surrounding tissues. Further, as your immune system fights the virus, inflammation can cause fluid and dead cells to build up in your lungs leading to pneumonia. These factors interfere with the transfer of oxygen, leading to symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. Source: Healthline Advertisement

NSW Health on Sunday switched to recording patients as dying 'with' instead of 'from' Covid as it acknowledged not all of the country's 1000 deaths were directly caused by the deadly virus.

Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the change in language is necessary because it has become 'very difficult to know' whether someone with Covid died from the virus, or another health complication.

It is understood Mr Isaako made a desperate Triple-0 call to paramedics after Ms Isaako collapsed in their home in front of their children

In the following days he would also be rushed hospital and treated in the intensive care unit at Nepean Hospital.

Their children - AJ, Deon and Mia - did not test positive for Covid and remained in the care of their grandparents and aunt.

In recent days Mr Isaako has since been released from the ICU.

A cousin of Mr Isaako said he had been lying in the hospital bed with 'his phone on his chest' texting family asking how the children are.

'As soon as there's a message about the children he texts back because he has difficulty breathing and speaking,' the family member said.

'Sako has made progress and was very sick at one stage but was determined to get better for his children - he didn't want to leave them orphaned.'

Health officials made a plea last week that anyone who has a positive Covid test and feels breathless or dizzy should call an ambulance immediately, as it is one of the warning signs that the body is struggling to fight the virus.

Ms Isaako would frequently be on the sidelines for AJ and Deon's rugby games and Penrith RSL Junior Rugby Club shared their condolences on Facebook.

'Our hearts are breaking and our thoughts are with your beautiful children, loving husband and wider family,' the footy club said.

NSW Health said the mother-of-three, 30, died of Covid-19 at her home in Emerton in Sydney's western suburbs (pictured, PPE-clad emergency workers at the scene)

The family live in Blacktown (pictured) one of the areas being most badly hit by a wave of Covid cases

Her sister Lisa Baker said she was a cornerstone of her large family - who were now relying on each other for support.

Mr Isaako's construction colleagues in the CFMEU also shared a message.

'All at the CFMEU are rocked by the news and we extend our sincerest condolences to Mr Isaako, his family and friends,' the union wrote.

A GoFundMe page has raised $66,000 in just over a week for the family.

'Condolences to the Isaako family & Baker Family Stay strong Sako for your beautiful kids,' one doner wrote.

'Ianeta, I will always remember you as a kind and happy person. Sending love to you and your family,' another said.
A University of Georgia professor walked out of the classroom and announced he is quitting when a student refused to pull her mask up over her nose last Tuesday.

Psychology professor Irwin Bernstein, 88, had informed the class of his 'no mask, no class' policy verbally and on the white board at the front of his classroom. Due to his age, Type 2 Diabetes and hypertension, he told students, he could die if he contracted the virus.

Bernstein, an Air Force veteran who has taught at the school since 1968, said he was told by the head of his department that he could not enforce his mask policy upon students, in an email to The Red & Black, the student newspaper.

The final straw came when a student who was not present on the first day of the upper-level psychology class showed up to class unmasked. When Bernstein asked her to get a mask from the school's advising office, she was lent one by another student.

She pulled the mask up over her mouth, but not her nose. When Bernstein implored her to wear the covering correctly, she complained that she 'couldn't breath' and 'had a really hard time breathing' with cloth over both her mouth and nose.

'I resigned my retiree-rehire position... Resignation was an all or none decision,' Bernstein (pictured left) said to University of Georgia's student publication after he walked out of a class when a student refused to wear her mask. 'I felt some relief as I had been getting more concerned as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in recent weeks.'

'At that point, I said that whereas I had risked my life to defend my country while in the Air Force, I was not willing to risk my life to teach a class with an unmasked student during this pandemic,' Professor Irvin Bernstein (pictured right) said of the incident in an email to The Red & Black.

Fifteen minutes into the lecture, after Bernstein took student attendance, he once again asked the student to correctly affix her mask. The student reportedly did not respond.

'That's it. I'm retired,' the professor said, student Hannah Huff told the student news publication, and the class watched him pack up his things and leave.

Psychology professor Irwin Bernstein, 88, had informed his class of his 'no mask, no class' policy - due to his age, Type 2 Diabetes and hypertension, he told students, he could die if he contracted the virus. Before his resignation on Tuesday, Bernstein had taught in the psychology department since 1968

'At that point, I said that whereas I had risked my life to defend my country while in the Air Force, I was not willing to risk my life to teach a class with an unmasked student during this pandemic,' Bernstein said in an email to The Red & Black.

'I then resigned my retiree-rehire position... Resignation was an all or none decision ... I felt some relief as I had been getting more concerned as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in recent weeks.'

MailOnline could not reach Bernstein for comment on the incident. It is unclear whether the former UGA professor is vaccinated against COVID-19.

Other students then confronted their anti-mask classmate, telling her, 'You know we need this class to graduate, right?'

One of the 25 other students in the classroom, none of whom reportedly took issue with the professor's stance on mask usage, told the student paper that the offending student laughed and said, 'Well, this is a blessing in disguise.'

'She's talking about some "blessing in disguise cr*p like ma'am I'm just trying to graduate,' Huff tweeted later that day.

'The damage is done. Obviously she has her values, and theyre clearly not going to change even when someone asked you to do something that will make them feel comfortable,' Huff said to the student newspaper.

One of the 25 other students in the classroom, none of whom reportedly took issue with the professor's stance on mask usage, told the student paper that the offending student laughed and said, 'Well, this is a blessing in disguise.'

'The damage is done,' student Hannah Huff, whose tweet is pictured, told the University of Georgia's student newspaper. 'Obviously she has her values, and theyre clearly not going to change even when someone asked you to do something that will make them feel comfortable.'

'Bernstein is there for you [the student]. Like, he came out of retirement to do something for us, but you just cant take it out of the kindness of your heart to put a piece of fabric on properly.'

UGA spokesperson Greg Trevor said that all of the students in the class, all upperclassmen who needed to complete the course to graduate, were moved to other sections.

'This is not what I signed up for. This was not my original plan for my final semester here. Its heartbreaking. Its surreal,' Huff said.

'I kept thinking to myself, "Theres no way this is happening." There was definitely hidden hostility in that room, and I do feel a little bit of anger toward this girl, but mainly agitation.'

The university 'strongly encourages' mask usage, but does not mandate it.

The UGA chapter of employee union United Campus Workers of Georgia protested the school's refusal to implement mask or vaccine mandates on Friday, days after Bernstein's resignation, toting signs and wearing black in a 'funeral for common sense.'

'If youre at Harvard or Yale or Duke or one of these other places, the assumption is one day you might be a, you know, a billionaire, a Supreme Court justice, a president, a CEO of a major corporation, and no ones going to take a chance with your life, union Co-President Paul Grant told The Red & Black.

'If youre at UGA or Tech or Georgia State or Georgia Gwinnett, apparently youre not as important.'

A student plays on University of Georgia's bulldog mascot on his sign at a protest against his school's lack of mask or vaccine mandates held on Friday. The 'funeral for common sense' protest was held on campus days after Professor Bernstein resigned due to his student's refusal to mask up

'If youre at Harvard or Yale or Duke or one of these other places, the assumption is one day you might be a, you know, a billionaire, a Supreme Court justice, a president, a CEO of a major corporation, and no ones going to take a chance with your life, Co-President of the University's United Campus Workers of Georgia Union Paul Grant told The Red & Black . 'If youre at UGA or Tech or Georgia State or Georgia Gwinnett, apparently youre not as important'

A lone counter protester opposed students and faculty at Friday's 'funeral for common sense' protest against the school's lack of vaccine and mask mandates on the University of Georgia campus. The protest came days after Bernstein's very-public resignation

Professor Bernstein, according to the University, had taught in the psychology department since 1968. Although he retired from his position in 2011, he still taught part-time until the Tuesday incident.

Vaccines are administered for free on campus, and the university has given out 24,750 thus far.

According to the school's 'DawgCheck' COVID tracker, 231 positive cases were recorded on campus for the week of August 22, more than double the 104 reported in the previous week. Of the positives, 97 percent were students.

University of Georgia psychology Professor Dr. Janet Frick wrote that teachers had no grasp of how many students were vaccinated, as the Board of Regents has forbidden them from asking

'Last year during the equivalent week, the number of positive tests was 180... but the following week it jumped to 900,' wrote UGA's Dr. Janet Frick, also a member of the psychology department, on Twitter. 'So... stay tuned.'

Frick wrote that teachers had no grasp of how many students were vaccinated, as the Board of Regents has forbidden them from asking.
A close aide of Osama bin Laden has returned to his home in Afghanistan after 20 years of US occupation just hours until American forces finish their evacuation from the war-torn country by President Joe Biden's deadline, a video purports to show.

Amin ul-Haq, a top Al Qaeda arms supplier, returned to his hometown in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province on Monday just over two weeks after the Taliban completed its lightening fast offensive to take over nearly all of the country.

Ul-Haq headed bin Laden's security when he was occupying the Tora Bora cave complex. The two men escaped together when US forces attacked the complex, according to NBC.

The Al Qaeda leader was killed by US forces in Pakistan in 2011.

In the video, a car carrying ul-Haq is seen driving through a checkpoint amid a small crowd.

At one point the car stops and ul-Haq rolls down the window. Apparent admirers crowd the vehicle's passenger side, with men taking turns grasping and even kissing the top Al Qaeda associate's hand.

Two men take a few steps forward along with the slow-moving car in order to take a next to ul-Haq.

The car is then followed by a procession of vehicles carrying heavily-armed fighters, some flying the Taliban's flag.

A video appears to show top bin Laden deputy Amin ul-Haq's return to his home town 20 years after he fled US forces

Asked about ul-Haq's return to Afghanistan, the Pentagon told DailyMail.com that it does not comment on intelligence matters.

A State Department spokesperson declined to comment.

His return in the last hours of the US withdrawal effort comes after roughly 122,300 people were evacuated since the end of July. Approximately 1,200 people were evacuated on US military and coalition flights as of Monday, bringing the total number of people moved out of Kabul since the Taliban's takeover to 116,700.

Flights will continue on Monday - 17 jets are expected to take more than 3,000 people out of Kabul, the majority of whom are Afghan.

The US Treasury added ul-Haq to its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists in 2001. He's also sanctioned by the United Nations and the United Kingdom.

Since the militant group's takeover, concerns have arisen that it would turn the country into a ripe environment for other terrorist organizations to grow.

Intelligence reports estimated an Al Qaeda resurgence within 18 to 24 months after the US withdrawal.

'It is virtually certain that Al Qaeda will reestablish a safe haven in Afghanistan and use it to plot terrorism against the United States and others,' former State Department coordinator Nathan Sales told the New York Times.

Ul-Haq (left) headed Osama bin Laden's security operation in the Tora Bora mountain complex until the two men fled together after US forces attacked

Days after Kabul fell to the Taliban, Biden inaccurately claimed Al Qaeda is 'gone' from Afghanistan.

'What interest do we have in Afghanistan at this point, with al Qaeda gone? We went to Afghanistan for the express purpose of getting rid of al Qaeda in Afghanistan as well as - as well as - getting Osama bin Laden. And we did,' the president said at the White House on August 20.

Biden was directly contradicted by his own Defense Department a short while later. Spokesman John Kirby said after his remarks that Al Qaeda's presence in the region isn't 'significant enough to merit a threat to our homeland' compared to its numbers in 2001.

A United Nations report from June estimated there were several dozen to 500 Al Qaeda-affiliated individuals, with most 'core membership' existing outside of Afghanistan.

The report also notes that while communication between Al Qaeda and Taliban was infrequent at the time, one UN member state claimed there was 'regular communication' related to the Taliban's peace talks with the Trump administration.

In the February 2020 Doha agreement negotiated by Trump, the Taliban promised it would 'not allow any of its members, other individuals or groups, including Al Qaeda, to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies.'

Joe Biden incorrectly said Al Qaeda was 'gone' in remarks on August 20

Ul-Haq's return comes in the final hours of the US evacuation from Afghanistan

In return the group secured the release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners against the wishes of the Afghan government and Trump agreed to withdraw troops by May 1.

But based on the Monday video of ul-Haq's return the militants seemed to encourage and even celebrate the Islamist figure's homecoming.

Ul-Haq had been a member of Hizb-i Islami Khalis, one of seven groups that fought against the Soviet Union's occupation of Afghanistan.

He was detained by Pakistan's intelligence agency in 2008 but released in 2011, according to the Daily Telegraph - roughly half a year after bin Laden was killed.

'Amin al-Haq had been arrested mistakenly, therefore, the police failed to prove any charge of his association with Osama bin Laden and the court set him free,' a security source told the outlet.

There are now just under 30 hours until the Taliban's deadline of midnight, local time, on Tuesday night for the US to leave completely. Last week, Taliban spokesman Dr. Suhail Shaheen said there 'will be consequences' if Biden doesn't honor it.

The mission is growing ever more dangerous. On Thursday, ISIS-K killed 169 people, including 13 US troops, in a suicide bomb attack at the airport.

In retaliation, the US launched a drone strike on Sunday to kill the bombers responsible but 10 civilians - including seven kids - were also killed, according to The New York Times.

Pentagon officials are refusing to confirm or deny the civilian attacks and they also won't name the terrorists who were reportedly killed either.

Biden, who has been admonished for his handling of the withdrawal of troops, said another attack was 'highly likely' before the US completely pulled out.

The rockets on Monday came from a car parked on a residential street next to the airport.

It had been modified as a rocket launcher, and there were six homemade rocket tubes mounted in the place of backseats.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Friday that the final days of the rescue mission would focus on getting troops and equipment out of the area. It's unclear how how many more civilian flights will leave.

Senior officials said the U.S. has the capacity to evacuate U.S. citizens remaining in Afghanistan who want to leave before Biden's Tuesday deadline.

A Taliban fighter investigates a damaged car after multiple rockets were fired in Kabul on Monday

The rockets targeted the airport on Monday morning s the final US flights took off from Kabul. Other Western nations have now left the region because it is too dangerous to stay

'This is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission these last couple of days,' America's top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said Sunday not long before confirmation of the drone strike in Kabul.

Five rockets were launched at Hamid Karzai Airport on Monday morning from a sedan parked nearby. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they used Katyusha rockets against the US troops still on the ground.

No one is believed to have been killed in the attack; the US Army's C-RAM missile defense system took out just one of the five rockets - a 20 percent success rate.

Three missed the airfield and one landed inside but Pentagon officials said it had 'no effect' on the evacuation flights.

The weapon defense system features a radar-controlled, rapid fire 20mm gun positioned atop a swiveling base on top of a trailer. It can be fired remotely and fires 4,500 rounds per minute.
Two Australian Defence Force personnel have died after the military vehicle they were driving rolled in a training area.

Emergency services were called to Dotswood at about 1pm on August 30, in the Townsville Field Training Area.

Both diggers died at the scene and the Forensic Crash Unit from Queensland Police is investigating the incident along with the Department of Defence.

Two Australian Defence Force personnel have died after their military vehicle rolled in the Townsville Field Training Area

'Defence is working closely with Queensland Police and Emergency Services to manage the situation,' a spokesperson said.

'The welfare of Defence personnel and their next of kin is of utmost importance and our focus is on providing support to them.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid his tributes to the fallen ADF members via Twitter.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid his tributes to the tragic passing of ADF personnel via Twitter

'I am devastated at the news two of our brave, serving ADF personnel lost their lives today when their army vehicle rolled over near Townsville,' the Prime Minister wrote.

'Wherever the sacrifice of our brave men and women of our ADF occurs, it is a great price them to pay, all in equal measure.

'We honour them for their service and sacrifice and grieve with their friends and family and the tight-knit Townsville community.'
Thousands of residents and workers have been plunged into isolation as the New South Wales Covid-19 outbreak crisis worsens.

Dozens of new exposure sites across 14 towns were announced on Monday night on a day the state recorded 1,290 cases, Australia's highest rise in daily infections throughout the entire pandemic.

Supermarkets, takeaway outlets, shopping centres, bank branches, service stations and a busy cafe at a major children's hospital in Sydney are among the latest sites.

Most of the 38 new exposure sites listed on the NSW Health website are regional venues after the department recently changed its policy to not list sites in Metropolitan Sydney unless they were deemed 'high risk'.

Staff at a construction company on the NSW Central Coast have been ordered to get tested and isolate for 14 days after they were deemed as close contacts.

NSW recorded its worst day of the pandemic with 1,290 new cases (pictured residents in Bondi on Monday)

Anyone else who attended KI Building Services Pty Ltd at North Gosford anytime during business hours on August 21 or August 22-37 inclusive must also get tested and isolate for 14 days.

The same order applies to close contacts who attended Subway Marketplace at Raymond Terrace between 11.55am-noon on August 25.

It comes as the NSW Central Coast recorded six new cases on Monday.

Staff and patients' families at the Children's Hospital at Westmead are also on alert after a busy cafe was exposed to Covid over two days last week.

Anyone who attended The Bear Brasserie Cafe on level two anytime between 8.30am and 5.30pm on August 23 and August 24 is deemed a casual contact.

They must be tested immediately and isolate until they return a negative result.

The popular cafe is currently closed for deep cleaning.

Anyone who visited Subway Marketplace (pictured) at Raymond Terrace between 11.55am and noon on August 25 must self-isolate for 14 days

SUBURBS EXPOSED The suburbs revealed to have been exposed to Covid in the community on Monday night are: Cessnock Charlestown Coonamble Dubbo Erina Mudgee North Gosford Ravenswood Raymond Terrace Thornton Warren Whitebridge Wickham Wyoming Advertisement

'Sydney Children's Hospitals Network is not aware of any confirmed cases of Covid-19 related to this exposure,' a spokeswoman said.

'In line with public health advice, all staff and visitors who attended the Bear Brasserie Cafe during the affected time are able to return to The Children's Hospital at Westmead if their test result comes back negative, and they have no symptoms of Covid-19.'

Shoppers in the Blue Mountains are also on alert after an infected case visited Coles at Winmalee Village last Friday, August 21).

Anyone who visited the store between 7.45am and 5.30pm that day is ordered to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

The supermarket was closed on Monday for deep cleaning but is expected to reopen on Tuesday.

'We have undertaken appropriate safety measures in order to minimise exposure to the virus, including a deep clean of the common mall areas and staff areas being completed tonight,' Winmalee Village posted on Facebook.

More than half of the 38 exposure sites listed by NSW were in Dubbo in the state's central west, with cases spiralling in the region.

They included multiple supermarkets and chemists, Service NSW, Officeworks, a busy motel, KFC, Dominos, service stations and a Mitre 10 store.

The regional city recorded 33 new cases on Monday.

The Bear Brasserie Cafe (pictured) at the Children's Hospital at Westmead has been deemed as a casual contact site

The Children's Hospital at Westmead (pictured) is one of Sydney's busiest hospitals and has been visited by a Covid-positive case

Other areas with casual contact sites north of Sydney include Thornton, Cessnock, Charlestown, Whitebridge and Wickham while Coonamble, Mudgee, Ravenswood and Warren in the state's west also have new exposure sites.

'If your date of exposure at this venue occurred in the past four days, you must get another test on day five from the date of exposure,' a NSW Health alert states.

More than 80 per cent of the 1240 new infections recorded on Monday were in western and south-west Sydney.

The state also recorded four new deaths, including the first one in regional NSW at Dubbo Hospital, an indigenous man with underlying conditions.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant flagged Guildford, Merrylands, Auburn and Punchbowl as the suburbs with the highest and most worrying number of cases.

'We are seeing such a high case rate,' she said.

Dubbo in central-west NSW remains on high alert with 33 new cases on Monday and more than 20 new exposure sites listed (pictured, a health worker at a local testing clinic)

'We are also seeing some spillover into adjacent local government areas and that is usually from workers going into those local government areas of concern and bringing [the virus] back and affecting the families.

'Ryde and Meadowbank and some inner west suburbs such as Marrickville is where we are seeing the introduction in factories and other workplaces.'

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian reaffirmed that vaccination was key to ending lockdown and praised the momentous effort of residents to turn out and get the jab.

'Vaccination is the key in terms of our freedom and reducing the spread of the virus,' she said.

'NSW has administered 6.8million jabs which is an outstanding result. So nearly two thirds of our adult population have had one dose and 36 per cent have had two doses.'

Health officials are concerned about the growing Covid cases. Pictured are health workers in PPE at RPA Hospital in Camperdown
Duke University has told staff they will be sacked if they are not vaccinated by October 1 unless they have valid exemption.

Leaders at the university in Durham, North Carolina, said staff can apply for a medical or religious exemption, but would not be rehired in the future if they didn't vaccinate.

Employees have until 10am to receive and show documentation of vaccination, according to Wral, but university officials have said that 91 percent of employees have completed the requirement so far.

Duke University tells staff they will be sacked if they are not vaccinated by October 1 unless they have valid exemption

Employees will still have to do daily symptom monitoring and weekly testing, as well as continuing to wear a mask.

Those who have not shown they are fully vaccinated by the deadline will be placed on administrative leave until they get the jab.

They will then have one week to either receive the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine or the first dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

If an employee does not receive a vaccine in those seven days, they will be terminated.

Those who do receive a Moderna or Prizer vaccine dose in those seven days will have six weeks to provide documentation that they received the required second dose.

The employee will be fired if the second dose is not administered in the six weeks, and those who are fired will not be eligible to be rehired.

Leaders at the university in Durham, North Carolina, said staff can apply for a medical or religious exemption but that 91 percent of staff have already completed the requirement

Duke is currently one of the only major universities in the area to mandate vaccines, and they are a requirement for students and staff.

This comes after Rutgers University was believed to be the first in the United States to mandate the vaccine for students earlier this year.

It announced that all students returning to campus in the Fall 2021 will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The mandate applies to all three of the school's campus locations: New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden.

While students will be required to be vaccinated for the Fall 2021 semester, faculty and staff are being urged 'get immunized against COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity.'

Students will be required to have proof of their vaccine, even 17-year-olds only currently eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

Rutgers University is preparing to bring only vaccinated students back to campus this fall

Students will be able to ask for an exemption from getting the vaccine, based on either medical or religious grounds.

Last week, Dr Anthony Fauci said the US should expect more vaccine mandates now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 shot.

In an interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Tuesday, he said he thinks approval will help push more Americans to get the Covid vaccine because it might reduce their fears about the safety of the shot.

But he added that businesses and schools may feel more comfortable requiring workers or students to get a jab that has full authorization.

'You're gonna see a lot more [vaccine] mandates because there will be institutions and organizations which previously were reluctant to require vaccinations, which will now feel much more empowered to do that,' Fauci said.

Dr Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday (pictured) that the U.S. should expect to see more vaccine mandates now that Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine receive full approval from the FDA

'That could be organizations, businesses, colleges, universities. We're even seeing it with the military already.'

However, mandates are a contentious topic with many states outright banning laws that would require workers to be vaccinated.

About 90 million Americans who are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine have not yet done so, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If 30 percent of that group decided to get vaccinated, that would mean 27 million additional Americans would be getting shots in arms.

Fauci explained that organizations were likely hesitant to require vaccines only approved for emergency use. Pictured: A student receives a first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the California State University Long Beach campus, August 11

Fauci added that more organizations will require mandates either for their workers or for customers to conduct business.

At a news conference on Monday morning, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby confirmed that the full approval will lead to COVID-19 vaccines being mandated for the U.S. military.

'Now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved, the department is prepared to issue updated guidance requiring all service members to be vaccinated. A timeline for vaccinated completion will be provided in the coming days,' he said.

And Louisiana State University President William Tate announced two weeks ago that the school will mandate that students receive the vaccine following full FDA authorization.

The topic of mandates has been a contentious one with many lawmakers arguing that requiring inoculations infringes on civil liberties.
Obama-era Education Secretary Arne Duncan was eviscerated on social media over the weekend after he compared anti-mask and anti-vaccine Americans to terrorist suicide bombers in Afghanistan.

'Have you noticed how strikingly similar both the mindsets and actions are between the suicide bombers at Kabuls airport, and the anti-mask and anti-vax people here?' the former top education official wrote on Twitter. 'They both blow themselves up, inflict harm on those around them, and are convinced they are fighting for freedom.'

Duncan's tweet came Sunday morning, shortly before President Biden stood watch at Dover Air Force base as the caskets of 13 US service members were returned home after they died in the Kabul explosion last Thursday helping Americans and Afghan allies escape Taliban rule. At least 170 were killed in last week's attack, which has been claimed by terrorist group ISIS-K.

Arne Duncan, above, was eviscerated on social media over the weekend after he compared anti-mask and anti-vaccine Americans to terrorist suicide bombers in Afghanistan.

'Have you noticed how strikingly similar both the mindsets and actions are between the suicide bombers at Kabuls airport, and the anti-mask and anti-vax people here?' the former top education official wrote on Twitter. 'They both blow themselves up, inflict harm on those around them, and are convinced they are fighting for freedom'

Duncan's tweet was bitterly ratio'ed, racking up over 4,000 quote tweets and 19,000 responses and only a little over 500 retweets and 1,600 likes, as of Monday morning.

'This might be the worst all time ratio,' Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, wrote on Twitter, adding 'Wow youre a real piece of human garbage.'

'On the day that President Biden met the caskets containing the fallen soldiers who were victims of suicide bombers, I can't imagine a more inappropriate Tweet from former Education Secretary @arneduncan,' wrote Joel Petlin, superintendent of Kiryas Joel school district. 'There's no comparison between non-masking, non-vaxxing & terrorism. Shame.'

'Completely unacceptable and abhorrent words from the former Secretary of Education under the Obama/Biden administration. And to think this individual was in charge of educating our children? Disgusting,' wrote former Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Pa.

'Unbelievable! Obamas former Secretary of Education equated U. S. citizens that want a choice to get vaccinated to suicide bombers. It is scary how some Democrats in power think!' wrote Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., in response.

Duncan served as education secretary from 2009 to 2016, and now works as managing partner at the education group Emerson Collective.

On Monday morning, as many as five rockets were fired at Kabul airport, with some being intercepted by the C-RAM missile defense system. An official said initial reports did not indicate any U.S. casualties, but that information could change. It wasn't immediately clear who launched them.

The incident came as it was revealed three children were killed in a US drone strike targeting 'multiple suicide bombers' planning an attack on the Hamid Karzai International airport - just hours after Biden warned of the possibility of another attack following last week's that killed 170, including 13 U.S. personnel.

Witnesses said the a strike blew up two cars parked outside a residential building near the airport to the north of Afghanistan's capital. It is believed the vehicles were going to be used in an 'imminent' attack by ISIS-K militants.

Smoke could be seen rising near the airport today, and the sound of the airport's missile defense system could be heard by local residents, some of whom also reported seeing rockets exploding in the air and shrapnel falling into the street - suggesting at least one rocket had been intercepted.
Dr Anthony Fauci blasted a fundraising website for Florida Gov Ron DeSantis for offering T-shirts and drink coolers with messages mocking COVID-19 vaccines and the top infectious disease expert himself amid rising death rates in Florida.

During his appearance on Jake Tapper's CNN show State of the Union on Sunday, the veteran director of the National Institute of Allergy and infectious Disease said there was no place for 'politicization' during a public health crisis.

'We have an extraordinary problem that is killing people in the United States, killing us, putting us in the hospital, so that kind of politicization... there's not place for that when you're dealing with a public health crisis,' Fauci said.

Dr Anthony Fauci appeared on Jake Tapper's CNN show Sunday and slammed a site for Gov Ron DeSantis for selling merchandise mocking masks, COVID vaccines and him personally

T-shirts and beverage coolers retailing to $21 and $12, respectively, are emblazoned with the words, 'Don't Fauci My Florida'

Two days earlier, Florida posted the nation's second highest seven-day death rate related to COVID-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic in January 2020, nearly 44,000 people have succumbed to the virus in the state.

A campaign website for DeSantis is offering a range of merchandise poking fun at masks, COVID vaccines and Fauci himself. The scientist has long been a lightening rod for right-wing conservatives opposing mask and vaccination mandates.

A T-shirt and a matching beverage cooler retailing to $21 and $12, respectively, are emblazoned with the words, 'Don't Fauci My Florida.'

When COVID vaccines were first introduced last winter, they were jokingly referred to as 'Fauci-Ouchis.'

Another beverage cooler design bears a quote from DeSantis, which reads: 'How the hell am I going to be able to drink a beer with a mask on?'

When asked about being personally targeted for promoting vaccines and safety measures during the pandemic, Fauci replied: 'whoever is attacking me is a reflection of the politicization of what should be a purely public health issue, and it's really unfortunate.

'They are attacking personally me because I'm a visible person, but I'm merely articulating the proper public health practices that are recommended strongly by an organization, and that organization is the CDC.'

Fauci added: 'we should put all of that aide.'

Gov Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has been a fierce opponent of mask mandates in Florida

This map from the CDC indicates that the rate of COVID transmission in Florida is high

More than 637,500 people have died of COVID in the US since the outbreak of the pandemic

Helen Aguirre Ferre, executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, described the anti-vaccination and anti-masking messages being peddled by the fundraising site as 'lighthearted fun.'

Ferre noted that the site offering the items is not DeSantis' official campaign website, given that the first-term governor has yet to file paperwork seeking reelection.

'We view it as a great opportunity to have some lighthearted fun and give his supporters a chance to feel even more connected with his message of keeping Florida free, she said in a statement to Newsweek.

Over the weekend, Florida reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that 21,189 COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths were added on Friday alone.

Last week, the number of confirmed COVID cases in the state increased by 151,760, and 1,737 patients have died.

As of Friday, just over 52 per cent of Florida's eligible population has been fully vaccinated.

Mounting deaths from the latest surge in COVID-19 have strained capacity at hospital morgues and funeral homes across central Florida.

The Orlando Sentinel reported the AdventHealth health system had reached morgue capacity at 10 of its hospitals in five counties: Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.

The hospital group said it has resorted to using rented, refrigerated coolers to store bodies.

One sign of relief is that hospitalizations have decreased in recent days. The Florida Hospital Association said there has been a 4 per cent decline last week, but warned people not to let their guard down and to get the vaccine.
A policeman has been run over during a stolen vehicle pursuit leaving him with serious head injuries, with the thief still on the run.

Officers were chasing a stolen ute on the Monaro Highway in Nimmitabel, south-east New South Wales, at 8.20pm on Monday when the incident occurred.

The ute stopped 10km outside of Cooma, in southern NSW before the thief attempted to flee on foot.

A NSW Police officer has been run over by a ute thief outside Cooma (pictured) in NSW after chasing the man on foot

The officer was airlifted to Canberra Hospital where he is luckily in a stable condition, but the thief is still on the run (stock image)

Police officers ran after the man, who got into the drivers seat of a small white sedan.

He drove the vehicle and collided with the police officer, before fleeing the area.

The seriously injured policeman was treated at the scene before being airlifted to Canberra Hospital and in a stable condition.

An investigation is underway and a crime scene has been established by Monaro Police District officers.
More than 100 House Republicans said they would not approve raising the debt ceiling as Democrats vowed to hold them publicly accountable on the matter, pointing out the GOP upped it under President Donald Trump.

The letter, spearheaded by conservative members of the Republican Study Committee Reps. Kevin Hern and Jim Banks, charges Democrats need to take responsibility for raising the debt limit since they voted for billions in government spending to combat the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

The GOP lawmakers point out both the COVID relief bill and President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion budget resolution passed with only Republican votes.

'Democrats have embarked on a massive and unprecedented deficit spending spree. Without a single Republican vote, they passed a $1.9 trillion 'Covid relief' bill in March,' read the letter, which was signed by 103 Republicans. 'Now they have passed a $3.5 trillion Budget Resolution, again without a single Republican vote.'

'In order for this spending to occur, our nation's debt limit will have to be increased significantly. Because Democrats are responsible for the spending, they need to take responsibility for increasing the debt ceiling,' adds the missive, which was obtained by Fox News.

More than 100 House Republicans, in a letter spearheaded by Rep. Jim Bank (left) said they would not approve raising the debt ceiling, echoing Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's argument that Democrats should raise debt limit because they voted for billions in government spending to combat the economic fallout from COVID

If the United States defaults on its debt it could trigger a global economic crisis. The nation is projected to hit its debt ceiling in October.

The letter from House Republicans echoes the argument from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who warned earlier this year not a single Republican will support raising the debt limit, citing the trillions spent by the government during the pandemic.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plan to test the Republican resolve to default the nation by daring them to vote against raising the debt ceiling.

The Democratic leaders did not include a provision to raise the debt limit in the $3.5 trillion budget resolution that passed last week.

That would have enabled them to raise the debt limit in the Senate via a process known as reconciliation, which removes the 60 vote thresh hold to move legislation forward. Reconciliation would allow Democrats to approve raising the debt ceiling without a single Republican vote if all 50 Democratic senators voted to do so.

Without reconciliation, Democrats need at least 10 Republican senators to join the approval of raising the debt ceiling.

Democrats could also tie raising the debt ceiling to a stop-gap resolution in September to fund the government and prevent a shut down, essentially daring Republicans to support keeping the government running or letting it close and the nation default on its debt.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plan to test the Republican resolve to default the nation by daring them to vote against raising the debt ceiling

Democrats point out Republicans raised the debt ceiling in the first two years of the Trump administration.

And Biden's team argues most of the nation's debt came from the Trump years.

'The vast majority of the debt subject to the debt limit was accrued prior to the administration taking office,' Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said earlier this month. 'This is a shared responsibility, and I urge Congress to come together on a bipartisan basis as it has in the past to protect the full faith and credit of the United States.'

Failure to approve an increase in the debt limit, at about $28.7 trillion and rising, could lead to another federal government shutdown or a debt default.

The U.S. government has never defaulted on its debt and isn't expected to do so this fall.

Congress voted in July 2019 to suspend the debt limit until July 31, 2021.

The Treasury is using temporary 'emergency measures' to conserve cash so the government can keep paying its obligations to bondholders, veterans and Social Security recipients.
Democrats on the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot are planning to request that telecommunications companies preserve the phone records of Trump family members and Trump-aligned lawmakers who attended the 'Stop the Steal' rally on Jan. 6, it was revealed on Monday.

The records request could determine who the committee plans to call forth as a witness.

It's not clear how the committee plans to ensure compliance from telecommunications companies with its request. The committee does have subpoena power but obtaining the records of members of Congress could set off contentious legal battles.

The committee is requesting preserved phone records of Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Lara Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Don Jr.'s girlfriend.

The committee has not made public the full list of names it is requesting, according to CNN.

Sources revealed a partial list, which included those in some way involved in the 'Stop the Steal' rally which preceded the riot.

As of now, the list includes Republican Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Jim Jordan of Ohio, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Paul Gosar also of Arizona, Mo Brooks of Alabama, Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Jody Hice of Georgia and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania.

Republicans scoffed at the idea of looking into their phone records, which Brooks called a 'total waste of taxpayer money.'

'#Socialists & Pelosi Republicans (Cheney & Kinzinger) seek my phone records?' the congressman wrote on Twitter.

'Three results: 1 Total waste of taxpayer money. 2 Boredom for who looks at my records. 3 Russian Collusion Hoax 2.0. Why not subpoena Socialists who support BLM & ANTIFA?'

The committee is requesting preserved phone records of Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Lara Trump and Kimberly Guilfoyle, Don Jr.'s girlfriend

#Socialists & Pelosi Republicans (Cheney & Kinzinger) seek my phone records?



Three results:



1 Total waste of taxpayer money.



2 Boredom for who looks at my records.



3 Russian Collusion Hoax 2.0.



Why not subpoena Socialists who support BLM & ANTIFA?https://t.co/xHz8wdswPN  Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) August 30, 2021

On Friday, Banks sent Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Mississippi Democrat who chairs the committee, a letter warning him against such a step.

'Rifling through the call logs of your colleagues would depart from more than 230 years of Congressional oversight,' the Indiana Republican wrote. 'This type of authoritarian undertaking has no place in the House of Representatives and the information you seek has no conceivable legislative purpose.'

The committee last week released a slew of documents related to the probe on Wednesday, including interest in Trump's mental health records.

Also requested from the White House is whether the former president considered using military force to remain as president after Joe Biden won the 2020 election.

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., is among those whose phone records will be investigated by the Jan. 6 committee

House Committee investigating the Capitol riot is targeting the phone records of Trump family members and allies Ivanka Trump Donald Trump Jr. Eric Trump Lara Trump Kimberly Guilfoyle Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga. Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa. Advertisement

Thompson said he'll seek the phone records of several hundred people as part of the probe.

The Mississippi Democrat declined to identify which lawmakers would be sought but told reporters on Capitol Hill his committee is reaching out to not only tech and communications companies abut also social media platforms for hundreds of records from that day.

'We have quite an exhaustive list of people. I won't tell you who they are, but it's several hundred people that make up the list of people we are planning to contact,' he said when asked if the list included Trump's family members.

Other requests demand any documents related to the Constitution's 25th Amendment for cases where the cabinet seeks to remove a president for being 'unable' to discharge the duties of the office.

The panel wants the Pentagon to hand over information on the use of the Insurrection Act, communications on 'the establishment of martial law,' and information on 'defying orders from the President.'

The requests also seek out detailed information about personnel changes at the Pentagon in the last weeks of the Trump administration, as Trump installed political loyalists and former Defense chiefs warned the military must stay out of politics.

Taken in total, the requests indicate an aggressive effort to patch together a full accounting both of Trump's effort to overturn the election results by searching through a trove of government data and documents to reconstruct his efforts, as well as catalogue internal resistance.

Meanwhile, Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan has changed his account of the January 6 Capitol riot, now saying he spoke with former President Trump 'more than once' during the attack.

'Look, I definitely spoke to the president that day. I don't recall - I know it was more than once, I just don't recall the times,' the conservative lawmaker told Politico in its Sunday newsletter.

The revelation comes a week after the Democrat-led January 6 committee announced it would be looking into phone records and text messages from potential witnesses including Republican members of Congress.

At least one of the calls occurred in the safe room where he and others were held while violent Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. He said he was 'sure' of the fact because they were 'in that room forever.'

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, also a staunch Trump ally, joined Jordan on the safe room call, another source told the outlet.

They reportedly pled with the ex-president to tell the rioters to stop, but it's unclear how he responded.

Jordan wouldn't admit whether or not Gaetz was on the call and didn't go into specifics on what he and Trump discussed, but added that he wanted the National Guard to step in.

Gaetz also didn't get into specifics when asked.

'Congressman Gaetz speaks with President Trump regularly and doesn't disclose the substance of those discussions with the media,' his spokesperson told Politico.

Jordan revealed last month that he spoke with Trump the day of the MAGA riot - but only mentioned one conversation.

'I spoke with him on January 6. I mean I talk with President Trump all the time,' he told Spectrum News in July. 'I don't think that's unusual.'

When pressed the lawmaker said he spoke with Trump after the riot, then quickly backpedaled and said he didn't know exactly 'when those conversations happened' or if he spoke with him 'in the morning or not.'

Jordan is changing his tune just a week after Speaker Nancy Pelosi's bipartisan January 6 commission announced its intention to seek the phone records of GOP legislators and Trump associates as part of its ongoing probe.

Jordan is one of several Republican lawmakers who reportedly spoke with Trump on January 6 (pictured: the ex-president arriving at Trump Tower on August 22)

Jordan said at least one conversation occurred in a safe room where lawmakers were being held while Trump supporters stormed the Capitol

A source claims Rep. Matt Gaetz (left) was involved in one of the calls to Trump

DailyMail.com reached out to Jordan's office for comment on the Democrat-led committee's hunt for GOP phone records last Tuesday but has not heard back.

Jordan is one of several Republican lawmakers claiming to have spoken with Trump on January 6.

Another is House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who reportedly asked Trump 'Who the f--- do you think you're talking to?' in a tense call after begging him to call his supporters off.

McCarthy nominated five Republicans to serve on the committee, including Jordan, but withdrew his picks in outrage after Pelosi refused to seat Jordan and Rep. Jim Banks.

She later said Banks and Jordan's nominations 'outrageous' and 'not serious' during a virtual summit.

'I mean, they probably - well, look, we'll see what the committee finds out about them,' she warned. 'But they weren't going to be on the committee.'

She said the pair would be nothing but 'antics and clowns' and accused them of being 'participants of the Big Lie' that Joe Biden stole the election from Trump.

Both lawmakers voted against certifying the election results - which Pelosi said she did not hold against them.

'I didn't really care if they had voted to accept the results of the election. All I really wanted them to be is willing to seek the truth,' she said. 'So I said three of the members were welcome to serve that the leader suggested, but not the two.'

Pelosi chose Republican Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger to serve on the panel.

Since Sunday's disclosure of Jordan's January 6 timeline surfaced, multiple people have called for Jordan to face consequences.

'Jim Jordan must testify before the 1/6 committee,' Jeff Sites, a Democratic challenger for Jordan's House seat, wrote on Twitter.

Sites also claimed Jordan knows 'exactly what Trump said to him' that day and is 'lying because it incriminates Trump.'

Actor George Takei wrote on the site, 'One takeaway from Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz calling and begging Trump to tell the rioters to stand down on Jan 6 is that they apparently believed Trump had full control over Antifa.'

He was referring to a right-wing conspiracy theory that far-left group Antifa staged the riot.
A female Journalist in Afghanistan has fled the country following a ground-breaking interview with a Taliban spokesman - because she is afraid of the militant group.

On August 17, Beheshta Arghand made history in the country by conducting the interview on TOLONews in the wake of the Taliban taking control of Kabul.

Two days later, she interviewed Malala Yousafzai, the activist from Pakistan who survived being shot in the head in a 2012 Taliban assassination attempt.

The first interview is believed to be the first time a member of the Taliban had been interviewed live on TV by a woman, while the second was described as the first time Malala had ever been interviewed on Afghan television, according to TOLONews.

While the appearance of Ms Arghand and other women on the channel has been commonplace in recent years, as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan questions were raised whether women would continue to be allowed to work in the media.

Now Ms Arghand has told CNN she is fleeing the country out of fear amid reports of Taliban abuse against women.

Earlier this month, Beheshta Arghand (pictured left) made history in the country by conducting an interview with a Taliban spokesperson on TOLONews in the wake of the Taliban taking control of Kabul

Writing to the American news network on WhatsApp, she said: 'I left the country because, like millions of people, I fear the Taliban.'

Saad Mohseni, the owner of TOLONews, said that Ms Arghand's case was indicative of the situation in the country now that the militant group are in control.

'Almost all our well known reporters and journalists have left,' he told CNN. 'We have been working like crazy to replace them with new people.'

'We have the twin challenge of getting people out [because they feel unsafe] and keeping the operation going,' he added.

TOLONews is a 24-hour news channel set up in Afghanistan in 2004 after the US invasion of the country removed the Taliban from power.

Now, after the US agreed to leave the country after 20 years of occupation, the Taliban have re-gained control of the country and women are feared to be some of the most at-risk people under the new Taliban government.

Pictured: TOLONews Host Beheshta Arghand (left) interviews Mawlawi Abdulhaq Hemad, a member of the Taliban's media team (right) in a broadcast on August 17

TOLONews - a 24-hour news channel set up in Afghanistan in 2004 - said earlier this month that its female news anchors had returned to live broadcasting. The channel's head of news Miraqa Popal wrote on Twitter on on August 17 (pictured): 'We resumed our broadcast with female anchors today.'

When the Islamists came to power in 1996 after the country's terrifying Civil War, they imposed theocracy and brutalised and oppressed women and girls, who were denied education and employment, and punished in horrific ways for breaking rules.

Arghand, who is just 24 years old, told CNN that she had worked at TOLONews for 'one month and 20 days' before the Taliban took control.

Beforehand, she had studied journalism at Kabul University for four years, and subsequently worked at several news agencies and radio stations.

Her interview with the Taliban spokesperson on August 17 was the first time in Afghanistan's history that a Taliban representative appeared live in a TV studio sitting across from a female presenter,' Mohseni said, writing for the Washington Post.

The TOLONews owner said in the initial stages of their takeover, the Taliban were trying to 'present a moderate face to the world'.

Pictured: A woman wearing traditional a sky-blue Burqa carries a child as passengers board a U.S. Air Force plane supporting of the Afghanistan evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 24, 2021

Arghand said that while her interview was challenging, she did it for the women of Afghanistan, knowing that resistance to their regime must start somewhere.

'If we stay in our houses or don't go to our offices, they will say the ladies don't want to work, but I said to myself, 'Start working,'' she told CNN. 'And I said to the Taliban member, 'We want our rights. We want to work. We want  we must be in society. This is our right.''

As western countries near the completion of their withdrawal from Kabul and desperate Afghan try to leave the country, new accounts of Taliban intimidation against the media and women are reported each day.

Last week, the BBC reported a Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the group had told working women in the country to stay home until proper systems were in place to ensure their safety, a measure he called a 'temporary procedure'.

Meanwhile, the UN has raised the alarm over 'credible' reports of abuses perpetuated by the Taliban, most notably against women.

Two days after interviewing Malala, Arghand contacted the activist for help, and on Tuesday last week she was able to board a Qatari Air Force evacuation flight along with several of her family members, CNN reported.

She told the network that she hopes to return to the country one day, but would only do so if he safety could be guaranteed.

'If the Taliban do what they said -- what they promised -- and the situation becomes better, and I know I am safe and there is no threat for me, I will go back to my country and I will work for my country. For my people,' she said.

Pictured: A US Air Force aircraft takes off from the airport in Kabul on August 30, 2021

On Monday morning, U.S. anti-missile defences intercepted rockets fired at Kabul's airport, as the United States flew its core diplomats out of Afghanistan in the final hours of its chaotic withdrawal.

The last U.S. troops are due to pull out of Kabul by Tuesday, after they and their allies mounted the biggest air evacuation in history, bringing out 114,000 of their own citizens and Afghans who helped them over 20 years of war.

Two U.S. officials said the 'core' diplomatic staff had withdrawn by Monday morning. They did not say whether this included top envoy Ross Wilson, expected to be among the last to leave before the final troops themselves.

A U.S. official said initial reports did not indicate any U.S. casualties from as many as five missiles fired on the airport. Islamic State - enemies of both the West and the Taliban - claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks.

The rockets followed a massive Islamic State suicide bombing outside the teeming airport gates on Thursday, which killed scores of Afghans and 13 U.S. troops.

In recent days Washington has warned of more attacks, while carrying out two air strikes against Islamic State targets, including one on Sunday it said thwarted an attempted suicide bombing by blowing up a car packed with explosives.

Tuesday's deadline for all troops to leave was ordered by President Joe Biden, fulfilling an agreement reached with the Taliban by his predecessor Donald Trump to end Washington's longest war.

But having failed to anticipate that the Taliban would so quickly conquer the country, Washington and its NATO allies were forced into a hasty evacuation.

They will leave behind thousands of Afghans who helped Western countries and might have qualified for evacuation but did not make it out in time.

Pictured: A view of a street after at least five rockets were fired at the Afghan capital Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30, 2021

The Taliban, who carried out public executions and banned girls and women from school or work when last in power 20 years ago, have said they will safeguard rights and not pursue vendettas.

They say once the Americans leave, the country will at last be at peace for the first time in more than 40 years.

But countless Afghans, especially in the cities, fear for their futures. And the United Nations said the entire country now faces a dire humanitarian crisis, cut off from foreign aid amid a drought, mass displacement and COVID-19.

'The evacuation effort has undoubtedly saved tens of thousands of lives, and these efforts are praiseworthy,' said UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi.

'But when the airlift and the media frenzy are over, the overwhelming majority of Afghans, some 39 million, will remain inside Afghanistan. They need us governments, humanitarians, ordinary citizens to stay with them and stay the course.'

A Pakistani plane flew 12.5 tonnes of World Health Organization medical supplies on Monday to the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, the global health body's first shipment to reach Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.

The emergency and trauma kits would be distributed to hospitals across the country, said the WHO, which had warned on Friday that Afghanistan's medical supplies would run out within days.

Outside the airport in Kabul, people described themselves as foresaken by the departing foreign troops.

'We are in danger,' said one woman. 'They must show us a way to be saved. We must leave Afghanistan or they must provide a safe place for us.'
Four men, including a Hindu priest, have been charged with raping and murdering a nine-year-old girl 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 August 1.

The men, who were arrested on August 2, have been formally charged with rape, murder, and destruction of evidence, among other crimes.

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

The Ministry of Home Affairs said they could face the death penalty if found guilty, according to CNN.

The girl's death sparked four days of protests in India, after her mother found her body an hour after she left to fetch water.

She was found dead with wet clothes, a bloodied nose, bruised hands and arms, and blue lips, on the crematorium floor.

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.

Protesters earlier this month have burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of failing to condemn the alleged rape

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

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.

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 sparked four days of protests in India

The alleged gang rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in New Delhi sparked four days of protests in the Indian capital

Hundreds of women demonstrated in New Delhi in early August after the incident, as four men were charged with her rape and murder

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 has sparked widespread anger in India.

Protesters burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of failing to condemn the alleged rape.

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 has been branded a caste crime by members of her community, sparking four days of protests

Protesters carried 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 the girl

Demonstrators also burned the likeness of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal outside the Nangal crematorium. He visited the family and has reportedly offered to ensure justice is served.

Hundreds of protesters 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.

A Hindu priest and three accomplices have been charged with 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.
Chicago's police oversight agency is investigating a struggle early Saturday between a white officer and a black woman walking her dog that 'knocked her out of her shoes.'

In the two-minute video, Nikkita Brown and her small dog walk away from an officer at Lincoln Park as he follows closely behind and gestures sternly for her to move back.

After Brown turns around with her phone in her hand, the officer tries to grab it, triggering a minute-long physical struggle in which he puts her in a body lock, causing her to drop her phone.

'Let go!' she screams as she struggles to break free from the unidentified officer.

Nikkita Brown was walking her dog shortly after midnight Saturday in Chicago's Lincoln Park, according to her attorneys

They say she was on her way out when the officer 'brutally' attacked her 'for no reason'

Multiple videos show the pair engaging in a minute-long physical altercation during which Brown drops her phone and the officer puts her in a body lock

Brown and the officer then pick up their belongings and walk in opposite directions.

Chicago's Civilian Office of Police Accountability opened its investigation Sunday.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday she was 'deeply concerned' by widely circulated video of the incident, and Chicago's police superintendent asked the public for patience as the incident is investigated.

A law office representing Nikkita Brown said in a statement on Facebook that she was near the lakefront with her dog about 12.12am Saturday when a Chicago police officer approached her for being in the area after the park was closed.

On Monday, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she was 'deeply concerned' by the footage

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown asked for patience as the city's police oversight agency investigates the matter

Brown's attorneys accused the officer of 'violently' attacking their client 'for absolutely no reason' and knocking 'her out of her shoes.'

'He attempts to tackle her, all while groping her body as she screams for help,' the attorneys say in the statement.

'This unprovoked attack lasts for approximately two minutes, during this time Ms. Browns phone is knocked from her hands and she is knocked out of her shoes.'

Brown's attorneys said she returned home after the incident, called 911 and filed a report with a sergeant, though the attorneys said they haven't received a copy of that report.

The police oversight agency, COPA, says it's in contact with Brown's attorneys

They allege the encounter was racially motivated, noting there were several other individuals in the park that night, including a group of about four white people walking some distance behind Brown.

'This was an obvious case of racial profiling,' the attorneys said in their statement, which said that Brown is suffering 'emotional trauma' from the 'brutal, unprovoked and unlawful attack.'

Additionally, they say the officer was unmasked and violated social distancing rules after Brown asked him to stay six feet away from her.

The Saulter Law firm said their client was 'knocked out of her shoes' by the incident

Bystanders were left troubled by the cop's behavior.

'Is he serious?' a voice asks behind the camera in one video.

In video captured from another angle, two people behind the camera say, 'Ay, watch the dog. He's tripping, bro. Like what?'

The Chicago Police Department said it was aware of the video and referred the matter to the oversight agency, which opened an investigation shortly after being notified of the incident.

The agency tweeted that it was in contact with Brown's attorneys.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said Monday morning that the officer seen in the video had not yet been interviewed by investigators.

'Apparently there was a closure of that area of the beach and then that precipitated the interaction. We dont yet know what was done or said. All we know is this person was not arrested and yet the officer had, obviously you see the interaction on the video,' he said at a news conference.

Brown asked the public for patience as the incident is investigated and to 'allow COPA to do its job and get to the bottom of what happened.'
Atlanta prosecutors will seek hate crime charges and the death penalty for a man accused of killing eight people at three day spas in the area in March.

District Attorney Fani Willis has filed court papers declaring her intent to seek the death penalty and designating the case as a hate crime based on race or gender, prosecutors said at hearing Monday before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville in Atlanta.

Robert Aaron Long, 22, is accused of killing a total of eight people in March - four at two different day spas in Atlanta and four at a day spa in Acworth, about 33 miles north.

He has already received four life sentences for the four killings in Cherokee County, where parts of Acworth are located.

Robert Aaron Long, 22, is accused of killing eight people at three day spas in Georgia in March

He has already been given four life sentences for four of the killings in Cherokee County

Long had been scheduled to be arraigned on Monday on the four Atlanta murder counts and other charges, but that was postponed until late September.

Sporting close-cropped hair instead of the mohawk he had worn in a previous court appearance, Long mostly sat in silence during the hearing. He quietly responded 'yes, sir' to the judge when asked if he understood the hearing.

Six of Long's victims were Asian, and the March attacks galvanized an awareness of a wave of anti-Asian bias and violence across the United States during the coronavirus pandemic, which is believed to have originated in China.

In a court hearing in Cherokee County last month, Long showed little emotion as he described how he purchased a firearm and a bottle of bourbon and set out to kill himself, claiming to feel remorseful for a self-proclaimed sex addiction.

Fulton County DA Fani Willis will seek the death penalty and hate crime charges during another trial in Atlanta, where two of the spas Long targeted are located

Long has blamed his sex addiction and self-hatred for the killings. Above, a makeshift memorial outside of the Cherokee County day spa where he killed four people on March 16

Having been kicked out of his parent's home and despondent over his 'sexual struggles', Long told the court that he went to the spa on March 16 to 'act out, receive sexual favors and hopefully hate myself enough to...end my own life.'

Instead, he said he decided to carry out the spa shootings.

In a packed court room, Long told Judge Ellen McElyea he had been kicked out of his parent's home two weeks before the shooting for paying for sex at a spa in Fulton County, where Atlanta is. His parents found out due to a tracking app on his phone.

Long also talked about his addiction to pornography. McElyea asked Long why he felt so much anguish over something that many people view on a regular basis.

'It is taking something that is made for a monogamous relationship and making sport of it,' Long replied.

Tyler Bayless, 35, previously told Reuters that he spent several months living at an Atlanta halfway house called Maverick Recovery for recovering addicts with Long.

He said Long had been treated for sex addiction and that he frequented massage parlors for 'explicitly sexual activity.' Bayless said Long was 'deeply religious' and would become 'very emotionally distraught that he frequented these places.'

A woman wipes her eyes during Long's court hearing on Monday in downtown Atlanta

'In the halfway house he would describe several of his sexual addiction "relapses" as he called them. He would have a deep feeling of remorse and shame and say he needed to return to prayer and to return to God,' he said.

Long would later tell the court that his mind 'felt blank' after firing the first shot.

Officers said they found Robert Aaron Long thanks to help from his parents, who recognized him from surveillance footage posted by authorities and gave investigators his cellphone information.

Long received four sentences of life in prison without parole last month for the shootings of Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33; Paul Andre Michels, 54; Xiaojie Yan, 49; and Daoyou Feng, 44.

The wife of Paul Michels told the court she had looked forward to growing old with her late husband, who she described as outgoing and a workaholic.

'I can't hear his voice anymore. I can't give him hugs and kisses. A part of me died with him,' Bonnie Michels said from the witness stand. 'Why did he kill my husband for no reason?' 'He shot without a word, no warning.'

In Fulton County, he is charged with the killings of Yong Ae Yue, 63; Soon Chung Park, 74; Suncha Kim, 69; and Hyun Jung Grant, 51, at two Atlanta day spas.

Four of the women killed in the attack were Korean.
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Britain's daily Covid cases have fallen by 17 per cent in a week to 26,476 but deaths are still rising, official figures revealed today.

But the drop in positive tests  the first of its kind in a fortnight  will largely be down to a Bank Holiday recording lag. No data was available for Wales, which is posting around 2,000 infections every day currently.

However, infections have been falling in England  which makes up the bulk of Britain's daily figures  for several days. Scotland posted fewer cases than expected but Northern Ireland's tally was similar to those seen over the past week.

No hospitalisation statistics were published for the UK. But there was a 20 per cent jump in deaths  which can lag weeks behind cases because of how long it takes for infected patients to become severely ill. Another 48 victims were added to the Government's official toll today, up from 40 last Monday.

Counts on Mondays are always artificially low because of the weekend recording lag. Tomorrow's fatality tally is expected to be lower than normal because of Bank Holiday-induced delays, too.

Scientists actually fear the tens of thousands of revellers who headed out to festivals such as Reading and Leeds over the weekend will have triggered a huge uptick in infections, which won't be seen in the official numbers until later this week and next.

Other experts have warned case rates will start to spike in England later this week and next because of children going back to school after the summer holidays.

Infections have already spiralled to record highs in Scotland, with the uptick largely blamed on the reopening of classrooms following the summer holidays.

And now there are fears England  which has higher background rates of Covid than Scotland did when children went back  could be hit even harder, with millions of schoolchildren set to go back later this week and next.

Teaching unions are furious social distancing restrictions such as mask-wearing have been dropped in England, which experts have branded a 'recipe for disaster'  but Scotland is keeping them until the end of September.

ENGLAND COVID CASES: Department of Health data shows how the number of positive tests being reported in England has started to fall over the past week. But experts fear the Bank Holiday weekend and the return of children to schools will cause numbers to go up later this week and next

UK COVID TESTING DATA: Government statistics also show how the number of tests being carried out has increased slightly over the past few days

Israel says anyone with just two Covid jabs needs a third 'booster' dose Israeli authorities announced Sunday a third coronavirus jab will be offered to anyone aged 12 and up, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett declaring that all citizens must receive a third jab to be fully vaccinated. 'We have to complete third doses for all of our citizens. I call on those aged 12 and up to go out and immediately take the third shot,' he said in a statement. The announcement came following the success of the country's booster jab campaign which launched one month ago among seniors. Bennett said a third jab slowed a rise in severe illness caused by the Delta variant among the elderly, prompting the decision to make a third jab available for the wider population. 'The third dose of the vaccine works,' he said, declaring that 'the increase in severe morbidity has begun to slow' following the booster campaign. But the decision has drawn criticism from the the World Health Organization (WHO), which insists poorer countries should gain wider access to vaccines before wealthy ones offer booster shots. Britain's top scientists are also considering whether to offer booster doses  but are yet to make a decision. Sources have suggested that the jabs will only be rolled out to the most vulnerable, while over-70s will be forced to wait before receiving their top ups. Advertisement

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has urged parents to step in to save the country from a fourth wave by testing their children twice a week for the virus.

Dr Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London and member of Independent SAGE, said: 'Scotland is proving to be a cautionary tale of what happens when restrictions are dropped and then schools reopened without adequate mitigations. We can expect worse in England in the near future.'

The most up-to-date data from the Office for National Statistics, which carries out tens of thousands of random swab tests to track the size of the outbreak, shows one in 50 secondary school-age children were infected with Covid in mid-August.

Dr Gurdasani added: 'This is before school openings [and] after a decline from a very high peak at the end of the term in July.

'Overall, community case rates are very high  between 30 and 35,000 infections a day.

'Later this week we will have unvaccinated children going to school in England with infection rates 26 times higher than they were in September last year, with a more transmissible variant.

'Last September cases quadrupled after schools reopened in four weeks. What's going to happen this time?

'Let's remember schools in England won't even have the few mitigations that are present in Scotland. So no masks, no ventilation, no distancing, no contact tracing in schools (contacts won't even be asked to test!). This is a recipe for disaster.'

When 8.9million children returned to schools in England last September it led to Covid cases spiking four-fold in a month.

And they spilled over into older age groups, who are more vulnerable to the disease.

Dr Kit Yates, a mathematician at Bath University and fellow Independent SAGE member, tweeted that the impact of reopening schools on Covid cases would be 'potentially disastrous'.

He said: 'We will see cases rise in young people, but also in older age groups with all the attendant consequences (illness, hospitalisations and deaths and long Covid).'

'We've had so long to do something about this, yet in recent months we have actually gone backwards (removing masks, bubbles, isolation of contacts, etc).'

The above graph shows how Covid cases in Scotland have begun to more than double week-on-week since schools returned on August 17. The country has recorded a record level of infections for four of the past seven days. Experts warn England could face worse when schools return this week

The graph above shows England's Covid cases. It is feared that these will start to spiral next week after children return to the classroom

Dr Deepti Gurdasani, an epidemiologist at Queen Mary University of London warned England was set for a more serious wave than Scotland because infections were much higher. Dr Kit Yates, a mathematician at Bath University, said cases could spill over into older age groups who are more at risk from the virus even after vaccination

'Most mutated Covid variant so far' detected in South Africa may already be EXTINCT, scientist claims A new Covid variant which has been branded the 'most mutated so far' may already be extinct, it was claimed today. Concerns were raised that the mutant strain  dubbed C.1.2  could be more infectious than other variants and better able to evade vaccines. But experts said today there was no sign the mutant strain had managed to gain a foothold in South Africa  where it was first identified  or any other country. The director of University College London's genetics institute Professor Francois Balloux said the variant 'shows no evidence of increasing in frequency'. He added that it 'may be extinct by now'. There have been only 101 cases of the mutant strain since it was discovered four months ago, according to Covid variant tracking platform GISAID. South Africa has spotted 89 cases of the mutant variant, with the last infection recorded in the first week of August. Britain has recorded four cases of the variant. But all known mutant strains circulating in the UK are currently being outcompeted by the Indian 'Delta' variant, which is behind almost every infection. Public Health England began monitoring C.1.2 at the start of the month, but it has not labelled it a 'variant of concern' (VOC) or a 'variant under investigation' (VUI). It suggests experts are not overly worried by the strain. Advertisement

Scotland was recording around 2,000 cases a day on August 17 when its schools returned, or an infection rate at 250 cases per every 100,000 people each week.

But in the last week it has broken its record for the highest number of daily cases registered four times. Yesterday it posted more than 7,000 new infections  more than three times above the levels seen during the darkest days of the second wave.

In England there are already more than 20,000 cases a day with the infection rate at around 326 positive tests per 100,000 people every week.

SAGE scientists have warned that the country is set for a 'large' Covid wave when schools return because this will lead to more mixing providing further opportunities for the virus to spread.

The Covid vaccine  which reduces the risk of infection  was only offered to 16 and 17-year-olds this month with many still to get their first dose. No10's top scientists are still debating whether to offer the jab to over-12s.

Experts say at least a third of school children likely already have immunity against the virus from natural infection.

Last September England was recording around 1,000 cases a day. But by the end of this month infection numbers had more than quadrupled.

In Scotland, Covid hospitalisations have already risen by 50 per cent in the week since schools returned, from 49 to 76 admissions a day.

But deaths are still flat. There is a lag because it takes several weeks for someone who is infected with the virus to become seriously ill and succumb to the disease.

Nicola Sturgeon has insisted she is not considering a 'circuit breaker' lockdown amid a successful vaccination drive which has jabbed more than nine in ten adults.

The First Minister was self-isolating after being identified as a close contact of someone infected with the virus. But this morning she ended her quarantine after testing negative.

Schools in Wales are also set to return later this week, which experts fear could also spark a surge in Covid cases in the country. Wales is recording around 2,000 cases a day at present, with an infection rate of around 379 per 100,000.

There are few restrictions on schools in England, which were initially told to send home children who tested positive for the virus and their close contacts  even if the others tested negative.

Pupils will have to test themselves twice for the virus in school on the first week of their return, and thereafter carry out two lateral flow tests a week at home.

Those who test positive will need to isolate for ten days. But other children they sit next to in the classroom will no longer need to isolate as well as part of the Government's pledge to end quarantine restrictions.

Schools in parts of the South West, however, will still ask pupils to wear face masks in corridors, playgrounds and 'communal areas' when they return this week.

The Department of Health announced the move on Saturday, which is to help head off a spike in Covid cases.

The measures will apply in England's Covid hotspot Cornwall, as well as Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and the Isles of Scilly.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that although vaccines have 'tipped the odds in our favour' extra measures were needed to 'control the spread of the virus'.

Teaching unions have said that schools face a 'recipe for chaos' in the autumn term, and that the predicted spike in cases is 'extremely worrying'.
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A ferocious wildfire has approached Lake Tahoe just hours after roads were clogged with fleeing cars when the entire California resort city of South Lake Tahoe was ordered to evacuate and communities just across the state line in Nevada were warned to get ready to leave.

Residents and tourists in the Lake Tahoe area were ordered to evacuate the popular summer destination as officials race to contain the massive Caldor Fire.

On Monday, all 22,000 residents of the city of South Lake Tahoe were issued evacuation orders, after the widespread Caldor Fire experienced a 'rapid spread,' according to Cal Fire.

The popular vacation haven is normally filled with tens of thousands of summer tourists at this time of year.

Flames are now within just a few miles of South Lake Tahoe and residents just over the state line in Douglas County, Nevada were under evacuation warnings.

The new evacuation order was issued for Tahoe Keys, Tahoe Island, Al Tahoe, Sierra Tract, Bijou, Tahoma, Fallen Leaf, Pioneer, Gardner Mountain and Trimmer.

The Caldor fire has so far torched more than 186,568 acres and is only 15 percent contained, officials said Monday night.

Three first responders tackling the blaze and two civilians have so far been injured, but there have been no reported fatalities.

Fire officials said they do not expect to fully contain the fire until September 13th.

Flames consume multiple homes as the Caldor fire pushes its way towards South Lake Tahoe, California

Three first responders tackling the blaze and two civilians have so far been injured, but there have been no reported fatalities

The Caldor fire has so far torched more than 186,568 acres and is only 15 percent contained, officials said Monday night

On Monday, all 22,000 residents of the city of South Lake Tahoe were issued evacuation orders, after the widespread Caldor Fire experienced a 'rapid spread,' according to Cal Fire

Fire crews ride on the back of a truck as they prepare to battle the Caldor Fire on August 30

The popular vacation haven is normally filled with tens of thousands of summer tourists at this time of year

Fire officials dealt with a two-week old blaze they said was 'more aggressive than anticipated,' and continued to edge toward the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe

Dawn Svymbersky stands in the middle of Highway 50 as evacuee traffic stands still in South Lake Tahoe

The new evacuation order was issued for Tahoe Keys, Tahoe Island, Al Tahoe, Sierra Tract, Bijou, Tahoma, Fallen Leaf, Pioneer, Gardner Mountain and Trimmer

People are stuck in traffic after mandatory evacuations are put into place in South Lake Tahoe

Residents are stuck in gridlock while attempting to evacuate as the Caldor fire approaches in South Lake Tahoe, California on August 30, 2021

More than 15,000 firefighters are battling dozens of California blazes, including crews from Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia, said Mark Ghilarducci, director of Californias Office of Emergency Services.

About 250 active-duty soldiers were being trained in Washington state to help with the arduous work of clearing forest debris by hand.

The Caldor blaze that broke out August 14 has destroyed more than 600 structures, with 33,000 more were under threat.

The new evacuation orders came after a Red Flag Warning went into effect at 11 am Monday for the Northern and Southern Cascades.

Fire conditions also prompted patients from Barton Memorial Hospital to be evacuated, as emergency officials continued to expanded mandatory evacuation orders.

For those evacuating from the region, a Red Cross Shelter will be provided at the Douglas County Community Center in Gardnerville, Nevada, the release stated.

'The most important thing people can do now is get their go-bags ready and have a plan in place to evacuate should an evacuation order get extended,' city spokeswoman Lindsey Baker told CNN.

When speaking to KTVN, Clive Savacool, fire chief for South Tahoe, said the call for preparation came as the fire worsened and conditions are expected to intensify this week.

The evacuation order was issued for El Dorado and Alpine County, according to a news release from Cal Fire

Winds, low humidity and low moisture are making the conditions 'very, very treacherous'

The blaze that broke out August 14 has destroyed more than 600 structures, with 33,000 more were under threat

The new evacuation orders came after a Red Flag Warning went into effect at 11 am Monday for the Northern and Southern Cascades

A firefighter monitors a back burn along Highway 50 next to a home that was partially wrapped in foil as crews continued structure prevention at the Caldor Fire in Strawberry, California

A chairlift at Sierra-at Tahoe ski resort sits idle as the Caldor Fire moves through the area on August 30, 2021 in Twin Bridges, California

'The Caldor Fire has made a pretty big jump in the last few hours, so that's had a pretty big impact on the community and expansion of evacuations,' Savacool explained.

He said the winds, low humidity and low moisture are making the conditions 'very, very treacherous' for the fire and why it's expanding so quickly.

Crews dealt with a two-week old blaze they said was 'more aggressive than anticipated,' and continued to edge toward the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe.

'Today's been a rough day and there's no bones about it,' said Jeff Marsoleis, forest supervisor for El Dorado National Forest.

A few days ago, he thought crews could halt the Caldor Fire's eastern progress, but he said: 'today it let loose.'

Flames churned through mountains just a few miles southwest of the Tahoe Basin, where thick smoke sent tourists packing at a time when summer vacations would usually be in full swing ahead of the Labor Day weekend.

The new evacuation orders came after a Red Flag Warning went into effect at 11 am Monday for the Northern and Southern Cascades

Traffic backs up on Hwy 50 as people evacuate ahead of the Caldor Fire on August 30, 2021 in South Lake Tahoe, California

Traffic backs up on Hwy 50 as people evacuate ahead of the Caldor Fire on August 30, 2021 in South Lake Tahoe, California

A firefighter walks through burned trees after the Caldor Fire moved through the area on August 30, 2021 near Twin Bridges, California. The Caldor Fire has burned over 165,000 acres, destroyed over 650 structures and is currently 13 percent contained

South Lake Tahoe. A continuous stream of people leaving the city. @KQED @KQEDnews pic.twitter.com/ALe65Fx09x  Ezra David Romero (@ezraromero) August 30, 2021

Firefighters from Riverside County Fire Department congregate on Saturday, August 28

This Aug. 25, 2021, infrared color satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of the Caldor Fire near South Lake Tahoe, California

'To put it in perspective, we've been seeing about a half-mile of movement on the fire's perimeter each day for the last couple of weeks, and today, this has already moved at 2.5 miles on us, with no sign that it's starting to slow down,' said Cal Fire Division Chief Eric Schwab.

Some areas of the Northern California terrain are so rugged that crews had to carry fire hoses by hand from Highway 50 as they sought to douse spot fires caused by erratic winds.

The forecast did not offer optimism: triple-digit temperatures were possible and the extreme heat was expected to last several days. A red flag warning for critical fire conditions was issued for Monday and Tuesday across the Northern Sierra.

The Evans family pack up their home as they prepare to evacuate South Lake Tahoe during the Caldor Fire on Monday

Michael Posadas packs his truck while preparing to evacuate from South Lake Tahoe

Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort General Manager John Rice evacuates for the second time in two days as the Caldor fire approaches in South Lake Tahoe, California on August 30, 2021

Now that evacuations are mandatory in South Lake Tahoe law enforcement officials are going door-to-door knocking on doors asking people to leave. @KQEDnews @KQED #caldorfire pic.twitter.com/ymqq28Ja41  Ezra David Romero (@ezraromero) August 30, 2021

The blaze that broke out August 14 was 19% contained after 600 structures were destroyed and at least 18,000 more were under threat

The Caldor Fire has proved so difficult to fight that fire managers pushed back the projected date for full containment from early this week to Sept. 8. But even that estimate was tenuous

The Caldor Fire has proved so difficult to fight that fire managers pushed back the projected date for full containment from early this week to Sept. 8. But even that estimate was tenuous.

The air quality around Lake Tahoe has remained among the worst levels in the world since Wednesday after reaching levels as high as 530 on an index maintained by Purple Air, a company that sells home air quality monitors.

By around 2 a.m. on Monday morning, the air quality in South Lake Tahoe had reached an alarming index of 598, according to the company.

An air quality index of between zero and 50 is considered clean and healthy, while 51-100 is considered moderate, and anything from 101 upwards is considered potentially dangerous.

Stunning photos from Lake Tahoe showed the dense, orange haze hanging above the pristine freshwater mountain lake caused by the massive blaze.

Flames churned through mountains just a few miles southwest of the Tahoe Basin, where thick smoke sent tourists packing at a time when summer vacations would usually be in full swing ahead of the Labor Day weekend

Smoke from the Caldor Fire fills the sky above Lake Tahoe's Zephyr Cove in Douglas County, Nevada on Friday

The Caldor Fire burns above the South Fork of the American River in the White Hall community of El Dorado County, California, on Friday

Horrible air quality conditions are seen at Lake Tahoe on Sunday as the massive Caldor Fire has encroached on the California mountain resort town

In Southern California, a section Interstate 15 was closed Sunday afternoon after winds pushed a new blaze, dubbed the Railroad Fire, across lanes in the Cajon Pass northeast of Los Angeles.

Further south, evacuation orders and warnings were still in place for remote communities after a wildfire broke out and spread quickly through the Cleveland National Forest on Saturday.

A firefighter received minor injuries and two structures were destroyed in the 2.3-square-mile Chaparral Fire burning along the border of San Diego and Riverside counties, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It was 10% contained Sunday.

Meanwhile, California's Dixie Fire, the second-largest in state history at 1,193 square miles was 48% contained in the Sierra-Cascades region about 65 miles north of the Caldor Fire. Nearly 700 homes were among almost 1,300 buildings that have been destroyed since the fire began in early July.

A map from Cal Fire shows its proximity to Lake Tahoe as of Monday morning

Smoke from the Caldor Fire fills the sky above Lake Tahoe's Zephyr Cove in Douglas County, Nevada on Friday

Smoke from the Caldor Fire fills the sky above Stateline, Nevada on Friday

A firefighter is dwarfed by an aerial drop at the the Chaparral Fire in Murrieta which still blazes, Sunday, August 29, 2021. Several homes appear to be evacuated in the area

The Chaparral Fire, off Cleveland Forest and Tenaja Roads in Murrieta, California, is not contained Sunday. Separate evacuation centers have been established for people, small and large animals

The Chaparral Fire, off Cleveland Forest and Tenaja Roads in Murrieta, California, is not contained Sunday

Containment increased to 22% on the 12-day-old French Fire, which covered more than 38 square miles in the southern Sierra Nevada. Crews protected forest homes on the west side of Lake Isabella, a popular recreation area northeast of Bakersfield.

The California fires are among nearly 90 large blazes in the U.S. Many are in the West, burning trees and brush desiccated by drought. Climate change has made the region warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more destructive, according to scientists.

The Defense Department is sending 200 U.S. Army soldiers from Washington state and equipment including eight U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft to help firefighters in Northern California, the U.S. Army North said in a statement Saturday.

The C-130s have been converted to air tankers that can dump thousands of gallons of water on the flames.
The Pentagon on Monday said an ISIS-K rocket made it through U.S. missile defense systems and landed inside Kabul airport at a time when American forces remain on high alert for more attacks.

Officials said it was one of five launched by terrorists but it landed without causing harm.

During a briefing, the Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby said there remained an 'active' threat to U.S. personnel and that officials were investigating reports that children were killed in a drone strike on Sunday.

Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor told reporters that C-RAM defense systems took down one of the rockets fired on Monday morning.

'We assessed that five rockets were in the air and went,' he told reporters.

'Three landed off the airfield ... were no effect.

'C-RAM was able to affect and thwart the attack. The one or the other rocket landed with no effect to the mission or any danger to our personnel.'

He later clarified that one rocket landed inside the airport perimeter

'The force protection C-RAM did work, it did engage and had effect on the one, and then one did land in an area ... and it was not effective,' he said.

Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor (l) told reporters on Monday that one ISIS-K missile made it through defense systems to land at Kabul airport while Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said officials were investigating reports of civilian casualties after a U.S. drone strike in Kabul

Journalists take photos of a vehicle damaged by a rocket attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Rockets struck a neighborhood near Kabul's international airport on Monday amid the ongoing U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan

A military aircraft takes off from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, after an early morning rocket attack claimed by the Islamic State

The C-RAM system is able to fire thousands of self-destructing rounds into the air when an incoming missile, rocket or mortar is detected.

The Islamic state claimed responsibility for the rocket attack on behalf of its Afghan affiliate ISIS-K.

It comes during one of the most dangerous periods of the evacuation, with U.S. forces withdrawing from the airport ahead of President Biden's August 31 deadline.

'There were rocket attacks, indirect fire rocket attacks on the airport so the threat stream is still real it's still active, and in many cases it's still specific and we're taking it very seriously and we will right up until the end,' said Kirby.

He was asked about casualties from a Sunday drone strike that officials said hit a vehicle carrying ISIS-K suicide bombers.

A number of news organizations have quoted locals describing how seven children, including a two-year-old, died in the attack. In all 10 civilians were reported dead, all from the same extended family.

Kirby was asked whether reports of civilian casualties in Kabul and from an earlier strike in Nangahar province were accurate.

'We are not in a position to dispute it right now,' he said.

He added that investigations had begun.

'Make no mistake, no military on the face of the earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties, then the United States military,' he said.

'And nobody wants to see innocent life taken.

'We take it very, very seriously, and, and when we know that we have caused innocent life to be lost in the conduct of our operations, we're transparent about it.'

Locals said 10 civilians died when a U.S. drone strike hit a vehicle in Kabul. The Pentagon said it was targeting suicide bombers but was investigating the reports of civilian deaths

Monday's rocket strike is just the latest in a string of attacks on Kabul airport as the US enters the final phase of its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan

The danger to U.S. troops was on full display on Sunday, as the bodies of 13 service members killed in a suicide bomb attack last week were repatriated to Dover Air Force Base

He promised that the Pentagon would be open in this case too.

'If we have some verifiable information that we did in fact take innocent life here then we'll be transparent about that too,' he said.

Officials previously said they killed one to three men wearing suicide belts.

'We are confident we successfully hit the target, said a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, Capt. Bill Urban.

But reports of civilian deaths revive memories of drone campaigns around the world that frequently raised questions about civilian casualties, human rights and whether they might turn locals against against the U.S.

Meanwhile in Washington, the White House issued a statement saying officials briefed President Joe Biden on the rocket attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

'The president was informed that operations continue uninterrupted at HKIA, and has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritize doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground,' the statement said.

The group of countries that banded together to fight the Islamic State promised to continue the fight against the local affiliate, known as ISIS-Khorasan.

'To that end, we are focused on leveraging the Coalitions expertise and the efforts of its working groups to counter Daesh/ISIS global branches, including Daesh/ISIS-Khorasan, and to identify and bring their members to justice,' said the the group in a statement released by the State Department.

On Saturday, an American drone strike hit a tuk-tuk carrying two suspected ISIS-K members in the northern city of Jalalabad on Saturday, who the US said was responsible for the suicide bombing on the airport.

Aside from the thousands of American troops who still need to be evacuated from the airport, some 300 US citizens are also waiting to be flown out according to Secretary of State Andrew Blinken.

He warned that 'this is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission,' during an interview with ABC's This Week.
A coalition of retired and active duty veterans are working in a secret 'underground railroad' to rescue Afghan commandos and others stuck outside the NATO-held Hamid Karzai International Airport  and plan to continue their mission after President Joe Biden's military withdrawal.

'Now we're pivoting into, how do we move them out of the country unconventionally, without the airfield? That's a little harder but we're still gonna do it,' Retired Army Lt. Colonel Scott Mann told DailyMail.com on Friday.

'We're not going anywhere. We're going to stay on it until either the government comes in and responsibly takes it away from us and we feel confident that they're going to do it, or we get them out.'

He didn't elaborate further on how the missions would continue.

'But we will use the same relationships we've been using to move people into safety and out of harm's way and then to freedom outside the borders. We will continue to use the shepherd concept. This isn't over and we aren't stopping until we have our people out,' Mann said

And the heat is on after the Pentagon announced the last US military flight departed Kabul on Monday afternoon eastern time.

Operating largely outside of Afghanistan, a network of veterans and volunteers use an encrypted chat to aid people through 'breaches in the perimeter' to safety.

Mann and two fellow Green Berets are leading Task Force Pineapple, an operation he said rescued 700 to 750 people within days.

'These were Afghan commandos, these were interpreters and their family, small children, several women that were nine months pregnant.

'We moved them from sewage canals and through checkpoints where they were beaten profusely. And we just guided them as best we could.'

An all-volunteer group of American veterans of the Afghan war launched a daring mission on Wednesday night dubbed the 'Pineapple Express' to shepherd critically at-risk Afghan elite forces and their families to safety

Lt. Colonel Scott Mann estimates that thousands of people combined could have been saved by Task Force Pineapple and other similar groups

He said similar operations going on at the same time would have rescued several thousand people, with the help of other Afghans and westerners who are in non-Defense positions.

Mann and other veterans who joined the mission act as 'shepherds' working remotely from outside Afghanistan.

'So the shepherd, provide the craft, they -- we have the situational awareness with a lot of open source intelligence capabilities that we can look at, you know, we can we can see things and share things and, and then we became the eyes and ears of the different blocks that we were managing,' he explained.

Those shepherds are largely retired veterans.

'These are not active duty people. These are men who have spent most of their lives in combat, they have seen severe, severe combat, they left that world thinking they were done with it. And they volunteered to come back in. They haven't slept, they shuttered their businesses, They called in sick,' Mann said.

Their coalition of support includes 'thousands' of other special operators who believe 'you don't leave anybody behind,' and coordination with 'every discipline you could imagine that would be in Afghanistan.'

Those brought to the airport under Mann's team would flash an image of a pineapple on their phones, a sign they've been vetted and rescued as part of the mission, as a sign for guards at the airport to allow them through.

A soldier stationed within the airport working with the Pineapple team who was 'morally opposed to what was happening' agreed to look out for people flashing the symbol.

Lt. Colonel Scott Mann is a retired Green Beret, and heads Task Force Pineapple with two fellow special forces soldiers

During his years-long military career, Mann did multiple tours in Afghanistan

'So then our shepherds moved them in a couple at a time, and they were wading through this waist deep sewage with their children, and so many of them had been out there for days,' Mann said.

He said the unnamed soldier and an assistant 'jumped into the water with them and started helping them up the bank and pulling them up, pull them up to the other side.'

Roughly 500 people were rescued by Task Force Pineapple that day alone.

Their operation started with a 'friendship with one Afghan commando' who spent nearly two years in the special immigrant visa pipeline.

Mann said the soldier was forced to hide in his uncle's home 'like Anne Frank' when the Taliban seized control.

He and two other Green Berets sprung into action to help their friend.

Using the encrypted app, 'we started calling the people we knew and asking what's gonna happen?'

He described having to move the commando from his apartment through a series of checkpoints up until 'the big check point' around the airfield, where they needed to find a way to ensure he would be recognized.

'So we just started working it like we would a mission and you know, Green Berets are pretty good at doing that kind of work with the people we have relationships with,' he said.

The soldier's phone began running low on battery just four feet from the airport.

In what Mann called a 'Hail Mary' one of the Green Berets managed to contact a civilian - a former special operator working at the embassy - with some control inside the airport gates.

Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport

One of the final US military evacuations got 1,200 people - mostly Afghans - out of Kabul in 24 hours between August 29 and August 30

He told them to tell the Afghan soldier a code word, 'pineapple.'

'And he did, he started yelling 'pineapple!,' And sure enough, they pulled him in, and we just kind of like digitally looked at each other like - did that just happen?

And so that started what we became, you know, affectionately known as 'Task Force Pineapple.'

They're also aiding in the rescue of an Afghan women's robotics team, media workers who they moved using 'indigenous vehicles,' and a New Zealand permanent visa holder who is four months pregnant.

'She's on her own right now separated from her husband, and we're moving her to one of our indigenous networks right now to get her out of the country,' the veteran said.

But according to Mann as many as 20,000 Afghan translators who are special immigrant visa applicants could still be stuck in Afghanistan.

The groups often included small children and even several women who were nine months pregnant.

'We moved them from sewage canals and through checkpoints where they were beaten profusely,' he said.

But crowding at airport gates have led to tragedy as desperate civilians try to escape Taliban rule.

Smoke billows from the airport area after a blast outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport late last week

Volunteers and medical staff bring an injured man for treatment after a powerful explosion, which killed at least 170 people, outside the airport in Kabul on August 26

Shepherds working with their Afghan counterparts could often hear their desperate cries in the crowd, and even gun shots ringing in the background.

Despite their best efforts, not everyone made it through.

'I would love to tell you that it all worked out,' Mann said heavily. 'But we lost people. I mean, there were -- there were children that were trampled. There were, you know, women that went into labor, there were people beaten to death.'

Some people were lost in the deadly explosion outside Kabul airport on Thursday, which killed at least 170 people including 13 US troops.

Mann said they had been moving their groups away from the area after warnings of an imminent threat.

'But there were some that just put they didn't say had been there for a very long time. You know, many of the people have been out there for two or three days without food and water. They have six-month-old babies, that you know what their wives are pregnant, they can't, they can't move. And so they just get tired, and they just sit down.'

Shepherds begged them to move on, but some refused.

As of Monday, 1,200 people were evacuated by US military and coalition flights, bringing the total number rescued by the government to 116,700 since August 14.

The US Marine Corps posted a photo to Twitter Sunday evening, of the flag flag-draped caskets of their fallen brethren killed in Thursday's suicide bomb attack in Kabul

Two C-17s on the ground at Kabul airport on Monday. Flights took off every 20 minutes, one person on the ground said, but it's unclear how many planes were there and how many more will leave today

A US C-187 jet that can carry up to 800 people leaves Kabul on Monday. It's unclear how many were on board. There are between 250 and 300 Americans still trapped in Afghanistan seeking a flight out but there are now just over 30 hours until the Taliban's deadline to leave

The last planes carrying US troops left on Monday afternoon just before 3:30 pm Eastern, carrying General Christopher Donahue and US Ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson.

But Mann is confident that rescue efforts will continue, and they've gotten help from the international community.

'We have worked with other militaries that are trying to get their citizens out too,' he said.

On one occasion, a British soldier who had seen Mann on a BBC interview days earlier recognized Afghans who 'had little kids and couldn't get out' frantically waving the image of a pineapple on their phones.

'And the British soldiers saw the pineapples and started pulling them out, because they had seen it on BBC,' he said.

Mann credited the bravery of Afghans allied with the US and US soldiers on the inside, as well as their wide network, for the mission's success.

But he called on the Biden administration to step up and do more.

'My message is to President Biden and to Congress  and I think NATO would agree  we need to extend the deadline and quit worrying about what the Taliban or ISIS tell us our deadline is.'

'You're losing the respect of the men and women that went to combat for this nation, particularly post-9/11. You're losing their respect right now. And they are stepping up to do the job you didn't do,' Mann said.
Good Morning America hosts George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts are said to be at war over a recent sexual harassment lawsuit filed against a former producer, with Roberts' furious that staff including Stephanopoulos allegedly knew about the claims years ago.

The lawsuit was filed against Michael Corn last week by Kirstyn Crawford, 31, who claims he kissed her head and rubbed her legs in 2015. The lawsuit also includes a claim by Jill McClain, who worked with Corn on World News Tonight in 2010. She says he rubbed her vagina over her jeans during a red-eye flight in 2010.

Corn, who left ABC earlier this year, has denied the allegations strenuously and vowed to fight them.

On Monday, his attorney provided DailyMail.com with emails from one of the accusers to him the day after he allegedly assaulted her, in which she tells him he's the 'best'.

The lawsuit described how Crawford told Stephanopoulos about the claims in 2017.

Stephanopoulos then told Heather Riley, then-senior director of publicity, Derek Medina, then-senior vice president for business affairs, and Tanya Menton, vice president of litigation, but Crawford chose not to make a formal complaint.

It was not until earlier this year that both women made formal complaints with ABC management and Corn left the network.

According to ABC staffers cited by The Daily Beast on Monday, Roberts was furious that more was not done in 2017.

On a call with other staff, she fumed: 'If this happened to someone on my team, I would have burned the place down.'

Robin Roberts was furious that people at ABC, including George Stephanopoulos, knew about the sexual assault claims in 2017 and fumed that she would have 'burned the place down' if it 'this had happened to someone on my team'

Some saw it as a dig at her co-host, who was not on the call but who the comment got back to.

Roberts then called Stephanopoulos to smooth things over.

'Robin and George are fine. She told him personally that she wasnt referring to him and called the team the next day to reiterate that her comment was not about any one individual,' ABC News spokesperson Caragh Fisher said.

Stephanopoulos has not commented on the lawsuit or the claims that he and others at ABC News were aware of the allegations in 2017.

The allegations are against former senior executive producer, Michael Corn. He has vehemently denied the claims

Corn's attorney Libbey Locke issued a statement on his behalf last week where he vehemently denied the claims.

'I vehemently deny any allegations that I engaged in improper sexual contact with any woman. Kirstyn Crawfords claims are demonstrably falseand I am providing contemporaneous emails to prove it. Hours after the supposed incident, Ms. Crawford offered to bring me coffee and breakfast to my hotel room and asked for my hotel room number because she didnt know itthe very same room where she now claims this incident occurred. The same day, she repeatedly offered for me to share a carth her. And the same day she emailed me, after I helped counsel her through a work problem, why are you so great? These are not the words and actions of a woman who had been assaulted hours before.

'Jill McClains allegations are equally as fabricated. After I allegedly touched her on an airplane, Jill repeatedly booked our future air travel to sit next to me, she invited me to her weddingincluding a pre-wedding event that was limited to her immediate family and closest friendsand she repeatedly communicated to me and my wife that she missed me after leaving her position at ABC. These are not the words and actions of a woman who had been assaulted.

'I will be pursing all available legal remedies against these women and defending myself vigorously.'

Emails obtained by DailyMail.com on Monday show the pair speaking over email the day after the alleged incident.

They spoke throughout the day about Stephanopoulos' travel, and the next day, where Corn praised Crawford for her work.

In her lawsuit, she says both she and McClain were scared to report the allegations because he was their supervisor.

Kirstyn Crawford (left) says Corn kissed her head, rubbed her legs, and burst into her room drunk during a trip to Los Angeles to cover the Oscars in 2015, when she was around 25 years old. Jill McClain, who worked with Corn on a different show, says the producer rubbed her vagina over her jeans during a red-eye flight from Los Angeles in 2010

Emails from the morning after the alleged incident, which Crawford said happened in the back of an Uber and then at the hotel, undermine what she says in the lawsuit.

She said that the morning afterwards, 'not only did Corn fail to acknowledge his inappropriate and inexcusable behavior, but he was also dismissive and rude to Crawford, which made Crawford feel self-conscious and uncomfortable.'

She also claimed 'the Monday after the sexual assault incident against Crawford, Corn was particularly terse.

'He exploded at Crawford, because Stephanopoulos decided he wanted to leave the show early and head home, which was something he did regularly. Corn yelled at Crawford that she had failed at her one job of ensuring that Stephanopoulos remained at the studio.

'Corn later tried to apologize, and acknowledge that Crawford only has so much control, but this continued a pattern of harassing Crawford.'

Emails from the morning after paint a picture of a friendlier relationship.

On Sunday 22nd February, among the many exchanged between the pair, she said in one: 'Hahaha why are you so great.'

On Monday, his attorney provided DailyMail.com with emails from one of the accusers to him the day after he allegedly assaulted her, in which she tells him he's the 'best'.

She also invited him to share a ride in George's car with her, writing: 'I'm taking George's car to lowes to check him in.

'You're welcome to join but im [sic] begging driver to go to in n out on the way that is not a joke' and offered to bring him coffee, food and Advil.

At 10.05am on Monday 23rd February, she emailed him at 7.03am saying: 'Thank you though. Seriously thank you for everything. Have a safe flight!'

He replied: 'Thank YOU. U made this trip so fun. And so easy. I know it was a bear but u made it all smooth and gs [George] did great. See u in nyc.'

ABC News President Kim Goodwin has launched an independent investigation into the allegations.

'We can't have us investigating us. We need an independent person. The process has to be independent,' she said on a conference call with staff.
Scientists' 'hatred' for former President Donald Trump is the reason they won't look at deworming drug ivermectin as a potential COVID-19 treatment, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said Friday.

'The hatred for Trump deranged these people so much, that they're unwilling to objectively study it,' he told a group of 60 constituents gathered in the Cold Spring, Kentucky city council chamber.

He added that studies on hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug touted by Trump and his supporters as a COVID treatment, were 'tainted' by researchers' 'hatred for Donald Trump,' the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Ivermectin can be used in small doses to treat parasitic worm infections in humans, like head lice and scabies, but in the US is more widely used to combat roundworms and other parasites in livestock.

Doctors say it has no capacity to treat viruses such as COVID-19.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration have repeatedly warned Americans against using it to treat COVID.

Rand Paul blamed scientists 'deranged' hatred of Trump for not studying ivermectin as a potential COVID treatment despite existing studies that failed to conclude efficacy

Trump has also touted hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial, as a potential COVID treatment

There's been a significant spike in over-the-counter prescriptions of ivermectin outside of its narrow recommended use - commonly in 'veterinary formulations' more suited to livestock, like horses.

Some who can not get a prescription are resorting to using versions of the drugs made for animals.

'Adverse effects associated with ivermectin misuse and overdose are increasing, as shown by a rise in calls to poison control centers reporting overdoses and more people experiencing adverse effects,' the CDC notes.

On Friday Paul said he was 'in the middle on' whether the treatment was effective.

The Republican lawmaker was asked by a woman in his Cold Spring audience why ivermectin wasn't more widely available, adding she had some for herself 'just in case.'

Paul answered that there wasn't enough research for him to know for certain.

'I can't tell you because they will not study ivermectin,' he told constituents.

He told the Cincinnati Enquirer he wanted to 'keep an open mind' on the subject.

What is ivermectin? Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug that was first discovered and used in veterinary medicine in the 1970s. The FDA approved it to treat parasitic diseases such as River Blindness and roundworm-related issues in humans in 1996, according to JAMA network. A topical version was approved to treat head lice in recent years. Human doses of ivermectin are usually given in tablets and contain a much smaller amount than for livestock. The latter use is far more common in the United States. Ivermectin for livestock is widely available in the US and commonly comes in highly concentrated doses. Overdosing on ivermectin can cause a number of symptoms, including: 'nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia (problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death,' according to the FDA The regulatory body warns people against taking drug doses explicitly meant for animals as it was not properly tested and found to be safe for human use Studies on ivermectin's possible use as an antiviral drug, including COVID-19 treatment, have yielded 'insufficient data' for scientists to get behind it, the CDC states Advertisement

However, it has become popularly used by many to treat the virus, and was prescribed 88,000 times in one week, a 24-fold increase over a typical pre-pandemic week, according to the CDC.

The FDA has repeatedly urged people not to use the drug against the coronavirus.

'You can also overdose on ivermectin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypotension (low blood pressure), allergic reactions (itching and hives), dizziness, ataxia (problems with balance), seizures, coma and even death,' the FDA warned.

Calls to U.S. poison control centers about Ivermectin exposures have increased five-fold from before the pandemic, with a drastic rise in July, according to the CDC.

The drug became popular in some circles after falsehoods about ivermectin's alleged ability to treat COVID-19 spread on social media after some misinterpreted earlier studies into the drug's effectiveness.

Prescriptions of ivermectin, a deworming drug, have increased 24-fold from pre-pandemic levels. The drug has been touted by some conservative figures as a treatment for COVID-19.

Ivermectin can be prescribed to treat things like lice and scabies in people in small doses, but is commonly used to deworm livestock

Some prominent figures in the media have pushed the drug as well.

Between March and this month, Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham promoted the drug's use as an alternative COVID-19 treatment.

In June, Sen Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, had his YouTube account suspended for posting a video recommending viewers to take ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as treatments for the virus.

Last week, Mississippi officials reported that 70 percent of recent poison control calls in the state were because of misuse of the dewormer.

Texas has reported a sharp spike in poison calls as well when compared to last year.

In August 2020, Texas reported two poison control calls related to ivermectin, reported WFAA.

This August, the state received 55 calls, a 27-fold increase.

Additionally, Texas Poison Control recorded 23 ivermectin poisoning cases from January to August 2020, compared to 150 this year - a 552 percent increase.

These figures are likely an undercount.

Cold Spring, where Paul was speaking, is near the Kentucky-Ohio border.

Scientists maintain the best way to prevent COVID-19 is to be vaccinated. The US has seen nearly 640,000 COVID-linked deaths since early 2020

An hour north of Cold Spring in Ohio's Butler County, a Common Pleas judge ordered a hospital in the University of Cincinnati network to treat a patient with ivermectin after it initially refused.

The lawsuit was filed by a hospitalized COVID patient's wife after an Ohio physician she referred to as 'one of the foremost experts on using ivermectin in treating COVID-19' prescribed it for his use, according to the Ohio Capital Journal.

Dr. Fred Wagshul accused the CDC and FDA of a 'conspiracy' against the drug and compared the government's lack of support for it to 'genocide.'

Similar lawsuits have been filed in New York and Illinois.

At his town hall Friday, Paul also railed against vaccine and mask mandates. He supported older people getting vaccinated but stressed that it's a personal choice.

Paul told his audience that he's 'in the middle ground' on vaccines.

'I'm not against the vaccine. I've already recommended if you're at risk to take it,' he said. 'It's still your choice if its a free country.'

It's also not the first time Paul is targeting the scientific community - the senator has had several public spats with Dr. Anthony Fauci at congressional hearings on the state of the pandemic.

The two men have traded verbal blows that rose to Paul threatening Fauci with jail time and Fauci calling Paul a 'liar.'
Under-pressure Dominic Raab warned the Taliban today they would be 'judged on their actions' towards thousands of people still trying to flee Afghanistan after the West's military evacuation.

The Foreign Secretary held virtual talks with counterparts from nations including the United States, France, Germany and Turkey this afternoon in a bid to set up a new safe route out for those who aided the allied nations in the past 20 years.

The UK airlifted thousands of people out of Kabul in the past fortnight but the Government has conceded that it was not able to rescue everyone who is eligible to come to Britain.

There are claims that at least 5,000 people with a right to settle in the UK may be still in Afghanistan, but some fear the true number is much higher, including hundreds of interpreters who aided British troops over the past two decades.

Mr Raab, who is facing calls to resign over his handling of the crisis, urged his counterparts from other countries to work together to provide safe passage despite the Taliban takeover.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'The Foreign Secretary emphasised the importance of working with like-minded partners on safe passage and exit arrangements for eligible Afghans remaining in the country.

'He affirmed Taliban assurances that foreign nationals and Afghan citizens with travel authorisation will be allowed to depart the country, but underlined we must judge them on their actions, and whether people are allowed safe passage to leave.'

The last American troops are due to pull out of Kabul by tomorrow, after they and their allies mounted the biggest air evacuation in history, bringing out 114,000 of their own citizens and Afghans who helped them over 20 years of war.

The Foreign Secretary held virtual talks with counterparts from nations including the United States, France, Germany and Turkey this afternoon in a bid to set up a new safe route out for those who aided the allied nations in the past 20 years.

The UK completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan at the weekend, with the US due to complete its exit by August 31

US military 'blames BRITAIN for making Kabul suicide attack death toll worse' The so-called 'special relationship' came under further strain after the Pentagon was today accused of trying to blame Britain for making the number of people killed in Thursday's ISIS-K suicide bombing at Kabul airport worse than it could otherwise have been. US security sources said they begged to shut down a gate being used at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital city before it was hit by the deadly jihadist attack - but Britain wanted it kept open to continue its evacuation campaign. The new twist came as survivors of the deadly blast claimed panicked US troops opened fire on the crowds of evacuees in the bloody aftermath, killing their loved-ones including a British father-of-two. Leaked transcripts handed to Politico suggest Pentagon officials had predicted a 'mass casualty' attack at Kabul airport and warned that the Abbey Gate was the 'highest risk' in a meeting just 24 hours before 170 people and 13 US Marines were killed. In a second conference call at 12pm last Thursday, American commanders set out plans to close the gate by that afternoon. However, the decision was taken to allow Britain, based at the nearby Baron Hotel, to continue evacuating people through it. Six hours later, an ISIS-K terrorist armed with a suicide vest killed himself and almost 200 others. The British Ministry of Defence declined to respond to allegations they were to blame for keeping the gate open, but said in a statement: 'Throughout Operation Pitting we have worked closely with the US to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of people.' Advertisement

US anti-missile defences intercepted rockets fired at Kabul's airport early this morning as Washington flew its core diplomats out of Afghanistan in the final hours of its chaotic withdrawal.

The rockets followed a massive Islamic State suicide bombing outside the teeming airport gates on Thursday, which killed scores of Afghans and 13 US troops.

The last American troops are due to pull out of Kabul by tomorrow, after they and their allies mounted the biggest air evacuation in history, bringing out 114,000 of their own citizens and Afghans who helped them over 20 years of war.

Approximately 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting.

James Cleverly, the Foreign Office Minister, said this morning that it is 'impossible' to put a number on how many people failed to make it out after the Taliban took power.

The group has given the international community assurances that eligible people will be able to leave the country and will be granted safe passage.

But Mr Cleverly said Britain is 'sceptical' of those assurances amid fears of reprisals against people who helped Western forces during the conflict.

Mr Cleverly also insisted the UK is a 'long way' from offering diplomatic recognition to the new Taliban regime.

Raab took part in a virtual meeting of foreign ministers and officials from the United States, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, NATO, Qatar and Turkey.

A joint statement from more than 90 countries, including the UK and the US, was published last night stating that the Taliban had made promises on allowing more people to leave the country.

The statement said: 'We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.'

However, many senior figures in the West fear the Taliban will fail to live up to the pledge amid concerns the number of Afghans left behind who may be eligible for resettling is actually far higher than initial Government estimates.

It came as three children were killed in a US drone strike targeting 'multiple suicide bombers' planning an attack on Kabul's evacuation airport - just hours after Joe Biden warned of the possibility of another jihadist atrocity following this week's attack.

Witnesses said a rocket strike blew up two cars parked outside a residential building near the Hamid Karzai airport to the north of Afghanistan's capital. It is believed the vehicles were going to be used in an 'imminent' attack by ISIS-K militants.

The strike on the vehicles, filled with explosives, is then believed to have caused a secondary blast, killing and wounding several civilians.

An Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity out of security concerns, said that three children were among the dead. It is not known where the children killed in the incident were at the time of the explosion.

The death toll is expected to rise with Afghan TV presenter Muslim Shirzad reporting that as many as six children were dead and nine people in total, including an interpreter who had worked with US troops, and an Afghan army officer due to get married tomorrow.

The Taliban said it welcomed the drone strike in an apparent sign of uneasy co-operation on security around the airport.
A Louisiana man shared a video on Facebook in which he opened his window during Hurricane Ida and revealed the intense wind and rain as it ravaged his home.

Raymond Serigny posted the video, which shows his hand pushing aside the frame of his air conditioning unit to show the Category 4 storm as it tore through the state on Sunday. The scene outside is barely visible as thick gusts of wind and pounding rain hammer outside his home.

The video has so far been viewed over one million times, shared 50,000 times and yielded 12,000 comments, most from concerned Facebook users asking if he is safe and others warning him to stay away from his window.

Raymond Serigny, a Louisiana man, shared a video on Facebook in which he opened his window during Hurricane Ida to show the intensity of the storm

The scene outside is barely visible as thick gusts of wind and pounding rain hammer outside his home

User Michael Shea Stafford wrote, 'Be safe bud. But you def shouldn't have stayed. Plus you don't stand by a window bro.'

And Brian Beard wrote, 'Take your air conditioner out of window before it blows out window completely.'

Minutes later, Serigny posted a status revealing that his windows had blown out and, shortly after, he posted another video of himself peeking out from behind a door into a windowless room that appears severely flooded and cluttered with picture frames and other items that appear to have fallen during the storm. Gusts of misty wind and rain rage into the room before Serigny closes the door.

The last update on Serigny's situation was shared around 11:30am EST in a comment on the post from his nephew Blaze, who wrote that he last spoke to him five hours earlier before phone lines went down.

In a second video, he showed the Category 4 storm raging through his open windows and flooding his home

The windowless room appears severely flooded and cluttered with picture frames and other items that appear to have fallen during the storm

It is no clear where Serigny is in Louisiana, but his Facebook lists him as being in a relationship with Betsy Alberes and her Facebook lists her as living in Golden Meadow, which is south of New Orleans.

Since posting the video, at least one fatality has been recorded in the wake of the storm after a 60 year-old man died when a tree fell on his home. However, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards warned Monday that he expects the total dead to 'go up considerably.'

Bel Edwards spoke after Ida left more than 1 million people without power through Louisiana and Mississippi as it dumped torrential rain on the area, flooding much of New Orleans before being downgraded to a tropical storm Monday. Louisiana has since activated 5,000 National Guard members to conduct search-and-rescue missions.
A British ex-pat jailed in Singapore for refusing to wear a face mask says he was beaten by police, dragged out of his home and forced to spend weeks in a mental institution before being deported.

Benjamin Glynn, 40, a father of two originally from Helmsley, Yorkshire - was found guilty on four charges over his failure to wear a mask on a train in May and at a subsequent court appearance in July.

He was convicted on Wednesday 18 August and sentenced to six weeks in jail for the offence, but was instead deported because he had already spent weeks in custody.

'I've been treated in my opinion like some sort of terrorist and as a criminal,' said Glynn, but declared 'I would do it all again, I don't regret anything,' despite his harrowing treatment at the hands of Singaporean authorities.

Benjamin Glynn, 40, a father of two from Yorkshire was sentenced to six weeks' jail in Singapore for not wearing a mask and harassing police

Glynn was arrested and dragged out of his home by police in Singapore after a member of the public filmed him travelling without a mask on the metro

Glynn had initially planned to leave Singapore with his family on May 31, but on his final day of work had gone for drinks with colleagues and opted to get the train home.

A passenger on the train snapped a clip of Glynn on public transport without a mask and uploaded it to Stomp, a citizen journalism website.

Just one day later, Glynn opened the door to find several police officers insisting he come down to the station immediately.

'I objected to that as it was so late - it was my daughter's fifth birthday,' Glynn said, at which point the officers drew their batons and beat Glynn into submission.

He was hauled out of his house in front of his family and into an ambulance, before being thrown into a concrete holding cell with no bed and bright lights, where he was forced to spend the weekend.

Though he was released on bail after experiencing hallucinations from sleep deprivation, Glynn was subjected to the same horrendous treatment yet again in July, except this time, he ended up in Changi prison where he said he was 'tortured physically and psychologically'.

Glynn (pictured)was ultimately charged with four counts of not wearing a mask, being a public nuisance, and using threatening language to the police, despite being beaten with batons and dragged from his home

Glynn said he was dragged out of his bathroom by police before his hearing in July, but steadfastly refused to wear a mask until ordered to do so by court authorities

'On July 19, five of them [police] came bursting into my room. I hid in the bathroom and recorded it on my phone. They gave me no choice and dragged me out,' said Glynn.

At his court hearing, Glynn asked the judge to name which law states the public must wear masks. He alleges this angered the judge, who decreed Glynn must be sent to Singapore's Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric assessment where he was held for two weeks.

'It was a horrible cell with a small grille, no windows, and I wasn't allowed anything  no toilet paper, books or toothbrush,' Glynn said.

'I just had two weeks of staring at a wall in the isolation ward, where the really poorly people with mental problems are.

'This is how they deal with people who challenge their legal system and government, but it's not just in Singapore  I'm sure people in other countries have also been accused of having mental problems if they refuse to comply with the Covid regulations.'

The father of two from Yorkshire was ultimately found guilty on all charges at a court hearing on August 18 and sentenced to six weeks in prison, but had spent so long in custody already that he was instead hauled to the airport in shackles and promptly deported.

Glynn believes masks are pointless and do not protect people from contracting Covid-19, so didn't wear one while taking the train home from work

Glynn had initially planned to leave Singapore with his family on May 31, but remained in the country until August due to numerous court hearings, jail time and a stint in a mental institution at the command of a Singaporean judge

Singapore is well-known for its enforcement of strict rules and has jailed and fined others for breaking COVID-19 regulations. Some foreigners have had their work permits revoked for rule breaches.

The city-state has kept its coronavirus outbreaks under control, in part due to its strict enforcement or measures.

In February, a Singapore court sentenced a British man to two weeks in jail after he broke strict Covid protocols by sneaking out of his hotel room to meet his then fiancee while in quarantine.

But Glynn labelled the authorities' treatment of people as a 'nightmare'.

'It turns out they have absolutely zero recognition for the living man or living woman.'

He is now out of work because he was due to transfer to a position back in the UK, which has now been revoked following his troubles with the Singaporean authorities.

'It's a horrible situation to be in,' said Glynn, who despite the ordeal stands by his belief that masks are ineffective in stopping the transmission of Covid.

'I don't even believe masks stop the spread of the virus in the first place. I honestly believe it's a hoax - I don't feel there is any evidence to show mask-wearing is effective in any way.'
Late legendary comedian Ed Asner gave the secret to his success in one of his last interviews before his death on Sunday: 'I want to entertain myself. I don't care about you!'

The former Mary Tyler Moore Show star added that his audiences gave him the vitality that kept him able and sharp as a tack even into his 90s, and took delight in telling the world: 'I sell my body.'

The Hollywood icon, who passed away Sunday at the age of 91, gave one of his last interviews to DailyMail.com at a red carpet private event in Los Angeles celebrating his 90th birthday, where other stars flocked to toast and roast him.

He revealed his natural skill to perform during his seven-decade career was down to entertaining himself and not getting bored, and reflected on his monumental career in the only way he knew how  by cracking jokes and being humble.

Ed Asner died peacefully on Sunday morning, surrounded by his family at 91. The Hollywood icon gave one of his last interviews to DailyMail.com at a red carpet private event in Los Angeles celebrating his 90th birthday

Aged 90, he had still not lost a step in his comedic timing or witty repartee.

The comedian, who rose to fame as lovable newsman Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, died surrounded by family on Sunday morning,

Asner is the most decorated male performer in the history of the Emmys, with a total of seven wins, five of which were for his role as Lou Grant; seen in 2002

Despite his film and TV success, he told DailyMail.com he felt the energy of a live audience gave him the greatest buzz.

Asner added that he found his natural niche to entertain because 'It is going to be boring otherwise. I want to entertain myself. I don't care about you!'

He said that his drive to be the funniest man in the room came from a natural competitiveness.

'I do not want to be last in the class,' he said. 'You understand that?'

Asner was a titan in American showbusiness, becoming a household name thanks to The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off series Lou Grant, making him one of the few television actors to portray the same character in both a comedy and a drama.

He is the most honored male performer in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards, having won seven.

He earned a cohort of younger fans playing Santa Claus in Will Ferrell's Elf and voiced the bespectacled widower and retired balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen in Pixar's 2009 heartwarming film, Up.

Despite his large and small screen success he said his greatest buzz came from doing live work in the theater.

'I do not necessarily see it on screen, because I am not seeing it on screen when I am doing it,' he said. 'But what I get is what I take from the audiences when I perform on stage.

'I am not saying the stage is superior, it is that you have to wait for the results.'

His character in The Mary Tyler Moore Show proved so popular that he ended up having his own spin-off show, Lou Grant, which was a drama (seen in 1975)

Asner lent his voice for numerous animated projects, including the Pixar movie Up

Asner felt that his career has been great fun and he is most proud of 'this longevity'.

But he could not pick out a single favorite role in his long career, saying 'all of them' filled him with pride.

'I am proud of Mary Tyler Moore, Lou Grant, Elf and Up and all the ones in between that kept me going and kept me paid and kept encouraging me enough to go with the next one which may have been a turning point,' he said.

Asner added, during the 2019 interview, that although he enjoyed his career, he would advise his younger self to 'take from people, witness people, feel them out, sense them and tell the truth.'

Asner made his name in the Chicago's comedy theater scene, before landing the role of WJM-TV news director Grant in Mary Tyler Moore which premiered in 1970.

During the show's seven year run, Grant became a fan favorite, leading him to his own series, Lou Grant, which ran until 1982.

But he was almost as well-known for his political activism as his acting. He was caught up in controversy in 1982 after speaking out against the U.S. involvement with repressive governments in Latin America. He condemned President Ronald Reagan's support of the right-wing military government in El Salvador and raised funds for medical relief in the country.

That led CBS to cancel Lou Grant. He said it also stopped his run for a third term as Screen Actors Guild president.

Asner won five of his seven Emmy Awards for playing Grant, three as best supporting actor in a comedy series for Mary Tyler Moore and two for lead actor in a drama for Lou Grant.

He also won Emmys for his work in the 1976 mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man and the 1977 miniseries Roots, where he played the captain of the slave ship that took Kunta Kinte from Africa to America.

Asner enjoyed appearances on Modern Family, ER, The X-Files, Grace and Frankie, Cobra Kai.

Asner was married twice and is survived by four children.
Weeks before the recall race in California, Sen. Bernie Sanders is throwing his weight behind Gov. Gavin Newsom.

'At this unprecedented moment in American history, when we're trying to address the crisis of climate change, guarantee healthcare for all, and pass real immigration reform, the last thing we need is to have some right-wing Republican governor in California,' the Democratic Socialist from Vermont said in a video ad released Monday.

'The September 14th recall of Governor Newsom is a bold-faced Republican power grab,' he added. 'Don't let it happen. Please.'

Sanders vastly outperformed all other Democrats in California in the 2020 presidential primary, and his support could help turn out progressives at the ballot box on Sept. 14.

Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris bailed on campaigning for the governor amid the crisis that unfolded in Afghanistan, as Newsom's popularity slips in polls.

So far 46 people are vying to replace Newsom, and radio host Larry Elder has emerged as the GOP frontrunner. Reality star and ex-Olympian Caitlyn Jenner, 2018 Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox and former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer have also thrown their names into the race.

At least 46 people are vying to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, above, whose popularity has waned since his overwhelming victory in 2018

Newsom is fighting for his political life in a recall election scheduled for Sept. 14

'The September 14th recall of Governor Newsom is a bold-faced Republican power grab,' he added. 'Don't let it happen. Please' Sanders said in new ad for the California governor

Newsom was elected in 2018 with overwhelming support, but his popularity waned after his handling of the Covid pandemic, which kept schools closed for nearly all of the pandemic and amid the state's worsening homeless crisis and high cost of living.

A GOP victory would be a profound upset in the Golden State, where Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one. But Newsom's rule is looking more and more tenuous in the polls - a recent YouGov poll found that 48% of likely voters wanted to recall the governor, 52% wanted to keep him in place.

If more than 50% of voters answer 'yes' in favor of a recall, the candidate with the highest number of votes will succeed Newsom.

President Biden was also set to campaign for the governor before the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, but those plans are now up in the air.

It's not clear that Biden's support could be helpful to the governor at this time, given the president's own plunging popularity due to his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, especially after 13 service members and 170 people died in a suicide bombing in Kabul last week.

Newsom, fighting for his political life, recalled how he used to always be 'the lucky one' in an interview with The Atlantic on Friday.

'I was always that lucky one, too,' he said. 'Just the whole damn thing flipped on me.'

Last month, Newsom said he wouldn't regret 'a damn thing' if the recall was successful. But on Friday he seemed more cognizant of the polls, and said he would regret his recent policy initiatives if he is ousted.

'If they kick me out. I'm gonna feel good about what we just did, and not ever regret a damn thing,' he told the Sacramento Bee on July 30,adding that he is particularly proud of his record-breaking education spending. 'We put it all out there on this education budget.'

'If I do fall short, I'll regret every damn one of those decisions. And I don't want to have any regrets for putting everything out there and doing  what I think is right and what I think is in the best interest of California,' he told The Atlantic.
osmonauts have found new cracks in a section of International Space Station

Russian cosmonauts have discovered new cracks in a section of the International Space Station that they fear could worsen over time.

The superficial 'fissures' were found in the Zarya module, the first part of the ISS to be launched in 1998 by Russia.

The country's space officials have warned that the latest incident aboard the station, following the discovery of other cracks last year, could become more widespread over the next few years.

'Superficial fissures have been found in some places on the Zarya module,' Vladimir Solovyov, chief engineer of rocket and space corporation Energia, told RIA news agency.

The superficial 'fissures' were found in the Zarya module, the first part of the International Space Station (ISS) to be launched in 1998 by Russia

'This is bad and suggests that the fissures will begin to spread over time.'

He did not say if the cracks had caused any air to leak.

Last year, ISS crew members hunted for an air leak for several weeks, tracing it to the main work area inside another Russian module called Zvezda.

Nasa stressed that the leak posed no immediate danger to the crew and only caused a slight deviation to the ongoing work schedule.

Mr Solovyov has said previously that much of the International Space Station's equipment is starting to age and has warned there could be an 'avalanche' of broken equipment after 2025.

August 2018 saw astronauts rush to fix a hole (pictured) which had appeared in the outer wall of the Soyuz capsule on the orbiting laboratory. Its origins were, and still are, a mystery despite rife speculation

This is also the year that Russia plans to leave the ISS project, possibly to launch its own orbital station.

THE $100 BILLION ISS SITS 250 MILES ABOVE THE EARTH The International Space Station (ISS) is a $100 billion (80 billion) science and engineering laboratory that orbits 250 miles (400 km) above Earth. It has been permanently staffed by rotating crews of astronauts and cosmonauts since November 2000. Research conducted aboard the ISS often requires one or more of the unusual conditions present in low Earth orbit, such as low-gravity or oxygen. ISS studies have investigated human research, space medicine, life sciences, physical sciences, astronomy and meteorology. The US space agency, Nasa, spends about $3 billion (2.4 billion) a year on the space station program, a level of funding that is endorsed by the Trump administration and Congress. A U.S. House of Representatives committee that oversees Nasa has begun looking at whether to extend the program beyond 2024. Alternatively the money could be used to speed up planned human space initiatives to the moon and Mars. Advertisement

In April, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told the Russia 1 TV channel that Moscow intended to warn ISS partners about the withdrawal.

He noted that the station's service life has long expired, and its condition 'leaves much to be desired'.

It is not known whether Russia will decided to completely abandon all work on the ISS.

It comes after NASA hit back at Russian claims earlier this month that a US astronaut drilled a hole in the ISS in 2018 to force an early return to Earth that she 'suffered a psychological crisis'.

According to a report in TASS, the Russian state news agency, Roscosmos insiders claimed there were multiple holes drilled by someone unfamiliar with the module design and without proper support to ensure accurate drilling in low gravity.

They claim NASA astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor made the hole after a blood clot developed in her jugular vein that she had to treat herself, leading to an 'acute psychological crisis'.

NASA would not comment on the matters but disputed the claim, describing the astronaut as extremely well respected.

August 2018 saw astronauts rush to fix a hole which had appeared in the outer wall of the Soyuz capsule on the orbiting laboratory.

Its origins were, and still are, a mystery, despite rife speculation and accusations from all sides.

It is thought the latest report may be Roscosmos deflecting accusations from NASA over the arrival of the Russian Science module sending the ISS in a spin in July.
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Grieving relatives have hit out after a US drone strike near Kabul airport killed ten people from the same family, including six children.

The innocent civilians were killed when a car parked outside their home was hit by the drone strike on Sunday, which was targeting a vehicle thought to be carrying a member of ISIS-K - the Islamic State affiliate responsible for the Kabul airport terror attacks just days ago.

'Why have they killed our family? Our children? They are so burned out we cannot identify their bodies, their faces,' anguished relative Ramin Yousufi told BBC reporters through tears.

Yousufi vilified the US strike as a 'brutal attack which happened based on wrong information'.

Zemaray Ahmadi, 36, was killed alongside his sons Zamir, Faisal and Farzad - aged 20, 16 and 12 respectively, while Emal Ahmadi said his two-year-old daughter Malika Ahmadi also died.

Six of Zemaray's nieces and nephews were also killed - a boy and girl both aged two, girls aged five and seven, a six-year-old boy and a 28-year-old man.

Meanwhile, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said US authorities were 'not in a position to dispute' reports of civilian casualties, but assured the press that 'no military on the face of the earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the United States military, and nobody wants to see innocent life taken.'

Emal Ahmadi, another relative of the strike's victims, told the BBC that it his two-year-old daughter who was killed in the strike while the family were waiting for a phone call from US personnel instructing them to go to the airport for evacuation

The family members were killed when a car parked outside their home was hit by the drone strike on Sunday, which was targeting a vehicle thought to be carrying a member of ISIS-K

12-year-old Farzad Ahmadi was among the oldest of the children killed according to Ramin Yousufi, a member of the family who vilified the US strike as a 'brutal attack which happened based on wrong information'

Ramal Ahmadi, second from left, weeps uncontrollably at the mass funeral attended by dozens of friends and family

Ramal Ahmadi, centre, is supported by family members at the mass funeral of the 10 victims killed in the drone strike

The 10 victims of Sunday's explosion were the collateral damage of a US drone strike which destroyed a car that the Pentagon said was laden with explosives that would be used by ISIS-K to use to target Americans.

US Central Command said these explosives were triggered in the drone strike, which led to a compounded blast responsible for the civilian casualties.

Yousufi said he feared that more attacks would take place and asked why no one is taking responsibility for the effects of such attacks on Afghan civilians.

Emal Ahmadi, another relative of the strike's victims, told the BBC that it hwas is two-year-old daughter who was killed in the strike while the family were waiting for a phone call from US personnel instructing them to go to the airport for evacuation.

Ramal Ahmadi, who lost three children in the strike, told the Times: 'I was inside the house with my wife when it happened. 'y brother had returned home from work so some of the children jumped into the car  it's just a silly thing we do, they like to drive the car inside.

'My brother had got out of the driver's seat and my 10-year-old nephew Farzad was driving.'

'If the US are killing Daesh [Isis] then we're happy but you can see there's no Daesh here, they killed innocent people,'

Mr Ahmadi said he and others in the family had applied for evacuation to the US, including relative Ahmad Naser had previously worked as a translator with US forces before he too was killed in the explosion.

In a press briefing on Monday, Kirby said: 'We're in a particularly dangerous time right now.

'The threat stream is still real, it's still active, and in many cases it's still specific.'

'We take it very, very seriously and when we know that we have caused innocent life to be lost in the conduct of our operations, we're transparent about it,' said Kirby, who went on to defend the drone strike as a necessary action to eliminate 'what we believed to be a very real, a very specific and a very imminent threat' from ISIS-K.

The BBC obtained several images of children who were killed in the blast, though some of their names are not yet known.

A mass funeral for the 10 people the family said were killed in the strike took place on Monday in Kabul.

The 10 victims of Sunday's explosion were the collateral damage of a US drone strike which destroyed a car that the Pentagon said was laden with explosives that would be used by ISIS-K to use to target Americans. US Central Command said these explosives were triggered in the drone strike, which led to a compounded blast responsible for the civilian casualties

Family members were left to pick through the rubble of the blast which destroyed a car parked near the family home and killed 10 people, six of them children

US Central Command said these explosives were triggered in the drone strike, which led to a compounded blast responsible for the civilian casualties

The victims were brought to the burial site in makeshift coffins by van

Islamic prayers were recited for the bodies before they were laid to rest

US forces are on high alert following a suicide bombing outside Kabul airport on Thursday which killed more than 100 civilians and 13 US troops and for which ISIS-K took responsibility.

For days, a sewage canal at the airport had become a holding pen for Afghans who, knee-deep in effluent, waved passports and signs pleading for Western help in boarding evacuation flights out of Kabul.

The canal bank became the target for the suicide bombers as a result of the high concentration of both civilians and US troops. ISIS-K alleged one suicide bomber got 'within five meters' of US troops before detonating the explosive device.

Thursday's suicide bombings prompted Western forces to cut short their evacuation operations of Afghan civilians and instead shifted focus to rapidly removing troops and diplomatic personnel, leaving thousands of Afghan allies to fend for themselves in a country now controlled by the Taliban.

US troops, whose numbers grew to 5,800 after the evacuation operation began on August 14, were already departing ahead of the August 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden to fully exit the country.

Kirby said US officials have engaged the Taliban in extensive discussions to ensure the final hours of their evacuation proceeds safely.

'We have been in communication with the Taliban about these final days, so that we can make sure there is no miscalculation, no misunderstanding,' he said.

Major General Hank Taylor said more than 122,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul since July, including 5,400 Americans.

He said it will continue to be possible to evacuate US citizens still in Afghanistan to the last moment.

A Taliban fighter stands guard at the site of the terrorist attack which killed over 100 people outside Kabul airport on Thursday

One of the two deadly blasts near Kabul's airport Thursday happened near a hotel that has been used to process Afghans attempting to flee the Taliban's oppressive regime. The explosion occurred less than one mile from the airport at or near the 160-room Baron Hotel, the Pentagon said

Injured victims of the airport bomb blast, receive treatment at a hospital in Kabul on Friday as they are comforted by relatives

Distraught relatives load in a car the coffin of a victim of the suicide bomb attack at a hospital in Kabul

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed that two British adults and a child were among the casualties of the suicide bombing, which has led ministers to declare they are prepared to 'take action' in eliminating further threats from ISIS-K.

Mr Raab said on Friday: 'These were innocent people and it is a tragedy that as they sought to bring their loved ones to safety in the UK they were murdered by cowardly terrorists.

'Yesterday's despicable attack underlines the dangers facing those in Afghanistan and reinforces why we are doing all we can to get people out. We are offering consular support to their families.

'We will not turn our backs on those who look to us in their hour of need and we will never be cowed by terrorists.'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'incredibly sad' to learn that British nationals had lost their lives and added: 'Getting your family to safety should not cost you your life. We must urgently help those left behind to avoid any more tragic deaths.'

Among the dead was Muhammad Niazi, a British Afghan who had travelled from London to help get his family inside the airport, according to the BBC.

Last night his youngest child, eldest daughter and wife were still missing.

His brother Abdul Hamid, who survived, said: 'I saw some small children in the river [canal]. It was so bad. It was doomsday.'

His sister Marilyn described him as a 'beautiful, intelligent, beat-to-the-sound of his own drum, annoying, charming baby brother.'

She added: 'He was just a kid. He was a f****** medic. There to help people. And now he is gone and my family will never be the same.'
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Resistance forces in Afghanistan have vowed to continue in their fight against the Taliban as they trained in the Panjshir Valley, a strategic fortress which sits north of Kabul.

Hundreds of fighters, who have never surrendered to the new rulers of Kabul, were seen wading through water with logs of wood over their back while others trained with their rifles as they prepared for the possible arrival of Taliban forces.

Elsewhere, others resistance members, dressed in military gear and carrying weapons, were spotted marching through the deserted streets of the mountain enclave.

The anti-Taliban uprising forces, known as the Northern Alliance, have vowed to fight on to the last and defend the 170,000 residents, most of them Tajiks, who live in the Panjshir valley, which lies in the Hindu Kush mountains north of the Afghan capital.

It comes as the Taliban claimed they were sending hundreds of fighters to the region and had the Panjshir surrounded.

Resistance forces wade through the water with logs on their back as they train in the Panjshir Valley, a strategic fortress which sits north of Kabul, Afghanistan

Afghanistan's last bastion against the Taliban train with their rifles as they prepare for the possible arrival of Taliban forces

The resistance forces have vowed to continue their fight against the Taliban and have never surrendered to the new rulers of Kabul

Afghanistan's last bastion against the Taliban, is being led by Ahmad Massoud, 32, the British-educated son of a legendary freedom fighter in the Panjshir Valley

Mr Massoud, who was trained by the British military at Sandhurst, has vowed that no Taliban fighter will pass through the narrow gorge into the valley.

He was only 12 when his father, Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was as a formidable guerrilla fighter, known as the 'Afghan Napoleon' and 'the Lion of the Panjshir', was murdered by Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda assassins posing as Al Jazeera journalists - two days before 9/11.

Mr Massoud, who was forced to leave his homeland, then went to secondary school in Iran before training for a year at Sandhurst and then graduated with a degree in War Studies from King's College London in 2015.

Now Mr Massoud has vowed to fight on to the last and defend the 170,000 residents of the Panjshir.

He told Reuters: 'They want to defend, they want to fight, they want to resist against any totalitarian regime.'

He is joined in the struggle by Afghan Army generals, their staffs and some soldiers, along with Amrullah Saleh, the vice president in the toppled government who calls himself Afghanistan's acting president, and the ousted defence minister Gen Bismillah Mohammadi.

'There are many other people from many other provinces who are seeking refuge in the Panjshir valley who are standing with us and who do not want to accept another identity for Afghanistan,' Mr Massoud said.

'We want to make the Taliban realise that the only way forward is through negotiation,' he added.

Afghan fighters train in the Panjshir Valley, a strategic fortress which sits north of Kabul, and vow to resist the Taliban from the mountain enclave

Resistance forces walk wade though the water carrying weapons and logs of wood as they train in the Panjshir province

The anti-Taliban uprising forces have vowed to defend the 170,000 residents, most of them Tajiks, who live in the Panjshir valley

Fighters walk through the mountains with weaponry as the Taliban claims they're sending hundreds of fighters and have the Panjshir surrounded

The Panjshir Valley is Afghanistan's last remaining holdout and is known for its natural mountainous defences

Resistance fighters, dressed in military gear, assemble and train after vowing never to surrender to their new Taliban leaders

The Northern Alliance is being led by Ahmad Massoud, 32, the British-educated son of a legendary freedom fighter in the Panjshir Valley

Ahmad Massoud (left), leader of the Northern Alliance and son of 'the Lion of the Panjshir', says that no Taliban fighter has yet dared to enter the narrow gorge into the valley. He was only 12 when his father, Ahmad Shah Massoud (right), was murdered by Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network

PANJSHIR VALLEY: The valley lies around 100 miles north of Kabul, overlooked by the Hindu Kush mountains and with narrow approaches ideally suited for ambushes, the river valley stretches for miles, opening into broad meadows where its 170,000 people live

The Taliban, having waged a 20-year insurgency, already appear to be amenable to the idea that they could use some allies to help govern. They have asked the health minister and the mayor of Kabul to remain in office.

But if Mr Massoud wants to bring them to the negotiating table, he will need munitions.

The fledgling leader has conceded that his forces, which one aide said numbered more than 6,000, would need international support if it came to fighting.

The Taliban have funded themselves not only through opium, but also with covert support from allies, many of them regional rivals to the United States.

However, Mr Massoud's resistance might not be able to rely on Washington which has been emphatic that it wants a full withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The fighter, whose father is renowned in France, has been lobbying Emmanuel Macron's government for backing in the struggle.

French journalist journalist Bernard-Henri Levy said: '[France] is the country in the world where his name resonates the most  and Massoud is, today, the only one who resists and holds on.'

Speaking to Politico after a meeting with Massoud last October, Mr Levy said: 'What I think, and given the historic ties with the father, it is normal that France provides him with the most advanced help.'

It is believed that the Northern Alliance are being sponsored by Tajikistan with a photo last week showing a Tajik helicopter landing in the valley.

The Northern Alliance tweeted: 'Earlier this morning, resistance forces got a first support from Tajikistan helicopters have imported enough equipment, guns, full-ammunitions & foods.

'The morale of the resistance is high. We are grateful to our neighbour for all the support they started since beginning.'

While the Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan, the resistance fighters have said they will defend the 170,000 residents in Panjshir

Groups of fighters walk through the mountains and train in the Panjshir province , with Mr Massoud, saying that no Taliban fighter will pass through the narrow gorge into the valley

The resistance group is made up of Afghan Army generals, their staffs and some soldiers, who have vowed to defend the region

It is believed that the Northern Alliance are being sponsored by Tajikistan, with a tweet from the group saying they had 'imported enough equipment, guns, & foods'

The scenes come as so-called Islamic State militants fired a volley of rockets at Kabul's rapidly emptying international airport today, with just hours left before a deadline for US forces to withdraw at the end of America's longest war.

The Pentagon is tight-lipped about final operations and has not specified when the withdrawal will be completed ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

But spokesman John Kirby told reporters 'there is still time' for Americans to join a massive airlift that has allowed more than 116,000 people to leave since the Taliban swept back into power two weeks ago.

All day on Monday, US military cargo jets came and went despite the rocket attack, which did not hurt anyone.

The Taliban released a video shot from the airport's grounds, saying the Americans had removed or destroyed most of their equipment and that troop numbers were far lower.

'It looks like today will be the last day,' one of the unidentified fighters said.

With the departure of the last of its troops, the US is ending its 20-year war with the Taliban back in power.

Many Afghans remain fearful of them or further instability, and there have been sporadic reports of killings and other abuses in areas under Taliban control despite pledges to restore peace and security.

In the last 24 hours, the US military evacuated about 1,200 people on 26 C-17 flights, while two coalition flights flew out 50 others, the White House said.
Jill Biden offered a reassuring message to parents and children on Monday, which is the first day of school for many kids across the nation.

In an op-ed published by ABC News, the first lady, a school teacher, acknowledged the fears some may have returning to the classroom and said President Joe Biden is doing all he can to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

'Parents, I want you to know that your child, your school and your family are at the heart of all that my husband, Joe, is doing to help our country defeat and ultimately recover from this pandemic,' she wrote.

Many schools have instituted mask mandates based on CDC recommendations but even that has become a political issue with governors of Florida and Texas pushing back against their own school districts and Missouri's attorney general filed a lawsuit challenging public school mask mandates across that state.

The CDC recommends universal mask wearing for students and teachers in the classroom.

Mask mandates have become a hot button political issues as Republicans paint it as an issue of personal freedom and Democrats argue science shows it protects the vulnerable from disease.

Jill Biden offered a reassuring message to parents and children as Monday marked the first day of school for many kids around the country - above the first lady visits Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Meriden, Connecticut in March

Students in Brownsville, Texas, wear face masks as they return to class

In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order barring local entities from issuing mask mandates and the Texas Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked a mask mandate issued by San Antonio public schools.

Florida's Republican governor Ron DeSantis also tried to ban public schools from issuing mask mandates but, on Friday, in a major blow, a Florida judge ruled school districts can enforce wearing face masks.

Jill Biden noted that 'we do know that vaccines and wearing masks provide the best protection available against this virus.'

The Biden administration has pushed to get teachers vaccinated and the president's American Rescue Plan provided $122 billion for schools to help with COVID testing, preventative measures like extra cleaning and mental health services.

'This Administration is doing all we can to keep schools open and at the same time safeguard our children,' Jill Biden wrote.

'Public health officials have laid out clear guidelines on how schools can bring kids back to the classroom safely and the American Rescue Plan has provided the support schools need to hire additional staff, including nurses,' she noted.

Her op-ed came the same day her husband's Education Department announced it was opening civil rights investigations against five states that bar mask mandates for schools: Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.

Officials in the Republican-led states have barred schools from requiring masks among students and staff.

The Education Department argues that could prevent some students from safely attending school.

'It's simply unacceptable that state leaders are putting politics over the health and education of the students they took an oath to serve,' Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. 'The department will fight to protect every student's right to access in-person learning safely.'

Fifth graders in Los Angeles line up for COVID testing

The United States is facing more than 100,000 new COVID hospitalizations a day.

It is the first time the mark has been reached since winter - when the U.S. suffered its largest surge of the virus to date, and before the vaccine was widely available.

Deaths are on the rise as well, with some states setting new records last week.
The Education Department announced on Monday that had launched civil rights investigations into five Republican-led states that banned schools from imposing mask mandates, claiming their stance could discriminate against students with disabilities or health problems.

Education chiefs in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah have been told they are under investigation.

'It's simply unacceptable that state leaders are putting politics over the health and education of the students they took an oath to serve,' said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

'The department will fight to protect every student's right to access in-person learning safely.'

The move marks an escalation in the battle between the Biden administration and Republican governors who say mask use should be a matter of personal choice.

President Biden announced this month that his administration would use its oversight powers to challenge states the banned masked mandates in schools and on Monday Education Secretary Miguel Cardona launched investigations into five states

Five states were told they were under investigation. Several others, which are not implementing their bans, will be monitored, according to the Education Department

Protesters have called for mask mandates in Salt Lake City where a Republican governor has banned such measures across the state. The policy is now under investigation

But other protesters celebrated a decision in Salt Lake County where the council overturned a mandate for children up to the age of 12, illustrating the stark political divide

The investigations will examine whether vulnerable children are deterred from attending school because of the absence of COVID-19 protection strategies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC says face coverings are among the most effective tools to prevent the spread of the virus and recommends masking in schools.

'National data also show that children with some underlying medical conditions, including those with certain disabilities, are at higher risk than other children for experiencing severe illness from COVID-19,' acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Suzanne Goldberg wrote to leaders in those five states.

'At the same time, extensive evidence supports the universal use of masks over the nose and mouth to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.'

The letters spelled out that the states may be preventing schools from meeting their legal obligations to provide education for all.

The states could lose federal funding if they are found to have discriminated against students with disabilities.

Several states such as Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas avoided the probe because they have stopped enforcing bans, either voluntarily of after legal challenges.

But the Education Department said it will monitor those states and would take action if schools or districts were prevented from ordering students to mask up.

Mask and vaccine mandates have moved the political frontline as hopes that the U.S. had beaten the pandemic earlier in the summer gave way to concerns about the spread of the Delta variant.

The letter sent to Iowa's Department of Education explaining that an investigation has been launched into whether the needs of students with disabilities are being met

Whether or not to order children to wear masks in schools has become a political dividing lines, pitting the Biden administration against governors, and parent against parent

Cardona previously said he was particularly concerned by prohibitions in areas where the Delta variant had sent the number of cases soaring.

The issue has taken on added urgency as students prepare to return to school after the summer vacation.

Biden made clear earlier this month that his administration could use its oversight powers to take action against states that have banned mask mandates in schools.

He accused politicians of trying to exploit public safety measures for their own political gain.

'Were not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children,' he said.

In Iowa, Gov. Kim Reynolds quickly accused him of 'kowtowing to teaching unions.'

'I'm doing my job,' she said. 'He needs to do his job.'

The situation is more complicated in Utah where state legislators passed a law in May - before the Delta variant was widespread - banning mandates.

In recent days, Governor Spencer Cox reportedly offered to issue an executive order allowing local education officials to require masks.

The divides have triggered a string of lawsuits as school districts take governors to court in Florida, Texas and Arizona, while parents are suing legislative bans in Iowa, South Carolina, and Utah.
Chad Daybell's family claim the fact that his wife Lori Vallow's two children were found buried in shallow graves on his own property in Idaho proves that he was 'framed' for their murders.

Daybell was arrested in June 2020 and pleaded not guilty to murder charges stemming from the deaths of Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, 7, Tylee Ryan, 17, and his first wife, Tammy. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty against Daybell if he is convicted of any of the three killings.

Lori Vallow Daybell in June 2021 was committed to a mental health facility to be treated for up to three months, in hopes of making her competent to stand trial on charges of murder and conspiracy.

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Chad Daybell's five grown children broke their silence for the first time since their father's arrest last June on murder charges

Daybell (left) and his new wife, Lori Vallow Daybell (right), face murder and conspiracy charges stemming from the killings of the woman's two children

In this aerial photo, investigators search for human remains at Chad Daybell's residence outside Rexburg, Idaho, on June 9, 2020

Daybell's five children, Garth Daybell, Emma Murray, Seth Daybell, Leah Murphy and Mark Daybell, spoke with CBS' 48 Hours for the first time since his arrest last year. The exclusive interview with the accused murderer's relatives will air at 10pm ET on Wednesday as part on an episode titled The Secrets of Chad Daybell's Backyard.

In a promotional clip released by the network, Daybell's grown children defended their father and sought to build a case that he was set up by someone else for the killings.

'Everything thats happening  it eats at the soul a bit,' Garth Daybell says in the preview. 'I think about it every day.'

Standing near the spot where JJ and Tylee's remains were unearthed by law enforcement officials last summer, Emma Murray said it would have made no sense for her father to hide the bodies outside his own home in Salem, Idaho, amid an intense, monthslong search for the missing children that put a spotlight on him.

'I don't know why they would be there, but I do know that if he were to commit a crime, he wouldn't be foolish enough to put the evidence in his own backyard,' she said.

The bodies of Joshua 'JJ' Vallow, 7 (left), and his half-sister, Tylee Ryan, 17 (right), were found in shallow graves on Daybell's property

Daybell also faces a murder charge related to the death of his first wife, Tammy (right)

Location aside, Daybell's children also pointed out that as a former gravedigger, he would not have made the mistake of burying the remains in shallow graves outside his home, especially given that his property is surrounded by acres of open space seldom visited by anyone.

'He knew how to dig graves and that just doesn't sound believable to me,' Daybell's son Seth Daybell said.

Emma Murray, Daybell's daughter, argued that her father was 'framed' because he would not have hidden evidence on his own property

All five children argued that their father played no part in the deaths of JJ and Tylee.

'My father needs someone to be a voice for him. To let people know whats real  what we know,' Emma Murray said.

Daybell is scheduled to appear in court for a closed-door hearing on Monday. His trial is set to begin on November 8.

In an indictment, Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell are accused of being a members of a doomsday cult revolving around bizarre religious beliefs to encourage or justify the killings.

The twisted case began in 2018, according to the indictment, the Daybells  both still married to other people  began espousing their apocalyptical system of religious belief. Loris then-husband, Charles Vallow, eventually decided to seek a divorce. He wrote in court documents that his wife believed she had become a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the end times.

The two were still married but estranged in the summer of 2019 when Lori Daybells brother Alex Cox shot Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix.

Daybell is set to go on trial in November. His wife Lori has been committed to a mental health facility for treatment

Cox asserted the shooting was in self-defense, and he was never charged. Cox later died of an apparent blood clot in his lung.

Shortly after Charles Vallows death, Lori Daybell  then still Lori Vallow  and her children moved to Idaho, where Chad Daybell lived. He ran a small publishing company, releasing doomsday-focused fiction books loosely based on the theology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He also recorded podcasts about preparing for the apocalypse, and friends said he claimed to be able to receive visions from 'beyond the veil.'

At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell, a fit 49-year-old school librarian who helped him run the publishing company. She died in October of 2019. Her obituary said she died in her sleep of natural causes.

Authorities grew suspicious when Chad Daybell remarried just two weeks later, and they had Tammy Daybells body exhumed in Utah in December. The results of that autopsy have not been released.

Police began searching for Tylee and JJ in November after relatives raised concerns.

Police say the Daybells lied to investigators about their whereabouts before quietly leaving Idaho. They were found in Hawaii months later, without the children. The childrens bodies were eventually found buried in a 'pet cemetery' on Chad Daybells eastern Idaho property.

Lori and Chad were each indicted by a grand jury in May on charges of conspiracy, murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of JJ and Tylee.

Chad was also charged with one count of murder and insurance fraud in connection with the death of his first wife.

After a psychological assessment, the court found Lori wasnt able to assist in her own defense or make informed decisions about her mental health treatment.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy accused President Joe Biden of abandoning Americans in Kabul to be hostages and arming the Taliban with more Blackhawk helicopters than Australia owns in a Sunday interview.

He shared a clip of his Fox interview on Twitter the next day and warned abandoning military equipment to the insurgent group makes the United States 'less safe now than before 9/11.'

'President Biden handed over billions of dollars in American military weaponry to the Taliban. They now have more Blackhawk helicopters than Australia, and they have released thousands of ISIS terrorists from prison,' McCarthy wrote Monday morning.

'They have our drones and others,' the Republican lawmaker said on television Sunday. 'We need to focus on protecting America, and that's something that this administration is not doing, but putting more Americans that could be held hostage stuck in Afghanistan.'

Roughly 250 Americans are still trying to get out of Afghanistan ahead of Biden's August 31 deadline for a full withdrawal, the State Department said Sunday.

McCarthy slammed the Biden administration in an interview Sunday that he then shared with more withering criticism on Monday

Some of the 250 Americans may be traveling to Hamid Karzai International Airport or could already be there, the State Department said in a statement.

Around 5,500 US citizens have been evacuated from Kabul since August 14 when the Taliban took the Afghan capital.

If evacuations end Tuesday at midnight, there are now less than 48 hours left for those citizens and numerous vulnerable Afghans to get out.

McCarthy accused the State Department of 'allowing Taliban to dictate our foreign policy.'

'We're watching Americans being left behind, but administration knowingly making that decision - there is no excuse why this deadline has not been extended,' he said.

The California Republican called Biden's deadline a photo opportunity with devastating consequences.

'It will lead to a fatal national security issue on the battlefield, and that is what transpired here based upon what Joe Biden as president has done,' he said.

McCarthy called Biden's deadline a political photo opportunity and warned it would lead 'to a fatal national security issue'

Some of the final US flights left Kabul on Monday despite the airport coming under fire from five ISIS rockets and as the threat of another attack grows stronger by the minute.

Five rockets were launched at the airport in Kabul Monday morning from a sedan parked nearby. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack, saying they used Katyusha rockets against the US troops still on the ground.

No one is believed to have been killed in the attack; the US Army's C-RAM missile defense system took out just one of the five rockets - a 20 percent success rate. Three missed the airfield and one landed inside but Pentagon officials said it had 'no effect' on the evacuation flights.

The weapon defense system features a radar-controlled, rapid fire 20mm gun positioned atop a swiveling base on top of a trailer. It can be fired remotely and fires 4,500 rounds per minute.

An US Air Force aircraft takes off from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 30

A C-17 Globemaster takes off as Taliban fighters secure the outer perimeter, alongside the American controlled side of of the airport

Between Sunday and Monday, 1,200 people were flown out on 26 US military flights and two coalition flights.

Late last week McCarthy hinted at the possibility of writing up articles of impeachment against Biden after an explosion at the airport's Abbey Gate checkpoint killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US service members.

Asked about it again on Sunday, he replied: 'My moment at this time - at this point, is getting every American out. When we get beyond that point, we're going to collect all the data.'

'We have a constitutional responsibility to hold people accountable, and we are going to take it wherever the facts bring that forward. If that's the case, we'll move forward.'

McCarthy also isn't the first person to raise concern about the massive war chest the US military would leave behind.

Between 2002 and 2017, the United States gave the Afghan military an estimated $28 billion in weaponry, including guns, rockets, night-vision goggles and even small drones for intelligence gathering.'

The rockets targeted the airport on Monday morning s the final US flights took off from Kabul. Other Western nations have now left the region because it is too dangerous to stay

Current and former officials say that while they are concerned about the Taliban having access to the helicopters, the aircraft require frequent maintenance and many are complicated to fly without extensive training.

"Ironically, the fact that our equipment breaks down so often is a life-saver here," a third official said.

Retired U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, who oversaw U.S. military operations in Afghanistan as head of U.S. Central Command from 2016 to 2019, said most of the high-end hardware captured by the Taliban, including the aircraft, was not equipped with sensitive U.S. technology.

"In some cases, some of these will be more like trophies," Votel said.

But there is a more immediate concern about some of the easier- to-use weapons and equipment, such as night-vision goggles.

Since 2003 the United States has provided Afghan forces with at least 600,000 infantry weapons including M16 assault rifles, 162,000 pieces of communication equipment, and 16,000 night-vision goggle devices.

"The ability to operate at night is a real game-changer," one congressional aide told Reuters.
An Ohio judge has ordered hospital staff to start treating a ventilated COVID-19 patient with Ivermectin, a controversial anti-parasite treatment that is being used in some countries to treat the virus but has been knocked down by the FDA.

Ivermectin has been available in the US to treat lice since the 1970s but some doctors are prescribing it as a COVID therapy after early studies last year claimed it reduced mortality among infected patients.

The CDC and FDA are strongly urging against it, claiming the studies are not up to standard and can't be relied on.

Desperate to save her husband's life, Julie Smith appealed to Butler County Common Pleas asking for a judge to order staff at the hospital where her husband is ventilated to try it on him.

Jeffrey Smith, 51, has been in the ICU at West Chester Hospital in West Chester Township since July 15 and on a ventilator since August 1.

In her lawsuit, his wife described how staff at the hospital had exhausted all other options but to offer her husband the drug, which is used to treat lice and can often be used to de-worm animals in far higher doses.

Despite his chances of survival now standing below 30 percent and despite the fact that Dr. Fred Wagshul, a local pulmonologist, prescribed him Ivermectin, the hospital staff refused to give it to him.

Last week, Judge Gregory Howard sided with Mrs Smith and issued an order telling the hospital it has to give him the drug now.

In her lawsuit, she begged: 'He is on death's doorstep; there is no further COVID-19 treatment protocol to offer to Jeffrey.

Pulmonologist Dr. Fred Wagshul prescribed Smith Ivermectin. He is one of thousands of doctors across America who are going against the CDC's advice to prescribe it to COVID-19 patients. Butler County Common Pleas Judge Gregory Howard sided with him and ordered staff at the hospital to give Smith the drug

'Ms. Smith docs not want to see her husband die, and she is doing everything she can to give him a chance..'

The hospital has not yet responded to the lawsuit or explained why staff were refusing to give him the drug when it had exhausted all other options, as his wife claims.

He is on death's doorstep; there is no further COVID-19 treatment protocol to offer to Jeffrey

A spokesman declined to comment when contacted by DailyMail.com on Monday, citing ongoing litigation and HIPAA patient privacy laws.

Ivermectin has been touted as a miracle solution for COVID since preprint paper written in Egypt last year said it could be used to treat the drug.

It has been embraced by doctors in Latin America and in the US, nearly 88,000 prescriptions for it were written in a single week.

Most of the increases have happened in states with low vaccination rates, like Mississippi, where vaccine hesitancy is among the highest in the country.

In her lawsuit, the man's wife pointed to a CHEST pre-print article from last June that said hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were treated with Ivermectin had a lower mortality rate than those who did not.

It studied patients from Broward Health hospitals in Florida between March and May last year and claims that mortality was 15 percent in those who took the drug, versus 25.2 percent in those who didn't.

Doctors already have access to the de-worming drug because it is used in small doses to treat parasitic worm infections in humans, like head lice and scabies, but in the US is more widely used to combat roundworms and other parasites in livestock.

Ivermectin has been available in the US to treat lice since the 1970s but some doctors are prescribing it as a COVID therapy after early studies last year claimed it reduced mortality among infected patients

The CDC is urging people against taking it, claiming there is no proof that it works against COVID, but in cases like Jeffrey Smith's, his wife said she will try a drug that other scientists do believe is effective in order to save his life

Early studies which had given some people encouragement were removed from the sites where they appeared because the authors said they weren't ready for peer review.

And amid a spike in prescriptions for it, the FDA and CDC have warned against it and say there is no proof it can help battle COVID-19 but can cause severe side effects.

Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham promoted the drug's use as an alternative COVID-19 treatment.

Rand Paul blamed scientists 'deranged' hatred of Trump for not studying ivermectin as a potential COVID treatment despite existing studies that failed to conclude efficacy

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul said on Monday that the drug would never be properly considered because it has been promoted by the right, and the CDC and FDA despite them and former President Donald Trump.

'The hatred for Trump deranged these people so much, that they're unwilling to objectively study it.

'So someone like me thats in the middle on it, I cant tell you because they will not study ivermectin.

They will not study hydroxychloroquine without the taint of their hatred for Donald Trump,' he said.

In June, Sen Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, had his YouTube account suspended for posting a video recommending viewers to take ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as treatments for the virus.

Last week, Mississippi officials reported that 70 percent of recent poison control calls in the state were because of misuse of the dewormer.

Texas has reported a sharp spike in poison calls as well when compared to last year.

In August 2020, Texas reported two poison control calls related to ivermectin, reported WFAA.

This August, the state received 55 calls, a 27-fold increase.

Additionally, Texas Poison Control recorded 23 ivermectin poisoning cases from January to August 2020, compared to 150 this year - a 552 percent increase.
Voters have turned against President Joe Biden on his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, according to a poll published on Monday, with more than a third believing that more than 500 Americans will be left behind after the August 31 deadline.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey found that only 32 per cent of likely voters rated the Biden administrations handling of the current situation in Afghanistan to be good or excellent. Some 52% said it was poor.

The numbers come after Biden's worst week in office.

On Sunday, he came to face to face with the consequences of his decision to bring home U.S. troops by the end of the month.

He met families of 13 service members killed in a suicide attack outside Kabul airport and then watched in solemn silence as their remains were carried from a C-17 transport plane at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

The deaths of 13 U.S. troops in Kabul last week caused an outpouring of grief and anger at the Biden's administration's handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan

Biden came face to face with the consequences of his decisions when he attended the 'dignified transfer' of the remains of the 13 service members

On Monday evening it emerged that the last troops had left Kabul, but Biden still faces questions about his handling of the withdrawal amid plunging poll numbers

He has faced repeated questions about whether his decision triggered the collapse of the government in Kabul and the rapid return to power of the Taliban.

The new survey found that 50 percent of voters believe Biden's determination to get out military forces by the Tuesday deadline was a bad decision, while just 34 percent were in favor.

It marks a reversal from the days soon after Biden announced his plan in April, setting September 11 as the deadline, when only 32 percent thought it was a bad idea.

Chaotic scenes at the airport and reports of problems reaching flights to safety have also imprinted themselves on voters's minds, according to the survey of 1000 people.

It found that 51 percent now believe more than 100 American civilians will be left behind in Afghanistan after the withdrawal finishes, including 36 percent who think more than 500 will be left behind.

Only 19 percent think the military withdrawal will leave fewer than 50 American civilians stranded in Afghanistan, including eight percent who think no one will be left behind.

That is bad news for an administration that has tried to argue that it has achieved an impressive feat in flying more than 122,000 people to safety, including 5400 Americans.

Officials insist they have the capacity to evacuate the last 300 or so citizens left in Afghanistan who want to leave.

Members of Congress from both sides have kept up criticism of both the decision to withdraw and the way it was implemented.

'We didnt have to be in this rush-rush circumstance with terrorists breathing down our neck,' said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah on CNN'S State of the Union.

'But its really the responsibility of the prior administration and this administration that has caused this crisis to be upon us and has led to what is without question a humanitarian and foreign policy tragedy.'

A string of polls indicates that Biden's personal popularity has also taken a heavy knock.

Last week, a USA Today/Suffolk University poll put his approval rating at 41 percent - far below the range of 50 to 55 percent he enjoyed since being inaugurated.

'Today, President Biden's overall approval has taken a turn for the worse due to his awful job performance rating on Afghanistan,' David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk Political Research Center, told the paper.

Polls suggested he also suffered from a rise in coronavirus case as the Delta variant surged earlier in the summer.
The crazed intruder who broke into a couple's Oregon home and stabbed a woman 19 times before killing her husband as he tried to defend her is still on the loose nearly three weeks after the grisly attack.

No arrests have been made for the August 13 killing of Travis Juetten, 26, and police took to social media on August 27 to ask for help in finding the killer.

Travis Juetten and his wife, Jamilyn, 24, were scheduled to fly out to Hawaii for their first vacation since their 2018 marriage on the day of the 3am attack at their rural Silverton home, about an hour away from Portland.

Alain Leon, Travis' longtime friend, said that the 26-year-old died protecting his wife from the attacker.

'I was honored to watch him and Jamilyn get married,' Alain Leon, who had been friends with Travis since high school, wrote on Facebook.

'There, he promised to dedicate his life to her, and she to him. A wicked man... attacked them in their own home, while they were asleep, where Travis held fast to the promise he made to Jamilyn only a few short years ago.'

'He saved her life.'

Travis Juetten and his wife, 24-year-old Jamilyn, were scheduled to fly out to Hawaii for their first vacation since their 2018 marriage on the day of the 3 am attack at their Silverton home. Travis was pronounced dead at the scene, and now, Jamilyn is facing a long road to physical and emotional recovery.

No arrests have been made for the August 13 killing of Travis Juetten, 26, and the Marion County Sheriff's Department took to social media on August 27 to solicit leads from residents

Laura Holman, a friend of the couple, wrote in a GoFundMe initiative for Jamilyn that the pair were woken from their sleep by someone attacking them with a knife. Leon told KOIN that a third person, who was in their house to pet sit their animals while they vacationed, heard the commotion and called police

Laura Holman, a friend of the couple, wrote in a GoFundMe initiative for Jamilyn that the pair were awakened from their sleep by someone attacking them with a knife. Leon told KOIN that a third person, who was in their house to pet sit their animals while they vacationed, heard the commotion and called police.

The Marion County Sheriff's Department wrote in their social media, which urged anyone with information to come forward, that both parties had 'suffered multiple stab wounds' and that Travis was pronounced dead at the scene.

The department did not respond to DailyMail.com's requests for comment.

Myra Juetten, Travis' mother, begged anyone with information to come forward.

'Travis was my son,' wrote Travis' mother on Facebook. 'He was the most amazing son you could have asked for with a kind, gentle spirit. He in no way deserved this. As a mother. I am pleading to anyone that has any information to contact the tip line.

'Travis was my son,' she wrote on the police department's Facebook page. 'He was the most amazing son you could have asked for with a kind, gentle spirit. He in no way deserved this. As a mother. I am pleading to anyone that has any information to contact the tip line.

'Our hearts can't hurt any more. Please help us find this monster.'

In another statement, this one shared by the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Travis' mother implored anyone with information to come forward a second time.

'While we grieve Traviss loss and wish for Jamilyns health, we continue to be concerned for the safety of our family, friends, and neighbors,' she wrote.

The heartbroken widow faces a long road to physical and emotional recovery.

Jamilyn is recovering from two fractured vertebrae, a fractured shoulder, a fractured skull and nerve damage, read the GoFundMe. Leon told news outlets that a muscle in one of her hands was severed, putting her passion for pottery in jeopardy.

'Theyre worried about her ability to do that,' he said to the outlet today. 'The muscle on her hand was severed and she cant [make certain movements] with her fingers.'

'Jamilyn's road to recovery is not only physical but also mental and emotional as she faces both the loss of her soul mate and the inevitable changes her life will now have,' read the GoFundMe for her care.

A yet-unidentified intruder who broke into Travis and Jamilyn Juetten's Silverton home (pictured) stabbed the pair around 3 am on August 13 killing Travis and gravely wounding Jamilyn

The sheriff's department wrote in their post that she was presently in 'stable condition.'

Jamilyn is making progress in her recovery, Leon said, and is now able to walk from one place to another. The nearly $18,000 raised by the GoFundMe will pay for not just the woman's treatment, but her life expenses and the care of the couple's pets.

'Jamilyn and Travis did not have extensive savings and Jamilyn will be unable to work for months to come,' read the body of the fundraiser.

'Jamilyn has never asked for assistance before and feels uncomfortable doing so. However, she cannot maintain car payments and life expenses without help from other.'

Friends of the couple have also urged news outlets to publicize photos of beloved cat Josie, who Leon told KOIN had run away during the frenzied attack.

'They were so devoted to each other,' Leon said. 'Jamilyn wants to hold onto every piece of Travis that she can, so that would be some light on this dark event.'

Cash rewards up to $2,500 are being offered for any information that leads to the killer by Crime Stoppers of Oregon.
Former President Trump said Monday that the US should demand all equipment be handed over from the Taliban, or otherwise 'bomb the hell out of it.'

'Never in history has a withdrawal from war been handled so badly or incompetently as the Biden Administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan,' Trump said in a statement.

'In addition to the obvious, ALL EQUIPMENT should be demanded to be immediately returned to the United States, and that includes every penny of the $85 billion dollars in cost. If it is not handed back, we should either go in with unequivocal Military force and get it, or at least bomb the hell out of it. Nobody ever thought such stupidity, as this feeble-brained withdrawal, was possible!'

As the Taliban took over Afghanistan and the US evacuated, they plundered billions worth of US military equipment, according to reports, showing off not only US rifles but armored vehicles, helicopters, planes and other heavy weapons.

Lack of training and spare parts could keep Taliban from ever lifting more complicated US aircraft off the ground, but videos circulating social media of Taliban fighters posing proudly next to UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters show these spoils are serving as key propaganda tools.

'We don't have a complete picture, obviously, of where every article of defense materials has gone, but certainly, a fair amount of it has fallen into the hands of the Taliban,' National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan admitted earlier this month.

The hundreds of thousands of weapons, vehicles, aircraft and uniforms left behind for the Taliban

Taliban fighters, dressed eerily similar to US troops, patrol the street in Kabul

The United States has spent an estimated $83 billion training and equipping Afghan security forces over the last two decades

The United States has spent an estimated $83 billion training and equipping Afghan security forces over the last two decades.

The US sent nearly 76,000 vehicles, 600,000 weapons systems and 208 aircraft to the Afghan Security Forces just between 2013 and 2016, according to a 2017 report by the Government Accountability Office.

In the last few years the Defense Department has sent Afghan forces more than 7,000 machine guns, over 4,700 Humvees and more than 20,000 grenades, according to a recent Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) analysis.

Last week, Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., a former Navy SEAL, warned that the Taliban now has access to $85 billion of American military equipment.

'The Taliban now has more Blackhawk helicopters than 85% of the countries in the world,' he said in a press conference. He said the Taliban also had access to biometric devices containing data to track down Afghan interpreters who assisted the US in the war.

'This administration still has no plan to get this military equipment or supplies back,' Banks said.

Fresh critique has also been directed at Trump's February 2020 peace agreement with the Taliban, where he promised to withdraw US troops and release 5,000 Taliban prisoners if they did not attack US or harbor terrorists.

But Trump said he never would have allowed the Taliban to invade Kabul.

Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt last week he would have 'bombed the hell out of the Taliban' had they violated the peace agreement and 'they never would have come into Kabul.'

'They just wouldn't do it.'
Ted Cruz claimed Afghan refugees can call an uber to leave their holding location in the U.S. as Republican criticism of the Biden administration's vetting process ramped up ahead of the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan.

The criticism came amid a report that an Afghan man who had been convicted of rape and had been deported from the U.S. was allowed to board an Afghan evacuation flight to America.

Cruz is one several Republican lawmakers who have criticized President Joe Biden's handling of the situation in Afghanistan.

The Texas Republican senator took an aerial tour of Fort Bliss, one of the military bases receiving Afghan refugees, and said the perimeter around the housing area is 'not secure'.

He also said officials at the fort told him refugees can order ubers to visit nearby El Paso.

'The leadership at Fort Bliss told me about one of the refugees who called an uber and took an uber to downtown El Paso and they are not detaining anyone there so if 10,000 refugees arrive there, every one of those 10,000 can choose to leave tomorrow,' Cruz said late on Friday.

Ted Cruz claimed Afghan refugees can call an uber to leave their holding location in the U.S. - above the Republican senator from Texas takes an aerial tour of Fort Bliss

Biden announced on Sunday evening that the Department of Homeland Security, which is also handling the migrants illegally crossing the border and damage from Hurricane Ida, would be the lead agency coordinating ongoing efforts across the federal government to resettle the Afghan refugees.

A White House official told DailyMail.com on Monday that 'intelligence, law enforcement, and counterterrorism professionals are conducting screening and security vetting for all SIV applicants and other vulnerable Afghans before they are allowed into the United States. This includes reviews of both biographic and biometric data.

The administration is increasing its vetting process.

'We are surging resources to evaluate each case and process these as efficiently as possible to protect homeland security,' the official said.

Several government agencies are involved in the vetting process, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), and other partners.

'We are grateful for our dedicated personnel at those agencies and across the government who are working around the clock to expedite the processing and vetting of Afghans coming to the United States,' the official said.

As more and more refugees poured into the U.S. as American forces wound down operations in Afghanistan, the Pentagon added three more bases to the four other bases handling refugees: Marine Corps Base Quantico and Fort Pickett in Virginia, and Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Combined the bases will have capacity to house up to 70,000 Afghans and their families.

The high influx of refugees and rushed resettlement process has Republican lawmakers worried.

Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell of New Mexico said her district is expected to host up to 19,000 Afghan refugees, more than any other congressional district in the country. Holloman Air Force Base is one of the new bases receiving refugees.

'The people of New Mexico deserve to have a say in this process, to know how vetting is being conducted, and to know the results of that vetting,' she told DailyMail.com in a statement.

'Unfortunately, the Biden administration has completely botched the process, as well as a proven track record of letting unvetted criminals cross our borders with impunity. As a member of the Oversight Committee and the Representative for the Second District, I am fighting for transparency and the rights of American citizens to protect their communities,' she added.

Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin visited Fort McCoy, which is also receiving refugees, late last week and told DailyMail.com on Monday that the Biden administration has 'blundered' the situation.

'I believe we should successfully integrate our Afghan allies who fought side-by-side with us and kept Americans safe. But I have little faith in the competency of this administration. They blundered into this tragic situation and then botched the withdrawal. They have failed the men and women of the military just as they have failed federal, state, and local law enforcement trying to cope with their self inflicted crisis on the southern border,' he said in a statement.

More than 122,000 people have been flown out of Kabul since Aug. 14, the day before the Taliban regained control of the country.

And more refugees are expected.

Marisol Girela of RAICES, an organization that helps refugees resettle in Texas, said her group has seen a 'dramatic' rise in refugees.

'We've seen a very dramatic increase in the amount of people that we have been seeing since the start of the crisis in July and now August,' Girela told NPR.

Army PFC Kimberly Hernandez, gives a high-five to a girl evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport

People evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport

One of the refugees who made it to American was discovered to be Ghader Heydari, who had been convicted of rape and previously deported from the U.S., the Washington Times reported.

Heydari was caught by officials upon his arrival at Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia, which is serving as a landing point for many of the refugees, when his entry was flagged. It's unclear how he made it onto a refugee flight.

Other Republicans have claimed ISIS terrorists are coming in, a charge that hasn't been proven.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Monday defended the vetting process and the method getting Afghan refugees out of that country but checked before coming to the U.S.

Many refugees first stop in another country - like Germany or Qater - where the vetting is completed. The process allows for a quick removal from Afghanistan but a background check before they arrive in the U.S.

'One of the reasons why we're so grateful to several dozen countries out there, some of whom are serving as lily pad countries where individuals are going, as for many of them their screening processes continuing before they proceed to the United States,' she said.
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When former British marine Pen Farthing finally passed through the Taliban-controlled barbed wire gateway into Kabul airport with his 150 dogs and cats from his animal rescue charity four days ago, he received a sobering text.

'It was from my mate Dave who ran a security company in Kabul. He got out literally two hours before me, but kept his compound and left his two pet dogs with the staff.

'He texted, 'The bastards just shot Brutus. They went round the compound, saw the dogs, dragged them into the open and shot them'.'

Pen, 52, said he sat for more than 24 hours in a hangar at Kabul airport waiting for the plane which would take him on the first leg of his journey to the UK with the terrible image of the dogs being slaughtered 'playing on a loop all the time in my head'.

He recalls the anguish and uncertainty of leaving Kabul and is visibly pained when he talks about the fate of so many Afghans left behind.

Pen Farthing (pictured with wife Kaisa Markhus), who passed through the Taliban-controlled barbed wire gateway into Kabul airport with his 150 dogs and cats from his animal rescue charity four days ago, recalled the anguish and uncertainty of leaving the Afghan capital

Nowzad founder Pen Farthing is reunited with his Norwegian wife Kaisa Markhus in Oslo, Norway

'At the airport the British troops are on the inner side of the barbed wire,' he explained yesterday in his first full interview since leaving the UK for Norway to be reunited with his new wife, Kaisa, 30, who fled their home in Kabul two weeks ago.

'You can talk to them but they can't do anything as the Taliban check people at gunpoint.

'The Afghan people were standing there with all their belongings in a line. There was one guy whose paperwork they didn't like so they're like, 'Come on, out', with an AK rifle in his back. I was just watching this guy trying to wave at his wife and kids as he was being dragged off at gunpoint...'

The despair is writ large across his face and his eyes are dulled by all he has seen.

'Where they took him I do not know,' he continues. 'I think I've cried more in the last five or six days than I have since I was four years old. I'm just numb with it.

'I think it'll take a long time to ever get out of my head having to say goodbye to the two members of staff who drove the truck for me to get me into the airport along roads just lined with people. There were thousands and thousands of them in makeshift camps waiting for their turn to try to get into the airport  women, children...

Allowed to meet, but not to touch, due to quarantine rules after his dramatic return from Afghanistan

Nowzad founder Pen Farthing is reunited with his Norwegian wife Kaisa Markhus in Oslo

'And you should have seen the human misery in that hangar  the possessions people had left behind  photographs, hats, children's toys.

'I was sitting amongst all that when someone tweeted about my foul-mouthed rant [to Defence Minister Ben Wallace's special advisor Peter Quentin].'

The furious answer machine message which was leaked to the media at the weekend has dominated news coverage as the astonishing, toxic battle between this extraordinary man and the Ministry of Defence has raged on as, quite literally, Kabul has burnt.

'I don't even remember making it,' says Pen. 'I totally forgot about it until somebody sent me a tweet that said, 'Pen Farthing's explosive rant' I thought, 'What the hell are they going on about?'

'It was a heat-of-the-moment thing. We needed paperwork for our staff and their families to be able to go to the airport.

Pen with his wife on a gloriously sunny day in the grounds of a quarantine hotel in Oslo where he has to spend three days

Kaisa has been in Oslo since she left Kabul on a Norwegian mercy flight 12 days ago

'Peter Quentin had told me six days before the staff had been approved to leave the country but, for whatever reason, they wouldn't give me the paperwork.

'You can imagine as the window between where we were and when the Americans were pulling out got smaller and smaller I was getting pretty stressed.

'Quentin was the only person I had a phone number for. I guess that's why he got both barrels. As far as the person who decided to release that voicemail is concerned, if that's their priority in life let them crack on.

'I've apologised for the language I used but that's it.

'I'm not worried about what some politician is saying about me. That's not on my radar. What's on my radar is that this ill-thought out withdrawal has destroyed a country overnight and cost countless lives.'

Pen may well be apologetic for his language and loss of self-control but not for the efforts he made to save the staff who, to him, were like a family. As it was, it took six days for the paperwork to be completed.

They immediately crated up the cats and dogs, put wives and children on a bus and headed in a convoy to the airport. It was a mission that few thought he'd pull off in a city that was falling apart as the Taliban roamed the streets with Kalashnikov assault rifles.

Mr Farthing flew back to the UK last night with his menagerie of animals rescued by the Nowzad charity

The rescued dogs (left and right) have begun their quarantine at a sanctuary in Britain

But Pen, who left the Royal Marines in 2009, has the commando spirit writ through him and a marine never gives up. Miraculously, he negotiated passage for two truckloads of crated animals and a busload of Afghans through two Taliban checkpoints to the commander at the South Gate  only to be barred from entering.

Hounds safe and sound Animal worker cradles one of the dogs after it arrives in Wales Cradling the tiny ball of fluff in his arms, an animal charity worker gazes tenderly at his new charge. The animals that have arrived at Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary in Powys, are just some of the near-100 dogs and 70 cats rescued from Kabul by Pen Farthing that have begun quarantine at sanctuaries across the UK. They will be looked after until they can go to adoptive families. Lozzas Lurcher Rescue in Hertfordshire said their 'precious cargo' had been 'well looked after' by Mr Farthing. Advertisement

US President Joe Biden had changed the rules just three hours earlier only allowing those through with passports and visas to control the growing numbers inside the airport.

'We were inside, all of us inside with the right paperwork, but we were three hours too late. Biden had changed the rules.'

He shakes his head. Three bloody hours  if they'd pulled their finger out and got the paperwork to us just a day before my staff would have been out with me.'

I meet Pen with his wife on a gloriously sunny day in the grounds of a quarantine hotel in Oslo where he has to spend three days having been in a red list country. Kaisa has been in Oslo since she left Kabul on a Norwegian mercy flight 12 days ago.

As the spouse of a Norwegian, Pen is allowed to leave the hotel after three days if he tests negative for Covid. He can then finish his ten-day quarantine period with Kaisa in her family's home. He is also allowed visitors but contact is not permitted.

You can see it's taking every ounce of self-control not to give his wife of less than five months a jolly good hug. He came here after helping to offload the animals at Heathrow with staff from the airport's Animal Reception Centre.

Five cats sadly died on the journey and one of the dogs was stabbed when, Pen believes, they drove through Taliban checkpoints to Kabul airport.

Otherwise the animals, albeit frightened, are healthy and will soon be released from quarantine, despite briefings from Whitehall sources that they are riddled with disease and may have to be put down.

Whoever's saying that is talking a crock of crap,' says Pen, once again not mincing his words. 'One of the things we pride ourselves on at Nowzad [his animal shelter in Kabul] is every single animal is fully vaccinated for rabies, parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, they're treated for fleas and ticks and dewormed.

'They're all neutered and spayed and the blood samples are sent to DEFRA to prove they've got the relevant antibodies for rabies.'

'My five dogs are ready for me to collect as soon as I'm out of here.'

Kaisa, listens to Pen talk. She is happy just to be able to sit with the man she feared she would never see again after that failed first attempt to make it to the airport. Pen's happiness is fleeting.

He remains haunted by the staff he has been forced to leave behind, and will not rest until he has brought them to safety. 'It was the staff who made the decision for me to make a second attempt on my own,' he says.

'They said, 'Don't stay. You've got to take the dogs out. The Taliban will just shoot them'.

'I gave them three months wages  that's put away securely  and a couple of hundred dollars extra. I said, 'Put this in your pocket. Do not spend it. I want it back when I see you in England. That's you're emergency money'.Then I went round and hugged every single one of them, including the girls. Everybody was so emotional.'

Pen's eyes are red. He says he slept for little more than four hours in the five days before he put his head on the pillow in his quarantine hotel last night. Kaisa had to call him 13 times to wake him up yesterday morning.

Mr Farthing confirmed he had landed in Heathrow this morning in a message on Twitter

'I had no idea if we were going to get in to the airport. I've never been as nervous in my life going back to that airport.

'People were telling me there was another bomb threat [a suicide bomber had killed at least 170 people when they made their first attempt] and a rocket threat. Pen waited for more than 24 hours for his plane to get diplomatic clearance to leave. As he sat in the hangar, an Army officer approached him to give him a piece of his mind about 'wasting army resources'.

'He had a right go,' says Pen.

'Once he'd finished I said, 'Right let's put some facts on the table here'. I explained to him 'It's a cargo plane. The dogs and cats are going in the hold where you can't put people. I haven't used any military resources. I didn't put any of you guys in danger getting in because the soldiers were stood on the barbed wired where they've always stood.

'They didn't come forward to facilitate my entry into the airport. When I left where they were stood they were dealing with the next group of Afghans coming in via the Taliban'. So this Army guy is like, 'Oh s**t, sorry mate'.'

'In the end it wasn't even the British who loaded the cargo. They'd gone. That's how close to the wire my flight coming in was.' When Pen's plane finally took off on Saturday night, he saw the city lights laid out beneath him. 'There was no joy just guilt,' says Pen.

'Guilt I couldn't get [my staff] out. Guilt that for whatever reason I couldn't persuade the powers-that-be to give me that paperwork a few days earlier. Guilt because I left them behind.

'I had Ewok [his dog] on my lap. When I first came back to Afghanistan, I came because of my love of dogs but, in the years I spent there, it's the people I grew to love.

'Now we've put them back into the dark ages. My young female vets  one was the face of the new Afghanistan  were having to come to work in Burkas by the time I left.

'People can say what they like about this mission, but they weren't there. They weren't on the ground when I lost two young marines in 2006 to make sure the Taliban weren't in power. Now we've just given the whole country back. I'm not giving the people I regard as my family back with it.

'All this s**t about putting animals before people  I have never said my dogs were a priority before people. I have never said I'm a priority.

'Caring about animals doesn't mean not caring about people, I don't understand where all this is coming from. It's the people that haunt me.

'I can still see two of my young female vets sat there crying when we got back to Nowzad after the first failed attempt to the airport. That's what will never stop playing like a loop in my mind until I get them out.'
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The untimely death of one of the most-loved and famous women in the world touched off a global outpouring of grief and mourning. The circumstances of her death also triggered a slew of conspiracy theories about the circumstances surrounding that fateful night in a Paris underpass.

Many of these allegations were fanned by Dodi Fayed's father, Mohamed Al-Fayed, who believed Establishment opposition to Dianas relationship with Dodi was driven by racism and Islamophobia.

Al Fayed was not alone in believing there had been a plot. It was an international concern, said former Metropolitan Police Commissioner John Stevens. I think something like 65 or 70 per cent of the country thought there had been a conspiracy and that the death of someone like Diana, who was an icon... couldnt be explained away, other than that... foul play [took] place.

As the years passed and questions lingered, the Coroner of the Queen's Household asked Stevens to conduct an investigation into the allegations of a cover-up and conspiracy. The resulting 832-page report, known as Operation Paget, the Paget Inquiry or simply Paget, took almost three years and 12.5 million ($17.2 million) to complete.

Although Operation Paget put to bed many of the more extreme theories, some details of the circumstances surrounding that night, and the nights leading up to it, still cannot fully be explained. Here, we examine seven of the most persistent theories surrounding the death of the People's Princess.

THE CONSPIRACY: CHARLES HAD DIANA KILLED

Two years before her death, Diana wrote a note predicting that her husband 'is planning an "an accident" in my car, brake failure or serious head injury to make the path clear for his marrying Tiggy' (Charles's sons' former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke). Diana went on to say that 'Camilla is nothing but a decoy so we are being used by the man in every sense of the word.'

Charles was interviewed by Lord Stevens under enormous secrecy as part of the Metropolitan Police's Paget inquiry.

The interview began with Stevens producing a copy of Diana's note to Burrell and reading it aloud. He repeated Diana's allegation that the Prince had wanted to harm or kill his wife and dump his then-mistress (Charles had married Camilla in April 2005, only eight months before the Stevens' interview took place) so that he could wed the nanny of his two sons.

Stevens' first question: 'Why do you think the Princess wrote this note, Sir?'

Charles replied: 'I did not know anything about [the note] until it was published in the media.'

'[So], you didn't discuss this note with her, Sir?

'No, I did not know it existed.'

'Do you know why the Princess had these feelings, Sir?'

'No, I don't.'

Charles was polite, engaged but unable, it seemed, to throw light upon what lay behind the note. When it appeared in December 2006, the Paget report made only passing reference to Diana's claims made in the Burrell note.

'Paget had found no evidence to support Diana's expressed fears at that time, October 1995,' said a source. 'The note did not materially affect the conspiracy investigation.'

The original copy of the interview is no longer held by Scotland Yard  'It's too hot to handle. What commissioner would feel comfortable about being the custodian of that statement?' a source close to the investigation commented. Under the 30-year rule, it will not be available for public examination until 2038.

THE CONSPIRACY: DIANA PREDICTED HER OWN DEATH

Diana's royal protection officer also said the Princess often darkly joked about dying in a car crash.

'In 2008, I gave evidence at the High Court, at an inquiry into the accident led by Lord Justice Scott Baker. I told the court that Diana would frequently talk about dying in a car crash,' Ken Wharfe said.

'Sometimes, I said, she raised the subject as we set out for a weekend away in Highgrove on Fridays. I told the hearing: "Diana would begin the conversation by saying something like: 'Here we go again, I suppose we could be killed in a car accident.'" Her comments, I said, might have been prompted by what she was told by tarot card readers and crystal ball gazers. The Princess never seemed serious when she spoke of possibly being in a car crash, but joked about it.

I told the court I thought it was very much a throwaway line of Dianas, and added: "In all my years of working with Diana she never, even once, said to me that she thought that someone was out to harm her.'"

THE CONSPIRACY: THERE WAS ANOTHER CAR PRESENT IN THE TUNNEL THAT NIGHT

At least seven named witnesses gave evidence that a small white car was perilously close to the Mercedes just before it crashed  or was spotted leaving the scene immediately afterwards.

Two of the most credible were Georges and Sabine Dauzonne, who were returning home from dinner in their Rolls-Royce. They had joined the Seine embankment expressway when they saw a white Fiat Uno being driven erratically out of the tunnel.

Georges Dauzonne recalled the Fiat zig-zagging in the tunnel, coming so close to his Rolls that it almost touched the wing. Sabine recalled a 'European-looking, fair-skinned but a bit Mediterranean' man. Both recalled that the man had a 'large dog' in the back of his Fiat.

In the aftermath of the crash, suspicion came to rest on two primary figures.

JEAN-PAUL ANDANSON

One was paparazzo Jean-Paul Andanson, who was part of the armada that followed Diana and Dodi. Andanson had a similar vehicle as the one described by the Dauzonnes. The vehicle was exchanged a month after Diana's death, but police tracked it down and examined it. That would have been the end of its part in this story if not for a twist that would only encourage conspiracy theorists: On May 4, 2000, Andanson was found dead in his burning BMW in woodland in the Aveyron, 240 miles from his home. He had still been alive when the fire began, which raised questions about how the fire had been started.

Friends and associates said he had been troubled and had spoken about committing suicide in such a manner. The examining magistrate concluded Andanson had taken his own life. The state prosecutor agreed.

But Mohamed Al Fayed, father of Dodi, was apparently convinced otherwise. Andanson, he alleged, had been in Paris when Diana and his son had died and was working for the security services. It was his Fiat that was in deliberate collision with the Mercedes and he had either been assassinated to stop him talking or had been so filled with remorse that he had killed himself.

But Andanson had a watertight alibi for the night of Dianas death: He had flown to Corisca for a photoshoot that night, corroborated by toll receipts, plane tickets, a hotel booking, and the subject of the photoshoot himself.

The French investigation had concluded that Andanson had nothing to do with Dianas crash. The Paget Inquiry agreed, having devoted considerable resources towards testing the evidence.

LE VAN THANH

Between October 1997 and October 1998, the French crash investigators identified and checked 4,668 white Fiat Unos of the right age which had been registered in the two departments whose numbers had been recalled by the Dauzonnes. Only one would become a focus of interest to both the French and British inquiries into Dianas death. This belonged to bodybuilder Le Van Thanh.

Van Thanh was called in for questioning. During several hours of interrogation he denied having been the driver of the Fiat which crashed with the Mercedes. He did however admit that he was working in Paris that night.

He said he had been on duty as a security guard dog handler at a car compound in the north of the city. He performed his duties in the company of Max, his large black and tan Rottweiler.

From white to red: Van Thanh, pictured with his dog Max in September 1999, resprayed his car

The car had been resprayed red on Saturday, August 30, he claimed. In other words, hours before Dianas crash. He changed the color because he thought it would get him better kind of security jobs, a member of the Paget team recalls. Red is a lucky color in Vietnamese culture.

After examining the Uno, experts working for the French authorities reported that there was no conclusive evidence that it had been involved in a collision like the one in the Alma tunnel. The hunt for the elusive Uno was ended by the investigating magistrate in October 1998, without result.

Then came a bombshell.

In 2006, Van Thanh's father gave an interview in which he alleged that his son had resprayed his Fiat hours AFTER the Diana crash. He claimed Van Thanh had called his mechanic brother in the middle of that night and asked for his urgent help in changing the color.

Van Thanh claimed the interview was the result of a family rift, but Stevens and his chief investigator Dave Douglas did not forget Van Thanh. He was unfinished business, says the peer.

THE CONSPIRACY: DIANA WAS PREGNANT WITH DODI FAYED'S CHILD

One of Al Fayeds most incendiary claims was that Diana was pregnant when she died. Although she was not visibly expecting, the Paget Inquiry endeavored to investigate this theory years after the crash. Lord Stevens and his investigators recalled the wreck of the Mercedes from France to have it examined by a forensics team.

The team found traces of Diana's blood positively identified by DNA from the carpet inside the Mercedes. A private forensic company carried out a further test, supervised by the head of forensic science and drug monitoring at Kings College, London. No sign of the pregnancy hormone HCG was found.

'The probability from the blood sample is that she was not pregnant, said Stevens. The samples were seven to eight years old and it was a long shot but we had to give it a go. Not conclusive but on a sliding scale, no, she was not pregnant. Taken together with other eyewitness accounts, and her use of contraceptives at the time, there is a degree of certainty.

The Mail can reveal that the world-renowned fertility expert Lord (Robert) Winston assisted the Paget team in reaching this conclusion.

THE CONSPIRACY: DIANA WAS ENGAGED TO DODI FAYED

The existence or otherwise of an engagement ring was one of the most intriguing aspects of the Paget inquiry. Jeweler Alberto Repossi sold Dodi Fayed this diamond friendship ring he gave Diana shortly before the car crash that killed them.

Al Fayed alleged that Diana was in a serious relationship with his son and they intended to marry. The Establishment was not prepared to accept a Muslim as Dianas husband, nor stepfather to a future king. As a result they had to be killed.

On the evening of his death, Dodi visited celebrity jeweler Alberto Repossi's store in the Place Vendome. The hotels deputy manager then also paid a visit and returned to the Ritz with two rings. One of them was from the Dis-moi Oui (French for Say Yes to Me) range. This was later found in Dodis apartment.

However, according to Diana's friends, none of them had been told of a potential engagement, and Diana was opposed to remarrying.

Stevens believes that the first time that Dodi saw the Dis-moi Oui ring was when the Ritz manager brought it to the hotel hours before the fatal crash. 'We believe that Dodi was probably going to ask Diana to marry him and she would have said no, Stevens told the Mail.

THE CONSPIRACY: DIANA'S DRIVER WAS A SPY

Henri Paul, the driver and acting head of security at the Ritz, went off duty at 7pm the night of the crash but was unexpectedly called back to the hotel three hours later to drive Diana and Dodi home. Witnesses insist he showed no signs of being drunk, but tests found him to be three times over the legal French drunk-driving limit.

Driver Henri Paul (right) with Diana and bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones.

Conspiracy theorists insist samples taken from Paul's body that night were swapped with those of an unnamed suicide victim to deceive the public about his fitness to drive that evening. But DNA tests carried out by Operation Paget proved beyond doubt samples tested by the French authorities were those of Henri Paul.

However, one curious detail remains unresolved: Several large cash deposits were made into Paul's bank accounts over the 18 months before his death that were 'inconsistent' with his salary, leaving him with funds of around 170,000 ($230,700). This would be a sum of around 316,400 ($435,000) today.

The Paget inquiry concluded that Henri may have been a 'low level' informant for the French secret service or police. It could not explain why such large sums of money had been paid into his account. However, the inquiry ruled out the theory that Henri was paid by MI6 to kill Dodi and Diana as he did not expect to be working that night and the couple's plans had changed last minute.

THE CONSPIRACY: DIANA WAS ILLEGALLY EMBALMED TO HIDE HER PREGNANCY

One of the more grim conspiracy theories from the days following Diana's death is that the People's Princess was embalmed to cover-up her pregnancy. Diana was indeed embalmed. It is claimed that this was done because her body was in a hot hospital room, and both British and hospital officials were concerned about the condition it would be in when Prince Charles and other members of the Royal Family arrived.

A French embalmer partially embalmed the body - he believed the British consul had given the go-ahead. As part of the embalming process, formaldehyde was injected - a process that made accurate tests for pregnancy impossible. It was not illegal to embalm her body in France given the circumstances.

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The Army have released an image of the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan as the Pentagon announced American forces had departed Kabul 24 hours ahead of schedule and the Taliban claimed 'victory' as they stormed the airport seconds after the withdrawal.

The XVIII Airborne Corps, whose forces go by the Sky Dragons, were among the last to step off Afghan soil as the total withdrawal of U.S. forces concluded Monday ahead of the August 31 deadline.

'In awe of our Sky Dragon Soldiers,' the XVIII Airborne Corps tweeted along with an nightvision image of Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, stepping foot onto the aircraft en route out of Kabul.

The 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions of the Army, among others, fall under the command of XVIII Airborne Corps.

'This was an incredibly tough, pressurized mission filled with multiple complexities, with active threats the entire time. Our troops displayed grit, discipline and empathy,' the corps wrote in its tweet.

It added: 'Below is a picture of the last Soldier to leave Afghanistan.'

Just seconds after the last flight took off at 11.59pm local time, the Taliban overran the airport, boarded stranded planes and footage emerged on social media of fighters examining Chinook helicopters left behind by U.S. troops, as up to 200 U.S. citizens remain in Afghanistan.

US forces have abandoned as much as 70 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, 27 Humvees and 73 aircraft in Afghanistan, although much of the equipment has been disabled.

'The last five aircraft have left, it's over,' Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul's international airport, told the Associated Press.

'I cannot express my happiness in words... Our 20 years of sacrifice worked.'

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters hours later on the runway of the airport: 'Congratulations to Afghanistan... this victory belongs to us all.

Mujahid said the Taliban's victory was a 'lesson for other invaders'.

The XVIII Airborne Corps released an image Monday of the last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan  Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division

Taliban fighters stand guard at the Hamid Karzai International Airport after US troops departed following a 20-year campaign in Afghanistan

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (centre) speaks to the media in the shadow of a plane which the terror group have seized

Taliban fighters sit in the cockpit of an Afghan Air Force aircraft at the airport in Kabul in the hours following the US departure

Afghan citizens who have been evacuated from Kabul disembark from a U.S Air Force transport plane as they arrive at Naval Station Rota Air Base in southern Spain

Afghan Air forces' military aircrafts and vehicles are pictured near a hangar at the airport in Kabul after the withdrawal of foreign troops

Taliban fighters are seen moments after storming the airport in Kabul. They are armed with American weapons and are wearing US uniforms

Taliban fighters storm into the Kabul International Airport, wielding American supplied weapons, equipment and uniforms

Taliban fighters pray after they overran the airport on Kabul. 'The last five aircraft have left, it's over,' Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul's international airport, said

Taliban fighters try to figure out how to open a locked gate after they took control of the airport after the US withdrew from Afghanistan

Taliban firefighters surround an aircraft after they overran the airport. The Taliban let off celebratory gunfire as news circulated that the final U.S. flight had left

Taliban fighters, some wearing face masks, are seen celebrating and raising their guns in the air at the airport

Taliban fighters stand guard in front of the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. withdrawal in Kabul today

After the US pulled out its last troops from Kabul, members of the Taliban seized equipment and boarded armoured vehicles at the airport

The Taliban fighters were seen wearing American uniforms and carrying US equipment and weapons as they stormed the airport

The final US troops left Kabul on a flight shortly before midnight local time on Monday, meeting President Biden's commitment to withdraw ahead of the deadline. The Taliban were on the tarmac shortly afterwards

Just minutes after the last US flight made its way out of Afghanistan airspace, videos and photos emerged of Taliban fighters walking into the airport and inspecting several military helicopters and planes left behind by the US

90 retired generals and admirals call for Austin and Milley to resign Dozens of retired generals and admirals are demanding that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley resign. 'The retired Flag Officers signing this letter are calling for the resignation and retirement of the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) based on negligence in performing their duties primarily involving events surrounding the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan,' 90 retired top-ranking military officials wrote in an open letter. They said as former military decision makers they would have not rushed the withdrawal and not abandoned the Bagram Air Base. They added Milley and Austin should have advised Biden against the withdrawal. 'As principal military advisors to the CINC (Commander in Chief)/President, the SECDEF and CJCS should have recommended against this dangerous withdrawal in the strongest possible terms,' they wrote. 'If they did not do everything within their authority to stop the hasty withdrawal, they should resign,' the letter demands. They said if Milley and Austin had advised against this, they should have resigned in protest if Biden ignored their concerns. Advertisement

The Pentagon announced an end to the U.S. war in Afghanistan on Monday afternoon after 20 years and the deaths of almost 2,500 troops. President Joe Biden will make remarks on the historic occasion on Tuesday afternoon.

The Taliban let off celebratory gunfire as news circulated that the final U.S. flight had left.

It means President Biden managed to meet his August 31 deadline and removes American personnel from danger.

But it comes at the cost of letting a militant group retake the country, after the deaths of 13 U.S. service members last week.

And some 100 to 200 Americans and thousands of Afghan allies left behind must fend for themselves now that the airport no longer offers an escape route.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken put the number of Americans left behind at under 200, 'likely closer to 100,' and said the State Department would keep working to get them out. He praised the military-led evacuation as heroic and historic and said the U.S. diplomatic presence would shift to Doha, Qatar.

Biden said military commanders unanimously favored ending the airlift, not extending it. He said he asked Blinken to coordinate with international partners in holding the Taliban to their promise of safe passage for Americans and others who want to leave in the days ahead.

The end of the mission was announced by General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, who said the chief U.S. diplomat in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, was on the last C-17 flight out.

'There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure,' he said.

'We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out.

'But I think if we'd stayed another 10 days, we wouldn't have gotten everybody out.'

The final C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 pm East Coast time - 11:59pm local time.

'And the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan,' he added.

The departure of American troops means the conflict ends with the Taliban back in power and Afghans deeply uncertain of what the future holds.

In a statement, Biden said the world would be watching how the Taliban behaved.

McKenzie said 73 aircraft were 'demilitarised,' or rendered useless, before American troops wrapped up the two-week evacuation.

He said the Pentagon, which built up a force of nearly 6,000 troops to occupy and operate Kabul's airport when the airlift began on August 14, left behind around 70 MRAP armoured tactical vehicles - which can cost up to $1 million a piece - that it disabled before leaving, and 27 Humvees.

Before the last US troops left, they disabled scores of aircraft and armoured vehicles - as well as a high-tech rocket defence system - at the airport, a US general said.

Cockpit windows had been shattered, instrument panels smashed, and aircraft tyres shot out.

The US also left behind but disabled the C-RAM system - counter rocket, artillery, and mortar - that was used to protect the airport from rocket attacks.

The system helped fend off a five-rocket barrage from the jihadist Islamic State group on Monday.

Surveying the damage, Mujahid admitted it would take time to get the airport back up and running again.

Behind him, a truck carrying Taliban fighters raced at high speed along the runway. Suddenly it swerved and rolled three or four times, spilling bodies onto the runway.

Mujahid gave it no more than a second glance, saying: 'We have a lot of work to do.'

'The last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan,' said Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of U.S. Central Command, while Pentagon spokesman John Kirby looked on

Fireworks, gunfire and explosions erupted in Kabul's night sky as the Taliban celebrated victory over the U.S. and declared 'full independence' after the final flight left the city's airport carrying troops and diplomats just after midnight

Taliban gunmen lit up the night sky over Kabul with tracer fire after the final U.S. military transport plane left the airport

The last plane left soon after midnight on Tuesday morning to beat President Biden's August 31 deadline for the withdrawal

The 'biggest airlift in history' that left at least 100cAmericans and thousands of Afghan allies stranded in Kabul Head of US Central Command General Kenneth Frank McKenzie admitted the US military 'did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out' when he announced the final US troops had left Afghanistan on Monday. He also defended the the decision to withdraw early by saying: 'But I think if we'd stayed another 10 days, we wouldn't have gotten everybody out that we wanted to get out and there still would've been people who would've been disappointed with that. It's a tough situation.' Since July the US has evacuated 122,000 people out of Kabul including 5,400 Americans. The State Department said on Monday there were at least 250 US citizens who wanted to get out who were still stranded. Later on Monday, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the number was between 200 and 100, but still couldn't put an exact number on it. He also admitted that Afghan SIV applicants who fought alongside US troops were left behind, but again didn't give a number, and it could be in the thousands. As of August 26, just 5,000 SIV applicants had been flown out compared to the 88,000 who are desperately trying to flee the Taliban. In the last 18 days, 7,500 people have been flown out on flights each day, with evacuations halted for two of those days because of threats on the airport and the Kabul suicide attack. The highest number of evacuations was 19,000 in a day - but the numbers have dwindled in the final days of the US military operation. The White House and The State Department have been vague on how many SIV applicants or vulnerable Afghans are still trying to leave, but have promised to 'help', even though the military has gone. Advertisement

'The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments,' he said, adding that negotiations continued to keep the airport open and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.

He added that he would address the nation on Tuesday and that his military chiefs had agreed the evacuation should not be extended beyond the deadline.

'Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops, and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead,' he said.

Republicans were quick to accuse Biden of abandoning Americans in the city, less than two weeks after he promised to get them all out.

At the same time, the nature of the departure provoked a wave of anger from veterans of the war, many of whom were involved in frantic efforts to rescue Afghan comrades, who were waiting for their Special Immigrant Visas (SIV).

'Nothing feels good or right about this ignominious retreat leaving American citizens, SIVers and families, and others - including military working dogs - behind,' Ronald J Moeller, a retired CIA paramilitary operations officer who deployed to Afghanistan 12 times, told DailyMail.com.

'Zero integrity from anyone in DC or Tampa.

'Complete capitulation to a faulty narrative based on false assumptions and lots of wishful thinking.'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there were 100 to 200 Americans remaining.

'The military mission is over. A new diplomatic mission has begun,' he said as he promised a 'relentless' effort to rescue the remaining Americans, foreign nationals and Afghan allies.

That effort would be led by diplomats from the shuttered American embassy who will now be based in Doha, Qatar.

The dangers of the evacuation mission were apparent in a final week when the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on the airport on behalf of its Afghan affiliate ISIS-K and terrorism experts said Al Qaeda retained a presence in the country.

The Taliban quickly declared victory after the last U.S. plane departed.

'American soldiers left the airport, and our nation got its full independence,' said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

#Taliban fighters enter into what had minutes before been the #US controlled portion of #Kabul Airport after withdrawal and end of #airlift. Washington ends its 20-year war in #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/4c4OBc8bBb  Nabih (@nabihbulos) August 30, 2021

Two-star general Christopher Donahue is revealed as the final American soldier to board a plane out of Kabul Airport Donahue is currently the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina The final U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan has been named as Major General Christopher Donahue, who was pictured striding onto the last plane out of Kabul on Monday. Donahue, commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, left the country on an Air Force transport plane which carried a remaining contingent of troops from Kabul airport. Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said the last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29pm Washington time on Monday, or one minute before midnight in Kabul. After the final flight, Donahue received a phone call from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who had watched the final 90 minutes of the military evacuation from a basement operations center in the Pentagon, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. Donahue, 52, has three decades of experience, serving in South Korea and Panama before leading troops in the Middle East and North Africa. A two-star general, he has deployed 17 times in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Eastern Europe. He spent a large amount of his career with the special forces. Having graduated from West Point in 1992, he returned to academia with a stint at Harvard as a US Army War College Fellow. He later moved to Washington, D.C., where he served as special assistant to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff at the Pentagon. He took over as commander of Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division, in North Carolina, in July 2020 and told The Fayetteville Observer that he relished the high tempo of the job. The division is able to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours of notification, in its role as the nation's Immediate Response Force. 'It is absolutely the most enjoyable, rewarding and best job I've ever had, hands down,' he said. 'I've had some pretty cool jobs, but I tell you this is the coolest job ever.' Before coming to the 82nd, Donahue served as commander of Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan. He was deployed in mid August - before the fall of Kabul - alongside 3,500 to 4,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait, where they were put on standby to provide security at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul if needed. Advertisement

A C-17 Globemaster takes off as Taliban fighters secure the outer perimeter, alongside the American controlled side of of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday. A day later the U.S. said the last flight had left

The final flight out followed a difficult and dangerous period, as U.S. officials monitored multiple threats. On Monday morning five rockets were fired at Kabul airport from a car that caught fire afterwards

A girl stands next to a damaged car after multiple rockets were fired in Kabul on Monday

The rockets targeted the airport on Monday morning s the final US flights took off from Kabul. Other Western nations had already left the region and the final U.S. flight left soon after midnight on Tuesday morning local time

9/11, the first CIA missions, the SEAL raid that killed Bin Laden and the Kabul suicide attack that killed 13 Marines: How America's longest war unfolded The U.S. completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan late Monday, ending Americas longest war and closing a chapter in military history likely to be remembered for colossal failures, unfulfilled promises and a frantic final exit that cost the lives of more than 180 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members, some barely older than the war. September 11, 2001 The U.S. war in Afghanistan is triggered by the attacks that killed 2,977 people. The plot to fly two planes into each tower of the World Trade Center was concocted in Afghanistan by the Al Qaeda terrorist group, led by Osama bin Laden, who was in Afghanistan under Taliban protection. October 7, 2001 U.S. forces launch air strikes on Taliban and Al Qaeda forces. Small numbers of special forces and CIA agents soon slip into Afghanistan to help direct the bombing campaign and organize Afghan opposition forces. November 13, 2001 U.S.-backed Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul as the Taliban withdraw. Within a month, Taliban leaders have fled from southern Afghanistan into Pakistan. December 2001 U.S. forces bomb the Tora Bora cave complex in eastern Afghanistan where Bin Laden is reported to be hiding, but he disappears. May 2, 2003 U.S. officials declare an end to major combat operations in Afghanistan. Under President George W. Bush, the U.S. focus turns to preparing for the invasion of Iraq. That allows the Taliban to regroup. 2006-2008 With U.S. forces mainly fighting a surge campaign in Iraq, only a much smaller contingent is deployed in Afghanistan. The Taliban threaten to recapture swaths of territory, especially in the south. An enlarged NATO mission brings thousands more troops, notably British forces, hundreds of whom are killed in intense battles against the Taliban in Helmand province. February 17, 2009 As Washington draws down in Iraq, newly inaugurated President Barack Obama decides to ramp up the force in Afghanistan. In his first major military decision as commander in chief, he orders in 17,000 more combat troops to reinforce 38,000 U.S. troops and 32,000 from some 40 NATO allies already on the ground. An even larger surge follows, taking troop numbers above 100,000 May 1, 2011 Bin Laden is killed in a raid by U.S. forces in Pakistan. A team of Navy SEALS raided the compound where he had been hiding in the middle of the night and he was shot dead. It ended an intense manhunt for the architect of the worst domestic terrorist attack on U.S. soil. May 27, 2014 Following the surge campaign of Obama's first term, Washington rapidly draws down its forces and switches its emphasis to training and supporting the Afghan military. Obama outlines a plan to withdraw all but 9,800 American troops by the end of the year and pull out the rest by the end of 2016. December 28, 2014 The U.S. combat mission is officially concluded after the withdrawal of most combat troops and a transition to an 'Afghan-led' war. August 21, 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump announces his strategy, calling for a small, open-ended deployment of U.S. forces providing support to Afghans, with the goal of forcing the Taliban to negotiate peace. February 29, 2020 Washington signs an agreement with the Taliban in Doha to withdraw all U.S. troops. The Taliban agree to halt attacks on U.S. forces, not to let their territory be used for terrorism and to hold talks with the Afghan government. April 14, 2021 Biden announces U.S. forces will withdraw by Sept. 11, implementing the agreement reached with the Taliban by his predecessor, Trump. July 2, 2021 U.S. troops abruptly pull out of their main base at Bagram airfield 40 miles north of Kabul. August 15, 2021 After a stunning week-long advance capturing cities across the country, the Taliban seize Kabul without a fight. President Ashraf Ghani flees the country. The United States and Western allies launch an urgent airlift from Kabul airport to bring out their own citizens and tens of thousands of Afghans who aided them. August 26, 2021 Islamic State offshoot ISIS-K launches a suicide bomb attack on the crowded gates of Kabul airport, killing scores of civilians and 13 U.S. troops, the deadliest incident for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in more than a decade. In the days that followed, the U.S. conducted drone strikes on ISIS-K assets in Kabul. ISIS-K also fired five rockets towards Kabul airport as U.S. and western forces tried to get the last American citizens and Afghan allies to safety. August 30, 2021 U.S. General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, announces completion of the U.S. troop withdrawal. The Taliban celebrated with gunfire in the streets as Western forces finally left after 20 years. There were still at least 250 American citizens stranded on the ground and thousands of Afghan allies left to face the Taliban. Advertisement

The last days of the withdrawal were the most difficult and dangerous.

Troops had to get the remaining evacuees on to planes even as their own numbers and supplies were being flown out.

Officials repeatedly warned of the risk of further suicide attacks or rocket assaults.

It was not supposed to be like this. Plans for an orderly departure evaporated as the Taliban advanced rapidly across the country as they capitalized on an Afghan army that fell apart when it knew its strongest army was leaving.

McKenzie shrugged off questions about his feelings at leaving the country in the grip of religious hardliners that American had gone to war to vanquish.

'No words from me could possibly capture the full measure of sacrifices and accomplishments of those who serve, nor the emotions they're feeling at this moment, but I will say that I'm proud that both my son and I have been a part of it,' he said.

He said the final plane carrying American civilians left about 12 hours before the final flight.

That could leave as many as 250 stranded in the country as negotiations continue about setting up a mechanism to allow them to leave.

'I believe we're going to be able to get those people out,' said McKenzie.

'I think we're going to negotiate very hard, very aggressively to get our other Afghan partners out.'

Turkey has offered to run the airport but wants to deploy its own troops for security - a possible sticking point with the Taliban.

The withdrawal was dominated by a hurriedly thrown together evacuation effort.

A coalition of countries worked around the clock to rescue their citizens and Afghans who worked for their militaries.

More than 122,000 people have been flown out of Kabul since Aug. 14, the day before the regained control of the country.

It leaves those left behind in a perilous state.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said in a notice that Hamid Karzai International Airport was without air traffic control service after the U.S. exit.

The Pentagon remained tight-lipped about its final operations on Monday and refused to discuss when its last troops would leave.

Earlier in the day, spokesman John Kirby told reporters 'there is still time' for Americans to join the massive airlift that has allowed more than 116,000 people to leave since the Taliban swept back into power two weeks ago.

All day Monday, U.S. military transport jets came and went despite a rocket attack early in the morning.

The crisis has been the biggest test of Biden's presidency.

He has faced repeated questions about whether his decision triggered the collapse of the government in Kabul and the rapid return to power of the Taliban.

International allies have said they blindsided by the rush to the exit, and Democrats and Republicans have delivered a withering stream of criticism.

On Sunday, he came to face to face with the consequences of his decision to bring home U.S. troops home.

He met families of 13 service members killed in a suicide attack outside Kabul airport, as they protected the evacuation, and then watched in solemn silence as their remains were carried from a C-17 transport plane at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

But the war is not over with America's departure. The return of the Taliban brings with it the spectre of safe havens for U.S. enemies.

And he Biden administration faces a dilemma about its commitment to launch 'over the horizon' strikes on terrorist threats.

It had expected to be able to rely on the support of the Afghan government to provide cover for air strikes on groups plotting attacks on U.S. interests.

With the Taliban in power, Biden may need fresh rules of engagement to justify attacks on Afghan soil when it is no longer an American battlefield.

The emergence of ISIS-K as a potent threat may cause the biggest headache.

It posed the biggest threat to the withdrawal after carrying out a suicide bomb attack at the airport late last week that claimed more than 170 lives.

Biden had warned more attacks were highly likely and the United States said it carried out an air strike on Sunday night in Kabul on an explosives-laden vehicle.

American officials said that a U.S. drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying 'multiple suicide bombers.' An Afghan official said three children were killed in the strike.

The other pressing need is to find a mechanism that will ensure people are able to leave Afghanistan.

Earlier in the day a divided U.N. Security Council pressed the Taliban to stick to its public promises that foreigners and Afghans would be free to leave.

Sponsored by the U.S., Britain and France, the measure also calls for letting humanitarian aid flow, upholding human rights and combating terrorism.

'The eyes of all Afghans are watching this council, and they expect clear support from the international community. And this lack of unity is a disappointment for us and for them,' French Deputy Ambassador Nathalie Broadhurst said after the vote, in which Russia and China abstained.

Afterwards, the British permanent representative said the U.N. could consider using sanctions to hold the Taliban to their word.

'The first is that we know that the Taliban want to see the lifting of some of the sanctions on Afghanistan, and that will be an important consideration,' Ambassador Barbara Wooding told reporters.

'The flip side of that is, of course, the Security Council could consider further sanctions on Afghanistan.'

A day earlier French President Emmanuel Macron said several nations were working on a proposal aimed at establishing a safe zone in Kabul to allow safe passage for people trying to flee.

President Joe Biden attended on Sunday the dignified transfer of the remains of service members killed in the Kabul airport attack last week

'I can't believe no one told me this was the last flight': American citizen who worked as interpreter for US military says she's now STRANDED in Afghanistan after forces complete Kabul withdrawal 24 hours early An American citizen who worked as an interpreter for the US military during the war in Afghanistan says she is now stranded in the country after the last military plane departed Kabul airport on Monday. The woman spoke to CNN's Chris Cuomo under the pseudonym 'Sara' to protect her identity. She told how she was sheltering 37 women and children in her home as she tried to organize them safe passage out of the country. But she was unaware that the last US plane was leaving, after US forces completed their withdrawal almost 24 hours ahead of their August 31st deadline. 'I just found out that they left, and I was just silent for a while,' the woman, who goes by the pseudonym 'Sara,' told CNN on Monday. 'I just can't believe no one told me this was the last flight'. The Pentagon announced on Monday afternoon that the last American troops had left Kabul airport almost 24 hours ahead of schedule, ending the U.S. war in Afghanistan after 20 years and the deaths of almost 2500 troops. CNN's Chris Cuomo on Monday interviewed 'Sara,' an American national who was left stranded in Afghanistan after the US military removed the last remaining troops from the country just hours before Witnesses in Kabul said the Taliban let off celebratory gunfire as news circulated that the final U.S. flight had left. It means President Biden managed to meet his August 31 deadline and removes American personnel from danger. But it comes at the cost of letting a militant group retake the country, after the deaths of 13 US service members last week. Sara said that she has tried to help Afghans who had helped American forces during the 20-year war flee after the Taliban took control of Kabul. She says there are nearly two dozen children in her home in Afghanistan, some of whom are disabled. The children have begged her to help get them out of the country. Sara added: 'And I just went, walked around the rooms, and I saw the young kids are sleeping and they have no clue what happened this morning, that the last flight is gone and we're left behind.' Since she worked as an interpreter with the US military, she and anyone who comes into contact with her are in danger from the Taliban, she said. 'We are in danger, and we need to be saved,' the woman told CNN. 'It's heartbreaking.' 'I just don't even know what to say to you. Whoever was trying to help me and support me, even they did not tell me that...this was the last flight. 'So I still had hope that we would leave. If not all of them, at least some kids and some mothers who had disabled kids. 'I had hope for them.' Sara told CNN that before the American forces departed for good, she went to the Kabul airport and tried to get the attention of US military personnel. She said she screamed in their direction that she was an American national but that the soldiers didn't hear her. The crowd at the gate was then dispersed using tear gas, though it is unclear who fired the irritant. Sara said she had all of the necessary permits and documents for her and special immigrant visa applicants, but instead the military airlifted Afghans who did not have paperwork that entitled them to leave the country. Advertisement
The United Nations have told the Taliban they must grant safe passage for those fleeing Afghanistan as the final US troops leave the country.

The new Taliban regime in Afghanistan is facing international pressure to respect human rights following the passage of a UN Security Council resolution.

The council adopted a resolution in New York  with Russia and China abstaining rather than wielding their vetoes  in what the UK hopes is a step towards a unified international response.

Ahead of the US deadline for the withdrawal of its forces on Tuesday and the end of the airborne evacuation, the resolution called on the Taliban to give safe passage to people who wish to leave Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UN Security Council resolution 'makes clear that the international community stands with Afghans'.

He added: 'There can be no return to repression or terror. We will push as one voice for safe passage, humanitarian access & respect for human rights.'

The United Nations Security Council (pictured in New York) have told the Taliban they must grant safe passage for those fleeing Afghanistan as the final US troops leave the country

Pictured: The UK's ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward

The UK's ambassador to the UN, Dame Barbara Woodward, said: 'We have been clear that the Taliban must adhere to their own stated commitments to ensure safe passage beyond August 31.'

The Security Council also made clear that Afghanistan must never again become a 'safe haven' for international terrorists, Dame Barbara said, as she stressed 'a co-ordinated approach will be vital to counter any extremist threat emanating from Afghanistan'.

The humanitarian situation also needs to be urgently addressed  with complete access for UN agencies and aid organisations  and the progress made on human rights in the 20 years since the US-led coalition became involved in Afghanistan must also be protected, she said.

'Today's resolution is an important step towards a unified international response to the situation in Afghanistan,' Dame Barbara said.

'We will continue to build on this to ensure the council holds the Taliban accountable on its commitments.

'The Taliban will be judged by the international community on the basis of their actions on the ground, not their words.'

Taliban fighters celebrate with flags as they prepare for the last US flight to leave Kabul

Although Russia and China did not back the resolution, their decisions not to block it will be a relief in the West.

The UK hopes Russia and China could wield some influence over the new Afghan government on issues including countering terrorism and the trade in narcotics, preventing a refugee crisis and further economic collapse.

Dame Barbara said there was a shared goal that Afghanistan should not be 'in a position to disrupt its neighbours'.

'There is a lot of shared ground for us to work from although, in this case, Russia and China abstained rather than voted for the resolution.'

Earlier, on a day of intense diplomatic activity, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab set out his hopes for international alliances to be formed to exert a 'moderating influence' on the Taliban.

Mr Raab's intervention came at a US-convened meeting for the G7 group of industrialised democracies: the UK, US, Canada, Japan, Germany, France and Italy, along with representatives from the EU, Turkey, Qatar and the Nato alliance.

This incredible picture shows a @RoyalAirForce C-17 Globemaster leaving Kabul last week carrying 436 people  the single biggest capacity flight in RAF history. pic.twitter.com/1wNWDEIisX  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) August 29, 2021

The focus on ensuring safe passage for eligible Afghans comes with uncertainty about how many might seek to reach the UK and how they can hope to make the journey following the end of the airlift.

Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly said it was impossible to estimate how many people eligible to come to the UK had been left behind after evacuation flights finished.

About 15,000 people had been evacuated from Afghanistan in a 'herculean' effort, Mr Cleverly said, but Labour has claimed about 5,000 may have been left behind.

Mr Cleverly acknowledged some emails about desperate Afghans seeking to leave may not have been read in the Foreign Office as priority in the evacuation effort was given to people who could be processed and reached Kabul airport before the airlift ended.

The 'vast, vast bulk' of British nationals had left Afghanistan, he told Sky News, but there were also eligible people under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) scheme  for people who helped UK forces  and others who could be under threat from the Taliban.

Asked if he had unread emails about Afghans seeking to leave the country in his inbox, Mr Cleverly told the BBC: 'I suspect everybody has.'

Foreign Office Minister James Cleverly (pictured) said it was impossible to estimate how many people eligible to come to the UK had been left behind after evacuation flights finished

Pictured: UK military personnel arrive home from Afghanistan

The Government had received a 'huge number of emails directly from Afghanistan and from third parties' after announcing it would help Afghans at risk of reprisals from the Taliban.

'We have been and will continue to work through the significant number of emails that we have received to try to get as many other people out of Afghanistan as possible.'

Shadow foreign office minister Stephen Kinnock accused the Government of an 'unforgivable' failure to evacuate thousands of eligible Afghans.

In a reference to the Foreign Secretary's Crete holiday, Mr Kinnock told the BBC that 'whilst Dominic Raab was on the sun lounger he should have been speaking with his counterparts in Pakistan and the other neighbouring countries' about securing overland routes out of Afghanistan.

With the deadline for the final withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan on Tuesday, violence continued in Kabul.

Rocket fire, apparently targeting Kabul's international airport, struck a nearby neighbourhood on Monday but US military C-17 transport planes continued the withdrawal effort as 20 years of Western military presence drew to a close.

The affiliate of the so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan, Isis-K, claimed responsibility, saying it fired at least six rockets at the airport.

The US military said five rockets were fired at the airport on Monday morning but were intercepted.

On Sunday, a US drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying IS suicide bombers before they could attack the military evacuation at Kabul's airport, American officials said. Reports suggested at least 10 civilians, including children, were among the dead.
This is the shocking moment an Afghan TV news presenter reads out the headlines while surrounded by armed Taliban thugs.

The clip was shared online by the TV studio after the militants stormed the building and demanded the news anchor praise the Taliban.

BBC's Yalda Hakim tweeted a video clip of the news report on Sunday afternoon and wrote: 'Afghanistan TV - surreal.

'This is what a political debate now looks like on Afghan TV, Taliban foot soldiers watching over the host.

This is the shocking moment an Afghan TV news presenter reads out the headlines while surrounded by armed Taliban thugs after they reportedly stormed a studio in Kabul on Sunday

'The presenter talks about the collapse of the Ghani govt & says the Islamic Emirate says the Afghan people should not to be afraid #Afghanistan.'

In the 42-second clip, which has since been viewed more than 1million times, the news anchor is surrounded by eight armed men who appear to be guarding him as he reads.

It has been reported they stormed the building on Sunday and demanded the presenter speak with them.

According to WIO News, the news anchor carried out a debate with the militants while on air.

The news outlet reports that the presenter spoke about the collapse of the Government in Afghanistan and urged the Afghan people not to be afraid.

During the show, called Pardaz, the anchor also reportedly told people to co-operate with the group.

The news anchor is surrounded by 8 armed men who appear to be guarding him as he reads

Reports suggest the presenter urges people to not be afraid of the group and to co-operate before he reportedly interviewed members of the armed group (pictured) while on air

The video was filmed as US armed forces said they had carried out a successful drone strike mission which prevented a second terrorist attack at Kabul airport.

Sharing footage from inside the newsroom, Zaki Daryabi - the Publisher of Etilaatroz and KabulNow - took to Twitter to say: 'This is what @Etilaatroz can't accept.

'If so, we will stop our work.'

Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad retweeted the video and wrote: 'This is surreal.

'Taliban militants are posing behind this visibly petrified TV host with guns and making him to say that people of #Afghanistan shouldn't be scared of the Islamic Emirate.

'Taliban itself is synonymous with fear in the minds of millions. This is just another proof.'

Hours before the clip was shared, US President Joe Biden had warned an attack in Kabul could be imminent before the drone strike which destroyed explosives the US said were for use in a second attack.

Last week, an ISIS-K suicide bomber detonated a device outside the airport, leaving 13 American troops and at least 170 dead.
A video shared online appears to show Taliban forces flying a $6million US Black Hawk helicopter over Kandahar to patrol the city.

The footage was shared on Twitter by an account called Talib Times which claims to be the official news source for the Islamic Emirate Afghanistan.

The unverified footage shows a man hanging from a helicopter as it flies over Kandahar ahead of the US's exit from Afghanistan.

It is feared the Taliban could have access to up to 200,000 firearms, 20,000 Humvees and hundreds of aircraft the US donated to the Afghan army.

A video shared online by an account claiming to be official Taliban source appears to show Taliban forces flying a $6million US Black Hawk helicopter over Kandahar to patrol the city

It comes days after footage emerged of the Taliban testing a captured Black Hawk helicopter by taxi-ing it around an airfield.

The group also released propaganda footage of body armour-clad 'special forces' with night vision goggles.

In the latest post, the caption reads: 'Our Air Force! At this time, the Islamic Emirate's air force helicopters are flying over Kandahar city and patrolling the city.'

A second clip shared an hour later shows a Black Hawk helicopter circling overhead with the caption 'First flight of the Black Hawk'.

Earlier this month, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan admitted the US doesn't have a 'clear picture' of just how much missing $83 billion of military inventory could now be in the hands of the enemy.

But multiple outlets have estimated the figure includes 22,000 Humvees given to Afghan forces between 2003 and 2016.

Taliban fighters have since been pictured riding atop the vehicles in Kabul.

Equipment given by US to the Afghan Army now likely to be in hands of the Taliban also includes 50,000 tactical vehicles, 1,000 mine resistant vehicles and 150 armoured personnel carriers.

Seven Black Hawk helicopters arrived in Afghanistan as late as last month

The Taliban released propaganda footage of 'special forces' soldiers with night vision goggles

Aircraft likely left for the Taliban to use includes over 160 planes and helicopters, including four C-130 transport aircraft, 23 A-29 Super Tucano turboprop attack aircraft, 45 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 50 MD530 choppers.

It was initially unclear if anyone in the Taliban's ranks was qualified to fly the aircraft after a video emerged of soldiers taking a flightless joyride in the Black Hawk emerged.

The US also donated at least 200,000 firearms to the Afghan army, including M24 sniper rifles, M18 assault weapons, anti-tank missiles, automatic grenade launchers, mortars and rocket propelled grenades.

Between 2003 and 2016, the US bought the Afghan security forces 42,000 'light tactical vehicles' - such as Ford Ranger pickups and cargo trucks - 9,000 'medium tactical vehicles,' and over 22,000 Humvees.

The hundreds of thousands of weapons, vehicles, aircraft and uniforms left behind for the Taliban

Afghan military officials are believed to have left the country in around 40 different US-supplied aircraft in the days leading up to its fall to the Taliban.

The Afghan Army also got 18 'intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance' airplanes such as the PC-12, a cargo aircraft made by Swiss company Pilatus.

The group appears to have helped themselves to the state-of-the-art MBITR-2 (Multi-band Intrateam Radios) favoured by US Green Berets but denied to most conventional UK personnel. They were issued to Afghan government forces.

The militant group's metamorphosis from rag-tag guerrilla force to highly professional, impressively equipped army has been at the expense of Western taxpayers.

The UK and the US have picked up the tab not only for the eye-wateringly expensive hardware, but also the training budget  as the Taliban's ranks have been swollen by defectors from the Afghan National Security Forces.

US Republican Congressman Jim Banks, who collated the information, revealed that the Taliban now has 'more Black Hawk helicopters than 85 per cent of the countries in the world'.

Taliban militants pose with weapons at a location south of Kabul

Alarmingly the group has also obtained biometric collection and identification devices which could help them identify Afghans who worked for coalition forces, many of whom remain trapped in the country and could be held hostage by the Taliban.

Mr Banks, who served in Afghanistan as an officer in charge of supplying weapons, said: 'Due to the negligence of this administration, the Taliban now has access to $85billion (62billion) worth of military equipment.

'Unbelievably, and unfathomable to me and so many others, the Taliban now has access to biometric devices. This administration still has no plan to get this military equipment or supplies back.'

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan admitted he did not have a 'complete picture' of how much of the missing military inventory could now be in the hands of the enemy.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has conceded that some British military equipment may be left behind after troops fly home. But he insisted none of it would be 'lethal' or 'sensitive'.

This equipment, such as a small number of vehicles, would have been flown back to Britain were it not for the need to prioritise the evacuation of thousands of vulnerable Afghans and UK citizens.
A tourist has been fined $2,500 for leaving hotel quarantine only two days into her stay and going sightseeing around a regional town.

Shannai Reid, 22, left the Roebuck Hotel in Broome in Western Australia's north-west on August 19 after her first negative Covid-19 test result.

The Queenslander figured she could just get her second required test at her next holiday stop in Darwin, then take her third at home in the Daintree.

Broome Magistrates Court heard she was active in the community for several days before she was arrested at the town's airport on August 24.

Shannai Reid, 22, has been fined $2,500 for leaving hotel quarantine only two days into her stay - thinking she was in her rights to go out into the community after only one negative Covid-19 test result

She visited the popular Broome lookout spot Gantheaume Point, but thought her actions were justified as she had no symptoms.

Reid screamed and yelled at officers during her arrest and refused to co-operate, and so was thrown in jail until her court date.

Unrepentant, she believed she was within her rights to skip quarantine, continue her holiday, and do the other tests elsewhere, the court heard.

'I don't think I put anyone in danger... I want to be home with my community and my family,' she said, according to ABC Kimberley.

Reid, who represented herself in court, said she was doing what she 'thought was right' as she pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a Covid-19 direction.

Reid visited the popular Broome lookout spot Gantheaume Point while active in the community, thinking she had done nothing wrong as she was not showing symptoms

Reid screamed at officers during her arrest at Broome Airport and refused to co-operate, a court heard

Magistrate Stephen Sharratt said he accepted Reid made a mistake, but it wasn't a reasonable one and was unacceptable.

'I accept that she didn't just jump the fence and say "I've had enough of this". She thought she was OK medically, she thought she was OK legally,' he said.

The police prosecutor said Reid showed 'complete disregard' for Covid-19 restrictions and was fortunate her later tests also came up negative.

The prosecution asked to keep her in jail until she paid the fine, but Magistrate Sharratt fined her $2,500 and released her from behind bars.

'I'll just fine her and let her go,' he said.
Escaping Afghanistan by land is all but impossible because borders are closed, foreign embassies have been abandoned and the Taliban have put up hundreds of checkpoints, former interpreters warned yesterday.

The limited options were laid bare in a briefing document circulated among British military officers as the final RAF evacuation flights left Kabul at the weekend.

It examines all the rescue options through Afghanistans neighbours  but spells out that few are currently realistic or viable.

The shocking assessment came as a former bodyguard to the British ambassador pledged to lead 400 refugees on a dramatic escape mission

The most obvious route is through Pakistan but the document warns that this is looking very problematic.

Examining Pakistans key routes, the document says that the popular Torkham crossing is now impassable and blocked by Taliban.

Referring to the crossing from the town of Spin Boldak, the note says there are huge numbers of people at the border.

It continues: Only trucks are being allowed to cross at the moment and people with an existing Afghan refugee card for Pakistan. It adds that Tajikistan is looking the most humanitarian and is preparing for 100,000 arrivals. But the note continues: Certain countries are just closed.

Uzbekistan is said to be closed to those without a visa, with the note adding: Even Afghans who live [there] are not being allowed back in. Turkmenistan is shut to Afghan nationals trying to cross, according to the document. And Iran has closed its borders in all three provinces neighbouring Afghanistan to stop Afghans crossing.

There is no reference to the border with China, which is not expected to allow Afghans in even though Beijing has fostered a relationship with the Taliban.

Planes are seen on the tarmac at the airport in Kabul late on August 30, 2021, hours ahead of a US deadline to complete its frenzied withdrawal from Afghanistan

Details of several British embassies in the neighbouring countries are given but the note warns that the one in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, is currently closed.

The shocking assessment came as a former bodyguard to the British ambassador pledged to lead 400 refugees on a dramatic escape mission.

Ben Slater, 37, who helped dozens of people get on freedom flights last week, was left stranded in Kabul apparently due to bureaucratic issues with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

But Mr Slater, who ran a humanitarian group in Afghanistan, is now working with the FCDO to lead vulnerable Afghans to a neighbouring country from where he and they can fly to Britain.

He said last night: It is going to be a long trip, I am hoping the FCDO will have sorted out our visas so our vulnerable staff can reach their destination.
The last US evacuation flight has left Kabul, marking a bitter end to US' longest war, and Republicans are hitting President Biden for pulling out one day ahead of his self-prescribed deadline.

Many decried the hundreds of Americans left behind, and some renewed calls for the president to step down.

'The Afghanistan war is not over. Joe Biden decided to quit and leave our citizens and allies behind,' Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., wrote on Twitter after Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, head of US Central Command, broke the news.

Witnesses in Kabul said the Taliban let off celebratory gunfire as news circulated that the final U.S. flight had left.

President Biden managed to meet his August 31 deadline and American personnel are now free from danger, but 38 million Afghans are at the mercy of the Taliban and over 170 are dead from last week's suicide bombing, including 13 American troops.

On Sunday, President Biden traveled to Dover, Delaware to watch the remains of the troops that were killed in the attack arrive back home.

13 US troops were killed in a suicide bombing last week outside Kabul airport as the US tried to complete its withdrawal

'How many Americans were left behind?' House Republicans wrote on Twitter.

'Shameful. The President better move heaven and earth to get every last American home safely,' Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., wrote on Twitter.

McKenzie said that less than 250 Americans were left behind, adding that some of those tried but could not make it for the final departing evacuation flights.

Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., hit Biden for pulling out 'before the deadline' and called for the president to be impeached.

'President Biden withdrew from #Afghanistan BEFORE THE DEADLINE  abandoning American citizens still on the ground desperately needing evacuation! IF BIDEN REFUSES TO RESIGN, HE MUST BE IMPEACHED! This is an absolute disgrace!'

'@POTUS left Americans and our Afghan allies behind. Completely unforgivable. He must resign,' said Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla.

Planes are seen on the tarmac at the airport in Kabul late on August 30 hours ahead of a US deadline to complete its frenzied withdrawal

One of the final U.S military aircraft takes off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday

Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., called for the president to resign over a Washington Post report claiming the Taliban had offered to let US forces secure Kabul as the Afghanistan government collapsed, but Biden was determined to withdraw all troops.

'This is unbelievable! President Bidens actions are a shameful failure of American leadership. I am calling for the resignation of President Biden. We cannot tolerate this any longer,' she said.

'The United States just completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan with many Americans still stuck behind enemy lines desperate to get out, and $85 billion in US weapons and equipment now in Taliban hands,' said Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y. 'This is a historic disgrace of epic proportions ordered by President Biden.'

'How many Americans are now officially abandoned in Afghanistan because of Joe Biden's incompetence?' Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., wrote on Twitter.

'Biden knew his Afghanistan withdrawal would needlessly put American lives in danger. Now, we've tragically lost 13 American heroes,' Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said as he demanded a Congressional investigation into Biden's handling of Afghanistan.

'Absolutely shameful,' said Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C. 'President Biden has officially left hundreds of U.S. citizens stranded in Afghanistan.'

'America's longest war has ended. This should be a good day. Instead, because of Biden's failed withdrawal, the Taliban is stronger than ever and 13 families won't see their loved ones come home,' said Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.

Taliban fighters hold Taliban flags in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, hours before the US completed its withdrawal

'But there are still American citizens in Afghanistan. Our troops are gone. Our commanders are gone. The Taliban is in control,' said Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla.

'The fact that the Pentagon has said "only a few hundred Americans have been left behind" is devastating. Americans are still there.'

'The Biden Administration should not have left Afghanistan without bringing home every single American trapped behind enemy lines. We should have never been on the Talibans timeline,' Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, wrote on Twitter.

'This is a surreal moment for many & devastating for those left behind,' Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., said. 'To our brave men & women who stepped up to serve, we as a nation owe a constant debt of gratitude. You kept America safe & showed two generations of Afghans a better world. May God bless our troops.'

Many Democrats were markedly silent at the announcement of the official end of the war, though some defended the withdrawal.

'Ending wars is good actually,' Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., wrote on Twitter.

'Americas longest war is over, and thats a good thing,' Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said.

'We never should have begun America's longest war in the first place  a war of endless suffering and needless death. Let us now envision a future that is based on peace, security, dignity, diplomacy, and human rights, not destruction and profiteering by military contractors,' Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., wrote on Twitter.

But Democrat Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, N.H., decried the US' 'premature withdrawal' in a statement.

'My chief concern with what I believe was a premature withdrawal - first announced in March 2020 - was that the progress we built over 20 years would unravel without verifiable assurances of a stable, secure government in Afghanistan. It is paramount that the United States remain engaged with our international partners to evacuate remaining US citizens and Afghan allies.'

The Taliban quickly declared victory after the last U.S. plane departed, firing victory shots into the air.

'American soldiers left the airport, and our nation got its full independence,' said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

'The last five aircraft have left, it's over,' Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul's international airport, told the Associated Press.

'I cannot express my happiness in words. ... Our 20 years of sacrifice worked.'

Meanwhile, McKenzie said he believed that the US would be able to negotiate for the some-250 Americans left behind to get out.

'I believe we're going to be able to get those people out,' said McKenzie.

'I think we're going to negotiate very hard, very aggressively to get our other Afghan partners out.'

The withdrawal was dominated by a hasty evacuation effort and looming threats of terrorist attack, one such devastating blow that came to fruition.

A coalition of countries worked around the clock to rescue their citizens and Afghans who worked for their militaries.

More than 122,000 people have been flown out of Kabul since Aug. 14, the day before the regained control of the country.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said in a notice that Hamid Karzai International Airport was without air traffic control service after the U.S. exit.
Conservatives on the Supreme Court said that allowing the eviction moratorium to continue could set a precedent for government mandated 'free grocery delivery' and 'free internet' for people to work from home.

'Preventing [landlords] from evicting tenants who breach their leases intrudes on one of the most fundamental elements of property ownershipthe right to exclude,' the majority opinion reads from the Thursday decision.

The court's decision will allow for landlords to evict tenants who have not paid rent in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Questioned in the unsigned opinion from the six conservative justices was hypothetical situations for how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could overreach its authority in the future, as they claim it did so in extending the moratorium.

'Could the CDC, for example, mandate free grocery delivery to the homes of the sick or vulnerable?' the majority opinion reads. 'Require manufacturers to provide free computers to enable people to work from home? Order telecommunications companies to provide free high-speed Internet service to facilitate remote work?'

All this to say, the court feels that the CDC cannot decide for the sake of public health that other aspects of business can be impacted, like preventing landlords from collecting rent.

They also claim that congressional action is needed to extend the moratorium.

The Supreme Court elected to end the national eviction moratorium in a 6-3 vote on Thursday, claiming it would lead to a precedent of mandated 'free grocery delivery for the sick' or 'free computers and internet' to work from home

The decision again exhibited the power Republicans have with the court's 6-3 conservative majority, which is now allowing evictions to resume across the U.S. as it blocks the Biden administration from continuing to enforce a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The vote was split by party line with conservatives John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett voting to end the eviction moratorium, and liberals Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan voting to keep it.

The justices said in an unsigned opinion Thursday that the CDC, which reimplemented the moratorium on August 3, lacked the authority to do so under federal law without explicit congressional authorization.

'It would be one thing if Congress had specifically authorized the action that the CDC has taken,' the court wrote. 'But that has not happened. Instead, the CDC has imposed a nationwide moratorium on evictions in reliance on a decades-old statute that authorizes it to implement measures like fumigation and pest extermination. It strains credulity to believe that this statute grants the CDC the sweeping authority that it asserts.'

Real estate groups in Georgia and Alabama had argued this point and told the high court that the moratorium caused property owners across the nation significant financial hardships, USA Today reports.

Property owners had to continue to pay expenses while not receiving payments from renters. They were also banned from evicting nightmare tenants, who were given free reign to make their neighbors' lives a misery.

Court said the CDC did not have the power to extend the moratorium. Housing advocates protest on August 4 to allow the eviction moratorium to continue in New York

As of August 25, nearly 90 per cent of the federal funds meant to help landlords make up for the loss of funds had not been distributed, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

Roughly 3.5 million people in the United States said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to Census Bureau data from early August.

After the Thursday ruling, several progressive lawmakers pleaded with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to act with the 'highest levels of urgency' to combat evictions.

The lawmakers asked the leaders in a Friday letter to work to revive the national eviction moratorium after the Supreme Court ruled congressional action is needed.

'Millions of people who are currently at risk for eviction, housing insecurity, or face becoming unhoused desperately look to their elected representatives to implement legislation that will put their health and safety first and save lives,' the letter reads.

The effort was led by Representative Ayanna Pressley and signed on by more than 60 Democrats, including fellow 'squad' members Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush.

Bush, who was once homeless before running for office, led protesters in sleeping outside the Capitol earlier this summer when the moratorium faced its end before the CDC expanded it.

The Supreme Court had originally allowed the eviction freeze to continue to July in a 5-4 vote, but Kavanaugh, who voted to keep it, indicated that he would vote against any further extension.

Roberts followed suit and voted against the moratorium with Kavanagh on Thursday.

In his dissenting opinion, Breyer asserted that the court should not end the moratorium on an expedited basis.

'Applicants raise contested legal questions about an important federal statute on which the lower courts are split and on which this court has never actually spoken,' Breyer wrote. 'These questions call for considered decision making, informed by full briefing and argument. Their answers impact the health of millions.'

The national eviction freeze was set in place at the start of the pandemic and continued on until July, when the Supreme Court previously upheld it in a 5-4 vote

The Biden administration's extension of the eviction moratorium was heralded by members the 'the Squad,' including U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had celebrated the announcement earlier this month.

She and fellow Democratic congress woman Cori Bush had demonstrated outside the Capitol in protest of the moratorium's original deadline at the start of August.

Bush was hailed as a key figure who pushed Biden and his administration to extend the deadline after five continuous days of protest, tweeting about her accomplishment.

'Squad' member Ilhan Omar also acknowledged Bush's efforts in spearheading the moratorium extension, The Hill reported.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, a fellow democrat from California who sponsored a House bill to extend the eviction freeze, also thanked Biden 'from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of millions of renters.

'This extension of the moratorium is the lifeline that millions of families have been waiting for. From the very beginning of this pandemic, it was clear that eviction moratoriums not only kept people housed, but also saved lives,' Waters said in a statement.

A group of Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer urging them to act congressionally to extend the moratorium after the Supreme Court said the CDC overreached

This was the second high court loss for the administration this week at the hands of the court's conservative majority.

On Tuesday, the court effectively allowed the reinstatement of a Trump-era policy forcing asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their hearings.

The new administration had tried to end the Remain in Mexico program, as it is informally known.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court voted the same way to strike down part of New York's eviction moratorium.

In the same 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled against allowing COVID-19 hardships to stand as a reason to ban landlords from kicking out tenants. The state's rules allowed renters to simply state they'd suffered financial hardship and avoid eviction without providing any evidence.

New Yorkers renting apartments will also now no longer be able to stay in homes they've stopped paying rent on by claiming that doing so would endanger their health.

The pause on evictions expires at the end of August, meaning people could start getting kicked out of their apartments by the end of this month.

Incoming Governor Kathy Hochul criticized Thursday's ruling, saying that she and state lawmakers would work to try and reinforce the moratorium.

Both parts of the law that have been cut were enacted when COVID decimated many of New York's biggest industries - including hospitality and travel - leaving people who worked in them fearful of being made homeless.

The state has since largely reopened, and its economy appears to be on the path to recovery.
President Joe Biden address the nation on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan at 1.30pm on Tuesday, the White House announced in a statement late on Monday evening.

The Pentagon announced Monday the last American troops had left Kabul airport almost 24 hours ahead of schedule, ending the U.S. war in Afghanistan after 20 years and the deaths of almost 2,500 troops.

Witnesses in Kabul said the Taliban let off celebratory gunfire as news circulated that the final U.S. flight had left.

Biden had stuck to his August 31st deadline despite pressure from some members of his own Democratic Party, many Republicans and several fellow world leaders.

The announcement from the Pentagon came after Biden's last scheduled public appearance on Monday and after the clock in Kabul clicked past midnight, making it August 31st there.

Biden addressed the matter in a 500 word statement, saying he would speak to the nation on Tuesday.

In his statement, he thanked U.S. troops and their commanders.

'Our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended. Tomorrow afternoon, I will address the American people on my decision not to extend our presence in Afghanistan beyond 8/31,' he said.

Biden said the decision was the 'unanimous recommendation' of the Joint Chiefs and commanders on the ground.

'For now, I urge all Americans to join me in grateful prayer tonight for three things. First, for our troops and diplomats who carried out this mission of mercy in Kabul and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results: an airlift that evacuated tens of thousands more people than any imagined possible. Second, to the network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport, and provide support along the way. And third, to everyone who is now  and who will  welcome our Afghan allies to their new homes around the world, and in the United States.'

He ended his statement with a 'moment of gratitude' for the 13 service members in Afghanistan who died last week during the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport.

The final C-17, with the call sign MOOSE 88, lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 pm East Coast time.

President Joe Biden address the nation on the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan at 1.30pm on Tuesday

Biden statement on withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan President Joe Biden will not address the nation on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan until Tuesday but he did release a statement on Monday. The Pentagon announced Monday the last American troops had left Kabul airport almost 24 hours ahead of schedule, ending the U.S. war in Afghanistan after 20 years and the deaths of almost 2,500 troops. I want to thank our commanders and the men and women serving under them for their execution of the dangerous retrograde from Afghanistan as scheduled  in the early morning hours of August 31st, Kabul time  with no further loss of American lives. The past 17 days have seen our troops execute the largest airlift in US history, evacuating over 120,000 US citizens, citizens of our allies, and Afghan allies of the United States. They have done it with unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended. Tomorrow afternoon, I will address the American people on my decision not to extend our presence in Afghanistan beyond 8/31. For now, I will report that it was the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned. Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops, and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead. I have asked the Secretary of State to lead the continued coordination with our international partners to ensure safe passage for any Americans, Afghan partners, and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan. This will include work to build on the UN Security Council Resolution passed this afternoon that sent the clear message of what the international community expects the Taliban to deliver on moving forward, notably freedom of travel. The Taliban has made commitments on safe passage and the world will hold them to their commitments. It will include ongoing diplomacy in Afghanistan and coordination with partners in the region to reopen the airport allowing for continued departure for those who want to leave and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. For now, I urge all Americans to join me in grateful prayer tonight for three things. First, for our troops and diplomats who carried out this mission of mercy in Kabul and at tremendous risk with such unparalleled results: an airlift that evacuated tens of thousands more people than any imagined possible. Second, to the network of volunteers and veterans who helped identify those needing evacuation, guide them to the airport, and provide support along the way. And third, to everyone who is now  and who will  welcome our Afghan allies to their new homes around the world, and in the United States. Finally, I want to end with a moment of gratitude for the sacrifice of the 13 service members in Afghanistan who gave their lives last week to save tens of thousands: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss Advertisement

Reports from on the ground in Afghanistan show the Taliban celebrating

The end of the Afghan mission was announced by General Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, during a zoom briefing at the Pentagon.

'Tonight's withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after Sept. 11, 2001,' he said.

'No words from me could possibly capture the full measure of sacrifices and accomplishments of those who served,' he added.

He said the chief U.S. diplomat in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, was on the last C-17 flight out.

'There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure,' he said.

'We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out.

'But I think if we'd stayed another 10 days, we wouldn't have gotten everybody out.'

The Taliban quickly declared victory after the last U.S. plane departed.

'American soldiers left the airport, and our nation got its full independence,' said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

Republican lawmakers immediately criticized the decision to remove U.S. forces.

'There are still hundreds of Americans left in Afghanistan ... What is the plan now?' House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy said Monday night in the Capitol.

He will introduce a resolution on Tuesday to try and bring the House back in session but it is expected to fail in the Democratically-controlled chamber.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups said as many as 60,000 Afghan interpreters, drivers and others who assisted the U.S. remained behind.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said on Monday evening of the Afghan allies that 'weve gotten many out but many are still there. We will keep working to help them. Our commitment to them has no deadline.'

He noted there are between 100-200 Americans left in Afghanistan who want to leave.

'We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave,' he said.

The last plane left soon after midnight on Tuesday morning to beat President Biden's August 31 deadline for the withdrawal

Taliban gunmen lit up the night sky over Kabul with tracer fire after the final U.S. military transport plane left the airport

Taliban says the LAST US evacuation flight has left Afghanistan just after midnight in Kabul: Insurgents 'celebrate with gunfire' with Americans and allies STILL stranded on the ground

The Pentagon said Monday that more than 122,000 people, including 5,400 Americans, have been evacuated since July.

President George W. Bush launched the war in Afghanistan shortly after the September 11th attacks to overthrow the Taliban government, which had been friendly to al Qaeda.

On Monday evening, Blinken announced the U.S. diplomatic mission had moved from Kabul to Doha, Qatar.

'A new chapter of America's engagement with Afghanistan has begun,' he said.
The majority of parents want longer school days to help their children recover after losing months of learning and vital life experiences during lockdown.

A survey found that 51 per cent of parents support pupils spending extra time each day on activities such as sport and drama.

Only 19 per cent were opposed to the proposal, the YouGov poll revealed, while another 20 per cent said they would follow their schools decision.

Last night, the plan championed by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think-tank was backed by former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio, putting ministers under fresh pressure to act.

He said: After the damage done to children by Covid restrictions, we owe it to them to make a new start. The plan is here  all it now needs is the political will to make it happen.

Pupils at public schools get hours of extra-curricular activity every week, including sport, drama and music. State school pupils, especially those from the poorest backgrounds, get far fewer of these life-enhancing opportunities.

The CSJ plan would help to narrow this gap to the benefit of millions of children and society as a whole.

The majority of parents want longer school days to help their children recover after losing months of learning and vital life experiences during lockdown. A survey found that 51 per cent of parents support pupils spending extra time each day on activities such as sport and drama

The call comes amid increasing concern over the toll of lockdowns and Covid restrictions on the young.

The CSJ unearthed data showing that almost 100,000 pupils  dubbed the lost children of lockdown  failed to return to class after lockdown last autumn.

The think-tank, founded by former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, estimates that, pupils across England have missed almost a billion days in school since the start of the pandemic. The CSJ is campaigning for all children to be given five hours a week in extra classes covering areas such as sport, drama, music, art, cooking and debating.

Under its proposal, community organisations would provide the extra lessons rather than teachers, and they would be funded directly by the Department for Education.

The YouGov survey found that one in five parents said their children did zero enrichment activities in an average week, rising to one in four among less wealthy families.

The YouGov survey found that one in five parents said their children did zero enrichment activities in an average week, rising to one in four among less wealthy families

Parents in the North West, Yorkshire and Humber were more than twice as likely as those in London to say their children did not take part in sport or drama.

Yet parents of all social groups support the idea of mandatory after-school activities. Between 30 and 60 minutes a day was the most popular length of lesson.

CSJ chief executive Andy Cook said: Children are disengaging from school and broader society at a frightening pace. As well as helping families to stay together, and helping parents to support their children, we should encourage schools to play their part in rebuilding society.

The evidence suggests pupils should engage more fully in their education  both academically and more generally. Extra-curricular activities boost their mental and physical health.

A government spokesman said: We have committed to an ambitious, long-term education recovery plan, investing over 3million and significantly expanding our tutoring programme to make up for learning lost during the pandemic.

The Department for Education is still considering reforms to school hours after catch-up tsar Sir Kevan Collins quit when his 15million plans were rejected.
The missile defense system used on Monday against the rockets launched at Kabul airport is the C-RAM - the Centurion Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar defense system known to troops as R2 D2, after the Star Wars robot, which shoots down close-range rockets with a powerful machine gun that can fire up to 4,500 rounds per minute.

They are used in predominantly civilian-heavy areas and use self-destructing rounds to limit the collateral damage on the ground. The C-RAM was developed in 2004 to react to the rapid acceleration of insurgency in Iraq and it's based on the Navy's Phalanx CIWS system.

It has a far shorter range than the Iron Dome, the system Israel uses to shoot down rockets fired by Hamas in Gaza, and is less effective but makes itself known with a piercing drill sound when in use.

A file image of C-RAM at Bagram airfield. The defense system is often referred to by troops as R2 D2. It is equipped with a radar that detects munition and evaluates it before firing M-940 20mm Multipurpose Tracer-Self Destruct (MPT-SD) rounds - up to 4,500 per minute -

The C-RAM sits on top of a trailer and is used to detect short-range rockets and artillery fire. It is controlled remotely and uses a radar system to detect threats

The Iron Dome shoots down munitions in excess of 40 miles, whereas C-RAM shoots down targets within 1-5 nautical miles. The C-RAM is also more maneuverable and less expensive than the Iron Dome.

Both use a radar system to detect, evaluate and take out approaching munitions. Ordinarily they are used across bases in the Middle East and southwest Asia, to protect troops. They are given an added layer of protection from the fact it can be controlled remotely.

The Pentagon said on Monday morning that the C-RAM 'successfully' took out the five rockets launched at the airport.

C-RAM systems have been known in the past to protect other, long-range missile defense systems but it only took out one of the five rockets launched. The other four didn't make it to the field, Army General Major Hank Taylor said on Monday morning.

The Pentagon would not say on Monday whether or not it would be removed from Kabul once the last planes leave.

Israel's Iron Dome system intercepted more than 90 percent of the rockets launched by Gaza earlier this year.

Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system which took down 90 percent of the rockets fired by Gaza earlier this year and offers a wider protective shield of around 40 miles, as opposed to the C-RAM which protects within 1-5 miles
Ants, avocados and a human-sized robotic arm will arrive at the International Space Station later today on a SpaceX Dragon cargo ship.

It marks the 23rd delivery SpaceX have made to the ISS for NASA in the past decade, and is scheduled to autonomously dock with the station at 11:00 EDT (16:00 BST).

A recycled Falcon rocket blasted into the predawn sky from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the early hours of Sunday morning with 4,800lbs (2,180kg) of supplies.

The Dragon is carrying fresh avocados and lemons as well as ice cream for the seven astronauts currently living on the laboratory orbiting 253 miles above the Earth.

Experiments on board include an ant farm, sea monkeys and plants sent up by Girl Scouts who will monitor them using a new fully autonomous research system on the space station, while replicating the same tests on Earth.

The spaceship will dock with the ISS and remain there for a month, before returning to Earth with completed experiments and other items no longer needed on the ISS.

This long exposure photo shows the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on a resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center

It marks the 23rd delivery SpaceX have made to the ISS for NASA in the past decade, and is scheduled to autonomously dock with the station at 11:00 EDT (16:00 BST)

GIRL SCOUTS LAUNCH EXPERIMENTS TO THE ISS WITH SPACEX The Girl Scouts launched a series of experiments to the ISS with a Dragon cargo ship on Sunday, August 29. It was launched in partnership with Faraday Research Facility and its new remote monitoring system. They will test it using ants, plants and brine shrimp, with mirrored experiments on Earth and the ISS. The work is helping to expand the affordability of microgravity research. One of the Girl Scouts experiments will examine how tomatoes, peppers, and lemongrass grow in microgravity.

Another will assess the tunnelling behaviour of ants in space, in the hopes that ants could someday help aerate the soil for crops grown on other planets.

The third will incubate and sustain a colony of brine shrimp, to see whether other crustaceans could be raised in space as a fresh protein source for future astronauts. In the Faraday Research Facility, the specimens will be watered and fed remotely and autonomously, controlled by a team back on Earth with minimal crew interaction. Images will be transmitted daily so the scouts can monitor the progress of their experiments and compare the spaceflight samples with their control experiments on the ground. At the end of the mission, the Faraday Research Facility will safely return the samples to Earth for further analysis. Advertisement

After getting the capsule into space, the first-stage booster landed upright on the firm's latest ocean platform named 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' to be used again.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk continued his tradition of naming the booster-recovery vessels in tribute to the late science fiction writer Iain Banks and his Culture series.

The ants heading for the station were sent up by the Girl Scouts, along with brine shrimp and plants to act as test subjects.

The Girl Scout project started with the 'Making Space for Girls' initiative that launched a challenge in 2020 to find experiments to send to the station.

Each of the three experiments will have a linked control experiment on the Earth and will allow the girls to see growth differences on Earth and in orbit.

Other experiments heading for the station include one by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists, who are flying up seeds from mouse-ear cress, a small flowering weed used in genetic research.

Samples of concrete, solar cells and other materials will also be subjected to the near-weightless environment of the orbital platform.

A Japanese start-up is sending an experimental robotic arm to the station, that will attempt to screw items together and perform mundane chores.

The first tests will be done inside the space station, but future models of Gitai Inc.'s robot will venture out into the vacuum of space to practice satellite and other repair jobs, said chief technology officer Toyotaka Kozuki.

As early as 2025, a squad of these arms could help build lunar bases and mine the moon for precious resources, he added.

'Results could support development of robotic labour to support crew activities and tasks, as well as inform servicing, assembly, and manufacturing tasks while in orbit,' NASA said in a statement on the mission.

'Robotic support could lower costs and improve crew safety by having robots take on tasks that could expose crew members to hazards.

'The technology also has applications in extreme and potentially dangerous environments on Earth, including disaster relief, deep-sea excavation, and servicing nuclear power plants.'

The robot arms could also one day aid humans in long-duration space flights, such as the six-to-nine months it will take to get to Mars in the 2030s.

As well as a robot arm, astronauts will be working with an experiment to study the effects of microgravity and space radiation on bone tissue growth.

The REducing Arthritis Dependent Inflammation First Phase (READI FP) will test whether bioactive metabolites, which include substances such as antioxidants formed when food is broken down, might protect bones during spaceflight.

'This insight also could contribute to prevention and treatment of bone loss on Earth, particularly in post-menopausal women,' NASA explained.

After getting the capsule into space, the first-stage booster landed upright on the firm's latest ocean platform named 'A Shortfall of Gravitas' to be used again

Overview of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. The launch went ahead on Sunday, August 29 complete with dozens of experiments and supplies

Among the experiments were three designed by Girl Scouts to study how things grow in the microgravity environment of a space station

'These and other cutting-edge investigations join the hundreds of ongoing experiments in biology and biotechnology, physical sciences, and Earth and space science aboard the International Space Station,' the agency said.

'Advances in these areas will help keep astronauts healthy during long-duration space travel and demonstrate technologies for future human and robotic exploration beyond low-Earth orbit to the Moon and Mars through NASAs Artemis program.'

This was the second launch attempt by SpaceX to get the Dragon cargo ship off the ground in Florida, after Saturday's try was foiled by stormy weather.

NASA turned to SpaceX and other US companies to deliver cargo and crews to the space station, once the space shuttle program ended in 2011.
Perching pigeons are causing some customers of Elon Musk's Starlink broadband to lose internet access, by sitting on the 'bird bath'-like satellite dishes.

Cyber-security expert Professor Alan Woodward, of the University of Surrey, recently installed the SpaceX service because he couldn't get a fast enough traditional connection.

He endured occasional outages from the provider, which relies on signals beamed from hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit to a small dish on his roof.

Unlike the satellite dishes that deliver Sky and Freesat to televisions, the Starlink dish is small, faces upwards and looks somewhat like a bird bath.

Prof Woodward says he still isn't entirely sure of the cause, but suspects it may be caused by 'pesky pigeons' sitting on the dish, which is on the roof over his kitchen.

This is something backed up by experts speaking to the BBC, who claimed a 'pigeon sitting on a Starlink antenna would certainly degrade its performance'.

Perching pigeons are causing some customers of Elon Musk's Starlink broadband service to lose internet access, by sitting on the 'bird bath'-like satellite dishes

He noticed occasional outages from the internet service, which relies on signals beamed from hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit to a small dish on his roof

INTERNET ON THE MOVE: SPACEX FILES TO PUT STARLINK ON VEHICLES A new filing from the Elon Musk-owned SpaceX suggests it is looking beyond just beaming internet into homes. According to an application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX aims to place its user terminals on vehicles, vessels and aboard aircraft. This would allow customers to connect to the internet while 'on the move.' 'Operation under the requested blanket license will provide the first option for some and promote competition for others in the market for in-motion broadband services, to the benefit of drivers, ship operators, and air travelers in the United States and abroad,' reads the filing. 'These services will enhance the security of mobile platforms and allow operators and passengers to access services that enable increased productivity.' The new terminals, called Earth Stations in Motion (ESIMs), would be 'ruggedised' to withstand harsh environmental conditions . Advertisement

Sky customers have reported disruption in the past from birds nesting behind or even on dishes, with a number of companies selling bird deterrents.

When Prof Woodward shared his concerns about Starlink outages on Twitter, a number of users gave their suggestions to deter the avian invaders.

One user suggested laying plastic snakes around the dish, and another said it was worth getting a fake owl, to deter the pigeons from coming nearby.

More extreme suggestions included electrifying the areas and covering the dish with a net that won't cause problems for the signal itself.

A recent filing by SpaceX with the FCC may present a solution to the bird problem, in the form of a more rugged and high-performance version of the dish.

They are build for 'use in harsh environments', and under more extreme situations, where the tolerance for interference is higher, suggesting they may be able to work even with a pigeon sitting on the edge thinking it is a bird bath.

However, pigeons aren't the only problem facing Musk's service, which is officially still in beta as the firm doesn't have complete global coverage from its satellite constellation - with about 1,500 out of a planned 30,000 launched so far.

On August 25, the service, with an estimated 90,000 global customers, went down for about an hour for many of its users, and Starlink did not explain why.

Prof Woodward told BBC News that the connection 'just completely disappeared'.

It went down at about 08:30 EDT on August 25 for about 20 minutes, with Twitter users speculation it was the result of unplanned 'maintenance' on the network.

SpaceX did not comment on the story, but have said in the past that this is a beta service, and the full satellite constellation has yet to be launched into space.

This is taking longer than expected, as the Covid-19 pandemic caused a shortage of pure oxygen, with the priority going to medical use.

This led to a shortage for firms like SpaceX to use in both rocket fuel and the fuel for the satellites themselves. There is also a global computer chip shortage.

Despite being at the beta test stage, recent speed tests have shown users in the US area already achieving speeds of 97 Mbps, not far from the average of 115 Mbps.

Unlike the satellite dishes that deliver Sky and Freesat to televisions, the Starlink dish is small, faces upwards and looks somewhat like a bird bath

This means SpaceX is just shy of providing users withy the ability to download a movie in just one minute - the internet needs a download speed of 100 Mbps.

It is some way off the maximum gigabit speeds available from some fibre optic services, but they are rarely available in more sparsely populated rural areas.

SpaceX is just one of a number of firms launching satellite internet services in low Earth or near Earth orbit, where latency can be kept low compared to traditional satellite internet, where the spacecraft are in geosynchronous orbit.

These are thousands of miles from the Earth, and while speeds can be fast, the latency is poor, making them unusable for gaming or some streaming services.

Prof Woodward says he still isn't entirely sure of the cause, but suspects it may be caused by pigeons sitting on the dish, which is on the roof over his kitchen

Amazon is launching Project Kuiper, its own satellite internet service, putting 3,236 satellites into the same region of space as Starlink to deliver rural internet access.

Canadian firm Telesat is also planning to launch its Lightspeed network of 298 satellites in low Earth orbit, backed up by geosynchronous networks.

OneWeb, owned by the UK government, Bharti and others, already has about 250 of its planned 648 satellites in orbit, with the aim of providing backbone connections to existing operators, such as BT, rather than directly to consumers.

National and pan-national governments are also working on their own satellite internet services, with the EU and China both considering launching thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit in the coming decades.
A Tesla Model 3 driving on 'autopilot' smacked into a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser on Saturday morning, narrowly missing the driver of the cruiser who had stopped in order to help a disabled vehicle.

The incident is the 12th such smash involving a Tesla on autopilot mode and an emergency vehicle in the US since January 2018. All the cars which have been struck had their lights flashing, or had deployed an emergency flare, illuminated warning sign or cones, raising questions about whether they may have confused the Tesla's sensors.

Earlier this month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a formal investigation into Tesla's Autopilot driving system after it was involved in 11 prior accidents - one deadly - that may be the result of the system's issues spotting parked emergency vehicles.

Saturday's smash happened after when the 28-year-old trooper, who has not been named, stopped shortly after 5 am on August 28 on I-4 near downtown Orlando while responding to a broken down car.

He put his emergency lights and was walking over to a disabled vehicle when the Tesla hit the cruiser's left side, according to a copy of the police report seen by DailyMail.com.

The Tesla also hit the broken down car, a 2012 Mercedes Benz GLK 350, according to the report. All three cars were badly-damaged by the force of impact, although it is unclear how fast the Tesla was traveling when it crashed.

A Tesla Model 3 on 'autopilot' hit a Florida Highway Patrol cruiser on August 28 on 1-4 near downtown Orlando. The trooper had stopped shortly after 5 am to help a disabled vehicle

The 26-year-old unnamed Tesla driver and the 27-year-old driver of the Mercedes suffered from minor injuries, though the trooper was unhurt.

In an email to DailyMail.com, Montes said the crash is still under investigation.

Montes added that the agency's fleet manager will be notifying the NHTSA today.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has not yet responded to a tweet asking for comment from DailyMail.com.

The electric vehicle maker has disbanded its traditional media relations office.

The trooper had stopped shortly after 5 am to help a disabled vehicle, a 2012 Mercedes Benz GLK 350 (left)

The 26-year-old Tesla driver and the driver of the disabled vehicle had minor injuries, but the trooper was unhurt, a highway patrol spokeswoman said

The autopilot system has eight surround cameras that 'provide 360 degrees of visibility around the car at up to 250 meters of range,' according to Tesla's website.

'Twelve updated ultrasonic sensors complement this vision, allowing for detection of both hard and soft objects at nearly twice the distance of the prior system,' the website added.

Teslas equipped with autopilot have the technical capability to steer themselves on highways, although the firm has warned drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel as normal at all times.

This incident is just the latest in a string of accidents where Tesla's autopilot feature has played a role, prompting a formal investigation from the U.S. government.

The aforementioned NHTSA investigation into Tesla's Autopilot driving system came after it was involved in 11 prior accidents - one deadly - that may be the result of the system's issues spotting parked emergency vehicles.

The investigation covers 765,000 vehicles, nearly everything Tesla has sold domestically since 2014. Of the 11 crashes that have been identified over the past three years, 17 people were injured and one was killed.

That deadly accident happened in Interstate 70 in Cloverdale, Indiana, in December 2019 and saw passenger Jenna Monet, 23, killed after the Tesla being driven by her husband Derrick slammed into the back of a parked firetruck.

The 11 prior crashes have occurred when Teslas on Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control hit vehicles at scenes where first responders have used flashing lights, flares, an illuminated arrow board or cones warning of hazards.

The NHTSA said the investigation covers the entire product lineup of the Musk-led company, the Models Y, X, S and 3 from the 2014 through 2021 model years.

The assisted driving system has frequently been misused by Tesla drivers, some of whom have been caught driving drunk or riding in the rear passenger seat while driving down a California highway.

In April, Musk tweeted Teslas with Autopilot engaged were 'approaching 10 times lower chance of accident than average vehicle.'

Tesla and other manufacturers warn that drivers using the systems must be ready to intervene at all times. Teslas using the system have crashed into semis crossing in front of them, stopped emergency vehicles and a roadway barrier.

The crashes into emergency vehicles cited by NHTSA began on Jan. 22, 2018 in Culver City, California, near Los Angeles.

That saw Tesla using Autopilot struck a parked firetruck that was parked partially in the travel lanes with its lights flashing. Crews were handling another crash at the time.

Since then, the agency said there were crashes in Laguna Beach, California; Norwalk, Connecticut; Cloverdale, Indiana; West Bridgewater, Massachusetts; Cochise County, Arizona; Charlotte, North Carolina, Montgomery County, Texas; Lansing, Michigan; and Miami, Florida.

'The investigation will assess the technologies and methods used to monitor, assist and enforce the driver's engagement with the dynamic driving task during Autopilot operation,' NHTSA said in its investigation documents.

An investigation could lead to a recall or other enforcement action by NHTSA.
Elon Musk has compared the massive mechanical arms intended to hoist SpaceX Starship and its Super Heavy booster rockets onto launch pads to 'robot chopsticks' attempting to catch the 'the largest ever flying object.'

The SpaceX CEO tweeted the comment, along with a clip from 1984's The Karate Kid, showing stars Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio attempting to catch a fly with chopsticks.

'Success is not guaranteed, but excitement is!' Musk added.

Responding to follow-up tweets, Musk said he hoped the first attempt at using 'Mechazilla,' his nickname for the three-armed building-sized robot,' would come with the launch of Booster 5.

A launch date for Booster 4 hasn't been set, but SpaceX stacked Starship onto Super Heavy for the first time on August 6, creating a 400-foot craft that is the tallest rocket in history.

Two days earlier, Musk tweeted three pictures of a giant crane hoisting Booster 4, including its 29 massive Raptor engines, onto the pad, noting 'Mechazilla will do this for future rockets, but it's not quite ready.'

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Elon Musk compared Mechazilla's robotic arms recapturing booster rockets and Starships to trying to 'catch largest ever flying object with robot chopsticks,' a reference to an infamous scene in 1984's The Karate Kid

Work on Mechazilla has been underway since the end June: The first of the trio, a quick-disconnect or QD swing arm, was installed on the exterior of Starship's mammoth launch tower the weekend of August 29.

It's expected to deliver fuel, oxidizer, and other consumables, as well as physically stabilize the booster for the stacking procedure.

To reach Musk's incredibly ambitious goal of putting a million humans on Mars by the mid-2020s, Musk calculated that his Starship rockets would need to conduct roughly three flights a day every day of the year.

Having working mecha-arms that can quickly turn around boosters and Starships will help with that objective, and be less dependent on weather conditions than retrieving them from the ocean.

Elon Musks SpaceX stacked its Starship onto of the Super Heavy booster for the first time on August 6. The combined craft measures a towering 400 feet, making it the tallest rocket ever

'By replacing a tower crane with giant arms, SpaceX will hopefully be able to stack Starship on Super Heavy (and Super Heavy on the launch mount) even in the high winds that are almost always present on the South Texas Gulf Coast, Teslarati reported.

'If SpaceX can also reliably catch boosters with those arms, it could be a significant upgrade for the operations side of Starship reusability.'

After Super Heavy was brought to the SpaceX launchpad in Boca Chica, Texas, a massive crane picked up Starship Serial Number 20 (SN20) and slowly lowered it on top.

Super Heavy is the first stage of SpaceX's two-stage, fully reusable Starship system, intended to send humans and cargo to Mars and other distant planets.

Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) shows Danny (Ralph Macchio) how to snatch a fly out of the air using chopsticks in 1984's The Karate Kid

The upper, or second stage, is the 165-foot-tall Starship.

The Super Heavy, also known as Booster 4, is set to perform a series of pressurization and engine tests, and if all goes to plan, will eventually launch with SN20 at its helm, Space.com reported.

SpaceX has yet to announce a date for its launch, but a filing with the Federal Communications Commission targets a six-month window starting June 20, 2021.

The company still has to get clearance on an environmental review from the Federal Aviation Administration, which could take months.

The filing also revealed how the orbital launch would play outstarting with the Super Heavy Booster taking off and firing for 169 seconds, before allowing Starship to break free and start its own journey, SpaceNews reported.

SpaceX fully stacked Starship and Super Heavy Booster on August 6, 2021, resulting in the largest space craft ever made. This shot from August 23 shows SN15 and SN16 sitting behind the build site, with attachment of the first retractible arm to the orbital launch tower still a few days away

The booster would 'softly land' in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the filing, about 20 miles from shore.

Starship would use its Raptor engines to soar into orbit and splash down in the Pacific Ocean, 62 miles northwest of Kauai, Hawaii.

SpaceX has completed several tests on the 160-foot Starship upper stagethe most recent, SN15, landed on the launchpad after a short high-altitude flight.

However, the next launch will be the first test of the full Starship system, including the booster stage.

Eventually, the plan is for Mechazilla to catch the giant boosters as they fall away and even retrieve Starship itself.

Elon Musk says Mechazilla could be ready to retrieve SpaceX booster rockets as early as the Booster 5 launch

While the Super Heavy booster has fins to latch onto, a Twitter user asked Musk what the arms will grab to retrieve the ship, writing, 'Will it be upper flap wings?'

Musk said the boosters have two pins for lifting and catching, 'although maybe it's better to modify grid fins to take more load.'

For Starship, 'something will need to flip out from the leeward side of the top of the ship to do the same there,' Musk tweeted.

'Maybe it's part of the forward flaps, but probably not,' he added. 'Different solutions for different load paths.'

In 2020, Musk told SpaceX employees that Starship progress was a top priority, with progress accelerating 'dramatically and immediately.'

That resulted in a rapid increase in Starship prototypes, often with successive models ready before the previous one had even been tested.

Test flights have ranged from static firing the engines to launching up to six miles into the air and attempting to return to the launchpad.
Bigger is better when it comes to the Apple Watch Series 7, according to a recent report, which indicates the new iteration will have a larger display and a new flat-edged design.

In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman added the Series 7 will come with a variety of new watch faces to complement the bigger display.

'While last year's upgrade centered on the blood-oxygen sensor, this year's [upgrade] is all about a new design with a flatter display and edges, a faster processor and slightly larger screens,' he wrote.

'I'm told that Apple will bundle multiple new watch faces to take advantage of the bigger screen, including an updated Infograph Modular face.'

The mooted new design will put the watch in line with the latest iPhones, which swapped curved edges for flat ones with the most recent update in Fall 2002.

What the Series 7 won't have is a new health sensor, Gurman claims. That will probably not arrive until 2022 at the earliest, in the form of a body-temperature monitor.

He confirmed the Series 7 will be available in 41- and 45-millimeters sizes, up from 40 and 44 millimeters for the Series 6.

Apple first bumped up the Apple Watch display size with the Series 4 in 2017, according to 9to5Mac.

Details about the Apple Watch 7 are expected to be formally announced alongside the iPhone 13 at the company's September event, which could happen as soon as September 8.

Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

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Rockley Photonics, makers of chipsets that can detect blood-sugar levels, blood pressure and other diagnostics, recently disclosed that tech giant Apple is its main customer

Apple has increasingly been positioning the Apple Watch as a wellness tool: SCC filings first reported in May 2021 suggested the company was tapping UK-based Rockley Photonics to develop non-invasive sensors that can measure blood pressure, blood sugar and other biochemical markers.

The Apple Watch 6 was the first to read blood oxygen levels, but if the new technology makes it into the upcoming Series 7, it could have implications for the more than 436 million people worldwide who have diabetes.

Rockley Photonics' products track various health functions non-invasively with infrared, including body temperature, blood pressure and glucose, alcohol and oxygen levels in the blood.

Apple CEO Tim Cook personally test-drove a blood-glucose tracker in 2017, and there were rumors such a monitor would come with the Apple Watch Series 7 next month.

The rumored 'Explorer Edition' Apple Watch could be launched later this year or early 2022. Pictured: An Apple Watch Series 6

Gurman says, however, that is not true and Rockley won't even deliver its chipsets for health-monitoring features until the first half of 2022 at the earliest, the Telegraph reported in May.

The Apple Watch Series 6 touted a number of new health features, including a sensor that reads blood-oxygen levels in just 15 seconds by measuring the color of blood flowing through the wearer's body.

Blood oxygen is typically used as a measure of fitness and heart health, reflecting how well red blood cells carry oxygen around the body.

The heart monitor on the Apple Watch Series 4, released in 2018, lets users perform an electrocardiogram to measure the electrical activity of their heart.
If you spot more spiders around the home in the next few weeks, fear not  it's just a sign that the mating season in the UK has kicked off for our eight-legged friends.

Typically running from the first couple of weeks of September into early October, this time sees males emboldened out into the open as they hunt for a mate.

There are some 650 species of spiders that call the UK home and there can be anywhere to to 40 individuals living in the average small house.

However, this number can rise to the thousands in older, larger Victorian properties  which are often full of perfect little cracks and crevices for them to hide in.

While it may do little to console the arachnophobes among us, most of the spiders found in the UK are quite harmless, as they can't even bite humans.

Yet there are some exceptions, such as the noble false widow spider, or 'Steatoda nobilis', which has become one of the most common urban spiders in the UK.

Bites from these tiny terrors  which can grow to around half an inch long  can cause anything from light to debilitating pain and mild to intense swelling.

If you spot more spiders around the home in the next few weeks, fear not  it's just a sign that the mating season in the UK has kicked off for our eight-legged friends. Pictured: a giant house spider, Eratigena artic, scuttling down a wall

Typically running from the first weeks of September into early October, this time sees males emboldened out into the open as they hunt for a mate. Pictured: a male house spider

Having originated on the Canary Islands and Madeira, the noble false widow is now in the running to be one of the world's most invasive species of spider, having made it parts of Europe, North and West Africa, California, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. Pictured: sightings of noble false widow spiders in the UK, as recorded by the British Arachnological Society

'The ones we see scuttling around in the house  they're usually the male house spiders,' entomologist Richard Jones previously told BBC Radio 1.

'The ones you see running across the carpet in front of you freaking you out, most often it'll be a male out on some sort of amorous pursuit,' he added.

'They're more mobile than the other sedentary females. And that's why we see them at this time of year.'

House spiders, being descendants of species from Africa and the Mediterranean, tend to prefer hiding in our cosy homes over living outside.

NOBLE FALSE WIDOW BITE SYMPTOMS Bites from the noble false widow spider can trigger symptoms that are both localised and systemic, and can range from light to debilitating pain and mild to intense swelling. Other reported symptoms include: Elevated or lowered blood pressure

Impaired mobility

Nausea

Tremors In rare cases, victims have also been known to develop minor wounds at the puncture site and/or required treatment for severe bacterial infections as a result of the bite. Advertisement

Cases of noble false widow spider bites are on the rise in the UK and can be serious enough as to require hospital treatment, scientists recently warned in a paper published in the journal Clinical Toxicology.

Despite having become one of the most common arachnids in many urban parts of the UK, the exact health threat they pose has long been a subject of debate.

Experts from the National University of Ireland, Galway, however, showed that their venom can trigger reactions similar to those seen with true black widows.

They analysed 16 instances of false widow bites, bringing the total number of confirmed cases reported in scientific literature up to 24.

Symptoms can include pain, swelling, nausea, tremors, altered blood pressure, impaired mobility and in rare cases minor wounds and severe bacteria infections.

The team also found that most noble false widow bites occur in the home, with 88 per cent occurring while the victim slept or had the spider trapped in their clothes.

The researchers have established a DNA database to aid doctors with bite analysis even when the offending spider itself has been squashed beyond recognition.

Those who suspect they have been bitten by a false widow spider and are experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical assistance.

Cases of bites from the noble false widow spider (pictured) are on the rise in the United Kingdom and can be serious enough as to require hospital treatment, scientists have warned

'In addition to their medically significant venom, noble false widows are extremely adaptable and competitive in the wild,' said paper author and venom expert Michel Dugon of the National University of Ireland, Galway.

'Two decades ago, this species was almost unknown in Ireland, the UK or in continental Europe. We still have much to learn about its genetics, origin, behaviour and development.

'One thing is certain, though  this species is here to stay, and we must learn how to live with it.'

Having originated on the Canary Islands and Madeira, the noble false widow is now in the running to be one of the world's most invasive species of spider, having made it parts of Europe, North and West Africa, California, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador.

The reason for this expansion in range, as well as population density, is not clear, the researchers said, although one likely explanation comes in a genetic mutation which has made the species more capable of adapting to new environments.

Their travel from country to country, meanwhile, has been facilitated by our increasingly global economy, with the spider able to accidentally hitchhike in crates and shipping containers to far-flung parts of the globe.

Despite having become one of the most common arachnids in many urban parts of the UK, the exact health threat they posed has long been a subject of debate. Experts from the National University of Ireland, Galway, however, have shown that their venom can trigger reactions similar to those seen with true black widow bites. Pictured: a finger swollen by a painful bite

The noble false widow was first spotted in England in 1879 and since is most commonly reported from the southern counties, although its range is thought to be increasing northwards thanks, in no small part, to the recent spate of mild winters.

This spider is said to thrive in seaside cities and villages that have a temperate climate, but they are also are capable of establishing themselves in urban environments more broadly and can rapidly reach large population numbers.

As a result, the noble false widow is now one of the most commonly reported spiders found in urban settings in parts of Britain and Ireland, with their increasing presence in homes leading to a rise in painful, venomous bites.

'Approximately ten species of Irish spiders have fangs large enough to bite through human skin,' noted paper author and toxicologist Aiste Vitkauskaite, also of Galway.

'Yet over the past five years, we have never heard of anybody being bitten by any of the native species.

'Within the same period, we have recorded dozens of confirmed or probable False Widow bites. These spiders will become increasingly common and so will their bites.'

'Speculations around the potential severity of the bites by the Noble False Widow have been debated for many years,' said paper author and venom system expert John Dunbar, also of the National University of Ireland, Galway.

'Our latest study confirms without a doubt that Noble False Widows can cause severe envenomations (the process by which venom is injected).

'We only compiled envenomation cases where we had a clear identification of the spider responsible for the bite. We had to rely on DNA extraction and genetic profiling to confirm some cases.

'This species is increasing its range and population density which will undoubtedly lead to an increase in bites (since submitting our study in March we have already received further confirmed bite cases).

'While most cases will have a mild outcome, we need to continue to closely monitor bites by the Noble False Widow to understand the potential range of symptoms and to treat severe cases when they occur.'

The team have encouraged members if the public who think that they might have been bitted by a noble false widow spider to get in contact with them.

'We are encouraging people to capture a photograph of the spider immediately after being bitten,' Dr Dunbar added.
Pet dogs can tell when their owners are about to have an epileptic seizure thanks to a unique scent the canines pick up on, a study has demonstrated.

The finding  confirming various anecdotal accounts  means dogs could give warnings that have the potential to save lives if their owner falls unconscious.

Experts led from Queen's University Belfast exposed 19 dogs to odours harvested from the sweat of people who were about to have, were having or just had a seizure.

They found that all dogs exhibited observable behavioural changes  such as by crying, barking, or making eye contact  despite having not been trained to do so.

Alongside reducing the injuries that can be associated with unexpected seizures, the finding may also allow for medical interventions before the seizure occur.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that affects some 65 million people across the globe  of whom 20 million are unable to control their seizures with medication.

Pet dogs can tell when their owners are about to have an epileptic seizure thanks to a unique scent the canines pick up on, a study has demonstrated (stock image)

'We hypothesized that, given the extraordinary sense of smell of dogs, a volatile organic compound exhaled by the dogs epileptic owner may provide an early warning trigger mechanism,' said paper author Neil Powell.

This is what dogs react to before the seizure itself occurs, the Queen's University Belfast biologist, long-time dog lover and founder of Ireland's Search and Rescue Dog Association explained.

'The results have shown pet dogs to be a reliable source to detect an on-set seizure,' he added.

In their study, Dr Powell and colleagues recruited 19 pet dogs  none of whom had any prior experience with epilepsy  and exposed them to odours that are characteristic of three different phases of seizure.

These scents were harvested from the sweat of people with epilepsy prior to, during and in the wake of a seizure. The team also took two non-seizure-related sweat samples to use as control samples for the study.

The researchers found that  when presented with the seizure-associated smells  all 19 dogs underwent noticeable behavioural changes.

'Our findings clearly showed that all dogs reacted to the seizure-associated odour whether this was through making eye contact with their owner, touching them, crying or barking,' explained Dr Powell.

'There is a unique volatile smell linked to epileptic seizures, detectable by dogs who can in-turn warn their owner a seizure is likely to occur.

'Our research was based on pet dogs with no prior training,' he noted.

'If we can train dogs, this has the potential to make a big difference to owners who experience unpredictable seizures and should go a long way in improving not only their safety, but also their quality of life.'

'A reliable method of seizure prediction and detection is the holy grail for many people living with epilepsy as well as the parents of children with the condition,' said Epilepsy Ireland CEO Peter Murphy.

'This is especially the case where seizures involve the loss of consciousness, with a high risk of injury.

'While recent efforts have focused on technological solutions, it is exciting and very welcome news that anecdotal reports of dogs ability to predict seizures have now been backed up by scientific evidence.

'We have been immensely proud to support Dr Powells work and we hope that the findings will lead to new approaches alongside "mans best friend" that promote safety and offer reassurance for people living with epilepsy.'

With his initial study complete, Dr Powell is now moving to explore how dogs might be able to detect the onset of other medical conditions  and then to create a tool to replicate this ability. Pictured: Dr Powell poses with Fern the dog

With his initial study complete, Dr Powell is now moving to explore how dogs might be able to detect the onset of other medical conditions  and then to create a tool to replicate this ability.

'Our ultimate aim is to design an electronic device that could be sensitive to the biomarker that precedes the onset of an epileptic seizure as well as other conditions,' he explained.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal Animals.
Apple's newest iPhone will offer technology that lets it connect to satellites, allowing users to make calls and send messages when they're out of range from a 4G or 5G network, according to a new analyst report.

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the new device will feature a customized Qualcomm chip that allows for low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite communications, effectively making the next iPhone a satellite phone, according to a report seen by MacRumors.

The analyst said Qualcomm is teaming up with Globalstar on the chip, a customized version of Qualcomm X60 baseband chip.

Kuo added that the 'simplest scenario' to get connectivity would have network operators, such as AT&T or Verizon, work with Globalstar.

Apple's newest iPhone will offer technology that lets it connect to satellites, according to a new analyst report

Qualcomm is said to be working with Globalstar on the chip, a customized version of Qualcomm X60 baseband chip. At present, Globalstar has 48 LEO (pictured) satellites in operation

In this case, a customer of AT&T or Verizon would be able to use Globalstar's service with no additional contract or payments.

At present, Globalstar has 48 LEO satellites in operation, according to Aerospace Technology.

It's presently unclear if messages and calls over satellite would be available for iMessage and FaceTime or all forms of communication on the iPhone, 9to5Mac reported.

In addition to the technology potentially being a part of the next iPhone, Kuo said it could be a part of future Apple devices, including the oft-rumored augmented reality headset, the Apple Car and other products.

Shares of Globalstar soared more than 63 percent to $2.34 on back of the report.

Shares of Globalstar soared more than 63 percent to $2.34 on back of the report

Apple and Globalstar have not yet responded back with a request for comment from DailyMail.com.

A Qualcomm spokesman declined to comment for this story.

Globalstar's satellites pick up signals from over 80 percent of the Earth's surface, using CDMA technology to antennas at the appropriate gateway, then signaled through local networks, according to the company's website.

Globalstar's satellites pick up signals from over 80 percent of the Earth's surface, using CDMA technology to antennas at the appropriate gateway, then signaled through local networks, according to the company's website

Low-earth orbit forms of communication have received significant mainstream coverage, due in large part to SpaceX and its Starlink internet venture.

In June, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the company was on track to have more than 500,000 Starlink users by 2022 and could invest as much as $30 billion into the project.

In 2019, Bloomberg reported that Apple had a team working on having satellites send data to its devices.

Apple is likely to announce the next iPhones in the first half of September.

The new devices are likely to have upgrades to both its photo and video taking capabilities and a smaller notch, DailyMail.com previously reported.

They are expected to retain the same screen sizes as the iPhone 12 models, including 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch for the regular models and 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch for the Pro models.

The new iPhones are likely to be made of the same material as previous devices, something that may change with the 2022 iPhone model.
A significant number of birds of prey around the world, like the Philippine Eagle, hooded vulture and golden eagle, are in decline, with many at risk of becoming extinct because of climate change and poison, according to a new analysis of data.

The data, which comes from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and BirdLife International, found that 30 percent of 557 raptor species around the world are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered or critically endangered.

'Human activities are responsible for the catastrophic decline and extinction of thousands of animal and plant species throughout the world, and this loss is occurring at unprecedented rates,' the authors wrote in the study.

'Raptors (birds which feed on live prey) are some of the most threatened vertebrate taxa, and in the last three decades many species have experienced severe population declines or faced extinction.'

Eighteen species are considered critically endangered, including the Philippine eagle, the hooded vulture and the Annobon scops owl, the researchers found.

Some species are at risk of becoming extinct in certain regions, losing their roles as top predators in those ecosystems, said Gerardo Ceballos, a bird scientist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and co-author of the study.

A significant number of birds of prey around the world are in decline, with many at risk of going extinct due to climate change and poison

This 2020 photo provided by Evan R. Buechley shows a golden eagle feeding on roadkill in Utah. Gerardo Ceballos, a bird scientist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, says, 'The golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico, but we have very few golden eagles left in Mexico.' A 2016 census estimated only about 100 breeding pairs remain in the country. (Evan R. Buechley via AP)

'The golden eagle is the national bird of Mexico, but we have very few golden eagles left in Mexico,' Ceballos said in an interview with the Associated Press. A 2016 census estimated only about 100 breeding pairs remain in the country.

The study was published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

30% of 557 raptor species around the world are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered or critically endangered

This June 2013 photo shows a female harpy eagle and its young in a nest in Darien Province, Panama. Harpy eagles were once widespread throughout southern Mexico and Central and South America, but deforestation has dramatically shrunk their range

Harpy eagles, which have a wingspan of up to six-and-a-half-feet wide and are the largest eagles in the Americas, were once widespread throughout southern Mexico and Central and South America.

However, tree cutting and burning has dramatically shrunk their range.

Of threatened birds of prey that are active mostly during the day - including most hawks, eagles and vultures - 54 percent were falling in population, the study found. The same was true for 47 percent of threatened nocturnal raptors, such as owls.

FILE - This Sunday, March 14, 2010 file photo shows 'Girlie,' a 29-year-old Philippine Eagle at the Parks and Wildlife Center at Manila's Quezon City. An analysis of data found that 30% of 557 raptor species worldwide are considered near threatened, vulnerable or endangered

That means 'the factors causing the decline have not been remedied' and those species need immediate attention, Jeff Johnson, a biologist at the University of North Texas, who was not involved in the study, told the AP.

Climate change and poisoning are the biggest threats these birds face, Evan Buechley, a research associate at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and a scientist at nonprofit HawkWatch International who was not involved in the study, said.

In Africa, vulture populations have decreased by an average of 95 percent over the last 30 years from feeding on livestock treated with diclofenac, the study's authors wrote.

This undated photo provided by Evan R. Buechley in August 2021 shows a hooded vulture in Ethiopia. In Africa, vulture populations have decreased by an average of 95 percent over the last 30 years from feeding on livestock treated with diclofenac

The insecticide DDT, was banned in 1972 in the U.S. after it was found to thin egg shells and decimate the bald eagle populations.

However, other poisons, such as the aforementioned diclofenac, as well as other chemicals used to control pests (superficially rodents) and the lead in hunters' bullets and shot pellets are hurting the population of birds of prey.

The Andean condor, the world's heaviest soaring bird at 33 pounds, is declining due to exposure to pesticides, lead and other toxic substances

The Andean condor, the world's heaviest soaring bird at 33 pounds, is declining due to exposure to pesticides, lead and other toxic substances, said Sergio Lambertucci, a biologist at the National University of Comahue in Argentina.

Widespread use of an anti-inflammatory drug in livestock led to the rapid decline of vultures in South Asia. The birds died after eating carcasses, shrinking the population of some species by 95% in recent decades.

In East Asia, many raptor species are long-distance migrants: They breed in northern China, Mongolia or Russia and travel down the eastern coast of China to spend summers in Southeast Asia or India.

'Certain areas of the coast will see 30 to 40 species during peak migration,' said Yang Liu, an ecologist at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, who was not involved in the study.

But eastern China is also the most populous and urban part of the country, with steep development pressures. 'Sites that are bottlenecks for migration, with thousands of birds passing through, are important to protect,' he said.

Of 4,200 sites identified by conservation groups as critical for raptor species globally, most 'are unprotected or only partly covered by protected areas,' said Stuart Butchart, chief scientist at BirdLife International in the United Kingdom.

A 2018 study in the journal Biological Conservation found that 52% of all raptor species worldwide are decreasing in population.
Forgoing early retirement working into a person's later years could help boost their cognition and critical thinking skills, a new study suggests.

Researchers at Germany's Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science found that working up to the age of 67, when most Americans retire, slows their cognitive decline and can help against diseases such as Alzheimer's and other diseases that can negatively impact a person's cognitive functions.

Remarkably, the findings show that a person will benefit working longer, regardless of their gender, education level or level of job complexity.

'Our study suggests that there may be a fortuitous unintended consequence of postponed retirement,' the study's co-author, Angelo Lorenti, said in a statement.

Lorenti continued: 'In this study, we approach retirement and cognitive function from the perspective that they both come near the end of a long path of life.

Working past retirement age could help against cognitive decline, according to a new study

The researchers did find that people with more complex jobs do see a slightly slower decline than those with less complex jobs.

Remarkably, the findings show that a person will benefit working longer, regardless of their gender, education level or level of job complexity

'... Ethnicity, gender, and early-life social and economic status, goes on with educational and occupational attainment and health behaviors, and goes all the way up to more proximate factors such as partnership status and mental and physical health,' the study's co-author, Angelo Lorenti, said

The researchers did find that people with more complex jobs do see a slower decline than those with less complex jobs

'It begins with one's social origins in ethnicity, gender, and early-life social and economic status, goes on with educational and occupational attainment and health behaviors, and goes all the way up to more proximate factors such as partnership status and mental and physical health.

'All these kinds of factors accumulate and interact over a lifetime to affect both cognitive function and age at retirement.'

A separate study from researchers at Georgetown's University Medical Center recently found that certain mental skills, including multitasking and prioritization, improve after the age of 50.

The researchers looked at observations from 20,469 individuals between the ages of 55 and 75 who were part of the U.S. workforce between 1996 and 2014.

Lorenti added that there is no change between social and labor market dynamics, adding that many countries around the world have increased the retirement age.

The concern is for an aging global population, given that dementia rates tend to increase as people get over.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer's and that's projected to rise to 13 million by 2050.

Globally, that figure is at least 50 million and could exceed 150 million by 2050 if breakthroughs are not discovered, according to Bright Focus.

'That is why it is relevant to understand if retiring at older ages may have health consequences, particularly on cognitive function,' Lorenti explained.

The US Census Bureau predicts that, by 2035, there will be 77 million Americans 65 and older, outnumbering the 76.5 million children ages 18 and under.

Germany, Italy, France, Spain and other European countries already have older populations, while in Japan, considered a super-aged society, more than one in four people are 65 or older.

The study was recently published in SSM  Population Health.
China has announced that children can only play online video games for three hours a week, a further crackdown from earlier regulations limiting play time to 1.5 hours a day.

Gaming companies can now only welcome minors between 8 and 9pm on Fridays, weekends and public holidays, Bloomberg News reported.

Internet addiction is considered a clinical disorder in China, with an increasing number of young people choosing to ignore studies, socializing and family to surf the web or play online games.

In 2019, Beijing initially banned children from playing online games for more than 1.5 hour a day and any time after 10pm.

Authorities are now also asking companies to keep keeping users' names and other data, be more transparent about in-game transactions and link titles to anti-gaming addiction programs, according to Engadget.

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New regulations in China limit children's amount of online gaming to just three hours a week, down from 1.5 hours a day

The crackdown aims to address what Beijing sees as a growing epidemic of gaming addiction among young people.

As far back as 2008, the Chinese Ministry of Health began viewing internet addiction as a clinical disorder, marked by staying online for more than six hours a day and having adverse reactions to not being online.

A 2018 report published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions found nearly 12 percent of Chinese university students had Internet Addiction Disorder, which it called an impulse control disorder, 'similar to eating disorders, pathological gambling and other addictions.'

According to the China's General Administration of Press and Publication, 14 percent of Chinese minors, including 33 million of those under the age of 16, are obsessed with the Internet.

According to the Chinese government, 14 percent of Chinese children, including 33 million of those under the age of 16, are obsessed with the Internet

In 2019, Eastern Zhejiang proposed making primary school children go to bed by 9pm, even if they hadn't finished their homework. Middle-school kids could stay up to 10pm.

According to the original gaming edict, users under 16 couldn't play games for more than an hour-and-a-half a day on a school night or three hours a day on weekends or official state holidays.

And gaming between 10pm and 8am was strictly off limits for youngsters.

Gamers have to register their personal details with service providers before being allowed to play and children under 8 are barred from playing games that require cash payment.

For those between the ages of eight and 16, a monthly cap of about $30 was instituted in 2019, along with a single-transaction limit of about $7.

Adult players are not allowed to spend $60 a month on one game or $15 per session.

China has more than 800 million internet users, according to the China Internet Network Information Center, and 29 million of them are under the age of 10.

Young addicts can spend up to 17 hours online and even wear diapers so they don't have to take bathroom breaks.

China has more than 800 million internet users, 29 million of them under the age of 10

COVID-19 lockdowns only increased gaming worldwide: In the US over half of Americans said they turned to video games out of boredom, according to Super Data, resulting in a $139 billion in profits for 2020a 12 percent increase from 2019.

Other efforts to address gaming addiction in China have been more controversial: In 2017, a teen died several days after being sent to an internet-addiction treatment center in the eastern province of Anhui.

These digital detox clinics have been compared to boot camps with harsh, military-style tactics, the BBC News reported.
Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational return to Manchester United has moved a step closer after he completed his medical in Lisbon over the weekend.

Terms have been agreed on a two-year deal and, according to Sky Sports, United have also inserted a clause to extend the contract for a further season. They will pay around 20million to Juventus.

The final touches are being put on visa details before Ronaldo's move to United is officially done and the Old Trafford outfit can unveil the Portugal star ahead of his second spell at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the brink of completing his move to Manchester United from Juventus; he is set to sign a two-year deal back at former club United with an option for another season

Ronaldo is expected to have agreed terms on a 480,000-a-week deal at United, which will make him the Premier League's highest-paid player. He could make his second United debut on September 11 against Newcastle at Old Trafford.

A three-year spell at United would see Ronaldo comfortably become the oldest player in the league. At present, that honour belongs to Chelsea defender Thiago Silva at 36 years, 11 months and five days.

Ronaldo is currently 36 years, six months and 11 days old, so when he joins he will be behind Silva at Chelsea.

And his return will complete a whirlwind week. As recently as Friday morning Ronaldo looked set to join United's fierce rivals City and play under Pep Guardiola.

But United made contact with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, while club legends such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Rio Ferdinand made contact with Ronaldo himself to try and dissuade him from joining the blue half of Manchester.

Speaking prior to United's 1-0 win over Wolves on Sunday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer backed Ronaldo to elevate the team to a new level.

'Hopefully we can get the paperwork sorted and announce it,' said Solskjaer. 'He is a great player, a great human being. I'm excited to keep building this squad. He will bring something completely different.

'Let's get him back to United after the break and hopefully he'll be involved as soon as possible. He will make us a better team.

'Hopefully Cristiano can come in and show what he has done in his career. I am sure he likes all the talk about being old. Make it personal and he will show what he can do.'

United fans paraded a cardboard cut out of Ronaldo at Molineux on Sunday afternoon

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed Ronaldo to take United up to a new level when he joins

United fans have hailed Bruno Fernandes for helping persuade Ronaldo to re-sign

United defeated Wolves thanks to an 80th-minute strike from Mason Greenwood but the display itself was patchy from Solskjaer's men, particularly in the first half.

'They look like they've had a European game, they've been away in Russia somewhere, got back late, early Thursday morning and they can't get going,' Roy Keane said on Sky Sports.

'My only worry, I hope Ronaldo is not watching because he'll be pulling out of the deal. Really not good enough.'

But there was a jubilant mood among the travelling United supporters at Molineux, with fans parading a cardboard cut-out of Ronaldo ahead of his impending return.

There was also a banner hailing 'Super Bruno' after Solskjaer said Bruno Fernandes had been onto Ronaldo to discuss his potential availability last week.
Twelve small businesses have recorded a collective loss of $15,851 after participating in a failed Instagram giveaway run by Married at First Sight alumni Tracey Jewel.

Jewel reached out to the wellness and beauty businesses to offer them a spot in her giveaway, indicating they would each gain anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000 followers if they were to participate.

The catch was that each business would be required to 'gift' Jewel and 10 other influencers products from their lines as well as pay a $299 'buy in' fee.

Several of the influencers named in the promotion have since claimed they were never made aware of the giveaway or the promises that they would advertise the products.

Some business owners, like Ebonnie Masini of Masini Sleepwear, were able to negotiate their inclusion at a lesser cost, but many others fronted the full fee with high hopes of exposure and new sales.

But they've all been left red faced and are now facing legal threats from Jewel's team for questioning why the promotion fell flat.

Former Married at First Sight contestant Tracey Jewel has been slammed by small Australian businesses for failing to deliver them thousands of followers in exchange for free products. Pictured wearing a Masini Sleepwear robe, surrounded by gifted products for the giveaway

Ebonnie Masini (pictured), the owner of Masini Sleepwear, claims 38-year-old Jewel contacted her on Instagram on June 30 with a business proposal

The competition ran from August 15 to 21, and since it ended each business gained an average of 40 new followers.

'That's not a typo,' Ms Masini told Daily Mail Australia. 'That's it.'

Jewel has since announced she would refund 33 per cent of the 'buy in' fee, but at least one business claimed when they contacted her to take her up on the offer, their email went unanswered.

In addition to the buy in fee and 11 gifted products, Vibe Wellness owner Megan provided 100 samples of her best selling Ultimate Skin Tea at Jewel's request.

'We saw this as a great opportunity for our small business... however our excitement was short lived,' Megan said.

Just three of the 11 promised influencers promoted her product, with others involved in the giveaway later confirming they never even received her package.

In addition to the buy in fee and 11 gifted products, Vibe Wellness owner Megan provided 100 samples of her best selling Ultimate Skin Tea at Jewel's request

In messages seen by Daily Mail Australia, Jewel offered Ms Masini a spot in a mass giveaway, indicating she would gain anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000 followers if she were to participate

She didn't receive a single new sale from the promotion.

'Our small business lost $813.35 in this transaction. It may seem like a small amount but Tracey and her team are not delivering what they have agreed to while businesses like myself are out of pocket,' she said.

'As a small business, this has hit us hard. We have already lost so many sales due to COVID and this is just another blow.'

Another business owner who also claims to have been left $1,200 out of pocket said when they approached Jewel for a refund, she directed them to the business behind the promotion, Upself, and the owner, Jenny Collett.

Ms Collett is Jewel's mother, and Jewel's husband is Nathan Constable is named as a 'key contact' for the business.

The voicemail message attached to the business number is also recorded by Jewel.

Several of the influencers named in the promotion have since claimed they were never made aware of the giveaway or the promises that they would advertise the products.

The Nourishing Body Co was also part of a giveaway orchestrated by Tracey Jewel, and the owner is now $1,200 out of pocket

Ms Masini, along with other small business owners who agreed to participate, was under the impression that all 11 influencers would promote the brand both on their stories and on grid posts

Jewel initially told Daily Mail Australia she was simply an influencer who was involved in the giveaway, but later confirmed she organised and created the event to support small businesses.

She said it was unfortunate the the giveaway did not yield the results she'd hoped for, but denied any wrongdoing.

'I fulfilled my role in promoting these businesses... In advertising there are no guarantees and I wish these businesses all the best,' Jewel said.

But in light of the disappointing results and overwhelmingly negative response from some of the businesses, Jewel conceded that the 'company she's involved with' would refund 33 per cent of the fees that were paid.

Jewel told Daily Mail Australia she was simply involved in the giveaway but did not organise the details of the agreement

Ms Masini understands promoting products via Instagram influencers never guarantees sales, but she, along with the other business owners, feel the competition was poorly executed.

'We were lucky to have only gifted four items, however, these items all retail for $189 hence its not an insignificant amount for us as a small business,' she said.

'All brands involved have copped losses.'

Ms Masini said she'd tried to contact Jewel to ask what went so wrong and point out that only three of the promised 11 influencers promoted her product, but she's been met with legal threats.

'This is harassment, bullying, defamation and cybercrime and my lawyers will be contacted on Monday morning if this does not stop. This is your first and final warning,' Jewel wrote in an email to all of the businesses involved.

'I understand a few of you are unhappy with the lack of results with this giveaway. I am too... Sometimes things just don't get the high return.'

She has since been in touch with several other influencers listed on the promotion, some of whom claim they had no idea it even existed.

Others say they were aware of the giveaway but either never received the products or received damaged goods with no instructions as to how or when to promote them.

'Many of them have since reached out embarrassed, apologetic and devastated that through no fault of their own their names have been tied to this,' Ms Masini said.

Jewel has been at the centre of several controversies since appearing on Married At First Sight
Rachel Griffiths and her husband Andy Taylor are leaving Melbourne.

The actress, 52, and the painter, 54, have purchased a 'designer terrace' in inner Sydney for more than $2million, reports Domain.

The high-profile couple moved back to Australia from the United States in 2012.

Big spenders: Rachel Griffiths and her husband Andy Taylor are leaving Melbourne. The couple (pictured in 2010) have purchased a 'designer terrace' in inner Sydney for more than $2million

The three-bedroom home 'with no parking' was listed with a $1.75million price guide.

The last Sydney property owned by Griffiths and Taylor was a holiday home in Palm Beach which was sold by the couple in 2014 for $2.25million.

They then moved their family to Rachel's home city of Melbourne, into a Victorian Era home, the subsequent renovation of which was designed by Powell & Glenn Architects.

Old digs: The last Sydney property owned by Griffiths and Taylor was a holiday home in Palm Beach, which was sold by the couple in 2014 for $2.25million

Griffiths and Taylor are parents to son Banjo, 17, and daughters Adelaide, 16, and Clementine, 12.

In a May column for Stellar Magazine, the Muriel's Wedding star, who lived in the U.S. for a decade before returning to Australia, explained her reasons for coming home.

'I was hungry to come home and tell our own Australian stories with humanity and vigour,' she wrote.

'So I did, and the years since have been the most satisfying of my career.'

Homecoming: In a May column for Stellar Magazine, the Muriel's Wedding star, who lived in the U.S. for a decade before returning to Australia, explained her reasons for coming home. Pictured: Rachel's former Palm Beach holiday home

Since returning, Griffiths has starred in a remake of the Australian horror film Patrick and the Mel Gibson-directed Hacksaw Ridge.

She has also directed episodes of the TV series Nowhere Boys and the feature-length Michelle Payne biopic Ride Like a Girl.

The film, the story of the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, was nominated for Best Film, Best Actress (for star Teresa Palmer) and Best Score at the 2019 AACTA Awards.
Former WAG Nadia Bartel has maintained a dignified silence following reports her ex-husband Jimmy has quietly ended things with his girlfriend Lauren Mand.

The 36-year-old shared a slew of Instagram posts on Sunday as news broke about Jimmy's romantic woes, but made no reference whatsoever to his split or the fact she has reportedly just reached a divorce settlement with the retired Geelong player.

She instead posted several Stories promoting the latest collection from her clothing brand Henne, which she runs with her sister Michelle Coppolino.

Holding her tongue: Former WAG Nadia Bartel (left) has maintained a dignified silence following reports her ex-husband Jimmy (right) has quietly split from his girlfriend Lauren Mand. The Bartels are pictured in early 2019, months before they ended their marriage

The new range from Henne is called 'The Essentials' and comprises everyday staples such as knit jumpers that 'create the foundation for a long-lasting wardrobe'.

Nadia's latest business venture comes after she finalised her divorce proceedings with Jimmy last week, more than two years after they called it quits.

There's no word yet on what she's getting from Jimmy in the divorce.

Avoiding the topic: The 36-year-old influencer shared a slew of Instagram posts on Sunday as news broke about Jimmy's romantic woes, but made no reference whatsoever to his split or the fact she has reportedly just reached a divorce settlement with the retired Geelong player

Promotion: She instead posted several Stories promoting the latest collection from her clothing brand Henne, which she runs with her sister Michelle Coppolino

The Bartels, once considered a glamour couple of the AFL, announced their separation in August 2019, but are believed to have split two months prior.

The former couple, who married in 2014 on the Bellarine Peninsula, share custody of two sons, Aston, five, and Henley, two.

News of the divorce settlement coincided with reports Jimmy is no longer dating Lauren Mand, the woman he is rumoured to have left his wife for.

It's over! Nadia's latest business venture comes after she finalised her divorce proceedings with Jimmy last week, more than two years after they called it quits. Pictured in 2016

The footy great is yet to comment on the supposed break-up.

Jimmy spent his career with the Geelong Cats from 2002 to 2016, winning the prestigious Brownlow Medal for 'best and fairest' player in the league in 2007.

Meanwhile, Lauren is believed to have an office job in Melbourne.

More heartbreak: News of the divorce settlement coincided with reports Jimmy is no longer dating Lauren Mand (right), the woman he is rumoured to have left his wife for
She announced she was expecting her second child with husband Neil Varcoe earlier this month.

But Edwina Bartholomew had some more baby news to celebrate on Sunday, as she confirmed her gorgeous Highland cow Shirley Manson had given birth to twins at the couple's Blue Mountains farmhouse.

The Sunrise newsreader, 36, left many fans scratching their heads as she revealed the news on Instagram, with some thinking she was referring to her own pregnancy as she dramatically wrote: 'Update on Stories. IT'S TWINS!'

More baby news! Pregnant Sunrise host Edwina Bartholomew (right, with her husband Neil Varcoe) left fans scratching their heads on Sunday after declaring 'It's twins!' in an Instagram post - before explaining it was her Highland cow that had actually given birth

However, she was quick to confirm it was in fact the farmyard animal who had added two to its family, as she wrote: 'Look what happened over breakfast. We welcomed furry little William Wallace to the @warramba family.

'This first photo is his mum Shirley Manson just before giving birth. The video shows the moments just after delivering and his first steps.

'And yes, we name our Highland Coos after famous Scots.'

She then shared a video of herself and Neil on a Zoom call with somebody working at the farm, confirming one of the new arrivals was a boy.

New mum: Edwina confirmed her gorgeous Highland cow Shirley Manson (pictured) had given birth to twins at the couple's Blue Mountains farmhouse

Welcome to the family! She then shared a video of herself and Neil on a Zoom call with somebody working at the farm, confirming one of the new arrivals was a boy

Edwina and Neil's farmhouse is just outside of Lithgow, about 225km from Sydney's CBD, and is available to rent for $400 per night on Airbnb.

The couple paid $430,000 for the charming 19th century sandstone cottage in 2016, and sought the help of a school friend to redesign it the following year.

They married on the stunning property in 2018.

The Seven presenter is based in a $1.5million, three-bedroom home in Sydney's Dulwich Hill with Neil, but regularly escapes to Warramba.

Wedding day: Edwina and Neil's farmhouse is just outside of Lithgow, and is available to rent for $400 per night on Airbnb. The couple married on the stunning property in 2018

Breaking news! Edwina announced she was pregnant live on Sunrise on August 19. 'In developing news, news that will be developing news, news that will be developing for the next six months, we will be having another baby,' she said

Edwina announced she was pregnant live on Sunrise on August 19.

'In developing news, news that will be developing news, news that will be developing for the next six months, we will be having another baby,' she said.

Neil and Edwina already share daughter Molly, one, and she joked that their little one was totally disinterested in the news.

'Due in February, and I tried to tell Molly and she was not terribly interested. I showed her the photo when she scrunched up and threw on the floor,' she said.

Edwina, who also shared a picture on Instagram of her baby scan, told her Sunrise colleagues she will be keeping mum on the sex of the baby.

'Yes, we know what it is. I will keep that one a secret for now,' she said.
Chris Hemsworth has submitted plans to build a second 'Westfield-style' mansion on a massive 35 hectare site just a stone's throw away from his existing controversial Byron Bay megastructure.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal the Hemsworths hope to build a seven-bedroom home - each with its own ensuite bathroom - less than a kilometre from the mansion they currently call home.

Detailed plans show the sprawling residence will have four levels and sport a mandatory butler's pantry and swimming pool.

Chris Hemsworth hopes to build a large 'McMansion' on property he owns just around the corner from his existing mansion

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have reportedly spent $17million on property in the Byron Bay area over the past five years.

Plans for a new four level home on Chris Hemsworth's property have been lodged for final approval

An aerial view of the proposed location of Chris Hemsworth's latest super structure

A second building, adding another two bedrooms and two bathrooms, will sit next to a tranquil pond, which already has a cosy cabana and firepit.

A garage will comfortably hold three Ferraris for the Hemsworths or their Hollywood mates, who are expected to bunker down at the new pad should it get the all clear.

Hemsworth purchased the land for $4.25million in 2019.

Daily Mail Australia can reveal development plans were first lodged in March, with a final draft being submitted with Byron Bay Council in July.

Coincidentally, the final plans were delivered at the same time news emerged the Hemsworths were considering selling their existing Byron Bay mansion.

Those rumours turned out to be incorrect as the Hollywood super star continued his scheme to expand the family's real estate empire in Australia's hottest beachside community.

The new dwelling is about a kilometre as the crow flies from his current mansion, which sits on a relatively modest four hectares on New South Wales' north coast.

Sources have told Daily Mail Australia Hemsworth will likely use the property to house his A-lister mates while they are filming Down Under.

Hemsworth's latest flick Thor: Love And Thunder, which began filming on January 26, brought a star-studded cast to Australia, including Matt Damon and Natalie Portman.

'I guess when you are a superhero, one McMansion in Byron is not nearly enough,' the source said.

'You need three for all your Hollywood mates to come and stay and privately quarantine while the rest of us have to stay in crappy hotels for two weeks.'

Daily Mail Australia can further reveal Hemsworth has come under fire for building a large stable complex on his existing property, knocking the top off a hill to create an enormous horse ring.

A riding facility dubbed 'El Caballo Blanco' by come has been erected on Hemsworth property near his existing mansion

Established by Sydney Entrepreneur Emmanuel Margolin, Sydney's El Caballo Blanco in Catherine Field, near Campbelltown, was a famous theme park that operated at Catherine Field on the outskirts of Sydney.

The final draft of a four-story dwelling Chris Hemsworth hopes to build on land he owns near his existing mansion in Byron Bay

The Hemsworth mansion is estimated to be worth up to $30 million

Daily Mail Australia revealed the horse riding arena, complete with jumping fences, earlier this month.

The source claimed Hemsworth did not seek council approval to build the structure.

'Apparently his mates call it 'El Caballo Blanco' - named after a large equine Andalusian theme park that operated in western Sydney in the 70s, 80s and 90s,' the source said.

It is understood the equine facilities were constructed by Hemsworth to keep his wife - Elsa Pataky - from riding through private property and along Byron Bay's environmentally protected beaches.

Byron Bay Council did not respond to Daily Mail Australia's questions on Monday.

One of the Hemsworth's development neighbours, Steve Duchen, told Daily Mail Australia he was angry at the Hemsworth proposal given the actor's vocal opposition to an eco-resort that his company Linnaeus Estate was developing along the beach.

In May, Hemsworth hit Instagram to slam the development, which he claimed was on land sacred to indigenous Australians.

Mr Duchen said Hemsworth had some nerve proposing a new mega mansion given his opposition to his company's 'minor' development.

He also claimed Pataky had routinely ridden her prized equines through the disputed property in order to get to the beach.

'In fact she had previously just taken the liberty of riding her horses across our property without our permission. Their property sits behind ours and has no beach access,' he said on Monday.

'He's now going for a massive development having entered into our property for his wife's horses.'

In May, Daily Mail Australia revealed the Hemsworth's beloved Groodle 'Sunny' had been impounded after being found wandering alone on the same patch of sacred land his master had defended on Instagram.

Elsa Pataky has been accused of guiding her horses through Linnaeus Estate (pictured), which blocks access to the beach from the Hemsworth properties

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky's beloved pet dog Sunny (pictured) went missing in Byron Bay in May (above)

Elsa Pataky takes her horse for a ride on the beach in Byron Bay in 2019. She has previously come under fire from locals for riding on protected beaches

Development continues on Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth's family ranch in Broken Head, near Byron Bay.

'I stand shoulder to shoulder, in solidarity with Aunty Lois Cook in opposition to the tourism development at Seven Mile Beach,' Hemsworth said in a video shared with his 48.6 million Instagram followers at the time.

'I fully support traditional custodians to be able to comfortably tell their people's stories, to preserve and protect their homelands,' he added.

'This proposed development would have a direct impact on these sacred and significant Indigenous sites.'

He also shared a video of activist Lois Cook, a traditional custodian of Ngangbul Country in the Bundjalung Nation of eastern Australia who is backing the Friends of Seven Mile cause.

His dog had been found by the manager of the very development company Hemsworth had slammed, Linnaeus Estate.

Mr Duchen slammed the Hemsworths at the time amid claims of double standards.

'It has happened before. We're in a very delicate, natural environment and in fact in Byron you're not allowed to have dogs on the beaches or even in this particular area because it's a marine park,' he said.

Hemsworth's beloved dog was taken to the pound after being found on an area of beach deemed to be sacred land (above) in May

The development of Hemsworth's existing home divided opinion in their hometown upon its construction.

Hemsworth and his family began construction on his current Byron Bay mansion, named Kooeloah, in late 2017.

The fortress like property, which sits high above Seven Mile Beach, boasts a gymnasium, butler's pantry, fire pit, change rooms, outdoor play area for the three Hemsworth children and walk-in wardrobes.

A 50-metre pool helps the family keep cool and stay fit and comes with a stunning view over the idyllic Broken Head Nature Reserve.

The Hemsworths first purchased the property in 2014 for $7 million and spent years building their dream mansion.

Angry neighbours were quick to say the rebuild reminded them of a suburban shopping centre, a refurbished RSL club or a regional airport terminal.

Others compared it to a multi-storey car park.

Originally estimated at $20million, property experts said in January the LA-style compound was now worth $30million.

Hemsworth's manager has been contacted for comment.

HEMSWORTH'S EXISTING PAD HAS ITS OWN MUD ROOM It has a 50-metre rooftop infinity pool estimated to have cost at least $400,000, an enormous indoor mural that could be worth as much as $100,000, and the landscaping bill would have reached about $500,000. Formwork and concrete for the foundations of Fortress Hemsworth - known on architectural plans as 'Project 657 BHR' - would have set the couple back $1.5million to $2million. For Sydney builder Jason Natoli, who specialises in luxury renovations, the most striking aspect of the existing Broken Head landmark was its sheer size. 'It's ginormous,' Mr Natoli said. 'You've got an infinity pool with a spa, five bedrooms with five ensuites, a large indoor-outdoor kitchen, a four-car garage. 'There's a cinema room, massage room, sauna room, steam room, games room with a bar. There's also a mud room - I've never heard of that before.' Mud rooms, made popular in America, are secondary entrances used to store coats, shoes and items such as bikes, umbrellas and surfboards which are regularly carried in and out of the house. Advertisement

Chris Hemsworth's existing mansion has been compared to large shopping centres in size
Sydney publicist Roxy Jacenko and her husband Oliver Curtis have quietly ended their business relationship, four years after launching PR company 18 Communications together.

The company, which aimed to promote Australian brands in the Chinese market, officially closed this month, with Ms Jacenko confirming the news exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

'I opened the business four years ago when Oli was released [from jail] to help him get back on his feet, given his extensive knowledge of China from his work over the years,' said Ms Jacenko, referring to Mr Curtis' stint in prison for insider trading.

It's over! Publicist Roxy Jacenko (left) and her husband Oliver Curtis (right) have quietly ended their business relationship after closing the doors to their PR business 18 Communications

The 41-year-old entrepreneur explained that 18 Communications enjoyed plenty of success, and the only reason why it closed was because neither she nor her husband had the time to run it.

After 'four incredible years together in the business', she said Mr Curtis' attention had shifted to his new role as chief operating officer of data company Firmus Grid.

'[Firmus Grid] takes up all his time and the growth has been incredible in a very short time. As such, we needed to make a decision on 18 Communications and its future, and that was to close it,' Ms Jacenko said.

'We needed to make a decision': The company, which aimed to promote Australian brands in the Chinese market, officially closed this month, with Ms Jacenko confirming the news exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Monday. Pictured: the logo for 18 Communications

Ms Jacenko explained she'd been focusing on her other business ventures, including her digital influencer agency Ministry of Talent, public relations company Sweaty Betty PR, and her daughter Pixie's retail brand.

She is also busy working on building her candle business XRJ Celebrations.

'It was very sad for me to advise clients I would be closing [18 Communications] at the end of the month, but the reality is there is only so far I can stretch myself,' she said.

Busy schedule: Ms Jacenko is focusing on her other business ventures, including her digital influencer agency Ministry of Talent and public relations company Sweaty Betty PR

Just kidding! Never afraid to make light of an unfortunate situation, Ms Jacenko joked that she and Mr Curtis had ended their business relationship due to 'unreconcilable differences' - a term usually reserved for couples going through divorce

Never afraid to make light of an unfortunate situation, Ms Jacenko joked that she and Mr Curtis had ended their business relationship due to 'unreconcilable differences' - a term usually reserved for couples going through divorce.

18 Communications was set up to help Australian businesses build a presence within the notoriously hard-to-crack Chinese market.

The business retained a slew of high-end clients, including YSL, Vera Wang, Harrolds, P.E Nation, Melanie Grant Skin, Samsung, Disney and Musson Jewellers.

Big undertaking: 18 Communications was set up to help Australian businesses build a presence within the notoriously hard-to-crack Chinese market

Ms Jacenko went into business with her husband in 2017 after he was released from Cooma Correctional Centre having served 12 months for insider trading.

Due to Mr Curtis' conviction, he was disqualified from managing corporations until June 2022.

As a result, he took on the role of 18 Communications' chief operating officer, which did not breach the court-ordered restrictions.

Post-jail venture: Ms Jacenko went into business with her husband in 2017 after he was released from Cooma Correctional Centre having served 12 months for insider trading. Pictured: the couple arriving at the Supreme Court of NSW during Mr Curtis' trial in June 2016

'I haven't been banned to work. It's just simply being a director,' Mr Curtis explained to The Daily Telegraph at the time.

'It's taken some adjusting for both of us, but there is no doubt we are a deadly duo with his back-end and strategic ability mixed with my my creative comms ability,' Ms Jacenko added.

'And I am very excited to see the business evolve even further.'
Daryl Dixon came to the rescue at the last minute to save his entire crew from near certain death from a horde of zombies on Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead.

The episode titled 'Acheron:Part II' of 11th and final season of the AMC show started with Maggie Rhee [Lauren Cohan] fighting off a group of zombies after falling from the train.

Maggie tried to shoot as many zombies as she could until her gun ran out of bullets and the zombies surrounded her.

Last minute: Daryl Dixon came to the rescue at the last minute to save his entire crew from near certain death from a horde of zombies on Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead

Father Gabriel [Gabriel Stokes] , Duncan [Marcus Lewis], and Alden [Callan McAuliffe ] managed to pull out a skylight off the D.C. Metro train and lowered themselves down.

Once inside they quickly killed the handful of zombies inside. Negan Smith [Jeffrey Dean Morgan] and Frost [Glenn Stanton] and Agatha [Laurie Fortier] also then lowered themselves into the car after them. The group tried to move through the train, but the doors were rusted shut.

'Where's Maggie?' asked Alden.

'She was right behind me,' said Negan who ignored her cries for help before she dropped down toward the zombies.

Solo striker: The survivor played by Norman Reedus was on a solo mission separated from his friends for most of the episode

Alden wanted to go outside and look for her, but was told that they needed to keep moving forward and if he went outside that he would die.

Zombies surrounded the train and banged on its windows and Father Gabriel told them they needed to focus on prying the door off the back of the train so they could move through it.

Alden stepped in with a crow bar and broke a door open so they could all move to the next car.

Boxed in: Seth Gilliam as Father Gabriel Stokes, Callan McAuliffe as Alden and James Devoti as Cole were boxed in a train car by zombies

Meanwhile, under the train Daryl [Norman Reedus] smashed through rocks to follow Dog to an underground passageway tunnel. The area was covered with graffiti, some of it read 'It comes for us all.'

There were chairs and suitcases from the people that died hiding out in the tunnel. There was one man shot dead next to a suitcase of cash. The walls were also painted with a depiction of the fighting that happened.

Daryl found a plastic bag that had a granola bar and notes two children had written to their father. Dog then ran into another tunnel and Daryl climbed in after him.

Cash money: Daryl found bodies next to suitcases stuffed with cash

Walkers everywhere: The walkers were all over the trains and underground

At the Commonwealth's camp, Yumiko [Eleanor Matsuura], Princess [Juanita Sanchez] and Eugene Porter [Josh McDermitt] had snuck back into their cage after escaping.

Yumiko was determined to talk to someone in charge and to find out what happened to her brother who had posted her photo on a bulletin board filled of 'lost' individuals. She started screaming at their guard demanding to know what they did with their missing friend Ezekeil [Khary Payton].

'That's right, we want to talk to the manager,' Yumiko told the guard.

Came back: At the Commonwealth's camp, Yumiko [Eleanor Matsuura], Princess [Juanita Sanchez] and Eugene Porter [Josh McDermitt] had snuck back into their cage after escaping

Yumiko was taken to an interrogation room where she told the two monitors that she had actually been assessing them. She then appeared to accurately guess her interrogators' professions before the world ended. She told them that she believed they used money as a powerful psychological tactic to control their group. She told them that she was a person, like them, who followed the rules and revealed she was a lawyer before.

Yumiko asked for expedited processing for her group 'as per your group's asylum and immigration policies' so she could locate her brother, a surgeon.

She was taken to a room where Mercer [Michael James Shaw] , the leader of the Commonwealth's army, brought her coffee.

Tables turned: Yumiko was taken to an interrogation room where she told the two monitors that she had actually been assessing them

Spot on: She then appeared to accurately guess her interrogators' professions before the world ended

Coffee cup: She was taken to a room where Mercer [Michael James Shaw] , the leader of the Commonwealth's army, brought her coffee

Bathroom break: Princes asked for a bathroom break

Yumiko smiled that her ploy to talk to their leader worked.

Back on the train, the group heard a banging coming from underneath. Alden recognized the sound as S.O.S code for help. They opened the trap door and Maggie crawled up. She immediately walked over and struck Negan with her gun.

'I slipped, he saw and he left me to die,' Maggie said.

Still alive: They opened the trap door and Maggie crawled up

Negan got up and admitted that he didn't help her when she was in trouble. He told them that Maggie had just threatened to kill him and that he had been a 'golden asset' for everyone. He reminded them that he killed Alpha and that if he hadn't done that then 'everyone person you know, their skull would be on a spike.'

'I did what needed to be done,' Negan said. 'I am trying.'

Suddenly, Gage [Jackson Page ] started pounding on a window on the train calling for help. He forgot to close the door on the train car and a group of zombies had followed him in. Alden tried to open the door but it was jammed. Maggie told him to stop and that if they opened the door for Gage that all the zombies would get in.

He's trying: 'I did what needed to be done,' Negan said. 'I am trying'

'I'm sorry,' Maggie told Gage. 'I can't.'

Gage called her a liar and stabbed himself to death in front of them before the zombies grabbed him. Maggie and her crew then watched as Gage was torn apart by the zombies.

Back at Commonwealth, Eugene was nervously waiting for Yumiko to emerge from the interrogation room. He went up to the guard that was outside Yumiko's room and asked for an 'ETA' as to when they would be done. The guard told him that no one was in the room. He then asked about Princess who went to use the ladies room, but never came back. The guard told Eugene that he needed to leave.

Killed himself: Gage called Maggie a liar and stabbed himself to death in front of them before the zombies grabbed him

In the train, Maggie's group struggled to open the back door in their compartment. Negan paced and told them the DC train brought back bad memories.

Zombie Gage then reappeared at the train window and Callan wanted to know why nobody wanted to look at him.

'All that is a shell of a man who died a coward,' said Father Gabriel.

Alden said he didn't deserve to die like that 'the worst way imaginable.'

Cowardly death: 'All that is a shell of a man who died a coward,' said Father Gabriel

Maggie told him there were worse ways and then delivered a spine-tingling horror story.

She told the group about how she and her son Hershel Rhee [Kien Michael Spiller] once found this frail old man hunched over a shopping cart of clothes. If she helped him haul the clothes and the man told her he would give her food for her troubles.

Maggie told them that she knew he was a liar, but she followed him home and then pulled out the chloroform rag that he was going to use on her and stuffed it in his mouth. She said she found these three deformed men in the house who she killed.

Horror story: Maggie told him there were worse ways and then delivered a spine-tingling horror story

She said she then heard this thudding house coming from the attic. She told them she went up to see what it was and it was a walker who used to be a woman. The walker didn't have arms, tongue, eyes, or vocal cords. She said she found others in the house, but also found food.

Maggie said she didn't care about the zombies, but the incident changed her and made her realize the rarity and beauty of their civilized community.

Under the train, Daryl was still in the tunnel looking for Dog. He was being followed by a few zombies which he quickly killed. He heard Dog barking in the distance. Daryl then heard the commotion from the train and went running.

Walking dead: Daryl was being followed by a few zombies which he quickly killed

By now the zombies had broken down the door and entered the car with Maggie's crew. Father, Maggie and the others all started shooting and killing the zombies. Zombies started coming from the back door and Maggie gave Negan a gun to help defend them. The army of zombies seemed endless as Maggie and the others on the train were outnumbered.

Finally, Daryl arrived and saved the day. He walked through the back of the train shooting zombies until he reached Negan and the stuck door. He pried the door open and then others ran through.

Once everyone had safely made it into the next car, he shoved a grenade in a zombie's mouth, barricaded the door and took cover. The blast instantly killed all the zombies.

From behind: Finally, Daryl arrived and saved the day with an attack from behind

Nice shot: The zombies were blown away by Daryl

At Commonwealth, Eugene was shaking with fear in his cell when a guard took him to an interrogation room. He demanded to know what had happened to his traveling companions and Mercer told him 'they are being processed.'

Mercer warned him not to lie to the auditor and told him he knew that he was holding back. He told Eugene he could go and see his friends again if answered two questions truthfully - where was their settlement and why they were at the train station.

Eugene told him he had been holding back. He told him that he had found this radio that he would speak into. He said once a beautiful voice spoke back to him. He said he got his friends to go to the train yard so that he could meet this person.

Freaking out: At Commonwealth, Eugene was shaking with fear in his cell when a guard took him to an interrogation room

He said he also lied to the woman he called Stephanie that he came from a large settlement. He said he didn't know if she was 'femme fatal.' Eugene, who said he was a virgin, said he just wanted to meet Stephanie.

After his interrogation, Eugene was taken to a shipping container where Princess, Yumiko and King Ezekiel [Khary Payton] were waiting. They hugged and Mercer came in and read them a proclamation that said they successfully completed processing and would now be considered for asylum.

'Welcome to the Commonwealth,' Mercer said.

Warm welcome: 'Welcome to the Commonwealth,' Mercer said

He told them they would next be taken to Orientation.

Then a woman walked in and asked 'which one of you was Eugene?' The woman it turned out was Stephanie, the woman Eugene wanted to meet, and he smiled.

Daryl and his crew made it out of the tunnel.

First meeting: Then a woman walked in and asked 'which one of you was Eugene?' and it was Stephanie who he risked a lot to meet

Negan gave Maggie back her gun and Maggie told them they needed to make a detour before they headed out and to hit a supply depot. She said the depot had ammo and food and would be a good place to rest.

They walked into a dark alley where bodies were hanging from their feet. Negan told them to double back, but out of nowhere throwing axes came at them.

They hid behind a car before coming face-to-face with an army of The Reapers, a group of hostile survivors, as the episode ended.

The Walking Dead will return next Sunday on AMC.

Too late: Negan told them to double back, but out of nowhere throwing axes came at them
Robert Webb was making strenuous efforts to be in tip-top shape for the dance floor with a run out in the sunshine

He is just weeks away from donning his sequins and making his Strictly Come Dancing debut.

And Robert Webb was making strenuous efforts to be in tip-top shape for the dance floor with a run out in the sunshine.

The comedian, 48, sported a pink vest, black shorts and blue trainers as he listened to music while pounding the streets of Hampstead, north London.

Webb, best known for his comedy work with David Mitchell, was one of the first celebrities to be announced for this years Strictly line-up.

He has said: I am ludicrously excited. Its a big, generous, joyful show.

The Peep Show star will be hoping to follow his 2009 win in Lets Dance For Comic Relief when he donned a leotard, long boots and curly wig for a Flashdance routine.

He took up running after emergency surgery when routine screening picked up a potentially fatal heart defect in 2019.

Other celebrities taking part in Strictly this year include McFlys Tom Fletcher, Olympian Adam Peaty and Dragons Den star Sara Davies.

This 19th series is expected to start at the end of next month and run until Christmas, with a full line-up of 15 contestants again.

Last years contest, won by comedian Bill Bailey and his partner Oti Mabuse, was shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Anton Du Beke will swap the dance floor for a score paddle as he becomes a judge, replacing Bruno Tonioli, and there are four new professional dancers.

Webb, best known for his comedy work with David Mitchell, was one of the first celebrities to be announced for this years Strictly line-up
Dame Helen Mirren arrived in style wearing a ball gown for the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show at St Mark's Square in Venice on Sunday.

The veteran actress, 76, looked stunning in the ensemble which boasted a gold bodice complete with jewels and a beautiful long skirt which had a gorgeous renaissance painting pattern printed on it.

Her white tresses were elegantly swept back from her face to reveal long gold earrings which dangled from her lobes.

Wow: Dame Helen Mirren arrived in style wearing a stunning ball gown for the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show at St Mark's Square in Venice on Sunday

Helen oozed stylishness as she covered her arms with chic mesh sleeves and she held a gold clutch bag in her hand.

She looked in high spirits and as she smiled for the cameras while arriving at the event by boat.

The Queen star opted for dark eyeliner and a red lip for the fashion event which was taking place in St Mark's Square in the Italian city.

Amazing: The veteran actress oozed elegance in the ensemble which boasted a gold bodice complete with jewels and a beautiful long skirt which had a renaissance painting pattern on it

Gorgeous: Her white tresses were elegantly swept back from her ace to reveal long gold earrings which dangled from her ears

Helen joined a host of famous faces attending the event, including Heidi Klum, Kitty Spencer and Jennifer Lopez.

The collection is called Collezione Genesi (Genesis Collection), and will debut on the luxury marketplace UNXD later this month.

It is said to 'bridge the physical with the metaphysical' and will feature items personally designed by co-founders Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana themselves.

Looking good: The Queen star opted for dark eyeliner and a red lip for the fashion event which was taking place in St Mark's Square in the Italian city

The concept was inspired by a dream from one of the designers, called Dress from a Dream.

The collection will focus on the rich artistic history and artistic traditions of the famous floating city.

The new NFT range was shown on Saturday, with an official live auction kicking off on the 6th September.
An explosive cheating scandal is set to rock The Block, with insiders warning it will be like nothing the long-running renovation series has ever seen before.

According to a report by New Idea magazine on Monday, one of the show's teams was caught out trying to obtain top secret information about upcoming challenges.

While the team at the centre of the scandal is yet to be revealed, they also attempted to obtain a highly confidential production schedule.

Bombshell: An explosive cheating scandal is set to rock The Block, with insiders warning it will be like nothing the long-running renovation series has ever seen before. Pictured, contestants Luke and Josh Packham

An insider said there was 'no turning back' after the scandal was exposed, with things becoming so heated between the teams, producers were concerned they wouldn't be able to work together moving forward.

'There were a few awkward days when things were sort of under investigation, nobody really wanted to talk and there was certainly no mixing or catching up in the cul-de-sac,' said a show insider.

Things proved to be especially tense between returning Faves Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie, and Fans Luke and Josh Packham.

Scandal: According to a report by New Idea magazine on Monday, one of the show's teams was caught out trying to obtain top secret information about upcoming challenges

'There is going to be a lot of footage left on the editing room floor,' said a source, adding that 'producers were in shock at the language and aggressiveness coming out of it all'.

According to the insider, insults were exchanged that 'you can never really take back' and friendships were destroyed.

Describing it as 'utter chaos and craziness', the source added that they 'wouldn't be surprised if there's a no-show come auction time'.

Getting heated: Things proved to be especially tense between returning Faves Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie, and Fans Luke and Josh Packham

Josh and Luke, both 26, addressed rumours they were at the centre of the cheating scandal during an interview on Today on Monday.

'Look, we definitely have a role to play in that. But it's just interesting who's pointing the fingers because there is more guilty parties to come.' said Josh.

'People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. We don't know what's going to be shown over the next week, but there's willing participants,' added Luke.

Speaking out: Josh and Luke, both 26, addressed rumours they were at the centre of the cheating scandal during an interview on Today on Monday

Even the show's veteran host, Scott Cam was left shell-shocked by the drama that unfolded, reportedly comparing it to Married At First Sight.

'I have never seen anything like this in any of the TV shows I have worked on over the years. We had to have some serious production meetings to establish a way to move forward,' Scott, 58, said in a statement.

'I was utterly shocked, disappointed and extremely annoyed - this scandal made it very unfair for everyone. It also affected something I love very much, and that is the build of The Block.'
Paris Hilton penned a heartfelt tribute to her fiance Carter Reum on their 21 month anniversary while yachting around Sardinia, Italy on Sunday.

In addition to describing the 40-year-old venture capitalist as her 'twin flame' on Instagram, she shared a slideshow of them gazing lovingly into each other's eyes.

'Heres to you the love of my life,' the socialite captioned her sweet post. 'I dont think Ill ever get over the feeling of butterflies in my stomach when Im around you.'

In love: Paris Hilton penned a heartfelt tribute to her fiance Carter Reum on their anniversary while yachting around Sardinia, Italy on Sunday

She continued: 'When we look eye to eye, I see you for all that you are a handsome, kind and loving soul. I get lost in you every time.'

'Our love story is the best thing to happen to me. I cant thank the heavens for you enough. I love this life we have, this love we share, and mostly, I love YOU,' she concluded. 'Happy 21st Monthiversary!'

In the first black and white snap, Reum tenderly held onto her waist, while she smiled at him in a flowing floral dress and Valentino heels.

PDA: In addition to describing the 40-year-old venture capitalist as her 'twin flame' on Instagram, she shared a slideshow of them gazing lovingly into each other's eyes

The second photo was in color and showed the Stars Are Blind hitmaker leaning in for a kiss with her left hand under her husband-to-be's chin.

On a recent appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the former reality star admitted that she has some opulent plans for her upcoming wedding to Carter.

Although she admitted the creative process for the big day has been 'very stressful' she also insisted that she is 'not a bridezilla at all.'

Dream come true: On a recent appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, the former reality star admitted that she has some opulent plans for her upcoming wedding to Carter

She said: 'It's gonna be like a three-day affair. We have a lot happening.'

Hilton also said on her podcast This Is Paris in July that she is 'not pregnant, not yet' and does not want to start a family until after she gets married: 'Im waiting until after the wedding,' said the socialite.

The DJ also went as far as to say that she does not want a child until 2022.

Hilton also said on her podcast This Is Paris in July that she is 'not pregnant, not yet' and does not want to start a family until after she gets married: 'Im waiting until after the wedding,' said the socialite

Meanwhile, The Simple Life star has vowed to fans that she will record more new music 'soon'.

Earlier this month, Paris celebrated the 15th anniversary of her debut album, Paris, that she said was 'so life-changing'.

Alongside the album cover, she wrote on Instagram: "Happy 15th Anniversary to my debut studio album #Paris. Thank you to everyone who has supported these songs, and continue to listen to them today!'

'Making this album was so life-changing and Im so proud of how these songs have transcended the years. Cant wait to continue to make more music for all of you soon! #Iconic #PopStarParis.'

Star power: The heiress released her debut single Stars Are Blind - which helped launch her current DJ career - in 2006, and while fans have been waiting for her second album since the release of eponymously titled Paris that same year (seen in 2016)

The heiress released her debut single Stars Are Blind - which helped launch her current DJ career - in 2006, and while fans have been waiting for her second album since the release of eponymously titled Paris that same year, she previously said that she's 'focused on singles'.

Asked in 2018 if she was recording another album, Paris said: 'I'm mostly focused on just singles, I think that's just how it is nowadays with the music industry.'

'It's not really about albums. So yeah I've been working on my second album forever, but I'm also running a huge business and doing a million other things.'
Proud mother Bindi Irwin and grandmother Terri Irwin have shared more adorable images of five-month-old Grace.

The daughter of Bindi and husband Chandler Powell was pictured out in the wild in a series of photos posted to Bindi's Instagram on Monday.

The pictures of the smiling tot were captioned 'Grace Warrior  Camping Level : Expert'.

Their girl: Proud mother Bindi Irwin and grandmother Terri Irwin have shared more adorable images of five-month-old Grace

In the photos, Grace wore a onesie and a rainbow patterned bib while sitting on a mat in what appeared to be bushland.

Covering Grace's head was a pink turban with a large bow at the front.

Grandma Terri's tweet showed her snuggling with a dozing Grace at Australia Zoo.

She captioned the tweet, 'Snuggle time with beautiful Grace Warrior at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. All the love.'

Pretty in pink! In the photos, Grace wore a onesie and a rainbow patterned bib while sitting on a mat in what appeared to be bushland

Nanna time: Grandma Terri's (pictured) tweet showed her snuggling with a dozing Grace at Australia Zoo

Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell have been settling into life as young parents since welcoming their daughter Grace Warrior back in March.

And last Tuesday, the wildlife warriors celebrated their baby girl reaching five months old with heartwarming Instagram posts marking the occasion.

Bindi, 23, shared a series of photos of Grace smiling in a onesie with a pink bow on her head while strapped into her tiny camping chair next to a river.

'Magic': Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell celebrated their daughter Grace Warrior reaching five months old with heartwarming Instagram posts on Tuesday

'She loves being outside on adventures with us, cuddling up to hear a good story, feeling/grabbing everything around her and giggling,' Bondi wrote.

'Every day she reminds us of the magic in even the simplest of things,' she added.

Chandler, 24, also shared the same photo of his adorable daughter enjoying the great outdoors.

Cute! Bindi, 23, shared a series of photos of Grace smiling in a onesie with a pink bow on her head while strapped into her tiny camping chair next to a river

'Five months of sunshine with our happy girl,' the former pro wakeboarder wrote.

'Recent weeks have been filled with smiles, laughter, rolling around and grabbing everything within reach. We love you, Grace,' he added.

The sweet posts come as the couple enjoy a camping trip at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.

Break: The sweet posts come as the couple enjoy a camping trip at the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve on Queensland 's Cape York Peninsula

On Friday, Bindi revealed Grace had started to show signs of teething.

She shared a photo on Instagram of herself smiling with her beaming baby girl sitting on her lap.

In the picture, taken by her husband, the family enjoyed some quality time together on the porch of their cabin.

Bonding: Other photos shared by Bindi on the family trip include one of Grace seated in her tiny camping chair in between her father Chandler (right) and her uncle Robert Irwin (left)

'Time on the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve is incredibly special,' Bindi wrote.

'While we've been here our beautiful girl has started to show teething signs.'

Most babies begin teething at six months old, however some can begin at four months or after 12 months old.

Family: She also posted a snap of herself holding Grace while smiling alongside Robert, Chandler and her mother Terri

'Early mornings and not much sleep for any of us. However, this little sunbeam smile makes it all worth it,' the doting mum added.

Other photos shared by Bindi on the family trip include one of Grace seated in her tiny camping chair in between her father and her uncle Robert Irwin.

She also posted a snap of herself holding Grace while smiling alongside Robert, Chandler and her mother Terri.

Proud parents: In a third picture, Chandler held his daughter and gazed adoringly at his wife, who smiled at their baby girl

Bindi first met Chandler in 2013, when the American former wakeboarder went on a guided tour of Australia Zoo in Queensland.

The pair married in a makeshift ceremony at Australia Zoo in March last year.

They welcomed daughter Grace Warrior in March 2021.
Alessandra Rampolla was praised for breathing new life into Married At First Sight following her debut as the show's newest relationship expert this year.

And now, Daily Mail Australia can reveal that the 47-year-old Puerto Rican sexologist will be returning for the 2022 series.

Alessandra quietly touched Down Under earlier this month and has already completed mandatory hotel quarantine.

CONFIRMED: Married At First Sight's Puerto Rican sexologist Alessandra Rampolla, 47, will be returning for a second season of the popular Channel Nine dating show

Despite having concerns about New South Wales being in lockdown, Alessandra is understood to be thrilled at the opportunity to be invited back for season nine.

'Alessandra had no idea what she originally signed up for, but she was well-taken care of and loved how well-respected she was by fans and crew,' a source said.

'She was really surprised with how the show was edited so decided to binge-watch past seasons, they added.

She's back! Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Alessandra quietly touched Down Under earlier this month and has already completed mandatory hotel quarantine. Pictured in 2021

Alessandra will be joined by John Aiken and Mel Schilling, who just completed a stint on the upcoming UK version of the show.

Meanwhile, producers will be breathing a sigh of relief after the COVID-19 lockdown had them scrambling to find alternate locations to film the show's weddings.

On Saturday, the government announced that wedding in New South Wales will be permitted from next week, with a maximum of only five guests.

Popular: Despite having concerns about New South Wales being in lockdown, Alessandra is understood to be thrilled at the opportunity to be invited back for season nine

The minister or celebrant conducting the wedding and photographer would not be included in the give guests.

The shooting schedule for the hit dating program was pushed back until October.

It's expected the halt in filming will not affect the airing dates for the 2022 season.

Nine has maintained the series will be ready on time, but the schedule will be drastically tightened when it goes into post-production.
She announced her engagement to Shannan Dodd in June.

But on Sunday, influencer Ruby Tuesday Matthews hinted the pair may have already married in secret, as she shared a picture of her and her partner wearing what appeared to be wedding bands on Instagram.

In the photo, the 26-year-old made no mention of the rings in question - instead pointing out the pair had enjoyed at-home manicures amid lockdown in Byron Bay.

Marriage tease: On Sunday, influencer Ruby Tuesday Matthews hinted she has secretly married her fiance Shannan Dodd, as she shared a picture of her and her partner appearing to wear wedding bands on Instagram

'Not much else to do!' Ruby captioned the photo, which showed her 3.5-carat engagement ring - estimated to have cost over $92,000 - with a pretty diamond band placed above it.

Fuelling the speculation further, the image also showed another hand - believed to be Shannan's - featuring a gold band on his left finger.

Despite the photo, Ruby's manager Roxy Jacenko told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that the pair 'aren't married', and are still 'happily engaged'.

Ruby confirmed her engagement in late June, after teasing her fans with the news earlier in the month.

She shared an Instagram image of her hand featuring her giant sparkler and confirmed the poorly kept secret.

Something to share? 'Not much else to do!' she captioned the image, which showed her 3.5-carat engagement ring - estimated to have cost over $92,000 - with a pretty diamond band placed above it

Ring on it: The influencer had announced her engagement in June. She captioned the image: 'No cute way of taking a photo with sausage fingers. But I'm off the market for good'

Bridal shopping: Just days after sharing her engagement news, she told fans she was already on the hunt for the perfect wedding dress

She captioned the image: 'No cute way of taking a photo with sausage fingers. But I'm off the market for good'.

Just days after sharing her engagement news, she told fans she was already on the hunt for the perfect wedding dress.

It's been a devastating few months for Ruby, who in August confirmed that she had suffered a miscarriage on Instagram.

Alongside a picture of her baby bump, Ruby revealed that she'd kept the pregnancy secret after having complications with her second child, son Mars, now three.

'This is something I would have preferred to keep out of social media but the amount of questions I was getting daily asking if I was pregnant is the reason I feel the need to share,' she wrote in her caption.

Loss: Ruby shared the devastating announcement she had suffered a miscarriage on Instagram, alongside a photo showing her bump. 'We didn't want to share as I have been through this before almost losing Mars, but sadly we lost our little boy,' she wrote

'We didn't want to share as I have been through this before almost losing Mars, but sadly we lost our little boy.

'I want to be present on social media and work, as like everyone I have obligations. Please respect mine and my partners privacy, this is a topic I won't be discussing at this point in time. Thank you for understanding.'

The note was signed by both Ruby and Shannan, with their initials featured at the end.

Ruby shares two sons, Rocket, four, and Mars with her ex Ryan Heywood.
Anti-vaxxer influencer Chloe Szepanowski has tried to win back favour among her fans after being slammed last week for not wearing a face mask while out shopping.

The Gold Coast Instagram model, 22, and her boyfriend Mitchell Orval sparked backlash after they uploaded a YouTube video documenting their visit to a shopping centre without wearing mandatory face masks.

Fans blasted the couple for their behaviour, labelling it 'reckless' and 'entitled'.

'My mistake': Anti-vaxxer influencer Chloe Szepanowski has tried to win back favour among her fans after being slammed last week for not wearing a face mask while out shopping

Chloe went into damage control on Sunday, sharing a lengthy Instagram post saying she'd made a 'mistake' by not wearing a mask.

The TikTok star also insisted she wasn't 'anti or pro anything', despite recently voicing her opposition to vaccines and Covid lockdowns.

'Where I live, I am lucky enough to have more freedoms than other places and for this I'm grateful,' she wrote.

Slammed: Chloe and her boyfriend Mitchell Orval sparked backlash after they uploaded a YouTube video documenting their visit to a shopping centre without wearing face masks

'I never want to come across as abusing those rights. It was my mistake for publicly not wearing a mask and I take ownership of that mistake.'

Chloe also said she believes in both 'natural and Western' medicine, but failed to clarify her views on scientifically proven vaccines such as the Covid jab.

She instead stressed the importance of 'personal choice' and embracing 'whatever serves us best'.

Whoops! Chloe went into damage control on Sunday, sharing a lengthy Instagram post saying she'd made a 'mistake' by not wearing a mask - but not everyone was buying it

Chloe, who commands a following of 651,000 on Instagram, said she wanted to 'inspire' her fans rather than tell them how to live their lives.

'I acknowledge what works for me may not work for you!' she said.

Unfortunately, a large number of followers weren't convinced by Chloe's apology, with one commenting: 'You never wear a mask though. It wasn't a one-off. You think you're above others. Simple.'

Not sold: A large number of followers weren't convinced by Chloe's apology, with one writing, 'You never wear a mask though. It wasn't a one-off. You think you're above others. Simple'

'She is still not saying she isn't anti-vax, she's still not saying she has vaccinated her kid, and she's still not taking responsibility for the misinformation she has spread and for taking advantage of others doing the right thing so that she can stay safe. What a joke,' another wrote.

A third added: 'What form of kindness is disregarding others' health? There is no personal choice here that doesn't affect us all.

'It's this mindset of 'I'm gonna do what best for me and only for me' that makes this situation so dangerous.''

Fan club: However, some fans voiced their support for Chloe

However, some fans voiced their support for Chloe.

'A beautiful soul, inside and out,' one fan cooed in a comment.

'Well said Chloe. You are more then [sic] entitled to your own opinion and to do what works for YOU and your family and no one has the right to belittle you, or take you down for that,' another added.

Chloe Szepanowski's apology in full 'As most of you know, I have been on a wellbeing & healing journey for many years, it has changed my life in so many positive ways. The assumption here is that my wellbeing journey only involves complementary or natural modalities. Whilst this is mostly true due to the nature of my health, it's not at all to say that I do not support Western Medicine  or that I make those choices for my family. I stand by holistic healing & wellness as my foundation but that doesn't mean I am anti anything else when required. On my social media page, I like to share what works for me and what doesn't, I like to inspire you to take care of your mind body spirit. I acknowledge what works for me may not work for you! Recently, there have been some media outlets who have taken some of my posts and turned them into false stories for their own personal gains. I am not anti or pro anything. I believe in choice. I believe in science, in complementary modalities & western medicine as it saves lives  they are supportive to each other. I believe in unity, community, & hope. Hope for a better future. Where I live, I am lucky enough to have more freedoms than other places & for this I'm grateful. I never want to come across as abusing those rights. It was my mistake for publicly not wearing a mask and I take ownership of that mistake. I completely understand that times are really hard right now, for everyone. Each in their own individual way. Everyone has their suffering right now and no ones is less than anyone else's. Compassion and unity is the only way forward. Kindness. And looking after our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing in whatever way serves us best. It's more important than ever right now.' Advertisement

It comes after Chloe was slammed for her controversial YouTube video in which she was seen shopping mask-free while surrounded by masked shoppers.

Chloe and Mitchell are not believed to be medically exempt from wearing a mask during the pandemic.

'If I can wear a mask for a nine-hour shift... you can wear one around Kmart. Not that hard,' one fan commented on the eyebrow-raising video.

'Yikes guys... the self entitlement is gross': It comes after Chloe was slammed online for her controversial YouTube video, in which she is seen shopping mask-free while surrounded by masked shoppers

'Yikes guys... the self entitlement is gross,' another commented.

'You can't even do a simple thing like wear a mask in a public place, endangering the lives of others. Do you think you're better and above everyone else that you are exempt from wearing a mask? Absolutely disgusting behaviour from people who are supposed to be 'influencers',' a third wrote.

'It is absolutely disgusting that you think it is okay to use a platform like this to literally endanger and risk other people's lives,' another agreed.

Restrictions: The Gold Coast is among 11 Local Government Areas in South East Queensland that are subject to continued restrictions , which include wearing a mask at all times unless you can stay 1.5m away from others

The Gold Coast is among 11 Local Government Areas in South East Queensland that are subject to continued restrictions, which include wearing a mask at all times unless you can stay 1.5m away from others.

It came after Chloe laughed in the faces of former fans who were concerned about the impact her anti-Covid views might have on impressionable fans in a video telling haters to simply 'ignore' her content.

The Instagram star has lost more than 20,000 followers since outing herself as a Covid denier who does not believe vaccines are needed.

Not impressed: Chloe's own followers criticised her in the comments section, with one saying: 'If I can wear a mask for a nine-hour shift, you can wear one around Kmart. Not hard'

Given her income is based almost solely on her work online, followers were stunned to learn that she seemingly is at peace with her opinions resulting in her losing fans.

She shared a 'snarky' video on Saturday skipping outside her Gold Coast mansion with a caption that read: 'How to continue on with your day even if you don't agree with something'.

The video offended legions of her formerly loyal fans, who claim it is the 'final nail in the coffin' and insulting to those who are genuinely concerned about public health.

Response: It came after Chloe laughed in the faces of former fans who were concerned about the impact her anti-Covid views might have on impressionable fans in a new video telling haters to simply 'ignore' her content. Pictured with her boyfriend Mitchell Orval

Some fans have gone so far as to suggest she'll be 'permanently cancelled', while others said they will burn any merchandise they own of hers in a bonfire.

'The whole of Australia is over them at the moment... I've never unfollowed someone so fast', one former fan said.

'They're bleeding followers at this point.'

Ouch: Fans vowed to boycott the mother-of-one's activewear label and were disappointed when they realised there are no refunds available on any sale items

Others vowed to boycott the mother-of-one's activewear label and were disappointed when they realised there are no refunds available on any sale items.

The coronavirus vaccine is a safe and vital measure being taken to protect the community from the spread of the virus.

Covid-19 can cause serious illness, ongoing health problems and even death.

The vaccines being rolled out in Australia are designed to ensure that even if you do contract Covid, you won't get seriously ill.
Married At First Sight star Georgia Fairweather was brutally dumped by her 'husband' Liam Cooper during the show's final commitment ceremony.

And the 26-year-old has now spoken out for the first time since her ex revealed he was in a gay relationship with MAFS New Zealand groom Samuel Levi.

'MAFS was a crazy thing that we went through together but we had a bit of an intense break-up so we've gone our separate ways,' Georgia told Who magazine.

Moving on: Married At First Sight's Georgia Fairweather (pictured) has broken her silence after her ex-'husband' Liam Cooper revealed he was in a gay relationship

'I wish him nothing but happiness. He seems happy so that's great,' she added.

Georgia told the publication she was happily single and focusing on herself.

'They always say you shouldn't make any life-changing decisions six to 12 months after an intense thing like that so I'm sort of going with that. I just got divorced so not ready just yet!' she added.

Split: 'We had an intense break-up so we've gone our separate ways,' she told Who magazine, adding: 'I wish him nothing but happiness.' Pictured together on Married at First Sight

Georgia found herself in hot water during MAFS after uploading a video to Instagram in which homophobic and fatphobic comments were made about Liam.

She could be heard laughing in the footage as her co-star Jason Engler called Liam 'ugly', 'chubby' and a 'full-blown homosexual' - even though he identifies as bisexual.

Georgia later said she was 'very regretful' about her participation in the video.

Good for him: 'He seems happy so that's great,' Georgia said. Pictured: Liam (right) and his boyfriend Samuel Levi (left), a former participant from MAFS New Zealand

'I'm very regretful about my participation in that but I've apologised a lot and we've come past that but it wasn't very good,' she told Stav, Abby and Matt back in April.

Liam confirmed last month he was in a relationship with former MAFS NZ participant Samuel Levi, after months of speculation.

The prison case worker, 30, let the cat out of the bag by posting a photo of the pair cuddled up for a selfie, alongside a caption about their Hallmark-esque love story.

Error of judgement: Georgia found herself in hot water during MAFS after uploading a video to Instagram in which homophobic and fatphobic comments were made about Liam

Sorry: 'I'm very regretful about my participation in that but I've apologised a lot and we've come past that but it wasn't very good,' she told Hit Network's Stav, Abby and Matt in April

'When a country boy finds a city boy,' the reality star began.

'Life works in mysterious ways and this guy came into my life when I least expected it. I know I dont have to explain my life or what I do but I am very open and honest and wanted to let you all know,' he said of socialite Samuel.

'I met this guy early this year after the experiment. We hit it off and we remained friends until recently,' Liam explained, adding: 'Samuel has shown me what support looks like, what trust looks like and much more.'
Former Married At First Sight bride Bella Frizza has confirmed she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Sam Gibson.

The Sea FM Gold Coast radio presenter, 36, told Daily Mail Australia on Monday she was 'so blessed' to announce the happy news.

'We are super excited. A little soul is coming into our lives and due March 2022,' she said.

Parents-to-be: Former Married At First Sight bride Bella Frizza has confirmed she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Sam Gibson. Pictured on the Gold Coast on Friday

She added: 'I am so happy and can't wait to meet our little bundle of joy!'

The expectant parents were spotted making the most of the Queensland sunshine during a PDA-filled outing on the Gold Coast on Friday.

Bella looked summery in a blue wrap mini-dress with a sweetheart neckline and puff sleeves, rounding out her ensemble with a pair of white sneakers.

New addition: The Sea FM Gold Coast radio presenter, 36, told Daily Mail Australia on Monday she was 'so blessed' to announce the happy news

At one stage, Sam placed an hand on Bella's emerging baby bump as she smiled alongside him.

After laying a rug out on the grass, the couple shared a sweet kiss, with Sam wrapping his arms around his girlfriend's waist.

Bella appeared on season two of Married At First Sight, where she was paired with accessories designer Michael Hughes.

Wonderful: 'We are super excited and feeling so blessed. A little soul is coming into our lives and due March 2022,' she said

She's been dating Sam for over a year, with the couple celebrating their first anniversary in March.

'Baby, I knew from the minute I met you that you were something special. You love me, support me, challenge me, keep me in line, make my lunch and dinners and so much more,' she wrote on Instagram at the time.

'You make me wanna be a better person. Thank you for being the other half to my crazy, extra, pink world. Thank goodness our pets are in love too! LOVE YOU my huni.'
Jessica Rowe has revealed she still bears the scars of her traumatic departure from Channel Nine in 2007, admitting she spent years wondering what she had done wrong to deserve such treatment.

The 51-year-old journalist left the network in 2007, supposedly due to a pay dispute, a year after then-CEO Eddie McGuire threatened to 'bone' - meaning sack - her as host of the Today show.

Reflecting on that incredibly difficult chapter in her life, she told New Idea: 'I could not comprehend the level of nastiness directed my way.'

Trauma: Jessica Rowe has revealed she still bears the scars of her traumatic departure from Nine in 2007, admitting she spent years wondering what she had done wrong to deserve such treatment. Pictured with then-Nine CEO Eddie McGuire on July 25, 2006, in Sydney

'All because I smiled, I had short hair, I was too thin, I didn't have a child - people didn't know that I was going through IVF at the time - and I snort when I laugh,' she added.

'It was so public and cruel - definitely the hardest thing I've ever been through, career-wise.

'I was picked on mercilessly and couldn't understand what I had done wrong. Now I know I did nothing wrong. I was simply being myself.'

Rowe did not specify whether the 'nastiness' directed towards her came from viewers, the press or her colleagues at Channel Nine.

'Boning' incident: The 51-year-old journalist left the network in 2007, supposedly due to a pay dispute, a year after McGuire threatened to 'bone' - meaning sack - her as host of the Today show. Pictured on Today with co-anchor Karl Stefanovic

History: Reflecting on that incredibly difficult chapter in her life, she told New Idea: 'I could not comprehend the level of nastiness directed my way... It was so public and cruel'

It comes after Rowe told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday she switches her TV to mute whenever McGuire's game show Millionaire Hot Seat is on.

Radio presenter Kyle Sandilands asked Rowe whether she'd allow McGuire, 56, to 'apologise' to her on air following the 'boning' scandal.

'I don't think he would [apologise],' she said.

'I think he might!' Sandilands interjected, adding: 'He might have grown up as well.'

Remaining diplomatic, Rowe replied: 'You know what? I wish him well in the sense of... we've all moved on.

'We still mute him': It comes after Rowe told The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday she switches her TV to mute whenever McGuire's game show Millionaire Hot Seat (pictured) is on

However, Rowe couldn't deny that she still holds some lingering resentment.

'There's that particular part of me that's like, "No!"... I mean, we still mute him when he comes on before Petey's news,' she admitted.

She was referring to her husband Peter Overton, who hosts Nine News Sydney's 6pm news bulletin, which airs right after Millionaire Hot Seat.

Bad timing: Rowe's husband Peter Overton (pictured) hosts Nine News Sydney's 6pm news bulletin, which airs right after Millionaire Hot Seat

Rowe and McGuire's falling out occurred in 2006, while she was still hosting Channel Nine's Today show alongside Karl Stefanovic.

McGuire, who the CEO of Channel Nine at the time, infamously threatened to 'bone' her from the show during a 2006 meeting with network executives.

The humiliating comments ultimately led to Rowe leaving the network in May 2007, following her maternity leave.

Controversial: McGuire, who was the CEO of Channel Nine at the time, infamously threatened to 'bone' her from the show during a 2006 meeting with network executives

In a 2016 interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Rowe revealed McGuire's comments led to 'a very dark period' in her life.

'That year was a terrible time in my life,' she told the newspaper.

'And it was not helped by public abuse, abuse from within the network that I worked at and abuse from someone who was in charge of that particular network.'
The lead guitarist of INXS suffered a career-ending finger severance on a boat because he wasn't taking reasonable care around the anchoring equipment, a Sydney court has been told.

Tim Farriss, 64, is seeking medical, economic and other damages in his negligence claim against a boat company after his left ring finger was hacked off on Pittwater Bay on the Australia Day weekend in 2015.

From a home office adorned with INXS memorabilia, the Perth-born musician is due to tell the NSW Supreme Court on Monday the incident ended his career and his ability to compose music.

Legal action: The lead guitarist of INXS suffered a career-ending finger severance on a boat because he wasn't taking reasonable care around the anchoring equipment, a Sydney court has been told. Pictured: Michael Hutchence and Tim Farriss of INXS perform in London in 1988

'It is useless,' barrister Adrian Williams said of his client's reattached finger.

'He is unsurprisingly depressed.'

Farriss argues that on January 24, 2015, he and his wife, Beth, sailed into Akuna Bay but struggled to set anchor because the chain was 'prone to "kinking"'.

They telephoned a Church Point Charter employee for assistance after the anchor motor stopped operating and then reset the circuit breaker.

The motor restarted but it didn't halt the kinking of the chain.

Damages: Tim Farriss, 64, is seeking medical, economic and other damages in his negligence claim against a boat company after his left ring finger was hacked off on Pittwater Bay on the Australia Day weekend in 2015. Pictured: Mr Farriss on July 27, 2015, in Sydney

In his claim, Farriss says he attempted to realign the chain only for it to start spinning out of control.

He suffered a severed left ring finger and serious injuries to his index and middle finger. There was a minor injury to his pinky finger.

But the boat company, and its owners John and Jill Axford, dispute the claim the anchor chain and its motor were damaged.

Their lawyer said Justice Richard Cavanagh would have to decide whether the musician was in the vicinity of two foot pedals near the anchor motor that mechanically moved the anchor up and down.

Picturesque: The injury occurred while Mr Farriss was sailing on Pittwater Bay (pictured). He suffered a severed left ring finger and serious injuries to his index and middle finger

'Our case is there was no damage - at some point, Mr Farriss must have loosened the clutch and he stepped on the up button, or perhaps the down button,' John Turnbull SC told the court on Monday.

'But, of course, only he knows.'

Farriss told the ambulance officers as much when being treated, Mr Turnbull said.

If you place your fingers near the winch, they could get hurt.

'But a reasonable person had other options available to them,' Mr Turnbull said.

There is no dispute over the extent of Farriss' medical expenses but the Axfords dispute claims about the extent to which INXS could have toured after 2015.

The hearing is expected to run until Friday.

Response: The boat company, and its owners John and Jill Axford, dispute the claim the anchor chain and its motor were damaged
Kevin Spacey was spotted for the first time on a film set back on US soil for his new movie Peter Five Eight in Dunsmuir, California on August 24.

The embattled actor, 62, was seen wearing all black and lighting up a cigarette during what marks his second film role since numerous sexual assault allegations came to light in 2017 and tanked his career.

Over 20 men have accused the former House Of Cards star of sexual misconduct, but Spacey has continued to deny all assault allegations.

The indie production is directed and written by Michael Zaiko Hall, whose career highlights involve visual effects work on Cars 3 and Incredibles 2, and will also star Jet Jandreau although little else is known about the film, such as a synopsis.

Pictured: Kevin Spacey was spotted for the first time on a film set back on US soil for his new movie Peter Five Eight in Dunsmuir, California on August 24

Spacey was seen on set surrounded by a small amount of production personnel wearing a black turtleneck and matching slacks with a wool overcoat.

The actor looked relatively chipper all things considered as he flashed a smile at one point and lit up a cigarette before shooting some scenes.

He has reportedly been filming in the small Northern California town this week 'around the clock,' per TMZ.

In May he booked his first film role in virtually in four years, L'uomo che disegno Dio,  which translates to The Man Who Drew God  which shot in Italy.

He never publicly commented on the role but the film's director Franco Nero told ABC News in May: 'I'm very happy Kevin agreed to participate in my film. I consider him a great actor and I can't wait to start the movie.'

Spacey has been on the receiving end of cancel culture and the #MeToo movement since 2017 after 20 young men reported sexual misconduct by him at the London theater, the Old Vic, between 1995 and 2013.

Second role: The House Of Cards actor had booked his first film role in May and shot L'uomo che disegno Dio in Italy

Lighting up! Spacey was seen wearing a black turtleneck and matching slacks with a wool coast as he lit up a cigarette

Netflix dropped him from House Of Cards and after that point he kept a low profile, despite facing numerous lawsuits and an onslaught of assault allegations  all of which he has denied.

The first to allege assault against Spacey was RENT star Anthony Rapp who told Buzzfeed News in October 2017, that in 1986, when he was just 14, a then-26-year-old Spacey climbed on top of him in a bed after a party and made a sexual advance.

Spacey tweeted in response that he was 'horrified' and did not remember the encounter which he called 'inappropriate drunken behavior.'

In the second half of the tweet he shared that he was choosing 'to live as a gay man' and said he would be 'examining my own behavior.'

Four years ago: Spacey has been on the receiving end of cancel culture and the #MeToo movement since 2017 after 20 young men reported sexual misconduct by him at the London theater, the Old Vic, between 1995 and 2013

A second theatre actor Roberto Cavazos also corroborated the story with his own and said he had 'couple of unpleasant encounters' with Spacey who he said squeezed him at one point.

Just days later the two-time Oscar winner was dropped from his agency CAA and announced that same day that he would be seeking 'evaluation and treatment.'

By mid November of that year 20 men over the age of 18 had come forward to accuse him of 'a range of inappropriate behavior' which included behavior that made them uncomfortable to inappropriate touching.

In April 2018 the Los Angeles District Attorney's office announced they were investigating one sexual assault allegation from 1992 in West Hollywood and two weeks later shared there was a second investigation for a 2016 incident in Malibu involving a masseuse.

In September 2018 he was sued by the masseuse who said the American Beauty star had forced him to touch his genitals. The man claimed he suffered emotional pain and distress but Spacey's attorneys maintained that the encounter was consensual.

Back to work! The embattled actor has been filming in Dunsmuir for the past week around the clock despite his semi-blacklisted status from Hollywood

Kevin did not face charges for the alleged 1992 incident as the statue of limitations had expired and the victim was not underaged.

Additionally the L.A. County District Attorney's Office dropped the charges made against him by the masseuse because the alleged victim passed away during the investigation, and no case could be proven without a victim. The lawsuit was dismissed.

Another incident involved a teenager on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts in 2016 where he was said to have plied the victim with alcohol, unzipped his pants and groped his genitals.

Numerous victims: Spacey has faced allegations from no less than 30 victims over the years but has continued to deny and dodge any legal charges for a myriad of circumstances

He was charged with indecent assault but pled not guilty to the charges. After the victim invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination while testifying about a missing cellphone  which the victim claimed initially had footage via snapchat and text proof of the incident  Nantucket prosecutors dropped the felony sexual assault charges.

'The complaining witness was informed that if he chose to continue to invoke his Fifth Amendment right, the case would not be able to go forward,' District Attorney Michael O'Keefe said in a statement. A civil lawsuit was also withdrawn by the victim.

The latest allegation comes from production company Media Rights Capital (MRC) that is suing him and seeking millions in damages after they alleged in a 2019 lawsuit that he groped a production assistant on set, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Multiple sources claimed to THR that Spacey 'groped the PA' on-set who had been tasked with driving the actor to hospital after he injured his hand during a promotional shoot for the show.

The assistant is said to have later complained to a superior about the incident. It is also alleged that he groped an actor who wanted to audition for the show.

Nantucket court date: Spacey pictured in 2019, attending his arraignment for sexual assault charges at Nantucket District Court

DailyMail.com had reached out to representatives for the actor, who have so far been unavailable for comment.

The company is claiming that Spacey's alleged misconduct devalued the show, which ended up getting cancelled by Netflix.

Spacey has reportedly filed a counterclaim against the independent production company, claiming the sexual misconduct and assault allegations against him have been 'exaggerated.'

In his claim, Spacey alleges that MRC still owes him money, claiming they have not paid him after the first round of sexual misconduct allegations he faced in 2017, when Anthony Rapp claimed a then-26-year-old Spacey tried to sexually assault him when he was 14 in 1986.

Spacey claims that MRC have illegally withheld his compensation following the multitude of accusations.
Ashley Tisdale shared about the internal battle she has been having over her post-baby body, revealing her postpartum body emotions, and how she didn't 'feel comfortable' in her skin following the birth of her baby girl.

Now, some two months on, the High School Musical actress was once again seen out on a hike looking fit, while working up a sweat with the temperatures near 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The New Jersey native, who turned 36 on July 2, clocked in the miles at Griffith Park in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles dressed in tan biker shorts and a white t-shirt.

Ashley Tisdale, 36, headed out on a hike at Griffith Park in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday

She also donned black running sneakers, dark sunglasses, and pulled her dirty blonde tresses back into a ponytail with a part in the middle.

With COVID-19 still presenting a danger to the public, the Disney alum made sure to wear a face mask over her mouth and nose.

Tisdale and her husband Christopher French became first-time parents when they welcomed daughter, Jupiter Iris, to Planet Earth in Late March.

The High School Musical actress looked fit in biker shorts and a cropped t-shirt while pouding out the miles, in her effort to feel more comfortable with her post-baby body

Earlier on Sunday, the proud mother took to Instagram and shared a series of photos of her precious daughter dressed in a brown ensemble that appeared to have a partial moon design on the front.

'The many moons of Jupiter,' she gushed in the caption, in a reference to the varying looks on her face in each of the pictures.

A few hours later she shared a picture of Jupiter, again flashing a beaming smile; this time while lounging in her car seat and wrote, 'Brunch with my girl + happiness.'

Glowing: The proud mother also shared a series of photos of her daughter

Out of this world: The five-month-old girl looked to be wearing a ensemble with a partial moon design on the front of the top

Grabby: She grabbed at her feet with an amused look on her face in another image

What's going on? The little girl had a suspicious grin in another photo

After brunch mom took another sweet snap of her looking a bit more serious and wide-eyed, writing, 'It's everything for me.'

And in a moment of reflection, Tisdale took a gorgeous photo of the Los Angeles skyline from afar: 'Sometimes you gotta do things on ur own to remember how strong you are.'

Tisdale and husband French announced Jupiter Iris French's March 23 arrival with a heart-melting black-and-white snap of her tiny hand days later.

The couple will celebrate seven-years of marriage on September 8.

Quality time: A few hours later she shared a picture of Jupiter, again flashing a beaming smile; this time while lounging in her car seat and wrote, 'Brunch with my girl + happiness'

After brunch: Jupiter got wide-eyed as her mom declared how she is 'everything for me'

Words of wisdom: Tisdale capped off her hike by snapping a gorgeous photo of the Los Angeles skyline during a moment of reflection
The 'biggest cheating scandal in TV history' is playing out on screen on The Block.

And on Friday, the show's longtime secondary host Shelley Craft was spotted shopping for essentials including toilet paper with daughter Eadie in Byron Bay.

The 45-year-old property flipper nailed casual chic in a pink sweater and light blue jeans, which she teamed with pristine white sneakers and a stylish newsboy cap.

Errands: The Block's Shelley Craft, 45, nailed casual chic as she stepped out for everyday essentials with daughter Eadie in Byron Bay on Friday (pictured) - as the 'biggest cheating scandal in TV history' plays out on screen

Shelley swept her blonde locks into a sleek style at the nape of the neck, and also wore a pink camouflage face mask.

The Channel Nine star filled a tote bag with essentials after stopping by the local shops, with youngest daughter Eadie helping by carrying a pack of toilet paper rolls.

Eadie, who Shelley shares with real estate agent husband Christian Sergiacomi, dressed casually for the outing and drew attention to a moon boot on her right foot.

Essentials: The Channel Nine star filled a tote bag with essentials after stopping by the local shops, with youngest daughter Eadie (pictured) helping by carrying a pack of toilet paper rolls

Love story: The bubbly blonde shares Eadie and eldest daughter Millia with real estate agent husband Christian Sergiacomi. They met on the set of TV series The Great Outdoors in 2007, with Christian working as a cameraman at the time. Pictured in September 2014

The couple also share daughter Millia and are adding to their property portfolio in Byron Bay.

Shelley and Christian bought a block of land in Byron Bay for $1.35million in 2017, which they now call home.

In April last year, they also transformed a 1950s Byron Bay beach shack into a stunning family home, later selling the five-bedroom property for a cool $4.9million.

Drama: Meanwhile on Sunday's episode of The Block, a fuming Ronnie accused twins Josh and Luke Packham (pictured) of CHEATING in the 'biggest scandal in TV history'

Meanwhile on Sunday, scenes involving The Block's 'biggest cheating scandal' began to play out on screen.

During the episode, a fuming Ronnie hurled out insults at Josh and Luke Packham in a piece to camera, alleging they knew the 'full schedule' of rooms in advance.

'I guess it helps to cheat,' Ronnie said, before referencing the production schedule: 'It's amazing that you know exactly the full schedule of what rooms are coming up.

Accusations: In a piece to camera, Ronnie (pictured with Georgia) accused the boys of cheating by having access to the production schedule. 'They know when the challenge days are coming up... so I guess it helps to cheat,' he said

Fuming: When a producer asked Ronnie whether Josh and Luke somehow discovered how to obtain the production schedule, Ronnie quipped: 'They've known from day one. Mate, I don't f***ing really think, I know for a fact'

'They know when the challenge days are coming up... so I guess it helps to cheat. That's great, beautiful,' he continued in a sarcastic tone, as Georgia urged him to not 'go there'.

When a producer asked Ronnie whether Josh and Luke somehow discovered how to obtain the production schedule, Ronnie quipped: 'They've known from day one.'

'Mate, I don't f***ing really think, I know for a fact,' he continued, before describing it as the 'biggest cheating scandal in TV history' in a trailer for Monday's episode.
James Cracknell has gushed about his wedding to Jordan Connell on Friday and shared a romantic photo of their special day.

Taking to Instagram to hail the past few days as a 'truly special weekend', James, 49, posted both a loved-up photo of himself and Jordan, 35, while also plugging his recent appearance on Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins.

Showing off his dapper grey wedding suit, Olympian James looked lovingly into his new wife's eyes while resting against a beautiful balcony, while New Yorker Jordan met her new husband's gaze and looked beautiful in a stunning lace gown.

Wedding: James Cracknell, 49, has gushed about his wedding to Jordan Connell, 35, on Friday and shared a romantic photo of their special day

Jordan also posted snaps of their wedding day on social media, simply captioning the photographs: 'We got married!'

In the first image, James and Jordan could be seen walking out of a beautiful church after exchanging vows, with Jordan waving a bouquet of flowers in the air as wedding guests showered them with petals.

In a second photo, the newly weds beamed from ear-to-ear while posing next to a priest.

James and Jordan got engaged in January after 17 months of dating and the news of his nuptials was revealed on Friday by his ex-wife Beverley Turner.

Big day: Jordan also posted snaps of their wedding day on social media, simply captioning the photographs: 'We got married!'

Plug: James posted both a loved-up photo of himself and Jordan while also plugging his recent appearance on Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins

The TV presenter, 47, who was married to James for 17 years before they confirmed their separation in March 2019, candidly spoke of how she felt about her ex's new milestone as she reflected on their failed relationship and admitted 'you never feel totally fine' about divorce.

In a video shared with her 37.6k followers, Beverley appeared outside in the sun in Cornwall and claimed: 'It's a strange day today, my ex-husband got married today - which is quite a strange thing to say and I thought I was going to be totally OK with it, and I am OK with it.

'I'm happier now than I have been for many years and I know James is happier now than he has been for many years - and a big part of that is Jordan, his wife. But it also made me quite pensive and I couldn't quite work out why.'

Beverley continued: 'Any of you that listen to the podcast that I do with Marina Fogle, As Good As It Gets, will know that I talk about the relationship that I had and the relationship that I have now quite a lot.

Wedding bells! The Olympian's ex-wife Beverley Turner revealed the sportsman was marrying Jordan on Friday evening

'And I talk about the brain injury - the accident that we went through when James got hit by a truck in 2010 when he was working for Discovery Channel.'

She went on: 'You never get married thinking you're going to get divorced and although the kids are great and I have a new partner who is amazing with them and in many ways they are lively, resilient children.

'You never have divorced parents as something that you're totally fine with. I just wanted to say that, but the other thing, I know that lots of people who are part of the brain injury world do follow me, even if you are in the darkest bits of those journeys - which you might be now - you do see the sun again at some point.

'And although it never really leaves you, the impact never really leaves a family, I've been thinking about James' parents today as well.'

'You're never totally fine with it': Beverley appeared to confirm he has remarried as she discussed his wedding day with fans on Instagram on Friday

Beverley later took to Twitter to share a picture with her boyfriend James Pritchett, 32, as they offered their congratulations to her ex.

She tweeted: 'Huge congratulations from us both to @jamescracknell who gets married today to a wonderful woman who makes him happy.

'Marriage, brain injury and divorce was never Plan A. But to anyone currently in the dark, the sun WILL come out again one day.'

Confirmation James was engaged to Jordan came in January earlier this year - nearly two years after his split from Beverley. Their engagement was traditionally announced in The Times.

His reported wife, who is believed to divide her time between London and the US, spent 12 months training for an MBA at Cambridge Judge Business School while James studied for a masters in human evolution at Peterhouse College.

Athlete James and partner Jordan started dating after finishing their degrees and have been living together in west London throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Congratulations: Beverley later took to Twitter to share a picture with her boyfriend James Pritchett, 32, as they offered their congratulations to her ex

James previously credited his new love for his newfound confidence after his terrifying accident, and the former student cheerleader enthused she's 'ridiculously happy' to have found a partner in him.

Speaking of Jordan, James previously told the Daily Mail: 'To be honest, with Jordan the conversation was so easy and it was so nice to hang out with someone who had no preconceptions of who you were before.'

News of their marriage comes two years after James and ex-wife Beverley decided to separate after a nine-year struggle following a crippling brain injury, which she nursed him back to health from.

The sportsman was left in a coma and sustained damage to the part of the brain that governs memory, personality, and speech after he was knocked off his bike by the wing mirror of a petrol tanker in Arizona.

Moving on: She brushed off the news by soaking up the sun on a hike in Cornwall

Following his separation, Beverley - who shares three children with James - reflected on how she helped him recover in an interview with The Times.

The Happy Birth Book author said at the time: 'A formerly quiet man, he couldn't stop talking, but certainly stopped listening. I had my silent screams in the shower so the children wouldn't hear.

'Acquired brain injury is contagious  the whole family catches it and soon everyone is snapping, sighing, arguing and slamming doors. After a brain injury a couple's dynamic typically becomes one of parent and child, complete with nagging, resistance, resentment and sulking.

'The ''adult'' wants to nurture and protect the 'child' who they have almost lost once. Yet it's crushing and stultifying for the survivor who just wants their independence.'

James also expressed his gratitude towards his first spouse for her help as he said: 'I wouldn't have made the recovery I have without her fire.

'It's not so nice when it's not in your corner, but you can't fall in love with an opinionated woman and then moan when she has an opinion. It hurts but it's on me as well.

Happier times: TV presenter Beverley, 47, was married to James for 17 years before they confirmed their separation in March 2019 (pictured in 2016)

'I wasn't the best husband in the world. I wanted to go to Cambridge to get academic credibility for the work I was doing in public health. Beverley didn't share my desire for me to go into politics. I don't think she liked the idea of being a politician's wife.'

This Morning star Beverley petitioned for a divorce in March 2019 on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, which he did not oppose.

They went their separate ways eight months after James moved to Cambridge and Beverley felt he was abandoning the family.

The athlete later claimed the 'complex' separation was 'a long time coming' and was nothing to do with the Boat Race or the 2010 brain injury that almost killed him.

The media personality told the Daily Telegraph at the time: 'It wasn't going to university or competing in the Boat Race that ended the marriage. And it wasn't even the accident, although our marriage was dealt a bad hand with that.

Exciting times ahead: The father-of-three met financier Jordan, 35, when he studied at Cambridge in 2018 (pictured in 2019)

'As anybody who is married or has been married will know, break-ups are far more complex than anybody else [outside the marriage] really knows.

'There's this perception that I've left my family to go off to Cambridge, selfishly, but that's a little exaggerated. And while, yes, it may seem selfish, it also pays the bills.'

Like James, Beverley has too moved on from their marriage and is in a relationship with eco-property developer James Pritchett, 32, for nearly a year.

Beverley - who is 15 years his senior - previously said of her romance: 'I had such judgment about age-gap relationships before this.'

The writer added to the Daily Mail: 'I would look at an older man with a younger woman and roll my eyes, but now I can completely see what they were doing. I cannot see any disadvantage to it.'
Love Island Australia has ditched its Queensland base.

The reality dating program has shifted production from the Sunshine State's Port Douglas to Northern NSW.

TV Tonight reports the decision was made due to the Queensland government's strict border rules.

Moves: Love Island Australia has ditched its Queensland base. Pictured: Host Sophie Monk

'Unfortunately it's just not possible for Port Douglas right now,' Location manager, Karen Jones told the publication on Monday.

'The first staff were due to start arriving very shortly and so a decision had to be made.

'[Show producers] ITV are devastated, the whole crew is devastated, everyone was really excited about coming to Port Douglas, they hand-picked this location because it's perfect for the show.'

No more: The reality dating program has shifted production from the Sunshine State's Port Douglas (pictured) to Northern NSW

On Sunday, Channel Nine dropped its first teaser for the upcoming program.

The clip begins with host Sophie Monk dressed in an Australian flag-printed bikini and mermaid tail costume while swimming in the ocean, before surfacing and sitting on a rock.

'Follow me you beautiful sexy singles,' she says before she begins playing a flute.

Strict: TV Tonight reports the decision was made due to the Queensland government's strict border rules

'Dive in. There's plenty of fish in this sea,' Sophie teases, as a bevy of swimsuit-clad male and female actors are seen diving into the ocean towards her.

'Love Island is in our own backyard, where it's beautiful one day, perfect the next,' she continues, as viewers are given a quick glimpse of the new villa.

Last month it was reported that producers were getting creative with the casting process by scouting hot singletons via dating app Tinder.

Teaser: On Sunday, Channel Nine dropped its first teaser for the upcoming program

As reported by Daily Mail Australia in May, several dating show rejects who failed to find love on The Bachelor were approached to appear on the show.

Influencer-turned-Neighbours star Sarah Ellen was also asked to star on the program.

Love Island Australia returns to Channel Nine later this year
Farmer Wants a Wife star Hayley Love made headlines last month when she revealed she's expecting a child with co-star Will Dwyer, who she has since split up with.

During an Instagram Q&A session on Sunday, Hayley, who was originally paired with farmer Matt Trewin on the show, shared private details about her pregnancy.

The 25-year-old revealed she had two negative tests prior to falling pregnant just a week later, when asked how she discovered she was expecting.

Pregnancy journey: Farmer Wants a Wife star Hayley Love (pictured) told Instagram fans on Sunday during a Q&A session that she had TWO negative tests prior to falling pregnant with former co-star Will Dwyer's child

Alongside an image of herself holding a positive pregnancy test, Hayley wrote: 'I actually had two negative tests prior to getting a positive one week later,' alongside an exploding head emoji.

Also during the Q&A session, Hayley said she 'won't be discussing it again' when asked by a follower to 'please clear [up] rumours' surrounding her child's paternity.

'This has come up a lot in the questions. I made a statement on @newscomauhq when this all came out. I wouldn't say someone was the father if I wasn't certain. I won't be discussing it again,' she stated online.

Wasn't expecting it: Alongside an image of herself holding a positive pregnancy test, Hayley wrote: 'I actually had two negative tests prior to getting a positive one week later,' alongside an exploding head emoji

'I won't be discussing it again': Also during the Q&A session, the reality star said she 'won't be discussing it again' when asked by a follower to 'please clear [up] rumours' surrounding her child's paternity

Setting the record straight: Hayley made her thoughts clear when a follower asked, 'Who's the dad? Please clear rumours!!' The 25-year-old, who previously revealed her former co-star Will to be the father, said she 'wouldn't say someone was the father' if she wasn't certain

Hayley was also asked whether she has reunited with farmer Matt, and said that while they are not together she hopes he finds the 'right gal'.

Alongside a photo of the former lovers beaming in a car, she wrote: 'No I'm not. We speak everyday on the phone but I've got a little bubba on the way and all my focus is on being the best mother I can be.'

Hayley continued: '@farmermattau has known since I was 12 weeks pregnant and has been super supportive. I do hope Matt finds the right gal though.'

On good terms: Hayley was also asked whether she has reunited with farmer Matt Trewin (pictured), and said that while they are not together she hopes he finds the 'right gal'

Last week, Hayley celebrated reaching 26 weeks of pregnancy by sharing photos of her bump to Instagram.

'26 weeks of growing you,' she captioned the sweet images, in which she cradled her belly and smiled.

'Starting life with you has been a difficult one but I do not regret it one bit at all. I will love you unconditionally and I know you will love me too.

Not back together: Alongside a photo of the former lovers beaming in a car, she wrote: 'No I'm not. We speak everyday on the phone but I've got a little bubba on the way and all my focus is on being the best mother I can be'

'Thank you for choosing me little bean. 27/11,' she added, seemingly referring to her due date.

Hayley revealed she was 22 weeks along in her pregnancy in a statement last month, but confirmed she and Will were no longer together.

She was originally matched with farmer Matt on the Channel Seven show, but he broke up with her shortly before the finale.

Exes: Hayley and Will (left) had a short-lived romance after the FWAW finale was filmed in December - and after he'd split from his winner, Jaimee (right)

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 winner, Jaimee.

Will recently released a statement finally addressing Hayley's pregnancy news.

In it, he vowed to be 'the best dad I can be... when the time comes'.
They tied the knot back in 2018 after seven years of dating.

And Rose Leslie and her husband Kit Harington opted for casual looks as they went grocery shopping in New York City.

Rose, 34, opted for a white printed T-shirt which she paired with a navy and white skirt with a pleated hemline.

Out and about: Rose Leslie and her husband Kit Harington opted for casual looks as they went grocery shopping in New York City

The actress, who is currently starring in BBC drama Vigil, also sported a sun hat and brown sandals while she put safety first with a grey face mask.

Kit, also 34, cut a casual figure in a dark green T-shirt which he wore with white shorts and matching trainers.

The couple are currently in the Big Apple as Rose films upcoming HBO drama The Time Traveller's Wife.

Vigil, set in Scotland, has been described as a tense drama that revolves around events after the mysterious disappearance of a fishing trawler and death on board a Trident nuclear submarine.

Outfit: Rose, 34, opted for a white printed T-shirt which she paired with a navy and white skirt with a pleated hemline

Rose stars opposite Suranne Jones and Martin Compston in the Sunday night police procedural drama.

Rose, who shot to fame as Ygritte in Game of Thrones, plays DS Kirsten Longacre, who assists Suranne's'character DCI Amy Silva with the investigation.

The debut episode, which aired on August 29, received positive reviews from critics.

Many viewers were surprised to see Martin Compston's character killed off in the first few minutes of the episode while Rose's performance and accent skills were praised.

New role: Rose stars opposite Suranne Jones and Martin Compston in Sunday night police procedural drama Vigil (pictured with Suranne)

Reaction: Many viewers were surprised to see Martin Compston's character killed off in the first few minutes of the episode while Rose's performance and accent skills were praised

One fan wrote: 'I am watching #Vigil purely for Martin Compston and he dies within the first 8 minutes, I haven't been this upset since this Line of Duty finale.'

Another said: 'I have been waiting since the final of Line of Duty to watch Martin in a new series and they kill him off 10 minutes in, this isn't fair'.

Praising Rose, one viewer said: 'Good morning just to Rose Leslie who delivered an impeccable performance yesterday in Vigil.'

Another added: 'As always, Rose Leslie's command of accents is superb #Vigil'.

Vigil airs next on Monday August 30 at 9pm on BBC One.

Suranne Jones's submarine drama Vigil is all adrift... but it still reels you in: CHRISTOPHER STEVENS dives into the naval whodunnit

Vigil (BBC 1)

Rating:

Where do you keep a dead body on a nuclear submarine? It's a dilemma, and one that has never occurred before to the flustered Captain Newsome on Vigil (BBC1).

HMS Vigil is the ultimate weapon of war, designed to stay at sea for years on end, even in the event of a world-ending holocaust.

Suranne Jones as DCI Amy Silva being dropped to the nuclear submarine from a helicopter in episode one of BBC's Vigil

You'd think the naval boffins would remember to include cold storage.

But when stroppy sailor Craig Burke (Martin Compston) is found dead from an apparent heroin overdose in his bunk, the skipper (Paterson Joseph) isn't sure where to put him.

There's a freezer in the galley, but it's full of food. Anyway, the sub's head chef is in tears over Burke's demise. Perhaps she's worried her cooking is to blame.

In the end, Newsome opts to park his crewman in an empty torpedo tube. It's cold, it's sealed, it's ideal. The only puzzle is why, when the captain is later trying to cover up the death, he doesn't just press the 'fire' button and jettison the body. Torpedoes away!

It's all completely crackers, and that's before Glasgow detective DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) is winched down from a helicopter to board the sub at sea.

Martin Compston as stroppy sailor Craig Burke, who is found dead in the first episode

Silva is an intriguing and complex character  claustrophobic, terrified of water, a depressive who usually copes by going for long runs, she is a terrible candidate for an investigation in a tin can half a mile below the waves.

She has been despatched because apparently this is standard Royal Navy procedure when someone expires on a patrolling nuclear sub  you stick the corpse in a missile launcher and summon a copper from dry land. From the start, Vigil expected us to suspend our disbelief from about the height of a Sea King rescue copter.

The six-part serial, which continues tonight, opened aboard a trawler in the Irish Sea, where the crew were casting their net after spotting a couple of encouraging blips on the underwater radar.

'Nice little shoal under us,' chuckled the chief trawlerman. His monitor must have been playing up, because those shadows on the screen were submarines  Vigil and the enemy boat stalking it.

Christopher Stevens: Silva (played by Suranne Jones, pictured) is an intriguing and complex character  claustrophobic, terrified of water, a depressive who usually copes by going for long runs, she is a terrible candidate for an investigation in a tin can half a mile below the waves

One snagged the nets and dragged the trawler down. Everyone involved with the scene did their best  the actors leaned sideways and yelled, while stage hands sloshed buckets of water at them. It still looked like an am-dram production of Moby-Dick.

On board Vigil, radar operator Burke was the only sailor to spot the sinking trawler. He sounded the alarm, and the captain dismissed it, telling him to ignore what he'd seen.

Instead of obeying orders, Burke staged a one-man mutiny. A senior officer put an arm round his shoulders and led him away for a lie-down.

There's no brig or cat-o'-nine-tails in the modern British Navy for crew who yell at their commanding officer... just a friendly admonition and a chance to put your feet up.

My grandfather's sea duty Martin Compston and (right) his late grandfather who served at sea in World War Two Vigil star Martin Compston has told how his late grandfather served at sea in real life  in the Second World War. The Scottish actor, 37, who gained fame in BBC hit Line Of Duty, posted a photo online as his Vigil character chief petty officer Craig Burke alongside a snap of his grandfather, who was in the merchant navy. Compston said he had 'immense pride' thinking of his grandfather who 'doesn't look bothered at all he's in the midst of a world war'. Advertisement

At this point, only five minutes into the drama, viewers were faced with their own dilemma: switch over and watch Brenda Blethyn in Vera, or suspend their dwindling disbelief from an ever greater altitude.

This wasn't a question of minor details being wrong. Absolutely everything about Vigil rings false.

The whole crew is an argumentative bunch, ill-disciplined and arrogant. Newsome's second-in-command (Adam James) can't open his mouth without sneering.

The bridge below deck is more like the Starship Enterprise than the command room of a submarine. The corridors are wide enough to walk three abreast and, instead of sharing bunks by rota, every crewman has a personal berth with family photos on the wall.

The Coxswain, Elliot Glover (played by Endeavour's Shaun Evans), takes DCI Silva to Missile Deck Three  where, he explains, off-duty personnel like to 'hang around'.

Well, there's no recreation room aboard this boat, so where else are they going to mooch and gossip, except in the atomic arsenal?

Meanwhile, back on land, Silva's sidekick, Kirsten Longacre (who is also her ex-lover, played by Rose Leslie), discovers that Burke was having an affair with a CND activist, Jade (Lauren Lyle).

Jade's hobby is lying down on roads outside nuclear bases and pretending to be dead. She also has access to all the Navy's secrets.

She's found out that Burke is dead, and that a sub sank the trawler. 'Everyone knows it's a cover-up. This is the Navy, this is what they do,' she declares.

For all this, Vigil is not unwatchable. Ignore the fact that it's written with no accurate knowledge whatever of life on a nuclear sub, and that the anti-military bias is blatant. Despite that, there's a lively murder mystery here.

Above all, there is a first-rate cast. With these actors, headed by Jones as a sleuth who is one panic attack away from crash-diving, any drama is well worth watching... even one as far adrift from reality as this.
Max George has revealed his bandmate Tom Parker is doing 'amazingly well' amid his ongoing battle with a brain tumour.

The Wanted star, 32, revealed on Monday's Good Morning Britain it was a 'massive shock' learning his pal had been diagnosed with the brain cancer, but he was still 'tackling it with everything.'

It comes after Tom took to Instagram last week to mark one year since he had his first seizure, which led to a diagnosis of stage four Glioblastoma, an aggressive type of cancer.

Doing well: Max George, 32, has revealed his bandmate Tom Parker, 33, is doing 'amazingly well' amid his ongoing battle with a brain tumour

Max told GMB host Charlotte Hawkins: 'It was a massive shock, but he's doing amazingly well, he's a different breed of animal and he's tackling it with everything.

'He's just set up a concert as well at the Royal Albert Hall called Inside My Head, which is for Stand Up To Cancer, so we're looking forward to that.

'He's got some great acts on, I know Becky Hill's doing it, McFly, KSI I'll hopefully be front row there watching them.'

Inside My Head is set to take place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 20, hosted by Capital FM radio stars Roman Kemp and Sonny Jay, both 28.

Staying strong: Tom was diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma, an aggressive type of cancer, after he suffered a seizure a year ago

Last month, Tom tweeted: 'Its going to be a very special night & I cant wait to see you all there. Tickets on sale THIS Friday at 10am. The concert will be hosted by @romankemp and @sonnyjay and all proceeds go to Stand Up To Cancer @SUTC and The National Brain appeal @BrainAppeal.'

Tom and his wife Kelsey marked a very poignant event on Instagram on Wednesday last week - one year since a seizure led to his brain tumour diagnosis.

Former boyband star Tom revealed in October that he had been diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma and briefly detailed his journey in his latest post, which included a loved-up picture with his wife.

Supportive couple: Tom and his wife Kelsey marked a very poignant event on Instagram last Wednesday - one year since a seizure led to his to brain tumour diagnosis

'We will always have each other': Doting mum and wife Kelsey, 31, shared a similar smitten pic to that of Tom's, where they looked at each other adoringly

Poignant: Tom revealed in October that he'd been diagnosed with stage four Glioblastoma and briefly detailed his journey in his latest post which included a loved-up picture with his wife

'A year of total madness!!! 1 year ago today I had my first ever seizure which ultimately lead to the discovery of a stage4 brain tumour Scariest time of our lives but were here a year down the line. I couldnt love you any more,' he wrote.

The supportive couple share two children Aurelia Rose, two and Bodhi Thomas, who was born not long after Tom announced his diagnosis.

Doting mum and wife Kelsey, 31, shared a similar smitten snap similar to Tom's, where they looked at each other adoringly.

Honest: Tom thanked fans for the support they've given him, Kelsey and their children, saying 'you have no idea how much we appreciate it!'

Showman: Tom has organised the upcoming Inside My Head concert at London's Royal Albert Hall for Stand Up To Cancer

WHAT IS A GLIOBLASTOMA? Glioblastomas are the most common cancerous brain tumours in adults. They are fast growing and likely to spread. Glioblastomas' cause is unknown but may be related to a sufferer's genes if mutations result in cells growing uncontrollably, forming a tumour. Treatment is usually surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by a combination of radio- and chemotherapy (chemoradiation). It can be difficult to remove all of the growth as glioblastomas have tendrils that extend to other regions of the brain. These are targeted via chemoradiation. Glioblastomas are often resistant to treatment as they are usually made up of different types of cells. Therefore, medication will kill off some cells and not others. The average survival time is between 12 and 18 months. Only 20 per cent of patients live longer than a year and just three per cent survive over three years. Source: The Brain Tumour Charity Advertisement

Her sweet caption further emphasised the love she has for her husband of three years.

'A year ago today our life changed forever. Through everything we will always have each other. Me and you against the world @tomparkerofficial,' she penned.

Back in June, the father-of-two revealed he's making a documentary about his terminal brain cancer, admitting that it has been an 'emotional process' so far.

Tom wrote: 'We have some news. For the past few months @being_kelsey and I have been working with the good people at Spungold TV on a documentary for @channel4 and Stand Up 2 Cancer.

'As well as looking at our story, I've also been meeting some amazing people who are suffering from the same disease and meeting doctors and activists who are trying every day to raise awareness and to fight for more funding for vital research into brain cancer.

'I have also decided to stage a fundraising concert, with some great artists, to raise money for @su2cuk and the National Brain Appeal and I'm really excited to tell you all the details very soon.'

Tom continued: 'It's been an eye opening, and at times, an emotional process but I'm really proud of what we are creating.

'It's time to raise awareness and increase the money available for research and if I can help do that with this project then I'll be a very happy man!

'Thanks again for all your support for myself and Kelsey and the kids, you have no idea how much we appreciate it!

'I'm determined to fight the disease and the terrible situation of the chronically low level of research that goes towards finding a cure and treatment for glioblastoma.'

It is thought that the documentary will see Tom looking into potential treatments and meeting other brain cancer patients.

The show will be part of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign and proceeds from the concert, thought to be happening at the Royal Albert Hall, will be split between the charity and The National Brain Appeal.
He's set to win The Legend Award at Wednesday's GQ Men Of The Year Awards.

And speaking to the magazine in the run-up to the ceremony, Sir Anthony Hopkins has urged budding actors 'not to waste their money' on acting school.

The Oscar-winning star, 83, insisted: 'Don't waste your money. They're failed actors that set themselves up as gurus.'

Achievement: Sir Anthony Hopkins, 83, is set to win The Legend Award at Wednesday's GQ Men Of The Year Awards and has urged actors 'not to waste their money' on acting school

He added when speaking to the magazine ahead of its 24th Men Of The Year ceremony: 'There's one very well-known actor with an acting class here in Los Angeles and he's the star of the show!

'And all these other students sitting around paying their fees and he's the star! He's on stage with them, interrupting them, being rude to them. No, you don't do that.'

Anthony also candidly discussed his decision to leave the National Theatre, explaining: 'That's one of the reasons I left the National Theatre  we had a particular director who was very picky.

'And that's one of the reasons that I would be angry. This was in my days of raging paranoia and I warned one director, ''You ever speak to me like that again I'll punch your face in''.'

He then quipped: 'Obviously, I don't do that any more.'

Interview: The Oscar-winning star insisted in his interview: 'Don't waste your money. They're failed actors that set themselves up as gurus'

The screen legend also touched upon winning the Best Actor gong for his appearance in The Father during the Oscars in April.

He made headlines after seemingly failing to show up to the ceremony.

However, speaking on Lorraine in June, the iconic actor revealed that he 'didn't expect' to win, explaining: 'The contender was Chadwick Boseman, so I went to bed.'

Appearing alongside The Father director Florian Zeller, the screen star continued: 'Well what happened very briefly: I didn't expect to get it, at all. My phone went, and it was a text from my agent saying 'you've won the Oscar' at about 5 o'clock in the morning.'

He added: 'I couldn't believe it. I really couldn't believe it. I didn't expect it.'

Hopkins - who didn't give his acceptance speech until he woke up the next morning - went on: 'The next morning I made a little speech of thanks to the Academy and Chadwick Boseman.'

Sir Anthony became the oldest actor ever win an Oscar for his heart-wrenching performance as a man with dementia in The Father.

In The Father: Hopkins portrays an aging man who refuses assistance from his daughter as he begins to lose his own agency; seen here in the film with Olivia Colman

However, he skipped the awards show, held in Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, California, and didn't give his acceptance speech until waking up the next morning near Port Talbot.

In his April speech, he paid tribute to the late Chadwick, who many expected to win the gong for his performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

Boseman died at the age of 43 last August after a private four-year battle with colon cancer.

GQ Men Of The Year Awards 2021 in association with BOSS.
Colin Salmon has revealed he 'wouldn't be here now' if he hadn't been rushed to hospital after contracting Covid in January this year.

The star, 59, - who fell ill on New Year's Eve after his whole family got coronavirus - said he 'felt like he was slipping away' as the virus took hold rapidly.

Colin starred as MI6 aide Charles Robinson opposite Pierce Brosnan in three James Bond films from 1997 to 2002, and has also starred in Doctor Who, 24, and Arrow.

Difficult: Colin Salmon has revealed he 'wouldn't be here now' if he hadn't been rushed to hospital after contracting Covid in January this year (pictured with wife Fiona)

Speaking alongside his wife Fiona, the father-of-four told Hello!: 'I felt as if I was slipping away. If I hadn't gone to hospital, I wouldn't be here now.'

The situation was made more worrying as artist Fiona suffers with a rare lung condition - interstitial lung disease - meaning she was in the vulnerable category.

She told the publication: 'I felt flattened and had a thumping headache, although it exacerbated my condition, I came through it.'

'I'm finding ways to live with it positively. I don't want my illness to define me.'

Worries: The star, 59, - who fell ill on New Year's Eve after his whole family contracted coronavirus - said he 'felt like he was slipping away' as the virus took hold rapidly

James revealed back in January that he was hospitalised after contracting COVID-19.

The star shared his secret health battle in a tweet as he urged his followers to avoid putting themselves at risk and get vaccinated.

Colin revealed he'd contracted COVID-19 after sharing a video featuring a number of BAME celebrities, urging their community to get the coronavirus vaccine.

Screen star: The actor starred as MI6 aide Charles Robinson opposite Pierce Brosnan in three James Bond films from 1997 to 2002

Revealing he'd taken part in the video, Colin re-posted the clip originally shared by Good Morning Britain presenter Adil Ray.

He wrote: 'Recorded this last week 9 days after my Covid hospitalisation. I'm getting there but this is real and affects us all. #covid19 #vaccine. Take a moment of self care and please watch this.'

Colin's post was soon flooded with messages of support, with Irish actor Emmett J. Scanlan writing: 'Brother!!!! Sending huge f***** love your way.'

Scary: Colin shared his secret health battle back in January in a tweet as he urged his followers to avoid putting themselves at risk and get vaccinated

Sweet: Colin's post was soon flooded with messages of support, with Irish actor Emmett J. Scanlan writing: 'Brother!!!! Sending huge f***** love your way'

Kind: After being inundated with messages from fans, Colin took to social media again to thank them for their support

After being inundated with messages from fans, Colin took to social media again to thank them for their support.

Having their say: The couple were speaking with Hello! magazine

He wrote: 'Thank you for your kind words. Please take a moment for yourselves, check in, feel how you're doing.

'We are hearty folk but we need to value our lives more. We don't have to always do the extra shift, put ourselves last, be brave. #SelfCareIsNotSelfish.'

Colin's appearance in the video was alongside stars such as actress Shobna Gulati and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, as they specifically reassured members of the BAME community that the vaccine was safe.

He is most well-known for his role as Charlie in the James Bond franchise, starring in Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day.

The screen star has also had roles in 24, Law and Order UK and the US series Limitless.
Rock legends Bob Geldof and Roger Taylor have joined forces for a relaxing holiday in Dubrovnik, Croatia alongside their stunning wives and the latter's daughter.

The duo, aged 69 and 72 respectively, were spotted unwinding on the picturesque streets on Sunday alongside Jeanne Marine and Sarina Potgieter while Roger's daughter Tigerlily Taylor, 26, was also in tow looking trendy.

Boomtown Rats frontman and philanthropist Bob cut a low-key figure in a cobalt blue shirt and cargo shorts while Queen drummer Roger was low-key in a cap and sunglasses for their stroll and subsequent boat trip.

Out and about: Rock legends Bob Geldof and Roger Taylor have joined forces for a relaxing holiday in Dubrovnik, Croatia alongside their stunning wives and the latter's daughter

Bob looked in utter relaxed holiday mode as he paraded the streets in his pared-back look and shielded from the sun with a straw trilby.

He was continuing to rock his new beard, which stunned fans last month when he unveiled the look while attending the One Young World summit dinner at the 500 year old Antiquarium hall of Residence Museum in Munch, Germany.

The Irish star was sure to turn heads as he sported a close-cropped white beard at the event, as he is known for being clean shaven.

His wife of six years, Jeanne, 55, looked stunning in a crisp linen shirt and the duo would not keep their hands off each other during their boat jaunt.

Stylish: The duo, aged 69 and 72 respectively, were spotted unwinding on the picturesque streets on Sunday alongside Jeanne Marine and Sarina Potgieter while Roger's daughter Tigerlily Taylor, 26, was also in tow looking trendy

Chic: Tigerlily looked stylish in a polka dot dress paired with black and white Vans

Chatting: Bob looked in utter relaxed holiday mode as he paraded the streets in his pared-back look and shielded from the sun with a straw trilby

Queen rocker Roger went for a black and white ensemble while Sarina, 49, who he married in 2010, stood out in a sensational red kaftan.

Tigerlily looked stylish in a polka dot dress paired with black and white Vans.

Bob and Roger are good friends, with the latter singing at Bob's daughter Peaches' funeral in 2014, following her tragic drug overdose. A source said at the time: '[The funeral] felt like a gig. It was so lovely, a real celebration of her life.'

Bob has plenty to celebrate on his getaway, after his daughter Pixie recently gave birth. She was spotted out and about with husband George Barnett and a pram earlier this month, in confirmation that their bundle of joy has arrived.

The fashion star has been married to These New Puritans drummer George since 2017, when the couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Majorca.

Happy days: Tigerlily is friends with Bob's daughter Pixie

Out and about: The group looked in relaxation mode

Ring ring: The older members of the group checked their phones while Tigerlily sparked up a cigarette

Close friends Alexa Chung and Daisy Lowe were bridesmaids, with guests including Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Nick Grimshaw.

The couple are also pals with Princess Eugenie and attended her wedding to industry executive Jack Brooksbank in 2018.

Pixie is the third daughter of Bob and Paula Yates, who tragically died aged 41 in 2000 after a heroin overdose.

The couple married in 1986, and had Pixie, Fifi, 38, and Peaches, but story of tragedy repeated in April 2014 when their middle child died of an overdose aged 25.

Yay: Bob has plenty to celebrate on his getaway, after his daughter Pixie recently gave birth

New look: He was continuing to rock his new beard, which stunned fans last month when he unveiled the look while attending the One Young World summit dinner at the 500 year old Antiquarium hall of Residence Museum in Munch, Germany (pictured right in 2016)
Eamonn Holmes sent his well-wishes to Alison Hammond as he took her place on the This Morning couch after she was struck by a mystery illness.

Alison was due to appear alongside Rochelle Humes on Monday's show, while Vernon Kaye was due to appear with Rochelle on Tuesday's show.

It has since been announced that Vernon had tested positive for coronavirus and Alison was unwell - so would not be making their respective planned appearances.

Speaking on the show, the Northern Irish star said: 'It was supposed to be Alison and Rochelle today, but Alison's not well, so get well soon. And just when you thought you got rid of me after seven weeks, like a bad penny, I turn up again.'

Stricken: Eamonn Holmes sent his well-wishes to Alison Hammond as he took her place on the This Morning couch after she has been struck by a mystery illness (Alison pictured in June)

On Sunday, Eamonn announced he would also act as a stand-in replacement for Vernon after the presenter tested positive for Covid. Vernon, 47, was set to front the popular morning show alongside Rochelle this week.

Rochelle was due to present with Alison on Bank Holiday Monday and was supposed to be joined by Vernon from Tuesday. The Sun further reported that Rochelle, 32, had told of her excitement at welcoming Vernon to This Morning.

TV bosses were 'left scrambling' to find a replacement as Alison was also off from sickness, although her illness was not specified.

Saving the day, Eamonn Tweeted on Sunday: 'But just when u thought you'd got rid of me .... sickness with @AlisonHammond and @vernonkay means I'm off the bench .Get well soon to them but I have my Boots on and I'm ready to play...

'I'm off the bench!': Speaking on the show, the Northern Irish star said: 'It was supposed to be Alison and Rochelle today, but Alison's not well, so 'get well soon'. And just when you thought you got rid of me after seven weeks, like a bad penny, I turn up again'

Bad news: On Sunday, Eamonn announced he would act as a stand-in replacement for Vernon after the presenter tested positive for Covid. Vernon, 47, was set to front the popular morning show alongside Rochelle this week

'Monday and Tues line up is now myself and Rochelle Humes. Hope you can join us.'

The presenter, 61, had been presenting the show with wife Ruth Langsford over summer as Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield took their annual six-week break.

It comes after Vernon said he was 'absolutely gutted' to be missing out on the guest presenting gig.

He told The Sun: 'I'm absolutely gutted that because of a positive Covid test I'm no longer able to present on This Morning next week with Rochelle.'

The I'm A Celebrity winner was also gearing up to cover Steve Wright's Radio 2 show, a gig he has stepped down from in light of his diagnosis.

Back up: Rochelle was due to present with Alison on Bank Holiday Monday and was supposed to be joined by Vernon from Tuesday. The Sun further reported that Rochelle, 32, had told of her excitement at welcoming Vernon to This Morning

Back on the small screen: Eamonn saved the day after ITV bosses were left 'scrambling' for a replacement for Vernon

Last minute: ITV bosses must now find a last-minute replacement for Vernon, with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield not due back from their summer break until next month

Vernon added: 'Nor [can I] do Radio 2 guest hosting and Steve Wright's cover, two iconic shows which I've been a fan of for decades.'

MailOnline has reached out to Vernon's representatives for further comment.

ITV bosses must now find a last-minute replacement for Vernon, with hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield not due back from their summer break until next month.

Eamonn, 61, announced on last Monday's episode of This Morning that he and Ruth, also 61, were in their final week of presenting the show for the summer break.

Unavailable: Eamonn, 61, announced on last Monday's episode of This Morning that he and Ruth, also 61, were in their final week of presenting the show for the summer break

Welcoming viewers to the show on Monday, the couple mysteriously revealed it was their 'last week' as well as the 'last week of summer'.

Rochelle's appearance on the show comes after she gave fans an insight into her health and wellness regime by sharing her 'Skin Smoothie' recipe.

She shared a step-by-step video of the fruit and veg packed drink, which she paired with JSHealth Vitamins Vitality X + Collagen powder.

Rochelle said: 'I'm so looking forward to hosting with the wonderful Alison Hammond again. I also can't wait to welcome Vernon Kay into the This Morning family!'
The tension was evident during The Block's winners and grinners dinner on Monday's episode, following the fallout from the 'biggest cheating scandal in TV history'.

With twins Josh and Luke in possession of a photo of the 'stolen schedule' which they claim they did not take, production was determined to find out who leaked it.

An emotional Georgia broke down in tears by the whole ordeal and began to suspect a quiet Tanya may have had a part to play, before a shock confession was teased in the trailer for Tuesday night's episode.

'Are you part of it?' The Block's Georgia (pictured) broke down in tears and suspected TANYA was involved in the 'cheating scandal' on Monday's episode

'Honestly I feel really emotionally upset by the whole thing and I just didn't want to be,' Georgia said at the table, while wiping away tears.

She begins to suspect co-star Tanya may have had a part to play in the scandal, due to her quiet demeanour at dinner.

Voicing her suspicions in a piece to camera alongside Ronnie, Georgia said of Tanya: 'I just thought, are you really good mates with the boys that you're just trying to deflect and not make it seem so serious? Or are you part of this?'

Back at the dinner table, Josh and Luke apologised to the group for their part in the scandal.

Guilty? Georgia began to suspect co-star Tanya (pictured) may have had a part to play in the scandal, due to her quiet demeanour at the winners and grinners dinner where they discussed the leaked production schedule

'It is what it is. Obviously we're sorry for what happened,' they said, to which Georgia responded: 'Thank you for apologising as well.'

'It [the photo] fell in our lap,' the twins added. 'I'm not a strong enough person to look and that's the truth.'

Meanwhile an explosive trailer for Tuesday's episode sees foreman Keith summoning the group, determined to find out who leaked the production schedule for the series.

Suspicious: Voicing her suspicions in a piece to camera alongside Ronnie, Georgia said of Tanya: 'I just thought, are you really good mates with the boys that you're just trying to deflect and not make it seem so serious? Or are you part of this?'

'We're not going to leave you until you tell us who showed you that photo,' he says to Tanya who appears nervous.

Tanya is then seen leaving the set with her co-stars' jaws dropping.

The drama began on Sunday's episode when a fuming Ronnie hurled out insults at Josh and Luke in a piece to camera, alleging they knew the 'full schedule' of rooms in advance.

In the firing line: Meanwhile a trailer for Tuesday, sees foreman Keith summoning the group, determined to find out who leaked the production schedule for the series. 'We're not going to leave you until you tell us who showed you that photo,' he says to Tanya who appears nervous

Dramatic: Tanya is then seen leaving the set with her co-stars' jaws dropping

'I guess it helps to cheat,' Ronnie said, before referencing the production schedule: 'It's amazing that you know exactly the full schedule of what rooms are coming up.

'They know when the challenge days are coming up... so I guess it helps to cheat. That's great, beautiful,' he continued in a sarcastic tone, as Georgia urged him to not 'go there'.

When a producer asked Ronnie whether Josh and Luke somehow discovered how to obtain the production schedule, Ronnie quipped: 'They've known from day one.'

'Mate, I don't f***ing really think, I know for a fact,' he continued, before describing it as the 'biggest cheating scandal in TV history'.
Drew Barrymore's ex husband Will Kopelman wed Vogue director Alexandra Michler in a beautiful Massachusetts ceremony, with 42-year-old Will and 46-year-old Drew's two daughters, Olive, 8, and Frankie, 6, acting as flower girls.

Will's sister Jill shared a series of photos of the special day on Instagram on Monday, including two of Olive and Frankie wearing sweet white dresses.

Other snaps saw Will and Alexandra, 33, sharing a kiss after exchanging vows while backdropped by the stunning Nantucket Island scenery.

Wedding bells: Drew Barrymore's ex husband Will Kopelman has wed Vogue director Alexandra Michler in a beautiful Massachusetts ceremony

Flower girls: 42-year-old Will and 46-year-old Drew's two daughters, Olive, 8, and Frankie, 6 (pictured) were flower girls

Will and Alexandra exchanged vows at Sankaty Head Beach Club and were joined by a large group of friends and family.

Will looked dapper in a navy suit while bride Alexandra wowed in a beautiful silk gown.

Gushing about her new sister-in-law, Jill - who works with Drew on The Drew Barrymore Show - sweetly wrote: 'As soon as I met @alliemichler I knew I'd like her. What I didn't know was that I would love her.'

Will announced his and Alexandra's engagement in January, taking to his private Instagram account to share the news with a black and white snap, writing: 'Love you love you love you love 1/30/2021.'

Beautiful: Will and Alexandra exchanged vows at Sankaty Head Beach Club and were joined by a large group of friends and family

Photos: Will's sister Jill shared a series of photos of the special day on Instagram on Monday, including two of Olive and Frankie wearing sweet white dresses

Dapper: Will looked dapper in a navy suit while bride Alexandra wowed in a beautiful silk gown

Will and Drew wed in Montecito in 2012 and amicably ended their four-year marriage in 2016.

Divorce was the 'last thing' Drew wanted for their kids because she did 'not grow up with any family whatsoever,' the screen star admitted in October.

Speaking on Sunday Today with Willie Geist, the doting mother confessed: 'I really did not take divorce well. I took it really hard.

Five years ago: Will and the Golden Globe winner - turning 46 next month - amicably ended their four-year marriage in 2016 (pictured in 2015)

'I really did not take divorce well': Divorce was the 'last thing' Drew wanted for their six-year-old daughter Frankie (L) and eight-year-old daughter Olive (R) because she did 'not grow up with any family whatsoever' (pictured in 2018)

'I was, like, ''Oh, the ultimate promise I wanted to make with you and for you was to have this amazing family. And I found them. And there's something not working that isn't livable. How tragic is that?'''

And while the former child star said she was 'scared to find love again,' she has since joined a dating app - most likely the exclusive celebrity favourite, Raya.

'It's true. I got back on a dating app [while binge-watching Netflix's] Bridgerton,' Drew confessed on the January 15th episode of her syndicated daytime talk show.

'I was like, ''I'm not dead, I'm not dead!'' For me, that was a big step.'

Barrymore previously divorced Canadian comedian Tom Green in 2002 after 15 months of marriage, and British bar owner Jeremy Thomas in 1995 after less than two months of marriage.
She's six months pregnant with her much longed for baby daughter.

And Danielle Lloyd looked nothing short of sensational as she displayed her growing baby bump in a Fendi bikini while posing with her family in Dubai on Sunday.

The TV personality, 37, looked happy and relaxed as she beamed while standing next to her brood and husband Michael O'Neill on the sunny beach.

Holiday: Danielle Lloyd looked nothing short of sensational as she displayed her growing baby bump in a Fendi bikini while posing with her family in Dubai on Sunday

The doting mother shares sons Archie, 10, Harry, nine, and George, seven, with ex-husband Jamie, and Ronnie, three, with Michael.

Danielle looked great in the designer two-piece which showed off her changing shape as she put her arms around her shirtless beau.

The brunette beauty wore her hair up in a practical top knot and accessorized with a pair of huge sunglasses.

Cute couple: Danielle has been sharing several snaps from her trip including this one with her partner at the Palazzo Versace

The kids all looked sweet as they grinned for the camera in their swimming shorts while holding goggles.

She captioned the sweet image: 'Family is everything  #family #love #myeverything #preciousmoments'

It comes after earlier this month, Danielle 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.

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...

The boys: The doting mother shares sons Archie, 10, Harry, nine, and George, seven, with ex-husband Jamie, and Ronnie, three, with husband Michael O'Neill

'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'.

Danielle responded 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'.

The family holiday comes after Danielle 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.

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.
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Lottie Moss and pal Rafferty Law put on a raucous display at London's All Points East Festival on Sunday.

The duo, who are the sister of Kate Moss and son of Jude Law, greeted each other fondly as they got involved in the wild fun on the festival, where thousands of revellers delighted in the taste of normality.

The blonde beauty wrapped her legs around Rafferty when she greeted the actor, who was spotted getting cosy with Brooklyn Beckham's ex-girlfriend Hana Cross at the event, before documenting the event on social media.

Wild! Lottie Moss and pal Rafferty Law put on a raucous display at London's All Points East Festival on Sunday

Lottie, who is pals with Hana despite having her own romantic links to Brooklyn, ensured all eyes were on her as she wore a skintight pink and black zebra print backless halterneck jumpsuit to the event although she was covered up in a leather jacket when she bumped into Rafferty.

The duo looked as though they had plenty to catch up on as they giggled and frolicked, with Lottie opening their exchange by running towards Rafferty and throwing her legs around him.

Perhaps they were talking about their love lives, as Rafferty's romances have been hitting headlines.

The superstar offspring is said to be '100% dating' Brooklyn's ex Hana with the pair seen 'kissing and cuddling' at a recent event. The model, 23, was seen canoodling with the son of Hollywood star Jude and model Sadie Frost.

Happy days! The duo, who are the sister of Kate Moss and son of Jude Law, greeted each other fondly as they got involved in the wild fun on the festival, where thousands of revellers delighted in the taste of normality

Hey! The blonde beauty wrapped her legs around Rafferty when she greeted the actor, who was spotted getting cosy with Brooklyn Beckham's ex-girlfriend Hana Cross at the event, before documenting the event on social media

Here we go! The duo were larking around together throughout

Pictured: Brooklyn Beckham's ex Hana Cross is said to be '100% dating' Rafferty, with the pair 'kissing and cuddling' at the event

Smitten: Hana is said to have started dating the Twist actor, with the pair recently spotted packing on the PDA at the festival

Pit stop! They stole a toilet break in between the raucous goings on

The new couple attended the festival with pals and weren't shy about hiding their affection for each other as they packed on the PDA, before the actor broke away to smoke a cigarette.

A source told MailOnline: 'They are 100% dating. They were in the Hyprr Guest Area at All Points East on Saturday, and despite being with two other friends, were all over each other...

'Rafferty was very affectionate with Hana, putting his arm around her, ensuring she had whatever drink she wanted, and generally looking after her. They kissed and cuddled and didn't seem to care at all who saw them.'

A friend in need! Rafferty placed a hand on Lottie's shoulder before draping his arm around her waist during the exchange

Sweet: Lottie's sister Kate is best friends with Jude's parents Sadie and Jude

Hey! Lottie greeted another pal with an incredibly friendly hug

Drinks ahoy! Lottie enjoyed a number of beverages during the day of hard partying

Got a moment? Their conversations flitted between cracking jokes to a rather somber expression from Lottie

Lottie and Hana - who are both signed with Storm Model Management - have been firm friends for months and are often seen out partying together.

The couple became friends in 2019 when Hana was dating David and Victoria Beckham's son, Brooklyn - so it caused shockwaves when it emerged Lottie had a fling with the photographer prior.

News of their alleged fling came to light in November, with a source telling The Sun on Sunday that David and Victoria were 'less than impressed' after finding out. Brooklyn and Lottie have been pals for a number of years and it is claimed that she made it clear their liaison wasn't a serious thing.

The alleged fling was said to be 'embarrassing' for the Beckham family, as both Brooklyn and his parents have socialised with Lottie's supermodel sister Kate in the past. After connecting with Brooklyn, the model is said to have become pals with now ex-girlfriend Hana, who split with the photographer over the summer.

Hey there! Lottie looked to be having a wild time as the debauchery continued

Her mate: She looked in joyous spirits as she greeted her pal

Having a laugh: They were in hysterics as they partied with various pals

Brooklyn is now engaged to model Nicola Peltz.

MailOnline has contacted Hana and Rafferty's representatives for comment. The pair were first linked in October after being seen snogging passionately at a trendy pub in Notting Hill.

Earlier in the day, while taking to her Instagram Stories, the fashionista shared clips of herself and her friends travelling to the music bash in the back of a taxi. She was putting on a busty display in the back of the vehicle in her bright attire as she zoomed the lens in while pouting and posing with a packet of crisps.

Lottie then shared a slew of clips of herself dancing with her companions as they enjoyed their afternoon in the dance tent at the festival or outside in the crowd in front of the main stage.

Woo! Lottie, who is pals with Hana despite having her own romantic links to Brooklyn, ensured all eyes were on her as she wore a skintight pink and black zebra print backless halterneck jumpsuit to the event

Lottie shared a slew of clips of herself dancing with her companions as they enjoyed their afternoon in the dance tent at the festival or outside in the crowd in front of the main stage

Revelers: Lottie posed up a storm in the back of the cab as she and her friends travelled to the event
She's the model and mum-of-three who often rocks stylish ensembles.

And on Monday, Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) showed fans her new Givenchy rubber sandals, which retail for $595.

The 34-year-old shared a photo of the chunky black shoes to her Instagram page and asked her followers whether they liked her new sandals.

New purchase: Lara Worthington (pictured) showed fans her new Givenchy rubber sandals on Monday - and you'll never guess how much they cost

The stylish shoes are a black slip-on style with a chunky rubber sole.

It comes after Lara showed off her model figure in a chic strapless black swimsuit as she enjoyed the sun in The Hamptons, New York.

The tanned and toned stunner accessorised with a designer headscarf and jewellery from Tiffany & Co.

Stylish:The 34-year-old shared a photo of chunky black shoes to her Instagram page and asked her followers whether they liked her new sandals

Lara flaunted her flawless line-free face by going makeup free, and her golden locks were shimmering in the sun.

The one-time reality star also gave a glimpse of a small tattoo she has had on her wrist for years.

Lara, her husband Sam Worthington and their three children, Rocket, Racer and River, are currently holidaying in The Hamptons after returning to New York.

Chasing the sun! It comes after Lara showed off her model figure in a chic strapless black swimsuit as she enjoyed the sun in The Hamptons, New York

Before heading to New York, the family-of-five were in Los Angeles. It's unclear when exactly Lara and Sam returned to US.

The family first moved back to Australia in January, after spending the better part of a decade living in New York and Los Angeles.

Lara and Sam began dating in 2013 and secretly married in 2014.
Dog the Bounty Hunter's stepdaughter, Cecily Chapman, was arrested for 'domestic violence' in Honolulu, Hawaii last month.

Cecily reportedly became 'verbally and physically abusive' and punched her fiance, Matty Smith, in the face on July 31.

'She punched him on both sides of his face and bit his upper back, leaving a mark with swelling and bruising,' TMZ noted.

Trouble: Dog the Bounty Hunter's stepdaughter, Cecily Chapman, was arrested for 'domestic violence' in Honolulu, Hawaii last month

Cecily confirmed the incident and said there was an 'altercation where a man struck me and said vile things about the memory of my dead mother.'

She added: 'I used proportional response, disabled the aggressor, and stood up for the memory of my mom. She would have handled it quite the same way, I can assure you.

'If you put your hands on Cecily Chapman you will get your ass kicked.'

Cecily told The Sun earlier this month that she canceled her dream wedding to Matty amid family drama and that she and Smith are 'spending time apart for a little bit.'

Not great: Cecily reportedly became 'verbally and physically abusive' and punched her fiance, Matty Smith, in the face on July 31

Tough: Cecily told The Sun earlier this month that she canceled her dream wedding to Matty amid family drama and that she and Smith are 'spending time apart for a little bit'

Getting hitched! The 68-year-old reality star filed for a marriage license with bride-to-be Francie Frane in the state of Colorado amid ongoing family drama that has caused two of his daughters to turn on the pair

She added: 'It could be a year, it could be six months, it could be two years, it can be a long time. So, we're just not sure. I'm definitely not in a rush to get married.'

It's just the latest drama for the Chapman family after Dog filed for a marriage license in the state of Colorado ahead of his Sept. 2 wedding to Francie Frane.

The news comes amid an onslaught of family drama involving daughter Bonnie Chapman, 22, (who he shares with late wife Beth) who had been uninvited from the impending nuptials over an ongoing rift.

Dog  real name Duane Lee Chapman  first revealed his romance with Francie, a 52-year-old rancher from Colorado, in March 2020  just 10 months after late wife Beth passed after a battle with Stage 4 lung cancer.

On August 22, Dog's step daughter Cecily and daughter Bonnie (who he shares with late wife Beth) told TMZ that they had been uninvited to the wedding.

Both had initially theorized that it may have been because they may have 'reminded him a little bit too much of their mom,' before things turned ugly.

At the time Cecily had reached out to her stepfather Dog about not getting invited to the wedding but she alleged she never received a text back, and Bonnie had yet to confront him.

Airing it out: Bonnie had not confronted her dad about her lack of wedding invite at the time of the August 22 TMZ article but things turned ugly and she ended up blasting Dog with accusations he cheated on her mom Beth and said he used 'racial and homophobic epithets' towards cast members on her show The System

Bonnie had later followed up with the publication about a second theory and said that her involvement with Black Lives Matter fractured she and Dog's relationship.

She also added that she believed her ongoing involvement with Unleashed TV  a network that purportedly fired her dad over his use of 'epithets'  was another point of contention.

Following her statements, Bonnie received a text message from Dog's fiancee Francie allegedly confirming she had not been invited to their wedding due to her activism work and failure to condemn the streaming platform that allegedly fired her father over the use of 'epithets'.

Bonnie still works with UTV on their own show The System, which focuses on dismantling systemic racism.



Protective: Francie confirmed that the sisters had not been invited to the wedding via text because they continued to 'align' themselves with people from the network that she says 'tried to ruin his career'

On blast: In Bonnie's facebook statement she accused her father of cheating on her late mom 'all the time' even when she was 'sick in the hospital' with Stage 4 lung cancer which ultimately took her life in June 2019; pictured June 2013

Following the message, Bonnie took to Facebook to blast her father in a lengthy statement where she accused him of racism, homophobia, and cheating on his late wife 'all the time,' even when she was 'sick in the hospital.'

Beth and Dog were married from 2006 to her passing in June 2019 at the age of 51 from lung cancer.

In the post she also brandished him as having 'racist ways,' said he sat idly by when her life was 'threatened on several occasions by QAnon wackos,' and said she felt inclined to speak out to honor her mom's legacy as she would have not 'stand for this.'

Bonnie also claimed Francie traveled on a plane 'knowing' she was infected with COVID-19 and attended events as she wrote: 'She didn't seem to care about the thousands of people she could have infected.'

Bonnie's Facebook Post 'On the morning of August 22, TMZ released the following story about my sister and me not being invited to my dad's wedding. Later in the morning, I received a text from Francie Frane, my dad's fiance. Francie's text message confirmed that the reason I wasn't invited to my dads wedding is my choice to participate in social justice and BLM protests with 'The System', and not condemn the streaming platform when they fired my father for using epithets. I'm sorry, but I can't defend my Dad's racism. 'Considering the text I received today, I have just a little bit more to say about this entire subject. 'When it comes to 'The System' on UnleashedTV, my father was fired by the platform for using racial and homophobic epithets toward my fellow cast members on the show, which is about social justice advocacy and protesting violence and racial bias by police. I have expressed time and time again my ever-growing disappointment in my father's progression into his old racist ways. 'I had forgiven my father after my mother's death for countless actions that I shouldn't have. He would cheat on my mom all the time, and I hated him every time he did it, but I forgave him for that because I wanted a relationship with my dad. I thought I had only one parent left. I was left with the racist and homophobic parents. I can't begin to fathom how some of my mother's fans may feel. I say my mother's fans because everyone watched for Beth. My mother was a shining light in the void. I can no longer watch someone diminish her light with his hatred. I can no longer sit and be quiet about these things. 'My mom was a true leader, and believe it or not; she kept my dad focused on his career. We all know of his missteps, but my mom always stood by him. She also kept him in line! My mom was loyal, and she was fiercely protective of her family. She loved my father and did her best to make him the best man he could be. All too often, that job consisted of dealing with his near-constant infidelity with her friends and strangers while trying to teach him to be a better man. I don't think that work was in vain; I think mom did change my dad. But that change vanished when my mom died. 'Since my mom died, my dad ran away from the person she inspired him to be. He began to do that when she was sick in the hospital, and he began to have an affair with a friend of my mom's. 'As a child, I was always silenced by him, threatened with physical violence, and I will no longer back down. I stand for what I believe in firmly, and I think my mother deserves the honor. My father has dishonored my mother in countless ways since her passing. He's associated himself with people like right-wing megachurch pastor Greg Locke, who mock crucified his own son for religious propaganda and spews hate toward LGBTQ people almost constantly in his social media. 'My life has been threatened on several occasions by QAnon wackos, and my father has sat and made excuses for why he won't say anything. I'm sorry to speak about the real Duane Chapman for those who loved my mother and loved the man she loved. I know this may be a shock to some of the public, but you deserve the truth. I'm sorry for those who looked up to my father growing up. I'm sorry to those who truly thought he was a good man; I thought so too at some point. Growing up, we have to take the people we idolize off a pedestal. 'I believe my father, at some point, was making his best efforts to be a good man, which is why I've publicly ALWAYS defended him. I followed my mom's lead. I followed the strongest woman I've ever known. I was scared my only parent would hate me. I was scared of not being invited to family gatherings. However, I know my mom would never stand for this, and it is in honor of her legacy that I speak out. 'He has embraced old prejudices and doubled down on racist and homophobic stereotypes. For example, my dad hates BLM and called BLM protestors who I proudly stand with each and every day 'thugs.' He has used horrific epithets against LGBTQ people, and he has further aligned himself with right-wing extremists who believe in QAnon theories. In December 2020 Francie told me she had Covid-19, but that she slept with my father because God told her too. She also told me she flew to speaking events knowing she had covid. She didn't seem to care about the thousands of people she could have infected. 'If my dad and his new wife want to travel to right-wing churches attacking gay people and advancing QAnon theories, he can certainly do that, but I'm going to stand by the memory and legacy of my mom, Beth Chapman. Her memory, and the values she stood for, are worth fighting to advance. 'That's why I joined the cast of 'The System'. We stand against police corruption every day, and every day I stand and fight against the kind of racism and bias that I saw come from my father growing up. I know I'm exactly where my mom would want me to be, fighting to protect the weak and standing up for the inherent worth of every single person. 'I said before that I really didn't know why I wasn't invited to my dads wedding. While I knew he was mad about being fired, he has only himself to blame. I thought my dad would be man enough to put family first, but it appears that man died with my mother.' Advertisement

Disagree: Dog The Bounty Hunter's daughter Bonnie claims her support of Black Lives Matter was part of what lead to her falling out with her father

'If my dad and his new wife want to travel to right-wing churches attacking gay people and advancing QAnon theories, he can certainly do that, but I'm going to stand by the memory and legacy of my mom, Beth Chapman. Her memory, and the values she stood for, are worth fighting to advance,' another excerpt read.

A representative for Dog denied Beth's allegations in a statement obtained by E!: 'Bonnie's allegations are false and a misguided attempt to derail our wedding.'

Despite the drama, Dog struck an optimistic note while speaking with Us Weekly about his upcoming nuptials on August 24.

'I have a large family and most of them are going to be here for it. I love all my kids and it's going to be great to have so many people here to celebrate,' he told the site.

'We've spent so long on this to ensure it's going to be just perfect and believe me, nothing is going to get in the way of us,' he added.

The reality star added it was sad his daughters Cecily and Bonnie were attempting to 'bring a cloud over our wedding.'

She also alleged her life had been threatened by 'QAnon wackos', but her father refused to speak out against them. Instead, he only offered 'excuses' as to why he wouldn't 'say anything'

Better times: Dog and Bonnie pictured together on the set of Unleashed in 2019

Dog - who is a father of 13 - denied his daughters claims he was fired over using racist/homophobic language, calling the accusations a 'false' attempt to mess with the wedding.

He also told TMZ his daughters are being 'groomed' by his shady former associates, pleading: 'Please pray for Bonnie and Cecily to be released from whatever hold these people have on them.'

'Despite the sadness, we feel at this rift in our family, Francie and I are looking forward to celebrating our wedding next week with the rest of our family and close friends.'

And his other daughter Lyssa also appeared to have his back as she said tearfully on social media this week: 'Bonnie and Cecily are loved by our family. We are heartbroken that bad people are using them to get revenge on Dad.'

'Everything Bonnie is alleging has been put in her head by ex-business partners of my father who are angry they couldnt ride his coattails any longer. Dad quit when he realized they were con men,

Chapman has been married five times and has 13 children. His first child is Christopher Michael Hecht, whose mother is Debbie White.

He two children with his first ex-wife, La Fonda Sue Darnell: they are sons Duane Lee Chapman, II (born in 1973) and Leland Blane Chapman (born in 1976).

The family: Duane 'Dog' Chapman (C) and family arrive at Nickelodeon's 26th Annual Kids' Choice Awards at USC Galen Center in 2013 in Los Angeles, California

With second ex-wife Ann Tegnell, Dog welcomed three children: Zebadiah Chapman (born in 1980, but is deceased) Wesley Chapman (also born in 1980), and James Robert Chapman (born in 1982).

With third ex-wife, Lyssa Rae Brittain, he had daughter Barbara Katie Chapman (born 1982; she is deceased), son Tucker Dee Chapman (born 1983) and Lyssa Rae Chapman (born 1987).

Dog had two children with Beth: Bonnie (born 1998) and Garry (born 2001).

He adopted Cecily Barmore-Chapman (born 1993) who Beth had with her ex-husband.

He said this summer: 'I'm getting married. We went to the venue, picked it out yesterday, looked at it. Man, it costs a lot to get married.'
Following Love Island wrapping up its latest season, ITV bosses are throwing a new dating series our way and it's set to be explosive.

Ready to Mingle, hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan, will see 12 guys fighting for the attentions of one single girl, but the catch is not all the boys are strictly single themselves.

Set to be at the centre of all the drama as the show debuts on ITV2 is 24-year-old Sophia Maria, who has already racked up a following of over 2000 on Instagram.

New girl in town: Singleton Sophia Maria is 'set to be at the centre' of ITV2's new dating series Ready To Mingle, which will see 12 guys fighting for her attention

It's no surprise that all eyes will be on her, with the beauty grabbing attention online by littering her page with stunning bikini snaps.

A penchant for sporting a two-piece and travelling around the world, the brunette beauty looks sensational in a series of glam selfies and swimwear snaps.

Posting endless photos from sun-soaked trips away to Marbella, Marrakech and Mykonos, Sophia isn't shy when it comes to flaunting her washboard abs and toned pins.

Already a dab hand at getting the money shots for her Instagram profile, Sophia looks every inch the influencer in an array of posed shots.

Beauty: The 24-year-old, from Hove in Brighton, has already racked up a following of 2000 on Instagram thanks to her glam selfies and bikini pics

The star of the show: Sophia is set to turn the heat up on TV screens up and down the country, as she tries to find her perfect partner from a batch of 12 hot hunks

Not long to wait! Ready To Mingle is set to begin on Monday 6th September at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub

The fledgling reality star, from Hove in Brighton, returned to the UK last year in lockdown after travelling Australia, Fiji and Bali, and residing in Melbourne.

Asked why she decided to take part in Ready To Mingle, Sophia explained: 'The day before, I'd called things off with a guy I'd been seeing for a few months, so it was weird timing. My housemate got me chocolates and flowers to cheer me up and then I got a message from itv that evening and was like, "This is amazing".'

And the soon-to-be reality has revealed that Tom Hardy is her type on paper, saying: 'I've always gone for a fit guy, someone who takes a lot of pride in his physical appearance and goes to the gym a lot  I really, really like muscles. Looks-wise, Tom Hardy is my vibe. I like a bit of facial hair and tattoos.

'Personality wise, the comedian Kevin Hart is my type. I need someone who's going to make me laugh. I'm 5ft 8in, so I like someone to be 5ft 11in or above. But I don't like them too tall.'

Sophia also revealed: 'I like a dominant guy, someone who's headstrong. I like being bought flowers and presents and I like a cup of tea in the morning.'

The host: Comedian Katherine Ryan is the host of Ready To Migle

Stunning: Sophia is already a dab hand at getting money shots for her social media feed and has littered her page with bikini photos

All eyes on her: Another shot sees Sophia posing in a bright pink string bikini and straw hat

When it comes to ex-boyfriends, Sophia has been unlucky-in-love, admitting: 'I haven't had many serious relationships. I have dated a lot - I like going on dates. But I have been cheated on a lot.

'One time I found out four months in that my boyfriend had another girlfriend. I was one of the most trusting girls you'd ever meet and now I'm the complete opposite. I'm scared of being hurt and upset again.'

But Sophia is used the the fancy things in life, with one ex flying her out to another country in pursuit of a romance with her.

She explained: 'Someone flew me to Spain last year when the borders lifted after lockdown and I ended up staying there for three and a half months.

'I'd briefly met him in a nightclub 18 months before. He's a friend of a friend, but he had a girlfriend when we first met. They split up and he reached out to me on Instagram. But it didn't last, we wanted different things.'

Stealing the show: Ready To Mingle sees one single guy trying to find the perfect partner as she moves into a luxury house with a string of potential suitors

And now single Sophia is set to turn the heat up on TV screens up and down the country, as she tries to find her perfect partner from a batch of 12 hot hunks who will all be competing for her affections and the opportunity to share a 50,000 cash prize.

Taking inspiration from much-loved shows The Bachelor and Love Island, all 12 guys and their leading lady will live in a luxury house in Devon together as they go out of their way to impress her and date her.

However, not every guy is single. Some of the boys are in relationships and little do they know that their girlfriends are watching their every move as they pretend to be available.

Not what it seems: The show - a twist on The Bachelor and Love Island - is set to be explosive as not all the boys hoping to steal the leading lady are single, as some are in relationships

And in another mischievous twist, a number of the boys are actually being guided by their partners in pursuit of the prize.

Speaking about the show, host Katherine Ryan has said: 'I am so excited to be a part of this new dating game show. How could I say no?

'It's like nothing weve seen before but still with all the drama and dating dilemmas we love to see, and Ill be there front row as it all unfolds!'

The show's full lineup is yet to be confirmed by ITV bosses.

Ready To Mingle is set to begin on Monday 6th September at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub.
Gaz Beadle's wife Emma McVey reunited with her two children on Monday as she returned from hospital where she was rushed to after 'losing a lot of blood' last week.

The mother-of-two, 28, shared a sweet snap cuddling with her son Chester, three, and Primrose, 12 months, and wrote in the caption: 'Home with my babies!'

Emma - who has not elaborated on her health woes - looked radiant as she snuggled up to her little ones who looked adorable in their towels.

Happy: Gaz Beadle's wife Emma McVey reunited with her two children on Monday as she returned from hospital where she was rushed to after 'losing a lot of blood' last week

Fans and friends of the star took to the comments section to welcome her back.

'Awww Emma glad your finally home!' one person shared, while a second penned: 'So happy for you xx'.

A third commented saying: 'Awww hun so glad to see you home.'

Poorly: Last Friday, Emma shared a snap from her hospital bed and revealed she had been forced to remain another night after 'losing a lot of blood

Last Friday, Emma shared a snap from her hospital bed and revealed she had been forced to remain another night after 'losing a lot of blood'.

The beauty was taken to hospital and put on a drip after falling ill and on Wednesday night she admitted that she was 'missing' her family like 'crazy' amid her extended hospital stay.

Writing in the caption she added that her time away from home in hospital has been one of the 'hardest things' they've gone through, before praising her husband for holding the fort at home.

Alongside a selfie of her wearing pink pyjamas in bed, Emma penned: 'I've been wondering why I've been looking like something from The Walking Dead recently, check out them black eyes, feeling a little bit better today, losing less blood but not allowed to leave yet.

'Missing my little family like crazy, one of the hardest things we've had to do but we are getting through it. Gary you're doing amazing, my dad and everyone who's helping out at home too  thank you all for the lovely messages x.'

Meanwhile, Geordie Shore star Gaz, 33, has kept his followers updated as he continued to look after son Chester, three, and 18-month-old Primrose.

Holding the fort: The beauty was recently taken to hospital and put on a drip after falling ill and on Wednesday night she admitted that she's 'missing' her family like 'crazy' amid her extended hospital stay

He shared snaps of the little ones sharing a snack on the sofa, as well as little Chester picking a flower for his mother.

Meanwhile, sharing a snap from their wedding day last month, the realty star penned a heartfelt message to his wife.

He penned: 'Through the good times and the bad times... we will get threw it we always do  been hard for the kids not having Emma around as if u know her u will know how much of a hands on mum she is...

Message: 'Missing my little family like crazy, one of the hardest things we've had to do but we are getting through it. Gary you're doing amazing'

'We are such a strong little family so you know we will be fine and u will be home before you know it... we miss u always  fingers crossed your home Monday.' [sic].

It comes after Emma, who previously revealed she has a heart condition, was taken to hospital and put on a drip after losing blood, with the brunette admitting she and her husband were not prepared for the health scare.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, she wrote: 'Emails/ work/ DMs, I will get back to everyone when I am out of hospital.

Dad duties: Meanwhile, Geordie Shore star Gaz, 33, has kept his followers updated as he continued to look after son Chester, three, and 18-month-old Primrose

How sweet: He shared snaps of the little ones sharing a snack on the sofa, as well as little Chester picking a flower for his mother

Touching: Meanwhile, sharing a snap from their wedding day last month, the realty star penned a heartfelt message to his wife

'We weren't prepared for this as much as we've been panicking about preparing the kids for when I go into hospital.'

Emma later updated her fans on her current situation after Gary was 'bombarded' with messages from people asking if she was OK.

She explained she did not have heart surgery yet after previously revealing she would need the procedure at some point.

She wrote: 'So sorry guys, poor Gary has just been bombarded. I'm not having my heart surgery yet.

Health: It comes after Emma, who previously revealed she has a heart condition, was taken to hospital and put on a drip after losing blood

Shock: Taking to her Instagram Stories, she wrote: 'We weren't prepared for this as much as we've been panicking about preparing the kids for when I go into hospital'

'I'm losing a lot of blood, nutrients, and weight unintentionally, which is making me really poorly. I just need to stay in hospital on a drip, have steroids, and get nutrients in me.

'Once my body starts responding I'll be allowed home with medications but probably not until next week so I'll most likely be quiet on here.'

Gary shared Emma's post on his Instagram Stories and wrote: 'It's killing us we can't visit, me and the kids will miss you so much.

'You just get better and home to us as soon as possible. PS Don't worry about a thing at home, I got this.'

Update: Emma later updated her fans on her current situation after Gary was 'bombarded' with messages from people asking if she was OK

Apart: Gary shared Emma's post on his Instagram Stories and wrote: 'It's killing us we can't visit, me and the kids will miss you so much'

Heartwarming: Emma also shared a snap of Gary cuddling their children Chester, three, and Primrose,18 months

Back in June, Emma revealed she had three holes in her heart along with high blood pressure in her lungs.

She wrote: 'I have three large holes in my heart and damaged tissue which is causing my blood to pass through the wrong direction, the right side of my heart is now enlarged and weak, along with high blood pressure in my lungs.

'This has all got a lot worse as they should of been closed when I was a child, unfortunately no one checked my heart even when I had seizures and diagnosed with epilepsy or fainted like it was a hobby.'

Emma said doctors were surprised she survived Primrose's birth and the out come could have been different if she didn't have a cesarean.
She always maintains an elegant appearance.

And Victoria Beckham oozed effortless glamour as she slipped into a silk black dress while posing up a storm for a mirror selfie on Monday.

The fashion designer, 47, held the slinky number in a hand while she had the final touches applied to her hair ahead of her latest photoshoot.

Wow: Victoria Beckham, 47, oozed effortless glamour as she slipped into a silk black dress as she posed up a storm for a mirror selfie on Monday

Victoria was shooting for her beauty line Victoria Beckham Beauty, and was later seen applying her own make up with a new palette and lip liner.

The former Spice Girl said in the video of her putting the colour over her famous pout: 'Just adding the final touches, by the make up artist herself - which is me!'

While applying her make up, she showed off her perfectly manicured nails, and huge gold ring on her finger.

Looking good: The fashion designer was shooting for her beauty line Victoria Beckham Beauty, and was later seen applying her own make up to her famous pout with a new palette and lip liner

The Beckham's have been enjoying some time in America, and Victoria has been documenting their trip on social media.

The fashion designer sported a strappy black bikini as she relaxed in the pool while posing for a series of selfies with her youngest child, Harper, 10, on Sunday.

On Saturday David, 46, enjoyed a fun-filled day at Tidal Cove Waterpark with Harper, whilst Victoria took on the role of 'designated videographer.'

Cute! The Beckham's have been enjoying some time in America, and Victoria has been documenting their trip on social media

Making a splash: David enjoyed a fun-filled day at Tidal Cove Waterpark on Saturday with daughter Harper

In a series of buoyant videos that the fashion designer shared on her Instagram story, the father-and-daughter looked as though they were having a whale of a time.

The exciting family day out follows an alleged Spice Girls reunion.

According to reports, the iconic group met in London on Tuesday to 'record pieces in front of the camera' for their upcoming online game, however Victoria was not in attendance - due to being in Miami - and 'doesn't want to be involved'.

Geri Horner, 49, Mel B, 46, Emma Bunton, 45, and Melanie C, 47, got together at Black Island Studios to work on the forthcoming project, which they are said to be 'excited' about.

A source told The Sun: 'The Spice Girls are exploring a whole manner of new projects but this one was really exciting to them  their very own Spice game.

'All four women came together on Tuesday at the studios to shoot pieces to camera for it. It's something they've had in the pipeline for a while.'

They added: 'It is one of several things they are working on, including an animated film, and they hope it will help celebrate the Spice Girls' legacy.'
Megan Fox stepped out on Sunday to visit a friend in the Los Angeles neighborhood Brentwood.

The 35-year-old actress looked amazing in a lime green cut-out bodysuit. The missing fabric exposed not only her toned midriff, but also a bit of underboob.

This sighting comes the day before it was announced she has been cast in the new Expendables movie alongside Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham and 50 Cent.

Sunday outing: Megan Fox stepped out on Sunday to visit a friend in the Los Angeles neighborhood Brentwood

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the siren will also work with Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture and Tony Jaa.

Production will begin in October with Scott Waugh (Need for Speed) as the director.

On Sunday, the smoldering star looked radiant in a matching oversized light-washed denim jacket and high-waisted jeans. They had a subtle white pattern that resembled cracked pavement.

The Till Death actress carried a lime green handbag that matched her bodysuit. She also had a matching black pedicure and manicure.

Solo trip: The 35-year-old actress looked photo-ready as she walked alone

On her feet were a pair of crystal-embellished black heels.

The mother-of-three wore her hair in her classic parted-down-the-middle style and it flowed down her back in a loose wave.

She went full glam with brows, lashes, and cheeks fully made up. She rocked her go-to cat eye and her full lips were painted in a blended brown and pink color.

Smoldering look: She was photographed giving her signature sultry, blue-eyed squint

The Tennessee native's high-profile relationship with 31-year-old rapper Machine Gun Kelly (real name Colson Baker) has been media fodder for over a year.

They met shortly before the coronavirus lockdowns on the Puerto Rico set of the film Midnight In The Switchgrass, which came out at the end of July.

She told Who What Wear, 'I knew he was gonna be in the movie, but the universe was just like, 'Go do this. There's something about this experience that'll be really rewarding for you.''

Hot topic: The Tennessee native's high-profile relationship with rapper Machine Gun Kelly, (real name Colson Baker) has been media fodder for over a year; in LA in August

Megan shares three children - Noah, eight; Bodhi, seven; and Journey, five - with her estranged husband Brian Austin Green, 48, whom she is in the process of divorcing.

The beginning of their split played out in a contentious social media tit-for-tat, but the two have since smoothed things over.

In July he took to Instagram to write in a Stories post, 'For people that need or want clarification, Megan and I get along great. Neither of us are sending petty digs to each other.' He added, 'We both work really hard to get along and co-parent well for our kids.'
Nicole O'Brien flashed her washboard abs as she stepped out with former Too Hot to Handle co-star David Birthwistle on Sunday.

The reality star, 26, looked stunning in a black two-piece which she paired with a blazer and knee high white leather boots during an appearance at London's Jinbo Law bar.

Hanging from her arm was a Christian Dior saddle bag, and she accessorised further with accents of gold jewellery.

Wow: Nicole O'Brien, 26, flashed her washboard abs in a black two-piece as she stepped out with former Too Hot to Handle co-star David Birthwistle, 31, at London's Jinbo Law bar on Sunday

Her ultra-long red locks looked stunning as they were styled in a middle parting and sat neatly over her shoulders.

The glamorous outfit was complemented by a full face of make up complete with false eyelashes and reams of nude lipgloss.

Nicole put on a very cosy display as she walked into the venue with her arms around 31-year-old David.

Chic: The reality star, 26, looked stunning in the chic ensemble which she paired with a blazer and knee high white leather boots

The pair starred in the hit Netflix show together in 2020, and have spent lots if time together since Covid restrictions lifted.

While Nicole did not find love on the show, she went on to date her co-star Bryce Hirschberg after the show wrapped, making their relationship public last April.

They called it quits later in the year due to the travel restrictions posed by COVID-19, as Bryce lives in Marina Del Rey, California, and Nicole calls the UK home.

Sweet: Nicole put on a very cosy display as she walked into the venue with her arms around 31-year-old David

A representative for Bryce, 30, told People at the time: 'I can confirm that Bryce and Nicole decided mutually to split early last week after months of trying to make a long-distance relationship work.'

Bryce also made a statement: 'After the many failed attempts to reunite due to quarantine and border restrictions, we decided that moving on and remaining friends would be our best option for the time being.

'Nicole is so lovely and if under less unusual circumstances I'm sure that we could've had an amazing relationship! I wish her the best because she deserves it.'
Suki Waterhouse headed for a night out with a girlfriend in Los Angeles on Sunday evening.

The 29-year-old English model carried a Christian Dior bag and wore a motorcycle jacket as she stepped out with her pal.

Under the jacket, Suki wore a white blouse and added flared black trousers and matching boots to the ensemble.

Night out: Suki Waterhouse headed for a night out with a girlfriend in Los Angeles on Sunday evening

She teased her waist as she left some of her shirt buttons undone and slung her colourful designer purse over one arm.

She appeared to go make-up free, wearing her blonde locks loosely around her shoulders.

She rummaged around in her bag at one point, as her friend took snaps with her phone.

The appearance comes after she slammed the Gossip Girl revival for making a joke about her and actor boyfriend Robert Pattinson.

Expensive taste: The 29-year-old English model carried a Christian Dior bag and wore a motorcycle jacket as she stepped out with her pal

The model and actress was offended after one of the show's characters dismissively referred to her as a 'nobody' in an off-hand joke.

In the fourth episode of the new show's first season, Luna (played by Zion Moreno) mentions Waterhouse while giving her friend Zoya (Whitney Peak) tips on how to increase her social media presence to help her get closer to Obie (Eli Brown).

'When are you going to get it? As far as the press is concerned, hes R-Patz and youre Suki Nobody,' she says.

In since-deleted tweets, Suki made it clear that she didn't appreciate being the overlooked half of a celebrity couple.

'Another day to be reminded that women can also be the patriarchy,' she wrote, according to Glamour.

Stepping out: Under the jacket, Suki wore a white blouse and added flared black trousers and matching boots to the ensemble

She included a screenshot of Luna and Monet (Savannah Lee Smith) saying 'F*** the patriarchy' from the series.

The catwalk star also tagged Lila Feinberg, who wrote the episode, though that doesn't mean she necessarily wrote the line in question, as other writers likely contribute to the scripts.

Later, she suggested the joke was also an example of 'sexism' while reinforcing the patriarchy.

'Seeing critiques of patriarchy and sexism, then I get name checked as somebodys "nobody" girlfriend. Make it make sense!' she wrote.

The new Gossip Girl premiered earlier in July and features an all-new cast of characters, though Kristen Bell returns as the voice of Gossip Girl, even though new characters are writing words for her.

Having a laugh: The appearance comes after she slammed the Gossip Girl revival for making a joke about her and actor boyfriend Robert Pattinson

Although it has been referred to as a reboot, the series references characters from the original series, who may appear at a later date.

So far, the show has mostly received negative reviews and currently boasts a 38 percent rotten rating from critics surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes.

Although Suki was willing to reference their relationship to strike back at what she thought was an offensive joke, she and Robert normally keep their relationship out of the spotlight.

They were first linked in July 2018 when they were spotted kissing in London, and a source told Us Weekly in August of that year that they had been dating for months.
They reportedly sparked a romantic connection and were said to be an item earlier this year.

And Van Jones put rumors to rest that he was ever dating Kim Kardashian months after she filed for divorce from estranged husband Kanye West.

The 52-year-old political commentator told Page Six the reports of their friendship being anything more than platonic were 'absurd.'

Not happening: Van Jones put rumors to rest that he was ever dating Kim Kardashian months after she filed for divorce from estranged husband Kanye West

Jones looked sharp in a blue suit as he stopped by the reopening of Jay-Z's 40/40 Club on Saturday night near Madison Square Park.

'I never made any comments about the rumors of me and Kim Kardashian dating as I found it absurd,' he told the publication.

He added, 'It was flattering for me, but it probably wasn't flattering for her.'

Honest approach: The 52-year-old political commentator told Page Six the reports of their friendship being anything more than platonic were 'absurd'

Not so fast! While the pair have been pals for years, fans speculated their friendship may have turned romantic during her four-year law apprenticeship with his Oakland-based nonpartisan organization, #cut50

Kim also confirmed she was single and not-so-ready to mingle during the Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion show in June.

'No. I'm not dating either one. Not Van Jones, not Maluma,' Kim told Andy Cohen. 'I've known [Maluma]. I've seen him a few times, always in Miami. Such a nice guy.'

While the pair have been pals for years, fans speculated their friendship may have turned romantic during her four-year law apprenticeship with his Oakland-based nonpartisan organization, #cut50.

Helping hands: In 2018, Kardashian and Jones worked together to successfully get Alice Johnson pardoned from a life sentence stemming from a 1996 conviction on nonviolent drug charges; seen in 2018

Friends forever: Van also reportedly introduced the aspiring attorney to Jessica Jackson and Erin Haney, who've been helping her prepare for the California State Bar in 2024

In 2018, Kardashian and Jones worked together to successfully get Alice Johnson pardoned from a life sentence stemming from a 1996 conviction on nonviolent drug charges.

Van also reportedly introduced the aspiring attorney to Jessica Jackson and Erin Haney, who've been helping her prepare for the California State Bar in 2024.

During the KUWTK series finale on June 10, Kim revealed to the pair that she was 'totally bummed' she failed the 'Baby Bar' exam for the second time, but will continue trying.

The CNN host finalized his divorce from ex-wife Jan Carter in June 2019. The former couple were married for 13 years before separating in May 2018.

Kim and Kanye called it quits on their nearly seven-year marriage in February when she filed for divorce. They share four children together: North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.
Sharon Stone's 11-month-old nephew and godson River has died, just days after he was found in his crib suffering 'severe organ failure' that left him in a coma.

The 63-year-old shared the tragic news of River's passing on Instagram on Monday afternoon, posting a video of the baby boy along with the caption: 'River William Stone. Sept. 8, 2020 - Aug. 30, 2021.'

River was the youngest child of Stone's younger brother Patrick and his wife, Tasha, who live in Ohio with their three children.

The Basic Instinct star, whose video tribute was set to Eric Clapton's Tears In Heaven, did not share any other information about what exactly happened to River - having only revealed on Friday that the youngster was suffering from 'total organ failure' and would need a 'miracle' to survive.

'My nephew and godson River Stone was found in his crib w[sic] total organ failure today. Please pray for him. We need a miracle,' she wrote at the time, while posting an image of River lying in a hospital bed while hooked up to numerous medical devices.

Tragedy: Sharon Stone has revealed that her 11-month-old nephew River has died just days after he was found in his crib with 'total organ failure'

Heart-wrenching: The 63-year-old actress shared a photo of the baby boy lying in a hospital bed in a tangle of wires and tubes last week while sharing a few details about his condition

Plea: Stone asked her fans and followers to pray for a miracle, explaining that he was suffering from total organ failure

River's mother Tasha also wrote an impassioned plea for prayers on her Facebook page last week, revealing that her son had been airlifted to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh on Thursday, where he was fighting for his life in a coma.

'This is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to post but I am BEGGING everyone and anyone who prays please pray HARD for River,' the devastated mother wrote. 'Every single second of this is literally killing me. I just want my sweet sweet boy back.'

The actress was in Venice, Italy, when news of River's condition was revealed - however she returned to the US over the weekend, when she was pictured at JFK airport

Although she did not share the cause of her son's condition, she said that doctors had told her River would 'never be the same' if he ever woke up from his coma.

'The doctor said if he does pull through he will never be the same,' she continued. 'Please I am begging for prayers that my baby can be healed and come back with his family who love him so very much. I am beyond heartbroken.'

Neither Tasha or Patrick have yet to comment on their son's tragic passing, and no details about the causes of his illness have been shared.

There are a number of severe medical conditions that can lead to multiple organ failure in children, however the leading cause is sepsis, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Sepsis - which can be sparked by another infection in the body - is particularly dangerous for children, because the symptoms are more easily missed than they are in adult patients.

Birth defects and other undiagnosed illness can also lead to pediatric organ failure however, and it is not yet known whether any of these conditions caused River's severe illness.

DailyMail.com has reached out to a spokesperson for Stone.

Stone, who last year revealed that her grandmother had passed away from complications relating to COVID-19, was traveling in Italy when River was hospitalized

River's mother Tasha revealed on Facebook last week that her son, who was born in September 2020, was in a coma after being airlifted to a hospital in Pittsburgh

UPMC Children's Hospital is one of the top ten pediatric hospitals in the country - and it implemented the world's first pediatric solid organ transplant programs.

Stone was inundated with messages of condolences after sharing the news on Instagram however, with actress Selma Blair simply writing: 'I am so sorry. My lord.'

Meanwhile Andie MacDowell offered her sympathy, commenting: 'I'm so sorry lord.'

Will & Grace actor Sean Hayes added, 'I'm sitting here in tears. I'm so sorry, Sharon. What a beautiful boy. Sending all my love to you and your family.'

His former co-star Debra Messing also shared a note of sympathy for Stone and her family, writing: '...I am in disbelief. Oh Sharon, there are no words, other than Im so sorry for your whole familys loss. I am praying for all of you at this unimaginable time.'

Stone was traveling in Italy when she revealed the news of her nephew's devastating medical condition - having journeyed to Venice in order to take part in a photoshoot for Dolce & Gabbana - however she arrived back in the US over the weekend, when she was pictured landing at JFK airport in New York.

River's passing comes amid a difficult time for the extended Stone family, which has seen several members dealing with serious health problems in recent months - including cases of COVID-19.

Last year, a grief-stricken stone revealed that her 'adopted grandmother' Eileen Mitzman and her godmother had died from complications associated with the virus.

Tasha, who is married to Stone's younger brother Patrick, said on Facebook that doctors had warned her River would 'never be the same' even if he pulled through his coma

River was the youngest child of Sharon's brother, Patrick, and his wife, Tasha. The family live in Ohio with their three children

The actress's sister, Kelly, who has lupus, and her husband, Bruce, had also contracted the disease and were left 'fighting for their lives' before eventually recovering.

While speaking about her sister's battle with the illness in an Instagram video shared in August 2020, Stone also shared that her mother, Dorothy, had suffered 'two heart attacks' in the five months leading up to her post - and had to have 'five stents', which help to open the arteries and prevent blockages in the heart - and a pacemaker as a result.

It also appears as though River's mother Tasha has been struggling with health issues in recent months; comments left on her Facebook page in January suggest that she had to receive medical treatment that required her to spend time away from her family.

At the time, the mother-of-three revealed that she had returned home - but that she had an IV port in her arm, and would be undergoing continued treatment with the help of a home help nurse for several weeks.

'I was able to come home with a power glide IV port in my arm so I can continue to receive treatments from a home health nurse at home for the next couple of weeks,' she wrote.

'After that I will be switched to a pill form of the antibiotic. I am just thankful to be back with my family.'
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Kourtney Kardashian strutted into the latest Dolce & Gabbana soiree in Venice on Monday evening, alongside beau Travis Barker - joined also by mum Kris Jenner and her own boyfriend Corey Gamble.

The quartet lead the glamour at the latest in a string of Alta Moda fashion shows held at St Mark's Square in the Italian city fronted by the luxury brand, with the likes of January Jones, Vin Diesel and Helen Mirren also in attendance.

Kourtney, 42, spilled her curves into a busty off-shoulder mini-dress. The leggy number was complemented by fishnet heels and a chunky purse.

Double date: Kourtney Kardashian strutted into the latest Dolce & Gabbana soiree in Venice on Monday evening, alongside beau Travis Barker - joined also by mum Kris Jenner and her own boyfriend Corey Gamble

She wore her black bobbed do loosely around her shoulders and held hands with her 45-year-old beau.

He simply wore a black skinny-look suit, with his bare tattooed chest on display under his blazer, and added shades to the ensemble.

Mother Kris, 65, wore a bright hot pink pant suit over a black blouse with drop earrings and pastel pink heels.

Boyfriend Corey, 40, wore a black suit, open-collared white shirt and maroon loafers.

Strutting her stuff: Kourtney , 42, spilled her curves into a busty off-shoulder mini-dress. The leggy number was complemented by fishnet heels and a chunky purse

Night out: She wore her black bobbed do loosely around her shoulders and held hands with her 45-year-old beau

Coupled up: Mother Kris, 65, wore a bright hot pink pant suit over a black blouse with drop earrings and pastel pink heels. Boyfriend Corey, 40, wore a black suit, open-collared white shirt and maroon loafers

Oh, hi! D'Lila Star Combs, Jessie James Combs, Chance Combs and Kourtney enjoyed a chat

Chit chat! Kris caught up with Emma Weymouth ahead of the Alta Moda show

Loving it: Vin Diesel arrived, fresh off a water taxi

Peace out: He waved at those on the docks from the boat, wearing a yellow and black outfit

Vin Diesel arrived, fresh off a water taxi. He waved at those on the docks from the boat, wearing a yellow and black outfit and shades.

His dance partner from the night before, Dame Helen Mirren, 76, looked chic in a dazzling sequin dress as she stepped out for the show.

The Queen actress commanded attention in the ensemble which flattered her figure with a silver waistband. She swept her white locks from her face, revealing diamond earrings which dangled from her lobes.

Helen boosted her height by donning black high heels and carried her belongings in a bejewelled box bag which she held in her right hand.

Commanding attention: Dame Helen Mirren, 76, looked chic in a dazzling sequin dress as she stepped out for the show

Shades: Helen later donned chic oversized sunglasses as she stepped onto a waiting water taxi with Taylor

The star opted for a red lip swept across her pout and heavy black eyeliner, which completed the glamorous look.

She stepped out onto the dock with her film director husband Taylor Hackford, also 76, who cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo.

Helen later donned chic oversized sunglasses as she stepped onto a waiting water taxi with Taylor.

Despite precariously boarding the boat, she still managed to ooze elegance.

Water taxi: In keeping Covid-19 restrictions, Helen and Travis both wore facemasks for their protection

Elegant as ever: Despite precariously boarding the boat, she still managed to ooze elegance

The couple, who have been packing on the PDA during their trip, walked hand in hand as they arrived at the venue.

Lady Kitty Spencer was also among the famous faces to arrive at the show, looking as elegant as ever in a chic ball gown.

The cream bardot ensemble boasted a flowery trim and stopped at the ankle which revealed flat black Mary Jane shoes.

The niece of Princess Diana, 30, styled her bright blonde locks into a low bun.

Snaky: Bebe Rexha turned up on a snakeskin dress and red heels

Blue beauty: January Jones arrived at the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda show in a aquamarine number

Stepping out: She was seen getting into a water taxi which took her to the event

The collection is called Collezione Genesi (Genesis Collection), and will debut on the luxury marketplace UNXD later this month.

It is said to 'bridge the physical with the metaphysical' and will feature items personally designed by co-founders Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana themselves.

The concept was inspired by a dream from one of the designers, called Dress from a Dream. The collection will focus on the rich artistic history and artistic traditions of the famous floating city. The new NFT range was shown on Saturday, with an official live auction kicking off on the 6th September.

Amazing: Lady Kitty Spencer, 30 was also among the famous faces to arrive at the show, looking as elegant as ever in a chic ball gown

Floral chic: Sydney Sweeny arrived looking sensational on a boat in a blue dress with flower detailing

Actress: The Handmaid's Tale star posed on the dock in the leggy ensemble

Give us a twirl! She added height to the number with sparkling silver heels

Dolce & Gabbana's star-studded show was also packed with celebrity kids walking the runway, including Heidi Klum's daughter Leni, 17, and Sean 'Diddy' Combs' teens Chance, 15, and 14-year-old twins DLila Star and Jesse James.

While Klum's eldest child only made her runway debut during Berlin Fashion Week in January, she already looked like a seasoned pro as she arrived via gondola to the catwalk in a strapless turquoise minidress on Sunday in Venice, Italy.

The rising model, who is the spitting image of her supermodel mother, was styled in a jewel-encrusted crown on her head, matching statement necklace, large drop earrings and glittery pair of pumps.

Rising models: Dolce & Gabbana's star-studded show was packed with celebrity kids walking the runway, including Heidi Klum's daughter Leni, 17, and Sean 'Diddy' Combs' teens Chance, 15, and 14-year-old twins DLila Star and Jesse James

Making a name for herself: While Klum's eldest child only made her runway debut during Berlin Fashion Week in January, she already looked like a seasoned pro as she arrived via gondola to the catwalk in a strapless turquoise minidress on Sunday in Venice, Italy

Mom taught her how to shine: The budding star had a strong walk and a soft gaze

As she continues to take the modeling world by storm, including landing her first solo magazine cover on Glamour Germany in April, her mom has been her biggest supporter from attending shows to praising her on social media.

'Proud Mom,' Heidi captioned footage from her seat of little Leni strutting down the runway, before sharing another video, which showed her mini-me breaking into a smile once seeing her mom in the audience.

Additionally, the America's Got Talent judge, 48, posted a photo taken by Sara Foster of herself sitting at a table grinning as Leni appeared on the runway right behind her.

Sweet smile: Heidi caught her daughter breaking into a smile after spotting her mother in the audience

Next generation of runway stars: At one point Leni and one of Diddy's daughter stood next to each other on the runway

Heidi couldn't stop fawning over her teenager's major milestone to her 8.4 million Instagram followers, who seemingly couldn't get enough of the amazing photos and recordings from the event.

'You look stunning @leniklum @dolcegabbana Alta Moda show,' the mother-of-four captioned a repost from Vogue Runway of an up-close shot of Leni looking down.

Like Heidi, Diddy was in the audience cheering on his little girls, who left him crying tears of joy as he watched them.

Proud mama: 'You look stunning @leniklum @dolcegabbana Alta Moda show,' the mother-of-four captioned a repost from Vogue Runway of an up-close shot of Leni looking down

The shimmer together: In this image Heidi and Klum dazzle. 'A night out in Venice,' said Heidi in her caption

At one point, he was seen standing and clapping for his teens, who wore different colored tulle dresses with varying colorful bows and headpieces.

'Words cant explain. LOVE,' he captioned a slideshow of photos with his daughters and of each of them individually on the runway.

Diddy shares Chance with his ex Sarah Chapman and his twins with the late Kim Porter, who passed away unexpectedly from of lobar pneumonia in November 2018.

Proud dad: Diddy was in the audience supporting his little girls, who left him crying tears of joy as he watched them

Growing up: Diddy shares Chance with his ex Sarah Chapman and his twins with the late Kim Porter, who passed away unexpectedly from of lobar pneumonia in November 2018

'Words cant explain. LOVE,' he captioned a slideshow of photos with his daughters and of each of them individually on the runway (Chance pictured in a black minidress with a red bow)

The Combs twins posted on their Instagram account to describe walking for Dolce & Gabbana as a 'dream come true.'

'We are so excited that we got to walk in the @dolcegabbana fashion show,' they gushed. 'Thank you so much for having us join the show in Venice, Italy. And we want to say a HUGE Thank You to our dad and team for helping us get through this amazing show.'

They concluded: 'WE LOVE YOU GUYS AND THANK YOU  we hope to be back soon.'

'We are so excited that we got to walk in the @dolcegabbana fashion show,' the Combs twins gushed. 'Thank you so much for having us join the show in Venice, Italy. And we want to say a HUGE Thank You to our dad and team for helping us get through this amazing show'

That's amore: Kourtney put her ample assets on display in loved up snaps which she shared to her 140 million Instagram followers on Monday and captioned with a simple black heart

Kourtney put her ample assets on display in loved up snaps which she shared to her 140 million Instagram followers on Monday and captioned with a simple black heart.

Posing for a series of photos, Kourtney and Travis held on tight to one another inside of a stunning Renaissance era wood paneled building.

Kourtney's cleavage was front and center in a black lace pushup bra which stood out above the draped sheer floral fabric of her maxi dress.

The dress was see-through and allowed a full glimpse of her perky derriere in a matching black thong.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star flashed a magazine worthy smize at the camera, showcasing her edgy makeup and sleek curled bob.

Italian beauty: Kourtney's cleavage was front and center in a black lace pushup bra which stood out above the draped sheer floral fabric of her maxi dress

Happy couple: Kardashian put her ample assets on display in the loved up snaps of the two which she shared to her 140 million Instagram followers on Monday and captioned with a simple black heart

Her rockstar boyfriend sported a double breasted black pinstripe suit with no shirt underneath and black boots.

The Blink 182 drummer rocked some small black sunglasses and wrapped his arms artfully around his lady love before they headed out for a night on the town.

Earlier that day the pair were cuddled up together during a romantic gondola ride around the Venice canals.

The newly minted couple sat close together, wrapped up in one another and stole kisses as they took in the sights of the romantic city.

Va-va-voom: The back of the reality star's sheer gown showcased her pert bottom in a black thong

Travis and Kourtney have been showcasing their love for the public during their European holiday.

They made a fashionable appearance together over the weekend at the Dolce & Gabbana show where they arrived hand-in-hand.



The Poosh founder is reportedly smitten with the drummer and things are getting so serious, that the couple are considering living together.

'Kourtney and Travis are loved up but what's causing a headache is the plans to combine the two families,' a source recently told The Sun.

Smitten! Travis and Kourtney have been showcasing their love for the public during their European holiday

In love: Earlier that day the pair were cuddled up together during a romantic gondola ride around the Venice canals

'Right now Kourtney and Travis live minutes away from each other, but they want to move in together to start a new chapter, and that means all their kids need to be involved in the plan too.'

However, Travis' former wife Shanna Moakler, 46, reportedly doesn't want their children, 17-year-old son Landon and 15-year-old daughter Alabama, to move in.

The insider added: 'His ex-wife is really stirring things up and making it difficult. When he's not with his kids, Travis spends all his time at Kourt's - and he more or less lives there.

Getting serious? The couple reportedly has plans to take things to the next level and move in together at one of their LA-area mansions

'Kourt wants Travis to be step-dad to her kids, and her to his - their kids are all building relationships - but his ex is being difficult over plans to combine to form a household.

Apparently, Shanna doesn't think it's good for her kids to have to be uprooted and move into Kourtney's.'

However, Shanna told The Sun: 'My children can live wherever they are happiest. I have no opinion on this whatsoever.'

Kourtney meanwhile shares her three children, Mason, 11, Penelope, nine, and Reign, six, with her former partner Scott Disick, 38.
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Pierce Brosnan is pressing pause on his real estate plans.

The James Bond actor has taken his $100million Malibu, California mansion off the market, a little less than a year after listing it in September 2020, according to the New York Post.

Brosnan developed the Southeast Asian-inspired compound after snapping up two adjacent properties for a combined $7.35 million in 2000, per property records.

On second thought... Pierce Brosnan has pulled his Malibu home off the market, nearly one year after listing the lavish property for $100million

If sold for asking price it would have been one of the more expensive properties in the already-upscale Broad Beach area, which is home to the likes of fellow Hollywood legends Danny DeVito and Dustin Hoffman.

The Malibu home's decor is a nod to Thailand, where Pierce filmed the 1997 Bond flick Tomorrow Never Dies.

Covering over an acre, the estate is home to two residences with five bedrooms and 14 bathrooms total.

The main property, which took over a decade to craft, is called the Orchid House and covers nearly 12,500 square feet.

Stunning: Brosnan developed the Southeast Asian-inspired compound after snapping up two adjacent properties for a combined $7.35 million in 2000, per property records

Exotic: The Malibu home's decor is a nod to Thailand, where Pierce filmed the 1997 Bond flick Tomorrow Never Dies

Sprawling: Reaching over an acre, the estate is home to two residences with five bedrooms and 14 bathrooms total

It features a theater, a climate-controlled wine cellar for roughly 200 bottles of wine, a gym, a music room and a travertine-wall spa with two soaking tubs.

Pierce and wife Keeley have listed the home several times before, even advertising the spot as a $120,000 a month rental back in 2004.

The actor and family reside on the island of Kauai in Hawaii.

High class: It features a theater, a climate-controlled wine cellar for roughly 200 bottles of wine, a gym, a music room and a travertine-wall spa with two soaking tubs

Nice neighborhood: The mansions are in Malibu's ultra exclusive Broad Beach area, which is also home to Danny DeVito and Dustin Hoffman

'I love Malibu,' Brosnan previously told the Wall Street Journal. 'It has my heart,' he added, while noting that now 'home is very much here in the islands.'

The 007 star is next set to appear in Amazon Prime's modern adaptation of Cinderella, where he will play King Rowan opposite princess Camila Cabello and fairy godparent Billy Porter.

Cinderella comes out September 3rd, 2021 via Amazon Prime.
Stephen (ITV)

Rating:

The most difficult aspect of any drama based on a real murder case is how to depict the crime without glorifying it.

Teenager Stephen Lawrence's death on a London street as he waited for a bus, kicked and stabbed to death by five thugs in a mindless racist attack, appalled the whole country.

To reconstruct that brutal scene with actors risks injecting it with false excitement and the glamour of TV. That would be unforgivable.

Stephen (ITV) sidestepped this pitfall. There was no flashback, no dramatised replay of the murder in April 1993.

Instead, a group of detectives were shown visiting the scene 13 years later, led by DCI Clive Driscoll (an exceptional performance by Steve Coogan, of which more later). They paced out the victim's last movements as they reminded each other of the facts.

Later, in a powerful and disturbing scene, one policeman was filmed as he mimed the blows over a junior officer's prostrate body, to gauge the duration of the assault.

Tragic: Stephen Lawrence was brutally murdered by a gang of thugs in April 1993

Each time he acted it out, literally going through the motions, the play-acting became more violent.

The fact that the 'attacker' was white, and the young man on the floor was black, only made it more distressing.

An extraordinary amount of thought and sensitivity has gone into this three-part examination, by writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce, of how the Metropolitan Police failed for more than a decade to prosecute the killers  and how Driscoll's team eventually won partial justice for Stephen's family.

So it is all the more inexplicable that the drama not only ignores the crucial, campaigning role of the Daily Mail in the investigation but traduces this newspaper by implying it hampered the police.

That beggars belief. In this one aspect, the drama is dishonest, it is mendacious and entirely false.

To some readers, this might seem a side issue, which in most respects it is. But we have to address it, to get it out of the way.

In February 1997, after the Lawrence family fought an unsuccessful private prosecution that ended with the suspects' acquittal, an inquest ruled that Stephen had been unlawfully killed.

Furious at the injustice, the Mail published perhaps the most dramatic front page in its history  with the single-word headline 'Murderers' and photographs of the five accused thugs. 'If we are wrong,' the newspaper growled, 'let them sue us.'

That led directly to a Government inquiry into circumstances surrounding the investigation. When the Macpherson Report was published, it labelled the Met as 'institutionally racist'  a ruling that triggered fundamental changes for policing in the capital.

Left to right: Hugh Quarshie as Stephen's father Neville, Steve Coogan as DCI Driscoll and Sharlene Whyte as Stephen's mother Doreen

This drama mentioned none of that. Not a word. The Mail was comprehensively written out.

Perhaps that was to be expected. The star, Steve Coogan, is an avowed enemy of the newspaper, for (perhaps embarrassing) reasons of his own. He has often voiced his desire to see us pack up and disappear. We won't... but he's entitled to his opinion.

It was hardly likely that he would take a role that obliged him to sing the Mail's praises, even if he was doing this strictly in character. Far more baffling and objectionable was the final scene of this first episode which singled out the Mail for criticism.

After Driscoll made a breakthrough, uncovering forensic evidence for the first time, he arrived at the station to learn the development was already front page news  in the Daily Mail.

Seeking justice: Sharlene Whyte as Stephen's mother Doreen in the ITV drama Stephen

Cup a hand to your ear and listen. That discordant rumble you might hear is the sound of people with axes to grind.

Ignore them.

It is disgraceful that this case has been used, by writers, actors, executive producer Jed Mercurio or whoever else, to settle some imaginary score.

What matters is the quality of the drama. Here, there is nothing to disappoint.

Coogan banishes any trace of his most famous character, Alan Partridge, by adopting the mannerisms of a dogged copper whose every thought marches across his face in size 12 boots.

His throaty London accent, just south of the Thames, is exact and unwavering.

Driscoll's dedication to his job and what he calls 'common sense coppering' makes him the most loveable gruff detective since Morse. 'If we can't solve a murder like Stephen's,' he demands, 'what's the point of us?'

Opposing him is Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick (Sian Brooke), who undermines him at every step.

Dick can't be thrilled at the portrayal, given that she's in talks this month with the Home Office to have her tenure at the top of the Met extended. Brooke makes her simultaneously heartless and incompetent, which might not be the combination Home Secretary Priti Patel has in mind.

The script is clinical in skewering the devious evasions of the Met's top brass and their smug jargon. One official at the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) brags to Stephen's mother: 'I think it's fair to say your son's case and the hard lessons learned from its many failures are part of the IPCC's organisational DNA.'

At the emotional heart of the story are Stephen's parents, Doreen and Neville, played by Sharlene Whyte and Hugh Quarshie. What they have suffered, and the courage with which they have endured it, is humbling.

Their son's death became a flashpoint for both national soul-searching and petty politicking. Both are on display here  and as ever, they rise above it.
New mother Emily VanCamp is reportedly 'stepping down as series regular' in Fox's The Resident after starring as nurse practitioner Nicolette 'Nic' Nevin for four seasons.

Deadline reported Monday that creators Amy Holden Jones, Hayley Schore, and Roshan Sethi hope the Canadian 35-year-old will 'return as a guest star in the future.'

Emily 'asked to be released' from the medical drama at the 'end of season four' and her storyline 'is expected to be wrapped up early into season five.'

Exiting? New mother Emily VanCamp is reportedly 'stepping down as series regular' in Fox's The Resident after starring as nurse practitioner Nicolette 'Nic' Nevin for four seasons

In a new preview for season five - premiering September 21 - Nic's husband Conrad Hawkins (Matt Czuchry) and daughter Gigi are startled to see two policemen at their door.

Fans of The Resident can recall how Nic suffered health complications following her two blood transfusions after being stabbed in the abdomen by a drug addict during season four.

News of VanCamp's exit came four days after she and her husband of two years - Our Girl star Josh Bowman - welcomed their first child, daughter Iris.

Not killing her off? Deadline reported Monday that creators Amy Holden Jones, Hayley Schore, and Roshan Sethi hope the Canadian 35-year-old will 'return as a guest star in the future'

Tragic end? Emily 'asked to be released' from the medical drama at the 'end of season four' and her storyline 'is expected to be wrapped up early into season five'

Ominous: In a new preview for season five - premiering September 21 - Nic's husband Conrad Hawkins (Matt Czuchry) and daughter Gigi are startled to see two policemen at their door

Related? Fans of The Resident recall how Nic suffered health complications following her two blood transfusions after being stabbed in the abdomen by a drug addict during season four

The Disney Family Singalong guest star and the 33-year-old Englishman originally met playing a married couple on the 2011 set of ABC drama Revenge.

Regardless if she returns to Chastain Memorial Hospital, Emily will next likely reprise her role as Sharon Carter/Power Broker in the fourth Captain America film starring Anthony Mackie.

VanCamp first found fame as a teenager starring in The WB drama Everwood (20022006) and the ABC drama Brothers & Sisters (20072010).

'Our hearts are full!' News of VanCamp's exit came four days after she and her husband of two years - Our Girl star Josh Bowman - welcomed their first child, daughter Iris
Authorities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania have ruled the death of one-time child actor Matthew Mindler a suicide.

Sources with the Lancaster County Coroners Office confirmed to TMZ on Monday that the official cause of Mindler's death at 19 will be determined by toxicology tests.

Mindler, who appeared in the 2011 Paul Rudd film Our Idiot Brother, was a student at Millersville, Pennsylvania's Millersville University.

The latest: Authorities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania have ruled the death of one-time child actor Matthew Mindler a suicide

Officials with the university had confirmed Mindler's passing Saturday, in saying he was found dead in nearby Manor Township. He had last been seen Tuesday and reported missing the following day.

'It is with a grieving heart that I let you know of the death of 19-year-old Matthew Mindler from Hellertown, Pennsylvania, a first-year student at Millersville University,' the statement obtained by TMZ read.

'A search had been underway for Matthew since Thursday, after he was reported missing. Matthew was found deceased this morning, Saturday, August 28, in Manor Township near campus.'

According to the Millersville University police, Mindler, a freshman, was last seen on campus on Tuesday night after attending classes Monday and Tuesday. He was reported as missing the following night on Wednesday, after failing to return to his dormitory room and skipping classes.

The Millersville University Police released a screenshot from security footage, showing Mindler in a hallway in the West Villages residence hall on Tuesday night

Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Millersville, Pennsylvania

Police wrote in an Instagram post that Mindler was spotted walking from the West Villages residence hall toward the Centennial Driver parking lot at around 8:11 p.m. on Tuesday.

As seen in a screenshot from security video, the student was wearing a white Millersville University hooded sweatshirt with black stripes on the arm, a black face mask, dark-colored jeans and sneakers. He was carrying a black backpack.

Campus police filed a missing person report with the National Crime Information Center on Thursday.

Mindler's IMDB page lists eight acting credits in films and television shows, including in the 2013 short Frequency, which directed by his older brother, cinematographer Derek Mindler.

Mindler's IMDB page lists eight acting credits in films and television shows. He is pictured in 2011 attending the Los Angeles premiere of Our Idiot Brother

Mindler is pictured in a scene with Emily Mortimer, who played his mother in Our Idiot Brother

His biggest role to date was in Our Idiot Brother, which follows Rudd's character, an idealistic farmer who upends the lives of his three sisters, played by Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel and Emily Mortimer.

Mindler portrayed Mortimer's son, River.

Midler has not acted since 2016, when he appeared in the TV movie Chad: An American Boy.

Millersville University President Daniel Wubah sent a letter to the students addressing Mindler's disappearance, reported WGAL.

'Matt's health and safety are paramount and I know our thoughts are with him, his family and friends,' Wubah wrote in part. 'Our police department is continuing efforts to locate Matt in conjunction with regional law enforcement agencies. They are following every lead and appreciate your attention to this effort.'

For confidential support in the UK - call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
Jacqui Lambie is the latest Aussie politician to receive the ultimate digital makeover, thanks to an Instagram account which has gone viral in recent weeks.

Hot Australian Politicians applies flattering filters to make lawmakers and public servants appear younger and more photogenic, and has already given 'glow-ups' to Dr Kerry Chant, Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller.

And it was the 50-year-old Tasmanian Senator's turn for a transformation on Monday, with the makeover leading fans to compare her to a Kardashian.

Digital makeover: Jacqui Lambie is the latest Aussie politician to receive the ultimate digital makeover, thanks to a viral Instagram account. Left: Lambie in 2017; right: the altered image

A 2017 image of Ms Lambie was edited to give her the appearance of wearing heavy makeup, including facial contouring and eyeshadow, while her hair was digitally enhanced with extensions.

Fans were quick to comment on the before-and-after images, with one writing: 'I thought it was Kim Kardashian!' Another added: 'The long lost Kardashian.'

'What in the Khloe Kardashian is this?' a third wrote, while a fourth commented: 'I bet Jacqui would be down for this makeover!'

Impressed: Fans of the account were quick to comment on the before-and-after images, with one writing: 'I thought it was Kim Kardashian!' Another added: 'The long lost Kardashian'

Another one: NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant was given a similar makeover last week

Ms Lambie was a Senator for Tasmania from 2014 to 2017, and was re-elected in 2019. She is also the leader and founder of the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN).

The account captioned the image: 'Yo bro, who got you smilin' like that? Jacqui Lambie. It's Jacqui Lambie that has me smiling like that.'

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant was given a similar makeover by the account last week.

The profile's admin dubbed the physician, who grew up in Punchbowl in Sydney's west, 'Our Punchbowl queen.'

The UNSW-educated doctor has been the Chief Health Officer for NSW since 2008.

Third time lucky: Another politician who got the glow up treatment was NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured on October 14)

Wow! The 50-year-old was given purple hair and a fringe for good measure in the edited photo

Another politician who got the glow-up treatment was NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The 50-year-old was given purple hair and a fringe for good measure.

But perhaps the most bizarre makeover was the one for NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller.

Top cop: Perhaps the most bizarre makeover was the one for NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller (pictured on July 30)

The top cop was not only aged down radically and given a goatee, but also had a whole new hairstyle.

Fuller's short-cropped hair was replaced with long, beachy tresses.

Many followers of Hot Australian Politicians were fans of the look, with one commenting: 'This one turns me on.'
It's shaping up to be a hotly-anticipated movie inspired by Hollywood's #MeToo moment.

On Sunday, actress Carey Mulligan, 36, was once again spotted on set portraying journalist Megan Twohey for the upcoming movie She Said, detailing the downfall of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Twohey is one half of the New York Times investigative reporting team that shed light on disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein's years of alleged misbehavior.

In character: On Sunday actress Carey Mulligan, 36, was once again spotted on set portraying journalist Megan Twohey

She won a Pulitzer Prize for her contribution to breaking the story in 2017.

The feature film is based on Jodi Kantor and Twohey's book She Said: Breaking The Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite A Movement.

Mulligan was seen with long brunette hair and bangs. She was dressed in character wearing black pants, and a short-sleeve, collared olive green button-up shirt.

She also had on black booties and carried a medium-sized brown leather bag over her shoulder.

Influential: Twohey is one half of the investigative reporting team who shed light on disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein's years of misbehavior

Also starring in the movie are Zoe Kazan  who plays Jodi Kantor, the co-author of the book  and Tom Pelphry, in the role of Megan's husband.

Last week The Hollywood Reporter broke news that Samantha Morton will join the cast as Zelda Perkins, Weinstein's former assistant who survived his abuse and was nearly silenced by NDAs.

British playwright and screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz penned the screenplay.

German filmmaker Maria Schrader is handling the direction of the project. She also directed the the critically-acclaimed Yiddish-language Netflix miniseries Unorthodox, which earned her an Emmy.

Dressed the part: Mulligan was seen in character with long brunette hair, wearing black pants and a short-sleeve olive green button-up shirt

The UK-born Mulligan starred in 2020's feminist revenge film Promising Young Woman, directed by Emerald Fennell.

She received a best actress Oscar nomination for her work in the film but the award ultimately went to Frances McDormand for the Chloe Zhao movie Nomadland.

Her other performances include roles in The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice, and Drive.
Treading lightly on Tanna We go on a new ecotourism adventure tour in North Tanna
People caught providing misleading information on online health clearance forms will be dealt with by the NDMO, says Director Tarivonda
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Fleischmann talks to local Kiwanians about Afghanistan situation

Dewey Morgan | The Daily Post-Athenian U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tennessee) was in Athens on Friday to speak with members of the Kiwanis Club of Athens. Shown here, Fleischmann (front) speaks with (from left) Lindsey Ferguson, Erin Holbrook and Kimberly Anderson after the meeting. Dewey Morgan | The Daily Post-Athenian U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tennessee) is shown here speaking to members of the Kiwanis Club of Athens on Friday on the campus of Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Much attention has been focused on matters in Afghanistan recently after the decision by U.S. President Joe Biden to pull troops out of the country.

That discussion came to the local area on Friday in the form of U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tennessee), who was in town to talk with members of the Kiwanis Club of Athens on the campus of Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Fleischmann opened his remarks by giving his somber thanks to members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

(Thursday) our nation suffered a tremendous loss, Fleischmann said. Thirteen brave United States servicemen were killed  as they defended our way of life, our freedom, our flag of the great United States of America. Please lets keep them in our prayers, the wounded in our prayers and those who are serving in our prayers.

Fleischmann noted to those in attendance that while most Americans agreed it was time for U.S. forces to leave Afghanistan and he was in favor of removal himself, the process should have been handled better.

I agreed with former President (Donald) Trump that it was time for us to go, but we needed to go in an orderly fashion and in a way that we gained meaningful concessions from either the Taliban or whomever was going to take over then and to make sure there were going to be human rights protections for women, he said, adding that he spoke with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about this recently. He spoke about  how the Taliban was negotiating with Americans to give certain concessions so that Afghanistan would look like a different place. Once we just telegraphed everything that we were going to do and not do, it just fell apart.

Fleischmann argued that one of the problems was too much of the plan was made public prior to troops leaving the country.

Sadly, we projected the date we were going to go, we projected how we were going to go and, unfortunately, the Taliban took advantage of this, he said. The Afghan government, including the Afghan president, left the country with a helicopter full of cash  and city after city just capitulated much quicker than was expected.

Fleischmann also criticized the decision to leave without first securing Americans in the country.

We had a duty to get American citizens out first and they are not all out, he continued.

Fleischmann said members of Congress, himself included, have been getting contacted by Americans still looking for a way out.

We are getting calls in our congressional offices from people who know people there and actually some people who are there saying please, get us out, he said. We have found out that because of our haste when we left, the records of the people who assisted us  who they are, what they did, where they are  are now in the hands of the Taliban.

Fleischmann added that the upheaval in Afghanistan  and the subsequent return of terrorist organizations  has him concerned about how it will affect the southern border of the U.S.

We are seeing people from those terrorist organizations, sadly, come across our border, he said. Were catching some of them, but thats not good.

Between people coming across the border and native Afghan refugees who assisted America being flown to this country, Fleischmann said its important to verify identities as they enter the country.

We have got to make sure we vet these people properly, he said. If they say they were an interpreter, if they say they were a friend, we have got to make sure of that before we just disperse these folks.

Fleischmann also took questions from those in attendance at the Kiwanis Club meeting, as well. During that time, he responded to why the Afghans were not able to defend themselves as well as many expected once American troops left.

We thought, as a country, that after those 20 years, close to a trillion dollars spent there and education and all these different things we engaged in that the Afghan government and the Afghan forces were going to be more beholden to defending their country, he said. What we know happened is that the Taliban got in through corruption and other means and basically bribed a lot of people and, basically, there seemed to be absolutely no will.

Fleischmann also took questions about other topics and they will be covered in a future edition of The DPA.
Terry Mattingly leads GetReligion.org and lives in Oak Ridge. He is a senior fellow at the Overby Center at the University of Mississippi.
Following a unique season in which it went 3-1 in front of an empty stadium, the No. 20 Washington football team is back with fans in the stands. The Huskies have a full schedule ahead, including a premier nonconference matchup in week two when they travel to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan.
Buju Banton is on Kanye Wests Donda album after all.

Many people were expecting to hear a Buju Banton verse on Donda at the albums three listening sessions. Although the song was not heard then, and we had reported that it wont be on the album, it appears on the final product as track 10, Believe What I Say, with a coy Lauryn Hill sample.

Shenseea appears on the album, as well, in two songs, namely Pure Souls with Roddy Rich, and Ok Ok Pt. 2.

The anticipation for Wests tenth studio album has attracted media attention from all over the world as he spent two weeks living in a stadium in preparation for the release. Even after the release today the unpredictable West posted on his Instagram Universal put my album out without my approval and they blocked jail 2 from being on the album. Jail 2 is a track featuring rapper Da Baby, who has been removed from several concerts following his controversial remarks at Rolling Loud Festival in Miami.

Bantons feature on Believe What I Say is a love song where the Reggae/Dancehall star revisits his crooning roots. He seems to be playing the voice of a relationship GURU on a song that is certain to send tongues wagging as West and his wife Kim Kardashian are reportedly in a period of separation, while trying to get back together. She made an appearance at his Chicago listening party dressed in a wedding gown.

On the track Ye sings the hook dont let the lifestyle drag you down, then he raps about a relationship gone sour due to an overly needy spouse. Celebrity Drama that only Brad will know/too many family secrets somebody passing notes/things I cried about I find laughable.

On Bujus verse he recites prose to a distrusting lover, You were so easily fooled and easily deceived by some dude who is more rather into greed?/played by your emotions you were swamped by your needsyou said that I lie how did I? I told you everything, didnt I/ but you just could not believe.

Over the years, West has used dancehall and reggae music as inspiration to make some of his biggest hits including Dust A Sound Boy by Super Beagle and Reggie Stepper Cu Unuh with vocals from the late Fuzzy Jones for his Grammy-nominated hit Mercy.

Kanye had visited Jamaica last year visited Plantation SmokeHouse in Ocho Rios and was seen in the studio with Buju Banton along with Rocafella records co-founder Kareem Biggs Burke. The Billionaire Yeezy founder also teamed up with the Buju Banton Foundation to donate computers and chairs to the Sunbeam Childrens Home and the Mount Oliver Boys Home in Jamaica.

This is Kanyes most collaborative album with 53% of the vocals coming from features. The album is now No. 1 on iTunes and is projected to debut at number 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart although it was released three days after MRC Datas music cycle.
DANBURY  The police officer who faced the stiffest penalty - and eight-day suspension - after the June incident at the Danbury Library had never previously been disciplined with the Danbury Police Department.

That wasnt the case for some of his colleagues.

Two of the officers had been reprimanded orally or faced counseling sessions for previous violations, while two additional officers had been cleared of accusations or were not disciplined, according to internal affairs reports Hearst Connecticut Media received from Danbury Police Department through a Freedom of Information Act request.

All four officers have received various awards throughout their career. They could not be reached for comment through a police officer union official.

The Danbury Police Department was criticized for an incident in June in which a man visiting the library attempted to audit First Amendment rights by filming in the building. The man claimed his rights were violated, which Danbury Chief Patrick Ridenhour has since stated he disagreed with. An investigation into the incident, however, resulted in violation of some policies and disicpline for some.

Officers Paul Tibbitts and Christopher Dennis, who the internal affairs investigation determined violated policies in the library incident, were reprimanded together after a 2019 car crash that injured a member of the public.

That internal affairs investigation found the officers violated policy by performing their work in a careless or negligent manner by their improper driving maneuvers, the report states.

The result of their actions caused property damage and possible injury to a citizen and Officer Tibbitts, Capt. Robert Myles wrote in an April 2019 report to the police chief.

Since this was a first offense of this policy for the officers, they received an oral reprimand where a sergeant discussed the incident and the improper driving maneuvers that occurred, the report states.

After the Danbury Library incident, Tibbitts was suspended for three days without pay and was required to take remedial training. Dennis was required to take counseling and remedial training.

In 2018, Dennis was retrained on arrest procedures after he arrested the wrong man with the same name of someone who had a warrant out for his arrest, according to a January 2018 internal affairs report.

Dennis earned the Lifesaving Medal and the Medal of Meritorious Service in 2019.

Tibbitts violated policy in 2017 when he failed to contact a supervisor when he appropriately used force to arrest a suspect, according to an internal affairs report. He was given a counseling session on the use of force policy.

Ofc. Tibbitts stated that he understood the policy and stated that the next time he uses use of force to affect an arrest he will notify a supervisor immediately, the December 2017 report states.

Tibbitts was verbally reprimanded in 2017 after he left a zip lock bag of prescription drugs in the front passenger floor area of a patrol car and forgot to dispose of it properly, a September 2017 report states.

Tibbitts was the recipient of the Exceptional Police Service and Unit Citation awards in 2017.

First penalties

Officer Ken Utter had never been disciplined before facing remedial training and an eight-day suspension without pay due to the library incident.

During his 25-year career with Danbury police, hes faced four internal investigations, one in 1998, another in 2004, a third in 2014 and a fourth in 2015, according to his records. He was either cleared of wrongdoing in three and did not face discipline in the other.

Utter has earned various awards, including Unit Citation in 1997; Exceptional Police Service, Meritorious Citation, and Medal of Meritorious Service in 1998; Exceptional Police Service and Unit Citation in 2000; Exchange Clubs Officer of the Year in 2003; and Unit Citation in 2006.

Sgt. John Dickinson was cleared in two internal investigations, one in 2011 and another in 2015. In both cases, investigators found he did not violate policies, with the 2011 report stating he and other officers acted reasonably based on information they had.

Due to the library incident earlier this year, Dickinson received a written reprimand and was ordered to take a brief refresher training on how to operate his body-worn camera.

Dickinson has received the Meritorious Citation in 2009, the Meritorious Citation and Unit Citation in 2012, and the Unit Citation in 2017.
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In the UK's case, there is a large opportunity for India in services trade. As per the agreements between the UK and the European Union, there would be minimal or nil customs tariffs for merchandise tariffs.  Representational image/Twitter

Chennai: India is likely to close Foreign Trade Agreements with the UAE, UK and Australia this year. Apart from merchandise trade, the country will seek more opportunities in the services sector while attracting foreign direct investments.

"We are in advanced stages of negotiation with the UAE, Australia and the UK. The government is engaging with the industry and different ministries and is keen on finalising the deal very quickly, most probably this fiscal," said Ajay Sahai, director general and CEO of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. FTA negotiations with the European Union and Bangladesh also are progressing, but may take some more time for getting finalised.

Among the various issues that are being discussed by both sides, a major area of negotiation is on tariffs on goods trade. India's tariffs on goods are comparatively higher than the competitive countries. The countries are looking for more concessions on the tariff front.

"India may have to concede some of the tariff demands for higher concessions in the services sector. We are pushing services trade as well," he said. When it comes to services trade, India wants free movement of professionals and relaxed visa rules. Information technology, professional services and financial services might benefit if concessions are agreed upon.

In the UK's case, there is a large opportunity for India in services trade. As per the agreements between the UK and the European Union, there would be minimal or nil customs tariffs for merchandise tariffs. But there is no such agreement in the services sector. The movement of professionals will be as challenging for the EU as it is for India. India has an added advantage as it has a large English-speaking workforce and it is part of the commonwealth countries. Bilateral trade between India and the UK has been over $10 billion per year for the past 10 years and in 2020 it stood at $12.48 billion,

"Data security is an issue being deliberated with the UK. Further, there are concerns regarding environment and labour issues," he said.

The United Arab Emirates provides a huge opportunity to attract investments, especially from the sovereign funds. These will benefit the production linked investment (PLI) schemes announced for different sectors. An agreement will give UAE investors increased access to growing Indian markets.
In one study, 199 college students rated how much they enjoyed a variety of leisure activities and completed assessments that measured their levels of happiness, depression, anxiety, and stress. (Representational Image/ANI)

Washington: New research led by Ohio State University suggests that feeling like leisure is wasteful and unproductive may lead to less happiness and higher levels of stress and depression.

The study was published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

In a series of studies, researchers examined the effects of a common belief in modern society: that productivity is the ultimate goal and time's a-wasting if you're just having fun.

People who most strongly agreed with this belief not only enjoyed leisure less but also reported poorer mental health outcomes, said Selin Malkoc, co-author of the study and associate professor of marketing at Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business.

"There is plenty of research which suggests that leisure has mental health benefits and that it can make us more productive and less stressed," Malkoc said.

"But we find that if people start to believe that leisure is wasteful, they may end up being more depressed and more stressed."

One bright side: Some sceptical people could enjoy fun activities if leisure is part of a larger goal and not an end in itself.

"If leisure can be framed as having some kind of productive goal, that helps people who think leisure is wasteful to get some of the same benefits," said study co-author Rebecca Reczek, professor of marketing at Ohio State.

In one study, 199 college students rated how much they enjoyed a variety of leisure activities and completed assessments that measured their levels of happiness, depression, anxiety, and stress.

They were also asked how much they agreed with five statements assessing the degree to which they believed leisure is wasteful (such as "Time spent on leisure activities is often wasted time.")

Results showed that the more the participants believed leisure to be wasteful, the less they enjoyed leisure activities.

That was true whether the leisure activity was active (exercising) or passive (watching TV), social (hanging out with friends), or solitary (meditating).

In addition, the more they thought leisure was wasteful, the lower their levels of happiness and the higher their levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

In one study, 302 online participants were asked what they did to celebrate Halloween a few days after the holiday in 2019. Some of the activities they could choose from were fun for their own sake, like going to a party. Others served a larger goal, such as taking your kids out trick or treating.

The participants were asked to rate how much they enjoyed their Halloween experience.

Results showed that those who thought leisure was more wasteful reported less enjoyment of activities, like parties, that were only about the fun.

"But those who participated in fun activities that fulfilled responsibilities, like trick or treating with your kids, didn't see such a reduction in how much they enjoyed their Halloween," said study co-author Gabriela Tonietto, an assistant professor of marketing at the Rutgers Business School.

The negative view of leisure is not just an American issue. One study, which compared people in the United States, India, and France, found that the French were less likely than those in the U.S. and India to believe leisure was wasteful - as is consistent with cultural stereotypes.

But for those in France who did disdain leisure, the bad effects were the same.

"We live in a global society and there are people everywhere that hear the same messages about how important it is to be busy and productive," Reczek said.

"And once you believe that, and internalize the message that leisure is a waste, our results suggest you're going to be more depressed and less happy, no matter where you live."

The researchers were struck by how the negative views of leisure affected the enjoyment of anything fun, no matter the situation or how short the leisure activity was.

In one study, college student participants were asked to watch a short funny cat video in the middle of other parts of an experiment. Some read articles beforehand that touted leisure as a way to manage stress and increase energy. Even then, the same effects persisted.

"These are students who are coming into the lab to answer surveys, which can be boring. In the middle of that, we give them a funny video to watch, which you would expect would be a nice break - and even then, some participants didn't enjoy it as much," Malkoc said.

"They had no way to use the time more productively. We were giving them a break from other, more boring activities. And still, those who believe leisure is wasteful didn't think watching the videos was as fun as others did."

The study showed it is not easy to change people's beliefs about the value of leisure. So a different approach may be needed, the researchers said.

For those who believe leisure is wasteful, "it may be helpful to think about the productive ways that individual leisure activities can serve their long-term goals," Tonietto said.

In other words, connect each leisure activity to something you want to accomplish, she said.

"Find ways to make fun activities part of a larger goal in your life," Malkoc added. "Think about how it is productive, instrumental, and useful."
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao's three-day visit to Delhi from Wednesday will be confined to laying the foundation stone for the construction of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) office in the national capital and meeting a few Union ministers, according to party sources. The Chief Minister will return to Hyderabad on September 3.

The chances of Chandrashekar Rao meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union home minister Amit Shah look remote as the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) has not sought their appointment so far, sources said. Rao will leave for Delhi by a special flight from Begumpet airport on Wednesday along with a few ministers, party MPs, MLAs and MLCs. He will lay the foundation for the TRS office in Delhi on Wednesday.

Although all ministers, party MPs, MLAs and MLCs, numbering over 200, were asked to attend the event, less than 100 are expected to participate keeping in view the Covid-19 restrictions Delhi where the maximum gathering allowed is 100 persons at present.

The Chief Ministers trip to Delhi assumes significance as he is visiting Delhi after a gap of more than eight months. He last visited Delhi on December 11 last year for a three-day trip when he met Prime Minister Modi and home minister Amit Shah.

However, Rao is expected to meet a few Union ministers this time seeking resolution of pending demands concerning Telangana state. He is expected to meet Union Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to raise the state government's concerns on the recent gazette issued by the Centre bringing all irrigation projects on the Krishna and the Godavari under the respective river management boards (KRMB and GRMB). He also wants to raise the issue of water sharing disputes with Andhra Pradesh and seek early resolution of the disputes by making fresh allocations in Krishna.

Rao is also expected to meet union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and request to expedite the process to set up six airports in Telangana state.
The CCS police have already questioned Parthasarathy and appear to have secured information from him to tighten their case. (Representational Image - PTI)

Hyderabad: Even as the Hyderabad Central Crime Station (CCS) police are finalising their course of action in the investigation into the Karvy Stock Broking Private Limited (KSBL) loan fraud, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had stepped up investigation into the money-laundering angle of the scam.

It is highly likely that C. Parthasarathy, the chairman of KSBL, will be questioned by the ED officials in the days to come.

The CCS police have already questioned Parthasarathy and appear to have secured information from him to tighten their case. Parthasarathy has been in custody of the Hyderabad police for four days on Aug 25, 26, 29, and 30.

On the complainant of IndusInd Bank, Hyderabad, a case was registered at the CCS detective department (DD) against Karvy over the allegation of availing credit facilities of Rs 137 crore from the bank by pledging securities/shares of its clients in contravention to Sebi guidelines. KSBL diverted funds raised through alleged fraud into its own and connected businesses entities.

Sources in the police department told this newspaper, "The ED has been following the case even before the arrest of Parthasarathy by the Hyderabad police. After the arrest, the ED has started looking deeply into the fraud." It is learnt that all the details of investigation by the Hyderabad police have been shared with the ED officials. Further, the Central agency has intensified investigation into the money laundering angle of KSBL.

The Hyderabad police's investigation revealed that the accused also diverted Rs 720 crore of client funds which were lying in the banks linked with their trading account.

In the next few days, the ED might approach the court seeking the custody of Parthasarathy. So far, Parthasarathy is said to be cooperating with his interrogators of CCS police. He is believed to have shared a lot of information relating to the fraud. Sources privy to the investigation told this correspondent, "Parthasarathy is cooperating and has submitted the required documents requested by us. After verifying the same, those documents will be presented in the court." It is further learnt that Parthasarathy revealed where he diverted the money.

Meanwhile, the CCS police are contemplating to question a few others from KSBL as it is highly impossible handle such a huge fraud by questioning only one.

Two more cases are registered with CCS against KSBL and Karvy Commodities Pvt Ltd pertaining to loan frauds amounting to Rs 340 crore and Rs 7 crore approximately. The Hyderabad police might approach the court for the police custody of Parthasarathy in these two cases.

In addition to the cases lodged in Hyderabad commissionerate, a case was booked by Cyberabad police against KSBL. The Cyberabad police are setting the stage to question Parthasarathy. Recently, the Cyberabad police booked a loan fraud case to a tune of Rs 563 crore based on the complaint by ICICI Bank. The complainant alleged that KSBL availed credit facilities from ICICI Bank by pledging securities/shares of their clients and defaulted to a tune of Rs 563 crore.

The Cyberabad police booked Parthasarathy and also M. Yugandhar Rao and M.S. Ramakrishna who are said to be promoters of KSBL. They called Yugandhar Rao for questioning related to the loan fraud. As the investigation deepens into the KSBL loan fraud, the Central agency might also attach some of his properties in near future.

Speaking to this newspaper, additional commissioner of police (crimes and SIT), Hyderabad, Shikha Goel refused to divulge any details regarding the next course of action in the KSBL fraud case.
District Education Officer (DEO) M. Sai Ram said nine students have tested positive so far, but most of them are asymptomatic. Representational Image. (PTI)

Kurnool: School-going children are facing twin challenges of being possibly affected by either Covid or dengue infections in Kurnool district.

Already 10 dengue cases have been reported across the district. In Nandyal and surrounding villages, dengue cases are rising, according to District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) Dr. Ram Giddaiah. He, however, maintained that the situation is under control.

The DMHO has asked municipalities and gram panchayats to disinfect waterlogged areas and administer anti-malarial drugs through primary and urban health care centres.

Dr. Giddaiah said there are different symptoms among various age groups. Most children have only shown asymptomatic infections. However, they may exhibit symptoms, such as fever, mild cough, cold, and body pains. A few may even have gut-related symptoms like diarrhoea.

The DMHO said since majority of affected students have only mild illness, the disease can be managed at home under the guidance of a paediatrician.

On Covid third wave affecting kids, Dr Giddaiah said they do not have any evidence suggesting that children are at a higher risk. On Sunday, the Covid bulletin published by state government reported just four positive cases from Kurnool, the lowest ever in the district, while active cases are 98, he stated.

When asked whether a Covid-positive mother can breastfeed her kid, the DMHO said mothers should continue breastfeeding their children, as that helps them transmit not only essential nutrients but also protective antibodies to the baby.

District Education Officer (DEO) M. Sai Ram said nine students have tested positive so far, but most of them are asymptomatic. He advised parents to keep a close eye on health condition of their children and take precautionary measures on any suspicion.
KAKINADA: Polavaram Sadhana Samithi president and former minister Yerra Narayana Swami has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy not to reduce the height of Polavaram Project and said it should be constructed as per old design and height. Then only can the aim of the project be achieved.

He said if the project height is reduced, the water capacity can also be reduced for the right and left canals. He requested the Centre to bear the entire project cost without creating any hurdle or restriction and release the funds on various counts including for rehabilitation.

Swami said it was not correct on the part of the central government to say that the state government should build the project within a limit of Rs 55,000 crore by reducing the height of the project. For, Rs 28,000 crore should be given towards rehabilitation packages alone to the victims.

Narayana Swamy also criticised the privatization proposal on the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and other public sector units. He said the central governments, after Independence, sought to create a socialistic pattern of society and set up several PSUs. The Centre nationalised banks. Now, if those PSUs and other government assets are sold, it would be a gross injustice to the people of the country, he said.
HYDERABAD: Not all colleges have decided to reopen on September 1. Many colleges are willing to wait and observe for a week before taking a call.

Colleges that are set to reopen have claimed that they have sanitised the campus. Basic rules like wearing masks, having a sanitisation facility at entry points and thermal screening are in place. Many have also decided to follow a hybrid model - a mix of offline and online classes- and call students in batches.

Deccan Chronicle spoke to a cross-section of people, including teachers, students, parents and guardians

Dr Reena Dewan, Professor, Dept of English, St. Francis College for Women

A limited number of students have been called for offline classes, practicals and exams. There is no fixed schedule. Not everyone will be asked to attend classes together. It is imperative to start offline because it has psychologically affected a lot of students.

B.P. Padala, Chairman, Roots Collegium

We are insisting that students who have taken both vaccine doses to come to college. We are planning a vaccination drive. Those who have not taken even one dose would be barred. It is up to the students whether they want to study offline or online.

Dr L. Koteshwara Rao, Principal, KLEF (deemed to be university):

We are starting physical classes on September 1. We are planning to call 50 per cent students daily, combined with three days of online classes. It is important to conduct physical classes as students have missed practical knowledge which is important.

Sister Philomena, Principal, Villa Marie College

We will conduct offline classes from Wednesday but in batches - three days for first year students and two days for second year students. Wearing masks would be compulsory. All Covid-related guidelines are in place. Students are willing to come to college as they are vaccinated.

Prof. Kanchan Malik, spokesperson, University of Hyderabad

The VC has approved the recommendations of the task force that all students will be called to the campus by October 15 in a staggered manner. For the courses that have practical components, online classes do not work. The decision to return is up to the students.

Prof B. Narayana, Principal, Nizam College

We have to follow the rules and conduct physical classes from September 1. We will call only PG and second-semester students. Subsequently, it would be made compulsory for all. As the government has instructed us to hold physical classes, we cannot conduct both online and offline classes.

Aamer Javeed. Board of Governors, Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Sultan Ul Uloom Education Society

We will have students for physical classes on alternate days. So 50 per cent will study online mode and the other 50 per cent by attending classes physically. Practical knowledge is a must, so practical classes will be held once a week.

Dr Rajesh Agarwal, Vice-Principal, Badruka College

We have not yet decided on conducting physical classes. Exams are underway for the second and fourth semester students, we will take a call after they are completed. If we are asked to only conduct physical classes, we will follow the government orders.

Syed Zabi, information secretary

Students should be provided free masks, sanitizers in the college premises and drinking water should not be a problem and there should be arrangements for free bus passes. Some subjects do not have faculty and guest faculty should be hired. Transport must be arranged for teachers
Somu Veerraju accused the state government of not giving priority to Telugu when compared to English, though Telugu language is spoken by nearly nine crore people. (Twitter)

Kakinada: Bharatiya Janata Party state president Somu Veerraju has demanded that the government should set up a Telugu University in Andhra Pradesh and take steps to protect Telugu language in AP.

Veerraju was speaking after launching the Telugu Language Protection Week celebrations at Rajamahendravaram on Sunday. Earlier, BJP activists took out a procession of bullock carts led by their state president. The procession, amid folk dances, started from Ramalayam Centre on Anala Venkatapparao Road to AKC College.

Veerraju accused the state government of not giving priority to Telugu when compared to English, though Telugu language is spoken by nearly nine crore people. He also criticised the state government for neglecting to bring Telugu University to AP.

The BJP state president called upon people to protect and save their Telugu mother-tongue. In this connection, he pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking steps to introduce Telugu medium in engineering education.

BJP Rajamahendravaram parliamentary district president Parimi Radhakrishna, party state general secretary Vetukuri Suryanarayana Raju, vice president Relangi Sridevi, P. Venugopal, K. Bala Subrahmanyam and Bommula Dattu were among those present.

Meanwhile, Rajamahendravaram Rural MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary, in a twitter message, appreciated former chief minister late N.T. Rama Rao and the former minister late N. Harikrishna for successfully propagating Telugu Language and showing power of Telugu people in New Delhi.
New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday that the changing power equations in Afghanistan, with the Taliban in control of Kabul and most of the rest of the country, was a key challenge for India, requiring it to do a major rethink of its defence and security strategy, underscored by its Quad initiative.

The changing equation in Afghanistan is a challenge for us... These situations have forced our country to rethink its strategy. We are changing our strategy and the formation of the Quad underlines this strategy, Mr Singh said while addressing the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) at Wellington in Tamil Nadu.

Mr Singh said the defence ministry was seriously considering the formation of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) as quick decision-making is a key aspect during wartime.

He said that if the ceasefire with Pakistan was successful today, it was only because of Indias strength. India, he said, had changed its mindset towards terrorism to a proactive approach. In 2016, cross-border strikes changed our reactionary mindset into a proactive mindset, which was further strengthened by the Balakot airstrike in 2019, Mr Singh said. He said that despite the challenges at the border, countrymen today were confident that there will be no comprise with Indias national security. India will terminate terrorism from its land and if needed to go to another soil to terminate terrorism from there India will not hesitate. We can attack from our soil and if needed we can attack on their land too. This capability has been developed in India, the defence minister said, adding that this defines the new era of Indias national security.

Referring to the standoff with China in Ladakh, he said in the northern sector too, a unilateral attempt was made to change the status quo on the border last year. There too, Mr Singh said, we faced our adversary with a new dynamism and foiled their plans.

Our soldiers displayed bravery as well as restraint, when required, the defence minister said. During the India-China border standoff, when the Chinese forces were trying to march ahead, I spoke to the Army Chief around 11-12 at night The situation was very critical. In that situation too, the way our forces behaved prudently is commendable, he added.

With this, our security forces once again proved that we are committed to facing any enemy anytime and in any situation, to ensure our national security, regardless of the cost, said Mr Singh.

The minister said the government was also considering a major military reform initiative, Tour of Duty, which would be a game-changer as it would help reduce the average age of the military and make it more agile. Listing some of the reforms which he said was for the future, the defence minister said the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff and the setting up of the department of military affairs would go a long way in continuously bolstering the security infrastructure. The decisions have directly linked our armed forces to governance as they now have direct involvement in all processes. The appointment of the CDS has provided stability to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee as there is a permanent and single-point adviser to the government on major issues of defence and security, he said.

On the creation of joint commands, Mr Singh said it was another major structural reform, the progress of which was progressing rapidly, he said. With the formation of Integrated Theatre Commands, the armed forces will have to develop integrated operational concepts and doctrines to fight jointly. I think that the DSSC can prove to be a good platform for brainstorming on this issue, he added.
Hyderabad: The success of the Praja Sangrama Yatra on the first day on Saturday has boosted the BJP cadres morale. The office-bearers met on Sunday and congratulated the organisers, leaders and party workers, and especially the padayatra committee for its efforts, which helped in bringing together Hindus in the Old City.

State party president Bandi Sanjay Kumar pointed out that it was only the BJP which could organise a sabha of this magnitude in the Old City in the last 20 years.

The leaders stated that every Hindu in the area took pride in holding the saffron flag during the padayatra. They said that Sanjay's speech matched Tiger A. Narendra's oratory in rekindling spirits.

Sanjay, while addressing the office-bearers, said, "We noticed a new josh in the activists. Our Sabha was more successful than that of K. Chandrashekar Rao.

BJP vice-president D.K. Aruna and Tamil Nadu in-charge Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy said "The success of the padayatra is adding to the anxiety of TRS leaders. We are confident that the first phase of the walkathon will be a resounding success.

Legislator T. Raja Singh stated that no political party had the guts to conduct such a large meeting in the Old City. He said the party has to sustain the tempo into the future in order to capture power in the state.

Senior leaders like Swamy Gowd, Nallu Indrasena Reddy, Perala Shekhar Rao, Garikapati Mohan Rao, Ravindra Naik, Raghunandan Rao, Vijayarama Rao, Babumohan, Premender Reddy and Mantri Srinivas participated in the meeting.

Union home minister Amit Shah enquired about TS party chief Bandi Sanjay Kumars Maha Sangrama Yatra from the partys state in-charge Tarun Chugh. According to sources, Shah congratulated Sanjay for successfully holding a meeting in the Old City.

Amit Shah expressed pleasant surprise that the meeting was conducted at the Bhagyalakshmi temple at Charminar.

Amit Shah recalled that he had performed pujas at the temple during the GHMC elections.
Khammam: Violation of protocol by officials at government events in Khammam and Bhadradri-Kothagudem districts and ego clashes between two of its legislators have emerged as a major problem to the TRS high command and transport minister Ajay Kumar.

State government chief whip and TRS MLA from Pinapaka Regakantha Rao has openly criticised officials for violating protocol at government programmes in Kothagudem while unveiling a BR Ambedkar statue. He said he will take up the matter with the chief secretary and speaker. The issue also exposed the wedge between Pinapaka and Kothagudem MLA Vanama Venkateswara Rao.

The officials had not mentioned the name of Regakantha Rao in the flexis set up for the event. Further, the event held in Kothagudem was not conducted as per protocol. The municipal chairperson of Kothagudem should have presided over the event but MLA Vanama Rao did it.

As per protocol, Regakantha Rao as chief whip should be invited to address the event after minister Ajay Kumar, but it was not to be. The Pinapaka MLA said, We feel the protocol violation is done at the instance of somebody and I will not leave the issue at that. Being chief whip and an adivasi MLA, I expect some respect at government programmes. This is a serious flaw.

Ninister Ajay Kumar faced embarrassment at the sudden discontentment of Regakantha Rao but maintained silence.

Sources said a cold war is on between Vanama Rao and Regakantha Rao for some time now. Vanama Rao and Regakantha Rao tried to set up a food processing unit in Pinapaka constituency and Kothaguem MLA Vanama Rao used his influence and got it sanctioned for Kothagudem constituency.

Adivasi and Dalit organisations took out a rally in Kothagudem condemning the highhandedness of Vanama Rao and his son Raghavender. Bahujana Ikya Vedika leader Kamesh said the protocol violation that hurt Adivasi MLA Regakantha Rao took place at the behest of Raghavender. He said the government should take action against him.

The wedge between the two TRS MLAs, who got elected on Congress ticket and subsequently joined the TRS, has come as a pain to the TRS high command.

In Bhadrachalam, Congress MLA Podum Veeraiah had also raised the protocol issue at a programme held at Padamatanarasapuram in Dummugudem mandal. Veeraiah said, Protocol violation is an everyday affair during government programmes and I was not invited as per the protocol.
Karimnagar: Manickam Tagore, AICC general secretary and TS affairs in-charge, alleged that TRS and BJP leaders were friends in New Delhi but were acting as rivals in the state, and deceiving the people. He alleged that it was because of this relationship that Central agencies were not taking action corruption in Telugu states.

Tagore was speaking at a meeting with leaders of the Karimnagar parliamentary constitutency at the Congress Bhavan here. Tagore alleged that ministers, TRS MLAs and MLCs were indulging in corruption. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and his family are instead of giving good governance were looting the state, he alleged.

Why were Central organisations not conducting raids on corrupt leaders in the Telugu states, why were they not taking action against the CMs of both states, he asked. The TRS and YSRC have come to an understanding with the BJP and are looting the states and deceiving the people, he alleged.

He alleged that Chief Ministers Chandrashekar Rao, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Naveen Patnaik were agents of the BJP. In their states they comment against each other but at the Centre they support all Bills in the Rajya Sabha, he alleged.

Tagore said BJP state chief Bandi Sanjay can only make allegations against others but would not demand action. Why Sanjay is not giving a complaint against minister Gangula Kamalakar who looted of natural wealth by indiscriminate mining of granite? Why is he not exerting pressure on the BJP government at the Centre to order an Enforcement Directorate when Kamalakar did not pay crores as tax to the government, he questioned.

He said everyone in the Congress should work hard to strengthen the party from the grassroot levels and bring the party to power in the 2023 Assembly elections.

He told Congress activists to use social media as a weapon to highlight public issues and fight against the government in resolving them. They must mingle with the public and explain to them about the anti-peoples policies adopted by both the TRS government in the state and BJP at the Centre.

Congress leaders Bose Raju, B. Maheshwar Reddy, former MP Ponnam Prabhakar, DCC presidents Dr K. Satyanarayana, P. Narasimha Reddy, N. Satyanarayana Goud, Naini Rajendar Reddy, Adluri Lakshman, Karimnagar city Congress president K. Narendar Reddy, Medipally Satyam, Bomma Sri Ram, Adi Srinivas were among those who were present along with others.
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government requested the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to direct Telangana not to operate powerhouses at Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala projects.

AP water resources department engineer-in-chief C. Narayana Reddy wrote a letter to the member secretary of KRMB on Monday stating that power generation should be only secondary in the downstream, and as both Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar are common reservoirs, Telangana should not operate powerhouses unilaterally.

He mentioned that against this backdrop, the KRMB should direct Telangana not to operate powerhouses of Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar without water release orders from the board. He said the powerhouse at Pulichintala should not be operated by Telangana without an indent placed by Andhra Pradesh for water requirement in Krishna delta system (KDS).

The AP government put forth its views on inter-state aspects in response to Telangana writing a letter to the KRMB in respect of power generation at L/S powerhouse at NSRSP Srisailam project.

The then planning commission and the Centre accorded approval for Srisailam hydroelectric project on March 26, 1964 and in the project report, it was clearly indicated that the waters intended for use in Nagarjunasagar canals could be utilised only at the head available at Srisailam dam and those intended for use in KDS could be used at total head available at Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar dams. The project report also envisaged that a portion of water at Srisailam dam would be utilised for irrigation in Rayalaseema area which was proposed to be irrigated under Siddeswaram dam and since the latter is now omitted, the irrigation needs could be met by construction of necessary tunnels at a later date leading the water from Srisailam storage. It further said that though the project was initially cleared as a hydroelectric project, it was also envisaged to cater to the irrigation needs of Rayalaseema region at a later stage.

The letter mentioned that it was the prerogative of AP to utilise the allocated water in any manner as it deemed proper and at its discretion within its territory as per clause XV of KWDT-I and pointed out that Telangana could not impose restrictions on AP to use its allocated share of waters within its territory.

It said with regard to Chennai water supply, 15 tmc ft of Krishna water should be supplied to Chennai city in two spells between July-October and January-April. It also said that the quantity of 170 tmc ft and 124 tmc ft of waters diverted through PRP during 2019-20 and 2020-2021 include not only for SRBC and Chennai water supply but for projects dependent on flood water of TGP and GNSS as per the liberty granted under clause V(c) of KWDT-1 and AP could divert and utilise the remaining water during flood period. These diversions also include release of water for the management and mitigation of flood as per provision of Eleventh Schedule of APRA-2014.
Dozens of community members gathered in remembrance and prayer, as many came to show their support to those needing comfort because their loved ones will never be able to make it home. (representational Image - ANI)

Washington: Indian Americans across the US held a candlelight vigil to honour the 13 US troops killed in the suicide attack near the Kabul airport as their remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base on Sunday morning.

Eleven Marines, one Navy sailor who was assigned to a Marine Corps unit, and an Army Special Forces soldier all died in a suicide bombing at Kabul Airport.

The soldiers were among the 6,000 US troops President Joe Biden deployed to assist in a massive airlift evacuation. More than 170 Afghans died in the suicide blast.

Across 25 US cities, including Washington DC, New York City, New Jersey, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Columbus and Connecticut, the diaspora held a candlelight vigil. Dozens of community members gathered in remembrance and prayer, as many came to show their support to those needing comfort because their loved ones will never be able to make it home.

Dr Surinder Kaul and Achalesh Amar, National coordinators of the event said: "The will of the terrorists is not greater than the will of the good people of India, America, Israel and indeed the world."

"That's why we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, supporting one another, and united by our shared values and commitment to defeating terrorism," the Houston-based duo further added.

"The whole world denounces the cowardly ISIS attack on US marines who were peacefully evacuating Afghan people and the world should remain united to fight this menace once for all," asserted members of the Indian American diaspora based in Washington DC.

At the vigil held in New York City at Times Square, Indian Americans Mukesh Modi and Krishna Reddy said, "This was an act of terror, an act of pure evil. We must be firm in the face of evil and terror."

Earlier on Sunday, Biden watched stoically as flag-draped cases carrying the remains of American service members killed in Afghanistan returned Sunday to the <a href="/topic/united-states">United States.

Biden was joined by several top aides, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Eleven of the fallen service members' families chose to allow their transfers to be open to media coverage. Two others took place out of view, but Biden was present for those as well.
By Rajesh Kumar Singh and Debjit Chakraborty

Along the Arabian Sea, the Indian city of Jamnagar is a money-making machine for Asias richest man, Mukesh Ambani, processing crude oil into fuel, plastics and chemicals. Its also where the billionaire is making his newest bet: a $10 billion investment in green energy.

In a swath of arid land, to the citys southwest, Ambanis Reliance Industries Ltd., owns the worlds biggest oil refining complex. Its a sprawling network of plants and pipelines that can process 1.4 million barrels of petroleum a day in an operation covering half the area of Manhattan. In fiscal 2021, Reliance generated about 45 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions from its own operations, which puts the company among the top such emitters in India, according to data on other companies tracked by Bloomberg. Much of that came from its Jamnagar refineries.

Next door, in a nod to a changing  and warming  world Ambani is now building factories that make more environmentally friendly products like solar panels, electrolyzers, fuel cells and batteries.

On the face of it, the new investment is a sharp pivot for a giant conglomerate whose fortunes have been linked to oil refining for decades. Yet even as Ambani, 64, touts the shift to less polluting options, crudes byproducts will remain one of the biggest drivers of the $80 billion fortune thats made him the worlds 12th richest man.

Reliance gets nearly 60% of its $73 billion in annual revenue from its oil-related business, which is so lucrative that its attracting other investors. The Middle Eastern energy firm Saudi Aramco is in discussions for the purchase of a roughly 20% stake in Reliances refining and chemicals business.

Ambanis conglomerate is also investing in global expansion projects for the petrochemicals business thatll last for decades. Even if its new energy operations take off, they will contribute only 10% of Reliances total earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization by fiscal 2026, while oil-to-chemicals will stay at about 33%, Sanford C. Bernstein analysts estimated in July.

Thats making Jamnagar a location that highlights a broader tension in the energy transition: While the worlds biggest fossil fuel companies are rushing to placate investors  and chase profits  by adding clean power sources, that doesnt signal a quick retreat from polluting fuels. Its a contrast playing out even as climate scientists escalate warnings about the fallouts of human-caused global warming.

M.V. Ramana, an energy policy scholar and professor at University of British Columbia, said it would be hard for Reliance to dissociate from fossil fuel businesses that create emissions.

If you look at what Reliances trajectory has been, it is one of expansion of its fossil fuels business, Ramana said. Shifting dramatically away from the more polluting oil-to-chemicals business is difficult because it is going to affect their bottomline, he said.

Reliance didn't respond to requests for comment. At its annual shareholders' meeting in June, Ambani acknowledged the need for change. The age of fossil fuels, which powered economic growth globally for nearly three centuries, cannot continue much longer. The huge quantities of carbon it has emitted into the environment have endangered life on earth,'' he said. Reliance has said it will make its operations carbon neutral by 2035 with the help of projects that offset emissions.

There are also plans to arm the 7,500-acre Jamnagar refinery-and-petrochemicals complex with solar power, green hydrogen and carbon dioxide capture and usage technologies. To curb pollution, about 2,200 acres of land within the facility have been converted into a green pasture, growing mangoes, guavas and medicinal plants.

The sites scope is so vast that its rubbed off on the citys economy. The facility stands near miles of salt pans, its stacks towering over the low-rise houses in surrounding villages. Reliances logo is seen at the airport, on the numerous gas stations it operates, malls and the banners of its telephone service Jio. Jamnagar now has multi-storeyed apartments and luxury cars running on its roads.

The Ambani firm has over the last 10 years invested about $15 billion to boost profits from its legacy oil refining and petrochemicals businesses, including $4 billion to convert petroleum coke  one of the dirtiest refinery by-products  into gas needed to power the massive Jamnagar complex.

Its also said it will spend $6 billion ramping up natural gas production from the depths of the sea along with joint venture partner BP Plc. In addition, the Reliance-BP joint venture is adding more fuel stations. BP didnt respond to a request for comment.

Reliances Scope 1 carbon dioxide emissions  those caused directly by a companys operations  surged 60% in the year ended March 2020 to 47.5 million tons, mainly because it started using petcoke produced from the refineries internally, instead of selling it to customers outside, according to the companys latest annual report. A year later, emissions came down to 45 million tons.

India is one of the worlds biggest consumers of oil, and demand is only rising as its middle class buys more vehicles, and consumes more products like plastic bottles and paint that are made from petrochemicals. Many Indian cities, including capital New Delhi, are among the worlds most polluted. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a national clean air program.

The new Reliance green venture will be spread over 5,000 acres of land. Ambani has said a key focus will be to create products for producing solar power, an area where India has long lagged China.

When companies of this size announce such ambitious plans, it gives a great fillip to the decarbonization goals of the nations and the world at large, said Shantanu Jaiswal, head of India at BloombergNEF.

Still, moving away from polluting fossil fuels for economic reasons is hard not just for Reliance, but for the nation as a whole. India has insisted that developed nations take larger initial steps to cut emissions so that poorer nations dont feel the economic strain.

The Jamnagar refinery has spawned a whole generation of entrepreneurs. The billions of dollars Reliance has invested has significantly boosted the local economy, said Chandrsinh Ramsinh Jadeja, 52, who developed a business doing construction work for Reliance in Jamnagar. Farmers earned money, sent their kids to school and purchased land elsewhere, tens of thousands of jobs were created.

Reliance earned a net profit of 537.4 billion rupees ($7.2 billion) in the year ended March, the most by any Indian company.

Ambani has in recent years expanded into retail and built his digital business with investments from big names like Facebook Inc. The mammoth Aramco deal under discussion showed how important the oil-to-chemicals enterprise remains to his future. In 2019, Ambani estimated that such a deal would lock in about half-a-million barrels a day of Saudi crude for processing at Reliances refineries.

The latest news about the deal boosted the companys shares by as much as 2.7% and Ambanis net worth by more than $1 billion.

Reliances diversification into green energy is a starting point, its a welcome shift. But the business is evolving, said Kanika Chawla, program manager for UN-Energy, which leads inter-agency collaboration on sustainable energy. Its not a change in regime.

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Indian ride-sharing giant Ola plans to raise up to $1 billion (Rs 7,300 crore approximately) through an initial public offering (IPO) and is finalising banks to advise on the fund-raise, three sources told Reuters, becoming the latest startup to join the capital markets boom.

Ola, backed by Japan's SoftBank Group, has roped in Citigroup, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. It has also brought Kotak Mahindra and Morgan Stanley on board, said two other people familiar with the plans.

The company, which competes with Uber Technologies, is also in talks with Bank of America and JP Morgan, one of the people said.

Ola, JP Morgan and Kotak Mahindra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Also Read  $8.8 billion IPO wave sweeps across India as startups soar

Bank of America, Citi and Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

The successful listing of food delivery service Zomato, backed by China's Ant Group, in July has made other technology startups more bullish about raising money through capital markets, two of the people said.

Over half a dozen startups including payments company Paytm, e-pharmacy PharmEasy and online insurance aggregator Policybazaar are preparing for IPOs, giving investors like Ant and SoftBank an opportunity to exit.

Founded in 2010 by Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola has a majority share of India's ride-hailing market which took a hit last year as lockdowns kept people at home, forcing the company to cut its workforce and temporarily halt the bulk of its business.

Ola also has a growing presence in several global markets such as Australia and the United Kingdom.

In July, private equity firms Temasek and Warburg Pincus invested about $500 million in Ola ahead of its planned IPO.

Bloomberg News first reported of Ola's IPO plans earlier on Monday.

($1=73.25)
Probing into the drug peddling charges involving Nigerian nationals in various parts of Bengaluru, the East division police on Monday morning launched simultaneous raids on houses of celebrities and reportedly recovered narcotics substances from the houses.

The celebrities, according to the East division police, included Sandalwood actress Sonia Agarwal, DJ Vachan Chinnappa and entrepreneur Bharat.

According to the police, the celebrities had been in touch with the Nigerian nationals who were arrested on drug peddling charges a few days ago. The police teams raided the celebrities houses in Rajajinagar, Benson Town and Banashankari.

In connection with a drug peddler case registered at Govindapura police station, there were allegations on three celebrities. We had gathered enough evidence as well. Three separate teams are conducting searches at the houses of celebrities in these areas. We will be getting more details once the search is completed in all places, a senior police officer said.
By Jenevieve Mannell for The Conversation

The takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban has undoubtedly put womens lives in danger and threatened their human rights in new ways. But if we want to help, we need to first understand that Afghan womens lives were challenging long before the takeover.

The threat of violence has long been a harsh reality for many Afghan women: a survey by the Demographic and Health programme of USAID conducted in 2015 showed that 90% of women in some areas of the country have experienced violence from their husband.

Women who manage to leave their abusive partners and families frequently experience further abuse from those who we may think of as trustworthy, including the police, doctors and government officials.

While safe houses for women did exist before the Taliban takeover  mostly in Kabul  these shelters were already perceived as shameful and immoral by many in Afghan society. For a survivor of violence living in a safe house, leaving for any reason is dangerous and requires a bodyguard, even to go to the doctor.

As a global health researcher, I have spent the past five years documenting womens experiences of domestic violence in Afghanistan. We have talked to more than 200 women and men about violence against women and mental health across the country.

This has been one of the hardest places I have ever worked, politically and ethically. In most other countries, women who have survived violence are protected by government institutions, but in my experience, this has never been the case in Afghanistan. We have had to stop our research numerous times because the situation became too dangerous for survivors of violence, and we were afraid of putting the women we were trying to help at further risk.

Read | Multiple rockets fired at Kabul airport, intercepted by defense system: US official

Reading and analysing womens stories of violence from Afghanistan is one of the hardest things Ive ever done. These are not like stories of violence anywhere else in the world. They are brutal and the women involved are nearly always blamed. Most women have no choice but to stay with their husbands, and are beaten or abused if they ask for help. Other women, including mothers-in-law, are also often involved in perpetuating the violence.

Women are often grateful for the opportunity to tell our research team their stories. They say they have never had someone listen to them in this way before. Many explain the experience as cathartic and describe how their story has been released from their body through its telling. Stories are powerful, and if they are told to the right person, they can help people to heal.

The women we interviewed are painfully aware of the inequalities that exist between them and the men in their lives. They use the Dari equivalent of words such as patriarchy and gender inequality to talk about the stories they hear in the news. For example, the murder of Fakunda Malikzada by a mob in Kabul in 2015 is an event that profoundly resonates with Afghan women.

Malikzada was a Muslim a woman wrongly accused of burning the Koran by an angry shopkeeper. Her death sparked widespread protests from womens rights activists. Women talk about this story as if Fakunda was their friend. They see themselves in her story.

The men we spoke to are also acutely aware of the inequalities between men and women. But they often perceive women as needing mens protection and guidance. Teaching women through the use of violence is described by some men as a means of keeping women safe or ensuring that they do not dishonour themselves (or their families). Not all men agree with these arguments, though, and several speak out against the use of violence against women for any reason. As in all countries, ideas about gender inequalities are a point of discussion, with arguments on both sides.

Read | Will India's investments in Afghanistan amount to anything?

Living with violence and inequality

Four decades of armed conflict have magnified many of the inequalities women live with on a daily basis in Afghanistan. During the US occupation, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch documented the role of international actors in supporting the mujahideen, fundamentalist warlords who had themselves been war criminals and perpetrators of sexual violence. Under the Afghanistan government, these same warlords became ministers, governors and members of parliament.

War has a way of emphasising gender inequalities. Many women talk about the Taliban, and how fathers and brothers were killed or exploited by the conflict. This was often the tipping point for their lives  without these men to protect them, these women were often married to violent or abusive men because there was no one with enough power to care for their interests.

The men we spoke with talked at length about how the war had affected the mental health of everyone in Afghanistan and how they thought this had led to more violence in the home. One man even asked us why we were asking about women, when men had been so severely affected by the war.

Voices silenced

Under the Taliban, Afghan womens stories will be lost  deliberately hidden to protect them from those who would do them harm. This is already happening. Our research team is scrambling to erase all trace of the people we have worked with. Websites are being removed and reports erased.

Meanwhile the UK government is publicly claiming that the overwhelming majority of eligible people have been evacuated. Yet our colleagues  talented, highly-educated women researchers  are still trapped in Afghanistan. UK helplines have been down or unresponsive, and only 5,000 people will be offered resettlement in the UK over the next year.

As time passes, we must not turn our back on these womens stories both before and after the Taliban came into power. The US intervention in Afghanistan has had severe consequences for womens lives, many of them negative. Conflict and poverty have contributed to underage marriages, and fed a drug trade that further perpetuates domestic violence. The disaster of the US withdrawal is also likely to have consequences for women as the rest of the world watches it unfold.

Afghanistan is proof of just how fast our human rights can be stripped away and our lives erased. We must continue to listen to what Afghan women have to say no matter what happens.

(The author is with University College London)
European Union governments agreed on Monday to remove the United States from the EU's safe travel list, meaning US visitors and those from five other countries are likely to face tighter controls, such as Covid-19 tests and quarantines.

Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have also been taken off. The list seeks to unify travel rules across the bloc, although it does not bind individual EU nations, which are free to determine their own border policies.

Already some EU countries, such as Germany and Belgium, categorise the United States as red, requiring tests and quarantines, while for neighbours France and the Netherlands, the United States is classified as safe.

The list is largely compiled on the basis of the Covid-19 situation in each country, with reciprocity also a factor.

Average daily US Covid-19 cases have risen to more than 450 per million people in the week to August 28, compared with below 40 in mid-June when the European Union added the United States to its list, figures from Our World in Data show.

Case rates for Israel, Kosovo and Montenegro are even higher, the data shows.

The EU safe list now comprises 17 countries, including Canada, Japan and New Zealand.

The bloc still lets in most non-EU visitors who are fully vaccinated, although tests and periods of quarantine can apply, depending on the EU country of arrival.

Despite EU appeals, Washington does not allow European citizens to visit freely. The bloc itself has been divided between those concerned about the lack of reciprocity and increased US cases and others more reliant on tourism and reluctant to restrict US travellers.
Mourning the loss of 13 American soldiers in a terrorist attack in Kabul last week, Indian Americans held candlelight peace vigils in various cities across the country and urged the Biden administration to ensure that the perpetrators of the act are brought to justice.

A small group of about 20 Indian-Americans gathered at the reflecting pond in front of the US Capitol for a candlelight vigil for US service members killed in the suicide attack at the Kabul airport.

We have gathered here to mourn the loss of our fallen soldiers in Kabul. This is a heinous act of terrorism. Coming from India, which has been a victim of terrorism, we urge the US government to take strong action against all those involved in terrorism, community activist Adapa Prasad said.

Read | Several rockets heard flying over Kabul, targets unclear: Report

Candle light vigils were also held in New York, Jersey City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Dallas, Chicago, Ohio Columbus, Connecticut, among others.

"The Indian-American community stands with the families of the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan, who made the supreme sacrifice for the country in the line of duty. They will never be forgotten", Achalesh Amar, long-time community member and activist, said.

Several people were holding flowers, placards, flags and pictures of the fallen members in Houston, Texas. A few members of the Afghan-American community also joined the vigil.

Local veteran groups have also responded to the passing of Texas fallen soldier David Lee Espinoza. The local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, whose members have fought in international conflicts like Afghanistan and elsewhere, said they offer their condolences and well wishes to the family during this difficult time.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Friday had ordered all flags on state property lowered to half-staff to honor Espinoza, 20, and other military members killed in the Kabul attack.
US anti-missile defences intercepted as many as five rockets that were fired at Kabul's airport early on Monday morning, a US official said, as the United States rushed to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan to end its longest war.

US and allied forces are hurrying to evacuate their remaining citizens and at-risk Afghans before completing their own withdrawal by Tuesday to meet a deadline agreed between the Taliban and Washington.

The mission became more urgent and dangerous after an Islamic State suicide bomb attack on Thursday killed 13 US military personnel and scores of Afghan civilians outside the airport.

The US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters initial reports did not indicate any US casualties from the latest rocket attack, but that information could change.

Afghan media reports said the rocket attack was mounted from the back of a vehicle. According to Pajhwok news agency several rockets struck different parts of the Afghan capital.

The United States and allies have evacuated about 114,400 people - including foreign nationals and vulnerable Afghans - in an operation that began a day before Kabul fell to the Taliban on Aug. 15, but tens of thousands more desperate Afghans face being left behind.

"We tried every option because our lives are in danger. They (the Americans or foreign powers) must show us a way to be saved. We should leave Afghanistan or they should provide a safe place for us," said one woman outside the airport.

Two US officials told Reuters evacuations would continue on Monday, prioritising people deemed at extreme risk. Other countries have also put in last minute requests to bring out people under that category, the officials said.

US President Joe Biden attended a ceremony on Sunday at Dover Air Force Base https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-receive-bodies-us-troops-killed-afghanistan-white-house-2021-08-29 in Delaware to honour members of the US military killed in Thursday's attack.

Biden shut his eyes and tilted his head back as the flag-draped transfer caskets carrying the remains emerged from a military plane.

None of the fallen service members was over the age of 31, and five were just 20, as old as the war in Afghanistan itself.

Biden has vowed to avenge the Islamic State attack.

A US drone strike https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-carried-out-military-strike-kabul-officials-say-2021-08-29 on Sunday killed a suicide car bomber who Pentagon officials said was preparing to attack the airport on behalf of ISIS-K, a local affiliate of Islamic State that is an enemy of both the West and the Taliban.

US Central Command said it was investigating reports of civilian casualties from the strike, the second by the US military against suspected ISIS-K militants.

"We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties," it said.

The departure of the last troops will mark the end of the US-led military intervention in Afghanistan, which began in late 2001, after the al Qaeda Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

US-backed forced ousted a Taliban government that had provided safe haven for al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who was finally killed by US forces in Pakistan in 2011, and have involved in a counter-insurgency war against the Islamist militants for the past two decades.

The Taliban's 1996-2001 rule was marked by a harsh version of sharia, Islamic law, with many political rights and basic freedoms curtailed and women severely oppressed.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has said the group will announce a full Cabinet in the coming days, and that the difficulties will subside quickly once the new administration is up and running.

But with its economy shattered by decades of war, Afghanistan now faces a sudden halt in inflows of billions of dollars in foreign aid.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for as many as five rockets that were fired at Kabul's international airport but were intercepted by a missile defense system, a US official said as the United States' nears the complete withdrawal of its troops from the city. Earlier on Sunday, American forces launched a drone strike in Kabul targeting a suicide bomber in a vehicle who was aiming to attack the airport. Stay tuned for updates.
When Taliban troops seized control of the Afghan capital two weeks ago, the invading units made a beeline for two critical targets: the headquarters of the National Security Directorate and the Ministry of Communications.

Their aim  recounted by two Afghan officials who had been briefed separately on the raid  was to secure the files of Afghan intelligence officers and their informers, and to obtain the means of tracking the telephone numbers of Afghan citizens.

The speed with which Kabul fell on Aug. 15, when President Ashraf Ghani fled, was potentially disastrous for hundreds of thousands of Afghans who had been working to counter the Taliban threat, from prominent officials to midlevel government workers, who have since been forced into hiding.

Few officials found the time to shred documents, and thousands of top-secret files and payroll lists fell into the hands of the enemy, the two officials said.

Also Read | Where is Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban's supreme leader?

As US troops complete their withdrawal by their Tuesday deadline, much of the nation is cringing in fear in anticipation of coming reprisals.

So far, the Talibans political leadership has presented a moderate face, promising amnesty to government security forces who lay down their arms, even writing letters of guarantee that they will not be pursued, although reserving the right to prosecute serious crimes. Spokespeople for the Taliban have also talked of forming an inclusive government.

A Taliban spokesperson, Suhail Shaheen, said in a Twitter post in English that there was no settling of scores nor was there a hit list with which the Taliban were conducting door to door searches, as has been rumoured.

General amnesty has been granted, he wrote, adding that we are focusing on future.

Yet there are growing reports of detentions, disappearances and even executions of officials at the hands of the Taliban, in what some current and former government officials describe as a covert and sometimes deadly pursuit of the Talibans enemies.

Its very much underground, said one former legislator who was in hiding elsewhere when the Taliban visited his home in the middle of the night.

That is intimidation, he said. I feel threatened and my family is in shock.

The Taliban swept into towns and districts, often without a shot fired, making diplomatic assurances to their opponents and the public. But the first commanders have often been replaced by more heavy-handed enforcers who conduct raids and abductions, officials of the former government said.

The scale of the campaign is unclear since it is being conducted covertly, nor is it clear what level of the Taliban leadership authorized detentions or executions.

The people who seized the files at the National Security Directorate and the Ministry of Communications may not have even been Taliban: the men did not speak Afghan languages, the officials said, and may have been agents of Pakistans military intelligence agency working in tandem with Taliban forces. Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency has long supported the Taliban in their violent opposition to the Kabul government.

The fear among Afghans is palpable. All but the youngest remember the Talibans authoritarian regime of the 1990s, with its draconian punishments, hangings and public executions.

Many people have gone into hiding, changed their locations and telephone numbers, and broken off communications with friends and colleagues.

People do not trust the Taliban because of what they did previously, said an Afghan who worked as a translator for the NATO mission and was among those evacuated.

Human rights organizations, activists and former government officials have also struggled to comprehend exactly what is happening across Afghanistans vast and mountainous terrain, but several government officials who remain in their posts said they were receiving increasingly frantic calls from relatives and acquaintances.

Read | 100 countries cite Taliban vow to allow continued departures

They seem to be doing very menacing searches, said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director for Human Rights Watch. It is very much police-state kind of behaviour. The message is very clear.

People in the northern province of Badakhshan have been pulled out of their homes in recent days and have not been seen since one of the government officials said. There has been a pattern of pursuit of Afghan special operations forces personnel and commandos of the intelligence service, known as 00 units, as well as police and security chiefs across the country, he added.

Asked whether these actions and reports of killings indicated a Taliban policy or were the ad hoc revenge-taking by individuals, he said, Its early to judge.

But the official said that he had received information about an internal Taliban meeting at their headquarters in Quetta, Pakistan, where leaders discussed whether to grant amnesty to some highly trained Afghan operatives. The Taliban members had decided not to let them go since they could cause trouble for the Taliban in the future.

That worries me if this turns into a policy, he said.

That official, like all those interviewed on the subject, asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals by the Taliban against his relatives still inside Afghanistan.

The former security police chief in the southwestern province of Farah, Ghulam Sakhi Akbari, was fatally shot on the main Kabul-Kandahar highway Friday, according to Facebook posts by activists. Some activists have blamed the Taliban, one wrote. The Taliban have not said anything so far.

At least a dozen former provincial officials of the Ghani government have been detained by the Taliban around the country, former government officials said. They named three district police chiefs and three security officials in the southern province of Kandahar, two provincial police chiefs, a provincial governor and two provincial department heads of the intelligence service, all of whom are known to have been detained.

It is not clear where the officials are being held or if any legal proceedings have been brought against them. In some cases, they have been reported missing by family members. In the case of the three district police chiefs in Kandahar, members of the public had demanded that the Taliban arrest the men, who have long been accused of human rights abuses, a resident said.

A group of political activists has raised concerns that some of their supporters are missing and feared abducted.

One activist, Majeed Karar, who is well known for his opposition to the Taliban, posted photographs of a district governor and a young Afghan poet whom he said had been abducted and killed in recent days. He said in a post on Twitter that he was receiving messages from friends about more killings.

The Taliban have not confirmed the detentions and, seemingly intent on avoiding international censure, have blamed some violence on other people claiming to be Taliban.

The day the Taliban captured three high-level commanders after a last pitched battle at Kandahars airport, townspeople began gathering in a frenzy at the stadium in the city, in anticipation of a public execution.

The spectacle, a hallmark of the Taliban regime in the 1990s, did not happen.

So far there have not been mass reprisals countrywide and the killings may prove to be cases of individual revenge, Gossman said.

Human Rights Watch established that 44 people were taken from their homes and executed in July in the town of Spin Boldak, the main border crossing to Pakistan from southern Afghanistan. Those killed were members of forces led by Abdul Raziq Achakzai, a CIA-trained operative opposed to the Taliban who was widely accused of human rights abuses.

All 44 had received amnesty letters from the Taliban, Gossman said.

Amnesty International reported that nine men, mostly local police officers, were massacred by Taliban members in July in the central province of Ghazni. Six were shot to death and three were tortured before being killed, the rights group said.

A number of former government officials have complained that even after they cooperated with the Taliban in handing over their weapons and vehicles, the Taliban have continued to harass them.

Bismillah Taban, the head of the Interior Ministrys police criminal investigation unit under Ghani, said his assistant had handed over all of the equipment and weapons in his possession to the Taliban the day after they entered Kabul.

But he said the Taliban were still looking for him.

The Taliban detained my former aide in Kabul, held him for five hours, tortured him to force him to reveal my hiding place, he said from an undisclosed location. I dont believe their promise of general amnesty. They killed one of my colleagues after they took over the government. They will kill me, too, if they find me.

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More than 120 years ago, a Black man was accused of raping a white woman in the city of Decatur, Illinois, but before Samuel Bush could be tried, a vicious mob forcibly took him from a local jail, beat him and hung him from a telephone pole. Now, an effort is underway to memorialise the brutal lynching.

"We learn from past mistakes so it doesn't happen again," said Rich Hansen, a local high school history teacher who is campaigning to dedicate a memorial to Bush in the American Midwestern city. "If we as a nation are going to move past this racial divide, we need to first of all be educated in what came forth and understand why it happened."

A year after the killing of George Floyd set off a nationwide wave of mass antiracism protests, activists are mounting a campaign to honour the memory of several thousand African Americans who were lynched throughout the country from the end of the US Civil War through the end of World War II.

But as the United States undergoes a broader national reckoning over racial justice, the effort is facing a backlash in some communities.

The Equal Justice Initiative, a racial justice advocacy group based in Montgomery, Alabama, has documented more than 4,400 victims of lynchings nationwide from 1877 through 1950. In 2018, it opened the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, where more than 800 weathered steel columns etched with the names of lynching victims hang from the ceiling.

The group also collaborates with local communities to gather soil at lynching sites to be displayed in glass jars with the victims' names, and to erect narrative markers in public locations throughout the country where lynchings took place.

"This was a horrible time in our past, but we need to look at it and we need to learn from it so it never happens again," said Melissa Thiel, a historian who is campaigning to erect a memorial commemorating another brutal lynching that took place in the city of Sherman, Texas.

In 1930, as America was going through the Great Depression, a Black day laborer named George Hughes was lynched after he was accused of assaulting the wife of his white boss as he tried to collect $6 in payment for his work. The lynching led to a rampage, in which Black businesses were burnt to the ground.

However, Thiel's efforts have met resistance in a city where a towering stone monument to the pro-slavery Confederacy stands next to the courthouse. Local officials have stonewalled Thiel's plans, saying they don't want to relive a past tragedy.

But Thiel is undeterred: "Do we talk about World War II? Do we talk about the Holocaust? Do we talk about 9/11? These histories are very difficult and tragic, but that's okay to talk about," she said.

Sometimes resistance to racial reckoning can take a more violent form, as was the case in Kansas City, Missouri, another former Confederate state.

In 2018, activists put up a plaque in memory of Levi Harrington, a Black man who was lynched in 1882 after being falsely accused of shooting a police officer. But at the height of the Black Lives Matters protests last year, someone vandalised the memorial, cutting it off at its base and tossing it off a cliff.

The plaque was later retrieved and placed outside the Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City, a museum of African-American history. 

The Equal Justice Initiative is now working on creating a new memorial and plans to re-dedicate it in the coming months, according to Black Archives' executive director Carmaletta Williams.

"It's because of an innate fear that somehow the self-identity that they built as the power of the country is no longer the truth," Williams said. "It's been recognised all over that white men and white privilege does not give you a special place in this country anymore, so they fight."

But lynchings were not only confined to Confederate states. In Duluth, Minnesota, about as far north as one can go in the United States, the Clayton Jackson McGhie memorial is dedicated to three Black men lynched in 1920.

Avi Viswanathan, the director of inclusion and community engagement at the St. Paul-based Minnesota Historical Society, said the fact that the memorial is in a northern state that fought the Confederacy in the Civil War -- and also the state where Floyd, an unarmed Black man, was killed by a white police officer last year -- is a reminder of the constant work that needs to be done.

"We don't want to isolate ourselves from the stories of the past because they can repeat. And as we saw with George Floyd, systematic racism and violence against (Black people) is still present," Viswanathan said. "So, if we force the stories of the past, we cannot see the context now and we will not be in a position to prevent it from happening in the future."
President Joe Biden will meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House on Wednesday in a show of solidarity between the two countries, the White House said on Sunday.

The meeting is taking place two days later than originally scheduled, as Biden oversees the response to Hurricane Ida and the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

"This visit will affirm the United States unwavering support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russias ongoing aggression," a White House statement said.

Kyiv and Moscow have been at odds since Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014 and backed separatists in a conflict in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region, which Ukraine says has killed 14,000 people.

The leaders will also discuss energy security as well as the White House's "backing for President Zelenskiys efforts to tackle corruption and implement a reform agenda based on our shared democratic values," the statement added.

The meeting comes after the Biden administration announced a deal last month with Germany intended partly to allay Ukrainian concerns about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea to carry gas from Russia's Arctic region to Germany.

US ties with Ukraine were in the spotlight over Zelenskiys unwilling involvement in events leading to the first of two impeachment trials for Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump.

Trump was impeached in 2019 over what White House aides described as an effort to withhold nearly $400 million in aid and a coveted White House visit unless Ukrainian officials announced investigations into Biden, then a Democratic presidential candidate, and his businessman son, Hunter Biden.
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz met Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank on Sunday for the first official Israeli-Palestinian talks since Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took office in June.

Gantz travelled to the West Bank city of Ramallah for security and economic discussions with the 85-year-old Palestinian leader, officials said on Monday.

They came hours after Israeli premier Bennett returned from Washington where he met with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

"Defence Minister Benny Gantz met with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmud Abbas (Sunday) evening to discuss security policy, civilian and economic issues," Israel's defence ministry said in a statement.

Gantz, head of a centrist party in Israel's government coalition, told Abbas "that Israel seeks to take measures that will strengthen the PA's economy. They also discussed shaping the security and economic situations in the West Bank and in Gaza," it added.

"They agreed to continue communicating further."

The meeting included the head of the Israeli military branch responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, Ghasan Alyan, senior PA official Hussein Al Sheikh and Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj.

Al Sheikh confirmed the meeting on Twitter. Gantz's office said the defence minister and Abbas held "a one-on-one meeting" after the larger talks.

Relations between Israel and the PA, which is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, have deteriorated substantially in recent years.

Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in power from 2009 to 2021, was derided by Palestinians.

He made no substantive efforts towards resolving the decades-old conflict while overseeing a steady expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, communities regarded as illegal under international law.

Bennett is a hardline nationalist who opposes Palestinian statehood and previously led a powerful settler lobbying council.

His office has made clear that Israel's ideologically disparate coalition, which includes left-wingers and hawks like the premier, has no plans to initiate a new round of peace talks.

But top Israeli officials have indicated a desire to boost the PA amid concern over a fresh conflict with Hamas Islamists who control Gaza, an Israeli-blockaded Palestinian territory that is separate from the West Bank.

Eleven days of conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza in May marked the worst hostilities in the area since 2014 and unrest has persisted despite an Egypt-brokered ceasefire.

Abbas's PA has also come under mounting global criticism over an alleged crackdown on key rights following the death in Palestinian custody of a prominent activist.

The United Nations and European Union last week expressed alarm over a spate of arrests targeting leading critics of Abbas and the PA.

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By Claire Higgins for The Conversation

US President Joe Bidens deadline of August 31 to complete US evacuation efforts from Afghanistan is fast approaching. And after last weeks bombing at the Kabul airport, the security situation for Afghans trying to flee the country has become even more perilous.

Yet, thousands of Afghan nationals are still hoping for an escape.

Leaders of G7 nations have said they are pushing for the Taliban to grant safe passage for Afghans who need to leave after this weeks deadline passes. According to international refugee advocates, safe passage could include an orderly departure program for would-be refugees, like those previously run in Vietnam, Cuba and many other countries.

History shows these programs hold promise and pitfalls. But if combined with other measures  such as expanded resettlement efforts  a scheme for orderly departure by air or through safe land corridors could offer a vital additional way out.

How orderly departure worked in Cuba and Vietnam

Orderly departure is a unique practice. Ordinarily, a person at risk of persecution or other serious harm must first flee across an international border before trying to access protection under international refugee and human rights law.

In contrast, orderly departure involves some, if not all, of the immigration, medical and security checks to be conducted while applicants are still in their home country, otherwise known as in country.

Would-be refugees may be transferred to a transit country if the paperwork cannot be finalised quickly enough, something the Biden administration already organised for the Afghan nationals evacuated before the August 31 deadline.

The United States has more experience with this set-up than most. Most recently, the Biden administration re-opened an Obama-era in-country program through which Central American children can apply to enter the US to access protection as refugees.

In fact, in-country processing has had a permanent place in the United States annual refugee admissions program for decades.

After President Fidel Castro encouraged an exodus of Cubans by boat to Florida in 1965, the US worked through the Swiss government to strike a deal with Castros regime to allow a massive airlift of Cubans to the US.

This involved primarily those with close relatives in the US, who travelled aboard two flights every weekday to Miami from 196573. Despite Havanas tight restrictions on eligibility, some 300,000 Cubans were brought to the US in total.

Also Read | Multiple rockets fired at Kabul airport, intercepted by defense system: US official

In 1979, four years after the end of the United States war in Vietnam, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the Vietnamese government signed a deal under which more than 30 countries participated in an orderly departure program out of Vietnam.

Foreign governments exchanged lists of names with the Vietnamese government to secure exit permits for people (a practice that would not be possible in Afghanistan at present). While the program was far from perfect  the US and Vietnam disagreed over eligibility criteria  it nonetheless allowed 650,000 Vietnamese to leave from 1979 to the mid-1990s.

Some countries, like Australia, opted to admit many Vietnamese on family reunion visas rather than humanitarian ones, demonstrating the flexibility with which foreign governments could approach a similar program today.

Yet, departures were not always orderly.

History shows negotiating the safe and orderly departure of would-be refugees from home countries can take time to organise and get up and running. It can also take time to gain the confidence of people who might seek to leave.

Word-of-mouth and proof-of-concept build momentum. In Vietnam, the orderly departure program was secured by the UN refugee agency years after the communist forces took Saigon. Prospective applicants were initially cautious.

Many fled clandestinely by boat instead, telling US immigration officials in Malaysia they were unaware of how the program would work and had seen no signs of its implementation.

Even after the programs in both Vietnam and Cuba were set up, authorities in both countries still exercised some influence over the ability of people to leave.

This is why orderly departure programs today must operate in addition to other efforts by the international community to protect refugees who flee on their own.

Will the Taliban agree to it?

One major obstacle the orderly departure of would-be refugees is it requires the consent  tacit or otherwise  of authorities in the country of origin.

Scores of countries have signed a join statement calling for the Taliban to allow

the safe and orderly departure of foreign nationals and Afghans who wish to leave the country.

The Taliban is looking increasingly wary of allowing a longer-term evacuation to take place. Last week, a spokesman for the group declined to extend the deadline beyond August 31 and told the US to stop encouraging skilled Afghans to flee.

However, with the spotlight on Afghanistans new leaders, the former foreign ministers of 25 countries have argued theres room to negotiate.

France and Britain are now reportedly set to propose a UN resolution calling for the establishment of a safe zone in Kabul that would allow humanitarian operations to continue, according to French President Emmanuel Macron.

The international community must use this opportunity to make good on promises to help former locally-engaged staff and their families, as well as women leaders, journalists, ethnic minorities, and and many others who might face persecution or other serious harm under the new regime.

Former interpreters who fled Afghanistan years earlier have reported their family members are now at risk by association, so it is essential the US and other governments cast a wide net in trying to get Afghans out.

If orderly departure arrangements can be established, however, this doesnt mean governments can close off other pathways through which Afghans can seek protection, such as asylum procedures and expanded resettlement programs.

No matter how orderly or safe a program is, there are many reasons why some people will still need to flee across an international border to seek protection.

The need for foreign governments to protect their Afghan partners was known for years. As August 31 approaches, now is the time to double down, not to back out. Safe passage may still be possible.

(Claire Higgings works for The University of New South Wales)

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The United States is investigating whether civilians may have been killed in an air strike it launched to destroy a car laden with explosives in the Afghan capital Kabul, a spokesman for US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday.

The statement came after CNN reported that nine members of a family, including six children, were killed in Sunday's air strike in the crowded capital, where thousands of Afghans are still trying to flee the Taliban.

AFP has not been able to confirm the report. Local media also reported that civilians were killed in the strike.

"We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today," Captain Bill Urban, a CENTCOM spokesman, said in a statement.

"We are still assessing the results of this strike, which we know disrupted an imminent ISIS-K threat to the airport," he continued, using an acronym for the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group, which carried out a suicide attack at the airport on Thursday.

"We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties," Urban continued. "It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further.

"We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life," he said.

The US air strike came after a suicide bomber from the Islamic State group on Thursday targeted US troops stopping huge crowds of people from entering the airport as they try to flee the new Taliban regime.

Scores of people died in the attack, including 13 US service personnel.

The car that was destroyed by the US strike had been headed for Kabul's airport, a Taliban spokesman had said earlier Sunday.

About 114,000 people have been evacuated since August 15, when the Taliban swept back into power. The American withdrawal from Afghanistan is due to be completed by Tuesday.
The United States should not formally recognise the Taliban, a top American Senator from the ruling Democratic party has said, amid increasing signs that the Biden administration now considers the group as the defacto ruler of Afghanistan.

He also said it would not be a great idea to recognise the opposition forces that are not actually running the country.

No, I don't. I don't, Senator Chris Murphy told the CNN in an interview when asked should the US formally recognise the Taliban.

But I also don't think it's a great idea, as some are suggesting, to recognise opposition forces that are not actually running the country. It tends to make the United States look pretty weak when we are recognising people as the leaders of a government that actually aren't running the government, he said.

Murhpy, however, said the US should talk to the Taliban.

Even if we don't formally recognise them, we're going to have to be in discussions with them. We're going to have to tell them the consequences for their actions, if they don't continue to allow, at the very least, American citizens, green card holders and people in the SIV pipeline to get out of the country, he said.

Murphy is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism.

On the need for an investigation into what went wrong in Afghanistan for the past two decades, the Senator said, When Congress does this oversight, I want to make sure that it's over the last 20 years, not just the last two months, because to believe that there was some way to do this evacuation in a way that didn't have panic on the ground and didn't have a risk of loss of life, I think is the same kind of fantasy thinking that led us to stay in Afghanistan for 10 years too long, even when we knew the Afghan forces couldn't stand up for themselves.

When asked about the criticism of the Biden administration that the evacuations should have begun earlier, Murphy said the US was under the belief that the Afghan military would stand up and fight.

It was logical to believe that a mass evacuation too early would have actually led to the result that we were trying to avoid, which was the collapse of the government..
Japan's Covid-19 vaccination push has been dealt a blow by widening reports of contamination in supplies of Moderna Inc's Covid-19 vaccine.

Here are some key points in the issue so far.

When was it first reported and how has it widened?

On Aug. 16, the first contamination was reported to Takeda Pharmaceutical Co, Moderna's local distributor.

That led to the discovery of 39 vials containing foreign material in them, all from the same lot of 57,000 vials or about 570,000 doses.

On Aug. 26, Japan said it had halted the use of 1.63 million Moderna doses shipped to 863 vaccination centres nationwide as a precaution.

It suspended the use of lot 3004667 that included those vials and two similarly sized lots - 3004734 and 3004956.

On Sunday, a vaccination centre in Okinawa prefecture reported that contaminants were found in Moderna vials from a fourth lot 3005293.

Black substances were spotted in syringes and a vial, while pink substances were found in a different syringe, the health ministry said.

Also on Sunday, Gunma prefecture, near Tokyo, found a tiny, black substance in a Moderna vial, which differed from the four already suspended. The Gunma lot, whose number has not yet been disclosed, was also suspended.

Following the two Sunday incidents, the use of about 1 million additional doses have been suspended.

What are the contaminants

The contaminants are believed to be metallic particles, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing health ministry sources.

The ministry has not officially said what the particles are, pending an investigation by Takeda, Moderna, and its Spanish contract manufacturing partner Rovi. Those companies have also yet to comment on what the foreign material is.

Is there a safety issue?

Japan and Moderna have said no safety issues had been identified.

Two men, aged 38 and 30, died this month within days of receiving their second Moderna doses, the health ministry said on Saturday. Each had one shot from one of the suspended lots, 3004734. The causes of death are being investigated.

Both men had a fever the day after their second dose and died two days after getting the fever. There has been no evidence that their shots contained contaminants, a health ministry official told reporters.

As of Aug. 8, 991 people had died in Japan after receiving Covid-19 shots from Pfizer/BioNTech, and 11 after receiving Moderna's. No causality between the injections and the deaths has been established, according to the health ministry.

About 500,000 people have gotten shots from the first three suspended batches, Taro Kono, the minister in charge of the vaccine push, told reporters on Friday.

Are other countries also affected?

Rovi, which bottles Moderna vaccines for markets other than the United States, said last week the batch in question was meant for distribution only in Japan.

South Korea, which also receives the Moderna vaccines produced from sites in the United States and Spain, said it was not affected by the issue.

The European Union drugs regulator said last week it was investigating the incident but did not find reasons to seek a temporary suspension of production after an initial assessment.

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"Convict him or acquit him," an anguished Supreme Court observed on non-framing of charges on an accused jailed for 11 years over serial blasts in multiple Rajdhani Express and other trains in 1993.

Underlining the right to speedy trial, the top court sought a report from the special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court judge in Ajmer explaining why charges have not been framed against Hameer Ui Uddin.

"The Special Judge, Designated Court, Ajmer, Rajasthan is directed to submit a report to this Court within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this orderThe report shall clarify why charges have not been framed," a bench of justices DY Chandrachud and M R Shah said.

In its order passed recently, the bench said that to facilitate the submission of the report expeditiously, the registrar (judicial) will communicate a copy of the order to the judge directly as well as through the Registrar (Judicial) of the High Court of Rajasthan.

During the hearing, advocate Shoeb Alam, appearing for Hameer Ui Uddin said the petitioner has been in custody since 2010 but charges have not been framed and trial is yet to commence.

He said that detaining an accused indefinitely without trial is a gross abuse of rights of an individual under Article 21.

Alam contended that the special TADA court ought to have granted bail to the petitioner as there is no prospect of the conclusion of the trial in the near future.

"The allegations are yet to be proved in trial and there is no justification of pre-trial incarceration for 11 years," he said.

Advocate Vishal Meghwal, appearing for the State, admitted that those charges have not been framed against the accused, but contended he was absconding for nearly 15 years.

The bench then asked why the charges have not been framed when he has been in custody since 2010.

"He is entitled to speedy trial. Convict him or acquit him, we have no problem with that but at least hold the trial. He cannot be kept in custody indefinitely without trial," the bench observed.

Meghwal contended that the main reason for the delay in framing of charges is that one of the co-accused Abdul Karim Tunda is lodged in the Ghaziabad jail.

"Then either you separate the trial or club the trial with his case but at least start the trial," the bench said.

Alam said the Tunda case is not mentioned by the state in its counter-affidavit.

In his plea filed through advocate Farrukh Rasheed, the petitioner has challenged the TADA court of March 27, 2019 rejecting his bail application.

As per the prosecution case, on December 5-6, 1993, serial bomb blasts took place in Rajdhani express trains -- Bombay to New Delhi, New Delhi to Howrah, Howrah to New Delhi -- Surat-Baroda Flying Queen Express and Hyderabad-New Delhi AP Express.

Two passengers lost their lives in the blasts and 22 suffered injuries.

Five different cases were registered at respective police stations in Kota, Valsad, Kanpur, Allahabad and Malkaj-Giri.

These cases were later transferred to the CBI and re-registered under TADA at Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Hyderabad. Investigation found that the bomb blasts were outcome of one single conspiracy and hence all cases were clubbed together.

On August 25, 1994, the CBI filed chargesheet against 13 accused, who were arrested, and nine other absconding accused.

Hameer Ui Uddin was shown absconding.

The chargesheet alleged that he was one of the accused who carried bomb devices and explosive substances to Kanpur on December 5, 1993.

Hameer Ui Uddin was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police and Lucknow Special Task Force on February 2, 2010 and was produced before the Ajmer TADA court on March 8, 2010 which remanded him to judicial custody.

In 2010, an 8000-page charge sheet was filed against him under various provisions of TADA and Explosive Substance Act, Prevention of Damages to Public Property Act and the Indian Railways Act.
The opposition 'Grand Alliance' in Assam is set to collapse with the state Congress on Monday announcing that it has decided to break ties with Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF and the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF).

A core committee meeting, chaired by state Congress president Bhupen Bora, observed that the AIUDF's "behaviour and attitude in relation with the BJP has baffled the members of the Congress", party spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma told reporters.

"The continuous and mysterious praise of the BJP and the chief minister by AIUDF leadership and senior members have affected the public perception of the Congress party," she said.

Sharma said that after a long discussion, the core committee members of the state Congress unanimously decided that AIUDF can no longer remain a partner in the 'Mahajot' and the AICC will be informed accordingly.

A discussion was also held on the alliance with BPF as its leadership has been expressing their unwillingness to remain a part of the 'Grand Alliance' on various platforms, she said.

The state Congress president was given full authority to make a decision on the matter and it was decided to inform the high-command the decision to break ties with the party, Sharma said.

The meeting also endorsed the earlier decision of giving full authority to the state president, working presidents and chairman of the legislative assembly committees constituted for the forthcoming bypolls to take decisions on election strategy and candidate selections, she said.

The 10-party 'Grand Alliance' or 'Mahajot', led by the Congress, was formed ahead of this year's Assembly elections in the state. Besides the Congress, AIUDF and BPF, it comprised the Jimochayan (Deori) People's Party (JDPP), Adivasi National Party (ANP), CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), Anchalik Gana Morcha, and the RJD.

The alliance had won 50 seats in the Assembly polls with Congress securing 29 seats, AIUDF 16, BPF four and the CPI(M) one.
Following the crackdown on drug trafficking by the Assam government, narcotic smugglers of the Northeastern states have adopted new methods such as using women as traffickers and ferry the contraband in small vehicles instead of trucks, a senior officer of Guwahati Police said on Monday.

The city police has arrested at least 126 people in operations against drug menace and seized heroin, cocaine and brown sugar valued at more than Rs 21 crore within just one month, Guwahati Police Commissioner Harmeet Singh who took charge on July 19 said.

"It is interesting to see that now they (drug cartels) are using lady peddlers or traffickers to escape the eyes of the police, but they can't hoodwink us. Women are being used because of pressure from us," he told PTI in an interview. A woman who was coming from Mizoram and entered the city from Shillong was arrested recently with 8,500 yaba tablets. The city police also nabbed two local lady peddlers with brown sugar and heroin.

The top cop of the Guwahati Police said the force hit hard at the drug network, which starts from across the border in Myanmar and then enters India via Mizoram and Manipur, and passes through the city to the rest of the country, and nabbed a number of big suppliers. "Just a few days ago, we arrested one heroin supplier from Churachandpur in Manipur and picked up a cocaine supplier from Delhi. The drug network has now changed its strategy to transport drugs. Earlier, they used to ferry drugs in big vehicles, but now carry in smaller ones," Singh said.

The police also strengthened its sources network and are getting near-accurate information of the movement, the Police Commissioner said. "For example, the consignment that we caught yesterday started from Moreh (in Manipur) and we could track it from the place of origin," he said, referring to the biggest drug haul of 1.324 kgs of heroin at the entry-point of Guwahati on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday.

"Initially, we were able to catch the trucks and peddlers. Now, we are able to detect and apprehend the forward as well as backward linkages. In our consistent efforts, we could arrest 126 people, of which around 110 are peddlers and rest users, in the last one month," he added. Singh said the police have registered 36 cases across Guwahati and seized over 3 kgs of heroin, 200 gms of brown sugar and 4 gms of cocaine and other items from the arrested people after his joining the force.

"The value of the seized contraband items has been estimated to be of more than Rs 21 crore as per international market standards. This is a big achievement in just one month," he explained. The police also recovered 12.5 kg of cannabis or ganja, 14,500 bottles of cough syrup, 76 mobile phones, 21 vehicles from trucks to small cars and Rs 19 lakh in cash from the drug peddlers, Singh said.

Without sharing details, Singh appreciated the role of the general public as many of the catches were based on the information provided by common citizens and not some police nurtured informants. "We are looking out for everything. We need support from the public as they are our biggest sources. This war on drugs will continue till we make our city and state free from the menace," he added.
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez was on Monday quizzed by Enforcement Directorate as a "witness" in a money laundering case involving a "known conman" Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

Officials said the actress, a Sri Lankan national, is not an accused in the case arising out of a multi-crore extortion racket allegedly operated by Chandrashekhar.

The ED case is based on an FIR of the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against him and others in the extortion case running to around Rs 200 crore.

On August 23, the ED had said that it has "seized a luxurious beach front bungalow located in Chennai, Rs 82.5 lakhs cash, 2 kg gold, 16 luxurious cars and other high end items" in connection with the case.

Chandrashekhar has been allegedly running the racket from Rohini Jail in the national capital, where he is lodged. He has also been an accused in the Election Commission bribery case.

Also read: ED raids Shiv Sena leaders Anil Parab, Bhavana Gawli

The ED, in its statement on August 23, had called him a "known conman" and has been a part of the crime world since the age of 17. He has multiple FIRs against him and is presently lodged at the Rohini jail," it had said.

Despite being in jail, it said, Chandrashekhar "did not stop conning" people. "He (with a cellphone procured illegally in the prison) with the help of technology, made spoofed calls to dupe people as the numbers displayed on the called party's phone number belonged to senior government officers," it had said.

He was arrested in the EC bribery case on 17 April, 2017 from Hyatt Hotel in south Delhi allegedly with Rs 1.30 crore and two cars -- a BMW and a Mercedes. Police had then claimed that Sukesh struck a deal for Rs 50 crore for helping the AIADMK faction led by TTK Dhinakaran keep the 'Two Leaves' symbol.

His first brush with police was in 2007, then 17 years, when he cheated a 75-year-old man in Bengaluru of Rs 1.14 crore by promising him to get allocation of a site from Bengaluru Development Authority.
The bustling industrial city of Hosur, located just outside Bengaluru, and areas in the adjoining districts of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri are fast emerging as a manufacturing hub for e-scooters and their accessories like batteries.

Five companies, including Ola, have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Tamil Nadu government for setting up factories to manufacture e-scooters in and around Hosur in Krishnagiri district.

Ola, Ather, Sri Varu Motors, and Simple Energy will manufacture e-scooters from their brand-new factories, while Ampere will invest Rs 700 crore in its manufacturing unit in Ranipet. TVS Motor Company is rolling out electric two-wheelers from its sprawling unit in Hosur.

With e-scooter manufacturers lining up, the state government is now turning its gaze towards wooing top battery makers in the country, as it wants the entire e-scooter ecosystem based out of the region.

Read | Electric vehicle boom is pay-dirt for factory machinery makers

A senior government official told DH that Guidance Tamil Nadu is in talks with big names in the sector like Exide and Amara Raja to set up their units to manufacture batteries for e-scooters. Lucas-TVS, ELETS, Li Energy and Stanadyne have already signed MoUs for setting up their units to produce batteries for electric two-wheelers.

To create an eco-system, we need both scooter manufacturers and producers of accessories like batteries in the same region," the official said. "While we continue to woo more electric scooter companies, we are also focusing on getting more battery makers to send the right message to prospective investors. Once the big names come, others follow suit."

Hosur is home to many two-wheeler majors and the state government wants to convert it into a hub for e-scooters, much like it transformed Chennai into Indias very own Detroit.

Hosur is a developed town and is one of the favourite destinations for investors due to its proximity to Bengaluru. Another advantage for the state government is its agencies possess huge land banks in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts. Most of the new units are coming up here, the official said.

The state has had an exclusive EV policy since 2019 that offers sops like 100% reimbursement of SGST till December 31, 2030, 15% capital subsidy and 100% electricity tax exemption till December 2025. It also provides a 20% capital subsidy for EV battery manufacturing till December 2022.



Consortium of Indian Association (CIA) Convenor K E Raghunathan said the Tamil Nadu government should ensure that the entire value chain of electric vehicle manufacturing is in Tamil Nadu and that the state provides end-to-end solutions.
India does not want forces inimical to it to get an edge after the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.

Singh said that the recent developments in Afghanistan had posed a new security challenge for India. His comment came a fortnight after the Taliban militants marched into Kabul after occupying many provincial capitals in a swift blitz across Afghanistan  taking advantage of the withdrawal of the troops by the United States and its NATO allies.

The Government is closely watching the recent developments in Afghanistan, as they have posed new security challenges for India. The security of Indians is a cause of concern for the Government. We also do not want that anti-India forces to take advantage of the evolving Afghan situation for cross-border terrorism, the Defence Minister said while delivering a lecture on national security.

New Delhi has been concerned over the possibility of the change of regime in Afghanistan being exploited by Pakistan and its iron-brother China to gain a strategic edge against India.

The Taliban and its affiliate Haqqani Network are known as creations of the military-security establishment of Pakistan, which has been keen to gain a strategic depth in Afghanistan.

The Talibans links with the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) as well as other Pakistan-based and anti-India terrorist organizations have been well documented.

Singh, however, did not directly refer to the Taliban or its imminent return to power in Afghanistan.

The Talibans return to power in Afghanistan particularly fuelled speculation about n imminent rise in terror attacks in India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). But Singh on Monday said that the J&K would always remain an integral part of India. The anti-India forces have understood that they are no longer in a position to do much in the Kashmir Valley, especially after the abrogation of the Article 370 (of the Constitution of India). I want to assure you that no power in the world can separate J&K from India, said the Defence Minister.

He lauded the Indian Army for responding with bravery and restraint to the unilateral moves by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army to alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)  the de facto boundary between India and China  in eastern Ladakh. He said that any border dispute could only be resolved peacefully and through dialogue. He, however, also said that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would never compromise when it comes to the borders, honour and self-respect of India.
An unidentified militant was killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.

A defence spokesman said in the wee hours of Monday, a militant from across the LoC made an attempt to infiltrate through the Poonch sector.

Alert Army troops detected the infiltration bid by effective use of the integrated surveillance grid. On being challenged by Army troops, there ensued a fierce firefight with the militant in which one militant was neutralised and his body along with an AK-47 rifle has been recovered, he said.

The spokesperson said the operation is still in progress and this action by alert troops displays the resolve of the Indian Army to thwart any misadventure along the LoC.

On August 6, the army killed two militants in the Pangai area of Thanamandi in neighbouring Rajouri district. In the past few weeks, several encounters have taken place in Rajouri and Poonch districts in which several militants have been killed.

Early this month, J&K police chief Dilbagh Singh said that the infiltration from launch pads across the border has resumed.

The training camps and launch pads being run by the Pakistani army are full to their capacity. We generally assume the number of terrorists at such camps remains between 250 and 300 who are trained and ready for launching into Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
DH's latest updates of news in India and across the world.
The chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab were engaged in a war of words over the lathicharge on farmers at Karnal where they were protesting against the three farm laws.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh demanded the resignation of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar who said the strict police action on farmers was necessary for maintaining law and order.

Who is he to demand my resignation? Instead, he should resign because farmers from Punjab are protesting in Delhi, Khattar hit back at Singh.

Khattar also accused the Punjab Chief Minister and other Congress leaders, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda of instigating the farmers who were protesting at Singhu and Tikri borders demanding repeal of the three farm laws.

Singh slammed Khattar for defending the criminal assault on farmers protesting peacefully at Karnal and accused the BJP-JJP coalition government in Haryana of being anti-farmer.

Cant you see that the farmers of your own state are angry with you for your apathetic attitude towards them and your partys stubborn refusal to repeal the farm laws, Singh asked.

Khattar claimed that farmers from Haryana were neither at the Singhu border nor at the Tikri borders  the sites of the nine-month-long agitation against farm sector reforms at the doorsteps of the national capital.

He accused the Punjab government of supporting the farmers' protests, claiming that farmers' leader Balbir Singh Rajewal was seen sharing sweets with the Punjab Chief Minister.

You repeal the farm laws and not just the farmers but even I will share ladoos with you, Singh hit back, noting that the farmers had shared sweets with him after the resolution of the sugarcane growers' protests.

Khattar claimed that farmers from Punjab were protesting at the Delhi borders and some from Haryana who were there harboured political ambitions.

The Haryana chief minister said that the video of a sub-divisional magistrate asking policemen to crack the heads of protestors was from a different place, about 12 km away from where the lathicharge on farmers had taken place.

Khattar said the IAS officers choice of words was inappropriate but defended the police action.
Nine newly-appointed judges, including three women, of the Supreme Court would assume the office on Tuesday, in a first ever largest appointments in its history.

All the judges would be sworn by Chief Justice of India at 10.30 am on August 31 in a ceremony organised at the auditorium in the Supreme Court's additional building.

This is for the first time in the history of the Supreme Court of India when nine judges will be taking the oath of office in one go. In another first, the venue of the ceremony has been shifted to the auditorium and it will be telecast live.

"This is done keeping in view the need for strict adherence to Covid norms. Traditionally, oath to the new Judges is administered in the Court Room number one which is presided over by the Chief Justice of India," an official press release on Monday said.

Justices A S Oka, Vikram Nath, J K Maheshwari, Hima Kohli, B V Nagarathna, C T Ravikumar, M M Sundresh, Bela Trivedi and senior advocate P S Narsimha would join the bench after taking the oath.

Of these nine judges, Justices Vikram Nath, and B V Nagarathna and Narsimha would don the role of CJI in future.

With this, the strength of judges in the Supreme Court would rise to 33 with just one vacancy. The appointments to the top court came after a hiatus of over 21 months due to lack of consensus in the collegium of five senior most judges over the names as Justice R F Nariman, who retired on August 12, reportedly insisted on including Tripura High Court chief justice Akil Kureshi's name in recommendations.

The oath ceremony will be telecast live on DD News and DD India. Live webcast of the ceremony will also be available on the home page of official web portal of Supreme Court of India. The webcast can also be accessed at https://webcast.gov.in/scindia/, the release added.
A group of over 100 people allegedly beat up a 25-year-old pastor after barging into his house at a remote village in Chhattisgarh's Kabirdham district on Sunday, during which they were heard raising slogans against religious conversion, a police official said.

The mob also vandalised his property and manhandled his family members before fleeing from the spot, he said.

The incident took place around 11 am in Polmi village under Kukdur police station limits when a prayer was underway at the house of pastor Kawalsingh Paraste, said Kabirdham Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg. "As per the preliminary information, a crowd of over 100 people stormed into his house and allegedly damaged articles of worship and household items, and tore scriptures," he said.

"They allegedly beat up Paraste and manhandled his family members, including women, and then escaped," he said, adding the attackers were heard raising slogans to stop religious conversion.

Soon after being alerted about it, a police team was rushed to the spot, he said. A case is being lodged in this connection and further action will be taken accordingly, Garg said.

Meanwhile, president of Chhattisgarh's Christian Forum, Arun Pannalal, has accused the police and the state government of not taking appropriate action in cases of attacks on Christian places of worship. "This is a very dangerous trend, which has become prevalent in the state and the government has failed to stop this. We are pained by the helplessness of this government," he said. "In the last 15 days, at least 10 such attacks allegedly occurred at our religious places across the state, but in none of the cases action police took any action. We just want justice. but repeated occurrence of such incidents indicates that the government has been favouring those who are involved in vandalism, he added.

Pannalal further said various denominations of Christian community in the state recently held a meeting in Bilaspur and decided to form a squad to defend the places of offering prayers.

The forum is also going to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court with all evidence citing police's alleged inaction in cases of vandalism of churches in different districts of the state, he added.
As many as 50 people, mostly children, have died from viral fever and dengue in some districts in Uttar Pradesh in the past few days.

According to the reports, 40 children have died from viral fever and dengue in Firozabad district alone in the past six days.

BJP lawmaker from Firozabad Manish Aseeja said that scores of children were down with viral fever and dengue in the district and were being treated at different hospitals. ''I have reports of at least 40 deaths,'' he said.

Deaths were also reported from the neighbouring Mainpuri and Mathura districts. Sources said that eight children have died at Koh village in Mathura. Medical teams had been rushed to the village to collect samples of the residents.

Reports said that patients, mostly children, complaining of symptoms of viral fever and dengue were also admitted to hospitals in the Kanpur district.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Firozabad on Monday and inspected the medical facilities being provided to the affected people at hospitals.

He attributed the spread of the disease to ''lack of awareness'' among the people and said that the district officials had been directed to provide every possible medical care to the patients.
A teenager in Kerala had to remain in prison for 35 days on remand after a minor girl falsely accused him of raping and impregnating her.

After the DNA test proved the allegations of impregnating the girl to be false, the youth was released on bail.

18-year-old Sreenath, hailing from a poor family at Thirurangadi in Malappuram district in Kerala, became victim of a false charge. A 17-year-old girl residing in a nearby locality had accused him of raping and impregnating her.

The police held Sreenath last month from his house and was remanded to judicial custody. He did not get bail as the case was registered under the POCSO Act. Since Sreenath continued to plead not guilty, the DNA test was conducted on priority. It was found that Sreenath was not responsible for impregnating the girl. Hence, the court granted him bail.

Read | Mysuru gang-rape case: Police arrest 5 people

Sreenath is third among the four children of Rajan, a daily-wage worker, and Sreemathi, an Anganwadi worker.

Sreenaths uncle Suresh Kumar told DH that the family was literally shattered as neither Sreenath nor any other members in the family had any shady background. "Sreenath is just doing his plus-two and such a false charge against him would have spoiled his life. Many neighbours and friends started to distance from the family after Sreenath was arrested in sexual assault case and the family members suffered much humiliation," he said.

He said that had the police done some basic verification on the girls version, the allegation could have been found false. The girl had alleged that Sreenath forcefully took her to his house and raped her. But the day of the alleged incident mentioned by the girl was a Sunday in April, and usually other family members stay in the house on Sundays.

Sreenath maintained that he did not have much acquaintance with the girl who was his junior in school. Hence, it was quite surprising that the girl made such a "baseless" allegation against him, said Suresh adding that the family would explore legal option against the damages caused to the family.

Meanwhile, the Thirurangadi circle-inspector, who is probing the case, said that the police only followed the due procedures in a POCSO case while arresting Sreenath on the basis of the girls statement. The girl would be subjected to further counselling to identify the accused. Even as the DNA test found Sreenath not responsible for impregnating the girl, the rape allegation against him would still remain under probe if the girl sticks to her allegation, he said.
The Roman Catholics of Goa, Kumta and Mangalore regions are the remnants of very early lineages of the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin community, a multidisciplinary study involving historical, anthropological and genetic information has concluded.

The study by researchers from CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad and DST-Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow has also found consequences of Portuguese inquisition in Goa on the population history of Roman Catholics. They also found some indication of Jewish component.

The Roman Catholics are a distinct ethno-linguistic population group from the west coast of India, whose origin is much debated. While some historians and anthropologists relate them to the ancient group of Gaud Saraswat, others believe they are members of the Jews Lost Tribes in the first century migration to India.

To settle the question of their origin and genetic history, CCMB and BSIP, cooperated by investigators from the Mangalore University, Canadian Institute for Jewish Research, and Institute of Advanced Materials, Sweden, took up the first such genetic study of the western India's Roman Catholics.

The DNA of 110 persons from the Roman Catholic community of Goa, Kumta and Mangalore was analyzed and the researchers compared their genetic information with previously published DNA data from West Eurasia and that of about 350 ethnic groups of India. They then put this information alongside archaeological, linguistic and historical records.

These examinations helped the researchers fill in many of the key details about the demographic changes and history of the Roman Catholic population of South West of India since the Iron Age (until around 2,500 years ago), and how they relate to the contemporary Indian population.

Our study has revealed that majority of the Roman Catholics are genetically close to an early lineage of Gaud Saraswat community, majorly with Indo-European-specific genetic composition, said Dr Kumarasamy Thangaraj, chief scientist, CCMB, & Director, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad.

More than 40 percent of their paternally inherited Y chromosomes can be grouped under R1a haplogroup. Such a genetic signal is prevalent among populations of north India, Middle East and Europe, and unique to this population in Konkan region, Dr Thangaraj, the study's senior author, states.

Dr Niraj Rai, senior scientist, BSIP and co-corresponding author says that their study strongly suggests profound cultural transformations in ancient South West of India. This has mostly happened due to continuous migration and mixing events of the last 2500 years.

These findings were recently published in Human Genetics.

We are analyzing the nature of some of the population groups in Kerala, Dr Thangaraj told DH.
Police have registered a case against 17 AAP leaders, including Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, for violating Covid protocols during the party's Tiranga Yatra here.

The FIR also mentions 500 unidentified persons who were part of the yatra on Sunday from the GIC ground till the Shaheed Smarak in Sanjay Place, police said.

Permission had been granted to organise the Tiranga Yatra while following Covid-19 protocols with a limit of 50 people, they said. But the number of people, who attended the march on Sunday, exceeded the permitted number and Covid-19 protocols were not followed, police said.

Also Read  AAP takes out Tiranga Yatra in Agra; Sisodia slams UP govt over law and order, education, healthcare

Ahead of the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) plans to take out Tiranga Yatras in Ayodhya, Lucknow and Noida to mark the 75th year of India's Independence.

The AAP party will carry out this yatra in Ayodhya on September 14 and later in 403 Assembly segments of Uttar Pradesh, Sisodia had said on Sunday, as he attacked the BJP government in the state over law-and-order, education, healthcare and employment situations.

Superintendent of Police (City) Vikas Kumar said that the case has been registered against 17 AAP leaders, including Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP, and another 500 unidentified persons.

They were part of the Tiranga Yatra carried out by the party's leaders on Sunday evening from GIC ground till Shaheed Smarak in Sanjay Place in Agra, he said.

"For not following the Covid-19 protocol the FIR was registered at the Lohamandi Police station on Monday morning," the SP said.

They have been booked under Indian Penal Code sections 188, 269 and 270, and under provisions the Epidemic Diseases Act for violation of Covid-19 protocols, police said.

Section 188 pertains to disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant, while 269 and 270 pertain to whoever unlawfully, malignantly or negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life.
Almost a month ago, a friend who teaches English in a Delhi University college expressed apprehension of an imminent move by the Academic Council to remove Mahasweta Devi's landmark short story, 'Draupadi', from the undergraduate syllabus. Her fears came true on Tuesday, August 24, when the Council did indeed drop the story in its syllabus revamp drive,

which is part of the implementation of the 2020 National Education Policy.

The fact that 'Draupadi' has been part of the English undergraduate syllabus since 1999 makes one curious about the narrative surrounding the move. Taught to students for more than two decades, what was it about the story that suddenly fell out of favour with policymakers?

Whether you agree with her views or not, Mahasweta Devi is not an author to be taken lightly. Her work, deeply rooted in her association with Adivasi populations, has been the proverbial thorn in the side of governments of all ideological affiliations. Her stories and essays have turned the glare on structures of power promoting violence and injustice among those on the margins of social life.

Set against the Naxal upsurge of 1971, the story of 'Draupadi' (translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak) centres on Dopdi, a member of the Santhal tribe in the backyards of Bengal. Alongside her husband, Dhulna, Dopdi murders wealthy landlords to gain access to wells, the only water source in her parched, drought-stricken village. "No water anywhere, drought in Birbhum. Unlimited water at Surja Sahu's house, as clear as a crow's eye," she writes.

On the run, Dopdi is captured by government forces. Hoping that torture would force the captive to reveal other insurgents in the network, Mr Senanayak's (the officer in charge) men gangrape Dopdi through the night, at his bidding. In the morning, when she is summoned to the Burra sahib's tent, her rapists order she clothes herself when she refuses to.

The story ends with the powerful image and words of Dopdi, who tears up her clothes and walks naked toward Senanayak's tent. "Senanayak walks out surprised and sees 'Draupadi', naked, walking towards him in the bright sunlight with her head high." "There isn't a man here that I should be ashamed of. I will not let you put my cloth on me. What more can you do?" Dopdi asks in defiance.

The conclusion of the story brings to mind another evocative imageof 12 mothers from across Manipur, known as imas, in Meitei, taking off their clothes in protest outside the Assam Rifles headquarters in 2004. Their radical action expressed the mothers' collective outrage over the brutal killing of 32-year-old Manorama Thangjam by the Assam Rifles 17 years ago.

The Delhi University Academic Council's decision denying students an acquaintance with 'Draupadi', a story layered with aspects of the realities of everyday tribal life, is suspicious on many counts. What is it that Academic Council members (many of them did put in dissent notes since a vote was not allowed) want to keep away from students?

Beyond everyday violence on the fringes of urban centres, Devi's story is a dramatic representation of the custodial and gender violence endemic in Indian culture, exposing the edifice of structural violence against women and showing the ways in which women's bodies are turned into sites of violence. Much of this violence is perpetrated by those entrusted with stopping actions of violence.

Earlier this month, at an event of the National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA), Chief Justice NV Ramana said: "The threat to human rights and bodily integrity are the highest in police stations." Coming from the highest judicial office, the Chief Justice's observation compels one to turn attention to the seriousness of the problem at hand. When enforcers of the law turn into its most blatant violators, where can citizens turn for justice?

It's the job of academic institutions to provoke students to think about such difficult issues. The problems don't disappear by simply removing texts from syllabi; nor can one pull the wool over students' eyes this way. Rather, exposure to the realities of Indian life, however unpleasant they may be, is crucial. By foregrounding the use of violence by institutions rooted in patriarchy, 'Draupadi' serves an important purpose in this regard.

On the one hand, the story hinges on structural injustices occurring along the axes of class and caste. The wells Dopdi and her husband fight to take out of Surja Sahu's control are described as "caste wells" in the story. On the other hand, the narrative places a tribal woman at its front and centre. The story revolves around her fearlessness in the face of unspeakable violence inflicted by custodians of law and order.

In the end, Dopti dares the main perpetrator, Senanayak, to look her in the eye, to confront her bruised, exposed body: "And for the first time Senanayak is afraid to stand before an unarmed target, terribly afraid." A chilling fear strikes the powerful on realising their powerlessness, on realising their abuse and violence have produced the very opposite of what they intended. Torture renders its victims fearless.

What is it that made policymakers squeamish about the story? Was it Mahasweta Devi's powerful description of a dehumanised woman's body? Was it Dopdi's refusal to obey the order of the very men who had stripped her, to cover herself? Was it her defiance in the face of patriarchal authority? Was it conveying the sense of stepping out of the boundary of fear and becoming truly free?

It is disingenuous to treat rape narratives in feminist fiction, and not the prevalence of rape, as the real problem before us. Stories like 'Draupadi' not only force us to confront the ugly realities of sexual violence. They also speak powerfully to casteism, state violence, and cultures of subaltern resistance. On one level, then, the story's removal from the Delhi University syllabus is part of the wider culture of intolerance that is becoming increasingly common in India.

(Monobina Gupta is the author of 'Left Politics in Bengal' and 'Didi: A Political Biography')
Paris Principles  adopted in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)  guided the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions; Law Commissions 152nd Report further empowered the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) to intervene to stop custodial crimes.

Now, after two and a half decades of their existence, it will not be a premature assessment of their position on custodial crimes, or for that matter, any other human rights violations. For this purpose, we shall use the data sets on custodial crimes listed from 1999 to 2019, accessed from the office of NHRC through Right to Information (RTI).

For this period, the NHRC received a total of 29,845 cases of deaths in judicial custody, out of which 3,116 were yet to be disposed of. The figure for dismissal of complaints is 39 over a period of two decades, the maximum of which (15) were dismissed in 2016. A trend is observed for the cases involving SHRCs from 1999 to 2019 (0, 7, 12, 47, 227, 357, 307, 245, 85, 211, 240, 974, 109, 10, 7, 4, 7, 6, 2, 2, 17).

It is unclear why a steep fall of 99 data points for such cases is observed between 2011 and 2012 while the trend continues to get narrower in consecutive years, though it is obvious that the number of pending cases would steadily increase with time; a familiar data trend is noticed from 1999 to 2019 (0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 2, 1, 8, 19, 84, 112, 174, 284, 528, 931, 971).

Little deviations notwithstanding, the state-wise trend for cases related to judicial custodial deaths is largely conforming to human development indicators. Uttar Pradesh (5,917), Bihar (2,821), Maharashtra (2,496) and Punjab (2,178) recorded the majority of deaths in judicial custody.

The figure of disposed cases also includes those in which the families of victims are either silenced or pushed to hostility. This, without any doubt, only would result in case closure. So, the reasons behind Delhi scoring the most contrasting fraction of pending cases against disposed cases, i.e., 112 v 502, are, evidently, its location and availability of legal resources and presence of statutory body in Delhi-NCR. This figure drastically falls for the relatively remote regions of Andhra Pradesh (92 v 1,076) and Odisha (93 v 910).

Statistical trend is no different for police custodial deaths, albeit with a marginal data pool. Perhaps more important, an indicator to appraise police ethics, for the policing authorities have physical custody of the arrested individuals. The NHRC received 3,019 cases related to police custodial deaths out of which 2,651 had been disposed of so far; that is, 87.81% compared to 89.55% disposition of judicial custodial deaths. As witnessed in cases of judicial custody, this category also experiences the same trend on handling of cases by SHRCs (1, 1, 0, 13, 45, 37, 34, 22, 4, 7, 0, 5, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 3, 0, 1) during the aforesaid period.

The picture is no different for state-wise data on police custodial deaths. Maharashtra (469), Uttar Pradesh (306) and Gujarat (261) topped the chart. A total of 13 death cases were disposed of with directions (DWD), for judicial as well as police custody. Surprisingly, the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has zero pending cases for both kinds of custodial deaths  fulfilling zero pendency project. Does this mean that the NHRC takes such cases seriously? The probe into the custodial death of Rizwan Asad Pandit, still fresh in memory, offered a completely different picture, sadly.

Data on deaths in defence custody and paramilitary custody is similarly uninformative. A total of 23 cases of defence custodial deaths were registered with the NHRC in the past two decades. Three cases pertaining to 2013, 2015 and 2016 were still pending. Eighteen cases of paramilitary custodial deaths were reported to the NHRC. The NHRC doesnt comment on their data sets, let alone explain how they are located on socio-economic metrics, the fact that the victims of custodial crimes are invariably poor, which LC pointed out.

That theoretical oasis of social justice, it is true, doesnt comport with the reality when a so-called autonomous human rights body presents some data bereft of clarity. The NHRCs Deputy Registrar, responding to this authors RTI application, said that NHRC (Procedure) Regulations, 1997 [Amendment] does not provide the categorisation of the cases under the category of conviction of cases of custodial deaths in the court of law. As such information sought is not available on the record of the Commission.

The NHRC also never responded despite generating an official diary number on a case, of custodial torture of one Zubair Khan Pathan in Gujarat, this author had filed, in May 2019. This is no mere coincidence. The NHRC still doesnt have any special mechanism in place to bring the perpetrators of custodial crimes to justice. And if we go by NCRBs data, Crime in India 2019, we find, though not surprisingly, that the conviction rate for a total of 26 custodial death cases in Gujarat, between 2001 and 2016, was zero. The national picture is equally worrying. Out of 1,557 custodial deaths (2001-2016), 704 cases were registered. Of 294 charge-sheeted policemen, only 26 could be convicted.

The way ahead

If executives desire anything, no matter how much of a waste of time their squeamishness is, democracy, in the absence of checks and balances that institutions like the NHRC could facilitate, empowers even the most unsuitable persons to run the country, to make laws of selective interest, and to abnegate the fundamental tenets of humanity. Elevation of an accused of custodial crimes and fake encounters to the post in the government that has the de facto veto vote in the appointment of office-bearers of the NHRC is a case in point.

Despotism cannot survive without violating human rights. Human rights institutions should come forward to protect human rights. Perhaps this is a way to end despotism, and in any case, a semblance of democracy is better than a fully-fledged despotism.

(The writer reports on human rights issues)
For a long time, even after the advent of the multiplex age, for traditionalist producers and directors, there was just one formula for success in Bollywood. Pick up one suitable-to-your-pocket heroic-looking young man, identify an also-suitable-to-the-budget svelte actress, add an antagonistic father, put in a bit of personal sob-background, scatter a few songs through the length of the film, think of an ingenuous climactic sequence, and you had a winner in the hand unless of course, it had a pathetic script and shoddy direction.

As the next round of the Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh approaches - due in the first quarter of 2022 - Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has identified what he presumes will turn out to be an unbeatable prescription to beat the odds stacked against him.

Adityanath faces a challenge to his leadership from two sources: within his party and outside. Let's take the latter threat first. Try as much he wishes to build a fortress of denials; even the torrential monsoon waters gushing down the eternal Ganga river shall not wash traces of his misdemeanours during the second wave of the Covid-19. Coupled with this is the emerging shakiness of his party's formidable social coalition. He did not build it and has instead eroded it by establishing Rajput hegemony in the state. Then there is his none too impressive governance and the atmosphere of oppression that has pervaded under his watch in every layer of society.

The second challenge he faces is from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s central leadership, which wishes all state governments and chief ministers, including their own, to be entirely subservient to the Centre. In contrast, Adityanath believes that the chief minister and his trusted aides must remain in complete command of state elections and local governance.

This would mean there must be absolute synchronicity between sarkar and sangathan (government and party organisation) in the states, as it exists at the Centre. He is opposed to the "high command model" that the current regime has plucked out from the Congress book.

Because this is not to the liking of the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo, Adityanath is living the old Hindi saying, "tu ser, toh main sawa ser" (I am one-up on you, or if you are base, I am ace). For every bit of political obscurantism and majoritarian agenda that the central leader has pushed into the body polity, Adityanath has gone one step further.

The chief minister's decisions on divisive issues like restrictive guidelines for the meat trade, inter-faith marriages and relationships, population policy and introduction of disincentives for people with more than two children are instances of this tactic. Speculations over a ministerial expansion/reshuffle in Lucknow have gone on for so long that it has become an embarrassment for the all-powerful central twosome.

This is where Adityanath has drawn on a political equivalent of the Bollywood formula. The state government's recently disclosed plans to rechristen several districts and cities, including Sultanpur, Mirzapur, Aligarh, Firozabad and Mainpuri, is one such.

Reports also say Sultanpur will become Kush Bhavanpur, Aligarh renamed Harigarh, Mainpuri as Mayan Nagar, and Firozabad as Chandra Nagar. There are other lofty plans too in the making: Agra may get a new billboard of Agravan, Muzaffarnagar of Luxmi Nagar, and Miyanganj, a town in UP's Unnao district is likely to be renamed as Mayaganj.

There are two important issues to note here. This is not the first time Adityanath has taken recourse to the politics of renaming and claim "success" on an issue that has zero impact on the lives or situations of people. Shortly after surprisingly emerging as the chief minister in 2017, Adityanath requested the Centre to allow his government to rename Mughalsarai Railway Station in Chandauli district as Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction. This was an old objective of the BJP because the Jana Sangh stalwart was found murdered in 1968 in a railway compartment in the station's yard.

The process took a while, but by the time the clearances were given, despite opposition in Parliament, Adityanath was almost ready to roll out his next step - changing the name of Allahabad to Prayagraj. The raison d'etre? Because almost 450 years ago, Akbar had named it Ilahabad - the abode of God. It was not considered that a railway station named Prayag existed separately, the name drawn from the surrounding locality.

In 2018, Adityanath's decisions appeared laudable to the BJP central leadership for names of certain key roads in the Indian capital, named after Mughal Emperors, were changed post-2014. Adityanath, too had a past of changing names. In the years he was an MP from Gorakhpur, Adityanath developed the habit of declaring new street/locality names. Urdu Bazar started being called Hindi Bazar, Humayanpur to Hanuman Nagar, Islampur to Ishwarpur, Mian Bazar to Maya Bazar and Ali Nagar to Ayanagar.

The politics of renaming has been enacted in India for a long time. Bombay became Mumbai, Madras into Chennai, Bangalore renamed Bengaluru and so on. On gaining independence, the then government straightaway changed names of several streets in Delhi. Kingsway Road became Rajpath, Queensway became Janpath, Irwin Road became Baba Kharak Singh Marg, and King Edward Road was renamed Maulana Azad Road.

The renamings were also followed by the removal of statues of iconic British personalities and historical characters. These decisions were often followed up by state governments too. But, those decisions were driven by the idea of ridding the nation of the country's colonial legacy.

Much later, between 2007 and 2012, when Mayawati was UP chief minister, she changed names of several districts from their traditional ones and gave new ones after iconic figures in Dalit politics. Amethi was hived off, and parts were renamed as Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar and so on. The successor Samajwadi Party government, with Akhilesh Yadav at its helm, rescinded this order.

Yet, previous decisions were not an instance of a state-sponsored majoritarian cultural assertion like the BJP's decisions have been since 2014. Earlier instances of renaming had merely a politico-electoral purpose. In contrast, the BJP's decisions are not just against the grain of ideal state policy in a pluralistic society but also motivated by its desire to impose its version of history, which theorises that the medieval period was one of "slavery to foreign rule" and making minorities feel insecure.

Having already taken the politics of demonising Muslims a notch higher, Adityanath's latest move underlines that communal polarisation remains his principal hope for coming back to power in UP and thereby become a challenger to the throne at the Centre.

(The writer is an NCR-based author and journalist. His books include The RSS: Icons of the Indian Right and Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times)

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India has sunk billions into Afghanistan, hedging its bets with a combination of soft and hard power.

Now, as nations desperately evacuate their troops, people and equipment, stunned by the Talibans quick takeover and attacks on those trying to flee, its worth examining what New Delhis strategic goals were and what the gains have been over the last two decades.

In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Afghan Parliament house, built by India at a cost of $90 million, describing it as his countrys tribute to democracy in Afghanistan. The following year, Modi unveiled the renovated 19th century Stor Palace in Kabul, that was home to Afghan King Amanullah Khan during his reign in the 1920s. In 2016, he inaugurated the Salma Dam, a significant infrastructure undertaking in the western city of Herat that allows water access to the surrounding districts and the irrigation of thousands of hectares of land. With its investments in other highway and building projects, in total, India has put around $3 billion into Afghanistan, making it one of the largest regional donors to the country.

While the absolute amount may not be a huge sum compared to Indias $1.4 trillion domestic infrastructure promise this month, or even the hundreds of billions of dollars in losses from the teetering banking system that taxpayers have had to swallow, its hard to see what the policy achieved as images of the Taliban inside the parliament go viral.

The Modi governments Neighborhood First foreign policy approach focuses on keeping the peace and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships in the region. It invests billions of dollars into countries from Bhutan to Nepal through its external affairs ministrys budget and other departments. A key goal of this approach toward Afghanistan has been to ensure the country doesnt fall into the hands of Pakistan supported Taliban or some such force, as former ambassador V.P. Haran put it in his speech at an Indian external affairs ministry lecture series in 2017. Friendship and goodwill aside, India has always known whats at stake.

Also Read | As Taliban tightens its grip, fears of retribution grow

That fear has now become a reality India will have to reckon with. Its security establishment how has to assess whether Kashmir will once again be in play as it was three decades ago, when Islamist militants turned their attention to the region after the Soviet retreat from Afghanistan.

Indias investment hasnt put it in a position to manage this risk, though, because New Delhi failed to create the strategic foothold it badly needs in Afghanistan. While Modis administration has long said such diplomacy isnt about reciprocity, the reality is that as Afghanistan falls into chaos, India doesnt have any leverage to ensure the country doesn't become an even larger security threat across South and Central Asia.

On Thursday, Indias external affairs minister S. Jaishankar said India had only invested in its friendship with Afghan people and insisted it would get the full value in return. For now, he noted, India will take a wait and watch approach.

But if Indias strategy was meant to ensure it had a meaningful presence in a geographically strategic place, then it has fallen well short. Indeed, beyond its infrastructure investments, it has been unable to get significant projects off the ground, like the $11 billion Hajigak mine in Afghanistans Bamyan district. Friendship only gets you so far. Another key development, the Chabahar Port in Iran, was supposed to open up an important route to connect Afghanistan to Central Asia while bypassing Indias key rival, Pakistan. Already affected by Covid and the threat of more sanctions on Iran, the port is likely to face an even more difficult operating environment now the Taliban is in power.

A lesson from China may be in order here. The Belt and Road-style build up across Africa, Eastern Europe and places like Sri Lanka and the Maldives has ensured Chinas heft is front of mind. In Afghanistan, despite putting in very little, Beijing ensured it had a hold on some mining rights there, even though theres been no output because of security considerations. It assessed the risk-reward.

Part of Chinas success has come from its strategic engagement with the Taliban. As a result, the world is now talking about how China could benefit from the recent turn of events, in the same breath that it mentions Indias geopolitical challenges.

Its clear New Delhi failed to change its diplomatic posture in line with the shifting balance of power on the ground in Afghanistan. In a working paper looking at Indias options once the U.S. completed its troop withdrawal, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace noted that being more engaged in international negotiations, and even agreeing to talk to certain sections of the Taliban as part of a broader diplomatic initiative, are options that India can no longer afford to disregard.

Indias policy in Afghanistan was mostly about soft power. Along with the parliament and the dam, several community projects and schools were set up, and of course, Afghans do love their Bollywood. Yet, Indias middling path has turned into a diplomatic dead end.

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Have symptoms of Covid-19 changed given that the Delta variant is currently the most common form of the virus in the United States?

There is little data on this question and much left to untangle.

Unvaccinated patients make up the vast majority of those hospitalised with Covid-19, so they may be more likely to develop severe symptoms, like trouble breathing, or persistent pain or pressure in the chest. Researchers do not yet know for sure whether delta alone is responsible for these severe symptoms or if it is the surge in childhood infections, which can result in more hospitalisations.

The Delta variant is nearly twice as contagious as prior variants. It replicates rapidly in the body, and people carry large amounts of the virus in their nose and throat.

Dr Andrew T. Chan, a public health researcher and physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and one of the lead investigators of the Covid Symptom Study, has been tracking millions of people from Britain, the United States and Sweden via an app that asks participants to monitor their symptoms. A preprint using data from the study that has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal suggests that those who are vaccinated are well protected against delta. Breakthrough infections, while rare, tend to produce milder symptoms that are of shorter duration.

CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH

Among vaccinated adults, The symptoms we are seeing now are much more commonly identified with the common cold, Chan said. We are still seeing people presenting with a cough, but we are also seeing a higher prevalence of things like runny nose and sneezing. Headaches and sore throat are other top complaints, he added. Fever and loss of taste and smell are being reported to a lesser degree.

Chan said the researchers started to see milder reported symptoms around the time the Delta variant became prevalent in Britain, starting in the late spring, which also coincided with the countrys mass vaccination program.

Paediatricians in New York City say that they are seeing many of the same symptoms in children that they have seen since the start of the pandemic, and that the more severe cases tend to be among unvaccinated adolescents, especially those with underlying conditions like diabetes or obesity. Some toddlers or school-age children can get very ill from Covid, too, but doctors dont always know why one child gets much sicker than another, said Dr Sallie Permar, paediatrician in chief at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine.

Fever, cough, fatigue, headache and sore throat are the classic presentation of Covid among symptomatic children, she added.

If your child has any potential Covid symptoms, including gastrointestinal problems, arrange for both yourself and your child to get a Covid test and then stay home until the results are negative, said Dr Adam Ratner, director of the division of pediatric infectious diseases at Hassenfeld Childrens Hospital at NYU Langone. Thats part of how we keep schools safe, he added.

Testing is essential for adults, too, the experts said. Even if you have been vaccinated and your symptoms are mild, its best to get tested.

Its a time to be humble about the fact that this is a new variant. Were still learning, said Dr Mark Mulligan, the director of the NYU Langone Vaccine Center and the chief of infectious diseases at NYU Langone Health. Be cautious and err on the side of caution in terms of going ahead and getting a test.
The Mysuru City Police have successfully nabbed five of six accused in connection with a case related to robbery and gang rape of a college girl near Chamundi Hill.

Police arrested the accused from Tamil Nadu. The accused also includes a 17-year-old boy.

The gang had raped the girl on August 24 after assaulting her male friend.

The police arrested them based on technical evidence.

Also Read  Mysuru gang-rape: Various organisations stage protests

Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) said that all the accused were labourers, including an electrician and a driver.

The officer said the accused had demanded Rs 3 lakh from the students before raping her.

Also Read  Congress is trying to rape me: Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra

"There is no question whether it was accidental or planned. Rape is rape," he said, adding that Mysuru is the safest city even today.

The police did not get any information from the girl as she still needs to fully recover.

As per the primary investigation, the accused have not blackmailed the victims.
The Karnataka government announced Monday that physical classes will start for classes 6 to 8 from September 6 with authorities relying on the success of its earlier decision to reopen schools for classes 9 to 12.

The decision was taken at a meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, with ministers, experts and officials.

Briefing reporters, Revenue Minister R Ashoka said that schools can start physical classes for classes 6-8 in taluks where the Covid-19 positivity rate is below 2 per cent. "Classes will start with all Covid guidelines in place. Classes will be held on alternate days and 50 per cent of the students will be allowed to attend on any day," he said.

Noting that reopening of classes 9 to 12 evoked a good response, Ashoka said that while attendance was high in government schools, it was yet to pick up in private educational institutes.

There are 2,912 gram panchayats with zero positivity. Classes 6 to 8 can start in Bengaluru where the positivity rate is well below 2 per cent, Ashoka said.

"Of the 6,472 samples collected from children, only 14 were positive, indicating very low positivity among children," Ashoka pointed out and said this data point was crucial in the decision to reopen more classes.

A decision on starting classes 1 to 5 will be taken after a month.

Institutional quarantine

The state government has decided to enforce a seven-day institutional quarantine for people visiting Karnataka from the neighbouring Kerala where the Covid-19 positivity rate is 19 per cent. After seven days, they will be made to take a Covid-19 test, Ashoka said, adding that Kerala was reporting about 30,000 cases daily.

The government has also decided to continue the weekend curfew in only four districts - Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Hassan and Kodagu. Night curfew, meanwhile, will continue in all districts.

Ganesha Chaturthi celebration decision deferred

The government deferred a decision on allowing the Ganesha Chaturthi festival to be celebrated in public. There is pressure on Bommai from right-wing groups and party leaders to relax restrictions for the festival.

Ashoka said that the government was cautious on allowing celebrations for Ganesha Chaturthi festival as the threat of a third wave loomed large in Karnataka due to Covid-19 cases increasing in Kerala and Maharashtra.

"All Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police were directed to hold meetings with organisers of large Chaturthi events. There are about 30 locations in the state where the festival is celebrated in a big way, Ashoka said.

The minister said many memorandums were submitted from festival organisers and elected representatives to relax norms and allow festivities. "Since there are complaints that relaxing norms in Kerala for the Onam resulted in a surge in Covid-19 cases, the government will hold another meeting to discuss which guidelines can be relaxed," Ashoka said.

Based on the Covid-19 situation in the state and other data, Bommai will announce guidelines on September 5.

The government has allowed convention centres to host marriages and other functions at 50 per cent capacity or 400 people. The number of guests will be limited to 400 in large halls, while it is 50 per cent of the total seats at smaller choultries," Ashoka said, adding that owners of many convention centres had petitioned Bommai to relax norms.
Derry - Scott N. Patnaude, 79, of Derry, NH passed away on Wednesday December 11, 2019 in the Elliot Hospital, Manchester, NH. He was born in Derry on January 24, 1940, a son of the late Wilfred and Evelyn (Scott) Patnaude. Scott served his country in the US Air Force from 1958  1962. He wa
A man accused of murdering a 37-year-old woman at a County Derry campsite has died in prison, the Irish News has reported.

53-year-old Thomas Davidson had been charged with the murder of 37-year-old Kathleen Brankin at a holiday resort in Myroe, near Magilligan in County Derry last month.

Davidson was on remand at Maghaberry prison after being arrested on suspicion of Ms Brankins murder after the young mother was found dead on decking at Swanns Bridge camp site.

After being arrested at the scene, the Newtownabbey man appeared via video link at Ballymena Magistrates Court three days later charged with murder.

No further details have been released, but the death is not thought to be Covid-related.

His next of kin have been informed. As with standard procedure, the PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have launched investigations into the death," said a Department of Justice spokesperson.

Ronnie Armour, Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, offered the family his sympathies.

I would like to extend my sympathy, and that of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, to the family of the prisoner. My thoughts are with them at this difficult time, he said.
Kriti Sanon celebrates a month since Mimi's release, says 'Thank you for all the love, appreciation and validation'

Kriti Sanon broke the conventional mould and fearlessly took on the role of a surrogate mother this early in her career with Mimi. The film proved to be a turning point for the actress and catapulted her overnight to the top league of female Bollywood stars.

Headlined by Kriti Sanon, Mimi went on to become the highest-rated, female-centric film of this year on IMDB with an outstanding 8.1 rating. Mimi was also unanimously rated the best film of the year and the most popular film on the OTT platform.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon)

Kriti Sanon walked away with rave reviews for her nuanced and effortless performance in the film with critics touting this one as her careers finest. As Mimi celebrates a month since its release today, the actress took to her social media platform to thank her fans and well-wishers who continue to shower the film with love and appreciation.

Said Kriti Sanon, It's been a month since Mimi released and the love is still pouring. Thank you for all the love, appreciation and validation that somewhere every actor craves for. I'm so overwhelmed and glad that the film got what it truly deserved.

Theres much more in store from the stunning star as she is part of some of the most anticipated films in the making including Bachchan Pandey, Bhediya,Hum Do Hamare Do, Ganpath the pan-Indian mega-canvas film Adipurush.
Ireland and France agree Joint Plan of Action to strengthen relations

Press release

Ireland and France have agreed a Joint Plan of Action (2021-2025) to strengthen and deepen relations between the two countries across a range of cultural, educational and political activities.

The plan was signed by Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney T.D. and Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs during the visit of President Macron to Ireland.

Minister Coveney said:

I am delighted to sign an ambitious Joint Plan of Action between our two countries which will strengthen practical cooperation across a range of sectors and bring tangible benefits for our businesses, cultural institutions, schools, higher education institutions and research institutes, as well as ordinary citizens.

This plan signals the ever stronger bilateral relations between Ireland and France. Such closer cooperation and collaboration was precisely my intention when I launched the Governments Strategy for developing our relations with France in August 2019.

The Joint Action Plan represents an ambitious agenda that reflects Ireland and Frances shared priorities: supporting sustainability; increasing trade connectivity; fostering the digital economy; strengthening education and research links; promoting the French language; and fostering cultural cooperation.

The commitments made in the Joint Plan of Action include:

Expanding Irelands diplomatic footprint in France to support trade and business relationships, opening a new Consulate General in Lyon and appointing a new Honorary Consul in Roscoff to support partnerships in Brittany.

A number of ambitious projects in the areas of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture and fisheries.

The two Governments reiterating their strong support for the flagship Celtic Interconnector project which will provide the first direct electricity link between Ireland and the continent.

A number of projects which will support trade connectivity and promote trade and business partnerships between Ireland and France.

A particular focus on strengthening links between students, faculty and researchers in educational institutions including strengthening cooperation in higher education, further education, training and research.

A number of projects to promote the learning of French at secondary level in Ireland, in particular through the language assistants scheme and supporting the development of the French language for the potential introduction of foreign languages at primary level.

Working jointly to facilitate the placement of students from Northern Ireland in French higher education institutes.

Jointly promoting cultural exchanges, including by creating several new cultural fellowships and residency programmes between Irish and French institutions and jointly celebrating in 2022 the centenary of the publication of Ulysses as a pivotal moment in Irish, French and European modernism.

In advance of signing the Joint Plan of Action, Minister Coveney and Minister Le Drian also attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between 7 Universities (3 Irish (NUIG, UL and UCC) and 4 Universities in Brittany, a project also included in the Joint Plan.

The full report can be found here: Ireland France Joint Plan of Action 2021-2025

ENDS

Press Office

30 August 2021

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Realme GT Neo2 is rumoured to launch soon and is the successor to the Realme GT Neo which launched earlier this year in China. Realme Vice President of China division suggested in a post on Weibo that the company is already working on the GT Neo2. Today, Digit in an exclusive collaboration with popular tipster OnLeaks brings you the design renders and the key specifications of the Realme GT Neo2.



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The Realme GT series was recently launched in India with the Realme GT 5G which is the companys flagship phone in the country right now. While the Realme GT Master Edition is aimed at the slightly affordable mid-range segment.

How about beginning that new week with another sweet leak?!...



Well, here comes your very first look at the #RealmeGTNeo2 by the way of the usual 360 video and stunning 6K (!!!) renders, as well as its full spec sheet!



On behalf of @digitindia -> https://t.co/zixjgqURlo pic.twitter.com/zNEIscui4K  Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) August 30, 2021

Before we go ahead, please note that the design renders of the GT Neo2 and the specifications you see here are based on a pre-production prototype unit. The Realme GT Neo2 looks to be the successor to the GT Neo that had MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chip, AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and more. Heres your first look at the Realme GT Neo2 in all its glory.



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Realme GT Neo2 leaked design renders



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The Realme GT Neo2 looks like a premium phone in the Realme GT series. It has curved edges on the back and a vertical camera housing. The GT Neo2 also looks slim and lightweight though we dont have the exact measurement details yet.



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The camera module on the back houses three cameras along with a dual-LED flash. On the front, we get a large display with minimal bezels and a punch-hole notch cutout for the selfie camera.



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There is a Type-C port along with the SIM tray slot and a speaker grille at the bottom. The volume control buttons are on the left edge while the power button is on the right side.



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Realme GT Neo2 leaked specifications



click here to view hi-res image

Based on the specifications of the prototype unit, the Realme GT Neo2 is set to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset. It features a 6.62-inch Full HD+ display that offers upto a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen also has a punch-hole notch cutout for the 16MP selfie camera and is home to an in-screen fingerprint reader.



click here to view hi-res image

The GT Neo2 is expected to be offered with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage and will likely run on the latest version of Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11.



click here to view hi-res image

The GT Neo2 has a 64MP primary camera followed by an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro camera. These could be the same camera sensors as we have seen on the Realme GT.



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The Realme GT Neo2 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery that will likely support fast charging out-of-the-box.
Two recent lawsuits against Google's App Store have brought information to light regarding the company, its success, and future endeavors.Google is swimming neck deep in quite a few lawsuits. While lawsuits are commonplace for nearly every major corporation, they don't always loom so large. A total of 37 states in the US are suing the company over antitrust violations. The government of Australia has threatened legal action over a lack of supporting local journalists. Epic Games recently started a legal battle with the company. And finally, consumers have launched an unsealed lawsuit over the cut that Google takes from applications on its store. Now, this is far too much to take in at once, so we'll take a look at the first and last lawsuits.The reason we're paying attention to these lawsuits is because they're identical, if not the same, in nature. As it so happens, Google has a monopoly over app markets in Android devices. Considering the popularity of said devices, this is no small feat. While Google has repeatedly stressed that other options are available to the general public, most of them prove limited, impractical, or even banned in certain regions. The Google Play Store is Android's definitive stop for applications. And while the company doesn't make a habit of posting its sales figures online with a lot of pomp and grandeur, certain numbers have been un-redacted for the lawsuit.Google apparently earned a whopping USD $11.2 billion in the year 2019, solely generated via Play Store revenue. Other than this, Google's income came from two sources: first being, gross income, with the second being operating costs. The former generated USD $8.5 billion, with the latter stands in at USD $7 billion. All of this accumulates to an operating margin of 62%. Now, with such an obscene amount of money being generated with just a functional app store, users began to take note of certain factors that Google was not being upfront about.Apple's App Store takes 30% of an app's generated revenue. This is not something the company shies away from, despite receiving criticism for it. What would, however, be worse is if this were not made crystal clear from the get go. It seems that Google, by retracting their earnings and revenue, have tried to ensure the opposite of crystal clear. Another concern of these lawsuits is that Google is actively engaging in anti-competitive action, in order to maintain its monopoly. Information by both lawsuits has been unearthed, revealing that Google has actively offered the likes of Netflix and Riot Games incentives, along with certain restrictions, to make sure they never leave the Play Store. Such monopolization unabashedly goes against the concept of a free market.Whatever the results of these lawsuits may be, one thing is clear: no company needs the insane amount of money that Google is generating. By reducing their cut of the earned profits, the company could cut developers indie and otherwise across the board some slack, while losing a bare minimum of their profit. Information uncovered by the lawsuits has also revealed that Google only needs 6% of all app revenue in order to break even. 30%, along with incentives to monopolized the market, is overkill.Photo: Charles Platiau / ReutersH/T: TV Read next: Here's how much Google is paying to become Apples default search engine
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By KEITH RIDLER

Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho  An environmental group that wants to end public-land grazing has outbid a rancher in central Idaho for a grazing lease on state land that includes habitat for bull trout and steelhead.

Western Watersheds Project's bid of $8,200 last week won the 20-year grazing lease on 620 acres in central Idaho's Sawtooth Valley in Custer County.





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BETHEL, Maine (AP)  A Maine museum will play host to a chunk of rock it said is the largest intact Mars rock on Earth.

The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum said the specimen weighs 32 pounds and is about 10 inches at its longest point. The museum said the rock was the result of an asteroid impact on the surface of Mars that ejected material into an Earth-crossing orbit in space.





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SEATTLE  A warehouse at 3667 First Ave. S. sold for a little over $3.9 million, according to King County records.

The seller was JEP REIT LLC, which acquired the property in 2010 for over $1.4 million.





. . .
Claremont, NH (03743)

Today

A shower is possible early. Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 71F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 52F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Kelsey Powers places thirteen candles at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Boston. The candles are in memory of the U.S. service members killed in a suicide bombing at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, including Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo from Lawrence, Mass.
North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

A shower or two possible early with partly cloudy skies in the afternoon. High 71F. Winds NNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low around 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Lawrence - Maureen T. (Readon) Reynolds, 91 years young of Milton, formerly Harwichport and Lawrence, passed peacefully August 29, 2021, just 61 days after her beloved Jimmy. Maureen was born to the late Joseph J. and Gertrude (Slater) Reardon Sr. Predeceased by her siblings Joseph Jr. and M
North Andover, MA (01845)

Today

Showers in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 71F. Winds N at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 56F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Angie Smith of Portales addresses the Floyd school board Monday night. The board declined to rescind its July 26 decision to make COVID-19 protocols like face coverings and social distancing mandatory. The crowd encourage the board to continue its state.

FLOYD  The Floyd School Board didn't change its mind about implementing state-mandated COVID-19 mandates Monday night, and it doesn't plan on going anywhere after declining to follow them.

With an audience encouraging them to hold firm, board members declined to reverse their July 26 votes to make face coverings, social distancing and other COVID protocols optional at Floyd Municipal Schools.

Instead, the board unanimously voted to place Superintendent Damon Terry on paid administrative leave pending further legal advice and send a letter to the Public Education Department arguing it had no right to remove board members, as threatened by the department last week.

I believe tonight is a victory for the state of New Mexico, Board President Leon Nall told The News following the meeting, which included a 30-minute public comment period and an hour-long executive session to discuss the matter with counsel. He added the board's purpose is to support education for the district's students.

Nall did not elaborate on the reasons for placing Terry on leave, but said there was no disagreement between Terry and the board. When asked if the board put Terry on leave to protect him, Nall said yes.

Nall declined to identify the board's counsel, but other board members confirmed counsel was recently retained for the issues at hand.

Under Section 22-2-14 of New Mexico state statutes, provided by the board prior to the meeting, the PED shall give written notification to a local school board, local superintendent and school principal, as applicable, of any failure to meet requirements by any part of the school district under control of the local school board.

The board has 30 days from receipt of the written notice to comply with the requirements. Education Secretary Ryan Stewart sent that notice July 27.

Should the board fail to comply by Aug. 26, the statute allows the secretary, after consulting with the Public Education Commission, to suspend the board's authority and responsibility and have the PED act in lieu of the board. That process requires a public hearing at least five days prior to the final decision, and the board has the opportunity to appeal in district court. That process would fall to Kurt Steinhaus, who will take over as secretary Aug. 20. Current Secretary Ryan Stewart announced Thursday he planned to leave the post due to family health matters.

The PED provided the following statement from Stewart Tuesday afternoon in response to the meeting: "The Public Education Department leaders respect our school board members and the critical role they play. We sincerely believe they want the best for their students. In this instance, the state cannot permit a local board to knowingly put students, staff, and families in danger by ignoring scientific and medical guidelines designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 which has already claimed the lives of over 4,000 New Mexicans. It is not our wish to be combative or punitive in this process. We must take all actions necessary to ensure that the proper safety measures are in place to stop school-based spread of the virus."

About 100 audience members from Floyd and elsewhere encouraged board members to stand up against the PED, with many disputing the effectiveness of masks and recounting the emotional toll pandemic restrictions have caused to students, families and staff. Fewer than a dozen of those in attendance were wearing masks.

I retired last year because of this, said Donna Tivis, a former teacher with the district. You're losing teachers. You're losing students to Texas. I love this state, but I don't love what's going on.

Angie Smith of Portales likened the battle to David and Goliath, noting that David wins; David always wins.

Former Floyd Superintendent Paul Benoit said it would be important that Floyd did not stand alone on the matter, and other audience members encouraged the crowd to call the other 88 New Mexico school boards and encourage the same actions.

I hope you stick to your decision, said Josh Parkin of Clovis, who has been an outspoken critic of PED actions at Clovis Municipal Schools board meetings. I hope that other schools notice and follow suit.

Portales teacher Wade Fraze said he didn't plan to speak at the meeting, but said many educators are afraid to speak out under fear of retribution from the PED and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

You shouldn't be afraid of the Public Education Department, Fraze said.

More than a dozen spoke at the meeting, all of them in support of the board's July 26 decisions.

Hold firm; we've got this, said Adam Burns. They can't get rid of all of us.
HEMP  Cannabis sativa  has been cultivated for use as food, feed, clothing, and building in Ireland for at least 1,000 years, yet discussions are only recently reigniting for it as an incredibly useful crop that can grow well in Ireland, particularly the temperate south.

During World War I, West Cork had a thriving hemp growing industry. It was short- lived, the market collapsed after the war ended with many stocks left unsaleable.

Hemp growing was reconsidered for the region in a 1963 report, West Cork Resource Survey, as the best climatic area of Ireland to successfully grow crops, but the idea didnt take off and instead hemp was imported from elsewhere.

In the past decade, interest in hemp as a commercial crop is on the rise again; and as it is a plant where every part of it can be transformed into something useful, it is fast gaining traction as the ultimate zero-waste crop.

Studies by Teagasc have also shown that planting other grains, such as barley, as a follow-on crop after a hemp harvest can increase yield by as much as 30%, due to the ability of hemp to clean up the soil of toxins, a process known as bioremediation.

Studies by Teagasc have also shown that planting other grains, such as barley, as a follow-on crop after a hemp harvest can increase yield by as much as 30%, due to the ability of hemp to clean up the soil of toxins, a process known as bioremediation.

And because hemp seed is sown thickly, and growth is speedy, producing thick canopy cover, it does not require the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides as it can out-pace weed growth.

Although it is a crop that is well suited to the Irish climate, growing hemp is still a tricky business.

To grow it legally requires a licence from the Health Products Regulatory Authority of Ireland (HPRA).

It is a thirsty seed and must be planted in moist soil, and needs a lot of rainfall almost immediately after planting. It is not frost-tolerant, and to avoid use of fertilisers and pesticides, seed must be sown more thickly than other similar crops. Yet hemp seed is more than three times the price of barley: 160 per acre versus 40 for barley.

Seed is proprietary also, meaning seeds cannot be collected for replanting from an existing crop, instead new seed must be purchased every year.

Seed ripens at different rates and harvesting equipment must be modified.

However, despite these challenges, the fact that 100% of the crop can be utilised can offset the financial challenges of growing hemp.

As an excellent plant for crop rotation, for its positive effect on the soil, and its lack of dependency on chemical inputs, hemp growing has some impressive bonus credentials.

Cian Walsh, a student at St Brogans College, Bandon.

Cian Walsh, a student at St Brogans College, Bandon, received an award from Teagasc at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition for his research entitled Hemp for a Sustainable Future. Walsh found that clarity around what hemp is, how it can be grown, and what it can be used for, changed attitudes in a positive way, with a reduction in belief that growing hemp was illegal or only grown indoors, and an increased interest in growing if there were more processing facilities close to the farm, or if more farmers began growing hemp.

Teagascs recognition of the findings of his research aligns with their own strategy for encouraging more hemp farming in Ireland, as well as researching ways in which hemp can be used, potentially creating a new indigenous farm-to-fork stream of agriculture in Ireland.

At this point, you may still be unsure about what the difference is between hemp and marijuana? First thing to know is that they are different plants: hemp is not marijuana! However, hemp is regulated as a controlled drug as part of the Misuse of Drugs Act  which is why farmers need a licence to grow it.

Both hemp and marijuana produce two compounds: non-psychoactive Cannabidiol, or CBD, and psychoactive Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The difference is in the levels of THC produced by each plant. Hemp produces low THC concentrates (typically 0.3%, although current regulations require food products derived from Hemp to have <0.2%), while Marijuana produces between 5-35% THC.

This difference in psychoactive potency of THC is why Hemp/CBD is regulated, while Marijuana/THD is illegal.

Whereas, historically, Ireland has a recorded history of growing hemp for us as a high-protein animal feed, for the textile industry, and even construction, there is less tradition in growing hemp as food for humans, and even less still for extracting oils from the seed.

Because of this, hemp and hemp products straddle the boundary of whether some hemp-derived products are considered a Novel Food under European food regulations.

A novel food is one that has no history of consumption in the EU. Seeds, seed oil, hemp seed flour, and defatted hemp seed are not considered novel foods. But seed oil extraction methods that use solvents, such as ethanol and carbon dioxide, are considered novel foods and not permitted for use or added to foods for consumption. However, seed oil extracted by cold pressing is permitted, and this is the process utilised by Cork-based Remedy Health.

Remedy Health established Irelands first state of the art hemp processing plant in Youghal, registered with HPRA and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. It produces an extensive range of different food-grade products that contain CBD extracted from hemp seed by cold pressing, a process that doesnt require chemicals.

Cold pressing utilises pressure to extract the oil and, in so doing, preserves all the natural nutritional goodness in the oil. Its a time- consuming method requiring 24 hours to process one tonne of seed. As the seed is milled, press heads separate oil from sediment, which forms into nuts of meal cake, which itself is broken down and used as CBD powder  a protein dense natural hemp seed powder sold as a food supplement: added to smoothies, sauces, mixes for baked goods, or seasoned as used as a coating on meat or veg. It contains high levels of vitamin E and B, as well as omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, is vegan friendly and gluten free too. The oil is also sold as a food supplement, and great if used as a salad oil for the basis of dressings and vinaigrettes.

Hemp growers and producers of food grade products must be cautious about making health claims about their products, no different to any other food produced and sold in the EU.

Some argue the inclusion of hemp, particularly CBD, under the Misuse of Drugs Act impedes development of the sector for growers and food producers  even research can be hard to fund because of popular misconceptions about hemp.

Notwithstanding regulations forbidding health claims on food, studies continue to show the benefits of hemp as food.

The possibilities seem endless for hemp cultivation. Picture: Stock

Chris Allen, Executive Director of Hemp Federation Ireland, founded at UCD in 2019, recently wrote: Hemp is the most complete plant-based protein known to man. It provides the same amount of high quality protein as an equal portion of red meat, it contains all essential amino acids plus omegas 3, 6, and 9, and almost every other essential nutrient required to support healthy human growth and development.

In addition, cannabinoids and terpenes, compounds naturally found in hemp, can support systemic health by how it interacts with the bodies Endocannabinoid System (ECS).

ECS regulates important functions in the body including central nervous system, gastric system, immune system, metabolism, and hormones.

The Hemp Federation of Ireland are particularly vocal on this, whereas the Hemp Co-Operative Ireland focus on the wider applications for hemp in Ireland as a way to increase awareness and understanding of it as a cash crop and product, for its versatility and environmental benefits.

Both organisations represent growers and producers in tackling the challenges facing Irelands hemp industry.

Despite the challenges, the industry is growing, and interest is awakening. Remedy Health in 2019 took the entire harvest from ten organic hemp farmers for use in producing their range of powders, oils, and balms, as well as growing seed on their own farm.

In 2019, Teagasc reported that 373 hectares were under hemp cultivation in Ireland with the most popular variety being Finola.

In Cork, production can be traced from supply through farm to fork. Fruithill Farms is a registered supplier of industrial hemp seed offering for sale eleven varieties, including Finola. Durahemp, a small organic hemp farm in West Cork, specialises in only growing hemp; and Cian Walshs award-winning project shows there is a growing interest for hemp production.

Bundles of hemp plants on a trailer.

Organic farmers and those looking for ways in which to reduce their carbon emissions and environmental footprint by inter-cropping are ideal candidates for getting on board with hemp production.

Producers such as Remedy Health and their seed oil processing facility in Youghal can turn an entire harvest into high-value products for food and wellbeing.

Other businesses that specialise in herbalism, such as April Danann in Caheragh, near Skibbereen, has developed a range of co-efficient herbal products with hemp CBD at their core, including a CBD infusion of her barrel-aged wild- fermented Apple Cider Vinegar, and a blended hemp, peppermint and nettle loose-leaf-style tea.

The possibilities seem endless for hemp cultivation, CBD oils and powder being just one of them. As an indigenous Irish food industry that is well suited for our climate, and well placed to aid in environmental mitigation and remediation, the potential is obvious.

Maybe its time the idea of a hemp revolution in Ireland became a reality.

For more information see

www.hempcooperativeireland.com

www.hempfederationireland.org

www.remedyhealth.ie

www.aprildanann.com

www.fruithillfarm.com
CORK charity Lisheens House has witnessed a rise in the number of young children seeking professional support for their mental health, with the charitys manager saying that a lot of problems are now coming home to roost following the pandemic.

Lisheens House is a community-based mental health charity that provides free counseling, training, and support services throughout Cork City and county.

Manager Mick Kearns said children as young as seven years of age are in distress and seeking professional help.

People as young as seven are in trouble and attending counselling sessions to deal with anxiety issues, said Mr Kearns.

People are saying the rug has been pulled out from under them. The restrictions went over our heads I suppose and we never thought of the younger people. It is now starting to manifest itself in their behaviour, he said.

Mr Kearns said it was evident that Covid-19 had left a mark on children struggling to cope with the fallout from the pandemic.

Covid has been a huge factor and it has definitely left a mark, he said.

People had a lot of time on their hands. Everyones life has been turned upside down. Schools being closed and not seeing their friends has had an impact. It is coming home to roost now.

'People are struggling to cope'

It is not just young people which the charity is seeing, with Mr Kearns saying that they are supporting people of all ages.

People are struggling to cope across the board. We are seeing teenagers, both boys, and girls. Prior to Covid, we had seen an increase in teenagers, and drug use would be prevalent. We knew it was going in that direction. This combined with Covid has accelerated the numbers coming to us. It is frightening. Not so long ago there was an age of innocence between childhood and growing into young adults. That seems to be gone now with social media, he added.

The manager of Lisheens House said the only positive aspect is that distressed people are reaching out to them for their expertise.

Previously we had one paid therapist who we used intermittently, now we have three paid therapists. The only good thing is that people are reaching out and they are not afraid to contact us. We can provide a sounding board and hopefully provide a solution to most problems. If a child is affected the whole house is likely to be affected. We are there to support the child, the parents, and the siblings.

New building

Lisheens House recently purchased a building in Skibbereen which they plan to dedicate to child and adolescent services.

Mr Kearns paid tribute to the local community for their support.

We dont get government grants. We sell donated furniture. We have a shop in Clonakilty and Skibbereen. We also sell online. The support from the local community has been brilliant. We have seen the need and the demand to open a dedicated child and adolescent service centre. It will be a permanent base and it is ideal. Our new building will also help to raise awareness.
ABOUT 15 years ago, I spoke at an international policing conference in Barcelona on the subject of community engagement.

I described the systems we had in place Ireland back then that allowed the police, the local authority and the community to work together to solve local issues. I had an attentive audience.

When we broke for coffee, I was surrounded by curious and envious police officers who wanted to know more because this was an alien concept to them. Looking at the fractious relationships that exist between the community and the police in some jurisdictions, that envy was understandable.

Much has changed in An Garda Siochana since then though, and Im not so sure we would get such favourable reviews today.

Our style of policing was unique in the relationship it had with the community. It was a natural style of engagement that occurred in every town and village in the country.

Change is in the air though, and with the Force currently being led by senior officers recruited from the PSNI and other police forces, thats not surprising.

The PSNI have a different style of policing, which is understandable given the nature of their environment and the issues they deal with, but I dont want us following their path. Or any other path for that matter.

The Commissioner will soon be treated more like the CEO of a company and the functions of the Garda Inspectorate and the Policing Authority will join forces to become a new Policing and Community Safety Authority.

An Independent Examiner of Security Legislation, will be established to have oversight of national security, while the finances of GSOC will also be separated further from An Garda Siochana to give it more independence.

It will assess and oversee the performance of the Gardai and will have the power to conduct unannounced inspections of Garda stations.

The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill is described as the biggest reform of policing in a generation, but while reform and oversight is essential, we dont want a police force that is removed from engaging with the public and buried in administration either.

I heard a priest talking about the number of his colleagues leaving the ministry because of the pressure they are under. The increased burden of administration was one of the main factors and, while they are all getting older, their workload is growing.

Because of the shortage of priests, some parishes are being combined, which is doubling the workload for the remaining priests, with all the associated administration that goes with it.

The priest said theyre getting less time to do what they should be doing, working among the community, and instead, theyre getting bogged down in paperwork, balancing books, keeping records and filling forms.

They feel theyre losing touch with the people, and I fear An Garda Siochana could be heading the same way.

In my time, most of us entering the Garda Training College in Templemore had preconceived notions of what the daily routine of a member of An Garda Siochana was like, based on the experiences we had from observing our local gardai at home.

We saw them patrolling the streets on foot, driving patrol cars, dealing with the bad guys, and keeping the community safe. As members of the public, we didnt get to see the work that went on behind the scenes, which was probably just as well, or we may have been turned off the idea.

Arriving in my first station in 1980, I soon appreciated the enormous amount of paperwork involved in policing. Reports, statements, record keeping, logs, returns, and creating summonses were all part and parcel of a tour of duty. There was paper flying everywhere, and it was usually in duplicate or triplicate, but the focus remained on being out and about dealing with the public.

As technology improved over the years, the demand for paper increased. We thought the introduction of PULSE, the garda computer system, would revolutionise the way the Force kept records and would reduce paperwork to allow gardai to spend more time out on the street. It didnt quite work out that way.

The computer records were backed up with hard copies which meant there was more paper in circulation than ever before. Additional records were required and, as we have seen in the past, they werent always accurate either, despite the technology. Change doesnt guarantee improvement.

Policing was simpler in 1980, even though we didnt have much.

We wore bulls wool uniforms that itched in the heat of summer and weighed a ton when they got wet in the winter, and the raincoats didnt keep out the rain. In fact, they made you sweat so much that you got drenched even when it wasnt raining.

We got on with it though and the backbone of the job was patrolling the streets and talking to people.

Getting to know the community was vital because you couldnt solve anything without their help and their local knowledge. It was an uncomplicated, but effective, style of community policing.

That simplicity was diluted when management decided the organisation would function better using a business model. Business jargon entered the garda vernacular and policing plans were introduced in the noughties, but they didnt always make sense, especially from a community policing perspective.

Reforming and modernising An Garda Siochana is all very well and it is an organisation thats far from perfect.

The vast majority of gardai are decent, well-motivated people who appreciate the fact that the most important weapon in the garda arsenal is the relationship they have with the community.

That is our uniqueness and the only way to develop that is to be out and about, talking to the people, like we did in the old days.

But I dont see much of that now.
JENNY Horgan, a secondary school teacher and author of The Secret Teacher column in the Irish Examiner, has published a book calling for change in the Irish education system.

This mother-of-three primary school-going children talks about the brute force of the secondary school system in the new book, O Captain, My Captain.

She objects to forcing students to study a range of subjects despite the difficulties or issues they might be having.

Jenny believes that the Leaving Certificate needs to change.

I think we should be giving students more choice at senior level. I dont really believe in compulsory subjects. Its important to remember that for 12 years, we give students exposure across the subjects. Im not talking about dumbing down. Im talking about diversification, giving students exposure through top quality teaching but allowing them to choose what they want to study for the last two years.

She added that there are too many people going to university in this country. Globally, we have among the highest rate of students going to university and we have the lowest rate of people doing apprenticeships. So you have a lot of students who dont feel valued. We are wasting so much talent.

Yet we know that in the normal run of things, you need different types of people. Someone who can understand a plumbing system is equally as impressive as someone who understands brain surgery. We need all of these people to be valued. At the moment, I see a lot of students switching off and wanting to leave the system.

Jenny, who teaches at Educate Together Cork Secondary School, says that, in general, she doesnt like the atmosphere in secondary schools in Ireland.

It doesnt feel very exciting or innovative. It doesnt feel very collaborative. I think theres a lot of resentment (towards teachers), a lot of bad feeling.

Respect is a fundamental basic of education; respect between teachers, parents and students. I think our system is letting everyone down. I dont blame anyone for it. I just think we need to change.

We need the Department of Education to have more of a sense of what is going on in classrooms and the difficulties students are having, particularly with the system as it stands.

Originally, Jenny wanted a career as a writer. With a masters degree in English, she started to write for The Echo but said she wasnt really confident enough to put herself forward.

I dont want to suggest that teaching was a fallback. But if Im honest, I didnt come out of college dying to be a teacher.

I spent a year working in a school with autistic children before I went into mainstream education. I think that was really good for me. I knew I enjoyed working with young people. With my background in English, teaching seemed like the logical thing to do.

A past pupil of Scoil Mhuire in Cork, Jenny said she had great experiences of teachers, both inside and outside school.

I was always encouraged in my writing, she adds.

Jenny has had creative writing published in a number of journals.

She has been teaching for 15 years, mostly abroad. When she came back to Ireland, Educate Together Cork Secondary School was the first school that she felt drawn to here.

I felt I was on the same wave- length as the principal. The school is a really good fit for me in terms of my thinking around education. I like that the school is mixed and multi-denominational.

When Jenny, her primary school teacher husband and children moved back here, she was disappointed that her son, Sam, (now aged almost 11) was relegated to the back of the classroom during preparation for First Communion.

He really didnt want to make First Communion. He didnt have much exposure to Catholicism. He had a really tough year, starting to slump when walking, and he lost his confidence. It struck me as a significant problem. Children (not partaking in religion classes) are just left to sit in the classroom with no provision for them.

Jenny finds this strange, considering there has obviously been a change in peoples beliefs.

According to the Census, we have a much lower percentage of people identifying as Catholics so it seems odd that our education system is maintaining Catholicisms centrality in primary education in particular.

However, Jenny says she is at pains in her book to explain that shes not anti-Catholic and not anti-religion.

I actually have a huge respect for it. Religion holds great meaning for people and I absolutely believe in peoples right to explore and live their religion. But I dont think it needs to come into the classroom (in the traditional way.) I think the classroom would be enriched if we allowed for open dialogue where kids from all different faiths talk about what they believe in. One of the things I love doing in my ethics class is getting the students to talk about their beliefs in their systems. You can see so many connections.

Having taught abroad, Jenny experienced a certain drop in respect when she returned to the Irish education system.

A lot of people are supportive and, at primary level, its quite positive for teachers. But in secondary schools, teachers are sometimes seen as the enemy. Theres the rhetoric about the holidays being too long and teachers being lazy. From writing my column, the more negative comments are louder. Theyre in the minority but theyre having an impact on the profession and on teachers wellbeing.

Acknowledging that teachers holidays are long, Jenny believes secondary schools could do with shorter holidays.

We could do with more time to collaborate more during the year and work at a slower pace.

Jenny is keen that parents become more involved in their childrens education.

She points out that secondary school teachers, relative to teachers abroad, have very high contact hours teaching students.

That is something that isnt really appreciated. On average, we have five hours contact time daily. if you think of that in terms of say office presentation, a whole lot of preparation also has to be done. Also, its really draining to perform for five hours a day. Most teachers feel burnt out at the end of the school year.

While Jenny feels there is an appetite for change in the education system, she is critical of the unions.

There are really exciting ideas about having 40% of marks coming from continuous assessment. They get blocked by the unions who say they dont want teachers to become assessors. They want them to be allies. I just think that is really short- sighted in terms of understanding the teachers role. Im perfectly capable and happy to assess my students. I think I know them better than anyone as an assessor.

The conversation around teaching needs to be really broad so that we get everyone involved. Thats why I wrote the book. As a parent myself, its hugely important to me how my kids get on and how they experience secondary school.

O Captain, My Captain is published by Orpen Press.
Space scientists and researchers have found that humans should be able to safely travel to and from Mars, provided that the spacecraft has sufficient shielding and the round trip is shorter than approximately four years.

The findings of the study were published in the journal 'Space Weather'. Sending human travellers to Mars would require scientists and engineers to overcome a range of technological and safety obstacles. One of them is the grave risk posed by particle radiation from the sun, distant stars and galaxies. Answering two key questions would go a long way toward overcoming that hurdle --Would particle radiation pose too grave a threat to human life throughout a round trip to the red planet? And, could the very timing of a mission to Mars help shield astronauts and the spacecraft from the radiation?

An international team of space scientists, including researchers from UCLA, answers those two questions with a 'no' and a 'yes'. That is, humans should be able to safely travel to and from Mars, provided that the spacecraft has sufficient shielding and the round trip is shorter than approximately four years. And the timing of a human mission to Mars would indeed make a difference. The scientists determined that the best time for a flight to leave Earth would be when solar activity is at its peak, known as the solar maximum.

The scientists' calculations demonstrate that it would be possible to shield a Mars-bound spacecraft from energetic particles from the sun because, during solar maximum, the most dangerous and energetic particles from distant galaxies are deflected by the enhanced solar activity. A trip of that length would be conceivable. The average flight to Mars takes about nine months, so depending on the timing of launch and available fuel, it is plausible that a human mission could reach the planet and return to Earth in less than two years, according to Yuri Shprits, a UCLA research geophysicist and co-author of the paper. "This study shows that while space radiation imposes strict limitations on how heavy the spacecraft can be and the time of launch, and it presents technological difficulties for human missions to Mars, such a mission is viable," said Shprits, who also is head of space physics and space weather at GFZ Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany. The researchers recommend a mission not longer than four years because a longer journey would expose astronauts to a dangerously high amount of radiation during the round trip even assuming they went when it was relatively safer than at other times.

They also reported that the main danger to such a flight would be particles from outside of our solar system. Shprits and colleagues from UCLA, MIT, Moscow's Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology and GFZ Potsdam combined geophysical models of particle radiation for a solar cycle with models for how radiation would affect both human passengers including its varying effects on different bodily organs and a spacecraft. The modelling determined that having a spacecraft's shell built out of a relatively thick material could help protect astronauts from radiation, but that if the shielding is too thick, it could actually increase the amount of secondary radiation to which they are exposed. The two main types of hazardous radiation in space are solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays; the intensity of each depends on solar activity. Galactic cosmic ray activity is lowest within the six to 12 months after the peak of solar activity, while solar energetic particles' intensity is greatest during solar maximum, Shprits conclude
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Mike Evans, lead volunteer with the McHenry County Conservation District, demonstrates how volunteers take water samples from the woodchip bioreactor. The samples are then frozen until they can be delivered to the lab in Champaign for testing. Evans took part in an event recently in Woodstock that was part of Illinois Farm Bureaus Nutrient Stewardship Field Days.
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China has announced a further crackdown on the amount of time children can play online video games, with the new limit set to just three hours per week. Bloomberg, reporting from local news sources, says that platforms like Tencent can now offer gaming to kids between the hours of 8-9pm on Friday, weekends and public holidays.

Its a significant and notable reduction from the previous rule, which had been generally capped at 1.5 hours per day in 2019. Earlier this month, Tencent was forced to cut the amount of time minors could play the smash hit mobile title Honor of Kings to just an hour on weeknights and two hours on the weekend. The added restriction is likely to impact the share price of companies in this space, which has seen recent instability.

Historically, China has always had an aversion to video games, albeit with more nuance than most people believe. The country has, however, amplified anti-game rhetoric in recent years, and on August 3rd, a key state-owned news outlet described video games as spiritual opium. The piece, as reported by The New York Times, went on to outline all of the ways in which gaming could harm Chinese kids.

As well as the time limit for online gaming (and weve asked our colleagues to clarify if any of this can also apply to offline and console gaming), authorities want all titles hooked up to some form of anti-addiction system. Other new rules include companies keeping (real) name data for all users, more reporting on the use of in-game transactions, and more regulatory scrutiny more generally.

Its not clear how much of an impact this will have in the real-world since Tencent says minors make up a very small part of its overall business. But given the countrys continued assault on various parts of the tech industry, its likely that there will be more hoops for businesses to jump through in future. A week ago, meanwhile, South Korea declared that it would ditch its infamous "Cinderella Law," banning video gamers from playing between midnight and 6am, saying that it is respecting children's rights.
Late Sunday evening, half of New York Citys subway system shut down for five hours due to a power surge, stranding hundreds of passengers in the process. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called it an unprecedented system breakdown of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The Washington Post reports that the problems began when a power line went down. This triggered a voltage dip across the city, and two power plants and generators also went offline, forcing backup systems to come online. When trying to restore service, a power surge occurred. When this happened, the subway command center lost communications with 83 trains. The public address system also went down. Five trains with more than 550 people were stranded.

Part of the problem was the passengers themselves. While emergency personnel did evacuate as many people as they could, riders on two trains decided to leave cars on their own, a very dangerous act because tracks could be re-energized if a train was coming. Firefighters had to search the tracks to make sure there were no more remaining passengers before the subway could fully restore power.

After a phased rolling restoration, the system was finally back online at 1:30AM Monday morning.

Hochul has since ordered a deeper investigation into what exactly caused the surge as well as the other problems. So far, investigators have said there is no suspicion of terrorism or malicious actions.
Enid, OK (73701)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. Hot. High 99F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 75F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
The Services celebrating Lucky Andrike, 71, of Enid, will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 9, 2021, in the Marshallese First Assembly of God under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared online at www.Brown-Cummings.com.
Ron Bushy, the drummer of the rock band Iron Butterfly, has died. He was 79.

Bushy's family and band confirmed the death of the musician, saying that he died after his recent admission at a local hospital.

According to Iron Butterfly, the drummer passed away "peacefully" at UCLA Santa Monica Hospital on August 9. His wife, Nancy, and their three daughters were reportedly with him during his final moments.

The band also referred to him as a real fighter but refused to reveal more details about Ron Bushy's cause of death.

However, Daily Mail noted that Bushy had been suffering from some kind of cancer, while Mirror UK confirmed that it was esophageal cancer that caused his health to deteriorate.

Per the National Cancer Institute, people who are into smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and have Barrett's esophagus can develop this type of malignant cancer.

Following his death, their longtime fans left heartfelt messages to honor his decades' worth of legacy as a musician.

One fan shared the news alongside the caption, "RIP Ron Bushy. literally one of my favorite psych-rock drummers ever."

"RIP Ron Bushy, as iconic a drummer as there ever was. We have lost another legend," David Alridge, the author of "The Elements of Rhythm," penned.

Ron Bushy's Journey in Music Industry

Bushy's journey with Iron Butterfly began in the 1960s. He replaced the band's original drummer, Robert Morse, who left due to a family emergency.

He was the only original member to appear on the band's six albums - from "Heavy" in 1968 to "Sun and Steel" in 1975. Throughout their career, the band faced multiple breakups. Initially, Iron Butterfly disbanded in 1971 before coming back in 1974.

The band then broke up again in 1985 before returning in 1987. In 2012, it stepped down from the spotlight again before going back in 2015 and remained active since then.

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Despite the rollercoaster ride, Bushy became one of the consistent members of the band. They famously created a 17-minute song, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida."

Before his death, he was still able to appear in an interview with Vinyl Writer this year and detailed how they the legendary song in Hempstead.

"We set up our equipment and Don says, 'Guys, why don't you just start playing and let me get some mic levels.' We decided let's do 'Vida'... we played the entire song without stopping. To make a long story short, when we finished, he said, 'Guys, come into the control room.' We listened to it and were blown away," he went on.

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Jake Gyllenhaal gets involved in a terrifying 911 call for the crime-thriller movie "The Guilty."

Gyllenhaal prepares to make his fans' hairs rise again by showing the dark story of his upcoming flick, "The Guilty."

On Netflix's official YouTube channel, it dropped the 47-second trailer of "The Guilty" featuring Gyllenhaal as the lead star.

Despite a short sneak peek, the trailer surely made everyone turn on their lights out of fright.

"911, what is the address of your emergency," the agent asks, to which a seemingly frightened girl replies, "I don't know."

A man then interferes and asks the girl to give him the phone. She confirms that someone is with him in the back of a van after being abducted.

The line then gets cut with the text continuously appearing on the screen until it creates an image of Gyllenhaal.

At the end of the video, the words "Listen Carefully" transition and become more noticeable.

Although the trailer only features people's voices, fans immediately praised Gyllenhaal and wished for the remake to be an incredible one.



One fan left a comment on the trailer and said, "There is something so mesmerizing about Jake's voice. His deep voice and dialogues makes his movies great."

"I see Jake Gyllenhaal, I click. Not because of his looks. I don't think he's ever chosen a bad script, at least I haven't seen him not be great. This looks very promising," another wrote.

Meanwhile, most fans also reminisced about how the original Danish movie stirred their curiosity.

The Guilty: Story Behind the Collaboration

The release of the trailer marks the second time Gyllenhaal and Fuqua worked for a collaboration. Previously, they worked together on the 2015 film "Southpaw," where he played the role of Billy "The Great" Hope.

This time, the actor also works as the co-producer of the upcoming film, with Moller as the executive producer.

READ ALSO: Aaron Rodgers FURIOUS Over' Jeopardy!' Snub, Plans to Boycott Show?

Meanwhile, the "Spider-Man: Far From Home" star acts with Ethan Hawke, Riley Keough, Paul Dano, Peter Sarsgaard, Bill Burr, Edi Patterson, David Castaneda, Christina Vidal, and Beau Knapp, among others.

For Gyllenhaal's fans who want to see more of him, he also shares his talent for the upcoming biopic about the making of "The Godfather." He is also set to star with Yahya Abdul-Mateen III in "Ambulance" film by Michael Bay.

READ MORE: Is Betty White Still Alive? Actress Suffers From Death Hoax After Ed Asner's Death
Matthew Mindler has been found dead after going missing at his college, and his cause of death is yet to be revealed.

Mindler's body has been found days after he did not return to his room in Millersville University. The University president, Daniel A. Wubah, confirmed the tragic passing of the young child star and detailed how his body was discovered in a wooded area near their campus.

"This is a time of grief for the family, our campus and the community," Wubah wrote in on Twitter. "I ask that the campus community come together to support each other, and our students, during this difficult time."

Matthew Mindler Cause of Death

Since the report emerged, no official cause of death has been revealed. However, one Twitter user left a comment on the post and alleged that the 19-year-old committed suicide.

"He was there for 2 days and the rumor on campus is that his death may be self inflicted. So not sure how the college could identify a new freshman as possibly suicidal after a few days. It is awful any way you look at it but the college isn't to blame," the user explained.

This should be taken with a grain of salt, though, as the authorities have not released an official statement regarding Matthew Mindler's cause of death.

In addition, the university confirmed that the former "Our Idiot Brother" star's body had been sent to the Lancaster County Forensic Center "for further investigation."

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Mindler was attending the university as a first-year student. He was last seen walking out of his dorm on Tuesday evening. After two days, the university police filed a missing adult report as he failed to attend any of his classes from Wednesday to Thursday.

Following the missing person announcement, over 40 search and rescue team members tried to look for him. He also had not answered any calls since his disappearance.

The campus camera captured him for the last time walking toward Centennial Dr. parking lot at around 8:11 p.m. on Tuesday.

As of the writing, Mindler's family or a representative has not released an official statement regarding his passing.

Before his death, he played the role of the young Paul Rudd on "Our Idiot Brother" in 2011 and reappeared in more gigs, including 2013 "Frequency."

READ MORE: Aaron Rodgers FURIOUS Over 'Jeopardy!' Snub, Plans to Boycott Show?
SAVE THE DATE!

Dwindling resources together with rising energy costs and climate change are all challenges faced by the next generation of large-scale research infrastructures. Indeed, the enhanced performance of proposed new facilities often comes with anticipated increased power consumption. Sustainable developments at research infrastructures will rely on mid- and long-term strategies for reliable, affordable and carbon-neutral energy supplies.

The ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) is pleased to host the Sixth Workshop on Energy for Sustainable Science at Research Infrastructures on 17th and 18th March 2022 in Grenoble, France in collaboration with:

CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research)

ESS (European Spallation Source)

DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron)

PSI (Paul Scherrer Institut)

ERF (European Association of National Research Facilities)

The workshop is supported by I.FAST (Innovation Fostering in Accelerator Science and Technology)

ESSRI 2022 will bring together international sustainability experts, stakeholders and representatives from research facilities and future research infrastructure projects worldwide, with the purpose of identifying the challenges, best practices and policies to develop and implement sustainable solutions at research infrastructures. This includes the increase of energy efficiencies, energy system optimizations, storage and savings, implementation and management issues as well as the review of challenges represented by potential future technological solutions and the tools for effective collaboration.

The workshop series 'Energy for Sustainable Science at Research Infrastructures' is a biannual event organised by CERN, ERF and ESS in various locations. Exceptionally, the sixth edition of the series has been selected as one of the key events of 'Grenoble : European Green Capital 2022 to enhance Grenoble's engagement in sustainability.

The first ESSRI workshop was held at ESS, Sweden on 13-14 October 2011, the second at CERN, Switzerland on 23-25 October 2013, the third at DESY, Germany on 29-30 October 2015, the fourth at ELI-NP, Romania on 23-24 November 2017 and the fifth one at PSI, Switzerland on 28-29 November 2019.

Main themes

- Energy management at research infrastructures and resulting experience

- Sustainability of equipment, materials and resources

- Energy-efficient technologies

- Energy-efficient technology research

Registration

Further information on the Workshop and registration will be available on the ESSRI 2022 website from September 2021.

International Organising Committee

Carlo Bocchetta - ESS

Frederick Bordry - CERN

Serge Claudet - CERN

Andrew Harrison - ERF

Frank Lehner - DESY

Jean-Luc Revol - ESRF

Mike Seidel - PSI

Denise Voelker - DESY

Workshop Secretariat

essri2022-loc@esrf.fr
Former Indian diplomat, Kanwal Sibal has said that the US war over the Taliban in Afghanistan could only have been won if it had dealt with safe havens in Pakistan first.

In a conversation with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now, Sibal said that unless the United States deal with Pakistan, there is no way they could win this war with Afghanistan. According to him, he said that even the Soviets had told the US that unless they dealt with safe havens in Pakistan they could not win the war in Afghanistan in silo which they (US) did not want to do.

By handing over the country to the very groups they fought against for 18 years is totally against all principles and values the US has tried to spread internationally and part of their policies and inherent democratic human rights ideology and handed over the country to a group which doesnt at all share the of values of United States, said Sibal on Friday, during the webcast of Visionary Talk series held by the public policy and governance analysis platform.

Coming down on US action on withdrawal of troops from the war-torn nation Sibal said a terror group and been handed over power without going through a democratic and electoral process. They (US) has legitimized the group by talking directly to it.

The country has been handed over to a group which does not believe in gender equality and womens issues which are very powerful issues or human rights in general. It is a tragedy for the international community that the United States has chosen to hand over the country to the Taliban and it is going to have serious repercussions ..in the region and globally he said.

Despite Afghanistan been taken over by the Taliban, he said it is not relevant as there are far more serious challenges to a globalized democratic world that are emerging from China.

Speaking on Chinas increasing power, he said if a choice has to be made between US democracy and Chinese authoritarianism, most of the world would be in tune with the globalized world based on certain values rather than having a China-dominated world which is opaque, where one doesn't know how policies are made and there is no freedom of press.

That is the reason why countries like India are asking for reforms of international institutions ..both political and economic .. far too long west has dominated these institutions and set the agenda and countries like India which is democratic and could have a right to influence and steer that agenda in terms of more democratic policy between countries. Unfortunately, China has now begun to dominate. It is the second-largest provider of funds to the united nation. India as a democratic country, unfortunately, is not able to exercise its weight in terms of shaping the global environment which has been shared by the west

Pakistan he said has used Afghan territory to train terrorists organizations like LeT and Jaish e Mohammed and send them to Kashmir and Taliban has been complicit. Now there could be concerns that Pakistan and the Taliban may join hands to put some pressure on J&K.

He said that Pakistan will take tremendous risk after Balakot where India has shown that it wont tolerate Pakistan stepping up terrorist activities in J&K. There is no contiguity between India and Afghanistan. It has to come through Pakistan. Now that everybody is aware of Pakistans role in promoting terrorism in the region and under watch by the FATF (financial action task force), if Pakistan actually starts promoting terrorism in J&K it will become far more vulnerable in terms of international pressure.

The issue of terrorism is there he said, but in a different way in a sense that Pakistan itself has got radicalized and if there is such a radical force in Afghanistan which is basking in the glory that they defeated another superpower, the atmosphere in the region changes and much greater value put in using the tool of terrorism and Islamic radicalism to fight their battles. If we can stand up to China we can surely stand up to these ragtag gun-totting fellows said Sibal.

Sibal, who is a recipient of Padma Shri award further said that India needs to strengthen and boost its capabilities in the areas of the Indian Navy, Maritime security and Quad in the Indo -Pacific where China does not dominate and is vulnerable.

We have to balance and boost our naval capabilities in partnership with others. Considering terrorist attacks at Kabul airport is a sign of times of what lies ahead and we may find slowly more common ground with Russia to stem the kind of challenges that one can foresee emanating from Afghanistan.

On being asked to respond to US President, Joe Biden's comment that attackers of Kabul airport will not be spared, Sibal said, Taliban has withstood the bite of US and now can easily withstand its bark. This is a murky situation. I dont know where the truth is. I hope the Americans can get to them. How they will get there? Will they have intelligence on ground? Will Pakistan cooperate? Will they do special operations as they did in Syria on the unfavourable ground with countries hostile to them? I dont think so.

Responding to a question on if Republican rule would have made a difference in Afghanistan, Sibal said it is not withdrawal but the manner of withdrawal that has come in for criticism. Trump who had committed to his electorate that he would end the war in Afghanistan would not have done anything differently.  I dont think materially anything would have changed under the Republican administration because the US has got in a very difficult situation. Once you have announced you are going to leave and there is public opinion that expects it to happen. It is the acceleration of time table of withdrawal and the manner of withdrawal and not so much the withdrawal that is being criticized even in US.

Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
Lowe Lintas, the creative agency of MullenLowe Lintas Group, has announced Anaheeta Goenka's elevation as its Chief Operating Officer for Unilever, South Asia and Chief Growth Officer. Having spent 3 decades working at Lowe Lintas, Goenka has had a role to play in shaping quite a few large multinational, Indian as well as start-up brands and is a name to reckon with in the industry.

Ana  as Anaheeta is fondly known  began her career with Lintas as a management trainee after graduating from SP Jain Institute of Management Studies. Over these years, she rose to hold key positions and is now part of the senior leadership at Lowe Lintas. Her elevation consolidates the entire Unilever relationship for South Asia under her leadership. As COO for Unilever, South Asia, she will lead the teams for brands such as Glow & Lovely, Axe, Tresemme, Vim, Domex, Nature Protect, Knorr, Kissan, Pepsodent, Closeup, Surf Excel, Wheel, Sunlight (Sri Lanka) and Lifebuoy Shampoo (SEA). Additionally, she has played an integral role in bringing new business and growth to the agency's Mumbai office. As Lowe Lintas' Chief Growth Officer, she will focus on strategic business development in a new challenging business environment - across all agency offices in India.

Announcing Anaheeta Goenkas elevation, Virat Tandon, Group CEO at MullenLowe Lintas Group, said "Ana has been a strong management pillar handling several Unilever brands and other business relationships. She has left her mark on so many brands and earned massive respect and love from clients and colleagues alike. Ana has the strategic clarity to steer a brand to success as well as the enthusiasm and fierceness for new business development like no other. I am sure she is the best choice for us to lead the Unilever portfolio as well as the strategic business development efforts of the agency."

Ana has handled brands across a broad spectrum ranging from Beauty & Personal Care, Foods, Homecare, BFSI, large conglomerates, to many new-age start-ups and businesses. She has navigated the agency to deliver some of its most iconic pieces of work such as Kan Khajura Tesan, Kissanpur, and the latest #IAmIndianPolice initiative. These have brought the agency laurels across India and international award shows such as Cannes, WARC Awards, Jay Chiat, Effies, among others. She has spoken and been on global juries of the same too.

Reacting to her eventful journey in the agency Goenka said, It is great to be part of a dynamic ecosystem that operates at a fundamental level with intention & attention for all its brand work and strategic practice. Heres to growth emanating from more purposeful work for Lowe Lintas and a healthy dose of disruption along with it.

Ana will assume her duties as Lowe Lintas' Chief Operating Officer for Unilever, South Asia and Chief Growth Officer from 1st September 2021.

Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
GBP/ZAR Exchange Rate Slumps in Upbeat Trade

The Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate fell back this week, with the pairing falling as low a ZAR20.3892 as global risk appetite strengthened.

South African Rand (ZAR) Supported by Positive Market Mood

The South African Rand (ZAR) firmed against the majority of its peers this week as demand for the emerging market currency was bolstered by a prevailing risk-on mood.

This strengthening of risk appetite initially came amidst a pullback in the US Dollar (USD) and a scaling back of investors' concerns over the Federal Reserves tapering plans.

The upbeat market mood and the appeal of the Rand was then reinforced by optimism over Chinas success in supressing its latest wave of coronavirus infections as well as the news that the FDA granted its full approval of the Pfizer vaccine for use in the US.

However, the appreciation of the Rand didnt come without some hurdles, mostly in the form of South Africas latest unemployment report, which revealed the jobless rate climbed again in the second quarter of 2021.

Pound (GBP) Undermined Economic Concerns

Meanwhile, the Pound (GBP) found itself on the defensive against the South African Rand pretty much from the get go this week, following the release of some lacklustre PMI figures.

These revealed that activity in the UKs all-important service sector actually slowed in August, in spite this being the first full month in which coronavirus restrictions were lifted.

Sterling then faced additional pressure through the week, amidst growing uncertainty over the UKs economic prospects.

This came as surveys from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) highlighted businesses concerns about labour shortages and supply chain weakness in the UK.

This coincided with warnings from businesses that the vital Christmas trading period could be severely disrupted by these issues.

Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland, told Radio 4s Today programme: Weve had deliveries cancelled for the first time since the pandemic began, about 30 to 40 deliveries a day. Of course weve got Christmas around the corner, and in retail we start to stockbuild really from September onwards for what is a hugely important time of year. Weve got a lot of goods to transport between now and Christmas, and a strong supply chain is vital for everyone.

GBP investors were unsurprisingly unsettled by these warnings for fears that the UKs economic recovery in the second half of 2021 could fall short of expectations.

GBP/ZAR Forecast: UK Coronavirus Concerns to Stymie Sterling?

Looking ahead to next weeks session, the Pound to South African Rand (GBP/ZAR) exchange rate could face an uphill battle as an absence of notable UK data releases will likely keep the focus on domestic coronavirus developments.

This is likely to leave Sterling vulnerable to losses should new cases continue to rise at a worrying pace, for fears this could further undermine the UKs economic recovery in the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, the focus for ZAR investors next week looks to be on the publication of South Africas latest trade figures.

This could provide additional support for the Rand if the country records another expansion in its trade surplus last month.
GBP/CAD Exchange Rate Falls and Firms as Oil Prices Drive CAD Movement

The Pound Canadian Dollar (GBP/CAD) exchange rate began the week trading reasonably high, as oil prices had closed the previous week subdued.

GBP found strength on a higher-than-expected manufacturing PMI, while efforts to mitigate supply disruptions lead to the fastest rise in pre-production inventories since December 2020.

As the week progressed, WTI prices rose and the Pound came under pressure from poor data and rising coronavirus cases. Supply chain concerns also weighed upon Sterling.

Towards the end of the week, however, oil prices muted once more and the Canadian Dollar suffered on poor PPI data. GBP/CAD closed the week around C$1.7383, down slightly on the weeks opening levels.

Canadian Dollar (CAD) Movement Driven by Oil Prices

The Canadian Dollar (CAD) gained against the majority of its peers over the course of the past week, as WTI crude oil prices led a rise in the currency. From trading around C$63.5 on Monday, crude prices rose to C$69 on Fridays session.

Canadas Manufacturing and Wholesale Sales both printed below expectations early in the week: despite this, the Canadian Dollar remained strong.

Optimistic comments from immunology specialists may have helped to list CAD trading sentiment, following previous warnings over Canadas fourth wave.

According to Matthew Miller, an associate professor of infectious diseases and immunology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Vaccinated people in Canada are going to be much better off than vaccinated people almost anywhere else because of a reliance on mRNA, mixed-vaccine schedules and extended intervals.

Crude oil saw a brief dip on Wednesdays session, leading to losses for the Canadian Dollar; WTI then fluctuated through Thursdays session and seemed to recover into Friday. Despite the ultimate recovery in oil prices, wavering rates suppressed CAD gains, resulting in a subdued CAD-GBP exchange rate.

A reduced PPI for the month of July may have exacerbated the Canadian Dollars downside, alongside worries that a fourth Covid wave could put hospitals under pressure.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist and member of Ontarios vaccine task force, told CTVNews We can't ignore that there are literally millions of people in Canada that are unvaccinated Well do OK if we can limit the pace of community transmission, but thats tough to do.

Pound (GBP) Stumbles on Covid Worries; Losses Capped by CAD Downturn

The Pound (GBP) sustained losses against the Canadian Dollar (CAD) at the start of the week, as poor UK data left Sterling vulnerable to downside pressure in the face of the Loonies success.

Despite a higher-than-expected manufacturing PMI, the UKs Services PMI printed below expectations, signalling the weakest rate of expansion in the service sector since February.

Reports of staff shortages were confirmed on Tuesday, as data from the UKs CBI distributive trades release revealed that retail stock was waning, as supply chain problems continue to grip the economy. Part of the problem was shown to be a lack of domestic HGV drivers.

The Pound managed to regain some of its losses on Wednesdays session as the Canadian Dollar stumbled, despite a slew of worrying data: the UKs supply chain crisis took centre stage, accompanied by statistics showing vaccinations weakening efficiency over time.

Into the final few days of this weeks session: the Pound climbed, albeit shakily, as a recovery in oil prices failed to support the Canadian Dollar in the GBP/CAD exchange rate.

Thursdays car production figures dropped substantially, but the Pound received a boost on account of downside in the US Dollar. USD traders struck a bearish attitude ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powells speech on Friday afternoon.

GBP/CAD Exchange Rate Forecast: Pound to See Gains on Fed Dovishness?

Looking ahead to next week, the Pound Canadian Dollar exchange rate may tick up as GBP anticipates gains on US Dollar weakness. The US Dollar fell against many of its peers following Fed Chairman Powells speech at the Jackson Hole Symposium yesterday, which failed to deliver a tapering timeline.

On the contrary, however, the Feds dovish stance may soon draw investors back to the US Dollar as a risk-off mood may be triggered. If this is the case, both the Pound and the Canadian Dollar are likely to suffer, as risk-on currencies.

Canadian Dollar movement, however, will be primarily driven by oil prices. If WTI continues to recover, the Loonie could recover its upward trajectory against the Pound.
The city of San Antonio and Bexar County could kick in more funding to restore the historic Alameda Theater after private fundraising efforts faltered during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Houston Street Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board on Friday approved another $7 million for the $37 million project.

The work includes preserving the downtown theater, which opened in 1949, and refashioning it as a multimedia performing arts and film center devoted to American Latino heritage. It would once again be the largest U.S. theater focused on Latino performing arts, said Veronica Garcia, assistant director of the center city development and operations department.

It will be vibrant, Garcia said. It will be a contemporary mix of arts and culture ... local, regional, international artists will all be seen here.

The $7 million will come from increases in property tax revenue from land within the TIRZ  funds used to reimburse developers and organizations for public improvements. At the Alameda, those could include adding flexible seating options and expanding the lobby.

The city acquired the venue at 318 W. Houston St. in 1994 and the nonprofit Alameda Theater Conservancy was formed in 2017 to oversee its rehabilitation and operation. The plans included turning part of the facility into a new headquarters for Texas Public Radio, which moved in last year.

The theater project received $5.2 million from the city and $5.2 million from the county in 2017. Council members approved an additional $500,000 for environmental remediation in 2019. Historic tax credits are expected to account for another $12 million.

The conservancys efforts to raise private dollars were stymied by the pandemic, and its board opted not to continue fundraising, creating a gap of $14 million.

Courtesy of BKV Group

They ... made a conscious decision to look at our community and recognize that there were much more immediate, basic needs that had to met and that is exactly where local charitable giving needed to be focused, Garcia said.

The conservancy is asking the city and county each to contribute another $7 million. The city will also consider an extra $400,000 for more environmental remediation and monitoring.

The first phase of the project, which included environment remediation and utility work, is finished. The next phase involves the majority of the theaters rehabilitation and the venue will have room for 1,500 people when finished.

If funding is approved, construction will resume in spring of 2022, with a grand opening taking place in late fall of 2023.

Weston Urbans project

The TIRZ board also approved part of a $1.9 million incentive package for Weston Urbans proposal to restore two historic buildings downtown and build more than 250 apartments and a parking garage.

The Arana and Continental Hotel buildings  which sit on a block bounded by San Pedro Creek and Commerce, Dolorosa and Laredo streets  would be refurbished. A 15-story building with apartments and a parking garage would be constructed between the pair of buildings.

The project is expected to cost more than $74 million.

Weston Urban is seeking incentives that include up to $1 million worth of SAWS fee waivers, an infrastructure grant of up to $500,000, city fee waivers of up to $161,000 and a property tax rebate of $277,343, according to a presentation to the TIRZ board. The city council approved most of the package last year.

The TIRZ board OKd up to $411,000 for public infrastructure improvements and city fee waivers.

Weston Urban is partnering with the Bexar County Public Facility Corp. on the multifamily and parking components. The nonprofit is overseen by county commissioners and was set up in part for the firms project.

The public facility corporations involvement means the apartment complex would receive a full property tax exemption in exchange for reserving at least half of the units for families earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.

Half of the apartments at Weston Urbans complex would be rented at market rates; 40 percent of the units would be reserved for tenants earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. Thats $41,550 for one person and $47,450 for a couple, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The remaining 10 percent would be for tenants making up to 60 percent of the area median income, or $31,140 for one person and $35,580 for a couple.

Rents also would not exceed 35 percent of an individual residents income, and the average rent-to-income ratio across all of the lower-priced apartments would not surpass 30 percent of tenants income.

As part of the project, Weston Urban also will restore the Melchio de la Garza house at the site and move the O. Henry House Museum to another location.

The firm plans to start construction in 2022 and finish in 2024.

madison.iszler@express-news.net
The $200 million Ready to Work program that voters approved in November to train low-skilled workers for new, better-paying jobs wont launch until January  four months later than expected.

City officials are still working out the kinks.

The four-year initiative will follow Train for Jobs SA, a one-year program the city hastily launched last September to provide job training programs for residents thrown out of work by the pandemic.

Train for Jobs has been funded with $65 million in city funds. The program was supposed to end in September and then transition to Ready to Work, which will be paid for with a -cent sales tax that will generate as much as $22.7 million annually for the program.

But Train for Jobs has fallen far short of its job placement goal.

City officials pushed the start of Ready to Work to next year partly because of the existing programs slow start. They say the extra time will allow the city to enroll more trainees and find outside organizations to run the program.

Extending enrollment through the end of December will help us reach those (enrollment) goals and give us an opportunity to serve more individuals, said Christina Reck-Guerra, interim assistant director of the citys newly formed Workforce Development Department.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio hires new director to lead the city's $200 million job training program

The city is looking to contract with nonprofits to run Ready to Work.

Initially, the city planned make the first-year program a pilot for Ready to Work, and it wanted to hire 63 employees to build a city department to run the program, for which voters approved the -cent sales tax in November.

But after blowback from community activists, who claimed the program was becoming an unwieldy bureaucracy, the city opted to award contracts to nonprofits to run Ready to Work.

The city is soliciting proposals for three parts of the training initiative: implementing the program, marketing it to residents and statistically evaluating how effective the training has been. The city will award the three contracts in December, said Michael Ramsey, who started this month as director of the Workforce Development office.

We want to compare our data to national norms, Ramsey said. We want to also have annual reports and quarterly updates so we can track our progress and pivot and make adjustments when necessary.

The city has budgeted roughly $65 million in sales tax revenue over four years for the Ready to Work contracts.

Eligible participants  who must reside in San Antonio and have been negatively affected financially by the pandemic  will be able to enroll in Train for Jobs until Ready to Work starts.

The beginning of the workforce training effort, championed by Mayor Ron Nirenberg, was marked by a glitchy computer system that prevented workers from signing up last year. And interest in the program hasnt met the citys expectations.

Slow going, missed target

Through mid-August, 467 residents had gone through the training program and landed jobs. Just over 3,000 people are enrolled in or have completed training.

Last year, Nirenberg said the program would help 10,000 residents in the first year. That figure turned out to be overly ambitious for the nascent training program, which is overseen by city staffers, not workforce development experts.

On ExpressNews.com: 'Too big to fail': San Antonio's fledgling job training program under scrutiny

Earlier in the pandemic, city officials thought workers would be most interested in short-term training programs to quickly get new credentials or certifications and start working again. But more trainees than anticipated have sought longer-term training programs.

We had big projections. We didnt know how many folks would be taking advantage of the long-term training versus the short-term, said District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, who sits on several council committees overseeing the training program. Thats probably where we miscalculated.

But awarding contracts to outside companies to run the program  instead of putting the city in charge of it  makes more sense, she said.

City staff do a great job of trying to juggle things, but were not the experts, Rocha Garcia said. Youre actually now putting this in the hands of experts. This is what they do on a daily basis.

While far below projections, more people in recent weeks have been signing up for training and getting jobs through the first-year program.

Through the first 10 months of Train for Jobs, 338 people finished training and landed jobs. But over the last month, 129 residents made it through training and got new jobs.

diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net
San Antonios lone finalist in H-E-Bs eighth annual Quest for Texas Best contest may just be the most interesting and genuinely useful product Ive crossed paths with in a long time. Olla Express Cafes Raw Piloncillo Syrup is a brilliant solution to an age-old problem: how to harness the flavor of rock-hard piloncillo sugar without the knuckle-busting or finger-slicing trauma that often go along with grating or chopping the stuff.

Piloncillo is generally sold as a cone of raw cane sugar that lends an indispensable character to many traditional Mexican dishes. Its a highly flavorful, unrefined sweetener with a deeply caramelized taste and potent notes of molasses that also has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar.

This game-changing product packages all that flavor in the form of a deep brown syrup laced with a touch of cinnamon and lemon  basically the concentrated tastes of cafe de olla, a traditional Mexican coffee. The most common method for making a batch of cafe de olla is to bring a pot of water to a boil with chunks of piloncillo, cinnamon and sometimes cloves and star anise. To that liquid, coffee grounds are added and then strained into cups.

When Andrea Ley opened Olla Express Cafe in a Volkswagen bus converted into a coffee truck, she was looking for a way to expedite that time-consuming and low-yield process to be able to make and sell more cafe de olla. So she created the more concentrated syrup (sans coffee), which she now adds to coffee resulting in a cup very similar to a traditional cafe de olla.

On ExpressNews.com: H-E-B's Quest for Texas Best gives Dallas macaron maker $25,000 top prize

She sells tons of steaming cups of the stuff now. Ley quickly found the syrup to be a good all-purpose sweetener. I sampled it on pancakes, fruit, ice cream and, of course, in coffee, while serving as a judge during the H-E-B contest, which was held Aug. 26 and 27 at the San Antonio Food Bank.

Ley wasnt one of the winners, but she definitely won at least one loyal customer. As a certifiable sugar junkie, I can promise Ill be keeping this syrup stocked in my pantry. Theres even a splash in the coffee Im drinking while writing this column. Im particularly excited to cook with it  I suspect this will make a remarkable glaze on grilled pork chops or shrimp or as a light touch of sweetness in a vinaigrette among other uses.

Ley is a Guadalajara, Mexico, native who spent her precoffee days as a software engineer after moving to Texas in 2010. Coffee breaks were the best part of those eight desk-bound years for her, and they triggered a longing for her family as well as a career change. She launched Olla Express as a way to soothe her homesickness, reconnect with her Mexican roots and help spread cafe de olla across San Antonio.

While Olla Expresss syrup isnt in H-E-B stores at the moment, shes building momentum for the brand and will likely wind up on a shelf near you in the future. For now, you can buy the syrup ($6 for a 12-ounce bottle) at ollaexpresscafe.com, at Blue Star Provisions in the Blue Star Arts Complex at 1414 S. Alamo St., or at her truck, which is most frequently found Friday through Sunday outside Morningstar Storage at 6366 Babcock Road.

Olla Express Cafe, 210-763-7303, ollaexpresscafe.com, Facebook: @ollaexpresscafe

pstephen@express-news.net | Twitter: @pjbites | Instagram: @pjstephen
The chief contractor at a failed multibillion-dollar project to build two nuclear reactors in South Carolina has agreed to pay more than $20 million as part of a cooperation agreement with federal authorities probing the fiasco.

Under an agreement announced Monday by Acting U.S. Attorney Rhett DeHart, Westinghouse Electric Co. will contribute $5 million to a program intended to assist low-income ratepayers affected by the projects failure. Another payment of $16.25 million will be due before July 1, 2022.

The company will also be required to cooperate with federal investigators still probing the company's role in the 2017 debacle, which cost ratepayers and investors billions and left nearly 6,000 people jobless.

Westinghouse was the lead contractor on the construction of two new reactors at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Jenkinsville, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Columbia. South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. parent company SCANA Corp. and state-owned utility company Santee Cooper spent nearly $10 billion on the project before halting construction in 2017 following Westinghouses bankruptcy.

The collapse of the V.C. Summer project spawned multiple lawsuits, some by ratepayers who said company executives knew the project was doomed and misled consumers and regulators as they petitioned for a series of rate hikes. Three top-level executives have already pleaded guilty in the multi-year federal fraud investigation. A fourth has been charged and is expected in federal court Tuesday.

Earlier this year, a federal judge signed off on a plan to disperse $192 million among former SCANA shareholders, a settlement that attorneys for the investors said was the largest securities class action recovery obtained in South Carolina when a judge approved it last year.

On Monday, DeHart said Westinghouse has given federal investigators more than three million pages of documents, data and correspondences and made employee witnesses available for interviews. Through its former parent company Toshiba, Westinghouse has also made more than $2 billion in settlement payments related to the project.

Since the failure, Westinghouse has removed, reassigned or retrained its senior management, elected a new board and implemented new financial controls, according to DeHart.

Our office continues to seek justice for the victims of the V.C. Summer Project failure, DeHart said in a news release. Westinghouses cooperation is vital to our ongoing efforts to hold accountable the individuals most responsible for this debacle.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Taliban fighters watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky over Afghanistan around midnight Monday and then fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a 20-year insurgency that drove the world's most powerful military out of one of the poorest countries.

The departure of the U.S. cargo planes marked the end of a massive airlift in which tens of thousands of people fled Afghanistan, fearful of the return of Taliban rule after the militants took over most of the country and rolled into the capital earlier this month.

The last five aircraft have left, it's over! said Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul's international airport. I cannot express my happiness in words. ... Our 20 years of sacrifice worked.

In Washington, Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, announced the completion of America's longest war and the evacuation effort, saying the last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. EDT  one minute before midnight Monday in Kabul.

We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out," he said.

With its last troops gone, the U.S. ended its 20-year war with the Taliban back in power. Many Afghans remain fearful of their rule or of further instability, and there have been sporadic reports of killings and other abuses in areas under Taliban control despite the group's pledges to restore peace and security.

American soldiers left the Kabul airport, and our nation got its full independence," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early Tuesday.

The U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack on the United States, which al-Qaida orchestrated while sheltering under Taliban rule. The invasion drove the Taliban from power in a matter of weeks and scattered Osama bin Laden and other top al-Qaida leaders.

The U.S. and its allies launched an ambitious effort to rebuild Afghanistan after decades of war, investing billions of dollars in a Western-style government and security forces. Women, who had been largely confined to their homes under the Taliban's hard-line rule, benefitted from access to education and came to assume prominent roles in public life.

But the Taliban never went away.

In the coming years, as the U.S. focused on another troubled war in Iraq and the Afghan government became mired in corruption, the Taliban regrouped in the countryside and in neighboring Pakistan. In recent years, they seized large parts of rural Afghanistan and carried out near-daily assaults on Afghan security forces.

Eager to end the war, the Trump administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020 that paved the way for the withdrawal. President Joe Biden extended the deadline from May to August and continued with the pullout despite the Taliban's rapid blitz across the country earlier this month.

Now the Taliban control all of Afghanistan except for the mountainous Panjshir province, where a few thousand local fighters and remnants of Afghanistan's collapsed security forces have pledged to resist them. The Taliban say they are seeking a peaceful resolution there.

They face much graver challenges now that they govern one of the poorest and most war-ravaged nations on Earth.

In recent days Afghans have lined up outside banks as an economic crisis that predates the Taliban takeover worsens. A string of attacks by the Islamic State extremist group's local affiliate, including a barrage of rockets fired at the airport Monday, shows the security challenges the Taliban face.

On Thursday, an Islamic State suicide attack at an airport gate killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. The extremist group is far more radical than the Taliban, and the two groups have fought each other before. The Taliban say they will prevent Afghanistan from again being used as a base for terror attacks, a pledge that will likely be tested soon.

McKenzie said the Taliban were significantly helpful in enabling the airlift but will have difficulty securing Kabul in the coming days, not least because of the threat they face from IS. He said the Taliban had freed IS fighters from prisons, swelling their ranks to an estimated 2,000.

Now they are going to be able to reap what they sowed, the American general said.

Many Afghans fear the Taliban themselves, who governed the country under a harsh interpretation of Islamic law from 1996 until 2001. In those years they banned television and music, barred women from attending school or working outside the home, and carried out public executions.

The Taliban have sought to project a more moderate image since the takeover. They say women will be able to attend school and work, and have renounced any revenge attacks on Afghans who worked with the former government, the U.S. or its allies.

Many Afghans are deeply skeptical of such promises, and fear of the Taliban's rule drove tens of thousands to flee the country over the past two weeks. Thousands more waited in vain outside the airport, many of them standing for hours in a sewage canal.

The Kabul international airport had been one of the few ways out. At one point people flooded onto the tarmac and seven fell to their deaths after clinging to a plane that was taking off. Another seven died in a stampede of people outside an airport gate.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel, but it is unclear how they will run the airport and which commercial carriers will begin flying in, given security concerns.

Qatar, a close U.S. ally that has long hosted a Taliban political office, has been taking part in negotiations about operations at the airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the U.S. and Turkey. Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater said its main priority is restoring regular operations while maintaining security at the airport.

The last known U.S. military operation in Afghanistan came Sunday, when American officials said a drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying IS suicide bombers who were planning to attack the airport.

But like so much about the Afghanistan war, it may not have gone as planned.

Relatives of those killed in Sunday's strike said it killed civilians who had nothing to do with the extremist group.

Najibullah Ismailzada said his brother-in-law, Zemarai Ahmadi, had just arrived home from his job working with a Korean charity. As he drove into the garage, his children came out to greet him, and that is when the missile struck.

We lost 10 members of our family, Ismailzada said, including six children raging in age from 2 to 8. He said another relative, Naser Nejrabi, who was a former soldier in the Afghan army and a former interpreter for the U.S. military, also was killed, along with two teenagers.

U.S. officials have acknowledged the reports of civilian casualties without confirming them.

Hours before the withdrawal was complete, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. military takes steps to avoid civilian casualties when carrying out targeted strikes.

Of course, the loss of life from anywhere is horrible, and it impacts families no matter where theyre living, in the United States or around the world, she said.

___

Akhgar reported from Istanbul and Krauss from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell and Aya Batrawy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Rahim Faiez in Istanbul; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; Samy Magdy in Cairo; and Robert Burns and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.
The Texas Legislature is taking steps to delay next springs primary election dates in case the process of redrawing the states political maps extends into the winter.

The Texas Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 13 on Sunday, setting up various potential election schedules contingent on the Legislatures redistricting work later this year, which has been disrupted by delayed census data. After passing the House last week, SB 13 is one of the first bills heading to Gov. Greg Abbotts desk during the second special legislative session in Austin.

This fall, lawmakers are set to redraw lines for congressional and state legislative districts, as well as boundaries for the State Board of Education. After pandemic-related delays, the state received data from the 2020 Census earlier this month  showing Texas gained the most residents of any state over the past decade.

This bill will put the Legislature in the best possible position, given the delay of census data  of course, wed all prefer it was different, but we have to deal with when we get the numbers  to carry out the legislative redistricting function, state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston and the bills author, said as she laid out the measure before the Senate earlier this month. The bill is also intended to give candidates, election officials and voters clarity about the key deadlines in the election process.

Under SB 13, the primary elections will take place in March  as usual  if the Legislature passes and Abbott signs off on new political maps by Nov. 15. In that case, the general elections would be held on March 1, and runoffs would be slated for May 24.

If the state adopts the new lines between Nov. 16 and Dec. 28, the primaries would take place on April 5, and the runoffs, June 24.

If legislators agree on a plan between Dec. 29 and Feb. 7, the primary elections will be May 24, and the runoffs, July 26.

TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday

In the event that the state approves political maps across multiple time frames  say, the federal congressional districts before Nov. 15 but the state legislative lines after  the election dates would default to the later window. And if the Legislature cant get a plan approved by Feb. 7, the Texas secretary of state  currently a vacant position  would set the election schedule.

The contingency plans are bipartisan. SB 13 passed the Senate earlier this month by a vote of 28-1, and the House approved it last week 96-25.

The House had only tacked on one amendment, a technical provision that would align elections for Democratic and Republican precinct chairs with the new runoff schedules, as requested by the secretary of states office. The Senate concurred with the amendment on Sunday by a vote of 30-1.

Abbott had requested that lawmakers consider legislation concerning new primary dates when he called the new special session earlier this month. He hadnt included the topic on his first call for a special session in July, though that venture was quashed by House Democrats breaking quorum and fleeing to Washington, D.C., in a bid to kill a controversial elections bill.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
U.S. Army North is sending more medical teams to hospitals stressed by COVID-19 caseloads in Louisiana and Alabama in the wake of nearby hurricane damage and evacuations.

The command said Monday it had deployed 20 personnel to Dothan, Ala., and another 20 to Alexandria, La., to support civilian health care workers.

Theyll join other teams now working in four hospitals, two in Louisiana and two in Mississippi. Army North runs the active-duty militarys COVID-19 response in support of federal and state efforts.

This is the first time Department of Defense medical assets have deployed to support Alabama during the pandemic, said Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, Army Norths commander.

The mission had helped hospitals across the United States in the first year of the pandemic, but had ended this year after converting to vaccination clinic support. It started up again in mid-August.

On ExpressNews.com: Medics to Louisiana: San Antonio-based Army North resumes COVID mission

Alabamas coronavirus positivity rate has skyrocketed from 5.3 percent in early July to 32.8 percent as of Sunday, according to a chart maintained by the Mayo Clinic . The rate for Louisiana sat at 5.4 percent in early July but topped 31.2 percent in mid-August. It had fallen to 23.1 percent as the week began.

Army North is a joint force under U.S. Northern Command consisting of units from across the armed services.

The military medical personnel headed to Alabama and Louisiana include nurses, respiratory therapists and doctors. A 20-member Air Force team will support Southeast Health in Dothan, while another team from the Air Force will support Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.

sigc@express-news.net
Soon after Travis Eades spoke to his congregation about the early followers of Jesus selling their property and possessions to give to those in need, the Oak Hills Church ushers walked the aisles passing out envelopes.

To the surprise of the churchgoers, there was $100 inside each envelope.

Today we are flipping the script, Eades told the congregants of the non-denominational church to a round of applause. You know needs that we will never know. You can reach people we will never be able to reach.

Eades smiled and acknowledged that some inside the 1,800-seat Northwest Side sanctuary and those watching at home would be skeptical.

Youre trusting us? he said. Yes, because God trusts you. Every time he places resources in your hands, you are his ambassador, you are his vessel.

Oak Hills Church, which got its start more than 60 years ago, is among San Antonios three largest congregations.

Eades sermon was later picked up by local television station KSAT, which reported 762 families were in attendance during the two services on Sunday. Those watching at home could also request an envelope. Church officials told KSAT that more than 60 families were expected to pick up their envelopes by next weekend.

If you are in need, then this is for you, Eades told congregants during the 10:30 a.m. service. But if thats not you, then this is for you to pay it forward and to bless somebody else that only you could possibly know about.

Eades urged members to pray first and get creative about how they put the money into the community.

One man from an earlier service told Eades that he recently helped a woman get back on her feet. The only thing standing in her way of a job offer was money to pay for her license fee, Eades said.

I was going to pay that, Eades recalled the man saying. Guess how much it cost? He took the envelope out and he held it up.

Eades added: I cant wait to hear the stories. I cant wait to see what the holy spirit does through us. Because this isnt about money, its about the heart.

Timothy.Fanning@express-news.net
San Antonio police union negotiators clashed with city officials Monday during the latest session of ongoing talks to craft a new contract, arguing that a city proposal regarding the process for promoting officers would prevent good ones from moving up.

The city suggested a clause that would bar officers who have been formally disciplined in the last two years from being promoted.

Liz Provencio, first assistant city attorney, said the police chief already has the discretion to deny promotions and that such language will make the process more straightforward.

We want to have it reflected in the contract to make it abundantly clear, Provencio said. Everyone has a very clear understanding what is expected to be considered for a promotion.

But Ron DeLord, the police unions chief negotiator, said the citys proposal creates an arbitrary and unnecessary rule. He said the clause, if adopted, would automatically prevent officers from applying for promotions  even in cases where misconduct is minor or the police chief believes an officer is a good candidate.

This proposal doesnt differentiate between serious and minor misconduct, DeLord said. A one-day suspension  could be for a minor infraction, like not turning in a report on time or getting in a car accident.

He called the rule petty and said it doesnt address whether or not someone should be a detective or a supervisor.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio, police union make little progress in contract negotiations. But that could change.

The two parties have met about 15 times since mid-February, when negotiations began on a new five-year contract. Their current agreement expires at the end of September, though an evergreen clause keeps most terms of the contract in place for eight years.

At last count, the city and the San Antonio Police Officer Association remain deadlocked on about a dozen items in their 140-page contract. While most sticking points are minor, a few are contentious, including wages and the disciplinary process for officers accused of misconduct.

Maria Villagomez, deputy city manager and head of the citys negotiating team, said earlier this month that Mondays meeting  and another scheduled for Sept. 8  will be telling in how close we are to a deal.

During Mondays meeting, the two sides appeared close to compromising on other parts of the contract.

The police union said it appreciated a city proposal that would provide officers up to 140 hours  roughly three-and-a-half weeks  of paid leave to bond with a new child.

The leave would apply to both parents, as well as to officers who adopt a child.

Im really glad to hear the city agrees with us on the importance of giving our families time to bond with their child, one union negotiator said. Its good to hear the city has our officers backs.

Union officials, who initially proposed 240 hours of new family leave, said it would review the language of the proposal before stating their position.

They also said they would review a city proposal to commission a study on how promotions are done. Both sides have said a study could help improve the process.

On ExpressNews.com: Contract talks between San Antonio and police union stall  yet again  over officer discipline

But when it came to that process  and whos eligible for promotion  the two sides clashed.

Provencio, the assistant city attorney, disagreed with how DeLord characterized the citys proposal. She said officers who have received written reprimands for minor infractions could still be promoted, as thats not considered formal discipline under the contract.

She said only officers who have been suspended for misconduct that occurred in the last two years would be ineligible for promotion. Officers could be promoted later, she said.

We put a time period on it because we understand that mistakes are made, Provencio said.

But DeLord said the police chief does issue suspensions for minor conduct, like accidentally hitting a light pole with a police vehicle.

He also said a two-year period would unfairly prevent employees from applying for lieutenant and captain because exams for those positions are administered less frequently.

Lets say Rachel and I back up and ding a car, and we both get a one-day suspension but its issued one month apart, DeLord said, referring to another union negotiator. If her two years run out a month before mine, then she gets promoted and I dont.

Now for the rest of my career, I lost those two years, or I may never get promoted, DeLord said, all because of some arbitrary rule that runs out in 24 months at different times for different people.

Union negotiators said they would not offer a counterproposal because they reject the idea entirely.

But city officials said both sides want the same thing. They expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached.

Villagomez said the city would review its proposal with the unions feedback in mind.

I think our intentions at the core are the same, she said. We both want to make sure that employees that are promoted are prepared.

eeaton@express-news.net
In a Facebook post on Friday, the Archdiocese of San Antonio said it will not provide religious exemption letters to people who object to receiving a vaccination against the coronavirus.

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller said in the statement that he does not consider the COVID-19 vaccine to be morally objectionable and those medically able to do so are encouraged to be vaccinated.

The Archdiocese upholds the right of all individuals to inform and follow their conscience regarding vaccination, while recognizing such personal decisions should not be dependent upon documentation by a member of the clergy, Garcia-Siller said.

The announcement comes as much of the Roman Catholic Church is embroiled in a debate over vaccine mandates. While conservative church leaders have argued against vaccinations, Pope Francis and other progressive leaders have promoted them as "an act of love."

Other dioceses in the United States, including those in Philadelphia, San Diego and Los Angeles have made similar statements. The Rev. Mark J. Seitz, the Bishop of El Paso, has imposed a vaccine requirement for employees.

In March, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released guidance on the vaccine and called being inoculated against COVID-19 an act of charity toward other members of our community.

Earlier this year, there was false information circulating online that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was developed using abortion-derived cells that may have kept some Catholics from getting the vaccine. Johnson & Johnson has said there is no fetal tissue in its vaccine.

J&J did use a human fetal cell line in the production of the vaccine. Fetal cell lines are derived from decades-old fetal cells in a laboratory setting and do not contain the original tissue, according to medical experts.

The Conference of Catholic Bishops called it morally acceptable to receive any COVID-19 vaccine.

For his part, Pope Francis said getting vaccinated against the virus was a moral act.

Getting the vaccines that are authorized by the respective authorities is an act of love, and helping the majority of people to do so is an act of love, Francis said on Aug. 18. Getting vaccinated is a simple yet profound way to care for one another, especially the most vulnerable.

Timothy.Fanning@express-new.net
San Antonio and surrounding areas could implement Stage 1 water restrictions this week.

After an unusually rainy summer, Bexar County is back to its typical hot, dry self, and the Edwards Aquifer is feeling the impact. The aquifer level has averaged 660.1 feet over the last 10 days with a high of 660.2 feet on Monday. If the level drops to 659 feet or less this week, the rolling 10-day average could plunge below 660 feet and trigger Stage 1 restrictions, according to the San Antonio Water System.

San Antonio saw Stage 2 water restrictions implemented in April, but all watering limitations ended in May as what was expected to be a dry summer turned wet. The aquifers level hovered around 665 feet for most of June and July, sparing Bexar County residents from the usual mandated water conservation measures.

But more recently, reduced precipitation in August has decreased the water levels over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. While some rain this last weekend and more in the forecast may be helpful, SAWS said, if drier weather overall persists in the coming week, San Antonio will do what it has historically done to conserve its major water source.

Likewise, New Braunfels Utilities issued an advisory to the media on Friday saying that the aquifers level was approaching the trigger point for Stage 1 restrictions.

What does Stage 1 mean?

San Antonio has year-round watering rules, and in the case of drought, the city implements stricter guidelines. There are four stages of water restrictions, with the least limiting  Stage 1  imposed when the aquifer level falls below 660 feet.

Stage 1 water restrictions in San Antonio involve limitations on watering lawns, reducing water consumption and a prohibition on washing impervious cover. When implemented, residents are assigned days  based on the last number of their street address  on which they can water their lawns with sprinklers, irrigation systems or soaker hoses. For example, people with addresses that end in 0 or 1 can only do so on Mondays and only before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Tuesday is for addresses ending in 2 or 3; Wednesday, 4 or 5; Thursday, 6 or 7; and Friday, 8 or 9.

Watering lawns by hand is permitted at any time and on any day.

More details on Stage 1 watering restrictions are on SAWS website.

On ExpressNews.com: Drought conditions have eased in San Antonio - but the relief is likely just temporary

Water waste and washing impervious cover  such as driveways, parking lots or sidewalks  is prohibited. Other examples of wasting water include runoff that pools into drains, gutters or ditches, or water leaks that are not repaired.

Residents may wash their cars once per week on Saturday or Sunday, and only if they allow no water waste.

SAWS urges all San Antononians to reduce water consumption by any means possible, such as taking shorter showers, not letting faucets run and other water saving tips.

Citations may be issued to residents who do not follow the current regulations by police officers who work part time for SAWS, said Karen Guz, director of water conservation for SAWS. But during the beginnings of Stages 1 and 2, SAWS will educate the public foremost and issue alerts to people not following the guidelines.

In most instances, residents forget or dont understand the rules. But in some cases, repeat offenders could receive citations.

Once the Edwards Aquifer drops below 660 feet, SAWS will track the level for two weeks to see if it starts to rise, Guz said.

Even if it stays above that entire time, were still not done, she said. Were going to look at the forecast and the conditions and how close we are to the 660 trigger. If it looks like were going to pop right back under in two days, the city manager, advised by us, will keep to Stage 1.

Why 660 feet?

Edwards Aquifer pumping restrictions have much to do with the blind salamander and six other endangered species.

The goal of all the water restrictions that we have is to maintain adequate spring flow at San Marcos Springs and Comal Springs so that the endangered and protected species at the springs can survive and thrive, said Paul Bertetti, director of aquifer science at the Edwards Aquifer Authority.

Low levels in the Edwards Aquifer can lead to decreased flow in nearby springs. And without the regular spring flow, the habitat for small creatures like the riffle beetle and the fountain darter is threatened. Because of this, the aquifers level serves as an alert for San Antonio that its time to slow the pumps.

660 feet is early enough so that we can make a series of corrections to keep that flow going, Bertetti said. But its not so high that were always in some sort of critical period.

Springs like Comal and San Marcos wont completely dry up until the aquifer reaches a much lower level, around 615 feet or less. But addressing water usage now can prevent San Antonio from having to deal with a major issue like that.

The San Antonio area is specific in its water regulations compared to the rest of Texas. Due to the endangered species it must protect, the springs over the Edwards Aquifer keep running while springs in other parts of the state might dry up.

Elena Bruess writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. elena.bruess@express-news.net
MERCEDES  Police have arrested a San Antonio man accused of tying up an aloe vera farmer in shrink wrap last year and forcing him at gunpoint to sign over the hand sanitizer business the men founded at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Matthew Paul Brown, 36, is charged with one count of aggravated robbery and one count of forgery of a financial instrument. As of Saturday, he was being held at the Hidalgo County jail on bail totaling $35,000.

A civil suit filed last year describes how John Sigrist, owner of a farm called Aloe King, was approached by Brown in March 2020 with a business opportunity.

The suit says Brown proposed he and Sigrist team up to use the farms aloe vera to produce hand sanitizer, which was to be manufactured, packaged, and distributed using Aloe Kings existing infrastructure.

The men agreed to split the profits from the enterprise 50/50, the suit says.

At first things appear to have gone well.

A Mercedes Economic Development Corp. release from May 2020 describes Brown as a San Antonio businessman with a background in investment banking and health care. The release describes the hand sanitizer business as having greenhouses, a retail shop, a warehouse and a chemist lab. It describes business booming for the young company, which was shipping out 30,000 2- and 8-ounce bottles of sanitizer weekly, mostly to hospital companies.

 If we increased our production 10 times, there would still be a need for more product, the release quoted Brown saying. The demand is so high right now.

The pandemic tycoons may have been raking in the dough, but the books werent looking right to Sigrist.

Although the men were grossing significant sums of money, they werent netting nearly as much, according to the civil suit.

The farmer began to suspect Brown was swindling him through forged checks and records. Sigrist removed Browns access to the businesss bank account, the suit says, and on the first of August of last year things went south.

According to arrest records, Brown asked Sigrist to meet him at the office that day to be introduced to a potential investor.

Sigrist told Hidalgo County sheriffs deputies that when he got to the meeting, he noticed a third man, who was called George.

From there things got out of hand.

Brown began telling Sigrist that he was messing with the wrong people, and that the money belonged to the cartel. The arrest records say Sigrist tried to get up at that point and George pulled a gun, pointing the silver-plated pistol at his head.

The men tied Sigrist up with shrink wrap, and Brown placed a bag over his head, arrest documents state, using a wet-dry vacuum to momentarily suffocate him.

Sigrist says in his civil suit that George threatened to blow (his expletive) brains out if he didnt sign 30 blank checks.

Fearing for his life, Mr. Sigrist obliged, according to the suit.

Brown also demanded Sigrist sign a four-page employment contract naming the businessman as the CEO of the company. The civil suit alleges Sigrist balked at doing that, until Brown claimed he had been having Sigrists daughter followed. Brown claimed there were henchmen outside her home at that moment who would kill her if he didnt comply, it says.

Sigrist signed the paperwork without reading it.

Arrest records say investigators talked to employees of Brown who claimed he confessed to tying up Sigrist and holding him at gunpoint. The records also say one of Sigrists employees saw the shrink wrap used to restrain Sigrist and the vacuum used to suffocate him when she was cleaning the office the next day.

Over the past year, Sigrist has amended his civil suit to include a total of 11 defendants in addition to Brown.

Sigrist says, among other things, that those individuals and businesses were aware of Browns alleged scheme. Hes suing for monetary relief of over $1 million.

A jury trial is set for January.

mwilson@themonitor.com
San Marcos is gearing up for its fifth annual SPLASH Festival  now dubbed the Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest.

The festival, which began in 2016 as a way to celebrate the community and the San Marcos River, comes during the citys Mermaid Month. It includes an Aquamaid Scavenger Hunt, the Mermaid Promenade and the Downtown Street Faire.

COVID-19 has nixed most of the 15-day festivals events this year, but not its hallmarks, said July Moreno, founder of the Mermaid Society.

On ExpressNews.com: San Marcos soon could be official mermaid capital of Texas

The scavenger hunt will be Sept. 18. The Mermaid Promenade  the parade  will begin 10 a.m. Sept. 25, and the Downtown Street Faire will follow, from noon to 8 p.m. Nearly 100 floats and entries have been submitted for the parade so far. Another 100 or so vendors will line the streets for the fair.

This is a unique year, said Moreno, whose group puts on the event each year. Were still dealing with COVID, and last year we could not produce a festival in any way, shape or form.

Despite cancellations, the city recommends other ways to get into the spirit:

More on mermaids For more information on the San Marcos Mermaid Society, visit www.mermaidsocietysmtx.com. See More Collapse

Take a self-guided tour of the citys mermaid sculptures, known as the Mermaid March. Created by local artists, each mermaid represents a unique aspect of San Marcos and draws attention to the citys history, natural beauty, and attractions. Learn about the San Marcos Rivers ecosystem and look beneath the surface from a glass-bottom boat during a visit to the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Take a dive into the history of the San Marcos mermaid with an interactive presentation from Mermaid Maya. Enjoy mermaid-themed dinner and drinks at local restaurants, like Mermaid Margaritas to SMTX River Water Daiquiris.

History

Mermaid Month began as a way to bring the city together and to rally around the San Marcos River, encouraging people to preserve its ecosystem, history and regional impact.

The mermaid is the mascot for that, Moreno said. Every year with this festival, we celebrate her, and when we celebrate the river, we celebrate the community.

The citys mermaid history stretches back to the 1950s, when Aquarena Springs in San Marcos was a premiere Texas attraction. The amusement park had an underwater theater complete with performing aquamaids  women who dressed as mermaids and performed in the water for crowds.

On ExpressNews.com: San Marcos Mermaid Parade back for a second year

Aquarena Springs closed in the mid-1990s. Texas State University then purchased the property and turned it into a research center, now known as the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. The institute aims to preserve the natural beauty of the river and champion its rich history.

Gov. Greg Abbott designated the city the Mermaid Capital of Texas on May 24, when he signed a resolution from state Sen. Judith Zaffirini and state Rep. Erin Zwiener, whose districts include Hays County.

The city kicks off Mermaid Month with a news conference at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the San Marcos Rec Hall, 170 Charles Austin Drive.

Annie Blanks writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. annie.blanks@express-news.net
The move toward raising the minimum wage is laudable and designed to help impoverished workers. Many states have passed legislation to gradually increase the minimum wage up to $15 per hour. The federal government is also considering similar legislation.

However, this blanket approach may adversely affect the very people it was designed to assist. A more surgical application to increasing compensation for the lowest paid workers may yield better results.

As recent studies from Harvard Business Review, Forbes and the Mises Institute illustrate, higher minimum wages can generate lower overall compensation to workers or lead to decreased welfare benefits. In addition, firms are then motivated to increase product prices, which, in turn, can mean layoffs for the workers the minimum wage was designed to assist.

Empirical evidence is also mixed  some studies portray a negligible wage impact associated with raising the minimum wage, while others find a small net increase for workers. Still other studies indicate that raising the minimum wage will not adversely impact employment.

Businesses competing for customers, such as the service sector, have decided to accelerate the trend toward automation rather than pay human workers. For example, an article on the food site Eat This, Not That! reported McDonalds decided to pursue automation when pressured to raise minimum wages.

Banks and other service organizations facing intense competition for customers, technological developments, the pandemic and governmental pressures to raise minimum wages already have led to many automated services. Banks in San Antonio and elsewhere have eliminated many physical branches while offering products online. These trends reduce the need for human workers.

The pandemic has also hastened the deployment of robotics into workforce roles. Against this backdrop, the minimum wage legislation strategy may backfire. It is like patching a small dam break when the rest of the dam is crumbling.

Although there will always be service jobs, the supply of such jobs will likely exceed demand since fewer workers will be needed with automation.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all strategy, other minimum wage strategies can assist impoverished workers while keeping businesses profitable and reducing unemployment.

A better policy in industries facing intense competition for customers may be to offer governmental subsidies for the difference between the minimum wage and the competitive wage. This would compensate firms for paying workers the minimum wage when competitive wages are lower.

For instance, if the minimum wage is raised to $15 per hour but competitive wages in that industry are $7.25 per hour, then a governmental subsidy of $7.75 to the employer is required to keep the worker employed. Such firms may then be able to afford other employee benefits.

Alternatively, after increasing the minimum wage, the government may offer extra tax breaks to firms offering at least the new minimum wage to employees. Governments may also save in welfare payments to previously unemployed workers. In turn, more workers will contribute to the tax pool  a win-win situation.

Governments must revisit the crystal ball to determine a better strategy to surgically install an effective minimum wage policy.

Prasad Padmanabhan is a professor of finance and the Myra Stafford Pryor Chair of Free Enterprise and Sam Walton Fellow at St. Marys University.
It wasnt until a decade ago that I truly understood what the Southwest School of Art meant to our community. Thats when my daughter began taking classes at SSA while in high school. I saw the power art could play, and the purpose it could provide in the lives of young people and for thousands of San Antonians and others who take classes and attend exhibitions or other events at SSA every year.

Before long, I joined the schools board of trustees. And recently, an idea came up that we felt could transform SSA and its historic downtown campus: combining our school with the art and art history program at the University of Texas at San Antonio to create one of the countrys leading art programs.

Now, that idea is becoming a reality.

The recently announced agreement will take SSA and its students to a different level, bringing new vibrancy to the San Antonio arts scene and opening up a range of opportunities for artists and others who find joy and meaning at the school.

The two institutions already have a deep and long-standing relationship. With the resources of a great university, SSA and UTSA will be able to do things only dreamed of before.

The buildings that comprise the campus include some of the most historic structures in the state. Now there will be the resources to ensure their condition and historical integrity are pristine and maintained.

Once the programs are fully combined, SSAs bachelors in fine arts degree will integrate into UTSAs BFA degree, providing a scale and staying power that would have taken years for our school to reach on its own and adding the unique facets of art education that SSA brings. Our BFA students will be encouraged to enroll at UTSA and take advantage of all the university has to offer, including the opportunity to receive federal financial aid.

SSAs campus will become the hub of UTSAs arts program, with no shortage of possibilities for UTSA to continue expanding its focus downtown. The new school will incorporate SSAs name, reflecting the role our schools academic culture will continue to play. So, too, will the names of all SSA scholarships, endowments, spaces and other assets be maintained.

The curricula of both schools will also get a boost. SSA and UTSA have historically focused on traditional art programs, like painting, printmaking and ceramics. But as the world has become more technology-driven, students can benefit from a stronger focus on new media and creative digital arts. UTSA will leverage its downtown School of Data Science to enable an expanded focus on digital arts, media and visual communication, elevating its ability to attract students and grow creative classes.

The broader impact on San Antonio will be tremendous, as well. UTSA will expand SSAs already-robust continuing education programs, as well as its popular young artist programs for children and teens  especially for low-income students  while continuing to support the Fiesta Arts Fair and other events and programs.

The list of classes, exhibitions, lectures and events that SSA has sponsored will grow longer, and our campus is now poised to play an even greater role in the cultural life of our community. The opportunities are limitless.

Randy Cain is the chair of the Southwest School of Art board of trustees. He has lived in San Antonio for almost four decades.
The horror unfolding in Afghanistan is heartbreaking and terrifying, which is exactly what our enemies want to instill in us.

These service members did not die in vain, nor did any of the military members who have died in any conflict in the name of the United States. No matter what the reason the men and women joined the military, they went in knowing the risks because that is what real patriots do. We need to honor them and all service members who have died for our country.

It didnt matter if they were Republicans or Democrats.They only cared about doing the job they were given. Forget politics for a minute. Take a moment to pray for their families and honor their sacrifice. Its the least we can do.

Shirley Moehring

Honor local control

Gov. Greg Abbott, you are quick to yell foul when the federal government tries to tell you how to run any aspect of the state, but you dont see the irony of doing the same to the county and municipal leaders who want to do the best for the people they govern.

Is there to be more or less draconian oversight in Texas?

Gov. Abbott, please let the local leaders have the freedom to do what they know is best to protect their people, who elected them for that purpose.

Kevin Bryan

They deliver

Its time to give a shout-out to our dedicated newspaper carriers.

We have been lifelong subscribers. Back when there were three local newspapers, we subscribed to all of them. We take for granted that when we go out to our front yard to get our paper that it will be there.

And guess what? It usually is.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us and necessitated a lot of changes in our everyday lives. And yet we need for some things to stay the same, such as our paper, in its plastic sleeve, in our front yard. This gives us a feeling of stability; well get through this.

Its not easy, but its going to be OK.

So, Im happy to say to all newspaper carriers: Thank you for the great job youre doing; thank you for giving us that stability. I appreciate your hard work and dedication.

Rachel V. Diaz-Kennon


Air Serbia has seen its charter operations exceed pre-pandemic levels this year, with the airline operating over 1.000 leisure flights as Serbian holidaymakers head to Egypt, Turkey, Greece and Tunisia. This years demand for charters has seen the airline run up to eight daily rotations to places such as Hurghada and Antalya. However, interest in far-away destinations has also been growing with tour operators significantly diversifying their travel packages over the past five years to offer holidays to Thailand, Bali, the Seychelles and India prior to the pandemic. Since Covid-19, demand has surged for places such as Zanzibar, the Maldives and Mexico where there are few travel restrictions in place. Air Serbia has seen its charter operations exceed pre-pandemic levels this year, with the airline operating over 1.000 leisure flights as Serbian holidaymakers head to Egypt, Turkey, Greece and Tunisia. This years demand for charters has seen the airline run up to eight daily rotations to places such as Hurghada and Antalya. However, interest in far-away destinations has also been growing with tour operators significantly diversifying their travel packages over the past five years to offer holidays to Thailand, Bali, the Seychelles and India prior to the pandemic. Since Covid-19, demand has surged for places such as Zanzibar, the Maldives and Mexico where there are few travel restrictions in place.





In 2016 Air Serbia considered introducing long haul leisure flights in order to better utilise its sole Airbus A330-200 aircraft over the winter months when it maintains fewer frequencies on its scheduled New York service. This August, the carriers A330-200 has operated a total of 44 scheduled movements, while the figure will stand at just sixteen in November. The National Association of Travel Agencies of Serbia (YUTA) told EX-YU Aviation News that the Serbian carrier was exploring long haul charters, in partnership with YUTA, several years ago. Keeping in mind that YUTA is one of Air Serbia's biggest partners in charter travel through our members, Air Serbia suggested a meeting with tour operators where we would discuss possible charters to far-off destinations. At the time, tour operators were interested in long haul charter flights to Thailand and Cuba during the winter months, as there is sufficient demand for those markets. The realisation of these charters was to be carried out during the winter season, YUTA said. Ultimately, the idea never came to fruition.





Air Serbia said at the time that the figures didnt add up. There are very few destinations where you can fly the A330 that are going to be appealing to tour operators. Serbia is a price sensitive market and when we gauged interest for charters to Thailand - which is further to fly to than New York - the economics required to make it breakeven were too large. Another option we considered was the Caribbean, but that also can't be sustained from a market such as Serbia, the national carrier previously told EX-YU Aviation News. Several years later, data indicates that there is a sufficient number of passengers originating from Belgrade to potential leisure hotspots. The Serbian government has inked a number of Air Service Agreements and Memorandums over the past few years with countries which could be of interest for potential long haul charter operations including the Dominican Republic and Sri Lanka. These agreements set the legal framework for air operations between the two sides.





Two-way indirect traffic between Belgrade and select destinations in 2019












WASHINGTON (AP)  Abortion providers in Texas are asking the Supreme Court to prevent enforcement of a state law that would allow private citizens to sue anyone for helping a woman get an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

The request to the court comes after a panel of appellate judges refused to block enforcement of the law before it takes effect on Wednesday.

If it goes into effect, the law would rule out 85% of abortions in Texas and force many clinics to close, the providers and abortion rights advocates supporting them said in an emergency filing with the high court on Monday. For now, Planned Parenthood clinics in Texas have stopped scheduling abortions beyond six weeks from conception, spokeswoman Sarah Wheat said.

Due to the new law, our health centers are not able to provide abortions to patients after tomorrow unless they meet these extreme new restrictions," she said.

At least 12 other states have enacted bans on abortion early in pregnancy, but all have been blocked from going into effect.

The Texas law, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in May, would ban abortion in the nations second-biggest state after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy and is before many women even know they are pregnant.

Instead of setting criminal penalties, as other abortion restrictions do, it asks private citizens to enforce the ban by suing doctors or anyone who helps a woman get an abortion. Among other situations, that would include anyone who drives a woman to a clinic to get an abortion. Under the law, anyone who successfully sues another person would be entitled to at least $10,000.

The enforcement scheme makes it difficult to challenge in court because it is harder to know whom to sue. In other states, six-week abortion bans would be enforced by government officials, allowing plaintiffs to sue state officials responsible for enforcing the law.

The law squarely conflicts with nearly 50 years of Supreme Court decisions in favor of abortion rights dating back to the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the providers argued in their high court filing.

Those rulings generally prohibit states from regulating abortions before the fetus can survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks of pregnancy. The justices are scheduled to hear a major abortion case in their upcoming term that could cut back on or even overturn the Roe decision. But a decision in a case over Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban is not expected before the late spring.

In less than two days, Texas politicians will have effectively overturned Roe v. Wade. We have filed an emergency motion in the Supreme Court to block this law before clinics are forced to turn patients away, Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.

Kimberlyn Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life, said the court should allow the law to take effect. It is not surprising that the abortion industry is using their last, desperate option to try to block the Texas Heartbeat Act from taking effect on Wednesday," Schwartz said.

The issue at this point in the Texas case is whether federal courts will keep the law on hold while the legal fight continues. No court has yet ruled on the validity of the law.

The providers filed their emergency appeal with Justice Samuel Alito, who oversees such matters from the three states in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Alito can act on his own or get the full court involved.

Abortion is the latest big issue to come before the justices in an abbreviated way. Last week, the court divided along ideological lines with conservatives in the majority to force the Biden administration to reinstate Trump-era restrictions on asylum seekers and end a temporary ban on evictions for people behind on their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The practical effects of allowing the abortion law to go into force would be enormous, abortion rights advocates said.

If legal abortion care in Texas shuts down, many women would feel compelled to travel long distances to clinics in such states as Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico, advocates said. The average one-way driving distance to an abortion clinic for Texas residents would increase from 12 miles to 248 miles.

Abortion providers in nearby states already experienced a surge of Texas patients in the COVID-19 pandemic last year after Texas officials banned abortions on grounds they were nonessential.

Texas has long had some of the nations toughest abortion restrictions, including a sweeping law passed in 2013 that the Supreme Court eventually struck down but not before more than half of the states 40-plus abortion clinics closed.

Lawmakers also are moving forward in an ongoing special session in Texas with proposed new restrictions on medication abortion, a method using pills which accounts for roughly 40% of abortions in the U.S.

Yet anti-abortion groups remain frustrated by what they say is the unwillingness of some prosecutors to file criminal charges against doctors who violate state abortion laws.

The turn to civil liability has allowed Texas Right to Life to set up a website where people can leave tips alleging violations of the new Texas law.

___

Associated Press writers David Crary in New York and Paul Weber in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  Estonias Parliament on Monday failed to elect a new president to the Baltic country after lawmakers rejected the only candidate in the first round of voting.

Alar Karis, director of the Estonian National Museum, received support from 63 lawmakers with 16 blank votes and the rest either absent or abstaining in the 101-seat Riigikogu legislature. He needed a two-thirds majority, or 68 votes, to be elected in the secret ballot.

The result means that further rounds of voting will be held on Tuesday.

The 63-year-old Karis, a former state auditor and university head, was the only candidate running in the election to succeed Kersti Kaljulaid, Estonias first female president. She couldn't seek another five-year term in office because she failed to obtain the support of 21 lawmakers to nominate her as a candidate.

Tomorrow's another day. I trust we'll get a different kind of result, Karis told reporters immediately after election officials had announced the official results.

It is possible for lawmakers to register new candidates into the election with Karis until early Tuesday but, by late Monday, there were no indications that would happen.

Under Estonias complex presidential election system, another two voting rounds are scheduled for Tuesday. If that fails to yield a result, the election will be transferred to a special 208-member electoral college consisting of lawmakers and representatives of municipalities who would vote in September.

Should even that body fail to elect the head of state, the vote would move back to Parliament and the process would start all over again. Thats what happened in 2016 when Kaljulaid was eventually elected by lawmakers after even the special electoral body couldnt come up with a result.

Karis was seen as having a good chance of being elected because Prime Minister Kaja Kallas Reform Party and the Center Party  which make up Estonias center-right coalition government with a total of 59 seats at the Riigikogu  endorsed him earlier this month.

The two parties praised Karis' solid academic background, including heading the University of Tartu, Estonias main academic institution, and his understanding of Estonian society.

Two of the opposition parties, the Social Democrats and the conservative Fatherland, also indicated reasonable support for Karis, while the populist right-wing EKRE party, also in opposition, indicated it wouldn't support him after the party failed to register its own proposed candidate into the election.

The prime minister holds most power in Estonia, a European Union and NATO member of 1.3 million people, while the role of the president is largely ceremonial  including representing the nation abroad and acting as a domestic opinion leader.

But the president's powers include being the supreme commander of Estonias armed forces, formally appointing government members and signing laws to make them valid. The president also has the authority to veto laws.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indiana schools reported more new COVID-19 cases last week than at any previous time during the pandemic as the state grapples with a surge in infections and hospitalizations spurred by the more contagious delta variant.

More than 5,500 new cases were reported among Indiana students in Mondays weekly update of the states coronavirus school dashboard. Although nearly 1,000 of those cases date back to earlier weeks, last weeks total was the most recorded since schools began reporting case counts a year ago.

The dashboard also reported 257 new cases among teachers and 355 new cases among other school staff employees.

Schools reported more than 1,300 cases among K-12 students on Aug. 23 alone, marking the highest one-day total reported by Indiana schools.

Still, the dashboard data doesnt provide the full scope of virus spread within schools, state health commissioner Kristina Box said last week. More than 1,200 schools have not reported cases to the states dashboard  as mandated by law  since the start of the new academic year.

Box said state health officials are talking with the Indiana Department of Education to take further actions that compel schools to comply.

As Indiana continues to record the worst statewide COVID-19 positivity rate since last winter, Box largely attributed the the latest statewide surge to the start of the new school year.

Having students in school together and participating in extracurricular activities is driving many of the new cases, she said, increasing the need for students, teachers and staff to wear masks and get vaccinated if theyre eligible to help decrease transmission.

State officials estimate less than 10% of K-12 schools are doing COVID-19 testing, however, despite available resources from the Indiana Department of Health. Box said health officials are urging additional COVID-19 testing be offered in school settings, which could help reduce quarantines.

But even after the U.S. gave full approval to Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine last week, just 52% of Indiana residents are fully vaccinated against the virus, according to the state Health Department. Only 27.5% of the state's 12- to 15-year-olds, and just under 38% of 16- to 19-year-olds have been fully vaccinated.

Replies to surveys conducted by IUPUI, the Indiana Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Education in May and June found that fewer than half of parents in the state plan to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19, according to preliminary results released Monday.

The survey also found that 13% of parents want to wait and see the effects of the vaccine before inoculating their child, while 42.2% said they will not vaccinate their child, or will do so only if required.

Several of the states largest school districts in the Indianapolis area began requiring masks for indoor areas after starting the school year without them, reacting to a growing number of COVID-19 infections among students.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb said he would continue his policy of allowing local officials to impose mask rules and other steps to stem the coronavirus spread even as several school boards have faced vocal  and sometimes misleading  opposition to such actions.

Box, too, maintained support for elected officials to make decisions about implementing restrictions and other mitigation measures, adding that the state continues to provide local leadership with recommendations on how to get out of the surge.

The state additionally recorded 2,916 new cases of the coronavirus Monday, following more than 20,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in Indiana last week.

The state Health Departments latest report also showed that hospitals around the state were treating 2,221 patients for COVID-19 as of Sunday  the most since Jan. 21 and up more than five times for the states level of about 400 patients a day in early July.

Hospitals reported treating 587 people with COVID-19 in intensive care units, taking up nearly 27% of available ICU beds, compared with about 65 patients in 3% of ICU space in early July.

___

Casey Smith is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  With bottles of gel, temperature checks and wide-open windows, a new school year began Monday for millions of children in Mexico.

Officially, school is starting in person, responsibly and orderly, according to the Education Ministry.

In practice, it will be a system that is voluntary, diverse and hybrid between in-person learning and virtual lessons in structures some call chaotic and others gradual. Thousands of schools will open their doors after a year and half of closure, but its not clear how many will do so, nor how many students will show up, because beyond the federal, state and local regulations, the final decision will be made by schools and parents.

There is complete uncertainty with respect to how its going to go, said Bettina Delgadillo, director of a private school in San Pedro Garza Garcia, in Nuevo Leon, Mexicos wealthiest municipality.

There are schools that are better prepared and safer for children than supermarkets or establishments with open tables, she said. But I understand how for authorities, its complicated to say here yes and here no.

At the other end of the country in Chiapas, Mexicos poorest state, elementary school teacher Enrique Morales was equally baffled by a different set of problems. They havent cleaned a lot of schools and its up to the parents to chip in to buy gel and everything else, he said.

Around Simojovel, where Morales teaches, parents still hadnt met to decide what to do, but it was clear for him that he didnt want to take his two kids to the classroom. Chiapas has the lowest level of COVID-19 alert in Mexico  the only green state in the countrys coded system  but he buried his father in January and a few days ago his father-in-law.

The new school year begins at a time when Mexico is in the midst of its third wave of COVID-19 infections and has recorded more than 380,000 COVID-19 confirmed deaths. About 64% of its adult population has received at least one dose of vaccine, but very few children are vaccinated.

The return to classes doesnt necessarily mean a greater risk for the kids who return to school nor for the community, said Miguel Betancourt, a public health expert. But they have to follow basic hygiene, vigilance and ventilation conditions and be prepared to constantly make adjustments if necessary, according to UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization.

In Mexico, conditions vary. In some schools children are registered with scanned QR codes and their teachers receive regular rapid tests. Others lack even running water. But educators of both kinds of schools like Delgadillo and Morales agree that while children must be protected, distance learning is not sufficient.

We are going to do everything possible so the children come two or three days, because the other option didnt work, Morales, the teacher in Chiapas, said. But the government has to clean the classrooms.

Mexico has more than 30 million students, 25 million of those in basic education. They make up a significant portion of the 100 million children affected by school closures across Latin America during the past year and half. The region already faced existing obstacles that put many of its students behind their peers in other parts of the world. UNICEF regional advisor Vincenzo Placco warned that the pandemic will sharpen the learning crisis in the region with long-term consequences on the development of an entire generation of students.

Placco said schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen because they are often safer than childrens homes.

In Mexico alone, 5.2 million students did not enroll in the last semester because of issues related to the pandemic or a lack of resources, according to the countrys Interior Ministry, which also warned of increases in domestic violence and suicides among minors.

Gradual reopening and constant re-evaluation will be key. Campeche, in southeast Mexico, was the first state to bring students back to the classroom in April. But it had to stop when infections spiked. Now state education authorities say there were lessons learned: better training for teachers and parents, try to have teachers stay in the communities where they teach so theres less mobility and dedicate Fridays for remedial work for students who have fallen behind.

The federal government ended up quashing an idea to have parents sign a letter confirming it was their decision to send their children to school. Many considered an attempt by the government to shirk responsibility for providing safe learning environments.

Morales said in Chiapas they will ask parents to sign because teachers dont want to be held responsible if there are infections. In Mexico City, many private schools are requiring students to bring a signed formed each day saying that the student shows no symptoms of illness.

Everything scares you, said Rosario Placido, who sells quesadillas, and has a 5-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son. The illness is frightening, but he who doesnt go, doesnt learn.
The current supply chain disruption and labour crisis is set to worsen as the peak trading period in the run-up to Christmas nears, Scottish food and farming organisations have warned.

In a new letter sent to the UK and Scottish governments, industry groups have called for more action on tackling the labour crisis ahead of the crucial Christmas season.

The letter was organised by Food & Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland and co-signed by NFU Scotland, Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Bakers, Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, Scottish Seafood Alliance and Scottish Wholesale Association.

The letter, which was sent to the UK and Scottish governments on 26 August, said: "Both Brexit and the pandemic have accelerated existing pressures on labour availability.

"We have now reached crisis point putting the growth, viability and security of many Scottish businesses in jeopardy, with knock on impacts for consumers. We need action now to save Christmas."

The impact of the crisis at grass roots level is growing. Andrew Faichney, Managing Director of East Of Scotland Growers (ESG), has highlighted the costly impact that Scottish growers were facing due to worker shortages in the supply chain.

ESG, a farmer-owned co-operative based in Cupar, has already been unable to market 4 million heads of broccoli and cauliflower with more unlikely to get to market this week.

"Our losses to date are somewhere in the region of 2,500,000 heads of broccoli and 1,500,000 heads of cauliflower  half of which will have been harvested then dumped out of store, with the other half being ploughed in," Mr Faichney said.

"Ignoring harvesting, haulage, and packaging, this carries a direct growing cost of somewhere in the region of 1.1 million.

"This cost will continue to rise as we go through this week until the freezing of our crops can begin."

Scottish business have been consulted widely on the issue. In a recent FDF Scotland survey of 88 firms, 93% currently had job vacancies, 90% of them described their job vacancies as hard to fill, and 97% of them felt that they would struggle to fill vacancies in the future.

The reported jobs that were hard to fill cover all parts of the business and all wage ranges, with particularly difficult areas being in engineering and production operation.

The statistics back up the many reports across the sector, which tell of reduced production, reduced growth and ambition and failure to fulfil orders for customers and consumers.

"We are now rapidly approaching a crisis," the industry's letter warned. "It is now clear that many people who would traditionally have been attracted to work in the food industry from abroad can no longer do so.

"Online and delivery companies have also recruited workers during the pandemic and there is no sign of people returning to the industry.

"As an industry we are determined to do what we can to tackle this issue and will continue to progress initiatives and support businesses, but it is very clear that we need immediate help in order to do so."

The groups have called on the UK government to introduce a 12-month Covid recovery visa for the supply chain to deal with the pressures and allow employers to expand recruitment to EU and other overseas workers.

They have also advised the Scottish government to ensure support for automation is embedded in funding programmes where it supports productivity and the development of higher-quality jobs.

"These are unprecedented and turbulent times and, until stability returns for businesses, we would ask the UK and Scottish governments to support the industry and implement these measures," the organisations added.

"Without these, we strongly believe the current supply chain disruption will only worsen as we enter the peak trading period in the run-up to Christmas."

Signatories to the letter include: David Thomson, FDF Scotland; James Withers, Scotland Food & Drink; Scott Walker, NFUS; Alasdair Smith, Scottish Bakers; Peter Cook, Opportunity North East; Martin Morgan, Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers; Jimmy Buchan, Scottish Seafood Alliance; Colin Smith, Scottish Wholesale Association.
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After taking a short break from the movies, it looks like Shah Rukh Khan is all ready to take over the big screen with a storm. The actor is amidst planning the International shooting schedule of his next film Pathan and we hear that King Khan is already planning to start his another film simultaneously.





Today according to reports in Times Of India, Shah Rukh Khan will start shooting for South director Atlees next film soon. The rumours of SRK doing Atlees next has been doing the rounds for a long time, and though neither the makers nor SRK himself has confirmed this news, we hear that the film is all set to roll. According to the reports, Shah Rukh Khan has planned a 10-day schedule in Pune for Atlees action entertainer. Since Pathan is planning its Europe schedule and will take some time, Shah Rukh Khan decided to complete a small schedule for Atlees next. Reports even suggest that on the first day of the shoot the makers will announce the film officially. This film also stars Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra and Sunil Grover. Cant wait.

Shah Rukh Khan is said to bein Spain in the coming month. Reportedly, SRK and Deepika Padukone will shoot for an extensive love song in rich locales of Spain and Madrid. The makers have kept several details under the wraps. Apart from Pathan and Atlees next, SRK fans have several reasons to cheer has he has three interesting cameos lined up too  he will be seen inwith Ranbir Kapoor, will be seen inand then he will also have a cameo instarring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.Read More - Prabhas shares a beautiful poster of Radhe Shyam to mark Janmasthami


Flyer of MotoGP Pre-season on February 11-13, 2022 at Mandalika Circuit. (ANTARA/HO/rst)

Lombok, Indonesia, Aug 29, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Indonesia is honored to host the MotoGP pre-season test at the Mandalika Circuit, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on February 11-13, 2022, Chief Strategic Communication Officer of the Mandalika Grand Prix Association (MGPA) Happy Harinto stated."It is an honor for the Mandalika circuit, and for Indonesia, to be able to serve as a location for the pre-season test in 2022," Harinto told ANTARA on Saturday.Although counted as a new circuit, the Mandalika Circuit has also joined the World Superbike calendar as the host of the closing series on November 12-14 this year.Harinto believes this is an extraordinary opportunity for Indonesia, since not all countries can be trusted as locations for holding pre-season tests. Various aspects are tested during the pre-season test, starting from the physical racers, motorbikes, engines, chassis, tires, to clothes and helmets."Hence, basically everything is being tested from drivers to test technicians, so later standardization or technological specifications will be applied during the 2022 racing season," he stated. Most importantly, all MotoGP riders along with manufacturers and partners will come to the Mandalika circuit, he remarked.Harinto noted that this is an Indonesian automotive asset which will attract the world's attention. Indonesia should be able to take a cue from automotive industries of other countries."Hopefully, the future of Indonesia's automotive industry will be brighter," he emphasized. "This is an encouragement not only for the automotive, but also the tourism industry. We should package and manage the presence of a MotoGP class world event properly."Prior to Mandalika, MotoGP had scheduled a pre-season test at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on February 5-6. The shakedown test session will also be held from January 31 to February 2 in Sepang, with attendees comprising test riders and rookies.After testing the latest motorcycle package in Malaysia, the racers will head to Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).Reporter: Nanien Y, Resinta SEditor: Sri HaryatiCopyright (c) ANTARA 2021Source: Mandalika Grand Prix AssociationCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
BEIJING, Aug 30, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Yang Xiaosong, CEO of China Southern Asset Management Co., Ltd. ("Southern Asset Management"), was asked to deliver the keynote speech at the first ESG Global Leaders Summit on August 26 in Beijing, sponsored by Sina Finance ESG Channel and CITIC Publishing Group. The Summit presented an opportunity to meet with global regulatory, business, investment and academic circles to discuss the future of ESG. The topic Yang chose for his address was The Road to Carbon Neutrality for Institutional Investors.Faced with the increasingly severe challenges of the climate crisis, China made the solemn promise of "30.60 Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality" at the UN Climate Summit last year. As the world's largest developing country, China has actively promoted "carbon peak and carbon neutrality", which not only demonstrates the country's broad mind and responsibility, but also points out the direction for China's economic and social comprehensive green transformation and sustainable development."Carbon peak and carbon neutrality" will promote structural changes in the economy and society, including changes in energy structure, industrial structure, and consumption structure. In this process, on the one hand, professional investment institutions will give full play to the function of optimizing resource allocation and provide long-term funding sources for green and low-carbon high-quality enterprises; on the other hand, the carbon neutral industry chain breeds huge investment opportunities. Professional investment institutions can Through the layout of new opportunities for industrial upgrading and technological breakthroughs, it will create returns for investors and create value for society.As a leading domestic institutional investor, Southern Asset Management attaches great importance to the research and practice of sustainable development finance. As early as 2018, it joined UNPRI (United Nations Responsible Investment Organization) and took the lead in establishing an ESG management structure, an ESG evaluation system and an ESG evaluation system. Investment system, implement active shareholder strategies, and explore the guiding role of investment on the real economy. "Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" is an important part of ESG investment. Regarding how institutional investors can promote "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality", we have the following thoughts and explorations:One is to build a "carbon emissions" database with the help of financial technology.Carbon emission data is an infrastructure for the financial industry to measure the climate change risks faced by enterprises, and it is also an essential part of asset pricing revaluation. Public funds need to conduct a more comprehensive and three-dimensional analysis of investment targets through big data collection, and fully integrate carbon emission databases with active research. However, the actual situation is that the ESG information disclosure data of domestic companies is incomplete. As of May 2021, there are only 1092 and 149 listed companies that actively disclose ESG data and carbon footprint data, accounting for 25% and 3.6% respectively (Data source: "Statistical Research Report on Information Disclosure of A-Share Listed Companies in 2020", "Analysis Report on Information Disclosure of A-Share Listed Companies in Response to Climate Change 2021"). In this regard, Southern Asset Management has completed the carbon emission measurement database of all more than 4,000 listed companies in A-shares through external data collection, financial technology, and algorithms. This forms the basis for our in-depth research and investment.The second is to optimize the investment framework and reduce the carbon footprint of the asset portfolio.With the opening of the national carbon trading market, a clear carbon pricing mechanism internalizes the social costs incurred by enterprises, and also provides us with an important reference for repricing the risks and returns of enterprises. It can be expected that with the improvement of the carbon credit allocation mechanism, the impact of carbon trading on asset prices will gradually increase. In the past year, Southern Asset Management has significantly reduced the investment ratio of high-polluting and high-energy-consuming companies, and the weighted average carbon emissions of the stock portfolio have fallen by more than 40%. (Internal data of Southern Asset Management).The third is to enrich the supply of products and promote the research and development of carbon emission products.Public equity funds help investors share the growth dividends of the carbon neutral industry through investment strategies and product research and development. For example, we have conducted research on the carbon emissions of the CSI 300 component stocks in the past ten years. The low-emission component stock strategy has gradually produced excess returns in 2016, and the excess returns have increased significantly from 2019. In addition, in the future, new energy may be a long-term investment direction centered on technological progress, technological upgrading and energy efficiency improvement of "carbon neutrality". At the product level, we have deployed Southern ESG theme equity funds, Southern China Securities New Energy ETF and feeder funds, and Southern New Energy Industry Trend Hybrid Fund.The fourth is to fulfill social responsibilities and improve the carbon emission management system.Southern Asset Management has established an internal carbon emission management system to account for the company's carbon emissions in accordance with internationally accepted standards. The company headquarters building received LEED Gold Award-Energy Saving and Emission Reduction Building Certification. In addition, through voluntary carbon emission reduction certified emission reductions (VCUs/Verified Carbon Units) and international green certificates (I-REC/International Renewable Energy Certificate), we have completed the full amount of direct and indirect carbon emissions in the company's operations. Offset, achieved carbon neutrality of the company's operating system in July 2021.The fifth is to establish an ecosystem and continuously enhance the influence of ESG.We promote the establishment of the ecosystem through the following levels. First, Southern Asset Management is a 100+ member of Climate Action, and is committed to promoting the emission reduction and transformation of 161 major greenhouse gas emitting companies in the world through the implementation of an active shareholder strategy; Southern Asset Management has released the first domestic ESG investment annual report for public funds this year, improving the transparency of ESG investment and promoting industry development by improving information disclosure. At the same time, we are also a signatory member of TCFD (climate-related financial information disclosure) and invest in ESG In the annual report, detailed environmental information is disclosed in accordance with international standards."Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality" is a complex, long-term and systematic project. On the way to a "zero carbon future", Southern Asset Management will firmly focus on the goal of "carbon peak and carbon neutrality", based on its origins in the asset management industry, and is committed to providing more efficient and professional financial services for green and low-carbon development. We are willing to work with all partners to create a beautiful future in which "green water and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains" and harmonious coexistence of man and nature!Yang XiaosongChief Executive OfficerChina Southern Asset Management Co., Ltd.August 26, 2021As a leading mutual fund in China, Southern Asset Management honors its social responsibilities. Apart from taking an active part in environmental protection and public welfare programs, it fully integrates ESG into its operation and investment. Southern Asset Management is a signatory of UN Principles for Responsible Investment and a member of the China ESG Leaders Association and the Climate Action 100+. It was among the first to launch an ESG Equity Fund in China to encourage ESG investment across the country. Its ESG efforts have been widely recognized, as evidenced by the honors it has received over the years, including the China ESG Golden Awards by Sina.com, the Evergreen Award by Caijing and the China Green Finance Award by Asiamoney.Contact: Zhang Wanyi, Southern Asset ManagementE: zhangwanyi@southernfund.com, U: http://www.southernfund.comSource: China Southern Asset ManagementCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 29, 2021) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solution provider for workforces, today announces its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2021. All dollar figures are stated in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

"We are very pleased to report the second quarter of 2021 saw us deliver strong year over year revenue growth, add industry leading professionals to the organization, and expand our operational presence to new markets globally," said Ian L. Paterson, CEO of Plurilock. "The growth exhibited provides further validation that enterprise customers look to Plurilock for a partner that delivers simple, reliable, industry leading cybersecurity solutions to some of the world's leading organizations."

"As part of our stated strategy of acquiring assets to complement our existing authentication products, we completed our first acquisition of cybersecurity solutions provider Aurora Systems Consulting Inc.," continued Mr. Paterson. "With Aurora, we have secured a channel partner with an experienced sales force and over 140 government and commercial customers to offer our high margin software. As well, we have seen success of our sales strategy with our recent $672,000 multi-year purchase order of DEFEND continuous authentication product by a leading overseas financial institution."

Following a series of high-profile cyber attacks, discussions on cybersecurity infrastructure and investment have been top of mind for governmental and private-sector organizations. Last week, the White House administration met with leaders from several technology companies for a cybersecurity summit.1 Subsequently, big names in technology including Google and Microsoft have since announced planned multi-billion dollar investments in new industry standards, stronger security tools, and skills training to prevent and mitigate attacks.2

Second Quarter Fiscal 2021 Financial Highlights

Total revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, was $8,604,310 and $8,680,071 respectively ($79,512 and $182,851 over the same periods in the prior fiscal year). The increase in revenue is due to the acquisition of Aurora Systems Consulting Inc. ("Aurora") in the Solutions Division.

Hardware sales revenues accounted for 88.1% and 87.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively (0% for both the periods in 2020) of total revenues. Electronic software, license and maintenance sales revenues accounted for 8.6% and 9.3% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively (100% and 89.4% for the same periods in 2020) of total revenues. Professional services revenue accounted for 3.3% and 3.4% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 (0% and 10.6% for the same periods in 2020) of total revenues. Hardware sales revenue was the new revenue stream added to the Company after the acquisition of Aurora.

Hardware sales revenue was $7,581,208 for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. No revenue was recorded under this category in prior year.

Electronic software license and maintenance sales revenue was $738,054 and $805,810 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to $79,512 and $163,480 over the same periods in the prior year.

Professional services sales revenue was $285,048 and $293,053 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to nil and $19,371 over the same periods in the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA was $(985,142) and $(2,041,539) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, compared to $(482,375) and $(1,037,749) over the same periods in the prior year.

Cash & cash equivalents on June 30, 2021, was $4,977,387 compared to $1,721,179 on December 31, 2020.

Cash used in operating activities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was $418,094 and $1,576,549, compared to $321,435 and $518,543 during the same periods in the prior fiscal year.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2021 Operational Highlights

On April 13, 2021, Wells Fargo Bank outstanding LOC totalling US$500,000 was repaid in full.

On April 27, 2021, Aurora's Paycheck Protection Program (" PPP ") loan obtained from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (" CARES Act ") loan including US$199,830 in principal and US$2,053.81 in interest was forgiven.

On April 27, 2021, Plurilock filed two additional U.S. provisional patent applications for new advancements in continuous authentication technology. The first application documents new techniques for utilizing behavioral biometrics in forensic analysis of insider threats, a key cyber concern for work forces. The second application covers enhancements to Plurilock's invisible authentication technology, which would broaden the situations in which it can be used while ensuring its robustness in today's multimodal and increasingly remote work environments.

On May 9, 2021, the Company filed a preliminary short form base shelf prospectus (the "Prospectus") with securities regulators in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, other than Quebec. The Prospectus, when made final and effective, will enable Plurilock to offer, issue and sell up to $50 million of common shares, warrants, subscription receipts, debt securities and units or a combination thereof from time to time, separately or together, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of the offering and as set out in an accompanying prospectus supplement, during the 25- month period that the Prospectus, when made final, remain valid.

On June 28, 2021, the Company released a new Splunk SIEM application for its DEFEND continuous authentication product.

On June 29, 2021, the Company added retired U.S. Navy vice-admiral Jan E. Tighe to its advisory board, who currently serves as an independent director on the board of Goldman Sachs.

During Q2 2021 the Company announced US$3,319,000 of new orders and contracts which included a US$1.15 million order with the U.S. Department of the Navy under National Aeronautics and Space Administration's ("NASA") Solution for Enterprise-Wide Procurement ("SEWP"), United States Government-Wide Acquisition Contract Vehicle ("GWAC") that was announced on May 7, 2021.

Summary of Key Financial Metrics





Table 1



To view an enhanced version of this table, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7288/94841_plurilocktable1.jpg

Non-IFRS measures

This news release presents information about EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, both of which are non-IFRS financial measures, to provide supplementary information about operating performance. Plurilock defines EBITDA as net income or loss before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA removes non-cash share-based compensation and listing expenses from EBITDA. The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful financial metric for investors as it adjusts income to reflect amounts which the Company can use to fund working capital requirements, service future interest and principal debt repayments and fund future growth initiatives. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended as a substitute for IFRS measures. A limitation of utilizing these non-IFRS measures is that the IFRS accounting effects of the adjustments do in fact reflect the underlying financial results of Plurilock's business and these effects should not be ignored in evaluating and analyzing Plurilock's financial results. Therefore, management believes that Plurilock's IFRS measures of net loss and the same respective non-IFRS measure should be considered together. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Readers should refer to the Company's most recently filed MD&A for a more detailed discussion of these measures and their calculation.

Quarterly Filings

Management's Discussion and Analysis and Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2021 can be obtained from Plurilock's corporate website at www.plurilock.com and under Plurilock's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

About Plurilock

Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. Plurilock offers world- class cybersecurity solutions paired with AI-driven, cloud-friendly security technologies that deliver persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely-while reducing cybersecurity friction.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Ian L. Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

ian@plurilock.com

212.780.3255

Roland Sartorius

Chief Financial Officer

roland.sartorius@plurilock.com

Prit Singh

Investor Relations

prit.singh@plurilock.com

905.510.7636

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") which relate to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward- looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/25/google-microsoft-plan-to-spend-billions-on-cybersecurity-after-meeting-with-biden.html https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/25/google-microsoft-plan-to-spend-billions-on-cybersecurity-after-meeting-with-biden.html

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94841
- Call to investigate three specific and separate incidents of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the six-year Saudi-led war

- Call to use jurisdiction over three ICC signatory states Jordan, Senegal, and Maldives - also members of Saudi-led Coalition - to hold those responsible to account

- Call to investigate citizens of ICC signatory state Colombia - hired as mercenaries by US private military company contracted to UAE

- Legal counsel additionally considering other measures including Universal Jurisdiction Arrest Warrants; class action in the United States, United Kingdom, and elsewhere.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of victims of the war in Yemen today submit evidence to the International Criminal Court - calling on the new Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC to open an investigation into War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity committed during the six-year conflict.

In their application - filed by their legal counsel Guernica37 International Justice Chambers of London - evidence is submitted by survivors, their relatives, and families of the deceased murdered in three, well-documented and already international NGO-investigated and global reported events:

- Against a school bus in August 2018, killing 34 and maiming dozens more in an attack so devastating many families could not recover any recognisable body parts of the child victims;

- In a double missile attack launched in October 2016 against the same funeral gathering which led to at least 110 deaths and over 600 life-changing injuries;

- Torture and murder of civilians in Aden, southern Yemen by Colombian mercenaries under the command of a US private military company contracted to the United Arab Emirates.

Since the Saudi-led war commenced in 2015, destroying a well-advanced UN-mediated peace and reconciliation process, it is estimated some quarter of a million have been killed and a further three million displaced.

Speaking of the attack on behalf of victims of the school-bus attack, Almudena Bernabeu co-founder of Guernica37 said:

"At the time of the attack the Coalition claimed they would investigate and hold the perpetrators to account. Of course, they did no such thing.

"As the court of last resort, victims and families have no choice but to call on the International Criminal Court to ensure justice is done".

In 2017 the ICC opened an investigation into crimes allegedly perpetrated by British military personnel in Iraq. While the investigation did not proceed to trial, it set a precedent that it is possible to investigate and hold accountable citizens of countries that are members of the ICC for crimes committed in countries that are not.

Although neither Yemen nor key protagonists Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are State Parties to the Rome Statue - the international treaty that establishes the jurisdiction of the ICC - other members of their war coalition, namely Jordan, Senegal, and The Maldives, are.

In addition, evidence submitted that Colombian nationals were hired as mercenaries by a US private military company contracted to the United Arab Emirates means, when Colombia is a State Party to the ICC, they too could be investigated.

Speaking as the submission is made, Toby Cadman co-founder of Guernica37 and lead counsel to the applicants added:

"Three signatories to the Rome Statue - Jordan, Senegal, and The Maldives - were members of the Saudi-led coalition at the time of both the school bus and funeral attacks.

"Similarly, citizens of another ICC member Colombia were combatants in the war at the same time.

"The ICC can and must use its clear jurisdiction to investigate these undeniable and evidenced crimes".

In addition to the submission before the ICC, counsel for the victims is considering other legal options to pursue political and military figures of ICC signatory states. These include the issuance of Universal Jurisdiction Arrest Warrants, and the launching of a class action suit in the United States of America, United Kingdom, and in other countries and jurisdictions worldwide.

Commenting on these other legal avenues, Toby Cadman of Guernica37 added:

"While our campaign begins at the International Criminal Court, we intend to fight our case using all and every legal avenue available. Those who perpetrate the worst crimes can and will be held accountable".
New Kisqali (ribociclib)* overall survival (OS) results from MONALEESA-2 trial in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer patients in the first-line setting





(ribociclib)* overall survival (OS) results from MONALEESA-2 trial in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer patients in the first-line setting Health-related quality of life, pain and safety outcomes from phase III VISION trial of investigational radioligand therapy 177 Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer





Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer Data supporting upcoming regulatory filings for tislelizumab in people with squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and for alpelisib in people with PIK3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum (PROS)





Novartis to host virtual panel on access to quality cancer care in Europe, open to ESMO registered participants, as part of the company's ongoing support for EUnite initiative

Basel, August 30, 2021 - Novartis will present new data from its robust portfolio and pipeline of advanced therapeutic platforms in solid tumors, with more than 55 abstracts from Novartis-sponsored and investigator-initiated trials accepted at the upcoming European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2021. The ESMO Congress will be held virtually September 16-21, 2021.

"At Novartis, we boldly push science further to make a meaningful difference to patients," said Susanne Schaffert, PhD, President, Novartis Oncology. "With deeper analyses in overall survival and quality of life in breast and prostate cancer, as well as exciting research in other solid tumors, our data at ESMO demonstrates our ambition to transform lives and renew patients' hope for the future."

Key abstracts accepted by ESMO include:

Overall survival (OS) results from the phase III MONALEESA-2 (ML-2) trial of postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with endocrine therapy (ET)  ribociclib [Kisqali (ribociclib)*; Late-breaker abstract presentation # LBA17; Proffered paper session: Sunday, Sept. 19, 2:10 PM CEST]





(ribociclib)*; Late-breaker abstract presentation # LBA17; Proffered paper session: Sunday, Sept. 19, 2:10 PM CEST] Association of quality of life (QoL) with OS in patients with HR+/HER2- ABC treated with ribociblib + ET in the ML-3 ML-7 trials [Kisqali; Abstract presentation # 233P; poster available: Monday, Sept. 13, 12:05 AM CEST]





Health-related QoL, pain and safety outcomes in the phase 3 VISION study of 177 Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPR) [Abstract presentation # 576MO; mini oral presentation: Sunday, Sept. 19, 5:50 PM CEST]





Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPR) [Abstract presentation # 576MO; mini oral presentation: Sunday, Sept. 19, 5:50 PM CEST] EPIK-P1: Retrospective chart review study of patients with PIK3CA-related overgrowth spectrum (PROS) who have received alpelisib as part of a compassionate use programme [Late-breaker abstract presentation # LBA23; Proffered paper session: Friday, Sept. 17, 1:30 PM CEST]





RATIONALE 304: Tislelizumab plus chemotherapy (chemo) vs chemo alone as first-line (1L) treatment for non-squamous (non-sq) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients who are smokers vs non-smokers [Abstract presentation # 1290P; poster available: Monday, Sept. 13, 12:05 AM CEST]





RATIONALE 307: Tislelizumab plus chemo vs chemo alone as 1L treatment for advanced sqNSCLC in patients who were smokers vs non-smokers [Abstract presentation # 1297P; poster available: Monday, Sept. 13, 12:05 AM CEST]



Additional data presentations highlight the breadth of our pipeline and our ongoing commitment to discover and develop innovations that address unmet medical needs for patients with cancer:

Medicine Abstract Title Abstract Number Prostate Cancer 177Lu-PSMA-617 PSMAddition: a phase 3 trial to compare treatment with 177Lu-PSMA-617 plus standard of care (SOC) versus SOC alone in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer Abstract presentation # 647TiP

Poster available: Thursday, Sept. 16, 08:30 AM CEST 177Lu-PSMA-617 PSMAfore: a phase 3 study to compare 177Lu-PSMA-617 treatment with a change in androgen receptor pathway inhibitor in taxane-naive patients with mCRPC Abstract presentation #648TiP

Poster available: Thursday, Sept. 16, 08:30 AM CEST



Breast Cancer Piqray (alpelisib) Antineoplastic therapies after alpelisib or placebo + fulvestrant in patients with HR+/HER2-, PIK3CA-mutated ABC: an analysis from SOLAR-1 Abstract presentation # 309P

Poster available: Monday, Sept. 13, 12:05 AM CEST



Neuroendocrine Tumors (NET) Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate)** The phase 3 NETTER-1 study of 177Lu-DOTATATE in patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumours: further survival analyses Abstract presentation # 1102P

Poster available: Friday, Sept. 17, 09:00 AM CEST Lutathera A phase II trial to evaluate the safety and dosimetry of 177Lu-DOTA-TATE in adolescent patients with somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas Abstract presentation # 1122TiP

Poster available: Friday, Sept. 17, 09:00 AM CEST

With the unique opportunity to engage a variety of cancer care stakeholders in Europe, Novartis will also host an ESMO Industry Connect virtual panel on Monday, September 20, 8:00 AM CEST, under the EUnite initiative, to discuss opportunities presented by the European Commission 'Europe's Beating Cancer Plan,' and practical steps to address inequalities in cancer care in the region. Featured panelists include:

Bettina Ryll - Board Member of the European Commission's Cancer Mission, Physician and Founder of Melanoma Patient Network Europe

Fatima Cardoso - Director Breast Unit, Champalimaud Clinical Centre; President, Advanced Breast Cancer Global Alliance

John Ryan - EU Commission, Deputy Director General for Health



More information and access to the event will be available to all registered congress participants.

Additional details on Novartis-sponsored abstracts and activities, and access to the presentations will be available on https://www.hcp.novartis.com/virtual-congress/esmo-2021/, starting on September 16.

Product Information

Approved indications for products vary by country and not all indications are available in every country. The product safety and efficacy profiles have not yet been established outside the approved indications. Because of the uncertainty of clinical trials, there is no guarantee that compounds will become commercially available with additional indications.

For full prescribing information, including approved indications and important safety information about marketed products, please visit https://www.novartisoncology.com/news/product-portfolio (https://www.novartisoncology.com/news/product-portfolio).

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "may," "could," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "seek," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach nearly 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 109,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com.

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews (https://twitter.com/novartisnews)

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library (https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library)

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com)

# # #

* Kisqali was developed by the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals.

** Lutathera is a registered trademark of Advanced Accelerator Applications, a Novartis company.

Novartis Media Relations

E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com)

Anja von Treskow

Novartis External Communications

+41 79 392 8697 (mobile)

anja.von_treskow@novartis.com (mailto:anja.von_treskow@novartis.com)







Julie Masow

Novartis US External Communications

+1 862 579 8456

Julie.masow@novartis.com (mailto:Julie.masow@novartis.com) Fiona Phillips

Novartis Oncology Communications

+1 862 217 9396

fiona.phillips@novartis.com (mailto:fiona.phillips@novartis.com)

Novartis Investor Relations

Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944

E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com (mailto:investor.relations@novartis.com)
Press Release

Outside trading hours - Regulated information*

Brussels, Dublin, 30 August 2021 (8.00 a.m. CEST, before stock exchange hours)

KBC Bank Ireland sells substantially all of its remaining non-performing mortgage loan portfolio

No immediate changes or actions for customers.

Following the announcement made on the 16th April 2021 by KBC Group and KBC Bank Ireland that they were exploring options to divest the remaining non-performing mortgage loan portfolio of KBC Bank Ireland, KBC Bank Ireland can now confirm it has reached agreement to dispose of a non-performing mortgage loan portfolio of roughly 1.1 billion euros (Private Dwelling House (PDH) and Buy to let (BTL) and a small number of non-mortgage non-performing loans) in a transaction financed by funds managed by CarVal Investors ("CarVal").

Post completion, Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland) DAC will be managing the loans as Legal Title Holder. Pepper is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Customers will continue to have the same legal and regulatory protections (for example under the Consumer Protection Code (CPC) and the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA)) after the sale.

There is no immediate change for customers. KBC Bank Ireland customers do not need to take any action as a result of today's announcement. Prior to the closing of the transaction, KBC Bank Ireland will contact the customers whose loan(s) is/are included in the sale, to inform them that their loan(s) is/are being transferred.

The transaction is marginally capital accretive with a combined impact (P&L and RWA) on the pro-forma 2Q21 CET1 ratio of KBC Group of approximately 2bps. It will have an impact on KBC Group's P&L, almost fully booked in 3Q21, which is estimated at -0.1 billion euros. The risk-weighted assets decrease by 0.8 billion euros.

Johan Thijs, KBC Group CEO welcomed today's transaction: "In the past few years, KBC Bank Ireland already gradually built down its legacy non-performing corporate loan portfolio and buy to let mortgage loan portfolio in Ireland. These sales have now been complemented with the sale of substantially all of the remaining non-performing mortgage loan portfolio. This transaction allows KBC Bank Ireland to clean up legacy and further reduce its NPL ratio."

KBC Bank Ireland CEO, Ales Blazek commented: "I'm confident that the agreement we have signed for the sale of substantially all of the remaining non-performing mortgage loan portfolio, and with Pepper managing the loans post completion, offers a good and sustainable solution for our non-performing mortgage loan customers. We can assure that any customers whose loans are included in the transaction will continue to be afforded the same legal and regulatory protections. Pepper is a well established player in the Irish market. Affected customers will be contacted shortly regarding concrete steps related to them."

Note to the editors

CarVal Investors is an established global alternative investment manager focused on distressed and credit-intensive assets and market inefficiencies. Since 1987, CarVal's team has navigated through ever-changing credit market cycles, opportunistically investing $130 billion in 5,550 transactions across 82 countries. Today, CarVal Investors has approximately $10 billion in assets under management in corporate securities, loan portfolios, structured credit and hard assets.

Pepper Finance Corporation (Ireland) DAC ("Pepper") will be managing the loans post completion as the Legal Title Holder and the lender of record. Pepper is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, so all customers will continue to be afforded all regulatory protections.

For more information, please contact:

KBC Group :

Viviane Huybrecht, General Manager, Corporate Communication/Spokesperson, KBC Group

Tel +32 2 429 85 45 - E-mail: viviane.huybrecht@kbc.be , pressofficekbc@kbc.be

Website: www.kbc.com

Kurt De Baenst, General Manager, Investor Relations, KBC Group

Tel +32 2 429 35 73 - E-mail: IR4U@kbc.be

KBC Bank Ireland

Edelman - Joe Carmody, CEO - Tel + 353 86 805 87 64 joe.carmody@edelman.com

* This news item contains information that is subject to the transparency regulations for listed companies.



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Attachment
Earlier this summer HTV (Heavy Transport Vessel) BigRoll Beaufort sailed from the Sembcorp Marine construction yard in Singapore with the three topsides, headed directly to the Tyra field. The 16.000 kilometers long voyage went according to plan and schedule. At the Tyra field, the world's largest crane vessel, Sleipnir, is now in position to lift the three topsides off the vessel and onto the jackets. The lifting of the topsides will be followed by an installation period scheduled to take place during September. Progress on the five remaining platforms continues per schedule to meet the first gas date in Q2 2023.

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.
Artnet Auctions expands into the Buy Now space

Gallery veteran to lead the business

New channel to offer fixed price works

BERLIN, GERMANY / New York, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / Artnet AG, the leading provider of art market data and online-only fine art auctions, announced that Emma Fastenberg has joined Artnet Auctions as the Head of Buy Now. In addition to the company's existing online auctions business, the Buy Now division is a new sales channel that will be focused on offering fixed price works across collecting categories. Ms. Fastenberg will also lead the charge on developing releases and timed sale opportunities for historical and newly released prints and editions.

Ms. Fastenberg joins the Artnet Auctions team from Pace Prints where she most recently served as Director. In her time at Pace Prints, Ms. Fastenberg developed close relationships with clients and artists as well as a broad experience in the contemporary printmaking and publishing industry. Ms. Fastenberg holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Tulane University.

"There is no one better equipped to envision and execute on this new channel for the business than Emma", said Colleen Cash, Vice President, Auctions. "Emma's years of experience in bringing to market historical and new works in innovative and commercially savvy ways are a unique advantage for us in this increasingly competitive space. She has strong market instincts and a wide global network; that coupled with the power of the Artnet suite of products is a recipe for success."

"I am thrilled to join Artnet to develop and scale the Buy Now Feature. Purchasing art digitally has become more desirable than ever and a Buy Now feature built on Artnet's foundation of transparency & reliability will provide an edge in the growing art e-commerce space." said Emma Fastenberg, Head of Buy Now, Auctions. "I look forward to working with Artnet on new and profitable initiatives. The Buy Now experience will complement Artnet's growing business while shaping the future of how people buy art."

This new channel expands transactional opportunity for buyers and sellers alike by building out a business focused on curated offerings available at a set price. The channel will be instrumental in ensuring Artnet Auctions has a varied consignment pipeline across private client and institutional bases, and ample opportunities for buyers with varied collecting interests to transact across price points and outside of Auction parameters.

Artnet Auctions is a pioneer of the digital art market, and was the first to launch online sales dedicated to fine art. Today, it hosts more than 70 curated sales a year featuring a range of sought- after contemporary art , prints, and photographs, offering collectors strategic opportunities to buy and sell year round. Artnet Auctions fee-based revenue increased significantly by 23% to 3.0 million USD in the first six months of 2021, as compared to 2020, and is aiming for another record year.

Emma joined the team in August 2021 and is available to discuss sale opportunities for the fall season.

About Artnet

With 24/7 worldwide bidding, Artnet Auctions is the leading online-only marketplace for buying and selling fine art. New bidders, buyers, and consignors across categories, geographies, and demographics entrust artnet Auctions with their needs. More artworks are offered and traded digitally than ever before and Artnet Auctions' efficiency, digitally native operation, quick turnaround, and continuous sales throughout the year are unmatched in the industry. The auction platform allows for immediate transactions, with a seamless flow between sellers, specialists, and collectors. Complementing the online auctions, artnet is the leading resource for researching art online. Founded in 1989, Artnet's suite of industry-leading products has revolutionized the way people discover and collect art today. The Price Database contains more than 14 million auction results from 1,900 auction houses dating back to 1985, providing an unparalleled level of transparency to the art market. The Gallery Network platform connects leading galleries with collectors from around the world, offering the most comprehensive overview of artworks for sale. Artnet News covers the events, trends, and people shaping the global art market with up-to-the-minute analysis and expert commentary.

Artnet AG is listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the segment with the highest transparency standards.

ISIN: DE000A1K0375

LEI: 391200SHGPEDTRIC0X31

Contact:

Sophie Neuendorf

sneuendorf@artnet.com

SOURCE: artnet AG

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661929/artnet-AG-Artnet-Auctions-Launches-Buy-Now-Business-Hires-Emma-Fastenberg-to-Lead-the-Charge
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - Tudor Gold Corp. (TSXV: TUD) (FSE: TUC) (the "Company" or "Tudor Gold") is pleased to present the second set of results from 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. Exploration at Treaty Creek is ongoing at Goldstorm and Eureka zones with six diamond drills now fully crewed. Results have recently been received from MSA Labs for nine diamond drill holes, which are presented below.

Treaty Creek, Drilling Highlights include:

An exceptional extension of the 300 Horizon and CS600 to the northeast in hole GS-21-113 that contains 972.0 meters (m) of 1.265 g/t AuEq including 456.0 m of 1.352 g/t AuEq in the 300 Horizon and 405.0 m of 1.439 g/t AuEq in CS-600.

Strong, consistent mineralization in GS-21-112 which further extends DS-5 to the northwest with 219.0 m of 1.287 g/t AuEq including 79.5 m of 2.079 g/t AuEq or 156.0 m of 1.557 g/t AuEq.

Mineralization of the 300 Horizon in GS-21-111 totals 613.5 m of 0.869 g/t AuEq, which included an enriched section of 120.0 m averaging 1.974 g/t AuEq within 351.0 m of 1.253 g/t AuEq.

Near-surface gold mineralization continues along the SW trend for over a kilometer at Perfect Storm as PS-21-06 encountered 118.6 m of 0.721 g/t AuEq including 59.9 m of 0.927 g/t AuEq. The mineralized system appears to be gaining strength towards the Iron Cap Deposit approximately three kilometers to the southwest.

Strong copper mineralization was observed within CS-600 domain in GS-21-113 with 405 m averaging 0.618% Cu (6179 ppm Cu), with an enriched zone of 273 m averaging 0.845% Cu (8436 ppm Cu).

Goldstorm Deposit remains open in all directions and at depth as drilling continues.

Tudor Gold's Vice President of Exploration and Project Development, Ken Konkin, P.Geo., states: "We are extremely pleased with our continued success with our step-out drilling. Our goal is to find the limits to the Goldstorm Deposit and to advance the resources from our Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of 19.41 million gold equivalent (AuEq) ounces of Measured and Indicated grading 0.74 g/t AuEq and 7.9 million AuEq ounces of Inferred grading 0.79 g/t AuEq. We continue to intercept exceptional mineralization within the defined domains and consistently identify extensions to these domains particularly to the northeast and northwest as well as at depth. Due to the recent success with the Goldstorm results, drilling at the Perfect Storm Zone has been delayed as all drills are now required at Goldstorm to attempt to complete the planned drilling. As well, once we finish the current drill hole in progress at Eureka, that rig will be moved to Goldstorm to continue the step-out drilling to the northeast. We are very excited with the results from PS-21-06 at the Perfect Storm Zone as we again encountered significant near-surface gold mineralization, with 118.6 meters averaging 0.721 g/t AuEq, containing an uppermost portion averaging 0.927 g/t AuEq over 59.9 meters. We will plan for continued drilling at Perfect Storm once we delineate the northeastern limits to the Goldstorm Deposit. All three wide-spaced drill holes hit significant gold mineralization at Perfect Storm and have indicated gold mineralization along the SW axis for more than a kilometer. Only a very small portion of the Perfect Storm magnetic anomaly has been tested."

Walter Storm, President and CEO, states: "We are very excited to see the continuation of these exceptional drill results from our resource definition and exploration drilling program at Goldstorm. The northeastern step-out drilling of the 300 Horizon, CS-600 and DS-5 domains continues to demonstrate the robust nature of the Goldstorm Deposit. We continue to expand the size of the deposit with some of the best gold and copper results obtained to-date on the project. We expect this to translate to an upgrade of our mineral resource estimate. The results at Perfect Storm are very encouraging as well, since all three, 300-meter step-out holes hit a portion of the mineralized system. The potential for discovery of yet another large gold system at Perfect Storm remains great and our aggressive 300-meter step-out drilling to the southwest will continue as soon as we can add to our drilling personnel."

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 the drill holes reported in this news release.

Table 1: Results Goldstorm Zone and Perfect Storm Zone Press Release August 30th, 2021

Section Hole Zone

From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu ppm AuEQ (g/t) A - 320 GS-21-106* 300H

73.50 93.00 19.50 0.754 2.81 423 0.792



300H

177.00 214.50 37.50 0.441 2.37 159 0.487



300H

291.00 429.00 138.00 0.488 2.10 101 0.525



including

300.00 343.50 43.50 0.551 3.14 211 0.613



AND

390.00 427.50 37.50 0.639 3.11 47 0.681 A - 320 GS-21-106-W1 300H

0.00 354.00 354.00 0.717 2.06 169 0.761



including

106.50 316.50 210.00 0.868 2.02 124 0.906



AND

220.50 316.50 96.00 1.258 2.40 147 1.304 B - 320 GS-21-111 300H

193.50 807.00 613.50 0.802 2.75 299 0.869



including

324.00 675.00 351.00 1.154 4.32 409 1.253



AND

325.50 445.50 120.00 1.831 4.50 772 1.974



CS600

1123.50 1210.50 87.00 0.609 2.32 2315 0.910



DS5

1317.00 1398.00 81.00 0.606 1.57 209 0.649 116+50 NE GS-21-112 DS5

858.00 1077.00 219.00 1.115 11.70 295 1.287



including

891.00 1047.00 156.00 1.383 11.88 298 1.557



AND

967.50 1047.00 79.50 1.831 16.57 439 2.076 116+50 NE GS-21-113 300H + CS600

255.00 1227.00 972.00 0.91 3.66 2647 1.265



including

255.00 711.00 456.00 1.301 3.34 101 1.352



AND

552.00 699.00 147.00 2.555 7.04 78 2.646



including

822.00 1227.00 405.00 0.654 4.64 6179 1.439



AND

892.50 1165.50 273.00 0.771 5.50 8436 1.833 B - 320 GS-21-115 300H

114.50 254.00 139.50 0.557 1.85 98 0.590



including

210.50 254.00 43.50 0.682 3.34 145 0.738





402.50 852.50 450.00 0.644 2.85 122 0.691



including

402.50 512.00 109.50 1.078 3.41 220 1.144



AND

612.50 659.00 46.50 0.98 1.54 114 1.012



AND

819.50 852.50 33.00 1.007 2.44 89 1.046 83+00 NE PS-21-04

174.00 193.50 19.50 0.532 1.06 124 0.559



AND

244.50 258.00 13.50 0.131 1.68 1291 0.303



AND

340.50 356.75 16.25 0.322 1.21 128 0.351 80+00 NE PS-21-05

105.00 142.50 37.50 0.291 0.879 59.66 0.308



AND

241.50 259.50 18.00 0.292 1.36 123 0.322



AND

277.50 291.00 13.50 0.297 0.98 149 0.327 77+50 NE PS-21-06

43.60 162.20 118.60 0.664 3.96 95 0.721



including

43.60 103.50 59.90 0.844 6.09 105 0.927



AND

310.70 329.50 18.80 0.486 2.91 266 0.552



AND

390.00 421.50 31.50 0.957 2.50 442 1.039 * Hole shut down due to deviation and wedged to reach target (GS-21-106-W1) 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 30th, 2021

Section Hole ID UTM E NAD 83 UTM N NAD 83 Elevation (m) Azi (o) Dip (o) Depth (m) A - 320 GS-21-106 428354.6 6272668.5 1301.3 295 -50 429 A - 320 GS-21-106-W1 428193.4 6272743.6 1060.9 300 -53 972 B - 320 GS-21-111 428417.6 6272839.1 1323.4 300 -70 1431 116+50 NE GS-21-112 429083.6 6273171.3 1223.9 295 -88 1107 115+50 NE GS-21-113 428781.3 6273288.3 1344.9 295 -65 1500.55 B - 320 GS-21-115 428417.3 6272839.3 1323.4 300 -60 895.7 83+00 NE PS-21-04 427014.6 6270585.7 1530.8 295 -88 531 80+00 NE PS-21-05 426695.7 6270400.6 1562.0 295 -88 525 77+50 NE PS-21-06 426388.3 6270330.0 1609.8 295 -88 522

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.

The Company also reports that further to its news release dated June 22, 2021, Tudor Gold has closed its non-brokered private placement ( the "Private Placement") in the reduced amount of 426,500 flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares") at a price of $3.60 per FT Share and 1,200,000 non-flow-through common shares (the "NFT Shares") at a price of $3.00 per NFT Share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,135,400.

Net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used to advance exploration of the Treaty Creek Project as well as for general working capital purposes.

All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a statutory four-month hold period. The Private Placement is subject to receipt of final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Company has paid a cash finder's fee to certain finders in the amount of $91,670.40. The Company has also issued 16,976 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"), with each Finder Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one NFT Share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $3.60 per Warrant Share for up to 12 months from the date of issuance.

The securities being offered under the private placement have not been, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or 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 absent U.S. federal and state registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities in the United States.

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person for this news release for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 is the Company's Vice President of Exploration and Project Development, Ken Konkin, P.Geo. He 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.

About Tudor Gold

TUDOR GOLD Corp. is a precious and base metals exploration and development company with properties in British Columbia's Golden Triangle (Canada), an area that hosts producing and past-producing mines and several large deposits that are approaching potential development. The 17,913 hectare Treaty Creek project (in which TUDOR GOLD has a 60% interest) borders Seabridge Gold Inc.'s KSM property to the southwest and borders Pretium Resources Inc.'s Brucejack property to the southeast. In April 2021 Tudor published their 43-101 technical report, "Technical Report and Initial Mineral Resource Estimate of the Treaty Creek Gold Property, Skeena Mining Division, British Columbia Canada" dated March 1, 2021 on the Company's Sedar profile. The Company also has a 100% interest in the Crown project and a 100% interest in the Eskay North project, all located in the Golden Triangle area.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

TUDOR GOLD CORP.

"Walter Storm"

Walter Storm

President and Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.tudor-gold.com or contact:

Chris Curran

Head of Corporate Development and Communications

Phone: (604) 559 8092

E-Mail: chris.curran@tudor-gold.com

or

Carsten Ringler

Head of Investor Relations and Communications

Phone: +49 151 55362000

E-Mail: carsten.ringler@tudor-gold.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 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 Company 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 Company's planned exploration activities will be completed in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company 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 Company'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 Company with securities regulators.

Although the Company 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.

The Company expressly 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 otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.





Goldstorm and Copper Belle Deposits Plan View



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/94840_tudor1.jpg





Goldstorm Deposit Section A - 320 View 050, +/- 100m



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/94840_tudor2.jpg





Goldstorm Depsoit Section B - 320 View 050, +/- 100m



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/94840_tudor3.jpg





Goldstorm Deposit Section 116+50 NE View 030, +/- 125m



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/94840_tudor4.jpg





Perfect Storm Zone - Plan View



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/94840_tudor5.jpg





Perfect Storm Zone Section 77+50 NE View 030, +/- 50m



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/94840_tudor6.jpg





Perfect Storm Section 80+00 NE View 030, +/- 50m



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/94840_tudor7.jpg





Prefect Storm Section 83+00 NE View 030, +/- 50m



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4494/94840_tudor8.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94840
Franchise partner Americana Group's opening of Cairo shop expand Krispy Kreme's effort to provide awesome, fresh doughnuts around the world

"Sweet" dreams have become reality in Cairo, Egypt, as Krispy Kreme has opened the global doughnut brand's first location in the country with its franchise partner Americana Group.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005177/en/

Krispy Kreme's Cairo Store Opening (Photo: Business Wire)

Krispy Kreme's iconic Hot Light is now beaming in Cairo, signaling to guests that delicious, hot Original Glazed doughnuts are available to enjoy fresh off the line. The Hot Light Theater shop, which can produce over 100 dozen doughnuts per hour, will be a destination for residents and visitors, while simultaneously serving as a production hub in Krispy Kreme's omni-channel strategy to distribute and deliver fresh doughnuts daily to customers via multiple points of access.

"The world continues to crave Krispy Kreme, and we continue expanding in a disciplined manner to feed and fuel that craving, growing our business and enhancing lives through the joy that is Krispy Kreme," said Mike Tattersfield, CEO of Krispy Kreme. "We're thrilled to serve awesome, fresh doughnuts in Egypt with Americana, our valued franchise partner in the region."

Americana, an independently owned and operated franchise partner of Krispy Kreme, currently operates more than 200 Krispy Kreme shops in five countries, including UAE, KSA, and Kuwait, and has partnered with Krispy Kreme to delight customers since 2007.

With the shop's opening on Aug. 19 in New Cairo's Arabella Plaza, Egypt became the 31st country where fans can enjoy Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

"The joy and love shown for Krispy Kreme by people in Cairo has been truly overwhelming. Our team in Cairo is committed to serving the freshest and tastiest doughnuts on the planet to the millions of Krispy Kreme lovers there. We will continue to open more new outlets as part of our expansion plans in Egypt, bringing Krispy Kreme's sweet treats to many more happy customers in the coming months," said Amarpal Sandhu, CEO of Americana Restaurants, an independently owned and operated franchise partner of Krispy Kreme

"We continue to invest in our global business driving growth in our existing markets and expanding selectively where we see the kind of great opportunities that we do in Egypt. While we are still in the early days, we already see the benefits of this investment in expanding our omni-channel model as our international business continues to drive strong performance," added Tattersfield.

About Krispy Kreme

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Krispy Kreme is one of the most beloved and well-known sweet treat brands in the world. Our iconic Original Glazed doughnut is universally recognized for its hot-off-the-line, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Krispy Kreme operates in 31 countries through its unique network of doughnut shops, partnerships with leading retailers, and a rapidly growing e-Commerce and delivery business. Our purpose of touching and enhancing lives through the joy that is Krispy Kreme guides how we operate every day and is reflected in the love we have for our people, our communities, and the planet. Connect with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at www.KrispyKreme.com, or on one of its many social media channels, including www.Facebook.com/KrispyKreme, and www.Twitter.com/KrispyKreme.

About Americana:

Americana Group is one of the largest restaurants, food manufacturing, and distributing companies in MENA and CIS countries. It was founded in Kuwait in 1964 and is comprised of two Divisions. The Group operates 2000 restaurants in 13 markets across the Middle East, North Africa, and CIS, as well as 25 food production sites across the region.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005177/en/

Contacts:

Chelsea Michael

Chelsea.Michael@fleishman.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) (FSE: 6E9) (the "Company" or "EMX") is pleased to announce the execution of an option agreement (the "Agreement") to sell five battery metals projects in Sweden (the "Projects") to Swedish Nickel Pty. Ltd. ("Swedish Nickel"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayrock Resources Limited ("Bayrock"). Bayrock is an Australian unlisted public company and has a pre-existing nickel mining asset in Sweden. In return for the Projects, the Agreement provides EMX with up to a 6% equity interest in Bayrock, annual advance royalty payments, 3% Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty interests, work commitments and other considerations.

The nickel-copper Projects are located in northeastern Sweden in the Fennoscandian Shield (see Figure 1), which is host to numerous nickel deposits in Sweden, Finland and western Russia. The Projects each contain drill-defined zones of nickel-copper sulfide mineralization developed in and around mafic to ultramafic intrusions (magmatic sulfide-style mineralization). These zones of mineralization are also variably enriched in cobalt and platinum-group-elements (PGE), key metals used in current battery technologies. Most of the Projects' occurrences and deposits were discovered in the 1970's and 1980's, with only limited and incomplete histories of follow-up exploration. See www.EMXroyalty.com for further information.

The Agreement with Swedish Nickel/Bayrock represents another example of EMX's execution of the royalty generation aspect of its business model. EMX began exploration programs for nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE deposits in the Nordic countries in 2016, at a time of lower battery metal prices and when there was little commercial interest in these types of projects. Improvements in the battery metals markets in recent years have led to a resurgence in interest in battery metals projects, especially in stable political jurisdictions such as the Nordic countries.

Commercial Terms Overview. In accordance with the Agreement, Swedish Nickel can acquire 100% interests in any or all of the Projects through the issuance of cash or shares to EMX and performance of work on individual projects during a 36 month (3 year) option period, subject to the following terms (all dollar amounts in AUD):

Upon execution of the Agreement, EMX will receive $62,184 in cash.

Bayrock will raise a minimum of $6 million by the first anniversary of the Agreement and issue EMX between 5 and 6% of Bayrock shares on a fully diluted basis, subject to certain conditions. Alternatively, Swedish Nickel can make a one-time cash payment of $600,000 in lieu of the obligation for issuance of Bayrock shares to EMX.

Swedish Nickel will expend a minimum of $250,000 per project in the first 18 months of the Agreement, and another $250,000 per project in the second 18 months of the Agreement; for a total of $500,000 per project by the 3rd anniversary of the Agreement.

After satisfying the work commitments and exercising the option on any or all of the Projects, Swedish Nickel will grant EMX royalty interests with annual advance royalty ("AAR") payments and other considerations on each of the Projects for which an option is exercised:

EMX will receive a 3% NSR royalty interest in each optioned project. On or before the earlier of the sixth anniversary of the Agreement or delivery of a Feasibility Study, Swedish Nickel has the option to repurchase 1% of the EMX NSR royalty on any Project by paying EMX $1,500,000.

EMX will receive AAR payments of $25,000 on each optioned project commencing on the third anniversary of the Agreement, with the AAR payment increasing by 10% each year.

payments of $25,000 on each optioned project commencing on the third anniversary of the Agreement, with the AAR payment increasing by 10% each year. Payments of $600,000 payable in cash or shares, will be made to EMX upon the delivery of a Feasibility Study on any of the Projects.

Closing is subject to approval by the ASX Stock Exchange.

Overview of the Projects. The Projects are situated within a belt of mafic-ultramafic intrusive complexes that straddle the Sweden-Finland border. This belt of intrusions is host to multiple nickel-sulfide deposits such as the Kevitsa and Sakatti deposits in Finland. Each of the EMX Projects included in the Agreement contain historical drill defined zones of nickel copper mineralization that also show variable enrichments in cobalt and PGE.

Kukasjarvi Project . Kukasjarvi has a geologic setting typical of many magmatic sulfide deposits, where sill-like mafic to ultramafic rocks have intruded graphitic and sulfide bearing sedimentary rocks. Magmatic sulfides at Kukasjarvi were discovered by Boliden AB in the 1970's while tracing mineralized boulders found in the area. Twelve historical diamond holes were drilled for a total of 2,400 meters, and a historical mineral resource for Kukasjarvi was defined[1]. The deposit is believed to be hosted within a metamorphosed ultramafic cumulate rock related to larger volumes of mafic gabbros mapped in the area. The deposit remains poorly delineated (i.e. incompletely drilled), and high Cu:Ni ratios suggest that the currently defined mineralization is distal in the system(s).

Nottrask Project . Nottrask is a layered mafic intrusion of gabbro-norite-peridotite with nickel copper mineralization that was discovered in the 1970's when road construction exposed an 80 meter thick section of sulfide rich breccias and massive sulfide accumulations. The sulfide mineralization occurs near the base of the intrusive complex, but subsequent exploration programs focussed on mineralization at higher levels within the intrusive complex. Only a few of the historical holes penetrated the basal contact, which represents the primary exploration target and remains largely untested. EMX also sees considerable exploration upside in the apophyses and offshoots of the main intrusive complex which could contain "conduit" type sulfide targets.

Vuostok Project . The Vuostok project is the westernmost of the Projects, located in the Skelleftea mining region of Sweden. Nickel-copper mineralization at Vuostok was discovered in the 1940's after prospectors followed a trail of mineralized boulders that were carried by glaciers up to 55 kilometers to the southeast[2]. Mineralization at Vuostok mainly occurs along the basal contact of a gabbro sill intruded into granitic country rocks. After discovery, several campaigns of drilling delineated shallow bodies of nickel-copper sulfide mineralization. Many step-out drill holes also intersected masses of nickel-rich sulfide mineralization which appears to be widespread in the gabbroic intrusive complexes. Multiple conductive geophysical anomalies remain untested.

Fiskeltrask Project . Similar to Kukasjarvi, Fiskeltrask is a gabrroic to gabbronorite intrusion emplaced into sulfide-bearing sedimentary rocks. The Fiskeltrask deposit was discovered by Boliden AB during the 1970's, which drilled eleven holes for a total of 1,600 meters. The drill data were utilized by Wiking Minerals AB to estimate a historical resource in 2014 that has been cited in multiple publications on nickel-copper deposits in the region. The mineralization at Fiskeltrask is enriched in cobalt, and although not analyzed during the 1970's exploration programs, subsequent studies showed anomalous PGE values which need follow-up work.

Skogtrask Project. Nickel-copper mineralization at Skogtrask was identified and drilled by the Swedish Geological Survey ("SGU") in 1969-1973. Eleven shallow diamond drill holes by the SGU intersected disseminated and "net-textured" styles of sulfide mineralization at the basal contact of a gabbro-norite-pyroxenite-peridotite intrusion. As was the case at Kukasjarvi and Fiskeltrask, the mafic-ultramafic intrusions at Skogtrask were emplaced into graphitic and sulfide-rich sediments. In 2014 Boss Resources Ltd. conducted electromagnetic geophysical surveys at Skogtrask and drilled two holes totalling 491 meters. One of the holes intersected a significant thickness (~20 meters) of nickel-copper-bearing sulfide mineralization at the basal contact of the intrusive complex, and electromagnetic geophysical data show that the mineralization may extend for several hundred meters along strike. There was no follow-up to the 2014 drill program and multiple geophysical anomalies remain untested on the property.

Comments on References to Historical Drill Results and Resource Estimates, and Nearby Mines and Deposits. EMX has not performed sufficient work to verify the Projects' historical drill results or the published historical resource estimates. The Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources but considers them as reliable and relevant based upon independent field reviews, including inspections of historical drill core. Additional work to verify or upgrade the historical estimates as current mineral resources would include a) check assaying of historical assay results, b) confirmation drilling, and c) review/updating of the geologic interpretations under the supervision of a Qualified Person. However, there is no guarantee that the historical resource estimates will be updated as current mineral resources with further work.

The nearby mines and deposits discussed in this news release provide context for EMX's Projects, which occur in similar geologic settings, but this is not necessarily indicative that the Projects host similar tonnages or grades of mineralization.

Dr. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.

About EMX. EMX is a precious, base and battery metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EMX"; and on the Frankfurt exchange under the symbol "6E9". Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

For further information contact:

David M. Cole

President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (303) 979-6666

Dave@EMXroyalty.com

Scott Close

Director of Investor Relations

Phone: (303) 973-8585

SClose@EMXroyalty.com

Isabel Belger

Investor Relations (Europe)

Phone: +49 178 4909039

IBelger@EMXroyalty.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, exploration results and budgets, mineral reserves and resource estimates, work programs, capital expenditures, timelines, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential", "upside" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include, but are not limited to: unavailability of financing, failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding by joint venture partners and other factors.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the year ended June 30, 2021 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form (the "AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2020, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.





Figure 1. Location map for the Projects and Prospective Mineral Belts.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1508/94715_0e07756a04bf084c_002full.jpg

[1] Papunen, Heikki, and Gorbunov, eds., 1985, Nickel-Copper Deposits of the Baltic Shield and Scandinavian Caledonides, Geological Survey of Finland, Bulletin 333.

[2] Grip, E., 1955, Tracing of glacial boulders as an aid to ore prospecting in Sweden, Economic Geology, v. 48, p. 715-725.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94715
Five New High-Potential Trends identified over 50km Strike Length

Includes New Priority Targets for 2021 Drilling Campaign

Widespread Gold-In-Soil Anomalies - Outcrop Rock Chip Samples up to 11.76 g/t Au

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / Jaguar Mining Inc. ("Jaguar" or the "Company") (TSX:JAG) is pleased to announce an exploration update from its Strategic Iron Quadrangle Joint Venture, ("the Agreement" or "JV") with IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD" or "IMG"). Jaguar is the operator of the JV and may earn a 60% equity position in the project by incurring exploration expenditures of US$6M over a four-year period (refer to news release dated August 26, 2020). A Project Location Map is presented as Figure 1.

Jon Hill, Vice President, Geology and Exploration, Jaguar Mining commented: " During the past year, Jaguar's exploration team has made exceptional progress. Along with teams focused on mine resource expansion and project definition, we have a team with a clear, defined focus on generative exploration within the Company's extensive IQ tenements package and the IAMGOLD JV Area. These positive exploration results, which include the identification of a previously unrecognised, but clearly significant extension of the richly endowed Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt, encompassing over 50 strike kms of prospective, gold bearing structural trends. This highlights an important geological area and positions us well as we progress our priority targets to the drilling stage."

Vern Baker, CEO, Jaguar Mining commented: " Our exploration program is positioned perfectly to mesh with our program of organic growth. The IAMGOLD JV is bringing in six exciting drill targets within short haulage distances of our CPA plant. We have a high level of confidence that our exploration effort can be successful and provide Jaguar with economic growth opportunity at any scale of resource identification."

Exploration activities and highlights from exploration completed by Jaguar since the announcement of the Agreement include:

A 150 square km UAV (Drone) high resolution magnetics survey, which is believed to be the largest survey ever attempted in South America with this technology, was coupled with a thorough review of historical data and focused on the ground geological mapping and geochemical soil and follow-up rock-chip sampling programmes. As a result, a significant, >30 square km (3,000 Ha) previously unrecognised extension of the highly prospective Ouro Fino Formation of the Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt has been defined. (Figures 2A, 2B, 3).

The Ouro Fino Formation is considered one of the most important geological units in the Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt. The Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt hosts several of the largest, highest-grade active and historically producing gold mines in the Iron Quadrangle ("IQ"), including Jaguar's recently announced Corrego Brandao discovery (refer to news release dated 16 February 2021).

Jaguar's exploration team has defined a series of five stratigraphic and structural trends within the JV Area which, collectively represent a prospective, previously under-explored strike length or more than 50km.

Within those trends, six priority targets have been generated based on geophysical, geochemical and structural targeting criteria. A 4,000m diamond drilling campaign, scheduled to commence in September 2021, will test the following target areas: Rio de Pedras, Buraco, Boa Viagem, Capivari, Agua Suja and Calado. (Figures 3, 4 and 5).

The newly defined prospective trends are distinct geological entities propagating off the major crustal scale Paciencia - Sao Vicente lineament. This regionally important lineament is a major gold bearing geological structure transecting the Rio das Velhas Greenstone Belt, and within the area of interest, hosts two of Jaguar's underground mines (Santa Isabel and Marzagao - currently in-active) which previously provided feed to the 2,000 tpd Paciencia (CPA Plant - currently on care-and-maintenance).

The potential and extent of these trends is confirmed via their clear association with strike-extensive, consistent gold (> 50ppb Au) and/or pathfinder element (Arsenic > 200 ppm, Antimony > 10ppm) in soil anomalies. Follow-up outcrop rock-chip sampling delivered encouraging results ranging up to 11.76 g/t Au. (Figure 5).

Figure 1. Location map showing Jaguar's Tenements (red) and IAMGOLD's Tenements (blue) within the Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Figure 2A. Iron Quadrangle Geological Map showing the published distribution (2020) of the prospective Ouro Fino Formation relative to the major IQ active and past producing gold mines and occurrences prior to commencement of the Jaguar - Iamgold Agreement and Figure 2B. Updated Geological Map (2021) showing the newly identified extension to the Ouro Fino Formation within the JV Agreement Area.

Figure 3 Updated Geological Map over the JV Tenements Area showing the location of the five principal prospective stratigraphic and structural trends representing a combined strike length in-excess of 50km defined to date. Jaguar's CPA Plant Facility and the six priority drill targets are also highlighted.

Figure 4. Analytical Signal Magnetic Image over JV Area clearly showing the five main prospective stratigraphic and structural trends and six priority drill targets.

Four distinct mineralization styles have been identified in outcrop as follows. (Figure 5)

Mineralization associated with oxidized - carbonate banded iron formation (BIF), demagnetized with evidence of semi-massive and disseminated sulphide mineralization (oxidized - boxwork textures). Mineralization associated with tourmalinites, fine to coarse grained tourmaline, smokey and sacaroidal quartz and carbonate. Mineralization associated with boudinaged quartz (with associated disseminated sulphides) within mylonitic shears propagated within mafic-ultramafic and carbonaceous - metasedimentary units and greenstone - basement contacts. Mineralization hosted within hydrothermally altered granitoid and granite - gneiss basement, coarse and disseminated arsenopyrite with associated quartz-tourmaline

Figure 5. Image showing strike extensive gold in-soil anomalism associated with the five prospective trends. Six priority drill targets are highlighted along with high grade samples collected from outcrop within the target areas. (A) demagnetized banded iron formation (BIF), 8.61 Au g/t (B) Medium-grained tourmalinite with carbonate veinlets, 11.41 Au g/t (C) brecciated quartz vein with goethite and hematite filling fractures, 8.25 Au g/t (D) granitoid-gneiss rock with finely disseminated arsenopyrite, 3.04 Au g/t.

Qualified Person

Scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, BSc (Hons) (Economic Geology - UCT), FAUSIMM, Vice President Geology and Exploration, who is an employee of Jaguar Mining Inc., and is a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

The Iron Quadrangle

The Iron Quadrangle has been an area of mineral exploration dating back to the 16th century. The discovery in 1699-1701 of gold contaminated with iron and platinum-group metals in the south-eastern corner of the Iron Quadrangle gave rise to the name of the town Ouro Preto (Black Gold). The Iron Quadrangle contains world-class multi-million-ounce gold deposits such as Morro Velho, Cuiaba, and Sao Bento. Jaguar holds the second largest gold land position in the Iron Quadrangle with just over 62,000* hectares (*includes Iamgold JV Agreement Areas).

About Jaguar Mining Inc.

Jaguar Mining Inc. is a Canadian-listed junior gold mining, development, and exploration company operating in Brazil with three gold mining complexes and a large land package with significant upside exploration potential from mineral claims. The Company's principal operating assets are located in the Iron Quadrangle, a prolific greenstone belt in the state of Minas Gerais and include the Turmalina Gold Mine Complex and Caete Mining Complex (Pilar and Roca Grande Mines, and Caete Plant). The Company also owns the Paciencia Gold Mine Complex, which has been on care and maintenance since 2012. The Roca Grande Mine has been on temporary care and maintenance since April 2019. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.jaguarmining.com.br

About Jaguar Mining Inc.

Jaguar Mining Inc. is a Canadian-listed junior gold mining, development, and exploration company operating in Brazil with three gold mining complexes and a large land package with significant upside exploration potential from mineral claims. The Company's principal operating assets are located in the Iron Quadrangle, a prolific greenstone belt in the state of Minas Gerais and include the Turmalina Gold Mine Complex and Caete Mining Complex (Pilar and Roca Grande Mines, and Caete Plant). The Company also owns the Paciencia Gold Mine Complex, which has been on care and maintenance since 2012. The Roca Grande Mine has been on temporary care and maintenance since April 2019. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.jaguarmining.com.br

For further information please contact:

Vernon Baker

Chief Executive Officer

Jaguar Mining Inc.

vernon.baker@jaguarmining.com

416-847-1854

Hashim Ahmed

Chief Financial Officer

Jaguar Mining Inc.

hashim.ahmed@jaguarmining.com

416-847-1854

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking information made in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements below and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators in Canada. Forward-looking information contained in forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "are expected," "is forecast," "is targeted," "approximately," "plans," "anticipates," "projects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "believe" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, may be considered to be or include forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, expected sales, production statistics, ore grades, tonnes milled, recovery rates, cash operating costs, definition/delineation drilling, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects and new deposits, success of exploration, development and mining activities, currency fluctuations, capital requirements, project studies, mine life extensions, restarting suspended or disrupted operations, continuous improvement initiatives, and resolution of pending litigation. The Company has made numerous assumptions with respect to forward-looking information contained herein, including, among other things, assumptions about the estimated timeline for the development of its mineral properties; the supply and demand for, and the level and volatility of the price of, gold; the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions on which the reserve and resource estimates are based; the receipt of necessary permits; market competition; ongoing relations with employees and impacted communities; political and legal developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations including, without limitation, the impact of any potential power rationing, tailings facility regulation, exploration and mine operating licenses and permits being obtained and renewed and/or there being adverse amendments to mining or other laws in Brazil and any changes to general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking information involves a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including among others: the risk of Jaguar not meeting the forecast plans regarding its operations and financial performance; uncertainties with respect to the price of gold, labour disruptions, mechanical failures, increase in costs, environmental compliance and change in environmental legislation and regulation, weather delays and increased costs or production delays due to natural disasters, power disruptions, procurement and delivery of parts and supplies to the operations; uncertainties inherent to capital markets in general (including the sometimes volatile valuation of securities and an uncertain ability to raise new capital) and other risks inherent to the gold exploration, development and production industry, which, if incorrect, may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described herein. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development, mining and production, including environmental hazards, tailings dam failures, industrial accidents and workplace safety problems, unusual or unexpected geological formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding, chemical spills, procurement fraud and gold bullion thefts and losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). In addition, the Company's principal operations and mineral properties are located in Brazil and there are additional business and financial risks inherent in doing business in Brazil as compared to the United States or Canada. In Brazil, corruption represents a challenge requiring extra attention by those who conduct business there. Corruption does not only occur with the misuse of public, government or regulatory powers, it also can occur in a business's supplies, inputs and procurement functions (such as illicit rebates, kickbacks and dubious vendor relationships) as well as the inventory and product sales functions (such as inventory shrinkage or skimming). Employees as well as external parties (such as suppliers, distributors and contractors) have opportunities to commit theft, procurement fraud and other wrongs against the Company. While corruption, bribery and fraud and theft risks can never be fully eliminated, the Company reviews and implements controls to reduce the likelihood of these events occurring. The Company's present and future business operations face these risks. Accordingly, for all of the reasons above, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis, as well as other public disclosure documents that can be accessed under the issuer profile of "Jaguar Mining Inc." on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's reasonable expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE: Jaguar Mining Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661852/Jaguar-Identifies-Significant-Greenstone-Belt-Extension-In-the-Iron-Quadrangle-Brazil
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / Graphite One Inc. (TSXV:GPH)(OTCQX:GPHOF) ("Graphite One" or the "Company") announces that it has received approval from the TSX-V to extend the closing of the balance of the CA$12.0 million brokered private placement financing ("Financing") until September 24, 2021. The Financing was first press released on June 30, 2021 (press release "Graphite One Announces Up to $12 Million Private Placement").

On August 12, 2021, the Company announced the closing of the first tranche raising CA$10.23 million. The second tranche of the Financing is expected to be for the full balance of the CA$12 million, or approximately CA$1.77 million.

The Financing is being conducted pursuant to the terms of an agency agreement entered into between the Company and Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the "Agent").

This media release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Graphite One Inc.

GRAPHITE ONE INC. (GPH:TSX-V;GPHOF:OTCQB) (the "Company") is a developing advanced graphite materials company. Planning continues on its Graphite One Project (the "Project"), whereby it could become an American producer of high grade Coated Spherical Graphite ("CSG") integrated with a domestic graphite resource. The Project is proposed as a vertically integrated enterprise to mine, process and manufacture high grade CSG primarily for the lithium-ion electric vehicle battery market and energy storage systems as well as other value-added products. As set forth in its Preliminary Economic Assessment, graphite mineralization, mined from the Company's Graphite Creek Property, would be processed into concentrate at a plant to be located on the Graphite Creek Property situated on the Seward Peninsula about 60 kilometers north of Nome, Alaska. CSG and other value-added graphite products would be manufactured from the concentrate at the Company's proposed advanced graphite materials manufacturing facility whose location is being investigated. The Company is progressing the Project's Pre Feasibility Study and intends to make a production decision once a Feasibility Study is completed.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Anthony Huston" (signed)

For more information on Graphite One Inc., please visit the Company's website, www.GraphiteOneInc.com or contact:

Anthony Huston

CEO, President & Director

Tel: (604) 889-4251

Email: AHuston@GraphiteOneInc.com

Investor Relations Contact

Tel: (604) 684-6730

GPH@kincommunications.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.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts that address the use of proceeds from the Offering, receipt of regulatory approvals, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are no 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 the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Graphite One Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661906/Graphite-One-Announces-Update-on-Timing-of-Closing-Second-Tranche-of-12-Million-Brokered-Private-Placement
Cybersecurity startup distributes Quantum Entropy as a Service worldwide, showcasing the transmission speed and scalability of its QiSpace platform

OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Quantropi, Inc., a Canadian quantum security solutions provider, announced today the impressive results of a high-profile demonstration of its patented SEQUR Quantum Entropy as a Service technology where strong random keys were created and then quantum-securely encrypted and distributed around the world, via today's Internet. The demonstration was enabled by CANARIE, the federal partner in Canada's National Research and Education Network (NREN), and its Alberta partner Cybera. CANARIE's participation in the demonstration leveraged existing network infrastructure to support Quantropi's solution and the evolution of the Canadian quantum ecosystem.

The results signal a radical shift in capability as compared to prevailing Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) methods.

The deployed configuration originated with the QiSpace Cloud server in Ottawa, Canada, and involved transmitting quantum entropy to Edmonton, Canada, and then to San Francisco and New York in the USA, London and Frankfurt in Europe, and finally ended almost 15,000 kilometers away in Singapore.

The demonstration achieved speeds in the megabits per second - as high as 100 Mbps to Edmonton. A complete comparative summary performance chart can be viewed here.

"Let's translate these results to the business world," said Michael Redding, CTO of Quantropi. "If a 32-byte AES key is the standard, we're transmitting anywhere from just under 400,000 (Edmonton) down to 55,000 keys per second (Singapore). To get your head around this, Google - representing ten times the traffic of any other site on the planet - requires an estimated 64,000 32-byte keys per second. So just from our small beta server in Ottawa - pre-optimization - we can support anywhere in the neighborhood of one to six Googles per second. With every single key delivered as secure from any attack - classical or quantum."

"Now compare that performance to conventional QKD," Mr. Redding continued. "At 20 kilometres QKD can get to roughly 10 megabits, or half a Google - that's already less than what we achieve at 15,000 kilometres. And beyond 100 kilometres QKD goes to zero; it cannot operate. So, what we are demonstrating here is a radical disruption, by quantum-securely distributing keys across huge distances, over any network. And that's a game changer."

Read the full story.

About Quantropi

Quantropi, Inc., is a Canadian cybersecurity company that delivers novel, end-to-end quantum-secure data communication solutions. Learn more about Quantropi here.

About CANARIE

Established in 1993, CANARIE is a non-profit corporation created to equip Canadian researchers, students, and startups to excel on the global stage. Learn more about CANARIE here.

Ken Dobell, VP - Marketing, Ken.Dobell@quantropi.com
LISTED AS 7TH LARGEST GLOBAL DERIVATIVES EXCHANGE BY COINMARKETCAP

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / DigiMax Global Inc. (the "Company" or "DigiMax") (CSE:DIGI)(OTC PINK:DBKSF), a company that provides artificial intelligence ("AI") and cryptocurrency technology solutions, is pleased to announce that it has signed a Collaboration Agreement with Bitget Exchange based in Singapore ("Bitget").

Established in July 2018, Bitget has become the fastest growing derivatives exchange in the world, with over 1.6 million registered users. According to CoinMarketCap, a world-renowned website for cryptocurrency markets, the average daily trading volume of Bitget has exceeded US$5 billion, ranking seventh after professional derivatives exchanges (FTX and Bybit), and the top three traditional comprehensive cryptocurrency exchanges: Binance, OKEx and Huobi.

With its innovative products and an increasingly robust ecosystem, Bitget has gained a sound footing amid ferocious and homogeneous competition in just three years. Following the launch of USDT-Margined Futures, One-Click Copy Trade and Quanto Swap Futures, the platform announced this April its full acquisition of decentralized wallet Bitkeep to lay a solid foundation for its future development in this segment.

The Collaboration Agreement will provide DigiMax and Bitget opportunities to collaborate on mutually beneficial business arrangements, including without limitation allowing Bitget users to first learn about CryptoHawk, and ultimately directly access CryptoHawk information inside the Bitget system. The companies further intend to develop an API system that would allow Bitget users to access CryptoHawk signals and permit direct one-button trading by Bitget users based on new CryptoHawk indicators being issued.

"We are very pleased to be able to partner with DigiMax to allow our exchange users to have better trading information which in turn, will allow them to substantially increase their trading profits from the AI-based trading signals provided CryptoHawk," said the CEO of Bitget. "In turn, we are excited to be able to offer CryptoHawk subscribers a high-security, low-cost platform for long and short trading in their personal or institutional accounts."

"By becoming a collaboration partner with Bitget, CryptoHawk users will have a great opportunity not only to increase the efficiency and security of their trading, but in the near future they will also have access to automated trading from the CryptoHawk signals," said DigiMax CEO Chris Carl. "We are excited to partner with Bitget to deliver ever increasing value to both of our sets of users now, and in the future."

CryptoHawk is an AI-driven, price trend prediction tool that can be used by any investor to maximize their digital trading profits. It continues to deliver hourly price-trend prediction indicators to help subscribers interested in trading Bitcoin or Ethereum, and now provides overall trend guidance for a broader portfolio of crypto currencies. The CryptoHawk tool is unique as it uses AI and machine learning to capture profit from the volatility of crypto currencies, rather than incur the risk of buy-and-hold investments. As previously announced by the Company, the combined June-July 2021 period saw CryptoHawk trading signals generating returns of +44.9% for Bitcoin and +22.1% for Ethereum before trading commissions. During that same period Bitcoin had a net change of +5.1% while Ethereum dropped -3.6% during the period.

DigiMax also announces that it has issued each of its four Directors an Option for 250,000 shares at $0.20 cents per share with a Term of two years effective as of today's date.

About DigiMax

DigiMax is an Artificial Intelligence technology company committed to unlocking the potential of disruptive technologies by providing advanced financial, predictive, and cryptocurrency solutions across various verticals. DigiMax is an official IBM Watson partner, and the Company's engineering team has extensive experience in Machine Learning, Neural Language Processing, AI, Big Data and Cryptocurrency technology.

To learn more, visit our website: https://digimaxglobal.com/

Contact:

Martti Kangas

Investor Communications

647-521-9261

mkangas@digimax-global.com

Chris Carl

President & CEO

416-312-9698

ccarl@digimax-global.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements or information". Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: anticipate, intend, plan, goal, seek, believe, project, estimate, expect, strategy, future, likely, may, should, will and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include, among others, statements about the Company and Kirobo Inc.'s future plans, expectations and objectives.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our 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 subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. The Company may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning the future plans of Kirobo Inc. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the adequacy of our cash flow and earnings, the benefits and uses of our software, the pricing and availability of our software, the availability of future financing and/or credit, and other conditions which may affect our ability to expand the platforms and software described herein, the level of demand and financial performance of the cryptocurrency industry, developments and changes in laws and regulations, including increased regulation of the cryptocurrency industry through legislative action and revised rules and standards applied by the Canadian Securities Administrators, Ontario Securities Commission, and/or other similar regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions, disruptions to our technology network including computer systems, software and cloud data, or other disruptions of our operating systems, structures or equipment, the impact of Covid-19 or other viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, consumer sentiment towards the Company's products and services, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, government regulations, competition, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions, the impact of technology changes on the products and industry, the ability for Kirobo Inc. to complete its business objectives, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in disclosure documents filed by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

SOURCE: DigiMax Global Solutions

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661945/DigiMax-Enters-Collaboration-Agreement-with-Singapore-Based-Bitget-Exchange
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / (CSE:JNC)(OTC PINK:JNCCF)(Frankfurt:5VH) - Further to our July 8, 2021, news release, JNC Resources Inc. ("JNC" or the "Company") and RooGold Inc. ("RooGold") are pleased to announce the closing in escrow of the definitive agreement as amended ("Definitive Agreement") whereby JNC has conditionally acquired a 100% interest in RooGold's, subsidiary, Great Southern Precious Metals Pty Ltd. (the "Subsidiary") which holds 100% interests in nine (9) past producing and exploratory properties (the "Properties") in the State of New South Wales ("NSW") Australia. This acquisition will complement the Company's existing Australian portfolio, creating a NSW focused company with a dominant land position.

The Company issued into escrow forty million (40,000,000) common shares (the "Purchase Shares") with respect to the shareholders ("Shareholders") of RooGold in exchange for the issued and outstanding shares of the Subsidiary. The Purchase Shares deliverable to the RooGold Shareholders are subject to an escrow whereby the Purchase Shares will be released as to 25% on meeting certain conditions which will result in the release of the closing documents from escrow (the "Closing"), 25% on February 27, 2022, an additional 25% on August 27, 2022 and the balance on February 27, 2023. The Purchase Shares are currently being held in escrow pending satisfaction of the condition of New South Wales ministerial approval ("Ministerial Approval") with respect to the change in control of the Subsidiary and certain other deliverables by Roo. The Company expects to shortly make application to the Minister for such approval and will provide prescribed due diligence information on the Company as part of such application process. Once Ministerial Approval is obtained and the other Closing conditions satisfied, the definitive Closing of the acquisition will occur and the escrow closing documents will be released from escrow. The Company expects the Ministerial Approval to be granted in due course given that such approval has already been received in connection with other acquisitions by the Company.

About JNC Resources Inc.

JNC is a Canada-based junior venture mineral exploration company which is uniquely positioned to be a dominant player in New South Wales, Australia (NSW) through a growth strategy focused on the consolidation and exploration of highly mineralized precious metals properties in this prolific region of Australia. Through its acquisition of Southern Precious Metals Ltd, RooGold Ltd and Aussie Precious Metals Corp properties, the Company will command a portfolio of 13 high-grade potential gold (9) and silver (4) concessions covering 1,380 km2 and that is home to 137 historic mines and prospects.

For further information please contact:

Michael Mulberry

T: 778-855-5001

info@jncresources.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in applicable forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in such statements.

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

SOURCE: JNC Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661855/JNC-Resources-Closes-Definitive-Agreement-with-RooGold-in-Escrow
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - BioCure Technology Inc. (CSE: CURE) (OTCQB: BICTF) (FSE: 1WH) ("BioCure" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following corporate update;

BiocurePharm Corp. ("BPK"), a subsidiary of the Company is excited to announce its focus on the development of its own CAR T-cell therapy targeting Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and solid tumor cancers. BPK is using an innovative concept of ROR1 CAR T-cell therapy combined with a double specific antibody model. In conjunction with the development of it's own CAR T, the Company plans to apply for patents covering this CAR T-cell cancer therapy technology.

The CLL market is known to be significantly bigger than the Acute lymphocytic leukemia ("ALL") market and CLL is the most frequent Leukemia occurring in Western countries. The CLL market is being driven by increasing incidence primarily due to aging populations along with the use of combination therapies instead of monotherapies or chemoimmunotherapy regimens. The Company will also be able to apply the same platform technology to develop its CAR T-cell therapy for Solid tumors such as Ovarian and Lung cancers, which provide further enormous opportunities for the Company. The CLL CAR T-cell therapy market is currently not dominated by any single player, compared to the CD-19 CAR T-cell therapy market which has become extremely competitive, dominated by big pharma corporations.

The Company, has recently strengthened its board to focus on it's own developed technology and is looking forward to obtaining its own patents where there are currently no restrictions, which is in contrast to CD-19 Car T therapy. The previous work that the Company undertook in the CD-19 CAR T field has been invaluable and given the Company enhanced technical expertise and knowhow for the development of it's own new CAR T-cell therapy in addition to its existing Biosimilar development technologies.

Dr. Sang Mok Lee commented, "The Company is extremely excited to be focussing its work in the CAR T-cell cancer therapy field targeting CLL and solid tumors, having spent more than three years to arrive at this stage as a result of its previous work in the CD-19 CAR T and biosimilars space. The CAR T-cell cancer therapy space is one of the most innovative cancer treatments currently in the market and is seeing huge global interest. With the Company developing its own CAR T technologies protected by patents, the company looks forward to driving strong returns for all of its shareholders in the rapidly growing market of CAR T-cell cancer therapy."

About Biocure

Biocure is a leading biotech company developing its CAR-T cell therapy for leukemia, lung, breast and pancreatic cancer. Biocure is in the process of pre-clinical trials of five major biosimilar products in South Korea, including Interferon Beta 1b, PEG- Filgrastim as well as Ranibizumab. Interferon Beta 1b is used for treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis ("MS") Filgrastim is used to treat neutropenia, a lack of certain white blood cells caused by bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and other conditions. Ranibizumab is used for treating macular degeneration. It is also used to treat a type of eye problem known as macular edema, as well as certain eye problems caused by diabetes.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

/S/ "SANG MOK LEE"

CEO and Director

For further information, please contact:

Biocure Technology Inc. Telephone: 604-609-7146, or info@biocuretech.com

Certain statements in this news release, which are not historical in nature, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under applicable Canadian securities law. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements or information concerning the Company's proposed activities under the Agreement and the expectations of the Company regarding funding payments due pursuant to the Agreement. These statements reflect management's current assumptions and expectations and by their nature are subject to certain underlying assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Except as required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will not update these forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94843
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / Silver Elephant Mining Corp. ("Silver Elephant" or "the Company") (TSX:ELEF)(OTCQX:SILEF)(Frankfurt:1P2N) is pleased to report the ongoing exploration at both the Pulacayo silver project and the El Triunfo gold-silver project in Bolivia are yielding encouraging results as follows:

Pulacayo District Exploration (silver, lead, zinc)

Further to news dated June 21, 2021, Silver elephant has drilled 1,972 meters of its announced 2,000m drill program. Drilling has been completed at El Abra, Veta Quattro, and Pacamayo prospects identified through mapping and 2021 IP survey at Pulacayo District. These are distant unexplored targets located up to 1km from the Pulacayo Tajo Vein System ("TVS") whereat all of the historic production of 678 Moz occurred as reported by the National Geological and Mineral Service of Bolivia (SERGEOTECMIN)

Drilling at Pacamayo (1km north of the NI-43 101 Pulacayo resource that is upper part of TVS) has confirmed visual concentrations of galena, tetrahedrite and sphalerite between 490 to 560 meters depth matching a high IP chargeability, which extends beyond a depth of 500 meters and exceeds the IP depth detection limit.

The Company is currently drilling PUD 293 at the Pero area about 500 meters south of Pulacayo resource where an IP anomaly is detected at a depth between 250 to 500 meters. PUD293 is located 300 meters southwest of PUD286 (also outside of Pulacayo Resource) which intercepted 4meters of 393 g/t Ag, 3.79% Zn, 0.88%Pb at 148-meter downhole (see Company's press release dated January 27, 2021). The IP target for PUD 293 corresponds favorably to a mapped structure that strikes westward from PUD 286.

All prior Pulacayo drilling focused primarily on upper part of Pulacayo TVS and the Paca satellite deposit (7km north of TVS) which define the Pulacayo resource of an Indicated mineral category of 106.7 million oz of silver, 1,384.7 million pounds of zinc, and 693.9 million pounds of lead. The Indicated Pulacayo resource is 48 million tonnes grading 69g/t silver, 1.3% zinc, 0.7% lead based on over 100,000 meters of drilling. The resource calculation was completed by Mercator Geotechnical Services (refer to news release dated October 13, 2020).

It should be noted that the Pulacayo TVS showed up in the IP survey with high chargeability and medium resistivity, and that many of the IP anomalies such as Pacamayo in the survey carry very similar IP signatures to the TVS which is what makes these targets compelling.

Matrix Geotechnologies Limited of Canada has recently returned from a brief break to commence surveying at Paca as part of the expanded 108 line-km IP program which so far keeps on finding additional targets which the Company will assess for possible drilling.

El Triunfo project (gold silver lead zinc)

Silver Elephant has completed a 30 line-km IP survey at its El Triunfo project and has identified several IP anomalies. Of particular interest is an anomaly that extends 200m east of the artisanal workings where all prior exploration and drilling occurred. The east anomaly measures 50 to 75m wide, and 200m along strike and appears to be 100 to 200 meters from surface. This anomaly is open to the east as the Company ground crew compiles remaining data to determine its full dimensions. This east anomaly has never been drilled and exhibits the same IP signature as prior drilled areas beneath the artisanal workings to the west. Significant prior drill results at El Triunfo west are tabulated below as reference (refer further to news release dated November 25, 2020):

Hole ID From-To Length

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Zn

% Pb

% AuEq

(g/t) TR006 40.0-76.0 36 0.49 15.46 0.54 0.44 0.97 including 58.0-72.0 14 0.48 20.23 0.76 0.66 1.16 TR007 13.0-111.9 98.9 0.37 22.71 0.74 0.58 1.04 including 63.0-111.9 48.9 0.42 35.49 1.17 0.83 1.45 TR008 6.8-84.0 77.3 0.31 17.65 0.57 0.53 0.85 including 45.0-51.4 6.4 1.6 56.49 1.66 0.94 3.05



Gold equivalent calculation uses a gold price of $1,795, a zinc price of $0.93, a lead price of $0.80, and a silver price of $18.30 (all USD), and assumes a 100% metallurgical recovery. Gold equivalent values can be calculated using the following formula: AuEq = Au g/t + (Ag g/t x 0.0102) + (Zn % x 0.3551) + (Pb % x 0.3055). Based on core-angle measurements, true widths range from 54% to 65% of reported core length.

Significant assay results from a total of 74 surface samples, taken as part of the mapping program on this eastern extension, are tabulated below.

Sample

No. Type Width

(m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Zn

% Pb

% AuEq

(g/t) 3495 CHIP 0.6 4.3 173.0 0.07 2.50 6.8 3494 CHIP 1.0 2.4 34.4 0.12 0.55 3.0 3477 CHIP 1.1 2.3 44.9 5.88 6.57 6.9 6558 CHIP 2.4 1.9 1.1 0.00 0.00 1.9 6572 CHIP 1.9 1.4 0.6 0.00 0.00 1.4 3488 CHIP 1.0 0.9 8.0 0.00 0.00 1.0 3500 CHIP 2.2 0.9 187.0 4.48 5.40 6.0 6503 CHIP 1.0 0.7 15.4 0.32 1.00 1.3 3499 CHIP 2.6 0.7 38.0 0.06 1.03 1.4 6582 CHIP 0.3 0.7 294.0 2.09 6.11 6.3 3475 CHIP 3.0 0.5 124.0 0.90 4.74 3.5 6517 CHIP 1.1 0.3 24.0 3.08 0.76 1.9



Gold equivalent calculation uses a gold price of $1,795, a zinc price of $0.93, a lead price of $0.80, and a silver price of $18.30 (all USD), and assumes a 100% metallurgical recovery. Gold equivalent values can be calculated using the following formula: AuEq = Au g/t + (Ag g/t x 0.0102) + (Zn % x 0.3551) + (Pb % x 0.3055).

The grades are very similar to, and in some cases higher than the grades from previous grab samples in artisanal workings area to the west.

The IP anomaly correlate to the findings from the Company's geological mapping program which demonstrates that both the sheeted vein system, and host rocks (Tertiary-aged black shales) to the polymetallic mineralization intercepted at prior El Triunfo drill holes, extend another 1.5km eastward.

So far, the identified mineralized strike on the project has expanded from 750m to 2.3km, the Company is working to prioritize drill targets based on all available information to commence October drilling.

Silver elephant looks forward to exploring and developing both Pulacayo and El Triunfo to their full potential with singular focus, in light of the Company's recently announced plan to spin out its nickel and vanadium assets by year end as announced on August 26, 2021.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Silver Elephant adopts industry-recognized best practices in its implementation of QA/QC methods. A geochemical standard control sample and a blank sample are inserted into the sample stream at every 20th sample. Duplicates are taken at every 40th sample. Standards and duplicates (including lab duplicates and standards) are analyzed using Thompson-Howarth plots. Samples are shipped to ALS Global Laboratories in Ururo, Bolivia for preparation and then shipped to ALS Global laboratories in Lima, Peru for analysis. Samples are analyzed using an aqua regia digestion with super trace ICP-MS analysis. Gold is analyzed with optimized fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy.

The ALS Laboratories sample management system meets all the requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015. All ALS geochemical hub laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for specific analytical procedures.

All samples are taken from HQ-diameter core and split in half by a diamond-blade masonry saw. One-half of the core is submitted for laboratory analysis and the other half is preserved for reference at the Company's secured core facility. Prior to sampling, all core is geotechnically analyzed and photographed and then logged by geologists.

Qualified Persons

The technical contents of this news release have been prepared under the supervision of Danniel Oosterman, VP Exploration for Silver Elephant. Mr. Oosterman is a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and is not independent of the Company as this term is defined under NI 43-101.

About Silver Elephant

Silver Elephant Mining Corp. is a premier mining and exploration company in silver, nickel, and vanadium.

Further information on Silver Elephant can be found at www.silverelef.com.

SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP.,

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Lee"

Executive Chairman

For more information about Silver Elephant, please contact Investor Relations:

+1.604.569.3661 ext. 101

ir@silverelef.com www.silverelef.com

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although the Company 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 as anticipated, estimated, or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

SOURCE: Silver Elephant Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661954/Silver-Elephants-El-Triunfo-Grab-Samples-Assayed-Up-to-294-gt-Silver-Drilling-at-Pulacayo-Silver-Continues-Past-1972m
SEOUL, KOREA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / Recently, IGNISVC, a blockchain venture capital, and the Fandom Foundation signed an MOU for CRTR, a project that connects creators and fandom.

This MOU was signed for cooperation in business areas including NFTs and Metaverse, and through this partnership, the two companies will expand and stabilize NFT marketplace and E-commerce within CRTR platform.

Fandom Foundation is planning to launch a mobile APP that generates new revenue stream through various short-form video contents creators and users within the CRTR platform. The main business is 'NFT Marketplace', which supports creating NFT of contents, and 'Creator Class Room' that users can take know how type of course from creators.

CRTR NFT Marketplace promotes the inflow of existing users of other platforms through connection with various content platform companies, and values personal contents by creating those into NFTs. 'Creator Class Room' is a service that allows creators to share their skills through developing their own lectures consisting of VOD Class, Live Class, and 1:1 Class. In addition, business provide other services including 'Payment', 'E-commerce', 'All Creator View', etc. to protect the rights of contents and meet the needs of users.

IGNISVC, joined hands with CRTR of Fandom Foundation, is a global accelerating company that has led to the success of famous projects such as Algoland, Kakao's klaytn and Dapp.com. In particular, IGNISVC recently drew attention through signing of a strategic partnership with TikTok, a global short-form platform company, for 'NFT Marketplace, Metaverse, Virtual Content and TikTok Shop Commerce'.

Woo, Byung-hyun, the CEO of IGNISVC, said, "In order to support the business of the Fandom Foundation's CRTR business, we plan to support all of IGNISVC's networks and infrastructure. We want to accelerate the CRTR of the Fandom Foundation in conjunction with the short-form platforms to establish a blockchain ecosystem for creators." Through this agreement, IGNISVC will help the growth of CRTR as a strategic investor in Fandom Foundation's CRTR.

Meanwhile, IGNISVC is expanding its global NFT infrastructure by developing NFT for creators and securing distribution channels through marketplaces through its recent partnership with TikTok.

Media Contact

Company: Ignis VC Co.,Ltd

Contact: anna.sung

Telephone: +82) 70-7543-2548

Email: info@ignisvc.com

Website: https://www.ignisvc.com/

Address: 39, Nonhyeon-ro 131-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (06045)

SOURCE: Ignis VC Co.,Ltd

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661951/Fandom-Foundation-Signed-MOU-with-IGNISVC-for-NFT-Service
In the first half of 2021, the Jotul Group reached a consolidated loss of MNOK 54.1 (H1 2020: loss of MNOK 68.5). The operating loss totaled MNOK 1.2 in H1 2021 (H1 2020: loss of MNOK 60.1). The 2021 total comprehensive loss for the half-year was MNOK 56.2 (H1 2020: loss of MNOK 52.3).

Sales for the period increased by 58% (MNOK 570.3 in H1 2021 vs. MNOK 360.4 in H1 2020), mainly driven by strong market growth/recovery, alongside smoother and more matured manufacturing operations, a reasonable cold winter and high electricity prices. Additionally, whereas in H1 2020 we experienced significant market and operational disruptions due to the Covid-19 pandemic impact, the confinement measures implemented by the authorities in our core markets induced end-user focus on home improvement projects and a strong market rebound at the end of 2020 and into 2021. With the above factors mentioned, the order intake in the period is significantly up, with approximately 69%, overperforming in all key markets, most notably in the USA, in France and in Norway.

In light of the post-Covid recovery of global trade, Jotul, like the overall industry, is experiencing supply chain difficulties, in particular with securing steady supplies of raw materials, components and transport. The disbalance between offer and demand resulted in higher prices, in particular on scrap iron and other metals, alongside longer lead-time and higher prices on components. Coping with these new challenges requires much more frequent and accurate planning and puts additional pressure on the liquidity during the low season.

The Group's gross margin improved year-on-year, mainly due to the strong demand from the markets driving the growth on sales, and a more mature organization and improved performance at the factory in Poland, despite several instances of Covid cases in the factories earlier this year negatively impacting productivity. The Group has also introduced several price increases to cover increased raw material and transport costs.

EBITDA (Earnings before interests, taxes, depreciations and amortizations: Operating result less Depreciations) was MNOK 35.8 in the first six months of 2021 (H1 2020: MNOK -23.6). This contains effect of non-recurring items of MNOK 20.2 (H1 2020: MNOK 27.1). Adjusted EBITDA (net of non-recurring items) was MNOK 56.1 in H1 2021 (H1 2020: MNOK 3.5).

In the first half of 2021 non-recurring cost are to a significant extent related to the transfer of manufacturing operations from Italy to the factory in Poland.

The Group's capital investments in the first half of 2021 amounted to MNOK 16.7 compared to MNOK 30.3 in the first half of 2020. Higher capital expenditure in 2020 related to investments in the new factory in Poland.

Jotul AS acquired AICO S.p.A. (Italy) on 1 June 2021, and this entity had its 1-month effect on group financials in the first half of 2021. In June Aico contributed with MNOK 10.9 to net revenue and MNOK -2.0 to net loss.

In the first six months of 2021, the Group had an average of 702 full-time equivalent employees (H1 2020: an average of 489 full-time employees). The increase is driven by the significant ramp-up in production at the facility in Poland, and the partial close-down and furloughs in the same period of last year, alongside the addition of AICO in June 2021.

Attachment
The Autism Parenting Summit, scheduled for September 2021, will bring together some of the world's top autism experts to help answer some of the most common parental concerns.

LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / Hosted by Autism Parenting Magazine, the previous virtual event brought together thousands of parents and a panel of autism experts with years of experience. Many parents wrote to the magazine thanking the organizers for the help. Now, after seeing the overwhelming response, the magazine has announced a second Autism Conference with an even bigger line-up.

The Autism Parenting Summit will run from 7th-9th September and is FREE to attend. The online event will feature a panel of autism experts, including doctors, therapists, educators, psychologists, and people on the autism spectrum. These professionals will deliver presentations and Q&As on a variety of key topics such as social skills, communication, behavior, picky eating, executive dysfunction, education, and so much more.

Many parents with children on the autism spectrum are confused about how to address many of their kids' needs. Experts advise children with ASD should receive support right away and getting an official diagnosis should not be delayed. Early intervention helps support a child's development and can reduce some of the symptoms experienced over time. That's why events like the Autism Parenting Summit are so important.

"We were delighted with the response we had to our first Autism Parenting Summit earlier this year. So many parents and caregivers tuned-in, and it was clear the audience was hungry for more," said Mark Blakey, CEO of Autism Parenting Magazine.

"We wasted no time arranging a new, bigger panel of experts, and we have introduced more topics for the event such as sleep solutions, picky eating, and motor development."

Readers can sign-up and learn more about the Autism Parenting Summit by visiting the official website at https://autismparentingsummit.com/

About Autism Parenting Magazine

APM is an award-winning publication mainly aimed at helping parents improve the quality of life for their families and children affected by autism. The publication strongly emphasizes helping parents of children on the spectrum, essentially becoming a resource for autism parents worldwide.

Since its initial publication in 2012, the magazine has remained objective with stories, topics, developments, events and treatments. The magazine also covers a selection of inspiring success stories, designed to help parents make informed decisions while updating them about the latest treatment and therapeutic options available.

#

For The Media

Autism Parenting Magazine

Mark Blakey

Autism Parenting Magazine Limited Kemp House, 160 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, UK

press@autismparentingmagazine.com

https://autismparentingsummit.com/

SOURCE: Autism Parenting Magazine Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661941/Autism-Parenting-Summit-Returns-to-Address-Diverse-Array-Of-Topics
The "Construction in the Netherlands Key Trends and Opportunities to 2025 (H1 2021)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Dutch construction industry had been growing at a fast pace prior to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Although the country was not immune to the COVID-19 crisis, the construction industry was not affected to the same extent as other markets in Europe.

The Dutch construction industry contracted marginally by 0.8% in real terms in 2020, following an annual growth of 4.6% in 2019. The industry's output value decreased from US$124.3 billion in 2019 to US$123.3 billion in 2020.

The publisher expects the construction industry to recover marginally in 2021, growing by 0.4% in real terms, and then expand at an annual average rate of 2.4% between 2022 and 2025. Over the forecast period, the industry's output is expected to be supported by the government's investment on the development of transport infrastructure, residential and energy and utilities construction projects.

Industry output over the forecast period will be supported by investment under the National Growth Fund for 2021-2026, under which the government aims to support the economy. In the first round of funding, the government approved EUR4 billion (US$4.6 billion) for 10 projects in the railway, green hydrogen, and education sectors to ensure greater economic growth in the Netherlands.

This report provides detailed market analysis, information, and insights into the Dutch construction industry, including:

The Dutch construction industry's growth prospects by market, project type and construction activity

Critical insight into the impact of industry trends and issues, as well as an analysis of key risks and opportunities in the Dutch construction industry

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, focusing on development stages and participants, in addition to listings of major projects in the pipeline.

Scope

Historical (2016-2020) and forecast (2021-2025) valuations of the construction industry in the Dutch, featuring details of key growth drivers.

Segmentation by sector (commercial, industrial, infrastructure, energy and utilities, institutional and residential) and by sub-sector

Analysis of the mega-project pipeline, including breakdowns by development stage across all sectors, and projected spending on projects in the existing pipeline.

Listings of major projects, in addition to details of leading contractors and consultants

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Construction Industry: At-a-Glance

3 Context

3.1 Economic Performance

3.2 Political Environment and Policy

3.3 Demographics

3.4 COVID-19 Status

3.5 Risk Profile

4 Construction Outlook

4.1 All Construction

Outlook

Latest news and developments

Construction Projects Momentum Index

4.2 Commercial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.3 Industrial Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.4 Infrastructure Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.5 Energy and Utilities Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.6 Institutional Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

4.7 Residential Construction

Outlook

Project analytics

Latest news and developments

5 Key Industry Participants

5.1 Contractors

5.2 Consultants

6 Construction Market Data

7 Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rf2pgf

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005412/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
CHEYENNE, WY / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / CADUCEUS SOFTWARE SYSTEMS, CORP. (OTC Pink: CSOC) ("Caduceus" or the "Company"), a consumer goods focused holding company and owner of McLovin's Pet Food, Inc. is pleased to announce that it will participate in a live Discord Questions & Answers Meeting with shareholders and prospective investors.

The Company will be attending the Q&A on September 8th, 2021, at 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

The Q&A will be conducted on the Company's Discord Channel and hosted by Apollo Assets. We invite investors to attend the Live Questions & Answers event by joining the designated Discord channel. Use this link to join and access the Caduceus / Apollo Assets Discord channel:

https://discord.gg/apolloassets

Throughout the Q&A, the Company will also further expand on the Company's operations and developments. Recently, the Company was a presenter at the SuperZoo 2021 which saw an attendance of over 11,000 pet industry professionals and over 7,000 pet retailers including Amazon, Chewy, Costco, Kroger, Petco and Pet Supplies Plus. McLovin's carries an impressive product lineup across 2 different categories. One for pet food and the other for pet supplies, with 22 of food products and 15 of pet supplies products, totalling 37 products in the portfolio and counting. The Company's product on exhibit received a lot of interest from attendees. The Company will be providing more updates about the event during the Q&A.

"We look forward to yet another Q&A event with shareholders & prospective investors. These sessions have done wonders in further expanding our profile among our existing and future shareholders. We want to continue in that direction of providing our shareholders with an opportunity to talk and engage with our management." said Alex Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Caduceus Software Systems, Inc.

About Caduceus Software Systems, Corp.

Caduceus Software Systems Corp is a Wyoming-based holding company with is wholly owned subsidiary McLovin's, a Pet Food and Pet Care company. The Pet Food and Pet Care market size was USD 207 Billion in 2020 with a stellar growth of 28.11%. The industry is expected to grow to USD 325 Billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.6%. The Pet Food and Pet Care products include food, hygiene, toys, and other accessories. The Company is traded on the OTC Markets under the trading symbol" CSOC".

For more information:

OTC Markets: (OTC Pink: CSOC)

Website: https://caduceuscorp.co

Email: info@caduceuscorp.co

Discord: https://discord.gg/apolloassets

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caduceuscorp

About McLovin's Pet Food, Inc

McLovin's, Inc. is a California company specialized on the manufacturing and distribution of quality pet foods. We believe in real food. What you'll find in McLovin's is similar to what you'll find in your own grocery cart. In the case of our premium treats, it starts (and ends) with real beef, chicken and salmon. Our products are developed using responsible sourcing and quality is a key part of every single part of our manufacturing process.

Corporate Website: https://mclovinspetfood.com/

Forward-Looking Statements:

Safe Harbour Statement - In addition to historical information, this press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the intent, belief, or expectations of the Company and members of its management team with respect to the Company's future business operations and the assumptions upon which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, failure to complete anticipated sales under negotiations, lack of revenue growth, client discontinuances, failure to realize improvements in performance, efficiency and profitability, and adverse developments with respect to litigation or increased litigation costs, the operation or performance of the Company's business units or the market price of its common stock. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated within this press release can also be found on the Company's website. The Company disclaims any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Caduceus Software Systems Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/661984/Caduceus-to-Present-McLovins-in-Upcoming-Investor-QA
Depalpur, Pakistan--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - Have you ever wondered what it'd be like if a movie character lived in an NFT metaverse? Now, imagine adapting the different personalities of "The Hoard" from the movie Split to be NFTs. The Bear Bums (TBB) is a collection of computer-generated NFT bears totaling ten thousand with differences in accessories and personality traits.

Unlike traditional NFTs, The Bear Bums will be the first to reward its holders bar the profit gotten from resale. Rewards will come in the form of HONEY, which is TBB's native token that will launch soon. They take the more holistic route by patterning its services and offerings in a way it promotes a closely-knit community within the blockchain sphere.

What makes The Bear Bums so different? First things first, we love bears because they are big, fluffy, and snuggle. That aside, the NFT collectible facilitates and promotes situations that promote exclusivity, transparency, communism, and save the planet.

Every Bear is very distinct from the rest, despite the probabilities getting thinner with every art. This is made possible due to the algorithmical variations possible through programming, and the use of animation techniques yet to be popularized in the NFT sphere.

The pricing across the different forms of bear art ensures that there is fair distribution and complete ownership of each NFT. This ensures inclusivity, particularly for those just joining the crypto sphere or have limited finance to purchase more expensive NFTs.

Getting aboard The Bear Bums' aircraft is an automatic induction into the blockchain-wide community of bear lovers and Earth savers. Certain rewards are reserved for community members alone, this is done to keep the community tightly knit.

The Bear Bums, though occupants of another metaverse and a different time frame, still care about Earth probably more than most earthlings ever would. For every NFT sold, or resold, The Bear Bums will plant a tree. This gesture is considered a "win-win-win."

You get a valuable NFT which gives you access to a community within the blockchain ecosystem that is often rewarded. And in addition, you save the planet with every sale, resale, or buy because your actions directly or indirectly plant a tree. What a way to earn!

About The Bear Bums

The Bear Bums is a collection of NFT bears generated by computer programming with over 350 variations across personality traits, accessories, and animations. The NFT project is the brainchild of Maximus Studios based in Costa Rica. It is the first NFT project to reward its holders independent of profits from resale.

Media Contact

Website: https://thebearbums.com/timeline

Email: mailto: admin@thebearbums.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/thebearbums

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thebearbums

Medium: https://medium.com/@thebearbumsnft

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94891
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - Leviathan Natural Products Inc. (CSE: EPIC) (OTCQB: LVCNF) (the "Company" or "Leviathan") announces it has changed its auditor from MNP LLP (the "Former Auditor") to Clearhouse LLP (the "Successor Auditor"). After discussions with the Former Auditor, it was mutually agreed that the Former Auditor would resign as the auditor of the Company effective August 30, 2021. Leviathan's board of directors has approved the appointment of the Successor Auditor effective August 30, 2021, until the next Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of the Company.

"We would like to thank MNP for their service and guidance," states Martin J. Doane, CEO of Leviathan. "Moving forward, Clearhouse's skill set and its focus on small to midcap sized companies make it more compatible with Leviathan's scope of operations at the present time."

While the Company intended to re-appoint the Former Auditor at the upcoming AGM to be held on September 15, 2021, it now wishes to amend the appointment of auditor resolution provided for in the Management Information Circular dated August 11, 2021, and to recommend the appointment of the Successor Auditor.

The Company confirms that there were no reservations or modified opinions in the Former Auditor's audit reports for the Company nor any "reportable events" (as the term is defined in National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations ("NI 51-102")) in connection with the audits by the Former Auditor of the Company's most recently completed financial year or any subsequent period. The Company's board of directors approved the resignation of the Former Auditor and the appointment of the Successor Auditor in place of the Former Auditor. In accordance with NI 51-102, the Notice of Change of Auditor, together with the required letters from the Former Auditor and the Successor Auditor, have been reviewed by the audit committee and the board of directors of the Company and filed on SEDAR.

About Leviathan Natural Products

Leviathan concentrates primarily on non-psychoactive hemp derived products for the health and wellness market. Leviathan plans on executing a series of buy and build transactions extending across all vertical markets in Canada and internationally. The Company's global capabilities position it to become a leading multi-jurisdictional cannabinoid producer - one that brings together the best cannabinoid products, brands and expertise from Canada and around the world. The Leviathan portfolio currently comprises Jekyll+Hyde Brand Builders Inc., a marketing services agency specializing in the cannabis/hemp sector; Leviathan US, Inc., which began manufacturing cannabidiol products in August 2020 from its facility in Carthage, Tennessee; LCG Holdings Inc., a cannabis and hemp cultivation and processing facility in Carmen de Viboral, Colombia, which expects to be operational in calendar Q2 2022; and Woodstock Biomed Inc., which owns a 30-acre property with greenhouse infrastructure in Pelham, Ontario. The Woodstock property operates under a lease agreement with Medical Saints Ltd., a Health Canada regulated licensed producer of industrial hemp. The agreement allows for important research and development ("R&D") in the industrial hemp sector.

For more information, please contact:

Martin J. Doane

Chief Executive Officer

Leviathan Natural Products Inc.

Tel: 416.903.6691

martin@leviathan-naturals.com

www.Leviathan-Naturals.com

Jayne Beckwith

Chief Communications Officer

Leviathan Natural Products Inc.

Tel: 416.806.0591

jayne@leviathan-naturals.com

www.Leviathan-USA.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

###

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain information in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or negatives of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements are discussed in this news release and the Company's annual and quarterly management's discussion and analysis filed at www.sedar.com. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Leviathan Natural Products Inc.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94915
DGAP Voting Rights Announcement: QIAGEN N.V.

QIAGEN N.V.: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution



30.08.2021 / 22:03

Dissemination of a Voting Rights Announcement transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The AFM (the Netherlands Authority For the Financial Markets) has informed us on August 27, 2021 that a notification related to our institution has been released by the AFM. The following notification has been disclosed in the relevant register on the AFM website: Date of transaction: 24 aug 2021

Person obliged to notify: BlackRock, Inc.

Issuing institution: Qiagen N.V.

Registration Chamber of Commerce: 12036979

Place of residence: VENLO Distribution in numbers Type of share Number of shares Number of voting rights Capital interest Voting rights Manner of disposal Settlement Ordinary share 32.493.994,00

34.774.678,00 Real Real Indirectly - BlackRock, Inc. Contract for difference 117.211,00 117.211,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - BlackRock, Inc. In Cash Ordinary share

630.918,00 630.918,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - BlackRock, Inc. Physical Delivery

Distribution in percentages Type Total holding Directly real Directly potential Indirectly real Indirectly potential Capital interest 14,40 % 0,00 % 0,00 % 14,08 % 0,32 % Voting rights 15,39 % 0,00 % 0,00 % 15,07 % 0,32 % QIAGEN N.V. is not responsible for the accuracy and correctness of the notification above. The content has been taken from the relevant register of the AFM:

BlackRock, Inc. - Qiagen N.V. - VENLO | Register substantial holdings and gross short positions | AFM Professionals

30.08.2021 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.dgap.de


Largest Quarterly Revenues and Gross Profit in Company's History

VANCOUVER, BC and BREDA, THE NETHERLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2021 / Organto Foods Inc. (TSXV:OGO)(OTC PINK:OGOFF)(FSE:OGF) ("Organto" or "the Company"), an integrated provider of organic and value-added organic fruits and vegetables today announced financial results for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2021 and also reaffirmed its 2021 annual revenue guidance. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), except where specifically noted.

Highlights:

Second Quarter 2021 Operating Results:

Record second quarter revenues of $5,372,162 versus revenues of $2,163,955 in the prior year, an increase of approximately 148% versus the same quarter in the prior year. Second quarter revenues represent the largest quarterly revenues in the history of Organto and the eighth consecutive quarter of record revenue growth versus the same quarter in the prior year. While volumes continued to expand as expected, revenues in the quarter were impacted by a combination of lower avocado selling prices versus expectations due to increased supply from an earlier than anticipated start to the Peruvian export season, and logistics challenges resulting from the timing and availability of containers required to deliver supplies to Europe.

Record gross profit of $648,987 or 12.1% of revenues versus $232,504 or 10.7% of revenues in the prior year, an increase of approximately 179%. The gross profit in the second quarter of 2021 represents the largest quarterly gross profit in the Company's history and an increase of 250 basis points versus the previous quarter, driven by a higher mix of value-added private label and branded products.

Cash overhead costs for the quarter were 26.3 % of revenues versus 26.8% in the prior year. These costs include expenditures of approximately $436,900 related to retail branded product development and on-line digital transformation activities, acquisition related costs and costs related to the successful filing of the Company's base shelf prospectus, all of which are expected to generate positive future benefits. Excluding these investments, cash overhead costs reduced to 18.2% of revenues in the second quarter.

Balance Sheet

Second quarter balance sheet position improved and will provide resources for the Company to continue to pursue its aggressive growth strategy. Cash on hand of $2,760,506 versus $1,577,017 at June 30, 2020. Working capital of $1,996,710 versus a working capital deficiency of $1,151,355 at June 30, 2020. Non-current debt of $4,070,323 with no principal payments due in 2021.



2021 Annual Revenue Guidance Reaffirmed:

Based on expected increases in supply and roll-out of value-added packaged products in the second half of the year, total 2021 annual revenue guidance of $35.0 million to $37.0 million reaffirmed.

Annualized revenue exit run rate of $50 million also reaffirmed.

Voluntary Conversion of Convertible Debentures and Repayment of Bank Loan:

Subsequent to quarter end convertible debentures with face values of $1,328,150 and maturity dates of December 2022 were voluntarily converted and 4,427,166 common shares were issued. Included in these debentures was a debenture with a face value of $963,150 which was issued in connection with the Company's bank loan. As a result of the conversion of this debenture, the Company's bank loan has been fully repaid.

"Our second quarter 2021 results represent our eighth consecutive quarter of record revenues versus the same quarter in the prior year, and the largest quarterly gross profit in our history on both a total dollar basis and as a percentage of revenues. These record results were achieved despite challenges related to container availability and avocado pricing which impacted the latter part of the quarter. Even so, based on supply which is scheduled to come to market and expected growth in our value-added product offerings, we remain confident in our annual revenue target of $35.0 to $37.0 million," commented Steve Bromley, Chair and Co-CEO of Organto. "We continue to invest responsibly in our platform as we expand our product portfolio and branded capabilities in response to expected strong demand for fresh organic fruits and vegetables which is being driven by consumer interest in healthy foods that are produced in a sustainable and transparent manner."

Second Quarter 2021 Results

Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2021 were $5,372,162 as compared to $2,163,955 during the same period in the prior year, an increase of 148%, a quarterly revenue record for the Company and eighth consecutive quarter of record revenue growth versus the same period in the prior year. Sales of vegetable and fruit products, including fresh organic asparagus, avocado, ginger, mango and others, continued to grow and were sold to a variety of customers throughout Europe. While volumes of most products sold continued to grow as expected, sales were impacted in the quarter by a combination of lower selling prices than expected for avocados due to an earlier than anticipated start to the Peruvian export season, and logistics challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted the timing and availability of containers required to deliver supplies to Europe.

We realized a quarterly gross profit of $648,987 or approximately 12.1% of revenues in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to a gross profit of $232,504 during the same quarter of the prior year. The gross profit in the second quarter of 2021 was a quarterly record for the Company in both dollar terms and as a percentage of revenue, and an increase of 250 basis points versus the previous quarter, driven by a higher mix of value-added private label and branded products.

Selling, general and administration expenses were $586,515 or 11% of sales this quarter as compared to $188,822 or 9% of sales in the same quarter of the prior year. Included are non-recurring costs associated with the successful preparation and filing of our base shelf prospectus of $155,700 and $69,500 related to the development of our retail branded and on-line product platforms.

Management fees in the current quarter were $235,077 and while higher than the $158,441 recorded in the same quarter of the prior year, they are in line with expectations. Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, remuneration began for a co-CEO who was not previously compensated for his services.

Labour costs and benefits during the second quarter were $590,798, a significant increase versus the same quarter of the prior year but well within expectations given the increased volume of commercial activity. Labour costs decreased over the last two years as staffing levels were scaled back as the business was repositioned. With commercial activities now quickly ramping up, operating personnel have been added to support this growth, develop new products and revenue opportunities and support the organization for expected future growth. Included in second quarter labour costs and benefits are labour costs incurred by Fresh Organic Choice as well as approximately $184,300 of costs related to the development of our branded and on-line product platforms and $27,400 for costs associated with our acquisition program.

As detailed above, during the second quarter we recognized costs of $253,800 related to the development of our retail branded product offering and on-line go-to-market capabilities and $183,100 of costs related to growing the organization including acquisition, listing and future financing related costs. While the benefits of these activities have yet to translate into bottom-line contribution, we believe these are prudent investments for the future of the Company and will start to generate benefits later in 2021 and beyond.

We recognized $308,781 in stock-based compensation in the second quarter of 2021 which consists of $159,216 for restricted share units and $149,565 for stock options. Stock-based compensation in the second quarter of 2020 was for stock options only.

Net interest and accretion expense for the second quarter of 2021 was $227,512 as compared to $76,423 for the prior year. Interest in 2021 consists of interest on our bank loan and convertible debentures, plus accounts receivable factoring costs. Accretion in 2021 consists of accretion on the convertible debentures, bank loan and earn-out payments accrued in relation to the Fresh Organic Choice acquisition. The addition of the convertible debentures in December 2020 and January 2021, together with higher factoring costs resulting from increased commercial activity, led to the higher expense in 2021.

We realized a net loss of $1,155,758 during the second quarter, compared to a net loss of $355,724 during the same period in the prior year. Increased revenues and gross profit in the current year were offset by increases in all cost categories as we expanded our workforce and built out our internal infrastructure to accommodate the expected increase in our business. Second quarter 2021 results included $436,900 of costs not related to day-to-day operations including investments in retail and on-line platform development, acquisition related costs, severance costs and costs incurred to prepare and file our base shelf prospectus.

Year-to-Date 2021 Results

Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021 were $10,145,224 as compared to $3,773,775 during the same period in the prior year, an increase of 169%. Sales of vegetable and fruit products, including fresh organic asparagus, avocado, ginger, mango and others, continued to grow and were sold to a variety of customers throughout Europe. While volumes of most products sold continued to grow as expected sales in the second quarter were impacted by a combination of lower selling prices than expected for avocados due to an earlier than anticipated start to the Peruvian export season, and logistics challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic which impacted the timing and availability of containers required to deliver supplies to Europe.

We realized a gross profit of $1,106,802 or approximately 10.9% of revenues in the six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to a gross profit of $392,981 or 10.4% of revenues during the same period of the prior year, driven by a higher mix of value-added private label and branded products.

Selling, general and administration expenses were $950,420 or 9% of sales for the first six months of 2021 as compared to $375,316 or 10% of sales in the same period of the prior year. Included are non-recurring costs associated with the successful preparation and filing of our base shelf prospectus of $155,700 and $127,400 related to the development of our retail branded and on-line product platforms as well as $17,700 in costs related to our acquisition of Fresh Organic Choice and $23,800 in additional listing fees for shares to be issued on the conversion of our debentures.

Management fees in the first six months of 2021 were $467,545 and while higher than the $306,890 recorded in the same period of the prior year, they are in line with expectations. Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, remuneration began for a co-CEO who was not previously compensated for his services.

Labour costs and benefits during the first six months of 2021 were $1,152,167, a significant increase versus the same period of the prior year but well within expectations given the increased volume of commercial activity. Labour costs decreased over the last two years as staffing levels were scaled back as the business was repositioned. With commercial activities now quickly ramping up, operating personnel have been added to support this growth, develop new products and revenue opportunities and support the organization for expected future growth. Included in labour costs and benefits are labour costs incurred by Fresh Organic Choice as well as approximately $358,700 of costs related to the development of our branded and on-line product platforms, $31,800 in severance payments to former employees and $55,700 for costs associated with our acquisition program.

As detailed above, during the first six months of 2021 we recognized costs of $486,100 related to the development of our retail branded product offering and on-line go-to-market capabilities and $284,700 of costs related to growing the organization including acquisition, listing, severance and future financing related costs. While the benefits of these activities have yet to translate into bottom-line contribution, we believe these are prudent investments for the future of the Company and will start to generate benefits later in 2021 and beyond.

We recognized $605,478 in stock-based compensation in the first six months of 2021 which consists of $247,372 for restricted share units and $358,106 for stock options. Stock-based compensation in the first six months of 2020 was for stock options only.

Net interest and accretion expense for the first six months of 2021 was $443,853 as compared to $141,364 for the same period of the prior year. Interest in 2021 consists of interest on our bank loan and convertible debentures, plus accounts receivable factoring costs. Accretion in 2021 consists of accretion on the convertible debentures, bank loan and earn-out payments accrued in relation to the Fresh Organic Choice acquisition. The addition of the convertible debentures in December 2020 and January 2021, together with higher factoring costs resulting from increased commercial activity, led to the higher expense in 2021.

We realized a net loss of $2,403,522 during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to a net loss of $999,422 during the same period in the prior year. Increased revenues and gross profit in the current year were offset by increases in all cost categories as we expanded our workforce and built out our internal infrastructure to accommodate the expected increase in our business. Results for the six months ended June 30, 2021 included $770,800 of costs not related to day-to-day operations including investments in retail and on-line platform development, acquisition related costs, severance costs and costs incurred to prepare and file our base shelf prospectus.

Interested parties may access the Company's filings at www.SEDAR.com or at the Company's website at www.organto.com under the Investors tab.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Steve Bromley

Chair and Co-CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

For more information contact:

Investor Relations

info@organto.com

ABOUT ORGANTO

Organto is an integrated provider of branded, private label and distributed organic and non-GMO fruit and vegetable products using a strategic asset-light business model to serve a growing socially responsible and health-conscious consumer around the globe. Organto's business model is rooted in its commitment to sustainable business practices focused on environmental responsibility and a commitment to the communities where it operates, its people and its shareholders.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release may include certain forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including without limitation Canadian securities laws and the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("forward-looking statements"). In particular, and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements respecting Organto's business model and markets; Organto's belief that demand for fresh organic fruits and vegetables continues to grow; Organto's belief that investments in its retail branded platform, digital transformation activities plus acquisition and organizational costs will generate future returns on investment; Organto's belief that the second quarter balance sheet is improved versus the prior year, providing resources for the Company to pursue its aggressive growth strategy; Organto's belief that based on scheduled increased supply and expected growth of value-added products the Company will achieve its annual revenue guidance and annualized revenue exit run rate targets; management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about the following: the ability and time frame within which Organto's business model will be implemented and product supply will be increased; cost increases; dependence on suppliers, partners and contractual counter-parties; changes in the business or prospects of Organto; unforeseen circumstances; risks associated with the organic produce business generally, including inclement weather, unfavorable growing conditions, low crop yields, variations in crop quality, spoilage, import and export laws and similar risks; transportation costs and risks; general business and economic conditions; and ongoing relations with distributors, customers, employees, suppliers, consultants, contractors and partners. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Organto undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.

SOURCE: Organto Foods Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/662015/Organto-Announces-Record-Second-Quarter-Financial-Results
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - Graph Blockchain Inc. (CSE: GBLC) (OTC Pink: REGRF) (FSE: RT5A) ("the Company or Graph ") is pleased to report its financial statements ("FS") and management discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for the year ending April 30, 2021 ("YE 2021"). All currency is in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

The Company's Consolidated FS and MD&A thereon for year ended April 30, 2021, will be accessible on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under Graph's profile

YE 2021 Financial Summary

The Company reported revenue of $$433,215 in YE 2021 compared to NIL in YE 2020.





The Company also significantly improved its cash balance, $8,802,843, compared to $105,252 in cash in YE 2020.





The Company also significantly improved its total assets, $11,751,841, compared to $137,834 in assets in YE 2020.

Path to Profitability: The Company made strong progress throughout the year transforming the Company by identifying revenue opportunities with various sectors of Decentralized Finance ("DeFi"). According to Alex Tapscott of the Financial Post, in the last year the DeFi industry's market capitalization has ballooned 30 times to US$73 billion, while the total value of user deposits (total value locked or TVL) has surged 100 times to nearly US 100 billion.

Paul Haber, CEO of Graph Blockchain, stated, "Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, fiscal 2021 was a year of transition and marked numerous milestones for Graph in building the team, raising funds, and adding global companies to enable us to execute our strategic plan. We see evidence of crypto and blockchain technologies moving significantly closer to mass acceptance. Our product lineup especially, POS mining, non-fungible tokens business, have positioned us to enable a company transformation across global markets."

Fiscal highlights of YE and subsequent events:

The Company started its transformation in September 2020 with announcement of new management.





In January 2021, the Company undertook to review M&A opportunities in the crypto currency and blockchain sector.





In January 2021, the Company announced it entered into a definitive share exchange agreement with Babbage Mining Corp.





In February 2021, the Company announced that it has closed the previously announced non-brokered private placement financing raising aggregate gross proceeds of $2,316,000.





In February 2021, the Company announced the completion of the Babbage Mining acquisition, and Graph will be the first publicly tradable altcoin Proof of Stake ("POS") miner, which will generate revenue while providing exposure to several top digital assets by market capitalization.





In March 2021, the Company announced the first two altcoins purchasing and staking acquiring Cardano ("ADA Token") and Polkadot ("DOT Token") and became the first publicly tradable altcoin Proof of Stake ("POS") miner, generating revenue while providing exposure to several top digital assets by market capitalization.





In March 2021, the Company announced the closing of CAD$10 million brokered private placement.





In April 2021, the Company announced a $1,500,000 of its staking capital with $1,000,000 into the Polkadot ("DOT Token") and $500,000 into the Cardano ("ADA Token").





In May 2021, the Company announced acquisition of Beyond the Moon Inc. a Crypto Launchpads service provider.





In June 2021, the Company announced listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the world's thirteenth largest organized exchange trading market by market capitalization, revenue, profitability, and the largest stock exchange in Germany.





In July 2021, the Company announced acquisition of New World Inc., an augmented reality art-focused non-fungible tokens (NFT) company that allows creators, musicians, and celebrities to create and sell digital art.





In July 2021, the Company announced that New World Inc., signed several celebrities to its platform including musician Karl Wolf, designer Gianpiero D'Alessandro, and international recording artist Mia Martina to create exclusive non-fungible tokens ("NFTs") on New World Inc. platform.





In August, the Company announced that New World Inc., has successfully tested 1 million simultaneous users within the app platform.





On August 25, the Company completed the acquisition of Optimum Coin Analyser.

To recap, in the last couple of quarters Graph's business model accelerated with the successful onboarding of Babbage Mining Corp., a Proof of Stake ("POS") miner, Beyond the Moon Inc. an IDO focused company and New World Inc. with its NFT Platform and hitting many milestones for the company and setting up Graph for the future in Decentralized Finance.

Outlook

The Company remains focused on the expansion of its POS Mining and NFTs businesses in 2021, with the Company expecting to see growth in second half of 2021 with the POS of new altcoins and the signing onto the New World Inc. with its NFT Platform of new creators, musicians, and celebrities.

NFTs have exploded in popularity in 2021, soaring to an impressive $2.5 billion in sales volume in the first half of 2021. While NFTs are undoubtedly experiencing exponential growth, NFTs are still very early on in acceptance and is yet to break into the mainstream with collectors.

The future of Altcoins is bright with the sky-high price of Bitcoin, Altcoins have become a viable investment option. With the scalability in Altcoins or cryptocurrencies is one of the most important features because the more scalability in these cryptocurrencies, the higher the growth rate of that cryptocurrency.

About Graph Blockchain Inc.

Graph Blockchain provides shareholders with exposure to various areas of Decentralized Finance. Focusing on altcoins through its wholly owned subsidiaries Babbage Mining Corp., a Proof of Stake ("POS") miner, and Beyond the Moon Inc., Graph gives investors exposure to the vast emerging market of cryptocurrencies with the significant technological disruption and potential gains altcoins represent. Additional information on the Company is available at www.graphblockchain.com and www.babbagemining.com.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations

Jamie Hyland

Phone: 604.442.2425

Email: jamie@graphblockchain.com

Media Relations

Joshua Greenwald/Rich DiGregorio

Phone: 646.379.7971/856.889.7351

Email: gblc@kcsa.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements.

Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward- looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the continued growth of the blockchain market. Forward-looking information in this news release are based on certain assumptions and expected future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern; the potential inability of New World to continue as a going concern; the risks associated with the blockchain industry in general; increased competition in the blockchain market; the potential future unviability of the blockchain in general. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. 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.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events, or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

Financial Outlook

This news release contains a financial outlook within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The financial outlook has been prepared by management of the Company to provide an outlook for the second half of 2021 and may not be appropriate for any other purpose. The financial outlook has been prepared based on a number of assumptions including the assumptions discussed in this press release and assumptions with respect to market conditions, pricing, and demand. The actual results of the Company's operations for any period will likely vary from the amounts set forth in these projections and such variations may be material. The Company and its management believe that the financial outlook has been prepared on a reasonable basis. However, because this information is highly subjective and subject to numerous risks, including the risks discussed under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements", it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future results.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94906
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - Deveron Corp. (TSXV: FARM) ("Deveron" or the "Company"), a leading agriculture digital services and insights provider in North America, is pleased to announce that further to its press release of May 27, 2021, it has acquired the assets of Stealth Ag, Inc. ("Stealth Ag"), a digital agronomy company, with offices in Minnesota and Iowa (the "Acquisition").

As consideration for the Acquisition, the Company will issue Stealth Ag an aggregate of 773,837 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.86 per Common Share over a period of two years and cash payments in the aggregate of US$1,100,000 over a period of two years. All securities issued pursuant to the Acquisition will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the issuance thereof, as applicable, in accordance with applicable securities laws. In addition, the Company has paid First Southeast Bank (the "Lender") US $106,525.81 representing the amount due by Stealth Ag to Lender.

Under the terms of the Acquisition if certain milestones are met, Deveron has agreed to pay an additional US$270,000 to Stealth Ag. Based on the achievement of certain milestones, the remaining US$270,000 would be payable as follows:

US$40,000 in cash and issue such number of Common Shares equal to US$40,000 in the event that during the 12-month period (the " first earn-out period "), commencing August 1, 2021, Stealth Ag exceeds gross revenue of US$1,000,000.

"), commencing August 1, 2021, Stealth Ag exceeds gross revenue of US$1,000,000. US$50,000 in cash and issue such number of Common Shares equal to US$50,000 in the event that during the 12-month period following the first earn-out period (the " second earn-out period "), Stealth Ag exceeds gross revenue for the prior twelve-month period by at least US$250,000.

"), Stealth Ag exceeds gross revenue for the prior twelve-month period by at least US$250,000. Issue such number of Common Shares equal to US$90,000 in the event that Stealth Ag adds 400,000 unique acres to Farm Dog during the 24-month period following execution of the agreement.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Stealth Ag: Stealth Ag is an independent agronomy company, blending precision systems and unbiased perspective allowing our customers to enjoy an optimal blend of services to increase yields. With locations in Minnesota and Iowa, Stealth Ag has spent the last 10 years integrating innovative practices with practical agronomy, all to assist their clients in the growth of their soil fertility and yield management programs.

About Deveron: Deveron is an agriculture technology company that uses data and insights to help farmers and large agriculture enterprises increase yields, reduce costs and improve farm outcomes. The Company employs a digital process that leverages data collected on farms across North America to drive unbiased interpretation of production decisions, ultimately recommending how to optimize input use. Our team of agronomists and data scientists build products that recommend ways to better manage fertilizer, seed, fungicide, and other farm inputs. Additionally, we have a national network of data technicians that are deployed to collect various types of farm data, from soil to drone, that build a basis of our best in class data layers. Our focus is the US and Canada where 1 billion acres of farmland are actively farmed annually.

For more information, please visit www.deveronuas.com .

David MacMillan

President & CEO Deveron Corp.

416-367-4571 ext. 221

dmacmillan@deveronuas.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."

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under Canadian securities laws. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company are forward looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current views with respect to possible future events and conditions and, by their nature, are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific to the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements: changes in the world-wide price of agricultural commodities, general market conditions, risks inherent in agriculture, the uncertainty of future profitability and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. Additional information regarding the material factors and assumptions that were applied in making these forward looking statements as well as the various risks and uncertainties we face are described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual and interim Management's Discussion and Analysis of our financial results and other continuous disclosure documents and financial statements we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. The Company relies on litigation protection for forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94911
Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - August 30, 2021) - Novra Technologies Inc. (TSXV: NVI) ("Novra") has announced its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2021. All amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

First Six Months 2021 Consolidated Financial Results

Novra's financial results for the first six months of 2021 were strong, with net income of $795 thousand and revenue increasing by 117% compared to the same period in 2020. This solid performance was built on the significant backlog brought into 2021 and the acceleration of new bookings that has continued into early 2021. We currently have an order backlog of approximately $4.6 million and at June 30, 2021 we also had more than $850 thousand in deferred revenue.

(In Thousands)

Three Months Ended June 30,



Period ended June 30,



2021



2020



% Chg



2021



2020



% Chg Revenue by type:

































Products $ 766

$ 508



51%

$ 4,046

$ 1,044



288% Services

312



679



-54%



760



1,169



-35% Total revenue

1,078



1,187



-9%



4,806



2,213



117%























Gross profit

405



762



-47%



2569



1,250



106% Gross margin

37.6%



64.2%







53.5%



56.5%



Operating expenses

1,198



1,271



-6%



2,388



2,717



-12% Operating income (loss)

(793)



(509)



56%



181



(1,467)



NM Other income (expenses)

469



63



644%



614



506



21% Net income (loss) as reported under IFRS $ (324)

$ (446)



-27%

$ 795

$ (961)



NM























Adjusted EBITDA - non-IFRS measure $ 91

$ 102



-11%

$ 1,429

$ (481)



NM

NM - Not meaningful

(1) Amounts in the table may not reconcile due to rounding differences.

(2) Refer to the Management's Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (loss) as reported under IFRS.

Revenue for the period grew to $4.8 million, an increase of $2.6 million over the first six months of 2020, resulting in more than 100% increase in gross profit. This, coupled with a 12% reduction in operating expenses, resulted in significant net income of $749 thousand and positive adjusted EBITDA(2) of more than $1.4 million for the period. Although our revenues have historically been project-based and spiky, the significant bookings backlog and deferred revenue do provide some positive indication for the remainder of 2021.

We expect continued volatility in our revenue and income for the next 12 months due to COVID-19's ongoing impact on our clients and the global economy in general. Supply chain delays and component price increases due to COVID-19 are expected to impact lead times and costs to produce our products. On June 30, 2021, we had specific large orders totalling over $4 million that we weren't able to ship because of electronic components delays. We expect to ship these orders over the next six months, and we continue to build inventory of our standard products so that orders for these products will generally be fulfilled quickly.

"Our results in the first half of 2021 are very encouraging and we are optimistic that the global economy is starting to pick up as the world begins to adapt to operate in the age of COVID-19. For this reporting period, I'm very pleased to report more than 100% revenue growth to $4.8 million, backlog of orders and deferred revenue totalling over $5 million and a cash balance of $4.1 million," said Harris Liontas, President and CEO. "These results demonstrate our clients' trust in our products and professional services to reliably operate, maintain, and enhance their most critical systems. Our solutions are designed to be adaptable to meet the stringent requirements of our industry-leading customers and their new business requirements in the future. This adaptability is what differentiates us from other vendors and supports our clients in differentiating themselves in their own industries."

For additional details on Novra's results and outlook for the six months ended June 30, 2021, please refer to our MD&A and the Consolidated Financial Statements, which are available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

About Novra Technologies Inc.:

Novra (TSXV: NVI) (OTCQB: NVRVF) is an international technology provider of products, systems and services for the distribution of multimedia broadband content. The Novra Group of companies includes Novra Technologies Inc, International Datacasting Corporation, and Wegener Corporation. The companies in the group are known for a strong focus on applications including: broadcast video and radio, digital cinema, digital signage, and highly reliable data communications.

For more information visit: www.novragroup.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, concerning but not limited to: our profitability outlook, the pending acquisition of Wegener, and anticipated developments in our operations in future periods. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by words such as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "outlook", "opportunity", "momentum", "potential", "targeted", "plans" "possible", "positive indication for", "looking forward to", "getting ready to", "is starting to", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could" or "should" occur or be achieved. As such, forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect our current assumptions and expectations regarding future events. These are subject to a number of risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations and assumptions. Some of these risks and uncertainties are described herein under the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of the MD&A.

For the above reasons, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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.

# # #

CONTACT FOR NOVRA:

Harris Liontas

President & CEO

+1 204 989 4632

hliontas@novra.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/94923
Lextegrity Inc., a Chicago, IL-based compliance risk automation and analytics software company, closed a $5m funding round.

Backers included existing investor Prescott General Partners. The round brought total external funding to date to $8.2m.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its global customer base and go-to-market capability and drive the development of its platform.

Led by Parth Chanda, CEO, Lextegrity provides the Integrity Gateway platform, which enables organizations to prevent and detect fraud, corruption, sanctions violations and conflicts of interest. It includes solutions for spend pre-approval, third party due diligence, conflicts of interest, and continuous monitoring of financial transactional data. Its workflow automation platform can automate any compliance approval process, while its data analytics platform, underpinned by dozens of analyses, automatically risk rates 100% of an organizations financial transactions. The solution provides contextual data and risk insights during the entire lifespan of risk, from budgeting to spend, to help compliance and audit teams quickly identify otherwise-hidden compliance risks.

Customers include Fortune 500 companies such as Alexion and Halliburton.

FinSMEs

30/08/2021
Origin, a San Francisco, CA-based comprehensive employee financial wellness platform, raised $56m in Series B funding.

The round, which brought the valuation of the company to $400m, was led by Dick Costolo and Adam Bains 01A, General Catalyst and Lachy Groom, with participation from existing investors Founders Fund, Felicis Ventures and Abstract Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate customer expansion and new product innovation.

Led by Matt Watson, CEO and co-founder, Origin provides employees with a money management platform, personalized advice with real-life financial planners and customized financial literacy workshops to reach their financial goals.

Employees at companies like DocuSign, Zynga, Nextdoor and Blend use Origin to understand and utilize their compensation and benefits package, simulate equity growth scenarios, complete their taxes, plan for retirement, pay off debt and much more.

FinSMEs

30/08/2021
Poppi, a Dallas TX-based prebiotic soda brand, raised $13.5M in funding.

The round was led by Cavu Ventures with participation from Russell Westbrook, the Chainsmokers, 24kGoldn, Kygo, Halsey, Kevin Love, Ellie Goulding, Olivia Munn, Nicole Scherzinger, Chantel Jeffries, Bryce Hall, Noah Beck, Josh Richards, Griffin Johnson and Blake Gray.

The company intends to use the funds to expand distribution, scale our internal team and continue to invest in major marketing opportunities.

Founded by husband-and-wife duo Stephen (CEO) and Allison Ellsworth, Poppi provides prebiotic soda cans that combine real fruit juice with apple cider vinegar to offer real health benefits. Each can delivers approximately a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV) alongside sparkling water, real fruit and plant-based sweeteners  the balance of gut-friendly prebiotics that aid in digestion, immunity and glowing skin. Poppi is available in nine flavors  Watermelon, Strawberry Lemon, Raspberry Rose, Orange, Ginger Lime, Grapefruit, Cola, Root Beer, and DocPop  and is available for $2.49 per 12oz can.

FinSMEs

30/08/2021
Triad Life Sciences, a Memphis, Tenn.-based biotech company, raised AUS$25m funding round.

The convertible note placement was led by Cannacord Genuity.

The company intends to use the funds for its US sales force expansion plans, R&D activities, and general working capital needs. Triad now plans to move forward with a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in the coming months.

Led by CEO Russ Olsen, Triad Life Sciences is a biotech company focused on developing and commercializing biomaterials for treating complex surgical and chronic wounds. Triad recently received FDA clearance to market InnovaMatrix, a next generation extracellular matrix (ECM) wound care device.

FinSMEs

30/08/2021
After rumours, vivo has officially confirmed the launch of vivo X70 series smartphones that includes X70, X70 Pro and X70 Pro+ in China on September 9th. The company also posted a teaser image of the X70 Pro+ model which shows a leather-like back cover and a huge camera bump that houses quad cameras including a periscope telephoto camera. There is also triple LED flash along with laser autofocus as rumoured earlier.

Another image shows ZEISS optics with T* coating, and ZEISS VARIO TESSAR 1.57-3.4 aperture / 14-125 ASPH lens.

vivo V1 Chip

Last week, the company announced that its first self-developed V1 image chip in the vivo X70 series. The V1 chip will not only improve the image quality, it will also enhance the night video shooting capabilities. vivos executive vice president, Hu Baishan said that vivo has worked in the chip for about 24 months and invested in a R&D team of more than 300 people.

Rumoured specifications

We had already seen renders of the vivo X70, X70 Pro and X70 Pro+ smartphones over the past few days. These are said to pack a 6.5-inch, 6.56-inch and 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED displays, respectively, but only the Pro and Pro+ models are expected to feature curved display, while the X70 model will come with a flat display. The X70 and X70 Pro will be powered by Dimensity 1200 SoC, and the top-end X70 Pro+ is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 888 Mobile Platform.

Earlier rumours said that the phones with come with 50MP Sony IMX766 main camera, and 44W fast charging, while the X70 Pro+ is rumoured to support 66W charging.

We should know more details in the coming days before the phones go official next Thursday.

Source
(CNN) -- after fire conditions resulted in rapid spread, causing at least one hospital to transfer all of its patients out amid the flames.

All patients were being evacuated from Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe.

"Patients will be transferred to regional partner facilities & patients' families will be notified," the hospital said in a tweet Sunday night. "Barton's Emergency Department remains open for emergent health needs only."

Five people have been injured in the fire that has destroyed more than 650 structures and damaged nearly 40 more since it began August 14, Cal Fire said.

An evacuation order had been issued for some parts of Alpine and El Dorado counties, along with evacuation warnings for other parts of the counties, Cal Fire said in a news release.

The warning, which signifies that there is "a potential threat to life and/or property" was expanded for additional parts of the basin, Cal Fire said in an alert Sunday.

"Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave now," the alert warned.

Victor Babbitt, a resident of Meyers in El Dorado County, said he was lucky to be able to get out when he did despite not receiving a formal notice to leave.

"I found out by a warning basically and that was it. No one came to the house," he told CNN affiliate KTVN. "The neighbors were all leaving ... we just packed everything up best we could and off we go."

The city of South Lake Tahoe asked residents to be prepared for the possibility of evacuations.

"The most important thing people can do now is get their go-bags ready and have a plan in place to evacuate should an evacuation order get extended," city spokeswoman Lindsey Baker told CNN.

The call for preparation came as the fire had an active day and worse conditions are expected this week, Clive Savacool, fire chief for the city of South Lake Tahoe, told KTVN.

"The Caldor Fire has made a pretty big jump in the last few hours, so that's had a pretty big impact on the community and expansion of evacuations," Savacool explained.

"It's because these winds, the low humidity, the low moisture, all these conditions are making it very, very treacherous for this fire and so that's why its been expanding so rapidly."

There was a "significant increase in dynamic fire behavior resulting in rapid fire spread," Sunday, according to Cal Fire

Inciweb's incident report on the Caldor Fire said the increase in spread was due largely to wind gusts between 25-35 mph and relative humidity between 10-15%.

Critical fire weather conditions are expected in the coming days, according to a tweet from the National Weather Service in Sacramento, with gusts of 20 to 35 mph possible in the afternoons and evenings.

The agency said in a tweet Sunday that smoke from the wildfires has created poor air quality across the region, with some locations in the hazardous category.

A red flag warning will be in place from Monday night until Tuesday as humidity values will run as low as 5-10%, according to CNN Meteorologist Michael Guy.

With an extreme drought and several active wildfires burning during the middle of the state's fire season, firefighters have had to pace themselves and outside resources have been called in.

Soldiers deployed to help with fire operations

The Caldor Fire -- which has burned a total of 168,387 acres and is 13% contained -- is the second largest active wildfire being fought in the state by Cal Fire, according to its website.

It is one of several fires burning in California where more than 1.6 million acres have been scorched this year alone, the Cal Fire website shows.

Not only has it prompted evacuations for residents but it has also closed at least two local resorts.

Kirkwood Mountain Resort said in a message Sunday that it is under a mandatory evacuation.

And the Heavenly Ski Resort said on Twitter earlier this month, "Due to ongoing risk of wildfire to the Tahoe Region, Heavenly is now closed for summer."

Wildfires in the state have gotten so intense that approximately 200 Army Soldiers will be deployed at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) to assist with firefighting operations starting Monday, a statement from US Army North Public Affairs said.

Units from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state will be trained to assist with the response to the Dixie Fire which is burning on National Parks land, the release said.

The largest active wildfire in the state, the Dixie Fire, has grown to more than 765,635 acres since igniting in mid-July, according to Cal Fire.

"Upon completion of training at JBLM, the Soldiers will deploy to Northern California to conduct additional fireline training prior to serving as hand crews assisting with wildfire suppression on the Dixie Fire," the Army statement said.

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A weak front will settle into the area tonight and Thursday, bringing a better chance of overnight t-showers once again. Drier air arrives Thursday as the surface front drifts to the coast. The humidity will be noticeably lower on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday along with morning lows near 70, with upper 60s inland. Our rain chances are very low for Friday and the Labor Day Weekend.

In the tropics, we are watching Larry which will become a Hurricane tonight. This system will likely become a major hurricane, but it is not a threat to our area. Long range models bring it towards Canada.

-Chief Meteorologist Jason Smith
INMAN, SC (FOX Carolina)- The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed that a former school resource officer at T.E. Mabry Middle School was arrested and charged with solicitation of a minor.
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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.
Wednesday August 18, 2021 Samantha Renee Nissen passed away at the age of 52. Samantha was born in Gainesville, Texas on January 14,1969. She married Chris Nissen in Gainesville on February 16th, 1990. She most enjoyed being a Grandsam. Samantha is survived by her husband Chris Nissen, Daugh
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms in the morning. Partly cloudy skies late. High near 90F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 83F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
The Chinese government has restricted gaming hours for players under the age of 18 to one hour per day from Friday to Sunday, and only between the hours of 8 PM and 9 PM. It has also ordered game companies to ban children from accessing games during the rest of the week, outside of holidays.

According to Reuters, the National Press and Publication Administration told Chinese State Media outlet Xinhua that "protecting the physical and mental health of minors is related to the people's vital interests, and relates to the cultivation of the younger generation in the era of national rejuvenation."

This announcement follows weeks of build-up by Chinese regulators to reign in youth access to online games, and builds on years of regulation in that space. Just recently, for example, Tencent announced it was implementing facial recognition technology to prevent minors from circumventing previous limits (they'd been using fake credentials to create adult accounts).

Even before this latest government restriction, China already had limits on how much and often children could play games. Until now, minors were able to access video games any day of the week for a maximum of 1.5 hours.

Elsewhere, Chinese State Media outlet Economic Information Daily decried video games as "spiritual opium" and calling for more regulation of the video game business.

These regulatory moves have already had ripple effects on the broader world of game development. Analysts recently blamed Krafton's poor South Korean stock market debut on these new regulations due to the company's close relationship with Chinese conglomerate Tencent Holdings. Tencent publishes multiple versions of PUBG: Battlegrounds, including a special version made for China.

This move seems to mark the culmination of a shift in the Chinese Government's strategy for implementing video game regulations. In prior years, regulations were implemented allegedly to present the spread of Myopia (nearsightedness).

The last few weeks however have marked a specific change toward labeling video games and online gaming as addicting. This shift may already be impacting the business plans for large conglomerates like Tencent and Netease, who are already extensively investing in studios outside of China.

China is not the only country concerned with how much time minors are spending playing video gamesbut it is the only one doubling down on state-led restrictions. Last week South Korea announced an end to its limits on video game play for minors, choosing instead to reinforce an opt-in limitation program that can be managed by parents or legal guardians.
NetEase is reportedly in the final stages of hiring Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi away from Sega, according to a report in Bloomberg News.

The high-profile hire would be both a boon for NetEase, which is looking to build more and more financial presence outside of China, and an acknowledgement of how much Nagoshi and the Yakuza franchise have boosted Sega's profile in the last few years.

In January, Nagoshi stepped down from the role of chief creative officer at Sega Sammy, moving into the role of creative director of the Yakuza series. He's been one of the series' key players since it debuted in 2005.

In the last few years, the Yakuza series has enjoyed an explosive growth in popularity outside of Japan, with series spinoff Judgment recently crossing over 1 million units sold. Though its branding might imply that the series is an open-world crime game similar to Grand Theft Auto, it's won legions of fans for its memorable characters, eccentric minigames, and plots that go beyond the world of Japanese gangsters.

Bloomberg's report ties Nagoshi's hiring by NetEase as part of a move by Chinese video game conglomerates to expand their financial influence outside of their home country, which lately has been issuing more and more regulations on the video game industry.

Reporters Takashi Mochizuki and Zheping Huang also write that Japanese studios and developers are more receptive to Chinese investment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on funding. Sega Sammy, Nagoshi's current workplace, recently restructured itself with salary cuts and voluntary employee retirements to adapt to the financial impact of the pandemic.
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP)  A 27-year-old man has been convicted of second-degree murder and a hate-crime offense in the death of a transgender teen in Washington state two years ago.

A Clark County Superior Court jury returned the verdict Friday against David Bogdanov, The Columbian newspaper reported.

Prosecutors said Bogdanov met 17-year-old Nikki Kuhnhausen in downtown Vancouver in June 2019, and that he strangled her with a phone charger cable after engaging in sexual contact in the back seat of his car and discovering she was transgender.

Kuhnhausen's family and supporters exclaimed Yes! quietly and tearfully as the hate-crime verdict was read in court.

We were all holding hands while we were awaiting the verdict to be read and that was really powerful, said Linden Walls, a member of the group Justice for Nikki. It felt like we were all together  and the sense of relief that came that we got justice for Nikki, that we were able to push this and the jury could see it and did the right thing.
BEND, Ore. (AP)  The death toll from COVID-19 in Oregon is climbing so rapidly in some counties that the state has organized delivery of one refrigerated truck to hold the bodies and is sending a second one, the state emergency management department said Saturday.

So far, Tillamook County, on Oregon's northwest coast, and Josephine County, in the southwest, requested the trucks, said Bobbi Doan, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.

Tillamook County Emergency Director Gordon McCraw wrote in his request to the state that the county's sole funeral home is now consistently at or exceeding their capacity of nine bodies.

"Due to COVID cases of staff, they are unable to transport for storage to adjacent counties," he wrote, adding that suicides are also up in the county.

The refrigerated truck arrived in the county on Friday, loaned by Klamath County, Doan said in a telephone interview.

The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners said Friday the spread of COVID-19 "has reached a critical phase.
Everyone should be disturbed by what is happening in Afghanistan, but what can we do individually?

At best, a select few of us can host a family, but most of us just watch helplessly. To those among this latter majority, let me say: I see no reason why the Corvallis community cant pool resources to provide housing, education, employment and bare necessities to several Afghan families.

We the People of Corvallis have everything we need to bring in and assimilate numerous Afghans, but in the interest of picking an arbitrary number reasonable to accommodate, I say we set a minimal goal of 76, the number Americans associate with freedom.

There are countless refugees Corvallis could absorb, be they Syrian or Salvadoran, but America has a unique responsibility to help the Afghans (many of whom worked directly with U.S. forces over the last 20 years) by providing them the freedom theyve been denied at home. If enough businesses and members of our community step up, we can do more together for these Afghans than any individual ever could.

If you feel a call to act, please email me at nortonwh@gmail.com and lets get organized; time is a factor.

Hank Norton
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.
Pune, India, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global virtual reality (VR) in healthcare market size was USD 885.7 million in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 1,206.6 million in 2021 to USD 11,657.8 million in 2028 at a CAGR of 38.3% in the 2021-2028 period. This information is provided by Fortune Business Insights in its report titled,  Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Component (Hardware, Software, and Content), By Application (Pain Management, Education & Training, Surgery, Patient Care Management, Rehabilitation & Therapy Procedures, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028. According to our researchers, VR technology is being utilized to detect, strategize and reorient patients suffering from complications such as autism, phobias, dejection, and addiction. This is anticipated to spur demand for VR technology devices in the healthcare sector.

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Moreover, numerous healthcare suppliers have apprehended the benefits of VR and have begun using it in their procedures. Chief virtual reality technology service corporations have combined 3D interactive content and 360-degree video in order to create the paramount education programs for doctors and students. For example, solutions such as SentiAR and Proximie, which are grounded on a 360-degree scale, provide real-time body scan to aid surgeons in comprehending the health concern in a clear manner.

List of Key Players Covered in the Report

Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Suwon-si, South Korea)

EON Reality (California, United States)

General Electric (Massachusetts, United States)

CAE Healthcare (Florida, United States)

Google LLC (California, United States)

Oculus Rift (Facebook Inc.) (California, United States)

Microsoft Corporation (Washington, United States)

Medical Realities Ltd. (London, United Kingdom)

XRHealth USA Inc. (Massachusetts, United States)

Psious (Barcelona, Spain)

HTC Corporation (Taoyuan City, Taiwan)

Sony Corporation (Tokyo, Japan)

COVID-19 Pandemic Boosted Opportunity for VR Implementation in Healthcare Industry

The demand for virtual reality technology radically augmented in healthcare industry during the pandemic. The application of VR facilitated medical staff with a chance to comprehend and revise the impact of novel stress. Technology-assisted medical experts with the real-time radio graphical understandings are exhibiting the effect of the virus on the patient.

The necessity for online and communicative educational meetings amplified significantly. For example, the medical students tackled difficulties for practical sessions, owing to the factor that no existing technology could provide face-to-face or medical situations such as education environment. This is anticipated to thrust the application of VR in clinical education and training meetings.

Report Scope and Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 38.3 % 2028 Value Projection USD 11657.8 Million Base Year 2020 Market Size in 2020 USD 885.7 Million Historical Data for 2017 to 2019 No. of Pages 130 Segments covered By Component, By Application , and By Region Growth Drivers Growing Wearable Technology in Healthcare is a Prominent Trend Increasing Application of VR in Patient Treatment to Drive Market Growth The technology is witnessing growing application in therapy sessions for fear of heights, darkness, claustrophobia, and other such phobias. Pitfalls & Challenges Technical Limitation Likely to Challenge Market Growth

Report Coverage

The report presents a systematic study of the market segments and a thorough analysis of the market overview. A thoughtful evaluation of the current trends in the market for virtual reality in healthcare and the future opportunities are offered in the report. Moreover, it presents an exhaustive analysis of the regional insights and how they help to form the market growth. The COVID-19 impacts have been discussed in the report to assist investors and business owners with a better understanding of the possible threats present in the market. The report further discusses the key players and their prominent strategies to stay in the dominating position in this industry.

To get to know more about the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market, please visit:

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Segmentation

On the basis of components, the market is classified into hardware, software, and content. The hardware segment held a significant share of 50.6% in 2020 and is anticipated to dominate the market during the mentioned timeframe. The VR hardware includes head-mounted displays (HMD), PCs, and additional gadgets such as laptops and mobiles.

Based on application, the market is categorized into pain management, education & training, surgery, patient care management, rehabilitation & therapy procedures, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In terms of region, the market is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Drivers and Restraints

Increasing Application of VR in Patient Treatment to Drive Market Growth

The healthcare experts are applying virtual reality to enhance the treatment ability for the patient. By VR medical treatment, experts are enabled to identify, detect, train, and cure health problems effortlessly. VR devices are widely utilized by therapists for treating the phobias prevailing among patients. The execution of these devices is escalating in psychotherapy settings for various phobias such as fear of altitudes, dark spaces, claustrophobia, and many such fears. For example, it is recorded that this technique is aiding patients through MRI scans to defeat claustrophobia.

Coupled with therapy sitting, virtual reality is progressively implemented in countless such treatments. For example, Vivid Vision, a vision care institute situated in San Francisco, uses virtual reality to treat lazy eye health disorders. It can deliver distant treatment for traversed eyes, frail eyes, and conjunction conditions. This is expected to bolster the virtual reality (VR) in healthcare market growth in the near future.

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Regional Insights

Rising Investments in Advanced Technologies to Help North America Dominate

North America is projected to control the virtual reality (VR) in healthcare market share during the forecast period. This region is observing substantial investments in applying progressive technologies such as immersive technology in clinical procedures. This is likely to navigate the market growth across the region.

Asia Pacific is estimated to increase the profitable growth rate in the near future. Emerging economies such as India, China, and Japan are set to lead the income segment in the market. China is greatly capitalizing on its telehealth and digital healthcare sector.

Europe is anticipated to hold a noteworthy spot in the market in the foreseeable future. The healthcare sector of the region is the second biggest regarding increasing funds and resources. According to the Healthcare Investments and Exits Annual Report 2020, U.K. contributes almost 30% of the transactions in project capitals.

Competitive Landscape

Crucial Players are Accentuating on Virtual Clinical Toolkits to Fortify their Positions

The key players in the market for virtual reality in healthcare are fixated on presenting advanced medical technologies to backup healthcare employees and their patients. These corporations are teaming up with infirmaries and nurses to provide virtual care and assessment solutions. For instance, in September 2019, XRHealth USA Inc. pooled up with Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. to unveil an AR/VR platform to assist the hospital workforce in recommending and observing patient health. Its ARHealth and VRHealth platform delivers real-time support to assess patient improvement and its visions.

Industry Development

November 2019: Psious joined forces with Pico Interactive Inc. and unveiled 3.0. Psious, a novel VR mental therapy platform coupled with virtual reality glasses. This technology also provides 360 videos and 2D virtual scene content for a cerebral check-up.

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Table of Content:

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Key Takeaways

Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19 Short-term Impact Long-term Impact

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players

Global Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare Key Players Market Share Insights and Analysis, 2020

Key Market Insights and Strategic Recommendations

Companies Profiled (Covered for key 10 players only) Overview Key Management Headquarters etc. Offerings/Business Segments Key Details (Subjected to data availability in public domain and/or on paid databases) Employee Size Key Financials Past and Current Revenue Geographical Share Business Segment Share Recent Developments

Annexure / Appendix Global Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare Market Size Estimates and Forecasts (Quantitative Data), By Segments, 2017-2028 By Component (USD) Hardware Software Content By Application (USD) Pain Management Education and Training Surgery Patient Care Management Rehabilitation and Therapy Procedures Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) By Region (USD) North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Latin America North America Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare Market Size Estimates and Forecasts (Quantitative Data), By Segments, 2017-2028 By Component (USD) Hardware Software Content By Application (USD) Pain Management Education and Training Surgery Patient Care Management Rehabilitation and Therapy Procedures Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) By Country (USD) United States By Component Canada By Component



TOC Continued.

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Pune, India, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global mooring buoy market size is expected to gain momentum by reaching USD 1.09 billion by 2028 from USD 0.75 billion in 2021 while exhibiting a CAGR of 5.5% between 2021 to 2028. In its report titled, Mooring Buoy Market, 2021-2028, Fortune Business Insightsmentions that the market stood at USD 0.73 billion in 2020.

A buoy is used in several offshore activities, such as it helps in maintaining the ship location for a desired period of time. These are also used as navigating symbols to ensure the safety of explorers. In addition, the oil and gas industry has been the front runner, as it involves the use of floating production vessels, support vessels, cargo ships, and offshore rigs. Furthermore, it is extensively used by the defense and marine sectors. These aforementioned factors are expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

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List of Key Players Profiled in this Industry Report

Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure (UAE)

Sealite (Australia)

FenderCare (UK)

Gisman (France)

Mobilis SA (France)

FloatexSrl (Italy)

Corilla Marine (UK)

Walsh Marine Products (USA)

Norfloat International Ltd (UK)

Anchor Marine (USA)

Tidal Marine (Canada)

IRM Offshore and Marine Engineers Pvt. Ltd. (India)

Report Scope & Segmentation -

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 5.5 % 2028 Value Projection USD 1.09 Billion Base Year 2020 Market Size in 2020 USD 0.73 Billion Historical Data for 2017-2019 No. of Pages 210 Segments covered Type; End-user; Regional ; Growth Drivers Increasing Energy Demand Will Drive Adoption of Mooring Buoy in Oil and Gas Sector.

Rising Investment in Offshore Wind Power to Enhance Market Growth.



Pitfalls & Challenges Increasing Penetration of Renewables in Energy Mix to Obstruct Market Growth.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every industry worldwide. Moreover, the industries which are operating on offshore locations were heavily impacted due to cross-border restrictions. Moreover, the maintenance activities were at a halt, as many projects were pushed further. However, the end-use sectors of mooring buoy have shown significant revival signs during the forecast period.

Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this Market.

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Market Segmentation:

By type, this market is segmented into plastic buoy and steel buoy. Based on the end-user, it is trifurcated into oil & gas, marine & defense, aquaculture, and others.

Based on the end-user, the oil and gas sector held the highest share of 62.1% in 2020. This is attributable to increased exploration activities carried out deep inside the ocean and sea. Thus to ensure safety measures, the whole offshore operation system requires limits to be set over migration areas and navigation.

Finally, based on region, the market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

What does the Report Provide?

The market report for mooring buoy provides a detailed analysis of several factors, such as the key drivers and restraints that will impact growth. Additionally, the report provides insights into the regional analysis that covers different regions, contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies to introduce new products, announce partnerships, and collaborate to contribute to the growth of the mooring buoy industry.

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Drivers& Restraints

Increasing Energy Demand Will Drive Adoption of Mooring Buoy in Oil and Gas Sector

The rising demand for energy worldwide is expected to drive mooring buoy market growth during the forecast period. The increased demand for energy can be attributed to the increased migration of people from rural areas to cities. According to a recent study by United Nations, more the 60% of the total global population is expected to reside in cities by the end of 2050. This will spike the energy demand and, therefore, will lead to an increase in exploration activities at offshore locations at increasing depths. This will certainly drive up the demand for mooring equipment in various regions.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific has been the dominant region in the global market owing to the deployment of mooring equipment by countries such as China and India for their defense and energy sectors.

North America is expected, to showcase significant mooring buoy market share owing to rising investment in offshore oil and gas sector.

Europe is anticipated to witness a strong market share, owing to achieving its green energy targets via offshore wind energy.

Latin America & Middle East, and African countries are planning to invest in offshore wind, and this is expected to drive the regional market.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players to Focus on Different Strategies to Strengthen Their Positions Globally

The market is consolidated by major companies striving to maintain their position by focusing on new construction. For instance, In October 2020, Dubai-based Drydocks started construction for its project Lekki SPMfor Orwell. This project aims to install a petroleum product handling facility at Free Trade Zone in Lagos State, Nigeria. Such initiatives are expected to strengthen the market prospects.

Industry Development

In September 2020 GISMAN completed supplies of its modular polyethylene buoys, LED lights, AIS and monitoring system, traffic lights, as well as technical assistance for the design of the tower in Morocco. The project has been carried out with assistance from a local partner ANFAL.

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Table Of Content

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Emerging Trends  For Major Countries Latest Technological Advancement Regulatory Landscape Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Analysis  Impact of COVID-19 Impact of COVID-19 on the Mooring Buoy Market Steps Taken by the Government to Overcome the Impact Key Developments by Industry Players in Response to COVID-19 Potential Opportunities and Challenges due to COVID-19 Outbreak

Global Mooring Buoy Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type Plastic Buoy Steel Buoy Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Defense Aquaculture Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa

North America Mooring Buoy Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type Plastic Buoy Steel Buoy Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Defense Aquaculture Others Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By Country U.S.Market Analysis, Insights, and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Defence Aquaculture ence Aquaculture Others Canada Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Def Others

Europe Mooring Buoy Market Analysis (USD Billion), Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Type Plastic Buoy Steel Buoy Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Defense Aquaculture Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Country UK Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Defence Aquaculture Others Norway Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Defence Aquaculture Others Netherlands Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Defence Aquaculture Others Rest of Europe Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By End User Oil & Gas Marine & Defence Aquaculture Others



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English Norwegian Swedish Finnish

The energy supplied in these PPAs is 100% renewable and generated by the wind farms Mastokangas (68.4 MW) and Korkeakangas (43.2 MW).



These are Statkrafts first deals in Finland with Aquila Capital, one of its longstanding partners in the Nordics.

(Oslo, 30 August 2021) Statkraft, Europes largest generator of renewable energy, and Aquila Capital, a German real asset investment manager, have signed their first power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Finland.

These are long-term PPAs starting in 2022 in which Aquila Capital will provide Statkraft with 100% green electricity from two wind farms at competitive price levels. The wind farms are currently under construction and are expected to be completed in late 2021 and early 2022. When completed, the wind farms will have a total installed capacity of 111.6 MW. Once they are connected to the grid, these plants are expected to produce more than 350 GWh of wind energy per year.

The power generated by the wind farms will be used to supply our industrial and commercial customers. We are proud to be able to respond to the specific demands of renewable energy buyers. The agreements with Aquila Capital enable us to fulfil these needs, now also in Finland, says Arne Kolbeinstveit Wist, Head of Origination and Portfolio Management Nordics at Statkraft.



Aquila Capitals relationship with Statkraft in the Nordic countries has been ongoing for many years and it has resulted in important operations such as Aquilas acquisition of Smakraft AS in 2015. After signing their first agreement in Spain earlier this year, Statkraft and Aquila Capital are now continuing their cooperation by entering the Finnish market.



We are very pleased to have signed these PPAs with our long-standing strategic partner Statkraft. This agreement will allow us to continue the expansion of renewables in Finland, which supports our ambition to drive the energy transition forward, says Lars Haavik, director Power Markets Nordics at Aquila Capital.



About Statkraft



Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and Europes largest generator of renewable energy. The Group produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power and supplies district heating. Statkraft is a global company in energy market operations. Statkraft has 4600 employees in 18 countries.

About Aquila Capital



Aquila Capital is an investment and industrial development company focused on generating and managing essential assets on behalf of its clients. By investing in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure, Aquila Capital contributes to the global energy transition and strengthens the worlds infrastructure backbone. The company initiates, develops, and manages these essential assets along the entire value chain and lifetime. Currently, Aquila Capital manages around EUR 13 billion on behalf of institutional investors worldwide. The company has around 600 employees from 48 nations, operating in 15 offices in 13 countries worldwide.



For more information, please contact:



Lars Magnus Gunther, Press spokesperson, Statkraft AS

Tel.: +47 91241636

E-mail: lars.gunther@statkraft.com

Eliza De Waard, Group Head Corporate Communications, Aquila Capital

Tel.: +49 (0)40 875050 101

E-mail: eliza.dewaard@aquila-capital.com




Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the fourth consecutive time, Jetex will be the Official FBO of the Dubai Airshow, taking place on 14-18 November 2021 at Dubai World Central (DWC). The airshow is set to be a landmark event for the aviation industry preparing for post COVID-19 era.

Jetex, an award-winning global leader in executive aviation, is once again honored to be presented the opportunity to take the lead within such a prominent event held in the United Arab Emirates, showing its trust, respect and commitment for the region. The Dubai Airshow is closely connected with the history of the company: Jetex made its debut during the Dubai Airshow back in 2005.

Today, the Dubai Airshow has evolved to become one of the largest and most important aerospace events in the world. Complete with never-before-seen features, a captivating display of the most advanced aircraft along with unrivalled networking opportunities, the five-day airshow is the premier live and in person aerospace event happening this year. It will take place at its purpose-built venue at DWC, Dubai Airshow Site, easily accessible from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and only a few minutes away from the World Expo 2020, taking place at the same time - a celebration of the UAE Vision 2021, with 182 days to collaborate, innovate and marvel at what humanity can accomplish together.

Jetex VIP Terminal will host a special networking program across its luxurious lounges with plenty of opportunities to socialize, entertain and enjoy the art of Jetex hospitality. Guests will be invited to experience signature elements of the Jetex private terminal concept designed with both passengers and crew in mind.

We are pleased to once again be part of the prestigious Dubai Airshow. Throughout the health crisis, Jetex continued to facilitate travel and it was an unprecedented learning experience for all of us. Today, we are stronger than ever and eager to share our expertise with our clients and partners, as we congregate at the biggest aviation industry event of 2021, said Adel Mardini, Founder & CEO of Jetex, who is also a Member of the Dubai Airshow Advisory Board.

The Dubai Airshow is a special time for every company, providing an occasion to meet key players in the aerospace industry, seize fresh commercial opportunities, present expertise and innovations to the world, and form technological and industrial partnerships. The airshow participants who visit Jetex VIP Terminal will have the opportunity to meet representatives of all Jetex divisions, including FBO Network, Fuel Service, Trip Planning, Premier Experience and Aircraft Sales.

Commenting on the partnership, Timothy Hawes, Managing Director of Tarsus Aerospace added: Jetex has a well-deserved reputation in the industry and we are delighted to partner with them once again as the official FBO for the Dubai Airshow to facilitate travel and support our esteemed guests at the event.

The 2021 edition of the Dubai Airshow looks extremely promising as it reflects the dynamic energy of an ever-growing industry now laying the foundations for the aviation of the future, and Jetex VIP Terminal at DWC looks forward to be a welcoming haven to all airshow participants.

- END -

About Jetex:

An award-winning global leader in executive aviation, Jetex is recognized for delivering flexible, best-in-class trip support solutions to customers worldwide. Jetex provides exceptional private terminals (FBOs), aircraft fueling, ground handling and global trip planning. The company caters to both owners and operators of business jets for corporate, commercial and personal air travel. To find out more about Jetex, visit www.jetex.com and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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New York, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solar Inverter Market Overview: According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  Solar Inverter Market Research Report, Type, System Type, Application and Region - Forecast till 2028 the market is projected to be worth USD 14.97 Billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 5.78% during the forecast period (2021 - 2028)., The market was valued at USD 9.7 Billion in 2020.

List of the Key Companies Profiled in the Solar Inverter Market Research Report are:

SMA Solar Technology AG (Germany)

Canadian Solar Inc. (Canada)

ABB Ltd (Switzerland)

SunPower Corporation (US)

Delta Electronics Inc. (Taiwan)

SolarEdge Technologies Inc. (Israel)

Sineng Electric Co. Ltd. (China)

Power Electronics (Spain)

Solectria Renewables LLC (US)

Hitachi Hi-Rel Power Electronics Pvt. Ltd (India)., among others.





Get Free Sample PDF Brochure

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4071



Competitive Landscape

Over the next few years, there will be an increase in strategic partnership deals and approaches such as collaboration, mergers and acquisitions, expansion, and product launches. Major solar inverter market players are making strategic investments to drive R&D activities and support their expansion plans.

Growing Solar Power System Installations

Continuous infrastructure development in developing and developed nations, as well as increased demand for uninterrupted electricity supply, are major factors driving growth in the global solar inverter market share. The UAE government, for example, is currently concentrating on the Smart Dubai initiative, which aspires to transform Dubai into a leading global smart city. This increase in construction activity will significantly increase the value of the solar inverter industry in the region.

Furthermore, increased awareness of the greenhouse gas effect and growing concern about environmental issues will boost the worldwide solar inverter market outlook during the projection period. The use of a solar inverter lowers the high cost of electricity bills while also providing more efficiency in the long run. Various energy generation ecosystem investors are also investigating possible prospects to lower mankind's carbon footprint by emphasizing the usage of renewable energy sources for power generation. This rising emphasis on renewable energy sources will benefit the worldwide solar inverter market revenue.

For a long time, solar inverters have been an efficient solution for reliable, safe, and green power in off-grid solar panels for the commercial and industrial sectors. However, as installation costs decrease due to technological developments, the residential use of these inverters is increasing. This opens up a variety of potential in home applications and has a favorable impact on the worldwide solar inverter industry.



Browse In-depth Market Research Report (185 pages) on Solar Inverter

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/solar-inverter-market-4071





Industry News

In February 2021, Solarvest Holdings BHD stated that it had signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Huawei Technologies SDN BHD and Sungrow Power Supply Co Ltd. to procure inverters.

In December 2020, USHA SHRIRAM, a leading solar power equipment manufacturer, launched a unique range of Solar Off-Grid Combo Systems that are highly efficient and provide continuous power for critical loads, particularly in areas where there is no power grid. This will significantly boost India's efforts to popularize solar energy use while also making the country self-sufficient in solar equipment manufacturing.

In December 2020, Deye Inverter Technology Co., LTD, a global manufacturer of solar inverters, microinverters, and hybrid inverters, will introduce its award-winning hybrid inverter in the European market. The 8/10/12KW hybrid inverter is a three-phase inverter. Its main advantages are its excellent compatibility with diesel generators, AC couples, smart loads, and grid peak shaving.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Market

With global supply chains hampered and/or interrupted as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent global lockdowns, the solar inverter industry growth was also hampered. Issues such as labor shortages, raw material scarcity, global trade stagnation, and subsequent installation delays are expected to drive up the prices of solar inverters, posing a substantial challenge that the sector will have to overcome. Price increases will induce project delays, which will result in another price increase.



Share your Queries https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4071





Market Segmentation

The global solar inverter industry has been segmented into type, system type, and application.

By type, the global solar inverter market has been segmented into central inverter, microinverter and string inverter.

By system type, the global solar inverter industry has been segmented into on-grid and off-grid.

By application, the global solar inverter market has been segmented into residential, commercial and utilities.

Regional Analysis

APAC to Lead the Global Market

During the projected period, Asia Pacific is expected to lead the market in terms of solar inverter demand. Increasing construction investments, blooming demand for solar power energy sources, increased investments in solar power projects, and an ever-increasing demand for solar energy as a viable substitute for conventional energy sources will drive growth in this region.

Europe to Witness Slow Growth

The European solar inverter market is expected to grow slowly over the forecast period due to an increase in anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese-made components, a downward trend in minimum import prices, and the Euro's depreciation.



Segmentation of Market covered in the research:

Solar Inverter Market Research Report: Information by Type (Central Inverter, Micro Inverter and String Inverter), By System Type (On-Grid and Off-Grid), By Application (Residential, Commercial and Utilities) - Forecast till 2028



To Buy: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=4071





About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
New Brunswick, Canada, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --





Martin Kepman Explains Why Investors Should Be Interested in Canadian Manganese Deposits!





Manganese is the fourth most widely used metal globally, with 90% of usage being attached to steel and development industries. China is the worlds biggest purchaser of manganese.

The cost of mining manganese, however, has consistently been volatile throughout the past several years because of ethical issues in sourcing or the use of selenium (a highly toxic mineral) in processing high-quality manganese.

Manganese is an important component of the steel production process, which makes it extremely relevant to the vast majority of production industries, which rely heavily on steel. It is also projected to replace cobalt in lithium ion battery production because it is less toxic and more economical to produce.

We foresee greater demand for manganese arising from electric vehicle EV expansion, resulting in an upward price for manganese, explains CEO of Manganese X Energy, Martin Kepman. Reasons for increased future demand include plans by Tesla and Volkswagens respective plans to open multiple gigafactories across the world, in addition to Ford and GMs investment in EV models. A-Forecasts predict a 23% increase in demand for manganese each year until 2030.

Significant mining developments in South Africa, Ghana, and Gabon may have led to an oversupply in the manganese market via earlier expansion in Chinese port stockpiles, forcing downward pressure on the price of manganese in 2019 and into mid-2020, according to a 3030 Roskill market report on the metal.

In mid-2020, a brief spike in the price of manganese followed COVID-19 lockdowns, which slowed the manganese production process. The minerals unique supply and demand dynamics mean that investing in manganese could be a future-friendly mining idea, notes Kepman.

Manganese enhanced batteries are more robust, higher in density and much less toxic than cobalt. Manganese is currently more affordable than cobalt per ton, at less than a third of the price of cobalt on world markets. All this without the mining logistics and production issues associated with cobalt, making it an ethically, environmentally, and economically viable investment, states Martin Kepman.

The choice of industry to move to manganese instead of cobalt for their batteries is an obvious one: manganese creates better performing, and more ethically sourced batteries at a fraction of the cost.

Manganese X Corp expects a huge development in the manganese market because of its demonstrated value in clean energy applications, Mr. Kepman concludes. Moreover, we expect the increased proportions of manganese projected to be used for nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium-particle (Li-particle) batteries to be significant and will affect all future rechargeable batteries, EV and Hybrid electric vehicles and energy backup power storage industries.

Web Resource

For more information on the supply and demand dynamics of cobalt and answers to essential questions for investors, read Mr. Kepmans full discussion of the current manganese market.

About Manganese Energy Corp.

Manganese X Energy Corp. intends to provide a secure ethically sourced manganese supply by exploring and developing its manganese rich deposit near Woodstock New Brunswick, the Battery Hill Project. The Fraser Institute has recently called New Brunswick one of the best mining jurisdictions in Canada, a country known to be mining friendly.

Manganese X Energy Corp. (TSXV: MN) (FSE: 9SC2) (OTC:QB:MNXXF) (FRANKFURT:

9SC2) with its head office in Montreal QC, owns 100% of the Battery Hill property project (1,228 hectares) located in New Brunswick Canada. Battery Hill is strategically situated 12 kilometers from the US (Maine) border, near existing infrastructures (power, railways, and roads). It encompasses all or part of five manganese-iron zones, including Iron Ore Hill, Moody Hill, Sharpe Farm, Maple Hill and Wakefield. According to Brian Ways (2012) masters thesis on the Woodstock manganese occurrences, that includes Battery Hill, the area hosts a series of banded iron formations that collectively constitute one of the largest manganese resources in North America, approximately 194,000,000 tons.

Media contact:

Rene Perras Digital PR Consultant for Manganese X Energy Corp

514-816-4446

When sharing on social media please help us by using these hashtags:

#ManganeseXEnergyisElectricGold #ManganeseXMinerforElectricGold

#ManganeseisElectricGold #ManganeseXisElectricGold

New Brunswick, Canada

https://www.manganesexenergycorp.com

Follow on Facebook

News via: KISS PR Brand Story Press Release

###

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: 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 contains forward-looking information which may include statements with respect to the future exploration performance of Manganese X Energy Corp (the Company). This forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, 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 of the Company, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, as well as others, are disclosed within the Companys filing on SEDAR, which investors are encouraged to review prior to any transaction involving the securities of the Company. Forward-looking information contained herein is provided as of the date of this publication and the Company disclaims any obligation, other than as required by law, to update any forward-looking information for any reason. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. We seek safe harbor.





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Dublin, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Smartwatch Market 2021-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global smartwatch market is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR of 19.6% during the forecast period. The major driving factors for the market growth include the various functionalities of smartwatches. Biometric, GPS mapping, and independence from smartphones are amongst few popular features which are attracting consumers.

The integration of smartwatches with automotive vehicles is the latest innovation in the market. Lots of automobile companies are now collaborating with smartwatch manufacturers for the installation of this feature in their vehicles. For instance, Daimler AG and Garmin had collaborated to install this technology in Mercedes-Benz vehicles; the vivoactive 3 GPS smartwatch was launched in 2019 for this purpose.

The global smartwatch market suffered a small downfall during the initial COVID-19 crisis due to the supply chain disruption. However, now this device has been updated by market players to be used as an alternative to medical equipment to monitor essential health parameters including oxygen levels and heart rate. SpO2 sensors are playing a major role in this diagnosis. Due to this factor, the global smartwatch market had bounced back with a V-shaped growth.

The global Smartwatch market is segmented based on products, operating systems, and applications. Based on the product, the market is segmented into a classic smartwatch, fitness band smartwatch, and standalone smartwatch. Based on the operating systems, the market is segmented into Android, iOS, windows, and others. Apart from this, by applications, the market is segmented into medical/health, personal assistance, sports, and others.

The market is showing significant growth in Europe. Germany dominates the European smartwatch market and will continue to dominate during the forecast period. The major application of smartwatches in Europe is for personal assistance. The iOS operating system had captured major market their while the Android system is expected to show rapid growth in the forecast period. According to the Office for National Statistics (UK), there were 4.66 million populations in the UK which are in between 50-54 years age group in 2019 and due to this, they are at high risk of chronic diseases. According to NHS Digital, 30% of men and 26% women of UK have hypertension in 2018. These health concerns had increased the use of smartwatches in the region.

The key players of the smartwatch market Apple Inc., Fitbit Inc., Fossil Group Inc., Nike, Inc., Qualcomm Inc., Samsung electronics co. Ltd., and others. The market players are considerably contributing to the market growth by the adoption of various strategies including mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, funding, and new product launches, to stay competitive in the market. For instance, Fitbit and FibriCheck had partnered in March 2020. It had enabled the users of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain to monitor their heart rhythm from Fitbit smartwatches.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of market size, intended quality of the service preferred by consumers.

Market Segmentation

Global Smartwatch Market Research and Analysis by Product Type Global Smartwatch Market Research and Analysis by Material Global Smartwatch Market Research and Analysis by End-user

The Report Covers

Comprehensive Research Methodology of the global smartwatch market.

Detailed and extensive market overview with key analyst insights.

An exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations.

Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the global smartwatch market.

Insights about market determinants that are stimulating the global smartwatch market.

Detailed and extensive market segments with the regional distribution of forecasted revenues.

Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Report Summary

Current Industry Analysis and Growth Potential Outlook

Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Smartwatch Market

Recovery Scenario of Global Smartwatch Market



2. Market Overview and Insights



3. Competitive Landscape

3.1. Key Company Analysis

3.2. Key Strategy Analysis

3.3. Impact of COVID-19on Key Players



4. Market Determinants



5. Market Segmentation

5.1. Global Smartwatch Market by Product

5.2. Global Smartwatch Market by Operating Systems

5.3. Global Smartwatch Market by Applications



6. Regional Analysis



7. Company Profiles

Apple, Inc.

ASUSTek Computer, Inc.

CASIO Computer Co., Ltd.

Fitbit, Inc.

FOSSIL Group, Inc.

Garmin, Ltd.

Google, Inc.

Huawei Device Co., Ltd.

LENOVO

LG Electronics

Martian Notifier

eBuyNow eCommerce, Ltd.

Neptune Computer, Inc.

Nike, Inc.

Withings S.A.

Polar Electro Oy

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

Sony Group Corp.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

LVMH Swiss Manufactures S.A.

Timex Group USA, Inc.

Tomtom International B.V.

Imagine Marketing Pvt. Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pslmfa

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.
Dublin, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "2021 Analytics of the Microbiome Landscape" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Catalyzed by growing research and skyrocketing venture funding, the Microbiome is at an inflection point

Spurred by landmark research projects & findings, powered by significant grant dollars, surging clinical trials, and historic levels of venture funding, the microbiome market is marching towards the mainstream.

Advances in next generation sequencing (NGS), informatics, computing power, gene editing, synthetic biology, and now proteomics and metabolomics have brought about this revolution. The microbiome is a rich and diverse area that influences a multitude of fields including diagnostics, therapeutics, food, agriculture, personal care/cosmetics, and the environment.

2020 was an unusual year, for the first time, venture funding for microbiome companies substantially exceeded grant funding for microbiome research. In the year 2020, there were over 75K+ scientific publications, $1B+ grants awarded to microbiome research, 150 ongoing clinical trials, and $1.5B+ venture funding.

Does this mean that the microbiome market is evolving from being considered nascent to emerging/developing? Read the report to better understand these questions and get additional information about this transformational market with potential across an array of segments and notable companies.

This report highlights the state of the microbiome by rigorously assessing industry trends across publications, grants, clinical trials, and startup funding activity. Over 40K scientific publications, >3K grants, and 100s of trials and funding activities have been analyzed to provide firms with actionable business insights. The dataset behind the report is based on real-world evidence that will drive actionable business insights.

Follow trends over the years captured across publications, grants, clinical trials, and startup funding activity to power data driven marketing campaigns to fund raising to investor pitches, and business/corporate development activities. Tap into premium data sources that leverage NLP and relational search paradigm to uncover relevant data points, all in one package.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction: Report Scope and Methodology

Microbiome Based Publication Analytics (2011-2020)

Microbiome Based Grants Analytics (2011-2020)

Microbiome Based Clinical Trial Analytics (2015-2020)

Microbiome Based Startup Activity (2015-2020)

Companies Mentioned

4D Pharma Plc

Adare Pharmaceuticals

Afineur

Arranta Bio

AstraZeneca Plc

Computomics

CosmosID

Enterome Bioscience SA

Evolve BioSystems

Evolve Biosystems Inc

Finch Therapeutics

Indigo Ag

Intralytix

Joyn Bio

Kaleido Biosciences Inc

Karius

Lodo Therapeutics

Microbiome Diagnostics Partners

Nubiyota LLC

Nuritas

Perfect Day

Seres Therapeutics Inc

Summit Therapeutics Plc

Synlogic Inc

TargEDys

Vedanta Biosciences Inc

Viome

Vyome Therapeutics

National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

European Commission (EC)

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China (MOST)

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Directorate for Biological Sciences (NSF BIO)

German Research Foundation (DFG)

European Research Council (ERC)

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

Medical Research Council (MRC)

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

Wellcome Trust (WT)

Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO)

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

National Agency for Research (ANR )

Office of the Director (OD)

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF)

National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)

Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)

Baylor College of Medicine

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)

Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL)

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

Imperial College London

Harvard University

University of Pittsburgh

University of Chicago (UC)

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

University of Copenhagen (UCPH)

University of Michigan (UM)

Albert Einstein College of Medicine (AECOM)

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

University of Cambridge

Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Karolinska Institute (KI)

Queen's University Belfast (QUB)

King's College London (KCL)

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMAB)

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (MSSM)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/oclx2e
Vaughan, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Empire Communities, one of North Americas largest privately-owned homebuilders is pleased to be a Hospital Program Partner for Camp Ooch & Camp Trilliums 2021 Bonfire Bash Cottage Edition, raising funds and awareness for children impacted by cancer. This years event brings camp-style fun to cottages, docks and backyards across Ontario.

It is an honour to once again support the work of Camp Ooch and Camp Trillium, says Andrew Guizzetti, Executive Vice President and CFO of Empire Communities, and volunteer with the organization along with his wife Marianne Guizzetti. The impact of this event will help continue programming for over 2,000 kids and families affected by childhood cancer in Ontario.

A diagnosis of childhood cancer changes life in an instant. At Camp Ooch and Camp Trillium, kids with cancer can just be kids, and families can connect with a community of support. Proceeds from the 3rd annual Bonfire Bash will make it possible for the organization to welcome kids back to in-person community programs and overnight camp, and continue offering virtual camp and in-hospital bedside programs at SickKids, McMaster Childrens Hospital and the Childrens Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre.

Thanks to the support of Empire Communities, Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium continues to support kids and families impacted by childhood cancer, says Alex Robertson, CEO. This summer, we re-opened our overnight camps and we are thrilled to be back in the community, serving families in person. As the pandemic continues, kids and families need a community of support now more than ever.

Look out for Bonfire Bash community pop-up events happening throughout Toronto and Muskoka in August and Labour Day weekend featuring a food truck, selfie station, lawn games and ice cream stand. For more details visit Ooch.org.

CAMP OOCH & CAMP TRILLIUM

Camp Ooch & Camp Trillium (ooch.org) help kids affected by childhood cancer and their families explore enriching and fun experiences with other kids and volunteers who understand. Programs help kids who were forced to grow up too fast feel like kids again, and keep families connected to a community that understands their journey. New since 2020 are virtual programs keeping the community safe and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

EMPIRE COMMUNITIES

Empire Communities is a residential homebuilder involved in all sectors of the new home building industry, including both lowrise and highrise built forms. Celebrating 27 years of building inspiring new places to live, Empire has an established tradition of creating prestigious award-winning new homes, communities and amenities and has earned a reputation for outstanding attention to detail and customer service. Since 1993, Empire has built over 28,000 new homes and condos. Today, Empire is one of the largest privately held homebuilders in North America with current communities in Toronto, Southwestern Ontario and the Southern United States.

-30-

Attachment
Trucking Distance From Proposed Grassy Mountain Operation

WATCH VIDEO SUMMARY OF THE PRESS RELEASE

WINNEMUCCA, Nev., Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. (NYSE American: PZG) ("Paramount or the Company) announced today that it has initiated a drill program at the Frost project located 12 miles southwest of the Companys high-grade Grassy Mountain gold project in Eastern Oregon. As previously announced, Paramount received all required permits from State and Federal authorities to drill its Frost property in April 2021.

Paramount President & COO Glen van Treek noted that the Frost property is a very close analog to the Grassy Mountain high grade deposit now in the final stages of permitting. We are extremely excited to drill Frost. Discovering a deposit so close to our proposed mine would extend mine life and substantially improve overall project economics. We have carefully assembled a strong set of data confirming the key characteristics we would like to see in a drill target and the structures have the potential size to host a significant addition to reserves.

Paramount plans to send samples for assaying to the ALS lab in Twin Falls, Idaho located approximately 200 miles from Grassy Mountain.

The first phase of drilling will be a 15-hole reverse circulation program of approximately 9,000 ft in total. The program is designed to test prospective targets related to interpreted silicification, and structures identified by the Paramount team based upon historic assays, field mapping and geophysical surveys (see drill hole location in maps below). Historic drilling completed in the early 1990s intersected up to 25g/T of gold and 27g/T of silver.

Proposed Drill hole location over CSAMT level showing resistivity (high=white / low=purple)

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a548841b-23bc-4c24-ab04-d4b32bac88bf

The short 12-mile distance between Frost and Paramounts proposed Grassy Mountain gold mine presents a significant opportunity for the Company to increase mine life as economic mineralized material would be trucked as mill feed to the Grassy processing facility. For additional details on the Frost Project see our press release of April 13, 2021.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

Exploration activities at Grassy Mountain are being conducted by Calico Resources USA Corp. personnel under the supervision of Michael McGinnis (CPG 10914) Project Manager and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, who has reviewed and approved this release. An ongoing quality control/quality assurance protocol is being employed for the program including blank, duplicate and reference standards in every batch of assays.

About Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.

Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. is a U.S. based precious metals exploration and development company. Paramounts strategy is to create shareholder value through exploring and developing its mineral properties and to realize this value for its shareholders in three ways: by selling its assets to established producers; entering joint ventures with producers for construction and operation; or constructing and operating mines for its own account.

Paramount owns 100% of the Grassy Mountain Gold Project which consists of approximately 8,200 acres located on private and BLM land in Malheur County, Oregon. The Grassy Mountain Gold Project contains a gold-silver deposit (100% located on private land) for which results of a positive Feasibility Study have been released and key permitting milestones accomplished.

Frost is comprised of 84 unpatented lode claims covering approximately 1,730 acres located 12 miles southwest of the Companys proposed high-grade, underground Grassy Mountain gold mine in Malheur County, Oregon (Grassy).

Paramount owns a 100% interest in the Sleeper Gold Project located in Northern Nevada, the worlds premier mining jurisdiction. The Sleeper Gold Project, which includes the former producing Sleeper mine, totals 2,322 unpatented mining claims (approximately 60 square miles or 15,500 hectares). The Sleeper gold project is host to a large gold deposit (over 4 million ounces of mineralized material) and the Company has completed and released a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment. With higher gold prices, Paramount has begun work to update and improve the economics of the Sleeper project.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

This release and related documents may include "forward-looking statements" and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) pursuant to applicable United States and Canadian securities laws. Paramounts future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other applicable securities laws. Words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although these words may not be present in all forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to the use of proceeds from the Offerings. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the conclusions made in the feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain Gold Project (the FS); the quantity and grade of resources included in resource estimates; the accuracy and achievability of projections included in the FS; Paramounts ability to carry on exploration and development activities, including construction; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits; the price of silver, gold and other metals; prices for key mining supplies, including labor costs and consumables, remaining consistent with current expectations; work meeting expectations and being consistent with estimates and plant, equipment and processes operating as anticipated. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: uncertainties involving interpretation of drilling results; environmental matters; the ability to obtain required permitting; equipment breakdown or disruptions; additional financing requirements; the completion of a definitive feasibility study for the Grassy Mountain Gold Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs and between estimated and actual production; the global epidemics, pandemics, or other public health crises, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global health pandemic, and the spread of other viruses or pathogens and the other factors described in Paramounts disclosures as filed with the SEC and the Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions.

Except as required by applicable law, Paramount disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document.

Paramount Gold Nevada Corp.

Rachel Goldman, Chief Executive Officer

Christos Theodossiou, Director of Corporate Communications

866-481-2233

Twitter: @ParamountNV
Dublin, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Biotechnology Services Global Market Opportunities and Strategies to 2030: COVID-19 Impact and Recovery" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global biotechnology services market reached a value of nearly $83,743.6 million in 2020, having increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1% since 2015. The market is expected to grow from $83,743.6 million in 2020 to $135,973.0 million in 2025 at a rate of 10.2%. The market is then expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.0% from 2025 and reach $218,924.7 million in 2030.



Growth in the historic period in the biotechnology services market resulted from strong economic growth in emerging markets, increased collaborations with other research institutes and companies. The market was restrained by decrease in government funding, lack of strong intellectual property (IP) protection laws.



Going forward rapid advancements in technology, rising non-communicable diseases, emphasis on innovation, rising demand for agriculture-based biotechnology services, growing demand for synthetic biology, developments and improvements in drug research and growth in personalized treatment will drive the growth in the biotechnology services market. Factors that could hinder the growth of the market in the future include skilled workforce shortages and decreasing reimbursements for research activities.



The biotechnology services market is segmented by service into health education and research, food biotechnology services, donor recruitment, tissue collection, cell processing and isolation, research and development.

The research and development market was the largest segment of the biotechnology services market segmented by service, accounting for 49.1% of the total in 2020. Going forward, the donor recruitment market is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the biotechnology services market segmented by service, at a CAGR of 14.5% during 2020-2025.



The biotechnology services market is also segmented by industry into clinical research organizations (CROs), contract manufacturers organizations (CMOs), and contract research and manufacturing services (CRAMS). The contract manufacturers organizations (CMOs) market was the largest segment of the biotechnology services market segmented by industry, accounting for 39.6% of the total in 2020. Going forward, the clinical research organizations (CROs) market is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the biotechnology services market segmented by industry, at a CAGR of 14.5% during 2020-2025.



The biotechnology services market is also segmented by area of application into pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, academic, and others. The pharmaceuticals market was the largest segment of the biotechnology services market segmented by application, accounting for 40.0% of the total in 2020. Going forward, the academic market is expected to be the fastest growing segment in the biotechnology services market segmented by area of application, at a CAGR of 11.8% during 2020-2025.



Asia Pacific was the largest region in the biotechnology services market, accounting for 37.5% of the total in 2020. It was followed by the North America, Western Europe and then the other regions. Going forward, the fastest-growing regions in the biotechnology services market will be Asia-Pacific and Middle East where growth will be at CAGRs of 11.6% and 11.5% respectively during 2020-2025. These will be followed by South America and Africa, where the markets are expected to register CAGRs of 11.0% and 10.7% respectively during 2020-2025.



The global biotechnology services market is highly fragmented, with a large number of small players. The top ten competitors in the market made up to 10.02% of the total market in 2019.

Major players in the market include Parexel International Corporation, IQVIA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, PRA Health Sciences, ICON plc, Charles River Laboratories, Sartorius, Precision for Medicine, and Novartis.



The top opportunities in the biotechnology services market segmented by service will arise in the research and development segment, which will gain $26,271.7 million of global annual sales by 2025. The top opportunities in the biotechnology services market segmented by industry will arise in clinical research organizations (CROs) segment, which will gain $ 19,672.3 million of global annual sales by 2025. The top opportunities in the biotechnology services market segmented by area of application will arise in pharmaceuticals segment, which will gain $19,672.3 million of global annual sales by 2025. The biotechnology services market size will gain the most in the China at $13,732.1 million.



Player-adopted strategies in the biotechnology services market includes focusing on technologies, software and services, expanding through innovative launches, focus on improving patient access to clinical trials, focused on extending biotechnological methods, and strategic collocation and agreements with technology players.



To take advantage of these opportunities, the publisher recommends the biotechnology services companies to consider integrating data management systems through cloud technology and focus on next generation sequencing technology to analyze large data and to perform large scale sequencing activities, establishing operations in emerging markets to gain market share, value oriented billing, and leverage social media to maximize reach among other strategies.



Companies Mentioned

ICON plc

Charles River Laboratories

Sartorius

Precision for Medicine

Novartis

Eppendorf Asia Pacific Sdn. Bhd.

Emmessar Biotech & Nutrition Ltd, India

Vcanbio cell & gene engineering corp., ltd, China

Ke Rui Gene, China

Absea Biotechnology Ltd, China

CStone Pharm-B, China

Daiichi Sankyo, China

BitBiome

Taisho Pharmaceutical

AGC Biologics

Daiichi Sankyo

Hamamatsu Pharma Research

Artios Pharma

AstraZeneca

Bio Products Laboratory (BPL)

Cambridge Bioscience

Shire Pharmaceuticals Ltd

BTG Ltd

Amgen Ltd

eXmoor Pharma

4D Pharma PLC

Touchlight Genetics

Ophidia Medical Technologies

ATAI Life Sciences

Phaseform

Evotec

Sanity Group

Primmbiotech

Biogen Italia S.R.L.

Vaccitech

Biolat, Pharmidea

Asla-Biotech

Genera

Anima Lab

Silvanols

OU TBD-Biodiscovery

Qvalitas Arstikeskus AS

Concise Systems OU

GPE Globalpharma OU

Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation

Innothera

Olainfarm

Pharmaidea

Amgen Inc.

Gilead Sciences

Celgene Corporation

Biogen Inc.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Illumina, Inc.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Hemostemix Inc.

Resverlogix Corporation

Zenith Epigenetics Corp.

Bayer

AMEGA Biotech

Pierre Fabre

Pfizer

Quantificare

Apsen Farmaceutica

BioMarin Pharmaceutical

DK Diagnostics

Biosonda Biotechnology

Laboratorios Legrand

Biomerics

Julphar Pharmaceuticals

Medpharma

Pharmax

Neopharma

City Breeze Technical Services

CinnaGen

BioSun Pharmed

AryoGen Pharmed

4Clinics

54gene

Amoun

Aspen Pharmacare

BBI Solutions

BioTech Africa

ClinArt MENA

Crux Pharmaceuticals

Genesis Pharmaceuticals

Massive Genomics

Mayne Pharma

Sanofi Genzyme

Teleflex Medical

The Micron Group

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ts0e0o
Toronto, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RTOERO is sounding the alarm on issues of dignity and survival during the federal election campaign. This week, it launched a digital campaign urging Canadians to speak with one voice on three critical issues: environmental stewardship, geriatric healthcare and seniors strategy.

The campaign invites Canadians to send a letter to their candidates asking for their positions on the issues. The campaign website is vibrantvoices.ca/federal. A social media campaign will run featuring the campaign video called One voice.

Quotations

If dignity and survival arent at the core of all decision-making now, with the breadth of our knowledge and resources, then it calls into question our character and ethics as humans, says Rich Prophet, RTOERO chair of the board. By speaking with one voice on critical issues, our hope is we can drive home for candidates that we expect compassionate leadership and real action.

The response to the pandemic shows that we can work together to drive massive change, says Jim Grieve, CEO of RTOERO. Thats what we need now to secure a sustainable, flourishing future for every Canadian.

Resources for media Op-ed articles

RTOERO has prepared the following op-ed articles on its three focus issues for the election. Media is invited to use the articles with an RTOERO byline or repurpose the content in other ways. If publishing as op-ed articles, the byline can be Rich Prophet, RTOERO chair, and

Grieve, CEO of RTOERO.

White papers

Seniors strategy

Geriatric healthcare

Environmental stewardship

About RTOERO

RTOERO is a bilingual trusted voice on healthy, active living in the retirement journey for the broader education community. With 81,000+ members in 51 districts across Canada, RTOERO is the largest national provider of non-profit group health benefits for education retirees. It welcomes members who work in or are retired from the early years, schools and school boards, post-secondary and any other capacity in education.

-30-

RTOERO media contact:

Sylvia Link, Director of Marketing and Communications, slink@rtoero.ca, 416-209-1249 (cell)

Attachments
New York, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Military Intelligence Analytics Growth Opportunities" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06130900/?utm_source=GNW

It increases intelligence resources in defense budgets, and becomes a strategic national asset that reflects deeply international superpower relations.



With its strategic implications on armed forces around the globe, intelligence warfare will take place across a multi-domain battlespace with further integration of air, maritime, land, and cyber-based intelligence analytics domains.New APIs are also driving these developments in MILINT requirements, such as NLP, data mining, real-time analysis, and automatic target recognition (ATR) based on AI.



These systems will both need to be integrated into current IT and distribution systems, as well as analytics APIs that need to manage large amounts of data for operational use and demands. This study covers the quantitative and qualitative discussion of the key aspects of the trends in the military intelligence market, including drivers and restrains, market commercial ecosystem, and technological overview, including leading APIs and main projects.

Author: Avi Kalo

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06130900/?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.



__________________________
English French

OTTAWA, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Royal Canadian Legion released its 2021 Its Our Duty position paper to all Canadian Members of Parliament recently. The paper outlines the organizations current advocacy agenda. Among other priorities, the Legion wants to see:



Immediate tackling of the backlog of disability applications;

culture change within the CAF related to reporting and handling of sexual misconduct;

a sharper focus on homelessness including a pan-Canadian strategy to combat Veteran homelessness;

widespread improvements to the long-term care system.

The Legions full advocacy agenda can be found at www.Legion.ca.

We will continue to closely monitor progress and share feedback. Canada now has sufficient background and evidence-based input from support organizations to improve things dramatically - right now, says Bruce Julian, Dominion President.

The Legion is asking Canadas government and all MPs to reduce the number of reports and meetings that rehash the same problems and concepts, and to take immediate action. The Legion develops and updates its advocacy positions annually, based on feedback from members, experiences working with Veterans and partners across the country, and progress on the mandates presented to Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence.

About The Royal Canadian Legion

Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canadas largest veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S., and Europe. With close to 250,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers.

Public Relations / Media Inquiries: Nujma Bond 613-591-3335 ext. 241 or PublicRelations@Legion.ca

Legion.ca

Facebook.com/CanadianLegion

Twitter.com/RoyalCdnLegion

Instagram.com/royalcanadianlegion

youtube.com/user/RCLDominionCommand

https://www.linkedin.com/company/royalcanadianlegion
Parsippany, NJ, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aviation insurance, and the financial protection it affords, are vital to every aircraft owner and operator. However, there is more to protecting your aircraft than having proper insurance coverage.

From participation in safety programs to encouraging interest in aviation and educating the next generation of industry professionals, the sharing of knowledge is essential to everyone involved in aviation. For that reason, Global Aerospace has developed or supports several programs designed to advance the industry and also make it easier to obtain aviation insurance.

SM4 Safety Program

Safe operations must be the top priority for every aviation business. Safety Management Systems (SMS) are the cornerstone of safety initiatives, but the individual and collective industry focus on and dedication to safety principles are essential to meeting the objectives of an SMS. Safety practices and habits are helpful, but the development of a safety culture is key.

The SM4 Safety Program provides our U.S. and Canadian customers with training and insights focused on risk management, safety system improvement, safety training and safety culture. This information addresses what our extensive industry experience has shown to be the four most important areas of aviation safety:

Planning

Prevention

Response

Recovery

A variety of materials are available to the public through the SM4 Safety Program, including a large library of complimentary, web-based resources, a topical monthly e-newsletter with thought leadership from our safety partners, and a host of initiatives targeting critical aviation issues.

Airport Safety Advocacy Program (ASAP)

The effective operation of airports is, of course, essential to ensuring that the U.S. aviation system functions in a way that minimizes risk to all aviation stakeholdersaircraft owners and operators, flight crews, ground crews, passengers and others. The Global Aerospace Airport Safety Advocacy Program (ASAP) provides airports with affordably priced, comprehensive insurance coverage.

In addition, ASAP leverages the resources of the SM4 Safety Program, making them available to program participants. Using these resources, airports can achieve significant immediate and ongoing improvements to their operations.

ASAP provides financial support directly to the contracted state airport association for member airports that are Global Aerospace customers, while extending safety tools and membership reimbursement opportunities to members.

Vista

When an aviation operator puts time and effort into safety initiatives, it benefits the entire industry by lowering overall losses. Consequently, Global Aerospace gladly rewards those efforts.

Founded in 1983, our Vista program in the U.S. uses specific metrics to assess the degree to which an operator is exceeding industry safety standards. We then say our thanks to the organization financially through dividends. To date, the program has returned more than $50 million in policyholder dividends to Global Aerospace customers, and it continues to incentivize operators to strive for safety excellence.

Vista Elite

Based on the success of the Vista program, we founded the Vista Elite program in 2009 to recognize U.S. flight departments that continue to exceed always-increasing safety standards. Like Vista, Vista Elite provides increased policyholder dividends.

The program also entitles participants to paid safety training, consulting and other valuable resources from our SM4 Safety Program partners. Program participants must meet our standards, including achieving ISBAO certification or meeting BASC requirements, maintaining an NBAA membership and others, but the benefits to the organization and the aviation industry are well worth the effort.

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Support

The aviation industry has benefited from the contributions of those who are interested in experimental aircraft. In 2002, Global Aerospace partnered with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) to develop an affinity program that supports our industry. As part of that partnership, we offer expanded aviation insurance benefits to EAA member operators who are insured by Global Aerospace. This includes benefits like coverage for headsets and hand-held electronics, the extension of personal non-owned coverage to experimental aircraft and light sport aircraft (LSA) and many more.

In addition, we recognize the importance of introducing young people to aviation and support EAA youth programs. This includes Young Eaglesa program that gives youths ages 8-17 the chance to take a flight, free of charge, in a general aviation airplane.

Global has most recently sponsored the EAA Project 21 Initiative and the first expansion of the EAA Aviation Center in what will bring year-round aviation education and training to current and future aviators. Global Aerospace is proud to have contributed over $2 million to EAA and the EAA Youth Programs since 2002.

Global Aerospace eCerts Program

Secure online access to certificates of insurance is important to U.S. customers and producers. As an organization that embraces the advantages of new technology, we are the only company in our industry that enables policyholders to obtain and safely store certificates of insurance online 24/7/365 from anywhere in the world. This includes a long list of certificates, including DD2400, Private Mex, Commercial Mex, EU and many more.

We also launched a similar eCerts Canada portal in 2018 to assist Canadian brokers and their clients. Territorial boundaries or timing issues no longer prevent Global Aerospace Canada, or the broker community, from providing immediate service to their clients.

On-Demand Drone Insurance

Working with Thimble and its Verifly app, Global Aerospace can deliver on-demand drone insurance in the U.S. With policies starting at $10/hour and accessible through the simple, easy-to-use Verifly app for recreational and commercial users, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) users can purchase third-party liability insurance underwritten by Global Aerospace. In addition, the app has mapping technology and real-time flight condition information to make users aware of flying risks.

Users of drones under 35 pounds can be covered for periods of one, four or eight hours in a selected area for flights under 400 feet. Coverage includes injuries, property damage, unintentional invasion of privacy and more.

Learn More About Special Programs From Global Aerospace

The programs and resources we offer are valuable additions to aviation insurance coverage. They are also a demonstration of our commitment to aviation safety and the ongoing improvement of operations in our industry. We are happy to answer your questions about these programs or our insurance offerings.

Please contact Global Aerospace at your convenience.

About Global Aerospace

Global Aerospace is a leading provider of aircraft insurance and risk management solutions for the aviation and aerospace industries. Our over 95 years of aviation insurance experience enable us to develop customized insurance programs structured around the needs of our clients. Recognized for our industry leading customer service, we serve as a trusted partner to a diverse range of aviation businesses and their insurance producers. https://www.global-aero.com/

Global Aerospace Media Contact

Suzanne Keneally

Vice President, Group Head of Communications

+1 973-490-8588

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SAN DIEGO, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NP Digital, a leader in performance marketing, announced today that Jennifer French has joined the agency as its Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. French will negotiate and acquire new strategic partnerships and increase technology partner engagements. This new position will ensure the optimization and growth of sales channels through co-marketing and partnership initiatives across NP Digital, NP Accel and Ubersuggest.

French is a 20-year veteran of business development, representing agencies and software companies. She comes with a breadth of expertise in building strategic partnerships to feed leads to sales teams and has helped thousands of small to medium-sized businesses embrace technology to help them succeed.

We are very excited to have Jennifer join the NP Digital leadership team, said Ty Christensen, CRO of NP Accel. She has a proven history of landing and nurturing enterprise partnerships while leading outbound sales teams for company growth. Her business development background in the Enterprise and SMB markets will play a crucial role as we continue to grow and develop our leadership team.

Prior to joining NP Digital, French served as the VP of Strategic Partnerships at FMG Suite. There she managed over 100 key strategic partnerships while continuing to identify new opportunities for growth. French was also the VP of Business Development for MarketingPro for over 16 years and played an integral role in preparing the organization for acquisition by FMG Suite. She has her MBA in international business from Thunderbird School of Global Management and will enhance NP Digitals worldwide growth team.

Im excited to join the NP Accel team at NP Digital at a time of immense growth for the company, said French. The company's commitment to delivering cutting-edge performance marketing has built a wonderful culture of talented professionals. I look forward to joining the team and delivering the best results to our clients as the agency continues to grow.

###

About NP Digital:

NP Digital is a performance marketing agency focused on enterprise and mid-market challenger brands. NP Digital also supports the small business market with its NP Accel division. Underpinned by its proprietary technology division and platform Ubersuggest, NP Digital is regarded as one of the fastest-growing, award-winning performance marketing agencies in the industry. NP Digital views marketing through a consultative lens that takes a holistic view when applying specialist execution to build meaningful partnerships. These partnerships include some of the worlds most prominent Fortune 500 brands in addition to mid-size, DTC challenger-type organizations.

NP Digital spans across the globe with 450 employees, seven offices and a headquarters in San Diego, CA. For more information visit npdigital.com or neilpatel.com/ubersuggest.

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Secure Technology Alliance today announced the 2022 Payments Summit, the only payments event providing practical, actionable guidance that can be used to develop strategies for implementing trending or new payments technologies.



The 14th Annual Payments Summit will be held February 28  March 3, 2022, at the Little America Hotel in the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah. Registration discounts are available until January 7, 2022. For more details and to register, visit https://www.stapayments.com/.

The U.S. Payments Forum All-Member Meeting will once again be co-located at the Payments Summit. The Forum meeting brings together hundreds of payments industry leaders from global and domestic networks, financial institutions, merchants and processors, allowing attendees to explore cross-industry business opportunities.

Attend the Premier Payments Event of the Year

The four-day event will explore emerging technologies and leading topics impacting the payments market. It will include immersive educational sessions, valuable networking opportunities and practical industry council and working committee discussions.

For over a decade industry thought leaders from the Secure Technology Alliance and U.S. Payments Forum have converged on the Payments Summit to gain insight, unlock new business prospects and propel the payments industry into the future, said Jason Bohrer, executive director of the Secure Technology Alliance. This year we will take an in-depth look at key themes across the payments landscape including authentication, fraud prevention and new advancements in FinTech.

Attendees will have access to engaging panels from over 100 industry-leading speakers and walk away with a greater understanding of what shapes the payments space today, as well as strategies for moving the industry forward. This years Payment Summit will touch on several major topics, including:

An assessment of the current payments landscape from issuers and merchants

Payments and the Internet of Things (IoT)

The latest authentication and fraud trends

Emerging payment technologies

Payments professionals such as financial institution payment leaders, retailers, FinTech disruptors, payment solution providers, mobile payment providers, payment networks, fraud experts and transit payment professionals are encouraged to attend.

For continuing updates on the Payments Summit and related topics, follow @SecureTechOrg on Twitter and use #PaymentsSummit to participate in the conversation.

About the Secure Technology Alliance

The Secure Technology Alliance is the digital security industrys premier association. The Alliance brings together leading providers and adopters of end-to-end security solutions designed to protect privacy and digital assets in payments, mobile, identity and access, healthcare, transportation and the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) markets.

The Alliances mission is to stimulate understanding, adoption and widespread application of connected digital solutions based on secure chip and other technologies and systems needed to protect data, enable secure authentication and facilitate commerce.

The Alliance is driven by its U.S.-focused member companies. They collaborate by sharing expertise and industry best practices through industry and technology councils, focused events, educational resources, industry outreach, advocacy, training and certification programs. Through participation in the breadth of Alliance activities, members strengthen personal and organizational networks and take away the insights to build the business strategies needed to commercialize secure products and services in this dynamic environment.

For more information, please visit www.securetechalliance.org.

About the U.S. Payments Forum

The U.S. Payments Forum is a cross-industry body focused on supporting the introduction and implementation of new and emerging technologies that protect the security of, and enhance opportunities for payment transactions within the U.S. The Forum is the only non-profit organization whose membership includes the whole payments ecosystem, ensuring that all stakeholders have the opportunity to coordinate, cooperate on, and have a voice in the future of the U.S. payments industry.

Contact

Mike Smith

Montner Tech PR

203-226-9290

msmith@montner.com
New York, US, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sleepwear Market Overview

According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  Sleepwear Market Information by Product Type, Material, End User, Distribution Channel, and Region - Forecast till 2027, the market is projected to cross USD 18.5 Billion by 2027 at 9% CAGR.

Market Scope

The sleepwear market has developed increasingly in the pandemic due to individuals staying more than ever before. With the rising consumer desire for stylish items, demand for sleepwear is expanding. Nightwear, nightdresses, and nightclothes are all terms for sleepwear. These are the clothing that is most commonly worn or liked while sleeping. It's made of a variety of materials, including cotton, wool, and silk, among others. The increased preference for comfort clothing in several countries is estimated to spur the development of the sleepwear market in the forecast period. The increased online presence of brands online will further enhance the development of the sleepwear market in the forthcoming period. Also, the improved product designs and overall comfort will further augment the expansion of the sleepwear market in the forthcoming period.

Get Free Sample PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/10436

Market Drivers

Strong economic growth, widespread migration from rural to urban regions, and the emergence of a big and prosperous middle class have prompted multinational retailers to cross borders and supported the opening of new retail establishments. Due to the easy availability of the required goods, strong cross-border trades in sleepwear have also attracted many consumers to the product line.

Competitive Landscape

The central companies in the sleepwear market are

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (US)

Hanky Panky Ltd. (US)

L Brands Inc. (US)

Hanesbrands Inc. (US)

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (US)

MAS Holdings Ltd. (Sri Lanka)

Jockey International Inc. (US)

Triumph International Holding GmBH (Germany)

PVH CORPORATION (US)

Chantelle Group (France)

Market Restraints

The sleepwear market is estimated to be restrained by the increasing number of private-label manufacturers in the market who will raise competition in the market.

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (90 Pages) on Sleepwear: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/sleepwear-market-10436

COVID 19 Analysis of Sleepwear Market

The emergence of the global COVID-19 epidemic has triggered a worldwide disaster. The pandemic, which has affected over 213 nations, has already created a global economic backdrop. Consumers are shifting their attention to non-store-based distribution channels such as online e-commerce platforms as store-based distribution channels such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, and specialty stores close. With stocks and shipping operations, sleepwear businesses are selling their products through online platforms. Furthermore, due to limited customer traffic, countries that have loosened the lockdown are experiencing a gradual decline in the selling of sleepwear through retail stores. For example, Weekend Made is a new sleepwear brand that aims to relieve persons with exceptionally sensitive skin who require sensory-friendly, seamless sleepwear.

Weekend Made tailors items to reduce thread-to-skin contact and bulky seams. The addition of modal, lyocell and spandex to the soft, natural, sweat-wicking fabric adds comfort. Classic button-up pajamas for women and children are included in the first collection, as well as a special variety of double-breasted pajamas for children alone. There are two mommy, and me styles to choose from. Pajamas are now available in black and blush beauty pink, with blue and red pajamas arriving in October.

Buy Now: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=10436

Market Segmentation

The bottom wear segment is estimated to account for the highest market share in the forecast period by product type.

By material, the silk segment is anticipated to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period.

By end-use, the female segment accounted for the largest market share in the forecast period and is projected to grow at a reasonable pace throughout the forecast period.

By distribution channel, the store-based segment is estimated to be led by the supermarkets and hypermarkets sub-segment, which is expected to be the largest. These channels account for the highest sleepwear sales.

Regional Insights

In 2019, North America held the greatest market share in the global sleepwear market, and this trend is likely to continue during the study period. One of the major reasons driving the growth of the sleepwear market in North America is prominent manufacturers expanding their product portfolios. During the projection period, Asia-Pacific is expected to increase at the fastest rate. The rising popularity of sleepwear in developing nations and consumers' increasing disposable income are expected to boost the market's growth in Asia-Pacific. Recently, for its Quadrant Growth Fund, Quadrant Private Equity has decided to invest in Papinelle, a women's sleepwear, and loungewear line. Papinelle was formed in 2003 at Sydney's Paddington Markets and has since evolved to become an international sleepwear and lifestyle company, selling its products both online and in physical stores. Its offerings include PJ sets with matching tops and bottoms, nighties, robes, and underwear, with pyjamas ranging in price from $80 to $200 on the company's website.

Share your Queries @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/10436

About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
Hampton, Va., Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HAMPTON, Va.  In his inspiring and motivational new book, A Guide To Student Success In College, Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey, an icon of higher education, shares the insights and philosophy that his four decades of leadership in higher education have proven successful for college students.



Published by Kendall Hunt, the book is on sale now ($24.99, hardcover) in the Hampton University Bookstore and will be available soon on Amazon.com. Dedicated to his three children, Kelly Renee, William Christopher and Leslie Denise, the book outlines Dr. Harveys Principles for Success that he has crafted throughout a remarkable life and legendary career. The topics discussed span from Preparing for College, Parental Guidance, Financing Higher Education Today, The College Experience, Significant Life Skills for Success and the Value of the College Community.



During Dr. Harveys tenure as one of the longest serving higher education presidents in the United States, the student enrollment at Hampton University increased from approximately 2,700 students to a high of over 6,300. Moreover, the average SAT score of entering freshmen increased approximately 300 points! As a result, Hampton attracts the best and the brightest students in the nation who excel immensely. Hampton students have been selected as finalists and recipients of prestigious international awards, including the Rhodes Scholarship, the Schwarzman Scholarship, and the Morse Scholarship, and secured coveted internships and entry into highly competitive programs.



In one particularly poignant account, Harvey describes the need for parents to place an importance on education and introducing the concept of college early in the lives of students and the positive results that result from it. Attending college was not an option in my household. It was expected. My love for learning began early in life. It was fueled by the importance placed on education by my parents. They instilled in me a concept that I continue to subscribe to today and share with others Education opens doors that can lead to success for those who take advantage of its opportunities.



Another chapter deals with the importance of responsible personal behavior. As he notes, The image you project is the one that will follow you. An individual never gets a second chance to make a first impression. Your personal behavior, responsible or irresponsible, becomes the standard that you set for yourself and demonstrate to the world. Dr. Harveys advice about how individuals both carry themselves and the influence of the media are timely as more and more colleges, universities and future employers are researching potential hires.



"This is an absolutely excellent book by Dr. William R. Harvey which covers all aspects of student development services for the past, present, and future. The book is so comprehensive that a copy should be in every library as well as each persons home, said Dr. Joffre T. Whisenton, Former Southern University System of Louisiana President.



During my years of service at the United States Department of Education, Dr. Harvey, as the Chair of the Presidents Board of Advisors on HBCUs and President of Hampton University, significantly impacted key policy, regulatory, and operational matters that affected many colleges and universities - especially schools focused on social mobility. Bill constantly worked with and pushed the Administration, Secretary of Education, and other federal agencies to better support striving first generation, low-income, and under resourced students. As an example, the Department of Education substantially modified its regulatory approach and operations so that tens of thousands of students and families were eligible for hundreds of millions of dollars in financial resources that would have otherwise been unavailable, said James W. Runcie, Former United States Department of Education Federal Student Aid  Chief Operating Officer.



Having had a front row seat to the matriculation of multiple generations of college students, Dr. Harvey definitely knows what is required for student success in college. This book is a blue print to help prepare futures generations of students and their families for the college experience.



You can purchase your copy today at the Hampton University Bookstore or at https://www.bkstr.com/hamptonstore/home.



For media requests and additional information, contact Matthew White, Hampton University Director of University Relations at (757) 727-5253 or Matthew.White@hamptonu.edu.



About Dr. William R. Harvey

Dr. William R. Harvey has served as President of Hampton University for 40 years, making him one of the longest-serving presidents of a college or university in America. During his tenure, he has introduced innovations that have solidified Hampton's stellar position among the nation's colleges and universities. His extraordinary leadership is reflected in the growth and quality of the University's student population, academic programs, physical facilities and financial base. During Dr. Harveys 40 years of visionary leadership 92 new programs have been introduced, 30 new structures dot the landscape of the campus surrounded three sides by water and the universitys endowment has grown 1003% from $29 million to $320 million and growing. Dr. Harvey has transformed Hampton University into a world-class leader in higher education. He has received appointments to national boards by six presidents of the United States and led important community and educational initiatives in Virginia.



Hampton University has built the first proton therapy cancer treatment center in the Commonwealth of Virginia -- an unparalleled hub for cancer treatment, research and technology. Hampton University is the first and only HBCU to have 100% control of a NASA mission and Hampton has four satellites / instruments currently in orbit.



Dr. Harvey is also the author of several books, his most recent, The Principles of Leadership: The Harvey Leadership Model (2019).

Attachment
PHOENIX, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SupplySide East, the East Coasts leading ingredients and supply-chain solutions event, hosted health and nutrition industry professionals at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ, August 24-25. The event featured enhanced safety measures to provide a comfortable and valuable experience for decision makers from leading companies to once again connect in person to find the suppliers, service providers and ingredients needed to grow and succeed.



Community members who were unable to attend in-person were provided with an opportunity to connect with SupplySide East attendees and engage in educational content through the SupplySide Network 365 virtual platform. New digital offerings included a feature allowing online participants to connect live with event attendees. Additionally, select education programming was available via live-stream including the Top Trends session. Viewers were able to participate in the live discussion, submit questions to speakers and connect with other attendees.

More than ever, our industry is looking to utilize in-person connection to strengthen supply chains and leverage intentional discovery as well as serendipitous interactions to drive innovation, said Jon Benninger, Vice President and Market Leader, SupplySide. The pandemic positively affected product sales for the health and nutrition industry yet supply chain activities were stressed. As a result, there was a tremendous opportunity to gather innovative minds on driving new products and formulations, as well as tremendous need to align with key supply partners.

The local nature of the event, including drive-in capability, allowed in-person and virtual participants to connect with leading ingredient suppliers and service providers focused on supplement, food, and beverage innovation.

Were glad to be back at an in-person event, connecting and interacting directly is the best way to catch-up on trends and find solutions to this challenging nutra environment, said Jose Rocca, CEO & President, Solara Laboratories.



The event was supported by many returning sponsors including Title Sponsor KSM-66 and Gelita, which hosted a special Welcome Back Brunch. Other returning exhibitors included Sabinsa, Bioenergy Life Science, Stryka Botanics, Fine Living Pharmanaturals, AIDP, Pacific Rainbow, Indena, Soft Gel Technologies and many others.

The health and nutrition industry will gather again for SupplySide West & Food ingredients North America October 25-28, 2021, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The hybrid event will again feature ample opportunities for industry members to connect in-person in Las Vegas and online through SupplySide Network 365. Informa Markets, a global organization with over 450 brands including SupplySide, has hosted events safely and successfully since February, thanks to medically-vetted health and safety guidelines and a robust and experienced operations team who are adept at both understanding and implementing best-in-class health and safety systems.

For more information about the SupplySide shows visit supplysideshow.com and follow the latest updates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.



About SupplySide:

SupplySide East is all about the exploration, discovery, innovation and marketing strategy around the development of finished consumer goods that drive the global business economy. The SupplySide East 2022 show will be held April 12-13,2022 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ. The SupplySide West 2021 show will be held October 25-28 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

SupplySide Network 365 (SSN365) empowers people and companies in the health and nutrition industry to Discover, Connect, Meet, Learn and Source. The SSN365 platform enables members of the Health & Nutrition community to interact in 1:1 video calls, source ingredients & services based on intelligent matchmaking, and participate in industry content & insightful virtual events.



About Informa Markets

Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f08daaf-a6f8-448c-b723-53b222cd3df3
Dallas, TX, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Associa Cares, the community management industrys leading charitable organization, has earmarked funds to assist homeowners affected by Hurricane Ida. Associa Cares is the charitable affiliate of Associa, the industrys largest community management company.

Hurricane Ida has become the second most intense hurricane to hit Louisiana on record, falling only behind Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier. Since the storm hit, nearly 600,000 people in the New Orleans urban area have lost power, and 400,000 more residents in Louisiana have been affected. Associa Cares funds are available to assist residents who have lost their homes and/or have been displaced and forced to evacuate.

The tragedy of Hurricane Ida is unthinkable, and we know that the true impact of the storm has yet to be fully seen, stated Andrew Fortin, Associa Cares president. Associa Cares extends our support to the residents who are facing the unimaginable loss of their homes. Our thoughts are with the people of Louisiana and the surrounding areas and the brave first responders as the relief efforts continue.

Associa Cares funds are distributed to families of Associa-managed and non-Associa-managed communities. To donate to Associa Cares or apply for assistance, please visit our website at http://www.associacares.org/.



Associa Cares is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to assist families and communities in crisis as a result of natural and man-made disasters. Through donations raised from Associa employees and at fundraising events across the country, Associa Cares is able to provide necessary goods and services to the families affected by these types of tragedies

With more than 200 branch offices across North America, Associa delivers unsurpassed management and lifestyle services to nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 10,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 40 years, Associa has provided solutions designed to help communities achieve their vision. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com.



Stay Connected:

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TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence company, AnalytixInsight Inc. (AnalytixInsight, or the Company) (TSX-V: ALY; OTCQB: ATIXF), reports financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.



Key Highlights:

Completed an overnight marketed public offering raising gross proceeds of $9.3 million;

Launched ESG Analytics research reports under Refinitiv AI-driven research initiative;

Announced expansion to AI-driven research distribution agreement with Refinitiv;

Received European regulatory approval for InvestoPro as online financial broker;

Introduced InvestoPro, together with Intesa Sanpaolo, as their AI-assisted digital trading platform. InvestoPro has 2.5 million visitors per month through its multi-channels: website, social, smart TV, mobile app and progressive web app;

The Intesa Sanpaolo migration of stock trading accounts to InvestoPro is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2021. Intesa Sanpaolo is one of the top banking groups in Europe with approximately 11.6 million multichannel customers and approximately 7.1 million customers using the Intesa Sanpaolo App;

Announced the addition of payment processing to the InvestoPro digital trading platform, pending regulatory approvals, to allow InvestoPro users to make payments, remittances, and money transfers between accounts;

Announced the development of a North American AI-assisted stock trading and research platform which will include real-time quotes, financial analysis, robo-advisory and unique order management provisions;

AnalytixInsights revenue for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2021, was $773,834 and $1,727,162 respectively, which represents an increase of 3% and 24% respectively, when compared to $750,034 and $1,395,380 respectively in the prior year comparable periods. Net loss for the quarter was $409,271 which compares to $357,700 for the prior year comparable period;

MarketWalls revenue for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2021, was $1,394,911 and $2,369,552 respectively, which compares to $1,595,427 and $2,913,694 respectively in the prior year comparable periods. MarketWall returned to profitability, reporting net income for the quarter of $90,984 which compares to net income of $407,892 for the prior year comparable period, and net loss of $259,243 in the first quarter ended March 31, 2021, which is reflective of the investment MarketWall has made in the development of InvestoPro during the current fiscal year. MarketWall is 49%-owned by AnalytixInsight and thus not consolidated in AnalytixInsights financial results;

As at June 30, 2021, AnalytixInsight has a cash balance of $10,107,988 and working capital of $9,549,531.





Business Review

AnalytixInsight is an established AI-driven content supplier with the ability to offer scalable machine-created research content on approximately 50,000 worldwide stocks and North American ETFs through its CapitalCube platform. CapitalCube provides AI-driven research reports to Refinitiv, an LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) business and one of the worlds largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure. Under the Refinitiv initiative, CapitalCube has published more than 13,000 reports on company earnings, dividend quality, and pre-revenue company analysis.

During the quarter, the Company launched ESG Analytics research reports which embed ESG scores and ESG metrics into its proprietary analysis and narratives. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is commonly used as a generic term by investors and regulators to evaluate corporate behaviors. CapitalCube also performs robo-analysis of stocks and North American ETFs, allowing robo-portfolio selection based on broad market metrics, dividend quality, Efficient Frontier computations, and more.

AnalytixInsights 49%-owned FinTech affiliate, MarketWall, has developed InvestoPro as a European online broker allowing users to trade stocks, options, and derivatives. In March 2021, Investo received regulatory approval by CONSOB (Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa), the Italian financial markets regulator. InvestoPro has been enabled as an AI-assisted trading platform incorporating artificial intelligence and machine-created content to assist investors in making investment decisions through its interconnection with CapitalCube.

During the quarter, InvestoPro was jointly introduced by MarketWall, AnalytixInsight, and Intesa Sanpaolo, whose customers will be able to activate online trading using their bank credentials. Intesa Sanpaolo, one of the top banking groups in Europe with approximately 7.1 million customers using the Intesa Sanpaolo App, is preparing to introduce InvestoPro to its customers as its online digital trading platform and migration of stock trading accounts to InvestoPro is expected to begin in September 2021. Intesa Sanpaolo owns 33% of MarketWall and has a presence in 12 countries in Central-Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and an international network dedicated to corporate customers in 26 countries. Intesa Sanpaolo is considered one of the most sustainable banks in the world.

During the quarter, the Company announced that MarketWall intends to begin the regulatory process steps to add payment processing capabilities to InvestoPro to enable users to make payments and transfer funds between accounts. InvestoPro already draws an audience of over 2.5 million monthly visitors through its multi-device platform and social media presence. As a Samsung Electronics partner, the InvestoPro app is also preloaded on certain Samsung devices in Europe.

MarketWall offers its next-generation trading platform as a white label B2B product offering to banks and brokers under the brand GEMINA, allowing a bank or broker to license the online stock trading solution for deployment under their own brand, interconnected to their existing trading platform. Worldwide interest in online brokers has increased significantly over the past year as a new generation of investors got their start in investing and opened online accounts in record numbers. AnalytixInsight is uniquely positioned to provide the tools investors are now seeking such as AI-assisted financial analysis, market commentaries, ESG scores, training, education, and more.

During the quarter, AnalytixInsight announced its intention to develop a stock trading platform for North American users, banks, and brokers, that will integrate the attributes of CapitalCube, InvestoPro and GEMINA to offer real-time quotes, financial analysis, investor education, robo-advisory, stock trading, and more.

AnalytixInsights Workforce Optimization division, Euclides Technologies Inc., continues to advance its sales initiatives in the Field Service Management (FSM) industry. As a result of the pandemic, many North American businesses are now seeking innovative solutions for field dispatch, job tracking and workflow efficiency. Data analytics plays an important role in this shift, which is more easily enabled now that most service technicians use digital-based solutions. The Company is working collaboratively with industry leaders to design and build machine learning and deep learning solutions that are designed to improve Workforce Optimization and Scheduling in the FSM industry. Euclides is a highly skilled systems integration team experienced in integrating IFS and Salesforce field management solutions.

Complete details of the Companys financial and operating results are available under the Companys profile at www.SEDAR.com.



CONTACT INFORMATION:

Scott Urquhart

VP Corporate Development

Scott.Urquhart@AnalytixInsight.com

Tel: (416) 522-3975

ABOUT ANALYTIXINSIGHT INC.

AnalytixInsight Inc. is an Artificial Intelligence, machine-learning company. AnalytixInsights financial analytics platform CapitalCube.com algorithmically analyzes market price data and regulatory filings to create insightful actionable narratives and research on approximately 50,000 global companies and ETFs, providing high-quality financial research and content for investors, information providers, finance portals and media. AnalytixInsight also designs and implements Workforce Optimization solutions for large global enterprises. AnalytixInsight holds a 49% interest in MarketWall, a developer of FinTech solutions for financial institutions. For more information, visit AnalytixInsight.com.

Regulatory Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the growth of the Companys business operations; the impact of COVID-19 on the Companys operations; the Companys financial results; the adoption of AI in various industries and the anticipated benefits therefrom; the ability of InvestoPro to provide the tools investors are seeking and to grant Intesa Sanpaolos customers online trading access; the Companys expectation that Intesa Sanpaolo will introduce its customers and migrate stock trading accounts to InvestoPro beginning in September 2021; the ability of MarketWall to license GEMINA to banks and brokers globally; the use of the Companys content by various parties; the impact of the distribution agreement with Refinitiv; the Companys ongoing relationship with IFS and the Companys ability to enter into commercial transactions with members thereof; the Companys ability to expand its content distribution; MarketWalls and Intesa Sanpaolos future performance; the ability of the Company to develop a stock trading platform for North American users including the features described in this release; and the Companys future performance. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of AnalytixInsight, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the Companys technology and revenue generation; risks associated with operation in the technology sector; the Companys ability to successfully integrate new technologies and employees; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the technology industry. Although AnalytixInsight 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 statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. AnalytixInsight does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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
TOPEKA [mdash] Ervin H. Fry, 82, Topeka, died at 12:10 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30, at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on April 2, 1939, in Yoder, Kansas, to Harvey and Elizabeth (Miller) Fry. On Dec. 13, 1962, in Topeka, he married Barbara Ellen Frey. She survives
In Annual Revenue Speech, Governor Northam Highlights Historic $2.6 Billion Surplus, Record Reserve Funding

RICHMONDGovernor Ralph Northam today addressed a Joint Meeting of the Senate Finance and Appropriations, House Appropriations, and House Finance Committees, where he highlighted Virginias record budget surplus and roaring economic outlook.

Thanks to fiscally responsible stewardship, Virginia ended fiscal year 2021 with an historic $2.6 billion surplusthe largest in the Commonwealths history. All major general fund revenue resources exceeded their forecasts. The Commonwealth is on track to put nearly 15 percent of the general fund budget in reserves by the end of the Governors administration, nearly double the 8 percent goal he set at the start of his term.

In addition, Virginias economic recovery continues to outpace the nation. Virginias unemployment rate is 4.3, significantly below the national average and lower than all neighboring states. Virginia was again named Americas Top State for Business in 2021 by CNBC, becoming the first state to win back-to-back titles. Since Governor Northam took office in January 2018, the Commonwealth has created a record-breaking 90,000 new jobs and secured more than $45.4 billion in statewide capital investment.

The Governors full remarks as prepared for delivery are below.

Good morning, Chairwoman Howell, Chairman Torian, Chairwoman Watts, Speaker Filler-Corn, Leader Saslaw, members of the General Assembly, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for the privilege of speaking with you this morning.

I would like to thank Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, Attorney General Mark Herring, First Lady Pam Northam, our Cabinet and staff, and all of our state employees for the work they do.

I think we all can especially appreciate that we are here together in person this morning.

Last years August revenue speech was held virtually, and so was the December budget address, and the January State of the Commonwealth.

Its good to be together again.

We are here in person today because of one thing: vaccines.

The vaccines that scientists developed to fight covid-19 are incredibly effective, and for the bulk of this summer, Virginialike other stateshas seen dropping case counts, hospitalizations, and death tolls. It has been a relief to all of us.

We now have 74 percent of adult Virginians with at least one shot  one of the best performances in the country. And 66 percent of Virginia adults are fully vaccinated.

Thats good. But we need to keep working. Because covid is changing. The new Delta variant is much more contagious than previous versionsand its more dangerous for people who are not vaccinated. Its causing our cases to go up again, and thats not what we want to see.

But remember, cases are increasing mostly among unvaccinated people. Hospitalizations and deaths are almost all among unvaccinated peoplenearly every single one.

That makes the solution more clear than ever: get vaccinated.

I hope all of you here today and watching are vaccinated, but if youre not, please go out and get your shot today. And for you legislators, please urge your constituents to get the vaccine. It will save lives.

Were going to talk a lot about good news today. But I want to start by recognizing that this has been a very difficult year and a half for everyone. Its been especially challenging for people who have lost jobs or businesses to this pandemicor, tragically, people they love.

And while we have a lot of positive news about our economy these days, we know that a lot of people are still struggling, and still hurting.

Thats why we have focused so much effort on investing in people. I want to thank all of you in the legislature for working with us, especially in the special session that just ended. Together, weve put money into programs and infrastructure that will help our neighbors and fellow Virginians, and that is what well keep doing as we craft the next budget this fall.

Now, I am here today to update you on the Commonwealths revenues for the fiscal year that ended on June 30.

And its good news. Really good news.

We ended fiscal year 2021 with the largest surplus in the Commonwealths historyan historic $2.6 billion. Secretary of Finance Joe Flores will explain the details to you in a few minutes. Secretary Flores has been doing a tremendous job and I appreciate how you have all worked with him.

All of our major general fund revenue sources exceeded their forecasts.

Our payroll withholding and our sales taxes together account for 71 percent of revenues, and theyre the best indicator about current economic activity. Together, these two categories grew 6.4 percent this past fiscal year.

Revenue from personal income taxesup 4.7 percent.

Revenue from sales taxesup 12.4 percent.

Revenue from the recordation fees you pay when you buy a house  up almost 41 percent, a reflection of our strong housing market.

And revenue from ABC profitsup a remarkable 29.4 percent.

These tremendous results are among the best Virginia has ever deliveredand its thanks to the hard work of millions of workers across Virginia; entrepreneurs and employers in the private sector, and everyone in this room.

We need to be clear about how this has happened.

2020 was a profoundly difficult year. But Virginia is open for business  and business is good.

Thanks to the vaccine, weve been able to move beyond mitigation measures that were painful, even as they protected public health.

Thanks to recovery dollars from Washington, businesses have been able to keep going, and theyre hiring again. People have money in their pockets again, and the child tax credit is helping to lift families out of poverty.

Thanks to our strong national economy, the stock market is up. Thats good for families. Its been profoundly good for the Virginia Retirement System that funds the retirement for police officers, teachers, and public workers all over Virginia.

Thanks to all of you, Virginians have made it through the past 18 months with tools to keep them saferent and mortgage relief, protection from eviction, and help paying for utility bills and child care.

And most of all, thanks to science, medicine, and good old-fashioned American ingenuity, we all now have access to vaccines that are safe and effectiveand thats helping drive this remarkable economic turnaround.

We accomplished all this during a pandemic that many expected to break our budgetand did exactly that to many other states.

Virginia has been different. Virginia has been a leader among the statesin policy making, in our COVID response, and in the performance of our roaring economy.

We have been able to help Virginians who most need support through this pandemic, while building our economy to be even stronger.

Now, before we turn to where were going, lets take a moment to revisit how we got herebecause the past 18 months have been unlike any other.

In early 2020, together we approved one of the most progressive budgets Virginia has ever seen. It included investments in important priorities, such as broadband access, early childhood education, clean air and water, and much, much more.

Then the pandemic hit. Not knowing what was to come, we froze that new spending and state hiring until we had a better picture of the pandemics impacts on our economy.

That was the wise, prudent, and fiscally responsible route to take.

We didnt take the drastic measures some states were forced to take. Other states laid off workers, cut services, and even borrowed money to pay the billsactions that will weaken their financial pictures for years to come. We can all be proud that Virginia did not reduce services or lay anyone off.

This time last year, we were rewriting the budget to account for an anticipated drop in revenues.

But things improved last fall. And by the end of 2020, we were able to restore many of the investments we had hoped to make.

We launched free community college through the G3 program for people who need the support to get high-demand skillsso they can get the jobs they want for the lives they want to build for themselves.

We restored investments in broadband, early childhood education, higher ed, and financial aid. This means more children will get the best start possible, while people in every community will be able to get the Internet access they need to work and learn.

We gave educators a much-deserved pay raise, invested more in school counselors, and held K-12 schools harmless for enrollment drops during the pandemic.

We know our schools and educators had a very difficult yearand students most of allbut were grateful for how they handled the challenges of the pandemic.

We updated Virginias voting systems, revised an outdated formula for funding local health departments, and set aside money for the vaccination effort we knew was coming. Now more than half the state is fully vaccinated, and our local health departments are getting the support they need.

We invested in new rail infrastructure, and put money into the organizations working to better tell the full and accurate history of Virginia. That means a more comprehensive and inclusive story about where weve been, and where were going.

And we set aside money in our reserves. I had set a goal to have more than 8 percent of our budget in reserves during my termmore than any other governor and General Assembly have ever delivered.

Well, were on track to have almost 15 percent in our reserves by the time my term ends.

In fact, our revenues may be strong enough to trigger a super deposit, and Secretary Flores will explain that in more detail shortly.

But we can all be proud that we have been able to act prudently and set aside money in our reserves.

This action will protect Virginia when the next economic downturn comesand we know one will come eventually.

Our budget provides targeted support to help the people who need it the most, and lays the foundation for the economic recovery we have well underway.

We also used the federal funding weve received to support our local communities, our small businesses, and to save Virginians and landlords from the chaos of evictions.

Virginia was one of the first states to create a rent relief program, in June 2020. We directed $50 million in CARES Act dollars to it to start with, and this past February, we put another $524 million in federal funds into the program.

Virginias program stands out because we require tenants and landlords to work together to apply for funding. We understand that the pandemic has put people out of work, and through no fault of their own, they couldnt pay the rent.

But we also understand that landlords had bills to pay too. Thats why weve had them work together.

Just last month, the United States Treasury Department published rent relief data that recognized Virginia as a top performerand just last week, the White House praised Virginias work as being number two in the country for dollars out the door.

Also last week, we finalized legislation to spend $4.3 billion in federal American Rescue Plan funding.

I remain grateful to you for working with our administration to prioritize that funding so Virginia can be in a better position for the future.

We made a down payment on investments in behavioral health care, including strengthening our community-based services, and the valued staff who provide that care.

Were giving schools the funding they need to improve their ventilation systemsa new priority in this pandemic era, but an issue that is likely to continue.

Together, we invested a record $700 million into bringing universal broadband access to every corner of the Commonwealththat will be done in just a couple of years, far earlier than expected. This is a dramatic step forward for Virginia.

Previous legislatures have talked about broadband, but when we took office, we were spending only about $4 million a year on the effort. Coming from rural Virginia, I knew it needed to be a higher priority. We set the ambitious policy goal of getting every Virginian connected within ten years. And together, we kicked that number up to $50 million a year.

But we still have some Virginians without access, so I turned to my team and asked what it would take to hit the goal of universal access more quickly. They came back to me with a plan, and said it will take about $700 million to get the job done. So together with you all, we have now committed to one of the most aggressive investments in broadband of any state in the country-and well do it in half the time we originally thought. We dont want to leave any community behind.

We protected businesses from tax increases by making an historic investment of more than $800 million to refill our unemployment fund back to the right level. We had a clear policy goaldeposit enough money into that fund to ensure that our businesses, many of which have struggled in this pandemic, wouldnt be hit with higher taxes to replenish the fund. Our economy continues to flourish, so between that and this investment, we are rebuilding that fund for the future.

While the Virginia Employment Commission is sixth in the nation for getting benefits to eligible people quickly, there have been times in the pandemic when VECs pace of resolving those difficult claims just hasnt been acceptable.

We directed the VEC to dramatically expand their ability to process complicated claims, by adding 300 new adjudication specialists and make technology upgrades. As a result, VEC has now resolved 98 percent of complex claims. We know we have more to do. The ARPA investment will boost our chronically under-funded unemployment system, by improving its technology, increasing call center capacity, and ensuring highly-qualified staff to help people, allowing VEC to continue to improve.

We also invested even more in our small businesses through the Rebuild Virginia Program. We launched Rebuild Virginia a year ago to give grants to small businesses and non-profits that were affected by the pandemic.

The response has been overwhelmingthat fund has spent all its money three times, and still has a number of applications in the pipeline.

So we used federal ARPA money to provide another $250 million. That will fund the needs for many more small businesses. All told, well have put almost $400 million into that fund to help our small businesses all across Virginia.

We can all be proud of using federal support for these targeted investments to help Virginians. Some would have had us spend every ARPA dollar we received. But given the unpredictability of this pandemicthe rapid spread of the Delta variant is an exampleit is most prudent to set some aside.

I want to thank Senator Janet Howell and Delegate Luke Torian for their strong commitment to this fiscally responsible decision. As we look to how to use the ARPA dollars we have set aside, rest assured, the 2022 General Assembly will have the final say.

Now, lets talk a little bit about our economic recovery.

Last fall, there was considerable uncertainty about where we were headed on the pandemic and its impact on our economic outlook.

A vaccine was still months away, there was uncertainty about any future federal stimulus relief, and we were in the waning days of a tumultuous election season.

As I said, this time last year, we met with economic advisors, and we all expected the pandemic would reduce revenues.

But by December, those same economists were seeing that Virginia was on an upswing. We expected $1.2 billion in additional revenue. That was great news.

Whats even better news, however, is that we more than doubled that.

The topline is this: we forecast our total revenue collections to grow 2.7 percent. We based this on the conservative recommendations of experienced economists, and Virginia business leaders. This was the right and prudent course.

Instead, revenues soared 14 percentand we can all celebrate that.

That tells us all that what weve been doing is workingmaking targeted investments for the future, while helping people get through the pandemic.

Revenues are exceeding official forecasts, even during a pandemic.

Our finances are solid, and we have taken we have taken actions to keep our triple-A bond rating secure. We are one of only 13 states that hold this rating, and its because we laid out a long-term financial plan, and we have stuck to it, in good times and bad. We must continue this work.

There is no doubt this past year and a half have been difficult in a variety of ways. That includes the worries we have all shared about our states revenues, and how the people and businesses behind those numbers were faring during the pandemic.

That is one reason why it was so heartening to have something goodreally goodto celebrate last month.

Once again, Virginia was named the best state in which to do business by CNBCthe only state to get that rating back to back.

This is something we should all be proud of, because it speaks to the work we have done together to make Virginia a better place, both for businesses and for workers.

I could not be prouder of what this says about the inclusive, commonsense policies that we have put in place, and how they encourage business investment.

It is a testament to Virginias workers, our education system, our commitment to diversity, and our strong business climate.

When we treat people right, its not just the right thing to do, it is good for business. And we know that if we stick with this philosophy, Virginia will grow even stronger.

Since I took office in 2018, we have secured $47.5 billion in statewide capital investment and created more than 90,000 new jobs.

Weve done that while advancing policies that treat people equally and with dignity, recognize and celebrate diversity, tell our full and true history, and promote democracy.

And as a result of all this, our economy is roaring. We see that in these revenue numbers.

We know that we are taking the right steps to keep this momentum going.

At the same time, we dont know what the future holds. If youd asked me about the pandemic in June, I would have said we could have a fall that looked almost normal. But now we know that wont be the case, thanks to the Delta variant.

So as we head into the fall, we will continue to be cautious and prudent in our budgeting. We want to be ready for any more surprises COVID may throw our way.

My administration will be working with you to craft a new two-year budget to leave in your hands. It will be one that continues prioritizing investments for the long-term, and supporting people as they recover from the pandemic.

We have already committed to making strong investments in overcoming salary compression for our state police and many other public safety officials. And weve committed to continuing investments in our behavioral health system and in the staff who are on the ground, taking care of people.

Our goal as we build this budget together is to leave you all with the kind of roadmap that can continue the strong economic success that we are seeing. We will keep making the investments that Virginia needs. We will keep putting resources into supporting Virginians who need it. We have built a strong Virginia that works for more Virginians than ever before.

We can all be proud of Virginias position today. We have a strong economy, thanks to cooperative leadership, and we are well-positioned to continue seeing robust revenues and hiring going forward, if we keep steering the ship along the same course.

We have laid out a path for economic prosperity, and its working.

Virginia is the best state in the best nation in the world. I am grateful to all of you for the work we have done together to benefit Virginians. And I am grateful to every Virginian who has played a part in making our Commonwealth the best place to live and work.

Thank you.

# # #
A selection of recent media releases, and news stories is available in the database below and can be searched for by year and month.

Monday 30 August 2021

His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO, Governor of Queensland will undertake vice-regal duties from Charters Towers from Monday 30 August to Friday 3 September 2021 for the seventh Regional Government House programme.

The essence of Regional Government House is to conduct Government House operations from a regional centre, and replicate so far as possible in the regional centre what would otherwise happen in the capital.

Using Charters Towers as a base, His Excellency will also visit Julia Creek and Croydon, travelling more than 4,100 kilometres throughout the week.

The Governor will undertake at least 33 programme elements, including receiving a briefing from local government representatives, visiting three local schools, visiting and meeting emergency services personnel, hosting community receptions, presiding at a meeting of the Executive Council of Queensland from Croydon, meeting business owners and visiting community organisations.

This is the seventh Regional Government House undertaken by the Governor, following successful programmes based in Cairns (2015), Longreach (2016), Mackay (2017), Cairns and Weipa (2018), Mount Isa (2019) and Gladstone (2020).

Regional Government House is one of two initiatives introduced by His Excellency to increase opportunities for Queenslanders to interact with their Governor  the other was introducing vice-regal use of social media to Australia.

His Excellency was sworn in as Queenslands 26th Governor on 29 July 2014 for an initial five-year term, and fulfils important constitutional, ceremonial and community duties. The Governors term will end on 1 November 2021, when Dr Jeannette Young PSM becomes the third medical doctor to be sworn in as Queensland Governor.
The withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan, along with the collapse of the Afgh
Germanys Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek and Director General Obeth M. Kandjoze of Namibias National Planning Commission agreed to establish a hydrogen partnership between Germany and Namibia and signed a Joint Communique of Intent (JCoI).

The global race for the best hydrogen technologies and the best sites for hydrogen production is already on. We believe that Namibia has an excellent chance of succeeding in this competition. We want to take this chance together. I am proud that Germany is the first country to officially form a hydrogen partnership with Namibia. The Federal Research Ministry will provide up to 40 million euros in funding from the economic stimulus package for cooperation within the framework of this partnership. Namibia has enormous potential for scaling up a green hydrogen industry. It has a lot of vast unused space. High wind speeds in Namibia mean that the generation of wind power is particularly profitable. Solar power harbors an even greater potential thanks to over 3,500 hours of sunshine per year. This is almost twice as much as Germany has to offer. We therefore think that one kilogram of hydrogen from Namibia will eventually cost between 1.50 and 2.00. This would be the most competitive price in the world which would be a huge locational advantage for hydrogen made in Namibia. The National Hydrogen Council estimates that hydrogen demand of German industry alone (excluding refineries) will amount to 1.7 billion tons per yearand this demand is likely to grow further. This estimate underlines that we need large amounts of hydrogen and we need it quickly and at low cost. Namibia can provide both. Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek

Dr Stefan Kaufmann, Innovation Commissioner for Green Hydrogen and Member of the Bundestag, said that the partners plan to carry out a feasibility study and use its results to implement joint pilot projects and to strengthen capacity building for training skilled professionals on the ground.

The feasibility study is aimed at exploring the potential of a green hydrogen industry, including innovative seawater desalination technologies, in Namibia as well as possibilities of hydrogen export to Germany.

Based on this study, Dr Kaufman said, pilot projects will test schemes for green hydrogen production in Namibia and for hydrogen transport.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is providing funding for the identification of suitable sites for green hydrogen production in Africa within the framework of the Atlas of Green Hydrogen Generation Potentials in Africa. Preliminary calculations show that Namibia offers ideal conditions for the generation of wind and solar energy and thus for the production of green hydrogen.

However, Namibia is also the most arid country in sub-Saharan Africa. If the partners can successfully demonstrate solutions for seawater desalination and hydrogen production under such extreme conditions, they could provide a blueprint for other regions and lay the basis for the global scale-up of the hydrogen economy. Accordingly, seawater desalination is at the heart of the German-Namibian cooperation.

Previous analyses have shown that desalination only has a very minor effect on the price of hydrogen as it accounts for only about 1% of production costs.

Namibia intends to be able to export green hydrogen even before 2025. Due to the countrys low population density and moderate population growth, Namibia will be able to meet its own demand for renewable energy and green hydrogen quickly and thus cross the export threshold relatively quickly.
Australia-based Walkabout Resources, an Africa-focused energy minerals developer, announced that its Tanzania Lindi Jumbo flake graphite project had progressed into the construction phase, with the CRDB-approved Independent Project Manager completing site visits and bulk earthmoving contractor TNR commencing mobilization.

Walkabout Resources signed a US$20-million loan agreement with Tanzanias CRDB bank in April to cover 62.5% of Lindi Jumbo mine costs.

The EPC contract is nearing finalization, while the logistics, camp and power contracts have all been re-tendered. Award of these contracts is expected shortly, the company said. The erection of the graphite plant is not scheduled until later in the year.

Walkabout holds 100% of a Mining licence and between 70% and 100% of adjacent graphite prospecting licences at Lindi Jumbo with an enduring option to acquire the remaining 30% share. A high-grade graphite mineral reserve has been delineated within the mining licence area. The licences are within the highly prospective Mozambique belt, a region that hosts some of the worlds highest grade, coarse flake graphite deposits.





Metallurgical testwork indicates that the Lindi Jumbo Project can produce concentrate that contains a best-in-class flake distribution of up to 75% above 180 microns (m) of high purity (>95% TGC) through an industry-standard floatation flowsheet. This includes up to 25% of the graphite flakes above 500 m (+35 mesh).





Illustrating the progression of the pit by stages. It demonstrates the focus on the shallower, high grade material in the early years with the deepening of the pit taking place later in the life of mine. Source: Walkabout

In addition to the Lindi Jumbo Project, Walkabout is also exploring in south west Tanzania at the Amani Hard Rock Gold Project and southern Namibia at the Eureka Lithium Project.

Roskill notes that Lindi Jumbo is one of a number of Australian-backed flake graphite projects worldwide, many of which are focused on Africa. A number of African projects are looking to bring on production to meet rising demand from the Chinese battery market, either by supplying concentrate or moving downstream into spherical graphite production.

Other Tanzanian projects that have reached feasibility status include Epanko (EcoGraf), Nachu (Magnis Energy Technologies), Mahenge (Black Rock Mining), Chilalo (Graphex Mining), Mahenge Liandu (Armdale Capital), and Bunyu (Volt Resources).
GREENWICH  A Greenwich native was among the 100 new state troopers who graduated from the training academy as part of the 130th Training Troop for the Connecticut State Police.

Josue Cardnenas of Greenwich will be assigned to Troop G in Bridgeport, state police announced.

A ceremony for the graduating class was held Thursday at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, with an address from Gov. Ned Lamont. James C. Rovella, commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and Col. Stavros Mellekas, state police commander, also congratulated the graduates.

The 130th Training Troop entered the Connecticut State Police Training Academy on Jan. 15, with classes starting remotely due to COVID-19. In early April through mid-May, the class commuted for day classes at the academy. In mid-May, they transitioned to residential living to complete their final 13 weeks of training.

In total, the class completed 32 weeks and about 1,500 hours of training both online and in person. In addition to classwork, the recruits spent many hours on physical conditioning, water rescue, firearms training, driving and other specialized areas of police work.

The 100 members of the class includes 76 men and 24 women, and the youngest is 22 and the oldest is 49.

Among the graduates, 20 have military experience; eight have prior law enforcement experience; 51 are taking college classes, completed some college or earned an associates degree; 44 hold bachelors degrees; seven have advanced degrees; 15 are bilingual; and 27 are minorities. Some are former municipal police officers or correction officers, some have been trained as firefighters and EMTs.

Two from town graduate from Ithaca College

Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., offered congratulates to its May 2021 graduates, including two students from town.

Lochlyn Hejl of Greenwich graduated with a bachelor of science in clinical health studies..

Andrew Sangston of Riverside graduated with a bachelor of science in television-radio.

Local student earns degree at CCU

Lara Gabriele an exercise and sport science major from Riverside, graduated from Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C.

She was among nearly 1,200 students recognized during its in-person Spring 2021 commencement ceremonies in May.

Greenwich resident graduates from Muhlenberg College

Molly Roitman, a resident of Greenwich, graduated cum laude from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa., with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a minor in dance in May.

She was also named to the Deans List at Muhlenberg College for the Spring 2021 semester.

Local students make Deans List at UNH

Six local students have been named to the Deans List at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., for the spring 2021 semester.

Toni Cardini of Cos Cob and Christopher Loparco of Riverside both earned highest honors.

Phoebe Myers of Greenwich, Ryan Carbino of Greenwich, Harley Guerrieri of Old Greenwich and Madeline Brooks of Old Greenwich all earned high honors;

Highest honors are awarded to students who earn a semester grade point average of 3.85 or better out of a possible 4.0. Students with a 3.65 to 3.84 average are awarded high honors and students whose grade point average is 3.5 through 3.64 are awarded honors.

Worcester Polytechnic announces Deans List

Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass., has named three local undergraduate students to the Deans List for the Spring 2021 semester.

The honored students are Amanda Chan of Old Greenwich, a member of the Class of 2021 majoring in computer science; Charles Pottow of Greenwich, a member of the Class of 2022 majoring in chemical engineering; and Garrett Sheehan of Riverside, a member of the Class of 2023 majoring in interactive media and game development technology.

The criteria for the WPI Deans List differs from most other universities as WPI does not compute grade point averages. Instead, WPI defines the Deans List by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.

Local student named to Deans List at Scranton

Charlotte E. Hacker of Greenwich was among more than 1,875 students named to The University of Scrantons Deans List for the 2021 spring semester. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better to make the Deans List at the Jesuit university northeastern Pennsylvania.

Hacker is a senior psychology major in the universitys College of Arts and Sciences.

Pomfret School honors to local students

Pomfret School, an independent coeducational college preparatory school in Pomfret, is honoring two local students.

Robert Moro of Greenwich, a member of the Class of 2023, was named to the Spring 2021 Honors List. To achieve this level of distinction, Robert earned a grade point average of at least 3.330 and received no grade lower than a B.

Benjamin Bundy of Greenwich, a member of the Class of 2023, was named to the Spring 2021 High Honors List. To achieve this level of distinction, Benjamin earned a grade point average of at least 3.670 and received no grade lower than a B+.
GREENWICH  Local restaurants received mostly favorable results during inspections by the town Department of Health in the second quarter of the year, with only a handful cited for multiple violations of the state health code for dining establishments.

Two restaurants received scores in the low 70s, out of a scale of 100, during the latest review period. A total of 125 restaurants, snack bars, grocery stores and coffee bars were visited by the town health inspector between April 1 and June 30.

Ay Jalisco at 41 N. Water St. was cited for numerous violations and received a score of 73, according to the health department. Any score below 80 requires immediate corrections and remediation, which were carried out at Ay Jalisco, the town health department said.

Three four-point violations were noted at the eatery on a visit May 18, according to the inspector, which are the most serious of the possible violations. Those violations involve food temperature and handling, as well as hand cleaning and sanitation.

At Ay Jalsico, formerly Deli Plus, the major violations cited were unlabeled chemicals and improper storage of chemicals; a chicken piece with a temperature reading of 118 degrees, below the required threshold of 150 degrees; and workers not washing their hands at appropriate times, the report stated. The inspector also said dirty walls, dirty equipment, floors in poor condition and workers not wearing hair restraints were observed.

Ay Jalsico did not return a request for comment.

Polpo at 554 Old Post Road #3 came in with an initial score of 71 on April 28, according to the health department. An inspector cited three four-point violations: cream measured at 64 degrees; hand sanitizer stored near food; and a problem with the plumbing, according to the report.

Also noted by report filed April 28 were dishes left overnight, dirty equipment, dirty walls, flies present and an open garbage dumpster. A reinspection followed on June 28, and a score of 80 was achieved, while an inspector also cited dirty walls, flooring in poor condition and a dumpster container left open on the second visit.

Polpo did not return a request for comment.

Famous Greek Kitchen at 10 N. Water St. was cited May 18 by an inspector for workers observed eating on the cook line, dirty equipment, lack of hair restraints, dirty food contact surfaces and grooves in cutting boards. Numerous one- and two-point violations resulted in a final score of 84, according to the health department.

Owner Stavros Karipides said his most recent inspection, in August, yielded a score of 96, and he said he had paid close attention to the operations at the restaurant.

Its a constant thing, Karipides said.

The schools that were inspected during the second quarter earned high ratings from the health department.

The three Brunswick School operations, Sacred Heart Greenwich, Eastern Middle School, Glenville School, New Lebanon School, North Mianus School, Old Greenwich School, International School at Dundee and Western Middle School received perfect 100-point scores, according to the health department.

At the Riverside School, a sanitizer solution used for cleaning was found not to be strong enough, and after it was replaced, the score was 100, the health department said.

Inspectors found universal compliance with masks among kitchen workers.

rmarchant@greenwichtime.com
Sgt. Samuel Ruiz/AP

SAN DIEGO (AP)  Six families from a San Diego suburb have now made it safely out of Afghanistan after they went to the country earlier this summer to visit relatives and got stuck there amid the chaos following the Talibans takeover, officials said Monday.

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of two other families from El Cajon, east of San Diego, remained unclear. One family may have gotten on one of the last U.S. flights out of Afghanistan on Monday, while authorities were working to help the other family, which was still in the country, the Cajon Valley Union School District said.
DENVER (AP)  The Colorado secretary of state sued Monday to remove a rural county's election clerk who is accused of allowing a security breach of voting equipment that the FBI also is investigating.

An initial investigation shows images of election management software were obtained by conspiracy theorists and posted on far-right blogs, said Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat. Griswolds office also said it believes one of the images was taken on May 23 from a secure room where the equipment was stored and accessed by Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters, who allowed a non-employee into the office.

The secretary of states office identified that person but refused to say anything more about who he is or why he was there. The Associated Press isnt naming him until more information becomes available. He has not been charged with a crime.

In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Griswold said legal action was necessary because she cannot officially remove a sitting county clerk from acting as a designated election official.

The lawsuit also calls for the appointment of former Secretary of State Wayne Williams to replace Peters and for former Mesa County Clerk and Recorder Sheila Reiner to serve as the elections supervisor for the countys November elections.

Peters has not made any local appearances since the secretary of state announced the investigation in early August, but she has appeared on broadcasts hosted by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump who has made unsubstantiated claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

On those broadcasts, Peters claimed that Griswold's investigation is an attempt to take over one of the few remaining conservative counties in Colorado. Peters also said Reiner has a history of liberalism and has tried to derail Peters position since she was elected in November 2018.

Griswolds lawsuit says Peters has been absent and adds that even if she returns to the Mesa County Clerk and Recorders Office, she is unable to perform the required duties as a result of her above wrongful acts and breaches of duties.

The secretary of states inquiry is one of two investigations into the security breach. The FBI and Mesa Countys district attorney also are conducting a criminal probe.

Griswold also has called for Mesa County to change its voting equipment following the security breach. Annie Orloff, a spokesperson for Griswold, said the county has agreed on the replacement.

The lawsuit to formally remove Peters comes after the Mesa County commissioners unanimously voted to replace her with Williams at an Aug. 17 meeting. As an elected official, Peters is still being paid.

The commissioners praised the changes in a statement Monday, saying that Mesa County will have arguably the most secure and transparent election system in the United States."

I appreciate the confidence the commissioners, the secretary, and the attorney general have shown, Williams said in a statement. He also promised transparent and fair election this fall for the citizens of Mesa County.

___

Nieberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Republican concerns over the screening process for thousands of Afghan refugees who stood side by side with Americans and are now being processed through Fort McCoy are unfounded dog whistle crap, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Monday.

Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, have criticized the vetting process and warned about terrorists being allowed into the country. After a tour of the base last week, Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson questioned whether the refugees at Fort McCoy had been fully vetted and called White House assurances about the process lipstick on a pig.

Evers also toured the base last week and met with refugees. He said Republicans criticizing the vetting of those refugees are vastly uninformed.

"Or they like to raise that specter of maybe some of those little kids I saw at Fort McCoy are terrorists or maybe those adults that I saw at Fort McCoy who were working hand in hand with our soldiers and airmen in Afghanistan, somehow they are terrorists even though theyve been vetted four or five or six times even before they left Afghanistan, Evers said. To me, its dog whistle crap and we dont need any of that.

Evers, who made his comments during a Democratic Party bus tour, said he didn't have an update on how many refugees have been sent to Fort McCoy, but that it is capable of housing up to 10,000. On Friday, Wisconsin Republican congressmen toured the base and said there would be 3,000 refugees there by the end of the day.

Cheryl Phillips, a spokeswoman for a task force overseeing the refugees at Fort McCoy, said she's not permitted to release the number of Afghans currently on the base. But she said 41 flights carried Afghans to Volk Field in Camp Douglas between Aug. 22 and Sunday.

Fort McCoy is located in western Wisconsin, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) east of La Crosse and the Minnesota border.

As of Friday, the United States and its coalition partners had evacuated more than 100,000 people from Afghanistan since Aug. 14, including more than 5,100 American citizens.

___

Associated Press writer Todd Richmond contributed to this report.
Samsung is expected to bring the Galaxy A52s 5G smartphone to India on September 3. The device, already available in Continental Europe and the United Kingdom, was expected to be 10-15% cheaper in the South Asian country, and we now have a confirmation.

Amazon India has listed the device with 6GB RAM and 128 gigs of storage for INR35,999, which is about $485/415/355. Just for comparison, British consumers have to pay 419, while Europeans must shed 449 for the same memory combo.

The Galaxy A52s 5G is a pretty promising smartphone - 64MP quad camera with OIS on the main shooter, a 4,500 mAh battery with 25W fast charging and a Snapdragon 778G chipset. It is IP67 rated against water and dust ingress and will be the first Galaxy A smartphone with 5G in India.

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is already in stock, even if it isnt listed on the company website, and shipments are scheduled for September 4. The phone is said to be discounted from INR40,999 and Amazon India offers up to INR14,200 more in discounts if users decide to exchange their current smartphone, go for a bank card deal or purchase a gift card.

Source
Xiaomi got a lot of use out of various 108 MP sensors in the last three years, including featuring one on the Mi 11 and Mix 4. However, the ultra wide and telephoto modules continued to use fairly low resolution sensors, often in the 8-13 MP range.

For the Xiaomi 12 generation (remember, no more Mi), the company will use a triple 50 MP setup, according to leakster Digital Chat Station. This means 50MP main, 50MP ultrawide and 50MP telephoto cameras.

This last one will allegedly use a 5x periscope. Xiaomi is said to have a working 10x periscope, but that focal length is impractical  the 5x lens coupled with a high resolution sensor can provide smooth, high quality zoom in the 5x to 10x range.



Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra's camera setup: 50+48+48 MP

Previously, Samsungs upcoming 200MP sensor was mentioned by rumors, but that will probably be reserved for the Xiaomi 12 Ultra. The company is still in the design verification stage of the 12-series warns DCS, so the final hardware details may be different.

Recently, rival ZTE unveiled the Axon 30 Ultra with a triple 64 MP camera, though the periscope on this one featured only an 8MP sensor (the third 64MP camera had a 35 mm lens, which offered minimal optical zoom). Periscopes coupled with high resolution sensors are rare. Xiaomi's Mi 11 Ultra does have one (48MP), coupled with a 50MP main and 48MP ultrawide cameras.

Anyway, the Xiaomi 12 is also expected to feature an LTPO AMOLED display with an adaptive refresh rate working in the 1-120 Hz range. Also, the phones will be powered by a Snapdragon 898 chipset with LPDDR5X RAM.

Source 1 | Source 2 (in Chinese) | Via
The Pureplay Z7 is the latest pair of wireless earbuds from the Chinese manufacturer Lypertek. The company came into the limelight after the launch of its excellent Tevi model, which has since then been replaced with the largely identical Pureplay Z3.

I reviewed the Tevi and also the newer Levi models last year and found them to be some of the best wireless earbuds in their price range. Compared to most other brands in their price range, the Lypertek products had more focus on audio quality over superficial features and to this day remain two of my favorite wireless products that I've reviewed.

The Pureplay Z7 is a more premium entry in the series, superseding all previous models. This one claims to have an improved audio quality experience, with the addition of a triple-driver setup. The Pureplay Z7 also features Bluetooth 5.2 and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive codec.

At a price tag of $200, the Pureplay Z7 are a cool $110 more expensive than the second-in-line $90 Pureplay Z3 model. In fact, they cost almost as much as all other Lypertek models combined. That's quite a premium from what is still a relatively unknown brand, as you could get the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro for less.

It seems then that the Pureplay Z7 have a rather arduous task in front of them. Let's see how well they perform.

Packaging

The Pureplay Z7 have mostly basic packaging. Apart from the earbuds and the typical three sets of silicone ear tips, the only other interesting bits are the three pairs of foam tips and three pairs of replacement dust covers for the speaker ports.

Unfortunately, there was a rather alarming issue with my packaging. For whatever reason, the foam tips that I received were too small to fit. The Pureplay Z7 has a wider than usual speaker port, which isn't too much of a hassle for the silicone tips to spread over the small rubber insert inside the foam tips simply could not. I tried for a fair bit of time to try to attach them and it was only when it seemed that it was far more likely that I'll rip the tips than get them on did I let it go.

This seems like a quality control issue as there was another problem, of sorts, with the packaging. The box had another three sets of silicone tips in a bag that weren't supposed to be there. Nowhere does Lypertek mention that the Z7 come with six pairs of silicone tips, with each having an identical copy. It has to be an error at the factory, just as it was an error to put the wrong size foam tips in the box.

Design

The Pureplay Z7 have the same chubby earplug style design as the Pureplay Z3, nee Tevi. It tends to stick out far too much from your ears and is also a fair bit heavy.

The outside of the earbuds has a physical button for controlling playback. I am not a fan of this design, as it requires pressing the earbud deeper into your ears every time you press the button, which can get quite uncomfortable. As such, I almost never used them.

The tube jutting out of the earbuds is thicker than usual as other than serving as the driver port it also helps anchor the earbuds in your ears.

Unfortunately, because of the mechanism by which they sit in your ears and the weight of the earbuds, the Pureplay Z7 generate a sort of pendulum effect, which causes them to bounce in your ears as you walk. This tends to sound like audible shocks in your ears every time your heel touches the ground.

The earbuds are IPX5 water-resistant, so they should survive sweat, rain, and the occasional splash of water.

As for the case, it has a similar appearance to that of the Pureplay Z3 case. The plastic body is covered in a fabric layer, which has an interesting appearance and texture, although from experience I know can stain over time.

This case, for some reason, replaces the multi-LED on the Pureplay Z3 case with a single, less useful one and the earbuds inside are placed upside down. Apart from that, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about it.

Comfort

The Pureplay Z7 were comfortable to wear over extended periods for me. The speaker tube goes deeper than usual inside the ears but I didn't mind it much as it also gets an excellent seal in the process. I could wear these for hours  and I did.

The issue, as mentioned before, is while walking. The constant oscillation of the earbuds in the ear makes for a rather unpleasant experience where there are audible shocks in the ear every time you take a step. I simply cannot see myself using them while walking around, which is a rather big issue for a pair of wireless earbuds.

Hardware

The Pureplay Z7 utilize a triple driver setup, consisting of dual balanced-armature drivers and a single dynamic driver of unspecified size. The dynamic drive uses mylar film and high purity PPF titanium plating with N52 neodymium magnets. The BA drivers have had their nozzles removed to fit within the confines of the earbuds and the tuning has been adjusted to compensate.

The Pureplay Z7 use Qualcomm's QCC3040, which is designed for low-power use in TWS earbuds. The chip supports Bluetooth 5.2 and Qualcomm TrueWireless Mirroring technology. It also supports Google Fast Pair but the feature has not been enabled on the Pureplay Z7.

The Pureplay Z7 support SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codec. The last one supports 24-bit, 48kHz audio at a variable bitrate of 279kbps to 420kbps depending upon connection strength and RF interference.

The Pureplay Z7 do not support active noise cancellation. There is, however, a transparency mode available, which can be enabled through the app.

Software

The Pureplay Z7 have a compatible app for iOS and Android. The app is pretty simple, letting you adjust the EQ, controls, LDX Audio mode, and update the firmware.

The EQ feature includes a seven-band equalizer with two custom profiles and eight presets.

The LDX Audio mode doesn't really do much. I noticed a slightly deeper bass and treble response but it's so subtle it's hard to tell if it's on or off.



Lypertek PureControl app

There is also a find my earbuds feature but it doesn't actually make the earbuds beep. Rather, you can only see them on a map based on when they last interfaced with the app.

Performance

Audio quality

The Pureplay Z7 have a laidback, mellow sound that emphasizes the bass and mid-range with a dialed back treble response. It's quite the antithesis from what you normally expect from balanced armature drivers and also very different from the sound signature of the much brighter and more balanced Pureplay Z3.

The bass response on the Z7 has a nice punch to it without getting all in your face. The low bass is boosted but still feels well-defined with pleasant warmth and thump. The mid and upper bass accentuate the warmth further, which introduces some muddiness to the sound.

The mid-range seems to ride this wave of frequency boost as the lower and mid-mids are quite forward in the mix. There is a slight honk to the mid-range and as a result, male vocals sound slightly nasal and the percussion instruments sound similarly unnatural. But if you like your mid-range then you might not mind this much.

Past that, the frequency response sort of goes downhill. It seems Lypertek went a bit too far while trying to rein in the typical BA tonality and characteristics, especially since they also chopped off their tips, which should have made them unbearable. But the result of this is that the treble is now pushed quite far back into the mix.

The Pureplay Z7 have a fairly dark tonality. Treble detail is decent but volume is dialed far back, which makes the sound quite murky. You tend to get used to it after a while but switch back and forth between these and a more balanced pair of earbuds and the difference is night and day.

The overall mellow tonality of the Pureplay Z7 may be to some tastes, especially people who despise bright, shouty audio signatures. It makes for a smooth, relaxing sound that you can listen to for hours without much fatigue. However, it's not the most balanced or neutral audio signature and those looking for such will definitely be disappointed.

In terms of technical performance, the level of detail in the sound is decent. However, the dialed back treble takes the edge off the sound and makes it softer and unfocused. Imaging performance is average, and the soundstage is unremarkable.

One rather serious issue with the sound is the background noise. When the earbuds are powered on, the DAC/amp circuitry is engaged only when there is audio playing and powers down after some time of no audio. However, this circuitry adds a ton of very audible background noise to the system, which can be heard even when you're in relatively noisy environments. It's especially noticeable when it turns off after a while of no audio playing when things suddenly get quieter.

Microphone

The Pureplay Z7 has below-average microphone performance. Voices sound quiet and indistinct. The earbuds also can't deal well with background noise and it only makes the voices harder to hear.

Latency

The Pureplay Z7 have great latency performance for video. While watching videos, it was hard to make out any latency in the audio and the experience was nearly indistinguishable from using wired headsets.

The latency during gaming was more noticeable but still perfectly adequate for casual gaming. However, for competitive titles, it's still recommended to use a wired headset with a built-in microphone.

Connection

The Pureplay Z7 had reliable connection performance during testing. Not once did the earbuds drop connection or did any sort of strange business that would warrant mentioning. They pretty much worked as they should.

Noise cancellation and transparency

The Pureplay Z7 have no active noise canceling system. However, the earbud design provides an excellent seal creating a very good passive isolation effect.

The Pureplay Z7 do have a transparency mode that can be enabled through the app. However, it sounds very robotic and unnatural. Having said that, you may still want to use it because the passive isolation is really quite effective.

Battery Life

The Pureplay Z7 have a rated battery life of 10 hours when using the SBC codec. They also claim to last 2 hours after a 15-minute charge.

During my testing, I got 8 hours of continuous playback when testing with aptX Adaptive. While it's a bit off the mark, 8 hours is still very impressive. Also, a 15-minute charge actually went on for the claimed 2 hours, which is also pretty good.

The case supports Qi wireless charging, along with the standard USB-C connection.

Conclusion

The Lypertek Pureplay Z7 are deeply unimpressive wireless earbuds at the $200 asking price. They have a lackluster feature set, with basic things like in-ear detection being unavailable. They also miss out on other stuff such as active noise-cancellation that one expects at this price point.

If the performance was streets ahead of the others, then some of the shortcomings could have been ignored. But the audio quality is only decent and plagued by issues such as the background noise. The microphone performance is also poor and they were also uncomfortable to wear while walking, which is just a deal-breaker for wireless earbuds.

There are also some undeniable quality control issues here, from the non-fitting foam tips, an extra pair of silicone tips that shouldn't be there, to the aforementioned background noise issue.

The only good things about the Pureplay Z7 are the battery life, the latency performance, and the comfort when you're just sitting. Those, however, are ancillary things and are not good enough to save these earbuds.

Overall, I'd recommend buyers stick with the much cheaper Pureplay Z3 as they are vastly superior in almost every way.

Pros

Decent audio quality

Great battery life

Good latency performance

IPX5 rated

Wireless charging

Cons
In the latest "My So-Called Plant Life," PDN Features Editor Therese Padua Howe shows off her miniature succulents, and a STEM experiment with seeds planted in different potting media.
With 114 new cases of COVD-19 reported from Friday through Sunday, Guams CAR score surged to 39.3, according to the Joint Information Center.

There are 35 people hospitalized for COVID-19 at Guam Memorial Hospital, Guam Regional Medical City and Naval Hospital Guam. Of those, 21 were unvaccinated, and the status of two were unknown.

Six people were in the ICU, with three on ventilators, according to the Joint Information Center.

Guam has had 10,353 officially reported cases of COVID-19. There have been 145 deaths, with 1,358 cases in active isolation and 8,850 not in active isolation.

Oasis investigation

The Department of Public Health and Social Services is investigating a number of COVID-19 cases at the Oasis Empowerment Center to determine if there is an outbreak there, said agency spokeswoman Janela Carrera.

Oasis, a non-profit organization which receives government funding for its services, operates a two-story, 14-bed home to provide inpatient and outpatient programs for substance abuse.

Because it is a residential treatment center, we are confident in our isolation and quarantine measures and that it is contained, Carrera said.

With restrictions lifted and multiple events occurring, there are multiple cases that we are investigating, Carrera said. This surge is to be expected.

Contact tracing

Meanwhile, Public Health continued contact tracing efforts for the hundreds of cases reported in recent days.

Carrera noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that COVID-19 cases be contract-traced no later than 14 days after a test yields a positive result.

Contact tracing should not be pursued after 14 days, unless there are unique circumstances associated with the person tested, the CDC guidance states, such as people who work in healthcare, or related to a high-density workplace or in congregate living.

We do our best to close the (tracing) gap, Carrera said. But we have always reminded the community that if they are exposed to a known positive case, to self-quarantine and watch for symptoms. If they test positive, they should self-isolate.

Father Duenas

It was also reported that a student from Father Duenas Memorial School was tested positive for COVID-19, according to a statement by the Archdiocese of Agana.

Father Duenas is said to be working closely with the Department of Public Health and Social Services and the Archdiocese of Aganas COVID-19 Liaison on contact tracing and testing for those possibly exposed to the student.

The bring the total amount of 31 Catholic school students tested positive for COVID-19, according to the statement.
Long time educator and law enforcement advocate Richard W. Fee died on Sunday, according to a statement from Sen. James Moylan.

Fee worked as a professor of special education at the University of Guam from 2006 to 2012, a professor of education at Lincoln University from 2012 to 2014, and as a judicial educator for the Judiciary of Guam from 2015 to 2018.

He was also a regular contributor to the Pacific Daily News opinion pages. Prior to his death, Fee was working with the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission on Guam to help revamp the Commissions approach to training and regulating local law enforcement officers.

According to Moylan, Fee had also helped to conceptualize a unified pay structure and leadership plan for law enforcement officers, meant to help local agencies better attract and retain new recruits.

Dr. Fee, as a long-standing supporter for law enforcement officers, has advocated with elected officials for several years on the importance of an improved pay scale plan to enhance both the attraction and retention of officers, Moylan said.

I was saddened to learn late Sunday, that as the legislature was finalizing the budget bill on Saturday, inclusive of the pay scale plan for law enforcement officers, that Dr. Fee had suddenly passed away that very day. I was devastated to accept the reality that I could not make that call to advise Dr. Fee that his hard work and advocacy was gaining some positive traction, he said.

The senator expressed his condolences to Fees wife, Julie, along with his children, grandchildren and entire family.

Dr. Fee, while you may not be here with us today, your legacy will continue to live on forever. Your work on earth may have ended, but the fruits of your efforts will continue to prosper, and I will certainly join others to help see them achieve fruition. The island has indeed lost an advocate for law enforcement officers, Moylan stated.
No one showed to the planned GovGuam walkout in front of Adelup on Monday morning.

The event was aimed at government employees who disagreed with recent mandates that workers in the executive and judicial branch of GovGuam be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing. It was planned by Sandra Reyes Seau, who made a run for the Guam Legislature as a Republican in 2020. She posted just after 8 a.m. on the Guam Against Tyranny Facebook group that she would be calling the event off, after no one showed up.

Under Guam law, a strike against GovGuam by employees of the government is unlawful, and those who are in violation are subject to disciplinary action including a reduction in rank, pay, or dismissal.

The Guam Against Tyranny Facebook group was created on Aug. 20 and has amassed 2,700 members in 10 days. Protests over the recent vaccination mandates on Aug. 24 and Aug. 27 were organized on the page. Adonis Mendiola, one of the administrators of the group, told the PDN previously that the group had started out as a WhatsApp chat of people who were united against the discrimination and hate that vaccine mandates had brought upon the community.

In a now deleted Facebook video, posted to the group late Saturday night, Reyes Seau stated that she was planning to organize a recall of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero. She said that it was something that she had wanted to do since the previous year, but that now was the right time.

Reyes Seau stated that she would be seeking assistance from members of the community who wanted to help get petition signatures. Prior to being deleted, it had over a hundred comments logged from members of Guam Against Tyranny.

The former legislative candidate said that she would be drafting up a press release for local media outlets shortly. The Pacific Daily News contacted Reyes Seau around 10 a.m. on Monday and asked if she would like to speak about the planned recall, but no response was received as of 4:30 p.m. that day.
With the islands primary and secondary school campuses closed indefinitely to face-to-face instruction by the governor, businesses and employees are having to work around the issue of parents who must supervise young children at home.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero last Friday signed an executive order, closing school campuses out of an abundance of caution, because of the recent spike in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. While it is true that there is no evidence of a cluster in a school setting, we simply cannot wait for that inevitability before we act, her order states. School employees still can use school facilities to facilitate distance learning.

The closure to students applies to all K-12 schools on Guam.

Businesses will need to make accommodations for parents who have children at home, but not all jobs can be done from the home with remote working, said Mary Rhodes, president of the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association. So its very challenging for the parents as well as the businesses.

The Department of Education is not holding any classes this week in order to prepare faculty and staff for 100% online instruction, starting next Tuesday. Teachers who had been teaching face-to-face will now be teaching online. More details about online instruction will be released this week, according to the education department, but the plan generally is for each school to issue equipment to students who need it.

Hard-copy instruction has been ruled out as an option for students, according to DOE officials, because it is inferior to online instruction, with less interaction between students and teachers.

Superintendent Jon Fernandez, during a virtual parents meeting last weekend, said he had asked the governor to allow students to continue to attend classes in cohorts instead of closing campuses entirely. Cohorts mean students would be divided into two or three groups, attending face-to-face instruction on alternating days.

That was our preferred option, Fernandez said, but the governor believes curbing the spread of COVID-19 is an urgent matter and she did not want to take half measures.

Weve seen the schools do a good job of containing and responding to positive cases, but whats out there in the community is much larger, and threatening to overwhelm our efforts, he said.

Fernandez said Guam DOE will make its case to reopen schools once COVID-19 numbers improve.

My conservations with the governor and the lieutenant governor have always been to prioritize schools for opening, versus the rest of the community, Fernandez said. People who work need their kids to have the opportunity to go to school. And if were gonna reopen the rest of the island, schools have to be able to open safely.

This is another layer of a challenge for our community, Guam Chamber of Commerce President Catherine Castro said about the school closures. That was something that was unanticipated, moving into this monthEveryone is just trying to figure out how to make things work.

Education Deputy Superintendent Erika Cruz on Saturday said students will be required to return to their original models of learning  either online or face-to-face  when campuses are reopened. That means face-to-face students cant switch to online learning.

Cruz said DOE does not have enough online teachers to accommodate more online students. Online students are being taught by a smaller group of teachers, separate from the teachers who are instructing students face-to-face.
Former Gov. Carl TC Gutierrez is the president and CEO of Guam Visitors Bureau, permit czar, and chairman of the Governors Economic Strategy Council. Send comments or questions to GVB at communityrelations@visitguam.org.




Haiti - Earthquake : State University mobilizes





The Rectorate of the State University of Haiti (UEH) wishes to express once again its deep sadness following the earthquake of August 14, 2021 and its heavy human and material toll. It presents his sympathies and solidarity to the relatives and friends of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. It sends a special thought to the leaders, students, professors and administrative staff of the School of Law and Economics of Les Cayes and all the sister universities affected.



The Rectorate of the UEH underlines the spontaneous and rapid action to the aid of the victims of the earthquake of nearly fifty professors, residents and interns of the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy (FMP) of Port-au-Prince. They were quickly joined by colleagues from the School of Medicine at the Henry Christophe Campus of the State University of Haiti in Limonade.



At the same time, the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Port-au-Prince is involved in raising awareness and collecting blood in the post-earthquake period. Doctors from this faculty are also at the bedside of those injured in the earthquake. The FMP is involved in the performance of more than sixty surgeries for earthquake victims.



The psychology departments of the Faculty of Ethnology and the Faculty of Human Sciences are preparing to provide psychological support. The Geosciences Research Unit of the Faculty of Sciences together with partners (Geoazur, Cote dAzur University and Observatory, CNRS, IRD, France) has already given a technical opinion on the earthquake on the same day. It remains mobilized for more in-depth technical studies with a view to more precise recommendations.



A delegation of students from the Faculty of Odontology supervised by the Vice-Dean for Research, Dr Jacques Denis and the Professor of Surgery, Dr Renol Clerge visited the Department of the South in solidarity with our tried brothers and sisters.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34600-haiti-flash-post-earthquake-situation-report-partial-assessment.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34559-haiti-flash-the-death-toll-rises-to-2-207-dead-and-12-268-injured.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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The Biden administration says it does not know how many U.S. citizens are in Afgha
A man fishes alongside his dog at the base of Fresno Dam in March 2019. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has extended a public comment period for proposed work on the dam.

The Montana Bureau of Reclamation has extended the comment period on an environmental assessment for a Safety of Dams modification project scheduled for Fresno Dam in the coming years.

BOR Engineer Steve Darlinton, the project manager for the Fresno Dam Modification Project, said the bureau is always running assessments on dams throughout the U.S. and the last evaluation of Fresno Dam in 2013 indicated that it did need some updates to increase safety.

Darlinton said it's important for people to know that there is no immediate danger posed by the dam, but the threat of a failure has risen above the threshold BOR is willing abide, hence the need for the project.

He said the dam was completed in 1939 and was built on a fairly compressible foundation. The subsequent settlement these past years is the primary issue the project is meant to address, accounting for up to 10 feet of this historic settlement by adding sand and gravel to the structure.

He said BOR will also be adding a trench to help filter foundation seepage, but the settlement is the main problem they're attempting to address with the project.

Darlinton said designs for the project are being developed and will likely be completed by early next year. After that, he said, it will likely take a year to select a contractor, and on-site work is anticipated to begin in early 2023.

He said the project was developed to have as little impact on local irrigators as possible so they opted for a method that would only require the reservoir to be drawn down to 20 feet below full pool, which often happens naturally in the summer months.

From a water supply perspective, he said, the modification project should have no significant effect on local irrigators, but, unfortunately, the project's expense will likely have an effect.

Darlinton said the project is estimated to cost $71 million and local irrigators will be on the hook for 15 percent of that cost, about $10.7 million.

He said this number includes all non-contract work including design and management costs, and the 15 percent can be repaid over the course of 50 years with no interest.

Milk River Joint Board of Control Project Manager Jennifer Patrick said local irrigators are discussing amongst themselves the best way to go about paying this money back and are developing a contract, though official talks with BOR haven't begun yet.

Patrick said the half-century time limit is helpful, but it's still over $10 million piled on to the general hardship of the industry.

"We can go for up to 50 years, but it is a hardship to lump on to irrigators once again," she said.

She said irrigators have not reached a consensus on how to pay back the money so there is no game plan to share just yet.

As for the project's effects on the fisheries, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 6 Fisheries Program Manager Steve Dalbey said his department does have some concerns about how the drawdown will affect things but they are having conversations with BOR about how to mitigate these potential negative effects.

Darlinton said the project's Environmental Assessment has been completed and the public will have until Sept. 10 to provide comment on it, a deadline that was originally set to end this month but was recently extended.

He said while BOR will take any comment about the project into account, he asks that people restrict their comments to the EA for now.

He said BOR hasn't received much in the way of comment yet, but on projects of this type that isn't unusual.

He said most comments come in closer to the deadline so he's not worried about a lack of public engagement just yet.

The project's EA can be found at https://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/fresno/, and public comment can be submitted to [email protected]
The surge of COVID-19 cases continues to hit the area, straining health resources and raising risks to local residents, including children.

The nation again is seeing high rates from the pandemic, with the seven-day average for new cases listed Saturday at 142,006 a day, for hospitalizations at 12,297 a day and for deaths at 846 a day. That is an increase from the week before of 2.8 percent for new cases, of 5.7 percent for hospitalizations and 11 percent for deaths.

The numbers also are climbing in Montana. The update this morning to the state tracking map showed 3,374 new cases added since last Monday. With recoveries included, that brings a new total of 4,822 active cases compared to 3,784 last Monday. The number of active hospitalizations was 223 and the number of deaths rose to 1,787, with 27 new deaths listed since last Monday.

And the rate of infections might be higher. The rate of confirmed cases only is for people who submit for testing.

Blaine County Health Department in its report Thursday said that, in addition to the confirmed cases in the county, many Blaine County residents were showing symptoms similar to what COVID-19 causes, raising the question if the actual rate of cases is not higher - perhaps much higher - than what the tests show.

The same is true in the other counties in this region, across Montana and throughout the nation. The number of actual cases of COVID-19 likely is higher than what the confirmed case number reports.

In Hill County at least, the situation is further complicated by a lack of funding for extra staff at the Hill County Health Department, leaving the department straining to deal with the increased number of cases.

Increased risk to children

The latest surge in COVID-19 cases, driven by the delta variant of the virus that causes the disease, is causing Montana and the rest of the nation to scramble to deal with the threat, including what appears to be a greater risk to children.

The newest national surge of COVID-19 cases has included a larger number of children needing to be hospitalized, with agencies reporting children being hospitalized for the disease in record numbers including child hospitalizations in Montana.

Hill and Blaine county health departments had not responded by print deadline this morning for requests on how many children have been hospitalized in those counties during the delta surge.

And while the disease rarely is fatal for children, children are dying from complications of COVID-19. CDC reports on its website that, through Aug. 21, the last date data was available by printing deadline for this story, 141 U.S. children from birth to age 4 and 313 U.S. children from ages 5 to 18 had died from complications of COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic started in America.

Newspaper headlines for more than a year have been reporting COVID-19-related deaths in children.

One of the latest was reported Friday. A 17-year-old Florida girl awaiting release from quarantine died of complications of COVID-19 before she could start her senior year in high school. Her family said she was not vaccinated.

A pandemic of the unvaccinated

And while breakthrough cases are occurring, new cases locally are following the national trend of confirmed cases primarily being in unvaccinated people. Hill County reported that in 89 cases in a two-week period 11 cases, or 12 percent, were in vaccinated people.

Local health officials also report that, also following a nation- and world-wide trend, cases in vaccinated people tend to have milder symptoms, although serious illness and death still can occur.

But studies of data indicate that only about one-half of one percent to 5 percent, depending on the state examined, of people with serious illness or dying due to COVID-19 are vaccinated, with almost all serious illness in the unvaccinated.

In Montana, the situation has been complicated by a bill passed this year by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte prohibiting "discrimination" against unvaccinated people. That has been interpreted to mean health agencies and institutions like school districts can't quarantine unvaccinated people unless they also quarantine vaccinated people, in contradiction to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Studies indicate that the variant behind the latest surge, the delta variant, is more likely to be spread by vaccinated people than previous variants were, leading to the recommendation that all people, vaccinated and unvaccinated, wear masks when indoors in public areas to reduce the spread of the virus.

But vaccinated people still are less likely than unvaccinated people to spread even the delta variant, leading CDC to recommend that vaccinated people do not need to quarantine when they are exposed to the virus, although they should receive a COVID-19 test three to five days after exposure and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days or until a negative test result returns.

Vaccinated people are recommended to isolate if they test positive for COVID-19.

The CDC recommends that all unvaccinated people exposed to the virus quarantine to reduce its spread and to isolate if they test positive for the disease.

This would allow vaccinated teachers and staff to remain in the schools even if exposed, reducing the need to shut down schools or turn to remote learning.

But the interpretation that the new state law requires all or none to be be quarantined means that no one is quarantined, increasing the chance of the spread of the virus, or all be quarantined, leading to remote learning or school shutdowns.

Officials urge people to slow the spread

During this surge, health officials have continued their message basically from the start of the pandemic.

People should stay home if they don't feel well, the officials say, should regularly wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap or with a hand sanitizer including at least 60 percent alcohol, should regularly wash and sanitize surfaces, should wear a mask when in indoor public spaces, and anyone who can should get vaccinated.

In Hill County, vaccinations are available through Bullhook Community Health Center, 406-395-4305; the Hill County Health Department, 406-400-2415; Northern Montana Health Care's Specialty Medical Center at 406-265-7831 or it's family Family Medical Center at 406-265-5408; Western Drug Pharmacy, 406-265-9601; Gary & Leo's Pharmacy, which takes walk-ins; Walmart; and the Rocky Boy Health Center, 406-395-1655.

Vaccinations are available in Blaine County through Blaine County Health Department, 406-357-2345, and Fort Belknap Health Center, 406-353-3219.

Vaccine is available in Chouteau County at the Chouteau County Health Department, 406-622-3771, and Big Sandy Pharmacy at 406-378-5588.

People can call Liberty County Health Department at 406-759-5517 to schedule a vaccination.
April

The following cases were resolved by Havre City Judge Janie Hedstrom in April.



Claren Olive Bauer, born in 1990, was fined $100 for disorderly conduct, amended from partner or family member assault causing injury.



James Daniel Smallboy IV, born in 1994, was fined $200 for driving without a valid drivers license; was fined $500 for failing to carry proof of vehicle insurance, third or subsequent offense; and was fined $30 for failing to have a child properly restrained.



Jalen Jaret Watson, born in 2001, was found guilty of both driving without a valid drivers license, has never possessed one, and operating a vehicle with expired registration.



A man born in 2002 was fined $100 for minor in possession, under 18 at the time of the arrest, first offense.



Cali Therese Brien, born in 1998, had dismissed by the prosecution a charge of negligent endangerment, substantial risk of death or injury, and was fined $100 for reckless driving, first offense.



Alexis Noel Warren, born in 1987, had dismissed by the court charges of operating with an expired registration and owner permitting operation of vehicle without liability insurance, third offense.



Christopher Alan Anderson, born in 1982, was fined $2,500 and sentenced to 365 days in jail, 33 days suspended and two credited, for driving under the influence, third offense.



Jerome Lane Bigknife, born in 1993, was found guilty of theft, obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over property, first offense.



Shanelle Marie Morsette, born in 1993, was fined $350 for failing to carry proof of vehicle insurance, second offense.



Shaila Twila Mudge, born in 1988, had dismissed by the court a charre of partner or family member assault.



Mona Louise Wells, born in 1959, had dismissed by the court a charge of theft of lost or mislaid property.



Jeremiah Mark Headdress, born in 2001, was fined $50 for disorderly conduct, first offense, amended from partner or family member assault causing injury first offense; was fined $25 for MIP, over 18, second offense; and had dismissed by the prosecution charges of possession of marijuana, first offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia.



Joshua Ray Ganuelas, born in 1990, had deferred by the prosecution a charge of partner or family member assault causing injury, second offense.



Matthew Michael Converse, born in 1977, had deferred by the prosecution, a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.



Jerome Lane Bigknife, born in 1993, had dismissed by the prosecution a charge of theft, obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over property, first offense.



Nathan Daniel Frickel, born in 1979, had deferred by the prosecution charges of partner or family member assault causing injury, first offense, and unlawful restraint.



James Robert Foster, born in 1962, was fined $600 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for DUI, first offense; had dismissed by the court a charge of owner permitting operation of a vehicle without liability insurance, first offense; and had dismissed by the prosecution a charge of reckless driving, second or subsequent offense.



Aariana Marie Horn, born in 1999, was fined $600 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 179 days suspended and one credited, for operating a vehicle with ,08 percent blood alcohol concentration or greater, first offense, and had dismissed by the prosecution a charge of careless driving.



Tanner Joseph Walker, born in 1982, was fined $150 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for criminal mischief, pecuniary loss less than $1,500, and was fined $100 and sentenced to 365 days in jail, 363 days suspended and two credited, for disorderly conduct, second offense.



Kayla Celeste Lodgepole, born in 1997, was found guilty of both vicious animals, first offense, and animals running at large, third offense.



Rema Lightfoot Chiefstick, born in 1942, was fined $20 for right of way violation; was fined $100 for operating a vehicle without liability insurance in effect, first offense; and was ordered to pay $383.96 restitution on the case.



Kannon Michael Ferestad, born in 2001, had dismissed a deferred imposition for attempting to purchase an intoxicating substance, under age 21, and a deferred imposition for fraudulently misrepresenting age and identification to obtain alcoholic beverages, older than 18, first offense.



Tristan Alan Labatte, born in 2000, was given a deferred imposition of sentence and fined $100 for fraudulently misrepresenting age and identification to obtain alcoholic beverages, older than 18, first offense, and had dismissed by the prosecution a charge of attempting to purchase an intoxicating substance, under age 21.



Anthony Thomas Filler, born in 1989, had dismissed by the prosecution a charge of vicious animals, second of subsequent offense.



Justin Phillip Johnson, born in 1981, was found guilty of disorderly conduct, first offense.



Lane Martin Paulson, born in 2000, was given a deferred imposition of sentence and fined $100 for each of two charges: fraudulently misrepresenting age and identification to obtain alcoholic beverages, older than 18, first offense, and attempting to purchase an intoxicating substance, under age 21.



Connor Christopher Harris, born in 2002, was given a deferred imposition of sentence and fined $100 for each of two charges: fraudulently misrepresenting age and identification to obtain alcoholic beverages, older than 18, first offense, and attempting to purchase an intoxicating substance, under age 21.



Caleb Ian Plante, born in 2003, was fined $100 for MIP, over 18, first offense.



James Jay Allison, born in 1997, was fined $100 and sentenced to 365 days in jail, 363 days suspended and two credited, for partner or family member assault member assault, causing injury, first offense.



Jessica Rose Pewitt, born in 1992, was fined $100 for disorderly conduct, first offense, amended from partner or family member assault causing injury, first offense.



Jacqueline Ray Matte, born in 1991, was fined $100 for disorderly conduct, first offense, amended from partner or family member assault causing injury, first offense.



Lanessa Vivian Janis, born in 2000, forfeited $500 bond for driving without a valid drivers license, has never possessed one, and forfeited $225 bond for failing to carry proof of vehicle insurance, second offense.



Raymond Windyboy, born in 1962, was sentenced to 10 days in jail, all days credited, for disorderly conduct, second offense.

In a later case, he was sentenced to 365 days in jail, 345 days suspended and 20 credited, for disorderly conduct.

In another case, Windyboy was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 28 days suspended and two credited, for open container violation and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, 58 days suspended and two credited, for disorderly conduct



Ramona Doney Champagne, born in 1952, was fined $100 for registration and vaccination required for animals and fined $50 for animals running at large, first offense.



Jasmin Shay Demontiney, born in 1996, was fined $100 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for trespass to property.



Jordan Gallagher Holt, born in 1994, had dismissed by the court, a charge of failing to carry proof of vehicle insurance, first offense.



Avery Jordan Boe, born in 1984, was fined $100 and sentenced to 365 days in jail, 362 days suspended and three credited, for disorderly conduct.

In a later case, Boe was fined $100 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for each of two charges: trespass to property and possession of drug paraphernalia.



Jerome Lane Bigknife, born in 1993, was fined $250 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 176 days suspended and four credited, for obstructing a peace officer or other public servant and was fined $100 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 176 suspended and four credited, for trespass to property.

In a later case, Bigknife had dismissed by the prosecution for forgery less than $1,5000 in value, first offense.

In a subsequent case, Bigknife had dismissed by the prosecution for forgery less than $1,5000 in value, first offense.

In a fourth case, Bignknife was order to pay $575 restitution and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 166 days suspended and 14 credited, for theft, obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over property, second offense.



A girl born in 2005 was given a deferred imposition of sentence and fined $75 for tobacco, alternative nicotine or vapor product possession or consumption under 18, second offense.



A girl born in 2003 was fined $200 for MIP, under 18, second offense.



Killian Bryce Foursouls, born in 2000 was fined $200 for MIP, over 18, second offense, and was fined $50 for disorderly conduct, first offense.



Leslie Ray Bender, born in 1947, had dismissed by the prosecution a charge of driving while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked, first offense.



Alissa Jess Nanini, born in 2000, was given a deferred imposition of sentence and fined $100 for each of two charges: fraudulently misrepresenting age and identification to obtain alcoholic beverages, older than 18, first offense, and MIP, over 18, first offense.



Stephanie Rita Small, born in 1983, was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for criminal contempt.



Michael Robert Breeden, born in 1990, was found guilty of disorderly conduct, first offense.



Raymond Campbell, born in 1996, was fined $200 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for possession of drug paraphernalia.



Maria R. Newton, born in 1980, was fined $100 for animals running at large, first offense.



Joshua Kay Blatter, born in 1989, was fined $200 for driving while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked, first offense.



John Michael Segna, born in 1990, was sentenced to 365 days in jail, 363 days suspended and two credited, for disorderly conduct.



Renee Mary Pruys, born in 1980, was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for criminal contempt.



Colette Cecella LaPointe, born in 1955, was found guilty of disorderly conduct, first offense.



Kathleen Deanna Jett, born in 1990, was found guilty of theft, obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over property, first offense, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 175 days suspended and 5 credited, for trespass to vehicles.



Autumn Dawn Wright, born in 1982, was fined $200 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for driving while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked, second offense; was fined $50 for operating a vehicle with expired registration; and was fined $250 for failing to carry proof of vehicle insurance, first offense.



Mark Justin Denny, born in 1974, was found guilty of disorderly conduct, first offense, and was fined $200 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 178 days suspended and two credited, for possession of drug paraphernalia.



Gary Clayton Standingchief Jr., born in 1985, was fined $100 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 179 days suspended and one credited, for criminal trespass to property; was fined $100 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 179 days suspended and one credited, for driving while privilege to do so is suspended or revoked, first offense; and was fined $200 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, 179 days suspended and one credited, for obstructing a peace officer or other public servant.



Memoree Rose Sunchild, born in 1989, was fined $100 for disorderly conduct, first offense.



Ariel Micheala Sunchild, born in 1991, was fined $100 for disorderly conduct, first offense.



Moses Eugene Lawrence, born in 1984, was fined $100 and sentenced to 10 days in jail, eight days suspended and two credited, for disorderly conduct, second offense.



Brian Douglas Couch, born in 1975, was fined $100 for disorderly conduct, first offense.



Another 14 citations had only fines of less than $100.



Editors note: The computer program provided by the Montana state government to print media reports on court actions does not always list all fines assessed.
From Montana Highway Patrol

HELENA  As students across the state return to the classroom, Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Montana Highway Patrol are reminding motorists to follow all school bus and school zone traffic laws, including new laws going into effect this year.

By simply following the law and taking necessary precautions, motorists can help ensure Montana students get to and from school safely.

If one child gets injured on their way to or from school this year, it will be one too many, Knudsen said. Everyone can do their part to make sure Montana school kids get home safely each day.

As school begins across the state, its imperative that every driver know his or her responsibilities when approaching a stopped school bus, MHP Colonel Steve Lavin said. The simple acts of paying attention, remaining patient, and understanding the law can help stop preventable tragedies.

People need to keep these traffic laws in mind when approaching a school bus:

 People need to prepare to slow down when they see the amber/yellow flashing lights. Stop 30 feet from a stopped school bus when it is flashing red lights.

 When a school bus is stopped at a four-way intersection, vehicles cant turn left, turn right, or pass the school bus.

 When the stop arm is out on a school bus and there is a raised median, all traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop.

 When the stop arm is out on a school bus on a non-divided highway or two-lane road, traffic traveling all directions must stop within 30 feet of the bus.

MHP also reminds Montanans to slow down and pay attention to the changing speed limits in school zones, look for children crossing the street near schools, and not to pass a school bus that is stopped.

Following this years legislative session, new school bus safety laws are going into effect. First, House Bill 207, allows school buses to add additional red lights, amending the previous law that only four red lights could be installed. Beginning October 1, House Bill 267 will also increase the reckless driving penalties for drivers who pass, in either direction, a stopped school bus that is displaying the visual flashing red signal from $500 to up to $1,000 or possible jail time, punishable upon conviction.

In 2020, the Montana Highway Patrol investigated 99 school bus violations statewide.

People can watch MHPs video message to Montanans at https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=809898919693865&ref=sharing .
Application deadline Sept. 15

Press release

Scholarships are being offered to help Montana students interested in entering a trade field.

Gianforte Trades and Technology Scholarships are available to Montana students through Reach Higher Montana.

There are excellent career opportunities in trades and technology. Dual-degree programs are especially popular and get kids thinking about an education earlier, Reach Higher Montana Executive Director Kelly Cresswell said.

The scholarships provide $1,000 per semester for full-time students and $500 for part-time students. Applicants must reside in Montana, apply each semester, and file a FAFSA. The fall deadline for the Gianforte Trades and Technology Scholarships is Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Eligible programs include automotive technology, plumbing, electronics, construction, diesel technology, cybersecurity, and dozens of other computer and technical programs. According to McKinney, I firmly believe everyone should have a skill or trade. A liberal arts degree is great, but its also good to have a skill to fall back on, in life.

Participating schools are Aaniiih Nakoda College, City College, Dawson Community College, Flathead Valley Community College, Fort Peck Community College, Gallatin College, Great Falls College MSU, Helena College, Highlands College, Little Big Horn College, Miles Community College, Missoula College, MSU Northern, Salish Kootenai College, and Stone Child College.

More information is available on the Reach Higher Montana website at https://www.reachhighermontana.org/fileadmin/Documents/Scholarships/GianforteTradeScholarshipInfoSheet.pdf .

To apply, people can visit https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=SAF .

Reach Higher Montana is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Helena and working throughout Montana to help students achieve personal success in education, career, and life. In addition to scholarships for students and educators, Reach Higher Montana provides outreach services to students and parents, and delivers a number of impactful programs serving Montana students. To learn more, visit its website at http://www.ReachHigherMontana.org, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
NE, Syria are witnessing recent escalating attacks by the Turkish occupying state, and angry reactions from the street to the Russian silence in particular are being used as a guarantor of the ceasefire in the region towards Turkey's violations and crimes in the region.

In this context; " Turkish state has historically targeted Kurds. We have seen how it supported ISIS during the Battle of Kobani, then occupied several areas in the north of Syria in retaliation for the defeat of ISIS and committed massacres and violations against the people of the region."

Adding" Turkish state wants to revive the ancient Ottoman Sultanate, and this is evident through its interference in several countries in the Middle East, ranging from Libya, Armenia, Syria and Southern Kurdistan to Afghanistan."

Suleiman noted that Turkey "wants to destabilize the security and stability of the north and east of Syria by launching attacks on the region, whether by launching UAVs attacks or by artillery bombardment."

He stressed that Turkey's goal was to strike the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria "by intimidating the people of the region and displacing them from their areas through near-daily attacks on the region targeting civilians."

He went to say that " This area provided thousands of martyrs those who fought against IS/Daesh on behalf the whole world, and all worldwide are turning a blind eye about what is happening towards the crimes and violations against this people."

the Kurdish people in all areas of Kurdistan demanded a union against Turkish attacks; to stabilize and resolve the Kurdish issue

He also demanded that the people of north and east Syria not be dragged "by the sectarian strife of the Turkish enemy, remain on its territory and struggle against occupation and its attacks."

As a result of the Turkish bombing with UAVs on several areas in north and east Syria, on the Ali Farro road, Ain Issa district, and Manbij, 11 people were killed, and dozens were wounded since the beginning of this month.

T/S

ANHA
Mercenaries of the so-called "Military Police" and "Mohammad Al-Fateh" and Al-Muntasir Billah" kidnapped two young women from the village of Baedino, in the Rajo district in occupied Afrin, under false pretext and accusations.

According to the source, the two kidnapped women are "Hefin Abedin Gharibo (20), and Lina Zakaria Ibish, 22, who is the wife of the citizen (Barhoum Beko).

The source explained that the mercenaries released the kidnapped Hefin after her family paid $2,000, while it was confirmed that the mercenaries raided the village of Maamlo in Mobata district while Lina Ibish was in the village with the aim of kidnapping her, she fled, but the mercenaries fired live bullets at her without hurting her, and later she fled to her village in Baedino.

The source added that the mercenaries raided the village of Baedino again and kidnapped the citizen Lina Ibish, in front of all the residents of the village.

Particularly, women have severely suffered from abduction operations that were launched by Turkish intelligence MIT and its gangs against civilians in villages and districts of Afrin intensively.

T/S

ANHA
A Kerrville family was awakened by the sound of a truck crashing into their home Thursday ni
Death of Asner deals blow to Playhouse

The Flat Rock Playhouse suffered another blow on Sunday with the death of Ed Asner, the award-winning "Lou Grant" actor who was scheduled to perform four soldout shows on the theater's stage this weekend.

Asner won five of his seven Emmy Awards for playing Grant, three as best supporting actor in a comedy series for "Mary Tyler Moore" and two for lead actor in a drama for "Lou Grant." He also won Emmys for his roles in the 1976 mini-series "Rich Man, Poor Man" and the 1977 miniseries "Roots." He died Sunday morning at his home in California at age 91.

Asner was set to appear with the veteran M*A*S*H actor Jamie Farr in "Two Jews Talking." The show would have been a financial boost for the theater, which has been unable to stage a regular show on the Rock since the emergency shutdown order of March 2020.

We have to cancel, Lisa K. Bryant, the Playhouse's creative artist director, told the Lightning. Were putting all our language together to put out to the public. They will have the option to get a refund, they can choose a gift card or if they would like to they can just donate their ticket to the Playhouse. We would be very grateful if thats what they wanted to do to support the Playhouse as we remain closed. But there is no problem if they want a refund. They will have a 100 percent full refund. Obviously, a donation back would be appreciated and we would be grateful.

Bryant had no indication that Asner was ill until she got word of his death.

They were in rehearsal in L.A. all last week and as far as we knew all systems were go, she said. The Playhouse had arranged lodging and prepared the lights and sound for the two-man show. Obviously he was 91 years old but there were no tells that he was ill or that there was anything amiss.

She had met Asner and his daughter, who was his manager as well, back in 2017 when he brought his one-man show to the Playhouse.

Im relieved and grateful that he passed way at home with his family with him, Bryant said.
THE family of a man who died in an accident swam 84 miles for charity in his memory.

Brad Visser, 38, suffered a severe brain injury when he fell off his electric skateboard near the familys home in Main Street, Stoke Row, on July 17 2019.

He died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford 10 days later.

To mark the second anniversary of his death, his widow Annie and their children Ozzie, 10, and Chloe, nine, are raising money for Headway, a brain injury charity that would have helped Brad had he survived.

Ozzie and Chloe both swam 21 miles, the width of the Channel, while their mother swam twice that distance, over 24 days.

Mrs Visser said that while they were paying tribute to her husband, their effort was also about the resilience of the children, who had shown how far they would go to help others.

She said: Brad is a huge part of our lives but this challenge for us is about moving forward and about helping other families that might be going through something similar.

Its about showing that life can carry on and that it is possible to do something positive in his memory.

Its about the strength of two very remarkable little people and the resilience to do what they have done, which is amazing. It shows that you can go through tragedy and make it better. They have had the worst two years possible and they have done it with a smile on their faces and with sheer dedication.

The family initially set themselves the challenge to swim the distance between July 13 and August 20, which they chose as this period includes the run-up to Mr Vissers accident, the time he spent in hospital, the day he died and the anniversary of his funeral.

Most people have a death day but for us it is different, said Mrs Visser. We have the day of the accident, which is the day we lost him. We never spoke to him again.

We have the day he died 10 days later and were in a limbo, so to do something in that time frame was really good for us. It turned a really emotional and difficult time into something positive. The children, who attend the Oratory Prep in Goring Heath, and their mother completed the challenge in 24 days instead of 38 while they were on holiday in Menorca, swimming lengths of a pool and in open water.

Mrs Visser said: Menorca is home for us as I spent so much time there with the children when Brad was working.

A friend told us that they were doing something similar last year and it took off from there. We wanted to do something positive and the kids said, Yes Mummy, come on, lets do it.

Chloe is part of the swim squad at school  she is a little fish, a natural swimmer. Ozzie was not built for speed and is more academic but he did really well. Chloe was ill with a nasty ear infection so we did some of the challenge in open water. We had to jump off rocks for some of it.

Ozzie said: I found it quite fun and we swam in all sorts of places. We were surrounded by thousands of fish and they were following us.

I enjoyed it but not as much as Chloe. I dont swim competitively while she swims at every opportunity.

The challenge was important for me because my father had an accident and died on the side of the road.

We are donating time to the charity so we can help other people that could be more fortunate than him.

Chloe, who trains with her schools swimming squad every Monday morning, said: My favourite part of the challenge was the sea swims as we could see all the fish and it was fun.

I love swimming and Ive been swimming at school for over a year.

Mrs Visser said: Brad and I were married for 10 years, so we have decided we will do something similar for the next eight years until the 10th anniversary.

Her husbands favourite song was Kilimanjaro by Johnny Clegg, a fellow South African, so the familys final challenge in 2029 will be climbing to the summit of the 16,893ft mountain in Tanzania.

We want to climb to the top and play his favourite song  the kids will be old enough to do it then, said Mrs Visser.

Next year, we want to cycle to Bristol or even swim the length of the Thames.

On the first anniversary of the tragedy last year, Ozzie and Chloe swam 10.5 miles each while Mrs Visser swam 21 miles and raised more than 5,000 for the charity.

Mrs Visser said the weeks following her husbands death were horrific and that she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Chloe had trouble talking and sleeping and would wake up from nightmares every night.

In December, the family moved from Stoke Row to Rotherfield Greys, where Mrs Vissers mother lives.

There was no escape from what happened at our old house, said Mrs Visser. Everywhere we went we were confronted with something of Brad.

She said the support her children received from their school helped them to move on.

Mrs Visser said: The accident took a father away from two children but the support from the school and how everything had been set up for them during the pandemic as well really helped them. Giving back to others really changed their

perspective.

Ozzie was asked to do a presentation at school on a personal hero or historical figure.

He chose to gave a 22-minute talk about his father.

Mrs Visser said: I was against it initially as I thought it was going to be difficult for him.

But he said, People at school dont want to talk to me about their families and by me talking about it, it shows its okay for them to ask questions about dad.

He did it perfectly and afterwards the other students came and talked to him and thanked him for doing it.

This was a 10-year-old who was more mature than me because he saw that they didnt know what to ask and its the same with adults.

People are acting more normal with us now and its no longer uncomfortable.

The school donated money to Headway in memory of Mr Visser.

In a letter to his headmaster, Ozzie said: I will be a neurosurgeon when I grow up but until then this is the way we will do it.

Mrs Visser said: Ozzie has always wanted to be a surgeon and when Brad had his accident the consultant who took care of him was fantastic, he was amazing with us as a family.

It takes a special person to work at the hospital and everyone in the ward was amazing  they were walking angels; they did everything they could for us.

After Brad died, Ozzie asked if he could go back to the hospital to see the doctors and they explained what happened.

After being taken by air ambulance to the hospital, Mr Visser initially responded well to treatment but his family decided to stop this after being told it was unlikely he would return to his full physical and intellectual capacity.

Mr Visser had given his wife power of attorney in a document stipulating she should not try to keep him alive if certain life perimeters were not met.

This meant she could present the hospital with a legal document stipulating his wishes and had the power to make life decisions for her husband.

Mrs Visser said: Ozzie understood you cant fix everything but you can always do the right thing and switching Brad off was the right thing. It was tough but it was the right thing to do.

Im not ashamed of what happened or of how we behaved. I wouldnt change any decision that we made.

Being able to sit down with both my kids and explain so that it is not a taboo subject was really important. They knew he was not going to get better and Ozzie got it. It meant that we suffered but that Brad didnt.

My children are incredibly tough and resilient, they deserve the world. No parent wants to see their children having to be as strong as I had to.

Children dont understand money like adults do but they understand actions and giving your time to a cause.

Money is irrelevant when you are 10 years old but they understand that when you give your time to something, you cant get it back.

Mr and Mrs Visser, who were together for 15 years, met at a bar in Henley.

They were married at St Nicholass Church in Rotherfield Greys, where Mr Vissers funeral also took place.

Someone asked me the other day how I would describe Brad as they had never met him, said Mrs Visser. He was just a remarkable man and if you met him, you loved him.

I was just very lucky because most people go through their entire life wanting what we had and we had it and no one can take it away from us. I feel really privileged to have had him in my life.

Mr Visser moved to the UK from South Africa after he was hijacked and shot while he was on his way to Johannesburg to see his father.

He ran his own bespoke furniture business at the Van Alloys Industrial Estate in Busgrove Lane, Stoke Row, and was well-known in the Henley area.

Mrs Visser said: He wanted safety and came to the UK with a backpack and 70 in his pocket.

He started working straight away. He worked in Henley and in 2009 set up his own business. He did really well for himself.

She urged people with children who are grieving to seek support.

There is not enough help out there at all, said Mrs Visser. It is quite daunting to go to a big support group and ask for help, especially when you have young children.

You feel isolated and like no one really understands it, so if we can make it less isolating for other people, if we can help any other families going through what we did, we really want to help.

When something like this happens, you are really vulnerable and peoples inability to communicate makes you even more vulnerable so being able to talk to people in the same situation helps.

I had amazing friends but they were all with their husbands. People think they get it but they have no idea and it is the isolation that comes with it.

When you are a widow grieving for your husband you are grieving for the future you have lost and the future your children have lost.

Brad will never teach Ozzie how to shave or walk Chloe down the aisle. Its the simple things that have been taken away.

When your children are grieving, you want to wrap them up and protect them, but you cant because otherwise they will never understand.

Ozzie and Chloe are very open about what happened and they are aware that Brad is not coming back.

Children are more switched on than adults give them credit for.

Mr Vissers funeral was attended by more than 400 people, including friends and family from across the UK, South Africa, America and New Zealand.

His sister Taryn Meredith shared anecdotes about his early life in South Africa and one of his customers talked about his work and about how talented he was.

Ozzie and Chloe stood up to read a poem and Mrs Visser talked about their 15 years together.

She said: It was amazing and I always say it was the best funeral I have been to  Brad would have loved it. It was a good tribute to an amazing person.

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/

team-visser
Elbert Coffee, Jr., 83, of Dallas, passed away Aug. 29, 2021. Visitation will be noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, at Cozine & Tarver Funeral Home in Greenville, Texas. His funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at New Hope Baptist Church in Greenville, and burial will be in
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Haverhill - Beverly E. Scott of Haverhill, MA, died in February 2021 after a long illness. Born in 1935 in Haverhill, she was the daughter of Glen and Stella (Lamb) Blackden. She attended Merrimac, MA schools and graduated from Merrimac High School and Lowell Hospital School of Nursing. Beve
Wisconsin Gov_ Tony Evers says Republican concerns over the screening process for thousands of Afghan refugees who stood side by side with Americans and are now being processed through Fort McCoy are unfounded dog whistle crap.
NeNe Leakes: My husband is transitioning to the other side
Multimedia Video Journalist

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Now Open

30 August 2021

Oxford Capital Group, LLC and Oxford Hotels & Resorts, LLC announce the opening of the The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, located at 1400 Cahuenga Boulevard (one block south of Sunset Boulevard), a 220-room luxury lifestyle hotel with food & beverage outlets including SoCal-centric restaurant and bar ALK, a courtyard event space with seven adjacent hospitality suites and the 12,000 square foot I|O rooftop, featuring a 70-foot projection mapping video wall, two bars, swimming pool, fire pits and water feature.

Now open to the public, this is Oxford's 10th hotel in California and 12th in the western region.

The property combines The Godfrey Hotel brand ethosknown for its vibrant nightlife, dynamic restaurants, sophisticated architecture, cutting-edge technology, high touch service culture, and prime locationwith a captivating yet authentic interior design and art harkening back to Old Hollywood.

The hotel's curated art program and immersive interior design set the stage for ultimate Hollywood moments. The guest arrival experience begins with a private driveway and porte-cochere, with thoughtful touches including glittering concrete flooring that scintillates under spotlights, a nod to Hollywood's red carpet flashing camera lights, and floor-to-ceiling retractable glass walls, creating an indoor-meets-outdoor California experience. An expansive backlit feature wall serves as the backdrop to the check-in experience.

Following check-in, guests of The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood are treated to guestrooms complete with king or double queen beds as well as luxurious bathrooms with rain showers, brass finishes, and glass doors. The oversized TVs, desks, glass and wood barn doors, attractive millwork and flooring, and cutting edge in-room technology appeal to business and leisure travelers as well as families, making it the ideal setting for visitors from all walks of life. Unique to a select number of rooms, guests can enjoy a Juliette balcony opening to a private courtyard space with lush greenery and lounge furniture.

In the spirit of Los Angeles' green initiatives and Oxford's eco-friendly management philosophy, the hotel provides bike valet and bike parking, electric vehicle charging stations, solar panels on the rooftop, energy-efficient smart thermostats, and environmentally friendly hotel operations.

Artwork and Design

The Godfrey features custom and interactive Art-Deco inspired pieces throughout, designed and fabricated by Los Angeles native artist Nick Petronzio, in collaboration with Kevin Barry Fine Art. The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood's interiors were designed by The Gettys Group of Chicago and exteriors were designed by Los Angeles-based Steinberg Hart. The hotel evokes sophisticated glamour with a forward-thinking attitude and a design that commands attention. Included in the hotel's expansive art collection is the one-of-a-kind "I Love You" sculpture at the hotel entrance; a life-sized brushed bronze "Dress and Tuxedo" sculpture, evocative of a dancing couple in Old Hollywood style; and a seven-piece sculpture spelling out "Godfrey." Guests can also engage with sculptures like the heavenly set of hand-painted gold wings inspired by the golden age of Hollywood, spanning over 6.5 feet high in the lobby. Other design highlights include a 70-foot projection mapping video wall, allowing for hotel and client-curated content, and original, fashion-forward art and architecturally arresting light fixtures throughout. The furnishings throughout the property were thoughtfully selected to embody accessibility while still being fashionable and sculptural.

I|O Rooftop, ALK, and Courtyard Event Space

The ground floor features a SoCal-centric restaurant and bar, ALK, which also opens today, offering an elevated menu featuring a wide selection of plant-based and vegan options, as well as premium fish and meat dishes utilizing California's bright and fresh seasonal produce. The retro-chic aesthetic is inspired by Hollywood's historic past and present while encouraging a social and vibrant ambiance. Color palettes include smoky green and blush pink juxtaposed with black-and-white finishes, along with design statements such as a large draping pearl necklace hanging from the ceiling. Perched on top of the hotel, I|O Rooftop features the largest public rooftop venue in Hollywood, spanning over 12,000 square feet. It seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, offering two bars and a glittering pool for the quintessential sun-soaked Southern California experience.Guests and locals alike can mingle while enjoying light bites and cocktails, with stunning views of Hollywood, Century City, and Downtown LA skylines, as well as the iconic Hollywood sign. The courtyard event space and seven adjacent hospitality suites provide opportunities for unique private events. Room service is also available seven days a week for hotel guests.
Appointment

30 August 2021

IHG Hotels & Resorts' upcoming voco Dubai Palm Jumeirah has appointed its general manager to lead operations. Charles Godot steps into the position from Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi, where he was also GM.

In fact, Godot has been with IHG for over 17 years, starting out as an assistant chief steward in Paris back in 2003. Over almost two decades, he has worked across a variety of departments within the hotel giant, and has travelled the world too.

His international career has included stints in France, Qatar, the UAE, Singapore and Thailand. His first GM position was in 2017 when he was working at the Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit. Before that, he has held positions such as hotel manager, EAM, director of F&B, and others.
Appointment

30 August 2021

Playa Largo Resort & Spa, an Autograph Collection beachfront luxury property situated on the Florida Bay in Key Largo, Florida, welcomes Heather Turkay as Director of Sales & Marketing for the 14.5-acre property. In her new role, Turkay will be responsible for leading and driving top line revenue strategy for traditional sales related segments to include group and transient markets as well as working closely to drive PR an d marketing messaging.

With more than 18 years of industry knowledge and experience, Turkay comes to Playa Largo Resort from the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris where she served as the pre-opening and opening Director of Sales & Marketing. In in its second year of operation the hotel earned the Marriott Premium Distinctive Hotel of the Year award and F& B Excellence Award from Concord Hospitality. In 2019 Turkay also earned the Regale Award for Leadership Excellence.

Throughout her career, Turkay has held various leadership and sales positions at properties and brands ranging from the Buffalo Niagara Marriott in New York to Westin Washington D.C. City Center to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport, and more.

Turkay is a graduate of Indiana University, and holds a B.A. in Telecommunications with a concentration in Design and Production.
Press Release

30 August 2021

Twelve inspiring individuals have been selected from over 314,000 applicants from around the world to Live Anywhere on Airbnb for approximately one year. The final 12 participants, all with diverse backgrounds from 9 countries, share an adventurous spirit and the desire to help shape the future of flexible living. Participants will share their experiences with us along the way to help inform future product upgrades and innovations on the platform to better accommodate nomadic living.

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Participants will be given the unique opportunity to choose their own adventure for the next 10 months  whether thats staying close and rediscovering their hometown or criss-crossing the globe.* Hailing from places all over the world, including Argentina, Canada, UK, France, United States, Russia, Singapore, and South Africa, the participants have a diverse range of backgrounds and unique perspectives to share.

From a staycationer pursuing a masters program to empty nesters embracing the nomadic lifestyle, young families looking for new cultural experiences, a multi-generational family passionate about accessibility advocacy, entrepreneurs, a medical researcher, a world cyclist, and more, these individuals will be instrumental in helping pave the way for the future of travel and living on Airbnb.

Without further ado, lets meet the 12 individuals who will be living in listings on Airbnb for the next year**.

Ben and Peta from France and South Africa

With a passion for sustainable travel and art, and respective roots in South Africa and France, Ben & Peta have been nomads for the last 14 years after raising their four sons in Chicago. They are hoping to explore developing countries and towns off the beaten path around the world to further Bens eco-focused work and glean inspiration for Petas artistic pursuits.

Ben and Peta from France and South Africa  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Colin and Meg from Malaysia and South Carolina

A multidisciplinary creative, Colin has immersed himself in many arts  from design to filmmaking to songwriting  and draws inspiration from the people and cultures around him. Thats why Colin, his wife Meg, and their two daughters will be making the most of this experience to soak in all the world has to offer (including visiting his home country of Malaysia) and teach the next generation of their family what it means to be a global citizen.

Colin and Meg from Malaysia and South Carolina  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Hendric from Singapore

Co-founder of travel content creator community The Travel Intern, Hendric is planning to travel around Asia and Europe, demonstrating the benefits of working remotely for businesses around the world. Hell capture content and share his experiences on The Travel Intern along the way.

Hendric from Singapore  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

James B. from UK

Freelance Deaf artist, actor, activist and content creatorJames is all about breaking the mold  after all, he is the first Deaf man to secure a place at the Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. When he starts drama school as an undergraduate at RADA this fall, hell do so while living more flexibly in Airbnbs in and around London.

James B. from UK  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

James G. from UK

New dad and surgical doctoral research fellow, James worked on the frontlines during the pandemic and is dedicated to collaborating with international health experts to advance the field of medicine. Over the past year, he co-led the worlds largest scientific collaboration to research COVID-19s impacts on healthcare systems. He will be traveling with his fiance Steph and his baby Rupert to six continents to learn more about how surgery is done worldwide while also making the most of living nomadically with a baby.

James G. from UK  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Jonathan from Canada

An adventure lifestyle advocate who has cycled around the world passing through 40 countries on three continents, Jonathan is always on the lookout for new stories to tell . Along with his girlfriend Gabrielle, Jonathan will continue his travels at a slower pace while embarking on his next adventure: writing his second book.

Jonathan from Canada  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Lindsey from Maryland

Multigenerational travelers Lindsey, her mother, and teen daughter Anna, are accessibility advocates who are on a mission to empower and inspire others by showing that the magic of travel should be accessible to all. Anna, who uses a wheelchair, has experience in roadschooling since 2015. This program is their chance to continue their travels and motivate people everywhere to do amazing things, take risks and get involved.

Lindsey from Maryland  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Maria from Argentina

With her children grown up and out of the house, Maria is a journalist who is making the most of her newfound free time and flexibility. Shell embark on the solo adventure shes always dreamed of, while continuing to pursue her creative passions along the way.

Maria from Argentina  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Marquita from New York

A self-proclaimed Jill of many media trades,Marquita is a seasoned journalist who has turned her passion for people, creativity and uncovering stories in overlooked places into a successful freelance career. Shell take advantage of the flexibility that writing and editing offer to travel solo around the world (and write about her experiences along the way!).

Marquita from New York  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Stephanie from Tennessee

An Airbnb Superhost herself, Stephanie is a dedicated world traveler  she and her husband Peter have been to nearly 50 countries together. While shes no stranger to Airbnb, shes never had the opportunity to experience long-term travel on the platform, so this fall she, Peter and their two year old son will embark on their greatest adventure as a family, all while continuing their Hosting journey.

Stephanie from Tennessee  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Victoria from Russia

A global-minded citizen of the world, Victoria will join other students around the globe in remote learning when she hits the road this fall and starts her Masters degree studies in Chinese Public Policy at Peking University while living in listings on Airbnb.

Victoria from Russia  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Will and Steven from France

Adventurous duo and digital nomads Will and Steven have been traveling for the past 10 years while educating themselves about sustainability. They plan to use this long-term travel opportunity to learn more about eco-friendly practices across the globe and get inspiration for their own entrepreneurial dreams.

Will and Steven from France  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

Throughout the program, participants will provide ongoing structured video check-ins and share written diaries to relay experiences and learnings. These insights could help shape the future of long-term stays on Airbnb, including product changes and resources that would improve the long-term living experience, identifying ideal accommodations for specific group types (e.g., families), and a better understanding of the benefits of Hosting while traveling.

Stay tuned here to follow along on their global adventures and hear about the experiences and insights they gather along the way. Who knows  you might be inspired to try out the nomadic life yourself!

*This press release encourages safe and responsible travel. Local and international travel requirements, as well as health guidelines, continue to change quickly. Check local restrictions at home and in your destination before booking a trip on Airbnb.

**The program is 12 consecutive months from July 2021 to July 2022, 10 of which will include traveling to and living in listings on Airbnb.
Press Release

30 August 2021

Atlanta, GA  The RADCO Companies (RADCO), one of the nations leading opportunistic real estate developers, announced the acquisition of the 174-room, full-service DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Roswell hotel in Roswell, GA for $13.75 million from a real estate fund divesting of hospitality assets.

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The seven-story property was constructed in 1985 and consists of 76 double-double and 98 king rooms, 7,800 SF of meeting space, a full-service restaurant and bar, fitness center, mini market and outdoor pool. RADCO plans to modernize and upgrade the hotel, similar to the capital improvement strategies the company has applied to previous multifamily acquisitions.

The deal marks the first acquisition by RADCOs new hotel division launched in early 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemics operational and capital markets disruptions in the hospitality sector. The new hotel division expands RADCOs investment capabilities and complements the firms existing multifamily, capital, and third-party management platforms. RADCO is actively seeking out hospitality assets that are in line with the companys overall opportunistic investment strategy, according to CEO Norman Radow.

The RADCO Companies has a 27-year history acquiring and investing in opportunistic real estate across all asset classes. The firms investment strategy targets underperforming assets that offer immediate mark-to-market opportunities, as well as assets requiring capital infusion to add value. RADCO seeks out well-located assets that have limited access to institutional debt or equity capital for a variety of reasons.

We seek to invest in assets with a compelling acquisition story, and RADCOs purchase of the DoubleTree by Hilton in suburban Atlanta employs all of RADCOs investment criteria, representing an attractive opportunity in an excellent location, said Mr. Radow, noting that the move into the hospitality sector is a return to the companys roots.

RADCOs first project in 1994 was the redevelopment of a distressed 53-story Atlanta hotel, office and condominium tower that later became the Four Seasons Hotel. The notable turnaround project put the company on the map and more than 100 successful projects later, RADCO remains a fearless, successful, and flexible leader in the real estate industry.

RADCOs investment plans for the asset include a $6.25 million/$36k per key capital improvement plan largely consisting of upgrades and modernization of the guestrooms and guest bathrooms, common areas, mechanicals, and technology to maintain quality and brand standards.

DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta Roswell offers a prime location adjacent to GA-400, a major thoroughfare serving more than 160,000 cars per day connecting Atlanta and the burgeoning city of Alpharetta, recently named the Technology City of the South and recognized as the number one place to live in the U.S. by Forbes. This corridor is growing rapidly and is home to major employers such as State Farm, Mercedes-Benz, UPS, Kimberly Clark, Verizon and more than 700 tech companies based in Alpharetta. The property is currently the only full-service hotel between The Perimeter and Alpharetta and is walking distance from Kimberly Clarks corporate headquarters.

In addition to demand from business travelers, the property enjoys healthy leisure business as the closest full-service hotel to Downtown Roswell, a popular area for weddings and events.

The hospitality sector in general saw a major decline during the pandemic, resulting in drastically reduced occupancy and average daily rates in this sector.
Press Release

30 August 2021

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) announced today additional steps to increase attendees comfort level at its upcoming meetings. Co-located are the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) North America and the HFTP Annual Convention, September 27-30, 2021 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas USA. In consideration of the ongoing pandemic, health safety guidelines and protocols are in place for the protection of all attendees. This includes a strong-recommendation for attendees to be vaccinated.

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For the adversely-hit hospitality industry, these meetings are critical for industry professionals to share their experiences and strategies face-to-face, and to meet with solution providers with tools to help recovery. These robust measures will safely counter the transmission of COVID-19 and providing a safe space for the industry gathering.

Unlike other major conferences and tradeshows, proof of vaccination will not be required to attend, but there will be many other safety measures implemented, said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, FIH. As a global non-profit organization, HFTP has been entrusted with a leadership position in hospitality. We are a politically agnostic, non-medical organization, but we are suggesting our attendees become vaccinated if possible.

There are many events co-located with us this year in Dallas, said HFTP Global Director Mark Pate, IT Director and Assistant Controller of Highpointe Hotel Corp. All of them are doing their part to kickstart hospitality and they are looking at us for guidance in defining a new normal for face-to-face events.

A non-comprehensive list of safety measures planned for HFTP meetings include:

Daily sanitization of the meeting spaces, exhibit halls and common areas

Social distancing in all meeting spaces

Unique design of the HITEC trade show floor, including 20-foot cross aisles

Face coverings are required

Minimization of touch areas and products for attendees

Two onsite first aid centers and an isolation area in case of illness

Welcome Reception will be in an indoor/outdoor space

All host hotel staff will be masked

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 .
Westworld actress Evan Rachel Wood performed a cover of New Radicals' "You Give What You Get," at Bourbon Room in Hollywood, Saturday night, in response to Marilyn Manson's appearance at Kanye West's latest Donda listening event. Manson has been accused of rape and sexual abuse by numerous women in recent years.

"For my fellow survivors who got slapped in the face this week. I love you. Don't give up," Wood wrote in the caption of a video of her performance.

Mason was invited on stage with DaBaby during the Donda event, seemingly as a statement on cancel culture by West.



Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Wood first publically accused Manson of grooming and sexual abuse back in February.

The name of my abuser is Brian Warner, also known to the world as Marilyn Manson. He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years. I was brainwashed and manipulated into submission. I am done living in fear of retaliation, slander, or blackmail. I am here to expose this dangerous man and call out the many industries that have enabled him, before he ruins any more lives. I stand with the many victims who will no longer be silent."

Check out Wood's cover below.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Evan Rachel Wood (@evanrachelwood)

[Via]
Diners are on the decline again as the delta variant forms a new cloud over Houstons restaurant industry.

In a consumer survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association, 19 percent of respondents said theyve stopped going out to eat in response to the new wave of cases, and 37 percent said they're ordering takeout instead of dining in.

The decline in diners in Houston is not as dramatic as in other cities, according to data from the online reservation platform OpenTable, which shows restaurants in Texas are faring better against prepandemic baselines than those in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Delta-driven cancellations dashing Houston hotels' hopes for an OTC recovery

Still, the decline deals another blow to restaurant operators looking to recover from pandemic tumult.

Aaron Lyons, CEO of Houston restaurant chain Dish Society, says he's noticed sales decline around 20 percent this month over last month. Roughly half of that decline is seasonal, he said, and the other half he attributes to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases.

Through July, we were up substantially over 2019 and that gap has started to narrow quite a bit, Lyons said. I would say the difference is the delta variant.

Houstons post-vaccine restaurant boom was roaring forward heading in early July, according to OpenTable. On July 1, the platforms reservations in Houston were up 50 percent compared to reservations for the same day in 2019. By the end of July, the traffic had slowed considerably, though it was still about 3 percent above prepandemic baselines as of Saturday, July 31.

By the first weekend in August, reservations had dipped below 2019 levels again. Reservations made on the platform last week in Houston were between 10 percent and 15 percent below prepandemic volumes.

Dish Society customers also made a clear shift toward takeout, Lyons said. Around 45 percent of his sales right now are to-go, whereas last month takeout only accounted for around one quarter of his business.

The decline in diners and revenue is concerning, he said, but the silver lining lies in the relief it offers short-staffed restaurants such as Dish Society that have struggled to hire.

Everyone is starting to feel close to adequately staffed with the reduction in business, he said. Thats been one of the only positives to such a sharp decrease in sales: giving our workforce somewhat of a breather.

amanda.drane@chron.com

Twitter.com/amandadrane
Q: If a married couple divorces, how is a 401(k) or 403(b) handled under Texas law?

A: Retirement accounts are divided, with each spouse receiving a portion of each account, but the court is allowed to allocate more to one of the spouses. A number of factors are used to determine how much each spouse gets.

The court will issue an order called a Qualified Domestic Relations Order directing that the account be divided according to the divorce decree.

Q: What are the benefits of naming beneficiaries as payable on death (POD) for ones checking and savings accounts? Why dont banks let customers know they can do this and explain the process on their websites?

A: The main advantage is that the POD beneficiaries are able to claim the money after your death without probate, and with minimal delay. Probate might still be needed for other assets, but the payable on death beneficiaries will likely have their money in hand long before the probate is completed.

On HoustonChronicle.com: More columns from Ronald Lipman

Another advantage is that you can change your beneficiaries as often as you want without having to pay a lawyer to change your will.

Banks focus on getting you to open accounts, apply for credit cards, take out mortgages and handle online banking on their websites. Explaining the various options that are available when setting up an account is a minor detail they can handle once they get you in the door.

Q: Ive lost my Texas driver license, and I have no idea how to get a replacement. What is the easiest way to get a new one?

A: You can order a replacement online for $11. Go to www.dps.texas.gov, click on Driver Licenses & IDs, then on Online Options, and then on Replace a Driver License, which can be found on the right side of the screen.

Q: My husband and I purchased tickets in July 2019 for the Track and Field Olympic Trials. We were informed that the trials were going to be spectator limited, so we opted for a full refund. The University of Oregon was handling the refunds, but as of last week, we still havent received our refund. Ive sent countless emails with no responses. What recourse do I have?

A: You need to keep waiting.

I found an article from a few weeks ago saying you are among 3,500 people who opted for a refund, all of which are being processed manually.

Keep calling the Oregon Ducks ticket office every few weeks until you get your money.

The information in this column is intended to provide a general understanding of the law, not legal advice. Readers with legal problems, including those whose questions are addressed here, should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances. Ronald Lipman of the Houston law firm Lipman & Associates is board-certified in estate planning and probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Email questions to stateyourcase@lipmanpc.com.
A subsidiary of Elon Musk's Tesla Inc., applied in mid-August to become an electricity retail provider on the Texas power market, according to filings with the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

While its application to the PUC did not include many specifics, the new subsidiary, Texas Energy Ventures, said it has about $1 million in assets as of mid-August and that it aims to sell renewable energy credits. Generators create one renewable energy credit when they put one megawatt hour of electricity onto the grid from a renewable energy source, which is enough electricity to power about 200 homes on a hot summer day.

Tesla Energy Ventures noted it already generates its own renewable energy credits in the state thanks to its existing solar infrastructure.

If approved, the new venture would expand Tesla's reach in Texas after founder Musk moved the company here in late 2020. Already, Musk's business empire has transformed Boca Chica, near South Padre Island, from a sleepy island town to a hub for launching spacecraft; is building utility-scale batteries near Katy and Austin; and broke ground on an electric vehicle factory near Austin, among other things.

Its brand recognition and existing customer base could give the company a leg up on its dozens of competitors in Texas' crowded electric retail market, which now has more than 100 companies vying to provide rate payers with power.

That market could change dramatically in the coming months. The PUC and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the state's power grid, announced in July that the agencies would work to overhaul Texas' power market and present a blueprint for the new model before the end of the year.

The coming changes stem from the freeze and subsequent blackouts in February, that led to the deaths of more than 100 across the state and left millions without heat or lights during sub-freezing temperatures. Gov. Greg Abbott in June ordered the PUC and ERCOT to look for ways to improve the power system.

On Thursday, the PUC held a workshop with ERCOT officials, power retailers, electricity generators, municipal power agencies and large-scale power consumers to discuss potential changes. Among the most pressing issues, PUC commissioners said, was making sure there was reliable power throughout the state.

What remains to be determined is how improvements would be funded.

"Somebodys got to pay for all of this," said PUC Chairman Peter Lake.

Ed Hirs, an energy fellow at the University of Houston, said power retailers and generators will likely pass those increased costs onto rate payers.

"We can distill it all down to one thing: To get a reliable grid, were going to have to spend some money," Hirs said. "And were going to have to do it quickly."

Texas Monthly first broke the news that Tesla was seeking to enter the power market.
Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

WASHINGTON  Wind turbine construction hit a new record last year, with the largest share of growth coming in Texas.

In 2020 almost 17,000 megawatts of onshore wind turbines were built in the United States, the largest amount since 2012, according to a report from the Department of Energy.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III declared global warming an existential threat to U.S. national security at a White House climate summit earlier this year. Using language normally applied to conventional adversaries like China and Russia, Austin described the climate crisis as a profoundly destabilizing force for our world, generating widespread havoc and bloodshed.

If we take his assessment at his word, the Department of Defense will have to mobilize its capabilities as if preparing for a major war  altering its priorities and operations and hardening its military bases against extreme climate effects.

This will prove no easy task. The Pentagon is the nations leading institutional consumer of fossil fuels and the single largest institutional producer of greenhouse gases in the world. In 2020, for example, the U.S. armed forces were responsible for approximately 52 million metric tons in carbon dioxide emissions  more than Norway, Sweden and Switzerland emitted.

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Clearly, the U.S. cannot reduce its national greenhouse gas emissions rapidly without a sustained drive by the Pentagon to abandon carbon-based fuels in favor of renewable energy. Of course, the technologies it must develop to achieve such advances would have widespread application to the civilian economy as well.

The benefits to Americas future  and the worlds  would be broad. But it all depends on whether the Pentagon leadership is serious about treating climate change as an existential threat and acting accordingly.

Only in recent years has the military begun to consider climate change in its operations  focusing on how this crisis affects its bases, since some of its major coastal installations are under threat from rising seas, severe storms and persistent flooding.

In recognition of these perils, the Defense Department finally identified global warming as a national security concern in 2010. Climate change, its Quadrennial Defense Review stated, could have significant geopolitical impacts around the world, while also jeopardizing the utility of key bases at home.

That year, for the first time, the department adopted specific objectives for wide reductions in fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Under its Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan for 2010, the department pledged to reduce petroleum use by its nontactical vehicle fleets by 30 percent by 2020 relative to 2005. The plan also included the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions at U.S. military installations and their energy suppliers by 34 percent relative to 2008.

Over the next 10 years, the department made impressive efforts to fulfill these objectives, replacing 44 percent of its petroleum-fueled vehicles with hybrids and all-electric cars and building massive solar arrays to generate electricity for its bases. In 2020, the Pentagon stated it reduced petroleum use by 41 percent relative to 2005 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent relative to 2008.

But, crucially, these targets did not apply to ships, aircraft and combat vehicles  almost all of which continue to be powered by petroleum and remain a major source of greenhouse gases. Jet fuel for military planes is a huge emitter. A B-2 bomber, for example, uses 4.2 gallons of fuel to travel just one nautical mile; a single air mission puts hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox

During Donald Trumps presidency, talk of climate change largely disappeared from official Pentagon statements and the sense of urgency in resisting it seemed to dissipate as senior officers began to emphasize the growing threats from China and Russia. Now, with Joe Biden in the White House and Austin at the Pentagon, climate change has again been identified as a major security threat, one that requires a full-scale response.

However, the Pentagon has yet to outline specific actions or objectives that would include far greater reductions in fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions than its 2010 sustainability plan included. If climate change poses an existential threat, it is imperative that these goals be extended to tactical as well as nontactical military vehicles. Additionally, all U.S. military installations should be required to obtain all of their primary energy from renewable sources by 2035.

Mobilization on this scale would require a major allocation of Defense funds and resources. This is not beyond the Pentagons capabilities, given that it was able to reduce its petroleum consumption and greenhouse gas emissions between 2010 and 2020.

With access to the worlds largest research budget, the department and its top scientists have the capacity to create the technologies needed to achieve major breakthroughs in green energy and transportation  technologies that could be adopted broadly.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, known as DARPA, could take the lead. The agency has helped develop advancements such as GPS, the internet and artificial intelligence. It recently began a program called Reefense to use reefs, natural features and engineered structures to protect 1,700 department-managed military facilities that are threatened by sea level rise and coastal flooding from increased storms and wave action.

The Defense Department now needs to go beyond preparing for the consequences of climate change to being a leader in developing broad-based technologies to reduce global warming. It has the financial resources and scientific expertise to take on this challenge. Now the order must be given.

Michael Klare is professor emeritus of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College and the author of All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagons Perspective on Climate Change.
Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmonss Texas roots run deep.

Born in Grapeland, Simmons moved to Houstons Fifth Ward with her family when she was a child. Having received a bachelors degree from Dillard University in New Orleans before receiving her masters and doctorate in Romance languages and literatures from Harvard University, Simmons was named president of Smith College in 1995.

Six years later, she became the first Black president of an Ivy League institution when she started her 11-year tenure as president of Brown University.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Prairie View A&M University gets $50M from MacKenzie Scott, largest in its history

Simmons was appointed president of Prairie View A&M in 2017. Last December, Prairie View, one of the countrys historically black colleges and universities, announced that it received a $50 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

The interview was edited for length and clarity.

Q: Whats Prairie View A&Ms primary mission right now?

A: Our first commitment is to make sure our students are well informed so that they can use their intellectual facets that will be important to them to lead productive lives. Prairie View, for example, is very strong in engineering at a time when there are so few Blacks in engineering. We take our mission to serve our community to heart, whether its something like nursing - it is so important to Texas to have qualified nurses.

But, culturally, HBCUs cant be held harmless from the work we have to do in this country. If I appoint someone, I cant simply say, That person has to be an African American. What sense does that make? We have to teach our students that, just because were long-suffering, thats not the way it should work. We do the same things here that we should be doing everywhere to emerge from a history of bigotry and a history of denying opportunity. We have to fight for anti-racist people.

Q: How do you think the African-American college experience has progressed?

A: Its a mixed picture. When I decided to go to college, getting into most colleges wasnt an option for me. Weve come all the way from that reality - where the presumption was, if you were Black, you shouldnt aspire to go to a major university - to a place where the average African American knows they have the option to apply to a diversity of institutions. Overturning that presumption is a powerful one.

But lets look at the practicality of African Americans in those institutions. The first phase meant the presumption that the doors would be open to a select few, but they had an obligation to fall in line and accept things as they were. That was the flavor of those early days. Institutions would make little effort to try to examine themselves about whether or not people coming in would have as a fair chance at an equal education. That was the first wave, and a lot of that had to be deconstructed by protests, and those really challenged universities. Some were violent and very aggressive, and it took a fair degree of mediation from universities to settle things down. So youd find integration of staff and faculty as a consequence of these demonstrations, not as a consequence of self-examination.

That continued through the 1980s. Then, you had post-civil-rights babies entering universities who had different expectations. They came to college expecting everything to be equal, but they found a lot of reasons to think these institutions were still profoundly racist, and they began to call that out. Now, youve got a very fervent group of young people who are identifying those problems.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas A&M, Prairie View A&M form grad school exchange program

Theres no question that theres been progress, but if you ask yourself today whether we can relax and say, job well-done, its not. We still have a good deal of work to do.

Q: How important is it for you to improve Prairie View A&Ms graduation rate?

A: Its important for students to graduate. Were a credentialed culture. At the same time, there are a number of factors that we keep in mind. Every year that youre in college, your prospects for a successful life increase. So our aim is to keep students enrolled as long as possible. We serve a population thats often first-generation (college students) that are doing all kinds of things at the same time that theyre going to college. Some people pack up and have the amazing four years where all they have to do is live on campus, finish their studies and graduate in four years. Thats a lovely thing, but there are people who dont have that.

Our students are often dealing with intense pressures, including financial pressures their parents face. Theyre going through college on a shoestring, and one day, they say, I cant make it work anymore. If you go to Princeton, theyll make it work, but for those of us who dont have that kind of endowment, its difficult. Thats the issue at must HBCUs.

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Q: So how do you address those difficulties?

A: We have two fundamental priorities. One is the quality of instruction. The second is the quality of support we offer our students. Every spare resource we get, we put into financial aid. When we received $50 million from MacKenzie Scott, the first thing we did was put $10 million into financial aid to help students get through the pandemic. I didnt have a dime to go to college, yet the provision of a scholarship for me to allow me to focus on my studies made all the difference in the world. Thats what I want for our students, and I say to those who make it through that your obligation is to reach back and help others make it through. You have to restock the pool.

We also suggest other options to save money, like starting in a community college and transferring into a university. Some people are offended by that, but one of the best ways to make college affordable is (taking) the first two years of general-assignment classes (at a community college). When you go into your major, thats where you want to invest those resources (at a university).

Q: How do you get your message across?

A: Weve invested a lot more in advising and financial-aid counseling. We remodeled a building to put everything conceivable thing that a student would need in that single building so that they wouldnt have to run around. How is a student or parent who has no experience with any of this be able to sort things out with the loans, course sequence, academic adviser? Its pretty daunting. Were trying to make it friendlier.

All of those things drive the graduation rate. The big gap were dealing with in earnings and wealth-accumulation between Blacks and others is a consequence. We need to have people earn more money and pass assets down to their children, so that they start out on better footing. You can do that if you persist and stay on track.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Prairie View A&M to get $70M for new engineering building

People are very impressed that a Brown or a Princeton has a 99 percent graduation rate, but you really shouldnt be impressed. As an adviser when I was at Princeton, if I was aware of a student having difficulties, I blanketed that student with attention. Its virtually impossible to fail in those institutions because youre watched constantly.

Q: How big is Prairie View A&Ms endowment?

A: Its small. I felt absolutely compelled to put as much of MacKenzie Scotts gift into the endowment as possible. My hope is that we can get the endowment up to $200 million, which is still modest, but it would put us at the top of the range of HBCUs. Im trying to encourage the habit of thinking more of whats good for the long-term health of the university and thinking less about what I call curlicues - nice things to do in the moment, but once theyre gone, theyre gone. Universities are full of stuff that we dont need to do. Universities are going to be the most important sector for this country going forward.

Q: How do you mean?

A: We have the ability in this country to go off the rails. We have so much freedom, and that can take us over the edge. Whats going to bring us back from going over the edge is universities. If you look at the leadership of the country and the people HBCUs are producing - imagine what this country would be like with no HBCUs? Thered be no civil-rights movement. So preserving the capacity of these institutions to build intellectual capital is enormously important.

Im very hard on alums. I remember saying to an alum who was driving an S500 Mercedes, You can drive a much less expensive but nice car, and give more money to Prairie. Theres nothing wrong with saying that. Im also building up a campaign that can torture people and say, Dont come around me wearing Louboutin shoes if you havent contributed.

Everything we invest in students has immense returns for us and the country.

Q: Have events like the Black Lives Matter movement or HBCU graduate Kamala Harriss election as vice president impacted student applications and donations?

A: We saw a tremendous jump (in applications) before COVID, but right now, its hard to tell whats happening. In terms of donations, its a different world entirely. There are so many well-meaning individuals whove come forward. Theres no question were in a particular window, but that window is probably going to close.

How much can we imprint on the consciousness of the nation in this moment to make certain that these institutions continue to be supported? I would also turn it around and say that we are neither flawless in our approach nor impervious that we need improvement. The help we get is dependent on how well we tell our story. Im trying to tell our story in a way that draws people in and doesnt shut people out.
His traditional physicians white coat meant something to Dr. Paul Klotman before the COVID-19 pandemic: respect, authority and an air of cleanliness.

But during this years annual White Coat Ceremony for Baylor College of Medicines class of 2025, Klotman, the colleges president and CEO, told incoming medical students that the long, cotton-polyester blend garment now holds a new meaning.

When he donned that coat for the first time, it scared the hell out of him. Back in 1974, medical students like Klotman trained for two years in the classroom before starting their clinical rotations and receiving their white coat. These days, students receive the coat at the beginning of medical school as a ceremonial welcoming to the start of their new life as a physician

On HoustonChronicle.com: Medical school applications are up in Houston. But why?

I was afraid. Its one thing to be in college and you go to a classroom setting  its pretty comfortable, Klotman said. But then youre suddenly, for the first time, having clinical responsibilities. People start looking at you differently when you wear it. It definitely imparts the whole profession.

The white coat is iconic and recognizable. But doctors didnt always wear them, said Dr. Alicia Monroe, provost and senior vice president of academic and faculty affairs at the medical school and research institution.

In the 19th century, doctors wore black because it was considered formal. Patient interactions were typically with wealthy or important people, so black attire was necessary for physicians to appear serious, Monroe said.

Also, science had not caught up with medicine at that time. As recently as the late 1800s, seeing a doctor rarely benefited a patient because there were few science-driven treatments that could help a person overcome their illness or affliction, she said.

Once we got into the 1900s, there were scientists and physicians who worked in laboratories and wore coats, Monroe said. Initially, they were tan and then went to white.

The professional identity of a doctor and the white coat evolved along with the profession itself.

In 1910, the Flexner Report was released, leading to a major restructuring of medical schools and research universities. The document, written by science administrator and politician Abraham Flexner, detailed how health care and psychiatric treatment would benefit by incorporating biomedicine and scientific experimentation.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Women now outnumber men in med school. And studies show thats good for patients.

At that point, doctors began looking more like scientists.

The white coat was a symbol of respect and a symbol of medical authority, Monroe said. It established the mindset that the physician-patient relationship was a beneficial thing. The white coat symbolized authority, but also care, comfort and a listening ear while providing life-saving treatment.

Color psychology, the study of hues as they affect human behavior, describes white as a color that represents purity and innocence. Traditionally, brides wear white to symbolize these two ideals.

White also creates a sense of sterility. Monroe said doctors wear the coat, and it naturally puts the patient more at ease because they know theyre in clean, sterile hands.

In 1993, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to make health care workers more compassionate and collaborative, held the first ever white coat ceremony for incoming medical students.

The ceremony is a milestone for young people who have long aspired to be physicians, Monroe said. The coat kicks off a new chapter in a doctors life and changes her in different ways.

What it means to be a physician  ethically, morally, interpersonally  the white coat is a companion of what theyre learning in the classroom, she said.

Days before her own white coat ceremony, Ana Rivera was a bundle of excitement. The 23-year-old El Pasoan remarked how quickly everything changed in her life since the start of the pandemic.

Rivera didnt have health insurance growing up, and neither did her parents. The family traveled to Mexico for health care when necessary, which is typical for many who live in border towns.

I think I had general checkups, but they werent too common and almost never with the same physician. I never really established a primary care physician relationship, she said. What pushed me into medicine were influences in my life who cared about their community. My great-grandfather in Mexico was the town medic, and stories about him inspired me.

On HoustonChronicle.com: UH College of Medicine hosts first White Coat Ceremony after COVID dampened inaugural celebration

Rivera graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in biology. Years before SARS-CoV-2 had infected its first patient, she was interested in studying infectious diseases in medical school.

More than anything, she wants to be in a field that prioritizes patient interaction and chronic long-term care. Between Baylor and another Texas medical school, Rivera feels grateful to have landed in Houston for training.

A week before the ceremony, Rivera was mailed her white coat. She was told to bring it folded neatly over her arm to the stage, hand it to a doctor and wait for the words: You may now don your white coat.

Dr. M. Tyson Pillow, an associate professor who gave the ceremonys faculty address, said that the white coat has a beautiful weight to it, one that signifies the beginning of a wonderful journey.

We accept the weight of the pandemic or anything else that comes along, and this is one of the symbols of that transition, Pillow told the new class. How do we bring the weight of empathy into everything we do? You will find that out along the way.

julie.garcia@chron.com

Twitter.com/reporterjulie

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When former Houstonian Emily Bolon got the opportunity to open a cafe on Gotland, the Swedish island where she recently put down roots, she knew immediately she wanted to make it Texas themed.

I wake up every day grateful to be in Sweden, its a really great place to live, she said. But theres not a day that goes by that I dont actively miss Texas.

Here & Now opened in July. It serves breakfast tacos, American-style baked goods and coffee worthy of Swedish fika culture  the coffee and snack break thats a tradition in the northern European country.

On a recent summer afternoon, with Robert Earl Keen playing in the background, Bolon showed off the space she renovated from top to bottom. There are prints from Texas artists on the walls; books about philosophy, religion, world history and more lining shelves; Texas products (greeting cards, hot sauce) for sale; and a patio.

To put it in terms Houstonians can understand, Bolon describes Here & Now as if Blacksmith and Tacodeli had a baby.

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Bolon, 42, is originally from Connecticut but traveled a lot in her 20s and 30s, spending more than a decade in Europe  Prague, London, Italy  as well as a brief stint in Brazil. Swedish is the sixth foreign language shes learned.

Bolon moved to Houston in 2011 for a job in BPs alternative energy division. She says Texas was love at first sight for her. She lived in the Heights and quickly became involved in the community, volunteering with Springs Tejas Heritage Farm at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market and enrolling in Leadership Houston. She became a negotiation professor at the University of Houston and later worked as a negotiation expert for major companies around the world.

Life was sailing along, but one day, Bolon got pregnant accidentally. She decided to raise her daughter, now 5 years old, on her own. Sweden is known for being a great place to have a family and a career, she said. She was offered an opportunity at H&Ms head office in Stockholm, after having worked with the company as a negotiator, as their head of dealmaking and partnerships.

When the COVID-19 pandemic started and she was allowed to work remotely, Bolon rented a cottage on a Gotland farm.

The large island, off the southeastern coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea, is a three-hour ferry ride or 30-minute flight from the mainland. Fewer than 60,000 people live there, but the population swells during the peak summer season.

Many artists moved to Gotland starting in the 1970s; Bolon says there is a unique quality of light on the island thats attractive to creatives. Former city dwellers come here for a slower pace of life, and wealthy Stockholmers have summer homes on the island.

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Gotland is also one of Swedens main agricultural regions, so many of Bolons neighbors are farmers. There is a rich lamb-raising and cattle-ranching tradition, which reminded her of Texas. She says its not the only similarity Gotland has with the state.

You know that expression in Texas: I wasnt born here but I got here as fast as I could? Theres definitely that vibe going on on Gotland, too, said Bolon, adding that some residents families have lived on the island for generations.

Much of what she missed about Texas, she found on Gotland: the big open spaces, the friendly and unpretentious people. She was instantly drawn to the islands peacefulness, its agricultural traditions and sense of community.

But she also felt the area lacked a gathering place  evidenced when she spent the first two weeks of the pandemic trying, and failing, to find somewhere with high-speed internet and a good cappuccino.

When a store in the village of Havdhem, an hour south of the capital of Visby, went up for sale for $40,000, Bolon jumped on it.

Built in 1969 with bricks from the foundry down the road, the small venue had once been a newspaper stand and a candy shop; Bolon bought it from a woman who was retiring from selling ice cream and sausage out of it.

Located on Havdhems main but desolate street, Here & Now is sandwiched between the town mailbox and the village bus stop, steps away from the one grocery store and a yoga studio owned by a Taiwanese American woman.

The structure hadnt been renovated since the 1960s. Bolon spent a lot of money redoing it from the inside out. She also invested in what she calls the Ferrari of espresso machines, with the aim of serving the best coffee on Gotland.

The baked-good offerings include chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate brownies, Rice Krispie treats and the bestseller, peanut butter sea salt cookies.

But the main attraction at Here & Now, of course, is the breakfast tacos.

When I lived in Texas, I ate approximately three tacos per day for breakfast, said Bolon. In Swedish cafes, breakfast is usually a cold cheese sandwich or a hard-boiled egg. She said tacos were a business need as well as a personal need.

Here & Now serves three kinds: a bean and cheese taco; a potato, egg and cheese taco; and a vegan bean and plantain taco. Her team makes tomatillo-lime and chipotle-tomato salsas fresh every morning, based on recipes from a friend of Bolons who owns a taqueria in Mexico City.

Finding good tortillas in Sweden or Europe is challenging; Bolon spent a lot of time trying to source good versions. As a stopgap, she stocked up on tortillas from Houston general store Henderson & Kane. For the rest, she uses local ingredients as much as possible, and 95 percent of what she sells at the cafe is organic.

Since opening, Here & Now has been a hit with locals and tourists alike because, Bolon says, Texas captures peoples imagination.

emma.balter@chron.com
Nearly two decades after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the Lone Star Flight Museum is opening an original exhibit that will honor the 2,977 people who were killed.

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Never Forget: Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 starts Wednesday, Sept. 1, and will run through Sunday, January 3, 2022, at Ellington Airport in southeast Houston.

The names of the people killed and where they died  the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington or Shanksville, Pa.  cover the exhibits gallery walls. They include first responders who who were killed while running in to save others.

An 11-foot section of a steel I-beam from the World Trade Center will be on display as well. It is on loan from the City of Bellaire, which received it as a donation from the Rubenstein Family Foundation to share the piece of American history with the community. The beam was greatly reshaped by the stress of the towers collapse: one end is completely flared out.

The I-beam brings that into a reality and a context that, I think, helps whoever walks in there really appreciate the tragedy of that day and how significant this was and how these people died, said retired Lt. Gen. Doug Owens, the museums president and CEO. And I think together, that I-beam just complements the names on the wall in such a way that it just makes it all the more powerful.

Bellaire Mayor Andrew Friedberg reflected on the citys opportunity to offer the section to the museum, where many could see and take in some of the experience of that fateful day.

Its hard to believe 20 years have passed since 9/11, but our memories of that tragic day are still with us and those who were lost will never be forgotten, Friedberg said. By this exhibit we honor and remember them, and the City of Bellaire is proud to partner with the Museum and to have been able to contribute to this meaningful endeavor.

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A guest book will allow museum guests to leave their name and a sentiment on 9/11. The book will be donated to the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City once the exhibit closes.

The Never Forget exhibit is presented by the Gary Sinise Foundation. Award-winning actor and humanitarian Gary Sinise established the foundation to benefit the nation through honoring its military, veterans, first responders, their families and others in need.

9/11 occupies pivotal ground at the Gary Sinise Foundation, explained Ricardo Chavira, the foundations associate vice president of marketing and communications, in a news release. While watching the terrorist attacks unfold on television from his home in Los Angeles, Gary Sinise resolved to utilize his good fortune, network and celebrity to support our nations military men and women and our community first responders.

Chavira said the attacks became central to Sinises philanthropic journey and added that the exhibit is essential because it will remind people how critical the nations military is for its safety and security.

The exhibit is included in general admission to the 130,000-square-foot Lone Star Flight Museum. The 501(c)(3) museum celebrates flight and Texas aviation achievements with a flying collection of rare and historic commercial, general aviation and military aircraft. A learning center lets students engage in science, technology, engineering and math activities. Guests can also enjoy a warbird ride and gain hands-on experience in the Aviation Learning Center and Flight Academy.

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First responders and up to three additional guests will receive free admission on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11-12.

School groups and home school groups or families that book a field trip with the museum will be able to see the Never Forget exhibit at no additional charge. Public programs will include age-appropriate curriculum for Pre-K through 12th grade students that highlight first responders, the military and other topics.

Owens said 9/11 was a significant event just like the attack on Pearl Harbor and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy where people who were alive then will never forget where they were or what they were doing when they first heard the news.

This year is not just the 20th 9/11 anniversary. Dec. 7 will also mark the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

Owens wants Americans to remember what happened 20 years ago and its lasting impact because he says nations that lose sight of history are inclined to repeat it. Formerly career Air Force, he said the exhibit means even more to him, particularly considering the current turmoil in Afghanistan.

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Its important for Americans to appreciate that we can be vulnerable and that due diligence and strength of our nation, both in terms of leadership in the military and our population and strength, it wards off evil or can ward off evil and help protect us, Owens said. And when you dont, when you forget that and when you dont remember those things, then youll let your guard down.

The Lone Star Flight Museum is located at 11551 Aerospace Ave. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are from $10 for children 4 to 11 years (3 years and under are free); $13 for youth 12 to 17 years; and $15 for adults. Senior and military discounts and memberships are available. For more information, visit lonestarflight.org.

tracy.maness@hcnonline.com
Tomball ISDs Connections Academy received recognition from the Texas Education Agency for restorative discipline practices, earning the Experienced designation on the RDP Fidelity Continuum Scale.

Tomball ISD was commended for using restorative practices such as restorative language, classroom respect agreements, circles and affective statements, according to a Tomball ISD press release.
CHICAGO (AP)  An Illinois judge on Monday reversed a decision to bar a divorced mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she isn't vaccinated against COVID-19.

Rebecca Firlits lawyer had said the judge, not Firlits ex-husband, raised the issue during an Aug. 10 child support hearing. They have been divorced for seven years and share custody of the boy, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday, in what it called one of the first such rulings of its kind.

Cook County Judge James Shapiro asked the 39-year-old mother during the online hearing if she was vaccinated. When she said no, the judge withdrew her rights to see the boy until she gets vaccinated.

I was confused because it was just supposed to be about expenses and child support, the desk clerk from Chicago told the Sun-Times. I asked him what it had to do with the hearing, and he said, I am the judge, and I make the decisions for your case.

On Monday, Shapiro issued an order that vacated the early August decision, though the filing offered no explanation for the change of heart, according to the Sun-Times.

Firlit previously told the newspaper that she has had adverse reactions to vaccinations in the past and that her doctor had advised her not to get a COVID-19 shot. The newspaper didn't say if Firlit told the judge about her past problems with vaccinations. Firlit said she spoke publicly because the judge seemed to overstep his authority.

When the Sun-Times reached Firlit Monday after the new order, she said: Im extremely happy, Im going to see my son right now.

The boys father, Matthew Duiven, is vaccinated. His lawyer, Jeffrey Leving, said Monday the court's order reversing the Aug. 10 decision was a mistake.

I am working on an emergency motion right now to fight it, Leving said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan late Monday, ending Americas longest war and closing a chapter in military history likely to be remembered for colossal failures, unfulfilled promises and a frantic final exit that cost the lives of more than 180 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members, some barely older than the war.

Hours ahead of President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline for shutting down a final airlift, and thus ending the U.S. war, Air Force transport planes carried a remaining contingent of troops from Kabul airport. Thousands of troops had spent a harrowing two weeks protecting the airlift of tens of thousands of Afghans, Americans and others seeking to escape a country once again ruled by Taliban militants.

In announcing the completion of the evacuation and war effort. Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said the last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. Washington time, or one minute before midnight in Kabul. He said a number of American citizens, likely numbering in the very low hundreds, were left behind, and that he believes they will still be able to leave the country.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken put the number of Americans left behind at under 200, likely closer to 100, and said the State Department would keep working to get them out. He praised the military-led evacuation as heroic and historic and said the U.S. diplomatic presence would shift to Doha, Qatar.

Now Playing: The United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan late Monday, ending America's longest war and closing a important chapter in U.S. military history. (Aug. 30) Video: Associated Press

Biden said military commanders unanimously favored ending the airlift, not extending it. He said he asked Blinken to coordinate with international partners in holding the Taliban to their promise of safe passage for Americans and others who want to leave in the days ahead.

The airport had become a U.S.-controlled island, a last stand in a 20-year war that claimed more than 2,400 American lives.

The closing hours of the evacuation were marked by extraordinary drama. American troops faced the daunting task of getting final evacuees onto planes while also getting themselves and some of their equipment out, even as they monitored repeated threats  and at least two actual attacks  by the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate. A suicide bombing on Aug. 26 killed 13 American service members and some 169 Afghans. More died in various incidents during the airport evacuation.

The final pullout fulfilled Biden's pledge to end what he called a forever war that began in response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and rural Pennsylvania. His decision, announced in April, reflected a national weariness of the Afghanistan conflict. Now he faces criticism at home and abroad, not so much for ending the war as for his handling of a final evacuation that unfolded in chaos and raised doubts about U.S. credibility.

Now Playing: The United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan late Monday, ending America's longest war after a frantic final exit from Kabul airport where suicide bombings near an entry gate killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops. (August 30) Video: Associated Press

The U.S. war effort at times seemed to grind on with no endgame in mind, little hope for victory and minimal care by Congress for the way tens of billions of dollars were spent for two decades. The human cost piled up  tens of thousands of Americans injured in addition to the dead.

More than 1,100 troops from coalition countries and more than 100,000 Afghan forces and civilians died, according to Brown Universitys Costs of War project.

In Biden's view the war could have ended 10 years ago with the U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden, whose al-Qaida extremist network planned and executed the 9/11 plot from an Afghanistan sanctuary. Al-Qaida has been vastly diminished, preventing it thus far from again attacking the United States.

Congressional committees, whose interest in the war waned over the years, are expected to hold public hearings on what went wrong in the final months of the U.S. withdrawal. Why, for example, did the administration not begin earlier the evacuation of American citizens as well as Afghans who had helped the U.S. war effort and felt vulnerable to retribution by the Taliban?

It was not supposed to end this way. The administration's plan, after declaring its intention to withdraw all combat troops, was to keep the U.S. Embassy in Kabul open, protected by a force of about 650 U.S. troops, including a contingent that would secure the airport along with partner countries. Washington planned to give the now-defunct Afghan government billions more to prop up its army.

Biden now faces doubts about his plan to prevent al-Qaida from regenerating in Afghanistan and of suppressing threats posed by other extremist groups such as the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate. The Taliban are enemies of the Islamic State group but retain links to a diminished al-Qaida.

The final U.S. exit included the withdrawal of its diplomats, although the State Department has left open the possibility of resuming some level of diplomacy with the Taliban depending on how they conduct themselves in establishing a government and adhering to international pleas for the protection of human rights.

The speed with which the Taliban captured Kabul on Aug. 15 caught the Biden administration by surprise. It forced the U.S. to empty its embassy and frantically accelerate an evacuation effort that featured an extraordinary airlift executed mainly by the U.S. Air Force, with American ground forces protecting the airfield. The airlift began in such chaos that a number of Afghans died on the airfield, including at least one who attempted to cling to the airframe of a C-17 transport plane as it sped down the runway.

By the evacuation's conclusion, well over 100,000 people, mostly Afghans, had been flown to safety. The dangers of carrying out such a mission came into tragic focus last week when the suicide bomber struck outside an airport gate.

Speaking shortly after that attack, Biden stuck to his view that ending the war was the right move. He said it was past time for the United States to focus on threats emanating from elsewhere in the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, he said, it was time to end a 20-year war.

The war's start was an echo of a promise President George W. Bush made while standing atop of the rubble in New York City three days after hijacked airliners slammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

The people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon! he declared through a bullhorn.

Less than a month later, on Oct. 7, Bush launched the war. The Taliban's forces were overwhelmed and Kabul fell in a matter of weeks. A U.S.-installed government led by Hamid Karzai took over and bin Laden and his al-Qaida cohort escaped across the border into Pakistan.

The initial plan was to extinguish bin Ladens al-Qaida, which had used Afghanistan as a staging base for its attack on the United States. The grander ambition was to fight a Global War on Terrorism based on the belief that military force could somehow defeat Islamic extremism. Afghanistan was but the first round of that fight. Bush chose to make Iraq the next, invading in 2003 and getting mired in an even deadlier conflict that made Afghanistan a secondary priority until Barack Obama assumed the White House in 2009 and later that year decided to escalate in Afghanistan.

Obama pushed U.S. troop levels to 100,000, but the war dragged on though bin Laden was killed in Pakistan in 2011.

When Donald Trump entered the White House in 2017 he wanted to withdraw from Afghanistan but was persuaded not only to stay but to add several thousand U.S. troops and escalate attacks on the Taliban. Two years later his administration was looking for a deal with the Taliban, and in February 2020 the two sides signed an agreement that called for a complete U.S. withdrawal by May 2021. In exchange, the Taliban made a number of promises including a pledge not to attack U.S. troops.

Biden weighed advice from members of his national security team who argued for retaining the 2,500 troops who were in Afghanistan by the time he took office in January. But in mid-April he announced his decision to fully withdraw.

The Taliban pushed an offensive that by early August toppled key cities, including provincial capitals. The Afghan army largely collapsed, sometimes surrendering rather than taking a final stand, and shortly after President Ashraf Ghani fled the capital, the Taliban rolled into Kabul and assumed control on Aug. 15.

Some parts of the country modernized during the U.S. war years, and life for many Afghans, especially women and girls, improved measurably. But Afghanistan remains a tragedy, poor, unstable and with many of its people fearing a return to the brutality the country endured when the Taliban ruled from 1996 to 2001.

The U.S. failures were numerous. It degraded but never defeated the Taliban and ultimately failed to build an Afghan military that could hold off the insurgents, despite $83 billion in U.S. spending to train and equip the army.
REEDSPORT, Ore. (AP)  Authorities say a 54-year-old man was rescued from the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area after being stranded for five days.

KOIN reports the Coos County Sheriffs Office said hikers found the stranded and injured man on the John Dellenback trail. He had fallen off a dune and had back and neck injuries. He was also dehydrated.
Two Houston institutions opened their doors Sunday night to Louisiana residents fleeing Hurricane Ida as it continues to rampage the state's southern region.

Gallery Furniture, located off Interstate 45 in Northside, will let anyone with a Louisiana ID stay the night free of charge, according to the store's Twitter account.

"Mattress Mack's" store is also accepting donations of water, non-perishable food and hygienic goods to stock up the Gallery Furniture Flood Truck for its drive to Louisiana.

"We did it during Katrina, we just felt it was the right thing to do," said Mattress Mack. "If people are stranded here we'll certainly take them in."

Mack said the store is able to accommodate 200-300 people if needed, as it did during the February freeze, but he doesn't expect that many to come around this time. However, multiple families have already called to say they're on their way, Mack said.

In Upper Kirby, Lakewood Church said they will accommodate "as many people as we can safely." Joel Osteen's mega-church came under fire in 2017 after people accused it of initially closing its doors to flooding victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Lakewood Church is also accepting donations of water, cleaning supplies and baby supplies between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Hurricane Ida made landfall as a Category 4 storm Sunday afternoon and was only downgraded to Category 3 hours after hitting Louisiana's southeastern border.

Gallery Furniture Twitter account

Winds were reaching speeds of 125 mph as the storm slowly approached New Orleans. The storm has already knocked out power to nearly 600,000 buildings, and ravaged several of Louisiana's southernmost towns.
OnScene

Police arrested a man believed to be intoxicated when he hit and killed a motorcyclist late Sunday along Interstate 10 in east Houston, according to police.

The driver of a white Malibu hit the motorcyclist from behind near U.S. 90. The impact threw him about 25 feet off the bike and onto the service road below the highway ramp, police said.
The average number of daily COVID hospitalizations in the Texas Medical Center dropped for the first time since early July from a record 390 patients to 388, the medical center reported Monday.

The metric reflects the daily average of hospitalized patients over the previous week. The drop comes amid declining COVID hospitalizations both nationally and statewide.

A three-day decline in total COVID hospitalizations in Texas brought the number to 13,557 on Saturday, the most recent day for which data is available. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported a drop in the average number of new daily hospitalizations nationwide, from 12,354 on Thursday to 12,051 on Friday. More recent national data is not yet available.

Dr. James McDeavitt, executive vice president and dean of clinical affairs at Baylor College of Medicine, said the decline is part of the natural course of the pandemic.

"When you see an outbreak like this, the virus kind of runs through the population until it gets to the point where it starts running out of people to infect," he said, adding, "That does not mean herd immunity."

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He warned that the virus still has room to spread, especially as schools reopen. In an interview last week, McDeavitt said hospitals will continue to feel the strain of the current surge as cases decline.

Burnout among nurses, lingering staffing shortages and the record number of hospitalizations all factor into a longer recovery period.

From the peak, were probably still a month-and-a-half to getting to something that feels like business as usual, he said last week. So best case, were into October now before we start to get some relief.

The recent decline also comes as Harris County and Houston started vaccine incentive programs, with the county offering $100 and the city $150 for people who receive the shot. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the program led to a jump in vaccinations, "as much as 700% on some days."

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Currently, 59 percent of Harris County's eligible population  those ages 12 and older  is fully vaccinated; 72 percent of the eligible population has received at least one dose, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

julian.gill@chron.com
Shawtyeria Waites wore a pink dress and pink sandals the evening she disappeared during a weekend night out with two friends.

A student at Prairie View A&M University, Waites moved to Houston from New Mexico to attend college and was celebrating her 20th birthday on July 25 when she went missing after entering the apartment of a man she met that night, police and community activists said.

Authorities are now searching for Jordan Potts, a 26-year-old man accused of killing Waites in his southwest Houston apartment, according to a Houston Police Department briefing on Monday. Potts allegedly transported her body in the trunk of his car to Brookshire, where HPD and the FBI on Aug. 27 discovered her remains, the department said.

The discovery of her body and the murder charge follow weeks of frantic searching by Waites family, friends and community activists. Waites was reported missing on July 27, two days after she was last seen by her friend walking into the apartment complex that Potts lived in around 8 p.m. on July 25, according to a police department release.

An hour later, her friends could not reach her by phone, police said on Monday. Community members soon began distributing flyers and Waites family flew in from New Mexico to participate in a door-to-door search at the apartment complex mounted by activist Quanell X and his New Black Panther Nation group.

By Aug. 13, investigators had found evidence of foul play and believed Waites had been dropped off at the apartment complex to meet Potts. Police on Monday said a dating app may have been involved, but said they could not confirm further details of how or why the meeting happened.

Some aspects of the case resembled human trafficking, prompting the FBI to offer assistance, an agency spokesperson said at the Monday briefing.

Potts, who is originally from Oregon, has no criminal history in Harris County, police said, but allegedly has a pattern of attempting to approach women. The Houston Police Department has seized Potts vehicle and believes he may be living in a park or other open space or in a shelter, though investigators currently have no idea where he is, police said on Monday.

charlie.zong@chron.com
Two men arrested in the fatal shooting of a New Orleans police officer at Grotto Ristorante each claimed to police that they were the getaway driver for the botched robbery.

Anthony Jenkins, 21, and Frederick Jackson, 19, appeared separately Monday before state District Judge Colleen Gaido on charges of capital murder and attempted capital murder. Both men are accused in the death of off-duty New Orleans police detective Everett Briscoe and the wounding of Dyrin Riculfy, who remains hospitalized.

Jenkins contends he was the getaway driver and that the Nissan Altima with paper plates linked to the Aug. 21 shooting belonged to his girlfriend. But Jackson made a similar assertion, that he was the driver. When asked about the dueling narratives  one of which is false  Jenkins lawyer stood by his account.

I believe my client, defense attorney Anthony Osso said. I think it was his girlfriends car, so who would logically be driving it?

Prosecutors said police interviewed the two suspects Thursday and that both offered similar stories. The duo and a third, on-the-lam suspect allegedly spent much of that Saturday prowling the Galleria area for potential victims sporting expensive jewelry. Jenkins is accused of stalking another man in the hours before the shooting and helping steal his watch, which turned out to be counterfeit.

Jenkins and Jackson later saw a man walking to the Italian eatery who fit the bill: a man in a New Orleans jersey with nice jewelry. The man seated himself with a group from New Orleans, among them a retired Marine and two police officers.

Jenkins said he waited in the car as his two accomplices went to rob the individual. The suspects told the patrons to put their hands up, which they did, witnesses said. One of the suspects opened fire when he saw an intended victim reaching, possibly for a weapon, prosecutors said.

A surviving witness heard two gunshots. Briscoe fell to the ground, while Riculfy remained slumped over in his chair with a gunshot wound to the head, police said.

Jackson also contends that he remained with the getaway car as the botched robbery unfolded. The two men ultimately fled the restaurant after the shooting, and police spent several days searching for them. The third suspect has not been arrested, and police are unsure who fired the gun.

Jenkins and Jackson, regardless of who the driver was, face the same charge and punishment range.

If they each claim they were the driver, they would each be admitting to a role in a capital murder, said Dane Schiller, Harris County District Attorneys Office spokesman. Obviously, there can only be one driver, so at least one of them would have to be lying. Drivers get convicted of capital murder, too, and that ends with the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

District Attorney Kim Ogg said last week that she is considering the death penalty in both cases.

Jackson and Jenkins will remain jailed at least until Judge Gaido hears from prosecutors next week on whether the men should be held without bail.

The attorneys for both men requested that Gaido limit their visitors at the Harris County lockup. One lawyer in court said police or community leaders  including one with the initials Q.X., a likely reference to Quanell X  should be prohibited from visiting his client.

Quanell X, known for gleaning surrenders and confessions from jailed suspects, said Monday that he is the man behind those initials.

Of course its me, he said.

The community leader said he had not requested to visit either Jackson or Jenkins yet but would not say if he had been asked to.

Osso, the defense attorney, filed a generic order to limit visitations, mainly to keep journalists out, he said. He did not call out any specific individuals in his request, though Quanell X has tried visiting one of his clients in the past, he continued.

Im not looking to stir any pots  Im looking to represent my clients legal interests, Osso said.

Houston police officials referred questions about Quanell Xs involvement in the cases to the district attorneys office and the suspects lawyers.

Quanell X made headlines in 2019 when he delivered Houston police investigators a jailhouse confession from Derion Vence in the death of 4-year-old Maleah Davis. Vence divulged the confession to another inmate, who also contacted investigators, about a week earlier. By the time police followed up on the second confession, a lawn mowing crew had run over a trash bag containing the girls remains along an Arkansas highway.

The jailhouse visit in question happened on a day when the general public was not allowed to see inmates. Harris County sheriffs officials said at the time that exceptions can be made for community leaders, such as Quanell X, as long as the inmate agrees to the visit.

Jacksons lawyer, Patrick McCann, expressed concern that police interviewed his client without him and said he would be taking it up with the judge.

I am optimistic that we can do some good for (Jackson), McCann said.

And, of course, my client asked me to express on the part of his family and his good wishes for the person who is in the hospital and struggling, McCann continued in court. Were all hopeful that he will survive, and our condolences go to the family of the officer who was shot.

Jackson, should he make bail, would be kept on 24-hour house arrest and tracked by a GPS monitor. Both of the defendants were on bail at the time of the fatal robbery.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com

nicole.hensley@chron.com
Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina.

Both storms hit Louisiana on Aug. 29 as major hurricanes. Both sparked evacuations and caused significant damage. Both left New Orleans without power.

But there are some key differences in strength, landfall and forecasting technologies.

Ida was a more powerful storm in terms of wind speed, but it was ultimately more compact. That should result in a smaller area of catastrophic damage (near where Ida made landfall) and far fewer deaths. Katrina directly or indirectly led to the deaths of more than 1,800 people; Ida so far has been blamed for at least two deaths  a motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge.

I dont know what the loss of life is going to be from Ida, but its not going to be on that scale, said James Franklin, former chief of forecast operations for the National Hurricane Center.

NOAA National Hurricane Center

Strength and size

Katrinas first Louisiana landfall occurred near Buras, La., as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 127 mph. It then made another landfall near the mouth of the Pearl River at the Louisiana-Mississippi border, still as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 121 mph.

Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, La., as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds estimated to be 150 mph.

Katrina was weakening as it approached Louisiana. It had reached Category 5 strength over the Gulf of Mexico. But a process called eyewall replacement, where the core of the storm breaks down as a new eyewall develops around and replaces the storms previous eyewall, caused Katrina to weaken. It also caused Katrina to get larger, and larger storms push more water onshore, Franklin said.

Ida was strengthening as it approached Louisiana, yet it was more compact. Hurricane-force winds extended about 40 miles from the center of Ida compared with roughly 90 miles from the center of Hurricane Katrina, said Phil Klotzbach, a meteorologist at Colorado State University who specializes in Atlantic hurricane season forecasts.

Katrinas storm surge was up to 28 feet in Mississippi. Data on Idas storm surge wont be available for a while. The water pushed ashore will undoubtedly cause damage  and rainfall from Ida could cause inland flooding as the storm continues northeast  but the storm surge is not expected to be 28 feet.

Klotzbach prefers to analyze hurricanes by pressure rather than wind speed. He said pressure is an easier, cleaner indicator of a storms strength. If a hurricanes pressure drops, that means the storms winds are getting stronger, its footprint is getting larger or its both getting stronger and larger.

Hurricane Katrinas pressure at landfall was 920 millibars, making it the fourth strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. when measured by pressure. Hurricane Idas pressure was 930 millibars, tying it for ninth strongest hurricane, Klotzbach said. National Hurricane Center records go back to 1851.

Now Playing: Get the latest local weather news from the Houston Chronicle and ABC13 Houston. Video: Houston Chronicle / ABC13 Houston

Evacuations

Many people escaped Idas path ahead of the storm. Those who stayed have just begun to evaluate the damage.

Before and after Katrina's landfall, more than 1 million people fled Louisiana and coastal Mississippi. As many as 250,000 landed in Houston  more than 27,000 of the most traumatized arriving at the Astrodome and other Houston shelters in a 500-bus caravan.

By October 2005, approximately 100,000 evacuees temporarily had made Houston their home  many never left, becoming an essential part of the citys fabric.

Path

Both storms made landfall elsewhere as Category 1 hurricanes  Katrina hit Florida and Ida hit the Isle of Youth and then Cuba  prior to strengthening in the Gulf of Mexicos warm waters and traveling toward Louisiana.

Their paths in the state were slightly different.

Katrina moved east of New Orleans, keeping the storms strongest winds away from the city. Most of the citys damage in 2005 was caused by its failed levee system, which has fared much better during Ida.

For the most part, all of our levees performed extremely well  especially the federal levees  but at the end of the day, the storm surge, the rain, the wind all had devastating impacts, Gov. John Bel Edwards said. We have tremendous damage to homes and to businesses."

Ida came ashore west of New Orleans, placing the city on the east side of the storm, which typically has stronger winds when a storm is moving northward.

Damage from Ida is still being assessed. Klotzbach said there were hurricane-force winds in the New Orleans area, but it appears the city did not receive the storms stronger winds located closer to its center.

New Orleans didnt get the worst that Ida had to offer, but it certainly got a pretty good glancing blow, he said.

Idas path also led it over a moist area that had previously received a lot of rainfall. This caused the storm to remain a Category 4 hurricane for at least five hours after landfall.

Katrina did weaken at a faster rate once it came onshore, Klotzbach said.

Forecast certainty

Three days prior to landfall  and just shortly after the storms center developed  the National Hurricane Center had a high level of confidence that Ida would reach Louisiana at or near major hurricane strength.

For Hurricane Katrina, the forecast path bounced around a bit more before hitting Louisiana.

While some storms are more predictable than others, overall storm forecasting has improved significantly since 2005.

Franklin said forecasts are better now thanks to improvements in data, computer models and the ability to teach computer models how to use that data. Ida underwent rapid intensification  an increase in maximum sustained winds of at least 35 mph within 24 hours  as it neared the coast of Louisiana. If this had occurred close to land 16 years ago, Franklin thinks forecasters would have been surprised by the Category 4 hurricane coming ashore.

When I think of the two storms, Franklin said, I think about the progress that has been made in both the forecasting of hurricanes and in the ways that we communicate the threats.

During Hurricane Katrina, forecasters werent as good at expressing if they had high confidence or low confidence in their forecasts. The National Hurricane Center often emphasized how uncertain the forecast was, Franklin said.

Today, if meteorologists have a high level of confidence in a storms forecast (as with Ida), then people inside the forecast cone need to take the storm seriously.

We weren't as good at that at the time of Katrina, he said. Almost every forecast at that time was uncertain.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A little over a week ago, as U.S. soldiers risked their lives flying tens of thousands of Afghans and Americans to safety, U.S. Army veteran Daniel Wilkinson  who earned a Purple Heart in Afghanistan  went to the hospital in Bellville, west of Houston.

An emergency room physician discovered that Wilkinson had gallstone pancreatitis, a treatable condition in which a gallstone blocks the pancreatic duct and causes inflammation. He needed care the Bellville hospital couldnt provide.

For more than six hours, according to a CBS report, Wilkinson waited.

No hospital had room for him. No ICU had beds. Hospital after hospital told his doctor they were bursting at the seams with COVID-19 patients.

Finally, a bed in a Houston V.A. hospital opened up. But not soon enough. The next day, Wilkinson died. He was only 46.

Bellville physician Dr. Hasan Kakli told CBS he had never, before Wilkinson, lost a patient to gallstone pancreatitis.

"We are playing musical chairs, with 100 people and 10 chairs," Kakli said. "When the music stops, what happens? People from all over the world come to Houston to get medical care and, right now, Houston can't take care of patients from the next town over.

THE LATEST NUMBERS: Interactive maps, charts show spread of COVID across Houston

Daniel Wilkinson volunteered for a war most of us wanted no part of. A preventable illness was the official cause of death, but a preventable public health crisis is what killed this man of service and honor.

In the minds of a deafeningly vocal minority, we are locked in an age of tyranny because we are expected to wear masks and protect ourselves and our communities with a life-saving vaccine.

The true tyranny is being trapped in this deadly pandemic with people who are actively helping it spread.

Those of us who have done our duty as responsible citizens to fight this virus are tired of having our efforts canceled by anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers. Were tired of the masks, too. Were tired of COVID test swabs that feel like theyre scratching our brains. Were tired of getting calls from the school about possible exposure involving our kids.

Mostly, were tired of all the senseless death.

Wilkinson risked his life for America, and his fellow Americans wouldnt even take basic steps to avoid hospitalization so there would be beds free when he needed it.

Those complicit in this cowardly betrayal of fellow citizens include Gov. Greg Abbott. He cannot claim ignorance, or brainwashing by Fox News, or trouble comprehending scientific studies. He is a bright man with an advanced degree. He knows vaccines and masks save lives.

Yet, he has chosen to grovel to the right wing of his party to shore up his primary election. He has chosen politics over protecting human life.

When he saw the delta variant coming, he refused to help hospitals pleading for nurses. When he saw the surging cases and deaths, he did very little to raise Texas lagging vaccination rate and continued to parade around at campaign events without a mask until he caught COVID-19 himself. When he heard experts warning the delta variant was more contagious among children than the original, he refused to protect kids by requiring masks in schools. Then he blocked responsible school leaders from doing so.

Last week, when the blessed news of Pfizers full FDA vaccine approval was being celebrated, and officials at public schools and agencies were preparing to mandate a vaccine officially proven safe, Abbott blocked them as well. Where his previous ban on vaccine mandates applied only to those with emergency FDA approval, Abbott extended the prohibition to vaccines with full approval.

COVID LIVE UPDATES: Keep up with the pandemic and its impact on Houston

The results of Abbotts failures are clear.

Texas officials reported 14,033 COVID-19 cases among students last week  the highest number of student infections since the pandemic began. Ambulance wait times have nearly doubled. Houston-region hospitals reported a pandemic record high number of virus patients.

Of the 8,787 people who have died of COVID-19 in Texas since February, the state estimates only 43 were fully vaccinated  representing only 0.5 percent of deaths, the Texas Tribune reported, citing data from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Of those 43, nearly all were over age 60, and the vast majority  nearly 75 percent  were fighting a serious condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer.

That means 99.5 percent of the dead were not fully vaccinated. And that means several thousand people who lost their lives didnt have to.

Across the South, dismal vaccination rates among younger adults and teenagers are fueling the surge, Dr. Peter Hotez told Hearst Newspapers Friday. He said virus transmission is currently higher in the U.S. South than anywhere else in the world.

The unvaccinated bear responsibility for their obstinacy  and some will pay with their lives. But we should save some concern for the non-COVID patients caught up in the competition for hospital beds and for those rare vaccinated individuals who did everything right but still end up requiring hospitalization for COVID.

With hospitals overflowing, all of us could be one heart issue or necessary medical procedure away from mortal danger. That, too, is a form of tyranny.

It didnt have to be this way.

Texas seven-day death rate and hospitalization rates are spiking, according to CDC data, competing mainly with Florida and other southern states. Residents of states with high vaccination rates, quite simply, are faring better.

This crisis, exacerbated by our governors actions, is costing lives. Its also causing kids to miss school, parents to miss work, nurses and doctors to burn out and even leave the field of medicine.

Many of us are asking if theres any point at which the states top officials will treat this dire threat with the same urgency they have given, say, combating the phantom of widespread voter fraud.

COVID-19 is no phantom. It is real. It is deadly.

But Governor Abbott apparently has no interest in counting the corpses, which number 55,000 in Texas. Hes too busy counting votes.
The claim: What interest do we have in Afghanistan at this point with al-Qaida gone? We went to Afghanistan for the express purpose of getting rid of al-Qaida in Afghanistan, as well as getting Osama bin Laden. And we did.  President Joe Biden.

Biden is wrong to say that al-Qaida is gone entirely; officials in his administration have said the terrorist group remains active.

PolitiFact rating: False. On the same day that Biden made his statement, a Pentagon spokesperson said al-Qaida is present in Afghanistan, but that it wasnt as powerful as it was 20 years ago. Recent reports from the federal government and the U.N., as well as comments from government officials in recent months, indicate that al-Qaida is still present in Afghanistan. Its future capabilities remain unclear.

Discussion

A United Nations report in June stated that a significant part of the leadership of al-Qaida resides in the Afghanistan and Pakistan border region. Al-Qaida is present in at least 15 Afghan provinces and is reported to number in the range of several dozen to 500 persons, the report stated. While al-Qaida maintains contact with the Taliban, it is laying low, and its longer term strategy is strategic patience for a period of time before it would seek to plan attacks against international targets again, the report stated.

The Inspector General to Congress compiled information from various federal agencies about operations in Afghanistan and released the information in a report this summer. The Defense Intelligence Agency told the inspector general that the Taliban maintains a relationship with al-Qaida, providing safe haven for the terrorist group while publicly denying its presence in Afghanistan. Under a February 2020 agreement between the Taliban and the United States, the Taliban was supposed to prevent al-Qaida from using Afghanistan to threaten the U.S. Therefore, the Taliban is likely downplaying its relationship with the group.

Tricia Bacon, an associate professor who directs the Policy Anti-Terrorism Hub at American University, said while al-Qaida has been seriously degraded, it has also received a morale boost from the Talibans victory.

The group in Afghanistan is seriously weakened, but it has proven to be a resilient organization, capable of surviving despite immense counterterrorism pressure and of recovering from setbacks, Bacon said.

Following the recent statements by Biden and administration officials, a Taliban spokesperson said in an interview with Saudi Arabias al-Hadath TV that al-Qaida is not present in Afghanistan in the first place, according to the Washington Post. But the spokesperson said there may be family ties between members of the two organizations.

Bacon said the Taliban is being disingenuous and the statement does not accurately reflect the situation on the ground.

About PolitiFact PolitiFact is a fact-checking project to help you sort out fact from fiction in politics. Truth-O-Meter ratings are determined by a panel of three editors. The burden of proof is on the speaker, and PolitiFact rates statements based on the information known at the time the statement is made. See More Collapse

Laura Dugan, a professor of human security at Ohio State University, said Biden is correct in that the U.S. drove al-Qaida out of Afghanistan years ago and greatly diminished its centralized power.

This was especially true after Osama bin Laden was killed. However, what is also true is that al-Qaida and the Taliban are closely aligned, and with the Taliban back in charge of Afghanistan, al-Qaida can move around more freely, which means that they can more easily plan large-scale attacks, Dugan said.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Sunday delayed legal proceedings over Texas sweeping new six-week abortion ban, dealing a major setback to abortion providers who have sued to stop the ban and setting up what will likely be a last-ditch plea to the U.S. Supreme Court with only hours left before the ban takes effect.

In a single-page ruling, the court blocked a hearing that had been set for Monday and declined to expedite the appeals process, even with the law scheduled to roll out Wednesday. It gave no explanation for the decision.

Providers were expected to ask the high court to intervene as early as Sunday evening. Neither side issued immediate comments on the order.

As of now, the law will become the countrys first effective six-week abortion ban and could all but eliminate access to the procedure in a state of 29 million people. Unlike other states six-week bans, which are all tied up in court, the Texas law empowers private citizens to sue doctors and others who help women obtain an abortion after six weeks, or when a fetal heartbeat is detected.

Abortion providers sued in July to stop the ban, targeting judges and state officials who they say will help enforce it. They say the law violates womens federally protected right to obtain abortions before a fetus can survive outside the womb.

Sundays order comes after abortion opponents appealed a procedural decision in the case last week. Without a ruling on it from the 5th Circuit or emergency intervention from the Supreme Court, the litigation could get drawn out past the laws Wednesday start date. Both courts are led by strong conservative majorities.

The outcome of the case could have huge impacts on pregnant women in Texas, many of whom dont know theyre pregnant before six weeks. Some abortion providers say they are preparing to shut down their procedures entirely because of the risk of potentially endless litigation. Under the law, they are not allowed to recoup their legal expenses even if they win a case.

Providers performed about 54,000 abortions last year and 56,000 in 2019, according to state data.

Groups that support abortion access say the law will mostly affect low-income women and women of color, many of whom lack private insurance or the resources or time to travel to a state where the procedure is still legal.

Proponents of the law have been hopeful that its careful crafting will prevent providers from successfully challenging it in federal court. But in an order last week in the lawsuit from providers, District Court Judge Robert Pitman in Austin seemed skeptical.

Forcing plaintiffs to wait until a state enforcement action is brought against them to raise their constitutional concerns would leave plaintiffs without the ability to vindicate their constitutional rights in federal court before any constitutional violation occurs, he wrote.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruzs decision to spend much of his weekend in Iowa campaigning for other Republicans is adding more fuel to speculation that hes weighing another run for the White House.

Cruz spent Saturday in Central City, Iowa stumping for the re-election of U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, but largely presenting his case against the Joe Biden administration.

Seven months into this new administration, everywhere we look, its a disaster, Cruz said.

He slammed the administration for its handling of Afghanistan and the U.S. border and faulted Biden for adding trillions in new spending since he came into office.

They have handed the agenda over to the radicals, Cruz said. And Ill tell you whats happening. All across this country, there is a tidal wave that is building.

Cruz, as he did again on Sunday at another GOP campaign rally in Johnston, said the road to revival goes through Iowa.

The criticism from Cruz comes as Democrats are tout what they see as Bidens key accomplishments: his response to the pandemic and getting the economy moving again. Earlier this month in Houston, State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, was part of a bus tour emphasizing that under Biden the economy is creating 60,000 jobs every three days.

Our economy is coming back, she said.

By being in Iowa, Cruz was revisiting a state that is first up in the presidential primary elections and a state Cruz won in 2016 en route to finishing as President Donald Trumps closest contender for the Republican nomination.

Cruz, 50, has been upfront in his interest about running again for the White House since.

I am certainly looking at it, Cruz said during an interview with conservative media outlet Newsmax in July. Ill tell you 2016 was the most fun Ive ever had in my life. We came incredibly close.

Cruz is far from the only 2016 presidential contenders hitting Iowa these days. The Des Moines Register reported that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is expected to make a pair of visits on Monday and Tuesday.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com
When Texas so-called constitutional carry law takes effect this week, experts dont expect to see an immediate increase in gun violence  but some suggest that crimes involving firearms may slowly creep up as more people carry them in public.

The law, which takes effect Wednesday, will allow most Texans 21 and over to carry handguns, either openly or concealed, in public spaces without a license. Its adoption last spring was a win for Texas Republican leaders, who say the right to carry without a permit is guaranteed by the Second Amendment.

Democrats, law enforcement officers and gun violence prevention advocates have all publicly opposed the policy, fearing it will lead to an uptick in gun-related injuries and deaths.

Twenty other states have adopted some form of permitless carry  Texas is by far the largest  but research on the impact of such laws is limited, and the findings are mixed.

A handful of broad studies generally focused on the relationship between gun access and crime has indicated that offenses do rise when its easier to get a firearm. Those trends might not be immediately noticeable, but rather appear incrementally over, say, a five- or 10-year period.

We really dont have good data on a lot of states, which is what youd really like to be able to come up with strong estimates of the impact of the law, said John Donohue, a law professor at Stanford University who has studied the impact of various gun access laws across the country.

IN-DEPTH: Sold as a gold mine for taxpayers, Texas Bullion Depository may be a money pit instead

But at least from what Ive seen, for the more limited data periods that we have, it always seems to make things incrementally worse  but it will take some time before we know exactly how much worse it will be.

In Arizona, the next-biggest state to adopt such a law, researchers have drawn conflicting conclusions using different methodologies.

A 2014 public health study concluded that incidents involving firearms were 11 percent more likely to result in injury or death after permitless carry went into effect.

But 2018 crime research showed that the constitutional carry law had no impact on handgun-related offenses in Tuscon, the states second-largest city with 540,000 residents.

When the law goes into effect, its not going to have an automatic impact on the availability of guns, said Michael Smith, a criminal justice professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio who co-authored the latter study. The number of guns is the number of guns, and it will be that the day before the law goes into effect, and its going to be the same the day after the law goes into effect.

The question is whether or not, because people now can more readily carry them legally, whether or not thats going to influence violent crime. And I think the weight of the evidence there is it will not.

TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday

The sheer size of Texas, both in acreage and population, makes it impossible to compare with Vermont, for example, which has never required permits to carry guns in public and has relatively low firearm offenses.

Alaska, which approved permitless carry in 2003, saw an immediate uptick in crime  but other factors likely contributed to that total, such as the prevalence of domestic violence or incidents involving alcohol, Donohue said. Alaska has consistently led the nation in gun deaths per capita, and still does.

I suspect Texas will be somewhere in between, he said. It's going to have a lot more guns than people in Vermont have, and we'll have more negative outcomes than Vermont has had, but probably not as unstable a society as Alaska was when they moved towards permitless carry.

Donohue was part of a team that in 2017 published a study on the link between right-to-carry laws, which allow residents to obtain concealed-carry permits, and violent crime. The researchers found that the expanded access is associated with a 13 to 15 percent bump in violent offenses a decade after adoption.

Texas permitless carry bill requires the state to track five years of firearm carrying data after the legislation takes effect.

Empowering untrained gun owners

When permitless carry goes into effect on Sept. 1, two main things will change  eligible residents will not need to pay a fee to obtain a license, and they wont be required to take training classes. The law will not expand access for anyone who wouldnt legally be able to obtain a gun anyway  felons, for example, still cant own or carry a handgun in public.

Andi Turner, the legislative director of the Texas State Rifle Association, said gun rights advocates are still encouraging Texans to get licenses, as they offer extra benefits that permitless carry does not provide, such as exemption from a background check when buying a firearm.

The new policy only removes the necessity for Texans to get permission from their government before carrying a gun. Little will change otherwise, she said.

For those who are concerned about permitless carry and the dire straits well be in because of permitless carry  we're not seeing any of that in 20 other states, and I think Texans are smarter than 20 other states, Turner said.

Still, Michael Sierra-Arevalo, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin who has studied gun policy, said the most pertinent change in the law may be the elimination of the training mandate.

There is a real risk that people who do not know how to use a firearm properly could begin to carry them, he said, and aggravate otherwise-mundane interactions, like road rage.

The biggest question mark is how the law will mix with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which last year led to a huge spike in firearm sales for first-time gun owners, he added.

What to know about permitless carry Under a new Texas law that takes effect Sept. 1: Texans age 21 and older can carry handguns in public, either openly or concealed, without a license

Gun owners are no longer required to obtain a permit or take any training classes before carrying their handguns

Anyone who cannot legally own a firearm is still prohibited from carrying

Texans can carry in most public spaces, but private businesses can prohibit them from doing so on their premises.

Places where guns are already banned - such as airports, courthouses and amusement parks - will still prohibit them

Gun owners can still obtain a license to carry, but it's not necessary See More Collapse

The reality is that a lot of people that acquired firearms have very limited training with it and are now in a position where they might have otherwise, potentially, been deterred from concealed carrying, Sierra-Arevalo said. Now, they have the firearm, they're going to be able to carry it legally. And so they're just going to start carrying it.

Gun violence prevention advocates say that is among their biggest fears. Moms Demand Action volunteers began visiting Texas businesses this weekend, offering to help them post the new signage required by the permitless carry law that would prevent people from bringing their guns inside.

Liz Hanks, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action in Houston, said the law gives Texans carte blanche to bring their guns nearly anywhere. It makes people uncomfortable to know that untrained people could be carrying firearms in public, especially given the current political environment, she said.

When you act like you don't need any gun regulations or training, it gives people this false sense of security around something that is an extremely dangerous weapon, Hanks said.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
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Columbia-Greene Media has recently teamed up with the US Postal Service to provide same-day delivery of your local newspaper with your mail. Our expanded daily delivery of your local news reaches into the following areas:
Joe and Kathy Arabia listen last week as Mayor Thomas Bernard reads a proclamation on Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

North Adams Gets MassTrails Grant for Bike Path Design

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  The City Council on Tuesday accepted a $240,000 grant to begin design on the extension of the so-called "Cariddi Mile" to Protection Avenue.

The fiscal 2021 MassTrails grant will be combined with a match of $60,000 the council approved transferred from the land sales account.

The $300,000 total will be used for design and engineering for the proposed shared-use path that will run from the Harriman & West Airport to Protection Avenue through property that's part of the Tourists resort. This will bring the conceptual alignment of the 1.7-mile segment to the 10 percent design level.

The bike path will connect with the proposed one-mile stretch from Galvin Road and the 2.5-mile section currently being constructed in Williamstown from North Street to the Spruces Park.

"The work that has been happening over the past several years, in collaboration with the team at Tourists and others has identified a promising and exciting alignment for the shared use path between Williamstown and North Adams and particularly the first leg of that path," Mayor Thomas Bernard told the City Council last week.

The vision of a bike path across the length of the county has been a goal for many years. The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail runs from the Berkshire Mall to Lime Street in Adams and a Pittsfield leg is also now under construction. The plan is for the Williamstown/North Adams leg to eventually hook up with Adams.

A stumbling block has been how to get the bicycle and pedestrian path through the densely populated West End  from the airport to Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, which included a bike tunnel in its multimillion dollar renovation of Building 6.

One section was partially solved by the donation to the city of 9.6 acres on the south side of Route 2 owned by Bay Colony LLC, former owner the Spruces Mobile Home Park, although residents near where the path will pass have objected to its construction. This will connect the Williamstown part that ends at Galvin Road to the airport and its new administrative office and restaurant space. The estimated cost a couple years ago for that section was put at $3.2 million. This is a state project.

The entire route from Williamstown had been the called the Mohawk Bike Path but that has changed as the trail has been partitioned for construction. The section from Williamstown to the airport was dubbed unofficially "the Cariddi Mile" by former Mayor Richard Alcombright, a name that many have picked up, but the entire 2.7-mile route is officially called the "North Adams Adventure Trail" project.

Late state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi had been a strong proponent of a bike path and left the city $210,000 "for the purpose of maintenance and upkeep of the bike path/pedestrian path connecting the Town of Adams and the Town of Williamstown."

The mayor also declared September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with Kathy and Joseph Arabia, founders of the AYJ Fund.

"[I call on residents to support the efforts of the AYJ Fund in their mission to bring smiles to kids with cancer, connect kids with school and friends through technology and to support research for gliomatosis cerebri and other brain cancers," said the mayor.

A child is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes and more than 10,000 children under the age of 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in 2021. Treatments can cause long-term health issues in most children but only 4 percent of federal funding is dedicated to research of cancer in children.

The AYJ Fund is named for the Arabias' daughter Anna Yan Ji, who died from gliomatosis cerebri. The fund provides support for research on the brain cancer on an international level and for local families dealing with childhood brain cancers.

Kathy Arabia said many of the children they were working with last year are no long with us and that a number of children in Berkshire County have been diagnosed this year.

"Change at the national level of funding needs to take place, that's what we advocate for at the state and national level," she said. "Four percent of the national funding for cancer is directed toward children, and we really need to change that."

Arabia asked for continued support for the families the AYJ Fund helps and for legislation to increase funding, and thanked the community for the support it has given the fund over the years.

In other business, the council approved $16,146 from the Municipal Access Technology Fund to purchase software for the city clerk's office. The program from LL Data Design is expected to aid in accuracy and efficiency in keeping and tracking records including reports, permits, vital records, licenses and committee and board management. The $2,4970 annual maintenance cost for the second and third year will be included in the budget.

Correction: the original article erroneously stated the grant was for the first mile of the North Adams bike path and the not the 1.7 mile section from the airport to Protection Avenue.
Lenox Cultural Council Seeks Funding Proposals

LENOX, Mass.  Applications for funding for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs will open on Sept. 1, 2021 and are due Oct. 15, 2021.

The Lenox Cultural Council, in accordance with Massachusetts Cultural Council guidelines, has set an Oct. 15 deadline for organizations, schools, and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community.

According to Council spokesperson Arlene D. Schiff, these grants can help underwrite projects, programs, and events in the arts, humanities and sciences that foster a rich cultural life for Lenox residents. The Lenox Cultural Council is committed to supporting the work of local artists, cultural institutions, schools, and other groups with a focus on making cultural activities accessible and engaging to all.

New and innovative projects, including virtual events, are encouraged. Applications that provide free or low-cost programs/events will be given priority. Please view the Cultural Council's website for other requirements.

The Lenox Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The local cultural council program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. The Lenox Cultural Council also receives funding from the Town of Lenox.
St. Agnes Academy New Faculty Appointments

DALTON, Mass.  St. Agnes Academy has announced the appointment of several faculty members for the 2021-2022 school year.

The academy filled positions in math, English language arts, pre-K, art, and music. The school also announced that in-person classes will begin Wednesday, Sept. 1, with faculty, students, and staff required to wear masks.

The Academy enters the new year with an enrollment of 150 students, an increase of 19 students compared to the 2020-2021 school year.

"We're thrilled that these highly experienced educators are joining our staff," said Principal Fadia Makdisi. "They are passionate and committed about teaching and I look forward to their important contributions during the upcoming year."

The appointments include:

Math teacher - Judy Zahn

Judy Zahn served for 23 years in the Pittsfield Public Schools, mostly as a math teacher, retiring at the end of the 2017 academic year. She was a substitute teacher for a year, then worked for two years at the Berkshire County House of Correction where she taught math to inmates whose math abilities ranged from primary grade levels through high school. The goal was to prepare the inmates for success after incarceration.

English language arts  Debra Belland

Debra Belland was a Middle School teacher in the Pittsfield Public Schools and also taught at St. Mark's Middle School. She also worked as Newspaper in Education Coordinator at the Berkshire Eagle where she attended seminars, workshops and conventions to remain current on educational research and statistics impacting educational standards.

Pre-K 3 teacher - Sandra J. Robillard

Sandra Robillard is a Berkshire native and grew up in Pittsfield attending and graduating from local schools, colleges, and churches. She is a volunteer at St. Mary's of Assumption in Cheshire and has worked at Berkshire County Head Start for the past 21 years. She has been a preschool teacher for the past 19 years and during the last five years has trained new teachers in the Head Start program.

Pre-K Teacher - Cassie Kelson

For the last seven years, Cassie Kelson has been a Group Lead/Teacher/Lead Teacher at the Berkshire Family YMCA in Pittsfield. Previously, she was a camp counselor at St. Agnes Vacation Bible Camp in Goshen, Mass. She also has worked as a home Nanny/ Home school Teacher. In 2015, she was awarded the "Say it Proud Award" by the Berkshire United Way for being involved in positive activities and being a good role model for her peers and the children.

Music Teacher - Jessica A. Passetto

Jessica Passetto was the Choral Music Director and Theatre Teacher at Taconic High School for 14 years. She taught music and theater for grades 9-12 and was music director and choreographer for various spring musicals. Passetto also has taught private lessons in Voice, Piano, Sight Reading, and Music Theory since 2019. She has worked as a cantor for St. Mark's, St. Ann's, and the Shrine of Divine Mercy. At Taconic, Passetto also organized fundraisers and trips to NYC, Virginia, London, Rome, and Pennsylvania.

Computer Teacher -Kathy LaPointe

Kathy LaPointe retired from the U.S. Navy Supply Corps after 20 years of service and worked as a business consultant, leading naval bases around the world through regionalization efforts.

She has been a catechist for over 25 years and a substitute teacher for over 15.

Kathy also volunteers as PTO President at the school, as a member of the Diocese of Springfield's Catholic Committee on Scouting, as a Key Adult Member of Cub Scout Pack 8 and was a girl scout leader for 15 years.

Nurse - Amy Green

Amy Green, RN has been a nurse for over 30 years. Since 2004, she worked in the Pittsfield Public Schools, first as a school nurse at the elementary level, then for the last 14 years, as a teacher in the Career Technical Education Department at Taconic High School. Green resides is in Pittsfield.

Kindergarten Aide - Stacy Radzick

Stacy Radzick will be moving to work with kindergarten teacher Darcy Patti. She has been a Pre-K aide for several years and has been involved with the school for over 10 years between substitute work and volunteering.

Art teacher -Sue Doucette

Sue Doucette of Dalton has taught early childhood and elementary school for many years, and at the college level since 2015 (BCC, MCLA and Elms). She has served as an administrator, workshop trainer, television producer and host (PCTV), developer of curriculum materials, and advocate for families and children. Doucette is President of Berkshire County Head Start's Board of Directors and also serves on the Board of Directors for Pittsfield.
Name: Kim Brannon

Company: SAP NS2

Job title: CIO

Date started current role: October 2019

Location: Virtual office

Kim Brannon serves as Chief Information Officer for SAP National Security Services (NS2) where she leads the enterprise-wide information technology (IT) strategy, governance, and operations. Brannon provides leadership for the digital platform that enables the NS2 community to communicate and collaborate securely. Brannon is overseeing digital innovation and transformation in support of the growth and maturity of the SAP NS2 business. Brannon brings over 25 years of experience in information systems and business services to SAP NS2.

What was your first job? My first job was as a babysitter. Babysitting is where I first learned how to negotiate. There is nothing like negotiating with a toddler!

Did you always want to work in IT? Yes, I always knew that I wanted to do something related to computers. Early in my career, I realised that I enjoyed working at the intersection of business and IT. I formed a proficiency for understanding business needs and requirements, and leveraging information and technology to drive efficiency, effectiveness, productivity, and business growth.

What was your education? Do you hold any certifications? What are they? I have a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, with an emphasis on computer science, from Penn State University. After working for a few years in the industry, I realised that I needed to round out my technical degree with business knowledge. So, five years into my career, I pursued a Master of Science in Industrial Administration (MBA) from Carnegie Mellons Tepper School of Business. Later, aligned with my career working in the aerospace and defense industry, I pursued masters level courses as part of the Government CIO program with the National Defense Universitys Information Resources Management College (NDU IRMC).

Explain your career path. Did you take any detours? If so, discuss. I began my career with the Information Systems Management Program at General Electric (GE). This is an entry level leadership program intended for early talent on career tracks heading towards CIO roles. In some of my early work, I recognised that I enjoyed working at the intersection of the business and IT. We were developing and implementing an enterprise financial system, and my favorite roles were driving process changes, and teaching finance professionals how their work was changing with the new system. It was at this point that I decided to pursue an MBA, to round out my technical degree with a business degree. So, my first detour was five years into my career, stepping away from paid work to pursue an MBA full-time.

With my MBA in hand, I decided to pursue another detour, with an experience in management consulting. I took a role working in A.T. Kearneys Strategic Management &Technology practice. In my five years in this role, I worked across a variety of industries, and gained experience with program management, IT strategy and IT sourcing. While I enjoyed the work, I looked forward to moving into an IT leadership role, where I could consistently drive transformations within an organisation. An ulterior motive was to work in a role that required less than100% travel that was expected of the management consulting work.

In my 17 years with Raytheon, I took on a variety of IT leadership roles driving transformation, but also had some detours also. With one detour, I took a role in engineering working with our teams that were delivering mission operations and enterprise IT services to some of our government customers. This diversion provided me with the opportunity to work closer to Raytheons customers, and it also helped me round out my experiences.

The breadth of my experiences, include the detours, equipped me to take on the CIO role with SAP NS2 in October 2019.

What business or technology initiatives will be most significant in driving IT investments in your organisation in the coming year? Our IT investments are focused on three key areas:

1) Customer as a priority: Focusing our investments to drive digital transformation, enabling NS2 to provide exceptional services and support for our customers.

2) Transform and modernise how we do our work: Focused on transforming our back-office services, as well as enabling us to communicate and collaborate, securely.

3) Growth: Investing in NS2s growth strategy.

What are the CEO's top priorities for you in the coming year? How do you plan to support the business with IT? Our IT investments are aligned with SAP NS2 business strategy and our CEOs vision. We leverage what we deliver to our customers within the business of NS2. Security is in our middle name and its in everything we do, including embedding security and a focus on cloud, in everything IT and what IT delivers to support the business.

Does the conventional CIO role include responsibilities it should not hold? Should the role have additional responsibilities it does not currently include? The roles and responsibilities of the CIO need to align and evolve with the business. The CIO role is particularly interesting for a company in the technology space, because there are grey areas between the lines of business and the responsibilities of the office of the CIO. The keys to clarifying these areas are relationships, communication, and governance.

Are you leading a digital transformation? If so, does it emphasise customer experience and revenue growth or operational efficiency? If both, how do you balance the two? Yes, we are starting with operational efficiency with a focus on driving efficiency and effectiveness in how we communicate and collaborate. We are also currently launching initiatives that will drive digital transformation in the customer experience.

Describe the maturity of your digital business. For example, do you have KPIs to quantify the value of IT? SAP NS2 is in the digital business, so we benefit from many NS2 team members applying digital in the work that we do. My role as the CIO is ensuring that we strategically focus our digital capabilities aligned with the business strategy.

What does good culture fit look like in your organisation? How do you cultivate it? The words that come to mind when I think about culture fit at NS2 are: innovation, curiosity, collaboration, empathy, openness to change, and can-do attitude. We also like to have fun while solving complex problems for our customers. I cultivate it by encouraging and rewarding these efforts and behaviors.

What roles or skills are you finding (or anticipate to be) the most difficult to fill? Cyber security roles are difficult to fill mostly because of the demand for this skill set. The other challenge is finding strong technologist that speaks and understands business challenges and objectives.

What's the best career advice you ever received? The best advice I have ever received was within the book Women Dont Ask by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever. A mentor presented this book to me after I led an enterprise strategic initiative. It was the right message for me at the right time, opening my eyes to how I executed the work with the resources that I was provided, and did come forward with asks of the leadership team. I think about the lessons and messages in this book often.

Do you have a succession plan? If so, discuss the importance of and challenges with training up high-performing staff. As the first CIO for SAP NS2, we are currently defining what this role means for the business of NS2. We will use that definition to frame the skills need in the succession plan.

What advice would you give to aspiring IT leaders? My advice for aspiring IT leaders is to have passion and enthusiasm in the work that you are doing. You will be amazed at how much you can accomplish when your colleagues and team members align with your passion. Have fun in all that you do.

What has been your greatest career achievement? Driving transformations. From the first transformation that I lead early in my career, to every role since, each transformation has been increasingly complex. I am most proud when I see team members working efficiently and effectively, and leveraging the people-process-technology method that I designed and/or influenced.

Looking back with 20:20 hindsight, what would you have done differently? Looking back, I would have cultivated more confidence. I recognise that there are times when I let imposter syndrome get the best of me.
The European Unions mission in Kosovo said Monday it has assisted the countrys police in developing a database to help investigate war crimes
The speed limit for most of Paris is now 30 kilometers per hour (less than 19 miles per hour)
The militarys brutality is a daily reality for all the people of Myanmar. As Myanmars army prepares to deploy and reinforce its bases with hundreds of extra troops, the countrys media workers remain exposed to Covid-19 and under extreme threat, writes Phil Thornton.

Myanmars military leaders used its armed forces to launch its coup and take control of the country from its elected government on February 1, 2021. In protest, millions of people took to the streets. The military responded to these protests by sending armed soldiers and police into residential areas to arrest defiant civilians, workers, students, doctors and nurses.

In March, martial law was enforce in Yangon, snipers were used, and protestors were shot on sight.

To restrict news coverage of their crimes and to impede the organisatiojn of protests, the military ordered telecommunication companies to restrict internet and mobile phone coverage. Independent media outlets had their licenses withdrawn, offices were raided and thrashed. Journalists were targeted and hunted by soldiers and police. Obscure laws were added to the penal code and used to restrict freedom of speech and expression. State-controlled media published pages of arrest warrants and photographs of the wanted, including journalists.

To avoid arrest, independent journalists went underground or sought refuge with border based ethnic armed organizations.

Myanmar journalists are well aware that being arrested and held in detention by the military doesnt come with respect for their legal or human rights. The military uses a wide range of obscure laws, some dating back to colonial times, to detain, intimidate and silence its critics  academics, medics, journalists, students and workers.

Independent website, Reporting ASEAN, recorded that, as of August 18, 95 journalists had been arrested and 42 were being held in detention.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) estimated by August 29, that the military has now killed at least 1,026 people, arrested 7,627, issued warrants for 1,984 and are still holding 6,025 in detention.

Sithu Aung Myint and Htet Htet Khine pictured in a newspaper clipping. Credit: Global New Light of Myanmar.

They want names

Those arrested are taken to interrogation centres and held indefinitely without contact with family or legal representation. Torture is used to extort names and contacts from the detained to be added to the militarys long list of those to be hunted down and suppressed into silence.

One of those names on the militarys wanted list is that of journalist Nyan Linn Htet, now in hiding, after a warrant under Section 505 (a) was issued for his arrest.

Nyan Linn Htet, managing editor of Mekong News, in an interview with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) explains the impact of being hunted has had on both him and his family.

If Im arrested it means I lose everything. When we had to run and go into hiding, we lost our home and our possessions. You lose your income. Your equipment. You never feel safe when hiding. Living like this affects all of us. If the military does not find me, they will pressure and threaten my family with arrest.

Nyan Linn Htet said he is still working despite the risk of arrest.Losing a journalist is a big loss for our struggle for democracy. Were only doing our job as reporters, but our news coverage exposes the military and its abuses  this is why were the enemy.

Despite the danger to him and his family, Nyan Linn Htet worries about the safety of those who helped him avoid arrest. If Im caught in hiding, the SAC (military-appointed State Administration Council) will persecute the people who gave me a place to live. Im afraid they [the military] will arrest those who helped me.

His fears are well founded.

Journalist and political analyst Sithu Aung Myint was high on the militarys wanted list for his political commentary and published opposition to the coup. On Sunday August 15, the military raided the home of his colleague, BBC freelance producer, Htet Htet Khine, and arrested both of them. A week later, in its Sunday August 21 edition, the military-run newspaper, Global New Light of Myanmar, said Sithu Aung Myint had been charged with sedition, spreading fake news and being critical of the military coup leaders and its State Administration Council under Sections 505 (a) and 124 (a) of the Penal Code. He could be sentenced to life in jail under Section 124 (a) of the penal code. Htet Htet Khine was arrested for giving shelter to Sithu Aung Myint, and charged under section 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Act for working with the recently formed National Union Governments radio station, Federal FM.

Friends and colleagues of Sithu Aung Myint and Htet Htet Khine told IFJ they are concerned both journalists were held at an interrogation centre for over a week before having access to either legal help or contact with colleagues or family.

Nyan Linn Htet told IFJ he is aware his legal and human rights will not be respected if he is arrested. They will not let us get legal help until theyve got what they want from us. The military amended 505 (a) of the Penal Code to prevent giving us bail. We know they will jail us even if we have legal representation. We know SAC is torturing journalists because of the work we do.

Reports by local and international humanitarian groups have detailed the severe beatings - hours of maintaining stressed positions, use of sexual violence - and killing of people while held in detention.

Nyan Linn Htet said if arrested, he knows it will come with beatings. He admits that the thought of being tortured keeps him awake at night. They will jail me, but only after they torture me. I will not be released until I sign a statement that I will never criticize them. Im not afraid of being arrested, but torture scares me. There are nights when Im too afraid to sleep.

He and other local journalists told the IFJ it was disappointing that international media has dropped Myanmar from its news agenda and moved on to cover other stories.

Nyan Linn Htets said despite access difficulties, the international media can use local reporters who are willing to help. We know the difficulties media has getting ground access to Myanmar. Covid-19 restrictions also make it impossible to legally cross borders from neighboring countries, but we are already here in the country and are capable of doing the job.

Despite the fear of arrest and torture, he is still reporting and urged local journalists to keep doing the same. Its important we use what we can to still work and report news events of interest to people. People are accessing news and information in many different ways now.

The military, while thrashing local and international laws and ignoring its constitution, is quick to use and amend laws to jail its opponents for being critical of the coup and for reporting military violence, abuse and corruption.

We have no rights

Nan Paw Gay, editor-in-chief at Karen Information Center, said the military council has no respect for journalists or their right to publish information in the public interest.

There is no freedom of the press. If journalist's try to report news or seek information from the militarys opponents  CRPH, NUG, CDM, G-Z and PDF - the State Administration Council prosecutes them under Section 17/1 of the Illegal Association Act. Since the military launched its coup, sources we use have had their freedom of speech and expression made illegal and they now risk arrest for talking to us and we can be arrested for speaking with them. Independent media groups have been outlawed and totally lost their right to speak freely or write about news events.

Nan Paw Gay points out if journalists are critical of the military, its appointed State Administration Council or its lack of a public health plan to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic now ravaging the country, section 505 (a) is used to arrest journalists for spreading false news. Essentially torture is used to terrorise journalists, he said.

When the military council arrests and detains journalists, the torture is both physical and psychological. Even before being detained threats are issued and then during the arrest the violence becomes real - shootings, people being kicked and dragged from homes by their hair and beaten.

Nan Paw Gay says women journalists are more likely to be tortured using psychological abuse - kept in a dark room and constantly told that they will be killed tomorrow - to mess and generate fear with their thoughts. You can see the effects of the tortured on some journalists when they appear in court - shaking hands and body spasms.

Military brutality is a daily reality for Myanmars people. At the time of writing, the army is preparing to deploy and reinforce its bases with hundreds of extra troops into areas of the Karen National Union-controlled territory and where anti-coup protestors, striking doctors and politicians have been offered refuge and safety. A senior ethnic Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) soldier told the IFJ that army drones and helicopters have been surveying the area in recent months.

We know theyve sent munitions and large troop numbers to our area last time we had drones flying over our area, they later attacked villages and our positions with airstrikes. Theyre already fighting in our Brigade 5 and 1 and have started in 6 and 2.

Since the military launched its coup on February 1, there has been at least 500 armed battles between the KNU and the military regime and 70,000 Karen civilians have been displaced and are hiding in makeshift camps as a direct result of these attacks. Fighter jets have flown into Karen National Union-controlled areas 27 times and dropped at least 47 bombs, killing 14 civilians and wounding 28.

Burnt rice stores in Myanmar. Credit: KIC

Naw K'nyaw Paw, general secretary of the Karen Women Organization, in an interview with Karen News, said villagers displaced by the Myanmar Army attacks are now in desperate need of humanitarian aid.

They shoot at villagers if they see them on their farms, burning down their rice barns and killing the livestock left behind. The Burma Army also arrests people when they see them and use them as human shields to protect them when attacked by Karen soldiers.

Naw K'nyaw Paw said accessing the displaced villagers is difficult, especially during the wet season.

The only accessible way in is on foot, supplies have to be carried through jungle. Given the restrictions due to Covid-19 as well as the increasing Burma Army military operations, villagers are unable to return to their homes and they will need food, clothing and medicine, especially the young and old.

Nan Paw Gay says the militarys strategy to muzzle the media is a familiar tactic that has been used before. Stop international media getting access to conflict areas, shut down independent media, hunt local journalists and when theres no one to left to report, launch attacks in ethnic regions, displacing thousands of villagers.

Phil Thornton is a journalist and senior adviser to the International Federation of Journalists in South East Asia.
The Belarus Supreme Court dissolved on 27 August the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), the only independent representative organisation of journalists and media workers in Belarus and one of the countrys most prominent champions of freedom of expression. The International and European Federations of Journalists (IFJ/EFJ) strongly condemn this parody of justice.

On 27 August the Belarus Supreme Court in Minsk held a hearing on the dissolution of BAJ, the IFJ and EFJ affiliate in Belarus. For over 25 years, BAJ and its membership of over 1,300 media workers has promoted freedom of expression and independent journalism in Belarus, facilitating the exercise of civil, social, and cultural rights.

BAJ is among dozens of organisations targeted for liquidation, with others including cultural, environmental and heritage protection groups, the Belarusian PEN Centre, the Office for the Rights of Disabled People, the National Youth Council, the Belarus Press Club, organisations focusing on gender rights, and groups that support older people.

After organising fraudulent elections to keep himself in power, the Belarusian dictator, Alexander Lukashenko, proceeds to an outright liquidation of all sectors of Belarusian civil society, said EFJ President Mogens Blicher Bjerregard. This is an unprecedented purge that should mobilise intergovernmental organisations. We call on the European Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the United Nations to react firmly. The liquidators and the forces of repression must be severely punished.

"The decision of the Belarusian Supremer Court is the result of months of attacks against our affiliate and we strongly condemn this. BAJ has been courageously defending press freedom for years in Belarus and journalists badly need its support. We are standing by BAJ in the name of press freedom and freedom of association," said IFJ President Younes MJahed.
Khyber TV reporter Abdul Mateen Achakzai and cameraperson Muhammad Ali were arrested while reporting in Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan on August 25 and released two days later, while another Pakistani journalist Muhammad Iqbal Mengal remains missing. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Pakistan affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), urge the Pakistan government to find and ensure Mengals safe release.

A Taliban fighter stands guard at the site of the August 26 twin suicide bombs, which killed scores of people including 13 US troops, at Kabul airport on August 27, 2021. Credit: WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP

Taliban militants detained Pakistan journalists Achakzai and Ali for allegedly not getting the Talibans approval to report in Afghanistan. The militants confiscated the journalists' phones and interrogated them at an unknown location before releasing them on August 27.

Achakzais family member has confirmed that both journalists returned home safely to Pakistan. Upon release, Achakzai said, Initially the Taliban militants misbehaved us while later on, they provided us good food. The delay in release was because of the lack of coordination in various Taliban agencies.

Mengal, a reporter for Pakistans 92 News group, remains missing and is suspected of being detained by Taliban militants following the Kabul airport bombing on August 26 that claimed the lives of 170 people, including two journalists and 13 US service members. Mengal reported live on television at the bomb site on August 26. According to his family, Mengals phone has been out of reach since his live coverage. Before Mengal disappeared, he had also been reporting in Kandahar and Herat city.

Achakzai and Alis arrest and Mengals disappearance comes a week after Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced the Talibans support for a free media in Afghanistan during a press conference.

The PFUJ said: The PFUJ condemn the abduction of Pakistani journalist Muhammad Iqbal Mengal in Kabul and demands the authorities in both the countries to carry out prompt action for his rescue. The abduction of journalists in the line of duty is an international crime. We call upon the International media organizations to play their role for safe rescue of the abducted Pakistani journalists.

The IFJ said: Arresting, abducting and requiring permission for journalists to report contradicts the core principles of an independent and free press. The IFJ urges the Taliban to ensure media can work without fear of retribution or persecution.

The IFJ calls on the Pakistan government and the international community to assist in finding Muhammad Iqbal Mengal and ensure his safety. As the situation in Afghanistan unfolds, the international community and media organisations operating in Afghanistan must take proactive steps to ensure the safety of media workers, the IFJ added.

To support journalists in Afghanistan, donate to the IFJ safety fund.
Revered Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami has criticised Japans prime minister Yoshihide Suga for his response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking on his monthly radio show yesterday (29 August), Murakami suggested that Suga had ignored a surge in Covid cases and public concerns about the state of the pandemic.

Murakami quoted Sugas recent comment, in which the prime minister remarked that an exit is now in our sight after a long tunnel.

If he really saw an exit, his eyes must be extremely good for his age. Im of the same age as Mr. Suga, but I dont see any exit at all, said Murakami.

It seems he doesnt listen to others, and perhaps he only has eyes that see well, or he sees only what he wants to see, he said. While we still dont see an exit, we must survive until we really start seeing an exit, while we make use of everything available.

The Japanese government has faced criticism for allowing the recent Olympics and Paralympics to go ahead in Tokyo, despite concerns about infection rates.

Support for Sugas government has fallen to under 30 per cent this August, down from roughly 70 per cent last September, when his term as prime minister began.

Last week, expanded emergency Covid-19 measures were announced, which cover around three-quarters of Japan.

Additional reporting by AP
China has announced a ban on written exams for children aged six and seven as a part of larger education reforms to ease the burden on students and parents.

The Chinese ministry of education on Monday released a notice specifying that first and second grade students of elementary schools would not sit for written examinations while students of other grades will have only one final exam every semester.

Junior high schools would be allowed to hold one midterm examination of different subjects based on the progress of the student.

This has come as the latest effort by the government to ease the pressure on students and parents in the highly competitive Chinese education system. Previously in July, Beijing banned private tutoring firms operating in the country to control them from making profits and accepting foreign investment in sweeping policy reforms.

In a statement, the ministry said on Monday: "Exams are a necessary part of school education.... [but] some schools have problems like excessive exams, that cause excessive burden on students...this must be corrected."

Earlier students used to take exams from the very first year of primary school until a university entrance exam at the age of 18, known as the gaokao - the single exam that is required for admission in higher institutions.

The ministry said it made the changes recognising that too frequent exams can cause students to be overburdened and under huge exam pressure.

"Non-graduating junior high students are also not allowed to organise weekly tests, unit exams, monthly exams etc. Examinations disguised under various names like academic research is also not allowed, the ministry said.

It also forbade after-class tutoring sessions by schools, saying that school cannot extend or adjust the timings of classes or teaching schedules at will.

But extracurricular activities to enrich students after school have been allowed and teachers as well as retired teachers and volunteers are being encouraged to host such classes.

The new guidelines are part of the wider reforms in Chinas highly competitive education sector where education inequality is widespread with more affluent families willing to spend thousands on their childrens tutoring.

Schools have been banned from giving homework to first graders and were asked to limit homework for junior high school students to the limit of 1.5 hours a night.

The government has also restricted all private tutoring firms, ordering them to turn into non profit and restricted foreign investment in the industry, crippling around $120bn (87bn) worth industry.

American application Duolingo, the global language-learning app, is not available on the Chinese app stores following announcements, according to South China Morning Post.
North Korea appears to have resumed plutonium production for nuclear weapons, the UNs atomic watchdog has reported.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a new report the evidence pointed to the Yongbyon nuclear reactor restarting operations in July.

The five megawatt reactor is capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium, a critical ingredient in building nuclear warheads.

"Since early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation," the IAEA report stated.

Although UN inspectors have been barred from the site since 2009, the IAEA continues to monitor Yongbyon remotely by satellite imagery and other open-source information.

The agency also suggested the attached radiochemical laboratory at Yongbyon had been working since February, likely to reprocess and extract plutonium from spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants.

"[North Koreas] nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern. Furthermore, the new indications of the operation of the 5-megawatt reactor and the radiochemical laboratory are deeply troubling," the IAEA said.

Yongbyon has been a core part of North Koreas nuclear programme for decades. Kim Jong-Un, the reclusive dictatorships leader, offered to close the facility during negotiations with Donald Trump in 2019, in return for the lifting of international sanctions.

But the then-president rejected the offer, reportedly because it would only represent ending part of North Koreas nuclear capability.

There are believed to be several other uranium processing facilities  producing the other critical fuel needed for nuclear weapons  across the country.

The IAEA report also notes signs of mining and concentration activities at a uranium mine and plant in Pyongsan, and a suspected enrichment facility in Kangson.

"There has been no agreement governing these facilities for a long time now," Joshua Pollack, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, explained.

North Koreas appetite for warheads is not yet sated, it seems."

Leading figures from the regime, including Mr Kim and his increasingly powerful sister Kim Yo-Jong, have made belligerent threats against the United States in recent months and pledged to strengthen the countrys absolute deterrence and speed up weapons development.

Joe Bidens new administration has said it wants to reopen talks with North Korea about denuclearisation but Pyongyang has so far rebuffed the offers.
A US drone strike in Kabul, which the Pentagon said destroyed a vehicle carrying suicide bombers, killed 10 members of a family, including six children, a relative has said.

American officials claimed the airstrike on Sunday afternoon had eliminated an imminent Isis-K threat to Hamad Karzai airport, where a fraught international effort to rescue thousands of Nato troops and vulnerable allies from Afghanistans new Taliban regime was drawing to a close.

A senior US official said a missile had been fired at a vehicle in a compound between two buildings, after individuals were seen loading explosives into the boot.

But as footage showed black smoke rising from a residential building northwest of the airport, reports began to emerge of at least three civilian deaths, citing an Afghan police chief. A statement released concurrently by US army Captain Bill Urban said: We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time.

By Monday morning, the alleged civilian death toll had risen higher still. Speaking to the BBC from Kabul, a man named Ramin Yousufi described losing 10 relatives in the blast.

Mr Yousufi said his cousin  a 40-year-old charity worker and the head of our family  had returned home from work and was outside with his children when the drone hit the car. He died in the blast alongside nine other members of his family, including a 19-year-old and six children, the youngest aged two, Mr Yousufi said.

Speaking of his cousin, who served for two decades the poor people in the north of Afghanistan and Kabul, Mr Yousufi asked: How is it he can be part of Daesh or a suicide attack? Its not possible.

Becoming choked with emotion, Mr Yousufi said: Weve seen hell in our life. We gathered parts of our [family] members in our hands. How is this possible?

They killed our family, our children, he said. They are all burned out. We can not now define their face, their body

He added: Its wrong, its a brutal attack, and its happened based on wrong information.

Emal Ahmadi, another relative, said it was his two-year-old daughter who was killed in the strike, according to the BBC. He said the family had applied for evacuation and was waiting to go to the airport.

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CNN also independently reported that nine members of a family  including six children  died in the blast, quoting a brother of one of those killed.

Another neighbour told the US news organisation that they estimated that there might have been up to 20 people killed in the strike, adding: Not much is left of their house and nothing can be recognised, they are in pieces.

The Associated Press had earlier carried comments from a district representative in Kabul, who said the airstrike ignited a fire that made it difficult to rescue people. There was smoke everywhere and I took some children and women out, he said.

A neighbour called Ahmaduddin told the news agency he had collected the bodies of children after the strike, which set off more explosions inside the house.

In a statement published on Sunday night, the US military acknowledged the reports of civilian deaths and said it was investigating further, adding: We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life.

We are still assessing the results of this strike, which we know disrupted an imminent Isis-K threat to the airport, said Captain Urban, of US Central Command. We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties.

On Monday, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby defended the intelligence about what we believed to be a very real, a very specific and a very imminent threat as he told reporters: Make no mistake, no military on the face of the earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the United States military, and nobody wants to see innocent life taken.

Afghan residents and family members of the victims gather next to a damaged vehicle (AFP/Getty)

The drone strike came just three days after a suicide bombing at Kabul airport, claimed by Isis-K, took the lives of as many as 170 Afghan civilians and 13 American troops.

Following the bombing of Kabuls airport on Thursday, the US president had warned on Saturday that he had been advised another terror attack was highly likely within the next 24 to 36 hours.

On Monday, as Washington prepared to cede control of Kabul airport to the Taliban on Tuesday, bringing its longest-ever war to a grim close, Isis-K claimed responsibility for six new rocket attacks, reportedly launched from the back of a vehicle.

US officials said that anti-missile defences intercepted five missiles heading for the airport, but reports suggested some rocket fire struck a nearby neighbourhood. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties.

Thousands of Afghans are fearing Taliban reprisals after the US withdrawal, others in Kabul reported concerns at the threat of continued violence from Isis.

Speaking from close to the wreckage of the car from which the rockets were reported to have been launched on Monday, Kabul resident Farogh Danish told the Associated Press: People are terrified and worried about the future, worried that the rocket launching might continue.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid (C) speaks to the media at the airport in Kabul after the US withdrawal (AFP via Getty)

British foreign secretary Dominic Raab is heading to the region around Afghanistan to talk about the rescue of those left behind in Kabul. However, the cabinet minister didnt reveal his exact destination for security reasons.

The Taliban are all set to form the Islamic government in Afghanistan and are planning to name Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada  the groups top religious leader  as the countrys new supreme authority.

Meanwhile, a senior UN official has warned that food stocks in Afghanistan could run out as soon as this month.

Pentagon leaders on Wednesday expressed wariness in continuing to work with the Taliban leaders in Afghanistan and said that they are working with them on a very narrow set of issues.

The US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, said that the special immigrant visa program perhaps should be looked at going forward citing the long process involved in cleaning them to come to the United States.
The last exit of western forces from Afghanistan has taken place amid carnage on the ground, bitter accusations and recriminations in Washington and London, and despondency and fear among people left behind in a shattered land.

The 20th anniversary of 9/11 will be marked by the humiliating defeat for the US, the UK and their allies, and gathering darkness for Afghans who see the painstaking gains of the last two decades being snatched away as they enter a forbidding future.

The attack on Kabul airport by Isis-K last week, in which at least 169 Afghans were slaughtered, and the prevalence of other extremist groups, including al-Qaeda, was a warning that the savage civil war that followed the withdrawal of the Russian forces at the end of the 1980s may return  with all the devastation that will entail.

I have been covering the most recent Afghan war since its inception and have seen first-hand the kinds of atrocities that again seem to be the countrys destiny. Indeed, witnessing the fall of Kabul and then the desperate plight of refugees trying to flee the Taliban over the past weeks made it only too clear to me that for many Afghans the nightmare has already begun.

I was thinking this morning that I am 20 years old, I was born the year the Taliban rule ended. The life I wanted will end now, 20 years later, Afshaneh Ansari, a friends sister I had known for a decade told me on the day the Taliban entered Kabul.

I wanted to be an artist trying to fuse Afghan and western art. I am also an activist on gender issues, said Afshaneh, a student at Kabul University. I dont think that will be possible now, not in Afghanistan, I cannot believe this disaster has happened, that our lives have been destroyed just like that.

For others, distress is mixed with bewilderment at being let down by the west. Benesh Allaiwal, a 28-year-old human rights activist, called me on the day that the Taliban told working women to stay at home and Joe Biden had refused to extend the deadline for evacuations. The last US troops flew out of the capital Kabul on Monday night.

I am not surprised that the Taliban and the American president would both harm us so much on the same day. I suppose something like this was always going to happen when Mr Biden announced he was going to take away the soldiers, which was a signal for the Taliban to attack, she said.

Beneshs family had fled to Pakistan during Taliban rule and returned after Mullah Mohammed Omars regime fell following the invasion by American and British troops in 2001. The Americans and the Europeans encouraged women like me to become educated, to fight for our rights and rights of others, she wanted to stress.

Now these are the things that make me a target for the Talib. The only hope we have are the flights, to get to them past Taliban checkpoints, but believe me, many, many people will not be able to make it.

The evacuation was turbulent from the start, something that was bound to be the case with the time limits and terms of reference imposed. It is true that thousands have been airlifted to safety, but many have been left behind, some are in hiding, hunted by vengeful jihadists.

An Afghan boy stands along a road holding a bunch of balloons to sell in Kabul on Monday (AFP/Getty)

There is anger among many of the American, British and other western forces at what has happened  they know that people they had worked with, often in dangerous conditions, are being left behind.

What they have witnessed, as people sought to escape the Talibs for the airlift, have been a highly emotional experience for many. On a particularly bad day, when seven people died from a crush and heat, outside the British forces headquarters, the Baron Hotel, a soldier from the Parachute Regiment came over to say: Do you know, I have been in the army for 12 years and whats happening here is the worst I have ever experienced. A younger soldier simply said: I have never seen a dead body before, joining the army I expected to see people die, but not this, I didnt expect this.

On that same day a young Hazara girl, around eight years old, a hand missing as a result of an IED (improvised explosive device) explosion, had asked me to try and find her mother. I feel very scared, I have no one, she said. We looked but failed to find her mother in the swelling crowd. A little later the girl wandered over to where the shrouded bodies had been laid out and fainted. One of them was of her mother.

Every single foreign journalist on the ground has received desperate pleas from those trying to get away; everyone has tried the best they could, getting out individuals and families with the help of sympathetic troops and officials who have shown patience and compassion.

The pleas for help have continued even after the airlifts are ending. They are from people we know well and those we do not know at all. As I write this there are phone calls from someone I met in Herat two weeks ago. Please, please, please help, please get your government to help, they want to kill us, said the man. He has reasons to be frightened.

There is a deep concern for our Afghan colleagues in the media. They have been the real heroes in covering this conflict. We, the foreign media, have come here over the years, done our stint, and then gone back.

But they have continued with their work when Afghanistan drifted away from international focus, charting the atrocities of the insurgency, exposing corruption in the government. They have paid a heavy price, many had been threatened, abducted, attacked  some have been killed.

The situation in Afghanistan has had such a powerful impact on so many people  aid workers, the military, the media, diplomats  partly because we all witnessed the rebirth of a nation two decades ago and now we are seeing its destruction unfold in front of us.

The end of Taliban rule was a time of great hope. The suffocating greyness of Islamist rule was replaced by colour and light. There was music, shops opened, bright posters appeared, women threw off their hijabs. Girls schools and language schools sprang up, modern subjects were introduced into colleges and universities.

The Taliban leadership had fled to their havens in Pakistan. In Kandahar, at the home of Mullah Omar, with its gold-plated chandeliers, formica wall panels and a rococo mosque with green and blue mirrors, local people prowled looking for souvenirs. The warlords had grudgingly accepted that they would have to disband their private armies.

Evacuees from Afghanistan are seen at their temporary shelter inside a US army barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Monday (Reuters)

George W Bush assured the Afghans at the time, You can count on the United States, we shall be staying to ensure security. Tony Blair declared: This time we will not walk away, as the west had done after using the mujahideen to drive out the Russians.

But the US and UK did walk away again, this time into the disaster of Iraq in 2003. Funds for reconstruction were switched over. The thinly spread forces were denuded even further. CIA and special forces operatives on the Pakistani border were switched to the hunt for Saddam Hussein and senior Baathists.

I met one of them, Alex, a former US army ranger of 19 years experience, fluent in Dari, Pashto and Urdu, at Camp Victory next to Baghdad airport at the end of 2003. We were actually getting somewhere and then we were ordered to move here. We have had to leave our Afghan agents  some of them have been killed, he shook his head in disgust. I was an Afghan specialist, spent years with the Muj. I dont even speak Arabic for Gods sake, but they dont give a f*** about Afghanistan in DC any longer. They dont know the problems they are storing up.

The media was focused on Iraq, which had begun its descent to the abyss after liberation. But fleeting visits to Afghanistan showed that the Talibs, helped by elements in the Pakistani military and intelligence service that fed and watered them, were moving back into the security vacuum, taking over rural districts and carrying out attacks in the cities.

American and British politicians appeared to be oblivious of what was happening. Donald Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary at the time, told us in Mazar-e-Sharif the war was over: The Taliban are finished, they are marginalised, they will have no future role to play in Afghanistan, he declared.

In 2006, with the security situation fraying, the west was back in Afghanistan with the establishment of Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) with British general, Sir David Richards, in charge. The UK went to Helmand, a deployment the then defence secretary John Reid had announced was likely to end without a shot being fired in anger.

One of the reasons for making Helmand the location of the UK force was to tackle the poppy harvest: 90 per cent of the heroin on the streets of Britain came from the province, which was responsible for 25 per cent of Afghanistans opium crop. Twenty years on, Helmand produces around 62 per cent of the national crop.

Kalaqata residents, in the Takhar province, fleeing the frontline as US fighter planes bomb Taliban positions in November 2001 (AFP/Getty)

The British military was extremely wary about getting involved in creating another tier of enemy among farmers whose livelihood depended on the crop, and they received little clarity on policy from London.

As the deployment took place, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Worsley, the British officer in charge of the Helmand capital, Lashkar Gah, asked me as I was leaving for Kabul: Are you going to the British embassy in Kabul? If you are, can you ask them what exactly is the HMG policy on poppy eradication? No one has told us.

Meanwhile the American company DynCorp started destroying poppy fields, and the farmers waited for the promised compensation. Soon the contractors took to coming over to the base for dinner with their fellow Americans. One evening, while we were there, a car packed with explosives followed them and drove into the main gate. It was the first suicide attack in Lashkar Gah.

Lt Col Worsley, a former SAS officer, a brave man of charm and modesty, died in 2016, just as he was close to making history, completing Sir Ernest Shackletons journey to the South Pole. He was raising money for the Endeavour fund for injured servicemen and women. In the intervening years we would talk from time to time about all that went wrong and right in those early Helmand days.

By the summer of 2006, the British had more than poppies to worry about. Helmand was aflame, where small UK units were besieged in their bases by the Taliban. The bases had been established at the insistence of the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, who complained of a growing Taliban presence. It was effectively inviting the Taliban to come and fight. The challenge was taken up, casualties mounted, especially after the insurgents began using roadside bombs on an industrial scale.

IEDs were the great game changer, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the casualties.

In 2010 at Babaji, company Sergeant Major Steve Taylor, of the Coldstream Guards, said when I arrived: Out of 130 men, we have had four deaths and 35 casualties, four of them have been double amputees, two single amputees. I have had young lads pleading that they didnt want to go out on patrol, but you say, Son, you have to go through with this, this is what we do. They have gone out and done the job. I could have asked for no more.

I soon got a taste of what they faced at Babaji. During one patrol a sergeant was injured by a booby trap as he rushed to help an injured soldier. As we returned with the stretcher party, another IED, placed on a route cleared just a few hours previously, exploded, causing more severe injuries. In bases like Sangin the troops, and the journalists with them, lived under siege, under relentless attacks.

While the conflict between the western forces and the insurgency continued, a campaign of assassinations by the Talibs begun. Women became particular targets for vengeance.

I had written about five women who symbolised the brave new face of Afghanistan. Four of them were subsequently murdered, and the fifth, an MP for Kandahar, fled to Kabul after her family were injured in an ambush in which her husband died.

Safia Amajan, who had survived the Taliban years secretly running classes for girls, was murdered at the age of 65 in September 2006. I met the two killers, in their early 20s, at Sarposa prison in Kandahar. They had carried out the murder in return for $5,000 offered by a mullah in Pakistan.

Malalai Kakar, the most prominent policewoman in the country, who led a team of 10 female officers who rescued abused women, and had led the investigation into Amajans death, was killed a month later after being lured into an ambush with a false report that a woman was being held captive.

Zarghuna Kakar, the MP, had entered politics after watching Cherie Blair and Laura Bush speak of the importance of women playing their part in public life in the Afghanistan of the future on television. She attended Malalais funeral.

The MP was herself under a Taliban death sentence but had received no protection from Afghan or Isaf forces. A little while later she and her family were attacked at the local market. Her husband, Mohammed Nasir, was killed and she suffered head wounds. Zarghuna fled to Kabul with her children.

Public figures were being targeted. I met Ahmed Wali Karzai, the presidents strongman brother who ran Kandahar, just after a salvo of missiles had been fired at his home in Kandahar. They have tried to kill me nine times already, they have got to do a bit better than this, he said, waving his arm at the damage.

AWK, as he was known, was a Chelsea supporter and a great admirer of John Terry and wondered if I could get him a signed shirt of the then Chelsea captain. I managed to get one thanks to a colleague in The Independents sports section and phoned Karzai to say that I would present it to him on my next visit to Afghanistan. A week later he was shot dead by one of his bodyguards.

The conflict continued, there were troop surges under US commanders General David Petraeus and General Stan McChrystal that won back ground from the Taliban. Joe Biden, as Barack Obamas vice-president, however, was strongly opposed to sending extra forces, but lost the argument.

There was stalemate at the end, with the Talibs taking over stretches of rural areas and the government, backed by the west, holding the cities and towns. Isaf ended its military operations in 2014, with a relatively small force staying on.

But that small force  around 2,400 Americans, just under 1,000 from Nato, and 750 from the UK  was an insurance against the insurgents and their Pakistani backers. But this safety net was thrown away by the Trump administration at the ineptly handled talks in Qatar led by Zalmay Khalilzad, the State Departments representative, resulting in the deeply flawed Doha Agreement that gave the Taliban almost everything they demanded.

A Taliban fighter stands guard at the site of the suicide bomb outside Kabul airport (AFP/Getty)

President Biden is now busy claiming that they inherited the bad deal from Trump. But throughout the US presidential campaign he had repeatedly affirmed that he would not reverse the pullout decision. He had done nothing since getting to the White House about the repeated breaches of the agreement by the Taliban, which would have allowed the US to review its own position.

The mantra from American and British officials was now the Najibullah example. The Afghan president left behind by the Russians was not just a Kremlin stooge after all, as the west had previously claimed, but an astute leader who had kept the insurgency at bay for three years until the collapse of the Soviet Union meant the money tap was turned off and fuel supplies were cut. That would not happen to the government of Ashraf Ghani with continuing western backing.

However, we kept on hearing from Afghan colleagues, officials and the military from the middle of July that things were going badly wrong. When I arrived in Afghanistan a month ago the Talibs had launched major assaults on three main cities, Kandahar, Herat and Lashkar Gah.

The subsequent collapse of the Afghan forces was spectacular. Having covered quite a few missions with them in the past, in which they fought bravely and professionally, I was as surprised as anyone else by what transpired, especially after spending some time in Herat with Afghan forces and fighters of the veteran mujahideen commander Ismail Khan where they acquitted themselves well with help from US airstrikes.

What happened in Herat may perhaps provide a pointer to what has unfolded across the country. A Talib fighter had come into Herat city, then under government control and thus at great personal risk to himself, to give me and an Afghan colleague the Taliban point of view.

He was in a subdued mood, with the Talibs having suffered a serious reverse. We fear only two things, Allah and US airstrikes, he said, complaining that the Americans were breaching the Doha Agreement by continuing with military action.

Yet, Herat was in Taliban hands two days later. I was in Kabul by then. The Talib fighter said in a telephone call that he and his comrades did not know what had happened. We just walked in, we didnt have to fire a shot, the government and Ismail Khans men just went away.

Afghan soldiers who had fought there and in other cities like Lashkar Gah and Mazar describe being told by their commanders to withdraw when they thought they had the upper hand in the battle. When asked what he thought had happened, an army captain had no doubt: Money, a lot of money changed hands, the Taliban dont have that much money, but people who back them do.

The final US flights have taken off from Kabul with Isis firing missiles at the airport. Meanwhile, at least 10 civilians, including six children, were reported to have been killed in a US drone strike that was supposedly aimed at a car bomb. The violence and rancour that has marked Americas longest war continues until the bitter end.
The last US forces departed from Kabul airport on Monday evening, shortly before a midnight deadline for a full withdrawal, bringing an end to a 20-year conflict launched in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

Americas longest war cost the lives of nearly 50,000 Afghan civilians, 2,500 US service members, 66,000 Afghan national military and police, 457 British armed forces personnel, and 50,000 Taliban and opposition fighters.

It was a war overseen by four US presidents, fought by two generations of Americans, and at a cost of an estimated $2 trillion. It ended with the defeat of a superpower by an army of guerrilla fighters, and the collapse of a decades-long state-building project in a matter of days.

The news of the last US flight leaving Kabul came first from Taliban leaders, as celebratory gunfire echoed across the city. Soon after, General Kenneth F McKenzie of US Central Command formally announced the end of the US military presence in the country.

Im here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans, he said. Every single US service member is out of Afghanistan.

No words from me could possibly capture the full measure of sacrifices and accomplishments of those who served, he added.

President Joe Biden confirmed the end of the US mission in Afghanistan in a statement some hours later, praising US service members for the evacuation of more than 120,000 people in just two weeks.

Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended, he said.

He added that it was the unanimous recommendation of the joint chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned.

Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops, and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead, he said, adding that he would address the American people tomorrow.

The war had grown increasingly unpopular among Americans in recent years. In the 2020 US presidential election, both candidates promised to end what had become known as the forever war. It fell to the victor, Joe Biden, to follow through.

The withdrawal had been set into motion by Donald Trump and his secretary of state Mike Pompeo, who together brokered a deal with the Taliban to withdraw US forces in return for a commitment from the militant group not to harbour terrorists.

Mr Trumps former national security adviser, HR McMaster, has joined a chorus of criticism of that agreement in recent days.

Our secretary of state signed a surrender agreement with the Taliban, he said. This collapse goes back to the capitulation agreement of 2020. The Taliban didnt defeat us. We defeated ourselves.

Following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, Mr Biden said the deal gave him few choices.

There was only the cold reality of either following through on the agreement to withdraw our forces or escalating the conflict and sending thousands more American troops back into combat in Afghanistan, lurching into the third decade of conflict, the president said.

Mr Biden had promised a responsible, deliberate and safe withdrawal, but it was a promise he could not keep. The collapse of the Afghan national army in a matter of days allowed the Taliban to enter the capital Kabul without a fight. The result was a chaotic, and deadly rush for the exit, with tens of thousands crowding into Hamid Karzai Airport in desperation.

More than 122,000 people have been flown out of Kabul by the US military since 14 August, the day before the Taliban took control of the capital. Among that number were citizens of the US and other foreign countries, diplomatic staff, Afghan activists, journalists and thousands who had worked with US forces as interpreters during the 20-year mission, and who feared reprisals from the Taliban.

But not all were able to evacuate in that time.

Theres a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure. We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out, Gen McKenzie told a Pentagon news briefing.

But I think if wed stayed another 10 days, we wouldnt have gotten everybody out, Gen McKenzie said, adding that the chief US diplomat in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, was on the last C-17 flight out.

The end of the mission on Monday followed a bloody final few days in the capital marked by a deadly suicide bombing on the airport that left more than a dozen US service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians dead; days later, a strike against a vehicle thought to be carrying more Isis-K militants in Kabul led to the deaths of 10 civilians, including at least six children.

The Biden administration is now likely to face serious questions about the intelligence failure that led to the US being caught off guard by Kabuls fall, as well as probes into the US evacuation effort launched in earnest as the capital was taken.

White House officials and other US agencies had remained silent for days regarding the logistics for the final hours of the evacuation; it wasnt immediately clear how soon after Americans boarded the last plane that Taliban fighters occupied the airport.

Following the completion of the evacuation, secretary of state Antony Blinken said that the State Department believed there was still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave.

And he added: Were trying to determine exactly how many. Were going through manifests and calling and texting through our lists.

Americas top diplomat said that the group included Afghans with American passports who were still deciding on whether they would leave the country.

Mr Blinken added that the State Department would help Americans leave no matter when they decided that was what they want to do.

He also said that the US and its allies were working to quickly reopen Kabuls international airport to allow Americans, US legal permanent residents and Afghans who worked with the US to leave the country.

We discussed how we will work together to facilitate safe travel out of Afghanistan, including by reopening Kabuls civilian airport soon as possible, said Mr Blinken.
Isis has claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on Kabul airport as US staff continued to evacuate Afghanistan.

A spokesperson for the terror group said militants fired "six Katyusha rockets" at the airport on Monday morning.

US officials said that anti-missile defences intercepted as many as five rockets.

Isis's failed attack came just hours after US forces launched a drone strike targeting an imminent Isis-K threat near Kabul airport on Sunday.

Witnesses on the ground said the strikes wiped out two cars close to a building near the airport.

US military officials said the attack prevented another deadly suicide attack at the airport.

It took out a vehicle carrying at least one person associated with the Afghanistan ISIS branch, officials added.

An Afghan official said that three children had died in the attack.

Last week an Isis suicide bomber killed 13 US troops and as many as 170 people, Britons among them, after detonating a device at the airport.

Late on Friday evening, the US retaliated in a separate drone strike in eastern Afghanistan, saying it had killed two high-profile members of the group.

Speaking after Monday's failed rocket attack, Captain Bill Urban, spokesman for the US military's Central Command, said there were no US casualties.

He said US forces used a defensive weapon known by the acronym C-RAM  a Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System  in response to the attack.

It targeted the rockets in a whirling hail of ammunition, he said.

The system has a distinct, drill-like sound that echoed through the city at the time of the attack.

Capt Urban said the Kabul airfield remains operational as the evacuation continued.

Meanwhile, Ross Wilson, the charge d'affaires at the US Embassy in Kabul now working out of the airport, insisted that evacuations remain ongoing Monday.

He dismissed as false claims that American citizens have been turned away or were denied access to the Kabul airport by US Embassy staff or American troops.

"This is a high-risk operation. Claims that American citizens have been turned away or denied access to HKIA by Embassy staff or US Forces are false," he said in a message on Twitter, using the acronym for the Kabul airport. He did not elaborate.

Additional reporting by Associated Press
The US military reportedly deployed a brutal new weapon in its strike against the Islamic State in Afghanistan on Saturday in retaliation for the suicide bombing of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday.

The attack - claimed by Isis-Khorasan Province (Isis-K), the Islamist terror factions regional affiliate - left almost 200 Afghan civilians dead as they attempted to board evacuation flights to flee the incoming Taliban, as well as 13 American servicemen and women.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon hit back over the weekend by assassinating two Isis planners behind the atrocity and injuring a third using a Hellfire R9X, a laser-guided air-to-surface missile fired from a Reaper drone arriving from the Persian Gulf.

The weapon, conceived during the Barack Obama-era to reduce collateral damage, does not contain an explosive warhead, instead releasing six razor-sharp, sword-length blades prior to impact to ensure maximum damage to the target without posing the same degree of threat to bystanders.

The device is said to be capable of chewing through the roof of a car like a tin opener.

The R9X weighs 49kg and is known formally as AGM-114R9X and colloquially as the ninja bomb or the flying Ginsu, an ironic nod to a popular range of kitchen knives sold in kitsch 1970s TV infomercials.

The US military has made almost no public statements about the weapon to date and has declined to name the two Isis men who died in the airstrike.

But a study by investigative journalism site Bellingcat reports that the R9X has been used at least 11 times since 2017, in Afghanistan as well as in Syria, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.

The devices deployment was reported as fact by The WSJ and by The Daily Telegraph but two Bellingcat analysts have since taken to Twitter to question their certainty, noting that the crater left behind and visible in a video accompanying the formers story does not resemble those seen in previous strikes involving the same missile.

The vehicle in the courtyard has clearly been exposed to significant heat. The R9X is very unlikely to do this because it doesnt explode, observed Bellingcat senior investigator Nick Waters.

In theory it could hit a fuel tank and cause this kind of damage, but the vehicle itself has no tell-tale cuts from the swords.

Human Rights Watch has previously warned that the new device should not be regarded as a fail safe or considered the answer to the ethical problems associated with the use of drone strikes in modern warfare.

The new technology can only be as good as the intelligence and the rules that guide it, Letta Tayler, the organisations associate director, wrote when reports of the missile first circulated in 2019.

On its own, the R9X wont resolve the host of legal issues surrounding the US targeted killing programme, which since 2002 has killed thousands of people with scant transparency.
Hurricane Ida tore off parts of a hospitals roof in Louisiana and left behind a trail of destruction after it slammed the states coast as a Category 4 storm on Sunday.

A video shared on social media showed the roof of Lady of the Sea General Hospital being blown off as the storm tore through Galliano, located 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.

According to hospital administrators, patients were moved to lower levels of the building before the damage occurred and only a few people were inside the building during the landfall, USA Today reported.

Another hospital in the region brimming with Covid-19 infected patients  the Thibodaux regional medical centre  reported a partial generator failure.

The storm has wreaked havoc, causing flash floods in Mississippi, Tennessee, and especially New Orleans which is now battling a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the highly contentious Delta variant of the coronavirus. Over 2,600 people are hospitalised in Louisiana with Covid-19 amid a severe outbreak, according to the government data.

At least one person died after the hurricane made a landfall near Port Fourchon with winds gusting at 150 mph, CNN reported. The victim succumbed to injuries from a fallen tree shortly after the hurricane made inroads, the Ascension Parish sheriffs office confirmed.

Later in the night, the hurricane weakened to a Category 2 storm with wind speed of 100-125 mph gusting upto 125, and its centre was reportedly located about 25 miles west-southwest of New Orleans. The storm left over one million people without electricity in the region for the entire night.

Idas arrival marked the 16th anniversary of catastrophic hurricane Katrinas landfall in southern Louisiana leading to over 1,800 deaths and $125 billion in damages.

President Joe Biden declared Ida a major disaster and ordered federal aid to expedite recovery efforts in the hurricane affected areas.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster, the White House said.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards described Ida as one of the strongest storms to make landfall in modern times and urged those who hadnt evacuated to stay inside in an interior room of their house.
Since returning from her soggy holiday in Cornwall, my boss Bella has been like a woman possessed. Those members of the Bella Vista PR staff who arent lucky enough to be on annual leave have been summoned to thrice-daily Zoom sessions. It turns out that when Bella wasnt trying to hack the thermostat for her holiday rentals central heating (the fight to get her deposit back having put two deckchairs on the wood burner continues) she was speed-reading business books. She has fallen in love with Thought Showers and Thunder Claps by an American entrepreneur/professional paddle-boarder/philanthropist called Dwayne Bailey the Third.

I looked up Dwayne the Thirds book online. In his bio he claims to have started 20 successful companies and been able to retire at the age of 35 due to his amazing creative business methods. Downloading a sample, I got the gist of those methods. Thought showering, looks a lot like what we call having a team meeting and thunder claps are the things formerly known as ideas. You dont need to buy the book, unless youre also interested in how Dwayne spends his days now hes retired. He starts with a run, a cold shower and a kale smoothie. That sets the tone for a day of bio-hacking and meditating on his own greatness. Dwaynes days seem much harder work than going into an office.

Talking of going into an office
The Taliban has given assurances that it will continue letting foreigners and Afghans with the correct documents to leave the country after the 31 August deadline for American troop withdrawal, according to a joint statement issued Sunday by the US and nearly 100 other countries.

At the same time, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said Sunday that the US will not likely maintain a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan after ending its 20-year military involvement.

In terms of having an on-the-ground diplomatic presence on September 1, thats not likely to happen, Blinken told NBCs Meet the Press. But what is going to happen is that our commitment to continue to help people leave Afghanistan  who want to leave and who are not out by September 1  that endures.

Theres no deadline on that effort, and we have ways, and we have mechanisms, to help facilitate the ongoing departure of people from Afghanistan if they choose to leave.

Much of that strategy, however, seems to depend on cooperation from the Taliban  as evidenced by the joint statement released Sunday from the US, UK and nearly 100 other nations.

We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan, the statement read. We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.

We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding.

Blinken doubled down Sunday on the Talibans responsibility to honour any agreements.

Nothing has been promised to the Taliban ... there are very significant expectations of the Taliban going forward, he told Meet the Press.

As of Sunday, the US had safely gotten 5,500 American citizens out of Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul on 14 August. The capital was the latest Afghan city to fall after the Taliban systematically resumed control of the country ahead of Americas military withdrawal after a 20-year presence sparked by the 9/11 attacks.

The State Department said Sunday that 50 Americans had been evacuated in the previous day; 250 more were still waiting to get out of Afghanistan.

An ISIS-K suicide attack on Kabul airport on Thursday killed 13 US service members and 170 others, most of them desperate Afghans trying to flee.

The remains of the US service members arrived Sunday at Dover Air Force Base, where President Joe Biden and his wife honoured the fallen and met with their families.

One day after the deadly suicide attack, a US drone strike killed two high-profile ISIS-K members in a hit that meant the group had lost some capability to plan and to conduct missions, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Saturday.

Do we believe we hit valid targets, bad guys who can do bad things and can plan bad missions? Absolutely, he said. And do we think that will have some impact on their ability going forward? Absolutely.

Mr Kirby added that the Taliban had security checkpoints around the airport in a loose perimeter ... but they are not manning gates. They are not at the airport doing security roles or anything like that.

On Sunday, Sec Blinken continued to deny reports that the US had handed names of citizens and visa holders over to the Taliban in a move that, according to critics, would essentially turn it into a kill list.

The idea that we shared lists of Americans or others with the Taliban is simply wrong, he told Meet the Press.

His comments were echoed more forcefully by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, also speaking Sunday to CNNs State of the Union.

Weve aggressively, decisively disputed that report, Sullivan said. Weve given no list of all the American [Special Immigrant Visa] holders to the Taliban or any other kind of big list.
Hurricane Ida has slammed energy production on the US Gulf coast, causing the evacuation of more than half of the rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).

Investors signalled the outages could drive up US petrol prices in the coming weeks, as the ability to turn crude oil into major byproducts will be severely limited by the aftermath of the hurricane, which was labelled a category 4 storm before being downgraded to a tropical storm.

US petrol prices rose by more than 3 per cent as investors tried to work out how long it would take to get major oil refineries running again.

The area accounts for 17 per cent of US crude oil production and 5 per cent of its natural gas, according to figures from the US energy information administration.

Crucially, it is responsible for refining 45 per cent of US petroleum, and processing 51 per cent of the countrys natural gas.

The hurricane, which was declared a major disaster by the US president, has left more than 1 million people without energy in Louisiana while a further almost 100,000 are facing outages in Mississippi.

But it is still too early to determine whether or not the impact from Ida will be as severe as Hurricane Katrina which hit the region 16 years ago.

BSEE and industry estimates suggested on Sunday that more than 90 per cent of gas and oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut down.

And a sense of uncertainty among commodity investors was underscored by early divergence in oil prices and refined products on Monday after major oil benchmarks had climbed 10 per cent last week, ahead of Idas landfall.

While petrol crude oil prices often correlate, a gap between the amount of oil extracted and the ability to turn it into the petrol byproduct can temporarily change that relationship as investors try to figure out the long-term impacts of a hurricane.

US petrol and heating futures rose on Monday, but prices for US crude oil wavered ahead of US market open, while Brent crude, a global oil benchmark, ticked lower.

There are other factors at play too.

The Opec cartel of oil producers is expected to agree to increase oil supply on Wednesday, dampening price rises. Meanwhile, Jerome Powell, head of the US Federal Reserve avoided saying  as some investors had feared  that the central banks efforts to support the economy by buying bonds would be tapered imminently.

Instead, at last weeks Jackson Hole symposium, he noted that positive economic signals had to be set against the further spread of the Delta variant, indicating that tapering efforts might come later in this year.

And while the oil price rises ahead of Idas landfall were nothing new, according to Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at foreign exchange company Oanda, every hurricane is different and brings uncertainty for the region that contributes heavily to US output.
Republican congressman Louie Gohmert, a loyal Washington ally of former US president Donald Trump, drew a round of applause during a speech in Texas on Friday in which he endorsed the use of ivermectin  an anti-parasitic drug commonly deployed to treat intestinal worms and lice in livestock  as a cure for Covid-19 in humans.

The trouble is, these vaccines, they were only approved for emergency use, Gohmert told a crowd at the Texas Youth Summit in Conroe, an event at which fellow MAGA luminaries Ted Cruz, Kayleigh McEnany, Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk were also speaking.

Now you have Pfizer thats been approved, but theres so much long-term they dont know.

He continued: I dont know if yall saw, but a month after President Trump left office, The American Journal of Medicine came out with a great article that they had discovered a regimen of medication that when taken together early in Covid that  you may have heard of it: hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, a Z-Pak azithromycin, zinc.

Precisely which article the congressman was alluding to was not immediately clear but none of the substances he rattled off have in fact been definitively proven to be an effective remedy against the coronavirus in clinical trials.

Ivermectin, in fact, has a number of alarming potential side effects for humans, ranging from nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, itching and hives to seizures, comas or even death.

But Gohmert, who has no medical background whatsoever, is nevertheless not alone in promoting the treatment.

Also on Friday, another Trump cheerleader, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, told a meeting of his constituents in the town of Cold Spring that liberal hatred of the previous president had held back studies into the efficacy of ivermectin.

The hatred for Trump deranged these people so much that theyre unwilling to objectively study it, the senator claimed, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.

So someone like me thats in the middle on it, I cant tell you because they will not study ivermectin. They will not study hydroxychloroquine without the taint of their hatred for Donald Trump.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis, another GOP populist, is said to be taking advice on the pandemic from Dr Michael McDonald, a child psychiatrist who has previously promoted ivermectin, as well as regularly opposed the wearing of face masks, according to The Miami Herald.

In June, Wisconsins Republican senator Ron Johnson was suspended from YouTube after he uploaded a video promoting ivermectin as an answer to Covid, among a number of other quack cures.

Influential Fox News anchors Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham have likewise both previously speculated positively about its efficacy during on-air monologues.

The echo chamber of right-wing social media has been flooded in recent weeks with misinformation relating to ivermectins use as an alternative to the vaccines  the subject of no little paranoid conspiracy theorising  despite the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning against its use against Covid and a European Medicines Agency review in March concluding that the available data do not support its use for Covid-19 outside well-designed clinical trials.

The FDA sought to address the issue head-on on 21 August when it tweeted: You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, yall. Stop it.

In an attached article, the body said of Covid: Weve been living with it for what sometimes seems like forever. Given the number of deaths that have occurred from the disease, its perhaps not surprising that some consumers are looking at unconventional treatments.

Using any treatment for Covid-19 thats not approved or authorised by the FDA, unless part of a clinical trial, can cause serious harm, the agency warned, saying it has received multiple reports of patients who have required medical support and been hospitalised after self-medicating with ivermectin intended for horses.

The official advice has not stopped people buying up the drug from pet stores in droves, with one business owner interviewed by CNN saying she had sold 50-100 doses of ivermectin in the last month when she would ordinarily expect to shift just 10.

Another pet store employee warned the public: I highly suggest people stop injecting themselves with Ivermax [an ivermectin brand name] and start injecting themselves with the vaccine because thats free and [Ivermax] is $300.

Among those to have self-medicated with the drug and been taken ill as a consequence was Georgia police captain Joe Manning, 57, who frequently voiced anti-vaxx sentiments only to die last week due to complications arising from Covid.

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to US president Joe Biden, was as equally unequivocal as the FDA in warning against such conduct.

Dont do it, he said, when asked about the issue by CNN anchor Jake Tapper on Sunday Mornings State of the Union. Theres no evidence whatsoever that that works and it could potentially have toxicity, as youve just mentioned, with people who have gone to poison control centres because theyve taken the drug at a ridiculous dose and wind up getting sick. Theres no clinical evidence that indicates that this works.

Also ridiculing the craze was MSNBC host Rachel Maddow, who commented on her show last week: Literally people wont take the vaccine because theyre super suspicious of that, but theyre taking horse deworming medication that theyre buying at a feed store.

The pandemic has been replete with politicised discussions of non-pharmaceutical interventions, treatments, vaccines, and even the virus itself, writes Joshua Cohen of Forbes.

None of this has served public health well. To the contrary, politicisation has been to the detriment of efforts to turn the tide against the pandemic. Too many people have fallen under the spell of unproven cures while foregoing clinically confirmed instruments, such as vaccines.

Developed in the late 1970s, ivermectin has been used as a treatment on humans before, notably to tackle two nasty tropical maladies prevalent in the developing world: river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.

Oxford University meanwhile announced in June that it would study ivermectin as a remedy for the coronavirus as part of its Principle trial on the basis that, although the agent is not an antiviral, some of the laboratory studies investigating its impact on Covid had found that it could block the replication of Sars-CoV-2 but only at much higher, and unsafe, concentrations than those used in currently authorised ivermectin treatments.

The lack of evidence from large-scale, randomised controlled trials, however, made it impossible for those studies to say for sure that the drug is effective against the coronavirus, although that did not stop some countries like Peru, Bolivia and Colombia from administering it to patients.

The popularity of this latest highly dubious solution to the coronavirus pandemic among the American right follows on from President Trumps outspoken advocacy for the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine in 2020, which was likewise unproven against the virus  and thought to provoke worrying side effects including heart arrhythmia in some cases  but which the commander-in-chief, members of his cabinet and his supporters on Fox emphatically promoted anyway.

Trump himself claimed to have taken a dose of hydroxychloroquine and famously said of experimentation during a White House press conference: What really do we have to lose? We dont have time to say, Gee, lets take a couple of years and test it out.

The New York Times subsequently discovered that the celebrity tycoon had a small personal financial interest in the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi  which manufactured Plaquenil, the US brand version of hydroxychloroquine  while billionaire Republican donor Ken Fisher and US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross also had prior ties to Sanofi.
Officials leading the fight against wildfires in northeastern Minnesota warned Monday about a new threat: bears attracted by generous donations of food and other supplies.

Donations have far out-stripped our need and our ability to store what we have received, Superior National Forest officials posted in a social media update. We have no remaining storage space and donations now must be stored in the open on pallets, making them an attractant to bears. We have had two instances of bear damage already.

Black bears are common in northern Minnesota and rarely attack people, but conflicts can arise when they're attracted by food. The officials said they appreciate the donations, but they just can't accept any more.

We understand the genuine concern, and undeniable generosity of community members, but we need to be able to return the focus of our logistics staff to supporting the Greenwood Fire and our firefighters, they posted. They suggested donations to local food banks and fire departments instead, or thank a firefighter. We love signs along the road and cards.

Forest Service crews have been battling the Greenwood Lake fire since it was spotted Aug. 15, about 15 miles southwest of the town of Isabella. It has burned over 40 square miles (over 105 square kilometers) but has slowed down in recent days. The area received a much-needed 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 centimeters) of rain from Saturday afternoon through Monday morning, the most rain in a 24-hour period the area around the fire has received all year.

Recommended Final UK troops pulled out of Kabul

The fire destroyed 14 primary structures  mostly homes and cabins  and 57 outbuildings in a major run last Monday. It stood at 14% contained as of Monday with a projected containment date of Sept. 10.

The Forest Service also reported no growth thanks to the rain on two other, smaller wildfires of concern, the John Ek and Whelp fires, which are inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Crews have just begun efforts to fight those fires on the ground because they're deep in the wilderness in hard-to-reach areas. Fears that the two fires could expand while firefighting resources have already been stretched thin by the Greenwood Lake fire and severe drought conditions led the Forest Service Aug. 21 to close entire the Boundary Waters through at least Friday.
Police are investigating after a London bus driver was spat at by a passenger when he asked the man to put a mask on.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police have released an image of a man they wish to question in relation to the incident, which took place on Friday evening.

Around 10.40pm, a man boarded a number 83 bus near Wembley, in north-west London. The driver asked him to put on a mask as he got on the bus, which he said he would do.

However, when he sat down on the top deck, he failed to cover his face, leading the driver to tell him shortly afterwards if he did not put a mask on he would have to get off the bus.

The Met said the man then became angry and shouted at the driver, before spitting in his direction, hitting the glass on the front door of the vehicle.

PC Matt Cannon, from the forces Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: Bus drivers have worked throughout the pandemic at great risk to themselves, providing an essential service to key workers and others who rely on public transport to get around.

"Any assault against a driver doing their job is unacceptable, but spitting, given the threat posed by Covid-19 and what we know about how it is transmitted, is particularly appalling.

"We have been pursuing alternative lines of inquiry to identify this man, but so far it has not been possible to locate him. Im hopeful the public hold the key to finding out who and where he is."

Although there are no longer any national laws requiring masks on public transport, Transport for London has continued to require them as part of its condition of carriage when using its service, including buses.

Anyone who can help identify the man shown in the footage should call the Met on 101, providing the reference 1908495/21.
A former Royal Marine who left a foul-mouthed voicemail for a senior Ministry of Defence (MoD) advisor while fighting to evacuate 200 dogs and cats from Afghanistan has apologised for his language.

Paul Pen Farthing said his emotions had got the better of him when leaving his expletive-laden rant for Peter Quentin, a special advisor to the defence secretary Ben Wallace.

The former soldier, who served in Afghanistan before setting up an animal rescue charity called Nowzad, told ITVs Good Morning Britain he was incredible embarrassed after the voicemail was leaked to The Times over the weekend.

Im incredibly embarrassed about my language, I do apologise to everybody whos listened to that, he said.

"I was at the lowest point I could possibly be. I understand how the world works but emotions got the better of me, so for all those who had to listen to that I do apologise for my language.

"I should not have said it like that, but the sentiment, yes, I was just incredibly upset, angry, frustrated, it was the lowest point. I had no other option, I didnt know what else to do.

"So thats why youve probably heard some colourful language."

Mr Farthings quest to get his 200 dogs and cats from the Nowzad shelter evacuated became a viral sensation on social media over the past month.

At times, the former marine had accused the MoD of barring him and his animals from rescue flights, something Mr Wallace has taken to Twitter to furiously deny.

However, defence officials in Kabul and Whitehall did insist Mr Farthing would not be allowed to jump the queue and must wait his turn with the thousands of other Afghans and Britons trying to get into the airport.

He was offered a seat on a plane home last week, which his wife accepted, but the animal lover refused to go unless his horde of rescued pets were also flown with him.

Eventually, he was permitted to organise a private charter flight to Afghanistan, which collected him and the 200 animals and landed in Heathrow on Sunday.

Despite widespread support for this Operation Ark on social media, others in government accused Mr Farthing of distracting the attention of hard-pressed military and diplomatic officials who were focused on getting as many people onto rescue flights as possible.

While still in Kabul, Mr Farthing left a voicemail for Mr Quentin threatening with trying to ruin his reputation online if he did not facilitate the charter flight for Nowzad.

I am not taking this bollocks from people like you who are blocking me. Youve got til tomorrow morning, The Times reported the message said.

Heres the deal, buddy. You either get me that f***ing Isaf number and you get me permission to get onto that f***ing airfield, or tomorrow morning Im going to turn on you and the whole f***ing country, and everybody else whos invested in this rescue, is going to know its you  YOU  blocking this f***ing move. Alright?

Ultimately, Mr Farthing was able to bring his truck-loads of rescued pets into the airport, although he insisted this was with no help or permission from the British authorities.

Nobody in the British Government facilitated my entry into that airport  I did that with the Taliban, he said on Good Morning Britain.

Nobody facilitated my entry... any interpreters or anybody else, there was me and the truck full of dogs and cats, which went into a cargo hold where you cannot put people."

He did concede he was perhaps the last person to gain access to the airport before the British operation was wound down, and said he was the only human passenger on his plane to safety, despite initially claiming he would not leave Afghanistan without his local staff as well.

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said earlier the government had also prioritised people over animals in the evacuation.

"Mr Farthing is a British national, he had the opportunity to leave Afghanistan much earlier, he told the LBC radio station.

His staff are enrolled on to the scheme by which Afghans that worked with the British were able to be evacuated. But as I have said, we have always prioritised the evacuation of people."
Plans being devised by UK ministers to use processing hubs in third countries for Afghans eligible to come to Britain have been labelled a half-baked idea by the peer and former child refugee Alf Dubs.

Lord Dubs, who fled the Nazis as a child via the Kindertransport rescue mission, told The Independent there were so many unknowns about the potential plans, as Conservative MPs also demanded that more details be published.

The last civilian evacuation flight left the Afghan capital Kabul on Saturday, but ministers estimate that over 1,000 people thought to be eligible for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) did not make it onto a flight.

These people  who have worked in roles such as interpreting for the British mission in the country over the last 20 years  have been told not to travel directly to Europe, and instead to head for as yet unidentified processing centres in neighbouring countries to apply for assistance.

Lord Dubs said: First of all, people have got to get out of the country, theyve got to find some way out, and presumably where they get out to is Pakistan, Iraq, Iran or Uzbekistan  one of the border countries.

Im being a bit worried about this because the countries have to agree to have processing centres, and secondly what happens if someone is processed and deemed not to be a refugee under the Geneva convention? What happens to him or her then?

It sounds to me a very half-baked idea which hasnt been properly thought out, he added.

You either process them with the view to accepting them, which is fine, or you process them with a view to refusing them, in which case what would happen to them?

It comes after the defence secretary, Ben Wallace, insisted the scheme to evacuate Afghans eligible to come to the UK was not time limited  despite this weekends ending of the UK evacuation mission at Kabuls Hamid Karzai international airport.

Mr Wallace suggested that a series of processing hubs would be established across the region outside Afghanistan for those the government had been unable to airlift to safety out of the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Preparatory talks are understood to have begun with countries bordering Afghanistan, and the hubs are expected to involve small units deployed to UN refugee camps or based at local embassies and consulates.

But senior Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, told The Independent that ministers must publish further details as soon as possible.

We do require clarity of the movement corridors, which need to be approved by the Taliban, and it would be wise to get this information out as soon as possible to avoid panic, he said ahead of the end of the mission this weekend.

Mr Ellwood, a former soldier and defence minister, said a lack of information could endanger lives.

We really need to recognise the mission does not end with the departure of the British and Americans. We must endeavour to have a process, a programme, which goes on for months, he said.

Another senior Tory said: Lots of people are already looking towards the scheme and lots of Afghans in the UK are contacting their members of parliament, they are asking them for help to identify the way that their family can apply to the scheme, and there is no detail. Theres no mechanism.

People are desperately worried about their families, they are scared, they know the Taliban are going door to door, they added.

Ministers in Britain and other European countries have long toyed with the concept of processing hubs outside Europe  also sometimes called disembarkation platforms  as a way of dealing with people who want to come to the UK, usually to claim asylum.

The aim of such offshore centres has traditionally been to prevent a person from physically arriving on UK territory before their application is dealt with.

This helps the host country avoid strict obligations under international refugee treaties, and also reduces the likelihood of the applicant absconding in the event that their application is rejected.

Organisational difficulties have meant that the hubs are yet to be in serious use anywhere for general asylum seekers, although the UK and Denmark both say they are progressing with plans.

Steve Valdez-Symonds  UK refugee and migrant rights director at Amnesty International  raised a series of unanswered questions over the use of processing hubs in countries bordering Afghanistan.

The first big issue in terms of practicalities is what will be the situation, in whatever third countries youre talking about, for the people who its proposed could have claims processed, he told The Independent.

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Who is going to look after them? Who is going to be willing to receive them to begin with? What accommodation will be provided? How will they therefore be able to access any scheme the UK may be operating, in a place that is not within control of the UK?

He added: Theres a real question of whether some people are going to be able to get out of Afghanistan at all, and how dangerous it will be to do so.

Of course many people will try, not least because they will be making choices of whats the relative danger between staying and trying to leave. Those are already the decisions being made by some people who are in Kabul now, who might be eligible to get on a plane if only they can reach an airport.

They are having to ask themselves whats the relative risk: should I stay and lie low, or try and get to the airport and risk being identified by the Taliban at a checkpoint and not knowing what may happen to me. Exactly that sort of question will apply to anyone trying to leave Afghanistan from wherever.
Britain and France are to put forward an emergency UN resolution calling for a safe zone at Kabul airport so people can continue to fly out of Afghanistan, Emmanuel Macron has said.

The comments by the French president come after the UK airlift evacuation operation ended at the weekend, leaving at least 1,000 Afghans eligible to come to Britain stuck in Kabul and the surrounding country.

Plans to have the would-be evacuees travel overland to neighbouring countries for processing were today branded "half-baked" by former child refugee Lord Dubs, while ex-head of the army General Lord Dannatt has accused ministers of being asleep on their watch.

But under the new plan to be put forward at the UN Security Council in concert with France, the evacuees would still be able to leave by air  as long as the Taliban cooperates.

It comes as the Foreign Office released a joint statement alongside dozens of other countries foreign ministries, saying they had received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.

The countries, which include the US, Britain, and most European states, say they are committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan.

They add: We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding.

Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, who was widely criticised for being on holiday during the early part of the crisis, is meanwhile set to hold diplomatic meetings over the coming days on how to deal with the Taliban.

He is expected to echo the prime ministers call over the weekend that the international response will be based on the de facto Afghan governments actions rather than words  with assurances sought on education for women and girls, safe passage for refugees, and a rejection of international terror groups.

But it is the issue of how to help those who missed the last RAF flight out that is likely to be the most urgent priority. On Sunday the Foreign Office confirmed that the UN proposal outlined by Mr Macron was being pursued.

The UKs UN ambassador is expected to raise the safe zone proposal with her counterparts from the four other permanent member countries of the UN Security Council, China, France, Russia, and the United States. Diplomatic sources say that meeting is expected to take place late on Monday evening in New York.

Back in Westminster, Labours shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy has written to foreign secretary Mr Raab, asking him to explain how Labour MPs alone had 5,000 cases of Afghans potentially elegible to come to Britain in their inboxes  amid reports that the FCO had been ignoring emails from those trying to get out.

She warned that the government was working with a serious underestimate when it suggested that just 1,000 more people were eligible to come.

She said: My office is currently tracking cases related to 5,000 people from Labour MPs alone, including British nationals, high-profile public figures, people with serious disabilities and children separated from their families, which may give a sense of the complexity of evacuation.

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly on Monday morning acknowledged for the first time that emails from Afghans desperate to leave the country may not have been read by officials.

Asked if he had unread emails in his own inbox, Mr Clevely told the BBC on Monday: I suspect everybody has.

He said the government had received a huge number of emails directly from Afghanistan and from third parties after announcing it would help people at risk of reprisals from the Taliban.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 August 2021 Taliban fighters investigate a damaged car after multiple rockets were fired in Kabul AFP/Getty World news in pictures 29 August 2021 A Taliban fighter stands guard as Talibans acting Higher Education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani (not pictured) addresses a gathering during a consultative meeting on Taliban's general higher education policies at the Loya Jirga Hall in Kabu AFP/Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2021 A child that was evacuated from Afghanistan looks on at the U.S. airbase in Ramstein, Germany Reuters World news in pictures 27 August 2021 Soldiers take a selfie before a military parade in Chisinau, Moldova EPA World news in pictures 26 August 2021 Smoke rises from the site of a suspected suicide bombing outside Kabul airport in Afghanistan AP World news in pictures 25 August 2021 Egypts Ibrahim Elhusseiny Hamadtou in action during his Mens Singles Class 6 Group E Table 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Obviously we had a limited time window and limited flight availability in Kabul airport. We of course were prioritising getting people who had been processed, who were at the airport, on to planes and out of the country, he said.

We will continue to work with those Afghans in other parts of Afghanistan who had not been processed when the airport closed and we will continue working to get them out of the country.

We have been and will continue to work through the significant number of emails that we have received to try to get as many other people out of Afghanistan as possible.

Recommended Final UK troops pulled out of Kabul

Speaking to French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, Mr Macron said: Our resolution proposal aims to define a safe zone in Kabul, under UN control, which would allow humanitarian operations to continue.

Mr Macron added that the plan was about protecting these threatened Afghans and getting them out of the country in the coming days or weeks. We will see if this can be done through the capitals civilian airport or through neighbouring countries.
A Labour MP is temporarily stepping back from his role on Keir Starmer's front bench following shootings in his local constituency.

Luke Pollard, who represents Plymouth, will take a break from his job as shadow environment secretary in order to "support his community" after the attack.

On August 12 Jake Davison, 22, killed his mother, Maxine Davison, 51, at her home before going outside and shooting dead four others in a 12-minute attack.

In a statement on Monday Mr Pollard said the events in the Keyham area of the city had "shaken our community and have hit us all hard".

"Over the past fortnight our community, local councillors, the city council, the police and many more have stepped up to help," he said.

"It's my job as Keyham's MP to be focused on the community at this difficult time. We will get through this and will get through it together."

Sir Keir said he had "agreed a request" for the MP's portfolio to be taken over by Cambridge MP Daniel Zeichner for the next month.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 30 August 2021 Extinction Rebellion protesters hold a a tea party on Tower Bridge in London EPA UK news in pictures 29 August 2021 A police office tussles with a demonstrator on Cromwell Road outside the Natural History Museum during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion in London PA UK news in pictures 28 August 2021 Members of the British armed forces 16 Air Assault Brigade walk to the air terminal after disembarking a Royal Airforce Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire POOL/AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 27 August 2021 Fabio Quartararo crashes during a MotoGP practice session at the British Grand Prix, Silverstone Circuit Action Images via Reuters UK news in pictures 26 August 2021 An Extinction Rebellion activist holds a placard in a fountain surrounded by police officers, during a protest next to Buckingham Palace in London Reuters UK news in pictures 25 August 2021 Gold Medallist Great Britains cyclist, Sarah Storey, celebrates after winning the Womens C5 3000m Individual Pursuit Final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. It was her 15th Paralympic gold Reuters UK news in pictures 24 August 2021 A demonstrator dressed as bee during a protest by members of Extinction Rebellion on Whitehall, in central London PA UK news in pictures 23 August 2021 Former interpreters for the British forces in Afghanistan demonstrate outside the Home Office in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 22 August 2021 Police officers form a line in front of the entrance to the Guildhall, London, where protesters have climbed onto a ledge above the entrance during an Extinction Rebellion stage a protest PA UK news in pictures 21 August 2021 People take part in a demonstration in solidarity with people of Afghanistan, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 20 August 2021 People zip wire across the sea from Bournemouth pier towards the beach. PA UK news in pictures 19 August 2021 Supporters of Geronimo the alpaca gather outside Shepherds Close Farm in Wooton Under Edge, Gloucestershire PA UK news in pictures 18 August 2021 Former Afghan interpreters and veterans hold a demonstration outside Downing Street, calling for support and protection for Afghan interpreters and their families PA UK news in pictures 17 August 2021 Military personnel board the RAF Airbus A400M at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where evacuation flights from Afghanistan have been landing Reuters UK news in pictures 16 August 2021 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in a minute's silence at Wolverhampton police station for the victims of the Plymouth mass shooting last week PA UK news in pictures 15 August 2021 2Storm, a ten-metre tall puppet of a mythical goddess of the sea created by Edinburgh-based visual theatre company Vision Mechanics, makes its way alongside the seafront at North Berwick, East Lothian, during a performance at the Fringe By The Sea festival PA UK news in pictures 14 August 2021 A woman and two young girls look at floral tributes in Plymouth where six people, including the offender, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident PA UK news in pictures 13 August 2021 Forensic officers in the Keyham area of Plymouth where six people, including the shooter, died of gunshot wounds in a firearms incident on Thursday evening PA UK news in pictures 12 August 2021 Children ride horses in the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria, during the annual gathering of travellers for the Appleby Horse Fair PA UK news in pictures 11 August 2021 Stella Moris (left) reacts after talking to the media outside the High Court in London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal, n London, following the first hearing in the Julian Assange extradition appeal. The US government has won the latest round in its High Court bid to appeal against the decision not to extradite Julian Assange on espionage charges PA UK news in pictures 10 August 2021 Students react after they receive their A-Level results at the Ark Academy, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 9 August 2021 The final athletes from Great Britain arrive home including Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny and Katie Archibald (front left-right) at Heathrow Airport, London following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games PA UK news in pictures 8 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic stadium in Japan PA UK news in pictures 7 August 2021 People from the Glasgow Southside community take part in the Govanhill Carnival, an anti-racist celebration of pride, unity and the contributions immigrants have made to the community in Govanhill, at Queen's Park, Glasgow PA UK news in pictures 6 August 2021 Chijindu Ujah of Britain, Zharnel Hughes of Britain, Richard Kilty of Britain and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of Britain celebrate winning silver as they pose with Asha Philip of Britain, Imani Lansiquot of Britain, Dina Asher-Smith of Britain and Daryll Neita of Britain after they won bronze in the women's 4 x 100m relay during Olympic Games Day 14 Getty UK news in pictures 5 August 2021 A protester places flowers on a photograph of an executed man during a demonstration organised by supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) to protest against the inauguration of Iran's new president Ebrahim Raisi in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 4 August 2021 England's Joe Root looks on as India's KL Rahul doesn't make it to a catch during day one of Cinch First Test match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham PA UK news in pictures 3 August 2021 Great Britain's Laura Kenny and Jason Kenny with their silver medals for the Women's Team Pursuit and Mens Team Sprint during the Track Cycling at the Izu Velodrome on the eleventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 2 August 2021 Great Britains Charlotte Worthington competes during the Womens BMX Freestyle Final at the Tokyo Olympics PA UK news in pictures 1 August 2021 EPA UK news in pictures 31 July 2021 James Guy, Adam Peaty and Kathleen Dawson celebrate winning the gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay final at the Tokyo Olympics AP UK news in pictures 30 July 2021 Great Britain's Bethany Shriever and Kye Whyte celebrate their Gold and Silver medals respectively for the Cycling BMX Racing at the Ariake Urban Sports Park on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan PA UK news in pictures 29 July 2021 Team GB's Mallory Franklin during the Womens Canoe Slalom Final on day six of the Tokyo Olympic Games. She went on to win the silver medal Getty UK news in pictures 28 July 2021 Canoers on Llyn Padarn lake in Snowdonia, Gwynedd. It was announced that the north-west Wales slate landscape has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Status PA UK news in pictures 27 July 2021 A view of one of two areas now being used at a warehouse facility in Dover, Kent, for boats used by people thought to be migrants. 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Mr Pollard is expected to return to the role in time for the party's conference in late September. Mr Zeichner said it was "an honour to be asked to keep my hand on the tiller" as the COP26 climate conference approached.

A Labour spokesman said: "Following the shootings in his Plymouth Sutton and Devonport constituency, Keir Starmer has agreed to a request by Luke Pollard MP to temporarily step back from his role as shadow secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs for the next month to focus on supporting the victims, their families and the wider Plymouth community."
The White House has informed president Joe Biden that evacuation operations will continue to remain uninterrupted amid rocket attacks at the Hamid Karzai airport in Kabul on Monday.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chief of Staff Ron Klain have briefed the President on the rocket attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said in a statement.

As many as five rockets were fired at the Kabul airport as the US rushed to complete its withdrawal process from Afghanistan before the end of this month.

The rockets were intercepted by a missile defence system, Reuters reported. The US military reportedly engaged its C-RAM missile defence system, however, it is still unclear if all the rockets were successfully brought down.

According to local media, the rockets were fired from a car in Kabuls Khair Khana area aimed at the airport and hit parts of the capital. The attack came a day after the US said it carried out a drone strike in Kabul eliminating sleeper threats. The strike reportedly killed nine civilians, including six children.

The retaliatory strikes followed the bombing attacks at the Kabul airport carried out by the Isis-k  the eastern wing of the terror organisation Isis  on 26 August during which over 100 civilians, including 13 US troops were killed.
Frontline workers are straining under the pressure of yet another wave of coronavirus in Florida, which has emerged as the center of the Delta variant-fueled Covid resurgence in America.

It is very difficult, Dr Ahmed Elhaddad, ICU Medical Director at Jupiter Medical Center told CNN on Sunday, becoming choked up as he recounted his experiences. Its even harder when its your friends. I have a patient now thats the father of one of my sons classmates. And hes not expected to make it. He was not vaccinated.

Florida is averaging more cases and deaths than at any time in the pandemic so far, including the period before vaccines were widely available. Over the weekend, the state had the highest Covid hospitalisation rate in the country, and it has struggled to secure enough oxygen for Covid patients. There have been so many deaths, the Central Florida Disaster Medical Coalition, a federally funded nonprofit, recently purchased 14 portable morgues to support the states strained healthcare system.

Even though scientists are still learning more about the Delta variant, Dr Elhaddad said a key to drive down cases is to use a solution thats already widely known: get vaccinated.

"Theres no magic medicine, he added in his interview. The only thing that were finding is that the vaccine is preventing death. Its preventing patients from coming to the ICU.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis has prioritised vaccinating vulnerable groups like seniors, while taking a hands-off approach on mask and vaccine mandates.

So far, 52 per cent of Floridians are fully vaccinated , roughly in line with national averages .

Where the GOP stalwart and rumoured 2024 contender differs from his peers is the approach hes taken to other well-established public health strategies like face masks and vaccine requirements.

Mr DeSantis has ushered through policies banning mask mandates in schools and threatening officials who support them, though a judge struck down the anti-mask ordinance last week. The governors office has said it plans to appeal the ruling.

President Biden threw his weight behind the parents and local school districts bucking the governors priorities and implementing mask mandates anyway.

You know, were not going to sit by as governors try to block and intimidate educators protecting our children, Mr Biden said at the White House earlier this month, adding that Covid relief funds could be used to make up school budgets that could be cut from districts that didnt go along with Mr DeSantis.

The Florida governors policies could put him in the crosshairs of the federal government if they continue. On Monday, the Department of Education announced it had opened an investigation into five states that banned mask mandates in school: Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.

The bans may be preventing schoolsfrom meeting their legal obligations not to discriminate based on disability and from providing an equal educational opportunity to students with disabilities who are at heightened risk of severe illness from COVID-19, the agency wrote to education officials in the named states.
Hurricane Ida, which hit Louisiana with Category 4 winds, not only left around 673,000 residents of Orleans Parish without power but also caused the Mississippi river to reverse course on Sunday.

As soon the storm passes, were going to put the countrys full might behind the rescue and recovery, said president Joe Biden after a briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington.

The hurricane, which hit the region exactly 16 years after the deadly Katrina, left Orleans Parish without power after it caused catastrophic transmission damage, said the energy company Entergy New Orleans. The power outage took place shortly after 7pm on Sunday.

The storms torrential rain, powerful winds and surge waters tested $14.5bn system of gates, flood walls and levees that were built shortly after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Ida slammed the shores near Port Fourchon, Louisiana around noon blasting the coast with wind force of 50 miles per hour.

While those living in the coastal areas ordered to evacuate days in advance, there were many who were riding out storm in their home in New Orleans.

I almost found myself in a panic attack when news announced this was the anniversary of Katrina, Janet Rucker, a New Orleans resident who took shelter in a hotel told Reuters. This is just not good for our nerves and our psyche.

Ida has also forced the suspension of emergency medical services in the region which is reeling from the fourth wave of coronavirus.

Evacuation was not an option for almost 2,450 Covid-19 patients who were hospitalised across the state, reported Reuters.

In fact, medical workers were forced to manually assist the patients with breathing, following the power outage at the Thibodaux Regional Health System hospital in Lafourche Parish located in the southwest of New Orleans.

Fareen Clark, a professor at Nicholls State University who studied Katrinas impact and was riding out the storm found Ida triggering.

I can hear the howl of the storm getting stronger, he told the news wire agency on phone. Having done research on Katrina, it is a little bit triggering.

Michael Lewis, 45, another restaurant owner in Houma, located about 58 miles southwest from New Orleans, told Reuters that he could see shingles blown off his roof and a downed fence through his home but could not share the full extent of damage as it was way too dangerous to go outside.

(Additional reporting from the wires)
Here are the APs latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on APs coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org.



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CAPITOL BREACH=PROTESTS PROSECUTION - Some people charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and their Republican allies claim the Justice Department is treating them harshly because of their political views. They also say those arrested during last years protests over racial injustice were given leniency. Court records tell a different story. An Associated Press review of court documents in more than 300 federal cases stemming from the protests sparked by George Floyds death last year shows that dozens of people charged have been convicted of serious crimes and sent to prison. By Alanna Durkin Richer, Michael Kunzelman and Jacques Billeaud. SENT: 1,920 words, photos. With an Abridged version.



TOP STORIES



TROPICAL-WEATHER-ATLANTIC - Hurricane Ida became a tropical storm as its top winds slowed over Mississippi on Monday, 16 hours after blowing ashore in Louisiana as one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. mainland. Ida pushed so much water into the mouth of the Mississippi that it reversed the flow of the mighty river and blacked out New Orleans, taking down backup electricity for the citys crucial pumping system. Torrential rain kept falling Monday as the storm slowly moved north, with up to two feet (60 cms) expected in places, and reports of flooded roads and homes multiplied. Destructive winds and water already had a catastrophic impact along the southeast coast of Louisiana, and life-threatening river flooding continued well inland, the National Hurricane Center said. By Rebecca Santana, Kevin McGill and Janet McConnaughey. SENT: 930 words, photos, videos. With TROPICAL WEATHER-EXPLAINER - Sure, Hurricane Ida looks an awful lot like Hurricane Katrina, bearing down on the same part of Louisiana on the same calendar date. But hurricane experts say there are differences in the two storms 16 years apart that may prove key and may make Ida nastier in some ways but less dangerous in others. By Science Writer Seth Borenstein. SENT: 1,210 words, photos. (sent).

TROPICAL WEATHER-LEFT BEHIND  Robert Owens was feeling defeated and helpless as he waited for one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S. to approach Louisianas capital city The 27-year-old had spent days anxiously watching long lines of cars flee Baton Rouge away from oncoming Hurricane Ida. He hoped he and his wife, his mother-in-law, roommate and four pets would be among them. But they lacked gas and money for a hotel room  like others in their low-income neighborhood. By Sunday night, Owens said his neighborhood had lost power, the sky lighting green from transformers blowing up. He called it a terrifying feeling being hunkered down in a storm. By Leah Willingham. SENT: 770 words, photos, videos.

AFGHANISTAN - Rocket fire has apparently targeted Kabuls international airport amid the U.S. militarys evacuation. The rockets hit a nearby neighborhood. Mondays attack came on the eve of the deadline for American troops to withdraw from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. No one claimed responsibility for the attack and it wasnt immediately clear if anyone was hurt. The rockets didnt halt the steady stream of U.S. military C-17 cargo jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in the Afghan capital. The Islamic State group launched a devastating suicide bombing last week at one of the airport gates, killing 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. By Kathy Gannon. SENT: 940 words, photos, video. With AFGHANISTAN-THE-LATEST,

UNITED STATES-AFGHANISTAN -- The Biden administration is within reach of achieving one of its goals in Afghanistan. Biden administration officials say the United States has the capacity to evacuate the approximately 300 U.S. citizens remaining in Afghanistan who want to leave before President Joe Bidens Tuesday deadline. That commitment comes as rocket fire in Kabul and another U.S. drone strike against suspected Islamic State militants Sunday highlighted the grave threat in the wars final days. By Lolita C. Baldor. SENT: 1,070 words, photos.

WESTERN WILDFIRES - Fire officials have ordered more evacuations around the Tahoe Basin as crews deal with a two-week old blaze. Officials said Sunday evening the fire was more aggressive than anticipated as it continues to edge toward Lake Tahoe. People throughout an area known as Desolation Wilderness were ordered to leave, while others were faced with warnings. SENT: 720 words, photos.



MORE ON AFGHANISTAN



AFGHANISTAN-BIDEN TROOPS  At a military base in Delaware, President Joe Biden stood witness with grieving families under a gray sky as, one by one, the remains of 13 U.S. troops killed in the Kabul suicide bombing were removed from a military aircraft that brought them home. The only sounds that could be heard during the mournful ritual of the dignified transfer were the quiet commands of the honor guards in battle dress who carried the flag-draped cases, the hum of the C-17 aircraft that had transported the fallen and the periodic sob of the sorrowful. Biden is the fourth commander in chief over two decades of war to make this visit to Dover. SENT: 800 words, photos.

AFGHANISTAN-AIRPORT VICTIMS  Several young people who dreamed of a better life outside of Afghanistan are among the 169 Afghans killed in Thursdays devastating attack outside Kabul airport. Some feared the Taliban would bring a harsh version of Islamic rule in which women would largely be confined to their homes. Afghans who had worked with the U.S. and its allies feared revenge attacks despite assurances from top Taliban leaders. Others simply dreamed of a better life. They thought if they waited long enough, endured the crowds and the warning shots, the summer heat and the stench of the canal, they would eventually get a seat on a flight to America or somewhere else. SENT: 650 words, photos.

ALBANIA-AFGHAN ACTIVIST  Ghazaal Habibyar, an Afghan evacuee, is now housed in a tourist resort in Albania. But she can hardly rest when remembering the difficulties she and her family faced getting onto the plane and leaving her homeland. SENT: 530 words, photos.



MORE ON THE VIRUS OUTBREAK



VIRUS OUTBREAK-EUROPE-US TRAVELERS - The European Union plans to recommend that its member states reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infection levels in the country, EU diplomats said Monday. SENT: 230 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-INDONESIA  School bells in some parts of Indonesias capital have rung for the first time in more than a year as some school were allowed to reopen now that the number of new coronavirus infections is on the decline. SENT: 580 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MALAYSIA  Malaysias new prime minister has missed the swearing-in ceremony of his Cabinet after coming into contact with someone infected with COVID-19. The prime ministers office says Ismail Sabri Yaakob has begun self-isolating and will virtually attend Tuesdays official National Day celebrations. SENT: 330 words, photo.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-JAPAN MURAKAMI  Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami has criticized the countrys prime minister over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. In his monthly radio show Sunday, Murakami said Yoshihide Suga has ignored a growing COVID-19 surge and public concerns about the outbreak. SENT: 440 words, photos.



WASHINGTON/POLITICS



GUANTANAMO-WAR CRIMES-BALI BOMBING -- Three prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention center are expected to get their first day in court after being held for 18 years in connection with the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots in Southeast Asia. By Ben Fox. SENT: 710 words, photos. Hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. EDT.



NATIONAL



SHOOTINGS-POLICE STATION-LYFT DRIVER  Authorities are trying to determine if there is a connection between a confrontation at a Dallas suburb in which police officers wounded a man after he had opened fire inside a police station and the death of a Lyft driver at another Dallas suburb. SENT: 280 words.



INTERNATIONAL



NORTH KOREA-NUCLEAR  The U.N. atomic agency says North Korea appears to have restarted the operation of its main nuclear reactor used to produce weapons fuels. The annual report by the the International Atomic Energy Agency comes as North Korea openly threatens to enlarge its nuclear arsenal amid long-dormant nuclear diplomacy with the United States. SENT: 560 words, photos.

ISRAEL-ABBAS  Israels defense minister has held talks late with the Palestinian president in the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years. The meeting between Benny Gantz and Mahmoud Abbas signaled a possible shift of direction after after the near-complete breakdown in communication between Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years. SENT: 290 words.

ITALY HIGH RISE FIRE  Italian firefighters have worked through the night to extinguish a blaze that destroyed a 20-story apartment building in Milan. They say there is no indication that any one is missing in the blaze. SENT: 270 words, photos.

TROPICAL WEATHER -PACIFIC - Hurricane Nora has weakened to a tropical storm as it causes floods and landslides along Mexicos Pacific coast. At midday Sunday, it passed just inland of the Mazatlan resort area as a Category 1 hurricane, then veered into the Gulf of California and weakened into a tropical storm. SENT: 350 words, photos.



SCIENCE



SPACE-STATION - A SpaceX shipment of ants, avocados and a human-sized robotic arm rocketed toward the International Space Station. The delivery - due to arrive Monday - is the companys 23rd for NASA in just under a decade. By Aerospace Writer Marcia Dunn. SENT: 360 words.



BUSINESS



TROPICAL WEATHER-ECONOMIC IMPACT  Hurricane Ida is sure to take a toll on the energy, chemical and shipping industries that have major hubs along the Gulf Coast. But the impact on the overall U.S. economy should be modest so long as damage estimates dont rise sharply and refinery shutdowns are not prolonged, economists suggested. SENT: 500 words, photo.

FINANCIAL MARKETS  Asian shares are higher as investors interpreted comments from the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve as signaling low interest rates were here to stay for some time. Benchmarks in Japan, Australia, South Korea and China all rose in afternoon trading. Regional investors are also looking ahead to data on Chinas manufacturing sector. SENT: 480 words, photos.



SPORTS



TOKYO-2020-PARALYMPICS PHOTO GALLERY  The Paralympic Games have been under way for almost a week in Tokyo and will continue until the closing ceremony on Sept. 5. SENT: 180 words, photos.

TEN-US OPEN-VACCINES - Novak Djokovic calls it a personal decision; Andy Murray says vaccinations can help society get through the pandemic. The issue is a big one leading to the years last Grand Slam tournament, where fans entering Flushing Meadows will be required to show proof of a jab. SENT: 950 words, photos.



HOW TO REACH US



At the Nerve Center, Shameka Dudley-Lowe can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, (ext. 1900). For graphics and interactives, (ext. 7636). Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://newsroom.ap.org. For access to AP Newsroom and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 844-777-2006.
NBC News reporter Shaquille Brewster had to brave more than high winds during a report on Hurricane Ida, as he was accosted by an angry man while live on air.

Mr Brewster was reporting on the aftermath of Hurricane Ida live from Gulfport, Mississippi, when a white pick-up truck haphazardly pulled up in the background.

A man leapt out and came running towards the camera, shouting furiously, although his words were not clearly recorded.

Mr Brewster calmly turned his back to the coastline saying: Im going to turn this way because you know, we deal with some people every once in while and carried on his report.

Off-screen, the man could be heard continuing to shout, and eventually Mr Brewster said he was going to have to toss it back to the studio because of the disruption.

Just as the camera cut away, the man appeared to lunge at Mr Brewster. In the studio, anchor Craig Melvin looked concerned for his colleague.

Mr Melvin said: Were gonna check in with Shaq Brewster out there just to make sure all is well. Theres a lot of crazy out there.

Moments later he assured viewers that although Mr Brewster had been disrupted by a wacky guy, he was fine. Shaq, hes OK, he said.

Mr Melvin later tweeted about the incident: posting: This is beyond unacceptable and disgusting. @shaqbrewster was trying to do his job on a beach in Gulfport, MS. Shaq is ok. This guy who nearly attacked him clearly is not.

Mr Brewster also later posted on Twitter: Appreciate the concern guys. The team and I are all good!
Bogus, Dick Farrel called Covid vaccines. Promoted by people that lied.

Im not taking it, are you kidding me? Mr Anti-Vax? said Marc Bernier.

If youre not at high risk of dying from Covid then youre probably safer not getting it, said Phil Valentine.

All three men, influential conservative radio hosts well known for their vaccine scepticism, went on to die of Covid within a year of their comments, and within just a month of each other.

Their deaths were, for many, a tragic reminder of the realities of Covid  and the serious dangers of the misinformation surrounding it.

By the time they died, two of the three, experiencing the ravages of the virus firsthand, had publicly changed their stance on the vaccine.

Mr Valentine, who passed away August 21, expressed regret to his brother that a lot of people didnt get the vaccine because I didnt.

While Mr Valentine was still battling the virus in hospital, his brother Mark made it his mission to spread his brothers new pro-vaccine message, telling wbur.org:

Thats my purpose for being here today, is to take the message that hes unable to take, and that is: Take politics out of it. Its time for us to get together and fight this thing collectively, he said. Just put all the conspiracies and microchips and all that business aside and go get vaccinated and dont put your family through what his wife and the rest of us are going through.

Mr Farrel also had a change of heart, according to his friend Amy Leigh Hair. She posted on Facebook on August 4: RIP Dick Farrel. He is the reason I took the shot! He texted me and told me to Get it! He told me that this virus is no joke and he said: I wish I had gotten it!

Despite high profile deaths such as those of the three radio hosts, plus the Covid fatality rate rising in 14 states this week, anti-vax messaging remains widespread.

A July 16 report released by Media Matters, said that in the two weeks between June 28 to July 11, "Fox News aired 129 segments about coronavirus vaccines. Of those, 57% included claims that either undermined or downplayed immunization efforts."

Meanwhile vaccine alternatives such as the horse dewormer ivermectin continue to be touted as viable treatments, despite explicit FDA advice to the contrary.

Republican congressman Louie Gohmert, said on Friday: I dont know if yall saw, but a month after President Trump left office, The American Journal of Medicine came out with a great article that they had discovered a regimen of medication that when taken together early in Covid that  you may have heard of it: hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, a Z-Pak azithromycin, zinc.

None of those substances have been proven effective against the coronavirus in clinical trials.

CNN radio host Dean Obeidallah, said Mr Valentines death should be a reason for others to stop spreading false information about the virus.

I sincerely was rooting for him to recover, as a fellow radio host and human being. I hoped that if Phil followed through on his promise to encourage his conservative listeners to get vaccinated, it could have saved countless lives. The question now, though, is: Will other conservative media outlets, from Fox News to local radio hosts, honor Valentines memory by finally stopping spewing misinformation about the vaccine?
An unvaccinated teacher went to work while experiencing Covid-19 symptoms and ended up infecting 26 students, staff, and family members in Marin County, California, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

On 19 May, the teacher felt congestion and fatigue, but symptoms escalated to cough, fever, and headache over the following days. The teacher received a positive Covid-19 test on 23 May and starting isolating, but they had already exposed students to the virus by then.

Despite the elementary schools requirement to wear a mask, the teacher occasionally didnt wear one when reading to their students, the report said. The teacher was also one of two unvaccinated staff members at the school.

The Marin County Department of Public Health started an investigation on 26 May to assess how many people were infected by the teacher.

Of the 24 students, 12 tested positive, and the likelihood of getting infected increased as the students sat closer to the teacher. While the Covid-19 vaccine is effective against the more contagious Delta variant, the majority of the teachers students are ineligible to get a vaccine because of their age.

Beyond the teachers classroom, six students in another grade, who were also ineligible for the vaccine, also tested positive for Covid-19. Eight family members were also linked to the infected teacher, including four other students, bringing the outbreak to a total of 26 cases. Of the four adults infected, three were fully vaccinated.

Of the 26 people who got infected from the outbreak, 18 had the Delta variant, which accounts for the overwhelming majority of new cases in the US.

The CDC said this investigation shows the importance of getting vaccinated, especially if youre an adult working among kids ineligible to get the vaccine where the variant can spread more easily.

Other tactics to stem Covid-19 spread include proper masking, routine testing, ventilation, and staying home while symptomatic are important to ensure safe school instruction, the report read.
Israel's prime minister's office has urged former premier Benjamin Netanyahu to return dozens of expensive gifts he received while serving in the nation's top job.

The request, confirmed Monday by the office of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett came as Netanyahu reportedly vacationed on a private island in Hawaii almost wholly owned by billionaire Larry Ellison. The Oracle founder is a friend of Netanyahu's and also a witness for the prosecution in the former leader's corruption trial.

Israel's longest-serving prime minister, now opposition leader, has developed a reputation for enjoying a lavish lifestyle, often at taxpayer expense, and is on trial for allegedly accepting expensive gifts from wealthy associates.

Netanyahu, ousted from the top job and replaced by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in June, has denied all charges and has said he's a victim of a smear campaign.

A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, confirmed the prime minister's office contacted Netanyahu to return gifts he received as premier. The Maariv daily, which first broke the story, said Netanyahu has been asked to return 42 items, including gifts from former President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin

It is customary for foreign leaders to bestow gifts on each other during official trips. But gifts worth over a certain amount  300 shekels or about $90  are the property of the state of Israel. Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, did not return those, according to a letter sent by the legal adviser in the prime minister's office, Maariv said.

The unreturned gifts allegedly include a rectangular box made of glass decorated with gold leaves, bearing Obama's signature and the first book of the Bible from Putin. The list also reportedly includes gifts from French and German leaders, a pope and various benefactors and ambassadors.

In a statement, the Netanyahu family said all gifts the law required to be returned have been given back, and that those in question are not in the possession of former Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The U.S.-educated Netanyahu, who spent some 15 total years as prime minister before he was ousted in June, has long had a reputation for living large.

During his first term in office in the 1990s Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, were suspected of pocketing gifts and foreign contributions received from world leaders  items considered state property. The Netanyahus also were suspected of accepting favors from a contractor. Both cases were closed without charges.

Netanyahu's recent term was filled with gossipy scandals about his official spending. His spending on ice cream caused a meltdown when it was reported that in 2012 he'd budgeted 10,000 shekels (about $3,200) of taxpayer money for his favorite flavors, vanilla and pistachio, for family and staff.

More outrage ensued the next year when it was reported that he spent $127,000 to furnish a bedroom aboard a plane for a five-hour flight to London to attend the funeral of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In 2016, an official expense report revealed that Netanyahu spent more than $600,000 of public funds on a six-day trip to New York, including $1,600 on a personal hairdresser. Netanyahu contended he was unaware of the cost and halted the practice.

Sara Netanyahu was charged in 2018 with misusing some $100,000 in public funds to order lavish meals from celebrity chefs at the prime ministers official residence, even though she already had cooks on the government payroll. She later was ordered to pay a fine of some $15,000 as part of a plea bargain.

Also in 2018, a recording surfaced of Netanyahus eldest son, Yair, joyriding with his super-rich buddies to Tel Aviv strip clubs in a drunken night out in a taxpayer-funded government vehicle.

Now, Netanyahu himself is on trial for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases while he served as prime minister.

Among the witnesses prosecutors have named is Ellison, though it is unclear why. Ellison bought almost all of Lanai in 2012 for a reported $300 million. He did not return calls seeking comment.

But Ellison and Netanyahu have long been reportedly close. The Haaretz daily reported that Ellison came forward to help Netanyahu with his legal representation in the criminal case, and that the former prime minister wanted the billionaire to buy some Israeli media properties, including a newspaper.

For weeks, the family spokesman refused to confirm that the Netanyahus were on vacation on Lanai, saying only that they are paying for a vacation out of their own pocket.

But others on holiday on the island have relayed sightings to the The Associated Press of a conspicuous Hebrew-speaking security retinue on the Pacific idyll. Yair Netanyahu also was spotted on Lanai, the vacationers said.

Photos and other accounts on social media appear to confirm the family stayed for two weeks in Ellison's private enclave. One photo appeared to show a scowling Netanyahu sitting on a luggage cart in San Francisco's airport on his way to Hawaii. Another showed him lying on the ground while apparently doing Pilates.

Asked about the propriety of hanging out with a witness in Netanyahu's corruption trial, the family spokesman replied: The law doesn't forbid him from meeting with witnesses.

The trip has also raised eyebrows because Netanyahu, who led the country's fight against the coronavirus before he was ousted, ignored recommendations by government experts to avoid unnecessary travel abroad while the country grapples with the fast-spreading delta variant.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige last week urged tourists to stay away, citing a surge there in coronavirus infections.

Netanyau's family is required to go into a mandatory one-week quarantine upon their return to Israel.

___

Kellman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel.
California will hold a recall election on 14 September that will decide the future of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.

The Republican-led campaign, which could remove Mr Newsom from office a year early, will take place after 1.7m petition signatures were collected by his opponents and certified by state officials.

The GOP has not won a statewide election in California, one of 20 states with a mechanism to recall a sitting governor, since 2006.

The last time the move was successful was in 2003, when Democratic governor Gray Davis was recalled and replaced by Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger, who ran as a Republican.

Voters will be asked two questions on the 2021 ballot.

The first one is should Mr Newsom be removed, yes or no? And the second question is a list of replacements that voters can choose from.

Voters do not have to answer both questions, and Mr Newsom has encouraged his supporters to vote no and to not pick any of the candidates running to take his job.

If a majority of voters agree that Mr Newsom should be recalled then the candidate on the list with the most votes will replace him.

(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/Shutterstock)

Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by 14 September and returned in the envelope, which does not require a stamp.

Voters can also return their ballot in secure drop boxes across the state by 8pm on 14 September and there is also the option to vote in person early or on the day.

If the recall has been successful, the California Secretary of State will certify the election result 38 days after the election and a new governor will be sworn in.

There are 46 candidates listed on the ballot, including reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner, businessman John Cox who has campaigned with a 1,000lb Kodiak bear, and West Hollywood personality Angelyne.

Leading Republican candidates include Conservative talk show host Larry Elder, who during the campaign was accused by a former girlfriend of brandishing a gun and domestic abuse.

Prosecutors have declined to pursue a criminal complaint against him.

Mr Newsoms campaign has portrayed the recall effort as an attempted Trump takeover of the state, where the one-term president lost to Joe Biden by 5m votes last November.

But with just over two weeks left until election day and with millions of ballots already having been counted, it is still a surprisingly tight race.

Mr Newsom won election in 2018 by 24 points, and Mr Biden took the state by 29 points.

But a FiveThirtyEight average of election polls last Thursday showed that 50.6 per cent of voters want to keep Mr Newsom in office, while 46.3 per cent want him recalled.

But if Mr Newsom is removed from office, it is Larry Elder that leads as his replacement on 21 per cent, according to FiveThirtyEight.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland has summoned the entire legal community to help prevent evictions following US Supreme Court decision that rejected a federal moratorium, exposing thousands of vulnerable Americans from losing their housing during the coronavirus pandemic.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Monday that the attorney general has urged law schools, legal clinics and major law firms to take immediate action to help prevent unnecessary evictions during this public health emergency.

The sweeping call to legal aid providers aims to ensure access to justice for vulnerable tenants, she said.

His call follows a letter, joined by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge, to governors, mayors, court administrators and other officials to request urgent help in preventing unnecessary evictions by implementing local-level eviction bans, requirements for landlords to file for relief before commencing eviction proceedings, and preventing cases from moving forward while aid is pending, among other actions.

The Supreme Court on 26 August overturned Joe Biden administrations latest freeze on evictions, a decision that could jeopardise millions of Americans who have fallen behind on rent, even as billions of dollars in federal aid has struggled to reach them.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program, supported by two sweeping congressional relief packages, has distributed about $5bn of more than $46bn to assist renters and landlords with housing payments and utilities, marking roughly 11 per cent of the total appropriated by Congress, according to the Treasury Department.

Aid to roughly 1 million households has trickled out at a modest pace  aid was distributed to 341,000 households in July, up from 293,000 in June and 157,000 in May  and the Treasury Department points to rent relief supporting the lowest-income Americans, with 60 per cent of households earning no more than 30 per cent of their areas median income, according to the White House.

At least 40 law school deans have already committee law students and clinics to providing legal aid to renters facing eviction, according to Ms Psaki.

The nations high court has said that salvaging a moratorium  which was imposed through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  would require an act of Congress. The court ruled that the CDC had exceeded its authority.

If a federally imposed eviction moratorium is to continue, Congress must specifically authorize it, according to the majority opinion.

Writing for the dissent, Justice Stephen Breyer argued that the court hastily reached a decision and failed to give consideration to its resounding impacts.

Their answers impact the health of millions, he wrote. We should not set aside the CDCs eviction moratorium in this summary proceeding.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the US leading infectious disease expert, condemned a fundraising site for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for selling T-shirts and other merchandise mocking Covid-19 and Dr Fauci himself.

We have an extraordinary problem that is killing people in the United States, killing us, putting us in the hospital, so that kind of politicization ... theres no place for that when youre dealing with a public health crisis, Dr Fauci told CNN on Sunday.

More than half of the Florida population is fully vaccinated, but as the more contagious Delta variant spreads, Covid-19 cases have been on the rise in the state since the beginning of July 2021. In fact, cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are at the highest levels of the pandemic so far.

Despite the surge in cases, Mr DeSantis has called for a ban on mask mandates in schools even though children under age 12 are ineligible for vaccination. A judge, however, blocked the ban because it violated the state constitution.

The merchandise has messages attacking Dr Fauci, like: Dont Fauci my Florida. A drink cooler criticises Covid-19 mitigation strategies with sayings like How the hell am I going to be able to drink a beer with a mask on?

The website itself is not an official campaign website for the governor, but Floridas gubernatorial race will take place next year. Mr DeSantis, who is also thought to be a 2024 Republican presidential contender, is eligible to run for another term.

Helen Aguirre Ferre, executive director of the Republican Party of Florida, told Newsweek that the merchandise is supposed to be playful.

While this isnt an official campaign website, as Gov DeSantis hasnt filed papers for his re-election, we view it as a great opportunity to have some lighthearted fun and give his supporters a chance to feel even more connected with his message of keeping Florida free, Ms Ferre said.

Meanwhile, Dr Fauci said hes only relaying CDC guidelines in preventing Covid-19 spread.
Top US military officials predicted that not everyone trying to escape Afghanistan would make it out.

"We're not going to get everyone out. We'll get 90 to 95 per cent," US Central Commanded chief General Frank McKenzie said during a meeting at the Pentagon the day before the attack.

The comments were reported by Politico, which obtained details of Defense Department calls in the day before ISIS-K terrorists killed 200 people, including 13 US service members, during a suicide attack outside the Kabul airport.

Politico claims it authenticated the details of the calls with a defense official.

According to the report, US intelligence determined that an attack was "highly likely" at least a week before the suicide bombing. Commanders in Afghanistan reportedly believed that the Abbey Gate, a Kabul airport gate where Americans were instructed to await evacuation - was deemed one of the "highest risk" targets at the airport.

Officials speaking with Politico confirmed that the US was aware of the potential for an attack and that appropriate responses were taken to mitigate potential violence.

U.S. forces at [Hamid Karzai International Airport] were aware of and accounting for a variety of threats, and exercising extreme vigilance, the official said. We took numerous actions to protect our forces and the evacuees, but no amount of effort will completely eliminate the threat of a determined enemy.

According to the report, the generals discussed the waning willingness of the Taliban to provide security for the Americans during the evacuation and how it could poke holes in the US forces' security plans.

The Taliban were maintaining a security perimeter around the airport and instituted curfews to help maintain security while the US conducted its evacuation. Military leaders - including General McKenzie - believed the Taliban's willingness to assist the US was rapidly degrading. The generals noted that the Taliban had been turning away individuals seeking evacuation, despite its arrangement with the US not to do so.

The ability of [the Taliban] to protect us and assist in pursuing [American citizens] and other groups  that willingness will decay, and were seeing leading edge indicators of that today, General McKenzie said during a call the day before the suicide bombing. We do need the agreement of the [Taliban] to pursue our principal objectives of getting out [American citizens] and other priority groups.

That's when General McKenzie predicted that deaths were likely inevitable.

"History will judge us by those final images," Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy official, warned.

The next day Rear Admiral Peter Vasely, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, decided he wanted to shut down the Abbey Gate, ideally by Thursday afternoon Kabul time.

That plan was derailed when British forces in the area - who were pulling out from their own evacuation operations at the nearby Baron Hotel - requested the Americans keep the gate open while they moved evacuees to the airport.

Before the British evacuees arrived, a terrorist outside the Abbey Gates detonated their bomb. The explosion ended 200 lives, mostly Afghan citizens.

After the attack, the remains of the US service members who died were repatriated to the US and handed over to their families. Joe Biden gave his generals the go-ahead to begin hunting down ISIS-K, who claimed responsibility for the bombing. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the president made it clear the he did not want the people who carried out the attack to "live on the Earth anymore."

On Saturday, the US launched a drone strike that it claims killed two ISIS-K fighters and wounded another. The next day the US launched another airstrike, targeting an alleged ISIS-K suicide bomber who posed an "imminent" threat to the airport. The airstrike also reportedly killed nine civilians, six of which were children.

"We are not ISIS or Daesh and this was a family home -- where my brothers lived with their families," a relative of the dead civilians told a reporter working with CNN.

More than 70,000 Afghan civilians have been killed as a direct result of the war in Afghanistan, according to Brown Universitys Cost of War project.
Lindsay Graham has repeated a call for president Joe Biden to be impeached over his handling of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Senator from South Carolina said the president ignored sound advice and has been this way for 40 years.

I think its a dereliction of duty to leave hundreds of Americans behind enemy lines, turn them into hostages, to abandon thousands of Afghans who fought honourably along our side, to create conditions for another 9/11 that are now through the roof, the Republican lawmaker told CBS Face The Nation after being asked about his initial call for Mr Bidens impeachment by host Ed OKeefe.

He first called for Mr Biden to be impeached a week ago while appearing on Newsmax.

The Republican and Mr Biden previously had a notable friendship, which began when they were both serving in the Senate. When Mr Biden joined Barack Obamas presidential ticket in 2015, Mr Graham told the Huffington Post, If you cant admire Joe Biden as a person, then youve got a problem. You need to do some self-evaluation. Cause whats not to like?

Mr Graham referred to the commander-in-chief as decent, however outlined he should be held to a higher standard than previously.

I dont think he got bad advice and took it. I think he ignored sound advice. And this is Joe Biden being Joe Biden. Hes been this way for 40 years, but now hes the Commander-in-Chief, Mr Graham continued. Hes not a senator. Hes not the vice president. These are Commander-in-Chief decisions. I think the best you could describe him as dereliction of duty at the highest level says.

In December 2020, Mr Biden said, Lindseys been a personal disappointment, because I was a personal friend of his while being interviewed by Stephen Colbert on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Israels defence minister held talks late Sunday with the Palestinian president in the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years, officials said.

The meeting between Benny Gantz and Mahmoud Abbas signalled a possible shift of direction after the near-complete breakdown of communication between Mr Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years, under former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu pursued a hard-line policy toward the Palestinians, backed by former US president Donald Trump who had approved pro-Israeli policies such as moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to contested Jerusalem.

Mr Netanyahu had repeatedly claimed Mr Abbas was not a reliable partner for negotiating a peace deal, a portrayal dismissed by Netanyahu critics as a pretext for avoiding making concessions.

The Gantz-Abbas meeting came just after Israels current prime minister, Naftali Bennett, was received at the White House by president Joe Biden. The Biden administration views Mr Abbas as an essential player in any efforts to resume long-stalled talks on the terms of Palestinian statehood, even though he is increasingly isolated and unpopular at home.

The Haaretz daily said the meeting took place in the town of Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Mr Abbas maintains his headquarters.

Mr Gantz told Mr Abbas that Israel would take measures to strengthen the Palestinian economy, according to a statement by Gantzs office. The economy of the Abbas-administered autonomous enclaves in the West Bank is dependent on Israel, and has been stymied by movement restrictions Israel says are imposed for security reasons.

Hussein Sheikh, a top Abbas aide, confirmed the meeting in a statement on Twitter.
Pentagon officials offered few details about a US drone strike in Kabul carried out over the weekend, while not disputing reports that the US retaliatory attack killed nearly a dozen civilians including children.

Mondays presser came just about 24 hours after a US unmanned aerial aircraft struck a vehicle believed by the US military to have been made into a bomb by Isis-k militants who the US said were bound for Kabuls airport, where evacuations are underway.

US officials initially claimed that there were no indications of civilian casualties, even as reports were already rolling in on social media from locals.

We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time, said US Army Captain Bill Urban in his initial statement.

The attack caused a large secondary explosion, according to the US military, confirming suspicions that the vehicle likely contained an improvised explosive device (IED). At the same time, the explosion itself or potentially another projectile from the drone struck a nearby residential building, according to both the Taliban and officials with Afghanistans now-toppled government.

By Sunday evening, Captain Urban was claiming that additional casualties were possible from the blast.

We are still assessing the results of this strike, which we know disrupted an imminent Isis-K threat to the airport, said Captain Urban. We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties.

We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life, he added.

In that residential building ten people were killed, according to local officials and media reports, including six children. The youngest person caught in the blast was just two years old, according to various news organisations.

Not much is left of their house and nothing can be recognised, they are in pieces, one neighbor told CNN.

Weve seen hell in our life. We gathered parts of our [family] members in our hands. How is this possible? one man who said he was a relative of those civilians told the BBC. They killed our family, our children. They are all burned out. We can not now define their face, their body.

Hundreds attended a public outdoor funeral for the ten people killed on Monday.

HTML <blockquote class=twitter-tweet><p lang=en dir=ltr>The funerals for the 10 civilians killed in what is thought to be a <a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/US?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#US</a> drone strike on <a href=https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>#Kabul</a>. <a href=https://t.co/3Sp0pdY43a>pic.twitter.com/3Sp0pdY43a</a></p> Nabih (@nabihbulos) <a href=https://twitter.com/nabihbulos/status/1432323363427467264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw>August 30, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script> 

The deaths of at least ten Afghans underscore the ongoing chaos and confusion in Kabul amid the US withdrawal, which is set to conclude within 48 hours. White House and Pentagon officials are staying mum as to when the last flight will leave.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby claimed on Monday at a news briefing that no military on the face of the earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the US military.

We take it very, very seriously and when we know that we have caused innocent life to be lost in the conduct of our operations, were transparent about it, he added.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed that an investigation was underway, but declined to comment on the reports otherwise.

I can't speak to or confirm the number of civilian causalities. There is an investigation, she said.

The Biden administration has been hit both by Republicans for not leaving several thousand troops in the region, thereby violating the US withdrawal agreement with the Taliban, as well as by others in the media and on Capitol Hill for the general management of the evacuations. More than a dozen US service members were killed in a suicide bombing at the airport on Thursday.

Sundays strike, now believed to have killed more civilians than Isis-k militants, is just the latest grim news out of Kabul adding to the mountain of criticism for the White Houses handling of the process, which first came under heavy criticism more than a week ago after several Afghans were killed as a result of US forces temporarily losing control of the tarmac itself to a mob of desperate civilians attempting to board or physically cling to departing planes.

The US withdrawal remains supported by a majority of Americans, while polls indicate just about one in four support how the White House is managing it.
All Pennsylvanian GOP candidate Steve Lynch wants is a few strong men to help him remove school board members in his county.

Mr Lynch - who is running for Northampton County executive - said as much during a rally on Sunday in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He claimed that the school boards - who he and his supporters were frustrated with for enforcing mask mandates - were "done," and expressed his desire to "make men, men again..

"When we walk into those school boards, were gonna have everything we need to do to go in there with those 9-0 school boards that voted to put these masks back on children with no scientific  its done! Giving them the research and the data," he said. "Do you understand that? Forget going into these school boards with frigging data."

Mr Lynch then suggested he would take groups of men to a school board to intimidate them into leaving their positions.

"You go into school boards to remove em! Thats what you do! They dont follow the law! You go in and you remove em," he said. "Im going in there with 20 strong men, Im going to speak to the school board and Im going to give them an option. They can leave or they can be removed."

The Independent has reached out to Mr Lynch for comment.

Mr Lynch is the owner of Keystone Alternative Medicine and Weight Loss, which provides "testosterone and hormone replacement therapy" as well as a bevy of weight loss and anti-aging treatments.

Known for posting grainy videos of himself talking in his car and his support of Donald Trump's false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, Mr Lynch has recently attached himself to the GOP culture war bandwagon issue of masks in schools.

In a post on Facebook, Mr Lynch wrote that he was "coming for" the Northampton School Board, saying they were going to "be removed and I'm not going to stop fighting until you're removed," calling them "wannabe tyrants."

Mr Lynch was in Washington DC marching with other Trump supporters to the Capitol on the day of the 6 January insurrection. Though there is no evidence Mr Lynch actually entered the Capitol, he did defend the rioters in a video, complaining that there "was no siege" and that "we are being described as domestic terrorists."

Video of his comments began to spread around social media and garnered news coverage in the hours after. On Monday morning, Mr Lynch appeared to walk back his comment in a Facebook post stressing that he intended to follow the letter of the law.

"We will follow the letter of the law so that every word we speak and action we take brings us closer to establishing the will of the people," he said in a Facebook post to parents, stressing "we must overcome government overreach through law and order."

He also posted a video of himself in his car stressing the need to remove school boards "through the legal process" hours after his comments began circulating online.

Northampton County has been reporting more new coronavirus cases per day than any other county in the state. Two weeks ago, Northampton County averaged 29 new cases per day per 100,000 residents. With a population of around 312,000, that means the county is adding an average of about 90 new cases daily.

On Thursday of that week, the county reported 135 new cases, its highest daily report of new cases since last April.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all students, teachers and staff wear masks during the school day. That guidance has faced fierce opposition from conservative groups and some conservative lawmakers, including Floria Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who have both used their executive powers to ban school districts from enforcing mask mandates.
The Department of Education has opened a civil rights investigation into five states that have banned mask mandates in schools.

The bans in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah that prohibit schools from requiring masks could discriminate against students with disabilities or health conditions by preventing them from attending in-person classes, according to the department.

Investigations have not been opened in Florida, Texas, Arkansas or Arizona as their bans on universal indoor masking are not being enforced as a result of court orders or state actions.

However, the Department will continue to closely monitor those states and is prepared to take action if state leaders prevent local schools or districts from implementing universal indoor masking or if the current court decisions were to be reversed, the department said in a statement.

Joe Biden previously directed his secretary of education to use all of his oversight authorities and legal action against governors that imposed bans on mask mandates.

The departments Office for Civil Rights wrote to the five chief state school officers on Monday claiming prohibitions of universal indoor masking prevent schools from implementing policies they believe would protect staff and students from Covid-19.

The bans may be preventing schoolsfrom meeting their legal obligations not to discriminate based on disability and from providing an equal educational opportunity to students with disabilities who are at heightened risk of severe illness from COVID-19, the letter said.

The Departments Office of Civil Rights will investigate whether the states violate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which guarantees students with disabilities the right to free public education.

They said they would also probe whether there is a violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits disability discrimination by public education institutions.

The Education Departments investigating body claimed to be a neutral factfinder and that opening a civil rights probe did not imply a determination on whether there has been a violation of the law.

That is despite the Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, preempting the outcome of the investigation to say the rights of students needed protection.

Its simply unacceptable that state leaders are putting politics over the health and education of the students they took an oath to serve, Mr Cardona said in a statement.

The department will fight to protect every students right to access in-person learning safely.
The chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee said on Monday that the retrograde vision of Turkeys president to cement Cyprus ethnic divide by striving for a two-state deal is wrong for all Cypriots.

Robert Menendez, a Democratic senator from New Jersey said a peace accord for Cyprus based on two separate states flies in the face of U.N. Security Council resolutions as well a decades-old arrangement between Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators to reunify Cyprus as a federation.

Speaking after receiving Cyprus highest honor  the Grand Collar of the Order of Makarios III  from President Nicos Anastasiades at a ceremony, Menendez said Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could strike a reunification deal if left to negotiate on their own.

Cyprus has been divided into a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south where the islands internationally recognized government is seated since 1974, when Turkey invaded following a coup aiming at union with Greece.

Only Turkey recognizes a Turkish Cypriot declaration of independence and maintains more than 35,000 troops in the north.

Nearly half a century of U.N.-backed peace talks have failed to produce a mutually acceptable deal. Turkey contends that talks for a federation-based deal have run their course and that an agreement based on two states is now the only way forward.

Menendez has been a vocal proponent of negotiations and a strident critic of what Greek Cypriots say are Turkeys attempts to steer the talks toward achieving its ambition for regional control by keeping a permanent troop presence on the island and the right to militarily intervene.

My goal is to see the last Turkish soldier leave the island, Menendez said.
A divided U.N. Security Council pressed the Taliban on Monday to live up to pledges to let people leave Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrew its forces, but China and Russia refused to back the resolution, which they portrayed as diverting blame for chaos surrounding the U.S. pullout.

Sponsored by the U.S., Britain and France, the measure also calls for letting humanitarian aid flow, upholding human rights and combating terrorism.

The eyes of all Afghans are watching this council, and they expect clear support from the international community. And this lack of unity is a disappointment for us and for them, French Deputy Ambassador Nathalie Broadhurst said after the vote, in which Russia and China abstained.

Still, British Ambassador Barbara Woodward called it an important step towards a unified international response.

The vote came shortly before the U.S. moved its last troops out of Afghanistan, ending America's longest war, and four days after a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport gate killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. The bombing has been blamed on an Islamic State group affiliate.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Sunday that the resolution would propose a U.N.-controlled safe zone in Kabul for humanitarian operations. But the resolution ultimately called instead for all parties to allow full, safe, and unhindered access for aid groups.

U.N. diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, said the resolution involved some compromises but made key points about permitting aid and travel.

The council expects that the Taliban will adhere to commitments about letting Afghans and foreigners depart safely, the resolution says.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel after assuming control of the Kabul airport following the U.S. withdrawal, and the U.S. and about 100 other nations said in a statement Sunday that the militants had given assurances that people with travel documents would still be able to leave.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia complained that the resolution wasn't specific enough about terror threats, didn't speak to the brain drain effect of evacuating Afghans and didn't address the economic and humanitarian consequences of . Washington freezing the Afghan governments U.S. accounts following the Taliban takeover earlier this month.

We can see in this an attempt to shift the blame for the failure and collapse of the 20 years of the presence of the United States and their allies in the region upon the Taliban and all the countries in the region that will have to deal with the results of this, Nebenzia said.

China criticized the U.S. for civilian casualties in a drone strike that American officials said hit a vehicle carrying multiple Islamic State suicide bombers.

While the council resolution is meant as a statement of international expectations, it doesnt include provisions for enforcing them. The U.N. already has longstanding sanctions against various Taliban figures and groups.

Woodward called the resolution a first response, noting that the council does have the leverage to lift sanctions or expand them.

Meanwhile, the U.N. children's arm said Monday that it was working to reunite dozens of children and parents separated during the massive, hasty airlift ahead of the U.S. withdrawal.

UNICEF brought seven children back to their parents in Kabul on Saturday and has traced the parents of roughly 70 more children to other countries, said Herve De Lys, UNICEF's representative in Afghanistan.

Because of conflict, drought and other problems, about 10 million children now need humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, De Lys said.
Israelis national parks authority is searching for a crocodile which has reportedly swum across the border with Jordan.

The Jordanian Army told their Israeli counterparts the large reptile had been spotted swimming in the Yarmouk River, which marks part of the border between the two countries, Israeli media reported.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) confirmed to Channel 12 News it had been informed by the Israeli armed forces there could be a crocodile on the loose close to two small Israeli settlements close to the river.

As well as working with the army to try and verify the reports, the INPA also said it was trying to get in contact with a crocodile farm which runs as a tourist attraction at the nearby hot springs of Hamat Gader.

The authority is working with the army to get permission to cross the [border] fence in order to carry out searches in the area, the INPA said in a statement.

Because the sighting of the semiaquatic creature was behind the fence which runs along the border at this point, there is not thought to be any threat to Israeli citizens at this point, officials also said.

There are no wild crocodiles in Israel, with the last killed by hunters over a century ago, but a number of places have captive crocodile populations kept as tourist attractions.

One such crocodile farm hit the headlines in 2018 when it emerged the facility, based in an Israeli settlement in an isolated part of the Jordan Valley in Palestines West Bank, had gone bust, leaving its owner with about 700 of the dangerous animals who would periodically escape their confines.

Although tensions sporadically rise between Jordan and Israel, especially over access rights to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the two countries have generally had positive and co-operative relations since a 1994 treaty formally ended the war begun by the foundation of Israel in 1948.
Biden-haters are, understandably enough, making much of Americas blundering withdrawal from Afghanistan; a humiliation on a scale not seen since Vietnam  and equally a symbol of a decline in American power, a defeat in asymmetric warfare, and the substance and symbol of global over-reach.

In due course, American power and prestige eventually recovered after the scramble out of Saigon, and may do so again after the fall of Kabul. A more immediate question is whether Donald Trump would have done a better job, because Bidens failures have been weaponised by the Maga movement.

It is difficult to see how, or why, Americas capitulation would have been any more humane or elegant under Trump than it was under Biden.

It was Trump, after all, who signed the disastrous peace treaty with the Taliban last February  effectively an instrument of surrender  post-dating the withdrawal so that he could present it, before the November election, as peace with honour.

It was, for those who like to hear historical echoes, not so different from the 1973 Paris peace accords that ended the Vietnam war and allowed the south Vietnamese and President Thieu to struggle on for a few more months (longer than President Ghani).

It was Trump who specified, in an international treaty that betrayed the Kabul government and Americas own interests, the withdrawal date of 31 August. This was a defeat and a disaster designed in the Trump White House.

It was imbecilic, as Tony Blair called it. All Biden did was follow the blueprint. Maybe he should have reneged on the agreement, or tried to renegotiate it, or just ignored it. He might have planned the withdrawal better, no doubt. But the fundamentals were all laid down by Donald J Trump. It was, in fact, the worst deal in history.

It is difficult to believe that if Trump were in power now, he would have much idea of what he was dealing with. He seems to think Isis-K is Isis-X; and, more concerningly for the once-leader of the free world, that Isis are members of the Taliban  which is really about as far from the truth as you can get.

According to Trump, he singlehandedly defeated the Isis caliphate, which would be news to the Russians and Syrians; and if he did crush Isis, why have they sprung up again in Afghanistan? He cannot cope with the fact that he had four years to deliver peace with honour in the region, failed  and left a time bomb for Biden to try to defuse.

Trump also seems to think the hardware left behind is more important than the lives of the Afghans. This is what the former president (who lost the November election) told Fox News the other day: [The Taliban] are good fighters. But now they can be much better because they have the best equipment in the world, and so much of it, they dont know what to do. They will be selling it on the open market. But we gave that to these people, and Isis-X, as you know, I knocked out 100 per cent of the Isis caliphate.

I knocked it out in Syria, Iraq, we knocked it out, so now they have a new Isis called Isis-X, and thats members of the Taliban that are far more vicious because they dont like the way the Taliban is behaving because theyre not vicious enough.

Put bluntly, Trump has never been noted for his humanitarian instincts and theres no reason to believe that the man who once wanted a complete and total ban on Muslims entering America would in reality be very sympathetic to the desperate masses outside the airport.

Indeed, he would probably have sent in more troops to rescue the Humvees and helicopters, and ordered his forces to build a wall to keep the Afghans out of the airport.

Defeat and a chaotic exit from Afghanistan were preordained long before Biden came to power, and Donald Trump  along with George W Bush and Barack Obama  need to take their share of the blame, and the responsibility.


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Patriotic movies bring out a sense of pride in most citizens. They make our hearts swell and instill a sense of belongingness. Recently, Sidharth Malhotra starrer Shershaah won the hearts of audiences for its simple yet impactful story-telling. The cinematography wasnt over the top as it was kept authentic and believable. This genre is tricky to crack and Bollywood has seen its own share of hits and misses.



To keep the spirits high and celebrate our country and its heroes, here are 11 war movies that score high points from audiences and critics alike. Scroll!

1. Shershaah

official poster

The beauty of this film lies in the fact that the makers chose to stick to the facts instead of dramatising it for effect. There were no sloppy scenes or extra singing-dancing bits. The character arc of Captain Vikram Batra was beautifully portrayed. Even the fighting sequences did not have unnecessary VFX or high-octane stunts. Its the realistic aspects of the film that struck a chord with the viewers.





2. Lakshya

TOI

This Farhan Akhtar directorial starred Hrithik and Preity Zinta as the main leads. With such big names attached, the expectations were obviously high and the film did deliver to the best of its capabilities. A boys journey of self-discovery, from an errant teenager to a responsible army officer was a treat to watch. His quest to save the nation and its citizens didnt go unnoticed. In fact, the songs of this movie are played till this day.

3. Uri: The Surgical Strike

netflix

Based on the surgical strike carried out by the Indian army in 2016, the movie created a lot of intrigue. Even though it was predictable at best, it still kept the audiences glued. Many scenes were goosebumps-inducing and many others left us teary-eyed as we got emotional watching our national heroes doing their job without even flinching. This movie also became a stepping stone in Vicky Kaushals Bollywood career.

4. Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl

netflix

Despite all the controversies that this film ran into, it turned out to be a good watch. Produced by Dharma Productions, Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl tells the story of real IAF pilot Gunjan Saxena, who was the first Indian female air force pilot in combat. Janhvi Kapoor played the titular role and she was supported by a stellar cast including actors like Pankaj Tripathi, Angad Bedi and Manav Vij.

5. Kesari

official poster

Based on one of the bravest battles fought in India 'The Battle Of Saragarhi', this movie stars Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra in lead roles. Set in 1897, Kesari begins with Havildar Ishar Singh (Akshay Kumar) getting into a confrontation with a few Afghans after they attempt to kill a woman. When Singh disobeys his British superiors, he gets transferred to an unproductive fort of Saragarhi where he is made in-charge of a battalion of 21 soldiers from the 36 Sikh regiment. When the Afghans decide to attack their fort, the 21 Sikhs led by Ishar Singh refuse to retreat and choose martyrdom instead.

6. Tango Charlie

yupptv

Tango Charlie narrates the ordeals that a soldier has to endure in real life. Indian Army Sepoy Tarun Chauhan is assigned to a Northeastern part of India that has been affected by riots and violence. His group soon comes under attack by vicious terrorists which they tackle heroically. Later, they are deployed to Bengal to counter Naxalites. Soon, war breaks out between India and Pakistan and their group is asked to travel to Kargil and guard a bridge. The challenges that follow, form the rest of the plot.

7. LOC Kargil Story

youtube

Much before Shershaah, LOC - Kargil narrated the story of Indian soldiers fighting in Kargil and being remembered by their families. The characters include Vikram Batra (Abhishek Bachchan), a daredevil soldier who won Param Vir Chakra for his bravery, Manoj Pandey (Ajay Devgan), a poet by nature who sacrificed his life and was served with Param Vir Chakra too. The toughest of all was Lt. Balwant Singh (Akshaye Khanna) who was awarded the Mahaveer Chakra. The star studded cast also featured Sanjay Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Saif Ali Khan who played pivotal roles.

8. The Ghazi Attack

youtube

Not just Hindi, The Ghazi Attack was made as a multilingual film. The movie stars Rana Daggubati and Taapsee Pannu in lead roles. It is an an epic underwater tale of immense courage and undying patriotism of the men aboard the Indian Submarine S-21 who destroyed the Pakistani submarine PNS Ghazi when it ventured into Indian waters to destroy INS Vikrant.





9. Mission Kashmir

pinkvilla

Mission Kashmir revolves around a young boy named Altaaf whose entire family gets killed by police officers. Ironically, he is adopted by the man who killed them. When Altaaf finds out, he seeks revenge. Years later, a rebel force infiltrates the valley on a secret mission. Thats when Altaaf steps in seething in anger and vengeance. He makes it his mission to kill masked intruder who haunts his nightmares -- Inayat Khan.

10. Border

youtube

A tale of young men and war, Border is based on a true story set during the 1971 war between rival nations India and Pakistan. In the year 1971, the Indian army is deployed in Longewala region in Punjab to wage war with the Pakistani Army. While the Indian army only consists of a battalion of 120 soldiers and war jets, the Pakistani army consists of a battalion of over 2000 soldiers with war tanks, arms and ammunition.

The Indian soldiers recount tales of their friends and loved ones at a long-lost war that lasted an entire evening with many soldiers losing their lives and not even one survivor to tell the tale of the gory night.





11. Paltan

twitter

Based on the 1967 Nathu La and Cho La clashes along the Sikkim border, Paltan is directed by Border filmmaker J. P. Dutta. The movie stars Sonu Sood, Jackie Shroff, Arjun Rampal, Harshvardhan Rane, Esha Gupta and Sonal Chauhan. This troop aims to protect the Nathu La Pass from the Chinese while staying away from their loved ones
The Taliban have put a ban on co-education in Afghanistan, saying men would not be allowed to teach girl students in the country.

Shaikh Abdulbaqi Haqqani, the newly appointed acting minister of higher education in Afghanistan, said that education in Afghanistan will be imparted in accordance with Sharia Law. Abdulbaqi Haqqani also announced that male teachers will not be allowed to teach girls.

With the present move, the girls wanting to pursue higher education would be deprived of their rights, as major universities in Afghanistan would not be able to provide different classes due to a dearth of resources.

Representational Image

"Taliban officially announce ban on coeducation. 'Men not allowed to teach girls,' Taliban Higher Education Minister says -- This will effectively deprive girls from higher education because universities cannot afford it nor there are enough human resources," Afghan journalist Bashir Ahmad Gwakh said in a Twitter posting.

Issuing new diktat, Taliban also ordered news outlets and radio channels to not broadcast music or any other programs with female voices. After the Talibans takeover of Kabul on August 15, some media outlets had removed their female anchors.

The G7 nations, during a virtual meeting on August 24, issued a statement stating that The Afghan people deserve to live in dignity, peace and security, reflecting the last two decades of their political, economic and social achievements, in particular for women and girls. Afghanistan must never again become a safe haven for terrorism, nor a source of terrorist attacks on others.

Reuters

Meanwhile, the Taliban has assured the US, other countries that it will allow Afghan allies to leave Afghanistan after August 31.

Have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country," the countries said in a joint statement.
Aadhaar, considered one of the most important identification documents in India, recently announced a new feature which will bring relief to many registered users.

Now, citizens of India can update their residential address on their Aadhaar cards without running from pillar to post. Starting August 27, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which is responsible for all-things-Aadhaar let citizens update their address by simply furnishing certain documents on the website self-service portal.

UIDAI

The Aadhaar includes important details of citizens including full name, permanent address, date of birth, all linked to a unique 12-digit number which is issued by UIDAI.

Also read: India Tests Touchless Covid Vaccination With Aadhaar Face Detection: Do We Need It?

The Aadhaar is considered an important document for its usage as an identity proof across different sectors.

Now, you don't have to run to a government office when you move to a different city or to a new address. You can update your address in Aadhaar online through this step-by-step guide.

How to change your address on Aadhaar card onlin e

The Self Service Update Portal (SSUP) may be used to update your Aadhaar address at https://ssup.uidai.gov.in/ssup/

Start by clicking on "Proceed to update Aadhaar", then enter your unique 12-digit Aadhaar number

After logging in, you'll receive a one time password (OTP) on your registered mobile number to verify your identity

Now, simply enter your new address and the corresponding documents

Once UIDAI verifies your request, the changes will reflect on your Aadhaar card, which you can download from the website as well

If you prefer the physical world, visit your nearest Permanent Enrollment Centre with relevant documents to change your address

Aadhaar has made a series of changes to prioritise its digital readiness. Now, UIDAI no longer hands out paper-based Aadhaar cards.

UIDAI

Also read: Aadhaar PVC Card: How To Order And Print Your Aadhaar PVC Card Online



Citizens only receive the PVC card after applying now. With this, UIDAI hopes to limit the need for reprinting cards and also keep the process environmentally conscious. By paying 50, citizens can download a PVC version of their Aadhaar card from the website. Besides this, UIDAI has discontinued the Address Validation Letter process, replacing it with the mechanism explained above.

Let us know if you will be using this address update feature on Aadhaar online, and keep visiting Indiatimes.com for the latest science and technology news.
The Atacama desert in Chile is generally regarded as the 'driest place on earth.' Last week, however, to everyone's surprise, parts of the desert were under deep snow.

People in the town of San Pedro de Atacama, about 750 miles from the capital, Santiago, were amazed by the spectacle. Although it snows from time to time in the desert, snowfall this late in August is extremely rare, Reuters reported.

The #Atacama Desert has been experiencing unusual amount of snow. The cold front that came through the region dumped nearly 32 inches of snow on the desert -- more snow then the region has seen in the last half-century. Atacama #desert is known asone of the driest place on Earth pic.twitter.com/qmqJPnssxI  Amazing Paper (@JohanesZijlstra) August 27, 2021

Images from the area showed ice-covered vehicles and children playing in the area in 15 cm (5.9 in) of snow, a region with only a few millimetres of rain each year.

It is thought to be the heaviest snowfall in three decades and has raised fears that melting ice and rainfall could cause flooding.

Some roads had to be closed for traffic as unusual weather made its presence felt.

"This does not occur yearly. Maybe a relatively important snowfall like the one today can happen every two or three years. For this time of the year, late August, is something relatively unusual because this is usually seen in June and July, Daniel Diaz, an official of the Northern Regional Meteorological Centre, told Reuters.

Twitter/@JohanesZijlstra

Locals and motorists seized the opportunity to play with the snow and build snowmen.



"This is wonderful. I'm 30 years old, and this is the first time I see snow," exclaimed a resident of El Salvador.
A man in Gujarat's Rajkot tried to burn down a police station in order to save himself from his wifes alleged harassment.

The man in question has been identified as Devo Chavda, a daily wager. He resided opposite the Bajrang Wadi police chowki on Jamnagar Road in the city.



Representational Image/iStock

Chavda took the unusual course of action as he wanted to be caught and put in jail so that he could get respite from his spouse, News18 reported. Police have arrested him on the charge of damaging government property and registered a case under Section 436 of the IPC.



He reportedly set the Bajrang Wadi police outpost on Jamnagar Road on fire and waited near the spot for police personnel to nab him.



Representational Image/iStock

Devji alias Devo Chavda and his wife have been at loggerheads for some time now due to domestic disputes and financial constraints. So he set the station on fire to carry out his plan. He confessed to his crime later," inspector Khuman Singh Wala of Gandhigram police station, was quoted as saying by News18.



The Section 436 of the IPC under which Chavda has been booked, mandates a sentence of up to ten years or a penalty.



Representational Image/iStock

In another incident, a 29-year-old woman committed suicide by hanging herself to death at her residence in Gota area of Ahmedabad in Gujarat.



The woman left behind a note, wherein she alleged that she was being harassed by her husband and his family members for dowry. Following a complaint by the deceased woman's father, a case was registered against her husband and four of his family members.


We have seen a lot of brands selling products found commonly in India for extravagant prices in the name of 'haute couture' or 'trend'. But a New Zealand furniture brand has crossed every limit now.

In the name of 'vintage products', this furniture store named Annabelle's is selling the common Indian string cot, as Vintage Indian Daybed complete with the old white bedsheet tossed over it in India. The difference? The price difference between the cost in India, and the Vintage Indian Daybed is at least 10 times.

Described as a One-of-a-kind" and Original" the charpai is currently on sale, at $800.00 NZD or Rs 41,211.85. For comparison, a charpai at a local market near you will cost about a thousand bucks, at most.



Annabelle's

For those who don't know what a charpai is - it is a bedstead of woven webbing or hemp stretched on a wooden frame on four legs which is very common in Indian villages. You would definitely remember seeing these in your grandparent's homes.

Charpai, Charpaya, or Manji is a traditional woven bed commonly used in the Indian subcontinent. It is also known as Khaat or Khatia. Charpai is well known due to its natural qualities mostly it is used in warm areas; its net is made out of cotton and natural fibres. pic.twitter.com/nVWHWyd3qM  Zeeshan Yaseen Junejo (@ZeeYaseenJunejo) August 25, 2021

The company has actually sourced this from India. It has also sourced many "vintage" products such as cupboard, shelves etc from India which is being sold for exuberant prices.

In an FAQ section on the website, it explains how On trips to India, China and Indonesia, every piece is handmade, old and unique so not being able to see the proper colour and finish in person is a real challenge." A lot of other products also seem to be procured from India, in a separate blog post which mentions New Arrivals from India in June 2020.



We are facepalming really hard.
A group of Indians being evacuated by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in mid-August. (photo via IANS)
The White House Aug. 18 announced President Joe Bidens nomination of DC veteran Viquar Ahmad to serve as Assistant Secretary for Administration and Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Commerce. If confirmed, Ahmad would be one of the highest-ranking Muslim Americans in the Biden Administration. (Facebook photo)
Prithviraj Roger Bhikha, 52, an Indian American former senior director of Global Supplier Management of Cisco, was sentenced to 36 months in prison following wire fraud and tax convictions. Above: Ciscos campus in San Jose, Calif. (Wikimedia.org photo)
Around 140 Afghan Sikhs and Hindus who were expected to arrive from Kabul for an annual pilgrimage were stopped by the Taliban from going to the Kabul airport on Aug. 26. (ANI photo)
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A Pennsylvania woman who pleaded guilty to coughing and spitting on food at a supermarket in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic was sentenced to at least a year in jail.

Margaret Ann Cirko, 37, pleaded guilty in June to a felony count of making bomb threats.

Authorities said Cirko entered a Gerritys Supermarket location in Hanover Township, near Wilkes-Barre, on March 25, 2020, and purposely coughed on fresh produce and other merchandise while yelling that she had the virus and that everyone would get sick.

Joe Fasula, co-owner of the supermarket chain, said that over $35,000 worth of merchandise had to be thrown out as a result of what Gerritys had called a twisted prank.

Cirko tested negative for COVID-19, according to her attorney, who said she was intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Cirko apologized in court Tuesday.

I wish I could take it back, she said.

A Luzerne County judge called Cirkos conduct totally outrageous and sentenced her to one to two years in jail, to be followed by eight years of probation. She also was ordered to pay nearly $30,000 in restitution.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Pennsylvania
A racket in which corrupt lawyers and doctors generated over $20 million in lawsuit settlements by manipulating hundreds of homeless individuals and other desperate people to feign trip-and-fall accidents has been shut down with an indictment, authorities announced.

Charges against two lawyers and two doctors in Manhattan federal court were unveiled by authorities who detailed a scam in which people allegedly agreed to undergo needless surgeries sometimes to boost the value of lawsuits seeking compensation for fake accidents.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said the defendants preyed upon the most vulnerable members of society to carry out a fraud that stretched from January 2013 through April 2018.

The defendants abused their professional licenses and positions of trust to steal millions of dollars from New York City businesses and their insurance companies through a massive trip-and-fall fraud scheme, she said in a release.

Michael J. Driscoll, a New York FBI official, called the scheme beyond reprehensible.

He said the case illustrated the extent to which some are willing to go in the name of money.

Marc Elefant, 49, a lawyer, and two doctors  Andrew Dowd, 45, and Sady Ribeiro, 51  were arrested Wednesday and awaited court appearances. Another lawyer, George Constantine, 58, was expected to surrender Thursday, authorities said.

Aaron Mysliwiec, a lawyer for Dowd, declined to comment.

Michael Bachner, an attorney for Elefant, said his client denies the allegations contained in the indictment and looks forward to his day in court.

He added: We are confident that the evidence proves that Mr. Elefant acted in good faith and in reliance on the information provided to him.

Marc Gann, an attorney representing Constantine, said his client certainly denies the allegations adamantly and looks forward to fighting these charges in court.

He called Constantine a longstanding member of the bar with what I believe is a stellar record as an attorney.

A lawyer for Ribeiro did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

An indictment said lawsuit settlements exceeded $20 million while Constantine collected more than $5 million in legal fees.

It said Down, an orthopedic surgeon, earned $9,500 per surgery as he performed hundreds of knee and shoulder surgeries on scheme patients. Ribeiro, the indictment said, was a pain management doctor and surgeon who performed back surgeries and other procedures, treating nearly 200 patients.

The indictment said participants in the scheme recruited more than 400 people to either claim they had fallen where no accident occurred or to deliberately fall at New York City locations where they could claim there were cracks in concrete sidewalks, potholes or unsecured cellar doors.

Lawyers then filed lawsuits claiming that falls resulted from the negligence of the owners of accident sites, the indictment said.

Authorities said the lawsuits attempted to defraud victims of more than $31 million.

As part of the scam, individuals who claimed or staged fake accidents were urged to receive continuing chiropractic care and eventually were told they needed to undergo surgeries to boost the value of their lawsuits, the indictment said.

The medical procedures included spinal fusions, knee and shoulder surgeries and epidural injections and at least one patient who underwent a surgery as part of the fraud scheme was told after awaking from general anesthesia that she almost died during the surgery, the indictment said.

The patients were generally told to undergo two surgeries and were encouraged to do so through loans of between $1,000 and $1,500 per surgery, it said.

The individuals recruited to take falls and become plaintiffs in lawsuits were extremely poor, insufficiently clothed, and they often asked for food when they appeared for meetings with their lawyers, court papers said.

Some of them were drug users and it was common for participants in the fraud to recruit them at New York City homeless shelters, according to the indictment.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A cafe in Scotlands capital where author J.K. Rowling wrote some of the Harry Potter books has been damaged in a fire.

The Elephant House in Edinburgh suffered smoke and water damage after a blaze broke out at the patisserie next door on Tuesday.

More than 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines were deployed to tackle the blaze. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said one of its crew members was taken to hospital as a precaution and later released.

Images showed the cafe with its front windows gone, a ruined interior and debris lying outside.

Owner David Taylor told the BBC he was devastated by the extensive damage to his business. He said the cafe would likely be closed for months for repairs.

The Elephant House is a regular stop for Harry Potter fans and long bore a sign declaring itself as the birthplace of the fictional young wizard.

Rowling has disputed that, saying she began writing the magical stories before she moved to Edinburgh. But she confirmed she frequented the cafe while penning some of the seven-book series.

The Patisserie Valerie, where Tuesdays fire started, also was heavily damaged. Firefighters remained at the scene in Edinburghs Old Town with the street closed off into Wednesday.

Photo: The Elephant House Cafe where British author JK Rowling wrote some of the Harry Potter books, on Edinburghs George IV Bridge, after a fire broke out late Tuesday in the adjacent Patisserie Valerie, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Thursday Aug. 26, 2021. The Elephant House in Edinburgh suffered smoke and water damage after a blaze broke out at the patisserie next door late Tuesday.(Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg pleaded no contest on Aug. 26 to a pair of misdemeanor traffic charges over a crash last year that killed a pedestrian, avoiding jail time despite bitter complaints from the victims family that he was being too lightly punished for actions they called inexcusable.

Circuit Judge John Brown had little leeway to order jail time. Instead, he fined the states top law enforcement official $500 for each count plus court costs of $3,742. Brown also ordered the Republican to do a significant public service event in each of the next five years near the date of Joseph Boevers death  granting a request from the Boever family. But he put that on hold pending a final ruling after Ravnsborgs attorney objected that it was not allowed by statute.

Ravnsborg said in a statement after the hearing that he plans to remain in office. The plea capped the criminal portion of a case that led Gov. Kristi Noem  a fellow Republican  and law enforcement groups around the state to call for his resignation. But he still faces a likely lawsuit from Boevers widow and a potential impeachment attempt.

Ravnsborgs statement accused partisan opportunists of exploiting the situation and said they had manufactured rumors, conspiracy theories and made statements in direct contradiction to the evidence all sides agreed upon.

Noem, in a statement afterward, pushed the Legislature to consider impeachment and said she ordered the House speaker be given a copy of the investigative file. Impeachment proceedings halted in February after the judge barred state officials from divulging details of the investigation. Lawmakers indicated then that they might resume after the criminal case ended.

The attorney general was driving home to Pierre from a political fundraiser on Sept. 12 when he struck Boever, who was walking on the side of a highway. In a 911 call after the crash, Ravnsborg was initially unsure about what he hit and then told a dispatcher it might have been a deer. He said he didnt realize he struck a man until he returned to the crash scene the next day and discovered the body of Boever, 55.

Ravnsborg pleaded no contest to making an illegal lane change and using a phone while driving, which each carried a maximum sentence of up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. Prosecutors dropped a careless driving charge.

Ravnsborg didnt attend the hearing  he didnt have to and was represented by his attorney, Tim Rensch. That angered Boevers family.

Why, after having to wait nearly a year, do we not have the chance to face him? Boevers sister, Jane Boever, asked the court. She said his cowardly behavior leaves us frustrated.

She said her brother was left behind carelessly the night he died. She accused Ravnsborg of running down her brother and then using his position and resources to string the case along. She said he has shown no remorse, and only arrogance toward the law.

Jane Boever called the punishment a slap on the wrist.

Our brother lay in the ditch for 12 hours, she said. This is inexcusable.

Boevers widow, Jennifer Boever, said Ravnsborgs actions are incomprehensible and cannot be forgiven.

Rensch pushed back hard on the familys criticism, calling the attorney general an honorable man. Rensch said Ravsnborg had been consistent from the beginning that he simply did not see Boever. And he noted that the case was not a homicide case, and its not a manslaughter case.

Accidents happen, people die. It should not happen. No one wants anybody to die, he said.

Rensch told reporters after the hearing that Ravnsborg had cooperated fully with investigators by sitting down for two interviews and allowing his phones to be analyzed.

Basically just take your shirt off and say, Here I am, bring it on. Ill answer anything youve got, and thats what this guy did, Rensch said.

Beadle County States Attorney Michael Moore, one of the prosecutors, agreed that the attorney general had been cooperative. He was also satisfied with Ravnsborgs punishment and the crash investigation.

Because of who it was and the high profile nature of the case, the investigation was a lot more thorough, he said.

After a months-long probe led to prosecutors charging Ravnsborg with the three misdemeanors in February, Noem put maximum pressure on Ravnsborg to resign, releasing videos of investigators questioning him. They revealed gruesome details, including that detectives believed Boevers body had collided with Ravnsborgs windshield with such force that part of his eyeglasses were deposited in the backseat of Ravnsborgs car.

Prosecutors said Ravnsborg was on his phone roughly one minute before the crash, but phone records showed it was locked at the moment of impact. Ravnsborg told investigators that the last thing he remembered before impact was turning off the radio and looking down at the speedometer.

A toxicology test taken roughly 15 hours after the crash showed no alcohol in Ravnsborgs system, and people who attended the fundraiser said he was not seen drinking alcohol.

Ravnsborg adamantly denied doing anything wrong. He insisted he had no idea he hit a man until returning to the crash site and that he is worthy of remaining the states top law enforcement officer.

Joes death weighs heavily on me and always will, Ravnsborg said in his statement. Ive often wondered why the accident occurred and all the things that had to have happened to make our lives intersect.

Ravnsborgs insistence on remaining in office has opened a divide among Republicans, with him retaining support among some GOP circles. The attorney general has been spotted working booths for local Republican groups at county fairs in recent weeks.

But popular predecessor Marty Jackley is already running for his old job and has collected the support of most of the states county prosecutors. Political parties will select candidates for attorney general at statewide conventions next year.

Ravnsborg built his political rise on personal connections in the party. It was his dutiful attendance at local GOP events like the one he was returning from when he struck Boever that propelled him from being a party outsider to winning the Republican nomination for attorney general in 2018.

Boevers family said they hope Ravnsborg is driven from office one way or another.

It is not too late for the state Legislature to resume impeachment proceedings, Jane Boever said. And if they fail us, then its left to the voters of South Dakota to remove him from the ballot box.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics South Dakota
A new Missouri law that went into effect on Aug. 28 revises provisions for producer license renewals and provides opportunities toward continuing education credits for insurance professionals. It also enacts several regulatory changes affecting reinsurance, refusals to write auto insurance, and group personal lines property/casualty insurance policies, among other things.

Senate Bill 6 includes a provision to change producer license renewal timeframes, according to the Missouri Department of Commerce & Insurance. In the past, Missouri insurance producers renewed their license every two years on the anniversary date of issuance. This new provision changes the expiration to the birth date of the licensee.

Not only is this a common sense approach to license renewals, but this change is a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Uniformity Standard. It is intended to help insurance producers, licensed in Missouri, remember to renew their license with the department and we hope this will help producers avoid late fees, Chlora Lindley-Myers, director of the Missouri DCI, said in a media release.

Another provision signed into law of interest to insurance producers relates to continuing education alternatives. Missouri law requires a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education to be undertaken every two years for insurance producers. A provision under the new law, found in Senate Bill 6, House Bill 273 and House Bill 604, allows insurance producers membership in a local, regional, state, or national insurance association to be approved for up to four hours of continuing education hours.

SB 6 also contains provisions related to credit for reinsurance as an asset or reduction from liability of an insurer, explanations of refusal to write automobile insurance, and the writing of policies for group personal lines property/casualty insurance.

Information on how the department is implementing these changes may be found at www.insurance.mo.gov/SB6.

Source: Missouri DCI

Topics Carriers Legislation Missouri
The legal tussle around special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) intensified on Friday as a group of U.S. law firms hit out against lawsuits last week that called for blank-check firms to be regulated as investment companies.

SPACs are acquisition vehicles that use IPO capital to take a private company public, and can make investments and sell stock without restrictions before such a merger.

Any company that temporarily holds short-term treasuries and qualifying money market funds while  seeking a business combination with one or more operating companies is not an investment company under the 1940 Act, a group of 49 law firms said in a joint statement on Friday.

The case is being argued by former Securities and Exchange Commissioner Robert Jackson and Yale Law School professor John Morley.

Earlier this month, Bill Ackmans blank-check firm was sued by an investor who alleged Pershing Square Tontine Holdings Ltd had improperly invested in securities, and that it should be regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Reuters reported on Thursday that the same lawyers who targeted Ackman could bring up to 50 new lawsuits against other SPACs.

Ackman last week called https://www.reuters.com/business/ackman-seeks-spac-relaunch-fix-lawsuits-harm-2021-08-20 the lawsuit meritless, but conceded it was unlikely to be resolved soon and could also dissuade potential merger partners. His Pershing Square Tontine Holdings is the biggest SPAC ever, having raised $4 billion last year.

The billionaire investor said he planned to give Tontine shareholders warrants in a better structured vehicle, which he called a special purpose acquisition rights company (SPARC).

Activity in the blank-check space has recently waned off last years boom due to heightened scrutiny from the SEC and souring of investor sentiment.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Ramakrishnan M.)

Topics Lawsuits Legislation
A powerful Hurricane Ida struck Louisiana on Aug. 29, but an equally powerful Hurricane Laura wrecked southwest Louisiana a year ago, leaving marks of devastation that remain evident today in blue-tarped roofs, damaged homes and boarded-up businesses that still dot the region. For the people who live there, the suffering seems even worse because they feel forgotten.

Officials say recovery has been made more difficult by the absence of relief aid from Washington.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter sounds as though hes moved from frustration to disbelief as his city still waits for disaster block grant assistance from the White House and Congress even as Lauras anniversary passed. At an event on Aug. 26 with the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hunter called the absence of the recovery money glaring, unacceptable, embarrassing.

Laura, which officials called the most powerful storm to impact Louisiana since 1856, struck the southwestern parishes on Aug. 27, 2020, as a fierce Category 4 storm. Less than two months later, Hurricane Delta swept into the same area as a Category 2. Historic flooding followed in May.

More than 175,000 insurance claims were filed for Laura, and the storm was estimated to cause $10 billion in insured losses, according to Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

The region has received hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster aid from FEMA to help people with short-term needs and to help replace damaged government buildings. But dollars for long-term housing for low- to moderate-income households and other recovery needs that Congress traditionally sends states after disasters havent arrived.

Its just very, very difficult here, and the country just seems to have forgotten and walked away, said Denise Durel, president and CEO of the United Way of Southwest Louisiana.

Shortly after President Joe Biden took office in January, Gov. John Bel Edwards sent a disaster request similar to the one he sent then-President Donald Trump in November.

Louisianas Democratic governor asked for $3 billion to help the state with its recovery from Laura, Delta and other storms that struck in 2020. Edwards requested dollars that can be spent to help rebuild peoples homes, create affordable rental housing, modernize infrastructure and harden against future storm threats.

Congressional approval is needed if the state is to receive the money, but a White House request can help speed that along.

Both presidents traveled to Lake Charles and discussed hurricane recovery. But Louisiana is still waiting. Thousands of people remain displaced, including 2,400 living in temporary trailers set up by FEMA.

Durel describes adults whove returned to stay with parents, people sleeping on couches in friends houses and others temporarily living hours away from home because they dont have the money for repairs, theyve received too little from insurance claims or their landlords havent restored their rental housing.

Some of our buildings havent even been touched, said Durel, who considers herself lucky because shes able to live in her hurricane-damaged townhome while completing repairs covered by insurance.

To illustrate the need, community leaders pointed out that by Julys end in Lake Charles fewer than 13% of residential buildings had pulled permits to begin reconstruction or rehabilitation and 60% of public housing was still offline.

I ask the American public as much as you can: Remember, please remember what has happened here in Lake Charles  and perhaps more importantly, what hasnt happened here in Lake Charles, Hunter said in a recent Facebook post.

Lake Charles Republican mayor said disaster recovery block grant aid was allocated by Congress 10 days after Hurricane Katrina, 34 days after Hurricane Andrew and 98 days after Superstorm Sandy.

Southwest Louisiana has felt forgotten before.

After Hurricane Rita left a wide path of destruction across the region in September 2005, residents complained their losses and devastation were overshadowed by the suffering wrought on New Orleans by Katrina a month earlier. People in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes referred to Rita amnesia, but they still received relief aid because that request was bundled with the disaster money Louisiana received for Katrina.

Members of Louisianas congressional delegation say they are pushing for Laura assistance.

Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said hes expecting disaster recovery block grant aid for Louisiana to be part of congressional budget legislation that should pass in September or October. Edwards said hes received similar assurances from White House officials and congressional leaders.

Until it happens, were not going to stop working it, Cassidy said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana
A jury in Las Vegas, Nev., has awarded $38.8 million in damages to the family of an 11-year-old girl who was fatally hit by a trash truck as she walked home from school in February 2017.

The Clark County District Court jury on Tuesday found the regions contract waste hauler, Republic Services, liable for the death of Jazmin Espana following a two-week trial. The judge called the trial difficult and full of sadness.

In a statement, Republic Services expressed condolences to the girls family and friends, called her death a tragic accident and maintained that the company has a strong culture committed to safety.

Attorney David Barron, who represented the company, did not immediately respond Wednesday to an email about whether the company would appeal the verdict or seek to reduce the award amount.

During trial, Barron denied the company was liable but told the jury that if they found negligence an award of $10.25 million plus funeral expenses would be enough.

Family attorney Sean Claggett sought $65 million.

Our kids are valuable the girls mother, Encarnacion Espana, said after the verdict, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Nothing can bring my daughter back, but it was justice.

The jury heard that the truck driver, Julio Cortez-Solano, had a history of traffic violations and company infractions dating back to 2008 and had been involved in crashes in 2011 and 2013.

Cortez-Solano was fired in January 2016 after several incidents during the previous 13 months including striking a parked vehicle with a dumpster, hitting a power box and skipping service stops.

He was rehired a month later.

These are all red flags that Republic Services had,Claggett told the jury.

Jurors saw video showing the truck never fully stopped as it turned right through a crosswalk were Jazmin Espana and a friend had a walk signal to cross.

Cortez-Solano apologized on the witness stand and told the jury his life was changed forever. He said he was sure the girls were still on the sidewalk when he made the turn.

Espana told the Review-Journal that she forgave the driver and Republic Services and hoped her daughter would be remembered as a happy girl who loved school and aspired to be a teacher.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto Nevada
A Camarillo, California, insurance agent was arrested on Aug. 26 and charged with allegedly stealing more than $1 million from clients, according to the Ventura County District Attorneys Office.

Steven Franklin Gordon was arrested and charged with multiple theft crimes dating back to 2014. The complaint charges Gordon with eight counts of grand theft, seven counts of forgery, four counts of identity theft and two counts of credit card fraud.

As an insurance agent, Gordon allegedly stole more than $1,000,000 total from three former clients by making unauthorized draws on their annuities and the cash value of their life insurance policies. Gordon is also alleged to have practiced under different names, including Amy Gordon, his wife. Gordons license to sell life insurance was revoked in April 2021.

This case is being prosecuted and investigated by the District Attorneys Office Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit and the California Department of Insurance (CDI).

CDI believes there may be other victims in this case who are unknown at this time. Anyone with information about the charged crimes or similar incidents involving Gordon are asked to contact CDI Investigator Randy Vickrey at (661) 253-7530.

Gordon was arrested on August 26, 2021, in Camarillo by the Camarillo Police Department and booked into custody by the Ventura County Sheriffs Office. He posted bail and was released from custody. Gordon is scheduled for arraignment on September 9, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court.

Source: Ventura County District Attorneys Office

Topics California Agencies Fraud Abuse Molestation
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Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020
Cabinet has approved a new plan for ending Covid-related restrictions.

The meeting of the full Cabinet ended this afternoon with ministers signing off on a plan called Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin will address the nation at 6pm, where he will confirm that most restrictions will end from October 22.

Earlier, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said that the return to 100% capacity on public transport is not a sign that the Covid-19 pandemic is over. Mr Ryan said that mask wearing will continue for some time.

He said that with that in mind, Ireland has to resume something akin to normal life.

"We don't want to take our guard down. But we can't expect Irish people not to get back to college, get back into the office, have weddings, have critical events for our mental health.

It's been a tough, lonely period. It's important to bring that to an end, and still manage that carefully.

The Government road map to reopening society could start as early as next week.

Following a lengthy meeting last night, sources said that next week, September 6, and September 20 will be key dates.

It has also been confirmed that after school indoor activities for children such as dance and drama classes are to recommence on September 20 under the Government's major re-opening of society plan.

The rolling back of restrictions is contingent, however, on Ireland reaching a total of 90% of adults vaccinated and the stability of the virus.

The Covid sub-committee agreed to a proposal by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly that the 90% figure would not be "rigid" and that the reopening will proceed on a "cautious" basis, with no major "Freedom Day" as was seen in the UK.

While live music at weddings, communions and confirmations and increased numbers at events will come in from next week, the 11.30pm curfew is set to be one of the last things to change.

Sources said this was unlikely before October 22 when nightclubs, discos and dances are set to come back.

Mask wearing in certain settings will remain as a mandatory requirement, under the proposals agreed by the Cabinet sub-committee.

From next week, Michael McGrath said we can start making progress in practical terms in unwinding some of the restrictions that are there, and that would be done over a number of weeks into October. File picture: Collins

Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath confirmed earlier today that Covid-19 restrictions will begin to unwind from next week.

He said there wont be a declaration that the pandemic is over but there will be a gradual move from regulations to personal responsibility.

I don't believe you will see any big declaration that the battle of Covid is over, or anything of the sort. Because it is not, we are going to have to continue to be cautious and vigilant in the fight against Covid-19, he said.

From next week, he said we can start making progress in practical terms in unwinding some of the restrictions that are there, and that would be done over a number of weeks into October.

Speaking to reporters on his way into the Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Covid-19 yesterday, Mr McGrath said the government is keen to restore 100% capacity on public transport to allow the full return of schools and colleges.

With the return of education as well as the gradual return of people to their normal pace of work, there will be a need for full capacity in the public transport system, he said.

Religious services such as confirmations and communions are likely to recommence in the early stages of the plan, he said too.

Mr McGrath also confirmed that the government will be prioritising the return of indoor classes such as drama, dancing and gymnastics for children in the early phase of the plan.

Mr McGrath warned however that the government will always look to pause or reverse the measures if the public health situation dictates it, saying it would be imprudent not to.

I think we have to acknowledge that a level of uncertainty remains and every time that we think we're getting ahead of the virus, something happens and throws our plans off track, he said.

So we do have to retain that flexibility, and we have to retain the right to change and to reflect the circumstances, as we face them. If the circumstances change in a significant way then of course government will have to respond to that, it would be imprudent not to do so, he said.

He said that after 18 months of great hardship, the government trusts the people to do the right thing once regulations are lifted.

Mr McGrath said the government is keen to restore 100% capacity on public transport to allow the full return of schools and colleges.

Mr McGrath said the provision of wage subsidies and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will be there for quite some time even with the re-opening.

That support remains in place, there will be significant supports there to help people get back to work, to support businesses as a means of overcoming the challenge, he said.

He said as the economy transitions out of lockdown restrictions, he said the wage subsidy scheme will become more important compared to the PUP.

Meanwhile, digital Covid certificates will be needed to access live music gigs, indoor sports, and other organised activities under plans to be finalised by the Government today.

Senior Government sources told the Irish Examiner that access to events across the remaining sectors will be on the basis of proving full vaccination.

The Cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee is meeting today to decide on the final details of the plan to reopen all remaining sectors of society.

Using the digital cert to manage increased numbers at religious services has been ruled out, even though Communions and Confirmations are to return within weeks.

It is likely the numbers allowed to attend weddings and funerals will also increase to 100.

Return of 1.5m students

All public transport will operate at 100% capacity from Wednesday to facilitate the return of 1.5m school children and college students, as well as a return of office workers.

Were bringing back schools, bringing back colleges, and also a return to offices. To prepare and provide for that, we need public transport, said Transport Minister Eamon Ryan.

He confirmed Communions and Confirmations would return very quickly, but other restrictions on the number of people attending live entertainment would unwind during September and into October.

A gradual reopening is the correct approach, he said.

The plan will be signed off and approved by the full Cabinet tomorrow.

Ahead of those meetings, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, and Arts Minister Catherine Martin are to hold a meeting with the Event Industry Alliance today, where arts and live entertainment groups will push for an early reopening of the sector.

Future of Nphet

Meanwhile, there have been mixed signals from the Government about the future of the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet).

Mr Martin, speaking in Cork on Saturday, hinted that the role of Nphet was to be re-examined.

What were looking at is how we transition into normalcy, in terms of Government, in terms of how Government works, in terms of the institutions of workers and agencies, he said.

The winding down of Nphet was not on the agenda at the moment, said Mr Ryan yesterday.

However, he acknowledged a need to move away from the emergency measures in the medium to long term, and increase investment in public health teams in the Department of Health.

Meanwhile, as many children return to school today, chief medical officer Tony Holohan moved to ease concerns of parents, saying the school environment was not a major source of disease transmission.

Any increase in incidence among children was often linked to the events that occur around school as much as the events that occur within school, he said.

He said preparations for the return of schools were being made at a time of very high incidence of Covid-19.

I am conscious of the considerable efforts already made by many families, parents, and school staff so that schools can reopen, he said.

Mask wearing

While it seems certain that college students attending large lectures will have to wear face masks on their return to campus, Trinity College Dublin immunologist Luke ONeill said primary school children should also wear masks in the classroom in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.

Primary school students do not have to wear masks upon their return to school, with officials viewing it as too challenging for young children and a potential source of stress for pupils.

Secondary school pupils must wear masks at school when indoors.

However, Prof ONeill said that if mask wearing in primary schools was even 30% effective, it would have a significant impact on breaking the chains of transmission in the younger age groups.
A lamb in a spot of bother was the subject of an unusual call-out for the Irish Coast Guard on Sunday.

The lamb, nicknamed Lucky Louis by the Coast Guard, had become stuck after falling 10 metres down a cliff on Lambay Island off the Dublin coastline.
An Irish citizen stuck in Afghanistan with his young family has said it was impossible to get his family to the place where he was meant to be evacuated by Irish embassy staff.

Omid Ahmadi, who has lived in Ireland for 18 years, travelled to Afghanistan with his wife and two daughters aged just two and four, before the Taliban seized control  and he hasn't been able to get out since.

We were called to go to the airport by our embassy staff but the route was chaos, he said.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, he explained how there were over 10,000 people waiting outside the airport: "Everybody was going through that route. We couldnt make it.

I would have had to cross 10,000 people or more to get to the point where we were called. It was impossible with my two young daughters and my wife. It was impossible for us to get there.

Mr Ahmadi, who spent 12 hours in chaos trying to get to Irish embassy staff in Kabul, said he hasnt been in contact with embassy staff since his first attempt.

I dont want to risk my life again through that route, he said.

When asked whether he might be a target for the Taliban, Mr Ahmaid said he did have family members who worked for the previous government, but that everybody is at risk at this stage.

Nobody knows what is going to happen tomorrow or the next day.

Mr Ahmaid said it proved impossible for he and his family to get through to the protection of Irish Defence Forces at Kabul airport. Picture: Oglaigh na hEireann

A joint statement issued by 100 countries including Ireland, the UK, and the United States last night said that the Taliban has given assurances that "all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from other countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country" beyond the August 31 deadline.

While Mr Ahmadi said he hoped that would be the case, he isn't reassured.

Looking at the current situation.. the airport is in chaos. I dont see them letting the flights, especially international flights, be activated very soon."

Mr Ahmaid said he will take any opportunity to get his children out of this chaos: I went to the Pakistan Embassy to see if I can get access for a transit visa and we will travel there, but I am not sure that is going to happen  any opportunity that I see I will run for it, he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently working with 65 Irish citizens and residents trapped in Afghanistan.
The UK Government has received assurances from the Taliban that anybody wishing to leave Afghanistan after August 31 will be allowed to do so.

British troops have already left Kabul and US military personnel will be out of Afghanistan before the August 31 deadline set by US President Joe Biden.

But there have been fears over the potentially thousands of Afghans who may have been eligible for resettlement schemes, who could not make it to Kabul airport for evacuation or were not processed in time.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that if the Taliban regime wanted diplomatic recognition and aid funding, they would have to ensure safe passage for those who want to leave.

And in a joint statement with the US and more than 90 other countries, it was confirmed that the Taliban had said anyone who wished to leave the country could do so.

The joint statement said: We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country.

It comes after 15,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan by UK troops over the course of nearly two weeks in Operation Pitting, which is believed to be the largest evacuation mission since the Second World War.

British ambassador to Afghanistan Sir Laurie Bristow, who had remained in the country and relocated the embassy to Kabul airport to process as many evacuees as possible, arrived back in the UK on Sunday.

He vowed to continue to help British nationals and Afghans who remain in the country and still need help.

Speaking on the runway at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he said: Weve had to leave Afghanistan for now and the embassy will operate from Qatar for the time being.

We will continue to stand by the people of Afghanistan, working on humanitarian, diplomatic and security work, and above all bringing to the UK Afghans and British nationals who still need our support, and we will be putting pressure on the Taliban to allow safe passage for those people.

We will reopen the embassy as soon as we can. We will do everything we can to protect the gains of the last 20 years and above all to help the Afghan people achieve the security and the peace that they deserve.

Vice Admiral Ben Key, Chief of Joint Operations, who commanded Operation Pitting, admitted there was a sense of sadness that not all could be saved.

Vice Admiral Ben Key (Jonathan Brady/PA)

He said: Whilst we recognise and I pay testament to the achievement of everything that has been achieved by coalition forces, but particularly the British contingent, over the last two weeks, in the end we know that there are some really sad stories of people who have desperately tried to leave that we have, no matter how hard our efforts, we have been unsuccessful in evacuating.

He added: There has been a phenomenal effort achieved in the last two weeks. And I think we always knew that somewhere we would fall just short.

After official advice earlier in the week changed to advise people to stay away from Kabul airport due to the threat of a terrorist attack, ministers said anyone who could reach a third country could be processed and flown to the UK from there.

But there were concerns the Taliban would not allow this, amid reports of roadblocks.

Among those stuck in Afghanistan was the wife of a British shopkeeper who was killed in the terror attack on Kabul airport on Thursday.

Musa Popal (Family handout/PA)

Zohra Popal, 23, broke down in tears as she described the pain of losing her father, Musa Popal, and begged the Government to help bring her mother home.

She said the family feel ignored by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, which has not made contact since news of his death was confirmed.

Mr Popal, 60, was among three British citizens, including a child, who were killed in the suicide attack.

Mohamed Niazi, 29, an Uber driver from Aldershot, Hampshire, was also among the victims.

Ms Popal said she fears for the life of her mother Saleema, 60, and members of her family who she believes could be targeted by the Taliban.

The attack killed more than 180 people, including 14 US service personnel.

On Sunday, Mr Biden travelled to meet the families of those who had been killed.

In a video uploaded to Twitter on Sunday, Mr Johnson praised the more than 1,000 military personnel, diplomats and officials who took part in the operation in Afghanistan.

He said: UK troops and officials have worked around the clock to a remorseless deadline in harrowing conditions.

They have expended all the patience and care and thought they possess to help people in fear for their lives.

Theyve seen at first hand barbaric terrorist attacks on the queues of people they were trying to comfort, as well as on our American friends.

They didnt flinch. They kept calm. They got on with the job.

Its thanks to their colossal exertions that this country has now processed, checked, vetted and airlifted more than 15,000 people to safety in less than two weeks.

Meanwhile, officials said a US airstrike has targeted a vehicle carrying multiple suicide bombers from the affiliate of the so-called Islamic State, Isis-K, in Afghanistan before they could target the US military evacuation at Kabul airport, officials said.
Burma Gunmen Steal More Than $60,000 From Bank in Myanmars Yangon

Junta forces guard a branch of GTB in Yangon on Monday after a robbery at another branch of the bank in Mayangone Township. / CJ

Four unidentified gunmen robbed a former state-owned bank and stole over 100 million kyats (US$61,000) in Yangon on Monday.

The Global Treasure Bank (GTB)s chairman U Maung Maung Thein confirmed the robbery at a branch in No. (1) ward in Yangons Mayangone Township on Monday morning.

Approximately, more than 100 million kyats were stolen. Our auditor team is checking the details, he told The Irrawaddy on Monday afternoon.

He added that no one was injured during the robbery.

According to a resident, the four robbers managed to escape the scene in a vehicle.

The robbery occurred in the morning after a series of blasts rocked about eight locations in Yangon, including in Insein Township next to Mayangone, where the robbery occurred.

Now, police and soldiers are investigating and searching for the robbers in wards near the bank, a resident who lives near the bank told The Irrawaddy.

In July, a GTB branch located near a police station in Yangons South Oakkalapa Township was robbed by three gunmen. At that time, more than 10 million kyats was stolen.

The GTB was established by the ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development as a semi-government bank in 1996 under the name Myanmar Livestock and Fisheries Development Bank and has opened a total of 172 branches in Myanmar.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Troops Die in Weekend Clashes

Kokang ethnic armed forces display weapons and uniforms of junta soldiers they seized after clashes on Aug. 28.

Myanmars regime sustained casualties, allegedly including a battalion commander, during fighting with ethnic armed groups and civilian resistance fighters in three states over the weekend.

At least five junta soldiers reportedly died during clashes with joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Kokangs Myanmar National Democratic Army (MNDAA) near Muse in northern Shan State on Saturday.

Following the clash, a video showing the death of four soldiers went viral online. The MNDAA claimed on Monday that a battalion commander and their deputy were among the dead but the military denied the reports.

On Sunday afternoon, Kokang News reported: MNDAA troops ambushed junta soldiers advancing to Mongkoe from Kunlon two times and killed at least five soldiers and injured about 20. The MNDAA seized weapons.

The commander and deputy commander were among the dead. We seized the weapons including two pistols, said the MNDAAs information officer.

Junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun on Sunday said: A few soldiers died, others were injured and we lost some weapons during the fighting between Mongkoe and Panglong. No battalion commander was killed.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the casualties.

The ethnic Kokang armed group said the fighting was only between the military and MNDAA, denying the involvement of the KIA, a member of the Northern Alliance. The Irrawaddy could not reach the KIA for a comment.

The MNDAA said the group and Mongkoe District Defense Force defended junta troops and warned that intensified fighting is expected due to continuous junta offensives. On Monday, military tensions persisted in Mongkoe, according to the MNDAA.

On Sunday afternoon, junta artillery landed in Nam Har village in Mongkoe and killed four villagers, according to residents.

Ethnic armed groups in Karen, Kayah, Shan and Kachin states began joining resistance fighters in March in support of the pro-democracy movement.

Fighting between the regime and armed groups in Kayah and Karen states over the weekend inflicted casualties on the military.

On Sunday, three soldiers died during clashes between junta troops and the Karen National Liberation Army in a village in Paan, according to the Karen National Union, the political wing of the KNLA.

The area is controlled by KNLA Brigade 1 in Thaton District. Military tension rose in KNLA areas last week due to the deployment of regime troops.

On Sunday, at least four clashes occurred between the militarys Brigade 66 and the joint forces of the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) and Karenni Army at Loilen Lay in Loikaw, Kayah State.

The Karenni Army is the armed wing of the Karenni National Progressive Party. The KNDF was formed with civilian volunteers from Kayah State and Pekon Township in southern Shan State.

The KNDF said three rifles, ammunition and Energa anti-tank rifle grenades were seized.

In early August, there was fighting between junta troops and the Northern Alliance in Mongkoe and Pansai, displacing hundreds of villagers and sending two artillery shells into China territory. China lodged complaints and said it warned the junta. The junta blamed the opposition for the incidents.

The MNDAA, KIA and KNPP were in ceasefire talks with the National League for Democracy government before the February coup. The KNU signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement in 2015 and was also in negotiations with the government.

The junta claims it is in talks with the armed groups.



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Burma Myanmar Regime Forces Loot and Vandalize Villages in Chin State

Bullet casings seen after a junta raid on a village in Mindat Township. / CJ

Myanmar junta forces looted valuables, destroyed food, killed animals and vandalized homes during raids in villages in Mindat and Falam townships in Chin State, according to locals.

Junta soldiers burned rice and chickpeas stored for the elderly in Wa Kauk Village in Mindat on August 24, and broke into houses smashing cupboards and destroying motorbikes and spare parts, said a villager.

We have to rely on Gangaw [in Magwe Region] to buy rice. Usually we keep reserve rice for the rainy season because it is difficult to travel during the monsoon. They destroyed the rice as we were about to send it to our parents who have fled previous clashes, said the resident.

50 of the 55 homes in Wa Kauk village were looted, said locals.

It is totally unacceptable that the military, which is supposed to protect the people, has stolen and robbed peoples belongings. After witnessing that, we no longer have any trust in the military, said another resident of Wa Kauk village.

Junta troops also looted the monastery and houses in Kwe Reng Village in Mindat Township on August 24, said a monk from the village.

They entered our rooms and searched cupboards. I wouldnt complain if someone in the village had shot at them. But no one did anything to them and they raided the village for no reason. They killed and cooked a pig on monastery premises and went up to the mountain, said the monk.

Around 60 junta troops raided the village, firing three shots before entering and looting houses, said villagers.

Local resistance fighters have been fighting regime troops in Mindat for months following the February 1 coup and the juntas subsequent brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters. Locals said the looting on August 24 was the first incident of its kind, although regime troops have entered the villages before from time to time.

We dont know why they have done this. The villagers just lead a peaceful life here. What they did was worse than robbers. Even robbers would not do that to a monastery. What they did is ugly and inhuman, said the monk.

The monk said it took almost ten years to build the monastery in hilly and remote Chin State, which is the poorest state in Myanmar and has only a basic transportation network.

Chin civil society organizations have also strongly condemned the juntas raids in Tarl Village in Falam Township. Junta troops raided the village twice, once in July and once in August. During the July 20 raid, around 90 junta troops fired shots as they entered the village, before ransacking 21 houses and killing domestic animals.

Civilian resistance fighters in Mindat said junta troops destroyed houses and food in villages on the outskirts of the town after the villagers had fled.

They killed chickens and pigs raised by villagers. According to the customary way of life in this hill region, poultry is important for the survival of the people here. Junta soldiers have destroyed food the villagers had saved over time, said the resistance fighter.

He also accused the regime forces of destroying schools, hospitals and religious buildings, saying they are evil to destroy houses of worship.

Regime spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun defended the military, claiming that villages are not raided unless there is a reason to do so. He admitted only to a clash near Paleik Htwe Village on August 24.

We briefly engaged with them and they fled. And we captured a gun. Thats all, he said.

The military regime has imposed martial law in Mindat and attacked local resistance fighters both on the ground and by air. There were over 20 clashes between the military and local Peoples Defense Forces between late April and early June.



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Atrocious Myanmar Military at Risk of Splitting: Army Defectors

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Myanmars Shadow Govt Reports Juntas Massacres of Civilians to UN Security Council
Burma Myanmars Commercial Capital Yangon and Mandalay Rocked by Bomb Blasts

Smoke from the blast at Hledan junction in Kamayut Township, Yangon on early Monday morning. / CJ

A series of explosions rocked at least 12 locations in Yangon and Mandalay regions on Monday and Sunday, including offices of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party and the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

On early Monday morning, blasts occurred at around eight locations in five of Yangons townships: Insein, Kamayut, Sanchaung, South Okkalapa and North Okkalapa.

Most of the explosions occurred at traffic police booths at junctions in the city. In Insein alone, blasts were reported at four locations including the traffic booths at Pauktawwa, Japan Road and the junction in Gyoegone Ward in Insein Township.

One local resident said that she was woken at 4.50am by the sound of a heavy explosion coming from the junction of Japan Road and Lower Mingaladon Road in Insein Township.

No casualties were reportedly caused by the explosions. But, at midday, junta forces were inspecting all private vehicles and taxis travelling the three bridges  Bayint Naung, Aung Zaya and Shwepyithar  connecting Hlaing Tharyar Township with Insein, Mayangone and Shwepyithar townships, according to local residents.

The NLDs office in Mandalay Regions Maha Aung Myay Township was the target of a blast on Sunday evening soon after being raided by junta forces, according to local media.

Members of Pyu Saw Htee groups, which are trained and armed by the military regime, have been accused of being responsible for the explosion, said local media.

The raid and subsequent blast at the NLD office came after the Maha Aung Myay Township office of the military-backed USDP party was targeted by an explosion earlier on Sunday evening. The USDP office was damaged but no casualties were reported.

A blast occurred also near a convoy of junta forces parked near the forest department office in Mandalay Regions Chanmyathazi Township on Sunday morning.

The junta convoy was lying in wait for an anti-coup protest. There were some military casualties from the blast, a Mandalay resident told The Irrawaddy.

An explosion also occurred on Sunday afternoon in Yangons Thingangyun Township. The blast occurred while regime forces were arriving in the area to neutralize a bomb found nearby. However, no casualties were reported, according to local residents.

On the same day, U Tin Hlaing, who had been accused of being a junta informant, was assassinated by unknown gunmen while driving with his wife in Yangons Hlaing Township. His wife was wounded in the attack.

Armed resistance to the military regime began in late March, following the juntas lethal crackdowns on peaceful anti-coup protesters.

In response, the regime formed the Pyu Saw Htee groups, which have reportedly been planting bombs in schools and government offices in order to blacken the name of the civilian resistance fighters. A number of anti-regime civilian protesters, including NLD members, have reportedly been killed by the Pyu Saw Htee groups.

Over 1,020 people had been killed by the junta since the February 1 coup as of August 28, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Another 7,630 people, including elected government leaders, have been detained by the junta or face arrest warrants.



You may also like these stories:

Myanmar Junta Troops Die in Weekend Clashes

Myanmar Regime Forces Loot and Vandalize Villages in Chin State

Atrocious Myanmar Military at Risk of Splitting: Army Defectors
Wisconsin, Connecticut and Virginia were just some of the locations where candidates for the Village of Key Biscayne Police Chief applied from in a national search.

Version en espanol

But, when the list of 28 candidates was pared to seven to replace retired Chief Charles Press, they all had one thing in common: a South Florida background.

Obviously, people in South Florida have a stronger sense of who we are and thats a good thing, said Key Biscayne Mayor Mike Davey. These folks all have a sense of Miami-Dade County and I want people to coordinate with other police departments.

The seven finalists, chosen from a panel of people associated with law enforcement, who now will meet for multiple interviews with Village Manager Steve Williamson, before he makes the final decision.

They are:

* Freddie Cruz, a Miami police commander in Little Havana.

* David De La Espriella, who works in criminal investigations as a Miami Beach major.

* Antonio Diaz, a major with the Miami Police Department.

* Thomas Pat Hanlon, Assistant Director with Miami-Dade County Police.

* David Magnusson a former Miami major and now Police Chief at El Portal.

* James Somohano, a Miami Shores Police lieutenant and a former major in Hialeah.

* Frank Sousa, interim Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Fort Lauderdale

Ive met a few of them over the years and theyre all quality candidates, Davey said. Well wait and see how it goes. Im obviously happy.

Asked if he would have liked to have seen more diversity among the candidates  reportedly, only two women applied  Davey said: They went through the process and (the selection committee) did a pretty good job. Im (the Village is) hiring the best person out there. But, sure, I would want minority candidates to be considered at this point (in any opening we have).

Williamson echoed the same sentiment.

Im selecting the best Police Chief for the Village of Key Biscayne, he said.

The advertised starting salary range is between $150,000 and $180,000.

Williamson said all along he was hoping to have a new chief in place by October.

In the meantime, Jason Younes, who stepped up from his deputy chief role to serve as interim Chief, did not apply for the position. Last week, Younes received praise for his efforts  especially with maintaining a tight handle on juvenile misbehavior  from Council member Ignacio Segurola.

Press, 67, had served in law enforcement some 46 years, the last 17 as Key Biscaynes Chief, overseeing a department of 36 until his exit on July 2.
Ithaca, NY (14850)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 68F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low around 55F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
DCI Data Centre (DCI) has acquired and purchased land in Technology Park, Mawson Lakes in South Australia to build a second Tier-Ready III cloud edge data centre, ADL03.

DCI CEO Australia and New Zealand Malcolm Roe comments South Australias growth state initiative is promoting the demand for the next generation of flexible, secure, and sustainable infrastructure for the state.

DCIs new data centre facilities support South Australia becoming a new digital infrastructure hub capable of retaining and attracting critical ICT loads, he says.

South Australia is home to the nations defence industrial complexa world class precinct. Industries like defence go hand in hand with digital infrastructure, which in turn makes this state a critical data centre region and supports a thriving digital infrastructure ecosystem, he notes.

The announcement is opportune as the construction of ADL02, a data centre in Kidman Park, starts today.

ADL02 is the first of its kind in South Australia, claims Roe. We have committed A$70 million to this facility, which will provide mission-critical support to some of the states priority growth sectors, offering the highest levels of security so they can conduct business with certainty, using local infrastructure.

South Australia Premier Steven Marshall today congratulated DCI for its important investment into South Australia, saying it will support the state in accelerating their growth state agenda as it will create new jobs.

DCIs investment is going to help us sustain and create even more jobs, particularly in IT and cyberspace.

It also complements our already thriving defence industry. We also know that more revenue and jobs are created with digital infrastructure investment. This will stop these jobs being exported interstate, Marshall adds.

Roe agrees, saying there is a direct multiplier effect of one-to-five when localising a new data centre.

For every data centre job created by the new facility, a five ICT and associated industry jobs are created. As data centres have a design and operational life of 30 years, those jobs endure and have a long-term impact on the local economy, Roe says.

Minister for Trade and Investment Stephen Patterson said South Australias credentials creates significant growth opportunities.

"Investments like this will further build the hi-tech ecosystem in South Australia and drive sustainable and long-term careers in our great state, which in turn attracts interest from other global players, Patterson says.

ADL02 at Kidman Park will have its capacity increased by 4 mw taking it up to 5.4 mw total IT Load, with Zone 3 physical security and above.

Eighty trade and construction jobs will be created throughout the construction period and the site will provide continued employment to skilled IT professionals. ADL02 will be ready for service in the second half of 2022.

According to DCI, it has secured development approval for ADL03, and further updates will be available in the next months.
Macquarie Data Centres, part of Macquarie Telecom Group, announced that its Sydney data centres in the Macquarie Park Data Centre Campus and Sydney Central have achieved the Certified Strategic designation under the Digital Transformation Agencys (DTA) Hosting Certification Framework.

Certification under the Framework is a central feature of the DTAs Hosting Strategy championed by Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business Stuart Robert. The Australian Government is, through the Framework, seeking to exert stronger government controls over the location of government information both at rest and in transit. The Framework, which provides government agencies clear guidelines as to the security credentials, capabilities, and corporate ownership and controls of data centre providers servicing Australian government agencies.

The Certified Strategic listing of IC1, IC2, and IC3 means Macquarie Data Centres entire portfolio is now deemed by the Federal Government to provide the highest level of security compliance to support sensitive government data and whole-of-government platforms. This extends to Defence data, with the Department recently unveiling its Defence Data Strategy, which highlights data as a strategic military asset.

Macquarie said that following Strategic Certification of Macquaries Canberra data centres, IC4 and IC5, in June, certification of the groups Sydney data centres puts Macquarie into an elite group of certified providers which are able to provide multiple availability zones in two or more locations. Macquaries two campuses are within 250 kilometres of each other, whilst the Sydney Campus is approximately 18 kilometres from the CBD.

The locations are strategically positioned to offer maximum redundancy and geo diversity, and minimal latency, for cloud workloads, Macquarie elaborates.

Macquarie Data Centres group executive David Hirst said that the Certified Strategic designation is further proof that the companys portfolio of local data centres provides the highest levels of security with the lowest risk profile when supporting government workloads.

Our facilities provide both the assurance of redundancy capability and Zone 4 level security to government, with the option to extend to Zone 5, which are crucial elements when it comes to hosting sensitive information, he said.

The Certified Strategic listing of our portfolio is further proof that Macquarie Data Centres is rising to the evolving expectations of private and public sector customers. We are constantly investing in building new facilities to meet the growing need for secure, sovereign and equipped facilities to host sensitive information, as evidenced by our recent announcement to build our largest data centre yet within our Macquarie Park Data Centre Campus  Intellicentre 3 Super West (IC3SW).

Macquarie Government managing director Aidan Tudehope commented, Macquarie is responsible for protecting the information of 42 per cent of Federal Government agencies, which gives us unique insight into the threat patterns specific to Australian government agencies. We also have the security and capability required for protecting data up to top-secret classification at our Intellicentre 5 (IC5) facility which was built for this very purpose.

Our facilities continually meet rigorous domestic and international certification standards. Certification by the DTA of our full data centre portfolio at the Strategic level, combined with our status as one of a select few integrated service providers to government and nearly 200 government-cleared engineers, adds to our bona fides as a tier one supplier to government.

The Framework certifies data centres as either Strategic or Assured, and, as the highest level of certification available, Certified Strategic data centres are required to meet the governments strict ownership and management control measures, with the data and supply chains which support government data storage remaining in Australia, says Macquarie.

In addition to the Certified Strategic listing, Macquarie Data Centres says its facilities are certified with ISO 27001 and SOC 2 credentials (information security), the PCI DSS 3.2, ISO 45001 credential (occupational health and safety) and ISO 14001 (environmental management).

Find out more about the Digital Transformation Agencys Hosting Certification Framework here.
Xero has offered flexible working for more than a decade, according to the company, and switched to fully remote work during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Over the last 18 months it has been developing "a policy that's clear, designed for the future and ensures there are no surprise catches or fine print."

The company is actively recruiting, and new and existing employees in a variety of disciplines including engineering, data science and design will be able to choose to work remotely, in an office, or in a hybrid manner.

The new policy is being rolled out progressively, starting with the product and technology teams in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK. It will then be extended to the US, and to other roles.

Current vacancies allowing remote work can be seen here.

Significantly, the new policy isn't set in stone, and Xero intends to adjust it to meet the evolving needs of the remote workforce.

"We've always been huge advocates of flexible work at Xero," said Xero chief people officer Nicole Reid.

"We know we get the best out of people when we empower them to work how they like and choose their own career adventure. We've put a lot of effort and research into ensuring we're creating policies that make a difference to our people.

"Our new program is designed to support the Xeros of today and the future so we can support every type of worker, from wherever they are.

"We've been quite particular about creating a policy that is clear and easy to understand. We've taken on research and feedback from our employees, and through our Future of Work group, developed a policy that is clear and upfront about what employees can, and can't expect, without the fine print."

Image: Trendz 4 Friend via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Global smartwatch shipments appear to have recovered from any COVID-19 impact, with figures in the second quarter of 2021 rising by 27% compared to the corresponding quarter in 2020, the technology analyst firm Counterpoint Research says.

Apple kept its top spot, but its market share fell slightly, from 30.1% to 28% year-on-year, Counterpoint reported, even as the active user base crossed 100 million.

Huawei was second, but a long way back, with its market share of 13.1% falling to 9.3% in the current year. Among the top five vendors, Samsung and Garmin showed notable growth, of 43% and 62% respectively, year-on-year.

Senior analyst Sujeong Lim commented: "The smartwatch attach-rates for smartphones have been steadily rising. Apples ecosystem is seeing a greater attach rate as the brand continues to bake in attractive designs, health features and related services around it.

"Apple Watchs user base crossed the 100-million mark for the first time during the quarter ended June, capturing the lions share of the smartwatch user base globally. The US continues to be the key Apple Watch market, contributing to more than half of its user base, with an attach rate of close to 30%.

Looking at the success of Apple Watch, more OEMs have entered the smartwatch market with a relatively less advanced OS but comparable fitness and health-related features, and stylish designs at affordable prices targeting hundreds of millions of potential users globally.

"The pandemic has further pushed consumers towards being more health-conscious and features such as SPO2 and heart-rate monitoring have trickled down to the sub-US$100 (sub-A$136) smartwatch segment. The sub-$100 smartwatch segment grew a massive 547% annually, highlighting its mass-market reach.

North America was the largest market for smartwatches, followed by China, while India showed the most growth. Senior analyst Anshika Jain said: India was the smallest market in the second quarter of last year, accounting for less than 2% of the total market, but its share increased to 6% in just one year.

"The proliferation of sub-US$100 affordable, feature-rich smartwatches from Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, realme and OPPO, and Indian brands such as boAt and Noise has been one of the key growth drivers.
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Services for Robert Kesinger, 67, of Alto Will be Thursday August 26th at 10am at the O.T. Allen and Son Chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Interment will follow services at Old Palestine Cemetery in Alto. Robert Kesinger was born May 18th, 1954 in Rus




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.
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.
Taliban fighters have watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the night sky and then fired their guns into the air
London-based lawyers representing victims of Yemens ongoing conflict on Monday called for an International Criminal Court investigation into alleged war crimes by pro-government forces.

Yemens internationally recognised government has been locked in battle with Iran-backed Huthi rebels since 2014.

A Saudi-led military coalition intervened the following year to support the government, shortly after the Huthis seized the capital Sanaa.

Since then, the insurgents have taken control of much of the north, with tens of thousands  mostly civilians  killed in the conflict and millions displaced.

The United Nations has described the situation as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis, while UN experts have accused both sides of war crimes.

On Monday, Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers said it submitted evidence to the ICC to back allegations of coalition war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The lawyers, who made the submission on behalf of hundreds of survivors and relatives of those killed, called for the investigation of three incidents, according to a statement.

These include a 2016 coalition air strike that killed 140 people at a funeral in Sanaa, and a 2018 air strike on a school bus in northern Yemen that killed at least 40 children.

The coalition has admitted that mistakes were made, and said it would put on trial military personnel suspected of being behind strikes on civilians, including the school bus strike.

At the time of the attack the coalition claimed they would investigate and hold the perpetrators to account. Of course, they did no such thing, Almudena Bernabeu, co-founder of Guernica 37, said in the statement.

Neither Yemen nor Saudi Arabia are parties to the ICCs founding Rome Statute.

Of the countries making up the coalition, only Jordan has ratified the statute.

The ICC has no obligation to consider complaints filed to the prosecutor by individuals or groups.

The prosecutor can decide independently what cases to submit to judges at the court, and judges then decide whether to allow a preliminary investigation by the prosecutor, which can then be followed by a formal investigation, and if warranted, charges.

In the majority of cases such complaints do not lead to investigations, according to the ICC.
A Paris appeals court on Monday rejected a request by the widow of Rwandas former president Juvenal Habyarimana to end an investigation into claims she played a role in the countrys 1994 genocide, a legal source told AFP.

Agathe Habyarimana, 78, has been living in France since 1998 and has twice been questioned over suspicions that she was part of the Hutu inner circle of power that planned and orchestrated the killings of mainly ethnic Tutsis.

So far Paris has refused Rwandas request for her extradition, but the government has also denied her asylum or residency status as the inquiry continues, leaving her in a legal limbo.

A lower court already refused last November her bid to have the investigation dropped, a ruling upheld by the appeals court.

Habyarimanas lawyer, Philippe Meilhac, said the decision was based on technicalities.

The true debate is being eclipsed because the court is focusing on legal quibbles, Meilhac said.

The investigation has been under way since 2008, when a French-based victims association, the Collective of Civil Plaintiffs for Rwanda (CPCR), filed a legal complaint against Habyarimana.

Alain Gauthier, a CPCR co-founder who has spent decades building cases against Rwanda genocide suspects, welcomed the ruling but urged investigators to proceed quickly.

What will come from the legal inquiry in this case? Gauthier asked. Is the French legal system going to keep dragging its feet for years, hoping that Mrs Habyarimana dies and the case goes away?

The former first lady fled Rwanda with French help just days after her husbands plane was shot down in April 1994, triggering the genocide.

Around 800,000 people were slaughtered in one of the 20th centurys worst atrocities.

Rwandas President Paul Kagame, who led the Tutsi rebellion that ended the massacres in July 1994, has said Habyarimana is top of the list of suspects he wants brought to justice.

During a visit to Kigali in May, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that his country had backed Juvenal Habyarimanas government and ignored warnings of the impending massacres, before abandoning thousands of Tutsis to their grisly fate.
Belarusian exile Aliaksandr Matsiash joined the Lithuanian freight group Baltic Transline in May. But after two weeks of training, and then living on a truck in the Netherlands for 13 weeks-all costs were only 2,470 euros-the 30-year-old quit his job.

This is not the normal life of human beings, he said. Its like a prison, not a job. You do things like a zombie.

Analysts say that there has been a global shortage of truck drivers since the mid-2000s. But Macias case illustrates the human factor of the worsening global driver shortage, which has evolved into a crisis that has not been seen by the general public until recently.

In the UK, supermarket shelves are out of stock, McDonalds restaurants run out of milkshakes this week, builders are unable to obtain supplies, and iron ore has difficulty reaching Australian ports for export.

The potential consequences are serious. Andre LeBlanc, vice president of operations at Petroleum Marketing Group, a fuel distributor based in Virginia, said that due to a shortage of drivers, some of the gas stations it has supplied have used up about 1,200 products since mid-June. Second-rate.

You cant get toilet paper and eggs, thats one thing. Gasoline stopped  it shuts down everything, he warned.

As multinational companies reduce supply chain costs, labor issues in the transportation sector have become increasingly serious over time. At the same time, the trucking workforce in developed countries is aging  the average age of British truck drivers is 55  and more jobs have become computer-based jobs.

Bob Costello, chief economist of the American Trucking Association, said that the number of general freight drivers in the United States has dropped from 465,000 in early 2020 to 430,000.

He added: The driver shortage in the United States is getting worse and worse than ever.

Aliaksandr Matsiash: This is not a normal human life Lecture Notes



Keith Newton, secretary general of the International Institute of Logistics and Transportation, said members in Australia and Central Asia also reported a 20% shortage of heavy truck drivers.

The surge in demand for goods during the pandemic has increased the transportation volume of transporters, and the accelerated growth of the e-commerce sector will only increase the pressure.

Global trade is becoming more and more complex, consumers want faster delivery, and there are not enough skilled HGV drivers around the world to meet this demand, Newton said.

Girteka is one of Europes largest transporters and plans to recruit 7,000 new drivers this year. He said that each truck needs more employees to allow workers more time to stay at home.

Baltic Transline disputed Matsiashs description of his working and living conditions and stated that he knew he might need to stay in the truck for a long time. It insists that strictly abide by current laws, provide suitable accommodation, and ensure that all employees have proper working conditions.

The UK, which is estimated to have a shortage of 100,000 drivers, has not only been hit particularly hard by Brexit and Covid-19 that caused drivers to leave EU countries, but the tax reform introduced this year has greatly reduced the income of workers in the agency.

The backlog of test centers caused by the pandemic has hindered the flow of new drivers, and the British logistics department is promoting a stopgap measure to provide temporary visas for drivers from EU countries.

Nevertheless, there are still practical difficulties. Even if we are allowed to recruit drivers from the European Union, there is a shortage of drivers there, said Rod McKenzie, the policy director of the Road Transport Association. The only place where there is no severe shortage of drivers is Africa.

Trainee heavy truck driver  Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg



Despite the strict visa quotas, American trucking companies are also looking for solutions overseas. Anda Malescu, the managing partner of Malescu Law in Miami, is helping trucking companies find drivers from Mexico, Canada and South Africa. The company is getting desperate, she said.

Big companies are launching a charm offensive to recruit new employees. Wal-Mart offers some drivers a signing bonus of US$8,000, and British retailer John Lewis announced plans to increase driver wages to 5,000 per year. According to recruiter Adzuna, in less than a year, the wages of the LGV driver category in the UK increased by 21% to 36,800.

However, trade groups said that bonuses and higher wages would only encourage drivers to switch from one employer to another, and would not attract new blood to the industry, and did not take any measures to solve the problem that drivers were not paid due to waiting time. The problem.

Drivers want more than just salary, said Patrick Doran, who has worked in trucking in the UK for 7 years, and wants to switch to driving a bus.

For truck drivers, the lack of proper facilities, from toilets and parking lots to designated rest areas, is also a common complaint.

Many people report that the vicious cycle of labor shortages causes them to face greater pressure to complete more deliveries, and conclude that it is no longer worth staying away from home for a long time to bear the pressure.

I used to love this job, said Jose Querios, a Portuguese who came to the UK in 1990 but left the trucking industry in April 12 years later. He is now working in a quarry. As time goes on, this job becomes more and more difficult because the company just keeps pushing.

Increasing pressure has led observers to warn against quickly addressing structural issues that have made the industry so unattractive. Any solution to the crisis may cause consumer prices to rise.

Truck driver working at a loading site in the Netherlands  Sabine van Wechem/Getty



Herman Bolhaar, the Dutch national rapporteur on human trafficking, said that the Dutch government and others have not done enough to enforce regulations, let alone reveal the reality of the working conditions of truck drivers.

He said that his country lacks sufficient information on labor exploitation related to trucking and we should know more accurately what these numbers are.

This is not a local issue, not a national issue, but an international issue, he said. It is related to economy, trade, cost, profit and price, but more importantly, it is related to human rights, human dignity and fair working conditions.

Additional reporting by Andrew Edgecliff-Johnson, Peter Foster, Philip Georgiadis and Richard Milne
On August 19, 2021, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) issued the Initial Rules for Personal Use of Cannabis. The initial rules are highly anticipated, especially considering New Jerseys proximity to New York and the potential impact these rules may have on New Yorks pending plans.

The initial rules cover all aspects of recreational cannabis in New Jersey, including the license application process, social equity, and the role of municipalities in shaping the actual impact of recreational cannabis legalization. CRC published A handy summary The initial rules are divided into overall goals and key clauses in each chapter.

The initial rules contain a lot of information, so we divide the summary into two articles. The first is the stated goal of the initial rules, and the second is the key clauses of each chapter.

fair

The stated goal is to increase opportunities for the cannabis industry for people in the target communities. The preliminary rules establish three types of cannabis companies, which will receive priority review and approval:

Social Equity Business, Owned by people who live in economically disadvantaged areas of New Jersey or have been convicted of marijuana crimes in the past; Diversified enterprise, Owned by a minority, female, or disabled veteran, and have been certified by the New Jersey Department of Treasury; and Affected area business, Located in the affected area, owned by people in the affected area, or hired by residents of the affected area. Affected areas are defined as cities with large populations, high unemployment rates, high crime rates or arrests for marijuana.

Regarding the actual impact of priority review, whenever an application is submitted, the application of each type of equity applicant will be reviewed before the non-equity application.

Another important note: the initial rules stipulate that the CRC will establish a social fair consumption tax, which is a planting cost that may increase as consumer prices increase. The income generated by the social equity consumption tax will be used to fund the economic and social services of the affected area.

Safety

The focus of the initial rule is to prevent people 21 years and younger from using cannabis. This includes advertising. There are also physical requirements for controlling odors and forcing communication with neighbors. To this end, the initial rules require that every company has a staff member responsible for receiving complaints from neighbors.

From an operational perspective, companies will need to provide consumer education materials, including information on drug abuse risks and side effects of cannabis use. The product must have meticulous labeling, including a statement about potential health risks. The packaging must be child-safe in both form (no cartoons, trademarks, etc.) and material (physical).

An important rule: biscuits, brownies and other edible products like food are prohibited.

Small business priority

The most notable thing in the CRC summary is that the initial rules include a conditional permission process. Small businesses can choose to submit conditional applications that only require background disclosure, business plans, and regulatory compliance programs. If approved, qualified applicants will have 120 days to find a suitable location, obtain municipal approval, and apply for conversion to a formal permit. Small businesses also do not need to prove past experience in the regulated cannabis industry.

Municipal participation

The CRC effectively codified the participation of municipalities. The cannabis business can only be demonstrated if the applicant can prove:

Support from the municipality they intend to operate; District approval; and It has been verified that their operations comply with any municipal restrictions.

The municipality has the power to determine business hours, the number and types of businesses allowed to operate, and whether to impose a 2% transfer tax on any sales between cannabis businesses. The municipality can also set any other restrictions or requirements that apply to any other type of business.

Overall, CRC is clearly focusing on improving the prospects of equity applicants and small businesses, while also gaining support from local municipalities. Stay tuned for our breakdown of the key terms of the initial rules in Part 2.
A Missouri prosecutor has filed a motion asking a judge to exonerate a man who has been imprisoned for four decades for a triple murder that she and many others do not believe he committed. The motion was filed Saturday and made public Monday. It stems from a new law that gives local prosecu
Ahn Hyo Seop teased fans by showing off diverse visuals for Elle Korea.

The 26-year-old heartthrob indeed wowed everyone flaunting his rockstar aura for the publication's September 2021 issue.

Ahn Hyo Seop Exudes Superstar Material in Elle Korea's September Issue

Over the publication's official Instagram, the "Abyss" star stands out as he dons sequin jackets, leather vest jackets, and studded pants.

In a black and white photo, the actor captivated his fans with his mesmerizing gaze as he looked straight to the camera.

From his boy next door aura, the South Korean cutie transformed as a total rock star with his dark yet trendy ensemble for Elle Korea.

He exhibits his natural charm by showing various poses during the pictorial.

Ahn Hyo Seop Share Thoughts Portraying Ha Ram in 'Lovers of the Red Sky'

During his interview with the Elle Korea team, Ahn Hyo Seop spoke about his experience playing Ha Ram in the upcoming K-drama "Lovers of the Red Sky."

The "Thirty But Seventeen" star revealed the most challenging part of playing his character.

He cited that the difficult part was going back and forth with multiple emotions at the same time.

"It was a filming site where we spent a lot of time rehearsing while trying to match a lot of dialogue between actors and carefully considering the previous and next scenes," he explained.

The fantasy historical drama is far different from his previous series.

In the forthcoming SBS drama, Ahn Hyo Seop took on the role of blind astrologer, who has the ability to read the stars despite losing his sight.

In the interview, the actor gets honest about landing a different role.

He admitted that he is "always afraid of starting," but he remains confident, saying that it just needs the courage to take on the first step, adding, "It started like that, and as I progressed little by little, it became my domain."

Get to Know 'Lovers of the Red Sky' Main Characters

In the drama, Ahn Hyo Seop steps into an unfamiliar world set in the Joseon Dynasty.

As seen on the still cuts, it appears that Ha Ram is set to play an intriguing double life after ending up in a mysterious incident during his early years.

Meanwhile, he will get intertwined with his long-lost childhood friend, Hong Chun Gi, played by Kim Yoo Jung.

The former child star's character plays the talented and skilled painter in the dynasty. Interestingly, she was chosen as the first female painter of the Dohwaseo known as the Korean Royal Academy of Painting.

She is set to captivate Ha Ram with her beautiful appearance and bright personality.

Ahn Hyo Seop and Kim Yoo Jung's K-drama "Lovers of the Red Sky" release date is slated on August 30 and will be the newest Monday and Tuesday night series that will get the fans glued to their seats.

READ MORE: 'Lovers of the Red Sky' Cast Kim Yoo Jung, Ahn Hyo Seop Stuns During Online Presentation + Drama PD Assures No Historical Distortion

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
By Jason Hanna and Madeline Holcombe, CNN

(CNN) -- Hurricane Ida has left catastrophic damage across southeastern Louisiana, killing at least one person, leaving much of the New Orleans area without power, interrupting phone service and sending rescuers scrambling Monday to flooded homes where people were anxiously asking for help.

Ida, now a slow-moving tropical storm over western Mississippi, still threatens to cause more flooding not just in the Deep South but also into the Tennessee and Ohio valleys as it crawls north over the next few days.

Rescuers are getting numerous reports of people who've climbed into attics or onto roofs as waters rose in their homes, especially in parishes just outside New Orleans.

About 15 people were helped off roofs and into boats early Monday in the city of Slidell alone, and rescuers in high-water vehicles still were taking people to safety in the lower side of town in the late morning, Mayor Greg Cromer said.

Because cell phone service is sporadic in much of the region, rescuers sometimes are having to find for themselves who needs help.

"We've had some people that ... waded out (of neighborhoods) and flagged police officers down and told us what is going on," Cromer, mayor of the city northeast of New Orleans, told CNN on Monday morning.

"Seems like there's hundreds, possibly more, people trapped in their houses, with some extent of water -- from a foot deep to people in the attics," Jordy Bloodsworth, fleet captain of the Louisiana Cajun Navy volunteer rescue group, told CNN earlier Monday morning.

Bloodsworth was sending his teams to LaPlace, in St. John the Baptist Parish just west of New Orleans, where the National Weather Service and posts on social media have indicated numerous people have asked for rescue.

In LaPlace, Tiffany Miller was stuck in her attic Sunday night after floodwaters came into her home, she said. Perhaps 3 to 5 feet of water had entered homes in her subdivision, she told CNN affiliate WDSU.

"When we got in the attic, the water was right below my knees," Miller said. "I know that we're not in it by ourselves, and it's going to be OK."

Paul Middendorf, volunteering with the Crowdsource Rescue group, paddled solo through LaPlace in a canoe and ferried dozens of people Monday from their flooded homes, he said.

"Most of (the rescues) were in the attic," he said. "The water in the back of that neighborhood was about 10 feet deep or higher."

The United Cajun Navy, a separate volunteer rescue group, made more than 300 rescues by noon Monday, including in Houma, a roughly 60-mile drive southwest of New Orleans, Todd Terrell, the group's president, said.

In lower Lafitte south of New Orleans, people reportedly are on roofs, pleading for help as water is nearly reaching to the rooftops, Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng told CNN Monday morning.

"Right now the focus is on preserving life, and finding those folks and saving them," she said.

Residents also were forced to their roofs in the nearby town of Jean Lafitte, Mayor Tim Kerner Jr. said, as levees were overtopped there.

Louisiana State Police warned Monday that communication limits and debris-clogged roads may delay help to stranded residents "for quite some time."

Governor 'fully expects the death count will go up'

Ida made landfall Sunday near southeastern Louisiana's Port Fourchon as a Category 4 hurricane around 1 p.m. and slowly scraped across the state, delivering catastrophic winds and torrential rains to the same places for hours.

Video from these areas showed parts of roofs flying off homes and businesses, fallen trees lying on cars and homes, and high water taking over roads and communities in southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi.

In hard-hit Houma, some buildings were leveled, and others were missing pieces of roofing.

Lionel Hawkins and his wife stayed in their Houma house as the storm hit; it sounded bad, so they got down on their knees and prayed, he said.

"Went down and got on a knee and asked the Lord ... to protect us. Give us another opportunity to breathe," Hawkins told CNN Monday. His home still stands, though the roof is damaged and the carport was blown apart.

Gov. John Bel Edwards urged residents to check on their neighbors but otherwise refrain from traveling Monday morning because of flooded roadways, debris and downed power lines.

Edwards "fully expects the death count will go up considerably throughout the day" as searches and rescues go on, he told MSNBC on Monday.

"We know that individuals are out there waiting to be rescued because their homes are not habitable ... please know that we have thousands of people out right now with high water vehicles and boats who are doing search and rescue," the governor said in a video posted on Twitter.

Ida slammed into Louisiana on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, tying with 2020's Hurricane Laura and the Last Island Hurricane of 1856 as the strongest ever to hit the state.

More than 1 million customers in Louisiana were without power Monday morning, according to PowerOutage.US -- including all of New Orleans, which was hit with "catastrophic transmission damage," the city office tweeted Sunday night. More than 110,000 customers were without power in Mississippi, PowerOutage.US reported.

Entergy Louisiana said some of its customers could be without power for weeks. New Orleans City Councilmember Joe Giarrusso conceded any sooner would be optimistic, given that it took weeks to restore power to some areas after last year's Category 4 Hurricane Laura hit the state.

Without power for things such as air conditioning in the summer heat, the power outages could be deadly, Giarrusso said.

In New Orleans on Monday, resident Judy Arabie surveyed her neighborhood, where a utility pole and transformer had fallen onto a car. During the storm, part of her roof was torn open -- and she couldn't sleep as the storm went through overnight.

"Last year we had (Hurricane) Zeta, and electricity was out for about five days, but it was nothing compared to this -- the winds, the gusts, the shingles flying everywhere," Arabie said.

In part of Plaquemines Parish southeast of New Orleans, flash flooding was reported early Monday morning after a levee failed near Highway 23, according to the National Weather Service.

Authorities were rushing to evacuate people in the Jesuit Bend area there as water rushed up the highway, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser said Monday.

'This is turning into a rainmaker'

Ida will threaten more flooding Monday in the Deep South and elsewhere as it marches north over the next few days.

"It's the rainfall that we're worried about now. This is turning into a rainmaker," CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said Monday morning.

A few more inches of rain could fall Monday in southern parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, bringing storm totals there to 10 to 24 inches, the National Hurricane Center said.

Coastal Alabama to the far western Florida Panhandle could get storm totals of 6 to 15 inches of rain through Tuesday. Central Mississippi to far western Alabama could get 4 to 12 inches of rain through Monday.

The storm is expected to turn northeast Monday and head to the middle Tennessee Valley and Upper Ohio Valley through Wednesday. That could pose further flooding problems in parts of Middle Tennessee that are still recovering from a flood emergency last weekend.

The Middle Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley, the central and southern Appalachians and the Mid-Atlantic, could generally receive 3 to 6 inches of rain through Wednesday, the hurricane center said.

Hospitals damaged and roadways closed

President Joe Biden granted Edwards' request for a major disaster declaration, ordering federal agencies Sunday night to supplement state and local recovery efforts.

Resources to help those affected by the storm have been impacted, with hospital staff relying on generators to keep life-saving machines running and sleeping on air mattresses in their workplaces.

Hospitals dealing with storm damage and attending to victims of the hurricane were largely already stretched by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Before going into this storm, our hospital was already almost at capacity," Ochsner Health System's Dr. Derek Smith told CNN. "We know the coming hours are going to be even more of a test."

The hospital is running on generators, and staff there have been locked in -- sleeping on air mattresses and working around the clock to care for patients, Smith said.

In Lafourche Parish southwest of New Orleans, two of the three hospitals sustained damage in Sunday's storm, parish Sheriff Craig Webre told CNN.

A portion of the roof of The Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Galliano was ripped off as Ida came ashore, Webre told CNN. The county was also forced to relocate its emergency operations center to a different building after the first building's roof began to leak Sunday, Webre told CNN.

Every road in Lafourche Parish was impassible Sunday night, Webre told CNN.

And because of fallen trees, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development shut down about 22 miles of Interstate 10, a major thoroughfare that transits the state east to west.
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.  The union representing firefighters for the Kingsley Field airbase near Klamath Falls released a statement on Monday declaring that they "respectfully stand in firm opposition" to Oregon's vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.

IAFF Local 3340, the Kingsley Fire Fighters Association, said that other unions representing first responders and medical professionals have issued statements in opposition to the vaccine mandates, and they strongly stand in agreement with "not only our sisters and brothers, but all public service employees that believe in the individuals 'right to choose.'"

The Oregon Nurses Association, the state's largest nursing union, put out a more mixed response earlier this month  acknowledging that the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers will likely increase vaccination rates, but will also exacerbate the existing staffing crisis.

"We know Oregons registered nurses and nurse practitioners have already achieved a high rate of vaccination," the ONA said in a statement. "We also know that some health care workers are deeply opposed to vaccine mandates; so deeply that some will leave the profession before accepting a mandate."

IAFF Local 3340 said that they trust their members and know that they will continue to serve the community safely "despite their personal immunization status."

"As first responders we can attest to the many challenges this pandemic has brought on, no one is denying that," the union said. "Collectively, as a team, we respectfully stand in firm opposition of this vaccine mandate. We believe in bodily autonomy, civil liberties, and a persons individual right to make their own medical decisions.

"This mandate sets a dangerous precedent and should be concerning to all. Our collective opposition to this mandate is not about politics, COVID-19, or a vaccine itself. Its about stripping individuals of a basic American freedom, our right as individuals to make personal medical choices."

Data from the Oregon Health Authority indicates that vaccination rates vary widely in the healthcare sector, both by field and by license type. Generally speaking, vaccination rates are quite high among doctors and nurses  particularly nurse practitioners (80%), medical doctors (88%), and dentists (95%). They are considerably lower among paramedics (66%), EMTs (61%), and other licensees in the emergency medical services.

Statewide, some of the very lowest vaccination rates in healthcare are among naturopaths (60%) and chiropractors (52%).

Governor Kate Brown's mandate requires that healthcare workers, K-12 teachers and staff, and many state employees certify that they are fully vaccinated by October 18. This includes all EMS providers, according to the Oregon Health Authority. The only exemptions are for medical reasons or for a "sincerely held religious belief."
PHOENIX, Ore.  After a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation of the Almeda Fire, Phoenix-Talent School District Superintendent Brent Barry has been named "Oregon Superintendent of the Year" for 2022 by the The Oregon Association of School Executives (OASE) and the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA).

The award also places Barry in the running for the National Superintendent of the Year Award from the American Association of School Administrators.

COSA highlighted Barry's leadership for the Phoenix-Talent school community through the pandemic and the Almeda Fire, the latter of which devastated both Phoenix and Talent and left roughly one-third of the District's students, staff, and families without homes.

"In the aftermath of the fire, most Phoenix-Talent school buildings were inaccessible for weeks, and school district facilities were without electricity, phone and internet service," COSA said in a statement. "Nonetheless, Barry rallied his staff and found a way for them to make contact with every family to check on their well-being. Staff also worked in emergency response roles, providing food, clothing, gift cards, language services and disability support to fire survivors."

Within two weeks of the fire, the Phoenix-Talent School District was able to start online learning, including the delivery of hotspots and Chromebooks to displaced families and staff  setting up internet router at motels and RV parks, adding tutoring centers and internet connectivity sites throughout the Rogue Valley. Staff went out to the evacuation center to deliver both emotional support and education help.

The Phoenix-Talent Schools Fire Relief Fund collected and distributed a total of $2 million to families displaced by the fire.

Barry has led the Phoenix-Talent SD since 2017, when he was promoted from his role as assistant superintendent for academics and student programs. He was born and raised in the Rogue Valley, and worked as a teacher in Oregon for years before starting his service as an administrator within the Phoenix-Talent School District when he became principal at Orchard Hill Elementary.

Barry will be honored at the 2021 Oregon School Boards Association Convention in November, the 2022 OASE Winter Conference in January, the 2022 AASA National Conference in February, and the 2022 COSA Annual Conference in June.

The exceptional way Brent dealt with the ongoing COVID pandemic made him an outstanding candidate for superintendent of the year  but it was his incredible leadership during one of the most terrifying events in the history of the state, the Almeda Fire, that showed Brent's true strength of character, said OASE President Tim Sweeney, superintendent of the Coquille School District. Brent led his district through the flames, smoke, terror, and shocking aftermath of the tragedy. He stood side-by-side with his students, families, staff, and community and ensured every student in his district had an opportunity to learn. Students from the Phoenix-Talent School District were displaced and spread across the length of the Rogue Valley, but it did not matter where a student was located; Brent and his team found a way to meet not only their educational needs, but all the needs that his suddenly homeless families faced. Truly, Brent is exceedingly worthy of this honor and we congratulate him on his amazing leadership.

Superintendent Brent Barry is a steady, calm, and compassionate leader who builds resiliency in students, staff, families, and the community, said Southern Oregon ESD Superintendent Scott Beveridge. At a time when 30% of students were displaced by wildfire overnight in the midst of the impact from COVID 19, Brent offered PTSD to serve as a pillar for coordinating emergency community resources, while supporting families' social-emotional health, and students' academic success.

Through the challenges faced over the last school year, Brent Barry has led our district with honor, clarity and calmness, said assistant superintendent Tiffanie Lambert, who nominated Barry for the award. The pandemic and wildfire have impacted our Latinx communities disproportionately, and Brent continues to speak up for our unheard patrons. He continues to keep the principles of equity in the forefront and works actively to remove linguistic and accessibility barriers.

Phoenix-Talent school board vice chair Michael Campbell agreed:

"Brent Barry is an exceptional leader and even better person who fosters a culture of caring, compassion, and an unrelenting commitment to student success. In the face of unspeakable challenges, Brent has provided a shining example of balancing community responsiveness with our core mission of educating kids. Today, we take a moment to pause and celebrate Brent on this tremendous honor. He certainly deserves it."
George Pringle Elementary in Westbank is slated for demolition next year but trustees haven't yet decided where all of its students will be sent. In Kelowna, a long-closed elementary could be re-opened to cope with burgeoning enrolment in Mission neighborhood schools.
A Toronto Police Services logo is shown in Toronto, on Friday, August 9, 2019. Police are searching for a second suspect after shots went off at a Toronto mall. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
President Joe Biden is confronting an extraordinary confluence of intensifying crises that are pushing a White House already mired in extreme challenges to the limit.

Washington is on edge for the tense final hours of a chaotic and tragedy-marred exit from Afghanistan, even as Biden girds for yet another domestic catastrophe after a historic hurricane slammed into Louisiana.

Hurricane Ida's maximum 150 mph winds and torrential rainstorms pummeled the Gulf Coast, sparking extensive flooding and damage, as forecasters warned that areas of Louisiana could be left uninhabitable for months. The Category 4 monster, later downgraded Sunday evening, threatened to leave a trail of devastation and human suffering and potential new damage to the economic recovery in a region crucial to the energy and shipping industries. It also offered a fateful reminder of the way mishandled natural disasters can cause political blowbacks as the storm roared ashore on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which drained the political authority from George W. Bush, another President simultaneously confounded by a foreign war, in Iraq.

Biden vowed during a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Sunday to put the "full might" of the nation into efforts to put the Gulf Coast back on its feet with scenes of terrible damage expected when darkness lifts on Monday morning.

"We're going to be here. We're going to be here to help the Gulf region get back on its feet as quickly as possible, as long as it takes," he said, refusing to also answer questions about Afghanistan during the brief media appearance.

The weekend's events are further testing the leadership skills of Biden, who was left reeling by a suicide attack outside Kabul's airport last week, which killed 13 US service members and dozens of Afghans and exacerbated fierce criticism of the White House's frenetic and ill-planned retreat from America's longest war. The White House said Monday that approximately 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul in the last 24 hours, bringing the total evacuated to approximately 116,700 people since August 14.

Yet both Ida and the messy departure from Afghanistan pale in comparison to the worst challenge facing a presidency that has never experienced a normal day. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious diseases specialist, said it was possible that a new University of Washington forecast of a possible 100,000 more US Covid-19 deaths by December 1 could be borne out.

"Unfortunately, it certainly is. You know, what is going on now is both entirely predictable, but entirely preventable. And you know, we know we have the wherewithal with vaccines to turn this around," Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday.

A somber, emotional weekend

Few presidents of the modern era have faced simultaneous emergencies of such magnitude after grueling months that stretched the new administration and a nation exhausted by the worst public health crisis in a century.

The intensity of the emotional blow of recent days was brought home to Biden on Sunday when he traveled to Dover, Delaware, to honor the US troops killed in Kabul last week, and to console bereaved relatives as the remains of their loved ones were returned home. Before the "dignified transfer" of the fallens' remains, Biden walked solemnly into the belly of a huge cargo plane for a moment of prayer alongside the transfer cases wrapped in US flags.

The Americans died in a suicide bomb blast, for which the Afghan affiliate of ISIS has claimed credit, in a packed crowd as they sought to process Afghans desperate to flee Taliban rule. The US then conducted a drone strike in Afghanistan that the Pentagon said killed two high-profile ISIS-K militants. After Biden warned Saturday that another attack at the airport was highly likely, a US airstrike on Sunday targeted a vehicle that military officials said was loaded with explosives posing an "imminent" threat to the airport.

In yet another apparent lurch into tragedy, a local journalist working with CNN reported that nine members of one family, including six children, were also killed in the attack.

The American combat deaths in the final days of US involvement in the war exposed Biden to fierce criticism over a withdrawal that was nothing like the safe and orderly departure after two decades of war he promised weeks ago. Among the most pertinent of questions is why the US -- shocked by the pace of the fall of Afghanistan -- ended up effectively depending on its longtime enemy to control security on access roads to the airport, from where the US has mounted a mammoth airlift that has now rescued around 114,000 people, mostly Afghans, since August 14.

But tens of thousands of Afghans who worked with US forces, diplomats and NGOs are likely to be left behind after Biden declined pleas by US allies including Britain and France to extend his deadline for withdrawal.

Evacuations of Afghans who did make it to the airport slowed markedly over the weekend, as the operation to extricate more of the 6,000 US troops rushed to Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul cranked into a higher gear.

Biden's national security adviser told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" that efforts to save US citizens, residents and Afghans with US visas would go on after August 31, even though they will be at the mercy of the Taliban, amid fears the insurgent group will seek to execute many locals who worked with the United States and its allies over 20 years.

"August 31st is not a cliff. After August 31st, we believe that we have substantial leverage to hold the Taliban to its commitments to allow safe passage for American citizens, legal permanent residents and the Afghan allies who have travel documentation to come to the United States," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told Tapper. "We will use that leverage to the maximum extent, and we will work with the rest of the international community to make sure the Taliban does not falter on these commitments."

Republicans lash out at Biden over Afghanistan withdrawal

The political fallout from the Afghanistan withdrawal continues to mount. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy signaled he will put the events of recent days at the center of his effort to seize back the House for the GOP in midterm elections next year.

"The President is preparing to leave Americans and allies we made distinct promises to behind. Indeed, he admitted last week 'getting every single person out cannot be guaranteed,'" McCarthy said in a letter to his members Sunday.

"Frankly, this is not the tested leadership the President promised. Political decisions designed to get photo ops lead to fatal national security consequences on the battlefield. It was a political decision to act in haste days prior to the anniversary of September 11  and our men and women in uniform died as a result," McCarthy charged. His attacks ignored the fact that the stage for the chaotic withdrawal was set by ex-President Donald Trump's deal with the Taliban last year for the exit of US troops that envisaged a final departure of May 1, even earlier than Biden's deadline.

Yet sitting Presidents carry the can for their decisions, and the current commander in chief reversed many of Trump's other most controversial foreign policy strategies but stuck with the core principle of the withdrawal. Biden's defenders argue he is being blamed for the failures of three previous administrations in Afghanistan. But the President was on the record promising that the kind of chaos that ensued in recent weeks would not occur as American troops leave.

As he turned to Hurricane Ida, the President said he had spent the weekend talking to governors of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. His White House team has been talking to state, local and federal officials in the region.

As ghoulish as it sounds, the hurricane may give the President the chance to demonstrate the organized, compassionate leadership that was so lacking as Trump all but ignored the pandemic for months in his final year in office and that was missing from his own handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

But it is also a time of significant political peril as the focus of the country and the media turns from a disaster abroad to another one at home.

The-CNN-Wire

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Recent revelations have exposed the United States' role in providing military and paramilitary training to at least some of the alleged hitmen behind two of the most high-profile assassinations of the past decade -- the murder of Saudi journalist and political dissident Jamal Khashoggi, and the recent killing of Haitian President Jovenel Moise. These revelations, reported by The New York Times and The Washington Post, cast a harsh light on US security cooperation programs and the private firms operating with the approval of the State Department that train thousands of foreign military personnel every year.

Without stronger safeguards on America's foreign military training enterprise, it seems inevitable that the United States will continue to hone the skills of those who go on to become foreign assassins, coup leaders and human rights abusers.

In the 2018 fiscal year, which ended just two days before Khashoggi's brutal assassination, the US State Department, along with the Department of Defense, provided military training to approximately 62,700 foreign security personnel from 155 countries. That number excludes many more who received military training in deals commercially licensed by the Department of State but negotiated directly between foreign clients and US defense contractors.

Whatever the mechanism, US foreign military training remains plagued by a range of flaws that have clearly implicated the US government in the behavior of powerful -- and in many cases, brutal -- foreign security services. The scale of these programs and the risks that they will be used for nefarious ends should prompt a new and more comprehensive review of all US military training programs worldwide, with reforms that more effectively bar members of military units that have a record of human rights abuses.

The United States has long seen foreign military training as a critical instrument of American statecraft, helping to provide foreign partners with the expertise to address shared security threats, and also as a means of deepening and expanding America's network of alliances. Training in particular, as opposed to arms sales or other security cooperation programs, is seen as especially effective in enhancing US influence among the security elite of foreign partners, aiding in the cultivation of personal and cultural ties as well as a shared military ethos that are meant to provide enduring returns for US security interests. Others have touted the importance of US military training in improving the professionalism, human rights compliance and civil-military affairs of foreign partners.

Despite these good intentions, these programs too often go awry, as in the case of the alleged role of US-trained operatives in the assassinations of Khashoggi and Moise. The recent collapse of Afghan security forces in the face of a concerted Taliban offensive despite more than $88 billion in intensive US training, equipping and defense institution building over the past 20 years also raises serious questions about the efficacy of US military training programs.

While various US government agencies are supposed to weigh in on decisions regarding foreign military training, the current vetting procedures are far from perfect. Background checks for foreign students have missed red flags, as was the case for a Saudi military trainee who opened fire at a Pensacola naval base in 2019, killing three US sailors. A subsequent review and more rigorous screening led to the expulsion of an additional 21 Saudi military students.

While applicants are first cleared by their home countries before they undergo a US-led screening process, it's unclear just how thoroughly the US government reviews the histories, backgrounds and political roles of the applicants before they are approved for training programs. US and Saudi sources who spoke to the Washington Post allege some of the operatives behind Khashoggi's killing who had received training in the United States were part of the Saudi Rapid Intervention Group, a key instrument in a campaign of surveillance, kidnapping, detention and torture of Saudi dissidents.

While there is no evidence that either the American officials who approved the training or the company that provided it knew of the trainees' involvement in the crackdown in Saudi Arabia, it is important to ask two questions: If US officials didn't know, did they conduct a thorough enough background check on the trainees? And if US intelligence did know about this group, did it share any information with the State Department?

Additionally, guardrails to ensure that training is not provided to human rights abusers are all too easily circumvented. Officials responsible for protecting human rights are frequently cut out of security assistance decision-making processes. The Leahy Law, a key safety measure meant to prevent the provision of US assistance to military units that engage in human rights abuses, is not applied to a variety of activities -- including training purchased on a commercial basis -- in deals with private companies that are licensed by the State Department, as was the case with the four alleged Saudi assassins.

Moreover, the State Department processes thousands of licenses for the transfer of weapons and services, including training, every year, which creates bureaucratic challenges in ensuring thorough assessments.

And while Congress is meant to play a key oversight role when it comes to foreign military training, such activities often fall under the radar. In our conversations with congressional staffers, we learned that lawmakers are often unaware of the scale of the training enterprise or of many of the programs through which trainings are administered. Worse still, members of Congress are not notified when the executive branch authorizes sales of training that fall below multimillion-dollar thresholds, meaning these programs often proceed without any meaningful opportunity for lawmakers to intercede. The system lacks transparency and reforms are urgently needed to keep lawmakers and regulators in the executive branch engaged, enforce accountability measures and condition assistance on human rights criteria more broadly.

The most recent revelations are just some of the most conspicuous examples in a long and troubling history of US forces providing assistance, training and the means of violence to actors who are then in a position to make use of their newfound resources to prey on civilians or expand their power in fragile political environments. In Mali, for example, the leaders of two separate military coups in the past decade received US military training.

In Colombia, US-trained commandos are prized recruits for the shadowy world of international private military contracting, where they have been deployed as mercenaries in theaters as far-flung as Yemen and Iraq. Across Latin America, the United States has provided critical combat training to individuals who have gone on over many decades to be involved in coups, paramilitary activities and hit squads, most notably through the now rebranded School of the Americas.

How well has the United States either tracked the activities or assessed in advance the risks of training thousands of Colombian security personnel -- many of whom have since transitioned to private military contracting? Why have successive US administrations allowed this to go on in the first place, given the unintended consequences that can in some cases, hamper US interests?

In the past few years alone, the United States has financed or sold training to numerous countries that have been alleged to engage in serious human rights abuses, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Nigeria, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cameroon and Azerbaijan, among many others.

These trainings impart sophisticated combat skills to foreign security services.

They also create relationships between the top brass in the United States and international partners that are intended to foster kinship through shared experiences, expertise and benefaction. But these partnerships between Washington and the security forces of recipient countries also bind the United States to the use or abuse of imparted combat skills and the elevation of particular military elites in deeply unsettled political environments. And with tens of thousands of foreign security personnel granted visas to the United States each year, the question must be asked: How many future assassins, coup leaders or human rights abusers are benefitting from these training programs?

President Joe Biden has pledged to place human rights at the center of US foreign policy. Without urgent reform to America's foreign military training enterprise, that promise will remain only rhetorical in nature. In the Saudi case, a State Department spokesperson declined to confirm whether it awarded the license that provided the Saudis training and stated, "This administration insists on responsible use of U.S. origin defense equipment by our allies and partners, and considers appropriate responses if violations occur. Saudi Arabia faces significant threats to its territory, and we are committed to working together to help Riyadh strengthen its defenses."

And despite the alleged role of US-trained Colombian personnel in the assassination of the Haitian President, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby denied there was anything from the training they received that could be tied to the assassination. He went on to say, "I know of no plans right now as a result of what happened in Haiti for us to reconsider or change this very valuable, ethical leadership training that we continue to provide."

US Army Col. John Dee Suggs also told Voice of America in April, "We will only train people who have the same human rights values that we have, who have the same democratic values that we have."

If President Biden wishes to match his promises with deeds, he should start by improving vetting procedures, embracing restraint, applying Leahy Law procedures to arms sales, and committing to public transparency on the military training the United States is sharing with its international partners.

Until then, the risk that the United States will train more individuals like the four Saudi operatives who are accused of playing a role in the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, or the handful of Colombians allegedly involved in gunning down a sitting head of state, will remain high.

The-CNN-Wire

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Pandemic unemployment benefits expire this coming weekend in the 26 states still offering them. But that probably won't make a huge difference in the job market.

Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

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1. Hurricane Ida

Hurricane Ida slammed into Louisiana yesterday as a Category 4 storm, leaving at least one person dead and more than 1 million facing power outages and widespread destruction. Some people had to scramble to their roofs as storm surge and flash flooding overtook levees in areas south of New Orleans. The storm was so strong it actually temporarily stopped the flow of the Mississippi River near the city and caused it to reverse flow -- something the US Geological Survey says is "extremely uncommon." The hurricane arrived on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, serving as a grim reminder of the scars of past storms. Ida has now weakened to a tropical storm but is still churning up deadly storm surge as it lingers inland. The National Weather Service in New Orleans says areas affected by surge could be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Tornados -- a common companion of hurricanes -- will also be a threat today.

2. Afghanistan

The US carried out a defensive airstrike yesterday in Kabul, targeting a car that contained a suspected ISIS-K suicide bomber who posed what US Central Command called an "imminent" threat to the airport. The violence continued this morning, when as many as five rockets were fired at Kabul airport. The US says the attack has not hampered ongoing evacuation efforts, but more threats -- including potentially to the US homeland -- may remain. The clock is ticking on tomorrow's deadline to get US troops and Americans out of Afghanistan. It follows the terrorist attack on the Kabul airport last week that left at least 170 dead. The US and about 100 other countries have pledged to hold the Taliban to their promises to let people leave the country after tomorrow. The Biden administration has said the deadline is "not a cliff," and it is committed to "safe passage" for all Americans and Afghan allies.

3. Coronavirus

Another 100,000 people could die of Covid-19 in the US by December if vaccination efforts and other safety measures aren't fulfilled, Dr. Anthony Fauci says. However, if some of the 80 million or so eligible unvaccinated Americans choose to get the shot, things could be less dire. The current daily average of 155,000 newly reported infections has left many hospitals deeply shorthanded. Available beds, ventilators and staff have been hard to come by in some hospitals, and now that scarcity has spread to oxygen supplies. One doctor in Florida, which has the highest hospitalization rate in the country, says he's seeing younger and younger patients die of the disease. They are all unvaccinated, he added.

4. North Korea

North Korea appears to have restarted operations at a power plant capable of producing plutonium for nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency, which serves as the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, says the development is "deeply troubling" and "a cause for serious concern." Such activity violates UN Security Council resolutions, says the IAEA, which monitors nuclear facilities remotely since its inspectors were kicked out of the country in 2009. Relations between the US and North Korea have been frosty for years, and the Biden administration has reportedly reached out to the regime to restart discussion with Washington.

5. California recall

Tension is building ahead of an election in California that could end with the ousting of Gov. Gavin Newsom. Californians will vote in a recall election on September 14, and if a majority of voters want to replace Newsom, whichever challenger gets the most votes could do just that. Right now, polls show most Californians aren't in favor of a recall, but the fact that Newsom's possible exit could pave the way for a political unknown to take the reins is making Democrats nervous. Efforts to recall Newsom began last year among conservatives who took issue with the governor's record on immigration, taxes, the death penalty and the state's homelessness crisis. They ramped up as California faced more challenges from Covid-19.

BREAKFAST BROWSE

Kanye West releases a new album, 'Donda,' after a delay

It does have about 27 tracks, so it probably took some time to put together.

Southern fast food chain Bojangles will close for two Mondays to give staff a 'well-deserved break'

They all deserve a Bo-berry Biscuit and a nap.

Coffee may reduce risk of death from stroke and heart disease

Just a little something to tell yourself as you head to the coffee pot for a refill.

Greenland expedition discovers 'world's northernmost island'

For when you really, REALLY wanna get away.

Top toymakers say their products will be harder to find and more expensive this holiday season

Start brushing up on your bargaining strategies and hand-to-hand combat; the annual holiday toy battle is approaching!

IN MEMORIAM

Ed Asner, the Emmy Award-winning actor best known for playing the crusty but lovable newsman Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," has died. He was 91.

TODAY'S NUMBER

$1.3 million

That's how much the school board in Gloucester County, Virginia, has agreed to pay the American Civil Liberties Union in legal fees. The organization represented Gavin Grimm during a six-year legal battle over transgender bathroom rights at school.

TODAY'S QUOTE

"I have not survived until something has changed."

Jacob Blake, looking back on the year that has passed since he was shot seven times by a Kenosha, Wisconsin, police officer. Blake's ordeal and the deaths of several other Black men at the hands of police were at the center of a difficult summer of racial justice activism in 2020.

TODAY'S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY

These sea slugs can shed their bodies and grow new ones

Pretty jealous of these sea slugs right now. (Click here to view.)

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
EUGENE, Ore.-- Southwest Airlines' first flight to Eugene Airport from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport on Sunday is a success.

Community members gathered at the airport to welcome passengers with gifts and a ceremonial water salute on the first scheduled Southwest flights.

Southwest Airlines arrival in Eugene brings our low-fare service, unique value, and world-famous Hospitality to Track Town USA, and gives local travelers who live across Central Oregon faster access to what we offer, said Adam Decaire, Vice President of Network Planning for Southwest Airlines. With nonstop service between the Emerald City and both Las Vegas and Oakland, the depth of our schedule puts Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, and more than 60 cities within faster reach.

Currently, Eugene Airport said 41% of local passengers drive out to other airports to fly. Airport officials hope this new addition will change that.

"We really think this is going to be the tipping point where people say there's no much air service in Eugene now," said acting airport director Cathryn Stephens. "There's no reason to go outside of our area to fly. So stay local and support your local economy."

Southwest Airlines will start regular service at the Eugene Airport with daily flights to Las Vegas and twice-daily flights to Oakland.

Officials said they hope nonstop routes will expand to include additional destinations in the future.
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Fourteen members of the Oregon Army National Guard are on the ground in Springfield ready to assist with a crush of COVID-19 patients.

On Monday, hospital executives and healthcare workers at the hospital welcomed the guard members outside the main entrance.

The troops will help with non-clinical tasks like data entry, working in food services, cleaning beds and helping deliver supplies.

Surgical Chief Medical Officer Dr. Melissa Edwards said the troops will ease the burden on exhausted healthcare workers.

It's a tremendous help to them. Because in times of crisis, very often, our clinical caregivers get called into non-clinical roles, just to get the work done, Edwards said. So, to know that we've got extra help, and that our caregivers can really focus on patient care is a huge morale booster for them.

Officials at PeaceHealth said they requested 100 troops, but this first wave included just 14. Some of that is because PeaceHealth requires vaccinations for guard members who are deployed to the hospital.

Edwards said its the best way to prevent infections.

We cannot take a chance that any member of our community would come into one of our hospitals and be exposed by one of our caregivers. We want to keep our caregivers safe, and we want to keep our patients safe by making sure that everybody is vaccinated," Edwards said.

Sgt. Megan Holman, a guard member and Corvallis resident, said she is happy to provide additional help to her state in a time of crisis.

It's definitely really heartwarming, just helping out our community in COVID, and learning more skills for the army leadership side, and then civilian side as well, Holman said.

Edwards said just two intensive care beds were available inside RiverBend Monday. Officials expect more guard members to be deployed in the future. The current deployment will stay at least through the end of September.
Set Theatre Kilkennys much-acclaimed Music Sounds Better With You series continues throughout September with a fresh series of live gigs from some of Irelands most adept and emerging artists, with some local talent in the mix too!

Acts include The Stunning, Saint Sister, Something Happens, Wild Youth, Niamh Regan, Murli Bo and The Wha.

September 2

Galway artist Niamh Regan has long been lauded as one of Irelands most promising folk talents.

Comparisons with contemporary artists such as Laura Marling, Lisa Hannigan, This Is The Kit and Sarah Jarosz have popped up regularly in the UK and Irish press.

September 12

Something Happens were the proto-typical Irish indie guitar band of the '80s and were compared to everyone from REM to The Smiths. Though they no longer record new material, they know how to make the most out of every live performance space they play.

September 14

Saint Sister are an Irish traditional duo, whose music is sometimes described as atmosfolk.

Built around mesmerising close-knit vocal harmonies, electro-acoustic harp and synthesisers, sonically they have been likened to Enya, Lisa Hannigan, Cocteau Twins.



September 16

The Wha are a local and from Kilkenny composed of Finn Cusack, Sam Cullen, Marek The Lech and Abe G Harris.

The Whas attachment to their hometown endures and that much is evident in their video for Innocents, filmed here. Growing up in Kilkenny has its ups and downs, the band are quoted as saying.

Its a small city, you cant really run away from anything. I think lots of young people here get to the point where they want to leave, whether its for two years or forever. It is a fun town to grow up in. Some nice spots, some nice pubs. Its easy to waste time here.

This is an indie-rock band that draws from tradition and make it their own. They have been tipped for big things and definitely worth the admission fee.

September 17

Irish band Wild Youth merge elements of rock, R&B, and boyband harmonies to their exuberant brand of pop.

Their 2019 single The Last Goodbye went down a treat and flew up the charts.



September 19

During the early nineties, the biggest Irish band in the world was U2 but in Ireland it was The Stunning.

In the seven years they were initially together, they toured relentlessly building up a following that would make them one of the most successful Irish bands ever.



September 23

MuRli Bo is a rapper, producer and songwriter from Limerick. He has been building his story-telling abilities and charismatic stage presence for some time now and has been recognised for releasing some the most forward thinking and collaborative Hip-Hop to come out of Ireland in the last decade.

TICKET DETAILS

This series has been made possible with the support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Tickets are on sale now for the first three shows and from this Thursday, September 2 for the rest.

You can book tickets via set.ie or by calling 056-7765133.
Petmania Kilkenny has launched the hugely popular Puppy of the Year Competition for 2021.

Entry opens today, (Monday), and adorable pooches have just three weeks to enter the competition to be in with a chance of becoming Petmania Puppy of the Year 2021. To enter Petmania Puppy of the Year 2021, log on to www.petmania.ie/poty and complete the entry form. Once all entries have been verified, Petmania will open online and in-store voting, where people can vote for their favourite puppy.

During the first round of voting, Petmania will identify the top five puppies representing the Kilkenny Petmania Store and Grooming Studio. This year one wildcard will be chosen by the Petmania Kilkenny team members in-store. These six puppies will receive a qualifiers rosette and a gift from the competition partner, BETA, and will move forward into Round 2.

During round two, Petmania Kilkenny will again call on the public to vote, the puppy with the most votes will be named Puppy of the Year for their region and go forward to the grand final. The chosen finalists from across Ireland will then be invited to submit some additional photos and videos online to the judging panel, who will choose the overall winner. The winner of the Petmania Puppy of the Year 2021 will be announced via Petmanias social media channels at the end of October.

Emily Miller of Petmania Kilkenny said: We look forward to the Puppy of the Year Competition all year round. We love meeting adorable pets from across the country. This year we are really focused on the safety of our puppies and their owners so the competition will be run completely online. We have some amazing prizes to give away and we would encourage all puppy parents to log on to petmania.ie today and enter their adorable pooch.

The Petmania Puppy of the Year will be pampered for a whole year with over 1,500 of prizes to be won! The champion puppy will also become a model pup and will star in its own professional photoshoot and become the face of some of Petmanias advertising campaigns in 21/22. The winning dog will enjoy year-round pampering with a 12-month care plan at their local Petmania Grooming Studio, which will see the winning pup enjoy a complimentary treatment every month for a whole year. Petmanias nutrition partners for the Puppy of the Year 2021 will ensure that the top-dog dines in style for a whole year.

As nutrition partner for the Petmania Puppy of the Year, BETA will present our overall winner with a 12 month supply of food.

Petmania has also teamed up with Irelands Blue Book Hotels to offer the winning puppy the chance to chill out in the comfort of the dog-friendly Cashel House in Connemara, along with his/her two favourite humans. This luxury staycation includes two nights accommodation with breakfast and dinner on one night.

Cloud, a young Greengrass Lurcher from Galway, was chosen to be Petmania Puppy of the Year 2020. Cloud was named top-dog having been chosen from 1200 adorable puppies from all over the country. Clouds proud human Daithi Maguire said:

Cloud is an absolutely stunning puppy and I was so thrilled to have her win the Puppy of the Year competition last year. She received 12-months of free food, got regularly pampered by the dog groomers in Petmania Galway, took part in her very own professional photo shoot, and even treated me to a fantastic dog-friendly staycation!! Petmania also sent her numerous surprise packages throughout the year with lots of toys and treats! I would encourage anyone with a new puppy to enter the competition - we had a really fun year!

With 1,500 worth of prizes to be won, entries are open from Monday 30th of August, in-store and online at www.petmania.ie. Every puppy who enters the competition will receive a Puppy Pack from BETA, while each of the top finalists in the region will receive a complimentary treatment at their local Petmania Grooming Studio, a 14kg pack of BETA Puppy Food, and a finalists rosette. Puppies must be less than 12 months old on 30th August 2021 to enter, for more see: www.petmania.ie/poty
The Nore Vision project hosted a series of talks on the history of milling in Kilkenny in recent weeks.

Each Wednesday evening for the month of August a talk and walk took place at four sites along the Nore and Kings River. The first visit was to Mullins Mill, Kells on the banks of the Kings River. Siobhan Tulloch delivered an interesting insight into the workings and history of the mill with enormous panache.

The second evening was a visit to Inch Saw Mills where two generations of the Brett family, Ger and Eoin described their family's five generation history at the site since the 1800s. Eoin Brett is the fifth generation who continues the family business to this day, now milling Irish hardwoods and producing the most beautiful timber. Donal McDonald led the third event with a wonderful ramble through the mills at Maddoxtown. He brought the numerous ruins along the river to life with stories of the famous Kilkenny marble and daily life for the mill workers and the many families involved.

With each evening the crowd grew and by the end of August there were 90 people booked in for the visit to the Merino Mill near Ennisnag on August 25. The success of the event meant that a PA system was needed and the old walls of the mill buildings provide an amphitheatre like setting on another beautiful summers evening. Billy Wallace of Ennisnag shared stories of merino sheep, industrial milling and the production of the finest cloth on the banks of the Kings River in the early 1800s. Billys mother had written a thesis on the mills a number of years ago and he most certainly did it justice.

Dennis Drennan of Nore Vision addressed the crowd and thanked the historians and landowners for their knowledge and generosity and for creating a memorable series of events celebrating the built heritage of the River Nore.
Sinn Fein TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion TD has expressed concern at schools needing to rely on voluntary contributions from families to fund the basic necessities, and the considerable financial strain this can cause families.

The party has asked families to get in touch and share their experiences about how these costs are affecting them.

In the next week, thousands of families will be getting ready for the return to school. With this, comes the annual requests for voluntary contributions.

Year on year, families are being crippled by requests for contributions of very often well over 100 or 200 per child, and even as much as 300-400 in some cases.

These are huge sums for families to be expected to pull together in a matter of weeks and puts serious strain on families finances.

We know that in reality, these contributions are voluntary in name only. In some instances, students and families can be denied certain services and extra-curricular activities and they can face stigma.

When added to the costs of uniforms, of school books and of school transport, this represents a very significant and unfair financial burden on families.

Today, the charity Saint Vincent De Paul has warned that they are receiving hundreds of phone calls from parents every day who are anxious about these expensive costs. This is unacceptable and must change.

This is happening because the Government doesnt fund our schools properly and they are forced to seek these contributions.

It shouldnt have to be this way. Schools shouldnt be so underfunded that they have to seek contributions and fundraise for basic things like keeping the lights and heating on. Sinn Fein wants to bring an end to the need for voluntary contributions.

We want to hear your experience with voluntary contributions  how much have you been asked for this year? Or more generally, what are your familys experiences of back to school costs?

Our spokesperson on Education, Donnchadh O Laoghaire TD, wants to hear about your experiences and what needs to change. Get in touch with him at donnchadh.olaoghaire@oir.ie or on social media, and tell us your story about the real costs of the return to school.

Sinn Fein will stand up for families to ensure these unfair costs stop and that schools finally get the proper government funding they need," added Deputy Funchion.
The United States carried out a defensive airstrike in the Afghan capital, Kabul, targeting a suspected ISIS-K suicide bomber who posed an "imminent" threat to the airport, US Central Command said Sunday.

The US military acknowledged later Sunday that there are reports of civilian casualties following the strike. "We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties. It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further," Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for US Central Command, said in a statement.

"We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life," he added.

The statement followed CNN's reporting that nine members of one family, including six children, were killed in the drone strike, according to a brother of one of those killed, who spoke to a local journalist working with CNN. US Central Command said earlier they were assessing the possibility of civilian casualties.

US forces have been racing to complete their evacuation operation before Tuesday's deadline and under the threat of a new terror attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

A suicide bombing outside the airport gates on Thursday killed 13 US service members and at least 170 others.

Sunday's drone strike on a vehicle is the second by US forces targeting the ISIS-K terror group in the space of three days. A US official confirmed the location of the strike as being in Kabul's Khaje Bughra neighborhood.

"U.S. military forces conducted a self-defense unmanned over-the-horizon airstrike today on a vehicle in Kabul, eliminating an imminent ISIS-K threat to Hamad Karzai International Airport," said US CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Bill Urban.

"We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material."

The Taliban, which is now in control of Afghanistan, condemned the strike later Sunday, saying the US had violated the country's sovereignty.

Bilal Kareemi, a Taliban spokesperson, told CNN that it was "not right to conduct operations on others' soil" and that the US should have informed the Taliban. "Whenever the US conducts such operations, we condemn them," he said.

The vehicle that was targeted by the US in Sunday's airstrike on Kabul was next to a building and contained one suicide bomber, a US official told CNN.

It remains unclear if the vehicle was intended to be a car bomb, or if the suicide bomber was using it for transport. "It was loaded up and ready to go," the official tells CNN.

A Pentagon official told CNN that according to initial reports, the target was a vehicle believed to be containing multiple suicide bombers. The threat could also have been a car bomb or someone with a suicide vest, he said, citing initial reports.

Urban said earlier Sunday the US military was "assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time" and would remain vigilant against potential future threats.

Neighbors and witnesses at the scene of the drone strike in Kabul told CNN that several people were killed, including children.

"All the neighbors tried to help and brought water to put out the fire and I saw that there were 5 or 6 people dead," a neighbor told CNN. "The father of the family and another young boy and there were two children. They were dead. They were in pieces. There were [also] two wounded."

One man told a journalist working with CNN who visited the compound that "a rocket hit and six people were in there who have been killed. There was a car inside." The journalist was not allowed to enter the compound.

Another man said that he heard the sound of a rocket and gained access to the scene from a neighbor's house. "First we managed to remove a 3- to 4-year old child. The fire and smoke had engulfed the whole area," he said.

He added that "three people were inside the car" and three others were outside the car. The injured, who included children, were taken to the hospital, he said.

US President Joe Biden said Saturday that military commanders had advised that "another terrorist attack on Kabul's airport is "highly likely in the next 24-36 hours," and the US Embassy in Kabul warned all US citizens to leave the airport area immediately.

The White House said Sunday morning that about 2,900 people were evacuated from Kabul from 3 a.m. ET Saturday to 3 a.m. ET Sunday. Those evacuations were carried out by 32 US military flights and nine coalition flights.

The mission is clearly winding down, with fewer people brought out than during the same time period on preceding days.

Biden traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Sunday to mourn with the families of the 13 US service members killed in Thursday's attack as their bodies were brought back to US soil.

ISIS in Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, has claimed that an ISIS militant carried out the suicide attack, but provided no evidence to support the claim. US officials have said the group was likely behind the bombing.

On Saturday, the Pentagon said two "high profile" ISIS targets had been killed and another injured in a US drone strike late Friday in Jalalabad, in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, in a retaliatory strike for Thursday's attack.

Vulnerable people left behind

After a desperate, two-week effort to evacuate their citizens and Afghan allies from the country following the Taliban's seizure of power, Western governments now face the challenge of how to deal with an Islamist militant group they've spent the past two decades fighting.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said he intends, alongside the United Kingdom, to submit a resolution to an emergency session of the UN Security Council (UNSC) that would focus on the creation of a "safe zone" in Kabul for Afghans leaving the country.

"Our draft resolution aims to define, under UN protection, a safe zone in Kabul that would allow humanitarian operations to continue," Macron told French newspaper Journal du Dimanche, adding that he intends to "maintain pressure on the Taliban" in doing so. The UNSC session is due to convene Monday.

Florence, a Frenchwoman living in a suburb of Paris, believed her Afghan husband of 18 years would fly out of Kabul to safety on Thursday.

But the airport suicide bombing left him stranded in the Afghan capital. France wrapped up its evacuation mission on Friday -- leaving Florence, whose last name CNN is not using for safety reasons, terrified for her husband's fate.

"My husband is completely lost, he's stressed, he's scared, he doesn't know which way he'll come back to France. Now he's thinking maybe to take the road," Florence said.

Her husband is just one of potentially thousands of people still in Afghanistan who fear their lives could be in danger under Taliban rule, both Afghans and other nationalities.

US: 'We will use leverage' in dealings with Taliban

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Sunday that the Biden administration was committed to a "safe passage" of Americans and Afghans who helped the US government after the withdrawal deadline.

"August 31 is not a cliff. After August 31, we believe that we have substantial leverage to hold the Taliban to its commitments to allow safe passage for American citizens, legal permanent residents and the Afghan allies who have travel documentation to come to the United States," Sullivan told CNN.

"We will use that leverage to the maximum extent and we will work with the rest of the international community to make sure the Taliban does not falter on these commitments."

Roughly 250 Americans who are attempting to leave Afghanistan remain in the country, according to new figures from a US State Department spokesperson. About 50 evacuations have taken place in the past day, bringing the total number of American citizens evacuated to 5,500.

The US State Department, along with governments from numerous other countries, released a statement Sunday saying they would hold the Taliban to their promises that they would allow people to leave the country after August 31.

"We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries," the statement said.

Wife: 'They will kill him'

For those at risk in Kabul and elsewhere, the picture appears bleak.

Florence's husband was in Afghanistan for his father's funeral and had been due to fly out on a commercial flight on August 22.

Despite having a French residency permit and being on the French foreign ministry's passenger list for evacuation, he never made it past US forces guarding the airport gates in Kabul, she said.

He is terrified at what will befall his country under Taliban rule.

"It's horrible when you go back to the same conditions than 20 years ago because when you don't know, you are just living the moment but when you know exactly who these people are, what will happen to you, it's much more terrible," she said.

Her husband also fears for his own safety, as being found in possession of the French documents that could give him a way out represents a massive danger in itself.

"It's already a huge problem, if they understand that he is married to a French citizen, there is not one minute of his life still, there is not one minute of his life possible anymore, they will kill him," Florence said.

Johnson: 'We will use every lever we have'

Britain concluded its own evacuation mission from Afghanistan on Saturday, with its last remaining diplomatic staff pulled out alongside military forces.

While nearly 15,000 people were brought to safety, according to the UK ambassador to Kabul, the head of the UK's armed forces, Gen. Nick Carter, told the BBC that people eligible be brought out numbering in the "high hundreds" had been left behind.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Sunday that diplomatic recognition of the Taliban as Afghanistan's "new regime" would be dependent on the organization's actions, stressing that Britain would "engage with the Taliban not on the basis of what they say, but what they do."

"If the new regime in Kabul wants diplomatic recognition, or to unlock the billions that are currently frozen, they will have to ensure safe passage for those who wish to leave the country, to respect the rights of women and girls, and to prevent Afghanistan from, again, becoming an incubator for global terror," Johnson said.

"We will use every lever we have -- political, economic, diplomatic -- to help the people of Afghanistan and to protect our own country from harm," he added. The UK embassy will now relocate to Doha, Qatar.

Johnson added that the UK government would increase its development assistance to Afghanistan to 286 million (about $394 million).

At the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was following the situation in Afghanistan "with great concern" as he delivered his Angelus Prayer, and thanked those working for peace and to help people in need.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
AUSTIN, Minn.  A guilty plea is entered for the sexual abuse of a child.

Roger Conner, 29 of Austin, pleaded guilty Monday to second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was charged in December 2020 with sexually abusing a victim under the age of 13 years old.

Conner was convicted of two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in March 2016. The victims in those cases were also under 13 years old. Conner was sentenced in December 2018 to four years in prison. He was released on probation in February 2021 and arrested on this latest charge.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 19 in Mower County District Court.
NORTHWOOD, Iowa  One of the men accused of a Worth County crime spree has taken a plea deal.

Curtis Alan Anderson Jr., 22 of Mason City, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree burglary and was sentenced Monday to 180 days in a residential facility and five years of supervised probation. Two more counts of second-degree burglary as well as ongoing criminal conduct, second-degree theft, and third-degree theft were dismissed.

Anderson and Nicholas Gaige McLeland, 29 of Clear Lake, were arrested for burglarizing three homes near Grafton on the night of March 1 or the early morning of March 2. Court documents state several items were stolen from garages and outbuildings, including boots, tools, keys, and firearms.

McLeland has pleaded not guilty to ongoing criminal conduct, three counts of second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, and third-degree theft. His trial is set to begin on October 27.
Jasper, TX (75951)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun with the chance of an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon. High near 95F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A steady rain early. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing late. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 66F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
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President Joe Biden, pictured here in Maryland, on August, 29 made a solemn trip to Dover Air Force Base on August 29 to mourn with families of 13 service members killed in Afghanistan as their remains returned to the US.
For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Confucius (551-479 BCE), a Chinese philosopher and politician / gettyimagesbank



Heavily dependent on tuition-paying Chinese students, Korean universities turning blind eye to controversies surrounding Chinese government-funded culture and language centers



This article is the second in a three-part series to highlight growing anti-China sentiment in Korea and the current state of relations between the two countries.  ED



By Kang Hyun-kyung



With sweat on their faces due to the summer heat and poor air conditioning, some 100 people, gathered at Gwangin Central Church in the southeastern city of Daegu on Aug. 6, were intently watching the documentary titled, "In the Name of Confucius."



Directed by Chinese Canadian filmmaker Doris Liu, the 2017 documentary revolves around Sonia Zhao, a former Confucius Institute (CI) teacher at McMaster University in Canada, who was unable to keep her job after her affiliation with the Falun Gong was revealed.



Zhao testified that CI teachers are trained either to refuse to answer or to change the conversation topic, in the event that students ask them questions about the so-called "3Ts"  namely Taiwan, Tibet and Tiananmen Square, where the Chinese government brutally suppressed pro-democracy protesters in 1989  three touchy issues that pit China against the rest of the world. Zhao took the CI's discriminatory employment and censorship practices to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, which led to McMaster University closing the CI on its campus.



The film gives audiences in Korea a rare opportunity to learn about CIs and how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has flexed its muscles behind the scenes in order to use these government-funded culture and language centers to disseminate their ideas selectively and in a politicized manner according to their own biases and preferences.



Since the documentary premiered in a local theater in Seoul this May, a local civic group, the Citizens for Unveiling Confucius Institutes (CUCI), has organized screenings of the film to inform Koreans about the CIs and their alleged attempts to indoctrinate students in Korea and around the world.



The film has been screened in churches, conference halls and other non-theater settings in several different cities, whenever and wherever the civic group gets requests.



Unlike in Western countries, the anti-CI campaign has not drawn much attention from the Korean public.



"There are various reasons why our campaign has yet to take off," CUCI founder and president Han Min-ho told The Korea Times. "First and foremost, lawmakers have turned a deaf ear to our repeated calls to look into the CCP-backed institutions. The generous funding from China has also silenced cash-strapped universities. Being heavily dependent on tuition-paying students from China, the universities are discouraged from confronting the institutes because any possible actions could stir up Chinese students on their campuses."



If universities here close the CIs on their campuses, Han went on to say that the Chinese students there won't sit back, as the nation has already seen how "patriotic" Chinese students reacted to pro-Hong Kong rallies and other issues that incite nationalist sentiment in China.





Activists of the Citizens for Unveiling Confucius Institutes (CUCI) hold a press conference demanding the closure of Confucius Institutes in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul in this June 2 file photo. They claimed the Chinese government-funded cultural and language centers are a propaganda arm of the Chinese Communist Party. Courtesy of CUCI



According to the Korean Educational Development Institute, over 71,000 Chinese students were studying in undergraduate and graduate institutions in Korea as of 2019, which accounted for 44 percent of all international students here. Across the nation, 365 universities and colleges have Chinese students, and 17 of them have 1,000 or more studying on their campuses.



Korea was the first country to host a CI in southern Seoul in 2004. Since then, 22 universities have signed contracts to establish CIs on their campuses.



The risks posed by CIs drew brief media attention last year during a National Assembly inspection of the Ministry of Education, when Rep. Chung Kyung-hee of the conservative main opposition People Power Party expressed her worries about the Chinese government-funded language centers.

Chung claimed that CIs are in fact a propaganda arm of the CCP to infiltrate South Korean universities, adding that the institutes ironically do not offer any actual teachings of Confucius. The lawmaker expressed her concerns about distortions of history, stating that at CIs, the Korean War is portrayed as "the war to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea."



In response, the Ministry of Education vowed to team up with the Northeast Asia Foundation to conduct joint research into the controversies surrounding CIs.



This reporter checked with the Ministry of Education on Thursday if there had been any progress made during the past 10 months in their joint research activities. An official said on condition of anonymity that they have been monitoring foreign media coverage for any controversies or threats posed by the institutes. Asked when a final report or any other product of their joint research would be released, the official said that at the moment, they have no plans to produce any reports or research papers, reiterating that they will keep an eye on any overseas cases.



Terry Russell, a professor of Asian Studies at the University of Manitoba in Canada, said that there are risks to having a CI on campus.



"The main risks associated with having a CI on campus have to do with the influence and propaganda function of the CIs," he said in an email interview with The Korea Times. "The CI staff recruited in China are charged with presenting a positive image of the People's Republic of China to students and to the university community as a whole. The messaging reflects the official Chinese Communist Party narrative of Chinese culture, history and current affairs."



Russell said that having CIs on campus could undermine academic freedom. "It very pointedly excludes information critical of the CCP and its policies in Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and must represent the official line on the true situation in Taiwan, Chinese border regions and internationally," he said. "In short, the CIs are designed to present the CCP's version of reality, and they are not a space where informed debate on important issues can take place."



Korean universities' "lenient and cozy" relationships with CIs stand in stark contrast with how universities in the West have reacted to the CI controversies. An increasing number of universities in the United States, Canada and Australia have been closing CIs on their campuses. The number of CIs in the United States, for example, has dropped to 47 in May 2021, from 103 in 2017.



Reasons for these closures of CIs vary. McMaster University in Canada, for example, severed ties with the Chinese cultural and language center for its discriminatory hiring practices, in which staff must sign agreements that they will not practice certain beliefs. Other universities decided to terminate contracts with CIs over pressure to censor the universities on topics the CCP objects to, concerns over the CIs repressing academic freedom and other problematic influences.



Russell said that the U.S., Canadian and Australian universities did the right thing by closing the CIs on their campuses. "I believe that it is absolutely the right decision for Canadian, Australian and American universities to close the CIs on their campuses," he said. "I would encourage all universities around the world with existing CIs to consider closing them."





Han Min-ho, founder and president of the civic group Citizens for Unveiling Confucius Institutes (CUCI), stages a one-man rally in front of a Confucius Institute in southern Seoul in July. It was the first Confucius Institute established in 2004 outside China. Courtesy of CUCI
The killing of at least 13 U.S. service members, mostly Marines, and dozens of civilians in a pair of suicide attacks outside the Kabul airport on Thursday is an outrageous act of terrorism  in this case, at the hands of ISIS-K, an Islamic State affiliate that is active in Afghanistan and Pakistan.



President Joe Biden was right to vow vengeance. "We will not forgive, we will not forget, we will hunt you down and we will make you pay," he said at the White House.



The attacks are not, however, the work of the Taliban, which has retaken Afghanistan in mere weeks as the Western-backed government and security forces collapsed with scarcely a fight.



Nor are the attacks a sign of failure by the Biden administration, as a host of armchair critics, Washington commentators and Republican cynics have suggested.



We support Biden's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan by Aug. 31, and his insistence on sticking to that deadline.



In the 11 days before the president addressed the nation Thursday afternoon, the U.S. military had evacuated 100,000 people from Kabul  7,000 in the previous 12 hours alone. These airlifts have been one of the most complex logistical undertakings in military history, reminiscent of the British evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940 and the Berlin airlift of 1948-49.



No one will soon forget the chaos that accompanied the fall of Kabul, including the heart-wrenching scenes of desperate Afghans holding onto the sides of military aircraft, some later falling from the sky (or dying inside the landing gear). Those moments captured the desperate measures Afghans were willing to take to escape the threat posed by the Taliban to an entire generation's worth of progress  in education, women's rights, literacy, health outcomes and personal freedoms.



Critics of the evacuations have made entirely disingenuous, self-serving or simply misleading arguments over the last two weeks. Here is our best attempt to address the major criticisms.



Why do we have to leave Afghanistan at all?



President Donald Trump, in direct negotiations with the Taliban that excluded the Afghan government, agreed in February 2020 to a complete withdrawal of U.S. forces by May 1, 2021. When Biden took office, he postponed the deadline to Sept. 11, 2021 (later moved up to Aug. 31).



Biden, whose objections  while he was vice president  to further intervention in Afghanistan were overruled by President Barack Obama more than a decade earlier, has been steadfast and consistent in arguing that the Afghanistan war had achieved its main objective  eliminating the terrorist threat from al-Qaida  and promising that he would not hand off the problem to a fifth president. He has kept that promise.



Why not maintain an uneasy status quo indefinitely, keeping about 2,500 U.S. troops on the ground?



Aside from the fact that Trump had considered this option and rejected it, would the American people really want an indefinite troop presence in Afghanistan after spending more than $1 trillion and losing about 2,400 military members? A majority of Americans want out of Afghanistan. One sign of a quagmire is when the missions and aims of the operation can no longer be articulated, much less achieved.



The U.S. had long ago reached that point in Afghanistan. Whether the goal was counterinsurgency, nation-building or promotion of women's rights  all legitimate goals  none would have been achieved by keeping thousands of troops in hostile territory in a "forever war" of the kind both Trump and Biden vowed to end.



But didn't Biden bungle the planning and execution of the withdrawal?



The administration has acknowledged that the Afghan government collapsed far faster than intelligence analysts and most military and diplomatic experts had anticipated. Fair enough. But the truth is that the Afghan government had itself urged against a mass evacuation, fearing that the sight of thousands of Afghans leaving on planes would undermine the already shaky confidence in the government of President Ashraf Ghani and his Western-backed forces.



Moreover, as Biden reiterated Thursday, no war ends with a completely smooth, bloodless withdrawal of all troops and allied civilians. "Getting every single person out can't be guaranteed with anybody," Biden said.



Will every American who wants to get out be able to?



Most likely. The government is "aggressively reaching out" to several hundred Americans known to still be in Afghanistan. Many of them are married to Afghans, or are Afghan Americans, and have reasons for wanting to stay  or, in some cases, have refused to leave unless their Afghan relatives and associates can also leave.



What about all the Afghans who worked with and supported the U.S. during the last 20 years?



Our view is that every one of them should be given support in leaving. That effort must not, and will not, end after Aug. 31. The U.S. has already pledged to get out every Afghan who has been granted a special immigrant visa. Because of unforgivable bureaucratic delays, not every deserving Afghan has been granted such a visa.



But at this point, the Taliban is not allowing Afghans without paperwork to reach the Kabul airport. So staying at the airport would be futile. "Millions of Afghan citizens," who don't like the Taliban but also did not work for the United States, "would get on a plane tomorrow if they could," Biden said Thursday. But the sad reality is that most will not make it out.



Isn't this a god-awful tragedy? Yes. Also an inevitable one.





This editorial appeared in the Los Angeles Times and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.


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PORTLAND, OR (KPTV)  COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are continuing to spike in Oregon, especially in smaller counties and rural areas. Some funeral homes in these places have reached their limit and are now asking for help from the state to help store bodies. Both Tillamook and Joseph
Tonight will be the first ever, regular Monday night draw for Idahos favorite game, Powerball. The estimated jackpot for this historic draw for the most popular game in America is $293 million. Read more
A Montana State University nursing student conducts an examination as part of her clinical training. The MSU College of Nursing has received a $101 million gift from Mark and Robyn Jones, founders of Goosehead Insurance, to expand nursing education in Montana and help fill the critical shortage of nurses to serve rural and remote areas in Montana and beyond. The Jones' gift is the largest to a school of nursing in U.S. history. Montana State University photo by Kelly Gorham
POCATELLO, Idaho (KPVI) - "As we saw the last four years, we had low gas prices, a stable Afghanistan and other things," said Bannock County Commissioner Terrel Tovey, who believes the new presidency has gone off the path. Read more
A Polish branch at the MICE by Melody workshop in Germany

For many years, the German market has been one of the most important markets contributing to foreign tourism in Poland.

Polish Tourism Organisation

It is estimated that about 10 percent of all visits to Poland by Germans are business trips. From August 31 to September 2 this year, workshops will be held in Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main and Munich, and during the workshops the Polish Tourist Organization  Poland Convention Bureau  locally supported by the ZOPOT in Berlin, together with Polish exhibitors, will present the Polish offer of the meetings industry.

The meetings industry is one of the industries most affected by the pandemic. Due to the restrictions and two cancellations of the IMEX fair in Frankfurt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation of a joint exhibition on the German market by the Polish Tourism Organisation was not possible until now.

Currently, the German government is loosening travel and stay restrictions. From May 30, Poland is not considered a high-risk area. The purchasing decisions and attitudes of German customers have changed as restrictions have been loosened. Poland, as a neighbouring country close nearby that is interesting and at the same time safe, may become a beneficiary of higher tourist traffic from Germany.

With the safety of participants of company retreats and conferences at the forefront of our concerns, we have returned to live meetings. Representatives of the Polish meeting industry spent the long months of lockdown on developing standards and procedures for events organised according to new sanitary requirements. The largest conference and congress centres have implemented appropriate solutions in this respect, and most hotels as well as DMC and PCO companies have followed suit.

The following Polish parties were invited to participate in the workshop: convention bureaux, Professional Congress Organizers (PCO), and Destination Management Companies (DMC). Exhibitors were accepted on the basis of applications and positive verification of the exhibitor participation criteria by the Polish Tourism Organisation.

As part of a roadshow in Germany planned for August 31 to September 2 this year, together with the Poland Convention Bureau of the PTO, the following organisations will present their offer:

Convention Bureau -Wrocaw

DMC Poland

Gdansk Convention Bureau

Krakow Convention Bureau

Mazurkas DMC Poland

Poznan Convention Bureau

Travel Project DMC Poland

Warsaw Convention Bureau

During the 3-day roadshow, the exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet about 180 selected planners from Germany, Austria and Switzerland who we believe may contribute to maintaining and strengthening the demand for business tourism services, strengthening Poland's competitiveness on the international arena as a meeting destination and building trust among meetings and events planners in the times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The organiser of the MICE by Melody workshop is the marketing and communication agency PeC-Kommunikation that was founded in 2010. The agency is based in Hamburg and has been dealing exclusively with MICE marketing since 2012. The MICE by Melody workshop is intended exclusively for international exhibitors, with the target group being German-speaking event planners who organise international events.

Additionally, as part of the event, an on-line promotion is planned, which results from the agreement with PeC-Kommunikation that runs the industry portal https://www.miceboard.com/willkommen-zur-online-site-inspection-in-polen/

The following organisations will also participate in the roadshow: Visit Britain, Meet Ireland, Visit Estonia/Estonian Convention Bureau, Zurich Tourismus, Convention Bureau Davos, Graz Convention Bureau, Cannes Convention Bureau, Visit Brussels, Monaco Convention Bureau.

Prepared by: Aneta Ksiazek
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Rescuers in boats, helicopters and high-water trucks brought hundreds of people trapped by Hurricane Ida's floodwaters to safety Monday and utility repair crews rushed in, after the furious storm swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the electrical grid in the stifling, late-summer heat.

Residents living amid the maze of rivers and bayous along the state's Gulf Coast retreated desperately to their attics or roofs and posted their addresses on social media with instructions for search-and-rescue teams on where to find them.

More than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi  including all of New Orleans  were left without power as Ida, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland, pushed through on Sunday.

The damage was so extensive that officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid was repaired.

President Joe Biden met virtually on Monday with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves along with mayors from cities and parishes most impacted by Hurricane Ida to receive an update on the storms impacts, and to discuss how the Federal Government can provide assistance.

We are closely coordinating with State and local officials every step of the way, Biden said.

The administration said more than 3,600 FEMA employees are deployed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. FEMA staged more than 3.4 million meals, millions of liters of water, more than 35,700 tarps, and roughly 200 generators in the region in advance of the storm.

As the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression Monday afternoon and continued to make its way inland with torrential rain, it was blamed for at least two deaths  a motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge.

But with many roads impassable and cellphone service out in places, the full extent of its fury was still coming into focus. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards, said that given the level of destruction, Were going to have many more confirmed fatalities.

The governor's office said damage to the power grid appeared catastrophic  dispiriting news for those without refrigeration or air conditioning during the dog days of summer, with highs forecast in the mid-80s to near 90 by midweek.

There are certainly more questions than answers. I can't tell you when the power is going to be restored. I cant tell you when all the debris is going to be cleaned up and repairs made," Edwards told a news conference. But what I can tell you is we are going to work hard every day to deliver as much assistance as we can.

Local, state and federal rescuers combined to save at least 671 people by Monday afternoon, Edwards said.

In hard-hit LaPlace, squeezed between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, rescuers saved people from flooded homes in a near-constant operation.

Debbie Greco, her husband and son rode out the storm in LaPlace with Greco's parents. Water reached a foot up the first-floor windows, then filled the first floor to 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep once the back door was opened. They retreated to the second floor, but then screaming winds collapsed the roof as waves broke in the front yard.

They were finally rescued by boat after waiting in the only dry spot, five people sharing the landing on the stairs.

When I rebuild this Im out of here. Im done with Louisiana, said Greco's father, 85-year-old Fred Carmouche, a lifelong resident.

Elsewhere in LaPlace, people pulled pieces of chimneys, gutters and other parts of their homes to the curb and residents of a mobile home park waded through floodwaters.

The hurricane blew ashore on the 16th anniversary of Katrina, the 2005 storm that breached New Orleans' levees, devastated the city and was blamed for 1,800 deaths.

This time, New Orleans appeared to escape the catastrophic flooding city officials had feared.

Stephanie Blaise returned to her home with her father in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after evacuating. The neighborhood suffered devastating flooding in Katrina, but only lost some shingles in Ida. However, with no idea when electricity would be restored, Blaise didn't plan to stay long.

We dont need to go through that. Im going to have to convince him to leave. We got to go somewhere. Cant stay in this heat, she said.

The city urged people who evacuated to stay away for at least a couple of days because of the lack of power and fuel. "Theres not a lot of reasons to come back, said Collin Arnold, chief of emergency preparedness.

Also, 18 water systems serving about 255,000 customers in Louisiana were knocked out of service, the state Health Department said.

Four Louisiana hospitals were damaged and 39 medical facilities were operating on generator power, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. Officials said they were evacuating scores of patients to other cities.

The governor's office said over 2,200 evacuees were staying in 41 shelters, a number expected to rise as people were rescued or escaped flooded homes. The governor's spokesperson said the state will work to move people to hotels as soon as possible so they can keep their distance from one another.

This is a COVID nightmare, Stephens said, adding: We do anticipate that we could see some COVID spikes related to this.

Preliminary measurements showed Slidell, Louisiana, got at least 15.7 inches of rain, while New Orleans received nearly 14 inches, forecasters said. Other parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama and Florida got 5 to 11 inches.

The Louisiana National Guard said it activated 4,900 Guard personnel and lined up 195 high-water vehicles, 73 rescue boats and 34 helicopters. Local and state agencies were adding hundreds more. Edwards said he decided not to tour hurricane damage by air Monday to add one more aircraft to the effort.

On Grand Isle, the 40 people who stayed on the barrier island through the brunt of the hurricane gave aircraft checking on them Monday a thumbs-up, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said.

The road to the island remained impassable and rescuers would try to reach them as soon as they are able, the sheriff said.

The hurricane twisted and collapsed a giant tower that carries key transmission lines over the Mississippi River to the New Orleans area, causing widespread outages, Entergy and local authorities said. The power company said more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines were out of service, along with 216 substations. The tower had survived Katrina.

The storm also flattened utility poles, toppled trees onto power lines and caused transformers to explode.

The governor said 25,000 utility workers were in the state to help restore electricity, with more on the way. Were going to push Entergy to restore power just as soon as they can, Edwards said.

AT&T said its wireless network in Louisiana was reduced to 60% of normal but was coming back. Many people resorted to using walkie-talkies. The governor's office staff had no working phones. The company sent a mobile tower to the state's emergency preparedness office so it could get some service.

Charchar Chaffold left her home near LaPlace for Alabama after a tree fell on it Sunday. She frantically tried to get in touch via text message with five family members who stayed behind.

She last heard from them Sunday night. They were in the attic after water rushed into their home. They told me they thought they was going to die. I told them they are not and called for help, she said.

Idas 150 mph (230 kph) winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the mainland. Its winds were down to 40 mph (64 kph) around midday Monday.

In Mississippi's southwestern corner, entire neighborhoods were surrounded by floodwaters, and many roads were impassable. Several tornadoes were reported, including a suspected twister in Saraland, Alabama, that ripped part of the roof off a motel and flipped an 18-wheeler, injuring the driver, according to the National Weather Service.

Ida was expected to pick up speed Monday night before dumping rain on the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys Tuesday, the Appalachian mountain region Wednesday and the nations capital on Thursday.

Forecasters said flash flooding and mudslides were possible along Idas path before it blows out to sea over New England on Friday.



Reeves reported from LaPlace, Louisiana. Associated Press writers Janet McConnaughey and Kevin McGill in New Orleans; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge; Michael Biesecker in Washington; Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta; and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
VATICAN CITY, AUG 30 - Pope Francis has told a Spanish radio station that a nurse saved his life for the second time in his life on the occasion of his recent colon operation. Francis said the first time had been in 1957. Referring to the colon op on July 4, the pope told COPE Radio in an interview that will be broadcast in full on Wednesday that "a (male) nurse saved my life, a man of great experience". He added: "It is the second time in my life that a nurser has saved my life. "The first was in 1957". The pope, 84, spent 10 days in Rome's Gemelli Hospital at the beginning of July after having an operation called a left-hemicolectomy, which removed the left side of the colon and joined the remaining sections - a common procedures in cases of recurring episodes of diverticulitis. (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 30 - A group of Rome university Afghan girl students on Monday appealed for help to get them out of Kabul. The students wrote to La Repubblica and La Stampa dailies saying they needed help "to get out of this suffering city before they (the Taliban) bury us with all our dreams". They said "we urgently need help to save our lives from this situation of immediate danger. "We need hope to continue our lives". Italy's minister for the university and Research, Cristina Messa, told SKYTG24 that "the girls have been divided into groups and entrusted to a number of homes in protected situations, they are moving around to avoid being identified. "The situation at the moment is protected, but we have to move fast". (ANSA).
MILAN, AUG 30 - A Milan skyscraper that burned out Sunday had become a 'torch' due to a 'chimney effect', experts said on Monday. The 'Torre dei Moro' in Via Antonini became a blackened ruin after a fire that consumed it all day Sunday. No one was hurt as the building was evacuated in time. The fire started on the 15th floor, perhaps due to a short circuit, the experts said. It then spread to the rest of the building due to a chimney effect in which a current of air raced down between the building and its cladding panels, turning the tower into a torch, they said. The last flames were still being put out on Monday morning. MIlan Mayor Giuseppe Sala called for a probe to establish responsibility for the blaze. The northern city's fire brigade chief, Giuliano Santagata, said "I've never seen anything like it in Milan before". One of the evacuated residents said "we are 70 families without a home and we'll have to start again from scratch". Officials said it was lucky no one had been killed. (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 30 - An anti-vaxxer followed and threatened a top Italian vaccine expert in Genoa on Sunday night, sources said Monday. Matteo Bassetti, an expert in infectious diseases at Genoa's San Martino Hospital, was accosted by a 46-year-old man who has been cited for issuing serious threats. The man reportedly came across Bassetti in the street and started following him, filming him on his phone and shouting at him: "You're going to kill all of us with these vaccines and we're going to make you pay", sources said. The doctor called the police who identified the man and cited him. Meanwhile in Rome, a video journalist from La Repubblica daily was attacked by a protester at an anti-Green Pass sit-in outside the Education Ministry. There have been several protests against the vaccine passport, which on Monday became obligatory for domestic air and long-distance rail travel. Italy has a fairly strong anti-vax movement. (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 30 - The terrorist threat in Afghanistan is concrete, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told a G7-EU-NATO extraordinary summit on the Asian country Monday, according to persons present. Di Maio said the suicide-bomb attack at Kabul airport that killed almost 200 including 13 US soldiers and more recent rocket attacks thwarted by US defence systems showed that "the terrorist threat in Afghanistan is concrete and must be addressed". He added "it is fundamental to maintain close cooperation in facing the Afghan crisis." Di Maio thanked US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for calling the summit, which Di Maio said was "an important opportunity to discuss a shared strategy". (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 30 - An anti-vaxxer followed and threatened a top Italian vaccine expert in Genoa on Sunday night, sources said Monday. Matteo Bassetti, an expert in infectious diseases at Genoa's San Martino Hospital, was accosted by a 46-year-old man who has been cited for issuing serious threats. The man reportedly came across Bassetti in the street and started following him, filming him on his phone and shouting at him: "You're going to kill all of us with these vaccines and we're going to make you pay", sources said. The doctor called the police who identified the man and cited him. Meanwhile in Rome, a video journalist from La Repubblica daily was attacked by a protester at an anti-Green Pass sit-in outside the Education Ministry. There have been several protests against the vaccine passport, which on Monday became obligatory for domestic air and long-distance rail travel. Italy has a fairly strong anti-vax movement. Bassetti told ANSA: "I ask for the State's protection vis a vis people who threaten, I should like the State to punish these people. "I don't want escorts, I want the State to punish people who threaten. "I've been threatened since December, since the vaccine came out: first anonymous letters, then threats by phone in the clinic and at my wife's hotel, it's been continuous". (ANSA).
VATICAN CITY, AUG 30 - Pope Francis has told a Spanish radio station that a nurse saved his life for the second time in his life on the occasion of his recent colon operation. Francis said the first time had been in 1957. Referring to the colon op on July 4, the pope told Spanish Catholic radio station COPE in an interview that will be broadcast in full on Wednesday that "a (male) nurse saved my life, a man of great experience". He added: "It is the second time in my life that a nurser has saved my life. "The first was in 1957". The pope, 84, spent 10 days in Rome's Gemelli Hospital at the beginning of July after having an operation called a left-hemicolectomy, which removed the left side of the colon and joined the remaining sections - a common procedures in cases of recurring episodes of diverticulitis. The first nurse to save Francis's life was an Italian nun who countermanded doctors' orders on the medicine the young seminarian was taking in Argentina to treat his pneumonia. Vatican watchers said the second nurse to save the pontiff's life could well have been Vatican City health worker Massimiliano Strappetti, who has been alongside Francis in all his health problems, along with a second staff nurse. The pope, who is set to leave on a four-day trip to Hungary and Slovakia on September 12, has appeared as fit as ever in recent public appearances. (ANSA).
The leader of the state Department of Natural Resources policy board consulted with Republicans on his decision to stay on the panel after his term expired, emails show.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Monday that it obtained emails that show Fred Prehn solicited advice and shared information with an aide to Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg; U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua; former University of Wisconsin Regent Gerald Whitburn and lobbyists.

Prehn's six-year term on the board ended in May and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers appointed Sandra Naas to replace him. Her appointment would give Evers appointees majority control of the board.

Prehn, who was appointed to his position by former Gov. Scott Walker, has refused to step down to make way for Naas, insisting that he doesn't need to vacate the seat until the Senate confirms her. LeMahieu has taken no steps toward a confirmation vote, ensuring Walker appointees maintain control of the board.

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The provision still has to be reviewed by City Attorney Dan Draper and approved by the full city council before it goes into effect.

Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier said she proposed the municipal code amendment because of recent reports of dog bites occurring in the citys dog park located near Sage Street and east of Eastview Elementary School and in other areas of the community from animals that have been brought in from outside of Lake Geneva.

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Fesenmaier said the provision would allow police officers to better enforce incidents of dog bites.

If theres a call to the dog park or anywhere else of a violation, the police will be able to use this section to write a ticket if that person cant show a veterinary certificate, Fesenmaier said.

Alderman Richard Hedlund said if the amendment is approved the city should post a sign near the dog park informing people about the requirement for a veterinary inspection certificate.

I assume we will at least put a sign at the dog park gate saying, Dont put your dog in here if you dont have a veterinary certificate, Hedlund said.
Columnist Joyce Bupp reflects on livestock judging at country fairs and how her new kittens might stack up in the cuteness competition.
Well-marked boundaries can deter trespassers and protect you from timber theft and help ensure other assets are protected.
Reliance's JioPhone Next was announced at the company's 44th AGM meeting that was held earlier this year. While most details and specifications of the handset were kept under wraps, the company had confirmed that the affordable smartphone will go on sale in India on September 10, 2021. Pre-bookings for the budget smartphone are expected to begin next week onwards. JioPhone Next Pre-Bookings Expected To Begin Next Week: Report

The highly awaited smartphone is expected to be priced below Rs 5000. Some reports suggest that it could carry a price tag of Rs 3,500. It's worth noting that these are mere speculations. Also, the company hasn't revealed any information about offers or benefits to be provided alongside the phone, as and when it is made available for purchase.

JioPhone Next (Photo Credits: Reliance Jio)

We already know that the JioPhone Next is confirmed to get support for Google Assistant, automatic reading aloud of screen text language translation, smart camera with augmented reality filters and more.

Several leaks and rumours suggest that the JioPhone Next will be shipped with Android 11 (Go edition). The budget handset will sport a 5.5-inch HD display. It is likely to draw power from a Qualcomm QM215 chipset. The processor could be paired with up to 3GB of RAM and 32GB of built-in storage options.

JioPhone Next (Photo Credits: Google)

In terms of optics, the JioPhone Next reportedly will pack a 13MP rear camera sensor along with an 8MP selfie shooter up front. Recent rumours also claim that the phone will get a smaller 2,500mAh battery inside the device. It is likely to get Bluetooth v4.2 and GPS connectivity.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2021 12:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Jovano Graves parents begged him not to join the Army right out of high school in 2003, when U.S. troops were fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But their son refused his parents pleas to try college. He followed them both into the Army instead.

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FOR THE RECORD

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This story says that the last three U.S. presidents never served on active duty. George W. Bush was put on active-duty status for about a year during his training with the Air National Guard, according to a National Guard spokesman.

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Last June, 11 years later, Staff Sgt. Jovano Graves returned home from Afghanistan, joining his mother, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Sonia Graves-Rivers, for duty here at Ft. Bragg.

My family, going way, way back, has always felt so proud to be Americans, said Graves-Rivers, who comes from a family in which military service spans six generations, starting with her great-great-grandfather, Pfc. Marion Peeples, who served in a segregated black unit during World War I.

Her father, Cpl. Harvey Lee Peeples, fought in the Vietnam War. Her uncle, Henry Jones, was career Air Force. Another uncle, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Graves, spent 22 years in the Army. Her sister, Janice, served 24 years.

In our family, theres a deep sense that being American means serving  showing gratitude by giving back to your country, Graves-Rivers said.

Multi-generational military families like the Graveses form the heart of the all-volunteer Army, which increasingly is drawing its ranks from the relatively small pool of Americans with historic family, cultural or geographic connections to military service.

While the U.S. waged a war in Vietnam 50 years ago with 2.7 million men conscripted from every segment of society, less than one-half of 1% of the U.S. population is in the armed services today  the lowest rate since World War II. Americas recent wars are authorized by a U.S. Congress whose members have the lowest rate of military service in history, led by three successive commanders in chief who never served on active duty.

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Surveys suggest that as many as 80% of those who serve come from a family in which a parent or sibling is also in the military. They often live in relative isolation  behind the gates of military installations such as Ft. Bragg or in the deeply military communities like Fayetteville, N.C., that surround them.

The segregation is so pronounced that it can be traced on a map: Some 49% of the 1.3 million active-duty service members in the U.S. are concentrated in just five states  California, Virginia, Texas, North Carolina and Georgia.

The U.S. military today is gradually becoming a separate warrior class, many analysts say, that is becoming increasingly distinct from the public it is charged with protecting.

As the size of the military shrinks, the connections between military personnel and the broad civilian population appear to be growing more distant, the Pew Research Center concluded after a broad 2012 study of both service members and civilians.

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Most of the country has experienced little, if any, personal impact from the longest era of war in U.S. history. But those in uniform have seen their lives upended by repeated deployments to war zones, felt the pain of seeing family members and comrades killed and maimed, and endured psychological trauma that many will carry forever, often invisible to their civilian neighbors.

Todays military enjoys a lifestyle that in many ways exceeds that of much of the rest of the country: regular pay raises and lavish reenlistment bonuses, free healthcare, subsidized housing and, after 20 years of service, generous retirement benefits unavailable to many other Americans.

Senior officers live in large houses, travel on their own planes and oversee whole continents with little direction from Washington. Special-operations teams carry out kill missions and drone strikes  some even targeting U.S. citizens  that most civilians never even hear about.

Now, as the military winds down its 14-year-war in Afghanistan and the Army cuts 18,000 troops from its ranks, military officials are stepping up efforts to bridge the gap between veterans and the civilian world they are preparing to rejoin.

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The last decade of war has affected the relationship between our society and the military, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote in a commentary in 2013. As a nation, weve learned to separate the warrior from the war. But we still have much to learn about how to connect the warrior to the citizen.... We cant allow a sense of separation to grow between us.

Dempseys comments reflect a growing concern in the military that reintegrating service members into communities whose understanding of war is gleaned largely from television may be as difficult as fighting the war.

I am well-aware that many Americans, especially our elite classes, consider the military a bit like a guard dog, said Lt. Col. Remi M. Hajjar, a professor of behavioral sciences and leadership at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

They are very thankful for our protection, but they probably wouldnt want to have it as a neighbor, he said. And they certainly are not going to influence or inspire their own kids to join that pack of Rottweilers to protect America.

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As she awaited her husbands Ft. Bragg homecoming recently, Amanda Schade gave her twin baby sons pacifiers printed with I love Daddy. She checked her makeup, then held up two small American flags the Army had supplied.

Amanda spotted Spc. Aaron Schade among paratroopers standing at attention before a huge American flag at Pope Field. She whispered to her 3-month-old sons, Bruce and Ben: Thats your daddy. Hes a hero. It would be the first meeting for the father and his sons.

A general announced: Please go welcome home your soldier!

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Amanda rushed forward, a twin tucked into the crook of each arm. Aaron swept up all three. I love you, he said. He cupped Amandas face in both hands for a long, passionate kiss. She broke down and sobbed as the band played The Army Goes Rolling Along.

These scenes play out across America as the troops flock home, but they happen behind the locked gates of military bases, largely unseen by the civilian world.

Increasingly, those bases have become fortresses. Base closures have consolidated troop populations onto a dozen large joint bases and other huge installations like Ft. Bragg, home to 55,000 soldiers and their 74,000 dependents.

Bases often feature their own shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants and ball fields. Troops board planes for distant conflicts on their airfields and return wounded to their hospitals. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the bases are largely off-limits to civilians.

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Military bases are our most exclusive gated communities, said Phillip Carter, an Iraq veteran who directs the Military, Veterans and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C.

The Schades, like two-thirds of Ft. Bragg families, live outside the base. But most of their neighbors are military or ex-military.

The Armys influence in Fayetteville is so pervasive  as in many towns near big military bases in America  that its often hard to tell where the military ends and the civilian world begins.

A helicopter crash or deadly roadside bomb in Iraq or Afghanistan can bring Fayetteville to a dead stop. The news races across town in phone calls, text messages and tweets: Was it one of ours?

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People mark their calendars with deployment departures and arrivals. There is a baby boom nine months after every big battalion or brigade arrives home. In the schools, graduation ceremonies are live-streamed to parents deployed overseas.

Yet only a 65-mile drive north of Ft. Bragg, in the college town of Carrboro near Durham, the military is a universe away. Many there have no connection save for the brief moment of gratitude and embarrassment they feel when they see a man in uniform at the airport, missing a leg.

We glorify the military in this country in a way thats really weird, said Eric Harmeling, 21, a Carrboro-area resident who often argues with his father, a politically conservative minister, about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its like the Roman legions.... Its like were being told to kneel down and worship our heroes.

Jerstin Crosby, a former graduate student at the University of North Carolina who now works as a computer artist, said the only direct encounter with the military he can remember was when he taught a Middle Eastern art course to airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C.

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He respected the airmens knowledge of Iraq  some seemed to know it better than he did, for all his education  but was also sometimes baffled by them. Why, he wondered, did everyone on base stop their cars at 5 p.m. and stand at attention? Only later did he learn it was a daily show of respect as the nations flag was lowered.

I thought it was some kind of prank they were playing on me, he said.

George Baroff, enjoying an outdoor lunch at an organic food co-op in Carrboro one recent afternoon, said he understood the military quite well: He served three years as a draftee during World War II before eventually becoming a psychology professor in nearby Chapel Hill.

Baroff, 90, finds himself startled when people learn of his war record and say, as Americans often do to soldiers these days, Thank you for your service.

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You never, ever heard that in World War II. And the reason is, everybody served, he said.

In Baroffs view, todays all-volunteer military has been robbed of the sense of shared sacrifice and national purpose that his generation enjoyed six decades ago. Todays soldiers carry a heavier burden, he said, because the public has been disconnected from the universal responsibility and personal commitment required to fight and win wars.

For us, the war was over in a few years. The enemy surrendered and were no longer a threat, he said. For soldiers today, the war is never over; the enemy is never defeated. The result, he added, is a state of perpetual anxiety that the rest of the country doesnt experience.

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Increasingly, Americas warrior class is defined by geography.

Southern states consistently provide the biggest proportion of recruits. California had the highest number of enlistments in 2013  a total of 18,987  but the state supplies a relatively low percentage of its 18- to 24-year-olds, the age group that fills the military rolls every year.

The highest-rate contributors were Georgia, Florida, Idaho, Virginia and South Carolina. The District of Columbia was last.

The military-civilian divide is not marked by particular animosity or resentment on the civilian side. In airports and restaurants, civilians thank men and women in uniform for their service. They cheer veterans at ballgames and car races.

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What most dont realize is how frequently such gestures ring hollow.

So many people give you lip service and offer fake sympathy. Their sons and daughters arent in the military, so its not their war. Its something that happens to other people, said Phillip Ruiz, 46, a former Army staff sergeant in Tennessee who was wounded twice during three tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Douglas Pearce, a former Army lieutenant who fought in Afghanistan and is now a marriage and family counselor in Nashville, said civilians seem to think they can assuage their guilt with five seconds in the airport.

What theyre saying is, Im glad you served so that I didnt have to, and my kids wont have to.

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Opinion polls consistently find that the military is the most trusted American institution. A Gallup poll last June found that 74% of more than 1,000 Americans surveyed had a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the military  versus 58% in 1975, at the close of the Vietnam era.

Yet a 2011 Pew Research Center study titled The Military-Civilian Gap found that only a quarter of civilians who had no family ties to the military followed war news closely. Half said the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan made little difference in their lives, and half said they were not worth fighting.

Weve disconnected the consequences of war from the American public. As a result, that young man or woman putting on the uniform is much less likely to be your son or daughter, or even your neighbor or classmate, said Mike Haynie, director of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University in upstate New York. That is a dangerous place to be.

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For decades, young cadets in the Reserve Officers Training Corps, or ROTC, were able to rub shoulders with civilians on Americas college campuses. During the height of the defense buildup under President Reagan, there were 420 Army ROTC units. Today, there are only 275 ROTC programs.

At Stanford University, Kaitlyn Benitez-Strine, a 21-year-old senior, was scribbling notes in the back row of her modern Japanese history class recently, listening as her professor cataloged the misdeeds of the American military in occupied postwar Japan.

People became increasingly resentful of the U.S. military presence, the professor said. There were crimes by U.S. Army personnel  rapes and murders.

For Benitez-Strine, due to be commissioned as a U.S. Army lieutenant this summer, it was an uncomfortable moment. Her sister, a Marine, is stationed in Okinawa. Her parents were Army officers, as were many other relatives. She grew up in a military community near West Point. But she rarely discusses her background with other students.

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Stanford, one of the nations elite universities, has more than 6,000 undergraduates. Benitez-Strine is one of only 11 in ROTC.

She sometimes feels uncomfortable wearing her uniform on campus, as ROTC requires two days a week. Students might think Im a cop or something, she said. Or they see me as a badass who can kill them at any time.

A 2013 survey by three West Point professors found that the estrangement between the military and civilian worlds is especially pronounced among young people. Many civilians born between 1980 and 2000 want no part of military life and want it separate from civilian life, according to sociologist Morten G. Ender, one of the studys authors.

On the other side, military recruits in that age range had become anti-civilian in some ways, the survey found.

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I am irritated by the apathy, lack of patriotic fervor, and generally anti-military and anti-American sentiment of other students, an unidentified 20-year-old ROTC cadet told the authors. I often wonder if my forefathers were as filled with disgust and anger when they thought of the people they were fighting to protect as I am.

Benitez-Strine is not as critical of her fellow students. Indeed, the more time she spends in ROTC, the less certain she is about a career in the military.

As part of her training, she spent a month following a captain, the commander of an Army maintenance unit at Ramstein Air Base. She was not prepared for the sometimes mind-numbing routine of Army life and the restrictions on her freedom.

Her unit was confined to base after a radio went missing, forcing her to cancel a sightseeing trip. And when a male enlisted soldier friended her on Facebook, he was disciplined and she was warned against fraternizing with lower ranks.

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I realized being in the Army is a lifestyle, not just a job, she said. Benitez-Strine recently decided to join the Reserves, rather than go on active duty, when she graduates.

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The previous school year was a grim one here in Fayetteville, where the Cumberland County school district serves the communities outside Ft. Bragg. Between the beginning of the term in September 2013 and the following spring, six students committed suicide.

Five of them  four boys and a girl  were from Army families, with a parent deployed overseas. Two shot themselves with military weapons.

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School Supt. Frank Till, who has been an educator for three decades, is more than familiar with adolescent anguish. But it wasnt until he came here in 2009 that he experienced the helplessness of trying to truly understand  and help  students and staff members who live under the spell of violent events on the other side of the globe.

You can only imagine the trauma families go through, said Till. Teachers in his district have been pulled from class to be told that a husband had been killed in Afghanistan. He has consoled students who dissolved in tears because a parent had just departed for Iraq or Afghanistan.

Theres just incredible tension here, he said.

Yet the civilian community has been overwhelmingly supportive. Local churches and other religious communities pitched in to provide support for families devastated by the deaths.

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It wasnt a one-time gesture: Church prayers here are routinely offered for the living  soldiers in harms way thousands of miles away, or just back from the war and in the next pew.

The only people we pray for by name in church are deployed soldiers, said Jean Moore, 52, who was born and raised in Fayetteville.

Mothers and fathers across the country  they give their children to us to serve in the military and defend our country, said Tony Chavonne, 60, a former mayor of Fayetteville. We have an obligation in the community to support that.

War is not a political word around here, agreed his wife, Joanne, 54. Its where our friends and neighbors go.

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david.zucchino@latimes.com

david.cloud@latimes.com

Twitter: @davidzucchino; @davidcloudlat

This is one of several reports on the growing separation between Americas all-volunteer military and the public it serves: latimes.com/volunteer-army

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ALSO:

A brotherhood born of heroes in Normandy D-day landings

Study: Men with troubled childhoods may seek refuge in the military

A soldiers wife: Her husband came home, and the war came with him.
Ever since "Spider-Man: No Way Home" released its teaser, many MCU fans started to debate who is the best actor playing the role of their favorite, Peter Parker, a.k.a, Spider-Man.

Hello important poll, fav Spider-Man?  alex (@kinxside) August 25, 2021

Right now, most excited watchers claim that the original Spidey, Tobey, is the best one to portray the superhero. Aside from this, they are even comparing the actual films. Some movie critics explained that "Spider-Man", "Spider-Man 2," and "Spider-Man 3," have better CGIs and action stunts compared to the later versions, which feature Andre Garfield and Tom Holland.

As of the moment, many Hollywood fans believe that all these three actors are going to be in the upcoming "Spider-Man: No Way Home," which is expected to be released this coming Dec. 17, as reported by Screen Rant.

However, Digital Spy stated that Sony and Marvel Studios reiterated that Garfield and Maguire are not included in the upcoming movie. On the other hand, Holland also announced that he is not sure if the recent Spider-Man actors would join him in his upcoming film.

Who is the Best Spider-Man?

According to CBR reported, all the three Spidey actors portrayed their characters efficiently. Since their dialogues and actions are based on the director's decisions, their acting skills are based on the written script.

READ MORE: 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Trailer Leaks Ahead of Sony's Official Release

This simply means that you can't actually compare them with one another. However, you can still compare their actual Spider-Man versions since Marvel Studios showed different sides of the popular "friendly neighborhood superhero."

Tobey's Natural Version

The first versions of Spider-Man, played by the fans' favorite, Tobey, are considered a soloist hero since he doesn't rely on some partners, mentors, or even gadgets to enhance his web-shooting abilities.

This could also be the main reason why many people prefer him compared to Holland and Garfield. However, since he is a natural hero, the lack of technology limited his inventiveness side.

Garfield's Smarter Version

In "The Amazing Spider-Man," Andrew Garfield showed the witty side of Spidey since he was able to create technologies that would enhance his skills and strengthen his webs. Just like the original versions, this Spider-Man also prefers to work alone in most cases.

However, some fans also considered weak since he could not save Gwen Stacy, which Tobey and Holland were able to do.

Holland's Funny Version

Unlike Maguire and Andrew, Tom's Spider-Man version focuses on the funny side of Peter Parker, which is the main reason why Spidey became so popular in the comics.

However, some watchers find it boring since he always relies on Tony Stark, a.k.a Iron-Man, to complete his missions. On the other hand, he even receives gadget enhancers from the playboy billionaire instead of creating them himself.

But, remember, Stan Lee created Spider-Man back in 1962 to entertain teenagers and other younger people. This means that the most appropriate one is Holland's version when it comes to the character himself.

READ NEXT: 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Official Trailer Reveals Major Spoilers: Green Goblin and Doc Ock
The U.S. top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has expressed his support for COVID vaccine mandates for school children amid the spread of the Delta variant.

Fauci told CNN's "State of the Union" program Sunday that mandating the vaccine to children attending schools seems to be "a good idea." The health expert added that they have done requiring vaccinations for decades similar to polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and hepatitis.

Reuters reported that the Chief White House medical adviser said there is a reasonable chance that Pfizer or Moderna vaccines could get clearance for kids under 12 from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before the upcoming holiday season.

Fauci added that the FDA hopefully would be acting quickly on the matter.

READ NEXT: New CDC Study Shows COVID Vaccines Are Less Effective Against Delta Variant

Rising COVID Cases Among School Children

School districts across the country are re-opening and started offering in-person learning. However, many children were sent back home after a huge spike in COVID cases among students.

In Central Florida, several school children are being diagnosed with COVID infection, putting a strain on the resources used to track them in school.

According to Click Orlando, Orange County Public School officials have seen the highest number of new infections this week, with around 2,000 students and staff in quarantine.

The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Orange County noted that 20 percent of the COVID cases this week were children ages five and 14.

Jason Salemi, associate professor of epidemiology at the University of South Florida College of Public Health, said the reason for the uptick in cases in schools was because children are back in school full-time.

Dr. Raul Pino of FDOH said there is no way children can take the shot as many kids are not eligible to be vaccinated. Orange and Lake County school districts in Central Florida were paying overtime to keep the COVID track report updated.

Schools in Los Angeles County also reported an increase of cases among unvaccinated children from 73 per 100,000 in May to 307 cases per 100,000 on August 14.

L.A. County Health Director Barbara Ferrer said the early data on COVID cases on schools are "somewhat sobering," KTLA reported.

L.A. County is seeing high transmission levels, prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to recommend that schools should cancel or hold extracurricular activities virtually unless everyone is fully vaccinated.

Mask mandates have also posed a problem as state officials and school districts battle whether to impose one or not.

Mask Mandates in Schools

According to ABC News, at least nine states have implemented laws or executive orders banning mask mandates in classrooms, namely Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, South Carolina, Iowa, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

A Florida court on August 27 had rejected an effort by state Governor Ron DeSantis and some state officials from imposing mask mandates for children returning to in-person learning.

Judge John C. Cooper had sided with parents and students in schools' districts. The parents argued that the state's constitution requires keeping school children safe and secure, adding that masks would help during a pandemic, The New York Times reported.

Cooper had given an injunction, blocking it from punishing local school boards that imposing mask mandates.

READ MORE: More Than 5,000 Students in a Single Florida School District Quarantined or Isolated Due to COVID

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Dr. Anthony Fauci on Vaccinating Kids Before Returning to School - From CNBC Television






The U.S. military on Sunday launched another drone strike that killed multiple suicide bombers onboard a vehicle before they could allegedly attack the ongoing military evacuation at Kabul's international airport in Afghanistan.

A Defense Department official confirmed the report. The U.S. continues with its effort to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies out of the South Asian country.

The said vehicle reportedly carried multiple suicide bombers from the ISIS-K, the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan. According to Associated Press, Navy Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said the vehicle also carried "a substantial amount of explosive material."

"We are confident we successfully hit the target," Urban noted, adding that a secondary explosion from the vehicle was an indication of the presence of the explosives. The U.S. initially reported that two Islamic State group individuals, who were targeted, were killed.

The drone strike from the military came as the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan announced earlier on Sunday a "specific credible threat" to the airport area, where the suicide bombing happened on Thursday, victimizing some U.S. troops and Afghan nationals.

READ NEXT: Afghanistan: Pres. Joe Biden Vows to Hunt Down Those Responsible for Kabul Attacks That Killed 13 U.S. Service Members

Drone Strike From the U.S. Military Affects Civilians

Despite the successful drone strike operation, civilians from the area where the strike happened were reportedly affected.

According to the New York Times, unnamed Afghans said that the drone strike killed several civilians. Witnesses noted that the strike targeted two car parks located in a residential building near the airport.

A witness named Dina Mohammadi told Associated Press that her extended family resided in the said building and that some of her kin were killed in the attack, including children. The witness did not provide details regarding the names of the casualties.

Meanwhile, district representative Karim claimed that the drone strike started a fire that made it challenging to rescue people from the said building. Karim said he took some of the children and women out of the building.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed that there were casualties in the drone strike. Mujahid noted that they were investigating the reason for the airstrike and the total number of deaths.

Although the death toll of the strike was still unclear, an Afghan official confirmed that three children were reported to be killed in the incident.

Military Conducts Airstrike in Nangahar, Afghanistan

The U.S. carried has already out a drone strike in Nangahar, Afghanistan on Saturday.

The Pentagon said the U.S. military forces conducted an over-the-horizon counterterrorism operation on that day. The Pentagon added that two high-profile ISIS-K targets were killed and injured another.

There were reportedly no civilians affected by the airstrike ordered by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and was authorized by President Joe Biden.

The airstrikes were against the ISIS-K, whose suicide bombing at the Kabul airport Thursday killed at least 170 individuals, including 13 American service members.

As the U.S. withdrawal in Afghanistan comes to a close, the U.S. State Department said on Sunday that as many as 250 Americans remain in the South Asian country, while 280 were still contemplating if they want to stay or leave the nation.

READ MORE: As Joe Biden Admits He Bears Responsibility for Kabul Attacks, Rep. Cawthorn Calls on Kamala Harris to Remove the President

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: U.S. Says Drone Kills Suicide Bombers Targeting Kabul Airport - From Al Jazeera English
After spending much of his day paying tribute to the 13 fallen service members killed in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden snapped at a reporter who tried to ask him regarding the current security at the airport in Kabul on Sunday.

According to Daily Mail, Joe Biden was under intense pressure to defend his handling of the rapid withdrawal of the U.S. forces in Afghanistan after 20 years of conflict.

Joe Biden Refuses to Entertain Question About Afghanistan

Later in the day, the pressure came out after the president returned to Washington, D.C., where he delivered a pep talk to the staff at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the state of Louisiana was battered by Hurricane Ida.

The president clarified during his pep talk that he was not supposed to take any questions but gave the green light to the traveling press pool. However, when a reporter started to ask "on Afghanistan," Joe Biden cut him off.

"I'm not going to answer Afghanistan now," the president snapped.

Joe Biden turned away from the traveling press pool to talk to the members of the FEMA despite the reporter continuing with the question regarding whether he still believed there was still an extreme risk at the airport in Afghanistan's capital.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Slams Pres. Joe Biden for Giving Taliban a 'Kill List,' Says He Kept Taliban Under Control by Using F18s

Joe Biden Pays Respects to U.S. Troops Killed in Suicide Bombing in Afghanistan

After the remains of the fallen army personnel returned to the United States from Afghanistan Sunday, Joe Biden met with the families of the 13 U.S. service members killed in the bombing incident at the Kabul airport last week.

The president and First Lady Jill Biden attended the "dignified transfer" of the fallen soldiers at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The transfer was a military ritual of receiving the remains of service members, who were killed in foreign combat, Associated Press reported.

Joe Biden and his wife watched as the flag-draped cases carrying 11 service members' remains were taken off the military aircraft and placed in awaiting vans. While the sounds of crying could be heard in the background, a woman collapsed and was taken to an ambulance.

Meanwhile, the remains of the two other U.S. military personnel would be transferred in an event that the media was not allowed to cover at the request of their families.

Based on an Al Jazeera report, the U.S. soldiers ranged in age from 20 to 31, which means that some of them were born not long before the U.S. military started its mission in Afghanistan in 2001.

In his statement on Saturday, Joe Biden emphasized that the 13 American soldiers were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of the highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others.

The attack in the Kabul airport on Thursday resulted in the injury and deaths of at least 175 individuals, including dozens of Afghan civilians and U.S. soldiers. The bombing incident was claimed by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), an ISIL (ISIS) affiliate.

READ MORE: [BREAKING] U.S. Military Launches Airstrike Against ISIS-K in Afghanistan, Killing Intended Target

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Joe Biden Pays Respects to 13 U.S. Troops Killed in Kabul Airport Attack - From 6abc Philadelphia
A stepfather, who beat a five-year-old boy to death, and the child's mom were arrested in Florida on Saturday after the boy's body was found in a Colorado ravine.

Nickolle Cristina Aguilar, 25, and her boyfriend, Daniel Garcia, 27, reportedly fled into Central America after dumping the boy's body.

Law & Crime reported that the stepfather was locked up in Miami-Dade County jail, while the mom has been booked in a Palm Beach County jail. The couple was reportedly facing charges of child abuse resulting in the boy's death.

READ NEXT: 'Drake and Josh' Star Drake Bell Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment

Stepfather Beat 5-Year-Old Boy to Death Before His Body Was Dumped in Colorado

According to Crime Online, the boy identified as Domenic Patrick Aguilar-Acevedo died on July 25 in a San Antonio hotel in Texas, a day after his stepfather allegedly threw him against a wall.

A Bexar County arrest affidavit showed that Garcia was seen on surveillance video carrying "what appeared to be a lifeless body out of the room and down the stairway" the following day before the couple left San Antonio.

Aguilar then told investigators that they traveled to Colorado and camped near Fraser, where they buried the boy's body.

The couple then drove south into Mexico and Costa Rica. Nickolle Cristina Aguilar said that's when her mother asked her about the boy and his wellbeing on August 16.

Aguilar admitted to her mother what had happened, and her mother called the San Antonio Police Department and the FBI.

When the authorities interviewed Aguilar, she confirmed her mother's story. She admitted that Daniel Garcia slammed her son into the wall so hard that he started vomiting a dark substance. She said the boy died a short time later.

5-Year-Old Boy's Body Found After a Month in Colorado Ravine

After Aguilar's mom reported to authorities about her daughter's admission, agents went to the campsite on August 25 and found the boy's body in a deep ravine near Fraser in Colorado.

The warrant revealed that the body of the boy was exposed to elements and animal activity. Aguilar and her mother also reportedly go to the campsite "to do the right thing" and give the boy a proper burial.

An autopsy conducted by the Larimer County Coroner's office found evidence of trauma. It prompted warrants to be issued against the stepfather and mom on suspicion of injury to a child resulting in death.

Aguilar told investigators that she did not report her son's death because it might mean losing custody of their other children, as she and Garcia talked about.

She also said she did not intervene while Garcia abused the boy ahead of this death because "she was too eager to be in a relationship."

Other children in the country also experienced the same abuse and neglect. On August 10, James "Alex" Hurley also had the same fate in the hands of his family. The 12-year-old boy was tortured to death. Hurley's grandfather, who took part in the torture, was reported to be sentenced to 100 years imprisonment at a Montana state prison.

A 2019 report revealed that more than 600,000 victims of child abuse were recorded in the U.S.

Over 1,800 were reported to have died from the abuse.

READ MORE: Brazilian Fortnite Gamer Arrested Over Sex Attacks on Children

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Child Abuse Awareness Types, Prevalence, Indicators and Impact - From AllCEUs CounselingEducation
Lake Tahoe in California was threatened by the Caldor Fire, prompting more evacuation around the Tahoe basin on Sunday evening.

The said evacuation was ordered by the fire officials from the state, as the Caldor Fire was reported to be "more aggressive" and continued to traverse toward the lake's waters.

The Caldor Fire broke out on August 14 and is now 19 percent contained by the California firefighters. The said percentage amounts to at least 245 square miles, which is bigger than Chicago. The said wildfire already destroyed more than 600 structures, and at least 18,000 more were placed under threat.

READ NEXT: California to See Worsening Forest Fires for the Next Decade: Study

California: Caldor Fire Challenges Fire Crews

As the Caldor Fire in California continues to set ablaze, it posed challenges to the fire crews who responded to the said wildfire. On Sunday evening, fire crews said the Caldor Fire was "more aggressive" than what they expected.

"Today's been a rough day and there's no bones about it," said Jeff Marsoleis, forest supervisor for El Dorado National Forest, adding that he thought a few days back that the fire crews can stop the eastern progress of the Caldor Fire.

Thick smoke was reported to cover the basin of Lake Tahoe, where tourists would normally come together for the Labor Day holiday, The Hill reported. The fire made the terrain rugged, making crews bring the fire hoses to the areas where spot fires are caused by erratic wind.

Cal Fire Division Chief Eric Schwab noted that the Caldor Fire moves half-mile each day on its perimeter. However, the said wildfire moved 2.5 miles on Sunday.

Furthermore, the fire crews would have to battle the Caldor Fire as Caldor Fire spokesman Isaac Lake said that triple-digit temperatures were expected to hit the state in the next few days.

"It's going to be the hottest day so far since the fire began, and unfortunately, probably the direst," Lake noted.

A weather watch intended for critical fire conditions was issued for Monday and Tuesday at the higher elevations across the Northern Sierra, The Guardian reported.

Lake said the area would be so dry to the point that if the embers blow to the unburned fuel beds, then the "probability of ignition is 90 percent."

As Caldor Fire continue to wreak havoc, fire managers adjusted the predicted date for the full containment of the blaze to September 8.

Other Wildfires in California

Caldor Fire reaching Lake Tahoe in California happened as the state continues to experience wildfires in different areas.

Two structures and a firefighter were injured in the Chaparral Fire that charred at least 2.3 square miles along the border of San Diego and Riverside counties. The Chaparral Fire was reported to be 10 percent contained on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the second-largest wildfire in California, Dixie Fire, continues to wreak havoc and charred at least 1,193 square miles of land. The said wildfire destroyed about 700 homes. Dixie Fire was reported to be 48 percent contained as of Sunday.

In total, California wildfires destroyed around 2,000 structures. More than 15,000 firefighters were dispatched around the state to battle more than a dozen large fires.

READ MORE: Redwood Trees in California State Park Shows Signs of Life Following Wildfires

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Wildfire Analyst Warns Caldor Fire Could Still Reach Tahoe Basin - From NBC Bay Area
With the support of the Specialized Port Security Corps, the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) in the Dominican Republic recently seized 57 packages of cocaine during an interdiction operation carried out in the Port of Haina Oriental, Santo Domingo Oeste municipality.

According to Dominican Today, after several hours of intense search by the DNCD officers using high-tech equipment, the Dominican Republic officials found the concealed cocaine in a double compartment in one of the containers and thwarted the shipment of the drug.

57 Packages of Cocaine Seized in Dominican Republic

During the inspection of the DNCD officers and military personnel on dozens of containers that would be shipped to Philadelphia, United States, they discovered that the container was customized to have a double compartment to avoid the drugs being seen by the naked eye.

The Dominican Republic authorities found a double bottom in the lower front part, specifically under the floor, which was made of tola or plywood. The customized compartment hid 40 packages on the left side and 17 extra packages on the right side for a total of 57 packages of cocaine.

Based on the press statement of the Dominican authorities, they said they have redoubled on the interdiction operations in recent weeks. The effort has allowed them to continue discovering new ways of drug trafficking networks in getting the drugs out of the country. The release further noted that the drug traffickers targeted Europe and the United States as their drop-off points.

The Public Ministry and the DNCD are currently expanding the investigative process in the case. Dominican authorities are now keeping the two men who were under arrest during the investigation and search.

Authorities expect more arrests as the process progressed. Based on the examination conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), the analysis came out that the 57 packages which weighed 58.46 kilograms were cocaine.

READ NEXT: 3 Gulf Cartel Gunmen Burned Alive Inside Vehicle After Being Struck Head on by Police Car in Mexico

Costa Rican Authorities Seize 4.3 Tons of Cocaine; 2nd Biggest Drug Bust in Costa Rican History

In July, the Costa Rican police recorded their second-largest drug bust. Costa Rican authorities in the Central American nation seized 4.3 tons of cocaine. Authorities stated that the drugs were originally produced by drug cartels in Colombia.

The Security Ministry of Costa Rica said the Colombian shipment of cocaine was transported in a container loaded with ceramic floor tiling aboard a commercial ship.

The shipment arrived at the port of Moin in Costa Rica and was discovered from the Caribbean port of Turbo in Colombia, U.S. News reported.

So far, Costa Rican Security Minister, Michael Soto, said they had seized close to 40 tons of marijuana and cocaine seizures in the country this year. The security minister noted that they were hoping to surpass the numbers that they had confiscated last year.

READ MORE: Tijuana Cartel Boss Eduardo Arellano Felix Rearrested in Mexico After Deported From U.S.

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Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Dominican Republic Drug Trafficking Cartel News Today - From Dominican Republic News
The government of Peru confirmed that at least 11 individuals were killed in a boat accident in the country's Amazon on Sunday.

The Peruvian government said the boat accident also left several others missing, while six were reported injured. The tragic incident in the Peruvian Amazon happened at around 4.20 a.m. (local time) at the Huallaga River, a tributary of the Amazon river, situated in Muyuna.

READ NEXT: Peru Massacre: 14 People Killed Weeks Before Presidential Elections

Peru Boat Accident in Amazon: Children Among the Victims

The boat accident, which involved the wooden passenger vehicle, Ayachi, hit a freight barge amid early morning fog. The force caused the Ayachi to capsize.

Peru's National Institute of Civil Defense said there were still several "undetermined" missing persons who had boarded the boat. Up to 70 people were feared to have drowned, and at least 20 children were believed to be included in the incident's death toll, The Irish Sun reported.

A survivor said there were about 20 children on the Ayachi boat. The boat collected at least 80 people at around 1 a.m. who had gathered for a vigil at their New Jerusalem church. Another survivor said Ayachi was slowly sailing on the river to avoid collision due to the thick fog.

"It was dark. Nothing was visible," said the unnamed survivor who lost his wife and seven-year-old son in the accident. He added that they fell into the water seconds after their boat was struck by a barge carrying oil with no lights.

The survivor also shared that most of the victims do not know how to swim. He said they were under the boat but managed to get out.

The passengers reportedly belonged to a religious community returning to the town of Yurimaguas after a night vigil. The said vigil happened at a secluded hamlet in the jungle of Santa Maria.

Al Jazeera reported that local television footage showed survivors crying on the riverbanks as authorities carried some of the victims' bodies away from the site.

Firefighters, police officers, and sailors were asked to search for those who disappeared. The Irish Sun reported that local people also offered their help to locate the missing victims of the boat accident.

Other Boat Accidents in Peru

It was not the first time that Peru witnessed a fatal boat accident. In July 2009, at least 20 people, including children, died when two boats crashed in the Ucayali River. The said accident happened near San Jose de Panache, a small town in Peru's Amazon rainforest.

The boats that crashed into each other were reported to come from Pucallpa and were both heading to Iquitos, a city located in Northeastern Peru.

Authorities did not provide other details regarding the incident. But two survivors reportedly have been brought to Puerto Callao after they were rescued from the said river.

READ MORE: Peru Adjusts COVID Death Toll, Now the Worst Rate per Capita Globally

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Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: How to Survive a Sinking Ship - From How to Survive
A dad of three, who spent six weeks in a coma after a serious motorbike accident, has fundraised 4,100 for St John's Ambulance.

Martin Cross believes his life was saved by a St John's Ambulance volunteer, and wanted to highlight the amazing work they do.

To show his appreciation, Martin Cross organised a bike run to raise funds for this valuable service on Saturday.

Setting out from Mondello Park at 12.30pm, the bike convoy made its way through Sallins, Clane, Kilcock, Summerhill, Trim, Ballivor, Kinnegad and finished up at the Kinnegad Plaza.

The Blackwood native suffered major injuries after he was involved in the motorbike accident outside Mondello Park on August 27, 2019. He is still not back at work, but is nearing a full recovery.

Martin thanked everybody involved in any way in the fundraising event, including the management and staff of Mondello, Londis in Summerhill, Kinnegad Plaza as well as Naas Gardai.

He also wanted to show his appreciation to other road users for their patience along the route.

"Laura, a volunteer from St John's Ambulance service was traveling from her parent's home back to Dublin when she came across the accident. The road was blocked so she walked up to see what had happened. Luckily she stopped people from moving me and saved my life. The people there were only trying to help, but that would have been the worst thing to do," said Martin, who had shattered his pelvis in two.

"She stayed with me for half an hour until the ambulance came. She was brilliant. She is a volunteer and she works in IT but she has trained up to paramedic level and also trains other volunteers."

Motorbikes involved in the run made voluntary donation and collection buckets were positioned at Summerhill and the Kinnegad Plaza station during the stops. A question and answer session on how to handle similar emergency situations was run by the St John's Ambulance volunteers at both locations. All money raised will go to the Dundrum St John's Ambulance service to help pay for equipment and training.

"It's important not to move someone after an accident like that unless their life is in immediate danger, and the volunteers will be able to explain what to do and what not to do in similar situations," said Martin.
The Defence Forces have returned to the Curragh Camp after the Irish evacuation mission that successfully evacuated 26 Irish citizens and residents from the besieged city of Kabul.

The Emergency Civil Assistance Team (ECAT), which included members of the Defence Forces Special Operations Forces unit, the Army Ranger Wing (ARW), was deployed alongside diplomats from the Department of Foreign Affairs to Hamid Karzai International Airport on Tuesday.

On deployment the team secured the DFA personnel on the ground, liaised with key actors in the airport and assisted DFA in the processing and evacuation of identified Irish citizens/dependents, a spokesperson for the Defence Forces said.

The team were also on standby to provide medical assistance if required," they added.

The teams deployment and recovery were supported by both the Irish Air Corps and Partner Nation aircraft.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said the team are now safely home on Irish soil.

In total, 36 Irish citizens or residents have been safely evacuated since the Taliban took hold of the city but at least 60 Irish citizens, and 15 Afghan citizens who are normally resident in Ireland, remain stuck in the country.
Leading Irish discount retailer, Dealz has confirmed it has an Irish investment fund of 20 million earmarked for store expansion in the Republic of Ireland over the next three years.

The group is actively exploring opportunities across Ireland, particularly within smaller, regional areas including Leitrim, Galway, Donegal, Mayo, Tipperary, Wicklow, Meath, Kildare, Kerry, Clare, Louth, Sligo, Limerick and Waterford, as well as suburbs of Dublin.

Opening stores over the next three years in those locations could create 500-750 new roles.

From opening its first store in 2011, Dealz has built a network of 78 stores across Ireland offering customers a wide selection of over 1,000 well-known top brands and established own label products.

As the retailer enters its second decade in Ireland, the investment will support the countrys recovery from the pandemic.

Over half of Dealz Irish stores now have PEP&CO shop-in-shops offering customers a full range of womens, mens and kids fashion. Prices at PEP&CO start at 1.50 with almost 60 per cent of items at 5 or less. Whats more, more Irish stores are set to get a PEP&CO makeover.Over the coming weeks, Dealz stores in Dublin (Liffey Street), Cavan, Castleisland and Wexford, will have new or extended PEP&CO departments.

Barry Williams, Managing Director at Poundland & Dealz said: We know Irish customers love their local Dealz stores and thats why were excited to bring our best offer to more communities across Ireland. And we think the value we bring customers has never been more important.

Our investment fund will support that growth with new stores in key locations and the creation of good jobs where colleagues can build careers.

In Cavan, the customer demand for clothing has led to Dealz doubling the size of its PEP&CO department to better serve customers.

While the Dealz brand was born in Ireland, in part inspired by its success here, it now operates across Europe, currently trading from over 200 locations in the Republic of Ireland, Spain and Poland.

Dealz and Poundland are now part of Pepco Group, which has over 3,300 stores across Europe and recently (May 2021) floated on the Warsaw stock market and is valued in the region of 7 billion.
DISCOUNT retailer Dealz says it's 'actively exploring' expansion opportunities in Limerick and across the country.

The retailer, which currently operates three stores in Limerick city, has earmarked a 20m investment fund to an expansion of its current store network in Ireland over the next three years.

From opening its first store in 2011, Dealz has built a network of 78 stores across Ireland offering customers a wide selection of over 1,000 well-known top brands and established own label products.

Over the coming weeks, a number of Dealz stores (Dublin, Cavan, Kerry and Wexford) will have new or extended PEP&CO departments.

Commenting on the expansion plans, which will see up to 700 jobs being created, Barry Williams, Managing Director at Poundland & Dealz said: We know Irish customers love their local Dealz stores and thats why were excited to bring our best offer to more communities across Ireland. Our investment fund will support that growth with new stores in key locations and the creation of good jobs where colleagues can build careers.

The retailer says it is is working with property agents Cushman & Wakefield and its local legal team at William Fry as it seeks to progress its expansion plans.

Muireann Griffin, Associate Director, Cushman & Wakefield in Dublin commented, We are pleased to represent Dealz in their continued expansion in Ireland. This significant investment is a positive news story for the retail sector on the back of what has been a turbulent time and shows Dealz sustained commitment and confidence in the sector.

Brian O'Callaghan, Head of Retail and Leisure Group at William Fry added: "Dealz ongoing investment in Ireland is a clear indication of its commitment to retail in Ireland and shows its confidence in the future of the sector. William Fry are delighted to act on behalf of Dealz and look forward to continuing to assist in expanding Dealz presence in Ireland.

Dealz and Poundland are part of Pepco Group, which has over 3,300 stores across Europe.
OPEC+ is likely to keep its oil output policy unchanged when the group meets on Wednesday and continue with its planned modest production increase, three OPEC+ sources told Reuters.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, collectively known as OPEC+, will meet on Sept. 1 to discuss the previously agreed increase of 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) for the next several months.

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has urged OPEC and its allies to boost oil output to tackle rising gasoline prices that it views as a threat to the global economic recovery.

On Monday, Brent was down 16 cents or 0.2% at $72.54 a barrel by 0654 GMT. It rose more than 11% last week in anticipation of disruptions to oil production from Hurricane Ida.

But the OPEC+ sources said the recent rise in oil prices was temporary, driven mainly by disruption of supply in Mexico and the severe storm hitting the U.S. Gulf Coast over the weekend.

"Current oil prices around $70 are okay. OPEC+ is likely to continue as planned with the increase of 400,000 bpd," said one source.

Another OPEC+ said it was "very likely" that the 400,000 bpd increase would go ahead from September.

Kuwait oil minister Mohammad al-Fares on Sunday told Reuters that this week OPEC+ would discuss whether it would continue with its planned increase or reconsider it and halt the rise adding that economies of East Asian countries and China were still affected by COVID-19 and caution should be exercised.

He later told state news agency KUNA that Kuwait supports any decision taken by OPEC+ ministers based on consensus.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

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Karnataka government on Monday decided to ease night curfew regulations imposed in the state due to Covid-19 in most areas except four districts, which are sharing its borders with Kerala.

State Revenue Minister R Ashok said that in meeting chaired by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, it was decided that night curfew would be relaxed in all areas except Kodagu, Hassan, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, which share borders with Kerala, which is reporting a high COVID caseload, reported news agency ANI.

Moreover, the state also tightened the quarantine rules for passengers from Kerala. In a fresh order, Ashok said that one week institutional quarantine and testing after seven days, irrespective of vaccination or negative RTPCR report, is compulsory for people coming from Kerala.

The Karnataka government had earlier decided to delegate to district authorities the power to formulate Covid containment measures instead of imposing a statewide curfew.

Along with this, the existing guidelines  night curfew across the state and weekend curfew in border districts  were also ordered to continue.

Earlier, Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner K V Rajendra said had said that restrictions on the movement of people enforced at the border with Kerala will continue as there has been no change in the Covid-19 situation in Kerala.

Giving a clarification on reports claiming that the Centre has lifted the requirement of RT-PCR certificates to cross the border, he said the Karnataka government's order mandating the RT-PCR test negative certificates for those coming to DK from Kerala is still in force. The order is meant to contain the spread of Covid-19 and the district administration will continue to implement the same, he said. Rajendra said more than 30,000 new Covid cases are being reported from Kerala daily and the test positivity rate in neighbouring Kasaragod district is around 12 per cent.

In Dakshina Kannada, the positivity rate has been brought down to around 2 with a lot of effort and lifting of border restrictions will be like letting in new cases from Kerala. Though it is difficult to implement, the district has no other option than making the RT-PCR certificate mandatory, he said. The test positivity rate in Dakshina Kannada district came down to 1.81 per cent on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Karnataka on Monday reported 973 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths, taking the total number of infections to 29,48,228 and death toll to 37,293, the health department said. The day also saw 1,324 discharges, taking the total number of recoveries to 28,92,517.

Bengaluru Urban recorded 264 new cases as the city saw 261 discharges and three deaths. Active cases stood at 18,392. While the positivity rate for the day stood at 0.64 per cent, case fatality rate (CFR) was at 1.54 per cent.

Three deaths each were reported from Bengaluru Urban, Belagavi and Udupi, while one each from Chikkaballapura, Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Shivamogga and Tumakuru (1). After Bengaluru Urban, Dakshina Kannada reported the highest number of new cases at 193, Udupi 98, Hassan 74 and Mysuru 73.

Bengaluru Urban district tops the list of positive cases, with a total of 12,37,550, followed by Mysuru 1,75,952 and Tumakuru 1,19,220. Among discharges too, Bengaluru Urban tops the list with 12,14,220, followed by Mysuru 1,72,618 and Tumakuru 1,17,475. Cumulatively a total of 4,33,45,881 samples have been tested, of which 1,51,219 were tested on Monday alone

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Afghan militants fired rockets at Kabuls airport as the U.S. rushed to complete its evacuation mission in Afghanistan before Tuesdays deadline to leave the country, with U.S. counter-rocket defenses deployed to intercept them.

While no group claimed immediate responsibility for Mondays rocket attack, the U.S. has repeatedly warned of imminent threats by Islamic State. The Taliban are coordinating with the U.S. military during the handover.

The assault marks the latest upsurge in violence in the final days of the U.S.s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan. It followed a U.S. drone strike Sunday that targeted suspected Islamic State suicide bombers who the Pentagon said sought to attack the airport, and a suicide bombing last week that killed 13 U.S. service members and more than 200 Afghan civilians.

President Biden, briefed on the rocket attack, has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritize doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground," the White House said. Flight operations at the U.S.-controlled airport continued uninterrupted, it added.

The U.S. military is expected to perform its last evacuations of civilians from the country on Monday, its last full day in Afghanistan, before remaining service members leave on Tuesday and hand full control of the airport to the Taliban.

The stepped-up attacks have prompted the U.S. to turn evacuees away from the airport, leaving thousands stranded in Kabul. On Sunday, hundreds of students of the American University of Afghanistan boarded buses at designated points in Kabul with plans to go to the airport. But after waiting for several hours, with more attacks deemed imminent, officials decided to abandon the operation.

The extreme high risk at the gates is the reason for this decision," Dr. Arni Arnthorsson, vice president of student and institutional affairs for the university, wrote in an email to students under the subject line operation canceled." We will not be allowed into the airport."

An Afghanistan-based affiliate of Islamic State claimed responsibility for last weeks bombing at the airport. Mondays rocket attack was launched from a Kabul neighborhood near the airport, using a vehicle that was modified into a rocket launcher, according to local news reports.

The launch apparently set the car on fire, and photos posted by local media showed a burned-out chassis with launcher tubes in the back of the vehicle.

After its departure from Afghanistan, the U.S. has reserved the right to strike at terrorists there from bases outside the country.

Pentagon officials said the drone strike was aimed at a vehicle carrying suspected suicide bombers. The U.S. believed it successfully struck the vehicle, but couldnt say how many bombers were hit.

A senior Afghan health official, who also worked with the U.S.-backed government, said the Sunday strike killed five civilians and hit a house.

In a statement, U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for military operations in Afghanistan, said it was aware of reports of civilian deaths and was still assessing the results of this strike."

We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties," Centcom said. It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further."

The Pentagon initially had said it wasnt aware of civilian deaths from the strike.

The Biden administration said it remained committed to Afghanistan after Tuesdays final withdrawal, even as the U.S. presence faded fast amid mounting security concerns.

Americas final exit from Afghanistan raises the prospect that thousands of Afghans who worked alongside American forces, diplomats and humanitarian groups could be left behind. It also compromises the international communitys ability to protect women and girls and certain religious minorities, which are considered particularly vulnerable to persecution by the Taliban regime.

On Sunday, Mr. Biden and first lady Jill Biden met with the grieving Gold Star families of the 13 service members who were killed in last weeks suicide bombing. The families were at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the arrival of their loved ones remains, and the president, Dr. Biden, top military leaders and members of the national security team were at the airfield as troops removed the transfer cases from the military aircraft.

Later in the day, at a briefing on Hurricane Ida at the Federal Emergency Management Agencys headquarters, Mr. Biden spoke briefly about the deceased and their families.

While were praying for the best in Louisiana, lets keep them in our prayers as well," Mr. Biden said. He declined to take questions on Afghanistan.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text

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After decades of hewing to Deng Xiaopings maxim that it is OK for some people to become wealthy first, Beijing suddenly seems more inclined to eat its richor at least take a healthy nibble out of their fortunes.

Following the high-profile crackdown on tech firms like Alibaba and Meituan, an Aug. 17 speech from President Xi Jinping on common prosperity" caught investors attention. Mr. Xi called for rationally adjusting" excessive incomes and for high-income individuals and companies to contribute more to society. He also called for more aggressive measures to expand the middle class and the social safety net, including health and elderly care.

China has long been one of the most unequal major economies in the world, with one common measure of income inequality, the Gini coefficient, at 0.465 in 2019 according to official data out of a possible 1.0. Wealth inequality is higher: The top 1% hold 30.6% of the countrys wealth according to Credit Suisse data, below the U.S. at 35.3% but well above the U.K., Japan and Italy.

But rapidly falling birthrates, the coronavirus pandemic and its aftermath have made inequality tougher to ignore. The political stumbles and anticompetitive practices of tech titans like Alibaba and Tencent have also handed Mr. Xi a convenient target for the publics ire. As a result, high-net-worth individuals and internet tech firms could come under further pressure to donate" resources to social causes and find their tax rates rising. Chinas long-mooted property tax could finally become a reality, although that is less certain.

Beijings response to the pandemic focused on loan forbearance for businesses and goosing credit growth rather than direct support for households as in the West. That helped small businesses survive and positioned China well for rebounding exports. But it also meant a big income loss for average households and even more debt as housing prices headed skyward again. The climb in Chinas household debt over the past half-decade has been among the most impressive in recent global history: one reason consumption has remained stubbornly weak this year, even as income growth has finally rebounded.

The weak recovery in serviceswhere most college students head after graduationhas also further exacerbated already high youth joblessness: Surveyed unemployment among the 16 to 24 set, which averaged 11% in 2018 and 2019, has since then averaged 14%. Demographic changes are making the problem worse: About half of the newly available labor force every year are now college graduates, according to HSBC. Chinas rising population of graduates is often cited as a key advantage, but if structural economic problems mean there arent enough suitable jobs, it could end up as a major source of discontent instead.

In this context, Beijings decision to paint big, fast-growing tech companies as the villain looks risky. The IT, software and finance industries have experienced by far the largest private sector salary growth since 2008, according to HSBCroughly quadrupling to around 80,000 yuan, the equivalent of $12,360, annually in 2019. Those are also the two sectors that employ the most new graduates of Tsinghua, one of Chinas top two universities, according to the bank. Cracking down hard on fast-growing, highly remunerative sectors is one way to deal with inequality. But it is unlikely to do much to salve the anxiety of ambitious young gradsespecially if prospective internet entrepreneurs are scared away, rather than encouraged, by the wide-ranging assault.

Tech giants clearly have received the message that they are expected to give back more. On Tuesday, internet commerce firm Pinduoduo reported its first quarterly profit since listing in 2018. It also said it would donate it all$374 millionto support agriculture and rural areas, and would do the same with any future profit up to a total of 10 billion yuan. Its shares rose 22% that day. On Aug. 18, Tencent pledged to contribute 50 billion yuan, the equivalent of $7.73 billion, to low-income groups, basic healthcare and educationon top of a separate 50 billion yuan charitable pledge in April. Meituan founder Wang Xingdonated 10% of his stake in the food-delivery company to his philanthropic foundation in June.

All of this might indeed help to a certain extent with issues like rural povertybut it also looks like a convenient way for the government to shift the political and financial burden of dealing with social problems to private actors, forcing them to act more like state-owned enterprises, without necessarily addressing the deep structural roots of inequality and scarce opportunities for good jobs.

Chinas public revenue system, which relies heavily on value-added taxes and mandatory contributions to social insurance funds, is extraordinarily regressive. Effective tax rates at the lower end of the income distribution can be above 40% according to a 2020 blog post by Brad Setser, formerly of the Council on Foreign Relations. Chinas household registration system, which in many cases still ties benefits to a persons place of birth, often in small cities or the countryside, making it harder for workers to chase the best jobs. And low fixed deposit rates systematically transfer wealth from households to big banks that often lend to state-owned enterprises rather than the private firms responsible for most job growth.

Fundamentally, China needs a better-funded social safety net not tied to a certain location, and a financial sector that is less unfair to small businesses and households, if it really wants to fight inequality and keep young graduates employed. Foisting the blame on the tech sector without undertaking tougher fiscal overhauls, on the other hand, looks a lot like trying to have your cake and eat it too.

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A US drone struck a car packed with explosives in a residential area of Kabul on Sunday, a U.S. official said, as the massive international airlift out of Afghanistan was entering its final hours.

The Kabul air strike came three days after an Islamic State suicide bombing at the citys airport killed 13 American troops and nearly 200 Afghans. It followed another drone strike against an alleged Islamic State planner in the eastern province of Nangarhar.

The Afghan capital was on high alert on Sunday for possible terrorist attacks. President Biden on Saturday said his military commanders informed him that another attack in Afghanistan is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours."

Meanwhile, tensions ran high in the city as the countrys banks opened for the first time under new Taliban rule, allowing only small withdrawals to customers who crowded outside branches.

Afghans were told Sunday that there was no longer any hope of getting a seat on a military flight out of the country. Americas allies have already ceased air evacuations, and the remaining U.S. efforts focused on airlifting American citizens and their children and spouses.

Some private evacuation flights were still attempting to travel to Kabul, but it was unknown if they would be able to continue once the last U.S. forces in the country withdraw on Tuesday.

On Sunday morning, dozens of families were making last-ditch efforts to enter the Kabul airport, despite U.S. Embassy warnings of another attack in the area. The families had been told to board buses at a designated rallying point in the capital, with minimal luggage because of limitations on space.

Many were frightened when the buses didnt leave even after the U.S. Embassy warned another attack was imminent. Some 200 Afghans and 13 American troops were killed in an Islamic State suicide bombing at the airports Abbey Gate on Thursday.

Due to a specific, credible threat, U.S. citizens near Kabul airport, including South gate, new Ministry of the Interior, and gate near Panjshir Petrol station, should leave the area immediately. Avoid traveling to the airport at this time," the embassy tweeted.

Hours later, there was still no information on whether the gates were sealed for good, or if there was any chance of making it through. The families included U.S. citizens, permanent residents and Afghans with visas in process for helping the U.S. during the war.

None got in," said one person involved in the operation. The gates remained closed due to critical threat info. People were going absolutely nuts."

French President Emmanuel Macron said that France is drafting a plan to create a safe zone in Kabul monitored by the United Nations that would allow evacuations and humanitarian operations to continue after Tuesdays deadline.

France and the U.K. are planning to submit the plan to the United Nations Security Council when it meets Monday, Mr. Macron said in an interview with the French publication Le Journal du Dimanche.

We still have on our lists several thousand Afghans who we want to protect, who are at risk because of their activitiesmagistrates, artists, intellectualsbut also many other people who have been reported by relatives and who we are told are at risk," Mr. Macron said. And then there are many women who have been educated over the past 20 years, especially in the cities, and who must be helped to escape repression."

Mr. Macron said his government wants to organize humanitarian operations that would use the civilian airport of Kabul or facilities in neighboring countries.

This is also one of the preconditions that we set for any relationship with the Taliban, that is to say the ability of the allies to complete their humanitarian operations," he said.

The rush on banks revealed the economic challenge that could pose an early threat to Afghanistans new rulers as they struggle to keep the lights on in a state that has been gutted by four decades of war, a fresh exodus of government officials and professionals, and the recent disconnection from the global financial system.

Bank customers in Kabul queued before dawn to withdraw cash, but said they were told that they could only take out $200 a week per customer. The central bank has also ordered Afghan banks to limit withdrawals from ATMs outside the country to $150 a day, a branch manager of a private bank in Kabul said.

He added that the Taliban-controlled central bank had warned private banks that they would face serious action" if anyone violated the withdrawal policy.

The Taliban last week appointed Haji Mohammad Idris, who is said to have no formal financial training but has acted in senior financial positions in the movement, as the new governor of the central bank.

The former central bank chief, Ajmal Ahmady, fled when the Taliban rolled into Kabul on Aug. 15. According to Mr. Ahmady, the Taliban can access only 0.1% to 0.2% of the central banks reserves of $9 billion, because most of the banks assets are held in the U.S.

Afghanistans new Taliban administration can expect to be squeezed by international pressure. About 75% of the previous governments expenses were footed by international partners, chiefly the U.S. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund suspended operations in Afghanistan after the Taliban toppled the Afghan republic on Aug. 15. Prices for food staples and fuel have already soared.

Since taking power, the Taliban have sought to persuade technocrats and officials linked to the deposed government to stay in their positions. Some, including the mayor of Kabul, remained in their jobs.

But many public servants, who for years were considered legitimate targets by the Taliban and saw their colleagues killed in daylight assassinations, appear reluctant to return to work, either due to fear of the militants or because they dont expect to be paid. Many ministries and other government institutions are now manned by a skeleton staff. These public servants account for a large share of the 110,000 people flown out of Afghanistan by the international airlift in the past two weeks.

The whole system collapsed and many government employees fled to other countries," said Qasem, an employee of the ministry of commerce and industry in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif who asked to be quoted by first name only for security reasons.

Out of 15 or 20 employees in each department, I see two or three of them present at work. I personally go to work and sign the attendance sheet and leave because there is no work to do and, more importantly, I dont feel secure in terms of my life and my financial situation," he said.

As the evacuation flights come to an end, growing numbers of Afghans are beginning to travel overland to Pakistan, which has special immigration rules for Afghans leaving in border areas, such as Kandahar.

One Afghan man who recently fled from his northern hometown of Mazar-e-Sharif via Kabul to Spin Boldak on the Pakistani border said bus fares had tripled, and accommodation was hard to come by.

The hotels had no space. We slept on the streets," he said.

Once he made it to the border, the crowds were immense. People who tried to cross the border were either beaten by the Taliban or Pakistani border guards, unless their identification papers showed they were from Kandahar, in which case the Pakistanis let them through, the man said. The beatings resulted in stampedes, he said, adding the sick people and children were the ones who got trampled the most."

Desperate to cross, he said he persuaded family members in Kandahar to give him their identification and managed to get through.

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The impacts of climate change are here with soaring temperatures, stronger hurricanes, intensified floods and a longer and more severe wildfire season. Scientists warn that ignoring climate change will yield "untold suffering" for humanity. But if things are going to get that much worse, could climate change make humans go extinct?

Scientists predict a range of devastating scenarios if climate change is not kept under control, but if we just consider the direct impacts, then there's some good news; it's unlikely to cause our extinction.

"There is no evidence of climate change scenarios that would render human beings extinct," Michael Mann, a distinguished professor of atmospheric science at Penn State and author of "The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet " (PublicAffairs, 2021), told Live Science in an email.

However, it's possible that climate change will still threaten the lives of hundreds of millions of people, such as by leading to food and water scarcity, which has the potential to trigger a societal collapse and set the stage for global conflict, research finds.

Related: Could we ever pull enough carbon out of the atmosphere to stop climate change?

Too hot to handle?

Humans are increasing the amount of greenhouse gases , such as carbon dioxide and methane, in the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels and other activities. These gases trap and hold heat from the sun, causing global temperatures to rise and the climate to change much faster than it otherwise would, putting humanity on a dangerous path.

A runaway greenhouse effect is probably the only way climate change impacts could directly cause human extinction, according to Luke Kemp, a research associate at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. This effect happens when a planet is caught in an unstoppable, positive feedback loop of warming and absorbs more heat than it loses, until the planet's oceans evaporate and it can no longer sustain life.

Fortunately, the runaway greenhouse effect is not a plausible climate change scenario on Earth. For the effect to occur, a planet needs carbon dioxide levels of a couple of thousand parts per million (Earth has a little over 400 parts per million) or a huge release of methane, and there isn't evidence for that at this time, Brian Kahn, a research scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, told NASA in 2018.

Venus has the runaway greenhouse effect, but it is much closer to the sun and has a much thicker, carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere that traps more heat than Earth's, Live Science previously reported . The science doesnt support the notion of runaway warming scenarios, although climate doomists often make such claims, Mann said. "Theres no reason to exaggerate the climate threat. The truth is bad enough, and reason enough to take dramatic action."

A fish-eye lens photo of Earth from space. (Image credit: Getty / Nuttawut Uttamaharad / EyeEm)

According to Mann, a global temperature increase of 5.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) or more could lead to a collapse of our societal infrastructure and massive unrest and conflict, which, in turn, could lead to a future that resembles some Hollywood dystopian films.

One way climate change could trigger a societal collapse is by creating food insecurity. Warming the planet has a range of negative impacts on food production, including increasing the water deficit and thereby reducing food harvests, Live Science previously reported . Food production losses can increase human deaths and drive economic loss and socio-political instability, among other factors, that may trigger a breakdown of our institutions and increase the risk of a societal collapse, according to a study published Feb. 21 in the journal Climatic Change .

Related: Has the Earth ever been this hot before?

Past extinctions and collapses

Kemp studies previous civilization collapses and the risk of climate change. Extinctions and catastrophes almost always involve multiple factors, he said, but he thinks if humans were to go extinct, climate change would likely be the main culprit.

"If I'm to say, what do I think is the biggest contributor to the potential for human extinction going towards the future? Then climate change, no doubt," Kemp told Live Science.

All of the major mass-extinction events in Earth's history have involved some kind of climatic change, according to Kemp. These events include cooling during the Ordovician- Silurian extinction about 440 million years ago that wiped out 85% of species, and warming during the Triassic - Jurassic extinction about 200 million years ago that killed 80% of species, Live Science previously reported. And more recently, climate change affected the fate of early human relatives.

While Homo sapiens are obviously not extinct, "we do have a track record of other hominid species going extinct, such as Neanderthals ," Kemp said. "And in each of these cases, it appears that again, climatic change plays some kind of role."

Scientists don't know why Neanderthals went extinct about 40,000 years ago, but climatic fluctuations seem to have broken their population up into smaller, fragmented groups, and severe changes in temperature affected the plants and animals they relied on for food, according to the Natural History Museum in London. Food loss, driven by climate change, may have also led to a tiny drop in Neanderthal fertility rates, contributing to their extinction, Live Science previously reported .

A male Neanderthal replicate at the Natural History Museum, London. (Image credit: Chettaprin.P/Shutterstock.com)

Climate change has also played a role in the collapse of past human civilizations. A 300-year-long drought , for example, contributed to the downfall of ancient Greece about 3,200 years ago. But Neanderthals disappearing and civilizations collapsing do not equal human extinction. After all, humans have survived climate fluctuations in the past and currently live all over the world despite the rise and fall of numerous civilizations.

Homo sapiens have proven themselves to be highly adaptable and able to cope with many different climates, be they hot, cold, dry or wet. We can use resources from many different plants and animals and share those resources, along with information, to help us survive in a changing world, according to the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History .

Related: How would just 2 degrees of warming change the planet?

Today, we live in a global, interconnected civilization, but there's reason to believe our species could survive its collapse. A study published on July 21 in the journal Sustainability identified countries most likely to survive a global societal collapse and maintain their complex way of life. Five island countries, including New Zealand and Ireland, were chosen as they could remain habitable through agriculture, thanks to their relatively cool temperatures, low weather variability and other factors that make them more resilient to climate change.

New Zealand would be expected to hold up the best with other favorable conditions, including a low population, large amounts of good quality agricultural land and reliable, domestic energy. So, even if climate change triggers a global civilization collapse, humans will likely be able to keep going, at least in some areas.

Turning on ourselves

The last scenario to consider is climate-driven conflict. Kemp explained that in the future, a scarcity of resources that diminish because of climate change could potentially create conditions for wars that threaten humanity. "There's reasons to be concerned that as water resources dry up and scarcity becomes worse, and the general conditions of living today become much, much worse, then suddenly, the threat of potential nuclear war becomes much higher," Kemp said.

Put another way, climate change impacts might not directly cause humans to go extinct, but it could lead to events that seriously endanger hundreds of millions, if not billions, of lives. A 2019 study published in the journal Science Advances found that a nuclear conflict between just India and Pakistan, with a small fraction of the world's nuclear weapons, could kill 50 million to 125 million people in those two countries alone. Nuclear war would also change the climate, such as through temperature drops as burning cities fill the atmosphere with smoke, threatening food production worldwide and potentially causing mass starvation.

What's next?

While avoiding complete extinction doesn't sound like much of a climate change silver lining, there is reason for hope. Experts say it isn't too late to avoid the worst-case scenarios with significant cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.

"It is up to us," Mann said. "If we fail to reduce carbon emissions substantially in the decade ahead, we are likely committed to a worsening of already dangerous extreme weather events, inundation of coastlines around the world due to melting ice and rising sea level, more pressure on limited resources as a growing global population competes for less food, water and space due to climate change impacts. If we act boldly now, we can avoid the worst impacts."

Originally published on Live Science.
The causes of the ancient settlers' deaths are not yet known.

Skeletons excavated from a 6,000-year-old Transylvanian cemetery were buried in an usual manner; the deceased had urns placed over their skulls or feet, likely as offerings for the afterlife.

Archaeologists recently found the unique burials during an excavation ahead of a construction project in Cluj-Napoca, the historic capital of Transylvania. Although archaeologists don't know exactly what the urns contained, it's likely that they held food or drink  basically, nourishment that could be consumed by the dead during their passage to the next world, according to the prevailing guess among archaeologists.

The site, a more than 10,000-square foot (930-square meters) area containing numerous graves, was discovered by two distinct settlements: one from the Neolithic, or New Stone Age, dating to 6,000 years ago and a later, Celtic settlement that was built on top of it 2,200 years ago.

Related: Real-life 'Game of Thrones' tale told in medieval scroll

Follow-up analyses will reveal the sexes of those in the burials, as well as how old they were and whether they had any diseases.

"Their story must be told, revealed, through such excavations," Paul Pupeza, an archaeologist at the National Museum of Transylvanian History who helped excavate the remains, told gherlaininfo.ro , a Romanian-based news site. "By learning more about them, we will know more about ourselves. We are the first to get our hands on these fragments, after thousands of years."

The Neolithic settlement was a fairly sophisticated one. For instance, the researchers uncovered traces of wooden walls that the Stone Age inhabitants used to fortify their homes  with wealthier individuals having more fortifications. Archaeologists also unearthed a pit used to store food, which later became a landfill.

The Celts at the site, in contrast, had different burial techniques. Nowadays, Celtic history in popular culture is mainly known from France, the United Kingdom and Ireland, but their tribes were spread across Europe in ancient times, occupying lands as far east as modern-day Turkey, Live Science previously reported. In Transylvania, the Celts did not leave any skeletal remains behind. Instead of burying their dead, Celtic tribes would incinerate them and inter their remains in large urns. The urns were then buried in the ground alongside offerings, such as iron wrought goods.

Burial gifts of food were common among ancient peoples, and evidence suggests that even some of those who were ritually sacrificed were fed a specially prepared final meal before meeting their demise. The so-called "Tollund man," whose body was found preserved in a Danish bog since 400 B.C., ate a specially prepared meal of porridge and fish before being hanged, Live Science previously reported.

Originally published on Live Science.
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You have to feel for Lea Seydoux, the star who was slated to be the all-but-official face of this years Cannes Film Festival, with four vehicles in the official selection. COVID intervened, preventing her representing any of them in person (as it turned out, none was the greatest of showcases for Seydouxs talents anyway). But the one shes best in was also the lowest-profile.

Placed out of competition in the new Premieres sidebar, Arnaud Desplechins Deception is a strange, stifling but frequently intriguing attempt to find a cinematic match for the literary voice of Philip Roth, from his autofictional 1990 novel of the same name. It often succeeds, which is to say the filmmaking often appropriates the self-aggrandizing indulgences and knowingly oppressive masculinity of a work that isnt among the authors finest. But its Seydouxs sly, bright presence, as an obscure object of desire who gradually places the protagonists failings in relief, that keeps us involved.

That a highly pedigreed new film by Desplechin  a longtime Cannes favorite who has cracked the competition even with lesser efforts like Jimmy P and Oh Mercy!  was shuffled away to a secondary strand of the program is a fair reflection of where Deception stands in the marketplace. An unabashed curio, with its talky, self-consciously theatrical construction and detached, ambivalent stance on toxic masculinity, it will satisfy the most completist admirers of Desplechin and Roth alike, while less invested art-house audiences may be puzzled by its floaty episodic structure and equally unmoored geography. The disorienting device of retaining the chiefly Anglo-American milieu of the novel, via a cast and storytelling sensibility that ooze Frenchness at every turn, may play better on home turf than abroad.

Certainly, theres not a hint of New Yorker neurosis to Denis Podalydes, the fine French character actor who once played Nicolas Sarkozy in The Conquest, here cast as Roths not-so-alter ego Philip: a self-absorbed, philandering American writer based in London, around whose variously dysfunctional relationships with women the film languidly revolves. Nor does Seydoux exactly exude cut-glass Englishness as the one of those women he cant quite shake, even as he repeatedly lets her go: a nameless British actor herself restlessly stranded in a loveless marriage. She does, however, give a flinty, combative point of view to a character conceived in thin, literally anonymous terms. Viewers can debate for themselves whether thats the films own weakness or a critical evocation of how its misogynistic protagonist views all women.

The pairs repeated interactions are largely confined to Philips London apartment, as they alternately argue and make love, each activity fueling the other. True to the novel, the complexes and insecurities of Philips Jewish identity are frequently at the heart of the conversation. Desplechin, himself Catholic, has often engaged with the subject in his own work. Yet this is a key area where the peculiar placelessness of the directors approach backfires. Theres no palpable sense of cultural divide between Podalydes and Seydouxs characters, who appear to coolly converse on much the same terms throughout, and their debates  often chewy and substantial on paper  thus take on a suspended, theoretical quality on screen. The purported prevalence of anti-Semitism in Britain is one of Philips pet topics, and a rich one, given its recent, headline-making impact on the Labour Party  though Deception doesnt probe this context either.

Desplechin shifts the timeframe to the present. One of the films liveliest vignettes plunges Philip into a fantasy battle against an all-female courtroom, as hes placed on trial for his callous attitudes toward, and abuses of, women. The scene is charged with the post-#MeToo gender politics that have seen Roths own work and standing subjected to renewed feminist debate in recent years  which prompts the question of why Desplechin has evaded the more provocative, metatextual possibilities of updating more of the material, or situating it in a specifically French cultural context, with all the particularities of sexual etiquette that might entail.

As it is, the film preserves Roths prose in 1980s amber, and often wittily so: Desplechin neatly translates Roths most crude, caustic dialogue, though the films sharpest lines are often its subtler ones. (Ill miss you, Philip says to Seydouxs character at the close of one of their various breakups. Ill think of you too, she counters.) The film is handsomely crafted, with cinematographer Yorick Le Saux often playing up the materials staginess with isolating, warmly shadowed closeups, and thoughtfully acted across the board, particularly by Philips variously neglected female victims.

If the film is somewhat lopsidedly fixated on the Podalydes-Seydoux dynamic, Emmanuelle Devos ekes out an affecting cameo as a past lover made forgiving, even amused, by a struggle with cancer. The superb Anouk Grinberg, meanwhile, gets a single, blistering scene as Philips wife (also, tellingly, not given a name), calling him out on his betrayals in a hot torrent of fury as he cowers behind the excuse of fictional invention. How much of Deception is playing out in the writers head, and is it any less damning of him either way? Even the films ambiguities invite certain clear conclusions.

Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (Premieres), July 13, 2021. Running time: 105 MIN. (Original title: Tromperie)

Running Time: Running time: 105 MIN.

Production

(France) A Why Not production. (International sales: Wild Bunch, Paris.) Producer: Pascal Caucheteux.

Crew

Director: Arnaud Desplechin. Screenplay: Desplechin, Julie Peyr, based on the novel by Philip Roth. Camera: Yorick Le Saux. Editor: Laurence Briaud. Music: Gregoire Hetzel.

With

Denis Podalydes, Lea Seydoux, Emmanuelle Devos, Anouk Grinberg, Rebecca Marder, Madalina Constantin, Saadia Bentaieb.

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When we first meet Alma (Deborah Lukumuena) and Margot (Souheila Yacoub), they are at each others throats. They are onstage, two of a gang of young hopefuls trying out for a plum role in a semi-experimental Parisian theatre piece, but the fight is not part of their audition. It is real, and yet at the same time, unreal.

There is something unconvincing in Margots ginned-up outburst, in the way it gets physical but not really, in the high theatrics of squaring off and flouncing out. And if we immediately realize why  outside the two embrace, laughing, gasping at the audacity of their ruse to get the attention of the plays director  this opening, with its themes of performativity, showmanship and friendship so ferocious it can look like conflict, is the exactly appropriate in media res introduction to Anais Volpes first feature The Braves  perhaps even in some ways that are not quite under this promising new directors control.

Margot and Almas gambit pays off. The director, Kristin (Sveva Alviti), hires Alma, who works in a nail salon by day, to be the lead, and while the friends are still celebrating this big break, word comes through that Margot, who tends bar part-time, is to be her understudy. They set about rehearsals for a play about a young womans reminiscences of arriving, alone and heavily pregnant, in America, with a seriousness belied by their offstage antics: stretching the limits of their employers patience, grubbing pennilessly around the streets of Paris, playing cruel tricks on exes.

The almost uncomfortable, helter-skelter dynamism of the first half of the film, created in no small part by Sean Price Williams close-up-heavy, kinetic, handheld camerawork (which really deserves third star billing after the two incandescent actresses), is slightly reminiscent of Josephine Deckers Madelines Madeline, albeit without the abrasively experimental edge. Certainly, it seems that The Braves  which features quite a lot of the work-in-progress play and some lived-in observations about what goes into constructing a theatrical performance  will present some similarly thorny subtext about rivalry between talented females, and about the competitive, inherently self-centered pursuit of acting stardom. And then a serious illness intervenes, and the film stops being Madelines Madeline by way of All About Eve, and starts being an overbearingly up-close, highly-strung version of Beaches, in which the main source of drama is just who gets to be the wind under whose wings.

This abrupt swerve into weepie territory  complete with melodramatic self-sacrifice moments and kindly meant deceptions for the good of the patients spirits  is a disappointing turn. The shift suggests Volpes evident talents as a director of immense energy and personal vision are not yet matched by her skills as a screenwriter. And while the intrusive, almost confrontational shooting style is a really interesting choice in depicting a friendship that while platonic, is as passionate as any torrid love affair (and its lovely to see a mutually-supportive-to-the-point-of-folly female friendship celebrated so brashly and without apology), a lot of that texture gets lost when the story becomes so straightforwardly one of bearing up in the looming shadow of incipient tragedy.

Instead of raggedly illustrating the not-always-admirable choices the two make, like theyre slightly deranged, cackling conspirators who believe that together they can take on the world, the latter part of the film moves to the far more familiar beats of the disease-drama. And without any change in the shooting style, it mostly manifests in endless close-ups of tear-streaked faces, trembling chins and anguished glances.

Its not that the tearjerker aspect is not effective. The two actors are too good for the films manipulations not to have the desired effect. Yacoub, seen in Gaspar Noes Climax and Philippe Garrels The Salt of Tears, is a very appealing presence, summoning a real current of soulmate chemistry with Lukumuena, who is still best known for Houda Benyaminas Divines but here gives her second impressive (and enormously different) Cannes 2021 performance after Critics Week opener Robust.

But without any modulation in the brazen, head-on-collision presentation, once the story takes a turn for the sappy, there is really nowhere for any subtlety or subtext to hide. Its strange that the films French title, Entre les vagues, should translate to Between the Waves because in The Braves, there is no between. No sooner has one disproportionate breaker of emotion crashed against the shore than another is cresting right behind.

Reviewed in Cannes Film Festival (Directors Fortnight), July 17, 2021. Running time: 99 MIN. (Original title: Entre les vagues)

Running Time: Running time: 99 MIN.

Production

(France) A Unite presentation of a Unite, Canal Plus, Cine Plus production. (World sales: mk2 Films, Paris.) Producer: Caroline Nataf.

Crew

Director, writer: Anais Volpe. Camera: Sean Price Williams. Editor: Zoe Sassier. Music: David Gubitsch, Elie Mittelman.

With

Souheila Yacoub, Deborah Lukumuena, Matthieu Longatte, Sveva Alviti. (French dialogue)

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LOS ANGELES - Try, if you will, to imagine yourself in 14th-century Venice - with its canals and churches and atmosphere of damp, salty air against sturdy stone - five or six centuries before electric light and internal combustion engines.

No easy task. But pictures are time capsules. And sometimes little details can activate time travel. If you want to eavesdrop a bit on the conversation that devotional pictures from 14th-century Venice carry on, it may help to register the charred wood in the lower right part of the little triptych, or three-part painting, on display at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.

The charring and the hole it has gouged out of the frame were undoubtedly caused by the flame of a candle.

So now: You may not be able to imagine everything, but you can at least sense how it might have felt to hold the painting, which is made from wood and covered in shiny gold leaf, and to feel how the colors and the forms and the gold background behaved by candlelight.

The triptych is by Paolo Veneziano, the most important painter in Venice during his lifetime (ca. 1295-1362). Today, there are only about 30 works confidently attributed to him. But Paolo Veneziano (his name simply means Paul the Venetian) transformed Venetian art, shaking up the iconography it had inherited from Byzantium with innovations and fresh influences.

Established by 1342 as the official painter of the Venetian republic, he was at the head of a tradition that would eventually produce the great Venetian painters of the Renaissance: Bellini, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese.

Paolo is the subject of a jewel-like exhibition at the Getty. It was to have been slightly larger and to have opened at the Frick Collection in New York, which owns a beautiful work, "The Coronation of the Virgin," by Paolo and his brother Giovanni. But the pandemic made some overseas loans unfeasible and forced the cancellation at the Frick.

Nonetheless, "Paolo Veneziano: Art & Devotion in 14th-Century Venice" is the first exhibition in the United States ever devoted to this important artist. It includes the Frick painting along with works from the Petit Palais in Paris, the Norton Simon Foundation in Pasadena, Calif., and the Uffizi in Florence.

When Paolo was alive, the city-state of Venice was as prosperous and confident as at any time in its history. It was a vital trading center that controlled territory on the other side of the Adriatic (Istria and Dalmatia). It had also secured access to ports that allowed its ships to trade throughout the Mediterranean as far as the Black Sea. Commodities poured in: Silk, dye and spices from the East. Metals and cloth from northern Europe. Ideas, poetry and customs from all over.

Paolo was the master of a workshop that included members of his family across several generations. His painted altarpieces were often very large and required collaborations with local carpenters, carvers and gilders. But he also painted smaller triptychs for personal devotion.

He painted the triptych with the burn marks around 1340, eight years before the Black Death devastated Venice, killing 45,000 to 50,000 people, or about three-fifths of the population.

Paolo appears to have invented this particular kind of triptych. It has a central panel with a pointed apex and side wings attached by hinges. This allows the panels to close, concealing the sacred image within. The format is a variation on the forms of concealment and display used for the countless Christian relics that Venice was known for hoarding, and it was adapted and replicated by other Venetian artists well into the next century.

The triptych illustrates the fundamentals of the Christian story in a pictorial narrative that connects its separate parts. At the top of the left wing, the archangel Gabriel kneels and announces to Mary, shown at the top of the right wing, that she will conceive a baby who will be the son of God.

The central panel is divided in two. The lower part shows Mary cradling her infant son, and the upper part Jesus being crucified on the cross. Mary's grief is such that she collapses into the arms of her companions. The four other panels depict six standing saints, and the reverse sides of the wings show saints Christopher and Blaise. These reverse sides, which are all you see when the panel is closed, are deliberately painted less finely against a plain red background (instead of gold) to emphasize, by contrast, the sacredness of what is within.

What's especially interesting about this triptych, which is owned by the Galleria Nazionale in Parma, Italy, is that Paolo painted another version. It was subsequently divided but has been reassembled for this show. (The parts are owned by the Getty, the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts and the National Gallery of Art in Washington.)

The two triptychs, which are displayed alongside one another, are not identical. Observing small variations is absorbing. The more you go back and forth, the further you are drawn into the delicacy and great beauty of Paolo's work.

The second version is missing the lower central panel, which should be the Virgin and Child. A Virgin and Child by Paolo that has been sent from France has been proposed as the missing piece, but its dimensions don't fit. The mystery remains unsolved.

One of the purposes of the Getty exhibition is to demonstrate that Paolo was engaged with and affected by all the visual stimuli and creativity he saw around him, some produced in Venice, some imported. So the show also includes an ivory triptych, a page from an illuminated manuscript and fragments of Persian textiles, all of them demonstrating the richness of the creative dialogue in Venice at the time.

The entire exhibition, which was organized by Laura Llewellyn and John Witty, occupies just one, not very large room. But despite its size, it is deeply absorbing - the sort of focused exhibition you could easily spend an hour in and come back to with pleasure. And the catalogue, which is available to buy, is full of insight and beautifully produced.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  A group of pro-democracy activists in Poland entered the grounds of the country's constitutional court in an act of civil disobedience Monday, on the eve of an expected court ruling critical to the country's future relationship with the rest of the European Union.

Some stood outside with a large banner that said Civic Shutdown of the ex-Constitutional Tribunal. As smoke bombs sent black plumes into the air, a smaller group made it to the courts main entrance. They had brought boards and nails hoping to nail the door shut, but didn't manage to do that.

Police dragged them away as others chanted This is not a court!

Judges of the Constitutional Tribunal are scheduled to convene on Tuesday to decide which has primacy  Poland's own constitution or the law of the 27-member European Union.

Poland's prime minister had asked the court  dominated by ruling party loyalists  to make the judgment amid a larger conflict over systematic changes to the court system in Poland, which the EU views as a violation of democratic norms. The constitutional court's ruling was initially expected in April, but has been postponed.

The activists said they don't consider the court to be legitimate, in part because the ruling party appointed three judges to the court soon after it won power in 2015 in a maneuver that was illegal under Polish law. Now they fear that if the court rules that Polish law has primacy over EU law, it would mark another step away from Western norms for Poland.

The country was a model of democratic transition for a quarter-century after the fall of communism in 1989. Human rights organizations say there has been democratic backsliding under the current government as it tightens control over the judiciary and media, as well as due to restrictions of reproductive rights for women and the targeting of LGBT people with harsh rhetoric.

The ruling party says its changes to the court, which have been opposed by EU institutions, are meant to fight corruption by judges and make the court system more efficient.

The justice minister, Zbigniew Ziobro, said last week that the EU's criticism amounts to hybrid warfare against the Polish legal system.

The protesters Monday also released a long manifesto explaining their action.

The ruthless and flagrant realization, with absolute impunity, of narrow party interests by the populists and anti-democrats currently ruling the country, which is being cynically presented as a fight for the communal interests, has reduced the Republic, over the past six years, to the rank of a geopolitical pariah and an ordinary institutional ruffian, the statement said.

Many activists say they believe that only the EU can now stop an erosion of democratic norms.

Jan Skorupinski, a protester outside the court, said Mondays protest was aimed at rallying Poles and to alert the world and European institutions that there is no constitutional court at the moment and that citizens do not agree with this.

The EU's top court has tried to block some of the changes to the judiciary under Law and Justice, which has taken some steps back in the conflict but has so far gone ahead with most of its changes. In July the constitutional court  presided over by a communist-era prosecutor  ruled that interim orders by the EU court on the structure of the courts in Poland are inconsistent with the Polish constitution.

The activists voiced concerns that Poland was following in a path set by authoritarian Russia.

At the Monday protest they covered the court's official signage with a sticker of Imperial Russia's coat of arms and the words in Russian: The Constitutional Court of the Russian Empire. The Vistula region branch.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) discussed the implementation of Migration Protection Protocols along the border in a press conference this week that would require migrants seeking asylum in the country to remain in Mexico while they await a court date.

The main goal of MPP is to remove the incentive to allow migrants to come into the country knowing that they will be able to remain in the country if they bring their whole families with them to the United States.

I have talked to DHS and of course digesting this Supreme Court decision, my understanding is that they will have to start implementing it, Cuellar said. They are waiting on those instructions as they are working in the D.C. headquarters on that as I talked to the judges that will have to be involved with this, and they are also getting ready to start getting this and coordinating with DHS.

Cuellar said something odd about the decision by the Supreme Court was how the analysis to make the decision was similar to the one used to protect DACA, which Cuellar states showed some form of fairness.

If you remember DACA, the Supreme Court basically used the same analysis as in DACA in that what was done was wrong by President (Donald) Trump, and the DACA people should stay here, our students should stay here because of the way it was done as it was not done correctly, Cuellar said. And now that same analysis was used on MPP, and the administration respectfully disagrees in implementing the MPP and we are breaking down all the details on that right now.

The congressman said the analysis used by the Supreme Court was interesting considering it was used by the court twice to deny both President Trump and President Joe Biden their respective immigration policies even though the issues were on opposite sides of the spectrum.

I am sure they are not very happy about it, because this is something that the administration has been in conversation with them on several things asking for Mexico to do more, Cuellar said. I always told this to the Biden Administration and other folks that if this comes about that you should contact the U.N. Commision about refugees because this is exactly what they are supposed to be doing, and the high commission of refugees is what they do as they have to keep people safe.

Cuellar worries that migrants forced to stay in Mexico could face even greater dangers as they are subjected to stay in the streets, in plazas and in other areas with high crime rates.

They are taking the Title 42, and that basically means that they are taking back anybody that asks for asylum, Cuellar said.

CDCs Title 42 public health order states that DHS can continue to expel single adults and families encountered at the Southwest Border.

The MPP protocols that will now be put in place come after the Supreme Court on Aug. 24 rejected the Biden administrations plea for a reprieve from a district court order requiring it to reinstate a Trump-era program known as the Remain in Mexico policy which requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while they wait for a hearing in U.S. immigration court.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
A Mara Salvatrucha gang member was arrested over the weekend while entering the country illegally near the City of Rio Bravo, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Laredo South Station agents said they apprehended a group of four migrants near Rio Bravo. A migrant was identified as Joel Rios-Herrera, a 42-year-old citizen of Honduras.
WASHINGTON (AP)  America's 20-year war in Afghanistan entered its final hours Monday with the last Americans seeking to be evacuated and the U.S. military preparing to end its airlift and depart the Taliban-controlled capital.

Obviously we are reaching the end of our prescribed mission, Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor of the Pentagon's Joint Staff told reporters, adding that details of the final evacuation movements were being kept secret for security reasons.

Speaking at the same news conference, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it was not too late for any remaining Americans to get to the Kabul airport for evacuation flights.

There is still time, Kirby said.

Later, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said a small number of Americans were believed to still want to get out of the country. She did not offer an exact number but said about 6,000 had been evacuated by various means so far. She said some of the remaining Americans had not fully decided whether to leave.

The Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate claimed responsibility for targeting the Kabul airport with rockets. The U.S. military reported no American casualties.

The focus of the U.S. evacuation was increasingly on getting the last Americans out. Senior administration officials said Sunday that the United States has the capacity to evacuate the approximately 300 U.S. citizens remaining in Afghanistan who want to leave before President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline.

This is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission these last couple of days, said Americas top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The steady stream of U.S. military jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital continued Monday even after rocket fire targeted the airport and rockets hit a nearby neighborhood. U.S. Central Command spokesman Bill Urban said five rockets targeted the airport and a U.S. defensive system on the airfield known as a Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System, or C-RAM, was employed against them. He said there were no U.S. casualties and the airfield continued to operate. Further details were not immediately available. The White House said Biden had been briefed on the rocket attack.

Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Sunday that for those U.S. citizens seeking immediately to leave Afghanistan by the looming deadline, we have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining.

The White House said Monday morning that about 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul over the prior 24 hours aboard 26 U.S. military flights and two allied flights.

Sullivan said the U.S. does not currently plan to have an ongoing embassy presence after the final U.S. troop withdrawal. But he pledged the U.S. will make sure there is safe passage for any American citizen, any legal permanent resident, after Tuesday, as well as for those Afghans who helped us. But untold numbers of vulnerable Afghans, fearful of a return to the brutality of pre-2001 Taliban rule, are likely to be left behind.

Blinken said the U.S. was working with other countries in the region to either keep the Kabul airport open after Tuesday or to reopen it in a timely fashion.

He also said that while the airport is critical, there are other ways to leave Afghanistan, including by road, and many countries border Afghanistan. The U.S., he said, is making sure that we have in place all of the necessary tools and means to facilitate the travel for those who seek to leave Afghanistan" after Tuesday.

There also are roughly 280 others who have said they are Americans but who have told the State Department they plan to remain in the country or are undecided. According to the latest totals, about 114,000 people have been evacuated since Aug. 14, including approximately 2,900 on military and coalition flights during the 24 hours ending at 3 a.m. Sunday.

Members of Congress criticized the chaotic and violent evacuation.

We didnt have to be in this rush-rush circumstance with terrorists breathing down our neck, said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah. "But its really the responsibility of the prior administration and this administration that has caused this crisis to be upon us and has led to what is without question a humanitarian and foreign policy tragedy.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the U.S. policy in Afghanistan, with 2,500 troops on the ground, had been working. We were, in effect, keeping the lid on, keeping terrorists from reconstituting, and having a light footprint in the country, he said.

U.S. officials said Sunday's American drone strike hit a vehicle carrying multiple Islamic State suicide bombers, causing secondary explosions indicating the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material. A senior U.S. official said the military drone fired a Hellfire missile at a vehicle in a compound between two buildings after people were seen loading explosives into the trunk.

The official said there was an initial explosion caused by the missile, followed by a much larger fireball, believed to be the result of the substantial amount of explosives inside the vehicle. The U.S. believes that two Islamic State group individuals who were targeted were killed.

In a statement, U.S. Central Command said it is looking into the reports of civilian casualties that may have been caused by the secondary explosions. An Afghan official said three children were killed in the strike. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

It was the second airstrike in recent days the U.S. has conducted against the militant group, which claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing Thursday at the Kabul airport gate that killed 13 U.S. service members and scores of Afghans struggling to get out of the country and escape the new Taliban rule. The Pentagon said a U.S. drone mission in eastern Afghanistan killed two members of IS' Afghanistan affiliate early Saturday local time in retaliation for the airport bombing.

In Delaware, Biden met privately with the families of the American troops killed in the suicide attack and solemnly watched as the remains of the fallen returned to U.S. soil from Afghanistan. First lady Jill Biden and many of the top U.S. defense and military leaders joined him on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base.

The service members were the first killed in Afghanistan since February 2020, the month the Trump administration struck an agreement with the Taliban in which the militant group halted attacks on Americans in exchange for a U.S. agreement to remove all troops and contractors by May 2021. Biden announced in April that the 2,500 to 3,000 troops who remained would be out by September, ending what he has called Americas forever war.

Sullivan appeared on CBS' Face the Nation, CNN's State of the Union and Fox News Sunday. Blinken was interviewed on ABC's This Week and NBC's Meet the Press. McConnell was on Fox and Romney was on CNN.

___

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Hope Yen in Washington, Aamer Madhani at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, and Kathy Gannon in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed to this report.
Beth D. Ramage, formerly of Lockport, NY, passed away August 21, 2021 in Deerfield Beach, Florida. Beth was born May 17, 1931, daughter of Howard H. Dobbins and Almeda T. Dobbins. Beth was a graduate of Lockport High School and Queens College in Charlotte, NC. Predeceased by her husband of 6
There is an air of sadness among the members of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society following the death of their Chairperson, Mr Tom Carberry, who passed away on Friday, August 13 after a long battle with illness.

Mr Carberry, of Mylerstown, Two Mile House, Naas, Kildare and formerly of Moate, Westmeath, Lorrha, Tipperary and Portumna, Galway, died peacefully, and surrounded by his loving family, in the care of Saint Brigid's Hospice, The Curragh.

Predeceased by his father Jack, his mother Mary and sister Bridie (Jo), Tom will be deeply missed by his wife Joan, sisters Maura Newman, Rose Smith, Kay Walsh, Joan Garvan, Patricia McCormack, Terry McGann and Carmel Foxe, brother John Joe Carberry, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Secretary of the Longford Westmeath Argentina Society, Thomas Ganly, outlined that Tom was a prominent member of its executive committee for many years. He occupied the PRO and Honorary Treasurer positions before being elected Chairperson in 2018, an office to which he was subsequently re-elected at the 2019 annual general meeting.

As Chairperson, Tom welcomed HE Laura Bernal (Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Ireland) to the Longford Westmeath Argentine Society annual Asado in 2018 at the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule.

Mr Ganly added, Born in Rosemount, Co Westmeath in the heart of the Argentine migration area, Tom took a keen interest in the history of emigration and travelled to Argentina a number of times in the course of his research.

The society extends deepest sympathy to his wife Joan and his extended family, may he rest in peace.

A proud follower of Manchester United, Tom enjoyed attending the races at Punchestown and he had a massive interest in politics through his life-long association with Fine Gael.

Paying tribute, Deputy Martin Heydon said Tom was a loyal Fine Gael supporter and was a great source of information and advice on both local and national issues. Fionnuala and Alan Dukes said, He was a force of nature, a real dynamo. He was always true to his word and utterly dependable in everything he undertook. His opinions and advice were always direct and clear. He was always a great support to both of us.

Peter Barron, on behalf of Kildare Polio Survivors of Ireland, described Tom as a great supporter to the Kildare Polio Survivors Group and the Board of the Polio Survivors Ireland. He was a very friendly and knowledgeable friend to us and always was available to help in the Group.

The County Kildare Twinning Committee also remembered him fondly. Tom, our former chair, friend and colleague. His dedication to twinning was an inspiration. We are thinking of his family at this difficult time.

A private funeral Mass was celebrated, for the repose of Tom's soul, with family and friends, on Tuesday, August 17 in St. Ruadhan's Church, Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, at 12 noon. Tom was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery immediately after Mass. May he Rest In Peace.
Property owners in Longford, Granard, Drumlish and Lanesboro are being urged to apply for funding under the Streetscape Enhancement Measure 2021 of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Its after Longford was allocated 220,000 by the Department for Rural and Community Development to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts in four designated towns, as part of 7 million being made available nationwide.

This new scheme was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD under the Our Rural Future five-year strategy.

Launching the scheme, Minister Humphreys stated that the Streetscape Enhancement Initiative will provide funding to property owners to improve the facades of their buildings.

It is part of the Governments effort to assist in the regeneration, repopulation and development of our rural towns and villages.

Improving the visual appearance of our urban streetscapes increases pride and confidence in our hometowns and villages, making them more attractive places to live, work and do business.

The Streetscape Enhancement Measure will be administered by Local Authorities and will involve Longford County Council working in collaboration with local businesses and property owners to add colour and freshness to our rural towns and villages.

The types of projects that could be supported include:

l Strategic collaboration between property owners to paint buildings or shopfronts in vibrant colours

l Commissioning of murals in towns and villages

l Upgrade or restoration of historic / traditional shopfronts

l Provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flowers boxes

l Illumination and lighting of architectural features

l Installation of canopies and street furniture

l Decluttering of streetscapes with removal of unnecessary signs / wires

Welcoming the new initiative, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Peggy Nolan explained that she had been calling for this type of scheme for years.

This will support hard-pressed business owners to enhance the exterior of their premises making them more appealing to locals and visitors alike. When I see what has been achieved in towns like Kinsale, Adare and others, I think to myself why not Longford  and now Im delighted that we have a wonderful opportunity to do just that for four towns in our county.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon said its great to see Longford taking every opportunity to support towns and businesses in moving forward.

Enhancing our streetscapes will create a positive vibe and energy in our urban centres which in turn will attract higher footfall and help our local businesses to flourish.

Levels of support for eligible projects will range from 70 per cent for individual premises to 80 per cent for joint applications (groups of three or more adjacent premises) to 100 per cent where painting is undertaken by direct labour by the applicant.

The maximum level of support to any individual building is 8,000.

For further information, or to apply, log on to www.longfordcoco.ie or email

jmurphy@longfordcoco.ie

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on September 7.
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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue has announced that he is extending the public consultation on the draft interventions proposed for the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan by a week.

Farmers now have until Friday, September 3 to make submissions under the consultation process, the previous deadline was August 27.

Minister McConalogue said he is committed to ensuring that all farmers have an opportunity to have their voices heard as part of the consultation process. The Minister also called three townhall meetings in August as part of the consultation process to give farmers an update on the draft interventions.

I have said from the start that I want farmers to be at the very centre of the entire CAP process, stressed the Minister.

This is one of the most important CAP programme in the history of the policy so it is crucial that farmers have their voices heard. That is why I have moved to provide an extra week as part of this current consultation process allowing farmers until Friday, September 3 to make a submission.

It's critical to note that we are just in a consultation process with nothing set in stone. I committed to bringing this CAP consultation to every farmer in the country and I am doing that.

The Minister also confirmed that he will lead a further consultation process later in the year before the final CAP programme is sent to the European Commission for scrutiny no later than January 1, 2022.

He reiterated that no decision has been made or taken, I want farmers to feed in as much as possible. It's their CAP reform.

I said once the CAP deal received political agreement in Luxembourg earlier in the summer that I am committed to bringing this CAP deal to every calving shed, every milking parlour, every tillage field and every kitchen table and I intend on doing that.

IFA President Tim Cullinan has welcomed the decision noting: There are many aspects of the proposals which are unacceptable and IFA will be making a comprehensive submission in consultation with our committees, he said.

However, he continued, we need time to debate the issues around this CAP reform, which will have significant ramifications for the incomes of farmers.

The IFA president said the original closing date of Friday, August 27 was far too tight for submissions.

The Department has made the correct decision to extend the deadline to give more time for proper consideration, he said.

We want to have extensive dialogue with our membership before we make our submission.
Seasonal & Current Events

By Chris Boyle Published: August 30 2021

Back by popular demand, New Yorks iconic fall event will run September 22  November 7 in Nassau.

Fall will be better than ever in Nassau County, with County Executive Laura Curran announcing that Old Bethpage Village Restoration (OBVR) will host the iconic Great Jack OLantern Blaze for a second time, after a successful launch last year. The Great Jack OLantern Blaze Long Island will run for 36 selected nights from September 22 through November 7. Tickets are now on sale at www.pumpkinblaze.org

Were thrilled to bring back this extraordinary experience for the second consecutive year and provide a safe and spooky way to celebrate the Halloween season right here in Nassau County, said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. The Countys Old Bethpage Village provides a perfect backdrop for this spectacular event which is expected to attract thousands and give our local economy a boost. Whether youre a local or visitor, encouraging all to check out this unique event and explore one of our vibrant downtowns. Thank you to Historic Hudson Valley for working with the County to host your iconic event once again.

We were thrilled to partner with Nassau County to bring The Great Jack OLantern Blaze to Old Bethpage Village Restoration. After a successful run in 2020, when were we able to safely entertain thousands of visitors and help support the local economy, we are delighted to partner again to make this second year even more exciting. Weve added more nights and more displays and cant wait to welcome visitors through the pumpkin arch, said Historic Hudson Valleys VP of Communications and Commerce, Rob Schweitzer.

A small team of local artists hand-carved more than 7,000 jack olanterns and created elaborate pumpkin sculptures at this walk-through experience on the grounds of the 19th-century village. New displays this year include an 80-foot circus train--a nod to the 146-year run of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the nearby Nassau Coliseum, a sea monster and many new creative creatures from under the ocean.

The Great Jack OLantern Blaze is also returning for its 17th year to its original location in the Hudson Valley at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson. That location will be open 59 nights from September 17 through November 21 and will feature new displays such as an immersive river walk-through experience and a New York City streetscape.

The health and safety of our visitors is our highest priority. At both locations, the experience is outdoors and touch-free, and capacity has been reduced to ensure social distancing. Visitors who are not vaccinated are required to wear masks at all times. Masks are not required for vaccinated visitors while on the grounds, but will be required when entering buildings, such as restrooms.

Blaze: Hudson Valleys Founding Sponsor is Entergy; Presenting Sponsor is Westchester Medical Center; and Contributing Sponsors are J.P. Morgan Chase and Edge-on-Hudson. Blaze: Long Islands Exclusive Financial Services Sponsor is JPMorgan; Contributing Sponsor is National Grid.

All events are held rain or shine. Proceeds support Historic Hudson Valley, the Tarrytown-based private, non-profit educational organization, and Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

Ticket and date information

Blaze: Long Island has limited capacity and all admissions are by advance purchase timed ticket. To further reduce staff/visitor touchpoints, no tickets are sold on site even if not sold out.

Blaze: Long Island dates are September 22-26; 29-October 3; October 6-11; 20-24; 27-31; November 3-7. Online tickets start at $32 for adults and $24 for children 3-17 and are free for children 2 and under.
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(Alliance News) -A Royal Dutch Shell PLC on Monday said it has committed to progress the Timi gas development project, Malaysia.

Shell subsidiary Sarawak Shell Berhad has taken a final investment decision on Timi and, together with partners PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd and Brunei Energy Exploration, will be delivering the project located 200 kilometres off the coast of Sarawak.

Shell will be the operator of the project, holding a 75% stake, while PETRONAS and Brunei Energy hold interests of 15% and 10%, respectively.

At peak production, the Timi development is expected to reach up to 50,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

Timi features Sarawak Shell Berhad's first wellhead platform in Malaysia that is powered by a solar and wind hybrid renewable power system.

"Timi, which is powered by a solar and wind hybrid power system, demonstrates Shell's capabilities to innovate and deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable projects, in line with our commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 in step with society. Shell is pleased to be able to progress this project in a competitive and responsible manner, as part of the vital role Upstream plays in delivering Shell's strategy and in support of economic growth in Malaysia," said Wael Sawan, Shell Upstream director.

By Lucy Heming;A lucyheming@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - The UK government on Sunday faced a torrent of criticism after its hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan ended, leaving hundreds eligible for relocation behind.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed a mission "unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes" after the UK airlifted over 15,000 people in the last two weeks.

Troops landed back at Brize Norton airbase in southern England on Sunday after Britain was forced to withdraw following the decision of its ally the US to end its 20-year presence.A

Johnson praised the evacuation efforts in "harrowing conditions" and assured the military that decades of deployment "were not in vain" after the Taliban retook control.

But current and former officials slammed government failings, suggesting many more Afghans could have been rescued.A

The Observer leftwing broadsheet cited a whistleblower as saying thousands of emails from MPs and charities to the foreign ministry highlighting specific Afghans at risk from the Taliban takeover went unopened.

Foreign Minister Dominic Raab has already been strongly criticised for not immediately leaving a beach holiday when the Taliban took control.

The Observer said it saw evidence that an official email account set up by the Foreign Office to receive such pleas regularly had 5,000 unopened emails last week.

It said these included messages from ministers' offices and the leader of the opposition Labour party, Keir Starmer.

"They cannot possibly know (how many people have been left behind) because they haven't even read the emails," the whistleblower was quoted as saying.

The Foreign Office responded that its crisis team worked 24/7 "to triage incoming emails and calls".

Officials have given varying estimates of how many eligible Afghans did not board evacuation flights, the last of which left Saturday, with the head of the UK armed forcesA General Sir Nick Carter putting this "in the high hundreds".

The Sunday Times rightwing broadsheet quoted an unnamed minister as saying: "I suspect we could have taken out 800 to 1,000 more people".

The same minister slammed Raab, claiming he "did nothing" to build ties with third countries from which Afghans might enter the UK.

The Foreign Office acknowledged that Raab had delegated calls to his Afghan counterpart while saying he recently called his Pakistani counterpart.A

The damning reports came after the Times reported last week that it found contact details of staff and job applicants left behind at the British embassy compound in Kabul, potentially endangering them.

Public opinion has been sharply divided in Britain over a high-profile campaign by an ex-serviceman, Paul or "Pen" Farthing who runs a British animal charity to evacuate his animals and staff from a shelter in Kabul.A

Farthing managed to fly out on a privately chartered plane on Saturday with around 150 cats and dogs on board, landing at Heathrow on Sunday morning.A

He was hailed as a hero by supporters but opponents questioned the ethics of using official time and military support to evacuate animals as Afghans remained behind.

Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative MP and head of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, told LBC Radio that an Afghan interpreter who had worked for the UK asked him: "Why is my five-year-old worth less than your dog?"A

Richard Dannatt, a former head of the British army, told Times Radio that it "looks odd that we're giving prominence to a man and a lot of cats and dogs", while adding he doubted Farthing's flight prevented any Afghans leaving.

The focus should be on why Britain did not prepare better while knowing the danger faced by former interpreters and other locally hired civilians, Dannatt said.

He called for an inquiry into why the evacuation "happened in such a haphazard and chaotic fashion".

Raab acknowledged in The Sunday Telegraph that the Afghan situation was a "bitter pill to swallow".

To deal with the Taliban regime, the UK must build a wider international coalition of regional powers and other United Nations Security Council members, including countries "with whom we have a difficult relationship", he wrote.

source: AFP

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Today

Partly cloudy early. Scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Hot and humid. High around 90F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms during the evening, then skies turning partly cloudy overnight. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

Tomorrow

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High around 90F. Winds light and variable.
Mankato, MN (56001)

Today

Cloudy early with showers for the afternoon hours. High 73F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 61F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Barring a change in circumstances in the final hours of the summer transfer window, Kylian Mbappe will stay at Paris Saint-Germain past deadline day.

Real Madrid have offered 170 million euros, plus 10m euros more in add-ons, but PSG won't accept that and are clear that the player won't be sold for that amount. The club's hierarchy believe that Mbappe is worth much more than that, even if he only has one year remaining on his current contract.

The Frenchman scored twice in PSG's 2-0 win over Reims on Sunday night and he is, MARCA has been told, remaining calm during these final days of the window. Mbappe has always known that one of the potential outcomes of this saga would be staying in France. That currently looks the most likely.

He wants to play for Real Madrid, but has always been happy in Paris and is willing to wait another year to then depart for free in the summer of 2022.

PSG are also calm, as their plan is to keep Mbappe for 2021/22 and to try to convince him to renew over the coming months.

If Mbappe does remain at the Parc des Princes, PSG will be able to field a front three of Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar. They weren't all on the pitch at the same time on Sunday night, since if was Neymar who came off as Messi was introduced, but the Ligue 1 side will be able to align these three stars many times over the next year if Mbappe stays.

Barring a late development from Real Madrid, Mbappe will be remaining with Paris Saint-Germain. He'd only leave on PSG's terms, as sporting director Leonardo made clear last week.
Residents in California will soon receive stimulus checks as part of the Golden State Stimulus II program. The aim of this round of payments is to support low-income and middle-income people in California and those who are struggling economically as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is estimated that two out of every three Californians will be eligible to receive at least 600 dollars and these checks will be coming out very soon. Here, we take a look at the key questions and timelines for the new Golden State stimulus checks.

When will Golden State Stimulus II checks be sent out?

On August 27, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the first checks would be going out "this week". That's because these payments were scheduled for September, so the checks should actually arrive in the first few days of the month.

Californians will receive these payments either as paper checks in the mail or through direct deposit. The method of delivery is selected when filing tax returns and the method of delivery could have an impact on how quickly you'll collect your money, as the direct deposit payments should be made more quickly.

One of the Golden State Stimulus II eligibility criteria is to have filed a 2020 tax return and those who filed later may also have their payments delayed for that reason, as there is a 45-day wait period for those who filed taxes after August 20.

For more detailed information on your exact wait time for the Golden State stimulus payments, you can check out the state government's Wait Times Dashboard.

But, everyone who is eligible will receive their money at some point. For those who are up to date and collecting their payments through the quickest means, that should be this week.

Who is eligible for the California stimulus payments?

The California state government are very clear about what criteria must be met to qualify for one of these support payments. They state that you must:

File your 2020 taxes by October 15, 2021

Have a California Adjusted Gross Income (CA AGI) of $1 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year

Have wages of $0 to $75,000 for the 2020 tax year

Be a California resident for more than half of the 2020 tax year

Be a California resident on the date payment is issued

Not be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer

While these stimulus payments may seen complicated and daunting at first, the process is actually quite simple and, if you meet all of the qualifying criteria, you'll receive your stimulus check one way or another in the near future.
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Aug. 24Patak Meat Products, a south Cobb butcher on Ewing Road near Austell, was damaged by a fire Monday night, the Cobb County Fire Department said. Units were dispatched at 10:46 p.m. to the shop and found heavy fire coming from the center of the building. Firefighters attacked and extinguished the blaze, and no injuries were reported, the department said. The front side of the building, ...
A new study shows how COVID-19 virus attacks the vascular or circulatory system.

For the study, the team created a pseudovirus for the study, which only had the S protein but not the rest of the virus, to show in the lab that this protein is enough by itself to cause disease.The effects on the respiratory system are a consequence of the inflammation of the vascular tissue in the lungs."A lot of people think of it as a respiratory disease, but it's really a vascular disease," Uri Manor, assistant research professor, at the varsity was quoted as saying."That could explain why some people have strokes, and why some people have issues in other parts of the body. The commonality between them is that they all have vascular underpinnings," Manor added.According to Professor Rafael Manez Mendiluce, head of intensive care at Bellvitge University Hospital in Spain, the vascular problem could be related to the inflammatory response of the patient's immune system.Source: IANS
Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advanis Shershaah is still being talked about, proving the fact that the movie has been received well by the audience. The story of Kargil hero Captain Vikram Batra has been perfectly portrayed by Sidharth Malhotra who has silenced his haters with his career-defining performance. The movie received rave reviews with most critics praising its realistic depiction of the Kargil War.

Kiara plays the role of Captain Batra's fiancee Dimple Cheema in the film. Apart from Siddharth and her, the Vishnuvardhan directorial also stars Shiv Pandit, Nikitin Dheer, and Pawan Kalyan among others in pivotal roles. As the movie has done well, the actors were paid handsomely, according to reports available online.

Heres all we know about how much these actors earned:

1. Sidharth Malhotra

In an interview with us, Siddharth spoke about how challenging it was to play Vikram Batra. He said, When you are playing someone who has lived in flesh and blood, its more challenging than doing a fictional character as you can have your own versions but here, you are given boundaries and have to control your emotions. Its far more challenging to prep for the character. Keeping all this in mind when I was shooting for the last leg of Vikram Batras life, it was extremely challenging and emotional to portray someones last words. I was very nervous for a good three or four weeks before I started shooting for the last leg. It was emotionally and mentally draining. I hope and pray that its portrayed in the right light.

In a Bollywood Life report, Sidharth earned a whopping Rs 7 crore as remuneration for his role in the film.

2. Kiara Advani

Kiara Advani is seen essaying the role of Vikram Batras fiancee Dimple Cheema. In an interview with Outlook, she spoke about how she prepared for the role of Dimple. She said, I got to meet Dimple which helped me understand her emotional journey. I met her in Chandigarh before shooting the film. There was so much love in her eyes when she was narrating her story to me. I found her very inspiring and also, kudos to Vishnu Vardhan, the director of Shershaah, and the entire production team because the entire shoot was done in all real locations where the Kargil war and other parts of Captain Batras life took place.

She reportedly took home a whopping Rs 4 crore as fees.

3. Shiv Pandit

Shiv Pandit has already proved to us that he doesnt need any godfather as his talent speaks for himself. He played the role of Lieutenant Sanjeev Jimmy Jamwal and its great to see him portraying the role. He charged a sum of Rs 45 lakh for the movie.

4. Nikitin Dheer

Nikitin Dheer, who is known for his performances in movies like Jodhaa Akbar, Ready, Dabangg 2, Chennai Express, and others, was recently seen in Shershaah as Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia.

In an interview, the actor said, Shershaah is a very special film for me, its the first time I am attempting to play a positive character. I am playing an Indian Army soldier in it and its a matter of great pride and honour for me to do something like this. Its something off my checklist to be able to be a part of a film like this, to be able to wear the army uniform and be a part of a Dharma (Productions) film. We have a fantastic director in Vishnu Varadhan; he is like a poet on the screen. He has so much passion for what he does. I am really excited to watch the film and to see how people react to it.

He got a remuneration of Rs 35 lakh.

5. Pawan Chopra

Pawan Chopra portrayed the role of Captain Vikram Batras father, G.L. Batra in the movie. As per reports, he charged a sum of Rs 50 lakh.
Samantha Akkineni and Naga Chaitanya are a power couple of the South Indian film industry. Recently, Samantha removed Akkineni from her social media handles and people have started speculating that maybe their marriage is falling apart.

Samantha changed her social media profile name to only S. And now reports are surfacing that their marriage is on the verge of being over.

Few media reports also suggested that Samantha and Chaitanya are not staying together and are reportedly taking a break from their marriage.

However, a fan theory also suggested that her name is changed as part of promotional activity for her upcoming film Shakuntalam, a mythological epic love story.

The film is written and directed by Gunasekhar, the film will see Samantha portraying the titular character.

In a recent interview, Samantha was asked about why she dropped her last name and she responded by smiling and said that she will only respond to gossips and rumours when she feels like it.

She said, Like everyone else, I am entitled to my own opinion, and I am not someone who loses my mind in the face of a controversy.

Samantha also faced severe backlash for playing the role of a Sri-Lankan Tamilian woman Raji in the recently-released The Family Man season 2.

To which she responded by saying that trolls and controversies dont affect her.

However, according to a report by Great Andhra, Chaitanya is also maintaining distance from responding to the relationship controversy. The actor is reportedly avoiding calls from producers and filmmakers citing family issues.

The couples love story is dreamy - they met in 2010 on the set of Telugu romantic drama Ye Maaya Chesave and have been together since then.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below!
Toxic work culture is not something all of us are unfamiliar with. No matter what your profession is or in whichever part of the world you're living, there is that one employee, a bunch of employees, or the employer itself who makes life a tad bit hard.

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Now, if it's not that, it's the toxic environment of working towards achieving unreasonable targets, and this constant idea of overworking oneself to an extent that one burns out. However, when we talk about overworking, one section of the workforce that is constantly affected is the delivery boys or delivery partners of food delivery companies.



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This is the reason why Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan's latest advertisement for Zomato has been facing so much criticism from people.



In the ad, a Zomato delivery guy can be seen delivering food to Hrithik's house, where, upon arrival he is weirdly greeted by Hrithik as 'Jadoo' (Magic), the iconic alien character from his 2003 film Koi... Mil Gaya. The actor then explains that he called him 'Jadoo' for delivering the food on time despite the pouring rain.

Now, without waiting further, Hrithik offers the delivery guy to take a selfie with him for which the actor goes on inside to get his phone. However, in the ad, the delivery executive, despite being starstruck, looks at his watch and realizes that if he doesn't rush, he would be late for his next delivery. As a result, he leaves without taking a selfie with Hrithik after which a voiceover can be heard saying that every customer is equally important for Zomato.

Overall, while the idea of the ad was to make the customers feel that they were given the most importance even if it was Hrithik Roshan, most viewers didn't quite agree with it, as they felt that the delivery boys should be given some respite.

I mean, just imagine, the delivery boys are under so much pressure that they cannot even afford to spend five seconds extra to get a selfie clicked.

Clearly, Zomato's plan backfired, and here is what people had to say about it on Twitter.

Hrithik calls the Zomato guy an alien for delivering samosas on time even in pouring rain, because praising a human like that would sound like exploitation.  Kajol Srinivasan (@LOLrakshak) August 27, 2021

This ad disturbed me. We don't need to glorify people rushing to deliver food. Or condescend to them and make it out to be heroic. Service providers need to come back to Earth.  Kajol Srinivasan (@LOLrakshak) August 27, 2021

The main point of the ad was "Zomato consider all of their customers equally. Celebrities wont get any extra preferences/privileges". But it kinda lost in between Jadu and Selfie with Hrithik.  Girish Naik |   (@gunaik) August 27, 2021

The main point of the ad was "Zomato consider all of their customers equally. Celebrities wont get any extra preferences/privileges". But it kinda lost in between Jadu and Selfie with Hrithik.  Girish Naik |   (@gunaik) August 27, 2021

Perspective...will always differ. Jaadu koi trademark nahi it means Magic in English and the delivery person work is addressed as Magic. Anyways, #ToEachHisOrHerOwn  404 Not Found (@relapse_synapse) August 28, 2021

Ended with unglorifying of a Film star.  Bennet Lal |   (@BennetLal) August 28, 2021

Ad idea.



Hrithik Roshan orders food on Zomato. Delivery partner is Kangana. The end.  peeleraja (@peeleraja) August 27, 2021

Ad idea.



Hrithik Roshan orders food on Zomato. Delivery partner is Kangana. The end.  peeleraja (@peeleraja) August 27, 2021

All buggers apdi dan. Zomato spends crores on Hrithik instead of giving raise to deliver personnel.  Aboorva Saghodari (@TheWobblywoman) August 27, 2021

This seems like character assassination of Hrithik because my takeaways from this are

a) Hrithik has gone full kanjoos and doesnt tip



b) Hrithik has gone full sanki and thinks his selfies are currency



c) Hrithik has gone full crack and thinks calling ppl aliens is bonding  Shiv Ramdas (@nameshiv) August 27, 2021

imagine ringing a bell and customer calling you "jadoo"  peeleraja (@peeleraja) August 27, 2021

Well, regardless of people liking the ad or hating it, it's all actually quite good for Zomato as it's receiving extra publicity. What do you think about the ad? Could it have been done better? Let us know in the comments below.
Strong storms and damaging winds are expected to continue throughout East Mississippi as Hurricane Ida moves north through the state.

Ida made landfall in southern Louisiana shortly before noon Sunday as a category 4 hurricane.

Nicholas Fenner, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, said Monday Ida had weakened into a tropical storm, but strong winds and rain were expected throughout the day and into Tuesday.

The wind threat especially looks to continue through this afternoon and into tonight, he said.

Portions of East Mississippi, including Lauderdale County, were under a Tropical Storm Warning, Fenner said, which could bring 45-65 mph winds. Strong winds, accompanied by heavy rain, can bring down trees and power lines, he said.

Weve heard reports of rain softening the ground and trees being tipped over with the wind, Fenner said.

Fenner said flash flooding was also a threat as heavy rain fall is expected across the region.

Although the Tropical Storm Warning was set to expire Monday, Fenner said he couldnt rule out a wind advisory for Tuesday as Ida continued its trek north.

There may be a wind advisory issued after the tropical storm threat, he said.

Mississippi Highway Patrol Sgt. Jameka Moore said Monday wet highways and heavy rain throughout the day could make travel dangerous. Moore, who had traveled to the coast to assist with the storm efforts, said he couldnt report any specific road conditions in East Mississippi, but he would advise against traveling if at all possible.

I would advise motorists, if they dont have to be out and about, to stay home until the storm passes, he said.

+60 Hurricane Ida traps Louisianans, shatters the power grid NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Rescuers in boats, helicopters and high-water trucks brought hundreds of 

In a statement Sunday, the City of Meridian encouraged residents to stay safe and have an emergency plan in case of flooding or tornadoes.

Residents with downed trees, flooding or damage within the city limits are encouraged to call Meridian Public Safety Department at 601-484-6890. County residents should report damage to their county emergency management agency.

Lauderdale County residents can call Lauderdale County Emergency Management at 601-482-9852.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Newton County Dispatch asked residents not to call 911 to report power outages.

We ask that you please do not tie up emergency lines with reports of your power being out. This is to be expected. Please notify your power company, the statement read. We need these lines and operators free for actual emergencies where law, fire, ems are needed, trees and power lines that have fallen, and roadways that are blocked or flooded.

Mississippi Power customers can call 800-487-3275, and East Mississippi Power customers can call 601-581-8600 to report outages. As of 10 a.m. Monday, Mississippi Power outage map showed about 660 Meridian customers without power.

East Mississippi Electric Power Associations asked residents in a statement Monday to refrain from reporting power outages on social media. The company said its outage system and social media were two separate systems, and outages reported via Facebook and Twitter could not be properly logged.

"We are prepared and ready to respond when it is safe to do so," the statement read. "We appreciate your patience, understanding and prayer in the days ahead."

More information For more information: Meridian Public Safety Department  601-484-6890 Lauderdale County Emergency Management  601-482-9852 Newton County Emergency Management  601-635-4301 Kemper County Emergency Management  601-743-4880 Clarke County Emergency Management  601-776-2256 Neshoba County Emergency Management  601-656-3121 Mississippi Power  800-487-3275 East Mississippi Electric Power  601-581-8600 Southern Pine Electric  866-867-5415 Atmos Energy  866-322-8667 In the event of an emergency, please dial 911.

Schools, services closed Monday

Many area schools and services announced they would not be operating Monday in anticipation of severe weather, including:

Meridian Public School District

Lauderdale County School District

Meridian Community College

Mississippi State University- Meridian

Union Public School District

Newton County School District

Newton Municipal School District

Lamar School

St. Patrick School

+4 As Ida leaves Gulf, analysts foresee modest economic damage WASHINGTON (AP)  With more than 1 million customers in Louisiana and Mississippi having los

Newton County Academy

Russell Christian Academy, RCA Preschool and Potters Wheel Daycare

Enterprise Schools

Neshoba County School District

Quitman School District

East Central Community College

In an update on its website Sunday, Waste Pro announced Monday garbage pickup for the Meridian area was cancelled and its office would be closed.

NAS Meridian announced operations would be suspended Monday. Essential personnel supporting Fire, Security, Public Works, Emergency Management, Air Operations and Galley operations were told to follow the direction of their supervisors.
Memorial services for Carolyn Elizabeth Mitchell will be held Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Church of the Mediator in Meridian at 3825 35th Ave. 39305. Graveside service will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery on Highway 29 North in Ellisville, Miss
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
Aug. 30, 2021

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites the public to meet virtually to discuss changes to walleye and northern pike regulations for Lake Gogebic on Sept. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT.

In 2016, regulations for Lake Gogebic were adjusted to allow anglers to possess up to two walleye between 13 and 15 inches as part of the daily possession limit of five walleye. This was to allow anglers to take advantage of an abundance of small walleye. Recently, anglers have been experiencing abnormally poor walleye fishing on Lake Gogebic and have communicated the desire to consider regulation changes immediately.

The proposed regulations are a return to the statewide walleye 15-inch minimum size limit and daily possession limit of five, as well as utilizing the special northern pike regulations that allow for possession of up to five northern pike of any size with only one greater than 24 inches. These are the only regulation changes that will be considered at this time.

Normally, proposed fisheries regulations would be presented to the public at the DNR's spring Coffee and Conversation meetings as well as citizen advisory committees. Given the public desire to make regulations more conservative, the Natural Resources Commission agreed to deviate from the normal process for public input and will consider regulation changes for Lake Gogebic at its October and November meetings.

Following a survey of the fish community in the spring of 2022, the DNR will consider whether additional changes may be required. If supported by the public and approved by the NRC, the regulation changes will be in effect April 1, 2022.

The public may offer comments during the Sept. 15 virtual session. For meeting registration, public comment instructions or additional details, please contact Patrick Hanchin by 3 p.m. EDT, Sept. 14.

The DNR is committed to providing Michigan residents the opportunity to share input and ideas on policy decisions, programs and other aspects of natural resource management. To learn more about how the DNR manages Michigan's fisheries for current and future generations, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.
AG Nessel Joins Coalition to Uphold Virginia's Anti-Discrimination Law

AG Nessel Joins Coalition to Uphold Virginia's Anti-Discrimination Law

Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746

Public inquiries: 517-335-7622



August 30, 2021

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in filing a brief in support of the constitutionality of Virginia's anti-discrimination law.

The amicus brief was filed Friday Aug. 27 with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in the case of Updegrove v. Herring. Specifically, the plaintiffs, Robert Updegrove and Loudoun Multi-Images LLC, d/b/a Bob Updegrove Photography, claim they intend to advertise that they won't offer wedding photography services for LGBTQ+ couples. The plaintiffs claim Virginia's public accommodations law, amended last year to protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, violates their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and free exercise of religion.

The filed brief supports Virginia's defense of the law in the plaintiffs' appeal following the District Court's dismissal of the lawsuit.

"Turning away customers based on their sexual orientation is clear discrimination," Nessel said. "I stand with my colleagues in filing this brief in support of Virginia's expanded public accommodations law. No one should ever be barred from accessing goods and services simply for whom they love. Allowing such discrimination would set a dangerous precedent."

In the brief, the attorneys general argue that states across the country have enacted laws to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in places of public accommodations to prevent severe economic, personal, and social harm. Discrimination in public accommodation "denies equal access to important goods and services and, by segregating the market, has a well-established 'substantial and harmful effect' on the economy."

According to the brief, a majority of Americans - 189 million - now live in communities that expressly prohibit places of public accommodation from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation. Virginia's public accommodations law, which has been in effect since July 2020, forbids sexual-orientation discrimination by businesses engaged in sales to the public, and forbids such businesses from posting a notice indicating their intention to refuse service on the basis of sexual orientation.

The brief further argues that prejudice "on account of sexual orientation 'has severely limited or actually prevented access to employment, housing and other basic necessities of life, leading to deprivation and suffering' and fostered a general climate of hostility and distrust, leading in some instances to physical violence.'" The brief points out that the Supreme Court has long held that discrimination in public accommodations is a "unique evil."

The attorneys general argue that the First Amendment does not allow a business to exclude customers in violation of anti-discrimination laws. It also does not protect the speech in advertisements that gives notice that places of public accommodations will refuse service on the basis of a protected characteristic.

Finally, the attorneys general call on the court to follow the Supreme Court's instruction to ensure that LGBTQ+ individuals are not subjected to "indignities when they seek goods and services in an open market." The attorneys general argue that permitting businesses like the plaintiffs' to discriminate on supposed First Amendment grounds would fundamentally undermine our country's anti-discrimination laws, including with respect to discrimination on the basis of race, sex, and religion, as well as sexual orientation.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in filing the amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
COA Upholds Conviction of W. Mich. Man Who Embezzled $300,000 from Elderly Woman

COA Upholds Conviction of W. Mich. Man Who Embezzled $300,000 from Elderly Woman

Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746

Public inquiries: 517-335-7622



August 30, 2021

LANSING - The Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the conviction of a West Michigan man sent to prison for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly widow, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today.

The Department of Attorney General worked alongside the Michigan Department of Treasury and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs on the case.

In February 2019, Gary "Duke" Haynes was sentenced in Muskegon County Circuit Court on the following:

one felony count of conducting a criminal enterprise, punishable by up to 20 years and/or $100,000;

one felony count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult $100,000 or more, punishable by up to 20 years and/or $50,000;

eight felony counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult $1,000-$20,000, punishable by up to five years and/or $10,000; and

four felony counts of taxes-failure to file/false return, punishable by up to five years and/or $5,000. Haynes was sentenced to 90 months to 20 years in prison on the single-count charges and 30 months to five years in prison on the additional 12 counts, to be served concurrently.

He was convicted after stealing more than $300,000 over the course of four years, beginning when the woman was 90 years old. Haynes met the woman when she was 85 years old and was given access to her computer, financial accounts and passwords. Haynes had access to the victim's money for more than 10 years and used his relationship of trust with the victim to influence her financial decisions. He also took money from her accounts and used it to benefit himself and his companies, Senior Planning Resource and Future By Design.

Following the sentencing, he appealed to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Earlier this month, the Court issued a 22-page published opinion affirming on all counts.

"The evidence in this case was clear and I commend the Court of Appeals for upholding Mr. Haynes' conviction," Nessel said. "Prosecuting elder abuse and exploitation remains one of my top initiatives. My office remains committed to securing justice against those who take advantage of vulnerable adults."
BIG RAPIDS  Big Rapids Department of Public Safety officers responded to the following calls.

All calls may not be reported.

Friday, Aug. 27

 Malicious destruction of property was reported at the Bandshell at Hemlock Park in Big Rapids. A 14-year-old girl threw paint on the bandshell.

 A two-vehicle crash was reported on Perry Avenue near Clark Street.

 Police officers assisted Big Rapids Middle School staff in dealing with an out-of-control student.

 A two-vehicle crash was reported on State Street near Elm Street.

 Reckless driving was reported in the 200 block of Pemberton Avenue. A complainant reported a woman came over to confront another woman about staying away from her son. The complainant and the woman were arguing, and the woman left. The complainant claims the woman damaged her lawn and the woman claims she was parked on Elm Street. The woman was trespassed.

 A traffic stop on State Street near Knollview lead to a driver being cited for no insurance, and driving while license suspended.

Saturday, Aug. 28

 A two-vehicle crash was reported on State Street near Maple Street.

 A two-vehicle crash was reported on Elm Street near Michigan Avenue.

 A harassment complaint was made in the 500 block of Clark Street. A complainant reported a woman spreading lies about her sleeping with students.

 A noise complaint was made in the 600 block of South Michigan Avenue. The subjects were sitting on the porch listening to music. They later shut off the music and went inside for the night.

Sunday, Aug. 29

 A fleeing and eluding incident was reported in the 300 block of North Warren Avenue. After trying to make a traffic stop for speeding/careless/reckless driving in Hemlock Park, the suspect, driving a Dodge Charger Hemi, fled the scene. Once on US 131, the suspect shredded a tire which then left the vehicle and struck the hood and windshield of a patrol car, damaging the patrol cars windshield. The suspect was taken into custody and lodged at the Mecosta County Jail. Three bond conditional releases out of Kent County.
For the second time in a row, Huron County added a new COVID-related death to its count according to the state report released Monday.

Huron County added 15 new confirmed cases Monday as well, bringing its total to 3,218 confirmed cases and 79 deaths since the pandemic began last year. The county had a 6.98% positivity rate Sunday based on three positive tests out of 43 conducted.

Tuscola County added the most new confirmed cases Monday with 15 since Friday and no additional deaths. That brings the county's totals to 5,112 confirmed COVID cases and 164 deaths since the pandemic began. Tuscola County had the highest positivity rate in the Upper Thumb at 14.12% based on 12 positive tests out of 85 conducted.

Sanilac County added seven new confirmed cases in Monday's report, bringing its total since the pandemic began to 3,833 cases and 119 deaths. Sanilac County had the lowest positivity rate out of the three counties at 2.5% based on one positive test out of 40 conducted.

Only Tuscola County had a higher positivity rate than the state average, which stood at 9.29% Sunday.

Monday the state added 5,020 confirmed COVID cases and 27 deaths. According to the state report, the new case count represents new referrals of confirmed cases to the MDSS since the last web report. The average number of new cases per day Saturday, Sunday and Monday is 1,673.

The new death total includes six deaths identified during a vital records review.

Since the pandemic began, Michigan has tallied 946,698 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, inching toward 1 million, and 20,257 deaths.

According to the state's hospital capacity report, hospitals in Preparedness Region 3, which includes the Upper Thumb, have 2,167 of 2,769 inpatient beds filled.

Region 3 hospitals report treating 159 people with confirmed COVID cases including one pediatric patient, with 18 hospitalized on a ventilator and 43 in the ICU.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all counties in Michigan are listed as being a high level of community transmission, which the CDC identifies as having more than 100 new cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days, or a substantial level of transmission, which means having 50 to 99.99 new cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days. Huron and Tuscola counties are identified as having a high level of transmission, while Sanilac County is identified as significant.

Based on the high levels of community transmission, the CDC recommends even vaccinated people wear face masks when in public.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) 

Bank robbers armed with explosives and high-powered rifles plunged a city in Sao Paulo states interior into terror early Monday, taking civilians hostage and even putting some on their cars while making their escape.

Video shared on social media showed a booming shootout and men dressed in black marching hostages down a street in Aracatuba, 520 kilometers (323 miles) from Sao Paulo and home to almost 200,000 people.

After ransacking two bank branches, the criminals drove away with hostages clinging to the roofs of their cars and hoods to deter police from firing at the getaway convoy. Another hostage stood with his torso protruding from an SUV's sunroof and his hands held in the air.

At least three people were killed in the clash, two of whom were civilians, authorities said in a morning press conference. One was a local businessman who went to the location to film the attack and the other a delivery boy, per preliminary information. The third person killed was a suspect, found in his car. Six others were injured.

Large-scale bank heists have become more frequent in recent years, with hostages used as human shields. In July last year, a group of criminals stormed Botucatu in Sao Paulo state, and, over two days in December, two cities on opposite sides of the country. Aracatuba was itself the site of a similar attack, in 2017.

The coordinated robbery on Monday involved dozens of criminals and at least 10 cars. They burned vehicles in strategic locations to impede police response, and reportedly used a drone to monitor officers's movements.

Aracatuba was shaken by highly dangerous criminals who fired thousands of shots, Col. Rodrigo Arena, the police commander in the region, told reporters.

Arena said that three suspects had been arrested and Federal Police are taking over investigations, he added. Sao Paulo's public security secretariat said in a statement that 380 police officers were trying to locate the escaped criminals.

Aracatuba's mayor, Dilador Borges, said earlier Monday morning that authorities believe undetonated explosives remain in some areas of the city center, and called on residents to remain in their homes.

Local media reported that branches belonging to state banks Caixa Federal and Banco do Brasil were the ones targeted. In a response to a request for comment, Caixa said it only provides information about crimes to police. Banco do Brasil said it is collaborating with authorities, and that it doesn't disclose the amount of money stolen in robberies. ___ AP writer Mauricio Savarese contributed from Sao Paulo.
MIDDLETOWN  Connecticuts COVID-19 vaccination vans are coming to Middlesex Community College next month , to provide no-cost, walk-up vaccinations to eligible individuals 12 years or older.

The clinic is being held Sept. 14 at 100 Training Hill Road from 1 to 6 p.m. in Chapman Hall, Room 808.

The highly visible yellow vaccination vans are provided by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and administered by Griffin Health, according to a press release.

The shots are available without appointment. People are asked to bring a health insurance card and photo ID if they have them, however, it is not necessary to have health insurance or a state-issued ID  no one will be turned away for lack of insurance or ID, the news release said.

Vaccination is the best protection against the COVID-19 virus, and that is why everyone 12 and older is strongly encouraged to receive the vaccine, according to the state health department.

The vaccine will protect people, their family and friends from becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, allow people to gather safely with loved ones and neighbors, and let individuals get back to a sense of normalcy, according to the college.

The DPH vaccination vans are part of the states effort to vaccinate as many Connecticut residents as possible. More than half the states population has received at least one shot since vaccinations began at in December 2020.

For information, visit mxcc.edu. For details on vaccinations and COVID-19, go to ct.gov/covidvaccine.
NEW LONDON  Police arrested three men on Sunday in connection with the February shooting death of a 17-year-old boy.

On Wednesday, Feb. 17, at approximately 6:22 p.m., police responded to the area of Grand and Elm streets on the report of shots fired with an injured person in the roadway, according to a press release.

When they arrived, a 17-year-old male was located and pronounced dead by paramedics, the release read.

After an investigation by the New London Police Departments Investigation Services Division in coordination with the New London County States Attorney's Office, three people were arrested  Franc Gjergjaj, Mack Mann and Justice Rodriguez.

Gjergjaj, 20, of East Lyme, was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, tampering with physical evidence, interfering with an officer and having weapons in a vehicle.

He posted a $35,000 cash-surety court set bond and was assigned a court date of Oct. 12, police said.

Mann, 20, of New London, was charged with first-degree criminal attempt of robbery, first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, first-degree conspiracy to commit assault, first-degree accessory to assault, violation of protection order, tampering with evidence and carrying a pistol without a permit.

He was held on $160,000 cash-surety court set bond and his pending court date is Monday, Aug. 30.

Rodriguez, 24, of New London, was charged with first-degree criminal attempt of robbery, first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, first-degree conspiracy to commit assault and first-degree accessory to assault.

He was held on $150,000 cash-surety court set bond and his pending court date is Monday, Aug. 30.

Anyone who has information concerning this investigation is encouraged to contact the New London Police Departments detective bureau at 860-447-1481 or anonymous information may be submitted via the New London Tips 411 system by texting NLPDTip plus the information to Tip411 (847411).

christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com
PHOENIX (AP)  Health officials in Arizona's most populous county are sounding the alarm about a growing number of COVID-19 outbreaks in schools and a rising number of children and teens infected with the coronavirus.

Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, told the county Board of Supervisors on Monday that her department tracked almost three times the number of school outbreaks in August as it did during the virus's peak in February.

She said that of 188 outbreaks this month, 166 are ongoing  far more than at any other point during the pandemic, and they are rising exponentially. A small number of schools may have more than one outbreak.

In addition, more than one in four COVID-19 cases in the county are now among children, a rate never seen before," Sunenshine said. One in six of those cases are among children under 12, while 6% of all hospitalizations are of children, with 120 hospitalized for COVID-19 this month.

The hospitalization rate is a major change. Statewide, people under age 20 made up just 3.6% of hospitalized COVID-19 cases since the pandemic took hold in early 2020, according to Arizona Health Services Department data.

The increases in Maricopa County, home to nearly 60% of Arizona's residents, began after schools started reopening in July. That is also when the county saw the more transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus become dominant. Children rarely became seriously ill with earlier strains of the virus.

There's something about the delta strain that it affects children just as much as older people, and so what we're seeing is a dramatic rise in children," Sunenshine said. That was slowly happening, but really started when delta started. And it dramatically shot up when kids went back to school.

There are other factors driving the increase, Sunenshine said in her presentation to the board. One is that many schools were still in hybrid learning last winter and so fewer students were in class; now, school is mainly in person. There also were mask mandates last year, and many schools do not have them now. On the plus side, many teachers and staff are vaccinated, as are some students 12 and older. No COVID-19 vaccine is yet approved for children under 12.

Schools without mask mandates are twice as likely to have an outbreak, Sunenshine said.

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation in June barring schools from requiring masks, but a judge ruled this month that the law does not take effect until Sept. 29. Ducey said any school with a mask mandate will not be eligible for additional federal funding that he controls.

At least 29 public school districts in Arizona have used that court ruling to enact or maintain mask requirements. The districts account for more than 334,000 students and nearly 500 schools, and most are in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

In addition to the school outbreaks, Sunenshine said increased hospitalizations among all age groups are squeezing medical facilities. One hospital chain in metro Phoenix has a major nurse shortage, she said.

County Supervisor Clint Hickman said much of the rise in cases is self-inflicted because of low vaccination rates. The vast majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations are among the unvaccinated.

I think most of us in this room understood the seriousness of this and have gotten our shots ... so we can continue to come to work, Hickman said. But I just cannot believe the self-infliction that goes on with this.

The state hit 1 million confirmed infections last week. State health officials on Monday reported 3,247 new COVID-19 cases but no new deaths. As of Sunday, there were 1,983 virus-related hospitalizations.

Arizona has had 18,787 known COVID-19 deaths since the pandemic began.

The states latest data shows that more than 3.5 million people in the eligible population are fully vaccinated. More than 4 million  or 55.9%  have received at least one vaccine dose.

Last week, the leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson took the extraordinary step of telling local priests not to give out religious exemptions from COVID-19 vaccine requirements or mask mandates.

Bishop Edward Weisenburger sent a letter to his clergy, saying the Catholic faith cannot be used as an excuse for vaccine or mask hesitancy, the Arizona Daily Star reported.

___

Associated Press reporter Terry Tang contributed.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Kentucky's worst COVID-19 surge is spreading rapidly among school-age children as the delta variant forces more school districts to cancel classes, Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday.

So far this month, more than 18,900 Kentucky youngsters age 18 and under contracted the coronavirus as of Aug. 27, or nearly one-fourth of all COVID-19 cases in Kentucky, he said. In August 2020, there were 2,352 cases in that age group, or nearly 12% of all statewide cases.

More kids are getting COVID right now than we ever thought imaginable, Beshear said.

In one hard-hit eastern Kentucky school district, an instructional assistant died from COVID-19.

The latest batch of grim news Monday included record numbers of COVID-19 patients being treated in Kentucky hospitals and intensive care units and on ventilators. The state reported more than 9,900 new coronavirus cases in the past three days and at least 56 new virus-related deaths.

We continue to be hit harder and harder, the governor said at a news conference.

Kentucky reported more new cases of COVID-19 last week than any other week in the pandemic  more than 29,000. Meanwhile, nearly 2,200 virus patients are hospitalized in Kentucky, and 58 of the state's 96 hospitals are reporting critical staffing shortages, Beshear said. The state reported 615 virus patients in intensive care and 384 of them on ventilators  both records.

Kentucky surpassed a vaccination milestone with more than 2.5 million residents having received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but Beshear continued to implore the unvaccinated to get the shots. All together, 57% of the states population has been vaccinated.

The Bluegrass State is in the grips of its worst outbreak of the pandemic, the governor said, but he added that this tragedy can be stopped if the unvaccinated would get the COVID shots.

The governor also warned: "We dont know where the peak is going to be yet.

The highly contagious delta variant is spreading fastest among young Kentuckians, he said.

If you are ages 10 to 19 right now, you are getting COVID at a much higher rate than any other part of our population, Beshear said. "These are our school-age children.

Growing numbers of Kentucky school districts are closing schools because of virus outbreaks and switching to nontraditional instructional days with students learning from home. New media outlets reported Monday that at least 18 districts have closed or returned to virtual learning this school year.

Meanwhile, the Lee County school district in eastern Kentucky was mourning the death of a staff member. Heather Antle, an instructional aide at Lee County Elementary, died Sunday.

Antle was an involved member of the school community who brought great joy to the students and staff that she worked with, Lee County Superintendent Sarah Wasson said in a statement posted on social media.

We thank her for her service as an educator and we grieve with her family," Beshear said at his news conference. "This is not supposed to happen. And if we work hard and more people get vaccinated, we can prevent this from happening.

The Lee County district canceled in-person classes until Sept. 7 in response to coronavirus cases among students and teachers.

Beshear, while expressing condolences to Antle's family, urged Kentuckians to get vaccinated and wear masks to prevent the virus's spread in schools.

There was a time when some argued COVID did not spread in schools," the governor said on social media. "That time should be over.

We must do everything in our power to prevent the spread of this virus in our schools, and vaccinations and masks are our greatest tools," he added. Lets do whats right for our teachers.

___

Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee's chief of staff, who is under scrutiny for whether he used his political clout to push through a development approval on some wetlands owned by his family, has stepped down, the governor's office announced Monday.

Anthony Silva maintains that he did nothing wrong in the approval process, but the issue had become a distraction, the Democratic governor said in a statement.

Tony and I reached a mutual agreement that it is in the best interest of the administration for him to retire from state government effective immediately," the statement said.

Right now, his situation is a distraction from the critical work we have ahead. I appreciate that Tony understands the need to remove the distraction to ensure we can continue serving Rhode Islanders effectively," the governor said.

Silva once had an agreement to purchase the property in Cumberland  where McKee was once mayor and Silva was police chief.

After the state Department of Environmental Management issued the necessary approvals, the property was purchased by Silvas son, Ross.

Town officials as well as neighbors oppose building on the land, saying developing it would exacerbate flooding problems in the area, and were concerned that Silva and his family got preferential treatment from the state environmental agency.

The approval has been challenged in court.

Silva in a statement earlier this month said he has had no financial interest in the property since April 2020 and said he did not advocate for any outcome" with the Department of Environmental Management.

McKee stood by Silva, but last week asked the state attorney general's office to investigate the matter. The state Republican Party has also filed a complaint with the state Ethics Commission.

Senior Deputy Chief of Staff Antonio Afonso Jr. will assume the role of chief of staff, effective immediately.
NEW HAVEN  Early in the morning, on a day you could flash-fry an egg on the hood of your truck, city Public Works supervisor Steve Mustakos cleanup crew was out on Wallace Street, along the backside of the graffiti-covered old New Haven Clock Co. factory, picking up other peoples illegally-dumped junk.

Wilfredo Perez, a payloader operator who has worked for city for 27 years, worked the big machine into a big pile of ratty couches, bald tires, busted coolers, discarded plastic shelving, rolled-up carpeting and a hay bale or two, taking bites out of it, then maneuvering the payloader over to a big tractor-trailer and dropping in the junk.

As he did so, laborer Chris Santiago, who has done this for 22 years, and Scott Murphy, who has done it for 27, were armed with a push broom and a shovel, helping to round up any straggling trash and push it into Perezs giant bucket.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

Forty-five minutes later, when they finished, it looked a lot better.

But guess what?

By Monday, it will look just like that, all over again.

And there are other spots in New Haven  and in many communities  just like it.

In New Haven, those include Peat Meadow Road off Forbes Avenue, Russell Street in Fair Haven Heights, Exchange and Haven streets in Fair Haven, John W. Murphy Drive off Grand Avenue and James Street in Fair Haven, Wintergreen Avenue and Springside Avenue in West Rock, North Bank Street and Sherman Parkway.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

We go to to the same spots every Monday, said Mustakos, who has worked for Public Works for 18 years. I have a list of every street we go to. ... Once you catch up, the weekend comes and you fall right back again.

Last month, we did about 10,000 pounds, Mustakos said, as Laurie Lopez, who heads the departments Public Space Inspection division, nodded her head in agreement. Thats average, believe it or not.

With much of the smaller stuff that gets left out in front of peoples houses, the city is finding out about it faster than it once did because of the technological wizardry of SeeClickFix, which lets people report problems and allows city staffers to respond to them.

It assists us, said Director of Public Works Jeff Pescosolido. We think its a fabulous tool. We use it as an order management system.

The smaller stuff  some furniture or a few household items  often is a function of people moving, which happens often in New Haven because its home to lots of students.

But the big stuff, often dumped by the truckload by professionals looking to save money on disposal costs  and generally too big to see on SeeClickFix  is another beast entirely.

The bigger dumpers usually do it near the highway, Pescosolido said.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

For big stuff, Bank Street has been getting hit hard, said Lopez.

We try to keep up with it, but sometimes it gets too far out of hand, said Richard Christianson, superintendent of the Streets Division and a 29-year Public Works employee.

The dumping business generally appears to be seasonal and cyclical, with peaks and valleys, although Pescosolido said the larger-load dumping appears to be on the rise of late.

Just a few days ago, We went out and picked up a truckload of illegally dumped tires down at Gateway Terminal, he said.

The ones that get Pescosolido are more the ones where you get a dump truck ... and they drop off a full load of construction debris. Currently, those are on the rise.

Lopez said she believes that during the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, I think people were clearing out because maybe they were home more.

Public Works Public Information Specialist Kathy Hurley, who is the front-line person to respond to SeeClickFix complaints, said that during COVID, it also was hard to do bulk appointments.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

Several officials pointed out that for the smaller residential stuff, people can either call the Public Works Department to make an appointment for a pickup  a service New Haven offers that many of its suburban neighbors dont  or drop items off at the residential drop-off center at the transfer station off Middletown Avenue. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon.

Ultimately, the owner of the property is responsible for anything thats dumped illegally, said Pescosolido.

Lopez said its rare to catch someone in the act of illegal dumping, but the material often contains things that make it identifiable.

The Public Works Department is not the dumping police  but it works with the Police Department when theres a reason to, she said.

Keeping up with illegal dumping used to be a constant activity, but weve changed the way we do it in recent years, said Pescosolido. We used to deal with dumping all day, every day. Now we dont  theres so much of a demand to do other things right now.

One things theyve worked to do is forge relationships with large landlords and other property owners so that when there are problems, they can more easily take care of them, he said.

We would love to never have trash on the streets, but one mattress begets 20 within a day or two, Pescosolido said.

Back on the street, laborers Santiago and Murphy said they dont mind going back to the pick other peoples stuff up from the same locations, over and over again.

Were so used to it, said Murphy. They say Wallace Street, we know just what to look for.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

But that doesnt mean they dont recognize the cost of it to the city  and to the people who pay the bills.

We could be doing other things for the taxpayers, said Murphy.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A prominent North Dakota lawmaker will plead guilty to drunken driving rather than proceed to trial, his attorney said Monday.

Republican Rep. Scott Louser, who is the House assistant majority leader, was pulled over after crossing from Mandan into Bismarck shortly before 1 a.m. on April 16. A North Dakota Highway Patrol officer observed his 2021 Cadillac Escalade weaving partially into neighboring lanes, according to a probable cause affidavit.
MIDDLETOWN  Another busy week is on tap for the chamber team as we come up on Labor Day here in Middlesex County.

On the chamber calendar front, this week features the return of the chamber divisions after a brief summer hiatus. We will kick off the division year on Wednesday morning with an important meeting of the Portland and East Hampton division on Zoom.

The September meeting of the chambers Central Business Bureau, which covers issues of importance to the business community in downtown Middletown, will be held Thursday morning.

The Chester, Deep River and Essex Division will get together Friday for the first time since June. These meetings will feature reports from local and state officials, business leaders in each town, and other important stakeholders.

While our staff plays a key role in these meetings, I want to take a moment to thank our division chairs, and all members that support these important meetings on a monthly basis. Our grassroots divisions help us keep a close eye on the issues that directly impact or have the potential to impact our members in each of our towns.

We look forward to a productive week of meetings.

On the infrastructure front, the chamber continues to do its best to play a constructive role in the important river crossing projects happening in Middlesex County.

Bridge construction

The rehabilitation of Arrigoni Bridge approach spans and operational improvements at St. Johns Square / Main Street intersection in Middletown and Portland are moving right along and expected to wrap up in the early part of 2022.

The work group that we established in 2020 has been meeting regularly, and has done a great job of ensuring access to the bridge for emergency management and other critical vehicles, all while doing its best to minimize the economic impact of the construction on local businesses.

This committee features municipal and state leaders from both sides of the bridge, district and project leaders from the state Department of Transportation, project manager from the contractor, Mohawk Northeast, first responders from both sides, Middlesex Health, and of course, businesspeople of all stripes.

After the project on the Arrigoni wraps up, our attention will turn toward the East Haddam Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Project, scheduled to begin in the spring. There is no way around the fact that this project will have a major impact on the towns of Haddam and East Haddam, and the whole central part of Middlesex County over the course of three construction seasons.

The bridge needs to be closed for significant stretches in order for the work to get done. The chamber hosted a special meeting of our East Haddam and Haddam Division Thursday, which featured a presentation from DOT on the current plan for the project and over 50 of our member businesses.

The chamber will be launching a new committee that will work to minimize the impact of this project as well, using the Arrigoni Bridge work group as a model. We look forward to playing an important role throughout this project, and I would like to thank DOT, our elected leaders, and everyone who is working together to manage this in an effective and efficient way.

Business development

I look forward to joining Cromwell Mayor Enzo Faienza, Town Manager Tony Salvatore, Chamber Cromwell Division Chairman Rodney Bitgood, and other local leaders for the grand opening celebration for Cafe Fiore Cromwell at 134 Berlin Road on Thursday afternoon.

Conveniently located off Interstate 91 and close to Route 9, Cafe Fiore Cromwell offers an outstanding menu, a cocktail lounge, indoor and outdoor dining, banquet rooms, and much more. We wish Executive Chef Rusty Cecunjanin and the entire Cafe Fiore Cromwell team nothing but the best as they embark on this delicious new venture.

Closing out the week on Friday, I look forward to joining chamber Vice President Jeff Pugliese for a trip down to Essex to meet with the new President and CEO of Essex Savings Bank, Diane Arnold. Diane recently took over for longtime president Greg Shook, who did a great job in this important role.

Essex Savings Bank is a very important member of our chamber and lower county stakeholder here in our region. We look forward to a great discussion, and to continuing a strong working relationship.

Tropical storm response

In closing, I want to take a moment to thank all of our local and state leaders, Eversource President Joe Nolan and his team, and the emergency management teams in Connecticut who were ready to respond in a big way to Tropical Storm Henri. While the storm tracked east and spared Connecticut a direct hit, the infrastructure for a strong response was in place, and we here at the chamber are grateful for everyones efforts.

This will not be the last storm that will hit our state, and every time we are faced with this situation, we learn a little bit more. The chamber looks forward to supporting these efforts moving forward, and we will continue to stress the importance of having an emergency plan and business continuing plan in place and ready to go, because, as we have learned, it is not if  but when  another storm will hit.

Despite this fact, the sun always shines in Middlesex County!

Larry McHugh is president of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce in Middletown.
Venice, FL (34285)

Today

Mixed clouds and sun with scattered thunderstorms. High 82F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 77F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland married her longtime partner Skip Sayre Saturday night in New Mexico.

Haaland wore a dress designed and sewn by her sister, said Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz. The ceremony incorporated elements honoring her Native American ancestry. The former New Mexico congresswoman is a member of the Laguna Pueblo.

According to Schwartz, guests had to be vaccinated to attend and wear masks per CDC and New Mexico guidelines.

But pictures on social media that show some people, including Haaland, not wearing masks indoors the whole time have drawn criticism. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In Privileged a reporter asked Kyle Korver, a white NBA veteran, about an incident involving his Black teammate Russell Westbrook and a fan. Korver, who hadnt been present, replied, [Y]ou know Russ  gets into it with the crowd a lot.

Later Korver heard that the fan made racist comments, upsetting other Black players, who demanded a team meeting during which several spoke about suffering similar encounters. Korver, too, was upset, abruptly discovering what it means just to exist right now  as a person of color in a mostly white space.

Afterwards, Korver remained unsatisfied. He stated, [N]o matter how passionately I commit to being an ally,  Im still in this conversation from the privileged perspective of opting in to it[, meaning]  I could just as easily opt out of it. Korver vowed to learn about racism, especially by listening to people of color, and to encourage other whites to follow suit.

Whether the topic is race relations or the broader issue of social class, the traditional American approach has been decidedly less open-minded. Lets consider social class. In 1859, scientist Charles Darwin asserted the significance of natural selection, explaining that organisms observable traits reveal their capacity to survive and reproduce. Sociologist Herbert Spencer considered the conclusion perfectly in harmony with a ranking of human groups, using the phrase survival of the fittest  to apply to the fate of rich and poor in a laissez faire capitalist society. Wealthy businessmen immediately felt liberated from restraints in seeking wealth. Andrew Carnegie, the leading steel manufacturer, ecstatically wrote, I remember that light came as a flood and all was clear. Spencers viewpoint remained largely unchallenged, producing a self-fulfilling prophecy validating affluent white males dominance.

While Americans no longer cite the survival-of-the-fittest doctrine as a rationale for economic success, recent survey findings still emphasize the primacy of individual achievement. A national representative sample of nearly 2,000 American adults concluded that hard work was the dominant factor promoting economic achievement. The greater interviewees earnings, the more they concurred, but at least 87 percent of four designated income groups chose it. In contrast, none of the four categories provided over 37 percent support for such well-recognized influences as racial/ethnic membership and family affluence.

Like their counterparts in the survival-of-the-fittest era, contemporary successful Americans appear convinced of the virtue of their work, undoubtedly feeling freed to pursue wealth unrestrictedly. It isnt surprising that in such a permissive setting, data show that inequality in wealth and income is greater in the United States than in other rich countries, particularly among CEOs. In 1965 an average CEO earned over 20 times more than a typical worker, but by 2018 the figure had ballooned to a mind-boggling 278 times as much.

Stringent measures to bring CEOs economic advantage more in line with counterparts in other affluent nations include elevated income-tax rates for wealthy corporations, particularly those with higher ratios of CEO-to-worker earnings, and revision of corporate regulations improving less powerful colleagues chances of reducing CEOs compensation. However, while considerable economic inequality in the U.S. persists, current support for significant social change is evident. About three-fifths of Americans assert that economic inequality is too prevalent in the nation.

Two recent developments have bolstered such views. Mobile-phone images of a white policeman slowly suffocating George Floyd, a Black man, while kneeling on his neck went viral; in addition, extensive media coverage publicized that Black deaths from COVID-19 were nearly twice the white rate. Together these events produced increased nationwide awareness of the devastating impact of racism, promoting massive social-media response and extensive protest along with sharply increased support for Black Lives Matter. These, however, are teetering times, and within a year as Black Lives Matter protests decreased and Joe Bidens replacement of Donald Trump somewhat reduced a sense of controversy, Americans commitment to the movement declined.

On the other hand, an unknown number of Americans have recently had insightful experiences linked to major social issues  personal versions of aha moments. This piece began describing Kyle Korvers revelation about racism. The Rev. Al Sharpton, a prominent Black activist, had such a moment. Decades ago he joined a protest where a young white woman looked [him] right in the face and said, N*****, go home. Recalling that encounter, Sharpton mentioned a recent march during which a white preteen girl tagged my suit jacket and  I braced myself, and she looked at me and said, No justice, no peace. He concluded, Its a different time.

Chris Doob is an emeritus professor of sociology at Southern Connecticut State University and the author of a variety of books involving sociology and sports.
Roughly 200 soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, will deploy Tuesday to northern California to help fight wildfires burning in the state, including the Dixie Fire, which has burned more than 1,200 structures but is less than half contained.

Troops with the Army's 23rd Brigade Engineer Battalion and 2-3 Infantry Battalion, both from 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, were training Monday at Lewis-McChord before traveling to the Lassen and Plumas National Forests to support firefighting efforts there.

In a press release issued Saturday, Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, head of U.S. Army North, said the effort marks the 40th time a military service has mobilized to fight fires under an interagency agreement that was forged in the 1970s.

Army and Marine Corps units deployed last year to California for firefighting as well, she noted.

"We ... are proud to once again support the National Interagency Fire Center and the state," Richardson said.

Read Next: Rocket Attacks Hit Kabul Airport as Massive Evacuation Nears End

The soldiers conducted classroom and practical training Monday, learning the basics of wildfire suppression and firefighter safety, and will spend two days training with fire experts and frontline firefighters once they arrive in California, U.S. Army North spokeswoman Nicole Wieman told Military.com.

According to Wieman, the troops, who are mainly engineers and infantry personnel, will serve as "hand crews," digging fire lines, suppressing small hot spots in already burned areas and conducting small burns to eliminate potential fuel sources for the fire.

"We'll leave the initial attack to the professionals," Wieman said. "But many of these soldiers come from an engineering background, so they will be doing some of the same things they do as engineers -- digging, working in remote areas."

The service members will join a mission that has included members of the National Guard; California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire; California Conservation Corps; California Department of Corrections; and other governmental and private groups.

The Dixie fire has forced more than 7,000 people in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains to leave their homes and destroyed an entire town, Greenville, that dated to the 19th century.

Wieman said that, typically, a National Interagency Fire Center request for active-duty military personnel comes in only after local, state, federal and civilian firefighting efforts are "at capacity."

The soldiers are expected to help with the firefighting for at least a month, she added.

In addition to the Army activation, the crews of eight U.S. Air Force C-130s equipped with modular firefighting systems that drop fire retardant on burning areas have been participating across the West, according to Army North.

The Dixie fire has been burning since July 14. The state's second largest blaze, the Caldor fire, has burned 177,000 acres since Aug. 14 and is 14% contained, according to Cal Fire.

As of Monday, the Caldor fire had forced the evacuation of South Lake Tahoe, a popular vacation town.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the name of Richardson's command and the units involved.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Coast Guard, National Guard Forces Begin Rescues and Aid in Response to Hurricane Ida
With much of New Orleans dark and entire swaths of coastal Louisiana without phone service or power as of midday Monday, U.S. Coast Guard members and National Guard units from Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are busy conducting search-and-rescue operations and assessing damage left by Hurricane Ida.

The Category 4 storm made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, on Sunday, barreling northward with winds of up to 150 miles per hour. While the hurricane weakened to a tropical storm Monday, it left behind flooded roadways, damaged roofs and downed power lines across low-lying coastal areas, including the city of Houma.

The Coast Guard conducted one of the first rescue operations of the storm early Monday, transporting seven patients from a hospital in Galliano, Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards said during a press conference.

"They were able to fly before any other assets could," Bel Edwards said during a briefing for President Joe Biden. "You probably saw the hospital that had the roof completely taken off yesterday. Your Coast Guard rescued and relocated those patients, and we're very appreciative of that."

Before the storm made landfall, the service had moved in forces from U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Alabama, and Coast Guard Air Station Houston, Texas, to prepare for any search-and-rescue operations, as well as damage assessments.

Aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and elsewhere, including North Carolina, Texas and Louisiana, were deployed to the region ahead of the storm, according to official Coast Guard social media pages.

Read Next: 'Unjust Actions': Army Illegally Denied Housing Allowance to Reservists and Wrongly Investigated Them, Board Finds

The service also is monitoring the positions of 22 barges that broke free on the Mississippi River, which reversed course for four hours as the result of Ida's winds and storm surge, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Capt. Chris Hulser, commanding officer of the training center in Mobile, told CBS News on Monday morning that the service planned to begin overflights at daylight.

"We'll include airplanes and helicopters, all fitted for search and rescue," Hulser said. "They'll be surveying New Orleans and the western area for habitability, for anybody in distress and, of course, they'll be surveying the waterways for any type of pollution, any type of disaster we can take care of."

Also participating in the federal response are about 5,300 National Guard members, including more than 5,000 from Louisiana, according to National Guard Bureau spokesman Wayne Hall.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sent in a team Monday to help restore power, along with emergency operations center personnel to support flood management and response.

The Coast Guard and National Guard responses to the hurricane come as both forces are busy elsewhere: The Coast Guard currently has hundreds of members deployed to Haiti for humanitarian relief operations following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern portion of that country Aug. 14.

And the National Guard has more than 13,000 members deployed across the country for COVID-related missions, in addition to at least a thousand members who are in Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Ida made landfall roughly 45 miles west and 16 years to the day after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana and Mississippi.

One person is confirmed dead as a result of the storm, killed when a tree fell on his home in Ascension Parish.

-- This is a developing story. It will be updated.

-- Military.com reporter Steve Beynon contributed to this report.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime

Related: US Airlifts Aid to Haiti to Reach Areas Hardest Hit by Quake
The U.S. military's evacuation from the main airport in Kabul has ended -- along with the nearly 20-year war in Afghanistan.

U.S. Central Command head Gen. Frank McKenzie said Monday the last C-17 Globemaster III took off minutes before midnight Kabul time -- the beginning of Aug. 31, which was the United States' deadline for withdrawal. For the first time since late 2001, weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, there are now no U.S. service members in Afghanistan.

"There's a lot of heartbreak associated with this departure," McKenzie said. "We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out, but I think if we'd stayed another 10 days, we wouldn't have gotten everybody out that we wanted to get out."

Reports of celebratory gunfire from the Taliban surfaced online after the final C-17 took off from Kabul.

Read Next: Coast Guard, National Guard Forces Begin Rescues and Aid in Response to Hurricane Ida

The final weeks of the war were among the military's hardest, as thousands of troops rushed in to hold Hamid Karzai International Airport as the U.S.-backed Afghan government collapsed with shocking speed and the Taliban rapidly filled the void.

The unprecedented airlift effort to rush to safety Americans and Afghan allies -- the largest noncombatant evacuation operation in U.S. military history -- saw some 123,000 people evacuated in all. Since Aug. 14, more than 79,000 civilians were ferried out by the U.S. military on one flight after another -- primarily C-17s, their massive cargo bays at times packed with hundreds of refugees.

A U.S military aircraft takes off from the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)

The evacuation effort saw the last flag-draped coffins from the war arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The final U.S. casualties came Aug. 26, when a suicide bomber struck at the airport's Abbey Gate, packed with U.S. troops and many Afghans trying to get through. The bomber killed 13 troops -- 11 Marines, a sailor and a soldier, wounded more than 20 other troops, and killed or wounded hundreds of Afghans.

It marked one of the deadliest days of the war for the U.S., with less than a week to go, and brought the final toll of service members killed there to 2,461. There were also more than 20,000 troops wounded in Afghanistan.

"My heart is broken over the losses we sustained three days ago," McKenzie said.

The Islamic State's Afghanistan branch, ISIS-Khorasan, or ISIS-K, claimed responsibility for the attack. The U.S. responded with two drone strikes: one on Friday that killed two people the military claimed were ISIS organizers, and one on Sunday it said targeted a car in Kabul carrying explosive material intended for another attack. The latter airstrike may have resulted in up to 10 civilian casualties, according to reporting by The New York Times that was not immediately disputed by the Pentagon.

ISIS-K and the Taliban are in the midst of their own war, prompting a pseudo-alliance between the U.S. and the Taliban, who have been killing one another for 20 years. McKenzie described the Taliban as "pragmatic," saying the terror group had a vested interest in the U.S. leaving quickly, thus motivating it to try and facilitate a smooth withdrawal by securing areas outside of the airport.

He added that diplomatic efforts to help remaining U.S. citizens and eligible Afghans who want to leave will continue, though the military's role in the evacuation process is done.

Just as the evacuation began, the desperation of some Afghans hoping to escape impending Taliban rule caused an accident that pushed the White House to send in more troops to secure the airfield. On Aug. 16, many desperate Afghans ran onto the airport's grounds and surrounded a C-17 that had just landed to unload equipment. The C-17's crew, concerned about the crowd of people approaching the aircraft, opted to take off again. Afghans ran alongside the plane and clung to its sides, some falling to their deaths, and the body of one Afghan was later found in the aircraft's landing gear.

Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, and U.S. Ambassador Ross Wilson were among the last U.S. officials to leave Afghanistan. They departed on the final C-17 flight, covered by what McKenzie described as "overwhelming U.S. airpower overhead, should there have been any challenge to our departure."

At the peak of the airlift last week, C-17s were taking off roughly every 45 minutes, and more than 19,000 people were flown out on a single day. On average, the military evacuated more than 7,500 civilians per day, McKenzie said.

The U.S. military evacuated more than 6,000 American civilians, which the Pentagon said represented the majority of those who wanted to leave. The military estimated that only a few hundred wishing to leave remain.

McKenzie said the civilian evacuation ended about 12 hours before the final withdrawal. Some equipment was brought out on the final flights, but other equipment -- such as the counter rocket artillery and mortar, or C-RAM, system and various aircraft and vehicles -- was left behind permanently disabled.

The sudden collapse of Afghanistan's American-backed government, and the emergency evacuation triggered by the deteriorating security situation, have drawn both political attacks for opponents of the Biden administration, and finger-pointing within. Roughly 2,500 U.S. troops had remained in Afghanistan when the Trump administration left office, a number the Biden administration reduced to about 650 before the Taliban easily conquered Afghanistan.

President Joe Biden quickly mobilized 6,000 troops, including the 10th Mountain and 82nd Airborne Division, to secure the airport and aid in the evacuation that followed.

"No words from me could possibly capture the full measure of sacrifices and accomplishments of those who serve, nor the emotions they're feeling at this moment," McKenzie said. "But I will say that I'm proud that both my son and I have been a part of it."

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Escape from Afghanistan: One Interpreter's Desperate Run Past the Taliban to Safety
The U.S. military has been fending off repeated rocket attacks as it wraps up its historic evacuation from Afghanistan.

As many as five rockets were fired at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul late Sunday night, East Coast time, Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor, Joint Staff deputy director for regional operations, said at a Pentagon briefing Monday morning. Three rockets landed outside of the airfield and had no effect, he said.

The U.S. activated its counter rocket, artillery and mortar, or C-RAM, system, intercepting a fourth rocket. A fifth rocket landed on the airport's grounds but did not have any effect on the pace of evacuation flights.

Read Next: Biden Pays Respects to US Troops Killed in Afghanistan

The rocket attacks -- possibly by the ISIS-Khorasan, or ISIS-K, the Islamic State's Afghanistan branch -- were the latest in a series of exchanges of fire in the evacuation's final days. The group took responsibility for a devastating Aug. 26 suicide bombing at the airport's Abbey Gate that killed 13 U.S. troops, wounded at least 20 more, and killed or wounded hundreds of Afghan civilians.

After the bombing, the U.S. government said another attack on the airport might be imminent.

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On Aug. 27, the military carried out a drone strike in Nangarhar province, killing two people it claimed were part of ISIS-K and on Sunday the U.S. conducted a drone strike on a vehicle it alleged was carrying ISIS-K operatives about to carry out another attack on the airport.

An Afghan family said the Sunday strike had killed 10 civilians, including seven children, the New York Times reported. The Pentagon pointed to what it called significant "secondary explosions" as evidence the vehicle targeted in the airstrikes carried a bomb or bombs, but could not say how it was sure those explosions took place and officials responded that an investigation into the reports of civilian casualties is ongoing but didnt dispute the familys account of deaths.

But with Tuesday's deadline for departure looming, the evacuation effort is winding down swiftly. The Pentagon confirmed Saturday that troop withdrawals had begun, though officials would not say how many remained. In an email to reporters Saturday, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby asked publications not to print the number of troops remaining at the Kabul airport for security reasons, citing ongoing and imminent threats to U.S. troops from terrorist groups.

The U.S. military completed 26 C-17 Globemaster III flights out of the airport in the 24 hours between Sunday morning and Monday morning, carrying about 1,200 evacuees, a substantial reduction from the several thousand who were being evacuated on a daily basis last week.

The Kabul airlift is now the largest in U.S. military history, with more than 122,000 people, including about 5,400 Americans, having been evacuated since late July.

Kirby said that the State Department will continue to try to get out any Americans, or others such as endangered Afghans, who are still in Afghanistan after Tuesday but wish to leave. But he does not expect the military to play a role in that effort.

Tens of thousands of Afghans and other evacuees are still at U.S. facilities being used as staging areas after leaving Kabul, waiting for follow-on flights to take them to their final destinations. There are now more than 27,000 evacuees at six bases in the Middle East, and more than 22,000 at three European bases. About 3,700 passengers, primarily Afghans, were slated to fly on 17 flights Monday to either Dulles International Airport in Virginia or Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania.

-- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey.

Related: Afghanistan: The War That Made War Normal
KABUL, Afghanistan  Rocket fire apparently targeting Kabul's international airport struck a nearby neighborhood on Monday, the eve of the deadline for American troops to withdraw from the countrys longest war after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. It wasnt immediately clear if anyone was hurt.

The rockets did not halt the steady stream of U.S. military C-17 cargo jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in the Afghan capital. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Last week, the Islamic State group launched a devastating suicide bombing at one of the airport gates that killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members.

The airport repeatedly has been a scene of chaos in the two weeks since the Taliban blitz across Afghanistan that took control of the country, nearly 20 years after the initial U.S. invasion that followed the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But since the suicide bombing, the Taliban have tightened their security cordon around the airfield, with their fighters seen just up to the last fencing separating them from the runway.

In the capital's Chahr-e-Shaheed neighborhood, a crowd quickly gathered around the remains of a four-door sedan used by the attackers, which had what appeared to be six homemade rocket tubes mounted where the backseat should be. The Islamic State group and other militants routinely mount such tubes into vehicles and quietly transport them undetected close to a target.

I was inside the house with my children and other family members, suddenly there were some blasts," said Jaiuddin Khan, who lives nearby. "We jumped into the house compound and lay on the ground.

The rockets landed across town in Kabul's Salim Karwan neighborhood, striking residential apartment blocks, witnesses said. That neighborhood is some 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) from the airport. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

In Washington, the White House issued a statement saying officials briefed President Joe Biden on the rocket attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, apparently referring to the vehicle-based rocket launch that morning.

The president was informed that operations continue uninterrupted at HKIA, and has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritize doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground, the statement said, using an acronym for Kabuls airport.

The U.S. military did not respond to requests for comment. After the rocket fire, planes continued to land and taxi across to the northern military side of the airport. Planes took off roughly every 20 minutes at one point Monday morning.

Smoke from several fires along the airport's perimeter could be seen throughout Monday. It wasn't clear what was ablaze, though U.S. forces typically destroy material and equipment they won't take with them during the evacuation.

The airport had been one of the few ways out for foreigners and Afghans fleeing the Taliban takeover. However, coalition nations have halted their evacuations in recent days, leaving the U.S. military largely alone at the base with some remaining allied Afghan forces providing security.

The U.S. State Department released a statement Sunday signed by around 100 countries, as well as NATO and the European Union, saying they had received assurances from the Taliban that people with travel documents would still be able to leave the country.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel after the U.S. withdrawal is completed on Tuesday and they assume control of the airport. However, it remains unclear how the militants will run the airport and which commercial carriers will begin flying into the field given the ongoing security concerns there.

While the Taliban has honored a pledge not to attack Western forces so long as they evacuate by Tuesday, the threat from the Islamic State's local affiliate remains a danger. The group, known as the Khorasan Province after a historic name for the region, saw some of its members freed as the Taliban released prisoners across the country during their takeover.

On Sunday, a U.S. drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying Islamic State suicide bombers before they could attack the ongoing military evacuation at Kabuls airport, American officials said. However, the Taliban said the strike killed at least 10 people  including civilians and three children, sparking anger over the civilian casualties.

U.S. Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesman for the American military's Central Command, acknowledged the reports of civilian casualties.

We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life, he said in a statement.

The U.S. carried out another drone strike elsewhere in the country on Saturday that it said killed two Islamic State members.

By Tuesday, the U.S. is set to conclude a massive two-week-long airlift of more than 114,000 Afghans and foreigners and withdraw the last of its troops, ending Americas longest war with the Taliban back in power.

However, Afghans remain fearful of the Taliban returning to the oppressive rule for which it was once known. There have been sporadic reports of killings and other abuses in the sweep across the country.

Meanwhile, a cross-border shooting across the frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan killed two Pakistani soldiers, the military said. Pakistani troops responded in a befitting manner after the attack in the district of Bajur of the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said.

___

Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Rahim Faiez in Istanbul, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.
The U.S. Army violated federal law by refusing to pay dual housing allowances to reservists on assignment in Europe and erred by taking disciplinary actions against them, a review board said in a ruling that also recoups a total of $500,000 for seven soldiers.

The decision Friday by the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records could have ramifications for numerous other troops and cost the Army millions more.

Army finance officials' decisions that "gave rise to the investigative and disciplinary actions ... were erroneously executed and erroneously implemented," the board ruled.

The board said the service must start paying back the reservists no later than October, and their records are to be cleared of wrongdoing.

A federal court had ordered the board to consider the cases of the reservists, who sued the Army in 2018. Patrick Hughes, a former Air Force attorney now with the Patriots Law Group, said the Army owes about $500,000 in compensation for the denied payments and the debts the reservists incurred.

Hughes said the next step is to obtain payouts for other soldiers who were ensnared by the Army's faulty interpretation of regulations. He is preparing a wider class-action case against the Army that could have tens of millions of dollars at stake.

"We think there could be thousands of soldiers who were affected," Hughes said.

At issue in the case was a contention by Army finance officials in Europe that reservists who mobilized from the U.S. weren't entitled to a basic housing allowance for their American residence and an overseas housing allowance if the Army could not provide on-post accommodations.

For years, reservists received dual allowances when mobilized. Unlike active-duty troops, who move with their household goods, reservists generally are activated for shorter assignments and must maintain two households if the Army can't provide base housing.

But around 2016, Army finance officials in Europe changed their interpretation of the federal Joint Travel Regulation. As a result, reservists received only one allowance. The erroneous interpretation led the Army to take multiple "unjust actions," the board said when detailing the case of Maj. William Colin Schneck in its ruling.

After years of investigating, Hughes said he had concluded that the problem can be traced to Army finance officials in Germany who came up with a "half-cocked idea" to save money.

"That idea ended up getting endorsed by Army G-1, and there you are," Hughes said, referring to the Army's highest-level personnel office.

The Army board issued seven decisions, one for each reservist in the Patriots Law Group case, and it came to the same conclusion in each one: The Army erred by denying dual housing allowances and seeking recoupment of past payments.

The board also ordered the service to take other steps, including deleting all negative findings, such as letters of reprimand or files stored in Army criminal databases, from the soldiers' records.

In addition, the ruling directed the Army to authorize special selection boards to determine whether promotions are now in order for the affected troops.

Schneck, who is owed about $56,000, remains infuriated that the board's action came only after a yearslong legal battle and the threat of a federal lawsuit.

"No soldier should have to pay to make the Army do the right thing," he said. "The Army has left me to piece my career back together in the aftermath alone."

The other reservists who sued are Bradley Wolfing, Ryan Mirabal, Alexander Gardiner, James Copas, Timothy Kibodeaux and Louis Morelli.

Hughes said that besides the financial fallout, his clients were denied promotions, and some were forced out of the service. The damage lingered for some reservists in the civilian sector, he added. Those who had been flagged in criminal databases had difficulty passing background checks.

While the board's ruling Friday applied only to the seven reservists involved in the Patriots Law Group's lawsuit, a legal precedent has now been established and other lawsuits are in the works, Hughes said.

A related case that could underpin a class-action suit involves Col. Richard Gulley, who is now retired. He was ordered to repay $135,500 of his housing allowance.

Gulley said that over five years, he was subjected to repeated investigations, harassment and even arrest by Army criminal investigators while serving as a U.S. Africa Command deputy chief of staff in 2017.

Gulley, a commercial airline pilot, was charged with fraud and larceny by the Army just before his 2017 retirement but never was prosecuted. He said he still faces questioning over the issue every time he passes through customs as part of his job.

He and others involved in the cases against the Army say they repeatedly sought support from their representatives in Congress to investigate the matter, but they say action was never taken.

In commenting on the board's ruling, Gulley recounted the ordeal the Army put him through as a result of the erroneous interpretation.

"It took four-and-a-half years to solve what any first-year law student could have understood correctly," Gulley said. "I had to endure four investigations in six years, three arrests, CID harassment, assassination of my character and multiple secondary legal consequences due to the Army's lack of leadership with regards to reserve travel regulations."
Amira Jadoon is an assistant professor at the Combating Terrorism Center at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Andrew Mines is a research fellow at the Program on Extremism at George Washington University. They have been tracking ISIS-K for years and answered our questions about who the terrorist group is and the threat it poses in a destabilized Afghanistan.

An attack on a crowd gathered outside Kabuls airport on Aug. 26, 2021, has left at least 100 people dead, including at least 13 U.S. troops. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the coordinated suicide bomb and gun assault, which came just days after President Joe Biden warned that the group -- an affiliate of the Islamic State group operating in Afghanistan -- was seeking to target the airport and attack U.S. and allied forces and innocent civilians.

Who is ISIS-K?

The Islamic State Khorasan Province, which is also known by the acronyms ISIS-K, ISKP and ISK, is the official affiliate of the Islamic State movement operating in Afghanistan, as recognized by Islamic State core leadership in Iraq and Syria.

ISIS-K was officially founded in January 2015. Within a short period of time, it managed to consolidate territorial control in several rural districts in north and northeast Afghanistan, and launched a lethal campaign across Afghanistan and Pakistan. Within its first three years, ISIS-K launched attacks against minority groups, public areas and institutions, and government targets in major cities across Afghanistan and Pakistan.

By 2018, it had become one of the top four deadliest terrorist organizations in the world, according to the Institute for Economics and Peaces Global Terrorism Index.

But after suffering major territorial, leadership and rank-and-file losses to the U.S.-led coalition and its Afghan partners  which culminated in the surrender of over 1,400 of its fighters and their families to the Afghan government in late 2019 and early 2020  the organization was declared, by some, to be defeated.

Can you tell us a little more about the groups background?

ISIS-K was founded by former members of the Pakistani Taliban, Afghan Taliban and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. Over time, though, the group has poached militants from various other groups.

One of the groups greatest strengths is its ability to leverage the local expertise of these fighters and commanders. ISIS-K first started to consolidate territory in the southern districts of Nangarhar province, which sits on Afghanistans northeast border with Pakistan and is the site of al-Qaidas former stronghold in the Tora Bora area.

ISIS-K used its position on the border to garner supplies and recruits from Pakistans tribal areas, as well as the expertise of other local groups with which it forged operational alliances.

Substantial evidence shows that the group has received money, advice, and training from the Islamic State groups core organizational body in Iraq and Syria. Some experts have placed those figures in excess of US$100 million.

What are its aims and tactics?

ISIS-Ks general strategy is to establish a beachhead for the Islamic State movement to expand its so-called caliphate to Central and South Asia.

It aims to cement itself as the foremost jihadist organization in the region, in part by seizing the legacy of jihadist groups that came before it. This is evident in the groups messaging, which appeals to veteran jihadist fighters as well as younger populations in urban areas.

Like the groups namesake in Iraq and Syria, ISIS-K leverages the expertise of its personnel and operational alliances with other groups to carry out devastating attacks. These attacks target minorities like Afghanistans Hazara and Sikh populations, as well as journalists, aid workers, security personnel and government infrastructure.

ISIS-Ks goal is to create chaos and uncertainty in a bid to push disillusioned fighters from other groups into their ranks, and to cast doubt on any ruling governments ability to provide security for the population.

What relationship does ISIS-K have with the Taliban?

ISIS-K sees the Afghan Taliban as its strategic rivals. It brands the Afghan Taliban as filthy nationalists with ambitions only to form a government confined to the boundaries of Afghanistan. This contradicts the Islamic State movements goal of establishing a global caliphate.

Since its inception, ISIS-K has tried to recruit Afghan Taliban members while also targeting Taliban positions throughout the country.

ISIS-Ks efforts have met with some success, but the Taliban have managed to stem the groups challenges by pursuing attacks and operations against ISIS-K personnel and positions.

These clashes have often occurred in tandem with U.S. and Afghan air power and ground operations against ISIS-K, although the full extent to which these operations were coordinated is still unclear.

What is clear is that the majority of ISIS-Ks manpower and leadership losses were the result of U.S. and Afghan-led operations, and American air strikes in particular.

How much of a threat is ISIS-K in Afghanistan and to the international community?

As a relatively weakened organization, ISIS-Ks immediate goals are to replenish its ranks and signal its resolve through high-profile attacks. Doing so can help ensure that the group doesnt become an irrelevant player in the Afghanistan-Pakistan landscape. It is interested in attacking U.S. and allied partners abroad, but the extent to which the group is able to inspire and direct attacks against the West is an issue that has divided the U.S. military and intelligence community.

In Afghanistan, however, ISIS-K has proved itself to be a much greater threat. In addition to its attacks against Afghan minorities and civilian institutions, the group has targeted international aid workers, land-mine removal efforts and even tried to assassinate the top U.S. envoy to Kabul in January 2021.

It is still too early to tell how the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan will benefit ISIS-K, but the attack on the Kabul airport shows the continued threat posed by the group.

In the short term, ISIS-K will likely continue its efforts to sow panic and chaos, disrupt the withdrawal process and demonstrate that the Afghan Taliban are incapable of providing security to the population.

If the group is able to reconstitute some level of territorial control in the longer term and recruit more fighters, it will most likely be poised to make a comeback and pose threats on the national, regional and international levels.

-- This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The Rockies have designated infielder/outfielder Taylor Motter for assignment and reinstated outfielder Raimel Tapia from the 10-day injured list, tweets Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Colorados 40-man roster now sits at 38.

Motter was originally selected to the MLB roster  his first big league call in three years  a little less than three weeks ago when Tapia landed on the shelf. The 31-year-old has picked up 22 plate appearances in thirteen games since then, tallying three hits (all singles). Thats not the most inspiring production, but Motter earned the promotion with an incredible season at Triple-A Albuquerque. Motter tallied 265 plate appearances with the Isotopes and hit a monstrous .335/.460/.759. The right-handed hitter popped 24 home runs and had an equal number of walks drawn and strikeouts (49 apiece).

The Rockies will now place Motter on waivers over the coming days. Another club impressed by his minor league performance could place a claim to add some multi-positional depth to their bench. Motter has starts at all four infield positions and both corner outfield spots in the majors, so hes capable of suiting up almost anywhere hes needed. If Motter clears waivers, hed have the right to elect free agency as a player who has previously been outrighted in his career.
In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court (HC) has said that a builder or developer cannot deduct tax at source (TDS) on the amount being refunded to home-buyers.

In a judgement earlier this month, the bench of justice SJ Kathawalla and justice Milind N Jadhav says, "...we are of the view that the amount so payable is in the nature of a judgment debt or akin to a judgment debt, the payment of which cannot establish a debtor-creditor relationship between the parties. As such, the said sum or any part thereof cannot be liable to tax deducted at source under the relevant provisions of the Income Tax (I-T) Act."

According to experts, this is a significant judgement given by the HC. "In such cases, the home-buyers should refer either to this judgement or, better, to annex a copy of this judgement and seek a refund of the TDS amount. If the builder still refuses to entertain the representation, home-buyers should directly approach the High Court. There is no need to go to a consumer commission or the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) for speedy redressal. There is also no need to engage a lawyer in such types of cases," he says.

From 2013 to 2016, some home-buyers registered separate agreements with the Ravi Group of companies, the developer, to purchase various flats in the Gaurav Discovery building to be constructed at Malvani near Malad in Mumbai.

However, due to a delay in getting possession, the home-buyers approached MahaRERA seeking a money refund. On 15 October 2018, the MahaRERA issued a recovery warrant against Ravi group companies. As part of the recovery warrant, the developer repaid Rs1.80 crore to the home-buyers.

To recover the balance, on 4 March 2021, these home-buyers and the developer entered into consent terms. As per the consent terms, the developers agreed to repay Rs2.75 crore and simple interest of 10% per annum over the next six months until August 2021.

From March to June 2021, the developer repaid money as per the consent term to home-buyers. However, for the July repayment of Rs50.59 lakh, the developer deducted tax at source (TDS) of Rs5.05 lakh. The home-buyers then approached the Bombay HC. Their counsel submitted that the amounts payable to home-buyers as per the recovery warrant and the order dated 4 March 2021 and the consent terms are like a judgement debt, being compensatory amounts payable to home-buyers under the court orders and as per the recovery warrant owing to the failure of the developer to satisfactorily discharge their contractual and statutory obligations under the Real Estate (Regulation & Development Act), 2016 (RERA Act).

Zal Andhyarujina, senior counsel for the Ravi group companies, contended that the TDS was deducted as per a provision of Section 194A of the I-T Act. "...the TDS has not been filed before the concerned authority and we have no objection to paying the amount deducted as TDS, to the home-buyers, so far as it complies with the statutory provisions and no penalties are imposed upon us due to non-payment of the same."

However, on 18 August 2021, the senior counsel submitted a note to the HC in support of the contention that the provision for payment of interest to the flat purchasers in the present matter is by way of compensation and, hence, outside the purview, of Section 194A and Section 2(28A) of the I-T Act.

The bench of justice Kathawalla and justice Jadhav, says as per its considered view, the amounts payable are like compensation to home-buyers on account of the failure of the developer to comply with its statutory and contractual obligations.

"...we hold that the amounts payable being in effect a refund of the amounts paid by the home-buyers to the developer, along with compensatory interest thereon, such a relationship does not spell out a debtor-creditor relationship, nor is the payment made by the developer to the home-buyers one in the discharge of any pre-existing obligation, to attract section 2(28A) of the IT Act," the HC says.

In its order passed on 18 August 2021, the bench directed the developer to pay within one week to home-buyers the balance of Rs5.05 lakh deducted from the fifth instalment that was due on 20 July 2021.

Here is the copy of the Bombay HC judgement...
We had mentioned in previous weeks closing report that Nifty, Sensex move will depend on global reaction to US Fed meeting. On Monday, the indices opened higher and made huge gains. On the NSE, there were 1,424 advances, 612 declines and 90 unchanged.

The trend of the major indices on Mondays trading are given in the table below:

Bharti Airtel board has approved capital raise of up to Rs 21,000 crore by issuing equity shares of face value of Rs 5 each as rights issue.

Larsen & Toubros construction arm won a slew of orders in India and abroad for its various businesses.

L&T Finance Holdings is in advance talks to sell its mutual fund arm to HSBC, after a long delay.

Axis Bank has begun issuing tier-1 debt securities under a Rs 35,000-crore debt raise plan.

Burger King India has entered into discussions to acquire a controlling stake in PT Sari Burger Indonesia, which manages and operates Burger King brand in Indonesia.

Dalmia Cement, a subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat Limited, signed three MoUs with the Government of Jharkhand to invest Rs 758 crores in the state.

Steel Strips Wheels signed an agreement with Tata Steel Long Product for rolling of round bars of various grades for a period of 3 years.

Nazara Technologies plans to acquire OpenPlay Technologies from its existing shareholders Sreeram Reddy Vanga and Unnati Management Consultants LLP for Rs 186.41 crore, in one or more tranches.

Anupam Rasayan signed a letter of intent (LoI) amounting Rs 135 crore with a Japanese multinational chemical company.

Granules India received marketing approval from Health Canada for Acetaminophen Extended-Release Tablets OTC, 650mg for arthritis pain.

Man Infraconstruction was appointed as developer by Maitri Park Cooperative Housing Society Limited in Chembur, Mumbai to undertake redevelopment work on a 9 acre plot.

The top gainers and top losers of the major indices are given in the table below:

The closing values of the major Asian indices are given in the table below:
A May 1 decision by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to only track breakthrough infections that lead to hospitalization or death has left the nation with a muddled understanding of COVID-19s impact on the vaccinated.

Meggan Ingram was fully vaccinated when she tested positive for COVID-19 early this month. The 37-year-olds fever had spiked to 103 and her breath was coming in ragged bursts when an ambulance rushed her to an emergency room in Pasco, Washington, on Aug. 10. For three hours she was given oxygen and intravenous steroids, but she was ultimately sent home without being admitted.

Seven people in her house have now tested positive. Five were fully vaccinated and two of the children are too young to get a vaccine.

As the pandemic enters a critical new phase, public health authorities continue to lack data on crucial questions, just as they did when COVID-19 first tore through the United States in the spring of 2020. Today there remains no full understanding on how the aggressively contagious delta variant spreads among the nearly 200 million partially or fully vaccinated Americans like Ingram, or on how many are getting sick.

The nation is flying blind yet again, critics say, because on May 1 of this year  as the new variant found a foothold in the U.S.  the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mostly stopped tracking COVID-19 in vaccinated people, also known as breakthrough cases, unless the illness was severe enough to cause hospitalization or death.

Individual states now set their own criteria for collecting data on breakthrough cases, resulting in a muddled grasp of COVID-19s impact, leaving experts in the dark as to the true number of infections among the vaccinated, whether or not vaccinated people can develop long-haul illness, and the risks to unvaccinated children as they return to school.

Its like saying we dont count, said Ingram after learning of the CDCs policy change. COVID-19 roared through her household, yet it is unlikely any of those cases will show up in federal data because no one died or was admitted to a hospital.

The CDC told ProPublica in an email that it continues to study breakthrough cases, just in a different way. This shift will help maximize the quality of the data collected on cases of greatest clinical and public health importance, the email said.

In addition to the hospitalization and death information, the CDC is working with Emerging Infections Program sites in 10 states to study breakthrough cases, including some mild and asymptomatic ones, the agencys email said.

Under pressure from some health experts, the CDC announced that it will create a new outbreak analysis and forecast center, tapping experts in the private sector and public health to guide it to better predict how diseases spread and to act quickly during an outbreak.

Tracking only some data and not releasing it sooner or more fully, critics say, leaves a gaping hole in the nations understanding of the disease at a time when it most needs information.
Weather Alert

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT... The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Beaverhead, Carbon, Gallatin, Madison, and Park counties in effect until 9 AM MDT 9/2/2021 This alert will be updated again at 9 AM MDT 9/2/2021. 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 0900 AM MDT, Particulate levels in West Yellowstone are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups As of 0900 AM MDT, Particulate levels in Billings, Miles City, Red Lodge, Libby, Dillon, Birney, Bozeman, and Helena 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
Missy Horrow, the new director of Nature Preschool at the Schuylkill Center, during last week's all-staff land stewardship session.
Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Midland ISD released more details on the program to provide an incentive for staff that receive the COVID vaccine.

The program is made possible by a donation from the Scharbauer Foundation to Midland ISD and Ector County ISD for COVID vaccinations for staff, including those at partnership schools operated by IDEA Public Schools. MISD announced the donation Friday.
A candlelight vigil was held Saturday night honoring Laredo native and Marine David Lee Espinoza who was one of 13 U.S. service members killed Thursday in a suicide bombing at Afghanistans Kabul airport.

The vigil was held by city officials, local community members and others outside of Espinozas home in Rio Bravo as they gathered to pay their respects. Espinozas family headed to Virginia on Saturday as they were flown by the United States to identify his body.

After his graduation from LBJ in 2019, he enlisted, Espinozas mother Elizabeth Holguin said. He always had that in him as he would always play with pencils and stuff like that as pretending them to be guns and soldiers, but I really think that it hit him the greatest in his senior year.

Holguin said she supported Espinoza in everything he did. However, she was worried like any mother would be about her son leaving to join the military.

I was worried like every mother would be, but I had to be supportive of him because whether I was or was not, he was still going to join, she said. So I always tried to remain a supportive mom.

She said Espinoza was always a reserved man that mainly kept to himself and a close circle of friends, he liked to be around family, he was smart and he was always looking out for ways to help the most vulnerable in his community.

He was a very quiet kid. He was a very good kid, but he always did what he wanted, Holguin said.

City of Rio Bravo Mayor Gilbert Aguilar Jr. said he only knew Espinoza briefly as he used to volunteer and work at the citys community center, and he always saw him as someone reserved that kept to himself but always wanted to assist those in need. Aguilar was hit hard by the loss as a fellow Lyndon B. Johnson High School graduate.

We spoke to the family yesterday as we found out about this 2:30 a.m. in the morning, and we spoke to them later in the morning around 8 a.m., Aguilar said. We are here to continue to support them in whatever they need despite any politics or other stuff, and there are a lot of people around here and around the community to do anything that the mother may need.

He said the news of his passing came as a shockwave to the small community he represents as no one expected for someone so close to pass in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

The entire city is mourning the loss of one of our own, Aguilar said. We will now remember his legacy with pride and continue to put his family in our prayers. Gone too soon but forever in our hearts. You will be remembered.

Rio Bravo Commissioner Amanda Aguero said she also got to know Espinoza a bit as she used to work at the community center and would see Espinoza use the computers available in the activity center and play with friends there.

He was kind and very smart, Aguero said.

The condolences for Espinoza do not just stem from his family and residents of Rio Bravo but also from Laredo and all over the country.

It is so tragic, Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-TX-21) said. I talked to his mother yesterday, and you know when you have a Marine in the family, when you have a hero like that and something happens to that person, and that is something that we talk about when we have Gold Star families because it is not simply the person who either serves, is injured or gets killed in action but the whole family grieves when something like this happens.

According to Zaffirini, it is tragic that someone so young at 20 years old had to die in such a manner. However, she knows through the family that he died doing what he wanted to do in life, and that was to be a Marine.

The state senator said she is working on a resolution to pass in the Texas Legislature to honor Espinoza.

We are writing a memorial resolution honoring him that the Texas Senate will adopt and the Texas senate will adjourn in his memory, Zaffirini said. We also we are flying the flag over the state capital at half in his honor.

Local veteran groups have also responded to the passing of Espinoza. The local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, whose members have fought in international conflicts like Afghanistan and elsewhere, said they provide their condolences and well wishes to the family during this difficult time.

First things first, my condolences go out to the family of David Espinoza and may he rest in peace brother, Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter in Laredo Ricky Quijano said. This is absolutely devastating news to hear that a service member, our neighbor who lives a couple of miles away, has died at the hands of terrorists. It is heartbreaking.

For Quijano, the news of Espinozas passing comes at a time when he also has mixed emotions about the withdrawal being seen in Afghanistan as he also served in the conflict years ago and knows about the dangers Espinoza submitted himself to by being deployed to the region.

As an Afghanistan veteran myself, it hits close to home, Quijano said. When were out there serving our country, we know that were fighting to protect our families and the freedoms of this country. And thats what David Espinoza did. He was a brave Marine for doing so. I just want his family to know that David was a hero in the eyes of all veterans.

One local veteran has a similar story to Espinoza as she also attended LBJ High School and quickly enlisted following her graduation.

I was born and raised in Laredo and joined the Marines as soon as I graduated from LBJ High School, Thania Peinado, who is also a Marine native to Laredo, said. With the unfolding of events in Afghanistan right now it has made every Marine and veteran upset and ready to reenlist to avenge our fallen. Losing one of our very own Laredoan Marine brothers has affected me emotionally and mentally knowing he was just 20 years old with a whole life ahead of him.

Peinado said she was angry because she believes these losses could have been avoided if the Marines were cared for better as the conflict comes to an end.

There are not enough words to describe how I feel, but I can speak for most of our Marines that we are angry, Peinado said. He is an American hero. He answered one of the toughest calls. I want to thank his family for raising an outstanding man, and his death wont be in vain. This new administration and military leaders have failed our country and our service members. May God be with our military and military families during these dark times.

As for Espinozas family, they only have one truth that resonates with them, and that is the fact he will always be remembered as a hero.

He was just my son, my brave son, my everything, Holguin said. He was just perfect.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  North Korea appears to have restarted the operation of its main nuclear reactor used to produce weapons fuels, the U.N. atomic agency said, as the North openly threatens to enlarge its nuclear arsenal amid long-dormant nuclear diplomacy with the United States.

The annual report by the International Atomic Energy Agency refers to a 5-megawatt reactor at the Norths main nuclear complex in Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang. The reactor produces plutonium, one of the two key ingredients used to build nuclear weapons along with highly enriched uranium.

Since early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation of the reactor, said the IAEA report dated Friday.

The report said there were indications of the operation of Yongbyons radiochemical laboratory from mid-February to early July this year. It said this period of operation is consistent with previous reprocessing campaigns announced by North Korea of irradiated fuel discharged from the reactor. The laboratory is a facility where plutonium is extracted by reprocessing spent fuel rods removed from reactors.

(North Korea's) nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern. Furthermore, the new indications of the operation of the 5-megawatt reactor and the radiochemical laboratory are deeply troubling, the IAEA said.

The IAEA has not had access to Yongbyon or other locations in North Korea since the country kicked out IAEA inspectors in 2009. The agency said it uses satellite imagery and open source information to monitor developments in North Koreas nuclear program.

The Yongbyon complex also produces highly enriched uranium, the other key nuclear fuel. The IAEA report said there were indications, for a period of time, that the reported centrifuge enrichment facility was not in operation though regular vehicular movements were observed.

The complex, which North Korea calls the heart of its nuclear program and research, has been at the center of international concerns for decades. Its not clear exactly how much weapons-grade plutonium or highly enriched uranium has been produced at Yongbyon and where North Korea stores it.

In early 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to dismantle the entire complex if he won extensive sanctions relief during a summit with then-President Donald Trump. But the Americans rejected Kims offer because it would only be a partial surrender of his nuclear capability.

North Korea is believed to be running multiple other covet uranium enrichment facilities. According to a South Korean estimate in 2018, North Korea might already have manufactured 20-60 nuclear weapons as well.

In recent months, North Korea has warned it would expand its nuclear program if the United States doesnt withdraw its hostile policy on the North, in an apparent reference to U.S.-led sanctions and regular U.S.-South Korean military drills. Earlier this month, Kims powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, said North Korea would bolster absolute deterrence" to cope with intensifying U.S. threats.

Lee Jong-joo, spokesperson of South Koreas Unification Ministry, said Monday that South Korea was closely monitoring North Koreas nuclear and missile activities along with the United States. But she declined to comment on whether Seoul was seeing signs that the North was reactivating its nuclear facilities.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the Biden administration was aware of the report and closely coordinating with allies and partners.

This report underscores the urgent need for dialogue and diplomacy so we can achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," she said. "We continue to seek dialogue with (North Korea) so we can address this reported activity and the full range of issues related to denuclearization.

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Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed to this report.
Please, Midland County commissioners, fund the request for help that the hospital has sent.

The amount is $2.383 million. That will help the hospital with burdens placed on them by COVID-19. These funds are available to you either by federal funding provided to the county for COVID or by the tens of millions the county is stashing away in its reserves for a rainy day ($82.183 million to be exact).

Gentlemen, it is raining in Midland, and nowhere is flooding worse than Midland Memorial Hospital. It is time that the county follows the footsteps of the city of Midland and fund a request that will help our health care community with bonuses for its frontline employees and for hourly differentials to employees to grind out more shifts to care for Midlanders filling the floors of Midland Memorial. The frontline workers at our hospitals  our neighbors and friends -- have been through more than just about any government employees in Midland.

The funding also will be used for incremental cost of adding contract professional staff. We need more staff. It really doesnt matter where they come from. There are perfectly good beds not being used like they were last year, because there isnt the staff inside the hospital. Again here, your assistance will help.

Gentlemen, the reason I have to ask this is because there is no indication that this will take place. When asked if there is any reason to expect the county wont follow the city and pay off the rest of the grant for the Hospital District? County Judge Terry Johnson, the countys chief executive, responded with the following, (Hospital CEO) Russell (Meyers) is scheduled to make a presentation to all of the court at our next meeting, September 13th.

I replied to that with the following email, So no comment whether you personally support the county matching the city grant?

There was no response.

Justin Bunch, Emergency Management coordinator with the county, said he is recommending that the county follows the citys lead. He also said during a Unified Command Team press conference that if the hospital needs it, like I told the county judge, we need to be there. I think he feels the same. If the hospital needs assistance, then we are going to be there to provide assistance.

That is great to hear, because this isnt an insignificant request and the money is there.

We have written in this space before that county government is in an unbelievable position to make a difference in Midland  even inside the city. The sales tax the county collects inside the city was maybe needed decades ago but shouldnt be taking place now. The current sales tax distribution inside the city of Midland robs the city and hospital district of revenue sources they desperately need right now. County coffers and the reach of county government are sure to increase should voters (outside the city but inside the county) approve a county proposal to collect even more sales tax (out in the county).

It can be the county that turns opportunities into reality even inside the city of Midland, where a vast majority of Midland County residents live.

I look forward to hearing that the county has agreed to help the hospital district in its time of need. I look forward to its leaders stating, theres more where that came from if the hospital needs it. It will be the hospital  not the city or county  that plays the greatest role in getting our community going again from the current COVID pandemic. And make no mistake when the community is blowing and going, it will be the county that reaps the rewards.
Members of the Storm Guard Roofing & Construction team and Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity prepare to put a new roof on the home of an Army veteran in Smyrna last week.
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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's defense minister on Monday announced a series of gestures aimed at strengthening the Palestinian Authority, including plans to loan $150 million to the cash-strapped autonomy government in the occupied West Bank.

The announcement came a day after Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years.

The stepped-up contacts and Israeli gestures mark a shift in direction after the complete breakdown of communication between Abbas and Israeli leaders in recent years. Israel's new government has said it is interested in bolstering Abbas in his rivalry against Gaza's ruling Hamas militant group.

The stronger the Palestinian Authority is, the weaker Hamas will be, Gantz was quoted as telling Israeli military correspondents Monday. And the greater its ability to govern is, the more security well have and the less well have to do.

The Israeli moves come two days after President Joe Biden urged Israel's new prime minister during a White House meeting to take steps toward improving the lives of Palestinians.

Gantz's office said he told Abbas that Israel will take new measures to strengthen the Palestinian economy. It said they also discussed security issues and agreed to remain in touch. It was believed to be the highest level public meeting between the sides since 2014.

Later on Monday, Gantz's office confirmed that Israel had agreed to loan the Palestinian Authority 500 million shekels ($155 million). The money is to be repaid with tax funds that Israel normally collects for the Palestinians.

Israel will also authorize work permits for an additional 15,000 Palestinian laborers and resolve the residency status for a number of people living in the occupied West Bank. These include Palestinians originally from Gaza and foreign spouses of local Palestinians.

Hussein Al Sheikh, a senior Palestinian official who oversees relations with Israel, said an initial deal had been reached to resolve the status of some 5,000 families.

He said it was a first batch in the road to finalising this file entirely.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is a hard-liner who opposes Palestinian independence, as do key partners in his diverse, ruling coalition. But Bennett has said he supports building up the Palestinian economy and expanding autonomy for Palestinians.

He also is interested in weakening Hamas in the wake of an 11-day war last May. Egyptian-led attempts at brokering a long-term cease-fire have foundered in recent weeks, and Hamas has staged a series of violent demonstrations along the Israeli border in hopes of pressuring Israel into easing an economic blockade of the territory.

While Biden supports a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, his administration is focused on interim confidence-building measures.

Israel's former prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, pursued a hard-line policy toward the Palestinians, backed by former President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration took a number of steps that favored Israel, including moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to contested Jerusalem. Abbas halted most contacts with the U.S. and Israel in return.

Netanyahu had repeatedly claimed Abbas was not a reliable partner for negotiating a peace deal, a portrayal dismissed by Netanyahu critics as a pretext for avoiding making concessions.

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Kellman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel.
The Latest on Hurricane Ida:

JACKSON, Miss.  Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that state and local emergency responders conducted 20 rescues from flooded areas in the states three coastal counties.

He said he decided to let federal search-and-rescue teams leave Mississippi to help with bigger problems in Louisiana. Reeves said Mississippi had plenty of local teams to do what was needed.

Meanwhile, early Monday evening hundreds of utility trucks with buckets and ladders were seen parked at an outlet mall in Gulfport, Mississippi, that was being used as a staging area.

Workers said they were waiting on roads to be cleared and electrical substations restored before heading west into Louisiana to erect new poles and lines.

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HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HURRICANE IDA:

Rescuers set out in hundreds of boats and helicopters to reach people trapped by floodwaters, and utility repair crews rushed in, after a furious Hurricane Ida swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the electrical grid in the sticky, late-summer heat.

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Read more:

 As Ida leaves Gulf, analysts foresee modest economic damage

 No cash or gas to run from Ida: We cant afford to leave

 Flood-ravaged Tennessee community braces for Ida remnants

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HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

NEW CANEY, Texas  The coronavirus had already taken a toll on Raven Dupre and her family as Ida rushed through the gulf toward her Gray, Louisiana, home. Her husband missed two weeks of work at the beginning of the month because of the virus.

He had it bad, Dupre said. He lost 10 pounds, and hes only 160 pounds, because he couldnt eat or drink and just felt weak.

Dupre herself had trouble breathing and went to the hospital. And now, their 1-year-old daughter had tested positive. She had been in and out of the hospital with a fever that would spike to 104. They worried about her being sick in a sweltering home with no electricity. So instead of riding out the storm in Louisiana they drove to Texas, where they stayed in a hotel near an urgent care.

Dupres mother-in-law and other relatives stayed in her home. They watched as water poured in through the ceiling, light fixtures, air conditioning vents and even the smoke detector. The wind sheared tiles off roofs and whipped awnings around like tissue paper.

We need a whole new roof, new flooring, new walls, because of the water damage, she said.

Dupre said she has filed a claim with her homeowners insurance. And while theyre recovering physically and mentally, the combined financial devastation of the virus and the hurricane will be harder to manage.

This month has been horrific for me and my family, she said.

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BATON ROUGE, La.  Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said the states focus after Hurricane Ida continues to be centered on search and rescue, to make sure all the hardest-hit areas are checked multiple times.

Saving lives is the number one priority, he said. Those search and rescue efforts are going to continue all day, and quite frankly for as long as necessary.

The governor said the Louisiana National Guard alone rescued 191 people across St. John the Baptist, Jefferson and Orleans parishes by boat, helicopter and high-water vehicle. More than 5,000 Guard soldiers are working on the disaster response, and more soldiers are expected from other states within days.

Edwards said the state will soon be transitioning into a grid search of the hardest hit areas, going to search every single home on each street to determine if anyone is home and needing assistance.

Then, to make sure that weve adequately covered the area, well go back and do a secondary search, he said. But what we did mostly to date today was try to catch up on the 911 calls. So we were actively partnered with local authorities and going out and doing search and rescue at individual addresses where we know people had called for help.

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BATON ROUGE, La.  Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards urged evacuees not to try to return home, citing the widespread power outages, road closures and other dangerous conditions.

There are an awful lot of unknowns right now. There are certainly more questions than answers. I cant tell you when power is going to be restored. I cant tell you when all the debris is going to be cleaned up and repairs made and so forth. What I can tell you is were going to work hard every single day to deliver as much assistance as we possibly can.

He noted that cell service is being restored quickly by AT&T and others that suffered outages. He said most of the communication problems experienced in the early hours of the storm and its aftermath have been remedied.

Right now the overwhelming majority of communications that need to take place are happening.

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GRAND ISLE, La.  There was a hopeful sign Monday from firefighters and others who rode out the storm on Grand Isle, Louisiana  in the bullseye of Hurricane Ida, a Louisiana sheriff said.

As best we can tell about 40 people stayed on the island. Probably not a good decision, Gov. John Bel Edwards said. Were not aware of any loss of life ... Im quite certain that any immediate rescues have been made.

Theyre still cut off, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said by phone late Monday. Highway 1 goes under, and they are cut off from the rest of the world.

But a helicopter flew over Grand Isle on Monday, and we were able to see several of them out there -- firefighters  cleaning the road, Lopinto said.

Several of them gave the helicopter pilot a thumbs-up sign, he said.

Lopinto wasnt able Monday to say that everyone was accounted for, but said he felt certain that those who remained on Grand Isle have checked on them.

Rescuers would try to reach them as soon as they are able, he said.

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MIAMI  Ida has been downgraded to a tropical depression the day after it slammed Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center said Idas maximum sustained winds had dropped to 35 mph (56 kph) by Monday afternoon as the storms remnants churned northwest of Jackson, Mississippi. Forecasters said heavy rain from Ida remains a threat as it moves northeast.

The hurricane center said the storm may dump as much as 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain in central Mississippi through Tuesday. And it could trigger flash flooding in parts of the Tennessee Valley, the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic later in the week.

Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday, becoming the fifth most powerful hurricane to strike the United States.

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WASHINGTON  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says a nuclear power plant 25 miles west of New Orleans has declared an unusual event  its lowest level of emergency  after the facility lost offsite electrical power.

The Waterford nuclear plant in Killona, La., had shut down protectively on Saturday in anticipation of Hurricane Ida. The plant has maintained safe shutdown conditions with power from emergency diesel generators, the nuclear agency said.

On Sunday night, grid operators requested that the River Bend nuclear power plant in St. Francisville, Louisiana, reduce power because of load demands. The plant is stable and operating at 35 percent power with no significant equipment issues reported, officials said.

The Grand Gulf nuclear plant in Port Gibson, Mississippi, is operating at full power with no significant weather-related issues expected from Ida. No significant flooding has been reported at any of the sites.

Ida weakened to a tropical storm as it moved to Mississippi.

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LAPLACE, La.  Residents in the hard-hit town of Laplace, Louisiana, are beginning to make repairs -- or simply salvage whats left -- in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

John Vincent, whose Laplace subdivision was covered by floodwaters, said it seems like the water has risen faster since flood walls were built in other communities farther east. He blamed a lack of coordination between parishes.

It seems like now with any kind of storm it doesnt take anything to flood, said Vincent, 65.

Ida left him frustrated and angry over the prospect of having to once again deal with a damaged home, insurance and contractors.

My dreams are destroyed. I mean, at my age Ive got to start all over, Vincent said.

Elsewhere in Laplace, northwest of New Orleans, residents waded in a flooded mobile home park and a convoy of ambulances with emergency lights flashing headed into town past homes with missing roofs.

Dozens of people pulled pieces of chimneys, gutters and other parts of their homes to the curb to be hauled away.

Carlos Paz Jr., and his parents spent Monday repairing the roof of a second home theyd been preparing to move into.

The damage can be replaced. A life cant, said Paz, 18.

Elsewhere, AT&T said its wireless network in Louisiana is operating at 60% of normal after Ida, describing significant outages in New Orleans and Baton Rouge from power supply disruptions, flooding and storm damages.

The company said some of its facilities remained inaccessible Monday. A mobile tower was sent to the governors emergency preparedness office to help get their phones up and running again.

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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has spoken with officials in states pounded by Hurricane Ida, detailing the federal effort to survey damage and ensure access to electricity, water and cell phone service.

The president said Monday that state officials should contact the White House if they need additional support  even though the effort is being led by FEMA.

Well get you what you need if we can, Biden said. The people of Louisiana and Mississippi are resilient. But its in moments like these where we can certainly see the power of government to respond to the needs of the people, if governments prepared and if they respond.

Also Monday, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said it had activated its Hurricane Response Team as Hurricane Ida made its way through the Gulf.

Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of late morning Monday, personnel have been evacuated from a total of 288 production platforms, 51.43 percent of the 560 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

Personnel have been evacuated from 11 rigs, equivalent to 100% of the 11 rigs of this type currently operating in the Gulf. Rigs can include several types of offshore drilling facilities.

A total of seven dynamically positioned rigs have moved off location out of the storms projected path, as a precaution.

It is estimated that approximately 94.6% of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut in, according to operator reports.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement estimates that approximately 93.57% of the gas production in the Gulf has been shut in.

Production information included in these reports is based on the amount of oil and gas the operator expected to produce that day. The shut-in production figures therefore are estimates, which the agency compares to historical production.

The facilities will be inspected after the storm has passed.

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NEW ORLEANS  Mayor LaToya Cantrell says a driver in New Orleans drowned during Hurricane Ida, which may raise the storms death toll to two.

Cantrell says additional details about the death would come from the coroners office, but those were not immediately forthcoming.

This case remains under investigation, coroners spokesman Jason Melancon said when asked in an email about Cantrells statement. He would not answer specific questions about whether the coroners office is investigating a drowning death or an Ida-related death.

A person also was killed outside Baton Rouge amid the storm when a tree fell on a home, authorities said.

The name of either victim have yet to be released.

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NEW ORLEANS  Police in New Orleans say they have received numerous reports of stealing from stores and other businesses, and made several arrests, in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

This will not be tolerated, Police Chief Shaun Ferguson said at a Monday briefing. He specifically described what was occurring as looting, saying, This is a state felony, and we will be booking you accordingly.

The police chief added of a storm that has left widespread damage, This is not the time to take opportunity of our vulnerable population right now, which we all are vulnerable at this point in time.

New Orleans police are working with the Louisiana National Guard to prevent thefts. Police are working 12-hour shifts, and its all hands on deck, Ferguson said.

The storm damaged power and water systems in many parts of Louisiana and made communication difficult. AT&T said Monday that it has set up a mobile tower at the Louisiana emergency preparedness and state police compound in the state capital of Baton Rouge, to try and get cell service working for the governors office and other first responders.

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CAIRO, Ga. (AP)  Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of one of two Georgia prisoners accused of killing two guards more than four years ago.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Donnie Rowe in the killings of Sgt. Christopher Monica and Sgt. Curtis Billue in June 2017. Rowe and Ricky Dubose are accused of using the guards' guns to shoot them while escaping from a prison transfer bus southeast of Atlanta. They were arrested in Tennessee a few days later.

Dubose also faces the death penalty and will be tried separately.

The trial is set to be held at the Putnam County courthouse. But because the case garnered so much public attention, jury selection will be held in Grady County, in south Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Jurors will then be brought about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north to Eatonton for the trial.

Rowe's lawyers had asked last week for the trial to be delayed, saying the surge in new COVID-19 cases means there's a risk of a mistrial, the newspaper reported.

Sadly, Georgians did not unite against the virus and vaccination rates remained low enough to allow the delta variant to develop and spread like wildfire, Rowe's lawyers wrote in a motion. Once again, Georgians find themselves facing a steep threat from COVID-19.

They said jurors would be so preoccupied by the risk of infection that they are unlikely to focus their attention where it needs to be  the evidence, jury instructions and deliberations, the motion says.

Rowe's defense attorneys have said in previous court filings that he's willing to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, the newspaper reported.

In their motion last week, Rowe's lawyers had asked that the trial be delayed or that the death penalty be taken off the table. But Putnam County Superior Court Judge Brenda Trammell said during a hearing Wednesday that jury selection will begin Monday as planned.
The precipitous withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan should teach Americas allies a basic lesson. You cannot trust the Americans as true alliance partners and should not believe all the reassurances of American leaders, diplomats, and bureaucrats.

Neither President Joe Biden nor his predecessor Donald Trump cares about Afghanistan. They could never maintain a commitment to a distant, difficult, dangerous land that seemed so remote, geographically, also strategically, from Americas vital interests. Out of sight, out of mind, might be Bidens view of Afghanistan as it was for Trump. The two, Biden and Trump, may disagree on a lot of things, but both of them had no doubt Afghanistan was a waste of time, money, and lives.

Americans will probably get over Afghanistan. At least thats what Biden is hoping as he minimizes the impact of an unmitigated disaster that may still be haunting candidates of his Democratic Party in next years mid-term congressional elections and reverberate in the 2024 presidential election.

Most Americans dont know where to find Afghanistan on a map. They would just as soon it disappear from the headlines if not from wrenching memories of the precipitous fall of the American-backed regime and the terror of thousands of Afghans trying to avoid getting killed by the Taliban. The scenes of chaos at the airport, the fears of those left to the mercy of the Taliban may be regrettable to Biden, but theyre hoping all will that soon be yesterdays news. Never mind that Bidens order to stop intruding into someone elses civil war betrays the loss of those 2,312 American soldiers who died there in the two decades since George W. Bush had to send U.S. troops there following the attacks by al-Qaida terrorists on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

Biden, having served as vice president while Barack Obama was president, should have had an intimate understanding of the American role. He should have read the intelligence reports on what was likely to happen if the Americans decided suddenly to pull out. The departure of U.S. forces from Afghanistan turned into a rout that is more than a black mark on Bidens presidency. Its a moment in history that makes a mockery of Americas heritage as a defender of liberty and human rights around the world.

That realization has grave implications for U.S. allies, none more so than in Asia.

Biden may be put to the test if China decides its time to recover Taiwan, to invade the island state and place it under mainland rule. Chinese warplanes have been flying over waters that fall under Taiwans jurisdiction, and there are signs of a Chinese military buildup on its side of the Taiwan straits. Bill Clinton as U.S. president in 1996 sent warships into the straits after China test-fired some missiles in a gesture of intimidation, but would Biden have the courage to act so decisively?

Its easy to imagine the rationalizations for why the U.S. would refuse to risk going to war for Taiwan Biden might find it quite simple not to rush to Taiwans defense since Taiwan is not a treaty partner. The U.S., like most other countries, recognizes Beijing as the capital of all China and maintains relations with Taiwan through an American institute, the equivalent of an embassy. The U.S. has no bases or troops in Taiwan. With Biden as president, the danger is that we would resort to hand-wringing and statement-making, no defense against a Chinese onslaught.

The U.S. alliance with Korea should in theory be much stronger than any U.S. commitment to Taiwan, The Americans, having risen to the defense of the Republic of Korea in 1950, have maintained bases and troops in South Korea ever since. Biden, however, is no Harry Truman, the president who got the UN to set up the UN Command and ordered U.S. forces into the South, halting the North Koreans at the Pusan perimeter, driving them back to the North and fending off the Chinese after they had overwhelmed Seoul.

North Korea, now armed with nukes and missiles, poses a much more severe threat than in 1950. It will take an American president with the will to guarantee the independence of the South from North Korean dictatorship. Biden, as shown by his performance in Afghanistan, has no guts. Koreans will have to defend the South against a North Korean menace that may worsen as China gains strength throughout the region.

Donald Kirk is the author of 10 books on Korea, Okinawa, the Philippines and the Vietnam War. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
Like many Americans, I am shocked and heartbroken, appalled and angered by the chain of disasters unfolding in Afghanistan. We are witnessing a tragedy of truly epic proportions.

Even worse, as of this writing, at least 13 Americans have paid for its mismanagement with their lives. They are in addition to the nearly 2,500 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice over the past 20 years, along with thousands more who are maimed for life due to injuries sustained there. My prayers are with every family touched by it.

We watch the gut-wrenching plight of countless Afghans desperate to flee the torture and tyranny about to be inflicted on their country. Many dedicated years trying to transform Afghanistan into a culture of understanding. They now face the real prospect of being martyred for their optimism.

This calamity was both predictable and preventable. We are learning more details each day about how the Biden administration ignored red flags warning of impending trouble from the security community, and then worsened matters by making bad decisions. Now, thousands of people are left scrambling for their very lives in a desperate race against the clock to flee Afghanistan before the Aug. 31 U.S. withdrawal.

This isnt a red or blue issue; its an American issue. And it must be addressed with American determination and urgency.

During last years campaign, Joe Biden told us he wanted to work in bipartisan cooperation. He now has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do just that.

For the sake of our countrymen in harms way, its time for Biden to live up to his word and turn to trusted hands who know how to get the job done. I call on Joe Biden to set aside political differences and, in a spirit of true bipartisan cooperation, appoint Donald J. Trump as his special envoy to oversee the Afghanistan withdrawal.

During this crisis, Biden must use every resource available to get our people home.

This isnt politicizing a catastrophic situation; its offering a practical solution to provide help. Whatever Americans may think of President Trump, he has the executive experience necessary to successfully navigate this crisis.

When such expertise is available, it just makes sense to utilize it. Because conservatives and moderates, liberals and libertarians alike, all share the same desire: To bring our people home safely.

Reaching across the partisan divide in times of peril is not unprecedented. Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Republican Wendell Wilkie in the 1940 presidential election. Then, just a few months later and with the Battle of Britain threatening that countrys survival, Roosevelt asked Wilkie to go to London and deliver a personal letter of support from FDR to Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In true bipartisan cooperation, Wilkie did just that.

In the aftermath of World War II, Democratic President Harry Truman called on Republican former President Herbert Hoover to supervise the distribution of food to starving people in Europe. And by setting aside partisan differences, the Hoover-Truman partnership fed 3.5 million people.

In times of peril, there must always be an all-hands-on-deck response. President Biden should immediately reach out to his predecessor and enlist his help. Today.

Because all Americans want to see our people come home safely.

Russell Fry serves as chief majority whip in the South Carolina House of Representatives and is seeking South Carolinas 7th Congressional District Republican nomination. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
As Americans fled Kabul and desperate Afghans sought to follow, Jerry and Brett Young stood in the yard of their rural Rochester home and remembered their boy, who never got to see his 26th birthday.

He loved to skateboard when he was younger. And he loved all kinds of music. He especially liked jazz, the blues and hard rock, Brett recalled of her son Chad.

His father Jerry pointed to two road signs hanging on a nearby shed.

One designated a portion of Illinois Route 4 as the Cpl. James Chad Young Memorial Highway. Another recognized him as a 2003 Glenwood High School graduate killed in that distant land.

This nation honors its war dead, as well it should. I admire the willingness of our servicemen and women to sacrifice for this great nation. But Im left wondering if our nation is too willing to send men and women into harms way.

Im not a pacifist but I find myself often skeptical of our governments intentions.

Jimmy Carter, perhaps the best person to be president in my lifetime, annoyed many when he said the U.S. is the most warlike nation in history. Thats a tough pill to swallow. But its worth noting that of the 245 years the nation has existed, we have been at war 226 years.

A Brown University study found that since 9/11, the U.S. has spent more than $6.4 trillion on military actions in the Middle East.

Think how many schools, highways, bridges and parks could have been created with that money.

Of course, those figures understate the cost of war. For families such as the Youngs, the cost has been immeasurable. Tears still flow freely 11 years after his death. And his was one of nearly 7,000 American service men and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At least 801,000 people have been killed by direct war violence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Pakistan. Many were civilians.

You know all politicians lie, Jerry Young said. They will say things that arent true or they will vote for something they really dont believe in because someone did them a favor.

While he had a strong opinion about the integrity, or the lack of it, exhibited by our elected officials, his opinion on the Afghanistan war is muted.

I really dont have an opinion on what is happening over there other than its sad. Its like when Osama Bin Laden was killed, some reporter called and wanted our opinion. What are we supposed to say? We are glad hes dead?

For Rock Island native Tyler Carroll, the war was almost half his lifetime ago. The 41-year-old, was one of the first soldiers to fight in Afghanistan after 9/11.

I had friends killed over there and I know others who were badly wounded. And others came home with mental issues, he said.

The Afghanistan war is the longest in U.S. history.

Its not affecting me as much as others, Carroll said. It was so long ago for me. Was it worth it? Well, our initial mission was to destroy al-Qaida and make sure the Taliban was not in control. Al-Qaida was damaged, Osama Bin Laden has been killed but the Taliban is back in control. Perhaps they werent ready for democracy. But many of the people we interacted with there seemed to want it.

Democracy runs in Carrolls blood. Hes a scion of a Quad-City political dynasty. His grandpa is former state Sen. Denny Jacobs, his great grandfather was state Rep. Oral Jacobs and his uncle is former state Sen. Mike Jacobs.

Still, he is skeptical whether the U.S. should impose democracy on other nations.

One shouldnt be surprised. Most wars end in ambiguity. We honor the abstract causes for which men and women fought  freedom, patriotism, service  but we can also question the wisdom of policies that deployed them into harms way.

When I was a child in the 1970s, I didnt think much about war. I was in fourth grade when Saigon fell in April 1975.

Not long after that, I was canoeing down a river with my parents and we met another family paddling downstream  a husband, wife and two little girls.

The man in the other canoe had no legs.

For the rest of the trip my mother was quiet and contemplative.

Finally, I asked her, Why doesnt that man have any legs?

Her voice cracked and she said, He lost them in that awful, awful war. We should never have been there.

Last week, when I saw the hurt in Chad Youngs parents eyes and heard the reports from Kabul, I couldnt help but think the same thing.

Scott Reeder is a veteran journalist and can be reached at Scottreeder1965@gmail.com.
Meagan Wagner-Westermayer, with her daughters  Elizabeth, Tilly and Gracie Westermayer  stand in the entryway of the Arnold Recreation Center where a Yellow Heart Memorial will be displayed. Gracie is holding a photograph of her grandfather and longtime Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Howard Wagner, who died due to complications from COVID-19 in December 2020.
El Dorado County, CA  A two-week-old wildfire in El Dorado County expanded quickly yesterday and caused more evacuation orders around Lake Tahoe, as well as Amador County.

The Caldor Fire is 168,387 acres and 13-percent contained. It had been growing by about half a mile a day over the past few days. However, on Sunday, it grew by 2.5 miles.

CAL Fire spokesperson Ryan Luben says, We did have a trying day and there were a lot of changes throughout the incident. Firefighters are working hard and trying to contain this fire as best we can.

In the Tahoe area, people around the area known as Desolation Wilderness were ordered to leave. It was also threatening the area near Highway 89 in Amador County. Below is the latest on evacuation orders and warnings.

WHERE: El Dorado County and Alpine County

EVACUATION ORDER:

El Dorado County

Desolation Wilderness from the watershed ridge to the CA ENF/CA TMU wilderness boundary. From the El Dorado/Placer county line to Echo Lakes.



Alpine County

Highway 89 south, from Luther Pass Road to the Pickets Junction (Highway 88). West on Highway 88 to Kirkwood. South to include Kirkwood Ski Resort and Caples Lake.





EVACUATION WARNING:



El Dorado County



The remaining area of the Lake Tahoe Basin. From the Alpine/El Dorado county line, north along the California/Nevada state line to Lake Tahoe. North along the waters edge to the El Dorado/Placer county line. West along the El Dorado/Placer county line to McKinney Lake.





Alpine County



Highway 88 at Forestdale Road. West of Forestdale Road and south to the Pacific Crest Trail Crossing. West of the Pacific Crest Trail to the Summit City Canyon Trail. West of Summit City Canyon Trail and south to the El Dorado / Stanislaus National Forest Line. El Dorado / Stanislaus National Forest Line west to the Alpine and Amador County line. South of Armstrong Summit to Woodfords to Forestdale Road, north of Highway 88 and Highway 89 to Armstrong Summit.


SANAA, Yemen (AP)  A missile and drone attack on a key military base in Yemens south on Sunday killed at least 30 troops, a Yemeni military spokesman said. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the countrys civil war in recent years.

Mohammed al-Naqib, spokesman for Yemens southern forces, told The Associated Press the attack on Al-Anad Air Base in the province of Lahj wounded at least 65. He said the casualty toll could rise since rescue teams were still clearing the site.

Graphic footage from the scene showed several charred bodies on the ground with ambulance sirens blaring in the background.

Yemeni officials said at least three explosions took place at the air base, which is held by the internationally recognized government. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when Houthi rebels swept across much of the north and seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile. The Saudi-led coalition entered the war the following year on the side of the government.

A ballistic missile landed in the bases training area, where dozens of troops were doing morning exercises, the officials said. Medics described a chaotic scene following the explosions, with soldiers carrying their wounded colleagues to safety, fearing another attack.

Solider Nasser Saeed survived that attack. He was taken along with other wounded to the Naqib hospital in Aden. He said a barracks that housed over 50 troops had been hit by missiles, then explosives-laden drones.

We were able to shoot down one (drone), he said. Many were killed and wounded.

Most of the wounded were taken to the nearby Ibn Khaldun hospital, where health officials said many of the wounded were in critical condition and suffer third degree burns.

The officials blamed the Houthis for the attack on the base, once the site of U.S. intelligence operations against al-Qaidas powerful Yemeni affiliate. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media.

The victims belong to the pro-government Giants Brigades, which are backed by the United Arab Emirates. The unit said in a statement that the attack involved a number of ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones. The UAE is a main pillar of the Saudi-led coalition.

The military spokesman for the Houthis did not confirm or deny the attack, which carried the hallmarks of the Iranian-backed rebels. The Houthis have previously launched similar attacks, including one by a bomb-laden drone on Al-Anad in January 2019 that killed six troops.

The Iranian-backed rebels also launched a missile attack on the airport in the southern city of Aden in December as government officials arrived. That attack killed at least 25 people and wounded 110 others.

The Houthis had seized the Al-Anad base in the months after their 2014 takeover of Sanaa, before government forces reclaimed it during the battle to reverse the gains of the rebels.

Information Minister Moammar al-Iryani said the attack would undermine international efforts to establish a cease-fire in Yemen.

This terrorist attack affirms once again that the continuation of Houthi militia in the approach of military escalation, he wrote on Twitter.

Sundays attack on the base came as the Houthi rebels face stiff resistance and suffered heavy losses in their monthslong attempt to take the crucial city of Marib from the internationally recognized government. Thousands of fighters, mostly from the Houthis, were killed in recent months in Marib.

The Houthi offensive on Marib, combined with an increase of missile and explosives-laden drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, has come amid mounting international efforts to halt the fighting and relaunch talks between the warring parties to end the war in the Arab worlds poorest country.

The stalemated conflict in Yemen has killed more than 130,000 people and spawned the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

_______________

Magdy reported from Cairo.

BY AHMED AL-HAJ AND SAMY MAGDY

Associated Press
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, partner wed in New Mexico View Photo

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland married her longtime partner Skip Sayre Saturday night in New Mexico.

Haaland wore a dress designed and sewn by her sister, said Interior Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz. The ceremony incorporated elements honoring her Native American ancestry. The former New Mexico congresswoman is a member of the Laguna Pueblo.

According to Schwartz, guests had to be vaccinated to attend and wear masks per CDC and New Mexico guidelines.

But pictures on social media that show some people, including Haaland, not wearing masks indoors the whole time have drawn criticism. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
GOP launches ballot drive to tighten Michigan voting laws View Photo

LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Republicans on Monday announced a ballot drive to tighten Michigans voting and election laws, backing a maneuver that would let GOP lawmakers enact the changes without Gov. Gretchen Whitmers signature.

The step, which had been signaled for months, was decried by Democrats and voting-rights advocates. The Democratic governor had vowed to veto similar bills pending in the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Secure MI Vote, which is being run by veteran GOP operatives, will need to collect roughly 340,000 valid voter signatures within six months of starting to circulate petitions.

The initiative would toughen a requirement that voters submit photo identification, eliminating an option that lets those without one submit an affidavit and vote. More than 11,400 of nearly 5.6 million voters did that in November.

Instead, people with no ID would get a provisional ballot and have to verify their identity within six days after the election for it to count.

The measure also would add an ID component to absentee ballot applications, requiring that voters submit their drivers license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Nearly 3.3 million people, a record, voted absentee last November. Voters currently seeking an absentee ballot by mail must sign the application, and the signature is matched to the voter file.

The initiative also would prohibit the secretary of state and local clerks from sending applications to people who did not request them and create a $3 million fund to ensure low-income residents have an ID. The funding also would make the measure referendum-proof under state law.

Jamie Roe, spokesman for Secure MI Vote, said voters across the political spectrum questioned the integrity of the 2016 and 2020 election results.

The success of this initiative will make it easier to vote, harder to cheat, and restore confidence in the electoral system for Republicans, Democrats and independents alike, he said in a statement.

The Michigan Democratic Party and other groups accused the GOP of trying to confuse voters and perpetuating Trumps lies with the ballot drive.

They want fewer people to vote because they just discovered what we have always known, when people vote, Democrats win. That is what this ballot proposal is all about, creating barriers to voting so fewer people have access to the polls, said chair Lavora Barnes.

She noted that two-thirds of Michigan voters in 2018 passed a constitutional amendment expanding voting options.

Joe Biden won the battleground state by about 155,000 votes, or 2.8 percentage points, but former President Trump has falsely alleged widespread fraud. His own attorney general found no evidence of it in Michigan or other states. Trumps allegations also have been dismissed by judges and refuted by state election officials, an arm of his own administrations Homeland Security Department and Republicans in the Michigan Senate.

Several GOP states have tightened voting laws this year, and others are debating them. If enacted, the Michigan changes would be in place for the 2024 election but not the 2022 midterm because Democratic legislators would refuse to let them take effect immediately.

___

Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00

By DAVID EGGERT

Associated Press
The Latest: Australia getting vaccine in swap with Singapore

The Latest: Australia getting vaccine in swap with Singapore View Photo

CANBERRA, Australia  Australia says it has reached a deal with Singapore to acquire 500,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine next week in return for delivering the same number of shots to Singapore in December.

Australia bought 1 million Pfizer doses from Poland for an undisclosed price earlier this month.

Half of Australias population is locked down due to an outbreak of the delta variant of the coronavirus that began in Sydney in June.

Australian government leaders plan to end lockdowns once 80% of an areas residents aged 16 and older are fully vaccinated. Only 34% of that target population was fully vaccinated by this week.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 Hurricane Ida slams Louisiana hospitals brimming with virus patients

 Texas man who worked against COVID-19 measures dies from virus

 Once a beacon of safety, Hawaii is seeing a surge of coronavirus cases driven by delta variant

 Anxious tenants await assistance as evictions resume

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 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronvirus-vaccine

___

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

PORTLAND, Ore.  City employees in Portland, Oregon, must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus  or obtain a medical or religious exemption  by the middle of October or they will be fired.

Mayor Ted Wheeler and all four City Commissioners wrote Monday in a letter to municipal workers: With COVID-19 filling hospitals and claiming lives, we must do everything within our power to end this pandemic and restore our communitys health.

The city will require its approximately 6,800 employees to either submit proof of vaccination, show they are in the process of being vaccinated or apply for an exemption by Sept. 10. They must be fully vaccinated or granted an exemption by Oct. 18.

The letter says that those who fail to meet the deadline will be put on a list for separation from employment.

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HONOLULU  The mayor of Honolulu says the city will soon require patrons of restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and other establishments to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test.

The rule takes effect Sept. 13 and is aimed at helping the city beat back a surge in cases from the highly contagious delta variant. Honolulu joins other cities such as New Orleans and New York that have implemented similar requirements.

Children under age 12 will be exempt.

Employees of the establishments will have to show proof of vaccination or undergo weekly testing. Businesses that dont comply could be fined or shut down.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Florida officials have begun to make good on threats to withhold funding from school districts that defy Gov. Ron DeSantis ban on mask mandates despite a court ruling last week finding his order unconstitutional.

The state Department of Education announced Monday it has withheld an amount equal to monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward counties. It says funds will continue to be withheld until the districts comply.

President Joe Biden has said if money was withheld, federal money would be used to cover any costs.

The Alachua and Broward districts are among 10 that require all students to wear masks unless they have a medical exemption in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

DeSantis says the districts are violating parental rights by not allowing a parent or legal guardian to opt out their child.

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LANSING, Mich.  Four female soccer players at Western Michigan University are challenging the schools coronavirus vaccine requirement for athletes, saying it violates their Christian beliefs.

The lawsuit filed Monday came days after a Michigan State University employee sued to block that schools mandate, which is broader and applies to all students, faculty and staff.

The players say Western Michigan ordered them to get a shot by the end of August or be removed from the team.

Western Michigan says it has a compelling interest in acting to avoid the significant risk of an outbreak due to unvaccinated athletes.

___

SEATTLE  Health officials in Washington state say the coronavirus pandemic is filling hospitals at an alarming rate and continuing to strain health care workers.

The executive medial director of womens health at Swedish Health Services also said Monday that for the first time during the pandemic, hospitals are seeing large numbers of pregnant women ill with COVID-19. Dr. Tanya Sorensen noted that pregnant women are generally less likely to be vaccinated.

The Washington State Hospital Association says that as of Monday morning, the states hospitals and health care centers were treating 1,570 patients for COVID-19. Of those, 188 are on ventilators. Eleven days ago, the hospital association counted 1,240 patients with 152 on ventilators.

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CHICAGO  An Illinois judge has reversed a ruling to bar a divorced mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she isnt vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Cook County Judge James Shapiro issued an order Monday vacating his Aug. 10 decision, though he offered no explanation.

Rebecca Firlits lawyer has said the judge, and not Firlits ex-husband, raised the issue during a child support hearing for the former couple who share custody of the boy.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that Shapiro asked the mother if she was vaccinated. When she said no, the judge withdrew her rights to see the boy until she gets vaccinated.

Firlit said she has had adverse reactions to vaccinations and that her doctor advised her not to get a coronavirus shot.

___

ROYAL OAK, Mich.  Some animals are rolling up their fur for a coronavirus vaccine at the Detroit Zoo.

The zoo in suburban Detroit says its gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers and lions are getting a vaccine developed by Zoetis, a veterinary drug company, and authorized by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Other animals will follow.

The zoos chief life sciences officer, Scott Carter, says: Were both thankful and relieved a special vaccine is now available to protect against COVID-19. The animals routinely get other vaccinations.

The zoo says no coronavirus infections have been found in its animals.

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ATLANTA  Coronavirus infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations in Georgia are nearing the peaks set in January.

The state Department of Public Health says Georgias seven-day rolling average for cases was just below 9,591 Saturday, close to the high of 9,635 reached Jan. 11. About 5,600 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Monday, just short of the 5,715 set Jan. 13.

Also on Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order calling up as many as 1,500 more National Guard soldiers to help short-staffed hospitals with nonmedical jobs. He previously authorized 1,000.

Also, teachers and state employees insured by the state health plan will qualify for a cash incentive to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The governor is focusing on voluntary vaccination as a solution to the pandemic and opposes other interventions such as mask mandates and, capacity reductions in public places.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala.  Alabama has set a new high for the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care, although the total number of hospitalized COVID patients remains slightly below the winter peak.

There were 884 COVID-19 patients in intensive care Sunday, the most since the pandemic began, according to the Alabama Hospital Association. Dr. Don Williamson heads the organization and he said Monday that the previous high was 848 in January.

The total number of COVID-19 patients in state hospitals was 2,829 on Monday, still below the high of 3,087 set in January.

About 38% of the people in Alabama are vaccinated against the coronavirus, which is one of the lowest rates in the country.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va.  The number of COVID-19 patients in West Virginia hospital intensive care units is approaching the high mark in the pandemic.

There are 203 virus patients in ICUs across the state, the most since Jan. 11. The record of 219 came on Jan. 6,

A total of 640 people are hospitalized for the illness that can be caused by the coronavirus, a fourfold jump in the past month. The record of 818 was set on Jan. 5.

Officials said at a news conference Monday that 82% of current virus hospitalizations and 74% of the statewide deaths over the past two months involved unvaccinated people.

___

PHOENIX  Health officials in Arizonas most populous county are sounding the alarm about a growing number of coronavirus outbreaks in schools.

The medical director for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health told the county Board of Supervisors on Monday that the agency tracked almost three times the number of school outbreaks in August as during the pandemics peak in February.

Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine says that of 188 outbreaks this month, 166 continue  far more than at any other point during the pandemic.

She adds that more than one in four COVID-19 cases in the county are now among children, a rate never seen before. One in six of those cases are among children under age 12.

Maricopa County is home to nearly 60% of Arizonas residents.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Mothers of two children with serious illnesses are asking a federal judge to block enforcement of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees order allowing parents to opt out of pandemic mask requirements in schools. They argue that it endangers kids with health conditions and hurts their ability to attend in-person classes.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman heard testimony in Memphis on Monday as part of the lawsuit filed by the parents of two students in the Shelby County suburbs of Collierville and Germantown.

The school districts had been under a mask mandate issued by the county health department when the school year began earlier in August. However, the governors Aug. 16 order allows parents to send their children to school without masks, and hundreds of students have been attending classes without masks.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. government advisers on Monday reiterated that Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people 16 and older.

The vaccine was the first to win full approval in the U.S. for that age group last week. It also remains available for emergency use by 12- to 15-year-olds.

The full approval gave advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a chance to look at all the extra evidence about safety since vaccinations first began last December. And data revealed Monday showed one serious side effect, heart inflammation, remains exceedingly rare after both the Pfizer vaccine and the similar Moderna shot.

The CDC has counted 2,574 cases of heart inflammation after hundreds of millions of doses of both vaccines. It mostly strikes males under 30 about a week after vaccination. CDC tracking shows the vast majority recover without lingering symptoms.

The CDC put the rare risk into sharper perspective. For every 1 million Pfizer vaccine doses administered to 16- to 17-year-old males, it estimated there would be 73 cases of the heart inflammation. But 500 COVID-19 hospitalizations among these teens would be prevented over the next four months.

___

MIAMI  The number of patients with the coronavirus in Florida hospitals is dropping as infection rates stay high. Its a sign that while more people test positive for the virus, they are not necessarily developing severe illness.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tallied 15,488 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals, an 8% decrease over the past week.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the more than 30,000 people have been able to get monoclonal antibodies at 21 state sites set up over the past two weeks and avoided worsening their symptoms.

___

OKLAHOMA CITY  The four largest hospitals in Oklahoma City on Monday said they either have no intensive care bed space available or no space for COVID-19 patients.

Mercy, Integris and SSM Health said they had no ICU beds available and OU Health had none for COVID-19 patients in the states largest city.

OU Health, the states only trauma center, must keep some ICU beds available for other critically ill or injured patients.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health, which reported 1,572 virus-related hospitalizations statewide Monday, including 422 in ICU, stopped providing daily hospital bed availability data in May when Gov. Kevin Stitt ended a COVID-19 emergency declaration. The department has said it will resume providing the data, but has not yet done so.

SSM Health spokesperson Kate Cunningham said the information provided by the hospitals is not in response to anything the state agency has or has not provided.

The only motive for acting together in this is because of regular requests for information from reporters, and we want to be transparent to the public, Cunningham said.

By The Associated Press
MERIDEN  The annual Latino Expo on the Meriden Green Sunday featured music, food and a celebration of Latino culture  all while supporting locally owned businesses.

Salsa music played during the all-day event as community members enjoyed traditional Latino dishes served by El Rincon Boricua and El Jibarito Take Out.

Puerto Rican flags were mounted above the businesses tents and patrons wore shirts emblazoned with the Puerto Rican flag as they ate food and listened to salsa music.

Organizer Pedro Valentin founded the event in 2018 and continued it in 2019, but had to cancel last year due to the pandemic. Valentin said he is excited for future expos and looks forward to attracting more sponsors.

Ice cream was available with flavors such as passion fruit, coconut and tamarindo.

New Haven resident Elena Rodriguez, 53, migrated from Puerto Rico in 1987. She said attending such events helped her adjust to mainland culture while celebrating her Puerto Rican heritage.

Its my blood, Rodriguez said. I enjoy these types of events. I enjoy the music, the food, the people. It reminds me of home.

Catillos Souvenir Shop sold a variety of Puerto Rican items. Many were traditional pieces, including el guiro, which is a Latino American percussion instrument. Bracelets, hats, key chains, domino tables, paintings and Puerto Rican flags were also popular.

Meriden resident Astrid Ortega, born in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, said she enjoyed the food from El Rincon Boricua as she sat with her family listening to the music.

I think this is great, I am a Puerto Rican and to me, this is nice and the food was good, she said. I am looking forward to trying more food as well.

El Rincon Boricua opened earlier this year at 81 W. Main St.

One of the highlights was a caravan of Jeeps that passed by the event playing Spanish music.

Businesses such as Juniper Homecare and Loyalty Insurance attended the event.

El Jibarito, which opened nine months ago at 620 E. Main St., served what is known as antojitos  dishes such as alcapurias, empanadillas and pinchos.

Waterbury residents Ricky Verdejo and Josh Almodovar said they eat regularly at El Jibarito and decided to show support for the Latino community.

The event has been good, Verdejo said. We heard about this event from one of the workers and stopped by.

El Rincon Boricua served pina coladas, typical Puerto Rican cuisine and desserts such as quesitos and guava pastries.

jdiaz@record-journal.com203-317-2386Twitter: @jarelizz
A Colorado chain is bringing more New York-style pizza and beer to San Antonio.

Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse is bringing pizza, wings, and fried dough to The Rim in 2022, according to its website and a recent filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The filing says Parry's is expected to start construction in October with an anticipated completion date in January.

From build-your-own pies to traditional pepperoni pizza, Parry's also has New York-inspired creations like The Five Boroughs: a pizza topped with pepperoni, bacon, mushrooms, and green peppers.

Parry's also offers craft beer on tap that differs by location.

MySA reached out to Parry's representatives but did not immediately receive comment.

Parry's first opened in Parker, Colorado, in 2007 and expanded to 12 locations across the state. The brand expanded outside of the Rocky Mountains and into Dallas and McKinney, Texas, in 2020. This will mark the third location in Texas.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Buying a hotel to house homeless people, building another tiny house village, making camping easier, searching for car camping sites  all are part of a major Dane County proposal that would put at least $7 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding toward housing solutions for the countys homeless population.

In the coming weeks, several county committees will consider the wide-reaching package, starting with the Park Commission Wednesday night, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

But the proposal got a cool reception from the office of Dane County Executive Joe Parisi on Tuesday because of the limited federal funds available and the need to spend more than expected on sheltering people in hotels.

Parisis office said he supports a separate resolution introduced Tuesday that would instead put an additional $2.6 million in federal funding toward continuing to shelter people in hotels through the end of 2021. Parisi did not directly respond to a question about whether he would support putting $7 million toward the longer-term solutions of a hotel purchase and tiny houses.

Given the uncertainly delta has caused, we must focus in the short term on funding the safety net services we are already providing, and we must be extremely cautious about funding new initiatives, however well-intentioned, Parisi said in a statement to the State Journal.

Its unclear how far the package will go without the Parisis support, but some major aspects do not require funding. Sup. Heidi Wegleitner, the author of the resolution, said she is hoping it will come to the county board for consideration by late September or early October.

The package comes as the city of Madison has been grappling with how to address a sprawling homeless encampment at Reindahl Park. The encampment has grown from fewer than a dozen campers to anywhere from 40 to 60 campers and has had a series of violent incidents, including fights and a stabbing. City staff have said the situation is not sustainable.

As of early August, county outreach staff estimated that roughly 125 were living outside in encampments in Dane County, according to the resolution. The actual number of people living outside or in cars is expected to be higher.

Wegleitner said Madison has really taken the lead when it comes to supporting those who are unsheltered, while the countys focus has been on paying to temporarily house people in hotels. She said this proposal is a way for the county to step up and put more money toward helping those who are living outside.

We need to be investing in permanent housing solutions for people who have experienced chronic homelessness, she said. We cant just be paying rent in hotels. We need permanent supportive housing options.

Dane County has spent $23.5 million in federal CARES Act funds on hotel shelter since the start of the pandemic, Parisis office said.

Madison community development director Jim OKeefe said Wegleitner is pursuing resources for some of the same initiatives the city is seeking, and the city welcomes that reinforcement.

Should her proposal be adopted, it would certainly set the stage for future collaboration between the city and county on those types of projects, he said.

Using federal COVID-19 relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, Wegleitners proposal would allocate $5.25 million for purchasing a hotel or multi-unit building to provide permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness, $1.5 million toward developing another tiny house village and another $250,000 toward outreach, such as providing unsheltered people with meals, survival gear and medical care.

An additional $2.25 million in federal funds could come for the proposed building, but the county first needs to determine whether the purchase would be allowed under forthcoming federal guidelines. If so, that would bring the total funds for housing solutions up to $9.25 million.

The hope is that the city of Madison would also contribute to the hotel or building purchase. OKeefe said the mayor and council have set aside federal funds for that purpose.

At this point, Wegleitner doesnt have a specific property in mind for the hotel or multi-unit building, but she has a vision of how it would function. Under a housing-first philosophy, an persons inability to pay rent, lack of rental history, criminal history or prior eviction wouldnt hold them back from securing housing. Those are reasons people are often pushed out of the regular housing market and pushed into homelessness, Wegleitner said.

The hope is that the city of Madison would also contribute to the hotel or building purchase. OKeefe said the mayor and council have set aside federal funds for that purpose.

At this point, Wegleitner doesnt have a specific property in mind for the hotel or multi-unit building, but she has a vision of how it would function. Under a housing-first philosophy, an persons inability to pay rent, lack of rental history, criminal history or prior eviction wouldnt hold them back from securing housing. Those are reasons people are often pushed out of the regular housing market and pushed into homelessness, Wegleitner said.

I do think thats absolutely something that, if the money is there, could be part of the solution potentially this year, Wegleitner said of the potential third tiny house village.

But both the tiny houses and the hotel could be on the chopping block if county board members arent on board with doling out millions in federal funds for the projects. Parisi said that money needs to be saved for other things.

Providing hotel shelter is the right thing to do at this time, and it is expensive to maintain, Parisi said. In addition to these resources for people experiencing homelessness, additional (federal) dollars may be needed to relaunch pandemic responses in other areas that only two months ago we thought we could wind down.

According to Wegleitners resolution, 139 people are being housed in hotels, and 60 people are on the waitlist.

Wegleitners resolution would also make some more immediate changes that do not require funding, including directing county staff to find sites for lawful car camping and changing county ordinances to allow homeless people to stay for free at county campgrounds for extended periods of time.

Current county campground regulations require registration and a camping fee, and limit stays to 14 consecutive days. Those requirements would be waived for homeless campers through March 31 under the proposal.

The city doesnt have any campgrounds, but some temporary encampments were allowed during the pandemic, and the city is pursuing two sites for campgrounds. OKeefe said the City Council will hopefully take up a resolution to allow for some campgrounds at its Aug. 31 meeting.

Sup. Sarah Smith, 24th District, a sponsor of the resolution, said the county already has campgrounds in some of its parks, so the ordinance changes are an easy way to provide another option for those who arent comfortable with staying at Reindahl Park. She doesnt support kicking people of of Reindahl but hopes this could give people more flexibility.

Its a unique way that the county can step up, she said.

For car camping, county staff would need to submit a report within 60 days of the resolutions adoption identifying spots on county-owned property and parking lots of businesses and faith communities. Thats something that was recommended to the county more than nine years ago, Wegleitner said.

Smith said people who are living out of their cars arent sure where its safe and legal for them to park for extended periods of time without being penalized.

We need to stop criminalizing homelessness, Wegleitner said.

The county board, she said, needs to put more money toward supporting the citys efforts, especially heading into the fall.

This is urgent. This is overdue, Wegleitner said. We need action before the cold of winter.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) 

Agriculture officials in Minnesota say they are seeing an increase in inquiries about mental health.

We are seeing a lot of despair right now, a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety, said Meg Moynihan, who works for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture with a focus on the human side of farming.

Moynihan recently put an ad on Facebook with a link to mental health help. The response caught her attention: nearly 2,500 clicks in 18 days, Minnesota Public Radio reported.

So theyre not just looking at, Oh, theres the phone number in the ad I could call, but theyre clicking through for more information, Moynihan said. And Im hoping thats some people who want that kind of help and support for themselves. But Im also hoping its for people who might be concerned about somebody they know.

Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Petersen recently surveyed conditions in northwestern Minnesota, where the drought is taking its biggest toll on the state.

I thought I was in Arizona, Peterson said. I just looked at this bare church with no grass and the graves, you know, looked like a ghost town. And I kept going, and the pastures were the worst Ive ever seen in my life.

Peterson said he also met an 80-year-old farmer who had just sold off all his sheep who said the situation was the worst hes seen in his lifetime.

Weve got a lot of multi-generational farmers that are worried, Am I going to be the one this year that cant make this farm last and sustain? We have no rain, said Shauna Reitmeier, who runs a behavioral health clinic called Alluma that serves several counties in northwestern Minnesota.

Reitmeier said she thinks people are much more comfortable with the term stress than mental health. She also said the explosion of telemedicine has made it easier for people to discreetly seek help because they no longer have to park their truck outside a clinic. It can be helpful for farmers to come to terms with what they can and cannot control, Reitmeier said.

Its definitely been a struggle, said Josey Weik, 24, who raises heritage pigs and cattle on his mom and dads farm in northeastern Minnesota, who says his coping strategy is extremely aggressive optimism.

Weik has been spending a lot of time this summer cooling off the animals he cares for and making sure they have enough to drink.

I mean, in a normal summer, Im watering twice a day, Weik said. And some of these days Ive found myself out there watering, you know, three, four, five times a day.

Weik said he and his family are not in need of counseling.

They are, though, trying to figure out a way to pay for automated watering systems.

Weik said looking beyond his farm has been another one of his coping strategies. He remembers well how some of his customers who are restaurateurs persevered during the COVID shutdown.

Unlike many older farmers, Weik grew up with an understanding of climate change. He expects extreme weather to continue to make farming even more challenging than its always been.

The certainty of uncertainty is what keeps us sane, Weik said. Im just going to assume from now on that were going to have either record-breaking heat waves and droughts or record-breaking monsoons and floods, and Im assuming its going to get worse.

In the short-term, Ag Commissioner Petersen says he expects state lawmakers will soon come up with a relief package for drought-stricken farmers  especially those who lack federal supports including crop insurance.

I hate to use the term Band-Aid, but it really is what it is, Peterson said, adding that in the long-term, he too is worried, Im not convinced that this may not go into next year. God help us if we do.
HONOLULU (AP)  Hawaii reported nearly 1,700 cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, a record high, but said the count included a backlog from one lab.

The Hawaii Department of Health reported 1,678 cases, which included a partial catch-up of reporting after one lab experienced system errors from Aug. 15 to Aug. 25. The state said in a statement that the issue has been resolved and is indicative of the intense strain on the states health infrastructure.

The state saw 10,817 new confirmed cases documented in the last 14 days.

This tidal wave of cases is straining our ability to respond at all levels  our hospitals, our labs and even our morgues are nearing or at capacity, said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char. We have not yet reached the peak of this surge, and we will not until Hawaii residents take further steps to protect themselves and their families.

Hawaii also reported two additional deaths on Sunday; two women older than 60 with underlying health conditions.

That brings the state's totals since the pandemic began to 62,229 cases and 589 deaths, according to the state dashboard.

On Saturday, hundreds of people  many of whom described themselves as University of Hawaii freshmen  went to a party at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline despite restrictions on large gatherings, according to a state Department of Land and Natural Resources statement. Authorities broke up the party and four people were cited for unpermitted generators and sound equipment in the park.

Jason Redulla, who works for the department, expressed outrage that people would organize or attend a large party given the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Ive instructed my officers, going forward, to confiscate any equipment or supplies used for these gatherings," Redulla said. If the loss of personal property, taken for evidence in criminal prosecutions, is not enough to get these people to start acting responsibly, we hope it doesnt take their friends or loved ones getting sick or dying to wake them up.
WASHINGTON - Abortion rights advocates asked the Supreme Court on Monday to block a Texas law from taking effect this week that allows private individuals to sue to enforce a ban on abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

The law incentivizes citizens to sue anyone suspected of helping a woman get an abortion, including people who drive a patient to a Texas clinic or provide financial help. Under the ban, those who successfully sue an abortion provider or health center worker are awarded at least $10,000.

It would be one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, effectively outlawing the procedure at a stage before many women are aware that they are pregnant.

Lawyers for abortion providers told the Supreme Court that the law, which is supposed to take effect Wednesday, "would immediately and catastrophically reduce abortion access in Texas" and likely force many clinics to close.

"Patients who can scrape together resources will be forced to attempt to leave the state to obtain an abortion, and many will be delayed until later in pregnancy. The remaining Texans who need an abortion will be forced to remain pregnant against their will or to attempt to end their pregnancies without medical supervision," the filing states.

The emergency application is directed to conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who reviews such requests from that region of the country. Alito can request a response from the state officials and individuals named in the case and refer the matter to the full court, or he can act on his own at any time.

The request for intervention comes after an appeals court in Texas abruptly postponed a district court hearing scheduled for Monday. Opponents of the law had planned to ask a federal judge in Austin to stop the measure from taking effect on Sept. 1.

But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit called off the hearing in a brief unsigned order. A three-judge panel also rejected a request from abortion rights advocates to take the case on an expedited basis or to put the law on hold pending appeal.

Those legal developments injected fresh concern and uncertainty for Texas abortion providers, who say the law is unconstitutional and will subject them to endless lawsuits, shut down clinics and reduce services.

More than 85% of women who choose to terminate their pregnancies in Texas are at least six weeks into pregnancy, according to advocates, so the law would prevent nearly all abortions in the state.

"If this law is not blocked by September 1, abortion access in Texas will come to an abrupt stop. Texas has shown it will stop at nothing to force this law into effect," Marc Hearron, senior counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.

In response to the filing Monday, Texas Right to Life legislative director John Seago said, "the abortion industry is using their last, desperate option in an attempt to block the life-saving Texas Heartbeat Act from taking effect."

"We are hopeful that Justice Alito will examine the compelling arguments raised explaining why the case should be ultimately dismissed."

Legal experts said abortion rights advocates still have options, but limited time. They are asking the Supreme Court to block the law or to get rid of the appeals court order and allow the district court to hold its planned hearing.

Steve Vladeck, a constitutional law professor at the University of Texas School of Law, said there is a "decent chance" there will still be an opportunity for the District Court to convene a hearing and potentially block the law.

"The problem is the chances of that happening before it goes into effect are dwindling by the moment," Vladeck said. "And for women in Texas who want to avail themselves of their constitutional right to an abortion, that could become virtually impossible by the end of tomorrow night."

Proponents said they are hopeful that the law, which Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed in May, will take effect as planned, and that the appeals court order means options for stopping it are limited.

"To have a significant piece of pro-life legislation that takes effect when it was scheduled - that almost never happens," said Seago. "It's a phenomenal victory for our movement."

Abortion opponents nationally are looking to a more conservative Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade's nearly 50-year guarantee of the right to choose an abortion. The justices this fall will review a restrictive Mississippi ban on almost all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Federal judges have blocked laws in a dozen states, including Oklahoma and Idaho, that are similar to Texas's ban on abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. Proponents call the measures "heartbeat bills" because they say that is when doctors can first detect a fetal heartbeat.

But doctors who oppose the legislation say the "heartbeat" description is misleading. What appears to be a heartbeat at six weeks, they say, is a vibration of developing tissues that could not exist outside the womb.

The Texas law, known as S.B. 8, is more difficult to block than those in other states, according to opponents. By design, the measure is enforced through private lawsuits, not state government officials who are usually defendants in federal constitutional challenges. If no specific individual or institution is responsible for enforcing the law, there is no one for abortions rights organizations to sue.

A coalition, including the Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, used a novel approach to try to stop the law. They asked a federal judge to prevent any of the state's trial court judges, potentially more than 1,000 throughout Texas, from enforcing the law and to block court clerks from accepting the lawsuits.

State officials have argued in District Court that they are shielded from legal liability and that abortion rights advocates do not have legal grounds to sue to block the law in advance of any individual seeking to enforce it in court.

The 5th Circuit panel, made up of three Republican-appointed judges, on Friday granted the request of the Texas attorney general and other defendants to put the scheduled hearing on hold.

Amy Hagstrom Miller - president of Whole Woman's Health, which runs four clinics in Texas - said her clients will be forced to either travel out of state to access abortion services, carry unwanted pregnancies to term, or terminate their pregnancies using medication secured online without guidance from a health professional.

If the law takes effect, she said, people "will be under surveillance" by those interested in bringing potential lawsuits.

"It's like putting a bounty on people, and it's so un-Texan," she said, alluding to the state's small-government culture. "Would you want your wife or daughter spied on in this way?"

- - -

The Washington Post's Caroline Kitchener in Houston and Ariana Eunjung Cha in Washington contributed to this report.
On Sunday, August 30, Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted out a few statistics that left many of his constituents upset.

Abbott pointed to the coronavirus pandemic showing "improvement" in Texas. He stated hospitalizations have declined for the third straight day and are at their lowest since August 22  one week ago from his tweet.

"The number of Texans testing positive is the lowest since August 9," he added. "More than 56 [percent] of Texans eligible for vaccination are fully vaccinated."

However, according to the Texas Tribune, Texas hospitals reported nearly 14,000 hospitalizations of COVID-19 last week, just below the state's peak after the winter surge. This summer, the hospital admission rate for people younger than 50 has nearly doubled when compared to earlier outbreaks. During the week ending on August 22, about 1,672 people with COVID-19 were admitted each day, the Texas Tribune reports.

In San Antonio, the latest numbers available pointed to 1,319 hospitalizations, with 374 patients in intensive care, and 252 on ventilators.

While Abbott announced on August 26 that the Texas Department of State Health Services would deploy state-funded relief workers to help hospitals soon, Texans are saying it could have occurred sooner.

Laura Atlas Kravitz tweeted at Abbott her 96-year-old grandmother is lucky to have a hospital bed in Austin after suffering from a stroke on Saturday, August 28.

"The hospital is so understaffed that they can't get ahold of the proper personnel to get approval for her to eat, so she may not eat until morning," she tweeted. "Do better ... Our hospitals are not built for this. We could be preventing this."

San Antonio Representative Diego Bernal also chimed in on Abbott's tweet, writing "At the lowest level sincea week ago? Really? That's the tweet? That's the tweet."

Scroll below for more tweets from Texas:

However, there were a few Abbott supporters who praised the three-day streak.
Another Texas district temporarily closed down due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

On Saturday, August 28, Leakey Independent School District, which is about an hour and 45 minutes west of San Antonio, near Uvalde, announced its brief closure on its Facebook page.

LISD stated it would remain closed through September 7 due to "personnel challenges brought on by COVID-19. The students will not be having remote instruction," it added.

The district does not enforce face masks but does encourage them, according to COVID-19 policy on its website.

"Due to the ongoing community struggle with COVID-19 and its variants, we no longer have the instructional staff, or the substitutes required to provide a quality education to the students of Leakey ISD," the district wrote in a public statement.

The district is, however, allowing all extracurricular activities to proceed if there are adequate personnel to manage the program. It includes competitions and practices.

"Though we do have some students out on quarantine, and that number is increasing incrementally, we do not have widespread outbreaks of the virus amongst our student population," LISD stated.

Leakey ISD is part of Real County, which has 23 active cases and 14 deaths as of August 29, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services. The population of Leakey is 642 as of 2019, according to the United States Census Bureau.

The district isn't the only one shutting down due to a coronavirus pandemic. Last week, CNN reported Iraan, an oil field town of 1,200 people in West Texas, near Fort Stockton, closed its school district and local businesses after its COVID-19 positivity rate hit 42 percent.
The federal government has opened a formal investigation into Teslas partially automated driving system, commonly called Autopilot, in response to a series of crashes involving parked emergency vehicles.

Details of the Tesla Autopilot Investigation

According to KXAN, the investigation covers roughly 765,000 vehicles, involving nearly all Tesla vehicles sold in the United States since the launch of the companys 2014 model year vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims to have identified 11 crashes since 2011 in which Tesla vehicles operating on Autopilot or Traffic-Aware Cruise Control have hit vehicles at scenes where first responders have used emergency indicators, including flashing lights, flares, illuminated arrow boards, or cones. The crashes have resulted in 17 people being injured and at least one death.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which has taken part in some of the Tesla crash investigations, recommended that NHTSA and Tesla limit Autopilots use to areas where it can operate without risk. Additionally, the NTSB is calling for NHTSA to require Tesla to improve systems dedicated to ensuring that drivers are paying attention, even when the vehicle is in Autopilot mode.

Autopilot has been a point of contention among regulators as Tesla drivers frequently misuse the feature. This includes drunk drivers using Autopilot while behind the wheel and drivers leaving the driver seat in order to ride in the passenger seat or backseat while the vehicles are in Autopilot mode.

Ince June 2016, NHTSA has investigated 31 crashes involving partially automated driver-assist systems. 25 of those involved Tesla Autopilot with those resulting in 10 deaths.

Crashes with emergency vehicles and first responders have occurred in Culver City, California; Laguna Beach, California; Norwalk, Connecticut; Cloverdale, Indiana; West Bridgewater, Massachusetts; Cochise County, Arizona; Charlotte, North Carolina, Montgomery County, Texas; Lansing, Michigan; and Miami, Florida.

Disputes Over Tesla Autopilot Regulation and Liability

Questions concerning the regulation of Tesla Autopilot and possible company liability in accidents are nothing new. While Tesla and other manufacturers urge drivers to remain ready to intervene when using driver-assist systems, there is concern that drivers may be lulled into a false sense of security or an unsafe expectation about what the systems are capable of.

While automakers including Tesla have pushed against additional regulation, NHTSA says it does have robust enforcement tools with which to protect the public. The agency added it will act when if finds evidence of noncompliance on an unreasonable risk to safety.

For example, NHTSA investigations can result in recalls and other enforcement actions.

NHTSA reminder drivers no commercially available motor vehicles today are capable of driving themselves and that Every available vehicle requires a human driver to be in control at all times, and all state laws hold human drivers responsible for operation of their vehicles.

Vehicle Models Included in the Tesla Investigation

NHTSA investigation of Tesla Autopilot involves the following vehicles:

 2014-2021 Tesla Model Y

 2014-2021 Tesla Model X

 2014-2021 Tesla Model S

 2014-2021 Tesla Model 3

Injured in a Crash Involving a Tesla Vehicle? Call Thomas J. Henry Law

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash with a Tesla vehicle or involved in an accident while using Tesla Autopilot, contact Thomas J. Henry Law. Our Texas car accident attorneys have the experience and resources to handle your claim aggressively and effectively.

Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Austin serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Call us today for a free case review  attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends. If you cannot make it to our office, we can visit you at your home, in the hospital, or at work.

Thomas J. Henry Law Offices with a Car Accident Lawyer in TX:

 Speak to an Austin car accident lawyer:

- Phone Number: (512) 520-0221 (attorneys available 24/7, nights and weekends)

- Address:4401 West Gate Blvd Suite 200, Austin, TX 78745 (walk-in Monday through Friday)

 Speak to a Corpus Christi car accident lawyer:

- Phone number: 361-254-7873 (attorneys available 24/7 to assist you)

- Address: 521 Starr Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 (walk-in Monday through Friday)

 Speak to a San Antonio car accident lawyer:

- Phone number: 210-941-2191 (attorneys available 24/7 to assist you)

- Address: 5710 W Hausman Rd, Suite 108, San Antonio, TX 78249 (walk-in Monday through Friday)
International

12 Houthi rebels killed in Saudi-led airstrikes

SANAA, AUG 30 (IANS) | Publish Date: 8/30/2021 11:49:45 AM IST

At least 12 Houthi rebels were killed when Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit two pick-up vehicles in Rahabah district in Yemens central province of Marib, a Ymilitary source at the scene said.

The coalition airstrikes came as the Yemeni troops were advancing from two directions towards Al-Sadara mountain, the last rebel bastion in the southwestern district, the source told Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

Fighting between the Yemeni army and the Houthi rebels also raged on in the neighbouring districts of Jabal Murad and Sirwah.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported 15 coalition airstrikes against the Houthi positions in those districts in the last 24 hours, without providing more details.

The Houthis began in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province, the governments last northern stronghold.

The UN has warned that the offensive on Marib, which hosts nearly 1 million internally displaced people, could lead to a major humanitarian catastrophe.

Yemens civil war flared up in late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi group seized control of much of the countrys north and forced the internationally recognised 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 Hadis government.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Bird Song of the Day

* * *

#COVID19

At reader request, Ive added this daily chart from 91-DIVOC. The data is the Johns Hopkins CSSE data. Here is the site. I feel Im engaging in a macabre form of tape-watching.

Vaccination by region:

South still fiddling and diddling.

52.3% of the US is fully vaccinated, a big moment, bursting through the psychological 52% barrier. Every day, a tenth of a percentage point upward. However, as readers point out, every day those vaccinated become less protected, especially the earliest. So we are trying to outrun the virus (I have also not said, because its too obvious, that if by Bubba we mean The South, then Bubba has done pretty well.)

Case count by United States regions:

Slowing acceleration!

Covid cases top ten states: for the last four weeks (hat tip, alert reader Lou Anton):

Texas and California back in tandem. .Meanwhile, Georgia and Louisiana have diverged.

From CDC: Community Profile Report August 25, 2021 (PDF), Rapid Riser counties, this release:

Lots and lots of yellow and green, especially in the South and the Acela Corridor. Florida is almost clear (which I should have mentioned already). Northern Maine (quite lightly populated. suddenly turned red. I hate to be optimistic, but it looks like this fever has broken (thought the back to school bump, IMSHO, has yet to really take hold.) Remember, however, that this chart is about acceleration, not absolute numbers, so the case chart still has momentum. This map, too, blows the Blame Bubba narrative out of the water. Not a (Deliverance-style) banjo to be heard. Previous release:

(Red means getting worse, green means bad but getting better. This chart updates Tuesdays and Fridays, presumbly by end-of-day.)

Test positivity:

The South drops, and a smaller drop in the West.

Hospitalization (CDC): This is where CDC moved its hospital data:

Here the CDCs hospitalization visualization, from the source above:

The Gulf Coast is red, but moderating. Several states in the West is pink and increasing, except for Colorado, which is red.

Deaths (Our World in Data):

Deaths on trend rising. (Adding: I know the data is bad. This is the United States. But according to The Narrative, deaths shouldnt have been going up at all. Directionally, this is quite concerning. Needless to see, this is a public health debacle. Its the public health establishment to take care of public health, not the health of certain favored political factions.)

MS: Mississippi Passes NYs COVID Death Rate As Gov. Reeves Says Mississippians A Little Less Scared [Mississippi Free Press]. Mississippi has now surpassed the state of New York, the nations original pandemic hotspot, in total COVID-19 deaths per capita. The only state where the pandemic has proven deadlier than the Magnolia State is New Jersey. Mississippi displaced New York with a report of 65 additional deaths on Fridaya day after Gov. Tate Reeves told a Tennessee audience that southerners are a little less scared of COVID-19 due to their religious faith.

Covid cases worldwide:

A little dip in the US. Southeast Asia doing better, I presume because little-covered Indonesia is past a peak. US sphere of influence under the Monroe Doctrine not doing so well.

* * *

Politics

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51

They had one weapon left and both knew it: treachery. Frank Herbert, Dune

They had learned nothing, and forgotten nothing. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

Biden Administration

Biden Deserves Credit, Not Blame, for Afghanistan [David Rothkopf, The Atlantic]. Unlike his three immediate predecessors in the Oval Office, all of whom also came to see the futility of the Afghan operation, Biden alone had the political courage to fully end Americas involvement. Although Donald Trump made a plan to end the war, he set a departure date that fell after the end of his first term and created conditions that made the situation Biden inherited more precarious. And despite significant pressure and obstacles, Biden has overseen a military and government that have managed, since the announcement of Americas withdrawal, one of the most extraordinary logistical feats in their recent history. By the time the last American plane lifts off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 31, the total number of Americans and Afghan allies extricated from the country may exceed 120,000.

Trump Legacy

It Nearly Killed Me: Michael Caputos Life After Years Fighting for Trump [Politico]. Caputos cell phone sounded, his ringtone Ripple by the Grateful Dead, a song about dark and dawn, falling down and getting up and uncertain roads ahead.  Let the rehabilitation begin! (And remarkably fast, too!)

Obama Legacy

The tan suit: Happy anniversary to the biggest scandal of the Obama presidency. pic.twitter.com/NloqB6OR13  Andrew Weinstein (@Weinsteinlaw) August 28, 2021 The account is chair of @TheDemocrats. Whats frightening is that there are still people who may actually believe this.

Realignment and Legitimacy

Bad News: Selling the story of disinformation [Harpers]. Look closer and its clear that much of the attention for sale on the internet is haphazard, unmeasurable, or simply fraudulent. [Tim Hwang, a lawyer who formerly led public policy at Google] points out that despite being exposed to an enormous amount of online advertising, the public is largely apathetic toward it. More than that, online ads tend to produce clicks among people who are already loyal customers. This is, as Hwang puts it, an expensive way of attracting users who would have purchased anyway. Mistaking correlation for causation has given ad buyers a wildly exaggerated sense of their ability to persuade. So too has the all-important consumer data on which targeted advertising is based, and which research has exposed as frequently shoddy or overstated. In recently unsealed court documents, Facebook managers disparaged the quality of their own ad targeting for just this reason. An internal Facebook email suggests that COO Sheryl Sandberg knew for years that the company was overstating the reach of its ads. Why, then, do buyers love digital advertising so much? In many cases, Hwang concludes, its simply because it looks good at a meeting, blown up on an analytics dashboard: It makes for great theater. In other words, the digital-advertising industry relies on our perception of its ability to persuade as much as on any measurement of its ability to actually do so. This is a matter of public relations, of storytelling. And here, the disinformation frame has been a great asset. Wellness Mommy Bloggers and the Cultish Language They Use [Harpers Bazaar]. In Cultish, Montell explores the language used by everyone from the notorious Jim Jones, who coerced nearly 1,000 members of his church to kill themselves in 1978 to the leggings-hawking direct sales company LuLaRoe. What unifies all these organizations and leaders is the use of language deliberately designed to make followers feel like part of a community, to feel privy to salvation or a higher power of being. Whether that salvation comes in the form of personal fulfillment and financial freedom by way of #bossbabe prowess, or in the form of toned arms, or in the form of ultimate spiritual transcendence, is mostly irrelevant. What distinguishes a cultish group from, say, a group of energized, enthusiastic people bent on achieving a certain outcome or goal, is the groups employment of certain words and phrases designed to create stark, inalienable binaries between us and them. If youre fluent in a cultish dialect, you are chosen, you are powerful, you are special.  Hmmm. She spread election conspiracies. It ruined her life. [Arizona Agenda]. Fascinating. One nugget: To try to help her make sense of the last nine months, [Staci Burk] created an organizational flow chart of names, color-coded by how they all came into her life and how they relate to each other. Theres no way out of this without believing one conspiracy or another, she said in a recent interview. Because either all these guys coordinated to pull off a big grift, and it was for fundraising and for whatever theyre doing right now over at the circus (audit). Or there was actual election fraud.'  So to make sense of it all, Burk creates a yarn diagram. Im starting to think that yarn diagrams dont have the explanatory power we think they do. Interesting question: What do you think @glennkirschner2? Admissible in court as part of a future negligent homicide case? https://t.co/bitfP4Ocv4  Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) August 29, 2021 If this is admissible, the governor of Mississippi is gonna have to get in a long line.

Stats Watch

Founders Retire. GEI Transferred To New Owner [Econintersect]. After nearly 11 years of 24/7/365 operation, Global Economic Intersection co-founders Steven Hansen and John Lounsbury are retiring. The new owner, a global media company in London, is in the process of completing the set-up of Global Economic Intersection files in their system and publishing platform. The official website ownership transfer took place on 24 August.  I hope Hansen and Lounsbury made something on the deal; Econintersect was one of the last of the old-school blogs, and I always enjoyed it. Best of luck to them.

Manufacturing: United States Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index [Trading Economics]. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas general business activity index for manufacturing in Texas fell to 9.0 in August of 2021 from 27.3 in the previous month, pointing to the smallest growth in factory activity since January.

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Shipping: U.S. Port Problems Reach Worst of Pandemic Amid Crush of Imports [Bloomberg]. The number of ships waiting to enter the biggest U.S. gateway for trade with Asia reached the highest since the pandemic began, exacerbating delays for companies trying to replenish inventories during one of the busiest times of the year for seaborne freight. Forty-four container carriers were anchored and awaiting a berth space outside the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, as of late Friday, topping the record of 40 initially set in early February, according to officials who monitor marine traffic in San Pedro Bay. The average wait rose to 7.6 days, from 6.2 in mid-August, according to L.A. port data. Vessels are lining up because imports are pouring into the worlds largest economy just as inland transportation  like trucking and railroads  contends with its own bottlenecks of shipping containers that arent being moved fast enough into distribution centers and warehouses.

Shipping: Sailing Stormy Waters: Mega Containerships [Hellenic Shipping News]. To put this into perspective, in 2005 the container fleet in total was under 2,000 vessels, the largest vessel capacity was 11,078 TEU with a Deadweight (dwt) value of 115,700 tonnes. By close of 2020 it had rocketed to 5,234 vessels, with some boasting a capacity of 23,964 TEU and 232,606 dwt. This has driven overall Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) by 42%, from 44K TEU in 2005 to 8.82 million TEU in 2020. Various factors have driven the growth notably economies of scale vs transportation costs, a dominant Asia Europe trade lane fuelling enough cargo, and fierce competition amongst owners. All have played into the burgeoning desire for more of what have become known as mega container ships.  An excellent overview, well worth a read.

Shipping: A Box Stuck In China For 8 Months Shows Global Supply Chain Crisis [NDTV]. The pandemic has thrown shipping into upheaval over the past year and a half, with China becoming a major choke point. Yantian port in Shenzhen was closed in May because of a Covid outbreak, creating congestion for the entire eastern coast, which in turn caused ripple effects across the global supply chain. Earlier this month, shipping also had to be redirected away from Ningbo, the worlds third-busiest container port, after one employee tested positive for Covid. Typhoons and extreme weather have made matters worse. In July, the stranded container withstood Typhoon In-Fa, shutting Shanghai and other nearby ports for about four days. Delays could reach an all-time high in the weeks ahead if the trend persists, said Glenn Koepke, a senior vice president at FourKites Inc., a supply-chain information provider.

Tech: Facebooks war on switching costs [Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic]. FB deliberately engineers its system to block interoperability  the ability to plug rival services into its network. Interop would let non-FB users connect with FB users, and make it so FB users dont have to choose between their community and Facebooks abuses. The economists term for this is switching costs. A switching cost is whatever you have to give up to switch between products or services  switching from Audible to a rival platform would cost you all your audiobooks, for example, thanks to Audibles DRM. Facebook deliberately engineers its products to have high switching costs so that it can impose more pain on its users without losing them. So long as the pain of staying is less than the pain of leaving, Facebook calculates it can maintain its dominance.

Tech: Google disbands health unit as chief departs for Cerner [Health Care Dive]. Google Health has little concrete to show from its three-year run, according to analysts, despite the prestigious brand and deep pockets of its parent company. Healthcare is a difficult industry to disrupt, and the dissolution of Googles health-specific division is the latest of a number of rolled back or called off initiatives from tech giants in the space.

Manufacturing: VW and Daimler Going Electric Overwhelms German Auto Suppliers [Bloomberg]. Germanys auto suppliers are known to be great at solving problems. Theyll develop new products, raise efficiencies and carve out new niches. Still, the industrys glory days are probably over: While a combustion drivetrain contains roughly 1,500 individual parts, an electric one has only 250. Thats a lot fewer slices of pie from which to feast.

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Todays Fear & Greed Index: 58 Greed (previous close: 50 Neutral) [CNN]. One week ago: 29 (Fear). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Aug 30 at 12:36pm.

Rapture Index: Closes unchanged [Rapture Ready]. Record High, October 10, 2016: 189. Current: 187 (Remember that bringing on the rapture is a good thing, so higher is better.)

Health Care

Yet another lost opportunity on ventilation:

Andventilation + filtration Come on, already  its been 18 months of us saying this, with indisputable evidence that this is a respiratory virus that spreads through the air, nearly entirely indoors and in underventilated spaces. (Another) missed opportunity. https://t.co/dEGwGl0Rh6  Joseph Allen (@j_g_allen) August 30, 2021

Of course, it is from a hospital association, and we wouldnt want to ask them to adjust their capital investment plans.

Vaccine Refusers Dont Get to Dictate Terms Anymore [The Atlantic]. [T]he adults running major institutions in our society want to move forward, and they are done waiting around for vaccine refusers to change their mind. Sorry. Times up. Vaccination mandates are essentially a recognition that vaccinated people have feelings too, and that the burden of fighting the pandemic shouldnt be on them alone.  Let me know how the contact tracing works out Then again, I hate the shaming, but there are limits:

Good evening Sir, Due to operational restrictions, we require you to wear a face mask on our flight. "I WANT MY MOM"pic.twitter.com/WoRxjKdRKQ  Old Holborn (@Holbornlolz) August 29, 2021

A Florida vaccine warrior [Libby Watson, Sick Note]. Sharon is the warrior of the headline. Sick Note: Whats the number one thing you think federal (or state) leaders could do to help convince hesitant or resistant people to get vaccinated? Sharon: I think shots in doctors offices are the biggest. They have to absolutely make that happen. I asked my doctor why he didnt have shots & he said nobody had offered & he didnt think it was an available option, so theres an outreach failure happening there. In these rural communities a lot of folks have seen the same family doctor since they were kids, so small town doctors really do have some sway, plus adding the privacy factor, nobody is gonna see you getting it in the grocery store & tell everyone around town you got it. As more & more people in the community get very sick or die, some of these folks are starting to waver & consider getting the shot because it is a very scary wake up call when folks you personally know start dying.  Doctors office visits. What is this, Denmark? Fundamentally, nothing will change. Well worth a read.

The Purple World: Healing the Harm in American Health Care (review) [Blue Ink Review]. Joseph Q. Jarvis has been examining Americas broken health-care system as a doctor and public health official for 40 years, and he has a sensible, reasoned prescription to fix what ails it, all detailed in his valuable and persuasive book, The Purple World His prescription? States should start seizing power from Washington and offer comprehensive, publicly financed health benefits to every citizen. Among his recommendations: enrollment should be easy, even automatic; patients should have a choice of doctors and no out-of-pocket expenses; and those with mental illness and addiction should no longer be criminalized. He convincingly explains exactly how this will save money and improve care, partly by introducing social accountability  putting patients above profit into health care delivery.  I cant see it. States are not currency issuers. At the first sign of a downturn, health care spending will be slashed. And then stay slashed.

Worth noting:

Success is if you don't derive a secret pleasure from other people's failure.#BedofProcrustes 3rd Ed.  Nassim Nicholas Taleb (@nntaleb) August 29, 2021

Games

Real world not giving you enough anxiety? Try being hunted down by the perfect organism in Alien: Isolation [The Register]. The last paragraph: However, for a seven-year-old game, Isolation looks incredible and is exceptionally well optimised, at least on PC, so if your graphics card is showing its age, you should have a decent experience. The British dev studio has lovingly recreated the feeling and aesthetic of Alien down to the millimetre so for even casual fans its unmissable. Clocking in at around 25 hours long, Isolation is without doubt the best survival horror Ive ever played to the end  and, admittedly, the only one.  25 hours is a lot of labor, for the player, certainly, but even more for the studio. We have this gigantic universe of artwork that only appears on screen

The Conservatory

Lee Scratch Perry is dead [Jamaica Observer]. Perry was born in Kendal, Hanover. He made his name in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s as a producer of cutting-edge music by revolutionary artistes. His Upsetter label produced some of the greatest reggae songs, including Small Axe and Duppy Conqueror by the Wailers.  Music for our time:

Groves of Academe

Art, Power, and Profit at Duke University [The Assembly]. At the storys center: A powerful institutionDuke Universitywealthy in assets and prestige, but poor on clear policies that help protect the universitys public research mission and vulnerable early-career scholars; Two prominent artists and scholars connected with Duke Universitys Center for Documentary Studies, who stood to gainthanks in part to the universitys endorsements of their workroughly a million dollars on the sale of images from the public domain; A former graduate student whose research is consigned to a small press while her thesis advisorone of those prominent scholarspublishes a book on the same little-known subject through well-connected and well-resourced university channels; And a grassroots community whose fight for the public preservation of a local artists legacy ran up against a university bureaucracy that appears to have allowed its senior faculty exclusive access while denying other scholars access to newly discovered public domain images. Its like a Law & Order episode! said Carla Williams, a prominent photographer and photo historian.

The Agony Column

States ranked by anxiety, depression rates: June 23-July 5 [Beckers Hospital Review]. Among 55,046 adults surveyed between June 23 and July 5, 29 percent reported experiencing anxiety or depression symptoms.  Find your own state!

Black Injustice Tipping Point

I should have run this Friday:

W. E. B. Du Bois died #OTD in 1963 in Accra, Ghana. Here is his final message to the world, written on June 26, 1957, and shared by his wife Shirley Graham Du Bois upon his death. (@scua_umass) pic.twitter.com/GG1S9FWNdw  Chad Williams (@Dr_ChadWilliams) August 27, 2021

More on Beyonce and Jays appropriation of Basquiats supposed Tiffany blue:

Basquiats assistant comments on his painting being featured in the Tiffanys ad and the LVMH owner implying that the blue used in the painting was inspired by the brand. pic.twitter.com/tiC5t0jemt   (@kasandra_alexis) August 28, 2021

Bougies

Class Warfare

Precarity:

Just pacing around the house in a disgusted fury at the idea of being less than $300 short resulting in 23,000+ evictions over four years pic.twitter.com/vG7xsKWBrv  Chris Dowdy (@jehiahdowdy) August 29, 2021

Makes you wonder where they went. Noplace good, I would bet

Where the Worlds Superyachts Are Right Now [Bloomberg].  Italy.

News of the Wired

One more reggae song for the heck of it, though perhaps I should file this under Biosphere:

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Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (TH):

TH writes: This is a peach tree outside of a small market in Onyx, CA. I didnt think to ask if they sell their peaches.

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If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you!2:00PM Water Cooler 6/8/2021
An accidentally released, partly-redacted CalPERS closed session board transcript reveals how clueless and captured most of its board members are. This revelation came about via CalPERS own attorney botching a filing in a Public Records Act lawsuit by former CalPERS board member JJ Jelincic. It shows that the CalPERS board, even in a time of crisis, in this case the unexpected and embarrassing resignation of its most important employee, Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng, is unable and unwilling to stand up to staff chicanery and incompetence. And one of the board members facing a challenger in this months board elections, David Miller, exemplifies what is wrong with this board.

As you can see from the document embedded at the end of this post, only a few board members like Jason Perez, Stacie Olivares, State Controller Betty Yee, Lisa Middleton, and Margaret Brown, pushed back against the staffs fabrication that the financial conflict of interest violation that triggered Mengs exit was not their responsibility. Perez gave a standout performance: well-prepared, forceful and persistent.

Today we will highlight the dereliction of duty of board member David Miller. Miller not only said he had no interest in reading the investigation into Mengs misconduct and CalPERS culpability, he voted to block other board members from seeing it. Well also document how Miller has taken the same work-shirking posture in public board meetings. Miller apparently thinks he is entitled to take a paid vacation from his day job by showing up at board meetings and rubber stamping staff pet wishes.

We are singling out Miller as the poster child of board member negligence because he has a challenger for his seat in the board election that has just started.

This sorry state of affairs matters because incompetent leadership and the lack of oversight have resulted in bad outcomes like the giant fund considerably underperforming its peers (see here and here), lurching from scandal to scandal, and now so widely seen as a slow-motion train wreck that CalPERS has been unable to secure a replacement for Meng despite a very big ticket search led by a top recruiter.1

Beneficiaries have the opportunity to demand better by voting Miller out. There is every reason to believe that Millers opponent, Tiffany Emon-Moran, would be a vast improvement. Unlike Miller who has turned out to be a union cats paw, Emon-Moran is a former police officer turned negotiator and financial fraud investigator. She would not be intimidated by the likes of CalPERS general counsel Matt Jacobs trying to snowball her.

Millers defeat would also send an important message to the other potted-plant-imitating board members, that beneficiaries need and demand vigorous, pro-accountability, pro-transparency leadership.

It isnt just, as one prominent beneficiary put it, that Millers gotten very good at mouthing stupid. Millers abandonment of board duties, save for warming a seat at scheduled meetings, is reason to replace him. Anyone who has been on a board will recognize how shocking it is for Miller and other board members to vote against any board members seeing the central analysis in the biggest scandal CalPERS suffered that year. A board member has the right to see any document that the organization produces. The board is in charge, yet youd never imagine that when you see how Miller and his staff-toadying allies behave.

Its surprising to see Miller come to such a sorry end. Hes a PhD, former head of a scientists union, and ran for the CalPERS board three times before securing his seat. Yet having tried so hard to get on the board, hes done squat with the opportunity. From early on, he was at least making somewhat non-canned defenses of having the board remain inactive and uninformed. If you read the transcript, hes descended further into being a mere mouthpiece for staff.

Miller Defends Staff Giving the Board the Mushroom Treatment

By way of background, CalPERS knew as of January 31, 2019 that it had a financial conflict of interest problem with its newly hired CIO Meng that inevitably blew up due to staff inaction. Meng disclosed then on Californias Form 700, a public document, that he held shares in the private equity firms Blackstone and Carlyle, as well as an interest in an Ares credit fund. Mengs Form 700 for year end 2019 showed he still held these stakes. It also feloniously failed to disclose any purchases and sales he had made during the year, which could be inferred by numerous changes in the interests he did reveal.

Meng was certain to wind up approving new allocations to Blackstone and Carlyle at some point, given CalPERS strong commitment to private equity, particularly large funds. Meng made clear he planned to increase the allocation by stating that We need private equity, we need more of it, and we need it now, in February 2019, shortly after he arrived.2 Meng made a $1 billion commitment to a Blackstone fund in the first quarter of 2020, which was reported shortly thereafter in documents presented to the Investment Committee meeting in a public meeting.

CalPERS senior staff claimed it recognized Meng had violated California conflict of interest rules in April 2020, over a year after they should have acted,, hired an outside law firm to conduct an investigation, yet did not inform most members of the board, including Miller.3 They were caught flat-footed when the scandal broke on August 2 as a result of our post: CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng Made False, Felonious Financial Disclosure Report; More Proof of Lack of Compliance Under Marcie Frost.

CalPERS then added to its flagrant disrespect towards the board though an obviously staff-planted4 Bloomberg story after Meng quit. As we remarked then:

CalPERS looks more and more like the gang that cant shoot straight. CalPERS PR department is flogging a new Bloomberg story about the unseemly departure of Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng, which means the pension fund planted it and is pleased with it. In fact, as one prominent beneficiary said, Its ironic that they prefer this terrible narrative over various other terrible narratives that are probably closer to the truth.

The story included the damming revelation that CEO Marcie Frost had known of Mengs clearly-evident conflict of interest abuses back in April and regarded it as serious enough to merit launching an investigation. Even worse, only after the Fair Political Practices Commission received not one but two anonymous complaints about Meng the day after the story broke did CalPERS notify the FPPC, admitting to Bloomberg that it was obliged to do so:

When, in April, a compliance team uncovered at least one conflict-of-interest violation.Calpers found that Meng approved an investment into a private-equity fund managed by Blackstone Group Inc. at the sametime as he held Blackstone shares. That kind of ethical breach is a clear no-no at virtually every investment manager, and California law required Calpers to refer it the states Fair Political Practices Commission, which the fund did last week.

Notice the timeline. CalPERS had concluded that Meng had at least one violation in April, but did not report it to the FPPC, as required, until the story broke and the FPPC was already committed to making its own investigation by virtue of having already received two complaints!

And Frost, true to her colors, flat out lied to the board. From the transcript:

BOARD MEMBER PEREZ: Marcie, you said theres no legal requirement for us to report to the FPPC. Is there any CalPERS policy addressing that? CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER FROST: No

Yet Frost kept the board in the dark. Controller Betty Yee, who appears to be slow to anger, was so incensed that she sent a forceful letter demanding a special board meeting. Instead, she got an impermissible closed session during the special August board meeting.

If you read Millers remarks, which you can easily find by searching on the embedded transcript below, youll see he is utterly misinformed as to why laffaire Meng blew up, which is the result of being spoon-fed self-serving falsehoods by staff and not engaging in even the most basic checking, like that it took only three public documents, Mengs as of assuming office and year end 2019 Forms 700, plus the public report to the Investment Committee, to show Mengs violation of conflict of interest laws, as well as having committed perjury in the later Form 700.5

As we previously explained, long-form in a post last week, Mengs exit came about solely via putting together three bits of public information.

Yet staff has succeeded in brainwashing the board into believing that loose lips somehow sank Mengs ship. Miller puts his foot in mouth and chews in demonstrating that he must spend absolutely no time on any of the voluminous material that CalPERS puts out before each and every board meeting. Yet his release time is 76%, meaning CalPERS pays his employer 76% of Millers pay for him not to work that much of the time because he is supposedly working on CalPERS matters. But Millers abject ignorance of CalPERS strongly says the only times he puts in are for board meetings proper and at most being on the receiving end of staff spin.

Get a load of this:

BOARD MEMBER MILLER: Thank you, Mr. President. Yeah. Whenever we have something go awry, there tends to be this real rush to want to kind of jump in and kind of say, you know, what can we do? And while I want us to really examine this, I want us to  to look at it from our role for oversight, I dont want us to rush to, you know, jump in and want to micromanage things like, you know, detailed reports of personnel actions, and all those type of things. I think our role is really to look at how can we improve our processes. Do we have sufficient processes, information, oversight, those types of things. And when it comes to things like, for example, the trading violations, at what point do we find out and learn about things? I dont think its at the point where the CalPERS teams processes have identified a problem and are working to resolve and take personnel actions. I dont want us to be pulled into that. Thats where I think we really end up with problems and liabilities as Board members, because thats not our role.

Even though this sounds all well and good if you dont know anything about being a fiduciary, Miller has everything wrong. The board is liable for everything staff does. The board can delegate its authority but not its liability. Sticking its head in the sand is no defense. It was Margaret Brown, who is the one judgement-proof member of the board by having her net worth consist almost entirely of her CalPERS pension, who tried to wake up the rest of the board about their legal exposure:

BOARD MEMBER BROWN: You know, Ms. Middleton mentioned that in light of the fact that the staff and Mr. Jones you knew of these potential conflicts, and we hired a lawyer, and Bens hired a lawyer, we still have Mr. Meng out there as our highest profile person, saying we are going to invest $80 billion  or borrow $80 billion and put it in private equity, and hes in the middle of an investigation. I think were going to get sued. Were all going to get sued. You know, in my no vote  I talked to an attorney. My no vote doesnt help me. Im a member of the Board, but I didnt know. And it turns out  Ive asked, do I have less  do Board members who are kept in the dark about this have less fiduciary duty? And the answer is no, according to my attorney.

Betty Yee and Stacie Ortega made similar comments. Yee thought the board needed its own counsel. Ortega said she was concerned about her exposure and asked to see copies of CalPERS fiduciary duty policies.

Miller also reveals himself to be cut from the same cloth as Marcie Frost: hes a fabulist.6 Again from the transcript:

BOARD MEMBER MILLER: Unlike Rob, I got calls from reporters and I didnt return  you know, as much as, you know, it might be an exciting idea to, you know, get my name in the Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg, and Naked Capitalism. Oh, man. You know, theres a point where you have to say, no, Im not returning that call.

This is a complete fabrication. Weve never called Miller and weve never called any staff or board member for comment on our work on Ben Meng. We virtually never need to seek input from CalPERS because we are relying on public information. So as the lawyers say, res ipsa locquitur. In addition, we seek comments only in writing. We normally do that on the rare occasions when we do by mailing the entire board, as we did with our draft posts on Charles Asubonten and later Marcies Frosts background misrepresentations during the hiring process. The only other times are when a staffer or board member has said something ambiguous and we seek clarification from Brad Pacheco.

Miller then displays utter ignorance of the fact that all of the information that damaged Meng came from public information that any inquisitive outsider could have found. Instead, he feeds the staffs paranoid and patently false story that evil insiders are regularly throwing CalPERS secrets over the transom, so everyone, above all the board, must be kept really stupid so that nothing can get out:

BOARD MEMBER MILLER: Yes, before this leaked and hit the press.

I cant stand how lame this is. Does Miller think that the only things that appear in the press and blogs were handed to them on silver platters, all nice and neat and ready to go? What about reporting does Miller not understand?

The only possible positive interpretation is that Miller is quite the actor and is working hard to come off as this dense. He does manage to seem as if he genuinely does not understand that our post, as has been widely acknowledged in the press, is what brought Meng down, and had he bothered to look at it, it showed how it all came from Mengs two Form 700s and one slide presented to the Investment Committee in an open session?

Continuing with the remark from Miller above:

if we had all been told, hey, theres a serious issue, we want it kept in confidence, its a closed session type thing that were looking into with regard to the CIO, and it relates to this type of thing, and my investigation going on, and it will be concluded, and well have something on the September Board meeting to address it, I dont think we would be here today It was the appropriate course of action to complete the investigation and to bring that to the Board in September.

So bizarrely, Miller acts as if it might have been a good idea to notify the entire board, yet votes to continue to keep the board in the dark by denying them the Olson report. So at best he tries to have it both ways.

Moreover, he simply turns off his brain. He accepts the staff claim that they really did, cross their hearts, intend to tell the board in September. Why should anyone believe that? From Lisa Middleton, who ran similar investigations in a former incarnation:

BOARD MEMBER MIDDLETON: But I would share with Controller Yee and I think others the concern that the conclusion of an investigation is too late for notice to the full Board when the investigation involves matters of this significance.

Disappointingly, no one appears to have picked up from Frosts patter that there were no new facts to discover and the investigation cant possibly have taken more than a month and then another week or two to document. That means the investigation was completed in early June at the latest. So why was staff sitting on it?

An aside: another noteworthy matter is the large number of redactions, particularly of nearly everything said by or asked of Matt Jacobs. Nothing he said was attorney-client privileged, and we are confident that virtually everything that CalPERS had the temerity to try to deny the judge will eventually be revealed.

But why would CalPERS impermissibly attempt to hide information from Judge Michael Markman in an in camera review? One has to wonder if Jacobs violated bar rules, since the interests of staff and the board were in conflict here (recall Yee stating she thought the board needed its own counsel) and Jacobs almost certainly failed to make any notification.

Late in the meeting, Jason Perez, who had the balls to demand that the meeting be put on hold while he interrogated Frost and Jacobs privately, asked for a vote for the board to see the contents of the so-called Olson report. It is already shocking that the board was not given copies of the document as a matter of right. Worse, Perez, correctly sensing how captured the board is, effectively negotiated against himself by downgrading the motion from having the report uploaded to the boards document system Diligent, to having the report available only in hard copy for board members to read at CalPERSs offices in Sacramento. Margaret Brown quickly provided the second.

Miller was a no vote in addition to a no vote by a board members who was part of the cover-up of the April investigation, Rob Feckner, along with Ramon Rubalcava and Shawnda Westley, both of whom are standouts in the nothing to contribute category. Even Theresa Taylor, who went along with the original keep the board ignorant scheme, recognized that that position was no longer tenable and voted in favor of having the board read the Olson report.

Miller defenders may try to point to the sections of the transcript where he rather tamely suggested that maybe more oversight of staff filling out these pesky forms might be warranted. Miller was remarkably non-specific; his comments amounted to a yeah maybe we should do something handwave. But immediately afterwards, Rob Feckner pointed out that the board used to do more and receive and go over the Forms 700 of the top CalPERS executives.

In stark contrast to Miller, when Jason Perez got his first chance to speak, he made clear he had a long list of questions he wanted answers but was prepared to defer to other board members as needed so they could pose their queries too.

And this isnt the first or last time that Miller has stood firmly in favor of board ignorance. The very next month, in September 2020, he spoke in favor of and voted for fewer board meetings and specifically having the board get less information (not that theres any evidence that Miller pays attention to what he gets now):

BOARD MEMBER MILLER: I agree that  and I think thats precisely why what we did has worked, it said  it set up the minimum of regular scheduled meetings with more or less a standing agenda and it gave us the flexibility to add meetings when we need to and not necessarily have the burden on staff preparing the entire gamut of reports that we are doing when we  with those kind of standing quarterly meetings.

Miller does not even begin to appreciate that the staff needs to prepare the entire gamut of reports to make decisions! The board meetings are vehicles for reviewing data to manage prudently and have a paper trial that they considered risks and costs carefully. For decades, CalPERS has had 11 board meetings a year and extensive reporting, in most respect more comprehensive than after Frost came on board.7

If Miller actually believes the staff will compile and review information less often for its own purposes, he voted for it to make bad decisions. And if they would (as they should) continue to prepare the reports, theres not much additional work in having board meetings and getting more public confidence by being more open.

Frost has gotten nearly a 50% pay increase since she joined.yet shes apparently whinging directly or through staff oh how hard it is to prepare all those pesky slide shows? Why is she getting paid the big bucks (and orchestrating lots of unwarranted pay increase for top staffers) if she cant make the trains run on time? Shes supposed to figure out how to make stuff like this happen on a routinized basis. If she needs more staff, ask for it rather than try to create too-obviously phony excuses for hiding information from the board.

Mind you, Miller has also taken other actions that have hurt beneficiaries. He voted for massive increases in long-term care premiums and 23% increases this year and next year for comprehensive health care plans. He also backed the reckless private equity Pillars III and IV scheme, which would have amounted giving tens of billions of beneficiary funds to new entities entirely out of CalPERS controland at higher fees than CalPERS pays now! Fortunately this terrible idea died under the weight of its own contradictions.

Miller has consistently toadied to staff rather than being willing to ask even modest questions, let alone oppose their self-serving conduct and demand better performance. Beneficiaries and California taxpayers deserve better.

____

1 Admittedly, the boards obsession with diversity has also plays a role in sabotaging the search, as we describe in CalPERS Officially a Laughingstock Around the World: London Newsletter Sniggers Over Failed Chief Investment Officer Search Even While Omitting or Getting Worst Facts Wrong. The transcript below states that when the search was announced, seven promising candidates had already tossed their hats into the ring.

2 Weve documented repeatedly over the years that this is false. First, private equity does not deliver enough return to justify its higher risk. Second, there are alternatives that would produce the desired overall returns that do not involve investing in private equity.

3 Staff claims it intended to inform the board of Mengs misconduct at a September board meeting. September is when the board approves bonuses for the CEO and CIO. However, since the report by attorney Lance Olson, the so-called Olson report had not been finalized when Meng resigned with immediate effect on August 5, there is no evidence consistent with staffs claim that they were going to eventually inform the board. It is just as plausible that the CEO Marcie Frost had already put a note in Mengs file and did not plan any sanction, or would administer it privately. In the transcript below, Frost states she had already administered one de-facto punishment, of taking away some of Mengs public presentation duties and assigning them to investment staffer Dan Bienvenue.

4 Frost tells a howler to the board in trying to maintain that the Bloomberg story wasnt a CalPERS plant. Help me. It includes the details of a meeting between Frost and Meng only, when Bloomberg also states that Meng didnt respond to a request to comment, as in he was not a source for the story.

5 You can read more detail in our post as to how Meng clearly engaged in false, felonious reporting; the extract below explains why Mengs obvious omissions from his full year 2019 rose to the level of a felony:

After getting inquiries as well as a Public Records Act request from your humble blogger, CalPERS eventually put the 2019 Forms 700 on its site. As we will explain, the Forms 700 by Chief Investment Officer Ben Meng as of when he assumed office and for the full year 2019 taken together show that Meng has made many false statements. This means he has engaged in a felony. As you can see on first page of the Form 700, the respondent avows (emphasis original): I have used all reasonable diligence in preparing this statement. I have reviewed this statement and to the best of my knowledge the information contained herein and in any attached schedules is true and complete. I acknowledge this is a public document. I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Perjury is a felony in California. And Meng has no excuse that he does know how to fill out this document. First, he was a Form 700 filer during his previous stint at CalPERS. Second, CalPERS staff sends multiple e-mails to Form 700 filers offering to help if they have any questions.

6 Miller is way too fond of obviously false self-aggrandizement, as we can already see in his re-election campaign. From an SEIU interview:

In 2017, I won with sixty-four percent of the vote in the first round, avoiding a run-off election.

Winning with a 64% vote is already not shabby. Why fabricate and say there might have been more than one round? Miller had only one opponent, Mike Flaherman. There never was going to be a runoff. The alternative to seeing Miller as a resume-inflating liar is that hes getting early onset dementia and cant remember what happened in a campaign that took months of effort a mere four years ago.

7 For instance, staff used to publish a full monthly transaction report, as required by statute. CalPERS has defied the law by turning that into a summary, betting correctly that no one finds it worth their bother to challenge CalPERS in court.
Why pigeons mean peril for satellite broadband BBC (Re Silc).

All of New Orleans without power after Hurricane Ida leaves catastrophic transmission damage Times-Picayune

California wildfires are climbing higher up mountains, putting more forest at risk of flames San Francisco Chronicle (dk).

Collapsed Surfside Towers Actually Broke Building Code From the Very Beginning Curbed

#COVID19

Predominance of antibody-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants in vaccine breakthrough cases from the San Francisco Bay Area, California (preprint) medRxiv (mv). 1,373 persons of whom 125 (9.1%) were vaccine breakthrough infections. UCSF; Abbott. These findings suggest that vaccine breakthrough cases are preferentially caused by circulating antibody-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants, and that symptomatic breakthrough infections may potentially transmit COVID-19 as efficiently as unvaccinated infections, regardless of the infecting lineage. See also the San Jose Mercury News (mv).

SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibodies that maximize breadth and resistance to escape Nature. From the Abstract: [W]e identify neutralizing antibodies with exceptional sarbecovirus[*] breadth and a corresponding resistance to SARS-CoV-2 escape. GSKs sotrovimab is a treatment based on one such antibody, S309. US EUA; Australian approval. See also this GSK-funded preprint. NOTE * Sarbecoviruses are respiratory viruses and can be detected by PCR on oral or nasal swabs, bronchial wash, lung tissue, or respiratory tract tissue.

* * *

US mask makers say theyre in danger of going broke The Hill. If only there were some way to set up the infrastructure to manufacture what we need.

GPs and hospitals to limit blood tests in England due to bottle shortage Guardian

First, surges in Covid-19 infections led to shortages of hospital beds and staff. Now its oxygen CNN

* * *

100,000 more COVID deaths seen unless US changes its ways AP. I applaud the technical excellence of the live with it talking point, which erases the lethal consequences for some. See Invariants #1 and #2 in Neoliberalism Expressed as Simple Rules.

Why Do Some People Weather Coronavirus Infection Unscathed? Undark

The Origins of SARS-CoV-2: A Critical Review (pre-proof) Cell. Concluding sentence: We contend that although the animal reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 has not been identified and the key species may not have been tested, in contrast to other scenarios there is substantial body of scientific evidence supporting a zoonotic origin. While the possibility of a laboratory accident cannot be entirely dismissed, and may be near impossible to falsify, this conduit for emergence is highly unlikely relative to the numerous and repeated human-animal contacts that occur routinely in the wildlife trade. Failure to comprehensively investigate the zoonotic origin through collaborative and carefully coordinated studies would leave the world vulnerable to future pandemics arising from the same human activities that have repeatedly put us on a collision course with novel viruses. Well worth a read, but break out the espresso machine.
My position with Nashville Post has evolved since 2000 when I began work with the now-defunct The City Paper. TCP became a Post sister pub in 2008 (when I began some Post work) and folded in 2013. I have worked mainly with the Post since late 2011.

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(Natural News) The ongoing debate over the Wuhan coronaviruss (COVID-19) origin is highlighting the systemic problem with many biolabs around the world, specifically, that researchers working with some of the most dangerous bacteria and viruses could accidentally set them loose.

The controversy stems from the reported lab leak that occurred in the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China, where many believe the COVID-19 virus was engineered. Evidence points to the virus being released outside by accident after it infected at least one scientist involved with the research.

In light of this, many experts now want tougher controls to be placed on facilities similar to WIV. They fear that if the security in these biolabs isnt strengthened, another accidental leak could cause the next deadly pandemic.

The WIV belongs to one of the most secure classes of biolabs in the world commonly referred to as biosafety level four (BSL 4). BSL4 laboratories are designed to accommodate research on the most dangerous pathogens known to man, some of which dont even have any known cures.

There are [heating, ventilation and air conditioning] filtration systems, so that the virus cant escape through exhaust; any wastewater that leaves the facility is treated with either chemicals or high temperatures to make sure that theres nothing left alive, explained Gregory Koblentz, deputy director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University, in an interview with AFP.

Researchers who work in these BSL4 labs are highly trained individuals and are required to wear hazmat suits at all times while inside the facility.

Dozens of biolabs like the one in Wuhan exist around the world

According to a report from Kings College London (KCL), there are 59 BSL 4 facilities like the WIV around the world, many of which were only established during the last decade. Twenty-five of these facilities are located in Europe, while 14 can be found in North America, 13 are in Asia and three are in Africa. (Related: Communist China building nearly 100 more biolabs similar to the Wuhan Institute of Virology.)

All of these facilities are expected to have the highest standards when it comes to safety and security. But if the coronavirus did leak from one of the most secure biolabs in the world, then that means all the other facilities like it could also spread similarly dangerous pathogens.

This situation is made even more terrifying by the fact that 46 of the 59 known BSL 4 labs are located in major urban centers. Their proximity to civilians would exacerbate the impact of any accidental pathogen leaks.

Only one lab needs to make one mistake with a serious and easily communicable disease for which there is no treatment to inflict a catastrophe on the world population, wrote journalist Kurt Cobb in his article for Resilience. Biosafety labs  create the possibility of catastrophic systemic ruin for human societies.

But even more alarming is that, according the KCL report, no international entity is mandated to monitor the safety and security levels of these facilities. In fact, there are no binding international standards for safe, secure and responsible work on pathogens in BSL 4 labs. This means the WIV and other labs like it set their own standards for safety and security.

Accidents occur in dangerous biolabs all the time

If the coronavirus did originate from one of the labs at WIV and if it spread outside through infected personnel, then it would not be the first time such an incident has occurred. Accidents like this happen even in supposedly top-tier facilities like the WIV. Less serious accidents occur at a much more frequent rate in many other labs with fewer safety and security measures.

In 1977, the H1N1 virus  the same strain that caused the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic  leaked from biolabs in China and the Soviet Union. Like the COVID-19 virus, it spread worldwide but affected mostly younger adults. The virus killed approximately 700,000 people.

In 2001, dozens of individuals in the United States were infected with anthrax after receiving letters that contained anthrax spores. Some of the high-profile individuals that were targeted included prominent journalists and two Democratic senators. The main suspect was a mentally disturbed employee at a biolab in Fort Detrick, an army installation in Maryland that now hosts elements of the U.S. biological defense program. The anthrax attacks killed a total of five and injured 17.

In 2004, two Chinese researchers working with SARS in a lab were accidentally exposed to it and became instrumental to its spread. The virus infected hundreds and killed at least one individual.

In 2014, during a clean-up and inventory of the Food and Drug Administrations offices and laboratories in Maryland, federal scientists discovered six forgotten vials in a storage area. These vials were labeled variola, the virus that causes smallpox.

Human errors constitute over 70 percent of the errors in laboratories, said Lynn Klotz, who has been sounding the alarm for years about the threat posed by biolabs like the WIV. Klotz is a senior science fellow at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

According to Klotz, many of the accidents that occur in the U.S. are only uncovered after researchers like himself petition the government through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Learn more about the dangers posed by biolabs in China and other parts of the world at NationalSecurity.news.

Sources include:

Resilience.org

MedicalXPress.com

Nouvelles.UMontreal.ca

The-Scientist.com

ScienceMag.org
(Natural News) Former Kentucky state Rep. Brent Yonts has passed away after getting vaccinated with two injections of an mRNA Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine.

According to reports, Yonts was admitted to the hospital with a severe case of covid not long after receiving the shots in accordance with government guidelines. The 72-year-old Democratic representative from Greenville, an attorney, had no preexisting conditions, his daughter told The Courier Journal.

The media outlet is claiming that Yonts mysteriously contracted coronavirus despite being vaccinated, but as we now know, Yonts more than likely developed a vaccine-induced variant that caused him to become severely ill, ultimately leading to his death.

This goes directly against what Tony Fauci, Rochelle Walensky and other plandemic purveyors have been claiming about the jabs supposedly minimizing symptoms and eliminating hospitalizations. Such a claim is clearly a lie.

Reports indicate that Yonts was initially treated for his vaccine-induced illness at a local hospital in Greenville before he was eventually moved to the regional hospital in Owensboro. There, Yonts was placed in intensive care where he was put on a ventilator, and not long after that passed away.

Yonts wife Janice, who serves as the mayor of Greenville, is also fully vaccinated and was around her husband at the time when he first started experiencing mild symptoms. Janice has been tested multiple times for the Chinese Virus and turned up negative.

Its a difficult situation to understand why someone like my dad who was fully vaccinated ended up dying from the virus, Janice told the media, adding that she and her family still want everyone to understand that the vaccine does work.

Covid vaccines clearly killed Yonts, but the media continues to blame covid

At no point in the local medias coverage of Yonts death was the vaccine as a potential culprit even suggested. Instead, the blame was placed squarely on covid, as if it is perfectly normal for a fully vaccinated person to catch it and subsequently die.

We have been told for months that getting vaccinated prevents serious illness, including hospitalization and death. So how, exactly, did Yonts still catch the virus and not long after die from it, seeing as how he got all of his vaccine shots in obedience to Fauci?

The only honest answer to this question is that the vaccines do not work. There is no two ways about it. What is worse, it appears that the vaccines killed Yonts, who may not have died had he not taken the injections at all.

Yonts children and grandchildren are now one family member less, thanks to Operation Warp Speed, and yet his wife is still pushing the jabs as effective even after her husbands passing. What is wrong with these people that they continue to tout the jab as a cure when it clearly is not?

Politicians especially would seem to be under some kind of gag order where they are prohibited from speaking negatively about the injections, even when their loved ones die on the world stage. It is a bizarre phenomenon that we continue to see with high-profile covid vaccine deaths such as this.

Vaccine is derived from the Latin word vacca for cow, wrote one Natural News commenter, offering an interesting perspective about people who put their faith in these mystery injections. Therefore, when someone worships or otherwise trusts in a vaccine, they are in effect worshipping a cow.

When Moses went up the mountain to receive the 10 commandments and then returned, the people were worshipping a golden calf (cow). Dont worship a cow. Worship the God of the Bible. Trust in the great physician, Jesus!

More related news about covid vaccine-induced deaths can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Courier-Journal.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Recent emails have shown that top American infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci worked with Facebook to condition peoples mindsets on the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). Correspondences between Fauci and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg centered on the disease and the vaccine itself. The social media site essentially served as the propaganda arm of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which Fauci heads.

One email from February 2020 saw Zuckerberg asking Fauci about ways that he could help in the creation and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Facebook CEO lauded the NIAID director that time for announcing that the vaccine was ready for human trials. Zuckerberg asked in the email: Are there any resources our foundation can help provide to potentially accelerate this  or at least make sure it stays on track?

Fauci replied in the affirmative, saying that the institute needed help with resources for its phase two vaccine trial if [it does] not get [its] requested budget supplement. He thanked Zuckerberg for the offer and promised to inform the Facebook head if the trial goes off track.

Zuckerberg then sent another email to Fauci in March 2020 as the pandemic made its way to America. He proposed a Coronavirus Information Hub on Facebook to make sure people can get authoritative information from reliable sources. However, this endeavor also permitted the social media platform to restrict information about COVID-19 that went against the supported narrative.

The Facebook CEO said in his email: As a central part of this hub, I think it would be useful to include a video from you  because people trust and want to hear from experts rather than just a bunch of agencies and political leaders.

Fauci replied to Zuckerbergs email and called his proposal terrific. He added: I would be happy to do a video for your hub. We need to reach as many people as possible and convince them to take mitigation strategies seriously or things will get much, much worse.

Facebook cranked up its censorship of coronavirus misinformation to 11

True enough, the social media site pushed through with censoring purported misinformation about the Wuhan coronavirus. According to an August 2020 Breitbart report, Facebook announced its removal of seven million posts with harmful misinformation about COVID-19. The site removed the content between April and June of that year.

Furthermore, Facebook put warning labels on an additional 98 million posts on all its platforms  including Instagram  as they were misleading. The said posts received the warning labels during the same period in 2020. Zuckerberg previously stated that the warning labels are as effective as removing the posts themselves as they discourage 95 percent of users from viewing the content.

Months later, the social media site announced that it would censor similar misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. CNBC reported in December of last year that Facebook would start removing false claims about [COVID-19] vaccines that have been debunked by public health experts. (Related: Facebook to now ban false claims about coronavirus vaccines.)

The platform elaborated its policy in a blog post. This could include false claims about the safety, efficacy, ingredients or side effects of the vaccines. For example, we will remove false claims that COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips or anything else that isnt on the official vaccine ingredient list, it said. Facebook continued that it will regularly update claims [it removes] based on guidance from public health authorities.

But the cracks in Facebook still showed despite its support toward Fauci and censorship of posts critical of vaccines. Back in February 2021, Project Veritas released leaked footage of Zuckerberg himself expressing his doubts regarding the COVID-19 vaccines. According to the whistleblower who sent the video, the Facebook CEO made the remarks during an internal weekly question and answer session in July 2020.

The Facebook head said in the video: I do just want to make sure that I share some caution on this [vaccine], because we just dont know the long-term side effects of basically modifying peoples DNA and RNA. [Also,] the ability to produce those antibodies and whether [the vaccine] causes other mutations or other risks downstream. So, theres work on both paths of vaccine development. (Related: Project Veritas releases footage of Facebook CEO showing concern about Wuhan coronavirus jabs.)

Visit TechGiants.news to read more stories about censorship by Facebook and other social media platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

Breitbart.com

CNBC.com

ProjectVeritas.com
(Natural News) The European Union is currently discussing whether or not to reintroduce travel restrictions on visitors from the United States as the continents post-vaccine Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to escalate.

Slovenia currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU. The country convened the ambassadors of the 27-nation bloc. As president, Slovenia is responsible for triggering an assessment of countries that are allowed to enter the EU for nonessential travel. (Related: International travelers need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for evermore, warns top UK secretary.)

Current EU guidelines state that the bloc should ban travelers from countries that have over 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the previous 14 days. As of Aug. 15, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the U.S. had 507 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people.

The EUs guidelines also state that the trend of new COVID-19 cases should either be stable or decreasing, and that the positivity rate of COVID-19 tests should not be more than four percent.

The blocs decision regarding travel restrictions will also take into account whether any new COVID-19 variants of concern have been detected in the U.S. and if the country has reciprocated on opening up nonessential travel from the EU.

Whatever decision the bloc makes will ultimately just be a recommendation. Any decision on who to let in and what restrictions to impose on countries ultimately comes from the governments of each of the EUs individual member states. But so far, every country in the bloc has largely followed EU guidelines, which is why these recommendations carry so much weight.

Because of the post-vaccine outbreak in the U.S., the ECDC has categorized the country as a high-risk area. The EU has recently rolled back the ban on nonessential travel from several nations, including some that are considered high risk and have ongoing post-vaccine COVID-19 outbreaks.

These territories include Taiwan, Serbia, North Macedonia, Macau, Lebanon, Israel, Hong Kong and Albania.

Keeping travel ban will greatly impact air industry in the EU

If the EU were to keep its ban on travelers from the U.S., the bloc would essentially be cutting itself off from the worlds largest economy.

Such a move would come as a blow to the airline and tourism industries, which have been lobbying the EU for a full reopening of the lucrative transatlantic routes.

Such a decision would be hugely disappointing for Europes airlines, not to mention our tourism sector, which has benefited greatly from the influx of American travelers since restrictions were removed in June, said Airlines for Europe, an airline industry lobbying group in a statement released on Wednesday, Aug. 25.

As of press time, no word has yet come out regarding the EUs decision. But officials familiar with the situation are certain that at least one country, Croatia, will vote against relaxing travel restrictions on the U.S.

Removing the U.S. from the EUs travel ban list would require a qualified majority of member states to agree to the proposal.

The status of travel between the EU and the U.S. has been a point of political contention. It should be noted that the U.S. still has a strict travel ban on Europeans, preventing almost all nonessential travel from the continent.

This ban was first enacted at the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020. The administration of President Joe Biden has refused to relax these travel restrictions despite pressure from airline groups to allow visitors from the EU.

The continued implementation of Americas ban will likely also influence the EUs decision.

Learn more about the state of travel restrictions in the EU, the U.S. and other parts of the world by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

Newsmax.com

SchengenVisaInfo.com

Fortune.com
(Natural News) Oh, let us count the ways the insidious vaccine industry is already running cover for the mass wave of vaccine-induced health carnage caused by spike protein injections, all administered under the guise of inoculation. We start off with a new, fake science, vaccine-industry-backed UK study that claims catching Covid-19 causes blood clots, and of course its just a cover story for the mass wave of vaccine-induced blood clots already happening around the world.

The fake study twisted data from Covid patients who were ALSO injected with spike proteins, in a futile attempt to try to dwarf the shock of the quickly escalating number of humans suffering from vaccine-induced blood clots. Researchers from Oxford University were in on the gig, along with several other vaccine-hyping schools of medicine, who all swore to be fully independent from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine developers, who are already guilty of making clot shots with severe health consequences.

Top symptoms of clot shot syndrome include new, severe headaches that are not relieved with painkillers. This headache worsens when lying down, so dont even think about sleeping through it. These intolerable headaches are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to new Covid-19 clot shot syndrome. Wait until the boosters arrive.

Symptoms of clot shot syndrome include leg swelling, intolerable headaches and unexplainable bruising/bleeding

Many vaccine victims complain of shortness of breath, as trillions of protein-prions invade the capillaries of the lungs, and the body thinks coughing will get them out, but it doesnt. This coughing is known to burn the windpipe, a burning which also may not ever subside or disappear (especially with booster shots that will exacerbate the damage). If you bend over, unexplainable bruising and bleeding can occur, along with your leg(s) swelling. Gee doctors, whats next?

The study also distorts the information by saying the risk of blood clots is significantly higher as a result of catching Covid-19, than it is from being vaccinated against the virus, and that is a flat out lie. Were talking about 29 million people who had already received their first dose of either Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jabs.

So the people who caught Covid-19 AND got the clot shot are showing higher incidence of blood clots than just the people who got the vaccine and didnt catch Covid, but the PCR tests are massively faulty, showing false-positives for anything from a common head cold to the flu and viral particles from previous flu shots.

Thomboembolic events are associated with all the Covid shots. They all carry warnings right on the labels. Of course, once someone gets a clot shot, and still catches Covid because their immune system is crippled by the trillions of spike proteins, then the blood clots become much more common and deadly.

How many booster shots will it take before these vaccine zombies headaches turn them into drooling vegetables while the vascular damage overworks their heart to the point of failure? Got clot shot syndrome? Every side effect, symptom and disability caused by the Covid vaccine is labeled Covid by all doctors, everywhere (or theyll lose their job and medical license).

Fake Covid PCR tests and real blood clots caused by trillions of spike proteins

If you get Covid-19 and get vaccinated, there is a high incidence of your blood clotting, according to new research. This is the best way Pfizer and AstraZeneca could try to run cover for the damage their vaccines are doing to the entire vascular system of their jabbed victims. They lumped in (pun intended) the spike-protein jab blood clot statistics with people they tested positive for Covid with fake tests. Any laymen with common sense can see this.

The ultimate goal of the peer-reviewed study was to shrink the shock of the number of clots caused by Covid vaccines. Now the study is being plastered all over mainstream media, so that anyone suffering from vaccine-induced blood clots now or in the very near future will be ready to blame Covid, along with their oxygen-deprived doctors.

They always have some fake data, those insidious vaccine scientists, and nobody anywhere is allowed to independently validate any of it (patents). Tune your smart device to Pandemic.news for updates on the upcoming booster vax-termination agenda and other crimes against humanity involving spike-protein-bioweapons.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

NaturalNews.com

TruthWiki.org

Bloomberg.com

AtlantaBusinessJournal.com
(Natural News) Facebooks legal woes continue as the Federal Trade Commission filed a new antitrust complaint last week in its ongoing fight in federal court against the tech giant. In this case, the social media platform is being accused of buying up competitors illegally and crushing its partner app developers as it tries to moat its monopoly.

The court ruled on June 28 to dismiss an initial complaint from the FTC on this matter due to insufficient evidence related to how the agency calculated that Facebook controls more than 60 percent of the market for social media networks. At the time, the FTC was told it could get an injunction if it made it clear that a violation of the statute in question was in progress or about to occur. The FTC then requested an extension to refile its lawsuit, which was granted; they subsequently filed their revised complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on August 19.

In the amended complaint, Facebook is accused of dominating the American social networking market. It supplies a mountain of evidence supporting claims by the FTC that Facebook is a monopolist. According to a statement by the FTC, the social media giant carried out an unlawful anticompetitive shopping spree aimed at snapping up its more innovative rivals, such as WhatsApp and Instagram, in a bid to protect its monopoly.

The new complaint is longer than the first one, at 80 pages versus 53, although it does maintain some of the same arguments, including allegations of anticompetitive acquisitions and unfairly blocking rivals from accessing its application programming interface.

Complaint asks court to order Facebook to sell Instagram and WhatsApp

The complaint also asks the court to order the company to sell assets like WhatsApp, which it purchased for $19 billion in 2014, and Instagram, which it snagged for $1 billion in 2012. According to the FTC, Facebooks modus operandi is luring app developers over to its platform and then forcing them to agree to very restrictive conditions that have the effect of wiping them out once they are deemed a threat.

The FTC statement said: By pulling this bait and switch on developers, Facebook insulated itself from competition during a critical period of technological change. Developers that had relied on Facebooks open-access policies were crushed by new limits on their ability to interoperate.

In addition to damaging developers, Facebooks actions impacted consumers by depriving them of disruptive mavericks that may have forced Facebook to up its own game. The suit also accuses them of engaging in activities that degrade user experience, such as mishandling user data. One example that they cited is the 2019 user privacy abuses that ended with a $5 billion penalty and a settlement.

The company has been given until October 4 to respond, and they have said that they are reviewing the complaint and will make a comment soon.

In a statement, the Acting Director of the FTC Bureau of Competition, Holly Vedova, said: Facebook lacked the business acumen and technical talent to survive the transition to mobile. After failing to compete with new innovators, Facebook illegally bought or buried them when their popularity became an existential threat.

She went on to liken their behavior to bribing emerging app competitors to get them not to compete.

The antitrust laws were enacted to prevent precisely this type of illegal activity by monopolists, she added, before accusing Facebook of suppressing innovation, subjecting users to reduced levels of privacy and data protection, and hitting them with more intrusive ads.

Sources for this article include:

CNBC.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Adweek.com
(Natural News) Communist China, like Communist Cuba and Communist Venezuela, has friends in high places in the American government, and nearly all of them are Democrats.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, then-President Donald Trump offered up the theory that it came from a lab in Wuhan, China  the only Level 4 lab that does gain-of-function research like, say, creating coronaviruses.

His theory was supported by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., who said that makes more sense than a virus that jumped from a bat to a human.

Per The Daily Caller:

For months after the coronavirus began its spread, Democrats and media talking heads alike dismissed the possibility that the virus could have leaked from a research laboratory like the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

They ripped Republicans such as Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and a precious few others (including Trump) who said that explanation made the most sense (and remember, Trump had access to all U.S. intelligence on the issue, as president). Nevertheless, the notion was dismissed as fringe conspiracy talk, Trending Politics added.

Now, the new thing in D.C. is to speculate that COVID-19 came from the Wuhan lab  now that all sorts of evidence is pointing to that conclusion.

Thats something the American people ought to know, right? After all, the virus has killed more than 650,000 Americans and sickened millions of others. So sure, we ought to know for certain where the virus came from and whether the Chinese are ultimately responsible.

Only, Democrats wont let us find out.

House Democrats on Tuesday blocked a GOP bill which would require the Director of National Intelligence to declassify information related to the US governments investigations into the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic  and in particular, what role the Wuhan Institute of Virology may have played in the outbreak, Zero Hedges Tyler Durden reported this week.

The legislation, called The COVID-19 Origin Act, was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and passed unanimously in May, according to published reports. It was then brought to the House floor by Reps. Micheal Burgess (R-Texas), Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), and Darin LaHood (R-Ill.).

The best disinfectant is sunlight and thats what we can provide today, said Wenstrup at the time. The bill first establishes that we must identify the precise origins of COVID-19 because it is critical for preventing a similar pandemic in the future.

I cannot stress enough that this bill is not controversial by any means, he continued. In fact, it passed the Senate in May with unanimous consent  not one senator objected. Not Senators Ted Cruz or Rand Paul, not Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren. If those four members can get on board with this bill, should not we be able to do the same?

LaHood went on to explain the purpose behind the bill, saying it would require the Biden administration Director of National Intelligence to declassify intelligence information related to any potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology  also known as the Wuhan lab  and the origins of COVID-19 in order to better prepare and avoid future pandemics.

Transparency, right?

The bottom line is Americans deserve a full accounting of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

Hawley said in April that for over a year, anyone asking questions about the Wuhan Institute if Virology has been branded as a conspiracy theorist.

The world needs to know if this pandemic was the product of negligence at the Wuhan lab but the [Chinese Communist Party] has done everything it can to block a credible investigation. Thats why the Biden administration must declassify what it knows about the Wuhan lab and Beijings attempts to cover up the origin of the pandemic, the Missouri Republican continued.

Butno. Democrats protecting Bidens China ties, no doubt, arent having it.

House Democrats vote against transparency comes just days after the World Health Organization urged China to cooperate with their second inquiry into the viruss origins, citing previous difficulty working with the communist regime when China refused to share raw patient data with the WHO during the first round of investigations, The Federalist reported.

Democrats are working overtime to rip our country to shreds so they can build a similar Communist utopia in the ashes. Its become obvious.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheFederalist.com

TrendingPolitics.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) There are signs that the mainstream media is starting to fracture on the issue of safe and effective covid vaccines. Some of the loudest vaccine-worshipers are beginning to question whether this experimental mRNA interference is actually safe and effective.

In just eight months, there have been hundreds of thousands of reported vaccine injuries and tens of thousands of deaths, post vaccination, but the media wont dare report on this data and the harrowing testimonies of vaccine injury. Just as concerning, hundreds of thousands of adverse events and medical issues are now ignored because headaches, fever, pain, skin reactions and fatigue are now considered normal effects of an effective vaccine. Respiratory infections after vaccination are considered normal too and advertised as breakthrough.

But with heavily vaccinated nations like Great Britain, Singapore, and Israel reporting total vaccine failure, and with fully vaccinated people being carted off with severe respiratory distress, heart inflammation and blood clots; the mainstream media cannot parrot a false narrative any longer.

Mainstream media is beginning to crack, as vaccine failure sweeps the globe

Bloomberg recently published an article titled, The Vaccinated Are Worried and Scientists Dont Have Answers. The article points out that severe illness continues in the fully vaccinated as heavily vaccinated countries continue to experience sickness and death. The article admits that vaccinated people appear to be getting the coronavirus at a surprisingly high rate.

Its quite clear that we have more breakthroughs now, said Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at the University of California, San Francisco. We all know someone who has had one. But we dont have great clinical data. There is little clinical data because the CDC changed the cycle count for the PCR tests to artificially lower covid cases in the vaccinated. In an act of willful fraud, the CDC stopped counting cases in the vaccinated, to make the unvaccinated appear more infectious. A case study in Provincetown, Massachusetts found that the fully vaccinated accounted for more than three-fourths of new cases.

The BBC published an article, Covid: Whats the best way to top up our immunity? The article credits naturally-acquired immunity as superior, while calling out waning vaccine-induced antibodies for causing a rise in sickness and hospitalization. The article quotes Professor Eleanor Riley, an immunologist from the University of Edinburgh. We could be digging ourselves into a hole, for a very long time, where we think we can only keep Covid away by boosting every year, warned Professor Riley. The article credits natural immunity for imparting memory T-cells that linger in the body, and priming B-cells to produce a new flood of antibodies on demand.

Mainstream media is finally publishing what was once considered vaccine misinformation

After pushing propaganda for over a year, the mainstream media is now publishing simple vaccine truths that were once considered dangerous vaccine misinformation. All these issues have already been censored off the Big Tech platforms. Will Facebook, Twitter, Google and the rest of Silicon Valley re-instate these important discussions across social media now that the mainstream media is talking about them?

ABC News published a piece skeptical of covid booster shots and gave reasons why you shouldnt rush to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot before its your turn. The article quotes Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency medicine physician at Brigham and Womens Hospital, who is skeptical of boosters for the broader population. The risks are unknown, and the benefits are unknown, Faust said. I cant, as a responsible physician, give someone advice, when I havent been able to weigh those two things.

The vaccine-worshiping Daily Beast put out an article about vaccine failure in Israel, titled: Ultra-Vaxxed Israels Crisis Is a Dire Warning to America. Over 80 percent of Israelis over the age of 12 have been inoculated twice, but hospitalization and severe infections continue to climb in the vaccinated population, putting the forceful vaccine program to shame. Instead of reversing course, Israel is tripling down, offering a third dose, while re-configuring its Green Passports to block the unvaccinated from society. Israel is only granting civil liberties to those who are triple-vaccinated now, and blocking travel for the vaccinated every six months, until they receive ANOTHER booster or DIE from it. By the end of next year, a fourth and fifth dose will likely be required, as people are either enslaved, segregated from society or killed off as they succumb to vaccine failure.

Sources include:

Zerohedge.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NaturalNews.com

Bloomberg.com

NaturalNews.com

BBC.com

ABCNews.com

TheDailyBeast.com
(Natural News) As people continue to get vaccinated for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), more new variants are emerging for which Big Pharma is already planning to unleash new vaccines as the cure.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla told Fox News the other day that his company has a system in place that is capable of turning around a new variant-specific jab every 45 days, generating an endless profit stream for the pharmaceutical giant.

Every time a variant appears in the world, our scientists are getting their hands around it, Bourla boasted. And they are researching to see if this variant can escape the protection of our vaccine.

According to Bourla, none of the existing known variants, including delta, are capable of escaping the Pfizer vaccine (note: this claim is not backed by any science).

Meanwhile, experts are warning that a constant churn of new injections for every new variant that pops up will only continue to create more and more variants.

This is great for making Big Pharma money, of course, but terrible for public health, which is being systematically destroyed in the name of science.

Every time a person gets jabbed with one of Donald father of the vaccine Trumps Operation Warp Speed injections, the likelihood of a mutation forming increases. This is why we are now seeing another wave of infections, particularly in the most highly vaccinated countries.

There are clearly sources of information to suggest that once we start vaccination and we get more than 25 percent of the population vaccinated, we will allow one of the variants thats in the background to emerge because its resistant to the vaccine, warns Dr. Peter McCullough, who is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular diseases and clinical lipidology.

That [theory] makes sense. Just like an antibiotic, once we get to a certain percentage of coverage with an antibiotic, well allow a resistant bacteria to move forward.

Getting vaccinated for covid puts everyone else in society at risk

McCullough continues to warn that the real superspreaders are those who have been jabbed and who are now walking disease factories shedding Chinese Germs onto everyone with whom they come into contact  including the unvaccinated.

Vaccinated people are a serious public health threat, in other words, and one that deserves much more attention amid growing calls for vaccine mandates. Getting vaccinated for covid, it turns out, is one of the most selfish and irresponsible things a person can do, based on the latest science.

Because the jabs cause antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), they are fueling the mutation of new variants that are quickly filling up hospitals with sick and dying people. Were there no vaccines at all, the plandemic would have been long over by now.

If we were to go back in time six months ago, we had about 14 strains or more in the United States  all relatively small proportions, McCullough says.

We had U.K., Brazilian and there was always some Delta, by the way  it was always in the background. And there was a paper by Niessen and colleagues from Boston and Rochester Minnesota, a great paper  over a million sequenced samples. They looked at vaccination rates all over, and the variant proportions, and they concluded that with more than 25% of the population vaccinated, youll encourage a dominant strain to move forward.

Mass vaccination has essentially created a super-dominant strain of the Chinese Virus, and those who took the vaccines are even more susceptible to it than those who left their bodies and immune systems alone.

To learn more about how vaccinated people are spreading disease to others, visit ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) As bad as vaccines can be, it used to take at much as five years or more to get a new one approved by the federal government, but in the age of COVID-19, for some reason, all of the old norms have been thrown out, proving again that these pharma companies are making bank on this virus along with those who receive donations from them.

No sooner than the Food and Drug Administration gave its blessing to the Pfizer vaccine  again, in record time since this vaccine has only been in existence for less than a year and only underwent limited testing and research  then state and local governments, along with corporations and private companies, began mandating it for their employees.

Talk about a ready-made revenue stream.

Even the brain-addled Joe Biden shuffled up to a podium earlier this month and pronounced that he would be requiring all federal employees to get the jab as well, or subject themselves to torturous COVID testing weekly.

But because not all of our political leaders are left-wing sheep, some have pushed back on vaccine mandates, including Texas Gov. Greg Abbott who signed an order this week banning mandates in his state.

And for good measure, Abbott then called on the GOP-controlled state legislature that he called into special session to pass legislation making the ban even more official and long-term.

Vaccine requirements and exemptions have historically been determined by the Legislature, and their involvement is particularly important to avoid a patchwork of vaccine mandates across Texas, Abbott said in a statement released along with his executive order.

This action comes after Abbott banned cities and government entities from imposing mask mandates as well, though Democratic enclaves around the state are defying his order because Democrats think they should only follow laws and lawful orders that they agree with. (You folks living in Texas who dont want to wear a mask should defy any mask mandates imposed on you because the duly elected governor said you cant be forced to wear one.)

The problem is, even some of the states officials who were elected to uphold the laws are siding with the lawbreakers.

Although this is an important victory, its really not a victory against a person or an entity, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, the countys leading elected official, told a news conference this week. Its a victory for humans who live in Dallas County against the virus.

The virus has been spreading despite mask mandates and lockdowns, so this morons preening is pointless. What isnt pointless and what is really the main point here is that a governor has issued a lawful order and like lawful orders issued by Democrats, leftists in Texas are bound to abide by it. Period.

I issued an Executive Order maintaining the prohibition of vaccine mandates. Additionally, I've added the issue of vaccine mandates to the Special Session agenda.#txlege involvement is important to avoid a patchwork of vaccine mandates across Texas.https://t.co/mZQJEkUJqJ pic.twitter.com/C7BtyN7bRx  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 25, 2021

I issued an Executive Order maintaining the prohibition of vaccine mandates. Additionally, Ive added the issue of vaccine mandates to the Special Session agenda, Abbott said in a tweet announcing his ban.

Similar bans have been declared in other red states like Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis has banned schools from issuing mask mandates to students, the vast majority of whom are not at risk of getting COVID and becoming deathly ill.

There, too, districts in heavily Democratic cities and counties are ignoring the order because they feel, somehow, like they have a right to do so.

They dont.

Blue-state governors who issued coronavirus mandates and lockdowns expected their orders to be followed and when they werent, citizens of their states were arrested and charged as criminals.

Thats exactly what red state governors must start doing to recalcitrant Democrats in their states who think they have some inherent authority to ignore orders they dont like.

Fines arent enough. Jail time and an arrest record are warranted here.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) An epidemic is an outbreak of a disease, and a pandemic is an epidemic that spreads to more than one continent. A pandemic is not limited to infectious diseases, and it doesnt have to be contagious. Did you know that Big Food and the medical industrial complex in America created several epidemics over the past 100 years, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Parkinsons, autism and Alzheimers? All of those diseases weaken the human immune system, putting the victims right in harms way of catching and spreading Covid, and not just the infected, but every doctor, dentist, surgeon or nurse who works with those patients.

In other words, non-contagious epidemics make contagious epidemics worse, as the chronically inflamed and perpetually immune-compromised sick people spread the infectious diseases, including Covid-19 and its variants.

Thousands of doctors in America are discriminating against unvaccinated Americans, pretending like they are more susceptible to catching and spreading disease, when its actually the vaccinated and immune-comprised patients who put the medical care workers at the highest risk of all. Why dont these doctors recommend vitamin D to all their patients?

Just because a certain disease or disorder isnt contagious, doesnt mean that disease or disorder isnt affecting your bodys ability to ward off or beat back contagious pathogenic, bacterial and viral infections. Thats why people who are obese often suffer from an immune-compromised system. Should all dentists deny them treatment because they arent healthy enough to be seen? Do you have your vitamin D passport sir and maam, proving youve elevated your immune system?  No? Im sorry, no D no service.

People who eat processed food daily and take prescription medications are the sickest people on the planet and a Covid danger to health care workers

Got Covid? Maybe its because you dont take care of yourself properly. Got a really bad case of Covid? Maybe you should stop eating so much sugar, GMOs, bleached foods, fluoridated water and microwave meals. Then, look into powerful, immune-building supplements like vitamin D, zinc, medicinal mushrooms, oil of oregano, licorice root, cinnamon, turmeric with curcumin, and garlic.

Most doctors and nurses in America have no clue how to build and maintain their own natural immunity to diseases and disorders. They think vaccines and antibiotics are the holy grail, but its just the opposite, especially when it comes to these spike protein clot shots for Covid. Millions of spike proteins travel throughout the body and clog the blood vessels, driving severe inflammation, the root cause of nearly all ailments, short and long term.

US government complicit in pushing toxic medicine and all in for denying medical care to healthy Americans

Now, the US government is trying to deny the unvaccinated medical treatments, including dental care, starting at the top, by denying medical establishments funding that dont comply with ridiculous Covid vaccine mandates.

The entire allopathic world of bad medicine is complicit in pushing blood-clotting vaccines, toxic prescriptions, unnecessary surgery and deadly chemotherapy, but God-forbid they should help patients who dont get the China flu jabs. Whats worse is the Covid jabs barely work, if at all, so now everyone has to get boosters every three months. The madness never ends.

Any dentist or doctor who denies medical care for unvaccinated patients should be sued for discrimination. Whos to say the unvaccinated are a danger, when people are dying by the thousands from the Covid clot shots? Whos immune-compromised now? Who are the real super-spreaders, because last time we looked, Israel is the most vaccinated country in the world and theyre experiencing a massive outbreak of Covid right now.

Find yourself a naturopathic physician and a holistic dentist, if you dont have them already. Then tune your smart device to Pandemic.news for updates on the upcoming booster vax-termination agenda and other crimes against humanity involving spike-protein-bioweapons.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

NaturalNews.com

TruthWiki.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Across the United States, hospitals have been transformed into murder factories where people are falsely diagnosed with covid via a fraudulent PCR test, then put on miscalibrated, made-in-China ventilators that blow out their lungs and kill them. Safe and effective medical interventions that actually save lives among covid victims  such as ivermectin  are strictly prohibited in nearly every hospital in the country, obviously as part of a malicious medical scheme to exterminate as many patients as possible to drive up the pandemic death numbers.

In the age of covid, medical ethics have been utterly abandoned. The first do no harm credo of the medical profession has been inverted to, First, harm as many as possible. Patients rights have been obliterated, and doctors who speak out against these practices are hunted by state medical boards and even the corporate media.

What was once a system of medicine has become a system of deliberate murder.

Former CIA operative and political analyst Robert David Steele was killed just yesterday with a hospital ventilator. And according to public announcements by Alex Jones, the medical system tried to murder his own father as well as an InfoWars journalist named Rob Dew (who was rescued from the hospital and is now recovering, thanks to effective treatments). Pro-liberty activist Scott McKay (The Patriot Street Fighter) has also publicly stated that his own father was recently killed by medical personnel at a hospital. These are just some of the more prominent people whose relatives have been targeted for murder by US hospitals there are hundreds of thousands of similar examples among lesser well known individuals who have lost loved ones due to hospital murder operations.

No one is safe in any conventional hospital

Now, no one is safe in any hospital. Medical personnel cannot be trusted to do the right thing or even try to save lives. Its worse than simple incompetence or ignorance, too, since hospitals are now very clearly trying to kill as many patients as possible by denying them treatments that work (ivermectin) while pushing interventions that kill (ventilators).

All those who are killed by murderous hospital policies and complicit doctors are said to have died from covid. But this is a lie, of course, since anyone can test positive for covid by merely running a sample through a PCR instrument turned up to 35 cycles. What people are really dying from is a combination of deliberate medical murder and vaccine spike protein bioweapons attacks. Your chances of survival are rather slim when your doctor is trying to kill you and the vaccines are loaded with bioweapons that are also designed to destroy your body from the inside.

Yet hospital policies forbid treatment with ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine, not to mention vitamin D and zinc. Such policies stand in direct contradiction to the real science on what works, and its obvious that these policies are driven by profit and politics, not medical ethics or compassion for fellow human beings.

I sense a wave of medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors and hospitals who participated in the murder factory operations of 2020 and 2021. Because the truth is coming out. And the truth is that virtually the entire Big Pharma-controlled medical system that dominates health care today now operates more like a terrorist organization wielding weapons of mass destruction against innocent victims, all while getting paid by a complicit government thats perpetuating the plandemic. Read more news about all this at MedicalTyranny.com

Get full details in todays Situation Update podcast via Brighteon.com:

Brighteon.com/6bb1992e-3d3f-4d3e-8ccb-af64b8897ad1

Get more podcasts and interviews each day at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport
(Natural News) It is becoming increasingly obvious that parents who legitimately care about their childrens future and want them to enjoy all of the founding principles of America  freedom, individual liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on their own terms  have got to do one of two things.

One, they have to get rid of the Marxists on their local school boards. And two, if they cant do that, then they need to pull their children out of the public school system and either homeschool or pay for a private school that wont teach them racism, hatred and loathing for their own country.

The urgency is building, as evidenced by a lesson plan for third graders found on a state education website in what is becoming the Socialist State of Virginia, home to our first president, George Washington, and so many other fine, brilliant early leaders.

Worse, according to a report by the Daily Wire, whoever wrote the plan appears to be ignorant:

The typo-ridden lesson plan, provided for use by any teacher in the state, is credited to five teachers, including Chesapeake Public Schools teachers Candice Anthony-Cazenave and Jamie Marquitz, and has children watch a video of someone reading the book A Is For Activist.

The book calls for students to become abolitionists and blends indoctrination with learning to read. C is for Co-Op. Cooperating Cultures. Creative Counter to Corporate Vultures. Oh, and cats. Can you find the cats? it says.

In fact, there are allusions to communism, which is an authoritarian political ideology that destroys nations, rife throughout the book.

One page states mockingly, Radical Reds! the headlines said. And another, M stands for May Day, which is a holiday that was created by the Marxist International Socialist Congress.

The plan also seems to bash the Democratic Party for being tame while falsely accusing Republicans of being akin to dictators (its just the other way around, actually, and for the record, Marxists and commies and Democrats always blame their political opponents for doing what they are doing).

The lesson plan features a red elephant (indicative of the Grand Old Partys mascot) and a blue donkey (likewise Democrats) and says, Dictators Detest It. Donkeys Dont get it.

This is about as overt as it gets.

U is for Union. Union yes! which is definitely a communist construct, and Z is for Zapitista of course, a reference to the Zapatista National Liberation Front, a group of violent, masked socialist rebels in Mexico, the Daily Wire added.

The lesson plan also downplays the importance of a good education, pressing students to agitate, not to learn anything so they can score well on tests (which are designed to measure how well kids have learned and absorbed material).

Open minds Operate best. Critical thinking Over tests. Wisdom cant be memorized. Educate! Agitate! Organize! the lesson plan says.

The outlet adds:

The lesson is part of GoOpenVA, a website registered to the Virginia Department of Education that encourages all Virginia educators and learners to create, share, and use digital resources with the end goals of providing equitable access to great learning materials throughout the state, and supporting new approaches to learning and teaching for all Virginians.

Those seeking to indoctrinate children often pump content into such free-for-the-taking lesson plan repositories, seemingly because some teachers will use them without much vetting to avoid doing the work of creating their own.

In addition, the lesson plan includes an assignment for third-graders to watch a video of the book, Something Happened In Our Town. And whats that about? What happened? A white police officer kills an unarmed black man, which leads a young black boy to ask his parents about the incident.

He wont go to jail, says the black boys father. After his son asks why, he is told this about police: They dont like Black men.

And his mother chimes in with, We cant always count on them to do whats right.

Later, a white girl is told by her mom, Slaves had to do whatever White people told them to do. Even after slavery ended, White people didnt let Black people live where they wanted.

Did our family do those bad things a long time ago? asks the daughter.

Yes, says her mother.

Like we said, as parents of kids in public school, the only way to avoid having them propagandized and brainwashed into accepting an authoritarian ideal is to get them out of that corrupt system.

Sources include:

DailyWire.com

RaceWar.news
A study of genetic material from a Canadian lake shows that climate change may raise the danger of viruses infecting new hosts in the Arctic.

A rise in glacier melt at Lake Hazen, the Arctic's biggest lake by volume and the setting for George Clooney's film The Midnight Sky, was related to a higher chance of viral spillover, which occurs when a virus infects a new host for the first time. Melting glaciers were formerly thought to be a proxy for climate change, forcing them to recede all across the world.

Studying Soil and Silt

Audree Lemieux headed a team from the University of Ottawa that collected soil and silt from the lake and analyzed the RNA and DNA in the samples. The researchers discovered viral signatures as well as possible hosts such as animals, plants, and fungus. They then used an algorithm created recently by another research group to estimate the likelihood of coevolution or symbiosis between unrelated groups of species.

The method allowed the researchers to assess the risk of overflow, which they found higher in lake samples nearer to the point where bigger rivers pour into the lake, delivering more meltwater from surrounding glaciers.

"Our key conclusion is that when glaciers melt, the risk of overflow rises for this specific lake. It's not the same as forecasting pandemics - we're not apocalyptic," Lemieux explains.

Related Article: Worsening Climate Crisis May Put 8 Billion People at Risks of Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Spreading Infections

She claims that the risk of infectious illnesses spreading from the Arctic is minimal due to the lack of "bridge vectors" like mosquitoes that may transfer viruses to other animals in the region. However, the researchers point out that climate change is likely to drive more species to migrate to the poles, which they warn might have a "dramatic effect" on the High Arctic.

From merely running the program, it's not apparent how glacier melt may raise spillover risk. According to co-author Stephane Aris-Brosou, one theory is that more run-off enhances species mixing since their local habitat is disrupted, physically bringing viruses and possible new hosts together who would not otherwise encounter each other.

Plant-based and Fungal Viruses

Plant and fungal viruses made up the majority of the viruses discovered. Others wonder how many would be sufficiently undamaged or present in high enough numbers to stay infectious. According to Alex Greenwood of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Germany, "most of the fragmented DNA or RNA they detect will reflect damaged virus genomes that no longer constitute a concern."

Needing Further Studies

Another limitation, according to Lemieux and Aris-Brosou, is that this is the first time the spillover algorithm has been employed in this way, so additional research is required to calibrate the real danger.

Also Read: Experts Warn of Another Deadly Global Outbreak to Strike Within 60 Years



For more health and medicine related news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Due to Covid-19 limitations, an Australian sheep farmer was unable to attend his dead aunt's burial, but he discovered a creative way to say his goodbyes.

Ben Jackson, who lives in a small town in New South Wales, was 400km (about the length of New York State) away in New South Wales, when his aunt Debby died after a two-year struggle with cancer.

The Sydney Morning Herald cited him stating, "I sort of felt a bit helpless, a bit stumped about how I could show my affection and love for my dear aunty Deb."

To show his affection for his aunt, Jackson herded his sheep into a huge heart pattern.

"I just hope that when I did it, Debbie took one eye off from having a yarn with her loved ones up there and looked down and saw my heart for her," he said.

Giant Heart Formation of Sheep as Show of Affection

The shape of the exhibition of affection, on the other hand, needed numerous trials and "guesswork" to construct with cattle. He released his sheep after scattering grapes in the shape of a heart.

A drone recorded the giant heart formation of sheep on film, which has now become popular on social media.

On Tuesday, Jackson posted the video on Instagram, writing, "I made this for my Aunty Deb. We said goodbye yesterday. I hope you had a peep down and saw this from up there. Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel was one of her favorite tunes."

The video, along with her favorite song, was played during her aunt Deb Cowdery's funeral. According to the article, several individuals were moved by the funeral. Jackson says he is not a "grief specialist," but that he was deeply affected.

In his drone collection of sheep artwork, Jackson said her aunt would be thrilled to see so many people enjoying and adoring his work.

Also read: Rescue Dogs Shot to Death Due to COVID-19 Restrictions, Enraging Animal Activists in Australia

Australia's Effective Covid Protocol Limits Cases Swiftly





Australia successfully adopted COVID-zero methods in 2020, effectively eradicating the coronavirus through stringent border closures, lockdowns, and extensive testing and contract tracking. Eighteen months after the epidemic began, Australia still implements the most stringent restrictions for even the tiniest viral flare-ups.

On May 24, officials in Melbourne discovered four COVID-19 infections, ending an 86-day period in which the state had not recorded a single case. Following the discovery of 26 local cases, the government declared its fourth state-wide lockdown since last year, halting schools, shuttering most private businesses, and prohibiting all public gatherings.

The most recent lockdown appears to be working. In Victoria, the number of cases has decreased, and the state has begun to relax restrictions this week, allowing some private companies to reopen and removing prohibitions on small, private meetings.

Australia, a country of 25 million people (about the population of Texas), has had slightly over 30,000 cases and 910 fatalities since the outbreak began. In comparison, Canada, has had over 1.4 million infections and over 26,000 fatalities. Although Australia's ultra-conservative policy has undoubtedly saved lives, it may now find itself isolated compared to nations like the United States, where growing vaccination rates are hastening, reopening plans, and fueling economic recovery, even as the virus continues to spread.

Also read: Chinese Scientists Develop Anti-Mosquito Technique Using Nuclear Technology
In spite of earlier reports, Adie Timmermans was not prohibited from the Antwerp Zoo for frequently going to see Chita, but urged to "change her behaviour"

Relationship Between Human and Chimp

A woman named Adie Timmermans who was having an "affair" with a chimpanzee at a zoo in Belgium is still permitted to keep visiting the zoo, in spite of previous reports.

As per the communications manager of the Antwerp Zoo whose name is Ilse Segers, the woman was not prohibited from visiting the zoo but she was rather told to "change her behaviour" when she's with the chimpanzee named Chita, Segers disclosed this in an email to PEOPLE.

Segers wrote: "There is no ban to see Chita, not for any visitor at the moment. We only asked [Mrs. Timmermans] to change her behaviour towards this specific animal."

When the woman has made efforts to attract the attention of Chita in the four years she's been coming to visit and interact with Chita, she has taken the bonding time the animal needs to have with his mates, Segers explained.

Also Read: Chimpanzees Recognize Each Other Through Their Butts



Chita

Segers said: "He is an exception: he was raised with humans at home and came to the zoo almost 30 years ago. He is still fond of humans. But for his own health, he has to be part of the chimpanzee group as much as possible."

People working at the zoo has asked the woman not once but several times not to put all her attention on Chita anymore, giving her reasons why it's crucial for the animal to spend time with the other chimps, Segers said.

Segers added that Mrs. Timmermans was asked to let Chita be a chimpanzee among his mates and not to stay with him for a very long time nor get his attention. They hope she will take their advice in the future.

Several outlets made a report earlier this week that Timmermans had been prohibited from the zoo and this is because she paid a lot of attention to Chita, blowing kisses and waving too much while giving a description of their interactions as an "affair."

Timmermans Vs. Zoo Workers

According to Newsweek, Timmermans said, "I love that animal, and he loves me. I haven't got anything else. Why do they want to take that away?"

Also, Timmermans accused the zoo workers of not being fair, saying, other dozens of people visiting the zoo are permitted to make contact. Then why not her.

The facility's spokesperson told Newsweek that during that time, an animal whose attention is too focused on people doesn't have much respect from its peers. And as much as possible they would want Chita to be a chimpanzee.

Accordingly, zookeepers are presently making effort to help Chita learn how to relate more with other primates.

Related Article: Bonobos, Not Chimps, Are Humans' Closest Living Ancestor

For more news, updates about chimpanzees and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
According to Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Hurricane Ida will be "one of the strongest" since the 1850s.

During a press conference about 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, the governor issued a grave warning to state citizens to take all necessary precautions and prepare for Hurricane Ida's possibly disastrous effects. While delivering an update on the storm's track, Edwards made the statement during a news briefing.

"One of the things we learned today at our unified command group meeting from the National Weather Service is that they are highly confident in Hurricane Ida's current trajectory and strength as anticipated. And you don't hear people talk about that kind of confidence very often," Edwards added.

Most Powerful Hurricane to Hit Louisiana

According to Edwards, Hurricane Ida, which is expected to strengthen to a devastating Category 4 storm before making landfall over the state's southern coast on Sunday, Aug. 29, will be the most powerful hurricane to batter the state since the 1850s.

The governor said that up to 110 mph wind gusts were reported throughout southeast Louisiana, as far north as the Mississippi state line and as far west as Lafayette.

On the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, he acknowledged that Hurricane Ida would make landfall.

"So, to summarize, this will be one of the most powerful storms to hit anyplace in Louisiana since at least the 1850s," Edwards said.

Related Article: Hurricane Ida Dangerously Near Category 5 as it Makes Landfall in Louisiana

Ida Update

Ida is presently a Category 2 storm, but it is expected to intensify to a Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on the Gulf Coast of the United States. As a result, according to Edwards, virtually the whole state is under some storm warning.

According to the governor, flash flooding from Hurricane Ida in southeast Louisiana is a serious worry.

He predicts eight to 16 inches of rain from Sunday through Tuesday, with greater totals possible in some areas.

Evacuations

According to Edwards, residents fleeing coastal regions including New Orleans were also advised to travel north of Baton Rouge and west of Lafayette.

As Hurricane Ida approaches the United Areas, President Biden advised citizens in Louisiana and other states to "pay attention and be prepared."

The president has declared a state of emergency for Louisiana and has asked Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi what they require ahead of the storm.

Edwards cautioned residents that their "window of time" to evacuate is running out.

Landing During Katrina's Anniversary

Edwards said, "We can also tell you that your window of opportunity is fast closing." "You need to be where you intend to ride out this storm by the time you go to bed tonight, and you need to be as prepared as you can be."

Ida arrives on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a Category 3 hurricane that ravaged the Gulf Coast and killed over 1,800 people.

Also Read: Storm Anxiety: How to Handle Extreme Weather Phobias During Hurricane Season

For more climate and weather updates, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
People visiting Death Valley National park are witnessing an interesting occurrence which residents in France celebrate yearly. Most of the hills there are blooming with salt and this is a phenomenon that is sometimes called "salt flowers."

Per park officials, "following a bit of rain this summer, many hills are "blooming" white with salt!"

Efflorescence

The appearance of the salt coating is usually referred to as efflorescence and many hills in the park have been coated with salt flowers, bringing about an effect not different from what it might appear like following a light snowfall.

In spite of the comparability to light snowfall, lately, it clearly hasn't been cool enough for Death Valley's snow. In recent weeks, temperatures in the region have been between 110 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time, with a few days exceeding 120.

Naturally, earlier this year, Death Valley became well-known when temperatures there flirted with 134 all-time world record high set back at Death Valley in 1913.

Efflorescence takes place when rain goes into the soil and dissolves the salts which are underneath the surface. When the evaporation occurs, it takes out the dissolved salts to the surface through a process referred to as capillary action and then leaves a new salty crust behind.

Also Read: Death Valley In Danger Of Becoming Uninhabitable As It Records Hottest Month In History

People's Experiences at the Death Valley

Park officials posted on Facebook that "over time, this white coating can erode away, but comes back brilliantly white after additional rain."

Facebook users who left a comment on the post wrote about their experiences with efflorescence in the famous national park, which is well-known as a park with extreme heat.

Ed Swale wrote: "One of my favorite pictures I've taken in Death Valley. Some poor fool gave up walking back to the road with two boots. I can't imagine the walk on the sharp salt around Badwater Basin."

The French among many other countries are known for harvesting salt. Actually, efflorescence is a French word and it means the state of blossoming or the production of flowers or the formation of a powdery surface. In the South of France, harvesters, sometimes referred to as salt shepherds, hand-harvest 280,000 tons of salt every summer.

What Weather Condition Determines a Good Wildflower Year?

The Camargue which is an extensive and wild river delta that releases its content into the Mediterranean Sea, witnesses rainfall totals and heat and this makes it a good place for extracting the sea salt.

Many are hoping Death Valley's summer rain will make for a more special spring bloom for which the park is generally known. But the extraordinary spring flowers are usually the exception, not the rule.

As per the park's website, a good wildflower year is determined by a few major weather conditions: Properly spaced rainfall all through the spring and winter; Adequate warmth from the sun; Absence of drying winds.

Related Article: Death Valley Soars to 130 Degrees, Highest Temperature Recorded on Earth in 90 Years

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"The great adventure of the ice, deep and pure as infinity," said Fridtjof Nansen's in his first expedition to cross Greenland.

Nansen said that the wonders hidden below the icy landscape of the Arctic back in 1888 'could not have been known'. It is only until today, with new tools and technologies, that the mysterious structures of Greenland's ice sheet 'comes into focus', holding clues of the past and future of the Arctic.





Mysterious Structures Beneath Greenland Ice

Under Greenland's ice sheet lies the longest colossal canyon on Earth, stretching 460 miles (740 kilometers) from the highest point in central Greenland to Petermann Glacier on the northwest coast, significantly longer than China's 308-mile-long (496 km) Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the longest visible canyon on the planet.

"It may actually go farther south," said Jonathan Bamber, a geographer at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom

Aside from that, Greenland's under-ice landscape also revealed a circle of invisible coastal mountain ranges around a bowl-like depression in the center of the island, seen in 3-D images of the hidden land. A 2017 map of Greenland revealed the topography underneath the flowing glaciers that will help scientists predict how fast they move and calve icebergs into the ocean.

Hundreds of thousands or even millions of years ago, when Greenland was not covered with ice, it was also home to primeval lakebed under more than a mile of ice that could reveal something about Greenland's past climate, as well as Arctic's future as the ice caps shrink.

"This could be an important repository of information, in a landscape that right now is totally concealed and inaccessible," said Guy Paxman, a postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

Greenland's blue rivers and lakes is also filled with at least 60 small lakes of crystalline meltwater, "mostly clustered in northern and eastern Greenland," said Stephen Livingstone, a senior lecturer in physical geography at the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. Heat that generates under the glaciers that melts ice and drains under the ice sheet also influences how the icy block responds to rising temperatures caused by human-induced climate change.

Also read: For the First Time in 40 Years, Blue Whales Return to Spain's Atlantic Coast

Meteor Impacts and Fossil Plants

Aside from these earthly origins is evidence of more mysterious features hiding beneath Greenland's ice sheets. Scientists have found at least two likely meteor craters both northwest of Greenland. These craters sit 114 miles (183 km) away, where one sits below Hiawatha Glacier and the other is buried under 1.2 miles (2 km) of ice. According to scientists, the second crater is the 22nd-largest impact crater ever found on Earth.

Lastly, Greenland's ice sheets also enabled plants and trees to thrive. In 2017, scientists rediscovered the perfectly preserved fossils of plants while digging up through ice cores during the cold war. It looks like the frozen soil had held plant fragments dating to a million years ago which suggest that parts of Greenland's ice sheet may be younger than previously known.

Also read: Satellite Images Show How Antarctica Avoids Giant Iceberg Twice the Size of Chicago
Shifting pack ice exposed a new island off the coast of Greenland, which scientists claim is the world's northernmost piece of land.

Morten Rasch, arctic explorer and head of the Arctic station research center in Greenland, said of the discovery last month, "It was not our aim to locate a new island. All we wanted to do was get some samples."

The announcement came as reports arose that an undersea volcano was forming a new island off the coast of Japan. The new island, discovered around 750 miles (1207 kilometers) south of Tokyo near Iwo Jima, was in the shape of a C and was about half a mile broad. If it survives the sinking, as many do, it might be added to Japan's territory.

Landing on the New Island

The scientists first believed they had landed in Oodaaq, a Danish survey team's discovery of the island in 1978. They only realized they had visited another island 780 meters to the northwest when they checked the exact position afterward.

"Everyone was ecstatic that we discovered what we thought was Oodaaq island," said Christiane Leister, the founder of the Leister Foundation, which funded the trip.

"It's like explorers in the past who thought they'd arrived in a specific location but ended up in a completely another one."

Related Article: Melting Glaciers Due to Global Warming is Slightly Warping Earth's Crust, Scientists Warn



New Island in Greenland

The tiny island, which is about 30 meters wide and has a height of about 3 meters, comprises seabed mud and moraine, which is the soil and rock left behind by moving glaciers. Hence, the crew suggested "Qeqertaq Avannarleq," which translates to "the northernmost island" in Greenlandic.

Modern Expeditions

In recent decades, many US teams have explored the area for the world's northernmost island. Dennis Schmitt, an Arctic veteran, discovered a similar island nearby in 2007.

Although the new island was revealed by moving pack ice, the scientists claim that its existence is not a direct result of global warming, which has caused Greenland's ice sheet to shrink.

Environmental Conditions in Greenland

Rene Forsberg, professor and head of geodynamics at Denmark's National Space Institute, said the area north of Greenland has some of the thickest polar sea ice, though it is now 2-3 meters thick in summer, down from 4 meters when he first visited in 1978 as part of the expedition that discovered Oodaaq.

Any chance of expanding territorial claims in the Arctic is contingent on whether it is an island or a bank that might vanish. At high tide, an island must remain above sea level.

Forsberg stated, "It fits the characteristics of an island." "At the moment, this is the world's most northern land." "These little islands come and go," he said.

Also Read: Scientists Found Evidence of Gulf Stream Collapse as Climate Crisis Worsens

For more environmental news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Northern California's active Caldor Fire led to evacuation orders and warnings on Sunday night in Lake Tahoe Basin after the conditions of forest triggered rapid spread which caused at least one hospital to evacuate all of its patients out during the flames.

Evacuation Order and Warning

All patients in Barton Memorial Hospital, South Lake Tahoe were being transferred.

In a tweet Sunday night the hospital said: "Patients will be transferred to regional partner facilities & patients' families will be notified. Barton's Emergency Department remains open for emergent health needs only."

Cal Fire said five people have been left with injuries from the fire that has damaged over 650 structures and destroyed almost 40 more since it started on the 14th of August.

In a news release, Cal Fire said some parts of Alpine and El Dorado counties, had been issued an evacuation order together with evacuation warnings for the remaining parts of the counties.

In an alert Sunday, Cal Fire said that the warning which means there is a possible threat to both life and/or property was increased for more parts of the basin. The alert warned: "Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave now."

Also Read: New Fires Spark in California, Leaving Hundreds of Residents Under Evacuation Orders

South Lake Tahoe Braces for Potential Evacuations

A resident of Meyers in El Dorado County named Victor Babbitt said he was fortunate to be able to find his way out when he did in spite of not getting a formal notice to leave.

He told CNN affiliate KTVN that he got to know by a warning basically and that was it. He said nobody came to the house. Babbitt also said the neighbors were all relocating and they just carried everything up best they could and off they go.

The city of South Lake Tahoe told residents to brace for potential evacuations.

City spokeswoman named Lindsey Baker told CNN the most crucial thing residents can do at this point is to prepare their go-bags and come up with a plan in place to evacuate if an evacuation order gets extended.

Caldor Fire

What prompted the call for preparation was the fire which had an active day and this week the conditions are expected to get worse, the fire chief for the city of South Lake Tahoe named Clive Savacool told KTVN.

Savacool explained: "The Caldor Fire has made a pretty big jump in the last few hours, so that's had a pretty big impact on the community and expansion of evacuations. It's because these winds, the low humidity, the low moisture, all these conditions are making it very, very treacherous for this fire and so that's why its been expanding so rapidly."

As per Cal Fire, there was a remarkable rise in dynamic fire behavior which resulted in the rapid spread of the fire Sunday.

The Dixie Fire which is the state's largest active wildfire has gotten to more than 765,635 acres since it began in mid-July, as per Cal Fire.

Related Article: Newsom Declares State of Emergency as Caldor Wildfire Consumes 53,700 Acres

For more news, updates about wildfires and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Authorities say a mountain lion that mauled a 5-year-old boy in southern California has been shot dead by a wildlife officer.

On Saturday, a spokesman with the California department of fish and wildlife named Captain Patrick Foy said a mountain lion weighing 65-pound (30kg) mauled the boy on Thursday close to his house in Calabasas while he was playing.

The lion pulled the boy about 45 yards across the front lawn. Foy said the 5-year-old sustained serious injuries to his head and upper torso but was stable at a Los Angeles hospital.

Foy stated: "The true hero of this story is his mom because she absolutely saved her son's life."

The mother was inside when she heard some noises outside. Foy said she ran out of the house and began to punch and strike the animal with just her hands and she succeeded in getting the mountain lion off her son.

Immediately, the parents took the boy to the hospital, when they arrived the law enforcement were informed about the attack and they sent a wildlife officer to the location of the incident.

Also Read: Mountain Lions Are Terrified Of One Thing -- The Sound Of A Human Voice

Mountain Lion's Death

Foy said when they got to the house, the officer saw a squatting mountain lion in the bushes, the ears of the animal was back and hissing at him.

In a statement, the wildlife department said because of its behavior and closeness to the attack, the warden was convinced it was possibly a lion that attacks people and in order to protect the public the warden shot and killed it on sight.

DNA tests after the incident confirmed that the lion was accountable for mauling the child, the statement said.

Another mountain lion found in the region was given a tranquilizer and then allowed into the wild without being harmed after it was tested to be certain it didn't have anything to do with the attack.

The Rare Incident

A spokeswoman for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area named Ana Beatriz Cholo said the attack that took place on Thursday was the first to happen in the region's mountains in about 20 years the agency has been researching about the cougar population.

Residents and hikers in the mountains should know that they could come across cougars and should be aware of what to do, Cholo said.

She said: "Do not turn around and run away. Keep kids close by. Put them on your shoulders. Try to look bigger than you are. If it doesn't work and the mountain lion doesn't leave, you need to be more assertive.

Cholo acknowledged the mother of the 5-year-old for taking appropriate action. Cholo said the mother fought back using her bare hands and one can use a rock or stick if available.

Related Article: Homeless Man Mauled by Mountain Lion in California is 'Lucky to be Alive'

For more news, updates about mountain lions and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!
A judge has denied Gloria Farbers second attempt to require the estate of Fotis Dulos turn over any available assets to satisfy a $1.7 million judgment she won against the former high-end developers company, the Fore Group.

Since winning the judgment in June 2020, Farbers attorney, Richard Weinstein, said she has not received any money from the estate.

It is exactly as I anticipated, he (Fotis Dulos) had no money and lived off his father-in-law for as long as he could, Weinstein said a few weeks ago. Weinstein and a trustee dealing with the financial proceedings involving Farber and Fotis Dulos filed a second demand on Aug. 17 for the $1.7 million after they learned the estate received a small check, Weinstein said.

Farber sued Fotis Dulos in 2018 on the grounds he failed to pay back business loans as he was embroiled in a protracted and acrimonious divorce and custody battle with her daughter, Jennifer Dulos.

As the lawsuit and divorce were proceeding, Jennifer Dulos disappeared on May 24, 2019. She was never found and is presumed dead. Fotis Dulos died on Jan. 30, 2020, several weeks after he was charged with murder and kidnapping in connection with the disappearance.

Farber contended in the lawsuit that Fotis Dulos has repeatedly borrowed large sums of money from her husband Hilliard Farber, but failed to pay the money back after her husband died in 2017.

The lawsuit went to trial in December 2019, five months after Jennifer Dulos went missing. Hartford Superior Court Judge Cesar Noble ruled in June 2020 that Fotis Dulos and the Fore Group owed Farber $1.7 million in business loans. Attorneys for Farber filed paperwork in November demanding that the estate pay the $1.7 million judgment. Noble granted the demand shortly thereafter, court records show.

Noble cited his November ruling in a brief order denying the second attempt to collect the money issued Aug. 23.

Weinstein is still hoping to recoup some funds by preventing Fore Group investor Harry Masiello, a friend of Fotis Dulos, from foreclosing on a property owned by the company at 585 Deercliff in Avon. Masiello contended in court papers that he invested $600,000 in the development of the property and was never paid back. That case remains pending.

Weinstein is battling the foreclosure on the grounds it is questionable as to whether Masiello actually invested the money, and Farber has the first claim on any assets owned by Fotis Dulos due to the judgment.

Farber was able to receive $1.8 million from the sale of 4 Jefferson Crossing in Farmington, the former home of Fotis and Jennifer Dulos. The Farber family put up assets and gave the couple a loan to build the house in 2012. Farber paid off the mortgage in July 2019 as police were searching for her daughter and then later foreclosed on the home.
AP

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Malaysia's new prime minister missed the swearing-in ceremony of his new government on Monday after coming into contact with someone infected with COVID-19, his office said.

Ismail Sabri Yaakob has begun self-isolating and will virtually attend Tuesday's official National Day celebrations, according to a statement from his office. It did not say whom he came in contact with, whether he was tested and how long he would remain in self-isolation.
FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2021, file photo, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz attends a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem. Gantz held talks late Sunday, August 29, 2021, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the first high-level meeting between the two sides in years, officials said.
Amesbury - John L. Plourde, age 92, of Amesbury MA, died in peace on July 8, 2021. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Phyllis (Fenton) Plourde. He leaves four sons and three daughters-in-law, Dennis and Sally of Newbury, David and Carol of Amesbury, Thomas and Evelyn of Rochester, N
DAVE ROGERS/Staff photoPolice still have not determined if damage to a U.S. flag outside Battle Grounds Coffee on Pleasant Street on Aug. 6 was purposeful or targeted, but the incident has fueled outrage and prompted the city's Human Rights Commission to issue a statement condemning the apparent vandalism.
Merrimac - Richard W. Emery, age 87, lifelong resident of Merrimac, passed peacefully on Friday, August 27, 2021, at Country Center in Newburyport, surrounded by his family. He was the devoted husband of Elizabeth L. "Betty" (Stevens) Emery. Born in Amesbury, May 20, 1934, he was one of six 
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JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Maps on display in the Mississippi Capitol give a vivid picture of how population has shifted within the state during the past decade, and legislators will use those in drawing new boundaries for legislative and congressional districts.

Republican Rep. Jim Beckett of Bruce is chairman of the legislative committee in charge of redistricting. He said during a public hearing in Jackson last week that the first order of business will be redrawing the four congressional districts because federal elections are being held in 2022. State House and Senate races will be on the 2023 ballot.

Mississippi, Illinois and West Virginia are the only states that lost population from 2010 to 2020, according to the Census Bureau. Mississippi did not lose enough people to also lose a congressional seat, but Illinois and West Virginia are losing one seat each.

The only one of Mississippi's four U.S. House districts that lost population was the 2nd District, which stretches through the Delta, southward along the Mississippi River and eastward into the city of Jackson. It is the states only majority-Black congressional district, and the only one represented by a Democrat.

The four Mississippi maps in the Capitol rotunda depict population losses and gains across the state. One shows the U.S. House districts, one shows the 122 state House districts, one shows the 52 state Senate districts and one shows population in each of the 82 counties. The maps were produced by the Mississippi Automated Resource Information System, and they are also online.

The county-by-county map and the two state legislative maps are color-coded like traffic signals. Growth areas are in green, areas with some population loss are in yellow or orange and areas with the highest percentage of population decline are in red.

Yellow and orange are the dominant colors on the county-by-county map, showing the continued population drain from rural areas that have few job opportunities. The growing areas have strong public schools and stable economies.

Eight counties gained 5% to 18% in population during the decade.

Lafayette County, which is home to the University of Mississippi, was the fastest-growing, with a 17.9% increase. That growth is evident with new shopping centers, subdivisions and apartment complexes that have sprung up in places that used to be covered in trees.

Lamar County  next door to the county that is home to the University of Southern Mississippi  had a 15.4% population increase. DeSoto County had a 14.9% increase; it has been one of Mississippi's fastest-growing counties the past three decades as people migrated southward out of Memphis, Tennessee.

The other dark green counties on the map are Madison with 14.6% growth, Harrison with 11.5%, Rankin with 10.9%, Oktibbeha with 8.6% and George with 7.9%.

Madison and Rankin are suburban communities for Hinds County and the capital city of Jackson. Harrison is on the Gulf Coast and has military installations and casinos. Oktibbeha is home to Mississippi State University, and George is just north of coastal Jackson County.

Ten counties gained up to almost 5% in population. They are Hancock at 4.8%, Forrest at 4.3%, Pontotoc at 4.1%, Stone at 3.1%, Jackson at 2.6%, Union at 2.4%, Itawamba at 2%, Pearl River at 0.6%, Lee at 0.5% and Lincoln at 0.1%.

Hancock and Jackson counties touch the Gulf of Mexico, with Stone and Pearl River just to the north. Forrest County is home to the University of Southern Mississippi. Pontotoc, Union, Itawamba and Lee counties are in northeast Mississippi, which has jobs in furniture and automotive manufacturing. Lincoln County is in southwestern Mississippi, along the Jackson-to-New Orleans route of Interstate 55.

The counties with the largest percentage population losses are all rural and poor. Quitman County lost 25% of its residents, Sharkey was at minus 22.7%, Coahoma was at minus 18.2%, Tallahatchie was at minus 17.3% and Humphreys was at minus 17%.

Republicans hold wide majorities in the state House and Senate, and that bipartisan balance is unlikely to change through redistricting.

____

Emily Wagster Pettus has covered Mississippi government and politics since 1994. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus.
Just over a week after Tropical Storm Henri brought rains, winds and flooding to Connecticut, Hurricane Ida could bring more adverse weather to the state beginning Wednesday.

Hurricane Ida made a second landfall in Louisiana on Sunday afternoon as a Category 4 storm and is labeled as extremely life-threatening, according to the National Weather Services National Hurricane Center. As of 3 p.m. Sunday, Ida had maximum sustained winds of approximately 145 miles per hour.

Connecticut will not see Idas impact until sometime on Wednesday, Gary Lessor, the chief meteorologist for the Connecticut Weather Center at Western Connecticut State University.

We are looking at probably sustained winds here that are not going to be much of a concern, he said. As the storm comes in Wednesday night, we will see wind gusts sustained probably 15 mph to 20 mph around the shore. Northern Fairfield, New Haven and Groton will probably see 10 to 15 mph sustained.

Lessor added that the storm could bring peak wind gusts up to 35 to 40 mph along the shore and from 30 to 35 mph inland.

Rain is going to make a big impact as Ida rolls through the state.

Rainfall could be more significant, said Lessor. We are looking at a general two to four-inch rainfall along the current forecast now, and that would have the rain starting here probably during Wednesday midday or early afternoon. Its probably not going to end until Thursday night.

The weather service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Connecticut for Monday through Saturday.

A period of moderate to heavy rainfall is becoming more likely for portions of the region Wednesday into Thursday morning, according to the NWS. Flooding is also a possibility, especially in urban areas and areas with poor drainage.

This storm comes after Henri led to shoreline evacuations, limited travel on I-95, flooding and downed trees. Henri, which was expected to hit Connecticut as a hurricane, lost power while at sea and was a tropical storm when it passed through the state.

Henri brought over four inches of rain to parts of Connecticut, such as Colchester and Groton.

During and after the storm, Eversource restored over 60,000 customers who lost power. The utility company also handled 44 broken poles, 913 downed spans of wire, 88 blocked roads, 21 damaged transformers and 246 trees to be removed.

Eversource will be sending crews on Monday to provide help and resources in Louisiana as millions of power outages are expected in the area.

Staff writer Saul Flores contributed reporting to this article.

christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com
The latest coronavirus numbers released by the state include hopeful signs that the Delta-driven, summertime surge in Connecticut is subsiding although a consensus is far from clear.

Combined with a flattening national trend and some decreases in two crucial measures, optimism is running high as many schools returned for the academic year.

Data released Monday show hospitalizations rising by two patients over the weekend for a total of 380. That is up by 11 from one week ago, after increases of 84, 77 and 60 in the three previous weeks. Its also down from a high of 391 last Tuesday.

The report Monday, based on totals since Friday, also shows 1,361 new COVID-19 cases out of 43,879 tests, a positive test rate of 3.1 percent. That brings the 7-day average positivity rate to 3.42 percent, down from 3.55 percent from one week ago after it had climbed from 2.26 percent in the prior two weeks.

It certainly seems that way, Howard Forman, a professor of radiology and biomedical imaging at Yale School of Public Health, said Monday when asked whether Connecticut is flattening the curve as Gov. Ned Lamont suggested late last week.

We have both case and hospitalization data that looks more favorable, he said, although he warned the surge could return.

Some experts in Connecticut, including Yale epidemiologist Dr. Albert Ko, had predicted the latest surge would wane by the end of September, around the same time the governors pandemic-related emergency powers are due to expire.

A UConn researcher said Monday he believes the number of people in Connecticut hospitals will rise further before declining, although he, like others, said patterns are harder to discern now than in previous surges.

The states improved outlook, as indicated in Mondays numbers, comes as the pace of infections is slowing nationally. States such as Louisiana and Missouri, among the first to have summer surges, are experiencing continued declines in recent weeks, the New York Times reported.

Across the United States and in the two largest states, California and Texas, the positive test rate has turned downward, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and Johns Hopkins University  from a much higher plateau of more than 10 percent nationally.

That far higher level across the nation is partly the result of lower numbers of tests in most other states and partly that New England is the least hard-hit region in the nation. Only four states  Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts, had fewer than 100 people in hopsitals per 1 million residents as of last week, Kaiser Family Foundation data showed.

Connecticut was barely above that level, while the entire Southeast was at more than 300, and in most states, more than 400 people in hospitals per 1 million residents.

Several factors could completely stop a plateau, Forman said, such as schools and universities re-opening with students gathering in-person and other activities.

I think the overall evidence for Connecticut is favorable, Forman said, but he added that he doesnt think the state has quite hit a peak in the number of summertime coronavirus infections.

Pedro Mendes, a professor of computational systems biology at the University of Connecticut, is running six different models projecting hospitalizations that range widely from the states current total  380  being the peak, to reaching just below 600 patients in a week or two. Mendes said he expects hospitalizations to reach between 400 and 500 in another week before declining.

The data can get very noisy at the peak, he said, adding the numbers go up and down, theyre not as well defined as you would like to see.

At this point in the pandemic, with vaccinations, the full reopening of schools and businesses, and the highly contagious Delta variant circulating, predictions are harder to make than during previous surges, particularly during lockdowns, Mendes said.

State public health officials and the office of Gov. Ned Lamont, urging people to get vaccinated and wear masks indoors, have declined to characterize the latest numbers  other than Lamonts comments Friday.

Regardless of whether the state has reached a peak in infections and hopsitalizations, the levels remain well below whats been seen in previous surges including the middle of last December, as vaccinations began. Connecticut reported a peak of daily hospitalizations at 1,269 on Dec. 14 and several thousand new infections per day.

Lamont said at a press conference in Danbury last week that while the states COVID-19 metrics have stayed relatively flat, were still not out of the woods. But with an 84 percent vaccination rate, the governor said he was hopeful about the states progress as students return to schools.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's prime minister's office has urged former premier Benjamin Netanyahu to return dozens of expensive gifts he received while serving in the nation's top job.

The request, confirmed Monday by the office of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, came as Netanyahu reportedly vacationed on a private island in Hawaii almost wholly owned by billionaire Larry Ellison. The Oracle founder is a friend of Netanyahu's and also a witness for the prosecution in the former leader's corruption trial.

Israel's longest-serving prime minister, now opposition leader, has developed a reputation for enjoying a lavish lifestyle, often at taxpayer expense, and is on trial for allegedly accepting expensive gifts from wealthy associates.

Netanyahu, ousted from the top job and replaced by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in June, has denied all charges and has said he's a victim of a smear campaign.

A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, confirmed the prime minister's office contacted Netanyahu to return gifts he received as premier. The Maariv daily, which first broke the story, said Netanyahu has been asked to return 42 items, including gifts from former President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It is customary for foreign leaders to bestow gifts on each other during official trips. But gifts worth over a certain amount  300 shekels or about $90  are the property of the state of Israel. Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, did not return those, according to a letter sent by the legal adviser in the prime minister's office, Maariv said.

The unreturned gifts allegedly include a rectangular box made of glass decorated with gold leaves, bearing Obama's signature and the first book of the Bible from Putin. The list also reportedly includes gifts from French and German leaders, a pope and various benefactors and ambassadors.

In a statement, the Netanyahu family said all gifts the law required to be returned have been given back, and that those in question are not in the possession of former Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The U.S.-educated Netanyahu, who spent some 15 total years as prime minister before he was ousted in June, has long had a reputation for living large.

During his first term in office in the 1990s Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, were suspected of pocketing gifts and foreign contributions received from world leaders  items considered state property. The Netanyahus also were suspected of accepting favors from a contractor. Both cases were closed without charges.

Netanyahu's recent term was filled with gossipy scandals about his official spending. His spending on ice cream caused a meltdown when it was reported that in 2012 he'd budgeted 10,000 shekels (about $3,200) of taxpayer money for his favorite flavors, vanilla and pistachio, for family and staff.

More outrage ensued the next year when it was reported that he spent $127,000 to furnish a bedroom aboard a plane for a five-hour flight to London to attend the funeral of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In 2016, an official expense report revealed that Netanyahu spent more than $600,000 of public funds on a six-day trip to New York, including $1,600 on a personal hairdresser. Netanyahu contended he was unaware of the cost and halted the practice.

Sara Netanyahu was charged in 2018 with misusing some $100,000 in public funds to order lavish meals from celebrity chefs at the prime ministers official residence, even though she already had cooks on the government payroll. She later was ordered to pay a fine of some $15,000 as part of a plea bargain.

Also in 2018, a recording surfaced of Netanyahus eldest son, Yair, joyriding with his super-rich buddies to Tel Aviv strip clubs in a drunken night out in a taxpayer-funded government vehicle.

Now, Netanyahu himself is on trial for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases while he served as prime minister.

Among the witnesses prosecutors have named is Ellison, though it is unclear why. Ellison bought almost all of Lanai in 2012 for a reported $300 million. He did not return calls seeking comment.

But Ellison and Netanyahu have long been reportedly close. The Haaretz daily reported that Ellison came forward to help Netanyahu with his legal representation in the criminal case, and that the former prime minister wanted the billionaire to buy some Israeli media properties, including a newspaper.

For weeks, the family spokesman refused to confirm that the Netanyahus were on vacation on Lanai, saying only that they are paying for a vacation out of their own pocket.

But others on holiday on the island have relayed sightings to the The Associated Press of a conspicuous Hebrew-speaking security retinue on the Pacific idyll. Yair Netanyahu also was spotted on Lanai, the vacationers said.

Photos and other accounts on social media appear to confirm the family stayed for two weeks in Ellison's private enclave. One photo appeared to show a scowling Netanyahu sitting on a luggage cart in San Francisco's airport on his way to Hawaii. Another showed him lying on the ground while apparently doing Pilates.

Asked about the propriety of hanging out with a witness in Netanyahu's corruption trial, the family spokesman replied: The law doesn't forbid him from meeting with witnesses.

The trip has also raised eyebrows because Netanyahu, who led the country's fight against the coronavirus before he was ousted, ignored recommendations by government experts to avoid unnecessary travel abroad while the country grapples with the fast-spreading delta variant.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige last week urged tourists to stay away, citing a surge there in coronavirus infections.

Netanyau's family is required to go into a mandatory one-week quarantine upon their return to Israel.

___

Kellman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel.
The European Union recommended on Monday that Americans should be banned from nonessential travel to its member states after a rise in Covid-19 cases in the United States.

Countries within the 27-nation bloc, which includes France, Italy and Germany, have been advised to reinstate coronavirus-related restrictions and halt the arrival of tourists from the US and five other countries.

The guidance, which also now applies to Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and the Republic of North Macedonia, is non-binding for EU member states. That means it remains up to each individual EU country to decide whether to allow "nonessential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers."

Europe had begun opening up to US travelers in May with destinations dependent on tourism dollars from across the Atlantic eager to recoup heavy losses incurred during successive lockdowns.

The European Council, the EU's governing body, recommended in June that the bloc lift restrictions on nonessential travel from 14 countries, including the United States.

However, Covid-19 cases in the US have surged in recent weeks, as the highly infectious Delta variant spreads among unvaccinated Americans. Covid-19 cases among children are also hitting levels not seen since winter.

"What is going on now is both entirely predictable, but entirely preventable. And you know we know we have the wherewithal with vaccines to turn this around," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government's top infectious diseases expert. "We could turn this around and we could do it efficiently and quickly if we just get those people vaccinated."

Nationally, 52.1% of the population was fully vaccinated as of Saturday, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Florida on Saturday had the highest Covid-19 hospitalization rate in the country, with 75 patients per 100,000 residents in hospitals with the virus, according to data from federal health officials and Johns Hopkins University. It also reached yet another pandemic high of Covid-19 cases Friday, reporting 690.5 new cases per 100,000 people each day from August 20 to August 26, state data showed.

Fewer than 50% of people in South Carolina, Louisiana and Texas are fully vaccinated. Studies have shown that full vaccination is necessary for optimal protection against the Delta variant.

Several hospitals in those four states -- Florida, South Carolina, Texas and Louisiana -- are struggling with oxygen scarcity. Some are at risk of having to use their reserve supply or risk running out of oxygen imminently, according to state health officials and hospital consultants.

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Lawyers for abortion clinics in Texas raced to the Supreme Court Monday, asking the justices to block a controversial law that bans abortions at six weeks and allows private citizens to bring civil suits against anyone who assists a pregnant person seeking an abortion in violation of the law.

The law set to take effect on Wednesday is among the strictest in the nation -- barring abortions just after a fetal heartbeat is detected -- which is often before a woman knows that she is pregnant.

The emergency application is the latest to come before the conservative court bolstered by the addition of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, asking the justices to act quickly without the benefit of a full briefing schedule and oral arguments on a highly divisive issue.

Opponents of the law say it is a part of a new wave of laws put forward by states hostile to abortion rights with the goal of making it more difficult for courts to step in and block a law before it goes into effect.

The case comes as the justices have already agreed to consider a Mississippi law during their upcoming term that bars most abortions at 15 weeks.

In the filing, abortion providers told the justices that if the law were allowed to go into effect it would "immediately and catastrophically reduce abortion access in Texas" ultimately forcing many abortion clinics to close.

They said that patients "who can scrape together resources" will be forced to attempt to leave the state, and others will be forced to "remain pregnant against their will."

"In less than two days, Texas politicians will have effectively overturned Roe v. Wade," Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.

Supporters of abortion rights say the Mississippi and Texas laws are a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 opinion legalizing abortion nationwide prior to viability, which can occur at around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Under the Texas law, abortion is prohibited when a fetal heartbeat is detected and there is no exception for rape or incest, although there is an exemption for "medical emergencies."

The Texas law includes an unusual provision that allows private citizens to sue health care workers, abortion providers or individuals if they believe they are "knowingly" helping a pregnant person seeking an abortion. That would mean that a citizen could sue someone who agreed to pay for another person's abortion. Private citizens who prevail in civil lawsuits can also be awarded $10,000 in damages.

In Monday's filing, the clinics called the law an attempt to "replace normal civil litigation rules" with "distorted versions designed to maximize the abusive and harassing nature of the lawsuits and to make them impossible to fairly defend against."

A district court denied the state's attempt to dismiss the lawsuit and had scheduled a hearing for Monday. But last weekend a panel of judges on the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order effectively canceling the district court hearing and denying an emergency petition from the clinics to block the law while the appeals play out.

The clinics filed suit in the case not only against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, but state judges and clerks in Texas with the jurisdiction to enforce the law. They also targeted Mark Lee Dickson who serves as the director of Right to Life East Texas. Dickson advocated for the adoption of the law and expressed an intent to bring civil enforcement actions as a private citizen under the law according to the District Court.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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ATLANTA  The misuse of an anti-parasite drug to treat or prevent COVID has spiked in recent weeks, leading to increased calls to poison centers.

The CDC has issued a health advisory warning doctors and the public about the use of ivermectin to treat the virus. The drug, used for roundworm infections and the mostly tropical disease known as river blindness, is not approved for COVID.

The Georgia Poison Center has fielded 23 calls so far this month related to ivermectin, as compared with less than a handful in a typical year, said Gaylord Lopez, director of the center. Many of the calls have come from people with symptoms linked to ingesting the drug.

Theyre calling and telling me theyre vomiting, theyre [feeling] faint. Having double vision, Lopez said Friday.

More than 88,000 prescriptions nationally were written for ivermectin in the week ending August 13, a 24-fold increase over the weekly average prior to the pandemic, the CDC said.

Besides that, some individuals have obtained the product from farm supply stores, because it is used to de-worm pets and livestock.

One patient showed a picture that looked like an antifreeze container.

It had a sheep on it, Lopez said.

The FDA recently warned against using ivermectin to treat COVID. The agency tweeted last week: You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, yall. Stop it.

Calls to poison control centers increased fivefold in July compared to the number before the pandemic, the CDC said.

The poisoning increase has occurred as the number of daily COVID infections reported in Georgia has jumped to levels not seen since January, a result of the highly contagious delta variant.

On Friday, the states Department of Public Health reported more than 11,000 new cases and 59 deaths from the disease. Hospitalizations for COVID in the state are approaching the pandemic record of 5,700.

Hospitals are asking their communities and the state for help in handling the patient load.

Dr. Carlos del Rio, an Emory infectious disease expert, said an individual who contracts the Delta variant can infect up to eight others, making it much more dangerous than the original strain.

The virus were facing today is very different from the original virus, he said. This is so highly transmissible, its not the COVID we knew a year ago.

The Arkansas Medical Board is conducting an investigation after a physician said he prescribed ivermectin thousands of times for treatment of COVID-19, including to inmates in an Arkansas jail.

For months, conservative media have talked about how it could be used to treat COVID-19, CNN reported.

Lopez said pharmacists have called and asked whether its appropriate to fill a prescription. And Georgians interested in taking ivermectin have called as well.

Many people are trolling the Internet to find information about ivermectin, Lopez said. Its dangerous when you start playing Dr. Google.

A potential user may not take into account their underlying medical conditions and possible interactions with other drugs, he added.

Ira Katz, a pharmacist who owns Little Five Points Pharmacy in Atlanta, said Friday that he wont fill a prescription for it unless its addressing the uses approved by the FDA.

Its a dangerous thing, he said. People need to avoid it.

He compared the ivermectin use to that of the anti-malarial drug hydroxycholoroquine for hospitalized COVID patients early in the pandemic. But the FDA canceled its emergency use authorization when clinical studies showed that hydroxychloroquine is unlikely to be effective for treatment of COVID in these patients and some serious side effects, such as irregular heartbeat, were reported.

People are reaching for straws, Katz said.

The answer to preventing COVID, he emphasized, is to get vaccinated.

Lopez said individuals using ivermectin should immediately stop doing so and monitor their symptoms. If vomiting persists, he said, people should seek medical care.

No one in Georgia is reported to have been hospitalized for misuse of the drug, but there have been ER visits, Lopez said.

If individuals have questions or concerns about ivermectin use, or if theyre having symptoms, they should call the Georgia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222, he said.
The weather on Earth can be strange, but it may be nothing compared to global dust storms or nighttime snowfall on Mars that scientists are just beginning to understand.

Before we send humans to other destinations across the solar system, the ability to create accurate weather forecasts will be necessary, according to new research. And mapping Mars could help astronauts determine where to find critical resources, like melting ice.

Luckily, there are some similarities between Earth and Mars and even Saturn's moon, Titan, that allow scientists to lay the groundwork for forecasting weather on other planets.

"I believe the first accurate forecasts of perhaps a few Mars days may be only a decade away," said lead study author J. Michael Battalio, a postdoctoral researcher in Earth and planetary sciences in Yale University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, in a statement.

"It is just a matter of combining better observational datasets with sufficiently refined numerical models," Battalio said. "But until then, we can rely upon connections between the climate and weather to help anticipate dust storms."

The researchers examined an Earth phenomenon known as an annular mode -- which is related to the planet's jet stream -- and tried to find it in weather patterns on Mars and Titan.

Annular modes are variabilities in Earth's atmospheric flow, unrelated to seasonal changes, that can impact the jet stream, cloud formation and precipitation across the globe. These modes also explain some of the lack of consistency in wind eddies, or the air circulations in New England's blizzards and severe Midwest storms.

Dust storms regularly occur in the Martian southern hemisphere, which reminded Battalio of eddies on Earth.

Battalio analyzed 15 years of atmospheric observations from Mars and discovered that much like Earth, the red planet has annular modes. Juan Lora, Battalio's lab supervisor and an assistant professor of Earth and planetary sciences at Yale, also developed a global climate model for Titan to search for annular modes on Saturn's largest moon.

During their research, the team discovered annular modes not only occur on Mars and Titan, but they are even more influential on these other planets than they are on Earth. Annular modes account for half of the wind variability on Mars and at least two-thirds of it on Titan.

The study published Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy.

"Methane clouds and surface changes caused by methane rain on Titan have been observed before," said Lora, a coauthor on the study, in a statement. "And now it seems these events are connected to shifts of Titan's strong jet stream, influenced by its annular modes."

This finding suggests that scientists could discover annular modes on other planets.

"The fact that we have found annular modes on worlds as different from Earth as Mars and Titan also means they may be ubiquitous in planetary atmospheres, from Venus, to the gas giants or exoplanets," Battalio said.

Understanding annular modes on Mars could reveal more information about the predictability of wind-driven storms on Mars, like small spin-up dust devils that last for a day or global dust storms that engulf the planet every few years. Like on Earth, the annular modes on Mars occur regularly and affect the eddies that drive dust storms.

"Understanding and predicting these events is vital for the safety of missions, particularly those that rely on solar power, but also for all missions as they land on the surface," Battalio said. "During larger regional events, the dust can become so thick at times as to make day seem as dark as the middle of the night. Even without a large, dramatic event, regional storms are a periodic feature."

Dust storms on Mars have already ended one robotic mission. The Opportunity rover, which landed on Mars in 2004, was meant to explore the red planet for 90 days. It endured for more than a decade and the mission's team regularly sent commands to the rover to shut down during dust storms. But a devastating global dust storm ended Opportunity's mission in 2019.

"A global event is what finally ended the Opportunity rover, but the slow accumulation of dust is currently endangering the survival of the InSight mission," Battalio said.

Snow on Mars

Apart from stunning photos showing thick ice at the Martian poles, it's hard to picture snow falling on the red planet. But in 2008, NASA's Phoenix Lander detected snowfall on Mars. Snowfall on the red planet is driven by the poles and likely occurs at night.

Using data from the Phoenix Lander, as well as the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Arizona State University doctoral student Aditya Khuller and his colleagues determined that snow and ice looks a little different on Mars.

When snow forms on Mars, dust is one of the ingredients, causing it to look more like dirty snow we see on Earth. And once this snow falls, it's also covered by Martian dust. These combined factors cause Martian snow and ice to not only be dusty, but much darker than what fresh snow looks like on Earth. This research published August 18 in American Geophysical Union's Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.

It poses an intriguing idea as well. Dust could be warming this snow and ice, which could cause it to melt into the Martian subsurface -- a place where microbial life could potentially exist, protected from the harsh, cold, radiated surface.

"There is a chance that this dusty and dark ice might melt a few centimeters down," Khuller said. "And any subsurface liquid water produced from melting will be protected from evaporating in Mars' wispy atmosphere by the overlying blanket of ice."

Khuller's research into the potential melting of this ice is ongoing, and it could reveal more about the climate history of Mars. The more scientists learn about the mysterious past of Mars' climate, the more they realize the planet likely experienced multiple ice ages.

His previous research has detected dusty water ice at the mid-latitudes of Mars, which could have formed gullies and ravines in the area close to the equator.

"If the snow or ice is truly melting, then they could be carving these channels," Khuller said. "Additionally, if there's liquid water being produced in the summer, a few centimeters down, then that would be if you were a microbe on Mars, that would be a good spot to go and get some water."

Understanding where liquid water deposits might be on Mars, which could occur if this ice melts during the Martian summer, might provide water that future explorers could access.

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An officer reported that Logan Freed smelled of alcohol, her shirt was inside-out and her eyes were glossy and watery. She was unable to perform DUI-related tests including reciting the alphabet from D to S, counting backwards from 79 to 41 or standing on one leg.
Within the United States, health infrastructural challenges combined with the biological characteristics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have limited the ability of this nation to effectively control the spread of this virus. Another major obstacle that has prevented the proper handling of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States has been contradictory messaging from scientists, the government, and the media, whether via print or online journals and newspapers, and social media.

A new paper published on the preprint server medRxiv* examines this phenomenon as it relates to the state of Virginia to outline the main lessons to be learned from this debacle of scientific pandemic management.

Study: COVID-19 Related Messaging, Beliefs, Information Sources, And Mitigation Behaviors in Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Survey in The Summer Of 2020. Image Credit: Kits Pix / Shutterstock.com

Background

Along with daily bulletins by highly qualified and responsible public health professionals, conspiracy theories and misinformation, which were largely driven by social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, have spread like wildfire throughout the U.S. The outcome was growing disbelief in the government and its interventions/messaging, as well as those of public health authorities.

The chronic saga of unequal treatment and opportunities for Blacks and other ethnic minorities exacerbated these issues as evidenced by the long-standing shortage of funds for health agencies at state and federal levels. As a result, Blacks, Indigenous, and Hispanic groups, who have had less access to public health plans and medical care for several decades, have suffered disproportionately from the pandemic. These disproportionate effects on these communities have been further intensified due to the higher percentage of poor, less-educated, and elderly people in these populations, all of which are high-risk factors for COVID-19-related disease and death.

Taken together, these disparities demonstrate how essential it is for a public health strategy to be sensitive to these factors. Furthermore, it is also imperative to build trust in these communities to educate and effectively implement preventive and containment measures that can reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Importantly, earlier research indicates that despite all the noise on social media platforms, a major chunk of the population, including the above high-risk groups, continues to trust the government and public health officials, and/or their doctors, on messaging aimed at helping them protect themselves and others from the virus.

Demonstrating that public health measures and preventative strategies are in the best interests of the community overall is crucial to building and maintaining public trust that is essential to effective public health guidance.

Virginia has also shown regional variations in caseloads over the period of the pandemic. The northern and central regions of the state have had large increases in cases early on, with the rest of the state, which is largely rural, having a delayed introduction to the virus. College towns also experienced a local surge once students returned for the fall semester, despite their low population densities.

About the study

Using survey methods, the researchers collected information on sociodemographics, political affiliation, beliefs about COVID-19, as well as information sources that the respondents felt were credible.

Between May 19 to July 19, 2020, the researchers obtained approximately 3,500 responses from all over the state of Virginia. The largest number of responses was from Montgomery County, Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, as well as Wise County.

Almost 80% of the respondents were women, and a slightly higher percentage were Whites. The vast majority had some college or higher education. About 67% had an annual household income above $60,000, with 43% having an income of $100,000 or more. About half were Democrats, and 13% were Republican by political affiliation.

Trusted information sources

Most of the responses (85%) indicated that science and health organizations were trusted sources of information on the pandemic, with 75% also indicating that they relied on their local and state health departments, as well as their doctors. Just over half used online sources.

Approximately a quarter of respondents said they trusted their family and friends for pandemic-related information. Comparatively, 34% of respondents depended on local television news, whereas 49% relied on national television news. 46% of respondents indicated that they listened to their local government leaders, while 22% trusted national government, social media, or newspapers.

While more women tended to believe local officials and health departments, more men received their trusted information from family, friends, or national leaders.

Family and friends were more important sources for people between the ages of 18-24 as compared to all other age groups overall, at 39% and 25%, respectively. 31% of respondents between the ages of 18 and 24 believed in social media, whereas 21% of all other age groups relied on social media for their information on the pandemic. Additionally, 18-24-year-olds were less likely to rely on printed news, radio, and local leaders as compared to older age groups.

Survey responses to the question: Where do you get information that you trust about coronavirus/COVID-19? (Check all that apply) for all respondents (2a), and by gender (2b), age-group (2c), race/ethnicity (2d), political identity (2e), education level (2f), income level (2g), and Virginia region (2h).

Over 80%, both Whites and others, trusted national science organizations and public health institutions. Whites and non-Whites differed in trusting printed newspapers, local television and social media, by 6% to 12% only.

Democrats and Republicans differed by 10% to 20% in their trust in state or local health departments, science and health organizations, newspapers, radio, and local leaders. Taken together, Democrats generally showing more trust in all of these information sources. An exception was with federal leaders, where Republicans were more likely to trust them, at 46% versus 13%, respectively.

Education-wise, individuals with lower education tended to promote reliance on faith leaders, local television, and federal leaders, as did those of a lower income bracket.

Beliefs about COVID-19

While up to a third expressed worry about getting sick, especially with severe disease, approximately 80% thought it was a serious problem. Significantly, 85% of women and college-educated people, as compared to 77% of men and those with lower education, shared this perception.

About 95% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans felt COVID-19 was a serious threat, as did 90% of those over the age of 60 and 80% of those younger than 60. Finally, 91% of Asians and 84% of multiracial and Whites perceived COVID-19 as serious, with Blacks and Hispanics coming in between.

Up to a third, more women than men said this perception came from hearing news of the pandemic from other countries or states, or mandatory restrictions and closures. Less than half traced this feeling to knowing someone who became sick, being themselves, or living with someone at risk for severe COVID-19.

Whites and non-Whites cited these reasons in similar measure, with differences of 10% or less  except for knowing someone who fell sick. This reason was cited by almost half the non-White participants as compared to less than 30% of Whites.

Again, Democrats and Republicans differed by 10% on most reasons, except for a governors declaration of a state of emergency (80% vs. 45%), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) face mask recommendation at 76% vs. 53%, COVID-19 news from other countries (86% vs. 56%), or states (80% vs. 60%).

People with a higher education/higher income tended to think of the situation as serious because of a declared state of emergency, work-from-home, face mask recommendations, or hearing about COVID-19 from another country or state. Less-educated/lower-income people were more often impacted by personal COVID-19 or a high-risk state, limited purchases at stores, and the online nature of religious services.

Messaging

While 80% believed the evidence-based messaging about COVID-19, just over a tenth believed various other hoax or conspiracy-based messages. Lower education, younger age, non-White origin (except Asians), and Republican affiliation predicted a tendency to believe these alternative messages, as did a higher income level and residence in central Virginia.

People who believed an alternative message were also more likely to trust information from family and friends, national officials, social media, and local television. Comparatively, those who did not believe these conspiracy theories had a 10% higher chance of believing health officials or newspapers, online news or radio, as well as science and health organizations.

Percent of respondents who selected they believed in one or more alternative message when answering the question: The following messages are related to the coronavirus/COVID-19 (not all are true). Please check all that apply if you have heard, believe, and/or changed your behavior based on each message by gender (5a), age-group (5b), race/ethnicity (5c), political identity (5d), education level (5e), income level (5f), and Virginia region (5g). Alternative messages response options include: COVID-19 was developed as a bioweapon, was developed to lower social security payments to seniors, is a sign of the apocalypse/end times, is a hoax, can be treated with natural remedies, was developed for population control, and was developed to increase sales of cleaning supplies.

Behaviors

Almost all respondents said they had changed their behaviors in one or more ways, such as physical distancing, masking in public, masking, and handwashing. A significant majority also said they were restricting shopping trips and avoiding public spaces, while half said they were working from home.

When assessed by group, these measures were adopted by more women than men, and by older people, almost all Democrats and highly educated people, as well as those with higher incomes.

The trends with mask-wearing also followed earlier patterns of trusting evidence-based messaging. Republicans had five-fold higher chances of not wearing a mask in public, while Southwest Virginians, young adults, and those of lower education levels were all associated with twice the odds. Those who believed alternative messages and did not trust science or health organizations had three and two times the risk of not wearing a mask, respectively.

Survey responses to the question: How (if at all) have you changed your behavior in response to the coronavirus/COVID-19? (Check all that apply) for all respondents (6a). Percent of respondents reporting mask wearing and distancing by gender (6b), age-group (6c), race/ethnicity (6d), political identity (6e), education level (6f), income level (6g), and Virginia region (6h). Percent of respondents reporting an information source as trustworthy by if they reported wearing or not wearing a mask in public (6i) and by distancing or not distancing in public (6j).

Implications

The study shows close correlations between what sources of information people trust, what they believe, and how they changed their behaviors after the onset of the pandemic. Social and demographic factors, ethnicity, political affiliation, and even geographical location, all contributed to how these survey responses were filled out.

Respondents who identified as non-Hispanic White, men, Republican, other political identity, younger age, income <$100,000, did not report national science and health organizations as a trusted source, reported believing an alternative message, and/or living in Southwest Virginia had greater odds of not wearing a mask.

Other research corroborates these trends, with older people being more anxious about the pandemic but less so about the economic and social issues caused by the virus and containment measures. Misinformation was higher among younger people, minority groups, those with lower education levels and socioeconomic status, and politically conservative people.

This study can assist decision makers and the public in developing more effective public health messaging for both the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and for future public health challenges in Virginia and similar settings in the United States.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Symptom-based screening has been very important in the efficient utilization of testing for infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the agent responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A new paper published on the preprint server medRxiv* compares changes in the symptoms due to COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic to elicit their evolution with the change in variants and with vaccination status.

Study: Symptoms and SARS-CoV-2 positivity in the general population in the UK. Image Credit: simona pillola 2 / Shutterstock.com

Background

A majority of people infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, with symptoms being more typical of those with higher viral loads who, in turn, drive higher rates of transmission. Universal testing is generally ruled out because of limited resources. Instead, contact tracing and testing with isolation strategies are preferred, usually including those with symptoms that have the highest positive predictive value.

There are four symptoms used at present for screening in the United Kingdom, which include a change in or loss of taste and smell, fever with or without a new persistent cough. Comparatively, in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a wider set of symptoms that are used for their COVID-19 screening protocols. These symptoms instead include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, the new loss of taste/smell, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion/runny nose, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea.

The UK REACT study suggests that age plays a role in defining the symptom set, such as adding some combination of headache, muscle aches, chills, and appetite loss. Another UK study, ZOE, suggests that besides age, the patients sex, body mass index, and healthcare occupation are involved in defining the need for testing. The VirusWatch adds feverish feelings, headache, myalgia, loss of appetite, or chills, though this leads to 2-3 times increased numbers of tests and a seven-fold rise in the numbers of tests per positive result.

These studies were conducted when the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant was the dominant circulating variant throughout the U.K. and preceded the large-scale deployment of the vaccine. Therefore, further refinements are required to track the evolution of symptoms with the change in dominant variant from Alpha to Delta.

The ZOE study demonstrated that with the Delta variant, headache was the most frequently observed symptom with a breakthrough infection in a fully vaccinated person. Comparatively, sore throat with and runny nose/sneezing were primarily observed in partially vaccinated and unvaccinated, individuals, respectively.

About the study

Using test results from over five million polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results obtained between April 26, 2020, to August 7, 2021, of which 0.67% were positive, the researchers of the current study identified approximately 28,000 symptomatic positive episodes in about 27,000 women. The authors then compared these symptoms with a similar group of symptomatic negative visits.

Study findings

The positive episodes were most frequently associated with tiredness, weakness, cough, and headache, which occurred in over half the cases. Notably, headache and cough were also found, along with sore throat, in almost a quarter of negative symptomatic visits.

The specificity of symptoms was highest for anosmia and ageusia, which occurred in around a third of positive cases, each, but only 2% of negative visits. These symptoms usually occurred together. Headache, myalgia, and tiredness were also reported together.

The viral load, variant, vaccination status, and age did not appear to affect the co-occurrence of these symptoms. However, muscle pain fell a little behind headache and fatigue with the Delta variant in individuals between the ages of 6-15 years and in breakthrough infections. In the group of negative COVID-19 results, the same clusters of symptoms were observed.

Conversely, individual symptoms showed differing patterns by variants, with anosmia/ageusia being reported by 28% and 31% of those with positive symptomatic episodes caused by the Alpha variant. In contrast, wild-type or Delta variants were linked to these symptoms in approximately 38% of the episodes.

These symptoms were mostly reported among patients in their twenties and reduced with age, with a slight increase in older people.

Fever and sore throat occurred in 37% of Alpha-related episodes, whereas headache occurred in 56% of individuals infected with the Delta strain. Cough or tiredness was reported in half of the wild-type-related cases, but in just over 61% and 64% of Alpha and Delta cases, respectively. For individuals over the age of 20, cough was reported by twice as many positive symptomatic people than negative, along with breathlessness, tiredness, and diarrhea.

The frequency of symptoms among positive cases did not show many alterations from August 2020, except for an increase in September 2020 and May 2021, both probably due to school reopenings. The onset of the spread of both the Alpha and Delta variants in November 2020 and May 2021 was also marked by fluctuations.

As people became more aware of specific symptoms, positive symptomatic episodes were marked by a higher percentage of reporting of each of these symptoms. The Alpha peak in January 2021 coincided with peak symptoms except for anosmia and ageusia.

The decline in symptoms remained constant until May 2021, which is when the Delta virus hit and causing symptoms to rise again. Reports of headache, cough, and fever increased significantly as the Delta variant became dominant.

School reopening in September 2020, as well as school closures in both January and April 2021, were linked to a higher reporting of cough and sore throat that were attributed to other respiratory viruses. Winter was marked by increased gut symptoms, tiredness, muscle pain, and headache among symptomatic negative episodes, again due to other endemic seasonal microbes.

Women reported more symptoms in positive episodes than negative for anosmia, ageusia, diarrhea, and breathlessness, though fever was less common. Whites had fewer complaints of fever and more headache, nausea, vomiting, and breathlessness, relative to non-whites. Anosmia and ageusia were less common during positive episodes for non-whites.

Positive episodes occurring 21 or more days from the first vaccine shot were less likely to report 10 of 12 symptoms than negative visitors. When the viral load was high (cycle thresholds Ct at 20 or below), symptoms such as cough, fatigue, and headache with myalgia, were reported at least half the time, declining from a Ct of 27.5 and above.

Anosmia and ageusia increased significantly from 30% to 45% for Ct 15-45%, as did breathlessness, though less markedly.

The study shows that specific symptoms are few, with a symptom-related positive-predictive value (PPV) of less than 10%. Sensitivity went up to 90% if any of the 12 selected symptoms were included; however, this was at the cost of specificity compared to the use of the four classic symptoms.

Including fatigue or weakness boosted sensitivity of detection from 74% to 81%, but at the cost of more tests per case detected. In young people, the addition of headache into the list of potential COVID-19 symptoms led to the highest sensitivity without sacrificing specificity, especially for those less than 10 years of age.

Early infection in positive cases included symptoms of fatigue, headache, cough, anosmia, and ageusia, and myalgia, all less than 10%. The highest Ct values were associated with asymptomatic cases, while the lowest had symptoms being reported at the earliest and subsequent visits.

Implications

The researchers found that as different variants became dominant and with higher viral loads, the reporting pattern for symptoms changed over time. The four classic symptoms of cough, fever, anosmia, and ageusia all appeared to be optimal for screening by symptoms in low-resource settings.

With the possibility of somewhat greater testing, the inclusion of fatigue or weakness led to the greatest increase in screening sensitivity. Unlike the large array of symptoms promoted by the CDC for testing, it can lead to much higher numbers of tests per positive diagnosis and may reduce the overall accuracy.

Currently, we therefore have limited evidence for expanding the case definition beyond the classic four symptoms where universal testing is not practical/affordable, with fatigue/weakness the most promising candidate. However, this requires ongoing monitoring as other respiratory viruses increasingly circulate following lifting of restrictions with vaccine roll-out.

*Important notice

medRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A recent study from Thailand, published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases, highlights a rather low degree of neutralization-afforded protection mounted by the inactivated whole-virus CoronaVac vaccine compared to natural infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)  the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Vaccines against COVID-19 are indispensable in our pandemic response, as they offer protection against severe clinical presentations and death. Furthermore, raising vaccination rates will be pivotal in our return to prepandemic normalcy.

Still, the real-world effectiveness of various vaccines may vary in different countries due to the emergence and spread of new variants. Although we have data from several countries for Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines, as well as Oxford-for AstraZeneca vaccine, data from countries that use inactivated whole-virus CoronaVac vaccine and that have a surge in SARS-CoV-2 viral variants are lacking.

The aforementioned CoronaVac vaccine (Sinovac Biotech, Beijing, China) has been approved for emergency use in mass vaccination programs in many low-income countries, and the literature shows 87.5% vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization and 86.3% vaccine effectiveness against fatal outcomes.

But in Thailand, there is a co-circulation of several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, which includes alpha (B.1.1.7), beta (B.1.351) and delta (B.1.617.2) variants. And since CoronaVac was used for mass vaccination in this country, the question remains whether the protective and neutralization effect is adequate to tackle the ongoing spread of the disease.

Quantifying antibodies in two groups of patients

In this study, first-authored by Dr. Vimvara Vacharathit from the Mahidol University in Bangkok (Thailand), the aim was to appraise the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern on both vaccine-induced and infection-induced protective antibodies.

For that purpose, this research group has evaluated titers of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies that bind to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the virus, as well as neutralizing antibody titers against both SARS-CoV-2 prototypic vaccine strain (also known as the wild-type virus) and variants of concern. They have used sera of healthcare workers who had received two doses of the vaccine.

Then they have compared the results with sera from naturally infected patients who were not vaccinated and who had been hospitalized in the period between March and May, 2020, but also in the period between April and May, 2021. A live-virus micro-neutralization assay has been used for neutralizing antibody titer quantification.

How effective is CoronaVac vaccine?

The researchers have found that wild-type virus was best neutralized by sera from natural infection in 2020, while the alpha variant was best neutralized by sera from natural infection in 2021. Equal neutralization properties of sera from these two periods have been observed for the beta variant, and the same was valid for the delta variant (albeit with lower titers).

Even though there was a sturdy production by RBD-binding IgG and 100% of participants in all cohorts had virus-specific antibodies, neutralization properties have been markedly reduced (and sometimes even undetectable) against the three variants of concern in comparison with the wild-type virus in sera from all the tested groups.

Moreover, the potency of neutralizing antibodies against alpha and beta variants of concern is actually comparable in sera of CoronaVac vaccinees, which is actually in opposition to previous scientific reports showing that the beta variant is much more resistant to neutralization than the alpha variant.

The problem is that the most transmissible and currently most dominant delta variant  which also possibly belongs among the most virulent of variants of concern that have been identified to date  appears to be most resistant to neutralization.

Towards an optimal mitigation strategy

Although titers of neutralizing antibodies do not represent an exclusive immune correlate of protection, we can actually consider them highly predictive of immune defense from symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Our study highlights a low degree of neutralization-afforded protection mounted by CoronaVac when compared with natural infection, emphasize study authors in this publication. Further booster doses, heterologous or otherwise, beyond the conventional two-dose regimen might be needed for recipients of CoronaVac to maintain a long-term anamnestic response, they add.

In conclusion, considering a steady decay of neutralizing antibodies over time, as well as the continued appearance of divergent SARS-CoV-2 variants, it is of utmost importance to maintain effective mitigation strategies and to carry on with vaccine efficiency monitoring  especially in countries and/or regions with circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
Hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines threatens to impair the steady progress being made towards achieving widespread immunity, with a sufficient non-vaccinated population to allow SARS-CoV-2 to persist fiercely in some locations. Factors related to safety concerns and distrust of pharmaceutical companies and governments around the world have been amplified by the miss-reporting of facts and outright lies, and the study of how some individuals come to such a decision in the face of overwhelming evidence is an active field.

The health beliefs model is one method of quantifying health behaviors. In a study recently published in the journal Vaccine, this method is utilized to specifically study COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, bearing in mind that hesitancy is highly variable not only between individuals and location but also in regards to the specific medicine in question.

An online questionnaire was developed that probed the responders perceived severity of disease for themselves or others, the availability of the vaccine and any suspected side-effects, the effectiveness of the vaccine for themselves or others, trust of government, and belief in conspiracy theories.

All respondents were adults living in Australia, the USA, Canada, the UK, or New Zealand. These counties were selected for cultural similarity with disparity of COVID-19 burden. In total, 4,303 usable responses were gathered by the group. These matched the demographics of the country of origin as a whole, except in the case of respondents from New Zealand and the USA having lower median income than the national averages. The average age of Australian respondents being above the national average, 59.5 years compared to 44.5, and above the average of respondents from other nations, at 45.8 years.

Primary pro-vaccine perceptions

All of the data gathered from the questionnaires was weighted and collated into a score, allowing the authors to rank factors and infer the greatest risks to vaccine hesitancy. The first finding was that individuals that perceive COVID-19 as a dangerous disease to themselves are significantly more likely to get vaccinated than those who do not. Those that feel the disease is dangerous to others are more likely still to get vaccinated.

Perceived risk of oneself or others becoming infected had a less significant though still positive impact on vaccine acceptance, again with individuals being more accepting of vaccines when the perceived risk of infection to others, rather than the individual, was high. Perceived effectiveness of the vaccine for oneself or the community also correlated with vaccine acceptance, also showing this pattern of the effect of vaccination on others being a larger factor.

Primary anti-vaccine perceptions

Trust in the government to approve a safe and effective vaccine was the most significant factor relating to vaccine hesitancy. This was followed by the assumption that a large enough number of other individuals will get vaccinated to induce herd immunity and then by those with conspiracy theory beliefs concerning vaccines. Perceived vaccine availability was the least important factor amongst those with no intentions of getting the vaccine.

The impact of most of these factors did not significantly differ proportionately between nations, except for the USA in the case of perceived disease severity, and perceived vaccine efficacy, availability, and safety. Here, these factors had a much greater influence on whether an individual had chosen to be vaccinated.

In contrast, Canada had a weaker relation between perceived disease severity and vaccine effectiveness for an individual, with these factors being less decisive in vaccine intentions. Indeed, these counties had the greatest and least correlation in both directions, with those intending to get vaccinated in the USA rating the virus more deadly and the vaccine most effective, and those not intending to get vaccinated the opposite.

Meanwhile, respondents in Canada expressed the same correlation but much less intensely. The UK has been almost as severely impacted as the USA in terms of proportionate death. These counties were more likely to have these stronger beliefs than counties far less significantly affected, such as Australia or New Zealand.

Other factors and education

Altruistic and collectivist beliefs were positively correlated with the probability of an individual being or planning to get vaccinated. Moreover, older adults were also more likely to be vaccinated.

The unemployed but seeking work had high rates of vaccine intention, while the unemployed but not seeking work were unlikely to get vaccinated, likely due to the call from employers for a vaccinated status.

Education level and previous vaccination against influenza were also strong predictors of vaccine intention, declining with time since the last flu booster. Age, sex, rural or urban status, religiosity, income, household type, political leaning, and several other factors were found to have no significant bearing on vaccine intentions.

The group highlight that, as the most important factor in the decision to vaccinate is trust in government approval of the vaccine, it is critical to ensure transparency in disseminating information relating to efficacy, safety, and other testing processes to the population.

Information is the major mechanism by which vaccine hesitancy can be reduced, and accurate and reliable information that corrects circulating conspiracy theories could improve vaccine intentions.

Direct methods of information dissemination, such as communication from a health professional, are often the most effective. However, given the wide-scale problem of vaccine hesitancy, this approach may not reach a sufficient number.

Multi-media methods may be employed, though, in a large proportion of cases, confirmation bias and other fallacies limit the effectiveness of such measures against those with anti-vaccination beliefs. Emphasis on protecting the wider community and vulnerable family members seems to be one of the strongest factors in vaccine acceptance. Focusing on this message along with highlighting further losses likely to be incurred if vaccine hesitancy persists may be the best strategy going forward.
CROPWELL - Memorial Service for Rita Lynn Railey Norris, 69, will be held Tuesday, September 7 at 4 p.m. from the Chapel of Kilgroe Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Ms. Norris passed away Thursday, August 26, 2021. She was preceded in dea
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Sunny skies. High 81F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 58F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Jeffersonville, IN (47130)

Today

Sunny skies. High 81F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night. Low 58F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
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(Newser)  A collection of Meissen porcelain once seized by Nazis for Adolf Hitler himself is going up for auction next month. The Jewish owners of the 18th-century pieces, German lawyer Franz Oppenheimer and his Austrian wife Margarethe, fled Germany for Austria in 1936, then escaped to Budapest a little over a year later, leaving almost everything behind. They went through Sweden and Colombia to arrive in New York in 1941, reports the Guardian in an extensive look at the history of their porcelain collection. While it's not clear what happened to the pieces after the Oppenheimers fled, a member of Hitler's SS ultimately seized the collection, along with other pieces belonging to a German art collector and Nazi opponent who may have been looking after the porcelain, for the Fuhrermuseum.

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But Hitler's art holdings were moved around to protect them from Allied bombings, and the collection ended up in salt mines in the Austrian Alps, where the so-called Monuments Men, art history experts who salvaged cultural artifacts lost during the war, discovered it and turned it over to the Dutch state holdings. The Dutch government ultimately restituted the collection to the Oppenheimers' heirs this year, Barrons reports. A Sotheby's expert notes it's "incredible" the pieces have remained in perfect condition all this time. The lot consists of 117 pieces, a quarter of the entire collection, which will go on display at Sotheby's in New York on September 7 ahead of the auction September 14. The collection could break auction records, with a high estimate of $3.1 million, Bloomberg reported earlier this month. (Read more stolen art stories.)
(Newser)  Dennis Stewart went to his local Walmart in Conroe, TX, last year and bought a 58-inch TV. When he got it home, he saw that it wasnt working properly, and decided to exchange it. It was a big TV, so he enlisted his buddy Terence Richardson to return it. They brought the TV and the receipt to the customer service counter. An hour later, they still hadnt gotten a new TV, but the police arrived and put them in handcuffs, NBC News reports Stewart and Richardson are Black. The employees behind the customer service counter are white, according to a lawsuit they filed against Walmart. The suit says the Walmart employee accused them of stealing the $300 TV.

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Stewart, a former cop and deacon in his church, and Richardson, a pastor, were cuffed out in front of the store, which their suit says dehumanized them and made them appear to be criminals. They dont say how long they were detained before Stewart was upset enough to cry a little, but it does say they waited up to an hour. They say they were told to sign a Criminal Trespass Warning acknowledging theyd be arrested if they came back to the store before they were allowed to leave. Walmart said in a statement that it knows about the case and takes the allegations seriously, CBS News reports. The lawsuit claims intentional infliction of emotional distressand breach of contract. Stewart never got his $300 TV. (Read more racial discrimination stories.)
(Newser)  The Virginia school board that fought a former student for years has finally agreed to settle. The Gloucester County School Board will turn over $1.3 million to cover attorney's fees after effectively losing their case when the Supreme Court declined to hear it, the Washington Post reports. Gavin Grimm, with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, sued when the school board, in defiance of his high school principal, demanded that he use the girls room. Grimm was assigned female at birth, but started high school with a new name and was taking hormone therapy, NBC News reports.

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Grimm and the ACLU spent six years fighting the ruling that forced him to use a private bathroom or the girls room. Being forced to use the nurses room, a private bathroom, and the girls room was humiliating for me, Grimm said in June. Having to go to out-of-the-way bathrooms severely interfered with my education, he said. Grimm is 22 now, and long out of high school. The settlement will cover his attorney fees and other costs. Hes still in a tussle with Gloucester schools, though, which still lists him as female on his high school transcript even though all of his other paperworkpassport, birth certificate, ID cardshow that hes a man, the AP reports. (Read more Gavin Grimm stories.)
(Newser)  Southern Louisianas hospitals, already packed with coronavirus patients from a fourth surge of the virus, were dealing Sunday with another challengethe howling Category 4 hurricane pounding the coast. Once again we find ourselves dealing with a natural disaster in the midst of a pandemic, said Jennifer Avegno, the top health official for New Orleans. Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Lafourche Parish, near where Ida made landfall, reported extensive roof damage. All patients and staff are fine at this time without injury; although, our hospital has sustained significant damage," hospital CEO Karen Collins said in a message relayed via Facebook. The hospital's phone system was down.

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Once it is safe to do so they will evacuate their small number of patients, state health department spokeswoman Aly Neel said in an email. Details on the number of patients involved were not immediately available. Ida struck as hospitals and their intensive care units were filled with patients from the fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked by the highly contagious delta variant and low vaccination rates across Louisiana.

Daily tallies of new cases in Louisiana went from a few hundred a day through much of the spring and early summer to thousands a day by late July. Gov. John Bel Edwards told the AP on Sunday that more than 2,400 COVID-19 patients are in Louisiana hospitals, saying the state was in a very dangerous place with our hospitals." The governor also said 22 nursing homes and 18 assisted living facilities have been evacuated though evacuating the largest hospitals was not an option because there simply aren't other places to send them. Anticipating that power could be out for weeks in places, Edwards said a big focus will be on making sure there is enough generator power and water at hospitals so they can keep up with vital patient needs such as providing oxygen or powering ventilators.

I hate to say it this way, but we have a lot of people on ventilators today and they dont work without electricity, he said. Officials at Ochsner Health, which runs the largest hospital network in Louisiana, said roughly 15 of the network's hospitals are in areas potentially affected by Ida. The network evacuated some patients with particular medical needs from small, rural hospitals to larger facilities. (Read more Hurricane Ida stories.)
(Newser)  The entire city of New Orleans was without power Monday morning thanks to Hurricane Ida. The weather system is now over Mississippi, having been downgraded to a tropical storm 16 hours after making landfall in Louisiana, reports the AP. Despite the downgrade, storm surges, winds, and heavy rain pose a serious threat in multiple states along its path over the next few days, per the Washington Post. Details:

All of Orleans Parish lost power hours after the storm made landfall, and it was unclear how long it would be out, reports the Times-Picayune. Three other parishes in the southeastern part of the state were in the dark, as were parts of Mississippi. In all, more than 1 million were without power.

Louisiana reported its first storm-related fatality Sunday evening. "Shortly after 8:30pm deputies received reports of a citizen possibly injured from a fallen tree at a residence off of Highway 621 in Prairieville," the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office announced. "Deputies arrived on scene and confirmed that the victim is now deceased." The victim was a 60-year-old man, NBC News reports. Prairieville is a suburb of Baton Rouge.

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Ida blew roofs off houses, caused flooding, sent a loose barge into a bridge, put several Louisiana parishes under a boil water advisory, and even reversed the flow of the Mississippi River. The full scope of damage won't be known until later Monday.

While catastrophic damage was reported in spots, NBC News takes a look at why Ida wasn't nearly as devastating as Katrina here. The Weather Channel, meanwhile, has more on the storm's path and what else is expected in the region.

(Read more Hurricane Ida stories.)
(Newser)  Students, alumni, and staff of the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in Kabul, as well as their relatives, have been informed that evacuations are over and they should return home, the New York Times reports. The group says it spent seven hours waiting for clearance to get into the Kabul airport only to be turned away Sunday; an email from university administration that day told students, "I regret to inform you that the high command at HKIA in the airport has announced there will be no more rescue flights." One student tells the Times the group was particularly alarmed to learn that the US military had given a list of hundreds of students and family members to the Taliban guarding airport checkpoints, in keeping with protocol: "We are all terrified, there is no evacuation, there is no getting out." The Taliban has spoken out against universities where Muslim minds are "corrupted." More of the latest from Afghanistan:

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Rocket attack: Five rockets were fired at the Kabul airport Monday, Fox News reports. They were intercepted by the US' C-RAM missile defense system, and there were no reported casualties. ISIS-K, the terrorist group that claimed responsibility for last week's suicide bombings at the airport, is likely behind the rocket attack, an official tells CNN.

Five rockets were fired at the Kabul airport Monday, Fox News reports. They were intercepted by the US' C-RAM missile defense system, and there were no reported casualties. ISIS-K, the terrorist group that claimed responsibility for last week's suicide bombings at the airport, is likely behind the rocket attack, an official tells CNN. Drone casualties: The US drone attack on the car of suspected ISIS-K bombers killed nine members of one family, including six children, a relative claims. Neighbors and witnesses agree that children were among the dead, CNN reports. "We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties," a spokesperson for US Central Command said Sunday. "It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further."

Airport handover: The Taliban is ready to take over the Kabul airport ahead of the US troop withdrawal deadline Tuesday, an official told Reuters on Sunday. "We are waiting for the final nod from the Americans to secure full control over Kabul airport," the official says.

The Taliban is ready to take over the Kabul airport ahead of the US troop withdrawal deadline Tuesday, an official told Reuters on Sunday. "We are waiting for the final nod from the Americans to secure full control over Kabul airport," the official says. Remaining US citizens: There are about 300 US citizens still in Afghanistan who want to leave, and the US has the capacity to evacuate all of them before Tuesday, the AP reports. Another 280 or so say they will remain in Afghanistan or have not yet decided what to do. As for Afghan refugees, 98 countries have vowed to take them in after the troop withdrawal is complete, the New York Times reports.

There are about 300 US citizens still in Afghanistan who want to leave, and the US has the capacity to evacuate all of them before Tuesday, the AP reports. Another 280 or so say they will remain in Afghanistan or have not yet decided what to do. As for Afghan refugees, 98 countries have vowed to take them in after the troop withdrawal is complete, the New York Times reports. More on the stranded students: The Washington Post recently ran a column urging the US not to "betray" American University students, calling themparticularly the female students there"some of the most endangered" Afghans. "Any US rescue operation that leaves behind these students ... will cap what is already an American defeat in Afghanistan with an especially poignant disgrace," writes Charles Lane. For more on the university's history and the danger to students there, see the full column. For more on the students' current plight, see the Times.

(Read more Afghanistan stories.)
(Newser)  The US and 97 other countries, from Albania to Zambia, have announced a deal with the Taliban that will allow people, including their citizens and at-risk Afghans, to depart Afghanistan after the American military withdraws. "We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries," the nations said in a joint statement released by the State Department. The countries said they had "received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries" will be allowed to proceed to departure points in a "safe and orderly manner."

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The group includes more than half the world's countries, with Russia and China the most notable omissions. The statement does not mention any consequences if the Taliban reneges on the agreements, and analysts say it is far from clear whether the Taliban will keep promises not to retaliate against Afghans who worked for the US and other Western nations, the New York Times reports. "Most of the guys that we're tracking now are terrified to even try to go through Taliban checkpoints," says former CIA officer Michael P. Mulroy, who predicts that once the world's attention is elsewhere, the group will "probably prosecute, and in many cases execute" those who worked closely with the US.

Taliban negotiator Sher Mohammed Abas Stanekzai said Friday that the group had "no issue" with Afghans traveling abroad, though he said they will need to obtain passports from the interior ministry first. The Times notes that this could take yearsand possibly "alert the Taliban as to who does not want to live under their rule." The evacuation from Kabul's airport is now in its final hours ahead of President Biden's Tuesday withdrawal deadline, the AP reports. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Monday that there is "still time" for Americans still in the country to get to the airport for evacuation flights.

The Pentagon says the exact timeline of the end of the evacuation effort is being kept secret for security reasons, but the last flights with civilians are expected to depart Monday before military personnel depart and hand control of the airport to the Taliban, reports the Wall Street Journal. Qatars Foreign Ministry said Monday that it has been in talks with the Taliban about providing assistance to keep the airport open after Tuesday. (Five rockets fired at the airport were intercepted Monday.)
(Newser)  American tourists have been able to fly to Europe throughout the summer, but it will likely become more difficult to get those flights in the near future. The European Union on Monday recommended that its 27 member nations ban non-essential travel from the US, reports the Wall Street Journal. The move reinstates a recommendation that was lifted in June when COVID caseloads began to decline, notes CNN. At the time, the EU expected the US to return the favor, but that never happened, and USA Today suggests Europe is playing "tit-for-tat" now that the tourist season is winding down. Members of the EU are not obligated to follow the recommendation, and it's possible some nations might still allow US travelers who have proof of vaccination.

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In fact, the AP says Americans "should expect a mishmash of travel rules across the continent." The recommendation itself refers to the "possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers. The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and North Macedonia from its safe-travel list. Britain is no longer in the EU, and it has the US on its "amber" travel list. That means American visitors who are fully vaccinated don't have to quarantine upon arrival, but a COVID test is required before and after arrival in the UK. (Read more COVID-19 stories.)
(Newser)  What is thought to be the most restrictive abortion law in the nation is on track to take effect this week in Texas after a federal court opted not to step in. On Sunday, the 5th US Court of Appeals denied an emergency motion filed by supporters of abortion rights, reports the Texas Tribune. That means a law called SB 8 that prohibits abortions in Texas once a fetal heartbeat is detected can take effect on Wednesday, per the Hill. While the law doesn't explicitly set a time frame, heartbeats can be detected as early as six weeks, which opponents say is before many women even know they're pregnant. The law also has a novel and controversial aspectit allows private citizens to sue doctors or clinics or anyone else they think violates the law for $10,000 per abortion. Critics say it amounts to a "bounty," per the Guardian.

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More than 20 abortion providers filed an emergency motion to stop the law Saturday night, but were rejected the next day. If this law is not blocked by September 1, abortion access in Texas will come to an abrupt stop, says Marc Hearron, an attorney with the Center for Reproductive Rights. The group Whole Women's Health has estimated that 90% of the abortions it performs come after the six-week mark. In talking to NPR about the law, University of Texas law professor Stephen Vladeck says it has "dire" implications for Roe v. Wade. A Mississippi case before the Supreme Court next term would give justices the ability to "chip away" at Roe while leaving the right to obtain an abortion before 15 weeks largely intact. Not so with this Texas law. "There's no universe in which SB 8 survives and Roe does as well," says Vladeck. (Read more abortion stories.)
(Newser)  Fire officials ordered more evacuations around the Tahoe Basin as a two-week-old blaze encroached on the mountain towns surrounding glimmering Lake Tahoe. By nightfall, the AP reports that all residents on the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin were warned to evacuate, after fire officials had stressed for days that protecting the area was their top priority. Todays been a rough day and theres no bones about it, Jeff Marsoleis, supervisor for El Dorado National Forest, said Sunday evening. A few days ago, he thought crews could halt the Caldor Fire's eastern progress, but today it let loose. Flames churned through mountains just a few miles southwest of the Tahoe Basin, where thick smoke sent tourists packing at a time when vacations would usually be in full swing ahead of Labor Day.

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Weve been seeing about a half-mile of movement on the fires perimeter each day for the last couple of weeks, and today, this has already moved at 2.5 miles on us, said Cal Fire Division Chief Erich Schwab. The forecast did not offer optimism: triple-digit temperatures expected to last several days. A red flag warning for critical fire conditions was issued for Monday and Tuesday across the Northern Sierra. The blaze that broke out August 14 was 19% contained after burning nearly 245 square milesan area larger than Chicago. More than 600 structures have been destroyed and at least 18,000 more were under threat. The Caldor Fire has proved so difficult to fight that fire managers pushed back the projected date for full containment from early this week to Sept. 8. But even that was tenuous. Elsewhere in California's fire season:

In Southern California, part of Interstate 15 closed Sunday after winds pushed a new blaze, dubbed the Railroad Fire, across the Cajon Pass northeast of Los Angeles.

Further south, evacuation orders were still in place for remote communities after a wildfire broke out and spread quickly through the Cleveland National Forest on Saturday. A firefighter received minor injuries and two structures were destroyed in the 2.3-square-mile Chaparral Fire burning along the border of San Diego and Riverside counties. It was 10% contained Sunday.

Meanwhile, Californias Dixie Fire, the second-largest in state history at 1,193 square miles, was 48% contained in the Sierra-Cascades region about 65 miles north of the Caldor Fire. Nearly 700 homes were among almost 1,300 buildings that have been destroyed since it began in early July.

Containment increased to 22% on the 12-day-old French Fire, which covered more than 38 square miles in the southern Sierra Nevada. Crews protected forest homes on Lake Isabella, a popular recreation area near Bakersfield.

More than a dozen large fires are being fought by more than 15,200 firefighters across California, which is seeking major federal help. Flames have destroyed around 2,000 structures and forced thousands to evacuate while blanketing large swaths of the West in smoke.

(Read more California wildfires stories.)
(Newser)  Earlier this month, a Russian sushi delivery chain released an ad featuring a Black man and three white women enjoying some sushi. After weeks of pressure from the "Male State" hate group, it pulled the ad and issued an apology for offending the "Russian people," reports the Moscow Times. Konstantin Zimen, co-founder of the YobiDoyobi chain, said there had been an onslaught of threats and abuse from the group's followers, who had filled review sites with negative reviews and shared the social media profiles of the women who appeared in the ad. "We have removed all the content that caused this commotion," the company said.

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Male State, founded by bodybuilder Vladislav Pozdnyakov in 2016, describes its ideology as "national patriarchy." It is one of several such groups "whose targets include feminists, gay activists, women who work in the porn industry, and those who dare to have romantic partners who are not ethnic Russians," and many suspect it has ties to Russian authorities, the Economist reports.

In July, Pozdnikov led a hate campaign against a Russian woman whose Nigerian husband drowned after rescuing a swimmer at a Kaliningrad beach, reports the Times. Earlier this month, a family with two members in same-sex relationships fled Russia after they appeared in an ad for a health-food store and received numerous death threats, including some against an 8-year-old daughter who did not appear in the ad with her lesbian relatives, RadioFreeEurope reports. The VkusVill chain apologized for the ad and replaced it with one featuring a traditional family. (Read more Russia stories.)
(Newser)  A New York Times report on the demand for a deworming drug that some people erroneously believe can prevent or treat COVID opens with an anecdote that's likely repeated in doctors' offices across the country: The story of a San Antonio doctor who says he's asked to prescribe the drug by clients daily. He refuses. Some doctors clearly do not. The Times reports the number of prescriptions for ivermectin has surged to 88,000 per week as of mid-month. Prior to the pandemic, the drug that's typically used to combat parasitic worms was prescribed about 3,600 times a week. The drug is most commonly used by livestock. Humans are sometimes prescribed small amounts to deal with parasites like lice and scabies. More:

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Limited availability. With some pharmacies unable to get the drug, some people are reportedly sourcing it from livestock supply stores, where it can be sold in highly concentrated forms, raising fears of overdoses.

With some pharmacies unable to get the drug, some people are reportedly sourcing it from livestock supply stores, where it can be sold in highly concentrated forms, raising fears of overdoses. Court orders it. An Ohio judge last Monday ruled that West Chester Hospital must treat a COVID patient currently on a ventilator with ivermectin. Jeffrey Smith, 51, has been in the ICU since July 15. Wife Julie Smith, who says he has only a 30% chance of survival, successfully obtained the court order requiring her husband be given 30 milligrams of ivermectin daily for three weeks, reports Cincinnati.com.

An Ohio judge last Monday ruled that West Chester Hospital must treat a COVID patient currently on a ventilator with ivermectin. Jeffrey Smith, 51, has been in the ICU since July 15. Wife Julie Smith, who says he has only a 30% chance of survival, successfully obtained the court order requiring her husband be given 30 milligrams of ivermectin daily for three weeks, reports Cincinnati.com. What the FDA thinks. See this Aug. 21 tweet: "You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it."

See this Aug. 21 tweet: "You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it." Rand Paul steps in. Paul on Friday suggested politics were getting in the way of clinical trials, reports Cincinnati.com: "The hatred for Trump deranged these people so much, that they're unwilling to objectively study" ivermectin. "So someone like me that's in the middle on it, I can't tell you because they will not study ivermectin. They will not study hydroxychloroquine without the taint of their hatred for Donald Trump."

Paul on Friday suggested politics were getting in the way of clinical trials, reports Cincinnati.com: "The hatred for Trump deranged these people so much, that they're unwilling to objectively study" ivermectin. "So someone like me that's in the middle on it, I can't tell you because they will not study ivermectin. They will not study hydroxychloroquine without the taint of their hatred for Donald Trump." About those trials. At Gizmodo, Ed Cara presents a thorough backstory on the drug, writing that while many have scoffed at it lately, it's actually "considered one of the most essential medicines we have by the World Health Organization." The effectiveness with which it can treat a broad range of parasites has led doctors to wonder whether it might have other uses. So far, though, there are no results that suggest it's effective against COVID.

At Gizmodo, Ed Cara presents a thorough backstory on the drug, writing that while many have scoffed at it lately, it's actually "considered one of the most essential medicines we have by the World Health Organization." The effectiveness with which it can treat a broad range of parasites has led doctors to wonder whether it might have other uses. So far, though, there are no results that suggest it's effective against COVID. About those trials, II. One more interesting note from Cara: The human body isn't great at absorbing ivermectin, which isn't an issue since you don't need much to kill parasites. Killing the coronavirus would be a different story, and he writes that "some scientists have argued [it] would probably require a much higher dose than could ever be safely used in people."

(Read more ivermectin stories.)
/

3 Held at Gitmo for 15 Years Set to Get First Day in Court

They're accused in the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots
(Newser)  A good Samaritan is being credited with saving the life of a man who survived for 10 days aboard a makeshift raft that reportedly departed from Cuba. The man, who was found in Biscayne Bay south of Miami, says he had three companions with him who perished along the way. The good Samaritan reported the man around 1pm Saturday, and Coast Guard Station Miami Beach responded. Fox News notes the raft appeared to be made of Styrofoam and wood.

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The Miami Herald reports the rescued man needed immediate medical attention and was taken to a hospital. Customs and Border Protection has been told of the situation. It wasn't the first Styrofoam craft to recently attempt the voyage. Local 10 reports that two men sailing what the Coast Guard called "a 10-foot Styrofoam hull rustic vessel" were intercepted near Key West and returned to Cuba. They were among 32 people stopped off the Florida Keys in the first week of August who had departed from Cuba.

"We cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to take to the seas and navigate the Florida Straits on unsafe vessels," said Coast Guard Sector Miami Lt. Cmdr. Ben Tuxhorn in a statement. "The South Florida maritime community has some of the best people who assist others while on the water, whether that's towing a boat or helping out a migrant with food, water, and bringing them aboard if necessary. Most importantly, this community knows to call the Coast Guard in these situations, because if you don't, you may be part of a human smuggling investigation for just doing the right thing." (Read more rescue stories.)
(Newser)  As promised, education officials in five states have been informed that a federal investigation has begun into whether their prohibitions on school mask mandates violate civil rights protections. The specific issue is whether students with disabilities or health issues are being discriminated against by not being able to safely return to an environment where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's coronavirus recommendations are followed, Education Week reports. The Biden administration said earlier this month it would go after laws barring mask mandates by starting civil rights investigations.

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Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah received letters from the Department of Education. The letters assure the states that no decision has been made on whether any laws have been broken, per CNN. Other states that implemented bans on mask requirements are not being investigated, either because courts have blocked enforcement or the states have suspended the policies on their own. Those states are Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, and Texas. The letters cite evidence that masks reduce COVID-19 transmission. "National data also show that children with some underlying medical conditions, including those with certain disabilities, are at higher risk than other children for experiencing severe illness from COVID-19," they say.

In South Carolina, a spokesman for Gov. Henry McMaster dismissed the move as an attempt by the Biden administration "to force a radical liberal agenda on states," per the State. "Gov. McMaster isn't going to stand for it because he knows that parentsnot federal bureaucratsknow whats best for their children," he said. State education officials responded to the letter with a tweet saying they'd already addressed the effects on students with disabilities with their schools. Two lawsuits against South Carolina's prohibition will be argued before the state Supreme Court on Tuesday. They were filed by the City of Columbia, a school district, parents, and a group that advocates for people with disabilities. (Florida lost in court on its ban.)
(Newser)  Shaquille Brewster was in Gulfport, Mississippi, reporting on the aftermath of Hurricane Ida for MSNBC. Craig Melvin, cozy in a studio somewhere asked him what he was seeing. Video shows him reporting that mail delivery had resumed while wind and rain persisted, when an apparently very upset man runs up to him. Brewster smoothly adds, "and a random person going around." Brewster and his camera crew deftly pivot to crop the man out of the shot, but he can still be heard yelling. Yall are reporting this accurately, right? he seems to say, according to USA Today.

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The unnamed man doesnt back down, and gets pretty close to Brewster, who says "I'm gonna toss it back to you," to Melvin. "We have a person who needs a little help right now," he says, which is the calmest, friendliest way to look at a potential assault. Melvin, evidently concerned, replied, Heyhey hey hey hey hey, as if to help cool the situation off from afar.

Brewster was fine, an update MSNBC reassured viewers with and the reporter himself confirmed. "Appreciate the concern guys. The team and I are all good!" he tweeted. He even got kudos from his boss, Rashida Jones, the president of MSNBC, who called him an "exceptional journalist," the Hill reports. (Read more cable news stories.)
(Newser)  "You, and you alone, forever changed the lives of those who loved Mollie Tibbetts," a judge told Cristhian Bahena Rivera in an Iowa courtroom on Monday. "And for that, you and you alone will receive the following sentence." Judge Joel Yates then imposed a sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole, NBC reports. Bahena Rivera, 27, who was wearing a mask, expressed no emotion as he listened to the judge, and neither he nor his lawyers made a statement. He was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of Tibbetts, which brings a mandatory life sentence. Yates ordered Bahena Rivera, whose attempt to win a new trial was rejected earlier this month, taken immediately to a state corrections center, per ABC.

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Tibbetts was a 20-year-old University of Iowa student when she disappeared while jogging in July 2018 near Brooklyn, Iowa, her hometown. A month later, Bahena Rivera led investigators to a cornfield where they found her remains. On Monday, Tibbetts' mother, Laura Calderwood, had a victim impact statement read to the court, per We Are Iowa, in which she described telling family members that her daughter's remains had been found. "Do you know what it's like Mr. Rivera to be woken up by your youngest son Scott, telling you the sheriff needs to talk to us?" the statement said. The hardest person to tell, Calderwood said, was the victim's grandmother.

Bahena Rivera, who was ordered to pay Tibbetts' family $150,000 in restitution, is an undocumented farmworker from Mexico. The case became caught up in the political debate over immigration when former President Trump and others blamed the killing on US immigration laws. Tibbetts' family argued that, with her father writing an op-ed in the Des Moines Register asking that she not be made a pawn in the anti-immigration cause. "Do not appropriate Mollies soul in advancing views she believed were profoundly racist," Rob Tibbetts wrote. (In his eulogy, Rob Tibbetts said his daughter is "nobody's victim.")
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Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 50F. Winds light and variable.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 50F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low around 50F. Winds light and variable.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 51F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 51F. Winds light and variable.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has documented 5.4 billion call minutes in 2020, lower than the 5.8 billion total in 2019, according to the latest figures released by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.

As per the statistics, 75% of the call minutes were made at the domestic level, amounting to 4 billion call minutes in 2020 compared to 4.2 billion call minutes in 2019.

Southern Asian countries ranked second among the most contacted countries from Bahrain, with phone calls made to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and the Philippines generating a combined total of 1.2 billion minutes in 2020 compared to 1.5 billion minutes in 2019.

The GCC region came third with 40.2 million outgoing call minutes in 2020 compared to 49.6 million Iran, Yemen, US, Britain and Australia were the countries with the least registered outgoing call minutes, generating 26.3 million minutes compared to 26.9 in 2019.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The historical relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman continue to grow stronger under the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani highlighted the solid bilateral ties in a speech he delivered during the seventh meeting of the Bahraini-Omani Joint Ministerial Committee which was held yesterday.

The two ministers signed three memoranda of understanding including one between the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain and the Diplomatic Institute at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman in the field of diplomatic studies, research and training, a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the fields of electricity and renewable energy between the government of the two countries, and a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism in Bahrain and the Consumer Protection Authority in Oman in the field of consumer protection.

Minister Al Zayani hailed the event to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, expressing hope that the joint committee will undertake the task of implementing the agreements and memoranda of understanding that have been signed with the aim of serving both countries and people.

It was held under the chairmanship of Minister Al Zayani and his Oman counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi.

Present were Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, Dr Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to Oman, Dr Juma bin Ahmed AlKaabi, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the Ambassador of Oman to Bahrain, Abdullah bin Rashid bin Ali Al Mudailwi, the Executive Director of the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies, Ambassador Dr Shaikha Muneera bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, and a number of senior officials from both sides.

Dr Al Zayani also expressed thanks and appreciation to all senior officials from both sides which contribute to the development of relations between the two countries.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Embassy of India has organised an Open House during which Ambassador Piyush Srivastava interacted with the Indian community virtually to redress their urgent and non-routine consular and labour issues.

Ambassador Srivastava applauded the support of the Bahrain government through its vaccination campaign for the community. He welcomed the decision of the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) to issue fresh work visas to Indian citizens.

The Ambassador thanked the community for their overwhelming participation in the virtual events held to celebrate Indias 75th Independence Day.

He also briefed the community about the visit of the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kochi to Bahrain to mark the occasion and the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bahrain.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Philippine Embassy continues to provide assistance in repatriating stranded Filipinos in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is part of the Philippine governments coronavirus (COVID-19) response programme to repatriate distressed Overseas Filipinos (OFs) from all over the world.

This week, a total of 138 stranded Filipino nationals in Bahrain arrived in the Philippines through the Repatriation Programme of the Embassy.

Amid the ongoing pandemic, many of the passengers have been stranded in Bahrain for weeks or even months due to limitations in flights and seats from Bahrain to the Philippines.

The exorbitant cost of airfare also prevented many of the passengers to book earlier flights to the Philippines.

Through the efforts of the Embassy, a special repatriation flight was arranged to ferry the stranded Filipinos via Gulf Airs direct commercial flight.

The Embassy, using the Assistance-to-Nationals Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs, shouldered the airfare of most of the passengers availing of a negotiated rate with Gulf Air to allow more Filipino nationals to benefit from the repatriation program.

The Embassy also coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and other agencies for the exemption of the repatriates from the arrival limitations as well as for the facilitation of quarantine facilities for the repatriates.

The repatriates included infants and children, overstaying OFs, pardoned detainees, medical patients, pregnant women, and wards at the Embassy Shelter.


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Contributed / Connecticut State Police

DANBURY  State police said Monday the body of a California woman who was found in a car parked in a commuter lot this weekend has been sent to the medical examiners office.

State police on Sunday identified the woman as Joanna Lynne Walker. The 71-year-old was a resident of Rancho Murieta, Calif., a gated community east of Sacramento.
CASPER, Wyo. (AP)  Donations are pouring in for the widow and unborn child of a U.S. Marine from Wyoming killed in a bombing in Afghanistan.

Rylee McCollum, 20, was among 13 service members killed by a suicide bomb attack Thursday at the Kabul airport. They were providing security as the airport was overwhelmed with people trying to leave the country amid the U.S. withdrawal and Taliban takeover.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana hospitals in the path of Hurricane Ida were forced to evacuate dozens of patients after the storm left them with pieces torn off their roofs, and water leaking down walls to pool on floors as they relied on emergency generators for electricity.

Ida smashed into the Louisiana coast as a devastating Category 4 hurricane Sunday at a time when most hospitals were nearly full with coronavirus patients. Hospitals that suffered the worst damage worked Monday to transfer patients to other medical centers in the state, while others kept operating on generator power.

At Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Lafourche Parish, near where Ida made landfall, the storm ripped away a significant portion of the roof. On Monday morning, members of the U.S. Coast Guard managed to fly in and evacuate about seven patients, Gov. John Bel Edwards said on a call with President Joe Biden and other governors.

Ochsner Health, which runs Louisianas largest hospital network and had about 15 hospitals in Idas path, evacuated 165 patients Monday from three hospitals from Houma and Raceland in the hard-hit bayou region, said Warner Thomas, Ochsner Health's president and CEO.

Despite the evacuations, those hospitals still had emergency rooms open Monday, he said. Other Ochsner Health facilities in New Orleans and elsewhere stayed fully open, even after water leaked inside after the storm blew off rooftop ventilation covers and broke a few windows. All were running on generators, and some used water from private wells.

We know that we're in for several days, maybe a couple of weeks of this situation, Warner Thomas told reporters in a video conference Monday.

Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana's chief health officer, said Monday on Twitter that major hospitals seemed to have suffered minor damage from the hurricane, while a few smaller hospitals suffered significant damage.

Kanter urged people to avoid going to hospitals if possible, saying they will be busy in coming days.

New patients had begun to show up Monday morning at emergency rooms seeking treatment for storm-related injuries. Thomas said he expects those cases will grow as residents doing repairs and cleanup break bones falling off ladders or cut themselves with chainsaws.

Itll be tight. Its been tight throughout COVID, as we know, said Mike Hulefeld, Ochsner Health's chief operating officer. "We have adequate physical space ... but it's about having adequate people and staff.

Hulefield said Ochsner Health went into the storm with enough fuel to power generators for 10 days, and efforts to replenish that supply were underway. He anticipated no problems bringing in enough water, food or medical supplies.

Hospitals in Mississippi and Alabama have reached out offering to take in some of the company's patients, Thomas said, but so far administrators were finding room elsewhere in Louisiana.

Edwards said Louisiana was prioritizing power restoration to hospitals because so many are on generator power  51, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The governor said federal and state disaster response agencies are working to put technicians at the hospitals to keep the generators running as long as possible, but also to (determine) exactly what size generator is needed so we can get a backup on site in case that one should fail."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said four Louisiana hospitals suffered damage from Ida. It did not specify which hospitals sustained damage.

Five Louisiana hospitals had evacuated their patients or were planning to do so Monday, said Kevin Litten, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Health. Litten did not say how many patients were being moved.

At Lady of the Sea General Hospital, where the Coast Guard rescued patients, CEO Karen Collins said in a message relayed Sunday on Facebook there were no injuries. The hospitals phone system was down Monday.

Another Lafourche Parish hospital, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, reported a partial generator failure Sunday that forced some patients to be moved. Louisiana state Rep. Tanner Magee of Houma said Thibodaux General's staff moved patients on ventilators through the stairwells to get them to another part of the hospital that had electricity.

Ida struck as hospitals and their intensive care units were filled with patients from the fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave fueled by the highly contagious delta variant and low vaccination rates across Louisiana.

An estimated 2,400 coronavirus patients were in Louisiana hospitals when the hurricane hit, according the governor.

Thomas said Ochsner Health was working to find temporary housing for potentially hundreds of staff unable to return home because of storm damage. He said that after 2005's Hurricane Katrina, many stayed in New Orleans hotels. But administrators are having to look outside the city after Ida, which severed power to all of New Orleans by inflicting massive damage to its electrical grid.

I think the biggest challenge in the coming days is around our people," Thomas said. Were going to have lots of people who have damage to their homes.

___

Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. AP writers Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia, and Joshua Boak in Washington contributed.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill Monday that would do away with the permit someone must obtain from a county sheriff before buying a pistol, turning back a key agenda item of conservative gun-rights supporters.

Cooper's veto was expected, and an override will be difficult for Republicans who control the General Assembly, since they lack veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. Only two Democrats  both in the House  voted for doing away with the pistol purchase permitting system, which goes back more than 100 years.

Cooper supports more gun-sale restrictions, not less, and his office expressed his opposition to the bill the day after the final legislative vote this month.

Gun permit laws reduce gun homicides and suicides and reduce the availability of guns for criminal activity," Cooper said in a news release Monday. At a time of rising gun violence, we cannot afford to repeal a system that works to save lives. The legislature should focus on combating gun violence instead of making it easier for guns to end up in the wrong hands.

Bill supporters said the current process, in which a sheriff performs state and national background checks, evaluates an applicant's character and ensures the gun will be used lawfully, has become duplicative with the comprehensive national checks that licensed gun dealers must conduct. The North Carolina Sheriffs' Association backed the repeal this year after opposing it previously.

The national background check is not required in private gun sales, for which a purchaser has been required to get a sheriffs-issued permit under the law or face a misdemeanor. Gun-control advocates said that would create a loophole that would allow more people with a history of mental illness, domestic violence or other crime to obtain a weapon and commit violence, including suicide. They cite a study showing Missouris murder and firearm homicide rates going up after its permit system was repealed.

Vetoing this dangerous bill proves again that Gov. Cooper listens to the experts and puts public safety first, Tony Cope with the North Carolina chapter of the anti-gun violence group Moms Demand Action said. We urge state legislators who support public safety to stand with Gov. Cooper in keeping guns out of the hands of people who cannot pass our states background checks.

North Carolina is among 10 states that have permit licensing systems that require a potential buyer to obtain one before purchasing at last some firearms, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. North Carolina's permit system also covers people who simply receive a handgun from someone else.

The bill would have kept in place concealed weapons permits that sheriffs issue. The concealed handgun permit currently can be a substitute for the pistol purchase permit.

The legislation germinated from complaints that sheriffs in urban counties were not acting on permit applications in a timely manner when a glut of requests arrived during the COVID-19 pandemic. The original bill would have allowed applicants to file an application in a county contiguous to where they live. Individuals and gun-rights groups sued the Wake County sheriff for delays last year, and the Mecklenburg County sheriff earlier this month.

To deny North Carolinians a path to obtain that measure of personal protection is to deny a fundamental constitutional right, House Speaker Tim Moore said after the veto. "Gov. Cooper is playing politics with our Second Amendment rights.

North Carolina's requirement began in 1919, with the local court then issuing the permit. Senate Republicans repeated Monday that the requirement was used during the Jim Crow era to prevent Black residents from obtaining weapons. They cited a law school article that calculated Black applicants in Wake County have been denied a purchase permit at roughly three times the rate of white applicants.

A key gun-rights group said it would lobby for an override.

Cooper has made it clear he places political posturing above actually taking action to eradicate racism, said Paul Valone with Grass Roots North Carolina, which helped sue both the Wake and Mecklenburg sheriffs.

Pistol purchase permit supporters say the current system is not racist, and Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker, who is Black, supports retaining the permit requirement.
RIDGEFIELD  A hint of normalcy permeated the late-summer air as children arrived at Veterans Park Elementary Monday morning for the first day of school. Students in grades K-9 reentered classrooms for full, in-person learning, a distinct change from how school began a year ago.

It was a great day and great to see all the kids back, Ridgebury Elementary School Principal Jamie Palladino said. Teachers are excited to have children back and all of them in front of them. We had laughter, excitement and joy running through school today, and that is why we love what we do.

Branchville Elementary School Principal Keith Margolus said as students arrived, they appeared to be smiling under their masks. We are thrilled to have our community back together again, he added.

At Ridgefield High School, ninth-grade students had freshman orientation to get acclimated to their new surroundings before the rest of their peers joined them on Tuesday.

Across the way at Scotts Ridge Middle School, Principal Tim Salem held the door open for students as they entered the building. He remarked that the first day was teeming with energy and enthusiasm.

(Last) year there was a lot of trepidation on behalf of the kids coming in because there were  so many unknowns ... (but) this year everybodys been really positive, Salem said. I think the newness of the year is always exciting cause its a new beginning for all kids.

A turf field is being installed at Scotts Ridge this fall, which will assist in social distancing during lunch periods, Salem explained.

Although the district is not offering a remote or hybrid option for students this year, Were prepared to shift our model, particularly at the secondary level, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services Elizabeth Hannaway said at a Board of Education meeting last week.

A shift would likely come depending on the prevalence of the delta variant, she explained. In recent weeks, infections have reached highs not seen since April and Connecticut hospitals have more COVID patients than they did in early May.

The district is also preparing to screen students in grades K-6 on a weekly basis as soon as Sept. 13. The voluntary program is designed specifically for children who are ineligible to receive the vaccine and is intended to alleviate transmission in the event of a positive case.

Students, faculty and visitors are required to wear masks in school buildings and on buses regardless of vaccination status.

Ridgefield Public Schools Media Manager Alison Pratt said administrators spent the summer fielding new hires and engaging in team-building exercises to prepare for the year ahead. She added that all teachers participated in professional development sessions that focused on rebounding from an unprecedented pandemic year.

A copy of the districts safe return plan can be found at www.ridgefield.org/News.

Nicholas Rondione contributed to this story.

alyssa.seidman@hearstmediact.com
TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2021 /CNW/ - RSM Canada  a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market  is pleased to announce that Tom Amerongen has joined the firm to lead the Microsoft practice in Canada.

An industry veteran of over 20 years, Tom will be responsible for the leadership and growth of RSM Canada's Microsoft practice including Business Applications (Dynamics 365), Modern Workplace and Azure solutions.

Before starting his own consulting practice in 2020, Tom was the national practice leader of Microsoft Dynamics for Sierra Systems, an NTT DATA company, where he developed an extensive network and strong relationships within the Microsoft and partner ecosystem.

"Tom's proven leadership, combined with his vast experience in the Microsoft practice, will ensure we are well-equipped to continue to help clients drive the digital transformation of their businesses," said Harry Blum, national managing partner at RSM Canada. "We are excited to see Tom bring the power of the Microsoft cloud to the Canadian market with a focus on industry solutions for our clients."

An accomplished consulting leader, Tom has built practices that have been recognized with multiple Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle and Microsoft Canada Impact awards. Prior to joining RSM, Tom consulted to a leading Medical Lab Services provider on Microsoft solutions for mobile lab services, COVID-19 travel test systems, and the modernization of legacy applications.

"While continuing to realize great success as an award winning, Microsoft Inner Circle partner with over 1,000 employees focused on Microsoft technologies in the US, we have made a strategic decision to expand into other geographies," said RSM's Microsoft Dynamics leader, Christian Hutter. "We are excited to grow our Microsoft practice in Canada, and I am thrilled that we have a seasoned leader, Tom Amerongen, stepping in to lead these efforts."

About RSM Canada

RSM's purpose is to deliver the power of being understood to our clients, colleagues and communities through world-class audit, tax and consulting services focused on middle market businesses. The clients we serve are the engine of global commerce and economic growth, and we are focused on developing leading professionals and services to meet their evolving needs in today's ever-changing business environment.

RSM Canada LLP provides public accounting services and is the Canadian member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms with more than 48,000 people in over 120 countries. RSM Alberta LLP is a limited liability partnership and independent legal entity that provides public accounting services. RSM Canada Consulting LP provides consulting services and is an affiliate of RSM US LLP, a member firm of RSM International. For more information visit rsmcanada.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and/or connect with us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE RSM Canada

For further information: Media contact: Stephen Colle, FleishmanHillard HighRoad, 416-939-6649, [email protected]

Related Links

https://rsmcanada.com/


Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman of Medanta Hospital, also raised an alarm over the re-opening of schools and said that children in India are not being vaccinated. If they fall sick, we do not have good facilities to take care of them.

Students across India are heading back to schools, which had been shut for over a year now. As they make the shift from online classes to classroom learning, reports of rise in Covid-19 infections are also trickling in. Even though states like Delhi have issued revised guidelines for reopening of schools in a phased manner including staggered lunch breaks and quarantine rooms, several health experts have questioned the need to reopen schools now, in view of warnings that the third wave of Covid-19 is more likely to affect children.

It is also pertinent to note that while the adult population of India has more or less got their first or both doses of vaccines, providing them a certain degree of immunity against the virus, the vaccination drive is yet to be extended to children. Thus, the big question remains, is it even safe to reopen schools?

Dr Navneet Wig, AIIMS, recently told a news agency that one has to weigh the pros and cons. Though the children are fed up at home, we should also consider the risks involved with reopening of schools. Once they go to school, they would have to be treated as unvaccinated individuals.

Dr Naresh Trehan, Chairman of Medanta Hospital, also raised an alarm over the re-opening of schools and said that children in India are not being vaccinated. If they fall sick, we do not have good facilities to take care of them. Given Indias population size, we should be cautious especially when a vaccine is just around the corner. Further questioning the rush to reopen schools, he added that extreme caution should be used regarding in what circumstances we re-open schools.
The Taliban-led government will stop any such attack in Afghanistan after August 31, said Suhail Shaheen, spokesperson for the group's political office.

Taliban has said that Washington will have no right to attack the country after August 31, following US drone strike in Afghanistans Nangarhar province, Geo News reported.

The Taliban-led government will stop any such attack in Afghanistan after August 31, said Suhail Shaheen, spokesperson for the groups political office.

This statement comes as the US and foreign forces are set to complete military withdrawal after a two-decades of war.

On Friday, the US had launched a drone strike against an ISIS attack planner in eastern Afghanistan. This was in response to a suicide bombing at Kabul airport that killed 13 US troops and over 150 Afghan civilians.

Talibans main spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had also condemned an overnight US drone strike against ISIS.

Pentagon on Saturday had informed that two high-profile ISIS targets were killed during an airstrike in Afghanistan on Friday.

I can confirm, as more information has come in, that two high-profile ISIS targets were killed, and one was wounded. And we know of zero civilian casualties, said US Maj Gen Hank Taylor, deputy director of the Joint Staff For Regional Operations.

US media reports stated the ISIS-Khorasan planner of the Kabul blast, who was targeted in the US drone strike, was found in a compound in the Jalalabad area.

According to CNN, the individual who was targeted was known to the US but new intelligence following the Kabul attack was firmed up to give justification to target him.
Abbott's Lobster in the Rough is one of the country's best waterfront seafood spots, according to Thrillist.

The iconic Noank restaurant was named as one of the website's "29 waterfront seafood spots you need to try right now," joining other New England destinations in Maine, Cape Cod and Newport, R.I., and other coastal favorites around the United States.

"Currently, theres no better (or safer!) way to consume the fruits of the ocean than with a paper plate on your lap, the wind in your hair, and creaky floorboards beneath your feet," Thrillist editors wrote. "What the following fresh seafood joints lack in ritz they more than make up for in character, legend, and, of course, fresh lobsters, shrimp, crabs, and various other delicious sea creatures."

Thrillist noted Abbotts' famous annual countdown to its opening day, writing that the BYOB restaurant's "steamers, stuffed clams, and chowder are also not to be missed" and that its "picnic-style lobster by the shore, or 'in the rough,' is an essential life experience for anyone who loves crustaceans."

RELATED: Connecticut's lobster rolls

RELATED: A guide to Coastal Connecticut seafood shacks

Abbott's, open since 1947, frequently earns national accolades for its food and experience. Most recently, in January, its hot lobster roll was named Connecticut's best sandwich by Food & Wine magazine. Author David Landsel called Abbotts the finest Connecticut-style lobster rolls in the land: meat (here, a quarter pound, though you can get more), melted butter, toasted bun, end of story.

Abbott's was also featured in Esquire magazine at the end of December, as one of "100 Restaurants America Can't Afford to Lose." Writer Ryan D'Agostino summed up the restaurant's simple pleasures in a few short and sweet sentences. "Picnic tables on the grass by the water. Steamed lobsters, caught that day, with drawn butter in paper cups. A beer."

Abbotts lobster rolls start with a standard quarter-pound of lobster meat, but offers splurge-worthy upgrades: the OMG hot lobster roll has nearly twice the amount of the original, and an LOL roll packs a full pound of meat on a freshly baked bun  with all the butter you need, Abbotts promises.

Mother and daughter owners Deirdre Mears and Chelsea Leonard, who also own and operate Costello's Clam Shack just down the street from Abbott's, opened a third restaurant this summer. Abbott's Outpost in downtown Mystic combines classic dishes from the Noank originals like lobster rolls and clam strips, along with new items: sweet and savory crepes, lobster-loaded "tater bombs" and hand-cut crispy chips with dips. The new restaurant also has beer, wine and a cocktail list.

Abbotts Lobster in the Rough is at 117 Pearl St. in Noank. 860-536-7719, abbottslobster.com.
Disability rights groups and parents of children with disabilities want an immediate halt to a South Carolina law banning school districts from requiring face masks, as students across the state begin a new school year amid a renewed rise in coronavirus cases.

Last week, the groups and parents filed for a temporary restraining order blocking the law from being enforced, while their lawsuit challenging the measure proceeds.

"Defendants are illegally forcing South Carolina families who have children with disabilities to choose between their childs education and their childs health and safety," wrote attorneys for the groups, who are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The ban, they wrote, "needlessly and unconscionably exposes South Carolina school children and their families to a heightened risk of infection, hospitalization, and death."

State officials have until Sept. 9 to respond to the request in court.

A budget measure passed this summer prevents school districts from using any state funding to require masks in schools. But some districts and cities across South Carolina have disregarded the ban, moving forward with implementing school mask mandates. The states attorney general is suing the capital city of Columbia over one such provision, with arguments expected later this week in the South Carolina Supreme Court.

The ACLU lawsuit, filed earlier this month against top state officials including Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, alleges that the mask mandate ban disproportionately affects students with underlying health conditions or disabilities, who are at risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract COVID-19.

The plaintiffs allege that the ban violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, under which public schools cannot exclude students with disabilities or segregate them unnecessarily from their peers. Schools are also required to provide reasonable modifications to allow students with disabilities to participate fully.

Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance recommends that everyone in a school building, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors  guidance that South Carolina Education Department officials have noted publicly that they couldnt follow, given the budget proviso.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control has said that it strongly recommends mask use for all people when indoors in school settings. As of public health data updated Wednesday, 1,905 COVID-19 cases had been reported in students and employees at public and charter schools across the state.

McMaster has defended the budget proviso, calling the lawsuit's arguments totally inaccurate" and saying, earlier this year, that it was the height of ridiculosity for a school district to require a mask over any parents wishes that their child go without one.

Stressing throughout the pandemic his belief in personal responsibility, not universal mandates, to curb the virus spread, McMaster has also urged South Carolinians to get vaccinated against COVID-19, though children under age 12 are not yet eligible.

On Monday, the federal Department of Education announced that its Office for Civil Rights was investigating five Republican-led states, including South Carolina, that have banned school masking requirements, saying the policies could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions.

If the investigations determine that the bans have been discriminatory, it could lead to sanctions including a loss of federal education funding.

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Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.

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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.
Ansonia  A cultural celebration featuring crafts and live music drew a crowd to Ansonias Warsaw Park Sunday, although a handful of city residents would have rather had a quiet afternoon.

Mayor David Cassetti, who lives a few streets away, said he could hear the music from the Ecuadorian cultural festival, which started at noon and lasted until about 10 p.m. He said it sounded like people were having a good time.

They really know how to enjoy themselves, Cassetti said.

But Cassetti acknowledged receiving some calls and text messages from people about the loud music from the festival.

In total, the city received 11 noise complaints either to the Ansonia police or to Cassetti himself. But the citys noise ordinance explicitly states that concerts are exempt from the ordinance as long as the concert or event has a permit from the city. Cassetti said that the concert did have a permit so there was no violation of the ordinance.

The park has hosted other concerts from time to time, and there is no specific requirement in the ordinance for what time gatherings should end, he said.

Wilton Anahuazo, the organizer for the event, said that this is the first time an Ecuadorian cultural festival was held in Ansonia. He said that the festival celebrated Ecuadorian culture and featured live music from bands playing cumbia and bachata, musical genres popular throughout the United States and Latin America.

It went well, but the police did come by to tell us that neighbors were complaining about the loud music, Anahuazo said.

Police spokesperson Patrick Lynch confirmed the department had received complaints starting when the first band began playing at around 1 p.m.

We had about five complaints. So it wasnt like we were inundated with complaints, Lynch said.

Anahuazo said the police had asked organizers to turn the volume down, and they had complied with the request.

While the concertgoers were having a nice day out, some residents, like corporate counsel John Marini who lives one street away from the park, werent grooving to the music.

It was obnoxious, Marini said. He added that he was outside cooking cheeseburgers when the music started.

Despite the fact that the concert had a permit and wasnt in violation of the ordinance, Marini said that the citys administration, alderman and police would have a discussion on best practices for live concerts going forward.

But despite his backyard cookout being a little noisier than he would have preferred, Marini said he he was happy that the city had been a destination for the organizers, and proud that Ecuadorian-Americans had held their event in Ansonia.

But he also would like a little peace and quiet on a Sunday.

We want to be able to have fun, invite new people into our city and into our restaurants, and have a balance with the residential component thats going on at all times, he said.
BERLIN (AP)  A German woman was arrested Monday on suspicion of helping the Islamic State group by backing efforts to transfer money to militants, prosecutors said.

The suspect, identified only as Denise S., was arrested in Geretsried, near Munich and faces possible charges of supporting a foreign terrorist organization. She is accused of supporting Aymen A.-J., an Iraqi man who was arrested in Germany earlier this year.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)  Mothers of two Tennessee children with serious illnesses asked a federal judge Monday to block an order by the governor allowing parents to opt out of coronavirus-related mask requirements in schools, arguing that it endangers kids with health conditions and hurts their ability to attend in-person classes.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman heard testimony in Memphis federal court as part of a lawsuit filed by the women, whose two children attend school in the Shelby County suburbs of Collierville and Germantown.

The municipal school districts opened earlier this month under a universal mask requirement issued by the county health department. Republican Gov. Bill Lee has resisted implementing a statewide mask mandate for schools, and he had initially left the decision to local officials. But on Aug. 16, he signed a statewide order allowing parents to opt out of the requirement. Hundreds of students have been attending classes without masks ever since.

While local decision-making is important, individual decision-making by a parent on issues regarding the health and well-being of their child is the most important, Lee said when he issued the order.

In addition to the mothers' lawsuit, the government of Shelby County, which includes the city of Memphis, has also sued Lee amid a growing backlash against his order. Monday's court hearing came on the same day the U.S. Education Department announced that its investigating Tennessee and four other Republican-led states that have banned mask requirements in schools. Department officials said the policies could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions.

The Shelby County parents' lawsuit claims Lees order violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits the exclusion of students with disabilities from public educational programs and activities. Children with certain disabilities are more vulnerable to serious illness or death if they get COVID-19, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said.

The Governor has put the parents of medically vulnerable students in the position of having to decide whether to keep their children at home where they will likely suffer continued learning loss or risk placing them in an environment that presents a serious risk to their health and safety, the lawsuit states.

Emily Tremel, the mother of one child mentioned in the lawsuit, said her 11-year-old daughter suffers from a chromosomal abnormality that causes an intense loss of balance and coordination if her body temperature increases. Tremel testified Monday that her daughter has trouble with remote, online learning and would most benefit from going to school in person.

Attending classes surrounded by children who aren't wearing masks is dangerous for her child, however, Tremel said. In fact, she said, her daughter tested positive a week after Lee's order, after she was exposed to a maskless student who got COVID-19, Tremel said.

Tremel said she was horrified when Lee issued the order.

It felt like the rug had been yanked out from underneath us, she said.

State Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey said last week that children made up 36% of the states reported cases. In Nashville, nearly 600 students have tested positive for COVID-19 while nearly 4,000 were in quarantine as of Monday. Officials reported more than 800 active cases among students and nearly 100 among staff in the Knoxville area.

Hundreds of students throughout Tennessee have been forced to quarantine or isolate due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Some schools have closed classrooms, while others have temporarily switched to virtual learning.

Masks are a key coronavirus-prevention tool that are most effective when worn by a large number of people, public health experts say. The CDC has again recommended them for schools, saying they dont pose health risks for children older than toddler age. Vaccinations have not been authorized for children younger than 12.

Shelby Countys health department has issued a mask requirement for K-12 schools. The countys largest school system, Shelby County Schools, is not allowing parental opt-outs for nonmedical reasons. However, smaller, suburban school districts, such as Germantown and Collierville, are allowing maskless students.

Tennessee's attorney general's office is representing Lee and challenging the attempt to block the order. The parents do not have standing for their claims, and arguments under the Americans with Disabilities Act are doomed to fail, Lee's attorneys argued in a court filing.

Frustration over the outbreak and the state's handling of the pandemic sparked some parents in the Knoxville area on Monday to keep their children home for the day. Others held signs outside school buildings demanding that officials implement stronger virus-protection protocols.

Last week, Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn announced that schools and individual classrooms struggling to manage the COVID-19 surge could request a temporary shift to remote instruction if a need is shown.

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Kruesi reported from Nashville, Tennessee.
Julia Buccheri sprinted into the arms of her friend Aldo Bertolini Monday, the first day of school in West Haven  and the first in more than a year on which all students were required to attend in person, with masks and appropriate social distancing, instead of online.

How long had it been since Julia last saw Aldo?

Like 30 years, Julia estimated. Julia and Aldo were starting kindergarten and first grade, respectively, at Edith E. Mackrille School.

West Haven was one of several area school districts opening their doors to students Monday, including New Haven, Hamden and Wallingford. Students, teachers, administrators and parents spoken to Monday were unanimous in supporting an in-person return to school.

Waiting for the West Haven High School doors to open, sophomores Christabel Edhere and Diana Jurado caught up with friends.

I feel very happy because I get to see all my friends, Diana said.

Christabel said she was terrible at distant learning and already tried to maximize her time in the classroom last year.

Junior Kristina Bondi said she felt weird being at school again, but ultimately optimistic after completing her sophomore year remotely.

It feels like freshman year again, she said.

Freshman Matthew Hunter said he had no expectations because Monday was his first day of high school. He said he would be fine complying with any mask requirements because hes used to doing it.

Teachers across West Haven said they believed the district was ready for a safe and productive year, and they were excited to see their students in the classroom again for a full day.

Peggy Spagone, a paraprofessional at West Haven High, said the students with whom she works sometimes struggled with distance learning.

It was easy for them to fall asleep and stay asleep, she said.

Now, Spagone said she expects about 18 students in each of her classes, allowing her to address student needs as they arise.

Harry M. Bailey Middle School band teacher Jacob Humerick expected to have a better band experience with students playing instruments live.

Online was challenging because of video, he said.

Mackrille fourth-grade teacher Stacey Alves said she believed students and teachers alike were eager for a return.

It will definitely be better for teachers to do one job instead of two, she said. For the last academic year, teachers had to accommodate students who were both in the classroom and outside of it, leading to an increased workload for many.

Mackrille special education teacher Michael Danishevsky said this year will allow him to have more time in-person with his students. He said many struggled with distance learning.

Dave Cicarella, president of the New Haven Federation of Teachers, said maintenance issues at seven schools in his city meant a number of teachers and students went without air-conditioning Monday. However, he said he had not heard complaints about instructional logistics as of late afternoon.

The rollout mustve been pretty good, he said.

Parents Monday expressed enthusiasm at having their children learning in their classrooms for the entire day, as well.

Tracy Rogers, mother of a new seventh-grade student at Bailey, said both she and her son were more nervous for him to be starting at a new school than to navigate any safety precautions during in-person learning.

At home it was tough, its not as hand-on as a classroom, she said. He does better in person.

Nora James said she was happy her daughter, Gabrielle Watson, would start the third grade in a building so she would not be cooped up inside the home all day.

West Haven Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro said his districts plan is to start by assessing students readiness to learn.

The first couple of weeks were really going to be assessing kids to see where they are, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally, he said. Well start that on day one, but that will be a little bit of a process.

Cavallaro said the district is investing resources in emphasizing attendance at the high school with outreach teams.

He said buses are never perfect at the start of the school year, but there are added challenges when a significant number of students go from learning at home to once again riding buses. He said he expects that figuring out the routes will be a focus of the first few days of the school year.

Hamden Superintendent of Schools Jody Goeler said all of the things we could control went exceptionally well. However, the districts cuts to bus routes over staffing concerns became an issue when seven more drivers did not report to work Monday.

We notified parents immediately and are getting regular updates from the company on their progress securing the necessary drivers. My staff continues to work with the districts bus company to mitigate the impact this shortage causes our students and families, he said.

Despite that, Goeler said he believes robust summer learning activities helped prepare a significant number of students for the first day back to school.

New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, who has one daughter in a district elementary school, said things went smoothly Monday morning for his family. However, he said the district has some issues it must address.

There were some logistical issues with the schools that were experienced both over the weekend and today with air-conditioning and a couple leaks overall, he said.

However, he said as mayor that he tends to hear when things go wrong, but he did not receive much negative feedback from residents by Monday afternoon. He said there were no positive cases of COVID-19 reported in the schools Monday, and the citys efforts are on increasing the number of people ages 12 to 17 who are vaccinated. As of Monday, he said 46 percent of that population had had at least a first dose.

We still have more work to do there, clearly, but it did have a bump from the previous week, he said.

Justin Carmon, spokesman for New Haven Public Schools, said many schools were decorated with balloons and music was playing as students arrived Monday.

Students seemed happy to be back, and teachers were enthusiastic to start the school year, he said.

West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi said she believed remote learning had its place, but she believes the citys students were enthusiastic about returning to their buildings on a full-time basis.

I know my children had face-to-face learning, and its a lot easier, she said.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN - An Afghan interpreter for the U.S. military trying to escape Afghanistan with his wife and five children knew he could lie his way through Taliban checkpoints on the way to the airport in Kabul,

But he also knew if they ran into a snag and had to turn around, he couldnt lie his way back.

If caught, the interpreter, Atifullah, could have been labeled a traitor, and he, along with family members, could have faced beating, torture or even death at the hands of the Taliban.

My kids and my wife were terrified, Atifullah said. I tried to convince my wife and older kids, if you stay here, you may never get out. Hearst Connecticut Media is using just his first name for safety reasons.

Taliban rules prohibit a woman from traveling without a husband or other male.

But with bags packed - and no time to spare, the decision was made when Atifullah received clear-cut instructions from a friend in New Haven who had found connections to the State Department to help the family.

That was Aug. 18, just three days after the Taliban took control of the government.

Getting to the airport would be tense.

On Aug. 16, the day after the Taliban came back into power, the group created a checkpoint close to Atifullahs home.

Contributed photo

Those Afghans like Atifullah, also known as Atif, who worked with the U.S. military are considered by the Taliban to be among the biggest traitors, and interpreters - without whom the military couldnt have carried out its mission - were tops on the list, he said.

At the checkpoint, Atif told Taliban members he was going to the store to buy food and bring it to relatives.

Then, I had a little concern, he said, reflecting.

At one point I was really scared when they asked me to unlock my phone, he said.

But thankfully, only family photographs showed up.

He had made texts and other communications about the familys escape hidden, but couldnt be certain it would work.

After a few grueling days of crowds, long lines, hours of waiting, carrying documentation, sweltering heat, little food and a sick child, 8, who needed medical attention, Atifullah and his family were safely out of Afghanistan.

They are now at Fort Lee, Va., being processed to come to New Haven. An attack outside the airport in Kabul Thursday killed 13 Americans and at least 170 Afghans.

I feel extremely happy that my kids are living with me in the United States, Atifullah said. That would be really hard for me to not see my family.  I would be worried about their life, their education and their future.

Atifullah already had been in New Haven a year ago on a special visa to get settled with a job and housing, and planned to return for his wife and children, who range from 2 to 12 years old.

Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi / Associated Press

During his year here, Atifullah worked with Integrated Refugee & and Immigrant Services, or IRIS, and former U.S. Army Capt. Mike Kuszpa, now a middle school science teacher in New Haven, with whom he built a special bond in Afghanistan.

The men had became friends  Atifullah was his interpreter  then like brothers. Atifullah was Kuszpas eyes and ears - always on his right side to interpret during Kuszpas tour of Afghanistan between 2004 and 2005. The two traveled in a four-door Ford Ranger with about 15 Afghan soldiers in the back.

Their goal was to confirm or deny the presence of any extremists, including the Taliban.

Together they went on missions in the most remote and dangerous areas of Afghanistan; they survived several ambushes together and had close calls with improvised explosive devices.

Kuszpa said when his then-baby daughter was hospitalized in intensive care, Atifullah made sure there was always a cellphone at Kuszpas disposal to check on her condition.

Kuszpa said that because Atifullah was the communicator to the troops, he knew everything, including classified military information and every next move in the mission.

Contributed photo /

I trusted him with my life, Kuszpa said. He had great pride in the country (Afghanistan) and he wanted to see it succeed.

Since Atifullah has been in New Haven, the two have socialized often - boating, fishing, having dinner  and the families hope to celebrate Thanksgiving together.

We are not just friends, hes like a family member, hes like my brother, Atifullah said.

This recent escape ordeal occurred after Atifullah, who speaks five languages, flew from Connecticut to Afghanistan Aug. 5 and planned to stay a couple of months, then return with his family, as women are advised not to travel alone. Early on in Afghanistan he realized there was an issue with his youngest sons documentation and decided he would have to fly back to New Haven by himself to straighten it - and return again for the family - but that would not happen.

Unfortunately the government collapsed. The Taliban took over, Atifullah said. I had to get my wife and kids out of the area.

Time became of the essence.

Atifullah said he worked with the United States as an interpreter because, I wanted to help stabilize our country.

What we were aiming for didnt happen, he said.

Kuszpa , 45, is now out of the Army and a teacher at Edgewood Creative Thinking through STEAM Magnet school and a doctoral candidate at Southern Connecticut State University.

Atif was my mouth and ears. His role and the role of interpreters were crucial overseas, Kuszpa said.

Atifullah had been promised by the U.S. government under a different administration than the one he came in under that he would be able to come to the United States.

He applied in 2010, but Kuszpa said after years of waiting, Atifullahs application was booted for time-related reasons, but the amount of time that lapsed was actually the governments fault, Kuszpa said.

The men have known each other for 17 years, but had lost touch until reconnecting on Facebook five years ago.

Kuszpa assisted Atifullah in getting his documentation for a special visa.

Glitch

Atifullah flew to Afghanistan Aug. 5 to get his wife and kids, but hit a glitch when his youngest sons documentation was incomplete. So he changed course, was going to fly back alone to New Haven, straighten the issue out and return to get them.

But the Taliban took over while he was still there and four hours before he was supposed to fly out of Kabul, the airlines shut down.

There was no way for the wife to move the family on her own, because under Taliban rule women are not allowed to travel alone - they must be accompanied by a husband or other male.

Desperate to get his family out of Afghanistan, Atifullah contacted Kuszpa and said, Brother, I need your help. Who do you know in the U.S. government who can help us get on a plane and get out of here?

Kuszpa put it out on Facebook and that led to Matt Schmidt, associate professor at the University of New Haven and former instructor of strategic and operational planning at the Armys Command and General Staff College.

That led to contact with U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

We ended up getting Atif and his family out, Kuszpa said. We knew when he got (to) the gate they would let him in.

Kuszpa said they were aware of the danger in getting to the airport.

If he turned around theyd know he lied and kill the whole family, Kuszpa said. I was for the next several hours a nervous wreck. The people I was working with were a nervous wreck.

Then they received a photograph of Atifullah with the U.S. Marines and we were absolutely elated.

During his time in Afghanistan with Atifullah, We went on some of the most dangerous missions possible, Kuszpa said. We were dropped off in locations in the middle of nowhere to pick up Taliban chatter on radios.  We look at it now and say we must have been crazy.

In recent years, Kuszpa said, hes had a couple of former soldiers call out of the blue and, a lot of them are having a hard time because they see all the blood, sweat and tears we put into Afghanistan, he said A lot of veterans are having a very hard time.

Kuszpa said helping Atifullah and his family goes a long way for his morale. Atifullah had a bounty on his head because he was an interpreter, Kuszpa said.

Its something that keeps me going. I got seven people out of there who will all have a better life, he said. Thats the saving grace. At least these 7 people have a chance at freedom.

Schmidt, turning to a former student who now works in the State Department, said he was able to help the government link Atifullah and some of his key records  a passport and a green card. He, Kuszpa and Atifullah spoke, weighing the danger. They initially decided against it; then Atifullah ventured out for the uncertain journey.
NEW HAVEN  The city obtained parts for the broken Chapel Street bridge over the Mill River, which was stuck in the open position, with hopes of repairing it quickly if additional problems didnt turn up, City Engineer Giovanni Zinn said Monday.

And in a tweet later Monday, the Engineering Department said we were able to source parts and install them today. The bridge has been moving normally now. The bridge will be reopening to traffic shortly this afternoon.

Zinn had said earlier in the day about the parts that, We need to install them to make sure there arent any other issues.

The Engineering Department said in a tweet Sunday that a shaft coupling sheared on one of the two main driveshafts inside the main box girder, which is one of the most inaccessible parts of the bridge.

Were working on it now, Zinn said Monday afternoon Were going to be able to put the coupling back together shortly.

The city also has taken a number of steps to ensure that the Chapel Street bridge is safe, Zinn said. The bridge was site of the deaths of four young people who died when their car drove through barriers and crashed into the Mill River early in the morning of Nov. 19, 1988.

The current version of the bridge was built in the early 90s and we all remember the tragedy that happened back there when we were constructing it, Zinn said.

We currently have the crash gates down as well as the regular traffic gates, with concrete Jersey barriers also installed, Zinn said earlier Monday.

While in the past, the city has had issues where ancient bridges were closed for months or even years, Were trying to focus a lot more on preventative maintenance these days, Zinn said. The purpose here is to get away from issues that are going to require lengthy periods during which bridges are closed, he said.

The city announced Saturday that the Chapel Street bridge was stuck in the open position and likely to remain that way through the weekend and possibly into the week. The bridge carries traffic on Chapel Street over the Mill River between East Street and James Street.

Mayor Justin Elicker had said the city was taking steps to ensure services were not interrupted while the bridge was offline.

Fire Chief John Alston said the department did not expect the closing to affect response times to that area of the city.

Weve made the necessary adjustments to our deployment, including moving some assets to the other side of the river, in order to ensure response times are not negatively impacted, he said.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  Police are investigating a shooting on West Street in New Haven.

It is unclear what time the shooting occurred, but Public Information Officer Scott Shumway confirmed an investigation was on-going just after 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
The Vermont Department of Labor is working to ensure people who are going to be losing extra unemployment aid are ready for the change.

On Sept. 6, the federal government is ending the programs that provided assistance to people not traditionally covered by unemployment insurance, such as the self-employed, extending the time benefits can be received and ending the $300 a week extra unemployment benefit payment.

All the programs were designed to help workers survive the loss of their jobs because of the pandemic.

The Labor Department says about 9,000 people in Vermont are set to lose their benefits while about 5,500 who have been receiving regular Vermont unemployment benefits will continue to receive them, but they will no longer be receiving the extra $300 a week.

Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington said the department has been working hard to ensure that people who will be losing their benefits are aware of the upcoming change and the department is working to help people look for work.

The state has experts ready to help people find work by linking them with needed training or other services, such as resume writing. Harrington encouraged both employers and people looking for work to register for and use VermontJobLink.com.

The state has been successful in getting people back to work. In one week nearly 1,000 people left unemployment and went back to work.

But it's unclear how much the change will affect the state's labor shortage.

It will help," Harrington said. However, we know that even before the pandemic there was a workforce shortage here in Vermont so employers were already struggling at that time to find the talent they needed.

But the pandemic appears to have fundamentally changed the labor force.

The pandemic could have prompted some people to retire early, to move to be closer to family, to leave the labor force for health reasons or, as has been seen nationally, to move within the labor market.

Maybe someone who worked in food service before decided they don't want to go back to a close-contact type of work situation and so they look to find a job in another field, Harrington said.

Others could choose not to return to work because they need to manage the health of a family member or they can't afford child care.

Harrington said the department is encouraging employers looking for workers to be as flexible as possible.

He said that solving the workforce challenge is getting people back to work, but there is still going to be a shortage of workers.

___

CORRECTIONS CASES

The Vermont Department of Corrections says a total of 25 inmates and seven staff members of the the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

The facility is now on full lockdown pending the results of facility-wide testing of staff and inmates that is taking place on Monday.

In Newport, a housing unit where 17 positive inmates were being held is now being used as a surge center.

As of Monday, there are positive cases of COVID-19 in staff, the incarcerated population or both at five of Vermonts six correctional facilities.

___

ADULT DAY CARE

Adult day care centers in Vermont are going to be receiving $5 million in federal assistance to provide financial stability after an extended shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds are being distributed by the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living.

The money that was allocated by the Legislature for the program during fiscal 2022 is coming from the American Rescue Plan.

The state says the adult day centers provide essential daytime services, such as personal care, nursing assessment, family respite and therapeutic activities, to people with medical conditions.

The centers were closed for extended periods during the pandemic because patrons are often more vulnerable to COVID-19.

We know the restrictions and closures that were necessary during the height of the pandemic have had a significant impact on all organizations, but especially those who care for older Vermonters, Gov. Phil Scott said.

___

NUMBERS

On Monday, the Vermont Department of Health reported 71 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to nearly 28,050.

There were 34 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 10 in intensive care.

The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Vermont has risen over the past two weeks from 102.86 new cases per day on Aug. 14 to 131.71 new cases per day on Aug. 28.

The Associated Press is using data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering to measure outbreak caseloads and deaths across the United States.

___

Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
WEST HAVEN  City officials are entertaining a proposal that the city grow its own lettuce or microgreens in a hydroponic operation inside the old Stiles School building to generate revenue.

After receiving a state grant to fund the assessment of toxin removal from the former Thompson, Stiles and Blake schools, city officials are beginning to review development plans for the sites to promote economic development and get the buildings on the tax rolls.

Although the city is seeking zoning approvals to sell Thompson School to one of three developers for roughly 50 units of market-rate housing, Corporation Counsel Lee Tiernan believes the city has more latitude with the Stiles building.

Theres a strong interest in hydroponics, Tiernan informed the City Council.

Tiernan has retained Hunter Naizby, a consultant with Shoreline Supply Chain Consulting LLC, to advise about the possibility of adding a hydroponics space to West Haven.

Stiles, because of its large acreage and location on wetlands, is an ideal spot, Tiernan said.

Contributed /

When its done right, hydroponic development can be a cornerstone of a citys larger efforts to increase sustainability, create employment opportunities and generate community wealth, Naizby said.

Hydroponics is a type of agriculture that can be practiced year-round, according to Dan Lubkeman, president of the Hydroponic Society of America, a nonprofit based in California.

Basically, if plants are grown in anything besides soil, its hydroponics. I always say it means more food in less space with less water in less time, Lubkeman said.

Hydroponics can be used 365 days a year in the right environment, he said. Popular crops include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, herbs, berries, cannabis and many others.

Naizby, who presented the council with a proposal based on an existing development in Maine, said the main focus of a proposed West Haven hydroponics development would be lettuce.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

Around 90 percent of lettuce produced in the country is coming from massive farms in western states like California and Arizona that continue to get hotter and drier. In many cases, these operations rely on high chemical inputs, high water inputs, and exploited migrant labor, Naizby said.

Hydroponic production gives New England cities the ability to source their food more locally, thus supporting local jobs, Naizby said.

Greg Day, principal of The Day Brothers LLC, which developed the Maine site in conjunction with a hydroponics nonprofit, said there are environmental benefits to growing produce that can be grown year-round in any climate without using farming space and does not need to be transported long distances.

But there are economic benefits, as well, Day said.

Our business model for a vertical farm would not only grow food in the heart of West Havens downtown district, he said. It would create meaningful jobs, grow futures and provide housing as part of a master plan development program which we feel would become an essential community asset.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

The mixed-use proposal for Stiles would include 8,000 square feet of retail space at ground level, where a nonprofit operating the space could sell lettuce grown within the building within 24 hours of harvest, as well as 60 modern residential units.

Tiernan added that the benefit of adding local produce is that there is potential for local food service contracts, such as the University of New Haven, the city public schools and Notre Dame High School.

Naizby said lettuce is optimal for growing because of the additional space a crop like tomatoes would require and the difficulty level required for growing herbs.

He said a separate contractor than the one he proposed would be interested in bringing hydroponic production of microgreens  such as baby kale and baby bok choy  to the Stiles building. Those crops would have a smaller yield but could sell for up to $45 per pound, he said.

Tiernan said there are also opportunities to offer summer employment for high school students in growing lettuce at the location as well as opportunities for students of all ages to learn about agricultural production locally.

Councilwoman Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, said she wondered whether agricultural activity might be taxed differently from other types of development. Tiernan said it would be taxed at a lower rate, but he believes there are upsides to the development beyond tax revenue and that the site currently is non-productive.

Councilwoman Bridgette Hoskie, D-1, said she had encountered hydroponics at Disney Worlds Epcot Center, which she visits for national cheer competitions with a youth cheerleading team.

Hoskie said Naizby is very impressive.

Council Chairman Ron Quagliani, D-At Large, said Tiernan had (whetted) our palates with the proposal.

Tiernan said he expects to bring a more formal presentation before the council in a month. He said other opportunities for the space would include self-storage and more residential units from the developers interested in the Thompson site.

Mayor Nancy Rossi said she believes the interest in the former school buildings have to do with the citys improved bargaining position after receiving the state funding to deal with contamination at the sites. She said she believes there are many good development proposals for the city to consider, including the hydroponics idea.

Its something I think we really should explore. Its a new idea, its something different, something we dont have in West Haven, she said. It would be nice to be the first to do a new innovation like this.

Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media

Alan Olenick, director of the West Haven Chamber of Commerce, said he supports getting the property on the citys tax rolls.

Its a strange proposal for that school, but I guess its better than nothing, he said. Its not something Ive ever heard of before, but it doesnt mean its not a viable proposal, either.

Although Olenick said his position may not be supported by the entire chamber, he supports adding more mixed-use developments to the city.

According to Lubkeman, the hydroponics industry is growing rapidly. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also says it is an expanding field.

The vertical farming market, which is a variation of hydroponics, in the U.S. is estimated at around $2.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to about $5.5 billion by 2026, Lubkeman said.

The Stiles Schools 575 Main St. location closed in 2004.

brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
GUILFORD - The suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops Aug. 26 at the Hamid Karzai International airport in Afghanistan hit close to home for some at a shoreline restaurant.

During the occasion of a weekend event at Guilford Mooring Restaurant, there was a somber reminder of the latest American casualties of the war in Afghanistan.

In an understated memorial, a long table was set for the 13 American troops who were killed Thursday during the bombing, which the Associated Press reported also killed at least 169 Afghans.

Amid the table settings, poured pints of Thimble American Ale and a folded American flag , was a sign that read, Reserved for our Fallen Heroes.

Jessica Pellegrini, manager at the Mooring and her husband, Anthony, executive head chef, said they both wanted to honor the American dead with the small tribute.

This especially hit home for the couple  one of Anthony Pellegrinis brothers had served in the Navy, returning home four years ago, while Jessica Pellegrinis stepbrother, Anthony DAgostino, was killed in action in Iraq in 2003.

Before his 21st birthday, he was shot down in a Chinook [helicopter], she said. So this is something near and dear to us.

We were praying for their families  especially today  theyre [the slain soldiers] all being flown home today - thats definitely in our minds, Jessica Pellegrini said.

When the guests arrived at the shower, Jessica Pellegrini said some were emotional about the memorial in the restaurant.

Everyone is pretty emotional. I had a woman pull me aside. She was crying, I was crying.

All in all, Everyone was supportive, she said.

Sometimes we have to think we have all these freedoms, Pellegrini said. A lot of lives have been lost for us to have these freedoms  and we need to remember that and appreciate that.

President Biden, in a statement sent from the White House Saturday, said The 13 service members that we lost were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others.

Their bravery and selflessness has enabled more than 117,000 people at risk to reach safety thus far, Biden said. May God protect our troops and all those standing watch in these dangerous days.

.

During the shower, a woman came up to her, Pellegrini said, She was crying and she said that her son was a part of that company - he was brought home [safely] it was just a very emotional subject for her.

Jessica Pellegrini said she told the woman that she was sorry the display upset her, but the mother told her, No, no, no. Im happy its there.

Pellegrini said she hoped to leave the memorial up until all the Americans are back home.

I think its something that needs to be thought of consistently, she said. I think until this whole thing is resolved and we get everybody safely home and were not losing any more American soldiers lives.

Pellegrini said she and her husband are also worried about the fate of the Afghans who helped the Americans.

They did so much for us  we need to do whatever we can to help them, she said. The sacrifices that theyve made. They could have been killed over there by helping us...
EDUCATION: Shopping center teaming with Salvation Army, Niagara Falls Boys and Girls Club and the United Way of Greater Niagara for Saturday event.
Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says anyone stealing public funds under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is do...

Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transportation, says anyone stealing public funds under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is doing so quietly.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Amaechi said no individual can steal public funds openly under Buhari.

The minister said anyone who is caught stealing in Buharis government will face the consequences.

According to him, the current administration has managed the countrys resources better than previous administrations.

I want Nigerians to be honest; can you openly take money from this government? I am not saying whether we are corrupt or not, he said.

Let us assume we are corrupt, can you openly take money from this government? In the past governments, what happened? You can take money in the streets.

Corruption was so pervasive that nobody was talking about it. It was not hidden that people completely and openly displayed their wealth.

Most of those who did that had nothing to do to show for it. They did not have a carpentry shop, but they were billionaires. They did not hide it; but here, if you are stealing, it is done quietly. I am not saying it is good, it is a sin punishable.

In the previous government you could steal and you wont be caught. If you were caught, there wont be consequences. But in this government, if you steal there are consequences.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has been described as a terrorist organisation. Deji Adeyanju, popular human rights activist, made the r...





The All Progressives Congress, APC, has been described as a terrorist organisation.

Deji Adeyanju, popular human rights activist, made the remark while comparing APC to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Adeyanju pointed out that the PDP is beyond useless.

He, however, stressed that the former ruling party can be said to be saint when compared to the APC.

In a series of tweets, the rights activist lamented the spate of kidnapping under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

According to the convener of Concerned Nigerian, the country has recorded over 60 abductions in the category of Chibok schoolgirls during Buharis government.

He wrote: To those saying APC and PDP are the same, why not let us try another #BringBackOurGirls under Buhari if soldiers will not kill everyone at Unity Fountain like they did at Lekki Tollgate.

Yes, PDP is beyond useless but APC is a terrorist organization. PDP are saints compared to APC.

After all, we have witnessed more than 60 abductions like Chibok under Buhari, why is everyone afraid to give him the kind of treatment we all gave GEJ?
The stakeholder town hall meeting on Boko Haram hosted by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri reached 16 resolutions. ...

The stakeholder town hall meeting on Boko Haram hosted by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum in Maiduguri reached 16 resolutions.

It followed last weeks consultations Zulum had with President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Defence Staff, Leo Irabor; and members of several communities in Borno.

The Government House parley extensively discussed the pros, cons and implications of ongoing surrender by terrorists.

The participants agreed that firearms be retrieved from all repentant insurgents and profiling made stringent to avoid hasty release of hardened elements to the society.





They urged the Federal Government to quickly establish a world class centre with facilities for deradicalisation and rehabilitation purposes.

The stakeholders urged intensified military battle against Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP).

In attendance were victims of attacks, state officials, National and State Assembly members, traditional rulers led by Shehu of Borno, elders, heads of security agencies, Muslim and Christian leaders.

Others were academics, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), youth and women groups, labour unions, civil society groups, local and international NGOs and political parties.

Zulum said while it was difficult accepting the killers of innocent civilians, it is important to find ways of ending the 12-year insurgency.

He described terrorists surrender as two extreme conditions, noting that accepting insurgents has its implications and rejecting them could swell the ranks of the sects.

Zulum referred to the situation in Afghanistan where 20 years of military fight ended with the Taliban now in control of government.

The resolutions contained in a communique issued after the meeting was signed by Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan, a member of the Borno Security Council.

The stakeholders Appreciated the efforts and support of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, towards ending Boko Haram insurgency and other criminalities in Borno State and the country at large;

Commended the zeal and determination of Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State towards restoration of lasting peace in the State. The meeting noted his unparalleled support rendered to the IDPs and vulnerable.

Welcomed the effort of the Federal and State Governments in the provision of state-of-the-art equipment and other logistics to security operatives that led to the renewed vigour in the fight against insurgents which resulted in the recent surrender;

Urged the Federal and State Governments to handle the issues of repentant Boko Haram insurgents with utmost care and within the instrumentality of the law;

Stressed the need for proper profiling of repentant Boko Haram insurgents to avoid hasty release of hardened elements to larger society;

Welcomed the recent massive surrender by the Boko Haram insurgents and urged those still in the bush to follow suit;

Called for all firearms and offensive weapons used by the repentant insurgents to be retrieved from them;

Advocated for the strengthening of the deradicalisation mechanism of Operation Safe Corridor so as to involve parents of the surrendered Boko Haram members, Ulamas, traditional/community leaders and the media;

Urged citizens to key into the educational opportunities created by the state government, especially by enrolling their children and wards to schools as a countermeasure to indoctrination;

Reiterated the need for further support to all victims of insurgency especially women and children;

Called on the Federal Government to establish a world class deradicalisation/rehabilitation centre in Borno State being the epicentre of insurgency;

Called for a true reconciliation amongst the affected people;

Appreciated the support of the Federal Government to Borno and solicited for more funding in areas of reconstruction, resettlement, reintegration, education and health as the meager resources at the disposal of the state is not sufficient in view of the magnitude of cost involved;

Urged the military to sustain the ongoing offensive on the activities of ISWAP;

Resolved to have a periodic briefing on the activities of the surrendered Boko Haram terrorists with a view to creating awareness amongst the public;

Resolved that the North East Development Commission (NEDC), as a matter of priority, be involved in all aspects of the rehabilitation and integration of surrendered Boko Haram into mainstream society.
Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney has warned that manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can no longer afford to preside over another trophyless...





Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney has warned that manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can no longer afford to preside over another trophyless season after acquiring the services of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo has left Juventus, making his way back to Old Trafford after 12 years.

The 36-year-old underwent a medical in Lisbon, Portugal over the weekend and is expected to be in contention to make his second debut after the international break.

United had a busy transfer window that also saw the addition of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane to an already star-studded squad.

Cristiano is still one of the best players in the world and has won titles everywhere hes been so hes going to be huge, he said according to Metro.

He still wants to be the best and Im sure he will have a big impact on them this season.

Ole will certainly know that hes in a position now where he needs to start winning these big titles with the players that hes brought in.

For their development, to get to the next step now is to start winning titles.
The Federal Government has postponed the Nigeria at 60 Jubilee Special Award ceremony earlier scheduled to hold on September 3. Aden...

The Federal Government has postponed the Nigeria at 60 Jubilee Special Award ceremony earlier scheduled to hold on September 3.

Adeniyi Adebayo, the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment made the announcement on Sunday in a statement by his spokesman, Ifedayo Sayo.

The event was organised by the Ownership Subcommittee of the Nigeria at 60 Committee to honour 60 notable citizens.

The awardees are individuals who made immense contributions to the nations growth since independence.

Adebayo regretted any inconveniences the postponement might cause stakeholders and the public.

The minister was silent on the reason. He added that a new date would be communicated in due course.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to commence another strike action if the federal government fails to fulfil...

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to commence another strike action if the federal government fails to fulfill its agreement with the union by Tuesday, August 31.

The union had last year embarked on a nearly 10-month strike  which it later suspended  over the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government.

ASUU, however, threatened fresh strike months after, citing the governments failure to implement the agreement it signed with the union.

Earlier in August, representatives of ASUU had met with that of the federal government led by Chris Ngige, the minister of labour and employment, to discuss ways to resolve the planned industrial action.

But speaking with PUNCH, Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU president, alleged that the federal government had stopped engaging with the union over an agreement both parties reached in May.

Osodeke also claimed that the government does not respond to calls from the union again.

The ASUU president said the union would not hesitate to activate procedures for the commencement of another strike if the government fails to contact the union by Tuesday.

The government has refused to reach out to us. Government officials have stopped. In fact, they dont take our calls again. Nigerians should tell the government to do what they agreed to do, he said.

We signed an agreement and even in May, we reached a final agreement; this is August and nothing has been implemented. Does it make any sense? We are giving them till the end of August and after that, we start the procedures.

In June, Osodeke had said that the body would embark on strike if the government does not fulfill its promises.

When contacted by TheCable Lifestyle, Moyosore Ajao, the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) chairman of the union, said the body is still monitoring the negotiation process with the government.

Its the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU that declares strike and normally they do that after wield consultations. Lets keep monitoring events as they unfold, he said.
Police in Ogun State shot dead two members of a suspected kidnap syndicate on Sunday after a gun duel with officers from Itori, Ewekoro Loca...





Police in Ogun State shot dead two members of a suspected kidnap syndicate on Sunday after a gun duel with officers from Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State.

It was gathered that the suspects ran into trouble when policemen in Ewekoro divisional headquarters were alerted that at about 7:30 am on Sunday, some armed hoodlums with hoods on their faces had been sighted hiding in a bush at the back of DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, Ogun police image-maker told newsmen on Monday that, the anti-robbery team of the Ewekoro division was immediately mobilised to fish out the said hoodlums.

According to Oyeyemi, the gang on sighting the police, opened fire at them, causing the cops to engaged them in a gun duel that lasted for 40 minutes or thereabouts.

Oyeyemi added that, two members of the syndicate were gunned down, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

One local shotgun, two live cartridges, two battle axes, empty shells of AK-47 rifle ammunition, three android phones, two small phones, eight pairs of slippers and two school bags were among the items recovered from their hideouts, Oyeyemi disclosed.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Edward Ajogun, warned criminals against testing the will of the command, saying doing so would continue to spell doom for them.

Ajogun also directed a massive manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang.
The Commissioner of Police, CP, Kaduna State Command, Mr Mudasiru Abdullahi, has ordered a full scale investigation into the assassination...

The Commissioner of Police, CP, Kaduna State Command, Mr Mudasiru Abdullahi, has ordered a full scale investigation into the assassination of a Nigerian Pilot, Mr Abdulkarim Ibn Na-Allah.

NAN reports that Abdullahi gave the order late Sunday in Kaduna in a statement issued by the commands Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige.

I have directed that a full scale investigation be carried out on what led to his death.

Its an unfortunate one but we will ensure that no stone is left unturned until we identify the culprits who carried out the heinous crime and bring them to book, he said.

He further called on the public to assist with useful information that might assist its investigation into the murder.

Recall that the Pilot, Mr Abdulkarim Ibn Na-Allah, son of Adamawa Sen. Bala Ibn Na-Allah, was murdered in his Kaduna residence on Sunday.

The assassins forcefully gained access into the home of the pilot at Umar Gwandu Road, Malali, Kaduna at night, choked him to death and made away with his Lexus SUV.
Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau state, says some people are planning to keep the state in perpetual crisis using divisive methods. O...

Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau state, says some people are planning to keep the state in perpetual crisis using divisive methods.





Over the past few weeks, Plateau has recorded a number of violent attacks, leading to the death of many people.

The development has created palpable fear about the state of security in the state as some state governments have evacuated their indigenes from the University of Jos.

Speaking on the development in a press briefing on Monday, Lalong asked residents of the state not allow those who desire to see the state in perpetual crisis to use politics and religion to divert attention from their criminal activities.





The governor said the violent attacks in the state are criminal activities even though they are being given ethno-religious connotations.

From the engagements so far, it has again become clear that all these attacks are purely criminal activities that must be treated as such. Even though they are quickly given ethno-religious connotations, there is no justification for the killing of any human being. We are a society that is guided by rules which do not permit anyone to take the laws into his or her hands no matter the grievances, the governor said.

There is an obvious plan by those who desire to see Plateau in perpetual crises to employ all divisive methods to achieve their objectives. We must not allow them to use politics, religion, and ethnicity to divert our attention from their criminal activities.





My determination as your governor is to ensure that I encourage all citizens to embrace one another and use peaceful means to settle any disagreement.

The governor said he has relaxed the curfew in Jos north, Jos south, and Bassa LGAs after reviewing certain decisions taken in the wake of the attacks.

At the end of the review, Government took the following decisions: i. The curfew in Jos North is to be relaxed. Beginning from Monday 30th August 2021, the curfew shall be enforced from 6pm to 6am until further notice, he said.

The curfew in Jos South and Bassa is to also be further relaxed. As from Monday 30th August 2021, the curfew shall be enforced between 10pm to 6am until further notice.





The ban on Tricycles (Keke NAPEP) and hawkers remains in force within Jos/Bukuru metropolis.

My dear citizens, our long term goal is to foster dialogue, collaboration, understanding and proactive dispute resolution mechanisms that will make it difficult for people to resort to criminality in the name of self-help and reprisals whenever there is any disagreement.

Those who fail to follow lawful means to settle their grievances should be ready for a showdown with government as we will never tolerate killings and destruction of properties under any guise.

During these trying times, I have watched with great disappointment the unfortunate comments and utterances of some citizens including religious, political and community leaders from within and outside the state who rather than calm nerves and join hands with the government to ensure the quick restoration of peace, resorted to pushing out ethno-religious sentiments that further created tensions.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied attacking a boat conveying people and food items from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers. A statemen...





The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied attacking a boat conveying people and food items from Port Harcourt to Bonny in Rivers.

A statement on Monday by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Sawyerr declared the claim was false.

Sawyerr said the Air Component of the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) received an alert from ground troops.

The soldiers, on clearance operations, reported they were facing resistance at the point of encounter.

The military dispatched a combat helicopter to provide close air support mission along the Cawthorne Channel.

Sawyerr noted that the chopper observed an illegal oil bunkering boat popularly called Cotonou Boat and two escort speedboats.

Sawyerr explained that warning shots were fired to dissuade the crew from hostile action but they fired back.

The two speedboats, according to him, detached from the convoy at high speed leaving the Cotonou Boat which was neutralised.

The helicopter later went after the two speedboats but was unable to track it, while the suspects are still at large and a manhunt has been sent out to apprehend them, he said.

The DDI assured that the military remains a professional institution that operates in line with best practices through the application of rules of engagement and code of conduct.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. High 66F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 52F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Susan del Corral is going day to day, and she cant say what shell do tomorrow. But on the morning after Hurricane Ida ripped through the region, she knew she could light the gas-fired ovens at her familys Magazine Street pizzeria and at least cook through the ingredients they had on hand.

And so, by lunchtime on Monday, a matter of hours after hurricane winds felled massive oaks and cut the citys power supply, New York Pizza opened its doors and started selling pies from a makeshift counter. The plan was to work through all the pre-batched dough they had, feed any first responder who showed up for free and then lock up again before sundown.

Were in the service industry, and this is a service we can provide now, she said. We had to do something. It was better than sitting at home worrying.

There is, after all, plenty to worry about, and likely will be for a long time.

As southeast Louisiana begins the very first steps of recovery from Hurricane Ida, in New Orleans itself restaurant operators spent Monday trying to plan the next steps, a bewildering task since it hinges on when power will be restored.

Some simply started giving away the food in their kitchens. By Monday afternoon, chef Michael Gulotta at MoPho was loading up raw ingredients for anyone came by the Mid-City restaurant, eager to see the food go to good use if people had ways to store and cook it.

One hub of food-focused relief efforts sprang to life Monday downtown as the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute became home base for World Central Kitchen, the disaster food organization led by celebrity chef Jose Andres. By Monday, a World Central Kitchen food truck was parked outside cooking batches of pasta for first responders, clean-up crews and people in need around the area, while the cooking schools kitchens were gearing up for higher production of relief meals.

The organization is recruiting volunteers from the hospitality industry and others with specialized skills (see Ida.wck.volunteerhub.com).

At restaurants across the city, many operators expressed relief in the early going that at least their people were safe, and that the city was spared the catastrophic flooding other areas have suffered.

Stella Chase Reese and other members of the Dooky Chases Restaurant family were checking on the Orleans Avenue landmark and found only a few external fixtures damaged by the storm winds.

At least it didnt flood. That was our biggest concern, said Reese, who has seen street flooding worsen around the restaurant during much smaller storms.

At the Uptown bistro Lilette, chef John Harris was feeling grateful for a neighbor, who saw the restaurants boarded-up doors fly open during the hurricane and took action. She was able to secure the doors again with cordless drill, limiting the damage.

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Without her, the wind and water would have just been blowing straight through here, Harris said.

At Kermits Treme Mother in Law Lounge, trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and his crew were already starting to repair some damage to the fences and patio out back. In the French Quarter, at the historic Antoines Restaurant, operations manager Ian Turkmen was beginning the task of assessing the massive St. Louis Street property, which showed no obvious damage from the street.

Some of the most basic work was simply sweeping up downed branches and debris, which chef Stephen Stryjewski and his family were doing Monday afternoon outside his companys Uptown bakery La Boulangerie.

Here and there, a handful of restaurants were finding ways to get back to cooking.

Beaucoup Eats in Mid-City near the hospital complexes reopened Monday evening with a short menu.

We know the two hospitals across the street are still full and functioning as well as the locals that chose to stay, so we can at least be of some service and in some sense a beacon of hope that we all can and will push through this, said co-owner Phil Hare.

At New York Pizza on Magazine Street, the del Corral family braved a blazing hot kitchen by lamplight to bake pizza with their gas ovens, and soon neighbors were filing in for pizza and beer.

They soon had a little company on the same block.

Bobby Zhao, chef/owner of Haiku Sushi a few doors down, was preparing to open Monday evening. With a generator keeping his coolers humming, he planned to make rice for sushi and serve what he could for takeout only.

Its something we can do for the neighbors, Zhao said, who has built a reputation for reopening quickly after disasters. We can just give them something different while we can do this.

Saints, Pelicans owner Gayle Benson to donate $1 million to Hurricane Ida relief New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson is offering support both financially and infrastructurally as southeastern Louisiana recov
Louisiana State Police are advising residents to stay off the road as they begin surveying Hurricane Ida's damage to major roads and highways.

Many routes are blocked by trees and debris, and dangerous road conditions exist.

Some parishes also remain under a curfew.

"Please avoid ALL travel at this time! Troopers are assessing roads, but downed trees and power lines are blocking roads," Louisiana State Police cautioned in a Tweet. "Your safety is paramount!"

Please avoid ALL travel at this time! #Troopers are assessing roads, but downed trees and power lines are blocking roads. Your safety is paramount! @La_DOTD pic.twitter.com/K9B8uu75SD  LA State Police (@LAStatePolice) August 30, 2021

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In Metairie, for instance, downed power lines were blocking traffic on I-10 at Causeway at 7:30 a.m. Troopers are working to have the non-electrified wires lifted so vehicles could pass.

Power lines are especially dangerous.
NEW ORLEANS  New Orleans firefighters put out a two-alarm fire at a New Orleans grocery store in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

NOFD responded to a fire at the St. Claude Fresh Market on St. Claude Avenue near Andry Street early Monday morning.

It is unclear how the fire started.

Photos show the fire was under control by 2:30 a.m.
Although they already thrive in south Louisianas warm, wet weather, mosquitoes generally inflict little more damage than an itchy, raised bump. But as climate change pushes temperatures higher, the viruses carried by the unofficial state bird are likely to proliferate faster, increasing its threat of infecting human beings with West Nile, Zika and dengue.

New Orleans average daily temperature has already risen 0.8 degrees since 1981, to 70.5; Lafayette is up 0.5 degrees to 68.1. As the trend continues, the states number of 79- to 84-degree days - the ones ideal for mosquito activity - could grow by nine to 14 per year, depending on the city, according to a report by the nonprofit Climate Central.

In addition, the changing climate's promise of more intense rain and wetter tropical storms might make it easier for some mosquitoes to multiply in the aftermath of a downpour, said James Diaz, LSU professor of environmental and occupational health. More precipitation can create more breeding areas, so it's increasingly important for residents and businesses to check their property for standing water.

As climate change occurs and we get hotter and longer summers and shorter and warmer winters, the diseases that are transmitted by arthropods are going to increase, Diaz said. The mosquito season ... mirrors the tropical storm and hurricane season, and as we see more storms, we're going to see more mosquito-borne disease outbreaks.

Easily distinguished by their white-striped legs, the aggressive Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti excel at spreading viruses. West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne virus in Louisiana, but should the Zika and Dengue viruses enter the state, they would pose a significant health threat, said Diaz and Jennifer Breaux, a New Orleans research entomologist.

The pair drop their eggs in standing water, especially human-made containers ranging from old tires to children's playground equipment to small plastic bottle caps - anything that can hold water.

"Albopictus is very dangerous because it lives around your house, Diaz said. It lives in your backyard. It lives in the saucers under your potted plants. It lives in your upturned garbage can top that you've forgotten to bring in and you've left outside during the heavy rains like we're having right now. And it will bite you again and again."

Louisiana is also home to several species of Culex mosquitoes, which can also carry West Nile but breed in drainage catch basins and septic systems.

It takes two bites for mosquitoes to spread a virus. The first bite on a host animal establishes the virus inside the insect, and the second passes it on. Between those two bites, pathogens incubate and grow inside the mosquito, working their way up from the gut into the saliva.

Heat allows pathogens to multiply faster, so the mosquito needs less time to start infecting people. The same heat makes the insects more active, which means more biting.

In Louisiana, cases of West Nile virus historically arise between late June and July and stop by November. A New Orleans resident reported a serious case recently, going beyond the usual flu-like symptoms to affect the nervous system. But as the state's already mild winters see further warming, Breaux said scientists have logged cases as early as January.

"A random one will pop up and you're going, 'What is this? This is not supposed to happen,'" said Breaux, who works for the New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board. "It's that lack of seasonal stability that's bringing these issues with the mosquitoes themselves."

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A 2018 Climate Central report said New Orleans could see at least 14 more days per year with conditions ripe for disease spread: days when the average temperature falls between 79 and 84 degrees. That report looked only at temperature trends during the spring, summer and fall, leaving out disease danger days" during the winter.

Lake Charles was expected to have 11 additional days, and Monroe, 12. Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Alexandria each was projected to see nine more days.

Local agencies such as New Orleans' mosquito control board perform their own routine checks in known mosquito breeding grounds, Breaux said, monitoring tire piles and spraying larvicide by truck or airplane where needed. But residents and businesses must do their part to limit population growth.

"This is happening on a very micro scale; this is happening in someone's backyard," Breaux said. "We try to address the issues that are city issues like the tire dumps, like the swales in the road and the puddles of water in the parks. We can definitely handle that, but if I can't get all of our neighbors to check their backyards for their wheelbarrows, and their kids toys, we're still going to have a huge problem."

Diaz said researchers are studying a number of innovative methods for controlling mosquito populations, beyond raining insecticide from the sky. They include sending in tiny crustaceans called copepods to gobble mosquito larvae and sterilizing male mosquitoes, which prefer flower nectar over blood. After Hurricane Katrina, some residents received bags of guppies to place in abandoned swimming pools, where they ate the mosquito larvae.

But Breaux said insecticides will always remain an important tool in combating extreme outbreaks.

Ultimately, she said, vigilance from all parties will be key to managing any threats posed by the whining insect.

"There's a whole lot we can do about these impending climate changes, and whatever it's going to do, leave that to the experts," she said. "What people can do is help us figure out how to handle this at the level of our communities."
Hurricane Ida destroyed the roofs of the city's municipal and traffic court buildings, court officials have been told by the New Orleans Police Department.

The damage was first reported by WWL-TV.

The buildings are on South Broad Street next to NOPD headquarters.

The extent of damage was unclear Sunday evening at roughly 8:30 p.m., but it appeared the repairs would be lengthy.

Damage to many area roofs and structures was being reported throughout the metro area as Ida moved slowly through the area with winds of roughly 129 mph. The storm knocked power out to all of Orleans Parish after what Entergy described as "catastrophic transmission damage."
Ochsner Health, Louisianas largest hospital system, worked to move 165 patients out of its hardest-hit hospitals Monday as the extent of Hurricane Ida's wrath on the state's already-taxed health care system came into focus.

Facilities across Ochsners system took a beating, said CEO Warner Thomas, describing partially torn off roofs, failed generators, water running down walls and blown-out windows. Damage was particularly bad in health care facilities south of New Orleans in the Houma area.

Hurricane Ida was a pretty rough ride, said Thomas. The storm caused significant damage across our system, as it did across the entire region."

The hospital system completed the evacuation of Ochsner St. Anne Hospital in Raceland early Monday morning and was nearly finish evacuating the Chabert Medical Center in Houma by midmorning. A total of 65 patients between the two facilities were moved.

Massive Entergy tower falls near New Orleans during Hurricane Ida A massive Entergy tower fell Sunday night, Aug. 30, 2021, during Hurricane Ida, knocking out power to most of metro New Orleans.

The hospital system will also help move about 100 patients from its partner medical center, Terrebonne General Hospital, which has air conditioning outages and significant roof damage, Thomas said.

The hospital will also evacuate River Place Behavioral Health Hospital in LaPlace, which serves adults and adolescents.

All Ochsner facilities are running on generators, said Thomas. The hospital system had a ten-day supply of fuel going into the storm and expects fuel trucks to arrive Monday or Tuesday. As a result, power at the hospital was less of a concern than power for the thousands of employees who care for patients.

In the past, the hospital has put employees in hotels when disasters caused power outages. That won't work this time, because hotels across the city are out of power and water, too.

"We are thinking through that in terms of staffing," said Thomas.

Gov. John Bel Edwards expects Hurricane Ida death toll 'to go up considerably' Gov. John Bel Edwards said Louisiana is still in "life-saving mode" and, as the search and rescue crews clear through the debris in Hurricane 

Hospitals across the region, already struggling under a deluge of COVID patients over the last month, were hit hard.

Dr. Joe Kanter, the state's chief health officer, posted on social media midday Monday that he would be getting reports throughout the day on how health care infrastructure fared. On a preliminary basis, he that said "it appears major hospitals did OK, some minor damage."

He noted that a few smaller hospitals "suffered significant damage and are evacuating now." And he instructed people to avoid hospitals if possible over the next few days, saying they would be busy.

Ochsner wasn't the only hospital system to deal with the punishing effects of Ida as the storm tore across Louisiana Sunday. Shingles flew off the roof of Lady of the Sea General Hospital, a small rural coastal hospital in Lafourche Parish, and water poured in. A representative did not respond to messages about whether the facility planned to evacuate.

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+2 Generator failure during Hurricane Ida at Thibodaux hospital prompts scramble to move ICU patients The partial loss of generator power Sunday at a Louisiana hospital in the path of Hurricane Ida sent doctors and nurses scrambling to keep pat

At the 194-bed Thibodaux Regional Health System, an emergency generator lost power in the intensive are unit where patients rely on life-sustaining ventilators. Medical staff manually ventilated critically-ill patients and transported them to other floors. One doctor described it as Katrinaesque.

LCMC Health, which operates six hospitals in New Orleans, said its system was "stable and self-sufficient" without interruptions in care, but would be on lockdown until Wednesday, according to an emailed statement. Emergency rooms remain open.

The Veterans Health Administration will open limited outpatient clinics in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Slidell. Bogalusa, Franklin, Houma, St. John and Hammond clinics will remain closed on Tuesday. Inpatient services were open.

Tulane Medical Center was on generators overnight, according to an employee working during the storm. A representative did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

Baton Rouge hospitals sustained less damage, but many buildings remained on generator power. Our Lady of the Lake Childrens Hospital and Regional Medical Center on Essen were on regular power, but its Assumption campus, Ascension campus, and North and Livingston emergency rooms are still relying on generators, according to a morning update from a hospital spokesperson.

Its not choose your own adventure  its sort of like choose your own disaster, said Dr. Catherine ONeal, speaking from her office at Our Lady of the Lake in Louisianas largest stand-alone hospital before the storm arrived yesterday. ONeal, the medical director, said her team in Baton Rouge was preparing to receive patients if necessary.

Baton Rouge Generals Bluebonnet campus was on regular power on Monday morning, while its two other campuses in Mid City and Ascension were being fueled by generator. Surgeries will resume at Bluebonnet on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson.

North Oaks Health System outpatient clinics in Tangipahoa and Livingston Parishes remain closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. With phone lines down, hospital staff has been unable to provide updates to family members of COVID patients, instead directing family to email info@northoaks.org.

Hospitals expect an influx of post-storm patients: heat stroke victims, injuries from storm clean-up and people who couldnt get to the hospital for emergency conditions while Ida raged.

Caitlin Richards mom would be one of those people, if only she could get down her driveway. By 11 p.m. on Sunday, her parents raised Mandeville home started taking on water. A few hours later, her mom started vomiting, had pain in her neck and felt dizzy.

Blood pressure readings, done at the direction of a relative who is also a cardiologist concluded was she likely having a small heart attack. They planned to seek treatment as soon as they could. Richards' parents stayed for the storm because her dad is a Stage 4 bladder cancer patient who receives a treatment cocktail available only through his doctor. Now those weekly treatments might be delayed, too.

The leaving would have had another kind of catastrophe for my dad, said Richards, who is from New Orleans but lives in Boston now. At the same time, the staying and the devastation Ida has caused for the area brings a plethora of bad possibilities.

"Were just desperate, she said, her voice breaking.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards will give an update on the rescue and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ida, which wreaked havoc in Southeast Louisiana on Sunday.

Edwards will talk on a variety of topics associated with the hurricane, including efforts by the National Guard and local first responders to reach people stranded by flooding. He should also discuss plans to restore power to millions of customers in South Louisiana, including all of Orleans Parish.

Sign up for free text message alerts with the latest Hurricane Ida news during power outages. Click here for New Orleans area updates and here for Baton Rouge area updates.

Watch the 4 p.m. press conference and follow our live coverage below.
Bradley Sumrall could see the old iron cross atop St. Augustine Church from the back yard of his house on Gov. Nicholls Street in Treme. The cross was already leaning a little before Hurricane Idas winds began churning the trees in the old neighborhood. By early Sunday afternoon, Ida had pushed the cross over completely. It hung precariously from its perch as the gray clouds swiftly passed above it.

I was worried that it would come down, Sumrall said. And if it fell, I wanted to go get it.

Hurricane or not, Sumrall said, the St. Augustine cross couldnt just fall into the street. It needed to be protected. The church, which was built by the African-American residents of the Treme in 1841, is a landmark of immeasurable importance. Its the anchor of the oldest Black parish in the country. Sumrall, a curator at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, wanted to be sure that if the cross fell, it would be safe until it could be put back in place.

The cross wasnt the only thing that Ida toppled. Sometime between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., the three giant pecan trees in Sumralls back yard succumbed to the wind and rain. The roots pulled out of the earth and the huge trunks toppled onto the double shotgun houses that adjoined the property, crushing the back wall of one and sending the brick chimney tumbling onto the roof.

Standing amid the broken brick fragments and fallen green pecans, Brison Colbert, 64 described the damage as a domino effect, as one thing crashed into another. When Colbert, a brick mason, heard the trees crash onto his house on Henriette Delille Street, his first fear was that his 93-year-old mother might be injured. She was asleep in the back room, right below the heavy tree trunk.

His mother Marion, Colbert said, had worked at Brennans Restaurant for 30 years. Happily, she was unhurt. She laid there like nothing happened, he said. Shes good.

Broderick Fairley, who lives in the other half of the double shotgun, said he was lying on the couch when the big trees descended. I heard something rattling, and here come all the sheetrock from the ceiling, he said. Fairley laughed as he pointed at the shards of debris that lay on the furniture and floor of his home.

We got to have humor, he said.

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Fairley said he wasnt going to clean up the place until the landlord saw what had happened. It might be tough facing the next few days without electricity. But he said he couldnt leave town, because of his job. Fairley said he helps care for laboratory animals  mice, rats, pigs, and other creatures  at Tulane University. It wouldnt be long before he had to return to his wards.

Fairleys front door was marked with an authentically ominous plastic skull and crossbones, which symbolized his membership in the Original Northside Skull and Bones Gang, an age-old Carnival masking group. Fairleys house is only two doors away from the Backstreet Cultural Museum, an institution devoted to New Orleans masking traditions.

Sumrall said the museum used to be a funeral home, with a building in the back for embalming. Not long ago, he said, the embalming building had been torn down. He said that the absence of that building may have been why the wind was able to find a clear path to push over the pecan trees that had stood for decades, possibly a century.

On Monday morning, the Treme streets were filled with the sound of scratching as neighbors raked the endless salad of oak leaves from the sidewalks. Everyone discussed the St. Augustine Church cross, marveling that it had hung on. Maybe the precarious cross would do some good.

Its kind of symbolic, Sumrall said. Maybe Rome will pay attention now.

Contacted by phone in Birmingham, St. Augustine pastor the Rev. Emmanuel Mulenga said the church has been in the process of getting the cross fixed for some time. As far as he knows, its the original 1841 iron design, Mulenga said. It had leaned slightly ever since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Then Hurricane Zeta bent it more last October.

Since its so high in the air and surrounded by power lines, maintenance is tough. Ironically, just last week, the church had received $75,000 from the Archdiocese to repair the cross. Now, he fears, the cost may have to be re-estimated.

Correction: The source of funds to repair the cross was the Archdiocese, not FEMA, as originally stated.
A large, multi-agency search and rescue mission was underway Monday to deliver trapped residents of southern Jefferson Parish to safety after Hurricane Ida's powerful storm surge topped levees in the Lafitte area.

More than 30 boats were deployed, with more arriving to help, Parish Council member Deano Bonano said. Water submerged much of Leo Kerner Parkway and Jean Lafitte Boulevard, and most residents had lost mobile phone service to call for help, officials said.

'A rough ride,' as 160-plus patients evacuate Louisiana's hospitals after Hurricane Ida Ochsner Health, Louisianas largest hospital system, worked to move 165 patients out of its hardest-hit hospitals Monday as the extent of Hurr

In 30 years of responding to hurricanes, Bonano said he had never seen the water come this far up the highway. Typically, the search and rescue operation is staged two miles closer to the town of Jean Lafitte, but this one is based seven miles to the north.

"This is highest the water ever been," he said. "This is historic flooding for the town."

Ida pushed 10 to 12 feet of water into Jean Lafitte, Barataria, Crown Point and lower Lafitte. Outside the fortress-like levees protecting more populous parts of the New Orleans area, these communities have only a partial ring levee about 7 feet high to shield their homes, businesses, schools, government buildings and part of the evacuation route.

Though the ring levee held, Parish Council member Ricky Templet said water rushed over it. Sheriff Joe Lopinto said water still covered the levee at midday, and it was unclear when the interior flooding would recede.

Inside the levee, flooding ranged from four to 10 feet, depending on building elevation. That forced some residents into their attics. A flash flood emergency is still was in effect until 2 p.m.

"We've got a lot of water that's really never been in these places before," Lopinto said. "I talked with one resident who lived down there and never had water in their house and actually had 8 feet last night."

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Elderly women and families with pets were among the first residents rescued by boat. A busload of at least 40 were sent to a nearby playground, Bonano said. He said they were "tired, fatigued and shocked" but relieved to be rescued.

Lopinto estimated that no more than 400 residents remained in the flooded area, and only a few minor injuries reported. With the number of boats deployed, he thought all in need would be swiftly rescued. He will not force those not in immediate danger to leave.

He said elevated houses appeared to have fared well through Ida and remained structurally intact.

Bonano said the Coast Guard was searching for residents by helicopter. At the staging area, the National Guard, Sheriff's Office, the Fire Department and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were on the scene, as well as members of the volunteer Cajun Navy.

On Saturday, the day before Ida struck, Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner said even 10 feet of surge would be catastrophic for the community. Bonano said Monday that officials were in communication with Kerner although residents were without mobile phone service. Lopinto said authorities were working to provide the mayor with radios to communicate with residents.

A police blockade prevented people from approaching the boat staging area. Bonano advised the public to stay away and let the operation proceed.

"A lot of people are trying to come down to check in their kin. We appreciate their effort, but now's not the time," he said. "Be patient. We'll bring everybody out as quickly possible."
After Hurricane Ida inflicted epic wind damage in and around Kenner on Sunday, residents should prepare to be without water for five days and without power for up to three weeks, according to government officials.

Jefferson Parish Councilman Dominick Impastato, whose district includes Kenner and a part of west Metairie, said his constituents could be without water for the better part of a week because of multiple main breaks during the unforgiving Category 4 storm.

The issue is unrelated to the power outages affecting virtually all of Jefferson and New Orleans, after a key Entergy transmission tower collapsed into the Mississippi River on Sunday. Before the storm, Entergy officials had advised local government leaders that Ida had the potential of leaving residents and businesses in the dark for 21 days, if not more, Impastato said.

If you are here, or are contemplating coming back, this is probably not (going to be) a good time where you will have the services  you would expect, Impastato said on WWL-TV. Water  should be restored ahead of power, but it will  a significant amount of time.

On the same interview, Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn mentioned that the water issue had hampered the municipal Fire Departments ability to respond to blazes, including one that burned down an apartment complex building at 1201 W. Esplanade Ave. after possibly being sparked by a generator. Zahn said his administration was working to acquire trucks equipped with large water tanks from the National Guard to restore his Fire Departments ability to do its job ahead of the necessary main repairs.

Meanwhile, Zahn said the storm  which was absolutely worse than his administration anticipated  had also virtually destroyed City Hall.

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If there is a roof still intact in City Hall, its severely damaged, Zahn said in the same interview. A lot of the roofs are gone.

Zahn said his administration is online in remote locations for the aftermath of the storm. And though his staff will prioritize addressing residents immediate needs, he believes City Hall will ultimately have to relocate, he said.

Zahn and Impastato said early damage assessments revealed numerous homes had trees fall on or through them during Ida, which approached the greater New Orleans area while still packing winds of nearly 130 miles per hour. Trees and powerlines also remained down on the citys major thoroughfares on Monday morning, making them unsafe to drive down for now.

But there were no immediate reports of injuries to people in Kenner, a city of 66,000 residents, Zahn said. And Impastato said he was thankful the city and the surrounding area were not seeing the need for high water rescues like LaPlace and communities in lower Jefferson, including Grand Isle and Lafitte.

Theres definitely (a need for) perspective, and thats something Im trying to communicate, Impastato said. We may have roof damage and be out of water, but thats not nearly as bad as so many of our neighbors in other areas.
It will take at least a week, if not longer, to get the lights turned on again for homes and businesses in the New Orleans area after the devastation of Hurricane Ida, Entergy Corp. CEO Phillip May said Monday.

Nearly one million Entergy customers were without power across the state Monday as the extent of the damage from the Category 4 hurricane became clear. On the north shore, Cleco Power said that more than 100,000 of its customers also were without power, mostly those in the population centers around Slidell, Madisonville and Covington.

The damage from the hurricane, among the most powerful to hit Louisiana ever, was so extensive that the utility lost all eight of the transmission lines that are the main arteries feeding electricity into the greater New Orleans area.

May said the amount of time until power is back will depend on the assessment of damage to those main lines, which connect the metro area through several "corridors" of towers carrying thick transmission-voltage lines down both east and west banks of the Mississippi River, running north to Calcasieu Parish and across Lake Pontchartrain to Slidell.

The transmission lines are part of a broader system  the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO  that allows Entergy to source electricity from power plants and other utility operators in more than a dozen states.

Entergy's electricity system is designed to have a number of backups should a few transmission lines fail. But with all eight down, crews were working to understand which ones can be put back together quickly to start getting power flowing.

The loss of eight transmission lines was a serious blow to the system. In one instance, a transmission tower on the west bank of the river, near Avondale, crumpled under the pounding of Ida's winds. That 400-foot structure, which supported a 3,800-foot cable carrying up to 750,000 volts, ran across the Mississippi River to Harahan. Eyewitnesses said it crashed into a heap and its cable snapped off and appeared to go into the river as Ida barreled through the area.

"This is a tower that went through Katrina without wavering and it was taken down by Ida," said May.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputy Robert Chehardy, said he was stationed at the Bridge City Volunteer Fire station at River Road, just two hundred feet from the tower, when it started to sway violently.

"You could see where it was starting to bow," said Chehardy. "The x-braces on the (riverside of the tower) snapped. Then it started flexing and twisting underneath itself, the cable snapped and 'dwoop,' it went toward the river."

May said that it's likely that Entergy will find similar damage to other parts of the transmission system. On Monday, the utility had three helicopters in the air assessing the damage, as well as engineers at control centers and linemen on the ground.

"Given that we had that kind of damage and devastation to one of the more robust towers that we have, our expectation is that we'll find more," he said.

This is not the first time the utility's transmission lines into the city have failed during a significant storm. In 2008, Hurricane Gustav knocked out all but one of Entergy's lines into the city, leaving nearly a million homes and businesses without power. Only about 41 percent of the customers who lost power during Gustav had power back within 10 days.

The utility faced criticism in the aftermath of that storm for not doing more to upgrade and maintain its lines to give them the strength to survive a severe storm. And similar questions are likely to arise in the coming weeks and months from the New Orleans City Council, Entergy New Orleans' primary regulator.

Councilmember Helena Moreno said shortly after the city went dark that the Utility Committee she chairs would be launching an investigation into the failures.

"We're going to hone in about what exactly went wrong: Were any of these reliability failures and transmission failures preventable?" Moreno said.

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Still, for now, the main question from residents and public officials was when power might come back. May's estimate of about a week for at least some customers was related to how quickly the utility can start restoring portions of the transmission system, if not the whole thing. May said only one of the transmission lines needs to be operational for power restoration to begin.

"This is an important region and there is a lot of redundancy," he said. "If we can get one line up and running that will be the toehold for getting power restored to the New Orleans area. With that we can begin to light the city and the rest of the region."New Orleans City Council members have taken a cautious view of how long it will take for the typical resident or business in the city would be able to be assured that the lights will come on when they flipped a switch.

Council members have been briefed by the utility on its efforts. Councilmember Joe Giarrusso said Monday that even if the company can restore some of the transmission lines relatively easily, that would likely only mean enough power for critical infrastructure like the Sewerage & Water Board's pumps and the city's hospitals. The utility has estimated that it can get power restored to 90% of customers in about three weeks, Giarrusso said.

"Entergy needs to be moving with a sense of urgency and giving some definitive answers" about the restoration process, he said.

Exactly what went wrong with the transmission lines is still not clear but may be the key to determining how long the outage will last.

The transmission lines all have "protective schemes" that could have tripped them offline. That would be the best-case scenario: if one or more of the lines was not catastrophically damaged, and only needed to be safely brought back online again, it would be similar to flipping back on a home circuit breaker.

Entergy's "Plan B" would be to start restoring customers with power supplied directly by its New Orleans East and Westwego Ninemile 6 power plants.

Entergy's argument when it got approval for the controversial New Orleans East gas-fired plant from the City Council three years ago was that it would be available for crises like the present one.

Giarrusso said the council has been eager for more information about what it would take to get those plants put to use to provide at least some power in the city.

"People want to know that all the available options are being explored to restore their power," Giarrusso said. "(Ninemile and the New Orleans East Plant) are the places the councilmembers keep asking Entergy New Orleans about."

Entergy New Orleans also has built some solar power resources at Michoud, though they would be marginal in the current situation.

Cleco, which supplies power to the north shore, said Monday that it is also assessing damage to see what parts of the system had been affected.

Clint Robichaux, manager of distribution operations support for the utility, said they couldn't say yet how long it might take to restore electricity to those affected.

Now that the storm has passed, we will begin our initial damage assessment," he said in a statement.

He didn't say whether there had been any damage to the large transmission lines that carry power to distribution points, but he said repairing those would be the first priority.

Severe damage to transmission infrastructure in Orleans, Jefferson and other parishes most affected by the storm are delaying assessments and likely will delay repairs and restoration of power to those areas.

Robichaux said widespread flooding and communications outages also will contribute to the delays in fixing the power grid and getting people reconnected.

Cleco said Monday afternoon that 99% of customers in St. Tammany Parish had their power cut, which translates to more than 95,000 residences and businesses. All 800 of Cleco's customers in Washington Parish were without power.
Earl Smith, 83, former resident of Moore, OK passed away peacefully at his home in Longmont, CO. Earl was born in Depew, OK to John and Ethel Smith. He retired in 2000 from Rose State University as an accounting Professor. Graveside service will be held at Oakdale Cemetery, Depew, OK on Sept
Max Townsend arrives for his sentencing Aug. 19 in Norman. Townsend was convicted of three counts of second-degree murder, three counts of leaving the scene of a fatality accident and four counts of leaving the scene of an injury accident for running over members of the Moore High School cross country team, killing Yuridia Martinez, Rachel Freeman and Kolby Crum and injuring others.
Bloomsburg, Pa. -- Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and the BU Student Veterans Association (BUSVA) will hold a Day of Remembrance and Salute to First Responders to mark the 20th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The event will be held on Friday, Sept. 10 starting at 9 a.m. on the steps of the Warren Student Service Center on the Academic Quad. The event is open to the public.

The program will feature remarks by Stacy Garrity '86, Pennsylvania's State Treasurer, and Elizabeth Miller '17, whose father was killed in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center.

Garrity served 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a colonel and having earned two Bronze Stars and Legion of Merit for her service. Miller is a Rule of Law Fellow for September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, a nonprofit 9/11 family member group that is committed to the pursuit of justice within a rule of law framework.

In addition, BU President Bashar Hanna will offer remarks with Jared Stump, a BU student, veteran of the U.S. Army, and president of BUSVA serving as master of ceremonies.

Music will be provided by the Concert Choir with Alan Baker directing; the Women's Choral Ensemble with Amelia Garbisch directing; and Bloomsburg University Husky Marching Band under the direction of Gifford Howarth.
Harrisburg, Pa. -- The Pa. Department of Human Services (DHS) is reminding those still unable to pay rent, a direct result from the COVID-19 pandemic, that programs are still available for renters and landlords to help.

Acting DHS Secretary Meg Snead addressed the recent ruling from the United States Supreme Court that struck down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)s nationwide moratorium on evictions in counties with substantial or higher COVID-19 transmission.

We are once again in a period of great danger to health and well-being due to rapid spread of the COVID-19 delta variant. The CDCs eviction moratorium has allowed people to remain housed  a basic need that is essential to keeping people safe as cases continue to rise in Pennsylvania and around the country. Without this moratorium, individuals and families may face imminent eviction as enhanced unemployment benefits lapse, the school year begins, and COVID-19 cases continue to rise," said Snead.

Residential renters and landlords should not wait to pursue assistance available through Pennsylvanias Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

The Wolf administration established the ERAP in partnership with the General Assembly through Act 1 of 2021 to distribute $569 million to Pennsylvania households through partnerships with local leaders. An additional $278 million in rental assistance was directly allocated to Pennsylvanias largest counties by the federal government, making a total of $847 million available to support renters and landlords feeling the strain of this economic insecurity across Pennsylvania. Counties are reporting data on the Act 1 distribution of funds monthly to DHS that are available online here.

Pennsylvanians fearing eviction do not have to go through this alone. ERAP funding is available for unpaid rent, future balances, and rehousing and relocation costs necessary to help you find a safe house, but you must apply now. Our partners across Pennsylvania are working as quickly as possible to issue ERAP funds to tenants and landlords, but we cannot help you if you do not apply. If you are concerned at all about eviction, you need to start your application as soon as possible," the secretary said.

Counties and localities that received a direct allocation report on this funding to the United States Treasury, which is reporting data here. In total, $218.5 million has been distributed to more than 50,300 households in Pennsylvania as of July 31, 2021.

To landlords and property managers, I urge you to exercise compassion and work with your tenants through this time. Eviction helps no one  these eviction filings will follow tenants beyond this crisis, and at the end of the process, these balances will not get paid. ERAP can give your tenants security while ensuring that you are made whole. Because there are no caps on this assistance, this aid can help both tenants and landlords stabilize after an incredibly difficult 18 months. Evictions should be an absolute last resort  please work with your tenants and let ERAP help," Snead said.

Funding for ERAP comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and further rental assistance funds included in the American Rescue Plan Act were appropriated in Act 24 of 2021 signed in July by Wolf. These resources will be available to support renters soon, so ample funding is available to help renters and landlords settle unpaid rent.

Households may be eligible for up to 18 months of assistance to cover past-due or future rental and/or utility payments. The amount of a households monthly rent or utility bills does not preclude eligibility, but the amount of ERAP assistance provided to a household is determined by program administrators at the county level.

An eviction crisis affects more than just those losing their housing  health care systems, employers, our local economies, schools, criminal justice systems, and entire communities will be impacted. We must rally together now and help protect those who have been most affected by this pandemic and are in grave danger without the moratorium on evictions. I urge all Pennsylvanians to spread the word on ERAP so our families, friends, and neighbors know that ERAP is available to help people at risk of eviction. And if you are facing an eviction, do not wait  apply for ERAP now," Snead added.

Assistance can be provided to a tenant for future rental payments, and for unpaid rental or utility arrears that were accrued on or after March 13, 2020, on a residential rental property. Counties may choose to provide additional assistance to eligible households if funds remain available.

Either tenants or landlords can apply for this assistance, but a tenant does not need a landlords permission to apply and use this assistance. This program is an opportunity to help ease circumstances for both parties, so landlords and tenants are strongly encouraged to work cooperatively to secure this stabilizing assistance. ERAP is overseen by DHS at the state level but administered locally by county and municipal partners. Pennsylvanians can learn how to apply in their county of residence online.

To qualify for assistance, a household must be responsible to pay rent on a residential property and meet each of the following criteria:

One or more people within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits, had a decrease in income, had increased household costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 pandemic; AND

One or more individuals in the household can show a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; AND

The household has an income at or below 80 percent of area median income, which varies by county. Income limits by county are available on the DHS website. Resources (like bank accounts and cars) are not relevant to ERAP eligibility.

Applicants will need to provide the following information: head of households personal identification information; income information for all household members 18 and older; rental lease and amount owed; landlords name and contact information. If applying for utility assistance, applicants must provide utility expenses and utility provider information.

For more information on ERAP, promotional materials, state allocation program data, and to learn how to apply.
Cedartown, GA (30125)

Today

Mainly sunny. Less humid. High 84F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 61F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
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Rome, GA (30161)

Today

Mainly sunny. Less humid. High around 85F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds overnight. Low 62F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
'He would not have wanted to go out any other way': 76-year-old Colfax firefighter dies doing what he loved
Samsung had announced that One UI 4, an OS skin based on the upcoming Android 12 version, would become available in a preview form last month. Now, a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has been detected as running what could be this update on Geekbench 5. Therefore, the beta in question might be released soon.

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Samsung had announced that it would release a version of One UI 4 to the members of its beta program. It might be a worthwhile update, as this version of the OS is the one slated to be based on the next major Android upgrade. That, however, was about a month ago, and no sign of the advance preview has been seen since.

Now, however, it seems it may now be ready, with the appearance of a Galaxy S21 Ultra (or SM-G998U) has appeared on the Geekbench 5 benchmarking website. That is not an unusual occurrence in itself; however, this unit is listed as running on Android 12 rather than 11.

The device is also described as powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC, which, should it really have Samsung's latest beta, might make sense as the OEM has only offered it to its South Korean fans with Galaxy S21-serires devices thus far. This market is one of the few in which the S21 Ultra is not powered by the Exynos 2100.

Therefore, it seems the first One UI 4 beta might be on the way soon. This new leak might also serve to support new rumors that the Google Pixel 6 series, most likely the first smartphones to launch with the Android 12 upgrade, might launch in mid-September 2021.

Buy a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra on Amazon
Boomer Rose, founder of the Clean addiction recovery app, is pictured at right with Hugh McGee, founder and owner of Rivendell Recovery Center in White Post on Aug. 21 at a launch event for the new app. Rose, a former Northern Virginia resident and a Shenandoah University graduate, chose to launch and test the app in the Northern Shenandoah Valley after finding recovery from drug and alcohol addiction at Rivendell. Rose said he has been clean for four years.
First, use a timer on your lights and alternate the times they go on and off. Ask a neighbor to take your trash can off the street or walkway and put it behind your home or in your garage. Ask a neighbor or the post office to hold your mail/packages if you'll be gone a week or more. Make certain your pets are either with you or a close friend or boarded. Too many burglars will kill a barking dog or a friendly cat. Thankfully, our two dogs were with us. Park a car halfway up the driveway to prevent a thief from making a fast get-away. Lock your garage door and turn off the automatic garage door opener.

I hope this prevents anyone else from thinking they'll never get robbed simply because they locked their windows and doors.  Beth M., Long Beach, California

Dear Reader: For some interesting hints, pet photos and more, go to www.Heloise.com . We've redesigned our website to include more information and interesting subjects. -- Heloise

Dear Readers: As we're turning the corner on COVID and the economy recovers, you may find yourself interviewing for a new job or promotion. You need to talk during the interview, of course, to sell yourself, but what are some things you should NOT say? Let's take a look:

-- Never say: "I'm the greatest in my department." Boastfulness can be off-putting. Instead, say, "I'm proud of what I've accomplished."

-- Never say bad things about a past supervisor. If you're talking bad about him or her, you'll talk bad about your new boss. You can say what you've learned, but keep it professional.

-- Don't let on that you like to work alone. Whether it's your thing or not, you'll probably have group projects at some point. You must be a team player.

-- Never state that you are desperate for a job. The employer wants to know what skills you can add to the position. Research the company and talk about that and what your contributions can be. Specific examples of how you grew your previous department would be helpful.

-- Always ask questions about the position and what the expectations and goals are. The one question NOT to ask: What is the salary? The employer wants to know what you can bring to the company before they offer you a compensation package.

Good luck in your job search. Let your confidence and your verbal skills shine, but just be careful not to say the wrong things. -- Heloise

TECH TALK TUESDAY

Dear Readers: We've probably all deposited a check remotely at this point by taking a picture of the check on the financial institution's app. But did you know you can pay bills the same way?

It's called Picture Pay, and it's easy. First, take a picture of the billing statement. Then, in your bank's app, confirm the amount to be paid and submit the payment. Your bank uses technology called optical character recognition (OCR). OCR reads the information from your bill and, with built-in analytics, the bill gets paid.

You don't have to enter your account number or the name of the company either. The computer software does all of that. Check it out. -- Heloise

DISTRACTED DRIVING

Dear Heloise: My friend lost her son tragically to distracted driving. He was shooting video with his phone while driving and took his eyes off the road for just five seconds. That was enough for him to lose control of the car, and he crashed.

My friend wants you to know: Distracted driving is, yes, fussing with your phone, but it is also putting on makeup, fiddling with the radio, eating while driving -- anything that takes your focus and eyes off the road. -- Marisol R. in Texas

Marisol, I'm so sorry about your friend's son. Readers: you must concentrate on driving when you are behind the wheel. -- Heloise

HAIR CARE

Dear Readers: Protecting your hair from chlorine in the pool is smart. Coat dry hair with a tiny glom of hair conditioner especially made for swimmers; it's a good barrier from chlorine. -- Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
I was excited to get started learning more about the village, which was founded by Dutch farmers in the 1840s and originally known as De Laage Prairie (The Low Prairie). The village was the setting for Edna Ferbers novel So Big, written in 1924. In the 1890s, it became a big producer of onion sets and became known as the Onion Set Capital of the World.

I got started on my research and spent time at the South Holland Historical Society, combing through files and photos. I visited residents who pulled out photo albums and shared stories around their kitchen tables. My second book, Images of America: South Holland, Illinois was published in 2003.

When I was growing up, I always appreciated the family-friendly environment and faith-based values of the village. At that time the Blue Laws prohibited businesses from operating on Sundays and had a ban on liquor sales.

Like every other community in the country, South Holland has seen a lot of changes over the past four decades, and in many ways, South Holland has just become a stronger, better place. Theres still so much pride in its heritage and attending Heritage Days on Labor Day is one away to see its history on full display.
VALPARAISO  More than four years after charges were filed and following numerous delays, the defense is now asking the court to dismiss charges that a former Porter County police officer injured his infant son and left the boy disabled and with a much shorter life expectancy.

Prosecutors have failed to provide the necessary evidence to back up felony counts of battery resulting in serious bodily injury to a person less than 14 years of age, aggravated battery and neglect of a dependent resulting in serious injury that were filed against Curtis Jones, 51, who is now living in Florida, according to Portage-based defense attorneys John Vouga and Nicholas Barnes.

The charges claim the offense occurred on or about July 24, 2016, but prosecutors say the injuries suffered by the child "'must have' happened 'near' the time that Mr. Jones called 911," the motion to dismiss reads. "The phrase 'must have' provides zero degree of sufficient certainty. Additionally, the word 'near' is equally vague and provides no certainty."

"There is no scientific test to determine when these injuries occurred, just guesses," the defense says. "As this Court is aware, our criminal justice system is not intended to convict individuals based on guesses, but rather facts."
HAMMOND  Monday will be an e-learning day for Hammond's middle and high school students as the school district gives students and staff time "to pause and reflect" in the wake of a shooting Friday outside the new Hammond Central High School.

The School City of Hammond said in a notice to families Sunday that the safety of its students and staff was "of the utmost importance."

"As we prepare for the start of the week, we want to assure families that School City of Hammond takes any threat of violence seriously and works directly with the Hammond Police Department to investigate any weapons claims in our school buildings," the notice said.

Two students were wounded in a shooting about 2:25 p.m. Friday near Hammond Central High in the 5900 block of Calumet Avenue, police said.

Hammond police took a juvenile suspect into custody after the shooting, Lt. Steve Kellogg said.

The two wounded students were taken to a local hospital in stable condition, he said.

Students walked into the new high school for the first time Aug. 18, when in-person classes resumed. The school serves about 1,900 students, who previously attended Clark, Gavit, Hammond and Morton high schools.
Police allege the victim, Blair, was inside a diner at 24th and Broadway in Gary during the early morning hours of Dec. 19, 2010, when Gates entered and killed her in a barrage of gunfire.

Police allege Major and Gates plotted her death hours earlier at the Sin City Deciples' clubhouse near Eighth and Virginia in downtown Gary where both were members.

The government alleges Major paid Gates $10,000 to kill Blair to prevent her from testifying against him at an upcoming Lake Criminal Court attempted murder trial in Crown Point.

She was an eyewitness to Majors shooting of another man two years earlier.

Without Blair as a witness, the Lake County prosecutors office was only able to convict Major of battery in the earlier shooting of the other man. Major served a 2-year sentence for the crime.

The Lake County prosecutors office charged both Major and Gates in 2016 with Blairs murder but the state never came close to putting the men on trial in Crown Point over Blairs death.

About a half-dozen dates for a trial were set and canceled over the next five years as the two men and their lawyers demanded and received a series of nearly 70 delays, claiming they needed more time to defend themselves.
The CIVU building was vandalized after that investigation was announced, according to Padilla.

"We will be ever vigilant to protect our (Asian Pacific Islander) community from verbal, physical and online attacks," the letter said. "We cannot allow to occur again what happened to Asian-Americans as a result of accusations made during the COVID-19 crisis."

Padilla's letter said CIVU has aimed to help Northwest Indiana citizens learn about Chinese music since it opened in 2008. The institute is supported by the Confucius Institute Headquarters in Beijing. The local institute is co-run by Valparaiso University and Zhejiang University of Technology.

Valparaiso's contract with Zhejiang stipulates a six-month notice for the closure. On Friday, Provost Eric Johnson and Padilla spoke with leadership at Zhejiang University about the decision, and they were "understanding and accepting," the letter said.

The financial risk of potentially losing DOE funding is presumably what led more than 80 other universities across the country to close their Confucius Institutes, the letter said. Only 38 institutions remain in the U.S., but eight are reportedly scheduled to close in the near future. VU's is the only remaining one in Indiana.
GARY  Firefighters rescued four people from the second floor of a smoke-filled multi-family home on Fifth Avenue early Saturday morning, according to the Gary Fire Department.

One adult and three young children were hanging out the windows of two separate units when firefighters arrived at 2415 W. Fifth Ave. around 2:10 a.m. Saturday, according to Battalion Chief Timothy Haines. Firefighters were able to ladder up and pull two children from a second-floor window on the front of the building, then rescue a woman and another young child from another second-floor window at the rear of the home.

Haines said all four people were transported to the hospital after the rescue. He believed a couple were being treated for smoke inhalation but said that everyone was conscious when they were pulled to safety.

An initial investigation revealed the fire apparently started in a closet on the first floor of the two-unit building. The residents of that unit were asleep when the fire began but a father and child in the unit were able to leave the building safely, Haines said. The four residents trapped on the second floor were unable to exit safely because of the amount of smoke in the building.
He didnt agree with everything the school corporation did regarding the pandemic last year, but Finn felt like it was trying and did the best it could. This year he doesnt feel the same and isnt sure where the switch came from.

The loudest voices are the ones who are screaming for no masks, he said, but he cant tell if those voices actually make up the majority.

At the July board meeting, Finn spoke during public comment and urged the board to consider universal masking at the elementary level because, to him, it makes sense since the children cant be vaccinated.

Finn said masking has turned into a political issue, but for him its not about politics. If someone feels theyve been informed and chooses not to wear a mask or get vaccinated, thats their choice, he said.

But the biggest point for Finn is options for everyone. He doesnt want to tell anyone how to parent, but he doesnt want his children put at risk, either.

This choice doesnt extend to just the idea of a mask or no mask, he said. "The choice is about the option to be able to send your kid to a different environment or figure out a way to accommodate their needs.
Box said state health officials are talking with the Indiana Department of Education to take further actions that compel schools to comply.

As Indiana continues to record the worst statewide COVID-19 positivity rate since last winter, Box largely attributed the the latest statewide surge to the start of the new school year.

Having students in school together and participating in extracurricular activities is driving many of the new cases, she said, increasing the need for students, teachers and staff to wear masks and get vaccinated if theyre eligible to help decrease transmission.

State officials estimate less than 10% of K-12 schools are doing COVID-19 testing, however, despite available resources from the Indiana Department of Health. Box said health officials are urging additional COVID-19 testing be offered in school settings, which could help reduce quarantines.
Mr. Kirby said the American retaliation was meant to punish the perpetrators of the rocket attack but not to escalate hostilities with Iran, with which the Biden administration has sought to renew talks on a nuclear deal that President Donald J. Trump had shelved.

We have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to de-escalate the overall situation in both eastern Syria and Iraq, Mr. Kirby said.

The attack on the Erbil airport was claimed by a little-known group called Awliya al Dam, or Guardian of the Blood, brigades. The group also claimed responsibility for two bombings against U.S. contractor convoys in August.

Little is known about the group, including whether it is backed by Iran or related to the organizations that used the facilities the American airstrikes targeted on Thursday. Some American officials contend that the group is merely a front for one of the better-known Shia militias.

Michael P. Mulroy, a former top Middle East policy official at the Pentagon, said the limited strikes appeared intended to signal that Irans use of militias as proxies would not allow them to avoid responsibility for attacking Americans. But the time and place of the attack also were significant.

The decision to strike in Syria instead of Iraq was likely to avoid causing issues for the Iraqi government, a key partner in the continuing efforts against ISIS, Mr. Mulroy said in an email. It was smart to strike in Syria and avoid the blowback in Iraq.

Mr. Biden had discussed the rocket attacks in a phone call on Tuesday with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi of Iraq. A White House statement afterward said that the two agreed that those responsible for such attacks must be held fully to account.
Lila Gleitman, whose pioneering work in linguistics and cognitive science expanded our understanding of how language works and how children go about learning it, died on Aug. 8 at a hospital in Philadelphia. She was 91.

Her daughter Claire Gleitman said the cause was a heart attack.

Until the 1970s, most linguists believed that the structure of language existed out in the world, and that the human brain then learned it from infancy. Building on the work of her friend Noam Chomsky, Dr. Gleitman argued the opposite: that the structures, or syntax, of language were hard-wired into the brain from birth, and that children already had a sophisticated grasp of how they work.

The study of language acquisition, her primary scientific concern, was her field in a special sense, Dr. Chomsky said in a statement. She virtually created the field in its modern form and led in its impressive development ever since.

Dr. Chomsky, who like Dr. Gleitman received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, devised the theory. But it was Dr. Gleitman who figured out elegant ways to test it in the real world, starting with her own children.
Old resentments among Mr. VandeHei, Mr. Harris and Mr. Allbritton then boiled over. Mr. VandeHei, Mr. Allen and the companys chief revenue officer, Roy Schwartz, quit Politico and started the newsletter outfit Axios, an immediate success that became a serious competitor. The move brought an end to what had seemed to outsiders like a close friendship between Mr. Allbritton and Mr. VandeHei, though Mr. Allbritton said he didnt take it personally.

A lot of other people had much bigger emotional reactions than I did, he said brightly.

He also said that he did not consider Axios a competitor, given that its coverage was broader than Politicos. He pointed to recent Axios articles on Apple News and the hurricane approaching New Orleans.

We would never do a piece on meteorology, Mr. Allbritton said.

But Mr. VandeHeis exit did not sit well with his former longtime editorial partner, Mr. Harris, and the sites new editor, Carrie Budoff Brown. Politico implodes, gloated The Post. And as Axios took on the sheen of hot new thing, the rivalry between the two publications turned bitter. (At this point, assigning blame for the breach is a little like trying to glibly arbitrate the Israel-Palestine conflict.)

Mr. Harris spent the next year persuading Politicos reporters and editors not to abandon ship, while Ms. Budoff Brown restructured the newsroom and worked to improve a workplace culture some employees described as grinding and sometimes sexist.

In May, Mr. Allbritton said he caught wind that Mr. VandeHei was in talks to sell Axios to Axel Springer. Did he start negotiating with the Germans to spoil Mr. VandeHeis deal? I supposed that might have been part of the attraction. And in Politicos news release announcing the planned sale, a quote from Mr. Allbritton suggested as much: Particularly in recent years, he said, we have put the emphasis on doing rather than boasting. A spokesman denied that the line was aimed at his former colleagues, and Mr. Allbritton said he was simply, after years of flirtation with Axel Springer, ready to acknowledge that his family business didnt have the horsepower necessary to keep growing.

Were better off with this publication going to a big global company, he said.

On the day of the announcement, The New York Times reported that Axel Springer might still pursue a deal for Axios  perhaps Mr. VandeHei would be chief executive after the two publications merged? (Id always assumed he would run for office in his native Wisconsin one of these days.) Politicos executives in Washington pressed the German company to add a firm denial to the story, which they did.

Asked why he had chosen Politico over Axios, Mr. Dopfner told me in a telephone interview, Its an easy decision that you go for the No. 1. Mr. VandeHei called the sale great news for companies that produce quality journalism in a text to me.
Many residents evacuated the city before the storm made landfall, but some stayed behind, determined to ride out the storm in their own homes or those of friends or relatives.

Most houses were not boarded up, but residents appeared to have taken to heart officials advice to pull trash cans inside, leaving the streets uncommonly empty.

Further into the day, the Mississippi River was whipped into an ocean-like frenzy. Video footage circulated of a ferry that had broken loose from its moorings. Ms. Chandler said a tug would be dispatched to pull it to safety as soon as the winds died down.

Prolonged power outages are expected to have the biggest impact for those who stayed in the city, with food and medicine spoiling in inoperable refrigerators and hot weather making daily life uncomfortable for everyone. Power trouble had already begun on Sunday, as the lights flickered and went out in Algiers, then the 7th Ward, then the 9th Ward.

The Sewerage and Water Board sent a notice just before noon that a number of its stations throughout the city were losing power, which could cause sewers to back up in homes if residents did not reduce the amount of wastewater they send into the system through showers, dishwashing and toilets flushing.

These stations will be out of service until the storm passes, the notice read.

In other parts of the region, the storms effects were yet to arrive in force, and officials braced for daybreak Monday, when they would begin to learn the extent of a near-certain trail of misery for a state that was battered by numerous powerful storms last year.
NEW ORLEANS  As storm-force winds and rainfall reached the New Orleans area on Sunday morning, knocking out power in some places and making highway travel dangerous, it was already too late to leave. Still, some people in the city were second-guessing their decision to stay.

Im a little nervous, said Le-Ann Williams, 30, as she cooked breakfast and watched the forecast in her New Orleans East apartment.

The roads west and east of New Orleans were parking lots for much of Saturday as tens of thousands of people tried to make their way out of the storms predicted path. It took Robert Green Sr. 16 hours to get to Houston from New Orleans on Saturday, ordinarily a five-hour drive.

At the same time, thousands more decided to stay put.

Shawn Kelly meant to leave. He does not have a car, so he booked a flight out. But by Saturday afternoon, he got a notification that the flight had been canceled, and social media posts showed hourslong lines at the airport.
As American troops rush to complete their withdrawal by President Bidens Tuesday deadline, many Afghans are afraid that reprisals from the countrys new rulers will soon follow.

When Taliban fighters seized control of Kabul two weeks ago, the invading units made a beeline for two critical targets: the headquarters of the National Security Directorate and the Ministry of Communications.

Their aim  recounted by two Afghan officials who had been briefed separately on the raid  was to secure the files of intelligence officers and their informers, and to obtain the means of tracking the telephone numbers of Afghan citizens. That could be disastrous for hundreds of thousands of people who had been working to counter the Taliban threat.

So far, the Talibans political leadership has presented a moderate face, promising amnesty to government security forces who lay down their arms. They have even written letters of guarantee that they will not be pursued, although reserving the right to prosecute serious crimes. Spokesmen for the Taliban have also talked of forming an inclusive government.
For more than two weeks after the twin towers collapsed on 9/11, hundreds of search and rescue dogs hunted for signs of life in the smoldering ruins.

Ricky, a 17-inch-tall rat terrier, was able to squeeze into tight spaces. Trakr, a German shepherd from Canada, combed the wreckage for two days  then collapsed from smoke inhalation, exhaustion and burns. Riley, a 4-year-old golden retriever, searched deep into the debris fields and helped locate the bodies of several firefighters.

We went there expecting to find hundreds of people trapped, said Chris Selfridge, 54, of Johnstown, Pa., who was Rileys handler. But we didnt find anybody alive.
I need versatility and the opportunity to play many different styles, Mr. Malone said in a 1985 interview with Modern Drummer magazine. In recording, if Im not careful, I start to feel stale, or I feel that there isnt much room for expansion and growth.

On two occasions early in his career, he said, he briefly stopped doing session work and played only live with a jazz quartet. (With Mr. Pomeroy, a bassist, he later established the quintet Tone Patrol, a respected Nashville ensemble that mixed jazz and world music.)

To keep his approach fresh when he returned to the studio for good, Mr. Malone immersed himself in painting and began working no more than two recording sessions a day, as opposed to the usual three or four.

He also devised a conga-derived hand-drumming technique and invented a clay drum called an og and a hand-held shaker consisting of metal and wood.

Something of a mystic, Mr. Malone heard music everywhere, and exulted in it. Music is in everything, not just the instruments we play, he told Modern Drummer. The way that chords, melody and rhythm work together mirrors our emotions. Everything we hear forms a visual image or an attitude of a place, a time or an environment.
Lee (Scratch) Perry, the innovative Jamaican producer who mentored Bob Marley and pushed reggae into the sonic avant-garde with his dub productions, died on Sunday in Lucea, Jamaica. He was 85.

His death, at a hospital, was reported by Jamaican Observer and other Jamaican media; no cause was given. Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica tweeted condolences and praised Mr. Perrys sterling contribution to the musical fraternity.

Mr. Perry wrote songs, led the studio session band the Upsetters and produced leading Jamaican acts in the 1960s and 70s. He went on to collaborate internationally with the Clash, Paul and Linda McCartney, the Beastie Boys and many others. George Clinton and Keith Richards were guests on his albums.

Mr. Perry recorded dozens of albums under his own name and with the Upsetters; he also produced hundreds of songs for other performers. All my records are angels, he told Uncut magazine in 2018. They are not flesh and blood, they are spirits.
The Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators and American Booksellers Association, two other industry groups, also faced criticism this summer.

In June, the societys chief equity and inclusion officer issued a statement condemning antisemitism in response to a rise in hate crimes, but did not also make a statement condemning Islamophobia. She resigned in the ensuing backlash and apologized. She later told Newsweek that she was harassed online and received death threats. The society declined to comment for this article.

The American Booksellers Association apologized this month for two recent incidents. In the first, a staff member filling in for someone on vacation was assembling a best-seller list and included the cover image from the book Blackout, by the right-wing media personality Candace Owens, in place of a Y.A. novel with the same title that was jointly written by six popular authors. In the second instance, the association included Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters in a box of books it mailed to members. Publishers pay the association to include certain books, and it has been its policy not to review them so that they do not decide the titles members have access to.

In a letter to its members, Allison Hill, the associations chief executive, said the organization would review its box mailing policy, create a new diversity, equity, inclusion and access manager position, and donate to the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, among other measures.

Last summer, the president and board chairman of the Poetry Foundation resigned after an open letter signed by more than 1,800 people criticized the foundations statement about the Black Lives Matter movement as too weak. Around the same time, several board members at the National Book Critics Circle resigned after one board member accused another of making racist comments as the board discussed what to say in a statement supporting antiracism.

Both organizations said they have since made a number of changes aimed at making the groups more inclusive and elevating more diverse authors, in addition to appointing new leadership.

Criticism of these groups have generally taken place on social media, especially Twitter, where complaints that might have been more easily ignored or dealt with quietly in the past can quickly pick up steam.
But Douglass was quick to see what Johnson was up to. Before the end of his first year in office, Johnson had announced an Amnesty Proclamation for ex-Confederates, allowing Southern landowners who petitioned him personally to hold onto their property. Instead of referring to Reconstruction, he insisted on the term restoration. In the South, emboldened white mobs descended on Black people, perpetrating the 1866 massacres in Memphis and New Orleans. Douglass, as part of a delegation of Black Americans that visited the White House to argue for Black suffrage, told Johnson, You enfranchise your enemies and disfranchise your friends.

Johnson, stubborn and thin-skinned, responded to criticism by getting indignant and defensive, even borderline unhinged, Levine writes. If it hadnt been for increasing opposition, he continues, a more benign and pragmatic Johnson might have emerged.

The proposition is unconvincing, to put it mildly. Levine puts a lot of weight on the fact that in 1865, Johnson had privately expressed a plan for limited Black suffrage. Yet at the same time, Johnson was publicly insisting that suffrage too radical would set off a war of the races. And whatever Johnson may have said, what he actually did couldnt be clearer. He used his power to undermine Reconstruction at every turn, presiding over what the historian Annette Gordon-Reed has called a slow-motion genocide.

Levine nimbly narrates the road to Johnsons eventual impeachment  including a bizarre job offer that Johnson unofficially extended to Douglass to become the commissioner of the Freedmens Bureau, an agency that Johnson seemed to be doing everything else in his power to impair or even destroy.

But when Johnson was eventually impeached, it wasnt for his subversion of Reconstruction; it was for failing to obtain congressional approval before he fired his secretary of war. The articles of impeachment were dryly legalistic, almost all of them focused on violations of the Tenure of Office Act, passed by Congress just the year before. Republicans were trying to portray Johnson as a lawbreaker while studiously avoiding the matter of race. This fixation on technicalities, Levine says, allowed Congress to impeach Johnson not for doing harm to hundreds of thousands of Black people in the South but for firing a white man.

Considering how endemic racism was in both the North and the South, there were undoubtedly practical reasons for this, but Levine vividly shows how Douglass, as he did throughout the Civil War, kept trying to draw attention to the larger moral picture. Even before impeachment, Douglass was explaining to audiences how Johnson exploited the defects in the Constitution that allowed a bad and wicked president to assume kingly powers. After the trial, Douglass explained that Johnson should have been removed from office for attempting to return Black Americans to a condition only less wretched than the slavery from which the war for the Union had rescued them. Making impeachment about the Tenure of Office Act had buried Johnsons disgrace under a pile of legalistic quibbles.

The impeachers may have been trying to be pragmatic, but playing it safe didnt work; Johnson prevailed by a single vote. As one of his biographers, Hans Trefousse, once put it: If you impeach for reasons that are not the real reasons, you really cant win.
The U.S. winds down Afghanistan airlift

A U.S. drone strike in Kabul yesterday blew up a vehicle laden with explosives that officials said was an imminent ISIS-K threat to the airport, three days after a bombing killed about 170 civilians and 13 American service members. Afghans said that the drone strike killed a number of civilians, including children.

With President Bidens Tuesday deadline for withdrawing troops fast approaching, the U.S. is shifting its focus from evacuating civilians to bringing military personnel home. About 300 American citizens remain in Afghanistan. The U.S.-led coalition has told Afghans awaiting transport out of the country that for them, the airlift is over.

Though the Taliban has reportedly assured the U.S. and 97 other countries that Afghans with appropriate travel documents will be permitted to leave after U.S. troops depart, the insurgents have reneged on promises in the past, and their leaders have not always been able to control fighters and followers on the ground.

Refugees: Nearly 100 countries have pledged to accept Afghan refugees. But for the tens of thousands who have fled and are now in limbo in overflowing processing centers, an uncertain future awaits.
The U.S. military leaves Afghanistan

The last U.S. troops have left the airport in Kabul, signifying the end of a two-decade fight and the beginning of a Taliban-controlled chapter for the country, U.S. military officials said.

Evacuation flights ended today, a day ahead of schedule, and the military then packed equipment and personnel onto transport planes. Control of the airport was left in the hands of the Taliban, who said they were still working on the shape of the new government.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. military shot down rockets aimed at the airport. About 116,000 evacuations took place in the past two weeks, the White House said.

A few hundred people were waiting outside the airport perimeter, but they were kept at a significant distance by Taliban fighters guarding the area. A few planes  mostly C-17s, large military transport aircraft  took off and turned west into the setting sun.
As it turns out, the two groups were different. The first Israelis to have received the vaccine tended to be more affluent and educated. By coincidence, these same groups later were among the first exposed to the Delta variant, perhaps because they were more likely to travel. Their higher infection rate may have stemmed from the new risks they were taking, not any change in their vaccine protection.

Statisticians have a name for this possibility  when topline statistics point to a false conclusion that disappears when you examine subgroups. Its called Simpsons Paradox.

This paradox may also explain some of the U.S. data that the C.D.C. has cited to justify booster shots. Many Americans began to resume more indoor activities this spring. That more were getting Covid may reflect their newfound Covid exposure (as well as the arrival of Delta), rather than any waning of immunity over time.

Where is it?

Sure enough, other data supports the notion that vaccine immunity is not waning much.

The ratio of positive Covid tests among older adults and children, for example, does not seem to be changing, Dowdy notes. If waning immunity were a major problem, we should expect to see a faster rise in Covid cases among older people (who were among the first to receive shots). And even the Israeli analysis showed that the vaccines continued to prevent serious Covid illness at essentially the same rate as before.

If theres data proving the need for boosters, where is it? Zeynep Tufekci, the sociologist and Times columnist, has written.

Part of the problem is that the waning-immunity story line is irresistible to many people. The vaccine makers  Pfizer, Moderna and others  have an incentive to promote it, because booster shots will bring them big profits. The C.D.C. and F.D.A., for their part, have a history of extreme caution, even when it harms public health. We in the media tend to suffer from bad-news bias. And many Americans are so understandably frightened by Covid that they pay more attention to alarming signs than reassuring ones.

The bottom line

Heres my best attempt to give you an objective summary of the evidence, free from alarmism  and acknowledging uncertainty:

Immunity does probably wane modestly within the first year of receiving a shot. For this reason, booster shots make sense for vulnerable people, many experts believe. As Dr. Celine Gounder of Bellevue Hospital Center told my colleague Apoorva Mandavilli, the C.D.C.s data support giving additional doses of vaccine to highly immunocompromised persons and nursing home residents, not to the general public.
AstraZeneca has mandated that its U.S.-based employees be vaccinated against the coronavirus if they are returning to the workplace or visiting customers, the company confirmed on Monday.

The drug maker, which has headquarters in Cambridge, England, said the requirement also applied to employees of its Alexion Pharmaceuticals subsidiary, which is based in Boston. Workers can request exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons but will be required to take weekly coronavirus tests.

To safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and communities, we must follow the science, an AstraZeneca spokesman said in a statement.

AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine has been authorized for use in 87 countries, according to the companys website, and 913 million doses have been shipped. The vaccine has not been authorized for use in the United States.
Chinas strict limits on how long minors can play online video games just got stricter. Chinese children and teenagers are barred from online gaming on school days, and limited to one hour a day on weekend and holiday evenings, under government rules issued Monday.

The rules, released by the National Press and Publication Administration, tightened restrictions from 2019 aimed at what the government said was a growing scourge of online game addiction among schoolchildren. Under the old rules, players under the age of 18 were limited to no more than 90 minutes of gaming on weekdays and three hours a day on weekend.

Parents had complained that was too generous and had been laxly enforced, the administration said. The new rule sets the permitted gameplay hour to 8 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The government said it would step up inspections to ensure that gaming companies were enforcing the restrictions.

Recently many parents have reported that game addiction among some youths and children is seriously harming their normal study, life and mental and physical health, the administration said in an online question-and-answer explanation about the new rules. Parents, it said, had demanded further restrictions and reductions in the time provided for minors by online gaming services.
Energy markets swirled on Monday as investors responded to the immediate disruption of Hurricane Ida while also trying to gauge the economic toll of rising hospitalizations in the United States caused by the coronavirus.

Gasoline futures were 2 percent higher, after climbing more than 4 percent when trading started. West Texas Intermediate oil, the United States benchmark, also jumped at first, but then dropped into negative territory and was 0.8 percent lower Monday morning.

Before Hurricane Ida stormed ashore in Louisiana on Sunday, oil and gas companies shut down more than 90 percent of production in the Gulf of Mexico, making this storm the first of the year to significantly disrupt those industries.

Workers were evacuated from nearly half of the areas staffed production platforms, federal officials said on Saturday. BP, Chevron, Phillips and Shell were among the companies that closed facilities.
Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said on Monday that a ban was on the table for a practice that underpins some of the most popular free stock-trading apps.

Mr. Gensler told Barrons in an interview that he would consider banning payment for order flow  the practice in which large trading operations pay to execute trades for clients of retail brokerage firms, such as Robinhood.

The arrangement is central to the way Robinhood and some of its competitors, including E-Trade and Charles Schwab, have organized their businesses to offer commission-free trades  a crucial factor in the rush of millions of everyday people into the stock market.

The big trading operations, including Citadel Securities and Virtu Financial, that execute the orders make tiny profits on such trades, and the enormous user base of commission-free brokerage firms means those tiny profits can quickly add up.
Bernardo Fallas, a spokesman for Phillips 66, said the company would conduct a post-storm assessment of the refinery and its levees when it is safe to do so. The refinery completed a safe and orderly shutdown of operations ahead of Idas arrival, he said.

Guy McInnis, the St. Bernard Parish president, said flood levels there had reached 14 feet and the loose barges had caused extensive damage to the Valero refinerys docks. The Coast Guard has secured the barges, but we will be out of business for a while, Mr. McInnis said. Valero did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Louisianas 17 oil refineries account for nearly one-fifth of the nations refining capacity, with the ability to process about 3.4 million barrels of crude oil per day, according to the United States Energy Information Administration. In 2020, Louisianas two liquefied natural gas export terminals shipped out about 55 percent of the nations L.N.G. exports.

Much of that capacity was built after Katrina, and plans are in the works for a dozen more liquefied natural gas export terminals in the region  including at Port Fourchon, where Ida made landfall on Sunday.
There was an outpouring of love when it was announced that you were directing Candyman, yet your name was omitted from many initial headlines, which upset those fans. What was your reaction to all of that?

So, I try not to read anything because the bigger the things I do, the more pressure it is. The pressure can be so distracting and overwhelming, and it can stop you from doing well and consume the process. And, probably to a fault, I can be a bit self-deprecating. [Laughs] I was prepared for no one to care that I was a part of it. I didnt really think about it much until people on Twitter were like, Excuse me, its Nia DaCostas Candyman. I was like, Oh, thats really sweet. Im sure if it were another female filmmaker, I would have been doing the same thing. Like, Hey, you should probably be talking about the woman making the movie, not just the guy whos more famous.

Speaking of navigating pressure, I would imagine taking on Candyman was daunting because fans are so protective of it. Did you have any hesitation?

I was really excited because Jordan Peele was co-writer and a producer  no-brainer. So, I felt really safe in the process because Im a huge fan of his. But then, of course, reality sets in. Its not even, like, Oh, the fans really want.  Its a studio film. They have what they wanted to do, which is basically make a trillion dollars and be critically acclaimed. I think that was when I was like, Oh, no. Then you have the community that I made the movie for, which is my community in a macro sense  the Black community. But then in the micro sense, a community Im not a part of, the Cabrini-Green community. So, there are a lot of people that you want to do well for, and that can be daunting. But I think I just wanted to end with an open heart and humility as a fan of the original Candyman, as well as a respect for what were portraying. I have to have faith that would guide me to do the best I could.

What kind of research did you do on Cabrini-Green?

A book that was the first touchstone for me was High-Risers: Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing by Ben Austen. That was really amazing, because I like to have some historical point of view, especially with what the movie was about  the history and what makes history repeat itself and the history of race. Then we had an amazing historian and researcher on the film. And absolutely going into the community, starting out with just standing and walking around, then talking to people who live there, and the people who had to leave, and hear their stories.
That was the stated course for Julissia as early as 2016, when a judge ruled that when the agency felt it was appropriate, the girl should be sent to live with her mother in a trial discharge.

The agency will face questions about whether that was the correct strategy. The death of 7-year-old Julissia is a terrible tragedy, and we mourn her loss, a spokeswoman for A.C.S. said in a statement. We are conducting an intensive review of this case to ensure that we are doing everything possible to keep children safe and families supported.

The child welfare agency had little reason to keep Julissia and her mother, Navasia Jones, separated by last year: Her mother had completed therapy and parenting classes, she had regained custody of one of her other children, and a younger half brother of Julissias who had never been removed from her care lived with her as well.

Julissias mother seemed to be making substantial progress, convincing the authorities that there was little risk in her regaining custody of the girl, said Gladys Carrion, a former childrens services commissioner.

They got it wrong, she said, because this child died, thats the bottom line.

Ms. Carrion said there was no one decision that could explain what had happened: There were lots of people involved and, obviously, there was a consensus at some point and everybody said, OK, we think the mom is ready, she could have this child.

Julissia was born on April 26, 2014, to Ms. Jones and Julius Batties, but she was immediately removed from their custody by the child welfare agency, court records show. Her safety, the agency found, was being endangered by her parents failure to provide a minimum degree of care. A judge ordered that Mr. Batties be referred to domestic violence counseling.

It was not the first sign of trouble in Ms. Joness home. She had already lost custody of her five other children after they were found with signs of physical abuse, according to a later report.
Despite the early symbolic and stylistic changes, Ms. Hochul still faces hurdles in ridding the State Capitol of the last vestiges of the Cuomo era.

One of the main rallying cries among Republicans, and even some Democrats, has been for Ms. Hochul to dismiss Mr. Cuomos top health official, Dr. Howard A. Zucker, for his potential involvement in obscuring the nursing home death toll and stonewalling health data from the Legislature last year.

Ms. Hochul has not said whether she would retain Dr. Zucker, saying only that she would take up to 45 days to interview Mr. Cuomos cabinet officials before making a determination. The decision is complicated by the thorny optics of removing a health commissioner during a pandemic and the practical concerns of finding a replacement since so many health officials have left the state Health Department in recent months.

For his part, Dr. Zucker said this week that he was thrilled to have Ms. Hochul as governor, suggesting that he was constrained under Mr. Cuomo from publicly disclosing certain death data.

Her leadership allowing me and all of D.O.H. to get the data out is refreshing, Dr. Zucker said on Thursday. Her commitment, as she has said, to transparency is revitalizing.

Another holdout from the Cuomo administration is his budget director, Robert Mujica, a close ally of Mr. Cuomos who has helmed the states finances with an iron grip since 2016 and would play a crucial role as Ms. Hochul prepares to assemble her first state budget.

Mr. Mujica is lauded by supporters for his experience and competence, but derided by critics for the opaque manner in which they say he has managed the states coffers. His influence in state government is far-reaching: He sits on more than 30 state boards, including the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
New Jersey will end special unemployment benefits put in place during the pandemic when they expire on Saturday, rather than using federal relief funds to extend them, the states governor announced on Monday.

The governor, Phil Murphy, said at a news conference that he had decided to let three federal assistance programs expire because it would cost the state millions of dollars to preserve them. At least 500,000 people will lose benefits. The programs set to expire are Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation.

President Biden had suggested earlier this month that states like New Jersey, which has an unemployment rate of 7.3 percent, could use federal Covid-19 relief funds to extend benefits beyond Sept. 4.
Ms. Hochul controls the subway system, via the state M.T.A., yet her predecessor, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, often sought to distance himself from the system and its problems. Until Monday, it had been unclear how Ms. Hochul regarded her role.

In her remarks across from M.T.A. headquarters, she seemed intent on making clear that she was in charge. She said that the series of events that unfolded Sunday night appeared to have been unprecedented, albeit in an extremely technical sort of way, and she promised a full and transparent investigation.

I want all the answers, she said. Its not possible for us to have them at this time. But Ill make sure, in the interests of full disclosure, that everyone knows as soon as I do.

Later that day, she seemed to have found some answers. The M.T.A., which has a long history of malfunctioning electrical systems, was at fault.

As a result of the review I directed this morning, the M.T.A. has uncovered a sequence of failures that resulted in some backup systems not providing power as designed last night, including an additional failure to quickly diagnose the underlying cause, Ms. Hochul said in a statement. She said she had ordered two engineering firms to help in a deep dive and to recommend how to avoid a recurrence of the events.

The voltage dip did not affect the third-rail power that fuels the subway trains, nor did it immediately have an impact on rail operations, according to the M.T.A.

Instead, the M.T.A. promptly switched to a backup battery-operated system. That system, which dates back to 2005, is intended to act as a bridge until the M.T.A.s backup, fuel-powered generators go online.
For the first time in over four years, a Ukrainian president is coming to the White House.

On Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will meet with his American counterpart. Theyre likely to cover a variety of issues: the state of relations with Russia, Ukraines fight against corruption and the challenges of the pandemic. After thanking President Biden for Americas continued support and assistance, the Ukrainian leader may gently inquire about NATO membership.

It should be a good meeting. But there will be a large elephant in the room: Nord Stream 2. Beloved of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, the natural gas pipeline threatens the security of Europe  and Ukraine especially. The time to stop the project, now on the cusp of completion, is running out: Its now or never. At the risk of souring an enjoyable encounter, Mr. Zelensky should tell Mr. Biden in no uncertain terms that Nord Stream 2 must be stopped.

The Biden administration, to be sure, never had much time to stop the project. By the time Mr. Biden was sworn into office, more than 90 percent of the pipeline  the first parts of which were installed in July 2018  had been completed. Even so, the early signals suggested the new administration was serious about stopping it. Mr. Biden previously stated that the pipeline was a bad deal for Europe, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the government was determined to do whatever we can to prevent the projects completion. Then the administration changed course. In July, the United States issued a joint statement with Germany on Nord Stream 2 that effectively granted Russia permission to complete the project.

The move shocked Americas other allies in Europe, where many countries oppose the project. Domestically, it went down badly, too: A bipartisan group of lawmakers, appalled by the about-face, tried to persuade the administration to stop the completion of the pipeline. But it was Ukraine and Poland, the two countries that have the most to lose from Nord Stream 2, whose response was most rancorous.
Khan told me in an email that her research offers the most comprehensive empirical analysis of innovation prizes ever completed. She assembled a database containing 65,000 of them dating back centuries, including the famous Longitude Prize promised by the English Parliament in 1714 to whoever could help seafarers figure out their longitude  their east-west position on the globe.

In 1790 Americas founders started what became the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with the conviction that patents were more democratic than prizes, which, Khan says, tend to be given to those who are already famous. European nations in the 18th century relied more on prizes. Elites have always distrusted markets and preferred to trust the judgment of a favored few, Khan said in a podcast by the environmental group Resources for the Future based on her 2020 book, Inventing Ideas: Patents, Prizes, and the Knowledge Economy.

The Longitude Prize was a case in point. It was eventually given to a Yorkshire clockmaker, John Harrison, but not without opposition from scientists who thought that a clock was prosaic and the prize should go to an astronomer. (Dava Sobel, a former New York Times science reporter, captured this nicely in her 1995 book, Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time.)

The arbitrariness of prizes came home to Khan while she was breaking the red wax seals on rejected applications for a French prize in a dusty attic in Paris. A lot of these applicants said they were in a desperate situation, she said on the podcast. They were pleading for support from the prize-granting committee. But just think about this: Some administrator had just put the letter in his file, unopened, and tossed it aside. And I was the only person in 200 years whod ever set eyes on the contents.

She is more than a little cynical about prizes, which she says mostly burnish the reputations of those who award them. I am quite confident the X Prize will benefit Elon Musk more than it will the planet, she told the podcast audience.
So, if the media is actually overlooking an entire population and sometimes misrepresenting them, whats the big deal if its now correcting for this?

A few things can be true at once: Yes, the media overwhelmingly misconstrued the actual beliefs of minority voters, particularly in Latino and Asian American communities. Yes, those voters tend to have more moderate view on policing.

The problem isnt one of description, but rather of translation. The media took a normal regression in polling numbers, mixed it with some common sense about how minority populations actually vote and created a new, diverse silent majority. This is a powerful tool. These unheard, moderate minorities carry an almost unassailable authority in liberal politics because of the very simple fact that liberals tend to frame their policies in terms of race. If those same objects of your concern turn around and tell you to please stop what youre doing, what youve created is perhaps the most powerful rebuttal in liberal politics. Over the next few years, I imagine we will see an increasing number of moderate politicians and pundits hitch their own hobbyhorses to this diverse silent majority. The nice thing about a vaguely defined, still mysterious group is that you can turn it into anything you want it to be.

Some version of this opinion engineering, I believe, is happening with the police and public safety. Theres not a lot of evidence that Latino and Asian voters care all that much either way about systemic racism or funding or defunding the police. (Black voters, on the other hand, listed racism and policing as their top two priorities leading up to the 2020 election.) Polls of Asian American voters, for example, show that they prioritize health care, education and the economy. Latino voters listed the economy, health care and the pandemic as their top three priorities. (Violent crime ranked about as high as Supreme Court appointments.) If asked, a large number of people in both of these groups might respond that they support the police, but thats very different from saying they base their political identity on the rejection of, say, police abolition. If theyre purposefully voting against the left wing of the Democratic Party, its more likely they are responding to economic or education policy rather than policing.

And so it may be correct to say that within the new, diverse silent majority, attitudes about the police and protest might be much less uniform than what many in the mass media led you to believe in the summer of 2020. It may also be worth pointing out that reporters, pundits and television networks should probably adjust their coverage to accurately assess these dynamics, just as Im sure there were legitimate concerns with media bubbles in 1968. But it also seems worth separating that assessment from the conclusion that the media should now see the summer of 2020 as political kryptonite and cast the millions of people who protested in the streets as confused revolutionaries who had no real support.

After 1968, the mass medias turn away from the counterculture of the 60s and its indifference to the dismantling of Black radical groups narrowed the scope of political action. This constriction would be aided over the next decade by lurid, violent events that all got thrown at the feet of anyone who looked like a radical. When Joan Didion wrote of the Manson murders, Many people I know in Los Angeles believe that the Sixties ended abruptly on Aug. 9, 1969, at the exact moment when word of the murders on Cielo Drive traveled like brushfire through the community, and in a sense this is true. The tension broke that day. The paranoia was fulfilled, she was saying that all the fears of the so-called silent majority had come to pass.

We are living through some version of that today. But what seems particularly telling about this moment is that the retreat no longer requires Charles Manson, the fearmongering over Watts or the police riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Those images hover above the publics consciousness as evergreen cautionary tales; the paranoia they fulfilled will do just fine.
Who makes what decisions in the business?

Ms. Di Santo: We have always worked very well together. I leave the styling to her and I focus on all aspects of the business. We trust each other. Theres a lot of thought and discussion for every piece: Is there something for each bride and every personality? Is this the right moment for this specific collection? Does it tie back to who Ines is?

What does your daughter add to the business?

Mrs. Di Santo: Patience and passion. We both have ambition. I create; she has the vision to grow the company. I have the ideas; she takes the ideas and makes them happen. I started the business, but we have been in it together from the beginning.

How did you stay connected to clients and retailers during the pandemic?

Ms. Di Santo: When we were not able to travel to trunk shows we offered virtual one-on-one appointments with stores and their brides. We created a blog and series called Inspiration with Ines as a way to stay connected with retailers, industry partners and clients, and keep our voice and passion alive when things were dark.

We streamed 13 Instagram Lives and later put them on our site. Some of our guests were the cake expert Ron Ben Israel, the photographer Christian Oth and the party expert Darcy Miller.

How do you see the industry changing?

Mrs. Di Santo: The market that has been repressed with the confines that Covid has brought is having renewed energy. Brides are coming back. People are taking this opportunity to go big. People want that big ball gown they always wanted. They are doing second and third changes because theyve had to reimagine their weddings.
The whole production takes place in a dressing room with two makeup stations and two mirrors. There is a rack of dresses, and wigs are scattered around the space. This is a work in progress. A large sign on the entrance door reads: Silence! Performance is ongoing.

Khamatova and Mironov enter in what could easily be their usual street clothes: a hoodie, jeans, an unpretentious black shirt. Over the course of the performance, they will transform onstage, change their attire and looks as they age.

The two actors start by reading their lines out loud, discussing how to impersonate their characters. Slowly, through discussion, they adopt their roles, most visibly by imitating accents: Mikhails southern Cossack-derived pronunciation with elongated vowels and Raisas highly pitched chirping of an enthusiastic philosophy major in a country where the only accepted philosophical school was Marxism.

Khamatova and Mironov, who are among the finest drama theater actors of their generation, leave the stage only once, for the intermission in this three-hour performance. Slowly and seamlessly, they read out and play out their lives: The story of Stalins purges is followed by the gruesome war with Germany. Then their lives get consumed by their university love affair and, finally, by Gorbachevs rise to the top through the ranks of party nomenklatura.

The story of Gorbachev at the helm of one of the worlds two superpowers is treated as background noise: It was just one, six-year-long working day, Raisa says from the stage. In the end, by the time the actors are already fully immersed in their characters, we only see a 90-year-old Mikhail. (At this point, Mironov is wearing a mask that covers his entire head, with Gorbachevs port-wine birthmark on full display.) For the last few minutes, Mikhail is by himself, mourning his wifes death in 1999 from leukemia, remembering her last words: Do you remember if we returned the white shoes that we borrowed from Nina for our wedding?

The plays success, and the insatiable demand for tickets that sell out in a half-hour and cost up to $250, can be attributed to the fact that its creators had something personal at stake.

For Hermanis, Gorbachev, who liberated his native Latvia from the Soviet yoke, was the third person who changed his life the most after his father and mother, he said in an interview with a Russian state-run broadcaster.
When I arrived at my first campsite in Wyomings Teton Range, some 17 miles from the trailhead, I fully expected to collapse into my sleeping bag. My feet ached, my shoulders were cramping from the weight of my pack and, despite having spent much of the day hiking above 9,000 feet, I had yet to fully adjust to the altitude. I quickly set up my tent, pried my boots off and climbed inside.

Instead of nodding off, though, I glanced out through the mesh screen and found myself entranced by the view: Framed in the distance  as if perfectly arranged in a picture window  was the imposing peak of Grand Teton, towering above the surrounding spires.

So began what felt like a nightlong play in five acts, with the Tetons occupying center stage: the clarity of early evening, the dusky glow of sunset, the gradual emergence of the Milky Way, a saturated set of predawn hues and, finally, crisp streaks of early-morning light.
We should act like thats going to be the case: that this will be the coldest summer when we look forward, he said.

A United Nations report this month found that the Earth is locked into intensifying global warming for the next 30 years because countries have delayed curbing their fossil-fuel emissions for so long. Preventing further warming is within reach, but would require a coordinated and immediate worldwide effort, the report found.

The effects of climate change can be seen locally. The average high temperature in July in L.A. has risen by more than two degrees since the 1960s, as it has in Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and several other cities.

And it will probably keep climbing. In Los Angeles County in 1990, the average annual maximum temperature  an average of the high each day  was 74 degrees. In 2090, the average maximum temperature will be somewhere between 80 and 82 degrees, according to state projections.

The climate that your children are going to experience is different than any climate that you have experienced, Paul Ullrich, a U.C. Davis professor of regional and global climate modeling. There was no possibility in your life span for the types of temperature that your children are going to be experiencing on average.
It was impossible to know when, if at all, the fire would reach the town. But people did not stay to test the fury of a blaze that fire officials estimate could threaten more than 20,000 structures.

Public safety officials warned that the Caldor fire, the latest to grip California during a particularly unforgiving summer for fire crews in the West, showed no signs of relenting. It had scorched more than 186,000 acres and was 15 percent contained on Monday.

The mandatory evacuation zone extended from Tahoma, Calif., on the western shore of the lake, to the Nevada border. It was a tense few moments, I think, for our citizens in South Lake Tahoe today, David Stevenson, the citys police chief, said during a news conference on Monday evening.

Beginning on Tuesday, almost all national forests in California will be closed through Sept. 17 for public safety reasons. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for the northern Sierra Nevada and the southern Cascades, meaning that extremely dry conditions and wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour were likely to cause wildfires to spread in the mountains.
Judge Davis acknowledged that the board had also imposed some punishments more concrete than a reprimand, like making Mr. Wilson ineligible for reimbursement for college-related travel. Those additional penalties, the judge wrote, did not violate his First Amendment rights.

Mr. Wilsons lawyers told the justices that the power to censure must have limits. Elected bodies can censure their members for what they say during the lawmaking process, they wrote, and for conduct that is not protected by the First Amendment. But outside the official realm, they wrote, the First Amendment forbids a government bodys official punishment of a speaker for merely expressing disagreement with a political majority.

Those may appear to be fine distinctions. Mr. Wilsons brief in the case, Houston Community College System v. Wilson, No. 20-804, gave examples to illustrate how they would work outside the legislative process.

A censure would be permissible for illegal marijuana use, for example, but not for statements supporting the legalization of marijuana use, the brief said. Likewise, a censure would be permissible for slander, but not for statements that merely criticize.

The full Fifth Circuit deadlocked on whether to rehear the case, by an 8-to-8 vote. Dissenting from the decision to deny further review, Judge Edith H. Jones said the panels First Amendment analysis was backward. The boards censure was itself speech worthy of protection, she wrote, particularly in a polarized era.

Given the increasing discord in society and governmental bodies, the attempts of each side in these disputes to get a leg up on the other, and the ready availability of weapons of mass communication with which each side can tar the other, the panels decision is the harbinger of future lawsuits, Judge Jones wrote. It weaponizes any gadfly in a legislative body.

Political infighting of this sort, she wrote, should not be dignified with a false veneer of constitutional protection and has no place in the federal courts.
A school board in Virginia has agreed to pay $1.3 million in legal fees to resolve a discrimination lawsuit filed by a former student whose efforts to use the boys bathroom put him at the center of a national debate over rights for transgender people.

Gavin Grimms battle with the Gloucester County school board began in 2014, when he was a sophomore and his family informed his school that he was transgender. Administrators were supportive at first. But after an uproar from some parents and students, the school board adopted a policy requiring students to use the bathrooms and locker rooms for their corresponding biological genders.

Mr. Grimm sued the school board. The legal battle pushed him into the national spotlight as Republican-controlled state legislatures introduced a wave of bathroom bills requiring transgender people to use public restrooms in government and school buildings that correspond to the gender listed on their birth certificates.

We are glad that this long litigation is finally over and that Gavin has been fully vindicated by the courts, but it should not have taken over six years of expensive litigation to get to this point, Joshua Block, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who represented Mr. Grimm, said in a statement on Thursday. Mr. Block added that he hoped that the outcome would give other school boards and lawmakers pause before they use discrimination to score political points.
But he rejects the stereotype of the jailhouse conversion. He always believed in God, he said, even at his lowest moments. There are a lot of people that believe theres a God and just dont live right, he said. I just wasnt obeying, I wasnt trying to be good.

Texas approach to spiritual advisers at executions has oscillated over the course of Mr. Ramirezs time on death row. The state allowed only prison-employed chaplains to be present in the death chamber before 2019. But it employed only Christian and Muslim clerics as chaplains. When a Buddhist inmate named Patrick Murphy argued that the state had violated his rights by not providing access to a Buddhist chaplain, the Supreme Court agreed.

But Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh offered the state an out in a concurring opinion. Texas had two options, he wrote. It could provide a Buddhist chaplain for Mr. Murphy, or it could decline access to the execution chamber to all religious advisers, including Christians and Muslims. Texas took him up on the suggestion, relegating all spiritual advisers to an observation room adjacent to the chamber.

This spring, however, after the Supreme Court stopped another execution over the restrictive policy, the agency changed course again, allowing people on death row access to a spiritual adviser of their choosing.

To advocates for prisoners, the role of a spiritual counselor at the moment of death is profound.

You uphold the dignity of the human being, that everyone is worth more than the worst thing theyve ever done, said Sister Helen Prejean, an anti-death penalty activist who has served as a spiritual adviser to six inmates on their execution days.

In the last moments of life, she said, what she can offer is her presence. At the end, its Look at my face, she said. Everyone else in that room is there to kill them.
WASHINGTON  President Biden is considering using his clemency powers to commute the sentences of certain federal drug offenders released to home confinement during the pandemic rather than forcing them to return to prison after the pandemic emergency ends, according to officials familiar with internal deliberations.

The legal and policy discussions about a mass clemency program are focused on nonviolent drug offenders with less than four years remaining in their sentences, the officials said. The contemplated intervention would not apply to those now in home confinement with longer sentences left, or those who committed other types of crimes.

The notion of clemency for some inmates is just one of several ideas being examined in the executive branch and Congress. Others include a broader use of a law that permits the compassionate release of sick or elderly inmates, and Congress enacting a law to allow some inmates to stay in home confinement after the pandemic.

Interviews with officials in both the executive branch and Congress, most of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive deliberations, suggest there is broad support for letting nonviolent inmates who have obeyed the rules stay at home  reducing incarceration and its cost to taxpayers. But officials in each branch also foresee major challenges and have hoped the other would solve the problem.
It was horrific, the mayor of Aracatuba, Dilador Borges, said in a televised interview early Monday, noting that the police held their fire once they realized the robbers had tied passers-by to their cars. The police didnt come closer because they saw the hostages. The tragedy could have been far worse.

Capt. Alexandre Guedes, a military police official, said the assailants planted several explosive devices around the city in an apparent effort to imperil a police response. The gunmen also used drones to monitor the police response in real time, investigators said.

As of 10 a.m. on Monday, authorities said at least 10 of the suspected gunmen were in custody. The three dead people included one suspected assailant and two residents, according to the police.

One resident had his legs amputated after he was struck by one of the devices, police said. Capt. Guedes said investigators were trying to determine whether all hostages have been released and whether any gunmen remain in Aracatuba.
SEOUL  Ivan Duque swept into Colombias presidency in 2018 as a young, little-known technocrat riding a surging right-wing movement. He tapped public anger against a peace deal that he said had treated the countrys deadly insurgents too softly. And he warned that the proposals of his left-wing opponent could stifle steady growth.

Three years and a global pandemic later, it is Mr. Duque who is presiding over high unemployment and an angry electorate  and who is on the defensive about the steps he has taken to tame persistent violence by militants.

Mr. Duque contends his policies have opened opportunities for the middle- and low-income classes, encouraged entrepreneurship and paved the way for Colombia to return to its prepandemic growth. He also touted social policies that could address issues of police conduct and social inequality that led to violent clashes this year, killing dozens.
In the final hours of the American military presence in Afghanistan, hope dwindled among the Afghans seeking to escape the country via the international airport in Kabul, the focal point of the U.S. evacuation effort since the Taliban takeover of the city just over two weeks ago.

As the U.S. military races toward a Tuesday deadline to withdraw from Americas longest war, sporadic violence has been reported in the Afghan capital, underscoring the perils ahead for a country already buffeted by insecurity, a humanitarian crisis and a terrorist threat.

After days of chaos at the airport as thousands scrambled to leave the country, by Monday evening a sense of calm and resignation had descended.

A few hundred people were waiting outside the airport perimeter, but were kept at a significant distance by Taliban fighters guarding the area. A few planes  mostly C-17s, large military transport aircraft  took off and turned west into the setting sun. Around 1,200 people had been airlifted from Kabul in the previous 24 hours, a White House spokeswoman said early Monday morning.
The last United States forces left Afghanistan late Monday, ending a 20-year occupation that began shortly after Al Qaedas attacks on 9/11, cost over $2 trillion, took more than 170,000 lives and ultimately failed to defeat the Taliban, the Islamist militants who allowed Al Qaeda to operate there.

Five American C-17 cargo jets flew out of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul just before midnight, American military officials said, completing a hasty evacuation that left behind tens of thousands of Afghans desperate to flee the country, including former members of the security forces and many who held valid visas to enter the United States.

A new chapter of Americas engagement with Afghanistan has begun, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said on Monday evening. Its one in which we will lead with our diplomacy. The military mission is over.

But the war prosecuted by four presidents over two decades, which gave Afghans a shot at democracy and freed many women to pursue education and careers, failed in nearly every other goal. Ultimately, the Americans handed the country back to the same militants they drove from power in 2001.
SEOUL  North Korea appears to have restarted a reactor in its main nuclear complex, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said in a report, an indication that the North has been ramping up its nuclear weapons program while talks with the United States remain stalled.

The report also suggested that North Korea had renewed efforts to extract plutonium from spent fuel removed earlier at the sprawling complex, in Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang, the capital.

Nuclear-disarmament talks between Washington and Pyongyang fizzled after the second summit meeting between the Norths leader, Kim Jong-un, and former President Donald J. Trump collapsed in 2019. The Biden administration has offered to renew talks anywhere, anytime without preconditions, but North Korea has not shown interest, and in recent weeks the United States has been focused on the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Historically, the North has increased activities at Yongbyon when it has sought to raise tensions and increase its diplomatic leverage.
Afghanistan Updates: The U.S. Occupation Is Over, Ending Americas Longest War Twenty years after the U.S. invaded, the last military flight took off from Kabul airport. The withdrawal came after a last spasm of violence. Now the Taliban are in charge again. Follow our live updates on Biden and Afghanistan.

The U.S. military finishes its evacuation, and an era ends in Afghanistan. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:37 - 0:00 transcript U.S. Military Announces End of Evacuation Effort in Afghanistan Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the head of the U.S. Central Command, said that the United States had finished its withdrawal, ending the 20-year occupation of Afghanistan. Im here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third-country nationals and vulnerable Afghans. The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 30, this afternoon, at 3:29 p.m. East Coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan. While the military evacuation is complete, the diplomatic mission to ensure additional U.S. citizens and eligible Afghans who want to leave continues. Tonights withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. Its a mission that brought Osama bin Laden to a just end, along with many of his Al Qaeda co-conspirators, and it was not a cheap mission. The cost was 2,461 U.S. service members and civilians killed, and more than 20,000 who were injured. Sadly, that includes 13 U.S. service members who were killed last week by an ISIS-K suicide bomber. I do want to provide some important context to the evacuation mission that we just completed in what was the largest noncombatant evacuation in the U.S. militarys history. Since August the 14th, over an 18-day period, U.S. military aircraft have evacuated more than 79,000 civilians from Hamid Karzai International Airport. That includes 6,000 Americans and more than 73,500 third-country nationals and Afghan civilians. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the head of the U.S. Central Command, said that the United States had finished its withdrawal, ending the 20-year occupation of Afghanistan. Credit Credit... Agence France-Presse  Getty Images The last vestiges of the American presence in Afghanistan departed the Kabul airport on Monday, halting an occupation that cost more than 170,000 lives and ended with a complete takeover of the country by the adversary the U.S. military spent two decades fighting. American military leaders had said the United States would continue evacuation efforts and fully withdraw no later than Aug. 31, the deadline set by President Biden earlier this summer. But those efforts were wrapped up a full day early  just days after an attack on the airport by Islamic State Khorasan killed 13 U.S. service members and as many as 170 civilians in one of the wars deadliest days. Evacuation flights ended on Monday, and the military finished packing everything it intended to fly out of the airport onto transport planes before loading the remaining service members. The last Air Force C-17, with the call sign MOOSE 85, departed at midnight local time carrying the final remaining American forces, a U.S. military official said. Tonights withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, said Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., the head of the militarys Central Command. No words from me could possibly capture the full measure of sacrifices and accomplishments of those who served. More than 2,400 U.S. military personnel and nearly 50,000 Afghan civilians died in the 20-year war, in addition to tens of thousands of casualties among U.S. contractors, the Afghan military and national police, insurgents and others, according to the Costs of War Project at Brown University. President Biden said in a written statement that he would address the nation on Tuesday to mark the end of the war. I want to thank our commanders and the men and women serving under them for their execution of the dangerous retrograde from Afghanistan as scheduled  in the early morning hours of Aug. 31, Kabul time  with no further loss of American lives, Mr. Biden said. For now, he said, I will report that it was the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of our commanders on the ground to end our airlift mission as planned. Their view was that ending our military mission was the best way to protect the lives of our troops, and secure the prospects of civilian departures for those who want to leave Afghanistan in the weeks and months ahead. General McKenzie said the last plane took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport at 11:59 p.m. local time on Monday. It cleared Afghan air space several minutes later, on Tuesday, Aug. 31, two U.S. military officials said. Senior commanders made the decision a few days ago to depart unannounced roughly 24 hours before the withdrawal deadline, two military officials said. Commanders wanted a cushion in case there were security challenges or a plane broke down at the last minute. Stormy weather forecast for parts of Monday and Tuesday was another consideration. There were also concerns that hundreds of Afghans could try to swarm the airfield in desperation on the last day, in a grim repeat of the chaos set off by the initial flights after Kabul fell on Aug. 15. The risks posed by one more day of potential attacks by the Islamic State also loomed large, the officials said. On Monday morning, the U.S. military shot down rockets it said had been aimed at the airport. And a day earlier, a U.S. drone strike blew up a vehicle in Kabul that the military said was laden with explosives. The Afghan commandos  the remnants of the Afghan security force  who were helping the Americans at the airport were among the last to be evacuated, along with their families, General McKenzie said. A Defense Department official said separately that the Afghan commandos were on one of the last planes out. As the last elements of the 82nd Airborne Division and Special Operations forces boarded their gray C-17s, the security cordon around the airfield grew tighter  like the Alamo, said one military official tracking the final hours  until the last transport plane was aloft. Control of the airport was left in the hands of the Taliban, whose fighters celebrated by firing guns into the air. A senior Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, took to Twitter early Tuesday and declared: Our country has achieved a full independence, thanks to God. A few hundred Afghans were still waiting outside the airport perimeter on Monday evening, but were kept at a distance by Taliban fighters guarding the area. The enormous evacuation operation, unfolding after the unexpectedly rapid collapse of the Afghan government, airlifted some 123,000 people out of the country in the last two months, including about 6,000 Americans. About 1,200 people had been airlifted from Kabul in the previous 24 hours, a White House spokeswoman said early Monday morning. But that leaves behind at least 100,000 people, by one estimate, and possibly many more who might be eligible for an expedited U.S. visa and who dread staying in a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Many are former interpreters for the U.S. military who are in some stage of the process to receive a Special Immigrant Visa, and who fear they are at immediate risk of being killed. The United States and 97 other countries said on Sunday that they would continue to take in people fleeing Afghanistan and had secured an agreement with the Taliban to allow safe passage. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said Monday evening that there were fewer than 200 American citizens left in Afghanistan who wanted to leave, and that the U.S. would help them do so. He said it was difficult to give an exact number because some dual citizens have lived in Afghanistan for years and have family there, and are struggling to decide whether to stay or go. If an American in Afghanistan tells us they want to stay for now, and in a week or month or year they reach out and say, Ive changed my mind, we will help them leave, Mr. Blinken said. The Talibans chief negotiator, Sher Mohammed Abas Stanekzai, announced on Friday that the group would not stop people from departing, no matter their nationality or whether they had worked for the United States during the 20-year war. But whether the Taliban would uphold that commitment, and when the airport could reopen for commercial flights, was uncertain. Hamid, a journalist for whom an international news organization had booked an exit ticket from Afghanistan, said American forces had not allowed him to enter the airport in the past few days. First, the Americans caused the fall of Afghanistan and did not support the government, he said. Then they did not allow us to go to the airport, and now I got stuck and they left us to the insurgents. I do not know what will happen to me. Jim Huylebroek , Helene Cooper , Jim Tankersley and Najim Rahim contributed reporting. Lauren Katzenberg and

A family says 10 of its members were killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul. Samia Ahmadi, right, whose father and fiance were both killed on Sunday in a U.S. drone strike on a house in Kabul, Afghanistan. Credit... Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times Hours after a U.S. military drone strike in Kabul on Sunday, Defense Department officials said that it had blown up a vehicle laden with explosives, eliminating a threat to Kabuls airport from the Islamic State Khorasan group. But at a family home in Kabul on Monday, survivors and neighbors said the strike had killed 10 people, including seven children, an aid worker for an American charity organization and a contractor with the U.S. military. Zemari Ahmadi, who worked for the charity organization Nutrition and Education International, was on his way home from work after dropping off colleagues on Sunday evening, according to relatives and colleagues interviewed in Kabul. As he pulled into the narrow street where he lived with his three brothers and their families, the children, seeing his white Toyota Corolla, ran outside to greet him. Some clambered aboard in the street, others gathered around as he pulled the car into the courtyard of their home. It was then that they say the drone struck. At the time of the attack, the Corolla was in a narrow courtyard inside a walled family compound. Its doors were blown out, and its windows shattered. Mr. Ahmadi and some of the children were killed inside his car; others were fatally wounded in adjacent rooms, family members said. An Afghan official confirmed that three of the dead children were transferred by ambulance from the home on Sunday. Journalists on the scene for The New York Times were unable to independently verify the familys account. Mr. Ahmadis daughter Samia, 21, was inside when she was struck by the blast wave. At first I thought it was the Taliban, she said. But the Americans themselves did it. Samia said she staggered outside, choking, and saw the bodies of her siblings and relatives. I saw the whole scene, she said. There were burnt pieces of flesh everywhere. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:34 - 0:00 transcript U.S. Investigating Civilian Casualties in Kabul Strike Pentagon officials acknowledged the possibility of civilian casualties in Kabul, Afghanistan, following a U.S. military drone strike on a vehicle they said was carrying explosives related to an ISIS-K threat on the airport. On Sunday, U.S. military forces conducted an unmanned over-the-horizon airstrike on a vehicle known to be an imminent ISIS-K threat. This self-defense strike successfully hit the target near Kabul airport. Significant secondary explosions from the targeted vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material. We are aware of reports of civilian casualties and we take these reports very seriously and we are continuing to assess the situation. Make no mistake, no military on the face of the Earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the United States military. And nobody wants to see innocent life taken. We take it very, very seriously. And when we know that we have caused innocent life to be lost in the conduct of our operations, were transparent about it. Were investigating this. Im not going to get ahead of it. But if we have, you know, verifiable information that we did, in fact, take innocent life here, then we will be transparent about that, too. Nobody wants to see that happen. But you know what else we didnt want to see happen? We didnt want to see happen what we believe to be a very real, a very specific and a very imminent threat to the Hamid Karzai International Airport and to our troops operating at that airport, as well as civilians around it and in it. Pentagon officials acknowledged the possibility of civilian casualties in Kabul, Afghanistan, following a U.S. military drone strike on a vehicle they said was carrying explosives related to an ISIS-K threat on the airport. Credit Credit... U.S. Network Pool The Pentagon acknowledged the possibility that Afghan civilians had been killed in the drone strike, but suggested that any civilian deaths resulted from the detonation of explosives in the vehicle that was targeted. Were not in a position to dispute it, John F. Kirby, the chief Pentagon spokesman said Monday about reports on the ground of civilian casualties. He repeated earlier Pentagon statements that the military was investigating the strike on a vehicle two miles from Hamid Karzai International Airport. No military on the face of the earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the United States military, Mr. Kirby said. We take it very, very seriously. And when we know that we have caused innocent life to be lost in the conduct of our operations, were transparent about it. Among the dead was Samias fiance, Ahmad Naser, 30, a former army officer and contractor with the U.S. military who had come from Herat, in western Afghanistan, in the hopes of being evacuated from Kabul. Video Footage showed the site of a U.S. military drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan. The strike targeted a vehicle carrying explosives, a Defense Department official said. Credit Credit... EPA, via Shutterstock A spokesman for the U.S. Central Command said on Sunday that the U.S. military had carried out a drone strike against an Islamic State Khorasan vehicle planning to attack the airport. The group had claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at the airport on Thursday. On Monday, Capt. Bill Urban, the spokesman, reaffirmed an earlier statement that the military hit a valid target, an explosives-laden vehicle. Mr. Ahmadi was a technical engineer for the local office of Nutrition and Education International, an American nonprofit based in Pasadena, Calif. His neighbors and relatives insisted that the engineer and his family members, many of whom had worked for the Afghan security forces, had no connection to any terrorist group. They provided documents related to his long employment with the American charity, as well as Mr. Nasers application for a Special Immigrant Visa, based on his service as a guard at Camp Lawton, in Herat. He was well respected by his colleagues and compassionate towards the poor and needy, Steven Kwon, the president of NEI, said of Mr. Ahmadi in an email. He wrote that Mr. Ahmadi had just recently prepared and delivered soy-based meals to hungry women and children at local refugee camps in Kabul. Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt contributed reporting. Matthieu Aikins and

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In a final blow of the 20-year war, U.S. envoys close their embassy and exit Kabul. Video transcript Back bars 0:00 / 1:26 - 0:00 transcript Blinken: A Diplomatic Mission Has Begun in Afghanistan Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said fewer than 200 Americans were still in Afghanistan, pledging safe passage for them and assistance for Afghans who were at risk of reprisal for working with the U.S. government. Eighteen days ago, the United States and our allies began our evacuation and relocation operation in Kabul. As you just heard from the Pentagon, a few hours ago, that operation was completed. More than 123,000 people have been safely flown out of Afghanistan. That includes about 6,000 American citizens. Now, U.S. military flights have ended and our troops have departed Afghanistan. A new chapter of Americas engagement with Afghanistan has begun. Its one in which we will lead with our diplomacy. The military mission is over, a new diplomatic mission has begun. We believe there are still a small number of Americans, under 200 and likely closer to 100, who remain in Afghanistan and want to leave. Were trying to determine exactly how many. If an American in Afghanistan tells us that they want to stay for now and then in a week or a month or a year they reach out and say, Ive changed my mind, we will help them leave. Additionally, weve worked intensely to evacuate and relocate Afghans who worked alongside us and are at particular risk of reprisal. Weve gotten many out, but many are still there. We will keep working to help them. Our commitment to them has no deadline. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said fewer than 200 Americans were still in Afghanistan, pledging safe passage for them and assistance for Afghans who were at risk of reprisal for working with the U.S. government. Credit Credit... Pool photo by Jonathan Ernst WASHINGTON  American diplomats have left Afghanistan, and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul will remain closed, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said on Monday, after the military announced that it had completed its withdrawal from the country. The disintegration of diplomacy was a stunning turnabout from plans to stay and help Afghanistan transition from 20 years of war and to work toward peace, however tenuous, with a government that would share power with the Taliban. This month, Mr. Blinken had pledged that the United States would remain deeply engaged in Afghanistan long after the military left. But with the Taliban firmly in control, what was one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions in the world will for now be greatly scaled back, based in Doha, the Qatari capital, and focused largely on processing visas for refugees and other immigrants. Given the uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take, Mr. Blinken said in remarks at the State Department. He sought to portray the departure as a new chapter of Americas engagement with Afghanistan. Its one in which we will lead with our diplomacy, Mr. Blinken said, commending the U.S. diplomats, troops and other personnel who had worked at the embassy, which just last month had employed around 4,000 people  including 1,400 Americans. Left uncertain was whether American efforts to stabilize the Afghan government would continue  the main thrust of years of painstaking work and negotiations with leaders in Kabul that were supported by billions of dollars in American taxpayer funding. Instead, Mr. Blinken said that any engagement with the Taliban  a longtime U.S. enemy that seized power when President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan on Aug. 15  will be driven by one thing only: our vital national interests. Exactly four weeks earlier, on Aug. 2, Mr. Blinken had left little doubt that the Biden administration intended to keep the U.S. Embassy in Kabul open. Our partnership with the people of Afghanistan will endure long after our service members have departed, he said then. We will keep engaging intensely in diplomacy to advance negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban with the goal of a political solution, which we believe is the only path to lasting peace. As many as 200 American citizens, and tens of thousands of Afghans, were left behind in a two-week military airlift that Mr. Blinken called one of the largest evacuation efforts in U.S. history. He demanded that the Taliban keep its word and allow them to leave safely once they had exit documents in hand. More than 123,000 people were evacuated from Kabul in recent weeks, including about 6,000 Americans. Mr. Blinken also said that the United States would closely watch the Talibans efforts to stanch terrorism in Afghanistan, as the group has said it will do, and would continue to work with the international community to provide humanitarian aid to millions of Afghans who need food, medicine and health care after decades of war and political instability. He struck a resolute tone about the diplomatic retreat, and in reminding Americans about the cost of the conflict. Americas longest war, with its casualties and the resources that were sunk into it over the past 20 years, demands reflection, Mr. Blinken said. We must learn its lessons, and allow those lessons to shape how we think about fundamental questions of national security and foreign policy, he said. We owe that to future diplomats, policymakers, military leaders, service members. We owe that to the American people.

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She was lauded for challenging a Taliban member on live TV. Then she fled. Behishta Arghand in Doha last week. Credit... Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York Times In the fear-filled days after the Taliban stormed into Kabul, she was hailed as the brave young woman who questioned one of the militants on live television, providing hope that Afghan women might not lose all their freedoms. But days later, like others who feared the militants wrath, Behishta Arghand, a former news presenter with Tolo news, fled the country, landing with her parents and four siblings in a sparsely furnished villa in a walled compound on the outskirts of Doha, Qatar. Ms. Arghand, 24, spoke proudly of her interview and said she hoped the Taliban would follow through on their vows to allow more openness than when they ruled the country before the United States invasion 20 years ago. We dont have any government now, she said in an interview. We just hope they do what they promise. But now everyone is scared of the Taliban. Ms. Arghand recalled the shock she felt when she learned that the Taliban had entered Kabul, and the fear that gripped the Afghan capital the next day. Still, she said, she went to work to make a point about the role of women in public life. I wanted to show the Taliban that we want to work, she said. We want to be in the media. Its our right in society. Ms. Arghand said she was presenting the news on Aug. 17 when she got a feeling that there was a guest in the studio. She soon realized it was Mawlawi Abdulhaq Hemad, a member of the Talibans media team. She had only a few moments to prepare. Video A female news anchor interviewed a Taliban official on an Afghan television station. The groups takeover has raised fears of a return to repressive policies and human rights violations for women and girls. Credit Credit... Tolo News Her producers, she said, told her to try to draw out information without challenging her guest. But once on the air, she challenged him anyway, asking about reports that the Taliban had conducted house-to-house searches in the city. After the interview, her phone was flooded with messages from friends and relatives who were both proud and terrified that she had questioned her guest so directly. Not long after, she and her family fled, fearing that remaining in Kabul was too dangerous. Ms. Arghand is now staying in a house with no television or internet. She doesnt know how long shell be there. She doesnt know where shell go next. But she dreams of returning home someday to help women. If I am alive, I will do a lot for my home, she said. My country needs my generation.

A planeload of sorely needed medical supplies lands in Mazar-i-Sharif. A man injured in the bombing at the Kabul airport being treated at the Emergency NGO hospital last week. The W.H.O. reported the delivery of more than 12 tons of medical supplies to Afghanistan on Monday. Credit... Jim Huylebroek for The New York Times A plane carrying 12.5 metric tons of medical supplies landed in Afghanistan on Monday afternoon, the first such shipment to arrive since the Taliban seized control of the country, the World Health Organization said in a news release. The supplies include trauma kits and interagency emergency health kits, collections of critical medicine and equipment that the W.H.O. said could meet the basic health needs of 200,000 people, treat 6,500 trauma patients and complete 3,500 surgeries. They will be delivered to 40 health facilities in 29 provinces across Afghanistan. The W.H.O. used a plane provided by the government of Pakistan, which landed at the Mazar-i-Sharif airport in northern Afghanistan, the first of three flights planned with Pakistan International Airlines. After days of nonstop work to find a solution, I am very pleased to say that we have now been able to partially replenish stocks of health facilities in Afghanistan and ensure that  for now  W.H.O.-supported health services can continue, Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, the W.H.O.s regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean, said in the release. Afghan people face a slew of health concerns, including the extremely contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has become all but an afterthought during the turmoil after the Taliban takeover. In the midst of a pandemic, were extremely concerned by the large displacement of people and increasing cases of diarrhea, malnutrition, high blood pressure, probable cases of Covid-19 and reproductive health complications, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the W.H.O., said earlier this month. There is an immediate need to ensure sustained humanitarian access and continuity of health services across the country, with a focus on ensuring women and girls have access to female health workers. Before Afghanistans government unraveled, its ministry of public health reported a third wave of coronavirus infections, with a record number of positive cases and deaths. W.H.O. officials said in an email earlier this month that they were concerned that Covid-19 spikes exacerbated by the movement and mixing of newly displaced people, the low rate of vaccination among Afghans and the lack of medical supplies could further strain a health system struggling to keep up with trauma and emergency care.

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China urges the United States to engage with the Taliban. Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, warned his U.S. counterpart that cooperation on Afghanistan would depend on the U.S.s attitude toward Beijing. Credit... Pool photo by Francis Malasig Chinas foreign minister, Wang Yi, urged the United States to engage with the Taliban and provide urgently needed aid to Afghanistan. In a phone call on Sunday, Mr. Yang warned Antony J. Blinken, the U.S. secretary of state, that the Chinese governments cooperation on Afghanistan would depend on the United States and its attitude toward Beijing. The Chinese foreign ministry posted an account of the call on its website. Mr. Wang told Mr. Blinken that the Biden administration should also maintain contacts with the Taliban to prevent Afghanistan from falling deeper into chaos. Before the Taliban seized control of Kabul earlier this month, Beijing had held talks with senior Taliban officials about the future of Afghanistan, which shares a narrow border with China. There has been a fundamental change in domestic developments in Afghanistan, and all sides need to engage in contacts with the Taliban, Mr. Wang said, according to the foreign ministrys account. The United States, in particular, must work with the international community to provide Afghanistan with economic, public welfare and humanitarian aid, assisting the new political structure in Afghanistan in maintaining normal government operations and safeguarding social stability and public security. So far, the Chinese government has not specified what aid and other support it may provide Afghanistan, nor any conditions it has for recognizing a new Taliban-dominated government in Kabul. But Mr. Wang suggested that Beijings willingness to work alongside the Biden administration on such issues was conditional on tamping down broader tensions between the two big powers. The United States has criticized the Chinese government over its security crackdown in Hong Kong, repression of largely Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region, and warnings to Taiwan, the democratically governed island that Beijing regards as a part of China. Recently, China and the U.S. have opened up communication over Afghanistan, climate change and other issues, Mr. Wang said. China will consider how to engage with the U.S. based on U.S. attitudes toward China. If the U.S. also hopes for Chinese-U.S. relations to return to a normal track, then stop persistently maligning and attacking China and harming Chinese sovereignty, security and development interests.

Afghan Paralympian places last in long jump, in an unlikely journey to the Games. Hossain Rasouli of Afghanistan competed in the T47 Paralympic mens long jump in Tokyo on Tuesday. Credit... Chang W. Lee/The New York Times TOKYO  Hossain Rasouli, one of the two Paralympians who were evacuated from Afghanistan after the countrys government fell to the Taliban, finished 13th and last in a long jump competition event on Tuesday, the culmination of an unlikely journey that took him through Paris and then belatedly to the Games. Rasouli, 26, celebrated his participation at one point by blowing kisses to a television camera capturing his competition in the T47 event, which involved athletes with arm impairments. The best of his three jumps carried him 4.46 meters, leaving him well behind the 12 other competitors. The 12th-place finisher jumped 1.32 meters farther. Rasouli and Zakia Khudadadi, the other Afghan athlete, seemed likely to miss the Paralympics amid the turmoil in their country, but with the help of several organizations across the world, they arrived in Tokyo on Saturday. The International Paralympic Committee vowed to shield the two athletes from the news media, and Rasouli did not appear in the mixed zone where reporters gather for interviews shortly after an event ends. Though the stands were largely empty because of coronavirus restrictions, Dallas Wise of the United States, who finished fourth, said he was slightly aware of extra attention focused on Rasouli. It kind of seemed like a lot of people taking of pictures of him, Wise said, referring to the professional photographers stationed near the field. Rasouli was originally scheduled to compete in the T47 100-meter race, but he arrived too late for Saturdays heats. The I.P.C. planned to move him into the 400-meter race, but a spokesman for the committee said that Rasouli was worried about the increase in distance. Look, Im a 100-meters sprinter, Craig Spence, the spokesman, quoted Rasouli as saying. Doing 400 is going to be pretty exhausting. So Rasouli settled on doing the long jump, in which he appeared to have a limited competition history. On the official list of competitors, he was the only one whose personal-best distance did not appear. Spence said Rasouli had competed in the long jump before, but not in a major event. Khudadadi, 22, has qualified in taekwondo, a sport making its Paralympics debut, and is scheduled to compete on Thursday. The athletes spent most of last week in Paris, training at the National Institute of Sport, Expertise and Performance, where they also received mental health counseling.

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A university in Bangladesh evacuates almost 150 young women from Kabul. Safa, center, with her friends Tamana, left and Oranous in Doha, Qatar, after being evacuated from Kabul on the weekend. Credit... Safa As gunfire rang out in Kabul, an Afghan college graduate named Batool tried not to show her fear. For days, she and about 150 other Afghan women  mostly students and alumni of Asian University for Women in Bangladesh  had essentially lived on a convoy of buses that they hoped would get them into the Kabul airport, the center of the U.S. militarys last-ditch evacuation efforts. University officials and volunteers had secured them visas and chartered a plane for them, but several times, the buses failed to make it past Taliban and military checkpoints. Fear about being in the open intensified after a deadly terrorist attack on Thursday and a night on the buses listening to gunfire outside. We accepted that we will either die or we will leave, said Batool, 25. Every single one of us wanted to follow our dreams and continue our education. Finally on Saturday, with university leaders and other volunteers pleading their case to American officials, 148 women passed the final checkpoint. Told to leave their luggage behind, they were allowed to bring only their phones and phone chargers. Their passage past that checkpoint and onto a plane capped a frantic, round-the-clock campaign by a university officials and others to get the women out after the sudden collapse of Kabul to the Taliban two weeks ago. As the Taliban advanced, school officials quickly created a masters program so alumni could obtain student visas, said a university founder, Kamal Ahmad. To keep track of the buses at all times in the chaotic scene around the airport, the school used a geocommunications app that was also used to help evacuate an Afghan girls robotics team. Lawyers with the firm Mayer Brown helped the effort, according to Marcia Goodman, a partner for the firm who said they had reached out to to contacts and friends of contacts, including military on the ground and government officials at various levels. But they ran into issues booking a charter plane out of Kabul, and feared paying up to $450,000 for a single flight that might fail to pick the students up. In the desperate effort to enter the airport, overwhelming fatigue was itself a threat to the evacuation plans. When Safa, 20, and two friends separated from the group at the airport to tell their families they had made it past the checkpoints, they fell asleep from exhaustion as their phones charged in a hall. When they woke up an hour later, they discovered to their horror that they had missed the flight. We were not able to say anything, Safa said. We were not able to cry. We were just in shock what to do. Eventually, military officers put them on a flight to Doha, Qatar. Safa has decided to never sleep again, she joked during a telephone interview. Leaving Afghanistan brings mixed feelings, she said, At the evacuations lowest moments, she felt resigned to giving up her dream of finishing her degree and working in public health. It was killing me inside, she said. Why I should give up? Why should I bury it? I deserve to be happy. I deserve my old dreams. Now, she said, she intends to finish her public health degree and return one day to Afghanistan, after the Taliban have left. I want to serve my country, she said. I can see my future, and I will be able to turn my dreams in reality. Most of the students are now in Spain, Batool said, with the next leg of their journey to the United States. They are not sure when they will make it to Bangladesh. Safa said she felt grateful to the university but was worried for the family left behind. I saved my life, she said, but still I cant say I have a good feeling.

Afghanistans collapse complicates U.S. plans for a new drone warfare policy. Air Force drones at a base in the Gulf region in 2016. Credit... John Moore/Getty Images The Biden administration has nearly completed a policy to govern counterterrorism drone strikes and commando raids outside conventional war zones, but the abrupt collapse of the Afghan government and a recent flurry of strikes in Somalia have raised new problems, according to current and former officials. The administration has hoped to finish its playbook by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. It was envisioned as part of a broader recalibration, as President Biden seeks to wind down the forever war on terrorism and reorient national security policy to how the world has changed since 2001. But his teams ability to meet that deadline is now in doubt amid rapidly changing events and uncertainties about the future. Many of the same officials who would develop and approve an updated drone plan for Afghanistan are focused on the emergency evacuation operations in Kabul, officials said. In January, Mr. Biden had set out to establish his own overarching policy for drone strikes targeting terrorist threats emanating from countries where the United States does not have troops on the ground. His administration viewed with suspicion President Donald J. Trumps decision in 2017 to loosen a version of such rules that President Barack Obama had imposed in 2013.

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BRUSSELS  The European Union on Monday recommended that its member countries place new travel restrictions on unvaccinated visitors from the United States, a fresh blow to the continents ailing tourism sector and a sign that potential measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus might remain in place for months.

The European Council of the European Union, which represents governments of the blocs 27 countries, removed the United States from a safe list of countries whose residents can travel without requirements such as quarantine and testing.

The change is not mandatory. Each E.U. member state imposes its own travel rules and can decide whether to follow the guidelines or not, so it was not immediately clear which countries, if any, would reintroduce restrictions or when they might begin.

If enforced, the new restrictions would only apply to unvaccinated travelers  the European Council already recommends that all visitors who have been fully inoculated with an E.U.-approved vaccine be allowed to travel. That includes the three vaccines available in the United States.
BRUSSELS  Back in June, the European Union urged its member countries to reopen their borders to travelers from the United States, hoping to give a boost to the continents ailing tourism sector in the crucial summer season.

It worked. American tourists flocked to the beaches of Spain and Greece, the countryside of Italy and the streets of Amsterdam and Paris.

But on Monday, the European Union proposed new travel restrictions for unvaccinated visitors from the United States, a response to the alarming surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations across the Atlantic.

In removing the United States from a safe list of countries whose residents can travel without requirements such as quarantine and testing, the European Council of the European Union, which represents governments of the blocs 27 countries, signaled that potential restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus may remain in place for months. The new measures could deal a fresh blow to Europes ailing tourism sector.
The U.S. military shot down rockets aimed at the Kabul airport on Monday morning as violence near the field threatened efforts by the United States to meet Tuesdays deadline to withdraw from Afghanistan and end Americas longest war.

A U.S. official said the rockets were brought down by a counter-rocket system after five were fired at the airport, and that there were no initial reports of casualties. The airport remained open, according to the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational details.

The move by the U.S. military underlined the precariousness of the security situation in the Afghan capital and the dangers of an imminent security vacuum, with just two days remaining before President Bidens Tuesday deadline to complete the withdrawal from Americas 20-year war in Afghanistan.

It followed another U.S. strike on Sunday, when a U.S. military drone strike blew up a vehicle laden with explosives in Kabul on Sunday, officials said.
On Monday, the European Union removed the United States from its safe list of countries whose residents can travel to its 27 member states without requirements such as quarantine and testing. This generated confusion, with some people writing on social media that Americans have been banned from visiting Europe. Thats not actually what the recommendation means.

Americans have not been explicitly prohibited from going anywhere in Europe. But as of Tuesday, at least one country had put new restrictions on travelers depending on their vaccination status: Italy said it would require unvaccinated travelers to quarantine for five days; vaccinated travelers must take a test for the coronavirus before entering. Heres a look at what the new developments mean for vaccinated and unvaccinated people:

What just happened? How will this change my trip to Europe?

Since June, the United States has been on the European Unions safe list for travel, which cleared the way for American travelers to visit many E.U. member countries without quarantining. In addition to taking the United States off the safe list on Monday, the European Council, the European Unions governing body, released a recommendation urging member countries to issue travel restrictions for visitors from the United States who are unvaccinated against the coronavirus. The European Union is encouraging authorities across Europe to reinstate the sort of mandatory quarantine and testing requirements that seemed to be on their way out, though primarily for unvaccinated travelers.

Ultimately its up to a given country to decide if it wants to issue new requirements, however.

How does this affect vaccinated travelers?

The first notable changes were announced Tuesday, by Italy. Even if visitors are vaccinated, they must now obtain a negative coronavirus test 72 hours before arrival. Previously, some airlines, such as Delta Air Lines, required this, but the Italian government did not.

In general, though, if you are fully vaccinated with an E.U.-approved vaccine, which include those manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, the requirements you face entering an E.U. country are unlikely to change significantly. Many member states have already been urging travelers to bring proof of vaccination and waiving quarantine requirements for those who can show proof of vaccination.
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The Church of John the Baptist, an old monastery carved into a white mountain of chalk in Russias Voronezh region, is one of the worlds most visually-striking Christian places of worship.

Russia is home to some of the most beautiful and intricately decorated religious buildings in the world, but very few of them manage to impress by blending into their natural surroundings. One such rare edifice is the Church of John the Baptist, part of the Divnogorye Museum-Reserve in Voronezh. First mentioned in historical documents dating back to the 17th century, this unique monastery is carved in the side of a mountain of chalk, with its decorative bell tower sitting on the mountain itself.

Photo via English Russia

The shores of the Don River in Voronezh werent always as peaceful as they are today. Back in the 17th century, when the Russian Tsars troops and the raiding cossacks led by their legendary leader Stepan Razin constantly did battle in the region, Orthodox monks needed robust shelter to practice their faith in peace. The chalk mountains and cliffs of Divnogorye proved perfect.

Not much is known about the origins of the Church of John the Baptist. Some say it dates back to the 12th century, and that it was founded by Greek monks Xenophon and Joasaf, while others believe it was the work of two Sicilian monks, sometime in the 1600s.

Cave churches can be found all around the world, but they made perfect sense in this area of Russia, as the soft limestone and chalk mountains were easy to carve into. There was no need to bring construction materials and hire builders, as all the materials were already provided by nature.

The first historical mention of the place is a 17th-century letter from one of the monks to Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, complaining about the sorry state of the monastery, caused in particular by continuous military conflicts between the tsars troops and Stepan Razins cossack. The situation had forced the monks to procure their own means of defense and carve several exits through the mountain.

Closed and restored several times during its troubled history, the Church of John the Baptist is currently managed by the Divnogorye Museum-Reserve, but the Russian Orthodox Church hopes to change that. Once under its patronage, the monastery was confiscated during the Soviet era, but the Orthodox diocese asked for it to be returned, according to law.

Last year, Marina Lylova, one of the founders of the museum that oversees the monastery, told RFERL that if the church takes control of the site, it would destroy its fragile interior through renovations. Lylova added that the place had already had floor tiles laid by the Orthodox church because the chalk stained the monks robes. Other historical irregularities had also been allegedly smoothed over.



Obviously, the Russian church denies the allegations, claiming that if its request is approved by the state, it will see to it that all the historical elements of the chalk monastery are preserved. Still, over 5,000 people have already signed a petition opposing the transfer of the monastery to the Orthodox church.
Do-Dodonpa, the worlds fastest-accelerating roller coaster, has been temporarily closed after a number of people broke their backs or necks after riding it in the last nine months.

Located in the Fuji-Q Highland Park, in Fujiyoshida, Japan, the Do-Dodonpa roller coaster has been operating since 2001, offering riders an adrenaline-fueled experience. It is famous for being able to accelerate from 0 to 180km (112 miles) per hour in just 1.56 seconds, which makes it the worlds fastest-accelerating roller coaster. Despite its super death speed, Do-Dodonpa had never been associated with rider injuries until December of last year, when people started suffering bone injuries after going on the roller-coaster. Six cases have been reported since, four of which involved broken back or necks.

Photo: Geomr/Wikimedia Commons

Do-Dodonpa had such a clean record that in 2017 officials at Fuji-Q Highland Park decided to make the roller coaster ride even more exhilarating by increasing the maximum acceleration from 172km to 180km per hour. Everything was fine until December of 2020, when the first reported injury occurred, which only makes the string of injuries that much stranger.

In August, Fuji-Q Highland Park decided to suspend the roller coaster and investigate what was happening. Unfortunately, they came up with no explanation. Sansei Technologies, the company that manufactured the ride, apologized to the injured riders, but couldnt explain what was causing the injuries either.

Naoya Miyasato, an architecture professor from Nihon University who studies roller coaster designs, recently told VICE News that bone injuries caused by roller coaster rides were unheard of until last December, because roller coaster designs must all abide by government-approved standards.

Although Miyasato couldnt offer an answer to the mystery either, he did speculate that the bone injuries might have something to do with the rapid acceleration of the roller coaster, which at its peak is more than three times the force of gravity and comparable to the G-forces experienced by astronauts during rocket launches. However, that doesnt explain why the same forces didnt cause injuries before December of last year.

The professors second theory is that the riders positions on the ride could be to blame for their injuries as well. Do-Dodonpa requires riders to lean back against their seat and wear over-the-shoulder restraints, leaving as little space between their backs and the backrest as possible. According to the Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun, one of the injured riders admitted that she might have been leaning forward during the ride.

If they detected no serious concerns with the actual ride, then it could be the way people were sitting. But if a person was sitting incorrectly, say with space between their backs and their seat, its the responsibility of the park employees to check their seating position, Naoya Miyasato said.

No technical issues were found upon initial investigation, but until the investigation is completed, the worlds fastest-accelerating roller coaster will remain closed.

Interestingly, statistics from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions show that the chance of suffering a serious injury while riding a roller coaster is about one in 15.5 million.
Rudy Giuliani

Rudy Giulianis PR guru Christianne Allen has finally had enough and has stepped down from her post at Giuliani Communications.

The 22-year-old signed up for Team Rudy in August 2019 with the mission of updating the image of the former New York mayor and Donald Trumps personal attorney.

She is exiting for a tech start-up operation, according to a report in The Daily Beast.

As I reflect, I am proud of the accomplishments we achieved. One of which was building Rudy Giulianis Common Sense podcast from conception to one of the top political podcasts in the country in under a year, she said in a statement. Looking forward, I once again feel blessed to have the opportunity for continued growth and development within a rising tech startup.

Allen joined Rudy during the Ukraine meddling fiasco and advised him during Trumps impeachment, Hunter Biden mess, Four Seasons Landscaping press conference disaster, and losing his license to practice law. Giuliani is battling a billion dollar defamation suit for his role in spreading lies about the "stolen election."

Rudys most recent PR disaster occured Aug. 20 when he was videoed at the Delta lounge at JFK Airport shaving while chowing down lobster bisque.

Allen said Todd Shapiro, a former spokesperson for Lindsay Lohans family, is Rudys new spokesperson.
What would Jesus Do was a popular slogan used by evangelical Christians during the 1990s to remind them to live their lives in a fashion that demonstrated their faith in the Savior.

What would Jesus do in todays troubled COVID-19 times?

The Good Shepherd would probably encourage His flock to get the COVID-19 vaccine so they can remain strong to serve Him and spread His message of salvation Gospel through their words and deeds.

What wouldnt Jesus do? He wouldnt muster His Almighty wrath and smite one of His faithful followers who endorsed the COVID-19 shot for its life-saving capabilities.

But thats what His self-purported media messenger did.

The National Religious Broadcasters, an association of more than 1,100 members that claims a monthly audience of 141M people, fired Dan Darling, senior VP of communications, for spreading the Good Word about the COVID-19 shot.

Darling, a Nashville-based evangelical pastor, said on MSNBCs Morning Joe on Aug. 2:

"I believe in this vaccine because I dont want to see anyone else die of COVID. Our family has lost too many close friends and relatives to COVID, including an uncle, a beloved church member and our piano teacher."

That inconvenient truth unfortunately set Darling free of his NRB job.

Apparently, NRB has an official policy of neutrality on the COVID-19 vaccine, a position that is inexplicable.

When it comes to a decision about life and death, how can NRB cop out by rolling out a ridiculous neutrality stance, especially when the Delta variant is raging in areas once considered the Bible Belt and the heartland of the NRB?

Theres no word on who is taking over for Darling. NRB press secretary Elizabeth Bristow has not responded to an ODwyers inquiry about his replacement and whether the group plans to issue a statement about his Aug. 27 firing.

Troy Miller, CEO of NRB, told the Religious News Service that Darling is no longer with the group.

He called Darling an excellent communicator and a great friend and wished him Gods best in all of his future endeavors. Talk about faint praise.

Miller denies that Darling was fired, saying he was offered a patch to another position.

Darling certainly decided to go another path, one of truth and righteousness.

He wrote an op-ed in the Aug. 29 USA Today called Why, as a Christian and an American, I Got the COVID Vaccine."

The NRB claims it exists to represent the Christian broadcasters right to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

There would be a lot less dying in the world if the NRB spread the word about the importance of getting the COVID-19 shot.
The Crisis and Beyond: building a stronger, cleaner, fairer world economy

Against the backdrop of the most severe financial and economic crisis in decades, this years Council Meeting at Ministerial Level addressed key policy responses to restore financial stability and sustainable long-term growth.



The meeting offered an opportunity for Ministers to review progress, advance solutions and enhance co-operation in tackling the challenges of the world economy. We gave special emphasis to policies preventing all forms of trade and investment protectionism and those ensuring that environmental concerns are taken into account when considering the options to address the crisis.



As the centre-piece of the OECD's annual week of meetings and debate on the world economy, the OECDs 30 member countries held their annual Ministerial Council Meeting in the OECD Conference Centre in Paris on 24-25 June.

The meeting was chaired by Han Seung-soo, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea. Korea was assisted by three Vice-Chairs: Denmark, United Kingdom and Italy; representing respectively COP 15, G20 and G8 to enhance coherence and synergy among international fora.



To promote the necessary collective convergence in policy and action amongst developed as well as major developing economies, Ministers from Brazil, Chile, Estonia, India, Indonesia, Israel, the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, Slovenia and South Africa were invited to participate in all sessions of the meeting. They were joined for the Trade and Investment session by Ministers from Argentina and Hong Kong, China. Representatives from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are also invited to attend.

Browse also the programme

the background documents the Who's Who

the press releases, speeches, and statements
Active Retirement Ireland is calling on the Government to provide clearer guidelines for older people wishing to resume indoor activities in their communities as cold weather and dark evenings approach.

Maureen Kavanagh, CEO of Active Retirement Ireland, said, Older people have been particularly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. They have been forced to isolate from family and friends and limit social interactions. Thankfully, the majority of older people are now vaccinated but they are still unsure about what they can and cannot do. Some activities have moved outdoors but as autumn and the cold weather approach, older people have questions that need to be answered clearly, including:

When can older people return to indoor community activities?

What size groups of older people can get together?

If fully vaccinated, should older people continue to wear masks and practise social distancing?



We continue to see levels of transmission of COVID-19 that are simply too high and would be categorised as a dark red country according to the ECDC.



It is important that we continue to follow the public health advice this weekend. pic.twitter.com/b8yJLZUdrm August 28, 2021

The recent Department of Health guidelines on Covid-19 offer very little clarity for older people who wish to return to their indoor community activities and events. For many older people, these activities are their only social outlet. They have abided by the restrictions and will continue to do so, but we know that if older people dont return to the full and active social life that they enjoyed before the pandemic, it will have a negative and long-term impact on their physical and mental health.
SEVENTEEN jobs will be created in a large greenhouse plant on the site of the old Bord na Mona yard at Ballycon, Mountlucas, local Fianna Fail representative, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said this week.

It is hoped that the new venture from Real Leaf Farm, will be in operation by June 2022.

Real Leaf Farm is an Irish agri-tech company developing sustainable hydroponic farming across both Ireland and the UK and it is embarking on a 25m funding round for the Offaly project.

It has already been awarded 1m from the Just Transition Fund.

The company plans to build hydroponic farms in Ireland and the UK, with the first farm in Ballycon.

It recently received planning permission to construct the Ballycon facility, which will include a 10,500sq m greenhouse, attached to the existing Bord na Mona workshop building. Some existing sheds at the site will be demolished.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said Karen Hennessy, chief executive of Real Leaf Farm, stated it was a relief to get the planning permission from Offaly County Council over the line.

Ms Hennessy has previously worked with Glanbia as its head of corporate development nutritionals.

According to its website, Real Leaf Farm is involved in what it calls a farming (r)evolution.

Revolution because hydroponics uses three simple ingredients to produce densely nutritious leaves all year round. Natural light from the sun, local water and elemental nutrients. Evolution because we are taking the best of the past to build the best for the future, the company says.

Our deep-water culture system uses significantly less water than soil-based farming and every drop is recycled to produce leafy greens 365 days a year. Our farm uses no herbicides or pesticides, a win-win for our consumers and our land.

This is Irelands first 100% Hydroponic farm. This is smart farming for a sustainable planet.

They say it is their mission to grow fresh, nutritious leafy greens for the local food market using sustainable hydroponic farming methods that have low environmental impact.

The elimination of herbicides and pesticides not only makes us a provider of clean, natural, food products but is better for our environment, leaving no residues behind.

Through smart farming and advanced growing technology they say they are using less energy, land and water, eliminating the use of pesticides or herbicides, delivering fresher, more natural food, upskilling and re-energising local workers to provide employment in local communities and are able to leave no trace.

Their range includes Batavia, Frisee, Lollo Rossa, Oak Leaf, Buttercrunch and Little gem leaf varieties that will be delivered all year round.

Green Leaf say they are reducing food miles. Factory farming, deforestation, food transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil erosion are affecting our world and our lives. As more and more people migrate to urban areas, there is an increasing distance between the food people eat and where the food is grown.

The increase in food miles and food transportation contributes further negative environmental impacts. Growing our food closer to our markets dramatically reduces use of fossil fuels, improves the shelf life of our range and reduces food waste.

A Real Leaf Farm has low environmental impact, reduced use of fossil fuels, is locally produced food and results in reduced food waste, the company says.
Since it began a few years ago Slieve Bloom Brewing Company has been making a number of top quality beers which have received the thumbs up from many people.

Managed by the friendly and hardworking Kieran Clements the Kinnitty company is one of the region's success stories in recent years.

The Ingredients

All Kieran's beers have been developed and produced in Kinnitty, using all natural ingredients with no preservatives.

The malt comes from Loughran Family Malt in Co. Louth and from locally grown produce in Carlow. One of the company's beers, The Rising Moon IPA, is made using organic blueberries from a farm in Geashill.

The Owner

Ive been in the bar game all my life, says Kieran. Ive always had itchy feet for travel and experience, and my love of learning about food and drink has seen me work in 32 bars around the world, along with several restaurants. From that time what struck me was my connection to home, how - with all the major breweries producing homogenous products, and new craft breweries producing wild flavours  I wanted to create a set of beers for my pub in Kinnitty, the Slieve Bloom Bar, that captured my love of natural ingredients and balanced flavours. I wanted to create beers that would satisfy discerning palates while also giving my local customers a delicious comfortable pint that they could enjoy.

I also have a deep love of, and fascination with, local and Irish history. Throughout all our rebellions there are amazing stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. None more so than the pikemen of 1798, and I decided to honour those men and women by designing and dedicating my beers to them. I think as well that by doing this, it helps carry that bit of history and the stories to a new generation of people who might not be as familiar with that part of our history.

The Origin

Kieran says he was visiting the village of Toome in Co. Antrim, which was a point of origin for the 1798 Rebellion in the north when, in a moment of serendipity, he met Alistair Thompson from Dunbar, Scotland. Alistair is a third-generation brewer, son of famous brewer George Thompson. We spoke about our shared interest in beers, explains Kieran, and very shortly after, I built my brewery in Kinnitty and Alistair worked with me to refine brew after brew for about 18 months until we finally were happy with the three beers we produced. He really is an artist with beer, and the balanced flavours really show his skill.

Originally intending to only sell the beers in his Kinnitty bar, it soon became clear that people liked them  a lot. The demand was very high and I sold out often, he recalls, but when the pandemic hit, I then had an opportunity to sell my beers online. The demand really grew from there, and we now stock in off licences across the country. As we grow our brand I want as many people as possible to taste and enjoy our beers and to do this, we need to have them available everywhere.

1798 as Inspiration

Kieran adds that he thinks the most significant thing about the 1798 rebellion was that it was not in any way sectarian. It was inspired by the French revolution, and their goals of liberty, equality and fraternity. Started, in fact, by Presbyterians, it saw ordinary men and women of all religions decide to unite together and risk their lives, under enormous threat of violence from the British rulers, to stand against the injustice of the penal laws and the utter oppression for so much of the population.

These ordinary people rebelled using the skills and tools they had. Our beers tell the story of three blacksmiths in Kinnitty that were captured and flogged for arming the Croppies with pikes from their forge, under the nose of the High Sheriff Thomas Bernard of Kinnitty Castle. There are so many stories that are handed down in villages and families that will get lost over time. I think its really important to remember this period of Irish history and how the wheels were set in motion for so much change since then. I hope the ad will inspire some people to have a read of the history too.

The three beers Slieve Bloom Brewing produce are PIKEMAN Red Ale, PIKE MAKER Stout and RISING MOON IPA. We have big news coming soon, adds Kieran, so watch this space!

The Ad

Kieran speaks about an ad he recently shot down in a beautiful barley field in Co. Carlow and we are very excited about it. The ad features big-wave surfer Al Mennie (star of the new HBO documentary 100 Foot Wave), along with Lynette Callaghan, Daithi Harrison, Steve Kendall and well-known Offaly musician Michael Buckley. I was looking at an early cut of the ad with Ian McCaffrey, the director, and what really hit home was the powerful image of the pikeman  the everyman rebel that left their homes and fought against all odds for freedom and equality. We cant wait to have the ad finished and out in the wild  it really captures the rebellious spirit of the beers and the inspiration behind them.
A TULLAMORE primary school student has won a top poetry award in the Trocaire and Poetry Ireland annual competition which this year had the theme 'Pathways to Peace',

Liam York who is a student at Tullamore Educate Together National School was named the winner in the Primary Senior Category with his poem Journey to Peace.'

The competition uses the arts to raise awareness about global justice and ecological and equality issues.

Liam's highly impressive and touching poem is appropriate for the times we are living in.

You can read it below.

Journey to Peace

As she walks down the warstricken road,

Gazing around at the ruined homes,

Imagining all of the life that once inhabited these old ruins,

She knows she must walk on.

She keeps on walking,

Comes to a meadow.

No more scattered debris,

No more distressing scenes,

Just vast, open green.

She walks and walks,

Arriving in a distant town,

Without broken buildings,

Without bombs.

Will she find safety here?

Will she find peace?

No one should be forced to flee their homes,

To be forced to search for safety,

But still, they are.

Can we now imagine a world of peace?

Can we take this journey together?

Jane OHanlon from Poetry Ireland said: With winners from nine counties again this year, wed like to thank everyone who entered and to those who helped and encouraged them.

This has been a difficult year, particularly for schools which had to close again for part of the year. We really appreciate everyone - teachers, parents and young writers - for their continued interest and support for the Trocaire Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition. The adult categories this year feature Mary Turley-McGrath - a previous winner in 2014 - and the quality of the poetry is, again, superb.

As a physical awards ceremony is not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions, Trocaire and Poetry Ireland will celebrate the winners of the competition with a streamed video event, while a booklet of the winning poems is due to be published in 2022. The event will be streamed on Poetry Irelands YouTube channel on Culture Night (Friday, September 17) at 6pm.
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NEW YORK (AP)  Cutting-edge DNA technology will be used to analyze the remains of more than 1,100 victims of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center that have yet to be identified.

Newsday reported Saturday that the New York City medical examiners office has been approved to use the forensic method known as Next Generation Sequencing, which is already being used by the Department of Defense to identify remains from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Thousands of human remains from Sept. 11 have yet to be identified because theyre too damaged and degraded to be analyzed by conventional methods. They're currently being stored at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site.

The medical examiner's office could begin using the process before the end of the year, Mark Desire, chief of the office's missing persons and body identification unit, told the newspaper.

While the remains of about 1,600 of the 2,754 World Trace Center victims have been identified, the process has slowed over the years and the last identification was made in 2019.

The medical examiner's office began studying Next Generation Sequencing in 2018, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the approval process until this year.

Rosemary Cain of Massapequa, New York, whose firefighter son, George, perished in the twin towers, said she has received some remains but would welcome more.

If there is the tiniest little morsel of my son, yes, I want him back. He belongs to me, Cain told the newspaper.

Dr. Timothy McMahon, director of the Department of Defense DNA operations for the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, called the new technology a game-changer.

Will it solve all cases? Probably not, McMahon told the newspaper. But even if it leads to 20 percent identification, that is significant. You are bringing closure to someones family on this.
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OHA accepting applications for Behavioral Health Metrics and Incentives Committee



The Oregon Health Authority is seeking applicants to serve on a new Behavioral Health Metrics and Incentives Committee. The committee will establish quality metrics for providing behavioral health services and create incentives designed to improve the quality of those services to help transform Oregons behavioral health system and meet OHAs goal of eliminating health inequities by the year 2030. People with lived experience with behavioral health needs and people from communities disproportionately impacted by health inequities, such as communities of color and the LGBTQIA+ community, will be central to this work and are eagerly encouraged to apply.



OHA invites applications from people who represent the following perspectives:

Community members who identify as behavioral health service users and / or people with lived experience. This includes youth, adults, and family members of youth aged 15 or younger who use behavioral health services.

People who identify as:

Black, Indigenous and other people of color



Members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community

Youth or young adults in transition (up to age 25) with lived experience in the Childrens System of Care in Oregon.

Current members of the Oregon Consumer Advisory Council

Current members of the Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council

Current members of the System of Care Advisory Council

Tribal government representatives

Representatives of organizations that advocate on behalf of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities

CCO behavioral health directors

Representatives of Community Mental Health Programs

Behavioral health service providers

Data analysis experts

Committee members will serve for four years. Members who are not paid by an employer to serve on the council will be provided a small stipend to compensate for their time. Members will need to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and excuse themselves from decisions where appropriate.


If troubles in Balochistan rise beyond proportionate, the Pakistani army would be sucked into a war in tough terrain and a hostile environment.

New Delhi: It's a challenging time around. The fall of Afghanistan signifies the rise of the Jihadi movement, and this would give a bolster to further rise of radical Islam, especially in the region. India faces an uphill task in dealing with the challenge in the context of 'an unhealthy' atmosphere prevailing around the roles of Pakistan and China. There is also an apprehension that under the given circumstances, the Pakistan-Taliban-China nexus would emerge stronger and could encircle India in the north and western fronts.

Thus, according to observers, perhaps Balochistan and its changing dynamics can work as a dampening force to Pakistan's sinister designs and the radical Islamist forces.

If troubles in Balochistan rise beyond proportionate, the Pakistani army would be sucked into a war in tough terrain and a hostile environment. There are various pros and cons involved in the entire game. The Baloch resistance against Pakistan is legendary, and it has been going on since the 1940s.

From India's point of view, it can be easily stated that a prolonged insurgency in Balochistan would severely impede the Pakistani army's capability to sponsor terrorism against India. Balochis were never interested in getting themselves 'integrated' into Pakistan.

The major issue for people there is of Baloch ethnic identity, and thus as people, they have been looking forward for external support, possibly including from India. In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, had used the 'Balochistan time bomb'. The sickular jingoists had reacted in their usual pattern.

Salman Khurshid, a former External Affairs Minister, had said"Balochistan is different from PoK. We have every right to talk about PoK because it is our matter. Balochistan is not." But regarding the Baloch issue, PM Modi had taken the Balochistan battle to the Pakistan camp. He had almost turned the table. However, for reasons best known to Modi and his foreign policy team, nothing much has happened or could be heard on the Balochistan matters since then.

Now, the Taliban take over has opened a window, and it ought to be made use of. Pakistan has weakness in Balochistanperhaps little more than it had about erstwhile East Pakistan. Over the decades, Pakistan's approach towards the Baloch region was military, tyranny and torture. To 'defeat' the Baloch ethnic identity, Pakistan has promoted Islamic radicalism in the region.

"Islamabad has always encouraged Mullahs to propagate fundamentalist version of religion so that Baloch's unique identity gets subsumed in the overall identity of Islam and Pakistani nationhood," an informed source says. People in Balochistan even refer to themselves as 'original Indians', and some feel getting Balochistan' free' from Pakistan would be like 'cutting off the head of the cobra'.

The government of India should also act to prevent efforts being made by Pakistan to accentuate differences between Balochis and Brahuis, essentially only making language an issue of division. To the good fortunes of Pakistan, the Balochistan movement has remained "South Asia's most under-reported armed movement", but maybe this is the time to change the entire scenario. Thus, it is time for India perhaps to highlight all sorts of discrimination that is going on in Balochistan.

The Baloch people feel there is 'deep-rooted' alienation as the locals have been denied representation in the government. There are hardly any Baloch found in federal jobs in Islamabad and the Pakistan army. This is in a situation when the province the Balochis inhabitBalochistanis the country's largest, occupying nearly 44 per cent of Pakistan's land area. There is then the case of economic exploitation as natural assets are taken away by Islamabad and the army without giving the natives anything in return. Notably, there is a need for a cautious look, too.

If 'insurgency' in Balochistan against Islamabad gets intensified, it is apprehended that it could have ramifications in 'Iranian Balochistan' too. Balochis are split between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

Most of the Baloch people are Sunnis, while Iran follows the Shia school of Islam. On the Pakistani side, there is another international angle. The Chinese are seen as 'assisting' Islamabad in Balochistan because of its own strategic interests. Moreover, a continued disturbance in the western part of Balochistan could affect developments related to Chabahar port and the construction of the Zaranj-Delaram road link to provide shorter access to Afghanistan and other central Asian countries.
The protest comes against the backdrop of the Maharashtra government's slew of directions ahead of the festivals, such as the ban on procession for Ganesh Chaturthi, restrictions on the height of idols.

Pune: Demanding the reopening of all religious places in the State, BJP staged a protest in Pune on Monday (August 30). State chief Chandrakant Patil asked Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to open religious places by evening as the BJP launched Shankhnaad Andolan.

Patil said that the government is ignoring the sentiments of crores of people who celebrate their festivals with great enthusiasm.

"If the government can allow shops, pubs, etc to open for the general public, then why not religious places," asked Patil.

This protest comes against the backdrop of the Maharashtra government's slew of directions ahead of the festivals, such as the ban on procession for Ganesh Chaturthi, restrictions on the height of idols, The government has also asked the police to convince the local groups to cooperate with the government and keep the festivals a low-key affair in the state.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, social activist Anna Hazare said that if the religious places are not reopened within two weeks, he will sit on a hunger strike.

Referring to this, Patil said, "If Anna Hazare starts any such protest in support of reopening the temples in the state, then the BJP will support the cause."

He further said that the government should reopen temples and other religious places with COVID-19 protocols. "At a time, only 10 people should be allowed inside the temple or any other religious place. Wearing of masks inside the temple should be made mandatory."

During the protest, BJP workers, under the leadership of Patil, forcibly entered Kasba Peth Ganpati temple in Pune and offered prayers.

Courtesy: ANI
CNN had expressed serious doubts when the Narendra Modi government had set a target of administering 60 crore doses of Covid-19 doses by August. Two more days to go, India has already administered over 63 crore doses.

Before rolling out the world's largest vaccination drive against Covid-19, India had set a target of administering 60 crore doses by the end of August this year. American Leftist news channel CNN has mocked the Modi government for setting such an ambitious target.

"That adds up to a total of 600 million shots, and Modi's government wants to complete the whole process by August. That's an incredibly ambitious undertaking, especially for a developing country with poor rural infrastructure and an inadequate public health system that is already buckling under tremendous pressure from the coronavirus," CNN has written.

By Monday (August 30) morning, India has already administered over 63 crore doses. By the end of this month, it'll be touching 65 crore doses, five crores more than the target it had set for herself. India's vaccination drive against Covid-19 was rolled out in January this year. Covishield, manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India, was the first vaccine available for use. Indigenously developed Bharat Biotech's Covaxin is also being administered. Other vaccines developed in the country are also in the pipeline.

On Friday (August 27), India administered over one crore doses in a single day, achieving the milestone for the first time. Also, the country has given at least one dose to over 50 per cent of its eligible population. On November 28 last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Zydus Cadila, Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech's plants to take stock of the situation.

The Union government also provided monetary help to the private companies for the capacity extension. The companies were also helped with the research work. The result is for all to see. India's vaccination drive has been a huge success.




You can live amicably with a religion whose principle is toleration. But how is it possible to live peacefully with a religion whose principle is I will not tolerate you? How are you going to have unity with these people? Certainly, Hindu-Muslim unity cannot be arrived at on the basis that the Muslims will go on converting Hindus while the Hindus shall not convert any Madan (Mohammedan).  Sri Aurobindo , Evening Talks With Sri Aurobindo, Part II, Chapter 3, July 2, 1923 (Recorded by A B Purani)

In a landmark move, a Government-Appointed panel has recommended the deletion of the names of Mopilah (the Muslims of Malabar region in Kerala) rioters from the dictionary of freedom fighters. This recommendation has opened up a chapter hitherto pushed under the carpet either in the name of freedom struggle or a peasants rebellion. Not surprisingly, the communist regime in Kerala - that is, into mega centenary celebrations of what they called Mopilah Rebellion - along with the historians nurtured with the same ideology, are disturbed with the recommendation.

The incidents of the Malabar Massacre of Hindus occurred in 1921 as a part of the Khilafat movement. Since then, multiple reports and books have talked about the gruesome atrocities incurred on Hindus in the name of the freedom struggle. The authentic accounts penned by eminent personalities ranging from Congress leaders like K Madhavan Nair and C Keshavan Nair to Home-Rule league leader Annie Besant and Dr B R Ambedkar has drawn the common conclusions: 1. the Mopilah Riot was part of the Khilafat Movement, and not the freedom struggle; 2. It was a fundamentalist movement focused on religious conversion. Thousands of people were murdered, hundreds of women raped, lakhs of people were displaced, and hundreds of temples were desecrated. All this was followed by Ali Musaliar, an Islamic preacher, and his Islamic militia announcing an Islamic state In Malabar on August 22, 2021. The barbaric atrocities are celebrated by Communists, who have no aversion to violent means, as a freedom struggle.

If it was a freedom struggle, why the widespread attacks on Hindus and temples? Why was no British authority attacked, barring the looting of few properties? Suppose the Communist justification of peasants revolt is accurate; how can they whitewash the fact that the Mopilah were wealthy merchants of Malabar having deep connections with the West Asian nations for the trade of timber and spices? Remember, none of the slogans raised by the rioters was in favour of the national freedom struggle or anti-British in content.

What happened in Malabar was not an exception. All over Bharat, we experienced the systematic nurturing of ideas around what Sri Aurobindo called the making of separate political entity an organised separate political power. In the 1920s, a series of riots took place attacking non-Muslims. The intention of Gandhiji may be of taking the Muslims along in the freedom struggle. But what started under the Congress umbrella quickly deviated from it and took the shape of a cold-blooded pogrom. Fanatics like the Ali brothers and Abdul Bari gave inflammatory speeches and put restoration of the Caliphate in Turkey above the goal of Swaraj. The support for the freedom movement became conditional. Among the ordinary Bharatiya Muslims, who had no clue about the position of Caliph, the ideas of Pan-Islamism got traction. In a way, Khilafat germinated the idea of Pakistan.

Interestingly, the Amir of Afghanistan was the only external power the Bharatiya Muslims could look up to. Hence, the Khilafat leadership systematically spread the rumour in the Malabar region of Afghan attack from the North-West side, which never happened. But an Islamic State was formed in Malabar in August 1921.

Now cut to August 2021. In the same Malabar, we are witnessing joyous celebrations after the Taliban taking over Kabul. How can we forget that the same Taliban decimated the entire Hindu-Buddhist civilisation in its earlier rule from 1996-2001 and was designated as a terror outfit by the United Nations. The idea of the Caliphate, the Global Islamic Rule, is still a guiding force to the fundamentalist Muslims, represented by forces like the Taliban. The Khilafatis and Mopilah rioters had the same inspiration. Commemorating Mopilas is like celebrating the Taliban. Hence, getting rid of that freedom struggle and peasants rebellion tags ascribed to Mopilas is essential.
After repeated pleas of the victims father failed to move the West Bengal Police, he moved to the Calcutta High Court to find her abducted daughter, which ordered WB Police to take help from the CBI to trace the girl.

In a big relief for West Bengal resident Uttam Kumar, the Calcutta High Court ordered the West Bengal Police to take help of the CBI and Interpol in tracing the 22-year-old abducted daughter of Kumar.

Kumar has accused Alex Afrin Rik of abducting her daughter and trafficking her to Bangladesh. Afrin has been living in the Nadia district of West Bengal on the fake identity of Rajdeep Biswas. A few days after Afrin attended a function at Kumars house, his 22-year-old daughter went missing.

When the repeated pleas of Kumar to West Bengal Police did not elicit any response from the police department, he started investigating on his own. During the course of an investigation, he came to know that Rajdeep Biswas, who had attended the function at his home, was actually Afrin and was a Bangladeshi national.

Kumar went to Bangladesh two times to get his daughter back but was turned away by the gang of traffickers. This is when he decided to approach the Calcutta High Court. Afrin has managed to get many identity documents like Aadhaar, PAN etc. in his fake name.
After the Kabul airport attack, US President Joe Biden had promised retaliatory action and his administration killed nine Afghan civilians.



A day after US President Joe Biden vowed to retaliate for killing 14 American soldiers, the United States killed nine Afghans, including six children, in airstrikes.

In a suicide bomb attack on Thursday (August 26) at the Hamid Karzai International Airport, more than 180 people were killed, including 14 American soldiers.

On Saturday (August 28), President Joe Biden had vowed to retaliate for killing American soldiers. The next day, the United States carried out aerial strikes targeting civilian areas in Kabul. The Biden administration claimed that some ISIS-K suspects were travelling in a car, and they were the targets.

Later, nine Afghans were killed, including six children and one interpreter who had worked with the Americans before the Taliban captured Kabul on August 15. As negotiated earlier, the Taliban has asked the United States to withdraw all its soldiers by August 31. The United States was asking for an extension, but the Taliban declined.

The ISIS-K had claimed responsibility for the Kabul airport bombing, which had killed over 180 people.




The Akash-S missiles are a new variant with a new indigenous seeker, which helps in improving the accuracy in taking down enemy aircraft and cruise missiles at distances up to 25-30 km.

New Delhi: In a major boost to 'Make in India' in the defence sector, the Indian Army has sent proposals worth around Rs 14,000 crore to acquire two regiments of the Akash-S air defence missile system and 25 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs).

The proposal is with the Defence Ministry, and a decision on the approval is expected soon at a high-level meeting to be chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, government sources told ANI.

The Akash-S missiles are a new variant of the Akash missile system with a new indigenous seeker, which helps in improving the accuracy in taking down enemy aircraft and cruise missiles at distances up to 25-30 km, they said.

The missiles can perform in extreme cold weather conditions in Ladakh and would meet all the requirements of the Indian Army in mountainous and other regions along the boundaries with China and Pakistan.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed missile system is already in service with the forces, and more upgraded versions are planned to be inducted into the services in the coming days.

The DRDO has also recently tested the Akash-New Generation variant of the Akash missile systems, which allows the troops to use it for longer range intersection of enemy targets and capability to operate at very high altitude locations along the Northern Borders.

The force is also looking at acquiring 25 ALH Dhruv Mark 3 helicopters for its aviation squadrons.

The Indian Army has been very supportive of the indigenous defence manufacturing capability and has supported the positive list of indigenisation by placing important weapons systems such as artillery guns in the import ban list.

The Army is the largest operator of the ALH Dhruv helicopters in the country and has also helped in bringing in improvements in the choppers produced by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Courtesy: ANI
The Hindus in Kashmir are celebrating Shri Krishna Janmashtami, and processions were taken out in Handwara and Lal Chowk in Kashmir on Monday (August 30).

Since Article 370 and 35A were scrapped on August 5, 2019, the security situation has improved dramatically, and Hindus of the valley are feeling safe celebrating these festivals in the open.

On August 5, 2019, the Union government scrapped Article 370 and 35A, thereby ending the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was restructured into two union territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

"Kashmiri Pandits celebrate #Janmashtami festival in Srinagar's Lal Chowk on Monday", posted The Kashmir Monitor.

"Janmashtami Celebration in North Kashmir (Handwara) after so many years. Huge participation of the public in Janki taken out on this occasion", posted Team Bharat on Twitter.


Thousands of temples, including Banke Bihari Temple, Prem Mandir, Iskcon Temple and Shri Krishna Janm Bhumi Temple, have been testefully decorated in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

Janmashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated across the country today (August 30). Devotees throng to the temples to offer prayers to Lord Krishna. Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is fully geared to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

Thousands of temples, including Banke Bihari Temple, Prem Mandir, Iskcon Temple and Shri Krishna Janm Bhumi Temple, have been testefully decorated in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

President Ram Nath Kovind has greeted all fellow citizens on occasion Janmashtami. In a message, President said Janmashtami is a festival to dedicate ourselves to the life and teachings of Lord Shri Krishna. He said this festival is also an occasion to spread the message of Lord Shri Krishna that emphasised the virtue of righteousness, truthfulness and more on duty than reward. May this festival inspire us to assimilate all these eternal values, the President said.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the nation on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. In his message, Mr Naidu said that Janmashtami celebrates Lord Krishna's birth, who is worshipped as Lord Vishnus eighth incarnation. Lord Krishnas eternal message, as expounded in the Bhagwad Gita, to discharge our duties with sincerity and without attachment to the outcomes, has been a source of inspiration for all of mankind. On this auspicious day, He called upon everyone to resolve to perform our duties with utmost sincerity and to walk the path of righteousness.

While Janmashtami is usually celebrated across the country with great traditional fervour, the vice president said that we need to be cautious this year in light of the pandemic and modestly celebrate the festival, strictly adhering to COVID-appropriate behaviour. He hoped that this Janmashtami would bring peace, harmony and prosperity in our country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted people on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Yesterday, in his Mann Ki Baat Programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi had said, Janmashtami is the festival of the birth of Bhagwan Shri Krishna, and people are familiar with all the forms of the Lord, from naughty Kanhaiya to the one taking Colossal form Krishna, from the one well versed in scriptures to one skilled in weaponry. He said, be it art, beauty, charm, Krishna is there.

The Prime Minister said, when the people of the world pay heed to Indian spiritual systems and philosophy today, then we also have a responsibility to carry forward these great traditions. He said that which has perished has to be left behind, but that which is timeless has to be carried forward.

Mr Modi called upon everyone to celebrate the festivals and understand its scientific meaning and its connotation. He said, not only this, there is an underlying message in every festival, and there is a Sanskar as well. Mr Modi said, we not only have to know it, live it and pass it on as a legacy for generations to come.

The Prime Minister also spoke about the development of Bhalka Teerth in Somnath, Gujarat, where Shri Krishna spent his last moments on earth and his interaction with Jadurani Dasi of ISKCON.

Courtesy: AIR
Indian shooter Avani Lekhara created history by winning the gold medal at Asaka Shooting Range in the women's R2 -- 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event on Monday.



New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (August 30) congratulated shooter Avani Lekhara for clinching a gold medal in Tokyo Paralympics and said that it was possible due to her industrious nature and passion for shooting.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister wrote, "Phenomenal performance @AvaniLekhara! Congratulations on winning a hard-earned and well-deserved Gold, made possible due to your industrious nature and passion towards shooting. This is truly a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes for your future endeavours."

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur, also lauded her efforts and tweeted, "Amazing Avani wins for! A historic achievement as she becomes the only woman in Olympics and Paralympics to win a gold! *Shooting in 10m AR Standing SH1 Final * Score of 249.6 creating a Paralympic Record * Equalling the World Record #Praise4Para@AvaniLekhara"

Indian shooter Avani Lekhara created history by winning the gold medal at Asaka Shooting Range in the women's R2 -- 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event on Monday.

The 19-year-old became the first woman from India to win a Paralympics gold medal. Avani finished with a Paralympic Record and in-process equalled the World Record with 249.6 points.

China's Cuiping Zhang grabbed silver by scoring 248.9 points, while Ukraine's Iryna Shchetnik won bronze.

Avani Lekhara started the final at a very good pace as she scored consistently above 10 points. Just two-shot of her went below 10 in the 1st competition stage, which landed her in the second position.

Avani grabbed 1st spot and maintained a very healthy lead against her opponents going into the elimination stage. The Indian continued with her fine performance and ended with 249.6 points in the end.

Earlier in the qualification round, the ace shooter finished seventh with a total score of 621.7. Avani staged a good recovery after a slow start to advance to the finals of the showpiece event.

Courtesy: ANI
Avani finished with a Paralympic Record and in-process equalled the World Record with 249.6 points but the road to the finals was not as easy as she started poorly in qualification and then staged a comeback.

Tokyo: Indian shooter Avani Lekhara fell short of words when asked to describe the feeling of winning a Gold medal in women's R2 -- 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event at the Paralympic Games on Monday (August 30).

Avani became the first Indian woman in history to win a Paralympic Gold medal on Monday. The 19-year-old athlete said she felt like she was on top of the world.

"I'm feeling so happy, so grateful so elated for everything. When I won gold I was so happy that I couldn't believe it, I felt like I am on top of the world. I was so happy," Avani told ANI.

Avani finished with a Paralympic Record and in-process equalled the World Record with 249.6 points.

However, the road to the finals was not as easy. Avani started poorly in qualification and then staged a comeback.

The Indian shooter started the final at a very good pace as she scored consistently above 10 points. Just two of her shots went below 10 in the 1st competition stage, which landed her in the second position. Going into the elimination stage, Avani grabbed the first spot and maintained a very healthy lead against her opponents.

"I was just focusing on my game, taking one shot at a time. I just wanted to give my hundred per cent that's it, wasn't thinking about the medal," said Avani.

"I believe everyone can do whatever they want, you just have to have faith in yourself. Just give your 100 per cent and you can do anything you want," she added.

The young para-athlete dedicated her medal to all the citizens of the country who supported her during the journey.

"I would like to dedicate my medal to all the Indians, all of them have supported me, I'm so thankful and grateful to each one of them," she signed off.

Courtesy: ANI
IS-KP identifies with Jihadi-Salafism, a distinct ideological movement in Sunni Islam and adheres to the Prophetic methodology, a term it has coined in its press, billboards and propaganda, meaning that the group follows the prophecy and example of Muhammad.

IS-KP is an officially recognised Islamic State (IS) affiliate that adheres to IS's global jihadist ideology and follows an extreme interpretation of Islam which is anti-Western. It promotes sectarian violence and targets as infidels and apostates those who disagree with its interpretations. The objective of IS-KP is to establish the wilayat (province) of Khorasan as part of the global caliphate of IS. Khorasan is the historical name for the region encompassing present-day Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.

In October 2014, six former senior Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members pledged allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In January 2015, then-IS spokesman Abu Mohammad al-Adnani accepted the pledge of allegiance and announced the creation of IS-KP.

Designation as a terrorist Organisation:

Country Date United States May 20, 2016 Canada May 23, 2018 India June 21, 2018 Iraq May 16, 2019

RISE, FALL AND SPREAD:

In 2014, Pakistani national Hafiz Saeed Khan was chosen to spearhead IS-K province as its first emir. Khan, a veteran Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander, brought along other prominent TTP membersincluding the groups spokesperson Sheikh Maqbool and many district chiefswhen he initially pledged allegiance to al-Baghdadi in October 2014.

IS-Ks early membership included a contingent of Pakistani militants who emerged in Afghanistans Nangarhar province around 2010, just across the border from Pakistan's former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Many of these militants were estranged members of TTP and Lashkar-e Islam, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the Haqqani Network, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) had also defected to IS-K.

In 2016, the group lost control of the majority of its territory in Nangarhar province. It was driven out of Achin and Shinwar Districts following a military operation by Afghan Security Forces, while clashes with the Taliban led it out of Batikot and Chaparhar districts.

The UNSC report states a core group of 1500-2200 fighters, but smaller cells are active across the country. The core group in Kunar consists mainly of Afghan and Pakistani nationals, while smaller groups located in Badakhshan, Kunduz and Sar-e-Pol are predominantly made up of local ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks.

AT A GLANCE:

Leaders Emir:  Hafiz Saeed Khan (2015July 2016)

 Abdul Haseeb Logari (2016April 2017)

 Abdul Rahman Ghaleb (AprilJuly 2017)

 Abu Saad Erhabi (July 2017August 2018)

 Zia ul-Haq (August 2018April 2019)

 Abdullah Orokzai (POW)2 (April 2019April 2020)

 Shahab al-Muhajir (April 2020present)

Field commanders:

 Qari Hekmat

 Mufti Nemat (surrendered)

 Dawood Ahmad Sofi

 Mohamed Zahran

 Ishfaq Ahmed Sofi Dates of operation January 26, 2015present Active regions Afghanistan

Tajikistan

Pakistan Size In Afghanistan:

1,000 (US estimate)

2,5004,000 (UN report)

10,000 (Russian estimate) Part of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Allies  Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan  Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (claimed by Tajik

government)

 Jundallah (Pakistan)

 Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (August 2014  March 2015)

 National Thowheeth Jama'ath (2016  May 2019)

Opponents  Taliban

 Pakistan

 Tajikistan

 Iran

 India Battles and

wars Operation Khyber

War in Afghanistan (20012021)

 Nangarhar offensive (2016)

 Mohmand Valley raid

 ISILTaliban conflict in Afghanistan

IDEOLOGY AND GOALS:

IS-KP identifies with Jihadi-Salafism, a distinct ideological movement in Sunni Islam. The groups ideology is predicated on an extremist interpretation of Islamic scripture and anti-Shiite sectarian views.

The Islamic State adheres to the Prophetic methodology, a term it has coined in its press, billboards and propaganda, meaning that the group follows the prophecy and example of Muhammad.

IS-Ks media office declared that There is no doubt that Allah the Almighty blessed us with jihad in the land of Khorasan since a long time ago, and it is from the grace of Allah that we fought any disbeliever who entered the land of Khorasan. All of this is for the sake of establishing the Shariah. It went on to declare, Know that the Islamic Caliphate is not limited to a particular country. These young men will fight against every disbeliever, whether in the West, east, south, or north.

IS grand strategic aim is to rule all historically Muslim lands in a caliphate that ultimately defeats the West. As an external affiliate, IS-KP supports this objective by facilitating the groups military expansion outside of Iraq and Syria and legitimising its claimed status as a trans-regional organisation. IS-KP also aims to directly challenge Al-Qaeda and the Taliban as the leader of the global jihadist movement.

TARGETS AND TACTICS:

To attract more recruits and reinforce its brand in Afghanistan, IS-KP incorporates many of the same brutal tactics employed by IS. Like IS, which often uses suicide bombers to clear a path for other militants, IS-KP has conducted several attacks with combined suicide bombers and shooters. For example, in July 2017, IS-KP conducted an inghimasi attack against the Iraqi embassy in Kabul. Inghimasis refer to well-trained commandos who are prepared both to fight conventionally and to carry out suicide missions.

IS-KPs primary militant adversary is the Taliban, with which it frequently engages in battles for territorial control over Afghanistan. The hostility between the two groups stems both from ideological differences and competition for resources. IS accused the Taliban of drawing its legitimacy from a narrow ethnic and nationalistic base rather than a universal Islamic creed. IS-KP is also a staunch enemy of the United States and Afghanistan.

Although U.S. and Afghan special forces have inflicted serious damage on the group, IS-KP has proven resilient. In 2016, IS-KP killed over 800 people in over 100 attacks IS-KP also promotes sectarian violence and targets civilians who do not adhere to its strict interpretation of Islam and jihadist ideology.

RECRUITMENT AND FUNDING:

IS-KP recruits primarily from disaffected former Taliban members, Pakistan, Afghanistan-based Salafists, and foreign sympathisers. Following territorial losses, IS-KP is increasingly shifting its recruitment to focus on disaffected, urban, non-Pashtun youth. IS-KP receives funding from overseas sympathisers via hawala networks, its own criminal enterprises, and a direct subsidy from IS.

MAJOR ATTACKS:

April 18, 2015: IS-KP conducted a suicide bombing outside a bank in Jalalabad, Afghanistan (33 killed, 100+ injured).

May 13, 2015: 6 gunmen allegedly associated with IS-KP attacked a bus in Karachi, Pakistan. Although IS claimed the attack, Jundullah (a group allegiant to IS) and the TTP also claimed responsibility. If IS-KPs claim is accurate, this attack would be its first in Pakistan (45 killed, 13 wounded).

July 23, 2016: IS-KP conducted a dual suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, on a group of demonstrators from Afghanistans Shiite Hazara minority. The bombing was one of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan since the invasion of the United States in 2001 (80+ killed, 230+ wounded).

August 8, 2016: IS-KP conducted a suicide bombing at a civil hospital in Quetta, Pakistan. The attack took place after several lawyers and journalists had gathered at the hospital to mourn the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a separate shooting incident earlier that day. Although the attack is attributed to IS-KP, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JA) also claimed responsibility (93 killed, 120 wounded).

October 24, 2016: Three IS-KP militants attacked 700 unarmed sleeping cadets at a police training centre in Quetta, Pakistan. Special Services Group commandos rescued at least 260 cadets in a counter-offensive against the attackers. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) also claimed responsibility for the attack (61 killed, 165 injured).

November 12, 2016: IS-KP conducted a suicide bombing on civilians gathered for a religious ceremony at a Sufi shrine in Balochistan, Pakistan (52+ killed, 100+ wounded).

February 16, 2017: IS-KP conducted a suicide bombing at a Sufi shrine in Sehwan, Pakistan, where hundreds of devotees had gathered to perform a religious ritual. The attack appeared to be concentrated on the portion of the shrine reserved for women (100 killed, 250 wounded).

March 8, 2017: IS-KP militants dressed as doctors stormed the largest military hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Armed with guns and grenades, the militants opened fire on staff and patients after detonating explosives at the hospital gate. After several hours of fighting, Afghan commandos killed all four IS-KP attackers (49 killed, 90 wounded).

August 1, 2017: Two IS-KP suicide bombers attacked a Shiite Mosque in Herat, Afghanistan. The militants shot at worshipers inside the mosque (29 killed, 64 injured).

December 28, 2017: An identified IS-KP militant attacked a Shiite cultural centre in Kabul, Afghanistan. Many casualties included students attending a conference in the vicinity. Two other car bombs were detonated in the same zone (41 killed, 84 wounded).

March 21, 2018: A suicide bombing later claimed by IS-KP detonated near a Shiite shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan during Persian New Year celebrations (33 killed, 65 wounded).

April 22, 2018: An IS-KP militant attacked a voter registration centre in Kabul, Afghanistan, using a suicide bomb. The casualties were all identified as civilians, most of whom had been waiting to apply for state-issued IDs in order to register to vote in the upcoming elections (57 killed, 119 injured).

May 8, 2021: A car bombing, followed by two more improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, occurred in front of Sayed al-Shuhada school in Dashte Barchi, a predominantly Shia neighbourhood of western Kabul, leaving at least 90 people dead and 240 injured. The majority of the casualties were girls between 11 and 15 years old. The attack took place in a neighbourhood that militants have frequently attacked, belonging to the regional ISIL-K over the years.

August 26, 2021: An ISIL-K suicide bomber attacked the Kabul airport, killing over 170 people, including 28 Taliban members and 13 US military personnel. Amidst the Taliban advance on Kabul in preceding weeks, hundreds to thousands of ISIL-K prisoners had been released or otherwise escaped from detention, leading to U.S. fears of attacks on the airport and future targets.








Elizabeth (Liz) Marie Dean died peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 88 on July 13, 2021 at the family farm near Knoxville, Iowa, where she had been receiving home hospice care. Liz was born on October 16, 1932 to Alvin and Frances Sheldon Johnson of Kanona, Kansas. She was preceded
Ottumwa, IA (52501)

Today

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 79F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with periods of rain after midnight. Low 63F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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Yips and barks resounded around Midland City Forest Saturday morning as dog owners and dogs alike participated in SOS Animal Rescues 12th annual Dirty Dog Trail Run.

This years event lived up to its name as several dogs  both big and small  were splattered with mud even before the walking and running commenced, thanks to the previous nights rainstorm.

Individuals and their canines had the option to participate in a 10K run, 5K run or walk and a 1-mile walk. Joann Taylor, president of SOS Animal Rescue, reported that 125 participants had pre-registered and she expected about 40 walk-up registrations the day of the event.

Among the 1-mile walkers were Ernie Christiansen and his wife Beth Balgenorth of Midland and their three rescue dogs: Rosie, a 2-year-old English Springer Spaniel and Staffordshire bull terrier mix; Radar, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois and pit bull mix; and Copper, a 9-year-old German shepherd and hound mix.

(Copper) is a good boy. Hes the first dog I ever had. Ive worked with him and worked with him and trained him, Ernie said, adding that Copper is a hunting dog, mainly for squirrels.

This is the first time the couple has participated in the Dirty Dog Run, though Beth has run other races with the dogs. They came to the Dirty Dog Run to train for a backpacking trip to Machu Picchu and support the runs cause.

This is a good opportunity to get out and be social with our community and provide funding for a good cause, Ernie said.

No dog was too big or small for the Dirty Dog Trail Run, from fluffy huskies to Nicole Taylors 9-year-old Chihuahua/terrier mix, Minnie. Nicole, who is originally from Midland, was up on a family visit from her home in Georgia when she heard about the event. Saturday happened to be her birthday.

Im excited to see the dogs, Nicole said. (Minnie) can outrun me. Dont let her size fool you. Shes very fast.

Another first-timer was Christy Marker of Auburn, who brought her 6-year-old black Labrador, Barkley. Both Marker and Barkley were excited to see the extensive turnout for the run/walk.

I think Ill be doing this every year now, Marker said.

Of the 12 years that SOS Animal Rescue has hosted the Dirty Dog Trail Run, a portion of the net proceeds have gone to support Shelterhouse for about five of those years  the rest has gone to support SOS Animal Rescue. In addition to the entrance fee, participants had a chance to further support the cause by participating in a silent auction set up in front of the City Forest chalet.

We said we needed to help the community in another way, so this is it, Taylor said.

The funds from the trail run will allow Shelterhouse to house victims of domestic violence along with their pets, from dogs and cats to hamsters and fish. With SOS Animal Rescues help, Shelterhouse is able to provide food, toys, supplies and veterinary services.

(SOS Animal Rescue) were the ones that when we started talking about having pets on-site with our residents, they were one of the people cheering us on to do that, said Robin Greiner, director of housing and crisis response at Shelterhouse. Im really thankful for their partnership and their willingness to help survivors of domestic and sexual violence have their pets in their rooms on site.

For us, its huge. Its a fun event for the community. Its our largest fundraiser of the year, Taylor said.

For more about SOS Animal Rescue, visit sosanimalrescue.org or call 989-492-0042. For more information about Shelterhouse, visit shelterhousemidland.org or call 989-835-6771; to reach the crisis help line, call 877-216-6383.
MANISTEE TWP.  After a tumultuous year, there will be much for local leaders to discuss at the annual regional summit on Sept. 16.

The county board of commissioners will host the 17th annual installment of the event, starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Odawa Room of the Little River Casino Resort located on 2700 Orchard Highway in Manistee.

The summit is an informative and educational event which provides a forum for municipalities in the county to get together under one roof to share successes and lessons learned from the past year.

Elected officials, business leaders and members of the public are invited to hear about and discuss issues impacting the county.

Whether you have been involved in county government for many years or are fairly new, now is the time for all of us to come together for one common interest, to share and gain knowledge about each other, Manistee County and our great State of Michigan, reads part of the event invitation.

Those still interested in attending are asked to make reservations by Sept. 3, by calling the Manistee County Administrators office at 231-398-3504 or emailing jschmeling@manisteecountymi.gov.

The cost to attend is $20 per person and lunch is included.

All safety precautions will be adhered to, and social distancing will be in effect.

AGENDA

 7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.  Registration and continental breakfast

 8 - 8:15 a.m.  Introductions

 8:15 - 9 a.m.  Sheriff Brian Gutowski and Chief of Police Josh Glass will provide updates on the Manistee County Sheriffs Office and City Police Department; and a Truancy Officer update.

 9 - 9:45 a.m.  Jim Tischler, representing the state landbank authority will discuss how landbanks and brownfield authorities can work together.

 9:45 - 10 a.m.  Break

 10 - 10:45 a.m.  A presentation by the Manistee County Planning Department.

 10:45 - 11:30 a.m.  Local municipal leadership will discuss whats happening in their communities.

 11:30 - 12:15 p.m.  Lunch

 12:15 - 12:30 p.m.  Deena Bosworth and Steve Currie will give the Michigan Association of Counties update.

 12:30 - 12:45 p.m. Robert Carson, regional director of community development for Networks Northwest will offer updates and information regarding the countys recreation plan.

 12:45 - 1:30 p.m.  Michigan State University Extension educator, Mary Reilly, will discuss the open meetings act.

 1:30 - 1:45 p.m.  Break

 1:45 - 2:30 p.m.  Stacie Bytwork, Manistee County Chamber of Commerce president and Marc Miller, Manistee County Chamber of Commerce director of economic development will present Advancing Manistee County: How the Chamber of Commerce Leads Economic Development.

 2:30 - 3 p.m.  A presentation by Mark Fedder, executive director of the Manistee Historical Museum.

 3 p.m.  Closing remarks and prizes.
Mecosta County area students are at a higher risk for homelessness compared to the state average, a new study shows.

A 2021 study was conducted by the University of Michigan to better understand the educational implications of widespread housing instability throughout the state.

The study, which used data structured and maintained by the MERI-Michigan Education Data Center for school years 2009-10 through 2017-18, aimed to learn why identification and support for students who have experienced homelessness are critical.

The analysis showed 2.94% of Mecosta County students are facing a higher rate of homelessness, as compared with 2.2% of students in the state of Michigan as a whole.

The study reported that in Mecosta County, 3.9% of students are economically disadvantaged. The county also saw high rates of absenteeism with 38.6% of students consistently absent from school.

Projections showed that at least 11.3% of Mecosta County students would experience homelessness by fifth grade as compared with the state percentage of 7.9%. High rates of disciplinary action were recorded, with Mecosta County at 16.3%, consistent with the entire state percentage.

According to the Michigan League of Public Policy, homelessness can cause a loss of ability and will to care for oneself, increased danger of abuse and violence, increased chance of entering the criminal justice system, and development or behavioral problems.

Trauma, such as homelessness, can change the makeup of a developing brain, leading to lifelong educational implications before a child even starts school. Because of this, the achievement gap that is seen in high school is already observable in children as young as nine months old.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers individuals homeless if they are living in a shelter, in transitional housing, or in places not meant for human habitation. In 2017, this accounted for almost 6,000 children in Michigan from birth through age four.

Families facing homelessness may work with agencies to secure food, shelter, transportation, education, and healthcare services. Helping families secure safe and stable housing is the most sustainable way to support young children, and the Housing Choice Voucher program, funded by HUD, helps very low-income families by subsidizing rent costs.

There are 28,000 vouchers available throughout the state of Michigan, and in 2018, 44% of voucher recipients were adults with children.

Without addressing issues of child welfare, the Family Independence Program, affordable housing, health care, and fair wages, among others, there will continue to be disparities in housing and income across the state and country. According to the state of Michigan, in 2019 61,832 individuals experienced homelessness.

Federal, state, and local policies have garnered significant influence over the efforts to bring together the support and awareness needed to tackle homelessness.

Michigan currently has nine bills in Senate pending review or approval that address homelessness, including Bill S-528, proposed to the Senate Education and Career Readiness Committee, which modifies retention requirement for certain third-grade pupils to allow for an exemption for students who are homeless.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has vowed to tackle the issue through legislative action during her time in office, and in November 2020 proclaimed November as Homeless Awareness Month.

For more information on Michigan housing, homelessness data and state information visit the Michigan State Housing Development Authority website at www.michigan.gov/mshda.
CAIRO (AP)  Egypt has released an online comedian, a journalist and a political activist after they spent months in pre-trail detention, two lawyers said Monday.

It was the latest in a series of recent releases amid concerns by the United States and international rights groups over the arrest and harassment of rights advocates and critics of President Abdel Fattah el-Sissis government.

Youtuber Shadi Srour, journalist Shaimaa Sami and activist Ziyad Aboel-Fadel walked free late Sunday from a police headquarters in Cairo, said the two lawyers, Khalid Ali and Ismael el-Rashedi.

Security forces had arrested Srour, who is also an actor, at Cairo International Airport in December 2019 upon his arrival from the U.S.

He became popular on YouTube for his satirical videos that attracted millions of viewers. In 2019, he posted a video titled Enough el-Sissi in which he endorsed calls made by the self-exiled Egyptian businessman Mohamed Ali for people to rise up and rebel against the president.

Aboel-Fadl, the activist, was arrested in March 2019 in Cairo, while Sami was arrested in May 2020 in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria.

Despite their lengthy detention, those arrested and released have yet to stand trial.

Egyptian lawmakers and other public figures have repeatedly urged authorities to release activists and rights advocates who have been detained in recent years over alleged politically motivated charges.

Egypt's government has in recent years waged a wide-scale crackdown on dissent, jailing thousands of people, mainly Islamists, but also secular activists involved in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising that toppled longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak.

Journalists have also been targeted, with dozens imprisoned and some expelled. Egypt remains among the worlds top jailers of journalists, along with Turkey and China, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Investigative judge Ali Mokhtar, meanwhile, dropped charges against four human rights groups, saying there were no legal grounds for a criminal case, rights lawyer Nijad el-Borai said. They had faced charges of illegally receiving foreign funds and using them to harm national security.

The government's sprawling investigation, also known as Case No. 173, dates back to 2011 when Egypt was ruled by a military council following the overthrow of longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak. At the time, Egyptian authorities froze the assets and imposed travel bans on dozens of rights groups and human rights advocates, angering Western governments.

Mokhtars decision Monday means that a yearslong travel ban imposed on five rights advocates, including el-Borai, lawyer Azza Soliman and pro-democracy activist Esraa Abdel-Fattah, would be lifted, el-Borai and Soliman said.

After seven years of travel ban, Esraa can fly, Abdel-Fattah wrote in a Facebook post. Freedom of movement is a constitutional right.

In 2018, a court acquitted 43 people, including German and U.S. nationals, of charges they illegally received funding for their local and foreign non-governmental organizations. The trial was part of Case No. 173.

The Americans involved in the case worked for NGOs that included Freedom House, International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute. The two Germans were employees of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Ryan Kelley, Republican candidate for Michigan governor, will speak at the Gladwin County Republican Partys monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at Riverwalk Place, 777 W. Cedar Ave., in Gladwin. He will be speaking on his goals and vision for Michigan with a special emphasis on health department overreach.

Joining him will be Michael Hoadley, mayor of Au Gres and candidate for the 97th House District to replace term-limited Jason Wentworth, and Michael Krzyzaniak, candidate for the Beaverton School Board.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Rescuers in boats, helicopters and high-water trucks brought hundreds of people trapped by Hurricane Ida's floodwaters to safety Monday and utility repair crews rushed in, after the furious storm swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the electrical grid in the stifling, late-summer heat.

Residents living amid the maze of rivers and bayous along the state's Gulf Coast retreated desperately to their attics or roofs and posted their addresses on social media with instructions for search-and-rescue teams on where to find them.

More than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi  including all of New Orleans  were left without power as Ida, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland, pushed through on Sunday.

The damage was so extensive that officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid was repaired.

President Joe Biden met virtually on Monday with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves along with mayors from cities and parishes most impacted by Hurricane Ida to receive an update on the storms impacts, and to discuss how the Federal Government can provide assistance.

We are closely coordinating with State and local officials every step of the way, Biden said.

The administration said more than 3,600 FEMA employees are deployed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. FEMA staged more than 3.4 million meals, millions of liters of water, more than 35,700 tarps, and roughly 200 generators in the region in advance of the storm.

As the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression Monday afternoon and continued to make its way inland with torrential rain, it was blamed for at least two deaths  a motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge.

But with many roads impassable and cellphone service out in places, the full extent of its fury was still coming into focus. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards, said that given the level of destruction, Were going to have many more confirmed fatalities.

The governor's office said damage to the power grid appeared catastrophic  dispiriting news for those without refrigeration or air conditioning during the dog days of summer, with highs forecast in the mid-80s to near 90 by midweek.

There are certainly more questions than answers. I can't tell you when the power is going to be restored. I cant tell you when all the debris is going to be cleaned up and repairs made," Edwards told a news conference. But what I can tell you is we are going to work hard every day to deliver as much assistance as we can.

Local, state and federal rescuers combined to save at least 671 people by Monday afternoon, Edwards said.

In hard-hit LaPlace, squeezed between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, rescuers saved people from flooded homes in a near-constant operation.

Debbie Greco, her husband and son rode out the storm in LaPlace with Greco's parents. Water reached a foot up the first-floor windows, then filled the first floor to 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep once the back door was opened. They retreated to the second floor, but then screaming winds collapsed the roof as waves broke in the front yard.

They were finally rescued by boat after waiting in the only dry spot, five people sharing the landing on the stairs.

When I rebuild this Im out of here. Im done with Louisiana, said Greco's father, 85-year-old Fred Carmouche, a lifelong resident.

Elsewhere in LaPlace, people pulled pieces of chimneys, gutters and other parts of their homes to the curb and residents of a mobile home park waded through floodwaters.

The hurricane blew ashore on the 16th anniversary of Katrina, the 2005 storm that breached New Orleans' levees, devastated the city and was blamed for 1,800 deaths.

This time, New Orleans appeared to escape the catastrophic flooding city officials had feared.

Stephanie Blaise returned to her home with her father in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after evacuating. The neighborhood suffered devastating flooding in Katrina, but only lost some shingles in Ida. However, with no idea when electricity would be restored, Blaise didn't plan to stay long.

We dont need to go through that. Im going to have to convince him to leave. We got to go somewhere. Cant stay in this heat, she said.

The city urged people who evacuated to stay away for at least a couple of days because of the lack of power and fuel. "Theres not a lot of reasons to come back, said Collin Arnold, chief of emergency preparedness.

Also, 18 water systems serving about 255,000 customers in Louisiana were knocked out of service, the state Health Department said.

Four Louisiana hospitals were damaged and 39 medical facilities were operating on generator power, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. Officials said they were evacuating scores of patients to other cities.

The governor's office said over 2,200 evacuees were staying in 41 shelters, a number expected to rise as people were rescued or escaped flooded homes. The governor's spokesperson said the state will work to move people to hotels as soon as possible so they can keep their distance from one another.

This is a COVID nightmare, Stephens said, adding: We do anticipate that we could see some COVID spikes related to this.

Preliminary measurements showed Slidell, Louisiana, got at least 15.7 inches of rain, while New Orleans received nearly 14 inches, forecasters said. Other parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama and Florida got 5 to 11 inches.

The Louisiana National Guard said it activated 4,900 Guard personnel and lined up 195 high-water vehicles, 73 rescue boats and 34 helicopters. Local and state agencies were adding hundreds more. Edwards said he decided not to tour hurricane damage by air Monday to add one more aircraft to the effort.

On Grand Isle, the 40 people who stayed on the barrier island through the brunt of the hurricane gave aircraft checking on them Monday a thumbs-up, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said.

The road to the island remained impassable and rescuers would try to reach them as soon as they are able, the sheriff said.

The hurricane twisted and collapsed a giant tower that carries key transmission lines over the Mississippi River to the New Orleans area, causing widespread outages, Entergy and local authorities said. The power company said more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines were out of service, along with 216 substations. The tower had survived Katrina.

The storm also flattened utility poles, toppled trees onto power lines and caused transformers to explode.

The governor said 25,000 utility workers were in the state to help restore electricity, with more on the way. Were going to push Entergy to restore power just as soon as they can, Edwards said.

AT&T said its wireless network in Louisiana was reduced to 60% of normal but was coming back. Many people resorted to using walkie-talkies. The governor's office staff had no working phones. The company sent a mobile tower to the state's emergency preparedness office so it could get some service.

Charchar Chaffold left her home near LaPlace for Alabama after a tree fell on it Sunday. She frantically tried to get in touch via text message with five family members who stayed behind.

She last heard from them Sunday night. They were in the attic after water rushed into their home. They told me they thought they was going to die. I told them they are not and called for help, she said.

Idas 150 mph (230 kph) winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the mainland. Its winds were down to 40 mph (64 kph) around midday Monday.

In Mississippi's southwestern corner, entire neighborhoods were surrounded by floodwaters, and many roads were impassable. Several tornadoes were reported, including a suspected twister in Saraland, Alabama, that ripped part of the roof off a motel and flipped an 18-wheeler, injuring the driver, according to the National Weather Service.

Ida was expected to pick up speed Monday night before dumping rain on the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys Tuesday, the Appalachian mountain region Wednesday and the nations capital on Thursday.

Forecasters said flash flooding and mudslides were possible along Idas path before it blows out to sea over New England on Friday.

___

Reeves reported from LaPlace, Louisiana. Associated Press writers Janet McConnaughey and Kevin McGill in New Orleans; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge; Michael Biesecker in Washington; Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta; and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
Midland County added 58 new COVID-19 cases and one death between Saturday, Aug. 28, and Monday, Aug. 30.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from Aug. 23-29, Midland, Bay, Gladwin, Isabella and Saginaw counties high community transmission rates, which denotes 100 or more cases per 100,000 in a 7-day period.

COVID-19 numbers reported from Aug. 28-30

Midland County: 58 cases and one death were added; pandemic total is 7,294 cases, 725 probable, 98 deaths and three probable deaths.

Bay County: 50 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 11,087 cases, 707 probable, 348 deaths and 15 probable deaths.

Gladwin County: 30 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 2,033 cases, 398 probable, 58 deaths and four probable deaths.

Isabella County: 23 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 5,638 cases, 988 probable, 97 deaths and five probable deaths.

Saginaw County: 91 cases were added; pandemic total stands at 21,268 cases, 1,452 probable, 616 deaths and 21 probable deaths.

The state added 5,020 cases and 27 deaths between Saturday and Monday. Overall, Michigan is at 946,698 cases and 20,257 deaths.

Recovered

According to the Midland County Health Department website, which was updated Aug. 23, 7,160 Midland County individuals have recovered from COVID. The state reported that as of Aug. 20, a total of 878,031 persons have recovered.

Testing

Midland Countys seven-day rolling positivity rate on Aug. 26 was listed at 8.4%, and Gladwin County's was listed at 14.5%. Our 12-county region is listed at 11.1% and Michigan is at 8.7%.

MidMichigan Health statistics

As of Aug. 30, MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland was listed as having a 81% bed occupancy, with 18 COVID patients and two in the ICU. MidMichigan Medical Center in Gladwin was listed as having a 32% bed occupancy, with no COVID patients and none in the ICU.

Both medical centers reported having at least 15-30 days worth of personal protection equipment (N95, surgical masks, gowns, gloves and eye protection) on hand.

School

Below is a report provided by Midland Public Schools on the presence of COVID-19 in local schools. The Daily News doesn't have readily available access to reports from Bullock Creek, Meridian or Freeland school systems.

As of Friday, Aug. 27, MPS reported 37 staff/students are in quarantine, 38 staff/students are close contacts to an individual who was confirmed COVID-19 positive and 12 staff/students are currently tested positive for the virus. Schools with one or more staff/student confirmed positive for COVID-19 as of Friday include Dow High, Midland High, Jefferson Middle, Adams Elementary, Central Park Elementary, Plymouth Elementary and Siebert Elementary.

Midland County vaccinations

The Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard lists Midland's completed vaccine rate is 64.2%, while CDC data and the New York Times vaccine tracker show Midland is closer to 50%. The Midland County Health Department refers to the Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard data. Currently, the vaccines are not authorized to be given to those under age 12.

Midland County Health Department is hosting a weekly walk-in vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday on the second floor of the Midland County Services Building, 220 W. Ellsworth St., Midland.

The health department will also host a clinic from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8 at Dow High School.

Future COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Midland County are listed at www.co.midland.mi.us/HealthDepartment/COVIDVaccineInformation.aspx. Those with questions may call 989-832-6380 or email MCDPH@co.midland.mi.us.
Lija Wendt graduated from Midland High School in 2015.

A few years before that, she applied to Interlochen Arts Academy. After writing her first poem and short story for the application, she was accepted to the school, where she would spend one year living on campus and studying creative writing.

Wendt became familiar with Interlochen when she was younger. Her uncle studied dance there and she attended his recitals in the summer. Part of what drew her to the school was the atmosphere.

There was music everywhere, she said.

After high school, she moved to Atlanta with her sister, Maija Wendt. They spent three years attending a ministry training program, which allowed her to learn more about inner-city communities.

Before starting at Delta College, Lija also spent four months in Arkansas as part of an internship with a young adult ministry at a church.

At Delta, she took general education as well as political science classes. She was also involved in the Campus Election Engagement Project, which helped her to better understand, as well as share, the academic side of politics.

Through CEEP I was helping to educate other students about the political system, she said. I was helping them to engage and educate themselves to vote.

In 2020, Lija won first place in creative writing at the Liberal Arts Network for Development conference. Her entry was titled The Universal Literacy of Hardship.

The topic of her essay encapsulated some of her life experiences up to that point.

When I was one month old, I had a stroke, she said.

When Lija was just four months old, the doctors told her parents to say their goodbyes. At that point, her father called in a Catholic priest to baptize her. With her grandparents and godparents present, she was baptized. After she was baptized, she started to get better, and the doctors couldnt explain why.

While Lija survived, the stroke caused weakness along the left side of her body, leaving her with a physical disability.

I experienced depression as a teen, she said. With my disability, I was an old soul. I couldnt do physical things with my peers. I hated middle school and didnt like high school, so I sent myself to boarding school.

But her time in Atlanta exposed her to the transparencies of hardship in those communities.

Whereas Lija always tried to cover up her disability and her struggles, the people in Atlanta were very open about theirs.

I connected fast to people in those communities. I connected with them in deep ways, she said. There is hardship we all hold within us.

Her time in various areas of Atlanta and other life experiences taught her there is a brokenness within us; we are all searching for love and acceptance. In addition, she cultivated faith to persevere through all my hardships.

Currently, Lija is attending Saginaw Valley State University, where she is studying social work. She is considering graduate school or law school or both, potentially at Michigan State Universiy or the University of Michigan.

She has a couple of goals in mind.

I was fortunate to live in Midland. We have an amazing public school system here where I had every opportunity to succeed. Its not the same in some communities in Atlanta, she said. Students are set up to fail. I want to be a part of effecting the most possible change. I want to be a part of every person, every child having equal access.

Lijas hobbies include writing, coffee and adventuring. She also wants to continue to be present in a very connected-to-technology world.

Her parents are Ligita Wendt of Midland and Scott Wendt, also of Midland.

Her sister, Maija Wendt, is a 2013 Midland High School graduate. She is currently attending Delta College.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The levees, floodwalls and floodgates that protect New Orleans held up against Hurricane Ida's fury, passing their toughest test since the federal government spent billions of dollars to upgrade a system that catastrophically failed when Hurricane Katrina struck 16 years ago.

But strengthening the flood protection system in New Orleans couldn't spare some neighboring communities from Ida's destructive storm surge. Many residents of LaPlace, a western suburb where work only recently began on a long-awaited levee project, had to be rescued from rising floodwaters.

Marcie Jacob Hebert evacuated before Ida, but she has no doubt that the storm flooded her LaPlace home based on what she has seen and heard from neighbors. Her house didn't flood in 2005 during Katrina, but it took on nearly 2 feet (60 centimeters) of water during Hurricane Isaac in 2012.

We havent had these problems until everybody else's levees worked," said Hebert, 46. It may not be the only factor, but I sure do think it contributes.

Louisiana State University professor emeritus Craig Colten, who has taught historical geography, said most of the New Orleans levee systems has been in place for decades. He said the flooding in LaPlace can be explained by wind direction, not by any floodwater diverted from New Orleans.

Isaac was really a minor storm in terms of wind speed, but it did drive water into Lake Pontchartrain to the western edge, toward LaPlace, as this storm did. And that just is going to pile water up where LaPlace is," Colten said. I havent seen anything that was done since Katrina thats really going to make a huge difference.

Gov. John Bel Edwards said a preliminary survey of levees across Louisiana showed they did exactly as they intended and held water out.

We dont believe there is a single levee anywhere now that actually breached or failed. There were a few smaller levees that were overtopped to a degree for a certain period of time, Edwards said.

Two flood protection districts oversee the system in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes. Neither district reported any breaches or overtopping of levees.

The system performed as designed, said Nicholas Cali, regional director of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West, which oversees the west bank of Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, which covers St. Bernard Parish and most of Orleans and Jefferson parishes, also planned to inspect its system Monday but hadn't found any problems, according to regional director Kelli Chandler.

Tulane University history professor Andy Horowitz, author of Katrina: A History, 1915-2015, said it is "unequivocally great news that the levees held up against Ida's surge. That doesn't mean that a city as vulnerable as New Orleans is safe from flooding in the face of a changing climate, he added

It does not mean that the lesson of Hurricane Ida is that metropolitan New Orleans has adequate hurricane protection. It means it had adequate protection against this storm surge, Horowitz said. "As the system is challenged by stronger and more frequent hurricanes. I think many experts are very concerned about the rather low level of protection that New Orleans has."

A federal judge in New Orleans ruled in 2009 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' failure to properly maintain and operate the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet was a significant cause of the catastrophic flooding during Katrina. Levee failures near Lake Pontchartrain also flooded New Orleans neighborhoods.

After Katrina, the federal government spent $14.5 billion on projects designed to enhance protection from storm surge and flooding in New Orleans and surrounding suburbs south of Lake Pontchartrain. Starting with a giant surge barrier east of the city, the system is a 130-mile (210-kilometer) ring built to hold out storm surge of about 30 feet (9 meters).

Work recently began on a levee project to protect tens of thousands of residents of LaPlace and other communities outside New Orleans' levee system. That project is not projected to be completed until 2024.

Im glad theyre building us a levee, but I worry about what happens to the next group further to the west," Hebert said. "The water has got to go somewhere. We cant just keep funneling it from person to person, place to place.

Bernardo Fallas, a spokesperson for Phillips 66, said the company did not immediately have information about whether a reported levee collapse in Plaquemines Parish affected its Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse. Fallas said the refinery has been shut down since Saturday, ahead of Idas arrival.

We will proceed to conduct a post-storm assessment of the refinery when it is safe to do so, Fallas said.

___

Kunzelman reported from College Park, Maryland. Amy reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Michael Biesecker in Washington; Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina; and Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge contributed to this report.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Qatar played an outsized role in U.S. efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan. Now the tiny Gulf Arab state is being asked to help shape what is next for Afghanistan because of its ties with both Washington and the Taliban, who are in charge in Kabul.

Qatar will be among global heavyweights on Monday when U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosts a virtual meeting to discuss a coordinated approach for the days ahead, as the U.S. completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country. The meeting will also include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the European Union and NATO.

Qatar is also in talks about providing civilian technical assistance to the Taliban at Kabul's international airport once the U.S. military withdrawal is complete on Tuesday.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry confirmed to The Associated Press it has been taking part in negotiations about the operations of the Kabul airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the United States and Turkey. Qatar said its main priority is restoring regular operations while preserving safety and security at the airport facilities.

Meanwhile, international U.N. agencies are asking Qatar for help and support in delivering aid to Afghanistan.

Qatar's role was somewhat unexpected. The nation, which shares a land border with Saudi Arabia and a vast underwater gas field in the Persian Gulf with Iran, was supposed to be a transit point for a just a few thousand people airlifted from Afghanistan over a timeline of several months.

After the surprisingly swift Taliban takeover of Kabul on Aug. 15, the United States looked to Qatar to help shoulder the evacuations of tens of thousands in a chaotic and hurried airlift.

In the end, nearly 40% of all evacuees were moved out via Qatar, winning its leadership heaps of praise from Washington. International media outlets also leaned on Qatar for their own staff evacuations. The United States said Saturday that 113,500 people had been evacuated from Afghanistan since Aug. 14. Qatar says a little more than 43,000 had transited through the country.

Qatars role in the evacuations reflects its position as host of the Middle Easts biggest U.S. military base, but also its decision years ago to host the Talibans political leadership in exile, giving it some sway with the militant group. Qatar also hosted U.S.-Taliban peace talks.

Assistant Qatari Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater acknowledged the political gains scored by Qatar in the past weeks, but rebuffed any suggestion that Qatar's efforts were purely strategic.

If anyone assumes that its only about political gains, believe me, there are ways to do PR that are way easier than risking our people there on the ground, way easier than us having sleepless nights literally for the past two weeks, way less complicated than spending our time looking after every kid and every pregnant woman," she told The Associated Press.

For some of the most sensitive rescue efforts in Afghanistan, Qatar conducted the operation with just a few hundred troops and its own military aircraft. Qatar evacuated a girls boarding school, an all-girls robotics team and journalists working for international media, among others. Qatars ambassador accompanied convoys of buses through a gauntlet of Taliban checkpoints in Kabul and past various Western military checkpoints at the airport, where massive crowds had gathered, desperate to flee.

In all, al-Khater said Qatar secured passage to the airport for some 3,000 people and airlifted as many as 1,500 after receiving requests from international organizations and vetting their names.

Al-Khater said Qatar was uniquely positioned because of its ability to speak to various parties on the ground and its willingness to escort people through Taliban-controlled Kabul.

What many people don't realize is that this trip is not a phone call to Taliban, she said. You have checkpoints by the U.S. side, by the British side, by the NATO side, by the Turkish side ... and we have to juggle with all of these variables and factors.

The Taliban have promised amnesty to all those who remain in Afghanistan. Still, many of those desperate to get out  including civil society activists, those who had worked for Western armies and women afraid to lose hard-won rights  say they do not trust the militants. In addition, other armed groups pose a growing threat. Last week, an attack by an Islamic State suicide bomber killed more than 180 people outside Kabul airport.

The U.S.-led evacuation process has been marred by miscalculation and chaos, and that spilled over to the al-Udeid base in Qatar.

The hangars at al-Udeid were so crammed that the United States halted flights from Kabul for several hours during the peak of evacuation efforts on Aug. 20. Nearby countries, like Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, accepted several thousand evacuees to alleviate pressure on the American base.

At al-Udeid, Afghan families evacuated by the U.S. waited for hours in poorly ventilated, humid hangars in the middle of the desert with inadequate cooling. A video posted by The Washington Post showed hundreds of evacuees in one such hangar with only one lavatory and people sleeping on the ground.

Qatar built an emergency field hospital, additional shelters and portable washrooms to help plug the gaps. In addition to what the U.S. military is distributing, the Qatari military is handing out 50,000 meals a day, and more still by local charities. Qatar Airways has also provided 10 aircraft to transport evacuees from its capital, Doha, to other countries.

Around 20,000 evacuees remain in Qatar, some expecting to leave in a matter of weeks and others in months to come as they await resettlement elsewhere. Seven Afghan women have delivered babies since their arrival in Qatar.

Qatar is absorbing only a very small number of evacuees, among them a group of female students who will be offered scholarships to continue their education in Doha. Qatar is also hosting some evacuees in furnished apartment facilities built for the FIFA World Cup, which will be played in Doha next year.

The energy-rich nation is a tiny country with a little more than 300,000 citizens, where expatriate foreign workers on temporary visas far outnumber the local population.

The White House says President Joe Biden personally expressed his appreciation to Qatars 41-year-old Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani by phone and noted that the U.S.-led airlift would not have been possible without Qatar's support facilitating the transfer of thousands of people daily.

It's the kind of positive publicity that millions of dollars spent by Gulf Arab states on lobbying and public relations could scarcely guarantee.

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Follow Aya Batrawy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ayaelb
The Education Department on Monday opened civil rights investigations into five Republican-led states that have banned or limited mask requirements in schools, saying the policies could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions.

The departments Office for Civil Rights announced the investigations in letters to education chiefs in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah. Those states have issued varying prohibitions on mask requirements, which the office says could prevent some students from safely attending school.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona accused the states of "putting politics over the health and education of the students they took an oath to serve."

The department will fight to protect every students right to access in-person learning safely, Cardona said in a statement.

It marks a sharp escalation in the Biden administrations battle with Republican states that say mask-wearing should be a personal choice. President Joe Biden last week asked Cardona to explore possible legal action, prompting the department to examine whether the policies could amount to civil rights violations.

The states under investigation have adopted a range of policies that outlaw or curb mask mandates. A state law in Iowa forbids school boards from mandating mask wearing. In Tennessee, school mask mandates are permitted, but a recent executive order from Gov. Bill Lee allows families to opt out of them.

Those policies conflict with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends universal mask wearing for students and teachers in the classroom. The CDC issued the guidance in light of the rapid spread of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19.

In announcing the investigations, the department said it will examine whether the policies violate a federal law protecting students with disabilities. Under that law, students with disabilities must be given access to a free appropriate public education alongside their peers without disabilities.

But states that outlaw mask mandates could be preventing schools from taking necessary steps to protect students with disabilities or medical conditions, the department said.

In its letters, the department said it's concerned that the states may be preventing schools from making individualized assessments about mask use so that students with disabilities can attend school and participate in school activities in person."

Education Department investigations often end with voluntary agreements that remedy alleged violations. But if the agency concludes that states violated civil rights laws, it could issue sanctions as severe as a loss of federal education funding.

The inquiries were launched at the department's discretion and not in response to complaints from parents. But Cardona said he has heard from families who are concerned that state mask policies could put their children at risk.

Some Republicans quickly denounced the investigations. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said individuals should be trusted to make the best decisions for themselves.

Iowa was able to reopen schools safely and responsibly over a year ago. President Biden and his team know this, yet theyve decided to pick a political fight with a handful of governors to distract from his own failures," Reynolds said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said that, until every American citizen is safely out of Afghanistan, President Biden shouldnt spend a single second harassing states like Oklahoma for protecting parents rights to make health decisions for their kids.

But Oklahoma's education chief, who has said mask mandates should be an option, appeared to share the Education Department's concerns. In a statement, State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister said the state is preventing schools from fulfilling their legal duty to protect and provide all students the opportunity to learn more safely in-person.

In South Carolina, the state's top education official has similarly clashed with the governor over mask policies. A statement from the state education agency said Superintendent Molly Spearman has repeatedly implored lawmakers to reconsider their ban on mask mandates.

South Carolina education officials said they are sensitive to the law's effect on vulnerable students, and are "acutely aware of the difficult decisions many families are facing concerning a return to in-person instruction.

Some other states previously outlawed mask mandates, but the policies were overturned by courts or are not being enforced, including in Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Arizona. The Education Department has not opened investigations in those states but said it is watching closely and is prepared to take action.

Masks have emerged as a major source of contention as the nation's schools start a new school year during a surge in COVID-19 cases. Although most states let schools decide their own policies, some have taken firm stances for or against mandates.

States including California, New York and Louisiana have issued statewide mask requirements inside schools, while Texas, Florida and others moved to prevent schools from requiring masks.

In Florida, which had taken one of the toughest stances against mask mandates, a judge ruled Friday that schools are legally allowed to require masks. The judge overturned an order from Gov. Ron DeSantis that had barred such mandates, ruling that it was unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.

Other states opposing mask mandates face similar legal challenges. In South Carolina, the American Civil Liberties Union last week filed a federal lawsuit over the state's policy forbidding mask mandates. The suit, filed on behalf of parents and disability rights groups, argues that the ban excludes vulnerable students from public schools.

In Iowa, a mother of twin boys recently sued the state over its ban on school mask requirements. In her suit, Frances Parr said her children were set to start first grade this year, but she is now teaching them at home over fears about their safety.

In the Des Moines school district, which has opposed the state's policy against mask mandates, officials were encouraged by the support from the federal government. The district is encouraging mask-wearing but is forbidden from requiring it.

If our state government doesnt change its position as the pandemic continues then hopefully the federal government will find a legal path that allows us to do more to keep our students and staff safe, district spokesperson Phil Roeder said in a statement.

___

Associated Press writers Scott McFetridge and Ken Miller contributed to this story
Director of Content and Operations

Spencer McKee is OutThere Colorado's Director of Content and Operations. In his spare time, Spencer loves to hike, rock climb, and trail run. He's on a mission to summit all 58 of Colorado's fourteeners and has already climbed more than half.
Sammy Wade Ball Jr. was born May 16, 1966 in Bakersfield, CA. He died August 18, 2021 in Shreveport, LA. at age 55 from Covid-19. He was preceded in death by his father, Sammy Wade Ball Sr. He is survived by his wife of 27 years Angela Ball and his 3 children, Bernard, Christian, and Melissa
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The National Union of Higher Education and Scientific Research (SNESUP) of Mali on Friday suspended its 72-hour strike, scheduled for Tuesday 31 August to Thursday 2 September 2021 and five days from 6 to 10 September 2021, PANA learned on Monday from a union source
Tripoli Libya (PANA) - The Libyan non-governmental organisation "Voices of Information" organised this weekend a consultation session, the first of its kind held in Libya, to discuss the law and constitutionality of peaceful demonstration in the country
Photo: (Photo : Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Out)

After years of going back and forth in a court battle, a Virginia school board has agreed to pay $1.3 million in a lawsuit over its anti-transgender bathroom policy. However, Gavin Grimm, who sued the Gloucester County School Board in 2015, will receive just $1 in this case.

Grimm revealed that he's not getting any payout from his lawsuit in a statement posted on his Twitter account. Though he won the case at the Supreme Court, most of the money will go to his legal fees.

Still, Grimm has welcomed the conclusion to his case and issued a statement through the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that "discrimination is an expensive losing battle." According to the ACLU, this lawsuit, which marked the first federal court case defending the rights of transgender students over an anti-transgender bathroom policy, wouldn't have to drag on if the school allowed Grimm to use the boys' bathroom. Instead, the school board chose to fight the young man in court for more than five years.

Just a reminder for reporters covering my story. I am not getting any of the money that the school board is paying out. I am receiving 1 dollar in nominal damages. I've seen at least two articles at this point that have been incredibly not true, however nice it would be!  Gavin Grimm  (@GavinGrimmVA) August 27, 2021

'Alienating and Humiliating'

Grimm, who was assigned female at birth, had legally changed his name and came out as a transgender when he started undergoing hormone therapy as a 15-year-old. The school principal was supportive of Grimm's choice to use the boys' bathroom in school. However, the school board overruled this call and adopted an anti-transgender bathroom policy for students "with gender identity issues."

Read Also: Naked Baby in Nirvana Album Cover Claims Exploitation, Loss of Privacy

According to Buzzfeed News, Grimm felt the policy was "alienating and humiliating" since he was forced to use the girls' bathroom, a gender that he didn't identify with. He also felt excluded when the school board asked him to use an alternative private bathroom when he finally received his state identification card bearing his new name and new gender.

In 2017, the lower courts sided with Grimm and said that the school board went against the Education Amendments of 1972, underscoring Title IX discrimination. The school board appealed the case at the Supreme Court, which declined another hearing and upheld the earlier decisions.

Following the Supreme Court's final decision, the ACLU urged schools to adopt the Department of Education's guidance to extend every student the right to education without discrimination and harassment. Grimm, who is now 22 years old, has recently been made a member of the ACLU Board of Directors.

'Garbage and Hatefulness'

Grimm continues to fight for the protection of transgender students and takes part in discussions on anti-transgender bathroom policy at other public schools in Virginia. He sat and listened to a meeting among the Newport News School Board members and the Chesapeake School Board.

While Newport News School Board decided to adopt the federal government's guidance for transgender students for the incoming school year, Chesapeake School Board refused to make any changes. Grimm said that sitting at these meetings brings back a flood of memories as he listened to the "garbage and hatefulness" coming from the comments and inputs of some officials.

Grimm expressed his disappointment for Chesapeake's decision, citing that they could face a similar costly lawsuit from the students and their families. Virginia doesn't have any repercussions for school districts that do not adopt an anti-discrimination policy, but Grimm believes that the guidance must outline the consequences for schools.

Related Article: High School Principal Told To Take Down Photos Where He's Kissing His Wife
Photo: (Photo : Emily Elconin/Getty Images)

A Chicago judge has barred a mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she has refused the COVID-19 vaccine. However, Rebecca Firlit, who has joint custody of her boy with her ex-husband, has appealed the decision in court.

Firlit told Fox News that she hadn't seen her son since August 10 after the judge ruled in a court appearance via Zoom of stripping her of parenting time unless she gets vaccinated. Cook County Judge James Shapiro asked her vaccine status out of the blue, even as she has been sharing custody with the boy's father for the last seven years.

The mother has appealed the decision because she believes that the judge has no right to strip her of her time with her son just because she hasn't gotten the COVID-19 vaccine. Firlit said that she has a bad reaction against past vaccinations hence her hesitancy for the jab. She revealed to Chicago Sun-Times that this was her doctor's advice.

Read Also: Spike in COVID-19 Cases in Kids Attributed to Schools With No Face Mask Policy

Breaking New Grounds

The ex-couple were in a court meeting because of expenses and child support. It was unclear if the judge also asked the boy's father if he got the jab for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Her attorney, Annette Fernholz, said that Shapiro overstepped on his jurisdiction because even the boy's father didn't raise Firlit's vaccination status in court. The father's attorney, Jeffrey Living, was also surprised by the judge's call, but they support the decision for the sake of the child's safety. Living said that Shapiro had broken new grounds in court rulings as he showed that vaccination status may now be a factor in child custody cases.

Firlit, however, is confident that the appeals court will rule in her favor since Shapiro's decision is taking a son away from a parent. The mother said that her case would resonate with other parents.

"Unfortunately, I had to be the first person that this happened to, but parents aren't going to stand for that," she said.

Meanwhile, she spoke regularly to her son on the phone and said that the boy has been crying because he misses being with his mother.

COVID-19 Cases in Kids Increasing

As of August 19, pediatric cases across the U.S. have surged to 180,000 or almost 50 percent compared to the previous week. The increase of children infected with the virus was four-fold since July 22, when there were only 38,000 new cases. About one percent of children have been hospitalized since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020. Of these numbers, 402 had succumbed to the virus.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle P. Walensky said that while severe cases of COVID-19 are less common in kids, the Delta variant's transmissibility is affecting the rise in cases. Community transmission among the unvaccinated, including the children, is also impacting the surge at a time when cases of the respiratory syncytial virus are widespread among young people.

Walensky appealed to those who are eligible for vaccination to get their COVID-19 jab as soon as possible. She said that multilayer prevention strategies to curb the spread of the virus work to protect the young ones.

Related Article: Breakthrough COVID Infections Impact Vaccinated Parents; What To Do, According to Experts
It was reported late yesterday that Apple Studios has set a high profile project that will reteam Marvel stalwarts Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans in Ghosted, a romantic action adventure film that will be directed by Dexter Fletcher.

The duo worked together in three Avengers films, as well as Captain America: Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. Waiting for more detail on the film and will convey when I have it.

This is the latest deal for Johansson since her attorneys filed a lawsuit against Disney over the studios decision to day and date release Black Widow for premium purchase on Disney+. For more, read the full Deadline report.

Apple TV+ "Ted Lasso" Racks up more Awards

(Click on image to Greatly Enlarge)

Last night the Hollywood Critics Association announced the winners for the inaugural HCA TV Awards and the Apple TV+ comedy juggernaut "Ted Lasso," starring and executive produced by Jason Sudeikis, scores as the most-winning series at the virtual ceremony. Apples HCA Award wins include: Best Streaming Comedy Series, Ted Lasso; Best Actor (Jason Sudeikis) in a streaming Comedy series; Best Supporting Actor Brett Goldstein (playing Roy Kent) and Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy, Hannah Waddingham (playing Rebecca Welton).

Last month, Apple landed 35 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including a historic 20 nominations for "Ted Lasso," which broke records by becoming the most nominated comedy series this year, and the most nominated freshman comedy series ever.

Apple TV+ "Servant" Picks Up a Win

Lastly, Apples drama series "Servant," from creator M. Night Shyamalan, took the Best Supporting Actor prize for star Rupert Grint who plays Julian Pearce. Grint is also an executive producer of the series.

Archive: Apple TV News
In April Patently Apple posted a report titled "On May 21 Apple TV+ will debut an immersive 8-Part Docuseries titled "1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything." Today, Apple TV+ takes a deep dive into the music movement of the 60's by releasing the trailer for Todd Haynes documentary The Velvet Underground. The directors debut documentary that premiered at this years Cannes Film Festival will be in theaters and on Apple TV+ on October 15.

In a deep dive into the seminal 1960s avant-garde rock band The Velvet Underground, the documentary dissects just what made the New York foursome one of the most influential band of all time, using interviews, never-before-seen performances and experimental art to tell a story about how Andy Warhols house band  Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker  became a cultural lighthouse fusing art, music and film.

Haynes told Deadline at Cannes that what drew him to the subject matter was how New York was an artistic hub that helped spawn the band.

Haynes added: "I wish it could happen again, but I think its a product of a very unique and specific decade that has been well-described for that kind of creative vitality, spanning all genres of music and all kinds of recording artists during the 1960s. But it also was further intensified by the locale and this geographic concentration of New York itself. And thats the part that I find hard to find a parallel to today, in a very dispersed Internet, digital culture that doesnt concentrate people and places in the same physical way that happened so distinctly in the 1960s."

Archive: Apple TV News
On August 24, Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple and Google Look to Washington to assist in stopping Anti-App Store Legislation being voted on this week in South Korea." At the time Apple released a statement stating that the bill "will put users who purchase digital goods from other sources at risk of fraud, undermine their privacy protections, hurt user trust in App Store purchases and lead to fewer opportunities for South Korean developers."

Wilson White, senior director of public policy at Google weighed in stating that "the rushed process hasnt allowed for enough analysis of the negative impact of this legislation on Korean consumers and app developers.

Lee Hwang, a Korea University School of Law professor specializing in competition law countered the U.S. giants response by stating that "Google and Apple arent the only ones that can create a secure payment system."

Today is the big day. The bill, which is almost certain to pass an assembly vote Monday given the ruling partys super-majority, opens the door for companies like Fortnite maker Epic Games Inc. to transact directly with users and bypass the platform owners charges. Epic has taken the iOS and Android owners to court in various jurisdictions arguing their fees are unfair.

South Korea is expected to become the first country to pass a law ending Apple and Googles domination of payments on their mobile platforms, setting a potentially radical precedent for their lucrative app store operations everywhere from India to the U.S. There's a lot more to the story that you can review here.

On another front, Australia is likewise considering new laws for Apple, Google and WeChat digital wallets. Australia's Treasurer Josh Frydenberg stated yesterday in an opinion piece published in the Australian Financial Review Newspaper that "Ultimately, if we do nothing to reform the current framework, it will be Silicon Valley alone that determines the future of our payments system, a critical piece of our economic infrastructure."

Services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and China's WeChat Pay, which have grown rapidly in recent years, are not currently designated as payment systems, putting them outside the regulatory system.

The Australian report recommended the government be given the power to designate tech companies as payment providers, clarifying the regulatory status of digital wallets. For more on this story, read the full Reuters report.
Today, the Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern posted a video report today about the Right to Repair. Stern's report is straight forward and she makes the case very clear in how having the Right to Repair legislation enacted could save you big bucks.

Below is just a peek at the full video report that you could find here which details what repair shops are up against in attempting to fix broken MacBooks.

Most of the 50 US states proposed a right-to-repair bill in 2021 - but only one, Massachusetts, has made it law and revisions are being blocked by powerful companies. One day, independent shops like the one run by Louis Rossman may get a crack at legally fixing your broken MacBook, even though he'll old and grey.

Apple and other Silicon Valley companies have powerful lobby groups and it could take some time for the Right to Repair movement is victorious. You could read more about the issues in these 2021 reports:

01: Right to repair movement gains power in US and Europe (BBC)

02: What You Should Know About Right to Repair (Wirecutter)

03: European Parliament calls for ambitious right to repair

04: We Have the Right to Repair Everything We Own

While it seems positive in theory, even the EU has yet to establish basic enforceability. "The EU Commission merely stated that it is currently working to identify the most effective approach, and that a color-coded labelling system is being contemplated." Sounds like spinning wheels to me. You could read more about that in a report by Lexology.

Patently Apple has a few reports on the issue of Right to Repair here: 01, 02 and 03.

One of these days global pressure on the App Store and Apple Pay and Right to Repair will likely lead to big changes at Apple, and on the latter front, it may help those on tighter budgets to keep their MacBooks humming for an extended period of time instead of being forced into purchasing a new one.
Warning: Dells XPS 17 9710 is no gaming laptop. If you just wrinkled your nose up in disapproval, its finefrom Dells point of view anyway. Thats because the XPS 17 9710 is seemingly designed to appeal to content creators, not those focused only on gaming.

You might have difficulty wrapping your head around the concept since gaming laptops with a higher-resolution screen typically pass as content creation laptops. We admit we thought that too, but over time, weve come to finally understand what Dell is doing herevery successfully too. Adobe users in particular will love this notebook.

This review is part of our ongoing roundup of the best laptops. Go there for information on competing products and how we tested them.

Dell XPS 17 9710 specs

CPU: Intel 8-core 11th gen Core i7-11800H

Intel 8-core 11th gen Core i7-11800H GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop @ 70 watts TGP

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop @ 70 watts TGP RAM: 32GB DDR4/3200 in dual-channel mode

32GB DDR4/3200 in dual-channel mode Storage: 1TB Samsung P9A1 PCIe Gen 4 SSD (up to 2 M.2 drives)

1TB Samsung P9A1 PCIe Gen 4 SSD (up to 2 M.2 drives) Battery: 97 watt hour

97 watt hour Network: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1

WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 Panel: 17-inch touch screen with 10-bit color depth, and 3840x2400 resolution

17-inch touch screen with 10-bit color depth, and 3840x2400 resolution Webcam and biometrics: 720p IR camera with Windows Hello support and finger-print reader

720p IR camera with Windows Hello support and finger-print reader Weight and size: The laptop is 14.74 x 9.76 x 0.77 and 5.4 pounds with touch screen (4.9 pounds without) and 1 pound for 130-watt power brick.

The laptop is 14.74 x 9.76 x 0.77 and 5.4 pounds with touch screen (4.9 pounds without) and 1 pound for 130-watt power brick. Ports: Well let the pictures do the talking but theres four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a UHS-III SD Card reader, and a combo analog audio jack and wedge lock port which you can see below.

Gordon Mah Ung The left side of the XPS 17 9710 features two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a wedge-style lock port.

The right side of the XPS 17 9710 features two more Thunderbolt 4 ports, a UHS-III SD Card reader and an analog headphone jack. SD Card readers can vary in speed but the XPS 17s is top notch. We saw read and write performance near the maximum speed of our UHS-II card.

Gordon Mah Ung Two more Thunderbolt 4 ports, a UHS-III SD Card reader and headphone jack are on the right side of the XPS 17.

Theres no USB-A port, but Dell does at least includes a USB-A and full-size HDMI dongle. While we understand why PC makers are giving USB-A the bootalthough we still dont agree with itwe think its an oversight of Dell not to include a gigabit ethernet adapter too. Content creation people love high-speed LAN transfers, Dell.

Content creators will love the star of the show, though. While the 11th-gen Intel CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU are indeed attention getters, the real feature that sets the Dell XPS 17 9710 apart is its giant 17-inch screen.

Dell XPS 17 screen size

Dont let that number fool you. You may be thinking its only a 17-inch screen going up against laptops with 17.3-inch panels, but the 16:10 aspect ratio of the XPS 17 matters. Yes, we know, 17.3 is more than 17but if you actually measure the vertical and horizontal height of the 17-inch 16:10 panel on the XPS 17, its actually slightly larger than 17.3-inch panels in viewable area.

The other natural competitors to the XPS 17 are recent crops of 16-inch notebooks using 16:10 aspect ratio screens as well. But while a 16-inch screen sounds pretty close to a 17-inch screen, in actual real estate, the Dell XPS 17s display is almost 13 percent bigger than a comparable 16-inch screen, such as thes one in the MSI Creator Z16 or Asus ROG Zephyrus M16.

To give you an idea of how much larger, we physically measured the XPS 17s panel to compare it to the physical dimensions of other popular screen dimensions.

IDG Ratioed: Despite 17.3 being a larger number than 17, the XPS 17s 16:10 panel (blue) actually offers slightly more viewable area than the 17.3-inch screen (red).

Whats impressive about the XPS 17 9710 is that while it offers a screen slightly larger than a 17.3-inch 16:9 laptop, its footprint is only an inch wider than most thin-profile 15.6 gaming laptops. Thats 26 percent more viewable screen space in a laptop just an inch wider. So yes, if you want as much panel packed into the tiniest possible laptop, the XPS 17 is your answer.

Gordon Mah Ung The XPS 17 features a giant track pad, and fair, but not our favorite keyboard.

Dell XPS 17 keyboard, trackpad, and audio

Keyboards and trackpads matter. The keyboard on the XPS 17 isnt our favoriteits a tad bouncy and a little stiffbut its fine. The trackpad is ginormous but palm rejection seems to work well enough and we didnt experience any cursor jumps even while intentionally mashing our palms on the trackpad.

The keyboard doesnt feature a 10-key setup, which some people will complain about, but that keeps it centereda good thing that also allows more space for top-firing speakers. While most thin gaming laptops tend to have pretty poor audio, the XPS 17 gets loud and offers a decent midrange and bass. In fact, you can feel the laptop vibrating when you crank up the sound. Some might say thats too loud, but wed take it over some gaming laptops that are tuned by an angry librarian.

Dell XPS 17 CPU performance

Performance is part of what matters in a sleek performance laptop like this so lets kick things off with a look at the XPS 17 in Cinebench R15, an older version of Maxons 3D rendering benchmark. Cinebench loves more CPU cores and threads, and we see Intels 11th-gen Core i7-11800H offer outstanding performance compared to a stack of older CPUs.

Its even slightly faster than the desktop Core i9-9900K CPU in the original Alienware Area 51m R1, a gaming notebook that was far thicker and heavier in your bag.

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance.

For people who actually use applications that take advantage all of those CPU cores, thats good stuff, but the vast majority of applications used by consumers today are often very lightly threaded. We also run Cinebench R15 using a single-thread. You can see the 11th-gen Core i7 in the XPS 17 does fairly well, but its still outperformed by the pair of Ryzen 9 CPUs. Both of those laptops are thicker, however (and Ryzen 9 instead of Ryzen 7 chips).

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance.

Cinebench R15 uses older technology under the hood, so to give you an idea of how the XPS 17 handles in a newer rendering engine, we ran Cinebench R20. First up is the multi-threaded performance, which puts the Core i7 in the XPS 17 9710 on pretty good ground. Its not much slower than an 11th-gen Core i9 in a similarly sized laptop.

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance.

In Cinebench R20s single-threaded benchmark, the XPS 17s Core i7 falls basically dead even with two Ryzen 9 laptops. The main take away is 11th-gen Intel laptopsas well as Ryzen 5000 laptopsoffer hefty improvements over 10th-gen Intel laptops.

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance.

We dont normally run AI-based benchmarks for laptops but in the interest of seeing where the XPS 17 9710 falls, we ran Neros free Score benchmark. Its a slightly older version but it measures DL Boost performancewhich improves image processing using AIas applied to image tagging. No surprise here: the 11th-gen Intel laptops with DL Boost support crush older 10th-gen laptops as well as those using AMDs Ryzen 5000 chips. How much this matters really depends on Intels ability to convince more app developers to support DL Boost, but from what weve seen, its promising.

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance.

Our next result uses Handbrake to transcode a 30GB file using the Android Tablet preset. We like this test as it takes 20 minutes and longer for most laptops to complete. Since it leverages all available CPU cores, laptops with better cooling (or cooler-running CPUs) typically win. The thin XPS 17 falls in around the middle of the pack but most of the laptops above it are essentially tied with its performance, and several are much thicker and larger. Overall, Dells notebook isnt quite as fast as the gaming laptops at the top, but its really very competitive.

IDG Shorter bars indicate better performance.

XPS 17 9710 GPU performance

Moving on to graphics, we also run 3DMark Time Spy to gauge the GPU performance of laptops. Below, you can see the GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop at 70 watts isnt enough to win any raw gaming tests, which again tells you that you should buy a gaming laptop with a more powerful GPU if you intend to play games 90 percent of the time. The XPS 17 will play games just fine, but its really better suited for other tasks.

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance.

In an actual game, we use Rise of the Tomb Raider at 1920x1080 resolution set to Very High and using DX11. Again, no surprise: Laptops with more powerful GPUs win.

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance.

If thats enough to convince you to reach for a gaming-focused laptop, instead we do want to point out that gaming performance doesnt always translate into similar wins in applications like Adobes Creative Cloud.

Using ULs Procyon benchmark we run Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Premiere through a set of scripted tests. For the Premiere test, a video is exported from the timeline with color correction and other effects before being exported four different ways.

The fastest result comes from a high-end gaming laptop with a big fat GeForce RTX 3080 in itbut its really only about 15 percent faster than the XPS 17 9710.

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance. Blue indicates Intel CPU. Green indicates Nvidia GPU. Red indicates either AMD CPU or GPU.

Moving to photo editing, Procyon tasks Photoshop and Lightroom Classic with editing and exporting a set of images. Unlike Premiere, which does indeed tend to use more CPU cores, many actions in Photoshop and Lightroom Classic tend to rely on fewer cores and hitting higher frequencies.

Procyon puts the XPS 17s Core i7-11800H and RTX 3060 basically on par with an Asus Strix Scar G17 with a Ryzen 9 4900HX and RTX 3080 at 130 watt TGP. The MSI GE 76 Raiderwielding a Core i9-11980HK and GeForce RTX 3080 at 165 wattsis about 10 percent faster.

Both of these tests tell us that yes, the XPS 17 9710 wont run with a true gaming laptop, but if you live mostly in Adobe products, it may well be worthwhile to get a smaller laptop with a bigger screen while only giving up a little performance.

Dell XPS 17 9710 battery life

IDG Longer bars indicate better performance.

Our last result is perhaps the test that matters to people: Battery life. We loop a 4K video in airplane mode with earbuds in place until the battery dies. We use Windows 10s built-in Movies & TV app which is the most efficient media player weve ever seen. With its 95 watt hour battery, the XPS 17 9710 coughs up an impressive run time at just under 10 hours. Most gaming laptops weve seen hit around 7 hours at bestand thats with 1080p panels. Higher-resolution screens typically eat a third of battery life so the XPS 17s performance is even more impressive in many ways.

Dont think you can get 10 hours on all tasks as video playback is basically cruising for laptops today. If you perform GPU- or CPU-intensive workloads, you should expect far less battery life.

IDG Longer bars indicate better run time.

Dell XPS 17 9710 hybrid charging

Before we wrap this up, we do need to touch on one last topic: The hybrid charging system Dell uses. Basically, the concept is to use an slightly under-sized power supply to charge the laptop and occasionally eat into the batterys capacity. This lets Dell do two things: Use a smaller and lighter power supply, and charge over USB-C. Typical laptops with this class of CPU and GPU use 180-watt bricks versus the 130-watt brick for the XPS 17. Those 180W bricks are typically larger and also require the use of an ugly-looking DC input or barrel connector.

Mind you, this was all designed well before standards were increased to 240 watts for USB-C and we should note the 130 watt Dell brick is already beyond the maximum of 100 watts for older USB-C specs.

In practice though, all you want to know is how far the battery drains under heavy use. Its not much. We ran the Furmark and Prime95 stress tests on the XPS 17 with its battery fully charged and didnt note any decrease in charge after 30 minutes. We also played the CPU and GPU-intensive game game PUBG for two hours. At one point, the battery dipped to 93 percent but then clawed its way back to a full charge and never dropped again.

So those concerned over the battery discharge rates dont seem to have much to worry about. We understand why Dell decided to go with hybrid charging as there are some seriously chunky 180 watt power bricks out there, and those proprietary round chargers feel 20 years out of date.

Gordon Mah Ung Dells choice to use a slightly undersized 130 Watt USB-C power brick (bottom) has always been somewhat controversial. Seen next to a compact 180 watt brick from an MSI Creator 16 (top).

But the big question is if its worth the discharge concerns? In the picture above, you can see the 180-watt power brick MSI includes with its Creator Z16 laptop (top) with the Dells 130-brick power brick below. Yes, MSI uses a funky barrel connector, but maybe it doesnt matter that much to get an extra 50 watts.

Hopefully, this will just be a period of transition as we move to laptops with 240 watt USB-C power bricks in the future. For now, were not totally sold on it being worth it, but we do get why the company made the attempt.

Bottom line: Should you buy the Dell XPS 17?

We can understand why some people dont quite get why the XPS 17 even exist. Its arguably a niche laptop thats easily outperformed by 17.3-inch gaming laptops and on the face of it, its only one-inch larger than 16-inch laptops.

Gordon Mah Ung

The truth is the XPS 17 actually threads that needle quite well. Youre getting the maximum amount of screen real-estate in a laptop, but in a package thats only an inch wider than most thin 15.6-inch gaming laptops. Even against the new crop of 16-inch laptops, youre still getting a considerable amount more screen real estate.

In addition to giving you slightly more screen, the Dell XPS 17 9710 is also considerably less bulky than 17.3-inch gaming laptops. Yes, its RTX 3060 cant run with an RTX 3080but the fact is most Adobe applications quickly hit diminishing returns beyond an RTX 3060 so why carry that thick 17.3 inch gaming laptop around with its 2.5 pound brick if all youre getting is a 15 percent improvement in performance?

To sum up, if you want to pack the largest screen you can into the sleekest laptop possible, and spend a big chunk of time running Adobe apps, it would be pretty hard to beat the XPS 17 9710 . Sure, thats definitely a niche, but its not a bad niche to be in.
Tescon which is the NPPs youth wing operates in all the tertiary institutions m in Ghana. Their hard work is the reason why the New Patriotic Party has become so attractive in our Universities, Colleges of Education and the likes.



In fact, what actually illuminated our resounding victory in the 2016 general elections was the massive votes the New Patriotic Party swept in all the tertiary institutions across the country.



It is for this reason that, anything geared towards rewarding Tescon must be embraced by all and sundry.



It is important to note that, ever since Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin became a Member of Parliament for Effutu Constituency, UEW Tescon has never been left out in terms of support. Empowering Tescon has been his topmost priority since 2013.



One of the topmost priorities that cannot be forgotten is his scholarship scheme for Tescon members in UEW. The publication by the Punch newspaper is an evidence that the scheme in its current state is touching the lives of many brilliant but needy hardworking patriots in UEW.



As reported by the newspaper, a number of the members of UEW Tescon who applied for the scholarship scheme instituted by the Deputy Majority Leader have been assisted with the payment of their fees.



With this gesture from Hon. Afenyo-Markin, Tescon members of UEW will be highly motivated to contribute more than their quota to help the party break the 8.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Thirteen weeks and six days  thats how far long Charity Offei, 19, was when she found out she was pregnant with her first child during her first-ever ultrasound scan.



Charity, who helps her mother sell goods at a local market in Ghana, would not ordinarily have had access to prenatal care. She lives in a village, and the only way of getting around is jumping on a motorbike  the closest government hospital is almost two hours away.



The roads aren't good, she says.



Her very first ultrasound scan was made possible through a partnership between the Divine Mother and Child Foundation (DMAC), a Ghanaian non-profit that focuses on maternal health, and Vodafone.



For Charity, it only took 30 minutes on a motorbike to get to the village health clinic where a portable ultrasound scanner, that fits into a backpack, is brought in by DMAC. Most villages have a clinic that can only provide basic services for pregnant mothers, and not all the larger district hospitals have ultrasound equipment. When she has her baby, Charity will be among the more than 20,000 mothers in the remote villages of Eastern Ghana who have received free, mobile ultrasound scan services through the programme since 2015.



The success of the programme, which has been expanded beyond Eastern Ghana, is an example of how engagement with digital health services is on the rise across Africa, creating possibilities in using technology to overcome healthcare challenges.



This was a key finding of an e-health policy paper recently released by Vodacom, Vodafone and Safaricom as part of the Africa.connected campaign, which aims to accelerate economic recovery across the continent by helping drive digital inclusion. The first of a series of six policy papers, the e-health paper provides key insights around the role of technology in elevating the healthcare sector in Africa.



The report reflects a healthcare sector on the verge of transformation. While governments are accelerating formal digital health strategies - 41 out of 54 African countries have a digital health strategy in place, consumers are engaging with informal digital health services through their mobile phones. In addition, research reveals that mobile health services create cost savings and increase desired health outcomes in 100% of cases.



According to the World Bank, Ghana has an infant mortality rate of 34 deaths for every 1,000 live births  to compare, Finland has an infant mortality rate of two deaths per 1,000 live births. In fact, neonatal deaths in Ghana account for almost half of the under-five mortality rate.



Edmund Duodu, the programme director for DMAC, says that many women in Ghana, particularly in underserved communities, do not have access to prenatal or antenatal care. However, thanks to DMACs partnership with the Vodafone Ghana Foundation, access is being improved and lives are being saved, one ultrasound at a time.



A woman  who thought she was still pregnant  found out that her baby was no longer alive, and the foetus was starting to decay; straight after her ultrasound, we got her to a hospital. The doctors said that she was one day away from death, says Edmund. The free ultrasounds have also detected twins, fibroids, incomplete abortions, developmental issues like spina bifida, and babies in breach position. But most of the time, all the women want to know is if it's a boy or a girl.



The World Health Organisation recommends that pregnant women should get antenatal care, have a skilled healthcare worker such as a midwife at the birth, and they should have their first postnatal care within the first 24 hours after birth. Unfortunately for many of Ghanas under-served communities, none of this is possible.



The vision of the Africa.connected campaign is to forge strategic partnerships to connect more people on the continent to critical services and build an inclusive, sustainable future. Free ultrasounds are one such initiative addressing the needs of pregnant, under-served women while harnessing the power of portable, life-saving technology.



For Charity, who would never have had access to pre- or antenatal care, a free mobile ultrasound has made a significant difference in her life.



Thirteen weeks plus six days  thats what the scan said when I saw it. I dont know how to calculate it in weeks, only the months, says Charity. I was surprised, but also happy. The doctor told me to see the midwife often; he said the baby is active and is doing well.



It is clear from stories like Charitys that the digital health solutions are critical for the people of Ghana, especially those in the most rural parts of the country says Patricia Obo-Nai Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Ghana. We believe in partnerships between the public and private sectors to accelerate access for all to digital healthcare as we continue to use technology to transform our communities.

Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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People are twice as likely to need hospital care if they are sick with the Delta Covid variant, rather than the Alpha variant that was once prevalent in the UK, data from England suggests.



Experts say the big study, published in The Lancet, reinforces why it is important that people get fully jabbed.



Vaccination cuts the risk of serious illness from either variant, although Delta is the current threat.



Delta accounts for almost all UK cases currently.



A further 32,406 new coronavirus cases were recorded in the UK on Saturday, alongside another 133 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.



The study, led by Public Health England (PHE) and the Medical Research Council, looked at 43,338 Covid cases that occurred between March and May - when both Alpha, also known as Kent, variant, and Delta were circulating in the UK.



The bulk of these infections were in people who had not yet been vaccinated.



Most did not need hospital care, but a small proportion - 196 (2.3%) of the people infected with Delta and 764 (2.2%) of those with Alpha - did.



Risk of hospital admission was twice as high for individuals diagnosed with the Delta variant, compared to those with Alpha, after adjusting for differences such as age, sex and ethnicity.



Experts say being vaccinated should bring down this risk. Both doses are needed for maximum protection.



A recent analysis by PHE suggests that effectiveness against hospitalisation after two doses is:



-96% for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine



-92% for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine



Other research suggests that while protection against symptomatic infections may wane somewhat over time, both vaccines still offer good protection against hospitalisations and deaths caused by Delta.



More than 47.9 million people, or about 88% of people aged 16 and over in the UK, have now received a first dose of a vaccine.



Some 42 million people, or about 78% of people aged 16 and over, have had a second.



It takes a couple of weeks from receiving your second dose to get the fullest protection against Covid.



Dr Gavin Dabrera, from PHE, said: "We already know that vaccination offers excellent protection against Delta and, as this variant accounts for over 99% of Covid cases in the UK, it is vital that those who have not received two doses of vaccine do so as soon as possible.



"It is still important that if you have Covid symptoms, stay home and get a PCR test as soon as possible."



The Lancet study findings are consistent with data recently reported from Scotland comparing Alpha and Delta risks.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Ghanas participation in the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) has enabled the country to tackle the structural challenges that have inhibited its drive towards becoming Africas investment hub, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.



That, he explained, was done with the implementation of targeted policies, such as establishing macroeconomic stability, enhancing domestic revenue mobilisation, improving fiscal risk management and strengthening the business legal and regulatory frameworks to de-risk private investments.



Addressing the CwA Summit in Berlin, Germany, last Friday, he said the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed deep structural fragilities in Africa that required urgent attention, particularly in relation to green growth, climate-conscious industrialisation and the creation of resilient economies.



The Compact



The CwA was initiated under the German G20 Presidency to promote private investment in Africa, including infrastructure.



The primary objective of the compact is to increase the attractiveness of private investment through substantial improvement of macro economy, business and financing frameworks.



Strong start



President Akufo-Addo said as one of the few economies to have recorded positive growth in 2020, Ghana had, so far, had a strong start to 2021, despite the ravages of the pandemic.



With the economy recording a growth rate of 3.1 and 8.9 per cent in the first and the second quarters of this year, respectively, reflecting the impact of the governments COVID-19 containment measures and recovery interventions, we believe we are on course to return our nation onto the path of steady economic growth, he said.



Challenges



The President said despite the positives, Ghana was still confronted with numerous challenges in the areas of healthcare delivery, access to education, the provision of decent housing, developing road and railway networks and funding the GH100 billion Ghana CARES programme, aimed at revitalising the economy.



He added that with public debt levels in the country currently at 77.1 per cent of GDP, the government had limited the scope for growth through debt-funded large public investment programmes, bringing into sharp focus the importance of interventions such as the Compact with Africa initiative.



Partnership



President Akufo-Addo expressed delight that in the past year, Volkswagen (VW) had partnered with a Ghanaian company to establish a vehicle assemblying facility in the country.



MoUs have also been signed with Voith Hydro Holding for the supply of technologies for the construction of a hybrid solar-hydro power plant attached to the Bui Dam project, and with Robert Bosch Packaging for the supply of technologies for the construction of a vaccine factory, he said.



He added that Ghana was also grateful for the support received so far under the compact towards the establishment of the Development Bank of Ghana (DBG).



He explained that the vision for the bank was guided by the history of KFW, which had played an essential part in Germanys post-World War II recovery experience.



He expressed optimism that the DBG, when launched, would efficiently deploy resources across key business sectors, fulfil Ghanas ambition of rapidly creating a prosperous economy that offered opportunities for all and accelerate its path towards economic and social transformation.



President Akufo-Addo was confident that Ghanas ongoing participation in the G20 CwA will guide us as we work towards effective economic recovery from the debilitating effects of the pandemic.



Colleagues



Turning his attention to colleague African Heads of State, the President urged them to help build a continent capable of safeguarding its environment, founded on the creativity, enterprise and industry of its citizens.



He also called for an Africa that welcomed investments and traded at the global marketplace at the high end of the value chain.



To the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who presided over her last compact meeting, President Akufo-Addo wished her a very fond farewell and a well-deserved retirement.





Source: graphiconline.com









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African Centre for Security And Intelligence Studies (ACSIS) boss, Paul Coonley Boateng says the crime rate in Ghana is becoming worrying after calling on the security forces to beef up their game.



To him, the activity is portraying Ghana badly to the international world after a robbery attack that led to the death of an international Journalist, Syed Taalay Ahmad on the Tamale-Buipe Highway last week.



Is this a plot to disgrace the country or hunger? he asked.



Syed Taalay Ahmed of London-based MTA News met his untimely death on Monday, August 23 after the bus he was traveling in, together with another victim Omaru Abdul Hakim, was attacked by robbers.



They were joined by the driver of their Toyota Hiace with registration number GT 7405-16 to the Buipe Policlinic.



However, due to the severity of the injuries, they were all transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where Taalay was pronounced dead.



Police arrest



Four persons are currently in police custody for their alleged involvement in some robbery and murder cases on the Kintampo-Buipe-Tamale highway.



The four Saaju Bukari, Bertor Saabi, Ali Amadi, and Isaad Seidu  were arrested following an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Special Anti-Robbery Task Force.



The operation also resulted in the killing of two robbers after they exchanged gunshots with the Police Intelligence and Operational Teams.



Government commendation



Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, commiserating with the victim's family urged the new IGP and his team to deepen efforts to curb the incidents of crime, robberies, and homicides recently reported in other parts of the country.



Additionally, outstanding crimes of similar nature under investigation should be completed and perpetrators brought to book in good time, he said.



Watch video below





Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Senior Psychologist, Prof. Joseph Osafo, has bemoaned the increasing rate of crimes in the country.



Ghana has recently seen horrendous criminal cases, particularly with regard to armed robberies and murders/ritual killings, disturbing the security of the nation.



On Monday August 23, 2021, a UK-based Journalist was killed by armed robbers on the Tamale-Buipe highway.



Syed Taalay Ahmad Sahib, a Journalist with London-based MTA Television Channel, and his colleague, Umaru Abdul Hakim were attacked by the criminals while on a mission to film a documentary.



Taalay Ahmad was pronounced dead while his colleague was admitted the Tamale Teaching Hospital and receiving treatment.



Discussing the crime incidents going on in the nation, Prof. Joseph Osafo raised psychological issues as some factors people to use violence to make ends meet.



To him, the neglect of social engagements and communal relationships is a potential tool propelling the youth in particular to resort to all sorts of criminal activities.



Prof. Osafo highlighted social distancing, which has become the new normal of Ghanaians following the COVID-19 pandemic, as depriving people of their sense of humanity.



"If we keep on separating like social distancing is doing, there's a school of thought that it could lead to a loss of compassion and the sense of humanity," he said on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme.



In his recommendations to solving the crimes, Prof. Osafo emphasized; "We intentionally develop or build a nation; we don't accidentally. . . the best approach is to begin to engage young people . . . we need a proactive approach. We need to engage community leaders''.











Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Board Chairman of the National Theatre, Nana Fredua Agyeman Ofori-Atta says the Ghana Police Service must thoroughly investigate the killing of a UK-based journalist in Ghana.



A UK-based Journalist, Syed Taalay Ahmad Sahib was killed by armed robbers on the Tamale-Buipe highway on Monday August 23, 2021.



Taalay Ahmad, a Journalist with London-based MTA Television Channel and his colleague, Umaru Abdul Hakim were attacked by the robbers while on a mission to film a documentary.



He was pronounced dead following the incident and his colleague is receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.



Speaking to host Nana Yaw Kesseh during Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', Nana Fredua expressed disgust over the incident stressing the death of the foreigner has muddied the country's image.



He called for support for the Police to do due diligence in bringing the perpetrators to book.



"It's a very disturbing news . . . we pray for God's forgiveness. We must encourage the Police to do due diligence," he stated.





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Christmas came early for residents in the enclave close to the Asukawkaw Mountain following an accident involving a trailer truck loaded with soft drinks.



The accident occurred on Tuesday at about 1600 hours killing the driver and mate, who got stuck in the truck after it veered off and plunged into a ravine.



The Ghana News Agency's (GNA) visit to the accident scene saw residents from nearby communities 'fetching' the assorted drinks from the valley of the Asukawkaw mountain and parking them onto tricycles, baskets, basins and sacks for easy conveyance.



Some of the 'beneficiaries who spoke to the GNA disclosed that the gesture was to prevent the drinks from going to waste, while they could make 'good use' of them.



Others said they were in a rush for the drinks because they wanted to start businesses in their communities with them, saying one man's misfortune is a fortune for the other.



Madam Alima Sharifa together with some rescuers treated themselves to some of the drinks at the scene of the accident, as they did not see their action as an infringement of the law.

Source: GNA









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The Konongo Divisional Police Command has busted a railway line stealing syndicate operating at Juaso and some communities within the Asante-Akim South District of the Ashanti Region.



The syndicate, believed to have succeeded in stealing large quantities of railway lines and steel sleepers in recent times, was tracked through intelligence reports and the vigilance of the public.



Those arrested are Yussif Hudu, who has been handed a four-year jail term, and Ibrahim Yakubu, also sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Juaso Circuit for stealing.



Chief Superintendent Shaibu Osei, Konongo Divisional Police Commander, said four other members of the syndicate currently facing trial at the Court, included Tweneboah Malik, Kwadwo Gyamfi, Daniel Appiah and Samuel Baffour.



A considerable number of stolen railway lines and steel sleepers had been retrieved from the syndicate, following their arrest at separate locations within the Asante-Akim South District, the police confirmed.



Chief Superintendent Osei, briefing the Deputy Minister of Railway Development, Mr. Kwaku Asante-Boateng, who was on a working visit to the Region, said the culprits were picked up at Duampompo, Breku, Nnadieso and Asante-Praso, all near Juaso.



The police had information that members of the syndicate normally operate in the bush, especially in communities with railway lines passing through them, he disclosed.



They purportedly cleared the bush in the afternoon, and in the evening would cut the railway lines into pieces, thereby transporting them to the market for sale, the Divisional Police Commander added.



He called on the public, particularly residents of communities with railway lines passing through them, not to hesitate to inform the police of the activities of these unscrupulous elements.



Mr. Asante-Boateng, who is also the Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim South, expressed worry at the manner in which some selfish Ghanaians had made the stealing of railway lines and steel sleepers their business.



The nation has lost so much through such thefts, he lamented, saying those involved in such illegal business would be dealt with ruthlessly when caught.



The Deputy Minister, in line with his tour of the Region, visited the Ejisu, Konongo and Juaso Police Stations, where he inspected some retrieved stolen railway lines and steel sleepers.



He also toured the Adum locomotive workshop in Kumasi, which had large retrieved pieces of railway lines kept after they were intercepted at Obuasi, Akrokerri and some parts of the Region.



It costs the government about five million dollars to construct one kilometre of railway line, according to the Ministry of Railway Development.

Source: GNA









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Police in the Savanna Region have initiated investigations to establish the killers of a UK-based journalist on the Tamale-Buipe highway by suspected armed robbers, DGN can report.



Syed Taalay Ahmad Sahib, a journalist with London-based MTA Television Channel and his colleague, Umaru Abdul Hakim were attacked by the criminals at Mpaha Junction last Monday while on a mission to film documentary on places where Khalafu had stayed in Africa.



Unfortunately, Taalay Ahmad has been pronounced dead while his colleague was receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.



His body has been deposited at the morgue of the hospital, pending autopsy.



Information gathered by DGN indicates that the deceased and his colleague were accosted at about 7pm that Monday August 23, 2021 around Mpaha Junction by gunmen when traveling in a Toyota Hiace with registration number GT 7405-16.



The gun wielding men emerged from a nearby bush and opened fire on them by deflating the tyres for their vehicle bringing it to a halt before firing at their vehicle.



Umaru Abdul Hakim and Taaley Ahmad were hit by the bullets when the criminals sprayed their bus with bullets before the assailants made away with the gadgets and unspecified amount of money.



Police in the area rushed to the scene and found the victims in a pool of blood. They were rushed to the Buipe Polyclinic before later referred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for further treatment where Taalay Ahmed was pronounced dead.





Source: Daily Guide









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The police have killed at least two suspected armed robbers believed to be behind the killing of UK-based journalist Syyed Taalay Ahmed along the Kintampo-Buipe-Tamale highway.



The two  Hamidu Umaru and Haadu  were killed in a gun battle with the police, a statement from the law enforcement body said.



Four others, Saaju Bukari, Bertor Saabi, Ali Amadu and Isaad Seidu have also been arrested in connection with similar offences following an intelligence-led operation by the special anti-robbery taskforce.



The police statement said preliminary investigations suggest that these suspects were behind many robberies including the killing of an international journalist some days ago.



Background

Syyed Taalay Ahmed, a journalist with the London-based Muslim Ahmadiyya Television International (MTA International) was killed by suspected armed robbers on the Tamale  Buipe road in the Savannah Region.



The suspected armed robbers attacked his vehicle on Monday 23 August 2021.



A statement signed by Chief Inspector George Gyasi, the Officer- in-Charge of Buipe, said the police officers rushed to the scene, but the robbers had fled through the bush before their arrival. His body has since been deposited at the Tamale Teaching Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.













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A Northern Regional polling station executive of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Saani Abdulai Hassan has refuted claims that the executives have kicked against the candidature of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer of the party for the 2024 elections.



A communique purportedly coming from the executives in the Northern Region of which Saani Abdulai Hassan has been cited as one of the signatories read; ''We express our utmost displeasure and anger at attempts by some of the Northern Regional Executives, notably, the Regional Chairman, Regional Secretary, Regional Organizer, among others, to impose Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on us, and any attempt, thereafter, to direct us to endorse him in the upcoming presidential primaries of the great NPP.



''We are also certainly aware that these Regional Executives who have no regard for the Partys Presidential Primaries Code of Conduct, and collaborating with some Constituency Executives, are championing this course so that they can further attract favour and support from Dr Bawumia for their incoming elections after their wanton display of incompetence has lost them a favour, satisfaction and touch with the members of the party at the grassroots.''



The communique which has caught media attention with some headlines such as ''We Will Resist Any Attempt to Impose Dr. Bawumia On Us - Northern Region NPP'', according to Abdulai Hassan, is falsehood.



''I, Saani Abdulai Hassan 'Xpen6th', have not been part of a group with unwholesome agenda to hurt the political fortunes of the party...Breaking the 8 is only possible with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as our torch bearer and nothing can change that'', he emphasized in a rejoinder to Peacefmonline.



Read full rejoinder below:

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Madam Sophia Afriyie Danso, Bono East Regional Women's organiser of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on the rank and file of the Party to channel their energies towards promoting Party peace, unity, and harmony.



She also urged them to desist from actions that sought to ruin their electoral fortunes ahead of the 2024 elections.



She said the Government is working assiduously to accelerate socio-economic development across the country, hence, it behooved Party members to embrace unity and work harder to improve the lot of the people.



As a democratic party, we must stand firm and commit ourselves to our common goal to build a new Ghana we all desire under the able leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufu-Addo.



In every election, there will always be winners and losers and, therefore, we should be able to appreciate the fact that we are a Party with a common destiny. Lets see it as such and stay united in the supreme interest of the NPP, she stressed.



Madam Sophia Afriyie Danso made the remarks during the 2021 annual delegates conference for the Npp members in the Atebubu Amantin constituency.



She urged Party folks to bury their differences, saying the NPP has a team that was solidly knitted together with a focus on pragmatic socio-economic policies and had stayed true to the people by delivering most of its promises.



Again the Npp party Chairman for Bono East, Mr Thomas Adu Appiah, who also spoke at the event said the party is strong, healthy, and poised to secure more votes during election 2024.



He therefore calls for unity among the party members.



The acting Municipal Chief Executive for Atebubu Amantin, Mr Edward Owusu said, there are a lot of developmental projects done by this government in the Municipality and therefore the party can based on it to campaign for victory in 2024 polls only when there is unity among in the party.



On his side, Mr Musah Shaibu the Npp Atebubu Amantin constituency Chairman also commended the party members for their hard working, he therefore called on them to do extra work for them to take back the parliamentary seat from Ndc in 2024.

Source: Kwabena Manu









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The Youth Wing of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised the police administration for the manner in which it conducted investigations into an alleged shooting incident by the New Patriotic Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mrs Mavis Hawa Koomson



The said shooting incident occurred in the Awutu Senya East Constituency during the voter registration exercise in July, last year.



Last Tuesday, the MP who is also the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, told Asempa FM, an Accra-based radio station, that the police had discontinued investigations into the incident due to lack of evidence.



The Youth Wing of the NDC is not satisfied with the said discontinuance of the investigation, and have described it as a sad day for the country.



A statement issued by the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, Mr George Opare Addo, said the youth wing of the NDC was appalled and scandalised by the action of the police.



The NDC is appalled and scandalised by this brazen abuse of state power. It is more worrying when the minister confessed that after she was invited by the Central Regional CID in July 2020 for questioning, and a supposed docket on the case was forwarded to CID Headquarters in Accra, she never heard of the Police CID until it became clear to her that the Police had no evidence to prosecute her, the statement said.



Apology



During her vetting in Parliament in February this year, Mrs Koomson rendered an unqualified apology to the whole country for what she described as an unfortunate incident.



The shooting incident which occurred during the voter registration exercise was unfortunate. I apologise to the people who were scared on that day.





I pray it never happens again in our politics. It was in self-defence because I felt my life was in danger, she told the Appointment Committee of Parliament.



Police administration



The NDC Youth wing said it was disappointed in the acting Inspector General, Mr George Akuffo Dampare, over the incident.



Unfortunately, however, the acting IGPs first achievement was to kowtow to the dictates of the appointing authority to free Hawa Koomson who had openly confessed to firing gunshots in a public place without lawful authority.





The statement said irrespective of the outcome, the NDC would prosecute all persons found culpable of the shooting incident when it returned to power.



The NDC Youth Wing calls on all Ghanaians to brace themselves for reality that the State cannot guarantee their safety. We therefore charge Ghanaians to fiercely protect and defend themselves.



We also want to assure all Ghanaians that crime has no expiration date, and come 2025 when the new NDC takes over the governance of our beloved country all those committing crimes against innocent Ghanaians will be properly investigated and everyone found culpable will be prosecuted, the statement added.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Media reports quote a health minister in the erstwhile John Mahama administration, Alex Segbefia, as accusing the Akufo-Addo government of awarding all major architectural design contracts to one company. He named 11 national projects which he claimed have been awarded since 2017 to the firm Adjaye Associates, led by Sir David Adjaye, the renowned and award-winning Ghanaian-British architect.



Segbefia listed the projects as the following: the redevelopment of the Trade Fair Site in Accra, Efua Sutherland Childrens Park, a new chamber for Parliament, the Marine Drive Project, Oil City in Takoradi, GNPCs offices in Takoradi, Bank of Ghanas new headquarters, the Energy City (Airport City II) project, a railway terminus, and Ghanas embassy in the United States of America.



The latest object of scrutiny is the governments flagship health infrastructural project, Agenda 111, which involves the construction of 101 district hospitals, seven regional hospitals and three psychiatric specialist hospitals.



However, checks by Asaase Radio show gross misrepresentation and outright fabrication in some of the projects mentioned by the leading NDC representative. Here are the facts we discovered.



Trade Fair

On the renovation of the Trade Fair Company, Adjaye Associates was one of three firms selected by the board of directors of Ghana Trade Fair Company Ltd, in compliance with Ghana Trade Fair Companys mandate, as approved by the Public Procurement Authority, to execute works.



The board of directors approved the appointment of Adjaye Associates on the basis that the value of Adjaye Associates contract was below $170,000, and so within the ambit of Ghana Trade Fair Company Ltds board of directors to approve under the Public Procurement Authority Act.



Adjaye Associates role is to design the masterplan concept and to ensure that the infrastructure, vision, principles and guidelines of the masterplan are executed accordingly.



Individual buildings will be executed by other architects chosen by the various investors, in line with the approved plans.



Efua Sutherland Childrens Park

On the alleged award of Efua Sutherland Childrens Park to Adjaye Associates, the facts show that Adjaye Associates has not been engaged or contracted to work on any such project.



The claim is totally untrue.



Parliamentary chamber

In 2019, Adjaye Associates was one of three firms selected after a response to a request for proposals issued by the Parliamentary Service Board, in line with the Public Procurement Act.



The new legislative chamber project has been shelved following public outcry over the cost, and timing. Members of the public largely criticised the project as not being a national priority.



Marine Drive

The services of Adjaye Associates with regard to the Marine Drive Project were procured to develop the masterplan, in compliance with the Public Procurement Authority Act.



This followed a request for a review of the previous masterplan by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.



Adjaye Associates role is to ensure that the infrastructure, vision, principles and guidelines of the masterplan are executed accordingly. Individual buildings will be executed by other architects, in line with the approved plans.



Oil City

On the Oil City project in Takoradi, our checks show that Adjaye Associates has not been engaged in any such project, if indeed it exists.



And on the headquarters of Ghana National Petroleum Company (GNPC) in Takoradi, checks by Asaase News showed that Adjaye Associates did put in a bid in the public tender but was not successful.



So the claim is not true.



Bank of Ghana

The services of Adjaye Associates were procured for the construction of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) office complex, in compliance with the Public Procurement Authority Act, to provide a feasibility/concept study for the BoG office building within the Marine Drive masterplan.



Energy City

Adjaye Associates was selected as the winning firm following a public tendering process, published and advertised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, with regard to the building of the Energy City (Airport City II) project.



Railway Terminal

Adjaye Associates services were procured by the Ministry of Railways Development, in compliance with the Public Procurement Authority Act, to provide feasibility/concept studies for a railway terminal project.



Ghana Embassy in Washington

With regard to the alleged construction of a new embassy for Ghana in the United States, checks by Asaase News show that Adjaye Associates has not been engaged for any such project.



Agenda 111

Adjaye Associates was contracted by the Hospital Infrastructure Group Ltd, the co-ordinating consultant and lead project manager for Agenda 111, as the design architect for the standardised district hospital concept.



It is that single hospital design which will be used for the 101 district hospitals to be built under Agenda 111.



The project has been zoned under eight different civil engineering and project management consultants, including Adjaye Associates, a procurement that was also approved by the PPA.

Source: asaaseradio.com









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Ailing Nollywood actor, Victor Olaotan, died on Thursday after a prolonged illness. The 69-year-old actor, who is best known for his role as Fred Ade-Williams in the popular TV series, Tinsel, was bedridden for five years after he was involved in a ghastly accident.



The actor was driving to a movie set in 2016 when the accident took place around Apple Junction, in Festac, Lagos. He had, until recently, been battling for his life in a Turkish hospital for almost three years.



His widow, Julia Olaotan, broke the news of his death to Premium Times on Friday morning. Mrs Olaotan said she is grateful that the 69-year-old actor can finally go to rest after suffering for years.



He has tried. It is not easy to be trapped in your own body for five years. He can finally rest now, she said. The late actor was recently flown back to Nigeria, where his condition deteriorated when the family could no longer shoulder his medical expenses abroad.



In 2018, the actor requested financial aid to facilitate his treatments outside the country, after two years of being incapacitated. Shortly after, Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola, agreed to settle his bill of about N39m.



The actors wife confirmed that the money was paid directly into the account of the hospital in Turkey.



His illness

In February, Mrs Olaotan told this newspaper in an interview that though the actor was getting better, she could no longer pay the hospital bills that were already piled up.



She said: Medically, he is improving, and there has been a lot of improvement. His recent picture was what was used to do his birthday wish on social media so there has been a lot of improvement.



The major challenge is financial and that has been a struggle. We have come out occasionally to ask for funds and we are not ignorant to the fact that there are challenges. With the COVID pandemic, everybody has been affected, locally and internationally. But I have bills to pay. His hospital bill is $7,500 a month, and the main reason he is there, I actually havent done it, is to get his procedure done. We have done the first stage of the medical procedure, it was that first phase that Mr Otedola paid for.



She added that the hospital also sent her some documents, threatening to take legal actions against her if her bills were not paid up.



Mr Olaotan featured in movies like Love struck as well as Three Wise Men, alongside Richard Mofe-Damijo and Zack Orji.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES









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Local artisan Jack Sutter put the finishing touch on the Dark Horse course with this beautiful sign and trophies for the event. The ladies prepare to drop in for first runs on the course.

Corbin Selfe and Dane Scott, the Dark Horse builders, walking up with Casey Brown. Corbin spent long hours building the course and his dedication showed, as seen here watering the course midday between sessions.

Casey Brown tows Miranda Miller into the first feature, a 14 foot drop.

Brown and Miller on the 32 foot sender.

Natasha Miller pumping the roller before lift off.

Sarah Walter with some style.

The event was well attended by spectators. People stopped in throughout the week during bike park laps at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, drawing the largest crowd on Friday afternoon for the final session. Selfe keeps things cool on Friday afternoon.

CJ Selig signing autographs. The groms were out in full force with lots of heckling.

Tayte Proulx-Royds, age 12, dropping into the course with a tow in from Georgia Astle.

After many run-ins and speed checks, Tayte finally sent the 32 foot gap flawlessly. Her progression throughout the event earned her the Dark Horse trophy.

Stoke and support were high during the session. Tayte and Jordie Scott hike up for another lap. The mentorship amongst the athletes was great for all involved.

Hannah Bergemann is one to watch. She was strong and confident all week with big sends and progression. Natasha Miller cheeses for the camera. The 14 year old was very impressive and a name to remember.

Lucy Van Eesteren and Lily Boucher took a break from racing to try out the freeride seen. Both girls were flowing through the course with ease. Camila Nogueira was all smiles throughout the event.

Beyond the 4 jump main course, a progression centre with an airbag and mulch jump was also available. Casey Brown tests out a corked 360.

A suicide no-hander by Tayte.

All of the girls were using the airbag as an opportunity to test out tricks. Micayla Gatto with a no-hander and Camila Nogueira on a backflip gone wrong.

Nogueira with more success on another attempt. Brown showing great style. How much longer before she takes it to dirt?

Bailey Goldstone contemplating life on top of the drop in.

Goldstone send the massive entrance drop a bunch of times successfully ahead of finals.

But unfortunately she had a big crash on the drop-in during finals. She sustained a broken wrist, broken and dislocated collarbone and a big concussion.

Medics were on the scene very quickly. We're wishing Bailey a speedy recovery.

After crashing on the final morning, Casey Brown opted to spectate during finals on Friday afternoon. She was still all smiles, as seen here with her good friends Micayla Gatto and Georgia Astle.

Natasha Miller dropping in.

Sarah Walter follows Hannah Bergemann into the course. Camila Nogueira sends the opening drop.

There were lots of party train laps throughout the week, pictured are Scott, Astle and Brown.

Bergemann & Miller hitting the step-up.

Georgia Astle Hannah Bergemann

Jordy Scott whips it over the sender.

Pinkbike's own Christina Chappetta took a break from presenting to do some laps.

Natasha Miller with a toboggan on the step up.

Miller took home the best trick award thanks to big moves all week. Another angle on Miller's suicide no-hander.

Beautiful views and big sends made for great spectating at Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

It's no wonder Brown has won whip-off so many times. Her style is flawless.

After high winds ended the final session, the riders gave one last wave to the crowd.

The Dark Horse Invitational roster. Back row left to right: Camila Nogueira, Jordy Scott, Georgia Astle, Lucy Van Eestern, Lily Boucher, Micayla Gatto, Lou Hatton (event organizer), Hannah Bergemann. Front row left to right: Tayte Proulx-Royds, CJ Selig, Natasha Miller, Casey Brown. Missing: Bailey Goldstone, Miranda Miller, Sarah Walter

The Dark Horse Invitational was supported by the Province of British Columbias Resort Municipality Initiatives Funding Program, as well as Trek, FiveTen, Swatch, Red Bul, Monashee Spirits, Stoke Roasted Coffee, Mt Begbie Brewery, The Regent Hotel, River City Pub, The Village Idiot, Rockford Bar & Grill, The Sutton Place Hotel, Save On Foods, Wandering Wheels and Spanda Collective..

MENTIONS

Dark Horse, the first womens slopestyle invitational hosted by Casey Brown was a four day event that kicked off on Aug 17 and wrapped up with a final jam session on Friday August 20th.A total of 12 women, ranging from age 12 to 33 with various biking backgrounds attended the air session. Progression, mentorship and camaraderie were the main objectives Brown had envisioned for the event. Watching and listening to these ladies on course, its safe to say this was achieved. With coaching from her peers, Tayte Proulx-Royds at age 12 was able to work her way through the course with style and commitment. Cultivating a supportive environment on a freshly built course allowed for these ladies to push their limits and achieve new heights individually and collectively.
Raminder Singh Takes Down RGPS Seminole Coconut Creek After Heads-Up Deal ($45,456)

August 30, 2021 Brandon Temple

The RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) made its East Coast debut in style this week as the Seminole Coconut Creek $600 Main Event was a packed affair. Day 2 saw 74 players return from an original starting field of 519 entrants (205 on Day 1a, 314 on Day 1b), and after a twelve-hour day, it was poker pro Raminder Singh who walked away with the All Stars ring, the All Stars Pro-Am powered by PokerGO seat, and $45,456 after an even heads-up chop with fellow Florida pro Timothy "TK" Miles.

Singh, who now boasts over $1.5 million in The Hendon Mob reported earnings after the victory, said that his kids were the inspiration behind his win telling PokerNews, "My kids, they have their respective sports, they have their own medals and trophies. So whenever I win, and I go home, that actually inspires them; they want to compete harder."

RGPS Seminole Coconut Creek $600 Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Prize 1 Raminder Singh *$45,456 2 Timothy Miles *$45,456 3 Mahmoud Masri $24,096 4 David Albertson $16,812 5 Richard Leger $12,909 6 Joseph Nolin $10,739 7 Larry Shawe $8,926 8 Brandon Schwartz $7,124 9 Theo Lawson $5,345

*Denotes heads-up deal

The competition would be as hot as he could handle in heads-up play, as Miles, who has over $4 million in The Hendon Mob tournament earnings, was an able competitor from the first hand of the final table to the heads-up chop.

Singh praised his opponent, saying, "TK is one of the best players here in Florida; he plays solid, and I was really looking forward to that match. We both were almost even in chips, and we decided to chop. He's a good guy; good player."

Singh also spoke of how much the victory meant to him overall; "This definitely ranks way high up; in (Seminole) Coconut Creek Casino, I've never won a big tournament here. I've won at Hard Rock, at Isle, even at Palm Beach Kennel Club. This is my first major tournament win at Coconut Creek, and I'm looking forward to many more!"

Check out the blow-by-blow action of the Main Event here

Day 2 Action

After the elimination of Steven Karp on the bubble, play went at a rapid pace up to the final table. A few players who managed to nab a piece of the prize pool include Michael Lind (12th - $4,451), Mark Lafata (24th - $2,099), Issy Zahan (36th - $1,546), Day 1b chip leader Vito DiStefano (38th - $1,326) and Scott Baumstein (33rd - $1,546).

Heading into the final table of nine, two storylines were developing; the dominance of local pros Singh and Miles, and the opportunity for David Albertson to nab his second title of the series, after winning Event #1: $250 Super Stack No Limit Hold'em.

After Theo Lawson was eliminated in ninth, Singh went to work in making his presence felt at the final table, knocking out Brandon Schwartz, Larry Shawe, and Joseph Nolin in quick succession. Miles then stepped on the gas and dispatched Richard Leger in fifth, before a clash with Albertson saw Miles make two pair and bust Albertson, who could only manage top pair.

David Albertson

Mahmoud Masri then fell in third, after Miles rivered a full house against Masri's flush. This brought the two Florida grinders in Miles and Singh heads up with near-identical stacks, and with a total of 130 big blinds remaining in play, a lengthy battle was almost assured between the duo.

Indeed, two hours would pass, with the duo grinding out the heads-up battle with a series of small pots. By the end of the third level of heads-up play, the duo was dead even in chips. Chop discussion began at that point, and after a few final small hands, Singh and Miles came to terms on a deal, and Singh earned the victory and the spoils.

RGPS Seminole Coconut Creek Ring Winners

That concludes our coverage of RGPS Seminole Coconut Creek. The next stop on the RGPS is at San Diego's Jamul Casino from Sept. 7th-12. PokerNews will be back on hand for that Main Event, so be sure to tune in then!
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For Burrel Whitley Sr., the Vietnam War memorial in Aiken is personal. A binder stuffed with receipts, letters and other documents yellowed by time attests to that.

The memorials lineage can be traced back to a handful of people, including Whitley, who served in the war and, by his own account, emerged not totally unscathed.

If youve ever been spit on coming back from a war, it gives you, kind of, a sordid feeling about it, said Whitley, who lived in Aiken for more than 20 years.

Stateside disgust would not bury sacrifices made in Southeast Asia, though. Whitley and others would make sure of it.

The work

Decades ago, then-City Manager Roland Windham approached Whitley for assistance on a project: finding something to do for the Vietnam veterans, the septuagenarian recalled in May. Whitley agreed to help.

Brainstorming sessions generated an idea for a memorial.

We went with that, Whitley said, and didnt realize how much work it was going to be.

The hurdles were many. There was money to raise. There was red tape to navigate. There were plans to draw up. And there were names and addresses to check, double check, triple check. A March 1973 dispatch from U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond included a roster of servicemen from South Carolina who lost their lives in connection with the conflict in Vietnam since January 1, 1961, but it was not sorted by county.

The amount of time it took just to go through all the names in South Carolina and pick out the ones from Aiken County, and then talk to their families and so forth  once I got it done, it was just hundreds of hours that I was working on this thing, Whitley remembered.

Thurmond, in his letter, described the memorial effort as most worthy. The Palmetto State politician, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, offered any assistance he could.

The Vietnam War memorial that Whitley and others worked so hard to realize was eventually constructed along Laurens Street, in downtown Aiken, across from what is now the old Department of Public Safety headquarters. Windham in November 1973 described the monument as beautiful, if you can call a monument of that kind such a thing.

I know that all the parents and loved ones of the young men involved certainly thank you for this work, the city manager wrote to Whitley, and City Council has been very high in their praise of the work which you have done to see that this monument was erected.

The location, though, has proven problematic over the years. The median in which the monument stands is caged by lanes of traffic, and there are no connecting crosswalks. A large enough crowd will spill into the road, as was the case during a wreath-laying ceremony earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the Aiken County Veterans Memorial Park  with its green space, engraved pavers, fountain, military flags, and wall honoring the fallen  is some 2 miles away.

Get moving

Whitley, like many others, wants the Vietnam War monument moved.

The other victims of wars in the past are in the memorial park out there, Whitley said in May. Considering the fact that this place is very hard to get to  where it is located now  and very dangerous, and theres very little parking, if it were moved out there with the others, then people could go and see all the different wars and those that gave their lives for this country.

Its a point that resonates with Aiken County Veterans Council Chairman Lowell Koppert. The former Green Beret has championed the relocation cause; in April, he and former Navy SEAL Ray Care embarked on a two-day trek to the S.C. Statehouse to draw attention to the monument and the in-limbo plans to transplant it.

This isnt a monument issue, Koppert has said. This is a monumental issue about veterans.

When Whitley heard what Koppert and Care were up to, he quickly reached out.

When I saw that somebody was doing something so wonderful, what they had done, I wrote him a letter and explained to him that I was the one who got it built and erected and so forth, the Vietnam veteran said. And he got right back with me.

Relocating the Vietnam War memorial, much like its creation so many years ago, is no simple task.

Even though Aiken, Aiken County and statewide officials support the monument migration, and more than 1,400 have signed a related petition, the effort is hamstrung by the Heritage Act. It will take more than a truck and a few eager hands to get the thing moved.

Its all about politics, Koppert said in July. And its all about votes.

A bill introduced in the S.C. Legislature by state Reps. Bill Taylor, Bill Clyburn, Bart Blackwell and Melissa Oremus would authorize the city and county to begin transferring the Vietnam War memorial to the more-august Richland Avenue destination. State Sen. Tom Young has applauded Koppert for his advocacy and has said the Aiken County Legislative Delegation backs the move.

Though tangible progress remains elusive, Whitley is undeterred. The man has pledged to give everything to see the relocation through.

What makes you think that people who died for this country, in the Vietnam conflict, should not be memorialized with those who died in other wars? he said. That just doesnt make sense.
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN  Taliban fighters watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky around midnight Monday and then fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a 20-year insurgency in Afghanistan that drove the world's most powerful military out of one of the poorest countries.

The departure of the cargo planes marked the end of a massive airlift in which tens of thousands of people fled Afghanistan, fearful of the return of Taliban rule after they took over most of the country and rolled into the capital earlier this month.

"The last five aircraft have left, it's over!" said Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul's international airport. "I cannot express my happiness in words. ... Our 20 years of sacrifice worked."

In Washington, Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, announced the completion of America's longest war and the evacuation effort, saying the last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. EDT  one minute before midnight Monday in Kabul.

"We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out," he said.

With its last troops gone, the U.S. ended its 20-year war with the Taliban back in power. Many Afghans remain fearful of them or further instability, and there have been sporadic reports of killings and other abuses in areas under Taliban control despite pledges to restore peace and security.

"American soldiers left the Kabul airport, and our nation got its full independence," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early Tuesday.

Earlier Monday, Islamic State militants had fired a volley of rockets at the rapidly emptying international airport without hurting anyone. All day, U.S. military cargo jets came and went despite the rocket attack.

The two-week airlift had brought scenes of desperation and horror. In the early days, people desperate to flee Taliban rule flooded onto the tarmac and some fell to their deaths after clinging to a departing aircraft. On Thursday, an Islamic State suicide attack at an airport gate killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members.

The extremist group is far more radical than the Taliban, who captured most of Afghanistan in a matter of days. The two groups have fought each other before, and the Taliban have pledged to not harbor terrorist groups.

The Taliban tightened their security cordon around the airport after the attack, clearing away massive crowds who were desperate to flee the country. The Taliban are now in full control of the airport.

A crowd gathered Monday around the remains of a four-door sedan used in the rocket attack. The car had what appeared to be six homemade rocket tubes mounted in place of its back seats.

"I was inside the house with my children and other family members. Suddenly there were some blasts," said Jaiuddin Khan, who lives nearby. "We jumped into the house compound and lay on the ground."

Some of the rockets landed across town, striking residential apartment blocks, witnesses said. That neighborhood is less than 2 miles from the airport. No injuries were reported.

Five rockets targeted the airport, said Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a U.S. military spokesman. A defensive weapon known as a C-RAM  a Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System  targeted the rockets in a whirling hail of ammunition, he said. The system has a distinct, drill-like sound that echoed through the city at the time of the attack.

An IS statement, carried by the group's Amaq media outlet, claimed the militants fired six rockets.

Planes took off about every 20 minutes at one point Monday morning. One C-17 landing in the afternoon shot off flares as it approached  a maneuver to protect against heat-seeking missiles and a sign the U.S. military remains concerned about surface-to-air missiles loose in the country.

Smoke from several fires along the airport's perimeter could be seen. It wasn't clear what was ablaze, although U.S. forces typically destroy material and equipment they don't take with them.

The airport had been one of the few ways out for foreigners and Afghans fleeing the Taliban. However, coalition nations have halted their evacuations in recent days, leaving the U.S. military largely alone there with some remaining allied Afghan forces.

The U.S. State Department released a statement Sunday signed by about 100 countries, as well as NATO and the European Union, saying they had received "assurances" from the Taliban that people with travel documents would still be able to leave.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel after the U.S. withdrawal is completed on Tuesday and they take control of the airport. However, it is unclear how the militants will run the airport and which commercial carriers will begin flying in, given the ongoing security concerns.

Qatar confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that the Gulf country has been taking part in negotiations about operations at the airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the U.S. and Turkey. Qatar's Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater said its main priority is restoring regular operations while maintaining security at the airport. Qatar is a U.S. ally that has long hosted a Taliban political office.

The Taliban honored a pledge not to attack Western forces during the evacuation, but IS remained a threat.

The U.S. carried out a drone strike Saturday that it said killed two IS members. American officials said a U.S. drone strike on Sunday blew up a vehicle carrying IS suicide bombers who were planning to attack the airport.

Relatives of those killed in Sunday's strike disputed that account, saying it killed civilians who had nothing to do with the extremist group.

Najibullah Ismailzada said his brother-in-law, Zemarai Ahmadi, 38, had just arrived home from his job working with a Korean charity. As he drove into the garage, his children came out to greet him, and that's when the missile struck.

"We lost 10 members of our family," Ismailzada said, including six children raging in age from 2 to 8. He said another relative, Naser Nejrabi, who was a former soldier in the Afghan army and a former interpreter for the U.S. military in his mid-20s, also was killed, along with two teenagers.

U.S. officials have acknowledged the reports of civilian casualties without confirming them.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. military takes steps to avoid civilian casualties when carrying out targeted strikes. "Of course, the loss of life from anywhere is horrible, and it impacts families no matter where they're living, in the United States or around the world," she said.

___

Akhgar reported from Istanbul and Krauss from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Rahim Faiez in Istanbul, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Samy Magdy in Cairo, Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem and Robert Burns and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed.
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Anyone with a Monday hankering for a chicken biscuit from Bojangles was out of luck.

The Charlotte-based fast-food chain shut all of its 276 company-owned restaurants on Aug. 30  including nearly 50 in South Carolina  and will do so again on Sept. 13, calling the pause a chance to provide its thousands of employees a well-deserved break during a stressful period.

The trade-off for employees is that they won't be compensated for the downtime, according to the Associated Press.

The two days will be unpaid, Bojangles spokeswoman Stacey McCray told the AP in an email.

The regional chain known for its Cajun-seasoned chicken and biscuits described its 8,000 workers and managers as its most vital asset." It encouraged them to use the two days off to rest and recharge.

In a written statement issued Thursday, the company did not specify whether its staffers would be paid during the shutdowns, calling it a benefit in support of their health and well-being.

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McCray told the AP that many employees and managers have been working overtime lately, and that the company thought they'd benefit from having a couple of days off. She said Bojangles would offer workers opportunities to work additional hours if they chose.

Bojangles said the upcoming closures were in response to industry wide labor shortages and other stresses put on its employees whove worked hard through the pandemic.

Bojangles was founded in Charlotte in 1977 and operates in more than a dozen states, including in the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia.

Most of the corporate-owned sites in the Palmetto State are in the Columbia market, with about 20 restaurants. The Charleston and Rock Hill regions have about 10 locations each.

In early 2020, five of the Lowcountry restaurants temporarily went dark after Bojangles took ownership of them from a franchisee.
The lead contractor for South Carolina's failed $9 billion nuclear power project will pay the state more than $21 million and help state and federal prosecutors bring charges against its former executives.

Westinghouse Electric Co. has already provided investigators more than 3 million pages of documents, data and emails related to the V.C. Summer nuclear power plant expansion's sudden collapse, according to an Aug. 30 announcement by federal prosecutors.

The company, which was charged with designing and building two nuclear reactors at the V.C. Summer site in Fairfield County, also has made its employees available to prosecutors as witnesses. Westinghouse "provided extensive debriefing sessions" to help investigators better understand what led to the demise of the decadelong project, prosecutors said.

The $21.25 million surrendered by Westinghouse as part of its settlement with the U.S. Attorney's Office of South Carolina will be placed in a fund that helps low-income electric customers pay their power bills. The money will benefit ratepayers of Dominion Energy South Carolina, Santee Cooper and the state's electric cooperatives, customers who were charged for years for a power plant that will never produce electricity.

Westinghouse also reached a separate agreement with the state Attorney General's Office that doesn't require the company to turn over any money.

The agreements spare Westinghouse itself from criminal prosecution, though more of its current or former employees could still be charged.

Our office continues to seek justice for the victims of the V.C. Summer Project failure, acting U.S. Attorney Rhett DeHart said in a written statement Monday morning. Westinghouses cooperation is vital to our ongoing efforts to hold accountable the individuals most responsible for this debacle. More than $21 million in new low-income ratepayer relief is a strong sign of our commitment to assist those most affected.

Westinghouse is just the latest party to either settle with prosecutors or face criminal charges from the state and federal investigations into V.C. Summer.

That probe began shortly after the V.C. Summer project's owners, investor-owned S.C. Electric & Gas and state-owned Santee Cooper, abruptly abandoned construction of the two reactors in July 2017.

The utility's customers have since learned that the project was plagued for years by supply-chain dysfunction, escalating costs and extremely slow construction pace.

Prosecutors allege the executives leading the effort knew it was doomed years before they pulled the plug, but lied to regulators, lawmakers and the public to keep it alive as they charged customers for every penny.

The two top executives from the project's majority owner, SCE&G, have pleaded guilty and face prison time and millions of dollars in fines and restitution.

Former SCE&G CEO Kevin Marsh and Chief Operating Officer Steve Byrne admitted in court to defrauding their utility's ratepayers by lying to the public about how well the project was progressing.

Carl Churchman, Westinghouse's top official on the ground at V.C. Summer, pleaded guilty to perjury in June. He acknowledged he lied to an FBI agent about his role in passing along fraudulent projections to SCE&G and Santee Cooper executives that claimed the new reactors would be online by a crucial 2020 deadline.

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A grand jury indicted a second Westinghouse official earlier in August. Jeff Benjamin, the company's former senior vice president for new plants and major projects, stands accused of 16 counts of fraud and conspiracy.

Benjamin has not yet entered a plea. If he chooses to fight the charges, prosecutors could use evidence produced by his former employer against him.

Dominion Energy, which purchased SCE&G after the V.C. Summer project's failure, also settled with prosecutors. The Virginia-based power giant agreed to cooperate with the investigation and not claw back some of the billions of dollars they were due from the project.

Dominion also agreed to pay $25 million in a civil settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which had accused SCE&G of fraud in its management of the nuclear project.

Westinghouse has been a central figure in the yearslong criminal investigation of V.C. Summer.

The Pennsylvania-based company designed the AP1000 twin reactors that were supposed to be assembled and installed alongside an existing nuclear reactor in Jenkinsville.

But years into the construction effort, as the project spiraled toward a breaking point, Westinghouse lied to SCE&G and Santee Cooper about progress at the construction site, prosecutors allege.

The company provided rosy projections insisting both reactors would be online by December 2020, in time for the two utilities to qualify for billions of dollars in federal tax credits necessary to offset the reactors' cost to ratepayers.

SCE&G executives had determined that Westinghouse was lying, prosecutors said, but passed along those faulty projections to regulators anyway in order to keep the project alive, their reputations intact and profits flowing.

SCE&G and Santee Cooper only pulled the plug on the project in mid-2017, months after Westinghouse had declared bankruptcy and any hope of completing the project at a tolerable cost had evaporated.

But before cutting their losses, the two utilities had wasted $9 billion on the unfinished construction effort, money that their ratepayers will have to pay back on their power bills in the decades to come.

According to the settlement, Westinghouse conducted an independent investigation of the V.C. Summer project and shared its findings with federal prosecutors and the S.C. Attorney General's Office.

After that review, the company fired, reassigned and retrained senior executives who were involved in the project. It also overhauled its corporate governance, ethics code and financial controls, and it implemented a new whistleblower program for its employees.
COLUMBIA  Five people are vying to fill an open seat on the Richland One School Board  including a one-time County Council member and a former teacher.

Filing ended Aug. 30 for candidates seeking to complete the unexpired term of Yolanda Anderson, who stepped down Aug. 2 after moving out of the district. She was up for reelection at the end of 2022.

A special election for Andersons at-large seat will take place Oct. 26 and voters through the district that covers the city of Columbia and lower Richland County are eligible to vote. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Richland One serves more than 22,000 students.

Heres a look at who will be on the ballot:

Leslie Harvel

A former Darlington County school district substitute teacher and attorney, Harvel teaches online ethics courses for Chinese students through Concordia College.

Harvel spent eight months teaching Mandarin Chinese to first, second and third-year language learners at Hartsville High School, according to a LinkedIn profile.

Hamilton Jacobs

Jacobs is a graduate of Richland Ones Eau Claire High School and has spent more than a decade in the property management field with Keller Williams. Hes also founder and CEO of The Bridge Over, a local outreach and mentorship program that focuses on improving the quality of life for people in underserved areas.

I want to keep the students as the focal point of my campaign. I believe in Richland One, Im a product of Richland One, and Richland One prepared me for this moment, Jacobs said in an Aug. 20 email announcing his candidacy.

Hang Kim La

A financial analyst with an accounting degree from the University of South Carolina, Las top priorities are boosting the districts graduation rate by 10 percent over the next four years, greater parental involvement through community forums, use of incentives to recruit and retain teachers and preparing students for high tech jobs, according to her Facebook campaign page.

Robert Lominack

Lominack spent seven years as a Dreher High School teacher in Richland One following a lengthy legal career. Hes currently executive director of Richland County Public Education Partners, a nonprofit that supports public education and services outside the classroom to strengthen school environments.

Public schools are the center of gravity in our communities, Lominack said in an Aug. 30 email announcing his candidacy. Now more than ever, I think it is critical that we find ways to strengthen our support for students, their families, and their teachers.

Jim Manning

A three-term County Council member, Manning is currently CEO of Gray Hair Solutions, a consulting company he began in 2017. His council district spanned north central and northeast parts of Richland County.

First elected to the County Council in 2008, Manning said in 2020 he wouldnt run again so he could focus on developing his business and spending more time with family.
According to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, there were over 16,000 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases over the weekend including 4,205 cases on Aug. 30.

The state also recorded over 100 deaths from Aug. 28-30.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 4,540 confirmed, 1,452 probable (Saturday); 4,573 confirmed, 1,302 probable (Sunday); and 3,710 confirmed, 495 probable (Monday).

Total cases in S.C.: 592,909 confirmed, 137,776 probable.

Percent positive: 11.4 percent.

New deaths reported: 49 confirmed, four probable (Saturday); 36 confirmed, 21 probable (Sunday); and one confirmed, none probable (Monday).

Total deaths in S.C.: 9,259 confirmed, 1,303 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled (with COVID-19 and other patients): 81.18 percent.

S.C. residents vaccinated

In South Carolina, 56.5 percent of people who are eligible for the vaccine have received one shot, and 47.5 percent of eligible residents are considered fully vaccinated.

Hardest-hit areas

Greenville (377), Spartanburg (280) and Lexington (268) counties saw the highest totals of newly confirmed cases.

What about tri-county?

Charleston County had 211 new cases on Aug. 30, while Berkeley had 164 and Dorchester had 126.

Deaths

DHEC releases county-level data regarding COVID-19 deaths and the ages of those who have died from the virus on Tuesdays. According to the data published on Aug. 24, at least 189 people in South Carolina died from the virus Aug. 15-22, and their ages ranged from young adult (18-34) to elderly (65 and older). Lexington County recorded 22 COVID deaths that week  the highest number in the state. Health officials have reported that the vast majority of patients who are dying from the coronavirus at this stage of the pandemic are unvaccinated.

Hospitalizations

Of the 2,222 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Aug. 30, 527 were in the ICU and 339 were using ventilators.

Student, teacher and faculty cases

DHEC's school dashboard shows, through Aug. 25, there have been 1,905 probable and confirmed cases among students and employees in the state's public and charter schools during the current school year.

Variants of concern

DHEC sequences a small, random sample of positive COVID-19 cases each week to determine which variants of concern (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) are circulating in the state. According to data published by the agency that is up to date through Aug. 25, 2,089 samples have been identified as variants of concern over the course of the pandemic. More than 842 of those samples have been identified as the delta variant, which health officials say is now the dominant strain in South Carolina.

What do experts say?

Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say some immunocompromised people dont always reach the same level of immunity as other vaccinated people. Immunocompromised people who received a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine may benefit from an additional dose of vaccine to help them build more protection.

Go to vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov to find a vaccine clinic near you.
The U.S. Department of Education has opened a civil rights investigation in South Carolina and in four other states over the issue of mask prohibitions in public schools, drawing further scrutiny to an issue that has deeply divided parents, legislators and educators this summer.

The federal agency seeks to determine whether South Carolina's rule  and others like it in Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah  discriminates against students with disabilities and underlying medical conditions who are at "heightened risk for severe illness from COVID-19" because they are prevented from safely accessing in-person learning.

Its simply unacceptable that state leaders are putting politics over the health and education of the students they took an oath to serve," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in an Aug. 30 news release. "The Department will fight to protect every students right to access in-person learning safely and the rights of local educators to put in place policies that allow all students to return to the classroom full-time in-person safely this fall.

The Department of Education said it has not opened investigations in other states where mask bans have been overturned by courts or are not being enforced, including in Florida, Texas, Arkansas and Arizona. But the agency said it is closely monitoring those states and is prepared to take action if necessary.

In South Carolina, a one-year law inserted into the state budget in June by the GOP-dominated Legislature bars K-12 public school districts from using any public funds authorized through the budget to impose or enforce a mask mandate. The ban was passed largely along partisan lines. Some local school boards have passed mask mandates anyway.

In response to the announcement, Brian Symmes, a spokesman for Gov. Henry McMaster, called the investigation a thinly veiled attempt by the Biden administration "to force a radical liberal agenda on states and people who disagree with them."

"Governor McMaster isnt going to stand for it because he knows that parents  not federal bureaucrats  know whats best for their children," Symmes said. "Under South Carolina law, anybody who wants to wear a mask  in a school setting or elsewhere  is free to do so, but the governor isnt going to ignore a parents fundamental right to make health decisions for their children.

McMaster has repeatedly asked South Carolinians to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Still, this state's vaccination rate remains one of the lowest in the country with less than half of the population fully vaccinated. In positioning himself against mask mandates in schools, the governor has broken with both the state health agency and South Carolina Superintendent Molly Spearman over the issue. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends universal mask-wearing in schools.

Federal law does not allow states to discriminate based on a student's disabilities and if the government's investigation determines that South Carolina's rule discriminates against students with disabilities, it could lead to sanctions including a loss of federal education funding.

This isn't the first time the federal government has expressed displeasure about South Carolina's mask law. In a letter dated Aug. 18, Cardona wrote to McMaster and Spearman that South Carolina's rule limits the ability of local schools and districts to create a safe plan for returning to in-person instruction based on "science-based strategies." McMaster responded with his own letter on Aug. 30.

The peoples representatives in the South Carolina General Assembly passed a proviso as part of the annual appropriations act to prohibit mask mandates in public schools," McMaster wrote. "It appears you disagree with this decision, and that is your prerogative. However, your letter and thinly veiled threats to take money from South Carolina schools and usurp parents decision-making authority are both unproductive and dependent upon a legally incorrect premise."

Meanwhile, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported on Aug. 27 that nearly 2,000 teachers and students across the state have already been diagnosed with COVID-19 only weeks into the new academic year. Thousands more have been quarantined at home after a close exposure to the virus in a classroom setting. In Dorchester District 2 alone, more than 3,500 students are currently quarantined.
This list could easily be five times as long. There are so many cocktail bars in Charleston worth writing about, from rooftop bars with views of the city to hotel bars with unique and fantastic concoctions.

Here are a few of the best locations on the peninsula for trying a favorite classic, like a tried-and-true old-fashioned, or something new, like the vodka-based Seven Day Weekend by the pool.

237 Meeting St., downtown Charleston

There's nothing like a hotel bar by the pool, and this new hangout at the Ryder looks like '50s Miami meets millennial pink. The Instagram-worthy interior boasts tropical wall paper and gold fixtures, and by the pool you can enjoy the lush menu under a cabana or checkered umbrella. The curry popcorn is a delight, but the cocktail menu shines with options like the Talking Bird with toasted coconut and celery and lime juices, or the Wavy Baby with white rum and pistachio. And yes, patrons of the bar are allowed to swim in the pool.

225 Meeting St., downtown Charleston

A jaunt away from the City Market, this cocktail bar that features an Italian night in addition to quality drinks is a must-visit. There's a rotating seasonal punch, Pimm's Cup and Paloma. But you can't skip over the Death in the Afternoon with absinthe, lemon, powdered sugar and Prosecco. Pair with caviar service, an assorted cheese board or bread pudding.

511 King St., downtown Charleston

This King Street cocktail bar plays black-and-white movies and serves up homemade PopTarts. But its classic cocktails, made by some of the best mixologists in town, are the stand-outs here. They are simply of a higher caliber, and you'll be able to tell at first sip.

441 Meeting St., Suite F, downtown Charleston

This neighborhood bar comes with its own mascot: a Huskie named Doc. The atmosphere is inviting, and the clientele includes a lot of folks who live in the high-rise apartments and condos along Meeting Street and are looking for a quick happy hour sip or night cap before making their way back home. The menu includes the Porch Pounder with vodka and muddled orange, an island-inspired Manhattan and what's described as "A White Russian's Panamanian Cousin."

182 East Bay St. #2169, downtown Charleston

It's a cocktail bar for the gin lovers, with small plates and a 1920s-inspired setting. Each custom cocktail (and yes, the menu includes more than gin) comes with a scrawled description: "Like a breeze on a hot summer night," "We're not in Rome but we like the view" and "This counts toward your daily vegetables." Bar snacks abound in addition to a charcuterie option.

437 King St., downtown Charleston

The gin-and-tonic still leads Proof's celebrated cocktail list, but there are dozens of others options, from the Knuckleball with pickled boiled peanuts in it to the Cynar Flip featuring a whole egg. Oh, and there's the Elephant's Keeper made with gin, pollen cream, rose water, honey lemon, egg white and a pony of beer that won a Hendrick's Gin contest. You can find traditional favorites and funky twists alike on this menu.

479 King St., downtown Charleston

This speakeasy-style lounge has its specialty in the name, and in 2021 is celebrating 10 years of being open. Whether you choose the After the Disco, with strawberry-infused mezcal and coconut-infused rum, or The Ramen Noodle, with gin, coconut milk, pineapple, ginger and sesame seeds on the side, you're sure to get served up a quality beverage here. The spiked punch bowls, which serve four to six guests, are favorite shareables. And the rooftop patio and frequent live music are a bonus.

334 Meeting St., 8th Floor, downtown Charleston

It might be hard to get up to this rooftop terrace on top of the Dewberry Hotel unless you're a guest or visitor of a guest, but if you can swing it, the 360-degree view alone is worth it. The bar spills out onto the rooftop, and as the sun sets, a citrus glow radiates all around, fitting the name splendidly. And the menu includes a range of sweet, but not too sweet, citrus-inspired choices like the Hibiscus Mojito, Coconut Daquiri and Mai Tai with rock candy syrup. It might be worth the staycation.
Charleston County School District plans to use around $1.6 million in federal funding to cover a program that will give students access to a successful path after graduation.

At a meeting on Aug. 23, the districts school board voted 6-3 to approve the funding for Achieve Charleston. The program will pull from a $163.2 million pot of federal COVID-19 relief money, 20 percent of which has to be used to address learning loss as a result of the pandemic.

Achieve Charleston is modeled off of programs in Long Beach, Calif., Michigan and Atlanta that promise a college education to every student who leaves their school district.

Our core mission is to ensure more students leave us with better life options than they would have had had they not been with us, Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait said at an Aug. 9 meeting about the program. I dont see this as something new. I view it as something thats bringing clarity about what it is we need to do in bringing focus to the core mission.

What Achieve Charleston will actually look like for students remains to be seen. The district has a three-year plan to get the program up and running, which includes spending the 2021-22 school year identifying which strategies it will use to help students get to college.

Those strategies can vary anywhere from dual-enrollment courses to school-sponsored college visits, more scholarship opportunities and changes to curriculum to focus on college readiness, said Board Vice Chairwoman Courtney Waters, who has led the boards Achieve Charleston committee.

This first year of the program is meant to examine where the system is weak and to improve it from there, Waters told The Post and Courier.

After the first year, the district will implement a pilot program to see how access to college courses would benefit students. That program will give a group of around 100 junior and senior students access to dual-enrollment classes.

The initial pilot program will cost the district $127,500. Around $1.2 million will be used to fund three full-time positions for the next three years, which includes an Achieve Charleston leader to oversee the project, a community engagement officer to illicit public feedback and a grant writer to secure future funding.

Another $225,000 will cover technical assistance through contractors, who will help the district align its current college and career readiness programs with Achieve Charleston.

At two recent meetings, board members Helen Frazier, Erica Cokley and Kristen French shared concerns about the funding and nature of the program. The three board members all voted against the approval of the federal funds for the program.

The district already has programs that aim to give students access to college classes. For example, the Early College High School has helped students receive their associates degree at the time of graduation.

We have some programs that are doing this, we have the early college program, we have a scholarship program, we have AVID, which is a structure were using at the Early College, French said at the Aug. 9 meeting. We could be expanding that to help students now.

While those programs help students in different sections of the district access college-level courses and get financial help, Waters said Achieve Charleston will have a more sustainable impact.

The program aims to push students to meet goals at every grade level, not just when theyre in high school approaching graduation. The idea is that students in the elementary level go to middle school with college in mind and, later, when theyre in high school the barriers are not so daunting, Waters said.

The program also looks to align with already existing initiatives in the district so resources arent wasted.

Other board members shared concerns about the districts decision to model Achieve Charleston after similar programs in other parts of the country.

Waters dismissed that idea.

It is wise and it is efficient to go out and find evidence-based programs that really work and bring them back to our community and do what we need to do to make them reflective of what we need, she said.

The district will be providing annual reports on the success of the program at future board meetings.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
COLUMBIA  Small towns across South Carolina should receive their share of $435 million in federal COVID aid over the next few weeks, depending on how quickly they complete their applications, the state Department of Administration announced Aug. 30.

The money is becoming available to South Carolina's 254 municipalities of fewer than 50,000 people after Gov. Henry McMaster's administration officially applied for the money. The Aug. 27 request occurred three months after counties and larger cities gained access to their share.

But unlike the $1.2 billion that flowed to local governments directly from the federal government, smaller towns' shares are tied to the state's. They had to wait until the state asked the U.S. Treasury to release the $2.5 billion the Legislature controls.

South Carolina was among the nation's last three states to apply for aid approved though Congress' American Rescue Plan.

Towns still won't get their money immediately. Several additional steps are required. The towns must apply for their share through an online portal that will be up and running Wednesday, according to the Department of Administration.

The applications will be reviewed to ensure they follow federal law. If everything checks out, towns should get their cash within 10 business days of submitting their application, the agency said.

The federal law gives states 30 days to dole the money out, but up to two, 30-day extensions are allowed. South Carolina may need an extension if local governments don't turn in their applications in the first month or need more time to provide the required documentation, said agency spokeswoman Kelly Coakley.

"We're very pleased and happy we've just taken this step forward," said Scott Slatton, spokesman for the Municipal Association of South Carolina, which has been calling on lawmakers to request the money.

"Our hope is that it will be easy," he said about the next steps.

The Legislature is expected to return for a special session in the fall to decide how to spend the $2.5 billion of aid it controls from the spending package Congress passed in March.

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On Aug. 3, senators crafting a proposal for that pot of money declined to join small-town officials' calls for immediate access. Senators of both parties said they're more concerned with doing what they can to coordinate the billions in spending statewide than letting the money flow quickly.

By federal law, legislators have no say in how local governments spend their money. But legislative leaders want to incentivize certain types of spending, such as broadband expansion and water and sewer projects, by offering to share those costs.

Last week, McMaster's accelerateSC task force issued its own recommendations for how to spend $2.5 billion. They include $400 million to pair with local governments on water and sewer construction, with maximum grants of up to $10 million each, as well as $72.5 million for cybersecurity on those systems.

Water and sewer systems statewide are old and outdated. Those that repeatedly need fixing average 50 years old, according to the task force.

"Smaller utilities and those in less populated areas struggle to pay for improvements that will protect public health and the environment," reads its report. "Other utilities are experiencing growth and need to increase capacity. The need to modernize and upgrade is prevalent statewide, and the costs are significant."

Local governments have until the end of 2024 to obligate the federal money and two additional years to spend it.

Upgrades to water, sewer and stormwater systems that can be completed by 2026 total more than $1.15 billion, according to an ongoing survey by the state Rural Infrastructure Authority, based on the 38 responses received before accelerateSC issued its report Aug. 24.

McMaster's decision on when to request the federal money coincided with his panel's recommendations. The Republican governor will use those to craft his own spending proposal to legislators, likely within the next two weeks.

"He wants to see these local governments utilize these funds in the most effective way possible to make transformational and generational changes in their communities," said McMaster's spokesman, Brian Symmes. "We think some of the best ways to do that have been discussed by accelerateSC, to include the water and sewer match program we believe will pass the General Assembly."

The Municipal Association has not surveyed its members on how they plan to use the money, but he expects many will take advantage of whatever matching grant program legislators create. Others will proceed without waiting to see what the Legislature eventually approves, as counties and the state's 17 largest cities have been able to do, Slatton said.

"There are a lot of projects across the state that are ready to go and have been on the drawing board for a good while, but for having the funds to execute," he said.
Virgin Orbit has received the Federal Aviation Administration's go-signal to begin operations to launch rockets using Boeing 747 aircraft from Andersen Air Force Base following a review of its environmental impact on humans and endangered species.

"After reviewing and analyzing available data and information on existing conditions and potential impacts, the FAA has determined the proposed action would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. Therefore, the preparation of an environmental impact statement is not required, and the FAA is issuing this Finding of No Significant Impact. The FAA has made this determination in accordance with applicable environmental laws and FAA regulations," according to the FAA decision issued Aug. 23.

Daniel Murray executive director, Office of Operational Safety for the FAA, signed the decision.

The company's plan to begin operations on Guam was first announced in 2019.

Virgin Orbit plans to conduct launches using a 747 carrier aircraft from Andersen, including LauncherOne rocket operations over the Pacific Ocean east of Guam. The company proposed it would conduct a maximum of 25 launches over five years with a maximum of 10 launches in any one year starting as soon as this year.

"The proposed action would not result in any ground-disturbing activities and would not require any construction or modification of facilities at Andersen AFB. Proposed carrier vehicle operations would occur on existing apron, taxiway, and runway surfaces and there would be no changes to these areas. Carrier vehicle operations would be similar to military activities currently conducted on the same aprons, taxiways, and runways. The Proposed Action represents a very small percentage of existing military operations at Andersen AFB. Given the above, the FAA is making a finding of 'no historic properties affected' for the proposed action," according to the FAA.

Sonic boom

The carrier aircraft would take off from Andersen and fly south to the drop point. Once at the drop point, the rocket would be released at an altitude of 35,000-40,000 feet. Within 20 seconds of releasing the rocket, it would be flying at supersonic speeds.

Impulse sounds may include a sonic boom from the LauncherOne rocket, according to the FAA.

"The Launcher One rocket would be released from the carrier aircraft over the ocean away from populated areas south of Guam, at an altitude of 35,000 to 40,000 feet above mean sea level. No sonic boom would intersect with land or human-sensitive receptors. The closest sonic boom to the coast with a magnitude of 1.0 pounds per square foot (PSF) or greater is located approximately 75 nautical miles south-southwest of Guam," according to the FAA.

"Based on the estimated sound levels, the frequency with which the sonic booms may occur over the course of a year, and the relative infrequency with which (Endangered Species Act-) listed marine mammals, sea turtles, and fish may be in the immediate vicinity during those times, sonic booms associated with LauncherOne operations may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect ESA-listed marine mammal, sea turtle, and fish species beneath the LauncherOne flight trajectory," according to the FAA.
DIGNIFIED TRANSFER: President Joe Biden and other officials, attend the dignified transfer of the remains of fallen service members at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, on Sunday, Aug. 29, after 13 members of the U.S. military were killed in Afghanistan last week. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Anthony Ryan is Senior Vice President, Director of Small Business Lending for WSFS Bank. He joined WSFS in 2011, bringing with him 30 years of Retail and Small Business Banking experience.
A help wanted sign that reads "Now Hiring, Apply In Store" outside the Carpet and Tile Mart along 5th Street Highway in Muhlenberg Twp. Thursday morning August 26, 2021. (BEN HASTY/READING EAGLE)
The Telegraphs Nick Allen reports that President Biden vows to remember what theyre saying about him over in the scepterd isle. This is how it goes:

Joe Biden will remember comments about his mental acuity emanating from senior figures in the UK, and will bear a grudge against Britain, sources told the Telegraph. It came after Cabinet insiders were quoted as suggesting the US president looked gaga and described him as doolally in the wake of the fall of Kabul. The Brits have their view. But they should be careful. Whats been said is offensive and he will remember it. He actually has a long memory, a US source told the Telegraph. Its always been his way that if somebody says something really bad to him, or about him, he doesnt speak to them again. He does bear grudges. Boris Johnson should know that. The source added: The president is not gaga. Hes actually picked up his game quite a bit since the campaign. Comments by Cabinet insiders calling Mr Biden gaga were first printed in the UK, but were repeated in the Washington Post and read in the White House.

Its almost funny. Any threat that Biden will remember emanating from the vicinity of the White House should probably be taken with a grain of salt. Would anyone who knows what hes talking about assert that Biden actually has a long memory? Only behind a deep veil of anonymity.

Would any White House source go to the trouble of denying that Biden is gaga? That still leaves doolally.

Would any White House source make a statement to the effect that [Biden has] actually picked up his game quite a bit since the campaign? We can see with our own eyes and we know we are in the midst of an epic disgrace. Perhaps Biden should have remained in the basement, or perhaps that is a backhanded concession of Bidens ordeal: you should have seen him last summer.

Yet the Brits have introduced a Wodehousean element to their criticism of the president. If Biden had the sense of Bertie Wooster, he would take a cue from the stand-ins for Jeeves and listen up. In its own way the Telegraph story comes as a shaft of light in an incredibly dark chapter of American history.

Joe Biden "will remember" comments about his mental acuity emanating from senior figures in the UK, and will "bear a grudge" against Britain, sources told the Telegraph Read more: https://t.co/08U4mGjIXU  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) August 29, 2021

PAUL ADDS: Ronald Reagan believed America should reward its friends and punish its enemies. Joe Biden has rewarded the Taliban and wants to punish the Brits.

Is this a sign of diminished capacity? I dont think so. I think it signifies a pettiness, and indeed nastiness, that has always characterized the man.

For Biden, its not about Americas friends and enemies. Its about his friends and enemies.
 Dont look now, but many institutions are collapsing under the unsustainable weight of smug leftism. First item: late night television. Fifty million Americans tuned in to Johnny Carsons last appearance on The Tonight Show. Today, his Tonight Show successor, along with the egregious Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on CBS, barely have 2 million viewers on a good night, and are now being beaten in the late night ratings by conservative Fox humorist Greg Gutfeld. Ill bet Gutfelds staff is not even one-tenth as large as the production staffs of the late night network shows.

 Speaking of self-immolating liberal institutions, have you heard the news: Harvard Universitys new chaplain is an atheist. I suppose the only question here is: what took them so long? I recall a story of a writer friendsomeone whose name youd recognizewho spent a year in a liberal seminary several decades ago now, and recounted how a faculty member said to him one day: I think I know why you are so unhappy here. You actually believe in God.

 Oh goody: North Korea has restarted its plutonium-producing nuclear reactor. As the Wall Street Journal reports: Kim Jong Uns regime is fully aware that activity at its nuclear sites is closely watched by satellite surveillance. In other words, the Norks have taken the measure of Biden, and proceeded accordingly.

 This one hardly needs comment beyond pointing out that the tech worlds artificial intelligence appears even more stupid than the human intelligence it is meant to replace:

Facebook apologizes after labeling part of Declaration of Independence hate speech Facebooks policies for censoring hate speech have again come under fire after the social media giant labeled a passage from the Declaration of Independence as hate speech. Facebook apologized to a Texas newspaper on Tuesday for deleting its post that included the passage. The Liberty County Vindicator had been posting excerpts of the Declaration of Independence daily leading up to July 4th. The first nine posts were published without a problem. The 10th post, which included paragraphs 27 through 31 of the Declaration of Independence, was deleted by Facebook.

 Another college fraud exposed, only this time it is a college president:

The president of Lyon College in Batesville, Ark., resigned last week following outrage over an interview he gave to The Chronicle of Higher Education in which he discussed white supremacist activity in the area surrounding the college town. W. Joseph King characterized Lyon, a private liberal arts institution, and another college in Virginia where he formerly worked as bubbles of inclusion and of diversity surrounded by a sea of angry, disenfranchised populations and a large white-supremacist population, according to the July 26 Chronicle article. Both colleges have had to deal with active Klan chapters in the area. King is also is quoted saying that his home was vandalized with a spray-painted expletive following a meeting with students in which he told them to expect to find their political beliefs challenged. He also said that the Lyon campus had to go into effective lockdown after pro-Trump rallies in Arkansas during the fall of 2020 brought crowds bearing Confederate flags and neo-Nazi symbols. . .

Turns out former president King isnt just a liberal bigot, but a fabricator as well the Lyon King?):
Jonathan Turley, a liberal law professor and criminal defense lawyer, became a hero to some conservatives by virtue of his well-argued articles opposing both impeachments of Donald Trump. In Turleys latest piece, he comes down hard on Michael Byrd, the police officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt on January 6.

I dont think Turley makes much of a case that Byrds actions were unjustified. He starts off on the wrong foot when he writes:

[Babbitt] clearly engaged in criminal conduct that day by entering Capitol and disobeying police commands. The question, however, has been why this unarmed trespasser deserved to die.

(Emphasis added)

That may be the question you present to a jury if youre representing Babbitts estate in a wrongful death suit. But it certainly is not the question if youre trying to present a fair-minded analysis of Byrds actions.

The real question, as Turley has noted elsewhere, is whether the officer had reason to believe his action was objectively reasonable to protect himself or others from the imminent threat of death or serious physical harm.

Turleys arguments either avoid this question or address it only superficially. For example, Turley notes that Byrd previously was subjected to a disciplinary review when he left his Glock 22 service weapon in a bathroom in the Capitol Visitor Center complex. This has nothing to do with the merits of the Babbitt shooting.

He points to a report that Byrd said his rank would protect him in the investigation of the shooting. Even if Byrd actually said this, its hardly an admission of guilt. Cops being investigated for shootings these days can use protection against being railroaded.

Turley emphasizes that Babbitt was unarmed. Byrd says he didnt know whether she was armed or not. Turley treats this admission as a game changer.

Whether Babbitt was armed is relevant to an inquiry into the shooting, as is Byrds belief in this regard. But these facts are hardly dispositive.

As the left likes to point out, American police officers shoot dozens of unarmed criminals and suspects every year. In many of these cases, the shooting is deemed justified because the officer had reason to believe the use of such force was objectively reasonable for protection from death or serious injury.

In Byrds case, it appears he had reason to believe that shooting Babbitt, whom he had ordered to halt, was required to stop a mob she was leading. That mob was headed towards him and those he was charged with protecting with the likely intent of inflicting physical harm.

Even if Babbitt was unarmed, as turned out to be the case, the mob she was leading was capable of inflicting such harm. In fact, other unarmed rioters had already battered people during the rioting, as Turley acknowledges.

Turley barely addresses Byrds specific claim about the need to use lethal force. He does note in passing that other officers were in the vicinity. But Byrd wasnt required to wait for others to act.

If Turley is saying Byrd should have waited to see what others would do, this amounts to the kind of coulda-woulda-shoulda argument the left routinely makes when an officer kills a Black. As Turley explained in an article about the difficult realities of useful force, in such cases there often seems to be endless opportunities for de-escalation or alternatives to lethal force. Officers, though, work in a violent, unpredictable environment that few of us ever experience [and] these scenes are adrenaline-driven, chaotic moments that often allow few seconds for critical decisions.

Perhaps realizing the limits of second-guessing in these cases, Turley compares Byrds action to those of other officers who were on hand at the Capitol during the rioting. He writes:

No other officers facing similar threats shot anyone in any other part of the Capitol, even those who were attacked by rioters armed with clubs or other objects.

But those who were attacked by rioters armed with clubs or other objects would likely have been justified in using lethal force. And Byrds situation was special because, in his account, he was standing between rioters, who were ignoring his commands and breaking into the Speakers lobby, and members of Congress whom Byrd was obligated to protect.

Turley claims that under the standard by which Byrd was cleared, hundreds of rioters could have been gunned down on Jan. 6. But Turley doesnt even try to show that hundreds of rioters posed an imminent threat to officers, members of Congress, and staffers, as Babbitt did.

Consider the portion of the mob that was with Babbitt as she climbed through the window of the door to the Speakers lobby. It halted when Byrd shot Babbitt, exactly the effect Byrd intended to achieve. If Byrd had then shot other members of that mob, he would have done so without justification. The same would be true if Babbitt had complied with Byrds command and he had shot her anyway.

Byrd didnt shoot any rioter other than Babbitt. Thus, Turleys suggestion that the officer treated the rioting as a license for the use of lethal force, particularly against unarmed suspects seems unfair. So does the notion that by clearing Byrd, the authorities have given officers the green light to shoot rioters indiscriminately.

Byrd shot the one lawbreaker whom he reasonably believed had to be stopped to prevent physical harm to others, but who had refused to stop after being repeatedly ordered to.

In writing this post, Im using the facts as Byrd describes them. If the facts are different, my conclusion might be different. But Turley doesnt dispute Byrds facts.

To me, the most striking thing about the debate over police shootings is the degree to which views are driven by the political affiliation, race, or other irrelevant attribute of the victim. I think Billy Binion at Reason, whose views on policing probably differ significantly from mine, is onto something when he writes:

Most topics in the U.S. receive media coverage polarized along partisan lines, although police and police abuse tend to push that trend to the limit. To many on the left, it seems the police are always the villains; to the right, they are almost always heroesuntil January 6, when everyone switched places.

Im not saying that Turley has switched places, but I believe a lot of people have.
President Biden is responsible for the epic disaster that is still unfolding in Afghanistan  the consequences of which will travel far with us along our road, to borrow Churchills formulation. President Biden, his administration, and our military leadership should be held to account.

None of them has yet responded substantively to inquiries about what we have left behind in the way of equipment. We dont have a complete picture, obviously, of where every article of defense materials has gone, but certainly a fair amount of it has fallen into the hands of the Taliban, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters last week.

Over the weekend The Times (UK) has published the graphic in the tweet below. It accompanies the Times story here (behind the Times paywall).

Roger Kimball comments in What we left behind in Afghanistan and Victor Davis Hanson comments in Our Afghan nightmare: Tanks for nothing.. The nightmare is multifaceted. The graphic only captures one (enormous) dimension.
John has spotted one noteworthy Afghanistan-related piece in todays Sunday New York Times, a column by Kori Schake that tries to blame the fiasco on Donald Trump. Trumps deal was garbage, but the Taliban didnt live up to its conditions, so Joe Biden wasnt obligated to follow it.

Indeed, theres little reason to assume that Trump himself would have adhered to the deal, and less to believe that, if he had, the pullout would have been as botched as Bidens (though it wouldnt have been pretty). In addition, Biden has said he would have pulled out even if Trump hadnt entered into the agreement to do so.

But as far as the Times is concerned, Schakes piece doesnt need to be long on solid analysis. Schake is a conservative  director of defense and foreign policy studies at AEI and a George W. Bush administration foreign policy veteran. As my friend who is keeping me abreast of the Times coverage of Afghanistan says, NYTs editors are happy to use a conservative to shift as much of the blame as possible to Trump.

The most important Afghanistan-related piece in todays Times comes from star reporter, Peter Baker. The Baker article offers plenty of criticism of Biden, much of it along the same lines I have presented on Power Line, including quotes from W. Bush administration veterans and Gen. David Petraeus.

There is also a lot of material on what led Biden to think that getting out in the specific way that he did made sense at the time. Ive read the piece and recommend it.

As to the overall coverage of Afghanistan in todays edition of the Times, my friend writes:

The Sunday NYT Week in Review section would typically be filled with opinion columns and editorials addressing any crisis of the magnitude of the current one in Afghanistan. With one notable exception, however, todays NYT Sunday Review section is silent on the crisis of the moment. NYT has steadfastly avoided any official editorials on the Afghanistan fiasco, and that lack of institutional comment continues. Instead, were treated to Op-Eds on Covid, climate, and the nature of consciousness in cats and computers.

What to make of all this? My friend, an astute observer of the media, says:

Im speculating, but Ive been sensing a tension between NYTs editorial staff, on the one hand, and the news editors/reporters, on the other. The editorial folks are silent and steaming. They want to defend Biden, but dont quite know how. One of the opinion editors made the case the other day for recognizing the Taliban. A recent Op-Ed advocated for blanket acceptance of Afghan refugees, without vetting. But the folks on the news side are unhappy with the fiasco and not afraid to blame Biden, at least up to a point. The foreign policy staff may be the one part of NYT that hasnt gone entirely woke.

So maybe I should start calling this series When youve lost part of the New York Times.
Since Abubakar Shekau, the longtime leader of Boko Haram, died three months ago, hundreds of members of the sect have been reported to have left the group.

The Nigerian military said over 1,000 fighters of the group and their family members have surrendered and renounced the groups jihadism in recent weeks.

Separately, the authorities in neighbouring Cameroon also said more than 260 of the groups members turned themselves in at a deradicalisation centre in the north of the country.

Those who surrendered in Nigeria are mostly women and children, with a few commanders of the fighters such as the groups top bomb expert and his deputy, Nigerian Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu said in a statement.

On Sunday, the Borno State Government said about 3,000 repentant terrorists were set to be welcomed into communities in the state. PREMIUM TIMES reported how at a meeting of community leaders organised by the state government, the leaders expressed their willingness to welcome the repentant terrorists.

While some of the repentant terrorists were photographed at a ceremony holding placards with slogans such as Peace is the only way, experts warn there is more to it than meets the eye. They believe understanding the real reasons behind such withdrawals will be helpful in the push to stamp out insurgency in the Nigerian North-east region.

History of Repentance

This is not the first time members of the terrorist group would surrender in droves since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009. And the reasons they gave have differed over the years.

Between 2014 and early 2015, sustained offensive by the Nigerian military and the Multinational Joint Task Force resulted in many members of Boko Haram laying down their arms.

After the group split into two factions  Jamaatu Ahlis Sunnah lid-Dawati wal-Jihad (JAS) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), following the latters pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State in 2016  more than 800 Boko Haram associates surrendered to government forces within three weeks, a research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) showed. By the end of that year, over 1,000 had left the group in Nigeria, the report said.

And since the death of Mr Shekau in May, at least 2,122 people associated with Boko Haram have left the group, the ISS research also showed.

Why repentance?

Mr Shekau was reported killed or seriously wounded more than five times since 2009, including in official statements by the Nigerian military, only for him to resurface in online videos weeks later to mock such declarations.

His death on May 19, after his group clashed with ISWAP fighters, was however remarkable, security experts say, as it was announced by a rival armed group and confirmed by some of his top commanders.

Even though the circumstances remain murky, it is believed that the split of Boko Haram in 2016 and Mr Shekaus death in May contributed to the recent mass repentance.

ISWAP appears to be more liberal than Boko Haram in dealing with civilians. The group is said to allow civilians kept against their will by Boko Haram under Mr Shekau to leave in a bid to foster its public image as a de-radicalised movement.

Some Boko Haram fighters who do not wish to join ISWAP are also fleeing for their safety, ISS research revealed.

Government operations aimed at forcing Boko Haram to surrender, are also paying off, Confidence MacHarry, a geopolitical security analyst at Lagos-based SBM Intelligence, told PREMIUM TIMES.

DSS (Nigerias State Security Service) launched Operation Sulhu secretly in 2019, aimed at getting repentant commanders to persuade their colleagues to surrender. Operation Safe Corridor is an initiative by the military to get people under Boko Haram control to repent and join rehabilitation programmes being carried out in a camp in Bauchi. The wave of mass repentance is an indication of policy success, Mr MacHarry said.

What next for Bokoharam?

The events in May show that the absence of leadership can severely damage Boko Haram but that does not mean the end of the insurgency in the North-east.

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It is important to understand that most of the surrender that has happened in the past few days have been from civilians living under ISWAP control, not necessarily commanders of the group, Mr MacHarry pointed out.

The silver lining is that ISWAP consolidation with Shekaus faction has not gone the way the former would have liked, a glaring indication of the operational losses of the group since Shekaus death.

Much of Shekaus fighters have either been absorbed into ISWAP or have fled the Northeast. Right now, theres not much fighting going on because of the rainy season which does not allow for large scale military operations, Mr MacHarry said.

Rehabilitation of the surrendered

President Buhari in March 2018 announced his governments readiness to accept the unconditional laying down of arms by any member of the Boko Haram group who shows strong commitment in that regard.

In July 2020, some repentant members of the group in Borno State were rehabilitated and given the opportunity to live normal lives.

Many Nigerians, however, criticised this move. For example, the majority of Nigerians who participated in an online poll by PREMIUM TIMES in March 2020 kicked against a proposed bill to create an agency for the rehabilitation of repentant Boko Haram members.

The announcement of the agency triggered outrage and debate across Nigeria. Many said releasing repentant Boko Haram militants into the civilian population could be counterproductive.

The reasons for leaving Boko Haram differ in terms of circumstances, survival and desperation. Experts believe many of the fighters left without necessarily disavowing the groups ideology.

This concern was also raised at the Borno stakeholders meeting on Sunday with the communique emphasising the need for proper profiling of the repentant Boko Haram insurgents to avoid hasty release of hardening elements to the larger society.

This, perhaps, is the yardstick used by security forces to rehabilitate ex-associates before reintegrating them into the civilian community.

Rehabilitation of Boko Haram ex-associates through Operation Safe Corridor pass through Giwa Barracks, the screening and holding facility in Borno State managed by the Joint Investigation Committee. The committee comprises investigators and prosecutors, and determines peoples eligibility for deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration.

At the camp, high-risk members, including senior commanders, are sent to a pre-trial detention centre, the ISS reported.

Moderates, including foot soldiers and mid-level commanders, go to Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation. Most civilians arrested during military operations who are proven innocent are released to the state for rehabilitation, the report stated.

For Mr MacHarry, the security expert, rehabilitation of ex-associates is a tough deal because communities have been found to be hostile to repentant terrorists.

But the important work that must be done is the provision of economic opportunities for both ex-fighters and IDPs (internally displaced persons) with the aim of keeping both busy and reducing the possibility of friction between both, as well as a return to the life of terror on the part of the repentant terrorists.

To trigger further desertions, Frank Ojo, a security analyst, says, the authorities should follow transparent judicial and rehabilitation processes in dealing with former fighters and their dependents.

What mass desertions mean for fight against insurgency

The Nigerian Army says the recent massive surrender of Boko Haram fighters is causing apprehension within the ISWAP camp.

The army spokesperson, Mr Nwachukwu, said in a statement that the strength of ISWAP was depleted with the mass withdrawal of Boko Haram fighters who they wanted on their side.

Mr Nwachukwu said due to the situation, the terrorist group has resorted to using futile propaganda via AMAQ Terrorists Media Wing to portray the group as still being a potent force in the Northeast.

Following the August 14 surrender of some former Boko Haram fighters and their families, the leadership of the Islamic State (ISIS) reportedly sacked and replaced the ISWAP leadership for failing to sustain the reunification of the group and Boko Haram fighters, after the death of Mr Shekau, PRNigeria reported.

This is further bringing confusion in civilian communities under ISWAP control, a situation security experts say the military should capitalise on to further degrade the terrorists.

These recent events would boost the morale of the military in the short term but the morality of rehabilitating ex-terrorists would always be a divisive issue in the military, as soldiers had always voiced their disapproval of such plans, Mr MacHarry said.
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The lingering strike by resident doctors and the simultaneous intent of many of them to leave the country for greener pastures abroad present a highly unfortunate twin-tragedy.

The latter, evident in the recruitment that was being conducted by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health, is the key reason why the former needs to be addressed with the required urgency. The reaction of the government, however, shows a more befuddling non-appreciation of the precarious state of health care delivery in Nigeria  one that some analysts believe deserves the declaration of a state of emergency.

Typical of its jackboot-like approach to issues of public interest, the reaction of the governments gestapo unit  the State Security Service (SSS)  was to invade the recruitment venue at Sheraton Hotels in Abuja on Thursday August 26, forcefully dispersing the participants and arresting and detaining a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), Marcus Fatunde, for some time.

Is the panic reaction to the Saudi recruitment because the government is embarrassed by being mocked by its own joke? Perhaps, if we recall that the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, paradoxically a medical doctor himself, has repeatedly boasted that Nigeria has enough doctors and that whoever among them wants to go abroad should feel free to do so.

This apparent misrepresentation of the state of the nations health care sector is flying in the face of the government; and from the perspective of its enlightened interest, the Saudi government chose the moment of Nigerian doctors disaffection with their government to dangle carrots before them. Obviously, the doctors who turned out in large numbers for the recruitment exercise prefer the carrot to the stick. They should not be blamed.

It is saddening that the current month-long strike action by members of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is the fourth within the past two years over the same issues of delayed or non-payment of salaries and allowances. NARD is also demanding the payment of COVID-19 treatment allowances in the absence of death-in-service insurance, having lost at least 19 of its members to the pandemic, while it is protesting the shortage of manpower in public hospitals.

At the root of the strike actions is governments constant failure to honour the agreement voluntarily reached with NARD over its demands, a practice that seems to have acquired the status of regular trade mark, as the late Afrobeat musician, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti would have put it. As we are all aware, the same attitude towards the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has caused paralysing strikes in our public universities.

No demand could be more justifiable or more reasonable than those being put forward by NARD. Yet instead of pursuing a negotiated settlement to its logical conclusion, the government embarked on the futile journey of issuing a succession of threats, including the application of the no-work no-pay rule, which unsurprisingly met with stiff resistance from the doctors. Government then headed to the National Industrial Court seeking an interim injunction restraining the striking doctors, as it continued to dance around the issues at stake.

In this regard, PREMIUM TIMES welcomes the decision of Justice John Targema of the National Industrial Court in Abuja not to grant the order and commends him for the order to the two parties  the federal government and the NARD  to suspend all forms of hostilities.

The commonsense interpretation that should have been given to the order by a government genuinely concerned about the welfare of its health workforce and that of the generality of Nigerians who are being subjected to hardship due to the strike, is acceptance that the non-payment of salaries and allowances constitutes an act of hostility to the doctors and therefore this should be addressed by all means possible. One immediate response could have been to invite the doctors for another round of negotiation.

The government chose to do otherwise. It wrongly interpreted the court order to mean that the doctors should return to work, and a spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Charles Akpan, even issued a false statement claiming that the Industrial Court had granted an order of interlocutory injunction, compelling all members of the Defendants/Respondents in all the states of the Federation to suspend the said industrial action, contrary to what is contained in the certified true copy of the order.

It is a huge shame that the state of health care delivery in Nigeria has been allowed to degenerate to the appalling level where doctors who are bracing the odds to fulfill their obligation to patients, despite glaringly inadequate facilities, are not considered worthy of earning their wages when due.

A Federal Government that has indicated its intention to spend as much as N4 billion to monitor the use of WhatsApp by citizens cannot be taken seriously over its claim that it lacks funds to pay doctors in its employment and fix its hospitals.

It is the deplorable working conditions in our hospitals and the poor welfare of medical personnel that is propelling the constant exodus by Nigerian doctors, who together with other health care workers, including nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, etc, now represent significant percentages of the health workforce in Europe, North America and the Middle East.

The Buhari government must come to terms with this reality and stop its counterproductive, if not futile, effort at bullying the striking doctors and hounding those intent on relocating abroad to earn better pay and work in more conducive environments.

President Muhammadu Buhari should be reminded that the Constitution he swore to uphold states in section 14 (2)(b) that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, while sections 17 (3) (c) and (d) respectively obligate the government to direct its policy towards ensuring that: the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused and there are adequate medical and health facilities for all persons.

PREMIUM TIMES calls on the Federal and State Governments to show respect to our doctors and other medical personnel and ensure that their welfare is adequately provided for, so that they can continue to provide medical services needed by Nigerians. Nigeria invests a lot of resources in the training of doctors and it makes no sense to superintend over the export of such investments to other countries that are eager to leverage our investments.
NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, said on Monday in Kano that the state has about two million drug addicts, representing 16 per cent prevalence.

Mr Marwa made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

In Kano State, drug abuse prevalence is 16 per cent; that is, in every six persons, one is a drug addict and they are between the ages of 15 years and 64 years.

Kano State has close to two million drug users abusing tramadol, codeine and other cough syrups, rather than cannabis.

I will like to mention here that since I assumed leadership of NDLEA in January, we have seized over two million kilogrammes of assorted drugs, estimated at billions of Naira.

Eight thousand people were arrested and 1,600 are now serving jail terms in correctional service facilities, and we are still working.

Drug abuse has gone to the level of destroying our families unless is tackled with all seriousness it dof eserves, he said.

Mr Marwa said that the use drugs propelled criminal activities ranging from banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery, among others.

He said that NDLEA was comfortable that Kano State government was a worthy partner in tackling drug abuse.

Mr Marwa urged the state government to make legislation that would prevent politicians from giving drugs to youths.

He also urged the government to make legislation on compulsory drug test for intending couples, also as part of measures to fight against drug abuse.

In his address of welcome, Mr Ganduje said Kano State is the most populous state with highest number of youths and a commercial nerve centre of Nigeria and some West African countries.

Being commercial centre, some use that opportunity to traffic drugs and you know we have the international airport, railway anfindsads that link to many states.

So, Kano find itself in a vulnerable situation, the governor said.

He added that it was a policy in the state that commissioners and permanent secretaries must undergo drug abuse tests before getting appointed to reduce drug abuse rate in the state.

Mr Ganduje said that government would relocate legitimate drug dealers to a market as part of efforts to check drug abuse and trafficking.

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Meanwhile, at the Emir of Kanos palace, Mr Marwa solicited for the support of the emirate in addressing the menace.

He urged the emirate to assist NDLEA in enlightening landlords that any house found to be used for drug abuse and trafficking would be confiscated by the court.

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Walin-Kano, Mahe Bashir-Wali, who represented Emir Aminu Ado-Bayero, expressed the emirates support in the ongoing fight against drug abuse.

If we succeed, we would have enhanced security situation. We are ever ready to join hands with NDLEA to fight against the scourge, Mr Bashir-Wali said.

(NAN)
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There is confusion among stakeholders in the power sector following the furore generated by the conflicting information put out about a resolution by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on tariff hike.

A document marked 023/EKEDP/GMCLR/0025/2021, dated August 25, 2021 and signed by the General Manager, Loss Reduction, Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), Olumide Anthony-Jerome, had announced the Discos decision to raise tariffs.

In the document, widely circulated in the media at the weekend, the distribution company disclosed that the increase would be reflected on the energy bill for October 2021, which would represent energy consumption for September 2021.

For metered customers with internal vending arrangements, we urge you to adjust the rates accordingly to reflect the new tariff increase as released by NERC, the memo, purportedly issued by Eko Disco, read.

According to the document, the increase followed the approval by NERC.

This increase is as a result of the nationwide mandate to implement the Service Based Tariff approved by our regulators (NERC), it said.

But as stakeholders deliberated on the development, the Eko Disco in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Adeoye Fadeyibi, described the release as unsubstantiated and urged the public to disregard it.

While we continue to review effective and regulatory strategies to manage the impact of changes to macro-economic indices affecting end-user tariffs, the general public will be duly informed, in the event of any changes to the end-user tariff, the EKEDC boss said.

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Last September, a tariff hike plan was implemented amidst controversies and rejection by members of the organised labour. The Nigerian government thereafter held talks with the unions, and the negotiations led to the introduction of rebate in the tariff and the freezing of an increase for Band E, representing customers with eight hour daily supply.

Another attempt was made to hike the tariff in January but the controversy that trailed it led to its suspension by the regulator.

It remains unclear whether an increase would be recorded in electricity tariff in September.

Attempts to speak to NERC officials on Sunday proved abortive.
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu, has expressed disappointment over the number of Nigerian prison inmates awaiting trial for petty offences.

The laws creating the special offences target the economic activities of the poor, Mr Ojukwu said in Abuja on Friday at an event on the review of the decriminalisation of petty offences project in Africa.

Laws on petty offences seem to mainly target the socio-economic lives and activities of the poor and marginalised population in society, he said.

He did not give a figure but lamented that alleged petty offenders constitute a significant number of prison detainees, thus contributing to the growing number of inmates in the country.

According to him, it has become imperative to decriminalise petty offences in Nigeria and across Africa owing to their negative impact on economically disadvantaged citizens.

It is appalling to note that petty offenders, most of who are awaiting trial for offences such as being a rogue and vagabond, being idle or disorderly, loitering, begging, hawking, failure to pay debt and being a nuisance among others, constitute a significant number of persons in detention and thus contribute to the growing number of inmates in custody across the country, he added.

He explained that petty offences can be found in laws that are aimed at controlling public nuisance on public roads, public places, a scenario that is rampant in Abuja, Nigerias capital city.

He said the principles on decriminalisation of petty offences in Africa had been adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights in 2017 at Banjul, The Gambia.

He emphasised the significance of the decriminalisation project on human rights, which is being implemented in Nigeria with support from the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in Africa (NANHRI).

He further noted that the principles encourage member states to consider the use of non-custodial measures as an alternative to imprisonment of petty offenders.

Decriminalisation of petty offences project in Africa

The initiative is being simultaneously implemented in Uganda and Sierra Leone.

The project review meeting sought to take stock of the implementation in the three African countries so far.

In Nigeria, the inaugural Consultative Engagement towards development of Action Plan to decriminalise Petty Offences was held in Abuja in December 2020.

The NHRC boss lauded NANHRI for its partnership in helping the commission discharge its mandate in taking steps to expunge all provisions that criminalise petty offences from both federal and state laws.

Resolution

PREMIUM TIMES learnt that part of the resolutions reached at the end of the project review meeting in relation to Nigeria was a recommendation for the establishment of a Network for Decriminalisation of Petty Offences in the FCT.

Such structure has been established in Oyo and Lagos  consisting of critical ministries, departments and agencies of government, the civil society and the media.

It was also recommended that interventions in other parts of the country should be scaled up.

Lagos advocacy symbol

Meanwhile, the Lagos State network has created a symbol to deepen its campaigns against criminalisation of petty offences.

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The symbol is a collection of pictures of hawkers, with clenched fists joined together to form a circular shape, and scale of justice. It also bears the logos of the NHRC and the NANHRI.

According to the Lagos network, the symbol brings to focus the need for all hands to be on deck, advocacy for justice and stopping the detention of hawkers by law enforcement officers.
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The Nigerian government must urgently address the heinous crimes of enforced disappearances, to comply with Nigerias international law obligations, Amnesty International said today, on the International Day of Support for Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

Families affected by enforced disappearance live through unimaginable torment. When people vanish without a trace, with the acquiescence of the state who then denies all knowledge, it is impossible to move on.

My brothers disappearance affected everyone at home. We just decided to leave everything to faith, hoping he will show up one day. But we need closure, for us to know what actually happened to him. As it is now nobody knows whether he is alive or dead A sister to a 33-year-old businessman who disappeared since August 2014 after arrest by the police told Amnesty International

Each year, this symbolic day marks families daily wait for the truth of the fate of their disappeared relatives. The Nigerian authorities must bring them hope for justice, stop their delaying tactics and fulfill their promise to end enforced disappearance.

Nigerian security forces attempts to clamp down on Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militants have led to arbitrary arrests, detentions, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions in the Southeast and Niger Delta area of Nigeria. The whereabouts of at least 50 suspected members of IPOB arrested in Oyigbo, Rivers State, are still unknown since their arrest in October and November 2020

The unresolved enforced disappearances of several activists underscore the need for action. Abubakar Idris also known as Dadiyata, a vocal government critic and university lecturer, was abducted in his home in Kaduna on August 2, 2019, and has not been seen since. The government has denied holding him.

Fifteen years-old Emmanuel John was arrested by soldiers when they raided a synagogue at Oyigbo in Rivers State on October 2020 in search of members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). His family members have searched for him without success. His whereabouts remain unknown.

Another victim, Felix Adika (44), was last seen on February 27, 2016, after he was arrested by the DSS in Bayelsa. At the time Felix had been working with other former militants in the Nigeria Delta region to access government amnesty payments. He was asked to go back and bring other former militants but was arrested instead. In March 2019, his family learned he was in DSS detention and travelled to see him. They were asked to write an application but never saw him. His wife also lost a five-month pregnancy after his arrest.

In a similar case of enforced disappearance, Izuchukwu Okeke, a 41-year-old commercial motorcycle rider was last seen on July 5, 2021, when he visited a police station in Owerri, Imo State. He was earlier arrested on June 17, 2021, and released after being detained for two weeks. He was lured back to the station and rearrested after the police accused him of informing the relatives of other detainees about the whereabouts of their sons. The police warned his relatives that they will be shot if they ever come for his bail. Since then his whereabouts remain unknown.

The cases of at least 200 people  including former militants from Niger Delta, members of IPOB, #EndSARS protesters and security suspects believed to have been subjected to unresolved enforced disappearances in Nigeria have been documented by Amnesty International  The real number is believed to be higher.

Nigerian security forces often sight the anti-terror law that allows the authorities to hold people without charge or trial in unofficial places of detention, often without contact to the outside world in practice, clearly increasing the risk of people disappearing after being detained.

Not only these tragic disappearances, but also the governments continuing failure to establish the truth and bring justice to their families, are growing stains on Nigerias reputation. Scores of disappearance cases such as these remain unresolved and cast doubt on Nigerian governments commitment to keeping its own citizens safe, said Isa Sanusi, Media Manager, Amnesty International.

Nigeria is bound by international legal obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance both of which it has acceded to  to investigate, prosecute, punish and provide remedies and reparation for the crimes of enforced disappearance.

The authorities must demonstrate zero tolerance for such crimes. They must take immediate action to end enforced disappearances and other serious violations, carry out independent, impartial and effective investigations, and prosecute those in the security forces suspected of responsibility in fair trials.
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The lead counsel representing the Premier Hospital, Abimbola Akeredolu, accused of unprofessional conduct in the death of popular Lagos-based chef, Peju Ugboma on Monday questioned the medical expertise of a witness, Oluwatosin Ajala.

During the coroners inquest investigating the cause of Mrs Ugbomas death, which was held virtually, Mrs Akeredolu cross-examined Mr Ajala, a medical practitioner and member of the Royal College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians in the UK.

The inquest was presided over by a Chief Magistrate, Mukaila Fadeyi, at the magistrate court in Ikeja, Lagos.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mrs Ugboma, 41, died on April 23 after her fibroid surgery at Premier Specialist Medical Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Her family had accused the hospital Premier of unprofessional conduct resulting in her untimely demise.

Cross-examination

At the resumed hearing, Mrs Akeredolu said Mr Ajalas professional conduct was questionable.

She noted that Mr Ajala, the Ugboma family gynaecologist, who is the head of a clinical department in a UK medical facility had at a time faced an inquest and was reprimanded in the UK over the death of a twin.

Does January 25 2017 mean anything to you? Mrs Akeredolu asked the witness.

Mr Ajala in his response asked for clarification.

At that inquest, you conceded that it was an error of judgment, she said.

The coroner, Mr Fadeyi, however, objected to the line of questioning, saying it was of no use to the hearing.

This newspaper had reported that the husband of the deceased was informed that his wife would be transferred to Evercare Hospital in Lekki for a CT scan and possible dialysis following complications she had.

During his cross-examination, Mr Ajala said it is a common practice for hospitals carrying out such surgery to have a CT scan report.

But Mrs Akeredolu questioned if he was referring to hospitals in Nigeria or the UK.

Mr Ajala said he was referring to hospitals in the UK.

This newspaper also reported that a medical consultant, Ayoade Akere, had testified before a panel instituted by the Federal Competitions and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in June that constant monitoring of the patient should have been done as a proactive step.

Meanwhile,the coroner has adjourned the hearing till Friday.
Mustapha Suraj is the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue Service. In this interview with Mohammed Babangida, he tells PREMIUM TIMES what the board is doing to boost revenue generation and why the state introduced development levy and cattle tax.

Excerpts:

PT: You have been the head of the board for seven months, how has it been so far?

Mr Suraj: I am grateful to God for what he has done to the board through me. When I came, there were challenges and I met two new issues. First, the issue of COVID-19 affected our operations and the lockdown also weighed us down. Businesses were shut and people were locked up in their houses. And then there was the issue of drop in oil price which turned to affect states in revenue generation.

But for everything, we have been doing well and there has been an increase in the revenue we are generating.

PT: What impact has your leadership had on the board?

Mr Suraj: I would say the revenue we generated last month alone is impressive. We were able to gather N700,000,000. It was not like that before I came. The records are there.

PT: When compared to Kano and Kaduna states, Katsina has not been performing well in revenue generation. What have you been doing to catch up or outshine those states?

MR SURAJ: Well, we cannot be compared to some of those states you mentioned. Nonetheless, we have started a plan that will see Katsina outperform those states, especially Kaduna. I have been training our staff ever since I started as the chairman earlier this year. I have organised more than six training (programmes) for our staff and that is to ensure that our staff are updated and trained on the rudiments.

I have come with plans to work hard and ensure that the board is up and doing. But you know plans take time to mature into results, you cant just wake up and achieve results. You need time and by Gods grace, we will be better than those states you mentioned. Because we are addressing all the problems we met on ground and we have initiated plans to achieve that.

PT: What are you doing to ensure accountability in the revenue collection process?

Suraj: What we are doing is to introduce internet banking for people to pay directly into our account through your phone by dialing some codes. Or better, we will ensure that people go to the bank to make payments and collect their necessary documents. It means you pay and get the required documents.

The banking system we are planning to do is to ensure that the money when deposited cant be removed by any of us. We want to ensure that the money will go directly into the state governments official account and that will be achieved through the Interswitch system.

I also want to call on people to follow the right channel to pay taxes. For instance, someone is trying to get a number plate for his vehicle and he knows the amount is, lets say N10,000, but someone tells him to give him N6,000. That person knows that the money will not be remitted into the account and because he too wants to cut corners, he will just accept it and life goes on. We need cooperation from the general public to achieve transparency.

PT: The development levy and cattle tax has generated complaints, especially from those not working

Suraj: (Cuts in) I think asking someone to pay #2,000 per year is not a big deal to anyone hoping for a safer society. We need to look at the issues that necessitated the imposing of levies. We have been living in a society where I dont even know who my neighbour is. With such an arrangement, I am sure the village head and ward head would know who their people are. So, it is not even much, when you divide it, the money will not be up to #170 per month. We can afford it.

PT: There are people finding it difficult to even eat three square meals, dont you think it will be a discomfort to them?

Suraj: We didnt just wake up to impose levy and tax. The governor inaugurated a committee that went around the whole 34 local government areas and discussed with all stakeholders. In some of the states you mentioned earlier, they just wake up and say we have imposed so so amount as levy and tax. But we didnt do that. The issue has still to do with orientation. Some of our people dont like obeying rules and regulations. In the Niger Republic there, when a law is made, everyone follows it regularly. As I told you, the state government reached out to the people at the local level and with the kind of orientation we gave, I dont think there will be problems in collecting the developing levy. It is going to complement our day to day income and help in the security of the state. So, it is a two-way issue.

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PT: Couldnt the government have identified other means of generating revenue and not necessarily to tax the masses?

Suraj: This development levy is not new. Why we decided to bring it back is to ensure security and not like the other way round. We will get revenue, of course, but it is not all about the money. Besides, this is one of the means you asked us to identify (laughs).

PT: You are not visible on the internet in an era where the internet eases things. In some other states, revenue activities are on the Internet, but you dont even have a website. Why?

Suraj: I have a modernization policy. When I came, there were no internet-based operations. Aside from the website that we will build, we will also be more active on social media to interact effectively with the public.

You know, I came from the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and I am aware of how standardised the operations are. When you modernise your activities, things will be easier for you and the public, so we will soon be on the Internet. In the headquarters, there will soon be less paper and more Internet-based work.

PT: Lets talk about ease of doing business in Katsina. Some small business owners alleged that the board is making it hard for them to do business while big establishments are allowed to skip payment of taxes.

Suraj: It is not true. What we collect is meagre and we have ways of encouraging business owners, small, medium and large. If we had been closing their businesses or taking them to court, that would have amounted to pressurising them or frustrating their businesses. Ask them again, please.

On the allegation that only small businesses are pushed to pay tax, I think I just told you that we realised N700 million. Do you think we can generate that only through the small business owners? It is not possible. We have also taken the Kano Electricity Distribution Company KEDCO to court for defaulting. Is KEDCO a small business?

The atmosphere is good for businesses in the state.

PT: The board has failed to reach set revenue targets most of the years..

Suraj: But I started this year. I have been here for just seven months. But all the same, we can say tax is not a standard thing that no one can say this is what we are collecting this month and it must continue like that in every month. For instance, if in July, 10,000 abide and pay tax, you may have only 2,000 paying in August. I am just giving you an example. So, it is not a miracle. But we are working towards ensuring that everyone is sensitised and knows that paying tax is a responsible duty of everyone.

But part of what we are doing is to get the quantum of taxpayers, we need a comprehensive database of who and who are supposed to pay tax. When we finish that, we will just look at how best to ensure that everyone pays.
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The police have began investigations into the death of Abdulkarim Na Allah even as the Kaduna State Government described the incident as appearing to be a case of culpable homicide.

The victim is the son of Nigerian senator, Bala NaAllah.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Mudasiru Abdullahi, ordered the probe of the incident.

Mr Abdullahi gave the order late Sunday in Kaduna in a statement issued by police spokesperson in the state, Mohammed Jalige.

I have directed that a full scale investigation be carried out with a view to unraveling the identities of the culprits and bringing them to book, the CP was quoted as saying in the statement.

The 36-year-old aircraft captain was allegedly murdered in his Kaduna residence on August 29.

The report has it that the assassins forcefully gained access into the residence of the pilot at Umar Gwandu Road, Malali, Kaduna during the night hours, choked him to dead in cold blood and made away with his Lexus SUV to an unknown destination, the CP said in the statement.

The police called on the public to assist with useful information in its investigation into the murder.

On its part, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, stated the position of the government in a statement he issued on Sunday in Kaduna.

Mr Aruwan said the state government was informed by security agencies that the remains of Mr Ibn NaAllah were found in his Kaduna home.

In what appears to be a case of culpable homicide, the deceased was found in a bedroom in his residence in Malali, Kaduna North LGA, apparently after having been strangled with a rope.

A vehicle was stolen from his parking lot by the assailants, the statement said.

NAN also reports that the remains of the pilot were buried on Sunday evening at Unguwan Sarki Cemetery, Kaduna.

Meanwhile, Mr Aruwan said that in another incident bandits killed one person at Janwuriya, Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.

He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed deep sadness at the incidents as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims.

The governor urged security agencies to conduct vigorous investigations into the incidents and apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks. (NAN)
The State Security Service (SSS) on Monday released eight of the 12 associates of Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly called Sunday Igboho, and continued holding on to the four others in disobedience to a court order granting bail to all of them.

The detainees lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who continued his demand for the release of the remaining four at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, gave an insight into how eight of them were releases by the SSS.

We are glad today that the SSS called us this morning (Monday). They have shown seriousness about respecting court orders, the lawyer noted.

He and his team then moved to the SSS headquarters in Abuja to receive eight detainees who, together with the four others, had been detained without charge for about 61 days.

Those who were released and attended Mondays press briefing are: Abideen Shittu, Abdullateef Onaolapo, Ayobami Donald, Olakunle Oluwapelumi, Dikeola Ademola, Bamidele Sunday, Raji Kazeem, and Taiwo Tajudeen.

The remaining still in SSS detention are: Tajudeen Irinloye, Uthman Adelabu, Amudat Babatunde, and Jamiu Oyetunji.

Mr Olajengbesi said that, for technical reasons, all the detainees would have regained their freedom in compliance with the order of court.

We are hoping that they (SSS) will release the remaining four either tomorrow (Tuesday) or before the end of the week.

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Every civilised society must allow the law to prevail, the lawyer said on Monday.

The spy agency had adamantly continued to detain the detainees despite the bail granted them by the Federal High Court in Abuja on August 4.

Mr Olajengbesi said on Friday that SSS refused to release them even after providing 24 sureties and meeting all other bail conditions with a release order of the court signed and served on the spy agency.

The release of eight of the detainees on Monday came barely after the expiration of the 48 hours ultimatum issued on Friday by Mr Olajengbesi to SSS director-general, Yusuf Bichi, to release all the 12 held in custody or risk being jailed for contempt.

Background

It will be recalled that the 12 persons were arrested during an early morning raid on Sunday Igbohos home in Ibadan, Oyo State, on July 1.

They were subsequently moved to Abuja, where they had since been detained.

Following a request by Mr Olajengbesi, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Obiora Egwuatu, granted the detainees bail on August 4.

But the SSS was dissatisfied with the ruling, prompting its application urging the judge to reverse the bail granted four of the detainees.

Mr Egwuatu threw out the Nigerian secret polices application following its withdrawal by the services lawyer, Idowu Awo.

It, however, later withdrew the application, saying it would pursue its objection to the bail granted the four persons at the Court of Appeal.

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The judge subsequently struck out the motion following the no-objection response from the detainees lawyer.

Mr Olajengbesi disclosed that two of the detainees, whom the SSS had challenged their bail, were among the eight persons released on Monday.

Almost three weeks after the futile attempt to arrest him during the July 1 raid on his home by SSS operatives, Sunday Igboho was arrested in the Republic of Benin while trying to board a Germany-bound flight with his wife on July 19.

While his wife has been released, he is still being held in custody in the neighbouring country facing proceedings.
The Oyo State High Court in Ibadan on Monday extended its order of interim injunction against any moves to arrest Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemi, popularly known as Igboho or block his account.

The judge, Ladiran Akintola, extended the order restraining the State Security Service (SSS) and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, till September 7.

The judge had earlier issued the order on August 4 against the SSS and Mr Malami, following the suit filed by Mr Adeyemo against the defendants in the wake of SSS invasion of his home in Ibadan, Oyo State, on July 1.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sunday Igboho filed the N500 billion suit against the defendants accusing the SSS of unlawful invasion of his house in Ibadan, Oyo State, on July 1.

He said two of his associates were killed by SSS operatives in the bloody invasion that also saw his property destroyed. Twelve of his associates were also arrested by the SSS operatives.

Mondays hearing

At the resumed hearing in the case on Monday, AGFs counsel, Simon Enock, told the court that he was not ready to proceed on the matter.

Mr Enock said he needed seven days to respond to the counter-affidavit filed by Mr Adeyemo against the AGFs preliminary objection challenging the courts jurisdiction to hear the ase.

The AGFs counsel told the court that court rules permitted him to respond within seven days and urged the court to grant him an adjournment in the interest of justice.

He also prayed the court to vacate the order restraining the arrest, intimidation and blocking of Igbohos bank accounts, adding that the order should have a lifespan of seven days rather than being perpetual.

In his reaction to the issue, SSS lawyer, T. Nurudeen, said the applicant had yet to serve any counter-affidavit on his client, adding that the procedure of service must be observed for fair hearing.

Igbohos counsel, Yomi Aliyu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), leading Kola Olawoye and Dipo Olasope, both SANs, objected to the application of adjournment.

Mr Aliyu said the AGF had been served since August 25.

He said the AGF was only entitled to five days to respond to the counter-affidavit, and urged the court to reject the adjournment sought.

Ruling

In his ruling, the judge noted that the rules on enforcement of fundamental human rights suit did not accommodate luxury of time because the life of the applicant was at stake.

Mr Akintola adjourned the case to Sept. 7 for hearing of all applications and extended his order of interim injunction restraining Igbohos arrest and blocking of his account.

Arrests

Almost three weeks after the futile attempt by the SSS to arrest him during the July 1 raid on his home by SSS operatives, Sunday Igboho was arrested in the Republic of Benin while trying to board a Germany-bound flight with his wife on July 19.

He has been held in custody in the Republic of Benin facing proceedings.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the SSS only reluctantly released eight out of his 12 arrested associates on Monday, many days after defying an order issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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Pelumi Olajemgbesi, the lawyer to the detainees, insists there is no basis to continue to detain the remaining four after the court had issued an order for their release.

(NAN)
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The Kano State High Court on Monday sentenced Ado Fulani to seven years imprisonment after finding him guilty of obtaining by false pretence.

Mr Fulani was accused of inducing Ibrahim Balanti to pay money into his account to get him enlisted into the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

He was said to have claimed that he had a customs officer friend by name, ACG Ahmad Jibrin, who was purportedly given slots to fill at the NCS.

A statement by the spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wilson Uwujaren, said the convict asked the victim to pay N530,000 into his account to get the customs job.

The complainant subsequently paid the sum of N330,000 in the hope of securing the appointment.

When the job offer was not forthcoming, he realised that he had been duped and demanded a refund of his money to no avail, the EFCC statement added.

Fulani pleads guilty

EFCC subsequently filed one count of obtaining by false pretence against the Mr Fulani.

The charge read that, you Ado Abubakar S Fulani sometimes in January, 2021 at Kano within the jurisdiction of this Honourrable Court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N330,000.00(Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira Only) from Muhammad Balanti Adam, which money you caused to be paid into your First City Monument Bank account number 6491929010 under the false pretence that you will secure an offer of appointment for him with the Nigeria Customs Service contrary to section 1 (1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the one count charge.

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In view of his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Salihu Sani, asked the court to convict him accordingly.

The judge, Sanusi Maaji, convicted and sentenced the convict to seven years imprisonment without option of fine.

The convict was also ordered to make restitution of N330, 000 to the victim of the fraud.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said within nine weeks it had received 3,325,741 applications from the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

The commission disclosed this in the Week 9 update provided by the commission on Monday in Abuja.

The applications according to commission INEC included, those seeking voter transfer, requests for replacement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and update of voter information record, among others.

The commission also disclosed that as of 7 a.m. on Monday, the online pre-registration was 2,485,770 with Osun taking the lead with 379,914 and Borno with 8,798 as the least.

INEC also gave the figure of those registrants, who had completed their online and in-person (physical) registration within the five weeks that the exercise commenced at 569,828.

These include 230,789 through online and 339,039 through physical registration.

It also disclosed that out of the 569,828 registrants, 304,566 were males, 265,262 females and 6,290 as persons living with disability.

NAN reports that the exercise is going on at INEC state and local government offices nationwide from Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.

The commission has also devolved the exercise to ward level in Anambra, ahead of the state governorship election holding on 6 November.

The CVR resumed on 28 June.

The Commission said it received 42,211 online applicants on the first day of the exercise.

By 7 a.m., June 29, 24 hours after the launch, 59,331 accounts were created.

Within the same period, 42,211 applications were received out of which 27,759 individuals applied for new voter pre-registration services.

Also 11, 177 requested for voter review record; 1, 669 applied for voter transfer; 853 asked for information update; 335 applied for replacement of lost or damaged PVCs; while 418 applicants requested for uncollected PVCs.

These statistics have been uploaded to the Commissions website and social media platforms, Mr Okoye said.

On August 23, INEC announced that a total number of 2, 215,832 people had registered online.

It said Osun and Edo states had the highest number of applicants.

(NAN)

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Bandits said to be angry over the closure of weekly markets by the Zamfara State government have killed a local government official and a businesswoman in the state.

Umaru Moriki, an engineer and director of works at Kaura Namoda local government, and Rumba Jengeru, a popular local business woman, were killed Sunday evening when the outlaws opened fire on travellers on the Kaura Namoda  Moriki -Shinkafi road.

A former sole administrator of Shinkafi local government was also caught in the shooting but escaped with minor injuries, a source told this reporter via phone.

Mohammed Usman, a resident of the area, said he attended the burial of Mrs Jengeru at Shinkafi towns main cemetery.

Three people were killed, the other person was in a commercial vehicle while the works director was in his own vehicle when the bandits started shooting at moving vehicles, Mr Usman said.

Angry kingpin

Mr Usman said the renewed attacks in Shinkafi, Zurmi, Kaura Namoda and other areas were in reaction to new measures taken by the governor to tackle insecurity.

Governor Bello Matawalle had ordered the closure of all weekly markets in the state as part of measures to address the worsening security situation in the state.

The governor also said the state government banned the selling of petrol in jerrycans to stop supply of fuel to bandits.

The decision followed renewed attacks by both Turji and Halilu Kachallas criminal camps.

The attacks included the abduction of students and staff of the state College of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Bakura; abduction and killing of several people in Rini and Yarkofoji communities as well the abduction of over 120 people in Goran Namaye.

Abdullahi Yusuf, a source in Zurmi town, told this newspaper that during an attack on Badarawa village Monday morning, bandits from Turjis camp said he was angry with the locals for not protesting the state governments decision.

Also, a youth leader in Shinkafi, Jamil Garba, told Premium Times on the phone that the bandits called some people in Shinkafi to inform them that they would ransack all the villages before attacking Shinkafi.

We woke up to that heart-shattering news and the only thing we can do is to resort to prayers which we have done in our mosques. But they said we should have protested to the governor when he took the decision.

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Its obvious that the decision will hurt them because their supply for fuel and food will be cut up.

Mr Usman, who corroborated Mr Garbas comment, added that he knew one of the people killed in Badarawa.

His name is Amiru Sulaiman. They killed him today after abducting several people in their farms in the outskirts of Badarawa before they entered the village.

The police command spokesperson, Mohammed Shehu, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him seeking information on the attacks.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the recent admission by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, that stealing was going on quietly in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration vindicated its position that the administration was corrupt.

The PDP stated this in a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday in Abuja while reacting to the ministers interview published by Daily Trust on Sunday.

In the interview, Mr Amaechi said the non-display of stolen public funds by political office holders was part of Mr Buharis legacies when compared to the 16-year rule of the PDP government.

The PDP was in office between 1999 and 2007 but lost power to the current APC government in 2015.

The first legacy, as a former chairman of the Governors Forum, I want Nigerians to be honest; can you openly take money in this government? I am not saying whether we are corrupt or not. Let us assume we are corrupt, can you openly take money from this government? In the past governments, what happened? You can take money in the streets, the minister said in the interview.

Corruption was so pervasive that nobody was talking about it. It was not hidden that people completely and openly displayed their wealth. Most of those who did that had nothing to do to show for it. They did not have a carpentry shop, but they were billionaires.

They did not hide it; but here, if you are stealing, it is done quietly. I am not saying it is good, it is a sin punishable. In the previous government, you could steal and you wont be caught. If you were caught, there wont be consequences. But in this government, if you steal there are consequences.

Mr Amaechi also admitted the reality of economic downturn and rampant insecurity in the country but argued that the problems predated the Buhari administration.

The PDP said the ministers comment was a confirmation of the shades of corruption peculiar to the current administration.

It accused the APC-led government of using the party as a refuge for officials fingered in corruption cases from prosecution.

The situation as presented by Amaechi shows that quiet stealing is a policy of the APC administration. This explains why the administration is heavy on propaganda and has failed to prosecute its officials and APC leaders openly indicted for corruption, but only resort to easing out such thieves with a pat on the wrist, the opposition party said.

The PDP challenged Mr Buhari to investigate and prosecute APC leaders fingered for the over N25 trillion missing across different agencies as well as missing billions of naira meant to fight insecurity in the country.

The nations main opposition party, without denying the corruption in its 16 years rule, said the ruling party had unjustifiably denigrated the country when it took over in 2015.

It said, The APC has looted our nation into two excruciating economic recessions in a space of six years, and turned our nation into the poverty capital of the world, where over 83 million citizens live in abject impoverishment and unable to afford basic necessities of life, the PDP said.

It called on Nigerians to vote out the ruling party in 2023.

Efforts to reach APC officials to comment on the allegations by the PDP were unsuccessful.

Read full statement:

Amaechis APC Looting Confession Vindicates PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the confession by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, that stealing is going on quietly under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC), vindicates its stand that the APC is a haven of thieves and treasury looters.

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The party asserts that the confession also further confirms that the Buhari-led APC administration has been providing official cover for corrupt officials, who have turned government agencies to cash cows and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for themselves, their cronies, family members and mistresses.

The situation as presented by Amaechi shows that quiet stealing is a policy of the APC administration. This explains why the administration is heavy on propaganda and has failed to prosecute its officials and APC leaders openly indicted for corruption, but only resort to easing out such thieves with a pat on the wrist.

The confession by Amaechi exposes why the APC administration has failed to recover the over N25 trillion naira reportedly stolen by APC leaders in various government agencies.

Nigerians now have a clearer picture on how the N9.3 trillion as detailed in the reported NNPC memo was stolen, how over N2 trillion was allegedly siphoned under fraudulent subsidy regime as well as how the N1.1 worth of crude oil was reportedly stolen using 18 unregistered vessels.

This is in addition to the revelation by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Babagana Monguno, that billions of naira meant for security under the APC could not be traced.

Nigerians now know how billions of naira reportedly stolen from various agencies including the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in which a very top APC government official was indicted, as well as the N500 billion Social Investment Programme fund, as revealed by First Lady, Aisha Buhari, were siphoned.

Amaechis confession has also shed more light on the circumstance behind the alleged stealing of N165 billion in the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) under his ministerial purview, the N1.5 trillion and $9.5 million reportedly stolen from Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the $65 million (N31 billion) frittered from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) as well as the N90 billion looted from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), among others.

This is in addition to the alleged secret looting of huge part of foreign loans and repatriated funds placed at the disposal of the APC and its administration.

The APC has looted our nation into two excruciating economic recessions in a space of six years, and turned our nation into the poverty capital of the world, where over 83 million citizens live in abject impoverishment and unable to afford basic necessities of life.

The PDP charges Nigerians to hold the APC and its leaders responsible for all the woes that have befallen the nation in the last six years and ensure that the fizzling APC is not allowed anywhere near the governance of our nation, come 2023.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary
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Terrorists suspected to be members of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram have attacked a military unit and other locations in Rann town, Kala-Balge Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to PR Nigeria, an online newspaper with close ties with security agencies, the terrorists who came in large numbers gained access into the main town while shooting sporadically.

The report also stated that residents, mostly civilians escaped into the bush while humanitarian workers were seen moving towards the Cameroon border.

The latest attack on Rann comes on the heels of massive surrendering by some of the terrorists.

The Borno State Government recently confirmed that at least 3,000 ex-terrorists who were members of the groups had surrendered to the Nigerian military.

Governor Babagana Zulum said apart from the 3,000 terrorists currently in the custody of government, another 900 confirmed members of Boko Haram had surrendered to the Cameroonian forces.

Meanwhile, community leaders have agreed to the return of repentant Boko Haram terrorists into their communities.

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They, however, gave conditions that must be met before the remorseful terrorists would be accepted into various communities.

Previous attacks

Rann has been in the eye of the storm for several years due to several attacks by members of the terrorist groups.

The town has seen at least three major attacks in the last three years which has led to the death of hundreds of residents and displacement of others.

It was also in the town that a military fighter jet in 2017 mistakenly dropped bombs on innocent people in an IDP camp, killing nearly 200 persons.

It was in Rann that three female health workers working for UN agencies were abducted last year. Two of the abductees were later killed by the Boko Haram.
The senator representing Kaduna central district, Uba Sani, has called on aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State to sheath their swords and work for the party in Saturdays local government council polls.

The senator was speaking at a stakeholders meeting on Monday in Kaduna, in preparation for the elections.

The Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) is conducting the elections in the 23 local government areas of the state.

Let us forgive each other and work together as a family. All hands must be on deck to deliver all elective positions at the respective local governments.

It behooves on every one of us to take responsibility and work towards actualising the same objective, Mr Sani said.

Also, Yusuf Zailani, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, stressed the need for unity in the party, saying that this was key to victory.

Mr Zailani advised party members to desist from blame game and pointing accusing fingers at each other.

Let us be patient, to err is human; God gives power to whomever he wishes.

The speaker advised the party officials to lead by example and abide by the tenets of the party in order to give everyone a sense of belonging.

Officials should work together and when this is done, victory is imminent, he added.

The state electoral body had postponed the elections twice, citing insecurity and preparedness.

Nasir Mohammed, an ad-hoc staffer of the agency, told PREMIUM TIMES that they are currently undergoing training for the polls.

We are currently undergoing training in Kaduna in preparation for the Saturday elections. It has been going on very well, he said.

Electronic Voting Machine

For the second time, the electoral body will be conducting the elections with electronic voting machine, which it said is the first of its kind in Nigeria and second in Africa.

The agency first used the machine in 2018.

The Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) was not used in the 2018 electronic election but the EVM software has now been upgraded to use PVCs.

KADSIECOM boss, Saratu Dikko-Audu, said presiding officers at each polling unit will help voters use their PVCs to open the platform who would then select the logos of the parties of their candidates of choice.

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She also said accreditation will be done manually, using the voter register.
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The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports that a military helicopter fired at a cargo boat conveying people and foodstuff from Port Harcourt to Bonny.

Media reports on Friday claimed that a military chopper opened fire on a cargo boat conveying foodstuff from Port Harcourt to Bonny.

The Defence spokesperson, Benjamin Sawyerr, on Monday, dismissed the report as false.

Mr Sawyerr, a major-general, said in a statement that the Air Component of the joint task force, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), received reports from ground troops who were on clearance operations but encountered resistance at the point of encounter.

According to him, on receiving the report, a combat helicopter was dispatched to provide close air support mission along the Cawthorne Channel.

He said that the helicopter encountered an illegal oil bunkering boat popularly called Cotonou Boat.

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The boat which was being escorted by two speedboats was suspected to be carrying illegally refined oil products in large drums along the Channel in the direction of OPDS patrol boats.

On sighting the boat, warning shots were fired to dissuade the crew from hostile action. The crew fired back at the helicopter and the boat was engaged accordingly.

The two speedboats detached from the convoy at high speed leaving the Cotonou Boat which was neutralised.

The helicopter later went after the two speedboats but was unable to track it, while the suspects are still at large and a manhunt has been sent out to apprehend them, he said.

Mr Sawyerr said the Nigerian military remains professional and operates in line with best practices through the application of rule of engagement and code of conduct.

He added that the military was also positioned to protect the populace rather than victimise them.

The Defence spokesperson said efforts by anyone to protect criminality by disparaging the actions of the military in preventing economic sabotage and other sundry crimes need to be condemned by all.

He urged the public to disregard the report and continue to provide accurate information to troops that would help the military safeguard lives, properties as well as government assets in the South-south region.

(NAN)
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Civil servants in the Edo Ministry of Health have been given a seven-day ultimatum to get vaccinated against COVID-19 pandemic.

The ultimatum was contained in a memo dated August 30, with reference number HA.429/1/16, issued by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Frederick Irabor.

The memo, obtained by NAN on Monday in Benin, stated that any staff member who failed to get vaccinated within the period would not be allowed into office.

I am directed to refer to the above subject and to notify all staff (members) of the Ministry of Health to get vaccinated against the deadly COVID-19 within the week.

I am further directed to inform all that from Sept. 6, any staff (member) who has not taken the COVID-19 vaccine will not be allowed into the office premises, the memo stated.

Governor Godwin Obaseki had said that from September 15, anyone who had yet to take the vaccine would not be allowed into public places, such as banks and worship centres.

COVID-19 related deaths have risen to 11 in Edo, while 92 new infections were confirmed on Monday.

The state COVID-19 Incident Manager, Andrew Obi, who disclosed this in Benin, said all deaths recorded in the third wave of the virus were of unvaccinated persons.

(NAN)
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The police and community vigilance group have arrested two men at Ozalla-Awada in Anambra State over assault on some field officers of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) who were on their legitimate duties.

The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, said in a statement on Monday that the suspects were arrested on August 27.

He said the officials were monitoring disconnected customers in parts of Ogidi community near Onitsha in Anambra on August 25 when they discovered an illegal connection at 13, Onyekwere Street, Ozalla-Awada, a 12-flat building with prepaid meters.

The EEDC spokesperson said that it was also discovered that the tenants in the building tampered with their prepaid meters, which led to disconnection of the house by the EEDC surveillance team some months ago.

He said the occupants, instead of visiting EEDC office to resolve the issue, resorted to illegally reconnecting themselves and were enjoying electricity supply before the monitoring team discovered the illegal connection and disconnected them accordingly.

According to him, the team had left the building to another location when some tenants from the disconnected building accosted and attacked four of them.

He said: This attack left one of the four EEDC field officers, Mr Ugochukwu Chukwunyerem, with severe cuts on his head. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

In the process, two mobile phones belonging to the EEDC officials went missing, while one was damaged. The vehicle used by the team was not spared, as the carrier, door and front bumper were also destroyed.

He said it was baffling that a customer would engage in meter bypass, illegal connection, or any form of energy theft, and when apprehended would resist disconnection, usually the first step in investigating such a case.

The EEDC spokesperson said it was even more worrisome to go as far as inflicting bodily injuries on people carrying out their legitimate duties.

He said: The management of EEDC frowns at these actions and will not hesitate in ensuring that the law takes its course.

We value our staff and are concerned about their safety, especially when they are carrying out their lawful duties, and we are ever ready to protect them and prosecute anyone or group that assaults them.

He said the culprits had been handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution, while the management of EEDC would follow through the matter and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.

(NAN)
Enugu State Government said it has opened additional COVID-19 vaccination centres in major markets, malls and public places in the state.

This is in addition to the more than 100 conventional vaccination centres previously opened in the state.

George Ugwu, the executive secretary, Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA) told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Saturday that the move was to make COVID-19 vaccination centres more accessible for residents.

Mr Ugwu said that having more vaccination centres would help the state to achieve its target of getting every eligible resident vaccinated against the pandemic.

According to him, centres have been opened in major markets like Ogbette Market and Kenyatta Market in Enugu, Shoprite and SPAR malls, as well as other designated public places, notwithstanding the 100 vaccination centres already available.

Another thing we will do differently this time, which came as a result of challenges in the first phase, is that of increased advocacy and public sensitisation.

We have planned to officially communicate and use various grassroots leaders, traditional, religious and opinion leaders to press home the message of the need for the vaccination, its safety and efficacy.

We are desirous to go to the hinterland and check all falsehoods and unfounded information militating against the people to freely get vaccinated, especially in the rural areas.

Our teams will be visiting worship centres, community meetings and other public gatherings to sensitise our people on the need to receive their COVID-19 vaccination for the protection of all, he said.

The executive secretary said the agency had created special mobile vaccination teams that would cover groups that needed to be vaccinated.

We are ready to make the sacrifice and send our special mobile vaccination teams to groups such as military and Para-military organisations among others to ensure reach and accessibility for them, he said.

Mr Ugwu lauded the state government for being supportive in all programmes on COVID-19 vaccination, especially in the installation and maintenance of cold chain equipment, accessories and logistics to ensure 24-hour power supply.

He called on all eligible citizens and residents of Enugu State (18 years and above) to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, secure and meant to protect everyone, he stressed.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi flagged off COVID-19 second batch vaccination at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, on August 26.

The state has received 5,012 doses of Modena vaccine and additional 13,416 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. It is expecting an additional 60,000 doses of Modena vaccine.

A total of 1,200 health workers have been specially trained to vaccinate people in the second phase of the exercise.

NAN recalled that Enugu State had already exhausted the 65,410 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines supplied by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency in March, 2021.

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(NAN)
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The police in Ogun State have shot dead two members of a suspected kidnap syndicate in the Itori area of Ewekoro local government, on Sunday.

In a statement on Monday, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the police spokesperson, said the suspected kidnappers were killed when they engaged the police in a gun battle.

Mr Oyeyemi said the battle lasted 40 minutes, with two suspected kidnappers killed, while others escaped with various degrees of injuries.

In the pictures circulated by Mr Oyeyemi, one of the deceased suspects had a black face mask on, to cover his identity.

The two suspects met their waterloo when policemen in Ewekoro divisional headquarters received an information at about 7:30 am, that some armed hoodlums with face mask were sighted hibernating in a bush at the back of ICT polytechnic Itori.

Coupled with the fact that many suspected kidnappers have been traced to the same forest before, the anti-robbery team of Ewekoro division was quickly dispatched to fish out the hoodlums.

On sighting the policemen, the gang opened fire on them and the policemen engaged them in gun battle, which lasted for about 40 minutes. At the end of the encounter, two members of the syndicate were gunned down while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries, the statement reads.

The police said items recovered from the suspects include one locally fabricated shotgun, two live cartridges, two battle axes, empty shells of AK 47 riffle ammunition, three android phones, two small phones, eight pairs of slippers and two school bags.

The police in the state, on August 21, also engaged in gun battle with suspected bandits at the Onigaari area, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and killed two of them, PREMIUM TIMES reported.

The commissioner of police in the state, Edward Awolowo, while commending the officers, warned criminals to stop testing the willpower of the command under his watch, because doing so will continue to spell doom for them.

Mr Awolowo directed a manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang, while reiterating that the command will roll out all in its arsenal to wage war against crime and criminality to make the state free of violent crime.
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Residents of Graceland Estate, Obaile, on the outskirt of Akure, on Monday protested high electricity bills by the office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Akure.

The protesters, who occupied the BEDC office as early as 8:30 a.m., locked the entrance gate to the company, which prevented the workers from gaining access to their offices.

It later took intervention of soldiers on duty at the BEDC office before some staff got into their offices.

The protesters carried various placards, some of which read: We say no to crazy (high) bills, Give us pre-paid meters, BEDC is cheating us, we are ready to pay for what we consume, among others.

The Chairman of the Graceland Estate, Popoola Martins, told journalists that most of the protesters paid for pre-paid meters, which were yet to be supplied the electricity firm.

Mr Popoola accused the BEDC of only interested in collecting electricity bills without maintaining facilities in the estate.

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According to him, the protesters want the BEDC to stop every illegality.

We are responsible for buying poles, cables, conductors and even transformer. The firms only input is to collect money.

BEDC gives between N70, 000 to N110,000 electricity bill per house every month. That is outrageous.

The transformer we procured is yet to be installed. We are here for the world to call the BEDC to order, he said.

The spokesman for the BEDC, Akure Branch, Micheal Barnabas, explained that the protesters were yet to get pre-paid meters because the pre-paid meters were given in phases.

Mr Barnabas said the protesters were on B and E schedules of the firm, adding that the protesters would get pre-paid meters after consumers on A to C got their meters.

He said that consumers without meters were usually billed based on what they consumed from the feeder and tariff band they were linked with.

(NAN)
The Osun State government on Sunday received about 15 students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State, who are indigenes of the state.

The students, whose return home was facilitated by the state government, were part of the many students from various other states of the federation who were evacuated by their state governments from the institution following the recent rising spate of violence in Jos and the killings of some of their schoolmates by alleged irate youths.

At a brief reception in their honour at the government house in Osogbo on Sunday, the governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola, commended the students for their perseverance and pleaded with them to remain focused.

Mr Oyetola, who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Wole Oyebamiji, said education remains one of the outstanding values of the state and that his administration is committed to sustaining this for a better future.

He added that the evacuation was proof of the governments commitment to the welfare of any student of the states origin wherever they may be studying globally.

The governor said: When we heard the news on Monday, we directed immediate evacuation of the students by the appropriate offices in charge of education and students affairs.

We were still in contact with the UNIJOS vice-chancellor who kept assuring us of our students security until suddenly on Friday, when we received a report that there was still danger, so we had to take proactive action to evacuate you all.

Appreciation

The senior special assistant to the governor on students affairs and social mobilisation, Kehinde Ayantuji, thanked the governor on behalf of the students, saying within 48, all arrangements were concluded and the students were successfully brought back to the state.

The governor had contemplated arranging a flight for you but the process of evacuation was tedious due the 24 hours curfew in Jos,so accessing the airport was difficult. So we had to resort to road transport with the support of the Plateau State police command,Ayantunji said.

Meanwhile, the coordinator of the Osun State students in the institution, Oluwasanmi Sinmiloluwa, also commended the government for the intervention.

Background

Plateau State, North-central Nigeria, for the umpteenth time, was in the news for the wrong reasons recently following the killing of about 22 Muslim travellers in Jos by some yet-to-identified assailants.

The attack, which took place on August 14, also left about 14 others injured.

The development led to a declaration of curfew in the affected areas by the state governor, Simon Lalong.

However, despite the dusk to dawn curfew imposed, violence continued especially with the killings of some students of the University of Jos.

The university management, therefore, announced the suspension of academic activities and advised students to vacate the hostels and return to their various homes pending when normalcy would return to the area.

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Plattsburgh, NY (12901)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 68F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 54F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Plattsburgh, NY (12901)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 68F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 55F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
AVON, Ohio, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Rainforest Car Wash is set to host their third annual Haunted Car Wash at their newest location in Avon, Ohio. This year, the Haunted Tunnel will be an exclusive event available to Unlimited Members or by presale ticket for single wash customers.

Rainforest first became a national sensation for their Haunted Car Wash in 2019, with over 40 million views on social media platforms including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, landing themselves on national news platforms such as CNN, Good Morning America, and ABC News. Since 2019, their now famous annual spooky event has become wildly popular, with wait times exceeding over four hours in some cases. This year, Rainforest will have a mandatory check-in area for attendees at the Christian Heritage Assembly of God next door to the wash.

"We have had so much demand for this event. It's been a real blessing. This year we are going to make traffic more manageable for ourselves and the city by making the event pre-sale only," said Anthony Bencivenni, Rainforest Car Wash's District Manager.

This year, Rainforest boasts that their Haunted Car Wash will be better than ever before.

"We will have more scares, more decorations, more lights, and an even better show. We encourage people to reserve their tickets early. We will sell out quickly," said Bencivenni.

All participants will receive a trick-or-treat bag packed with goodies, a clean car, and an experience they will never forget. Dates for this exclusive event are as follows; October 15th, 16th, 17th and 22nd, 23rd, 24th; 6pm  10pm.

Rainforest Car Wash is an experiential rainforest-themed car wash that serves Ohio with four convenient wash locations in the greater Cleveland area: Cleveland Heights, Brunswick, Medina, and Avon, with two more locations coming within the next year. The wash is committed to helping community members achieve a better clean, enjoy an escape from the day-to-day, and experience an unforgettable family-friendly jungle adventure.

Tickets for this exclusive Haunted Car wash event will go on sale in mid-September. You can keep an eye out for ticket availability and event announcements at rfwash.com or on Rainforest Car Wash's Facebook page.

SOURCE Rainforest Car Wash

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https://rfwash.com


The central conference on ethnic affairs, held in Beijing on Friday and Saturday, was the fifth conference of its kind since China's reform and opening-up, following those in 1992, 1999, 2005 and 2014.

Consolidating sense of community for the Chinese nation in new era

Summarizing past experience, Xi said the CPC's work on ethnic affairs should serve the goal of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and efforts should be made to enhance ethnic unity and promote common prosperity among all ethnic groups. He also underscored the importance of safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests, calling for efforts to strengthen patriotism among all ethnic groups.

Consolidating the sense of community for the Chinese nation is necessary for protecting the fundamental interests of all ethnic groups, realizing national rejuvenation, and developing socialist ethnic relations characterized by equality, unity, mutual assistance and harmony, he said at Saturday's meeting.

The sense of community for the Chinese nation is not a new notion. It was put forward by Xi at the second central work conference on Xinjiang in May 2014. He once again highlighted the importance of laying a solid foundation for the sense of community for the Chinese nation at the central conference on ethnic affairs held in September 2014. The idea was enshrined in the Party's Constitution at the 19th CPC National Congress in October 2017.

Xi called for innovation and development in CPC's work on ethnic affairs so as to better protect the legitimate rights and interests of all ethnic groups. An important principle is to enhance commonalities while respecting and tolerating differences, he said on Saturday.

All ethnic groups should prioritize the interests of the Chinese nation, and the sense of each ethnic group should be subordinated to and serve the sense of community for the Chinese nation, he stressed. In the meanwhile, the specific interests of each ethnic group should be well addressed in the process of realizing the interests of the Chinese nation as a whole, he added.

Xi called for efforts to accelerate socialist modernization among all ethnic groups. Differentiated policies should be made to support the reform and opening-up in ethnic minority regions, he said. The sense of gain, happiness and security should be enhanced for people of all ethnic groups, he stressed.

Exchanges and integration among ethnic groups should be encouraged, he said. Measures should be taken to create an environment where people of different ethnic groups can embed themselves spatially, economically, socially and psychologically, he said.

Xi stressed the importance of preventing major risks related to ethnic affairs. Ideological issues that involve ethnic elements should be handled actively and properly, he said, adding that continuous efforts are needed to eradicate separatist and extremist ideas. He also called for strengthening international cooperation in fighting terrorism.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-08-28/Xi-stresses-high-quality-development-of-Party-s-work-on-ethnic-affairs-1364xXfhBK0/index.html

SOURCE CGTN

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www.cgtn.com


Opera character painting is a unique art variety in Chinese painting. Artists record the characters and scenes of opera performance in the form of painting while observing the opera performance on the spot. By capturing the moment of opera performance, the story of Chinese opera is vividly expressed.

As an artist born and raised in Shanghai, Zhu studied painting from an early age under Meng Guang, a famous Chinese painter and art educator. During his many years of artistic career, he has been pursuing the integration of Chinese opera and modern painting, in order to express the traditional Chinese culture contained in Chinese opera. In his works, historical stories such as Lady Zhaojun Departs the Frontier, Drunken Consort, Farewell My Concubine are often the main characters of paintings.

In terms of painting skills, Professor Zhu Gang's works, through the comprehensive use of the characteristics of Chinese painting techniques such as plain drawing and freehand brushwork, have formed a style of opera painting with strong personal characteristics, that is, the perfect combination of smooth brush and ink, simple and clean pictures, and elegant ink and color. In terms of the philosophical spirit of painting, Professor Zhu Gang often uses white space in his works to express the emotions outside the picture most vividly.

In addition to skills, Professor Zhu Gang emphasizes "heart". He said, "Chinese opera painting has a history of hundreds of years, which requires an artist to paint by heart to keep the lasting charm of his works, " His creation for decades is the best annotation of his ingenuity.

SOURCE Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts
BANGALORE, India, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Comic Book Market is Segmented by Type (Physical Comic Book, Digital Comic Book), by (Application Retail Store, Book Store, Online Sales): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2027. This report is published on Valuates Reports under the Comics Category.

In 2020, the global Comic Book market size was USD 3865.7 Million and it is expected to reach USD 4840.8 Million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 3.3% during 2021-2027.

Major factors driving the growth of the comic books market are:

The ubiquity of comics in today's media is rekindling interest in the comics collectors' market, with certain titles fetching astronomical prices. This scenario is in turn is expected to drive the growth of the comic book market, during the forecast period.

The growing popularity of comic-based films, television series, and videogames has helped to raise awareness of comic book characters beyond the 300,000 or so customers who visit their local comic shop. This in turn is expected to drive the growth of the comic book market.

The comic books market is mostly driven by people's leisure reading and growing interest in graphic novels. They are available in a wide range of genres, including action, drama, science, history, spirituality, and more. Content creators can increase the duration of customer attention to storytelling copy by using enticing photos and artwork drawings.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-2O3155/global-comic-book

TRENDS DRIVING THE GROWTH OF COMIC BOOK MARKET

The comic book market is predicted to rise due to rising customer demand. They are available in a wide range of genres, including action, drama, science, history, spirituality, and more. Content creators can increase the duration of customer attention to storytelling copy by using enticing photos and artwork drawings.

To expand the comic book market, more people must be interested in them. The increasing popularity of comic-based films, and television shows has contributed to increasing public knowledge of comic book characters. It may also increase the number of people willing to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for a copy, particularly since that particular comic is famously difficult to find in good condition.

Additionally, comics are regularly used by video game companies to promote awareness and engage users with their most recent video game releases. As a result, the expanding video game industry is fueling the comic book industry.

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COMIC BOOK MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Based on type, Physical Comic Book is expected to hold the largest comic book market share of about 89.90 % in 2019. This is because comic books are considered to be collectibles and physical comic books are the most sought after by comic book readers.

Based on the application, the Bookstore is expected to hold the largest comic book market share of about 49.01% in 2019.

The comic book market is moderately fragmented, with established studios and brands holding the majority of the market share.

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COMIC BOOK MARKET SEGMENTATION

Comic Book Market Segmentation by Type

Physical Comic Book

Digital Comic Book.

Comic Book Market Segment by Application

Retail Store

Bookstore

Online Sales.

Top Companies in the Comic Book Market

Image Comics

IDW Publishing

Boom! Studios

Shueisha

Shogakukan

Kodansha

Kadokawa Future Publishing

Akita Shoten

Futabasha

BAMBOO

Casterman

Cinebook.

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SIMILAR REPORTS

- The Comic Magazine Market is segmented by Type Weekly Magazine, Semimonthly Magazine, Monthly Magazine, Quarterly Magazine, by Application, Online Sales, Offline Sales and by various regions.

- The Online Comic Reading Platform Market is segmented by Type, Comprehensive Comic, Romantic Comic, Sci-fi Comic, Kid Comic, Action Comic, History Comic, Military Comic, by Application, Personal User, Personal User, Educational User, Enterprise User and by various regions.

- The Comic Books Reading Apps Market is segmented by Type Android Systems, IOS Systems, by Application Commercial Users, Private Uses and by various regions.

- The Webcomic Platform Market is segmented by Type, Original Comic Platform, Reprint Comic Platform, by Application, Child, Adult and by various regions.

Click here to see related report on Comic book market

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"Frost & Sullivan Institute operates with the guiding principles of generosity of spirit, inclusion for all and the alignment of stakeholders. The Companies recognized by this Award embodies these principles and demonstrate an inspirational approach to achieving growth excellence," said David Frigstad, Executive Director, Frost & Sullivan Institute.

Frost & Sullivan Institute follows its proprietary, measurement-based methodology, combined with extensive research, in-depth analyses, and benchmarking, to shortlist deserving companies. Our Global think tank does a detailed review of all perspectives on where and how companies can improve our global economy and improve the future of the planet. With performance indicators such as growth excellence, innovation to zero on key global priorities, customer value chain, and technology innovation forming the backbone of the selection process, the winners represent the best of the best.

Frost & Sullivan Institute congratulates all recipients of the Enlightened Growth Leadership Best Practices Recognition.

Recipients:

Endesa Energia, Endesa S.A

Evonik Industries AG

FIAT Automobiles S.p.A.

Leonardo S.p.A.

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

GN Store Nord A/S

Grifols, S.A.

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A

Landis+Gyr

L'Oreal S.A.

MICHELIN

Nestle S.A.

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

OSRAM GmbH

Robert Bosch GmbH

Saudi Arabian Oil Co.

Royal Dutch Shell plc

AB SKF

Smiths Group plc

Telefonica S.A.

Tetra Laval International S.A.

About Frost & Sullivan Institute

The Frost & Sullivan Institute (FSI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to utilizing business practices to address global priorities. The genesis of the institute goes back to the vision of either creating, or becoming part of, a solution that addresses threats to humanity. The Institute has identified strategic imperatives for transformation and believes that we can truly accelerate innovation to zero. To learn more about FSI, visit www.frostandsullivaninstitute.org

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Media Contact:

Prerna Mohan

Email: [email protected]

Related Links

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www.frostandsullivaninstitute.org

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
High-resolution, 3D data is essential in guiding conservation research

Intermap continues to innovate, building on its 102-year legacy of delivering rapid, actionable intelligence from the sensor to the operator

DENVER, Aug. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP) (OTCQX: ITMSF) ("Intermap" or the "Company"), a global leader in geospatial content development and intelligence solutions, today announced a new collaboration with The Snow Leopard Trust to provide high-resolution elevation models to scientists who are researching snow leopard behavior to aid the conservation of the species.

The Snow Leopard Trust started the first long-term study of snow leopards in the Tost Mountains in Southern Mongolia in 2008. The snow leopard is a top predator with a habitat range of over two million km2, but scientists estimate there may be only 3,900  6,400 snow leopards left in the wild. Researchers seek to learn more about snow leopard ecology, such as how the snow leopards use the mountainous terrain, to guide the conservation of the species. Intermap is an acknowledged expert at modeling complex, dynamic mountainous terrain in austere environments. Intermap is supporting this exciting project by providing 3D digital elevation models (DEMs) in Southern Mongolia.

The Snow Leopard Trust is currently exploring whether snow leopards stay longer at kill sites in rugged terrain, which offer better escape routes and hiding places. Intermap's NEXTMap high-resolution, 3D digital elevation model and all-domain routing analysis will be used to conduct studies along with the GPS tracking data from snow leopard collars to follow their movement and determine if terrain ruggedness affects the amount of time they spend at kill sites. The Snow Leopard Trust began their study using a 30-meter resolution DEM. The initial results were unclear because cliffs, hills and other terrain features are not well represented in a coarse DEM. Intermap's high-resolution, 3D elevation datasets are readily available to be integrated into studies like this or other all-domain command and control analysis for any location in the world. The Snow Leopard Trust was able to access Intermap's high-resolution DEM for the study area and start scenario modeling along with data collected in the field in a quick and efficient manner.

Using Intermap's DEM, the preliminary results suggest that terrain did affect snow leopard behavior around kill sites where there was adequate conceal and cover. Researchers found that snow leopards stayed longer at kill sites of their largest prey when the kills were made in rugged terrain. They also found that snow leopards stayed longer at the kill sites of wild prey, compared with domestic prey, when the prey were larger in size. Located just miles from the Chinese border, the Tost Mountain region covers Mongolia's two largest, strictly protected areas. These results suggest that potential risk from humans changed how snow leopards behave at their kill sites in the Tost Mountain region. This study will help The Snow Leopard Trust gain more insight into the patterns of snow leopards and develop ways to help conserve the species.

Read more about the study here.

Research continues Intermap's 102-year history of innovation and rapid delivery of information from sensors to decision makers

The snow leopard research is the latest in Intermap's 102-year history of innovation. The Company has powered a diverse array of projects, ranging from aerial photography and national mapping programs to data collection with proprietary sensors, creating customer-specific analytics in insurance, aviation, telecom and rail markets and now conservation efforts in Mongolia. Intermap's roots date back to 1919, when its predecessor, Pennsylvania Aero Service Corporation (Aero Service), was founded. Aero Service is the oldest flying corporation in the world and used aircrafts to collect aerial photos of Philadelphia with a camera attached to the plane's cockpit cowling. Aero Service participated in several major projects, including aerial surveying work for the U.S. Geological Survey and for the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. After a series of strategic acquisitions from 1961 to 1997, Intermap became a listed company and continued to acquire and develop cutting-edge remote sensing capabilities. Intermap commercializes its technology and 3D data library, creating leading products and solutions that offer non-expert users the ability to subscribe to geospatial solutions.

"We are pleased to support the Snow Leopard Trust's conservation efforts in Mongolia," said Patrick A. Blott, Intermap Chairman and CEO. "Intermap's high-resolution terrain data is a rapid, efficient and accessible solution for the researchers to analyze the mountainous terrain in the snow leopard habitat and learn more about their behavior. We are building on our history by innovating and developing the future of geospatial intelligence with next-generation technology and capabilities. Our vertically integrated software and solutions simplify large-scale geospatial data challenges and allow non-expert users to get answers quickly and efficiently down range at the edge, anywhere and in any environment. We are continuing to build partnerships with key industry players to serve government and commercial clients around the world."

Learn more about Intermap's history here.

Intermap Reader Advisory

Certain information provided in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate", "expect", "project", "estimate", "forecast", "will be", "will consider", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap's forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap's Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

About Intermap Technologies

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP;OTCQX: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions. The Company's proprietary 3D NEXTMap elevation datasets and value-added geospatial collection, processing, analytics, fusion and orthorectification software and solutions are utilized across a range of industries that rely on accurate, high-resolution elevation data. Intermap helps governments build authoritative geospatial datasets and provides solutions for base mapping, transportation, environmental monitoring, topographic mapping, disaster mitigation, smart city integration, public safety and defense. The Company's commercial applications include aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. For more information, please visit www.intermap.com.

SOURCE Intermap Technologies Corporation

Related Links

https://www.intermap.com/


According to Transforma Insights, by 2025, 358 million Massive IoT devices will exist in the U.S. and over 2 billion devices globally. This trend is one of several that is fueling the expanded relationship between the two companies.

"Our relationship with Everynet is battle-tested in Brazil where we started our partnership some three years ago, and we are bringing those learnings into the U.S. as LoRa begins to mature in this country," said KORE President and CEO Romil Bahl. "While most people think of KORE as the global, independent leader in cellular IoT CaaS, the reality is we also integrate satellite bearers and provide services related to unlicensed cellular technologies like LoRa."

Leveraging the KORE and Everynet partnership, for example, water utilities can operate, maintain, and monetize a water distribution system efficiently. Water metering is a Massive IoT use case that requires a variety of connectivity needs on the network, not just big bandwidth provided by cellular connectivity, which makes LoRaWAN a well-suited connectivity technology.

KORE customers will have the opportunity to take advantage of the new LoRaWAN network Everynet is currently building in the U.S. This coincides well with the impending 2G and 3G sunsets, as IoT customers create migration plans that leverage lower-complexity connectivity for simpler IoT use cases. LoRaWAN provides customers with IoT connectivity options that ensure the transition from 2G and 3G is seamless. LoRaWAN is also gaining ground because of its network longevity, broad coverage characteristics, and the ability to lower the overall total cost of ownership of networks.

Everynet expects its LoRaWAN network to be operational in 36 cities and 100 logistics points by the end of November 2021. Already, the company systems have been fully integrated into the KORE platforms for the U.S. market to enable customers to simplify their Massive IoT deployments.

KORE and Everynet have a proven track record of success working together to reduce the complexity most organizations face when rolling out IoT initiatives. Since 2018, the two companies have been partnering in Brazil to deploy multiple solutions, leveraging the LoRaWAN network and the KORE platform for message brokerage and device management developed at its innovation hub, KORE Labs. The companies have implemented gas metering, water metering, and asset monitoring solutions throughout Brazil for industrial companies, municipalities, and manufacturers.

"We're delighted to bring this compelling offering to the U.S. market with KORE, by building on our successes and learnings abroad," said Lawrence Latham, Chief Executive Officer of Everynet. "Important advantages organizations will experience with a national LoRaWAN network are secure ultra-low cost connections, long-battery life, and a simple means to connect billions of devices to the cloud. We are looking forward to working with KORE Wireless to help businesses gain operational efficiencies, enable innovation, and create new business models."

About KORE

KORE is a pioneer, leader, and trusted advisor delivering mission critical IoT solutions and services. We empower organizations of all sizes to improve operational and business results by simplifying the complexity of IoT. Our deep IoT knowledge and experience, global reach, purpose-built solutions, and deployment agility accelerate and materially impact our customers' business outcomes. For more information, visit www.korewireless.com.

About Everynet

Everynet is a global LoRaWAN network operator and provides carrier grade networks in Asia, EMEA, and the Americas. Everynet's Neutral Host network model enables Mobile Network Operators, MVNO's, and Global MSP's to offer ultra-low cost IoT immediately and profitably with ZERO upfront CAPEX. Everynet makes IoT accessible across any industry to enable enterprise-grade solutions and is deployed using LoRaWAN technology, the globally-adopted open standard for IoT connectivity. For more information, visit www.everynet.com.

LoRa is a registered trademark or service mark of Semtech Corporation or its affiliates.

KORE Investor and Media Contact:

Jean Creech Avent

KORE

Vice President, Investor Relations and Public Relations

Phone: +1 843-986-8229

Email: [email protected]

Investors:

[email protected]

Everynet Media Contact

Allison DeLeo

Racepoint Global for Everynet

(415) 694-6700

[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "plan," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "future," "outlook," and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity and expectations. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of CTAC or KORE's management. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by any investor or other person as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of CTAC and/or KORE. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including general economic, financial, legal, political, and business conditions and changes in domestic and foreign markets; the potential effects of COVID-19; risks related to the rollout of KORE's business and the timing of expected business milestones; changes in the assumptions underlying KORE's expectations regarding its future business; the effects of competition on KORE's future business; and the outcome of judicial proceedings to which KORE is, or may become a party. If the risks materialize or assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that KORE presently does not know or that KORE currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect KORE's expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. KORE and CTAC anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause these assessments to change. However, while KORE and/or CTAC may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, each of KORE and CTAC specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing KORE's assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE KORE Wireless

Related Links

www.korewireless.com


SOLNA, Sweden, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As previously disclosed, in 2018 a competitor filed a lawsuit against Loomis AB's Danish subsidiaries, relating to alleged competition law infringements in the Danish market. A Danish court has today issued an appealable decision against Loomis. The decision relates to practices applied and agreements entered into between 2014 and 2016.

Loomis will appeal today's decision since Loomis is of the firm opinion that Loomis has acted in compliance with relevant laws.

The court has in its decision not considered the question of damages (the competitor's total claim is DKK 228 million plus interest), as this is only expected to be addressed in a separate process after the appeal process has been finalized.

This press release is also available on the company's website, www.loomis.com.

30 August 2021

CONTACT:

Patrik Andersson

President and CEO

Mobile: +46 76 111 34 00

Email: [email protected]

Kristian Ackeby

CFO

Mobile: +46 70 569 69 98

Email: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/loomis-ab/r/loomis-will-appeal-court-decision-in-denmark,c3406305

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/51/3406305/1461513.pdf Loomis will appeal court decision in Denmark

SOURCE Loomis AB
NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- September marks "National Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month," an annual observance that raises awareness and drives critical fundraising for more than 300,000 families across the nation who are living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases.

MDA Access Survey Key Findings Jonathan Lengel shares his story in MDAs My Powerful Story series for Muscular Dystrophy Awareness month.

To amplify understanding of these diseases, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is sharing a series entitled " My Powerful Story " featuring stories from the community; producing education, advocacy and fundraising events; and releasing data from the MDA Access Survey demonstrating key findings from the community around items such as insurance coverage, finances, employment, education and additional barriers to access for people living with disabilities.

"We're proud of the extensive campaign we are launching in September to elevate awareness of people living with neuromuscular diseases. The stories we will share throughout the month will elevate the powerful narrative of our families and the survey data helps us evolve as an organization to serve our community, to advocate, educate and continue to raise awareness and funds for breakthrough research and care," said Donald S. Wood, PhD, President and CEO of MDA. "We are here to empower our families to live fulfilling lives without barriers."

MDA has paved the groundwork for the field of neuromuscular disease over seven decades and that investment has led in part to 14 new FDA approved treatments in just the past six years alone for neuromuscular diseases. Today, there are more clinical trials than ever before and more drugs in the pipeline.

"September is an important time for MDA with key milestone events and longstanding traditions that have helped to elevate our mission for decades. We are proud to build on our innovative roots through new programs  like MDA Takes Vegas on September 4," said Kristine Welker, Chief of Staff of MDA. "When we share community stories, we promote understanding and inclusion for people living with disabilities, and MDA continues to lead the way with compelling data that advances new treatments and care. The MDA Access Survey will further grow our efforts and commitment to meet the needs of our community of all ages, who today, are living longer and growing stronger."

MDA ACCESS SURVEY

More than 2,800 individuals living with neuromuscular disease, caregivers and families responded to the national MDA Access Survey providing input on areas of their lives where they were experiencing barriers to access. The survey was fielded by MDA and analyzed by Edge Research, an independent research company.

"We use this survey to gauge how our community is navigating changes in everything from medical reimbursements to education advancements. These insights further shape the initiatives we offer to our community, especially in our educational and advocacy efforts. We heard from two-thirds of our respondents who attended higher education within the last five years that they want more information about the process for funding and personal assistance, and 51% of our survey respondents reported being denied covered services under their insurance and 66% want more resources to support diversity and inclusion of the disability community at work," said Meredith Wilson, VP, Professional & Community Education. "Our team is actively engaging in evaluating all of our programs to ensure that these issues and many more are being addressed in the programs we offer over the next several years."

FUNDRAISING

Labor Day Weekend, the historic partnership with the IAFF to Fill the Boot continues in cities across the country.

continues in cities across the country. 9/4, 4pm ET-midnight , MDA Takes Vegas will be streamed live on Twitch.tv/mda_letsplay and fans are invited to view the live gameplay and donate through Crowd Control to affect the game. Follow @MDALetsPlay on Twitter to stay informed and visit mda.org/lets-play for more information. The event will stream live from the HyperX Esports Arena Streamer Studio at the Luxor Hotel and Casino, and the MDA Let's Play channel on Twitch will harness the power of gaming and streaming and host eight hours of competitions, giveaways and celebrity and surprise guest appearances. Internationally renowned gamers Alpharad and Terroriser join MDA Let's Play host Beaniez, and 2021 MDA National Spokesperson, Nyheim Hines , a fan of gaming with the MDA Let's Play community, with guests including players from the Las Vegas Aviators baseball team, former Raiders team player Anttaj 'Taj' Hawthorne , members of the International Association of Fire Fighters, Twitch creators,12-year-old MDA National Ambassador Ethan LyBrand , and more! Donations may also be made directly to MDA at mda.org/vegas.

COMMUNITY STORIES AND PSA CAMPAIGN

MDA recognizes the power of story to create connection, inspire self-advocacy and build understanding for what it's like to live with neuromuscular disease. In a unique campaign, the organization requested stories from members of the neuromuscular community and partnered with artists and the company theDifference to animate them. This series entitled " My Powerful Story " features Jonathan Lengel, Brittany Sharp, Tana Zwart and Suzanne Rood. The series will be shared on social media using the hashtag: #MyPowerfulStory

MDA's new PSA campaign features national spokesperson, Nyheim Hines , Indianapolis Colts running back, who has a personal connection to neuromuscular disease. Hines is helping to drive awareness of the need to improve care and advance research to find treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, ALS and over 43 related neuromuscular diseases. Hines' mother lives with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD), and is included in the video and audio PSAs, available for media here , through the end of 2021.

ADVOCACY

Throughout the month of September, MDA will continue advocacy initiatives from newborn screening to access to healthcare, education, accessible air travel, employment and more.

9/30, 4pm ET , MDA Advocacy Institute: Legislative Agenda

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

MDA Engage community education programming includes on-demand and live events.

MDA Access Workshops is a community education program created to provide information and resources on overcoming barriers to a variety of access topics while being specifically built for the neuromuscular disease community. These workshops are on-demand. They will allow individuals to navigate at their own pace through online activities, videos, quizzes and more. The workshops focus on increasing health literacy, empowerment, and self-advocacy within the community.

MDA Quest Podcast is a newly launched and powerful vehicle to present thoughtful conversation regarding issues and barriers facing members of the neuromuscular disease and other disability communities as well as the people who love them. Motivational speaker, author, writer and podcast host, Mindy Henderson , who lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is the host of the MDA Quest Podcast. Mindy is also the MDA Editor-in-Chief of Quest content, including a quarterly magazine, blog, newsletter, and this podcast.

Thank you to the following partners for their annual support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association:

Transformer support is provided by IAFF and CITGO Petroleum Corporation.

Visionary support is provided by Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Acosta, Dutch Bros., Albertsons Companies Foundation, and the NALC.

Leader support is provided by 7-Eleven, Burn Boot Camp, Harley-Davidson Eastern Dealers Association, Jiffy Lube and MDA Ride for Life.

About the Muscular Dystrophy Association

For more than 70 years, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has been committed to transforming the lives of people living with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. We do this through innovations in science and innovations in care . As the largest source of funding for neuromuscular disease research outside of the federal government, MDA has committed more than $1 billion since our inception to accelerate the discovery of therapies and cures. Research we have supported is directly linked to life-changing therapies across multiple neuromuscular diseases. MDA's MOVR is the first and only data hub that aggregates clinical, genetic, and patient-reported data for multiple neuromuscular diseases to improve health outcomes and accelerate drug development. MDA supports the largest network of multidisciplinary clinics providing best-in-class care at more than 150 of the nation's top medical institutions. Our Resource Center serves the community with one-on-one specialized support, and we offer educational conferences, events, and materials for families and healthcare providers. MDA Advocacy supports equal access for our community, and each year thousands of children and young adults learn vital life skills and gain independence at summer camp and through recreational programs, at no cost to families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, MDA continues to produce virtual events and programming to support our community when in-person events and activities are not possible. MDA's COVID-19 guidelines and virtual events are posted at mda.org/COVID19 . For more information, visit mda.org .

SOURCE Muscular Dystrophy Association

Related Links

https://www.mda.org


All Oceania Cruises voyages are operating with a requirement that 100% of guests and crew are vaccinated, creating what we believe is one of the safest vacation experiences in the world. The line is undertaking a phased restart with its science-backed plan for a healthy return to service that protects our guests, crew and communities visited. The robust SailSAFE Health and Safety Program creates multiple layers of protection against COVID-19 and was developed with guidance from our team of public health and scientific experts including the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council and the Healthy Sail Panel.

Full details on our SailSAFE protocols can be found here. These protocols will be continuously evolved and modified using the best available science and technology.

Marina's first voyage sails from Copenhagen to ports in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland prior to concluding in Stockholm. Marina will spend the remainder of the summer and autumn cruising around Western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Greek Isles prior to setting sail for Miami where she will arrive on December 1st.

Marina is the first ship to resume sailing for Oceania Cruises and will quickly be followed by Riviera, which resumes sailing in the Greek Isles on October 18, 2021, and Insignia from Miami on December 21, 2021, to kick off the epic six-month-long "Around the World in 180 Days" voyage. Sirena resumes sailing in the Caribbean on January 21, 2022, and Regatta will start sailing on February 5, 2022, in Polynesia followed by Nautica in the Mediterranean on April 1, 2022.

About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's seven small, luxurious ships carry no more than 1,250 guests and feature the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired, small ships call on more than 450 marquee and boutique ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific in addition to the epic 180-day Around the World Voyages. The brand has an additional 1,200-guest Allura Class ships on order for delivery in 2025.

With headquarters in Miami, Oceania Cruises is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a diversified cruise operator of leading global cruise brands which include Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

About Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH) is a leading global cruise company which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. With a combined fleet of 28 ships with nearly 60,000 berths, these brands offer itineraries to more than 490 destinations worldwide. The Company has nine additional ships scheduled for delivery through 2027, comprising of approximately 24,000 berths.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises
AMEG is a non-profit medical society in Mexico that connects medical professionals who have a common interest in digestive health. AMEG focuses on developing the practice of endoscopy, promoting continuing education, advancing research, and training the medical community to improve the health of the population. AMEG extends numerous educational opportunities to those involved and has been doing so for 50 years.

"This grant is extremely beneficial to enhancing the education and practices of doctors entering the field of gastroenterology," says Dr. Hector Espino Cortes, President of AMEG. "The tools and resources of this facility, despite the circumstances of the pandemic, will provide these doctors unique opportunities to learn the various procedures performed with an endoscope while simultaneously mastering the necessary skills."

"The relationship between AMEG and Olympus has allowed for significant advancement for emerging professionals in the medical field attempting to learn endoscopic procedures," said Julien Sauvagnargues, President and Regional Representative Officer at Olympus of the Americas. "We are thrilled to make this grant, which will provide the equipment needed to train physicians so that they are able to offer better patient care."

The $45,000 grant will allow AMEG to adapt its physical facilities to launch Laboratorio de Innovacion y Entrenamiento Endoscopico Gastrointestinal-LIEEG (Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Innovation and Training Laboratory). On the ground floor of this center, there will be a hands-on training area with four (4) stations including Olympus' endoscopy towers. On the second floor, there will be an auditorium-sized classroom where students will have the opportunity to attend didactic courses.

When AMEG received this equipment grant, the organization set specific training center objectives to ensure the optimized impact to students and the community. One of AMEG's priorities is to develop educational programs for both endoscopists in training and in the field. Currently, there are no programs in the region to teach students the numerous endoscopic procedures regularly performed, so AMEG aims to use the LIEEG to implement a series of courses and workshops to complement the programs in place at universities and hospitals.

Because of the effects of the global pandemic, fewer patients have been able to receive endoscopies. The limitations on access to endoscopic procedures has translated to fewer training opportunities for doctors. However, with the assistance of the LIEEG, AMEG will help provide endoscopists with the theoretical and practical skills they need and have had trouble accessing. Additionally, AMEG has developed a program where first-year residents can work at their facility in a safe and low-risk environment.

In recognition of the Olympus support, including the product donation made on August 27, 2021, AMEG will host a ceremony at their training facility in Mexico City on September 3, 2021. The event will be recorded and posted on AMEG's website. To find more information on AMEG and view the upcoming ceremony, visit https://www.amegendoscopia.org.mx/. To learn more about Olympus' Grants program, visit https://www.olympusamerica.com/grants.

About Olympus

Olympus is passionate about the solutions it creates for the medical, life sciences, and industrial equipment industries. For more than 100 years, Olympus has focused on making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling by helping detect, prevent, and treat disease, furthering scientific research, ensuring public safety, and capturing images of the world. Olympus Corporation is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with more than 35,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries.

Olympus Corporation of the Americas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, is headquartered in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, and employs more than 5,500 employees throughout locations in North and South America.

SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas
LAS VEGAS, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sapandeep Khurana, MD, FAPA, DFAACAP, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Psychiatrist for his exceptional work in the field of Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatry.

As the Founding Partner and Adult, Child, and Adolescent psychiatrist at Nevada Mental Health & Healthy Minds, Dr. Khurana provides high-quality, evidence-based, and patient-centered psychiatric services in the outpatient clinic. The group provides Psychiatry for Intensive Outpatient (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and the Residential Treatment Center (RTC). Dr. Khurana works with multiple organizations to resolve issues in relation to Mental Health Programming, Staffing, Service Delivery, Operations, and Management. Dr. Khurana also teaches medical students, residents, and Fellows for the University of Nevada and Touro University.



With 20 years of experience as a physician, Dr. Khurana believes in treating all patients with the care that he would provide a friend or family member. This means taking time with patients and having the Medical Staff supervised by double board-certified psychiatrists. He practices using the biopsychosocial model of psychiatric disorders and applies elements of cognitive behavioral therapy during his medication management visits. He specializes in treating PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety problems, and childhood-onset issues like ADHD, Autism, and other neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders. He believes that the earlier a child is provided with quality mental health care, the fewer problems they will experience later in life.



He completed medical school from the Government Medical College in Amritsar, India, and worked in cardiothoracic surgery in India before moving to the United States. He then attended Graduate school for Masters in Behavioral Science at San Diego State University. He then completed a Psychiatric residency and Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Virginia, where he also served as Chief Fellow in his last year.



He has been awarded for his years of diligent work with the Humanitarian Award and the Leadership Award during his training at the University of Virginia. To stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field, he is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.



He maintains an active affiliation with the AMA, and is the President-Elect for the Nevada Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Khurana would like to dedicate this recognition to his parents, his wife of 9 years, Mrs. Elizabeth Khurana, and their two children together, as well as to his teachers and mentors at the University of Virginia.



For more information, please visit www.nevadamentalhealth.com.

Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected]

SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


Official data released ahead of the anniversary shows Qianhai achieved a 22.1 percent increase in tax revenue in the first half of the year and a 29.9 percent increase in export and import, reaching more than 650.6 billion yuan (US$100.5 billion).

Currently, Qianhai is home to about 11,500 Hong Kong-invested companies, who made up over 10 percent of registered enterprises making tax contributions in the area. These companies' registered capital in Qianhai has reached 1.28 trillion yuan and the actual utilized Hong Kong capital accounts for 92.4 percent of Qianhai's total actual utilized overseas capital.

"Registering a company in Qianhai can be completed in one day and Hong Kong entrepreneurs can get their company bank accounts opened without traveling to Shenzhen," said Wang Kai, president of the Greater Bay Area Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center.

Since YIE's establishment in 2019, it has introduced 56 startups from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to Qianhai.

Costume designer Ruby Fang moved his startup company to YIE in May this year. She said she felt a strong entrepreneurial atmosphere at YIE and the E-hub, and made friends with many young elites in Qianhai. "Corporate services are convenient in Qianhai as the entrepreneurial park is close to the Qianhai electronic one-stop service center. In addition, the center will specially designate a staff member to process my service applications and provide guidance on issues I don't know much about," Fang said.

To better facilitate the development of Hong Kong enterprises and individuals, to lure more Hong Kong youth and professionals seeking opportunities in Qianhai and other places on the mainland, Qianhai has carried out a series of preferential policies and actions for Hong Kong people in the past decade.

In addition to tax reduction, cash subsidies, rental discounts, Qianhai has lowered its threshold for the service industry, allowing Hong Kong companies and professionals in construction, accounting, tax and law practices to work in Qianhai after registration.

The Ho & Partners Architects Engineers & Development Consultants Ltd. relocated its Shenzhen office to the Qianhai Shimao Tower in November 2019.

Wang Long, the company's board and design director, said Qianhai has provided many supportive policies to companies in the professional service industry.

"Hong Kong talents and companies can enjoy a 15-percent personal and corporate tax rate, respectively. In addition, there are many other subsidies covering Hong Kong talents' work and life in Qianhai, such as low-rent housing and transportation allowance."

"As Qianhai continues to lower its thresholds for cross-border Hong Kong professionals on the Chinese mainland, we believe more construction professionals will be attracted to Qianhai, which is conducive to promoting the interconnection and exchange between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in the field of architecture and design," Wang said.

By continuing promoting financial innovation, Qianhai has seen Hong Kong- and foreign-invested banks and other financial institutions thrive over the past years.

In 2020, Qianhai Mercantile Exchange's (QME) turnover exceeded 10 billion yuan and its spot commodity trading platform just launched its first green financing service four days ago.

To secure a better living environment for Hong Kong residents, Qianhai has helped many Hong Kong people transfer their children from Hong Kong schools to Shenzhen schools, safeguarding their children's rights to the same education opportunities as their mainland counterparts.

Qianhai has also rezoned 11 land lots this month to increase housing supply and build more kindergartens and compulsory nine-year education schools.

During the construction of the GBA, Qianhai is expected to reinforce its role as an area for deeper legal cooperation, as a key engine of cross-border cooperation and a new international city-center for Shenzhen. Qianhai is, first and foremost, a demonstration area for Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation.

http://szdaily.sznews.com/PC/layout/202108/26/node_02.html#content_1085031

SOURCE Shenzhen Daily
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Thrivent Advisor Network, the platform for independent purpose-driven advisors looking to deliver fiduciary advice as members of a community with shared values, has added two key members to its management team. Marc Kawakami, who has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, has joined Thrivent Advisor Network as Business Consultant, a position where he will serve as second-in-command to Carolyn Armitage, Head of Thrivent Advisor Network. Lori Sherman, an industry veteran with extensive experience in marketing, advisor education and client service, has come on board as Growth Program Manager.

"With this expansion of our team, we gain the benefit of two strong professionals who understand the challenges faced by independent advisors and what they need to succeed," said Carolyn Armitage, Head of Thrivent Advisor Network. "Marc and Lori are both able to draw on many years of executive management and consulting experience to help the Thrivent Advisor Network team execute the goal of creating a first-class advisory platform that can evolve with the changes in the industry and the needs of advisors."

Kawakami will be responsible for integrated strategy execution of all projects and initiatives across the entire Thrivent Advisor Network platform in collaboration with other channel leaders, shared services, strategic partnerships, and distribution leaders. He will also provide strategic thought leadership to these areas to execute on key initiatives that support Thrivent's goals.

Most recently, Kawakami was Principal of his own firm, New River Associates, where he provided consulting services for registered investment adviser (RIA) firms and financial advisors. He previously had served as Senior Vice President, Institutional Sales with Transamerica. Earlier in his career, he spent 14 years with ING Advisors Network as Senior Vice President, Product Research and Support and then as Head of Advisory Services, leading the advisor business for this dually registered broker-dealer/RIA. He is a graduate of the University of California Santa Barbara and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credential.

As Growth Program Manager, Sherman joins Juli Wilder's team and is charged with broadening and supporting the Growth Office offerings to Thrivent Advisor Network business owners and affiliates. Her primary focus will be on key growth initiatives and delivering educational content to support and encourage teams as they reach for the next level in their business.

She is a multi-faceted financial services professional with more than 19 years of experience working in both home and field offices, most recently as Marketing Director for Cetera Advisor Networks' Whittier, California branch. Other stops on her career path included time spent with Erman Retirement Advisory, ING Advisors Network and Pacific Life.

The addition of Kawakami and Sherman to Thrivent Advisor Network's management team is another demonstration of Thrivent Advisor Network's ability to attract top talent from around the industry as the network continues its dynamic growth trajectory. Launched in September 2019, Thrivent Advisor Network has reported $6.3 billion in assets under management1

About Thrivent Advisor Network

Thrivent Advisor Network, an SEC-registered investment adviser ("RIA"), is a new hybrid platform offered by Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization helping more than two million clients achieve financial clarity. Thrivent created Thrivent Advisor Network as an opportunity for independent financial advisors to be part of a company committed to providing advisors the many benefits of a hybrid platform without the challenges of running their own RIA, while also helping advisors and clients connect their finances and values. Advisors who join Thrivent Advisor Network are seeking the freedom that comes from owning their own practice while still wanting the human connection and support that comes from being part of a community of professionals under the Thrivent Advisor Network RIA. Thrivent Advisor Network is positioned to serve as a significant partner to advisors looking to expand their capabilities and client offerings, boost their brand visibility, and enhance their practice.

THRIVENT IS THE MARKETING NAME FOR THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS.

Investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Advisor Network, LLC., a registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Thrivent. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission, nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability.

1 As of January 31, 2021, Thrivent Advisor Network reported $5.3 billion in assets under management on its Form ADV.

CONTACT: Michaela Morales

JConnelly

973-224-7152

[email protected]

SOURCE Thrivent Advisor Network
THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of victims of the war in Yemen today submit evidence to the International Criminal Court  calling on the new Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan QC to open an investigation into War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity committed during the six-year conflict.

In their application - filed by their legal counsel Guernica37 International Justice Chambers of London  evidence is submitted by survivors, their relatives, and families of the deceased murdered in three, well-documented and already international NGO-investigated and global reported events:

- Against a school bus in August 2018, killing 34 and maiming dozens more in an attack so devastating many families could not recover any recognisable body parts of the child victims;

- In a double missile attack launched in October 2016 against the same funeral gathering which led to at least 110 deaths and over 600 life-changing injuries;

- Torture and murder of civilians in Aden, southern Yemen by Colombian mercenaries under the command of a US private military company contracted to the United Arab Emirates.

Since the Saudi-led war commenced in 2015, destroying a well-advanced UN-mediated peace and reconciliation process, it is estimated some quarter of a million have been killed and a further three million displaced.

Speaking of the attack on behalf of victims of the school-bus attack, Almudena Bernabeu co-founder of Guernica37 said:

"At the time of the attack the Coalition claimed they would investigate and hold the perpetrators to account. Of course, they did no such thing.

"As the court of last resort, victims and families have no choice but to call on the International Criminal Court to ensure justice is done".

In 2017 the ICC opened an investigation into crimes allegedly perpetrated by British military personnel in Iraq. While the investigation did not proceed to trial, it set a precedent that it is possible to investigate and hold accountable citizens of countries that are members of the ICC for crimes committed in countries that are not.

Although neither Yemen nor key protagonists Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are State Parties to the Rome Statue  the international treaty that establishes the jurisdiction of the ICC - other members of their war coalition, namely Jordan, Senegal, and The Maldives, are.

In addition, evidence submitted that Colombian nationals were hired as mercenaries by a US private military company contracted to the United Arab Emirates means, when Colombia is a State Party to the ICC, they too could be investigated.

Speaking as the submission is made, Toby Cadman co-founder of Guernica37 and lead counsel to the applicants added:

"Three signatories to the Rome Statue  Jordan, Senegal, and The Maldives  were members of the Saudi-led coalition at the time of both the school bus and funeral attacks.

"Similarly, citizens of another ICC member Colombia were combatants in the war at the same time.

"The ICC can and must use its clear jurisdiction to investigate these undeniable and evidenced crimes".

In addition to the submission before the ICC, counsel for the victims is considering other legal options to pursue political and military figures of ICC signatory states. These include the issuance of Universal Jurisdiction Arrest Warrants, and the launching of a class action suit in the United States of America, United Kingdom, and in other countries and jurisdictions worldwide.

Commenting on these other legal avenues, Toby Cadman of Guernica37 added:

"While our campaign begins at the International Criminal Court, we intend to fight our case using all and every legal avenue available. Those who perpetrate the worst crimes can and will be held accountable".

SOURCE Guernica37 International Justice Chambers
TEL HAI, Israel, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Microalgae cultivation start-up Yemoja Ltd. is joining the MIGAL Galilee Research institute to spearhead an extensive, four-year research initiative to identify algae-sourced compounds with the potential to help manage inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Select beneficial algae will be developed into functional foods as well as nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

Yemoja joins MIGAL Institute to pioneer major study of microalgae for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

The initiative, titled 'Algae4IBD,' was launched in June and has been awarded a grant of 7.5 million from the EU funding arm, Horizon 2020, which is dedicated to supporting game-changing research and innovation projects. Yemoja is one of a 21-member consortium composed of marine science experts, research institutes, universities, hospitals and IBD centers, and algae cultivation companies. The campaign is being led by Dr. Dorit Avni, a senior researcher for MIGAL.

IBD diseases, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease are chronic relapsing disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. They affect more than 2 million Europeans and 1.5 million Americans, and are characterized by prolonged intestinal inflammation. Epidemiological studies have noted higher prevalence of IBD in the Western world. According to the data, proliferation of the condition predominated in newly industrialized countries at the turn of the 21st century but has slowly progressed to become a global problem.

"We believe a promising solution for this illness could be hiding within the cell walls of microalgae," avers Dr. Amikam Bar Gil, CTO of Yemoja. "There are some preliminary data within the peer-reviewed literature suggesting that microalgae could harbor anti-inflammatory activity within the digestive tract. Although this arm of research is still in early stages, leaving an ocean of knowledge still needing to be uncovered. This consortium was devised to pioneer the first robust and broadscale inquiry into the positive connection between microalgae and IBD."

The initiative comes on the heels of promising research conducted by Avni's team at MIGAL institute. Under this partnership, Yemoja will be responsible for cultivating multiple strains of known and novel microalgae to be screened for their potential anti-IBD properties. Several hundred strains will be screened before advancing to clinical trials. The microalgae candidates will be supplied by Yemoja, in conjunction with other global algae companies.

"Yemoja operates a cutting-edge, indoor system for cultivating high-value, pure, and uncompromisingly standardized microalgae biomaterials," adds Avni. "This is a major advantage when addressing algae-based bioactive compounds. Moreover, Yemoja's photobioreactor technology possesses unique capabilities to simultaneously produce any desired microalgae species, of any required quantity, rendering it ideal for the unique needs of the research project."

Yemoja's high-precision indoor cultivation platform enables the company to manipulate environmental parameters such as light, temperature, and pH to achieve high concentrations of the desired bioactive compounds, and enhance yields without the threat of contamination. It involves a small-batch production line of vertical luminescent columns. Each one is isolated and allocated a specific algae species.

Yemoja will roll out commercial-scale production of several identified successful microalgae candidates that will be used to develop functional food solutions, such as bread, gummies and bars, as well as natural supplements and pharmaceuticals.

"Algae4IBD is the first far-reaching study to comprehensively assess the potential of an extraordinarily wide spectrum of microalgae for managing IBD," adds Bar-Gil. "This was not possible before, due to cultivation limitations. Microalgae are esteemed for their inherently rich content of healthful fatty acids, protein, antioxidant pigments, and polysaccharides, and presents multifaceted avenues for addressing IBD. It is an exciting project we anticipate will bring good news for chronic sufferers of IBD."

About Yemoja

Yemoja was founded in 2017 by a team of marine biology and biotech experts with a shared vision of leveraging novel engineering methods to provide the commercial algae space with a prodigious range of high-value microalgae species that can be tailored to a full spectrum of applications, including cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals.

For more information, contact:

SOURCE Yemoja
Epi wafer Market Report: Major Facts

Released: Aug 2021

Forecast years: 2021-2025

No. of Exhibits: 107

Companies covered: 25+ companies including dominant players such as Applied Materials Inc. (US), GlobalWafers Co. Ltd. (Taiwan), II-VI Inc. (US), IntelliEPI Inc. (Taiwan), IQE Plc (UK).

Coverage: Application segment and geographical landscape.

Segmentation by Application: Based on the application, the market is segmented by LED semiconductors, power semiconductors, MEMS-based devices, and others. The LED semiconductors segment generated maximum revenue in the market in 2020. The growth of the segment can be attributed to the increasing adoption of LED lights. Also, the presence of subsidies and favorable government policies that encourage the use of LEDs will contribute to the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Segmentation by Geography: The Epi wafer market size is analyzed across APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA. APAC is currently the largest market for Epi wafer and the region is expected to retain its position over the forecast period. China, South Korea (Republic of Korea), Japan, and Taiwan are the key markets for Epi wafers in APAC.

Major Growth Driver:

The global Epi wafer market is driven by the use of epitaxial deposition to improve the performance of devices. The deposition of the epitaxial layer on electronic devices such as transistors and ICs makes them free of imperfections, thereby reducing device failure and enhancing reliability at the time of fabrication. The epitaxial layer increases the breakdown voltage and enhances the switching speed in transistors. The addition of this layer increases the cost of the devices. However, the overall benefits are much larger considering the performance and functional improvements. This growing trend is expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Gain access to a detailed customer landscape matrix comparing key industry-driven parameters by requesting a free sample: www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR45077

Related Reports on Information Technology:

Global Epitaxy Deposition Market  Global epitaxy deposition market is segmented by end-user (memory manufacturers, foundries, and IDMs) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA).

Download Exclusive Free Sample Report

Global Semiconductor Wafer Inspection Equipment Market  Global semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market is segmented by technology (optical wafer inspection and electron beam wafer inspection), end-user (foundries and IDMs), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA).

Download Exclusive Free Sample Report

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

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

LED semiconductors - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Power semiconductors - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

MEMS-based devices - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Application

Customer landscape

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

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 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Applied Materials Inc.

GlobalWafers Co. Ltd.

II-VI Inc.

IntelliEPI Inc.

IQE Plc

Jenoptik AG

Nichia Corp.

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

SHOWA DENKO K.K.

Xiamen Powerway Advanced Material Co. Ltd.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

Technavio's library includes over 17,000+ reports covering more than 2,000 emerging technologies.

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About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

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/epi-wafer-market-industry-analysis

Newsroom: https://newsroom.technavio.com/news/epi-wafermarket

SOURCE Technavio

Related Links

http://www.technavio.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Supporting faster pathways to quality work and serving the nation's increased need for a skilled workforce, the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), a wholly owned subsidiary of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), in its role as an official Standards Recognition Entity (SRE), has recognized Dallas College's Health Care Culinary Services (HCCS) Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP)the first ANAB recognition of this kind.

IRAPs, developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), are high quality and customizable apprenticeship programs that support various sectors. The programs assist job creators in training their workforces, and create faster routes to employment for job seekers in a competitive marketplace. Dallas College developed its IRAP in partnership with ANSI-affiliate Workcred, HCA Healthcare (Hospital Corporation of America), the American Culinary Federation, Bufflehead Strategies, LLC, and the American Society for Health Care Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA).

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and an uptick in hospital patients, there is a growing need for culinary professionals in health care. Dallas College's HCCS IRAP will train apprentices in culinary services at facilities such as hospitals and long-term care organizations that offer nutritional services to patients, staff, and guests. The HCCS IRAP is a rigorously developed occupational training program in culinary services that combines on-the-job work experience with technical/classroom study and is designed to develop useful job skills for individuals entering the culinary workforce and incumbent workers who need upskilling.

Ultimately, the IRAP supports the labor force in career transition, and offers workplace-relevant training and progressively advancing skills that result in an industry-recognized credentialin a shorter amount of time than many traditional credentials. IRAP participants also receive compensation for their work. The program fosters employee engagement and reduced turnover, quicker and more effective training for staff, increased productivity, curated recruitment of talent, in addition to better organizational and patient outcomes.

Successful apprentices who train under the HCC IRAP will earn at least one of three stackable credentials: Certified Fundamentals Cook, Certified Culinarian, or Certified Sous Chef.

ANSI-affiliate Workcred, which aims to strengthen workforce quality by improving the credentialing system, joined with Dallas College and other partners to support the IRAP by developing training and structured on-the-job learning materials.

ANAB's SRE Role in IRAP Recognition

IRAPs were officially entered into the Code of Federal Regulations in May 2020 as an industry-driven alternative to offer high-quality apprenticeships recognized by DOL-established Standards Recognition Entities (SREs). In 2020, the DOL Office of Apprenticeship approved ANAB as an official SRE. ANAB's role as a recognized SRE includes developing recognition requirements for IRAPs based on competency criteria, identifying and recognizing high-quality IRAPs, providing ongoing oversight of IRAP sponsors, and reporting IRAP performance data to the DOL Office of Apprenticeship and the public. Currently, various entities trade and industry groups, corporations, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, unions, and joint labor-management organizations develop and deliver IRAPs.

"ANAB is thrilled to recognize Dallas College's IRAP, which helps bridge the gap between employers and talent with quality workforce programs," said Dr. Vijay Krishna, ANAB vice president of credentialing. "This recognition supports better outcomes for workers and organizations, including effective training for health care at a time when the nation needs faster solutions to filling employment gaps."

"Dallas College is thrilled to mark this milestone as an achievement toward our goal of expanding the apprenticeship model to a national audience while advancing our strategic priority to serve our community and the nation as a provider of talent supply chain through apprenticeships and achievement of industry-recognized credentials across many sectors, including health care," said Dr. Pyeper Wilkins, vice chancellor for workforce and advancement at Dallas College.

About ANAB

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is the largest multi-disciplinary ISO/IEC 17011 accreditation body in North America, with comprehensive signatory status across the multilateral recognition arrangements of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF). The ANAB accreditation portfolio includes management systems certification bodies, calibration and testing labs, product certification bodies, personnel credentialing organizations, forensic test and calibration service providers, inspection bodies, police crime units, greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies, reference material producers, and proficiency test providers.

ANAB is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment systems and strengthening their impact, both domestically and internationally, including by administering procedures and criteria for accreditation of conformity assessment programs and encouraging organizations to prepare and submit such programs for accreditation.

About ANSI

The American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations.

The Institute represents and serves the diverse interests of more than 270,000 companies and organizations and 30 million professionals worldwide. ANSI is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). For more information, visit www.ansi.org.

About Dallas College

Dallas College, formerly the Dallas County Community College District, was founded in 1965, and consists of seven campuses: Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, El Centro, Mountain View, North Lake and Richland. Dallas College offers online learning and serves more than 83,000 credit and 25,000 continuing education students during the fall and spring semesters. Dallas College also offers dual credit for students in partner high schools and early college high schools throughout Dallas County. Dr. Joe May, the college's 7th chancellor, has established the Dallas College higher education network in partnership with area school districts, colleges and universities, businesses, community organizations and others to support student success and college completion by removing barriers and providing services that help them earn a college credential and start their professional careers.

SOURCE American National Standards Institute

Related Links

www.ansi.org


Air Malta's Chief Commercial Officer Roy Kinnear said, "We are pleased to be expanding our relationship with Discover the World, who is already assisting us in our activities in secondary markets. Discover the World will now drive our sales and marketing efforts and help promote the Maltese Islands in these primary markets. As we restart to gather momentum and increase frequencies to various markets, we are looking forward to working with Discover the World who, through their extensive network and experience, will assist us to promote Air Malta as the airline of choice to the Maltese Islands."

"We are delighted to be working with Air Malta across these key European markets," said Ian Murray, Discover the World's CEO. "A fantastic brand, servicing an amazing destination, is a winning combination. With our super Air Malta and Discover sales teams, we will maximise all opportunities to help our trade partners and consumers book with ease and with confidence."

Alex Savona, Air Malta's Head Global Sales commented, "From quaint beaches and crystal blue sea to trendy restaurants, to magnificent ancient monuments and a stunning legacy of centuries' old art and culture, Malta has something to offer for everyone. Located at the heart of the Mediterranean, our guests can start enjoying the renowned Maltese hospitality as soon as they step on board our flights. We are looking forward to working with Discover the World to drive Malta's and Air Malta's unique selling propositions in these markets".

"We are excited to play an integral part on growing sales for the destination of Malta, said Aiden Walsh, Head of Airline Development for Discover the World. "We look forward to engaging with our travel trade partners to position Air Malta as the preferred carrier of choice to Malta and its Islands. We have put in place a dedicated team in these key markets all offering direct flights to the beautiful Island."

Discover the World will be responsible for providing extensive field sales services to Air Malta, spearheading personal-visit sales campaigns; building on existing trade relationships and increasing ticket revenue from new agencies and operators keen to share in the upswing of demand for holidays to Malta.

Air Malta is currently operating more thanr 90 return weekly flights to 19 destinations.

About Air Malta

Air Malta is a point-to-point airline transporting mainly leisure-based customers to the Maltese Islands. The airline started operations on the 1st April 1974 with seven scheduled services across Europe and two wet-leased aircraft. The airline now operates a fleet of 8 Airbus A320 aircraft to 20 scheduled destinations in Europe. Over the course of its history transported over 57 million passengers safely to and from Malta. For more information on Air Malta please visit www.airmalta.com.

About Discover the World

Discover the World has earned a reputation as an innovative global sales representation leader in the travel industry through a worldwide network of 85 offices in more than 60 countries. With a portfolio of over 100 clients utilizing its sales, marketing and business process outsourcing services, the work of Discover the World has a direct positive impact on the growth of its clients and trade industry partners every day. For more information about Discover the World please visit www.discovertheworld.com.

Contact:



Nancy Vaughan

Vaughan Communication

(602) 912-9126

[email protected]



Stephen Gauci

Air Malta

356-79709928

[email protected]

SOURCE Discover the World

Related Links

http://www.discovertheworld.com


FAIR LAWN, N.J., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alex Tievsky, DPM, is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Trusted Name in Podiatry for his excellent work in the Medical field and in recognition of his work at Tievsky Podiatry LLC.

Alex Tievsky is being recognized for his seven years of exceptional work in the medical field at his two private practices in New Jersey and New York. Throughout his years of practice, he has become renowned as one of the country's top surgeons for minimally invasive collapsed arches surgeries.



Alex Tievsky

Dr. Tievsky knew from a young age that he wanted to go into the Medical profession. When he was in high school, his grandmother needed to have a leg amputation procedure due to diabetes, which inspired Dr. Tievsky to choose Podiatric Medicine as his specialty. He has been working at his two private practices, Tievsky Podiatry LLC, for seven years. He works out of a location in Paramus, NJ, at 15-01 Broadway Suite #10B, and in New York City, NY at 18 E. 41st St. Suite 1406.



In his daily practice, Dr. Tievsky treats a wide array of common and complex foot problems, such as bunions, hammertoes, corns, calluses, heel pain, warts, ingrown nails, fungus, neuropathy, plantar warts, surgeries, foot and ankle pain, Achilles tendinitis, diabetic foot care, and custom orthotics. Outside of his private practices, he is a well-known speaker who lectures about surgical techniques to doctors both locally and internationally.



In pursuit of his career, Dr. Tievsky attended Hunter College, where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. He then graduated from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 2011 with his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. Following that, Dr. Tievsky completed a three-year Podiatric Medicine and Surgery residency, with additional certification in Reconstructive Foot and Ankle Surgery, at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in 2014. He worked within 5 North Shore LIJ system Hospitals during this time, where he gained vast experience in treating foot issues from warts to reconstructive surgery to severe trauma. During this time, he also treated patients at two wound healing centers, where he provided Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments and Skin Grafts for patients with complex wounds. He received board certifications from the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.



Awarded for his extensive work in the Podiatry field, he was awarded the "Center of Excellence" award from Gramedica for his work implanting HyproCure stents.



In his spare time, Dr. Tievsky enjoys spending time with his two children, ages 4 and 10, and his wife, who is a Primary Care Physician.



For more information, visit www.njnyfoot.com.

Contact: Katherine Green , 516-825-5634 [email protected]



SOURCE Continental Who's Who

Related Links

http://www.continentalwhoswho.com


BOSTON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AllHere has been named a Winner of the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence for the 2021 Best Tools for Back to School. AllHere combines conversational AI and interactive "nudges" via text messages to address chronic absenteeism in K-12 education.

Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence for the 2021 Best Tools for Back to School

"The pandemic has made it clear that home visits, letters, and other status quo attendance interventions aren't enough to manage the challenges and expectations that schools face today," said Joanna Smith, CEO and Founder of AllHere. "We see an eagerness from district leaders to try technology-based strategies that make school support both more scalable and personalized to the circumstances of each student."

The typical school district using AllHere saves thousands of hours in administrator time communicating with families, which translates to tens of thousands of dollars saved per school year. Schools also ensure more equitable communication with families by reaching them where they areon their phoneswith an intelligent chatbot that can engage in personalized conversation and answer questions 24/7.

"As we head into another uncertain year in education, technology will continue to be one of the key drivers for innovation," said Christine Weiser, Tech & Learning Group Publisher. "Our judges chose the winning products recognized here for their versatility, compatibility, value, and ability to help schools solve challenges and support continuous instruction. Congratulations to all of our winners."

The Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence are a legacy awards program produced by Tech & Learning Magazine that recognizes innovation in the edtech industry. The awards were judged by school district leaders across the US.

More information about the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence for the 2021 Best Tools for Back to School can be found here.

About AllHere

AllHere combines conversational AI, behavioral science, and interactive nudges to foster attendance and engagement in K-12 education. We automate personalized, two-way text messaging with chatbots to improve attendance rates and guide students and families through school. Our adaptive, evidence-based system provides 24/7 support so that teachers and staff can focus their time on the most meaningful interactions.

For more information, visit AllHere.com.

Media Contact

Charlotte Ward

[email protected]

(530) 563-6860

SOURCE AllHere
"After a yearlong virtual journey, both the senior management team and the franchisees were excited to meet in person," said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development. "The past year was difficult because of our inability to network and connect in-person with one another, but we made tremendous strides in our growth that were unmatched in previous years. So, this year's conference offered the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the top franchisees among the AlphaGraphics family."

This year's winners included:

Rising Star: Rob Barnett (Suwanee, Georgia)

A franchisee with 30 years in finance and leading sales teams, Barnett was chosen for the award because of his ability to inject renewed passion into the chemistry of his team while quickly becoming a leader in the southeast region.

Most Improved: Steven Service (Rochester, New York)

An owner of an AlphaGraphics location since 2013, Service was chosen because his goal is to always meet customer's expectations by providing value and solutions without sacrificing high standards and quality.

Project of the Year: Phil Davis and Lynn Nelson (American Fork, Utah)

Davis and Nelson tackled a task for MX, a financial technology data company, that required them to deliver a packaging that would "speak for itself." The center did just that by creating a box with an embedded video player that automatically started playing when it was opened.

Community Impact: A.B. Barrera and Paco Barrientos (Laredo, Texas)

Barrera and Barrientos, along with the Laredo staff, helped slow the spread of COVID-19 in their community by partnering with the Laredo Mask Coalition. The organization launched a city-wide public service media campaign encouraging people to wear their masks. AlphaGraphics Laredo donated their services to the cause.

Community Advocacy: Johanna Higginson (West Jordan, Utah)

Higginson gave two former inmates a chance when she hired them to work in her center. The two prospective employees showed enthusiasm and had relevant experience at the prison's print facility. They continue to work in the center.

AlphaGraphics was founded in 1970, and the company began offering franchise opportunities in 1979. For more information, visit http://www.alphagraphics.com .

About AlphaGraphics

AlphaGraphics, Inc., with more than 285 locations in 6 countries, is one of the largest U.S.-based networks of locally-owned and operated Business Centers offering a complete range of print, visual communications, and marketing products. Solutions include: full-service digital, offset, and large format printing; design services; mailing; one-to-one marketing solutions; promotional products; and web to print solutions. For more information about AlphaGraphics services, visit www.alphagraphics.com . To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.alphagraphicsfranchise.com .

About MBE Worldwide

MBE Worldwide S.p.A. ("MBE"), a privately-owned company based in Milan - Italy, is a third-party provider of shipping, fulfillment, print and marketing tech-enabled solutions to small and medium enterprises and retail consumers via a Network of mainly independently owned and operated locations. MBE Service Centers facilitate the activities of entrepreneurs, people and businesses through an easy-to-access distribution Network and customized services and products delivered with a distinguished and unique level of customer service. MBE presently operates under multiple brands: Mail Boxes Etc. (excluding the US and Canada), AlphaGraphics, PostNet, Spedingo.com, Print Speak, PACK & SEND and Multicopy and its global Network counts currently more than 2,800 locations in 53 countries, with 11,000+ associates and FY2020 System-wide Sales of 879 Million (US$1,004 Million).

For additional information please visit MBE Worldwide Group websites at www.mbecorporate.com - www.mbeglobal.com - www.postnet.com - www.alphagraphics.com - www.spedingo.com/en - www.printspeak.com - www.packsend.com.au - www.multicopy.nl - www.mbe.it - www.mbe.es - www.mbe.de - www.mbefrance.fr - www.mbe.pl - www.mbeportugal.pt - www.mbe.co.uk

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE AlphaGraphics
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Robin R. Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane, the country's first national humane organization, today released the following statement concerning the plight of contract working dogs left to die at the hands of American enemies in Kabul, Afghanistan.

"I am devastated by reports that the American government is pulling out of Kabul and leaving behind brave U.S. military contract working dogs to be tortured and killed at the hand of our enemies. These brave dogs do the same dangerous, lifesaving work as our military working dogs, and deserved a far better fate than the one to which they have been condemned.

This senseless fate is made all the more tragic, as American Humane stands ready to not only help transport these contract K-9 soldiers to U.S. soil but also to provide for their lifetime medical care.

American Humane has worked hand in hand with the military for more than 100 years to rescue military animals. In fact, our famed rescue program began on the bloody battlefields of WWI Europe, at the request of the U.S. Secretary of War. Since that time, American Humane served as a pioneer in the development of animal therapy for returning veterans, and today brings home retired military working dogs and pairs veterans with life-saving service dogs.

As the country's first national humane organization and largest certifier of animal welfare in the world, it sickens us to sit idly by and watch these brave dogs who valiantly served our country be put to death or worse.

In order to prevent this tragedy from occurring, these K-9's should be loaded into whatever cargo space remains and flown to safety.

Irrespective of the outcome, this gross oversight of justice must be stopped from happening again, as it did in Vietnam too. To that end, we call on Congress to take action to classify contract working dogs on the same level as military working dogs. Failure to do anything less, is a failure of humanity and a condemnation of us all."

About American Humane

American Humane is the country's first national humane organization. Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of animals, and our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and people. For more information or to support our work, please visit www.americanhumane.org.

SOURCE American Humane

Related Links

http://www.americanhumane.org


LINCOLNTON, N.C., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of getting three additional technology patents filed, Annihilare announced today that it is partnering with the William States Lee College of Engineering's Engineering Senior Design Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte to support a student project working on specialized electronic equipment to enhance Annihilare's on-site generation systems. Annihilare CEO, Marty Paris explains "we are excited to be working with the students at the Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte on the development of a process chemistry measuring system as part of their two-semester capstone course. Annihilare is also excited about continuing to build world-class hypochlorous generators, while adding to our intellectual property portfolio." The new patent filings all relate to Annihilare's on-site generation technology, and a new Hypochlorous acid disinfecting wipe program.

UNCC will kick off the project this fall semester with students working directly with Annihilare engineers. "Our students gain practical experience solving real-world problems leading to useable innovation. We are excited to work with Annihilare and enhance their unique technology," stated Jim Hartman - Director, Industrial Solutions Lab. Students work with industry partners throughout the fall and will present their project results and compete for awards at the Spring Expo in early 2022.

At Annihilare, we are ushering in a new generation of clean. We promote healthy environments for all people with our cutting-edge technology, and our EPA registered and Green Seal certified cleaners and disinfectants. We provide a comprehensive approach in fighting germs, while improving indoor air quality. In these challenging times, being able to clean and disinfect safely and more often has never been more important. Visit https://www.annihilare.com to learn more about this unique approach to the sustainable infection prevention .

The Lee College of Engineering Industrial Solutions Laboratory provides cost-effective solutions to industry partners through state-of-the-art facilities, technical expertise, senior and graduate student educational projects and R&D and consulting with faculty. Engineering senior design projects are now being accepted for the Spring 2022 semester. Learn more at https://isl.charlotte.edu/

Media Contact:

Bill Bath  Annihilare  855.545.5677

Jim Hartman  ISL @ UNCC - 704614 -9766

SOURCE Annihilare
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Aris Gold Corporation (Aris Gold or the Company) (TSX: ARIS) (OTCQX: ALLXF) announces the publication of its first Sustainability Report highlighting its progress, initiatives and commitments in the areas of health, safety, environmental, social, and governance management for the calendar year 2020. The report is Aris Gold's first annual disclosure of the Company's approach and performance on a range of material environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics and the adoption of a new ESG governance strategy, as well as the Company's plans and priorities for 2021 and beyond. The report is available on the Company's website at www.arisgold.com under Sustainability.

Aris Gold anuncia la publicacion de su primer Informe de Sostenibilidad que destaca el avance, las iniciativas y compromiso en las areas de gestion de salud, seguridad, ambiente, sociedad y gobierno en el ano calendario 2020. El informe es el primer informe anual que publica Aris Gold sobre el enfoque y desempeno de la Compania en una variedad de temas de ambiente, sociedad y gobierno (ASG) significativos y sobre la adopcion de una estrategia de gobernanza ASG nueva, asi como los planes y prioridades de la Compania para el 2021 y mas alla. El informe esta disponible en el sitio web de la Compania en www.arisgold.com bajo Sostenibilidad.

Aris Gold's 2020 Sustainability Report is guided by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Metals & Mining Sustainability Accounting Standard. The Company will look to fully align sustainability metrics with SASB in future reporting years. It also demonstrates how Aris Gold's approach aligns to select UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Aris Gold CEO Neil Woodyer stated: "We are very pleased to release our inaugural sustainability report. Although much of the information in this report covers our performance for the 2020 calendar year, we underwent a transformation in 2021, renaming the Company from Caldas Gold to Aris Gold, appointing a new Board of Directors and management team, establishing a growth strategy, and introducing new or updated ESG strategies and commitments. The report provides an opportunity to share how we plan to translate these changes into meaningful value for all stakeholders, including our workforce and community partners."

About Aris Gold

Aris Gold is a Canadian mining company listed on the TSX under the symbol ARIS and on the OTCQX under the symbol ALLXF. The Company is led by an executive team with a demonstrated track record of creating value through building globally relevant gold mining companies. Aris Gold operates the Marmato mine in Colombia, where a modernization and expansion program is under way, and the Juby project, an advanced exploration stage gold project in the Abitibi greenstone belt of Ontario, Canada. Aris Gold plans to pursue acquisition and other growth opportunities to unlock value creation from scale and diversification.

Additional information on Aris Gold can be found at www.arisgold.com and www.sedar.com.

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" or forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation statements relating to the Company's plans to align its sustainability metrics with SASB and creating value for the Company's stakeholders are forward-looking. Generally, the forward-looking information and forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "will continue" or "believes", 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".

Forward looking information and forward looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Aris Gold to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or forward looking statements, including but not limited to: the ability of the Aris Gold management team to successfully integrate with the current operations, risks related to international operations, risks related to general economic conditions, uncertainties relating to operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, actual results of current exploration activities, availability of quality assets that will add scale, diversification and complement Aris Gold's growth trajectory; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; the ability to convert mineral resources to mineral reserves; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, increases in market prices of mining consumables, risks associated with holding derivative instruments (such as credit risks, market liquidity risk and mark-to-market risk), possible variations in mineral reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada or Colombia, accidents and operations, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals including obtaining required environmental and other licenses, or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in countries in which the Company operates, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Aris Gold's most recent AIF available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although Aris Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information or statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements. The Company has and continues to disclose in its Management's Discussion and Analysis and other publicly filed documents, changes to material factors or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements and to the validity of the information, in the period the changes occur. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and Aris Gold disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

SOURCE Aris Gold Corporation
, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Paid Leave for the US (PL+US) will host an open press virtual roundtable to spotlight the untold stories of millions of aging adults and family caregivers across Arizona, a state representing the broader caregiving crisis happening across the United States. As Congress debates potential national paid leave policy, this timely discussion will feature opening remarks from AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond, and stories from veteran, small business owner, and Latinx caregivers, moderated by PL+US Executive Director Molly Day.

Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer of AARP, will open the discussion by highlighting the challenges facing working Americans who are also caring for older parents, spouses and other loved ones. "More than 60% of America's 48 million family caregivers are also in the paid workforce," said LeaMond. "They are juggling a lot and need help keeping all the balls in the air. Having the flexibility to take some time off work  without risking their jobs or their paychecks  would make a tremendous difference."

Molly Day, Executive Director at PL+US, will moderate the conversation with caregivers on how a lack of paid leave affects veterans, small business owners, and Latinx communities. "Across America, millions of families  1 in 6 Americans  struggle to provide care for an aging relative, and this population will double over the next twenty years. We have to take a hard look at our policies currently in place and rebuild our structures and systems to better support our aging loved ones and their caregivers, and that starts with passing a national paid leave policy," said Day.

Panelists include Arizona State Rep. Diego Espinoza, a small business owner providing care for his aging father; Consuelo Hernandez, a Sunnyside governing board member who juggles caregiving responsibilities for both of her parents with her siblings; and David Lucier, a veteran who also serves as President of the Arizona Veterans & Military Leadership Alliance.

Details

When: Tuesday, Aug. 31 @ 12:30 PM MST/3:30 PM EDT

Where: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJknqSziMo

OPEN PRESS: Press are encouraged to attend, and individual interviews with any of the participants on Tuesday's call, including the AARP's Nancy LeaMond and PL+US' Molly Day, can be scheduled to take place after the event.

About PL+US

PL+US (Paid Leave for the United States) is the national campaign to win paid family and medical leave for every working person in the US. PL+US has helped win paid family leave for nearly 8 million people through our transformative workplace campaigns at companies like Walmart, Starbucks, CVS and more in partnership with employees, employers, consumers, and investors. Learn more at: http://paidleave.us/

SOURCE PL+US

Related Links

http://paidleave.us


HOLLY HILL, Fla., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida tree service specialists, SB Tree Service, are joining the fight to help Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm that grew into one of the most powerful systems to assault the region since Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Ida

SB Tree Service manager Angel Vanburger commented: "As a Florida resident, we are not strangers to hurricanes. We know what it's like to have fallen trees, power outages, and how hard it is to get help. That's why our SB Tree service crew began an overnight trip to being assistance to residents and businesses along the southeast of Louisiana."

Ida had winds of 150 mph as of 10 a.m. CDT on Sunday, making it a high-end Category 4 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds in Ida increased by 65 mph in the 24 hours ending 10 a.m. CDT, which easily meets the criteria for the rapid intensification of a tropical cyclone.

SB Tree Service is a full-spectrum tree management agency, with a selection of maintenance services, from trimming and tree removal to storm debris work for residential and commercial properties. Usually, this work takes place in Volusia County, FL but, as recently as 2018, the company was in North Carolina and Panama City, helping with Hurricane Florence and Michael, respectively.

"We'll be responding to reports of storms and hurricane damage, maybe moving North as things develop," said Vanburger. "We're encouraging homes and businesses where trees have been damaged, brought down, are hanging onto power lines, or otherwise need servicing to reach out to us as soon as possible."

The trajectory and strength of Ida will present a high-stakes test of the 350 miles of levees, flood walls, pumps and gates that were built up around New Orleans as added storm protection after Katrina in 2005.

Sunday is the 16th anniversary of Katrina's landfall, and Ida's path was stirring painful reminders of the death and devastation that the 2005 storm wrought, leaving psychological scars that still run deep in the city. The storm killed 1,833 people, inflicted more than $100 billion in damage, and submerged large stretches of New Orleans, leading to scenes of suffering that horrified the nation.

Licensed and insured for liability and worker's comp, the SB Tree Service team is ready to help with tree service and removal projects of any size. For a consultation in the southeastern Louisiana area or any of the other cities currently being affected by Hurricane Ida, you can get in touch with them at 386-320-3056.

"Lastly, we'd like to say we're sending our thoughts and prayers to the people of Louisiana. Stay safe out there and let's get through this, together."

Related Images

sb-tree-service.jpeg

SB Tree Service

Hurricane Ida

SOURCE SB Tree Service
One Million Dollar Back-To-School Breakfast Giveaway*: Ohio-based Wendy's restaurants are giving away "breakfast for a school year" to parents and teachers in central/southern Ohio with its $1MM Back-to-School Breakfast Giveaway*. No, this isn't a dream! Hosted across fan-favorite radio stations, Wendy's is awarding over 3,500 free breakfast combo meals to radio listeners, valued at over ONE MILLION dollars' worth of delicious morning meals*.

Ohio-based Wendy's restaurants are giving away to parents and teachers in central/southern Ohio with its $1MM Back-to-School Breakfast Giveaway*. No, this isn't a dream! Hosted across fan-favorite radio stations, Wendy's is awarding over 3,500 free breakfast combo meals to radio listeners, valued at over dollars' worth of delicious morning meals*. $1.99 Breakfast Croissants: Now through October, parents can snag Wendy's Sausage, Egg & Swiss or Bacon Egg & Swiss Croissants for just $1.99 each**. Simply order in-restaurant, via drive-thru or via mobile order to secure this craveable deal.

WHERE & WHEN:

Parents, teachers, faculty members and the Columbus community alike can take advantage of the back-to-school breakfast giveaway by tuning into their local radio station or checking their station's website until September 12. Take a few extra minutes for yourself in the morning and let Wendy's breakfast carry you through those first few back-to-school weeks. Check out your favorite local radio station for more details.

And while you're waiting to find out if you're one of the lucky thousands of winners, head to your local Wendy's for a delicious $1.99 Sausage, Egg & Swiss or Bacon Egg & Swiss Croissant** from now through the end of October. Now that's something to get the kids excited for!

WHY:

Back-to-school means one thing: new routines, rushed mornings and very little time for the most important meal of the day. A recent back-to-school survey*** of Ohio-based parents found:

Morning Mayhem: School Day mornings are the most hectic time with their children*** according to 80% of Ohio parents.

School Day mornings are the with their children*** according to 80% of parents. More Time, Please: Four out of five Ohio -based parents say that they wish they had more time in the morning as school starts.

Four out of five -based parents say that they wish they had more time in the morning as school starts. Back-to-School Mode: Activated: Despite the chaos that comes with the school year, more than 80% of Ohio parents are just as excited for back to school as they are for Halloween and vacation plans.

And that's where Wendy's comes in. It's simple math: let Wendy's make your breakfast to give you more time in the morning + affordable breakfast before school = a happier Wendy's hometown. Problem solved. (shoutout to teachers!)

ABOUT WENDY'S:

Wendy's was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Dave built his business on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Wendy's is best known for its made-to-order square hamburgers, using fresh, never frozen beef****, freshly-prepared salads, and other signature items like chili, baked potatoes and the Frosty dessert. The Wendy's Company is committed to doing the right thing and making a positive difference in the lives of others. This is most visible through the Company's support of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and its signature Wendy's Wonderful Kids program, which seeks to find a loving, forever home for every child in the North American foster care system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 6,800 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. For details on franchising, connect with us at www.wendys.com/franchising . Visit www.wendys.com and www.squaredealblog.com for more information and connect with us on Twitter and Instagram using @wendys, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendys .

*Free Breakfast for a year consists of 42 Free Breakfast Combo Meals

**Limited time only. U.S. price and participation may vary. Excludes Maple Bacon Chicken Croissant. Not valid in combo. Third-party delivery prices may vary. Check your local Wendy's for breakfast hours.

***Ketchum Analytics partnered with third-party vendor, Savanta, to survey 500 nationally representative Parents who live in Ohio and have children in school (K-12th grade). The survey was fielded between August 2 and August 6, 2021, at the 95% confidence level and with a margin of error of /-4%.

****Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada.

SOURCE The Wendy's Company

Related Links

http://www.wendys.com


RIVERSIDE, Calif., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney Zulu Ali was a recent guest on The Star Treatment, a prestigious video series hosted by renowned lawyer and television personality, Star Jones (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djxao4vtAAg).

Attorney Zulu Ali Speaks w/ Star Jones on Becoming an Award-Winning Trial Lawyer & Activist Attorney Zulu Ali

Attorney Ali, a practicing trial lawyer, activist, former police officer, and U.S. marine veteran, recounted his inspiration to become an attorney. "My grandfather, A.D. Reynolds, worked as a janitor, cleaned law offices at night. As a little boy I would go along with him and one night while cleaning the office of an attorney named Tyrus Cobb, he took me into the library and introduced me to Attorney Cobb by stating this is my grandson, he is going to be the next Avon Williams [Avon Williams was a great civil rights lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee]..Attorney Cobb began telling me about Williams and other great civil rights lawyers and how they changed the world. I left there that day thinking that is what I wanted to do. 20 years later I was a police officer and was in probate court. The Judge was the attorney my grandfather introduced me to 20 years earlier. When he called the case he stated in front of everyone in open court "everyone this is the next Avon Williams" he then went on to tell me how great a man my grandfather was. I became very emotional [and pursued my original passion to become an attorney]."

Ali attributes most of his success to his mother, who raised him as a single parent working two jobs as a factory worker and waitress, who instilled in him a great degree of discipline, resiliency, and work ethic; and his wife (Charito) of over 35 years, who has always been a solid foundation and supporter.

A former police officer and U.S. marine corps veteran, Attorney Ali earned a juris doctorate in law from Trinity International University Law School, a master's in business (M.B.A.) and administration of justice (M.S.) from University of Phoenix, and a liberal arts degree with an emphasis in African Studies from Regents College through a consortium with Tennessee State University. He is currently a doctoral scholar (human rights NGO management) at California Southern University.

In 2007, Attorney Zulu Ali opened The Law Offices of Zulu Ali and Associates, LLP based in Riverside, California (zulualilaw.com) and is the largest Black-owned law firm in California's Inland Empire. The firm focuses on representing persons accused of crimes, immigrants, victims of discrimination, and persons seeking civil justice in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He is also registered counsel at the African Court of Human Rights in Tanzania (East Africa) and International Criminal Court at The Hague (Netherlands).

Attorney Ali currently serves as Director of the Stop and Frisk Youth Leadership Academy, which trains at risk youth and others to deal with police encounters and life skills (https://stopfriskacademy.com); Director of the Southern California Veterans Legal Clinic, a legal clinic offering no cost and low cost legal services to military veterans (https://zulualilaw.com/?page_id=1539). Ali is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and has been appointed to serve on its national governing body as General Legal Counsel.

In 2017, Attorney Ali was recognized as one of the most influential African American Leaders in Los Angeles by the National Action Network founded by Reverend Al Sharpton; and, in 2021, he received the Albert Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in law and activism. Attorney Ali has been recognized as a top trial lawyer by numerous trial lawyer associations and publications.

He resides in Southern California with his wife (Charito) of more than 35 years; with their four adult children, Christine, Whitney, Ashley, and Lynda; and four grandchildren, Amayah, Tye, Izem, and Amina.

SOURCE Law Office of Zulu Ali

Related Links

https://zulualilaw.com


PHOENIX, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Western Hotels & Resorts' Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Dorothy Dowling, will be awarded the Hotel News Now Stephen W. Brener Silver Plate Award at the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference in November 2021. Dowling is being recognized for her immeasurable contributions to Best Western Hotels & Resorts and the hospitality industry at large.

The award is given annually to the most influential executive, entrepreneur, company, or association in the travel industry, recognizing exemplary examples of innovation and leadership, and shining a light on the contributions of these remarkable industry leaders. Dowling is the second woman in history to be awarded the Stephen W. Brener Silver Plate Award since its creation in 1959, following in the footsteps of Marilyn Carlson Nelson.

"Dorothy is most deserving of this coveted recognition," said David Kong, President and Chief Executive Officer, Best Western Hotels & Resorts. "I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand Dorothy's innovative and strategic thinking for 17 years now. Each day I have been inspired by her unrelenting commitment to our industry and her dedication to Best Western's hoteliers, guests, and her team of incredibly talented sales and marketing professionals. I have no doubt that Dorothy's contributions to the industry will be remembered for generations to come."

"I am not surprised that Dorothy is the second woman in history to receive this accolade, as there is no greater champion for our industry," said Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer, American Airlines. "She has been a catalyst for change through her commitment to collaboration, and her focus on empowering women leaders. I hope the next generation of women in travel embrace Dorothy's approach to leadership  she has proven that it is possible to deliver business outcomes while also driving positive change."

Dowling is a veteran industry executive who is a leader, change-maker, innovator and trusted colleague. Leading all marketing and sales strategies for Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Dowling oversees the brand's loyalty program, digital marketing and distribution, consumer and field marketing activities, advertising, public relations and B2B sales and marketing.

"Dorothy is a leading voice whose dedication to our industry is truly inspiring," said Ishwar Naran, Board Chairman, Best Western Hotels & Resorts. "I have had the privilege of working alongside Dorothy at Best Western Hotels & Resorts where she has played a critical role in increasing market share and contemporizing our iconic brand."

Since joining Best Western Hotels & Resorts in 2004, Dowling has reshaped and repositioned the iconic brand. Her work at Best Western Hotels & Resorts includes:

Driving the growth of the industry-leading loyalty program, Best Western Rewards which now boasts over 47 million members and provides guests with one of the richest hotel rewards programs in the industry.

Building an award-winning partnership with AAA/CAA resulting in Best Western Hotels & Resorts being named the AAA/CAA Partner of the Year for 12 consecutive years.

Supporting Best Western Hotels & Resorts' $2 billion brand refresh which revealed a re-energized and contemporary image for the iconic brand.

brand refresh which revealed a re-energized and contemporary image for the iconic brand. Becoming a first mover by partnering with Google Street View and leveraging Virtual Reality technology, resulting in Fast Company recognizing the hotel brand as one of the World's Most Innovative Companies.

Positioning Best Western Hotels & Resorts as a trusted leader in business travel, earning a number of industry accolades such as Best Western and Best Western Plus ranking as the number one midscale and number two upper-midscale hotel brands respectively by Business Travel News.

"It is an honor to be chosen as a Stephen W. Brener Silver Plate Award winner by the NYU conference advisory group," said Dowling. "This award has been bestowed upon true industry leaders and I am humbled to be joining the list of winners, including Best Western's very own President and CEO, David Kong, who won this same award in 2013. Driving progress for the travel industry has been my life's work, and I hope my contributions to the industry will be as impactful and long lasting as those who have come before me."

"Dorothy is a thought leader and innovator who has united the travel industry with her 'we win together when we work together' philosophy," said Reggie Aggarwal, CEO and Founder, Cvent. "I believe Dorothy's approach to leadership and dedication to collaboration will have a lasting impact on our industry."

Dowling's commitment to the travel industry is far-reaching. In addition to her role at Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Dowling works with a variety of industry organizations. Dowling was recently elected President of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Allied Leadership Council for a second term. She is also Senior Advisor for GBTA WINiT's Strategic Advisory Board, serves on HSMAI's Foundation Board of Directors, and US Travel's Board of Directors. In addition to her industry leadership roles, Dowling serves as an Independent Trustee on CubeSmart's Board of Directors, the third-largest owner and operator of self-storage properties in the United States.

This accolade adds to Dowling's growing list of awards. Just this year, Dowling was recognized by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International with the Albert E. Koehl Award Lifetime Achievement Award. Dowling was also named a "Top 40 Women in Travel" in 2019 by WINiT by GBTA  a network focused on the advancement of women professionals in the industry. In 2018, Dowling was honored with the prestigious "Allied Member of the Year" award from GBTA for her valued stewardship in the business travel industry. In 2017, Dowling was named as one of Hotel Management magazine's "30 Influential Women in Hospitality," for her trailblazing leadership, and she was named the 18th most influential Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in the world in the Forbes/ScribbleLive/LinkedIn's 4th Annual CMO Influence Study in 2015. She was among HSMAI's Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing two times; and in 2014, was inducted into the Direct Marketing News Marketing Hall of Femme. Additionally, Dowling was the recipient of the 2016 Applied Health Sciences Alumni Achievement Award, from the University of Waterloo, her alma mater.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:

Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier, Executive Residency by Best Western, Vib, GLo, Aiden, Sadie, BW Premier Collection and BW Signature Collection. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio is SureStay, SureStay Plus, SureStay Collection and SureStay StudioSM franchises**. For more information visit www.bestwestern.com, www.bestwesterndevelopers.com, www.worldhotels.com and www.surestay.com.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

Media Contact

Katie Ray

Senior PR Manager

602.957.5526

[email protected]

SOURCE Best Western Hotels & Resorts

Related Links

http://www.bestwestern.com


Community-based learning has long been core to BPL's practice, and the development of ImBlaze makes it possible for students and educators to access curated databases of internship opportunities. Educators connect with students to explore potential internship sites hosted by adults who wish to serve as mentors. When complemented with educator professional development, ImBlaze has proven highly successful in helping students explore their interests and passions, both in schools and in their communities.

"We at Big Picture Learning have seen the impact that connecting with mentors who share their interests can have on young people. We know that it is particularly important to create opportunities for young people to develop connections to supportive mentors who can play vitally important roles in their lives. It's precisely this kind of social capital development that can be transformational for students while strengthening entire communities," said BPL's Co-Executive Director Andrew Frishman. "We are thrilled to partner with American Student Assistance in ways that will enable us to spread and scale the practice of interest-driven real-world learning experiences for so many more young people."

According to the ASA and Burning Glass Technologies report, "The View from the Schoolhouse: How Middle and High School Educators See the Skills Shaping the Modern Economy," which analyzed teacher attitudes  prior to and since the start of the pandemic  toward incorporating high-demand workforce skills into school curriculum, only a quarter of educators (25%) believe that their school is doing an excellent job at preparing students for job opportunities. Key to unlocking more of these opportunities is increasing access to professional development.

"ASA and Big Picture Learning have a shared commitment to creating work-based learning opportunities among students and career-focused professional development for educators," said ASA's Chief Strategy Officer Annabel Cellini. "By expanding access to career exploration tools, technologies, and online resources, BPL's LTI program will drive long-term student success outcomes, build skills that foster employability, and encourage postsecondary education success, including access to non-college pathways."

The LTI program is designed to increase student access to career exploration activities such as informational interviews, shadow days, internships and mentorship opportunities integrated within other components of the educational experience. With the support of ASA's funding, Big Picture Learning will be able to expand ImBlaze adoption to 150 schools/sites, provide LTI programming to 30,000 students, and support 450 educators and school leaders through dynamic professional development, training, and support.

An initial focus of this partnership will be in supporting schools across the state of California. Principal Robert Fung of the San Diego Met High School, one of the beneficiaries of this expansion, expresses his delight and appreciation in seeing the work of interest-based education and internships expanding across the state: "We have witnessed how Big Picture Learning and ImBlaze empowers students to take ownership of their search for internships. This agency and motivation breeds confidence and resilience, so I'm pleased to learn that even more students and educators will get to be part of the growing collection of success stories that we ourselves have benefitted from."

About Big Picture Learning

Big Picture Learning's mission is to activate the potential of schools, systems, and education through interest-driven real-world learning. As a non-profit organization dedicated to the fundamental redesign of public education, Big Picture's vision is the generation of innovative, personalized learning environments that work in tandem with the real world of their greater community. At the core of Big Picture Learning's mission is a commitment to equity for all students, especially historically marginalized populations, and the expectation that these students can achieve success. For more than 20 years, the Big Picture Learning network has served over 26,000 students in over 23 states and thousands of additional students internationally. www.bigpicture.org

About American Student Assistance (ASA)

American Student Assistance (ASA) is a national nonprofit committed to helping kids know themselves, know their options, and make informed choices to achieve their education and career goals. ASA has a 60-year legacy of working directly with students to increase their access to higher education through loans and financial education. ASA has turned its experience into impactful solutions for students in grades 6-12 to help them pursue their dreams. To learn more about ASA, visit www.asa.org/about-us.

SOURCE American Student Assistance

Related Links

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SAN FRANCISCO and PETAH TIKVA, ISRAEL, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cellebrite DI Ltd. ("Cellebrite"), the global leader in Digital Intelligence solutions for the public and private sectors, and TWC Tech Holdings II Corp. ("TWC Tech Holdings") (Nasdaq: TWCT), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced the completion of their previously announced business combination. The combined company will retain the Cellebrite DI Ltd. name and its ordinary shares and warrants will begin trading on Nasdaq on August 31, 2021, under the ticker symbols "CLBT" and "CLBTW," respectively. The transaction was approved at a special meeting of TWC Tech Holdings stockholders held on August 27, 2021.

Yossi Carmil, Chief Executive Officer of Cellebrite, noted, "We have achieved an important milestone that advances our strategy to drive value to the investigative lifecycle. We are energized by the significant opportunities to build on our industry-leading position, expand our capabilities and continue to deliver valuable solutions to our broad and growing customer base. I would like to thank True Wind Capital for their support and partnership throughout this process. As a publicly traded company, we believe we are well positioned to help to create a safer world with our Digital Intelligence solutions suite, through the ethical use of our solutions, and to deliver sustainable value for all of our stakeholders."

Adam Clammer, Chief Executive Officer of TWC Tech Holdings, said: "Cellebrite's technology enables its customers to protect the public and safeguard assets with efficiency and transparency. We believe Cellebrite is well-positioned to capture the opportunities ahead and increase its share of the large and growing Digital Intelligence market as it transitions to the public markets."



Transaction Overview

The transaction generated approximately $370 million of gross proceeds from the cash held in trust after TWC Tech Holdings stockholder redemptions and the private investment in public equity (PIPE) for the purchase of shares from existing shareholders of Cellebrite who are primarily from early investors in the company. Leading institutional investors, including Light Street Capital and Makena Capital, and strategic investor Axon Enterprise, Inc., participated in the PIPE, details of which were disclosed in Cellebrite's April 8th, 2021 press release.

Cellebrite's senior management team will continue to lead the company, headed by Yossi Carmil, Chief Executive Officer. Cellebrite's Board of Directors is comprised of Haim Shani (Chairman), Ryusuke Utsumi, Yonatan Domnitz, Elly Keinan and Yossi Carmil. Upon the close of the transaction, the Board welcomed new Directors Adam Clammer, Dafna Gruber, William Heldfond and Nadine Baudot-Trajtenberg.

Advisors

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as financial advisor to Cellebrite, and White & Case LLP and Meitar Law Offices served as legal advisors to Cellebrite. Cowen and Needham & Company, LLC served as lead capital markets advisors to Cellebrite.

BofA Securities and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as placement agents for Cellebrite and TWC Tech Holdings. BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. served as co-lead capital markets advisors to TWC Tech Holdings. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Herzog, Fox & Ne'eman acted as legal advisors to TWC Tech Holdings.

Shearman & Sterling LLP acted as legal advisor to the placement agents.

About Cellebrite

Cellebrite's mission is to enable its customers to protect and save lives, accelerate justice and preserve privacy in communities around the world. Cellebrite is the global leader in Digital Intelligence solutions for the public and private sectors, empowering organizations to master the complexities of legally sanctioned digital investigations by streamlining intelligence processes. Trusted by thousands of leading agencies and companies in more than 140 countries, Cellebrite's Digital Intelligence platform and solutions transform how customers collect, review, analyze and manage data in legally sanctioned investigations. To learn more visit us at www.cellebrite.com and https://www.cellebrite.com/en/investors/.

About TWC Tech Holdings

TWC Tech Holdings is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. TWC Tech Holdings raised $600 million in its initial public offering in September 2020.

About True Wind Capital

True Wind Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity firm focused on investing in leading technology companies. True Wind has a broad investing mandate, with deep industry expertise across software, tech-enabled services, and hardware.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This document includes "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 may be identified by the use of words such as "forecast," "intend," "seek," "target," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "expect," "estimate," "may," "plan," "outlook," "future" and "project" and other similar expressions that predict, project or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward looking statements include estimated financial information. Such forward looking statements with respect to revenues, earnings, performance, strategies, prospects and other aspects of the business of Cellebrite are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those indicated by such forward looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: Cellebrite's ability to develop technologically advanced solutions and successfully integrate with the software solutions used by customers; acceptance of solutions by customers; errors, failures, defects or bugs in solutions; a failure to maintain sales and marketing personnel productivity or hire, integrate and retain additional sales and marketing personnel; the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of competition on pricing and on Cellebrite's market share; sub-optimal results from products due to misuse by customers; Cellebrite's failure to maintain and enhance its reputation and brand; inaccuracy of the estimates of Cellebrite's market opportunity and forecasts of market growth; changes to packaging and licensing models that adversely affect the ability to attract or retain customers; failure to manage future growth effectively; failure to introduce new solutions and add-ons; issues in the use of artificial intelligence resulting in reputational harm or liability; the need for additional capital to support the growth of Cellebrite's business; a failure to maintain the security of operations and the integrity of software solutions; the impact of government budgeting cycles and appropriations, early termination, audits, investigations, sanctions and penalties; a decline in government budgets, changes in spending or budgetary priorities, or delays in contract awards; a failure to adequately obtain, maintain, protect and enforce Cellebrite's intellectual property or infringement of the intellectual property rights of others; perceptions or court or regulatory decisions that Cellebrite's solutions violate privacy rights; the use of solutions by customers in a way that is, or that is perceived to be, incompatible with human rights; failure to comply with laws regarding privacy, data protection and security, technology protection, sanctions, export controls and other matters; and other factors, risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in the final proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on August 5, 2021 and in other documents filed by Cellebrite with the SEC, which are available free of charge at www.sec.gov. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, in this communication or elsewhere. Cellebrite undertakes no obligation to update its 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.

Contacts

For Cellebrite:

Media

Adam Jaffe

VP of Global Communications

+1 973 206 7643

[email protected]

- or -

[email protected]

Investors

Anat Earon-Heilborn

VP Investor Relations

+972 73 394 8440

[email protected]



For TWC Tech Holdings:

Jonathan Gasthalter/Nathaniel Garnick

Gasthalter & Co.

+1 (212) 257-4170

[email protected]

SOURCE Cellebrite

Related Links

https://www.cellebrite.com/en/home/


VIENNA, Va., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Centurion Health announced today that it has been awarded a contract with the State of Idaho, Department of Administration, to provide medical and mental health care services for the Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC).

The five-year contract is expected to begin on October 1, 2021 and includes up to 10 years of renewal options.

Under the agreement, Centurion will provide physical health, mental health, and related support services for approximately 7,500 incarcerated people across the state with a regional office established in Boise.

"Centurion is honored to be awarded the contract to provide care for the residents of the IDOC," said Centurion CEO Steven H. Wheeler. "Centurion strives to infuse innovation with high-quality care and we look forward to building a strong relationship with the IDOC based on their passion to do the same."

About Centurion Health

Centurion is a leading national provider of healthcare and behavioral health services to incarcerated populations and judicially-involved individuals. Centurion is committed to improving the health of its patients and communities through compassionate care and innovative health solutions. For more information on Centurion, please visit www.CenturionManagedCare.com.

SOURCE Centurion Health

Related Links

https://www.centurionmanagedcare.com


BEIJING, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Young Chinese and Russians get together for a little game and a long chat, and slowly the cultural stereotypes begin to dissolve

"   ,   ,  ...She came out and went ashore, Katyusha! On the lofty bank, on the steeply shore)" The melodious singing of the Russian folk song Katyusha, to the accompaniment of a guitar, rang out in Beijing on Aug 30, a balmy summer's night in the Chinese capital.

The teens who sang the song, in both Chinese and Russian, were taking part in the third episode of Youth Power, a popular internet program that has been broadcast since June. The theme for the episode was "Mystery gifts for neighborly friends", and it lived up to its promise of being full of surprises, with young people from China and Russia presenting mystery gifts to each other.

In the episode young people from China and Russia discussed their wonderful cross-cultural experiences, demonstrating the rich culture of China and Russia, celebrating both their similarities and their differences, and establishing greater friendship.

That famous line from the film Forest Gump, "Life's like a box of chocolates; you never know what you 're going to get", worked its magic in the program. One reason for the choice of "blind box" as a hook for the episode was that the term has been extremely popular on the internet in China in recent months, and the use of blind boxes in the program proved to be popular among young people across the globe.

The Chinese and Russian youths exchanged blind boxes as offerings of popular items that represent their cultures, and used them as starting points to discuss food, clothing, housing, popular culture, language learning and many other things.

The teenagers in Beijing and St. Petersburg connected with each other online as the gifts were opened. Amid much chatter and a lot of laughter they were able to lance some of the stereotypes that Chinese and Russians often apply to one another and gain a deeper appreciation of the cultures of the two countries.

Serious cultural and social issues were discussed, such as women's appearance anxiety, the meaning of learning classic literature, the differences in Chinese and Russian artistic styles, and the cultural connotations carried by languages.

After the exchange of gifts and the discussion, thought-provoking speeches on topics such as Chinese and Russian culture, language and cross-cultural communications were delivered by two each of the Russian and Chinese participants.

When Nik Gu, a second-year student at Tsinghua University in Beijing who with his family emigrated from Russia to China 16 years ago, said he could not speak a word of Chinese when they arrived.These days he could be mistaken for a native Chinese speaker, with a Beijing tinge to his accent. He has learnt Chinese calligraphy, martial arts and even something about traditional Chinese medicine and taken part in numerous diplomatic events in China. "China has become my home," he said,

Qu Jiaxin, a graduate of Beijing Foreign Studies University, said she always jokes that she did not chose to learn Russian but that it chose her. In the first two years of Russian studies, she said, she could not get into the language. That all changed in the summer of 2019 when she visited Russia. After talking to a young Russian about their country's varied, yet similar, histories, she finally felt the strong bond between China and Russia. It is, she said, a mutual understanding based on cultural resonance and similar historical experiences.

Alisa Topchiy, 23, who is studying at St. Petersburg State University, said she considers herself a global citizen. One striking story she recounted related to a plate of Chinese dumplings. "Food can cause a storm of emotion  [and] joint tasting of foreign dishes unites, and some kind of special relationship is struck up between you." She encouraged everyone to try traditional Chinese food and said she wished there were more intercultural opportunities for young Chinese and Russians to build strong friendships.

Li Weichen, who is studying Russian language and culture at Shanghai International Studies University, told of her childhood awe on seeing sparks of excitement in her grandmother's eyes as the old woman recalled writing letters to a Russian pen pal. Years later Li found her own sparks of excitement through Russian literature. "Our scattered sparks light up our passion for language and literature, strengthen mutual communication and collaboration and illuminate the ever-closer bonds that China and Russia enjoy," she said

Youth Power is an internet broadcast that first aired early this year, and is a creation of China Daily, conceived with the interests and ideals of Generation Z  people aged between about 10 and 25  in mind that aims to build a platform for communication and exchange worldwide. It also aims to provide an insight into the perspectives of young people on the state of the world and encourage them to think about issues and motivate them to play their role in making the world a better place.



The program comes in the form of interviews, forums and speeches, with topics related to anything of current interest in the world. Since Youth Power was first broadcast in June it has been watched by hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. The first episode attracted about 130 million views and the second 150 million views.

SOURCE China Daily
"At the moment, most lay people are trained in compression-only CPR because that is the standard of care in adults," said Maryam Y. Naim , MD, MSCE, a pediatric cardiac intensive care physician in the Division of Cardiac Critical Care Medicine at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and first author of the study. "However, children are not simply small adults, and our study shows there is a tremendous need for education in all communities about the benefits of CPR with rescue breathing in the pediatric population. For infants in particular, our study shows that CPR with rescue breathing is the only type of CPR that is associated with good neurological outcomes; infants who received compression-only CPR had similar outcomes to infants who did not receive bystander CPR."

Fewer than 10% of children who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting survive. The rates of survival improve when a bystander performs CPR, but prior to this study, the frequency and type of bystander CPR in out-of-hospital pediatric cardiac arrest in different age groups was unknown. In adults, compression-only CPR has been shown to be as effective as CPR with rescue breathing, so since 2010, the American Heart Association (AHA) and European Resuscitation Council (ERC) have recommended compression-only CPR for bystanders who witness an adult in cardiac arrest. However, the researchers suspected this form of CPR might be less effective in children, as pediatric cardiac arrest most often stems from breathing problems.

To better understand the frequency, type, and outcomes of bystander CPR for children, the researchers analyzed 10,429 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests between 2013 and 2019 in patients between 0 and 18 years of age. The data for the study was derived from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) database, a registry maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine, which includes an overall catchment area of nearly 145 million people in 28 states across the United States.

The researchers found that less than half (46.5%) of those who experienced pediatric cardiac arrest outside of the hospital received bystander CPR. Of those who did receive CPR, the majority (55.6%) received compression-only CPR. Those children who received CPR with rescue breathing were nearly 1.5 times as likely to have better neurological outcomes than those who received compression-only CPR. In children and adolescents, both types of CPR had better neurological outcomes than no CPR at all, but to the researchers' surprise, infants receiving compression-only CPR had essentially the same outcomes as infants who received no CPR.

Additionally, the researchers examined the changes in rates and types of CPR over the six-year study period and found that although the rates of bystander CPR did not change, the proportion of compression-only CPR increased, with no change in neurologically favorable survival.

"While public health efforts to teach compression-only CPR have benefited adults who have cardiac arrests, children have likely been disadvantaged by these efforts. The results of this study have important implications on bystander CPR education and training, which should continue to emphasize rescue breathing CPR for children  and especially infants in cardiac arrest and teach lay rescuers how to perform this type of CPR," Naim said.

Naim et al. "Compression-only versus Rescue-breathing Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests," Journal of the American College of Cardiology, online August 30, 2021, DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.06.042

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


STERLING, Ill., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Last Friday hundreds of homeless and in-need veterans showed up for the Chicago Standdown event and were provided with services such as medical screenings, employment assistance and FREE haircuts and beard trims from a giant 20-foot mobile barbershop. The mobile barbershop is a staple of Sterling, Ill., based company Wahl Clipper Corp. and is used to spread goodwill and good grooming across the country.

Wahl Mobile Barbershop Helps Hundreds of Veterans Get a Fresh Start The Wahl mobile barbershop is a staple of the Sterling, Ill., based company and is used to spread goodwill and good grooming across the country. Wahl was honored to be a part of the Chicago Standdown event, and to provide free grooming services to Chicago-area Veterans in need. Wahl parked its 20-foot mobile barbershop at the Chicago Standdown event and offered FREE haircuts and beard trims to Veterans. Wahl also partnered with Greater Good Charities Good Packs Program and handed out 400 beard trimmers to the Veterans alongside backpacks filled with essential needs such as toiletries, warm blankets, and reusable water bottles.

"The graphics on our mobile barbershop say it all  Wahl's goal is to 'Make the World a Bearder Place'," said Steven Yde, division Vice President for Wahl. "What does that mean? Whether it's providing grooming services for those in need, celebrating bearded individuals doing good, or contributing money to local causes, our barbershop is a vehicle for delivering positivity."

In addition to grooming services, Wahl partnered with Greater Good Charities' Good Packs Program and handed out 400 beard trimmers to the Veterans alongside backpacks filled with essential needs such as toiletries, warm blankets, and reusable water bottles. The Good Packs Program is meant to help people experiencing homelessness or living in transitional housing endure another day, so they can keep moving toward long-term solutions.

"There are far too many Veterans who are suffering right now," continued Yde, "Wahl was honored to be a part of this event, especially considering the devastating effects the pandemic has had on homeless Veterans over the past year and a half."

"We are proud to support Wahl in their efforts to help unsheltered people including many military veterans in the Chicago area," said Brooke Nowak, Vice President for Greater Good Charities. "Our Good Packs provide basic survival supplies in a functional backpack to people during difficult and challenging times."

For more information about how Wahl is making the world a 'bearder' place to live, or for grooming tips and tools visit WahlUSA.com or follow @WahlGrooming on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

About Wahl Grooming

Celebrating its 102nd anniversary, Wahl continues to help men look and feel their best with innovative products manufactured to define and elevate the men's grooming category. The company set the standard with the first-ever practical electric hair clipper in 1919, and later strengthened its leadership with the world's first battery-powered facial hair trimmer. Wahl crossed its centennial milestone by introducing a complete line of personal care products including a beard oil, shampoo, and body wash. It's this continued commitment to excellence that has solidified Wahl's place as the world's go-to brand for men's grooming solutions. For more information, visit WahlUSA.com.

Download Video and Images: https://cloud.hoffmanyork.com/portal/s/02314735841400339604

SOURCE Wahl Clipper Corporation
From a small workshop in the 1990s which could only produce one crude drug substance to a world-leading bio-enzyme manufacturer with strong R&D capability today, the world's largest pancreatin supplier and China's first EU GMP-certified bio-enzyme API producer, Deebio has sold its products to over 30 countries and regions, and starts a broaden view of global journey.

Burgeoning business presence after 27 years of growth

In 1990, Zhang Ge, currently chairman and president of Deebio, graduated from Sichuan University (formerly Chengdu University of Science and Technology) as a biochemical major and started his career at Deyang Biochemical Pharmaceutical Factory as a technician and laboratory director. In the fourth, a chance that enterprise restructuring aroused, he took over the company and brought in some partners to rebuild the ageing facilities by hand. In December 1994, Sichuan Deyang Biochemical Products Co., Ltd. was officially established.

Nobody expected that Deebio nearly bankrupt only less than one year after its foundation.

"In the early 1990s, awareness of quality in the domestic bio-enzyme industry was generally not strong, and our understanding of enzymes was still at the stage where enzyme activity is everything." Zhang Ge recalled. In March 1995, the newly founded Deyang Biochemical Products received its first order: the export of crude pancreatic kininogenase to Japan. However, the exported goods were returned due to the difference of a few milligrams in fat content. "Our company would have gone bankrupt if the client had claimed a compensation at that time as the sum of money was an astronomical figure for us. Fortunately, after some negotiation, the client agreed to let us resupply product rather than asking us for compensation," explained Zhang Ge.

Risks and opportunities always coexist. The lesson we learned from the above case was that we needed to set the bar very high for the quality. During the subsequent 27 years, Deebio committed itself to rigorous quality standards and, as a result, had been able to steadily grow.

Today, Deebio has both the qualifications and the capabilities to produce over 10 bio-enzyme APIs, of which, its kininogenase occupies a majority of the global free market while the market share of pancreatic , pepsin, chymotrypsin and other products has each reached 30% or more. Deebio is also the only Chinese supplier for elastase, clear solution pepsin and high lipase pancreatin APIs in the global market.

Leading the industry on the back of a strong and constantly improved foundation

It has not been an easy ride for Deebio.

In 1997, when Deebio was able to maintain its normal operation, it began to develop close industry-university-research cooperation with universities and research institutes, including Tsinghua University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sichuan University, China Pharmaceutical University, etc. As a result, Deebio soon became an industry leader in technical capability.

In January 2003, to further improve quality, Deebio established a joint venture, Deyang Sinozyme Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. jointly with a German partner that had better technologies and management capabilities. During the 18 years of cooperation, the German partner has regularly visited Deebio to give guidance and supervision, introducing advanced quality system management methods to Deebio, so as to raise Deebio's quality system management capabilities to the highest international level.

During the business in EU market, Sanofi, Novartis and several other companies regularly conducted audits of Deebio. These rigid audits helped in large measure to further improve Deebio's processes and technologies. To cite an example, in 2018, Deebio collaborated with technical experts from Berlin-Chemie to jointly solve an important technical issue in production, which, once resolved, vastly improved the quality of product.

Thanks to years of experience and dedication to scientific practices, Deebio has led the industry in terms of product quality and management capabilities, and has developed a unique full-process enzyme activity protection technology. Through non-destructive activation, zymogen can be awakened with precision, and the key control technology of the full-process enzyme activity protection can be used to achieve high activity, high purity and high stability of bio-enzyme products.

Exports to EU and over 30 other countries and regions

As is well known, EU GMP is among the most rigorous drug standards globally. More than 20 years ago, domestic bio-enzyme API manufacturers were beset with challenges when trying to comply with the standard.

"My philosophy has always been, as long as I do what others don't do, I will do it best and hit the ground running." In the face of difficulties, Zhang Ge sets goals and then sets out to find a way to meet them.

In 2005, despite several challenges, Deebio became the first Chinese manufacturer to obtain EU GMP certificate for bio-enzyme APIs. The firm subsequently passed the Chinese GMP certification, and, more recently, it has quality system management capabilities of the US FDA, Japan PMDA, and South Korea MFDS.

Benefiting from more than 20 years of commitment to rigorous quality requirements, and sparing no effort in its quest for innovation and in obtaining the necessary investment, Deebio has established long-term partnerships with global pharmaceutical giants including Novartis, Sanofi, Berlin-Chemie and Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical. The company's products have been exported to Europe, the US, Japan and South Korea for more than 20 years, with sales channels into more than 30 countries and regions.

Nevertheless, Deebio never stop stepping forward.

The company has completed its MFDS registration in South Korea, and has submitted its registration files for Japan PMDA, while the USA FDA certification is on track to be completed within two years. The new GMP workshop built according to FDA standards is now entering the trial production stage. Deebiotech (Chengdu) Co., Ltd., located in Wenjiang, Chengdu, is scheduled to formally start operation in October.

Looking ahead, Zhang Ge is full of confidence. "Deebio is going to be a very impressive platform with complete GMP qualifications, full-fledged technologies, rigorous management, and consistent product quality. We are also willing to work closely and transparently with like-minded friends to do more together, with the goal of living up to the expectations of the era and embracing a win-win opportunity in the rapidly growing global pharmaceutical market of today."

Selina Liu, 86-838-5702959, [email protected]

SOURCE Sichuan Deebiotech Corp., Ltd
NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte today announced that Teju Deshpande, CEO and co-founder of Oya Solutions, and other professionals from the company have joined Deloitte's Legal Business Services team, marking a significant expansion in its capabilities, experience and reach. The addition of these professionals caps a year of dramatic growth for the Legal Business Services team, which now boasts a nationwide team and ranks among the leading service providers helping legal departments to transform and thrive in the digital age.

"Deloitte's multi-disciplinary capabilities and trusted brand, combined with the deep experience and credibility that our Legal Business Services team possesses are what truly differentiates our offerings to clients and has led to unprecedented growth and the rapid expansion of our marketplace leadership," said Valerie Dickerson, partner, Legal Business Services, Deloitte Tax LLP. "The addition of Teju and the Oya team will further enhance Deloitte's impressive breadth, scale, and quality; as well as our ability to provide a singular destination for the corporate legal business services buyer," added Rich Levine, managing director, Legal Business Services, Deloitte Tax LLP.

Deshpande, who has joined Deloitte Tax LLP as a principal and is based in Chicago, is a pioneering leader in the legal services sector. She will help drive further growth in the Legal Business Services practice, building on her extensive experience in helping legal departments transform their operations through enabling technologies, process reengineering and alternative resourcing models. The Legal Business Services team will leverage her deep proficiency in contract lifecycle management (CLM) to enhance its industry-leading CLM practice with new innovative solutions to help clients accelerate their CLM transformation initiatives.

"Our research indicates that increasing digitization of contract management is a high priority for most organizations, said Mark Ross, principal, Legal Business Services, Deloitte Tax LLP. "Our clients are embracing the need to better understand how contracts are managed, with a true appreciation of data's power. However, they need help in assessing, and reengineering end-to-end CLM processes, as well as identifying and implementing enabling technologies. Teju and the Oya team's arrival at Deloitte further accelerates our ability to support our clients' contract management transformation efforts."

Since 2019, Deshpande has been co-founder and CEO of Oya Solutions, a consulting firm delivering CLM solutions to organizations to help them significantly increase contracting efficiency and effectiveness, provide improved visibility and better manage risk. Under her leadership, Oya Solutions delivered hundreds of CLM engagements and distinguished itself for its transformative impact on clients' business performance. In addition, Teju demonstrated genuine commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion, dedicating substantial energy, talent and resources to meaningful causes and initiatives that reflected the firm's values and vision. Prior to Oya Solutions, Deshpande was at Morae Global, an alternative legal services provider, where she built and led the CLM technology consulting practice.

Deshpande joins a rapidly growing seasoned team of multi-disciplinary legal transformation industry leaders who are continuing Deloitte's global expansion as one of the world's largest and most experienced providers of Legal Business Services.

Deloitte U.S. firms do not practice law or provide legal advice.

As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte Tax LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of our legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

SOURCE Deloitte

Related Links

https://www.deloitte.com/


RADNOR, Pa., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP reminds investors that securities fraud class action lawsuits have been filed on behalf of those who purchased or acquired DiDi: (a) American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Registration Statement") issued in connection with DiDi's June 2021 initial public offering ("IPO"); and/or (b) securities between June 30, 2021 and July 21, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Deadline Reminder: Investors who purchased or acquired DiDi ADSs pursuant and/or traceable to the Registration Statement issued in connection with the IPO and/or DiDi securities during the Class Period may, no later than September 7, 2021 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class. For additional information or to learn how to participate in this litigation please contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP: James Maro, Esq. (484) 270-1453; toll free at (844) 887-9500; via e-mail at [email protected]; or click https://www.ktmc.com/didi-global-class-action-lawsuit?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=didi

DiDi is a mobility technology platform, providing ride hailing and other services in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), Brazil, Mexico, and internationally. DiDi is often called "the Uber of China."

On July 2, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China ("CAC") stated that it had launched an investigation into DiDi to protect national security and the public interest. Following this news, DiDi's share price fell $0.87, or approximately 5.3%, to close at $15.53 per share on July 2, 2021.

Then, on July 22, 2021, before market hours, Bloomberg published an article entitled "China Weighs Unprecedented Penalty for Didi After U.S. IPO" which reported, in part, that "Chinese regulators are considering serious, perhaps unprecedented, penalties for Didi Global Inc. after its controversial initial public offering last month." Following this news, DiDi's share price fell $3.44 per share, nearly 30%, over the next two trading days to close at $8.06 per share on July 23, 2021.

The complaint alleges that the Registration Statement was materially false and misleading and omitted to state that: (1) DiDi's apps did not comply with applicable laws and regulations governing privacy protection and the collection of personal information; (2) as a result, DiDi was reasonably likely to incur scrutiny from the CAC; (3) the CAC had warned DiDi to delay its IPO to conduct a self-examination of its network security; (4) as a result of the foregoing, DiDi would face "serious, perhaps unprecedented, penalties" from relevant authorities; (5) as a result of the foregoing, DiDi's apps were reasonably likely to be taken down from app stores in the PRC, which would have an adverse effect on its financial results and operations; and (6) as a result of the foregoing, the defendants' positive statements about DiDi's business, operations, and prospects, were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

DiDi investors may, no later than September 7, 2021 , seek to be appointed as a lead plaintiff representative of the class through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed as a lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country involving securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of state and federal law. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP is a driving force behind corporate governance reform, and has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of institutional and individual investors from the United States and around the world. The firm represents investors, consumers and whistleblowers (private citizens who report fraudulent practices against the government and share in the recovery of government dollars). The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com.

CONTACT:

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

James Maro, Jr., Esq.

280 King of Prussia Road

Radnor, PA 19087

(844) 887-9500 (toll free)

[email protected]

SOURCE Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP

Related Links

http://www.ktmc.com


PASADENA, Calif., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiFabster, known for automating quotes for 3D/AM, CNC, laser-cutting, and waterjet manufacturers, has updated its software to include industry-leading 3rd party integrations, as well as fast implementation and scannable packing lists.

In their ongoing work to reduce costs and labor-intensive activities for manufacturers around the world, DigiFabster has built upon their lightning-fast quote automating software to include a QuickBooks Desktop integration that few SaaS companies have been able to achieve.



The integration between DigiFabster's quoting and e-commerce software and QuickBooks Desktop opens a two-way communication that syncs customer info instantly. This means less time spent reconciling customer info to QuickBooks Desktop and streamlining bookkeeping for manufacturers.

"This is not a common integration in the current market," says DigiFabster Chief Technology Officer, Dmitry Vlasov, "because the integration can be quite cumbersome, compared to software like Xero or Salesforce. Many of our customers use QuickBooks Desktop as their accounting software so we made building this integration a priority, which most other SaaS companies haven't done."



Features of this integration allow manufacturers to set their own triggers and conditions for the type of customer info that's automatically synced to their QuickBooks Desktop software, so they can customize their automatic record-keeping.

"Many of our customers use QuickBooks Desktop as their accounting software so we made building this integration a priority, which most other SaaS companies haven't done."



Close to zero downtime

Through continual optimization across their servers, infrastructure, networking, and security systems, as well as the relationship with AWS hosting, DigiFabster has gotten their implementation uptime to an ideal 99.9%, far above the industry standard.



This means manufacturers who implement DigiFabster software for the first time will experience nominal downtime accepting orders, making it an ideal solution for global manufacturers who

operate online across time zones.

Reducing paper trails

To further help manufacturers digitize and automate operations, DigiFabster recently introduced packing lists with scannable QR codes, replacing the need for multiple paper printouts of model details.



The QR codes can be used with a smartphone or tablet and open up the model's order page on DigiFabster, so employees can see renderings as well as the status of the order right at its point of manufacture.



ABOUT DIGIFABSTER

DigiFabster helps service bureaus, machine shops, and 3D/AM shops generate new revenue while reducing the cost of labor-intensive activities like quoting, order entry, and project management.



DigiFabster's online instant quote tool with real-time feedback helps clients attract new customers 24/7. Like other best-in-class eCommerce websites, DigiFabster's 3D preview and smooth user experience help its clients convert prospects into customers automatically.



visit http://www.digifabster.com



Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/12882924



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE DigiFabster
BOGOTA, Colombia, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL;NYSE: EC) ("the Company"), informs that during the session held on Friday August 27, 2021, its Board of Directors approved the framework for the Third Round of the Program for the Issuance and Placement of Common Stock ("the Program"), in accordance with Law 1118 of 2006 ("Law 1118"). The Program as well as the rest of documentation required by Colombian law, will be submitted to the Colombian Superintendence of Finance for its review and approval.

As provided by Law 1118 of 2006, to the extent any potential public offerings of Common Stock are carried out under the Program, the Nation (Colombia) will maintain at least 80% of the common equity interest of Ecopetrol.

The Program contemplates a 5-year, term during which the Company may carry out one or more public offerings of Common Stock with a specific purpose to finance its energy transition plan, including: (i) organic growth projects, (ii) inorganic growth opportunities and (iii) strengthening Ecopetrol's balance sheet and/or reducing its indebtedness.

The approvals by the Board of Directors of Ecopetrol and, when granted, by the Colombian Superintendence of Finance, related to the Program, provide optionality for its capital structure to finance the development of its energy transition strategy. However, such approvals do not imply any commitment or obligation on the Company to issue Common Stock. Any public offering of Common Stock under the Program will be subject to favorable market conditions.

The Company's Board of Directors delegated to Ecopetrol's CEO the authority to conduct the necessary procedures to conclude the authorization process of the Program, in accordance with the Company's statutory provisions.

Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated energy companies in the American continent, with more than 17,000 employees. In Colombia, it accounts for more than 60% of hydrocarbon production, and most of the hydrocarbon transportation, logistics, and refining systems, and has leading positions in petrochemicals and gas distribution. With the acquisition of 51.4% of ISA's shares, it participates in energy transmission, management of real-time systems (XM) and the Concesion Costera Barranquilla - Cartagena. 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, and through ISA and its subsidiaries it has leading positions in the transmission business in Brazil, Chile, Peru and Bolivia, in road concessions in Chile, and in telecommunications. 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.

This release contains statements that may be considered forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All forward-looking statements, whether made in this release or in future filings or press releases or orally, address matters that involve risks and uncertainties, including in respect of Ecopetrol's prospects for growth and its ongoing access to capital to fund Ecopetrol's business plan, among others. Consequently, changes in the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements: market prices of oil & gas, our exploration and production activities, market conditions, applicable regulations, the exchange rate, Ecopetrol's competitiveness and the performance of Colombia's economy and industry, to mention a few. We do not intend, and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

The filing of the documentation for the Program in Colombia as described in this report is not and does not purport to constitute a securities offering in the United States of America as securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless they are registered with the SEC, or are exempt from such registration.

For further details, please contact:

Head of Capital Markets

Tatiana Uribe Benninghoff

Phone : +571-234-5190

Email : [email protected]

Media Engagement (Colombia)

Jorge Mauricio Tellez

Phone : + 571-234-4329

Email : [email protected]

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.

Related Links

http://www.ecopetrol.com.co


NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its mission to materially and measurably improve the health of all New Yorkers, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, in partnership with Crain's New York Business, custom division, is pleased to launch the 2021 Empire Whole Health Heroes Awards program. This year, Empire and Crain's are continuing this program to honor and celebrate individuals who demonstrate leadership and commitment to the safety and wellness of New Yorkers by making a difference, specifically relating to the revitalization and reopening of New York City.

Empire BlueCross BlueShield Joins Crain's New York Business for the 2nd Year to Name 25 "Whole Health Heroes"

"As New Yorkers taking care of New Yorkers, we are excited to join our communities to revitalize this great city as we work together to reopen and rebuild. Health goes far beyond the start and eventual end of this pandemic, and we're excited to recognize a new class of Empire Whole Health Heroes to emphasize the importance of whole health even as we begin to look beyond the pandemic," said Alan Murray, president & CEO of Empire BlueCross BlueShield. "We are the largest health insurer in New York, and the people we serve inspire us to prioritize our mission to materially and measurably improve the health of all New Yorkers. There is so much incredible work taking place across this city that aligns with our mission, and this awards program is an opportunity to highlight those inspiring stories."

"We are thrilled to be Empire BlueCross BlueShield's media partner for the 2nd year in-a-row for the 2021 Empire Whole Health Heroes Awards, as they seek to recognize leaders across industries who are demonstrating an amazing commitment to maintaining the vitality of our great city," said Frederick Gabriel, Publisher and Executive Editor of Crain's New York Business. "Health care leaders, business executives and essential workers are going above and beyond to bring New York City back and we are excited to be able to honor them for their efforts."

Twenty-five (25) honorees will be recognized in the following categories:

Health Care Whole Health Heroes: Leaders in health care delivery or leaders in professional services/technologies supporting health care sector (nurses, doctors, EMTs, etc.)

Leaders in health care delivery or leaders in professional services/technologies supporting health care sector (nurses, doctors, EMTs, etc.) Business Whole Health Heroes : Leaders in the private sector (CEOs, business owners/executives, HR directors, etc.)

: Leaders in the private sector (CEOs, business owners/executives, HR directors, etc.) Essential Whole Health Heroes: Leaders in essential services (infrastructure, transportation, emergency services -- such as police, fire -- warehouse and delivery, critical manufacturing, food and agriculture, government and community-based services -- such as child care)

Submit nominations beginning August 30 through October 18, 2021 at midnight EST, at crainsnewyork.com. The online entry point (essay) is at crainsnewyork.com/wholehealth2021.

The Crain's New York Business newsroom will not participate in the judging or selection of the honorees.

Crain's New York Business will celebrate the honorees at a virtual celebratory event scheduled on December 2 and feature them in print and online in a special section scheduled for December 6, 2021.

About Empire BlueCross BlueShield in New York

Serving New Yorkers for more than 85 years, Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is on a mission to materially and measurably improve the health of New Yorkers. Empire is the largest health insurer in New York supporting more than four million members and more than 38,000 business, union and small employers in New York. Empire is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at @empirebcbs and on LinkedIn.

About Crain's New York Business

Crain's New York Business provides news, information, analysis and connections on all facets of New York through the prism of business. Through its daily news coverage on crainsnewyork.com, its weekly coverage in print, its newsmaker forums and topical events that bring together the city's diverse business communities, Crain's New York Business is the leading source of information on the New York economy, the companies, industries and institutions that operate here and the entrepreneurs and innovators who drive the city's growth.

SOURCE Crain's New York Business

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DALLAS, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jon Bundy, OD, may not be a household name, but chances are many people are familiar with his alter ego, The Eye Ninja. Dr. Bundy appeared on NBC's "American Ninja Warrior" in June and was also on the show in 2019. His dedication to his ninja training matches his dedication to eye care and providing critical vision care to people who otherwise would not get it. That's why he participates in Essilor Vision Foundation's (EVF) Changing Life through Lenses program. Changing Life through Lenses provides a free pair of glasses, including lenses, frame and lab services, when an eye doctor gives a vision exam to a person in need.

Essilor Vision Foundation

Giving back matters

When asked why he gives back, Dr. Bundy replies, "Because I can. I have a passion to make the world a better place because I was in it, and I want the people I encounter to feel their life was better because I was part of it. When I look back at the end of my life, one of the things I'll be happiest about is that I helped others see, even those who couldn't afford it."

Dr. Bundy believes it's important for eye doctors to remember how an eye exam and a pair of glasses can change someone's life - especially someone who cannot access or afford vision care. "Because we do this every day, we become accustomed to it, and we forget what a gift and privilege it is to be able to help others."

Dr. Bundy uses Changing Life through Lenses for his philanthropic work in the U.S. because it helps eye doctors overcome obstacles to serving patients in need. "We all have barriers on why we can't help or do more, such as time, energy, money, and expertise. This program takes away one of the biggest barriers which is how we will pay to help a lot of people instead of a single person here and there. Now we can help whoever needs it." He's enthusiastic about EVF's recently launched Changing Life through Lenses (CLTL) Relief Fund. Eye doctors who enroll and provide vision services to eligible charitable patients* can receive up to $1,500. The campaign runs through Dec. 31, 2021.

Make eye health a priority

Part of Dr. Bundy's charitable work happens overseas (Changing Life through Lenses is only available in the U.S.). He remembers one young boy he examined in Cambodia in 2018. "His family thought he was severely mentally challenged - honestly - and his kindergarten teachers were going insane trying to get him to pay attention," he explains. "Turns out he simply couldn't see. I saw him again two years ago and he was a foot taller and passing his exams with flying colors. I get teared up thinking about him and how unbelievably changed his life has been because of his glasses."

Dr. Bundy started wearing glasses himself in high school. "I went to the eye doctor when I was 17 because I knew I couldn't see clearly," he says. "But little ones can't tell they have a vision problem, and this can really impact how they do in school. School is hard enough but it's really hard when you can't see well. Removing barriers to performance is key."

Another chance to hit the buzzer

Dr. Bundy's appearance on "American Ninja Warrior" hasn't had too much of an impact on him professionally, although he does admit some of his patients ask him why he fell so early on the course (he fell on the fourth obstacle which put him in the top half of the competitors). Even though he didn't complete the course, Dr. Bundy hopes to try again. "I will apply to be on 'American Ninja Warrior' again. It's very difficult to be invited back, but I would love another shot at the world's greatest jungle gym." Either way, he will continue to use Changing Life through Lenses to make a difference for patients in need.

About Essilor Vision Foundation

We strive to give children a brighter future by helping them see the world more clearly. Since 2007, Essilor Vision Foundation has provided more than 1.5 million pairs of eyeglasses to individuals in need. Essilor Vision Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public, non-profit organization committed to eliminating poor vision and its lifelong consequences. To learn more visit www.evfusa.org.

*Eligible patients are those at or around the poverty level without insurance for this pair of glasses as reasonably determined by the provider.

Contact: Meredith Marmurek

[email protected]

214-850-3642

Related Images

image1.jpg

SOURCE Essilor Vision Foundation
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The report identifies increasing demand for synthetic rubber as one of the major factors driving the growth of the market. The report also provides information on other latest trends and drivers impacting the overall market environment. In addition, rising demand from the automotive segment, and superior properties for EPDM will also lead the market to flourish during the next few years. However, volatility in raw material prices and availability of substitutes are some factors anticipated to hamper the market's growth during the next few years.

This ethylene propylene diene monomer report presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters. Technavio analyzes the market by End-user (Automotive, Molded goods, Building and construction, Lubricant additives, and Others) and Geography (APAC, North America, Europe, MEA, and South America). The automotive end-user segment led the market share during 2020 and is likely to retain its dominance in the forthcoming years. In terms of geography, 55% of the market's growth will originate from APAC and the market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions.

The ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) market covers the following areas:

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Market Sizing

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Market Forecast

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Market Analysis

Companies Mentioned

Dow Inc.

Exxon Mobil Corp.

JSR Corp.

Kumho Polychem Co. Ltd.

LANXESS AG

Lion Elastomers

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

SK global chemical Co. Ltd.

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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Related Reports:

Ethylene Carbonate Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024

Ethylene Acrylic Acid Copolymer Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market segments

Comparison by End-user

Automotive - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Molded goods - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Building and construction - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Lubricant additives - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by End-user

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

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 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Dow Inc.

Exxon Mobil Corp.

JSR Corp.

Kumho Polychem Co. Ltd.

LANXESS AG

Lion Elastomers

Mitsui Chemicals Inc.

SK global chemical Co. Ltd.

Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.

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 focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/



SOURCE Technavio
Each profile is free to view and packed with high-quality insights, providing businesses with detailed company information. Users can take advantage of these insights to identify, target, and connect with the right leather product manufacturers and suppliers. This company information includes employee insights, company competitors, the impact of emerging trends and challenges, the latest news, and more.

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BizVibe

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+1 855-897-5880

Website: https://www.bizvibe.com/

SOURCE BizVibe
SHANGHAI, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Everest Medicines (HKEX 1952.HK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products that address critical unmet medical needs for patients in Greater China and other parts of Asia, today announced its half-year 2021 interim results, along with corporate progress update.

"I'm very pleased with the ongoing clinical and commercial readiness progress that our teams have made in the past several months, achieving a number of significant milestones that continue to position the Company for long-term growth. In addition to advancing our robust and promising pipeline of clinical-stage therapeutic candidates, including the successful submission of an NDA for eravacycline and a BLA for sacituzumab govitecan, we are preparing for a number of late-stage clinical trial data readouts by the end of the year and also executing on a strategic and comprehensive plan to enable the successful launch of products as we move quickly towards becoming a commercial organization," said Kerry Blanchard, MD, PhD, CEO of Everest Medicines. "As we continue to leverage and grow our unique in-licensing capabilities and expertise, we are also excited to expand the business with our newly-established and fast-growing discovery organization, which underscores and supports our efforts to become a leading integrated biopharmaceutical company. We have a number of exciting and important milestones and announcements upcoming. We will keep delivering across our key corporate and clinical initiatives, including completing several licensing and strategic transactions."

Recent Product Highlights and Anticipated Milestones

Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy (TrodelvyTM), our anchor drug candidate in oncology therapeutic area, is a first-in-class TROP-2 directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).

Development achievements during the Reporting Period:

On 17 May 2021 , the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted for review the Company's biologics license application (BLA) for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy, an investigational therapy for the treatment of second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Subsequently, sacituzumab govitecan-hziy was granted priority review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China NMPA.

, the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) accepted for review the Company's biologics license application (BLA) for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy, an investigational therapy for the treatment of second-line metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Subsequently, sacituzumab govitecan-hziy was granted priority review by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China NMPA.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea granted orphan drug designation and fast track designation to sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in metastatic TNBC in May 2021 .

granted orphan drug designation and fast track designation to sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in metastatic TNBC in .

Our partner Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) received full approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy (Trodelvy TM ) for the treatment of adult patients with second-line metastatic TNBC in April 2021 . The approval is supported by data from the phase 3 ASCENT study. In this study, Trodelvy TM demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 57% reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival (PFS)), extending the median PFS to 4.8 months from 1.7 months with chemotherapy (HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.35-0.54; p<0.0001). Trodelvy TM also extended the median overall survival (OS) to 11.8 months vs. 6.9 months (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.41-0.62; p<0.0001), representing a 49% reduction in the risk of death. The most frequent Grade 3 adverse reactions for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy compared to single-agent chemotherapy in the study were neutropenia (52% vs. 34%), diarrhea (11% vs. 1%), leukopenia (11% vs. 6%) and anemia (9% vs. 6%). Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 5% of patients receiving sacituzumab govitecan-hziy. The Trodelvy TM U.S. Prescribing Information has a BOXED WARNING for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea.

) for the treatment of adult patients with second-line metastatic TNBC in . The approval is supported by data from the phase 3 ASCENT study. In this study, Trodelvy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 57% reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival (PFS)), extending the median PFS to 4.8 months from 1.7 months with chemotherapy (HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.35-0.54; p<0.0001). Trodelvy also extended the median overall survival (OS) to 11.8 months vs. 6.9 months (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.41-0.62; p<0.0001), representing a 49% reduction in the risk of death. The most frequent Grade 3 adverse reactions for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy compared to single-agent chemotherapy in the study were neutropenia (52% vs. 34%), diarrhea (11% vs. 1%), leukopenia (11% vs. 6%) and anemia (9% vs. 6%). Adverse reactions leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 5% of patients receiving sacituzumab govitecan-hziy. The Trodelvy U.S. Prescribing Information has a BOXED WARNING for severe or life-threatening neutropenia and severe diarrhea.

In April 2021 , our partner Gilead received accelerated approval from the US FDA for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either a programmed cell death protein- 1 (PD-1) or a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. The accelerated approval was based on data from the phase 2, single-arm TROPHY study of 112 patients, which found that Trodelvy TM achieved a 27.7% overall response rate with a 7.2-month median duration of response. Continued approval for this indication is contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

, our partner Gilead received accelerated approval from the US FDA for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) who have previously received a platinum-containing chemotherapy and either a programmed 1 (PD-1) or a programmed death-ligand (PD-L1) inhibitor. The accelerated approval was based on data from the phase 2, single-arm TROPHY study of 112 patients, which found that Trodelvy achieved a 27.7% overall response rate with a 7.2-month median duration of response. Continued approval for this indication is contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial.

On 6 January 2021 , the CDE of the China NMPA approved a clinical trial application (CTA) for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the treatment of patients with mUC. With this CTA, we plan to enroll patients in China as part of the phase 3, global, multicenter, open-label randomized controlled TROPiCS-04 trial. The trial will evaluate sacituzumab govitecan-hziy compared with standard of care chemotherapeutic options in subjects with metastatic or locally advanced unresectable urothelial cancer who have progressed after prior therapy with a platinum-based regimen and PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

, the CDE of the China NMPA approved a clinical trial application (CTA) for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the treatment of patients with mUC. With this CTA, we plan to enroll patients in as part of the phase 3, global, multicenter, open-label randomized controlled TROPiCS-04 trial. The trial will evaluate sacituzumab govitecan-hziy compared with standard of care chemotherapeutic options in subjects with metastatic or locally advanced unresectable urothelial cancer who have progressed after prior therapy with a platinum-based regimen and PD-1/PD-L1 therapy.

A phase 3 Asia study was initiated, which is designed to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of sacituzumab govitecan-hziy versus treatment of physician's choice in Asian patients with hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer (HR+/HER2- mBC) who have failed at least two prior chemotherapy regimens. The trial will enroll approximately 330 HR+/HER2- mBC patients in Greater China and South Korea . The study is currently ongoing.

and . The study is currently ongoing.

On 31 March 2021 , the CDE of the China NMPA approved a CTA for a phase 2 basket trial for a variety of cancers with high TROP-2 expression. The trial is designed to evaluate sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in 180 patients with relapse/refractory esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, and cervical cancer at select sites in China .

, the CDE of the China NMPA approved a CTA for a phase 2 basket trial for a variety of cancers with high TROP-2 expression. The trial is designed to evaluate sacituzumab govitecan-hziy in 180 patients with relapse/refractory esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer, and cervical cancer at select sites in .

On 6 January 2021 , we submitted a new drug application (NDA) to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of Singapore for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the treatment of patients with metastatic TNBC, and the indication was subsequently amended to second-line metastatic TNBC.

, we submitted a new drug application (NDA) to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) of for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the treatment of patients with metastatic TNBC, and the indication was subsequently amended to second-line metastatic TNBC. Post-Reporting Period (expected) milestones and achievements:

On 26 August 2021 , the first person has been dosed in China as part of the global phase 3 registration trial, TROPiCS-04, in mUC.

, the first person has been dosed in as part of the global phase 3 registration trial, TROPiCS-04, in mUC.

On 29 July 2021 , the Taiwan FDA granted pediatric and rare severe disease priority review designation for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy, an investigational treatment for adult patients with second-line metastatic TNBC.

, the Taiwan FDA granted pediatric and rare severe disease priority review designation for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy, an investigational treatment for adult patients with second-line metastatic TNBC.

In the second half of 2021, we expect to read out topline results of a phase 2b China registrational clinical trial for metastatic TNBC, EVER-132-001, and submit a BLA for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for metastatic TNBC in Taiwan and South Korea . The initiation of our phase 2 Asia basket trial for a variety of cancers with high TROP-2 expression is expected in the second half of 2021 as well.

registrational clinical trial for metastatic TNBC, EVER-132-001, and submit a BLA for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for metastatic TNBC in and . The initiation of our phase 2 Asia basket trial for a variety of cancers with high TROP-2 expression is expected in the second half of 2021 as well.

The Company expects to receive a BLA approval for sacituzumab govitecan-hziy for the treatment of second-line metastatic TNBC in the first half of 2022.



Our partner Gilead anticipates PFS data readout from its global phase 3 TROPiCS-02 study for HR+/HER2- mBC and providing an update on the phase 2 TROPiCS-03 basket study, particularly in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the second half of 2021.

Nefecon, our anchor drug candidate in cardio-renal therapeutic area, is a novel oral formulation of budesonide in the development for the treatment of IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Development achievements during the Reporting Period:

Chinese patient enrollment into the NefIgArd phase 3 global registrational study evaluating Nefecon as a treatment for IgAN was completed.



Our partner Calliditas Therapeutics AB (Calliditas) submitted an NDA to the US FDA for Nefecon for the treatment of primary IgAN on 15 March 2021 and was granted priority review on 28 April 2021 with a target Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of 15 September 2021 . The NDA submission is based on positive data from part A of the NefIgArd pivotal phase 3 study, which achieved its primary endpoint of proteinuria reduction compared to placebo. The primary endpoint analysis showed a 31% mean reduction in the 16 mg arm versus baseline, with placebo showing a 5% mean reduction versus baseline, resulting in a 27% mean reduction at 9 months (p=0.0005) of the 16 mg arm versus placebo. The trial also met the key secondary endpoint, showing a statistically significant difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate or eGFR after 9 months of treatment with Nefecon compared to placebo. Nefecon was also generally well-tolerated, and the safety profile was in keeping with the phase 2b results and consistent with the known safety profile of budesonide.

and was granted priority review on with a target Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of . The NDA submission is based on positive data from part A of the NefIgArd pivotal phase 3 study, which achieved its primary endpoint of proteinuria reduction compared to placebo. The primary endpoint analysis showed a 31% mean reduction in the 16 mg arm versus baseline, with placebo showing a 5% mean reduction versus baseline, resulting in a 27% mean reduction at 9 months (p=0.0005) of the 16 mg arm versus placebo. The trial also met the key secondary endpoint, showing a statistically significant difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate or eGFR after 9 months of treatment with Nefecon compared to placebo. Nefecon was also generally well-tolerated, and the safety profile was in keeping with the phase results and consistent with the known safety profile of budesonide.

Our partner Calliditas was granted Accelerated Assessment procedure for Nefecon for the treatment of IgAN from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on 23 April 2021 , followed by a marketing authorization application submission to the EMA on 28 May 2021 . If approved, Nefecon could be available to patients in Europe in the first half of 2022.

, followed by a marketing authorization application submission to the EMA on . If approved, Nefecon could be available to patients in in the first half of 2022. Post-Reporting Period (expected) milestones and achievements:

We expect to read out proteinuria data from the global phase 3 NefIgArd study in Chinese patients who were treated with Nefecon, and submit an NDA to the China NMPA in the first half of 2022.

Eravacycline (XeravaTM), is a novel, fully synthetic fluorocycline intravenous antibiotic developed for use as first-line empiric monotherapy for the treatment of multidrug resistance (MDR) infections, including MDR Gram-negative infections.

Development achievements during the Reporting Period:

The China NMPA accepted an NDA for eravacycline for the treatment in complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI) in China in March 2021 .

in . Post-Reporting Period (expected) milestones and achievements:

The CDE of the NMPA approved a CTA for eravacycline for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) in August 2021 .

.

We expect NDA approval for eravacycline for the treatment in cIAI in China in the first half of 2022.

Other clinical-stage assets

Development achievements during the Reporting Period:

Ralinepag is a next-generation, potent, selective oral IP prostacyclin receptor agonist being developed for the treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We continue to progress our phase 3 registrational trial for PAH in China as part of a global phase 3 study conducted together with our partner United Therapeutics.

as part of a global phase 3 study conducted together with our partner United Therapeutics. Post-Reporting Period (expected) milestones and achievements:

We plan to initiate a phase 2 clinical trial for FGF401 for the treatment of FGF19 amplified hepatocellular carcinoma patients in China in the second half of 2021.

in the second half of 2021.

We are conducting a phase 3 study for etrasimod for the treatment of moderate-severe ulcerative colitis (UC), which is expected to complete enrollment in the first half of 2022.



Our partner Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. expects to read out topline data from both ELEVATE UC 12 and ELEVATE UC 52 with etrasimod in the first quarter of 2022 as well as data from the phase 2/3 CULTIVATE sub-study, a dose-ranging study of etrasimod for Cohn's disease, in the second quarter of 2022.



We expect to announce topline results of the phase 3 global clinical trial for taniborbactam for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) in the first quarter of 2022.



We expect to initiate a phase 1 study of SPR206 in the second half of 2021.

Business Development

Our business development team is actively working on a number of licensing, research collaboration and partnership transactions across our therapeutic areas of focus, and we expect to aggressively pursue value accretive and strategic deals to broaden our pipeline and complement our internal discovery initiatives.

Commercialization

We are building an industry-leading commercial team with three business units focused on oncology, internal medicine and infectious disease under the leadership of Kevin Guo, we have also expanded our geographical footprint with newly established offices and general managers in South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore to ensure commercial success in those markets. We recently established strategic collaborations with key industry partners, including Tencent Holdings Limited, Medbanks Health Technology Co., Ltd and MediTrust Health Co., Ltd., to explore innovative ways to improve drug access and to reduce economic burden to patients through digital marketing, patients access and reimbursement solutions.

Discovery

We are committed to building a strong discovery organization by recruiting experienced talents in drug discovery and translational medicines, and exploring new modalities and technology platforms to accelerate our discovery efforts. Our new research laboratory in Zhangjiang, Shanghai is expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2022.

Manufacturing Facility

We are making steady progress on the construction of our global manufacturing site in Jiashan, Zhejiang Province to meet demands in both China and the global market. Phase 1a of the facility construction including quality control and office building is expected to be completed in 2022 and phase 1b containing production, repackaging, and warehouse is expected to be completed in 2023.

Other Key Corporate Development

On 18 February 2021 , we appointed Kevin Guo as our chief commercial officer. Mr. Guo has more than 22 years of commercial leadership and business management experience across a number of multinational pharmaceutical companies. Under Mr. Guo's leadership, we continue to remain focused on advancing our work across four strategic pillars to launch strategy formulation, develop commercial capabilities, embrace and deploy innovative solutions, and expand our international footprint.

, we appointed as our chief commercial officer. Mr. Guo has more than 22 years of commercial leadership and business management experience across a number of multinational pharmaceutical companies. Under Mr. Guo's leadership, we continue to remain focused on advancing our work across four strategic pillars to launch strategy formulation, develop commercial capabilities, embrace and deploy innovative solutions, and expand our international footprint. In July 2021 , the Company established key strategic partnerships with Tencent Holdings Limited, Medbanks Health Technology Co., Ltd and MediTrust Health Co., Ltd. to explore innovative tools in digital marketing, patients' access to novel medicines and payment solution. These are just first steps to achieving our strategic commercial goals of delivering a differentiated omni-channel approach to better engage with healthcare providers, payors and patients.

, the Company established key strategic partnerships with Holdings Limited, Medbanks Health Technology Co., Ltd and MediTrust Health Co., Ltd. to explore innovative tools in digital marketing, patients' access to novel medicines and payment solution. These are just first steps to achieving our strategic commercial goals of delivering a differentiated omni-channel approach to better engage with healthcare providers, payors and patients. On 15 April 2021 , we appointed Dr. Jennifer Yang as our chief scientific officer, whose deep expertise in drug discovery and translational medicine will help the Company establish a robust discovery organization that contributes to the strategic expansion of our clinical development pipeline.

, we appointed Dr. as our chief scientific officer, whose deep expertise in drug discovery and translational medicine will help the Company establish a robust discovery organization that contributes to the strategic expansion of our clinical development pipeline. Effective 18 June 2021 , the Company's stock was included as a constituent stock of the Small Cap Index, FTSE All-Cap Index and FTSE Total-Cap Index in the FTSE Global Equity Index Series.

, the Company's stock was included as a constituent stock of the Small Cap Index, FTSE All-Cap Index and FTSE Total-Cap Index in the FTSE Global Equity Index Series. Effective 15 March 2021 , the Company was selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Composite Index, the Hang Seng Healthcare Index and the Hang Seng Hong Kong-Listed Biotech Index in accordance with the latest index series released by Hang Seng Indexed Company Limited. At the same time, the Company became eligible for Southbound Trading under the Stock Connect Scheme, which is a channel that facilitates stock trading and investment between Hong Kong and a broader base of Chinese investors.

Financial Highlights

IFRS Numbers:

Research and development (R&D) expenses increased by RMB89.8 million from RMB161.0 million for the six months ended 30 June 2020 to RMB250.8 million for the six months ended 30 June 2021 , primarily due to: (i) additional clinical trials of our drug candidates; (ii) expansion of our R&D team; and (iii) the establishment of an internal discovery team to build in-house R&D capability.

from for the six months ended to for the six months ended , primarily due to: (i) additional clinical trials of our drug candidates; (ii) expansion of our R&D team; and (iii) the establishment of an internal discovery team to build in-house R&D capability. General and administrative expenses increased by RMB6.1 million from RMB101.3 million for the six months ended 30 June 2020 to RMB107.4 million for the six months ended 30 June 2021 , mainly due to increase in employee remuneration in connection with organization expansion.

from for the six months ended to for the six months ended , mainly due to increase in employee remuneration in connection with organization expansion. Distribution and selling expenses increased by RMB32.9 million from RMB9.2 million for the six months ended 30 June 2020 to RMB42.1 million for the six months ended 30 June 2021 , primarily due to the build up of a commercial team and pre-launch activities carried out for upcoming products commercialization.

from for the six months ended to for the six months ended , primarily due to the build up of a commercial team and pre-launch activities carried out for upcoming products commercialization. Net loss for the period decreased by RMB240.4 million from RMB623.5 million for the six months ended 30 June 2020 to RMB 383.1 million for the six months ended 30 June 2021 , primarily attributable to the decrease in loss from fair value change of financial instruments issued to investors.

from for the six months ended to for the six months ended , primarily attributable to the decrease in loss from fair value change of financial instruments issued to investors. Other comprehensive income increased by RMB284.7 million from RMB282.6 million for the six months ended 30 June 2020 to RMB567.3 million for the six months ended 30 June 2021 , primarily attributable to the increase in income from fair value change of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income.

from for the six months ended to for the six months ended , primarily attributable to the increase in income from fair value change of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income. Cash and cash equivalents amounted to RMB3,971.0 million as of 30 June 2021 .

Non-IFRS Measure:

Adjusted loss for the period[1] increased by RMB57.2 million from RMB245.9 million for the six months ended 30 June 2020 to RMB303.1 million for the six months ended 30 June 2021 , primarily attributable to increase in R&D expense and distribution and selling expenses.

[1] Adjusted loss for the period represents the loss for the period attributable to the equity holders of the Company excluding the effect of certain non-cash items and one-time events, namely the loss on fair value changes of preferred shares (non-current financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss) and share-based compensation loss. For the calculation and reconciliation of this non-IFRS measure, please refer to the paragraph numbered 15 under the heading "Financial Review" of the interim result announcement announced by the Company on 30 August 2021.

Conference Call Information

A live conference call will be hosted on August 31, 2021 at 9:00 AM Beijing Time (August 30, 2021 at 9:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time). Participants must register in advance of the conference call. Details are as follows:

Registration Link: https://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/5468938

Conference ID: 5468938

All participants must use the link provided above to complete the online registration process in advance of the conference call. Upon registering, each participant will receive dial-in number, passcode and a unique registration ID, which can be used to join the conference call.

A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by visiting the Company's website at http://www.everestmedicines.com.

About Everest Medicines

Everest Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products that address critical unmet medical needs for patients in Greater China and other Asian markets. The management team of Everest Medicines has deep expertise and an extensive track record of high-quality clinical development, regulatory affairs, CMC, business development and operations both in China and with leading global pharmaceutical companies. Everest Medicines has built a portfolio of eight potentially global first-in-class or best-in-class molecules, many of which are in late stage clinical development. The Company's therapeutic areas of interest include oncology, autoimmune disorders, cardio-renal diseases and infectious diseases. For more information, please visit its website at www.everestmedicines.com.

SOURCE Everest Medicines
IRVING, Texas, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambodia's first 7-Eleven store is set to open Monday, Aug. 30, in Phnom Penh, the bustling capital city of the Southeast Asian country. Residents and tourists alike now can enjoy the world's largest retailer's unique style of convenience, signature food and drinks, as well as products and delicacies especially created to appeal to the local market.

CP ALL Cambodia Co., Ltd. holds a master franchise agreement with 7-Eleven, Inc. and is solely authorized to develop and operate stores in Cambodia. CP ALL Cambodia Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of CP All Public Company Limited, which operates more than 12,000 7-Eleven stores in Thailand and is the largest 7-Eleven licensee.

The country's first store is located in Phnom Penh's Prek Pnov district on the outskirts of the city. Occupying the first floor of an office building, the store's address is 41,43 National Route 6A, Prek Leab Village, Sangkat Prek Leab, Khan Chroy Changva.

A grand opening celebration will be held later. CP ALL Cambodia Co., Ltd. also plans to open additional stores this year.

"CP All is an innovative partner and exceptional 7-Eleven store operator, and I have no doubt that they will continue that tradition in Cambodia," said Joe DePinto, President and Chief Executive Officer of 7Eleven. "We worked closely with them to ensure we offer the right mix of popular 7-Eleven products from across the globe, as well as our own creations of local favorites."

Open 24 hours a day seven days a week, the new store carries over 2,000 products, ones typically found at 7-Eleven stores such as Slurpee semi-frozen drinks, award-winning value-priced 7Select private brand snacks, and local fresh food items, including some unique to the Cambodian market.

"It is always exciting to introduce 7-Eleven to a completely new country of customers experiencing for the first time the convenience, quality, freshness and highest standard of service we offer," DePinto said. "We now operate in several Asian countries, and each one has something unique to offer and teach us about the business in their part of the world."

Around the globe, 7-Eleven stores' mission is the same: to give customers what they want, when, where and how they want it. This much-anticipated launch in Cambodia is true to that mission and will deliver on its trademark "Everyday Quality and Convenience."

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7 Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7 Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 77,000 stores in 17 countries and regions, including nearly 16,000 in North America. 7-Eleven, Inc. operates Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits locations. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7-Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7-Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites at an outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards loyalty program with 50 million members, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in over 2,000 cities, or rely on 7-Eleven for bill payment service, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at 7-eleven.com, via the 7Rewards customer loyalty platform on the 7-Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.7-eleven.com


The assets available for sale include the Aiwa trademarks registered in the U.S., the E.U., the U.K., France, and WIPO, domain names, including aiwa.co, patents, eCommerce storefronts, social media accounts, inventory, other related tangible assets, and contracts, including license agreements.

The iconic Aiwa brand was launched in 1951 and has been recognized over the past 70 years as a global leader in the manufacturing of high-quality audio products, including speakers, headphones, and stereo systems. At its zenith, the Aiwa brand generated over $2 billion of annual revenues worldwide. Hilco Streambank CEO Gabriel Fried commented that, "not very often does an opportunity arise to acquire such a top tier brand in this industry. As increasingly more newcomers enter the consumer electronics market, owning a brand as recognizable as Aiwa would be a tremendous competitive advantage."

The sale and Hilco Streambank's retention are subject to court approval by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Bid Deadline: October 4, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern

Auction: October 6, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern

Parties interested in acquiring the assets or learning more about the sale process should contact Hilco Streambank directly using the contact information provided below.

Disclaimer

Aiwa Corporation has no association with Sony Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, the previous holders of the Aiwa trademark.

About Hilco Streambank: Hilco Streambank is a market-leading advisory firm specializing in intellectual property disposition and valuation. Having completed numerous transactions including sales in publicly reported Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcy cases, private transactions, and online sales through IPv4.Global, Hilco Streambank has established itself as the premier intermediary in the consumer brand, internet and telecom communities. Hilco Streambank is part of Northbrook, Illinois-based Hilco Global, the world's leading authority on maximizing the value of business assets by delivering valuation, monetization and advisory solutions to an international marketplace. Hilco Global operates more than twenty specialized business units offering services that include asset valuation and appraisal, retail and industrial inventory acquisition and disposition, and real estate and strategic capital equity investments.

SOURCE Hilco Streambank

Related Links

https://www.hilcostreambank.com


This year, GCash processed an average of PHP 300 billion in monthly transactions, and is on track in breaching its PHP 3 trillion Gross Transaction Value (GTV) target. The company boasts of its wide network of more than 2.5 million merchant partners and social sellers via its QR and P2P features, enabling the app to cater to a diverse set of stakeholders in the country. As one out of every 3 Filipinos is now using the app, GCash sets its eyes on achieving more game changing milestones to uplift the lives of many and contribute to building an even stronger and more robust Philippine economy.

With its clear vision of promoting financial inclusion for all, GCash has quickly adapted to the needs of the Filipino people by being a digital payment essential for individuals and entrepreneurs, especially during the pandemic. The company has launched trailblazing products and programs to reach out to more sectors in the country, including underserved and vulnerable groups like overseas workers, the youth, small businesses and even market vendors and cab/tricycle drivers. The top mobile wallet company worked with the Philippine government last year and became its financial aid tool for communities affected by COVID 19, disbursing over P16 billion to more than 2 million Filipinos. It was likewise able to raise over P40 million in donations via digital bayanihan or resource mobilisation, helping at least 3 million Filipinos impacted by typhoons and other calamities.

A fast-rising regional fintech brand

The fintech brand was recently included in the Top 100 Brands in the Philippines, according to Campaign Asia-Pacific and NielsenIQ. GCash is also one of Asia's top 1,000 brands this 2021.

Asia's Top 1000 Brands is a consumer opinion survey across 14 markets in Asia-Pacific and measures brand preference in 15 product/service categories. It shows brands that are succeeding with their marketing and brand-building efforts and reveals the favorite brands among consumers. This year's study saw the changing consumer behavior among brands and their increasing digital services.

"We are honored to be part of the top brands in the Philippines and in Asia. This award further inspires us to continue with our mission to empower as many Filipinos as possible by giving them access to digital financial solutions that can make their lives better and more convenient especially during this pandemic," said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash.

No other fintech brand made it to the top 50 of the prestigious list, where the ranking of GCash rose from the previous year's 51st spot to this 24th in the country in 2021. Among the high-ranking brands in the list are Samsung, Apple, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Nike, Nestle, Google, Colgate, and Starbucks.

Solidifying customer experience through value-adding services

GCash provides customers with an easy and secure cashless payment platform through digital products and services like free money transfers from user to user, frictionless bank transfers, and bills payments. The mobile wallet company also offers businesses, especially MSMEs, a contactless way to accept payment for goods through the use of QR codes and its P2P platform, which has empowered over 2.5 million GCash merchants and social sellers.

Currently, a third of GCash's monthly active users utilize at least one of the app's digital products like GCredit, GSave, GInvest, or GInsure. GCash provides customers easy access to a pre-approved credit line to pay for bills or QR transactions with GCredit, safely deposit money with GSave, easily invest in a market fund with GInvest, and buy essentials on GLife. With the health risks of the pandemic, GCash also offers customers COVID-19 health insurance for as low as P39 (~USD 0.78) a month via GInsure.

"We are glad to see that GCash has become an extension of the Filipino digital life everyday. It is our goal to democratize access to financial services because everyone deserves to have ways to protect and grow their money, especially during these difficult times," said Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO.

GCash feted as outstanding fintech company promoting nation building

GCash was recently named as an "Outstanding Partner" by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) - the Central Bank of the Philippines, at the agency's 2021 Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony. The recognition is for GCash's continued support and commitment to deliver innovative financial solutions for all Filipinos, especially the unbanked and underbanked segments. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno, in a recent webinar, described his vision for the country becoming a digital-heavy, cash-light society to help achieve inclusive growth. "50% or half of all transactions should be digital by 2023, and 70% of Filipino adults should have formal bank accounts by 2023," Governor Diokno said.

GCash also garnered two awards from the prestigious Asian Banker Awards 2021, and was the sole Philippine fintech company to do so. It won awards for the "Best Financial Inclusion Initiative/Application" for its Social Amelioration Program together with the country's Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and "Best Digital Brand Campaign" for its CSR response to COVID-19, further solidifying the company as the #1 e-wallet app in the country.

GCash continues to empower more Filipinos everyday as it strengthens its "One with the Nation" corporate social responsibility program employing various initiatives including NGO partnerships, programs on disaster response and environmental stewardship, as well as grassroots finlit education campaigns nationwide.

Many Filipinos have come to rely on GCash for their daily cashless payment transactions, helping sustain the economy during the pandemic and propelling the mobile wallet to becoming one of the most respected and widely used brands in the Philippines today.

According to Visa's latest Consumer Payment Attitudes study, Filipinos using digital commerce platforms like GCash helped boost the usage of digital payments in the country. It was also expected that it will continue to grow as more Filipinos appreciate the benefits of contactless payments like GCash during the pandemic.

For more information, visit www.gcash.com. For partnerships and sustainability initiatives, please email [email protected].

About GCash

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Financial App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, customers can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 2.5M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, insurance and invest money all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.) since 2015.

GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 46 million Filipinos in the country today.

For more information, please contact:

Chito Maniago

Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

GCash

Email Address: [email protected]  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gcashofficial

SOURCE GCash (Mynt - Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.)
SUZHOU, China, Aug. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GeneQuantum Healthcare, an industry leading biopharmaceutical company dedicated to next generation bioconjugate drugs through innovative intelligent ligase-dependent conjugation (iLDC) technology platform, announces the appointment of Dr. Yi Xia as Senior Vice President of Statistics and Data Science to further strengthen the company's management team.

"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Xia to join our management team," Dr. Gang Qin, GeneQuantum's Chairman and CEO, said, "GeneQuantum tries its best to accelerate the global clinical development of innovative bioconjugate drugs represented by Antibody-Drug-Conjugate (ADC) through our unique iLDC platform to rapidly expand the product pipeline. His joining will strengthen GeneQuantum's clinical data management, analysis, and statistics of novel drugs, better and faster to promote the company's innovative drug clinical trial development so that patients will benefit earlier from our effective product."

Dr. Yi Xia received his Ph.D. in Statistics from Rutgers University. Dr. Xia has nearly 18 years of experience in the novel drug clinical development. He has worked for the top pharmaceutical companies including Eisai, Daiichi Sankyo and Luye. Dr. Xia has rich experience in biostatistics, data management, clinical trial design, NDA submissions.

Dr. Xia expressed his great pleasure in joining GeneQuantum. He stated, " I am honored to join GeneQuantum. As a fast-growing global biopharmaceutical company. I look forward to working with the team to better and faster drive the development of the company's differentiated and innovative bioconjugate drug global clinical trials, to accelerate the clinical development of product pipeline and bring more effective and safer novel drugs to patients worldwide."

About Genequantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

GeneQuantum Healthcare (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. is a high-tech biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative biotherapeutics, with the goal to become a globally competitive leader in biopharmaceuticals. The company possesses innovative and patented iLDC (intellectual Ligase Dependent Conjugation) technical platform, focuses on next generation site-specific bioconjugate development, and aim to address the unmet medical needs of global cancer patients.

SOURCE GeneQuantum Healthcare
TITUSVILLE, Fla., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GenH2, a leading developer of hydrogen infrastructure solutions, announced today that it is the Headline Sponsor of the H2 View North American Hydrogen Virtual Summit 2021 on October 19, 2021. Cody Bateman, CEO and Founder of GenH2, will also speak during the Summit's Second Session dubbed "The Mobility Pillar" and explore Building Out the Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure and specifically the "Three Things We Need to See in the U.S."

The theme of the North American Hydrogen Summit 2021 is "From giving chase to taking a lead" and will focus on the current state-of-play in North America's hydrogen sector, across four specific pillars: mobility, power, policy and technology. Speakers will be asked to touch on what lessons can be learned from Europe's policymakers, which seem to have dominated green hydrogen; where are the challenges to be overcome; what are the strengths and opportunities; and how can North America go from giving chase to taking a lead in hydrogen.

"We are excited to join other industry leaders at this year's North American Hydrogen Summit because the time is now for hydrogen in North America," said Bateman, who leads the company's team of former NASA experts who possess decades of experience researching, engineering and producing hydrogen solutions. "Companies like GenH2 are developing advanced solutions that can and will expand our global energy leadership at scale and speed. I am looking forward to presenting on what the U.S. needs to do move into that position."

GenH2 has developed Modular Hydrogen Infrastructure Systems that are based on decades of NASA, Department of Defense and Department of Energy projects. The company's participation in the H2 View North American Hydrogen Summit will bring high-level thought leadership to the virtual event. Bateman joins eight other speakers, including: Sunita Satyapal, Director of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies at the U.S. Depart Energy; Jackie Birdsall, Toyota Motor North America; Andy Marsh, Plug Power, Dr. Alex Ivanenko, HyPpoint, and more.

Registration is still open for the North American Hydrogen Summit 2021 at https://www.h2-viewevents.com/conference/h2-view-virtual-north-american-hydrogen-summit/attend/. H2View was established in July 2019 with the aim to be the must-read services for the every-growing hydrogen economy globally.

About Cody Bateman

Bateman is a businessman, scientist and philanthropist. He has founded several startups including Advantek Research, providing engineering solutions for the DoE, and Cryotek, a leader in cryogenic engineering focusing on the technological commercialization of liquid hydrogen for vehicles, drones, maritime applications and supply infrastructure. As the Chairman and CEO of GenH2, Bateman is widely recognized as a leader in the field of hydrogen infrastructure research and development and is an outspoken advocate for the Hydrogen Economy.

About GenH2

GenH2 is the industry leader in liquid hydrogen infrastructure solutions. The Titusville, Florida-headquartered technology company was founded by Cody Bateman, who is widely recognized as a visionary and expert in this industry. The GenH2 team of former NASA researchers and developers possesses decades of experience researching, engineering and producing hydrogen solutions. At GenH2, they are focused on the mass production of infrastructure solutions necessary for the transition to a clean energy economy. GenH2 technology will allow safe onsite production and storage of pure liquid hydrogen, making the product accessible for everyday use. GenH2 has engineered the first end-to-end filling station solution to make pure hydrogen on site with zero CO2 emissions; the company has plans to deliver its product to hundreds of locations across the country in the coming years. Learn more about GenH2 at www.DiscoverHydrogen.com.

Media Contact:

Melissa Perlman

BlueIvy Communications

561-310-9921

[email protected]

SOURCE GenH2
ATLANTA, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Ida made landfall Sunday along the Gulf Coast, Georgia Power is sending approximately 500 company personnel and contract teams to Mississippi to assist its sister company Mississippi Power with their restoration efforts. Georgia Power's restoration workforce includes line crews, engineers and support personnel from around the state.

With each request for assistance, the company ensures that it has sufficient coverage to respond to potential local service interruptions.

Mutual Assistance Network

Georgia Power is a member of the mutual assistance network, which consists of hundreds of utilities from around the country. As part of this partnership, Georgia Power is able to respond and offer assistance, providing reinforcements when needed to restore power quickly for other utilities. The company is also able to tap into this mutual assistance network if additional resources are needed to help restore power to Georgia Power customers following a major storm.

The company requested and received assistance from other utilities during several major storms that impacted Georgia Power customers previously including Hurricanes Michael and Irma.

Storm Response Pandemic Preparations

Georgia Power teams are prepared to respond to service interruptions that might occur because of severe weather while taking proactive actions including special "distancing" and other precautions to help protect customers and employees from the spread of COVID-19.

In addition, the company's comprehensive pandemic plans help ensure readiness of the critical personnel and facilities necessary to continue providing the safe and reliable energy customers expect and deserve.

Customers can subscribe to Georgia Power's YouTube Storm Channel for the latest safety videos and can connect with Georgia Power on Facebook and Twitter for helpful information and restoration updates during severe weather.

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


TEMECULA, Calif., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A bullion dealer's organization is predicting that at year-end gold will close at $1,897, silver $28, and platinum $1,153, and perhaps go higher before dropping back.

The forecast was made by members of the Accredited Precious Metals Dealers program (www.APMDdealers.org) of the Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org). Founded in 1954, the PNG is a non-profit organization of dealers who adhere to a strict code of ethics in the buying and selling of bullion, rare coins, and vintage paper money.

Their estimates for the year-end prices for gold, silver and platinum are the mean averages of price predictions made by 25 accredited dealers across the country who responded to an informal survey.

"We're hearing from dealers that many long-time customers are taking advantage of the recently lower bullion prices to cost average their precious metals investments. We're also hearing about new buyers entering the marketplace because of the high demand for new designs of the 2021-dated United States Mint American Eagle gold and silver bullion coins," explained Richard Weaver, president of the Professional Numismatists Guild.

"Some of the dealers think gold will go over $2,000 but settle back by year's end," said Barry Stuppler, a former PNG president who conducted the survey.

"No one has a crystal ball to know exactly what the future will be. The Accredited Precious Metals Dealers program members who responded to our survey based their forecasts on years of being on the front lines of the bullion markets," said Weaver.

He advised investors to make price comparisons before making purchases and to beware of counterfeits offered online by unscrupulous sellers.

"Always be mindful of the premiums being charged over the intrinsic value of the precious metal coins or ingots. You absolutely need to know your precious metals dealer," he cautioned.

There are 48 members of the Professional Numismatists Guild Accredited Precious Metals Dealers (PNG-APMD) and each underwent a background check before being admitted to the program. They now must adhere to a strict code of ethics in the buying and selling of bullion and numismatic items and guarantee the authenticity of the coins and bars they sell.

A directory of PNG-APMD members can be found at www.APMDdealers.org/apmd-dealers.

SOURCE Professional Numismatists Guild

Related Links

https://pngdealers.org


PHOENIX, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Canyon University will begin the 2021-22 academic year with the largest incoming class in its history, three new apartment-style residence halls, additional classroom space and students anxious to return to the community atmosphere the university is known for.

The private Christian university expects 9,000 new students when the fall semester begins Sept. 7, bringing total campus-based enrollment to approximately 23,500. An additional 90,000+ working adult students are attending GCU's online campus.

"Even during a pandemic, we continue to see increases in enrollment due to our academic excellence, affordable tuition rates and the community culture of a private Christian education experience," said GCU President Brian Mueller. "We are closely monitoring COVID-19 and its effect on our campus daily, but are very encouraged by how we finished both the spring semester as well as summer classes related to the coronavirus and the new Delta variant."

At the end of the 2020-21 academic year, when vaccines became available, GCU had less than 5 active COVID cases in each of the last six weeks of the spring semester. And during summer school, with the rise of the Delta strain, the University saw an average of only 1 active case per week among students  none with serious symptoms.

GCU is highly encouraging students to receive the vaccination or wear a face covering if they are not vaccinated, but neither vaccines nor masks are currently required in most areas on campus. "We are confident, given our experience and expertise in online learning modalities, we can quickly adjust our health and safety protocols both inside and outside the classroom if needed," Mueller said. "But our plan is to reopen the campus without restrictions in the fall."

The 2021-22 school year marks the 13th straight year GCU will have frozen tuition rates on its Phoenix campus.

The start of school also brings three new apartment-style residence halls to the east side of campus in a complex known as The Rivers  six-story Salt, Verde and Agua Fria dormitories (named after Arizona rivers) that house an additional 1,800 students, bringing the total number of residence halls on campus to 27 and the total number of beds to approximately 16,000. The Rivers residence halls are surrounded by a 2,800-space parking garage, swimming pool, indoor-outdoor fitness center, indoor-outdoor gaming area, the Grand Canyon Beverage Company (GCBC) cafe and social gathering spot, Panera Bread restaurant and Nektar juice bar. The residence halls feature suites with four single-occupancy bedrooms that share a common living area, kitchen and two bathrooms.

GCU's residence halls are rated No. 6 out of 1,392 schools in the country by niche.com based on student surveys, affordability and safety.

Three recently-purchased buildings along Camelback Road have also been renovated and will provide an additional 45,000 square feet of classrooms, offices, study areas, meeting spaces and gathering areas for veterans and international students.

About Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers more than 270 academic programs, emphases and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals. The University's curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors while fusing academic rigor with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals. For more information, visit gcu.edu.

At A Glance



Campus Enrollment:

23,500 (up from less than 1,000 traditional-age students in 2008)



2021 Incoming Class:

More than 9,000 new students



Students Living on Campus:

16,000 in 27 residence halls



2021 Average Incoming GPA:

3.6 for fully admissible students



Honors College Average Incoming GPA:

4.1 (Honors College now has more than 2,700 students)



Tuition Freeze:

13 straight years on ground campus, with only nominal increases in online tuition during that time



Best College Campuses in America:

No. 18 out of 1,417 in niche.com rankings



Best College Dorms in America:

No. 6 out of 1,392 in niche.com rankings



Average Class Size:

Less than 25 students



Academic Offerings:

More than 270 degrees, emphases and certificates are offered in nine different colleges

SOURCE Grand Canyon University

Related Links

http://gcu.edu


JOHNSON CITY, Tenn., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GreenTech Environmental is proud to announce both the promotion of Brandon Taylor to Chief Executive Officer, following a nationwide search, and that Larry L. Enterline, the former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of FOX Factory Holdings Inc, has joined the Company's Board of Directors as Executive Chairman.

Taylor joined GreenTech Environmental in 2019 as CFO/COO and was instrumental in helping develop and execute the strategy that enabled the company to achieve rapid growth. Prior to joining GreenTech, Taylor held several key roles with The Brock Group and Weatherford International where he was focused on financial and operational transformations including significant experience in mergers and acquisitions.

"The active air purification industry is at a pivotal moment as there is heightened awareness and unprecedented interest in creating healthier indoor living environments," says Taylor. "As the global market continues to expand, I am pleased to lead GreenTech in this exciting emerging market."

2020 was GreenTech Environmental's most successful year in the company's 11-year history; the company reported 200% growth thanks to Taylor's leadership. In conjunction with an acquisition by City Capital Ventures earlier this year, the company is making investments to support future growth in this rapidly expanding industry.

One of Taylor's first initiatives as CEO is to accelerate the strategic growth of the brand.

"GreenTech has always been a technology-based company committed to the health & safety of our customers first and foremost. The future of GreenTech involves improving indoor air quality with a multi-technology approach centered around optimal product performance, safety and efficacy."

Former CEO & GreenTech Environmental Founder Allen Johnston will transition into the role of Chief Technology Officer as he continues to develop science-based technologies in the active air purification industry. Johnston will also focus on educating consumers about active air purification.

"After working with Brandon for the past two years, there is no doubt in my mind he is the ideal CEO to lead GreenTech Environmental into the future," says Johnston. "This will allow me to focus on what I do best: create solutions and applications to improve indoor air quality and create the healthiest possible indoor living environments."

Johnston founded GreenTech Environmental with a personal commitment to create environmentally friendly products that improve health and quality of life. He began a successful career at Hughes Aircraft and then moved to Raytheon Missile Systems, serving as Test Program Manager for the next-generation anti-ballistic missile defense system for the United States.

Larry Enterline will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. Enterline is Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Holdings, Inc., a private investment firm. Enterline retired as Chief Executive Officer of FOX Factory Holdings Inc, the industry-leading ride dynamics company, where he took the company public in 2013 and most recently served as Chairman of the Board. Enterline brings more than 40 years of experience in the technology and consumer product space to Greentech's Board of Directors.

"It's a transitional time for GreenTech Environmental and I'm pleased to be a part of this emerging industry," says Enterline. "I firmly believe over the next decade the need and awareness for indoor air purification is going to continue to grow and I'm honored to advise GreenTech Environmental and help them navigate the path forward."

About GreenTech Environmental

Founded in 2009 in Johnson City, Tennessee, GreenTech Environmental is a leader in air purification systems. GreenTech's technologies are available for consumers with portable and personal systems and commercial HVAC systems for use in office buildings, hotels, in-door stadiums and more. GreenTech Environmental is best known for a unique multi-technology approach to air purification. These technologies actively clean the air and surfaces in thousands of homes and commercial buildings across the globe. www.greentechenv.com

SOURCE GreenTech Environmental
Second Quarter 2021 Gross Revenues Increase 25% Sequentially to $16.2 Million;

Reports 6th Consecutive Quarter of Positive EBITDA(1)

OAKLAND, Calif. and TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Harborside Inc. ("Harborside" or the "Company") (CSE: HBOR) (OTCQX: HBORF), a California-focused, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, today reported its financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2021 ("Q2 2021"). The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for Q2 2021 and corresponding management's discussion and analysis (collectively the "Q2 Filings") are available for download from the Company's investor website, investharborside.com , and on the Company's SEDAR profile . Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this press release are in U.S. dollars.

Management Commentary

"I'm thrilled with the strong sequential growth we drove in our second quarter while continuing to make solid improvements to our gross margins and profitability," said Matt Hawkins, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Harborside. "We continue to build a robust business, supported by our high-quality cultivation, leading consumer brands, and best-in-class retail experience. Our continued focus on improvement has allowed us to become a leader in the California cannabis market and we expect our business to continue to advance as we begin to integrate the synergies afforded by the Sublime Acquisition that closed in July".(2)

Mr. Hawkins added, "I'd like to thank our team for their ongoing dedication to achieving our goals and providing our customers with the incredible service, products and experiences that they have come to expect from Harborside. As we move into the second half of the year, our focus remains on further scaling our reach through accretive M&A opportunities and building our leadership team, including our goal to bring in a new CEO, which together with our strong foundation will position Harborside for long-term growth."(2)

Q2 2021 Operational Highlights

Subsequent Events

Q2 2021 Financial Results and Highlights (3)



Q2 2021 Q1 2021 Q2 2020







Retail Revenues $10,962,053 $10,036,262 $10,940,143







Wholesale Revenues $5,236,230 $2,921,268 $5,208,439 Total Gross Revenues $16,198,283 $12,957,530 $16,148,582 Cultivation Excise Taxes $(844,156) $(516,615) $(864,641) Total Net Revenues $15,354,127 $12,440,915 $15,283,941







Retail Gross Profit $6,195,833 $5,514,759 $5,601,565 Wholesale Gross Profit(a) $2,514,993 $(926,246) $1,994,911 Total Gross Profit(a) $8,710,826 $4,588,513 $7,596,476







Retail Gross Margin(b)(d) 56.5% 55.0% 51.2% Wholesale Gross Margin(a)(d) 57.3% (38.5)% 45.9% Total Gross Margin(a)(b)(d) 56.7% 36.9% 49.7%







G&A/Professional Fees(c) $8,636,150 $7,508,954 $6,764,781 Net Income (Loss) attributable to Harborside, Inc. $1,757,955 $(2,910,749) $(1,747,743)







Adjusted EBITDA(d) $1,122,270 $960,896 $2,011,807



NOTES: a. Including adjustment for cultivation excise taxes and biological assets. b. Retail gross margins have been affected by additional expenditures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including additional pay for the Company's front line workers, personal protective equipment for customers and employees and costs for other safety measures. c. See "Operating Expenses" below. d. This is a non-IFRS reporting measure. For a reconciliation of this to the nearest IFRS measure, see "Use of Non-IFRS Measures" and "Non-IFRS Measures" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for June 30, 2021.

Q2 2021 Financial Summary

Revenues

During Q2 2021, Harborside generated retail gross revenue of $11.0 million and wholesale gross revenue of $5.2 million, for total gross revenue of $16.2 million, as compared to retail gross revenue of $10.0 million, wholesale gross revenue of $2.9 million and total gross revenue of $12.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021 ("Q1 2021"). On a quarter over quarter basis, retail revenues improved by approximately 9% as the Company adjusted its customer loyalty program from a points based plan to a new model that rewards frequent buyers while relying less on cumulative discounting at the point of sale. Wholesale revenues increased as the Salinas production campus delivered improved harvest yields and flower quality in Q2, which allowed the Company to bring more bulk product to market during the quarter.

As compared to retail revenue of $10.9 million, wholesale revenue of $5.2 million and total gross revenue of $16.1 million achieved during the three months ended June 30, 2020 ("Q2 2020"), retail and wholesale revenues for the quarter were generally consistent with Q2 2020.

Gross Profits

The Company's retail operations generated gross profits of approximately $6.2 million in Q2 2021, compared to approximately $5.5 million in Q1 2021. The quarter over quarter retail gross profit improved by approximately 12% as the Company adjusted its customer loyalty program from a points based plan to a new model that better rewards frequent buyers while relying less on discounting at the point of sale. As a result of the above changes, retail gross margins(1) increased from 55.0% in Q1 2021 to 56.5% in Q2 2021. See "Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Reconciliation, and Discussion".

As compared to the approximately $5.6 million in gross profit achieved during Q2 2020, the year over year increase of approximately 11% in retail gross profits was due primarily to the continued focus on sales of in-house brands, more effective supply chain management and fewer point of sale discounts as the Company adjusted its customer loyalty program. As a result of these ongoing efforts, retail gross margins(1) improved from 51.2% in Q2 2020 to 56.5% in Q2 2021.

After bio-asset adjustments are factored in, the Company's wholesale operations generated gross profits of approximately $2.5 million in Q2 2021, compared to approximately $(0.9) million in Q1 2021. As compared to net wholesale revenues, wholesale gross margins(1) including bio-asset adjustments increased from (38.5)% in Q1 2021 to 57.2% in Q2 2021. This was primarily due to higher cultivation yields and flower quality, more effective supply chain management and the ongoing focus on reducing operating costs across the Company.

Q2 2021 combined gross profit, including adjustments for biological assets, was approximately $8.7 million, an approximately 90% quarter-over-quarter increase as compared to the approximately $4.6 million in gross profit reported in Q1 2021. On a year-over-year basis, combined gross profit increased approximately 15% as compared to the approximately $7.6 million reported in Q2 2020, and combined gross margins(1) increased from approximately 49.7% in Q2 2020 to 56.7% in Q2 2021.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses for Q2 2021 were approximately $9.0 million, compared to $7.1 million in Q2 2020. The year-to-year increase in total operating expenses is primarily due to an increase in general and administrative expenses of $0.9 million, to $5.4 million as compared to $4.5 million in the comparative period in 2020 and an increase in professional fees of $1.0 million, to $3.3 million as compared to $2.3 million in Q2 2020, which was primarily due to an increased level of legal and professional fees in the current quarter related to the Sublime Acquisition and the settlement of litigation.

During Q2 2021, the Company also recorded income tax expense of approximately $1.7 million, compared to approximately $1.4 million in Q2 2020, based on estimated federal income taxes payable at each period-end.

Operating income (loss) for Q2 2021 was approximately $(0.3) million, compared to an operating income of approximately $0.5 million for Q2 2020. Net income attributable to Harborside was approximately $1.8 million in Q2 2021, compared to a net (loss) of approximately $(1.7) million in Q2 2020, an approximately 201% increase in net income on a year-over-year basis. The year over year increase was due primarily to fair value gains related to other current assets which were recognized during the quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) for Q2 2021 was approximately $1.1 million or 7.3% of net revenues, compared to approximately $2.0 million or 13.2% of net revenues for Q2 2020. The year-over-year decrease was largely the result of increased professional fees, along with higher general and administrative expenses recognized during the quarter. See "Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Reconciliation, and Discussion".

Liquidity and Cash Balance (3)

As of June 30, 2021, Harborside had total current assets of approximately $38.4 million, including approximately $26.9 million of available cash, as compared to current assets of approximately $21.9 million, including approximately $13.6 million in available cash as of June 30, 2020.

During Q1 2021, Harborside closed a brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately C$35.1 million and entered into a loan financing arrangement with a federally regulated commercial bank in the amount of $12.0 million pursuant to a senior secured revolving credit facility due March 19, 2023. On May 28, 2021, the Company drew down approximately $11.4 million on the revolving credit facility in advance of purchasing the cultivation/production facility in Salinas on June 1, 2021.

Conference Call Information

Harborside will host a conference call Tuesday, August 31, 2021, to discuss the Q2 2021 results. Matt Hawkins, Interim CEO, and Tom DiGiovanni, Chief Financial Officer will host the call starting at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. A question and answer session will follow management's presentation.

Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2021



Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time



Dial-In Number: 1 (888) 664-6392



Webcast: Click Here to Access



Replay: 888-390-0541





Replay Code: 695878# Available until midnight Eastern Time Tuesday, September 14, 2021

For the latest news, activities, and media coverage, please visit the Harborside corporate website at http://www.investharborside.com or connect with us on LinkedIn , Facebook , and Twitter .

About Harborside:

Harborside Inc., a vertically integrated enterprise with cannabis licenses covering retail, distribution, cultivation, nursery, and manufacturing, is one of the oldest and most respected cannabis companies in the world. Founded in California in 2006, Harborside was awarded one of the first six medical cannabis licenses granted in the United States. Today, the company operates three major dispensaries in the San Francisco Bay Area, a dispensary in the Palm Springs area outfitted with Southern California's only cannabis drive-thru window, a dispensary in Oregon and an integrated cultivation/production facility in Salinas, California. Harborside continues to play an instrumental role in making cannabis safe and accessible to a broad and diverse community of California and Oregon consumers. Harborside is a publicly listed company, trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") under the ticker symbol "HBOR" and the OTCQX under the ticker symbol "HBORF". Additional information regarding Harborside is available under Harborside's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com .

Non-IFRS Measures, Reconciliation and Discussion

This press release may contain references to "EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Gross Margin", which are non-IFRS financial measures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are measures of the Company's overall financial performance and are used as an alternative to earnings or net income in some circumstances. EBITDA and/or Adjusted EBITDA are essentially net income (loss) with interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash adjustments and other unusual items added back. This measure can be used to analyze and compare profitability among companies and industries, as it eliminates the effects of financing and capital expenditures. It is often used in valuation ratios and can be compared to enterprise value and revenue. This measure does not have any standardized meaning according to IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Gross Margin is the difference between revenue and cost of goods sold divided by revenue and is expressed as a percentage. Management believes that these measures provide useful information as they represent the value of incremental sales.

There are no comparable IFRS financial measures presented in Harborside's financial statements. Reconciliations of the supplemental non-IFRS measures are presented in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the period ended June 30, 2021. These non-IFRS financial measures are presented because management has evaluated the financial results both including and excluding the adjusted items and believes that the non-IFRS financial measures presented provide additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of the business. The Company believes that these supplemental measures provide information which is useful to shareholders and investors in understanding our performance and may assist in the evaluation of the Company's business relative to that of its peers.

These non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the IFRS financial measures presented in the Company's financial statements. For more information, please see "Use of Non-IFRS Measures" and "Non-IFRS Measures" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the period ended June 30, 2021, which is available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com .

Notes:

This is a non-IFRS reporting measure. For a reconciliation of this to the nearest IFRS measure, see "Use of Non-IFRS Measures" and "Non-IFRS Measures" in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the period ended June 30, 2021 . This is forward-looking information and based on a number of assumptions. See "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information". Certain financial information included in this press release is neither audited nor reviewed. Where possible, the information has been constructed by management from available audited or audit reviewed financial statements. Where no audited or audit reviewed information has been available, additional management accounting information has been utilized to construct financial information.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. To the extent any forward-looking information in this news release constitutes "financial outlooks" or "future-oriented financial information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. 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 involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements with respect to future company performance, growth, profitability, production capacity and gain in market share, new store openings, acquisition opportunities, the Company's corporate strategy moving forward, and the information under the headings "Management Commentary".

Financial outlooks and future-oriented financial information, as with forward-looking information generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to various risks as set out herein. The Company's actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management's current expectations and, as a result, the Company's revenue and Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2021 may differ materially from the financial outlooks and future-oriented information provided in this news release.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's operations; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the cannabis markets where the Company operates; changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion and acquisitions; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; employee relations; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution, and sale of cannabis and cannabis-related products in the markets where the Company operates; and the risk factors set out in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the period ended June 30, 2021 and the Company's listing statement dated May 30, 2019, which are available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com . Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

The Company, through several of its subsidiaries, is indirectly involved in the manufacture, possession, use, sale, and distribution of cannabis in the recreational and medicinal cannabis marketplace in the United States. Local state laws where the Company operates permit such activities however, investors should note that there are significant legal restrictions and regulations that govern the cannabis industry in the United States. Cannabis remains a Schedule I drug under the US Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal under federal law in the United States to, among other things, cultivate, distribute or possess cannabis in the United States. Financial transactions involving proceeds generated by, or intended to promote, cannabis-related business activities in the United States may form the basis for prosecution under applicable United States federal money laundering legislation.

While the approach to enforcement of such laws by the federal government in the United States has trended toward non-enforcement against individuals and businesses that comply with recreational and medicinal cannabis programs in states where such programs are legal, strict compliance with state laws with respect to cannabis will neither absolve the Company of liability under United States federal law, nor will it provide a defense to any federal proceeding which may be brought against the Company. The enforcement of federal laws in the United States is a significant risk to the business of the Company and any proceedings brought against the Company thereunder may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial performance.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The Company's securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. 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.

SOURCE Harborside Inc.
"Hurricane Katrina, which was one of the greatest natural disasters in history, made landfall as a Category 3 storm, leaving 600,000 pets dead or displaced," said American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. "Hurricane Ida has now struck the coast as an even bigger, Category 4, storm with predictions of significant flooding and deadly storm surges. I have approved our American Humane Rescue team's deployment into the disaster area to get out as many animals in peril as we possibly can."

As is required protocol in a major national disaster, American Humane is responding to an official request from a local organization to assist with what looks to be one of the most powerful storms ever to hit Louisiana. The team, drawing on highly trained volunteers from around the country, is racing to the scene to help and already has strategically placed vital equipment poised for use.

In the meantime, knowing what to do before, during and after a deadly hurricane can mean the difference between life and death. Here, for all those already affected or in Hurricane Ida's path, are some important tips from Dr. Robin Ganzert and the experts on the American Humane Rescue team:

Before the storm

NEVER leave animals behind. Review your evacuation plans and know a safe place where your pets can go if you need to evacuate. Evacuation destinations may include a friend or family member's home, going to a pet-friendly hotel, or temporarily housing your pet(s) at a boarding facility. Plan multiple routes to your safe destination.

Microchip your pets and properly affix a tag on your pet's collar with your name, address and cellphone number so they may be returned quickly in case you are separated from your pets. Update your microchip registrations and pet license information to ensure its current and consider including the name and contact information of an out-of-area contact just in case you are unreachable in a disaster zone.

Tie down or anchor outside objects that might fly about and injure someone.

Double-check your disaster preparedness kit for your pets (e.g., First Aid kit, leashes, and pets' carrying cases, bowls, sanitation materials, chew toy, minimum 3 days, ideally 7-10 days of food, meds, water).

Evacuate your family and pets as early as you can and remember to take your family and your pet's disaster preparedness kit if you do leave.

Bring children and pets inside; bring outdoor animals inside with a carrier ready large enough to turn around and lie down comfortably.

Have a carrier and leashes at the ready.

If your family must evacuate, ALWAYS take your pets with you.

During the storm.if you cannot evacuate

Choose a safe room for riding out the storman interior room without windows  and take your entire family there, including your pets.

Stay with pets. If crated, they depend on you for food and water.

Keep your emergency kit in that room with you (food, water, litter, meds).

Know your pet's hiding places. That's where they may run; keep them with you.

Secure exits and cat doors so pets can't escape into the storm.

Do not tranquilize your pets. They'll need their survival instincts should the storm require that.

After the storm

Make sure the storm has fully passed before going outside and assess damages before allowing children or animals out.

Keep dogs on a leash and cats in a carrier, and children close at hand. Displaced objects and fallen trees can disorient pets and sharp debris could harm them.

Give pets time to become re-oriented. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and cause a pet to become confused or lost.

Keep kids and animals away from hazards such as downed power lines and water that may be contaminated.

Uncertainty and change in the environment affect animals, presenting new stresses and dangers. Your pet's behavior may change after a crisis, becoming more aggressive or self-protective. Be sensitive to these changes and keep more room between them, other animals, children or strangers. Animals need comforting, too. Comfort your pet with kind words and lots of pats or hugs. If possible, provide a safe and quiet environment, even if it is not their own home.

"Storms like these can be deadly for pets who are separated from their families," said Dr. Ganzert. "It is important that every person and pet parent in the path of this destructive storm heed these lifesaving tips. We are working to help all of our friends in Louisiana, two- and four-legged alike, stay safe in this disaster."

To support the American Humane Rescue team in its efforts, please visit: www.AmericanHumane.org/hurricaneida.

About American Humane

American Humane is the country's first national humane organization, founded in 1877, and the first to serve animals in disasters and cruelty cases. Visit American Humane at www.americanhumane.org today.

About the American Humane Rescue program

The American Humane Rescue program was created in 1916 at the request of the U.S. Secretary of War to save war horses wounded on the battlefields of World War I Europe. Since then, Red Star has been rescuing animals of every kind and have been involved in virtually every major disaster relief effort from Pearl Harbor to 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Joplin, Missouri and Moore, Oklahoma tornadoes, the Japanese and Haitian earthquakes, Superstorm Sandy, the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the California wildfires. Over just the past year, the American Humane Rescue team has saved, sheltered, fed and protected more than one million animals.

SOURCE American Humane

Related Links

http://www.americanhumane.org


WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nonprofit Generation Hope announced today the inaugural cohort of higher education institutions participating in their FamilyU technical assistance program, which partners with colleges and universities across the country to increase the number of parenting college students who complete their programs and graduate.

One in five undergraduate students is attending college while caring for dependents, and despite having higher GPAs than their peers without dependents, they are ten times less likely to graduate due to a systemic lack of support. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the many challenges that the nearly four million student parents nationwide face in their pursuit of a degree -- bolstering concerns as institutions grapple with an unprecedented 13% decrease in overall freshmen enrollment in fall 2020.

Generation Hope's FamilyU technical assistance program was created to assist two- and four-year higher education institutions in developing a stronger support system for their students who are parenting. The program is informed by Generation Hope's 10+ years working directly with teen parents in college, is rooted in its student-centered approach, and builds upon its research on the experiences of parenting college students. FamilyU includes a comprehensive, customized, evidence-based, two-year capacity-building experience designed to create and refine institutional competencies to improve student parent success as well as customized engagements for higher education entities to improve their student parent retention and graduation outcomes. The institutions selected for the inaugural FamilyU cohort include:

George Mason University

Montgomery College

Northern Virginia Community College

Trinity Washington University

"Generation Hope is incredibly proud to work with these institutions to accelerate student parent success," said Generation Hope Founder & CEO Nicole Lynn Lewis. "By investing their time and resources in the FamilyU Cohort, these schools are not only communicating that this population matters, but that they are committed to moving the needle on racial justice, economic mobility, and college completion and transforming higher education into a place where all students can persist and thrive."

"Trinity Washington University is proud and excited to be participating in FamilyU," said Dr. Karen L. Gerlach, Vice President for Student Affairs. "The opportunity to partner with Generation Hope and our colleagues to develop and refine our outreach, knowledge, and resources for our student parents will enhance the strong support that Trinity strives to provide to our students."

"We are immensely grateful to our philanthropic partners Imaginable Futures, ECMC Foundation, Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation for their support of FamilyU," said Lewis. "Their early investment will be critical to the long-term impact of this work."

Link to learn more:

Media Contact:

Portia Polk

202-656-9539

[email protected]

Generation Hope

Generation Hope is a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC that was founded in 2010 to ensure that all student parents have the opportunities to succeed and experience economic mobility. Generation Hope engages education and policy partners to drive systemic change and provides direct support to teen parents in college as well as their children through holistic, two-generation programming. Fewer than 2% of teen mothers will earn their college degrees before they are 30 years old, but Generation Hope Scholars graduate at a rate that exceeds the national average for all college students. Generation Hope engages in local and national advocacy work, amplifying the student parent voice and centering their experiences and expertise. Through its FamilyU technical assistance program, Generation Hope leverages data and best practices to provide colleges with the tools, resources, and support that they need to improve outcomes for student parents. Learn more: www.generationhope.org/

SOURCE Generation Hope
DALLAS, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlander Partners ("Highlander") today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which Catalent, Inc. (NYSE: CTLT) will acquire Highlander's portfolio company, Bettera Holdings, LLC, the parent company of Bettera Brands ("Bettera"), for $1 billion. Bettera is a major manufacturer in the high-growth gummy, soft chew, and lozenge segments of the nutritional supplements market. Bettera, headquartered in Plano, Texas, maintains four manufacturing operations in California, Virginia, New Jersey and Indiana.

Highlander formed Bettera through a series of four acquisitions beginning in 2017 and shaped it into a leading manufacturer of consumer-preferred, high quality ingredient nutritional vitamins, minerals and supplements.

"In 2017, we started with a simple investment thesis of creating manufacturing capabilities around fortified/functional products in consumer-preferred formats," stated Jeff L. Hull, President and CEO of Highlander Partners. "As consumers have become increasingly health-conscious, functional products in gummy, soft chew, and lozenge delivery forms have developed and grown to become a significant part of the market. Given the substantial advances in delivery technologies, along with the increased health awareness, consumers are embracing these experiential formats as part of their everyday wellness routine."

Jeff Partridge, a Partner with Highlander who also served as Bettera's CEO, added, "we identified a need early on and quickly assembled assets and a management team to capitalize on the demand and growth. Developing certified facilities, maintaining strict compliance standards, and creating highly technical research and development capabilities was not an easy task. It is very gratifying to see the business that Bettera has evolved into, and we believe Catalent is the right company to take this business to the next level."

"As the leading global innovator of softgel and oral technologies, Catalent has a strong, long-standing presence in the rapidly expanding consumer health and nutraceutical marketplace. This acquisition allows us to significantly accelerate the growth of our consumer health business and offer customers access to the substantial potential in gummies, soft chews, and lozenges, which are all experiencing double-digit growth," commented Dr. Aris Gennadios, President, Softgel and Oral Technologies, Catalent. "This acquisition is a key strategic move for Catalent's Consumer Health business, where our leadership in manufacturing technologies and formulation can offer customers more product development opportunities and add manufacturing capacity in this dynamic and growing segment."

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2021 and is subject to customary closing conditions. Katten is serving as legal counsel to Highlander. Fried Frank is acting as legal counsel to Catalent.

About Bettera

Bettera Brands is a leading manufacturer of gummy vitamin, soft chews and lozenges primarily focusing on using confections as delivery systems for vitamins, minerals, supplements, and other functional ingredients. The Company has fully integrated manufacturing capabilities and state-of-the-art production facilities located in Indiana, Virginia, New Jersey and California that are SQF Level 3 and CFR 111 certified. For more information, please visit our website at www.bettera.com.

About Highlander Partners

Highlander Partners is a Dallas-based private investment firm which manages over $2 billion of its own proprietary capital. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience. Highlander Partners uses a "buy and build" investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

About Catalent

Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies, development, and manufacturing solutions for drugs, biologics, cell and gene therapies, and consumer health products. With over 85 years serving the industry, Catalent has proven expertise in bringing more customer products to market faster, enhancing product performance and ensuring reliable global clinical and commercial product supply. Catalent employs approximately 15,000 people, including over 2,400 scientists and technicians, at more than 45 facilities, and in fiscal year 2020 generated over $3 billion in annual revenue. Catalent is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey. For more information, visit www.catalent.com.

SOURCE Highlander Partners, L.P.

Related Links

http://www.highlander-partners.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hive has announced today that it raised $10 million to deliver the world's first productivity software platform built by users. The round was led by Rembrandt Venture Partners, with participation from Zoom Video Communications, Inc., and existing investors Tribeca Venture Partners and Angelpad. Hive is one of the first startups to receive investment from the recently launched Zoom Apps Fund, a $100 million global venture fund to stimulate growth of the Zoom Apps ecosystem.

The company will use the latest funding to build the world's first democratic software platform, where all product decisions are made democratically by users. Hive maintains a public product roadmap where its users can request features they would like to see in the product. The order in which the features are delivered by Hive's engineering team is decided by the number of votes each request receives. Two in three Hive users will get a feature they've requested built within their first year.

"Employees today want to be in control of their own work processes. They are increasingly looking for tools that will support the way they work instead of requiring them to change the way things are done. We're very excited to be a part of Hive's journey to becoming the first democratic software platform in history," said Scott Irwin, Rembrandt Venture Partners.

One of Hive's community-driven products, Hive Notes, recently debuted as a standalone collaborative note taking and task management app for Zoom Meetings.



"We're delighted to be a part of Hive's recent funding round and team up with a company that is hyper-focused on its users," said Colin Born, Head of Corporate Development at Zoom. "Our goal is to make the meeting experience more engaging and help our customers collaborate seamlessly, and Hive Notes does exactly that. We can't wait to see what else we can build together."

In 2021, Hive doubled the number of feature requests received and tripled the amount of features delivered to its customers. In the last two months alone, Hive's product and engineering team built 40 new features.

"At Hive, we believe that our users know best what they need to get their work done fast. It's important to them to be able to influence the shape of software in their work life," said John Furneaux, co-founder and CEO of Hive. "That's why we're handing over the steering wheel to our community. We're giving everyone an equal opportunity to contribute to the productivity tools they use every day and drive the direction of our products."

About Hive

Made in New York, Hive is the world's first community-built project management and collaboration platform helping teams of all sizes move faster and work better together. Hive customers include teams at Anthem, Comcast, Electronic Arts and Toyota. The company has raised funding from leading venture capital firms Rembrandt Venture Partners, Tribeca Venture Partners, Angelpad, Comcast Ventures and Vocap Investment Partners.

Media contact

Addison Goff

E: [email protected]

M: +1 704 616 6497

SOURCE Hive

Related Links

hive.com


Hole iGM21-01, drilled from the bottom of the historic CX-Pit intersected two zones of mineralization grading 3.17 g/t Au over 7.5 m and 6.80 g/t Au over 51.1 m (see Table 1) . The hole was drilled for metallurgical purposes into the main structure below the pit (true widths unknown) and returned exceptional grades that appear to be oxide mineralization based on an average cyanide soluble to fire assay ratio of 0.94 over both intervals. The surface drill program targeting open pit mineralization at Granite Creek is complete (see Figure 2 below) and multiple assays remain pending. The drill program was focused on intersecting material to be used for metallurgical and geotechnical purposes in advance of initiating permitting for an open pit mine and on-site processing.

Table 1  Highlight Assay Results from hole iGM21-01

Table 1 New 2021 Drill Results from Granite Creek Drillhole ID Type From m To m Length m Au g/t iGM21-01 Core 33.8 41.3 7.5 3.17 iGM21-01 Core 83.7 134.8 51.1 6.80 including Core 86.1 125.7 39.6 8.42

Table 1a Collar Coordinates UTM Drillhole ID East m North m Elevation m Azimuth Dip NAD83 Zone 11 iGM21-01 478255 4553917 1452 145 -56

Granite Creek is strategically located proximal to Nevada Gold Mines' Turquoise Ridge and Twin Creeks mines at the north end of the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend, at its intersection with the Getchell gold belt in Nevada. The primary goal of the 2021 drill program is to advance underground and open pit opportunities to production.

Matt Gili, President and Chief Operating Officer of i-80 commented: "Advancing the Granite Creek Mine Project is the Company's primary focus for 2021. With more than 20,000 metres of drilling planned in the current program, our goal will be to increase resources, advance permitting to facilitate open pit mining, and prepare for underground test mining that is expected to be initiated this year."

The majority of the ongoing program, expected to consist of more than 20,000 metres of drilling, is focused on defining and expanding mineralization within several high-grade target areas proximal to existing underground mine workings at Granite Creek. i-80 has completed initial underground rehabilitation and has commenced underground drilling. As part of an aggressive plan to re-commence mining from underground, the Company is in the process of rehabilitating several areas for the purposes of commencing test mining in H2-2021. A Preliminary Economic Assessment for Granite Creek is nearing completion and expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Tim George, PE, is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

About i-80 Gold Corp.

i-80 Gold Corp is a Nevada-focused mining company with a goal of achieving mid-tier gold producer status. In addition to its producing mine, El Nino at South Arturo, i-80 is beginning to plan for future production growth through the potential addition of the Phases 1 & 3 projects at South Arturo and advancing underground development programs for the Granite Creek and McCoy-Cove Properties.

www.i80gold.com

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, commencement of trading of i-80 Gold on the Toronto Stock Exchange and completion of the acquisition of the Getchell Project. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to: material adverse changes, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

SOURCE i-80 Gold Corp

Related Links

www.i80gold.com


PITTSBURGH, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- "My mother is 87 years old and she lives alone," said an inventor, from Yorktown Heights, N.Y. "I wanted to create a safety device to assist her if she falls in the house, so I invented the FREEDOM LIFT. My design prevents the individual from being stranded on the floor."

The patent-pending invention provides a safe way to elevate an individual who has fallen. In doing so, it eliminates the need to call for help. It also increases safety and independence and it provides added peace of mind. The invention features an effective design that is convenient and easy to use so it is ideal for elderly individuals and individuals with various disabilities. Additionally, it is producible in design variations and a prototype is available.

The original design was submitted to the Manhattan sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 19-MTN-3591, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com.

SOURCE InventHelp

Related Links

http://www.inventhelp.com


WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the lead up to the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, a panel of leading Afghanistan war correspondents will discuss the collapse of Afghanistan and the impact of the U.S. military withdrawal during a virtual Headliners event at 11 a.m. on Sept. 3, hosted by National Press Club President Lisa Matthews of the Associated Press (AP).

Panelists include Atia Abawi, formerly NBC/CNN, Tom Bowman of National Public Radio, Kathy Gannon of AP, and Saad Mohseni, CEO of MOBY Media Group.

The panel convenes three days after the Biden Administration's Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline and one week after the deadliest day for U.S. troops in a decade, the Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 American service members and more than 90 Afghans.

This one-hour Headliner event program will stream live on the Club's website and YouTube Channel as part of the Club's Virtual Headliner series and is accessible to both the press and general public free-of-charge. Viewers are invited to submit questions in advance or during the live program via email to [email protected], with Afghanistan in the subject line.

Access the event or download a calendar invitation here.

With years of combined experience covering what's been called "the forever war," the journalists will share insights on humanitarian, military and political consequences of an Afghanistan now under Taliban control.

The panel will talk about the groups now targeting America's Afghan allies in violent reprisals and killings, the plight of Afghan women as the Taliban reclaim power, the future of the Afghan media and female journalists, and the fate of billions of dollars worth of U.S.-made weapons.

About the panelists:

Atia Abawi is a journalist and author who spent five years reporting in Kabul, Afghanistan, where she first worked as Afghanistan correspondent for CNN. She subsequently set up and managed the news bureau for NBC News, where she secured NBC's first, exclusive interview with President Hamid Karzai in a decade. Abawi is also the author of "The Secret Sky" and "A Land of Permanent Goodbyes."

Tom Bowman has served as Pentagon reporter for National Public Radio since 2006 and previously covered the Defense Department for The Baltimore Sun. He has reported extensively from Afghanistan, embedding for dozens of trips with U.S. soldiers and Marines. Bowman is recipient of a 2010 Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of a Taliban roadside bomb attack on an Army unit that killed two U.S. soldiers.

Kathy Gannon is news director for Afghanistan and Pakistan for the Associated Press and has covered the region for AP since 1988. In 2014, Gannon was seriously wounded while covering preparations for Afghan election when an Afghan officer opened fire on her convoy. Her colleague AP photographer Anja Niedringhaus was killed in the attack. Gannon is the author of "I is for Infidel: From Holy War to Holy Terror in Afghanistan."

Saad Mohseni, CEO of the MOBY Group, in 2002 launched what has become Afghanistan's largest private media group and TOLONews, Afghanistan's first 24/7 news and television network. Prior to starting MOB, Mohseni served as economic advisor to the Afghan government. He's been recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

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 news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.

Media Contact:

Kaitlyn Cotter

National Press Club

202-662-7511

[email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club

Related Links

http://press.org


"Dr. Carter-Edwards brings with her more than 25 years of academic community engagement," said Mark Schuster, MD, PhD, Founding Dean and Chief Executive Officer. "She has deep experience, skill, and commitment that will enable us to expand our relationships with our multi-faceted surrounding communities."

"Extending the reach of the school into the communities we serve is integral to our mission and service-learning curriculum," said Maureen Connelly, MD, MPH, Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Community Affairs of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. "The expertise Dr. Carter-Edwards brings to this role will further enhance our efforts to engage and advocate with community partners in meaningful ways to support health and well-being."

In her role, Dr. Carter-Edwards will further develop the strategic goals of the school to become an anchor institution, finding opportunities to support the community, and organizing outreach programs. She will coordinate community-based partnered research programs as well as engage with the school's service-learning curriculum and efforts to develop a student-run clinic. Dr. Carter-Edwards will also work with stakeholders in the non-profit, healthcare, government, and social services sectors to help determine the most impactful support roles for our school in the community.

"I am thrilled to join the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine team. It is my honor to contribute to the team's commitment to support the health of communities through education, programming, research, and advocacy," said Dr. Carter-Edwards. "I look forward to aligning my expertise in health equity, public health, and community engagement with the strengths of the communities we serve to further the efforts of the school."

As a nationally recognized expert in community-engaged research, Dr. Carter-Edwards comes to the school from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) Gillings School of Global Public Health, where she served as Associate Professor in the Public Health Leadership Program and an adjunct faculty member of Epidemiology and Health Behavior. She was also the Director of the Community and Stakeholder Engagement Program with the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute (NC TraCS), home of the UNC-CH Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) funded by the National Institutes of Health, and Co-Director of the Academic Career Leadership Academy in Medicine. Dr. Carter-Edwards has 25 years of experience conducting observational studies, interventions, and programs with an emphasis on social determinants of health associated with cardiovascular-related risk factors and outcomes in African American faith communities.

Dr. Carter-Edwards joins the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine on August 30.

About the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine is devoted first and foremost to offering an outstanding, forward-thinking medical education. Its curriculum is built on the three pillars of Biomedical Science, Clinical Science, and Health Systems Science. Students think broadly about the ways care can be more effective for everyone and learn how to advocate for better health in homes, school, workplaces, neighborhoods, and society at large. The school incorporates many of the most innovative and effective educational practices available today and gives students the opportunity to learn from the physicians and care teams in Kaiser Permanente's integrated healthcare system. This approach provides future physicians with the knowledge and skills to play key roles in the transformation of healthcare in our nation and help people from all backgrounds and settings thrive. Learn more at medschool.kp.org.

Contact

Kathy Bricaud

[email protected]

(310) 710-6769

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine

Related Links

http://medschool.kp.org


"Endless RNA represents a whole new approach to making medicines and treating disease," said Diego Miralles, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Laronde and CEO-Partner at Flagship Pioneering. "Laronde is creating a new class of drugs that can be programmed to persistently express proteins in the body, is redosable, and can be administered through simple delivery mechanisms, resulting in highly tunable protein levels. The therapeutic possibilities enabled by eRNA are vast with the potential to greatly improve global human health. Having assembled such a knowledgeable and committed group of investors gives us the ability to not only advance this powerful technology platform but also build a transformative company to support our bold vision."

"Over the past few years, we have seen how programmable platforms like translatable mRNA can rapidly bring forward new medicines," said Avak Kahvejian, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Board Member of Laronde, and General Partner, Flagship Pioneering. "eRNA solves many of the limitations of other drug modalities and unlocks new opportunities for creating first- and best-in-class therapeutics. Since launch, we continue to advance the science of eRNA and have been able to precisely demonstrate a controlled expression of secreted peptides, proteins, antibodies, and vaccine constructs in vivo through the use of an array of delivery options, including subcutaneous administration. Given the programmability of the platform and its unique pharmacology, we anticipate accelerated development timelines and a higher rate of program success than traditional biotech programs."

"The field of biotech is at the leading edge of technological progress, challenging us to think beyond incremental advances and to take big leaps  Endless RNA is one of those big leaps," said Noubar Afeyan, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Laronde and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flagship Pioneering. "We are delighted that investors well familiar with the power and potential of Flagship's bioplatforms are fueling Laronde as we scale the company and the platform to realize the potential of this powerful new class of medicines."

About Endless RNA

Ribonucleic Acids, or RNAs, play a significant role in biology. Among their functions, they provide the "code" that instructs cells to produce or regulate proteins, the building blocks of life and important regulators of disease processes. Because RNAs provide coded instructions to cells, they can be programmed to produce specific effects. This approach has been validated by the successful development of several important RNA-based medicines, but RNA's potential as a drug development modality has just begun. Endless RNA, or eRNA, was invented at Flagship Labs and is a new class of synthetic, closed-loop RNA. Because eRNA has no free ends, it is not recognized by the immune system and is very stable, enabling a long duration of protein expression. In addition, eRNA can serve protein-coding and non-protein-coding functions, and its protein translation capabilities are completely modular  switching an eRNA "protein sequence cassette" enables the expression of a different protein or multiple proteins that can be tuned as needed on an application-by-application basis.

About Laronde

Laronde is pioneering a platform that offers a completely novel way of modulating human biology. Endless RNA (eRNA), invented at Flagship Labs, is a uniquely engineered RNA that can be programmed to express diverse proteins inside the body. It is persistent, non-immunogenic, allows for repeat dosing, and offers flexibility in formulation and delivery. Laronde was founded in 2017 by Flagship Labs, the innovation foundry of Flagship Pioneering. The company is rapidly scaling to support the parallel development of multiple programs across many disease areas. To learn more, please visit the company's website at https://www.laronde.bio/ or Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Flagship Pioneering

Flagship Pioneering conceives, creates, resources, and develops first-in-category bioplatform companies to transform human health and sustainability. Since its launch in 2000, the firm has, through its Flagship Labs unit, applied its unique hypothesis-driven innovation process to originate and foster more than 100 scientific ventures, resulting in over $130 billion in aggregate value. To date, Flagship has deployed over $2.5 billion in capital toward the founding and growth of its pioneering companies alongside more than $19 billion of follow-on investments from other institutions. The current Flagship ecosystem comprises 41 transformative companies, including Denali Therapeutics (NASDAQ: DNLI), Indigo Ag, Moderna (NASDAQ: MRNA), Rubius Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RUBY), Sana Biotechnology (NASDAQ: SANA), Seres Therapeutics (NASDAQ: MCRB), and Valo Health.

SOURCE Laronde
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced late-breaking data from the Amulet LAA Occluder IDE trial, a multi-center, head-to-head study comparing the company's Amplatzer Amulet Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluder with the Watchman device (Boston Scientific) to treat patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) at an increased risk of stroke. The results of the trial show Abbott's Amulet device was superior for the primary endpoint of LAA closure and noninferior for the primary endpoints of safety and effectiveness versus the comparator device.

The findings were presented today in a late-breaking Hot Line session at ESC Congress 2021 organized by the European Society of Cardiology and simultaneously published in Circulation. The trial results supported the recent U.S. approval of Amulet.

The LAA is a small pouch connected to the upper left chamber of the heart. For people with AFib, the heart's ability to effectively pump blood can be disrupted, allowing blood to pool and collect in the LAA causing an increased risk for clotting. If clots reach the blood stream, they can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Abbott's Amulet device with Dual-Seal technology (a lobe to fill the body of the LAA and a disc to close off the opening into the LAA) offers immediate closure of the LAA, reducing the risk of stroke and  unlike the study comparator device  immediately eliminates the need for blood-thinning medication following implant. Amulet Occluder also offers a wider range of sizes to help physicians treat a broad range of patients and allows recapturing and repositioning to ensure optimal placement.

"Atrial fibrillation cases have increased in recent years as the world continues to age, making stroke risk more prevalent and resulting in higher usage of blood-thinning medication that can lead to bleeding and other complications," said Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, M.D., Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health, who served as principal investigator for the study. "Amulet demonstrated a clear benefit for people suffering from atrial fibrillation who are at risk of stroke and in need of LAA occlusion. The Amulet IDE trial data show that we can effectively treat these patients with Amulet and get them off blood thinners immediately following implantation."

A Strong Foundation of Clinical Evidence

The Amulet IDE trial is the first multicenter, large-scale randomized study to compare Abbott's Amulet device head-to-head with the Watchman device.

Results from the study demonstrated that Abbott's Amulet Occluder with Dual-Seal technology:

Was successfully implanted in 98.4% of patients compared to 96.4% of patients receiving the Watchman device.

Demonstrated superiority for the primary endpoint of LAA closure compared to Watchman (98.9% vs. 96.8%, p (superiority) = 0.0025).

Was noninferior to the comparator device for the co-primary safety endpoint (a composite of procedure-related complications, all-cause death or major bleeding through 12 months) and co-primary effectiveness endpoint (a composite of ischaemic stroke or systemic embolism through 18 months).

Importantly for patients and their physicians, Amulet did not require the use of blood thinners for participants following implant in the study. Watchman patients were mostly (82%) discharged on anticoagulant therapy (warfarin plus aspirin). In contrast, only 20% of Amulet patients were discharged on anticoagulants, and most (75.7%) were discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel plus aspirin).

"Now backed by the strength of the Amulet IDE data and the ability to immediately close the LAA, our Amulet device has the potential to change the way physicians approach LAA occlusion therapy," said Michael Dale, senior vice president of Abbott's structural heart business. "Offering immediate, superior LAA closure allows Americans living with atrial fibrillation to experience greater peace of mind against the worry of having a stroke without the need for blood-thinning medication immediately following the procedure."

The Amplatzer Amulet LAA Occluder has been approved for use in more than 80 countries, including in Europe, Canada and Australia, since its initial CE Mark approval in 2013. Amulet is part of the Abbott Amplatzer family of products with proven clinical success for more than two decades.

For U.S. important safety information on Amulet, visit: https://abbo.tt/AmuletISI.

About Abbott:

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 109,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

 Indicates a trademark of the Abbott group of companies.

 Indicates a third-party trademark, which is property of its respective owner.

 2021 Abbott. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE Abbott

Related Links

http://www.abbott.com


SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LifeTech Scientific Corporation (LifeTech, 01302.HK), a leading company specialized in minimally invasive interventional medical devices for cardio-cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular diseases, today announced 2021 interim results.

Compared with the first half of 2020, LifeTech achieved an outstanding performance. The revenue was approximately RMB461.1 million, increased by approximately 68.9%, the gross profit and the net profit was recorded approximately RMB374.4 million and RMB204.4 million respectively, representing an increase of around 72.5% and 106.5% respectively.

In the first half of 2021, the sales generated from mainland China was increased by approximately 74.6% and it accounted for approximately 84.0% of the total revenue. Although the COVID-19 epidemic situation in most overseas markets remained unstable, the overseas sales still increased by approximately 44.3% as compared with the corresponding period of 2020.

As the performance of business segments, in the first half of 2021, the turnover contributed by the structural heart diseases business was approximately RMB159.1 million, representing an increase of approximately 100.6%, of which the sales of LAA occluder increased by approximately 147.5% and the sales of the three CHD occluders: HeartR, Cera and CeraFlex increased by approximately 47.3%,160.0% and 13.3% respectively.

LifeTech's peripheral vascular disease business generated the turnover of approximately RMB286.8 million, representing an increase of approximately 50.0%, of which the sales of stent grafts and vena cava filters increased by approximately 60.8% and 24.7% respectively.

The turnover contributed by the cardiac pacing and electrophysiology business was approximately RMB15.2 million, representing a growth of approximately 508.0%.

LifeTech continuously strengthened its innovation capabilities and accelerated the R&D process of its pipeline products to maintain its leading position in the industry, the R&D expenses increased by approximately 25.3% to approximately RMB91.7 million in the first half of 2021, and achieved the following main progress:

G-iliac Iliac Artery Bifurcation Stent Graft System, LAnavi Jointed Steerable Introducer, FreepathGuidance System and OKcurve Steerable Delivery System obtained official registration approval from the China NMPA;

Xuper Open Surgery Stent Graft System obtained the CE certification in EU;

IBS Angel Iron Bioresorbable Scaffold System ("IBS Angel") obtained registration approval from Medical Device Authority in Malaysia ;

; Artery Stent Graft System (chimney graft) was approved as an innovative medical device in China ;

; Cinenses Lung Volume Reduction Reverser System has completed the enrollment of clinical trials in Europe ;

; G-BranchThoraco-Abdominal Aortic Stent Graft System has completed the enrollment of FIM study and the mid-term follow-up results are positive;

LAmbre LAA Occluder System, IBS Titan Sirolimus-Eluting Iron Bioresorbable Peripheral Scaffold System and IBS Angel were approved in the United States by the FDA for "Compassionate Use", and

by the FDA for "Compassionate Use", and IBS Sirolimus-Eluting Iron Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold System obtained the implied permission for conducting confirmatory clinical trials in China .

Meanwhile, the total of 1,350 patent applications have been filed, of which 496 patents have been registered as at 30 June 2021, which is an important intangible asset and an internal driving force of LifeTech improving its core competitiveness in the global device market.

SOURCE LifeTech Scientific Corporation

Related Links

www.lifetechmed.com


"Over the last few months, Livly and Franklin St. have worked collaboratively to bring our industry leading resident operating system to Franklin St.," said Alex Samoylovich, Co-CEO of Livly. "We couldn't be more excited to partner with a leading residential property development and investment firm in Franklin St., bringing Livly to new markets in Australia and New Zealand."

Following a comprehensive assessment of requirements, Livly has developed a unique set of digital applications that will drive efficiency for property staff and elevate resident experiences throughout the portfolio. In partnering with Franklin St., Livly will not only open new markets but also enter the build to rent vertical as well, the Australian equivalent of multifamily.

"Providing exceptional resident experience has always been a core pillar of our property strategy," said Jeremy Quinn, Principal at Franklin St. "The importance of having high-quality management services that provide seamless, digital solutions to everyday tasks and processes has never been greater. Partnering with Livly enables us to provide a truly unparalleled experience across our portfolio."

Livly will be made available for immediate integration throughout Franklin St.'s Australian development portfolio and throughout the broader Australian and New Zealand markets shortly.

About Franklin St.

One of Australia's most experienced multifamily developers and investors, Franklin St. has an international track record in what is an emerging asset class in Australia. With over 2,000 apartments in development, Franklin St. is at the forefront, delivering innovative and cutting-edge solutions and developments for their customers and investment partners.

We have previously delivered and funded market leading multifamily projects in both the US and UK. With market-wide coverage in Australia, we are a gateway for US and other international capital looking to capitalize on the emergence of multifamily (known as Build-to-Rent locally) and take advantage of early mover opportunities in Australia.

About Livly, Inc.

Livly, Inc. is revolutionizing apartment living & powering communities across the globe. Founded in Chicago in 2017, Livly has built the first unified enterprise-grade operating system tailored specifically for residential properties. The Livly operating system serves as the remote control for apartment living, connecting residents, guests, staff, and vendors with state-of-the-art software, access controls, services, and comprehensive data analytics.

With an ever-evolving client-driven tech stack and an inclusive approach to industry partnerships, Livly is quickly establishing itself as the market leading resident experience operating system.

For more information about Livly, please visit www.livly.io

Contact: Radhika Sen, [email protected]

SOURCE Livly

Related Links

https://www.livly.io/


MOORESVILLE, N.C., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's today announced it will donate $2 million to support relief efforts after Hurricane Ida devastated the Gulf Coast, causing catastrophic flooding and damage. As part of today's announcement, Lowe's will donate $1 million to disaster relief partners including the American Red Cross, St. Bernard Project and others, helping organizations to provide emergency shelter, food, relief and rebuilding supplies and comfort to those affected by Hurricane Ida. An additional $1 million will support product donations.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the communities devastated by Hurricane Ida," said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe's chairman and CEO. "Our stores are continuing to serve their communities when it's needed most, and this $2 million donation to support our nonprofit partners and Pros will help recovery and rebuilding efforts for months to come. In addition, we are assisting our associates in the hurricane's path by helping with evacuation expenses, deploying emergency response teams and doubling our company match through our Employee Relief Fund."

Lowe's stores in the hardest-hit areas will host bucket brigade events to distribute free, critically needed cleanup supplies to help residents after the storm. In the past two weeks alone, Lowe's stores have distributed nearly 2,000 disaster relief buckets nationwide to help communities recovering from storms. Associates at Lowe's distribution centers in North Carolina and Texas assembled the buckets earlier this summer.

Lowe's Emergency Command Center activated virtually to prepare for Hurricane Ida on Friday, Aug. 27, and its leaders continue to manage through other crises, including wildfires in the West, flooding assistance in Tennessee and North Carolina and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thousands of associates across Lowe's stores and distribution centers have been helping customers prepare for Hurricane Ida, providing essential supplies to DIYers and Pros who are delivering critical services to communities. Lowe's has shipped approximately 500 trucks with emergency supplies to more than 60 stores directly in Hurricane Ida's path in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Lowe's is providing additional assistance to help associates affected by the hurricane. Lowe's offered associates with emergency needs up to $500 to help cover evacuation and preparation expenses. The company also is expanding its financial assistance through the Lowe's Employee Relief Fund. Lowe's is doubling the company's match, contributing $2 for every dollar an employee donates. Lowe's will deploy its mobile disaster relief convoy to provide personal relief kits, showers, washers and dryers and meals to associates in the hardest-hit areas.

Additionally, Lowe's will deploy more than 240 Emergency Response Team (ERT) members this week to the region. These associates are specially trained and voluntarily leave their home stores to serve at stores affected by storms. They will provide additional customer support and give fellow associates impacted by the hurricane a chance to focus on their families. The Emergency Response Teams are deploying from stores across Florida, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Another 240 ERT members are ready to deploy in the coming weeks.

Visit Lowe's Newsroom for updates on Lowe's relief events and continued support.

About Lowe's

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE 50 home improvement company serving approximately 20 million customers a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2020 sales of nearly $90 billion, Lowe's and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 300,000 associates. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Contact:

Steve Salazar

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

704-758-4345

[email protected]

SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.
The title, Luminaria, references a significant tradition in New Mexico: brown paper bags with cut out patterns, weighted down by sand and illuminated by candles from within. The work's three sculptures, 7-ft, 8-ft and 9-ft in height, were inspired by the shape of a barrel cactus and feature eight long "petals," which start at the base and curve up to connect at the top. Three seating components offer space for contemplation and reflection.

"It is so important that victims' lives, cut short and much too soon, are commemorated in a thoughtful and sensitive manner, with a space that expresses love and honor for anyone to come for a moment of respite or remembrance," said Huether, a Napa, CA-based specialist in large scale public art. Among Huether's memorial works are: In Honor of the Fallen in Oklahoma City and the Napa 9/11 Memorial, and upcoming installations such as End of Watch at the San Jose (CA) Police Dept., the Sallisaw Veterans Memorial in Sallisaw, OK, and the Eternal Flame memorial in Atlanta, GA.

"New Mexico Arts is honored to have facilitated such an important and moving project," said Michelle Laflamme-Childs, executive director of New Mexico Arts. "Public art can be more than just something pretty to look at. It can prompt conversations about difficult topics, it can point to history or culture important to a community, and it can be a space for remembrance and healing. Huether's Luminaria is all these things."

The art piece was commissioned a result of an appropriation from the New Mexico legislature to honor victims of gun violence. The selection committee consisted of art community members, government representatives and family members of gun violence victims. The piece resonated with the committee as it represents many items that are left during remembrance ceremonies, or descansos, placed at the sites of those who have died. Heuther's research into these traditions inspired him to create an untraditional, uplifting design using bright colors, regional folk art and illumination from within the sculptures "to cast light as a beacon of joy and love for all those in suffering," he explained.

The Luminaria installation at 520 Lomas Boulevard Northwest also highlights Bernalillo County's renowned public art collection of over 500 works, including nearly 100 by young artists, many of whom pursue careers in the arts.

About Gordon Huether Studio

Gordon Huether is a Napa, CA-based artist specializing in large-scale, site-specific art installations. Standouts among Huether's commissioned artworks are his seven large-scale integrated installations for the Salt Lake City International Airport completing in stages through 2024 and his inspirational memorial works in Oklahoma City, Napa CA and other cities. www.gordonhuether.com.

CONTACT:

Ron Heckmann

510-652-5800

[email protected]

SOURCE Gordon Huether Studio
MIAMI, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the recent challenges in Afghanistan, The University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School will offer two full-tuition scholarships beginning as early as January 2022 to people who recently evacuated from Afghanistan.

The Global Crossing Airlines Graduate Business Scholarships were made possible through the generous gift from Global Crossing Airlines Group, Inc. (GlobalX). GlobalX is the newest US airline flying the Airbus A320 family aircraft. GlobalX flies as a charter airline serving the US, Caribbean, and Latin American markets.

"As an international business school with a sense of global responsibility, we welcome the opportunity to offer tangible help to two qualified students displaced by recent events in Afghanistan," said John Quelch, dean of Miami Herbert.

"GlobalX's humanitarian relief flights as the only U.S. carrier performing these flights into Kabul have had a profound impact on all our team members. We are proud to partner with Dean Quelch and Miami Herbert Business School to provide graduate scholarships for those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan," said Ed Wegel, Chair and CEO of GlobalX.

To be considered for these two scholarships, applicants must qualify for admission to one of Miami Herbert's master's programs which include the MIB (Master's in International Business) and MSF (Master's in Finance) programs commencing January 2022.

For further information, please visit the program pages below:

- Master's in International Business

- Master's in Finance

"My hope is that other higher education institutions will follow our lead, and also open their doors to these evacuees," said Quelch.

Those interested in applying for this scholarship, may contact Cecilia Sanchez, international relations manager ([email protected]).

SOURCE University of Miami School of Business Administration

Related Links

http://www.herbert.miami.edu


"We are honored to partner with the Military Women's Memorial to remember our nation's military women heroes who fought and sacrificed for our freedom," said James Schenck, president/CEO of PenFed Credit Union and CEO of PenFed Foundation. "They left behind families, loved ones, and most importantly, legacies of strength, bravery, and patriotism. We hope Americans from all over the country gain inspiration from these stories. And we ask all servicewomen, past and present, or their family members, to share their stories of service with the Military Women's Memorial through its interactive, online database. It's important that we always remember and continue to honor the brave women who served our great nation."

Led by PenFed Digital's Vice President and Chief Content Officer Andrea McCarren, an award-winning nationally recognized journalist, PenFed Digital will produce content along the relay route featuring military women heroes from all branches of service and highlight their stories of bravery, service and sacrifice. The digital content will be shared on the Military Women's Memorial and PenFed social media channels taking followers from around the world on a virtual journey of remembrance.

"The Military Women's Memorial is the nation's only major national memorial to tell the story of some 3 million women who have served this nation so proudly and well," said retired Army CW5 Phyllis Wilson, president of the Military Women's Memorial. "Following the 9/11 attacks, the Memorial was privileged to host a number of the memorial services for those souls who perished at the Pentagon on that fateful day  among them seven Servicewomen and two Women Veterans. And since, 177 Servicewomen have given their lives to preserve our freedoms. We are humbled to honor and remember them with this 9/11 Remembrance Relay and to share their stories of service and sacrifice with the American public. We encourage folks across the country and around the world to join us virtually in this tribute to these fallen patriots and heroes."

Those interested in supporting the 9/11 Remembrance Relay can visit https://womensmemorial.org/ to register for the virtual relay. The day can also be remembered by taking a walk around the neighborhood to remember 9/11 and the sacrifices made over the past two decades, or by simply pausing for a few minutes to reflect on the day.

Servicewomen past and present are encouraged to visit the Memorial's website to learn more about the Memorial, register their service or that of another Servicewoman, and to explore the exclusive member benefits. In addition to preserving history and inspiring future generations of girls, benefits of registration include an employment and career resource portal focused on women transitioning out of the military and women veterans seeking career advice, discounted tuition, and more.

Additional sponsorship support for the Remembrance Relay is generously provided by: Rocky Boots, Excelsior College, Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation Board of Directors, AdeNation, Team UNBROKEN, Patches for Porters, and Mission BBQ. Non-profit partners include wear blue: run to remember, Team RWB, USO, The Mission Continues, and Razia's Ray of Hope.

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 as of July 31, 2021. 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 Military Women's Memorial

The Military Women's Memorial is America's only major national memorial to document women's service to the nation, beginning with the American Revolution. Located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the Memorial features a 33,000 sq. ft. education center, exhibit gallery chronicling women's service, a world-class collection of artifacts and memorabilia related to women's service, an interactive database of some 300,000 women's stories of service, and engaging programs and events for all generations. The Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, is responsible for operating and maintaining the Memorial. Donate to this Charity Navigator 4 Star Organization and join the National Registration Campaign to help share the stories of women veterans. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org or by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

#HERstory #AppreSHEation

SOURCE PenFed Credit Union

Related Links

http://www.PenFed.org


PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross will file a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Wednesday morning against Chester Township, the Chester Township Police Department and Individual Police Officers seeking a declaration that they violated the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs, compensatory and punitive damages.

The plaintiffs, Brandon Alvin, Edward Baldwin, Keith Briggs, Rachel Briggs, Ramir Briggs, Kimyuatta Lewis and D.B., a minor, were all unlawfully arrested and assaulted. Each was charged with loitering, without the police inquiring about the lawful purpose of the individuals to be at that location. Each instance involves the improper use of loitering charges to justify an arrest.

The plaintiffs were arrested without committing any crime.

The suit alleges the arrests were in violation of the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth amendments to the United States Constitution. In addition, the loitering statute itself is unconstitutionally overboard and reaches a substantial amount of constitutionally protected conduct.

The suit further alleges the loitering statute is being used to generate municipal revenue. The conduct of the Chester Township Police Department has disproportionally affected Black individuals, who are stopped by police at a higher rate than others.

"The conduct by the police officers in this matter is reprehensible and a clear violation of our clients' rights. Chester Township is putting municipal revenue over resident safety. This cannot stand and we will seek justice by holding the defendants accountable in a court of law."  Thomas Fitzpatrick, Partner, Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC.

"The fact that the same officer could be allowed to conduct three of these arrests, often with supervisors physically present and participating, in such a short period is evidence that a pattern and practice of unconstitutional conduct has been in place in the CTPD for a long time. With the unlawful assaults and arrests in this matter, we believe this is a clear case of wrongdoing."  Kevin Mincey, Partner, Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC.

PRESS CONFERENCE:

Date: September 1, 2021

Time: 10:30am

Location: Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC - One Liberty Place, 1650 Market Street, Suite 3600, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfuYOm9s2HA

About Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC.

Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC is the leading black-owned law firm in Philadelphia. We help our clients win by beginning each engagement focused on achieving justice first. Our team of experienced trial attorneys have the legal acumen and strategic focus which are a hallmark of our practice. Diversity is central to our mission.

Learn more at minceyfitzross.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Teresa M. Lundy

TML Communications

E: [email protected]

O: (215) 500-8749

SOURCE Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC.

Related Links

http://www.minceyfitzross.com


BREA, Calif., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Monoprice, the leading provider of high-quality and affordably priced consumer electronics and accessories, is opening a new distribution center on September 1st in Hebron, Kentucky. The 165,400-square-foot warehouse will allow Monoprice to store almost four times the number of products than their previous Kentucky distribution center, ship 70% of Monoprice's total direct-to-consumer volume, and reduce shipping costs annually by $900,000.

The new distribution center will house over 8,000 of the most in-demand products sold on the company's website. The company offers affordable electronics and accessories to professionals and consumers nationwide with products ranging from electronic cables, pro audio and home theater equipment, networking and IT gear, 3D printers, mobile solutions and other technology gear. Their customer-first business model eliminates layers of markup within the supply chain, allowing Monoprice to sell premium products at a fraction of the marketplace price with incomparable speed and service.

"A strong distribution strategy is at the foundation of creating a successful e-commerce presence and exceptional customer service" said Bernard Luthi, CEO of Monoprice. "Our new warehouse in Kentucky will be influential in processing and shipping our orders faster and more efficiently to our Midwest and East Coast consumers. Consumer experience and feedback is at the forefront of our business model, and we strive to ensure that not only are our products top-of-the-line, but our distribution channels are as well."

To celebrate the new center, Monoprice is hosting a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on September 1st at 10:30 a.m. ET with Boone County Commissioners Cathy Flaig, Charles Kenner and Jesse Brewer, as well as Mark Jones, Director of Distribution at Monoprice, and Larry Jansen, Vice President of Distribution at Monoprice. The company understands the importance of supporting the community, and they will be donating $2,500 to the Northern Kentucky Children's Advocacy Center.

For more information on Monoprice and its product offerings, please visit www.Monoprice.com.

About Monoprice, Inc. (DBA Monoprice.com)

Located in Brea, Calif., Monoprice, Inc. is an e-commerce leader specializing in providing more than 7,500 high-quality yet affordable electronics and tech products. As an industry innovator, Monoprice fills a void in the consumer technology market by delivering exceptional products that are on par with the best-known national brands at prices far below the retail average with incomparable speed and service. Maintaining a business philosophy that focuses on the needs of its customers, the company strives to bring simplicity, fairness and confidence to consumers and businesses shopping for big-ticket electronics and tech accessories. For more information about Monoprice, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SOURCE Monoprice

Related Links

https://www.monoprice.com


Provide funding for new facilities at each of the MSU College of Nursing's five campuses in Bozeman , Billings , Great Falls , Kalispell and Missoula equipped with modern classrooms and state-of-the-art simulation labs, where nursing students will hone their critical thinking and practice their skills.

, , , and equipped with modern classrooms and state-of-the-art simulation labs, where nursing students will hone their critical thinking and practice their skills. Establish five endowed faculty professorships  the first in the history of the MSU College of Nursing. These endowed professorships will position MSU to attract top faculty talent during a nationwide nursing faculty shortage.

Develop an endowed scholarship fund that will allow the MSU College of Nursing to keep the cost of nursing education affordable for all students.

Create Montana's only certified nurse midwifery program preparing doctoral level nurses who will significantly increase the number of specialized maternal health care providers capable and willing to provide services to rural and remote communities in Montana .

"It is hard to put into words how moved and excited all of us are at Montana State University by the generosity of the Joneses, who are helping to address some of the most critical health care disparity issues in Montana, particularly in the state's rural areas," said MSU President Waded Cruzado. "Straight from the hearts of Mark and Robyn, this gift will forever change health care in Montana, and it will serve as a model for the nation. Thanks to their vision, we will have access to tangible tools, such as high-quality simulation labs, new facilities across our nursing campuses, and more registered nurses, and doctor of nursing practice prepared nurse practitioners and nurse midwives."

"This is a significant moment for MSU, as we estimate we will now be able to meet the state's projected shortfall in baccalaureate-level registered nurses by 2030," added MSU College of Nursing Dean Sarah Shannon.

Access to health care has been a critical issue across the state, with 52 of Montana's 56 counties classified as medically underserved and health professional shortage areas by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are many counties in Montana lacking even one primary care, mental health or maternal care provider. The MSU College of Nursing is committed to producing the needed workforce and now, with this gift, has the opportunity to more than double the number of family nurse practitioners and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners graduating from MSU. These health practitioners are educated to address the key health challenges facing Montana, including an aging population, mental health and substance abuse.

"We both grew up visiting Montana with our families, and now it is one of the places we call home," said Robyn Jones. "We've seen first-hand the health care challenges that Montana faces, and we wanted to do something that will make an impact on the people of this beautiful state."

"Whether in our community or our business, we've always believed that people come first," said Mark Jones. "Montana holds a special place in our hearts, and we look forward to working with the MSU College of Nursing to help transform the health care community here and nationwide."

The Joneses are the founders of Goosehead Insurance, based in Westlake, Texas, and Mark currently serves as Chairman and CEO of the company. Founded in 2003, Goosehead is a rapidly growing and innovative personal lines insurance agency that distributes its products and services through more than 1,800 offices in the United States with a market capitalization of $5 billion.

About Montana State University

Founded in 1893, Montana State University is the largest public or private university in the state of Montana. With 10 colleges, the university offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in more than 60 fields of study. With an enrollment of more than 16,000 students, Montana State is also one of the fastest growing doctoral-granting public universities in the United States, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. Additionally, it is the only university in a five-state region to be designated as having "very high research activity" by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research's Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and one of only 131 universities nationwide  out of 4,338 U.S. higher education institutions  to be included in this category.

Founded in 1937, Montana State University's College of Nursing offers bachelor's, accelerated bachelor's, master's and doctoral-level nursing education to produce nurses, nurse leaders, nurse educators and nurse practitioners for Montana. Using a distributed model, Montana State is the largest producer of registered nurses in Montana and is the sole provider of doctoral nurse practitioner education in the state.

SOURCE Montana State University

Related Links

http://www.montana.edu


MTX is still finalizing its location in Albuquerque but plans to lease office space and hire 250 New Mexico employees over the next five years with an average salary of $90,000 to $175,000. Today's announcement took place at the Central New Mexico Community College with MTX Founder and CEO Das Nobel, MTX Co-Founder and CMO Nipa Nobel, Economic Development Cabinet Sec. Alicia J. Keyes, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, and representatives from the college and Albuquerque Economic Development (AED).

The State of New Mexico is pledging assistance for training employees under the Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP). MTX also announced a workforce collaboration with Central New Mexico Community College with their "Deep Dive Coding and Data Science" intensive boot camps. MTX will also be connecting with the 18+ community colleges and universities via Handshake in order to engage the local student community in information sessions, career fairs, future case competition opportunities, and hackathons.

"New Mexico is more competitive than ever in being able to recruit innovative companies which can bring quality jobs to the people of New Mexico," Gov. Lujan Grisham said. "MTX will now make Albuquerque its regional hub and with that bring 250 new high-paying jobs that will keep our young professionals in New Mexico and build a more resilient economy."

The company will invest over $2 million in its New Mexico office complex. The MTX payroll is expected to reach $20 million and the direct economic impact of MTX in New Mexico is estimated at $347 million over ten years. The Economic Development Department is pledging $2 million from the State's LEDA Job-Creation Fund to assist MTX as it opens operations in New Mexico.

"MTX's decision to expand in New Mexico is a result of another successful partnership between state and local governments, higher education, and the private sector," said EDD Cabinet Secretary Keyes. "Gov. Lujan Grisham has focused on using these important collaborations to build wealth in the state and diversify the economy. This is what that success looks like."

MTX currently provides technology solutions in over 35 states, including health monitoring, disease tracking, unemployment insurance claims, emergency child care licensing, isolation services for higher education, and vaccination management. MTX specializes in modernizing licensing, permitting, inspections, and grant management processes with unique technology solutions for public sector agencies, while preventing fraudulent or duplicate claims. One of MTX's biggest differentiators is delivering solutions and realizing values for the communities and agencies. What may take other companies months, MTX delivers in weeks and sometimes days.

The company already has a relationship with the New Mexico State Government, undertaking projects for the Department of Finance and Administration, Regulation and Licensing Department, Department of Health, and other agencies. MTX is expanding in New Mexico to serve those relationships better and take advantage of the state's regional location, competitive business climate, strong incentives, and affordability.

"The state's incentives enable us to grow and hire faster, and that means we can better serve the local communities in New Mexico with outcomes in happiness, health and economics. MTX is excited to partner with the state of New Mexico to keep local talent in the land of enchantment," MTX CEO Das Nobel said.

Nobel, an immigrant from Bangladesh with a strong commitment to giving back to local communities through philanthropy efforts, continued, "At MTX, our philosophy aligns with New Mexico Gov. Lujan Grisham's strategic goals to improve education, public health, and a more equal and diversified economy. We are passionate about providing equal growth opportunities to all, including empowering women in leadership, training and hiring veterans, and spearheading a one-year paid parental leave."

Synthia R. Jaramillo, City of Albuquerque Economic Development Department Director, said, "Albuquerque's assets make it incredibly competitive in the hi-tech economy, and we're supporting the recruitment and expansion of businesses like MTX that complement our existing strengths. By building a diversified economy that works for everyone, we're solidifying Albuquerque's reputation as a prosperous hub for our key industries."

AED, the area's non-profit, private-sector economic development organization, provided technical assistance for the project. "We are thrilled that MTX Group saw what we all know to be true about our region and state  we have the talent, resources and economic vision required to ensure the success of the launch of a key regional collaboration center for this burgeoning technology company," Danielle Casey, AED President and CEO, said. "Its investment has the potential to return more than $300 million in total new economic impact to the region in just three years and spur the demand for hundreds of additional jobs in the region above those it creates directly."

MTX West Coast Client Partner Vidya Patil added, "MTX recognizes New Mexico's leadership in bringing hi-tech employment opportunities. The collaboration between the private sector, education institutions and the New Mexico administration is inspiring. MTX is excited to partner with Central New Mexico Community College and other educational institutions to bring leading-edge research innovative solutions that are secure, trusted, and impactful to the communities we serve in New Mexico and around the world."

"On behalf of CNM, we're thrilled to welcome MTX Group to our community and state, and we're looking forward to supporting its workforce needs so MTX can thrive in Albuquerque and create rewarding jobs for our students and fellow New Mexicans," added CNM President Tracy Hartzler. "For more than 55 years, CNM has been partnering closely with business and industry to ensure that we're delivering the skilled workforce they need to grow, thrive, and contribute to economic development in New Mexico. We're committed to doing the same for MTX, while providing our students with exciting opportunities to acquire the valuable skills they need to gain employment and have promising careers at MTX."

To help recruit and retain local talent in New Mexico, MTX has prepared a robust internship and requirement plan to nurture professionals in sectors such as business, technology, marketing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and renewable energy. To learn more about job openings, please visit https://www.mtxb2b.com/s/career .

ABOUT MTX GROUP INC

MTX Group Inc . is a global technology consulting firm powered by the Maverick Quantum ( mavQ ) Artificial Intelligence platform that enables organizations to modernize through digital transformation and strategy. With data as the new currency, MTX helps organizations transform their long-term strategy with outcomes in mind around happiness, health, and economy. MTX improves decision-making for organizations with speed and quality by leveraging the mavQ AI platform and partnering with other leading cloud technologies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Salesforce.

SOURCE MTX Group Inc.

Related Links

http://www.mtxb2b.com


WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- National Grid today announced Stephen Woerner will become its New England President and join the company's executive leadership team on October 1. Woerner currently serves as Baltimore Gas and Electric's (BGE) President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the company.

Woerner has served as BGE's COO for nearly a decade, over which time the company has recorded its highest performance in safety, service reliability and customer satisfaction.

"I look forward to welcoming Steve to the role and to our Group Executive Committee," said John Pettigrew, Chief Executive Officer, National Grid. "We're fortunate to be adding his insights and experience to our most senior leadership team, helping to steer National Grid into a clean, fair, and affordable energy future."

"Steve's proven track record in operations will help us deliver exceptional service to our customers across New England," said Badar Khan, President, National Grid US. "We look forward to tapping into his wide range of experience to help lead the clean energy transition for all of our communities, ensuring our gas and electric networks transform to meet customer needs in a net zero future."

"National Grid is a company with close connections to the communities it serves and a long history of being on the leading edge in the industry," said Woerner. "I'm thrilled to be joining the team and look forward to getting to know the customers and stakeholders in Massachusetts and Rhode Island."

As New England President, Woerner will be responsible for National Grid's gas and electric operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Woerner will also join the National Grid Group Executive Committee. National Grid is currently in the process of selling its Narragansett Electric business to PPL Corporation. When that sale is final, Woerner will continue as Massachusetts President.

Woerner has been President of BGE since 2014 and he has served as the company's COO since 2012. He began his career in the defense and aerospace industry before he joined BGE in 1990 as an associate engineer in Distribution and Transmission Engineering and subsequently held positions in Transmission and Distribution Engineering, Customer Service, Operations, Emergency Management, and Construction Management.

Woerner has held several positions at BGE, including vice president of electric transmission and distribution, senior vice president of gas and electric operations and planning, and senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Woerner holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University and a Master's in Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram

SOURCE National Grid

Related Links

http://www.nationalgrid.com


WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Press Club today announced honorees of the 2021 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award, an honor which recognizes one international journalist and one domestic journalist who bravely push to disclose the truth in trying circumstances.

The 2021 Aubuchon honorees are Haze Fan, a Chinese citizen, who has been detained in Beijing while working for Bloomberg, and Danny Fenster, managing editor of Frontier Myanmar, who has been jailed in Myanmar since May 24.

Fan had been covering global business as a news assistant when she was detained in December 2020 by the Beijing National Security Bureau on unfounded allegations of engaging in criminal activities that jeopardized national security. Her case, which remains under investigation, comes as dozens of foreign journalists have been forced to flee amid increased hostilities between China and international media outlets.

Fenster, meanwhile, was taken into custody at Yangon International Airport as he was on his way home to Detroit, Michigan to see family. He was charged with incitement in connection with a previous employer, Myanmar Now, which had its license revoked by a Myanmar government intent on silencing news outlets. Fenster had resigned from Myanmar Now 10 months prior to his arrest. He remains in Insein Prison until his trial. During a video hearing he told his lawyer he had become infected with the coronavirus while in detainment and was denied medicine.

"We admire the resilience of these two honorees, both of whom have been unjustly detained," said National Press Club President Lisa Nicole Matthews. "They exemplify the importance of reporting hard truths and perseverance even in dangerous conditions. We will continue to advocate for their freedom and for their work as part of the press corps."

The John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award is named for a former Club president who fervently advocated for press freedom.

The National Press Club will confer the 2021 Aubuchon awards along with the Neil and Susan Sheehan award for investigative journalism during its annual Fourth Estate Award Gala honoring NBC News' Lester Holt on Oct. 20 in Washington, D.C.

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. Tickets and more information for the event can be found here .

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 news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.

CONTACT: Kaitlyn Cotter for the National Press Club, 202-662-7511, [email protected].

SOURCE National Press Club

Related Links

http://press.org


NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the findings of a revised market research report by Persistence Market Research, the global network forensics market reached a valuation of close to US$ 2.2 Bn in 2020, and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 12.6% over the next ten years.

Increasing demand for network forensics services and cyber-security forensics services to secure firms, organizations, networks, endpoints and data centers from malicious attacks, numerous ransomware and APTs, and detect and resolve network security breaches is propelling the growth of the global network forensics market.

Several industry players are introducing advanced network forensics tools in the market to mitigate cyber-threats.

For instance, CounterFlow AI introduced a new solution based on what it calls 'network forensics'. The platform, called ThreatEye, is an open, scalable AIOps platform designed to ease the burden of SOC analysts who are in need of high-fidelity analysis for investigations but are overwhelmed by unnecessary volumes of data flowing through the network.

Savvius is a leader in actionable forensics solutions for network performance and security. The company has added extra features into its existing network forensics solutions for network performance diagnostics, visualization, and security investigations. The solution enables packet capture and analysis appliances operate at up to 25 Gbps and are available with storage capacity up to 192TB.

Request for sample PDF of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/21715

Companies in this industry are also focusing on mergers and acquisitions in order to expand their consumer base.

For instance, Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity vendor, acquired The Crypsis Group" an incident response, risk management, and digital forensics consulting firm. This acquisition enabled company to help customers not only predict and prevent cyberattacks but also mitigate the impact of any breach they may face.

Companies are also entering into partnerships to expand their customer base across several developing economies.

For instance, Pelorus Technologies, a leading provider of specialized digital forensics technology solutions to businesses and governments, entered into a collaboration with MSAB, a global leader in digital forensic technology for mobile device examination. The collaboration helps Pelorus establish technological supremacy in India . Together, the two leading technology companies are going to sell comprehensive network forensics solutions to Indian clients at competitive rates.

Key Takeaways from Market Study

Professional services hold a market share of 64.6%; however, demand for managed network services will witness a CAGR of 17.9%.

Services are expected to register high growth throughout the forecast period, expanding at a CAGR of 14.8% through 2031.

Germany holds 39.8% share of the Europe market, driven by mass adoption in small- and mid-sized enterprises and stringent government rules on end-user verticals.

holds 39.8% share of the market, driven by mass adoption in small- and mid-sized enterprises and stringent government rules on end-user verticals. The U.S. is a high potential market in North America , and is expected to account for more than 60% of the regional market by 2031, supported by rising investments in small/medium-scale enterprises and large enterprises.

, and is expected to account for more than 60% of the regional market by 2031, supported by rising investments in small/medium-scale enterprises and large enterprises. China dominates East Asia and accounts for over 48.7% value share on the back of a vast consumer base.

Get customized report by asking an expert: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/ask-an-expert/21715

"Increased need to secure network infrastructures from sophisticated cyber- attacks, such as ransomware, DDoS, and APTs, expected to drive market growth," says a Persistence Market Research analyst.

Opportunities in the Market

Increasing digitization of information expected to spur demand for network forensics

Rising adoption of IoT technology to fuel need for network forensics

Demand for next-generation and integrated network forensics market solutions rising

Demand for cloud-based network forensics solutions increasing

Growing Ecosystem for Connected Devices Demanding Secure Networks to Drive Demand for Network Forensics

In recent years, use of smartphones and computer devices has increased significantly. Most cyber-attacks are carried out with the help of Internet-connected machines, smartphones, and computer devices.

For instance, in 2019, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), around 16,503 cases of online identity theft were reported to the IC3. Also, as per the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in the United States, around 271,823 identity theft complaints were filed due to credit card fraud.

Thus, increasing number of cybercrimes due to rapid adoption of electronic devices such as computers, laptops, smartphones, and other smart devices is fueling demand for network forensics.

Get full access of report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/21715

Find More Valuable Insights

Persistence Market Research puts forward an unbiased analysis of the global market for network forensics market, providing historical demand data (2016-2020) and forecast statistics for the period 2021-2031.

To understand the opportunities in the market, it has been segmented on the basis of component [solution (IDS/IPS, SIEM, threat intelligence, packet capture analysis, log management, analytics and firewall) and service {professional services (consulting services, training and education, design and integration, and incident response) and managed services}], deployment mode (cloud-based and on-premises), application (data center security, endpoint security, network security, application security, and others), and region (North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa), to help readers understand and lucrative evaluate opportunities in the market.

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Persistence Market Research (PMR), as a 3rd-party research organization, does operate through an exclusive amalgamation of market research and data analytics for helping businesses ride high, irrespective of the turbulence faced on the account of financial/natural crunches.

Overview:

Persistence Market Research is always way ahead of its time. In other words, it tables market solutions by stepping into the companies'/clients' shoes much before they themselves have a sneak pick into the market. The pro-active approach followed by experts at Persistence Market Research helps companies/clients lay their hands on techno-commercial insights beforehand, so that the subsequent course of action could be simplified on their part.

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SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NEUVOGEN, an immunoncology company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jack Bui to its Scientific Advisory Board ("SAB") effective August 30, 2021.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jack Bui to NEUVOGEN's Scientific Advisory Board," said Todd Binder, Chief Executive Officer of NEUVOGEN. "As a highly accomplished clinical pathologist and immune monitoring expert, Dr. Bui will help guide the design and execution of the translational data generation aspects of NEUVOGEN's clinical studies. He is uniquely qualified to help us use immunological clinical data to demonstrate the ability of NEUVOGEN's cancer vaccines' industry leading targeting breadth to help prevent immune escape by solid tumors."

Jack Bui, MD, PhD is Director of University of California, San Diego Stem Cell Processing Laboratory and Flow Cytometry and Immunology Laboratory, and interfaces between the cancer research and immunology programs. Dr. Bui also serves as an associate professor in the Department of Pathology, at UC San Diego's Moore Cancer Center. He is a board-certified clinical pathologist with expertise in tumor immunology and immune function tests. Much of his laboratory research has focused on conducting studies on cells and tissues from biopsies and excisions to understand immune recognition of uninfected, stressed or damaged tissues, such as tumor cells and transplantable normal cells. Dr. Bui received his PhD, focused on T cell memory, in the laboratory of Steve Hedrick at UCSD. He also received his MD at UCSD and completed postgraduate training at Washington University in St. Louis, as a postdoctoral fellow on innate immunity and cancer with Robert Schreiber studying how innate cells and T-regulatory cells influence tumor formation.

"I am delighted to join as a member of the NEUVOGEN's Scientific Advisory Board, and to assist their scientific teams in advancing the clinical development of their novel cancer vaccine candidates in solid tumors," Dr. Bui said. " I look forward to helping to advance NEUVOGEN's mission in serving patients with cancer and developing transformative therapies that meaningfully extend their lives."

A link to comprehensive biographies can be found at www.neuvogen.com/about-us/.

About NEUVOGEN

NEUVOGEN, Inc. is an immunoncology company focused on whole cell cancer vaccine therapies. NEUVOGEN believes its cancer vaccines have the broadest combination of tumor associated antigens and tumor specific antigens ever delivered in a cancer vaccine and as a result can directly target a greater percentage of cancer cells in a solid tumor than any previous cancer vaccine. Based in San Diego, California, NEUVOGEN's goal is to develop therapeutic cancer vaccines that activate the body's immune system to eradicate solid tumors and meaningfully extend the lives of patients while limiting side effects. To learn more, visit www.neuvogen.com.

SOURCE NEUVOGEN Inc.

Related Links

http://www.neuvogen.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexteligent Holdings, Inc. (OTC:NXGT), a professional services firm and healthcare industry aggregator, has retained 2 Watchmen, a Wyoming limited liability company to assist in its proposed common stock buy-back program. Through this initiative, Nexteligent intends to repurchase from $100,000 to $1,000,000 in Company common stock at market price starting in September.

"Nexteligent continues to execute its strategy for building a distinguished brand recognized for delivering value to employees, clients and investors," said Paul Cristiano, Nexteligent chief executive officer. "Within the last 60 days, we have announced our plan to close three acquisitions before year-end 2021 and that in 2022 we intend to close acquisitions with a collective revenue of $100,000,000."

Cristiano also noted that Nexteligent recently announced that it has retained a leading M&A advisory and investment firm to assist in its acquisition process as well as a PCAOB auditor and counsel organization to assist in its plans for up listing to the OTCQX and to concurrently address and rectify any vagaries in convertible notes and service contracts discovered through the audit process required for admission to the OTCQX.

"Today's announcement about our stock buy-back program further demonstrates that Nexteligent is focused on building shareholder value," said Cristiano.

About Nexteligent

Nexteligent Holdings, Inc. is a professional services firm and aggregator serving healthcare providers with digital health technologies, outsourced workflow, and financial management solutions designed to increase profit and operational efficiency. Nexteligent acquires small-to-medium size companies specializing in coding and billing, durable medical equipment, remote patient monitoring, preventative wellness, chronic care management, and marketing and advertising. Through its specialized divisions the Company serves the needs of hospitals, clinics, doctors, labs, eldercare facilities and the patients they serve.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking" statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "ensure," "expect," "if," "intend," "estimate," "probable," "project," "forecasts," "predict," "expects," "outlook," "aim," "will," "could," "should," "would," "potential," "may," "might," "anticipate," "likely," "plan," "positioned," "designed to," "strategy," and similar expressions, and the negative thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, may include projections of their respective future financial performance, their respective anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in their respective businesses. These statements are only predictions based on current expectations and projections about future events.

SOURCE Nexteligent Holdings
CHICAGO, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating its 130-year anniversary, North Park University (North Park) welcomes its largest incoming first-year class for Fall 2021. Founded by Swedish immigrants in the late 19th century, North Park's inviting wrought-iron gates at the campus's Foster Avenue entrance on the Northwest side of Chicago welcome the third most diverse student population in the Midwest.

"An increase in our enrollment is an indicator of the strength of our institution and the quality of our faculty, staff, and academic programs," said North Park President Mary K. Surridge. "Our three distinctive characteristics  Christian, city-centered and intercultural combined with our collective effort to maintain a safe learning environment, form the foundation for our current and future success."

A hands-on COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team, combined with a flexible holistic admissions process and an intentional commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) attracted and enrolled 100+ first-year students over last year (students who are enrolling for the first-time in any college or university).

COVID-19 Impact

Shifting away from a pandemic propelled virtual learning model, North Park first-year students appreciate in-person learning at a small, supportive college located in the world-class city of Chicago.

"Virtual visits allowed us to expand our reach and provide face-to-face conversations and scholarship competitions with local and out-of-state students," said Anthony Scola, North Park's Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing.

Flexible Holistic Admissions

Going test-optional for 2021-2022 has proven successful, broadening and diversifying the applicant pool. North Park admissions recognizes the challenge many qualified students may have experienced with on-line learning. "By making the SAT/ACT optional, North Park is removing what can be an obstacle in meeting admission criteria," Scola said.

Addressing the financial needs of students most likely to attend North Park, the admissions and financial aid committees can meet students where they are  both financially and academically.

Commitment to DEI

A designated Hispanic Serving Institution and ranked by The Wall Street Journal in 2021 as among the top 50 higher education institutions in the nation for diversity, the university is rooted in its immigrant origins and deeply committed to the intercultural community being served today.

ABOUT NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY

North Park University is city-centered, intercultural, and emerging as the model for Christian higher education in 21st Century America.

SOURCE North Park University

Related Links

www.northpark.edu


MILAN, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The number of solid organ transplants performed during the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020 plunged by 31% compared to the previous year, according to a new global study presented at the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Congress 2021.

According to modelling calculations, the slowdown in transplants resulted in more than 48,000 years of patient life loss.

The research leveraged data from 22 countries and revealed major variations in the response of transplant programmes to the COVID-19 pandemic, with transplant activity dropping by more than 90% in some countries.

Kidney transplantation showed the largest reduction across nearly all countries during 2020 compared to 2019, with the study finding a decrease in living donor kidney (-40%) and liver (-33%) transplants. For deceased donor transplants, there was a reduction in kidney (-12%), liver (-9%), lung (-17%) and heart (-5%) transplants.

The research, published today in the Lancet Public Health, highlighted how some countries managed to sustain the rate of transplant procedures whilst others experienced serious reductions in the number of transplants compared to the previous year and, in some areas, living donor kidney and liver transplantation ceased completely. Overall, there was a strong temporal association between increased COVID-19 infection rate and reductions in deceased and living solid organ transplants.

Dr Olivier Aubert, lead author of the study, commented, "The first wave of COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the number of transplants across many countries, affecting patient waiting lists and regrettably leading to a substantial loss of life."

Professor Alexandre Loupy, head of the Paris Translational Research Center for Organ Transplantation and study author, furthered, "Living donor transplantation, which reduced more substantially, requires significant resources and planning compared to deceased donors. This is extremely difficult during a pandemic and there are also major ethical concerns for the safety of the donor."

"It's clear that there are many indirect deaths associated with COVID-19 and our study confirms that the pandemic has far-reaching consequences on many medical specialties."

The estimated numbers of life-years lost were 37,664 years for patients waitlisted for a kidney, 7,370 for a liver, 1,799 years for a lung, and 1,406 for a heart, corresponding to a total 48,239 life-years lost.

SOURCE European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT)

Related Links

https://www.esotcongress.org


The Little Luxury Ornare line is considered an 'object of desire' for being very attractive and versatile. At the event, at its stand, Ornare will take the Beauty version, focused on dressing tables. The line is inspired by the brand's traditional Ikigai cabinet system, but with an eye for small cabinets. Developed by designer Ricardo Bello Dias, the line has independence and versatility. It's also can be used to compose the closet or be assembled individually, totally customized. In addition, the furniture has light integrated into the shelves and doors equipped to prominently display the most precious objects.

"We are very happy with the authorization from the Italian government for this event, which is one of the most important in the world. Our brand has always been present and, in this moment of recovery, when the architecture and decoration market is more heated, we think our participation will be even more important. We chose Little Luxury to make the 2.5 m space very elegant", says Esther Schattan, managing partner of Ornare.

In July, Ornare launched the Square Round collection at the brand's showroom in Sao Paulo for the first time. The brand honors the Brazilian market along with the 35th-anniversary celebration of Ornare. The Square Round collection was born out of a rational and minimalist production process, research, and in-depth study of references that harmoniously mix geometric shapes such as squares and circles.

Images: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AtB6TEDdUGm0igu9_33B70sutmka?e=RzWT3M

About Ornare

Ornare is one of the most sophisticated high-end international custom furniture brands. Its successful journey began in 1986 with the opening of its first showroom. It later opened its first factory (1989) and then its Alameda Gabriel Monteiro da Silva showroom (1993). Ornare graces the luxury market with wardrobes, closets, kitchen units, wall system panels, home theaters, furniture, and bathrooms. In Brazil, the brand is present countrywide with showrooms in Brasilia, Salvador, Ribeirao Preto, Cuiaba, Goiania, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Florianopolis. The sophistication of Ornare is also present in Miami, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and the Hamptons. Its new collection, the 'Square Round', was launched in July 2021, in Brazil. It is signed by the managing partner of the brand, Murillo Schattan, in partnership with the art director Ricardo Bello Dias and the designers Vivian Coser and Patricia Martinez. In addition to these names, Ornare has the collaboration of Patricia Anastassiadis, Marcelo Rosenbaum, Ruy Ohtake, Guto Indio da Costa, Zanini de Zanine, among others. Learn more at www.ornare.com.br.

SOURCE Ornare

Related Links

http://www.ornare.com.br


SEATTLE, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in its 12-year history, Pacific Program Management (PPM) has hired a new senior leadership professional dedicated to customer relationships and business development for this growing commercial real estate program and project management firm. Mark Wanic joins PPM today as Chief Customer Solutions Officer (CCSO), responsible for growing and maturing PPM's client depth and diversity at an enterprise level, advancing the firm's short- and long-term business goals.

Mark Wanic hired as Pacific Program Management's first Chief Customer Solutions Officer. Charged with leading business development strategy for CRE firm.

Wanic brings to PPM nearly 30 years of experience recruiting, organizing, and leading diverse global organizations and teams. His expertise has resulted in elevated client service, attraction and retention of superior professional talent, and the driving of significant business growth. Immediately prior to joining PPM, Wanic was the Chief Revenue Officer at Fischer & Company in Dallas, Texas where he was responsible for all business development, marketing, technology, lease administration, operations and human resources. During his tenure, he successfully secured new large corporate accounts and noteably increased overall technology revenue, among other achievements. Wanic has also held executive leadership positions at Paradigm Tax Group, Cushman & Wakefield, Lucent Technologies, and AT&T.

"Mark is joining our senior leadership team at a critical time in our evolution as a company," said CEO Clark Lindsay. "As PPM strategically expands into additional key markets across the country and beyond, his proven sales and marketing acumen, deep bench of national commercial real estate experience, and strong relationships in both the corporate world and commercial real estate sector will help amplify our value for organizations seeking opportunities to unlock the potential of their workspace."

Over the past three years, Seattle-based PPM has expanded its reach to the hub cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., as well as 11 other locations across North America. The company has expertise in workspace consulting, capital project management, and transition and relocation management services.

"This is an exciting time to join a dynamic firm like PPM," said Wanic. "The commercial real estate industry is at the nexus of a pivotal moment in the changing culture of how and where people work, and PPM has the expertise and experience to help develop strategies for understanding and maximizing that changing culture. I look forward to expanding on the company's already industry leading platform for success."

Wanic earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Benedictine University. He has experience leading business development across the U.S., Asia, and Europe, including three years in the Netherlands as International Real Estate Director for Lucent Technologies' portfolio.

About Pacific Program Management

PPM is a commercial real estate program and project management firm headquartered in Seattle with teams deployed across North America. Founded in 2009, the company creates opportunity for businesses to minimize real estate risk and maximize the productivity of its people through a personalized and programmatic approach to strategy, capital project management, and the transition of the workspace.

Media Contact:

Mary Ryan

[email protected]

203-247-9773

SOURCE Pacific Program Management
DALLAS, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- New connected health research from Parks Associates finds 73% of current caregivers are likely to buy an independent living solution for their loved one. Among these intenders, 28% are planning to acquire a smart watch, 25% a PERS solution, 25% a professionally installed home sensor system, and 22% a smart speaker/display solution.

Parks Associates is hosting the virtual session "Connected Health Business Models" tomorrow as part of the eighth annual Connected Health Summit: Consumer Engagement and Innovation, sponsored by Alarm.com, Essence, and Everise.

Parks Associates: Most Preferred Independent Living Solution Connected Health Summit

"Connected Health Business Models" features a visionary presentation by Michael Braham, CEO, Trapollo, A Cox Business Company; an executive Q&A session with Renee Dua, Former Chief Medical Officer, Heal; and an interactive panel.

"Smartphones and connected smart devices hold the potential to transform healthcare for millions in America and billions around the globe," said Renee Dua, former Chief Medical Officer, Heal. "Health equality can be achieved through innovation. and as the founder of Heal and HeyRenee, I am privileged to play an important role in bridging the health divide."

The interactive panel features the following executives:

Tori Ames , Manager, CincyKids Health Connect, Center for Telehealth, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

, Manager, CincyKids Health Connect, Center for Telehealth, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Ryan McQuaid , CEO, PlushCare

, CEO, PlushCare Sean Mehra , Founder & CEO, HealthTap

, Founder & CEO, HealthTap Robert Schneider , SVP, Commercial Operations, Omron Healthcare

, SVP, Commercial Operations, Omron Healthcare Pete Stevenson , President & COO, eCare21, Inc.

, President & COO, eCare21, Inc. Kristen Hanich, Sr. Analyst, Parks Associates

Jennifer Kent , VP, Research, Parks Associates

"Today patients continue to turn to virtual healthcare solutions that deliver a seamless care experience with providers they can trust," said Ryan McQuaid, CEO, PlushCare. "I look forward to joining other industry leaders as we discuss how innovative organizations can build on this momentum and bring high-quality, personalized virtual primary care and mental healthcare to all patients."

"Primary care is widely acknowledge as a critical and often lacking element in effective and affordable healthcare," said Sean Mehra, co-founder and CEO of HealthTap. "Our existing healthcare system leaves many Americans without this continuity of care. Bridging this gap requires significant changes in both the delivery of care and the means of paying for care."

"At OMRON, we have been in the business of at-home monitoring for nearly 50 years. Over the past 18 months, we've seen an awakening to telehealth from consumers, physicians, and health systems which has translated to interest and inquiries for our first remote patient monitoring service, VitalSight. I look forward to sharing more of these insights at the Connected Health Summit and discussing the importance of this critical time we are in to leverage this increased interest and engage more patients in their health management," said Rob Schneider, OMRON Healthcare SVP of commercial operations.

"We are at a pivotal moment in healthcare history," said Pete Stevenson, President & COO, eCare21, Inc. "Virtual care can be provided anytime, anywhere. Even Hospital-at-Home is possible. Dramatic shifts in incentives are driving change across the entire industry. Connected Health Summit is a great place to learn some of the best practices that will help you accelerate your move to delivering high-quality value-based care and take full advantage of the incentives available to get there."

To request data or an interview, contact Rosey Ulpino, [email protected], 972-490-1113.

About Connected Health Summit

Connected Health Summit is a virtual executive conference focused on the impact of connected devices and IoT healthcare solutions on consumers at home. www.connectedhealthsummit.com

Contact:

Rosey Ulpino

Parks Associates

972.996.0202

[email protected]

SOURCE Parks Associates

Related Links

http://www.parksassociates.com


COLLEGE PARK, Md., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Need help meeting your health goals? The best way to change your behaviors may be to tap into your human desire to reciprocate when a friend gives you something.

A study from the Center for Health Information and Decisions Systems in the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business is the first, say its authors, to examine how reciprocity could be used as a motivator to influence behaviors. Center co-directors Ritu Agarwal and Guodong "Gordon" Gao, and Che-Wei Liu at Indiana University Bloomington, collaborated on the research, forthcoming in MIS Quarterly as "Reciprocity or Self-Interest? Leveraging Digital Social Connections for Healthy Behavior."

The authors looked at how incentive programs can be used to promote healthy behaviors and what happens when reciprocity becomes part of the incentive.

The idea has its roots in the age-old practice of giving and receiving and reciprocating, say the researchers. It's just what people do  return the favor when they get something. That's the social norm, and it's also a way many individuals show their gratitude. Sometimes people reciprocate because they know they'd feel guilty if they didn't. Previous research has studied reciprocity in sales settings and other scenarios, but this paper is the first to look at how it can be used as a motivator for health. "Self-control is a problem that all humans struggle with," says Agarwal, Distinguished University Professor and special advisor to the dean. "If we can use this innate tendency of humans to want to give back gifts as a way of driving them towards more healthy behaviors, maybe we can help people accomplish health goals."

The researchers ran a rigorous, randomized field experiment with 1,700 pairs of participants in an online Twitter-like platform for runners. They devised a test to see what motivated inactive runners to hit the ground again to log 18 miles in two weeks. They were astonished by the results.

In the experiment, one group was challenged to run the 18 miles to earn a raffle ticket to win prizes from the online platform if they completed it. In another group, individuals received a raffle ticket from a friend on the platform for the chance to win prizes, then were given the opportunity to reciprocate and earn the same chance for that friend by running the 18 miles. The group that had to run to earn prizes to pay back their friends was 32% more likely to actually complete the challenge than the participants who ran to earn prizes for themselves.

"Most academic studies examine reciprocity in a lab setting with very short timespans, like within a few hours. Ours is in a real-life setting, it goes beyond hours to two weeks, and it's asking people to run 18 miles, which is really non-trivial. And it works  marvelously well," says Gao. "We are very impressed with the power of reciprocity.

The results also reveal that the magnitude of the effect hinges on how well-acquainted the givers and receivers are. The researchers found the effect was strongest when the people knew each other moderately well, but not too well.

"We find that reciprocity is strongest with friends who are somewhere in the middle," Agarwal says. With people who are nearly strangers, you're not concerned with maintaining a relationship  you'll likely never talk to them again anyway, so why reciprocate? And with your closest friends, you know they won't hold it against you if you don't repay them.

A big part of the research was about marrying incentives to drive behavior with what's now possible with digital technologies  social media platforms, ubiquitous mobile devices, and wearable technology, like Apple watches and Fitbits that constantly monitor behaviors and health. Because of this, reciprocity is much easier to implement as a motivator than ever before, say the researchers.

Organizations can use these findings to roll out reciprocity-based programs that are much more cost-effective that the types of incentive programs they currently offer, the researchers say, because unhealthy behavior isn't just bad for individuals  it strains health care systems and costs organizations and governments lots of money. Incentive programs that include a reciprocity element can make dollars go further and be more effective.

"It's not only just about giving people money or financial incentives; it's really about how you use that money smartly to get the best return on investment," Gao says.

Companies could use their organization-wide intranet to create reciprocity-based health challenges, or even offer small-scale challenges within a single department. "But the power of this would really come from the large-scale social media platforms," Agarwal says. "Think about Facebook launching these healthy-behavior-generating programs  I think that would be a very exciting opportunity and it would have a huge impact on public health.

Agarwal and Gao say the benefits of paying back a friend's gift likely go beyond physical health to positively affect mental health, too. "We believe that it will make everyone happier," says Gao. "It could have very powerful effects on mental health.

This research fits into the larger mission at the Center for Health Information and Decisions Systems (CHIDS) to nudge people toward behavior change that will drive them to more healthy lifestyles. CHIDS is all about leveraging technology to figure it out, says Gao, "So we can nudge people at the right time, in the right scenario, using the right message."

Go to Maryland Smith Research for related content.

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, specialty masters, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact: Greg Muraski at [email protected]

SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

Related Links

https://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/research/maryland-smith-research


- Mr. Zhiyong Tang appointed Chief Executive Officer.

- Mr. Wenhao Wang appointed Chief Financial Officer.

- Mr. Yuebo Zhang appointed Executive President

- Mr. Fengsong Wan appointed Senior Vice President

BEIJING and HANGZHOU, China, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd. ("Roan" or the "Company") (OTC Pink: RAHGF and RONWF), a provider of diversified solutions in financial, insurance and healthcare related products and management services, today announced the appointment of Mr. Zhiyong Tang as Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Wenhao Wang as Chief Financial Officer; Mr. Yuebo Zhang as Executive President, taking charge of Company's consumer services and overseas business and Mr. Fengsong Wan as Senior Vice Presidents, responsible for Company's healthcare business. Concurrent with Mr. Tang's appointment, Mr. Junfeng Wang resigned his position from Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Zhiyong Tang is currently serving as President of Zhejiang Lixin Enterprise Management Group Co., Ltd. Prior to that, Mr. Tang served as General Manager of Zhejiang Jing Yu Xin Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. from 2015 to 2018; President of Zhongchuang International Finance Leasing Co., Ltd. from 2013 to 2015; Executive Vice President of China Financial Services Holdings Ltd. from 2010 to 2012; General Manager of Huale Tongda (Beijing) International Investment Management Company from 2004 to 2010. In addition, Mr. Tang worked in the Northern Investment Group Co., Ltd. from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Tang earned a master's degree in accounting and finance science from Hongkong Baptist University in 2015 and a master's degree in public administration from Liaoning University in 2012.

Mr. Wenhao Wang served as a managing director of investment banking of Southwest Securities Co., Ltd. from 2015 to 2021. Before joining the Company, he has worked in securities brokerage, equity investment and banking businesses. His experience includes leadership roles in internal control and compliance practices in the process of corporate operations and proficiency in China's capital market and financing practices. Prior to joining us, Mr. Wang served 33 large-scale companies in the financial field over 11 years and managed more than RMB 4 billion in equity investment and RMB 500 million in fund investment as a financial advisor. Mr. Wang earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Southwest University of Science and Technology in 2014.

Prior to joining us, Mr. Yuebo Zhang worked in Hong Kong Global Group Limited where he was responsible for global business promotion. He is also a director of the overseas service industry association, a partner of a Hong Kong Trust company and a member of the Hong Kong management association. Previously, he served as senior executive of Ericsson China, vice president of an internet company, and general manager of an immigration service company. He has accumulated extensive experience in the field of information technology, overseas investment, asset management, and overseas service industry. Mr. Zhang earned a bachelor's degree in electronic information and engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology in 1999 and an MBA degree from Harbin Engineering University in 2007. He is currently pursuing a PhD degree in financial technology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Prior to joining us, Mr. Fengsong Wan was a partner and marketing director of Beijing Bainakangyuan Health Management Co., Ltd. from 2018 to 2021. Previously, he has served as a senior academic representative and regional manager in the cardiovascular department of Lvye Pharma Group from 2005 to 2017; he had a market promotion role in Shijiazhuang Yiling Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. from 2004 to 2005. Mr. Wan earned a bachelor's degree in clinical medicine from Yanbian University in 2017 and a master's degree from Communication University of China in 2021.

"We are pleased to welcome the new management members to our Company," said Mr. Junfeng Wang, Chairman of the Company, "We believe their participation will further promote the Company's strategic upgrade, and provide essential support for the Company's market layout and business development as well. Each of the new members of the team has accumulated rich experience in their fields. We are excited to have their help as we seek to improve our operating performance."

"Over the past several years, we have outlined three basic principles: (i) development of higher value business layout; (ii) better and competitive products for our customers; and (iii) stable growth for the Company. We believe these principles will improve our development strategy and optimize our business operation, particularly in growth markers such as the financial, insurance and healthcare products and management services industries." Mr. Wang continued.

About Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

Founded in 2009, Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd. (OTC Pink: RAHGF and RONWF) is a financial, insurance and healthcare related solutions company serving individuals and micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises ("MSMEs") in China. Roan provides health management, assets management, and insurance, healthcare and consumer financing services to employees of large institutions. Roan has offices in Hangzhou and Beijing and subsidiaries in Hangzhou, Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shaoxing, Urumqi and Tianjin. For more information, please visit: www.roanholdingsgroup.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements relate to, among others, the consummation of the proposed transaction, and can be identified by terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations of the consummation of the proposed transaction, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

IR Contact:

At the Company:

Katrina Wu

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86-571-8662 1775

Investor Relations Firm:

Janice Wang

EverGreen Consulting Inc.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 571-464-9470 (from U.S.)

+86 13811768559 (from China)

SOURCE Roan Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.roanholdingsgroup.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Shef , an online marketplace that enables people to sell homemade food in their local communities, announced today that it has opened its platform to Afghan refugees resettling in America. Shef will waive all fees associated with being a cook on the platform and provide additional resources and support services so that refugees can gain access to a steady income as soon as possible.

"We originally started Shef with the goal of helping new immigrants and refugees make ends meet. The platform was inspired by our parents, who struggled to rebuild from scratch when they immigrated here," said Alvin Salehi, co-founder of Shef. "What's happening right now is unfathomable. We're committed to doing whatever we can to help."

In addition to waiving fees, Shef will set aside $3,500 per refugee to help pay for cooking supplies, food safety training, and marketing for their new businesses. Afghan applicants will not be required to register on Shef's 16,000 person waitlist; rather, they will be onboarded as part of a separate, expedited application process. Shef will offer support services in Dari to help refugees make their way through the onboarding process and begin earning money as soon as possible.

Shef is also mobilizing its customers to help. It has launched a donation program in partnership with Women for Women International -- a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides support to female survivors of war -- for customers to donate directly to relief efforts in Afghanistan and contribute to emergency support services for refugees. Furthermore, Shef will partner with local chapters of the Afghan Coalition to donate homemade meals directly to refugee families.

For more information or to donate to relief efforts through the platform, visit www.shef.com

About Shef

Shef is a platform that enables cooks to sell homemade meals to their local communities. Founded in 2019 by first-generation Americans Alvin Salehi and Joey Grassia, Shef aims to create opportunities for anyone to make a meaningful income from home. Shef is currently available in several markets across the United States, including San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Chicago, Houston, Austin and Boston. To order food from a local shef in your area, or for more information on how to become a shef, visit www.shef.com.

SOURCE Shef
"The Caramel Pumpkin Brulee is back! The beyond basic pumpkin drink rocks all the fall feels," said Kristin Sha, director of product management. "For our alternative milk lovers, and really anyone who loves creamy, delicious coffee, the Cinnamon Swirl Oat Milk Latte is your new go-to for crisp, cool mornings!"

The Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Breve is a returning fall favorite featuring pumpkin and salted caramel topped with pumpkin drizzle, raw sugar sprinkles and Dutch Bros' signature Soft Top. It can be ordered as Cold Brew, Breve or Freeze.

is a returning fall favorite featuring pumpkin and salted caramel topped with pumpkin drizzle, raw sugar sprinkles and Dutch Bros' signature Soft Top. It can be ordered as Cold Brew, Breve or Freeze. The Cinnamon Swirl Oat Milk Latte is a dreamy combination of Dutch Bros' hand pulled espresso, vanilla, cinnamon and the creamiest plant-based milk alternative - oat milk!

The Caramel Pumpkin Brulee and Cinnamon Swirl Oat Milk Latte will be featured through the end of October.

About Dutch Bros

Dutch Bros Coffee is a drive-thru coffee company dedicated to making a massive difference one cup at a time. Headquartered in Grants Pass, Oregon, where it was founded in 1992 by Dane and Travis Boersma, it's now sharing the "Dutch Luv" with more than 480 locations in 11 states. Dutch Bros serves specialty coffee, smoothies, freezes, teas, a private-label Dutch Bros Blue Rebel energy drink and nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee. Its rich, proprietary coffee blend is handcrafted from start to finish.

In addition to its mission of speed, quality and service, Dutch Bros is committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Through its Dutch Bros Foundation and local franchisees, the company donates several million dollars to causes across the country each year.

To learn more about Dutch Bros, visit www.dutchbros.com and follow Dutch Bros Coffee on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , & TikTok and download the Dutch Bros app to earn points and score rewards!

SOURCE Dutch Bros Coffee

Related Links

https://dutchbros.com/


ATLANTA, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Speed of Need Cleaning, an air duct cleaning company that serves a number of locations across Georgia, is working hard to provide homeowners with peace of mind.

The company's air duct cleaning services, says owner Torey Okonta, are the perfect way to give families additional peace of mind in the midst of difficult times.

Okonta notes that "with the help of Speed of Need Cleaning, you can enjoy better indoor air quality, improved energy efficiency, a healthier home, reduced allergens, lower utility bills, and decreased pests. Our air duct cleaning services can even help to eliminate unpleasant odors around your home."

With a focus on cleaning air ducts, the goal is to create air that is purer and cleaner with less allergens present in the air. In this day and age, with an increased awareness of germs, many homeowners see the benefit of allowing air to flow more freely throughout the ducts in their home without worrying about dust and debris that would otherwise be trapped.

"There are a couple of great ways to know if you might need air duct cleaning," says Okonta. "If you know or suspect that there's mold in your ducts, you should have them cleaned immediately." Other recommendations of when to enlist Speed of Need's help is if you see visible clouds of dust from your vents, if there is debris built up around the registers, or if you notice a difficult-to-explain rise in your monthly energy bills.

If you like the idea of breathing cleaner air that's free of pollutants, the company's services may be the solution. "Our professional air duct cleaning services involve the use of special vacuums, brushes, and blowers to remove all the dust and debris in your ducts safely and without making a mess," Okonta notes, adding that fans, registers, motors, and other dust-accumulating locations are always addressed.

For those looking to address indoor air quality concerns, rising energy costs, or allergen sensitivities, Speed of Need brings years of hands-on experience to each project to address the unique concerns of each household. Rather than utilizing a one-size-fits-all approach to the services they offer, Speed of Need Cleaning takes the time to listen to homeowners to customize an approach that works to address their specific needs. Additionally, the company recommends having your air ducts cleaned annually.

"It's important to feel comfortable in your home," says Okonta. "We know that taking care of your family is always your top priority, and when you enlist our help, we want you to know that we'll make sure we understand exactly what you need. Most importantly, we want you to know that we are licensed and insured, and our high-quality service and fair prices guarantee is the best in the industry."

With their wide area of service, Speed of Need Cleaning helps customers in the following cities: Acworth, Alpharetta, Atlanta, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Buford, Cumming, Dallas, Decatur, Duluth, Dunwoody, Fayetteville, Grayson, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Lithia Springs, Lithonia, Loganville, Mableton, Marietta, McDonough, Milton, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, South Fulton, Stonecrest, Stone Mountain, Suwanee, Vinings, and other surrounding areas.

About Speed of Need Cleaning

Speed of Need Cleaning is a second generation, family-owned business that strives to provide customers with all of the services needed to care for their own families. In addition to offering air duct cleaning services in Atlanta and other nearby communities, Speed of Need Cleaning also provides dryer vent cleaning and pressure washing services with a focus on honesty, integrity, and fairness in all they do. Learn more about the company, read reviews, and explore the services they offer by visiting https://www.speedofneedcleaning.com/ or request a free quote to get started.

Media contact:

Torey Okonta

[email protected]

678-478-0348

SOURCE Speed of Need Cleaning
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. and NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Health today announced the launch of its first consumer advertising campaign to illustrate its capabilities as a connected health care network. Created by the 2019 merger of Summit Medical Group and CityMD, Summit Health is bringing deep clinical integration, an enhanced digital experience for patients, and growth in providers and locations to the greater New York metropolitan area.

Produced by Summit Health's branding and marketing partner, Elmwood, the campaign's tagline, "Care at Every Connection," is an extension of Summit Health's new brand platform, emphasizing a more compassionate, responsive, and connected kind of care. Through a series of films and integrated creative executions, the advertising comes to life with patient stories that highlight connected care between providers and patients, providers and providers, and from moment to moment.

The full "anthem" campaign video can be viewed at this link.

"Putting the patient at the heart of our ad campaign is representative of what we do as an organization. We believe these moments will resonate with our consumers and stand out in the marketplace," said Matt Gove, Chief Marketing Officer, Summit Health. "This campaign strongly demonstrates Summit Health's focus on delivering enlightened, compassionate, and connected experiences that are orchestrated around our patients."

Each of the 15-second and 30-second patient films features a patient story, emphasizing a key connection: between Frank, a custodian, and his primary care doctor; between Maggie, a pregnant mom, and the patient service representative at her OBGYN's office; and between Lydia, an empty nester, a CityMD urgent care doctor, and an orthopedic specialist at Summit Health. With further connections layered throughout each film, the three stories culminate in one larger interwoven anthem, further underscoring the connectedness and forms of care specific to Summit Health.

In addition to the films, the advertising and marketing campaign consists of print, out of home, digital and social media and begins to roll out today, continuing through November. The campaign's media buy includes local programmatic television, roku and Samsung networks, Facebook and Instagram, transit and radio.

"After partnering with Summit Health on their brand platform, we knew it was important to emphasize the whole person behind the patient. Whole people with lives, families, careers, and challenges. The highs and lows of everyday life," explained Meg Beckum, Executive Creative Director of Elmwood's NYC studio. "Oftentimes, the realness, and imperfection of life is omitted in traditional health care marketing. We wanted to show how we're all human looking for meaningful connection, even and especially in times of isolation."

Summit Health and Elmwood Collaboration

Earlier this year, Summit Health partnered with Elmwood to introduce its new branding to the marketplace, reflecting the merger of Summit Medical Group, the premier physician-owned and governed multispecialty group, and CityMD, the leading urgent care provider in the New York metropolitan area.

About Summit Health

Summit Health is a physician-led, patient-centric network committed to simplifying the complexities of health care and bringing a more connected kind of care. Formed by the 2019 merger between Summit Medical Group, one of the nation's premier physician-governed multispecialty medical groups, and CityMD , the leading urgent care provider in the New York metro area, Summit Health delivers a more intuitive, comprehensive, and responsive care experience for every stage of life and health condition through high-quality primary, specialty, and urgent care. Summit Health has more than 2,000 providers, 8,000 employees and over 200 locations in New Jersey and New York, as well as more than 200 providers and six locations in Central Oregon. For more information, visit SummitHealth.com .

About Elmwood

Elmwood is a global design consultancy working locally in London, New York and Singapore. We have over 30 years of experience and our clients include GSK, Heineken, Danone and Mars. We believe tension is at the heart of powerful brands. We harness its energyturning its potential into transformative design.

SOURCE Summit Health

Related Links

https://www.summithealth.com


69% agree fall has the best seasonal flavors; in fact, 70% of people agree pumpkin spice is an essential part of the fall season

65% of people said pumpkin spice flavors should be available August through October; and 15% want the flavor to be available all year

59% said spending time with family and friends for gatherings is a favorite fall activity; and 71% of respondents said they feel disappointed when they miss out on an experience

"The data proves America's affinity for all things fall, especially the flavors and traditions that make it a favorite time of year," said Jo Ann Herold, Chief Marketing Officer at The Honey Baked Ham Company. "We added pumpkin spice to our signature glaze to bring two fall flavors together in a delicious combination creating our Pumpkin Spice Glazed Turkey Breast. Just another way for all the pumpkin spice fans to enjoy the flavor this season."

The pumpkin spice craze has heightened year after year  so much that people are willing to go to extreme lengths to keep fall flavors around all year. Here is what pumpkin spice lovers are willing to do:

27% would give up their smart phone for a year

27% of people would go a month without Internet access

28% would shave their head bald

30% would give up social media for a month

Although pumpkin spice products have become more popular, 51% of people have never tried an unconventional pumpkin spice item. HoneyBaked is here to expand people's horizons with its unique fall flavor mashup.

The Pumpkin Spice Glazed Turkey Breast is available roasted or smoked, fully cooked, pre-sliced and ready to serve. It can be purchased at HoneyBaked locations (excluding California) through October 31, while supplies last.

HoneyBaked's PSG TB is also sold as part of their Winner Winner Turkey Dinner complete meal which includes the Pumpkin Spice Glazed Turkey Breast, two heat-and-serve sides like cheesy potatoes au gratin and Tuscan -style broccoli, and dinner rolls.

For more information about the limited-time menu item, please visit https://www.honeybaked.com/pumpkin-spice-turkey.

Survey Methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey was conducted by OnePoll  a market research company and a corporate member of both the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR)  and adheres to the MRS code of conduct. The survey was conducted with a sample of 2,003 American respondents from Aug. 1218, 2021. For more information about OnePoll's research in the media, navigate to their portfolio here.

About The Honey Baked Ham Company:

Founded in 1957, The Honey Baked Ham Company, LLC is a premium food retailer with over 450 locations nationwide, as well as an e-commerce site. Over the years, HoneyBaked has effortlessly marked the moments that matter for families across the country. Best known for its signature spiral-sliced Honey Baked Ham with a sweet and crunchy glaze, The Honey Baked Ham Company offers delicious, fully-cooked hams, turkey breasts and other premium meats, as well as heat-and-serve sides, lunch, catering and desserts.

SOURCE The Honey Baked Ham Company

Related Links

http://www.honeybaked.com


Ms. Stewart, 63, served in various key leadership positions during a 33 year career at Norfolk Southern Corporation before retiring as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in August 2017. Norfolk Southern is one of the nation's premier transportation companies and a major transporter of industrial products, forest and consumer products, chemicals, and metals and construction materials.

"We are pleased to welcome Marta to our Board of Directors," said John G. Morikis, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sherwin-Williams. "Through her over three decades of service with Norfolk Southern, she gained significant financial expertise and extensive financial and strategic leadership experience with a premier transportation and distribution company. We look forward to Marta's engagement and unique perspective, as well as the benefits of her contributions to our Board, employees, customers, shareholders and other stakeholders."

Ms. Stewart began her career at Peat Marwick (a predecessor to KPMG International Limited) before joining Norfolk Southern as an accountant in 1983. During her long tenure at Norfolk Southern, Ms. Stewart held a variety of accounting and finance positions of increasing responsibility, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from November 2013 until her retirement in August 2017, Vice President and Treasurer from April 2009 to November 2013, and Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer from December 2003 to April 2009. She was instrumental in developing Norfolk Southern's accounting systems and controls, driving shareholder value and designing the company's strategic plan.

Ms. Stewart immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 1961 and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from The College of William and Mary. Ms. Stewart is also a director of Simon Property Group, Inc.



About The Sherwin-Williams Company

Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams, Valspar, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy, Krylon, Minwax, Thompson's Water Seal, Cabot and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,000 Company-operated stores and facilities, while the Company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. Sherwin-Williams shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: SHW). For more information, visit www.sherwin.com.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Jim Jaye

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

Sherwin-Williams

Direct: 216.515.8682

[email protected]

Eric Swanson

Vice President, Investor Relations

Sherwin-Williams

Direct: 216.566.2766

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Julie Young

Vice President, Global Corporate Communications

Sherwin-Williams

Direct: 216.515.8849

[email protected]

SOURCE The Sherwin-Williams Company

Related Links

http://www.sherwin.com


- Four GARFIELD-AF e-posters shine light on managing atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with clinically challenging conditions and diabetes, as well as on AF trial populations

- Two RIVER e-posters provide two-year outcomes data and insights on appropriate dosing and renal function in patients with AF and treated with rivaroxaban

LONDON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thrombosis Research Institute (TRI) has six atrial fibrillation e-posters  four from the GARFIELD-AF Registry and two from the RIVER Registry  at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2021, which is taking place virtually from 27th to 30th August 2021.

"We are delighted once again to have a strong showing at ESC Congress 2021," said Rt. Hon. Professor the Lord Ajay Kakkar, Director of the TRI. "While these two real-world registries have closed, we continue to mine the data and provide important insights that help clinicians around the world manage patients with atrial fibrillation and achieve better outcomes."

One of the GARFIELD-AF posters about clinically challenging conditions is of key importance to current practice since it sheds light on treatment in patients who physicians are concerned about treating. One of the RIVER posters looks at dosing, and shines a light on the issue of non-recommended dosing in patients based on renal function.

Two other GARFIELD-AF posters demonstrate how similar the populations in the trials studied are to the general AF population and confirm whether similar results are observed when these patient populations are replicated. This is important because these findings give credence to the generalisability of the trials.

All of the TRI e-posters are available for registered participants to view on the ESC Congress 2021 Research Gateway platform at any time 'on demand'. The full list of e-posters is below:

Presenter E-poster Title GARFIELD-AF Registry Professor Jean-Pierre Bassand (University Hospital Jean Minjoz - Besancon, France) Impact of NOAC and VKA on outcome of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation and diabetes: A report from the GARFIELD-AF registry Saverio Virdone (Thrombosis Research Institute - London, United Kingdom) Comparative effectiveness of NOAC vs VKA in patients representing common clinical challenges: results from the GARFIELD-AF registry Dr Jelle Caspar Lorenz Himmelreich (Amsterdam University Medical Center - Amsterdam, Netherlands) Safety and efficacy of apixaban and rivaroxaban versus warfarin in real-world atrial fibrillation patients are similar to their randomized trials: insights from GARFIELD-AF registry Dr Jelle Caspar Lorenz Himmelreich (Amsterdam University Medical Center - Amsterdam, Netherlands) Comparing Rivaroxaban and Apixaban in GARFIELD-AF according to ROCKET AF and ARISTOTLE trial selection criteria RIVER Registry Associate Professor Jan Beyer-Westendorf (University Hospital "Carl Gustav Carus" Dresden, Center for Vascular Medicine - Dresden, Germany) Two-year outcomes of patients with atrial fibrillation treated with rivaroxaban: results from RIVER registry Professor John Camm (St George's University of London - London, United Kingdom) Rivaroxaban dosing in patients with atrial fibrillation: results from the RIVER registry - is dosing according to renal function appropriate?

About GARFIELD-AF

The GARFIELD-AF registry was a worldwide observational study of stroke prevention in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation, coordinated under the auspices of the Thrombosis Research Institute between 2009 and 2019.

GARFIELD-AF recruited patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular AF and at least one risk factor for stroke. A total of 57,262 patients were recruited from over 1,000 centres in 35 countries worldwide, including the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia-Pacific, over five sequential cohorts. Follow-up was over a minimum of 2 years and up to 8 years after diagnosis, to create a comprehensive database of treatment decisions and outcomes in everyday clinical practice.

GARFIELD-AF is supported by KANTOR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION for the Kantor-Kakkar Global Centre for Thrombosis Science. For more information, visit our website: www.garfieldregistry.org.

About RIVER

The RIVER registry was a pioneering, independent outcomes research initiative focused on the use of rivaroxaban and the management of atrial fibrillation and stroke, led by an international steering committee under the auspices of the Thrombosis Research Institute between 2015 and 2019.

RIVER recruited over 5,000 patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular AF and at least one risk factor for stroke. Patients were recruited over a period of 18-24 months. The follow-up period was for a minimum of 2 years, to create a comprehensive database of treatment decisions and outcomes in everyday clinical practice.

RIVER is supported by KANTOR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION for the Kantor-Kakkar Global Centre for Thrombosis Science. For more information, visit our website: https://www.riverregistry.org/.

The burden of AF

Up to 2% of the global population has AF,i including around 8.8 million people in Europeii and 56.1 million in the United States.iii It is estimated that its prevalence will at least double by 2050 as the global population ages.iii AF is associated with a five-fold increase in stroke risk, and one out of five strokes is attributed to this arrhythmia.i Ischaemic strokes related to AF are often fatal, and those patients who survive are left more frequently and more severely disabled and have a greater risk of recurrence than patients with other causes of stroke.i Hence, the risk of mortality from AF-associated stroke is doubled and the cost of care is 50% higher.i

AF occurs when parts of the atria emit uncoordinated electrical signals. This causes the chambers to pump too quickly and irregularly, not allowing blood to be pumped out completely.iv As a result, blood may pool, clot and lead to thrombosis, which is the number one cardiovascular killer in the world.v If a blood clot leaves the left atrium, it could potentially lodge in an artery in other parts of the body, including the brain. A blood clot in an artery in the brain leads to a stroke; 92% of fatal strokes are caused by thrombosis.v Stroke is a major cause of death and long-term disability worldwide  each year, 5.5 million people dievi and 5 million are left permanently disabled.vii People with AF also are at high risk for heart failure, chronic fatigue and other heart rhythm problems.viii

About the TRI

The TRI is dedicated to bringing new solutions to patients for the detection, prevention and treatment of blood clots. The TRI's goal is to advance the science of real-world enquiry so that the value of real-world data is realised and becomes a critical link in the chain of evidence. Our pioneering research programme, across medical disciplines and across the world, continues to provide breakthrough solutions in thrombosis. For more information, visit: http://www.tri-london.ac.uk/.

i Camm A J, Kirchhof P, et al. Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: The Task Force for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J 2010; 31(19):2369-429.

ii Krijthe B P, Kunst A, et al. Projections on the number of individuals with atrial fibrillation in the European Union, from 2000 to 2060. Eur Heart J 2013; 34:2746-51.

iii Colilla S, Crow A, Petkun W, et al. Estimates of current and future incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the U.S. adult population. Am J Cardiol 2013; 112(8):1142-7.

iv National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What is Atrial Fibrillation? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/af/. Accessed: August 2021.

v World Thrombosis Day. Know Thrombosis. Available at: http://www.worldthrombosisday.org/issue/thrombosis/. Accessed: August 2021.

vi World Stroke Organization. Learn about stroke. Available at: https://www.world-stroke.org/world-stroke-day-campaign/why-stroke-matters/learn-about-stroke. Accessed: August 2021.

vii World Health Organization. Global burden of stroke. Available at: https://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/en/cvd_atlas_15_burden_stroke.pdf. Accessed: August 2021.

viii American Heart Association. Why Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib) Matters. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/why-atrial-fibrillation-af-or-afib-matters. Accessed: August 2021.

SOURCE Thrombosis Research Institute (TRI)
ATLANTA, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UCB announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an expanded indication for BRIVIACT (brivaracetam) CV tablets, oral solution, and injection to treat partial-onset seizures in patients as young as one month of age.2 This is the first time that the IV formulation of BRIVIACT will be available for pediatric patients when oral administration is temporarily not feasible and is the only IV formulation FDA-approved to treat partial-onset seizures in children one month of age and older in nearly 7 years.

Childhood epilepsy varies in severity and prognosis and may have profound consequences on development and functioning.3,4 Seizure burden can impair cognition with effects being most severe in infancy.4,5 Despite these elevated challenges, few antiseizure medications are FDA-approved for treating partial-onset seizures in this vulnerable patient population.

"When a child or infant suffers from epilepsy, we know that their life and the life of their caregiver is consumed by the unpredictable nature of seizures and the potentially profound consequences epilepsy can have on pediatric patients," said Mike Davis, Head of U.S. Neurology at UCB. "We've leveraged UCB's experience in epilepsy and commitment to innovation to expand the indication for BRIVIACT to reduce the number of partial-onset seizures these young and vulnerable patients are experiencing and provide their caregivers with an FDA-approved treatment."

BRIVIACT data in pediatric patients includes long-term retention rates over 2 years. In an open label follow-up pediatric study, an estimated 71.4% and 64.3% of patients, aged 1 month < 17 years with partial-onset seizures (n=168), remained on treatment with BRIVIACT at 1 and 2 years, respectively.1

"We often see children with seizures hospitalized, so it's important to have a therapy like BRIVIACT IV that can offer rapid administration in an effective dose when needed and does not require titration. The availability of the oral dose forms also allows continuity of treatment when these young patients are transitioning from hospital to home," said Raman Sankar, MD, PhD, FAAN, FAES, Distinguished Professor and Chief of Pediatric Neurology at the Rubin Brown Endowed Chair for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. "Now that BRIVIACT IV and oral formulations are an approved therapy for partial-onset seizures in children as young as one month, we have a new option that helps meet a critical need in pediatric epilepsy."

"The pediatric safety and tolerability data for BRIVIACT and the FDA-approved indication for treating partial-onset seizures in children as young as one month supports clinical decision-making for healthcare providers," said John J. Millichap, MD, FAAN, FAES, Pediatric Epileptologist and Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "In a patient population undergoing brain development and growth, safety and tolerability is a top concern."

BRIVIACT has an established safety and tolerability profile in adults. Behavior-related adverse events were not commonly reported in adult trials. The most common adverse reactions (at least 5% for BRIVIACT and at least 2% more frequently than placebo) were somnolence and sedation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea and vomiting symptoms. In the pediatric BRIVIACT trials, the safety profile for pediatric patients was found to be similar to that of adults.2

BRIVIACT causes psychiatric adverse reactions, including non-psychotic and psychotic symptoms. These events were reported in approximately 13% of adult patients taking at least 50 mg per day of BRIVIACT compared to 8% of adult patients taking placebo. A total of 1.7% of adult patients taking BRIVIACT discontinued treatment due to psychiatric reactions compared to 1.3% of patients taking placebo. Psychiatric adverse reactions were also observed in open-label pediatric trials and were generally similar to those observed in adults. Advise patients to report these symptoms immediately to a healthcare provider.2

About BRIVIACT (brivaracetam) CV

BRIVIACT was approved in the U.S. in 2016 as an add-on therapy for adult patients. BRIVIACT was approved as monotherapy for adults in September 2017, and as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in patients four years of age and older with partial-onset seizures in 2018. BRIVIACT is available in three formulations: oral tablets, oral solution, and intravenous (IV) injection. More information is available at www.BRIVIACTHCP.com.

BRIVIACT INDICATION AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION2

BRIVIACT (brivaracetam) CV is indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients 1 month of age and older.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Suicidal Behavior and Ideation: Antiepileptic drugs, including BRIVIACT, increase the risk of suicidal behavior and ideation. Monitor patients taking BRIVIACT for the emergence or worsening of depression; unusual changes in mood or behavior; or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or self-harm. Advise patients, their caregivers, and/or families to be alert for these behavioral changes and report them immediately to a healthcare provider.

Antiepileptic drugs, including BRIVIACT, increase the risk of suicidal behavior and ideation. Monitor patients taking BRIVIACT for the emergence or worsening of depression; unusual changes in mood or behavior; or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or self-harm. Advise patients, their caregivers, and/or families to be alert for these behavioral changes and report them immediately to a healthcare provider. Neurological Adverse Reactions: BRIVIACT causes somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, and disturbance in coordination. Somnolence and fatigue-related adverse reactions were reported in 25% of adult patients taking at least 50 mg per day of BRIVIACT compared to 14% of adult patients taking placebo. Dizziness and disturbance in gait and coordination were reported in 16% of adult patients taking at least 50 mg per day of BRIVIACT compared to 10% of adult patients taking placebo. The risk is greatest early in treatment but can occur at any time. Monitor patients for these signs and symptoms and advise them not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on BRIVIACT.

BRIVIACT causes somnolence, fatigue, dizziness, and disturbance in coordination. Somnolence and fatigue-related adverse reactions were reported in 25% of adult patients taking at least 50 mg per day of BRIVIACT compared to 14% of adult patients taking placebo. Dizziness and disturbance in gait and coordination were reported in 16% of adult patients taking at least 50 mg per day of BRIVIACT compared to 10% of adult patients taking placebo. The risk is greatest early in treatment but can occur at any time. Monitor patients for these signs and symptoms and advise them not to drive or operate machinery until they have gained sufficient experience on BRIVIACT. Psychiatric Adverse Reactions: BRIVIACT causes psychiatric adverse reactions, including non-psychotic and psychotic symptoms. These events were reported in approximately 13% of adult patients taking at least 50 mg per day of BRIVIACT compared to 8% of adult patients taking placebo. A total of 1.7% of adult patients taking BRIVIACT discontinued treatment due to psychiatric reactions compared to 1.3% of patients taking placebo. Psychiatric adverse reactions were also observed in open-label pediatric trials and were generally similar to those observed in adults. Advise patients to report these symptoms immediately to a healthcare provider.

BRIVIACT causes psychiatric adverse reactions, including non-psychotic and psychotic symptoms. These events were reported in approximately 13% of adult patients taking at least 50 mg per day of BRIVIACT compared to 8% of adult patients taking placebo. A total of 1.7% of adult patients taking BRIVIACT discontinued treatment due to psychiatric reactions compared to 1.3% of patients taking placebo. Psychiatric adverse reactions were also observed in open-label pediatric trials and were generally similar to those observed in adults. Advise patients to report these symptoms immediately to a healthcare provider. Hypersensitivity: BRIVIACT can cause hypersensitivity reactions. Bronchospasm and angioedema have been reported. Discontinue BRIVIACT if a patient develops a hypersensitivity reaction after treatment. BRIVIACT is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction to brivaracetam or any of the inactive ingredients.

BRIVIACT can cause hypersensitivity reactions. Bronchospasm and angioedema have been reported. Discontinue BRIVIACT if a patient develops a hypersensitivity reaction after treatment. BRIVIACT is contraindicated in patients with a prior hypersensitivity reaction to brivaracetam or any of the inactive ingredients. Withdrawal of Antiepileptic Drugs: As with all antiepileptic drugs, BRIVIACT should generally be withdrawn gradually because of the risk of increased seizure frequency and status epilepticus.

DOSING CONSIDERATIONS

Dose adjustments are recommended for patients with all stages of hepatic impairment.

When BRIVIACT is co-administered with rifampin, an increase in the BRIVIACT dose is recommended.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

In adult adjunctive therapy placebo-controlled clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (at least 5% for BRIVIACT and at least 2% more frequently than placebo) were somnolence and sedation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea and vomiting symptoms. Adverse reactions reported in clinical studies of pediatric patients were generally similar to those in adult patients. Adverse reactions with BRIVIACT injection in adult and pediatric patients were generally similar to those observed with BRIVIACT tablets. Other adverse events that occurred in adult patients who received BRIVIACT injection included dysgeusia, euphoric mood, feeling drunk, and infusion site pain.

BRIVIACT is a Schedule V controlled substance.

Please refer to full Prescribing Information.

For additional medical information about BRIVIACT, patient assistance, or any other information please visit our website or call ucbCARES at 1-844-599-2273.

About Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder of the brain.6 It is the fourth most common neurological condition worldwide and affects approximately 65 million people.7 Anyone can develop epilepsy; it occurs across all ages, races and genders, and is defined as one or more unprovoked epileptic seizures with a risk of further seizures.7

About UCB in Epilepsy

UCB has a rich heritage in epilepsy with over 30 years of experience in the research and development of anti-epileptic drugs. As a company with a long-term commitment to epilepsy research, our goal is to address unmet medical needs. Our scientists are proud to contribute to advances in the understanding of epilepsy and its treatment. We partner and create super-networks with world-leading scientists and clinicians in academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and other organizations who share our goals. At UCB, we are inspired by patients, and driven by science in our commitment to support patients with epilepsy.

About UCB

UCB (www.ucb-usa.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With more than 7,600 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of  5.3 billion in 2020. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCBUSA.

For further information, UCB:

U.S. Neurology Communications

Erica Puntel

U.S. Communications, UCB

T 404.938.5359, [email protected]

Investor Relations

Antje Witte

Investor Relations, UCB

T +32.2.559.94.14, [email protected]

Julien Bayet

Investor Relations, UCB

T + +32-2-559 9580, [email protected]

BRIVIACT and ucbCARES are registered trademarks of the UCB Group of Companies.

2021 UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA 30080. All rights reserved. US-P-BR-EPOS-2100164

Forward looking statements  UCB

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, political, regulatory or clinical results and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws and hiring and retention of its employees.

UCB is providing this information as of the date of this press release and expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report a change in its expectations. There is no guarantee that new product candidates in the pipeline will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences between the partners. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products after they are marketed. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement.

References

Data on file. UCB, Inc. BRIVIACT [package insert]. Smyrna, GA : UCB Inc. Cross, H, et al. Advancing the management of childhood epilepsies. European Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2013; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2013.02.003. Wirrell, E. Infantile, Childhood, and Adolescent Epilepsies. Continuum Review Article. Neurology 2016; 22(1):60-93. Berg, A, et al. Age at onset of epilepsy, pharmacoresistance, cognitive outcomes. Neurology 2012; 79: 1384-1391. The Epilepsy Foundation of America. About epilepsy basics. http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/about-epilepsy-basics. Accessed 3 August 2021 . The Epilepsy Foundation of America. Who gets epilepsy? http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-101/who-gets-epilepsy. Accessed 3 August 2021 .

SOURCE UCB, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.ucb-usa.com


PHOENIX, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Unicorn Philanthropy founded by Bryan Gawley, MD and Heather St. Peter, MD will be hosting the 7th annual Gawley Gala benefitting Check for a Lump and Elevate Phoenix on Friday, October 8, 2021. The event will be held at the Camby Hotel in Phoenix.

With registration opening at 6:00pm guests at this formal event can expect a cocktail reception, an elegant seated dinner plus silent and live auctions. It's open to the public for any attendees.

Fund raising efforts will support Check for a Lump, a Phoenix-area non-profit providing free breast health education, mammograms, testing, and direct assistance to breast cancer patients with wigs, support, and resources in Arizona.

Additionally, funds will go to Elevate Phoenix, an organization dedicated to delivering long term, lifechanging relationships with urban youth.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available on the event page: https://gawleygala2021.givesmart.com.

The Camby Hotel is located at 2401 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016

About Dr. Bryan Gawley and Dr. St. Peter

Dr. Bryan Gawley is a Phoenix-area, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Gawley Plastic Surgery and MDSkin Lounge. Dr. Gawley specializes in breast cancer reconstruction and heads one of the leading reconstructive surgery practices in Arizona. Dr. Heather St. Peter is a board-certified anesthesiologist and the Medical Director of North Scottsdale Outpatient Surgery Center, one of Arizona's premier outpatient surgical facilities. This multi-specialty center focuses on plastic surgery and breast cancer reconstruction.

As the founders of Unicorn Philanthropy, Dr. Gawley and Dr. St. Peter look forward to helping patients and participants alike make a difference in the community. Learn more at unicornphilanthropy.com.

Media Contact:

Ashley Firouzi

480-696-6361

[email protected]

SOURCE Gawley Plastic Surgery
A record 12,250+ bidders from 66 countries registered for the Aug. 24  26 online auction



HOUSTON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Ritchie Bros.' Texas team has had a busy summer, with a US$50+ million auction in Fort Worth in July, a US$99+ million retirement sale for Barrilleaux Inc. in early August, and US$48+ million auction just last week in Houston.

The company's latest Houston auction held August 24  26, 2021, attracted a site record 12,250+ bidders from 66 countries. Approximately 88% of the equipment was sold to U.S. buyers, including 40% sold to Texans, while the remaining 12% was purchased by international buyers from as far away as Australia, Israel, and Peru. Leading up to the auction, Ritchie Bros. saw a 26% increase in online equipment views per lot, while item watchlists were up 14%.

"We continue to drive strong prices in 2021 across nearly every single asset category, exceeding customer expectations, and resulting in a lot of satisfied consignors," said Alan McVicker, Regional Sales Manager, Ritchie Bros. "Now is a great time to sell and we have a ton of opportunities, including our weekly featured IronPlanet events and Marketplace-E. Our upcoming Texas site auctions will be held in Fort Worth next month and our final Houston sale of the year will be in Novembercontact us to sell today!"

Five Big Sellers From Houston:

2014 Tadano ATF70G-4 75-ton 8x8x8 all terrain crane  US$405,000

2016 Soilmec SR30 crawler drill  US$255,000

2017 Volvo L180H wheel loader  US$160,000

2014 Caterpillar 336EL hydraulic excavator  US$132,500

2019 Freightliner Coronado 122 day cab T/A truck tractor  US$120,000

AUCTION QUICK FACTS: HOUSTON, TX (AUGUST 2021)

Gross Transaction Value (GTV): US$48+ million

Total Registered Bidders: 12,250+

Total Number of Lots: 3,850+

Total Number of Consignors: 600+

Ritchie Bros. will sell more than 50,000 equipment items and trucks in its upcoming auctions and online marketplaces, including 2,200+ items in Phoenix, AZ on September 1; 2,500+ items in Orlando, FL on September 2  3; and 1,600+ items in a Southeast Regional Event on September 9  10.

The company also has weekly featured online auctions at IronPlanet and a daily reserved option with Marketplace-E. This summer Ritchie Bros.' Texas team has helped customers sell more than 1,100+ items through these two online platforms, with another 500 items set to sell over the next three weeks. Visit IronPlanet.com and Marketplace-E for more info.

About Ritchie Bros.:

Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a number of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offers live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with featured weekly auctions and providing the exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, a controlled marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; and Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales. The Company's suite of solutions also includes Ritchie Bros. Asset Solutions and Rouse Services LLC, which together provides a complete end-to-end asset management, data-driven intelligence and performance benchmarking system. Ritchie Bros. also offers sector-specific solutions including GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, and Kruse Energy, plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com.

Photos and video for embedding in media stories are available at rbauction.com/media.

SOURCE Ritchie Bros.
PROVO, Utah, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VitalSmarts, a corporate training company that has helped millions of people improve their lives and organizations through the skills taught in its award-winning courses and bestselling books, announced today the launch of newly revamped courses and company rebrand, including a new name  Crucial Learning.

The rebrand and release of new, more flexible learning options, including three new on-demand Crucial Conversations courses, aligns with a shift in the company's strategy to offer its courses in communication, performance, and leadership to broader audiences. As the world grows increasingly more challenging and complex, Crucial Learning aims to fulfill its mission to improve the world by teaching people skills to improve themselves by making its courses more widely available.

Consistently ranked one of the top leadership companies in the world, Crucial Learning's suite of courses and accompanying books include Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability, Influencer, The Power of Habit, and Getting Things Done. Nearly half of the Forbes Global 2000 have drawn on these crucial skills to improve organizational health and performance.

"Since the company was founded in 1989, we committed to two things: improving the world by teaching people how to improve themselves, and sticking to behavioral science research," said Andrew Shimberg, CEO of Crucial Learning. "We're excited to build on these founding principles with reimagined courses, more flexible learning options, and a new brand that will make our timeless skills more accessible to more people."

The company's new name Crucial Learning communicates two powerful ideas that embody the company's mission and focus. First, the courses teach essential or "crucial" skills for the moments that have the greatest impact on life's most important outcomes, including the strength of relationships, career satisfaction, happiness and ability to manage stress.

Second, the word "learning" emphasizes that learning and growth do not end with a singular course or even an advanced degree. Life itself is a continual learning journey that presents different challenges at different times. Being equipped with the right skills can lead to better outcomes and improved relationships.

The company's courses in communication, performance and leadership are available in in-person, virtual, and on-demand formats. For more information, visit cruciallearning.com/launch.

About Crucial Learning

Formerly VitalSmarts, Crucial Learning improves the world by helping people improve themselves. By combining social science research with innovative instructional design, we create flexible learning experiences that teach proven skills for solving life's most stubborn personal, interpersonal, and organizational problems. We offer courses in communication, performance, and leadership, focusing on behaviors that have a disproportionate impact on outcomes, called crucial skills. Our award-winning courses and accompanying bestselling books include Crucial Conversations, Crucial Accountability, Influencer, The Power of Habit, and Getting Things Done. Together they have helped millions achieve better relationships and results, and nearly half of the Forbes Global 2000 have drawn on these crucial skills to improve organizational health and performance. For more information, visit cruciallearning.com.

SOURCE Crucial Learning
Revenue Increased by 419.5% YoY, CRO Business Income Increased by 62.5% YoY, Order Backlog Recorded a Significant Increase of 72%

Financial Highlights for the 6 months ended June 30, 2021:

Revenue amounted to RMB1,026.5 million , representing a year-on-year (YoY) increase of approximately 419.5%

, representing a year-on-year (YoY) increase of approximately 419.5% Gross profit amounted to RMB316.3 million , representing a YoY increase of approximately 216.0%

, representing a YoY increase of approximately 216.0% Adjusted net profit amounted to RMB204.9 million , representing a YoY increase of 65.6%

, representing a YoY increase of 65.6% Adjusted earnings per share amounted to RMB0.11

HONG KONG, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 30, 2021, Viva Biotech Holdings (1873.HK) announced that during the period ended June 30, 2021 (the "Reporting Period"), revenue of the Group increased significantly to RMB1,026.5 million from RMB197.6 million for the corresponding period last year, representing a YoY increase of approximately 419.5%, gross profit increased substantially from RMB100.1 million for the corresponding period last year to RMB316.3 million, representing a YoY increase of 216.0%. The adjusted net profit of the Group increased from RMB123.7 million for the corresponding period last year to RMB204.9 million, representing a YoY increase of 65.6%.

The increase was mainly attributable to the rapid growth of the Company's drug discovery services, and the growth of small-molecule preclinical and commercial CDMO services arising from the acquisition of SYNthesis med chem (Hong Kong) Limited ("SYNthesis") and Zhejiang Langhua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. ("Langhua Pharmaceutical").

CRO Business

Drug Discovery Services Maintained Rapid Growth

During the Reporting Period, the Company's revenue from drug discovery services increased significantly by approximately 62.5% from approximately RMB197.6 million to the corresponding period last year to RMB321.1 million. The order backlog amounted to approximately RMB848 million, representing a significant increase of approximately 72.0% from RMB493 million in the corresponding period last year.

The Company had delivered more than 26,000 protein structures to clients and conducted R&D into over 1,700 independent drug targets, and the cumulative number of clients served had increased to 936. The client base is geographically diverse, with overseas clients accounting for 83.9% of our client base. The revenue from drug discovery services contributed by clients in mainland China increased year on year by 91.4% and accounted for 16.1% of the total revenue.

CDMO Business

Increased Investment in R&D and Productivity Expansion, to Proactively Gain Client Traffic Diversion from CRO Clients and Portfolio Companies

During the Reporting Period, Langhua Pharmaceutical had served a total of 759 clients with a total revenue of approximately RMB705.4 million, representing a slight decrease from approximately RMB809.2 million for the corresponding period last year, which was primarily attributable to callback of the surge in results due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact from foreign exchange rates and the adjustment in production capacity structure. In the first half of the year, Langhua Pharmaceutical completed 26 CDMO projects with a revenue of RMB415 million, accounting for 58.8% of total sales revenue.

The Group kept increasing R&D investment to scale up CMC and formulation capacities. The investment in Shanghai CMC R&D Center and Ningbo Taizhou R&D Center had exceeded RMB56.0 million, which was mainly used for the purchase of equipment and the construction of laboratories and a formulation plant meeting good manufacturing practice ("GMP") standards.

Leveraging the client traffic and project pipeline of Viva Biotech's CRO business and portfolio companies, the Company achieved initial results in diverting clients from front-end projects to CMC and Langhua Plant. It is expected that with the completion of the CMC R&D Center in the second half of 2021, the continuous referral of clients will begin to create a funnel effect from front-end projects.

EFS Business

Extensively Explored Business Opportunities Around the Globe

We extensively explored business opportunities around the globe. During the Reporting Period, the Company reviewed more than 433 projects globally, added 8 startups to its portfolio companies, made additional investments in 2 existing portfolio companies, and was in negotiation for incubation of and investment in 3 new companies. The Group had invested in a total of 75 portfolio companies with an average agreed shareholding ratio of 18.41%.

8 of the portfolio companies finished a new round of financing, raising over US $200 million in total. The R&D efforts of the portfolio companies were progressing smoothly, with the total number of pipeline projects increasing to 140, of which 18 had entered the clinical stage. On June 2021, AbSci Corporation, a synthetic biology company, announced that it had reached an acquisition agreement with Totient Inc., a Viva portfolio company.

As of June 30, 2021, the number of the Company's business partners had increased to 40. In an active effort to conduct post-investment management, the Company held the 2nd Viva Biotech Partnership Summit and helped portfolio companies accelerate the R&D progress, introduce talents, optimize product pipeline development strategies, and access financing resources.

Continued to Build Technology Barriers and Further Expanded the Scale of Staff and Facilities

The Company continued to build technology barriers with R&D investment amounting to RMB37.5 million during the Reporting Period. For the drug discovery service business segment, the Company proactively introduced Micro ED, AI Computational Chemistry, antibody and macromolecule drug discovery, and photochemical reaction platform; while for the CDMO business, the Company continued to refine the continuous reaction technology, catalyst screening platform, oral formulation production line platform, injection R&D platform, and non-fixed dispersion technology platform, and further improved the level of production automation.

As of June 30, 2021, the Group had a total of 1,873 employees. The Company has been accelerating the construction of office and laboratory facilities in line with workforce expansion plans and expanding production capacity to meet the fast-growing business needs.

The Incubation Center located in Faladi Road, Shanghai with approximately 8,000 square meters has been put into full operation in the first quarter of 2021.

with approximately 8,000 square meters has been put into full operation in the first quarter of 2021. The incubation center covering approximately 77,500 square meters in Qiantang New District of Hangzhou has commenced construction in July 2021 .

has commenced construction in . The laboratory covering 12,000 square meters in Chengdu will be put into use by the end of October.

will be put into use by the end of October. The Group's new headquarters in Zhoupu, Shanghai will be put into operation by the end of 2021 with a laboratory area of approximately 36,328 square meters.

will be put into operation by the end of 2021 with a laboratory area of approximately 36,328 square meters. The Langhua Pharmaceutical's CMC R&D Center with an area of approximately 10,000 square meters and the 3,000-square-meter GMP standard formulation plant and R&D production center are expected to be completed and put into operation in November.

The Langhua Plant in Taizhou plans to increase the production capacity to 900+m by the end of 2021.

Dr. Cheney Mao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Viva Biotech Holdings, said, "We will continue to construct and raise technology barriers, expand service facilities and capacity, enhance talent recruitment with incentives, and step up efforts in commercial exploration into the global markets, particularly the domestic market. Levering the branded structure-based drug discovery services, the Company will expand along the industrial chain to establish a platform integrating R&D and production, boost the continuity of CRO-CMC/CDMO business, and support global biotech startups with our unique incubation platform to improve cross-selling among business segments. The Company is committed to providing more high-quality and diversified services for a growing number of drug discovery start-ups, and medium and large pharmaceutical companies worldwide, facilitate them to improve their R&D efficiency and benefit patients as soon as practicable, thereby establishing an open cooperation platform and win-win ecosystem for global biopharmaceutical innovators."

About Viva Biotech Holdings

Since its establishment in 2008, Viva Biotech (01873.HK) has always been adhering to the mission of "Becoming the cradle of global innovative biotech companies from around the world" and provided one-stop services for drug R&D and production to global biopharmaceutical innovators. Leveraging the technical advantages in the field of Structure-based Drug Discovery (SBDD), we provide leading CRO drug discovery services and CMC / CDMO services throughout the whole drug production process to global biopharmaceutical clients. At the same time, we focus on finding and investing in high potential biotech start-ups, solve unmet clinical medical needs in the form of EFS (service for equity), and continue to build an open cooperation platform and win-win ecosystem for biotech innovation.

As of June 30, 2021, Viva Biotech has provided drug R&D and production services to 1,695 biotech and pharmaceutical clients around the world. We have invested and incubated 75 biotech start-ups in total. In the future, the Company will continue to strengthen its technical barriers, improve R&D and production level, and the service capacity, so as to provide high-quality and diversified services for more drug discovery start-ups, as well as the medium and large pharmaceutical enterprises around the world. We hope to benefit more patients through Viva's platform.

SOURCE Viva Biotech
PHOENIX, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Volterra Architectural Products has launched a unique line of decorative natural wood beams that can be used for interior and covered exterior applications. These non-structural wood ceiling beams are manufactured using real hardwood planks and are available in a selection of stains and finishes, making it easy to find natural wood elements that fit perfectly into your home.

Volterra Architectural Products

As the leading manufacturer of faux wood beams and polyurethane architectural details, Volterra Architectural Products is now offering real wood box beams that can be installed in virtually any space. In some cases, these decorative beams are considered as faux beams since they do not provide structural support. However, unlike Volterra's wide selection of faux wood beams manufactured with high-density polyurethane foam, this collection of decorative ceiling beams is manufactured with real hardwood.

"Volterra is known in the industry for producing faux wood ceiling beams that look identical to natural wood, but sometimes our customers want the real thing. We've been manufacturing hardwood moulding and crown, base, and casing millwork for the cabinet industry since 2011, so adding natural wood beams to our product line was a natural progression," said Beth Williams, Marketing Manager at Volterra Architectural Products. "The planks are produced in our wood mill and are hand-fabricated in a number of different wood species to fit any architectural style."

Natural wood ceiling beams are produced in Volterra's custom wood shop, each constructed with three wood planks. The beams form a U-shape and are hollow on the inside. They weigh significantly less than structural support beams and are easier to install in most rooms or outdoor spaces. Most commonly, customers install these decorative ceiling beams in kitchens, living areas, bedrooms, master bathrooms and covered patios.

These box wood beams can be used to add depth to a room and appear to be structural solid wood beams once they are installed. In addition to enhancing the appearance of a room or space, these beams can be strategically installed to hide cords and cables, cracks, and other ceiling flaws. Volterra's collection of faux wood beams features different wood beam types, including a selection of White Oak, Alder, and Poplar. Both the Oak and Alder beams are available in four different finishes and can also be custom ordered with a Sherwin Williams stain of choice. The planks used for the Poplar wood beams are fabricated with paint-grade wood and ship ready to stain. Volterra plans on adding wire brush and rough sawn textures, as well as different stain choices to their natural wood beam product line in the near future.

When ordering these wood box beams, customers will be prompted to select appropriate measurements in addition to their desired finish. Those interested in ordering wood beams finished with a Sherwin Williams stain or a custom stain option should contact Volterra Architectural Products and speak with a customer service representative.

About Volterra Architectural Products

Volterra Architectural Products is the largest American manufacturer of faux wood beams and premium high-density polyurethane foam architectural details. Volterra is also known for its collection of hardwood crown moulding and millwork products, along with flexible urethane moulding and trim. Most of Volterra's distinct architectural products are proudly manufactured in the USA. For more information, visit https://volterraproducts.com/

Contact:

Beth Williams

[email protected]

(602) 258-7373

SOURCE Volterra Architectural Products
WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- If you want to know which colleges and universities are likely to benefit most from the massive spending bills currently being negotiated in Washington, scan the top rungs of the Washington Monthly's college rankings, released today. The Monthly rates institutions of higher learning on the degree to which they recruit and graduate students of modest means, produce the scholarship and scholars that drive economic growth and human flourishing, and encourage students to be active citizens and serve their country. These criteria line up almost precisely with the new funding priorities of Congress and the Biden administration.

The Washington Monthly's measures are quite different from those of U.S. News & World Report, which reward colleges for their wealth, prestige, and exclusivity. The very different yardsticks lead to quite different results:

17 of the top 30 schools on the Washington Monthly's national universities list are public. In the U.S. News ranking, 25 of the top 30 national universities are elite private ones.

national universities list are public. In the ranking, 25 of the top 30 national universities are elite private ones. The public universities on the Monthly's roll range from prestigious flagships like University of California, Berkeley , to schools that don't even make U.S. News' top 50such as University of Minnesota Twin Cities (20 on ours, 66 on theirs) and Iowa State University (27 on ours, 118 on theirs).

roll range from prestigious flagships like , to schools that don't even make top 50such as (20 on ours, 66 on theirs) and (27 on ours, 118 on theirs). Several brand-name schools that rate well on the U.S. News rankings lag on the Monthly's . Tulane , Pepperdine , and Baylor , which come in at 41, 49, and 76 respectively on U.S. News' list of national universities, plumb the depths of the Monthly's at 274, 290, and 314 respectively.

rankings lag on the . , , and , which come in at 41, 49, and 76 respectively on list of national universities, plumb the depths of the at 274, 290, and 314 respectively. Among the colleges likely to be rewarded by the historic spending bills are Elizabeth City State University . This historically Black public institution in North Carolina ranks 13 on the Washington Monthly 's list of bachelor's colleges because it enrolls and graduates relatively large numbers of students on Pell Grants and charges only $1,900 in annual tuition for low- and moderate-income students.

. This historically Black public institution in ranks 13 on the 's because it enrolls and graduates relatively large numbers of students on Pell Grants and charges only in annual tuition for low- and moderate-income students. Among the better-known colleges likely to miss out on federal funding is Hofstra University , number 373 on the Washington Monthly's list of national universities18 from the bottom and 213 places lower than it ranks on U.S. News' roll. This private New York institution enrolls and graduates fewer Pell students than its student body's standardized test scores and the state's demographics would predict, and it charges students from families earning $75,000 a year or less a whopping $30,000 in annual tuition.

"U.S. News' methodology both reflects and aggravates the higher education sector's increasing tendency to shower resources on students from affluent backgrounds while sending a trickle to those from poor, working-class, and minority families," says Washington Monthly editor in chief Paul Glastris. "That in turn exacerbates the racial and class inequality that is tearing the country apart."

Other rankings in the September/October issue of the Washington Monthly include the Best Liberal Arts Colleges, Best Master's Universities, and America's Best Bang for the Buck Colleges as broken down by region.

In addition to the rankings, this issue of the Monthly offers deeply reported stories and hard-hitting essays on American higher education's biggest failingsand its hidden successes, including:

The Washington Monthly is a nonprofit devoted to ahead-of-the-curve coverage of politics, government, and public affairs. Its College Guide and Rankings, first published in 2005, has helped upend the conventional wisdom about what constitutes quality in higher education and was the 2013 recipient of the Education Writers Association Award for data journalism. Founded in 1969, the Washington Monthly has trained and published many of the biggest names in journalism, including James Fallows, Suzannah Lessard, Nicholas Lemann, Katherine Boo, and Nicholas Confessore.

Contact:

Cristal Steuer, TVP Communications

[email protected]

(978) 660-3859

SOURCE The Washington Monthly
During a respite stay, individuals enjoy a private apartment with full bath, complete community amenities and services, Chef-prepared meals with dietary accommodations, scheduled transportation, laundry services and 24/7 licensed nursing care. Watercrest also offers their exclusive Live Exhilarated programming, a unique approach to healthy aging based on achieving personal wellness through seven facets of wholeness: Get Active, Be Curious, Get Connected, Be Uplifted, Get Creative, Be Social, Be Adventurous .

"We support and encourage family members in our local community to try a short-term respite stay for their loved ones," says Rosemarie Reid, Executive Director of Market Street Memory Care Residence Viera. "This allows them the opportunity to truly experience the exceptional care and amenities at our community, and gives family members a break from the demands of at-home care."

Owned and operated by Watercrest Senior Living Group, Market Street Viera is a 64-unit, state-of-the-art memory care community providing world class care, multi-sensory programming, diverse culinary experiences, and unparalleled associate training honoring seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia. The community boasts Watercrest's uniquely designed Market Plaza, an active, 'outdoor' streetscape, complete with Newsstand, Art Gallery, Bakery, Salon and Spa, and Post Office caringly designed to welcome family and friends.

Market Street Viera is conveniently located at 6845 Murrell Road in Melbourne, Fla. For information about the respite program, please call Douglas Stedfelt, Assistant Executive Director at 321-253-6321.

About Watercrest Senior Living Group

Watercrest Senior Living Group was founded to honor our mothers and fathers, aspiring to become a beacon for quality in senior living by surpassing standards of care, service and associate training. A certified Great Place to Work, Watercrest Senior Living Group specializes in the development and operations management of assisted living and memory care communities and the growth of servant leaders. For more information, visit www.watercrestseniorliving.com or www.marketstreetresidence.com.

SOURCE Watercrest Senior Living Group

Related Links

http://www.watercrestseniorliving.com


Second Quarter Highlights:

Revenue increased in Q2 over Q1 2021 by 26% to $8.135 million .

. Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $184,000 .

. Filling volume increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 by 50% over Q1 2021.

Decorating volume increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 by 5% over Q1 2021.

Completed public listing on May 17, 2021 , raising $8.32 million , resulting in listing expenses of $748,253 .

, raising , resulting in listing expenses of . Raised $15.20 million through a public offering of 4-year term, maturing June 30, 2025 , 8% senior unsecured convertible debenture units.

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Wildpack Beverage Inc. (TSXV: CANS) ("Wildpack" or the "Company") announces unaudited financial results for the second quarter ending June 30, 2021. All currencies references herein are to US dollars. Wildpack reported revenue of $8.135 million, positive Adjusted EBITDA of approximately $184,000, listing expenses of $748,253, and a net loss of $2.038 million.

Revenue was driven by filling and decorating capacity improvements. Filling and decorating volumes increase by 50% and 5% respectively in the second quarter, outperforming management's internal key performance indicators.

In our Filling Division, in Las Vegas, we completed phase one of our four-phase expansion approach, and initiated phase two, targeted to completed in early September 2021. Upon completion of phase four, the facility is expected to have a monthly production capacity of 300,000 gallons. In Baltimore, phases one and two, previously described in the Wildpack Beverage Inc. First Quarter Fiscal 2021 MD&A, have been completed. Management has decided to spend resources expanding the geographic footprint versus increasing production capacity in Baltimore as a near term goal, future expansion plans are being evaluated and communicated in the future.

In our Decorating Division, the Company has continued expansion progress toward adding a second decorating line both in the Baltimore and Georgia facilities, installing the first decorating line in the Las Vegas facility, and upgrading conveyance on the first decorating line in Baltimore. All expansion projects remain on schedule and on budget.

Chuck Zadlo, COO commented "We are pleased with our operating results to date. In Q2, our decorating lines enjoyed record single shift, single day, and weekly production numbers. We look forward to our continued growth through strategic mergers and acquisitions as well as operational capability improvements."

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company raised $8.32 million in equity and $15.20 million in convertible debentures. The debentures are unsecured, bear 8% interest only payments payable quarterly, convertible into common shares and matures on June 30, 2025. Part of the financing proceeds were used in the July 2, 2021 transaction to wholly acquire CraftPAC LLC in Georgia, USA, and the August 20, 2021 transaction to wholly acquire Vertical Distilling, LLC in Colorado, USA.

"The equity and debenture raises completed in Q2 2021 put the Company in a strong financial position to achieve its growth targets for 2021," commented CFO Ryan Mason. "Quarterly revenue growth of 26% and positive Adjusted EBITDA are important indicators of Wildpack's ability to remain focused on the business' fundamentals of the top and bottom line, while experiencing geographic and production capability growth."

COVID-19 has caused a global shortage in aluminum can supply as demand increased and supply chains were disrupted. Wildpack was deemed an essential service and has not faced any mandatory shutdowns. In addition, Wildpack has prioritized protocols to ensure that our workers stayed healthy and safe, and many received early access to vaccinations. During this quarter there have been no material production delays due to COVID-19. COVID-19 has had an impact on the construction of the second filling line at the Las Vegas facility delaying the project by two months.

This news release should be read in conjunction with the Operating Entity's audited consolidated financial statements for the nine-month fiscal period ended December 31, 2020, and interim condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited) and Management Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Per: "Mitch Barnard"

Mitch Barnard

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Advisors

Stifel GMP is acting as financial advisor to Wildpack Beverage, Inc., Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is acting as its legal advisor, Oakhill Financial Inc and RB Milestone Group LLC (RBMG) are acting as its investor relations advisors.

Visit our investor website at:

www.investor.wildpackbev.com

About Wildpack

Wildpack is engaged in beverage manufacturing and packaging, operating in the middle market by providing can filling and decorating services to brands throughout the United States. Wildpack currently operates indirectly through its wholly owned subsidiaries and out of facilities in Baltimore, Maryland, Atlanta, Georgia, Longmont, Colorado, Sacramento, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Wildpack commenced trading on May 19, 2021 on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "CANS.V".

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including, without limitation, the anticipated filing date of Wildpack's financial information for the period ended June 30, 2021. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Wildpack's statements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and conditions, many of which are outside of Wildpack's control, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties related to Wildpack's business, including: that Wildpack's assumptions in making forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect; delays in filing of financial information; adverse market conditions; risks inherent in the beverage manufacturing and packaging sector in general; that future results may vary from historical results; and competition in the markets where Wildpack operates. Except as required by securities law, Wildpack does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Wildpack Beverage Inc.
Beginning on August 30 and running through October 17, all Saladworks , Frutta Bowls , The Simple Greek and Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh restaurants across the country are offering guests five ways to 'Join the Team' by supporting No Kid Hungry through the High Five Challenge :

Guest Donations Kids Meal Donations Catering Donations Themed Meal/Merchandise Donations Partner Donations

To help achieve its fundraising goal in support of No Kid Hungry, guests can team up with any WOWorks restaurant by making a donation to No Kid Hungry after purchasing their meal, either in person or via online ordering. For every $1 donation made by a guest, they will receive an "I Joined the Team!" sticker and an opportunity to sign a "High Five Hand" image symbolizing their personal commitment to the cause. For every $5 donation made by a guest, they will receive the above along with a high value coupon for use on a future visit through October 31, 2021. Each individually signed "High Five Hand" will be posted on a wall next to the restaurant's "High Five Wall Icon Tracker"  signifying the progress made each week of the 7-week High Five Challenge.

In addition, each WOWorks brand who offers a Kids Meal will donate $.10 for each one purchased during this campaign and all year long.***

For each catering order, guests will also have the option to donate $5, $10 or $25 to No Kid Hungry on an ongoing basis.

In addition to the core fundraising avenues for all WOWorks brands, Saladworks will commemorate its 35th Birthday in September by donating $.35 from the sale of each of its new Amy's Fall Fest entrees  the winner of its Flavor Your World Original Recipe Challenge -- to No Kid Hungry during the 7-week High Five Challenge. And Frutta Bowls will also donate $1 from the sale of its new Acai Bracelets to No Kid Hungry.

Finally, all WOWorks brands will leverage the social media networks of its corporate employees, franchise partners, team members, business partners and the general public to reach out to as many people as possible to make financial contributions to a special WOWorks section within the Fundraising page of the No Kid Hungry website. https://www.nokidhungry.org/partners/homepage-partner/WOWorks

"The WOWorks family is proud to partner with No Kid Hungry and is committed to helping end childhood hunger in America," said Mark Mears, Chief Marketing Officer of WOWorks. "WOWorks' restaurants are known for serving its guests a wide variety of healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals. Now we have the honor to raise both money and awareness for the incredible work No Kid Hungry is doing to fight childhood hunger in our communities. As a result of our High Five Challenge, we are excited to work toward our goal to collectively raise $400,000 which can help provide up to 4 million meals to help nourish hungry kids across the country."

"Children across the United States are living with hunger right now in the wake of the coronavirus," said Diana Hovey, senior vice president at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. "We are so grateful to have the support of the WOWorks brands, team members and guests, who are helping provide children with the food they need, while striving to make No Kid Hungry a reality in America."

* WOWorks' goal is to raise $400,000 for No Kid Hungry, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $125,000 **$1 can help provide up to 10 meals. Meal equivalency varies during COVID-19 relief. No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals; your donations help support programs that feed kids. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar. *** Saladworks, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek will donate $.10 to No Kid Hungry for each Kids Works meal purchased between August 30, 2021-August 30, 2022. For each Acai bracelet purchased between August 30, 2021-August 30, 2022, Frutta Bowls will donate $1 to No Kid Hungry. For each Amy's Fall Fest entree purchased between August 30-October 17, 2021, Saladworks will donate $.35 to No Kid Hungry.

ABOUT WOWORKS:

WOWorks was formed in 2020 with a mission to help guests pursue their passions and live their best lives by serving healthy, nutritious and flavorful meals along with its Vow to "WOW!" guest hospitality. Fully owned by Centre Lane Partners, LLC, WOWorks' portfolio consists of: Saladworks, the nation's leading fast-casual salad brand; Frutta Bowls, a unique restaurant franchise serving a variety of superfood bowls, fresh fruit smoothies, protein bites and more; Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, a popular Mediterranean restaurant concept; and most recently, The Simple Greek, which offers a fresh and healthy take on traditional Greek recipes in a fast-casual setting. WOWorks seeks to drive explosive growth across all of its brands through a variety of channels, both traditional and non-traditional, including ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail and more.

About No Kid Hungry:

No child should go hungry in America. But in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 1 in 6 kids could face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is working to end childhood hunger by helping launch and improve programs that give all kids the healthy food they need to thrive. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending hunger and poverty.

SOURCE WOWorks
This outcome provides substantial upside potential for the overall project and economics, and comes at a time when the UK natural gas spot price is sitting at a record high due to supply constraints, says CEO.

( ) has recorded a 43% increase in gas volumes within its Viking Wx gas field, substantially boosting the capacity associated with its Phase I assets in the UKs Southern Gas Basin.

In an operational update, the Europe-focused energy business told the local share market that its Viking Wx field now hosted 368 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of gas-initially-in-place (GIIP) resource, marking a 112 Bcf boost on prior estimates.

As a result, the GIIP volume for Hartsheads entire Phase I portfolio, which comprises the Viking Wx and Victoria gas fields, now stands at 603 Bcf.

With development activities underway at the Phase I fields, Hartshead intends to define a development concept and gas export route next year, make a final investment decision in 2023 and achieve first gas in 2024.

New volumes trigger project upside

Hartshead Resources CEO Chris Lewis told Proactive: The increase in gas volumes is welcome news and provides a significantly larger gas volume to target for development than previously calculated.

This outcome provides substantial upside potential for the overall project and economics and comes at a time when the UK natural gas spot price is sitting at a record high due to supply constraints.

We now have an expert technical team in place, which remains on schedule and within budget with key deliverables scheduled for the coming months.

I look forward to the revised production profiles and seeing what positive impact this has on recoverable volumes, 2C resources and project economics.

Shares higher

Shares closed 4.35% higher to A$0.024.

Hartsheads Viking and Victoria fields, which form part of its wholly-owned and operated seaward licence, host a combined 217 billion cubic feet in audited 2C contingent gas resources and are historical producing gas fields.

Specifically, the licence comprises five blocks in Quads 48 and 49 on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf within the Southern Gas Basin.

It contains multiple gas fields, some of which have been only partially developed, and several exploration prospects.

These are divided into three phases for workstreams and operations across the licence.

Modelling Phase I gas fields

Todays operational update comes after consultancy firm Xodus Group completed a geological model for the Viking Wx gas field, leading to the 43% increase in gas volumes.

Essentially, Xodus used a new model to calculate the fields gas volumes based on fresh analysis and interpretation of seismic and well data.

In addition to confirming the existing GIIP estimates, work has identified a field extension in the form of a fault block to the southeast.

The block hosts 40 Bcf of additional gas-in-place resource, included in the Xodus estimate, which Hartshead intends to evaluate as another development drilling target.

Adjacent and to the northeast of the field, an undrilled structure has also been identified that will be evaluated as a potential, near field, exploration prospect.

In tandem with the southeast fault block, this new exploration target could also add further gas volumes to the Phase I development, although it is not currently included in the GIIP calculations.

Development underway

Todays boost in gas volumes comes as Hartshead pushes ahead with planning and development activities in a bid to bring its Southern Gas Basins Phase I fields into production.

So far, key activities include subsurface interpretation and modelling, development well and production facilities planning, work on commercial gas transportation and quality, health, safety and environment workshops.

Fraser Well Management has firmed up drilling and completion cost estimates over Phase Is production wells, while all cost estimates have been completed for its various greenfields development options.

Oilfield services provider Petrofac has also tabled its Concept Select report, identifying what it considers the preferred development option based on the costings.

Essentially, this option proposes two wireline capable production platforms, stationed at the Viking and Victoria fields, to enhance economic performance and decrease drilling risk.

Its hoped that Vikings production will tie in subsea with Victorias export pipeline, allowing both platforms to operate by themselves to mitigate any production shortfalls that could result from outages.

Meanwhile, discussions continue with gas transporters and infrastructure providers located around the Phase I region.

While some workshops have already taken place, Hartshead has further activity planned as it works to kick off engineering feasibility studies into the tie-in of its facilities and gas offtake.

Finally, safety and environmental workshops were held over July and August, while a UK government branch has appointed an Environmental Management Team manager to work with the Hartshead crew.

Next steps

Because Viking Wx is a past-producing asset, Xodus field model will now be used to construct a reservoir stimulation model that matches against the field's historical production.

Once history matched, this model will be used to optimise frac and well placement as well as generate production profiles and updated recoverable resource estimates.

In the meantime, a similar model is being prepared for Vikings Phase I sibling, the Victoria gas field, with completion anticipated in the coming month.

Robust UK gas price

Because of LNG supply-side constraints and reduced capacity from energy giants like Norway and Russia, the UK Domestic and European gas markets continue to support a robust UK gas price.

Recently, the UK spot price reached 117 pence per therm, while a January 2022 contract includes a near-term natural gas future of around 120 pence per therm.

Promisingly, the UK gas futures curve also points to a long term price above 50 pence per therm over the winter of 2024/2025, meaning this strong trend is poised to continue.

Comparatively, when Hartshead first bought the UK-based gas projects in February this year, the UK spot price sat at roughly 47.5 pence per therm.

Hartsheads own economic evaluation of the Phase I development uses a gas price assumption of 45 pence per therm, which demonstrates the potential for economic upside if market conditions persist.
Due to the recent outstanding results received on the Tchaga Prospect, the company will extend the expected date of its maiden mineral resource estimate as it continues to expand the footprint at the Tchaga Prospect, managing director Peter Ledwidge said.

( ) has completed the second tranche of its oversubscribed $10 million placement and commenced a 45,000-metre drill program at its Cote dIvoire gold projects.

Mako is advancing its flagship Napie Gold Project covering 296 square kilometres in the West African Birimian Greenstone Belts which hosts more than 70 +1-million-ounce gold deposits.

The company aims to deliver high-grade gold discoveries in the region and the $10 million raised puts it on a sure footing to start a fully funded and aggressive exploration program, including the 45,000-metre drill campaign.

Well funded

Mako has circa $15 million in cash reserves for this program and additional exploration and will continue drilling Gogbala Prospect, while resuming its program at Tchaga once phase 1 at Gogbala is complete.

To fast-track results, Mako is using two assay laboratories, with assays due three to four weeks after being submitted.

As such, there should be a continuous stream of news coming from Makos projects over the coming weeks and months.

With a full card of drilling, Mako has extended the delivery date for its maiden resource to include recent positive drill results from the southern extension of Tchaga and recent Gogbala drilling.

Due to the recent outstanding results received on the Tchaga Prospect, the company will extend the expected date of its maiden mineral resource estimate as it continues to expand the footprint at the Tchaga Prospect, Makos managing director Peter Ledwidge said.

We look forward to providing assay results shortly from diamond drilling at Tchaga and from reverse circulation drilling at Gogbala.

$10 million gives Mako a leg up

Mako issued 60,689,600 shares at an issue price of 8 cents per share for gross proceeds of around $4.9 million to complete the second tranche of its recent $10 million capital raising.

Binding commitments for the placement, which was strongly supported by new and existing institutional investors, was first announced on July 8, with Mako announcing it would issue up to 125 million new fully paid ordinary shares at 8 cents per share.

Mako also received cornerstone support of $6.3 million from high-quality North American and European strategic investors including Dundee Goodman Merchant Partners, DELPHI and Sparta AG.

With the settlement of tranche 2, Mako can proceed with few hurdles to navigate.

Mako now has existing cash reserves of $4.55 million, proceeds of $950,000 from the divestment of the Niou Project and the $10 million placement in its pocket.

It is safe to say it is well-funded for future activity at Napie including extending existing high-grade mineralisation and testing multiple high priority regional prospects with an aim to deliver a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate.

Ongoing at Napie will continue through the remainder of 2021 and beyond.

Money raised will also be used for Makos maiden drilling program at its Korhogo Project.

The completion of the second tranche of the $10 million capital raise gives the company a clear runway to execute our aggressive exploration strategy, Ledwidge said.

The Board of Directors have approved up to 45,000 metres of drilling which gives the company the green light to continue drilling on the Napie Project and to commence a maiden drilling program on the Korhogo Project.

45,000 metres of drilling

Mako will shortly start a board-approved 45,000-metre drilling program at its Cote dlvoire projects, focusing on up to 35,000 metres of reverse circulation (RC), diamond drilling (DD) and aircore (AC) drilling at its flagship Napie project.

Mako currently owns a 51% interest in Napie and could earn up to 75% interest through the delivery of a feasibility study.

The company recently entered into a binding agreement with Perseus Mining to consolidate ownership from 51% to 90%. It entered into a farm-in and joint venture agreement on the Napie Permit with Occidental Gold SARL, a subsidiary of Perseus.

Mako will also undertake a 10,000-metre drilling program at its 100%-owned Korhogo Gold Project, which comprises two permits for 296 square kilometres covering 17 kilometres of faulted greenstone/ granite contact (high-grade gold targets) located within 30 kilometres of Barricks operating 4.9-million-ounce Tongon Gold Mine.

This greenstone belt also hosts Montage Golds 3.2 million-ounce Kone gold deposit and Endeavours 2.7-million-ounce Wahgnion gold mine across the border in Burkina Faso.

Drilling at Korhogo will start once Mako has completed a detailed (100 X 50 metres) soil geochem program which will be done after the end of the rainy season in October.

The AC drill program will commence once Mako has the assay results of the detailed soil sampling program.

Maiden resource extended

Once first phase drilling at Gogbala is complete, Mako will turn its attention to its Tchaga prospect as it looks to extend its mineralised footprint to the south.

Success at Tchaga has enabled Mako to include the results in the upcoming maiden resource.

Mako extended the date of the resource estimate to fit these results in, however could also include some of the drilling results from the Gogbala Prospect.
Bilbao will facilitate the implementation of the requisite logistics infrastructure and services at the port to efficiently meet the projects logistical needs.

( ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Port of Bilbao, one of Spains largest ports and a major deep-sea European Atlantic port.

The MoU complements a similar agreement with the Port of Pasaia, announced this month, and together, the ports in northern Spain will be key supply chain components for the Muga Potash Project.

These ports will be central to the projects competitive logistical advantage and the partnerships will allow Highfield to develop and implement its sales and marketing strategy.

Key export terminal for Muga

Highfield CEO Ignacio Salazar said: This MoU is another step in getting the Muga Mine into production.

The port of Bilbao is a major European Atlantic port and will be a key export terminal for Muga given its capacity and its proximity and excellent connections to the mine

The port is within 220 kilometres by road of the Muga Mine, provides a logistics advantage and will support Muga in being a low-cost potash mine.

Sufficient capacity

Under this MoU, the port confirms the availability of sufficient port capacity for up to 700,000 tonnes per annum of muriate of potash and salt.

In addition, Bilbao will facilitate the implementation of the requisite logistics infrastructure and services at the port to efficiently meet the projects needs.

Furthermore, the port also commits to have all facilities for product handling and shipping operational from Mugas phase one.

Location of the Port of Bilbao by road from Muga.

Port of Bilbao

The port of Bilbao is among the closest ports to the mine site and one of Spains largest ports and a major European Atlantic port.

It currently handles around 35.5 million tonnes including 4.7 million tonnes of dry bulk product annually.

Notably, there are excellent road and rail connections between Muga and the Port of Bilbao.

- Ephrems Joseph
s main product candidate is Vyrologix, an injectable antibody that shows promise as an anti-viral agent

The company is preparing to release data from a Phase 2b/3 coronavirus study

Two Phase 3 HIV trials have been completed

What CytoDyn does:

CytoDyn Inc ( ), a Vancouver, Washington-based late-stage biotechnology company, is developing Vyrologix (leronlimab or PRO 140) to battle multiple diseases. Most significantly, it is working to develop a significant advance in HIV treatment beyond the AIDS cocktail combination of pills that has kept millions of people alive since the mid-1990s.

Vyrologix is an injectable antibody that shows promise as an antiviral agent with fewer side effects, lower toxicity and less frequent doses than daily therapies currently in use for the treatment of HIV.

The drug targets CCR5, a cell receptor that is the entry point for most strains of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. The company agreed in 2012 to acquire Vyrologix from its developer, Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc ( ).

Vyrologix has been granted Fast Track designation by the FDA for the treatment of HIV in combination with the cocktail known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, which a rare variety of the condition that doesnt respond to some treatments.

CytoDyn is also exploring Vyrologix's use in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases and even the coronavirus (COVID-19).

How is it doing:

In August, CytoDyn shared an update to the previously-reported preliminary results from its Phase 1b/2 trials and compassionate use of its flagship drug candidate leronlimab to treat a total of 30 metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) patients.

The biotechnology company said that decrease in circulating tumor cells (CTC) as reported using the LifeTracDx test developed by Creatv MicroTech Inc, after induction with leronlimab was associated with a 400%-to-660% increase in modified progression free Survival (mPFS), 12-month Progression Free Survival (PFS) and a 570%-to-980% increase in modified overall survival (mOS), and 12-month overall survival.

CytoDyn said that data from the 30 patients are aligned with the premise that a majority of mTNBC patients respond to leronlimab if CTC reduction is observed following one leronlimab dose.

Earlier in the month, the company revealed it had received comments from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its recently-submitted dose justification report for its Vyrologix (leronlimab-PRO 140) drug, an important component to the companys resubmission of its Biologics License Application (BLA) for HIV.

The FDA has granted Fast Track designation to CytoDyn for two potential indications of leronlimab for critical illnesses. The first is a combination therapy with HAART for HIV-infected patients and the second is for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

The company successfully completed a Phase 3 pivotal trial using leronlimab combined with standard antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected patients who were heavily treated. It also completed a Phase 2b/3 investigative trial with leronlimab used as a once-weekly monotherapy for HIV-infected patients.

Also in August, CytoDyn announced that Brazils regulatory authority Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria (ANVISA) had approved its previously-submitted clinical trial protocol for its flagship drug candidate leronlimab to start patient enrollment in the CD17 trial for severe coronavirus (COVID-19) patients.

The trial is intended to provide ANVISA with the requisite data to consider advancing the availability of leronlimab to Brazilians infected with COVID-19, said the company. The Phase 3 trial will be conducted in up to 35 clinical sites with 612 patients who are hospitalized and in need of oxygenation support.

Meanwhile in July, the company announced that drug candidate leronlimab had been granted US Patent No. 11,045,546 by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for methods of treating COVID-19 infection.

The patent discloses methods of treating hyperinflammation  a common complication of COVID-19.

CytoDyns patent is expected to extend until June 15, 2040. The USPTO prioritized examination of CytoDyns patent application, resulting in the grant of this patent under the USPTOs COVID-19 Prioritized Examination Pilot Program in just about one year.

Inflection points:

Results from Phase 3 COVID-19 trial

Address feedback from the FDA with regard to INDs and BLAs

Continue to secure funding

What the boss says:

Commenting on its recent input from the FDA on the companys Vyrologix (leronlimab-PRO 140) drug, CytoDyn CEO Dr Nader Pourhassan said in a statement: We are encouraged by the guidance and comments received from the FDA. Our management team and regulatory advisory team are confident that we will be able to successfully address these comments, allowing the further advancement of our BLA resubmission. In our view, this is a major step forward in our BLA process."

Pourhassan added: This is an exciting period for CytoDyn. With the continuation of the BLA resubmission, the near-term initiation of two important coronavirus (COVID-19) trials in Brazil, and possibly a strong clinical trial in the US for COVID-19 long-haulers, the next two to three months could be transformative for the company.

Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com
Operates one of Canadas largest health care networks

Delivers walk-clinics and family practices in Walmart locations in Canada and Mexico

Actively buying existing medical and paramedical clinics within its current footprint

What Jack Nathan Medical does:

Jack Nathan Medical Corp ( ) ( ), operating as , runs one of Canadas largest health care networks.

The company is improving access for millions of patients by co-locating physician and ancillary medical services conveniently inside ( ) stores.

was established in 2006 and now delivers state-of-the-art, turn-key walk-clinics and family practices in 76 Walmart locations across Canada including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as 52 corporate-owned and operated locations in Mexico, in addition to servicing certain Walmart Distribution Centres in Mexico.

The company designs, builds, and sets-up its barrier-free medical and dental clinics via strategic partnerships with some of the brightest physicians across Canada. In addition to in-clinic physicians, patients can get help through the companys digital telemedicine.

How is it doing:

( , ) kicked off 2021 with two acquisitions to strengthen its telemedicine operations and to expand the range of services and treatment options available to both practitioners and patients at its clinics, as the company seeks to become a full-service provider of medical, health, and wellbeing services and products.

The company has acquired Writi, a cloud-based medication-management software platform, available on mobile devices and web platforms. Writis Virtual Healthcare platform supports the secure digital communication, record maintenance, and workflow of resident-related orders and documentation.

Writi is helping to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) with remote virtual check-ups from physicians and nurse practitioners, treating patients and prescribing using virtual billing, prescription fulfillment, and integration with various emergency medical retrieval services (EMRs). In addition, prescribers and healthcare workers can check in on patients in isolation and assess and treat patients remotely.

The Writi service platform is scaling and is used in long-term care (LTC) homes, serving 30 locations and more than 3,200 resident beds in Ontario. Writi has a stable and growing recurring revenue base, receiving a monthly recurring SaaS fee per resident beds, in LTC homes.

Jack Nathan Health also has acquired two profitable Redeem MediSpas locations, which are actually located in the companys medical walk-in clinics at Walmart in Maple and Brampton, Ontario. The so-called in-house acquisition is immediately accretive and highly complementary to the companys already well-established network of health clinics.

Redeem MediSpa offers a complete range of both surgical and non-surgical treatments for facial and body rejuvenation and aesthetics, including treatments for migraines, laser therapy, anti-aging, face, and body skin tightening, PRP therapies, joint pain treatments, and hair loss - to name a few.

In Mexico, the company is rapidly expanding its footprint via subsidiary JNH Medico Mexico, a provider of primary care medical clinics located in Walmart Supercentres and other Walmart Mexico formats under the Jack Nathan Health brand. Currently, 153 clinics are operating and the company plans to open a total of 203. Rapid expansion in Walmart Mexico is fueled by modular, cost-effective construction which only takes days and requires no capital expenditure from Jack Nathan Health.

Meanwhile, the company recently launched a new COVID-19 testing program by setting up centers in 28 Walmart parking lots in Mexico. Jack Nathan Health has identified a total of 64 potential locations, with 20 of them authorized by the Mexican government thus far. All testing sites will offer rapid antigen COVID-19 tests at a cost estimated to be 70% less than common pricing.

To carry out the companys new business strategy for 2021 and beyond, Jack Nathan Health hired Dr Glenn Copeland as its chief medical officer. He will help the company expand corporate clinic operations in several locations across Canada in 2021.

As the company actively buys existing medical and paramedical clinics within its current footprint, led by Dr Copeland, the company will be freed to integrate a technology backbone that improves efficiencies, level of care, patient metrics, and margins. In fact, the company is working on a system to integrate both clinic and patient services to drive patient engagement, clinic operations, and analytics.

On the financial front, its revenue rose by 26% to C$1.3 million in its fiscal first-quarter of 2022 (ended April 30, 2021) thanks to new clinics and expanded operations in Canada and Mexico. Also, the company ended the quarter with a cash balance of $6.3 million.

In addition, the healthcare firm acquired or closed the acquisitions of seven new clinics, including two MediSpas and four operational medical clinics in Ontario Walmart stores. The firm also inked a deal for a flagship 8,200 square foot clinic in Ontario  its largest facility in the Jack Nathan Health Walmart network to date.

In late August 2021, the company acquired its second medical clinic in British Columbia, marking its seventh corporate-owned and operating medical clinic within the Walmart Canadian footprint.

Inflection points:

Become a leading integrated primary health care provider in Canada and globally

Grow through expansion in Walmart, new stand-alone facilities, telemedicine, and acquisitions

Expand digital footprint via e-commerce platform and retail product offerings

Expand corporate clinic operations across Canada in 2021

Open a total of 203 clinics in Mexico in 2021

What the boss says:

This project represents another milestone in our partnership with Walmart Mexico, as we continue to integrate Jack Nathan Healths medical offerings within Walmart locations, said Co-founder and interim CEO Mike Marchelletta after expanding its footprint in Mexico.

We intend to scale quickly and open facilities as authorizations are granted, and business cases are evaluated based on the success of the various roll-outs. There is no doubt there is a need to expand COVID-19 testing throughout Mexico, and we believe we can address it, while adding value-added services to patients and for doctors, and new growth opportunities for JNH."

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Studies are underway for the manufacturing of lithium chemicals in Quebec, which could position the province to become an important lithium hydroxide production centre.

( , , ) and ( ) have finalized the acquisition of North American Lithium Inc (NAL) thereby consolidating lithium businesses in Quebec, Canada.

This acquisition creates a potential lithium production hub in the Abitibi region incorporating the former NAL lithium facilities that are amenable to a rapid restart and Sayonas Authier and Tansim lithium projects.

Preparations are advancing for the resumption of operations at NAL, with technical studies underway for the profitable production of spodumene (lithium) concentrate from 2023, including a scoping study expected in the second half of 2021.

Sayonas subsidiary Sayona Quebec is 25% owned by Piedmont Lithium and 75% by Sayona while PLL is also Sayona Minings largest shareholder with an 18.8% stake.

Amenable to relatively rapid restart

Piedmont president and chief executive officer Keith D Phillips said: We are very pleased to have partnered with Sayona in the consolidation of spodumene resources in the Abitibi region of Quebec, with Sayona Quebec now comprising a large Canadian lithium resource base.

Importantly, North American Lithium is a past-producing business with $400 million of investment over the past decade.

NALs concentrate operations are amenable to a relative rapid restart and we will work with Sayona to develop suitable plans in that regard.

We are also evaluating a variety of options for production of lithium hydroxide in Quebec and will update the market further as our plans crystallize.

Piedmont intends to become North Americas leading lithium hydroxide producer and Quebec investments are an ideal complement to our flagship Carolina Lithium Project in Gaston County, North Carolina.

PLL shares are 8.16% higher to A$0.795 while the companys market cap before the opening was approximately A$424 million.

Potential production hub

This acquisition follows a successful A$45 million placement and A$20 million share purchase plan both of which were heavily oversubscribed.

The partners have commenced studies for the manufacturing of lithium chemicals in Quebec, which could position the province to become an important lithium hydroxide production centre given its abundant mineral resources, low-cost, sustainable hydroelectric power, proximity to major US and European electric vehicle markets, and pro-electrification stance of provincial leaders.

In addition, an evaluation of downstream processing at NAL is progressing, as per the NAL acquisition agreement.

Combining NAL with Sayona minings Authier Lithium Project creates a potential lithium production hub in the Abitibi region of Quebec.

Turnaround plan

Sayonas managing director Brett Lynch said: We are extremely pleased to have taken control of NAL with our joint venture partner, Piedmont.

Our local team in Quebec is fully engaged in executing our turnaround plan at NAL, including the refurbishment of its facilities and its integration with our flagship Authier Lithium Project.

We are committed to swiftly developing a profitable and sustainable business at NAL, delivering new jobs and investment and maximising the benefits of its existing facilities to make it the centre of our Abitibi lithium hub.

Demand for lithium to power North Americas EV and battery storage revolution continues to accelerate. The timing is perfect and we look forward to realising this opportunity, working closely with our partner, Piedmont and all other key stakeholders including Investissement Quebec, as we help drive Quebecs clean energy future.

- Ephrems Joseph
The strong results received to date confirm the company's decision to accelerate Oropesa's project development.

( , ) has returned another strong shallow intersection of 82.7 metres at 0.27% tin from 11.3 metres at the flagship Oropesa Tin Project in Spain with the possibility that it links other previously defined zones of mineralisation.

The result from drill hole Expn_061A included 18 metres at 0.39% from 11.3 metres and 37.5 metres at 0.30% from 56.5 metres.

Shares have been as much as 18% higher this morning to A$0.20.

Geological interpretation validated

ELT chief executive officer Joe David said the drill hole assays were material to the project due to the shallowness, significant mineralisation and location outside the previously released mineral resource estimate in 2018.

Drill hole Expn_061A is located 58 metres along strike to the northwest of the mineralisation in drill hole Expn_055A announced last week," he said.

This assay data adds further significance to the existence and continuity of a new shallow tin mineralisation zone, near surface, and towards the centre of the previously reported mineral resource at Oropesa.

These results continue to validate the geological interpretation and understanding that the Elementos project team has of the Oropesa tin deposit and we look forward to the receipt of the remaining seven drill holes, located along strike or down dip, to confirm the full extent and grades of this mineralisation zone.

Location of drill holes with reported assay data as at August 30 from the exploration drilling program at the Oropesa Tin Project.

These results follow assay data from 34 drill holes previously reported from this program.

Assays from seven drill holes remain outstanding.

On August 24 Elementos intersected 24.8 metres at 0.35% tin from 3.8 metres, including 12.3 metres at 0.53% tin from 5.2 metres from drillhole Expn_055A.
Anteris Technologies is a structural heart company delivering clinically superior and durable solutions through better science and better design.

( , , ) has signed a further agreement with LeMaitre Vascular Inc to extend the manufacturing of CardioCel and VascuCel at its Malaga facility in Western Australia.

The agreement includes a nine-month extension to the current manufacturing contract, which will now conclude in July 2023.

Anteris will continue to receive existing agreed pricing over the extension period amended to remove the foreign exchange risk.

It also continues to retain sole control of the entire IP portfolio for ADAPT, the tissue technology on which the companys DurAVR single-piece 3D aortic valve is built, which is licensed to LeMaitre for specified fields of use.

LeMaitre Vascular Inc is a provider of devices, implants and services for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease, a condition affecting more than 200 million people worldwide.

The company develops, manufactures and markets disposable and implantable vascular devices to address the needs of its core customer, the vascular surgeon.

To help maximise capacity utilisation

AVR CEO Wayne Paterson said: This extension helps maximise the capacity utilisation of our facility in Australia as we continue to manufacture our DurAVR valves alongside the CardioCel range.

This additional extension will expire at the point where commercial production of DurAVR is increasing in scale.

The CardioCel product portfolio is the world's first 3D shaped and proven fully acellular collagen bio-scaffold.

Both CardioCel and VascuCel were developed by leveraging the companys anti-calcification ADAPT tissue technology.

This extended manufacturing agreement follows the sale of Anteris CardioCel and VascuCel product range to LeMaitre in 2019 and delivers the company additional ongoing revenue from its internally developed proprietary products.

Regulatory approvals

In addition, LeMaitre will assume the responsibility for applying for the regulatory approvals under European Medical Devices Directorate Regulation.

The associated costs will also be assumed by LeMaitre and deducted from the A$3 million earn-out and payable in instalments upon receipt of each product approval under European Medical Devices Directorate Regulation.
Nikolaos Cacos, president and CEO of the company said: "His experience in South American lithium exploration and track record of discoveries brings the right skillset required for Argentina Lithium to achieve success"

Rideout has 34 years of experience in advanced exploration practice, responsible business management, scientific team building, and mining integration with local communities and indigenous peoples.

Argentina Lithium & Energy Corp. said it has engaged Miles Rideout as its new vice president of Exploration.

Rideout has 34 years of experience in advanced exploration practice, responsible business management, scientific team building, and mining integration with local communities and indigenous peoples.

In a statement, Nikolaos Cacos, president and CEO of the company said: "I am extremely pleased to have Miles take a leading role in our technical team. His experience in South American lithium exploration and track record of discoveries brings the right skillset required for Argentina Lithium to achieve success.

"I feel confident that Argentina Lithium now has a formidable team in place to take our company to the next level. I look forward to working closely with Miles to significantly grow Argentina Lithium."

In recent positions, Rideout has directly managed the acquisition and exploration of dozens of lithium properties in northern Argentina. Previously, he served 5 years as CEO of Latin American Minerals, Inc. advancing gold and diamond projects in Paraguay, and 23 years with Quantec Geoscience, Inc., where he initiated operations in South America and managed subsidiaries in several countries.

Rideout has experience in mine permitting, financing, construction, and operations - he implemented the first operating mine in Paraguay. In addition, he has deep expertise with all major geophysical technologies applied within the mining industry, and decades of experience working with many of the most successful exploration teams in South America.

He participated in the discovery of several world-class deposits including the Collahuasi and Ujina copper-porphyry deposits, Veladero epithermal gold deposit, and Navidad VMS/epithermal silver deposit.

Rideout holds a B.Sc. with Honors Certificate in Geophysics, from the University of Western Ontario (1987). Fluent in English and Spanish, he has lived in Mendoza, Argentina for more than 20 years.

Argentina Lithium & Energy is focused on acquiring high-quality lithium projects in Argentina, and advancing them towards production in order to meet the growing global demand from the battery sector.

The management group has a long history of success in the resource sector of Argentina, and has assembled a first-rate team of experts to acquire and advance the best lithium properties in the world-renowned "Lithium Triangle".

The company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
Evan Sohn, CEO of Recruiter.com commented: "We couldn't be more excited to bring the Novo Group to Recruiter.com, combining a trailblazing recruiting technology solutions platform with a leading-edge talent acquisition practice"

( ) said it has completed the acquisition of the Novo Group, Inc., a company that provides flexible talent acquisition to a wide array of customers, including life sciences, manufacturing, and consumer goods.

In a statement, Evan Sohn, CEO of Recruiter.com commented: "We couldn't be more excited to bring the Novo Group to Recruiter.com, combining a trailblazing recruiting technology solutions platform with a leading-edge talent acquisition practice.

"Together, we'll define the future of recruiting, creating the on-demand and flexible experience that enables every employer to recruit talent and scale up and down with demand swiftly. The acquisition adds fuel to our rapidly growing on-demand recruiting segment, which already showed 88% sequential quarterly growth in the second quarter of 2021."

Michael McElherne, COO of Novo Group added: "We've learned over the past year that the way employers recruit talent is dramatically changing, Together with Recruiter.com, we will give both large and small employers a way to react in real-time to their talent demands, with flexible, scalable solutions. In the on-demand world of the virtual workplace, we are excited to offer a compelling solution that matches the urgent nature of talent resourcing needs."

Recruiter.com's CEO recently discussed the country's ongoing labor shortage on CNBC's 'The Exchange'. which he said should create a "phenomenal market for talent acquisition professionals and recruiters", with people looking for help from recruiters to help fill the vast amount of open roles with companies.

General market data supports this trend, with outsourced recruiting and talent acquisition expected to reach $14.4 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.8%, according to a report by ReportLinker on the segment, with the current US market estimated at $1.7 billion in 2020. Recruiter.com said its platform, which provides both technology and on-demand recruiting services, addresses this demand.

"Recruiter.com and Novo Group coming together will help us become, we believe, more responsive and more innovative, so we can better serve our clients," said Miles Jennings, president and COO of Recruiter.com. "Recruiter.com provides on-tap recruiting, supported by advanced artificial intelligence technologies and the largest network of recruiters nationwide. By coming together, we enhance our capacity to deliver effective talent acquisition solutions and expand our opportunities to leverage our AI software solutions with clients."

Recruiter.com noted that McElherne, COO of Novo Group, joins the company as SVP of On-Demand Delivery. McElherne, who LinkedIn has recognized as one of the 'Top 100' Talent Professionals globally, has represented some of the world's most recognized companies in Private Equity, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, IT, Pharma, Biotech, Supply Chain, and Investment Banking.

The company said the acquisition of Novo Group was successfully completed on August 27, 2021.

Recruiter.com is an online hiring platform delivering on-demand recruiting technology and services to both large and small businesses. With AI and video technology, and the world's largest network of recruiters, Recruiter.com delivers on-tap recruiting that flexes with hiring needs.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
A glance at some of the day's highlights from the Proactive Investors US and Canada newswires

( , ) reports that it generated record revenue for its second quarter. During the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Toronto-based company said it pulled in $91,660 in revenue versus $16.597 in 1Q 2021 thanks to increases in commercial feasibilities and sales of its flagship CO2 Delivery Solutions systems. CO2 GRO also said it signed $50,625 worth of purchase orders that will be recognized as revenues when its CO2 Delivery Solution systems are installed and operating. Looking ahead, the company is targeting the massive Mexican and Spanish protected agricultural markets -- as well as expanding its footprint in the Canadian cannabis market.

( , ) Corporation has ended its second quarter with about C$1.5 million in cash, around $2.9 million of assets, and no long-term debt, as the company expects to begin generating revenue in the third and fourth quarter of 2021. As our first full quarter as a public company wrapped up, we made healthy progress on multiple strategic fronts. We began advancing our core technology platform, acquired complementary intellectual property, strengthened our team, raised additional capital, entered new industry verticals and improved liquidity for investors globally, Xigem Technologies CEO Brian Kalish said in a statement.

( ) has filed its second interim results for the period ending June 30, 2021, which, given the companys transition to a calendar reporting cycle, were presented for a seven-month period. In the results statement, Matthew Salthouse, CEO of Kainantu Resources commented: KRL is pleased to report further progress during the period and has delivered against the early stage milestones set on listing in December 2021; with the consolidation of rights to explore in the world-renowned Kainantu region and definition of three clear gold prospects at KRL South (with high-grade gold sample results reported at East Avaninofi)." "The signing of definitive agreements to acquire the highly prospective May River Copper-Gold Project also demonstrated KRLs ability to develop and execute value accretive corporate initiatives. The Company expects to provide further updates on exploration efforts in the near future," he added.

KetamineOne ( , ) has announced that its subsidiary Integrated Rehab and Performance Ltd is expanding its business through the addition of four new, veteran-focused, multidisciplinary clinics in four locations across Canada. In a statement, ( ) said the Comox Valley, BC location is scheduled to begin offering programs on September 6, 2021, and the Ottawa, ON location is also expected to be opened in September. The Halifax, NS and Surrey, BC centres are expected to be opened by the end of December. In addition, the company announced that Integrated Rehab and Performance has been re-branded as IRP Health Ltd to better reflect its planned evolution into more of a multidisciplinary business as part of ( ) while also preserving its roots.

Thesis Gold Inc has reported that initial drilling at its Ranch gold-copper project in British Columbia, which began in early August, intersected visible gold and the company has added a second drill rig at the property. Thesis also said soil sampling and rock prospecting campaigns at the Ranch project are nearing completion, while geophysical surveys are progressing, and early drill results expected in the coming weeks.

( , ) Inc has announced the completed integration of its Fobi Platform with ( , ) and the availability of the Fobi App on the ( , ) App Store for purchase by Shopify retailers. Fobi said it is one of the only companies in the Shopify App Store currently providing real-time insights and making retailer data immediately actionable. "Many people think of Shopify as just an e-commerce platform to help businesses run their online stores but fail to realize it does so much more by helping merchants with critical back-end integrations such as shipping, payments and social media marketing, said Fobi CEO Rob Anson in a statement.

Predictmedix Inc said it has entered into a strategic partnership with Paras TechCare, a division of Paras Defence & Space Technologies Ltd (Paras), under which Paras will manufacture, market, sell and distribute Predictmedix's proprietary Safe Entry Stations in a turnkey manner for deployment in the public sector throughout India. Under the terms of the new reseller agreement, Paras TechCare will manufacture and sell Safe Entry Stations within the southern Asian market on behalf of Predictmedix, where Paras maintains significant public sector relationships through its defense contractor business lines.

First Mining Gold Corp said its joint-venture partner, ( , ), has completed the Stage 2 earn-in requirements regarding the Pickle Crow Gold Project located in northwestern Ontario. As per the earn-in agreement Auteco has spent $5 million on qualifying exploration expenditures, paid $1 million in cash to First Mining and has granted First Mining a 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on Pickle Crow. Auteco does have the option of buying back 1% of the NSR for US$2.5 million. Additionally, Auteco, through one of its subsidiaries, has also increased its ownership in ( ), to 70% from 51%. PC Gold is the joint venture entity that owns Pickle Crow.

( , ), with its partner and acquisition target 3a-diagnostics GmbH (3a), has successfully registered their first biosensor test in oral inflammation with the German authorities (cosmetic products notification). The company said the easy at-home self-check can be performed without the need for specific medical knowledge or training, analytical equipment, or even a power supply. When placed on the tongue, the thin film dissolves and after five minutes, the biosensor releases a bitter taste in case of oral inflammation. The biosensor functions as a quick test for heightened levels of certain bacteria and viruses to check whether a doctor's visit and further tests are necessary.

( )said it had wrapped up a review of historic data from its Bellas Gate project that indicates good potential for porphyry and epithermal copper and gold. Bellas Gate, which is in Jamaica, hosts over 40 known copper and gold prospects and mineral occurrences, according to the junior resource company. Two of those prospects are advanced-stage porphyry copper-gold, while another two porphyry targets are considered highly prospective by C3.

Canada Silver Cobalt Works Inc said it has entered into an option agreement dated August 15, 2021, to acquire the 610 hectares, known as the Tinney property from a group of highly renowned prospectors. The acquired property lies within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in the prolific Kirkland Lake district and is located approximately 7 kilometres (km) south-west of the high-grade Macassa Gold Mine currently operated by Kirkland Lake Gold. In addition, the 610 hectares included in the acquisition are adjacent to the 200 hectares recently optioned on August 3, 2021, from geologist Doug Robinson and partners. This increases the total area of the land package four-fold to a grand total of 810 hectares. The company said the acquisition provides further expansion of its precious metals portfolio into the well-established Kirkland Lake Gold camp located on the prolific Larder Lake-Cadillac Break.

( ) has reported its second-quarter financials which showed the company had a positive working capital position of $3.1 million, and a cash position of $4.6 million as of June 30, 2021. The company's average corporate production in the second quarter of 2021 was 331 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boe/d), an increase of 89 barrels per day (bbls/d), or 37%, compared to Q1 2021 average corporate production of 242 bbls/d. The company exited Q2 2021 with corporate production of 535 boe/d. Arrow Exploration said the increase in production quarter-over-quarter was largely attributable to the re-start of production from its Oso Pardo field and its share of production from the Capella field, both in Colombia.

Australis Capital Inc, which is doing business as Audacious, has reported first-quarter 2022 revenue of C$1.7 million, a 2,652% year-over-year increase and a 266% improvement sequentially, driven by a full quarter of ALPS revenues and Green Therapeutics (GT)-related management fee income. The company also said its gross margin for the quarter climbed to C$1.1 million, or 62%, a 1,814% increase from the same period last year, led by strong consulting revenues from ALPS along with the management fee income related to GT. Continuing the strong performance recorded in Q4 of fiscal 2021, AUSA has transformed itself into a rapidly growing MSO in the U.S. cannabis space. With revenues soaring by over 2,600% over last year, improving gross margin and adjusted EBITDA, we are showing the power of our execution on a unique strategy, Australis Capital CEO Terry Booth said in a statement.

Agra Ventures Ltd has received the test results from the four successful batches that comprise the recent crop of cannabis grown and harvested at its Delta greenhouse complex. The company said it submitted five strain samples  Mimosa, Motor Breath, Purple Punch, Rogue Gelato, and Thrive  to an independent, Ontario-based laboratory to test each one for THC content, CBD content, and moisture level. Agra said it is in the process of determining which strains may be sold as dried bulk flower and for use in extracts -- these determinations are expected to be made in the near term and are also currently subject to ongoing negotiations with third parties.

Nova Royalty Corp announced that it has completed its acquisition of a 1% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the Aranzazu mine, a copper-silver-gold operation in Mexico owned by Aura Minerals. The US$9 million deal was comprised of $8 million in cash and a further $1 million in Nova shares. To satisfy the transaction, Nova issued 388,093 consideration shares at $3.26 per share. Separately, Nova reported a cash balance of just over C$710,000 at the end of 2Q 2021 after the Aranzazu deal, according to its quarterly financial statements. Subsequent to the quarter to end June 2021, the group closed a C$13.7 million offering.

( , ) said it has closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement previously announced on August 4, 2021, for gross proceeds of C$3,080,415.60. Under the first tranche of the placement, the company issued 6,845,368 units at $0.45 per unit, garnering net proceeds of C$3,066,850.60 after payment of commissions and finder's fees totaling C$13,565. Each unit in the offering is comprised of one common share of the company and one-half of one share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the purchaser to purchase one additional common share at a price of C$0.55 per common share for a period of one year from the date of issuance. In a statement, Ilan Sobel, CEO of BioHarvest commented: "I am very pleased with how the financing has progressed. The company's strategy and growth plans have been well received by investors who have demonstrated their confidence in the company's leadership and capabilities by becoming shareholders."

Inc. has issued an update on ( )., noting that the company is a smaller player in an industry dominated by much larger, well-capitalized competitors. It said CleanSpark has proven its ability to compete effectively but will need to continue to expand its sales network and ensure its technology-agnostic software platform evolves with the industry. On the bitcoin side of the equation, an increase in mining difficulty rates would reduce the companys bitcoin yield and associated revenue, and bitcoin price fluctuations would impact the profitability of the operation. To see the report, investors can use the following link: https://www.watertowerresearch.com/content/bitcoin-valuation-update-what-is-the-market-missing/

Plurilock Security Inc saw its revenue skyrocket after its acquisition of Aurora Systems Consulting Inc, according to its second-quarter financial results. The cybersecurity company reported revenue of C$8.6 million during the three-month period to end June 2021, compared to C$79,512 from the same year-ago quarter. Hardware sales  a new revenue stream added after the acquisition of Aurora during 2Q 2021  contributed nearly C$7.6 million in revenue or 88.1% of total sales during the quarter.

( , ) Corp. ended its second quarter with cash of $11.5 million and working capital of $14.7 million. In a statement, the company also said it remains on schedule to commission its expanded refinery in the 4Q of 2022, at which time it will become the only refiner of battery-grade cobalt sulfate in North America and the second-largest outside of China.

PlantX Life Inc has announced first-quarter 2022 gross revenue of C$4,089,705, an increase of $3,956,815 from the same period last year as demand for its plant-based products accelerated. The company also achieved a gross margin of 28% during the quarter, up from 23% in 4Q 2021.

( ) Ltd said diamond core drilling has restarted on its wholly-owned Risti and Launi properties in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in northern Finland. Exploration had been temporarily suspended at the sites while staff had a seasonal summer break. The now recommenced drill program is designed to test the continuity of the mineralized zones at the NW and Gap Zone targets.

Jack Nathan Medical Corp., a provider of primary care medical clinics located in WalmartSupercentres under the ( , ) (JNH) brand in Canada and Mexico, has announced the acquisition of its second medical clinic in British Columbia, Canada. This marks the companys seventh corporate-owned and operating medical clinic within the Walmart Canadian footprint. The newly acquired JNH medical clinic is located in the Walmart Supercentre in Courtenay, British Columbia and is within close proximity to its recently acquired medical clinic in Campbell River, as announced in June 2021. Through its growing network of medical practitioners, JNH will provide high-quality medical care to individuals and families and is open to walk-in patients during clinic hours.

( , ) Inc said it has broadened its existing agreement with a leading Canadian cannabis licensed producer (LP) to include custom manufacturing of cannabis products. The agreement, which is with one of the Top 5 Canadian LPs, includes pre-roll manufacturing and represents the largest contract for Valens in this category to date.

i-80 Gold Corp. has announced that assay results for the first hole drilled at its Granite Creek Property in Nevada confirmed the high-grade open-pit opportunity. In a statement, the company said hole iGM21-01, drilled from the bottom of the historic CX-Pit, intersected two zones of mineralization grading 3.17 grams per ton (g/t) Au over 7.5 meters (m) and 6.80 g/t Au over 51.1m. The hole was drilled for metallurgical purposes into the main structure below the pit (true widths unknown) and returned exceptional grades that appear to be oxide mineralization based on an average cyanide soluble to fire assay ratio of 0.94 over both intervals.

Empower Clinics Inc reported a massive jump in revenue during its second-quarter 2021 driven by its Kai Medical acquisition and its coronavirus (COVID-19) testing services. The healthcare company posted C$861,826 in 2Q revenue, a 1,005% increase from the C$85,775 it put up in the comparable year-ago quarter. Empowers net loss also narrowed to C$412,209 or $0.00 per share over the $501,419 figure it saw in 2Q 2020.

( ) has announced the appointment of its current chief technology officer (CTO) Ryan Melsert as its new CEO. The company - which is in the process of changing its name to American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) - said Melsert's appointment is part of a leadership transition to prioritize the company's technology development and commercialization efforts and to position the company for long-term growth. In a statement, Doug Cole, outgoing ABTC CEO commented: "Ryan and I have been working together closely over the past two years to set the direction of this company and to help evolve it to where it is today. Over the past few months, Ryan has increasingly taken over day-to-day leadership responsibilities including setting long-term company strategies, leading investor presentations, developing high-value strategic partnerships, and leading the recruiting and hiring of company executives. It is in the best interests of the company to formalize this leadership transition and to appoint him as company CEO, and I look forward to supporting this succession in every way needed going forward."

( , ) reported that it achieved its second-highest quarterly revenue to date. For its second quarter ended June 30, the company said it generated $651,516 in promotional services and product sales revenue, compared to $542,992 in the year-ago period. It finally feels like we are back to normal levels of business activity, said CEO Doug Janzen in a statement.

( ) said it has completed the acquisition of the Novo Group, Inc., a company that provides flexible talent acquisition to a wide array of customers, including life sciences, manufacturing, and consumer goods. In a statement, Evan Sohn, CEO of Recruiter.com commented: "We couldn't be more excited to bring the Novo Group to Recruiter.com, combining a trailblazing recruiting technology solutions platform with a leading-edge talent acquisition practice. Together, we'll define the future of recruiting, creating the on-demand and flexible experience that enables every employer to recruit talent and scale up and down with demand swiftly. The acquisition adds fuel to our rapidly growing on-demand recruiting segment, which already showed 88% sequential quarterly growth in the second quarter of 2021."

( , ) said Bell Media has ordered new seasons of popular factual television programs Highway Thru Hell, Heavy Rescue: 401 and Mud Mountain Haulers, through Thunderbirds unscripted division Great Pacific Media. The renewals were previously announced at the Bell Media Upfront, where each series is consistently among the most watched series on Discovery and its digital platforms, CTV.ca and the CTV app. Vancouver-based Thunderbird noted the three programs, represent nearly a decade of ground-breaking, adrenaline-filled Great Pacific Media content to air on the network.

PharmaDrug Inc. has announced that experienced pharma analyst and executive David Kideckel will be joining its board effective immediately. In a statement, Daniel Cohen, chairman and CEO of PharmaDrug, commented: "We are absolutely thrilled to add the expertise of a member of David's calibre to our Board of Directors. David's unique combination of experience in big pharma, biotech and investment banking ideally suits PharmaDrug as it increasingly shifts its focus to a biotech strategy. We look forward to David's guidance on all matters ranging from scientific to regulatory to capital markets." Kideckel joins PharmaDrug after nearly 20 years of combined industry and capital markets experience, most recently serving as Managing Director, Senior Institutional Equity Research Analyst at ATB Capital Markets. His industry experience spans several senior healthcare & biotechnology executive roles including at ( ) Inc. and ( ) (acquired by AstraZeneca).

Goldseek Resources Inc said it has received the maiden drill results from the 2021 program at the Bonanza property in Quebec. The precious metals explorer with properties in Quebec and Ontario used the data from the maiden drill to finalize its follow-up plans for the property. Paired with information from a soil survey conducted in 2020, the company is zeroing in on three targets. Target 2 and Target 3 have seen limited exploration and will be subject to a follow-up program, which will consist of a geological cartography survey and boulder prospecting to better determine the potential host of the previously defined soil anomalies.

( ) has announced that its VIE.bet esports betting brand has become official partners of SG esports, a Brazilian professional gaming organization. The company said SG esports will don the VIE logo as their primary jersey sponsor throughout the partnership, which includes The International 10 in October, with a prize pool of $40 million. In a statement, Bux Syed, director of VIE.bet said: "We are excited to announce this partnership with SG Esports. The organization and their team has done a great job qualifying for The International this October. We're looking forward to working closely with SG Esports to further expand our growth in Brazil and the rest of Latam."

( , ) announced that it has received Good Housekeepings Parenting Award for 2021 for its Plant-Based Completed Nutrition for Toddlers product. Else Toddler Nutrition was selected in the fan-favorite category for Balanced Baby Nutrition. The selection is conducted by a panel of scientists, editors, and parents, evaluating hundreds of products impacting US families and children. In a statement, Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO & co-founder of Else Nutrition commented: Were honored to get this further validation for our clean label, whole-food-based nutrition for Toddlers. To be selected by this distinguished panel, and to receive this accolade from such a reputed source is a great honor and endorsement."

( , ). said it has engaged Miles Rideout as its new vice president of Exploration. Rideout has 34 years of experience in advanced exploration practice, responsible business management, scientific team building, and mining integration with local communities and indigenous peoples. In a statement, Nikolaos Cacos, president and CEO of the company said: "I am extremely pleased to have Miles take a leading role in our technical team. His experience in South American lithium exploration and track record of discoveries brings the right skillset required for Argentina Lithium to achieve success. I feel confident that Argentina Lithium now has a formidable team in place to take our Company to the next level. I look forward to working closely with Miles to significantly grow Argentina Lithium."

( , ) Inc. said its chief medical officer, Dr Sonny Kohli has joined the IEEE SA Telehealth IC Working Groups, a new IEEE industrial connection program developing technical standards for novel telehealth technologies. As a global community, the IEEE SA Telehealth IC Working Groups will seek to create internationally applicable standards for telehealth and virtual care adoption. These standards will then be used by regulatory agencies like Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration to vet and approve the innovative new technologies to come. The chance to influence and inform the creation of global standards will allow ( , ) to have an even greater impact on the delivery of virtual care around the world, the company said.

Bam Resources Corp. said it has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to $1.9 million. The company will issue up to 20 million units at a purchase price of 9.5 cents per unit. Bam said it will use the proceeds from the placement toward exploration on its Majuba Hill property and general working capital.

( ) Company Ltd. said it has secured commitments with The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and The Royal ( ) to increase its revolving credit facility to US$125 million with the option to increase to US$150 million, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. In a statement, Elif Levesque, chief financial officer of Nomad, commented: "Scotia, CIBC and RBC continue to be strong financial partners to Nomad. The completion of the Increased Facility will provide us with additional financial flexibility as we grow our business through accretive opportunities." The increased facility will continue to be secured by all of the company's assets and will have a 4-year term, extendable through mutual agreement. Closing of the increased facility is expected in the third quarter of 2021 and is subject to completion of definitive documentation and satisfaction of conditions precedent customary for a financing of this nature. Nomad said it intends to use the increased facility for future royalty and stream acquisitions.

( , , ). has announced that Greg Johnson, a former director of the company, has been appointed to its advisory board. Johnson has over twenty-five years of international mining industry experience in corporate finance, project development, and exploration. He is CEO of ( , ) and has acted as a director of several Canadian listed development stage resource companies with assets in North America, South America and Africa. Johnson's previous roles include President and CEO of ( )., CEO of ( ), co-founder and executive at NovaGold Resources and senior roles in domestic and international exploration for Placer Dome Inc. (now Barrick Gold) including a key role in the discovery and advancement of the 40-million-ounce Donlin gold deposit in Alaska. The company also said that all resolutions proposed at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders (AGM) held on August 27, 2021, were passed and all directors standing for election were re-elected. The directors elected for the ensuing year were Kirill Klip, John Davies, and Konstantin Klip.

( , , ) said it has completed the spin-out of Graphano Energy Ltd. under the previously announced plan of arrangement, The company distributed 15,559,049 common shares of Graphano to shareholders of record of Manganese X common shares as of August 24, 2021 , on the basis of one Graphano Share for every eight shares of Manganese X held. In connection with the completion of the arrangement, the company also announced that the escrow release conditions have been satisfied in respect of Graphano's previously completed offering of subscription receipts for gross proceeds of $4,097,283, and the escrowed proceeds have been released to Graphano. As previously disclosed on August 16, 2021, Graphano has been conditionally approved to list its common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) under the symbol GEL, subject to Graphano's fulfilling all of the requirements of the TSXV. Graphano expects to satisfy the requirements in the coming weeks. Upon the closing of the arrangement, Graphano and Manganese X will be operating as separate companies with separate management teams and boards of directors.

( ). said t has amended its option agreements for its King Tut and Dunlop Bay properties. The remaining staged cash option payments of $300,000 under each agreement have been replaced with the issuance of 2,000,000 common shares for each agreement, for an aggregate issuance of 4,000,000 common shares. Upon the issuance of the shares, which is subject to the prior approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, the company will have earned a full 100% interest in each property. When issued, the shares will be subject to a four-month hold period. Robert Pryde, president of the Company, comments, "We are pleased to have consolidated our working interest on the King Tut and Dunlop Bay properties while retaining our working capital. We are currently working with our geoscience team at Laurentia to finalize our drilling program for the King Tut property with a view to commencing drilling operations in Q4 2021. With respect to Dunlop Bay we are initiating an extensive high-resolution airborne Drone Magnetics survey, evaluating and integrating historical data sets in order to initiate a drilling program in Q1, 2022." BMEX Gold also announced that it has granted 100,000 stock options to an officer of the company exercisable at $0.18 per share for a period of five years.

( , ) has provided an update with respect to the August 16, 2021 announcement by Captiva Verde Wellness Corp. of its unsolicited offer to buy all of the shares of Binovi . By virtue of Captiva's news release of August 19, 2021, the company has determined that the proposed offer by Capitva had been terminated. Between the offer date and the Capitva news release of August 19,2021, the company had no significant communications or diligence exchange with Capitva or any party representing Capitva and is not aware of any material fact or circumstances with respect to or in connection with the Capitva proposal or the cancellation thereof.

( ) said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation pertaining to a binding proposal of contract modification dated July 13, 2021, between the company and an arm's-length party (the vendor), whereby the company has acquired residual 49% interest in several mining claims in Peru and, as a result, the company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, will own 100% interest in the Jasperoide property. Under the terms of the agreement, the company has agreed to acquire the property in exchange for 25,001,540 common shares. Additionally, the vendor will retain a 2% net smelter royalty (NSR) on the property and the company has the right to 1% of it for US$1 million. The NSR replaced the previously granted 1.5% net smelter returns royalty that had no buyback provision.

( , ) said it has entered into an equity distribution agreement dated August 27, 2021, with B. Riley Securities, Inc. on behalf of itself and co-sales agent Spartan Capital Securities, whereby the company may, at its discretion and from time to time, sell up to US$50 million of common shares using 'at-the-market' (ATM) distributions. The ATM Program is being made by way of a prospectus supplement dated August 27, 2021, covering the sale of up to US$50 million of common shares to the company's existing US registration statement dated August 17, 2021, and Canadian short form base shelf prospectus dated April 19, 2021. Sales under the ATM Program will be commenced at the company's discretion, and the net proceeds of any sales are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including new product development and certifications, new product demonstration models, expansion of production capacity and general working capital. The company has no obligation to sell any common shares pursuant to the ATM program.

( , ) has noted a filing that shows its president, Suen Brent acquired 24,000 shares in the company at $3.21 per share on August 25, 2021, taking his holding of Logiq common shares to a total of 320,270.

( , ) Inc. said that that, under its Share Purchase Option Plan, it has granted annual incentive stock options to certain directors, officers, employees and a consultant to purchase up to an aggregate of 8,950,000 Class A common shares in the capital stock of GoviEx. The stock options are exercisable at a price of $0.245 per share and will vest 25% on the date of grant and thereafter, 25% on each anniversary of the date of grant until fully vested. The options expire on August 27, 2026.

( , ) said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a non-brokered private placement announced on July 8, 2021, and July 30, 2021, which will see the issue of 25,192,350 common shares at a purchase price of 13 cents per share, together with 12,596,175 share purchase warrants with an exercise price of 30 cents per share for a two-year period with 24 placees.

( , ) has advised that all $1,303,000 in principal amount of convertible debentures issued on April 07, 2021, and expiring July 07, 2022, have been extended to December 31, 2022. Upon conversion, the term of the underlying warrants has also been extended from January 07, 2023, to June 30, 2023. The company said it has also granted 25,000 stock options under the company's stock option plan to an employee. These options are exercisable at $0.17 and have a term of five years.

Kwesst Micro Systems Inc. said that effective at the opening on August 31, 2021, the 3,536,057 warrants of the company will commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange. The warrants were issued under the private placement of 3,536,057 units at a price of $1.25 per unit, which closed on April 29, 2021. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share at a price of $1.75 per share and will expire at 5pm. Eastern Time on April 29, 2023.

Eric Sprott has announced that, on August 29, 2021, 25,000,000 common share purchase warrant of ( , , ) - held by 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation he beneficially owns - expired unexercised representing a decrease in holdings of approximately 5.5% of the outstanding common shares on a partially diluted basis since the date of the last early warning report. Prior to the expiry of these Warrants, Sprott beneficially owned and controlled 68,300,000 shares and 25,000,000 warrants representing approximately 17.7% of the outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 22.7% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of such warrants. As a result of the warrant expiry, Sprott now beneficially owns and controls 68,300,000 shares representing approximately 17.7% of the issued and outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis. The warrants expiry resulted in a partially diluted ownership change of greater than 2% and, therefore, the filing of an update to the early warning report. The shares are held for investment purposes.

( , ) has said it will present at the H.C. Wainwright 23rd Annual Global Investment Conference, taking place virtually September 13-15, 2021. The company said its chief executive officer William Trainer is scheduled to participate in one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the event and will host a recorded virtual presentation that will be available starting on September 13, 2021, at 700am Eastern Time via the following link: https://journey.ct.events/view/f5813550-191c-4dab-beaf-2bc42650e51e. A live audio webcast and archive of the event presentation will be available using the same webcast link.

( , ) Corporation announced that it has filed its financial statements for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021, and accompanying Management Discussion and Analysis on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

( ) has announced that ., a diversified financial technology company that operates throughout the world through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, has qualified to trade its Series B Preferred stock on the OTCQX Best Market and has today upgraded its Series B Preferred stock from the OTC Pink market. The OTCQX Market provides investors with a premium US public market to research and trade the shares of investor-focused companies. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for companies, enabling them to demonstrate their qualifications and build visibility among US investors. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Joseph Cammarata, Investview's CEO commented: "In December of 2019 we established a new direction for . We have reduced our debt, increased our revenues, expanded our products and services, reached profitability, increased our cash position, and refocused the charter of the Company to FinTech and the global advancements it can provide. Our Preferred Shares not only pay a healthy 13% annual dividend, but we were the first company to offer Preferred Shareholders that hold their stock the ability to receive their dividends in USD, or in the digital currencies Bitcoin (BTC) and ndau. Investview  forging the future of FinTech."
Daniel Cohen, chairman and CEO of PharmaDrug, commented: "David's unique combination of experience in big pharma, biotech and investment banking ideally suits PharmaDrug as it increasingly shifts its focus to a biotech strategy"

Kideckel joins PharmaDrug after nearly 20 years of combined industry and capital markets experience, most recently serving as Managing Director, Senior Institutional Equity Research Analyst at ATB Capital Markets

PharmaDrug Inc. has announced that experienced pharma analyst and executive David Kideckel will be joining its board effective immediately.

In a statement, Daniel Cohen, chairman and CEO of PharmaDrug, commented: "We are absolutely thrilled to add the expertise of a member of David's calibre to our Board of Directors. David's unique combination of experience in big pharma, biotech and investment banking ideally suits PharmaDrug as it increasingly shifts its focus to a biotech strategy. We look forward to David's guidance on all matters ranging from scientific to regulatory to capital markets."

Kideckel joins PharmaDrug after nearly 20 years of combined industry and capital markets experience, most recently serving as Managing Director, Senior Institutional Equity Research Analyst at ATB Capital Markets. His industry experience spans several senior healthcare & biotechnology executive roles including at ( ) Inc. and ( ) (acquired by AstraZeneca).

Within Capital Markets, Kideckel was at the forefront of the biotech industry and was the sole Bay Street analyst to cover British-based GW Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals), the world leader in cannabinoid-derived pharmaceuticals. He also covered other Canadian and US Life Sciences staples such as ( ), Profound Medical, ( , ), and Willow Biosciences, where he was known for his thought leadership as well as his subsector expertise in FDA, EMA, and Health Canada regulations. Kideckel has a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto.

Under the terms and conditions of the company's stock option plan, the PharmaDrug board of directors has approved the grant of 750,000 stock options to Kideckel. The options expire five years from the date of grant and are exercisable at the greater of the closing price of today August 30 or of the previous trading day August 27, 2021. 250,000 of the options vest immediately and 500,000 of the options vest in one-half increments after 6 months and 12 months.

PharmaDrug is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of controlled-substances and natural medicines such as psychedelics, cannabis and naturally-derived approved drugs.

The company owns 100% of Pharmadrug Production GmbH, a German medical cannabis distributor, with a Schedule I European Union narcotics license and German EuGMP certification allowing for the importation and distribution of medical cannabis to pharmacies in Germany and throughout the EU.

It also owns 100% of Super Smart, a Dutch company building a modern adult-use psychedelic retail business with an elevated and educational focus. PharmaDrug recently acquired Sairiyo Therapeutics, a biotech company that specializes in researching and reformulating established natural medicines with a goal of bringing them through regulatory and research-driven clinical trials.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
The food company leased the 8,500 sq ft multi-purpose facility in January of 2021 with the goal of using the facility to educate and promote plant-based lifestyles

Currently Boosh offers six frozen meals and has recently expanded into the refrigerated section with three new products

( , ) said it has completed refurbishing its studio kitchen space located at its greater Vancouver headquarters.

The food company leased the 8,500 square foot multi-purpose facility in January of 2021 with the goal of using the facility to educate and promote plant-based lifestyles.

Prior to completing the studio kitchen, Boosh built out various aspects of the facility which include corporate offices, dry storage, freezer and refrigerated areas, and its studio which includes its filming kitchen and formal interview areas.

The studio kitchen utilizes commercial grade equipment including cameras, lighting, software, and hardware. Boosh has also retained a consultant to aid in filming and post production.

Boosh plans to use the studio to host interviews and guest appearances from local chefs, vegan athletes, and other trailblazers in the plant-based world.

The completed videos and interviews will allow us to grow our online following and share our knowledge of adopting a plant-based lifestyle with individuals that may wish to learn more about alternative, plant-based eating styles, read the statement.

One of the first series viewers can look forward to watching is Cooking with Boosh. Described as an extended series that will show customers how to use the companys range of products to create healthy, nutritionally-based meals.

Boosh will also use its staple items, such as "Good Gravy" to showcase the versatility of the product line by featuring a range of recipes that can use one or more Boosh products.

Additionally, Boosh will be presenting "Veggie Hacks" which will be 15 to 30 second spots with unique, quality oriented plant-based recipes.

Some of the recipes featured here will include: Fiery Szechwan green beans, ginger agave glazed carrots, garlic cashew cream alfredo and smokey stuffed portobellos.

Haley Bellet, the companys in-house nutritionist will also host a program called "Mind-Full of Health with Haley. Bellet will share her tips and advice for leading a productive, healthy, and balanced focused life.

"I studied to be a nutritionist and continued to grow my knowledge as the Wellness Manager at Nature's Fare market where I helped people take charge of their personal journey to heal and love, through healthy food choices, supplementation, and other modalities," Bellet said in the company statement.

"Nature's Fare was one of the first places you could find delicious Boosh meals which is how I was introduced to Boosh and am absolutely delighted to be part of this amazing, forward thinking, plant loving team," she added.

Currently Boosh offers six frozen meals which are sold throughout Canada, and has recently expanded into the refrigerated section with three new products.

Contact the writer at georgia@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @MissInformd
The company is in the process of determining which strains may be sold as dried bulk flower and for use in extracts

Its Mimosa strain tested for a THC level of 21.17%, with accompanying CBD and moisture levels appropriate for the sample

Agra Ventures Ltd has received the test results from the four successful batches that comprise the recent crop of cannabis grown and harvested at its Delta greenhouse complex.

The company said it submitted five strain samples  Mimosa, Motor Breath, Purple Punch, Rogue Gelato, and Thrive  to an independent, Ontario-based laboratory to test each one for THC content, CBD content, and moisture level.

For the Mimosa strain, as an example, the THC level was reported to be 21.17%, with accompanying CBD and moisture levels appropriate for the sample.

Subject to changing supply and demand dynamics in the market-based pricing environment, Agra said it is in the process of determining which strains may be sold as dried bulk flower and for use in extracts -- these determinations are expected to be made in the near term and are also currently subject to ongoing negotiations with third parties.

As previously announced, all crop sales will be made on a wholesale business-to-business basis to a Canadian licensed producer of cannabis until such a time that the company is in possession of a sales license from Health Canada.

The company said it expects to provide an update on the sale of the crop, in whole or in part, at its earliest convenience, which may be subject to certain limitations for competitive or confidentiality reasons depending on each counterparty.

Meanwhile, Agra has announced that it has recently engaged Michael Chyczij as its Master Growing Consultant.

Based in Vancouver, Chyczij has been engaged for an initial term of six months to assist with the development of Boundary Bay Cannabis products at the Delta greenhouse complex, the company said.

Chyczij was also instrumental in the development of an in-depth education and training program for Canna Cabana  one of Canadas leading retailers of recreational cannabis. From 2019-2021, Agra said he worked with Mount Royal University as an instructor and course developer, while also sitting on the advisory board for the faculty of Continuing Education, with a focus on commercial cannabis cultivation.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Tocvan Ventures CEO Derek Wood joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has completed their Phase 2 drill program which consisted of 20 holes at the Pilar Project in Mexico. The company saw Main Zone Expansion, 30m to the northwest and 150m to the southeast. The company was also able to define a new mineralized trend over a 500-metre strike in the trench zone.

Wood shares with Proactive more about their busy summer program and what they plan on doing at Pilar this fall.
The Toronto-based company pulled in $91,660 in revenue versus $16.597 in the 1Q of 2021

Looking ahead, the company is targeting the massive Mexican and Spanish protected agricultural markets as well as expanding its footprint in the Canadian cannabis market

CO2 GRO Inc reports that it generated record revenue for its second quarter.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2021, the Toronto-based company said it pulled in $91,660 in revenue versus $16.597 in 1Q 2021 thanks to increases in commercial feasibilities and sales of its flagship CO2 Delivery Solutions systems.

CO2 GRO also said it signed $50,625 worth of purchase orders that will be recognized as revenues when its CO2 Delivery Solution systems are installed and operating.

The company said it sold five systems for commercial installations to the cannabis industry in Canada and the US. It also said four commercial feasibilities were signed as well.

To date for 2021, CO2 GRO said it has signed 14 commercial feasibilities, including three in the current 3Q, in North America, the UK, Israel, Malaysia, Colombia, France, South Africa, The Netherlands, and Japan.

Looking ahead, the company is targeting the massive Mexican and Spanish protected agricultural markets -- as well as expanding its footprint in the Canadian cannabis market.

The commercial feasibility and sales activity in Q2 is very encouraging as is the accelerated activity in Q3 to date, said CEO John Archibald in a statement. These commercial feasibilities represent a pool of potential CO2 Delivery Solutions system sales as each commercial feasibility is completed.

Archibald added: For the balance of 2021, we expect more Canadian Cannabis market direct sales where our technology is being well accepted and our first vegetable greenhouse sales resulting from commercial feasibilities initiated in 2020. Over time, we believe that CO2 Delivery Solutions technology will become the industry standard for carbon to be efficiently added to plants. The global protected Ag facility market is 600 billion square feet. Of this market approximately 99% cannot use CO2 gassing but can use CO2 Delivery Solutions to significantly enhance their crop yields and suppress micro pathogens resulting in improved yields and profitability."

The companys system creates a saturated CO2 solution that when misted onto plants provides growers that cannot gas with CO2 the opportunity to increase plant yields by up to 30% and profits by up to 100%.

Applying saturated CO2 also suppresses the development of pathogens such as E.coli and powdery mildew, helping to reduce crop losses.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
Thesis Gold CEO Ewan Webster joined Steve Darling from Proactive to share news the company has released results from their drilling program at the Ranch Gold Property in Northern British Columbia. The company confirming consistency with historical high-grade drill intercepts and is exhibiting sulphide and visible gold.

Webster talks more about their drill program goals and also the fact they have added another diamond drill to moving forward.
Aden : , Aug 30 (IANS) The death toll from Houthi-fired ballistic missiles that struck a strategic air base of Yemen's government forces in the southern province of Lahj climbed to 40, local officials said on Sunday.

An official of Lahj's local authority told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the Houthi rebel group launched a coordinated attack using three ballistic missiles and two explosive-laden drones against the government forces stationed at the Anad military air base in Lahj, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"Soldiers of the 3rd Giants Brigades were struck by three ballistic missiles while they were gathering for morning military training exercises inside the large air base of Anad," he said.

"Another two explosive-laden drones targeted other government soldiers while they were having their breakfast inside the same air base," he added.

More than 40 soldiers, including senior officers, of the pro-government Giants Brigades forces were killed and nearly 70 others were left injured by the Houthi coordinated attack in Lahj, according to the official.

Another official of pro-government Yemeni forces said that "the Houthis used their intelligence agents to plan this deadly attack against the government forces and exploited a lack of air defences in the area." He said that a number of previous Houthi missile attacks were carried out against the strategic Anad air base during the past period.

A medical official of Lahj's health department said that the medical centres and hospitals in Lahj were overwhelmed by the number of injured soldiers following the Houthi attack.

"The hospitals are now fully crowded with scores of injured soldiers amid lack of medical equipment to save their lives," said the health official.

He urged the Yemeni government and the local humanitarian organizations to intervene and help the medical teams in coping with the large number of injured soldiers.

Witnesses said that a series of huge explosions rocked the Anad air base and plumes of smoke covered the area.

The Anad airbase, which is located 60 km to the north of Aden, is considered as the largest military airbase in Yemen. Forces of the Saudi-led coalition are using military bases including Anad air base in Lahj for training hundreds of newly-recruited Yemeni government soldiers to fight the Houthi militia.

Yemen's internationally-backed government, allied with the Saudi-led Arab military coalition, has for about seven years been battling the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for control of the impoverished Arab country.
Tokyo, Aug 30 : Japan's Okinawa prefectural government said it suspended inoculation at a mass Covid-19 vaccination site after another batch of Moderna Inc. jabs was found to be contaminated.

The decision on Sunday came after previous contaminated Moderna shots were halted from use, reports xinhua news agency.

Before black and pink substances were found in a vial and three syringes during pre-inoculation inspections, over 1,500 people were waiting to receive shots at the vaccination site in Naha a day earlier.

The prefectural government said that the syringes were filled with vaccines from three different vials, which are also separate from the vial containing the substances, meaning a total of four vials may have been polluted.

These vials belong to the same lot number, 3005293, which is different from three other lot numbers identified by Japan's health ministry as potentially contaminated doses on August 26.

Approximately 880 people received shots under this lot number at the vaccination site. The local government said that so far it has not received any reports of health issues.

The Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry said on August 27 that foreign substances have been found in 39 unused vials at eight vaccination sites in five prefectures.

On the same day, about 1.63 million doses that came from the same production line of a Spanish factory were suspended to use as a precaution.

The contaminant problem happened amid a spike in Covid-19 infections in Japan, with Okinawa and 20 other prefectures, out of the total 47, under a state of emergency.

The Okinawa government said the mass vaccination site will resume inoculation on Monday with safe jabs.
Bengaluru, Aug 30 : Karnataka government is all set to reopen primary schools in the state, as no untoward incident in connection with Covid-19 infection was reported from across the state. A final decision will be taken in the Technical Expert Committee meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, scheduled to be held on Monday.

The state government reopened schools from Class 8 to 12 last week. Since, there is no case of spread of Covid in any of the schools, the government is said to be keen on opening primary schools, i.e., Class 1 to 8 in the districts which are registering less than 2 per cent of Covid positivity in consultation with the experts.

The move of the government to reopen primary schools has generated debate and concerns among parents as the neighbouring states of Kerala and Maharashtra continue to record a higher number of cases.

The state education department buoyed by the success of reopening of high schools and pre university classes is planning to reopen the remaining classes. Now, the ball is in the court of the Chief Minister Bommai and a decision will be taken on Monday, according to sources.

Education Minister B.C. Nagesh has stated that, once the government gives green signal for reopening of primary schools, a decision will be taken.

However, sources in the health department said that the Expert Committee might recommend Classes 5-7 to operate initially and later a decision will be taken regarding the reopening of remaining lower classes.

Recognised Unaided Private Schools Association (RUPSA) President Halanuru S. Lepaksha stated that the government should consider reopening primary schools as Covid rate in the state has come down drastically. "Otherwise we will protest," he warned.

Sources in the education department said that the officers are instructed to come up with a report on pros and cons of reopening schools for primary class children in the state. The report is also sought on the situation in bordering districts. Sources in the health and education department said the government will come up with guidelines on reopening of primary schools.
Mumbai, Aug 30 : Token festivities marked the birthday of Lord Krishna -- celebrated as 'Janmashtami' and 'Dahi-Handi' -- owing to rains in most parts of Maharashtra coupled with the Covid-19 restrictions recommended by the Centre, for the second consecutive year here on Monday.

Scores of Krishna Temples in Mumbai, including the ISKCON Temples at Girgaum and Juhu were decorated with bright lights, flowers, the deities sporting brand new attires, though there were no devotees present for the celebrations on account of the Covid-19 protocols.

However, most temples have organised live 'aartis', online 'darshan' and donations and other facilities for devotees to celebrate the festival from their homes safely, as the Corona 'third wave' could be lurking close.

Protesting the continuous closure of temples and other places of worship, the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party launched a 'shankhnaad' agitation all over the state demanding reopening of the temples.

Many BJP activists in Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Aurangabad and other districts, priests, women devotees and others slammed the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, raising slogans, carrying black placards and posters, for deliberately trampling upon peoples' religious sentiments by keeping temples and other worship places shut.

The BJP agitation came barely four days after the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan's missive to the Maharashtra government asking it to curb crowded festivities for the Dahi-Handi and Ganeshotsav festivals, both mega-crowd pullers in view of the potential threats from the Covid-19 'third wave'.

The state Health Minister Rajesh Tope has already warned that the third wave could be a possible 'Tsunami' over 6-million (60-Lakh) cases in the state, or triple the figures notched in the first wave in 2020, and higher than the figures recorded in the first and second waves.

In view of the potential threats sounded by the Centre and the state, the Congress Spokesperson Sachin Sawant has attacked the BJP for once again "playing temple politics", and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar warned that even the 'Jan Ashirwad Yatras' could lead to a surge in Covid cases.

Some BJP activists alleged that while the shutters were downed on temples, other places of worship like mosques or churches were allowed to function as the MVA government wanted to appease minorities and threatened to forcibly enter temples.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- Syndicated from IANS
Sanaa, Aug 30 : At least 12 Houthi rebels were killed when Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit two pick-up vehicles in Rahabah district in Yemen's central province of Marib, a Ymilitary source at the scene said.

The coalition airstrikes came as the Yemeni troops were advancing from two directions towards Al-Sadara mountain, the last rebel bastion in the southwestern district, the source told Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

Fighting between the Yemeni army and the Houthi rebels also raged on in the neighbouring districts of Jabal Murad and Sirwah.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported 15 coalition airstrikes against the Houthi positions in those districts in the last 24 hours, without providing more details.

The Houthis began in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province, the government's last northern stronghold.

The UN 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 Iran-backed Houthi group seized control of much of the country's north and forced the internationally recognised 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.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted the people on the occasion of Janmashtami.

In a message, President Kovind said, "On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all the fellow citizens living in India and abroad." "The Janmashtami is a festival to dedicate ourselves to the life and teachings of Lord Shri Krishna. This festival is also an occasion to spread the message of Lord Shri Krishna that emphasised the virtue of righteousness, truthfulness and more on duty than reward. May this festival inspire us to assimilate all these eternal values," Kovind said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said: "Greetings to you all on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami." The Vice President Naidu also greeted the nation. "I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami," Naidu said.

He further stated: "Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, who is worshipped as Lord Vishnu's eighth incarnation. Lord Krishna's eternal message, as expounded in the Bhagwad Gita, to discharge our duties with sincerity and without attachment to the outcomes, has been a source of inspiration for all of mankind.

"On this auspicious day, let us all resolve to perform our duties with utmost sincerity and to walk the path of righteousness," Naidu said.

Naidu appealed to the citizens to celebrate the festival in a modest manner strictly adhering to Covid appropriate behaviour.

"While Janmashtami is usually celebrated across the country with great traditional fervour, we need to be cautious this year in light of the pandemic and celebrate the festival in a modest manner, strictly adhering to COVID-appropriate behaviour. May this Janmashtami bring peace, harmony and prosperity in our country," Naidu added.

In view of the pandemic, the Delhi Police have asked the people to celebrate Janmashtami at homes and warned that those found violating Covid guidelines would face action.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Ahead of Congress General Secretary Harish Rawat's visit to Punjab to de-escalate tension between the two factions, the Navjot Singh Sidhu's camp has opened a front against Rawat and challenged his statement on Amarinder.

In a statement, Punjab Congress General Secretary Pargat Singh had posed a challenge that Harish Rawat should tell when it was decided that Punjab elections will be fought under the leadership of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

"Election will be fought under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," Pargat Singh said.

Harish Rawat had met Rahul Gandhi on Saturday and briefed him about the situation there which has arisen after the statement of Navjot Singh Sidhu.

Rawat is scheduled to visit Punjab in a day or two and will talk to Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and state president Navjot Singh Sidhu and sort out the issues arising out of the differences between the two leaders.

Rawat had on Friday met interim President Sonia Gandhi and apprised her of the situation in the state.

"Punjab situation is under control... I have apprised her about the situation in the state," he told reporters after the meeting.

Sidhu speaking at a party function in Amritsar last week had said, "If he is allowed to work according to his own policy of hope and faith, he will ensure the Congress rule in the state for 20 years.

"But if you won't let me take decisions, eint naal eint bi kharkaonga (it will be disastrous for the party). There's no point in becoming a showpiece," Sidhu had said without mincing words.

Speaking about the Punjab model, Sidhu said, "Punjab model means people make policies for trade, industry and power. Giving power back to the people." The meeting happened in wake of some "rebel" MLAs seeking time from Sonia Gandhi to press for the removal of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

Rawat has been facing a tough task to balance both sides in Punjab as Sidhu and Amarinder Singh are at loggerheads.

Meanwhile, Amarinder Singh's confidante and Cabinet minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi hosted a dinner at his residence on Thursday.

A total of 58 MLAs and eight MPs attended the dinner and expressed confidence that the party would win the 2022 polls under the leadership of Amarinder Singh. "The journey has started today," Sodhi informed in a tweet.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : An Ayurvedic poly-herbal formulation, NEERI-KFT, has the potential to not only slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease but also restore normalcy in functional parameters of the vital organ, a team of researchers has claimed.

In a review published in the latest edition of Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, they said "phytopharmacological evaluation of NEERI-KFT suggests that it exhibits substantial potential against oxidative and inflammatory stress induced apoptosis by exerting antioxidant, nephroprotective and immunomodulatory effects...in the patients associated with renal dysfunction or chronic kidney disease (CKD)".

The NEERI-KFT, a herbal medicine extracted from plants, has been found to correct oxidative as well as inflammatory stress known for reducing body's immunity, said the authors after drawing data on the formulation for kidney ailments from more than five electronic databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, Springer, ACS publication from published database between 2000 and 2020.

The study, 'A systematic review on nephroprotective AYUSH drugs as constituents of NEERI-KFT' not only examined the impact of the herbal extract of NEERI-KFT prepared by the AIMIL Pharma interventions on patients, but also dwelled in detail the adverse events of the modern medicine used for the management of the kidney ailments.

The study also highlighted the herbal drug's efficacy in reducing "serum creatinine, blood urea, and serum uric acid as compared to placebo group" and described "its well-tolerated effect with no adverse hematological or biochemical abnormalities occurred to any subjects during clinical trial".

"It can be suggested that NEERI-KFT can be an alternative and complementary therapy at end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or complete loss of kidney function where frequent dialysis of renal transplant remains only a single option for continued survival CKD patients," researchers said.

K.K. Sharma, AIMIL Pharma Managing Director, attributed this to the "more than 20 different potent herbs like haridra, varuna, shirish, gokhru, punarnava and anantamul to name a few in the formulation which are known for their nephro corrective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and reparative regeneration of kidney cells.

It was after a string of stringent tests that this formulation has been developed to provide relief to kidney patients, he said.

K.N. Dwivedi from Banaras Hindu University said the herbal ingredients in NEERI-KFT are loaded with many anti-oxidants besides medicinal values which not only strengthen kidney but liver also.

"This is a very unique drug and we have found it very effective in our study also," he added.
Singapore, Aug 30 : Singapore must change gears from drawing down reserves to supporting people's livelihood to generating new growth, jobs and prosperity for the future, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

While delivering the National Day Rally 2021 speech on Sunday, Lee said Singapore must now refocus on the future, reports Xinhua news agency.

The city-state needs to preserve its status as a business hub, attract more foreign investments, and grow Singapore companies and entrepreneurs, so as to sustain longer term growth, he said.

According to Lee, it is important for Singapore to open up soon and allow more people to travel in and out of Singapore in a safe way.

That is because the staff of many multinational corporations (MNCs), which use Singapore as their regional base and Singapore's businessmen need to fly in and out of the country to visit operations in other countries.

"If our borders stay closed for too long, MNCs will find us less useful, Singaporean businesses also will suffer, and our economy will be permanently damaged," the Prime Minister said.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry announced earlier this month that it upgraded Singapore's GDP growth forecast for 2021 to 6-7 per cent from 4-6 per cent.

Lee said in his speech that the Ministry is more confident because the global economy is picking up.

"The US and China are growing strongly, and Europe is also recovering," he said.

"These are our major markets."
Chennai, Aug 30 : Tamil Nadu has enforced strict monitoring at its borders with Kerala for people entering the state after the latter recorded 29,836 Covid-19 positive cases, with a positivity rate of 19.67 per cent.

The Tamil Nadu health department officials along with the police are monitoring the borders at Kaliyakkavilai near Nagercoil and in Walayar adjoining Coimbatore district.

The officials and the police are verifying the Covid-19 vaccination certificates or a negative RT-PCR certificate taken within 72 hours of the journey.

Several people from Kerala were sent back at the Walayar border after they failed to present the certificates.

The state government has issued guidelines mandating the travelers from Kerala to present either a two-dose fully vaccinated certificate or a negative RT-PCR certificate taken 72 hours within the journey.

According to officials at the Walayar check post, more than 3000 people reached the border on Sunday alone to enter into the state, out of which several were sent back after failing to provide the mandatory certificates.

After the Onam holidays, a large number of people are returning to Tamil Nadu from Kerala and most of thm have not adhered to the guidelines, officials said.

Rajalakshmi, a software developer from Palakkad who was returning to Coimbatore, her workplace, after the Onam holidays said: "As we had all the mandatory certificates with us, there was no trouble in getting into the state, but we saw several people from Kerala being sent back as they failed to provide the necessary documents. If a state has put such a guideline, we should be equipped with that. So if people don't provide the required certificates, naturally they would be sent back and this was what witnessed at Walayar." However, the police said that there were no scuffles or issues with the people and those who were not able to produce the certificates went back without much complaining.

Kerala has been recording Covid-19 fresh cases of around 30,000 for the past several days and the number of fatalities per day is also increasing.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister, Ma. Subramanian while speaking to IANS said: "We are safeguarding the people of Tamil Nadu by strict monitoring as mandated in the guidelines prepared by our health experts. There is stringent checking at all borders."
Mumbai, Aug 30 : Share of telecom major Bharti Airtel surged on Monday on the back of the company's plan to raise Rs 21,000 crore through rights issue.

Its shares on the BSE surged 2.5 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 609.25 per share.

Around 11.45 a.m., its shares were trading at Rs 603.00, higher by Rs 9.05 or 1.52 per cent from its previous close.

On Sunday, Bharti Airtel's Board of Directors approved the raising of up to Rs 21,000 crore through a rights issue.

The issue price has been fixed at Rs 535 per fully paid-up equity share, including a premium of Rs 530 per share.

"The board approved the issuance of equity shares of face value of Rs 5 each of the company on rights basis to eligible equity shareholders of the company as on the record date (to be notified later), of an Issue size of up to Rs 21,000 crore," the company said in a regulatory filing.

It noted that at the meeting held on Sunday, the board comprehensively reviewed the industry scenario, business environment, and the financial and business strategy of the company and approved the company's plan to raise further capital.

The terms of payment of issue price will be 25 per cent on application and balance in two more additional calls as may be decided by the board or the committee of the board from time to time based on the company's requirements within an overall time-horizon of 36 months.

The rights entitlement ratio will be 1 equity share for every 14 equity shares held by eligible shareholders as on the record date.

Further the board has also constituted a 'Special Committee of Directors' to decide the other terms and conditions of the issue including issue period and the record date.

The promoter and promoter group of the company will collectively subscribe to the full extent of their aggregate rights entitlement. In addition, they will also subscribe to any unsubscribed shares in the issue.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : "It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it," General Douglas MacArthur, the legendary World War II military commander, had once famously declared. This is a bitter pill that Washington has had to swallow twice in the past half century as the Taliban swept into Kabul on August 15, two weeks before the US was to end its 20-year occupation of Afghanistan in what was euphemistically termed the Global War on Terror in the wake of the 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Centre.

But then, there were portends of the capitulation of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police, trained by US and NATO forces, as far back as 15 years ago with innumerable instances of fratricide against their benefactors, rampant corruption and even ghost soldiers as a new book details sordid stories of beneficiaries becoming foes of their benefactors and in fact, being hand-in-glove with the Taliban all along.

There were "basic flaws that undermined the effort in Afghanistan. In a jarring disconnect, the United States and its allies could not agree whether they were actually fighting a war in Afghanistan, engaged in a peacekeeping operation, leading a training mission, or doing something else. The distinctions were important because some NATO allies were only authorised to engage in combat in self-defence", Craig Whitlock of the Washington Post writes in "The Afghanistan Papers - A Secret History Of The War" (Simon & Schuster) that details how three successive Presidents, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, and their military commanders deceived the public year after year about the longest war in American history.

The two decades of conflict is estimated to have cost the US taxpayer a staggering $2 trillion, of which the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR), created at the behest of Congress, identified at least $15.5 billion in "waste, fraud and abuse" from 2008 through 2017 - representing almost 30 per cent of the $52.7 billion in public spending that it studied.

Of the $15.5 billion, $3.5 billion is associated with 643 instances of waste, fraud and abuse, including bribes, kickbacks, theft and other unlawful acts ranging from $6,800 to $1 million. This includes $486 million for the procurement of 20 aircraft for the Afghan Air Force, which "did not meet operational requirements" and 16 of which "were sold and scrapped in Afghanistan for approximately 6 cents a pound; $335 million for the construction of a power plant that has been operating at less than one percent of its capacity since construction; and $129 million in overbillings by a contractor".

The additional $12 billion, the SIGAR Report states, is attributable to: $4.7 billion spent on "stabilization programs" from that were "largely unsuccessful in building and reforming government institutions"; and $7.3 billion spent on counternarcotics programmes that "have done very little to stem the production and exportation of illicit drugs".

The cost in terms of lives lost has been enormous: nearly 2,500 US service members and 4,000 civilian contractors killed; more than 66,000 Afghan military and personnel killed; and, by a conservative estimate, 47,600 civilians killed and double the number injured.

Unlike the wars in Vietnam and Iraq, the US invasion of Afghanistan had near unanimous public support so "how had the war degenerated into a stalemate with no realistic prospect for an enduring victory", Whitlock asks.

"The United States and its allies had initially crushed the Taliban and al-Qaeda in 2001. What went wrong? No one had conducted a thorough public accounting of the strategic failures or provided an unsparing explanation of how the campaign fell apart.

"To this day, there has been no Afghanistan version of the 9/11, which had held the government responsible for its inability to prevent the worst terrorist attack on American soil. Nor has Congress convened an Afghanistan version of the Fulbright Hearings, when senators aggressively questioned the war in Vietnam. With so many people from both parties responsible for a multitude of errors, few political leaders have wanted to assign or accept blame," Whitlock writes.

Ironically enough, the answers came from the interviews of hundreds of participants that SIGAR had conducted for a project titled Lessons Learned which was intended to diagnose policy failures in Afghanistan so that the US would not repeat the same mistakes in the future.

In September 2016, SIGAR published watered down versions of the interviews and The Washington Post had to file two federal lawsuits to compel it to release the documents in toto. After a three-year legal battle, SIGAR finally disclosed more than 2,000 pages of previously unpublished notes of interviews with 428 people who played a direct role in the war, from generals and diplomats to aid workers and Afghan officials.

At first, the goals in Afghanistan were straightforward and clear: to defeat Al Qaeda and prevent a repeat of 9/11. Yet soon after the US and its allies removed the Taliban from power, the mission veered off course and US officials lost sight of their original objectives. Distracted by the war in Iraq, the US military became mired in an unwinnable guerrilla conflict in a country it did not understand. But no president wanted to admit failure, especially in a war that began as a just cause. Instead, the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations sent more and more troops to Afghanistan and repeatedly said they were making progress, even though they knew there was no realistic prospect for an outright victory.

Just as the "Pentagon Papers" changed the public's understanding of Vietnam, "The Afghanistan Papers" contains startling revelation after revelation from people who played a direct role in the war. In unvarnished language, they admit that the US government's strategies were a mess, that the nation-building project was a colossal failure, and that drugs and corruption gained a stranglehold over their allies in the Afghan government.

All told, the account is based on interviews with more than 1,000 people who knew that the US government was presenting a distorted, and sometimes entirely fabricated, version of the facts on the ground. Documents unearthed by The Washington Post reveal that President Bush didn't know the name of his Afghanistan war commander and didn't want to make time to meet with him. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld admitted he had "no visibility into who the bad guys are". His successor, Robert Gates, said: "We didn't know jack s**t about Al Qaeda". "The Afghanistan Papers" is a shocking account that will supercharge a long overdue reckoning over what went wrong and forever change the way the conflict is remembered.

"Many of those interviewed described explicit and sustained efforts by the US government to deliberately mislead the public. They said officials at military headquarters in Kabul - and at the White House - routinely distorted statistics to make it appear the United States was winning the war when that was plainly not the case.

"Astonishingly, commanding generals admitted they had tried to fight the war without a functional strategy.

"Other officials said the United States flubbed the war from the start, committing mis-steps on top of miscalculations on top of misjudgements," Whitlock writes.

"This book does not aim to provide an exhaustive record of the US war in Afghanistan. Nor is it a military history that dwells on combat operations. Rather, it is an attempt to explain what went wrong and how three consecutive presidents and their administrations failed to tell the truth," he adds.

Spanish philosopher George Santayana (1863-1952) summed it up quite succinctly: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

(Vishnu Makhijani can be reached at vishnu.makhijani@ians.in)
Mumbai, Aug 30 : There could be a change in the medal positions in Sunday's men's Discus throw F52 at Tokyo 2020 as the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is reviewing the results of the event following an appeal.

India's Vinod Kumar had won a bronze medal in this category with a throw of 19.91, an Asian record. Piotr Kosewicz of Poland won gold with 20.92 metres and Velimir Sandor of Croatia took silver with a throw of 19.98 metres.

The IPC and Tokyo 2020 organising committee posted a notification on their websites on Monday morning informing that the results in men's Discus Throw - F52 are under review.

Such a review could mean either elevation or downgrading of a medallist.

Though the IPC usually does not give details of such a review process till a final decision is reached, such a review is normally conducted in case of an appeal filed by one of the participants over the classification status of one of the medallists.

The classification system for para-sport is quite controversial with a large number of categories for sportspersons with unique impairments.

There are 10 impairment groups in the Paralympics: eight involve physical impairments, and the other groupings are for visual and intellectual impairments.

There are always doubts about the classification as the unique differences in disabilities of athletes lead to doubts that one is getting an unfair advantage over others.

There have been doubts about people exaggerating their impairments to get into a specific classification.
Washington, Aug 30 : US drug maker Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine is likely to get authorisation for providing vaccines to children aged between 5 to 12 by October, according to Scott Gottlieb, former head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Currently of the three Covid-19 vaccines used in the US, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been granted the emergency use authorisation for children aged 12 and older.

Pfizer along with Moderna and Johnson and Johnson are conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in children under 12.

Results of the Pfizer vaccine for children are expected in September.

"Pfizer will be in a position to file data with the FDA at some point next month, and then submit its application to expand its emergency use authorisation for its vaccine in children 5 years and older as early as October," Gottlieb was quoted as saying in an interview on CBS News on Sunday.

"The agency (FDA) will be in a position to make an authorisation, I believe, at some point, late fall, probably early winter.

"And probably they're going to base their decision on what the circumstances around the country, what the urgency is to get to a vaccine for kids," Gottlieb, who is also a member of Pfizer's board of directors, told CBC News.

Pfizer has also been conducting clinical trials of its Covid-19 shot in children ages 2 and older. The results will be available in November.

If the FDA authorises Pfizer's vaccine in kids between the ages of 5 and 11 in November or early December, "that, again, puts you on a timeframe that you could start rolling out these vaccinations before the end of the year", Gottlieb noted.

Vaccinating younger children against Covid would be crucial as the highly contagious Delta variant is driving cases, particularly among the children.

According to Gottlieb, there are roughly 300 kids being hospitalised each day with Covid-19, and infection rates among children have spiked with schools reopening.

The two "best things" schools can do, Gottlieb said, is testing students twice a week and keeping them in geographic or social pods to cut down on intermingling among the full student body.

Gottlieb also advocated for students to wear face masks and schools to improve ventilation, as well as vaccinated those who are currently eligible.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Tel Aviv, Aug 30 : Israel has announced the cancelation of the full quarantine obligation for passengers arriving from most countries, the Ministry of Health said.

The decision will take effect on September 3, and will apply to vaccinated and recovered passengers only, the Ministry announced on Sunday.

However, it will not include the four countries for which Israel has issued a travel ban, which are Bulgaria, Mexico, Turkey and Brazil, Xinhua news agency.

Those landing from the four countries will still have to immediately enter a full seven-day quarantine.
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 30 : Most of the Congress leaders in Kerala are showing their dissatisfaction after the party high command put out a list of 14 district Congress Committee presidents. Even though two have been suspended, the outbursts from others continued on Monday also.

The list of the 14 surfaced late Saturday night, and out came the daggers. It was a free for all with everyone washing dirty linen in the public.

So far two top Congress leaders, a two time legislator K.Sivadasan Nair, and senior party leader who is the outgoing organisational general secretary of the Kerala unit -- K.P. Anilkumar have been suspended in a jiffy by State party chief K.Sudhakaran for their outbursts.

Incidentally trouble began in the Kerala unit of the party ever since contrary to what has been the practice, the party high command came down heavy when they decided enough is enough of the way the faction managers -- two time Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and veteran outgoing Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala for the past two decades used to share all the posts between themselves.

Putting an end to their hegemony, the high command stepped in soon after the April 6 Assembly results saw the Congress being defeated by Pinarayi Vijayan for the second time in a row.

Soon after Vijayan took over, the Congress high command stepped in and announced Sudhakaran as the new party president and V.D. Satheesan as the new leader of opposition, making its intentions clear that it will no longer succumb to the arm twisting tactics of the faction managers.

Since then the once sparring Chandy -Chennithala duo buried their differences and have decided to work together. But contrary to their expectations, the second and third line Congress leaders seeing the writing on the wall, much to the surprise of the two senior leaders, decided to move where the power in the party is located and took their position alongside Sudhakaran and Satheesan.

A media critic on condition of anonymity said the biggest mistake that Chandy and Chennithala made is they underestimated their own once faithfuls.

"Two decades back, when Chandy took over as the undisputed leader of the party, after legendary K. Karunakaran's position became weak in the party, till a few months had reigned supreme. But following the poll debacle, aspiring Congress lower level leaders felt that it would not be in their best interest to tag along with Chandy and Chennithala and they jumped out. Chandy too has realised this and this can be seen from his utterances in the past two days, where he has openly attacked both Sudhakaran and Satheesan," said the critic.

And what can be observed is all the outbursts that have so far come out are from the top leaders presently attached to the Chandy-Chennithala camp, while there has been a stoic silence from the first or second line leaders.

K.K. Shaju, a former legislator and now the president of the Dalit Congress is also said to be upset as none from his community has been made a district president.

"See, I am a lower rung leader of the Congress and I just cannot make any statement about what's happening in the party when top brass of the party is engaged in a war of words. Such things have happened before and since the Congress party is a democratic one, outbursts will happen and die down also," said Shaju.
Hyderabad, Aug 30 : Five persons, including a bride were washed away in the rain-swollen streams in two separate incidents in Telangana's Vikarabad and Ranga Reddy districts.

Rescue workers on Monday recovered three bodies from Thimmapur stream in Marpally mandal while the search was on for the fourth one.

A car carrying six persons including the newly-wed couple was caught in flood waters while crossing the stream on Sunday night.

Locals rescued bridegroom Nawaz Reddy and his sister Radhamma after they opened the car door and got down in the stream.

Police personnel with the help of fishermen and divers pulled out bodies of three persons. They have been identified as bride Pravalika, bridegroom's sister Shruti and driver Raghuvender Reddy. Search was on for a boy, who was also washed away.

Nawaz Reddy and Pravalika had married on August 26. The couple along with their relatives had gone to Mominpet on Sunday for a post-marriage ceremony. They left for Ravulapally village on Sunday evening.

Though the flood water was flowing through the stream due to incessant rains in the area, the car driver moved ahead as he was confident that the vehicle can cross it without any problems. However, the car was caught in flood waters and four of the occupants were washed away.

In a similar incident, a car was washed away in the flood waters in Kothapally stream in Shankarpally mandal of Ranga Reddy district on Sunday night. A 70-year-old man was killed while four others managed to save themselves.

The police on Monday recovered the body of Venkataiah. He along with four others was returning to their village Yenkathala after attending a marriage in the Kowkuntla village of Chevella mandal. When the car was stuck in the stream, four of the occupants managed to get out of the vehicle and reached safety. However, Venkataiah was washed away with a car.
New Delhi, Aug 30: Pakistan's military establishment had offered the previous Afghan governments several proposals for their soldiers. The Pakistani Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid many visits but "only six cadets came to Pakistan while thousands of soldiers and officers were trained in India", says the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Babar Iftikhar, addressing a press conference on Friday. The Pakistan army spokesperson was making a herculean effort to understand as to why the Afghan people and army hate Pakistan so much.

"India poisoned the minds of the Afghan leadership, its intelligence agencies, as well as the army, thus giving rise to negative statements against Pakistan." He tried to explain how much Pakistan has done for the country and its people yet they have always been blamed for the Afghanistan mess.

"Whatever has happened in Afghanistan, we need to understand the role of India. Whatever investments India made in Afghanistan; it was all done with the sole intention to harm Pakistan. They have no love lost for Afghan people or Afghanistan." Previous Afghan governments, its armies, parliamentarians, media outlets and political commentators have been blaming the Pakistani army and its intelligence agencies for actively supporting and helping the Taliban and other militant outfits to capture the country by force creating an unprecedented human crisis.

But Pakistan's interior minister, Sheikh Rasheed, admitted that the families of Taliban members were living in Pakistan, and that the injured and dead fighters were brought to the country from Afghanistan.

Thousands of Afghans are now hoping to flee from their motherland. Some have succeeded and rest are waiting outside the Kabul airport, which has become the most dangerous place in the region. Many of them have been openly criticising Pakistan for their miseries. According to them, Pakistan's goal has been to keep Afghanistan debilitated, divided and needy to their resources so they can control the country against the supposed influence and involvement of their arch-rival, India. The best way to do that (according to Pakistan) is to support proxy terrorist forces in the region.

Now the euphoria is gone and realities are sinking in. Pakistan has not got any assurance from the Taliban about controlling Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan except for one general statement that Afghanistan's soil will not be used against any country, including India.

According to Pakistani analysts, another problem is around the corner. After the Taliban is settled in the saddle, it will raise the issue of the Pakistan and Afghanistan border - Durand Line. They feel that the Taliban will not do much to address Pakistan's strategic concerns. Like previous Afghan governments, it has refused to recognise the Durand Line as an international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The former first vice chancellor and now "acting" President Amrullah Saleh had made it clear to the Pakistani delegation that there won't be any compromise on the Durand line.

"No Afghan politician of national stature can overlook the issue of Durand Line. It will condemn him or her in life & after life. It is an issue which needs discussions & resolution. Expecting us to gift it for free is unrealistic. Peshawar used to be the winter capital of Afg," Saleh had tweeted.

Afghan Taliban's Pakistan "arm" TTP has also declared that they are fighting for a greater Afghanistan.

"Our fight is only in Pakistan and we are at war with the Pakistani forces. We are firmly hoping to take control of Pakistani border regions and make them independent," TTP supremo Noor Wali Mehsud said in a recent interview.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Aug 30: Until last year, China had only 16 known silos for its latest-generation inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and scarcely 200 warheads, according to the American Department of Defence.

Now, satellite imagery has revealed that in the desert of Gansu province, 120 new silos are being built near western China.

The lack of any official Chinese confirmation or explanation, along with introduction of air-based nuclear capabilities and construction of more road-mobile ICBMs and strategic nuclear submarines, have all contributed to confusion and suspicions about Beijing's intentions.

Researcher James Martin, who works at Centre for Nonproliferation Studies, an American think-tank, has identified the silos near the city of Yumen and his findings were published by the Washington Post.

It is being theorised by these researchers and other experts that China's latest ICBM, the DF-41, will be housed in these newly built silos and can virtually reach all of America. Another research group, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) has spotted near the city of Hami, in eastern Xinjiang around 110 silos being built by China by poring over satellite imagery from Planet, an American firm.

This is in stark contrast from China's earlier policy of "minimum deterrence", that has involved maintaining a relatively small arsenal that would allow to defend against aggressors, but not wage an elaborate and offensive nuclear war. China has also foregone its traditional focus on quality by procuring a large number of strategic nuclear submarines of its existing model, the 094 class which indicates China wants to utilize its unique advantages in industrial manufacturing and large-scale infrastructure to bolster its non-mobile silo-based nuclear capabilities. In other words, the Chinese are working on all dimensions of the nuclear triad by acquiring the capability to deliver atomic weapons from land, air and sea.

The shift in strategy results from fear that China's meagre nuclear forces can be wiped out by America's large and precise arsenal and a lack of direct commitment by America to not direct its missile defence systems towards China. The layout of the Chinese shelters may suggest that it is trying to move its missiles underground between silos, so that America may not know which ones to strike during a conflict.

The Economist reports that this strategy is reminiscent of the "shell game" magician trick, where a ball is placed under one of three cups, which are then shuffled to deceive the viewer about the location of the ball.

This view is supported by a member of Carnegie Endowment, an American think-tank, James Acton who argues that China would not have enough fissile material to fill all the new silos because the country had stopped producing plutonium in the 1980s and there is little evidence that production has resumed. Another argument for the same is that the silos built in Gansu are just 3 km apart compared to the ones in Jilantai, where China's older silos are tens of kilometres apart.

Critics of the "shell game" theory argue that it is naive to assume that China is building them as minimum deterrent since for some time China has been dramatically expanding its nuclear forces with the annual report on Chinese military power by the pentagon stating that the warhead stockpile would double in size over the next decade. Since each missile can carry more than one nuclear warhead, 230 new silos can theoretically support the deployment of several hundred warheads and perhaps more. Admiral Charles Richard, who is the head of Strategic Command stated in April 2021 that intelligence being gathered was becoming out of date within a month due to the rapid advance of China's programme.

Experts suggest China will fire its missiles at the first sign of a nuclear strike, since Silo-based ICBMs can be launched more rapidly than ones carried on mobile launchers, which have to be fueled after being erected. It is pertinent to note that as of now, China does not keep any weapons on high alert, ready to launch at a moment's notice.

There is a last remaining arms-control pact between America and Russia that was renewed in February and will expire in five years called the New Start treaty that involves verifying weapon arsenal by sending inspectors to peer into one another's silos. Carnegie Endowment, a think tank reports that China may be included in any future arms-control measures if America views the new silos as confirmation of a rapid nuclear expansion, although China is reticent about exposing its arsenal to scrutiny.

China has also dismissed revelations regarding the silos through its media platforms by stating that the missile silos are actually windmills on a wind farm and reports by U.S. agencies are attempts to demonize China. The Biden administration wants China to open talks about its own arsenal, although both countries have several times more warheads than China. Hence, the "shell game" interpretation, even though the most benign, is least encouraging for arms control as China's plan to shuffle missiles around would make it much harder for others to be certain of its deployment. This belligerent act of China is, in a manner, a confirmation of how uninterested it is in subscribing to any arms control treaty.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 30 : Veteran Congress leader from Palakkad, A.V. Gopinath on Monday announced his resignation from the party.

The resignation is the first following the rejig of the 14 district Congress Committee presidents on August 28.

Gopinath represented the Alathur Assembly constituency during the 1991-96 period and later lost.

He was among the probables for the new Palakkad district committee president post, but it was given to another leader.

"For the past five decades, I gave my life to this party and with a bleeding heart, from this moment, I am no longer a Congressman as I have resigned from the primary membership of the party. It will take a time for me to come to terms with this decision and I have not decided on what my future is going to be," said Gopinath.

Gopinath, known for his clean image and demeanour, said he has the highest regards for all the top Congress leaders, but he said he decided to quit because he just cannot any longer continue like this.

Gopinath, in the past, was the Palakkad district Congress Committee president.
Mumbai, Aug 30 : National Award-winning actress and filmmaker Konkona Sen Sharma says she has a newfound respect for doctors and other medical staff of any government hospital, especially after the pandemic.

Konkona is playing a pivotal role in the upcoming web series titled 'Mumbai Diaries: 26/11'.

Asked what intrigued her about the show initially, Konkona told IANS, "Since I knew Nikkhil for quite some time now and I am well aware of his sensibility, I knew that he would create a good show on the topic of the terrorist attacks of 26/11. Yes, it is true that 26/11 has been covered in films and shows before and at times it could be a little tricky to handle the subject from a different perspective. But when it comes to our show, we are using the incident as a backdrop, it is not a documentary.

"What could happen in the hospital when a deadly terror attack takes place. In the show, we are giving insight into a government hospital, under such a crisis situation, what happens to the doctors, nurses, junior doctors, other medical staff and frontline workers. I think it is an interesting perspective to explore, in a story, on the medical community." In the show, Konkona plays the character of Chitra Das. Sharing more details of her character she said, "Chitra is a social service director of the hospital, she is not a doctor, though she comes from a medical background. But under the circumstances, she, like everyone else, is trying to do her best, beyond her ability to handle a crisis like that, where so many injured bodies are coming that demand immediate attention to save lives.

"But when it comes to her personality, she is full of self-doubt because of her personal life, the struggle that she has. That is the journey of the character." Directed by Nikkhil Advani, the web series is set in the emergency room of a government hospital and how the medical community constantly struggle to save lives when the deadly terrorist attacks of 26/11 took place in the city of Mumbai in 2008.

The show also features - Mohit Raina, Tina Desai, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Satyajeet Dubey, Natasha Bharadwaj, Mrunmayee Deshpande and Prakash Belawadi, among others.

On the whole experience of shooting the show and knowing the condition of doctors in great detail, Konkona said, "One of the reasons why I am feeling proud to be part of the show is, this is our way of paying tribute to the frontline workers, post pandemic there is newfound respect we have towards doctors and frontline workers really. Now, if and when I visit a government hospital, I will have more insight of how they function, more respect and empathy towards the doctors and frontline workers." 'Mumbai Diaries: 26/11' will release on Amazon Prime Video on September 9.

(Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@ians.in)
Jhansi, Aug 30 : In an incident that seems like a frightening replay of the Ajay Devgn-starrer thriller 'Drishyam', a man killed his 13-year-old daughter and then went around meeting several people to create an alibi.

The police on Sunday have arrested the man, Amit Shukla, who has confessed to the crime.

SSP Jhansi, Shivhari Meena told reporters that Khushi Shukla, 13, was found murdered at her house in Katra area of Gursarai tehsil in Jhansi district on August 25.

At the time of the incident, Khushi was alone at her house and her father Amit Shukla, a bidi trader, had gone to Mauranipur for some business work while her step-mother had gone to her maternal home in Kalpi.

Amit Shukla told the police that after returning from Mauranipur, he found Khushi lying under the bed. He took her to the community health centre (CHC) where doctors declared her dead.

SSP Jhansi said that as per the post-mortem report, Khushi had been strangulated and her ribs were also found broken.

During inquiry from neighbours, the police learnt that Khushi had strained relations with her step-mother Akansha, 42, who had a daughter of the same age from her first husband.

"Further investigations zeroed in on her father Amit. On sustained interrogation, he broke down and admitted to have killed his own daughter because of the mounting pressure of his second wife who did not want to live with Khushi. Amit had planned the murder with his wife Akansha and sent her away to Kalpi," the SSP said.

The accused said that he killed his daughter after taking ideas from a Bollywood movie 'Drishyam' and created an alibi to mislead the police investigation.

He said that he first thrashed Khushi, broke her ribs by sitting on her chest and then strangled her to death. Then he went to Mauranipur and met several people to create an alibi that he had been there the whole day.

The SSP said: "Both the accused Amit and his second wife Akansha have been arrested. We have added section 120B in addition to section 302 of IPC."
Bengaluru, Aug 30 : Karnataka Police have arrested three persons, including a female celebrity in connection with a drug peddling case in Bengaluru after conducting simultaneous raids on their residences on Monday.

According to the police, celebrity turned actress, Cosmetic industrialist Sonia Agarwal, industrialist Bharath and DJ Vachan Chinnappa are the arrested persons. Bengaluru East police have taken them into custody and were questioning them.

The raids were conducted based on the tip-off from the arrested drug peddler Thomas.

Thomas, an African national was arrested on August 12 and police have seized lakhs of Rupees worth synthetic drugs from him in Govindapura.

Thomas had told the police about the roles of Sonial Agarwal, Bharath and Vachan Chinnappa. The accused are alleged to be procuring drugs and distributing it to celebrities, film actors, and elite people in Bengaluru. The accused were also said to have organized rave parties at their residences, police sources added.

Special police teams conducted simultaneous raids on the residences of the accused in Rajajinagar, Benson Town and Padmanabhanagar, Banashankari 2 Stage. The raids were conducted early in the morning.

Accused Bharath and Vahan Chinnappa were taken into custody from their residences. The police also inquired about Bharath in the neighbourhood. The neighbours have told police about late night parties being organised at Bharath's place and police also found out that the neighbours had objected and raised questions with Bharath in this connection.

Sonia Agarwal has been picked up from a private luxury hotel by the police as she was not found at her residence. The police sources said that they have seized ganja from the accused persons' residences. Police suspect them to be part of a drug cartel and are investigating the case.
Ankara, Aug 30 : The Turkish Airlines announced that passengers travelling on domestic routes will be required to submit a Covid-19 vaccination certificate or a negative test result before boarding.

Bilal Eksi, CEO of the flag carrier, said in a tweet that the new arrangement will be effective from September 6, Xinhua news agency reported.

The total number of COvid-19 vaccines administered in Turkey has exceeded 93 million, according to its Health Ministry.

The figure indicated that 76.8 per cent of the eligible population took at least one dose of vaccine, the Ministry added.
Damascus, Aug 30 : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad discussed economic cooperation with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in the capital Damascus, according to the state news agency SANA.

Both sides discussed the economic and trade cooperation and ways to cope with the sanctions imposed by the Western countries, mainly from the US, Xinhua news agency reported citing SANA as saying.

Talks between the two sides also focused on the latest regional and international developments.

Abdollahian briefed Assad on the outcomes of the Cooperation and Partnership Conference, with the two sides affirming that the region's future should be made by the will of its people, according to SANA.

Assad also stressed that the continuous cooperation between Syria and Iran has given positive results in protecting the interests of the two countries and peoples, particularly in combating terrorism.

Syria will continue to combat terrorism until all the lands are liberated, Assad affirmed.

Meanwhile, Abdollahian pointed out that Iran and Syria have achieved great victories in the war against terrorism, reiterating his country's continuous support for Syria and its people to confront terrorism in all its forms.
August 30 : Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently shooting for his forthcoming film Pathan, and gearing up to air-dash to Spain with co-stars Deepika Padukone and John Abraham for the last leg of the shoot, will immediately start shooting for Atlees next in September.

Since last year, the news that Shah Rukh will star in Tamil director Atlees next has been doing the rounds, but neither SRK nor Atlee has made any official announcement. Now, as the superstar is about to wrap up Yash Raj Films Pathan, being directed by Siddharth Anand, a news portal has reported that after wrapping up Pathan, Shah Rukh will shift his attention to his next film. After a hiatus of two years, Shah Rukh had started filming Pathan in 2020. It is like his comeback film after the debacle of his last film Zero.

The actor will reportedly start shooting for Atlees untitled film from September in Pune, and the first leg has been planned for a 10-day schedule. The makers of the film are expected to make an official announcement about the film on the first day of its shoot.

Besides Shah Rukh, Atlees untitled film also stars South actress Nayanthara, Sanya Malhotra and Sunil Grover. The film will mark Nayantharas debut in Bollywood, and she has been cast opposite Shah Rukh for the first time. While Shah Rukh will play a double role in the film, Nayantharas character has been kept under wraps. The film will reportedly be shot in Pune, Mumbai, Dubai and some other locations. It is also reported that Atlee wants to make a multilingual pan-India film, and plans to bring in renowned faces from industries across the country. Reportedly, the pre-production work of the film, location recce as well as look tests have already begun.

Meanwhile, besides Pathan and Atlees next, it is rumoured that Shah Rukh Khan has signed a film with director duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. The actor has also shot for a cameos in Aamir Khans Lal Singh Chaddha and Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt starrer Brahmastra.
Lucknow, Aug 30 : The BJP on Monday mounted a blistering attack on Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav for induction of Sibghatulla Ansari, brother of mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari in his party.

Sibghatullah Ansari, a former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA, joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) along with his supporters on Saturday.

The BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit tweeted on its official handle with the hashtag "ShameonAkhilesh" and said, "Akhilesh is following the line 'satta ke liye kuch bhi karega' (will do everything to come to power). What socialism are you talking about by getting the family of don Mukhtar Ansari to join the SP. People are watching everything." The BJP also attached a video on Mukhtar Ansari.

Soon after the joining of Sibghatullah Ansari in the Samajwadi Party, the BJP had tweeted, "This is the real face of the SP. In its desire to grab power in the state, Samajwadi Party is ready to even shake hands with the family of mafia Mukhtar Ansari, but they should not forget who is the chief minister of UP." Sibghatullah Ansari had won the 2007 Assembly election from Mohammadabad constituency on a SP ticket and again contested and won from the seat in 2012 on a ticket of Quami Ekta Dal, a party floated by his brother.

In 2017, he joined the BSP and unsuccessfully contested the election.
New Orleans, Aug 30 : New Orleans, the biggest city in Louisiana, is now without power after powerful Hurricane Ida made a landfall in the US state, local officials said.

Sunday also marked the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's destructive landfalls in Louisiana and Mississippi, reports Xinhua news agency.

"New Orleans has no power. The only power in the city is coming from generators," NOLA Ready, New Orleans' emergency preparedness campaign, tweeted on Sunday night.

Across the coastal state, nearly 870,000 customers have lost power after Ida's landfall, according to latest data from the tracking website poweroutage.us.

The loss of power was due to "catastrophic transmission damage" from the powerful Category four hurricane, said power company Entergy.

New Orleans Emergency Management Services tweeted earlier Sunday it has suspended all operations due to Hurricane Ida.

Heavy rains and strong winds are expected to pound New Orleans Sunday night.

Experts are especially worried about the storm's current slow movement, sustained power and direction, according to local media reports.

New Orleans has spent $14 billion to upgrade its flood protection system after heavy suffering from Hurricane Katrina 16 years ago, according to a USA Today report.

However, facing the threat of Ida, Deputy City Administrator Officer Ramsey Green has warned that "it's an incredibly fragile system. That system can change at any point".

Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday afternoon and was downgraded to a Category three later in the evening.

However, the risk remains high since Category three storms generally have sustained winds of 111 to 129 mph, and the damage they cause can be devastating, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said on its website.

"Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes," the NHC said.

Ida grew into a Category four storm within hours early Sunday morning, hours before its landfall.

The so-called "rapid intensification" is typically defined to be a tropical cyclone intensifying by at least 35 mph in a 24-hour period, according to Colorado State University meteorologist Phil Klotzbach.

That can happen when a storm encounters an extremely conducive environment such as very warm water, low vertical wind shear and high levels of mid-level moisture, Klotzbach told local media.
Bengaluru, Aug 30 : The Karnataka government on Monday will take a decision on the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the state after consultation with the expert committee.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is in a fix as the BJP and the opposition legislators including those of Congress party, MP's and pro-Hindu organisations are demanding to allow the festivities with minimum restrictions.

On the other hand Dr Devi Shetty, the Chairman of the state Covid Expert Committee had warned that if Covid guidelines are not followed in public programmes, the virus will definitely raise its ugly head.

Presently, the government has banned mass celebrations of Muharram and Ganesh Chathurthi festivals in the state in the backdrop of fears of Covid-19 spread.

BJP MP Pratap Simha has asserted that if Sunday prayers could be allowed in churches and mass prayers could be allowed in Masjids, restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi are meaningless.

"I demand the government should allow celebrations of Ganesh festival in the state," he said.

Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, a senior BJP leader said that no one could stop him from organising celebrations during Ganesh festival.

"The government cannot interfere with Hindu festivals. Let them shoot, I prefer to become a martyr by organising the Ganesh festival," he warned.

Meanwhile, Pramod Muthalik, the founder of Sriram Sena attacked the government saying that there are no Covid fears while masses were gathered during the Jan Ashirwad yatra.

"I am warning the government. Sriram Sena has told the government to take a decision on Ganesh festival by August 26. Now, I give a deadline of August 30, if the government fails to take out restrictions on Ganesh festival, protests will be staged before the residences of all the MLAs across the state," he threatened.

V. Sunil Kumar, the minister for Energy, Kannada & Culture stated that, the grand celebration of Ganesh festival is needed.

However, the government will also have to keep in mind about Covid fears, preparations and expert opinion.

Dr Devi Shetty, the Chairman of Covid Expert Committee said that there is no harm in conducting 'puja'.

"If people are gathering without taking precautions and following Covid guidelines, even if it is a religious function or worshipping god, the Covid infection will rise. No vaccines will work," he underlined.

Meanwhile, the expert committee has warned the government that the next four weeks are crucial for the state of Karnataka.

The Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated on September 10.

The celebrations will start from the beginning of the month and continue till the end of the month, if government permits, sources said.

The committee has recommended the government to implement tough restrictions while allowing the festival.

It has also recommended monitoring the positivity rate in all districts, especially those bordering Kerala and Maharashtra, the sources said.

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Basseterre : , Aug 30 (IANS) St Kitts & Nevis Patriots player Mikyle Louis has been taken out from the ongoing edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for breaching bio-bubble protocols. The organisers said on Monday that the 21-year-old, who left the bio-bubble without permission, will take no further part in the tournament.

"The tournament bubble will be maintained for the entire duration of the tournament and no one from outside the bubble will be allowed in at any of the bubble locations. Conversely, no one from inside the bubble will be allowed out of the main bubble areas. Persons who break these rules will be expelled from the tournament - no exceptions," state the protocols for the tournament.

Louis left the hotel after learning about tragic news related to one of his friends. The ongoing league is being played under a bio-bubble in St Kitts and Nevis for the safety of players and support staff against COVID-19. He had represented West Indies at the U-19 level in 2017 and was yet to make his debut in the tournament.

"Following the receipt of some tragic news about a close friend, the player took the unfortunate and ill-advised decision to leave the hotel bubble without permission. While the league is sympathetic about the circumstances which led to the player's decision, it cannot allow the integrity of its Covid-secure bubble to be compromised," said tournament operations director Michael Hall in a press release.

The ongoing season of the CPL began on August 26 and ends on September 15. This edition of CPL is open to crowds at 50 per cent attendance. Currently, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are on top of the table with six points after winning all three matches so far.
London, Aug 30 : The withdrawal of US forces and return of the Taliban in Afghanistan has stoked much fear and dejection among research scientists who predict huge losses not only in terms of funding but also of science.

During their reign from 1996-2001, the fundamentalist group brutally enforced a conservative version of Islamic Sharia law, characterised by women's-rights violations and suppression of freedom of expression, Nature reported.

But after they were overthrown in 2001 by a US-led coalition and a new government elected in 2004, international funding including from the World Bank, the US Agency for International Development and other organisations poured into Afghanistan and universities thrived.

Since 2001, research progressed, enrolment of female students as well as research burgeoned on topics from cancer to geology.

But with the regime now taking over again, scientists fear for their lives and the future of research. While many are fleeing out of the country, those who remain face lack of funding and the threat of persecution for being involved in international collaborations, or because of their fields of study or their ethnicity, the report said.

News reports claim that billions of dollars in overseas finance for Afghanistan's government, such as assets held by the US Federal Reserve and credit from the International Monetary Fund, have been frozen.

"The future is very uncertain," geologist Hamidullah Waizy, a researcher at Kabul Polytechnic University was quoted as saying.

"The achievements we had over the past 20 years are all at great risk,a added Attaullah Ahmadi, a public-health scientist at Kateb University in Kabul.

In the last 20 years, some three dozen public universities have been established or re-established since 2010, and tens more private universities have been set up.

Even the student population at public universities grew to 170,000 in 2018 from 8,000 in 2001, and one-quarter of these were women, the report said.

Further, the number of research papers also increased to 285 in 2019 from 71 in 2011, according to Scopus - a database of peer-reviewed literature.

But now "there will be a stagnation of science and research progress", Shakardokht Jafari, a medical physicist at the University of Surrey in Guildford, UK, who is originally from Afghanistan.

While many researchers have gone into hiding, or plan to cross into neighbouring countries, some are also seeking asylum overseas. In August alone, humanitarian organization Scholars at Risk (SAR) in New York City received more than 500 applications from people in Afghanistan, the report said.

So far, 164 institutions globally have agreed to host scholars, and SAR has appealed to US and European governments to fast-track visas and continue evacuation flights, said Rose Anderson, director at SAR.

However, several researchers report that the Taliban is in discussion with university heads about restarting classes. There are also suggestions that women might be allowed to continue their studies, although the Taliban has ordered that women and men be taught separately, and some universities have proposed introducing partitions in classrooms, the report said.
Chennai, Aug 30 : The Greater Chennai Corporation has begun to cut the number of Fever Survey Workers (FSWs) in the civic body following a reduction in the number of Covid-19 cases within the city limits.

The FSWs were going door-to-door collecting information of residents in Tamil Nadu having fever and influenza-like illness symptoms and made them undergo tests to detect or rule out the presence of Covid-19 infection.

The FSWs were paid Rs 391 per day at the end of every month. Sources in the Greater Chennai Corporation told IANS that the civic body is planning to cut down the number of FSWs by 30 to 60 per cent as the Covid-19 infections have started to decline within the corporation.

As per a serosurvey done by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Greater Chennai Corporation has taken the decision to slash the FSWs. In Tiruvattiyur zone in Chennai, the number of FSWs have now been reduced to 211 from 374 numbers.

However, in Adayar zone where there was a larger incidence of the number of fresh and active cases of Covid-19, the contracts of the FSWs have been extended till September end.

In certain areas of Chennai, the number of FSWs continues to be retained mainly due to the prevalence of infected cases within these wards. The Chennai civic body is contemplating to use the services of these FSWs for other data collection on behalf of it.

A senior official of the Chennai Corporation told IANS, "The FSWs had a door-to-door interaction with the residents and are familiar with the areas where they were working. This would help the corporation to use the services of these FSWs for some other data collection for the civic body in the coming days and we are contemplating on that."

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New Delhi, Aug 30 : The deteriorating situation in neighbouring Afghanistan is of concern, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday.

Delivering the Balramji Das Tandon seminar on 'National Security', he said: "Whatever is happening in the neighbouring Afghanistan raises concern with regards to the security apparatus. Our government is monitoring the evolving situation in the country." He also stressed that the government wants security of Indians and also ensure that no cross-border terror activities could take place, taking a cue from the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.

About the challenges India could face amid the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Rajnath Singh said: "Our government is alert and ready to deal with all situations. We are always prepared to deal with threats emanating from anywhere - land, air and water." After Taliban took over Kabul on August 15, Afghanistan has plunged into a big humanitarian crisis. Pakistan is perceived as having played a major role in bringing the Taliban back to power. As evacuation of foreign nationals winds down, a US missile defence system intercepted rockets fired towards the Kabul international airport.

The minister also said that India is prepared to deal with any eventualities in a bid to secure its sovereignty.

"Our objective is to make India, a prosperous, strong and secure country." He said that India does not threaten other countries but seeks to instill in them a sense of faith and trust that a strong India is not a threat for them.

About the border dispute with China, he said that there was an attempt to change the status quo unilaterally but "the Narendra Modi government has clearly given direction not to compromise on such an issue".
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Nearly 50 top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from Chhattisgarh along with a few central leaders held a three-day long discussion over the 2023 Assembly polls in the state.

The infighting in the Congress in Chhattisgarh has given the BJP an opportunity to up the ante.

Chhattisgarh BJP is all set to launch its preparations for the Assembly polls with a 'Chintan Shivir' at Bastar starting Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the BJP said governance has come to a standstill in the state amid the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress.

Chhattisgarh BJP President Vishnu Deo Sai told IANS that the party has planned a 'Chintan Shivir' (brainstorming) session to discuss plans for the 2023 Assembly polls starting Tuesday.

"Chhattisgarh BJP leadership will be meeting at 'Chintan Shivir' to discuss and finalise the strategy to start preparations for the next state Assembly polls. Apart from plans for the forthcoming polls, ways to strengthen the organisation will be discussed at the meeting which would end on September 2. We will discuss what steps are needed to strengthen the organisation to win the next state Assembly polls," Sai said.

Nearly 50 Chhattisgarh BJP leaders, including MPs, MLAs, members of core group, state office bearers and senior leaders will be attending the meet to discuss the political situation in the state and strategise plans for the next state Assembly polls.

BJP National General Secretary (Organisation), BL Santhosh, is likely to attend this meeting.

Last week, the infighting between Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and senior minister T.S. Singh Deo came out in the open and Congress MLAs were paraded before the party's central leadership in the national capital.

Taking a dig at the ongoing infighting within the Congress, the Chhattisgarh BJP President said, "Chhattisgarh has been affected by the ongoing 'Kursi daura'(run for the Chief Minister's chair) within the Congress. Development has come to a standstill in the state due to the Congress leaders' (Bhagel and Deo) regular visit to New Delhi. They are more interested in gaining power than working for the people of Chhattisgarh." With the 'Chintan Shivir', Chhattisgarh BJP unit will set its state Assembly poll plan in motion. The Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh will be held at the end of 2023. The BJP ruled the state for 15 years till 2018.

During the last Assembly polls in 2018, Congress formed the government in the state by dislodging the Raman Singh-led BJP government. In 2018, Congress won 70 Assembly seats in the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly while the BJP won only 14 seats. In many areas of the state, the BJP had failed to win a single Assembly seat.
Geneva, Aug 30 : As millions of children return to school for the new academic session, vaccinating teachers and other school staff against Covid-19 disease can help make schools a safe place against the infectious disease, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Unicef said on Monday.

Children aged 12 years and above who have underlying medical conditions that put them at greater risk of severe Covid-19 disease must also be vaccinated, the global health body said in a statement.

Other measures to ensure that schools can stay open throughout the pandemic include better classroom ventilation, smaller class sizes where possible, physical distancing, and regular testing of children and staff.

"The pandemic has caused the most catastrophic disruption to education in history. It is therefore vital that classroom-based learning continues uninterrupted across the WHO European Region. This is of paramount importance for children's education, mental health and social skills, for schools to help equip our children to be happy and productive members of society," said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in the statement.

"It will be some time before we can put the pandemic behind us but educating children safely in a physical school setting must remain our primary objective, so we don't rob them of the opportunities they so deserve. We encourage all countries to keep schools open and urge all schools to put in place measures to minimise the risk of Covid-19 and the spread of different variants," he added.

The highly transmissible Delta variant has added an additional layer of concern and complication to this year's school opening season. The high incidence of Covid-19 in the community makes transmission in schools much more likely. Studies have clearly shown that being fully vaccinated can significantly reduce the risk of severe disease and death.

"Vaccination is our best line of defence against the virus, and for the pandemic to end we must rapidly scale up vaccinations fairly in all countries, including supporting vaccine production and sharing of doses, to protect the most vulnerable, everywhere. We must also continue to follow the public health and social measures we know work, including testing, sequencing, tracing, isolation and quarantine," Kluge said.

Further, to help keep schools open and safe, the WHO European Technical Advisory Group for schooling during Covid-19 has also stated a set of expert recommendations for schools. These are: schools must be among the last places to close and first to reopen, a testing strategy put in place, effective risk-mitigation measures ensured, children's mental and social well-being, as well as the most vulnerable and marginalised children, protected, the school environment improved, children and adolescents involved in decision-making, and a vaccination strategy designed to keep children in school be implemented.

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The onset of the Arab Spring had raised expectations in the region of power being transferred to the people ultimately, but the ensuing developments have completely changed the dynamics of the pro-people movements in the region.

While most of the Indian media has been obsessed with developments taking place in Afghanistan, it has nearly missed the country, which was the fountainhead of the so-called 'Arab Spring' about ten years back when people toppled a dictator that had ruled it for 27 years. Arab Spring had nurtured hopes that democracy might be able to get a toehold in many Arab countries based on the aspirations of the people.

However, recent events in Tunisia have raised concerns whether the small country which shook the power centres in this vast and strategic region, will it be able to handle its own aspirations as expressed by people ten years back. On 25 July, Tunisian President Kais Saied stunned the world by announcing the suspension of the parliament, the sacking of the cabinet and assuming emergency powers citing an imminent threat to the Tunisian state. These extraordinary measures are supposed to last for 30 days.

For Tunisia watchers the development came as no surprise, as Tunisians have changed ten governments in the last ten years and are moving along the path, which may lead the country towards anarchy.

The events of the last ten years have infused most Tunisians with a sense of hopelessness and a loss of faith in parliament and the country's political parties.

This explains why Mr Saied's draconian measures were met with jubilation on the streets. His supporters were simply fed up with parliament, and yearned for change.

But not everyone in Tunisia was happy. BBC reports that foremost among them was Ennahda (Renaissance) Party, the Islamist party that has the biggest block in parliament. It denounced Mr Saied's move as a coup. Other parties as well as independent observers concur.

So, now the world will be watching the next move of the four organisations -- known as the Quartet for National Dialogue -- which in 2013 succeeded in brokering a compromise between Islamists and their secular rivals and averted protracted civil strife.

Some observers believe the fault lies with the constitution that created multiple centres of power: the president, the prime minister and the parliament. In an ideal world that should create a well-balanced political order, with checks and balances that prevent domination by the president. But in an extremely polarised society it was a recipe for paralysis.

For the ruling party, problems accumulated - especially with Covid spiralling out of control -- the governance broke down, and the president occasionally blocked parliament and vice versa, each side tweaking the text of the law to suit its own purpose. However, what happens in Tunisia will not stay in Tunisia, as the experience of the past decade has demonstrated.

Most autocrats of the region are harping once again that "Arabs are not fit for democracy" and the democratic forces are clinging to the hope that Tunisia will remain a beacon for the rest of the region.

In fact, Tunisia is the third Arab country after Egypt and Sudan to say that it is fed up with the rule of the Islamists. With the exception of Qatar, most of the Arab countries have long regarded the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist groups as a major threat to security, stability and peace.

Many pro-west Arab commentators have drawn parallels with what happened in Egypt in 2013, when Abdul Fattah Al Sisi, then minister of defence and now president, intervened to remove the elected Muslim Brotherhood president. Most Arab commentators have accused the Islamists, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood, of spreading chaos and instability in the Arab world.

Khaled Abu Toameh, a journalist based in Jerusalem, writing for Gatestone Institute on the issue says that evidently, many Arabs are pleased that the rule of the Islamists in Tunisia has finally come to an end. The jubilation in the Arab countries over the toppling of the Ennahda Party sends a clear message to the rest of the world against embracing or appeasing the Islamists. Toameh gives examples of various other writers in his report, like; Abdel Aziz Khamis, a Saudi journalist, told Sky News Arabia that the reason the Tunisian Islamists failed was because they "failed to believe in democracy in its true meaning, including freedom of the media, the independence of the judiciary and economic and social rights." Prominent Saudi journalist and writer Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed stated that he was not surprised by the downfall of the Islamists in Tunisia. As the ruling party was associated with chaos and assassinations once they were in government. Al-Rashed wrote for Al Arabia newspaper, "...the extraordinary measures the president took came to rescue the country before the collapse. In fact, what he is doing is saving the Tunisian regime, and Tunisia, the country, from the chaos that had begun." Sawsan Al-Sha'er, one of Bahrain's most influential journalists and intellectuals, expressed relief over the ouster of the Islamists of Tunisia and said that this should serve as a reminder to all Arabs that Islamist parties -- Shiite and Sunni alike -- care about nothing else but grabbing power.

Saudi writer and journalist Abdel Aziz Khamis expressed hope that what happened in Tunisia would spread to other Arab countries. Urging Arabs to learn from the failed experience of the Islamists in Tunisia, Khamis listed a number of reasons why the Ennahda party failed: "It failed because it was not able to find real solutions to Tunisia's problems and because it was not concerned with serving the people or improving their living conditions." Khamis said that the Ennahda Party also failed because it was unable to transform itself into a political party "in the modern sense of the word." The party, he added, "was not able to leave the ranks of the Muslim Brotherhood." However, if we analyse the reasons behind the failure of Islamist parties in the region, then one fact would emerge that first these parties are not given time to settle-in and start delivering, but are embroiled in various internal and external issues. The puppet master behind most of these interventions are the western countries and in fact these nations are least concerned whether there is a despotic or a democratic government till the time their gains are assured. And that might be one of the reasons why the Arab Spring has failed to deliver what it promised, i.e. power to the people.

(Asad Mirza is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He writes on Muslims, educational, international affairs, interfaith and current affairs. @asad-mirza.blogspot.com, Views expressed are personal)
Lucknow, Aug 30 : In a shocking incident, the personal secretary of Uttar Pradesh's Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development, Rajnish Dubey, shot himself in the head in the office on the eighth floor of Bapu Bhawan on Monday afternoon.

According to preliminary information available, personal secretary Vishambhar Dayal shot himself with his revolver in the room.

He was rushed to the Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.

Chief Medical Superintendent, Dr Sanjay Bhatnagar said that his condition was critical and the bullet was still embedded in the head. He said that surgery would be carried out once his condition stabilised.

Later, Dayal was shifted to the King George's Medical University (KGMU) in a critical condition.

ACP, Hazratganj, Raghvendra Mishra said that a forensic team had reached Bapu Bhawan to collect samples. He refused to comment on how the employee could have carries his revolver into the high-security premises.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : The highly power-dependent aluminium industry is in for a tough time. This is because of Coal India Ltd's (CIL) recent move to significantly reduce coal supplies and railway rakes for Captive Power Plants (CPPs), resulting in coal crunch for the Indian Aluminium Industry.

Aluminium is a metal of strategic importance and an essential commodity for diversified sectors, crucial for the nation's economy. Aluminium smelting requires uninterrupted and high-quality power supply for production which can be met only through in-house CPPs.

Hence, such drastic curtailment of coal supplies, without any advance notice, will bring the industry to a standstill as it has been left with no time to devise any mitigation plan to continue sustainable operations. Also, resorting to imports at such a short notice is not feasible.

The aluminium industry CPPs have signed FSA (Fuel Supply Agreement) with CIL and its subsidiaries for assured long term coal supply. Any abrupt stoppage of this secured coal supply brings the industry to a grinding halt and has a severe impact on the SMEs in downstream sector resulting in increased prices of finished products and burdening end consumers.

Aluminium is a continuous process based highly power intensive industry wherein coal accounts for ~40 pr cent of aluminium production cost. Huge investments of Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($20 billion) have been made to double the domestic production capacity to 4.1 mtpa to cater to the country's increasing aluminium demand. The Indian aluminium industry has set up ~9000 MW CPP capacity to meet its power requirement for the Smelter and refinery operations and reduce dependence on power grids.

Any power outage/or failure (2 hours or more) results in freezing of molten Aluminium in the pots which leads to shutting down of the aluminium plant for at least six months rendering heavy losses and restart expenses, and once restarted it takes almost a year to get the desired metal purity.

The Indian aluminium industry is already struggling to remain globally competitive due increasing production costs in India primarily due to increased power cost over the past few years with rising coal prices, increase in various duties, cess and RPO. Also, the high incidence of unrebated Central and state taxes and duties, constitutes ~15 per cent of aluminium production cost which is amongst the highest in the world. This is adversely impacting the sustainability and competitiveness of the Indian aluminium industry.

Being a continuous process-based power intensive industry, The Aluminium Association of India has sought the following support from Coal India to continue sustainable operations and to reduce the load on the power grid: 1) Resumption of adequate coal supply against secured linkages for sustainable industry operations.

2) Allocation of railway rakes on priority for coal dispatch to the Aluminium industry.

3) Allocation of coal dispatches through rakes in proportion of 75 per cent (power) and 25 per cent (non-power), as per the MoC circular for auction linkage, dated February 15, 2016.

4) Any decision for stopping or curtailing secured coal supplies should not be taken on an ad hoc basis. The CPP based industry should be give prior notice well in advance (2 to 3 months) to devise mitigation plans for coal or power imports.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : The supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, arrived in Kandahar province from an unknown place on Sunday.

He has reportedly met with the tribal leaders of Kandahar province and the IEA is due to release a statement on his behalf, Khaama News reported.

The supreme leader of whom the world has only a single photo is due to come to the Afghan capital and hold a series of talks with other Taliban officials and Afghan politicians and leaders, the report said.

Prior to that, Mullah Abdulghani Baradar, the co-founder of Taliban and head of Taliban's political office in Doha, had also landed in Kandahar province before coming to Kabul along with a delegation.

The Taliban's governance is said to be conducted from Kandahar province.

Negotiations over the upcoming government in Afghanistan are expected to be expedited after the supreme leader arrives in Kabul.

Earlier, the acting minister of information and culture and spokesperson of the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, had said that their cabinet will take shape in the upcoming two weeks.
Bengaluru, Aug 30 : In another shocking crime reported from Karnataka, a youth in Bengaluru on Monday slit the throat of his former co-worker right on a road after she rejected his marriage proposal again, police said.

The victim was identified as Anita, 23, a private company worker, and the accused as Venkatesh, 22. Both hailed from Andhra Pradesh, had worked for the same company for three years, and were known to each other very well.

The incident took place when Anita was walking towards her workplace at about 7 a.m. Venkatesh stopped her and proposed to her. When Anita rejected him, he took out a knife and slit her throat.

When blood began gushing out of her neck, Venkatesh, with the help of her co-workers who were on the same stretch, took her to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

DCP, West, Sanjeev M. Patil said Venkatesh has been arrested and the police have also seized the weapon from the scene of crime.

"Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused and victim were close to each other. They were working in a private company as staff checkers and also distributed goods to retail shops. Three months ago, Venkatesh joined another company. But, they lived on different floors of the same building," he said.

Lakshmi and Venkatesh were very close. Her father objected to it and she moved away from him. Venkatesh had also approached the victim with a marriage proposal on Saturday and had been rejected. On Monday, he bought a knife in a supermarket for Rs 80 and used it for the crime, the DCP said.

It has been gathered that Lakshmi's parents got her married with a relative while she was a minor. Lakshmi had told Venkatesh that she is getting married. It is not known if she was marrying the same person or a different one. The police are collecting further information.

Even as the horrific Mysuru gang rape still figures in the headlines, there have been a number of such cases in Karnataka in the recent period.

Just last week, a jilted lover had repeatedly stabbed a woman college student in Bengaluru for spurning him time and again. In Mysuru, a gang of robbers, emerging with their haul from a jewellery shop, had shot and killed a passerby on the fears that he could identify them or foil their escape.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : With Covid-19 cases on the rise in Vietnam, Indian Naval Ship Airavat arrived at Ho Chi Minh City port with Covid-19 relief material on Monday.

"The ship is carrying 100 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen in five ISO containers and 300 oxygen concentrators of 10 LPM capacity each, based on the requirement projected by the Government of Vietnam in its fight against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic," an Indian Navy statement said.

INS Airavat, an indigenously-built Landing Ship Tank (Large) under the Eastern Naval Command based at Visakhapatnam, is on a deployment to Southeast Asia for trans-shipment of Covid relief aid.

The ship had earlier visited Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta on August 24 and disembarked 10 Liquid Medical Oxygen containers requested by the Indonesian government.

As part of India's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the region and has been at the forefront of numerous humanitarian missions spanning the entire extent of the Indian Ocean including from southeast Asia to east Africa.

India and Vietnam enjoy a strong traditional bond of friendship and have been working together towards a safer maritime domain. The two navies cooperate in various areas including a composite training programme in the fields of submarine, aviation and technical training, and regularly carry out joint naval exercises in the form of bilateral exercises. The current deployment of the ship aims to further strengthen the strategic relationship.

The ship will depart Ho Chi Minh City post disembarkation of the medical supplies and as part of the ongoing Mission SAGAR, continue onwards to deliver medical supplies to other friendly nations in the region.

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Chennai, Aug 30 : An amount of Rs 4,094 crore has been spent in Tamil Nadu by the corporates under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) between 2014-2020, said a study by Sattva Consulting.

There are now five corporates that contribute more than Rs 500 crore annually through CSR itself.

The report was released on the sidelines of the first Tamil Nadu CSR Summit 2021 organised by Sattva Consulting in partnership with Madras Management Association (MMA) and Dhwani Foundation.

Tamil Nadu is among the top performing states on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It has a composite SDG score -- which includes all key development sectors, including health, education, employment, sanitation, energy, among others -- of 74 and ranks second on NITI Aayog's SDG Index 2020-21, the study added.

According to the study, of the Rs.92,605 crore of CSR funds spent by the Indian corporates since 2014 when it became a law, Tamil Nadu got Rs 4,094 crore.

In the last two years from 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, the southern state received more than Rs 800 crore each from different corporates in the country.

Companies headquartered in Tamil Nadu played a key role, with 72 per cent of CSR funds received coming from them.

The various key insights from the report include: The top three funding industries are banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), manufacturing and energy.

Chennai received the bulk of CSR outlays at close to 25 per cent, with Vellore and Coimbatore at a little more than six and five per cent, respectively.

The NITI Aayog recognised aspirational districts -- Ramanathapuram and Virudhanagar -- which are yet to meet many of the markers as per the SDGs, received less than one per cent outlay across the last six years. The three districts of Ariyalur, Tenkasi and Tirupattur received none.

Education was the most preferred segment which the organisations supported, with healthcare and rural development coming in at second and third place.

As per the study, CSR spending across the country has more than doubled, becoming a significant source of development funding in India.

CSR investments have also evolved from being only compliance-focused to a more strategic impact-first approach, going beyond CSR regulations and standards.

This form of strategic CSR leads to greater value creation for the communities as well as gets greater buy-in from companies, who now see the benefits of CSR upon their businesses as well, making it a win-win situation for all.

Experience over the years showcases that data-backed insights provide an advantage for the decision-making process, specifically in socially responsible activities to implement more strategic CSR policies.

The role of data is becoming increasingly critical in the social impact ecosystem to design and scale the most relevant and impactful initiatives, the study added.
Hyderabad, Aug 30 : Telangana BJP President, Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Monday alleged that the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government in the state has changed the name of 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana' to 'double bedroom scheme'.

He said the TRS government led by Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao changed the name of the Central government's housing scheme for poor as it was afraid that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become more popular.

Sanjay was addressing a press conference on the third day of his 'Praja Sangrama Yatra'. The state government has failed to submit the list of beneficiaries to the Central government despite several communications in this regard, the Telangana BJP President added.

The BJP MP said since the TRS government did not build the number of houses sanctioned by the Centre, it has not submitted the list of beneficiaries. He claimed that the state government used all funds released by the Centre under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana but did not submit the list of beneficiaries.

He alleged that the double bedroom houses being built by the state government are of poor quality. "The government is constructing these houses for the sake of contractors," he said.

The BJP MP said Chief Minister KCR never reviewed the quality of the houses built.

Sanjay claimed that his 'padyatra' is drawing huge support from people, especially youth, women and elderly persons. "People are voluntarily coming out of their houses. This is the reflection of the confidence people have in the BJP," he added.

The BJP leader said though he continued his 'padyatra' till late on Sunday night, people came out to meet him. He claimed that people want an end to the "corrupt and family rule" of KCR.

People were speaking out about their problems and the failure of the state government to come to their rescue during the Covid-19 pandemic, Sanjay added.
Agartala, Aug 30 : Amidst dissidence by a section of ruling BJP MLAs and leaders in Tripura, four senior party leaders arrived in the state on Monday for a week-long visit to plug the shortcomings, both in the government and the organisation.

BJP's Tripura chief spokesman Subrata Chakraborty said that the central leaders, led by party's North East Zonal Secretary, Organisation, Ajay Jamwal, would meet Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, state President Manik Saha, all Ministers, MLAs, state and district leaders and would obtain their views about the governance and functioning of the party organisation.

The other Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in the team are national General Secretary Dilip Saikiya, General Secretary in-charge of Tripura-Assam Phanindranath Sharma, and state's central observer Vinod Sonkar.

"The central party leaders would also visit a few districts and subdivisions to meet the grassroot leaders and workers," Chakraborty told IANS.

The central team arrived a day after five dissident BJP MLAs, and former district and state leaders held a meeting here on Sunday.

The five MLAs are Sudip Roy Barman, Ashis Kumar Saha, Diba Chandra Hrangkhawl, Ashis Das, and Burba Mohan Tripura.

Barman, a former Health and Information Technology Minister, told IANS that in the meeting, they obtained views and suggestions of the district and local leaders of all the eight districts and these would be communicated to the visiting central leaders.

"Leaders of the government and party organisations are not keen to listen to the opinion, grievances and suggestions of the district and grassroot leaders. That's why the conference was held. This is not against the BJP or to join the Trinamool Congress," the Congress-turned BJP leader said.

"With our joining, along with thousands of party (Trinamool and Congress) workers in 2016, the BJP got a massive political strength, facilitating it to come to power defeating the Left parties after 25 years." "People and workers of the party have many problems and issues. We want that the government and the party should give importance to the opinion and propositions of all," Saha told IANS.

A senior BJP leader told IANS that the Chief Minister would expand and reshuffle his council of ministers in line with the recent Union Cabinet reshuffle done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Without elaborating, the BJP leader said that the exercises both in the ministry and the organisation would be done keeping an eye on the next assembly elections, due in February 2023.

Since the BJP-IPFT (Indigenous People's Front of Tripura) government assumed office on March 9, 2018, three ministerial berths were lying vacant and in May 2019, Barman was sacked, following differences of opinion with the Chief Minister.

The BJP in the state, along with central leaders, have initiated a series of meetings since June to resolve the differences.

Besides the state Executive meeting on June 28, two other very significant meetings including a MLAs meet were held in just 12 days. On June 16, BJP's National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh, Jamwal and Sharma rushed to the state and held a series of meetings for two days with the state leaders, legislators, ministers and other party functionaries.

In the June 28 meeting, where the dissident leaders and MLAs led by Roy Barman remained absent, Sharma physically attended while BJP's strategist and National General Secretary Bhupender Yadav (now Union Minister) and Sonkar virtually participated in the meeting from Delhi.

Strong speculations about fresh political developments in Tripura gained currency after BJP national Vice President Mukul Roy, along with his son Subhrangshu Roy, rejoined West Bengal's ruling Trinamool on June 11 in Kolkata. Roy, before joining the BJP around four years ago, had often visited Tripura to supervise the Trinamool's organisational matters.

Under Roy's influence, six Congress MLAs led by Roy Barman and a large number of party leaders and workers joined the Trinamool in 2016 and a year later, joined the BJP, boosting the political strength of the saffron party. All the six and former Congress legislature party leader Ratan Lal Nath were re-elected on the BJP tickets in the 2018 polls and among them Roy Barman, Pranajit Singha Roy and Nath were made Ministers and Biswabandhu Sen appointed as Deputy Speaker.

At least 11 BJP legislators and some party leaders led by Roy Barman and fellow MLAs and former party Vice-President Ram Prasad Paul went to Delhi in October last year to discuss "party affairs in Tripura with the central leadership".

Amid dissidence, Chief Minister Deb in December last year announced to take a "public mandate" through public gatherings in Agartala but subsequently at the request of central and state leaders, the plan was called off.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : In 2015, on the eve of her 18th birthday, everything changed for Vidhie Mukerjea, as her mother Indrani Mukerjea was arrested for allegedly murdering her daughter Sheena Bora. A few months later, media baron Peter Mukerjea met the same fate.

Vidhie went to Regent's University London, and over the next few years, maintained a low profile in the media and 'blocked' the incident in her mind.

But with her recently released memoir 'Devil's Daughter' (Westland Books), she assures that now she does not operate from a place of fear anymore as she breaks off layers of her conditioning and past trauma.

"Public scrutiny had its place in my mind as I have memories of how both my family and I were treated by the media. However, this book was merely an expression of who I am as person, an author, and an artist. It highlights my struggles, adventures, and essentially sharing who I am with the world in a raw and authentic form. I was incredibly nervous about having a public presence, but my narrative has given me confidence to be out there and speak about it," she tells IANS.

Vidhie recalls that writing 'Devil's Daughter', which also talks about her anxiety and panic disorder, started as a cathartic release into her laptop with many moments of deep introspection, reliving her past, and going through diverse emotions.

"While also challenging preconceived notion many have about mental health being a taboo topic. Towards the end of writing the book I couldn't stop thinking about various tough situations people are going through with Covid and otherwise, what their headspace was like at the time and realising finally we are all essentially going through the same thing internally," Vidhie says.

She says that while externally our problems may be different, but inside we all feel anxiety, nervousness, depression.

"I wrote it so people felt they could relate to me and I to them." Stressing that once she started writing, there was no holding back, the author says that her story and journey began to empower her and her purpose.

"Of course, there were moments of doubt, but I was I was reassured by people close to me -- my partner, friends and family," she says.

For Vidhie, writing the book was also therapy. While for the first two years after her parents' arrest, she was constantly escaping her reality, pretending things were entirely normal and that she was an anomaly and would not need to feel those things.

"The longer I deflected, the bigger the hit was. So yes, writing this was like months of intensive therapy for me," she says.

Recalling the media trial that followed, she says it was not just awful and damaging but also draining. "They were ruthless and invasive. It haunts me still because I really kept wondering how people could behave like that. But you know, they tried to ruin us, and they almost did; but because of them I am so much better prepared today. When stuff like this happens, you call them out and hit back. Simple." Admitting that reliving the past while writing was scary sometimes, Vidhie says that there were days when she felt she would mentally collapse.

"I could not sleep, eat or talk. But I truly believe there is always a deeper lesson or truth to be found in any tough situation. After I went through these moments, I would come out of them feeling so relieved and content." Adding that it was "inevitable" for her to talk about her anxiety and panic attacks, she feels that we all want to live in a bubble, pretending all is bright eyed. "We are afraid to let people know we are hurting. I wanted to break that chain, life is about being raw and authentic and writing about it just felt incredible." When the author told her mother about the book, and gave her a brief disclaimer of what to expect, both discussed the context. "I kept pushing and delaying the conversation, but she was quite proud of me when I told her what I would be writing. Frankly, she gave me the last bit of confidence I needed." The author writes in the book that she does not understand her mother's actions --- "Of course, it's nothing short of tough. But we all make blind decisions, and get lost. I hope to understand her more as time passes." Currently working on her next book on how to travel sustainably -- backpacking, living in hostels, not having a fixed itinerary, discovering places on the go, cheap transport, immersing oneself in the culture, and understanding what it means to be a local, she adds, "It is about how exposing oneself to a diversity of experiences, people, and perspective can go on to broaden your horizons, and serve as a mechanism for self-reflection and discovery."
Mumbai, Aug 30 : Building up pressure on the Shiv Sena, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday raided multiple locations belonging to senior Shiv Sena Transport Minister Anil Parab and five-time Lok Sabha MP Bhawana P. Gawali, sources said.

The ED raids came a day after Parab was slapped with a notice requiring his appearance on August 31, but he said he will consult legal experts in the matter.

On the other hand, Gawali said that she has not received any ED notice so far, even as the agency raided around half a dozen locations linked to her in Washim district, including some trusts, a college, and social and business organisations.

While Patil is a close aide of Sena president and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Gawali is the party's sole woman face in the lower house of the parliament, elected twice from Washim and thrice from the Washim-Yavatmal constituency.

"It (ED notice) is a legal matter. We shall deal with it legally," Parab said on the development, which came a week after Union MSME Minister Narayan Rane was arrested, granted to magisterial custody and then given bail during his 'Jan Ashirwad Yatra'.

Reacting to the issue, Sena MP and chief spokesperson Sanjay Raut said that the notice issued by the ED is not "a death warrant", but "a love letter" for political workers.

"Only the frequency of such 'love letters' has increased after many unsuccessful attempts (by the opposition BJP) to breach the wall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, which remains strong and impregnable. We are not scared by it," Raut told mediapersons.

Nationalist Congress Party spokesperson and Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said that such notices and raids are an outcome of "a clear political vendetta" witnessed against states ruled by non-BJP parties.

"Some BJP leaders say in advance that so and so leader will face action and the central agencies start working. There's a strong doubt in the minds of the people all over India about the ED and even the Supreme Court has made certain observations recently," Malik said.

He pointed out how when leaders from other parties join the BJP, all actions against them are dropped, and reiterated that the MVA will not be cowed down by such tactics.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Dr G. Satheesh Reddy on Monday briefed Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu about the various products and equipment developed indigenously by DRDO labs for treatment and management of the ongoing Covid pandemic.

A total of 25 scientists and technicians from the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), along with its Director Dr Rajeev Varshney, and the DRDO chief were invited to the official residence of the Vice President for the briefing.

Interacting with the scientists, Naidu commended the contribution of scientists and the front-line workers from the DIPAS in the fight against the pandemic and advised them to intensify their research to effectively combat any such pandemic in the future.

Noting that the pandemic has triggered unprecedented health crisis and severely impacted lives and livelihoods across the world, he lauded the contribution of DIPAS and other DRDO labs for rising to the occasion but said that it is important to be ever vigilant to effectively tackle any future threats in the wake of the emerging new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The DRDO has evolved as strong scientific organisation during the pandemic to help the nation come out of the health crisis. It has been tracking the spread of coronavirus since the beginning, and took a call to enhance efforts to create counter-measures to stop the spread of the disease in India. It also started focusing on creating mass supply solutions of critical medical requirements.

Its developed many products for combating the pandemic, delivering some of the best makeshift hospitals, developing an antibody detection kit, and also came up with a quick and effective design for a low-cost ventilator, among others.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Kolkata, Aug 30 : The Border Security Forces on Monday shot dead two men trying to cross over from Bangladesh to India through the non-fenced border at Changrabanda under Mekhligunj police station in West Bengal's Cooch Behar, after they opened fire on being challenged.

The duo were identified as Younia Ali and Md Sagar, reportedly from Bangladesh's Patgram.

According to local sources, the BSF has tightened its hold on the border area to check cattle smuggling. However, despite this, smugglers from Bangladesh allegedly continue to carry on with the illegal activity, using both open or barbed wire borders as corridors.

The area in question in Monday's incident is adjacent to the Dharla river and so, barbed wire could not be installed in a four kilometer area. The smugglers try to take advantage of this situation.

According to BSF sources, on Monday morning, some people had entered Indian territory from Bangladesh to smuggle cattle. When the BSF challenged him, they attacked the BSF, which retaliated, killing the two.

As soon as the news of the incident was received, DIG, Jalpaiguri Sector, Sanjay Panth, BSF's 146 Bn second-in-command Mohit Kothiyal, second in command of battalion number 146, and other senior officers of police and the administration reached the spot. The bodies have been handed over to the police for a post-mortem examination, and will subsequently be handed over to the BGB.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Financial probe agency Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday recorded the statement of Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez in a money-laundering case, official said.

Jacqueline recorded her statement in the money-laundering case lodged against conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. She was in Enforcement Directorate's New Delhi office for more than five hours, but the agency denied it had interrogated her.

The 27-yr-old Chandrasekhar, a native of Bengaluru, faces 15 FIRs. To lead a lavish lifestyle, he duped people in Bengaluru and Chennai of several crores.

He is currently lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail.

On August 23, the ED had "seized" a luxurious sea-facing bungalow in Chennai, Rs 82.5 lakh cash, and over a dozen luxury cars in connection with the money-laundering case against him.

He is also an accused of running an extortion racket worth Rs 200 crore from inside the Tihar jail.

Posing as politician's relative, it is alleged that he has duped more than 100 people promising to get their job done. He used buy expensive cars, included Rolls Royces, from the extorted money.

In Tamil Nadu, Chandrasekhar would usually travel in a car with beacon and claimed that he was the son of then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He has also duped many people, posing as nephew of late Andhra Chief Minister Y.S.R. Reddy and Secretary of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

In case in Kerala Kochi, Sukesh had promised Emmanuel Silks to bring in Bollywood actor Katrina Kaif for a promotional programme. He had even taken Rs 20 lakh from them. However, he brought Telugu superstar Allu Arjun for the showroom's inauguration in Kottayam.

He has also allegedly played a middleman to help T.T.V. Dinkaran allegedly get the AIADMK's 'two leaves' symbol for Rs 60 crore in 2017.
Kabul/New Delhi, Aug 30 : Global media reports supported by security experts indicate that the Taliban 2.0 now ensconced in Afghanistan has come to control $85 billion military equipment, including 600,000 small arms, 200 planes/choppers, black hawks, night vision devices, body armours and medical supplies. Those who worked for Afghanistans defences till last month testify to these biometric details.

Most of it has come overnight, much of it for the first time and most of it from the United States that will evacuate by this month-end.

No banned organisation had this much ever in human history. It is another matter that the status of being banned may likely go, as the world wakes up to the ground realities in Afghanistan. The question now is: Who all in the whole world will pay the price for the multiple mistakes that will certainly not be confined to the hapless Afghan people.

The question is: Besides the opponents, among them the ethnic minorities, who will be the targets of this newly-acquired military might - notwithstanding dodgy assurances by the new rulers? As one struggles to gaze beyond the horizon from 'new' Kabul ruled by 'new' Taliban with whom the governments will have to do business, sooner than later, the first point of call for the new regime, nurtured, supported and diplomatically cushioned by eastern neighbour Pakistan, is bound to be India-ruled Jammu and Kashmir.

The key point to note here is that India anticipated this - if not fully, then substantially. It had urged the US all through the recent years not to quit in haste. India had warned the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations to base all American planning and action on one cardinal point: Islamabad's support to the Taliban. This was ignored, whatever the American compulsions.

Now that it has happened, it is, perhaps, easier to explain why India acted in August 2019 to end Jammu and Kashmir's "special status", annulled its political and constitutional autonomy and dissolved the state (province) itself by carving out two "union territories", directly ruled from New Delhi.

Whether or not it was a 'correct' step, in keeping with the popular aspirations, or whether it was popular with the people of the erstwhile province, must now be viewed in the context of the developments in Afghanistan, or to put it wisely, the Af-Pak region.

In any case, New Delhi has not closed its domestic options, including reviving of the provincial status of the territory, possibly reverting to full statehood at "an appropriate time", going by the official pronouncements.

But this essay is about external security threat to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh territories with the advent of the Taliban.2. Not to be ignored is Pakistan's heightened campaign on the way it looks at the "Kashmir dispute" as its Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi tours the Gulf nations and the Central Asian Republics to canvas early recognition of the new Kabul regime.

Indian security establishment avers that it anticipated what was, and is, coming. It has already begun in the shape of attempt at infiltration from across the border before the Kashmir Valley gets snow-bound.

For this, the security affairs primer is what they faced, and dealt with, when forces of the erstwhile Soviet Union had quit Afghanistan, creating a largely similar situation, three decades back, in the 1990s.

There was big spike, it needs recalling, in cross-border infiltration into Kashmir, in tandem with violence by elements drawing strength from across the border. One fall-out was that a large chunk of minority Hindus were forced to flee their homes.

It also needs recalling that after the Mujahideen gained power in post-Soviet Afghanistan, thousands of 'veterans' of that war, from a score of nationalities - Arabs and Central Asians, but also Uighurs, Chechens and Serbs - returned to their homes to work for a global 'Caliphate'.

Born or strengthened in the process were ETIM in China, Islamist outfits across newly-independent Central Asian Republics, JMB and HUJI in Bangladesh and Jamah Islamia in distant Indonesia, besides a host of Salafi-Jihadist bodies in Africa. India faced the Pakistan-based LeT, newly formed Jaish-e-Mohammed and their local affiliates.

The new Af-Pak developments point to a repeat of history, especially in India. While there are fears that the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan may impact the security situation in the Kashmir Valley, there are also apprehensions that this could escalate terror-related violence in the other two Union Territories as well. There are already indications that things could heat up south of Pir Panjal and key infiltration routes in the Kashmir Valley where even a more stringent vigil has been mounted. The routes could be Poonch-Rajouri or North Kashmir. Both the areas have seen encounters taking place.

However, the Pakistan based organisations have also anticipated and planned their moves. Several of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives from Pakistan infiltrated months before the Afghanistan situation, as per Indian security forces' assessment.

There is a definite Afghan-Pakistan link. India's NIA says close to 1,000 Pakistani terrorists are trained at these al-Qaeda and Taliban camps located in Afghanistan's Helmand province. Incidentally, Helmand was among first provinces to return to the Taliban control once the NATO operations began to wind down.

India's Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawathas said: "We were concerned about how terrorist activity from Afghanistan could overflow into India and so to that extent our contingency planning had been ongoing and we are prepared for that." However, this promises to be a complex situation affecting Afghanistan and Pakistan as well. As Akanksha Narain, an analyst with a political and risk consultancy firm in New Delhi, told DW, German media outlet, that Afghanistan could face a similar situation after the withdrawal of NATO troops to what it faced when Soviet forces departed in 1988-89.

"Mujahideen fighters until 1989 fought against the Soviet troops, then dispersed to other theaters, from Chechnya and Kashmir to the Middle East," Narainsaid in July this year.

Now, the world should prepare for this likely eventuality.
Srinagar, Aug 30 : Major General Sanjiv Singh Slaria has taken over as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Counter Insurgency Force Kilo on Monday, the army said.

"Major General SH Sahi on relinquishing the command moves to Delhi on an important assignment in the army headquarters," the army said, adding: "Maj Gen Sahi's tenure saw the Kilo Force take distinctive steps towards peace and stability in North Kashmir." Major General Slaria was commissioned into 10 Armoured Regiment in June 1990. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the winner of the Sword of Honour at the Indian Military Academy, the General Officer has attended staff courses at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, Command and General Staff College at Thailand, Higher Defence Management Course at the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and the prestigious NDC Course at Mirpur, Bangladesh.

In his distinguished military career spanning over three decades, Slaria has held various prestigious instructor and staff appointments.

He was an instructor at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, and Directing Staff at the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad.

Slaria has held various important staff appointments prior to assuming the command of the prestigious Counter Insurgency Force (Kilo).
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Afghanistan will not be able to join the meeting proposed by India, Iran, and Uzbekistan on the use of Iran's Chabahar port in absence of any recognised or elected government there, sources said on Monday.

The new grouping's meeting was due this month but has been delayed due to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, and is now scheduled to take place later this year.

These three nations had, in July, invited Afghanistan to form a Quad to discuss the India-sponsored International North South Transit Corridor (INSTC) project and the joint use of Chabahar port and the then Ashraf Ghani government agreed to join the meeting.

"In July, India had invited Afghanistan to join the group. But due to the changed political situation in the country, Afghanistan will not be participating in the three nations talks on INSTC and the Chabahar port," an official said on condition of anonymity.

The INSTC is a 7,200 km-long multimodal transportation network encompassing sea, road, and rail routes, linking the Indian Ocean to the Caspian Sea via the Persian Gulf, onwards into Russia and northern Europe and offers the shortest connectivity route between them.

This port is the only gateway for India to Afghanistan and Central Asia after Pakistan blocking its transit trade route via Afghanistan, whereas the INSTC and the Chabahar port together give an alternate to China's "Belt and Road initiative".

India, Iran, and Uzbekistan had held their first ever meeting on joint use of Chabahar Port but later Uzbekistan also agreed to join US-led Quad grouping which also included Afghanistan and Pakistan, and would be focusing on enhancing regional connectivity.

Experts observed that US-led Quad, including Pakistan and Uzbekistan, has been created to counter India's ambitious Chabahar project.

"India has proposed to include the port in the framework of the International North-South Transport Corridor and has welcomed the formation of the India-Uzbekistan-Iran-Afghanistan quadrilateral working group on the joint use of Chabahar port. The meeting is likely to take place in the later half of this year," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said recently.

The Afghan government had been a major stakeholder in the talks since the multi-nation trade route had been developed by India along with Iran to provide a trade route for Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. Its absence is set to effectively stop plans of goods from Chabahar port reaching land-locked Afghanistan, which was earlier set to come up as an important node of the INSTC, experts noted.
Kolkata, Aug 30 : After Mukul Roy, another BJP MLA has joined West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress.

Taking the Trinamool flag from state Education Minister Bratya Basu at a function here on Monday, Tanmoy Ghosh, the MLA from Bishnupir in Bankura district, accused the BJP of "indulging in vindictive politics".

Speaking to reporters, Ghosh claimed that the BJP was also attempting to trigger chaos among the people of West Bengal, because of which he rejoined the ruling party.

"I urge all to join the Trinamool for the welfare of West Bengal. There is a need to strengthen the hands of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," he said.

Ghosh had switched over to the BJP from the Trinamool in March, days ahead of the state elections. Earlier, he was the Trinamool Youth President of Bishnupur town in Bankura and also a councillor of the local civic body.

Basu said: "We will fight the BJP politically. It is also trying to belittle the people of West Bengal." He also said many BJP leaders are in touch with the party. "We appeal to all to join the TMC but the final decision will be taken by the party leadership," he added.

Basu also said: "When Mamata Banerjee steps in Tripura, there will be a tsunami. BJP leaders of that state are pretty aware of this." "Tripura under BJP has been transformed into a valley of fear," he alleged.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : The President of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (JUH), Arshad Madani, has appealed to all non-Muslims not to send their daughters to co-educational schools to save them from 'obscenity, while emphasising on schooling of girls in separate schools.

In a press statement issued on Monday after the working committee meeting of the JUH, Madani said, "Immorality and obscenity is not a teaching of any religion. It has been condemned in every religion of the world because these are the things which spread misbehaviour in the society. Therefore, we will also ask our non-Muslim brothers to refrain from giving co-education to their daughters to keep them away from immorality and misbehaviour, and to set up separate educational institutions for them." The establishment of schools and colleges for boys and girls, especially separate educational institutions in a religious environment for girls, and the ways to reform the society were discussed in detail during the working committee meeting.

Madani said that in today's situation, people need good madrasas and higher secular educational institutions in which children can be provided equal opportunities of education.

Madani said that Muslims must equip their children with higher education at any cost.

"We desperately need schools and colleges in which our children, especially girls, can get higher education without any hindrance or discrimination" he said.
Puducherry, Aug 30 : Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy on Monday said that government was committed to the cause of the farmers.

Responding to the questions posed by opposition DMK and independent members in the Assembly regarding the plight of the farmers of the Union Territory, he said that he was aware of the woes of the farmers, particularly of the damage to crops during the rains and squally weather.

The DMK members and the independent member called upon the government to expedite the crop insurance scheme for the farmers.

Agriculture Minister C. Djeacour informed the members that he had sought a report from the Department of Agriculture on the total number of farmers who had applied for crop insurance. The opposition also called for the government to hold talks with the central government.

PWD Minister K. Lakshminarayanan told the house that the tourism sector was contributing largely to the exchequer. The assembly also passed the Puducherry Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill.
Hyderabad, Aug 30 : Telugu actor Sushanth, who's basking in the positive reviews he has been getting for 'Ichata Vahanamulu Niluparadu', spoke about his decision to quit his engineering studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA, and come back to India.

Cinema is in the actor's DNA, having the legendary Akkineni Nageswara Rao as his maternal grandfather, producer A.V. Subba Rao as his paternal grandfather and 'King' Nagarjuna as his maternal uncle. Engineering therefore had to make way for cinema, despite the "fine" grades Sushanth got while in university.

After his acting debut in the 2008 film 'Kalidasu', he kept getting signed up for more projects, but it was his star vehicle, 'Chi La Sow', directed by Rahul Ravindran, that went on to win a National Film Award in 2019 for the Best Original Screenplay.

So, was it a good decision to come back to India and pursue acting? "Yes, very much!," Sushanth said in a conversation with IANS. "I have had my share of ups and downs, but I have matured along the way. I have learnt to deal with stress better and to relax even while working harder.

"I used to stress over doing well and people liking me. I think it was because I was overly eager to please people. Now, I think I will relax and enjoy my work and not worry about results. When 'Chi La Sow' won a national award, I felt I was in the right field." Reflecting back on how he has changed in the last few years, Sushanth said: "I always loved films, but I did not have the clarity and maturity to understand what to do. I went to the US to pursue my under-graduate studies when I was just 17 and a half. I really didn't know what I wanted to do and there has been since then a natural progression.

"Fortunately, or unfortunately, I was a very good student. I got into a very good university and my grades were fine, but two years into engineering, I started missing films, India and home." The actor remembers the conversation he had with his mother Naga Susheela before boarding the flight back home.

"I was studying Digital Signal Processing in class, but I kept thinking that 'this is not what I want to do'. It is great knowledge, but this is not what I want to do. I did work in an office as well, because at the end of the college year, I just went along with my friends and got a job. So, I called home and my mother said, 'If you come back to India, you will never go back. So, just make sure you are not coming home just because you miss home.' I was not happy and knew that it was not something I wanted to do. I knew that if I came home, it might be a struggle, or fun, but I had to do this," the actor said.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Automobile major Maruti Suzuki India blamed rising commodity cost for another price hike from September.

Earlier in calendar year 2021, the automobile major had increased prices in January, April, and in July for only for the hatchback Swift and all CNG variants.

"Rising commodity prices, especially those of steel, copper, rhodium and palladium amongst others have left us with no choice but to raise prices across models," Maruti Suzuki India's Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, Shashank Srivastava said.

"On an average the material cost accounts for 70 per cent of our overall cost structure." According to Srivastava, the company tried not to raise prices to revive demand by cost-cutting and other measures.

"But continuously rising material cost has left us with no options. The quantum of increase on average will be around 1.4 per cent depending on the model." "Currently, commodity prices have started to soften up a bit, the industry believes that the material cost will plateau out on these levels and soften more in Q3FY22 and Q4FY22." The company had earlier raised prices for different car models in July for only the hatchback Swift and all CNG variants. The increase in ex-showroom prices (Delhi) at that time was up to Rs 15,000.
Chandigarh, Aug 30 : Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday slammed his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar for defending the "criminal assault on peacefully protesting farmers" by putting the onus of their agitation on his state, saying Khattar's remarks had completely exposed his government's "anti-farmer agenda".

The Punjab Chief Minister reminded Khattar and his deputy Dushyant Chautala that the farmers who were protesting against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) meeting in Karnal when the police baton charged them belonged to Haryana and not Punjab.

He was reacting to Khattar's and Chautala's allegations of Punjab being behind the farmers' agitation against the farm laws.

Blaming the BJP squarely for the farmers' wrath, Amarinder Singh said the crisis would not have assumed "such grave proportions" had the BJP, including the Haryana CM and Deputy CM, heeded the farmers' concerns and empathised with their pain, instead of "taking refuge in shameful lies for the horrendous attacks on the peaceful farmers".

He trashed Khattar's claim that the Haryana Police used force only after the farmers disturbed the state's law and order, citing the viral video of an official purportedly giving explicit instructions to the cops to bash up the farmers "nailed the CM's lies".

"How did the SDM know that the farmers intended to resort to stone pelting, etc, as claimed by Khattar?" Amarinder Singh asked.

"Can't you see that the farmers of your own state are angry with you for your apathetic attitude towards them and your party's stubborn refusal to repeal the farm laws?" he asked the Haryana leaders, adding the farmers were fighting for their survival and did not need provocation from Punjab or any other state to protect themselves and their families.

"The sentiment of the entire country was with the farmers in the matter of the draconian and blatantly undemocratic farm laws, imposed by the BJP-led central government in the midst of the Covid pandemic," said Amarinder Singh, adding that the BJP's adamant refusal to revoke the legislations reflected the "vested interests" of the party and its leadership.

"Repeal the farm laws instead of blaming Punjab for the mess your party has put the farming sector in," said Amarinder Singh, warning that the BJP would have to pay for their sins in the upcoming Assembly elections in various states, and in every poll thereafter.

"The Khattar government's repeated attempts to forcibly end the farmers' agitation, and the derogatory and obnoxious terms used against farmers by various BJP leaders, will only backfire on their party," he added.

Recalling that the farmers had held protests across Punjab for two months before shifting focus to the Delhi borders, the Chief Minister pointed out that his state had not witnessed a single incident of violence during the period.

"Even recently, when sugarcane farmers staged protests, we negotiated with them and resolved the issue instead of using brute force to try and subjugate them," he added.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Since the fall of Kabul, Pakistan has been quietly engaging with key international and regional stakeholders with a message that Afghanistan should not be left alone and the incoming government there, likely to be led by the Afghan Taliban, should be given a chance, Express Tribune reported.

Officials familiar with the development told The Express Tribune that there is a considered view among the policymakers in Pakistan that the international community must not prejudge the Taliban.

This was the message Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi carried during his recent four-nation visit that took him to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. He is likely to undertake more visits to the countries, having stakes in Afghanistan's future.

Qureshi confirmed in a statement that Pakistan is in touch with the Afghan Taliban leadership for the way forward. He said the Taliban are giving positive signals.

"If they [Taliban] are giving positive signals, the world must encourage them," Qureshi said, as per the report.

He also urged the international community to avoid any repeat of past mistakes and not leave Afghanistan alone.

"If Afghanistan is left alone, that would be a disaster for everyone," he said, stressing the need for remaining engaged with a country that has been at war for the last four decades.

Recently, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also sought the world's support for the Afghan Taliban.

He said that the Taliban are doing exactly what the world has been asking for.

Khan added that the Taliban have promised to respect human and women's rights, agreed to an inclusive government and not to let Afghan soil be used again by terrorists, the report said.

Khan's key cabinet member, Asad Umar, expressed similar views, seeking international financial assistance for an imminent Taliban government.

"The world must not repeat the mistake it made after the Soviet withdrawal. This is the time for the global community to engage and not isolate Afghanistan. A fraction of the money spent on the war in Afghanistan, spent honestly on development can enhance global security," he tweeted.
Chennai, Aug 30 : The four Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots who had undergone astronaut training in Russia will be going back there for the purpose of tailoring their space suit, said a senior official of the Indian space agency.

"We are working out their travel schedule. They may be there for two weeks," the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) official, who did not want to be identified, told IANS.

Three of the four Indian astronauts will be part of India's Rs 10,000 crore human space mission 'Gaganyaan'.

According to the official, the four astronauts will try out their spacesuits designed and made by a company called Zvezda located near Moscow.

Zvezda makes individual life support systems for pilots and astronauts/cosmonauts, means of rescue for crews and passengers in case of accidents of aircraft, and aircraft refueling systems.

The four Indian astronauts returned to India in March 2021 after completing their training in Russia.

According to ISRO official, the debriefing of astronauts or exchange of information is being done.

They will also continue their flight training with IAF planes.

Their sea training and class room practicals will also be held for a year.

"The four astronauts will undergo space mission specific training in India," ISRO chief K. Sivan had told IANS earlier.

The four Indian astronauts were under training from February 2020 at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) belonging to Glavkosmos which is a subsidiary of Russian space corporation Roscosmos.

According to Sivan, the four astronauts will continue to train till they board the Indian space module.

Queried about the training regime back home, Sivan had said: "The astronauts will have their physical fitness training that includes swimming, and jogging. They will also have academic/theoretical classes as they have to understand the rocket, and the human space module." "They will also be trained on simulators. The Gaganyaan module navigation terminals will be simulated. The astronauts will be trained on various parameters that will be displayed on the terminals," he added.

The astronauts will later work on the Gaganyaan module as if they are flying.

"These apart, the astronauts will be trained on survival techniques so that they can survive in the sea as their landing module will land on the sea waters," Sivan said.

While the astronauts will be trained in Bengaluru and the survival techniques in Cochin, ISRO will carry out the engineering work related to Gaganyaaan.

Glavkosmos had earlier said the four Indian astronauts were trained in abnormal descent module landing - in wooded and marshy areas in winter; on water surface and in the steppe in summer.

"In June 2020, all Indian astronauts-elect passed training in short-term weightlessness mode aboard the IL-76MDK special laboratory aircraft, and in July, they were trained to lift aboard a helicopter while evacuating from the descent module landing point," Glavkosmos had said.

The Indian fighter pilots were also trained in a centrifuge and in a hyperbaric chamber to prepare their organisms for sustaining spaceflight factors, such as G-force, hypoxia, and pressure drops.

The regular courses comprise medical and physical training, learning Russian (as one of the main international languages of communication in space), and studying the configuration, structure and systems of the Soyuz crewed spacecraft, Glavkosmos had said.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
Jaipur, Aug 30 : At a time when the popular Netflix show 'Money Heist, soon to come up with its fifth episode, has created a lot of buzz across the globe, a Jaipur-based firm named Verve Logic has declared a holiday on September 3, announcing it as 'Netflix and Chill Holiday as the show releases on the same day.

The CEO of the company, Abhishek Jain, also thanked his employees for the hard work they put in during the Covid-19 pandemic.

'Money Heist' a Spanish thriller which has developed a lot of excitement all over the world.

In his message to his employees on social media, the Verve Logic CEO said that "it is okay to take a break every once in a while".

Taking to social media, Jain said, "We have taken this initiative not just to save an attack on our emails with false leaves, see mass bunks and numbers being switched off but because we know sometimes 'Moments of Chill be the Best Pills for Energy at Work'.

"So grab the popcorn, and be prepared to wave a final bye to our most loved professor and the entire caste. With this, Verve logic would like to thank all its members who have shown an amazing spirit during work from home and helped us come out from hard times beautifully. We know after all, 'Ek Break to Banta Hai'." He ended his mail by saying, "Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao." Speaking to IANS, Jain said, "People are actually looking forward to a fun holiday. I did hear about the excitement about the new show and decided to follow the craze as people have been working from home continuously and they did not get any single day off. That's why we declared the fun holiday."
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Energy conglomerate NTPC on Monday said it has geared up to meet the rising power demand in the country.

"The country is witnessing a sharp increase in power demand and NTPC is making all efforts for meeting demand as per the grid requirement," it said.

"NTPC has geared up to meet the increasing demand and the generation from NTPC group stations have registered a 23 per cent growth compared to the previous year." Under flexible utilisation of coal policy, NTPC is arranging coal at the stations where the stock position is in a critical stage, it said.

"Continuously coordinating with Coal India and Railways for augmenting coal supply at critical stations and diverting rakes wherever required." "Augmenting 2.7 Lakh MT import coal left out from the contracts placed earlier." Besides, the energy major cited that Darlipalli Unit-2 (800 MW) was put in operation and commercial operation of the unit will begin from September 1.

"The plant is a pit-head station, and the coal is being fed from captive mine of NTPC (Dulanga)." Furthermore, it has increased coal production from all of its captive mines.

"The states are also requested to schedule offtake from the gas stations. In order to plan for making arrangement for gas for generator companies, states are requested to schedule power at least for a week."
Bengaluru, Aug 30 : The Karnataka government on Monday decided to quarantine all travellers from Kerala for 7 days in the backdrop of increasing number of Covid cases in the southern state.

The state government has also decided to open classes for 6th, 7th and 8th standards from September 6, state Revenue Minister R. Ashok said.

As per the state government decision, those coming from Kerala, including students, will have to undergo institutional quarantine for 7 days. They will have to undergo a Covid test on the 7th day, Ashok said.

The positivity rate in Kerala has reached 19 per cent and about 30,000 cases are being reported daily. In this background, the restrictions in the bordering districts of Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu will continue, Ashok said.

As far as opening of schools is concerned, it has been decided to start classes (from 6th to 8th) in all taluks which recorded less than 2 per cent positivity rate. The schools are going to open from September 6.

Fifty per cent of students are allowed to come to class on one day and another 50 per cent the next day. The schools will remain open for 5 days from Monday to Friday.

The decision was taken after only 14 children tested positive for Covid among 6,472 samples taken from 9th to 12th standard students.

In the districts which have recorded less than 1.5 per cent of Covid positivity rate, the restrictions are relaxed.

Restrictions on marriage halls have also been relaxed as 400 persons can attend marriage functions. In small marriage halls, 50 per cent of the capacity of the hall can gather.

As far as Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are concerned, it has been decided to take a call on September 5. The prevailing Covid situation will be analysed before making a decision.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Guwahati, Aug 30 : The Congress-led 'Mahajot' (Grand Alliance) in Assam was on the verge of collapse with the Congress on Monday announcing that it has decided to sever the alliance with the Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF and tribal party BPF.

A core committee meeting, presided over by state Congress President Bhupen Bora, observed that the AIUDF's behaviour and attitude in relation to the ruling BJP has "baffled" his party.

"The AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front) leadership and senior members continuously and mysteriously praising the BJP and the Chief Minister (Himanta Biswa Sarma) has affected the public perception of the Congress. In this connection, after a long discussion, the Core Committee members of the APCC (Assam Pradesh Congress Committee) unanimously decided that the AIUDF can no longer remain an alliance partner of 'Mahajot' and in this regard, will send intimation to the AICC," Congress's chief spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma said.

She said that at Monday's meeting, a discussion was also held with regard to the alliance with the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF).

"Since the BPF had already expressed their unwillingness in various forums to remain in the 'Mahajot', therefore the APCC President has been given full authority to take decision on this matter and intimate the High Command," Sharma said.

The Congress, which governed Assam for 15 years (2001-2016), managed 29 seats in the March-April elections, three more than 2016 polls, when it lost Assam to the BJP. Of the other partners of the 10-party "Mahajot", the AIUDF won 16 seats up from 13 last time, the BPF got four seats against 12, and the Communist Party of India-Marxist won just one seat.

The Monday's core committee meeting also observed that inter-state border issues in the northeast have gradually increased during the tenure of the BJP government.

It expressed deep concern at the "unprecedented deteriorating relations" with neighbouring Mizoram over border dispute and condemned the failure of both Central and state governments on maintaining cordial relations with neighbouring states on the border issues.

Sharma said that the killing of five truck drivers in Dima Hasao district by the militants and the daylight murder of girl student Nandita Saikia in Dhemaji district with a machete proves that the state government has failed to control the law and order situation in the state.

She said that the Assam Congress leaders take strong exception to the state government announcement of the increase of daily wage of tea workers to Rs 205 per day which is way below the electoral promise of wage increase to Rs 351 by the BJP in 2016.

"Moreover the wage is also less than the first BJP Government's notification of 2021 which had added Rs 50 just before the assembly elections and increased it to Rs 217.

"This notification was also withdrawn and now only Rs 38 has been increased. The APCC strongly condemned this betrayal to the tea tribe community and demanded that the state government fulfilled the daily wage increase of tea workers as promised," Sharma said.
Hyderabad, Aug 30 : An innovation hub for agriculture was launched at the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University (PJTSAU) here on Monday to foster innovation in agriculture sector.

Set up with the help of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), AgHub will support agritech startups through innovation, incubation, and acceleration.

Information Technology and Industry Minister K.T. Rama Rao launched the facility in the presence of Agriculture Minister S. Niranjan Reddy, Education Minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy, and other officials.

PJTSAU Vice Chancellor Dr V. Praveen Rao said that the facility has been structured in the hub and spoke model. The hub in Hyderabad will cater to students as well as entrepreneurs at national and even global level. There will be spokes at district level to cater to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), women self-help groups, and rural innovators.

AgHub would also support promotion of rural entrepreneurship for building agribusiness enterprises promoted by rural youth, women, farmers, and FPOs etc. These rural innovation centres would cater to the capacity building of FPOs and building FPO-led enterprises for building up crop value chains in select key crops of the state.

NABARD has granted Rs 10 crore for this incubator, which would be run with the help of a team of agribusiness industry management professionals.

NABARD Chairman Govinda Rajulu said they have helped setting up of seven agriculture incubators in the country. He said the convergence of research and technology will benefit farmers, whose income remained low despite the increase in production of agriculture produce.

Rama Rao emphasized the need to improve productivity and profitability of agriculture sector. He stated that food security is no more a challenge for India but nutritional security is. He pointed out that ever since Covid-19 pandemic broke out, people are more inclined towards consuming nutritional food.

The minister observed that there was no bigger innovator than the farmer and innovation was no one's property. He urged the university authorities to keep the doors of the AgHub open for all, especially farmers and rural innovators to provide them a platform to showcase their inventions for the benefit of scores of their fellow farmers.

He spoke about the rapid strides Telangana made in agriculture sector in a short span of time. He claimed that no other state in the country is implementing such a large number of schemes for the welfare of farmers and development of agriculture sector.
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Various factions of Taliban, including the Haqqani Network, working in Afghanistan for a new leadership will lead to complete permanent chaos in the war-ravaged country, experts said.

Experts believe that the ideological differences among various groups may lead to a difficult situation for the new Afghan leadership which seized power a fortnight ago.

Talking about the ideological differences and personal interest of these groups such as the Al-Qaeda and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), among others, the experts observed that every group may need a slice of the cake.

They also opined that the Afghan leadership is unlikely to open a new channel of confrontation as it is busy with the process for the formation of the new government there.

Reacting to the situation, former Indian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia, Ashok Sajjanhar, said that what the Taliban might do is that they will include the representatives of these factions and try to maintain peace.

"There are different sections or components of the Taliban, they have their own rights. But the common thread is that they are established and controlled by Pakistan's ISI. The Afghan leadership may try to accommodate and try to buy peace, but all of them will jostle for more power, greater jobs and more authorities... So it will be a challenge for the Taliban how to accommodate them", Sajjanhar said.

He also said that Pakistan will be shepherding and it will put pressure on these groups to accept what would be offered to them.

There was huge disconnect between the fighters on the ground and the Taliban leadership which met in Doha, so the implementation of the policies will also be a challenge for the Afghan leadership, he added.

Similar views were expressed by West Asia expert Qamar Agha, who said that the formation of a coalition government will be a difficult task for the Taliban and "these groups are having different ideologies and agenda, some of them have close connections with the Islamic States of Syria and Iraq (ISIS), with Al-Qaeda or other groups, therefore, they need to have a 'common action plan' to take them on the same page." "The cadre of the Taliban is not a very disciplined force. Secondly, the corruption is very deep-rooted among the Taliban, and many groups within this militia had behaved like mafia in the past... They were involved in gun running, poppy trade and they are unlikely to give up these practices," Agha said.

Initially, they may behave with some unanimity but later on the differences will emerge and the possibility of confrontation among themselves will increase. We have seen earlier that the Mujahidin formed the government, but later they fought among themselves, he added.

However, another expert, Nishikant Ojha, disagreed with this and said that the Taliban leadership is aware of these issues and efforts are being made to take them on the same page.

"I do not think that the Taliban will have any problem with different groups with different ideologies and the representatives of all factions are likely to be accommodated in the proposed Taliban government. They have already done their homework considering these factors," Ojha said.

(Amresh SrivastavaA can be reached atAamresh.s@ians.in)
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Ahead of organisational restructuring in Congress' Gujarat unit, its state Working President and Patidar leader Hardik Patel was in the capital to meet top Congress leaders.

Congress is finalising names for the state President and sources say Arjun Modhwadia is the top choice of the party leadership but Shaktisinh Gohil, and Bharatsinh Solanki are also in the fray and now Hardik Patel is also understood to have jumped in Reached for comment, Hardik Patel confirmed that he is in Delhi but said that he is in a meeting and did not respond to any other query.

In July, a delegation of state leaders had met Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal and sought an appointment of state in charge as the post was vacant after the demise of Rajiv Satav, and state Congress chief Amit Chavda and Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani tendered their resignations from their posts in March, following the party's debacle in the local body elections.

The Congress performed badly, while the BJP vastly improved its performance.

The state is vital for the Congress, keeping in mind the Assembly elections scheduled next year, especially after the party came very close to wresting power from the ruling BJP in the 2017 polls.

Present Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot was then the in charge for Gujarat.
Bengaluru, Aug 30 : Karnataka will conduct a special vaccination drive every Wednesday, aiming to vaccinate 10 lakh people on that day, state Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K. Sudhakar said on Monday.

"The Centre has provided 1.10 crore vaccines in August. The supply has increased after Chief Minister and I discussed it with the Centre. We are aiming to vaccinate 5 lakh people every day from now onwards," he told the media.

"On Wednesday during the special vaccination drive, the target is to vaccinate at least 10 lakh people. This will ensure 1.5 to 2 crore doses in one month. We are aiming to make Bengaluru the first metro city to complete vaccination for all its eligible residents," he added.

Sudhakar said that 4 crore vaccinations have been completed in the entire state, including one crore in the BBMP limits. Measures will be initiated to increase the number in Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, and Kalburgi districts.

A special drive will be conducted for slum dwellers every day, and priority is also being given to border districts of Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, and villages within 20 km of the borders, he said, adding that they are aiming to fully vaccinate the entire eligible population by the end of December.

Noting schools and colleges have been opened in the state for Class 9, 10 and PUC students, the minister said that discussions have been done to reopen primary schools as well.

"The government will arrive at a decision soon in this regard. Students' future is also the responsibility of the government. Parents are also demanding reopening of the schools. Since there is are no reports of infection after reopening physical classes for high school and PU students, we are confident enough to go ahead for the primary level as well," he said.

Sudhakar also said that Covid guidelines have been issued for all the festivals. "Government does not want to restrict any celebrations, but the decision has to be taken according to the situation. We must keep in mind the welfare of all the citizens. Everyone should respect and follow the guidelines. We are confident that the situation will be under control after all these difficult circumstances," he said.

He also said the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) has submitted a report to tackle the third wave, and the government will discuss its suggestions with the technical advisory committee. "We will implement all suggestions. Government is well prepared to tackle a possible third wave," he said.
Patna, Aug 30 : The political temperature in Bihar heated up after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was declared as a Prime Ministerial material in a national council meeting of the Janata Dal (United) here on Monday.

The BJP sharply reacted to this and said that the leaders of JD(U) are giving such statements so that Nitish Kumar feels like he is on the top, while the reality is quite far from it.

"The JD(U) leaders are branding him as PM material, but why should others do? They have not borrowed money from him," BJP MLC Nawal Kishore Yadav said.

"A person qualified for the post of Prime Minister and projecting a leader as the PM candidate are two different things. Narendra Modi is the PM of India and he will remain the PM until people of the country vote against him," he said.

On Sunday, Upendra Kushwaha at a national council meeting said that Nitish Kumar has all the ability and qualification to become the Prime Minister of the country. Kushwaha also said that JD(U) will start "Mission Nitish" in the country.

K.C. Tyagi, the national general secretary of JD(U), said: "The idea is to expand the party in other states. It is necessary to expand the Nitish model across the country. He has done well in Bihar and many states have followed his policies." Madan Mohan Jha, the chief of the Bihar Congress unit, said: "If Nitish Kumar is dreaming about the post of Prime Minister, he should leave the NDA. He should challenge Narendra Modi, like our leader Rahul Gandhi.

"Nitish Kumar should point out the wrong policies of the Narendra Modi government. I believe there is huge internal dispute in the NDA. Hence, every alliance partner is taking a different path. They believe that the BJP will not win the 2024 parliamentary elections."
Tumakuru, : Aug 30 (IANS) A massive protest broke out on Monday in Tumakuru demanding justice for a 34-year-old married woman who was raped and murdered in Kyatsandra Police station limits on August 24.

The protesters alleged that the ruling BJP government, which showed interest to detect and arrest the accused persons in Mysuru gang-rape case, is turning a blind eye to this case.

Jayalakshmi (34), who went to graze cattle at a hillock near Chotasaabarapalya in Hirehalli, was found murdered. The preliminary investigation suggested that she was raped. Her family members and the villagers alleged that she was gang-raped and murdered by a gang of youth who frequented the hillock. The incident took place on August 24, but did not get attention as the rape was confirmed later.

However, even after the rape was confirmed, the police are yet to nab the accused persons or make any headway in the case.

The Kyatasandra police investigating the case said that 25 police officers have been deputed to probe the matter. "We are not getting even a small clue in the case.," the police said.

Thousands of people from the Agnivamsha Kshatriya community in Tumakuru and took out a procession to the district commissioner's office. The protesters demanded that the police should arrest the accused before September 5.

"The government should take this case seriously, just like they dealt with the Mysuru gang-rape case," the protesters said.

Tumakurun Rural MLA Gowrishankar said that the state government has not taken the rape and murder case of Jayalakshmi seriously.

"A married woman who went to graze cattle has been raped and murdered. But Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai or Home Minister Araga Jananedra have not bothered to react to the incident," he said.
London, Aug 31 : Another 26,476 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 6,757,650, according to official figures released on Monday.

The country also reported another 48 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 132,485. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The latest data came as the British government has been preparing for a booster programme expected from next month, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) said such shots should be delayed to raise vaccination rates globally.

Earlier this month, the WHO called for a moratorium on Covid vaccine booster shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution between wealthy and poor countries.

However, during a news briefing on Monday, Hans Kluge, the WHO regional director for Europe, said a booster shot is a way to keep the most vulnerable safe.

"A third dose of vaccine is not a luxury booster (that is) taken away from someone who is still waiting for a first jab. It's basically a way to keep the most vulnerable safe," Kluge said.

More than 88 per cent of people aged 16 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and more than 78 per cent have received both doses, the latest figures showed.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the US have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

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For the third year in a row, 919 Marketing is recognized as the nations highest ranked franchise marketing and PR firm. The company is ranked for the fifth time on the Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The multi-million-dollar franchise marketing and PR agency, located just outside of Raleigh, N.C., experienced an explosive three-year growth rate of 147%.

The Real Deal

Unlike some franchise supplier rankings, where companies are judged based on insider relationships, fuzzy evaluations or pay-to-play scenarios, the Inc. 5000 rankings are based on audited financial statements and unbiased, documented results.

919 Marketings growth is fueled by increased spending from an impressive roster of tenured clients and the addition of new franchise clients, including startups, emerging franchises, and Fortune 500 companies. The company has also aggressively expanded because of its award-winning work in the cause-marketing space, as the agency of record for a host of non-profit companies.

Work That Wins

919 Marketing is thrilled to be the PR and marketing agency of choice for franchise and nonprofit companies that want to grow their business with our creative and innovative strategies, says 919 Marketing CEO and founder David Chapman. We are extremely proud of our growth during the COVID crisis where we hunkered down, plowed ahead fearlessly and triumphed during a challenging business climate. We have earned a renowned reputation within the franchise industry and stood out from the pack with our proprietary 919 Insights platform, an artificial intelligence analytics tool. It provides a roadmap for our content and proof to our clients that our marketing strategies are helping them meet and beat their growth goals. None of this would be possible without our tenacious team of top talent that charged even harder during the pandemic to deliver game-changing results to our clients. 

The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled, says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis weve lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people.

Our Story

919 Marketing has been serving franchise-based and cause-marketing clients nationwide for more than a decade. Services include franchise marketing, content and public relations, franchise development, social media marketing, strategic planning, brand strategy, crisis communications, grand opening services, video, commercial and podcast production and a robust data analytics program so clients shift from I think I know my marketings working to I KNOW its working!

Major 919 Achievements /Milestones



Innovation  919 introduced its proprietary 919 Insights platform in 2018 and its helped dozens of clients catapult their growth and dominate their industries. The data analytics tool identifies content that converts to real business results and uncovers how companies are positioned against competitors.

Viral Sensation  During the pandemic, 919 Marketing launched a virtual toast called Whiskey Wednesday, inviting the franchise community to celebrate resilience by posting videos of toasting with their drink of choice. Whiskey Wednesday became a viral sensation across the globe and earned 919 Marketing national accolades for uniting the international business community during challenging times.

Awards  The companys full-service video production department has won 6 national Telly awards. Other honors include a One Show award, over a dozen Addy and Davey Awards and numerous public relations accolades. The firm was named one of the fastest-growing private marketing companies by Inc. Magazine six times and twice named Best Places to Work in North Carolina.

Top Talent  Over the past decade, 919 has built a robust content and digital marketing team, attracting top-tier talent from network TV newsrooms, boardrooms of the largest international advertising, PR and social media agencies and brand marketing departments of the worlds largest brands.

Expansion  With clients across the U.S., 919 now has satellite offices in New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Ohio. The company has grown so much, it recently built another corporate office to house expanding staff.

About 919 Marketing  Formed in 1996 and headquartered just outside of North Carolinas Research Triangle Park and the capital city of Raleigh, 919 is a national content marketing firm with a proven track record of helping companies increase revenue, create a competitive advantage, and improve marketing results. We provide high-powered strategic planning, public relations, social media, digital marketing, video and commercial production, business development support and full creative capabilities- each utilizing proven processes refined over hundreds of client engagements.

Our award-winning staff of marketing strategists, TV and print reporters and social media trail blazers are seasoned experts, providing content marketing firepower to excite, motivate and engage your customers and prospects. 919 clients include non- profit businesses, for-profit startups, emerging growth companies and Fortune 500 corporations from high-tech to health care, hair care and elderly care. 919 Marketing is a proven, go-to source for national companies of all sizes that want to grow their businesses. For more information, please contact David Chapman, CEO, at 919- 459-8156 or email at dchapman@919marketing.com.

https://919marketing.com

About Inc. Magazine

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. (http://www.inc.com) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for todays innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 712,647, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. For more information visit http://www.inc.com.
Set Free Through Christ Who Strengthens Me: a compelling tale of one womans fight to escape a life of torment. Set Free Through Christ Who Strengthens Me is the creation of published author Amy Zillner, who began a writing career as a freelance reporter for The Daily Press, The Apple Valley Review, and the Hesperia Star in Victorville, California. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing and currently works as a librarian for the San Bernardino County Library.

Zillner shares, Have you ever wondered what it would take for a brainwashed, suicidal victim of a cult to be able to live a normal life? I know a little more than some about deliverance. Once I was told I was possessed by demons and a danger to all those around me. I stayed up many a night being delivered, coughing up demons. Told I didnt have enough faith or I was in love with the demon inside of me and I didnt want to let it go. I went to many a prayer meeting, but the demons wouldnt let go. Or so I thought. The demons were not what was inside of me; it was the company I kept who was around me. They piled lie upon lie upon lie in my mind. Why? I dont know. For manipulation, for control, for kicks, or maybe out of ignorance. It almost broke me. It took me to the edge of my sanity, and let me tell you, its been a long way coming back. Have you ever been there? What darkness do you face? Are you on the edge of your sanity? Let me tell you there is a peace that belongs to those who belong to Christ. This book will show you how a life with Christ is the only way to be fully set free from the situation that you face. This book will shine the light of hope into your life. Set Free through Christ Who Strengthens Me is my journey from being a victim of a cult to living a full life with Christ. Come share the journey with me and see how Christ will be your strength when you are at your darkest hour.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Amy Zillners new book is a fascinating and profoundly personal tale of survival.

Zillner writes in hopes of encouraging others in spiritually or physically dangerous situations and spreading the message of the dangers of succumbing to cult tactics.

View a synopsis of Set Free Through Christ Who Strengthens Me on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Set Free Through Christ Who Strengthens Me at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Set Free Through Christ Who Strengthens Me, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
As one of the hottest sectors in health care, behavioral health is transforming rapidly

Behavioral Health Business (BHB), an Aging Media publication, is excited to announce the first-ever INVEST Conference, a live event where leading experts in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and behavioral health operations examine the state of the industry through an investment lens. (invest.bhbusiness.com)

Attendees will join the industrys brightest leaders in exploring growth strategies, digital innovations, autism trends, the shift to value-based care and other critical topics around behavioral health and its future.

INVEST is a chance to connect with owners, operators, vendors, and finance professionals contributing to the growth and progress of the industry as a whole. Virtual tickets are available for those who are unable to attend in person.

The conference will take place on October 14, 2021, at Convene, located at 311 W. Monroe, Chicago, Illinois 60606. It will run from 8 am to 4 pm, providing attendees with a full day of networking, learning and discussion. INVEST will kick the day off with group presentations and networking opportunities, followed by afternoon breakout sessions and panel discussions.

As one of the hottest sectors in health care, behavioral health is transforming rapidly, said Aging Media Co-Founder George Yedinak. INVEST provides a deeper look at the impact this growth is having on owners, operators, clinicians and patients, as well as the role it will play in shaping the future of behavioral health.

Joined by experts from a wide range of disciplines, INVEST will offer a full spectrum of perspectives and outlooks on the fast-changing behavioral health industry.

To reserve your spot for this years INVEST Conference, please visit invest.bhbusiness.com

INVEST presents a variety of opportunities for tabletop exhibitions, private meeting rooms and experiential marketing.

For BHB INVEST sponsorship opportunities, please contact events@agingmedia.com.

About Aging Media Network

Aging Media Network is an innovative publishing company based in Chicago, Illinois, and is the publisher of Senior Housing News, Home Health Care News, Skilled Nursing News, Hospice News, and Behavioral Health Business.

About Behavioral Health Business

Behavioral Health Business (BHB) is an independent source for breaking news and up-to-date information on the mental health and addiction recovery industry.
Exceeding Expectations

Atyeti capped off an amazing year with tremendous sales growth. The company grew 56% over the last 12 months. Atyeti has always been built around the mission of - EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS. This includes exceeding the expectations of the companys clients and delivering on the promises to our employees. Exceeding Expectation continues to be the core value of the company.

Atyeti is happy to report that the entire organization transitioned seamlessly to a remote work environment and the durability and efficiency of the Atyeti business model came shining through. The company would like to thank its clients for their continued support. The company would also like to thank its employees, who despite tremendous personal challenges, were unified in their commitment to support the companys clients and each other.

Atyeti is a leading digital transformation technology consulting firm focused on accelerating Digital initiatives for its clients around the world.

Atyeti has built Strategic Partnerships with key Software & Product firms that align with its clients long term Digital roadmap- especially around Cloud and Data Sciences. These include HashiCorp, Snowflake, Datadog, GreshamTech, DataBricks, Datadog, nCino, Saleforce etc. Atyeti is building deep product and industry expertise to support its customers on their Digital Transformation journey.

Atyeti is most excited about the explosive growth that is forecasted in the year ahead and is looking forward to embracing all its new colleagues that will join Atyeti on the exciting journey of taking the company to even greater heights in 2022.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/atyeti-inc/
Patricia Jensen, a proud mother of two sons and grandmother of three grandkids and the former cohost of a radio talk show on KKRN in Round Mountain, has completed her new book John or Is It Fred: A Glimpse of the Jensen Family Saga: a riveting and potent depiction of a real-life family living through a tumultuous era in American history.

Describing her inspiration for this story, the author writes, While cleaning the garage during the virus lockdown in 2020, Bill found the wallet referred to in the book, along with numerous other items in multiple boxes. We had moved from San Diego on New Years at the turn of the century, and the boys old footlocker toy box managed to house a number of collectable items and family heirlooms. These were boxes of relatives memorabilia and old pictures that had been handed over to us from his mom and upon the death of older relatives.

With Bills help, I was able to create a time line of events from the dozens of items we found. His recollection of a number of the noteworthy ones helped create this story.

He helped identify many of the characters in pictures that turned up in this book. He also recalled many stories that his dad, Fred C. Jensen, referred to as Freddie early in the book, told him. He remembered many visits from relatives when he was a boy, and the numerous war stories overheard.

Published by Page Publishing, Patricia Jensens personal tale follows true-life colorful characters of the 1920s to 40s as they lived full and adventurous lives. They lived at a time when they were called upon to build a city and a historical dam, to grow a fledgling spit of a town in the desert into what would become the world-famous city of Las Vegas.

The Jensens were rugged individuals on a desert frontier living ordinary lives during an exceptional time in American history, and they continually rose to the occasion. They survived Prohibition, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and made many wartime sacrifices. Along the way and by complete chance, they bumped into numerous famous personalities.

Readers who wish to experience this gripping work can purchase John or Is It Fred: A Glimpse of the Jensen Family Saga at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Simon-Peter Broughton, an English-born father and grandfather who was raised with his twin brother in a Bedfordshire childrens home, moved to London at the age of sixteen to become a chef, became a New Testament Christian at twenty, and moved to the United States, where he worked for General Mills for twenty-four years before retiring to pursue a new career in writing, has completed his new book Dont Go Chasing after Waterfalls: The Clues Right under the Nose: a tantalizing crime drama that keeps the pages turning until the shocking conclusion.

The author writes, Dont Go Chasing After Waterfalls is a murder mystery set in Victorian England. Daisy Magee is the first of her kind, a woman who has become a Chief Inspector. She has to deal with young ladies being murdered and set out in public view at different waterfalls. She has to deal with her role in a mans world. The clues lie within nursery rhymes, riddles, different color schemes for each murder, flowers to match the color schemes, paper cutouts as clues to the nursery rhymes, and a nose stud that has a hidden clue in code to the next waterfall, and letters are also sent to her in a cat-and-mouse game. Some would call it mind games. Some characters have surprising names to remember. It also a story that teaches moral and spiritual life lessons.

Published by Page Publishing, Simon-Peter Broughtons engrossing book is an entertaining choice for avid crime fiction readers.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Dont Go Chasing after Waterfalls: The Clues Right under the Nose at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Steve A. Hamilton, a married father, grandfather, and retired major in the Army National Guard and the Army Reserves who served as a senior aviator, paratrooper, and maintenance test pilot before his transition into full-time ministry in the Church of Christ, of which he has been a member for forty-six years, has completed his new book The Winepress of Gods Wrath: a thoroughly researched discussion of the Book of Revelation.

The author writes, Without exception, this is the most revealing commentary of the Book of Revelation in decades! This fresh and historically researched commentary reveals what early Christians had known so many years ago about the apocalypse. After 1,900 years, present-day Christians finally have a reliable document that explains Christs prophetic book. This commentary contains amazing insights.

One of the main adversaries in the Book of Revelation was a prominent historical figure. He was known as the savior of the church. People looked up to him and worshipped him. The apostle Paul called him the man of sin and the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The apostle John, in one of his earlier writings, called him the Antichrist (1 John 2:18). Those who failed to get their names written in the Book of Life marveled at his presence in eternal punishment (Revelation 17:8). That person is identified by name in this commentary.

Armageddon is more than a great battle in the Book of Revelation. It is the one defining event that will affect everyones life. The number of combatants is as the sand of the sea. Yet the battle will be over before it ever begins (Revelation 20:89).

The bowls of Gods wrath were poured out on a wicked and unsuspecting world. Historically, a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshipped his image (Revelation 16:2). This plague was described in detail by writers who lived as it occurred. This commentary includes their firsthand accounts.

The Winepress of Gods Wrath depicts Gods anger at a wicked society while providing hope and comfort to believers. The theme in the Book of Revelation is clearthe wicked will not escape destruction. Only obedient Christians will avoid the winepress of Gods wrath.

Published by Page Publishing, Steve A. Hamiltons captivating book is an intriguing choice for avid Christian readers.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchaseThe Winepress of Gods Wrath at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.


Betterview "Along with the speed, efficiency, and other clear benefits offered by technology, insurers value ease of implementation which is why were excited about our out-of-the-box integration with Socotra, says Dave Tobias, Co-Founder and COO.

Socotra, the first cloud-native core platform for insurers, announced it is partnering with insurtech company Betterview to make the underwriting tools and resources of both companies available to insurers on a single platform.

Specifically, the two companies will provide insurers with instant access to Betterviews property intelligence data along with Socotras underwriting workflows without leaving Socotras modern core platform.

Founded in 2014 by insurance industry veterans, Betterview provides property/casualty insurance carriers with actionable property intelligence. Using a combination of third-party data, geospatial intelligence, and proprietary machine learning tools, Betterview provides an accurate assessment of a propertys real risk drivers, including the Roof Spotlight Index, a 100-point assessment of a roofs condition. The Betterview Platform interface and its integrated rules and flagging engine make it easy for underwriters to take direct actions based on these insights, preventing future losses and lowering loss ratios.

Socotra delivers robust functionality across the entire policy lifecycle, including underwriting and rating, policy administration, billing, claims, and reporting. Insurers can easily configure Socotras powerful rating and underwriting engine or build their own proprietary pricing model on top of the platform. Leveraging Socotras open APIs, insurers can quickly integrate an array of data sources to improve risk assessment and offer personalized pricing.

By bringing together the Socotra and Betterview technologies well make the underwriting process significantly easier for our shared insurance company customers, said David Tobias, Co-Founder and Chief of Operations, Betterview. Along with the speed, efficiency, and other clear benefits offered by technology, insurers value ease of implementation which is why were excited about our out-of-the-box integration with Socotra.

Joining forces with Betterview represents a big win for our mutual customers, said Ekine Akuiyibo, Vice President of Business Development and Deployments at Socotra. With the integration of our capabilities, property and casualty insurers can instantly leverage Socotras powerful underwriting engine and Betterviews actionable property intelligence to obtain more accurate risk assessments and ultimately achieve greater profitability.

# # #

About Betterview:

Betterview was founded with the mission of helping P&C carriers better identify and manage property risk. It was created with a deep, first-hand understanding of the challenges that carriers have faced in obtaining high-quality, actionable insight. Betterviews remote property intelligence platform enables carriers to provide a better experience to their insureds and agents while improving their bottom line.

About Socotra:

Socotra is the modern, enterprise-grade core system that enables global insurers to accelerate product development, reduce maintenance costs, and improve customer experiences. Insurers trust Socotras modern technology to rapidly develop products that better serve their customers and manage their existing books of business. Socotras flexible, radically open, cloud-native solution unifies underwriting, rating, policy management, claims, billing, reporting, and more. Learn more about Socotra at http://www.socotra.com
Called Christians: a potent exploration of faith and practicing the expectations of that faith. Called Christians is the creation of published author Billy B. Dunbar, who has been the pastor of the congregation at Bethesda Community Fellowship in Russell Springs, Kentucky for thirty-seven years. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, and a Master of Arts degree in Church Ministries from Church of God Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Dunbar shares, Although it was about ten years after the Church had come into existence before the name Christians was given to the followers of Christ, the name must have been in Gods divine plan, for the title has stood the test of time. What a tremendous honor to be named after the anointed Son of God! How much more important, however, is it to be a Christian rather than to just be called one!

The lives of some who are called Christians leave something to be desired from the standpoint of sound scriptural doctrine. Fair weather believers, or cotton candy Christians, are content only with mountaintop experiences and have problems with valley experiences, testing, and trials. The lazy professorscholesterol Christiansare always taking in Gods Word but are not diligent in meeting its requirements. Fence-straddling worldlings are country-club Christians.

Genuine, diligent Christians are sold out completely to Christ and are willing to endure cross-bearing and self-denial to exemplify Him. These are consecrated Christians, the kind of saints who were in the church at Antioch where the title Christians was first applied to the followers of Christ.

The Christians of Antioch appropriately demonstrated Christlike qualities in their lifestyle: teaching, worship, direction by the Holy Spirit, benevolence, and organization. What wonderful balance! How fitting that those who were first named after Christ would bear the name with such dignity!

Hopefully, all who are called Christians will realize the importance of exemplifying these Christlike characteristics in their lives so the name above every name will be exalted to its rightful place. Living a Christlike lifestyle ensures that we will meet Christ at His return, which is the hope of every believer.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Billy B. Dunbars new book is an engaging and thought-provoking examination of the characteristics, expectations, and teachings of Christian living.

With relevant scripture and eloquent reflections, Dunbar presents a considerable argument for the need for spiritual reflection and growth if one is to live a truly Christian life.

View a synopsis of Called Christians on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Called Christians at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Called Christians, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of remarkable individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, announced the eight recipients of the 2021 Dennis Washington Leadership Graduate Scholarship. Endowed in 2008 and funded by the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation in partnership with the Horatio Alger Association, the scholarship provides financial assistance to Horatio Alger Alumni Scholars who aspire to obtain graduate, professional, or doctoral degrees in business, engineering, law, medicine, applied sciences or education. Since 2008, the program has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. In 2021, the eight recipients will be eligible to receive up to $120,000 each.

The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation was established in 1988 by Dennis Washington, chairman emeritus of the Horatio Alger Association, and his wife, Phyllis. The Foundation, which supports deserving individuals to better society as a whole, established its Leadership Graduate Scholarship program to provide financial assistance exclusively to Horatio Alger undergraduate scholarship recipients who are committed to obtaining a graduate degree. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have exemplified leadership, integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. They should also exhibit a passion for entrepreneurship and a commitment to community service.

This years scholarship recipients are truly inspirational as they remain committed to pursuing a graduate education despite unprecedented obstacles, said Phyllis Washington, co-founder, the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation and chair of the selection committee for this scholarship. We are proud to support the mission of the Horatio Alger Association by helping these outstanding students continue their educational journeys.

The following Horatio Alger Alumni Scholars will receive up to $120,000 each in their pursuit of a masters, doctoral or professional degree:



Iman Baharmand, University of British Columbia, Doctor of Medicine, 2014 British Columbia Scholar

Alisha Birk, Stanford University, Doctor of Medicine, 2015 National Scholar

Catherine Cascavita, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Doctor of Medicine, 2014 National Scholar

Victoria Garrow, Deferred, Doctor of Medicine, 2017 National Scholar

Jessica Moore, New York University, Juris Doctor, 2017 National Scholar

Nicoly Santos, Harvard College, Juris Doctor, 2017 Florida State Scholar

Rana Thabata, Deferred, Juris Doctor, 2016 National Scholar

Zariah Tolman, Montana State University, Master of Science, 2016 Wyoming Scholar

We are grateful for the ongoing support from Mr. and Mrs. Washington and their incredible Foundation, which enables our Scholars to continue pursuing their dreams, said Terrence J. Giroux, executive director, Horatio Alger Association. Their contributions open doors for these students and we look forward to witnessing all that these recipients will achieve in the future.

Since the establishment of its scholarship programs in 1984, more than 35,000 students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada have received more than $235 million in scholarships for undergraduate, graduate and technical studies. In 2000, 16 years after the establishment of its National Scholarship Program, the Association began funding scholarships concentrated in each state to further its mission of assisting deserving young people to pursue higher education. Additionally, Horatio Alger Members fund a series of Specialized Scholarships, which target students attending specific academic institutions or pursuing certain degree programs.

For more information about the Horatio Alger Association, please visit http://www.horatioalger.org or follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, in 2021, the Association will award more than $20 million in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships to 2,000 students across the United States and Canada and provide college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $235 million in undergraduate, graduate, military veteran and career and technical education scholarships to more than 35,000 deserving students. For more information, please visit http://www.horatioalger.org.

About Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation:

Founded in 1988, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. Funding for the Foundation comes primarily from personal contributions from the Washington Family and profits of The Washington Companies. The Foundation focuses in the areas of education, arts and culture, health and human services, and community service. The Foundation website is located at http://www.dpwfoundation.org.
The agencys in-house multi-disciplinary expertise and proven experience creating world-class physical and digital customer experiences, coupled with an impressive client roster, was a huge attraction," said Caroline Murphy, chief growth officer, Envoy.

Envoy, a full-service connected customer experience consultancy, today announced Caroline Murphy has joined the company as chief growth officer. She will play an integral role on the executive leadership team and oversee all communications and new business development for Envoy across North America. Joining Envoy at an evolutionary time in the companys history, Murphy is the first international hire and one of multiple remote employees to join the team in response to a rapidly changing workforce.

The drastically altered work environment resulting from the pandemic contributed to agency budget cuts and accommodation of necessary work from home resources. As organizations look to the future, many struggle given the ongoing talent shortage and the availability of key skills largely due to outdated hiring practices based on location and educational parameters. To combat this, Envoy is bringing in talent of all types, regardless of location, to deliver the brand and digital experiences that best support its customers' changing needs.

Having Caroline join our executive team was a huge win for Envoy, said Kevin Bauer, CEO, Envoy. Her proven track record as a business builder combined with her extensive expertise across multiple disciplines was the perfect fit for our evolved business model of delivering world-class connected customer experiences for our clients.

Based in Toronto, Canada, Murphy is the newest addition to the Envoy team, bringing over two decades of integrated marketing communications experience at the global, national, and local levels. As the head of new business development for North America, she will manage new business and partnerships teams while providing strategic communications counsel to the agencys top clients. Before joining Envoy, Murphy served as vice president, strategic growth at Huge, an experience design and digital marketing agency. Previous agency experience includes McCann Worldgroup, Mosaic, DDB, and Harbinger Communications.

As I look back on my career, despite having relevant market experience, an opportunity like this might not have been presented to me because of where I live, said Caroline Murphy, chief growth officer, Envoy. Its because of Envoys progressive mindset and talent acquisition strategy that Im able to be part of the team and to continue driving new business growth and increase value for the agencys customers.

Murphy follows the appointment of 10 recent remote hires who reside in centers across the country, including Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Missouri, Maine, Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Committed to bringing in top talent by providing equal opportunities throughout every department, the latest additions consist of creative directors, designers, quality assurance leads, and software engineers.

The past year took a toll on many organizations, creating new challenges and barriers when it came to recruitment, while also creating an environment for employees to feel safe and supported, said Emma King, chief talent officer, Envoy. We recognized early on that it was about more than just adapting to change, and we needed to alter the way we think about bringing in new talent. Now more than ever, were committed to finding the right people to best service our clients whether they are foreign, local, or national.

The appointment follows a year of momentous growth for the company, having recently announced the unification of its three agency brands: Envoy, Bulldog Drummond, and Leviathan under the Envoy name. Driven by changing consumer demands and major digital disruption during the pandemic, the rebrand reflects the companys evolution and commitment to delivering best-in-class, digitally-led experiences for customers across six core practice areas: brand and strategy, B2B and B2C websites, commerce platforms, digital products, digital environments, and marketing and media. Envoys current portfolio includes McDonalds, Acorns, Vizio, Arlo, TaylorMade, Verizon, Nike, HyperX, and Diageo.

Adds Murphy, Im thrilled to be joining the team at such a pivotal moment in the agencys evolution. The agencys in-house multi-disciplinary expertise and proven experience creating world-class physical and digital customer experiences, coupled with an impressive client roster, was a huge attraction. I look forward to continuing to build on the current success and to play a significant role in designing the future for Envoy.

To learn more about Envoy and its current career opportunities, visit https://www.weareenvoy.com/careers.

ABOUT ENVOY

Envoy is an end-to-end digital consultancy that helps organizations accelerate growth through connected customer experiences. Trusted by iconic brands and tomorrows category leaders, Envoys multidisciplinary team of strategists, designers, and technologists deliver unprecedented levels of impact through brand building, ecommerce, and digital products. Headquartered in Irvine, California, with offices in San Diego and Chicago, Envoy transforms experiences for clients such as T-Mobile, VIZIO, Arlo, Nike, and Diageo. To learn more, visit Envoys website and follow the team on LinkedIn.
We are incredibly proud to be listed on the Inc. 5000 for seven years in a row, but even more so because our year-over-year growth is entirely organic.

Inc. magazine revealed this month that Modus Create is No. 4547 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nations fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economys most dynamic segmentits independent businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

We are incredibly proud to be listed on the Inc. 5000 for seven years in a row, but even more so because our year-over-year growth is entirely organic, said Pat Sheridan, managing partner and co-founder of Modus Create. Since our inception, weve built Modus Create as a remote-first company with an open-source mindset, which has enabled us to attract top talent around the globe. Im grateful for our clients that have partnered with us on transformational projects and our employees that have consistently delivered outstanding work for our clients.

Not only have the companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 been very competitive within their markets, but this years list also proved especially resilient and flexible given 2020s unprecedented challenges. Among the 5,000, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 543 percent, and median revenue reached $11.1 million. Together, those companies added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies are featured in the September issue of Inc.

The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled, says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis weve lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people.

About Modus Create

Modus Create builds customer-centric products, processes, and platforms to help businesses succeed in the digital economy. For over 10 years, our global team of strategists, designers, and technologists have helped the worlds biggest brands such as Burger King, Kaplan, AARP, PBS, and Time Inc. deliver powerful digital experiences to their clients. We work in an iterative, outcome-driven way to support our clients with product strategy, customer experience (CX), full stack Agile software development, and security.

Inc Magazine has rated Modus Create as one of the fastest-growing American companies for 7 years in a row. Our distributed team of Modites have been pioneers in the open-source community, creating innovations such as the Ionic-Vue integration, RoboDomo, Beep, and Capsule. Visit moduscreate.com to learn more.

More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000

Methodology

Companies on the 2021 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2017 to 2020. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2017. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2020. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2017 is $100,000; the minimum for 2020 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to three decimal places. There was one tie on this years Inc. 5000. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000.

About Inc. Media

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including web sites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Vision Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.

For more information on the Inc. 5000 Vision Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/.
We have a phenomenal team that encourages us to dream big and keep us engaged.

GeBBS Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (ChrysCapital portfolio company) a leading provider of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Solutions for Healthcare Providers and Payers, announced today that it has been named to the Inc. 5000s 2021 list of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the United States. This marks the thirteenth consecutive year the California-based firm has been recognized by Inc. Magazine and included in the publications ranking. To access the complete list, please visit http://www.inc.com/inc5000

This latest acknowledgement puts GeBBS in select company. As an Inc. 5000 honoree, GeBBS shares a pedigree with Microsoft, Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Patagonia, among other notable brands. The 2021 Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2017 to 2020.

An accomplishment like this does not just happen by chance, said Milind Godbole, CEO & Managing Director of GeBBS Healthcare. "It speaks to the quality and caliber of our people. We have a phenomenal team that encourages us to dream big and keep us engaged. They consistently raise the bar, perform at extraordinarily high levels, and deliver exceptional results for our clients and stakeholders.

We are very mindful of this prestigious honor and the hard work it took to achieve it, added Nitin Thakor, Executive Chairman of GeBBS Healthcare Solutions. I want to thank our customers who have continued to support us through these many years. We are blessed to have the right culture in place and the strategic thinking to continue growing aggressively. But if not for our customers, we would not be in this position. This is an extremely humbling honor for which we are truly grateful.

The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled, remarked Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis weve lived through is an astonishing feat, one that requires effective leadership and contributions across the board. It also shows that, as a business, we have responded well and pivoted smart."

Each company included in the 2021 Inc. 5000 ranking maintains a strong competitive position within their markets. This years honorees also proved especially resilient and flexible given 2020s unprecedented challenges. Among them, the average median three-year growth rate soared to 543 percent, and median revenue reached $11.1 million. Together, those companies added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years.

About GeBBS

GeBBS Healthcare Solutions is a KLAS rated leading provider of Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) services and Risk Adjustment solutions. GeBBS innovative technology, combined with over 9,500-strong global workforce, helps clients improve financial performance, adhere to compliance, and enhance the patient experience. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, GeBBS has won numerous accolades for its medical coding outsourcing and medical billing outsourcing, including being ranked in Modern Healthcares Top 20 Largest RCM Firms, Black Book Market Researchs Top 20 RCM Outsourcing Services, and Inc. 5000s fastest growing private companies in the U.S. For more information, please visit http://www.gebbs.com

For more information, press only: Contact Tyler Cowart at GeBBS Healthcare Solutions  Phone: 310-953-4444 ext. 214 Email: tyler.cowart@gebbs.com

About Inc. 5000

The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com.
Generations would like to announce its eXPRS billing export feature for the state of Oregon. This exciting news means Oregon homecare providers can easily submit accurate data for Medicaid reimbursement in addition to meeting state Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) requirements under the 21st Century Cures Act.

Generations EVV and its eXPRS billing export gives Oregon homecare providers the power to seamlessly bill Medicaid. This is a huge advantage for caregivers, care recipients, and nursing supervisors as they can provide and document care on a secure online platform.  Lisa Ferden, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer

Homecare teams in Oregon that use Generations benefit from:



Simplified state reimbursements

Ease of meeting state EVV requirements

Real-time visit verification

With the eXPRS billing export, Oregon homecare providers can seamlessly bill Medicaid while meeting state requirements.  Lance Ferden, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer

Generations Homecare System is an application that gives homecare providers the power to improve care outcomes, boost referrals, and streamline day-to-day tasks.
Great Lakes Psychology Group is excited to announce its newest Michigan office, located at 3131 S State St, Suite 226, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. GLPG provides a wide range of in-person and online counseling services including marriage and family therapy as well as individual treatment for anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, ADD/ADHD, abuse, grief, chronic pain, and more. We look forward to offering our quality services to these three new communities. GLPG therapists employ evidence-based treatments to improve the lives of children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

In addition to serving the communities immediately surrounding our brick-and-mortar offices, GLPG offers online therapy to all Michigan and Illinois residents. Online therapy at GLPG is here to stay: we will continue to offer online therapy as a service to residents of these states beyond the pandemic. Additionally, GLPG plans to continue to expand into new communities in order to meet the growing need for quality mental health services.

Great Lakes Psychology Group was established in 2011 by a small group of therapists who shared the same passion for helping others. Today, these founding therapists remain in leadership positions with the shared mission of simplifying the process of finding a best-fit therapist and supporting both therapists and their clients to ease the therapeutic journey.

With multiple offices in multiple states, online therapy, and hundreds of dedicated therapists, GLPG has developed into one of the fastest-growing providers of outpatient behavioral and mental health care in the Midwest. GLPG values innovation, progress, and effectiveness to ensure the delivery of the best quality behavioral health services possible.

Great Lakes Psychology Group has been offering comprehensive psychological services since its first office opened in Clarkston, Michigan, in 2011. Since then, the group has expanded to include over 350 licensed psychotherapists in multiple states with training in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and counseling. Each therapist at Great Lakes Psychology Group is highly trained and qualified to ensure each patient receives the quality service they deserve.

Scheduling an appointment with a compassionate therapist at GLPG is easy: new patients can speak directly with a scheduling assistant by calling (800) 693-1916, or request an appointment on our website at GLPG.net. GLPG accepts most insurance types and has flexible payment options available.

Great Lakes Psychology Group is proud to be Midwest-founded and looks forward to serving the mental health needs of the greater Ann Arbor communities.

Visit GLPG.net to learn more about Great Lakes Psychology Groups specialties, services, and locations, or to schedule an appointment.
Great Lakes Psychology Group is excited to announce its newest Michigan office, located at 4341 S Westnedge Ave, Suite 1205, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. GLPG provides a wide range of in-person and online counseling services including marriage and family therapy as well as individual treatment for anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, ADD/ADHD, abuse, grief, chronic pain, and more. We look forward to offering our quality services to these three new communities. GLPG therapists employ evidence-based treatments to improve the lives of children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

In addition to serving the communities immediately surrounding our brick-and-mortar offices, GLPG offers online therapy to all Michigan and Illinois residents. Online therapy at GLPG is here to stay: we will continue to offer online therapy as a service to residents of these states beyond the pandemic. Additionally, GLPG plans to continue to expand into new communities in order to meet the growing need for quality mental health services.

Great Lakes Psychology Group was established in 2011 by a small group of therapists who shared the same passion for helping others. Today, these founding therapists remain in leadership positions with the shared mission of simplifying the process of finding a best-fit therapist and supporting both therapists and their clients to ease the therapeutic journey.

With multiple offices in multiple states, online therapy, and hundreds of dedicated therapists, GLPG has developed into one of the fastest-growing providers of outpatient behavioral and mental health care in the Midwest. GLPG values innovation, progress, and effectiveness to ensure the delivery of the best quality behavioral health services possible.

Great Lakes Psychology Group has been offering comprehensive psychological services since its first office opened in Clarkston, Michigan, in 2011. Since then, the group has expanded to include over 350 licensed psychotherapists in multiple states with training in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and counseling. Each therapist at Great Lakes Psychology Group is highly trained and qualified to ensure each patient receives the quality service they deserve.

Scheduling an appointment with a compassionate therapist at GLPG is easy: new patients can speak directly with a scheduling assistant by calling (800) 693-1916, or request an appointment on our website at GLPG.net. GLPG accepts most insurance types and has flexible payment options available.

Great Lakes Psychology Group is proud to be Midwest-founded and looks forward to serving the mental health needs of the greater Kalamazoo communities.

Visit GLPG.net to learn more about Great Lakes Psychology Groups specialties, services, and locations, or to schedule an appointment.
Great Lakes Psychology Group is excited to announce its newest Michigan office, located at 735 S Garfield Ave, Suite 200, Traverse City, Michigan 49686. GLPG provides a wide range of in-person and online counseling services including marriage and family therapy as well as individual treatment for anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, ADD/ADHD, abuse, grief, chronic pain, and more. We look forward to offering our quality services to these three new communities. GLPG therapists employ evidence-based treatments to improve the lives of children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

In addition to serving the communities immediately surrounding our brick-and-mortar offices, GLPG offers online therapy to all Michigan and Illinois residents. Online therapy at GLPG is here to stay: we will continue to offer online therapy as a service to residents of these states beyond the pandemic. Additionally, GLPG plans to continue to expand into new communities in order to meet the growing need for quality mental health services.

Great Lakes Psychology Group was established in 2011 by a small group of therapists who shared the same passion for helping others. Today, these founding therapists remain in leadership positions with the shared mission of simplifying the process of finding a best-fit therapist and supporting both therapists and their clients to ease the therapeutic journey.

With multiple offices in multiple states, online therapy, and hundreds of dedicated therapists, GLPG has developed into one of the fastest-growing providers of outpatient behavioral and mental health care in the Midwest. GLPG values innovation, progress, and effectiveness to ensure the delivery of the best quality behavioral health services possible.

Great Lakes Psychology Group has been offering comprehensive psychological services since its first office opened in Clarkston, Michigan, in 2011. Since then, the group has expanded to include over 350 licensed psychotherapists in multiple states with training in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and counseling. Each therapist at Great Lakes Psychology Group is highly trained and qualified to ensure each patient receives the quality service they deserve.

Scheduling an appointment with a compassionate therapist at GLPG is easy: new patients can speak directly with a scheduling assistant by calling (800) 693-1916, or request an appointment on our website at GLPG.net. GLPG accepts most insurance types and has flexible payment options available.

Great Lakes Psychology Group is proud to be Midwest-founded and looks forward to serving the mental health needs of the greater Traverse City communities.

Visit GLPG.net to learn more about Great Lakes Psychology Groups specialties, services, and locations, or to schedule an appointment.
Great Lakes Psychology Group is excited to announce its newest Michigan office, located at 1845 RW Berends Drive Southwest, Wyoming, MI 49519. GLPG provides a wide range of in-person and online counseling services including marriage and family therapy as well as individual treatment for anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, ADD/ADHD, abuse, grief, chronic pain, and more. We look forward to offering our quality services to these three new communities. GLPG therapists employ evidence-based treatments to improve the lives of children, teens, adults, couples, and families.

In addition to serving the communities immediately surrounding our brick-and-mortar offices, GLPG offers online therapy to all Michigan and Illinois residents. Online therapy at GLPG is here to stay: we will continue to offer online therapy as a service to residents of these states beyond the pandemic. Additionally, GLPG plans to continue to expand into new communities in order to meet the growing need for quality mental health services.

Great Lakes Psychology Group was established in 2011 by a small group of therapists who shared the same passion for helping others. Today, these founding therapists remain in leadership positions with the shared mission of simplifying the process of finding a best-fit therapist and supporting both therapists and their clients to ease the therapeutic journey.

With multiple offices in multiple states, online therapy, and hundreds of dedicated therapists, GLPG has developed into one of the fastest-growing providers of outpatient behavioral and mental health care in the Midwest. GLPG values innovation, progress, and effectiveness to ensure the delivery of the best quality behavioral health services possible.

Great Lakes Psychology Group has been offering comprehensive psychological services since its first office opened in Clarkston, Michigan, in 2011. Since then, the group has expanded to include over 350 licensed psychotherapists in multiple states with training in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, and counseling. Each therapist at Great Lakes Psychology Group is highly trained and qualified to ensure each patient receives the quality service they deserve.

Scheduling an appointment with a compassionate therapist at GLPG is easy: new patients can speak directly with a scheduling assistant by calling (800) 693-1916, or request an appointment on our website at GLPG.net. GLPG accepts most insurance types and has flexible payment options available.

Great Lakes Psychology Group is proud to be Midwest-founded and looks forward to serving the mental health needs of the greater Wyoming communities.

Visit GLPG.net to learn more about Great Lakes Psychology Groups specialties, services, and locations, or to schedule an appointment.
Greg Simon, JD

The Association for Value-Based Cancer Care (AVBCC) is pleased to announce the addition of Greg Simon, JD, Past President of the Biden Cancer Initiative, as a keynote speaker at the 11th AVBCC Summit & Educational Program. The AVBCC Summit will be taking place in New York, New York, on October 13-15, 2021, with a virtual simulcast option for those who cannot attend in person.

Greg Simon is Past President of the Biden Cancer Initiative, the nonprofit organization that was built on the goals of the White House Cancer Moonshot program, and Former Vice President Joe Biden and Dr Jill Bidens commitment to double the rate of progress in preventing, detecting, diagnosing, treating, and surviving cancer. During his tenure, he helped launch more than 70 innovative private and publicprivate collaborations and numerous novel interagency initiatives that helped support the successful effort to secure $1.8 billion in new funding for the Cancer Moonshot program.

Prior to his role as Past President of the Biden Cancer Initiative, Mr Simon was Executive Director of the White House Cancer Task Force; Chief Executive Officer at Poliwogg; Senior Vice President of Worldwide Policy and Patient Engagement at Pfizer; and Co-Founder and President of FasterCures. He is also a survivor of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Mr Simon will be delivering the keynote address entitled Understanding How the Biden Administration Will Influence Policy and Shape Cancer Care into the Future at the AVBCC Summit.

In addition to Mr Simons keynote address, the AVBCC Summit & Educational Program will host Dr Scott Gottlieb, the 23rd Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration, and Seema Verma, former Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, presenting together for the first time. Clifford Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO, Chief Executive Officer of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, will serve as the moderator for this session.

To be a part of these elite presentations, register for the Summit today: valuebasedcancer.com/avbcc/2021-summit.

About the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care (AVBCC)

AVBCC is a 501c (6) education organization dedicated to the exchange of knowledge among all stakeholders in the cancer care ecosystem responsible to ensure optimal care and access is delivered to all patients with cancer. The goal of AVBCC is to inform, educate, and foster exchange of current and future state information between all stakeholders: Oncologists and Hematologists, Nurses, Oncology Nurse Navigators, Pathologists and Geneticists, Pharmacists, Practice Administrators, Practice Managers, Patient Advocacy Organizations, Managed Care Organizations, Insurance Companies, Third-Party Payers, Integrated Health Delivery Systems, Cancer Centers of Excellence, Medical Directors, Pharmacy Directors, Pharmaceutical and Biotech Manufacturers, Personalized Medicine Providers, Researchers, and, of course, cancer patients.

About Value-Based Cancer Care

Value-Based Cancer Care provides a forum for payers, providers, and the entire oncology team to consider the costvalue issues particular to cancer treatments. This unique focus is achieved through news coverage from major hematology/oncology meetings and the cancer literature. It is supplemented with commentaries and perspectives from those involved in evaluating therapies, treating patients, and paying for care. Value-Based Cancer Care is a publication of Engage Healthcare Communications, LLC, a division of The Lynx Group. For more information on this publication, visit valuebasedcancer.com.

About The Lynx Group (http://www.thelynxgroup.com)

The Lynx Group (TLG) is a premier medical communications and education company acutely focused on oncology and rare disease states. TLG specializes in market access to and with advanced practice providers, patients, and their caregivers. With more than 100 years of combined senior leadership experience, TLG continually creates award winning medical education and cultivates strong relationships within proprietary brands serving patients and their caregivers, physicians, payers, nurses, pharmacists, navigators, and practice managers.

TLG has broad and deep experience in crafting custom, award winning solutions for life science and biotech companies. Currently, TLG partners with more than 50 of the top pharma and biotech companies globally. TLG proudly serves as co-founder and association management company of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) and the Association for Value-Based Cancer Care (AVBCC).
Noopl iPhone device helps people hear more clear in loud environments Noopl allows people to reengage in situations and environments from which they may have previously retreated due to the frustrations of not being able to hear and participate in conversations

More than 62 million Americans have difficulty following conversations in environments with background noise. Tech startup Noopl addresses this problem with its acclaimed iPhone-compatible hearing device, which has just been upgraded to support USB audio. Noopl is the first MFi (Made for iPhone) accessory with directionality and AI-based noise reduction to facilitate conversation in noisy environments.

Socializing is a crucial part of the human experience, says audiologist and Noopl CEO Dr. Tim Trine. Noopl allows people to reengage in situations and environments from which they may have previously retreated due to the frustrations of not being able to hear and participate in conversations. This has a tremendous impact on their overall wellbeing as well as their mental and emotional health.

Noopls three-microphone array forms a steerable beam that focuses on individual voices at a turn of the users head. The accompanying Listen app features Chatable AI 2.0 technology to reduce ambient noise and deliver crisper speech to users ears via AirPods Pro or MFi hearing aids. The devices low price point, combined with its use of tech devices that many people already own and use, makes it appealing to those who are not yet ready for expensive hearing aids and an affordable extra layer of hearing assistance for those who already do.

Noopl 2.0

Noopls new USB version offers significant improvements to the companys introductory product, including:

 More consistent, higher fidelity sound at a wide range of audible frequencies

 Better noise reduction and low frequency sound reproduction

 USB audio via the Lightning connector for compatibility with a wider range of phone cases and iOS devices

 More flexibility to personalize the acoustic response based on the individuals hearing needs

 User interface improvements based on feedback from customers to make the experience even more simple and intuitive

Tim Trine explains, With Noopl 2.0, audio is sent via USB over the Lightning connector, instead of the iPhone microphone, which significantly improves audio fidelity. It also eliminates the need for audio coupling and makes Noopl compatible with more iPhone cases. Additionally, we have made improvements to our software by further optimizing the noise reduction algorithm and adding bass and treble controls to the app, allowing users to adjust the sound to their preferences.

Noopls innovative technology was created and driven by audiology and medical tech experts, including a team from the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL) in Sydney, Australia, who invented the best-in-class beamforming technology.

More affordable and less stigmatizing than hearing aids, Noopl has been widely recognized by the press and in industry newsletters for its versatility and innovation, with Forbes calling it, The iPhone Accessory That Could Super-Charge Your Hearing and Newsweek naming it one of its Best of CES 2021.

Noopl costs $249.00 and is available at http://www.Noopl.com. Currently the device is compatible with iPhone 7 and newer and requires AirPods Pro for the auto-steering feature. It also works with all MFi compatible hearing aids and cochlear implants. The company plans to release a version for Android later this year.

Visit: Noopl Online Newsroom

###

About Noopl

Noopl is a Sacramento-based startup focused on breakthrough innovation and technology integration in the consumer audio space. Founded by Steven Verdooner and Kevin Snow, Noopls patented technology and initial consumer product, which leverages best-in-class multi-microphone beamforming technology, is the first MFi smartphone accessory designed to improve a users ability to filter out background noise and hear conversations more clearly in noisy situations. Noopl plugs into the Lightning port of an iPhone and combines advanced aspects of smartphone technology, digital MEMS microphones, low-latency audio signal processing, head tracking, and Noopls deep expertise in audiology. The companys device augments the entire listening experience and allows users to never miss a moment. Visit http://www.Noopl.com.

Reference:1
John Michele, who grew up in a multi-cultural ethnic neighborhood north of Boston, Massachusetts, in the three-decker home of his grandparents, has completed his new book Club Morocco": an inspiring story of a young family member of the authors who experienced most of what happened, good and bad, in life at a young age. Each individual is based upon a person that lived, more or less, through the events as they happened.

John Michele writes, I believe it is important and necessary to state that my story was not taken from crime news or real events. Many of the characters were part of my extended family during my teen years, and their actual names were in fact used. Today, reality seems to cloud imagination but not destroy it. There may be some unavoidable unpleasant comparisons of a name, place, or situation. However, one cannot be held responsible for the roll of the dice, better described as chance.

Published by Page Publishing, John Micheles invaluable work explains how dishonest, self-serving government workers used their authority to cheat and lie at the expense of anyone in their way, especially the immigrants, give reason for actions taken that were felt to be necessary even though gruesome.

This story will appeal to all immigrants, but especially, to Sicilian Italians, and their extended families. The author learned while growing up in a multigenerational, immigrant home that that honest effort will make a positive difference in ones future and this is exemplified in this book.

Readers who wish to experience this intriguing book can purchase Club Morocco" at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
A survey of 40,000 employees at 125 companies throughout 2019 found that 29 percent of employees left jobs due to "workplace conflict." Businesses are struggling with 'toxic' managers who prioritize matters that have nothing to do with workplace performance. They create unproductive, stressful work environments, and do real financial damage.

An estimated 30 million US patients, or 11.2% of the population, will use Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) tools by 2024marking a 28.2% growth from 23.4 million patients in 2020.(1) COVID-19 has seriously exacerbated this growing need for RPM, especially remote cardiac monitoring devices. Unfortunately, current generation devices are cumbersome to patients and dont provide the best quantity and quality of data for cardiologists, slowing their efforts to detect, diagnose, and treat serious heart conditions. Enter Disruptor Stuart Long, CEO, InfoBionicwho tells Karla Jo Helms, host of the Disruption Interruption podcast, that in order to bring a disruptive tech into the market he would need a new way to approach managementa team that was able to disrupt.

After watching too many a**hole managers poisoning productivity, Stuart said, THATS ITIM DONE WITH THE STATUS QUO and struck out on his own path. While he left one world behind, he decided to take the lead of a successful cardiac monitoring system business. But that success was built in large part because Stuart threw away the status quo culture he knew and trademarked a new culture of workplace positivity. He made an antidote to the a**holes he calls TACITthe blending of trust, accountability, creativity, innovation, and transparency.

Businesses are struggling with toxic managers who prioritize matters that have nothing to do with workplace performance. They create unproductive, stressful work environments, and do real financial damageand it is shockingly common. A survey of 40,000 employees at 125 companies throughout 2019 found that 29 percent of employees left jobs due to "workplace conflict."(2) The damage to businesses from that kind of turnover is staggering$223 billion in the past 5 years alone.(3) A new way to approach management is sorely needed.

Stuart reveals key wisdom for withstanding volatile change and attacks from within and outside, and how to drive disruptive change for the benefit of the end consumer:

1. How the odds have been stacked against him and why his team has to show real results;

2. How his management process eliminates opportunities for those not working toward the greater good, so they dont impede or even sabotage altruistic efforts;

3. Why you must be in a constant state of recognizing and embracing change and weeding out the a**holes who would otherwise keep the status quo.

Disruption Interruption is the podcast where youll hear from todays biggest Industry Disruptors. Learn what motivated them to bring about change and how they overcome opposition to adoption.

Disruption Interruption can be listened to via the Podbean app, and is available on Apples App Store and Google Play.

About Disruption Interruption:

Disruption is happening on an unprecedented scale, impacting all manner of industries MedTech, Finance, IT, eCommerce, shipping and logistics, and moreand COVID has moved their timelines up a full decade or more. But WHO are these disruptors and when did they say, THATS IT! IVE HAD IT!? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host Karla Jo KJ Helms, veteran communications disruptor. KJ interviews bad asses who are disrupting their industries and altering economic networks that have become antiquated with an establishment resistant to progress. She delves into uncovering secrets from industry rebels and quiet revolutionaries that uncover common traitsand not-so-commonthat are changing our economic markets and lives. Visit the worlds key pioneers that persist to success, despite arrows in their backs at http://www.disruptioninterruption.com.

About Karla Jo Helms:

Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR(TM) Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors(TM).

Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the lineand how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumni of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators and the media to help restore companies of goodwill back into the good graces of public opinionKarla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception.

About Infobionic:

InfoBionic is a digital health company transforming the efficiency and economics of ambulatory remote patient monitoring processes by optimizing clinical and real-world utility for the users that need it most  physicians and their patients. The Massachusetts-based team of seasoned entrepreneurs have had successful careers in healthcare, IT, medical devices and mobile technology, and bring specific expertise in remote monitoring and cardiology. They have seen first-hand the complexities of traditional cardiac arrhythmia detection and monitoring processes and designed the transformative MoMe Kardia platform to remove the roadblocks hindering faster, more effective diagnosis and decision-making. Frost & Sullivan bestowed the 2019 North American Remote Cardiac Monitoring Technology Leadership Award upon InfoBionic.

1. Shelagh, Dolan. The technology, devices, and benefits of remote patient monitoring in the healthcare industry. Insider Intelligence, 28 July 2021, insiderintelligence.com/insights/remote-patient-monitoring-industry-explained/.

2. Albert-Deitch Cameron. A New Study of 40,000 Employees at 125 Companies Says Toxic Workplaces Are Surprisingly Common. Inc.com, 06 March 2020, inc.com/cameron-albert-deitch/emtrain-company-culture-toxic-workplace-study.html.

3. Mattice Zundel, Catherine. Some SHOCKING STATS About Toxic Work Cultures. Civility Partners, 03 February 2021, civilitypartners.com/some-shocking-stats-about-toxic-work-cultures/
Support for OGC 3D tiles allows TerraLens developers to create stunning visualizations of urban environments. "While improving performance is a passion for TerraLens developers, weve also listened to the requests of our customers for newer, high impact visual presentations."

Kongsberg Geospatial announced today the general release of TerraLens 9.3, the latest version of their real-time, high performance, software development toolkit for geospatial visualization.

In this release of TerraLens, the product development team has focused on improving performance for 3D visualization for large viewports, and on multi-domain visualization features for Joint All-Domain command and control applications. Leveraging the power of modern GPUs and multi-core processors, the latest release of TerraLens is significantly faster, with new presentations focused on enhancing situational awareness.

With increased multithreading in its map handling, TerraLens can load and display vector, raster and elevation formats smoothly without pre-processing. This is ideal for applications that have disk size constraints or for customers that have a short turn-around time between receiving map data updates and needing to use them.

For applications with stringent start-up constraints or map formats that are not optimized for quick runtime access, the pre-processing option still exists, to help ensure minimal time for an initial map display.

The rendering of maps and dynamic presentations has also been optimized with increased threading in the graphics kernel, and the minimization of costly graphics state changes with batched rendering calls. Improved data culling ensures that only those items that are actually visible will be rendered. These improvements are especially noticeable when displaying large numbers of dynamic tracks and objects, and frequently projected information.

This release of TerraLens also includes a slate of new tools and features. While improving performance is a passion for TerraLens developers, weve also listened to the requests of our customers for newer, high impact visual presentations, explained TerraLens product manager Annette Gottstein.

New features include support for OGC 3D Tiles, which can be used to create a high-resolution 3D view that is especially suited to cityscapes, while a new API to control the resolution of the terrain mesh allows applications to balance runtime performance with higher resolution terrain over which to drape map imagery.

Elevation warnings can now be displayed using color ramps on both terrain and OGC 3D Tiles, as well as on primitive lines and area fills.

TerraLens 9.3 also includes new Geo/WorldHeatMap classes that provide a flexible and intuitive way to perceive density of points on a map, which will give developers new ways of visualizing important data in their applications.

TerraLens continues to evolve to meet the latest map and symbology standards. Support has been added for the latest military symbology, providing MIL-STD-2525D and App-6B symbol sets.

The SDK also features new mapping updates including enhanced support to discover WMS and WMTS map layers as well as monitoring the status of web requests. Support has been added for DAFIF 8.1 and S-57 Inland ENC levels. Developers will also have the ability to track when maps have completed loading in the TerraLens viewport.

TerraLens 9.3 also continues to support the latest development environment needs, including Visual Studio 2019, CLI .Net Core, and Linux RedHat8.

Kongsberg Geospatial has long prided itself on the continual evolution of our TerraLens geospatial visualization SDK, said Ranald McGillis, President, Kongsberg Geospatial. Weve made a significant investment in research and development over the past few years, and were happy to be able make the fruits of that effort available to engineers and developers in this version of TerraLens.

TerraLens, Kongsberg Geospatials industry-leading geospatial visualization platform, has been fielded in some of the most demanding applications in the world including AEGIS, Global Hawk, THAAD, NATO AWACS, and the Joint Battle Command-Platform.

ENDS ###

About Kongsberg Geospatial: Based in Ottawa, Canada, Kongsberg Geospatial (https://kongsberggeospatial.com) creates precision real-time software for air traffic control and UxS and situational awareness. The Companys products are primarily deployed in solutions for air-traffic control, Command and Control, and air defense. Over nearly three decades of providing dependable performance under extreme conditions, Kongsberg Geospatial has become the leading geospatial technology provider for mission-critical applications where lives are on the line. Kongsberg Geospatial is a subsidiary of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
If you would like to know more about the Niki Investments, Inc. (Domino's) lawsuit, please contact Attorney Jackland K. Hom today by calling (619) 255-9047.

The Orange County labor law attorneys, at Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC, filed a class action complaint against Niki Investments, Inc. ("Niki Investments"), a Domino's franchisee, for allegedly failing to accurately pay employees' wages for all their time worked. The Niki Investments class action lawsuit, Case No. 30-2021-01213064-CU-OE-CXC, is currently pending in the Orange County Superior Court of the State of California. A copy of the Complaint can be read here.

According to the lawsuit, Niki Investments allegedly violated California Labor Code Sections  201, 202, 203, 204, 206.5, 226, 226.7, 246, 510, 512, 558, 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802 by failing to: (1) pay minimum wages; (2) pay overtime wages; (3) provide required meal and rest periods; (4) provide accurate itemized wage statements; (5) reimburse employees for required business expenses; and (6) provide wages when due.

As a result of their rigorous work schedules, Niki Investment's employees were allegedly unable to take off duty meal breaks and were not fully relieved of duty for meal periods. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges employees were from time to time interrupted during their off-duty meal breaks to complete tasks for Niki Investments. Employees were allegedly required to perform work as ordered by Niki Investments for more than five (5) hours during a shift without receiving an off-duty meal break. Further, the lawsuit alleges Niki Investments failed to provide employees with a second off-duty meal period each workday in which these employees were required by Niki Investments to work ten (10) hours of work. Niki Investments policy allegedly caused employees to remain on-call and on-duty during what was supposed to be their off-duty meal periods. Employees therefore allegedly forfeited meal breaks without additional compensation and in accordance with Niki Investment's strict corporate policy and practice.

If you would like to know more about the Niki Investments lawsuit, please contact Attorney Jackland K. Hom today by calling (619) 255-9047.

Zakay Law Group, APLC and JCL Law Firm, APC are labor and employment law firms with offices located in California that dedicate their practices to fighting for employees who have been wronged by their employers due to unfair employment practices. Contact one of their attorneys today if you need help with workplace issues regarding wage and hour, wrongful termination, retaliation, discrimination, and harassment.

-THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT-
Bianchi & Brandt, a full-service business and litigation law firm with an emphasis on the cannabis and hemp industries, recently added paralegal, Karrie Idstein, to its rapidly growing practice.

Having just moved from Wisconsin and being new to the area, I feel as if I found my place at Bianchi & Brandt, says Idstein. Ive worked as a paralegal for nearly two decades now, and am excited to bring my knowledge and expertise to an award-winning firm.

Idstein transitioned from a customer service lead to a legal assistant while working for Snap-On Credit in Illinois in 2003. About two years later, she earned her paralegal certificate through Penn Foster and moved into the paralegal role, a position she held for 10 years. Idstein moved from Wisconsin to Arizona in August 2019, and has previously volunteered with the American Legion and St. Marys Food Bank.

Bianchi & Brandt is excited to have Karrie on our team, said Laura A. Bianchi, partner of Bianchi & Brandt. We are delighted to see the firm continue to grow with the addition of great talent.

For more information about Bianchi & Brandt, please call 480-531-1800 or visit https://bianchibrandt.com/

###

About Bianchi & Brandt

Bianchi & Brandt, nationally recognized leaders in the cannabis and hemp industries, offer a full suite of business and litigation services. Led by partners Laura Bianchi and Justin Brandt, the law firm provides a comprehensive approach covering a wide range of general and industry-specific needs for clients of all types and sizes. Bianchi & Brandts strategic acumen, proven experience, and legal agility allow them to serve the complex needs of clients, as well as provide general counsel services for business and personal needs. For more information, visit https://bianchibrandt.com/.


Ohio Music Education Association advocacy logo "During a time of enormous change and uncertainty, our music educators have continued to advocate for music education opportunities for their students, said Dr. Mackie V. Spradley, NAfME President and Board Chair.

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has awarded three state music education associations (MEAs) 2021 Excellence in Advocacy Awards in recognition of their efforts advocating for music education: the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA); the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA); and the Vermont Music Educators Association (VMEA). NAfME President and Board Chair Dr. Mackie V. Spradley presented the award during the NAfME National Rally for Music Education, conducted virtually in June.

"During a time of enormous change and uncertainty, our music educators have continued to advocate for music education opportunities for their students, said Dr. Mackie V. Spradley, NAfME President and Board Chair. Their tireless work and passion will inspire students and communities for years to come. We at NAfME celebrate our educators who have persevered in their advocacy work for music education. Congratulations to our 2021 Excellence in Advocacy Award winners."

Louisiana

LMEA collaborated with Louisianas first lady, Donna Edwards, to achieve her TEACH MAM (Music, Arts, Movement) initiative. LMEA used the space of the TEACH MAM to build relationships with other advocates to promote the education of the whole child, leading to initiating the process to create a state arts coalition. Further, Louisiana MEA has organized and created plans for government relations, advocacy education, and advocacy stories, including publication of STORIES in the LMEA magazine, Louisiana Musician, and other LMEA social media platforms.

Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the LMEA Board, Louisiana Advocacy Leadership Force (L-ALF), Booster Parents, and General Membership were able to communicate effectively with the State Superintendent of Education, the Louisiana Department of Health, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education members to allow in-class participation using the aerosol study commissioned by the International Coalition of Performing Arts Organizations, of which NAfME is a member, with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) as well as summer camp participation. This communication caused an about-face in the Louisiana Department of Education Back-to-School Plan in favor of music and music education.

It is such a unique honor to be recognized in this way, said Brett Babineaux, LMEA President-Elect, during the NAfME National Rally for Music Education. Louisiana MEA historically has not been a state that has delved into advocacy, and  two years ago in Washington, DC, President Scotty Walker and Iwith a few other board memberswere able to go to the National Leadership Assembly and truly realize the importance of advocacy.

In the beginning stages of COVID, Babineaux continued, we had the opportunity during quarantine to get together some board members and realize this Louisiana Advocacy Leadership Force, and we came up with four really important pillars of what we considered to be the cornerstones of what we want to accomplish in Louisiana music . . . We are still working on a lot of these pillars; were brand new into this. But we want to do things like collect data and share that from our students. The four pillars are advocacy training, communications, stories, and government relations.

Ohio

OMEA advocated with Ohio Governor Mike DeWines office for COVID-19 recommendations created by OMEA, as well as using recommendations from the Fall 2020 Guidance for Music Education prepared by NAfME and the NFHS. These recommendations were included in the states schools reopening guidance. OMEA has cultivated a strong positive relationship with Ohio Superintendent of Schools Paolo DeMaria. He regularly attends OMEA conferences, all-state rehearsals, and board meetings. OMEA leadership secured a place at the table for Ohio Superintendent of Schools Paolo DeMarias school reopening task force. OMEA President Ann Usher met weekly with this task force to advocate for music-friendly recommendations.

In Ohio our advocacy efforts have been successful because of the relationships we worked hard to build with people even prior to the pandemic, said Usher. Weve cultivated a relationship with our state superintendent of schools by inviting him to our state professional development conference, state marching band finals, and other opportunities for him to see the authentic assessment he loves in action. As a result, we were able to get a seat at his table for weekly, or now biweekly, meetings of stakeholders who worked on reopening plans last fall and throughout this year.

Vermont

VMEA created a committee called COVID-19 Advocacy Response Team (C19ART) to address the needs presented by the pandemic. This committee created educators and administrators guides for Vermont teachers to use in their advocacy. This committee also created a website and resources for members and stakeholders to utilize in advocating for a safe return to music performance in the classroom. C19ART successfully advocated with Vermont Secretary of Education Daniel French to loosen state restrictions in order to allow safe indoor music performances.

There were so many people who contributed to the success of the VMEA advocacy team this year, and perhaps no one more than our Immediate Past President Bill Prue. Bill was an essential part of all of our initiatives and his unwavering support and enthusiasm was certainly a driving force in our work, shared Molly Tobin, VMEA Advocacy Chair. In addition to the work of C19ART, VMEA launched our first official advocacy initiative in late June 2020. This initiative was a simple social media campaign called My Music Ed StoryVermont where we encouraged teachers, students, and community members to share their music education stories on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

VMEA also wrote an advocacy statement titled Music Education is Essential that was endorsed by music educators, community advocates, and business leaders. This document addressed four specific reasons why music education is important in the lives of students. The completed document was shared with Vermont legislators.

The Excellence in Advocacy award, presented annually at the NAfME National Leadership Assembly, recognizes a state music education association (MEA) for outstanding accomplishments in music education advocacy. State MEAs around the country are advocating by meeting with State Boards of Education, advocating to state legislatures, and engaging stakeholders. The 2020 Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient was the Wisconsin Music Educators Association; the 2019 Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient was the Florida Music Education Association; and the 2018 Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient was the Michigan Music Educators Association.

###

National Association for Music Education, among the worlds largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. With more than 60,000 members teaching millions of students nationwide, the organization is the national voice of music education in the United States.

Follow NAfME on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For additional information, contact Catherina Hurlburt at catherinah@nafme.org or 703-860-4000.
500 Dangerous Spiritual Prayer Points: For self-deliverance: a potent opportunity for spiritual growth. 500 Dangerous Spiritual Prayer Points: For self-deliverance is the creation of published author Michael Chioma Udochukwu, a loving husband and father who is president of Greater Tomorrow Organization in Nigeria. He currently resides in the United States and seeks to spread the Gospel of Christ.

Udochukwu shares, If you spend more time with God, men and women will be looking for you. And I am telling you the truth, you cannot be a part time Christian and defeat a full-time devil. To deal with the devil and give him and his demons technical knocking, you must be a full-time Christian and also hot fire brand like high tension for Jesus Christ.

This book will surely unfold the mysteries of the power of prayers and the patterns of prayers that will help you to pray your way out to a break-through of success. This book will prepare you how to understand the powers of darkness that conflicts your mind and teaches you how to fight this battle through the power of prayers, because if here is a man to pray, there is God to answer. Heavens await you to attend your requests. According to His will and His words that are powerful that can destroy the powers that are fighting your destiny, your star, and your dreams not to come true or get to your desired destinations in life.

This book is about self-deliverance to help you in all the areas of your life. By the grace of God, He will free you from the evil captivity of the powers of darkness. This book will serve as a devotion tool to enlighten, educate, and teach millions of Christians in the kingdom how to outline their prayer points and pray their way out of problems by presenting their matters before God Almighty. This world is full of wickedness in the high and low places, not knowing whom to trust and how to deal with the satanic powers and demons that are busy destroying human lives. One way or the other, with many problems going up and down, because every new level that you attend in this life also has a new devil. The only way to defeat this unseen enemies, with their wickedness of the wicked, is by working with Jesus side by side. You must be hot all the time as a firebrand Christian. Jesus is Lord.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Michael Chioma Udochukwus new book is a fascinating discussion of the power of prayer in ones life.

Udochukwus work is a passionate plea for believers to understand and harness the power of prayer to overcome any evil they encounter.

View a synopsis of 500 Dangerous Spiritual Prayer Points: For self-deliverance on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase 500 Dangerous Spiritual Prayer Points: For self-deliverance at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about 500 Dangerous Spiritual Prayer Points: For self-deliverance, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Michael D. Thompson, who began his career in writing after working forty years in the health-care industry, has completed his new book The Curious Case of Julia Felix": a gripping work that describes how two stories collide as the spirit of Julia Felix begins to assert herself in her new avatar.

Thompson writes, "As with my other book, I think the reader would be well served if he or she could access geographic maps for locations of this region. I have provided a rudimentary map at the beginning of this book to show you the travels made by Julia Felix and Bella and her tour group. Following the tour with a map makes it easier to follow the two stories simultaneously. The journey that Tony and Bella take is one I have taken myself. It was inspiring, and when I decided to write this book, it was natural to call upon my trip many years ago. You will find that this story is true to the life of Roman citizens of the area in AD 79, as well as the tourists of the present day.

Published by Page Publishing, Michael D. Thompsons riveting story details how Sophia and her two new friends, Bella and Tony, prepare for a bus trip that will take them to Pompeii, Sorrento, and Capri. Julie Felixs story begins to unravel at each stage of the trip with surprising details revealed about her life in AD 79.

This historical fiction is grounded in facts by the author, credibly in evidence as the saga tries to answer the question of what happened to Julia Felix. The true history lesson combined with the dynamics of the fictional action makes for a most interesting and educational read.

Readers who wish to experience this intriguing book can purchase The Curious Case of Julia Felix" at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Based on the popularity of its MFG Day events last year, Miller will offer both onsite and virtual formats to uniquely mark MFG Month 2021 this October. "In a year where OEM supply chain resiliency was severely tested, we are pleased to receive confirmation that our customers are seeing strong, positive outcomes from their relationships with Miller." -- Eric D. Miller, President, Miller Fabrication Solutions

Capitalizing on its success from holding Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) activities virtually in 2020, Miller Fabrication Solutions will offer both onsite and virtual formats to uniquely mark the 2021 event this October as part of its own Manufacturing Month (MFG Month).

Miller, a top metal fabrication partner for global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), will hold free, onsite plant tours for the general public at its three locations in Brookville, Pennsylvania and Homer City, Pennsylvania on MFG Day, Oct. 1. Along with these tours, Miller will hold a job fair throughout the day at each location to introduce Miller's career, apprentice and training opportunities. Current open positions and related applications are accessible online at http://www.millerfabricationsolutions.com.

Then, through mid-October, the company will host live webinars depicting The Lifecycle of a Weldment. This free, two-part series will give an insider look into the start-to-finish process flow of heavy-fabricated parts development. In both webinars, Miller experts, such as a certified weld inspector, quality inspector and foreman, will help navigate the intricacies of these processes and how they contribute to the production of high-quality, finished OEM parts for some of the biggest equipment manufacturing brands around the world.

The webinars will illustrate the complexity of tackling a heavy fabrication project and will expose educators, students, prospective employees and our community  even OEMs  to an intriguing backstory they may have never seen or been fully involved with before, said Millers President, Eric D. Miller. This series is designed not only to be interesting and educational, but also to help attract future employees to the field by giving them a behind-the-scenes look at the many jobs available within the manufacturing sector. After watching the webinar series, viewers will better understand how the functions of a heavy fabricator work together.

Last year, Millers MFG Day celebration included webinars with virtual plant tours and interviews with employees in its Meet a Manufacturing Expert series, which attracted a nationwide audience comprised largely of students. Post-event surveys revealed that 87% of online attendees were under age 18 and that the webinars fostered an interest in manufacturing careers. The company anticipates similar interest levels this year, particularly due to concerns surrounding the Delta variant of COVID-19.

Miller Fabrication Solutions Manufacturing Month 2021 Event Schedule

MFG Day  Friday, Oct. 1, 2021

In-person MFG Day tours will run every 30 minutes from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT at each of the following Miller plant locations:

Sandy Lick, 111 2nd Street, Brookville, Pennsylvania

Maplevale, 225 Miller Drive, Brookville, Pennsylvania

Homer City, 57 Cooper Ave., Homer City, Pennsylvania

Those who are interested in attending the plant tours may register at https://www.millerfabricationsolutions.com/event/mfg-day-2021. Each tour location requires its own registration.

The Lifecycle of a Weldment, Part 1  Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021

10  11 a.m. EDT

Registration is available online at https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/6725801004850648078.

The Lifecycle of a Weldment, Part 2  Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021

2  3 p.m. EDT

Registration is available online at https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/3033316602849811469.

Miller Releases Annual Customer Survey Results Infographic

Miller Fabrication Solutions has released a downloadable infographic that announces results from its Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey. This year, Miller saw a record number of survey responses from OEM customers in its key industries, including construction, material handling, transportation and industrial equipment.

The infographic highlights results of the February 2021 survey, including:



71% of customers reported being very satisfied  an 87.5% increase from the 2020 survey;

More than 90% of respondents say Miller is extremely responsive or very responsive to their questions and concerns, representing a 46% increase over the previous year; and

90% of responses rated the total value Miller provides as excellent or above average, up 46% from last years survey.

In a year where OEM supply chain resiliency was severely tested, we are pleased to receive confirmation that our customers are seeing strong, positive outcomes from their relationships with Miller, said Miller. That said, we will never stop working on communicating, planning and scheduling more effectively to bring our customers creative solutions that address their greatest production challenges.

Miller said, for example, that the company already has implemented new processes in Q1 2021 to respond to customer requests for greater consistency in product quality, including randomized daily audits and ongoing comparisons of material certifications to the physical material after first operations on all first article parts.

The 2021 Miller Customer Satisfaction Survey Results infographic is available for download under the Resources section of http://www.millerfabricationsolutions.com.

About Miller Fabrication Solutions

Established in 1963, Miller Fabrication Solutions is the strategic fabrication partner for innovative, global OEMs. Miller delivers high-quality metal parts and assemblies through its extensive value-added and manufacturing solutions. With a core focus on modern technology and robotic automation coupled with lean processes, the Miller Customer Experience works to ensure that complex project measures are exceeded now and well into the future. OEMs can learn how to transform their metal manufacturing processes by scheduling a consultation.
Paula Christiansen created her personal brand, Mint Wellness Center, a unique concept where treatments, as personalized as the DNA of each patient, are practiced.

Paula Christiansen is an aesthetic expert and founder of the Mint Wellness Center. She has more than 15 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry with specialized studies in Negotiation and Leadership and Negotiation and Marketing from Harvard Law School, a master's degree in business from EUDE Spain, and another master's degree from Aesthetic Medicine at Esneca Business School in Spain with a specialization in Electro-Aesthetics, which is defined as the application of electrical charges on a person with the aim of improving their appearance. Paula created her personal brand, Mint Wellness Center, a unique concept where treatments, as personalized as the DNA of each patient, are practiced.

Learn more about Mint Wellness Center by visiting: https://hauteliving.com/hautebeauty/member/mint-wellness-center/

ABOUT HAUTE BEAUTY NETWORK:

Haute Beauty is affiliated with the luxury lifestyle publication Haute Living. As a section of Haute Living magazine, Haute Beauty covers the latest advancements in beauty and wellness, providing readers with expert advice on aesthetic and reconstructive treatments through its network of acclaimed doctors and beauty experts.

For more about Haute Beauty, visit https://hauteliving.com/hautebeauty/
Raptors goal is to help students and families find great colleges they can afford. Scholarships and grants play an important role in filling the gaps of college cost.

Scholarships and college go hand-in-hand. However, finding scholarships you qualify for isnt so simple. Most scholarship search sites only focus on private awards, ignoring institutional and government grant opportunities. However, private scholarships only make up about 13% of all awards available; meaning students using scholarship search sites arent finding 87% of the gift aid they may qualify for.

Enter College Raptors new Scholarship Search Tool. Its easy-to-use tool is quick and comprehensive. Enter some basic academic information and discover scholarships and grants from universities, the government, and private sponsors.

Raptors goal is to help students and families find great colleges they can afford. Scholarships and grants play an important role in filling the gaps of college cost, says Bill Staib, CEO and co-founder of College Raptor. Our Scholarship Search Tool takes the frustration out of looking for awards. It saves students time, focuses on qualifying scholarships, and includes institutional, government, and private awards.

What do High School Counselors Think?

Finances are, unfortunately, often a barrier in the way between students and college, says Richard Solis from Alisal High School in Salinas, CA. Scholarships are a way to lessen that barrier. And College Raptors Scholarship Search Tool makes it that much easier for students to overcome financial hurdles and get the higher education they deserve.

January Almaguer, a counselor at Horizon Science Academy in Columbus, OH, had this to say: The college prep process is stressful enough without adding scholarship search on top of it. Luckily, Raptors tool takes the stress out of the search and presents students with real opportunities for scholarships.

About College Raptor, Inc.

College Raptor leverages artificial intelligence to empower students, parents, counselors, and colleges to make informed college planning and financing decisions. Raptor is the only college search platform that enables students and families to discover quality, affordable college options based on personalized financial aid estimates, academic match, and campus fit at every four-year college in the country. As a result, students and their families find cost-effective, academically-appropriate college options that prepare them for their lives and careers. For more information about College Raptor, visit CollegeRaptor.com.
Chef Demarcus Kelly's famed Shrimp and Grits at Chamber, Tulsa Club Hotel's swanky underground American tavern. We are thrilled to have a chef and culinary offerings worthy of this exquisite space, said Paul van Raamsdonk, General Manager for Tulsa Club Hotel. Weve been able to revive the sophistication of the 1920s in every way possible.

Located in Tulsas Art Deco District, Tulsa Club Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton is debuting a new culinary vision inspired by the propertys historic charm, Art Deco decor, and proximity to the Midwests fresh bounty.

New chef and Tulsa native, Demarcus Kelly, has brought his dedication to excellence and relationships with local growers to the propertys two drink and dining destinations: Chamber and Commerce. The names are a playoff of the buildings past life as Tulsas Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber is a modern-American tavern located in the propertys swanky underground. Early American Taverns were comfortable gathering places for the community. They were where people came together to share news, celebrate, comfort one other, or simply find nourishment. Travelers sought out the best taverns to seek lodging and enjoy the local fare. In the spirit of this revival, Chamber is an exclusive spot for breakfast and dinner. Here, staff deliver warm hospitality and unparalleled service with the trappings and personalization of a private club. The chef-driven concept serves hearty plates made in-house with ingredients sourced from regional producers, cheesemakers, and ranchers. This back-to-basics, farm-to-table concept results in impeccable freshness, a reduced carbon footprint, and investment in regional food producers.

Hours of Operation:

Breakfast  Daily 6:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.

Dinner  Monday through Thursday as well as Sunday 5:00 p.m.  10:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5:00 p.m.  11:00 p.m.

Commerce is the citys 1920s-era cocktail destination. Plush seating from this cocktail lounge spills out into Tulsa Clubs bustling lobby, making Commerce a retreat for after-work cocktails, pre-show drinks, and late-night escapes. The menu features smoked cocktails along with a heavy emphasis on Tulsas famed bourbon. The ambiance is sophisticated, yet comfortable and relaxed; making it an ideal place for socializing.

Hours of Operation:

Sunday through Thursday, 4:00 p.m.  10:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, 4:00 p.m.  11:00 p.m.

We are thrilled to have a chef and culinary offerings worthy of this exquisite space, said Paul van Raamsdonk, General Manager for Tulsa Club Hotel. Weve been able to revive the sophistication of the 1920s in every way possible: our decor, dining, drinks, and personalized service. Its a grand experience fitting for this historic space in Tulsas Art Deco District.

Born in Tulsa, Chef Kelly graduated culinary school with high honors and is a member of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Tulsa Chapter, of which he is certified through and holds a Certified Chef de Cuisine Certification (CCC). Before accepting the position of Executive Chef at Tulsa Club Hotel, Chef Kelly was the Executive Sous Chef of Tulsa Country Club.

Managed by Greenwood Hospitality Management, Tulsa Club Hotel is a 96-room boutique hotel in Tulsas famed Art Deco District. The exclusive property offers over 7,800 square feet of flexible meeting/ballroom space. Created from the citys oldest Art Deco building, Tulsa Club is ideal for travelers who enjoy the finer side of hospitality, exploring iconic neighborhoods, and a passion for Art Deco and upscale dining options. The hotel is walkable to the Tulsa Arts District, Blue Dome District, East Village District, and the famous Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Dining reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling 918-582-5760

https://www.opentable.com/r/chamber-tulsa

Menus and photos are available in Tulsa Club's Media Kit.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ovry5oplvh3xj81/AAD47Dlr7hKkwFRcDqsn-KfDa?dl=0

About Tulsa Club Hotel

Tulsa Club Hotel is a 96-room hotel in Tulsas famed Art Deco District. The exclusive property offers over 7,800 square feet of flexible meeting/ballroom space; Chamber, a classic American Tavern with farm-to-table fare; and Commerce, a sophisticated destination for pre-prohibition cocktails. Tulsa Club is ideal for travelers who enjoy the finer side of hospitality, exploring iconic neighborhoods, and a passion for historic Art Deco, and upscale dining options. Tulsa Club is walkable to the Tulsa Arts District, Blue Dome District, East Village District, and the famous Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/tultcqq-tulsa-club-hotel/

115 E Fifth Street Tulsa, OK

About Curio Collection by Hilton Hotels

Curio - A Collection by Hilton is a global collection of distinctive four- and five-star hotels that offer travelers local discovery and

authentic experiences in key markets. The word curio refers to something unique or even rare, just as each Curio hotel will be

different from the next. Each Curio hotel has individuality as its common thread, along with the quiet reassurance of the Hilton

name behind every location.
We have recently decided to partner with VHS Learning so that our students could engage in a virtual classroom with students in the US and around the world!

VHS Learning, a nonprofit empowering schools with the industrys best teacher-led online learning programs, today announced that schools in New Jersey, North Carolina, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, along with Sierra Leone, are now offering their students access to more than 250 core and elective courses online.

The new partner schools include:



American International School of Freetown  Freetown, Sierra Leone

Barnstable Academy  Oakland, New Jersey

Block Island School  Block Island, Rhode Island

JEDI Virtual School  Whitewater, Wisconsin

St. Patrick Academy  Providence, Rhode Island

Southside Christian School  Simpsonville, South Carolina

Stonington High School  Pawcatuck, Connecticut

Sugar Creek Charter School  Charlotte, North Carolina

VHS Learning has a distinguished 25-year history of supplementing face-to-face education with quality online learning that provides high school students expanded curriculum offerings. Currently, the nonprofit serves students in 66 countries and 46 states, offering hundreds of unique online courses, including 24 AP offerings, innovative STEM programs, and a wide variety of unique electives.

As a nonprofit, our focus over the last 25 years has been providing schools and students with equitable access to quality education. Our focus on quality is so strong, that we helped update the National Standards for Quality Online Teaching, Courses, and Programs ten years after establishing the original standards, said Carol DeFuria, President & CEO of VHS Learning. All of our teachers are not only certified in their disciplines but also successfully complete a graduate-level online course in online teaching best practices. We know a qualified teacher is critical to student engagement and success The teachers who provide instruction for VHS Learning courses are certified in their subject areas, and 81% possess a masters degree or higher.

As a small school in West Africa, the American International School of Freetown wants to offer our small high school cohort a rigorous, stimulating, and engaging high school experience, said Brian Roach, Director at American International School of Freetown. We have recently decided to partner with VHS Learning so that our students could engage in a virtual classroom with students in the US and around the world!

We are excited to work with these new schools across the United States and around the world to expand the academic options schools can provide to students, and build awareness of future career options, added DeFuria. VHS Learning courses are a great way for schools to supplement their offerings and provide their students with a supportive, instructor-led, global classroom experience that prepares them for college, careers, and beyond.

About VHS Learning

VHS Learning is a nonprofit organization with 25 years of experience providing world-class online programs to students and schools everywhere. Offering more than 250 unique online courses for high school credit, including 24 AP courses, credit recovery and enrichment courses, and a selection of dual-credit options, VHS Learning is accredited by Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS), Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), and Cognia. Courses are approved for initial eligibility by NCAA. For more information about VHS Learning please visit https://www.vhslearning.org/ and follow on Twitter at @VHSLearning.

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Professionals in the moving industry can enter the 2021 Mover Summer Games by submitting photographs of themselves in action in one of three categories: Stack That Truck, Show That Strength, and Flash That Style

Oncue, the leading software and booking service for the moving industry, announced today that it has launched the second annual Mover Summer Games, an online event where moving professionals can demonstrate their talents in a number of industry-related categories.

The moving industry is experiencing rapid growth, with a record number of relocations throughout 2021. The soaring number of remote employees and migration from major cities continues to drive high demand for moving services, resulting in a surge of new moving companies, and existing companies expanding their fleets.

Professionals in the moving industry can enter the 2021 Mover Summer Games by submitting photographs of themselves and/or their crew in action in one of three categories: Stack That Truck, Show That Strength, and Flash That Style.

Winners in each category will be selected by a judging panel of moving industry experts at the 2021 Mover Summer Games Closing Ceremony on Tuesday, September 7th. Prizes include up to $1,000, new moving equipment, and a free digital marketing consultation.

Entries can be submitted to the 2021 Mover Summer Games until 11.59 PST on Thursday, September 2nd at https://bookmorejobs.oncue.co/oncue-summer-games

About Oncue

Founded in 2017, Oncue was designed to help moving company owners spend less time on the phone answering sales calls, so they can free up valuable time to concentrate on business growth. With their innovative software platform and a professionally-trained sales team ready to answer and handle mover calls, Oncue delivers extraordinary results for moving company owners around the country. To learn more about Oncue visit https://www.oncue.co/

Media Contact

Clair Simpson

Director of Marketing, Oncue

csimpson@oncue.co

+1 (416) 436 3836
Peopletrail promotes longtime valued employee Allyson Davis to replace Katie Adams-Anderton as Director of Compliance. Legal Compliance in Background Screening is vital to the success of an employer and a huge requirement for a hiring managers/recruiters success.

Peopletrail LLC, a leading consumer reporting agency in the United States, has significantly improved its background screening compliance department. The company recently promoted Allyson Davis, a former Mortgage Compliance Manager, and long-time employee, to Director of Compliance.

Not only does Allyson have 20 years of professional experience to make a huge difference here at Peopletrail, but significant on-the-job training and long-term relationships already built with the entire staff. I have no doubt she will stand on the shoulders of our former compliance director and take us to new heights, says Wallace T. Davis, President/CEO of the company.

Allyson began her professional career in the Mortgage Industry, taking a job as a loan processor in 2001 with Nationwide Mortgage. While there, she moved through the ranks to a loan officer, assisting with many responsibilities. These duties involved working on all aspects of the lending and mortgage process. Specific job functions included working with other team members providing estimates, pre-approvals, home inspections, applications, appraisals, processing, verifications, underwriting closing, legal review, and refinancing.

In 2009 Allyson was hired by Security National Mortgage Company (SNMC) as a Quality Control specialist. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank) was enacted on July 21, 2010. Allyson dove head-first into this new law and became an expert, allowing her to be promoted to the regional Compliance and Processing Manager at SNMC.

In June of 2016, she took a break to be a full-time mom. After a year, she decided to employ her knowledge of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Grham Leach Bailey Act (GLB), and the Dodd-Frank Act and consumer protection experience into the Background screening Industry.

In 2017 she was hired by Peopletrail to learn the background screening business. After four years of working in different capacities, she is promoted to Director of Compliance for Peopletrail.

"Bryan Jensen, COO of Peopletrail, said that Allyson has been working hard the past few years to apply her knowledge of the mortgage industry to build our compliance team. We are thrilled she has accepted the challenge to take our compliance and, ultimately, our company to the next level. Compliance in our industry has never been more important in an increasingly litigious business environment.

Allyson brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and a strong work ethic to assist employers with realistic hiring subtleties and greater confidence in recruiters and hiring managers.

To learn more, please visit Peopletrail.com.

Contact Details

Phone: (801) 307-4100

Email: support@peopletrail.com

Address: 65 E Wadsworth Park Dr, Suite 102, Draper, UT 84020

Follow Peopletrail on social media to get recent industry news, updates, analysis & insights.

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Raycon is delighted to have Brandsmart USA as an authorized retail partner for our brand and we are looking forward in contributing to their continued growth and success for years to come.

Premium wireless audio brand Raycon is expanding its retail footprint by partnering with the leading consumer electronics retailer in the Southeast, BrandsMart USA.

In its mission to democratize the tech world, Raycon has joined forces with BrandsMart USA to offer its most popular and affordable styles to the communities of Florida and Georgia. Southeastern communities will now have the opportunity to enjoy high-quality tech features such as noise-cancelling, optimized microphone technology, and wireless charging for as low as $79.99.

Brandsmart USA is one of the premier consumer electronics retailers in the country. Raycon is delighted to have Brandsmart USA as an authorized retail partner for our brand and we are looking forward to contributing to their continued growth and success for years to come, says Ray Lee, CEO of Raycon.

BrandsMart USA shoppers now have access to Raycons best-selling Everyday Earbuds ($79.99) and Everyday Headphones ($99.99) in classic color ways of black, white, red, blue, and rose gold.

Raycon is available at all BrandsMart USA locations as well as online. For location information & more, visit https://www.brandsmartusa.com/.
Erik and Ana Caballero, Founders of Rooted Real Estate We created Rooted Real Estate because we were born and raised on the Central Coast, and were committed to helping families establish their own roots

Rooted Real Estate today announced its partnership with Side, the only real estate technology company that exclusively partners with high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages to transform them into market-leading boutique brands and businesses. The alliance will ensure that Rooted Real Estate, a firm on a personal mission to help buyers and sellers build their futures, is powered by the industrys most advanced platform.

Rooted Real Estate was founded by Erik and Ana Caballero, who specialize in buyer and seller transactions as well as helping families choose and develop land throughout Californias Central Coast. Erik Caballero has been honored with numerous sales awards and rated among the top 1% of Realtors in Northern California. Ana Caballeros industry certifications, extreme tech savvy, and strong grasp of social media have given her clients a distinct edge in a rapidly modernizing industry.

The Caballeros founded Rooted Real Estate to fill a gap in their local real estate market. As natives, they are more connected to the Central Coast than agents who arent, and their clients benefit from their regional expertise. They believe theres nothing more powerful than being able to put down roots, and helping people do that is Rooted Real Estates specialty. Fluent in English and Spanish, the team frequently works with Spanish-speaking families and serves Prunedale, Soquel, Aptos, San Juan Bautista, Capitola, Watsonville, Salinas, and Marina, among others.

Partnering with Side will ensure Rooted Real Estate remains on the cutting edge of the evolving real estate market while continuing to deliver premium services to its clients. Side works behind the scenes, supporting Rooted Real Estate with a one-of-a-kind brokerage platform that includes proprietary technology, transaction management, branding and marketing services, public relations, legal support, lead generation, vendor management, infrastructure solutions, and more. Additionally, Rooted Real Estate will join an exclusive group of Side partners, tapping into an expansive network from coast to coast.

We created Rooted Real Estate because we were born and raised on the Central Coast, and were committed to helping families establish their own roots, said Ana Caballero. We believe that everyone should have a chance to become a homeowner, added Erik Caballero, and were determined to make it possible for our clients to build strong foundations in the communities they love, using a combination of the latest tech, proprietary marketing, and good, old-fashioned customer service.

Side is led by experienced industry professionals and world-class engineers who develop technology designed to improve agent productivity and enhance the client experience. Based on its belief that homeownership is a fundamental human right, Side is on a mission to improve the public good by providing top-performing real estate agents, teams, and indie brokerages with the best system, support, service, experience, and results.

About Rooted Real Estate

Rooted Real Estate was founded by Erik and Ana Caballero, two Central Coast natives with deep regional ties and 32 years of combined real estate experience. Keyed into every local community inside and out, the team knows precisely where and how to help families put down roots, supporting them through every step with their knowledge and guidance. In addition to serving buyers and sellers, Rooted Real Estate specializes in land development and new home builds. To learn more, visit http://www.rootedrealestate.com.

About Side

Side transforms high-performing agents, teams, and independent brokerages into successful businesses and boutique brands that are 100% agent-owned. Side exclusively partners with the best agents, empowering them with proprietary technology and a premier support team so they can be more productive, grow their business, and focus on serving their clients. Side is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit http://www.sideinc.com.
The Sedaru product suite is by far the easiest and most flexible CMMS I have used or administered in my 25 years of maintenance and asset management, according to Jason Todd, CMMS Business Lead for Contra Costa Water District.

Sedaru, Inc. announces the launch of the next generation Sedaru OMNI Platform, improving the flexibility, power and reach of core work order, asset management, and operations management capabilities to empower utilities in their digital transformation. Sedaru OMNI enables water and wastewater utilities to take control of their data, providing centralized access to siloed data, enabling real-time coordination of business operations, and placing key asset information at the users fingertips.

Sedarus Enterprise Work Order and Asset Management Tools Streamline Operations

As a map-centric enterprise asset management platform, Sedaru OMNI allows users to assign, schedule and track work in real-time from the field or office, on any device. Managers can monitor system performance, scheduled, and assigned work, and see changes as they occur using custom Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), alarms, and proactive notifications. Sedaru OMNI gives supervisors the ability to analyze asset performance, field crew productivity, and to spot meaningful trends and receive prescriptive recommendations. For compliance and reporting, Sedaru OMNI quickly provides asset and work history access, collected by field staff, external business systems, and IOT sensors, and can export the critical data to automate compliance reporting requirements through both standard and custom reports.

The next generation of Sedaru OMNI delivers an advanced, operational digital twin, providing access to the data and information utilities need to make intelligent informed decisions. Efficiency in every day workflows improves customer service, decreases truck rolls, simplifies compliance and reporting, and provides predictive insights that shape future plans and optimize utility operations. Sedaru OMNI takes this further as the first automation-ready asset and operations management system that runs the utility of today while driving the automated enterprise of tomorrow.

Effortless Self-Configuration Empowers Users Across the Utility

Sedaru OMNIs self-configuration capabilities are powerful enough to provide meaningful insights and simple enough to be fully utilized by any user, driving a customized user experience that consolidates, analyzes, displays, and shares data. Customizable tabs allow managers and users to build out domain or workflow-specific views that can be shared with other users, across departments, or within specific teams. Flexible tab layouts provide numerous options for data visualization, including maps, metric tiles, trend charts, and table view.

Contra Costa Water District, one of the largest water utilities in Northern California, has been using the Sedaru OMNI platform across their organization for the last year to create, schedule, dispatch, and track work orders, as well as manage their vertical and horizontal assets. According to Jason Todd, CMMS Business Lead for Contra Costa Water District, The Sedaru product suite is by far the easiest and most flexible CMMS I have used or administered in my 25 years of maintenance and asset management.

About Sedaru

Sedaru is a leading provider of work order and asset management software, empowering digital transformation for water and wastewater utilities, with a goal of utility automation. Sedarus modern suite of products provides utilities with access to real-time information, monitors asset performance, improves control of business operations, and drives efficiency and impactful decision making. By creating, automating, and consolidating one workflow, one sensor, one system at a time, Sedaru delivers the unification of data, systems, and people across the water utility enterprise. For more information visit http://www.sedaru.com.

Sedaru is an Aquatic Informatics Company.
International Association of Registered Financial Consultants Having an affordable, convenient portal to CE offerings allows todays consultant to meet requirement needs, while expanding their financial education  which is vital in todays rapidly changing financial climate...Stephanie Owen, Success CE National Sales Director

Current Success CE president and leader J. William Bill Cooley has over 35 years experience in the industry and 25 years in Insurance, CFP, CIMA, FINRA. His expertise has provided Success CE with innovative products that save the practice owner both time and money. He holds a BS in Petroleum Engineering, an MBA degree in Marketing and Finance, a Series 7, 24, 63 (RIA), a California insurance license, and a Real Estate License.

According to Cooley, Success CE can help the financial professional grow and increase business by utilizing the following tactical methods:

1. Showing professionals how to easily complete professional licensing requirements at the lowest cost.

2. Introducing methods that increase product sales.

3. Providing examples of how to dramatically increase recruiting results.

Success CE maintains one source for all continuing education needs via online courses, webinars, classroom (Live CE) venues, and customized presentations for companies designed to increase knowledge and sales. A glance at the companys website gives the opportunity for consultants to become a member with access to state specific, required CE Courses. The website guides the subscriber though login, obtaining course material, and completing online exams  ending with the reporting process for selected States. They provide CE courses that are uniquely designed with dynamic content that will not only help meet states CE requirements, but leave participants with a true value added that is proven to separate the learner from their competitors.

Welcome IARFC members. We look forward to introducing Success CE to the IARFC membership, related Stephanie Owen, National Sales Director. Having an affordable, convenient portal to CE offerings allows todays consultant to meet requirement needs, while expanding their financial education  which is vital in todays rapidly changing financial climate.

Getting CE has never been easier or more convenient with Success CEs easy to complete sign-up process. As a member benefit, Success CE offers all IARFC members the discounted Package Price of $29.95 a year (plus any state fees if applicable). The discount is good for 365 days, allowing IARFC members to add courses as needed. For more information and to sign up visit http://www.successce.com or contact them at (949) 706-9453.

The IARFC provides a comprehensive list of member benefits at http://www.iarfc.org or contact randy@iarfc.org, Our goal is to continue bringing meaningful benefits to our members, added Randy Kriner, IARFC Information Technologies. Success CE will be an important resource for our members when researching options for CE. I encourage everyone to visit their website and subscribe.
With fall semester classes beginning today (Aug. 30), Pomona College announces the appointment of three distinguished alumni to its Board of Trustees. Susan Gerardo Dunn 84, David L. Nunes 83 and MacKenzie Teymouri 09 took office this summer on the board of one of the worlds leading liberal arts colleges, named by The New York Times as one of the top higher education institutions doing the most for the American dream.

Susan Gerardo Dunn 84

Susan Gerardo Dunn 84 is a writer, editor, publisher and founder of Indicia Media, which produces the local daily news website Baltimore Fishbowl and publishes an annual print guide to local schools. She serves as general manager, editorial director, director of digital strategy and product manager. She previously founded a local print magazine for women in Baltimore and, prior to that, was a freelance writer and education reporter. Early in her career, she served as communications director at Advocates for Children in Youth, a nonprofit that focuses on childrens issues. At Pomona, she was an English major and editor-in-chief of The Student Life. She also serves as a board member of the Walters Art Museum, Gilman School, the Thomas Wilson Foundation and the Greater Baltimore Medical Centers Womens Hospital Foundation.

David L. Nunes 83

David L. Nunes 83 has more than three decades of forest products industry experience. For the past seven years, he has served as president and chief executive officer of Rayonier Inc. (NYSE: RYN), a leading international real estate investment trust that owns, leases or manages approximately 2.7 million acres of high-quality timberland in the U.S. South, U.S. Pacific Northwest and New Zealand. Prior to that, he served for 12 years as president and CEO of Pope Resources, which owned timberland in the Pacific Northwest and built a successful private equity timber fund business. His prior experience also includes stints at the Weyerhaeuser Company, a leading international forest products company, and Seattle-Snohomish Mill Company, a family-owned sawmill in Washington state started by his grandfather and great-grandfather. At Pomona, he earned his bachelors degree in economics, and also holds a masters degree in industrial administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

MacKenzie Teymouri 09

MacKenzie Teymouri 09 is a deputy district attorney for Los Angeles County. Currently, she manages a caseload focusing on the prosecution of serious and violent felony offenses. Prior to attending law school at the University of Southern California (USC), she was a clinical research associate at City of Hope National Medical Center, as well as a volunteer counselor advocate for the Los Angeles Rape and Battering Hotline. She is a published author in the Southern California Law Review, the Psycho-Oncology journal and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. At Pomona, she graduated magna cum laude, with a major in anthropology and a minor in psychology. While captain of the varsity softball team, she earned the Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

About Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College is one of the world's leading liberal arts colleges, with a broad range of majors allowing students to work across disciplines, find new solutions and spark real change. Pomona strives to serve as an engine of opportunity in higher education, with need-blind admissions and meeting the full demonstrated need for all domestic students. The New York Times has named Pomona one of the top colleges doing the most for the American dream.


2021 American Innovation $1 Coin-New York

The United States Mint (Mint) is releasing the third coin of 2021 in the American Innovation $1 Coin Program on August 31 at noon EDT. The coin recognizes innovation from the State of New York and will be available in the following packaging options from the Mints facilities in Philadelphia and Denver:



PRODUCT CODE: 21GRC, PRODUCT OPTION: 25-Coin RollP, PRICE: $34.50

PRODUCT CODE: 21GRG, PRODUCT OPTION: 25-Coin RollD, PRICE: $34.50

PRODUCT CODE: 21GBC, PRODUCT OPTION: 100-Coin BagP, PRICE: $117.50

PRODUCT CODE: 21GBG, PRODUCT OPTION: 100-Coin BagD, PRICE: $117.50

The American Innovation $1 Coin Program is a multi-year series featuring distinctive reverse (tails) designs that pay homage to Americas ingenuity and celebrate the pioneering efforts of individuals or groups from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories.

The New York $1 Coin honors the Erie Canal. Considered an engineering marvel of its day, the canal unlocked the western interior for trade and settlement, and played a critical role in the development of the state as well as the Nation. The reverse design depicts a packet boat being pulled from a city in the east toward the country areas to the west. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES of AMERICA and NEW YORK. The design was created by Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Ronald D. Sanders and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.

The obverse (heads) of all coins in this series features a dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty in profile with the inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and $1. It also includes a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation. The design was created by AIP Designer Justin Kunz and sculpted by Ms. Hemphill.

The year of minting, mint mark, and inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM are incused on the edge of the coins.

To set up a REMIND ME alert for the New York American Innovation $1 Coin product options, please visit:



Additional products in the American Innovation $1 Coin Program are available at: https://catalog.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/american-innovation-dollar-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 31, 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:



Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/american-innovation-dollar-coins for information about the American Innovation $1 Coin Program.

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.

Visit and subscribe to the United States Mints YouTube channel to view videos about the United States Mint.

Sign up for RSS Feeds from the United States Mint and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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United States Mint  Connecting America through Coins
Our focus on developing leading new industrial parks in Northern Kentucky is ongoing. We are confident that distribution, manufacturing, and e-commerce companies will be attracted to Park 536, a world-class industrial park.

VanTrust Real Estate, LLC is set to begin work on an industrial park that will include three state-of-the-art warehouses in the City of Independence, Kentucky. Park 536 is 108 acres and is located on the newly constructed four-lane KY 536. The three buildings will be 580,000 square feet, 306,000 square feet, and 252,000 square feet respectively. VanTrust will start site and infrastructure work this summer and will go vertical with two buildings in the spring of 2022.

Our focus on developing leading new industrial parks in Northern Kentucky is ongoing, explained Phil Rasey, VanTrusts vice president of development. We are confident that distribution, manufacturing, and e-commerce companies will be attracted to Park 536, a world-class industrial park, that will be known for its accessibility and state-of-the-art features. This $70 million development will certainly fuel economic growth in the area.

VanTrust worked closely with the City of Independence to prepare this site for development as a result of the infrastructure investments being made by Kenton County, the State, and the City. VanTrust will also begin work on a three-lane public roadway from a new roundabout on KY Route 536 into the park. The highly anticipated road-widening for KY 536 is part of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinets KY 536 project, which is being largely funded by a federal BUILD grant aimed at improving access and enhancing future industrial use in the region by expanding the roadway to four lanes.

Our projects are typically designed to improve traffic flow, enhance safety and accommodate development, said Bob Yeager, head of District 6 with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Were pleased that this work allows VanTrust to move ahead with a plan that will benefit the area for decades to come.

City of Independence Mayor Chris Reinersman echoed that sentiment. This development will diversify our citys tax revenue stream and bring hundreds of good jobs to our city and state. Thats a win-win for everyone, he said.

Its good to see the City of Independences vision for this property come to fruition, added Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann. Kenton County is a great place to live and work, and were always excited about projects that enhance those qualities of our community.

Park 536 is located less than two miles from the new I-75/I-71 interchange and near VanTrusts last project in the area, a 675,000 square-foot building that was purchased by Kroger in 2017. In addition, the new development is less than five miles from the $1.5 billion Amazon Air hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG). The hub has attracted other economic development to the region and makes VanTrusts latest project an ideal location for companies that want to be closer to it.

The region has increasingly become a top location for organizations that are looking for fast and reliable access to labor and markets across the world, Rasey added. We are confident that our new development will be of interest to a variety of different companies, and we look forward to welcoming them.

The delivery of the first two buildings is slated for the first quarter of 2023. The project architect is Red Architect, while Pepper Construction will serve as general contractor. Viox and Viox is the civil engineer for the development.

About VanTrust Real Estate

VanTrust Real Estate, LLC is a full-service real estate development company. The company acquires and develops real estate assets for the Van Tuyl family portfolio and offers a broad range of real estate services including acquisition, disposition, development, development services, and asset management. Product types include office, industrial, multifamily, retail, institutional, governmental, hospitality, and recreational. VanTrust works nationally with regional offices in Columbus, Dallas, Phoenix, and Jacksonville with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit http://www.vantrustrealestate.com
Country Lane Townhomes, Victorias newest townhome community, has installed eight SemaConnect electric vehicle charging stations for residents use. Country Lane Townhomes recently constructed 60 additional new 1, 2, and 3 bedroom townhomes conveniently located within the Zac Lentz Parkway Loop. The energy-efficient charging stations will support Texans driving the newest electric vehicles including Tesla, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Rivian truck.

In addition to the new SemaConnect charging stations, the community is National Green Building Standard Certified and features exceptional amenities, which include a huge dog park, resort-style pool, a 24/7 state-of-the-art fitness center, private maintenance-free backyards, and recreational green spaces. The new SemaConnect charging stations are compatible with all plug-in electric cars and support all current and future residents with EVs.

When we designed Country Lane Townhomes, our goal was to build the most appealing and modern community in Victoria, said Nicole Harmon, operations manager at Texas Townhomes LLC. Were excited to now offer SemaConnect charging stations to our current and future residents who drive electric cars.

The eight SemaConnect Series 6 charging stations are mounted on four dual pedestals conveniently located near the back of the communitys shared parking. With a rugged aluminum exterior and interactive LED lights, the ENERGY STAR-certified charging stations are designed for convenient charging in Texass ever-changing weather. Using the SemaConnect Network, drivers can join Country Lanes private network, view station status online, and manage payment.

Texans are switching to electric vehicles, and theyre looking for the freedom to charge at home, said Tony Sargent, senior vice president of sales at SemaConnect. EV drivers need smart networked, easy-to-use EV charging stations at multifamily communities. Country Lane Townhomes sets a new standard for modern living, and SemaConnect is honored to be their choice for EV charging.

About Country Lane Townhomes:

Country Lane Townhomes is Victoria's finest rental neighborhood. Our private two-story homes are set in picturesque landscape arrangements and are just what you need to enjoy life! After a long day, come home and lounge in your own private maintenance-free backyard. Enjoy a relaxing swim, BBQ at the clubhouse, and entertain guests with a game of Tabletop Shuffleboard in our newly improved Community Clubhouse! Our fitness center includes a Fitness Mirror and is open 24/7 so workouts are scheduled when its convenient for you! Give yourself what you deserve, a quiet comfortable home in a community that fits your needs, where country meets luxury! Visit https://www.countrylanetownhomes.com/.

About SemaConnect:

SemaConnect is a leading provider and pioneer of electric vehicle charging infrastructure solutions to the North American commercial, residential and fleet market. A complete EV support partner, SemaConnect is making transportation electrification possible in this decade through innovative, elegantly designed charging stations, a robust and open network platform, and an unparalleled charging experience for drivers and station owners. Since our founding in 2008, SemaConnect has installed thousands of smart charging stations at top companies like CBRE, JLL, Hines, Greystar, Nike, Electrify America, and Standard Parking. SemaConnect remains the preferred charging solutions partner to municipal, parking, multifamily, hotel, office, retail and commercial fleet customers across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit http://www.semaconnect.com.
Comprehensive coverage is the policy that will help drivers receive proper reimbursements if their cars got damaged or totaled in various situations that are not covered by collision insurance, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company

Carinsuranceplan.org has launched a new blog post that explains the importance of comprehensive car insurance.

For more info and free quotes, please visit https://carinsuranceplan.org/why-invest-in-comprehensive-auto-insurance

Comprehensive car insurance is one of the most popular coverage options in the US. auto insurance industry. The reasons for that are the benefits and the multiple scenarios where this policy is useful. Also, drivers of leased or financed cars are often required to obtain this insurance. Usually, comprehensive car insurance will reimburse policyholders that had their vehicles damaged in events that were related to collisions.

Comprehensive insurance is useful in the following situations:



Stolen car. Almost 800,000 vehicles are stolen each year in the US. Only 40% of those vehicles are recovered. Drivers that got their cars stolen can be reimbursed if they have comprehensive insurance. However, the insurers will not reimburse the price of a brand-new vehicle, but the market value of the stolen vehicle at the time of the incident.

Damage caused by weather. In recent years the number of extreme weather events has increased al lot. Hurricanes, tornadoes, avalanches, hailstorms, or lightings can easily damage vehicles and in some cases destroy them.

Animal collision. Its not uncommon for drivers to hit large animals. Cracked windshields, dented hoods or rooftops are to be expected when hitting a moose, horse, or deer.

Fire damage. Roadside fires can be very destructive for a car, and in some cases, the damaged vehicles are totaled.

Vandalism and riots. Drivers living in large cities know that acts of vandalism can be very common. Smashed windshields, deflated tires, paint scratches are covered by comprehensive insurance. Also, the insurers will reimburse the market value of a vehicle that got totaled in a protest that degenerated into a riot.

For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://carinsuranceplan.org/

Carinsuranceplan.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.
William Sargent, a lifelong music buff whose passion for record collecting led him to invent the Groovmaster Label Saver, a vinyl cleaning aid that protects record labels from getting wet while cleaning with liquid solutions, has completed his new book Superstar in a Masquerade: a comprehensive guide to the myriad luminaries who contributed their own unique sounds to American rock and roll in the twentieth century.

Superstar in a Masquerade tells the story about Leon Russell, an award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, who was born with cerebral palsy, and learned to master the piano. He became an in-demand session man in Hollywood, contributing to thousands of songs by hundreds of artists, during his seven-decade career. He was called the Rainbow Minister & Ringleader for the Hippie Generation, and although most people can say they never heard of him, few can say theyve never heard him. As an emigre from Oklahoma to California, he invited David Gates and J. J. Cale to join him in the music mecca known as Tinseltown, where the Tulsa Trio made untold contributions to Americas popular music. Read about over five hundred artists, and their songs that Leon, David, and J. J. helped create, as well as

When seventeen-year-old Leon replaced Jerry Lee Lewis on stage in 1959.

How Frank Sinatra caused Leon to let his hair grow.

How J. J. Cale played a role in the formation of the band Bread.

How Leon saved Joe Cockers career and created Willie Nelsons famous image.

When Elton John was Leons opening act on tour.

Why DC Comics sued Leons record label for $2 million.

When David Gatess band backed Chuck Berry on stage in 1961.

When Leon brazenly threw the F-bomb at Phil Spector.

When Leon called organized Christianity the single most harmful force in history.

What Broadway song Leon borrowed from for This Masquerade.

Published by Page Publishing, William Sargents engrossing book is a must-read for avid Sixties-era Rock and Roll fans.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase Superstar in a Masquerade at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing understands that authors should be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com
For Victor Methos, writing convincingly about the most sinister of human deeds requires acknowledging the darkness within us all. But it doesnt keep him up at night: I feel its my way of shedding light into the dark corners of my own mind.

Methos chatted with PW about his Desert Plains series the newest book in the series is An Unreliable Truthhow his work in the legal field has informed his writing, and the undeniable allure of mystery and horror.

Can you share a little about the origins behind the Desert Plains series?

It was loosely inspired by a real serial murderer. Essentially, he was known as being so attractive that he had even done some modeling, and it was discovered later that he killed one of the photographers. It reminded me of a spiders web: theyre beautifully symmetrical and alluring, but its just a facade to hide their true purpose. I knew I had to write a book that had a similar character.

How much of your writing would you say draws from your experience as a prosecutor and attorney?

Being a prosecutor gave me an understanding of law enforcement, as Id hang out with the cops and detectives and listen to their stories and insights. Working both sides gave me a good overview of the justice system in a way people cant get if they just work one side or the other.

In what ways does An Unreliable Truth change course from the first two books in the Desert Plains series?

Its a spinoff of characters from the second book in the series, Crimson Lake Road. I knew I wanted it to be more focused on the legal thriller aspects than the investigatory aspects. A criminal defense lawyer is a unique type of attorney. Its like an ethical exam every day: Do I defend my client using this tactic even though it might be seen as too aggressive? Or do I take the high road but hurt my client in the process? Theres no easy answer, and most of the time you simply have to do whatever is in the best interest of your client. I wanted to show the kind of ethical dilemmas defense lawyers constantly have to grapple with.

To what extent does setting (Utah, Nevada) play a significant role in your books?

Utah and Nevada are actually rather small-town, homey states, with the exception of Las Vegas, one of the biggest cities in the world. Its an interesting feeling here to go from my town of 6,000 to an hour away in Las Vegas where people have literally been grabbed off the streets and sold into trafficking rings. Ive always been fascinated with the different types of energy you can feel from different cities, and Las Vegas is certainly a unique place in the world.

How do you prepare to get into the mindset of a killer, and does it ever keep you up at night?

Ive always believed in what Carl Jung called the Shadow. This unconscious, almost entity, thats an amalgam of all our darkest impulses. Theres some arguments in anthropological circles that human beings only went from walking on all fours to bipedalism so that we could carry weapons to murder. Its the people that proclaim themselves more righteous than others that are truly frightening. No one sees themselves as the villain in their own story. Thats why its so important for us to be in touch with that darkness: confronting it and engaging with it is the only way to control it. So, no, it doesnt keep me up at night. I feel its my way of shedding light into the dark corners of my own mind.

Do you always see the twists in your books coming as you set out to write, or do they sometimes take you by surprise?

Its a mix. I let my unconscious do the writing because our unconscious is universal. Its what people relate to. And sometimes the unconscious gives me the twists up front and sometimes I have to wait to flesh it out before it comes to me.

From your perspective, what is it about murder mysteries and thrillers that makes them so enticing to readers?

Murder mysteries, in many ways, are just horror stories. We love horror as a species, but we dont like acknowledging it. We all have that odd desire to look at graphic accidents and crime scenes. Ive even seen a medical examiner, when he thought nobody was looking, poke a dead body. Just poke it for no reason, because its such a weird thing to see for us. Theres some draw there that I think the best mystery and horror writers can tap into for their work.

As you are writing, where do you look to for inspiration?

Im constantly reading or watching movies and television, reading comics, reading whatever I can get my hands on. You never know where inspiration will come from. For example, I had a client once tell me that prison is like a fish tank where the sharks have eaten all the fish and only the sharks are left. That little comment inspired an entire book. So, I constantly have my ears open.
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On August 12, 2021, the Commander of U.S. Strategic Command Admiral Charles Richard stated, We are witnessing a strategic breakout by China.The explosive growth in their nuclear and conventional forces can only be what I described as breathtaking." He added that "frankly, that word breathtaking may not be enough. Admiral Richard characterized China as a peer nuclear competitor and noted that we now face two nuclear peer competitors, Russia and China, compared to one during the Cold War.

Admiral Richard was talking about the massive Chinese silo construction program for the large, multiple warhead DF-41 ICBM, generally reported to be able to carry 10 nuclear warheads. He confirmed the earlier reports of two new ICBM fields and that each had about 120 silos for the large Chinese DF-41 ICBM. On August 12, 2021, Bill Gertz wrote in The Washington Times that a third ICBM field had been discovered and that, Together, the three new missile bases will house 350 to 400 new long-range nuclear missiles, U.S. officials said. If 10 warheads are deployed on the DF-41s, Chinas warhead level will increase to more than 4,000 warheads on its DF-41s alone.

The information we now have about the Chinese silo construction was not initially made public by the Biden administration. It was made public by analysts from NGOs (Jeffrey Lewis, Matt Korda and Hans Kristensen) and noted journalist Bill Gertz. Patty-Jane Geller of the Heritage Foundation noted that on the same day as Admiral Richard characterized Chinas actions as a nuclear breakout:

the Biden administration was reported to be considering delaying the Pentagons plan to modernize the United States Cold War-era nuclear forces. Worse, just a few days prior, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) sent a letter asking Biden to consider reducing U.S. nuclear forces. Theres a clear disconnect between the reality of the threat facing the United States and the Biden administrations stated desire to reduce the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. strategy.

There is little indication that the Biden administration, as distinct from certain individuals in it, recognizes the significance of what is going on in China with respect to nuclear weapons modernization and expansion or that it will have any impact on its Nuclear Posture Review. Former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Dr. John Harvey, who had the nuclear weapons portfolio in the Obama administration, has indicated he believes that the Biden administration will Carry forward the bulkbut possibly not every pieceof the Obama-Trump modernization program with some increased focus on NC2.[1] The idea of cutting our nuclear forces and modernization plans in the face of such a great increase in the Chinese and Russian threat is almost mind-boggling. Furthermore, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, I cannot say that under the current administration, we hear from Washington signals in favour of involving the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] in our bilateral dialogue with the United States on strategic stability or some hypothetical negotiations in the future. This is not the case.[2] There is no apparent motive for him to lie about this. Thus, the Biden administration appears to be largely ignoring the new China nuclear threat in its arms control diplomacy.

There is an increasing disconnect between our nuclear strategy and our nuclear targeting capability. Since PD-59 in the Carter administration, the basis of U.S. nuclear targeting has been to put the major weight of the initial response [to Soviet attack] on military and control targets. Target systems would include tactical and strategic nuclear forces, military command centers, conventional military forces including armies in motion, and industrial facilities supporting military operations. In 2002 Admiral (ret.) Richard Mies, the just-retired Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, wrote that the longstanding [U.S.] targeting doctrine of flexible response  [was] a doctrine designed to hold at risk our potential adversaries' military forces, war-supporting industry, command and control capabilities, and military and national civilian leadership while minimizing to the maximum extent collateral damage to population and civilian infrastructure. In 2013, the Obama administration adopted a nuclear weapons employment strategy which stated, The new guidance requires the United States to maintain significant counterforce capabilities against potential adversaries. The new guidance does not rely on a counter-value or minimum deterrence strategy. Commenting on the 2013 employment guidance, the Department of State indicated, The United States will not intentionally target civilian populations or civilian objects," adding that we "Seek to minimize collateral damage to civilian populations and civilian objects.

We are now generally a decade away from modernization of our strategic forces. It is now clear that the existing U.S. strategic nuclear force, much less a smaller one, cant deal with 400 more Chinese ICBM silos. Moreover, critically, we do not know if that is all they plan to build.

The new nuclear threat is not only emanating from China. Russia is doing similar things, although it does not have the economic resources to build at the same rate as China. In December 2019, Putin was told that Russia would deploy 20 regiments of its new Sarmat heavy ICBM by 2027.[3] This represents 120 to 200 silos,[4] a large increase from the reported 46 that now exist for the SS-18 heavy ICBM. In 2011, Russias main official news agency TASS reported that the new heavy ICBM that would later be called the Sarmat would be provided with "a fundamentally new level of fortificationcamouflage, wide use of electronic jamming and, their active defense, as well through the deployment of long-range S-400 ABM systems and high-altitude S-500 systems capable of destroying on a par with space and air weapons the warheads of ICBMs and the enemys precision weapons, including missiles and aircraft bombs and cruise missiles.[5]

The upgrade in Russian silo hardness is interesting in light of the original hardness of Russian SS-18 silos. The Department of Defenses report Soviet Military Power 1988 (at a time when Peacekeeper, the most accurate U.S. ICBM, was operational) described Soviet silos as hardened and highly survivable.[6] A National Resources Defense Council study by Matthew G. McKinzie, Thomas B. Cochran, Robert S. Norris and William M. Arkin reported hardness of 15,000 to 25,000 psi for Soviet SS-18 and SS-19 silos.

With our current forces, the U.S. cannot possibly target these new Chinese and Russian silos with any serious level of effectiveness. In 2014, Dr. John Harvey stated that the Obama administration's 2010 Nuclear Posture Review concluded "that a triad of nuclear forces at a level of 1500 'arms control accountable' warheadsabout 1850 'real' deployed warheads under the bomber counting rulemet the needs for strategic deterrence. This is well within the range of 1700-2200 'real' deployed warheads deemed sufficient by George W. Bush's team."[7] The 2018 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review apparently made no change in the planned number of U.S. strategic nuclear weapons to be maintained. In 2021, Matt Korda and Hans Kristensen reported that We estimate that approximately 1,800 [U.S.] warheads are currently deployed, of which roughly 1,400 strategic warheads are deployed on ballistic missiles and another 300 at strategic bomber bases in the United States. An additional 100 tactical bombs are deployed at air bases in Europe. This is almost identical to the number that Dr. Harvey indicated was decided on in the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review. When this decision was made, however, nothing remotely like the current Chinese or Russian threat existed.

In addition to the new silos, China has built the Underground Great Wall to protect its mobile ICBMs and Bill Gertz has reported that Russia was modernizing deep underground bunkers These are extraordinarily difficult to destroy or even to threaten seriously.

When Russian ICBM force expansion and the deep underground facilities in Russia and China are taken into account, our existing and projected nuclear forces have little capability to threaten them. Numbers count, and we no longer have the numbers. According to Admiral Richard, "two-thirds of those [U.S. nuclear] weapons are 'operationally unavailable' because of treaty constraints, such as provisions of the New START treaty with Russia." The U.S. modernization programs will help with covering these targets, but this is a decade away, and it may not be on a sufficient scale with regard to numbers.

In 1985, then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Vessey briefed President Ronald Reagan about the need for improved hard-target kill capability, including the need for 100 MX (Peacekeeper) ICBMs. We actually got 50. Of the three U.S. hard target capable systems created by the Reagan administration, two (the Peacekeeper ICBM and the Advanced Cruise Missile) were eliminated by the George W. Bush administration. This left only the high-yield WW-88 Trident warheads. Reportedly, the U.S. produced only 400 of the high-yield WW-88 warheads for the Trident II missile. Obviously, they cant all be used against Chinese silos even if one makes a number of best-case assumptions. Moreover, it is not clear that the 1990 accuracy of the Trident II will be adequate if the Chinese are building silos based upon the new 30,000 psi super concrete now commercially available. The 1970 accuracy of a Minuteman III, while a great achievement in 1970, is hardly the same today against really hard targets. Unfortunately, the Minuteman III life extension program did not aim to upgrade the accuracy of the Minuteman.[8] It is not comparable to the Peacekeeper. There are plenty of important targets, including hard targets, the Minuteman III can cover, but super hard targets are not among them.

Even before the discovery of the new Chinese silos, a case could be made from a targeting standpoint for a strategic nuclear force of 2,700-3,000 nuclear warheads. There is a great difference between target coverage (assigning a warhead to a target) and damage expectancy (the probability of target destruction). Claims by Minimum Deterrence advocates, such as the Global Zero "Commission" report that a small nuclear force can do effective counterforce targeting are bogus. Regarding China, the reports targeting plan involved (85 warheads including 2-on-1 strikes against every missile silo), leadership command posts (33 warheads), war-supporting industry (136 warheads). With the new Chinese silos, this targeting approach would require almost 1,000 warheads. Moreover, the approach itself is flawed because it ignores the Underground Great Wall, which protects the Chinese mobile ICBM force, the Chinese Navy and Air Force, and the large Chinese force of nuclear-capable theater-range missiles. The Global Zero report also assigned two warheads against every Russian silo. The report talked about target coverage, not damage expectancy, because its recommended force structure would likely have performed very badly against the facilities it targeted.

Against the very deep hard, and deeply targets (HDBTs) there is essentially zero chance that they can be destroyed with a single U.S. nuclear warhead. The 2018 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review only partially reversed the Obama administrations decision to eliminate the two most effective U.S. bombs against HDBTs, the B61 Mod 11 and B-83. These bombs will be retained longer than planned but not be life extended. Once again, numbers matter, and we no longer have the numbers. Conventional weapons have little and declining capability against HDBTs.[9] As one report stated, One GBUJ-57A/B [Massive Ordnance Penetrator] can only penetrate 8 meters of 10,000 psi rock or concrete. This could drop to 2 meters of 30,000 psi material.

Another problem is now looming  the Russian near-term deployment of the S-500 system, which Russia says will have a capability against ICBMs and SLBMS.[10] In August 2021, Russian announced a successful test of the latest S-500 anti-aircraft missile system [which] performed [a] test live firing at a high-speed ballistic target. Russia is attempting to sell this system to China. The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review report recognized the need for capabilities for defeating advanced air and missile defenses. Apparently, nothing has been done to enhance our ability to penetrate adversary missile defenses.

In light of the destruction of U.S. alliance credibility by the Afghanistan fiasco, the Biden administrations decisions relating to nuclear weapons are even more important. Our adversaries are gloating and using it to pressure their intended victims to capitulate. The last thing we need today is a further reduction in our nuclear capability under the guise of reducing our reliance on nuclear weapons. This is not the issue. The role of nuclear weapons in our national strategy is not excessive. A credible capability to implement our nuclear strategy is the issue, and it is vital to our security. As Admiral Richard has pointed out, Every operational plan in the Department of Defense, and every other capability we have, rests on an assumption that strategic deterrence will hold. And if strategic deterrence, and in particular nuclear deterrence, doesn't hold, none of our other plans, and no other capability that we have is going to work as designed. We cant afford to have nuclear deterrence fail.

Dr. Mark B. Schneider is a Senior Analyst with the National Institute for Public Policy. Before his retirement from the Department of Defense Senior Executive Service, Dr. Schneider served in a number of senior positions within the Office of Secretary of Defense for Policy including Principal Director for Forces Policy, Principal Director for Strategic Defense, Space and Verification Policy, Director for Strategic Arms Control Policy and Representative of the Secretary of Defense to the Nuclear Arms Control Implementation Commissions. He also served in the senior Foreign Service as a Member of the State Department Policy Planning Staff.

Notes:
Parents of school-age children are increasingly anxious as the new school year approaches. Indeed, amid new and recycled policies surrounding the COVID-19 Delta variant, battles with local public school bureaucracies are intensifying.

While most governors and state-level authorities have so far avoided reentering the fray with statewide masking and vaccination mandates for students, the pressure is mounting  especially from teachers unions. Earlier this month, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf told school districts to make up their own mind. But Wolf changed his tune just days after Pennsylvania teachers unions called for mask mandates in all K-12 schools.

The media and academic world, meanwhile, continue to stoke fear to strengthen their case for stringent policies. If masks are optional, theyre not going to wear them, Penn State University professor Casey Pinto recently warned on the danger of schools as COVID-19 super-spreaders.

While some Pennsylvania school districts plan on voluntary masking this autumn, a growing number will impose strict masking policies regardless of vaccination status and despite the Delta variants posing little threat to those under age 18. And with the CDCs Delta-motivated flip on guidelines, the national media is even trumpeting calls for children to wear N95 masks all day.

Pennsylvania parents are vying for influence over how district bureaucrats and teachers unions will shape the school year. As the Bucks County Courier-Times recently reported, Parents on both sides of the issue are refusing to back down.

At a school board meeting in suburban Philadelphias Central Bucks, parents found themselves on opposite sides of masking rules. The media wants you to believe that we are a ticking time bomb of death, said Donna Sheenan, a Doylestown resident.

Another Central Bucks parent, Liz Dooley, remarked, I dont see why we cant continue to wear a mask for a few more months just to protect people who really need it.

Even as parents debate policies surrounding in-person education throughout Pennsylvania and around the country, the potential for school shutdowns looms large. While studies abound showing the alarming emotional and academic setbacks that students have suffered since last year  especially low-income and minority students  both the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) are preparing for a return to remote instruction. AFT president Randi Weingarten hedged her bets last month, telling MSNBC that were going to try to open up schools, making clear that reopening was not guaranteed.

Instead of backing down, Pennsylvania parents are fighting for in-person education, using what they view as the most effective tool at their disposal: political spending.

Since the last school year ended, we have been preparing for the possibility of additional school closures this fall, said Clarice Schillinger, executive director of the Back to School PA political action committee.

Formed by concerned parents at a kitchen table, Back to Schools mission is to elect school board candidates committed to keeping classrooms open.

Every child in Pennsylvania deserves a proper education, and to ensure that happens weve got to keep these schools open, said Schillinger. We know it can be done safely, as we saw last year when most private and many public schools around the world were in-person full time.

It remains to be seen how successful these parents will be at influencing public school policies and elections. Its already clear, though, that parents are pushing back against the domineering public school bureaucracy and embracing the notion that they should be the determining voice in their childrens education.

National polling shows increased support for education policies that allow funding to follow students wherever they go. Last year, an American Federation for Children poll showed 69% approval of school choice among all voters. June numbers show that this approval has grown to 74%. Responding to this rapidly growing support, 18 states have enacted 30 new or expanded educational choice programs this year.

Pennsylvania, as a microcosm of the United States, mirrors this demand. A 12-month tracking poll shows 65% of adults  and 73% of parents  support education savings accounts that would give parents control over educational funding. And last year, virtual charter schools saw an incredible 59% enrollment increase due to the pandemic.

As the Keystone State navigates dramatic changes to its educational system, the power remains in the hands of bureaucrats instead of parents  but even high-ranking officials cant deny the need for options. At a Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee hearing, chairman Scott Martin asked state Education Secretary Noe Ortega what he would tell families unhappy with their local schools COVID policies. Ortega, a Democrat and stalwart supporter of teachers unions, replied to the straightforward question with a double negative: Were never going to not encourage folks to take advantage of the options in front of them.

The right answer  the one that an increasing number of parents wants to hear  is that the government will start removing roadblocks so that they can choose the education they want for their own children.
When Congress reformed the tax code by passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) back in 2017, the motivation was to make American businesses more competitive across the world. This time around, Congress is re-reforming the international tax system for a very different purpose: to raise additional revenue that can be spent on a variety of priorities. This backwards method of policymaking is likely to cause significant harm to the economy by making the American tax system unfriendly to multinational businesses choosing where to direct their activities and investments.

Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Mark Warner (D-VA) recently put forward draft legislation intended to be just one element of a raft of proposed tax hikes to pay for a proposed $3.5 trillion spending package. When Congress is trying to scrounge up enough revenue to match that kind of price tag, you can bet your bottom dollar that sound policy considerations will come in second to potential revenue  assuming Congress hasnt already taxed your bottom dollar as well.

One of the most significant yet underreported changes in the TCJA was the shift from a global to a territorial tax system. Prior to the TCJA, the United States effectively attempted to tax all foreign income of U.S.-based multinational corporations as if it had been earned in the U.S. (albeit after an allowance for foreign taxes paid).

This uncompetitive system had the effect of simply encouraging American businesses to shift their headquarters to other countries to avoid this tax, as29 of 35 OECD countries at the time did not attempt to impose such requirements. This was a concerning trend because the more major companies put factories, patents, and other valuable assets in the U.S., the more economic opportunities we create here at home. And indeed, after the TCJA did away with this outdated system, more than $1 trillion in assets were repatriated to the United States.

But while the TCJA stopped attempting to enforce an 18th-century mentality of punishing American businesses with overseas assets, it also attempted to curtail some of the most prevalent forms of abuse. To address the issue of multinational corporations shifting profits to tax havens by buying hard-to-value intangible assets from subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions, the U.S. created taxes on Global Intangible Low-Tax Income (GILTI).

Under current law, American multinational corporations must pay tax on foreign profits roughly equal to half of the 21 percent corporate tax rate, or 10.5 percent. This tax rate is applied to foreign profits, minus 10 percent of tangible foreign income (known as qualified business asset investment, or QBAI), and a deduction for 80 percent of foreign taxes paid, to arrive at a businesss GILTI liability. At the same time, domestically-held intangible assets are subjected to a lower tax rate as well, discouraging moving them offshore.

While President Biden has proposed to double the GILTI rate to 21 percent, Wyden is not laying down a flat number as of yet. Nevertheless, reducing the deduction on GILTI combined with raising the domestic corporate tax rate could result in a far higher rate on foreign income, making it less of an anti-avoidance provision and more of a supplemental tax.

After all, though the nominal GILTI rate is between 10.5 and 13.125 percent, the Joint Committee on Taxation found that in 2018 (the most recent year for which data is available) the effective GILTI rate on the 81 largest U.S.-based multinationals averaged 16 percent. Thats already high enough to comply with the 15 percent minimum required by the recent global minimum tax agreement.

All told, the Senators proposal would undo the TCJAs progress towards making our international tax system more attractive to American-headquartered multinational businesses. Congresss desire for more revenue to fuel its spending addiction is a poor justification for pushing multinational businesses overseas  particularly in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic.

The TCJA made a great deal of progress towards bringing the U.S. tax code into the 21st century. A territorial tax system that largely exempts normal foreign business activity from U.S. taxes makes our country more attractive to multinational businesses, and it also allows American-based multinationals to better compete on the global stage. President Biden and the Senators on the Senate Finance Committee should think twice before making drastic changes driven by a mere desire for more revenue.
U.S. Credibility Will Weather Afghanistan

To understand the implications of America's withdrawal from Afghanistan, look to history.
When Joe Biden ordered the retreat from Afghanistan, the media seized on the apt comparison with the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. But lets not give the talking heads too much credit. It was backwards-looking Biden himself who provided reporters with their first clue that something might be up. On July 8, the president had said he saw no parallels between the Afghanistan withdrawal and what happened in Vietnam:

The Taliban is not the South  the North Vietnamese army. Theyre not  theyre not remotely comparable in terms of capability. Theres going to be no circumstance where you see people being lifted off the roof of a embassy in the  of the United States from Afghanistan. It is not at all comparable.

Even for a sympathetic media, that rambling assessment was too much to ignore. By the time the Taliban entered Kabul, it was obvious that the U.S. withdrawal was a surrender  a retreat at best  and that the commander-in-chief had gravely miscalculated. Video showed would-be Afghan refugees chasing after cargo planes and even, tragically, falling to their deaths from their precarious perch on the outside of those planes. The parallel with the panic at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon in 1975 was plain to see.

In statement after statement, it became compellingly clear that Biden was out of touch with reality. At that same July 8 press conference, he declared, I trust the capacity of the Afghan military, who is better trained, better equipped, and more re-  more competent in terms of conducting war than the Taliban. Yes, that Afghan military  the one that barely fired a shot in defense of the nation and turned over billions of dollars of deadly war machinery to the new terrorist state.

Once again, Biden has lived up to his reputation for being wrong on nearly every foreign policy and national security issue over the last four decades, as described by former Obama Defense Secretary Robert Gates. So if you want to criticize the president for being disastrously wrong, I suppose that is justified. But he is not the only one at fault. We can appropriately spread the blame among the CIA, the State Department, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the secretary of defense and the national security adviser, who presumably were all sharing bad intel and bad advice with Biden.

But even more guilty, in my opinion, are the potted plants who make up most of the White House press corps. By the time of Thursdays suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members, it was obvious even to Democrat apologists on CNN and MSNBC that something was terribly wrong. But where were they for the month preceding that? Think of that long wait between July 8 and the day in early August when the Taliban captured their first state capital. The media had every opportunity to expose the disaster about to happen and to hold the president responsible for his feckless leadership. But what did we get instead? Silence.

Which brings me to yet another American retreat, a less consequential one, and one that didnt put civilian American lives at risk, but which the anti-Trump establishment media drummed up into a major disaster for the previous administration, only to be proven wrong on almost every count.

I am talking about President Trumps ordered withdrawal of American forces in 2019 from northern Syria to be replaced by Turkish troops. The media outrage over Trumps decision to protect Americans from a Turkish occupation force was nearly universal. But lets look back and see what really happened. First of all, Trump had actually ordered the withdrawal of 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria in December 2018, but it never happened. Why?

To put it bluntly, Trumps unilateral decision as commander-in-chief was undermined by his generals, his fellow Republicans, and of course the press. We would never have known about the dissension within the administration and within the military were it not for reporters doing their jobs  finding out the truth and writing about it. Whether the generals were right or not, it was important for the president to hear their voices, and take them into account. Likewise, it was important for the president to listen to the people.

And, lo and behold, because the public was told what a catastrophe the withdrawal would be, Trump backed down  or more accurately, he repositioned himself and adjusted his timeline so that the disaster would not happen. He did not want a bloodbath to ensue on his watch. He did not want ISIS to be able to resurrect itself. He did not want to create a vacuum that would allow Turkey to strengthen its position in the region.

Trump demonstrated one of the key traits of leadership  ability to adapt to circumstances and to learn from ones mistakes. Mind you, Trump never gave up on his wish to end forever wars, both in Syria and Afghanistan, but he took the sounding board of the media criticism to heart and revised both his timeline and his means of withdrawal.

Instead of pulling out all the troops quickly, as he had signaled in December 2018, Trump announced in April 2019 that 400 troops would remain, including 200 in northeastern Syria to protect against a Turkish infiltration of the region. He did so at the behest of his generals, but he insisted, Im not reversing course on his plan to end American military involvement in Syria. Then, on Oct. 6, 2019, Trump announced that he was pulling the remaining troops out of northern Syria and would allow Turkey to assume control of the region.

Again, the media was horrified and warned loudly of a bloodbath that would ensue. So too did the usual suspects on Capitol Hill  the neocons and the forever warriors like Sen. Lindsey Graham. Graham warned on Twitter that the most probable outcome of this impulsive decision is to ensure Irans domination of Syria. The U.S. now has no leverage and Syria will eventually become a nightmare for Israel. And also, I feel very bad for the Americans and allies who have sacrificed to destroy the ISIS Caliphate because this decision virtually reassures the reemergence of ISIS. So sad. So dangerous.

All of which was trumpeted in the media, but none of which turned out to be true. Yes, Turkey did invade as expected, but when it appeared that our Kurdish allies would be overrun, Trump issued a warning to Turkeys president and somehow the threat of World War III vanished almost overnight.

Yes, there were downsides to the withdrawal of 200 American troops, but they did not include the death of any Americans. The virulently anti-Trump Atlantic magazine summed up the common wisdom this way:

The strategic costs [of the withdrawal] were these: a Turkish assault on the United States Kurdish partners in the counter-ISIS fight; an unknown number of ISIS prisoners  perhaps 100, Esper told CNN  escaped from prison in the chaos before officials claimed that theyd been recaptured; a reordered map of northern Syria taking shape, with Russia and Turkey as key power brokers filling the vacuum; and a Kurdish partnership with the regime of Bashar al-Assad, who has used chemical weapons and indiscriminate bombings of civilians in a bid to keep power over the course of an eight-year civil war.

Now compare that to the devastating failure of Joe Bidens strategy for withdrawing from Afghanistan: The biggest one-day death toll of American service members in Afghanistan since 2011. The release of 5,000 terrorists from Afghan prisons. The creation of a terror haven now armed with top-of-the-line U.S. military hardware including Blackhawk helicopters, Humvees, artillery, guns and spy planes. Plus, the opportunity for China to change the balance of power in both the Far East and Middle East by coming to the aid of the new Islamic caliphate.

How is it that the medias brilliant military and intelligence analysts were unable to see this one coming? Of course, they could, but Biden was their guy, and there was no chance they were going to push Biden for answers and accountability the way they did with Trump.

The same goes for our holier-than-thou politicians. Listen, for instance, to Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island as he castigated Trump during the Syrian withdrawal, and ask yourself if there is any chance the Democratic lawmaker would say the same thing to Biden:

The weakness and incompetence that this president has shown when it comes to national security is stunning, Reed said, claiming that instead of telling Erdogan to stand down, President Trump is in full retreat. Its shameful.

Except that Trump did force Erdogan to stand down. What is shameful is that Joe Biden surrendered to the Taliban, and with the complicity of both the foreign-policy establishment and the national media, managed to not just outdo the fall of Saigon, but to create the worst military disaster for a major world power since Dunkirk. Bidens condemnation in 2019 of Trumps policy in Syria has boomeranged, and now reads like an apt description of his own disastrous foreign policy:

"Its not comfortable to say this about a president  but he is a complete failure as a commander-in-chief. Hes the most reckless and incompetent commander-in-chief weve ever had."

The words may not be comfortable when said about Joe Biden either, but they sure do fit. And that means the only question left to be answered about this president is when, not if, he will be removed from office for dereliction of duty.
Ed Asner, the seven-time Emmy Award winning actor who portrayed the gruff but lovable newsman Lou Grant on comedy The Mary Tyler Moore Show and then drama Lou Grant, has died, his family posted on his Twitter account SUnday. He was 91.

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"We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you," read the statement.

Publicist Charles Sherman told CNN he was surrounded by family in Los Angeles. Asner is survived by his four children: twins Matthew and Liza, daughter Kate, and son Charles. He was married twice.

Asner also received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2001, earned five Golden Globe Awards and earned his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992.

His other acting credits include Roots, Elf, Up, CSI: NY, The Good Wife,, ER Mad About You and Rich Man, Poor Man. More recently he was in guest roles on Modern Family, Grace and Frankie, Dead to Me and {i:Cobra Kai.

In Elf, he played Santa Claus.

On The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Grant portrayed the news director during the show's eight-year run from 1970 until 1977. The character was spun off into his own series as a metropolitan editor in the fall of 1977 to 1982.

Before landing the role in the CBS shows, Asner Asner was part of the Compass Players, a predecessor to Second City in Chicago.

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In May, Gavin MacLeod , who portrayed news writer Murray Slaughter on the show, died at age 90.

Betty White, 99, is the last surviving cast member of the show.
Traverse City, MI (49684)

Today

A few clouds from time to time. High near 75F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 52F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
An event attendee takes a beer sample from Wrecking Bar Brewpub on Saturday, August 29, 2021 at Hotel Indigo in Athens, Georgia. Over fifty cask ales were available for tasting during the afternoon event. (Photo/Katie Tucker ktucker@randb.com)
Starting on Sept. 7, drivers traveling between Brattleboro and Wilmington will go through a 12.5 mile work zone as crews work to repair and repave Route 9. The project is expected to last until the summer of 2023 and will cost about $27,640.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A shower is possible early. A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. High 72F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 53F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
General Assignment Reporter

Chris Mays is a general assignment reporter for the Brattleboro Reformer. He has been with New England Newspapers Inc. since 2012.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A shower is possible early. Partly cloudy. High 73F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear skies. Low 54F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Division of ForestryGinseng diggers will take to the woods Wednesday, Sept. 1  the first day of the season. The perennial herb is valued for its large, gold-colored, fleshy roots that grow from two to six inches in length. A native plant of West Virginia, ginseng grows in all 55 counties and is more prevalent in cool, moist forests.
Beckley, WV (25801)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Less humid. High 73F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 49F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Six months after Congress approved spending tens of billions of dollars to bail out renters facing eviction, South Carolina was just reaching its first tenants. All nine of them.

Like most states, it had plenty of money to distribute  $272 million. But it had handed out just over $36,000 by June. The pace has since intensified, but South Carolina still has only distributed $15.5 million in rent and utility payments as of Aug. 20, or about 6% of its funds.

People are strangling on the red tape, said Sandy Gillis, executive director of the Hilton Head Deep Well Project, which stopped referring tenants to the program and started paying overdue rent through its own private funds instead.

The struggles in South Carolina are emblematic of a program launched at the beginning of the year with the promise of solving the pandemic eviction crisis, only to fall victim in many states to bureaucratic hurdles, political inertia and unclear guidance at the federal level.

The concerns about the slow pace intensified Thursday, after the Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some 3.5 million people in the U.S. as of Aug. 16 said they face eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey.

The Supreme Court decision undermines historic efforts by Congress and the White House to ensure housing stability during the pandemic, Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said in a statement.

State and local governments are working to improve programs to distribute emergency rental assistance to those in need, but they need more time; the Supreme Courts decision will lead to many renters, predominantly people of color, losing their homes before the assistance can reach them.

The Treasury Department said this week that just over $5.1 billion of the estimated $46.5 billion in federal rental assistance  only 11%  has been distributed by states and localities through July. This includes some $3 billion handed out by the end of June and another $1.5 billion by May 31.

Nearly a million households have been served and 70 places have gotten at least half their money out, including several states, among them Virginia and Texas, according to Treasury. New York, which hadn't distributed anything through May, has now distributed more than $156 million.

But there are 16 states, according to the latest data, that had distributed less than 5% and nine that spent less than 3%. Most, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, are red states, often with tough-to-reach rural populations. Besides South Carolina, they include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Florida, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Mississippi and New Mexico.

There are myriad reasons for the slow distribution, according to the group. Among them is the historic amount of money  more than the Department of Housing and Urban Developments annual budget  which required some 450 localities to create programs from scratch. Getting the money out is also complicated by the fact that checks aren't sent directly to beneficiaries like, for example, the child tax credit.

States and localities have also struggled with technology and staffing, as well as reaching tenants without access to the internet, or small landlords unaware of the help. Some have applications so complicated they scare off prospective applicants or have income documentation and pandemic impact requirements that can be time-consuming.

Efforts to use coronavirus relief money for rental assistance last year faced similar challenges.

A lot of states are lagging behind," said Emma Foley, a research analyst with the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The fact that this many states still have distributed so little is worrisome.

In South Carolina, lawmakers were slow to roll out the state's program, waiting until April to charge the state housing authority with distributing the money. It took weeks to set up its program, with the first help not going out until June.

Housing advocates have also criticized the reams of documentation required and the months of waiting for tenants to find out whether they qualify.

Shaquarryah Fraiser applied in May and is still waiting to hear whether she will get help paying months of back rent for the mobile home she rented with her mother for $550 a month in Sumter, South Carolina. Fraiser's mother died of COVID-19 last year, and the 29-year-old fell behind after getting sick herself with pneumonia and losing her phone survey job.

Itll take a lot of stress off of me. I wont be so anxious about this situation," said Fraiser of the prospect of getting the help.

In Arizona, delays have led to plenty of finger-pointing.

Arizonas House Democrats this month blamed the state for the delays in getting the money out  less than $7 million of its $900 million through July.

Arizonas Department of Economic Security points out the federal money has been allocated to 13 different jurisdictions, not just the state, and blames cities and counties for the slow rollout.

We have offered to assist overwhelmed jurisdictions with their workloads, the departments director Michael Wisehart wrote in a response to lawmakers. Regrettably, no jurisdiction has chosen to partner in this way.

Meanwhile, Arizona landlords and housing nonprofits blamed much of the problem on regulatory requirements tied to the money.

Mississippi, which has given out $18.6 million of its $200 million through Aug. 23, has struggled to reach smaller landlords and renters, many of whom live in rural areas without internet access. In addition, the state has no data base of renters  prompting it to hold events statewide to connect with potential applicants.

The Mississippi Home Corporation, which runs the program, also sent a letter to judges asking them not to allow an eviction if someone has applied for help and to inform landlords they won't get help if they evict after the moratorium ends. The agency also relaxed documentation requirements in 50 of its counties. But the program will still require proof of income and other documents in 32 other counties.

You're trying to walk this line of speed and diligence, said Scott Spivey, executive director of the Mississippi Home Corporation. We are trying to make sure there is no fraud, waste and abuse and that we're only giving assistance to the people who are entitled to it.

The Treasury Department has repeatedly tweaked its guidance to encourage states and local governments to streamline the distribution of funds. The Biden administration has also asked states to create eviction diversion program s that aim to resolve disputes before they reach the courts.

On Wednesday, Treasury released additional guidance to try to speed up the process. This includes allowing tenants to self-assess their income and risk of becoming homeless among other criteria. Many states and localities, fearing fraud, have measures in place that can take weeks to verify an applicant qualifies for help.

Treasury also said money can be distributed in advance of funds being approved as well as to tenants who have outstanding rental debt in collection, making it easier for them to find new housing.

There is no question we are seeing a level of excessive caution in getting the money out that does not seem to reflect either the flexibilities Treasury has provided or the fact we are facing a true public health and eviction emergency," said Gene Sperling, who is charged with overseeing implementation of President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package.

He said the new guidance is "going the extra mile to provide even more clarity and strong encouragement to put getting immediate relief out ahead of unnecessary and time-consuming paperwork.

___

Casey reported from Boston. Associated Press writers Anita Snow in Phoenix and Leah Willingham in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report.
Contributed Photo / Connecticut State Police

DANBURY  Troopers are investigating after a body was found Saturday night in a car parked in a local commuter lot, state police said.

Troopers were called to the commuter lot off I-84 eastbound near Exit 2 around 7:12 p.m. after receiving a report that a strong odor was coming from a gray Honda CRV with California plates, according to state police.
H John Voorhees III / Hearst Connecticut Media

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Sunday that Tolland County has been upgraded to the high transmission category of COVID-19 spread, leaving Windham as the only county in the state to still have only substantial transmission.

The upgraded label is the most severe as defined by the CDC and means that the area has had 100 or more cases per 100,000 people or a positivity rate of 10 percent or higher over the past seven days.
Hartford Police / Contributed Photo

HARTFORD  Hartford Police Department said they are investigating a shooting early Sunday that wounded a man in his 20s.

Hartford Police officers responded to St. Francis Hospital around 3 a.m. on a report of a gunshot victim arriving for treatment. The victim, a male in his twenties, was suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, police said.


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A fierce firefight broke out between Indian Army troops and terrorists during the early hours of Monday leading to the elimination of one terrorist in the Poonch district of Kashmir. According to the Press Release generated by the Defence Wing of the Government of India, the terrorists tried to infiltrate on Indian soil however their movements were detected by effective use of the integrated surveillance grid. The body of the slain terrorists has been recovered with an AK-47 rifle.

The statement released by the Government has informed that further details on the development are awaited as the operation is 'still in progress'.

"On being challenged by Army troops, there ensued a fierce firefight with the terrorist in which one terrorist was neutralised and his body along with an AK-47 rifle has been recovered. The operation is still in progress in the area. This action by alert Army troops displays resolve of Indian Army to thwart any misadventure along the Line of Control," added Press Release by the Defence Wing.

Security concerns in Kashmir's Poonch district

The current infiltration bid came a week after three residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including two brothers, were apprehended by Army personnel after they intruded into the Indian side in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials informed last week. It was also informed that there was a fourth person who managed to escape. The PTI report mentioned that Army troops had picked up the movement of four boys who crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in the Chaka Da Bagh area of Krishna Ghati sector.

On August 13, the security forces had arrested a terrorist from the Mendhar area of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. The forces had also recovered four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from him. A major tragedy was averted at that time as the terrorist had plans to target vehicles of security forces and VVIPs using magnetic IEDs, also known as "sticky bombs" ahead of Independence Day.

On August 9, a terror hideout was also busted in the Mendhar area of Poonch district in the UT. Several AK-47 rifles and magazines were recovered from the said hideout. According to the reports, Chinese pistol magazines, grenades, satellite communication devices, and mobile phones, were also recovered from the hideout.
Major General Sanjiv Singh Slaria has taken over as General Officer Commanding (GOC), Counter Insurgency Force Kilo on Monday as former GOC Major General SH Sahi has been moved to Delhi on an important assignment, a statement of Defence PRO of Srinagar read.

Major General SS Slaria was commissioned into the 10 Armoured Regiment in Jun 1990. An alumnus of National Defence Academy and the winner of the Sword of Honour at Indian Military Academy, the General Officer has attended Staff Courses at Defence Services Staff College at Wellington, Command and General Staff College at Thailand, Higher Defence Management Course at College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and the prestigious NDC Course at Mirpur, Bangladesh.

Picture Credits: Arawat Mehraj

In his distinguished military career spanning over three decades, General Officer Slaria has held various prestigious instructor and staff appointments. He was an instructor at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and Directing Staff at College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. General Officer has commanded his own Regiment and later Armoured Brigade in High Altitude Areas. He has held various important staff appointments prior to assuming the command of the prestigious Counter Insurgency Force (Kilo).

Complementing his military career, General Officer also did his MSc from Madras University, M Phil (Strategic Management) from Osmania University and has cleared PhD NET exam from UGC.

According to the statement, Major General HS Sahi has been moved to Delhi on an important assignment in Army Headquarters on relinquishing command. Maj Gen Sahis tenure saw Kilo Force take distinctive steps towards peace and stability in North Kashmir.

Story and Image Credit: Arawat Mehraj
A memorial bust of Special Frontier Force Tibetan soldier Nyima Tenzing, who sacrificed his life fighting the Chinese, has been placed at Dharamshala, to mark the first anniversary of his martyrdom.

Tibetan President Penpa Tsering presided over the inaugural ceremony of the memorial bust of soldier Nyima Tenzing, which was organised by the Department of Security, Central Tibetan Administration on Monday at Lhagyal Ri in Himachal Pradesh.

Nyima Tenzin, a Tibetan-Indian hero of the elite covert paramilitary unit Special Frontier Force (SFF) was killed on the night of August 29 last year in eastern Ladakh. The 51-year-old soldier lost his life after he stepped on a 1962 vintage anti-personnel mine near the southern bank of the Pangong lake while patrolling areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The incident occurred around the time when the Indian Army launched a major offensive against the Chinese and outflanked the PLA in capturing dominating features near the southern bank of Pangong Tso in the Chushul sector.

Tsering pays tribute to Tibetan martyrs

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sikyong informed of his meeting with Tenzin's family members this time during his visit to Ladakh. In honour of all the valiant Tibetan soldiers fighting under the banner of the Indian army, Sikyong said the martyr statue of Late Nyima Tenzing is build to commemorate all Tibetan soldiers who laid down their lives for Indias security.

Nyima Tenzing was not the first to sacrifice his life for Indias security. Tibetan soldiers have made contributions and sacrifices for the Indian Army during Indias 1971 war with Pakistan as well as the Kargil war. The martyr statue of Late Nyima Tenzing is built for commemorating all Tibetan soldiers who martyred for Indias security, said Penpa Tsering.

Nyima Tenzin was a member of the SFF, an Indian security unit, primarily drawn from the thousands of Tibetan refugees who now call India home. It was formed shortly after the 1962 war with China, which resulted in a defeat for India. The unit having seven battalions comes under the direct purview of the Cabinet Secretariat and is also operationally involved with the Indian Army.

(Image credits: CTA)
Author of eminent Bengali pieces like Madhukari, Koel Kacche and Sobinoy Nibedon, Buddhadeb Guha passed away due to cardiac arrest on Sunday, 29 August 2021, at a private hospital. Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee condoled the renowned writer's demise and offered her condolences to his family and fans. PM Modi too paid tributes to late Buddhadeb Guha and said that his writings were multifaceted and displayed great sensitivity to the environment.

Dignitaries on Guha's demise

Buddhadeb Guha who was 85 at the time of his demise left behind his daughters. Guha was extremely popular among the younger generation and most of his works were based on nature and forest. West Bengal CM Banerjee while expressing her condolences on the demise of Buddhadeb Guha described him as one of the most celebrated authors of Bengal. She said that the author's death had left behind a huge void in Bengali literature. CM Bengal stated, "I am deeply saddened by the demise of the eminent writer."

Deeply pained by the demise of Buddhadeb Guha, one of the most celebrated authors of Bengal.



He leaves behind a huge void in Bengali literature. My sincere condolences to his family and fans.  Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 30, 2021

West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankha too expressed his condolences on the writer's death. He tweeted, "Saddened at the passing of eminent Bengali writer Buddhadeb Guha, author of many notable works such as 'Madhukari' (Honey Gatherer). His works of fiction reflected his closeness to nature and the forests of eastern India. Pray Almighty to bestow eternal peace on the departed soul."

Know more about Buddhadeb Guha

Buddhadeb Guha was born on June 29, 1936, where he spent his early days in Bangladesh. He completed his education at St Xavier's College and served as a chartered accountant later. Guha was also the recipient of Ananda Puraskar in 1976. The Rivu series written by Guha depicted his days in Rangpur, Jaipurhat and Barisal.

In another book named Rijuda, he wrote about an imaginary character who explores the jungles with his sidekick Rudra. The jungles that he wrote about were mainly in Eastern India.

Image Credits -
Air Intelligence Unit on Monday foiled an attempt to smuggle gold worth Rs 14.69 lakh (Rs 14,69,230) reported Customs Preventive Unit, Kochi in Kerala. Interestingly, the gold was being smuggled in paste form inside the double-layered pants worn by a passenger. As per pictures shared by the ANI, the double-layer pants looked like it was normal paint, however, the Air Intelligence Unit busted the smuggler. More information is yet to come on this.

As soon as the gold smuggling pants were caught and the picture was shared on social media, netizens start taking a dig at its infamous 'gold smuggling case'.

Air Intelligence Unit at Kannur airport has seized 302 grams of gold in the form of a very thin paste, concealed within the double-layered pants worn by a passenger: Customs Preventive Unit, Kochi in Kerala pic.twitter.com/XYf3V6TJMz  ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021

What is the Kerala gold smuggling case?

On July 5, 2020, Customs officials seized 30 kg of gold worth Rs.15 crore at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic cargo addressed to a person in the UAE Consulate. Sarith PS who worked at the UAE Consulate was apprehended in this regard. Subsequently, Swapna Suresh, an ex-Consulate employee working as the manager of the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited, and M Sivasankar, the ex-Principal Secretary to Kerala CM were also arrested in this case. In January 2020, the NIA filed a charge sheet before the Special Court.

Notably, Swapna Suresh had informed the Customs Department during her interrogation that Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan was very much involved in the gold and dollar smuggling cases. Following that the state police filed FIRs against unnamed officials of the ED for "forcing" gold smuggling scam accused Swapna Suresh to give statements against Vijayan. However, the Kerala High Court stayed the state government's notification.

The NIA charge sheet stated that the conspiracy started in June 2019. The agency alleged that the aforesaid persons raised funds and smuggled 167 kg of gold between November 2019 and June 2020 through the import cargo addressed to diplomats at the Consulate General of UAE in Thiruvananthapuram. Furthermore, it added that the main accused had planned to smuggle more gold from countries such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Holding them responsible for threatening the "economic security of India".

Kerala's COVID situation

Meanwhile, India on Sunday reported 42,909 new COVID cases out of which 29,836 COVID-19 cases were from Kerala. More than 190,000 infections and almost 1,000 deaths were reported in Kerala in the week that ended on Sunday. Kerala recorded 29,836 new Covid-19 cases and 75 related fatalities on Sunday, bringing the state's total confirmed cases to 4,007,408 and the death toll to 20,541, according to a state government report.

The TPR (test positivity rate) was 19.67% on a daily basis. The active caseload remained at 2,12,566, up from 2,04,896 cases reported on Saturday. Kerala accounted for more than half of the national number of active cases, according to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In addition, after 22,088 individuals recovered in the last 24 hours, the total number of people recovered reached 37,73,754.

(Image Credits: @ANI/Twitter)
Two Bangladeshi smugglers were neutralized by Border Security Forces after they combated an attack on the patrolling party by a group of 18-20 smugglers. The attack was perpetrated on the border guarding Indian force in West Bengal on Sunday when smugglers encircled and attacked the armed forces. According to a BSF statement, the BSF personnel ordered the Bangladeshi smugglers to leave the area, but they revolted instead, leaving the troops with little choice but to retaliate. On Sunday, 18-20 Bangladeshi smugglers encircled the BSF patrolling unit, which was tasked with guarding the India-Bangladesh and India-Pakistan borders, in the jurisdiction of Border Out Post (BOP) Changrabandha.

"The patrolling party of BSF troops of BOP Changrabandha under North Bengal Frontier on Sunday were encircled by 18-20 Bangladeshi smugglers. Troops asked them to leave the area. However, they didn't pay heed and attacked the BSF troops, resulting in grievous injuries to the BSF party," said the BSF.

Sensing an imminent threat to life and left with no other option BSF troops fired in self-defense, the statement mentioned. Two Bangladeshi smugglers' bodies were later discovered 100 metres inside the Indian border. The Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) was notified, and a strong protest was submitted in response to the attack.

BSF Personnel in West Bengal catches smugglers with silver ornaments worth 3.43 lakhs

Earlier on Thursday, the Border Security Force (BSF) Officers in West Bengal seized a smuggler trying to escape the border with 6.8kg silver jewellery worth 3.43 lakhs from India to Bangladesh. The smuggler was caught by BSF personnel of 112 Battalion of the South Bengal Frontier on Thursday, while he was illegally smuggling silver ornaments estimated to be 3,43,658, the BSF had said in a statement. The smuggler was trying to escape the country through the Border Out Post Amudia.



As per an ANI report, BSF said in a statement, "Two BSF intelligence personnel at Border Out Post Amudia laid a trap near Chituri village and also informed the Company Commander about it following intelligence inputs. The BSF personnel tracked a suspicious person, travelling on a bicycle to Chituri village and they decided to follow him. The smuggler tried to escape the scene to evade being caught, however, he was grabbed by the BSF team led by the Company commander who reached the area at the right time.



Image: PTI

(With inputs from ANI)
BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy on Saturday said India should go to war with China if the neighbouring country does not vacate Indian territory and go back to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which was mutually agreed upon by the two countries in 1993. This was followed by a prominent Chinese media stooge attacking Dr Swamy, not knowing of how the Rajya Sabha MP has helped China in its economic growth.

Dr Swamy had suggested that India should only focus on settling the border dispute with Beijing and not "provoke" the neighbouring country by talking about Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet.

The BJP leader was speaking at an event organised to release a book, titled "Blinkers Off, How Will The World Counter China", which is authored by Gaurie Dwivedi.

"China is an extraordinarily important and dangerous threat to India... Therefore, India has to be able to work out its strategy in such a way that it meets the threat and finally, puts China in its place," he said.

No more the India of 1962: Subramanian Swamy

Swamy noted that China has the "audacity" to occupy Indian territory while having extended meetings with the prime minister.

"My view is that India should tell the Chinese that if you are not going to go back to what was the original position in 1993, we will go to war with you. We need a battle with the Chinese unless they voluntarily agree to withdraw...teach China a lesson that we are no more the India of 1962," he said.

Suggesting that India should only focus on its land dispute with China, Swamy said talking about other issues will only aggravate the situation.

"Don't talk about Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet. All you are doing is aggravating the situation. Focus on where China has gone wrong. They have crossed the LAC and occupied parts of our land," he said.

Speaking at the event, Lieutenant General (retired) Sayed Ata Hasnain said there is a need to look at non-traditional threats from China such as those related to cyber security and economic threats.

"In India, we love to talk about the military aspects of this (Sino-India) relationship. Is war a distinct possibility with China in the near future? To my mind, no," he said.

Lieutenant General Hasnain, however, pointed out that it would be a "no-war-no-peace" situation like it is with Pakistan and if it continues, "it will be very dangerous for the posterity".

"That is what China will keep you in and it is something we will have to rethink on how to counter this particular strategy that China is applying to us," he added.

Chinese media stooge tries to attack Subramanian Swamy; gets sent to the cleaners

Dr Swamy's remarks were taken exception to by Chinese stooge and editor of state-run Global Times Hu Xijin, who tried to criticise the Rajya Sabha MP's knowledge of China and attempted to make an economic comparison between the two countries and put India down.

PLA is stationed on China's own territory. This Indian politician is so mad, and the Indian political system always mass produces such madmen. Today's India is indeed not the India of 1962. Today, India's GDP is 1/5 of China's GDP, and the two were roughly the same at that time. pic.twitter.com/WGFj175O98  Hu Xijin  (@HuXijin_GT) August 29, 2021

Netizens were quick to correct his ignorance, however, as Subramanian Swamy has self-confessedly played a huge role in the economic growth of both India and China. After a paper Dr Swamy wrote during his time in the US as an academic enabled China to access a form of development fund, he was invited to Beijing by Deng Xiaoping who is credited with paving the way for China's growth. Dr Swamy was also part of the PV Narasimha Rao govt that liberalised India's economy.

Very Rare Picture of VISIONARY

Dr Subramanian @Swamy39 With Supreme Leader of China Deng Xiaoping in Historic Meeting On 8th April 1981 !



This Meeting Paved the way for Indo China Diplomatic Relations and Opening of KAILASH MANSAROVAR route



pic.twitter.com/7RIa3GX6b1  Mahesh Joshi  (@MaheshJoshi_MJ) February 5, 2019

(With PTI inputs)
A study conducted at Sweden's Karolinska Institutet states that screening for atrial fibrillation in people aged 75 and 76 could minimise the risk of stroke and serious bleeding. The results of the study were reported in the medical journal The Lancet. A five-fold greater risk of stroke is linked to atrial fibrillation, a kind of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. Major blood clots can form in the heart and break away, blocking large veins in the brain and causing a stroke.

The study with 75 and 76-year-olds was in Halland and Stockholm

The study included all 75 and 76-year-olds in the two Swedish areas of Halland and Stockholm, a total of over 28,000 people. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups; screening which included 13,979 people and control which included 13,996 people. More than half of those who were invited to the screening chose to attend. They filled out a health questionnaire and underwent a thumb ECG (electrocardiogram), which includes placing one's thumb on an ECG gadget to assess the electrical activity of the heart.

Those who did not have atrial fibrillation were given an ECG gadget to take home and were instructed to record their heart rhythm twice daily for two weeks. If the device detected abnormal heart rhythms, the subjects were directed to a cardiologist for a standardised workup and, if no contraindications were found, oral anticoagulant medication was started. After that, all 28,000 people were tracked for at least five years. The screening group had a slightly lower incidence of death, stroke, and serious bleeding than the control group, while the screening group had a higher identification of atrial fibrillation.

The findings suggest that if Sweden implemented a national screening programme for atrial fibrillation in the elderly, at least 2,300 instances of stroke or death may be averted each year. The researchers also did a cost-effectiveness study, which they presented at the European Society of Cardiology convention this weekend.

Who funded the study?

Stockholm County Council, the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, the Freemasons' Foundation of King Gustav V and Queen Victoria, the Klebergska Foundation, the Tornspiran Foundation, the Scientific Council of Halland Region, the Southern Regional Healthcare Committee, the Swedish Stroke Fund, Carl Bennet AB, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bayer, and BMS-Pfizer funded the study.

(Inputs from ANI)

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Researchers from Finland suggest that Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) can be used to diagnose epilepsy, a condition that affects approximately one per cent of individuals across the world. According to the researchers, PRS could be used to identify epilepsy in people who have had a single seizure and separates them from people where seizure has another reason.

Genetic risk scores helpful in diagnosis of epilepsy

The researchers extracted data of 9660 individuals with epilepsy-related diagnoses. For the study, the researchers compared their polygenic risk scores with healthy controls, according to ANI. The researchers found that the people diagnosed with epilepsy had a higher polygenic risk for the condition. According to the researchers, PRSs have been useful in many other diseases, and the study suggests that genetics could help diagnose epilepsy after a seizure. Dr Henrike Heyne, MD, informed that "Genetic risk could serve in future as a biomarker for epilepsy".

"In FinnGen we could also investigate the health records of participants who had suffered convulsions where the cause was unclear. Although some of them had later received a specific diagnosis of epilepsy, the majority had not", ANI quoted Dr Heyne as saying. "We found that the genetic risk for epilepsy was significantly higher in individuals who received a specific epilepsy diagnosis than in those with only one seizure where the cause was unclear", added Dr Heyne.

For the study, researchers included participants who ranged in age from a few months to over 90. The researchers found that the influence of the genetic factors was larger in participants aged below 40. It is reported that the genetic influence was high in those with adolescent myoclonic epilepsy, according to ANI. Myoclonic Epilepsy accounted for most cases in the international epilepsy consortium used to determine which genetic variants carry out the highest risk to epilepsy. Despite the limited sample size, the results clearly showed the use of PRS in the diagnosis of epilepsy. Professor Alexandre Reymond, Director of the Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, informed that genetic information helps identify the risk of developing the disorder in a person.

IMAGE: Unsplash

Inputs from ANI
Naomi Osaka had not had the best of the 2021 season so far as she failed to perform really well in the Grand slam tournament. The Japanese star has been in news not for her on-court display but for her off the court incidents. Earlier this year Naomi Osaka's French Open withdrawal had put her in the spotlight. The matter escalated when she made an announcement about not participate in mandatory media conferences due to the mental health issue. Following the statement, she withdrew from the Roland Garros tournament prior to her second-round match.

The four-time Grand Slam champion also gave a miss to Wimbledon 2021 event after which she faced an early exit from the Tokyo Olympics. The world No.2 will begin her quest for a fifth grand slam title in New York against Czech player Marie Bouzkova and ahead of the start of the first-round match at US Open 2021, Naomi Oska took to Twitter and shared a note that she penned down.

US Open 2021: Naomi Osaka's Twitter message for fans

The buildup to the US Open 2021 has been an emotional one for the defending champion as she ended in tears in Cincinnati and was forced to take a brief break from the press conference. Ahead of the US Open 2021, the 23-year-old has been trying to take a more positive outlook into the tournament by saying that she can no longer "burden" herself with the expectations of others.

Noami Oska Twitter post read, "Recently I've been asking myself why do I feel the way I do, and I realise one of the reasons is because internally I think I'm never good enough. I've never told myself that I've done a good job but I do know I constantly tell myself that I suck or I could do better."

She further wrote, "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm gonna try to celebrate myself and my accomplishments more, I think we all should. Your life is your own and you shouldn't value yourself on other people's standards. I know I give my heart to everything I can and if that's not good enough for some then my apologies, but I can't burden myself with those expectations anymore."

Naomi Osaka reveals reason behind French Open withdrawal

Ahead of the US Open Naomi Osaka while speaking to the press admitted that there are a lot of things she did wrong during her 2021 French Open pull-out. Naomi Osaka's French Open withdrawal has raised a lot of debate over players media relationships. While answering to the questions raised by the journalist she said, Honestly, I feel like there's a lot of things that I did wrong at that moment, but I'm also the type of person that's very in the moment. Like whatever I feel, I'll say it or do it. I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. I think there's a lot of things that I learned to do better. Of course, I don't feel the same situation will happen again would say maybe think it through a bit more in the way that, like, I didn't know how big of a deal it would become.
Coronavirus cases continued to rise in Australia's New South Wales state with authorities on Monday reporting a record daily high of infections of the delta variant. New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 1,290 cases were reported mainly in the southwestern and western suburbs of of Sydney, which continue to be a concern for health authorities.

Four COVID-19 deaths were also reported, bringing the death toll from the latest outbreak which began in mid-June to 93. Australian has reached 1,003 total deaths. Berejiklian said while authorities were trying to reduce case numbers, vaccination rates were key to stop the spread of the virus. She 6.8 million people in New South Wales have been inoculated, with 66% having had one dose, and 36% were fully vaccinated.

Berejiklian warned that New South Wales hospitals were under pressure and October was "likely to be out worse month in terms of pressure on the system and that is why we have gearing up for that." Sydney has been in lockdown since June 26. Also on Monday, neighbouring Victoria state recorded 73 cases and the Australian Capital Territory had 12 cases.

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New allegations claim that Chinese authorities are racially profiling minority groups to establish a massive DNA database, as the accusations are rising of large-scale human rights breaches and persecution of Uyghurs. China has been chastised for repressing Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. According to multiple accounts, Beijing detains ethnic minorities in huge detention camps and interferes with their religious practises. Furthermore, they are subjected to mistreatment, including forced labour.

Beijing has always denied the violation of the human rights

Despite overwhelming evidence, Beijing continues to deny that it is violating the human rights of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Research released on August 28 by a Toronto-based think tank detailed how a database is being created to enable selective ethnic cleansing in what might be considered one of the most egregious crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Chinese authorities.

International Forum for Human Rights and Security (IFHRAS) stated, "the incarceration of Uyghur minorities in Chinese detention camps and continued violation of human rights in the Xinjiang region has added another dimension, DNA and racial profiling, in attempts to build a large DNA database to enable selective ethnic cleansing in what perhaps could be labelled as one of the most egregious crimes against humanity that the Chinese authorities have undertaken."

In 2017, bioinformatician Yves Moreau of a Belgian research university uncovered a study in Human Genetics titled "male genetic landscape of China" that addressed a troubling topic. This research was based on a review of 38,000 Y-STR sequences, which are repetitive DNA fragments used in forensic investigations and law enforcement.

According to the IFHRAS study, this research showed several worrisome aspects in the way genetic material was acquired. According to the think tank, the use of genetic data is frequently problematic under human rights norms because of its vulnerability to exploitation and the violation of informed permission requirements when compiling data sets that include DNA from minorities.

Informed consent and privacy are foreign rights to minorities detained by China

The Canadian academics also warned of a slew of difficulties ranging from privacy violations to genetic fingerprinting, all of which, in the hands of an authoritarian China, would severely erode public trust in human genetic studies and the academic community's capacity to maintain confidentiality. According to experts, informed consent and privacy are often foreign rights to minorities detained by Chinese authorities, as nationality trumps all human rights in the CCP's mind.

(Inputs from ANI)

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Another plane carrying 150 Afghans who fled their homeland in fear of Taliban control arrived in Albania early Monday. With the fresh arrivals, the total number of Afghans in this Balkan country has now reached 607. The plane originated in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The majority of Afghans have been housed in hotels in Albania

The majority of Afghans have been housed in hotels in Albania, with some being temporarily housed on a student campus in Tirana. The administration has stated that it may hold up to 4,000 Afghans for at least a year before sending them to the US for a final resolution.

Prime Minister Edi Rama greeted the refugees and said that the international community admired Albania's choice to take them in. He claims it symbolises Albanians' faith in and respect for memory, tradition, and self. Tanja Dramac, the International Foundation for Democracy's Associate Director of Europe, congratulated Albania for hosting Afghan citizens. She expressed her gratitude by claiming that Afghan activists are now secure and unharmed and that she is proud and glad that Albania has provided a safe haven.

One of the earlier evacuees named Ghazaal Habibyar was concerned about her extended family and saddened by the deaths of over 180 people at Kabul airport. She fled to Albania with her husband and three children. She said that it will take a long time for them to recuperate psychologically, mentally, and emotionally from everything that they have been through. She further stated that this human catastrophe could have been avoided. She already misses Kabul, the Afghan capital as she didn't want to leave her home but had no choice.

Albania was one of the first countries to accept at-risk Afghans

Albania was one of the first countries to agree to accept at-risk Afghans, initially stating that it would accommodate hundreds of them but then increasing that number to as many as 4,000. Flights from Kabul have been booked and cancelled multiple times in the last week due to airport instability. According to VOA, along with Albania now North Macedonia and Kosovo have also agreed to accept at-risk Afghans. Helping the Afghan evacuees is a moral imperative for Albania and Kosovo, given their own people is suffering. Following the fall of communism thirty years ago, many Albanians moved to Western Europe to start a new life.

(With inputs from AP News)

Image- AP
European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell recently said that the EU should provide financial support to countries neighbouring Afghanistan in a bid to help them manage refugees fleeing the Taliban. In an interview with Italy's Corriere Della Sera newspaper, Borrell said that the EU has to increase cooperation with the neighbouring countries to resolve issues related to Afghanistan. We must help them with the first refugee wave," the blocs top official said.

Afghans fleeing the country are not going to reach Rome in the first place, but maybe Tashkent (in Uzbekistan). We need to help those countries that will be on the front line, he added.

When asked if the countries would receive European financial assistance to host Afghan refugees, Borrell said that the absorption capacity of Europe has its limits and nothing be done without strong cooperation. He said that the neighbouring countries will be affected more and earlier than Europe. So yes, that also means giving those countries financial support as we have done with Turkey, Borrell added.

Borrell calls for European rapid reaction force

Meanwhile, during the same interview, Borrell even said that the crisis in Afghanistan had highlighted the need for the EU to have its own military capacity. He said that the EU governments must push ahead with a European rapid reaction force in a bid to be better prepared for future crises such as in Afghanistan. The top EU official told the media outlet that the short-notice deployment of American troops to Afghanistan as security deteriorated showed the EU needed to accelerate efforts to build a common defence policy.

He said that Europe needs to draw lessons from this experience as Europeans werent able to send 6,000 soldiers around the Kabul airport to secure the area. He further said that the 27-member bloc should have an initial entry force of 5,000 soldiers. We need to be able to act quickly, he said. Borrell also went on to say that it was time to be flexible, citing agreements made quickly to cope with the financial crisis as an example of how the EU could overcome restrictions in the deployment of military operations laid down in its constitutional treaties. He said that the EU nations can work in many different ways.

(Image: AP)


French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday visited Iraqs northern city of Mosul, which suffered widespread destruction during the war to defeat the Islamic State group in 2017.

Macron began his visit to Mosul by touring the Our Lady of the Hour Church, a Catholic church that was badly damaged during the rule of IS that lasted from 2014 until the extremists' defeat three years later. Iraqi children dressed in white and waving Iraqi and French flags sang upon Macrons arrival.

It was the same church where Pope Francis led a special prayer during a visit to Iraq in March. During the trip, the Pontiff urged Iraqs Christians to forgive the injustices against them by Muslim extremists and to rebuild as he visited the wrecked shells of churches.

Macron moved around the church  whose walls are still riddled with bullets  amid tight security as a priest accompanying him gave him details about the church built in the 19th century. The French president then went up to the roof overlooking parts of Mosul accompanied by Iraqi officials.

We hope that France will open a consulate in Mosul, Iraqi priest Raed Adel told Macron inside the church. He also called on the president to help in the reconstruction of Mosul's airport.

Macron left the church in the early afternoon and headed to Mosuls landmark al-Nuri mosque, which was blown up in the battle with IS militants in 2017 and is being rebuilt.

The mosque, also known as The Great Mosque of al-Nuri, and its iconic leaning minaret were built in the 12th century. It was from the mosques pulpit that ISs self-styled caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared the caliphates establishment in 2014.

Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, became ISs bureaucratic and financial backbone. It took a ferocious nine-month battle to finally free the city in July 2017. Between 9,000 and 11,000 civilians were killed, according to an Associated Press investigation at the time, and the war left widespread destruction. Many Iraqis have had to rebuild on their own amid a years-long financial crisis.

Since the early years of Christianity, northern Iraq has been home to large Christian communities. But over the past decades, tens of thousands left Iraq and settled elsewhere amid the countrys wars and instability that culminated with the persecution of Christians by extremists over the past decade.

The traditionally Christian towns dotting the Nineveh Plains of the north emptied out in 2014 as Christians  as well as many Muslims  fled the Islamic State groups onslaught. Only a few have returned to their homes since the defeat of IS in Iraq was declared four years ago, and the rest remain scattered elsewhere in Iraq or abroad.

Macron arrived in Baghdad early Saturday where he took part in a conference attended by officials from around the Middle East aimed at easing Mideast tensions and underscored the Arab countrys new role as mediator.

Macron hailed the Baghdad conference as a major boost for Iraq and its leadership. The country had been largely shunned by Arab leaders for the past few decades because of security concerns amid back-to-back wars and internal unrest, its airport frequently attacked with rockets by insurgents.

Macron vowed to maintain troops in Iraq regardless of the Americans choices and for as long as the Iraqi government is asking for our support. France currently contributes to the international coalition forces in Iraq with 800 soldiers.

On Saturday night, Macron visited a Shiite holy shrine in Baghdad before flying to the northern city of Irbil, where he met Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, the 28-year-old activist who was forced into sexual slavery by IS fighters in Iraq.

A member of Iraqs Yazidi minority, Murad was among thousands of women and girls who were captured and forced into sexual slavery by IS in 2014. Her mother and six brothers were killed by IS fighters in Iraq. She became an activist on behalf of women and girls after escaping and finding refuge in Germany and shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.

IMAGE: AP

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Fate of dozens of Afghan migrants who fled the Talibans siege of Kabul appears bleak as they remain trapped near a small village of Usnarz Gorny on the respective border between Poland and Belarus amid the political standoff. Migrants attempting to coerce their way into the European Union have often found themselves stranded in no man's land as Polish police prevent them from stepping foot on EU soil, and bizarre standoffs between Polish and Belarusian border guards have ensued, Europes RFL reports.

A migrant on the border with Belarus last week, claiming to be from Afghanistan, was caught in a political feud between the armed Polish serviceman and Belarusian police as the two countries have long opted a reluctant approach against the Middle Eastern refugee influx, prohibiting them from entering the EU illegally from Belarus. Poland accuses Minsk of deliberating the refugee crisis in retaliation to the economic sanctions imposed on the Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenkas regime by Brussels, Belarus, meanwhile denies allegations.

As many as 32 Afghan refugees including women, men, and a child of 15 years old have been stranded at the muddy patch of the forested border area for at least three weeks now with no food supply, appropriate shelter, or access to clean water, a Polish NGO revealed. The migrant group, which has international protection in Warsaw, is not allowed in by the border guards who have been prohibiting the migrants from entering the EU. To add to their misery, they are neither allowed to step back on the Belarusian border by the Minsk military forces. A 53-year-old Afghan woman has now fallen critically ill, and is in dire need of medical assistance, according to Ocalenie Foundation.

"This area between the Poland and Belarus borders is not a migration issue, but part of the aggression of Lukashenko toward Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, with the aim to destabilize the EU," Ylva Johansson, the European commissioner for home affairs, said in an interview with the newspaper The New York Times.

[Activists on August 23 behind coils of barbed wire at the headquarters of Poland's Border Guards to protest the stance taken by the authorities. Credit: AP]

In the footage that emerged earlier last week, a Polish MP Franek Sterczewski was seen running, making efforts to break through the military and police forces at the border to deliver a large blue bag of medicine and other supplies to the Afghan migrants. He was seen chased by the security forces. Reports suggest Poland managed to deliver portable toilets at the Polish border where Afghan refugees have been, quite literally, seated between Belarusian border guards on the one side and Polish border guards, army, and police on the other watching over them.

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe condemned the act as a violation of Art 3 ECHR and has called for immediate action to ensure the rights of the Afghan refugees kept hostage by the security forces at the Polish-Belarusian border. The Polish armed forces remained undismayed in geopolitical retaliation to Belarusian despots for the establishment of migration routes to Europe. Forces on both sides indulged in rampant breach of the law as Polish servicemen quelled asylum seekers from later demanding national and EU-level rights for settling to Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland flaring the refugee crisis.

States have the legitimate right to manage their borders in accordance with international law. However, they must also respect human rights, including the right to seek asylum, the UNHCR said in a statement.

[AP Photo/Mateusz Wodzinski]

Poland and the three Baltic states  Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia  accuse Belarus of pushing migrants across the EU's eastern border as the two sides have waged a hybrid war barring the refugees from both Afghanistan and Iraq from proceeding on the territories on either side. FT had earlier reported that the EU has been threatening charter companies and ordinary airlines flying between Belarus and Iraq, accusing them of smuggling illegal migrants for the Belarusian regime.

Using immigrants to destabilize neighboring countries constitutes a clear breach of the international law and qualifies as a hybrid attack against Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and thus against the entire European Union, Poland and three baltic nations said in a joint statement.

Image: Google Maps

UNs Refugee Agency's spokesperson Shabia Mantoo meanwhile told a presser that the UN has been closely monitoring the situation. We have been very concerned by developments at the borders resulting in people being stranded for days, Mantoo told reporters. Polish refugee rights group Fundacja Ocalenie asked the Polish authorities to allow the people to apply for refugee status in Poland as they have been trapped for days with the Polish army not allowing them to enter and Belarus forces not letting them return.

In accordance with the law each of these people should be allowed to submit an application for protection, Piotr Bystrianin, the president of the groups management board, said in a statement.

A deputy foreign minister in Poland, Pawel Jablonski, was quoted saying by the Associated Press that the Afghan migrants were still on the Belarus side of the border strip, where they have been brought by the organizers of this procedure in Belarus. Further, he said, Belarus has full responsibility for this situation accusing the regime of destabilizing the situation inside the European Union.

It is the responsibility of the Polish government to protect the national border, which is also the EU border, Jablonski stressed.

With the Talibans takeover of Kabul, Poland mobilized hundreds of soldiers to the border which was reinforced with barbed wires as the EU nation accused Minsk of opening the gates. Border guards have flooded the frontier as they sealed border with Belarus to deter illegal immigration to Poland, Lithuania, and other Baltic nations, reports suggest. Its a humanitarian crisis right now, Mariana Wartecka, a spokesperson for the NGO Ocalenie Foundation said in her statement saying that the border guards have refused access to health professionals. The Afghan migrants are drinking water from a stream, and surviving on grass and leaves the NGO stated as they were stranded in extremely inhumane conditions with no intermittent food supply.

They could not resist the guards who always carried large guns, a member of a charity Minority Rights Group told The Times.

[Refugees held hostage by armed guards at Poland border. Credit: Twitter/@ShiFu_EU]

Border Guards 'violated' the Geneva Convention

Both the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, have asked Poland to allow a small group of migrants into the EU. "The response of a member state of the Council of Europe cannot be to reject these people, to deny them access to asylum procedures, or to keep them locked up in a humanitarian emergency situation," Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic said in a statement earlier on Sunday.

Polish Human Rights Ombudsman issued a statement, saying that the Border Guard had violated the Geneva Convention by not accepting the Afghan refugees verbal declarations that are fleeing atrocities back in their homeland.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki responded saying that while he sympathized with Afghan migrants, Poland will not succumb to this type of blackmail and that the migrants were "a tool in the hands of Lukashenko. Polands Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced building a new wall along its border with Belarus and ramping up the soldiers as it asserted that at least 2,100 migrants have already tried to enter Poland illegally from Belarus so far in August.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday vowed to maintain troops in Iraq to help with security in the country.

"Regardless of the Americans' choices, we will maintain our presence to fight against terrorism in Iraq for as long as terrorist groups continue to operate and for as long as the Iraqi government is asking for our support," said Macron, speaking in Baghdad on the sidelines of a regional conference hosted by Iraq aimed at easing Mideast.

France currently contributes 800 soldiers to the international coalition forces in Iraq.

Commenting on the ongoing evacuations from Afghanistan, Macron assured France had the operational capacity to stay on even after a US troop withdrawal.

Macron confirmed France was holding discussions with the Taliban and Qatar with a view to retrieving Afghans on Frances list for evacuation who could not get out before France shut down operations at Kabul airport the night before.

"Talks have been started with the Taliban on the issue of humanitarian operations and the capacity to protect and repatriate Afghan women and men who are at risk," he said.

Macron said the talks Saturday remain fragile and very provisional.

Since mid-August, France has evacuated about 2,830 people, the great majority of them Afghans.

France, which withdrew its troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2014, had also previously taken in 830 people working for the French army.

IMAGE: AP

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Shortly after Germany withdrew evacuation aid from Afghanistan, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas secured Uzbekistan's support needed for further extractions. Speaking during his four-day trip to Central Asia, Pakistan, and the Middle East, Maas informed that Uzbekistan has agreed to open borders to intake refugees and provide temporary humanitarian support. Maas, on August 30, mentioned that his prime agenda is to remove leftover German nationals, local Afghan staff and threatened citizens from the war-torn country.

"Uzbekistan is prepared to help us with this group of people," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said at a press conference.

As a part of the large-scale migrant rescue operation, Germany has planned to take in another 40,000 people from Afghanistan. The decision is subjected to the availability of outbound planes after the US pullout on August 31. Germany had urged the Uzbekistan government to allow Afghan asylum seekers access to its land borders, to which it agreed. Sharing the news, Maas informed that Uzbekistan is willing to provide the required support to "this group of people." However, the decision on the refugee movement from Uzbekistan to Germany is still a subject of negotiations, Maas informed through a tweet.

Heute Gesprache in Taschkent uber den kunftigen Umgang mit #Afghanistan sowie uber Ausreisemoglichkeiten auf dem Luft- und Landweg fur Deutsche und fur afghanische Ortskrafte. Usbekistan ist zu weiterer Zusammenarbeit bereit. Details werden nun ausverhandelt. pic.twitter.com/aircHDYh0o  Heiko Maas  (@HeikoMaas) August 30, 2021

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas' four-day trip

The German Foreign Minister is at his second stop, after Turkey, to gather support for the recovery of stranded nationals and asylum seekers. During his stop at Turkey, Maas promised "economic and humanitarian assistance" to countries sharing land borders with Afghanistan provided that ensure safe retrieval of the refugees. For his next stop, Maas is scheduled to stop at Tajikistan on August 30, followed by the Pakistani capital Islamabad. He is supposed to end his four-day trip to Qatar, where he will indulge in further conversations with Taliban representatives concerning evacuations post-US exit.

German to not take part in discussions with Taliban over this particular group

As per a dpa report, Germany has refrained from discussions concerning the evacuation of Afghans who supported Germany's Bundeswehr. However, diplomats will remain in touch with the Taliban in Qatar. Meanwhile, Germany initiated direct contact with the German nationals who are left behind in Afghanistan, for an "organised departure" from the troubled nation. Notably, Germany withdrew evacuation flights from Afghanistan on August 27. Before calling off the evacuation mission on Thursday, the German military extricated over 4,000 Afghans and 500 German nationals out of the war-ridden country. Similarly, Sweden has managed to recover about 1,100 citizens, including first nationals, local hires, journalists, and European Union employees from the Taliban-captured nation.

(With inputs from AP)

(Image: AP)
As evacuation operations inch closer to the deadline in Afghanistan, more than 90 countries including the US have issued a joint statement to reaffirm the safety of their citizens and Afghans who continue to remain stranded in the war-torn nation. The 'Joint Statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel' has been signed by several European countries along with the US, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and others.

Today, nearly 100 countries issued a joint statement on the assurances by the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to safely travel outside Afghanistan. We will hold the Taliban to that commitment. https://t.co/nZtyWPHsJu  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 29, 2021

The countries have stated that amid the Taliban takeover, they are committed to ensuring that their citizens, nationals, employees, and Afghans who have worked with them can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan. In this regard, the nations have vowed to issue travel documentation to designated Afghans. They have also revealed that assurances have been given by the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization, will be allowed to fly out of Afghanistan.

On August 28, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen announced that Afghan citizens intending to move out of the country would be allowed to do so in a "dignified manner". His statement came days after the Taliban sealed the Kabul Airport and announced that they will no longer allow Afghans to leave the country.

Those Afghans who are intending to go abroad, they can do so in a dignified manner and peace of mind by having legal documents like passports and visas after resumption of commercial flights in the country.

S.Abas Stanikzai

Deputy Director, Political Office.  Suhail Shaheen.    (@suhailshaheen1) August 28, 2021

Full Joint Statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel

The text of the following statement was released initially by the Governments of the United States of America, Albania, Australia, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Canada, Central African Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote dIvoire, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Korea, Republic of Kosovo, Romania, Rwanda, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland , The Gambia, The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Union of the Comoros, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Yemen, and Zambia with regard to Afghanistan evacuation travel assurances.

We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan. We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country. We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding.
At a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, President of the Kurdistan region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani stated his country "need(s) support to counter Daesh."

Barzani went on to say "we need help to establish stability, strengthening democracy, and activating state institutions towards reform and development."

He also gave an insight into the topics covered in discussions with Macron stating they had "discussed the political situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan region, and the upcoming election in Iraq," adding "we exchanged views and future expectations regarding the latest incidents in the region generally."

The French President met with Barzani after attending the Baghdad Conference for Peace and Partnership which France co-organised with Iraq.

IMAGE: AP

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Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein on Saturday praised a high-level, multilateral meeting held in Baghdad aimed at easing Mideast tensions and emphasizing the Arab country's new role as mediator in conflicts.

Invitees included Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose actions have often influenced other countries including Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon.

Speaking as the summit talks came to a close, Hussein said the two sides showed a "great and wide desire to reach positive results to solve the outstanding problems."

He did not comment on the current situation in Syria, which he said was a "controversial" Arab, regional and international issue.

The meeting in Baghdad is a major boost for Iraq and its top leadership, sending a message of Arab solidarity with the country, which has increasingly been pulled into Iran's orbit in recent years.

After decades of conflict, Iraq is seeking to reclaim a leadership role and status in the Arab world with a centrist policy and a determination among the countrys top leaders to maintain good relations with both Iran and the United States and its regional allies.

The Shiite-majority country lies on the fault line between Shiite Iran and the mostly Sunni Arab world, led by powerhouse Saudi Arabia, and has long been a theater in which Saudi-Iran rivalry for regional supremacy played out.

IMAGE: AP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
In its fight against COVID-19, Israel on Sunday, 29 August expanded access to a third coronavirus vaccine jab to all aged 12 and above, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett calling it an effective approach to halt surge in infections. The decision comes at a time when several countries' efforts to provide third vaccine to its citizens have been met with opposition, particularly from the World Health Organisation (WHO), which believes that poorer countries should get greater access to vaccines before wealthier countries offer booster doses.

Israel widens access to Covid vaccine booster

The COVID-19 tally of Israel, which has a population of 9.3 million people, regularly exceeds 8,000 daily infections with some serious cases, said PM Bennet.

"The third dose of the vaccination is effective," the PM said in a statement, adding that it was now "available from age 12 and up." As two million Israelis have received their third shot, he claimed that the results are clear, as "the growth in severe morbidity has begun to slow."

As per a report, doctors, who are working in Israel's COVID-19 wards, are also learning which COVID-19 vaccinated patient is most vulnerable to severe illness. This comes amid the concerns raised regarding instances in which the shots provide less protection against the disease. Last week, it was informed that nearly half of the country's 600 patients are currently undergoing treatment in hospitals with severe illness. They have got two doses of the Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) shot, a rare occurrence out of 5.4 million fully vaccinated people, as per the report.

It was in July when Israel began providing booster dosages to persons aged 60 and up, and has subsequently expanded that eligibility criteria. Meanwhile, the US has recently announced that booster doses would be offered to all Americans beginning in September, citing data from Israel and other findings. Other nations, including France and Germany, have so far restricted their booster plans to the elderly and persons with weak immune systems.

COVID-19 situation in Israel

According to Israel's Health Minister, Nitzan Horowitz, a booster shot is "efficient in preventing infection and considerably reduces the incidence of serious and deadly infections."

Israel, which reported 7,000 new cases on Sunday, surpassed the one million case mark since the outbreak began this week. As many as 6,950 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in the country. A novel sublineage of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant known as AY.12 is most likely the source of the recent increase in COVID cases in Israel, as per reports.

(Picture Credit: AP/Unsplash)
In the first high-level meeting between the two sides in 10 years, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz met Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas on August 29. According to AP, Gantz and Abbas met in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The defence ministry said that during their meeting, Gantzs told Abbas that Israel will take new measures to strengthen the Palestinian economy. It said that the two sides also discussed security issues and agreed to remain in touch.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz met with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmud Abbas [Sunday] evening to discuss security policy, civilian and economic issues, Israels defence ministry said in a statement.

A Palestinian official, on the other hand, said that Gantz and Abbas discussed possible steps toward improving the atmosphere. He said this included Palestinian demands for a halt in Israeli military operations in Palestinian areas of the occupied West Bank, allowing the unification of families with relatives inside Israel and allowing more Palestinian workers into Israel.

The meeting included the head of the Israeli military branch responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, Ghasan Alyan, senior PA official Hussein al-Sheikh and Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj. While taking to Twitter, al-Sheikh confirmed the meeting. He said that Gantz and Abbas discussed the Israel-Palestine relations in all aspects.

President Mahmoud #Abbas met this evening in #Ramallah with Mr. Benny #Gantz, they have discussed the Palestinian-Israeli relations on all aspects. https://t.co/hRJYh4zZNf    Hussein Al Sheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) August 29, 2021

Israeli PM supports building up Palestinian economy

Meanwhile, relations between Israel and the PA, which is based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, have deteriorated substantially in recent years. It is worth mentioning that Israels new PM Naftali Bennett is a hard-liner who opposes Palestinian independence. However, he has said that he supports building up the Palestinian economy and expanding autonomy for Palestinians. Bennett has also said that he is interested in bolstering Abbas in his rivalry with the ruling Hamas militant group in Gaza.

In a good sign, Israeli PM Neftalli Benett has also announced that his administration would allow the passage of goods in and out of the Gaza Strip. Later, Israels Defense Ministry added that it will allow imports of new vehicles, goods and equipment for civilian projects in the Gaza Strip, and issue more permits for Gazan businessmen to enter Israel starting Thursday.

(With inputs from AP)


Hundreds of Palestinians on Sunday, 29 August 2021, led demonstrations on the frontiers against Israels economic blockade on Gaza prompting the Israeli security forces to use fire and tear gas to disperse the crowd, according to Gazan reports. Staged by the territorys Hamas rulers, the protests revolted against Israel, pressurizing the authorities to take down the stifling blockade instated on Gaza that restricts movement of goods as well as the people. Demonstrations swelled just hours after the Israeli fighter jets conducted air raids and bombed alleged Hamas targets in response to the civil unrest as protesters launched explosives at the Israeli side and set tires on fire. Israel's military later clarified that the airstrikes were a response to incendiary balloons launched from the Palestinian enclave on Israel's side as cross-border tensions flared.

The [air] strikes were in response to Hamas launching incendiary balloons into Israeli territory and the violent riots that took place yesterday, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

One protester hit by Israeli gunfire

Palestinian officials told local news outlets that at least one protester was hit by Israeli gunfire. Meanwhile, Hamas officials swore to hold nightly protests all week not deterring due to, what they described, the Israeli aggression. Hamas-backed activists clashed with the Israeli security forces as the soldiers responded to the explosives thrown at them with live ammunition. "The occupation will not enjoy calm unless the siege on our beloved land is lifted," Abu Omar, a spokesman for the demonstrations was quoted as saying by Associated Press.

Both Israel and Egypt have imposed the blockade on Palestine since the Islamic Jihadist terror group Hamas gained control of Gaza in 2007 after it won Palestinian elections. The blockade of the Gaza Strip instated 14 years ago has crippled economic growth, and left 1.8 million Palestinians living in the Strip largely cut off from the outside world, according to reports. The blockade restricts access to Gaza via Kerem Shalom, the main commercial crossing.

Theres a limited amount of fuel and cooking gas that reaches hospitals, homes, and businesses and the fishing zones have been reduced from 6 to 3 nautical miles. Israel tightened the closure since an 11-day conflict in May with Hamas after the terror group refused to repatriate the remains of two dead Israeli soldiers and held two Israeli civilians in captivity.

'Will operate in Gaza as per our interest': Israel

Footages that emerged earlier yesterday depicted hundreds of Palestinians launching explosives on the Israeli forces and shouting celebratory chants as the blasts went off. Violence flared despite Israel's announcement of the resumption of Qatari aid to Gaza, a decision hailed by Hamas. An agreement was reached between Qatar and the United Nations to transfer aid to besieged Gaza Strip which Israel had announced that it will allow. However, angry protesters led a rebellion, Israel's military said in a statement that it responded with gunfire, though no casualties were reported on the Israeli side. Earlier yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, We will operate in Gaza according to our interests.
Iran and Syria vowed on Sunday to take steps to confront U.S. sanctions imposed on both countries, saying that relations between the two regional allies will only become stronger under Iran's new leadership.

The announcement was made by Iran's new Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian who began an official visit to Damascus and was received at the airport by his Syrian counterpart, Faisal Mekdad.

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran and Syria were working on two road maps to enhance trade relations and economic cooperation, in the face of "unjust sanctions" imposed on them.

Mekdad said the "thunderous defeat (of) the United States in Afghanistan will lead to similar defeats for American troops in Syria."

Iran has been one of Syrian President Bashar Assad's strongest backers and sent thousands of fighters from around the region to help his troops in Syria's 10-year conflict that has killed half a million and displaced half the country's pre-war population of 23 million.

With the help of Russia and Iran, Syrian government forces now control much of Syria but the country has been suffering for years under American and European Union sanctions.

U.S. Treasury sanctions have targeted a network that spans Syria, Iran and Russia and has been responsible for shipping oil to the Syrian government.

American sanctions were imposed on Tehran after former President Donald Trump pulled America out of a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in 2018.

The sanctions have caused severe fuel shortages in Syria which has been relying mostly on Iranian oil shipments that have been subjected to mysterious attacks over the past two years.

Syria has blamed Israel for the attacks that targeted tankers and oil facilities in the country.

Amir-Abdollahian's visit to Syria comes a day after he represented Iran in a conference attended by officials from around the Middle East aimed at easing Mideast tensions.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
As the refugee crisis from Afghanistan to the neighbouring countries intensifies, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Sunday stressed that Turkey is in no position to bear the burden of a new migrant wave from Afghanistan. Speaking alongside his German counterpart, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, at a joint press conference, Cavusoglu said, As Turkey, we have sufficiently carried out our moral and humanitarian responsibilities regarding migration. It is out of the question for us to take an additional refugee burden, the Turkish Foreign Minister added.

The refugee influx from Afghanistan has fuelled worries for the European Union about another potential refugee crisis similar to the 2015 flow of irregular Syrian migration via Turkey to Europe. The bloc and the Middle Eastern nation reached an EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan to stop the asylum seekers arriving from Turkey to the Greek islands and ultimately into the EU. Approximately 3.6 million refugees entered Turkey since the beginning of the civil war in Syria in 2011, the highest number ever in the region, the European Parliament revealed in a document, adding that the ever-increasing Syrian refugee presence resulted in heightened social tensions in Turkey.

Some of the leading Turkish politicians also regarded refugees as a security threat and the Turkish military in 2019 started the Operation Peace Spring in north-east Syria, with the aim of containing the Kurds and creating a 'safe zone' to which Syrian refugees could return. As many as 3.7 million Syrian refugees have been hosted by Turkey, including the 300,000 Afghans.

[Turkish FM and German FM Heiko Maas. Credit: Twitter/Turkiye devlet gorevlisi]

Now to stem the new refugee influx from Afghanistan, which Turkey fears will turn into another burdensome ordeal like the Syrian refugee crisis, the country has reinforced measures along its eastern border. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas meanwhile echoed similar sentiments as he thanked Turkey for offering assistance for troop deployment to run Kabul airport after NATOs withdrawal. It is in our own interests to ensure that the collapse in Afghanistan does not destabilize the entire region, Maas, who is on a trip to Turkey, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Qatar to discuss the Afghanistan crisis, said in a statement on Sunday.

[Turkish security forces apprehend a group of migrants in an operation aimed at stemming the recent influx of migration, mainly coming from Afghanistan, and stopping human trafficking operations in the area at the border province of Van, Turkey. Credit: AP]

[A Turkish soldier patrols the border wall that separates Turkey and Iran, in Van Province, Turkey. Credit: AP]

Turkey instates a border wall, detains refugees

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had earlier stated that Turkey does not, and will not, serve as any countrys waiting room. Erdogans communications director Fahrettin Altun made clear in an interview with a local press outlet that Turkey will continue to do everything in our power to preserve the safety of our borders. Turkey had dispatched soldiers to completely seal the border with Iran to curb the potential exodus of the undocumented Afghan immigrants escaping the Talibani government.

[A wall stands along the frontier between Turkey and Iran, in Van Province, eastern Turkey. Haunted by a 2015 migration crisis fueled by the Syrian war, European leaders desperately want to avoid another large-scale influx of migrants and refugees from Afghanistan. AP Photo/Emrah Gurel]

As the Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban reprisal made it at the rugged border of Turkey via Iran, they were met with a three-meter-high concrete border wall, built on orders of the Turkish President to squash the potential refugee influx. Turkish authorities told local press reporters that the security forces curbed the passage of at least 69 thousand illegal immigrants, and they also detained 904 human trafficking suspects.

[Turkish security forces prepare to apprehend a group of migrants in an operation aimed at stemming the recent influx of migration, mainly coming from Afghanistan, and stopping human trafficking operations in the area at the border province of Van, Turkey. Credit: AP]

IMAGE: AP/Turkish military
Yemen's internationally recognized government received 151,200 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 jab on Sunday, the United Nations children's agency said.

The shipment was managed by the U.N.-backed COVAX initiative.

The doses will be used to vaccinate health workers and other priority groups in the war-torn country, the UNICEF said.

Earlier this year, Yemen received a 360,000-dose shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the COVAX initiative.

Yemen has been convulsed by civil war since 2014 when the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels took control of the capital Sanaa and much of the northern part of the country.

That forced Hadi's government to flee to the south, then to Saudi Arabia.

A U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition intervened the following year against the Houthis to try to restore Hadi's rule.

Yemen's internationally recognized government has reported more than 7,780 infectious cases, including 1,461 deaths, in areas under its controls since the outbreak of the pandemic.

However, the actual toll is believed to be much higher given the scarcity of testing.

The Houthi rebels have just reported four cases including one fatality.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
In a setback to the Christian community in Pakistan, the administration allegedly demolished three of the four churches along Karachi's Gujjar Nullah during an anti-encroachment drive on Sunday, August 29, The Dawn reported. The report termed it as yet another example of systematic state persecution of minorities in Pakistan and how they continue to face unending violence, intolerance and discrimination. The incident happened just after Sunday's service at the St Joseph's Catholic Church at Gujjar Nullah had wrapped up, while the churchs facade was already destroyed in the anti-encroachment drive, the Pakistani newspaper reported. After the demolition of the three Philadelphia Pentecostal Churches of the protestant Christian community, St Joseph's Catholic Church is now the only church left in the Gujjar Nullah, according to the newspaper.

Locals see it as more than just losing faith

Speaking to the newspaper, Rehana Sohail, a resident of Karachi, said that there used to be more than 150 people gathered in the area every Sunday and it would get difficult to accommodate them all, but now there are barely 20-30 people. Terming it as more than just losing faith, he stated that the elderly are afraid of the remaining structure falling on them and most women don't come anymore due to lack of privacy after the facade was broken two weeks ago.

"We wanted to rebuild our church and raise a new wall in the front but then we were informed that Frontier Works Organisation people will be coming to do their own survey. This is how it has come under various surveys and new cuttings," he told Pakistani newspaper, adding bit-by-bit the church is vanishing. Arif Sardar, another resident of the area, said that if people argue with administrators, they demolish more portions as a punishment. "So we are left with no options but to allow them to do as they wish without uttering a word," he added.

Religious minorities are subject to atrocities in Pakistan

Pakistan's population comprises 96 per cent of Muslims. Although, minorities like Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis make up about 3.8 per cent of the population about 50 per cent of reported blasphemy cases are filed against them. According to the NCJP, 633 Muslims, 494 Ahmadis, 187 Christians and 21 Hindus have been accused since 1987, reported FRANCE 24 Observers. A large proportion of the Christian community belongs to lower socioeconomic backgrounds, is poorly educated, and takes up low-paid manual labour. According to the latest figures (1987-2018) from the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), a total of 229 Christians have been accused under various provisions on offences related to religion since 1987, reported Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA). In 2020, The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) designated Pakistan as a "Country of Particular Concern" owing to its "systematic enforcement" of blasphemy and other controversial laws against religious minorities, reported ANI.

(Inputs from ANI)

(Image Credits: AP/Unsplash)
A recent interview of Pakistan National Security Adviser (NSA) Moeed Yousuf with The Times journalist Christina Lamb has sparked controversy after he asserted the risk of 'second 9/11'. The September 11, 2001 attack which is often referred to as 9/11, were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks by the Wahhabi Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States. A story titled Work with the Taliban or Repeat the Horror of the 1990s, West Told, which was authored by Christina Lamb, claimed that the Pakistan NSA indicated a possible 9/11 like attack, if the western countries do not recognise the Taliban, an extremist group which recently took over Afghanistan and reportedly responsible for August 26 bomb blast at the Kabul Airport.

Pak NSA refuted the claims of the media report

In The Times interview, Yusuf had said, "Mark my words. If the mistakes of the Nineties are made again and Afghanistan abandoned, the outcome will be absolutely the same -- a security vacuum filled by undesirable elements who will threaten everyone, Pakistan and the West." However, the Office of the Pak NSA refuted the claims of the media report that was published on August 28. Later on August 29, Sunday, the office released a statement on and demanded 'The Times' to retract what they called a "frivolous" interpretation of Yusuf's interview with journalist Christina Lamb.

Statement was wrongly interpreted by the interviewer: Pak NSA Office

It said that the statement of Pakistan NSA Dr Moeed Yusuf which was published in The Times on August 28, 2021, was wrongly interpreted by the interviewer and make "no sense". Islamabad NSA's office termed the British publication's story as a "gross mischaracterization" of the conversation that took place between journalist Lamb and Yousuf. "At no point did he state that the West should 'immediately recognize' the Taliban, as the article states. Nor was there any "warning" of a second 9/11 linked to formal "recognition" of the Taliban," the statement of Yousuf's office added, as quoted by Radio Pakistan.

It is worth mentioning that the statement further created uproar internationally as a majority of Afghans and experts believe that Pakistan is the "key player" behind the Taliban's aggressive advance against the government forces in Afghanistan. Experts also consider Islamabad has been assisting the terror group on all possible fronts. On several occasions, Pakistani citizens living in Afghanistan were seen exchanging sweets whenever the Taliban capture any provinces of Afghanistan.

(With inputs from ANI)

(Image Credit: @YusufMoeed Twitter/ANI)
A day after another explosion rocked Afghanistan's capital city on Sunday, several rockets were heard flying over Kabul. Reports initially stated that the targets remained unclear. However, local sources later reported that the rockets were fired from a vehicle at Aspha Square near the airport. The rocket attacks were repelled by Kabul International Airport's defense system.

Several rockets heard flying over Afghan capital Kabul, targets unclear: AFP  ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021

Several rockets heard flying over Kabul

First Footage - Several rockets heard flying over #Kabul. pic.twitter.com/wt6ySy8Be9  Muslim Shirzad (@MuslimShirzad) August 30, 2021

Second Footage-Kabul rocket attack pic.twitter.com/Mw4VetTlIG  Muslim Shirzad (@MuslimShirzad) August 30, 2021

Third Footage- Rockets were fired through this vehicle toward Kabul airport pic.twitter.com/ACCe7IFANj  Muslim Shirzad (@MuslimShirzad) August 30, 2021

Explosion at Kabul Airport

Earlier on Sunday, a massive explosion hit Kabul, days after the twin suicide bombings near the Hamid Karzai International Airport. Reports stated that the explosion was a result of a rocket attack near a neighborhood northwest of Kabul's international airport. In addition, it was reported that the rocket struck a residential house in the Gulai area of Khajeh Baghra, in the 11th security district.

After the attack, Russia claimed that six people died in the drone attack that was carried by the United States to target suicide bombers who were moving towards the Kabul airport as evacuations are still underway. The United States also confirmed the attack which they say was targeted towards suspected Islamic State - Khorasan terrorists in Kabul.

Kabul airport twin blasts

The Sunday attack came days after the twin suicide blasts that took place at the Kabul airport on August 26, killing at least 169 Afghans and 13 US service members who were involved in the evacuation operations at Kabul's Hamid Karzai Airport. In retaliation, the US military struck back against the ISIS-K and conducted drone strikes in the aftermath of the devastating blasts.

Joe Biden vows to carry out more attacks

After the first attack where twin suicide blasts claimed the lives of Afghans and American service personnel, US President Joe Biden had vowed to avenge the attack. Similarly, on Saturday, Joe Biden asserted that the US airstrikes against the Islamic extremist group will continue.
The pilot of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Captain Nawshad Ataul Quaiyum, whose mid-air heart attack on Friday, August 27, compelled emergency landing of a Dhaka-bound flight from Muscat in Indias Nagpur, breathed his last on Monday, August 30, while on life support. Captain Nawshad is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

'Pilot no more', confirms Airline's Spokesperson

The pilot suffered a heart attack in mid-air and was taken to Kingsway Hospital in Nagpur, where he died on Monday, Biman Bangladesh spokesperson Tahera Khandaker, reported bdnews24.com. We have got information from the hospital that he is no longer with us, she said. President of Bangladesh Airlines Pilot Association, Mahbubur Rahman confirming the death said that Captain Nawshad was over 45 years of age. Meanwhile, efforts are afoot to return his body to Bangladesh.

Flight en route to Dhaka from Muscat made emergency landing on August 27

The Biman Bangladesh plane had made an emergency landing at the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur on Friday, August 27, after the pilot suffered a heart attack mid-air. Captain Nawshad flying the Biman Air BG-022 was en route to Dhaka from Muscat and was ferrying 126 passengers. The Biman air cockpit had contacted the Nagpur Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and had informed them that a pilot had suffered a severe heart attack and that he required immediate medical assistance. An ambulance waiting at the airport took him to the Kingsway Hospital, located around 10 km from the Nagpur airport where he underwent an angiogram test. The passengers were later carried back to Dhaka on Friday night. The pilot died at 11.30 am on Monday, August 30.

Brain haemorrhage lead to coma

According to the hospital, Captain Nawshad had initially suffered a cardiac arrest while operating the flight and later a CT scan revealed that he had sustained a brain haemorrhage. The pilot had gone into a coma after suffering cardiac arrest. His condition went serious and remained on ventilation support after the brain haemorrhage led him to bleed profusely, said the officials. Born in 1977, Nawshad had joined Biman Bangladesh Airlines in 2002. He started as the First Officer of A310 and Boeing 777 and later became the Pilot of a Boeing 737.

With PTI Inputs

Image: AP
Envoys of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will convene in an emergency meeting on Monday to examine the quickly changing situation in Afghanistan following the US pullout and Taliban takeover of the war-torn country. According to Radio Pakistan, France and the United Kingdom are set to present a resolution at the summit, advocating the creation of a safe zone in Kabul to safeguard individuals attempting to flee the country and the continuation of humanitarian aid.

US will convene a virtual summit of foreign ministers

Radio Pakistan said that the US will convene a virtual summit of foreign ministers from numerous countries to discuss Afghanistan's future strategy. As the evacuation from Kabul approaches its final day, the US Official Department said it would hold a meeting with key Afghan partners. According to Dawn, it was announced that the meeting would be attended by delegates from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Qatar, the European Union (EU), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The conversations are being held as the deadline for Kabul evacuations approaches, with the Taliban insisting that the US must finish its evacuation by August 31.

They also come in the wake of a horrific attack on Kabul airport that killed over 100 people, including 13 US servicemen. The attack was claimed by ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), an Afghan branch of the Islamic State, prompting US President Joe Biden to instruct American military commanders to establish operational plans to hit ISIS-K assets, leadership, and facilities.

In between the growing concerns about the threat presented by ISIS-K in Afghanistan without American presence, the US claimed the next day that a drone strike in Afghanistan had killed one of the attack's planners, according to Dawn. In yet another drone strike the next day, American forces said they had hit a suicide bomber in a truck who was planning an attack on the airport.

Western governments worry that Afghanistan will return to a haven for militants

Even though the Taliban have stated that they will not allow terrorists to utilise Afghanistan, Western governments remain concerned that the Taliban, who formerly sheltered Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda, will allow the country to revert to a haven for militants.

Image Credit: AP
The founder of Foxconn, Terry Gou has requested 30 million doses of BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for Taiwan. The country's search for access to the vaccine, developed in collaboration with Pfizer Inc has gone on for months, impeded by claims from Taipei of political intervention from Beijing. According to a news agency, Taiwan's government permitted Gou and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd to negotiate for the shot on its behalf. Last month, a $350 million contract was struck for 10 million shots, which will be donated to the government for distribution.

8 to 9 million doses will arrive this year

Gou said that he had been assured that 8 million to 9 million doses would arrive this year, with the first shots arriving in September, in a lengthy post on his Facebook page late Sunday. He went on to say that he'd asked BioNTech whether they could reserve 30 million dosages for Taiwan for next year. According to a news agency, BioNTech did not respond to a request for comment.

Premier Su Tseng-chang praised Gou for his kind reminder about vaccine purchases, stating the government has already placed an order with Moderna Inc. for second-generation vaccines. Taiwan has been gripped by the BioNTech vaccine saga, which has dominated headlines. While the coronavirus outbreak is under control, just about 5% of the country's 23.5 million residents are fully vaccinated. Taiwan's government has ordered millions of vaccines from Moderna, AstraZeneca PLC, and Medigen Vaccine Biologics Corp., among others.

Taiwan will receive 2 million doses between the end of August and the start of September

According to Taiwan News, Taiwan's Health Minister and Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) head Chen Shih-chung stated the BioNTech vaccine will arrive ahead of schedule after Taiwan was able to pry a shipment away from a third country on Wednesday. Chen did not say when or how many dosages would be included in the initial batch. However, officials told Taiwanese media on the same day that the country will receive around 2 million doses between the end of August and the beginning of September. Chen revealed during a press conference on August 27 that starting at 2 pm on Saturday, Taiwan's vaccine registration website will offer the BioNTech vaccine as an option. Students will be given priority, followed by other approved age groups, according to Chen.

Image - Unsplash
People from the Indian American diaspora, on Sunday, 29 August 2021, held a candlelight vigil to honour the 13 troops killed in last weeks twin suicide bombing near the Kabul airport. Photographs and videos from the vigil which surfaced on the internet showed men and women coalescing together in remembrance and prayers for the heroes who laid their lives saving people from the terrorists. Later, ANI reported that the demonstrations extended to at least 25 major American cities including the capital Washington DC, New York City, New Jersey, Los Angeles and Chicago where citizens gathered with banners reading Indian Americans with our troops.

Joined hundreds of Indian -American community members across the United States in expressing solidarity with the American Soldiers who got killed by terrorist attack at Kabul Airport, perpetrated by Pakistan based terrorist organization ISISK !! pic.twitter.com/hCUKe9XVIc  Digamber  (@DigamberE) August 30, 2021

Through this candle light march expressed support,to those countless families who have lost their loved ones,to those helpless parents whos daughters have been forcefully taken away from them, to those kids who lost their parents and forced to live as an orphans due to terrorism pic.twitter.com/nUHUBMmCkq  Digamber  (@DigamberE) August 30, 2021

Also,reminded them that they are not alone in this battle against terrorism, Indian American community stands with them by opposing every act of terrorism and the Nations that are using terrorism as their strategic tools !! pic.twitter.com/hC8HuHRWC7  Digamber  (@DigamberE) August 30, 2021

Indian Americans across USA carried out candle light vigil in different Metropolitan cities to pay tributes to the young American Martyrs in the terrorist attack in Kabul. #IndianAmericansAgainstTerror @Oonattu @krishnareddynj @AdapaVPrasad @DigamberE @mbordoloii @KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/QoE7fzrRZl  Dr. Jayasree Nair (@jayasreenair1) August 30, 2021

'12 troops were in their 20s'

US-led NATO ousted Taliban from Afghanistan in October 2001 and since then more than 2,400 American soldiers have died in the war which Biden says does not serve his countrys national interest. Over the weekend, the remains of the 13 dead troops were flown to the US via the Dover Air Base in Delaware. According to the Associated Press, 12 soldiers were in their 20s and the eldest troop was 31 years old. Those who died in the suicide bombings included 11 Marines, 1 navy sailor and 1 army soldier.

Terror attack at Kabul Airport amid evacuation

On Thursday, 26 August 2021, two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked the Kabul Airport amid the ongoing evacuation efforts by several countries. Soon, a second explosion occurred at the Kabul Airport near the Baron Hotel. According to reports, at least 60 Afghans and 12 Americans were killed in the attack.

In the aftermath of the ISIS-K's bloody attack at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, the US has claimed to have successfully killed two 'high profile' targets from the terrorist group. Two high-profile ISIS-K members were killed in a US drone strike on Friday, 27 August 2021, and a third was wounded in a single mission, the Pentagon said. Pentagon press secretary John F. Kirby said the targetted ISIS-K members were planners and facilitators for the organization near the Nangarhar Province in Afghanistan. The officials claim that the alleged planner was travelling with an 'associate' when he was targetted by the US forces.

Image: jayasreenair1/Twitter
In a recent development, the Kazakhstan government has revealed the number of people who died in the blasts in Kazakhstan's southern Jambyl region. The massive fire that broke out on Thursday, at a military warehouse where engineering ammunition was stored, killed as many as 14 people, said the Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situation on Sunday. An investigation into the matter has been launched by the administration, as it is believed that the explosion occurred due to mishandling of the weapon. Earlier, the number of people who had died in the incident was 13, and three were reported missing.

14 people killed in blasts in Kazakhstan's southern Jambyl region

The Ministry's press service informed that the body of another person who was missing has been recovered and search operations for the other two people are still on. "The death toll from the explosions in the Jambyl region has reached 14 people. Combat engineers of the Defense Ministry found the body of another person whose identity is being established. The search for the missing two people continues".

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced that those soldiers, rescuers, firefighters who lost their lives in the explosion will be posthumously awarded for their bravery.

On Thursday, Kazakhstan's southern Jambyl region witnessed a series of blasts triggered by a fire at a warehouse of a military unit. The explosion wounded around 90 people and so far 14 have been reported dead. The soldiers who died at the site were trying to put out the fire which triggered as many as 10 blasts.

How did the massive explosions take place?

According to Kazakhstan's Defence Ministry, the tragic incident happened at a warehouse where all the ammunition was stored. A fire broke out which caused a massive explosion of unidentified objects stored in the military unit. A series of 10 blasts were recorded, leaving behind a large fire and a tall column of smoke emanating from the warehouse. Right after the incident, more than 1,000 people were evacuated from the village and many left their houses. A railway track was also closed. However, the exact cause of the explosion has not been found, but the investigation is still on. Meanwhile, the country's Defense Minister, Nurlan Yermekbayev, also offered his resignation.

(IMAGE: ANI)

(With Inputs from ANI)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said on August 30 that the use of leaded petrol has been put to an end across the world. UNEP on Monday hailed the milestone as it would prevent over 1.2 million premature deaths and help world economies save over $2.4 trillion annually. Nearly 100 years after doctors first raised concerns over the toxic effects of leaded petrol, UNEP said that Algeria exhausted its supplies last month. Algeria is also the last nation to use leaded petrol. The UN agency also called the news a landmark in the battle for cleaner air.

UNEP said in a statement, 2021 has marked the end of leaded petrol worldwide, after it has contaminated air, dust, soil, drinking water and food crops for the better part of a century. Leaded petrol causes heart disease, stroke and cancer. It also affects the development of the human brain, especially harming children, with studies suggesting it reduced 5-10 IQ points.

Banning the use of leaded petrol has been estimated to prevent more than 1.2 million premature deaths per year, increase IQ points among children, save USD 2.45 trillion for the global economy, and decrease crime rates, it added.

2021 has marked the end of leaded petrol worldwide, after it has contaminated air, dust, soil, drinking water and food crops for the better part of a century.



Learn about this historic accomplishment #ForPeopleForPlanet  https://t.co/U43fmMtp8i  UN Environment Programme (@UNEP) August 30, 2021

Huge milestone for global health

Further, Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP also hailed the achievement as The successful enforcement of the ban on leaded petrol is a huge milestone for global health and our environment...Overcoming a century of deaths and illnesses that affected hundreds of millions and degraded the environment worldwide, we are invigorated to change humanitys trajectory for the better through an accelerated transition to clean vehicles and electric mobility.

Noting the positive outcome of multilateralism, Anderson also said, That a UN-backed alliance of governments, businesses and civil society was able to successfully rid the world of this toxic fuel is testament to the power of multilateralism to move the world towards sustainability and a cleaner, greener future. UNEP also noted that now that leaded petrol usage is eradicated, there is an urgent need to stop lead pollution from other sources that include lead in paints, leaded batteries, and lead in household items.

IMAGE: Pixabay/Representative
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is under quarantine following a close contact with a COVID-19 patient, his office announced on Monday without revealing the duration of his isolation. Additionally, it also stopped short of revealing the identity of the infected person or whether Yaakob himself has tested positive for coronavirus. This comes as Malaysia's COVID caseload rose to 1,706,089 with more than 16,087 fataltities.

Yaakob swore as Malaysia's ninth president earlier this month after incumbent Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin resigned from his position. The 61-year-old leader was expected to witness the swearing in ceremony of his cabinet but he had to miss the ceremony. However, it said that the newly minted PM will attend the National Day celebrations, scheduled for the coming tuesday, virtually.

The prime minister will not be attending the presentation of letters of appointment and the swearing-in ceremony of the federal ministers and deputy ministers before King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah this afternoon.

Malaysia preps for National Day amid COVID

As per The Star website, the communications and multimedia ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek stated that the preparations and arrangements for Malaysia National Day 2021 are 90 percent complete. The secretary-general further added that this year's major event will not include the citizen's actual presence; instead of that, it will be conducted out on a limited scale which will be face-to-face and under rigorous monitoring.

According to the National Security Council and the Health Ministry's advice, the overall number of staff and visitors physically present will be decreased by 60% compared to the original plan, The Star reported. On August 31, Malaysia's National Day 2021 will be commemorated in Putrajaya's National Heroes Square.

Meanwhile, vaccinations are moving rapidly, with more than half the adult population fully inoculated, according to Associated Press. However, there are six states in the southeast asian country where the rate of inoculation is still below 50 per cent. The list includes Perak, Terengganu, Johor, Kedah, Kelatan and Sabah. However, in the recent minths, the administration has ramped up efforts to get citizens immune against the lethal disease.

Image: AP /Pixabay
Tokyo Paralympics: Avani Lekhara Creates History, Wins Gold For India In Para Shooting

India's Avani Lekhara on Monday made history by becoming the first woman from India to win a Paralympics gold medal. Competing in the Women's 10m Air Rifle SH1 event, she won the gold medal with a score of 249.6 equalling the world record and Paralympic record. The second place went to China's Zhang C, while the third place went to Iryna Shchetnik of Ukraine. This is India's fourth medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games so far. Iryna Shchetnik holds the World Record of 249.6 points. Avani's Paralympic record surpasses Slovakia's Veronika Vadovicova score of 207.8, which came up during the Rio Olympics 2016.

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Tokyo Paralympics: Discus Thrower Yogesh Kathuniya Wins Silver For India In Close Contest

Yogesh Kathuniya has won silver for India in the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics 2020 Men's Discus Throw Final event in the F56 category on Monday and by the virtue of this win, Yogesh had brought India's third silver medal in this edition of the Paralympic Games which has taken the conuntry's tally to four medals.

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Tokyo Paralympics: Devendra Jhajharia Wins Silver In Javelin, Sundar Gurjar Gets Bronze

India's Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh Gurjar on Monday won the silver and Bronze medal in the finals of the Men's Javelin throw - F46 event at Tokyo Paralympics. Jhajharia was the defending champion coming into the event after winning the gold medal in Rio five years back and finished the event with the best throw of 64.35 meters. The gold medal was won by Sri Lanka's Dinesh Priyan Herath Mudiyanselage with a best throw of 67.79 meters Sundar Singh Gurjar won the bronze medal with a throw of 64.01 meters. Ajeet Singh finished the vent in the eighth position with a best throw of and 56.15 meters

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PM Modi Congratulates Avani Lekhara For 'historic' Gold Medal Win At Tokyo Paralympics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Avani Lekhara for her historic gold medal-winning performance at the Tokyo Paralympics Women's 10m Air Rifle SH1 event on Monday. Not only did Lekhara win India's first gold medal in the ongoing Games, but she also became the first woman from India to win a Paralympics gold. Taking to the micro-blogging site, Twitter, PM Modi lauded Avani Lekhara's "phenomenal performance" and congratulated the Indian shooter on winning a hard-earned and well-deserved Gold.

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Janmashtami 2021: President Kovind, PM Modi, Ministers Greet People, Extend Well-wishes

On the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, and other leaders extended their greetings to the nation. Taking to Twitter, the Indian Prime Minister and President wished the nation and prayed for everyone's good health and happiness.

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Over 90 Countries Issue Joint Statement On Evacuation From Kabul, Assured By Taliban

As evacuation operations inch closer to the deadline in Afghanistan, more than 90 countries including the US have issued a joint statement to reaffirm the safety of their citizens and Afghans who continue to remain stranded in the war-torn nation. The 'Joint Statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel' has been signed by several European countries along with the US, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and others.

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Security Situation In Jammu And Kashmir Under Control Amid Afghan Crisis: Indian Army

The Indian Army said, on Sunday, that the security situation in Kashmir is under control and that there is no need to be concerned about possible consequences of the Taliban's Afghanistan takeover. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Srinagar, Lieutenant General DP Pandey, the General Officer Commanding of the Indian Army's 15 Corps, commonly known as the Chinar Corps, asserted that "the security situation here (Kashmir) is in our control."

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Afghanistan: Several Rockets Heard Flying Over Kabul Amid Security Alert; Targets Unclear

A day after another explosion rocked Afghanistan's capital city on Sunday, several rockets were heard flying over Kabul. Reports initially stated that the targets remained unclear. However, local sources later reported that the rockets were fired from a vehicle at Aspha Square near the airport. The rocket attacks were repelled by Kabul International Airport's defense system.

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Naqvi Hits Back At Rahul Gandhi Over 'friendly-monopoly' Jibe, Calls Cong A 'kitty Party'

After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at the Centre over its asset monetisation pipeline scheme, Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday, 29 August slammed the Wayanad MP and said that Congress has become a "kitty party" at this moment, claiming that the party has witnessed degradation due to such jokes.

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Himachal 1st State To Administer 1st Dose Of COVID Vaccine To 100% Of Adult Population

The government of Himachal Pradesh informed, on Sunday, that all eligible citizens in the state have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The state's health minister Rajiv Saizal announced that Himachal Pradesh became the first state in the country, this Saturday, to finish administering the first of two COVID-19 vaccination doses to its entire adult population.

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IMAGE: Republicworld
The Russian embassy in Kabul on Monday, Aug. 30 announced that it was scheduling additional evacuation flights from Kabul to Moscow as the Russian troops conducted military drills near the Afghan border with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as regional tensions flared. It, however, remains unclear on Monday if the Russian President plans to fly the aircraft beyond the Aug. 31 Tuesday deadline agreed between US President Joe Biden and the Taliban.

The Russian embassy in Kabul did not shut down while the western governments rescued out their envoys and diplomats, following the Talibans takeover of the country on August 15, according to multiple reports. Thousands of Russian, Uzbek and Tajik troops kicked off military drills near the Tajik border with Afghanistan flexing military muscle, deterring enemy offensive on the Afghan border. Furthermore, Moscow's Central Military District [CMD] reportedly revealed that at least 60 pieces of military equipment have been transferred to Kyrgyzstan for CSTO Rubezh-2021 manoeuvres.

Furthermore, a joint military training Rubezh-2021" is scheduled with the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces of the Central Asian Region of the CSTO (CAR CRDF) for September 7 to 9 at the Edelweiss training range in the Kyrgyz Republic.

"Military contingents and task forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Joint Staff and the CSTO Secretariat, special assets of internal affairs bodies (police), bodies authorized in the sphere of prevention of emergency situations and the State Committee of National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic will take part in the training," CSTO informed in a press release.

[Credit: CSTO]

Russian President Vladimir Putins special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kavlov, on Monday stated that the Russian embassy plans to seek the establishment of relations with the newly formed Taliban government, as it urged the West not to cut funding or freeze the financial assets for the Afghan government.

We have a relationship with Taliban officials. Our embassy in Kabul is very active in this. We have had such contact for a long time, And we will work on them further,  Kavlov told the Russian state television.

Separately in a barrage of tweets, the Russian embassy in Kabul announced that Moscow will operate additional flights not only to fly out the members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a post-Soviet security bloc led by Moscow but also Russian nationals. Although it is yet to be ascertained if the Taliban, which had earlier warned the US and allied forces of Aug. 31 red line for withdrawal, has agreed to this arrangement. Russia unilaterally announced that it was going to send military planes inside Kabul just hours after Western countries final flights departed for their homeland.

Russia extended military presence on Afghan- Tajik border to 2042

Russia's defence ministry, meanwhile, declared that as many as 500 Russian motorized infantry troops from the military base in Tajikistan were carrying out drills in the mountains near the Afghan border, as per an Interfax report. Russian armed forces continued that the military drills involved test fire from an S-300 air defence system in a simulated attack on the base. It remains unclear if Russias defence conducted military exercises as an indirect warning. Interfax report revealed that the CSTO is expected to conduct another military exercise in Kyrgyzstan which will host a Russian military airbase.

This would be the third drill by Russia since the Taliban takeover of Kabul. Russias 201st Military Base in Tajikistan is one of the most sought-after foreign bases that has an estimated 7,000 troops deployed, reports suggest. Formerly known as 201st Motor Rifle Division, the bases troops keep a strict vigil on the Afghan border as they patrol areas near the Tajik border. Russian military presence was expected to expire in 2014, but Russian President Putin extended it to 2042.
As the evacuation operations inch closer to the August 31 deadline in Afghanistan, Qatar has a significant role to play after the US pullout from the war-ravaged country. Qatar has been facilitating global evacuation efforts since the Taliban took over Kabul on Sunday, August 15. According to AP, the Qatar government has ties with the Taliban and United States and now the Qatar administration has been asked to assist in deciding about the future of Afghanistan. On August 30, the US plans to host a virtual ministerial meeting with key partners in Afghanistan.

Role of Qatar after US pullout from Afghanistan

The meeting hosted by the US will include France, Germany, Qatar, Canada, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, the European Union and NATO. The leaders of the respective nations will discuss the approach for the days and weeks ahead in the war-torn country. As the US completes its military withdrawal on August 31, the Taliban has reportedly asked Qatar to provide civilian technical assistance at Kabul Airport, according to AP. The Qatar authorities have not responded to the reports suggesting any such development.

According to AP, about 40 per cent of all the people evacuated from the war-torn country moved out via Qatar. It is reported that in order to move out their staff, media organisations also took help from Qatar. Speaking to The Associated Press, the Assistant Qatar Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater informed that they were having sleepless nights for the past two weeks and refuted claims that they were doing it only for political gains. Al-Khater further added that Qatar airlifted about 1500 people from Afghanistan and provided safe passage to approximately 3000 people.

"If anyone assumes that its only about political gains, believe me, there are ways to do PR that are way easier than risking our people there on the ground, way easier than us having sleepless nights literally for the past two weeks, way less complicated than spending our time looking after every kid and every pregnant woman", Al-Khater told The Associated Press.

Earlier on August 28, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed that he has discussed the evacuation process in Afghanistan with Qatar's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Blinken thanked Al Thani "for Qatar's continued support to transit US citizens". Blinken said that Qatar has gone above and beyond to help the US in evacuating its citizens from Afghanistan. It is pertinent to mention that on August 20, US President Joe Biden lauded Qatars "generous support" for the ongoing evacuation of Americans from Afghanistan. The President also thanked Qatars Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for the important role Qatar has played to "facilitate intra-Afghanistan talks".

During my call with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_, I thanked him again for Qatars continued support to transit U.S. citizens, @USEmbassyKabul personnel, & foreign nationals from Afghanistan. Qatar has gone above & beyond with its help.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 28, 2021

IMAGE: AP

(With Inputs from AP)
Day after promising to protect women's rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban, which is set to form a new administration in the war-ravaged country, has issued a ban on co-education as well prohibited men from teaching girl students. It is to mention that this comes as the Islamic fundamentalist terror outfit has named Shaikh Abdulbaqi Haqqani as acting minister of higher education in Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan's western Herat region, Taliban leaders ruled last week that girls will no longer be permitted to sit in the same classes as boys in universities. According to Taliban officials, co-education must be stopped.

Taliban announces ban on co-education in Afghanistan

Haqqani stated that all educational activities will be conducted in accordance with Sharia Law. Women will be denied access to higher education since major colleges in the country cannot afford to offer diverse classes because of a lack of funding, according to many critics.

"Taliban officially announce ban on coeducation. Men are not allowed to teach girls," Afghan journalist Bashir Ahmad Gwakh tweeted, quoting Taliban Minister Haqqani. "This will effectively deprive girls from higher education because universities cannot afford it nor there are enough human resources," the journalist further said in his tweet.

In a speech at Loya Jirga Tent, Taliban higher education minister Haqqani said that all educational activities in the country will be conducted according to Sharia Law.

In a meeting with authorities last week, private university owners opposed the Taliban's decision to provide education to girls and boys separately as there are not sufficient female teachers.

In its first press conference since taking over Kabul, the Taliban said earlier this month that they are committed to ensuring women's rights based on Islam.

"Taliban are committed to providing women with their rights based on Islam. Women can work in the health sector and other sectors where they are needed. There will be no discrimination against women," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had said. However, experts have stated that Afghan women are most likely to suffer a grim future under the Taliban's rule.

Taliban on women security

In May, the United States formally began its withdrawal from Afghanistan, and it's now on the verge of finishing its military commitment. Dr Sajjan Gohel, a security and terrorism analyst told Four Nine that women are terrified of the Taliban.

"From the Afghan women I've spoken to, it's incredibly traumatic. You're looking at an entire generation who only read about the Taliban in books. Now, they're having to live side-by-side with what is effectively a misogynistic cult," Dr Gohel said.

He added that "we will see a return to some extent of what we saw in the 1990s."

On Saturday, 28 August, scores of people gathered near the Eiffel Tower in Paris to express their support for Afghan women following the Taliban's takeover. The marchers voiced fear that women in Afghanistan would be unsafe and urged that the French government open its borders to receive Afghan evacuees, with women and children given priority.

(With inputs from ANI)

(Picture Credit: AP)
Amid the Taliban takeover, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey was ready for any kind of assistance and cooperation with Afghanistan but would maintain a 'cautious' approach in doing so. After his return from Montenegro on Sunday, Erdogan told the media that his country was ready to assist Afghanistan in the short term, but it was important for the Taliban to first display what kind of government they want to form, and what their attitude towards the 40 million population will be.

Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News quoted him as saying, As Turkey, our objective is that Afghanistan should quickly recover. The Afghan people can no longer bear such a burden. It has a population of around 40 million and is a huge country. We are ready to give all kinds of support for Afghanistans unity and solidarity. As long as we see that approach in this sense from Afghanistan."

Look, around 200 people were killed unexpectedly. There are Taliban members among the death toll. The intelligence says DAESH-Khorasan is behind. We should therefore follow a cautious line," he added.

According to Afghanistan's Shamshad News, the Turkish President also addressed the million-dollar investments made by his country in Afghanistan over the last two decades. Erdogan said that he had made significant investments in the country over the past 20 years and would continue to do so.

Turkey mulling over running Kabul Airport

It is important to mention that the Turkish President's statement comes amid reports of the Taliban requesting Turkey's help in running the Kabul Airport. Erdogan has maintained that Turkey has not yet made a decision with regards to the Taliban's request and would likely ask for a formal proposal first. "What does the Taliban say with regard to the airport issue? They say 'give us the security but you operate it'," Erdogan said in comments published by the official Anadolu news agency.

"How come we hand you over the security? Let's say you took over the security but how would we explain to the world if another bloodbath takes place there? It's not an easy job, he added.

On August 27, Turkey had held a three-hour-long meeting with the Taliban at the Turkish embassy in Kabul. Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that more meetings with the Taliban will take place if necessary.
Due to COVID-19 lockdown in Vietnams biggest city Ho Chi Minh, the concern over shortage in global supplies of coffee has increased. The South-East Asian nation is a major producer of robusta, which is the bitter-tasting bean used in instant coffee and some espresso blends. The lockdown of Ho Chi Minh means Vietnam's exporters are struggling to transport goods, including coffee beans, to ports for shipment around the globe.

According to the BBC, Ho Chi Minh has been kept under strict travel restrictions after a surge in cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19. The travel restrictions have created a problem for exporters who were already facing a serious shortage of shipping containers and soaring freight costs. Therefore, the Vietnam Coffee-Cocoa Association and other trade organisations have called on the government to ease the restrictions in a bid to help avoid further delays to shipments and related costs.

Vietnam's transport minister, on the other hand, responded to the concerns by ordering regional officials in the south of the nation to take action to ease unnecessary burdens on the transport of goods, including coffee. It is worth mentioning that Ho Chi Minh and its ports are a key part of the global shipping network that runs from China to Europe.

COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese government last week imposed two weeks lockdown in Ho Chi Minh city. People in the city of 10 million are required to "stay put" and "stay in". The city has been in lockdown since June with public gatherings banned and non-essential business closed. It has also set up more than a dozen temporary hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients, however, the high number of cases means thousands of patients are not able to be hospitalized.

Moreover, people could only leave their homes to buy food or for urgent matters. Now, under the new restrictions, people in high-risk areas cannot leave home at all. Additionally, the government has also sent troops to Ho Chi Minh in a bid to deliver food and aid to households. Vietnam is experiencing its worst outbreak of the pandemic with more than half the country in lockdown to contain the virus. With new rules, the officials hope to flatten the surge and ease the pressure on the overloaded health care system.

(Image: Unsplash/Pixabay)




Environmental activists gathered on Sunday in the Nordelta area of Buenos Aires to urgently call for a law to protect the country's wetlands. The protests come as the numbers of capybaras in residential areas has risen sharply, a development that has surprised and annoyed residents living in this wealthy area on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.

Several dozen people attended the event, which aimed to raise awareness of the problems of wetlands and the degradation of the country's ecosystems. A plague of capybaras or "carpinchos," the largest rodents in the animal world, invaded one of the most exclusive neighborhoods on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and has sparked controversy between its residents and environmental authorities, at a time when we are discussing putting limits on wetland real estate developments.

Residents of the Nordelta complex, a real estate development opened in 2000 on the mouth of the Lujan River denounced an explosive growth in the number of capybaras since 2019 and that they have generated road accidents and attacked pets. The capybara case has once again brought the debate of the protection of wetlands - which occupy approximately 21% of Argentina's territory - which has been pending since a fire in 2020 devastated more than 300,000 hectares in the Parana Delta.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
As the evacuation missions inch closer to the deadline in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in an interview with ABC 'This Week' said, "This is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinary dangerous mission, these last couple of days." Blinken also informed that there were about 300 US citizens remaining in Afghanistan who wished to leave the war-ravaged country. Furthermore, he said that they were making every effort to keep people safe.

About 300 US citizens remaining in Afghanistan

Blinken informed that about 300 Americans who were remaining in Afghanistan wanted to leave the war-torn country. He assured that they were "actively working" to evacuate American citizens from Afghanistan. He also spoke about the risk involved in the evacuation operation over the next few days. Blinken informed that he met US President Joe Biden and military commanders and stated that this was the "dangerous time" in the mission. He further assured that they were doing everything possible to keep people safe.

Blinken pointed out that the countries across the world were expecting that the Taliban will allow the people to travel beyond August 31. He further said that the US was working with other countries in the region to either keep the Kabul Airport functional after August 31 or take required steps to "reopen it in a timely fashion." In order to help people who wanted to leave the war-torn country after August 31, they were having the necessary tools in place for the facilitation of people.

Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has assured people that the United States has the capacity to evacuate approximately 300 US citizens remaining in Afghanistan. Sullivan further mentioned that the United States was not having any plan to have an ongoing embassy presence after the complete withdrawal of US troops. Furthermore, Sullivan pledged support to the people and informed them that they will assure the safe passage of "American citizen, any legal permanent citizen and those Afghans who helped us" after Tuesday.

"We have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining. We moved out more than that number just yesterday. So from our point of view, there is an opportunity right now for American citizens to come, to be admitted to the airport and to be evacuated safely and effectively", AP quoted Sullivan as saying.

IMAGE: AP

Inputs from AP
Foreign nationals and Afghan citizens having travel authorization from a hundred countries, including the United States, will be able to "safely leave" Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed.

Blinken wrote in a tweet that the USA will "hold the Taliban to this commitment." He said, "Today, nearly 100 countries issued a joint statement on the assurances by the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to safely travel outside Afghanistan. We will hold the Taliban to that commitment. (sic)"

Taliban guarantees safety of foreign nationals

According to a statement by the US Department of State, the United States and nearly 100 other countries, in a joint statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel Assurances by the Taliban, said that all foreign nationals and Afghans with travel authorization from the said countries will be allowed to safely travel outside the war-ravaged nation.

The countries are all committed, according to a joint statement, to ensuring that "our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with the countries, and others who are in danger can continue to travel freely to places outside of Afghanistan." The governments of these countries informed that they have obtained guarantees from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and Afghan citizens having travel authorization will be able to travel outside the country in a secure and orderly way.

Today, the U.S. and nearly 100 other countries issued a Joint Statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel Assurances. Read more:https://t.co/1Ku8i1MgIf  Department of State (@StateDept) August 29, 2021

The statement said, We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have a clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding.

US Special Immigration Programme

Since 14 August, the United States of America has evacuated or assisted in the evacuation of about 114,400 people. Approximately 120,000 people have been moved to the United States since the end of July. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said on Friday that the US will engage with the Taliban to facilitate the safe evacuation of individuals from Afghanistan after the 31 August withdrawal deadline.

According to Psaki, President Biden asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to continue diplomatic efforts with international allies to arrange ways for third-country nationals and Afghans with visas to flee the country once the US military presence expires. The US has been taking in US citizens, lawful permanent residents, Afghan Special Immigrant Programme (SIV) applicants and other vulnerable Afghans, according to Pentagon.

The SIV can be obtained by certain Afghans who have helped the US military in any role, and are afraid of being attacked by the Taliban for doing so. As per reports, about 5,000 SIV applicants have already been evacuated by the US military forces from Afghanistan. An estimate of 65,000 SIV applicants and family members are still in the Taliban-occupied country. Afghans who come to the United States without appropriate immigration status may be granted humanitarian parole, which allows them to stay for a limited time. The Biden administration has not stated how many Afghans have been paroled into the United States, but advocates anticipate that many of those who arrive will be without visas and will require parole.

Operation Devi Shakti

Ever since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan on 15 August, thousands have been trying to flee the country. This resulted in massive gatherings in and outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Taking advantage of the situation, the ISIS-K terror group, on Thursday, conducted a bombing attack outside the airport, resulting in the death of 95 Afghans and 13 Americans. As per reports, President Joe Biden said that another terrorist attack at the airport in the coming days is highly likely.

In light of Afghanistan's deteriorating situation, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed that hundreds of people are being brought to India as part of Operation Devi Shakti. Since the fall of Afghanistan, India has been evacuating its citizens from the country regularly.

According to Ahmad Zhia Ghani, the head of the Afghan community in India, there are currently around 21,000 Afghan refugees in the country. According to reports, on Friday, Pakistan allegedly opened fire on Afghan refugees attempting to cross its borders. Three Afghan refugees were killed and numerous more were injured in the said shooting. Pakistan blocked its border on 15 August, just days before the Ashraf Ghani-led Afghanistan government fell and the Taliban seized power. Under normal circumstances, the border enabled the flow of over 6,000 individuals from both countries. Over 1.4 million Afghan refugees already reside in Pakistan.

The airlift out of Kabul is almost finished. Many lives were saved. But the challenges are not over for the people of Afghanistan.



Afghans who wont leave, displaced Afghans, Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries need the worlds help and solidarity to continue and last.  Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) August 29, 2021

(With inputs from ANI, Image: AP)
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Saturday spoke with People's Republic of China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi regarding 'freedom to travel' for Afghans and foreign nationals. Taking to his Twitter, the Secretary of State informed that the discussions revolved around the US' efforts to support the safe passage for people who wish to leave Afghanistan. Blinken has been speaking to several world leaders including India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Qatar's Deputy PM, and UK counterpart Dominic Raab regarding the situation in Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State speaks to China counterpart

I spoke with People's Republic of China State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi about our efforts to support the safe passage and freedom to travel for Afghans and foreign nationals.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 29, 2021

In another tweet, Antony Blinken also informed that nearly 100 countries have come together with a joint statement to make sure the Taliban stands on its commitment of allowing safe travel of Afghans and foreign nationals from Afghanistan.

Today, nearly 100 countries issued a joint statement on the assurances by the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to safely travel outside Afghanistan. We will hold the Taliban to that commitment. https://t.co/nZtyWPHsJu  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 29, 2021

Reportedly, the Taliban had signed a deal with the US to allow and ensure safe passage for foreigners and Afghans who wish to leave. The United States and its allies have already evacuated nearly 1,13,500 people out of Afghanistan in the past two weeks, but tens of thousands who want to go are still left behind. Even though most of the military troops and its allies have been evacuated, the US has promised to continue the evacuation process till the deadline which falls on August 31.

US, China's discussion on Afghanistan crisis

In the wake of the Afghanistan crisis, the militaries of the United States and China initiated deliberations on the rapidly evolving situation in the war-ravaged state. Deputy Director for the People's Liberation Army Office for International Military Cooperation Major General Huang Xueping held a virtual conference with his US counterpart Michael Chase last week.

"Afghanistan crisis is one of the most urgent issues of risk management that needs to be discussed. Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi raised this issue in the Alaska talks [earlier this year], but his American counterpart ignored it, PTI quoted an official of the Chinese military as saying.

While expressing shock over the Kabul blasts, China on Friday also said the security situation in Afghanistan remained 'complex and grave' and offered to associate with the international community to counter terrorism and threats while urging the Taliban to break off with terrorist groups.
Its called the loneliest job in the world for a reason.

Surrounded by everything a superpower can offer and watched by all, President Joe Biden wore the weight of a lonely man as he came to grips in recent days with the deadly end of the American effort in Afghanistan and tried to keep the focus on what, to him, is the bottom line.

Ladies and gentlemen," he said as the death toll mounted in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, "it was time to end a 20-year war.

The need for crisis-driven leadership comes to all presidents. Now, on several fronts at once, it has come to him, and fast.

In the aftermath of the Kabul suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. troops and more than 170 Afghans, U.S. military forces are racing to get fellow citizens, aligned Afghans and themselves out of the country by Biden's stated deadline of Tuesday.

Biden found himself in a real-time crisis that overrides the platitudes he offered when running for the office and in the early months of his presidency. America is back," he likes to say. But in Afghanistan, after the longest war in U.S. history, America is conspicuously leaving.

The U.S. is leaving with the Taliban forces it long fought against back in control and with an affiliate of the Islamic State group  an organization declared vanquished by the last U.S. president  reasserting its virulence in the devastation at Kabul's airport.

Goodwill washed over Biden through his first six months or so, when he scored points with the public and much of the world simply by not being Donald Trump. The United States appeared on the verge of victory over the pandemic, too. Vaccine supplies surged, cases plunged in response and even Republicans gave Biden a measure of the credit.

Those days now seem like a distant memory. Criticism is raining down on him, with Republicans blaming him for the calamity in Kabul and even Democrats breaking from him for the first time on a major issue.

Asked whether Biden is feeling frustrated or a sense of resignation from the turmoil of the moment, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said theres just not a lot of time for self-reflection right now.

To Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph Ellis, the bloody, harried scenes the world is witnessing from Kabul are not the fruit of poor evacuation planning or incompetence by the United States, but, simply, of defeat.

It seems to me that were watching something occur that was inevitable once we stepped in, he said. There's no memory here. This is what happens when you lose a war."

Presidents are defined by how they handle crises, and Biden now confronts more than one, each requiring urgent attention.

While the drama in Kabul unfolds, the delta variant of the coronavirus threatens to undo much of the progress his administration had achieved in the first six months. On top of that, he has had to address deadly flooding in Tennessee, devastating wildfires in the West, a hurricane that grazed the East Coast and relief efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti.

This past week, he was also dealt setbacks by the Supreme Court. First, justices ordered the reinstatement of a Trump-era policy that forced migrants seeking U.S. asylum to wait in Mexico, often in dire conditions.

Then, as pandemic-era housing aid sits bottlenecked in state and local governments, the court's conservative majority blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban on evictions, leaving perhaps 3.5 million people at risk of losing their homes.

For now, Afghanistan overshadows everything. Biden declared the buck stops with me yet has alternately blamed Afghan forces and their government for caving to the Taliban, and Trump for negotiating a bad agreement for the U.S. exit.

It was Biden's choice, though, to execute the U.S. withdrawal called for in that agreement, even if a few months later, and he will be measured by the consequences of having done so. One of his central rationales for the presidency is being tested: that four decades of experience at the highest levels of government prepared him to handle the pressures of the office with seasoned competence .

Cal Jillson, a presidential historian at Southern Methodist University, said there was no good way to leave Afghanistan.

You cannot stick the dismount," he said. Unless you win, it is bound to be ugly. And we did not win."

He said that while Trump actually arrived at a deeply flawed agreement with the Taliban, it was Biden who undertook to execute that plan, with minor revisions. Biden, he said, " along with the public, wanted out of Afghanistan, the sooner the better. Nobody likes the exit.

Crises can forever stain the legacies of presidents, or they can pass. B

President Bill Clinton in his first year endured the bloody tragedy of the battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, while President George W. Bush had the false predicate of weapons of mass destruction for starting a war with Iraq. President John F. Kennedy survived the embarrassment of the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Trump survived himself.

At least one of those presidents was enough of a student of history to know that the loneliness of the office, spoken of by William Howard Taft as he left that office in 1913, would come with the territory.

He is alone  at the top  in the loneliest job in the world," Kennedy told a 1960 Democratic dinner before his election that fall.

He cannot share this power, he cannot delegate it, he cannot adjourn. ... He alone must decide what areas we defend  not the Congress or the military or the CIA. And certainly not some beleaguered generalissimo on an island.

IMAGE: AP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday became the fourth commander in chief to bear witness as the remains of fallen U.S. troops return to U.S. soil from Afghanistan.

The president and first lady Jill Biden met in solemn privacy Sunday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware with the families of the 13 U.S. troops killed in the suicide attack near the Kabul airport.

Then the military ritual of a dignified transfer of remains unfolded for those killed in foreign combat.

The dead ranged in age from 20 to 31, and came from California and Massachusetts and states in between.

IMAGE: AP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Washington, Aug 30 (PTI) US Secretary of State Tony Blinken on Monday will host a virtual ministerial meeting with key partners on Afghanistan, his spokesperson said.

The countries that were listed by the US for the virtual ministerial meeting on Afghanistan include, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Qatar, along with the European Union and the NATO.

The participants will discuss an aligned approach for the days and weeks ahead, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.

Later in the day, Blinken will speak on American efforts since August 14 and discuss the way forward, he said. PTI LKJ AQS AQS

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The USA's National Hurricane Center (NHC) informed that Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana as an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm on Sunday afternoon.

"Ida made landfall as an extremely dangerous category 4 hurricane near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and a minimum central pressure of 930 mb," the NHC said in a tweet. Ida upgraded to a Category 4 hurricane hours before making landfall.

Hurricane Ida makes landfall

The National Hurricane Center had previously stated that the storm was expected to be an exceptionally major hurricane when it reaches landfall, adding that rapid weakening would most certainly follow.

Hurricane Ida's enormous strength was on show on Sunday as the storm rerouted the Mississippi River. On Sunday afternoon, after Ida made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane that rapidly intensified, the river momentarily flowed from south to north. The remarkable "negative flow" of the Mississippi River was recorded by a river gauge at Belle Chasse, just southeast of New Orleans, according to the US Geological Survey.

White House declares emergency

In the days preceding Ida's arrival, the Mississippi was discharging approximately 350,000 cubic feet (9,910 cubic metres) of water each second. Upstream, water flowed at a rate of 40,000 cubic feet (1,132 cubic metres) per second, according to reports. That is an enormous volume of water to turn around. Ida is projected to bring 16 feet (5 metres) of storm surge inland, with the heaviest inundation spanning from the petrochemical hub of Port Fourchon to the Mississippi River's mouth. The river flow s change in direction indicates how tremendous the surge was.

The White House has informed that US President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in Mississippi ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Ida. A statement released by the White House, on Saturday, said, "The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures."

Residents flee Louisiana

Meanwhile, thousands of people are fleeing Louisiana as Hurricane Ida is predicted to wreak havoc. Ida is now a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of up to 145 mph. On Saturday, 29 August, heavy traffic was visible on coastal roadways as people sought to avoid the storm's course. In the northern Gulf of Mexico, the storm was moving northwest at 15 mph. Ida's arrival comes exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana, leaving the state in shambles. Heavy rain and high wind gusts are moving towards the northern Gulf Coast as far east as the Florida Panhandle.

(With inputs from AP, Image: AP)
Democrat Terry McAuliffe asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Virginia Republicans that seeks to remove him from the ballot in this year's closely watched race for governor over an alleged paperwork error.

In a filing Friday evening, attorneys for the former governor now running for a second term against GOP nominee Glenn Youngkin said the suit was based on a legal lie" and would effectively invalidate hundreds of thousands of votes cast in the Democratic primary.

The complaint filed earlier this week by the Republican Party of Virginia against state election officials argued that McAuliffe should be disqualified from running in the November general election because of the omission of his signature on an official form declaring his candidacy.

McAuliffe argued in his filing that nothing in Virginia code requires a candidate to sign the declaration of candidacy.

Further, the filing said: Even if there were a technical defect with the declaration of candidacy  and there is not  it would provide no basis for removing McAuliffes name from the general election ballot and preventing Virginias voters from choosing him as their next Governor. The declaration of candidacy is a prerequisite for placement on the ballot in the primary election, not the general election, and the primary election has already concluded.

McAuliffe handily defeated four challenges in the June Democratic primary. He captured about 62% of the vote and was the top vote-getter in every city and county in the commonwealth.

There is no basis for the Republican Party to now  almost three months later  contest the results of another partys primary, his filing said.

Several state election law experts told The Associated Press on Thursday, when the suit was filed in Richmond Circuit Court, that they would be surprised if it succeeds. Online court records do not show that a hearing has been set.

McAuliffe, a longtime fixture of Democratic politics, previously served as governor from 2014 to 2018 but was prohibited by state law from seeking a consecutive term. He announced his candidacy in December after deciding in 2019 to forego a run for president.

Youngkin is a former co-CEO of a private equity firm and a political newcomer seeking to end Virginia Republicans' more than decade-long losing streak in statewide races.

Christina Freundlich, a spokesperson for McAuliffes campaign, called the lawsuit a Trumpian effort to distort the law and the will of the voters.

We havent even made it to Election Day and Virginia Republicans are already trying to undermine the election results in court using Donald Trump and Rudy Giulianis playbook, she said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Republican Party of Virginia did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.

Virginia, the only state in the nation that does not allow its chief executive to serve consecutive terms, is also the only state with an open race for governor this year. The commonwealths unusual off-year elections routinely draw outsized national attention as a possible test of both parties strengths ahead of the midterms.

Third-party gubernatorial candidate Princess Blanding will also be on the ballot. Election Day is Nov. 2 and early voting begins Sept. 17.

IMAGE: AP

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
The former head of the US Food and Drug Administration and a member of Pfizers board of directors, Dr Scott Gottlieb said on Saturday, 29 August 2021, that the drug companys COVID-19 vaccine could be available for children younger than 12 by early winters. Suggesting a crucial development in the immunisation efforts in the United States, in an interview with CBS News, Gottlieb said that Pfizer will be in a position to file data with US FDA anytime next month. Then the US-based drug company will submit its application to expand its emergency use authorisation for its jabs among five-year-olds and older as early as October.

"The agency will be in a position to make an authorization, I believe, at some point, late fall, probably early winter," Gottlieb told Face the Nation while adding "And probably they're going to base their decision on what the circumstances around the country, what the urgency is to get to a vaccine for kids."

He also revealed that The data on kids two to five is going to be available in November. Gottliebs remarks came after US FDA in May authorised the two-dose vaccine made by Pfizer for emergency use among children 12 to 15. Meanwhile, the drugmaker has been conducting clinical trials of its jabs in children ages two or older. If US FDA decided to approve the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 for kids between the ages five and 11 in November or December, ex-FDA head said, it puts you on a timeframe that you could start rolling out these vaccinations before the end of the year."

Canada Approves Moderna For 12 To 17-Year-Olds

His remarks came after Canada on August 27 approved Modernas COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents 12 years of age and older. The government said in a statement on Friday, Following Health Canada's authorization of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents 12 years of age and older, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) released updated recommendations on the use of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in adolescents 12 to 17 years of age.

It also noted that in May 2021, NACI had recommended vaccination of adolescents with Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine after regulatory approval and from Friday, it would also include the Moderna jabs mRNA-based jabs. The official statement added, Clinical trial findings suggest the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines provide very good protection against symptomatic COVID-19 infection and have a favourable benefit versus risk profile in adolescents 12 years of age and older.

IMAGE: AP
President Joe Biden stood with grieving families in deep reverence Sunday, August 29, beneath a dark sky as the remains of 13 U.S. troops slain in the Kabul suicide bombing were removed with solemnity off a military plane that brought them home. During the mournful rite of the "dignified transfer," the only sounds audible were the calm commands of the honour guards in combat dress who carried the flag-draped cases, the hum of the C-17 aeroplane that had delivered the fallen, and the occasional sob of the bereaved.

US Prez pays respects to US troops killed in Afghanistan

Before the president became the fourth commander in chief in two decades of war to stand at attention at Dover Air Force Base as the remains of the fallen from Afghanistan returned home, Biden and his wife, Jill, met privately with family members of those killed in the suicide attack near Kabul airport.

The deceased varied in age from 20 to 31, and they were from California, Massachusetts, and other areas. Five were only 20 years old, having been born not long before the September 11, 2001, attacks that prompted the United States to invade Afghanistan in order to depose al-Qaida and remove its Taliban hosts who dominated the country.

They include a 20-year-old Marine from Wyoming who was expecting his first kid in three weeks and a 22-year-old Navy corpsman who told his mother in his last FaceTime session that he would be safe because "my guys got me."

At the time of their deaths, the 13 young service members were on the ground for the United States' final chapter in its longest war, assisting in a chaotic evacuation of Americans and Afghans who assisted in the war effort but are now fleeing the Taliban after their return to power.

US lost 13 service members in Kabul attack

"The 13 service members that we lost were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others," Biden said in a statement Saturday. "Their bravery and selflessness has enabled more than 117,000 people at risk to reach safety thus far."

As each transfer case was taken off the military plane and placed in an awaiting vehicle, Biden held his hand over his heart and appeared to close his eyes in prayer.

Family members of the fallen often go to Dover to witness the return of their loved ones' remains to American soil. The Dover Fisher House, which the Defense Department provides for families of the departed, was not large enough to accommodate all of the grieving families, according to military authorities, so some loved ones stayed off base.

Several key aides were there, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Eleven of the families of the fallen servicemen chose to allow media coverage of their transfers.

(with inputs from AP)

Picture Credit: AP
The White House on Tuesday stated that nearly 1200 people have been rescued from the Kabul airport of military conflicted Afghanistan, in the last 24 hours by military planes operated by the US. During the end of July, the United States has relocated almost 1,22,300 individuals from Afghanistan, according to the White House. The US and its allied nations reiterated their obligation in delivering a safe passage for their people and several terrified Afghans outside of the war zone region.

From 3 AM ET on 8/29 to 3AM ET on 8/30, a total of approximately 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul. 26 US military flights carried approximately 1,200 evacuees and 2 coalition flights carried 50 people.  The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 30, 2021

More about US evacuation

The US State Department stated in a joint statement with other countries that they are all responsible for ensuring that their people, nationalities and residents, as well as workers, Afghans who have worked with them for several years, and others who are in danger may continue to move freely to locations beyond Afghanistan. The statement further added that the Taliban has promised the US and its allied nations that all foreign citizens and Afghan citizens with appropriate documentation would be permitted to leave Afghanistan.

The statement went on to say that they will maintain to issue travel documents to approved Afghanistan citizens. It also said that they have received assurances from the Taliban that the approved Afghanistan citizens would be allowed to go to the respective nations. The US and the allied nations have taken a notice of the Taliban's public remarks affirming this understanding.

Further, it is coming into news that the Taliban will take complete control of the Kabul airport on August 31 which is Tuesday, following the pullout of US soldiers. This has been stated by an official from the extremist Islamist group that has risen throughout the country since August 15.

Speaking on the US evacuation operation, which is set to finish on August 31, President Joe Biden stated that he will achieve his objective of removing all US soldiers from Afghanistan by August 31.

Other Nation which has recently evacuated from Afghanistan

Apart from the US, the Nepalese government announced on Monday that nearly 828 of its residents had been airlifted from war-torn Afghanistan. The Foreign Ministry stated in a report that 50 Nepalese citizens had returned to Kathmandu from Afghanistan on Sunday, 45 people have travelled through Turkish Air aircraft on Monday and five on a Fly Dubai aircraft on Sunday.

While Belgium, Germany as well as Canada ended their evacuation process on August 26. On the other hand, India has rescued over 550 individuals from Afghanistan via six separate planes, as per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Over 260 of them were Indian citizens.

(Image Credit: AP)
In a move to affirm the United States unwavering support for Ukraines sovereignty, US President Joe Biden will meet Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's at the White House on Wednesday, September 2. In a press release, the White House stated that the meeting will convey forth US stance about the territorial integrity of Ukraine in the face of Russias ongoing aggression in the Donbas and Crimea, and will be a show of solidarity between the two countries. The meeting was originally scheduled for August 30 but was postponed by at least 2 days due to ongoing evacuation efforts in Kabul as the US nears the August 31 deadline for the complete withdrawal of the troops.

The meeting demonstrates close cooperation between the two countries on energy security, and our backing for President Zelenskyys efforts to tackle corruption and implement a reform agenda based on our shared democratic values, according to a statement from the White House press secretary Jen Psaki. It would be Zelenskiys first-ever White House visit after US President Joe Biden assumed the presidency.

Biden met Israeli PM

Two days ago, US President Joe Biden met Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for the first time since the two leaders assumed office. In his tweets mentioning the strategic meeting as Bennett arrived at the White House, Biden said that both the leaders strengthened the enduring partnership between the two nations and the US underscored its unwavering commitment to Israels security. He stressed that it was an honour to welcome the Israeli Prime Minister at the White House on Wednesday. The 50-minute bilateral Oval Office meeting which was slated for Thursday was rescheduled in the aftermath of the suicide bomber attack on the US forces in Kabul that claimed the lives of 13 US marines, and at least 92 Afghans.

Biden told reporters that the two discussed the threat from Iran and our commitment to ensure Iran never develops a nuclear weapon. The US President said that he preferred diplomacy with Tehran indicating at the new Raisi administration but there are, he stressed, other options if the diplomacy fails; adding that the US hopes for a close personal relationship with Israels new PM.
Ahead of the Afghanistan evacuation deadline, the United States is now hosting a meeting with key partners on the issue. The US will host the virtual ministerial meeting with the representatives of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Qatar, the European Union and NATO, to discuss the Afghan situation. The meeting is set to be key as the US could chalk out a potential strategy for the situation only hours ahead of the evacuation deadline.

Foreign ministers from several countries along with the European Union and NATO will meet virtually today to discuss strategy on Afghanistan. The meeting of "key partners", will look for the way forward after the evacuation deadline. "The participants will discuss an aligned approach for the days and weeks ahead," a statement by the US State Department said.

The meeting comes only hours after the US carried out a drone attack in the region as a reply to the Kabul bombing that went down on Thursday. President Biden had warned of another terror attack in the capital. Following the meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be giving updates on the situation in Afghanistan.

Around 100 countries reaffirm commitment to evacuation

Earlier on Sunday, around 100 countries, including the US and its European allies, issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to ensuring the safe travel of their citizens and at-risk Afghan nationals outside Afghanistan. In the joint statement, the countries informed that they have been assured by the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen will be allowed to safely move out of the war-torn nation.

"We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us, and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan," the statement said. "We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries," it added.

Among the countries that signed the statement were Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom. The statement was issued on the basis of public statements made by the Taliban "confirming this understanding". The statement came a day after the Taliban's Political Office announced that Afghan citizens intending to move out of the country would be allowed to do so in a "dignified manner". However, the Taliban had also informed that the August 31 deadline wont be allowed to be extended in any manner.

IMAGE: TWITTER/ AP
The White House on Monday has confirmed the latest rocket attack in Afghanistan's Kabul as evacuation operations continue before the August 31 deadline. Issuing a statement, the White House informed that US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chief of Staff Ron Klain have briefed President Joe Biden about the rocket attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport.

'Operations continue uninterrupted': White House issues statement after rocket attack

The White House statement further read that President Joe Biden was informed about the ongoing evacuation operations which continue uninterrupted. In addition, it further stated that Biden has reconfirmed his order that commanders must step up their efforts to prioritise steps that will ensure the safety of American forces on ground.

White House confirms rocket attack at Kabul airport, says operations continue uninterrupted pic.twitter.com/fNfkayOcqu  ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021

Rockets fired at Kabul Airport; missile defense system intercepts

Earlier on Monday, several rockets were heard flying over Kabul. Reports initially stated that the targets remained unclear. However, local sources later reported that the rockets were fired from a vehicle at Aspha Square near the airport. The rocket attacks were repelled by Kabul International Airport's defense system.

Afghanistan: As many as five rockets were fired at Kabul airport but were intercepted by a missile defense system, reports Reuters quoting a US official  ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021

First Footage - Several rockets heard flying over #Kabul. pic.twitter.com/wt6ySy8Be9  Muslim Shirzad (@MuslimShirzad) August 30, 2021

White House: US has capacity to evacuate remaining Americans

Meanwhile, the White House has stated that United States has the capacity to evacuate the approximately 300 U.S. citizens remaining in Afghanistan who want to leave before President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline.

"This is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission these last couple of days," America's top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said not long before confirmation of that airstrike in Kabul, the capital.

The evacuation flow of Americans kept pace even as a new State Department security alert, issued hours before the military action, instructed people to leave the airport area immediately due to a specific, credible threat. Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said that:

"For those U.S. citizens seeking immediately to leave Afghanistan by the looming deadline, we have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining. We moved out more than that number just yesterday. So from our point of view, there is an opportunity right now for American citizens to come, to be admitted to the airport and to be evacuated safely and effectively,"

With AP Inputs
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A former student leader during the 2019 protest movement in Hong Kong is applying for political asylum in the United States after fleeing the city, where police had issued a warrant for his arrest.

Sunny Cheung, a former student union leader at the University of Hong Kong, announced on his Facebook page earlier this month that he had arrived in the U.S. after a period of time in the U.K., during which the Chinese government complained that he was "anti-China."

Cheung, who left Hong Kong on Sept. 15, 2020 without saying where he was going, recently received a master's program scholarship from The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University based in Washington.

He spoke to RFA's Cantonese Service about his hopes, fears, and plans for the future:

Life in exile is painful. I don't ask others to try to understand it, because I think people in prison have it even tougher. The fact that I am applying for political asylum shows that Hong Kong is now in an era of white terror and totalitarianism. I worried that I would start to lose my identity as a Hongkonger; also that my Hong Kong passport will expire. That's why I applied for asylum. I needed to have a sense of security, and a definite identity to settle down somewhere with, which will be helpful to anything I want to do further down the line.

Those who leave always feel guilty, but taking action can make up for it. Why was I the one who survived? Why did I leave my comrades behind? All I can do is expect a bit more of myself, to do a bit more, and to work hard on their behalf.

I really love my home, so the homesickness has been very intense for me during the past year. I hope to channel it into motivation, in the hope of getting to get home sooner, and ending this sense of indefinite separation. That's the most important thing.

Whatever is going on in Hong Kong or Taiwan is also about geopolitical factors that affect why people might want to help us, and why we need to build a strong foundation of [international] support.

It shows that we could become an area that is ungovernable by the [ruling] Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and a thorn in the side of [CCP general secretary] Xi Jinping.

The fact that we can give Xi Jinping a headache shows how powerful we are. Our determination to fight for freedom and democracy makes common cause with other countries that wish to contain China.

But we won't be able to achieve a great deal more unless all of that starts aligning, and a variety of different factors come into play at the same time.

Back home, there is less and less room for any of that to happen. Civil society groups are now looking at how to fragment, now that a lot of major organizations are disbanding, looking at the next steps for going underground.

We need to build our economic foundation overseas. If we look at some of the most successful overseas democratic movements during the past few decades ... their success has rested on a fairly strong foundation of commercial backing and funding, not just on lobbying. [Their members] also became influential business owners and professionals.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
A Beijing-backed op-ed highlights the loss of highly trained medical personnel in the wake of a draconian national security law.

Net departures from Hong Kong hit nearly 90,000 in the year following the imposition of the national security law by Beijing, according to recent figures from the city's census and statistics department.

In the biggest decline in the city's population since records began in 1961, Hong Kong saw a net outflow of 89,200 residents in June 2021. The departures have led to a 1.2 percent drop in the city's population, the Census and Statistics Department reported.

Until now, Hong Kong and Chinese officials have sought to play down the scale of the exodus, brushing aside the impact on the city's economic and professional life.

But on Monday, a Chinese state media organization, CRNTT, was the first to acknowledge that highly skilled people are leaving in large numbers.

In an Aug. 30 report, it was the first media organization under the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to admit the link between the ongoing exodus from Hong Kong and the national security law, which took effect from July 1, 2020.

"There is a high proportion of professionals -- 12 percent -- among those emigrating," the article said.

"The Hong Kong government should pay close attention to the increase in the number of professionals emigrating, and set out a long-term response strategy," it said.

The article appeared particularly concerned over the loss of medical professionals from Hong Kong, suggesting the government focus on recruiting healthcare workers from mainland China and overseas.

The exodus looks set to hit the healthcare sector hard, with the Hospital Authority (HA) reporting the loss of 4.6 percent of doctors and 6.5 percent of nurses in public hospitals.

'A worrying situation'

HA chairman Henry Fan said public hospitals are in "a worrying situation," linking the loss of doctors and nurses to the current migration wave, as those leaving had applied for detailed service records and paid up their taxes in advance, a prerequisite for leaving the city.

He said private hospitals were also seeing their doctors emigrating, and were making the situation worse by recruiting doctors from public hospitals, Fan said in a comments that were widely reported in local media earlier this month.

Meanwhile, a survey commissioned by the pro-Beijing think tank Path of Democracy found that around one third (33 percent) of respondents were planning to emigrate.

Some 30 percent of people have reported plans to leave Hong Kong for good since the national security law ushered in a city-wide crackdown on public dissent and political opposition and the government launched a patriotic "national security education" program in schools, abolishing the Liberal Studies critical thinking program.

Many of those departing for good have told RFA that they have no wish to see their children taught CCP propaganda in schools, as the chilling effect from the national security law spreads across the education sector, from kindergarten to universities.

The poll came as a prominent independent bookstore announced it was shutting up shop, as the owner and his family got ready to leave Hong Kong.

"It is with great sadness that I need to announce that Bleak House Books will be closing," owner Albert Wan said in a blog post at the weekend, announcing the shop's closure on Oct. 15, 2021.

"The decision to close the bookshop follows another equally painful and sad decision, which is that my family and I will be leaving Hong Kong in the near future," Wan wrote. "The backdrop to these developments is, of course, politics."

Wan added: We are living in uncertain, even dangerous times."



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
As Beijings investment in Laos increases, more students see the Chinese language as an essential skill.

This Jan. 2020 file photo shows a Chinese language school in Houeyxay, Bokeo Province, Laos that is supported by the Construction Department of China's Guangdong province.

Recent high school graduates in Laos are increasingly opting to study Chinese at university in hopes of finding better employment, indicating that the country's youth feel that Laoss future lies with Beijing, students told RFA.

Chinese investment in Laos was a mere 1.5 percent of its total foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2003, but Beijing accounted for 79 percent of FDI in Laos in 2018. The sharp rise in investment has prompted job hunters in Laos to view proficiency in the Chinese language as an essential skill.

A student who graduated from a high school in the capital Vientiane told RFAs Lao Service that students are flocking to the Chinese language major because they believe that after graduation it will be easier to find a high-paying job, and that most businesses will need workers who can speak Chinese.

Another recent graduate from the northeastern province of Hua Phanh told RFA that he chose to take the entrance exam to the National University of Laos to major in Chinese language as his first choice and English language as a second choice.

I think in the future businesses will need people who know Chinese. At the present time, markets here in the northern parts of Laos mostly sell products from China, the Hua Phanh student said.

Laos will also have a high-speed rail connecting to China, so we will need more people who speak Chinese, the student said, referring to the high-speed Lao-China Railway, scheduled for completion in December.

In the southern province of Savannakhet, another recent graduate told RFA that he would study Chinese, following in the footsteps of his older brother and sister.

They graduated as Chinese majors from the National University and have jobs with salaries of five to six million kip (U.S. $523  627) per month, higher than even government officials.

If you have a job with a high salary working with Chinese people, you get more money than working with Lao employers, the Savannakhet student said.

'It's just easier to find a job'

In Oudomxay province, in the northwest, a recent graduate there said that many of Oudomxays students are also opting to study Chinese.

Its just easier to find a job as a Chinese language speaker. We can learn Chinese at the Chinese center in town. If were good at it we can become Chinese teachers, the Oudomxay student said.

Oudomxay has a lot of Chinese investments, so if anyone can speak Chinese, they are preferred at hiring time, he said.

A professor of Chinese language at the National University of Laos said that its Chinese language department will only accept 240 people into the major this year, which is slightly higher than the previous years 200.

Lao students want to learn Chinese because they know that Laos will have the high-speed train and that it will bring in even more Chinese investment projects, the professor said.

Chinese investment in Laos will of course require Lao workers who can speak Chinese, and they can earn higher salaries that way, the professor said.

According to statistics from the website of the National University of Laos, Chinese language was the most popular major for new students in the 2021-2022 school year, with 988 taking the entrance exam. The next most popular major was economics, followed by management and then banking and finance.

Partnerships with schools

In an effort to promote studies of Chinese language and culture worldwide, Beijing has established partnerships with foreign universities to set up language schools, called Confucius Institutes.

The Confucius Institute at the National University of Laos is by far the largest and most popular Chinese language school in the country, an employee of the institute told RFA in February.

Universities in China have also been setting up campuses in Laos.

Soochow University in Laos is also expanding by building a new campus in the Vientiane suburbs. Several hundred students who attend the university want to continue their studies at Soochow University in China, the institute employee said.

Though the World Bank in October 2020 acknowledged that Laos has made many developmental gains over the past two decades by halving poverty, decreasing malnutrition, and improving education and health, it also said that Vientiane could do better at schooling children.

A child born in Laos today will only be half as productive as she could be if she enjoyed full health and education While a Lao child goes to school for 10.8 years on average, she only receives the equivalent of 6.4 years of learning, the World Bank said.

According to UNESCO, in 2019 91.6 percent of Lao children of primary school age were enrolled in schools, but for secondary school-aged students the enrollment figure was 58.8 percent.

UNICEF in 2017 reported that only a third of Lao students in grade 3 met literacy standards, and only a fifth passed math standards for promotion to grade 4.

For each additional year of education among young adults, poverty rates were 9 percent lower, the report said.

Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
News of detentions and of disappearances and deaths in custody is frequently delayed in reaching outside contacts because of communication clampdowns imposed by Chinese authorities.

Tibetan writer and environmental activist Sey Nam, now believed held in an unknown location, is shown in an undated photo.

Rights groups called on the world on Monday to remember the Tibetans, Uyghurs, and members of other groups who have been forcibly disappeared at the hands of Chinese authorities, with one rights group estimating disappearances in Chinas mainland alone at up to 50,000 in the current year.

In Tibetan areas of China, at least 40 cases of enforced disappearance have been recorded during the last three years, said Dharamsala, India-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) in a statement on Aug. 30, the 38th annual International Day of the Disappeared.

Victims have included monks and nuns, writers and artists, farmers and community leaders, and students and other intellectuals, TCHRD said in its report, adding that the majority of those disappeared were described by authorities as suspects in cases of endangering state security or disclosing state secrets.

In one recent case, two residents of the Tachu township in the Nagchu (in Chinese, Naqu) municipality of the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture were detained in 2019 for resisting forced patriotic education during the run-up to the 70th founding anniversary of the Peoples Republic of China, TCHRD said.

Norsang, 36, one of those detained, was taken into custody in September, and another man, Lhadar, 37, was detained a month later.

In May 2021, it was learned that Norsang had died in custody a week after his detention in 2019, TCHRD said, citing a source who informed the rights group that the man had been subjected to severe beatings and torture, leading to his death.

News of detentions and of disappearances and deaths in custody is frequently delayed from reaching outside contacts because of strict communications clampdowns imposed by Chinese authorities in Tibetan areas.

[But] Tibetans continue to disappear every year, crippling family life and community cohesion, TCHRD added, calling on China to ratify the United Nations Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

There are so many Tibetans who are arrested by the Chinese government, yet their whereabouts and the reasons for their arrests remain unknown for a very long time, Pema Gyal, a researcher at the London-based rights group Tibet Watch, told RFAs Tibetan Service.

Some even die, but the information about them remains unknown.

The Chinese government enforces its control on Tibetans by means of political threats and punishments, so Tibetans have no political or civil rights or the right to freedom of expression, Gyal said, adding that China claims to be a country that respects the law and that it will become a "rule-of-law" nation by 2035.

However, we know that there are no human rights or freedom for Tibetans living in Tibet, so the claim they are a law-abiding nation is a complete lie, he said.

'Dark deeds'

Also on Monday, the Washington-based Campaign for Uyghurs said that China has now become a primary perpetrator of force disappearances, adding that Chinas ruling Communist Party has moved over a million Uyghurs into internment camps and prison cells, targeting the mostly Muslim ethnic group because of its religion and national identity.

Their dark deeds are performed with the full knowledge of the existence of the United Nations and international governments, and yet the Chinese government is still being given every opportunity to shine on the world stage, the Campaign said in its statement.

Beijing will soon be hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics while engaged in the forced disappearance of Uyghur intellectuals, scholars, and civil servants as part of an ongoing program of active genocide, the Campaign said.

We must not allow the Beijing Olympics to serve as a platform for this regime to display its false human rights record on the international stage," the rights group added.

As many as 50,000 people may have vanished at the same time into programs of residential surveillance and other systems of detention in Chinas mainland, according to Safeguard Defenders, a rights group based in Madrid and with offices across Asia.

China now uses at least six methods for forced disappearance, including holding persons incommunicado in residential locations and retaining persons in custody after their sentences end, Safeguard Defenders said.

Other victims disappear after their formal release from prison, are registered under false names in pre-trial detention centers, or are held in administrative detention, while others more rarely are simply kidnapped, the rights group said.

Reported by Sangyal Kunchok for RFAs Tibetan Service and by the Uyghur Service. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Kalbinur Gheni told former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about the detention of her sister for praying after their fathers death.

A Uyghur woman who met with a U.S. official in December to discuss the imprisonment of her sister by authorities in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region has been pressured to stop speaking out about her siblings, while her relatives have been subjected to frequent questioning by police in their hometown.

Kalbinur Gheni, 35, who has been living in the United States since 2019, has used social media and traditional media to search for her sister, Renagul Gheni, presuming that she was being held in a detention facility. She later discovered that Renagul had been sentenced to 17 years in prison for observing religious rites after the death of their father and for keeping religious books in her possession, which she also loaned to others.

A teacher and mother of two children, Renagul, 39, was taken to a reeducation camp in 2018 as part of a group of educators and was transferred to a prison this May, according to her sister, Kalbinur said.

Up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been detained in a network of internment camps in the XUAR, where they have been subject to political indoctrination, abuse, and forced labor.

Because Kalbinur had not been able to communicate with her family in the XUAR since 2017, she was unaware of her sisters detention, and found out about it through friends in Beijing in May 2019.

More recently, Kalbinur contacted what she believed to be the Foreign Affairs Office of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) of Bayingholin (Bayingouleng) Mongol Prefecture, where Korla is located. Someone there told her he was going to the PSB in Cherchen (Qiemo) county and would meet with Renagul.

After they went, I learned that she had been moved along with a group of women from the detention center in Cherchen county to the womens prison in Sanji [Changji] on May 5, 2021, she said.

Kalbinur met briefly with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Dec. 3, 2020, to discuss the fate of her sister. Since then, the womans family based in Korla (in Chinese, Kuerle), the second-largest city in the XUAR, has been interrogated frequently by Chinese authorities, she told RFA in an interview last week.

Authorities have begun to pressure Kalbinur both directly and indirectly through her family members, even going so far as to send a voice message from Renagul asking her to cease her involvement in what they called unsubstantiated or untoward matters, Kalbinur said.

I explained that even though [the U.S.] was taking real action, the situation had not once improved for Uyghurs back in our homeland [or] for our families; that it was in fact getting worse as time goes on, Kalbinur said of her conversation with Pompeo.

She said she discussed the case of her sister, noting that the arrests of sentencings of Uyghurs in the XUAR was prevalent.

This isnt just happening to my family, its also happening to my friends, the people around me, and to the Uyghur people, Kalbinur said. We are all living on the earth but seeing the hell of the afterlife. Thats what I said to him.

Kalbinur stressed that the Chinese government is attempting to control the families of Uyghurs abroad by essentially taking them hostage.

She also detailed some of the many threats she has received, noting that the authorities have attempted to bargain with her by using her family members as bait.

Pressure on the family

Pompeo told Kalbinur that the U.S. knew about the situation, and that it was possible that officials knew even more than she did, adding that the incoming Biden administration would not change the U.S.s stance on human rights issues

He said the position of the U.S. government and the American people would never change, Kalbinur recounted. Not long after, he declared the Chinese governments treatment of the Uyghurs as genocide. After this was publicized, they [the Chinese government] began investigating and threatening me.

On Jan. 19, Pompeos final day as secretary of state, the U.S. State Department issued a statement declaring that China is perpetrating genocide and crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs, a stance that current U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has affirmed.

In the meantime, authorities from the prefecture and country levels went to Kalbinurs mothers home in Korla and told her that her daughter was meeting with U.S. officials and that she was speaking out against the Chinese] government, Kalbinur said.

They tried to use my mother to make me stop what I was doing, she told RFA. I told them they could talk to me if they had anything to say to me, and they have been in touch with me via social media ever since.

The authorities are trying every way they can think of to get in touch with me, including visiting my mother, sending police to my younger brother, putting pressure on them, Kalbinur said.

In a message to her sister, Renagul said that two people, likely police officers, who visited her showed her photos of the two siblings together, and told her that Kalbinur was a graduate student studying and working in the U.S. She asks Kalbinur to not be influenced by bad ideas and bad views.

I dont wish for you to be a bad person or to be sent to a reeducation center like I was, Renagul told her sister. I dont want you to be naive like I was and do something that violates the law. Please remember what Im saying to you or else I will truly come to look down on you.

One police officer working on behalf of the government who had contacted Kalbinur accused her of unstable thinking and going back on her word after authorities allowed her to hear her sisters voice before discussing other matters later, referring to the possible early release of her sister.

We worked so hard, doing everything we could, to let you hear your sisters voice, thinking it would make you happy, and now youre going back to your original position. How is your thinking this unstable? the police officer said.

It appears that you dont actually want your sister to get out early, the man said.

When you talk, you say sweet things like that you cant sleep at night because youre thinking about your sister, but it appears as though all of it is just empty talk. If you keep fighting with us like this, if you keep going on like this, things are just going to continue as they are.

They have one goal

Kalbinur said that Chinese authorities in the XUAR do not want her to express any different opinions about my sister or information about the detention camps and prisons, and want her to accept that Renagul was sentenced for praying and reading religious books.

They have one goal: Whether its for me or my family back home, they want us to accept the crimes my sister has been accused of, she said. They want my family to accept it and they want me to accept it, and they want us not to talk. Thats their goal.

The Uyghur Human Rights Project, an advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., that promotes human rights for Uyghurs, issued a report in June describing and analyzing videos released by the Chinese government about the personal and family lives of Uyghurs.

The 57-page report confirms that Chinese authorities force Uyghurs who have been detained to appear on camera and speak out against their relatives abroad, as well as against the broader movement calling for Uyghur human rights.

Reported by Nuriman Abdurashid for RFAs Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
A Uyghur instructor stands near a window during a class at the Xinjiang Islamic Institute as a Chinese flag flies outside, in Urumqi, capital of northwestern China's Xinjiang region, April 22, 2021.

China is pursuing a population optimization strategy to dilute the Uyghur majority in southern Xinjiang by raising the proportion of Han Chinese through immigration while imposing strict birth controls on the Uyghurs, says a report based on official Chinese documents and academic debate.

The new report by German researcher Adrian Zenz is the latest of a series of studies of Chinese measures to control and assimilate the 12 million Uyghurs of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) that have formed the basis of genocide accusations against Beijing laid by several Western governments and legislatures, including the United States.

It comes two months after Zenz published a report on Chinas efforts to reduce population growth in the XUAR thorough birth control and population transfer policies that could result in a large drop in births among Uyghurs of 2.6 million to 4.5 million by 2040, based on population projections by Chinese researchers.

In End the Dominance of the Uyghur Ethnic Group: An Analysis of Beijings Population Optimization Strategy in Southern Xinjiang, published Aug. 24 in the academic journal Central Asian Survey, Zenz explores the academic and official debate in China over how to dilute the Uyghur population in southern Xinjiang.

Officials and academics describe the population share of Han Chinese, the Chinas national majority ethnic group, of 56 percent in northern Xinjiang as reasonable, while a Han population in southern Xinjiang of only eight percent is seen as a security concern, Zenz wrote in the 22-page report.

Therefore, increasing the Han population is seen as the number-one method to control southern Xinjiang and suppress the unrest that could be created by Uyghurs in resistance, Zenz told RFA in an interview.

So you have to dilute the Uyghur population and to do that you have to limit Uyghur population growth while also trying to bring in large numbers of Han, and you cannot just have a highly increased population in southern Xinjiang, because there's only so much water, so much arable land, so many resources, he said.

Easier to police

Xinjiang is divided into distinct northern and southern halves by the Tianshan mountain range, with the capital Urumqi and the regions industrial base in the north, where most Han Chinese live, and Uyghurs living more traditional lives in the southern half of the XUAR, which is the size of Alaska or Iran.

China's policies are designed to achieve assimilation [by] trying to neutralize, assimilate, and dilute the Uyghur population, added Zenz. It's also a way to promote intermarriage, interethnic marriage, which is another way to dilute the Uyghurs, said a senior fellow in China Studies at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C.

If you mix a lot of Han into a Uyghur community, that community changes. You can also justify a change in policy, so that you no longer need to respect the minority language or religion because it's no longer mono-ethnic, [but rather] multiethnic, he said.

China has continually demolished mosques; imprisoned Uyghur intellectuals, artists and business leaders; replaced Uyghur with Chinese as the main language in schools; and built a pervasive and intrusive surveillance system to monitor Uyghurs moves, previous RFA reports have documented.

Involuntary birth prevention measures could result in a loss of several million lives. A smaller ethnic minority population will also be easier to police, control and assimilate, Zenzs report says.

Arguably, the strategy to optimize the population gives us a clear understanding of the governments long-term intent regarding southern Xinjiangs ethnic minority populations, he wrote.

Zenz concludes that Chinas plans to reduce the ethnic minority population could constitute crimes under 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which holds that imposing measures intended to prevent births within a group constitutes an act of genocide when committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, as such.

Population 'optimization' discourses and related policies provide a basis to assess Beijings intent to destroy an ethnic minority population in part through birth prevention per the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, says the papers abstract.

Han Chinese couples dance in a square in Hotan, northwestern China's Xinjiang region, in a file photo. Credit: AFP

Optimization talk raises alarms

The 'destruction in part' can be assessed as the difference between projected natural population growth without substantial government interference and reduced growth scenarios in line with population optimization requirements, the report says.

Zenz has been vilified in state media for his research, and in March he was one of 10 European individuals and four entities hit with travel and other sanctions by China in response to European Union penalties imposes on XUAR officials for abuses of Uyghurs.

In 2018, Zenzs research found that up to one million Uyghurs were being held in internment camps in the XUAR, an accusation that Chinese officials at first denied, but later acknowledged, calling them vocational training centers designed to combat religious extremism.

In June 2020, Zenz documented the forced sterilization of detained Uyghur women, with authorities imposing surgery, giving them medication that affected reproductive cycles, or implanting intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Uyghur groups welcomed the new report, which comes weeks before the Sept. 10-13 second round of hearings in London known as the Uyghur Tribunal investigating whether China's treatment of its ethnic Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims constitutes genocide.

In June, more than 30 witnesses and experts provided testimony at the first round of the tribunal about enforced disappearances, the compulsory sterilization of women and forced contraception, organ harvesting, and torture by Chinese authorities in the XUAR. The tribunal has no state backing or powers of sanction or enforcement.

Eugenic and genocidal intent

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, said the report reveals Chinas intention to target and reduce the Uyghur population.

Although China has been rejecting the findings and reports of international media, think tanks and research organizations for exposing the ongoing Uyghur genocide, this report further bolsters the fact that China is in fact committing genocide, he said, calling on the international community to act without delay to stop it.

Yonas Diamond, legal counsel at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights in Montreal, said Zenz has delivered crucial findings about how Beijing adopts and implements policies against Uyghurs, particularly in southern Xinjiang, where they make up the majority of the population.

This just adds to already the mountain of evidence that we have demonstrating the way the Chinese government targets the destructive campaign against the Uyghur sand other Muslims in the region, he told RFA.

You really know that when these researchers and government policies are targeting southern Xinjiang, its really about targeting the Uyghur population, and thats important because now we have more evidence of the genocidal language baked into the policy that is obscured behind technical language, Diamond said.

But really what's there is eugenic and genocidal intent.

Reported by Kurban Niyaz and Alim Seytoff for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by Alim Seytoff. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
The Interfax news agency has quoted two sources as saying that Kira Yarmysh, the spokeswoman for jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, has left Russia after a court restricted her freedom for allegedly violating coronavirus protocols by urging people to rally in support of the Kremlin critic.

One source told the news agency on August 30 that Yarmysh had "left the territory of the Russian Federation," while another source said she "has left for Helsinki," in neighboring Finland.

On April 16, a Moscow court sentenced Yarmysh to 18 months of so-called "restricted freedom," which means that she cannot change her permanent address, leave Moscow and the surrounding region without police permission, or take part in public events.

Yarmysh was found guilty of violating restrictive measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus by publicly calling for people to take part in unsanctioned rallies to support Navalny in January.

Last week, Yarmysh filed an appeal against the court ruling.

Several of Navalny's supporters have been convicted on similar charges and given freedom-limitation sentences in recent weeks.

Earlier reports said that one of Navalny's closest associates, Lyubov Sobol, had left Russia for an unspecified country after she was handed an 18-month restricted-freedom sentence in the case in early August. The reports have not been confirmed either by Sobol or her associates.

Navalny, 45, fell violently ill one year ago while on a passenger flight in Siberia, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing after which he was rushed to hospital. Days later, he was airlifted to a clinic in Berlin, where doctors battled to save his life. It was later determined by several laboratories that he had been poisoned with a Soviet-style nerve agent.

Upon his return from Germany in January, Navalny was jailed for parole violations of what he says were politically motivated convictions. He has blamed President Vladimir Putin for the poisoning, while the Kremlin denies any involvement.

Thousands have been arrested across Russia for demonstrating in support of Putin's most vocal critic in a sometimes violent crackdown on dissent ahead of September parliamentary elections.

Navalny and his associates have been calling on voters in Russia to use their so-called Smart Voting system to support candidates in the elections to defeat Kremlin-linked figures and candidates for United Russia, the ruling party backed by Putin.

With reporting by Interfax
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says Uzbekistan is willing to open its borders to people fleeing from Taliban rule in Afghanistan who are on a German list of those in need of being evacuated from the war-torn country.



Speaking during a four-day trip to Central Asia, Pakistan, and the Middle East, Maas said on August 30 that the situation surrounding further evacuations of German citizens, local Afghan staff, and at-risk groups such as human rights activists and journalists in Afghanistan was the focus of his agenda.



Germany has said it plans to take in 40,000 people from Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban takeover more than two weeks ago -- either by plane if Kabul airport can be kept open after the U.S. pullout planned for August 31 or overland to neighboring countries.



"Uzbekistan is prepared to help us with this group of people," Maas told journalists in the Uzbek capital.



From Uzbekistan, Maas is set to travel to Tajikistan for talks in Dushanbe later on August 30. The next day, he will have meetings in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.



During a stop in Turkey on August 29, Maas promised economic and humanitarian assistance to countries sharing land borders with Afghanistan to deal with the fallout of the hard-line Islamist groups takeover of the country.



The German minister will also visit Qatar, where he is expected to talk with Taliban officials on continuing evacuation flights from Kabul once U.S. forces fully withdraw from the country.

Qatar has played an outsized role in U.S.-led efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan.



The international airlift has taken more than 117,000 foreigners and Afghans out of Kabul airport. Qatar has said that more than 43,000 have passed through the tiny Persian Gulf nation.



In Tashkent, Maas also said that Russia and China need to be involved in talks on the future of Afghanistan, including on plans for the evacuation of Afghans.



He said that an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council later on August 30 would be an indication of whether Moscow and Beijing are willing to cooperate.



There are efforts under way "to bring all important international partners to the table, and so it will be important that Russia and China are also there," Maas said.



Unlike the three other permanent members of the Security Council  Britain, France, and the United States -- Russia and China have kept their embassies in Kabul open.

With reporting by Reuters, dpa, and AP
Poland has detained 13 activists for trying to destroy part of a fence along the border with Belarus that has been erected to help stem the flow of illegal migrants crossing into the country.



Poland's Border Guard Service said late on August 29 that the detained suspects include 12 Polish nationals and one citizen of the Netherlands.



European Union member Poland -- along with Lithuania -- has seen a surge of migrants arriving across its border with Belarus in recent weeks, which officials say is being facilitated by Belarus's authoritarian leader, Alyaksandr Lukashanka, in retaliation for sanctions over his crackdown on the country's pro-democracy movement following a disputed presidential election in August 2020..



Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski called the activists' attempt to destroy the barrier "absolutely unacceptable," adding that all of the perpetrators will face full criminal prosecution.



"We will react to such actions with full determination," Kaminski tweeted on August 29.



Minsk has been accused of sending migrants from Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere across the border in a hybrid war to create instability in the 27-nation bloc.



In reaction, Poland recently erected a barbed wire fence along the border and has said it plans to build a 2.5-meter high wall along the frontier with Belarus.



The crisis hit a new level last week when Poland accused the Belarusian authorities of not allowing humanitarian assistance to be delivered to a group of about 30 migrants stranded on the border between the two countries.



Polish and Belarusian border guards have been keeping the group of migrants, mostly from Afghanistan and Iraq, trapped in a small area on the border, as both countries avoid responsibility for them.
Prosecutors in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk have asked a court to sentence an anarchist couple to six years in prison each on charges of hooliganism and vandalism motivated by hatred and enmity.



Pavel Chikov of the legal defense organization Agora wrote on Telegram that prosecutors asked the Central District court in the Ural's city to convict Dmitry Tsibukovsky and his wife Anastasia Safonova on August 30.



The charges against the couple stem from their placing a large banner in February 2018 near the building of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in Chelyabinsk, saying "FSB -- Main Terrorist."



By placing the banner, Tsibukovsky and Safonova expressed their solidarity with a group of activists arrested in 2017-2018 for allegedly creating a terrorist group called Set (Network), with cells in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Penza, and Omsk, as well as in neighboring Belarus.



Last year, nine members of the group were convicted of terrorism and handed lengthy prison terms.

Amnesty International has called the terror charges "a figment of the Russian security services' imagination...fabricated in an attempt to silence these activists."



The London-based human rights watchdog maintains that the case is the latest politically-motivated abuse of the justice system to target young people.



Tsibukovsky and Safonova were initially arrested in 2018. Tsibukovsky said at the time that they were tortured while in custody. The case was closed twice after investigators failed to prove elements of a crime in the couples actions.



They were additionally charged with vandalism over graffiti protesting unpopular pension reforms in 2018.



The couple were rearrested in April 2020 and spent four months in pretrial detention before they were transferred to house arrest.
Hungary's election authority has approved a bid to hold a referendum over the planned construction of a Chinese university in Budapest, the mayor of the Hungarian capital said on August 30.



Mayor Gergely Karacsony said on Facebook that the National Election Committee (NVB) had approved his referendum question.



Karacsony said a drive to collect 200,000 signatures required to trigger the referendum process will begin next month if the NVB's decision is not challenged in court.



Citizens will be asked if they wish to repeal a law adopted earlier this year by parliament, which is dominated by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing Fidesz party, that gave a green light to the plan.



The plan advanced further in June when Fidesz lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to donate several plots along the Danube River to the Fudan Hungary University Foundation to build the university.



The decision to build the campus by 2024 using a $1.5 billion loan from a Chinese bank has raised concerns about the long-term impact of such a project on the country's higher-education system. There have been demonstrations in the streets of Budapest voicing criticism that the government is getting overly cozy with Beijing.



The government has argued that having a campus of the Fudan University would allow Hungarian and international students to acquire high-quality qualifications.



But critics, including Karacsony, fear a lack of transparency and academic freedom.



Karacsony, 46, plans to challenge Orban in an election early next year.



The 58-year-old prime minister, in power since 2010, backs the project. But he appeared to bow to the mounting clamor for a referendum in June, saying it should happen only after the project's final plans are made public by the end of 2022.

Based on reporting by AFP
Kosovo has received 55 armored security vehicles donated by the United States for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF).

The United States has steadily supported the KSF's 3,400-strong force, which was turned into a regular army more than two years ago, although its name has not been changed to armed forces as planned.

President Vjosa Osmani said the donation was further proof of the "special and close relationship" between the two countries.

Earlier this year, Kosovo sent a military platoon to Kuwait, its first involvement in an international peacekeeping mission.

Kosovo on August 29 also welcomed a group of 111 NATO-affiliated Afghan evacuees.

Kosovo, a former Serbian province, declared independence in 2008 after a 1998-99 conflict between separatist ethnic Albanian rebels and Serbian forces. The war ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that drove Serbian troops out, and a peacekeeping force moved in.

Kosovo's independence has been recognized by more than 100 countries including the United States and all but five of the European Union's 27 member states. But Serbia still considers the territory as its southern province and is supported by Russia and China.

With reporting by AP
MOSCOW -- A Moscow court has sentenced another supporter of jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny to 18 months of so-called "restricted freedom," a parole-like sentence, for allegedly violating restrictive measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.



The Moscow Court of Common Jurisdiction said on Telegram that the Preobrazhensky district court handed down the sentence to Moscow municipal lawmaker Dmitry Baranovsky on August 30 after he was found guilty of publicly calling for people to take part in unsanctioned rallies to support the Kremlin critic in January.



According to the court ruling, Baranovsky is not allowed to leave his home from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., attend public events, or leave Moscow or the Moscow region without police permission for 18 months.



Last week, the same court sentenced another municipal lawmaker, Lyusya Shtein, to one year of restricted freedom on the same charge.



Earlier this month, other defendants in the case, Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh and his Moscow team coordinator Oleg Stepanov were sentenced to 18 months and one year of restricted freedom respectively.



Navalny's brother Oleg was found guilty of the same charges this month and handed a one-year suspended sentence and a one-year probation period.



Other Navalny associates and rights activists have been given similar sentences on the same charges.



Aleksei Navalny was arrested on January 17 after returning to Russia from Germany, where he was treated for poisoning with a Novichok-type nerve agent that he says was ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Kremlin has denied any role in the incident, which was the latest of numerous attacks on the 45-year-old lawyer.



More than 10,000 people were rounded up during nationwide rallies protesting Navalny's arrest organized in more than 100 Russian towns and cities on January 23 and January 31.



On February 2, Navalny was convicted of violating the terms of his suspended sentence related to an embezzlement case that he has called politically motivated. The remainder of Navalny's suspended sentence, 2 1/2 years, was then replaced with a real prison term.



That ruling sparked new protests that were also forcibly dispersed by police.



More than 1,400 people were detained by police in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities during those demonstrations.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- An activist who publicly supports jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny's Smart Voting system says he was detained and pressed to disclose information on others by police in Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg.



Nikita Ilyin told the OVD-Info rights group that he was detained on August 29 while holding a poster saying: "Let's throw United Russia out of the [State] Duma. Smart Voting" during a single-person picket he was involved in.

Such demonstrations do not require preliminary permission from authorities.



Navalny and his associates have been calling voters in Russia to use the Smart Voting system to support candidates in the elections to defeat Kremlin-linked figures and candidates for United Russia, the ruling party, backed by President Vladimir Putin.



Ilyin said police wanted him to provide personal data on his friends, which he refused to do, saying that he wanted to use his constitutional right not to answer. He was then charged with violating pandemic regulations and released.



Separately on August 29, a leading member of the unregistered Another Russia party, Mikhail Aksel told OVD-Info that party member Kirill Iunchuk and the leader of the Mars nationalist movement, Dmitry Moralikov, were detained while walking in central St. Petersburg and charged with minor hooliganism for "speaking loudly in public."



On September 19, Russia will vote to choose members of the Russian parliaments lower chamber, the State Duma, 39 regional parliaments, and nine regional governors.



In the run-up to the voting, the Kremlin has cracked down on opposition political figures and independent media as the popularity of United Russia and Putin has been declining amid the Kremlin's flagging efforts to deal with an economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic and years of ongoing international sanctions.
Russia's Interior Ministry has banned a stand-up comic of Azerbaijani origin, Idrak Mirzalizade, from entering and residing in the country for life over his on-stage joke about Russians.

The ministry said on August 30 that the presence in the Russian Federation of Mirzalizade, a Belarusian citizen who holds permanent residence in Russia, was "undesirable" because of his statements that "incited hatred and enmity toward ethnic Russians."

"The Interior Ministry of Russia considers unacceptable any statements directed at destabilizing interethnic relations no matter the form in which they were expressed," a ministry statement said, adding that it will undertake measures in the future to prevent "extremist manifestations."

Mirzalizade, who is a well-known stand-up comedian in Moscow, has said the performance at the heart of the controversy was about problems faced by non-Russians when they want to rent an apartment in the Russian capital.

In the performance, the comedian jokes about what would happen if the perception of Russians by others was based on separate incidents, drawing a parallel with situations that shape prejudices about non-Russians living among Russians.

Mirzalizade served 10 days in jail this month for the performance.

Though he has maintained his innocence, he has also publicly offered apologies several times to "all who felt insulted by some parts of my performance, which were taken out of context."

Earlier in June, the comic wrote on Instagram that two unknown men attacked him after he received several threats because of his performance.

He also posted a video showing the moment of the attack.

Mirzalizade is an ethnic Talysh, which is a Persian-speaking ethnic minority in Azerbaijan.
Estonia says it won't issue a visa to a Russian diplomat in response to Moscow's expulsion of one of the Baltic country's diplomats from Russia last month.

The Estonian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on August 30 that it "hopes that despite its asymmetrical action, the Russian Federation refrains from a further escalation of the situation."

Russia's relations with the West, including the former Soviet Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, have been tense in recent years over a host of actions by Moscow, including aggression against its neighbors, allegations of election interference and state-sponsored hacking, and human rights abuses at home.

Tallinn expelled a Russian diplomat in July after Russia briefly detained the Estonian consul in St. Petersburg, Mart Latte, who was subsequently declared persona non grata for allegedly receiving classified documents.

Estonia called the incident a "set-up" and "unlawful and provocative."

Russia responded to the July expulsion of its diplomat by expelling an employee of the Estonian Embassy in early August.

The Kremlin had already expelled Estonian diplomats twice this year, both in retaliation for Estonia's expulsion of Russian diplomats.
The online ad bouncing around the Russian Internet earlier this month was for a sushi chain with growing popularity, opening dozens restaurants across Russia: four smiling young people wielding chopsticks as they dig into noodles and seaweed bowls and grab at a plate of gigantic sushi and maki rolls.

Three of the people were women, apparently Russian. One was a black man.

Conservative activists immediately unleashed a campaign of hateful, racist attacks on social media and elsewhere, accusing the owner of spreading the "propaganda of multiculturalism."

Now the owner of the chain, originally launched in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, is apologizing publicly -- and in doing so, has added new fuel to a social debate within Russia about progressive commercials in business marketing.

The incident is the second in recent months involving a Russian business putting out a marketing campaign that ostensibly appears to embrace progressive values -- only to be savaged by conservative critics.

The Russian government advocates multiculturalism and President Vladimir Putin frequently cites the country's multiethnic makeup: though Slavic Russians are by far the largest single group, Tatars, Ukrainians, and more than 180 other recognized ethnic groups are part of the country's sprawling cultural makeup.

But the state has also balked at cracking down on some nationalist groups that peddle bigoted and often racist ideas.

In a column on the business site VC.ru, Konstantin Zimyen, the founder of the chain Yobidoyobi, said his staff had been barraged with hateful comments for the ad and another one, which featured the black man posing alone.

Users of the Russian social network VK, he said, ripped into him for supporting multiculturalism -- a political idea rejected by many nationalists as a threat to Russian national identity.

Zimyen said some posters threatening him with violence, and also published his personal phone number online.

He told Russian media that he had introduced new security measures at his Krasnoyarsk apartment, and plans to appeal to the police. The company's website, meanwhile, was subjected to hacking attacks, though Zimyen didn't make clear whether it was knocked offline.

The chain, which started in 2016 in Krasnoyarsk, a city located more than 1,700 kilometers from the nearest ocean, now has 57 locations across Russia and neighboring Kazakhstan --- one indication of how the Japanese cuisine has caught on with Russian palettes over the past two decades in a big way.

"Why, in Russia in 2021, a black person provoked the ire of some people is beyond me," he wrote.

Just Making It Worse?

This is not the first such case in recent weeks, as an increasing number of Russian companies come under pressure to toe the nationalist line.

In July, a health-food chain called VkusVill withdrew a commercial featuring an LGBT couple and apologized to its customers for what it called "a mistake that exposed the unprofessionalism of some employees."

VkusVill had been attacked for the ad by conservative activists, some of whom cited Russia's controversial 2013 law commonly known as the "gay propaganda" law.

After pulling the ad, VkusVill was then lambasted by some clients for pulling it and apologizing under pressure from homophobes.

Consequences for the LGBT couple were far more dire: the two women last month revealed they had left the country with their family, amid death threats from activists.

In Siberia, Yobidoyobi has prompted similar ridicule from people who denounce the campaign against its ad as racism, pure and simple. The company's mixed messaging only made things worse.

"On behalf of the whole company we want to apologize for offending the public with our photographs," the company wrote on Instagram. "We deleted all the content that provoked this uproar."

But on its page on VK, the company phrased its apology in starker terms, specifically appealing to ethnic Russians who may have been offended by the images.

One of the most "liked" comments beneath the Instagram post was from a user who appeared to denounce the company's decision to ultimately cave in: "Welcome to the Dark Ages," the user wrote.

Russian media reported that the hate campaign against Yobidoyobi's ad was initiated by Male State, a movement that advocates patriarchy and has previously railed against feminist advocates of a law on domestic violence.

The group's leader, Vladislav Pozdnyakov, posted a screenshot of Yobidoyobi's ad to his channel on the Telegram messaging app and encouraged his users to scam the company by ordering and not paying for its sushi.

For his part, Zimyen said that he didn't plan to submit to the activists, and will not remove the controversial ad, despite apologizing for it.

"Our food is for everyone. We don't plan to abandon our principles, and urge everyone to reconcile," he told the outlet Inc. Russia.
DUSHANBE -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has proposed a mass amnesty affecting more than 16,000 people to mark the 30th anniversary of the Central Asian nation's independence on September 9.



According to a bill put forward to lawmakers by Rahmon on August 30, more than 9,500 convicts would be released from penitentiaries of different security levels, probes against some 1,150 individuals would halted, and the prison terms of some 5,300 inmates would be shortened.



The amnesty will affect mainly women, individuals younger than 18 and older than 55, disabled persons, inmates with serious illnesses, people with state awards, war veterans, and foreign nationals, the Tajik presidential press service said.



It is not clear if the clemency act will affect political prisoners in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic, though previous mass amnesties in Tajikistan have not affected individuals convicted on politically motivated charges.



Individuals sentenced to life in prison, those who committed a crime after receiving a previous pardon, people who committed crimes while serving prison sentences, and inmates who systematically violated prison order regulations, have also not been included in previous amnesties.



Rights groups say Rahmon, who has ruled Tajikistan since 1992, has used the security forces, the judicial system, and other levers of power to sideline opponents and suppress dissent.



The last mass amnesty in Tajikistan was announced in October 2019 ahead of the 25th anniversary of the country's constitution, which is marked on November 6 each year.
Its been more than two years since Volodymyr Zelenskiy was elected Ukrainian president, but this is his first visit to the White House. RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service correspondent Natalia Churikova joins host Mike Eckel to discuss what this means for the Zelenskiy presidency -- and what it means for the Kremlin, which is watching the visit closely.
Editor's Note: This is an ongoing series which runs each Thursday morning titled the Richland Chronicles by author Paul Lintern. It is set in 1831 and tells the story of Richland County through the eyes of a young girl.

Amelia woke up to an aroma that was foreign to her, but not unpleasant. Its warm aroma was enticing, like a vegetable soup on a chilly day, but she could not identify which vegetables.

It seemed to have a sweet smell of caramel, like someone boiling sorghum to make sugar, but not quite. She pulled herself out of bed and strolled outside, where the three sisters -- Peggy, Katherine and Elizabeth -- were huddled around a kettle, working on some mysterious concoction.

Breakfast smells good. What is it? Amelia asked.

Blue, we hope, said Elizabeth. Maybe red, black and green, too.

Katherine and Peggy held back a smile as they kept stirring.

Unless you have the same taste as ol Chestnut over there, youll want something different for breakfast, she added.

Were making dye, for fabrics, Peggy said.

You can do that? Amelia asked.

Someone has to, although we havent tried this way, yet. We read about it in the newspaper. It involves buckwheat. We dried it, took out the husks, then soaked in and left it to decompose. Thats when it became blue. See? Peggy said.

Amelia saw some small bricks of dried straw, and they were blue.

We dried them over the winter, and kept them until we needed the dye. Just by boiling it now, the water will turn blue and become a dye.

Do you have red or green bricks, too? Amelia asked.

Apparently, if we mix it with alkali, it becomes red, and if we put in gall nuts, it becomes a light shade of black, Peggy said.

Bruised gall nuts, Elizabeth said.

How do you bruise them, Amelia asked.

The same way you bruise anything, I suppose, Elizabeth smiled, then started hitting some of the nuts with a mallet.

The green comes when you let the water evaporate away, Peggy said.

Amelia thought how she had been to fabric stores many times, but never once thought about how they were made or dyed. She guessed someone had to do it somewhere.

May I watch? she asked.

You may help, Peggy said, handing her the long wooden spoon.

You stir, and Ill make breakfast, if you dont want buckwheat.

Sounds fair, Amelia said, while Elizabeth and Katherine sat down to sew some repairs on a couple of shirts.

Where is Uncle Jacob?

He and John are taking down a couple of trees that were damaged in the straight wind last month. The limbs are hanging dangerously over the livestock, Elizabeth said.

I dont even want to think about it, Katherine said.

Amelia gave a puzzled look. Elizabeth explained.

Katherines first husband, Isaacs father, was killed by a falling tree, when he was clearing a field about 10 years ago. We all get the willies when any of that is done.

When these fields are first cleared, the farmers just cut a ring around the base of the tree, about an inch into the wood. The flow of water in the tree just stops, and the tree dies. Even the biggest old tree can die if it is cut just that deep. The trees stay standing for years, but without the leaves, and so we plant seeds around the trees, because enough sun can still get to the plants. It makes for ugly fields, but it is a quick way to start planting, and thats whats important.

Eventually, the trees fall over, but usually the farmer tries to clear them a few at a time. Its just so dangerous.

After David died, Katherine had a farm mortgage and no way to pay it. Jacob helped, but then his brother came by, and, well, it seemed a good arrangement -- Katherine gets a husband, Isaac gets a father and John gets a farm to work, Elizabeth said.

The Lord can bring life out of death, Katherine said.

What about your husband, Elizabeth? Amelia asked. 

I knew that was coming, precious girl. My Patrick was one of the first in this county, before it was even was Richland County. He homesteaded a farm, then brought me here, soon after Mansfield was started, about 1810.

"We had more than 40 acres cleared, with those dead trees, like I said, when the War of 1812 broke out. We were at the very edge of the war, because just north of us were Indian lands, all the way to Lake Erie, and, of course, on the other side is British land in Canada.

He responded to General Hulls call for militia to go and fight the British at Fort Detroit. There were 2,500 men that walked with him through the thick, swampy forests of northwest Ohio up to Detroit.

That fool of a General marched right to the fort, then panicked and surrendered the whole army to the British with hardly a shot, even though he outnumbered them, Elizabeth said.

Did your husband get shot?

No, most casualties of war are not by bullets but by disease. When they released the militia to return home, after promising they wouldnt fight, Patrick caught the consumption in the Black Swamp, south of the Maumee. He never made it home.

I was left with a 2-year-old and a farm that had to be worked or it would be lost. Thankfully, Jacob and Peggy moved up here with me, and Jacob ran the farm.

This farm? Amelia asked.

No, we still lost that farm in the bank collapse of 18, but Jacob doesnt give up. He bought this a few years later and has been building it up ever since, Elizabeth said.

She and Katherine remained quiet. Amelia was reluctant to ask but wanted to know.

And your son?

"Hmm? Oh, he is fine, 20 years old now, and just moved to Brinkhaven to buy a farm, there in Knox County, because he says the canal is going to go there and it will soon be a booming city, Elizabeth said.

Goodness, child, you have a way of getting a lot of information in a short time. Now, if your arms not too tired, lets see if we can make blue, Katherine said, then noticing Peggy coming out the kitchen, she added, Maybe after breakfast.
MANSFIELD -- John Fernyak still has copies of the bumper stickers that read, "Will the last person leaving Mansfield please turn off the carrousel?"

The downtown businessman can also smile, look out his West Fourth Street office window every day and see proof across the street that the vision he and others put forth three decades ago did indeed come to fruition.

It was a shared vision of 52 wooden figurines -- though questioned and mocked by many as a horribly bad idea -- that literally helped to save and resurrect downtown Mansfield.

As Richland Carrousel Park marks the 30th anniversary of its opening Monday, it would be tempting for the 87-year-old Fernyak, still active as the owner of Engwiller Properties, to take a victory lap.

Instead, he refuses to take the lion's share of credit for a unique, public-private partnership idea that helped to transform a community in 1991.

"I'm very happy with the result, but there were a lot of people involved in this," Fernyak said during an interview in his office last week. "This wasn't a one- or two-person operation. A lot of people gave money to it. A lot of people donated to it. There were probably over 100 people that made this happen."

BLIGHTED AREA

Those entering today's Carrousel District, with its stores, restaurants, coffee shop and trendy bars and eateries, would not recognize the North Main Street area in the 1970s and 1980s, especially between Temple Court and West Fourth Street.

Aging and decaying buildings were boarded up, some for so long the utilities had been disconnected. Many, if not most, storefronts were vacant.

Rough bars, massage parlors and crime were thriving businesses in the area, including down east and west on Fourth Street. Fernyak said even a pawn shop owner in the area closed his doors after being robbed at gunpoint.

It was not Mansfield's Fun Center for most local residents, who stayed away in droves.

"I think all the people involved in (the carrousel development) felt that the downtown was in pretty bad shape," Fernyak said. "No one wanted to come downtown. A lot of the buildings were boarded up.

"The antique store down here ... you could walk into the basement and look up and see the birds flying overhead because the roof was gone. The floors were gone. It was just a shell of bricks," Fernyak said.

"It was pretty dead down here."

Time, changing economics and differing demographics took a toll on the downtown, just as those same factors negatively impacted many comparable midwestern cities.

Industries closed. Some businesses and residents fled downtowns for the suburbs and other sites that were easily accessible as Americans became more mobile.

Shopping centers opened outside of the downtown, including West Park on Park Avenue West in the mid 1950s, followed quickly by Johnny Appleseed Plaza on Lexington Avenue and the Mansfield Shopping Square Mall, also on Park Avenue West.

The Richland Mall in Ontario opened in 1968, another painful blow to the central city.

Comedian Bill Cosby performed at The Renaissance Theatre in 1984 and poked fun at the blighted downtown, jokes which likely made some in attendance squirm with their accuracy.

One of the final blows came when Don Blasius, then president of Tappan Co. in Mansfield and a member of the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce board, attempted to recruit a new financial vice president to the city.

"They flew this candidate and his wife into Mansfield Lahm Airport and they came up North Main Street," Fernyak said. "And of course, most of the buildings down here were boarded up. The wife said, 'I don't want to live in this dump. Turn this car around. We're going home.'

"(Blasius) just raised cane at the next (chamber) board meeting. It was a big issue. About the only business that was open on North Main, below Fourth, was the Coney Island Diner. (Almost) everything else was boarded up," Fernyak said.

THE IDEA

Fernyak, then the vice chairman of the chamber board, said the board met in 1986 to discuss the downtown blight and brainstormed ideas on ways to improve it, a discussion that included then Chamber President William Hartnett.

"I don't know who had the idea, but somebody said we ought to put a carrousel downtown," Fernyak said. "And, of course, everyone laughed us out of the room."

Thomas Hoaglin, then the CEO of BankOne in Mansfield and chair of the chamber board, told Fernyak, "You don't have anything to do as vice chairman. It's just a guy in waiting to be the chairman. Go around and see if we can buy a carrousel somewhere."

It wasn't that simple, though.

As Fernyak, then president of Mansfield Typewriter, began a multi-state quest for the actual carrousel, efforts also began to form the non-profit Richland Carrousel Park, Inc.

The agency's first president was Rex Collins, a retired banking executive, who helped spearhead fundraising efforts that ultimately gained $1.25 million in donations to build the facility at the southwest corner of North Main and West Fourth streets.

That corner is the one shown in the photo at the top of this story, some of the buildings were demolished to clear the way.

Planners went to Mayor Ed Meehan for the city's help in acquiring the properties needed for the new carrousel. Armed with a bachelor's degree in urban planning, Meehan served as director of Richland County Regional Planning Commission until he was elected mayor in 1980.

Meehan agreed to add additional parking, purchase and demolish vacant buildings and crack down on businesses in the area engaged in illegal activities, including a Fourth Street massage parlor nearby that was raided for prostitution.

The city's financial investment was around $474,000, money some residents believed would be better spent trying to keep local companies in business.

In exchange, the mayor said he needed a commitment from the private sector to redevelop nearby buildings, which was quickly gained.

"We had not had anyone come to the city with the idea of a public-private partnership (of) that magnitude," Meehan told the Mansfield News Journal at the time. "Nobody had come up with a plan for that area."

Collins, who had also led community fundraising drives for things such as the Renaissance Theatre restoration and a local hospital expansion, agreed to help lead the effort after he contacted key contributors.

"We determined before we kicked it off that we had support from the private and public sector," Collins told the NJ. "This is isn't something we just decided over coffee."

The effort

Working with property owners to acquire buildings and property was a massive effort. Many residents didn't think spending time and money on the carrousel was a good idea, especially during tough economic times.

That led to some contentious City Council meetings with a few lawmakers who didn't support the effort.

In his book, "Resilient Downtowns: A New Approach to Revitalizing Small- and Medium-City Downtowns," author Michael A. Burayidi describes remarks by Collins before a crucial council vote.

"The whole downtown redevelopment effort hinges on this vote. Local investors are prepared to take a major risk on an area that has sat dormant and decaying for years," Collins said. "If this doesn't go, you're never going to see anyone come forward to develop it."

Collins told the News Journal at the time that too many people focused their thoughts only on the carrousel.

"It's a catalyst, it's not the answer. It's not going to cure all the evils. But you have to look at the private investment that it has inspired. What it has encouraged in the private sector is amazing," Collins said.

Fernyak and other developers invested money in restoring historic buildings in the area, investments made prudent and possible by changing the character of the neighborhood through the carrousel park.

Meehan said he knew the carrousel itself was just a piece of the puzzle.

"The carrousel was rightfully played up because of its uniqueness, but it wasn't to be the focal point. The engine to pull the train was really the building redevelopment," the former mayor said.

In December 1988, City Council approved the Fourth and Main Street Area Urban Renewal Plan, making the city responsible for acquiring and clearing the land, a deal that hinged on the aforementioned private investment.

On June 19, 1990, Meehan and other leaders and dignitaries staged a symbolic sledge-hammer swinging event that launched the beginning of the demolition work. Construction began about three months later.

The carrousel

Fernyak's efforts to "go buy a carrousel somewhere" included trips to multiple states to look at existing carrousels and those that may be for sale. Once popular around the country, carrousels were going out of style in many places and new ones were rare.

In fact, the Richland Carrousel Park featured the first all-wooden, hand-carved carrousel built in the United States for nearly 60 years.

During a visit to Massachusetts, Fernyak attended the auction of a carrousel manufactured by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company In Pennsylvania.

"It was a beautiful carrousel. Tom Hoaglin and I figured we could raise $500,000. He said 'Bid on it.' I started bidding and it reached $500,000 and then $600,000 .. and it sold for about $800,000," Fernyak said.

"I came back and we discussed it at the chamber and they said, 'Well, we have land to purchase, we have a carrousel building to build. We can't afford an $800,000 carrousel.'"

Planners began to realize a different approach was needed.

"Tom Hoaglin and I went up to Connecticut and we found a company called Carrousel Works up there. It was Art Ritchie and Dan Jones. They carved figures, but I don't believe they had ever carved a carrousel.

"We gave him a contract to carve a Dentzel carrousel. We moved them to Mansfield (in 1988) and we put them in a building at (what is now the Little Buckeye Museum)," Fernyak said.

Ritchie and Jones launched a three-year effort to build the colorful animals that are the centerpiece of the carrousel.

With the figurines figured out, Fernyak turned his attention to the mechanisms needed to make the carrousel go. He went to the east coast and found a used Dentzel mechanism and had it shipped to Mansfield for $2,000.

Planners worked with Mansfield architect Dan Seckel, taking him to visit other carrousel buildings.

"He then designed (Richland Carrousel) and he did a fabulous job," Fernyak said.

Seckel designed a brick building that blended in with the century-old neighborhood with a cupola on top and brilliantly lit by many windows, including garage-style glass doors.

About one month before the carrousel was to open, Fernyak said they discovered the wooden center pole (30 feet high, 18 inches in diameter) obtained from the east coast was rotted. He began making calls and received estimates between $6,000 and $10,000 to get one that could be put together in pieces.

Fernyak, who said the effort was running short on money, made contact with a wood preserving company in Louisiana. He told a company representative what he needed and found they actually had two that met the bill.

"I asked what it would cost me delivered. He said $800. Sold!" Fernyak said.

After the new center pole arrived, Fernyak had it tapered by Leppert Machine in Mansfield and installed.

The last-minute problems continued, however.

The cranks that made the animals go up and down were defective with cracks. A company in Cleveland created new ones.

It was an anxious opening on Aug. 30, 1991.

"We opened up and the mayor was out there dedicating it and we're putting the final touches on the carrousel. So we open it up ... and it worked," he said with a laugh. "We had close to 18,000 people the first day."

The rebirth

Like the proverbial Phoenix rising from the ashes, the success of the vision shared by people like Fernyak, Hoaglin, Meehan, Collins, Hartnett and others is remarkable.

Dubbed The Carrousel District, the area surrounding the intersection of Fourth and Main streets is undeniable. Private investment flowed from Fernyak and others as the character of the neighborhood changed.

Granted, it didn't happen overnight. But a stroll through the district on a warm, sunny summer afternoon last week revealed a far different scene.

The now usual musical sounds of the carrousel permeated the downtown neighborhood. Shops and restaurants were open and doing a brisk business. Adults and children strolled the sidewalks.

Gone are boards on windows. Gone are vacant storefronts. They are replaced by shiny windows.

Now residents and visitors can grab a beverage at Relax, It's Just Coffee. Families can check out the Little Buckeye Children's Museum. Restaurants like Hudson and Essex, City Grill and Two Cousin's Pizza are readily available.

Richland Academy of the Arts has a home in the district, as does the Buckeye Bakery, The Phoenix Brewing Company, The Warehouse Tavern, Tara's Floral Expressions, What Goes 'Round Thrift Shoppe, Salon Vivace, The Boot Life and more. There is also Idea Works, a co-working space that is home to Richland Source.

Businesses and organizations like the North End Community Improvement Collaborative, Downtown Mansfield Inc., Destination Mansfield-Richland County and Haring Realty all have offices along North Main Street.

It's not your father's downtown Mansfield and that growth is expanding beyond the immediate downtown.

So what comes next? It starts with keeping The Richland Carrousel churning round and round.

Simply put, the non-profit facility doesn't earn enough on its own.

"Little did we know that carrousels are not profitable," Fernyak said. "After a month of operation, we figured that out."

The initial key was his successful bid to land the license bureau contract, using revenue from the facility to help fund the carrousel.

"The license bureau pays income tax, but what they have left over after income tax goes to keep the carrousel operating. So people who buy licenses down here are supporting the carrousel because their operation is not profitable," he said.

Fernyak and others, including Collins, Hartnett, Bob Enskat and John and Peter Black, also established a trust, income from which also supports the carrousel.

"We're going to have to build that trust to at least twice what it is now. Hopefully, we will have enough to do that in the next 10 years," he said.

Fernyak said the area will also benefit if a planned Main Street Corridor Improvement Plan goes forward. A two-year design/engineering study was approved by City Council earlier this year. The plan may include changing Main Street to two-way traffic, matching recent conversions to Mulberry and Diamond streets.

That conversion on Main Street is a key to Fernyak.

"One-way traffic kills businesses," he said, pointing out that studies show businesses increase sales volume 10 to 25 percent with two-way traffic.

He said two-way streets also decrease traffic speeds and improve the environment for pedestrians.

"I had a guy call me recently to tell me I should put a pizza place in downtown. I told him we have Two Cousin's on North Main. I asked him where he worked and he said it was out by the airport. He lives south of the city and drives by it every day on his way home -- and never noticed it was there," Fernyak said.

"Mulberry Street has picked up. Walnut Street has picked up. Diamond is starting to pick up. It's not rocket science. It just works," Fernyak said.

The long-time local businessman will turn 88 later this year. But retirement is not in his plans, nor will he stop working to improve his hometown.

"I enjoy what I do," he said. "With Engwiller Properties, there are challenges all day long every day and it's fun. I love it. It keeps my blood circulating.

"Mansfield is one of the best places in the world to live. I just can't say enough about this city."
COLUMBUS  Central Ohio Technical College will receive $135,000 to fund security enhancements on its campuses, according to a press release issued Monday by the Ohio Governor's office.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the state is awarding 27 institutions of higher education a total of $5 million in grants to fund security enhancements on their campuses.

The commitment to school safety is one that I take seriously, said Governor DeWine. By awarding these grants, campuses can go beyond identifying areas that need to be improved by developing and executing plans that promote the wellbeing of staff and students.

The awarded funds are part of the 2021 Campus Safety Grant Program funded as part of Senate Bill 310 of the 133rd General Assembly. The Ohio School Safety Center reviewed the campus safety grant applications in consultation with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and the Ohio Controlling Board approved the release of the funds on Aug. 30.

I want to thank the Governor and the General Assembly for their leadership and for making campus safety a priority, said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner. It is important as we begin a new school year to provide this opportunity to enhance security and make our campuses even safer for students, staff, and families.

The safety and security upgrades will assist campus law enforcement agencies and area first responders better prepare for and respond quicker to emergencies, said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Tom Stickrath.

To be eligible for grant funding, schools conducted a security and vulnerability assessment to identify potential areas for improvement. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to improved lighting in parking lots, security cameras at building entrances, and secure doors.

The Campus Safety Grant Program is one of two new school safety programs launched by the Ohio School Safety Center this year. The 2021 K-12 School Safety Grant Program, administered in partnership with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), will award an additional $5 million to qualifying public K-12 schools for similar school safety expenses. Eligible school districts are being contacted by OFCC today via email. Grant applications will be accepted until November 1, 2021, with awardees being announced in early 2022. Additional information on the K-12 School Safety Grant Program is available at ofcc.ohio.gov.

Governor DeWine created the Ohio School Safety Center in 2019. It is housed in the Ohio Homeland Security Division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and works to assist local schools, colleges and universities, and law enforcement agencies to prevent, prepare for, and respond to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solutions-based approach to improving school safety.
MANSFIELD  National Preparedness Month (NPM*) is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster and emergency planning now and throughout the year.

Its an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families for when an emergency happens. The 2021 theme is Prepare to Protect. Preparing for disasters is protecting everyone you love.

The goal of NPM is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, business, school, and place of worship.

All individuals should take time to learn lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid, and check insurance policies and coverage for the hazards you may face, such as flood, earthquakes, and tornadoes. Make sure to consider the costs associated with disasters and save for an emergency. Also, know how to take practical safety steps like shutting off water and gas.

The current pandemic, the recent Hurricane Ida, and the wildfires of this and the past two years have reminded the nation of the importance of preparing for disasters.

Often, we will be the first ones in our communities to take action after a disaster strikes and before first responders arrive, so it is important to prepare in advance to help yourself and your community.

The website www.ready.gov is an excellent tool for preparedness information with information and links to additional resources. There youll find information on how to make a disaster or emergency plan and how to make your own emergency kit or bug-out bag.

Richland Public Health also has plenty of local disaster information at our emergency preparedness page. Its located under the Your Home link at richlandhealth.org: https://richlandhealth.org/home-health/emergency-preparedness/ There, you will find an alphabetical listing of 60 downloadable PDF documents from the American Public Health Association (APHA) covering a variety of Emergency Preparedness issues.

Also, on that site you will find a link to the Richland Public Health Emergency Response Plan, created along with the Shelby City Health Department. This plan was approved by the Ohio Department of Health as part of Ohios Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP).

Weekly Themes for 2021: Each week in September, the campaign will focus on a different aspect of preparedness for individuals, families and communities.

Week 1 Sept. 1 to 4: Make A Plan

Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Make sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus.

Week 2 Sept. 5 to 11: Build A Kit

Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home. Dont forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Week 3 Sept. 12 to 18: Low-Cost, No-Cost Preparedness

Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family. Know the risk of disasters in your area. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards. Check your insurance coverage to make sure it is up-to-date.

Week 4 Sept. 19 to 25: Teach Youth About Preparedness

Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.
ASHLAND  Fox News contributor Mollie Hemingway will speak at the Ashbrook Centers Major Issues Lecture Series on Wednesday, September 8 at noon at the John C. Myers Convocation Center, 638 Jefferson St., on the Ashland University campus.

Tickets for this luncheon event are $20 per person or $160 for a table of eight. Tickets are available online at www.ashbrook.org/event/hemingway. For more information or to order tickets by phone, contact Sally Schramm at 419-289-5411 or email sschramm@ashbrook.org.

Hemingway provides reporting and analysis of American politics and culture for Fox News. She helped launch and is a senior editor of the online magazine The Federalist and is senior journalism fellow at Hillsdale College, where she teaches journalism.

She is a regular member of the Fox News All-Stars panel on Special Report with Bret Baier" and a regular guest on MediaBuzz, hosted by Howard Kurtz. She has been profiled in The New York Times, and her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, CNN, Claremont Review of Books, National Review and Christianity Today.

Hemingway was a 2004 recipient of a Phillips Foundation Journalism Fellowship and a 2014 Lincoln Fellow of the Claremont Institute. She is the co-author of the new national best seller Justice On Trial: The Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court.

ASHBROOK CENTER

The Ashbrook Center seeks to strengthen constitutional self-government by educating our fellow Americans  students, teachers, and citizens  in the history and Founding principles of our country and the habits of reflection and choice necessary to perpetuate our republic.
MANSFIELD -- The deadline to register to vote or change your address and/or name in the voter registration database for the Nov. 2, 2021 General Election is Monday Oct. 4.

The Board of Elections office will be open that evening until 9 p.m. This office is located at 1495 W. Longview Ave. Suite 101 in the Longview Center. After 4 p.m., you must use the entrance at the lower level back parking area at the southwest corner of the building.

Qualifications for registering to vote include:

 must be either a native U. S. citizen, or a naturalized citizen of the U.S.

 must be a resident of Richland County and Ohio 30 days prior to an election

 must be a minimum of 18 years of age on or before the date of the General Election on Nov. 2.

Registered voters who have moved or changed their name must notify the Board office in writing or in person. Voters who are currently registered in Ohio may change their address online at VoteOhio.gov but must do it by the Oct. 4 deadline. Online registration is also now available at VoteOhio.gov.

In addition to the Board of Elections office, citizens may register or complete a change of address/name at the following locations in Richland County:

 Any Library Branch

 All City and Village Hall offices

 The Bureau of Motor Vehicles Office

 The Department of Human Services

 The Richland County Courthouse (Recorder or Treasurer Offices)

 All area High School Offices

Registration forms may also be obtained from the Board of Elections website at vote.richlandcountyoh.gov or requested by mail. Contact the Board office at 419-774-5530 to have a form sent by mail. Completed voter registration forms must be postmarked 30 days prior to Election Day.
MANSFIELD -- The Fourth Street massage parlor owner asked the police officer why her business was suddenly being raided.

"There's a new law," the officer said, "you can't operate a brothel so close to the mayor's new carrousel."

It was a joking remark in 1991, but it rang close to the truth.

The Richland Carrousel Park, which opened 30 years ago today, ushered in a new era in many ways for downtown Mansfield, including a crackdown on what many called a "red-light district," home to prostitution, drugs, gambling and other vice-related crimes.

Downtown Mansfield in the 1970s and 1980s was a far different place than it is today -- night and day different.

I arrived in the city in January 1990, a new health reporter for the Mansfield News Journal. The standing joke was Editor Tom Brennan hired the unhealthiest person he could find as a health reporter.

Within a few months, I was transitioned to cover cops and courts. In Mansfield at that time, it was the busiest beat in the old newsroom bullpen.

Much of my work was focused in downtown Mansfield, a sea of gritty bars, closed-up businesses, boarded up buildings and crime. It was an eye opener for a 29-year-old reporter who just relocated here from a small newspaper in northwest Ohio.

One of the first contacts/sources I developed on the beat was Phil Messer, then a lieutenant in charge of METRICH, who later retired as the department's chief.

I caught up with Messer last week while working on stories related to the 30th anniversary of the carrousel. He credited former Mansfield Mayor Ed Meehan and local businessman John Fernyak for turning around the downtown.

"The mayor had a vision of what the city could be," Messer said. "John Fernyak, in my opinion, was the spark that began to turn Mansfield around to make it what it is today. I give him most of the credit.

"Sometimes it's hard to visualize what can be when you're drowning in things like street prostitution, street crimes and strong-armed robberies," Messer recalled.

"We were struggling for money and manpower as a department and we were just trying to keep our heads above water."

It was a three-pronged effort. Build the carrousel and begin to change the culture of downtown. That would encourage more private investment.

At the same time, it was up to Messer, new Chief Lawrence Harper and the MPD to clean up an area that was soaked in crime.

When Fernyak and others proposed the carrousel, a joint public/private partnership with Meehan and the city was launched. Messer recalled the partnership included a crackdown on crime in the downtown ordered by the mayor.

"Foot patrols, lots of resources on surveillance, putting pressure on liquor-permit holders not to allow illegal activity, stopping gambling and prostitution," Messer said.

"It was 'zero tolerance' type of enforcement. Nobody gets a warning."

Messer and the MPD quickly learned many of those being arrested came from outside of Mansfield, even from outside Richland County. He estimated about 80 percent of the men frequenting massage parlors and soliciting prostitutes were not local residents.

"People came here for (vice)," he said. "That's not the reputation you want for your hometown. Ed Meehan didn't want people just coming downtown to drink. He wanted to see families downtown."

As a reporter, I tagged along on some of these enforcement efforts, which made for interesting late-night stories and questions about what it would take to clean up the mess. That late-night work included covering the raid of the massage parlor I mentioned at the beginning of this column.

Remarkably, the physical clean up and remodeling of the buildings, along with the change in culture and the increased law enforcement, worked as advertised.

Today, the Richland Carrousel District is a far different place than I encountered as a reporter 31 years ago. It's a vibrant area of shops and stores and restaurants/bars. Gone are boarded-up windows, vacant storefronts and brothels posing as massage parlors.

The successful Final Friday celebrations, which draw thousands downtown to The Brickyard to hear live outdoor music and have a good time, could never have happened when I first came to town. Few felt it was a safe place to be, especially on a Friday night.

Don't get me wrong. I certainly understand there are still issues in Mansfield with drugs, guns, crime and more.

But the simple fact is if you are a reporter assigned to cover cops and courts these days, the downtown these days is a far less lively place.

And that's just fine with me.
It starts with a vision, followed by a plan and then by execution.

If our reporting revealed anything in August, it's that those are three key elements that drive a community's success.

Earlier this month, we told you about a local group's plan to finally -- after three decades -- do something with a decaying former Westinghouse factory property on Mansfield's east side.

On Monday, we shared the successful efforts that began more than 30 years ago to redevelop the downtown through Richland Carrousel Park.

What do those projects, separated by three decades of time, have in common?

First, they both involve local residents who care about this community and are willing to step up to do something about it, regardless of those who cast doubts and wring their hands.

Second, they offer a look at the value of vision. In the late 1980s, leaders like John Fernyak, Ed Meehan, Rex Collins, Bill Hartnett and many others had the ability to look beyond a horribly, decaying downtown and see what it COULD be.

They had a vision to see what others could not.

As retired Mansfield police Chief Phil Messer told us during our reporting on the carrousel stories:

"The mayor had a vision of what the city could be. John Fernyak, in my opinion, was the spark that began to turn Mansfield around to make it what it is today. I give him most of the credit.

"Sometimes it's hard to visualize what can be when you're drowning in things like street prostitution, street crimes and strong-armed robberies."

That vision is reflected in a downtown remarkably far different 30 years later.

Third, both efforts involve a public-private partnership, a merger of local talents among elected officials and private residents, all with a powerful desire to improve Mansfield and Richland County.

Time will tell if the new effort to transfer the former Westinghouse property to the Richland County Land Bank will lead to the successful demolition, renovation and/or rehabilitation of an area that's been an eyesore for as long as the carrousel has been a success.

The vision for that property and the surrounding area is still being developed. Things take time and we encourage everyone to be patient. Neither Rome, nor the Richland Carrousel District, were built in a day.

But we are encouraged folks like Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero, Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker, Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development President/CEO Jodie Perry, Downtown Mansfield Inc. CEO Jennifer Kime, Land Bank board Chair Bart Hamilton and others are helping all of us see something that COULD be.

We hope this kind of effort continues and expands.

We are excited about the West End Neighborhood Plan in the OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital/St. Peter's Church area. The new Imagination District on Park Avenue is continuing. Planned improvements with the Main Street Corridor Improvement Plan sound great.

But there is more to do, especially on the north end of the community.

The former Ocie Hill Community Center, a decaying, city-owned former iconic structure on the city's north end, is under consideration for transfer to the Land Bank. That could lead to demolition and redevelopment of a key property in a section of the city badly in need.

It must happen and happen quickly as the building has become the victim of vandals.

We also believe it's time for Mansfield City Council to end multiple years of discussion and deliberation to move ahead with a plan for the engineering and design of a much-needed dry dam in North Lake Park.

Such a dam would move more than 100 acres on the north end out of the flood plain, protecting many homes and businesses that are frequently flooded.

The next step in the process is the two-year effort to design and engineer the structure. The city has the money to pay for that piece right now and there are also federal funds flowing in that could be used for the actual construction when the time comes.

It's time. Past time, in fact.

We were thrilled this month to report on some great things happening in the City of Mansfield. It's time for our leaders to seize on that momentum and keeping pushing forward.
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A man is in critical condition at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville after being struck by a car this weekend in the 300 block of Nashville Road.
Kamala Harris historic visit to Vietnam  the first time a U.S. vice president has visited the country since the end of the war  has got me thinking about the relationship between the two countries. Both nations interests would be served by a closer economic partnership. But making such a partnership work will require far-sighted policy changes on the part of both governments. The U.S. must open itself to trade with Vietnam, while Vietnam must rebalance and strengthen its economic development model.

The increasing diplomatic warmth between the U.S. and its old wartime foe is not primarily about economics; its about China. Vietnam feels menaced by its huge northern neighbor, with whom it has ongoing territorial disputes and a long history of warfare. Though an outright alliance with the U.S. is highly unlikely, Vietnam is understandably seeking a strategic partnership to help maintain the balance of power.

The success of such a partnership will depend crucially on economic factors. Vietnam has made great strides recently in terms of boosting its peoples standard of living, but its still a poor country, with a level of technology that makes it a poor match for an increasingly cutting-edge China. The U.S. needs to structure its economic relationship with Vietnam around helping that country to grow, not just for the sake of Vietnamese peoples living standards, but so that the country will make a more powerful ally.



In many ways, Vietnam is following the well-trodden East Asian development model. A series of liberalizing reforms in the 1980s led to a hybrid of communist authoritarianism combined with capitalist enterprise. It joined the World Trade Organizatoin, signed a trade agreement with the U.S., and became an export powerhouse of labor-intensive manufactured products like clothing and electronics. And it held down the value of its currency in order to make its products more competitive overseas.

This standard model has allowed Vietnam to quadruple its living standards, and to benefit from the U.S.-China trade war.

So far, so good. But making cheap stuff and selling it overseas will only take a country so far. To catch up with China, Vietnam will have to boost productivity and move up the value chain, shifting to higher-value technologically advanced products. As evidenced by the fact that Vietnams productivity growth has been slowing down, making the leap to the next level of development will require a number of changes.

First, Vietnam has to get better at doing the things that governments typically do to aid growth  education and infrastructure. The country has great primary and secondary education but falters when it comes to higher ed, so colleges need to be beefed up. The countrys road system is relatively poor, and its ports are frequently strained to capacity.

Next, Vietnam needs to develop world-class companies. Currently, the countrys leading corporations are in traditional upstream sectors like oil and electricity, or in primary industries like food and paper; much of the actual manufacturing is done by foreign firms. Building better companies in export sectors like electronics would allow Vietnam not only to capture a bigger share of the value of global supply chains (through branding and marketing), but to better absorb foreign technology as well. As author Joe Studwell illustrates in his book How Asia Works, the example of South Koreas Hyundai Motor Co. shows how manufacturers can be very effective vehicles for learning foreign ways of making things and doing business. Vietnam should aim to create similar champions.

Finally, Vietnam should drop the focus on currency undervaluation  both because its sure to eventually make its trading partners mad, and because it subsidizes unproductive exporters as well as productive ones. Instead, the country should switch to a strategy of what Studwell calls export discipline  temporarily helping companies to get started as exporters, but withdrawing support for those that fail in global markets.

Meanwhile, the U.S. should structure its economic relationship with Vietnam to help promote all of these needed transformations. One easy step is to deepen U.S.-Vietnam trade along the lines of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. That multilateral agreement appears dead, but a bilateral one should be worked out.

To help Vietnam improve its higher education, the U.S. should take in many more exchange students from the country. These students will contribute to the American economy and some will stay  but others will return to Vietnam and take their education with them, boosting the countrys know-how. The U.S. can also offer low-interest financing for Vietnamese infrastructure projects, perhaps in cooperation with Japan and South Korea.

These changes would help Vietnam make the transition to a high-tech country and help it avoid the middle-income trap. That would certainly make Vietnam a more valuable strategic partner. But these moves would also strengthen the ties between American and Vietnamese society, drawing the two countries closer together. Both stand to benefit enormously from this sort of deepened integration. Lets hope that Harris visit is just the first step in that process.
Danvers - James E. Brennan (63), of Danvers, passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Born in Salem, James was the son of the late Louise (Flynn) and James Brennan. Growing up, James attended schools locally here in Salem. He later went onto wo
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New research recently revealed that COVID-19 is not a respiratory illness but rather a vascular disease. This study, led by the University of California-San Diego, could explain blood clots in some patients and other issues, including "COVID feet," which are not commonly experienced symptoms of respiratory disease.

A Times Now report specified, the S protein of the virus, the spike that's forming the crown, is attacking the receptor ACE2, impairing the mitochondria that produce the energy of the cells, therefore impairing the endothelium, which is lining the blood vessel.

Such a finding has already been detected, although what was not known before is the exact mechanism, not to mention the function of the S protein.

This particular protein is duplicated by all of the presently used vaccines, explained the team. For this study, SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Impairs Endothelial Function via Downregulation of ACE 2, published in the Circulation Research journal; the team developed a pseudovirus for the research, which had only the S protein although not the rest of the virus, to present in the lab that such a protein is adequate by itself to lead to the disease.

ALSO READ: Volunteer for Pfizer's Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine Shares Side Effects from Trial





Affecting the Vascular System

While the results of the study themselves are not totally a surprise, SciTechDaily earlier reported that the paper offers clear validation, as well as a detailed explanation of the mechanism by which the protein impairs vascular cells for the first time.

There has been a growing agreement that COVID-19 affects the vascular system, although exactly how it did is not understood.

Similarly, scientists investigating other coronavirus have long suspected that the spike protein contributes to the impairment of vascular endothelial cells, although this is the first time such a process has been recorded.

The effects on the respiratory system are a result of the vascular tissue's inflammation in the lungs. According to assistant professor Uri Manor, at the varsity, many people think of it as a respiratory disease, although it is really a vascular illness.

Their findings, added Manor, could explain why some people have problems in other parts of their bodies. The commonality between them is that they all comprise vascular underpinnings.

Head of intensive care at Bellvitge University Hospital in Spain, Professor Rafael Manez Mendiluce, said the vascular issue could be related to the inflammatory reaction of the patient's immune system. Results of the study showed how COVID-19 is attacking the vascular or circulatory system.

What is Vascular Disease?

Medline Plus defines vascular disease as conditions affecting the vascular system, the body's network of blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Cardiovascular disease is common and can be severe. Some types include blood clots, stroke, and coronary artery disease, among others.

The risk factors for vascular disease may differ according to a specific illness. However, some of the most common risk factors comprise age, especially when one is getting older, health conditions that impact the heart and blood vessels like diabetes or high cholesterol.

The risk factors for vascular diseases can vary, depending on the specific disease. But some of the more common risk factors include; infection or injury that impairs the veins; obesity; pregnancy; lack of exercise; smoking; and standing or sitting still for long periods.

Related information about how COVID-19 is affecting the blood is shown on NHLBI's YouTube video below:

RELATED ARTICLE: Vision Loss in COVID-19 Patient: Case Study Provides Better Insight on Possible Connection Between the Two

Check out more news and information on COVID-19 on Science Times.
The Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board voted to create a mask mandate in its 29 schools the same day Gov. Doug Ducey cracked down on districts ignoring his ban on doing that  and the day before the Biden Administration warned him not to block schools from requiring face coverings.
BERLIN (AP)  A labor union representing German train drivers said Monday that its members will launch a third strike this week in an escalating pay dispute with the countrys biggest rail company.

The GDL union said freight train drivers will walk out on Wednesday evening, followed by passenger train drivers early Thursday. The strike is due to last until 2 a.m. on Sept. 7, making it the longest in the current round of labor negotiations.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  The New Hampshire Insurance Department will host a legislative review webinar in September.

The Sept. 9 meeting is open to the public and will provide an opportunity to hear from regulators regarding new statutes, rules and legislation from the 2021 session. The session will also include a review of what is to come in the 2022 legislative session.
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Housing market boom prices out middle-income Granite Staters

Late in 2019, Brandon Zalinsky had what seemed to be stability: a manufacturing engineering job in Manchester a year out of college, a partner with her own engineering career, an apartment in the city, and a strong desire to stay in New Hampshire and put down roots. It was time for the next step: a house.

Zalinsky and his girlfriend started looking around, prioritizing listings in the under-$300,000 range just south of Manchester. But the New Hampshire housing market proved less than hospitable to new buyers in that price range. And it was about to get worse.

As the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic  and the shutdown of restaurants and non-essential businesses  took hold, real estate agents worried that the economic standstill would tank the states housing market and send prices and home values plummeting.

It did the opposite. A wave of wealthier buyers, some from out of state, crashed into realty firms, driving up prices and bringing the stock of available homes in the state to record lows. Lower-income buyers in New Hampshire found themselves in a constant state of battle over every listing. Well-heeled purchasers crowded out competitors through cash purchases, sometimes buying houses sight unseen and without inspections. Open houses became bonanzas, and the time allowed for typical house tours dropped from 45 minutes to 15.

Zalinsky realized the next life milestone was going to be a lot harder than hed thought.

Its just every single place: We bid 15 percent over asking, and we lose by $30,000, he said. And they waive inspections. Its extremely frustrating and disheartening.

Two years after starting the housing search, Zalinsky and his partner have made offers on 25 houses. Theyve been outbid on all but one, and that home had serious structural problems that forced them to pull out. They are still looking, but with far less confidence.

I have money to spend to live here, and I just  I cant do it, he said. Its impossible. And the only way I can do it is by taking on an absurd amount of financial risk on the biggest purchase of my life.

As the pandemic-driven surge nears its second year, there are some signs that the mania may be starting to diminish, housing experts say. But the factors keeping the market tight and prices high remain.

Its been characterized as going from red hot to just really hot,  said Ben Frost, managing director of policy and public affairs at the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority.

Low supply, historic demand

While housing stock has diminished over the years, the number of houses available in New Hampshire fell sharply this year.

At the end of July 2021, only 1,737 single-family properties were on the market, according to numbers from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors.

July 2019, in comparison, saw 5,609 houses listed, and July 2015 saw about 11,000.

The market was even tighter in February 2021: 1,062 single family homes were on sale that month.

Winter months typically see notable reductions in homes being put on the market. Sellers are less likely to want to move out during the school year, holiday months, and bad weather. But February 2015 saw around 7,500 homes open and on the market, a strong contrast.

Real estate agents and analysts are also looking at another metric: how fast the homes are selling. This year, they hit a record. In July, a single-family home took an average of just 18 days to sell from its listing date to an accepted offer. In past years, such as 2015, that average hovered around 75 days.

Those forces are driving up the price of homes, too. In 2021, the average home price hit another record  $400,000.

The numbers make one thing clear: New Hampshires historically low housing supply is causing demand to surge. But there are other factors at play, too.

Mortgage interest rates across the country, currently at 2.17 percent for a 15-year fixed rate, are the lowest theyve been in 49 years, according to Freddie Mac. That gives buyers significantly more power to take risks on properties that might have been out of their grasp with less favorable financing, real estate agents note.

It helps because it makes the same priced home more affordable, Frost said. For a cash buyer, it doesnt make any difference.

But more buying power also benefits sellers, who can raise the prices in turn. The dynamic means even if the low borrowing rates somewhat even the playing field, some buyers can still find themselves priced out.

These days, the magic number in many parts of the state is $300,000. Try to buy a home for any less than that and you will likely struggle to find a home and be outbid on it if you do.

I think at that low price point, there will always be a demand thats outpacing the inventory, said Adam Gaudet, a Realtor at 603 Birch Realty in Concord and the incoming president of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors.

Cash flood

The pandemic elevated two factors fueling the tight market: out-of-state buyers and cash purchases. When interest peaked in escaping urban environments during the early stages of COVID-19 lockdowns, many took their interest  and dollars  to New Hampshire.

I think the messaging in the countrys gotten out that there are states in the U.S. that dont have income taxes, Gaudet said. Not everybody knew that, and I think some people were like: Oh my gosh, its a year where I can work from home, and maybe now is the time to capitalize. 

Joanie McIntire, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker J. Hampe Associates, agreed.

If you have somebody coming from Connecticut, and they see a house for $700,000 ... thats a lot of house for not a lot compared to what they can get in Connecticut for the same money, she said.

However, while agents here talk about swarms of out-of-state plates and phone calls, numbers from the Housing Finance Authority suggest the impact of out-of-state buyers has been less than perceived. The share of houses bought by New Hampshire residents dropped from 75 percent to just under 70 percent since 2019, but Massachusetts buyers did increase by about 5 percent since the pandemic began.

Either way, the intense attention this year caused a feeding frenzy, agents say, and one that benefited buyers with large amounts of cash. Those buyers, who didnt need financing, could swoop in with offers that priced everyone out.

To Gaudet, the cash purchases signify a notable, if short-term, shift in how wealthier people view their living situation during COVID.

To get into a home, especially in a state like New Hampshire, cash is king, Guadet said. Ive been in real estate seven years ... but Ive had more cash deals this year than, combined, the other six years.

Waiving inspections

For her first 14 years in real estate, McIntire had an unofficial rule: She never sold a house where the buyer waived a home inspection.

Buyers always had the option to do so. But McIntire, who is based in the Sunapee area and is also Zalinskys aunt, would strongly dissuade them from doing so, and for 14 years her clients listened.

I think they understand that, McIntire said. When you tell a first-time homebuyer what the consequences of waiving inspections could mean, theyre generally going to understand that.

But that changed this year, McIntire says. In this new reality, where cash offers have become some buyers weapon of choice, waiving inspections can be the only way for buyers of lesser means to get an edge.

And many clients are now taking that option, she said. I have written offers that have waived inspections, she said. People have signed a waiver.

Its a dangerous game to play, McIntire warns.

If youre at the top of your price range at say $300,000, and you move in and a week later your septic backs up into your basement, what do you do? she said.

The tactics sometimes kick in late, even when a property doesnt seem to have as much competition to start, McIntire said.

As soon as I let other agents know that I have an offer, then the incoming offers ... escalate to a crazy offer, McIntire said. Cash, no inspections, closing two weeks.

McIntire, for her part, will counsel a client if they are interested in waiving inspections. She has a keen understanding of what repairs cost, knows the price of a boiler replacement or a well treatment. She can give estimates to allow buyers to factor in a worst-case scenario for the property.

Still, the tactic can just as often be used against her clients, she said. And the effect can be demoralizing for the buyers who arent interested in skipping the home inspection and watch the offer disappear.

I think that the consumer is still (saying): Oh my gosh, were not going to get this one, this is another one were not going to get, McIntire said.

Zalinsky said waiving home inspections is not something he and his partner are considering  even if it puts them at a disadvantage.

The two are also not interested in pushing themselves into debt and overextending into a price range they cant afford, despite the low interest rates.

But that prudent approach has taken its toll. Zalinsky and his partner have seen houses of all kinds  those they love and those they would settle for  get snapped up before their eyes.

Now well walk in and its like, you go to an open house and theres 45 cars at the house, he said. Like, do we even bother? Theres no point.

Cooling off?

Despite the low supply, there are little signs that the market could be nearing a turning point. The average number of days that house listings are active has ticked up slightly, as has the number of houses available, Frost noted. And agents are seeing changes on the ground, too.

I think if you checked in with me two months from now, it could be different, Gaudet said. ... Out-of-state buyers that would normally be calling me have called less. And at things like open houses, you dont have nearly as many Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont plates.

McIntire has also seen signals. Where earlier this year and last year 20 people might show up at a house viewing, these days that number has dropped to four or five, she said.

Still, McIntire urged caution. Even with less interest, those buyers who do show up still fight just as hard to get the house, and many still employ the same hardball tactics  from waiving inspections to paying with cash.

There has been some cooling, she said. But it would be very slight.

Gaudet said any shift, even if small, could help buyers like Zalinsky.

I think its good when New Hampshire natives have a chance of actually buying New Hampshire properties, Gaudet said. So Im seeing more of an evening out in that regard. So I think its shifting back in favor of New Hampshire buyers.

Zalinsky is not so sure. After two years of bidding wars, he and his girlfriend are taking a break from intensively searching for a home. They arent giving up, but they are hunkering down and waiting for conditions to improve.

It is really kind of miserable, because all I want is to live here, in a house, he said. And its just impossible for me.
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Good morning, Bay Area. Its Monday, Aug. 30, and vaccination rates are going up statewide. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

This wildfire season is poised to surpass last years devastation, which so far is Californias worst season on record.

Fires continue to worsen in several ways: theyre getting bigger and moving faster as the state experiences two years of severe drought and a warming climate, and they are also getting higher, reaching once unthinkable heights.

I keep hoping that things are going to be different this year, but I keep finding that its becoming normal to expect that each year will be worse than the last, or at least as bad, said Cal Fire Director Thom Porter.

Read more about why wildfires, particularly this year, are so hard to control.

Also:

 All residents on the California side of Lake Tahoes south shore were warned Sunday night to be ready to evacuate as the Caldor Fire rapidly moved closer. Several neighboring communities were ordered to evacuate. The blaze grew to more than 168,000 acres and was just 13% contained.

 The Caldor Fire has completely upended the beginning of the harvest season in this up-and-coming wine region, which more than 70 wineries call home.

The most California county in California

When comparing five characteristics related to race and age for each California county, a Chronicle analysis of 2020 census data shows that San Diego County best represents the states overall demographic makeup.

The county with the greatest difference  or the county least similar to the state  is Sierra County, in which 81% of residents identify as non-Hispanic white.

Read the complete analysis from Nami Sumida here.

Coronavirus updates

Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

 A recent UCSF study found that people with breakthrough cases were more likely to be infected with a variant containing mutations that are resistant to the neutralizing antibodies that vaccines can induce.

 Whats the latest science on all the COVID hygiene measures still used in public spaces?

 A Chronicle analysis finds that daily vaccination rates have increased in every California county since July 9, and the biggest increases are in counties with more unvaccinated people.

Around the Bay

Yalonda M. James/The Chronicle

 From Heather Knight: A fight over a corner lot in S.F.s Corona Heights neighborhood has turned very ugly. Also: More Millennials are able to buy homes after moving back in with their parents.

 Deadly heat: Investigators believe that scorching temperatures played or may have played a role in the deaths of several recent California residents.

 From Joe Garofoli: If you support Gov. Newsom but he is recalled, whom should you vote for? Democratic strategists offer their opinions.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

 A highly anticipated trial: Key points to know before the trial of Elizabeth Holmes, founder and former CEO of failed startup Theranos, is set to begin this week.

 A dedicated Marine: Sgt. Nicole L. Gee of Sacramento, who was killed in the Kabul airport bombing, was devoted to helping Afghans escape the Taliban. Also: California has some of the largest Afghan populations in the U.S., and communities are preparing to welcome the influx of refugees.

 From Justin Phillips: There is a slow, sweeping wave to bringing more diversity to local politics. But can it last?

 A new model: DoorDash is building a platform that restaurants need to survive  or at least one that makes expanding a lot easier. Also: Soleil Ho writes about Kennys Cafe in Santa Clara, which features thousands of photos of customers snapped by the owners over the years.

A towering restaurant?

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle 2018

Sutro Tower opened in 1973, providing a major boost for TV and radio stations that wanted to reach the entire Bay Area while emerging as the highest point in the city.

Chronicle culture critic Peter Hartlaub heard a rumor a decade ago about plans to open a restaurant atop the tower, but has never found proof. Until now.

Hartlaub dug up a Chronicle archive spoke to Sutro spokesperson Dave Hyams to find proof of this alleged idea. Read the story and listen to the Total SF podcast.

Bay Briefing is written by Kellie Hwang and Anna Buchmann and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writers at anna.buchmann@sfchronicle.com and kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com.
In a ruling that could restore life insurance payments to thousands of Californians, the state Supreme Court said Monday that insurers had to provide a grace period and other protections before cutting off coverage to policyholders who missed a payment, starting in 2013.

A state law that took effect in January 2013, passed without a single opposing vote and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, ended life insurers previous authority to end coverage, after 30 days notice, to policyholders who failed to pay their annual premium. Instead, the new law allowed a cutoff only after a 60-day grace period, notification of a second person designated by the policyholder, and then a 30-day notice that the policy would be terminated.

Many insurers refused to apply the new law to life insurance policies that had been issued before 2013. Lower courts agreed with the companies that the law did not apply retroactively, and allowed them to cancel coverage for a missed payment without a 60-day grace period or notice to the policyholders designated representative.

But the states high court ruled unanimously Monday that the law applied to all policies that were in effect in 2013.

The Legislature enacted the grace period and notice protections in part to protect existing policy owners from losing the important life insurance coverage they had spent years paying for, Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuellar said in an opinion signed by five of the seven justices.

He said the courts interpretation of the law protects policy owners  including elderly, hospitalized, or incapacitated ones who may be particularly vulnerable to missing a premium payment  from losing coverage.

Cuellar said the ruling did not actually make the law retroactive, because it did not affect insurance companies decisions to cancel coverage on similar grounds before 2013. In a separate opinion, Justice Martin Jenkins, joined by Justice Carol Corrigan, said lawmakers had intended for the law to be applied retroactively to existing insurance policies.

Otherwise, Jenkins said, citing legislative staff analyses of the measure while it was under consideration, policy-holders  especially seniors  could easily lose coverage after many years of paying premiums if they accidentally missed making even a single premium payment.

The ruling is life-changing and should enable thousands of Californians to reinstate their policies or obtain the benefits that were denied when the policyholder died, said Craig Nicholas, a San Diego attorney whose firm has filed 17 suits against insurers over the issue.

After paying life insurance premiums for decades, Nicholas said, a policyholder might miss a payment because of illness or infirmity, then fail to receive a cutoff notice while in the hospital. He said the 2013 law protected aging and mentally disabled policyholders by providing notice to a designated representative.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

The justices revived a suit by relatives of a San Diego county man who missed a $310 premium payment in 2013 and then had his coverage terminated. He died shortly afterward.

The law should treat life insurance policies as the most sacred of all insurance policies, said the relatives lawyer, Jack Winters.

John Neiman, the insurance companys lawyer, said a jury had already found the companys actions to be proper under the law. He said the ruling would require trials in many similar cases.

The case is McHugh vs. Protective Life Insurance Co., No. S259215.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press 2019

Sutter Health has settled with the U.S government over charges of knowingly inflating Medicare costs for $90 million, the Department of Justice said Monday.

The Sacramento-based health care provider and its affiliates in Palo Alto, the East Bay and Central Valley were accused of violating the False Claims Act and inflating payments received under Medicare by submitting inaccurate patient information. The government alleged that Sutter didnt correct the discrepancies when it became aware of them.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Six months after Congress approved spending tens of billions of dollars to bail out renters facing eviction, South Carolina was just reaching its first tenants. All nine of them.

Like most states, it had plenty of money to distribute  $272 million. But it had handed out just over $36,000 by June. The pace has since intensified, but South Carolina still has only distributed $15.5 million in rent and utility payments as of Aug. 20, or about 6% of its funds.

People are strangling on the red tape, said Sandy Gillis, executive director of the Hilton Head Deep Well Project, which stopped referring tenants to the program and started paying overdue rent through its own private funds instead.

The struggles in South Carolina are emblematic of a program launched at the beginning of the year with the promise of solving the pandemic eviction crisis, only to fall victim in many states to bureaucratic hurdles, political inertia and unclear guidance at the federal level.

The concerns about the slow pace intensified Thursday, after the Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration from enforcing a temporary ban that was put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some 3.5 million people in the U.S. as of Aug. 16 said they face eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey.

The Supreme Court decision undermines historic efforts by Congress and the White House to ensure housing stability during the pandemic, Diane Yentel, CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said in a statement.

State and local governments are working to improve programs to distribute emergency rental assistance to those in need, but they need more time; the Supreme Courts decision will lead to many renters, predominantly people of color, losing their homes before the assistance can reach them.

The Treasury Department said this week that just over $5.1 billion of the estimated $46.5 billion in federal rental assistance  only 11%  has been distributed by states and localities through July. This includes some $3 billion handed out by the end of June and another $1.5 billion by May 31.

Nearly a million households have been served and 70 places have gotten at least half their money out, including several states, among them Virginia and Texas, according to Treasury. New York, which hadn't distributed anything through May, has now distributed more than $156 million.

But there are 16 states, according to the latest data, that had distributed less than 5% and nine that spent less than 3%. Most, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, are red states, often with tough-to-reach rural populations. Besides South Carolina, they include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Florida, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Mississippi and New Mexico.

There are myriad reasons for the slow distribution, according to the group. Among them is the historic amount of money  more than the Department of Housing and Urban Developments annual budget  which required some 450 localities to create programs from scratch. Getting the money out is also complicated by the fact that checks aren't sent directly to beneficiaries like, for example, the child tax credit.

States and localities have also struggled with technology and staffing, as well as reaching tenants without access to the internet, or small landlords unaware of the help. Some have applications so complicated they scare off prospective applicants or have income documentation and pandemic impact requirements that can be time-consuming.

Efforts to use coronavirus relief money for rental assistance last year faced similar challenges.

A lot of states are lagging behind," said Emma Foley, a research analyst with the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The fact that this many states still have distributed so little is worrisome.

In South Carolina, lawmakers were slow to roll out the state's program, waiting until April to charge the state housing authority with distributing the money. It took weeks to set up its program, with the first help not going out until June.

Housing advocates have also criticized the reams of documentation required and the months of waiting for tenants to find out whether they qualify.

Shaquarryah Fraiser applied in May and is still waiting to hear whether she will get help paying months of back rent for the mobile home she rented with her mother for $550 a month in Sumter, South Carolina. Fraiser's mother died of COVID-19 last year, and the 29-year-old fell behind after getting sick herself with pneumonia and losing her phone survey job.

Itll take a lot of stress off of me. I wont be so anxious about this situation," said Fraiser of the prospect of getting the help.

In Arizona, delays have led to plenty of finger-pointing.

Arizonas House Democrats this month blamed the state for the delays in getting the money out  less than $7 million of its $900 million through July.

Arizonas Department of Economic Security points out the federal money has been allocated to 13 different jurisdictions, not just the state, and blames cities and counties for the slow rollout.

We have offered to assist overwhelmed jurisdictions with their workloads, the departments director Michael Wisehart wrote in a response to lawmakers. Regrettably, no jurisdiction has chosen to partner in this way.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

Meanwhile, Arizona landlords and housing nonprofits blamed much of the problem on regulatory requirements tied to the money.

Mississippi, which has given out $18.6 million of its $200 million through Aug. 23, has struggled to reach smaller landlords and renters, many of whom live in rural areas without internet access. In addition, the state has no data base of renters  prompting it to hold events statewide to connect with potential applicants.

The Mississippi Home Corporation, which runs the program, also sent a letter to judges asking them not to allow an eviction if someone has applied for help and to inform landlords they won't get help if they evict after the moratorium ends. The agency also relaxed documentation requirements in 50 of its counties. But the program will still require proof of income and other documents in 32 other counties.

You're trying to walk this line of speed and diligence, said Scott Spivey, executive director of the Mississippi Home Corporation. We are trying to make sure there is no fraud, waste and abuse and that we're only giving assistance to the people who are entitled to it.

The Treasury Department has repeatedly tweaked its guidance to encourage states and local governments to streamline the distribution of funds. The Biden administration has also asked states to create eviction diversion program s that aim to resolve disputes before they reach the courts.

On Wednesday, Treasury released additional guidance to try to speed up the process. This includes allowing tenants to self-assess their income and risk of becoming homeless among other criteria. Many states and localities, fearing fraud, have measures in place that can take weeks to verify an applicant qualifies for help.

Treasury also said money can be distributed in advance of funds being approved as well as to tenants who have outstanding rental debt in collection, making it easier for them to find new housing.

There is no question we are seeing a level of excessive caution in getting the money out that does not seem to reflect either the flexibilities Treasury has provided or the fact we are facing a true public health and eviction emergency," said Gene Sperling, who is charged with overseeing implementation of President Joe Bidens $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package.

He said the new guidance is "going the extra mile to provide even more clarity and strong encouragement to put getting immediate relief out ahead of unnecessary and time-consuming paperwork.

___

Casey reported from Boston. Associated Press writers Anita Snow in Phoenix and Leah Willingham in Jackson, Mississippi, contributed to this report.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE  The Caldor Fire roared through drought-dried timber as it headed toward South Lake Tahoe Monday, reaching into the basin and forcing the citys 22,000 residents to evacuate.

The mass exodus brought traffic to a standstill on all roads leading out of the city, and for a while residents stood outside their cars and trucks filled with suitcases and other belongings. By evening the roads were clear and South Lake Tahoe was deserted, with the glow of oncoming flame visible from the shoreline.

Late into the evening, dozens of crews were active along Highways 50 and 89  the fire jumped Highway 89 south of the town of Meyers, just below South Lake Tahoe. They worked to extinguish the spot fires and embers being flung east with every new gust of wind.

There are a ton of firefighters out there, said Dominic Polito, a spokesman for Cal Fire. Stamina, willpower, whatever you want to call it, theyre doing what they can.

Earlier in the afternoon, flames jumped Highway 88 and were burning toward the Kirkwood ski resort. They scorched the west side of Thunder Mountain near the resort, between Silver Lake and Caples Lake, said Cal Fire assistant chief Brian Newman.

Firefighters prepared for the possibility that Caldor, fueled by fast winds and critically dry vegetation, could extend further toward South Lake Tahoe, threatening homes and businesses in the city. But crews benefited Monday by slower than expected winds in the basin, Newman said.

Just 15% of the 186,568-acre blaze was contained, Cal Fire reported Monday night. It torched more than 10,000 acres coming into Monday morning as it headed up Highway 50, breaching the summit at several locations, only the second time in state history that a wildfire burned from one side of the Sierra to the other. The first was the Dixie Fire, which started earlier this month, had burned 771,741 acres and was 48% contained.

Now Playing: Longtime Tahoe area resident Mel Smothers played his violin Monday while being stuck in 2 hours of eastbound evacuation traffic on Highway 50. Video: Alvin A.H. Jornada, Erika Betty Carlos

There is fire activity in California weve never seen before, Cal Fire Chief Thom Porter said at a briefing Monday.

Spot fires ignited over the summit near Echo Lake and below Echo Summit.

There is fire in the basin, the area that naturally drains into Lake Tahoe, Porter said, confirming what Lake Tahoe residents and homeowners feared for days. Its time to start going.

Nearly 300 square miles of forest land has burned in the two weeks since the fire started, torching most of the town of Grizzly Flats and blackening hills for miles along Highway 50. Pollock Pines and Strawberry were largely saved.

The Caldor Fire has turned a 50-mile picturesque stretch of highway into an apocalyptic landscape of charred trees, piles of ash and twisted metal where cabins stood.

The possibility the fire could burn into South Lake Tahoe or the surrounding area seemed surreal to fleeing residents and the untold generations of visitors who spend their vacations on the slopes or at the shore.

Lisa Quick, 56, a South Lake Tahoe resident of 28 years, said fleeing her home with her family and two dogs was horrible and terrifying.

She feared what the Caldor Fire would do to her home and her community.

I dont just live here, she said. This town is part of who I am.

Officials said the evacuation was orderly and followed a coordinated plan, and delays on roadways were not unexpected. By late afternoon, the flow out was steadier.

But not everyone hurried to the head of the line.

As dust swirled in the empty streets of South Lake Tahoe early Monday evening, Christine and William Smith seemed the only souls left in their Gardner Mountain neighborhood near the lakes southern tip, where highways 50 and 89 meet.

They were headed out, in vehicles loaded with bikes, hitched to boats, and packed with the stuff of their lives.

I feel like the firefighters are going to protect our neighborhood, but you just dont know. They cant make a miracle, Christine Smith said.

So William Smith cleared their roof of pine needles and anything else that might catch fire, and he soaked the wood fence with water.

They would aim for Santa Cruz, where they have family, but stop first at the Crazy Good Bakery in town. They own it.

Im cautiously optimistic, but the fire is just over that hill, William Smith said, gesturing toward Fallen Leaf Lake.

The Caldor fire has destroyed hundreds of homes in El Dorado County and threatened 21,000 more as it headed east toward Lake Tahoe and south toward the Amador County line.

One evacuee was Shaunte Dittmar, who fled her studio near Chistmas Valley, about 15 miles south of Lake Tahoe, with her cat Rasta. But they didnt go far  just a bit east, up to Tahoes Lakeside Beach near the Nevada border.

There, blue skies and sunshine cast an idyllic glow over the open water that belied the thick blanket of gray smoke creeping closer over the mountains. Breweries and sporting-goods stores that would normally be packed with hikers, bikers and beachgoers sat empty.

This is the first time in 11 years that Dittmar has had to evacuate due to fire, but she was calm after packing up her skis and sleeping in her Subaru Sunday night.

I mean, its mountain life. With everything going on, theres no point getting all worked up, said Dittmar, whose photography business has been upended by the pandemic.

Recently, things have been looking up as more couples have rescheduled their weddings. But now, as Dittmar debated whether to head to Nevada or the Bay Area next, she couldnt resist the pull of the peaceful stretch of beach where shed photographed a wedding in less complicated times.

I just thought to come to the lake, she said.

As the fire pushed forward 8 miles over the weekend, officials described the growth as a wake-up call for what was in store this week.

Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle

The firefighting conditions, the fuels, are historic, Cal Fire Incident Commander Jeff Veik, said in a staff briefing Monday. We will put this fire out. Its not going to be today.

Near the summit, Berkeley firefighters attempted to protect the City of Berkeleys Echo Lake Camp, which has hosted families and youth camps for decades. Mayor Jesse Arreguin reported Monday afternoon that spot fires had reached the camp, and crews were forced to retreat.

Weather conditions and the nature of this fire are dire, he said in a social media post. Too early to know outcome.

While officials hoped that the blaze could be stopped before it reached Echo Summit, winds continued pushing the flames forward.

Weather conditions were expected to worsen  theres a red flag warning in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday, with winds pushing the fire uphill and embers lighting spot fires up to a mile ahead of the main blaze.

Should an ember land in vegetation, chances of ignition were extremely high given the parched fuels and low humidity, said Jason Hunter, a Cal Fire information officer.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

Officials first issued an evacuation warning for all of South Lake Tahoe on Sunday night. Just before 10 a.m. Monday, mandatory evacuations were in place for Meyers and several parts of South Lake Tahoe. By noon, the whole city was told to empty out.

At the Tahoe Verde mobile home park on the southwest side of South Lake Tahoe, Erick Hurtado, 17, and his father, Hugo Hernandez, 34, prepared to evacuate Monday morning.

Standing in front of his home holding his white 1-year-old Chihuahua, Bun Bun, Hurtado said he was staying level-headed as they were ordered to flee.

Its just one of those things that, if you stay calm, it helps everyone, and you can get a plan together, Hurtado said, adding his family planned to find safety in Nevada.

Meanwhile, Christina Ingram was in Fallon, Nev., tried to contact her grandfather, whom she believed had evacuated to the mobile home park from his home in Meyers just south of the city.

Speaking by phone, she became emotional thinking of the threat that the Caldor Fire poses to his home  and to the broader Tahoe region.

Thats the last thing I would want, is for his house to go, Ingram said. Its not just this fire. Its been fire after fire. It feels like they cant get a break.

Those fleeing the blaze headed for hotels or rooms at the homes of friends or relatives. Others landed at evacuation shelters in Truckee and other communities including those in neighboring Nevada.

Nadia Beals, a 32-year-old resident of Tahoe Keys, pulled over at a gas station, hoping to refuel her pickup truck before heading to Reno. She had only a quarter tank of gas.

She tried to start the transaction, but the pump quickly canceled it. Then, for a moment, it appeared to start working, then canceled again.

Beals struggled to process the enormity of what was happening, as a steady line of evacuees inched forward. A sheriffs deputy told her she might not be allowed back home for a week.

Im still trying to wake up from this nightmare, Beals said before driving away without the gas. It just feels so unreal.

About two dozen people had come through a Red Cross shelter site opened Sunday night at the Veterans Hall in Truckee, with more expected Monday.

Robert Womack, Truckee emergency coordinator, said many people stopped by to ask about the status of their communities and homes, information that mostly wasnt available yet, and continued on.

The wind, heat and smoky skies were ominous, even miles from the fire front, Womack said.

Lake Tahoe communities are familiar with wildfires, even ones that burn down lakeside, said Womack, who has lived in Truckee most of his life. But he said years past it would have been unthinkable that four major wildfires  Beckwourth, Tamarack, Dixie and the Caldor  would burn in Sierra Nevada crest communities in the span of two months.

Weve had fires close to the lake, Womack said. The idea of mega fires, fires more than 100,000 acres that were not able to contain or stop? Its completely different.

Meanwhile Meyers, which is an unincorporated community on the edge of South Lake Tahoe, was a smoky ghost town Monday after a mandatory evacuation was issued Sunday. Every business, including the Holiday Market and Meeks Lumber and Hardware, was shuttered, with only a few empty cars sitting in parking lots. Only the faintest of treetops on the ridge nearby poked through the smoke along Highway 50.

While the town of Strawberry was largely spared over the weekend, homes and cabins along the highway burned as firefighters focused on the fire line farther up the mountain.

In nearby Stateline, Nev., casinos were shrouded in wildfire smoke, obscuring the areas natural surroundings as a gloomy red sun rose over Lake Tahoe Monday morning. Cars streamed steadily out of town on Highway 50 as residents left South Lake Tahoe just across the California border.

Nearby, Barton Hospital in South Lake Tahoe began evacuating patients to other facilities early Monday, ahead of the mandatory orders that followed hours later, leaving only the emergency room open, officials announced on social media.

All national forests in the state will remain closed at least through Sept. 17, the U.S. Forest Service announced Monday evening.

Chronicle staff writers Nanette Asimov, John King and Omar Shaikh Rashad contributed to this report.

J.D. Morris, Lauren Hepler, Julie Johnson and Jill Tucker are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com; lauren.hepler@sfchronicle.com; julie.johnson@sfchronicle.com; jtucker@sfchronicle.com
UPDATE: Go here for live coverage of the Caldor Fire in Lake Tahoe.

All 22,000 residents on the California side of Lake Tahoes south shore were ordered to evacuate in the face of the monstrous Caldor Fire as crews fought to beat back the blaze. The unrelenting series of wildfires burning across California has charred nearly 1.7 million acres so far and putting this fire season on track to surpass last years devastation, so far the worst on record.

Keep track of Northern California wildfires with The Chronicles interactive fire map. See air quality information in real time with The Chronicles air quality map.

The Caldor Fire has spread to 177,260 acres over 16 days, is 15% contained and has destroyed 482 structures, damaged 39 structures and injured five people as of Wednesday evening, according to Cal Fire.

Latest updates:

Battle rages overnight against spot fires in Tahoe basin: There are a ton of fire fighters out there, a Cal Fire spokesman said, describing the scene near Meyers  a small town within the Tahoe basin where crews battled embers and spot fires along the eastern front of the massive and still-growing Caldor Fire. Our look at the days developments is here.

Now Playing: Longtime Tahoe area resident Mel Smothers played his violin Monday while being stuck in 2 hours of eastbound evacuation traffic on Highway 50. Video: Alvin A.H. Jornada, Erika Betty Carlos

National Forests will stay closed for weeks to come: Citing record level fuel and fire conditions, the USDA Forest Service announced Monday that it will close all national forests in California at least through Sept. 17. We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety, Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien said in a statement.

Caldor Fire containment increases by 1%: Cal Fire said in its evening update that the fires containment rose slightly from Monday afternoon.

Douglas County issues partial evacuation warnings: The Nevada county issued the warning for the Kingsbury, Round Hill, Lake Village, Lower Olivers and Kahle Drive areas. Evacuation shelters are located at Truckee Veterans Hall at 10214 High St. in Truckee, Carson City Community Center at 851 East William St., and Carson High School at 1111 North Saliman Road, both in Carson City.

Nevada governor declares state of emergency in El Dorado County: Gov. Steve Sisolak's order directs local, state and federal resources to the fire-stricken area. Thank you to our brave first responders, local government agencies, and nonprofit entities who continue to go above and beyond to assist our communities during these trying times, he said in a statement.

National forest shutdown extended statewide through Labor Day: With wildfires creating dangerous conditions and taxing firefighting crews across California, the U.S. Forest Service reportedly is expanding its closure of national forestlands throughout the state and extending the shutdown past Labor Day. In an announcement to employees Monday, California regional forester Jennifer Eberlien said all 20 million acres of the states national forests will be shut to the public through at least Sept. 17, the Sacramento Bee reported. The Forest Service had already issued an emergency closure of its nine national forests in the Northern California region that began on Aug. 22 and was set to last through Sept. 6.

Wildfire cameras capture Caldor Fire racing toward Lake Tahoe: An array of wildfire cameras captured the Caldor Fires march toward South Lake Tahoe. A camera placed near the Heavenly Ski Resort showed an eerie, orange-brown sky choked with wildfire smoke. Time-lapsed images elsewhere showed the fires destructive progress, pushed by northeast winds.

Evacuees fleeing South Lake Tahoe jam Highway 50: Thousands of people fleeing South Lake Tahoe and the Caldor Fire streamed onto Highway 50 Monday, creating a standstill traffic jam. Multiple Caltrans traffic cameras showed the gridlock in real time.

Caldor Fire is throwing harvest into chaos in up-and-coming El Dorado wine country: The Caldor Fire has completely upended the beginning of the harvest season in this up-and-coming wine region, which more than 70 wineries call home. More than a week after its eruption, some winemakers remained unable to access their cellars, and everyone, no matter their evacuation status, was on high alert due to the smoky air, which can imbue wines with unpleasant flavors. Read the story here.

Caldor Fire threatens Berkeleys Lake Echo Camp: Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin tweeted that the Caldor Fire was threatening Berkeleys Echo Lake Camp. Berkeley firefighters were working to protect the camp, Arreguin said.

Another devastating California wildfire season, by the numbers: Over 15,000 firefighters are on the front lines, trying to contain more than 15 wildfires that have collectively burned 1,761,821 acres across the state of California. Fire crews use helicopters, engines, bulldozers and other types of machinery to aid containment efforts.

See the latest evacuations for South Lake Tahoe: El Dorado County officials issued multiple waves of evacuation orders for South Lake Tahoe and nearby regions Monday. See a list and a map of the areas under evacuation orders and warnings here.

Red flag warning extended for South Lake Tahoe and Northern Sierra: The National Weather Service extended an existing red flag warning for the Northern Sierra and Southern Cascades. The warning, signaling critical conditions for starting or spreading wildfires, will now expire at 11 p.m. Wednesday. Gusting southwest winds of up to 35 mph were possible along with plunging humidity levels. South Lake Tahoe, Oroville, Auburn, Paradise and Placerville were among the California cities and town under the red flag warning, according to the NWS.

Thousands ordered to evacuate Lake Tahoe: A large area around Lake Tahoe was ordered to evacuate Monday morning, including Emerald Bay and Pope Beach as well as those west of the airport, South Lake Tahoe High School and near Heavenly Ski Resort after the Caldor Fire ran through Echo Summit. Read the full story here.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

Unhealthy air shrouding South Lake Tahoe: Air quality around South Lake Tahoe was very unhealthy Monday morning, though winds from the southwest were expected to push smoke from the Caldor Fire northeast. That should help clear up the air by noon in some areas, Cal Fire said, though places where the smoke has been thickest, like Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, could take longer.

Caldor Fire leaves a trail of devastation as it heads toward Tahoe Basin: The Caldor Fire roared through drought-dried timber, turning another 10,000 acres to ash as it headed closer to Lake Tahoe, sending residents fleeing into Nevada as flames crested the summit of the Sierras. Read the story here.

Dixie Fire now more than 771,000 acres: The Dixie Fire burning across five Northern California counties was measured at 771,183 acres Monday morning, according to Cal Fire, with 48% containment.

California wildfires force more than 43,000 to evacuate: Some 43,400 Californians have been forced to flee their homes because of the wildfires tearing across the state. The vast majority  nearly 30,000 people  have fled their homes in El Dorado County, according to the Governors Office of Emergency Services.

Caldor Fire threatening 20,000 structures: At least 20,000 structures were threatened by the growing Caldor Fire, Cal Fire said Monday morning. At least 472 homes have already been destroyed, though ongoing assessments are likely to reveal additional damage.

South Lake Tahoe hospital evacuated to escape the Caldor Fire: Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe said it evacuated all of its patients to escape the threat of the Caldor Fire. Patients were transferred to other medical facilities.

See the latest evacuation maps for the Tahoe region: All of the South Lake Tahoe basin is under an evacuation warning, meaning residents need to be prepared to leave if the Caldor Fire continues encroaching. See the latest evacuation information from El Dorado County officials here.

Early morning winds could push Caldor Fire closer to South Lake Tahoe: Early morning winds were expected over the northeast area of the Caldor Fire, raising concerns that the fire would continue its march toward South Lake Tahoe, Cal Fire said. A red flag warning was already in effect due to a forecast calling for high winds and low humidity.

Caldor Fire now at more than 177,000 acres: The Caldor Fire was measured at 177,260 acres in size Monday morning, with just 14% containment. Mondays weather forecast called for gusting winds and low humidity  conditions expected to help fan the fires flames. The fire grew by nearly 10,000 acres overnight.
As thousands of evacuees fleeing South Lake Tahoe and the Caldor Fire streamed onto Highway 50 Monday, a violin player got out of his car to serenade fellow motorists frozen in standstill traffic.

Leaning against a parked car, longtime Tahoe resident Mel Smothers fiddled a tune, his face seemingly tranquil in spite of the danger and uncertainty lurking behind him.

Now Playing: The Caldor Fire roared through drought-dried timber as it headed toward South Lake Tahoe Monday, forcing the city's 22,000 residents to evacuate. Video: San Francisco Chronicle

All of South Lake Tahoe fell under a mandatory evacuation order Monday, and Highway 50 was closed between Myers and Pollock Pines, cutting off routes into the Central Valley.

Mondays closures left the only open avenue to take Highway 50 eastbound toward Nevada, in hopes of circling the lake to link up with Interstate 80 or head over Spooner Summit to Carson City.

As a result, traffic delays were more than an hour at an intersection known as the Y at the southern tip of the lake, where Highway 89 coming from the west shore merges with Highway 50 at Lake Tahoe Boulevard. By 4 p.m., the gridlock at the Y had finally cleared after several hours.

From there, Highway 50 runs north to Stateline and up the Nevada side of the lake where it funnels through the Cave Rock tunnel, before turning east to Carson City. Highway 50 to Carson is open but not westbound, to deter motorists from driving toward the lake.

According to Public Information Officer Ruth Loehr with the California Highway Patrol, traffic was bottling up on the Nevada side of Highway 50, so lanes were closed by the CHP at the Y to maintain the flow.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

Highway 50 is two lanes of surface road in each direction. By comparison, the access to the north shore of Lake Tahoe is I-80, a four or five-lane freeway.

Strangely after several days of near brownout conditions on the lake, the wind shifted to the west on Monday, leaving the skies clearer and Glenbrook Bay even a shade of blue.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle, Twitter: @samwhitingsf
More than 65 Mendocino County doctors and medical workers released a stark public letter Monday urging residents to get vaccinated amid a crush of new, and often serious, coronavirus cases.

Every day, we take care of more and more patients who are sick with COVID-19. Our emergency departments are overflowing. Our hospitals are full. Our ICUs are full, the letter said.

As the highly contagious delta variant spreads, COVID-19 hospitalizations in rural Northern California counties are rapidly increasing, severely straining already limited resources. Doctors and nurses are on the brink of exhaustion 18 months into the pandemic. Patients are waiting for beds. ICU units are full.

Many of those who are hospitalized are unvaccinated, the doctors said. The current, fourth, COVID surge is also seeing more younger patients. Unvaccinated people in California are more than six times as likely to contract the coronavirus than those who are vaccinated, according to recent state data.

The letter said transferring patients to nearby hospitals has been difficult as neighboring counties contend with their own COVID surges. Medical staff said they have become used to hearing the phrase there are no hospital beds in all of Northern California.

Never before has our medical system faced such a challenge. We can all do our part in this dire situation by getting vaccinated, the Mendocino doctors and medical wrote in the letter.

The issue is compounded for rural areas as it simultaneously deals with fast-moving wildfires, which degrade air quality and can cause health complications for people with underlying health conditions.

The overflow of patients at hospitals impact non-COVID patients too  those who are dealing with strokes and heart attacks, and other medical issues, are struggling to find beds, the letter said.

Doctors in Del Norte County, on the Oregon border, released a similar letter pleading with the public to get vaccinated earlier this month. Many of those doctors also work in Humboldt County.

Despite rumors and misinformation circulating about the vaccines, the letter emphasized that they are safe and effective:

Please talk with us, or your primary care provider, about the COVID-19 vaccine. The data and the science are clear: the vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing severe COVID-19 illness and COVID-related deaths. We are vaccinated. Getting vaccinated will not only protect you, but will also keep your loved ones and your community safe and out of the hospital.

Shwanika Narayan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: shwanika.narayan@sfchronicle.com Twitter, Instagram: @shwanika
Vaccination rates in California have climbed significantly since early July. And the biggest increases are in counties with lots of unvaccinated residents and mounting hospitalizations. Ongoing research has given scientists a better sense of the benefits and potential drawbacks of a variety of COVID safety measures, from plastic shields to UV lights to temperature checks. The United Kingdom and California have charted similar pandemic paths through much of this year, with the U.K. often ahead of California in seeing coronavirus cases rise or fall.

Resources on COVID-19 and Californias reopening: For detailed maps and new city-by-city Bay Area data, check out The Chronicles Coronavirus Tracker. To get regular updates on our coverage, sign up for our coronavirus newsletter.

Latest updates:

Coronavirus vaccine requirement for California workers shelved for the year: California lawmakers will not consider a sweeping COVID-19 vaccine mandate this year, though the proposal could return when the Legislature reconvenes in January. With less than two weeks remaining in the legislative session, Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, said Monday that she would not pursue a bill to create a vaccine-or-test requirement for every California worker and to mandate proof of vaccination for bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. Read the full story.

COVID outbreak on cargo ship in San Francisco Bay sends six to hospital: Nineteen of the 21 crew members aboard a cargo ship anchored in San Francisco Bay have tested positive for the coronavirus  and six have been evacuated from the boat and transported to hospitals in San Francisco, the U.S. Coast Guard said Monday. A San Francisco Fire Department fireboat transported the six crew members of the Global Striker to UCSF and California Pacific Medical Center on Monday afternoon, according to the Coast Guards San Francisco division. None were in critical condition, fire officials said. Read the full story.

Hate crimes at highest level in 12 years, FBI data shows: Pandemic-fueled hate crimes rose to their highest level in more than a decade, according to the FBI's annual statistics report. The data, published Monday, showed a sharp spike in incidents targeting Asian and Pacific Islander communities  targeted in part because then-President Donald Trump frequently blamed China for the COVID pandemic. A percent distribution of victims by bias type shows that nearly 62% of victims were targeted because of their race, ethnicity, or ancestry. Of the known offenders, more than 55% were white and over 20% were Black.

More than 200,000 children infected in the past week: There were 203,962 child COVID-19 cases reported in the United States for the week ending Aug. 26, with children representing 22.4% of all the weekly reported cases in the country, according to data published Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The number represents a 9% increase in the cumulative number of child COVID-19 cases. Among states reporting, less than 2% of all their child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalization and less than 1% in death.

AstraZeneca issues vaccine mandate for its U.S. employees: U.S.-based employees of AstraZeneca who are returning to the workplace or visiting customers must be vaccinated against the coronavirus, the company said Monday. The New York Times reported that the drugmaker, based in Cambridge, England, said employees of its Boston-based Alexion Pharmaceuticals subsidiary face the same mandate. Those receiving exemptions for medical, religious or other reasons must take weekly coronavirus tests. The U.S. is not among the 87 countries where AstraZenecas coronavirus vaccine has been authorized for use.

Mendocino County doctors and medical staff ask residents to get vaccinated: More than 65 Mendocino County doctors and medical workers released a stark public letter Monday urging residents to get vaccinated. Our emergency departments are overflowing. Our hospitals are full. Our ICUs are full, the letter said. As the highly contagious delta variant spreads, COVID-19 hospitalizations in rural Northern California counties are rapidly increasing, stretching already limited resources. Many of those hospitalized are unvaccinated, the doctors said. The letter said transferring patients to nearby hospitals has been difficult as neighboring counties contend with their own COVID surges. The overflow impacts other patients who are dealing with strokes and heart attacks, and other medical issues. Read the full story.

COVID variant discovered in South Africa could be most mutated yet: The C.1.2 strain, which was detected by scientists in South Africa earlier this year, could be more infectious than all other coronavirus mutations identified so far, according to a new report from South Africas National Institute for Communicable Diseases. The variant has a mutation rate of around 41.8 per year, more than double any other strain currently considered a variant of concern. The agencys biggest concern is that the strain has the potential to evade coronavirus vaccines.

Mask bans in five states face federal civil rights inquiries: The U.S. Education Department is investigating five Republican-led states that have banned mask requirements in schools, officials announced Monday. According to the Associated Press, the departments Office for Civil Rights sent letters to education chiefs in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah. Those states have barred schools from requiring masks among all students and staff, a move that the department says could amount to discrimination against students with disabilities or health conditions by preventing them from safely attending school. The move escalated the Biden administrations battle with GOP-led states that say wearing masks should be a personal choice.

Some airlines no longer allowing fabric face masks: With the federal mask mandate for transportation systems extended in the U.S. through January 2022, travelers may face an additional wrinkle: Some international airlines are no longer allowing fabric masks. According to the Seattle Times, Lufthansa, Finnair, Swissair, Air France and Croatia Airlines no longer allow fabric masks, instead requiring surgical masks or even more protective FFP2, N95 or KN95 masks.

East Bay school district to consider vaccine mandate for students: The West Contra Costa Unified school board will hold a special meeting on Monday to consider a requirement that all eligible students get vaccinated against COVID-19. The district serves about 30,000 students in and around Richmond. Superintendent Chris Hurst told NBC Bay Area that he has already consulted with board members at Culver City Unified in Southern California, the first in the state to issue a vaccine mandate for students ages 12 and up. In the first week of school, 14 students and four staff members in the West Contra Costa Unified were infected with COVID-19.

Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts.

EU removes U.S. from travel safe list: With coronavirus infection levels rising in the United States, the European Union recommended Monday that its member nations reinstate restrictions on U.S. tourists. The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses advice that it gave in June, the Associated Press reported. The guidance is nonbinding for the 27 EU nations, however, and U.S. travelers can expect rules to vary across the continent.

Vaccinations are increasing in California. Heres where: Amid worries about the delta variant, theres a bright spot of news: Vaccination rates in California have climbed significantly since early July. And the biggest increases are in counties with lots of unvaccinated residents and mounting hospitalizations, according to a Chronicle data analysis. Read the story here.

In S.F., 80% of eligible residents are fully vaccinated: San Francisco health data showed that 80% of residents eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine were fully inoculated. And 86% of eligible city residents had received at least one dose. This is a major milestone but we still have work to do to make sure that all of us are protected. Now is the time to take your shot if you havent already, Mayor London Breed tweeted.

U.K. study suggests delta variant carries higher hospitalization risk: People infected with the delta variant of the coronavirus are more likely to be hospitalized compared to people infected with the alpha variant. Thats according to a study that analyzed more than 40,000 coronavirus infections in the United Kingdom. Fewer than 2% of those infections occurred in fully vaccinated people.

The benefits and downsides to plastic shields, UV lights and other pandemic measures: Health officials still consider masking and vaccination as key to curbing the pandemic. At the same time, other methods to prevent the spread of the virus, from plastic shields to UV lights to temperature checks, continue to be deployed by businesses, schools, grocery stores and office buildings. Ongoing research is now giving scientists a better sense of their benefits  and potential drawbacks. Heres the latest information on the effectiveness of safety measures still in place across the state.

This chart of the delta surge in California vs. the U.K. may contain a warning sign: Though separated by an ocean and a continent, the United Kingdom and California have charted similar pandemic paths through much of this year, with the U.K. often ahead of California in seeing coronavirus cases rise or fall. Read the story here.

The Bay Areas delta COVID surge wont end like others. Heres why: As hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise in many regions of California, health experts remain cautiously optimistic that the worst of the summer surge may be over in the Bay Area. But some fear we may not achieve a comfortable level of immunity until vaccination uptake increases significantly, or all those who remain unvaccinated inevitably get infected by the delta variant. Read the full story here.

S.F. study finds virus mutations behind many breakthrough cases: A study of nearly 1,400 San Francisco coronavirus cases between February and June found that people with breakthrough cases were more likely to be infected with a variant containing mutations that are resistant to the neutralizing antibodies that vaccines can induce. Read the story here.
I first heard the rumor of old plans for a restaurant at the top of Sutro Tower more than a decade ago, in a conversation with Jim Gabbert, the radio entrepreneur who also started KOFY TV-20.

Ive been looking for proof since, trying to find concrete plans for a dining room or observation deck at the apex of the now-beloved landmark. A lucky Chronicle archive find, and a conversation with Sutro spokesman Dave Hyams, appears to have solved the mystery  which falls somewhere between snake oil sales and a missed opportunity.

First some background on Sutro Tower: It opened in 1973, providing a game-changing boost for TV and radio stations that wanted to reach the entire Bay Area, while emerging as the highest point in the city. But there was a bitter battle that reached its zenith in the early 1960s about where it should go, with factions that wanted the tower on San Bruno Mountain in Northern San Mateo County, and Mount Sutro near the center of S.F.

The Chronicle wanted it on Mt. San Bruno, because they owned KRON, Hyams said on the Total SF podcast. And ABC wanted it (on Sutro) because they owned this property. What happened is they fought for about 10 years, and finally (federal aviation officials) weighed in and said, No, you cant put it on Mt. San Bruno, because its in the SFO flight pattern. 

During that fight between local media companies, which often spilled into the coverage, The Chronicle published a news story, floating the idea of the TV tower as a tourist destination. The Dec. 7, 1962, article was rediscovered during a recent archive search.

The proposed $2-million television tower atop San Bruno Mountain may also become a tourist attraction, with an elevator and viewing platform similar to the Seattle World Fair Space Needle, The Chronicle article declared. Crocker Land Co. disclosed yesterday that if federal officials gave permission to build the 734-foot transmitter tower, even a restaurant might be added. Elevation of the mountain is 1,315 feet, providing an unobstructed view of San Francisco, the Peninsula and the East Bay.

Importantly, no other local publication reported the story, which was likely planted to get the public excited about the San Bruno Mountain site. While the Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Examiner and newspapers in San Mateo and Marin were covering Sutro developments very closely (San Franciscos suburbs had the most to gain from the signal boost), none of them ever mentioned tourism possibilities for either tower plan.

Chronicle archives

The Chronicle quietly got on board with the Mount Sutro site in the mid-1960s, and there was no more mention of scenic restaurants.

It was never close to happening, Hyams said. But it would have been pretty cool, wouldnt it?

Indeed, Sutro Tower already has an observation area for the lucky few reporters and city officials allowed to summit the antenna, and you could put a couple of bacon-wrapped hot dog carts there right now. Theres currently a very small, two-person elevator that goes to the top, and five-foot-wide catwalks that make a triangle lap just below the towers highest antennas.

More from the Archive The Vault Home of the San Francisco Chronicle's archive and more than 150 years of journalism covering the Bay Area and beyond.

But mostly it seems impractical, if nothing else from a safety standpoint. Crews are constantly working on the site, which is a hard hat zone. When The Chronicle set up a remote podcast studio near the center of the base of the tower, a worker politely pointed out that someone was welding a couple hundred feet directly overhead. (We moved. Quickly.)

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Hyams confirms that Sutro Tower is strong enough to hold a little added weight; theres so much concrete at the base of the structure that the center of gravity for the tower is underground. Original structural engineer Furman Anderson, working for the Kline Iron & Steel tower division, may have been influenced by the Space Needle, which was constructed for the 1962 Worlds Fair.

So the chance of Sutro Tower offering above-the-fogline food service is in pipe dream territory, up there with a return of the Playland seaside amusement park or the 49ers coming back to Kezar Stadium. But if a restaurant did appear at the literal highest point in the city, Hyams wouldnt hesitate to say what hed want it to serve.

I want the crab sandwich, Hyams said. The (Giants) ballpark crab sandwich.

Peter Hartlaub is a San Francisco Chronicle . Email: phartlaub@sfchronicle.com
West Hollywood, the Los Angeles County city where celebrities strut around and paparazzi stake out the Sunset Strip, has a reputation for being quite affluent.

Its median per capita income is twice the national average, according the U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau estimates that the average home price is more than three times the national average. A popular socialist Twitch streamer ignited a whole internet controversy by simply buying a house there.

Yet, the city plans to experiment with universal basic income, a policy intervention popularized by Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang that seeks to combat extreme poverty by delivering regular, direct payments to individuals.

Why?

"While our community may be seen one way, we do have a portion of the population thats living below the poverty line," Mayor Lindsey Horvath said. "We want to focus work on uplifting vulnerable community members."

The Census Bureau estimates that 11.7% of West Hollywood's residents are living in poverty, and Horvath is a member of the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income coalition, a network of mayors around the country running guaranteed income test pilots. Other members include San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

The specifics of West Hollywood's plans are still being finalized, but for now, the city plans to give monthly unconditional $1,000 payments to at least 25 LGBT senior citizens. The pilot is slated to last 18 months, and Horvath expects it to begin by the end of this year.

"We chose that group because of the demographics in West Hollywood, where 45% of residents identify as LGBT, and 25% identify as older adults or senior citizens," she said. "We know that historically, the older LGBT population has been discriminated against, and they've had to deal with the effects of discrimination compounded over years, from the AIDS crisis to being denied the right to marry and missing out on benefits. We decided that this population was the right one to focus on."

Horvath provided figures showing that 44% of those living in poverty are older than the age of 55 (the Census Bureau estimates that just 14.8% of the city's population is 65 and older), and that nationally, LGBT people have a 21.6% poverty rate compared with 15.7% for straight cisgender individuals.

She said that the biggest criticism the pilot has faced comes from people asking why the benefits are not being extended to other subsets of the population. The answer to that question is relatively straightforward: West Hollywood is not in complete control of the pilot.

"When people ask why not expand the program to LGBT people overall, or to older adults overall, it's because we're looking to focus on this specific population for research purposes," she said. "We're partnering with Mayors for a Guaranteed Income and the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Guaranteed Income Research to develop pilots throughout country that focus on different populations in different communities and after looking at demographics, it seemed to make sense focus on the LGBT population because it hasnt been studied or discussed in other cities."

The pilot is so much of a joint endeavor that West Hollywood is still seeking a funding partner for the project. Horvath said negotiations are still ongoing and could not provide specifics about who may help fund the pilot.

Other pilots are underway across the country, but none specifically focus on the LGBT population. To gauge success, researchers will conduct frequent check-ins with participants and collect information on housing stability, health outcomes and more. Critics of universal basic income believe it would discourage work, but trials have yet to show this is the case.

Horvath said she's confident the pilot will be successful.

"I think weve already seen from data in other places that have run trials that guaranteed income brings benefits to communities," she said. "We're open to seeing what data comes out of the program, but we're confident moving forward."
- Updates: Get info on the Caldor Fire from the Eldorado National Forest.

- Information line: 530-303-2455

- Evacuations: Get the latest info from the U.S. Forest Service and from a map posted by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.

- Maps: Find from the Forest Service.

This is Monday's story from the Caldor Fire. To read the latest updates, click here.

The Caldor Fire raced down highways 50 and 89  main arteries for travel to and from the Tahoe Basin  as the wildfire continued to burn out-of-control Monday night. The flames burned cabins along the highways as residents of nearby Douglas County, Nevada were warned to evacuate.

"There is fire activity happening in California that we have never seen before. The critical thing for the public to know is evacuate early, said Chief Thom Porter, director of Cal Fire. "For the rest of you in California: Every acre can and will burn someday in this state."

Firefighters are in a battle to save homes and businesses as high winds push the Caldor Fire into the Tahoe Basin, creating a worst-case scenario for one of Californias most beloved natural treasures.

On Monday afternoon, spot fires began leaping into the basin, bringing flames within a stones throw of heavily populated areas like Meyers. All of South Lake Tahoe fell under a mandatory evacuation order, causing a crush of people to flee the region. Over 20,000 structures are currently threatened.

The most urgent firefighting is occurring along Highway 50 near Echo Summit, where crews had hoped to make a stand and prevent the head of the blaze from burning down into the basin. Dangerous, gusting winds, which are expected through Wednesday evening, are whipping up flames and embers which are floating down into Christmas Valley. The fire, now fed by the wind, is moving down the mountainside toward Meyers.

Echo Lake is currently in a firefight up there, Cal Fire operations section chief Cody Bogan said at a Monday evening briefing. Its been a rough, long day for the troops up there today.

Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

Bogan said the fire also crossed Highway 88 and was pushing toward Kirkwood. The Highway 88 corridor got hit pretty hard today, he said.

READ MORE: Live cameras show Caldor Fire nearing South Lake Tahoe in real time

Even though there's a lot of rock between Echo Summit and Emerald Bay in the Tahoe Basin, which could theoretically slow the spread of the burn, strong winds of up to 35 mph likely will spur the fire on.

"The winds today are going to make it more challenging to reduce or slow the spread of the fire," said Henry Herrera, a spokesperson for Cal Fire. "The combination of the dry vegetation and the hot weather and the strong winds are going to pose a challenge even though there is some rock in that area."

"There is potential for the fire to move at a rapid rate of spread like it did yesterday or even faster," he continued.

Fire officials were beginning to feel optimistic Friday that they might be able to button up large portions of the blaze. But that all changed over the weekend.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Winds picked back up Saturday and, by Sunday, fire crews lost containment. After starting the day with 19% containment, crews went back down to 13% after a brutal day on the fire lines. Containment ticked back up to 15% Monday. The fire has burned 186,568 acres so far  20,000 acres over the weekend alone.

On Sunday night and into Monday, the fire raged through Twin Bridges and Echo Summit. Reporters on the ground are seeing major structure damage in the communities, although official assessments by Cal Fire are still pending. So far the fire has destroyed 653 structures and damaged an additional 39. A map of damaged structures can be found here.

There were small bright spots, though. Firefighters battled the fire at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort, where snow cannons were activated to spray mist onto buildings.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The resort, normally famed for its snowy winter views, is now filled with fire crews, equipment, trucks and medical aid. Photos from Monday morning show that the fire made it into part of Sierra-at-Tahoe, but major buildings remain intact.

The fire has also calmed down in the area of Strawberry. Everything through Strawberry is looking a lot better now, Bogan said.

The Caldor Fire first ignited on August 14 in heavy timber in the El Dorado National Forest near the small town of Grizzly Flats south of Pollock Pines. The fire has been burning along Highway 50, a main artery between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. The road has been closed since August 20.

Two new evacuation shelters opened in Carson City, Nevada, as the entirety of South Lake Tahoe continues to flee the blaze. Available shelters around the region can be found here.

Cal Fire

Evacuations have yet to be lifted in places like Pollock Pines as officials wait to see what happens with the red flag warning. After that expires on Wednesday at 11 p.m., crews will assess if it is safe for residents to return.

"Historically, we've used the terms such as anomaly, unprecedented or extreme to describe the wildfires that we have seen burn throughout the state over the past 10 to 20 years," Cal Fire official Chris Anthony said. "These terms are no longer appropriate given the clear trends associated with drought, the changing climate and unresilient forest stands. Unfortunately these factors contribute to the resistance to control that we're seeing with the Caldor Fire."

SFGATE news editor Amy Graff and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
The road has been rocky for restaurants since the pandemic, and August is no different. This month included a number of closures that included both newer businesses, and an older favorite. Fortunately, in the case of some of this month's closures, it's not the end, but instead the start of a new venture for the chef. Here's a curated selection of businesses that shuttered this past month in San Francisco and beyond.

See the list of Bay Area restaurants, bars and other food businesses that permanently closed in August below. For more Bay Area restaurant and bar closures in 2021, click here.

Eko Kitchen was heralded as San Francisco's first Nigerian restaurant, opening in 2019 and run by Simileoluwa Adebajo. In that short time, the kitchen weathered plenty of storms beyond the pandemic, including a devastating fire that took out much of her kitchen equipment in July 2020. This month, Adebajo announced she is shuttering the restaurant portion of the business, instead choosing to focus on "private chef services, catering, cooking classes and food retail." Read more at SF Business Times.

Frjtz has been feeding San Francisco residents its crisp fries for over 20 years, but its last outpost in the city finally shuttered in late July. Owner Santiago Rodriguez, who lives in New York, told SFGATE over email that running his business across the country became increasingly difficult, despite moving to a delivery-only model back in 2019. One last location in Oakland remains. Read More here.

The newest location of Kin Khao in Dogpatch has shuttered after just one year, partially due to a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant that was rescinded, the Chronicle reported. Kin Khao was one of 3,000 restaurants whose grants were rescinded due to lawsuits filed by activists. Read more from sfchronicle.com. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.)

Tina Y.

After six years of feeding guests at Lord Stanley, chef-owners Ruppert and Carrie Blease are closing the restaurant as diners know it in early September and relaunching as Turntable at Lord Stanley. The space will host international and up-and-coming chefs in a pop-up format, changing up every two months. Micaela Najman of restaurant Anafe in Buenos Aires is set to kick things off on Sept. 7. Read more here.

Michael Mina is closing his namesake restaurant and is opening Estiatorio Ornos in September, a new restaurant concept focused on Greek seafood, in its place. "This new iteration of the restaurant will not only continue to offer a tasting menu, but also an a la carte experience that feels more social and uses its roots to pay homage to the Mediterranean seafood experience," Mina said in a statement. Read more here.

Andrew D. on Yelp

Chef Dennis Lee, and his brothers David and Daniel Lee, have shuttered the remaining Namu Stonepot location on Dolores Street, after closing up their other restaurants this year. It's not the end, however: The group has opened SSP Beer Hall in SoMa with dishes Namu Stonepot available there. Read more here.

Editor's note: This story was updated Sept. 1 at 8:30 a.m. to update information on the guest chef at Turntable at Lord Stanley.
SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP)  A first group of 149 Afghan evacuees landed late Monday in North Macedonia, where they will stay for a few months pending resettlement elsewhere.

The passengers on a private Afghan Kam Air flight that arrived at Skopje international airport were employees of Western organizations in Afghanistan and members of their families.

Met first by medical workers in protective clothing, the Afghan men, women and children were transferred to a hotel near the capital, Skopje. They will be tested for the coronavirus and granted temporary three-month visas.

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani said the evacuees were people in acute need of help.

These are our allies, people we have worked with us and whose lives are in danger, and people who need help the most, he said.

North Macedonia has agreed to host temporarily at least 750 Afghans who worked with U.S-led international forces.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has said all evacuees will be sheltered in hotels near Skopje, at the expense of international organizations as well as the U.S.

North Macedonia has been a NATO member since 2020, and it had troops in Afghanistan to support the alliance deployment in 2002-2014.
Currently Reading

Alert: Education Department opens civil rights investigations against five states that bar mask mandates for schools
A conservative Florida radio host who was dead-set against taking a coronavirus vaccine is now dead.

Marc Bernier died Saturday of COVID-19 after a three-week battle, his bereft radio station announced.

He was 65.

Its with great sadness that WNDB and Southern Stone Communications announce the passing of Marc Bernier, who informed and entertained listeners on WNDB for over 30 years, WNDB radios News Daytona Beach announced Saturday. We kindly ask that privacy is given to Marcs family during this time of grief.

Bernier had been afflicted three weeks earlier after hosting radio talk shows in Daytona Beach for 30 years, and after dubbing himself Mr. Anti-Vax. He also said the U.S. government was acting like Nazis for insisting people get the shot.

That airtime included a morning comment, three-hour afternoon show, and weekend shows and specials. Longtime radio show guest and Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood was gutted after learning that the host had died sometime after 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Im numb, Chitwood told The Daytona Beach News-Journal. To me, this is a death in the family.

Berniers death was the third this month among conservative talk show hosts outspoken against the coronavirus vaccine.

He was preceded eight days earlier by Phil Valentine, a 61-year-old conservative talk radio host in Tennessee who mocked coronavirus vaccines but changed his tone after getting sick. He battled the disease for a month.

Also having a change of heart, before his stopped, was Dick Farrel, a former Newsmax commentator and all-around coronavirus-denying, vaccine-resistant right-wing radio talk show host. The South Florida radio host died of COVID-19 complications on Aug. 6, at age 65, after exhorting fans not to get the vaccine, calling the entire coronavirus crisis a scam-demic.

Both Farrel and Valentine urged friends and followers to get the vaccine as the disease closed in on them and said they regretted not doing it themselves.

Bernier, speaking to a guest about a week after the Pfizer jab was approved for emergency use in December, was adamantly against it, though it wasnt clear how he felt at the end.

Are you kidding me? Mr. Anti-Vax? Jeepers, Bernier said in answer to the question of whether he would take the shot. Im not taking it.

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BALTIMORE (AP)  The first new Catholic school built in Baltimore in roughly 60 years opened its doors Monday to hundreds of youngsters, who entered the gleaming new building with a mix of enthusiasm and first-day-back jitters.

Do great, my children! called Jason Engram as his three children stepped into Mother Mary Lange Catholic School, a state-of-the-art school located on the site where a notoriously rough public housing high-rise once stood.

In a U.S. city steeped in Catholicism like few others, the new 65,000-square-foot (6,000-square meter) building near downtown Baltimore is somewhat of an anomaly in the national education landscape as the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the shuttering of many Catholic schools.

Its named after Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, a Haitian American who started a Catholic school for Black children in 1828  the first U.S. Catholic school for African American youth. She co-founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence in Baltimore in 1829. The Vatican is reviewing Lange for possible canonization.

Archbishop of Baltimore William E. Lori said the new school, which goes from preschool to 8th grade, was not only a benefit to the students and their families but also an asset to the surrounding neighborhood. The schools playing fields and gym will be accessible, as appropriate, to the city community.

They say a rising tide lifts all boats. And I think the opening of this school has put a spring in the step of all of our Catholic educators, Lori said in a phone interview.

It comes amid a particularly challenging time for Catholic schools in the U.S. At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, financial and enrollment problems aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the permanent closure or consolidation of more than 200 Catholic schools, according to the National Catholic Educational Association. Elementary schools were hit particularly hard.

The National Catholic Educational Association has reported that enrollment in Catholic schools across the country dropped 6.4% last year from the previous school year  the biggest single-year decline in nearly 50 years.

This autumn, there could be more positive figures to report, association leaders stressed on Monday. Various Catholic schools around the country have reported increased enrollment numbers.

Engram and his wife, Devon, both employees at the University of Maryland complex across the street from Mother Mary Lange, said they switched to Catholic education for their children after a negative experience years ago in a Baltimore public school, which she described as a dark and gloomy" place. The Black family is Baptist and say they value faith-based learning.

We feel it's an investment we're making in our children's futures, Jason Engram said.

The majority of the mostly non-Catholic student population at the new Baltimore school is expected to qualify for tuition assistance from the archdiocese, which says it will make more than $1 million available in tuition grants and assistance. It has a projected enrollment of 520 students by the fourth year of operations. Regular tuition is around $6,000.

The new school with a chemistry lab and other resources is a source of pride for many parishioners in Baltimore, which in the early 1800s was a Catholic hub described as the Rome of the United States.

Few were more excited about the new school than David Guillen, a third-grader who lives less than a mile away from Mother Mary Lange and was very eager to start his academic year with in-person instruction. It's big and really nice. I am kind of still in shock at how big and nice it is," he said.

Besides Mother Mary Lange's achievements, Baltimore has a number of firsts when it comes to U.S. Catholicism. There are older Catholic churches in the country, but Baltimore is home to the nations first bishop, first cathedral, first diocese and first archdiocese. And Elizabeth Ann Seton, Americas first native saint, began her religious life in Baltimore, where she founded the nations first parochial school.
BENZIE COUNY  On Aug. 27, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department issued a Public Health Order requiring universal masking in grades K-12 for all school districts within the departments two county jurisdiction of Benzie and Leelanau counties.

The order requires all persons, regardless of vaccination status  students, staff and visitors  to properly and consistently wear a face mask while inside any enclosed building or structure of the institution.

"The order remains in effect until health department officials determine that risk trends have consistently improved, using such indicators as transmission level, vaccination coverage, hospital capacity and public health capacity," reads a news release. "This order is issued pursuant to the Michigan Public Health Code, MCL 333.2451 and 333.2453, as well as R. 325.175(4), which is an administrative rule promulgated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to MCL333.2226(d)."

Local public health departments have a duty to protect the publics health, said Lisa Peacock, health officer, in the news release. After thoughtful consideration, we took this action due to several key factors, with the number one goal of helping schools maintain in-person learning in a safe and healthy environment.

Between Aug. 3-27, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department reported 131 total cases of COVID-19 and two deaths  an increase of 274% compared to 35 cases in July. The Delta variant, the most common strain of COVID-19 in Michigan, is highly transmissible and the risk of transmission remains elevated among unvaccinated persons in schools.

In addition to the large increase in the number of cases, local hospital authorities are reporting a sharp uptick in COVID-19 cases, resulting in a strain on capacity including limited ICU beds, extremely long wait times in emergency departments and lacking capacity to fully serve all patients, sometimes necessitating ambulance transport of patients to downstate hospitals which further strains local EMS capacity.

The most effective way to prevent transmission in schools is to support being vaccinated, said Dr. Josh Meyerson, medical director. Achieving high levels of COVID-19 vaccination among eligible students, as well as teachers, staff, and household members, is the most critical strategy to help schools stay open safely. Students younger than 12 years of age are currently ineligible to receive the vaccination. Masking, along with other mitigation measures, can prevent a significant number of new infections among students, secondary cases in their households, and reduce the number of missed days of school due to illness, isolation, or quarantine."

The health department said that in addition to protection from others, "a face mask captures the mask wearer's exhaled respiratory droplets and aerosols that may contain the virus from being breathed in by others. Given that the virus can spread from infected people who do not appear sick, masks remain essential to everyone."

A layered protection strategy helps ensure a "healthy learning environment" which allows students the best chance to stay healthy and in the classroom, according to the health department.

"This order is consistent with the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians for indoor face masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status," reads the news release. "Health department officials also support the CDC and MDHHS recommendations that everyone  fully vaccinated and unvaccinated  wear a mask indoors in public if in an area of substantial or high community transmission. The order is also consistent with and assists schools in complying with their statutory obligation to provide for the safety and welfare of pupils while at school or a school sponsored activity or while in route to or from school or a school-sponsored activity."

The health department is offering free COVID-19 testing with the support of HONU lab. The test is free, and no doctors order is required. Pre-registration is not required, but it is recommended to reduce time spent at the testing clinic, and walk-ins are welcome.

Testing is available as follows:

 On Thursdays from noon-6 p.m. at the Suttons Bay Old Middle School. To register click here.

 On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crystal Cafe in Benzonia. To register click here.

All three COVID-19 vaccines are available at every clinic. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. Public health nurses are on-site at these events and able to answer any questions about the vaccines.

All clinics are open to walk-ins, or an appointment can be scheduled by visiting bldhd.org.

Clinics will be held as follows:

 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 31, Suttons Bay Middle School Gymnasium, 310 S. Elm Street, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Moderna, Janssen and Pfizer (open to 12 or older, parent/guardian must accompany minor). To schedule an appointment visit bldhd.org.

 2-6 p.m. on Sept. 1, Crystal Cafe, 1681 Benzie Hwy, Benzonia, MI 49616. Moderna, Janssen and Pfizer (open to 12 or older, parent/guardian must accompany minor). To schedule an appointment visit bldhd.org.

COVID-19 Case Counts

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is reporting the following case information:

 On Aug. 27, 7 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Benzie (3), and Leelanau (4).

 On Aug. 28, 5 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Benzie (1), and Leelanau (4).

 On Aug. 29, 1 new case of COVID-19 was reported in Benzie (1), and Leelanau (0).

 Aug. 30, 2 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Benzie (1) and Leelanau (1).

As of 4 p.m. on Aug. 27, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is reporting:

 Total COVID-19 cases in the following counties: Benzie 1,325, Leelanau 1,373

 Active COVID-19 cases in the following counties: Benzie 50, Leelanau 77

 Recovered COVID-19 cases in the following counties: Benzie 1,241, Leelanau 1,278

 Confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the following counties: Benzie  34, Leelanau 18

 Hospitalized: 177 total; 4 currently

Visit the COVID-19 Data Dashboard at www.bldhd.org/coronavirus-covid-19 for the latest local information including recovered data and contact tracing.

Additional and updated information can be found at www.bldhd.org and Facebook or by calling 231-882-2197. People with COVID-19 related questions can fill out a quick survey and email questions to hotline@bldhd.org.
NEW YORK (AP)  An 80-pound cougar was removed from a New York City apartment where she was being kept illegally as a pet, animal welfare officials said Monday.

The owner of the 11-month-old female cougar surrendered the animal on Thursday, Kelly Donithan, director of animal disaster response for the Humane Society of the United States, said in a news release.

The cougar, nicknamed Sasha, spent the weekend at the Bronx Zoo receiving veterinary care and is now headed to the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, officials said.

The Humane Society coordinated with zoo officials, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York Police Department on the big cat's removal.

Ive never seen a cougar in the wild, but Ive seen them on leashes, smashed into cages, and crying for their mothers when breeders rip them away," the Humane Societys Donithan said. Ive also seen the heartbreak of owners, like in this case, after being sold not just a wild animal, but a false dream that they could make a good pet.

Donithan said this cougar was relatively lucky because her owners, who live in the Bronx, recognized that a wild cat is not fit to live in an apartment and surrendered her.

The owners tears and nervous chirps from the cougar as we drove her away painfully drives home the many victims of this horrendous trade and myth that wild animals belong anywhere but the wild," Donithan said.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said that while cougars "may look cute and cuddly when young, these animals can grow up to be unpredictable and dangerous."

Bronx Zoo director Jim Breheny said the exotic pet trade makes no contribution to the conservation of endangered species.

These animals often end up in very bad situations, kept by private individuals who dont have the resources, facilities, knowledge, or expertise to provide for the animals most basic needs, Breheny said. "In addition to these welfare concerns for the animals, the keeping of big cats by private people poses a real safety hazard to the owner, the owners family and the community at large.

New York has seen other notable cases involving dangerous animals in private residences, including Ming, a 400-pound tiger that was removed from a Harlem apartment in 2003.

Mings owner, Antoine Yates, was arrested and sentenced to five months in prison for reckless endangerment. Ming died in 2019 at the Noahs Lost Ark Exotic Animal Rescue Center in Ohio.

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said the cougar's case is currently under investigation and no further information is available at this time.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  An effort to legalize marijuana use and sales in Ohio has cleared another hurdle on the path to getting the proposal submitted to the Legislature.

The Ohio Ballot Board, a panel of legislative appointees led by Secretary of State Frank LaRose, voted Monday to approve the proposed statute from the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol as a single issue.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The leader of the state Department of Natural Resources policy board consulted with Republicans on his decision to stay on the panel after his term expired, emails show.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Monday that it obtained emails that show Fred Prehn solicited advice and shared information with an aide to Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, former University of Wisconsin Regent Gerald Whitburn and lobbyists.

Prehn's six-year term on the board ended that month and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers appointed Sandra Naas to replace him. Her appointment would give Evers appointees majority control of the board.

Prehn, who was appointed to his position by former Gov. Scott Walker, has refused to step down to make way for Naas, insisting that he doesn't need to vacate the seat until the Senate confirms her. LeMahieu has taken no steps toward a confirmation vote, ensuring Walker appointees maintain control the board.

The Journal Sentinel obtained an email Prehn sent to a LeMahieu aide that includes an attached Legislative Reference Bureau memo explaining a state statute that allows him to retain his seat until his successor is confirmed. The email was a follow-up to a May 25 call between Prehn and LeMahieu's office. Prehn told a reporter in June he hadn't heard anything from senators about retaining his seat.

Prehn also corresponded with Tiffany, Madison lobbyist Scott Meyer and Scott Manley, executive vice president of government relations for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state's largest business group. He shared news stories with them about his refusal to step down.

It's only going to get worse, he said in a message to Tiffany and Meyer. Unbelievable.

Whitburn urged Prehn to have someone write an editorial explaining why Evers' environmental agenda would hurt the state. Prehn then forwarded the advice to Meyer.

Prehn said in a June 22 email to Fred Clark, executive director of conservationist group Wisconsin's Green Fire, that he doesn't have to step down if the Legislature doesn't like Evers' appointments.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul sued Prehn earlier this month in an attempt to force him off the board. Republican legislators and Kansas-based Hunter Nation have moved to join the case. No hearings have been scheduled yet.

The Journal Sentinel reported that Prehn didn't respond to a request for a comment.

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(Eds: This story has been corrected to show that Whitburn urged Prehn to have someone write an editorial explaining why Evers' environmental agenda would hurt the state, rather than urging Prehn himself to write the editorial.)
Hours after a U.S. military drone strike in Kabul on Sunday, Defense Department officials said that it had blown up a vehicle laden with explosives, eliminating a threat to Kabuls airport from the Islamic State Khorasan group.

But at a family home in Kabul on Monday, survivors and neighbors said the strike had killed 10 people, including seven children, an aid worker for an American charity organization and a contractor with the U.S. military.

Zemari Ahmadi, who worked for the charity organization Nutrition and Education International, was on his way home from work after dropping off colleagues Sunday evening, according to relatives and colleagues interviewed in Kabul.

As he pulled into the narrow street where he lived with his three brothers and their families, the children, seeing his white Toyota Corolla, ran outside to greet him. Some clambered aboard in the street, while others gathered around as he pulled the car into the courtyard of their home.

It was then that they say the drone struck.

The missile hit the rear end of the Corolla in the narrow courtyard inside the walled family compound, blowing out doors, shattering windows and spraying shrapnel. Ahmadi and some of the children were killed inside his car; others were fatally wounded in adjacent rooms, family members said. An Afghan official confirmed that three of the dead children were transferred by ambulance from the home Sunday.

Ahmadis daughter Samia, 21, was inside when she was struck by the blast wave.

At first I thought it was the Taliban, she said. But the Americans themselves did it.

Samia said she staggered outside, choking, and saw the bodies of her siblings and relatives.

I saw the whole scene, she said. There were burnt pieces of flesh everywhere.

The Pentagon acknowledged the possibility that Afghan civilians had been killed in the drone strike but suggested that any civilian deaths resulted from the detonation of explosives in the vehicle that was targeted.

Were not in a position to dispute it, John F. Kirby, the chief Pentagon spokesman, said Monday about reports on the ground of civilian casualties.

He repeated earlier Pentagon statements that the military was investigating the strike on a vehicle 2 miles from Hamid Karzai International Airport.

No military on the face of the earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the United States military, Kirby said. We take it very, very seriously. And when we know that we have caused innocent life to be lost in the conduct of our operations, were transparent about it.

Among the dead was Samias fiance, Ahmad Naser, 30, a former army officer and contractor with the U.S. military who had come from Herat, in western Afghanistan, in the hopes of being evacuated from Kabul.

A spokesman for the U.S. Central Command said Sunday that the U.S. military had carried out a drone strike against an Islamic State Khorasan vehicle planning to attack the airport. The group had claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at the airport Thursday.

On Monday, Capt. Bill Urban, the spokesman, reaffirmed an earlier statement that the military hit a valid target, an explosives-laden vehicle.

Ahmadi was a technical engineer for the local office of Nutrition and Education International, an American nonprofit based in Pasadena, California. His neighbors and relatives insisted that the engineer and his family members, many of whom had worked for the Afghan security forces, had no connection to any terrorist group.

They provided documents related to his long employment with the American charity, as well as Nasers application for a Special Immigrant Visa, based on his service as a guard at Camp Lawton, in Herat.

He was well respected by his colleagues and compassionate towards the poor and needy, Steven Kwon, the president of NEI, said of Ahmadi in an email. He wrote that Ahmadi had just recently prepared and delivered soy-based meals to hungry women and children at local refugee camps in Kabul.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
KABUL, Afghanistan  After a day at work, Ezmari Ahmadi was just arriving at his home Sunday in Khwaja Burgha, a working-class neighborhood a few miles west of Kabul's airport, when calamity struck.

As he pulled into the driveway about 4:30 p.m., children  his own as well as those of his brothers and other relatives  swarmed around Ahmadi's Toyota Corolla. His 12-year-old son, Farzad, asked if he could park the car. Ahmadi obliged, put Farzad in the driver's seat and switched to the passenger side.

That's when what the family says was an American missile fired moments before from a drone buzzing nearby drilled through the car, slammed into the ground below and detonated.

In an instant, 10 people were killed, including no fewer than seven children, Ahmadi's brother Emal said Monday. Among the dead were Ahmadi, 40, who the family said worked for a Southern California-based charity; a 25-year-old nephew who was about to be married; and five kids who were 5 years old or younger.

In the driveway, what remained of the Corolla on Monday was a blackened, incinerated heap of metal, melted plastic and scraps of what appeared to be human flesh and a tooth. Somewhere near the passenger's side was a hole where a projectile had punched through. Two Los Angeles Times journalists who visited the site examined metal fragments consistent with some kind of missile.

U.S. forces, which are due to complete their pullout from Afghanistan on Tuesday, say they launched a drone strike Sunday that destroyed a car loaded with explosives and suicide bombers heading for Kabul's airport, where a terrorist attack killed more than 180 people Thursday, including 13 U.S. service personnel.

It remained unclear Monday whether the drone strike was linked to the blast that hit Ahmadi's car. In an initial statement after the strike, U.S. Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesman for the U.S. military's Central Command, said the strike had hit its intended target and that there were no indications of civilian casualties.

But in a subsequent statement, Urban said the Pentagon was aware of reports of civilian casualties and was investigating. "We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life," he said.

He said the U.S. strike "disrupted an imminent ISIS-K threat," a reference to the Afghan affiliate of the militant Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for Thursday's deadly bombing on the outskirts of the Kabul airport. In the wake of that attack, the Pentagon launched an airstrike in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday that it said killed both the "facilitator" and "planner" of the bombing.

Urban said there were powerful secondary explosions from Sunday's drone strike, which he said indicated a large amount of explosive materials inside the targeted vehicle. Those secondary explosions "may have caused additional casualties," he said.

Urban and the U.S. Central Command have not responded to a request Monday from The Times for further comment.

In Khwaja Burgha, members of Ahmadi's family said there had been only one explosion and that the resulting fireball had partially burned a crimson Toyota SUV that was also in the driveway.

"We heard a loud bang, and the whole house shook," said Abdul Khalil, the Ahmadis' neighbor. One of the rooms in his house is adjacent to the Ahmadis' driveway; the blast had dislodged large chunks of plaster from the wall.

The outside walls of the Ahmadis' home were spattered with bloodstains that had begun to brown.

If the deaths of Ezmari Ahmadi and his family members are determined to be the result of an errant U.S. drone strike, the horrific tragedy would lay bare the dangers of the Pentagon's long-term plans for so-called over-the-horizon attacks as a centerpiece of its counterterrorism mission. Even when U.S. troops were fully deployed in Afghanistan, with CIA operatives and American special forces working alongside Afghan security forces, mounting civilian casualties soured many Afghans on the U.S. presence and boosted the Taliban's popularity.

Family members insisted there was no way Ahmadi was involved with ISIS-K. If anything, they would have been considered targets by the extremist group, which counts all who worked with the U.S.-backed Afghan government and its foreign allies as spies, traitors and collaborators.

The family said Ahmadi had worked for the last 16 years with Nutrition & Education International, a nongovernmental organization based in Pasadena. Ahmadi's business card identifies him as a technical engineer, and it bears the logo of the organization, whose homepage carried this message Monday: "Due to the security issues in Afghanistan, our website is temporarily disabled."

An email and telephone call to the foundation from The Times has not yet received a response.

Ahmadi had applied for a special U.S. immigration designation that would allow him to leave Afghanistan and go to the U.S., his brother Emal said. Thousands of Afghans who worked with Western organizations have fled since the Taliban took over Afghanistan earlier this month, but thousands more are in danger of being left behind as the U.S. wraps up its airlift at Kabul airport Tuesday.

Ahmadi's nephew Nasser, who was also killed in Sunday's explosion, had worked with U.S. special forces in the western Afghan city of Herat, and had also served as a guard for the U.S. Consulate there before joining the Afghan National Army, family members said. The 25-year-old, who relatives said was to be married this week, had come to Kabul to see if he could push along his own application for a special immigrant visa.

Sitting on a pile of sandbags outside the family compound, Ezmari Ahmadi's other brother, Ramal, could barely speak through the grief of having lost three children in Sunday's explosion: Binyamin, 5; Arwin, 3; and Aya, just 1.

He had been in his room when the missile struck. "There was just this big explosion. I was totally in shock. I didn't understand what happened," he said, his eyes red from crying.

For two hours after the blast he remained dazed, but then began to understand that his three children had piled into the car with their uncle Ezmari and cousin Farhad and had been killed.

Mohammad Fawad, a relative, stood enraged in front of the incinerated Corolla.

"I want Joe Biden to know about this. Why do you attack these people and say it's Daesh?" he said, referring to Islamic State by its Arabic acronym, which is considered a pejorative by the group.

"All of these kids were martyred," Fawad said, furiously scrolling through pictures of those killed on his phone. "Look at them. Which one of these people is Daesh? These people worked with the government  with the U.S. And look at these kids. Do you think they're Daesh?"

Emal Ahmadi was also distraught.

"They shouldn't do this kind of action, killing civilians," he said. "I lost my family."

____

(Times staff writer Marcus Yam contributed to this report.)
GARLAND, Texas (AP)  Investigators are looking into whether a Texas man was inspired by foreign terrorists when he killed a Lyft driver in a Dallas suburb and later opened fire in the police station of another suburb where officers fatally shot him.

Police said Imran Ali Rasheed ordered a Lyft in his home city of Garland Sunday then fatally shot the driver, Isabella Lewis. Her stolen car was found a short time later outside the police station in the neighboring community of Plano, where Rasheed began shooting in the lobby before being shot by officers, police chiefs in both cities said at a Monday news conference.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  A new Florida law designed to deter violent public demonstrations is instead unconstitutionally chilling free speech and legitimate rights to protest, a federal judge was told Monday.

Attorneys for several organizations challenging the law championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis asked U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in a hearing in Tallahassee to block enforcement of key parts of the law.

Their speech is chilled because they don't know if they will be arrested for peacefully protesting, said Max Gaston, lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, which represents the lawsuit plaintiffs. They're afraid they will be arrested and charged with a violent felony.

That could sweep up people who are merely in the same area as a protest that turns violent or who are involved in the event but not doing anything illegal, Gaston said.

It can be taken to mean a lot of things to a regular police officer on his beat, he said of the law.

Joining the lawsuit are the NAACP Florida conference, Dream Defenders, Black Lives Matter Alliance Broward and other groups who claim the law appears specifically aimed to quell protests by Black people and other minorities.

Walker did not immediately rule during the hearing held by teleconference. I will do my best to get an order out as soon as possible, the judge said.

DeSantis signed the so-called anti-riot bill into law in April. He had urged the state Legislature to pass a measure to enhance penalties against violent protesters after last years tumultuous demonstrations over the treatment of Black people by police.

Those demonstrations followed last year's killing in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, a Black man, that stirred passions nationwide under the banner of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Lawyers for DeSantis contend in court papers that the lawsuit is misguided and the law does not illegally constrain free speech or the right to assembly as guaranteed by the Constitution.

It does not prohibit or discourage peaceful demonstration. Nor does it single out speech regarding racial justice, the governor's attorneys wrote. Americans have a Constitutional right to free speech  they do not have a right to burn down buildings, destroy property, or inflict bodily harm on others.

The law, also known as HB1, stiffens penalties for crimes committed during a riot or violent protest. It allows authorities to detain arrested protesters until a first court appearance and establishes new felonies for organizing or participating in a violent demonstration.

It also makes it a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to destroy or demolish a memorial, plaque, flag, painting, structure or other object that commemorates historical people or events.

In addition, the measure requires that local governments justify any reductions in law enforcement budgets.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Republicans on Monday announced a ballot drive to tighten Michigan's voting and election laws, backing a maneuver that would let GOP lawmakers enact the changes without Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's signature.

The step, which had been signaled for months, was decried by Democrats and voting-rights advocates. The Democratic governor had vowed to veto similar bills pending in the GOP-controlled Legislature.

Secure MI Vote, which is being run by veteran GOP operatives, will need to collect roughly 340,000 valid voter signatures within six months of starting to circulate petitions.

The initiative would toughen a requirement that voters submit photo identification, eliminating an option that lets those without one submit an affidavit and vote. More than 11,400 of nearly 5.6 million voters did that in November.

Instead, people with no ID would get a provisional ballot and have to verify their identity within six days after the election for it to count.

The measure also would add an ID component to absentee ballot applications, requiring that voters submit their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Nearly 3.3 million people, a record, voted absentee last November. Voters currently seeking an absentee ballot by mail must sign the application, and the signature is matched to the voter file.

The initiative also would prohibit the secretary of state and local clerks from sending applications to people who did not request them and create a $3 million fund to ensure low-income residents have an ID. The funding also would make the measure referendum-proof under state law.

Jamie Roe, spokesman for Secure MI Vote, said voters across the political spectrum questioned the integrity of the 2016 and 2020 election results.

The success of this initiative will make it easier to vote, harder to cheat, and restore confidence in the electoral system for Republicans, Democrats and independents alike, he said in a statement.

The Michigan Democratic Party and other groups accused the GOP of trying to confuse voters and perpetuating Trumps lies with the ballot drive.

They want fewer people to vote because they just discovered what we have always known, when people vote, Democrats win. That is what this ballot proposal is all about, creating barriers to voting so fewer people have access to the polls, said chair Lavora Barnes.

She noted that two-thirds of Michigan voters in 2018 passed a constitutional amendment expanding voting options.

Joe Biden won the battleground state by about 155,000 votes, or 2.8 percentage points, but former President Trump has falsely alleged widespread fraud. His own attorney general found no evidence of it in Michigan or other states. Trump's allegations also have been dismissed by judges and refuted by state election officials, an arm of his own administrations Homeland Security Department and Republicans in the Michigan Senate.

Several GOP states have tightened voting laws this year, and others are debating them. If enacted, the Michigan changes would be in place for the 2024 election but not the 2022 midterm because Democratic legislators would refuse to let them take effect immediately.

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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
WASHINGTON - The number of hate crimes in the United States rose in 2020 to the highest level in 12 years, propelled by increasing assaults targeting Black and Asian victims, the FBI reported Monday.

In all, the federal agency tallied 7,759 hate crimes last year, a tumultuous 12 months marked by a global pandemic, a divisive presidential election and upheaval in the economy. The total represented an increase of 6% from 2019 and the most since 2008, when 7,783 hate crimes were reported.

It is the sixth time in the past seven years that the number of attacks rose. The number of hate crimes reported has increased by nearly 42% since 2014, according to federal data.

Attacks targeting Blacks rose from 1,930 to 2,755, and the number targeting Asians jumped from 158 to 274, the data showed. Those figures come as civil rights groups have warned of increasing hostility toward minorities, amid a rise in white nationalism and an increase in violent crime levels nationwide.

Attacks targeting Whites rose to 773, an increase of about 16%.

"These hate crimes and other bias-related incidents instill fear across entire communities and undermine the principles upon which our democracy stands," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. He pointed to steps the Justice Department has taken to improve incident reporting and bolster law enforcement training.

Congress mandates that the FBI collect hate-crime data annually based on reports from local law enforcement agencies. In 2020, the number of agencies that participated in that effort fell for at least the second consecutive year - to 15,136, which is 422 fewer than in 2019. Of agencies that did participate, the vast majority reported no hate crimes.

Congressional Democrats and civil rights advocates have criticized what they describe as a large undercount in the number of hate crimes and other bias incidents, saying local police are poorly trained in how to identify and catalogue hate crimes and lack sufficient resources or interest in investigating them.

"While the numbers in this report are shocking, we know that they are not even close to the complete picture," said Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Chu cited "increasingly racist and xenophobic rhetoric from political leaders" as contributing to the increase in hate crimes and said the FBI's report "must be a wakeup call to all who irresponsibly spread fear and anger in our communities that they are putting lives at risk."

Civil rights advocates have cited President Donald Trump's use of xenophobic language last year, including blaming China for the coronavirus, as contributing to a backlash against Asians.

Stop AAPI Hate, a grass-roots group based in California, reported 6,603 hate incidents against Asians from March 2020 - the start of the pandemic in the United States - through March of this year. According to that data, which was collected through self-reporting portals online and was not thoroughly vetted, about 65% of incidents involved of verbal harassment, such as name calling, while 12.6% involved physical assault.

John Yang, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC, said the FBI statistics were "woefully underreported." He expressed guarded optimism that increased public attention on anti-Asian hate incidents, after several brazen attacks were captured on video, would help efforts to improve accounting of hate crimes.

In May, Congress approved the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act, which requires the Justice Department to appoint an official to expedite investigations into hate crimes reported to federal authorities. The bill also seeks to improve reporting of hate crimes among localities by bolstering online reporting channels and offering resources in more languages to help immigrants.

"Although there is not a lot of dollars involved, hopefully some of the programs by the federal government will gain traction," Yang said.

Attacks targeting Jewish people fell from 953 in 2019 to 676 last year, according to the FBI data. The Anti-Defamation League, using a broader definition of hate incidents, tallied 2,024 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism against Jews in the United States last year, representing a slight decrease from 2019 but still the third-highest number on record.

The group's chief executive, Jonathan Greenblatt, called the FBI's numbers "disturbing on their own," but emphasized that the federal data was likely an undercount, given the declining levels of data reporting from local jurisdictions.

"The fact that so many law enforcement agencies did not participate is inexcusable, and the fact that 64 jurisdictions with populations over 100,000 affirmatively reported zero hate crimes is simply not credible," Greenblatt said in a statement. "Data drives policy and without having a complete picture of the problem, we cannot even begin to resolve the issues driving this surge in hate and violence."

The number of murders classified as hate crimes fell from a record 51 in 2019 to 22 last year. The 2019 figures included a mass shooting in El Paso in which a gunman killed 22 people, most of them Latino. (A 23rd victim died of his injuries in 2020).

The FBI report said 3,633 hate crimes were allegedly perpetrated by White assailants, while 1,309 allegedly were committed by Blacks. The race of the perpetrators was not known in another 1,080 cases, the report stated, and assailants who identified by more than one race are accused of committing 378 of the crimes.
Michael Conroy/AP

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indianas health commissioner defended herself Monday against criticism arising from a photograph circulating on social media showing her not wearing a face mask during a wedding reception.

Dr. Kristina Box said in a statement that she made an informed decision to take off her mask while dancing or talking at a recent family wedding with guests fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Box said all but five people at the wedding were fully vaccinated.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  A Maine State Prison inmate has settled a lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections for the nearly two years he spent in solitary confinement.

Under an unusual settlement Doug Burrs attorney fees will be reimbursed in the amount of $170,000, prison staffers will be required to undergo training to act as disciplinary hearing officers, and no person will spend more than 30 days in solitary without approval from the department commissioner, Maine Public Radio reported Friday.
JERUSALEM (AP)  An Israeli border police officer who was shot in the head at point-blank range during a violent protest on the Gaza border last week died of his injuries Monday, the Israel police announced.

Barel Hadaria Shmueli, 21, suffered critical injuries when he was shot in the head by a Palestinian gunman on Aug. 21 during a demonstration staged by Hamas, the Islamic militant group ruling the Gaza Strip. He was hospitalized for more than a week in critical condition.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed his condolences, saying there arent sufficient words to console the family in its deep mourning."

Recent weeks have seen mass demonstrations by Palestinians along the Israel-Gaza border that organizers say aims to pressure Israel to ease the blockade of the territory.

On Monday night, hundreds of Palestinians staged a demonstration along the border, burning tires and hurling rocks and explosives at Israeli troops. The Israeli military said it used riot control and live fire to distance Palestinians from the border fence. Israeli gunfire injured three Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.

Israel and Egypt have maintained the blockade since Hamas seized power in 2007, a year after winning the Palestinian parliamentary elections.

Two Palestinians, including a 12-year-old boy and a Hamas militant, have been killed by Israeli gunfire during the protests.

Israels army chief of staff said in a speech earlier in the evening that if the calm is not kept, we will not hesitate to launch another campaign in the Gaza Strip.

Calm and security will allow an improvement of civilian conditions, but disturbances and terrorism will bring about a strong response, to the point of a military operation, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said.

Israel and Hamas have fought four wars since Hamas took power, most recently an 11-day round of fighting in May. Egypt has been working in recent weeks to shore up a cease-fire agreement that ended the fighting.

At least 260 Palestinians were killed during Mays Hamas-Israel war, including 67 children and 39 women, according to the Gaza health ministry. Hamas has acknowledged the deaths of 80 militants. Twelve civilians, including two children, were killed in Israel, along with one soldier.
MILAN (AP)  Italian firefighters tackled hot spots Monday in a 20-story apartment building in Milan that was destroyed by fire but said there were no indications that anyone was missing inside, as questions arose about the cladding that witnesses said rapidly fueled the fire.

Some cases of smoke inhalation were reported from Sunday's blaze, but no serious injuries or deaths.

The fire that sent up a huge plume of black smoke visible for kilometers (miles) recalled the deadly fire that swept through Grenfell Tower in London in 2017, killing 72 people. In that case, the cladding on the outside of that building was blamed for the speed at which the fire engulfed the block, and officials noted similar issues in the Milan fire.

I have never seen a situation like this,'' said firefighting official Giuliano Santagata. Just look at the facade and you see that everything is completely burned, and therefore presume that it was made of flammable material."

Santagata said the blaze was under control, although there were still outbreaks in some apartments that were being systematically put out.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said it was unacceptable that a building just over a decade old showed itself to be so vulnerable.

What seems already clear from the start is that the external cladding of the building went up in flames far too quickly, in a dynamic that recalls the Grenfell Tower in London, Sala said Monday.

Experts said the lack of victims was due both to firefighters' speedy response and door-to-door searches as well as to building codes that included firewalls and an ample stairwell.

The fire spread quickly along a cladding that was shaped like a sail, which was both an aesthetic choice and served to screen the balconies.

After the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Italy drafted new rules, with input from firefighters, for claddings of buildings but they have not yet been formally adopted, said Angelo Lucchini, a professor of technical architecture at Milans Polytechnic University.

The rules don't single out any product in particular, such as the one used in Grenfell Tower, but specify how to prevent the spreading of the flames along the facade.

Lucchini said the use of flammable materials themselves per se is not necessarily a danger.

It becomes dangerous when the use of this material does not take into account the potential danger, does not follow the design guidelines and does not include other measures to mitigate the possible threat, he said.

He noted that not all of the panels on the Milan tower burned, indicating that there was some factor that impeded the spread of the fire in some areas.

The 60-meter (nearly 200-foot) tall building, part of a decade-old re-development project, was designed to look like a ship's keel and included the twin aluminum sails, which burned and fell to the street in pieces.

The fire was reported Sunday by a resident on the 15th floor, who sounded the alarm as he descended the building, alerting other occupants. Residents included Italian rapper Mahmood, the 2019 winner of the San Remo music festival.

When firefighters arrived, the blaze was still mostly contained in one area, allowing them to evacuate the building, but it quickly spread up and down the cladding, according to witnesses.

The cause of the fires still needs to be determined, but it seems that the rapid spread of the flames was due to the thermal covering of the building," said Carlo Sibia, an Interior Ministry official in Rome.

Firefighters broke through doors apartment by apartment in the search for anyone left inside and telephoned residents. There is no evidence of anyone missing, said commander Felice Iraca.

Prosecutors were on the scene Monday, and national arson investigators also were being dispatched. Prosecutor Tiziana Siciliano said it was too early to speculate about the cause, but confirmed the blaze had started on the 15th floor.

In the Grenfell Tower fire, flammable cladding and lax fire safety standards were blamed for the deadly June 2017 blaze at a high-rise residential tower in London. The fire started in an apartment kitchen and rapidly engulfed the 24-story public housing block.

The Grenfell tragedy prompted inquiries into high-rise building materials and Britain has pledged to spend hundreds of millions of pounds to strip similar combustible cladding from dozens of other publicly owned tower blocks.

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Sylvia Hui contributed to this report from London.
ATLANTA (AP)  COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are on the cusp of surpassing January peaks in Georgia as hospitals worried Monday that the delta variant of the respiratory illness threatens to suck some Georgia hospitals dry of medical oxygen, a key treatment for people struggling to breathe.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order calling up as many as another 1,500 National Guard soldiers to help short-staffed hospitals with nonmedical jobs, on top of the 1,000 previously authorized. Also, teachers and state employees insured by the state health plan will qualify for a cash incentive to get vaccinated.

The Republican governor is steadfastly focusing on voluntary vaccination as a solution to the pandemic, spurning other interventions such as mask mandates, capacity reductions in public places or efforts at surveillance testing that could help shut down the chain of infection.

Its just causing division, its causing peoples blood pressure to go up, he said of arguments about masks. We need to continue to educate and advocate, for people to get the vaccine."

The state Department of Public Health on Monday released weekend numbers showing that at a Saturday peak, Georgia's seven-day rolling average for cases was just below 9,591, just below the Jan. 11 peak of 9,635. About 5,600 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized across Georgia on Monday, nearly one-third of all people in hospitals. Thats just short of the record of 5,715 set on Jan. 13.

Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey said hospital emergency rooms are overrun by people seeking COVID-19 tests. She said the state is trying to set up testing sites near hospitals to relieve some of the burden. Kemp said one of the jobs of the Guard members may be to direct people to those testing sites from emergency rooms.

Hospitals worldwide have reported spot shortages of oxygen during the pandemic. Among U.S. hospitals, those shortages have been concentrated in the Southeast in recent weeks.

Amanda Forster, a spokesperson for Premier Inc, which helps manage supplies for hospitals, said the shortage is still a "current concern, but we are starting to see some movement and action on the part of FEMA, which we hope will ease the pain.

Kemp on Monday renewed a waiver on truck weight limits and how long drivers can be on the road in order to help facilitate the flow of oxygen.

Anna Adams, a spokesperson for the Georgia Hospital Association, said that some hospitals began to see shortages about 10 days ago, especially smaller, rural hospitals that weren't used to administering so much oxygen to so many patients. She said vendors have been working to increase shipments and larger hospitals have been sharing methods to conserve oxygen.

Typically, when a rural or critical access hospital has this many inpatients requiring oxygen or intubation, they could attempt to transfer some patients to larger facilities for a higher level of care, Adams wrote in an email. Unfortunately, this COVID surge is impacting hospitals census numbers statewide, and it has become increasingly challenging, and in some cases impossible, to transfer patients.

Kemp said that beyond about 180 now posted, Georgia is unlikely to be able to provide any more National Guard medical personnel. But he said other Guard members could do nonmedical work.

The governor said the soldiers could direct the traffic, tell people, dont come in the emergency room to get tested, go to the health department thats two blocks away. You know where do I park, helping in the cafeterias, cleaning, any of those jobs that they just need help with, turning rooms in hospitals.

Kemp also announced he was sending another $4.5 million to the Georgia Coordinating Center, a group that tries to help direct emergency medical traffic to hospitals with capacity.

The Georgia State Health Benefit Plan, which provides health insurance to more than 325,000 teachers and state employees, will offer a $150 cash card or $480 in health care credit to any member who gets vaccinated before Nov. 30, including those who are already vaccinated. Kemp has already designated Friday as a special state holiday to encourage state employees to receive inoculation.

More than 92% of intensive care beds were in use Monday, roughly equal with the number of ICU beds in use in late January. Hospitals in regions around Macon, Rome and Waycross were reporting they were using more than 100% of intensive care beds. Hospitals in the region around Athens reported having one spare ICU bed at one point Monday, while hospitals in the region around Albany reported having two spare ICU beds.

Nearly 50 hospitals statewide were turning away ambulances carrying either all patients or intensive care patients Monday, according to the Georgia Coordinating Center.

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Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan late Monday, ending Americas longest war and closing a chapter in military history likely to be remembered for colossal failures, unfulfilled promises and a frantic final exit that cost the lives of more than 180 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members, some barely older than the war.

Hours ahead of President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline for shutting down a final airlift, and thus ending the U.S. war, Air Force transport planes carried a remaining contingent of troops from Kabul airport. Thousands of troops had spent a harrowing two weeks protecting the airlift of tens of thousands of Afghans, Americans and others seeking to escape a country once again ruled by Taliban militants.

In announcing the completion of the evacuation and war effort. Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said the last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. Washington time, or one minute before midnight in Kabul. He said a number of American citizens, likely numbering in the very low hundreds, were left behind, and that he believes they will still be able to leave the country.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken put the number of Americans left behind at under 200, likely closer to 100, and said the State Department would keep working to get them out. He praised the military-led evacuation as heroic and historic and said the U.S. diplomatic presence would shift to Doha, Qatar.

Biden said military commanders unanimously favored ending the airlift, not extending it. He said he asked Blinken to coordinate with international partners in holding the Taliban to their promise of safe passage for Americans and others who want to leave in the days ahead.

The airport had become a U.S.-controlled island, a last stand in a 20-year war that claimed more than 2,400 American lives.

The closing hours of the evacuation were marked by extraordinary drama. American troops faced the daunting task of getting final evacuees onto planes while also getting themselves and some of their equipment out, even as they monitored repeated threats  and at least two actual attacks  by the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate. A suicide bombing on Aug. 26 killed 13 American service members and some 169 Afghans. More died in various incidents during the airport evacuation.

The final pullout fulfilled Biden's pledge to end what he called a forever war that began in response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and rural Pennsylvania. His decision, announced in April, reflected a national weariness of the Afghanistan conflict. Now he faces criticism at home and abroad, not so much for ending the war as for his handling of a final evacuation that unfolded in chaos and raised doubts about U.S. credibility.

The U.S. war effort at times seemed to grind on with no endgame in mind, little hope for victory and minimal care by Congress for the way tens of billions of dollars were spent for two decades. The human cost piled up  tens of thousands of Americans injured in addition to the dead.

More than 1,100 troops from coalition countries and more than 100,000 Afghan forces and civilians died, according to Brown Universitys Costs of War project.

In Biden's view the war could have ended 10 years ago with the U.S. killing of Osama bin Laden, whose al-Qaida extremist network planned and executed the 9/11 plot from an Afghanistan sanctuary. Al-Qaida has been vastly diminished, preventing it thus far from again attacking the United States.

Congressional committees, whose interest in the war waned over the years, are expected to hold public hearings on what went wrong in the final months of the U.S. withdrawal. Why, for example, did the administration not begin earlier the evacuation of American citizens as well as Afghans who had helped the U.S. war effort and felt vulnerable to retribution by the Taliban?

It was not supposed to end this way. The administration's plan, after declaring its intention to withdraw all combat troops, was to keep the U.S. Embassy in Kabul open, protected by a force of about 650 U.S. troops, including a contingent that would secure the airport along with partner countries. Washington planned to give the now-defunct Afghan government billions more to prop up its army.

Biden now faces doubts about his plan to prevent al-Qaida from regenerating in Afghanistan and of suppressing threats posed by other extremist groups such as the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate. The Taliban are enemies of the Islamic State group but retain links to a diminished al-Qaida.

The final U.S. exit included the withdrawal of its diplomats, although the State Department has left open the possibility of resuming some level of diplomacy with the Taliban depending on how they conduct themselves in establishing a government and adhering to international pleas for the protection of human rights.

The speed with which the Taliban captured Kabul on Aug. 15 caught the Biden administration by surprise. It forced the U.S. to empty its embassy and frantically accelerate an evacuation effort that featured an extraordinary airlift executed mainly by the U.S. Air Force, with American ground forces protecting the airfield. The airlift began in such chaos that a number of Afghans died on the airfield, including at least one who attempted to cling to the airframe of a C-17 transport plane as it sped down the runway.

By the evacuation's conclusion, well over 100,000 people, mostly Afghans, had been flown to safety. The dangers of carrying out such a mission came into tragic focus last week when the suicide bomber struck outside an airport gate.

Speaking shortly after that attack, Biden stuck to his view that ending the war was the right move. He said it was past time for the United States to focus on threats emanating from elsewhere in the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, he said, it was time to end a 20-year war.

The war's start was an echo of a promise President George W. Bush made while standing atop of the rubble in New York City three days after hijacked airliners slammed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

The people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon! he declared through a bullhorn.

Less than a month later, on Oct. 7, Bush launched the war. The Taliban's forces were overwhelmed and Kabul fell in a matter of weeks. A U.S.-installed government led by Hamid Karzai took over and bin Laden and his al-Qaida cohort escaped across the border into Pakistan.

The initial plan was to extinguish bin Ladens al-Qaida, which had used Afghanistan as a staging base for its attack on the United States. The grander ambition was to fight a Global War on Terrorism based on the belief that military force could somehow defeat Islamic extremism. Afghanistan was but the first round of that fight. Bush chose to make Iraq the next, invading in 2003 and getting mired in an even deadlier conflict that made Afghanistan a secondary priority until Barack Obama assumed the White House in 2009 and later that year decided to escalate in Afghanistan.

Obama pushed U.S. troop levels to 100,000, but the war dragged on though bin Laden was killed in Pakistan in 2011.

When Donald Trump entered the White House in 2017 he wanted to withdraw from Afghanistan but was persuaded not only to stay but to add several thousand U.S. troops and escalate attacks on the Taliban. Two years later his administration was looking for a deal with the Taliban, and in February 2020 the two sides signed an agreement that called for a complete U.S. withdrawal by May 2021. In exchange, the Taliban made a number of promises including a pledge not to attack U.S. troops.

Biden weighed advice from members of his national security team who argued for retaining the 2,500 troops who were in Afghanistan by the time he took office in January. But in mid-April he announced his decision to fully withdraw.

The Taliban pushed an offensive that by early August toppled key cities, including provincial capitals. The Afghan army largely collapsed, sometimes surrendering rather than taking a final stand, and shortly after President Ashraf Ghani fled the capital, the Taliban rolled into Kabul and assumed control on Aug. 15.

Some parts of the country modernized during the U.S. war years, and life for many Afghans, especially women and girls, improved measurably. But Afghanistan remains a tragedy, poor, unstable and with many of its people fearing a return to the brutality the country endured when the Taliban ruled from 1996 to 2001.

The U.S. failures were numerous. It degraded but never defeated the Taliban and ultimately failed to build an Afghan military that could hold off the insurgents, despite $83 billion in U.S. spending to train and equip the army.
U.S. military planes have carried the last U.S. service members and diplomats from Kabuls airport, ending Americas longest war. Ordinary Americans closely watched the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, as they did the start of the war nearly 20 years ago, in the weeks after the 9/11 attacks. But Americans often tended to forget about the Afghanistan war in between, and it received measurably less oversight from Congress than the Vietnam War did. But its death toll for Afghans and Americans and their NATO allies is in the many tens of thousands. And because the U.S. borrowed most of the money to pay for it, generations of Americans to come will be paying off its cost, in the trillions of dollars.

A look at the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan, by the numbers, as the last Americans deployed there departed.
WORCESTER, Mass (AP)  Massachusetts Port Authority has announced that American Airlines will return to service at Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) in the fall after the pandemic suspended operations last year due to a decline in passengers and decreasing revenues.

Following JetBlue and Delta Airlines, American is the third airlines to return to the regional airport, which has excited Worcester County Sheriff and Massachusetts Port Authority Board Chairperson Lew Evangelidis, the Telegram & Gazette reported.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  Lawyers for Missouri residents who had their federal unemployment benefits cut when Gov. Mike Parson pulled out of programs in June are asking a court for reinstatement, with back pay.

The Kansas City Star reported that a hearing Monday in Cole County Circuit Court occurred a week before enhanced benefits were set to end for the rest of the nation. The benefits added hundreds of dollars to unemployment checks for Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A lawsuit filed earlier this month asked Judge Jon Beetem to rule that Missouri's early withdrawal was unlawful. Lawyers are trying to get unemployment benefits paid retroactively for the 2 1/2 months.

The amount could be up to $1,500 in federal benefits per person, said attorney Loretta Haggard, representing Missouri Jobs With Justice and five residents who lost benefits in June.

It aint small potatoes for these plaintiffs who are trying to save their house and put food on the table and buy medicines, Haggard told the judge.

Parson, a Republican, was seeking to prod people to rejoin the workforce, making Missouri among the first states to stop payments from several federal unemployment programs.

The halted programs included an extension of unemployment payments to workers who dont qualify for the traditional program, such as gig workers; an extension of benefits for regular recipients who have exhausted payments under the state program; and the $300 weekly supplemental payment that was added to recipients regular checks.

In June, about 56,000 workers were receiving regular state unemployment benefits, including the $300 supplement, according to a Department of Labor and Industrial Relations spokeswoman, and 90,500 were receiving federal enhancements.

On Monday, Haggard argued that by withdrawing from the enhanced programs, Missouri officials had violated state statutes requiring them to maximize federal funds in the unemployment program.

Jesus Osete, Missouri deputy solicitor general, said those requirements apply to the states traditional unemployment program, not the federal governments optional additional pandemic benefits.

Osete said Parson doesnt want the federal government to dictate labor policy in Missouri.

Hes duly elected to make those difficult decisions for Missourians, not the plaintiffs, Osete said.
WASHINGTON, Mo. (AP)  A 13-year-old boy died of a drug overdose during a sleepover at a 12-year-old friends house in eastern Missouri over the weekend, and three adults at the house were arrested, police said.

Police were called to a home in Washington around 9 a.m. Sunday and found Zackary Foster dead in an upstairs bedroom, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
NEW YORK (AP)  A sequence of failures in New York City's subway system following a brief power outage disrupted half of the system for several hours and stranded hundreds of passengers, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday.

Hochul said in a statement that a Metropolitan Transportation Authority review of Sunday night's subway breakdown uncovered a sequence of failures that resulted in some backup systems not providing power as designed last night, including an additional failure to quickly diagnose the underlying cause.

The unprecedented breakdown affected more than 80 trains on the subway systems numbered lines plus the L train from shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday to about 1:30 a.m. Monday, Hochul said at an earlier news conference.

The restoration of service was delayed because passengers on two of the stuck trains walked out onto the tracks by themselves rather than waiting for rescuers from agencies including the police and fire departments to help them, Hochul said.

We never, ever want riders to do that, she said. It is dangerous and it caused a delay in the restoration of power.

Speaking outside a lower Manhattan subway system, Hochul promised a thorough investigation.

Let me be very clear, Hochl said. Last night was unacceptable. If youre one of those riders or people relying on safe transport, the system failed you.

Hochul said Con Edison reported losing a feeder for a short period of time just before 8:30 p.m. Sunday that resulted in a voltage dip across New York City.

She said the outage was momentary and a backup system was activated. But when they tried to go back to normal, there was a surge  an unprecedented surge  that resulted in the subway losing signalization and communication ability, Hochul said. The confluence of events that led to this has never happened before to our knowledge, she said.

A manhole fire Sunday night that was initially thought to be connected to the subway breakdown appears to have been unrelated, Hochul said.

Hochul said in her later news release that she has directed the MTA to retain two independent engineering firms to assist in a thorough deep dive of what happened and make recommendations to ensure this does not occur again.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a virtual news briefing that city agencies were working with the state and the MTA to investigate the disruption. Weve got to figure out why this happened and make sure it does not happen again, de Blasio said.

Hochul, a Democrat and former lieutenant governor who took over as New York governor on Aug. 24 following the resignation of Andrew Cuomo, said subway service was back to normal for the Monday morning commute.

No injuries were reported from the subway system disruption.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  A man was fatally shot in Cedar Rapids over the weekend, and detectives were gathering evidence in search of a suspect, police there said.

The shooting happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, police said in a news release Monday. Officers called to the 4000 block of 21st Avenue SW found Jose Florentino Ramirez Landin, 40, with gunshot wounds, and he died at the scene.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP)  A shooting in New Jersey's largest city has left an 8-year-old boy dead, authorities said,

The shooting in Newark occurred around 10 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of Schuyler Avenue, according to the Essex County Prosecutors Office. Its not yet known what sparked the shooting or if more than one shooter was involved.

The name of the child killed has not been released. No other injuries were reported in the shooting.

Authorities declined to provide further details on the shooting, citing the ongoing investigation.
Fully restoring power to virtually all of New Orleans and much of its surrounding suburbs could take days, or even weeks, after Hurricane Ida knocked all eight electric transmission lines feeding the city out of service, the utility company Entergy said. It warned that it could take several days just to assess the damage.

A transmission-line tower on the border of Avondale and Bridge City, across the Mississippi River from Harahan, La., and just upstream from New Orleans, collapsed Sunday in the ferocious winds.

As powerful as the storm was, the damage it wreaked on Louisiana's power grid was yet one more example of the weaknesses of the country's electricity systems. Coming on the heels of extensive blackouts in Texas last winter and in California last summer, Sunday's failures demonstrated a lack of resilience and backup capacity in the nation's grid.

The Sewer and Water Board of New Orleans said it had lost power and was relying on its own generators to try to keep pumps working to drain storm water out of the city and bring drinking water in.

But it said many or all of its 84 sewage pumping stations were also without power. The agency said late Sunday it was trying to determine whether backup power could be available.

All told, more than a million customers were without power in Louisiana Monday morning, including 176,000 in Orleans Parish. At least 888,000 of them are Entergy customers, the company's chief executive, Deanna Rodriguez, said.

In Mississippi, more than 104,000 customers are without power, a figure that could grow as the storm churns across the state northward. Nearly 40,000 of those customers get service from Entergy. Another 18,000 customers of Coast EPA in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties also do not have service.

Entergy said that 216 substations, 207 transmission lines, and more than 2,000 miles of its transmission lines were out of order in Louisiana and Mississippi.

"We're doing all we can to minimize the amount of time it's going to take to get power back up for everyone in the region," President Biden said Monday afternoon.

He said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had deployed more than 200 generators to Louisiana, and was expecting to send more. The Federal Aviation Administration will issue quick permits for surveillance drones to assess damage to electrical equipment, Biden said, and the Federal Communications Commission is making it possible for cell phone owners to use any carrier's signal, as a number of cell towers were knocked out.

Gov. John Bel Edwards of Louisiana (D) said the state was trying to ensure that power is first restored to hospitals, since generators they are relying on can be expected eventually to fail.

New Orleans had awakened Monday to a landscape without working grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and ice machines.

Electrical crews likely won't know where to begin their work putting much of the city back on line until mid-week, said Rodney Wallis, an organizer with the New Orleans-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 130.

Linemen out of Baton Rouge are largely responsible for restoring downed power lines and repairing transmission towers. New Orleans crews are charged with fixing damaged buildings and restoring power to critical infrastructure, such as the city's hospitals and sewer and water systems - both of which operated on limited generator power on Monday.

But the Local 130 will likely have to organize that work elsewhere; its office does not have electricity and Wallis said officials were already seeking to relocate operations and begin assembling repair teams. Workers themselves are, he said, are just starting to venture out and assess their own homes and energy needs.

"I was telling my wife earlier, 'we'll probably have to drive to Mississippi to get gas,'" Wallis said as he surveyed damage in his sister-in-law's neighborhood. "The storms are getting stronger, they're definitely getting stronger, and it seems like they're coming more often."

In the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans, a few blocks north of the Mississippi River, people are about evenly divided between trying to get out and hunkering down for a long haul without power.

Erica Chomsky-Adelson, director of Culture Aid NOLA, a non-profit that was formed at the beginning of the pandemic to feed people who lost work because of the lockdown, is staying. She and dozens of volunteers were out early Monday collecting food from restaurant and hotel kitchens' powerless refrigerators, aiming to cook it quickly and get it out to people stuck in their homes and in shelters.

By afternoon, she expected to have hundreds of sandwiches made and delivered to a school where another non-profit, El Pueblo NOLA, had gathered more than 60 families of undocumented immigrants who had no safe place to stay on their own.

"There's a real split, stay or leave," Chomsky-Adelson said. "A lot of people are concerned about, 'If I leave, how do I know if I can ever get back?'"

The authorities did not attempt to empty the city of its residents, as they tried with Katrina in 2005. Still, many in New Orleans remain harshly scarred by the Katrina disaster, and they spent much of the weekend preparing go-bags, sorting through belongings to find the must-take family photos and documents.

In the end, "the storm jogged a bit and sat on top of us as a Cat 3, with all the winds and all the rain," Chomsky-Adelson said, and by the time the power went, most of those who stayed saw no way out. She hunkered down with "lots of batteries and a backpack solar panel," but no generator, no air-conditioning.

Food, she said, is unlikely to be a problem for the first week or so, as "every restaurant and hotel is clearing out their fridges. We are going to cook," she promised, as teams of volunteers moved through the city collecting foodstuffs before they went bad.

Without power, many people had no reliable source of information - no internet, no TV, some had battery-powered radios.

The city's 911 system went down a couple of times and New Orleans officials recommended that people in need of police assistance flag down a passing squad car.

"The world has changed in the last 16 years," Chomsky-Adelson said. "No one's got a landline anymore. That's not great for people who are quickly going to become afraid and lonely."

Valerie Vides, of the Carrollton-Riverbend neighborhood in New Orleans, said in an email that she was most worried about the nearby sewer and water pumping station.

"We heard the generators stop and the backup ones kick on, which is the sweetest sound in the world when it's raining in New Orleans," she said. "Losing power to the sewage pumps with no backup is the biggest concern since what goes down the drain is at risk of not staying there."

In neighboring Jefferson Parish, "We have no electricity, no communication - our water systems are down, we're losing pressure," said Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. She said that sewers are backing up and urged residents who had left the parish not to come back for now.

"It's going to be a difficult life for quite some time," she said.

The failure of the transmission lines feeding Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, as well as parts of St. Charles and Terrebonne parishes, comes as the nation is grappling with a stressed and over burdened electrical grid. In Texas, the grid was pushed over the edge by frigid weather; in California by sweltering temperatures. Now, on Sunday, high winds have done the damage.

The Biden administration's infrastructure bill, as passed by the Senate and awaiting a House vote, includes about $10 billion to $12 billion for transmission lines, out of about $73 billion for a "clean energy" grid.

But the focus has been on improving the delivery of power over long distances; a local catastrophe like the one in New Orleans is a different issue. Some advocates say that particularly in urban areas electric power lines should be buried underground as a means of protection.

As market forces have driven utilities and power providers to seek economies, resilience and redundancy have suffered. That has meant lower costs for consumers but greater risk of serious disruption when things go wrong. Last May the Colonial Pipeline system, stretching from the Gulf Coast to New Jersey, shut down for six days because of a cyberattack; with no backup, it meant that cities in the interior South such as Atlanta and Charlotte were hit with widespread gasoline shortages and panic buying.

In 2008, when Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana, 13 of 14 transmission lines feeding New Orleans were knocked out of service. Since then, the number of lines has been reduced almost in half, and none were able to stay in operation.

Even after the transmission lines are repaired, Entergy must still restore the local wires that feed homes and businesses, also knocked down by the hurricane.
BOSTON (AP)  Former congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II, the oldest son of Robert F. Kennedy, denounced the possible parole of the man convicted of killing his father in California in 1968.

Two commissioners of the 18-member California Parole Board made a grievous error last Friday in recommending the release of the man who murdered my father," Kennedy wrote in the emailed statement released Sunday. I understand that there are differing views about ending the sentence of this killer, including within my own family. But emotions and opinions do not change facts or history."

The board on Friday found that Sirhan Sirhan, 77, no longer poses a threat to society, noting that he had enrolled in more than 20 programs including anger management classes, Tai Chi and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

The ruling will be reviewed over the next four months by the boards staff. Then it will be sent to the governor, who will have 30 days to decide whether to grant it, reverse it or modify it.

I hope the full parole board will reverse the decision over the ongoing review period and that the California governor, if faced with the choice to release him, will keep him in prison to serve out his full life sentence, Kennedy wrote.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office issued a statement Monday saying the case now is before the board, and he can't comment until it is before him without compromising the legal validity of his decision."

Robert F. Kennedy was a U.S. senator from New York and the brother of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. RFK was seeking the Democratic presidential nomination when he was gunned down at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after delivering a victory speech in the pivotal California primary. Five others were wounded.

Joe Kennedy II is one of RFK and Ethel Kennedy's 11 children, nine of whom are still alive. Two of them, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Douglas Kennedy, said they supported the release of Sirhan.

Joe Kennedy and five of his siblings said Friday they oppose parole and pledged to fight the process every step of the way. He was joined by Courtney Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Christopher G. Kennedy, Maxwell T. Kennedy and Rory Kennedy.

Joe Kennedy said Sunday that anyone who kills for political reasons should know that he will at a minimum spend life in prison without parole. 

The prisoner killed my father because of his support of Israel," Kennedy wrote in a separate statement. The man was tried, convicted and sentenced to death. Yet he now may walk free, no doubt to the cheers of those who share his views. Let there be no mistake, the prisoners release will be celebrated by those who believe that political disagreements can be solved by a gun."

Kennedy, on a more personal note, spoke of growing up without a father.

The prisoner left a pregnant mother of ten without a husband and soon-to-be 11 children without a father."

He added: We miss him every moment of every day, and struggle to understand why the prisoner should be able to enjoy the golden years of his life when he so viciously stole them from our father."

Sirhan was originally sentenced to death but that has already been reduced to life in prison, Kennedy noted.

My mother, Ethel Kennedy, and my uncle, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, asked that his death sentence be reduced to life imprisonment as a demonstration of mercy. He received that mercy," Kennedy wrote. No one should have the right to alter the lesser sentence requested by the person most affected by my fathers death  his wife, whose last child would never know a fathers touch. Nothing written, said or done will ever change that reality."
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  An FBI agent and a local police officer were justified in the fatal shooting of a man who shot at them during a federal-local task force operation in Hartford in January, a prosecutor concluded Monday.

FBI Special Agent Frederick Reeder and New Britain Detective Christopher Kiely fired in self-defense at Benicio Vasquez, who fired one shot at them but missed while trying to flee on foot after crashing into police vehicles and nearly running over an officer, New Haven State's Attorney Patrick Griffin said in his report.

Griffin noted that none of the officers on the task force was wearing a body camera, and he recommended task force members wear them in all future operations.

Reeder fired seven times and Kiely two times, Griffin said. Vasquez, 34, who had survived being wounded in two previous, unrelated shootings, was shot five times and later pronounced dead at a hospital, according to the report. Autopsy results showed he had alcohol and THC from marijuana in his system.

When they made the split-second decision to use deadly force, ... Reeder and ... Kiely did so with the subjective belief that, if they did not, Vasquez would kill or injure them or the other members of the arrest team following closely behind them, Griffin wrote. The officers were left with no choice but to discharge their weapons in self-defense.

It is the second time Kiely has been cleared in a fatal shooting. He was one of five officers whom another prosecutor ruled justified in a 2017 police shooting in New Britain that killed 20-year-old Zoe Dowdell, a rapper known as Gangstalicious.

Officials said officers were trying to pull over a car driven by Dowdell and opened fire when it accelerated toward them. Dowdell died and two teenagers in the car were injured. Dowdells family disputes that the shooting was justified.

During an interview with investigators of the police shooting of Vasquez, his mother, Sonia Thomas, was upset and expressed disappointment at her son's behavior, saying she knew it would only be a matter of time before something like this would occur," Griffin's report says.

He liked guns. He didn't like to fight, Thomas told authorities. My son was selling drugs, I think weed and fentanyl. But that's not why he had a gun. He just liked guns.

On the morning of the shooting, the task force went to a North End neighborhood to arrest another man who had a history of illegally possessing firearms and was wanted for violating parole.

That man was taken into custody and Vasquez took off, getting into an SUV that then struck a police vehicle and nearly hit an officer, Griffin said. Vasquez then crashed head-on into a vehicle driven by another FBI agent.

Vasquez fled on foot after another police vehicle struck the SUV in an attempt to stop it, leading to the exchange of gunfire.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  School bells rang in parts of Indonesias capital for the first time in more than a year on Monday as schools shut by the coronavirus were allowed to begin reopening as cases decline.

A total of 610 schools that passed standards set by the Jakarta Education Agency reopened their doors, though with many precautions still in place.

In-person schooling will be blended with remote learning and gradually increased based on the governments evaluation of the situation. Elementary students will initially attend school three days a week, junior high students four days and high school students five days, all with shortened class periods.

The city administration initially planned to reopen schools in June, but postponed the restart when a wave of infections triggered by the highly contagious delta variant engulfed the country.

We have passed the peak of the second wave of COVID-19 infections, Jakarta Vice Governor Ahmad Riza Patria said Monday, adding that officials hope to reopen all schools by January.

There are 5,341 schools ranging from elementary to high school in Jakarta, according to government data.

I feel nervous, said Akila Malawa, a 12-year-old student going to class for the first time in more than a year at Suluh junior high school. But Im so happy to see my friends again."

I hope the coronavirus in Indonesia will end so I can go to school and meet friends every day, said her classmate, Amalwin Harjodisastra.

Schools in several other cities also reopened Monday.

As schools restart, government guidelines have changed many class traditions. Chatting in class is not allowed, facemasks must be worn at all times and no one can leave class for recess. Schools must slash class capacity by 50% by holding classes in two shifts. Teachers must be vaccinated.

The Health Ministry reported 5,436 new infections on Monday, the lowest daily total since June 9. They have declined since new cases peaked on July 15, when more than 56,000 were recorded.

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, has recorded more than 4 million cases since the pandemic began. It took 15 months for it to hit 2 million confirmed cases on June 21, and just over nine weeks to hit double that amount last week.

Jakarta, once the countrys COVID-19 center, has recorded declines in active and new cases since mid-July, from more than 100,000 active cases to below 8,000 a day and from more than 10,000 new cases per day to below 500.

Patients are no longer being turned away from hospitals as bed occupancy rates have declined in several regions. The Central Jakarta Health Service says the occupancy rate in several Jakarta hospitals is now below 30%.

Restrictions on public activities, which the government credits with helping reduce pressure on hospitals, are being eased in the capital. Authorities have reopened malls, places of worship and outdoor sporting venues since mid-August with capacity limits, and people must show theyve been vaccinated.

Last month, Indonesia began vaccinating those aged between 12 and 18.

Indonesia began immunizations earlier than many other countries in Southeast Asia. It aims to inoculate more than 208 million of its 270 million people by March 2022. So far, authorities have fully vaccinated only 35.3 million people and partially vaccinated 26.9 million others.
ST. LOUIS (AP)  Two of Missouri's largest jurisdictions on Monday approved extensions of their mask mandates and another Kansas City health care system mandated COVID vaccinations for employees, as COVID-19 continues to cause a big spike in cases and hospitalizations.

St. Louis aldermen, on a voice vote with no opposition, approved an extension of the city's indoor mask mandate through Sept. 29 at the request of Mayor Tishaura Jones. Meanwhile, the Jackson County Legislature voted to extend the public health order another month through Oct. 7.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  The $164 million appropriated by the Oklahoma Legislature to pay for the state's share of Medicaid expansion remains untouched in a state agency savings account, state legislators learned Monday.

Oklahoma Health Care Authority CEO Kevin Corbett told House and Senate members that the agency has used savings generated from the Medicaid expansion, along with enhanced federal COVID-19 relief funds for states, to pay for the expansion so far.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Officials in Poland say three Afghan children staying at a refugee center fell ill after eating poisonous mushrooms picked in a forest, with two of them in intensive care fighting for their lives.

The children and their families had recently arrived in Poland after fleeing the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. They were staying in a center for foreigners in Podkowa Lesna, a town near Warsaw.
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (AP)  Three prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention center had their first day in court Monday after being held by the U.S. for 18 years without charge in connection with the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots in Southeast Asia.

Indonesian prisoner Encep Nurjaman, known as Hambali, and two Malaysians started their arraignment before a military commission in a nearly five-hour hearing at the U.S. base in Cuba, facing charges that include murder, conspiracy and terrorism.

Slowed by problems with the courtroom interpreters, the military commission was unable to finish the long-delayed arraignment and it was expected to resume Tuesday.

It is, at any rate, merely the first step in what will likely be a long legal journey. The war crimes tribunal for the three faces many of the same issues that have caused other Guantanamo cases to languish for years, including evidence tainted by CIA torture, as well as the challenges posed by the men's prolonged imprisonment without charge.

Its almost 20 years later, witnesses have died, the landscape has changed dramatically, said Brian Bouffard, a lawyer for one of the two Malaysians, Mohammed Nazir bin Lep. In my view, its fatal to the ability to have a fair trial.

The arraignment comes as the Biden administration says it intends to close the detention center, where the U.S. still holds 39 of the 779 men seized in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and invasion of Afghanistan.

The three men charged in connection with the nightclub bombings were held in secret CIA confinement for three years, subjected to what the government euphemistically called enhanced interrogation, followed by 15 more at the isolated U.S. base in Cuba.

The decision to charge them, made by a Pentagon legal official at the end of the Trump administration, complicates the closure effort, Bouffard said, since the government would likely be less inclined to release men facing an active prosecution, even after so many years in custody.

It will even be harder after an arraignment, he said.

The arraignment went off course early, with attorneys for the Malaysians telling the judge that the men couldn't understand their interpreter, who seemed to speak haltingly in both English and Malay. They also revealed that another interpreter working with prosecutors had previously been assigned to them as they prepared for the parole-like review board at Guantanamo.

He has confidential information that he may be sharing with the prosecution right now, said Christine Funk, a lawyer for defendant Mohammed Farik bin Amin.

Bin lep's legal team also disclosed that it planned to introduce an affidavit in which the Indonesian interpreter is alleged to have been overheard saying I don't know why the government has spent so much money on these terrorists; they should have been killed a long time ago.

The judge, a Navy commander, said the interpreters met the commission requirements for the arraignment and allowed the hearing to go forward, though he said he would consider the issues raised by the defense at a later point in the case.

Nurjaman was a leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian militant group with ties to al-Qaida. The U.S. government says he recruited militants, including bin Lep and bin Amin, for jihadist operations.

Among the plots that al-Qaida and Jemaah Islamiyah carried out were the October 2002 suicide bombings of Paddys Pub and the Sari Club in Bali, Indonesia, and the August 2003 suicide bombing of the J.W. Marriott in Jakarta, Indonesia. The attacks together killed 213 people, including seven Americans, and injured 109 people, including six Americans. Dozens of victims were foreign tourists, mostly Australians.

Prosecutors allege bin Lep and bin Amin, served as intermediaries in the transfer of money used to fund the group's operations.

All three were captured in Thailand in 2003 and transferred to CIA black sites, where they were brutalized and subjected to torture, according to a Senate Intelligence Committee report released in 2014. In 2006, they were moved to Guantanamo.

It's unclear why it's taken so long to charge them before the military commission. Military prosecutors filed charges against the men in June 2017, but the Pentagon legal official who oversees Guantanamo cases rejected the charges for reasons that haven't been publicly disclosed.

The case has many elements that make it complex, including whether statements the men made to authorities can hold up in court because of the abuse they experienced in CIA custody, the fact that people have already been convicted, and in some cases executed, in Indonesia for the attack, and the long time it has taken to bring charges.

Some of these same issues have come up in the case against five Guantanamo prisoners charged for planning and aiding the Sept. 11 attacks. They were arraigned in May 2012 and remain in the pretrial phase, with no trial date yet scheduled.

Funk predicted a lengthy period of defense investigation that will require extensive travel, once the pandemic is over, to interview witnesses and look for any evidence or witnesses that might still be available. Still, she said, her client is anxious and eager to litigate this case and go home.
Rick Bowmer/AP

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  In response to federal education officials opening a new investigation into whether state law banning school districts from imposing mask mandates violates the rights of students with disabilities, Utah's top education official says the U.S. Education Department the state has been unfairly defined.

Utah State Superintendent Sydnee Dickson said in a statement Monday that there is a way for schools to require masks. One small county, the liberal-leaning Grand County, has navigated new restrictions in state law to pass a school mask mandate.
BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP)  A self-described white nationalist pleaded not guilty on Monday to a second charge of disorderly conduct as a hate crime.

Max Misch of Bennington is accused in court documents of getting into an argument with a woman in June after her Black son said Misch used a racial slur against him and another teen, the Bennington Banner reported. The woman's 15-year-old son told police that Misch said white power to them and that Black people didnt belong here. Misch told the boys to come and fight him, the woman's son told police, according to an affidavit.
NORTH HAVERHILL, N.H. (AP)  A New Hampshire woman who contends she was forced to behead her lovers corpse after her husband killed the man pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of falsifying evidence in a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The woman entered a plea in Grafton County Superior Court. She was charged with allegedly decapitating Jonathan Amerault, 25, of Keene, New Hampshire. She also is accused of wrapping his body in a tarp and dragging it to a remote area and cleaning Ameraults car after he was killed.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  Virginia GOP gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin rolled out the most sweeping policy proposal of his campaign so far Monday, a so-called day one game plan that envisioned substantial tax cuts, new charter schools and an overhaul of what he called broken state agencies.

Outlining his pitch at an event in northern Virginia, the political newcomer and former executive of a private equity firm quipped that the only thing he'd change from the current Democrat-controlled status quo is everything.

We need a whole new approach to absolutely uproot the liberal bureaucracy that has taken hold of Richmond and to make government accountable to the people again," Youngkin said.

His Democratic opponent, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, panned what his campaign called a Trumpian tax plan, saying it would lead to drastic cuts in public education and tank the state's economy.

Its no surprise Glenn has no clue how to invest in Virginias economy, given he made hundreds of millions of dollars at the expense of working families  shipping American jobs overseas and raising rents on seniors, campaign spokeswoman Christina Freundlich said in a statement, in reference to Youngkin's work at The Carlyle Group.

The two men, along with third-party candidate Princess Blanding, are in the midst of the nation's only open race for governor this year. Virginia's unusual off-year elections typically draw outsized national attention as a potential bellwether leading into the midterms.

Current Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam cannot pursue a second consecutive term, and McAuliffe is seeking a rare return to office after preceding Northam.

While Youngkin cast his proposals as day one priorities, much of what he outlined would require the approval of the General Assembly. Democrats currently have full control of the body, though the entire state House is on the ballot this fall, when Democrats will be defending their 55-45 majority. No seats are up for election this year in the more moderate Senate, where Democrats have a 21-19 majority and several members don't always vote along party lines.

At his rally Monday, Youngkin described a series of tax cuts that he estimated would save a typical Virginia family of four almost $1,500 in the first year.

He pledged to: eliminate the state grocery tax; suspend the most recent gas tax hike for a year; offer a one-time tax rebate of $300 for individuals and $600 for joint filers; cut income taxes by doubling the standard deduction; cut taxes on veterans' retirement income; and implement a requirement that voters approve increases on local property taxes.

McAuliffe hasn't released an extensive tax plan, though his campaign previously told The Washington Post that he would not raise taxes.

His policy platform about jobs and the economy pledges to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2024, make childcare more affordable and ensure paid sick, family and medical leave, an issue that's proven divisive even among Democrats in the past two legislative sessions.

Youngkin also said Monday that he would open at least 20 new charter schools, and he took aim at several state agencies that have come under harsh scrutiny during the Northam administration: the Department of Motor Vehicles, the state Parole Board, the Virginia Employment Commission.

He promised to fire the entire parole board  which was met by loud cheers from the crowd  and improve customer service at the DMV, where people have struggled to get appointments, and the VEC, which struggled to process a flood of applications amid the pandemic.

McAuliffe's campaign and other Democrats have spent months criticizing Youngkin's campaign as light on policy, often needling them on Twitter for their lack of a standard issues page" on their website.

Youngkin previously rolled out plans on topics including human trafficking and veterans affairs. But Monday's offering was the most wide-ranging and detailed look at the priorities of a potential Youngkin administration.

Voters will get a chance to hear Youngkin and McAuliffe discuss their policy ideas soon at the first of two debates scheduled in the race, to be hosted Sept. 16 by the Appalachian School of Law.

A July debate hosted by the Virginia Bar Association, something of a political tradition that typically offers voters a chance to hear directly from the candidates early in the campaign season, was canceled this year after Youngkin declined to participate, citing in part concerns over the journalist moderator.

The election is Nov. 2 and early voting starts in less than three weeks. Voters will also be choosing the state's next attorney general and lieutenant governor.
By Bay City News

Cal Fire issued mandatory evacuation orders Sunday night for many people who live south of Lake Tahoe in El Dorado and Alpine counties due to the Caldor Fire.

Officials also issued evacuation warnings for others in parts of both counties, as well as further north in Lassen County due to the Dixie Fire.

The orders to evacuate are for residents the following areas:

-- El Dorado County: in the Desolation Wilderness from the watershed ridge to the wilderness boundary, and from the El Dorado/Placer county line to Echo Lakes.

-- Alpine County: State Route 89 south, from Luther Pass Road to Picketts Junction (State Route 88), and west on State Route 88 to Kirkwood, and south including Kirkwood ski resort and Caples Lake.

Cal Fire has provided an interactive evacuation map at www.tinyurl.com/EDSOEVAC.

Evacuation warnings are also in effect for areas of El Dorado, Alpine and Lassen counties.

Cal Fire defines a warning as a potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

The warning is in effect in El Dorado County for the remaining area of the Lake Tahoe Basin, from the Alpine/El Dorado county line north along the state border to Lake Tahoe, north along the lake to the El Dorado/Placer county line and west along the El Dorado/Placer county line to McKinney Lake.

The warning is in effect in Alpine County from State Route 88 at Forestdale Road west and south to the Pacific Crest Trail crossing, west to the Summit City Canyon Trail, west from there to the El Dorado/Stanislaus National Forest line and west from there to the Alpine/Amador county line. In addition, the warning includes the area south of the Armstrong Summit to Woodfords to Forestdale Road and north of State Route 88 and State Route 89 to the Armstrong Summit.

A Red Cross evacuation shelter is open in Nevada at the Douglas County Community Center, 1329 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville.

In Lassen County, the warning is in effect from the Bogard area north of State Route 44 from Pittville Road east to County Road A21 and north to Blacks Mountain, and Harvey Mountain and south of Ashurst Lake, as well as west of County Road A1 from the intersection of County Road A21 north to Forest Services Route 32NO2.

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 Tran Nguyen

San Jose Spotlight

As the infectious COVID-19 Delta variant continues to sweep the nation, federal and local officials are rolling out a plan to offer booster shots to vaccinated individuals as early as September.

Federal officials announced a plan last week to make booster shots available by the week of Sept. 20, pending further reviews. Adults with two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines would be eligible for an additional jab eight months from when they got their second shot. There's not enough data yet to determine a plan for those who got the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot. In Santa Clara County, the additional shot is already available for some with health issues.

The decision comes amid surging positive infections and new data showing the vaccines' effectiveness declines over time.

Separate from the boosters, residents with weakened immune systems are also now eligible for a special third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A third vaccine dose helps immunocompromised people build additional protective antibodies.

Here's what you need to know about the COVID-19 booster shots and third vaccines.

Why do I need a booster shot?

The COVID vaccines authorized in the U.S. continue to be effective in protecting people from serious infection, hospitalization and death, experts say.

In Santa Clara County, the case rate per 100,000 people among the unvaccinated is about 3.5 times higher than the rate among those who are fully vaccinated as of last week, county data shows.

But immunity wanes over time. It's not uncommon for other vaccines to require a booster after a period of time. Boosters for whooping cough and tetanus, for example, are recommended every 10 years.

A booster is an extra dose of the same vaccine, which helps train the body to defend itself against serious infections and counteract waning immunity.

"(The booster shot) will help memory cells stimulating the immune response," Dr. B.B. Gerstman, an epidemiologist and professor emeritus of public health at San Jose State University, told San Jose Spotlight. "It's like learning. You learn something one time, two times, then three times, you'll get better at it."

Experts anticipated the need for a booster shot, but it was not clear until recently of when protections from the initial doses start to decline.

"You want to stay ahead of the virus... You don't want to find yourself behind, playing catch-up," White House medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci said last week.

When can I get a booster?

The FDA and CDC have yet to approve booster shots for the general public. Once approved, the plan is for people to get a booster eight months after their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, federal officials said last week.

It's likely the plan will prioritize high-risk groups first, such as health care workers and nursing home residents, federal and county officials said.

When can I get a third vaccine, if eligible?

Right now, only people with weakened immune systems are eligible for a third COVID-19 vaccine.

Santa Clara County residents with compromised immune systems can now get another jab to help better protect themselves, local leaders announced last week. These include organ transplant recipients, people undergoing cancer treatment and those with other immunodeficiencies. The county and health experts urge residents to consult with their physicians before getting a third dose.

"We have vulnerable immunocompromised populations who are again at risk because of the rapid spread and high transmissibility of the Delta variant," said Dr. Jennifer Tong, associate chief medical officer for the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. "For those, a third dose of vaccine offers a substantial additional layer of protection from infection and serious illness."

Residents must wait at least 28 days after completing the first two vaccine shots for a third dose. Under the FDA's guidelines, these are considered "third doses" and not booster shots.

The CDC estimates that about 2.7 percent of the population of the U.S. is eligible for a third COVID-19 shot.

Does my booster or third vaccine have to be the same brand as my first two?

Health officials say yes. Residents are recommended to bring their vaccination cards so that they can get the same type of vaccine, per CDC guidelines.

How much will it cost?

The vaccines will continue to be free.

Where can I get a booster or third dose?

Residents in Santa Clara County should expect to get their boosters and third doses at the same clinics they went to for their first two doses, County Executive Jeff Smith told the Board of Supervisors last week.

"The critical difference now in terms of the vaccines... is that there's no longer a scarcity model," he said, adding that the county plans to finalize its third dose vaccine roll-out plan by mid-September.

Click here to find available drop-in vaccination sites near you. https://covid19.sccgov.org/covid-19-vaccine-information#3925188384-529921639.

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.
A historic firehouse in Philadelphia was in shambles when Julie Russell bought it in 2019. Today, the former Engine 10 firehouse shines as a remodeled masterpiece, with plenty of space and great views.

Its now on the market for $2,875,000.

When we bought it, it was atrocious. It was structurally destroyed, says Russell, who is also the listing agent. Her boyfriend is a builder, and he worked on the remodel with her.

The solid brick structure served as a firehouse from when it was built in 1874 until 1953. Some time after that, an owner converted the building into a livable space. However, either the initial conversion or a subsequent attempt wasn't exactly done righttoo much of the structure was removed, leaving the firehouse in a tenuous state.

From the first floor, you could kind of see into the basement, but they didnt do it correctly. We were surprised it lasted and was still standing, she says. It was in really bad shape. There were a lot of structural surprises I wasnt planning on.

Outside, the brick was in bad condition and there was no working plumbing inside.

Even in the state it was in, it was a project Russell couldnt resist.

Exterior of firehouse in Philadelphia Alcove Media

Interior Alcove Media

Interior Alcove Media

Rooftop Alcove Media

Entry Alcove Media

It was listed in 2013, and I fell in love with the photos, but I didnt have the means to finish it. The timing wasnt right, but it never left my mind. I was always thinking, 'One day, I'm going to live in a firehouse.' Then it popped up in 2019, and I decided I had to have it. It was a dream scenario.

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Watch: Go Snorkeling in Your Living Room in This $5.5M Florida Keys Home

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Russell paid about $850,000 a couple of years ago, and after putting about $2 million into the project, the 4,200-square feet of living space is her dream home in the city.

Shes now ready to move on to her next projectbuilding a dream home in the suburbs.

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As currently configured, the former firehouse has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two half-bathrooms, and plenty of living space. During the remodel, Russell removed what she dubbed a bad "Miami Vice" vibe and brought the place into the 21st century.

The front of the house was salvageable, as were some of the bricks around the doors leading to the courtyard. Everything else was in shambles.

It didn't look like a firehouse when I bought it. There was absolutely nothing left of the firehouse, other than the front exterior. There was no poleeverybody asks about that. I absolutely would have kept the pole, she explains with a laugh. It was just a big, wide open space, except for a big wall of plywood as you walked into the house.

Now it's a classy 32-foot wide residence with 13-foot ceilings, exposed ductwork, and an eye-catching metal and reclaimed wood staircase. Wood flooring throughout came from barns in Lancaster, PA, dating from the firehouses heyday.

Some old floor joists from the original firehouse were transformed into shelving and vanities.

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On the main living level, you'll find a chefs kitchen, an office, plus another rare highlight.

We have a double-wide pantry, and we have a double coat closet, which are two things you rarely see in Philadelphia homes. It's such a huge bonus to have, Russell says.

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Large arched doors lead from the living space out into a partially covered courtyard that sits between the house and the three-car attached garage.

The courtyard is probably three times the size of most yards in Philadelphia, Russell explains. I was able to salvage the brick on the first floor. Everything above was all butchered and crumbling. The whole back wall had to be rebuilt.

The bedrooms are on the second floor. All offer plenty of natural light, and one guest room features exposed brick.

In the main suite, there's a large walk-in closet, plus a soaking tub for two.

On the top level, there's a kitchenette and doors that lead out on to a spacious rooftop deck.

You see two bridges, the city skyline. You have 360-degree views. Its one of the biggest, if not the biggest, roof decks Ive ever seen on a single-family home, says Russell.

At the basement level, there's a bar, as well as a fully equipped gym.

It has everything you could ever need. Its professional-quality gym equipment, and I have every weight, from five to 100 pounds, she says. Its included in the sale.

Russell thought this would be her forever home, but life circumstances change.

Im so happy I did it, and I wish I could pick it up and move it to the suburbs. We absolutely love everything about this house. It's so perfect for us.

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The post Would You Live in a Former Firehouse? Engine 10 Firehouse in Philly Is Simply Perfect appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
The biggest art heist in San Francisco history triggered no alarms. When a $1 million Rembrandt and three other Dutch paintings were stolen on Christmas Eve 1978 from the de Young Museum, not a single guard noticed.

By the time the painting was mysteriously returned 21 years later, it wasnt a Rembrandt anymore. And the rabbi in the portrait was no longer a rabbi.

The overnight thefts in 1978 made national headlines, sparked investigations from the FBI and Interpol and exposed both the de Youngs shoddy security and the culprits retroactively poor art selection. Visitors to the de Young arrived Christmas Day to find an empty wall spot where the Rembrandt, called Portrait of a Rabbi, once hung. Signs were posted saying the four paintings had been temporarily removed.

One museum guest said, I think thats wishful thinking.

Museum director Ian White was photographed pointing up at the skylight where at least one thief had descended 20 feet into the gallery like a bizarro Santa Claus.

Before we dig into the heists aftermath, there is a prologue that makes it that much weirder.

Someone tried stealing the same Rembrandt from the de Young in a violent encounter four months earlier. A man with a pellet gun forced his way into the museum around midnight, stuffed Rabbi and two other paintings into a plastic bag and was overcome by a guard before escaping without the artworks while being shot at.

An opinion piece published in the San Francisco Chronicle just a week before the Christmas Eve heist unwittingly predicted how the thief would break into the de Young. The piece, meant to criticize lax security common at museums in anticipation of the King Tut exhibit opening in New York, explained how a skilled burglar could look for any exterior renovation or repair work and snake his way up to the scaffolding in the wee hours, cut his way through an upstairs window without triggering an alarm, and, presto, hes in the Egyptian Gallery!

The de Young happened to be undergoing extensive construction on its east end while preparing for that same King Tut exhibit. Police said the suspects appeared to take advantage of it to access the part of the roof where the alarm was compromised, sometime after the museum closed at 5 p.m.

Jerry Telfer/The Chronicle

From there they went to the buildings west end and unscrewed the metal bindings of a 3-by-5-foot skylight above Gallery 12, which was likewise unprotected by alarms. After dropping 8 feet to a catwalk, they opened a plastic grate on the gallery ceiling and somehow lowered themselves another 12 feet to the gallery floor.

The thieves stole four paintings in their frames between galleries 12 and 13. Aside from Rabbi were three other 17th century Dutch paintings valued for far less: Interior of St. Lawrence's in Rotterdam by Anthonie de Lorme ($55,000 value); Harbor Scene by Willem van de Velde ($5,000); and River Scene at Night by Aert van der Neer ($2,000).

One factor points to the appearance of more than one thief: They made their way back up to the roof after pushing a 600-pound antique bureau valued at $10,000 under the ceiling, pulling out the drawers to create steps and climbing up.

Three other paintings in the gallery were found left behind the next morning after being taken off their hooks  possibly because the thieves panicked after shattering a discarded light bulb on their way up. One of them was another Rembrandt hanging directly next to Rabbi. Its called Portrait of Joris de Caulerij and was also valued at $1 million. It may also have been left behind because it was slightly larger than Rabbi, which measured 31 by 25.5 inches.

Adequate human or electronic detection could have foiled the heist. The de Young had ultrasonic motion-detection devices in galleries with doors or windows opening to the outside of the building. But galleries 12 and 13 had no such devices, and a thief could have easily cased the museum for that information ahead of time using available technology.

Two infrared devices did protect the de Youngs restaurant, the Chronicle reported, where the most valuable item seems to be a microwave oven.

The museums two night guards and two morning guards reported nothing unusual before the museum reopened at 9 a.m. and the paintings were found missing. White, the museum director, said on their usual shift theyd shine a flashlight into Gallery 13 and didnt enter Gallery 12 at all. Another potential roadblock removed for the thieves was the de Youngs system of boxes that guards would insert a key into each time they checked specific locations during their rounds. The box steps away from Gallery 13 had just been disconnected as a way to save $100 a month.

HO/AP

Outrage and derision of the de Youngs security failures were swift. Although none of the guards were suspects in the crime, San Francisco Civil Service Commissioner Darrell Salomon called for one of the morning guards to be fired. A security expert told the Chronicle that the de Youngs systems were antiquated and shamefully inadequate.

Salvatore Priolo, the museums director of security, didnt argue. When people say that, they're not telling me anything I didn't already know, he told the Chronicle.

San Francisco police suspected the same thief from the August incident, and they sent out an all-points bulletin for a man 30 to 35 years old who was reportedly seen driving into the museums rear parking lot about 9 p.m. with an extension ladder tied to a station wagon. But they had little else to go on with no prints or tools left behind.

The FBI and Interpol became involved with the investigation because of the arts value, and galleries around the world were alerted to look out for the paintings. San Francisco burglary inspector Dave Kellogg told the Examiner in May 1979, "We've gone through hundreds of people and exhausted most of the leads."

Art heists were a rising segment of organized crime during those years  three Cezanne paintings worth $3 million were stolen from the Chicago Art Institute three days after the de Young heist  and the art heist scourge would later become romanticized in film. Some experts on the subject may have gotten carried away with their impressions of the San Francisco thieves.

The 'Dr. No' theory

"There was a great deal of professionalism in the theft," New York Detective Robert Volpe, the only police officer in the country assigned full time to art theft at the time, told the Examiner in 1979. It's obvious there was prior knowledge as to the target, and the Rembrandt was probably contracted for. That was the motive; a customer waiting."

With the case no closer to being solved in 1984, insurance adjuster Arnold Miller, called the Sam Spade of art thefts, told the Examiner, My hunch is that it was a contract job, ordered by some guy in a foreign country who would go to any length to possess The Rabbi."

But the image of some wealthy, secretive collector paying top dollar for fenced art seems sketchy in retrospect. Former FBI art theft investigator Robert Wittman says, Theres no Dr. No out there storing paintings in his basement.

JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP via Getty Images

Wittman led the creation of the FBIs Art Crime Team in 2004 and worked on the infamous Gardner Museum heist in Boston recently retold in a Netflix documentary. He told SFGATE that in his 20 years of working on art theft cases for the FBI, rich collectors bankrolling the thieves were very unlikely.

Think about it, a rich person paid for them, but what are you going to do with them? Wittman said. Nobody pays to steal paintings from a museum to exhibit them in a house or something. Especially these [de Young] paintings.

The paintings certainly didnt appear to be part of any illicit exhibitions before a man in a wig dropped them off in a box on Nov. 2, 1999.

Doyle Galleries in New York held an open house every Tuesday where paintings and other art could be brought in and appraised by experts. Over 100 people were reportedly there when a crate measuring 30 inches by 45 inches was left behind, with a note saying they were the stolen paintings from the de Young.

After FBI agents confirmed there wasnt a bomb inside, they seized the package and contacted the de Young. Whoever returned the paintings may have made some calls of their own.

The art journal IFAR, which published its first art theft newsletter in 1979, reported that three days after the paintings were dropped off, someone claiming to be Carl La Fung called their offices and expressed concern the museum wasnt getting them back.

The caller indicated that he had acquired the paintings (overly restored and damaged) from the original thieves and fearing retribution and prosecution, never knew what to do with them, IFAR published in its winter 1999 edition.

JAMES ESTRIN/NYT

IFAR said La Fung called again several days later, after he also called the Art Loss Registry, just to inform the publication that the paintings were on their way to San Francisco (as reported already in the press). He told them he felt he did the right thing, and youre not going to hear from me again.

The de Young got three of their four purloined paintings back and briefly displayed them once again in February 2000, but not in nearly the same condition. "Interior of the Church of St. Lawrence" was scratched, split and warped in an apparently shoddy restoration job. River Scene at Night was broken into three pieces and had part of its corner missing.

As for Portrait of a Rabbi, the $1 million Rembrandt, Somebody tried to clean it, leaving a large rectangular space over the face, Lynn Federle Orr, the de Young's curator of European paintings, told the New York Times. It made the varnish opaque, rather than having the luminosity that makes the image bright and easily read.''

The fourth painting, Harbor Scene, was never recovered.

'A downward spiral'

The greater damage to Rabbi, however, was to its authenticity. Years before it was stolen, Abraham Bredius and Horst Gerson had already cast doubt on who painted it in their definitive catalogue of Rembrandts. Those doubts were further amplified over the years to the point where the true painter was widely believed to be one of Rembrandts students.

By August 2000, the de Young took down Rabbi with no plans to display it again: At this point, the painting's value is in somewhat of a downward spiral," Steven Nash, chief curator of Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, told Jewish News.

By then, the name of the painting had changed along with the artist. It was now Portrait of a Man with Red Cap and Gold Chain because the subject couldnt be verified as a rabbi  his chain didnt infer rabbinical status.

The painting, which was purchased in 1947 by the Palace of the Legion of Honor and then transferred to the de Young, is still with the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The Rembrandt Database calls the artist attributed to Rembrandt or follower of Rembrandt."

No suspects have been arrested in the heist, and by this point they almost certainly wont be (SFGATE filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the FBI in June and it was still in progress at publication time). Art heists have declined significantly around the world in the past 20 years as museums such as the de Young greatly enhanced their security. When approached by SFGATE for an interview for this story, the de Young said it no longer had anyone familiar with the case available.

Wittman, the former FBI agent, had a low opinion of the thieves.

They didnt know any better. It was obviously a bungled job, he told SFGATE. They were stealing other European or Dutch paintings, thinking they were going to have a big haul, and it turns out they had nothing.

As for that Rembrandt hanging right next to Rabbi that the thieves left behind? It's still on display at the Legion of Honor in Gallery 14. By 1999, Portrait of Joris de Caulerij was valued at up to $30 million. The museum gives it no monetary estimate today other than "invaluable."
I had heard about the outdoor bookstore in Ojai in lots of different places  or, more accurately, through lots of different posts on social media. Travel blogs called it the worlds biggest outdoor bookstore. Beautifully shot videos on Instagram, showing row after row of sunlit books, described it as a book labyrinth. Every time I paused my scrolling to get another peek inside Barts Books, it piqued my curiosity even further. I had to experience that bookstore, even if it meant a 100 mile drive through a lot of Los Angeles traffic to get there.

But heres the thing about the internet, friends: The internet is full of lies.

On a Tuesday afternoon when I just couldnt look at a computer screen for another minute, I got in my car and headed north. I drove the mile from my apartment to the 101, and all of a sudden, it was like a scene from a movie  if that movie is The Truman Show and its the part when Truman is trying to flee his hometown and the directors cue dead-stopped traffic to keep him from figuring out there is no escape.

Julie Tremaine

Ill admit, it was unplanned and probably unwise to pick a just-before-rush-hour jaunt 78.5 miles north to the Ojai Valley, just east of Santa Barbara. But in the pile of lies I had accumulated about this mythic bookstore, there was one going through my mind as I watched snails pass me on the freeway: Not only was this book labyrinth an unmissable Central Coast landmark, it was open all hours. Even though the website said the store closed at 6 p.m., other places online said you could buy books there any time you wanted.

Its fine, I thought to myself as the minutes ticked away more quickly than the miles did. By the time I get there, Ill have about an hour to explore, and then Ill just stay late.

So weird to think Facebook videos dont get fact checked, right?

Julie Tremaine

Two hours into what should have been an hour and 15 minute drive, I pulled up to Barts Books. Occupying the corner of two residential, tree-lined streets, it wasnt anything like what I had pictured. I immediately knew the place was special. But I also immediately knew it wasnt anything like what I had seen online.

When I heard book labyrinth, I imagined a collection of bookshelves in a field, where piece after piece had been added on as the stores inventory and popularity grew  kind of like the Bottle Tree Ranch in Oro Grande, where Elmer Long built trees out of old glass bottles in the desert and people travel from all over the world to see it.

Barts Books was, well, a house. Not just a house, but a house in a residential neighborhood. I parked and headed for the door, not pausing to look at the shelves upon shelves of books on the buildings exterior walls. My clock was ticking. By the time I got inside, I only had 15 minutes before the store closed.

Are you looking for anything specific? the man behind the counter asked me.

A time machine? I thought but didnt say.

Julie Tremaine

One quick glance around and I knew it was a place I could spend an entire afternoon browsing. I wouldnt call it a labyrinth, but the space was so vast, with so many corners and alcoves, that I couldnt take it all in at once. There were shelves and shelves and shelves everywhere I looked, and in the spaces where there werent books, there were antique typewriters and plants and a million other beautiful distractions. A woman sat at one of the stores patio tables, peacefully reading a book in the late afternoon sunlight. I wanted to be that woman. But instead, I just picked a direction and went.

And I walked into  a living room?

Barts Books was founded by Richard Bart Bartinsdale in 1964, when, according to the stores account, he decided to put his outsized collection of books to good use, installing a few bookshelves outside his house and asking for payment on the honor system. Patrons would drop coins and cash into coffee cans and take what they wanted to read.

Julie Tremaine

Eventually, theyd sell back what they were finished with, and probably buy another armful of books to take home. The store estimates that nearly a million books have come and gone in the half-century that Barts has been doing business. Bart himself has now passed away, and the store has completely overtaken what used to be his home. Its now owned by another Ojai local, Matt Henriksen. Thats why the kitchen is now a space for cookbooks and writings about food culture, and theres a narrow hallway filled with Shakespeare. That living room is mostly devoted to adult nonfiction, but a homey corner near the fireplace is stocked with childrens literature.

By some estimates, theres more than 100,000 mostly used books in their inventory now, largely brought in by readers for trade credit. Some of the books come from estate sales. There are some rare collections, like a complete set of 18 volumes of The Diary of Samuel Pepys from 1900 that sells for $2,000. Those stay inside the building, but even the outdoor sections arent really exposed to the elements. Everything is covered by overhangs, but Ojai Valleys east-west positioning means it only gets about 20 inches of rainfall a year.

Julie Tremaine

Those bookshelves outside the walls are still there, and still on the honor system, just like Bart designed. Theyre filled with $0.50 books that didnt make the cut to get inside the store. The difference is that now, instead of coffee cans, payment goes through a slot in the door.

The irony of my terrible timing on this excursion is that normally, when I walk into bookstores, its an exercise in restraint. I tell myself walking in that Im not allowed to buy anything, because my to be read pile isnt actually a pile, its a whole bookcase. It never works. I always leave with two or three more titles I cant resist taking home.

On the drive up to Barts, I made a mental exception. I was allowed to get anything I wanted. Anything. I spent those slow miles envisioning myself leaving with a huge armful of books: travelogues, a few collections of poetry I hadnt read yet, maybe some ghost stories. In my rush to see everything in the store, I scanned and scanned for something I might want to take home  but I was too taken with the character of the place to zero in on any one title. If I had the hour I should have had, it would have been a different story.

Julie Tremaine

Instead, I wandered the rooms and spent some time talking to the man behind the counter. I read on the internet this is the worlds biggest bookstore, I said to him.

No, he said, shaking his head. Not even close. He pointed to Hay on Wye, a town in Wales that has branded itself as the book town. Its basically one huge bookstore, he added, and a lot of it is outdoors.

Still, I couldnt turn up another outdoor bookstore in this country thats bigger than Barts  not that, I think, theres any real official measurement of these things. Even the stores website says its the worlds largest outdoor bookstore. Honestly, I dont care whether it is or it isnt. I care about going back and spending a day there, sitting and reading in the sunshine and leaving with my armful of books.
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.
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Locals protest mask mandates

Riley / RILEY KELLEY | Daily News Photos Bill Chye of Fountain holds up a sign during a Saturday outside the Mason County Courthouse as part of an organized demonstration against mask and vaccination mandates. Riley / RILEY KELLEY | Daily News Demonstrators protest mask mandates outside the Mason County Courthouse Saturday afternoon.

Some cheered and honked their horns in support, while others booed or offered more colorfully worded rebukes on Saturday when a group of demonstrators took to the Mason County Courthouse to protest mask mandates as a mitigation measure against COVID-19.

About 40 people participated in the protest, holding up signs and waving them at passersby on Ludington Avenue. Local organizer Jennie Wilson said she believed a majority of the responses were positive.

Wilson, who recently moved to Ludington from Georgia, said that, in her mind, the protest was not a political demonstration; however, she said the idea to hold the demonstration came from a group called the Tea Party Patriots, a subgroup of the Tea Party, which made a push for a series of protests across the nation.

Wilson said much of the messaging came from that group, adding that the Ludington protest was listed on the Tea Party Patriots website, in conjunction with similar events in 60 small towns across the country.

Wilson said the main emphasis, at least for her, was truth and freedom. She added that she asked attendees to shy away from wearing clothing or signs demonstrating a political affiliation.

She said the protest was not a response to a specific mandate, as there are currently no state- or nationwide measures requiring the general public to wear masks or receive the vaccine. Some demonstrators were worried it might come to that, but Wilson said the inspiration was more broad.

It has to do with everything, she said. It has to do with businesses, with schools, with medical mandates, with hospitals, doctors, and anything that says you cant come in unless youre masked or vaccinated.

We dont feel like we should be forced to do something. Everybody has a choice.

She believes it should always be up to the individual, and that its a matter of personal freedom.

As for the freedoms of businesses, medical offices, school districts and other entities that may opt to require masks for entry, Wilson said she respects those rights. However, that doesnt mean shell mask up.

She said she hasnt worn a mask since the start of the pandemic. When she enters a building that requires masks, shell try to have a conversation with the person in charge.

If they say, You have to leave (if you dont wear a mask), Ill say, OK, and Ill leave, she said. Theres never been a problem  as long as theres no anger involved.

The group also opposed the remaining mandates for special circumstances, such as travel and transportation, as well as any employer-mandated mask or vaccine requirements, such as those implemented by the military, the travel industry and the court system.

Regarding the issue of safety, and the possibility of unknowingly spreading COVID-19 to others in a hospital, an airplane or a cruise ship, Wilson said she believes the danger has been overstated.

Theyre using this virus as fear tactics to try to control us, Wilson said.

When asked specifically who or what constitutes they, Wilson said, Anybody.

The point is, we have a choice, she said.

Wilson was adamant that anger did not factor into the decision to protest, stating that the demonstration is coming from a place of truth and love.

She said there (were) some rebuttals from passersby, but most people seemed to support the group.

Currently there are no mandates for the general public to wear masks or for receiving the vaccine, though hospitals and medical offices continue to require masks when indoors.

Since the lifting of public gathering restrictions in July, decisions about masks have been largely left at the local level, specifically with respect to businesses and school districts.

At least one local school district  Mason County Central  is implementing a limited mask mandate for the coming year as positive cases of COVID-19 rebound and the delta variant of the virus continues to spread. Ludington Area Schools is considering re-evaluating its mask requirements on a week-by-week basis, based on the number of cases in the area, and the transmission rate of the virus.

These decisions are being made in collaboration with public health officials like District Health Department No. 10, which is strongly recommending mask use as case numbers climb once again. The CDC and MDHHS are recommending the same thing.

In the most recent weekly COVID-19 data update on Aug. 23, the health department reported 27 new coronavirus cases, with 2,175 total cases and 38 deaths attributed to the virus in Mason County.

The most recent daily update on Aug. 28 reported seven new cases in the county. DHD10 attributed the cases to household contact, mass outdoor gatherings, recent travel, community contact and indoor gatherings.
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Savitri is as honest, conscientious, and hardworking as any of the retail investors. In fact, she is the perfect proponent of ethical and value-based investing.

Savitri (name changed) is among the crores of retail investors who has actively turned to the markets for growing her money. Of course, many have in the last 15 months ever since the pandemic broke.

When the specialty chemicals company Clean Science and Technology launched its IPO in July, she was over the moon. She spent weeks studying the company... Read its red herring prospectus almost cover to cover and was gung-ho about investing in it. She wanted to get as many shares as possible of this company at the IPO level itself. Her idea was to hold on to the shares for years and invest more over time.

Thus at the stroke of ten on 7th July - the first minute and day of the IPO, she invested the maximum allowed (under 2 lakh as per SEBI regulations) which came to 208 shares or 13 lot 16 shares each for a total price of Rs 1,87,200 at Rs 900 per share. Since she had bid for the maximum, she expected to be allotted at least one lot. She was horror-struck when she got not a single share.

Here was an investor tailor-made for this company. During down periods of the market, shed have bought more shares of the company and never sold it, like a good investor is expected to. But now she was not just disillusioned with IPOs per se, but this whole business of stock markets in general. She wondered: is the stock market all a gambling den as detractors say it is?

As I have written before and as any serious investor knows, there are two types of people who put money into the stock market: investors and traders. An investor is one who buys stock for the sake of the company, to help it grow. This is the basic purpose of stocks and the stock market: for people to invest in companies that are good and thus drive the growth of a nation and the world generally.

The trader, on the other hand, is in the market only to make money. He is the gambler who calculates, listens to the go-ahead given by his astrologer (youll be surprised how many do), or now his AI algorithm, buys shares of a company not because he cares but purely to sell it the moment its price goes up. A traders interest is not investment or growth, but quick personal profit. There are traders who repeatedly buy and sell stocks of a handful of companies theyve studied thoroughly.

The job of a regulator like SEBI, as of the market, should be to encourage the investor with attractive policies over the gambler and the trader. But if you look at the IPO allotment system, it seems to do exactly the opposite.

In India, if a share is oversubscribed, you are allotted shares based upon a lottery. Thus it is not your study that will win you share allotment in an IPO  but a plain and simple lottery. What is the metaphor that the regulator is teaching both a new company being initiated on the stock market and new investors: that luck will play a bigger part than the pluck, the resilience of a company?

Secondly, shares are allotted on lots. May I ask why this mandate? Why cant the size of the lot be reduced so that more people who want the shares of a popular company, can get it? Why cant a company decide the lowest lot e.g. instead of the current average lot size being around 15,000, why cant it be say 10,000 or 5,000? Or why should it be given in lots in the first place?

IPO rules need to change. The message for millions of new investors entering the market due to ease of mobile investing is that the market is neither a place for gambling nor a lottery. It certainly is not a get rich quick scheme. It is a place where serious study is a winning bet. Using a lottery model  unless absolutely inevitable (these days every IPO is oversubscribed multiple times)  to decide how many shares one gets in an IPO is antithetical to this.

And what about those who are patently unlucky. Take the case of Savitri who was frustrated mainly because she hadnt been allotted IPOs of 5 companies consecutively (she checked, nothing was wrong in the way she applied as she did get an allotment post and before this string of bad luck'). Conversely, there might be those whod have gotten lucky getting shares in every IPO they applied. This luck factor needs to be reduced from the market as much as possible. That, I believe, should be the job of regulators whose primary role needs to be to marry investors with the perfect company.

Therell be likes of Savitri who want clean companies, others might have a penchant for IT, some for metal companies. Like in life where people take time but eventually find and stick to their specialty, regulators can have a great role doing the same for investors i.e. guide them to their specialty over time.

But how does anyone do that with an IPO and so many new investors who know IPOs are one of the safest bets leading to almost every decent IPO getting oversubscribed multiple times over?

In the analog age, it would have been near impossible. But in the age of supercomputing thanks to superfast digital devices, doing this is easier done, than said. Here are some ideas for the same.

Idea: Democratising IPOs for Retail investors

Usually, investors who buy an IPO in the first hour, are those who are serious about that company and have studied it enough to be absolutely sure about it. The gamblers usually wait it out and invest only on the last day employing this simple logic: if a share has been oversubscribed, that means theres excessive demand which means the price will go up on listing day. These gamblers also have another logic: why lose extra days bank interest?

Knowing this, SEBI could divide the hours that a share is listed in and rate them depending upon its distance from the initial launch. E.g. if an IPO is open for 3 days inside trading hours of 10 to 3.30 it means it is open for investment for 16 and a half hours in total. Thus, hour number 1 i.e. the first hour it is listed should say get 16.5 points, hour 2 gets 15.5 points till the last half an hour gets just half a point.

Thus someone who has booked in the first hour should have 16 times more chances of getting an allotment compared to someone who has booked in the last half an hour. This can be done on a minute-by-minute based e.g. 16 and a half hours is 990 minutes. Thus the one to book on minute one gets 990 points and thus has that much more chance of getting an allotment.

You can add other factors to this mathematical mix e.g. the amount one has subscribed to with the ones who have invested more, would have a better chance of getting more shares than one who has put less. Investors past IPO allotment history can also be added e.g. if someone has got allotment in the last companys IPO, then his chance of getting in the next one should reduce based upon how much she has got instead of being a clean slate as it is now. Also can be added to this computational mix is the history of whether that person kept or sold off their IPO allotment with a person who stays invested longer past IPO listing, getting greater preference in any new IPO because this person is likely to stay invested even in the new IPO and thus will not add to the stability of the market.

As evident, this is a complex matrix and there are more factors that could be added, increasing its complexity. This, thus, can be the perfect job for Artificial Intelligence. With AI, every companys IPO could have some set parameters whose weightage they could increase or decrease which they can feed the AI system and thus base their allotment on that. This AI-based IPO allotment policy could even be part of the Red Herring prospectus with weightage clearly spelled out, thus turning the process that much more transparent.

A retail investor holding shares worth Rs. 15,000 for a company that is worth 15,000 crores, is like a drop in the ocean. But this retail investor starting with drops could invest hundreds of multiples of that. Thus if she gets hold of good fundamentals right from the beginning, it would be the perfect learning for her. Also, dont they say a single leak can sink a big ship? The current luck-based IPO policy adds volatility to the market and figuring out a new, fairer method minus factors like luck, will help plug leaks and make markets that much more robust and stable.

Ultimately, that is what is in the best interests of the markets, isnt it?

Post the heartbreak of not getting allotted shares of Clean Science.., Savitri became a sort of Devdas. No, she did not start drinking, but she began applying for the IPO of every half-decent company listing in the markets, even those whose principles she did not agree with. She hit bulls eye with Zomato even though she thought the company and the price were totally wrong. She got allotted one lot, sold it on listing day, and made enough to buy a decent smartphone. But, shes not happy doing this and wonders if she should give up her demat account and stick to mutual funds or other methods of investment that do not involve personal heartbreak.

She reminded me of the cliche often talked about the bad prison system of India: an innocent person put into prison mistakenly ends up becoming a criminal by the time s/he is released.

And that, I presume, is not a mindset that our dear SEBI wants to inculcate in new investors, is it? So will it make the shift from a trader-focussed mindset to an investor focussed one?



(Satyen K. Bordoloi is a scriptwriter, journalist based in Mumbai. He loves to let his pen roam the intersection of artificial intelligence, consciousness and quantum mechanics. His written words have appeared in many Indian and foreign publications.)



More stories from the author:

 For superpower glory India needs to back daughters like dads of Olympians

 Why I Still Cheer Olympians

 Is a boom in retail shareholder activism imminent in India?

 How the RSS/BJP failed worst when Indians needed them most

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 Google Union - a radical rethinking of unions

 Nov to Jan - the toughest months for liberal capitalism and democracy

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 Will AI destroy humanity or commit suicide?


Actress Rakul Preet Singh is gearing up for the release of her upcoming Telugu film 'Konda Polam' alongside Panja Vaisshnav Tej.

The actress, who has worked with both senior and young actors, feels that the stereotypes of onscreen pairings are broken now.

Rakul, who has worked with senior actors like Ravi Teja and Mahesh Babu, has also featured alongside younger stars like Sundeep Kishan.

"I think the industry has completely changed today. Gone are the days when people used to think that if you work with senior actors, you can't work with junior actors, and vice versa. I think it's way past that... Now it's about the roles, it's about how you look and how you carry those," Rakul tells IANS.

"Times have changed now. Films are changing and evolving and I really hope that the filmmakers see that and more opportunities and scripts come like that," she adds.

Rakul plays the role of a shephard girl in 'Konda Polam' and her simple, village girl look has received positive response from her fans.

"I always believe that you exude your vibe and I think if you are happy within, you look happy outside. If you are happy doing what you do, it will always reflect on screen," she says.

The young actress, whose last Bollywood movie was 'Sardar Ka Grandson', believes in taking care of one-self.

"I just feel that the body that you live in is something that you need to take care of. From what I eat to how well I maintain my body or how young I feel in my head. Everything else is just a byproduct. I am glad that people like the pairing and I hope I keep getting more opportunities like that," she says.

Text: IANS

Images: Rakul on Instagram
New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Since the fall of Kabul, Pakistan has been quietly engaging with key international and regional stakeholders with a message that Afghanistan should not be left alone and the incoming government there, likely to be led by the Afghan Taliban, should be given a chance, Express Tribune reported.

Officials familiar with the development told The Express Tribune that there is a considered view among the policymakers in Pakistan that the international community must not prejudge the Taliban.

This was the message Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi carried during his recent four-nation visit that took him to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran. He is likely to undertake more visits to the countries, having stakes in Afghanistan's future.

Qureshi confirmed in a statement that Pakistan is in touch with the Afghan Taliban leadership for the way forward. He said the Taliban are giving positive signals.

"If they [Taliban] are giving positive signals, the world must encourage them," Qureshi said, as per the report.

He also urged the international community to avoid any repeat of past mistakes and not leave Afghanistan alone.

"If Afghanistan is left alone, that would be a disaster for everyone," he said, stressing the need for remaining engaged with a country that has been at war for the last four decades.

Recently, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also sought the world's support for the Afghan Taliban.

He said that the Taliban are doing exactly what the world has been asking for.

Khan added that the Taliban have promised to respect human and women's rights, agreed to an inclusive government and not to let Afghan soil be used again by terrorists, the report said.

Khan's key cabinet member, Asad Umar, expressed similar views, seeking international financial assistance for an imminent Taliban government.

"The world must not repeat the mistake it made after the Soviet withdrawal. This is the time for the global community to engage and not isolate Afghanistan. A fraction of the money spent on the war in Afghanistan, spent honestly on development can enhance global security," he tweeted.

--IANS

san/arm
Moscow, Aug 30 (IANS) Russia registered 19,286 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 6,882,827, the official monitoring and response center said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the nationwide death toll grew by 797 to 181,637, and the number of recoveries increased by 16,804 to 6,148,250, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Fewer than 13% of women in the new cabinet

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (Sin Chew Daily)  The extremely low representation of women at 12.8% in the cabinet of Malaysia deserves attention.

Of the 70 ministers and deputy ministers, only nine or 12.8% are women.

Tan Sri Goh Tian Chuan, president of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong), said although the same number of women were made ministers and deputy ministers under the Pakatan Harapan government, they represented 18% of PHs cabinet.

The percentage of women representation declines due to a larger cabinet size under the Perikatan Nasional-led government, he said.

Goh said this in his speech at the opening of a virtual dialogue organized by womens wing of Hua Zong attended by close to 80 womens organizations.

Goh said the extremely low representation of women in the government of Malaysia contradicted the target of 30% women representation set by the government in public services, corporate sector and politics.

I urge the government to look into this as the current representation of women is too low compared to the target set by the government for many years, he said.

Goh also urged the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to look into issues related to women and children by inviting more womens groups for dialogues, offer assistance such as institutionalized allocations for womens groups.

Datuk Lin Huo Li, head of womens wing of Hua Zong, said the virtual dialogue was organized to forge closer ties and gather strength among womens groups for a better platform to communicate in future.

Women face unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic as they are required to care for both their families and careers.

Some face mental stress due to financial difficulties during the pandemic.

Lin said the theme of the 59th national womens day celebration  women fighting to eradicate COVID-19 on Aug 25 showed that the government recognizes womens contribution and capability in handling the COVID-19 battle, especially female doctors, nurses and other women who make up 70% of frontliners.

However, womens participation in public services, corporate sector and politics remains low.

Lin said the government should implement appropriate measures to rectify the imbalance.
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A newly admitted lawyer and prominent member of Sydneys South Sudanese community is among the latest young people to die suddenly after testing positive to COVID-19.

Family and friends say father-of-four William Orule, aged in his 30s, died alone in his western Sydney home late on August 20.

William Orule was admitted as a lawyer in May. Credit:Facebook

His sudden death while infected with COVID-19 has been felt deeply within the citys South Sudanese community.

Mr Orule, who was a former chairman of the Federation of Equatoria Community in Australia, was admitted as a lawyer in May this year after completing his legal practice certificate.
The editor of Daily Mail Australia instructed one of his employees to rip into broadcaster Erin Molan before a story was published which is now at the centre of a defamation case, a court has been told.

Ms Molan, 39, is suing the Daily Mail in the Federal Court over an article and two tweets published in June 2020 which she says falsely implied she is racist, callous and arrogant. She is seeking aggravated damages.

Journalist Erin Molan, pictured in June, is suing the Daily Mail for defamation. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The story and the tweets came after a May 30 broadcast on The Continuous Call Team, a sports program on Sydney radio station 2GB, where Ms Molan referred to Pacific Islander NRL players by saying the phrase hooka looka mooka hooka fooka.

Ms Molan has maintained that she was referring to a well-known story on the program, about broadcasters Ray Warren and Chris Warren attempting to pronounce a Pacific Islander name unsuccessfully, which made her fellow broadcasters the butt of the joke.
A car running a red light on Sydneys north shore set off a chain of events and revealed a possible plot to kill a member of the citys underworld.

Police are investigating whether Ibrahem Hamze was the intended target of two armed men who were spotted in a stolen car near his north shore home two weeks ago.

The vehicle was later found abandoned, with a flat tyre, on Miller Street in Cammeray.

The driver of the stolen Mercedes refused to stop for officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol about 9.45am on Saturday, August 14, sparking a pursuit.

The car ran a red light and the chase was called off due to safety reasons. The vehicle was later found abandoned, with a flat tyre, on Miller Street in Cammeray.
Thats why were gearing up for that, we have been for nearly two years, she said. And I state again, our hospital system is under pressure. Will we need to do things differently? Of course, we will. NSW is administering almost 900,000 jabs a week, putting it on track to reach 70 per cent vaccination rate by mid-October, when the ICU system is expected to face its biggest test. The Premier said health modelling suggested the pressure on the ICU network would decline, as the state came closer to its vaccination targets. Our ICU specialists, our emergency department specialists are some of the best in the world, and theyve been planning and training to deal with what were likely to expect in the next couple of months, she said. Paramedics have been instructed to transport confirmed cases in western Sydney to Westmead while people with suspected COVID-19 were only to be taken to Auburn and Blacktown hospitals. Nurses treating patients at Westmead hospital say there is a strong sense of hopelessness as cases continue to rise.

A Westmead COVID-19 ward nurse, who was not authorised to speak to the media, told the Herald it felt like they were being told the health system is coping when its just not. As the numbers go up you lose more and more hope, she said, noting there had been multiple code blue incidents, episodes considered critical, on the ward in the past week. An ICU nurse at the hospital, who is also not authorised to speak to the media, said about 30 per cent of staff in the unit had been pulled from private hospitals, pediatric intensive care and operating theatres, yet it still continued to be short-staffed. These are patients that, because of their level of acuity, need to be nursed one to one but are being doubled two patients to one nurse, she said, adding the situation was quite dangerous. The nurse said the ICU had about 26 coronavirus patients on the weekend and about 24 standard ICU ventilators. She described the situation on the unit as absolutely terrible, with staffing the biggest problem.

Nurses are burnt-out, no one wants to do overtime. There are no casuals to replace them, she said. Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said hospitals in hot spot areas needed relief through surge staff and patient transfers. They should be certainly looking at deploying those patients elsewhere to lessen the load, he said. There are 840 patients being treated in hospitals, with 137 people in intensive care. Of those in intensive care, 119 were unvaccinated, 13 had received one dose and five had received two doses.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the hospital system was prepared for an even greater load of COVID-19 patients than it was already supporting, with private hospitals on standby to offer further support. Another four deaths were reported on Monday, among them an Indigenous man in his 50s in Dubbo who had underlying health conditions. He is the first person to succumb to the virus in western NSW, which recorded 60 new cases. Another man in his 70s, a woman in her 60s and another male aged care resident also died in the latest reporting period. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said Guildford, Merrylands, Auburn, Punchbowl and surrounding suburbs were of most concern. We are also seeing some spillover into adjacent local government areas and that is usually from workers going into those local government areas of concern and bringing [the virus] back and affecting the families, Dr Chant said.

Ryde and Meadowbank and some inner west suburbs such as Marrickville [is] where we are seeing the introduction in factories and other workplaces. Loading The Premier said the list of local government areas of concern subject to stricter restrictions in Sydney could be altered depending on ongoing numbers. Randwick residents have given priority access to Pfizer jabs in the hotspot of Bayside amid concerns that 9000 doses could go to waste after people failed to turn up for appointments. Randwick, which borders Bayside, has also seen a growing number of cases from an illegal party on August 14. Health advice governing the areas of the greatest concern will also consider immunisation coverage, where new cases are coming from and how are they being generated.
The whiff of controversy is never very far from Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson.

Heres the latest one. No, she hasnt misrepresented her birthday to Parliament, or worn a burqa to the Senate, or signed up for another series of Dancing With The Stars, or toured the country in James Ashbys Jabiru single-engine light aircraft, or scaled Uluru to rage against the banning of tourists in an all-expenses paid trip thanks to our chums at Nines A Current Affair.

Pauline Hansons One Nation has once again come under the scrutiny of the Australian Electoral Commission. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

No, the leader of Pauline Hansons One Nation has once again come under the scrutiny of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

Remember how back in 2003 a Queensland jury found Hanson guilty of electoral fraud over party membership lists and she spent 11 weeks in jail before walking free after her convictions were overturned by the Queensland Court of Appeal?
An independent report into the infection of an unvaccinated Brisbane hospital receptionist by a returned overseas traveller has found she was not covered by a vaccine mandate in place for COVID-19 ward staff and there was no evidence of any other health order breaches by any person.

Senior Queensland government members and officials have welcomed the findings and recommendations but say they will not go trying to find someone to punish after highly critical and charged comments made when the infection emerged.

An unvaccinated receptionist at Brisbanes Prince Charles Hospital sparked a scare which led to a three-day lockdown in June. Credit:Facebook

The Delta-strain case in late June sparked a snap lockdown of Queenslands populated south-east corner and Townsville local government area, where the woman had travelled with her family. It was later revealed she was not vaccinated, with authorities saying she did not take the option up.

At the time, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was absolutely furious because the casual worker should have been part of a mandatory vaccination cohort for health staff in COVID wards, declaring someone will be held responsible.
Defence and police will investigate the deaths of two male soldiers, aged 40 and 29, who died in an army vehicle rollover in north Queensland at a training area.

Emergency services were on Monday called to a crash on Dotswood Road, near Mingela, west of Townsville about 12.50pm, that involved members of the Brisbane-based 7th Combat Brigade.

A MAN HX77 water resupply module vehicle, the same type that was involved in the crash. (File image) Credit:ADF

Defence confirmed two members of the brigade died after their vehicle rolled down an embankment at the Townsville Field Training Area.

The soldiers were travelling along a public road when their vehicle rolled, a Defence spokesperson said in a statement.
Nearly every atom in your body was forged in the nuclear heart of a star.

Some of them  perhaps some of the carbon and nitrogen atoms in your skin, or the oxygen atoms in your lungs  might have come from stars that ignited billions of years ago, before there was an Earth or a sun.

The James Webb telescope. Credit:NASA

The galaxies that hold these ancient furnaces, from which the modern universe are forged, have drifted so far away from us that on modern telescopes they are just grimy smudges.

It is for these galaxies that humanitys giant new space telescope, the long-delayed James Webb, will hunt when it launches for deep space on October 31. It ships from California to its launch site in Kourou, French Guiana, this month.
Private VCE English tutor Sue Wilson is used to helping her students be in peak mental shape for their exams, but until this week that had never included trying to book them in for a vaccination.

Ms Wilson has been scrambling to secure a booking for three of her students after the government school they attend in Melbournes east encouraged them late last week to book via the state governments coronavirus website.

English tutor Sue Wilson has tried without luck to book in her VCE students for a vaccination ahead of their English exam. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The earliest booking Ms Wilson said she could find was in early October, just as the first exam is set to be held.

I think its hot air, its not helpful at all and it may be giving some students false hope, she said of the Andrews governments target to vaccinate year 12 students in time for exams.
Loading We need to continue to work to run these cases down to the lowest possible number, the Premier said, reiterating that Australia and the state could deal with a pandemic of the unvaccinated, but only if the proportion of those who werent vaccinated was small. Mr Andrews was adamant he wouldnt be opening schools tomorrow, but said detailed plans for the eased restrictions needed to be finalised through the afternoon and evening. Im not opening schools tomorrow, but we will have more to say about schools and about what might be possible. He said he would also have more to say about senior students after the government said last week that it would prioritise getting year 12 students vaccinated ahead of their exams in October.

Mandates for worker vaccines There may also be further vaccine mandates for some workers. But again, we want to do that, respectfully; we want to talk to unions, talk to workers, Mr Andrews said. He noted vaccinations had already been made mandatory for aged care workers but said he did not think it was appropriate to lock down people who were not vaccinated.

How would you enforce that? That becomes incredibly difficult. He said there were a number of motivating factors that should encourage people to choose vaccinations, and vaccine passports had already been briefly mentioned in national cabinet. Ill make a bold prediction, you wont be getting a visa to too many countries if you havent been double-dosed. I think itll extend all the way through not just to getting on a plane, but I expect it will extend to booking a restaurant, booking a seat at the footy, the cricket, going to the theatre, doing all sorts of things. We have no jab, no play in our childcare centres now, because it works.

Mobile vax vans to be rolled out Mobile COVID-19 vaccination vans will be rolled out in parts of Victoria. Mr Andrews said he didnt have a timeframe on when they would be deployed, but vans were on hand and being matched with the appropriate staff. Victorian Aboriginal Health Services has been in talks with the state government about using the vans, and Mr Andrews flagged the City of Hume in Melbournes outer north-west as one place where the vans would be likely to go.

Yes, there will be mobile vans and mobile services, pop-up services as well, Mr Andrews said on Tuesday. Whether its pop-ups  [or] faith-based ... trusted [environments] ... theyll be targeted in the communities where the vaccination rates are lower to try and get those numbers up. The mobile vaccination plan comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the arrival of 500,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine earlier than expected as part of a swap deal with Singapore. Under pro rata distribution agreements, Victoria could expect to receive about 25 per cent of the doses. Where todays cases are Of Tuesdays new cases, 45 are linked to the states current outbreaks, and authorities are investigating the acquisition source for the remaining 31 cases.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said 36 of Tuesdays cases had been in isolation for their infectious periods and 45 were linked to existing cases. Tuesdays cases were reported from nearly 50,850 COVID-19 tests. No cases were recorded in the states hotel quarantine. How todays 45 linked cases fit into existing outbreaks 17 are linked to the MyCentre Child Care centre in Broadmeadows.

Nine are in Shepparton in regional Victoria (all were in quarantine).

Three are linked to the Millers Junction shopping centre in Altona North.

One is linked to the Learning Sanctuary in Spotswood.

One is linked to the St Kilda East outbreak.

One is linked to a legal office in Melbournes outer east.

One is linked to Al-Taqwa College.

One is linked to retail warehouses in Fishermans Bend.

11 are linked to existing cases, but the existing cases have an unknown acquisition source. The figures come after Professor Sutton warned on Monday he was not sure whether Victoria could achieve zero COVID-19 cases in the short term. We have to do what is feasible, he said on Monday. We are not going to achieve the impossible if it becomes impossible.

Loading ICU doctor: COVID-19 like drowning on dry land Dr Stephen Warrillow, director of intensive care at Austin Health, said the sickest patient he had seen with coronavirus was not elderly, but in their 40s. Its like drowning on dry land. You just cannot get enough oxygen; you cannot get enough air, no matter how much you try [with COVID-19], Dr Warrillow said. The relentless effort to breathe is overwhelming until the point where the patient simply cant safely maintain that any more and we have to put a breathing tube down into their throat.

To do that to a human being is a big deal. Dr Warrillow said COVID-19 patients almost invariably had a longer stay in hospital than other patients, and longer stays in the intensive care unit. He said if hospital staff were overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit, someone was inevitably going to feel the impact of that. That necessarily impacts on our ability to care for other patients  that includes patients who might need major elective heart surgery for example, or major semi-elective cancer surgery.

Loading He said staff were tired and theres a finite amount of time that people can keep this up. COVID-19 exposure site list expands Fire Rescue Victoria confirmed on Tuesday morning that two of its sites  Thomastown fire station and the Northern District Office at Bundoora  had been exposed to COVID-19. A spokesman for the service said employees who attended the sites were following Health Department instructions  including getting tested and quarantining for 14 days  but all of its fire stations were still operational.

The sites have undergone deep cleaning and disinfecting, the spokesman said. Neither site is accessible to members of the public. Health authorities also identified StarTrack at Shepparton as a tier 1 site on Tuesday, and declared various venues tier 2 sites, including a fruit and vegetable shop at Shepparton and Australia Post at Collingwood. Health authorities identified nearly 150 new exposure sites on Monday, including several tier 1 or close-contact sites. Alpass & Associates law firm at Kilsyth in Melbournes east was declared a tier 1 site on Monday evening, as was Monash Ultrasound for Women at Mulgrave.

Loading Authorities warned there would also be some close contacts associated with a school construction site in Port Melbourne, as well as with Woolworths Northland in Preston, and an apartment building in Brunswick. Chapel Street calls for a double-vaccinated re-opening plan Businesses in the Chapel Street precinct are calling on the Victorian government to detail how they will be able to reopen safely to double-vaccinated Melburnians. Chapel Street precinct general manager Chrissie Maus said: Our businesses are ready and willing to jump through any hoop to reopen safely.

Loading The sooner we do so, the better for livelihoods and everyones mental health and wellbeing, she said. Ms Maus said NSW had the right mix, learning to live with the virus while dangling a freedom carrot to supercharge COVID-19 vaccination rates. Precinct chair Justin ODonnell said that hair and beauty salons in the precinct could, for example, be controlled environments and abide by strict COVID-safe requirements. These safety models are already used overseas, he said. [The] Chapel Street precinct fully supports vaccinated people to have more access to services and for the non-vaccinated to take precautions and or stay at home until vaccinated.
Two first responders have told of their desperate attempts to save a 21-year-old Perth mans life after he was hit by a car while changing a tyre early on Sunday morning.

Jack McCormack was helping his Ola driver change the tyre on their white Mitsubishi Outlander, which had stopped in the northbound lane of the Mitchell Freeway, when he was struck by a white Toyota Prado.

First responders Tori Ripper and Leah Pieterse saw the commotion as two boys waved their car down while they drove past.

A nursing student, Ms Pieterse, 19, was the only one at the scene who knew CPR and moved Mr McCormack into the recovery position, checked his mouth and started compressions.
WA Premier Mark McGowan refuses to say whether he will opt WA out of international travel options scheduled to resume in Australia once 80 per cent of the adult population is vaccinated.

Known as Phase C under the National Plan, the milestone will likely be reached in December but directly clashes with Mr McGowans intention to keep WA COVID free until Phase D, which kicks in once a vaccination percentage yet to be determined is reached.

WA Premier Mark McGowan is on a collision course with the National Plan.

Asked if he would prevent Western Australia from reopening with the rest of the country Mr McGowan said he hadnt considered that.

Obviously it would be tightly managed and [international travel under Phase C] would only go to certain countries hopefully that are largely COVID-free, but again, these are issues for December or January, right now we are still in August, he said.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says American-led wars in the Middle East have done more harm than good, with the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts accelerating radicalism throughout the region.

Mr Turnbull backed Joe Biden and Donald Trumps position to end the neo-conservative agenda of using American military might to remake the world, but said both presidents made mistakes in the withdrawal. Despite their political differences, Mr Turnbull said, Trump and Biden were absolutely on the same page on wanting to end the costly wars, which was hard to argue with.

Malcolm Turnbull says US-led wars in the Middle East did more harm than good. Credit:James Brickwood

US anti-missile defences intercepted as many as five rockets that were fired at Kabuls airport on Monday as the United States rushed to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The whole series of American-led wars in the Middle East have absolutely done more harm than good, theres no question about that. You cant gloss over that. Particularly the intervention in Iraq  the big winner out of that was Iran, and it accelerated the radicalisation of much of the Islamic world, Mr Turnbull told this masthead.
An investigation into who in Prime Minister Scott Morrisons office knew about former staffer Brittany Higgins allegations of rape by a colleague has been put back on hold until a criminal trial into the matter has ended.

The head of Mr Morrisons department, Phil Gaetjens, announced on Monday he had suspended his inquiry after taking legal advice about whether it could prejudice the court case.

Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens has suspended an inquiry into who in Scott Morrisons office knew about allegations of a sexual assault in a ministerial office. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

It comes after the ACT Director Of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold advised Ms Higgins to carefully consider not participating in the inquiry and said that, should Mr Gaetjens report be published, it could be highly prejudicial to the proceedings.

Earlier this month, police charged 26-year-old Bruce Lehrmann with one count of sexual intercourse without consent. He denies the allegation and is due to face the ACT Magistrates Court on September 16.
Business groups are warning state and territory leaders that continuing to lock down once 70 to 80 per cent of the eligible population is vaccinated against COVID-19 will cause more economic damage and job losses.

The Business Council of Australia, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia and Ai Group have all backed the federal governments push to allow extra freedoms when the country achieves 70 per cent coverage and the end of lockdowns at 80 per cent. This position is based on Doherty Institute modelling.

Business groups are concerned about lockdowns when vaccination rates are high. Credit:Kate Geraghty

However, disagreement has been growing between the federal government and some state and territory leaders over when lockdowns and interstate border closures should be lifted as Delta cases continue to grow in NSW and Victoria.

Some state leaders are concerned about the national plan to live with the virus and the ability for health systems to cope as more people are infected once restrictions are relaxed. But Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg have warned the economic and mental health costs from shutting down outweigh the benefits when vaccination rates exceed these targets.
Olympic gold medal winner and AFLW star Chloe Dalton has taken up the equal prizemoney fight for Olympians and Paralympians, setting up a fundraising page for Australian para-athletes currently in Tokyo.

Dalton, like many Australians on social media recently, says she was shocked to learn that Australias Olympic gold medal winners received $20,000 from the Australian Olympic Committee, but Paralympic gold medal winners won no money from Paralympics Australia.

Madison de Rozario after winning her 800m race in Tokyo. Credit:Olympic Information Services

Its the same for silver medals and bronze medals, with Olympic place-getters taking $15,000 and $10,000 respectively, but nothing for Paralympic medal winners.

Dalton, the GWS player and rugby sevens gold medallist from Rio, has raised close to $12,000 in under a day on her fundraising page, with a $100,000 goal. The money will be split evenly among Australias medal winners at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
China Town in central Kabul is not your average Chinatown. It is a set of 10-storey buildings populated by steel traders, deal makers and textile merchants. You wont find rows of noodle houses here, but you will find Chinese solar panels on the roof to help keep the power on.

Before the Taliban swept through the Afghan countryside to take Kabul, China Town had made a deal with the Afghan government to build a small 300-megawatt coal-fired power plant to put an end to rolling blackouts.

China Town in Kabul.

That deal, like many of the others negotiated by a small determined group of investors, is now caught in limbo between a deserting Afghan government and the new Taliban regime. But while the rest of the worlds diplomats and militaries pack up and leave the Afghanistan capital, many of China Towns inhabitants are staying put.

We dont want to give local people the impression that us Chinese are unreliable and will escape at the first sight of trouble, China Towns founder Yu Minghui said on Chinese messaging service WeChat. We have plans and contracts with our Afghan partners. Now we can only take one step at a time.
Kabul: Mohammed Jan Sultani had clutched his national Taekwondo championship certificates as he waded through the multitudes pushing to get into Kabul airport late last week.

The 25-year-old athlete wasnt on any evacuation lists. Yet he had hoped his achievements would make him and his young family special enough to be let into the gate and onto one of the flights rescuing foreigners and Afghans fleeing the Taliban.

Mohammed Jan Sultanis father, Ali, holds his sons awards. Mohammed had clutched his national Taekwondo championship certificates as he pushed to get into Kabul airport late last week. Credit:AP

As he forged ahead, an Islamic State suicide bomber detonated two dozen pounds of explosives in the crowd just before nightfall on Thursday, killing 169 Afghans, including Sultani, and 13 US service members.

His wife and two children, four-year-old Zahid and two-year-old Zahra, survived; he had told them to stay back a bit as he advanced toward the gate.
Wellington: New Zealand reported on Monday that a woman had died following her Comirnaty Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.

The countrys health authorities said the number of new cases in the community had fallen to 53 on Monday, offering hope that the outbreak has peaked. There had been 83 new cases on Sunday, the worst day of the Delta outbreak yet, and 82 on Saturday.

But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was too soon to say whether the outbreak had reached its peak. She said the lockdown was making a difference and the virus reproduction number had decreased. She said modelling done for the government suggested we could have been at 550 cases today alone without level four restrictions.

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shows modelling that indicated the number of daily COVID cases could be at 550 (red line) without the lockdown enacted after one case was detected on August 17. Credit:Screenshot

There were 37 cases in hospital on Monday  32 in a stable condition on a ward, and five were stable in ICU.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Roger Lawrence would like to acknowledge and celebrate the work and dedication that has been put into the recovery of the Princess Juliana International Airport Terminal Reconstruction Project.



The direction taken in the rebuilding and modernization of the hurricane-damaged terminal is the result of solid teamwork, and the avenue needed to continue to move forward with other imperative infrastructure projects. This is the start, and the success of these endeavors will demonstrate that Together Everyone Achieves More.



In moving forward, as an immediate order of business, the Minister will focus on communication, teamwork, and execution.



He will also concentrate on investment, which is key to the growth of Sint Maarten, building on our countrys image as a reputable place where people want to travel and invest. This will involve working on the accessibility of doing business as a high priority and ensuring that the Ministry of TEATT achieves the strategic objectives of the government.



The Minister and team will be establishing a framework for reviving the tourism industry based on both resilience and flexibility. As the island grows in all sectors an additional point of focus will be improved Internet connectivity on the island, bringing new innovative products, experiences, and services to a broader market.



It will be strategic for Sint Maarten to influence, attract, and position ourselves as a destination with a strong brand image. The ultimate goal is to elevate the overall experience for residents and guests alike.



In closing, Minister Lawrence brings attention to the rise of COVID-19 cases, he reiterates the importance of adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines, hand hygiene, wearing of face coverings, and physical distancing.

The pandemic is not yet over, and it is important to continue to utilize all preventive measures available, regardless of your vaccination status. Reminding everyone to stay vigilant and take precautions, it is imperative that we all do our part to stop its spread.



Sint Maarten is our home, and we all participate in the growth of the island, lets continue to elevate. Together Everyone Achieves More.
~ OM SXM, KPSM warn students against such behavior ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten (29 August 2021)  The new school year started less than a month ago and already the Police Force of Sint Maarten and Prosecutors Office OM SXM has had to tackle fights among students outside of school premises.

This latest show of aggressive behavior has landed two minors behind bars. They were arrested for participating in a fight filmed by other students. One of the minors is seen on the video supplying the other with brass knuckle rings used to injury a third student. The injured student had to be tended to at the hospital. He was released after his wounds were treated.

The preliminary police investigation found that the basis for the brutal fight was set a few days ago at which time the injured student was reportedly threatened by his suspected attackers.

Police do not rule out further arrests in this case.

KPSM and OM SXM urge students to think deeply about their actions, keep tempers in check, and avoid starting or instigating fights. Participation in fights around school areas can land participants in trouble with the law, and getting in contact with the law can harm future prospects - everything from gaining entrance into institutions of higher education to job prospects. Aiding someone in a fight can constitute complicity, which is also punishable by law.

Further, fights create an unfriendly and unsafe atmosphere for fellow students and set a bad example for other (younger) students. Bystanders who cheer on and/or film videos of these fights should reflect on their behavior as they are creating and contributing to an atmosphere where people get hurt.

Fights involving minors outside of school premises are unacceptable and punishable by the Court. Highlighting this was the sentence of three minors on March 18, 2021. They were sentenced to community service of 60 to 100 hours for mistreating another minor in a fight outside of their school in January 2021. This is not the only case in which minors have received sentences for similar offenses.



Violence, in and around schools, is not acceptable, and will not go unpunished. The basis for these fights is often laid during school hours, escalating to violence at the end of the school day when the minors are just outside of the school ground. Minors are usually still in their school uniforms at the time of such incidents.

Violence in and around the school is prioritized by the Joint Committee on Youth and Crime JCO. This committee is composed of representatives from OM SXM, the Police Force of Sint Maarten KPSM, Foundation Judicial Institutes St. Maarten SJIS, the Court of Guardianship, and the Truancy Office of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. The committees goal is to coordinate policies and case strategies in an early phase to prevent crimes committed by the youth.

KPSM & OM St. Maarten Press Release.
~Greater Need for Support for Nature Conservation on a Kingdom Level Highlighted ~

Kralendijk:--- Chair of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) DR. Hellen van der Wal and DCNA Director Tadzio Bervoets recently completed a working visit to Saba, St. Eustatius and Sint Maarten. This is the first face-to-face working visit between DCNA and the staff and Board Members of the Saba Conservation Foundation, STENAPA St. Eustatius, and the Nature Foundation since the start of the COVID19 Pandemic.

During the five-day visit van der Wal and Bervoets visited with the Directors of the respective organization and their respective Board Members, Anthony Reed from the Directorate for Agriculture and Nature, and the Deputy Government Commissioner Claudia Toet on St. Eustatius and Governor Holiday and his Cabinet representatives on Sint Maarten. A common thread of the meetings is the need for broader support for Nature Conservation in the Dutch Caribbean on a Kingdom Level. When it comes to issues such as Climate Change, the new Nature and Environment Policy Plan and other multi-island considerations we are still calling for increased support from a Kingdom Level. There are still too many questions by the Governments and Conservation Organizations on the island about the financial contribution for the new Nature and Environment Policy Plan for example. Additionally, there is still little to no mention of the Dutch Caribbean by the Kingdom when it comes to the impacts of Climate Change. This while the Dutch Caribbean has the highest amount of biodiversity, commented DCNA Director Tadzio Bervoets.

Members within the DCNA Network have been calling for increased support for Nature Conservation on a local, regional, and Kingdom level, especially considering the important role nature plays in recovering from the global pandemic; Many of the international treaties that are conservation and climate-focused are done so on a Kingdom Level, yet within the Kingdom, there is too much disparity on the attention and focus given to islands that often struggle to achieve their conservation goals. While DCNA definitely aims to address this gap, it is also up to the respective Governments on all levels to ensure that conservation activities are implemented and executed
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Committee of Constitutional Affairs and Decolonization (CCAD) of Parliament, will meet on August 31, 2021.

The Committee meeting, which started and was adjourned on April 15, was reconvened and adjourned on June 24, 2021, will continue on Tuesday at 14.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of Sint Maarten Anti-poverty Platform and Sint Maarten Consumers Coalition will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Discussion on the concerns regarding human rights and inequality in the relationship between St. Maarten and the Netherlands (IS/171/2020-2021 dated November 16, 2020)

This meeting was requested by MP R. Brison, MP O.E.C. Ottley, MP S. M. Bijlani, and MP G.S. Heyliger-Marten.

Due to measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus (COVID-19), the House of Parliament is only allowing persons with an appointment to enter the Parliament building.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 115, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, and www.pearlfmradio.sx
PHILIPSBURG:--- Africa en mi piel / Africa in My Skin / LAfrique dans la peau was presented to Dominican Republic university graduates by the books author Rafael Nino Feliz. The political science graduates from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), each received the trilingual poetry book at the main campus on August 9, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP). The author said that the collection is a poetic journey about the African origins of the inhabitants of the Americas, focusing on the Caribbean with poems about the nations he visited, from Haiti in the northern flank of the Caribbean Sea to Curacao in the southern part of the archipelago. Feliz is also an essayist and UASD educator. The Spanish, English, and French edition of Africa in My Skin was published in St. Martin by HNP last June. The presentation to the students was facilitated by Adonis Martin, director of the UASD School of Political Science.
Diane Logsdon, 66, of Science Hill, passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021 at her residence. Arrangements are pending and will be announced later by Morris & Hislope Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed to the family at: www.morrisandhislope.com.
Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP)  what you need to know about modern and future proof access control security?

Access control and management of trusted identities are the building blocks of security, safety, and site management policies for many businesses and organisations. The current pandemic has compounded this with the introduction of new policies and regulations, particularly around social distancing and contact tracing. Most organisations will have some form of legacy access control in place, ranging from the most simplistic options, such as locks and keys, to technology-based systems. The issue with legacy systems of any type is that risks, just like technology, evolve. What was secure, convenient, and efficient a few years ago is often found wanting as the threat landscape changes. The standards governing the development and testing of physical access control systems (PACS) have also evolved to improve security and product interoperability. An example is the Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP), introduced 10 years ago as an alternative to the antiquated and vulnerable Clock-and-Data and Wiegand protocols. However, when it comes to planning infrastructure upgrades or implementing new tools, businesses must carry out due diligence to ensure the solutions are future-proof and deliver the expected level of security. Vulnerabilities and challenges In the early 1980s, Clock-and-Data and Wiegand protocols were widely adopted as the de-facto standard for interoperability between access control readers and physical access controllers. Those de-facto standards were later formalised and adopted into industry standards by the Security Industry Association in the 1990s. Wiegand is unencrypted and unable to protect from man in the middle attacks and vulnerabilities There were weaknesses, though, Wiegand is unencrypted and unable to protect from man in the middle attacks and vulnerabilities from the reader to the controller. Not only that, but Wiegand delivers limited range options and is operationally inefficient. It is also easy to target via its learnable language and a host of hacking devices available via online sources. Furthermore, the retrofitting installation alongside a legacy system is complicated for integrators and expensive for organisations, as most readers require dedicated home-run wiring. Extensive wiring on a large-scale project, such as a school or corporate campus, results in considerable  often prohibitive  costs for the installation of a PACS. Legacy access control protocol Despite the well-publicised vulnerabilities and weaknesses, Wiegand is still one of the most common protocols in legacy access control, with estimates indicating it is used in more than 90 percent of installed systems. This not only presents issues about physical security but also raises concerns relating to the protection of personal data. Access control systems not only contain information about who can and cannot use certain doors. OSDP is a communication standard Modern systems include a wide range of personal data, ranging from qualifications and certifications of individuals, home contact details, and even medical conditions or HR and employment information. With the potential fines associated with GDPR breaches, companies need to take this concern seriously. These weaknesses pushed the security industry to adopt a new protocol: Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP). This access control communications standard was developed by Mercury Security (now part of HID Global) and HID Global in 2008, and donated, free of intellectual property, to the Security Industry Association (SIA) to improve interoperability among access control and security products. Since then, it has been adopted as a standard by SIA, becoming the first secure, bidirectional reader/controller protocol to be governed by a major standards body in the security industry. In 2020 OSDP reached an additional milestone in becoming an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard. Why implement OSDP as a standard? OSDP is the only protocol that is secure and open for communication between readers and controllers The growth of networked devices, such as video and access control products, has led to an increased demand for converged solutions. Businesses and organisations recognise the value of implementing an integrated solution to enhance security and add value to technology investment. OSDP is the only protocol that is secure and open for communication between readers and controllers and is also being widely adopted by industry-leading reader and controller manufacturers. It is an evolving, living standard, making it a safer, more robust, future-proof option for governing physical access control systems. OSDP offers important benefits: 1) Increased security Implementing OSDP standards can increase security, as OSDP with Secure Channel Protocol (SCP) supports AES-128 encryption that is required in U.S. federal government applications. Additionally, OSDP constantly monitors wiring to protect against tampering, removing the guesswork since the encryption and authentication are predefined. 2) Bidirectional communication Early on, communication protocols such as Wiegand were unidirectional, with external card readers sending information one way to a centralized access control platform. OSDP has transformed the ability for information to be collected, shared, and acted upon with the addition of bidirectional communication for configuration, status monitoring, tampering, and malfunction detection, and other valuable functions. In fact, OSDP is the only open, non-proprietary, bidirectional, secure protocol for communication between card reader and physical access controller. 3) Open and interoperable OSDP adds new technology that enhances its ability to protect incoming and outgoing data collection OSDP supports IP communications and point-to-point serial interfaces, enabling customers to flexibly enhance system functionality as needs change and new threats emerge. They also can proactively add new technology that enhances their ability to protect incoming and outgoing data collection through a physical access control system. 4) Reduced installation costs OSDPs use of two wires (as compared to a potential of 11 wires with Wiegand) allows for multi-drop installation, supervised connections to indicate reader malfunctions, and scalability to connect more field devices. Daisy-chaining accommodates many readers connected to a single controller, eliminating the need to run home-run wiring for each reader, and the use of a four-conductor cable achieves up to 10x longer distances between reader and controller than Wiegand while also powering the reader and sending/receiving data. 5) User friendly OSDP gives credential holders greater ease of use, with audio and visual feedback such as coloured lights, audible beeps, and the ability to display alerts on the reader. For security administrators, managing and servicing OSDP-enabled readers also becomes increasingly convenient, as OSDP-enabled readers can be remotely configured from network-connected locations. Users can poll and query readers from a central location, eliminating the cost and time to physically visit and diagnose malfunctioning devices. Unlimited application enhancements OSDP streamlines installations and upgrades while saving organisations the expense of replacing readers OSDP supports advanced smartcard technology applications, including PKI/FICAM and biometrics, and other enhanced authentication protocols used in applications that require Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) compliance and interactive terminal capabilities. Audio-visual user feedback mechanisms provide a rich, user-centric access control environment. OSDP offers advantages for users, administrators, and integrators, alike. It adds security and real-world efficiencies, and its interoperability ensures that organisations can use systems from numerous manufacturers as they invest in infrastructure that maximises the protection of critical data. For our part, HID Globals range of HID Signo readers is OSDP verified, ensuring they offer the intended interoperability and security for secure bidirectional communication and provide an easy migration from Wiegand devices. In a campus environment, OSDP streamlines installations and upgrades while saving organisations the expense of replacing readers if a new access control solution is implemented. There are also service and maintenance benefits as OSDP encourages continuous monitoring of system uptime and allows for remote configuration of -- or upgrades to -- a reader. Cost savings upon system upgrade Integrators can also capitalise on the introduction of OSDP by encouraging open standards, which can, in turn, help them build new customer relationships and win more projects. Although upgrading to access control systems that adhere to OSDP standards is a significant initiative, the range of benefits outweighs the cost of upgrading. Increased security coupled with business efficiencies adds value for those administering the system and a high level of interoperability ensures users can deploy systems from numerous third-party manufacturers. Integrators who understand the benefits of OSDP can also help their customers support both current and future technology requirements. When a sites needs change, OSDP offers significant cost savings as the open functionality makes adding new devices easier and reduces the expense of requiring all readers to be replaced if a new solution is installed. Businesses and organisations transitioning to OSDP will also enhance value in terms of operational costs such as servicing and maintenance.
Enterprise, AL (36331)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 86F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
A Connecticut lawmaker and housing advocates warned Monday that the situation for renters and landlords struggling financially amid the pandemic may soon become dire.

A variety of factors are poised to collide to create a precarious situation. Among them: the Supreme Courts recent decision to end a monthslong ban on evictions, the end of extra federal unemployment benefits just days away, a rise in COVID-19 cases, financial aid that has been slow to get to renters, and built up debt for landlords who havent received rent payments in months.

This is going to create an unimaginable spike in need, in eviction, State Sen. Tony Hwang said at a news conference Monday in Fairfield. And I do not believe were prepared for it.

Hwang, a Republican representing the 28th District, joined tenant and landlord advocacy groups as well as state officials for an event Monday to sound the alarm on what they believe is a looming crisis.

The event was held at Operation Hope, a homeless service provider and food pantry in Fairfield. The shelters executive director, Carla Miklos, also pointed to an issue with a shortage of housing thats affordable for renters with low incomes. She said she expects more people to be in need of services in the coming weeks.

Its an unprecedented amount of people who are going to be in need, Miklos said.

Millions nationwide and tens of thousands in Connecticut have reported that theyre behind on rent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Late last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that evictions can begin again after a months-long pause initiated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The eviction moratorium, which began in September 2020, banned certain evictions for nonpayment of rent. Landlord and realtor groups challenged the moratorium in court.

The ban was instituted to slow the spread of COVID-19 by preventing people from losing their homes and having to move into congregate living at homeless shelters or with friends and family.

Meanwhile, the states start to its program to get federal rental assistance funds into the hands of renters was sluggish. Only about $70.4 million of nearly $236 million allocated to Connecticut has been dispersed to renters, providing assistance to 8,828 tenants, according to publicly available data. Though, the state has disbursed funds through the program, called UniteCT, more rapidly in recent weeks.

Landlords have also felt financial strain from being unable to collect rent in past months, said John Souza, president of the Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners.

He added that he and others were encouraging landlords across the state to participate in the UniteCT program and that if possible, landlords generally prefer to avoid eviction. The program has helped 3,656 landlords.

At a certain point, we have bills to pay, too, Souza said.

A spokeswoman for Hwang said UniteCT needs to be approved by the legislature if it is to continue beyond Sept. 30. While the funds came from the federal government, the authorization of the program was set through the governors emergency powers, which are set to expire next month, she said.

Hwang said Monday he would support special session measures to authorize the states rental assistance program after Sept. 30.

Its going to be critical and continual, Hwang said of the program.

However, a spokesman for the Department of Housing, which runs the UniteCT program, said the program would continue until funding ran out.

Under Gov. Ned Lamonts June executive order, landlords must have a case number with UniteCT, the states rent assistance program, to file an eviction for nonpayment of rent. This means that tenants must be connected with assistance before theyre evicted.

Connecticut residents whose household incomes fall under 80% of the area median income and were financially impacted by the pandemic are eligible for rental assistance through UniteCT. The program allows up to $15,000 in rental assistance and $1,500 in electricity assistance payments.

Applications are available online. Call center staff can be reached to assist with applications at 1-844-864-8328. Technology to fill out the applications is on hand at one of 16 resource centers across the state or at the UniteCT Mobile Bus, which travels around the state every weekday.

UniteCT also aims to improve overall housing stability through partnerships that encourage job training and eviction prevention, UniteCT director Dawn Parker said.

We want to make sure theyre stable in their housing, Parker said.
PHOENIX (AP)  The death of a Massachusetts woman while hiking a Phoenix mountain in July has been ruled accidental by the Maricopa County Medical Examiners Office.

According to Phoenix TV station KTVK, the brief report said 31-year-old Angela Tramontes July 30 death was due to environmental heat exposure.

Tramonte, who was from the Boston area, was in Arizona visiting a man for the first time after they reportedly met online.

Authorities said the two hiked Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain around 1 p.m. on a hot day and neither of them reportedly had water with them.

Phoenix Fire Department officials said the woman became overheated about halfway up the trail.

Tramonte asked her companion to continue to the top of the mountain to take pictures so that she could share them on her friends on social media.

Tramonte went back down the mountain.

Around 4:40 p.m., fire crews found her unconscious near a home along the side of the mountain.

Tramonte was pronounced dead at the scene and Phoenix police said foul play wasnt suspected.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers in.

The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses the advice that it gave in June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on all U.S. travelers before the summer tourism season.

The EUs decision reflects growing anxiety that the rampant spread of the virus in the U.S. could jump to Europe at a time when Americans are allowed to travel to the continent. Both the EU and the U.S. have faced rising infections this summer, driven by the more contagious delta variant.

The guidance issued Monday is nonbinding, however. American tourists should expect a mishmash of travel rules across the continent since the EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism policy and national EU governments have the authority to decide whether or how they keep their borders open during the pandemic.

More than 15 million Americans a year visited Europe before the coronavirus crisis, and new travel restrictions could cost European businesses billions in lost travel revenues, especially in tourism-reliant countries like Croatia, which has been surprised by packed beaches and hotels this summer.

Nonessential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed (on the safe list) ... is subject to temporary travel restriction, the council said in a statement. This is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers.

U.S. travelers would have to be immunized with one of the vaccines approved by the bloc, which includes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson&Johnson.

Possible restrictions on U.S. travelers could include quarantines, further testing requirements upon arrival or even a total ban on all nonessential travel from the U.S.

In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stressed Monday that the EU travel restrictions applied to the unvaccinated, adding that the fastest path to reopening travel is for people to get vaccinated, to mask up and slow the spread of the deadly virus.

Paski told reporters that the U.S. government is working across federal agencies to develop its own policy for international travel, with the possibility of strengthening testing protocols and potentially ensuring that foreign visitors are fully vaccinated. But she said no final decision has been made yet.

The EU recommendation doesnt apply to Britain, which formally left the EU at the beginning of the year and opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. earlier this month.

The United States remains on Britains amber travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the U.S. to the U.K. dont have to self-isolate. A negative COVID-19 test within three days before arriving in the U.K. is required and another negative test is needed two days after arriving.

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe travel list on Monday.

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc to do so. Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EUs executive arm remained in discussions with the Biden administration but so far both sides have failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case-by-case basis."

The European Council updates the safe travel list every two weeks, based criteria related to coronavirus infection levels. The threshold for being on the EU safe list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.

The U.S. , meanwhile, is averaging more than 155,000 new coronavirus cases and 1,200 deaths per day, and several U.S. states have more COVID-19 patients in the hospital now than at any other time during the pandemic.

Authorities in Oregon are seeking extra refrigerated trucks because morgues are at capacity and Florida is in a similar situation after a week in which more than 1,700 people died from the virus in the state. Hospitals are desperately running out of staff in several states, and the start of the school year has brought even more fears that the outlook will worsen as millions of unvaccinated students return to their classrooms.

U.S. school districts have been struggling over whether to impose mask mandates, sometimes even suing in states where officials are against such requirements.

Vaccine hesitancy also remains a problem in many locations in the U.S., where 61% of the eligible population is inoculated against the virus. In contrast, Britain has fully vaccinated over 78% of adults and EU countries have inoculated nearly 70% of those over 18.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

___

Josh Hoffner in Phoenix, Arizona, Sylvia Hui in London and Joshua Boak in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
BEIRUT (AP)  Syrian government forces shelled rebel-held parts of a volatile southern city Monday killing at least one person, while insurgents killed four soldiers after Russia-brokered talks to end the presence of opposition fighters in the area collapsed.

Syrias state media reported that government forces retaliated against fire by opposition fighters inside the city of Daraa and that attacks on army checkpoints in the city left four soldiers dead and 15 wounded. It said several civilians were wounded in insurgent shelling of government-held parts of Daraa.

The opposition blamed the government for the escalation, saying that troops were pressing an offensive to force insurgents to surrender.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the governments elite 4th Division and pro-government gunmen tried to storm the rebel-held old quarter of Daraa known as Daraa al-Balad.

At least one person was killed and another wounded in shelling on Daraa al-Balad, according to the oppositions Syrian civil defense, also known as the White Helmets.

Russia has been mediating a new deal to end the recent fighting in Daraa under which insurgents who reject the deal will have to leave the region.

Last week, Syrian authorities ordered about 100 gunmen to leave Daraa al-Balad. A few left to rebel-held areas in the north, but dozens defied the order and stayed.

As part of the deal, government forces were supposed to enter Daraa al-Balad after the departure of the hardcore opposition gunmen. Other insurgents who accept the deal would have to hand over their weapons in return for amnesty.

Daraa province became known as the cradle of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad that erupted in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring revolts. It was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018. Assad has since regained control of most of the country with the help of Russia and Iran.

The Russian-mediated deal in 2018 allowed some of the provinces armed opposition to remain in their former strongholds, in charge of security. Government troops retained control of the province, but security duties were divided. Tensions regularly erupted and government troops tried several times to take over areas under opposition control.

Separately, in a rare incident in the central city of Hama on Monday, two gunmen on a motorcycle shot dead two policemen, state media reported.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Ida could bring moderate to heavy rainfall to the region later this week, and may produce flooding in some areas, according to the latest update from the National Weather Service.

Ida left more than 1 million people without power Sunday, including all of New Orleans, after the storm slammed into Louisiana as a Category 4 storm. It weakened to a Category 1 storm hours after it came ashore, 16 years to the day that Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi, the Associated Press reported. The storm has since been downgraded to a tropical storm, according to the National Weather Service.

The latest forecast has the storm moving northwest through the southeastern states over the next several days before heading out to sea around Maryland and New Jersey on Thursday.

The storms predicted path could see it swing north and impact southern New England, according to the National Hurricane Center. Southern Connecticut could see rain and possible flooding in some areas.

A period of moderate to heavy rainfall is now likely for the region Wednesday into a portion of Thursday, the National Weather Service said in a bulletin Monday morning. Flooding is a possibility, especially across urban and poor drainage areas. However, there still is some uncertainty as to where the heaviest rain will be.

Speaking during a press event to wave off Eversource utility crews headed to assist with power restoration efforts Monday morning, Gov. Ned Lamont said the state dodged a bullet the week before with Tropical Storm Henri through grace of God. The governor also credited Eversources preparations ahead of the storm.

He said those crews are now headed down south for a round the clock effort.

Its part of mutual aide, its part of all our states working together as we get hit by these weather events, which used to be a hundred year storms that are coming with increasing frequency, Lamont said, standing beside Eversource CEO Joe Nolan.

Nolan said a caravan of Eversource trucks will drive through the night to reach Louisiana. This is not gonna be a repair, this is a complete rebuild down there, Nolan said, calling the crews veterans of recovery efforts.

Crew from 25 states and the District of Columbia are on their way to assist with storm efforts, Nolan said. The work is expected to take a month, but Nolan said if personnel are needed in the northeast, they will return.

Major General Francis Evon, commander of the Connecticut National Guard, said the state would be deploying some aviation assets, including Chinook heavy lift helicopters, to Louisiana.

The primary mission will be transportation of assets, evacuation, and again therell be heavy lift so commodities distribution, Evon said. The commander said the deployment is nothing new for the guard, which previously helped during hurricanes Katrina and Maria.

He said the National Guard will be deployed later Monday or Tuesday once they receive the all clear from Louisiana.

Flash flood watches have been issued in states along the storms predicted path, including parts of northwestern New Jersey.

Have you or a loved one been affected by Hurricane Ida? We want to hear from you. Email us at tips@ctnews.com to tell us how the storm is affecting you.
STAMFORD  Students were returning to campus over the weekend before the start of the fall 2021 semester at the University of Connecticuts campus in downtown Stamford.

The students got help from friends and family as they moved suitcases, bins, boxes and more  filled with belongings  into the dorms.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  A man was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday in the abduction and killing of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, three years after she disappeared while out for an evening run.

Judge Joel Yates' sentence for Cristhian Bahena Rivera was mandatory for a first-degree murder conviction in Iowa, which does not have the death penalty. The 27-year-old former farmhand, who testified that he came to the U.S. illegally from Mexico as a teenager, has been jailed since his arrest in August 2018.

Yates pointedly rejected defense claims that others were responsible for the crime.

Mr. Bahena Rivera, you and you alone forever changed the lives of those who loved Mollie Tibbetts, he said.

The sentence caps a case that inflamed anger over illegal immigration, fueled fears about violence against solo female runners, and took several noteworthy twists during and after Bahena Rivera's trial in May.

Tibbetts mother, Laura Calderwood, addressed Bahena Rivera in a victim impact statement read to the court.

Mollie was a young woman who simply wanted to go for a quiet run on the evening of July 18 and you chose to violently and sadistically end that life, she wrote.

Calderwood recalled being told by tearful investigators that her 20-year-old daughters body had been found, and racing to inform relatives before they learned the news from the media. The hardest conversation was with Mollies grandmother, who was in disbelief that someone could harm such a beautiful, vibrant young woman so full of promise, she said.

She said the killing caused Hispanic workers to flee the area in fear, prevented Mollies boyfriend from being able to give her the engagement ring he had purchased, and meant her father would never walk his only daughter down the aisle.

Because of your actions Mr. Rivera, I will never get to see my daughter become a mother, Calderwood said.

Tibbetts vanished on a rural road outside her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, population 1,700, while out for a run on July 18, 2018. Family members and co-workers feared something was wrong when Tibbetts did not show up for her summer job at a daycare the next morning.

Hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement officers searched for weeks but came up empty. Investigators began focusing on Bahena Rivera, who worked under an alias at a nearby dairy farm, after finding a homeowner's surveillance video that appeared to show his Chevy Malibu repeatedly driving past Tibbetts while she ran.

After a lengthy interrogation, Bahena Rivera led authorities to a cornfield where he had buried Tibbetts' body under leaves and stalks. Only her bright running shoes were visible. An autopsy found she had been stabbed several times.

Bahena Rivera told investigators that he approached Tibbetts because he found her attractive, and that he fought her after she threatened to call the police. He said he then blacked out and came to as he was driving with her body in his trunk.

Prosecutors suggested Bahena Rivera had a sexual motive, noting Tibbetts was wearing only socks and a sports bra and that her legs were spread when her body was found. They built their case around the surveillance video, his partial confession and DNA evidence of Tibbetts' blood in his trunk.

Based upon the facts and circumstances of this case, it is very well deserved, prosecutor Scott Brown said of the life sentence.

Bahena Rivera's lawyers argued that his confession was false and coerced, and their client gave surprise testimony at trial sharing a different account. Bahena Rivera testified that two masked men kidnapped him from his trailer at gunpoint, made him drive while they attacked Tibbetts, instructed him on where to dispose of her body, and told him to stay quiet or that his young daughter and ex-girlfriend would be killed.

The defense sought to cast suspicion on several others, including Tibbetts' boyfriend and a local deputy who lives next to where Tibbetts' body was found.

Prosecutors called Bahena Rivera's testimony a work of fiction and a unanimous 12-member jury found him guilty.

But two people immediately came forward to tell police that a 21-year-old man with a history of violence had confessed to them that he had killed Tibbetts. Separately, a woman had told police she was kidnapped after meeting an alleged sex trafficker at a Brooklyn gas station weeks before Tibbetts' disappearance.

Yates delayed a July sentencing so the defense had time to investigate. Earlier this month, he denied Bahena Rivera's motion for a new trial, saying the new information was unreliable and he saw no reason to overturn the verdict.

The defense plans to appeal. Bahena Rivera and his defense lawyers, Chad and Jennifer Frese, declined to speak at sentencing.
Terry Mattingly leads GetReligion.org and lives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He is a senior fellow at the Overby Center at the University of Mississippi.
DAVIDSON [emdash] With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Edwin Sarbiewski (Davidson, North Carolina), born in Ashtabula, Ohio, who passed away on August 30, 2021 at the age of 85. He was loved and cherished by many people including : his parents, Bruno Sarbiewski and Blanche Sarbiewski;
The Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) invites trade unions in the public system to consultations at the Palace of Parliament on grounds that "government officials have stepped up threats and intimidations against public system staff" who do not want to get vaccinated, agerpres reports.

"The Citu Government has dictatorial moorings and is trying to backhandedly usher in mandatory vaccination. We invite the trade unions representing doctors, teachers and civil servants to thorough discussions in the Romanian Parliament, for us to establish a path to follow in the face of increasing threats against the fundamental rights and freedoms of Romanians," AUR Co-Chairman, Senator Claudiu Tirziu said in a release today.

AUR cites Prime Minister Florin Citu who said on Saturday that in his opinion, public system personnel should get vaccinated or periodically tested for COVID-19, and also cautions that the Health Minister has a bill in the works under which unvaccinated doctors "would have their bonuses cut on claims that the state should not pay for testing those who can get vaccinated for free.""With seven out of 10 Romanians not vaccinated, what did the rulers figure out? Threaten the public system employees. We do not agree with this and we will never accept this," says AUR Co-Chairman, deputy George Simion.
The 5th edition of the Black Sea and Balkans Security Forum will take place on Friday and Saturday in Bucharest, the Ministry of National Defence informs, agerpres reports.

The event is organized at the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine and will host officials and experts from Romania and the Black Sea and Balkans' regions' countries, from the USA and the European Union, as well as NATO officials.

The forum is organized by New Strategy Center (NSC), with the support of NATO's Public Diplomacy Division, in partnership with the Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.NSC is a Romanian think-tank, founded in 2015, which carries out its activity in the area of international relations, security and defence. It organizes various events and edits specialty studies, especially for promoting the strategic importance of the Black Sea region and the Balkans area.
Interior Minister Lucian Bode said on Monday that Romania can afford to receive migrants, provided that its security organisations does the vetting.

"On the migration component: Romania, you know very well, has two custody centres that can host over 200 people, and their occupancy rate is less than 60%. We are talking about close-ended centres. It has six asylum centres. These asylum centres can normally house 1,100 people. These days they can house only 751 because two centres are still undergoing refurbishment, and in the six centres there are only 496 migrants," said Bode.

He added that Romania is ready to receive migrants from Afghanistan, but on condition that the checks be made by its security agencies."We are ready to receive in these centres collaborators of our departments, we are ready to receive in these centers people at imminent risk, meaning journalists, magistrates. We are ready to receive students on scholarships in Romania and in general people who are at imminent risk now in Afghanistan. On one condition: that our security agencies do the checks. We are carrying out these analyses on everything that means the national component and, at the same time, I am convinced that tomorrow, in the special meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council, we will pass a joint declaration in which we will present to the member states the common approach of all member states. Romania can afford to receive migrants conditionally. In terms of stopping the flow of migrants at the border, Romania is on the transit route of the Western Balkans," said Bode.He also said that since January 1, approximately 47,000 migrants have tried to enter Romania - 10,000 were found inside the country's borders, at the entrance or trying to leave Romania - and 37,000 were returned to the border area.
The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate will meet, on Wednesday, in joint session, a sitting which will also see the attendance of the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Grosu, on the occasion of the start of the second session, agerpres reports.

According to the decision of the Joint Standing Bureaus, the session is to start 17:30, and the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova will hold a speech.

The President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, together with a parliamentary delegation will conduct, in the period between August 31 - September 2, an official visit to Bucharest, following the invitation addressed by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Ludovic Orban, to attend the opening of the second parliamentary session of this year, starting September 1, an internal memorandum approved on Saturday by the Standing Bureau of the Chamber of Deputies shows."The activity proposes to consolidate the privileged relationship between the Romanian legislative and the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, as well as to reconfirm the desire of the two countries to encourage cooperation in view of supporting joint projects of major interest," the memorandum shows.At the request of the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Bucharest, the draft agenda of the visit of the President of the Parliament includes talks with the heads of the two Chambers of Parliament, Anca Dragu and Ludovic Orban, bilateral meetings with the chairs and deputy chairs of parliamentary committees, as well as a meeting with President Klaus Iohannis, the quoted source mentions.
Chairman of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), Deputy Prime Minister Kelemen Hunor, said that he proposed at today's ruling coalition meeting the setting up of a working group to deal with special pensions and determine which socio-professional categories should collect pensions higher than the contribution to the retirement plan, given that several "extremely different" solutions to this problem are currently being put forth, agerpres reports.

Asked what solutions could be found for the magistrates' pensions, given that the Constitutional Court has ruled that the lawmakers should steer clear of cutting the benefits of this category, Kelemen Hunor said that the issue is not to slash anybody's pension, but that there are a lot of unfair elements in the system which require a thorough, consistent examination, free of all demagogic bias.

The UDMR leader also defended the mayors' special pensions, stating that they should not be scrapped given that as public servants, the mayors are subject to certain restrictions and must steer clear of incompatibilities.In his opinion, someone who enters public service is entitled to predictability."In the public service there are certain requirements regarding incompatibility, certain restrictions, you cannot do certain things, and for this the state offers one extra points upon retirement. This is what a useful, correct discussion should be about, to determine if the state should really do this for those in the public service. There has never been a thorough discussion on this, we did things that probably weren't very logically thought out, then we scrapped and next re-established certain benefits and so on. So, someone who joins the public service should enjoy predictability, and this goes also for someone in the private sector, or the academic system as well. (...) The working group will come up with a proposal, a proposal the coalition must agree upon," concluded Kelemen Hunor.
A number of 835 artifacts from the collections of 39 museums in Romania left for Spain on Sunday, being transported by a Romanian Air Force aircraft, which will be exhibited, starting with September 30, at National Museum of Archeology in Madrid.

The exhibition "Archaeological Treasures from Romania. Dacian and Roman Roots" is coordinated by the National Museum of History of Romania.

"It is the largest exhibition ever organized by the Romanian state outside the country. With over 800 exhibits we achieve a historic moment from this point of view," said Culture Minister Bogdan Gheorghiu at Base 90 Air Transport in Otopeni.The minister stated that the exhibition creates a cultural bridge between Romania and the Kingdom of Spain."I am convinced that I am not exaggerating when I say that we are witnessing an event with a special historical significance: the departure to the Madrid military airport of the military aircraft carrying the exhibition 'Archaeological treasures from Romania. Dacian and Roman roots'. (...) We create a cultural bridge between our countries and mark 140 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and the Kingdom of Spain, the exhibition taking place under the high patronage of His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain and the President of Romania, His Excellency Klaus Iohannis," said Bogdan Gheorghiu.According to him, the exhibition brings together 835 exceptional artifacts from the collections of 39 museums in Romania and will be open to the public at the National Museum of Archeology in Madrid from September 30 to the end of February 2022.''The public will thus find out the past of a relatively distant space, but close and twinned by the common phenomena of civilization and by the legacy of Latinity. But the exhibition is equally important for the Romanians in Spain who have found a second home here. I invite all Romanians in Spain to be ambassadors of our country and this time to convince their colleagues, neighbours and even the whole community in which they live to visit together the impressive exhibition, to admire together the uniqueness of the Dacian bracelets and the famous Dacian helmet from Cotofenesti, which I am sure we all remember from the history textbooks," the minister added.
Prime Minister Florin Citu announced, on Monday, that the budget revision will be approved in another government session this week.

"There will be another government sitting to approve the budget revision, this week," said Citu, when asked, at the Parliament, when the budget revision will be approved.

Regarding signals from Brussels regarding the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience, the Prime Minister said: "Our objective is that the PNRR be approved by the end of September and we maintain this objective."
Prime Minister Florin Citu announced on Monday that he will have meetings with representatives of ANRE (National Energy Regulation Authority), ANPC (National Authority for Consumer Protection), Competition Council, but also with the Ministry of Labor, with the topic of energy prices.

Florin Citu said that he will try, along with those mentioned above, to identify "these situation" and to find solutions, "in order to formalize them for this winter", when asked, in Parliament, if he learned of multiple cases where suppliers applied misleading, higher prices in energy.

Asked if he considers whether the authorities that should monitor the way these prices are being liberalised have done their job, the PM said: "If these situations exist, it means that they did not do their job."Regarding the subsidy granted for heating in Bucharest, Citu said that the City Hall has received the money from the Government.
PRO Romania's National Executive Bureau discussed today the party's strategy for the next period, also approving on this occasion the backing for the cross-party political agreement proposed in Bucharest Sector 1; the meeting also decided on the organization of internal elections, agerpres reports.

"PRO Romania carries on and remains a solid political construction. We get engaged in the community, we signed the agreement for a joint political action in Sector 1. We are not leaving things as they are now, because we promised that regardless of the election results, we stay pro-Bucharesters, pro-citizens," PRO Romania Chairman Victor Ponta declared, as cited in a release.

As concerns the strengthening of the party's county organizations, the PRO Romania leader said that, according to the plans discussed at the National Executive Bureau meeting, the new leadership teams should be confirmed by vote in the coming six months."PRO Romania is a solid political construction, we are moving forward. We want to strengthen local organizations in the next period, to hold elections for the county structures, and most likely this will happen in the next six months. We have started rebuilding because people with pro-Romania thinking are much needed," Ponta said.At today's meeting, PRO Romania's National Executive Bureau also decided to reactivate public debate events dedicated to topics of interest for the citizens; the events will be organized through youth and women's organizations, with the necessary precautions required by the pandemic, the cited source also states.
The order allows Whistle to do business designing payment processing systems in the employee incentive and customer reward industry and to sell worker training program services, lines of business Maritz says dont directly compete with it.

Carter said in a statement that Whistle agreed so it could focus on building the next generation of learning and payment technology.

Whistle continues to experience dramatic market interest and strong growth, Carter said. We also continue to deny the allegations and will maintain our vigorous defense of the case.

Gallant said Maritz isnt trying to prevent Carter and the other former Maritz employees from starting their own business  they just cant be in direct competition with Maritz during the 12-month stretch in their noncompete agreements, a time period that Gallant said has since been extended while the lawsuit plays out.

The noncompete agreements will eventually expire, Gallant said, but theyre never free to use information that belonged to us.

Whistle is still fighting Maritz in court. It argues the noncompete agreements and agreements barring employees from soliciting Maritz workers are overbroad and unreasonable.
I still think its a threat even though I am vaccinated, said Fuesting, who lives in the Metro East.

For promoters, ensuring that people like Fuesting feel safe enough to use their tickets affects their bottom line, said Patrick Hagin, who promoted the Wilco concert and serves as a managing partner of the Pageant and Delmar Hall music venues in St. Louis. Even if the tickets are already purchased, bar and merchandise sales at the venue suffer if fans are no-shows.

Also you worry: Is this person who purchased a ticket going to even come in the future? Hagin said.

In non-COVID times, more than 90% of ticket buyers ultimately attend, Hagin said. During the pandemic, that number has been as low as 60%.

Hagin said he is temporarily offering refunds for shows at his venues. St. Louis Music Park did not offer refunds for the Wilco concert and told fans on its Facebook page that it was instituting the requirements based on what each show wants. The venue operators did not answer questions for this article.

Jason Green, unable to get a refund for the Aug. 13 show, sold his two sixth-row tickets for $66  which was $116 less than he paid for the pair in March 2020. He was concerned the venues new requirements werent enough.
Between October 2017 and April 2019, Roethle fraudulently ordered knee braces for about 3,500 patients, the indictment says. The companies were paid $2.9 million by Medicare, the indictment says.

Medicare requires that doctors do an in-person exam, including two knee function tests, before prescribing a knee brace, the indictment says.

Roethle ordered genetic tests for patients without establishing whether they were necessary to diagnose or treat a specific illness, as required by law, the indictment says. Medicare paid $18.2 million for genetic tests signed off on by Roethle, it says.

Roethle also ordered medically unnecessary topical creams for 206 patients, including 56 in the St. Louis area, who had never heard of Roethle and did not request or need the creams, the indictment says, costing Medicare $365,606.
Aisha Sultan Aisha Sultan is home and family editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Aisha Sultan Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

It was easy to talk a big game during the weeks leading up to our daughters move to a college 885 miles away.

Im thinking of it like an extra-long summer camp, I said to her. I wasnt freaking out about her leaving. I was excited for her to start this new chapter. Plus, we were getting on each others nerves with increasing frequency as the days passed.

The entire household goes into limbo the summer after a kid graduates high school. The young graduate is ready to throw off the yoke of parental authority, while the parental authority is not quite ready to relinquish it. After a few testy exchanges, I figured the distance might do us some good.

There are extensive checklists of what to buy for a dorm and college life. It reminded me of those lengthy lists of what to buy when youre expecting a baby. I remember getting a wipes warmer before my daughter was born, convinced that the shock of a cold wipe would be too much for a newborns bum. All that warmer did was dry out the wipes. It got tossed in a pile of baby-related detritus. I wondered if 18 years later, the scented oil diffuser she was taking would meet the same fate.
The Wyatts have a daughter, Lana, and three grandchildren.

It was six years before Wyatt and Kuehl opened their second McDonald's, at Gravois and Hampton, but others followed quickly. Tom Hillmeyer joined the group as manager and part owner of their third franchise; he now is Wyatt's general manager.

Kuehl wasn't actively involved in the company's operations in later years, and in 1987 he sold his share of the business to Wyatt.

One of the chief concerns for Hillmeyer and other McDonald's executives is personnel.

''The birthrate dropped in the '60s, and there will be a shortage of teen-agers until 1992,'' Wyatt said, ''so we've had to find alternatives. We hire a lot of housewives who help us through lunch time and go home in time to meet the school bus.

''Older citizens have also worked out well. You've probably seen our TV ad in which the older gentleman comes home from his first day as a McDonald's employee. His wife asks him how it went and he says, 'I don't know how they ever got along without me!'

''He isn't far from the truth. We depend on our older employees, especially to do the labor-intensive jobs in the back, such as preparing salads. The kids are a little faster up front.''
Not all of our readers have memories of 9/11 and its immediate aftermath, though. So we're also asking young Americans  particularly those born after 2000  to share how they learned about 9/11 and what its legacy means to them. Part of that coverage includes a guest column by St. Louis native Gabe Fleisher, author of the daily political newsletter, Wake Up To Politics. You can get a preview of Fleisher's column by tuning into a special livestream conversation with him here on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 5 p.m. CST. You can share your questions with Fleisher before or during the livestream in the comment box below.
UPDATE: Police identified the 13-year-old boy as Zackary A. Foster.

Three adults are in custody in Washington, Missouri after a 13-year-old boy was found dead Sunday morning of a suspected drug overdose, police said.

Officers responded to a home about 9 a.m. in the 600 block of Seventh Street and found the boy dead in his 12-year-old friend's bedroom, said Washington Detective Sergeant Steve Sitzes. The 13-year-old was staying the night at his friend's house.

The 12-year-old boy told police he and his friend had been experimenting with drugs in the house, Sitzes said. Police detained the 12-year-old's mother, stepfather and another man who had been renting a room in the basement of the home.

"The 12-year-old was showing signs of being under the influence of something," Sitzes said. "He was quite lethargic, and not quite with it."

Police have not pinpointed the time of the boy's suspected overdose but said they were last seen awake by adults in the house about 11 p.m. Saturday. Police said the 12-year-old said he and his friend then stayed up until at least 1 a.m. playing videogames.
MADISON COUNTY  Madison County's chief prosecutor said Monday he would oppose early release for a Metro East woman convicted of killing her two infant daughters in the 1980s.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, announced in March that Paula Sims' sentence of life without parole would be altered to allow her to seek release from the Illinois Prisoner Review Board.

Sims was convicted in 1990 of killing her 6-month-old daughter, Heather, whose body was found in May 1989 in a trash can by a fisherman in West Alton. Sims and her family lived in Alton at the time.

Sims then admitted to having killed her infant daughter Loralei three years earlier when the family lived near Brighton, a town in Macoupin and Jersey counties. Sims was convicted of obstructing justice in that death.

In her request to Pritzker for clemency, Sims said she killed both infants while suffering postpartum psychosis, her longtime lawyer Jed Stone said earlier this year.
JEFFERSON CITY  A company that has provided medical care to inmates in Missouri prisons for nearly three decades filed suit Sunday seeking to stop the state from awarding the contract to a new vendor.

Corizon, which earlier lost an administrative appeal of the bidding process, asked a Cole County judge to put the new contract on hold, arguing the process used by Gov. Mike Parsons administration was flawed.

It is a cornerstone of the bidding process and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars that state contracts be awarded based on a truthful, ethical and transparent process requiring the evaluation and scoring of proposals containing accurate and complete information. That didnt happen here, the lawsuit notes.

In May, Virginia-based Centurion Health, a subsidiary of Clayton-based managed care company Centene, was chosen over four other firms, including Corizon, for the states lucrative prison health care contract.

The companys bid of $174 million per year puts it on track to be paid more than $1.3 billion if the contract is fully renewed on an annual basis by the state.

But Corizon, which has held the contract since 1992, says Centurion had made prohibited communications with the administration to gain an upper hand in winning the contract.
JEFFERSON CITY  In 2018, a government-run investment panel agreed to give a company financial assistance to help it grow and create jobs.

But now, the state has taken the firm to court asking for its seed money back after the startup moved to Kansas earlier this year.

In a lawsuit filed in Cole County Circuit Court on Friday, the Missouri Technology Corporation, which helps finance fledgling companies needing capital to grow, said it is seeking nearly $125,000 from Transportant, which equips school buses with cameras, GPS and other features so schools can track buses and monitor student behavior.

In the suit, the MTC said the company agreed in 2018 that its headquarters and job growth would remain in the state of Missouri if it accepted the investment.

Business records on file with the Missouri Secretary of States office show the companys primary business address is in Shawnee, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City.

The lawsuit says the move by Transportant caused a trigger event that should result in the termination of the original agreement and the return of the money.

MTC has suffered damages from Transportants breach, the suit notes.
EAST ST. LOUIS  Two St. Louis men were charged Sunday in federal court in an East St. Louis bank robbery Friday that left a security guard dead.

Jaylan D. Quinn, 22, was charged with bank robbery resulting in death and Andrew Brinkley, 19, was charged with bank robbery. The charges stem from the robbery about 4:50 p.m. Friday of a First Bank at 350 Riverpark Drive in which a security guard, Ted Horn, 56, was shot to death.

Charges say the men wore masks as they entered the bank and handed a teller a note that said "I GOT A BOMB STRAPPED TO MY CHEST PUT ALL THE MONEY IN OR EVERYONE DIE."

The teller complied and as the men left, a security guard in uniform tried to stop them and one of the robbers shot Horn with a semiautomatic 9mm pistol. Authorities said Brinkley fled but Quinn shot Horn in the head.

The men drove off in a white Lexus, authorities said.

According to charges, Brinkley's father told authorities that his son resembled one of the men pictured in bank surveillance images that were distributed to news media after the robbery. Brinkley's father told authorities he tried to persuade his son to surrender but that Brinkley denied he was one of the robbers.
In Granite City, Madison County Transit stepped in Tuesday after the school district said most students in grades five through 12 would not have bus transportation this week. Students can ride the public buses to school for free at least through Sept. 30.

School districts including Mehlville and Parkway are down by more than a dozen bus drivers from their goal and waiting on several drivers in training. Mechanics and other transportation and facilities employees have been filling in on some routes in the districts.

The Fox School District in Arnold had to change bell times in most of its schools this month because of the shortage of drivers.

In Affton, the district started the year with five bus routes for each school, less than half the routes they offered before the pandemic and down from seven last year. But because students dont have to skip rows this year for distancing, there is room for 50 more riders this fall. The district is still recruiting drivers to add routes.

Unlike public school districts, charter schools  which are publicly funded but privately managed  are not required to provide transportation. Cohen said dropping Lift for Lifes fleet of 20 buses was never an option.
In one category of nurses, the turnover rate is over 100% in the past year.

There needs to be action taken. We cannot continue to provide care with all the caregivers coming in and leaving, McClelland said. These numbers are very awakening to me. This has to be addressed.

Its a serious matter that needs to be addressed, McClelland said.

The commissions pay rate for certain nurses is $7.70 an hour less than what they can get in private facilities for doing the same work.

That is a huge amount of difference. I understand why they would want to go elsewhere. That could cover the cost of child care, said Sen. Jill Schupp, who is a member of the commission.

The commission is seeking an infusion of $5 million to help boost worker pay, arguing that the continued operation of the homes is at risk if current funding levels are not increased.

But, without a special session by the Legislature, the earliest the money will arrive is in January if lawmakers move quickly on the shortfall.

In addition to pressing for a special session, the commission also faces a lawsuit filed earlier this year by the union representing workers at the nursing facility in Warrensburg.
Torch, in its bid to stop the investigation, filed on July 15, said its machines are legal amusement devices.

Compliance with the subpoena would be unreasonable and oppressive, as Torch is legally entitled to own, operate, and license its amusement devices under Missouri law, the companys lawsuit said.

In response, Patterson said based on recent court conclusions, there is substantially more than a reasonable possibility that [Torchs] machines are illegal gambling machines.

Patterson cites three recent court findings to support his claim: a Platte County judges ruling last year against another unregulated gaming company, a probable cause finding in Linn County that the company broke state gambling law, and the Greene County decision that there was cause to believe Torchs gambling machines and their digital contents are evidence of crime.

Patterson, according to the subpoena, was seeking information covering a one-year period ending June 14, 2021.
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones office on Monday issued a statement saying the mayor was grateful to the Board of Aldermen for its action, which unlike in the county took place without any hearings.

The city resolution, sponsored by Aldermanic President Lewis Reed, also calls on the city health department to submit a written report by Sept. 11 on the citys vaccination efforts.

Weve got to attack this in two ways  both vaccinations and continuing to mask, Coatar said.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed legal challenges against both the city and county mask orders but no court action has taken place on the city version.

The renewed city mask order, which was issued Monday, applies to people 5 and older in indoor public places and public transportation. Exempted are people as they eat and drink in restaurants and bars and those with medical exceptions.

The revised order, set to expire Sept. 29, also adds an exemption for people with religious beliefs or practices that prohibit wearing a face covering.

The aldermanic vote was in response to a new state law requiring local governing bodies to renew after 30 days any health orders restricting access to businesses.
LAKE SAINT LOUIS  Tony Calcaterra, who has been in the hospital here for nearly a month for his second bout with COVID-19, was being released Monday, his father and a hospital spokeswoman said.

Calcaterra, 22, was profiled in an Aug. 17 Post-Dispatch story in which he and his parents said he should be an example for those who have skipped their COVID-19 vaccination because they think they are too young to suffer from COVID, or immune because of a prior infection.

The OFallon, Missouri, man believes he caught the more contagious delta variant in late July after going, unmasked, with a group to a bar and a casino for a friends 21st birthday party. Hes among a large demographic in this most recent wave of infections: young, unvaccinated and spurning masks.
But he has maintained his innocence since his arrest. Jurors in his first trial were unable to reach a verdict. Strickland, who is Black, was convicted the second time by an all-white jury.

Cynthia Douglas was wounded but pretended to be dead, and the case against Strickland rested largely on her identifying Strickland as the killer. But she retracted her statement before she died in 2015, sending an email to the Midwest Innocence Project in 2009 that said: I am seeking info on how to help someone that was wrongfully accused, this incident happened back in 1978, I was the only eyewitness and things were not clear back then, but now I know more and would like to help this person if I can.

Her family also has signed affidavits saying Douglas wanted Strickland released from prison. The motion said that one longtime family friend said in an affidavit that Douglas told everyone that the detectives told her what to say.

The motion further said that three of the four actual perpetrators said that Strickland was not involved in the homicides, and two of them identified another person. The motion also said that a fingerprint found on the murder weapon was not Stricklands.
The United States remains on Britain's "amber" travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the U.S. to the U.K. don't have to self-isolate. A COVID-19 test is required three days before arrival in the U.K. and another test is needed two days after arriving.

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc for the Biden administration to lift its ban. Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EU's executive arm remained in discussions with the U.S. administration as both sides have so far failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that "reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case by case basis."

The European Council updates the safe travel list based on criteria relating to coronavirus infection levels. It gets reviewed every two weeks. The threshold for being on the EU list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.
It's a common refrain from some of those charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol and their Republican allies: The Justice Department is treating them harshly because of their political views while those arrested during last year's protests over racial injustice were given leniency.

Court records tell a different story.

An Associated Press review of documents in more than 300 federal cases stemming from the protests sparked by George Floyds death last year shows that dozens of people charged have been convicted of serious crimes and sent to prison.

The AP found that more than 120 defendants across the United States have pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial of federal crimes including rioting, arson and conspiracy. More than 70 defendants sentenced so far have gotten an average of about 27 months behind bars. At least 10 received prison terms of five years or more.

The dissonance between the rhetoric of the rioters and their supporters and the record established by courts highlights both the racial tension inherent in their arguments  the pro-Donald Trump rioters were largely white and last summers protesters were more diverse  and the flawed assessment at the heart of their claims.
Russia and Egypt are cooperating in training Russian imams and religious scholars to more effectively create and issue fatwas (religious rulings) and confront the religious arguments supporting Islamic radicalism. When it comes to dealing with Islamic terrorism, Russia and Egypt have a lot in common, despite their many obvious differences. Both countries have developed unique methods for preventing Islamic radicalism and terrorism from becoming a major problem.

Russia always had a large number of Moslems, even though most of the population is Christian. When the communists replaced the monarchy after World War I about 15 percent of Russians were Moslem. That percentage was unchanged when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and the Russia, lost half the population of the Soviet (and Czarist) empire, was still fifteen percent Moslem, the largest percentage of any major Western nation. The Russian governments, both Czarist, communist and democratic, developed a tradition of simply not tolerating Islamic radicalism. The Czars saw it as reasonable, as did the communists. The radical communist (Bolshevik) government that took power in the early 1920s was anti-religion in general and shut down most places of worship. The number of Mosques in Russia went from 25,000 when the Bolsheviks took over to 500 when the Soviet Union dissolved. Several of the 14 new countries formed when that happened were Moslem majority. They were mainly in Central Asia and their new leaders were locals but often former Soviet officials. There were fewer restrictions on Mosque construction and open practice of Islam after 1991, but the post-Soviet Union states continued the Soviet era crackdown on any radical Islamic activity.

Exceptions were found in the Caucasus where imported Islamic radicalism found an audience among some Caucasus Moslems using it to inspire more local support for violence against Russian rule. The worst case was Chechnya, long the most troublesome area, even before the Russians moved in during the 1800s. Tolerance for Chechen separatism led to chaos during the few years Russia just left the Chechens alone. During that period Chechnya was unable to form a local government, with the many clans battling each other and unwilling to accept democracy or the rule of any rival group. This made it possible for Chechnya to become a sanctuary for Chechens who raided southern Russia to steal, kidnap and cause growing public uproar over the lack of Russian response. That ended when Russia invaded a second time with more preparation. The second invasion was more violent and old-school. The Russians killed or drove away the rebellious, gangster and newly Islamic radical Chechens. That had worked for the Czarist and communist forces and it worked again for an elected Russian government.

Violent intolerance for Islamic radicalism was also practiced in other Moslem majority states, even Saudi Arabia, where radical militias that helped the Saud clan take control of most of the Arabian Peninsula in the 1920s refused to halt their operations after the kingdom was established, and insisted on continuing their jihad in neighboring countries. The Saudis, and most of the subjects, realized that this would bring on a conflict they could not win, and the new Saudi king suppressed the local radicals violently.

Egypt was then, as it is now, the home of the most respected Islamic universities and religious schools, producing religious scholars and interpretations of Islamic scripture recognized as the most rigorous in the Islamic world. When the Saudis found themselves enormously wealthy after World War II because of their newly developed oil fields, a lot of that new wealth went into religious education and establishing Islamic universities to rival those of Egypt. Saudi Arabia and Egypt became allies in this endeavor because the Saudis needed Egyptian Islamic scholars and Egypt needed economic aid from the Saudis. Both nations also adopted the Russian practice of tight control over Moslem clergy and education and violent crackdowns on local Islamic radicalism. Exporting radical Islamic concepts was not banned. Islamic radicals could exist locally as long as they behaved. Violating this rule turned the Islamic terrorists into outlaws as far as local governments were concerned. Allowing the locally trained and encouraged Islamic radicals to go cause mayhem elsewhere eventually became a problem as well. That led to the current emphasis on training imams, especially those who ran mosques, on how to deal with radicals peacefully and if that did not work to call on government security forces to deal with the problem. These have become accepted solutions to Islamic terrorism in Moslem majority counties and those with large Moslem minorities like Russia.

The Western world has had a more difficult time dealing with Islamic terrorism. Since the 1990s the West has become very familiar with the culture of Islamic radicalism. Its also become clear that not all Islamic radicals are the same. While all Islamic radicals share a desire to impose their religious beliefs on others (Moslem and non-Moslem alike), there is a wide range of fanaticism. On the moderate end of the scale, you have the Turkish Moslems who formed a political party based on moderate application of Islamic rules and customs. These Turkish Moslems have been ruling Turkey since 2000 and did a good enough job to keep getting reelected, at least until now. Many Turks fear that these Islamic activists would become radicalized and anti-democratic, but so far only the anti-democratic aspect has shown up. Moslems in many other countries would like to adopt this Turkish model, but so far that has proved difficult, especially since the elected Islamic politicians want to suppress efforts to vote them out of office.

There is already a form of Islamic radicalism that seems moderate enough, and international enough, to allow for widespread use in democracies. That is the Islamic Brotherhood. Unfortunately, the Brotherhood has many factions, some of which are very radical and intolerant of democracy. Worse yet, the first Egyptian national election after the 2011 revolution, the Moslem Brotherhood won. That did not work out as expected because the moderates and radicals in the brotherhood spent more time arguing with each other than dealing with problems they were elected to deal with. There was another popular uprising and another election where the Moslem Brotherhood was outlawed and a new government paid more attention to the economy and keeping the peace with neighbors.

Then you have the salafists. These are ultra conservative Islamic radicals who believe every Moslem must live strictly according to Islamic law. This includes hatred of non-Moslems and tolerance for using violence to convert non-believers to Islam. This led to the growth of the current jihadist movement, which believes living a conservative Islamic life is not enough. You have to force other Moslems to do the same and kill those who refuse. Same deal with non-Moslems, which causes problems when the kaffirs (non-Moslems) are smarter and more powerful than the righteous jihadists.

Because of all this religion-based radicalism, the Western post-2001 War on Terror morphed into the War Against Islamic Radicalism. This religious radicalism has always been around, for Islam was born as an aggressive movement that used violence and terror to expand. Past periods of conquest are regarded fondly by Moslems, who are still taught by their religious leaders and teachers that non-Moslems ("infidels") are inferior. The current enthusiasm for violence in the name of God has been building for over a century. Historically, Islamic radicalism has flared up into mass bloodshed periodically, usually in response to corrupt governments, as a vain attempt to impose a religious solution on some social or political problem.

The current violence is international because of the availability of planet wide mass media that needs a constant supply of scary headlines and the fact that the Islamic world is awash in tyranny and economic backwardness. This is why the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, and their desire to establish democracies, may do some permanent damage to the Islamic terrorism tradition. But the changes won't come as quickly as many hoped. The past has a huge influence on Islamic societies. For many, resistance to change is considered a religious obligation. Many Moslems consider democracy a poisonous Western invention. There is still a lot of affection for the clerical dictatorship (the caliphate) of legend, a just and efficient government run by virtuous religious leaders. The legends are false and there are centuries of failed religious dictatorships to prove it. But this legend has become a core belief for many Moslems and will not be shaken by reality or the historical record.
Singapore recently took part in a very visible confrontation with China. In late July there was a major international FONOP (freedom of navigation operations) in the South China Sea to confirm international access and defy Chinese claims to offshore resources across most of the South China Sea and control over who enters these waters. For a decade now there has been a Chinese campaign of bullying other nations to gain exclusive control of these resources. In 2016 an international court ruled against China in that matter. China refused to recognize the court ruling and claims its interpretation of international law and South China Sea supersedes whatever the rest of the world may think.

The late July FONOP was carried out by a carrier task force led by the new British carrier Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by seven other ships, including an American destroyer and frigates from the Netherlands, Britain and Singapore. There were also two other Singapore Navy ships; an amphibious assault vessel and an offshore patrol vessel. The carrier was also accompanied by a British SSN (Nuclear Attack sub) but the status of that vessel is rarely discussed because it is submerged nearly all the time.

This was the first time the Singapore Navy had operated with the Queen Elizabeth and wont be the last. Singapore is a small island city-state but maintains one of the most powerful military forces in the region. The Singapore Navy has only 7,000 personnel and 36 ships but the sailors and officers are well trained and the ships, four subs and 30 surface warships, are modern and regularly updated or replaced. For example, the four existing Swedish submarines are being replaced by four new German designs that feature AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) which allows these boats to remain submerged for over a week at a time. Six new frigates are based on a French design with the first one built in France and the others in Singapore. There are six corvettes from Germany that are due to be replaced within the next decade by ships built in Singapore. There are four amphibious warfare ships, all built in Singapore. There are four mine warfare ships plus a submarine rescue ship and two fast patrol boats. The navy also operates half a dozen USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels) for harbor and coastal patrol duties. The navy also has seven helicopters for operating from the frigates and some ship-based UAVs.

Singapore is an island at the southern end of the Malay Peninsula. It was part of Malaysia for six years, but had the option to become independent and did so in 1965. Singapore currently has the eighth highest per-capita income in the world. Current population is 5.6 million and 75 percent are ethnic Chinese. It is next to the Straits of Malacca, the most heavily used shipping channel in the world and vital to the Chinese economy. Singapore officially recognizes mainland China diplomatically but continues to discreetly work with Taiwan. Despite having a population that is mostly Chinese, one of the four official languages is English and nearly all residents speak it. More people speak English at home than Chinese. From the beginning Singapore sought to position itself as a multi-ethnic trading nation and not another Hong Kong or Taiwan. China has gone along with that so far, but Singapore knows that could change because China considers all overseas Chinese, no matter what their citizenship and loyalties, still Chinese and subject to Chinese law.

That is one of the reasons Singapore spends about five percent of GDP on its armed forces, which consists of 72,000 active-duty personnel. Conscription (22-24 months of service) is used to enable Singapore to maintain a reserve force of over a million men with military training and able to be mobilized and armed in the event of a national emergency. Sort of like Switzerland but with a navy. The growing Chinese navy is seen as a threat to Singapore and Chinese claims on the South China Sea confirms this.
FILE PHOTO: A pump jack operates in front of a drilling rig at sunset in an oil field in Midland, Texas U.S. August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

By Jessica Resnick-Ault

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil rose on Monday, lifted as U.S. Gulf Coast platforms, refineries and pipelines grappled with uncertainty on restart timelines after Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on the region.

Gains were capped as OPEC+ looked set to go ahead with a planned oil output increase.

Global benchmark Brent settled at $73.41 a barrel, up 71 cents or 0.98%. Brent touched a session high of $73.69, the highest since Aug. 2. U.S. crude futures rose 47 cents, or 0.68% to $69.21 a barrel.

Within 12 hours of coming ashore, Ida had weakened into a Category 1 hurricane, and has since dropped to tropical storm status. Hundreds of oil production platforms were evacuated ahead of the storm and nearly all offshore Gulf oil production, or 1.74 million barrels per day, was suspended.

After heavy winds and rains, nearly 1.2 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi were without power on Monday and the storm's move inland shifted the oil market's focus to when refiners can restart. [REF/OUT]

Oil and gas pipeline operators checked for damage. [L1N2Q11PQ] Power utilities warned that customers in the hardest-hit areas could face extended outages. [L4N2Q13SA]

Exxon Mobil Corp said it was shutting the 520,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, refinery units until utilities resume providing power and feedstocks are available. [L1N2Q11H6]

"We're in wait-and see mode on how badly the refiners will be impacted by the power outages," said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital Management in New York. "There's going to be an accounting to be done later this week as damage is assessed - I would give it some time to breathe, like a fine wine," he said.

U.S. gasoline was up more than 1.5%, lending support to crude. Power outages added to refinery closures on the Gulf coast and traders weighed the possibility of prolonged disruptions.

"It's still early days," said Vivek Dhar, analyst at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. "Oil products, like gasoline and diesel, are likely to see prices rise more acutely from refinery outages especially if there are difficulties in bringing refineries and pipelines back online."

Brent has rallied 40% this year, supported by supply cuts by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, known as OPEC+, and some demand recovery from last year's pandemic-induced collapse.

OPEC+ meets on Wednesday to discuss a scheduled 400,000 bpd increase in its oil output, in what would be a further easing of the record output cuts made last year.

OPEC delegates say they expect the increase to go ahead, although Kuwait's oil minister said on Sunday it could be reconsidered.

(Additional reporting by Aaron Sheldrick and Alex Lawler; Editing by David Evans and David Gregorio)
TICKERS: CANF

Source: Streetwise Reports (8/30/21)

The progress Can-Fite BioPharma made with these studies is briefly summarized in a Dawson James Securities report.



In an Aug. 27 research note, Dawson James Securities analyst, Jason Kolbert, recapped Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd.'s (CANF:NYSE.MKT) clinical and preclinical progress during Q2/21.

As for updates on the biopharma's clinical trials, Kolbert relayed, Can-Fite achieved 75% enrollment for its Phase 3 COMFORT psoriasis study. Complete enrollment is expected soon, with release of topline results to follow in the subsequent quarter. COMFORT aims to show Can-Fite's drug candidate Piclidenoson is effective and at least comparable to apremilast (Otezla) as a treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Regarding Can-Fite's Phase 2 COVID-19 trial, the biopharma commenced an expansion in Israel and Europe. The plan is to add 40 patients.

During Q2/21, Can-Fite continued gearing up for its pivotal Phase 3 liver cancer study slated to commence in Q4/21. The study will evaluate another of the company's drug candidates, Namodenoson, in hepatocellular carcinoma in accordance with a protocol approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

"Should the study meet its efficacy endpoint and be approved by the FDA and EMA, Namodenoson would become one of only a few drugs available to treat advanced liver cancer patients," Kolbert wrote.

Also for liver disease, in which A3AR is overexpressed, Can-Fite has developed cannabinoid-based treatments that hold promise as a potential treatment. In Q2/21, the company filed patents to protect that intellectual property.

Regarding Can-Fite's Phase 2b study of Namodenoson in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the Israeli Ministry of Health gave the green light to proceed. Thus, the trial is scheduled to start sometime in Q3/21, one quarter earlier than anticipated.

Lastly, a recent preclinical study in rats showed Can-Fite's drug candidate CF602, applied topically for erectile dysfunction, led to statistically significant improvement versus controls.

In terms of finances, Can-Fite spent $3 million ($3M) during Q2/21 and ended the quarter with $7.5M. Subsequently, in August, the company held a $10M offering.

Dawson James has a Buy rating and a $5 per share target price on Can-Fite BioPharma, the shares of which are currently trading at about $1.87 apiece.

Disclosures:

1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees.

3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases.

6) This article does not constitute medical advice. Officers, employees and contributors to Streetwise Reports are not licensed medical professionals. Readers should always contact their healthcare professionals for medical advice.
TICKERS: ARU; AUIAF

Source: Streetwise Reports (8/30/21)

Noble Capital Markets commented in a research report that junior mining explorer Aurania Resources Ltd. is presently zeroing in on the most immediate high potential targets at The Lost Cities-Cutucu Project. Noble rates Aurania an "Outperform" as the company's exploration program is delivering an abundance of drilling targets for a variety of metals and offers potential for multiple new discoveries across its large concession package.



Senior Natural Resources Research Analyst, Mark Reichman of Noble Capital Markets Inc., commented in an August 27 research note that junior mining explorer Aurania Resources Ltd. (ARU:TSX.V; AUIAF:OTCQB) is now "zeroing in on the most immediate high potential targets" at The Lost Cities-Cutucu project located in southeastern Ecuador.



The analyst noted that Aurania Resources has identified a new epithermal gold-silver target in proximity of the Kuri-Yawi target and listed that results from soil samples yielded up to 0.56 g/t Au over a 0.67 sq. km area.

Noble Capital Markets indicated that the company has finished drilling six holes at its Tsenken N1 copper-silver target with one additional hole, Hole TSN1-007, still in process. Nobel said it expects Aurania to drill a total of 10 holes at Tsenken N1.

The company has also completed drilling two holes at the Tiria-Shimpia silver-zinc target with a third hole now in progress. The firm is currently awaiting assay results from Hole SH-002. Noble Capital expects Aurania to continue exploration activity at Tiria-Shimpia and Tsenken N1, but it is foreseeable that the company may move a drill to the Latorre C target later this year.

The analyst mentioned that the Tiria-Shimpia target seems to offer the biggest opportunity for new discoveries and pointed out that the company reported previously that it plans to mobilize additional resources there. The report listed that silver-zinc-lead deposits with associated barite have been traced for more than 22 km at Tiria-Shimpia. Aurania's management further believes that the Tsenken and Tiria-Shimpia sites may indeed be part of the same copper-zinc dominated mineralized system that extends for 45 km.

Senior Analyst Reichman remarked that "Aurania's exploration program is providing an abundance of drilling targets for a variety of metals and the potential to make multiple discoveries in its large concession package."

Aurania Resources Ltd. is a junior mining exploration company that is headquartered in Toronto, Ont. and is focused primarily on acquiring, exploring, and developing precious metals and copper properties. Aurania's "flagship asset" called The Lost Cities-Cutucu project, which is located in Morona-Santiago, Ecuador, includes 42 mineral exploration concessions that cover an area of around 208,000 hectares, or roughly 2,080 sq. km. The company also has several smaller projects in Switzerland.

Noble Capital Markets Inc. advised that it has an "Outperform" rating for Aurania Resources Ltd. with a target price of US$3.50 per share. The firm's shares trade on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "AUIAF" and last closed for trading at US$2.17 per share on August 27, 2021.

[NLINSERT]

Disclosure:

1) Stephen Hytha compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. He or members of his household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. He or members of his household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Aurania Resources Ltd. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. An affiliate of Streetwise Reports is conducting a digital media marketing campaign for this article on behalf of Aurania Resources Ltd. Please click here for more information.

3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

4) This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Aurania Resources Ltd., a company mentioned in this article.
A site survey team visits the 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio, as part of the Air Force site selection process for a possible Cyber Warfare Wing, Aug. 3, 2021. The Department of the Air Force recently announced it has identified Ohios Mansfield-Lahm Air National Guard Base as the preferred location for a new Cyber Warfare Wing mission. (Joe Harwood/U.S. Air National Guard )

MANSFIELD, Ohio (Tribune News Service) Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday applauded the U.S. Air Force's announcement that the Mansfield Air National Guard Base, home of the 179th Airlift Wing, has been selected as the preferred site for the Air National Guard's first Cyber Warfare Wing.

"I spoke directly with the Secretary of the Air Force today who gave me this outstanding news," DeWine said. " Ohio is gaining a leading-edge mission that will strengthen the fabric of the military community and further solidify Ohio as a national leader in cybersecurity excellence. Not only will this new mission bring more jobs into the community, but it will also spur more economic growth and create new opportunities for industry and academic growth. This is a tremendous win for Mansfield and for the entire state."

The new cybersecurity mission in Mansfield will bring an additional 175 positions that are STEM and IT focused and will bolster Ohio's efforts to gain a competitive advantage in the workforce by attracting in-demand cybersecurity jobs.

"This selection will build on the 179th Airlift Wing's legacy of excellence to begin a new chapter in the cyber warfare domain," Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, said. "The transition to a cyber wing places the Ohio National Guard at the forefront of leveraging cutting edge technologies and capabilities for national defense and mitigating emerging threats."

Ohio was one of two locations under consideration, with the other being the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota. Among the criteria considered in the decision were manpower, recruiting, and retention; building capacity and connectivity; environmental; construction costs; and cost of living.

Partners involved in promoting Mansfield as the prime location for this mission include Ohio's Congressional delegation, as well as JobsOhio, the Mansfield Military Affairs Committee, the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, Team NEO, and many other local, state, and federal officials.

" The U.S. Air National Guard cyber warfare wing in Mansfield will advance our country's 21st Century warfare capability while attracting new in-demand cybersecurity positions and talent to Ohio," JobsOhio President & CEO J.P. Nauseef said. "This new mission amplifies Ohio's leading position as America's most military-friendly state that can also advance our nation's military's fight against emerging cyber threats. Ohio is all in!"

The Air Force has not yet announced a timeline for the new mission, however the next step is expected to be an environmental assessment of the site.

The DeWine-Husted Administration has made the sustainment and growth of Ohio's military bases and their missions a priority for Ohio. In 2019, DeWine named retired Air force Colonel Joseph E. Zeis Jr. to serve as the first Senior Advisor for Aerospace and Defense, a new, cabinet-level position. That same year, JobsOhio announced the establishment of military and federal as a new industry sector. Community collaboration was essential for attracting the mission, working with the federal delegation and community leaders in Mansfield.

The 179th Airlift Wing has a long and distinguished history that includes that includes the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; the Alan P. Tappan Memorial Trophy, which designates the outstanding Air National Guard unit in the State of Ohio; and the Rusty Metcalf Award, which acknowledges the unit as one of the best in the entire Air Force.

___

(c)2021 The Ironton Tribune (Ironton, Ohio)

Visit The Ironton Tribune (Ironton, Ohio) at www.irontontribune.com

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Qualified evacuees wait on the flight line as they debark a C-17 Globemaster lll Aug. 20, 2021. As part of Operation Allies Refuge, Afghan citizens evacuated Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, onboard military aircraft. (Kylie Barrow/U.S. Air Force)

DAYTON, Ohio (Tribune News Service)  The 445th Airlift Wing, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, played a role in the Afghanistan withdrawal, according to the Air Force Reserve Command, of which the 445th is a part.

Among those contributing to the effort were the 445th and wings across the nation  the 315th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C.; the 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell AFB (Air Force Base), Ala.; 349th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB, Calif.; 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Pa.; 514th AW, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., 452nd AMW, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., and others.

In all, Air Force Reserve Command contributed 17 aircraft to the ongoing effort, including C-17 Globemaster III's, C-130 Hercules, C-5M Super Galaxy's, and the KC-10 Extender "with 73 aircrews and hundreds of maintenance, security, medical and support personnel," the command said.

The 445th has nine C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, viewed as the "most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force," as a wing fact sheet puts it.

Interviews with 445th personnel involved with efforts in Afghanistan aren't being granted right now, a spokeswoman for the 445th said Monday. The withdrawal effort is scheduled to end Tuesday.

In many cases, Air Force Reserve Airmen blended into active duty, Guard and Reserve crews involved in the overall effort, the command said.

"The United States is the only nation capable of rapidly deploying forces to provide nonstop airlift operations at this scale," Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee, Air Force Reserve Command commander and chief of the Air Force Reserve, said in a statement. "It would not be possible without the support of our total force  active, guard and reserve citizen airmen  seamlessly integrating to execute the mission."

"Once again, our Air Force Reservists are proudly answering our nation's call, responding in less than 24 hours," he added.

Nearly 60% of America's mobility capacity resides in the air reserve component, "underscoring the importance of a total force approach," said Col Mark Villacis, the command's chief of mobility operations division. "An airlift operation of this historic magnitude can only be executed with total force integration."

Meanwhile, Afghanistan veterans and Gold Star families are wrestling with thorny feelings as the massive withdrawal and evacuation effort winds down.

Jim and Leslie Groves are the parents of Army Chief Warrant Officer III James E. Groves III, who was killed in March 2013 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Their son was 37 at that time.

Jim Groves said he and his wife Leslie, of Kettering, professed to having "mixed feelings" on the topic. Mrs. Groves called it a "touchy subject."

"I just think it's a sad day for America," Jim Groves said Monday.

"We share a loss of the 13 lives," Mr. Groves said, referring to the 13 American service members killed at the Kabul airport Thursday. "And it also brings back our own loss, as well, and takes us back to that day."

What concerns him the most: "We pulled those people out (U.S. military forces) before we pulled out civilians. I don't understand that logic. Common sense would tell you, if you're in a burning house, you don't call the firemen away."

The Groves said they don't necessarily have a problem with the idea of a withdrawal. But Mr. Groves said he has concerns about the manner in which this withdrawal was conducted.

"I don't understand abandoning the equipment," he said. "I mean, my God, talk about fast and furious on steroids."

"I think we put our troops in a real bad situation."

(c)2021 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

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A U.S. Army policy that denied housing dual housing allowances to reservists deployed to Europe violated federal law, an Army review board found. The reservists have also been cleared of any wrongdoing. (File)

The U.S. Army violated federal law by refusing to pay dual housing allowances to reservists on assignment in Europe and erred by taking disciplinary actions against them, a review board said in a ruling that also recoups a total of $500,000 for seven soldiers.

The decision Friday by the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records could have ramifications for numerous other troops and cost the Army millions more.

Army finance officials decisions that gave rise to the investigative and disciplinary actions ... were erroneously executed and erroneously implemented, the board ruled.

The board said the service must start paying back the reservists no later than October, and their records are to be cleared of wrongdoing.

A federal court had ordered the board to consider the cases of the reservists, who sued the Army in 2018. Patrick Hughes, a former Air Force attorney now with the Patriots Law Group, said the Army owes about $500,000 in compensation for the denied payments and the debts the reservists incurred.

Hughes said the next step is to obtain payouts for other soldiers who were ensnared by the Armys faulty interpretation of regulations. He is preparing a wider class-action case against the Army that could have tens of millions of dollars at stake.

We think there could be thousands of soldiers who were affected, Hughes said.

At issue in the case was a contention by Army finance officials in Europe that reservists who mobilized from the U.S. weren't entitled to a basic housing allowance for their American residence and an overseas housing allowance if the Army could not provide on-post accommodations.

For years, reservists received dual allowances when mobilized. Unlike active-duty troops, who move with their household goods, reservists generally are activated for shorter assignments and must maintain two households if the Army cant provide base housing.

But around 2016, Army finance officials in Europe changed their interpretation of the federal Joint Travel Regulation. As a result, reservists received only one allowance. The erroneous interpretation led the Army to take multiple unjust actions, the board said when detailing the case of Maj. William Colin Schneck in its ruling.

After years of investigating, Hughes said he had concluded that the problem can be traced to Army finance officials in Germany who came up with a half-cocked idea to save money.

That idea ended up getting endorsed by Army G-1, and there you are, Hughes said, referring to the Army's highest-level personnel office.

The Army board issued seven decisions, one for each reservist in the Patriots Law Group case, and it came to the same conclusion in each one: The Army erred by denying dual housing allowances and seeking recoupment of past payments.

The board also ordered the service to take other steps, including deleting all negative findings, such as letters of reprimand or files stored in Army criminal databases, from the soldiers records.

In addition, the ruling directed the Army to authorize special selection boards to determine whether promotions are now in order for the affected troops.

Schneck, who is owed about $56,000, remains infuriated that the boards action came only after a yearslong legal battle and the threat of a federal lawsuit.

No soldier should have to pay to make the Army do the right thing, he said. The Army has left me to piece my career back together in the aftermath alone.

The other reservists who sued are Bradley Wolfing, Ryan Mirabal, Alexander Gardiner, James Copas, Timothy Kibodeaux and Louis Morelli.

Hughes said that besides the financial fallout, his clients were denied promotions, and some were forced out of the service. The damage lingered for some reservists in the civilian sector, he added. Those who had been flagged in criminal databases had difficulty passing background checks.

While the boards ruling Friday applied only to the seven reservists involved in the Patriots Law Groups lawsuit, a legal precedent has now been established and other lawsuits are in the works, Hughes said.

A related case that could underpin a class-action suit involves Col. Richard Gulley, who is now retired. He was ordered to repay $135,500 of his housing allowance.

Gulley said that over five years, he was subjected to repeated investigations, harassment and even arrest by Army criminal investigators while serving as a U.S. Africa Command deputy chief of staff in 2017.

Gulley, a commercial airline pilot, was charged with fraud and larceny by the Army just before his 2017 retirement but never was prosecuted. He said he still faces questioning over the issue every time he passes through customs as part of his job.

He and others involved in the cases against the Army say they repeatedly sought support from their representatives in Congress to investigate the matter, but they say action was never taken.

In commenting on the board's ruling, Gulley recounted the ordeal the Army put him through as a result of the erroneous interpretation.

It took four-and-a-half years to solve what any first-year law student could have understood correctly, Gulley said. I had to endure four investigations in six years, three arrests, CID harassment, assassination of my character and multiple secondary legal consequences due to the Armys lack of leadership with regards to reserve travel regulations.
Buy Photo (Gerald Waller/Stars and Stripes)

Germany, July 10, 1950: Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe, head of the Army Chemical Command, poses for a photo as he visits EUCOM headquarters soon after his arrival in Germany. McAuliffe was on his way to Bastogne, Belgium, where he was to be made an honorary citizen for his actions as commander of the 101st Airborne Division during the World War II Battle of the Bulge.
When President Joe Biden arrived in the White House, he proclaimed grand ambitions for U.S. foreign policy.

America is back, he declared, promising to restore U.S. leadership of what he called (in a term borrowed from the 20th century) the free world.

He said he would restore alliances his predecessor had scorned, rally democracies to contain autocracies like China and Russia, and put human rights at the center of the U.S. agenda  all while building a foreign policy that served the middle class.

Plus one more goal, almost an afterthought: Hed disentangle the United States from Afghanistan, a war he considered a waste of resources and a distraction.

But the withdrawal from Kabul turned into a nightmare, which has raised doubts about the coherence of Bidens policy. The president committed a basic political error: He promised too much and delivered too little. He said America was back; but in Kabul, America was abruptly getting out.

He said he cherished traditional alliances, but he barely consulted with allies. He declared himself a champion of human rights; tell that to Afghanistans terrified women.

The administrations reputation for competence has taken a serious hit, and that affects its ability to exert influence. Allies who feel misused will be more cautious about supporting U.S. efforts. The presidents agenda is likely to be harder to carry out than before.

Nevertheless, the core of a Biden Doctrine in foreign policy is still intact. It involves elements the president has talked about for years. He wants to pare down the U.S. definition of vital interests to a short list: great power competition with China and Russia, the nuclear threat from Iran, and the continuing war against terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Even amid the withdrawal from Kabul, Biden has reaffirmed his intention to keep fighting al-Qaida, Islamic State and their allies. He lost no time in ordering an airstrike against ISIS in Afghanistan in retaliation for the groups bombing of Kabuls airport last week.

Almost unnoticed, he has kept several thousand U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria and continued drone strikes against al-Shabab militants in Somalia. The war in Afghanistan may be ending, but the forever war against terrorists isnt.

What has moved down the list?

Despite his rhetorical commitment to human rights, Biden has made clear that he wont use the military to uphold them. For most of three decades, American presidents debated whether to use military force for humanitarian goals  to defend civilians in Syria or help rebels in Libya, for example. That era may now be over.

In that sense, the Biden Doctrine represents a continued downsizing of American commitments around the world since President George W. Bushs costly overreach in Iraq.

The other central element of Bidens foreign policy is the degree to which it stems from domestic policy and the presidents conviction that the United States can only be effective overseas if its economy and political system are strong at home.

Were in a contest  with autocratic governments around the world as to whether or not democracies can compete with them, he said during his first overseas trip to Europe in June. Weve got to prove that democracy works. Those are domestic goals as much as diplomatic ones.

Biden often says hes intent on making foreign policy work for the middle class  a principle his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has championed.

The idea is to ensure that voters will support continued U.S. global leadership because they see benefits, rather than just the costs, of globalized trade and foreign military adventures.

When Biden opened a news conference about Afghanistan several days ago by crowing about progress in Congress on his infrastructure program, the juxtaposition may have seemed jarring  but in this administration, domestic priorities are the highest vital interest. The question now is whether Biden can recover from his missteps in Afghanistan with enough credibility to reshape U.S. policy overseas. If he can pull off the balancing act of restoring U.S. leadership even as he reduces U.S. commitments, hell deserve credit  once the memory of last weeks tragedies in Kabul begins to fade.

But its a long way from here to there. As a first step, the president might want to rein in his rhetoric and give America is back a rest. When America is back, well know it.

Doyle McManus is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times.
In this photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, flags fly at half-staff in honor of the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, at Camp Justice, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. (Alex Brandon/AP)

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba  Three prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention center are expected to get their first day in court after being held for 18 years in connection with the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots in Southeast Asia.

Indonesian prisoner Encep Nurjaman, known as Hambali, and two Malaysians are to be arraigned Monday before a military commission on charges that include murder, conspiracy and terrorism. It is merely the first step in what could be a long legal journey for a case that involves evidence tainted by CIA torture, the same issue that is largely responsible for causing other war crimes cases to languish for years at Guantanamo.

The hearing also comes as the Biden administration says it intends to close the detention center, where the U.S. still holds 39 of the 779 men seized in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and invasion of Afghanistan.

The three men charged in connection with the nightclub bombings were held in secret CIA confinement for three years, followed by 15 more at the isolated U.S. base in Cuba.

The decision to charge them was made by a Pentagon legal official at the end of the Trump administration, complicating the effort to close the detention center, said Brian Bouffard, a lawyer for Mohammed Nazir bin Lep, one of the Malaysian men.

That made it more difficult for the new administration to add any to the list of those who could potentially be transferred out of Guantanamo or even sent home. It will even be harder after an arraignment, Bouffard said.

Whether the arraignment would actually take place was not certain. Lawyers have sought to put the case on hold for a number of reasons, including what they have said is insufficient access to interpreters and other resources to mount a defense. The accused were still expected to show up for the hearing.

The Navy judge presiding over the case in the commission, a hybrid of military and civilian law, is expected to consider that question before the charges can be formally presented in a secure courtroom surrounded by coils of razor wire on the base.

Nurjaman was a leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian militant group with ties to al-Qaida. The U.S. government says he recruited militants, including bin Lep and the other Malaysian charged in the case, Mohammed Farik bin Amin, for jihadist operations.

Among the plots that al-Qaida and Jemaah Islamiyah carried out were the October 2002 suicide bombings of Paddys Pub and the Sari Club in Bali, Indonesia, and the August 2003 suicide bombing of the J.W. Marriott in Jakarta, Indonesia. The attacks together killed 213 people, including seven Americans, and injured 109 people, including six Americans. Dozens of victims were foreign tourists, mostly Australians.

Prosecutors allege bin Lep and the other Malaysian, Mohammed Farik bin Amin, served as intermediaries in the transfer of money used to fund the group's operations.

All three were captured in Thailand in 2003 and transferred to CIA black sites, where they were brutalized and subjected to torture, according to a Senate Intelligence Committee report released in 2014. In 2006, they were moved to Guantanamo.

It's unclear why it's taken so long to charge them before the military commission. Military prosecutors filed charges against the men in June 2017, but the Pentagon legal official who oversees Guantanamo cases rejected the charges for reasons that haven't been publicly disclosed.

The case has many elements that make it complex, including whether statements the men made to authorities can hold up in court because of the abuse they experienced in CIA custody, the fact that people have already been convicted, and in some cases executed, in Indonesia for the attack, and the long time it has taken to even bring charges  much less get to a trial at some point in the future.

Some of these same issues have come up in the case against five Guantanamo prisoners charged for planning and aiding the Sept. 11 attacks. They were arraigned in May 2012 and remain in the pretrial phase, with no trial date yet scheduled.

Bin Amin's lawyer, Christine Funk, predicted a lengthy period of defense investigation that will require extensive travel, once the pandemic is over, to interview witnesses and look for evidence. Still, she said, her client is anxious and eager to litigate this case and go home.
Buy Photo Kubasaki High School on Camp Foster, Okinawa, closed eight classrooms on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, and asked the students to stay home until COVID-19 quarantine and testing requirements." (Frank Andrews/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A week into the new school year, many classrooms are shuttered and an entire grade must get tested after COVID-19 spread to six of Okinawas 13 Defense Department schools.

School principals shared the information with parents, students and staff in letters disseminated over the weekend. They were also posted on the Facebook page for the Marine Corps Community Services Okinawa School Liaison Officer.

The spokeswoman for Department of Defense Education Activity-Pacific did not respond to emails or phone calls Monday seeking further information, including how many people within the Okinawa schools tested positive for the coronavirus respiratory disease.

The Marine Corps, which operates the Joint COVID-19 Response Center at Camp Foster, also did not respond on Monday afternoon.

Letters from school principals posted online said several people within the school community have been infected.

All sixth-grade classrooms at Lester Middle School on Camp Lester will be closed until quarantine and testing requirements are met, according to Principal Nedra Jones letter on Sunday.

Contact tracing is underway, her letter states, and sixth-grade students contacted by the tracing team must quarantine for 14 days. All other sixth-graders must test negative for the virus before returning to school. Proof must be provided to the school nurse.

Testing began Monday morning at the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa drive-through on Camp Foster, according to the letter.

Buy Photo All sixth-grade classrooms at Lester Middle School on Camp Lester, Okinawa, will be closed until COVID-19 quarantine and testing requirements are met, the principal wrote in a letter to parents on Sunday, Aug, 29, 2021. (Frank Andrews/Stars and Stripes)

Kadena Elementary School and Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, both on Kadena Air Base, reported multiple coronavirus cases, according to those principals letters. Neither gave an exact number.

E.C. Killin Elementary, Kubasaki High School, both on Camp Foster, and Kadena High School reported one case each, those principals stated.

Kubasaki High closed eight classrooms on Monday and asked the students to stay home until quarantine and testing requirements are met, according to a letter Sunday from Principal James Strait.

E.C. Killin kept Mr. McCartys classroom shuttered, Principal Gordon LynCook wrote. Amelia Earhart Intermediate School closed Ms. Korkowskis fourth-grade classroom, Principal Jason Federico said.

Contacts are being traced, according to the letters. Students identified as a close contacts will be notified by public health officials. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home.

Okinawa prefecture is experiencing an unprecedented number of coronavirus cases, as the delta variant moves swiftly through a primarily unvaccinated population. U.S. military bases on the island are also reporting relatively high numbers of infections.

As of Sunday, Okinawa had the lowest vaccination rate of Japans 47 prefectures, according to the National IT Strategy Office website. About 41% of the population is fully vaccinated and nearly 32% has received the first of a two-shot vaccine regimen.

By contrast, more than 70% of the U.S. military population on Kadena was fully vaccinated by late July.

The island prefecture hit a pandemic high on Wednesday with 809 new cases, public broadcaster NHK reported. Seven people died last week of COVID-19 complications.

Okinawas weekly incident rate of 304.76 per 100,000 people is the highest in all of Japan, according to public health department data. Nearly 80% of hospital beds for critical COVID-19 patients are full.

Stars and Stripes reporter Mari Higa contributed to this report.
The United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency has found several clues, such as the discharge of cooling water," indicating that North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear reactor may have been operating since early July 2021. (Korean Central News Agency)

The United Nations nuclear watchdog says North Koreas nuclear activities, namely the apparent restart of a reactor used to produce weapons fuels, continue to be a cause for serious concern.

The International Atomic Energy Agency in a report Friday found several clues, such as the discharge of cooling water," indicating the Yongbyon nuclear power reactor may have been operating since early July.

A steam plant serving as a radiochemical laboratory is also believed to have been functioning since February, significantly longer than that observed in the past during possible waste treatment or maintenance activities, the report said. Thats enough time to reprocess irradiated fuel, whereby plutonium is separated, according to the agency.

The 5-megawatt Yongbyon complex is believed to be the hub for North Koreas production of weapons-grade plutonium. IAEA inspectors, who have not had access to the site to inspect its activities for over a decade, relied on open-source information and commercial satellite imagery for their analysis.

[North Koreas] nuclear activities continue to be a cause for serious concern, the report states. Furthermore, the new indications of the operation of the [Yongbyon Experimental Nuclear Power Plant] and the Radiochemical Laboratory are deeply troubling.

In January, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced the regime would take a great revolutionary turn for possessing the completely new nuclear capabilities aimed at attaining the goal of modernization, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

At former President Donald Trumps second summit with Kim in 2019, the two leaders came to an impasse over sanctions relief and the closure of nuclear material production sites, including the Yongbyon complex.

Soo Kim, a policy analyst for Rand Corp. and an adjunct instructor at American University, believes the regime had no intention of giving up its nuclear weapons from the beginning.

The nuclear weapons program is so closely tied to the Kim familys survival; theres only the incentive to continue to build and advance their weapons capabilities to strengthen protection and ensure regime preservation, Soo told Stars and Stripes in an email Monday.

Soo added that because world leaders desire Pyongyang to surrender its nuclear weapons, the regime understands that a small gesture towards this step goes a long way in terms of extracting concessions.

Following the completion of the White Houses policy review for North Korea, press secretary Jen Psaki said during an April press briefing that the administration will not focus on achieving a grand bargain, nor will it rely on strategic patience.

Our policy calls for a calibrated, practical approach that is open to and will explore diplomacy with [North Korea], and to make practical progress that increases the security of the United States, our allies, and deployed forces, Psaki said. Any negotiations would involve South Korea and Japan every step along the way, she added.
Buy Photo The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported another 1,915 people tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO  The fifth and most extreme wave of coronavirus cases in Japans capital city saw a week-on-week decline for the eighth day in a row on Monday, according to public broadcaster NHK.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported another 1,915 people tested positive for the virus Monday, typically the day with the lowest case count, NHK reported. Thats 532 fewer people infected than a week prior, according to metro government data.

The number of seriously ill in the city fell by nine overnight to 287, according to NHK.

Japan on Sunday reported 19,410 newly infected people and 50 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Nearly 45% of its population, or 57 million people, are fully vaccinated.

At U.S. military bases in Japan, 11 people have tested positive for the virus since Thursday.

Naval Air Facility Atsugi, 26 miles southwest of central Tokyo, had one person fall ill with symptoms of COVID-19, the coronavirus respiratory disease, according to a news release. The base has seven people under observation.

About 500 miles west of Tokyo, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni had two people test positive over the weekend, according to a news release. The two were not previously isolated but the air station provided no further information.

Sasebo Naval Base on the island of Kyushu had eight people turn up positive for COVID-19 since Thursday, according to a Facebook post Monday by the base.

Contact tracing discovered three people and another five had fallen ill, according to the post. The base has nine active cases.

South Korea update

U.S. Forces Korea reported 11 new coronavirus patients Monday.

Four service members at Osan Air Base and a civilian at Camp Humphreys came up positive Wednesday and Thursday after falling ill with COVID-19 symptoms, according to a USFK news release.

Another Osan service member, another civilian at Humphreys and three family members in Daegu tested positive between Aug. 23 and Thursday during contact tracing. And one service member at Humphreys tested positive Aug. 24 prior to medical treatment.

All are isolated at either Osan or Humphreys, according to USFK.

South Korea on Monday reported 1,487 people tested positive, 436 in Seoul and 402 in Gyeonggi province, where Humphreys and Osan are located, according to an update by the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Nearly 29% of South Koreas population, or 14.6 million people, are fully vaccinated; another 55.8%, or 28.6 million, have received the first dose of a two-shot regimen, according to KDCA.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
Buy Photo People gather at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, to honor 13 U.S. troops killed the previous day in a suicide attack outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan  A group of Marines, sailors and their families gathered Friday for a candlelight vigil to remember the lives lost the previous day in a terrorist suicide bombing in Afghanistan.

Eleven Marines, a Navy corpsman, one soldier and 170 civilians, according to latest reports, died Thursday outside the Abbey gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. They were part of a contingent sent to help evacuate thousands of American citizens and Afghans left at risk as the country fell to the Taliban.

My husband was a prior combat veteran, and we have several friends that are over there right now, Marine spouse Jamie Holmes, 36, of Raleigh, N.C., told Stars and Stripes at the vigil, and I feel this is my way of being able to help them.

The first arrivals gathered just before 7 p.m. next to the seawall on base as dusk turned to darkness. Others arrived later, paid their respects and quietly departed. Someone left a bottle of sake as tribute.

I understand that not everyone is religious, that is OK, but for me, prayer helps me, Holmes said. I want to be able to let them know that we are here for you. Even though we are at a base in Japan, we are still all here for you.

The 13 service members remains arrived Sunday at Dover Air Force Base, Del. President Joe Biden, his wife, Jill Biden, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other administration officials stood outside the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter bearing the remains as teams of uniformed troops carried them into waiting hearses.

Holmes said she decided Friday morning to organize a vigil that night and spread the word through Facebook.

Buy Photo People gather at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, to honor 13 U.S. troops killed the previous day in a suicide attack outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. (Jonathan Snyder/Stars and Stripes)

I feel like people underestimate the military community sometimes, and once we do retire, I already know Im going to miss it, she said. When things get tough, we all come together and when something happens, we are all there for each other and that is what being a military family is.

A gut punch is how Holmes described her feelings about events happening in Kabul.

The Air Force, contracted air carriers and others are moving thousands of desperate Afghans and U.S. citizens out of the airport each day. Biden has set a deadline of Tuesday to withdraw remaining troops from Afghanistan.

I feel like things have been set back, but its not a time to politicize any of this, she said. Now we have to get our guys out safely, we have to get these innocent families out safely and for me praying for them is something I can do.

After lighting candles and observing a moment of silence, Holmes, holding back tears, encouraged those affected by the bombings to not be afraid to ask for help through chaplains or the Military and Family Life Counseling Program.

Ive been to a few vigils for different reasons and its always difficult, especially when young lives are lost, Filiz Troudt, 52, whose husband is a retired Marine working on base, told Stars and Stripes on Friday. And we dont know if its over yet. They are still over there trying to get people out.

Jonathan Snyder
Evacuees from Afghanistan board a Boeing 777 bound for the United States from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Two evacuee flights left the air station over the weekend. (Kaila V. Peters/U.S. Navy)

NAPLES, Italy  The first groups of Afghan evacuees to arrive at a U.S. naval base in Italy have now flown to America, Navy and State Department officials said.

The evacuees, including some American citizens, left Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily on Saturday and Sunday.

The two flights were bound for Philadelphia and Washington Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C., according to a joint U.S. Embassy Rome-NAS Sigonella statement.

The departure of planes bound for the U.S. is the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of American citizens and Afghans who have undergone much hardship, said Thomas Smitham, charge daffaires at U.S. Embassy Rome.

It wasnt immediately clear how many evacuees were on the flights or where they would be housed in the U.S. The statement referred to the flights as at full capacity. Officials didn't immediately respond to a request for more information on the flights.

Evacuees from Afghanistan wait to board a flight bound for the United States from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Aug. 28, 2021. (Kaila V. Peters/U.S. Navy) Evacuees from Afghanistan board a Boeing 777 bound for the United States from Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Aug. 28, 2021. ( Kaila V. Peters/U.S. Navy) Evacuees from Afghanistan board a Boeing 777 before departing Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Two evacuee flights left the air station over the weekend. (Claire DuBois/U.S. Navy)

NAS Sigonella is temporarily housing about 3,000 evacuees as they wait for transfer to the U.S., said Navy Capt. Tamara Lawrence, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa spokeswoman.

More outbound flights are expected soon, Lawrence said. The base began accepting evacuees Aug. 22.

Two barracks buildings and other temporary lodging on base are designated for evacuees, who have access to halal dining and religious and recreation areas, according to the statement.

Medical care also is provided and an imam has made daily visits to aid the evacuees with religious and spiritual support, officials said.

Other U.S. military bases in Europe also are assisting with the evacuation of Afghan refugees and other people.

Naval Station Rota in Spain also has accepted more than 1,000 evacuees. Ramstein Air Base and the Armys nearby Rhine Ordinance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany have hosted more than 20,000 evacuees since Aug. 20, Air Force officials said Saturday.
Relatives and neighbors of the Ahmadi family gather around the incinerated husk of a vehicle targeted and hit earlier Sunday afternoon by an American drone strike, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (Marcus Yam, Los Angeles Times/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  After a day at work, Ezmari Ahmadi was just arriving at his home Sunday in Khwaja Burgha, a working-class neighborhood a few miles west of Kabul's airport, when calamity struck.

As he pulled into the driveway about 4:30 p.m., children  his own as well as those of his brothers and other relatives  swarmed around Ahmadi's Toyota Corolla. His 12-year-old son, Farzad, asked if he could park the car. Ahmadi obliged, put Farzad in the driver's seat and switched to the passenger side.

That's when what the family says was an American missile fired moments before from a drone buzzing nearby drilled through the car, slammed into the ground below and detonated.

In an instant, 10 people were killed, including no fewer than seven children, Ahmadi's brother Emal said Monday. Among the dead were Ahmadi, 40, who the family said worked for a Southern California-based charity; a 25-year-old nephew who was about to be married; and five kids who were 5 years old or younger.

In the driveway, what remained of the Corolla on Monday was a blackened, incinerated heap of metal, melted plastic and scraps of what appeared to be human flesh and a tooth. Near the passenger's side was a hole where a projectile had punched through. Two Los Angeles Times journalists who visited the site examined metal fragments consistent with some kind of missile.

U.S. forces, which are due to complete their pullout from Afghanistan on Tuesday, say they launched a drone strike Sunday that destroyed a car loaded with explosives and suicide bombers heading for Kabul's airport, where a terrorist attack killed more than 180 people Thursday, including 13 U.S. service personnel.

It remained unclear Monday whether the drone strike was linked to the blast that hit Ahmadi's car. In an initial statement after the strike, U.S. Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesman for the U.S. military's Central Command, said the strike had hit its intended target and that there were no indications of civilian casualties.

But in a subsequent statement, Urban said the Pentagon was aware of reports of civilian casualties and was investigating. "We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life," he said.

He said the U.S. strike "disrupted an imminent ISIS-K threat," a reference to the Afghan affiliate of the militant Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for Thursday's deadly bombing on the outskirts of the Kabul airport. In the wake of that attack, the Pentagon launched an airstrike in eastern Afghanistan on Saturday that it said killed both the "facilitator" and "planner" of the bombing.

Urban said there were powerful secondary explosions from Sunday's drone strike, which he said indicated a large amount of explosive materials inside the targeted vehicle. Those secondary explosions "may have caused additional casualties," he said.

Urban and the U.S. Central Command have not responded to a request Monday from The Times for further comment.

In Khwaja Burgha, members of Ahmadi's family said there had been only one explosion and that the resulting fireball had partially burned a crimson Toyota SUV that was also in the driveway.

"We heard a loud bang, and the whole house shook," said Abdul Khalil, the Ahmadis' neighbor. One of the rooms in his house is adjacent to the Ahmadis' driveway; the blast had dislodged large chunks of plaster from the wall.

The outside walls of the Ahmadis' home were spattered with bloodstains that had begun to brown.

If the deaths of Ezmari Ahmadi and his family members are determined to be the result of an errant U.S. drone strike, the horrific tragedy would lay bare the dangers of the Pentagon's long-term plans for so-called over-the-horizon attacks as a centerpiece of its counterterrorism mission. Even when U.S. troops were fully deployed in Afghanistan, with CIA operatives and American special forces working alongside Afghan security forces, intelligence was often shoddy and led to mounting civilian casualties that soured many Afghans on the U.S. presence and boosted the Taliban's popularity.

Family members insisted there was no way Ahmadi was involved with ISIS-K. If anything, they would have been considered targets by the extremist group, which counts all who worked with the U.S.-backed Afghan government and its foreign allies as spies, traitors and collaborators.

The family said Ahmadi had worked for the last 16 years with Nutrition & Education International, a nongovernmental organization based in Pasadena. Ahmadi's business card identifies him as a technical engineer, and it bears the logo of the organization, whose homepage carried this message Monday: "Due to the security issues in Afghanistan, our website is temporarily disabled."

An email and telephone call to the foundation from The Times has not yet received a response.

Ahmadi had applied for a special U.S. immigration designation that would allow him to leave Afghanistan and go to the U.S., his brother Emal said. Thousands of Afghans who worked with Western organizations have fled since the Taliban took over Afghanistan earlier this month, but thousands more are in danger of being left behind as the U.S. wraps up its airlift at Kabul airport Tuesday.

Ahmadi's nephew Nasser, who was also killed in Sunday's explosion, had worked with U.S. special forces in the western Afghan city of Herat, and had also served as a guard for the U.S. Consulate there before joining the Afghan National Army, family members said. The 25-year-old, who relatives said was to be married this week, had come to Kabul to see if he could push along his own application for a special immigrant visa.

Sitting on a pile of sandbags outside the family compound, Ezmari Ahmadi's other brother, Ramal, could barely speak through the grief of having lost three children in Sunday's explosion: Binyamin, 5; Arwin, 3; and Aya, just 1.

He had been in his room when the missile struck. "There was just this big explosion. I was totally in shock. I didn't understand what happened," he said, his eyes red from crying.

For two hours after the blast he remained dazed, but then began to understand that his three children had piled into the car with their uncle Ezmari and cousin Farzad and had been killed.

Mohammad Fawad, a relative, stood enraged in front of the incinerated Corolla.

"I want Joe Biden to know about this. Why do you attack these people and say it's Daesh?" he said, referring to Islamic State by its Arabic acronym, which is considered a pejorative by the group.

"All of these kids were martyred," Fawad said, furiously scrolling through pictures on his phone of those killed. "Look at them. Which one of these people is Daesh? These people worked with the government  with the U.S. And look at these kids. Do you think they're Daesh?"

On Monday afternoon, family and friends gathered at a hilltop overlooking Kabul, with the incessant sounds of jets overhead. At the center of the crowd was a row of coffins, five small and one full-sized, holding the bodies that were deemed too disfigured by the blast for viewing. The other four bodies had been sent home for viewing and for the family to mourn over before they, too, would be brought for burial.

As the last coffins arrived, the crowd turned angry. Some raised printed signs accusing the U.S. of committing a crime.

"America is the killer of Muslims in every place and every time," said Jamshid Mejrabi, a 35-year-old relative of the family. "I hope that all Islamic countries unite in their view that America is a criminal."

As he spoke, an F-18 Hornet jet fighter circled overhead.

"We're now much more afraid of drones than we are of the Taliban," said a colleague of Ahmadi's, who did not want his name published for security reasons. He had gotten lost on the way to the funeral but kept on hearing the jets.

"I was convinced that any minute  boom  and I would be dead."

Times staff writer Marcus Yam contributed to this report.

2021 Los Angeles Times.

Visit latimes.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
PPentagon spokesman John Kirby with U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Taylor, the Joint Staffs deputy director for regional operations, speaks Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, about the situation in Afghanistan during a briefing at the Pentagon. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

WASHINGTON  U.S. forces thwarted two Islamic State attacks against troops still evacuating Americans and Afghans from the Kabul airport in the final hours of its 20-year mission in Afghanistan, Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor said Monday.

Five rockets were launched at the airport at about 11 p.m. Sunday by ISIS-Khorasan, or ISIS-K, the Afghanistan branch of the terrorist group, said Taylor, the Joint Staffs deputy director for regional operations. Four of the rockets missed the target, with three landing outside the airport and the U.S. counter-rocket, artillery and mortar system, or C-RAM, intercepting one, he said.

However, Taylor said one rocket did land in the airport, though it did not interfere with evacuations or cause danger to personnel.

The rockets were the second publicly reported ISIS-K attack on the airport that U.S. forces thwarted on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike on a vehicle in Kabul carrying ISIS-K fighters and explosives, Taylor said.

This self-defense strike successfully hit the target near Kabul airport, Taylor said. Significant secondary explosions from the targeted vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material.

An Afghan official said three children were also killed in the strike, The Associated Press reported Monday. The U.S. has not confirmed any civilian casualties connected to the strike, but chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the military is assessing and investigating the reports.

Make no mistake, no military on the face of the Earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the United States military, and nobody wants to see innocent lives taken, Kirby said Monday. If we have some verifiable information that we did in fact take innocent life here then we will be transparent about that.

The U.S. was unable to stop the ISIS-K attack Thursday that killed 13 U.S. troops and wounded 20 others at the Kabul airport. Eleven Marines, a sailor, a soldier and a large number of Afghan civilians were killed when a terrorist wearing an explosive vest detonated it near the airports Abbey Gate and ISIS-K gunmen fired on the crowds, the Pentagon has said. The gate is one of three entrances to the airport where large crowds of people had been gathered to vie for evacuation flights.

In response, the U.S. on Friday killed two ISIS-K terrorists and injured a third in a drone strike, defense officials reported Saturday.

The U.S. troops killed and injured in the suicide bomber attack were conducting security checks on Afghan evacuees attempting to enter the airport. U.S. and coalition forces have been evacuating tens of thousands of Americans and Afghans since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15.

Evacuations continued over the weekend, but at a slower rate as the military began its withdrawal, moving its equipment off the airport before Tuesday, the deadline for the U.S. pullout from the country. The U.S. evacuated about 1,200 people on 26 C-17 transport aircraft since 3 a.m. Sunday, Taylor said. Additionally, two coalition aircraft carried 50 evacuees out of Kabul.

The previous week, U.S. and coalition aircraft were flying more than 10,000 people out of Kabul each day. In total, U.S. and coalition forces have evacuated more than 122,000 people from Afghanistan since late July, about 116,700 of whom were evacuated since Aug. 14, Taylor said. Most evacuees are Afghans, though about 5,400 were Americans, he said.

Kirby said the evacuation operation is already considered the largest airlift that the U.S. military has conducted in history.

The numbers speak for themselves  122,000 plus  that is significant, and a lot of lives were saved and a lot of lives are now in a better place, he said.

With one day left in Kabul, the threat to U.S. troops continues to climb as more troops and military equipment leave the country, Kirby said.

We are in a particularly dangerous time now, he said. Not that it hasnt always been dangerous, but it is particularly dangerous now.
Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, the last American service member to leave Afghanistan, boards a C-17 at Hamid Karzai International Airport shortly before midnight Tuesday. That final flight out of Kabul marks the end of nearly 20 years in Afghanistan. (Department of Defense)

WASHINGTON  American forces have flown their final flight out of Kabul, marking the end of nearly 20 years in Afghanistan, the top U.S. commander in the region said Monday.

The last American troops left the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul shortly before midnight Tuesday local time, meeting their Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline that President Joe Biden set and Taliban leaders threatened to enforce, said Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command.

"I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third-country nationals and vulnerable Afghans. The final U.S. C-17 transport aircraft left Kabul at 11:59 p.m. local time, McKenzie said, noting the flight was now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan as he spoke to reporters at the Pentagon.

This withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, he said.

Shortly after McKenzies announcement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter that celebratory gunfire erupted in the streets after Afghanistan gained full independence when the last American soldier left Kabul airport.

The sounds of gunfire in Kabul are shots of joy at the withdrawal of U.S. troops, and citizens are not worried, he said.

That last soldier was Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps, according to a tweet from the Pentagon. A night-vision photo accompanying the message shows Donahue boarding a C-17 cargo plane.

Though all U.S. troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said fewer than 200 and likely closer to 100 Americans who wanted to leave the country were left behind.

We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out, but I think if we'd stayed another 10 days, we [still] wouldn't have gotten everybody out that we wanted to get out and there still would have been people who would have been disappointed with that, McKenzie said. It's a tough situation.

There were no American evacuees on the final flights leaving Kabul during the last 12 hours of operations because none of them could get to the airport, the general said.

"[We] would have been prepared to bring them on until the very last minute, but none of them made it to the airport and were unable to be accommodated, he said.

The State Department will continue trying to extract those Americans and negotiate very hard and aggressively to help Afghans to come to the United States, McKenzie said.

U.S. withdrawal efforts began May 1 when about 2,500 troops were deployed in the country, the Pentagon said at the time. That number was increased to about 5,800 in the drawdowns final two weeks as the U.S. ramped up its evacuation efforts to remove Americans, Afghans seeking special immigrant visas and others from the country once the Taliban took control Aug. 15.

On average, we have evacuated more than 7,500 civilians per day over the 18 days of the [evacuation] mission, which includes 16 full days of evacuations [and] more than 19,000 on a single day, McKenzie said.

U.S. and coalition forces ultimately evacuated more than 123,000 people from Afghanistan since late July, about 116,700 of whom were evacuated since Aug. 14, said Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor, the Joint Staffs deputy director for regional operations. Most evacuees were Afghans, though about 5,400 were Americans, he said earlier Monday.

The final days of the withdrawal were marked by the deaths of 11 Marines, a sailor and a soldier and dozens of Afghans when an Islamic State terrorist wearing an explosive vest detonated it near the airports Abbey Gate and ISIS gunmen fired on the crowds, the Pentagon has said. The gate was one of three entrances to the airport where large crowds of people had been gathering to vie for evacuation flights.

In response, the U.S. on Friday killed two ISIS-Khorasan, or ISIS-K, terrorists and injured a third in a drone strike, defense officials reported Saturday. ISIS-K is the Afghanistan branch of the terrorist group.

Though the Taliban celebrated the U.S. withdrawal from the country as a win, according to Mujahids tweet, McKenzie said Americas nearly 20 years in Afghanistan held meaning.

It's a mission that brought [9/11 planner] Osama Bin Ladin to a just end, along with many of his al-Qaida co-conspirators. It was not a cheap mission, McKenzie said. The cost was 2,461 U.S. service members and civilians killed and more than 20,000 who were injured.

McKenzie also said veterans of the war made a difference.

"To the 800,000 service members and 25,000 civilians who have served in Afghanistan and particularly to the families of those whose loved ones have been lost or wounded  your service, as well as that of your comrades and family members, will never be forgotten, he said.
Army Maj. Gen. William "Hank" Taylor speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon, Aug. 28, 2021. (Susan Walsh/AP)

WASHINGTON  America's 20-year war in Afghanistan entered its final hours Monday with the last Americans seeking to be evacuated and the U.S. military preparing to end its airlift and depart the Taliban-controlled capital.

"Obviously we are reaching the end of our prescribed mission," Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor of the Pentagon's Joint Staff told reporters, adding that details of the final evacuation movements were being kept secret for security reasons.

Speaking at the same news conference, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it was not too late for any remaining Americans to get to the Kabul airport for evacuation flights.

"There is still time," Kirby said.

Later, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said a small number of Americans were believed to still want to get out of the country. She did not offer an exact number but said about 6,000 had been evacuated by various means so far. She said some of the remaining Americans had not fully decided whether to leave.

The Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate claimed responsibility for targeting the Kabul airport with rockets. The U.S. military reported no American casualties.

The focus of the U.S. evacuation was increasing on getting the last Americans out. Senior administration officials said Sunday that the United States has the capacity to evacuate the approximately 300 U.S. citizens remaining in Afghanistan who want to leave before President Joe Biden's Tuesday deadline.

"This is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission these last couple of days," said America's top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The steady stream of U.S. military jets taking off and landing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital continued Monday even after rocket fire targeted the airport and rockets hit a nearby neighborhood. U.S. Central Command spokesman Bill Urban said five rockets targeted the airport and a U.S. defensive system on the airfield known as a Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar System, or C-RAM, was employed against them. He said there were no U.S. casualties and the airfield continued to operate. Further details were not immediately available. The White House said Biden had been briefed on the rocket attack.

Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Sunday that for those U.S. citizens seeking immediately to leave Afghanistan by the looming deadline, "we have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining."

The White House said Monday morning that about 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul over the prior 24 hours aboard 26 U.S. military flights and two allied flights.

Sullivan said the U.S. does not currently plan to have an ongoing embassy presence after the final U.S. troop withdrawal. But he pledged the U.S. "will make sure there is safe passage for any American citizen, any legal permanent resident," after Tuesday, as well as for "those Afghans who helped us." But untold numbers of vulnerable Afghans, fearful of a return to the brutality of pre-2001 Taliban rule, are likely to be left behind.

Blinken said the U.S. was working with other countries in the region to either keep the Kabul airport open after Tuesday or to reopen it "in a timely fashion."

He also said that while the airport is critical, "there are other ways to leave Afghanistan, including by road, and many countries border Afghanistan." The U.S., he said, is "making sure that we have in place all of the necessary tools and means to facilitate the travel for those who seek to leave Afghanistan" after Tuesday.

There also are roughly 280 others who have said they are Americans but who have told the State Department they plan to remain in the country or are undecided. According to the latest totals, about 114,000 people have been evacuated since Aug. 14, including approximately 2,900 on military and coalition flights during the 24 hours ending at 3 a.m. Sunday.

Members of Congress criticized the chaotic and violent evacuation.

"We didn't have to be in this rush-rush circumstance with terrorists breathing down our neck," said Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah. "But it's really the responsibility of the prior administration and this administration that has caused this crisis to be upon us and has led to what is without question a humanitarian and foreign policy tragedy."

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the U.S. policy in Afghanistan, with 2,500 troops on the ground, had been working. "We were, in effect, keeping the lid on, keeping terrorists from reconstituting, and having a light footprint in the country," he said.

U.S. officials said Sunday's American drone strike hit a vehicle carrying multiple Islamic State suicide bombers, causing secondary explosions indicating the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material. A senior U.S. official said the military drone fired a Hellfire missile at a vehicle in a compound between two buildings after people were seen loading explosives into the trunk.

The official said there was an initial explosion caused by the missile, followed by a much larger fireball, believed to be the result of the substantial amount of explosives inside the vehicle. The U.S. believes that two Islamic State group individuals who were targeted were killed.

In a statement, U.S. Central Command said it is looking into the reports of civilian casualties that may have been caused by the secondary explosions. An Afghan official said three children were killed in the strike. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.

It was the second airstrike in recent days the U.S. has conducted against the militant group, which claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing Thursday at the Kabul airport gate that killed 13 U.S. service members and scores of Afghans struggling to get out of the country and escape the new Taliban rule. The Pentagon said a U.S. drone mission in eastern Afghanistan killed two members of IS' Afghanistan affiliate early Saturday local time in retaliation for the airport bombing.

In Delaware, Biden met privately with the families of the American troops killed in the suicide attack and solemnly watched as the remains of the fallen returned to U.S. soil from Afghanistan. First lady Jill Biden and many of the top U.S. defense and military leaders joined him on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base to grieve with loved ones as the "dignified transfer" of remains unfolded, a military ritual for those killed in foreign combat.

The 13 service members were the first U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan since February 2020, the month the Trump administration struck an agreement with the Taliban in which the militant group halted attacks on Americans in exchange for a U.S. agreement to remove all troops and contractors by May 2021. Biden announced in April that the 2,500 to 3,000 troops who remained would be out by September, ending what he has called America's forever war.

The White House has rescheduled Biden's meeting with Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, from Monday to Wednesday as the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan enters its tense final hours.

Sullivan appeared on CBS' "Face the Nation," CNN's "State of the Union" and "Fox News Sunday." Blinken was interviewed on ABC's "This Week" and NBC's "Meet the Press." McConnell was on Fox and Romney was on CNN.

Associated Press writers Matthew Lee and Hope Yen in Washington, Aamer Madhani at Dover Air Force Base, Del., and Kathy Gannon in Kabul, Afghanistan, contributed to this report.
Noman Mujtaba, 10, and his adoptive father, Bahaudin Mujtaba, pose for a selfie Aug. 28, 2021, after being reunited in Virginia following Nomans harrowing evacuation from Kabul, Afghanistan. The family was nearing the end of the adoption process when Kabul fell to the Taliban in mid-August. (Bahaudin Mujtaba)

A 10-year-old Afghan boy who endured a harrowing evacuation to Qatar and Germany is finally home with the Florida couple who were in the midst of adopting him when the country fell to the Taliban earlier this month.

Bahaudin Mujtaba and his wife, Lisa, spent five years fighting through bureaucratic roadblocks and were awaiting a final visa for the boy, named Noman, when the Kabul government collapsed and thousands of people began scrambling for any flight out. Then came literal Taliban roadblocks the boy had to clear.

Fortunately for the Mujtabas, an Indiana man was in the city awaiting a visa to bring home a 2-year-old boy his family was adopting. He agreed to bring Noman with him, even though theyd never met.

Had he not been there, we would not have been able to get these boys out, said Mary Beth King, director of the Frank Adoption Center in Wake Forest, N.C., which assisted both families.

She said she was incredibly indebted to the man, whom she identified only as Mohammad to protect the familys privacy.

Bahaudin Mujtaba said in a video call late last week that a series of lows, highs and stressful silences followed the chaos that broke out at the airport after Taliban entered the Afghan capital.

U.S. adoptions from Afghanistan are rare and complicated, said Mujtaba, who is Noman's distant relative. The former government allowed adoption only to Muslims, and the Taliban are unlikely to allow Americans to adopt at all, he said.

Noman Mujtaba flashes the peace sign from a hangar, Aug. 21, 2021, at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, in a photo sent to his adoptive father Bahaudin Mujtaba after Noman was evacuated safely from Kabul, Afghanistan, days earlier. (Bahaudin Mujtaba)

From 1999 through 2019, 41 Afghan children were adopted by U.S. families, State Department data show. That is far fewer than the 667 from Pakistan but nearly three times the combined total from Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, which border Afghanistan to the north.

So many people give up in the middle of this, Mujtaba said. Giving up was not an option.

Kings organization worked with both families for over a year to get final visas for the two boys, she said.

All was going as it should have when all this happened," King said, adding that she absolutely panicked after the Taliban regained power.

Mujtaba had come to the U.S. with his family as a teenage refugee in 1984 after they first fled to Pakistan during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.

He looked to get Noman to Dubai, Pakistan or India, he said, but he also sought help from Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubios office and others to have him flown to the United States.

Mohammads family and Noman tried to get to the airport for the U.S. military evacuation Aug. 17, through jammed streets and past Taliban checkpoints, but they were forced to turn back when militants began firing in the air to disperse crowds at the airfields gate, The Associated Press reported.

They tried again the next day and made it in, Mujtaba said.

I had tears in my eyes, he said. But then came the stress of just waiting and waiting.

Mohammads phone and wallet were stolen, and he managed to get word out only in brief messages, days and days and days apart, King said.

We have not heard from them at all since they were boarding Kabul on a flight out ... they did not know where they were going, but believed it was Qatar, Mujtaba wrote Aug. 20 in a desperate email to Stars and Stripes, citing an article mentioning an anonymous Afghan evacuee. Are you in contact with them?

A niece traveling with Mohammad had a phone, but the battery was low, and for a while word of her call to a relative was the only hint that the group was in a crowded hangar in Qatar.

Several Americans working in the hangar at Al Udeid Air Base tried to help Stars and Stripes locate Noman and Mohammad but couldn't track them down among thousands of evacuees.

Soon, phones were charged and Mujtaba got a photo of Noman along with word that the travelers were hoping to leave for the U.S. soon.

Then came news they were at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, another step closer. Mujtaba decided to fly to Virginia to await Noman there, with little idea when he'd arrive or whether the boy would be released to him right away.

Officials at Ramstein declined to let Stars and Stripes contact Noman but provided assurances for his father that medical care and other services were being provided to the boy, who has diabetes.

Mujtaba spent days at Washington Dulles International Airport, watching incoming flights, just hoping they would be on one, King said.

Then, very late on Thursday, the boy arrived.

I think we just got lucky, she said, adding that the fiancee of Mujtabas nephew had an approved visa, but her passport was in the U.S. Embassy in Kabul when it was evacuated on Aug. 15 and she's been unable to get past Taliban checkpoints to the airport.

Noman was quickly released to Mujtaba, and on Saturday the pair flew to Fort Lauderdale, where the boy would meet his adoptive mother in person for the first time.

On that last leg of the journey, Noman had one remaining fear, Mujtaba told South Floridas Local10 on Sunday: Would his new mother like him? Meanwhile, she was anxious that he wouldnt like her.

It worked out well, Mujtaba said. The hug was very, very good.  Both of them seemed to connect almost immediately.
A F-16 flight carrying pilot Capt. Patrick Mayfield of Holloman Air Force Base and his brother, NHL player Scott Mayfield, returns to a hangar on Holloman Air Force Base on Aug. 4, 2021. (Nicole Maxwell, Alamogordo Daily News/TNS)

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (Tribune News Service)  On Aug. 27, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that Holloman Air Force Base would be host to Afghan refugees after the Taliban took control of the country in August.

Since that announcement was made, Love, INC of Otero County was named a drop-off point for donations of needed items for Afghan refugees who will be housed on Holloman Air Force Base.

"Regardless of personal opinion we all must show compassion during this difficult time and also respect that our military men and women have been tasked with assisting these refugees," a Love, INC of Otero County Facebook post states. "How scary it must be for children to be taken from their country and put in a place where they don't even speak the language or fully understand what's going on. Having said that, Love INC has been asked and has agreed to be a drop off point for donations."

Donations requested include all sizes of clothing including modest women's clothing, loose fit preferred for all; all sizes of footwear, sandals are the preference, new items preferred.

Other items requested include new hairbrushes, new nail clippers, new personal hygiene items including shampoo, body wash, dental care and feminine hygiene (no tampons).

Requested items also include new tote bags, new gym bags and new infant hygiene products including baby powder, diapers, diaper rash ointments and blankets.

Donations can be taken to Love, INC of Otero County, 2826 Indian Wells Road near the Scenic Road intersection, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Love, INC is short for Love, In the Name of Christ.

If items can only be dropped off after hours, Love, INC staff can assist, the Facebook post states.

For more information call Love, INC at (575) 439-4812.

The Afghan refugees are those seeking Afghan special immigrant visa applicants which are for those who were employed by or for the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs.

The other military installations to house refugees are Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort McCoy, Wisconsin; Fort Bliss, Texas; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey; Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia; and Fort Pickett, Virginia.

These installations will host a share of 50,000 Afghan refugees, per the Department of Defense.

2021 www.alamogordonews.com.

Visit alamogordonews.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Broken power lines, destroyed by Hurricane Ida, are seen along a highway near a petroleum refinery on August 30, 2021 outside LaPlace, La. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

Fully restoring power to virtually all of New Orleans and much of its surrounding suburbs could take days, or even weeks, after Hurricane Ida knocked all eight electric transmission lines feeding the city out of service, the utility company Entergy said. It warned that it could take several days just to assess the damage.

A transmission-line tower on the border of Avondale and Bridge City, across the Mississippi River from Harahan, La., and just upstream from New Orleans, collapsed Sunday in the ferocious winds.

As powerful as the storm was, the damage it wreaked on Louisianas power grid was yet one more example of the weaknesses of the countrys electricity systems. Coming on the heels of extensive blackouts in Texas last winter and in California last summer, Sundays failures demonstrated a lack of resilience and backup capacity in the nations grid.

The Sewer and Water Board of New Orleans said it had lost power and was relying on its own generators to try to keep pumps working to drain storm water out of the city and bring drinking water in.

But it said many or all of its 84 sewage pumping stations were also without power. The agency said late Sunday it was trying to determine whether backup power could be available.

All told, more than a million customers were without power in Louisiana Monday morning, including 176,000 in Orleans Parish. At least 888,000 of them are Entergy customers, the companys chief executive, Deanna Rodriguez, said.

In Mississippi, more than 104,000 customers are without power, a figure that could grow as the storm churns across the state northward. Nearly 40,000 of those customers get service from Entergy. Another 18,000 customers of Coast EPA in Hancock, Harrison and Pearl River counties also do not have service.

Entergy said that 216 substations, 207 transmission lines, and more than 2,000 miles of its transmission lines were out of order in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Were doing all we can to minimize the amount of time its going to take to get power back up for everyone in the region, President Biden said Monday afternoon.

He said that the Federal Emergency Management Agency had deployed more than 200 generators to Louisiana, and was expecting to send more. The Federal Aviation Administration will issue quick permits for surveillance drones to assess damage to electrical equipment, Biden said, and the Federal Communications Commission is making it possible for cell phone owners to use any carriers signal, as a number of cell towers were knocked out.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said the state was trying to ensure that power is first restored to hospitals, since generators they are relying on can be expected eventually to fail.

New Orleans had awakened Monday to a landscape without working grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and ice machines.

Electrical crews likely wont know where to begin their work putting much of the city back on line until midweek, said Rodney Wallis, an organizer with the New Orleans-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 130.

The downtown skyline is largely shrouded in darkness during the dawn as the electricity throughout Orleans Parish has failed after Hurricane Ida pummeled the area. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

Linemen out of Baton Rouge are largely responsible for restoring downed power lines and repairing transmission towers. New Orleans crews are charged with fixing damaged buildings and restoring power to critical infrastructure, such as the citys hospitals and sewer and water systems  both of which operated on limited generator power on Monday.

But the Local 130 will likely have to organize that work elsewhere; its office does not have electricity and Wallis said officials were already seeking to relocate operations and begin assembling repair teams. Workers themselves are, he said, are just starting to venture out and assess their own homes and energy needs.

I was telling my wife earlier, well probably have to drive to Mississippi to get gas, Wallis said as he surveyed damage in his sister-in-laws neighborhood. The storms are getting stronger, theyre definitely getting stronger, and it seems like theyre coming more often.

In the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans, a few blocks north of the Mississippi River, people are about evenly divided between trying to get out and hunkering down for a long haul without power.

Erica Chomsky-Adelson, director of Culture Aid NOLA, a nonprofit that was formed at the beginning of the pandemic to feed people who lost work because of the lockdown, is staying. She and dozens of volunteers were out early Monday collecting food from restaurant and hotel kitchens powerless refrigerators, aiming to cook it quickly and get it out to people stuck in their homes and in shelters.

By afternoon, she expected to have hundreds of sandwiches made and delivered to a school where another nonprofit, El Pueblo NOLA, had gathered more than 60 families of undocumented immigrants who had no safe place to stay on their own.

Theres a real split, stay or leave, Chomsky-Adelson said. A lot of people are concerned about, If I leave, how do I know if I can ever get back?

The authorities did not attempt to empty the city of its residents, as they tried with Katrina in 2005. Still, many in New Orleans remain harshly scarred by the Katrina disaster, and they spent much of the weekend preparing go-bags, sorting through belongings to find the must-take family photos and documents.

In the end, the storm jogged a bit and sat on top of us as a Cat 3, with all the winds and all the rain, Chomsky-Adelson said, and by the time the power went, most of those who stayed saw no way out. She hunkered down with lots of batteries and a backpack solar panel, but no generator, no air-conditioning.

Food, she said, is unlikely to be a problem for the first week or so, as every restaurant and hotel is clearing out their fridges. We are going to cook, she promised, as teams of volunteers moved through the city collecting foodstuffs before they went bad.

Without power, many people had no reliable source of information  no internet, no TV, some had battery-powered radios.

The citys 911 system went down a couple of times and New Orleans officials recommended that people in need of police assistance flag down a passing squad car.

The world has changed in the last 16 years, Chomsky-Adelson said. No ones got a landline anymore. Thats not great for people who are quickly going to become afraid and lonely.

Valerie Vides, of the Carrollton-Riverbend neighborhood in New Orleans, said in an email that she was most worried about the nearby sewer and water pumping station.

We heard the generators stop and the backup ones kick on, which is the sweetest sound in the world when its raining in New Orleans, she said. Losing power to the sewage pumps with no backup is the biggest concern since what goes down the drain is at risk of not staying there.

In neighboring Jefferson Parish, We have no electricity, no communication  our water systems are down, were losing pressure, said Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. She said that sewers are backing up and urged residents who had left the parish not to come back for now.

Its going to be a difficult life for quite some time, she said.

The failure of the transmission lines feeding Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, as well as parts of St. Charles and Terrebonne parishes, comes as the nation is grappling with a stressed and over burdened electrical grid. In Texas, the grid was pushed over the edge by frigid weather; in California by sweltering temperatures. Now, on Sunday, high winds have done the damage.

The Biden administrations infrastructure bill, as passed by the Senate and awaiting a House vote, includes about $10 billion to $12 billion for transmission lines, out of about $73 billion for a clean energy grid.

But the focus has been on improving the delivery of power over long distances; a local catastrophe like the one in New Orleans is a different issue. Some advocates say that particularly in urban areas electric power lines should be buried underground as a means of protection.

As market forces have driven utilities and power providers to seek economies, resilience and redundancy have suffered. That has meant lower costs for consumers but greater risk of serious disruption when things go wrong. Last May the Colonial Pipeline system, stretching from the Gulf Coast to New Jersey, shut down for six days because of a cyberattack; with no backup, it meant that cities in the interior South such as Atlanta and Charlotte were hit with widespread gasoline shortages and panic buying.

In 2008, when Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana, 13 of 14 transmission lines feeding New Orleans were knocked out of service. Since then, the number of lines has been reduced almost in half, and none were able to stay in operation.

Even after the transmission lines are repaired, Entergy must still restore the local wires that feed homes and businesses, also knocked down by the hurricane.
Protesters gather outside the Capitol to protest Gov. Jay Inslee's vaccine mandate for state workers on Aug. 28, 2021 in Olympia, Wash. (Drew Perine/AP)

PORTLAND, Ore.  Some of the biggest school systems in the U.S. are taking a hard line with teachers and staff members who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19: Get a jab or lose your job.

Most teachers already are vaccinated, and national teachers unions have endorsed vaccine mandates, but the policies have sparked protests from educators and, in some cases, pushback from local district leaders who fear large numbers of departures.

In Oregon, where school staffers statewide are required to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, the board for the 7,500-student district of Redmond last week passed a resolution protesting the mandate and mandatory mask-wearing in schools after significant opposition.

This could do serious damage to the other mandate that we have, which is to provide excellent education to the children and the families of our district, board member Michael Summers said. Were attempting to speak for people.

Teachers in many school districts with vaccine requirements can opt out as long as they submit to regular testing for the coronavirus, but New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis are among a growing list of places that are limiting exemptions to bona fide medical and religious reasons. Washington and Oregon have adopted similarly strict vaccination policies statewide.

As a new school year begins, governments are taking a harder line on vaccinations to ward off the highly contagious delta variant, which has sent children to hospital intensive care beds in record numbers. Many students are too young to get the vaccine, which is available only to those 12 and over.

This is to ensure that the children we all cherish are safe, that their families are reassured, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, said last week.

Underscoring the risks of classroom infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presented a case study in its weekly report Friday detailing how an unvaccinated teacher in Marin County, California, spread the virus to 22 of the instructors 24 students at school. The CDC said the teacher sometimes read aloud to the students while unmasked.

Some school staff members who have held off on getting vaccinated say they would leave their jobs before taking the shots.

Marlene Washington, an elementary school teacher in New York City, said as she protested de Blasios order outside City Hall last week that she is considering retirement after two decades in the classroom. She said she questions the long-term safety of the vaccines.

Im still undecided about what to do, said Washington, 62. But I do know that Im not taking the vaccine.

Kiara Coleman, a food service worker for Philadelphia schools, said she isnt budging despite uncertainty over the consequences of refusing a vaccine.

Ill just have to cross that bridge when I find out more details of the mandate. I would hate to throw away all that time I have with the schools, said Coleman, who also has concerns about potential effects of vaccines.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last week gave full approval to Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine, citing months of real-world evidence that serious side effects are extremely rare.

Philadelphia parent Rebecca Smith, who has daughters in the third and sixth grades, said she should not have to worry about school employees making them sick.

School employees are tasked with caring for some of the most vulnerable members of our society  our children under 12, who right now are the ONLY group who can not get a vaccine to protect themselves, she said in written testimony to the school board.

While teachers unions including the United Federation of Teachers, which represents New York City teachers, have supported the no-opt out rules for vaccines, they also advocate on behalf of dissenting members in negotiations with the city. Some of those talks focus on severance packages for those who leave their jobs and leaves of absences that could allow some teachers to return once the public health crisis passes.

We will represent them and we will protect their interests. But there is a deep disagreement here, said Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, the parent organization of the New York City teachers union.

At the end of the day, employers have the right to impose these kinds of vaccination policies and they will do that, she said.

At least 72% of the 75,000 public school teachers in New York City have gotten at least one shot of a vaccine.

Protestors gathered in Olympia, Washington, when Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat, announced teachers would have until Oct. 18 to be fully vaccinated or face firing. A protest on Saturday attracted hundreds of state employees, from ferry workers to teachers, who rallied against the vaccine mandate.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, moved toward mandatory vaccinations as COVID-19 hospitalizations have surged nearly 1,000% since early July.

About 700 teachers have contacted the Freedom Foundation, a right-wing legal organization that has represented businesses cited for violating COVID-19 restrictions in Oregon and elsewhere.

Weve been telling everybody to make the school fire you, said Jason Dudash, the groups Oregon director. Dont quit. If theyre going to do this, make them do it.

A 675-student district in central Oregon delayed the start of school three weeks until Sept. 20 to deal with the fallout from the vaccine mandate, Culver School District Superintendent Stefanie Garber said in a letter to families.

She said her district will comply but feels state officials are threatening unreasonable penalties, including the possible loss of a districts liability insurance and the revocation of teachers licenses.

In another small, rural town, a district-sponsored vaccine clinic set up after Browns vaccine mandate attracted fewer than 10 teachers and there is concern about staffing if some decide to leave rather than get the shots, said Lebanon Community School District Superintendent Bo Yates.

Yates estimated that between 50% and 60% of the teachers and staff in his 4,000-student district are vaccinated. Several dozen teachers and their supporters protested the mandate when it was announced earlier this month.

In a certain sense, I empathize with them because some of the people that are protesting have been our superstars during this COVID period. Theyve been the food service workers that have been feeding our community on a nonstop basis or our bus drivers, Yates said. But weve got to follow the mandates that were given or well be swimming in this sea forever.

In Redmond, Oregon, the school board resolution protesting the vaccine mandate passed on a 3-2 vote. The district will comply with the vaccine mandate as it fights to regain local control of decisions around mask-wearing and vaccines in schools, board members said.

One board member who voted against the resolution, Liz Goodrich, noted COVID-19 is surging in central Oregon and only 57% of eligible residents in Redmond are fully vaccinated.

To me, local conditions are not good and we have heard over and over, she said, that the spike of this delta variant is not done.

___

Calvan reported from New York. Associated Press reporters Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia and Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington, contributed to this report.
The move to alert level 3 at midnight tomorrow has been confirmed by the Prime Minister.

Jacinda Ardern has announced the confirmation at a post Cabinet media update this afternoon.

Ardern says the lower number of covid cases today, with 53 announced, is encouraging but it's too premature to say this is a trend.

She says level 4 is making a difference but the job is not yet done.

Level 3 doesn't mean freedom, it means caution. It means staying in your bubble, it means contactless.

She reiterated that there is no interregional travel in level 3 aside from for essential work.

Ardern says Cabinet is comfortable moving the country south of Auckland to Level 3 because wastewater in Christchurch has not tested positive since last week so it is most likely linked to a case in managed isolation,

Also there have been no other positive cases in Wellington aside from one that is linked to a household case.

Level 3 will remain in place for one week and will be reviewed by Cabinet again on September 6, says Ardern.

Northland will likely join the rest of the country at alert level three from 11:59pm on Thursday, says Ardern.

Cabinet has also confirmed Auckland will remain at alert level four until 14 September and it will consider next steps for the region on 13 September.

Speaking about today's case numbers, Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield says while it is 30 fewer cases than yesterday, it is just one data point.

However, he says 52 per cent of the 83 cases reported yesterday were household transmission, and 72 per cent did not create any new exposure events.

"So of those cases reported yesterday ... only 28 per cent are considered to have been infectious in the community, which may simply have been a visit to a supermarket ... or may be an essential worker."

He says 101 of the total cases are essential workers, just four of them who have been infectious in the workplace and seven who were infected at work.

All of the new cases announced today were detected in Auckland.

Earlier: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will update the media today at a post-cabinet press conference at 4pm.

The PM is expected to talk about how long New Zealand will be at alert level 3. The country is expected to shift from 4 to 3 at 11.59pm on Tuesday.

Auckland and Northland are expected to remain at level 4. How long this will be is expected to be announced this afternoon.

The numbers as at 1pm today:

There are 53 new cases of Covid-19 in the New Zealand community today.

All 53 cases are in Auckland, says a statement from the Ministry of Health.

This brings the total number of active cases in the community outbreak to 562.

The total number of community cases in Auckland is now 547 and in Wellington it is 15.

"There are 522 cases that have been clearly epidemiologically-linked to another case or sub-cluster, and a further 42 for which links are yet to be fully established.

"There are currently seven epidemiologically-linked subclusters identified within this outbreak. The two largest clusters are the Birkdale Social Network cluster (79 confirmed cases), and the Mangere church cluster (280 confirmed cases)."

Of the current community cases, 37 cases are in hospital  32 are in a stable condition on a ward and five cases are in a stable condition in ICU.

Two cases are in North Shore Hospital, 20 are in Middlemore Hospital, 14 are in Auckland City Hospital, and one is in Wellington Regional Hospital.

"There are appropriate isolation and infection prevention and control plans in place at all hospitals where these patients are being managed," says an MOH spokesperson.

"In addition to two recovered community cases in Auckland, one other case in a MIQ facility has now also recovered.

"Therefore, the total number of active cases being managed in New Zealand is currently 603."
Police are reminding people a lack of preferred chips at the local supermarket is not a reason to travel outside your neighbourhood, as dozens flouted lockdown rules over the weekend.

Police set up several checkpoints around Dunedin over the weekend and, at many, found traffic volumes were similar to usual numbers expected pre-pandemic.

Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen says while the majority of those breaching lockdown rules were receptive to police's education-first approach, infringement notices were issued to some who refused to get on board.

Boredom, visits to family and friends, or just the desire to get out for a drive were among the most common excuses given to officers, he says.

Others told officers they were driving from one side of town to the other to find their preference for snacks.

A group of teenagers were found driving around St Clair at 3am yesterday.

While the driver was licensed the group had burst their bubbles to take the road trip, Dinnissen says.

The teens were returned home to their parents at various households around Fairfield and punishment was left in their hands.

On Saturday night, a 48-year-old woman outed herself for breaching the lockdown when she called police to report she was the victim of a crime.

"Police attended and [the] female advised she needed a ride home to Dunedin and the offence she reported was historic and simply claimed this so she could get a lift from Port Chalmers in to town," Dinnissen says.

"[She] admitted to breaking the level 4 lockdown rules to drink and smoke weed with her friend."

As a result the woman was issued with a fine.

-RNZ.
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You are here Strategic Initiatives > SATLE 2019

Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement Funding in Higher Education 2019 Initiative



Developing Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment

The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (National Forum) published a Call for Proposals on the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement Funding in Higher Education 2019  Developing Disciplinary Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment in June 2019. The Call invited Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to apply for funding to address the four key strategic priorities of the National Forum:

The Professional Development of All Those Who Teach

Teaching and Learning in a Digital World

Teaching and Learning Enhancement Within and Across Disciplines

Student Success

HEIs were invited to submit proposals under four initiative types as follows:

T&L Initiative Type 002/19

Focus on Teaching and Learning Enhancement within Disciplines.

T&L Initiative Type 003/19

Focus on Teaching and Learning Enhancements across Disciplines.

T&L Initiative Type 004/19

Focus on Teaching and Learning Enhancement in Collaboration with Professional Bodies and/or Industry Partners.

For further information please see National Forum Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement Funding in Higher Education 2019

Trinity is delighted that its application for funding, consisting of two Learning Enhancement Projects (LEPs) under Initiative Type 001, one proposal for Initiative Type 002, three proposals for Initiative Type 003, and one proposal for Initiative Type 004, was successful.



Trinity is pleased to present a brief description of each proposal below.

Initiative Type 001/19

Focus on Supporting and Highlighting the Value of Teaching and Learning Enhancement within Higher Education Institutions

Enhancing Teaching and Learning at Trinity College Dublin: Students as Partners Presented by Dr Kevin Mitchell

Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Development of a Consensus Framework for Professional Identity Formation in Healthcare Programmes: Encouraging Partnership, Reflection and Resilience

Prof. Aileen Patterson, School of Medicine.

Project Description

This project aims to support student transitions in healthcare programmes by establishing a faculty and student engagement initiative to create a consensus framework for the professional formation of healthcare students. The initiative will also inform curricular developments in relevant degree programmes.

Transformation from a layperson into a healthcare professional is a complex process of learning how to practice and becoming a professional. Patterning behaviour on respected role models is no longer considered sufficient to support this reconstruction of oneself. Healthcare students can experience challenges such as problems of transfer, uncertainty, preparedness, role identification and stress.

As current research recommends considering transitions from social and developmental perspectives with a focus on building relationships, fostering transferable learning strategies and reflection to support personal and professional development, this project will involve a series of Think Tanks. The Think Tanks will involve educational and clinical leads, and students as partners in developing a consensus framework on professional identity formation. The initiative will be supported by international and national experts, through a series of masterclasses for faculty to facilitate production of the framework.

Embedding Group Work and Innovative Assessment in the Private Law Curriculum

Prof. Sarah Hamill, School of Law

Project Description

This project is about embedding group work and innovative assessment into the Private Law Curriculum. The ability to work in a group is vitally important in terms of future career success and yet, when students arrive at Trinity, they are often less comfortable with group work. After all, much of their experience and success thus far has been very individual. The module Private Law Remedies aims to address this issue and convince students that group work is mutually beneficial and that their combined efforts are better than what they could achieve alone. To this end, and with the help of funding from the National Forum, we are revamping how we deliver our lectures and assess our students to put group-work at the heart of the module.

From the very first week of the module, students will be placed in groups of four to five students. As the module progresses, students will advance from an individual essay, to a mock appellate trial submission (known as a moot) prepared in pairs, to a group dissenting judgement written in their group of four. In this way our students will advance from workshopping their individual essays in their groups, to working in pairs, and then writing an essay as a group. Not only do these forms of assessment rely on group work, they also offer experiential learning opportunities for students. The moot allows students to experience what being a practicing barrister would be like; while the group dissenting judgement requires students to think (and write!) like judges.

Throughout the module one of the three hours of lectures a week will be devoted to working in their groups and dealing with assigned group tasks. This way students will have the chance to experience a gradual ratcheting up of the group-work aspects in a supported environment, and we, as lecturers with the help of additional teaching support, will be able to address any issues as they arise. As such, the students experiences of group work should be more positive and, after completing the module, students will have a deeper understanding of how they work in groups and how to manage group work.

Initiative Type 002/19

Focus on Teaching and Learning Enhancement within Disciplines

BioLabPrep: Maximising Learning in the Laboratory Environment Prof. Aine Kelly

School of Medicine

Project Description

BioLabPrep is a teaching and learning initiative that will allow students to maximise the learning opportunities afforded by time spent in Biology laboratory classes by helping them to be fully prepared for each class.

Laboratory-based practicals are a cornerstone of high-quality teaching and learning in science. Students cannot develop a full understanding of scientific concepts without insights developed over time spent performing supervised experimental work, which requires significant investment of time from educators and students. Maximising the effectiveness of laboratory time results in better outcomes for students through increasing student engagement and promoting deeper learning.

This project will employ digital technologies to develop a suite of web-based interactive resources to support laboratory teaching and learning including:

videos demonstrating key concepts and techniques for pre-practical preparation; electronic glossaries of terms/definitions multiple choice assessment banks for pre-practical assessments that include feedback to students.

Students will work through directed exercises relating to that weeks practical in advance of each class and take an online pre-practical test that will contribute to in-course summative assessment and ensure that students engage with pre-practical preparation.

At the end of this project a full portfolio of pre-practical videos and other online materials to complement each class will be available, along with a bank of MCQs that support formative and summative assessment, and which can be used to test engagement with the online resources. We expect this initiative to benefit all students, but especially students who require additional supports. For these students, having access to a step-by-step visual representation of what they will be doing during the class, that they can view as many times as they like in advance of the class, will reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the laboratory environment.

Initiative Type 003/19

Focus on Teaching and Learning Enhancements across Disciplines

Empowering Student Learning: Using comparison and feedback as drivers of self-directed learning Prof. Mairead Brady and Prof. Martin Fellenz

Trinity Business School

Project Description

This project applies a comparison-based approach to feedback generation and use, which is transformative in nature and of immense value to student learning and teaching practice. It recognises the students role as a partner in assessment practices, and invites them to take more control of their own learning. The project casts the student as a central player in their own self-regulated learning and facilitates them in generating and using feedback. This approach is based on comparison processes of students current work products such as written drafts, presentations, or other deliverables, and that of peers and/or lecturer generated comparison products.

Traditionally, input from lecturers has been privileged as the most important form of feedback for student learning. Considerable work has also investigated peer-generated input as a useful addition or as an alternative to lecturer feedback. In contrast this project focuses on designing comparison processes that increase and enhance the generation of inner feedback, especially from sources other than the lecturer. Applying cutting edge research from world-wide experts such as Prof. David Nicol the instructional design focuses on comparison processes used in a reflective manner to help students self-generate formative feedback in a way that places students at the heart of the central learning process.

Project Deliverables

A Guide to Deploying Comparison Activities to Support Student Learning (PDF)

Deploying Comparison Based Activities to Support Student Self-Directed Learning Website

Feedback is a critical area in higher education and we recognise that resource constraints and other issues often limit our ability as educators to increase feedback quality, quantity and adequacy to the level we would like to achieve. Within this website we provide some background on feedback and comparison and describe approaches for deploying comparison to support student learning. We showcase how to operationalise the deployment of comparison within a number of practice cases in dierent disciplines and across a range HE settings to both share experiences from both educators and students and to also provide some best practice examples.

This website provides an introduction to and directions for how to implement and use comparison activities to support student learning through the various pages and a downloaded guide for how to implement this teaching innovation. It reflects the understanding of learning in higher education(HE) as a process in which learners play a central and active role in self-regulating and self-directing their own learning. These comparison techniques, designed by educators are focused on encouraging students to recognise and embrace their agency for learning and provides new and innovative ways for them to actively recast themselves as the provider of much of their own learning.

Structured PhD Module in Research Integrity and Impact in an Open Scholarship Era Prof. Martine Smith and Niamh Brennan

Project Description

Based upon feedback from Trinity schools and students, Research Integrity and Impact in an Open Scholarship Era  an existing a module for incoming doctoral students  will be redesigned from a pedagogical perspective and rebuilt from the ground up, making it applicable across multiple disciplines and contexts. In partnership with students and faculty stakeholders, the new mandatory, wholly-online, 5 ECTS module will be contextually embedded while maximising the value of shared disciplinary good practice. Enhanced with relevant content and inclusive, interactive assessment practices, the module will be designed to radically transform the student user experience. It will be designed at a granular level to facilitate its disciplinary relevance and applicability across Trinitys Structured PhD Programme  and beyond.

Led by the Dean of Graduate Studies, Professor Martine Smith, and supported by a project board consisting of the Associate Dean of Research, Professor Lorraine Leeson, the President of the Graduate Students Union, Gisele Scanlon, and the current Course Coordinator and Programme Manager for Research Informatics, Niamh Brennan, this initiative reflects Trinitys commitment to a fundamental renewal of its postgraduate education. It will strengthen the research-teaching/learning connection and lies at the heart of Trinitys Research Excellence Strategy and Research Charter. Education and skills, one of the European Commissions Eight Pillars of Open Science, is embedded in the League of European Research Universities (LERU) Open Science and its Role for Universities Roadmap (2018), to which Trinity is committed. Beyond the practical benefits to doctoral candidates that this module will provide, it will, in both substantive and symbolic ways, reinforce Trinity's commitment to postgraduate programme renewal. This ground-breaking teaching and learning initiative will become an embodiment of our commitment to the very best practices in research and scholarship.

Project Deliverables

Research Integrity and Impact in an Open Scholarship Era Module Resources (TARA)

Students as Partners in Assessment: Gateway to Digital Assessment in Trinity Dr Ciara O Farrell

Academic Practice

Project Description

Digital assessment is assessment made possible through digital technologies (JISC 2010). It requires students to apply different skills than they would in traditional assessments and can lead assessors to rethink how and why they assess. Gateway to Digital Assessment supports digital learning at Trinity by enabling the development of a shared understanding of digital assessment between staff and students.

Aligning with the Trinity Strategic Plan 2020-25: Community and Connection which commits to next-generation teaching and learning practices (3.8) and a students as partners in learning approach (3.3) , key project outputs include a suite of research-informed programmes, both for-credit and self-directed, and an online multimedia resource hub for staff and students, designed with students. The Gateway to Assessment hub also enables the growth and open dissemination of the project outputs beyond the projects lifecycle and, we hope, beyond Trinity.

Project Deliverables

Gateway to Digital Assessment Website

Initiative Type 004/19

Focus on Teaching and Learning Enhancement in Collaboration with Professional Bodies and/or Industry Partners

Development of a Blended Learning Careers and Employability (10 ECTS) Module for PhD Students Delivered in Partnership with Industry Orla Bannon and Fiona Hayes

Careers Service

Project Description

Recent student surveys, such as the Irish Survey of Student Engagement of postgraduate research students and the International Student Barometer, show a clear demand from research students for careers and employability initiatives. The project, in responding to the findings of these surveys, will develop a blended learning 10 ECTS module on Careers and Employability for PhD students. The module may be delivered as part of a structured PhD programme or for continuing professional development purposes and is expected to help students become more workplace ready. It will harness the potential of digital technologies for online learning, will be designed and delivered in collaboration with industry partners from a range of relevant sectors, and will provide opportunities for work-based learning experiences (e.g. internships, work-based projects, industry-led skills workshops and networking). The module will support PhD students with career planning, critical reflection and decision making, including the development of an online skills audit tool for use by PhD students.



Trinity is committed to strengthening the employability and transferable skills of our PhD students giving them the opportunity to take responsibility for their own careers. This module will prepare PhD graduates to go on and build careers in academia and/or industry and to support Irelands economic growth having an impact at societal level.

Project Deliverables

Open-Access Resources (PDF)

This new interdisciplinary 10 ECTS module for PhD students responds to an identified need for careers and employability support and was developed with industry partners. It supports PhD students with career planning, critical reflection and decision-making, enabling them to establish networks and build readiness for future careers in academia and/or industry. The module is in three streams (Careers, Skills and Work-based Learning) and features many innovative aspects:

a blended learning design and 5 ECTS module option to give a flexible learning experience

and to give a flexible learning experience 5 interactive online sessions which build student employability skills

which build student employability skills 4 face-to-face sessions to enhance collaboration and engagement

to enhance collaboration and engagement An online Skills Audit which helps students to critically reflect on, develop and articulate the skillset developed during their PhD and an Interview Practice Exercis e to apply their interview skills to a role-play scenario

which helps students to critically reflect on, develop and articulate the skillset developed during their PhD and an e to apply their interview skills to a role-play scenario a work-based learning experience that creates real value for industry partners and offers students valuable learning experiences that are not readily available elsewhere

A range of supporting activities enhance the student experience by encouraging shared and self-directed learning: online journaling and discussion boards; podcasts; videos; skills webinars and industry events. A new Industry Mentoring Programme (IMPART) was also designed to complement the module.
Travelmania BHPian

Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Kolkata Posts: 66 Thanked: 308 Times

Winter Getaway to Queen of Hills | Raigunj, Darjeeling & Pelling



As usual, rolling the earlier habits penned down the tour and started booking the accommodation for a stress-free trip.

Our itinerary was as follows:

Day 1 Afternoon drive to Raigunj.

Day 2 Raigunj to Darjeeling

Day 3 Darjeeling

Day 4 Darjeeling to Delo, Kalimpong

Day 5 Delo

Day 6 Delo to Pelling

Day 7 Pelling

Day 8 Pelling to Kolkata(overnight Drive)



Day 1: Kolkata to Raigunj

Usually, a good percentage of road travellers from Kolkata prefer the night drive to Siliguri due to irresponsible traffic discipline. But this time, we opted to stay at Raigunj due to heavy fog in winters before dawn. So we started after a sumptuous Vegetarian lunch at the newly opened Mirchi Dhaba on NH 19. Lazily started for raigunj at 2.30 pm with a target of reaching Raigunj by 10 pm. En route met our excellent friend Rana Adhikary on SH 7 near Kuli. He was also heading to North Bengal to soak the winter charm. We booked a small hotel named Vinayak, a clean property with only a small parking area. If you want to start early, you have to keep your steed at the entry just after the gate. So that you can leave early without hassle.



Day 2 Raigunj to Darjeeling.

Due to early eject, we got a free corridor. So instead of taking the usual Botobari horrible road, we took the Domohoma track after crossing Karandighi to the right. The passage was narrow and well maintained. Loved the reptile move journey through the village roads until Goagaon touched the main road coming from Botobari.



Domohama to Goagaon stretch.

The real story popped out after we crossed Matigara and while heading towards Rohinga. Police stopped us to divert the route via Mirik due to an Election meeting at Kurseoung. Still, it was OK to travel one hour more through the picturesque Reshi road crossing Sukhiya Bazar, Lepcha Jagat. Suddenly to my surprise, we met Bhpian Drivetrain(Anshuman) at Sukhiya Bazar. As I mentioned, major Kolkata road trippers travel to North Bengal hills to get some pure oxygen and freshen up their moods. We booked Anutri Hill Resort at Jalapahar. So we had to climb after the Ghum Junction. But due to the election meeting at Kurseong, the total road to Darjeeling was in a traffic snarl. As the traffic police were not allowing us to cross the Jalapahar Junction, instead of baking in a jam, I decided to move towards Margaret Deck at Kurseoung to refresh ourselves as the lunchtime was over.



My niece in front of Margaret Deck

After spending some time getting a go signal from Gmap on clear roads, we started our hotel.

Our hotel was situated on the Jalapahar hilltop with a fantastic view of Mt Kanchendzonga and Batasia Loop in a single frame. We checked in at Auntri Hill Resort. A bit far from the central chaos of Mall. It perfectly suits my expectation to stay in a secluded place.

As we reached late, so left the day for leisure at the hotel, soaking the chill.



View of our hotel.

Day 3 . Darjeeling.

Woke up early to view a clear frame of Mt Kanchendzonga with family from the Hotel room



View from Room

As the property is big enough, we spent a fabulous time in the resort enjoying the clear sky with Kanchendzonga at the backdrop.



Batasia Loop from our room





My niece posing at the lawn





Later went to Mall to spend the long-awaited lunch at Glenarys. Darjeeling means hopping in lovely food stops and soak the nostalgic charm. The story is the same with all travellers to go Darjeeling and absorb the same essence. After having lunch at Glenarys, we strolled a bit at the Mall but had to return to avoid a huge crowd and personal safety.







We never missed the Darjeeling Tea whenever we visit Darjeeling

The stay was so comfortable that my family opted to be lazy at the hotel instead of roaming around. As we visited Darjeeling many times, we always prefer to moist our eyes, staring at the valley and mountains far from the hotel balcony with a hot cup of Darjeeling tea and Anjan Dutt music in the background. So the chill was acceptable, and time went off chatting and revisiting the memories.



Day 4: Darjeeling to Delo(Kalimpong).

Though I visited Kalimpong with Delo earlier, but couldnt get time to stay at Delo. Drove through the picturesque Peshok Road to Kalimpong.



Mesmerising Peshok Road

I decided from the first day of my tour planning to keep two days at Delo Yuru resort. The resort was suggested by our friend Bhpian Abhi1512(Abhishek). The recommendation came out to be as perfect as described by him. Beautiful property placed just beside Delo park. Rooms are cosy and must mention the rooftop for spending leisure time with a cup of coffee and some Bar-b-Q.





My niece is on the rooftop.



The Ladies team enjoying the leisure and beauty of the roof



They served delicious food of various cuisine. Bhpian Drivetrain(Anshuman) also checked in the same hotel day after. We spent the rest of the time in and around the premises till dusk. Unfortunately, Mt Kanchendzonga was not visible that day.



Yuru Resort approach road



In the lap of nature





A Delicious Chicken preparation made by the chef at Yuru for dinner

Day 5: Delo

As we have seen the surroundings of Kalimpong earlier, this time we planned to visit Reshikhola for a day trip. After breakfast started late towards our destination. On the hotels recommendation, we got a cosy eatery on the way to Reshi Khola named Silk Route Cafe. Drove to Reshikhola on smooth roads. The last phase of downhill was a mess on unpaved road. Due to construction, the road condition was equally miserable. But on reaching the spot, we forgot the last run and started enjoying the beauty of nature all over. The following snaps will justify it better.



The unpaved downhill to the riverbed





Reshikhola Riverbed





After spending adequate time at Reshikhola beside the river, we started our return to the hotel. This time we dropped at the Silk route Retreat for some refreshment. There was nothing to say more about the cafe as it was an excellent feeling to spend some time purely within nature. The food we ordered was served quickly to fulfil our appetite. Later we reached the hotel by dusk. We ordered a lovely chicken dish suggested by the chef and enjoyed every bit of it. So on my visit to Yuru resort, I would certify that if anyone wants some rest and lazy timepass for one or two days, it is the best corner to lie and enjoy the warmth and delicious food they serve.









A good Momo shop just before the uphill drive to delo We were still fighting the pandemic. But fortunately found a chance of going for a trip in December. The infection was low. Tried to convince my family to come out of the fear and breath some fresh unpolluted air. I always love to move around Hills, say it in Northeast India, North Bengal or North India. Due to several travel restrictions, we opted for safe travel within the state. As I stay in Kolkata, so North Bengal or Sikkim is very close. Though Northeast was open, we visited Meghalaya two years back.As usual, rolling the earlier habits penned down the tour and started booking the accommodation for a stress-free trip.Our itinerary was as follows:Day 1 Afternoon drive to Raigunj.Day 2 Raigunj to DarjeelingDay 3 DarjeelingDay 4 Darjeeling to Delo, KalimpongDay 5 DeloDay 6 Delo to PellingDay 7 PellingDay 8 Pelling to Kolkata(overnight Drive)Usually, a good percentage of road travellers from Kolkata prefer the night drive to Siliguri due to irresponsible traffic discipline. But this time, we opted to stay at Raigunj due to heavy fog in winters before dawn. So we started after a sumptuous Vegetarian lunch at the newly opened Mirchi Dhaba on NH 19. Lazily started for raigunj at 2.30 pm with a target of reaching Raigunj by 10 pm. En route met our excellent friend Rana Adhikary on SH 7 near Kuli. He was also heading to North Bengal to soak the winter charm. We booked a small hotel named Vinayak, a clean property with only a small parking area. If you want to start early, you have to keep your steed at the entry just after the gate. So that you can leave early without hassle.Due to early eject, we got a free corridor. So instead of taking the usual Botobari horrible road, we took the Domohoma track after crossing Karandighi to the right. The passage was narrow and well maintained. Loved the reptile move journey through the village roads until Goagaon touched the main road coming from Botobari.The real story popped out after we crossed Matigara and while heading towards Rohinga. Police stopped us to divert the route via Mirik due to an Election meeting at Kurseoung. Still, it was OK to travel one hour more through the picturesque Reshi road crossing Sukhiya Bazar, Lepcha Jagat. Suddenly to my surprise, we met Bhpian Drivetrain(Anshuman) at Sukhiya Bazar. As I mentioned, major Kolkata road trippers travel to North Bengal hills to get some pure oxygen and freshen up their moods. We booked Anutri Hill Resort at Jalapahar. So we had to climb after the Ghum Junction. But due to the election meeting at Kurseong, the total road to Darjeeling was in a traffic snarl. As the traffic police were not allowing us to cross the Jalapahar Junction, instead of baking in a jam, I decided to move towards Margaret Deck at Kurseoung to refresh ourselves as the lunchtime was over.After spending some time getting a go signal from Gmap on clear roads, we started our hotel.Our hotel was situated on the Jalapahar hilltop with a fantastic view of Mt Kanchendzonga and Batasia Loop in a single frame. We checked in at Auntri Hill Resort. A bit far from the central chaos of Mall. It perfectly suits my expectation to stay in a secluded place.As we reached late, so left the day for leisure at the hotel, soaking the chill.Woke up early to view a clear frame of Mt Kanchendzonga with family from the Hotel roomAs the property is big enough, we spent a fabulous time in the resort enjoying the clear sky with Kanchendzonga at the backdrop.Later went to Mall to spend the long-awaited lunch at Glenarys. Darjeeling means hopping in lovely food stops and soak the nostalgic charm. The story is the same with all travellers to go Darjeeling and absorb the same essence. After having lunch at Glenarys, we strolled a bit at the Mall but had to return to avoid a huge crowd and personal safety.The stay was so comfortable that my family opted to be lazy at the hotel instead of roaming around. As we visited Darjeeling many times, we always prefer to moist our eyes, staring at the valley and mountains far from the hotel balcony with a hot cup of Darjeeling tea and Anjan Dutt music in the background. So the chill was acceptable, and time went off chatting and revisiting the memories.Though I visited Kalimpong with Delo earlier, but couldnt get time to stay at Delo. Drove through the picturesque Peshok Road to Kalimpong.I decided from the first day of my tour planning to keep two days at Delo Yuru resort. The resort was suggested by our friend Bhpian Abhi1512(Abhishek). The recommendation came out to be as perfect as described by him. Beautiful property placed just beside Delo park. Rooms are cosy and must mention the rooftop for spending leisure time with a cup of coffee and some Bar-b-Q.They served delicious food of various cuisine. Bhpian Drivetrain(Anshuman) also checked in the same hotel day after. We spent the rest of the time in and around the premises till dusk. Unfortunately, Mt Kanchendzonga was not visible that day.As we have seen the surroundings of Kalimpong earlier, this time we planned to visit Reshikhola for a day trip. After breakfast started late towards our destination. On the hotels recommendation, we got a cosy eatery on the way to Reshi Khola named Silk Route Cafe. Drove to Reshikhola on smooth roads. The last phase of downhill was a mess on unpaved road. Due to construction, the road condition was equally miserable. But on reaching the spot, we forgot the last run and started enjoying the beauty of nature all over. The following snaps will justify it better.After spending adequate time at Reshikhola beside the river, we started our return to the hotel. This time we dropped at the Silk route Retreat for some refreshment. There was nothing to say more about the cafe as it was an excellent feeling to spend some time purely within nature. The food we ordered was served quickly to fulfil our appetite. Later we reached the hotel by dusk. We ordered a lovely chicken dish suggested by the chef and enjoyed every bit of it. So on my visit to Yuru resort, I would certify that if anyone wants some rest and lazy timepass for one or two days, it is the best corner to lie and enjoy the warmth and delicious food they serve.A good Momo shop just before the uphill drive to delo Attached Thumbnails



Last edited by Travelmania : 28th August 2021 at 21:32 .
If your blaring smartphone alarm is rubbing your nerves raw in the morning, you might want to try one of the Google Nest Hubs most soothing features: a sunrise alarm that gently rouses you out of bed, rather than startling you awake with a piercing beep.

The sunrise alarm on a Nest Hub display (including the first- and second-gen Nest Hub, as well as the larger Nest Hub Max) slowly brightens the display with a golden glow, and you can set it to wake you with a wide range of alarm tonessome gentle, some invigorating, and some more of the get-your-tushy-up variety.

You can also program the sunrise alarm to play soothing sounds just before the actual alarm goes off, and even better, you can make it slowly turn up the smart lights in any rooms you choose.

Finally, the Nest Hubs sunrise alarm can be set to trigger a Google Assistant routinesuch as one that gives you a weather report and reads the headlines to youas soon as you dismiss the alarm.

How to set a sunrise alarm on a Google Nest Hub or Nest Hub Max

To get started, just ask Google Assistant to set a sunrise alarm. When you do, shell ask you when youd like the alarm to go off; you can tell her something like, Every weekday morning at 7. Once Google sets your alarm, youll see a series of standard options. Tap the time to change it, or tap Repeat to adjust the frequency of the alarm. You can also tap Alarm tone to choose from one of 20 chimes. Some of them are Light (such as Calm Glow or Gentle Bells), some are Medium (the default Gentle Pastures tone, or the laid-back Awaken), and some are Heavy (like Positively Cuckoo or Digital Blast). There are also natural sounds, such as an antique clock or chirping birds. If you scroll to the bottom of the main alarm options, you can tap Morning routine to pick a Google Assistant routine that will run as soon as you dismiss the alarm. Now that were set with the standard alarm options, go ahead and tap Sunrise alarm for more customizations. For example, if you want your sunrise alarm to slowly turn on your lights, tap Room lights, then pick one or more rooms of smart lights. Another option is a Pre-alarm: a soothing sound that begins a couple of minutes before the sunrise alarm goes off. That soothing sound is in fact chirping birds, and the volume slowly ramps up as the alarm approaches. Finally, you can customize the Sunrise window, or how long before the alarm that the sunrise effect beginsanywhere from 5 to 30 minutes.

Now that youve set a sunrise alarm, you can review it by tapping on the alarm clock icon on the Nest Hubs display, or you can simply say, Hey Google, show me my alarms.

Also, keep in mind that you can snooze a sunrise alarm just as you would a regular one. When you snooze a sunrise alarm, your Google display will dim and (again) gradually brighten during the 10-minute snooze.
Why it matters: Google's Play Store may not be as profitable as Apple's App Store, but the two app distribution platforms operate in a similar way when it comes to extracting revenue from developers. That has landed Google in hot water with antitrust regulators, so it's only a matter of time before it will have to alter its Play Store policies to avoid more legal headaches.

Last month, Google was hit with its fourth antitrust lawsuit in recent years, where 36 attorneys general and one district attorney accused the company of anti-competitive behavior related to the Play Store. Specifically, the search giant is accused of making it difficult for developers to distribute their apps through alternative app stores and signing contracts with phone makers and carriers that prevent them from creating their own competing app stores.

According to court filings that were unsealed this week, the Play Store generated revenue of $11.2 billion in 2019, $8.5 billion which was profit. While this isn't quite on the same level as the earnings generated by Apple's App Store, the profit margin is a healthy 62 percent, which compares quite favorably with the 80 percent margin achieved by the latter app distribution platform.

This suggests that just like Apple, Google could very well afford to charge developers a much lower fee and still make a profit from essentially hosting their apps and weeding out the malicious ones. The company currently takes up to a 30 percent share of app revenue, but internal communication suggests the number is just a reflection of what Apple was doing with its App Store. The lawsuit even cites internal figures that show Google's Play Store could break even on a revenue share of just six percent.

Perhaps a more troubling finding is that Google offered to take a "significantly reduced" cut of the Play Store revenue for Netflix after the latter company expressed its "displeasure" with the standard fee. Netflix, Tinder, Spotify -- and most famously, Epic -- have all tried circumventing Google's Play Store billing system in recent years, but the search giant wouldn't have it for fear of losing more than $1.1 billion in annual revenue. This behavior also looks like a carbon copy of what Apple has done with companies like Amazon and Netflix.

A Google spokeswoman told The Verge that "all developers are subject to the same policies as all other developers, including the payments policy. Weve long had programs in place that support developers with enhanced resources and investments. These programs are a sign of healthy competition between operating systems and app stores and benefit developers."

However, these programs have largely mirrored those of Apple. For instance, the one introduced in March slashed Play Store commissions in half for developers who have yet to make over $1 million in lifetime sales. Apple rolled out a similar program last year for developers who publish their apps to the App Store and make less than $1 million per year.

Apple recently decided to change its App Store rules to allow developers to advertise alternative payment options for users using their contact information, which is admittedly only a small step in the right direction yet one that Google has yet to take. If anything, the pressure of four antitrust lawsuits might finally push the search giant to copy Apple once again.
In brief: AMD along with security researchers at the Dresden Technical University have disclosed a vulnerability in some AMD processors similar to the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities for Intel CPUs that were first disclosed three years ago. AMD has already outlined multiple mitigation techniques to fight these vulnerabilities.

TU Dresden researchers Saidgani Musaev and Christof Fetzer notified AMD of the exploit in Zen+ and Zen 2 processors which they call "Transient Execution of Non-Canonical Accesses," directly comparing them to Spectre and Meltdown. AMD's security bulletin refers to the vulnerability with the name CVE-2020-12965.

AMD says the main risk is that this could cause processors to leak data they aren't supposed to. "When combined with specific software sequences, AMD CPUs may transiently execute non-canonical loads and store using only the lower 48 address bits potentially resulting in data leakage," it writes.

Musaev and Fetzer outlined the vulnerability in a research paper. AMD followed this up with its own review which it published on the bulletin. On the same page AMD also has a document outlining its mitigation techniques. "There are a variety of techniques software can use for managing processor speculation, each with different properties and trade-offs," AMD writes.

AMD recommends developers review their code running on the affected processors and insert an LFENCE, or use one of the solutions outlined in the document. AMD says its later and future processors have more security features to defend against these kinds of vulnerabilities like SMEP, SMAP, and IBC.

Meltdown and Spectre are hardware-level flaws for Intel CPUs that were disclosed in 2018 before being patched. If exploited, Meltdown could expose memory that should've been inaccessible, while Spectre could be used to execute malicious code. Patching the vulnerabilities initially caused hits to performance that were eventually mitigated.

In March of last year another vulnerability in Intel processors similarly based on a hardware flaw was found, called Load Value Injection (LVI). Like Meltdown, it can be exploited to leak data that should be protected.

Image credit Technical University of Dresden
(Photo : GettlyImages/ Justin Sullivan) iPhone 12 phone

Apple announced that a California man who impersonated one of their representatives has pled guilty to four felony charges.

The said man broke into numerous iCloud accounts and stole more than 620,000 pictures and 9,000 videos.

Apple Representative Impersonator Imprisoned

According to the Los Angeles Times, the 40-year-old assailant named Hao Kuo Chi was accused by the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the FBI of gaining access to photos and videos of 306 iPhone users.

The man, who resides in La Puente, California, was searching for nudes.

Chi stated that he hacked into those accounts because he gets requests from hundreds of people online. He told some people online that he can hack into iCloud accounts and steal pictures. He then received several requests to break into accounts to look for sexually explicit photos or videos to be leaked online.

Also Read: Apple Latest Security Update Patch Has No New Features; Is There Apple Cyberattack?

Chi admitted to the FBI that he impersonates an Apple customer support representative. He would send an email to the victims to persuade them to give him their IDs and passwords. He would then go through their iCloud accounts.

Through his scam, he was able to create a massive library filled with stolen pictures and videos. All of the content is hosted on his personal Dropbox account.

Those that have nude images or videos of women were labeled "Win." The data would then be shared among a group of co-conspirators that the FBI has not named.

The FBI retrieved two different email addresses that Chi used to trick his victims into changing their passwords.

After retrieving the emails, they discovered more than 500,000 emails, with around 4,700 containing iCloud user IDs and passwords sent to him.

Chi added that co-conspirators would ask him to hack a certain account, and they would pay him a certain amount. He would then provide them Dropbox links containing the images and videos that they requested.

Images and videos of iPhone users are always stored on Apple's secure servers. But what Chi does is get the victim's logging credentials so he can gain access.

Therefore, it can't be counted as a breach of Apple's iCloud security systems, according to KTLA.

Chi's phishing scam technique is one of the reasons why people have voiced their concerns regarding Apple's CSAM feature that will scan pictures before it gets stored in iCloud.

Another concern of security experts is Apple's plan of launching security verification via selfies, pointing out that it could violate the user's privacy.

Chi's Scam

Chi's scam was discovered back in 2018. He got access to the iCloud account of an unnamed celebrity. He then posted the pictures that he stole to a pornographic website, according to iMore.

A company based in California that specializes in removing celebrity pictures from the internet was able to remove the images of the said celebrity and trace the activity back to Chi's house. The FBI was able to get a search warrant and immediately raided Chi's house on May 19, 2018.

According to the Los Angeles Times report, the FBI had already gathered enough evidence to know what Chi does online. They got records from his Google, Apple, Facebook, and Dropbox accounts, as well as Charter Communications.

Chi is now facing up to 5 years in prison for each of the four felony charges. He is now facing one count of conspiracy and three counts of gaining unauthorized access to a protected device.

Related Article: Apple Underestimates Severity of iCloud Account Takeover Issue, Poses Major Security Risk: Researcher

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Exoplanet hunters have discovered a new class of these planets, called "Hycean Worlds," which they believe could hold the highest potential for being habitable.

According to a report by EarthSky.org, this new exoplanet type features worlds covered with planet-wide oceans and hydrogen-rich atmospheres. They're water worlds with barely any landmass in them but have the same type of atmosphere as Earth's.

A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge made this announcement after publishing their findings in the Astrophysical Journal. In their study, the researchers claimed that Hycean worlds ("Hycean" being a portmanteau of hydrogen and ocean) is in some ways similar to Earth, but are often bigger with much thicker atmospheres.

A Hycean exoplanet is around 2.6 times Earth's diameter. Aside from that, they also concluded that this kind of planet will have temperatures as high as 200 degrees C (roughly 400 degrees F). A Hycean planet can be placed somewhere between Earth and a gas giant like Neptune with these characteristics.

Being water worlds, Hycean exoplanets hold an unusually high potential for life. Water is considered a critical ingredient for life, as per LiveScience. However, these exoplanets are classified into more categories, such as "dark" and "cold" Hycean worlds.

According to the study, the researchers managed to identify tidally locked "Dark Hycean" planets that allow habitable conditions on their permanent dark sides. Tidally locked means a planet doesn't spin on its axis. Thus, one side remains in perpetual night, and the other in a perpetual day. As for "Cold Hycean" worlds, they concluded that these planets receive very little (almost negligible levels) of radiation from their host stars.

This is one of the latest big discoveries in scientists' continuous hunt for exoplanets that can support life elsewhere in the universe.

Read also: Scientists Discover 24 "Superhabitable" Exoplanets, But There's a Catch!

Exoplanet Hunt: What's Even the Point?

For centuries, mankind has always wondered if we were alone in the universe. If so, then it means that life on Earth is more or less a cosmic accident. But if life does exist elsewhere in the universe, then it's going to drastically change what people know about the cosmos and our home planet in general.

Any discoveries pertaining to extraterrestrial life will finally answer the many questions about how life on Earth began. Understanding the process that made our planet habitable would also reveal more secrets about the universe's birth, which would usher in a scientific renaissance.

Right now, the likes of NASA are employing more advanced technologies, such as atomically accurate sensors, in the exoplanet hunt. So far, over 4,000 exoplanets have been discovered, according to NASA.

A Hycean exoplanet can be habitable, sure. But unlike the Earth, it's going to have some conditions. For one, its size alone means it's going to have a stronger gravitational pull on its surface. This means that there likely won't be any science of intelligent life but rather primitive, microbial ones. It might not be as impressive, but this still would be an insanely massive discovery.

Related: 29 Exoplanets Are 'Perfectly Positioned' to Communicate with Earth, Astronomers Suggest-Are they Potentially Habitable?

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Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : GettlyImages/ SOPA Images ) Astra Space X

Astra Space, one of the most famous rocket builders in the United States, has launched its first rocket since the company was first introduced.

The launch was done on Aug. 28, but it had a wobbly liftoff. Eventually, the rocket failed to achieve its goal of reaching the Earth's orbit.

Astra Space Rocket Launch

During the liftoff, the rocket appeared to move sideways instead of going straight up. Chris Kemp, the found and CEO of Astra Space, told CNBC that a second into the flight, an engine shut down. They are now investigating the reason behind the engine failure.

Adam London, Astra Space founder and CTO, said that the system performed very well under the circumstances.

The rocket had sufficient thrust even with one engine dead, and it can still be slowly lifted off the pad. The whole time, the guidance system was able to maintain control of the rocket.

However, just 2 minutes and 28 seconds into the launch, the safety crew suddenly issued an all-engine shut-down command which then caused the rocket to wobble, London said.

The rocket already reached an altitude of 31 miles or 50 kilometers by then when it was returned to Earth. Luckily, there was no injuries or damage to any property that was recorded.

Also Read: Look: New Proposed Rocket Design Could Solve SpaceX Launch Delays Due to Bad Weather

What They Plan Next

Kemp stated that even though the launch was not successful and failed to put anything in orbit, they were able to learn so much and already have an idea of what to fix.

Kemp added that they have a serial 7 rocket, which is currently in production, according to The Verge.

They will take what they learned in the launch and incorporate the changes into the serial 7 rocket that is scheduled to fly soon. He said they have a tremendous amount of data from the flight, and they are now reviewing it.

The two executives did not give any timeline for the completion of the investigation, or when the new rocket will be built and when the next flight schedule would be.

Astra Space's launch came after Japan successfully demonstrated the rotating detonation engine or RDE experiment involving a rocket engine in the Earth's orbit.

Previous Launch Attempt

On Aug. 27, Astra Space had cut short its first launch attempt because one of the rocket's engines caught fire before it was shut down, according to Space.com.

On Aug. 28, after a delay due to fueling problems, Astra Space launched the rocket LV0006. The launch was done at Pacific Spaceport Complex located in Kodiak, Alaska, at 3:35 PM Eastern Standard Time.

This marked the first commercial launch for the space firm, with the US Space Force contracting the launch because they want to test a payload under the agency's Space Test Program.

The rocket is 43 feet tall, and it fits in the small rocket segment of the launch market. The company's goal is to launch as many small rockets as it can to the Earth's orbit. The company aims to launch a rocket a day by 2025 and drop its $2.5 million price point further.

Astra Space is working on competing with SpaceX's Super Heavy Rocket booster landing.

The mission tested numerous upgrades to Astra's rocket since its last mission last year. While the previous mission made it successfully to space, the rocket ran out of fuel and came short of reaching the Earth's orbit.

One of the rockets experienced a guidance system issue during the company's first mission in 2020, and it crashed after liftoff.

Related Article: Elon Musk: Electric Rocket Is Necessary for Mars Early Missions but Not for Orbit Launches

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Pexels/Pixabay) Peloton treadmill

The famous exercise equipment manufacturer, Peloton is currently the subject of a federal investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC.

The Department of Justice or the DOJ, and the Department of Homeland Security is currently investigating the incidents involving the company's machines and the injuries it caused to several people, Peloton said in its recent financial filing.

Peloton Under Federal Investigation

The fitness company recalled two of its treadmill brands in May, the Tread and the Tread+. It was after it pushed back against a Consumer Products Safety Commission or CPSC request to do so.

The CPSC had said that the death of a child and the accident that 70 people suffered involving the treadmills is why it ordered the company to recall the equipment, according to CNET.

The investigation regarding the product's quality came after Peloton's bike was targeted by hackers earlier this year, making users question the company's security.

The agency stated that it was aware of numerous cases of children being pulled under the treadmills while it is running. Objects and pets could also get pulled into the machines, causing serious injuries to users.

Also Read: Peloton Bikes are $400 Cheaper, But Are Indoor Bikes Good for Health vs. Outdoor Exercise?

Peloton acknowledged that the company was wrong to reject the agency's recall order initially. Company CEO John Foley said that the company had engaged more productively with the CPSC since then.

The fitness company is also the subject of several lawsuits. Peloton acknowledged all of its legal troubles in its annual 10-K report filed with the SEC on Aug. 27. The lawsuit is expected to cost the company $165 million in lost revenue.

Several federal agencies and Peloton did not immediately respond to the media's requests for comment regarding the lawsuits and investigations.

Peloton eventually removed the Tread and Tread+ treadmills from its official website after it recalled the products.

The site now lists a new, redesigned Tread product that, according to the company, was thoughtfully designed with the "safety of the users in mind." The new products will be available on Aug. 30.

Despite the recall and the lawsuit, Peloton will push through with UnitedHealth members' promised free workout classes.

Death Involving Peloton's Equipment

In March, the fitness company warned parents to keep their children away from its treadmill after a six-year-old died when he was pulled underneath the rear of the machine, according to CBS.

Foley stated that the accident is one of the "small handful" of incidents children have been injured on their exercise equipment.

After the child's death, the CPSC stated that Peloton had voluntarily recalled the Tread+ machines, which posed a safety risk because its display console is not sturdy.

An agreement between the fitness company and the agency was made. This means that Peloton can no longer resell the machines in the United States, and they were asked to give their customers a full refund.

According to the BBC, the recall was also issued in the United Kingdom.

In the US, the equipment was sold as part of the company's limited invitation-only release. It was available from November 2020 to March 2021, and Peloton stated that it is now working to repair the machines and offer better and safer products to its customers.

However, the company did not give a specific time frame for when it will release a new lineup of products. The fitness company may focus on its impending lawsuits in the meantime.

Related Article:Peloton Update: Heart Rate Armband in the Works, Tread+ Now Requires Subscription

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Cosmic ray origins may soon be discovered by scientists from Nagoya University, Japan, as they search for the energy source amidst the many potential origins in the Milky Way galaxy. There are still a lot of unexplained things in space, and the current studies made with it only scratches the surface.

One of the most prominent studies made by humans now is with NASA's Mars rover, particularly as it aims to discover any proof of life or possibility to live on the neighboring planet.

However, scientists also focus on looking into the different radio waves or signals coming from space, something which remains a mystery for all.

Cosmic Rays Origin: Milky Way Source

According to the Nagoya University researchers, a study that has focused on cosmic rays has made a stellar discovery, about that its origins come from the depths of the Milky Way galaxy.

The initial discovery of the said energy source dates back to 1912 and was considered the highest form of energy in the galaxy. Scientists are keen to locate these rays as they provide information and idea on the origins of the galaxy and other objects that float around or within it.

The study entitled "Pursuing the Origin of the Gamma Rays in RX J1713.7-3946 Quantifying the Hadronic and Leptonic Components" via The Astrophysics Journal has discussed the findings and methods of the scientists.

Here, the researchers have focused on a supernova remnant called RX J1713.7-3946 (RX J1713). The study aimed to determine its potential source in the Milky Way galaxy, something which would pinpoint to these researchers on learning more of the space around us, and the origins of some.

Read Also: New Exoplanets Believed To Support Life: Experts Say Hycean Planets' Boiling Oceans Make Them Habitable

What Are Cosmic Rays

According to Space, Cosmic Rays are the highest form of energy in the cosmic heavens, and they have unknown origins as of now. Most of these cosmic rays are related to phenomenal events and unexplained occurrences during earlier times and remain unknown for their full effects and origins.

Scientists have been studying cosmic rays for a long time now, aiming to explain the real origins of the energy which gives off a different kind of energy from other rays or power from the universe. The cosmic ray is significantly stronger than that of x-rays or ultraviolet rays, which scientists have already discovered before.

Why is Looking for Cosmic Rays Important

The researchers are putting on a great effort to study cosmic rays because they could be one key to knowing the origins of the galaxy. It was theorized that cosmic rays are the reason for planets, stars, galaxies, and other heavenly bodies have formed.

The key to unlocking more and learning about space, lies with cosmic rays, as some researchers believe.

Related Article: Landsat-9 is Launching on Sept. 23, NASA to Host Virtual Briefing to the Media for Plans of the Spacecraft

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Acadiana, largely unscathed by Hurricane Ida, may become a substantial staging area for storing and shipping goods intended for south Louisiana areas battered by the storm Sunday.

Acadiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster leaders and spokespeople  more than 70 agencies in the region are involved  met by Zoom on Monday to begin early information gathering and preliminary planning to help Louisianians who live in a wide swath across southern and southeastern parts of the state.

Richard Morris of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Louisiana said 25 parishes have been included in a presidential disaster declaration signed last night. Among the parishes in or near Acadiana are Point Coupee, St. Martin and Iberia.

+10 'We're all alive': Terrebonne residents, many without roofs or power, survey Hurricane Ida's damage HOUMA  George Arthur, 69, of Houma, stood at the kitchen sink of his small house on Park Avenue on Monday morning where a collection of ceram

Lee John, regional coordinator for the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said efforts Monday focused on uncovering damages and weighing them in southeastern Louisiana. Communication remained a significant problem in carrying out that task.

Jessica Vermilyea of Lutheran Social Services Disaster Response said damage, while not wholly understood, was catastrophic. She had several cautions for those seeking to help:

Do not self-deploy. She said that while people are eager to help in affected areas, power lines are down  some are live  and there is flooding. She said emergency personnel must inspect and clear areas before volunteers or helping agencies can enter. Power outages will be longstanding.

People who want to volunteer should go on to the state's Volunteer Louisiana website; Volunteer Louisiana is located in Baton Rouge and can be emailed at VolunteerLouisiana@crt.la.gov.

Adequate warehouses for storing donated goods are not yet fully determined. She said oftentimes in a disaster, people want to bring goods to the affected areas but that there is no established means for receiving goods right now.

Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

The likelihood is that less affected areas such as Acadiana, where there is ample power, will eventually be used for storage and other logistics. Before people donate and goods, they should get approval with organizations that can adequately receive them, store them and transport them to the right location. Right now, she said, that's not wholly possible.

Cash is king, she said of ways to donate.

In Acadiana, the United Way of Acadiana and Catholic Charities of Acadiana have established means for receiving cash donations. A team effort for soliciting and receiving donations will be announced this week.

In other announcements, the Second Harvest Kitchen in Harahan, near New Orleans, came through the storm without major damages and will be functioning fully to help feed people in distress. Second Harvest feeds the hungry in areas from North Orleans and into Acadiana.

Agencies responding to the call suggested that early efforts to offer some temporary shelter were in the discussion phase.

The VOAD Acadiana group, hosted on the call by Carlee Alm-Labar of United Way of Acadiana, will meet again Wednesday.
The capital region woke up to widespread damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

In Ascension Parish late Sunday reported the storms first fatality: a man who died when a tree fell onto his house.

On Monday morning, spotty cell phone service, blocked roads and sweeping power outages for more than a million customers throughout south Louisiana made it tough for officials to figure out the extent of the wreckage.'

Police, sheriff's deputies, fire crews and other first responders were only starting to navigate the aftermath once the sun offered enough light to see it.

At first glance, it appeared that parishes south and west of Baton Rouge that braced for a direct hit were largely spared, while areas to the east were hit the hardest.

Where the eye of the storm passed over a point near Walker sometime around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Livingston Parish's emergency response director Brandi Janes said she didn't yet know how many people were hurt or how much property was destroyed. All she knew as the sun rose was that her teams would be dealing with a lot of downed trees and blocked roads.

A massive tree fell onto the parking lot of Oak Point strip mall in Watson, according to Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard. And a limb smashed into a car on Florida Boulevard in Livingston.

Around 7:30 a.m., Ard was in Springfield trying to clear a path out so he could return to the Sheriff's Office, his spokeswoman Lori Steele said.

Much of the parish remained under flash flood advisories through the next day. West Colyell Creek at I-12 in Walker remained high and flowing onto the roadways.

In Tangipahoa Parish, Councilwoman Kim Coates, who represents Ponchatoula to the south, said crews were trying to stop up a ruptured natural gas pipeline. Early Monday she had just started getting cell service again and was still fielding reports of other damage in real-time. All she knew, she said, is that it's bad.

Similar reports were coming in throughout the greater Baton Rouge area early Monday, as police and first responders surveilled the roadways, crews were dispatched to clear debris. Officials warned people to stay put until conditions improved, since the outages left many traffic lights dark and many roadways remained unpassable.

St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne said there was widespread damage there, and urged residents to stay inside. The whole parish was under a boil water advisory.
Dog eared: LSU vet school expert helps determine if pets are deaf and what to do about it
An Ascension Parish man was killed Sunday when a tree fell on his home during Hurricane Ida, sheriff's deputies said.

Sheriff Bobby Webre said about 9 p.m. Sunday that the death is the first from the hurricane in the parish.

The home where the man died is along La. 621 in the Duplessis area between Gonzales and Prairieville.

Deputies received reports about the tree falling on the house and possible injuries about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

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Winds were still whipping the parish Sunday night, prompting numerous calls about trees on homes and other damage, Webre said.

Sustained winds were 45 to 47 mph between 8:15 and 9:15 p.m. Sunday at Louisiana Regional Airport near Gonzales. Gusts hit 75 mph about 8:15 p.m., the National Weather Service reported.

Webre said deputies were unsure when they would be able to retrieve the man's body because weather was so bad.
With Hurricane Ida ripping across Louisiana, Gov. John Bel Edwards said first responders won't be able to answer search and rescue calls until daylight Monday morning at the earliest.

"It's weather dependent and quite frankly, before the weather gets good enough for us to respond it's also going to be dark," Edwards said. "We will be ready at first light tomorrow morning to go out to those areas that we know already have received the most damaging impacts from the storm."

The Category 4 storm slammed into Port Fourchon near Grand Isle Sunday just before noon with sustained winds of 150 miles per hour and a storm surge of 16 feet, making landfall as one of the strongest storms to hit Louisiana since the 1850s.

"We're just getting started," Edwards said, adding that the state is anticipating the levees in LaRose and lower Lafourche Parish to be overtopped as will some levees in St. Bernard Parish.

Hurricane Ida's fierce winds could slow rescue efforts in Baton Rouge, officials say As hurricane Ida bears down on southeastern Louisiana Sunday, residents should prepare for delays in emergency response times, Baton Rouge Fir

Requests for help have already poured in from some of the 75 or so people who stayed to weather the storm on nearby Grand Isle. But rescue operations there and elsewhere will have to wait until at least dawn Monday, the governor said.

"Nobody should be expecting that tonight a first responder is going to be able to answer a call for help," Edwards said.

This is why the state tells people to be prepared to handle the first 72 hours after a storm on their own, Edwards said. Luckily, he added, around 98% of Grand Isle residents evacuated ahead of the storm.

"It doesn't help anyone to dispatch first responders on a call if you're actually going to cause the first responder to be in a very bad situation in terms of either getting hurt or killed or just being stuck where they then have to ride it out there or you send somebody else," Edwards said.

New Orleans emergency medical services suspended operations just before noon Sunday due to dangerous winds. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office also began the process of having its deputies shelter in place around noon.

The entirety of the Louisiana National Guard has been activated to respond to the storm's aftermath. That includes more than 4,900 guardsmen who will lead search and rescue efforts across 14 parishes with 195 high water vehicles, 73 boats and 34 helicopters.

But that equipment can't operate in hurricane conditions.

Edwards spent Saturday evening calling governors across the country and asking for reinforcements. Sixteen states responded and have sent a total of 900 people to assist in search and rescue operations.

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The vast majority of individuals that needed to evacuate did, Edwards said. Starting tonight, however, he expects the state to begin receiving calls from individuals who need to be rescued because they decided to stay behind.

Louisiana also evacuated 22 nursing homes, 18 assisted living facilities, 61 intermediate care facilities and four small hospitals, Edwards said.

None of the state's Tier 1 hospitals, which care for the sickest patients, have been evacuated "because simply put there's nowhere to bring those individuals," Edwards said.

Hurricane Ida is hitting Louisiana just as it emerges from one of it's deadliest weeks of the pandemic, with 347 COVID-19 fatalities over the seven day period ending Friday.

There were 2,450 COVID-19 patients in Louisianas hospitals as of Sunday, around 500 fewer patients than a week ago, but still far too many to begin evacuating them elsewhere, Edwards said.

Ida is expected to cause wide swaths of the state to go without power, and Edwards said his priority will be restoring power and supplying back-up generators to hospitals full of COVID patients.

As of Saturday afternoon, there were 1,542 people sheltered at 23 sites across the state. There's enough space at those facilities to house up to 10,322 people.

Eye of catastrophic Hurricane Ida makes second landfall near Galliano on Louisiana coast The storm is packing winds of 150 mph and a life-threatening storm surge of 16 feet above ground.

That's less capacity than usual, Edwards said, because of pandemic social distancing considerations and masking requirements, but there are plans in place to open additional facilities if needed.

For more information on shelters, text "LASHELTER" to 898-211 or call 211.

"I know it may not seem this way right now for many people out there across our state, but there is always light after darkness, and I can assure you were going to get through this," Edwards said.

Staff writer Amie Just contributed to this story.
A car is damaged on Touro street in the Marigny neighborhood after Hurricane Ida in New Orleans, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Thousands of people were without wireless service Monday morning in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, due to the tremendous damage caused by Hurricane Ida. (Photo by Sophia Germer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
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Crown Resorts has banned more than one out of every 10 of its Australian-based high rollers subjected to due diligence reviews because they could not explain where their money came from or raised other probity concerns.

The purge of high-spending gamblers comes as the $6 billion group tries to clean up its operations and save its casino licences in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth following revelations of criminal infiltration, money laundering and irresponsible gambling policies.

Crown Resorts has been rocked by the pandemic and three explosive public inquiries into its operations. Credit:Will Willitts

Crowns incoming chief executive Steven McCann said the company was preparing for a range of possible outcomes from royal commissions examining its licences in Victoria and Western Australia including suspension or cancellation.

We will consider all options to maximise shareholder value in the context of however the regulatory environment plays out, Mr McCann said, including looking at any future takeover offers.
Fuel supplier Viva Energy is pitching its plan to build Victorias first gas import terminal in Geelong as the cheapest short-term solution to the states looming gas crisis because it would avoid the heavy cost of overhauling a major pipeline.

As gas production from BHP and ExxonMobils 50-year-old Bass Strait fields rapidly dries up without enough new supplies to replace it, the Australian Energy Market Operator is warning the nations southern states are in danger of facing gas shortages in coming years, prompting fears of price rises.

Viva Energys Geelong oil refinery. Credit:

Mining magnate Andrew Twiggy Forrests Squadron Energy is developing a shipping terminal to begin importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) into Port Kembla in Wollongong to address the shortfall, which authorities say will help alleviate the pressure in Victoria.

However, gas market participants increasingly expect Viva Energys proposed terminal at the site of its Geelong oil refinery will also be required amid concerns about a $70 million upgrade to reverse the one-directional pipeline between NSW and Victoria leading to heavy tariffs for Victorian buyers.
The Arc de Triomphe has seen parades, protests and tourists galore, but never before has the war monument in Paris been wrapped in silver and blue recyclable polypropylene fabric. Thats about to happen in September when a posthumous art installation designed by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude opens.

The Arc de Triomphe, Paris. Credit:Getty Images

Christo has wrapped museums, parliaments as in Germany, but a monument like this? Not really. This is the first time. This is the first monument of this importance and scale that he has done, Vladimir Yavachev, the late collaborating couples nephew, told the Associated Press.

Preparations have already started on the Napoleon-era arch, where workers are covering statues to protect them from the wrapping.

The idea for LArc de Triomphe, Wrapped was formed in 1961, when Christo and Jeanne-Claude lived in Paris. Jeanne-Claude died in 2009, and despite Christos death in May 2020, the project carried on.
Ed Asner, the star of television series Lou Grant and The Mary Tyler Moore Show who moonlighted as a political activist against US President Ronald Reagans policy on Central America, has died. He was 91.

We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully, a tweet from Asners official Twitter account said Sunday, US time. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head  goodnight dad. We love you.

A cause for death was not given.

Actor Ed Asner, star of Lou Grant and The Mary Tyler Moore show, has died at 91. Credit:AP

Asner continued to appear in TV shows, such as The Good Wife and Bones, even in the last years of his life. In 2019, Asner played a retiree who gave life advice in the Netflix show Dead to Me, which stars Christina Applegate. A new generation of moviegoers was introduced to Asner as the voice of curmudgeon Carl Fredricksen in the Pixar-Disney 2009 animated hit Up.
Victorias list of exposure sites is again heading towards 1000 after dozens were removed on Tuesday bringing the number down into the 900s. The number of sites had ballooned to 1030 late on Monday night.

The site of a transport and logistics company in regional Victoria has been declared a tier-1 or close contact exposure site as well as a glass company in Tullamarine, a law firm in Kilsyth, a Quality Hotel in Carlton and a company in Craigieburn.

Anyone who attended the sites listed below at these times has to get tested for COVID-19 and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of whether they receive a negative test result.

The tier-1 sites are

Shepparton: StarTrack, 5 Wheeler Street, on Friday, August 27 from 6am to 4pm.

Tullamarine: PWG Glass Group, 3 Aerolink Drive on Monday, August 23 from 6am to 4.30pm; Tuesday, August 24 from 7am to 10am; Wednesday, August 25 from 7.30am to 12.30pm and Thursday, August 26 from 7am to 4.30pm.

Kilsyth: Alpass & Associates, 509 - 511 Mount Dandenong Road, Wednesday, August 25 from 10.50am to 6.30pm; Thursday, August 26 from 9.45am to 11.20am

Craigieburn: Empire Screens, 9 Poa Court, Friday, August 27 from 7am to 1.30pm

Parkville: Quality Hotel , 441 Royal Parade, Friday, August 27 from midnight to noon; Saturday, August 28 from midnight to noon

More than a dozen more tier 2 sites were added on Tuesday afternoon. Anyone who has visited these locations during these times should urgently get tested, then isolate until confirmation of a negative result, then continue to monitor for symptoms and get tested again if symptoms appear.

The new tier 2 sites are:
The developer behind a 32-storey mixed-use tower stretching across an entire Brisbane city block has labelled a smaller hotel proposed for an adjacent site a gross overdevelopment of the space in a fresh stoush between those vying for CBD space.

In an objection lodged with Brisbane City Council last week, property group Mirvac said while it supported CBD redevelopment and revitalisation of the so-called north quarter, this could not extend to the hotel plans at the corner of Roma and Turbot streets.

The Roma Street hotel would deliver a unique corporate traveller hotel development with 212 rooms and an open, double-height foyer. Credit:Buchan / Development.i

That proposal for the luxury development tower was submitted in April for a unique corporate traveller hotel development with 212 rooms, an open double-height foyer and ground-floor cafe or bar. A European restaurant currently occupies much of the corner site.

But Mirvacs submission states the plans are double the height allowed for that lot size under the city centre neighbourhood plan and that limited separation from adjoining buildings would result in a prejudicing of future work on those sites.
The opposition and crossbench have accused the Andrews government of dodging scrutiny and politicising health advice to avoid parliamentary sittings. During the 18 months of the pandemic, the state has awarded 235 contracts worth more than $1 billion in its response to COVID-19. These contracts were in addition to the $12 billion the state government has spent on managing the pandemic, including $2.2 billion on health measures and $4 billion on economic support for struggling Victorian residents and businesses. Credit:Matt Golding A 14-month contract for COVID-19 testing site services has cost almost $400 million, while contracts for the coronavirus call centre and contact tracing are worth $122 million. Big accounting firms such as KPMG and Ernst and Young received millions of dollars in contracts to transfer staff to help with the pandemic response, while the government separately splashed $3.5 million on body scanners for prisons as part of the COVID-19 emergency.

Earlier this month, a senior director in the COVID-19 strategy and policy team wrote to Parliaments presiding officers, Labor MPs Colin Brooks and Nazih Elasmar, advising Parliament should not sit because of the growing coronavirus outbreak. Loading Several MPs have written to the presiding officers urging for Parliament to be allowed to resume sittings in a COVID-safe manner, and questioning why the house was allowed to sit last year at the height of the second wave to pass state of emergency legislation if parliamentary sittings had been deemed unsafe. The Victorian government was able to suspend sitting in the lower house because it commands an absolute majority. Following a fiery debate in the upper house, where MPs sat in defiance of the health advice, an attempt for a COVID-safe sitting of Parliament failed 22 votes to 12 when crossbenchers Samantha Ratnam, Andy Meddick, Fiona Patten, Rod Barton, Jeff Bourman, Catherine Cumming and Clifford Hayes voted with the government. But a Victorian government spokesman insisted Labor had been transparent and accountable throughout the health crisis, noting the public accounts and estimates committee had held hearings into the governments response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the decision-making process behind the more than 230 contracts totalling $1 billion had been detailed within the administrative guidelines on engaging professional services in the Victorian public service. Our priority is fighting the virus  having the best people in the job to do the critical work required to see us to the other side, the spokesman said. The upper house met in defiance of the health advice earlier this week to vote on whether Parliament should sit in a COVID-safe manner. The moves were defeated 22 votes to 12. Credit:Justin McManus We have provided almost $15 billion since the onset of the pandemic, with unprecedented support to Victorian households and businesses. During the Spanish flu pandemic, the House of Representatives sat 39 times in 1919 and 76 times in 1920, while the Senate sat 51 and 114 times respectively. Victorias Legislative Council sat for 32 days in 1919 and 24 in 1920, while the Legislative Assembly sat 73 times in 1919 and 52 in 1920.

Loading The NSW Parliament has suspended lower house sitting for the months of August and September to deal with its growing coronavirus outbreak while the states upper house will decide its sitting calendar later this week. Parliamentary scrutiny is crucial in times of crisis and we cant be suspending Parliament, Mx Aulby said. Ms Ratnam said there was no justifiable reason the government should not allow contributions via video link and introduce a pairing system for voting to ensure the number of people in the chamber was pared back as much as possible. The current restrictions aimed at bringing COVID numbers down, while necessary, have put many renters in a precarious position, and until Parliament continues we are unable to reinstate renter protections, the Greens leader said.

Without the check and balance on power that Parliament provides, the government is dodging scrutiny at a time when it matters most. Every other workplace has found a way to work safely during this pandemic. Theres no justifiable reason for the government to still have no plan. The oppositions spokesman for Wastewatch, James Newbury, said Victorians could no longer have faith that health restrictions were made impartially by government. The cancellation of Parliament proves that the Labor government will use health advice as a political weapon, Mr Newbury said. Labor is spending billions of taxpayers dollars  there must be oversight. But its not just about money. Daniel Andrews is controlling every aspect of our lives and his decisions must never go unchecked or unchallenged, he said.

Under the Victorian constitution, the Legislative Council is unable to sit unless at least a third of the members are present, while in the Legislative Assembly, there needs to be at least 20 MPs and the Speaker of the house present. Meanwhile, at the end of every sitting week on a Thursday, lower house MPs pass a motion to suspend Parliament until a specified date on the ordinary sitting calendar. However, due to the public health crisis, the motion, which is also voted on by the opposition, states Parliament will be suspended until the next sitting date unless the presiding officers receive health advice to the contrary.  Professor Anne Twomey said while she believed Parliament could hold virtual sittings, she sympathised with the government about why they may not want to. Credit:Louise Kennerley During pared-back sittings last year, the Parliament adopted a hybrid model, similar to the Commonwealth, and only allowed the minimum number of MPs to reach quorum to sit in the chamber, while others joined in remotely via video link technology. Constitutional expert Anne Twomey said while there was a good argument that the requirement to be present in Parliament could involve virtual presence, she understood why the Victorian government was being cautious and opting instead to suspend Parliament.

I can understand and sympathise with the Victorian government. They dont want to risk litigation because if a court found otherwise, there would be questions about what had potentially occurred and whether legislation had validly passed, Professor Twomey said. Nobody knows what the courts decision will be. But if a government wanted to test the waters and put a test case to find out, it can. One way of doing it would be to just pass a bill thats not really significant but simply a vehicle to test it ... and to arrange for someone, perhaps another member of Parliament, to challenge it for the purposes of simply finding out the answer. Professor Twomey said while it was important for Parliament to sit to allow legislation to pass, she said parliamentary scrutiny could also be achieved via parliamentary committees, which are continuing to be held online. Ken Coghill, a former Labor MP who is now an adjunct professor in governance at Swinburne University, said federal parliamentary committees tended to provide more robust scrutiny of government decisions as they were generally chaired by a non-government MP, unlike state committees.
On March 12, 2020, the phenomenon Hamilton was due to return to the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Because of the escalating pandemic, the production  and pretty much an entire planet  shut down. Now, 17 months later in Aug 2021, the musical is back on track and settling into the grandiose theater for an extended five-month stay. Yet the curtain rises before an audience, cast, and country quite changed by the events of the last year-and-a-half.

Hamilton could not be a better way to relaunch theater in Los Angeles. So much in the text was already relevant during its pre-Covid years, and now, the timeliness is volcanic. This nation has been torn apart, and while the war-cry is no longer "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death," but "Take Your Vaccine and Shove It," the battle lines are just as divided. More pointedly, Hamilton is a show about revolution and the groups left out of that revolution because they were considered less than. Conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this contemporary operetta combines traditional Broadway ballads, rap, and hip-hop and allows the folks on the sidelines back then to take front-and-center places in this theatrical version of history.

For newcomers to the Tony-winning musical, Hamilton tells the tale of Alexander Hamilton (original West End star Jamael Westman), who arrives from Nevis to a pre-revolutionary America and joins the likes of General George Washington (Carvens Lissaint) andMarquis de Lafayette (Simon Longnight) to declare war against the English crown's tyranny. Hamilton clashes with bon vivant Aaron Burr (Nicholas Christopher)  a politician in every sense of the word, someone concerned with power, not causes. Hamilton may not always stand for the correct issue, but he at least sticks by his convictions, something of which he declares Burr has none.

In our America, the winds of revolution were stirred as people took to the streets to protest the widespread violence against the Black community after the murder of George Floyd. Even with a deadly virus running rampant throughout the world, the protestors and activists marched on with face coverings, because even if it put their lives in jeopardy from Covid-19, the cause was a matter of life and death regardless. The Black Lives Matter protests and subsequent oppositional backlash, which twisted the demonstrations with conspiracy theories, mirrors exact scenes in Miranda's script. It's challenging to not look at Hamilton now through the lens of the last year.

Besides the political events that color this version of the Thomas Kail's production, Hamilton is the first large scale theater event to hit Los Angeles since before Covid took hold. The audience at opening night was ravenous to see live theater. They stood up and applauded almost every song and shouted encouragement at the stage. True, Hamilton has always evoked an ecstatic response from audiences, but this crowd seemed to be tasting air for the first time  as best as they could at least, with the required face masks.

Nicholas Christopher as Aaron Burr and Jamael Westman as Alexander Hamilton

( Joan Marcus)

The current ensemble truly sizzles. The choreography, a character itself due to the genius work of Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler, is danced with precision. The actors move like they are desperate to communicate. In past casts, the smackdowns between Burr and Hamilton (as portrayed by 2017 Los Angeles stars Joshua Henry and Michael Luwoye, and on Broadway/Disney Plus by Leslie Odom Jr. and Miranda himself) have always left Burr dominating Hamilton as far as presence goes. Here, for the first time in my viewing history, it was the Hamilton who captured my attention more (though Christopher's Burr is still excellent). Westman, who earned an Olivier nomination for his work, taps into the character's pathos as well as his frustration and selfishness. It's a magnificent performance, one that draws the audience towards the title character and makes him the center of attention whenever on stage.

Lissaint is authoritative as Washington and Longnight is hysterical as both the jovial but strategic Lafayette in Act One and the bombastic, egotistical Thomas Jefferson in Act Two. Returning to the role of King George, which he played here in 2017, Rory O'Malley is at his foppish best commenting on the travails of running a country. However, while both Sabrina Sloan (Angelica) and Joanna A. Jones (Eliza) have outstanding voices, they lack the presence to truly beguile as the Schulyer Sisters. Eliza, particularly, is the heart of the show and Jones doesn't impact the audience as other performers I've seen had.

The world is evolving and like the finale of Hamilton asks, "Who will tell your story?" The underlying question is, when it's told, will you like what they say? In these troubling, chaotic times, it may be most impactful to have convictions and be a Hamilton, not a Burr.
In this Monday, May 11, 2020 file photo, a man wearing a mask walks through the Tesla plant parking lot in Fremont, Calif. On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, the electric car maker announced it has picked the Austin, Texas, area as the site for its largest auto assembly plant employing at least 5,000 workers.
Staff Reporter

Nyamekye Daniel has been a journalist for five years. She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times. Daniel's work has also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel, Miami Herald and The New York Times.
Up for debate:

Live legislation tracker

Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy presents his state of the state address Jan. 10, 2021, at the Trenton War Memorial in Trenton, N.J. The recording of the address was released to the public Jan. 12, 2021.
President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris, speaks about efforts to combat COVID-19, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, in Washington.
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WORCESTER - A graveside service for Robert F. Milavec, 82, who died Nov. 22, 2019, and his son, Jeffrey R. Milavec, 56, who died April 29, 2021, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Elk Creek Cemetery, the corner of Badeau Hill Road and County Highway 34, Schenevus, with the Re
Melanie joined The Daily Times in the early 90s and has served as the Life section editor since 1993. A William Blount and UT alum, Melanie is generally the early arriver who turns on the lights in the newsroom.

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An award-winning political journalist, John L. Micek is editor-in-chief of The Pennsylvania Capital-Star in Harrisburg, Pa. Email him at jmicek@penncapital-star.com and follow him on Twitter @ByJohn

LMicek.
Fratelli Beretta recalled 862,000 pounds of Italian meat, salami, and prosciutto for possible salmonella. (Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service)

862,000 Pounds of Charcuterie Recalled, Linked to Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak

A New Jersey-based charcuterie company is recalling more than 850,000 pounds of uncured ready-to-eat antipasto products because of possible salmonella contamination.

The recall involves approximately 862,000 pounds of Italian meats produced by Fratelli Beretta Inc., the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA) said in a statement.

Fratelli Beretta says the products include its 24-ounce trays containing two 12-ounce vacuum-sealed plastic packages of uncured meats. The products were shipped to retailers nationwide. Costco, the fifth largest retailer in the world, posted a recall for the trays on its website on Aug. 27.

The fully cooked meat trays, produced from Feb. 28 through Aug. 15, can include salami, prosciutto, coppa, or soppressata. The products best-by dates range from Aug. 27 through Feb. 11, 2022, with UPC (Universal Product Number) symbol 073541305316.

The best-by date of a recalled vacuum-sealed plastic package containing Fratelli Beretta meat. (Courtesy of U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked the companys charcuterie assortments to a multistate salmonella outbreak with cases in 17 U.S. states.

Some ill people reported eating Fratelli Beretta brand uncured antipasto before they got sick and the traceback investigation confirmed that some of the ill people purchased uncured antipasto trays produced by Fratelli Beretta, the federal agency said.

While there have been no fatalities, the CDC has reported 36 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations between May and late July. The CDC said the age range of those affected was between 4 and 91.

The public health agency said the investigation is still ongoing to determine if additional products are linked to illness. People who have bought the meat can return it to a local Costco store, or call the companys hotline at 866-918-8738.

Shoppers walk out with full carts from a Costco store in Washington, on May 5, 2020. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

Salmonella

Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. Symptoms usually start within six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days, according to the CDC.

The agency advises seeking medical attention if one has a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving, bloody stools, prolonged vomiting that prevents liquids from being kept down, and signs of dehydration, such as making very little urine, a dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing up.

People aged 65 and above and the immunocompromised are at higher risk from severe salmonella sickness. The CDC said salmonella can also make children under age 5 very sick.

Isabel van Brugen contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Then-Vice President of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh (R) gestures as he stands along with National Security Adviser of Afghanistan Hamdullah Mohib prior to a meeting at the Afghan Parliament house in Kabul on Aug. 2, 2021. (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images)

Afghanistans Acting President Says Taliban Behind ISIS-K Kabul Bombing

Amrullah Saleh, who says he is Afghanistans acting president according to its constitution, has claimed that the Taliban were behind the suicide bombing at Kabul airport on Aug. 26, which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and over 100 Afghans.

Every evidence we have in hand shows that [ISIS-K terrorist] cells have their roots in Talibs [Taliban] & Haqqani network particularly the ones operating in Kabul, Saleh posted to Twitter a day after the deadly blast.

We knew from two or three days ago that the Taliban wanted to end the airport disaster with a series of bombings, he told Euronews on Aug. 26. They spread the word that ISIL wanted to carry out bombings. The Taliban is behind todays [Thursdays] bombing, he claimed.

The United States has also not ruled out the possibility of the Taliban being involved in the attack, with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby saying on Aug. 27 that U.S. officials were unsure if the Taliban were involved.

The terrorist group ISIS-K or ISIS-Khorasan, an ISIS affiliate, did claim responsibility for the terror attack on Aug. 26, bragging that its suicide bomber managed to penetrate all the security fortifications put into place by U.S. forces and the Taliban.

ISIS-K is reportedly made up of mostly disenchanted Taliban fighters drawn to an even more extreme view of Islam that prides itself on a focus of global, not local, jihad. They are said to be enemies of the Taliban, but have seen a boost to their ranks after the Taliban freed prisoners across the country.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has said that a Taliban investigation into the attacks was ongoing.

Kabul Not the Story of Whole Afghanistan

Meanwhile, Saleh has gathered with several top officials of the ousted Ghani government in the Panjshir Valley to lead a resistance movement against the Taliban.

Unfortunately, the whole media is focused around the tarmac in Kabul airport, yes I understand that, but thats not the story of all Afghanistan, Saleh told Australias national broadcaster ABC.

Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces personnel patrol along a road in Rah-e Tang of Panjshir province on Aug. 29, 2021. (Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP via Getty Images)

Saleh told Indias CNN-News18 that the peace talks in Doha, which the government and anti-Taliban United Front (Northern Alliance) that represents nearly 60 percent of Afghans were not a party, to have been a failed exercise that legitimized the Taliban, adding that the Taliban did not remain loyal to their words, they did not honour their commitment, and they fooled the entire international community.

Saleh on Aug. 17, citing the constitution, said that he was officially Afghanistans de facto president given that former President Ashraf Ghani had fled the country leaving the Taliban to seize control of Kabul on Aug. 15.

However, Saleh said he was reaching out to all leaders to secure their support and consensus in order to take his position as the legitimate caretaker president.

Saleh had served as chief of the Afghan intelligence service under the previous U.S.-backed government of former President Hamid Karzai.

The Afghan embassy in Tajikistan has since recognized Saleh as the caretaker president, reported News18.

Broken Promises

In February last year, the Trump administration signed a deal with the Taliban setting a timetable for a May withdrawal by U.S. troops conditioned on the Taliban meeting peace commitments, including not harbouring Al Qaeda terrorists.

But Saleh told News18 that the Taliban has since broken many key promises, including having Haji Mohammad Idris, a money launderer who was facilitating transactions between Al Qaeda sympathisers and the Taliban, become the governor of Afghanistans central bank.

He added that Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani, a senior member of the Haqqani terrorist network with a $5 million bounty on his head for his links to Al Qaeda attacks, was put in change of security in Kabul on Aug. 19. The Haqqani network is a faction within the Taliban movement that has close ties to Al Qaeda and is infamous for its use of suicide bombing tactics.

Ivor Roberts, a senior adviser at the Counter Extremism Project, told Voice of America he thought the move was akin to a fox being put in charge of a chicken coop.

Taliban fighters stand guard along a road near the site of an Ashura procession which is held to mark the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, along a road in Herat on Aug. 19, 2021, amid the Talibans military takeover of Afghanistan. (Aref Karimi/AFP via Getty Images)

Saleh added, This is a shame and betrayal and I dont want to be a part of that shame and betrayal. We will fight till the enemy believes and come to a conclusion that Afghanistan should remain Afghanistan and not become Talibanistan.

The bottom line is that NATO is gone, U.S. military is gone, but the Afghan people have not gone  they could not be evacuated. Kabul airport is the tip of an iceberg. The country has sunken to tragedy and terrorists groups have taken over Afghanistan.

Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, ethnic Tajik leader and top peace envoy of the fallen government, are in talks with the Talibans defacto leader, 53-year-old Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, co-founder of the Taliban, after they remained in Kabul to discuss a peaceful transition of power with the Taliban.

The Taliban isnt expected to make announcements about its plans for government until Aug. 31, when Biden had said U.S. troops should be out of Afghanistan.

We are aware of the concerns and questions in and outside Afghanistan about the kind of government we would have after the foreign troops withdraw, Baradar wrote in op-ed in The New York Times. My response to such concerns is that it will depend on a consensus among Afghans. We should not let our worries get in the way of a process of genuine discussion and deliberation free for the first time from foreign domination and interference.

Ahmad Massoud, the son of late Afghan politician and military commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, in Kabul on Aug. 25, 2019. (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images)

Support From Congress

Salehs resistance movement has received statements support from conservative voices in U.S. Congress.

After speaking with Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh and representatives of Ahmad Massoud, we are calling on the Biden Administration to recognize these leaders as the legitimate government representatives of Afghanistan, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) said in a joint statement. We ask the Biden Administration to recognize that the Afghan Constitution is still intact, and the Afghan Taliban takeover is illegal.

Saleh called Waltz, who is a combat-decorated Green Beret and served in Afghanistan, a voice of sanity for Congress on the situation in Afghanistan.

Northern Alliance leader Ahmad Massoud, 32, has said he favors talks with the Taliban in the hopes of achieving a broad-based government over war. But he has said he will not surrender his territory in the protected Panjshir Valley.

Ahmad Massoud is the son of famed mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, nicknamed the Lion of Panjshir, whose fighters fought back the Soviets in the 1980s and the Taliban after they seized power in 1996. The older Massoud was assassinated by Al Qaeda in a suicide bombing just two days before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, with intelligence believing that the two events are likely linked.

Massoud said that his band of resistance fighters, made up from the remaining Afghan army units and special forces as well as local militia fighters, want to defend, they want to fight, they want to resist against any totalitarian regime, referring to a potential Taliban regime.

He pleaded for material support for an expected fight with the Taliban from the Biden administration and other allies of democracy in an op-ed in The Washington Post on Aug. 18.

[W]e know that our our military forces and logistics will not be sufficient. They will be rapidly depleted unless our friends in the West can find a way to supply us without delay, he wrote.

The United States and its allies have left the battlefield, but America can still be a great arsenal of democracy.'

Taliban spokesman Mujahid announced on Twitter on Aug. 23 that Saleh and Massouds resistance forces were under siege in Panjshir, saying that it was trying to solve the problem through talks.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Aug. 29 that Taliban fighters are gathered at the entrance point of the Panjshir Valley as their leaders pressure the resistance movement to join a new government, threatening a military assault if negotiations fail.

The Taliban propaganda machine is spreading fake news that they have entered Panjshir. These are false claims & should not be circulated by the mass media. Panjshir is well fortified & is impregnable. If the aggressors try to enter there, it will be the beginning of their end.  Ali Maisam Nazary (@alinazary) August 28, 2021

The problem is that they are unwilling to make any concessions. And were unwilling to accept any type of political system that isnt inclusive, Ali Nazary, head of foreign affairs for the resistance movement, told the WSJ.

According to various reports, internet and telecom services to the valley have been cut by the Taliban, with supporters of the resistance calling on the United States to provide internet access and secure communications equipment.

According to Saleh, the Taliban have neither external nor internal legitimacy, and will soon face a deep military crisis as other anti-Taliban militias not currently in Panjshir will also fight them, he told Euronews.

The law of the Taliban is Islamic Emirate, unacceptable to the people of Afghanistan and the election of a leader by a group is unacceptable. It is impossible for Taliban rule to last long in Afghanistan.
US soldiers walk through the tarmac to board an US Air Force aircraft at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 30, 2021. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images)

Americans Not Being Turned Away From Kabul Airport: US Ambassador

American citizens are not being blocked from entering the U.S.-held airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, a U.S. official said Monday.

Claims that American citizens have been turned away or denied access to HKIA by Embassy staff or US Forces are false, Ross Wilson, the U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, said in a statement.

U.S. troops hold the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. The airport has been used for weeks to evacuate Americans, Afghans, and others who are trying to flee the before the United States fully withdraws from the country, which was taken over by the Taliban terrorist group in mid-August.

Wilsons statement came after multiple members of Congress said over the weekend that Americans werent able to get into the airport.

I am furious!! My team has been on the phone all day trying to get AMERICAN CITIZENS out. They have been just outside the airport numerous times, but the State Department WILL NOT help them, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) wrote on Twitter.

US citizens are not being allowed into Kabul international. Biden has ordered the gates closed. Our fellow Americans will soon be left behind. Unbelievable and unforgivable, Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) added, referring to President Joe Biden.

America, you need to know this: Biden is not letting citizens through the airport gates. It has been impossible to get anyone through for the last 24 hours, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) wrote.

Reps. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), and Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) also said theyd heard that Americans were being blocked from the facility.

U.S. Marines and German service member watch an entry gate during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Davis Harris via Reuters)

The United States at times has told people not to travel to the facility because of the danger in the area presented by terrorists from ISIS. The Taliban has also beaten some Americans.

The last alert came on Saturday, when the U.S. Embassy in Kabul told any U.S. citizens around the airport to leave immediately.

Americans were also told to avoid traveling to the airport and avoid all airport gates at this time because of a specific, credible threat.

Multiple rockets were fired at the airport early Monday.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the operations at the airport were continuing uninterrupted.

Biden was briefed on the situation, which reportedly included some rockets being intercepted by U.S. missile defense systems and others striking various parts of Kabul.

The United States is poised to withdraw fully from Afghanistan on Aug. 31. Approximately 300 Americans are believed to remain in the country, according to U.S. officials. The United States evacuated or facilitated the evacuation of some 1,200 people on Sunday, a White House official said, though it was unclear how many were Americans.

Biden refused to answer questions on the situation during a public appearance on Sunday.
Australia a Nation of Tut-Tutting Karens on COVID Restrictions: Think Tank Survey

A survey has revealed that despite declining support for lockdowns and restrictions, Australians still favour tougher enforcement of public health orders and higher fines.

A poll commissioned by the Sydney-based Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) found that 39 percent of Australians believed penalties for breaching public health orders was too low. Another 47 percent thought the fines were set at the right level, and only 14 percent believed they were too high.

New South Wales (NSW) police recently amped up fines for breaching health restrictions, including $500 for not wearing a mask, $1,000 for breaching a public health order, and $5,000 for not providing details to a contact tracer, or following directions to self-isolate.

CIS commissioned YouGov to conduct the poll of 1,029 Australians between Aug. 2 to 5, producing the report, Attitudes to a Post-COVID Australia (pdf).

The survey found that 46 percent of Australians believed enforcement was too lax and not strong enough, with another 39 percent believing enforcement levels were adequate.

A police officer speaks to a member of the public as part on public health order compliance operations at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 15, 2021. (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

Police have actively encouraged Australians to contact Crime Stoppers with tip-offs on individuals breaching public health orders. In fact, following July protests against COVID lockdowns in Sydney, authorities received over 20,000 tip-offs.

Politicians encouraging people to report their neighbours for breaching the public health orders is likely to have taken a significant toll on social cohesion, co-author Simon Cowan said in a statement.

Related Coverage Has Dobbing Become a New Cultural Phenomenon in Australia?

Australians may have this idealised view of ourselves as larrikins who dont follow the rules, but in reality, we are a nation of tut-tutting Karens, he added.

Australians were keen as well, to see an end to lockdowns, with 37 percent wanting restrictions to end as soon as possible, 34 percent wanted them to end when vaccination thresholds were met, and 10 percent believing every person should be vaccinated until restrictions were removed.

In late July, the National Cabinetan intergovernmental body involving the prime minister and state and territory leadersagreed on a four-stage vaccination roadmap to transition the country away from frequent lockdowns and health restrictions.

The country is currently working towards the 70 percent mark, with the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pushing for vaccination rates to increase.

Once 70 percent of the population is vaccinated, the next phase of the roadmap is triggered, and will see stay-at-home orders and restrictions largely removed.

Upon reaching the 80 percent threshold, Australia will begin reopening international borders. Lockdowns will need to be highly targeted while vaccinated residents will be exempt from domestic restrictions.

There is considerable support for so-called vaccine passports, with 60 percent approving of their use by state governments to regulate entry to a state, and 55 percent agreeing that business should be allowed to demand them as a condition of entry or service, co-author Robert Carling said in a statement.

An illustration picture shows a smartphone screen displaying a Covid-19 vaccine record on the National Health Service (NHS) app in London, UK on May 18, 2021. (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

Australians also displayed low support for a zero-COVID strategy (13 percent) and acknowledged that COVID-19 would never be permanently eradicated from the country (62 percent).

Currently, the Prime Minister Morrison has called for state and territory leaderswho currently have the power to impose lockdowns and health restrictionsto abide by the vaccination roadmap and to break the cycle of lockdowns.

However, West Australian Labor Premier Mark McGowan, stood by the states right to implement highly-targeted lockdowns and indicated his government would likely continue to pursue a zero-COVID strategy.

Further, Queensland Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called for renewed modelling before committing to opening borders, saying the previous research did not consider high case numbers and was premised around 30 cases in the community.

While on Monday, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) leader Andrew Barr said it was not safe to open the country even when vaccination rates reached 70 percent of the population.

Western Australia, Queensland, and the ACT have not had outbreaks of the same magnitude as NSW and Victoria.

The reluctance of the two-state premiersMcGowan and Palaszczukto follow through on the National Cabinet plan, compelled the Doherty Institute, a medical research body in Melbourne, to issue a statement last week saying that Australia would be safe to open up, even with hundreds of daily COVID infections.
A health worker looks on as people sit in an observation area after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at a pop-up vaccine clinic in Lakemba, in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 8, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Australian Employee Groups Welcome No Fault COVID-19 Indemnity Scheme

Employee and business groups have welcomed the federal governments announcement on Saturday to introduce a no fault COVID-19 indemnity scheme that will give financial compensation to people who experience serious adverse side-effects from the vaccine.

The scheme will give businesses the confidence to hand out vaccine mandates to employees by offering financial protection to all Australians receiving COVID-19 vaccines.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the scheme would be backdated to February 2021 and cover the costs of injuries above $5,000 (U.S.$3,650) from proven adverse reactions to a COVID-19 vaccination. Independent experts will assess claims.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) said they had been the leading body in pushing this scheme, working closely with the government and other organisations.

This scheme is a vote of confidence in the safety of the vaccines being used in Australia and sends a strong message to patients that, in the extremely rare case of serious side effects, you can access compensation without having to resort to expensive and complex litigation, AMA President Dr. Omar Khorshid said.

Khorshid said the scheme also protected health care workers involved in the vaccine rollout from stressful court procedures.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said they were long-time advocates for employer indemnity protections.

Many employers had indicated that they are willing to assist and are actively considering workplace vaccination programs. However, employers like clinicians raised ongoing concerns about indemnity arrangements to cover administration of COVID-19 vaccines, ACCI CEO Andrew McKellar said.

A man receives a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at a newly opened vaccination hub in Dubbo, Australia, on Aug. 21, 2021. (Belinda Soole/Getty Images)

McKellar recommended that employers start renewing focus in encouraging workers to voluntarily receive the vaccine, helping the country reach the 80 percent vaccination target.

Achieving high vaccination rates is our ticket to reopening the economy and getting back to business, he said.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) said it looked forward to working with the government to ensure the scheme operated as intended.

The COVID-19 mass vaccination program is a large and complex undertaking in a rapidly evolving environment, ICA CEO Andrew Hall said. Many insurers are interested in facilitating workplace vaccine programs similar to the annual flu shot once they are able to access this via registered medical providers.

AMA, ACCI, and ICA worked closely together with the government to introduce the indemnity scheme.

The Business Council of Australia (BCA) also welcomed the scheme for giving employers around the nation greater certainty and confidence to manage workplace COVID-19 vaccinations.

The job of business is to help accelerate vaccine take up and assist with the governments rollout, BCA CEO Jennifer Westacott said. Todays announcement will give thousands of businesses the confidence to get on with this task.

A survey of over 700 businesses by the Australian Industry Group found that 51 percent supported mandatory workplace vaccinations, 37 percent preferred encouraging voluntary vaccinations, and 10 percent said it was not applicable for their business or they were unsure.
Australian Truckers Protest Mandatory Vaccines and Lockdowns, Block Major Highway

Australian truck drivers have blocked a major highway in the north-eastern state of Queensland in a protest against vaccine mandates and tough border restrictions, causing traffic to back up for several kilometres.

The action marks a series of ongoing protests from Australians frustrated with state government COVID-19 lockdowns and mandated restrictions based on emergency public health orders.

The drivers parked their prime movers at 5:30 a.m. on the southbound lanes of the M1 highway at Reedy Creek in the Gold Coast portion of the arterial on Monday. The highway is used by tens of thousands of Queenslanders each morning.

A banner was unfurled and covered the front of both vehicles, reading: Truckies Keep Australia Moving, Not Politicians.

One driver named Brock, who did not give his surname, said the drivers were protesting the Queensland governments strict health orders that prevented all individuals from entering the state, except for essential workers.

Those deemed essential workers need to be involved in skilled construction, farming, or healthcare, and must prove that a Queensland resident cannot do their job. Further, they need to prove they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Queensland Police stop trucks at the Queensland border in Coolangatta, Australia, on Aug. 25, 2021 (Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

End all lockdowns, people go back to work, and kids go back to school, Brock told Nines Today show. Thats all we want out of it; weve had enough of it.

Weve had a lot the support mate, the people that showed up today is amazing. We appreciate everyone thats come down, he added, saying the police had been lenient about the protest, and he respected what they did.

But its all about choice at the end of the day. If you dont want to get the vax, dont get the vax. If you do want to get it, get it. But just dont keep locking up people.

News footage showed federal One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson and her advisor James Ashby at the protest.

Acting Chief Superintendent Rhys Wildman of Gold Coast police said the truckers faced criminal charges.

Wildman said the M1 was blocked for 45 minutes, and emergency vehicles were held up, which was a great concern.

Theres a bigger picture in this around putting lives at risk, which is really, really disappointing, he told ABC Gold Coast. We are investigating, and obviously, action will be taken against those particular drivers at a later time.

The truckers rally comes a day before a planned Australia and New Zealand-wide protest on Aug. 31, that has been circulating on social media for weeks.

Block every hwy [highway] entering into every state all at the same time & take back Australia, one post on Facebook read, while warning people to stock up on enough food for a couple of weeks while truckies aim to block supply routes across the country.

Frustrations have begun boiling over in Australia over the COVID-19 lockdownswhich state government say are caused by the low vaccinations in the countrywith protests against government-mandated lockdowns ramping up around the country in recent weeks.

On the weekend of Aug. 21, rallies were held in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Coolangatta-Tweed Heads.

Over 1,000 residents in the Coolangatta-Tweed areawhich saddles the state border between Queensland and New South Walesheld a rally complaining that the hard domestic border was affecting their livelihoods. Residents in the region regularly cross between the state border to access services.

I was working [across the border], and now my source of income has been cut off, so Im forced to be dependent on the government, one rallygoer from Pottsville in northern NSW told the ABC.

Its really, really distressing, and were angrywere angry about our government.

The Queensland government implemented the hard border in response to an outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in the Greater Sydney areaabout 800 kilometres awaywith sporadic outbreaks in the regions.

The northern NSW area, closest to Queensland, has had no active cases except for sewerage samples, as well as a man and his two teenage children found travelling to Byron Bay from Sydney last month.

The Federal Employment Minister Stuart Roberts said the health orders were tough but said the truckies should not have held the action on the Gold Coast and inconvenienced thousands.

Vaccination seems to be the way for us to be able to get through this, to get back out of lockdown and to get ourselves back to the freedoms that we love here in Australia, he said.

The rest of the world is doing it. Sure, there is carnage left, right, and centre, but there is carnage left, right, and centre here.

The move also comes as Queensland becomes the first state to trial vaccination of international seafarers arriving at local ports. The International Transport Workers Federation backed the move.

International seafarers are the backbone of the economy, but a growing number of COVID outbreaks on vessels arriving in Australian ports highlights the need for urgent action to protect the health of these workers, reduce the risk of community transmission, and strengthen supply chain resilience, ITF Australia co-ordinator Ian Bray said.
Flags fly at half-staff in honor of the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, at Camp Justice, in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, on Aug. 29, 2021. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

Bali Bomb Case Starts in Guantanamo 18 Years After Capture

NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CubaThree prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention center had their first day in court Monday after being held by the United States for 18 years without charge in connection with the deadly 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and other plots in Southeast Asia.

Indonesian prisoner Encep Nurjaman, known as Hambali, and two Malaysians started their arraignment before a military commission at a nearly five-hour hearing inside the U.S. base in Cuba, facing charges that include murder, conspiracy, and terrorism.

Slowed by problems with the courtroom interpreters, the military commission was unable to finish the long-delayed arraignment and it was expected to resume Tuesday.

Its almost 20 years later, witnesses have died, the landscape has changed dramatically, said Brian Bouffard, a lawyer for Malaysian defendant Mohammed Nazir bin Lep. In my view, its fatal to the ability to have a fair trial.

The arraignment went off course early as the Malaysians challenged the adequacy of the courtroom interpreter, who seemed to speak haltingly in both English and Malay. Their lawyers also revealed that another interpreter working with prosecutors had worked with the defendants during an earlier appearance before the equivalent of a parole board at the detention center.

He has confidential information that he may be sharing with the prosecution right now, said Christine Funk, a lawyer for Mohammed Farik bin Amin.

Lawyers for bin Lep also said they intended to introduce an affidavit in which the Indonesian interpreter is alleged to have been overheard saying I dont know why the government has spent so much money on these terrorists; they should have been killed a long time ago.

Nurjaman was a leader of Jemaah Islamiyah, a Southeast Asian terrorist group with ties to al-Qaida. The U.S. government says he recruited terrorists, including bin Lep and bin Amin, for jihadist operations.

Among the plots that al-Qaida and Jemaah Islamiyah carried out were the October 2002 suicide bombings of Paddys Pub and the Sari Club in Bali, Indonesia, and the August 2003 suicide bombing of the J.W. Marriott in Jakarta, Indonesia. The attacks together killed 213 people, including seven Americans, and injured 109 people, including six Americans. Dozens of victims were foreign tourists, mostly Australians.

Prosecutors allege bin Lep and bin Amin served as intermediaries in the transfer of money used to fund the groups operations.

All three were captured in Thailand in 2003 and transferred to CIA black sites, where they were brutalized and subjected to torture, according to a Senate Intelligence Committee report released in 2014. In 2006, they were moved to Guantanamo.

Its unclear why its taken so long to charge them before the military commission. Military prosecutors filed charges against the men in June 2017, but the Pentagon legal official who oversees Guantanamo cases rejected the charges for reasons that havent been publicly disclosed.

The case has many elements that make it complex, including whether statements the men made to authorities can hold up in court because of the abuse they experienced in CIA custody, the fact that people have already been convicted, and in some cases executed, in Indonesia for the attack, and the long time it has taken to bring charges.

Some of these same issues have come up in the case against five Guantanamo prisoners charged for planning and aiding the Sept. 11 attacks. They were arraigned in May 2012 and remain in the pretrial phase, with no trial date yet scheduled.

Funk predicted a lengthy period of defense investigation that will require extensive travel, once the pandemic is over, to interview witnesses and look for evidence. Still, she said, her client is anxious and eager to litigate this case and go home.
Antony Blinken, who was then-U.S. Deputy Secretary of State (L), shakes hand with China's foreign minister Wang Yi at the Olive Hall before a meeting at the Chinese Foreign Ministry office in Beijing on Feb. 11, 2015. (Andy Wong-Pool/Getty Images)

Beijing Says SinoUS Cooperation on Afghanistan Conditional on Washingtons Attitude Toward China

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Aug. 29 that Washingtons attitude toward China would decide how the two countries would work together on Afghanistan, during a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Wang not only set the conditions for bilateral cooperation, but also accused the United States of fighting terrorism selectively, according to a statement published by the Chinese foreign ministry.

While the Chinese ministrys statement detailed Wangs demands for the United States, State Department spokesperson Ned Price issued a brief statement on the call.

Blinken and Wang spoke about the importance of the international community holding the Taliban accountable for the public commitments they have made regarding the safe passage and freedom to travel for Afghans and foreign nationals, the spokesperson said.

Prices statement didnt offer any other details about the call.

Wang said the U.S. attitude would be measured by its actions: Stop smearing and attacking Beijing and stop undermining Chinas sovereignty. He also said the United States should take seriously Chinas two lists and three bottom lines. Doing what China said would bring bilateral ties back on track to meet Beijings wishes.

Its unclear what smearing and attacks to which Wang was referring. In July, the Chinese regime also accused Western journalists of smearing China after they published reports critical of Chinese policies on local floods. The accusation, promoted through Chinas state-run media, resulted in Chinese citizens harassing and threatening Western reporters covering the disaster on the ground.

Chinese state-controlled media have been publishing their own negative reports about the United States, such as labeling the United States as an unreliable partner, given its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Beijing handed the lists and three demands to U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman when she traveled to China in late July to meet with Wang and his deputy, Xie Feng. One of the lists asked the United States to correct its wrongdoings, including revoking U.S. sanctions on Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials.

United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman (L) and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi sit together in Tianjin, China, on July 26, 2021. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)

One of the demands requires that the United States not interfere in the Chinese Communist Partys management of issues in the troubled regions of Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. Many Western governments, including the United States, have called out China for its human rights violations in the three regions, particularly over the detention of more than 1 million Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

The communist regime has turned Shermans China visitas well as a March meeting in Alaska when Wang and Chinas foreign policy official Yang Jiechi dressed down Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivaninto a propaganda coup.

Feng Chongyi, an associate professor in China Studies at the University of Technology in Sydney, said the Chinese regime is taking advantage of a U.S. policy on China that he described as soft.

Do you want to cooperate with me? If you ask me to cooperate, you have to meet my demands, Feng told The Epoch Times, describing Beijings strategy on dealing with the United States. You are looking to me for help, right?

According to Feng, this has been the main reason the United States has been at a disadvantage when engaging with China.

The professor suggested that the Biden administration was too indecisive in its approach toward the Chinese regime. U.S. officials have said that the administration would compete, collaborate, and confront China as needed, which sounds perfect, but is actually conflicting, Feng said.

The call on Aug. 29 was the second talk between Blinken and Wang over Afghanistan this month. According to the State Department, Blinken and Wang spoke about the security situation in Afghanistan during the earlier call on Aug. 16, after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.

During that call, Wang said China was ready to have communication and dialogue with the United States on issues related to Afghanistan, but he criticized the swift U.S. withdrawal as having a severely adverse impact on the war-torn nation, according to Chinas foreign ministry.

It remains to be seen how much China would actually benefit from a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Im not sure that China is actually going to benefit, because Beijing now has to do something that its never done before, which is to manage a very difficult security situation outside its borders, Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China, said during a recent EpochTV webinar.

Aside from Afghanistan, Wang also accused U.S. intelligence officials of cooking up their report on the origins of the CCP virus during the latest call with Blinken, according to the Chinese statement. He also demanded that the United States stop politicizing tracing the origins of the virus.

The U.S. intelligence report, which was released on Aug. 27, stated that it couldnt come to a conclusive assessment about the pandemics origins, given Chinas refusal to cooperate.

The CCP virus originated in Chinas central city of Wuhan. The report concluded that the virus could have either come from an infected animal or a laboratory-associated incident.

Chinas Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), home to one of Chinas highest-level biosafety P4 laboratories, has been under scrutiny for potentially being the source of the virus. U.S., Canadian, and French funding to the lab for controversial gain-of-function research has also come under scrutiny.

A State Department fact sheet released in January stated it had reason to believe that several researchers inside the WIV became sick in autumn 2019, before the first identified case of the outbreak, with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses.

Eva Fu and Luo Ya contributed to this report.
Vehicles are damaged after the front of a building collapsed during Hurricane Ida in New Orleans, La.. on Aug. 29, 2021. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Biden Declares Major Disaster as Hurricane Ida Lashes Louisiana

President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster as Hurricane Ida continues to ravage parts of Louisiana with powerful winds, leaving more than one million customers across the region without power.

Biden on Sunday night ordered federal assistance to bolster recovery efforts in more than two-dozen storm-stricken parishes, as power was knocked out in the entire New Orleans metropolitan area with the failure of all eight transmission lines that deliver electricity to Louisianas largest city, according to utility company Entergy Louisiana.

One transmission tower collapsed into the Mississippi River, according to the Jefferson Parish Emergency Management Department.

According to tracking site PowerOutages.us in its latest update, more than one million customers were without power in Louisiana, and at least 64,000 more had lost power in neighboring Mississippi.

One of the most powerful storms ever to hit the United States, Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, at around 12:50 p.m. ET on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), which in its latest update said the hurricane was turning northward over the southeastern region.

Nurse captures roof being blown off at OCHSNER main campus. (credit: Courtesy: Chrissy Gottbrath) #HurricaneIda #nola pic.twitter.com/xSM95o1Yj1  BunChoum (@BunChoum) August 30, 2021

Just three days after emerging as a tropical storm in the Caribbean Sea, Ida had intensified into a Category 4 hurricane and swept ashore with top sustained winds of 150 miles per hour (240 km per hour), the NHC reported.

As Ida pushed inland past to New Orleans over the next 10 hours, its maximum sustained winds diminished to 105 mph, ranking it as a Category 1 storm on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, according to the NHC.

The NHC reported flash flooding across southeastern Louisiana, while officials with the National Weather Service (NWS) in New Orleans issued a rare flash flood emergency on Sunday night for the south shore area of metro New Orleans. A flash flood emergency is the highest type of alert issued for flooding.

The combination of storm surge and rainfall of 6 to 10 inches of rain is creating a life threatening situation. Please move to higher ground! NWS New Orleans said on Twitter.

Residents of the most vulnerable coastal areas were ordered to evacuate days in advance of Ida.

Meanwhile, at least one person has died from injuries caused by Hurricane Ida. On Sunday night, the Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office (APSO) said in a statement on Facebook that it received reports hours earlier that a person sustained injuries from a fallen tree in Prairieville, Louisiana.

Deputies arrived and confirmed the victims death, the APSO said. It marks the first death reported from the storm.

Federal funding will be made available to affected individuals in the parishes of Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana, the White House said in a statement.

Cash aid will also be available to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal in affected regions, the statement adds.

Reuters contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden listens during a virtual briefing about Hurricane Ida from the White House campus, in Washington on Aug. 30, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Talks With Louisiana Governor After Ida Strikes State

President Joe Biden on Monday spoke with Louisianas governor after Ida, a major hurricane, pummeled the state.

I know youre busy as the devil. I know you got a lot to manage in your states. But the fact is that, I want to hear from you, we both want to hear from you, Biden told a group that included Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, referring to himself, Deanne Criswell, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator, and senior adviser Cedric Richmond.

Ida caused massive, massive damage after hitting New Orleans over the weekend and has left one confirmed dead, with that number expected to grow, Biden told the governors from Washington during the virtual meeting.

Federal efforts have included moving more than 200 generators into the region and distributing pre-positioned resources like water. The Biden administration has also been in touch with utility providers, is planning to deploy drones soon to assess the damage to energy infrastructure, and has been working with cellular providers to trigger a cooperative framework that allows people to hop onto various lines, even those not from their carrier.

If theres something you need needs my attention, Cedrics your direct line, direct line in the White House throughout this recovery, and I mean that whatever you need, go to Cedric, youll get to me, well get to what you need, if we can, Biden said.

If we work together, folks get knocked down, were there to help you get back on your feet, he added later.

Edwards, a Democrat, reported the levee systems holding against the storm surges, with none being breached. But damage elsewhere was catastrophic, he said, with the wind in particular causing serious problems, such as leaving one million homes and businesses out of power.

We are still in a life-saving mode here doing search and rescue, Edwards said. The roads, the highways into the most affected area were completely clogged with debris, downed power lines, trees. Were making really good progress.

Louisiana has activated all of its 5,000 National Guardsmen to help with search-and-rescue and other important tasks in the aftermath of the storm.

Reeves, a Republican, also thanked Biden for signing a pre-landfall declaration, which enabled better preparation for the storm.

Ida slowed down as it was downgraded to a tropical storm and remains in Mississippi on Monday. The damage its inflicting is less severe. But its still dumping large amounts of rain.

We know that our greatest threats here in Mississippi are with respect to rising water and power outages, Reeves said. Were seeing more rain, more water, but a lot less wind, which is certainly helpful.

Biden did not take questions from reporters for the second day in a row. White House press secretary Jen Psaki held a briefing in a separate room during Bidens meeting.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at the State Department in Washington, on Aug. 2, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Blinken: US Likely Will Not Have Physical Diplomatic Presence in Afghanistan on Sept. 1

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States wont have a physical diplomatic presence in Kabul by Sept. 1 when the United States fully withdraws from Afghanistan.

In an interview on Sunday, the Biden administrations top diplomat said an on-the-ground diplomatic presence is not likely after the Taliban took over Kabul just over two weeks ago, but he vowed that the administration will attempt to evacuate Americans who are trying to leave the country.

First, in terms of having an on-the-ground diplomatic presence on September 1st, thats not likely to happen. But what is going to happen is that our commitment to continue to help people leave Afghanistan who want to leave and who are not out by September 1st, that endures, Blinken said during an interview on Meet The Press.

Theres no deadline on that effort. And we have ways, we have mechanisms to help facilitate the ongoing departure of people from Afghanistan if they choose to leave, Blinken continued.

The Biden administration earlier this summer self-imposed an Aug. 31 deadline for the full withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, pushing back the date from May 1, which was negotiated by the Taliban and the Trump administration last year.

In another Sunday interview with ABC News, Blinken further stipulated at the United States has significant leverage over the Taliban to ensure the groupdesignated by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and other agencies as a terrorist groupmakes good on its commitments.

One hundred fourteen countries have made very clear that it is their expectation that the Taliban will permit freedom of travel going past August 31st, Blinken said during the program.

Noting that the global community expects the Taliban to comply, we have very significant leverage to work with over the weeks and months ahead to incentivize the Taliban to make good on its commitments, Blinken said. He didnt go into details.

Since the Taliban took over in mid-August, President Joe Biden has taken considerable criticism from both Republican and Democrat members of Congress and the media, who have accused him of mishandling the pullout and evacuation. Biden and other administration officials have also been flagged for providing conflicting information about the situation on the ground, namely at the Kabul airport.

During the pullout and military mission in Kabul, administration officials have said theyve coordinated and spoken with senior Taliban members in a move that also raised significant questions.

Im not saying we should trust the Taliban on anything, Blinken said during the ABC interview. Im simply reporting what one of their senior leaders said to the Afghan people.

The Pentagon said that U.S. officials on Monday are still working to evacuate Americans and Afghan civilians from Kabul after a fatal terrorist bombing at the airport and rockets being fired in that direction on Monday.
Kinney County Sheriff's Deputy Chris Coplan arrests two illegal aliens after the stolen truck they were traveling in sped through a checkpoint and onto a ranch near Brackettville, Texas, on Aug. 16, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Border Sheriff Nabs Smugglers With Pop-Up Highway Checkpoints

BRACKETTVILLE, TexasKinney County Sheriff Brad Coe joked that his first pop-up drivers license checkpoint on a rural road would be boring.

Coe set up on a road that provides smugglers a way around a Border Patrol checkpoint thats situated between the border and San Antonio.

Less than 30 minutes in and with the third vehicle approaching, word came over the radio that the license plate on the incoming black pickup truck was registered to a white pickup truckan obvious red flag.

The driver slowed down briefly as the sheriff flagged him to stop, then gunned it through the checkpoint. Deputy Chris Copland was first in to begin the chase. Several hundred yards later, the black pickup veered off the road, through a fence, and plowed into a ranch through the scrub and brush.

Copland followed on foot, along with a Texas Department of Public Safety officer who had arrived a couple of minutes later. They found the truck abandoned about a quarter of a mile in and decided to drive it back out since the keys were still in it. As Copland started the truck, two illegal aliens popped out of hiding from the brushthey had been smuggled in the bed of the pickup and didnt want to be left out in the middle of nowhere. The truck was ascertained to be stolen.

Meanwhile, a white Chevy pickup, suspected to be driving in tandem with the black truck, saw the commotion on the side of the road and sped past. The driver and passengers bailed out on the side of the road as a Texas state trooper gave chase, but no one was apprehended.

The two illegal aliens that were apprehended were turned over to Border Patrol, who also sent out a K-9 to find the remaining two plus the driver, but to no avail. The next morning, however, the other two illegal aliens flagged down law enforcement from the roadsidethey were hungry, thirsty, and tired.

The following day, on Aug. 19, Coe set up his second checkpoint and within 30 minutes caught another smuggling load. This time, the driver stopped at the checkpoint. He was transporting two illegal alienswho had crossed the border into Eagle Pass, Texasin his mothers car.

A week later, Coes third checkpoint, on a different road, didnt result in any arrests, but his six deputies have been spending the bulk of their time on illegal alien-related issues for months.

Extra Texas state troopers have been a common sight on roads near the border since March, when Gov. Greg Abbott launched Operation Lone Star. Since then, troopers have been involved in 649 vehicle pursuits, the Texas Department of Public Safety told The Epoch Times on Aug. 27.
Canadas Bungled Afghanistan Evacuation No Cause for Boasting

Commentary

If anyone in our government dared present the disastrously bungled evacuation from Afghanistan as cause for self-congratulation, youd expect their tongues to cleave to the roofs of their mouths. But theyre not that kind of people.

A news story about this debacle the acting chief of defence staff called heartbreaking reported that, after the prime minister gave a Quebec City speech on Aug. 26 devoted to micro-bribing voters that ignored Afghanistan, he allowed in response to questions that it was a very difficult day though in no way his fault. After which youd expect a hasty, embarrassed exit.

Instead, after chucking the buck into the trash, Trudeau thumped his chest: The temporary air bridge that was put in place by the Americans over the past number of weeks allowed us to get out tens of thousands of people as an international community, and Canada will have been able to lift out about 3,700 people. We have taken as much if not more advantage of this temporary opportunity than just about any of our allies.

What? You pick this moment to say were number one? Still, he is vain, shallow, and prone to off-script catastrophe. Surely once the handlers got hold of the issue a more contrite tone would emerge.

Hoo hah. Next days National Post said, In a briefing to reporters on Friday morning, government ministers repeatedly praised the programs and special visas brought in for fleeing Afghans, saying they were groundbreaking and that Canada was the first in the world to make such announcements  work, they said, that would not cease. It then quoted Marco Mendicino, supposedly fit to be our immigration minister, saying, We put them into operation very quickly  over the course of the last number of weeks. Canada has been a safe haven for Afghan refugees for years.

Except when they really needed us and we literally left them in the sewage. Despite which ministers again emphasized the largest airlift in history as if begging a lift from Uncle Sam were a world-class achievement. Meanwhile, the Post noted, Officials were unable to say this week how many permanent residents, Canadian citizens and Afghan allies remain in the country which would surely embarrass lesser mortals.

So, about that contrition. Our priority has been from the very beginning, and will always be, getting Canadians to safety, Trudeau preened on Aug. 27. Yes, there are thousands of Afghans to whom we owe a duty of care, and we are doing tremendous things to get them to safety as well. Tremendous things. Were the best.

What things? Telling them to shelter in place or flee prudently if necessary, and hoping theyd somehow escape the country on foot clutching their meagre possessions in one hand and their kid in the other? On which basis a person supposedly fit to be our defence minister called the governments evacuation efforts appropriate and quick, while Mendicino upped the ante to nothing short of miraculous.

Commentators like Rex Murphy beg to differ about this nauseating mix of vainglory and chutzpah. After noting Maryam Monsef calling the Taliban our brothers (prompting the PMs shapeless response The minister has expressed her views and explained herself), Murphy said that at the core of this election  is the concept of honour. Canadian honour. That commitments we made as a nation, and substantiated by sending our young men and women in conflict are now so abruptly and unconscionably terminated, and almost blithely so. It is also about  our character as a nation and how we are seen by those in other parts of the world. As pompous nits drivelling about commitment to women and girls while ditching those who counted on us. Thus, The handling of the Afghanistan crisis by the current government is a matter of national shame.

Ah, but nay. Its cause for puffing ourselves up about outdoing our allies and being so tremendous were nothing short of miraculous. Like Mick Jaggers fellow rock stars, these people dont embarrass easy.

Another National Post colleague, Sabrina Maddeaux, wrote: While there were clearly issues outside our governments control in Afghanistan, the most frequently cited hurdle was Canadas signature toxic combo of incompetent bureaucracy, endless red tape, and lack of preparedness for anything but the most ideal circumstances. She also fingered distraction due to calling a snap election. But that signature combo is the real issue.

Our problem isnt that our government is so far from understanding the Taliban that a person supposedly fit to be our foreign minister told the CBC on Aug. 29: Theres all sorts of leverage with respect to the Taliban, who are now confronting the fact theyre in charge and theyre going to have to make the country work. Its that theyre so far from understanding themselves that no evidence of pathetic, unfeeling failure can make them stop boasting even briefly.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The logo of China Huarong Asset Management Co.. Ltd. is seen at its office in Beijing on April 16, 2021. (Thomas Peter/File/Reuters)

China Huarong in Talks With Investors After $16 Billion Loss

SHANGHAIChina Huarong Asset Management Co., Ltd., a state-owned asset management company, sought to turn the page on a deep annual loss on Aug. 30, as its chairman said it was in talks with potential new strategic investors alongside a CITIC-led (CITIC Group Corporation Ltd., a state-owned investment company) consortium.

Wang Zhanfeng, on a call a day after releasing earnings results, said many investors continue to have faith in Huarong and that it was speaking with new potential domestic and foreign strategic investors.

On Aug. 29, Huarong announced a first-half 2021 profit of $24.5 million and a nearly $16 billion loss for 2020. Restructuring uncertainties delayed its annual results statement by nearly five months.

Earlier in August, the indebted company informed investors of a state-backed rescue plan led by the CITIC Group Corp.

The deal would make Huarong a subsidiary of CITIC Group, part of a plan by regulators to fold financially shaky state asset managers into financial holding groups, according to two sources familiar with the restructuring process.

Huarong is one of four distressed state-owned debt managers and counts Chinas finance ministry as its largest shareholder.

We need to turn from quick profits to long-term profits to hard-earned profits, Liang Qiang, executive director of Huarong, said on the earnings call, alluding to the companys rapid expansion under its former chairman Lai Xiaomin.

Lai was executed in January, following one of Chinas highest-profile corruption cases.

Huarong executives emphasized that a more stable outlook for the company will require focusing on its core business. They said the companys offshore unit, Huarong International, would remain a strategic platform. They believe that it will continue to improve its asset structure and that its financial indicators will recover.

In its half-year report, China Huarong listed liabilities totaling $238 billion, including $16.5 billion in bond payables and $89.4 billion in borrowings falling, both due within one year. It said certain regulatory indicators, including its capital adequacy ratio and leverage ratio, failed to reach minimum regulatory requirements.

On Aug. 30, Huarong executives said the company would decide whether to roll out a refinancing plan for dollar-denominated debt based on its credit recovery process, its operational and developmental needs, and regulatory approval.

A decision on whether to buy back outstanding perpetual bonds would also be based on the operational situation of subsidiary China Huarong International Holdings Ltd., as well as contracts and deals made with creditors, they said.

The mid-price on 4 percent perpetual bonds issued by subsidiary Huarong Finance 2017 Co. Ltd. rose by about 1 cent to $94.781 following the call, according to data from Duration Finance, compared with a low of less than 53 cents in May.

By Andrew Galbraith
A man cycles past a sign for Tencent, the parent company of Chinese social media giant WeChat, outside the Tencent headquarters in Beijing on Aug. 7, 2020. (Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images)

Common Prosperity Sheds Light on Beijings Regulatory Direction

Commentary

Finally, there is increasing clarity around how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intends to regulate its giant corporations, which is invaluable to U.S. investors assessing Chinese stocks.

Regulatory guidance has come fast and furious over the last several months, sending Chinese stocksat least those traded in the United Statesinto a tailspin. And most recently, CCP leader Xi Jinpings directive to increase common prosperity has only elevated volatility as investors look to analyze its impact.

Curiously, theres a certain divergence with regard to how investors have reacted to the recent regulatory deluge.

The KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF, which tracks a basket of Chinese technology firms listed in the United States and Hong Kong, has declined more than 45 percent since March 1.

By comparison, the VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC SME-ChiNext ETF, which tracks a basket of top 100 domestic A-share stocks listed on the ChiNext board in Shenzhenwhere most of Chinas technology firms are listed domesticallyis essentially flat (only down 0.3 percent) during the same time period.

Why are the offshore companies significantly underperforming onshore stocks? Its especially interesting since offshore technology companies tend to be the more prominent names such as Tencent, Alibaba, and Meituan. There are a few theories.

The first is that offshore listed companies all sold their shares via a unique structure called a variable interest entity (VIE), the legal status of which is questionable and therefore requires a large market discount.

The second factor is that foreign investorswho make up the majority of investors of offshore listings in New York and Hong Konghold a far more pessimistic interpretation of recent developments than Chinese domestic investors.

The first issue, the VIE discount, is likely to largely resolve itself soon.

The CCP plans to propose rules banning Chinese technology companies with large amounts of sensitive data from issuing their initial public offering (IPO) in the United States, the Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous sources with knowledge of the discussions, reported on Aug. 27. In addition, technology companies must obtain Chinese regulatory approval prior to listing their shares on U.S. stock exchanges, which was not a required step in the past.

That clarifies several questions. Future Chinese technology IPOsthose allowed to list in the U.S. markets going forwardwill be sanctioned by the CCP to do so. Implicit in such approval is an assurance that Chinese securities regulators condone the VIE corporate structure, the legality of which was previously suspect.

In addition, Chinese regulators have recently made overtures to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to begin dialogue around sharing of audit work papers with U.S. regulators. Details around the degree of collaboration are still to be discussed, but Beijings directive to ban certain IPOs could pave the way for the CCP to share audit documents on companies it deems to be less sensitive.

The second factor of foreign investors being more pessimistic than their Chinese counterparts is due to Xis recent common prosperity doctrine, which had raised eyebrows abroad. Some U.S. investors have questioned whether the CCP is ready to persecute its entrepreneurs and neuter successful businesses.

That interpretation may be a slight overreaction.

Caixin, a mainland Chinese business magazine, provides this context:

Since the launch of reform and opening-up in the late 70s, Chinas economy has fulfilled the first part of Deng Xiaopings idea of letting some people get rich first so they could stimulate others, and thus realizing common prosperity in China. However, changes in the internal and external economic and political environment have prompted the inclusion of a tertiary distribution mechanism in the CCPs official documents in recent years.

Whats a tertiary distribution mechanism? Its CCP jargon describing voluntary wealth distribution. In this case, it may be an involuntary voluntary. Tertiary distribution encourages Chinas successful entrepreneurs and corporations to give back and enact more social programs. Its essentially a supercharged version of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) and charitable programs Western corporations have embraced in recent years.

It is a form of nanny state, and part of Beijings recent efforts to control the social and political environment. There is debate over whether this is a feature or bug within a functional capitalist marketplace, and this is where foreign investors and Chinese investors are likely to disagree.

But China is a communist country and the CCP has chosen this path.

To wit, Chinas Supreme Peoples Court on Aug. 27 declared the notorious 996 culture to be illegal. 996 is a code name of employees working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, a controversial policy common in Chinas technology companies. One can argue that such work ethic has helped build Chinas successful technology giants, but the policy is highly unpopular among employees.

In August, state media in China called online games a form of spiritual opium. An article in Economic Information Daily criticized video game addiction and called for restrictions on the video game industry to wean youth off video games. The news sent shares of offshore-listed game publishers such as NetEase and Tencent tumbling.

Earlier this year, Beijing announced rules to restrict the business models of for-profit tutoring and education companies. The regulationswhich were meant to curb the proliferation of expensive after-school tutoring and the tremendous stress it places on parents and childreneffectively killed the business models of certain U.S.-listed companies such as TAL Education.

China also enacted laws to improve the wages and benefits of gig workers such as those working for Chinese food delivery giant Meituan. And the list goes on.

The regime calls these necessary reforms to improve the quality of life for Chinese people. At the same time, it has made a point of announcing that its goal is not to kill innovation or punish its successful entrepreneurs and their businesses.

One can understand the appeal of such measures from the perspective of a common urban dweller living in China. But how should global investors interpret these developments?

I dont expect Beijing to kill off industries. But profitability will be hurt as China enacts broader taxes and forces more compliance costs upon companies. Beijing needs to grow its domestic industries and financial markets as it prepares to become more insular.

The social change aspect is well telegraphed and investors should keep this top of mind while evaluating news coming out of Beijing. Chinas wealth inequality is some of the highest in the world, and getting worse. Caixin estimated that Chinas richest 1 percent hold 31 percent of the countrys wealth. For Xi to target a third term next year, and for the CCP to maintain its grip on power, it needs to keep social order and ensure the majority of the populace is content and happy.

Xi was vice president of China in 2011 when the Arab Spring protests occurred throughout the Middle East. He studied the events closely and told then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden that such uprisings came about because the governments had lost touch with their people.

The recent market developments out of China could be part of the CCPs plan to get back in touch with the Chinese people.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
County Supervisors Blame Bad PoliciesNot Climate Changefor California Wildfires

Ineffective forest management policies are much more to blame than climate change for the massive destruction from wildfires in recent years in California, says Sierra County Supervisor Raul Roen.

Fighting wildfires, he said, has morphed into a self-sustaining industrial complex, he told The Epoch Times.

It is out of control. The intent is no longer to put fires out, its to manage budgets. Its just embarrassing, and thats what I do for a living. I would be the first to say it, and Im on the record saying it, Roen said.

In addition, interference from environmental lobbyists has turned forest management, forestry, firefighting, and wildfire prevention into a train wreck.

Its just really frustrating. Ive been in fire work for 25 years and what were doing today is not working. Weve got to do something different because this is just getting ridiculous, Roen said.

Meanwhile, California lawmakers have delayed a wildfire oversight hearing indefinitely amidst the lead-up to the recall election on Sept. 14, when California voters will decide whether to oust Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Scathing Letter

Butte County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Connelly on Aug. 12 drafted a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Randy Moore over how the Dixie Fire and last years North Complex Fire were handled. However, the letter was revised to make it less tense, and to reflect the views of the entire board before it was sent.

The original draft accused the Forest Service of dereliction of duty and demanded an investigation into the way the Dixie Fire and last years North Complex Fire were handled.

Because of the gross negligence of the USFS fire management philosophy, we no longer have trust and confidence in the decision-making process being used by the USFS, it read.

The final letter was sent 12 days later. It stated: The fire suppression philosophy of the USFS needs to be questioned. The fire use policy which has been used consistently by the USFS [which allows a fire to burn provided it does not pose an immediate risk of damage to homes or lives] is clearly not effective in these times. This practice in recent years has not worked. With the extreme dry conditions and weather patterns, fires are able to burn over 15 miles in one day.

The letter also acknowledges that the Forest Service has recently stated it will discontinue this policy for this fire season.

Both versions of the letter request reimbursement for costs related to the countys response to the fires and recovery efforts.

Firefighters work together to extinguish the remnants of a brush fire that broke out on Highway 73 in Laguna Beach, Calif., on June 17, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The Dixie Fire, one of the largest fires in California history, began above the Cresta Dam in the Feather River Canyon on July 14 and is still raging. It has burned at least 765,635 acres and was 48 percent contained as of Aug. 29, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). It has destroyed more than 1,200 structures and affected five counties, including Butte, Plumas, Tehama, Lassen, and Shasta.

Meanwhile, the Monument Fire and McFarland Fire have each burned more than 100,000 acres. The Caldor Fire in El Dorado County has destroyed the town of Grizzly Flats, Roen said. That fire has burned 126,566 acres and more than 450 homes.

On Aug. 25, two new fires were reported in San Bernardino Countys Lytle Creek San Bernardino and Calaveras County.

A Crystal Ball

As a chairman of the Sierra County Board of Supervisors in 2014, Roen declared a local state of emergency embraced by all five supervisors. Today, that resolution reads like a crystal ball to where we are today, he said. Its just amazing.

I asked for every other forested county in the state to support our concept, he said. We got several counties to participate, but I wanted the whole state to stand up and scream.

The local state of emergency was updated and renewed in 2016, but ultimately the effort failed to gain traction with state and federal authorities.

The resolution warned the U.S. Forest Service and state agencies that the uncontrolled build-up of natural fire fuels posed a severe and ongoing threat of catastrophic wildfire.

The document is evidence of the constant battle to mitigate fire risks at the wildland-urban interface instead of burning out these communities, said Roen, who has served as a fire commissioner and now currently sits on the Sierra-Nevada Conservancy board.

Thinning the Forests

Roen said the main reason California continues to fight so many devastating forest fires is that Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service keep making the same mistakes over and over again and expecting a different outcome.

The first mistake, he said, was allowing environmental groups, such as the Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club, to stand in the way of fuel reduction techniques such as the thinning of forests, which involves logging some trees and removing dead ones to create healthier forests and reduce fire risk.

Both environmental groups have large legal teams and have sued government agencies and companies involved in primary industries such as logging and mining.

In a statement in response to the allegations, a spokesman for Cal Fire said the agency supports the active reduction of wildland fuels and the development of commercial enterprises that utilize vegetation removed for fuels reduction.

Until the Camp Fire in 2018, the Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club interfered with efforts by contracted Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) maintenance crews to remove trees near power lines, Roen said.

Contractors were told by environmentalist groups which trees they could remove and which ones they couldnt, he said.

They were told you cant take those trees, you cant take these trees, Roen said.

The Camp Fire was caused by a faulty PG&E transmission line. It was the most deadly and destructive wildfire in Californias history, killing at least 85 people and razing the town of Paradise.

In years preceding the Camp Fire, Roen said PG&E maintenance crews had to take a tree here and a tree there to not hurt anybodys feelings, instead of removing all trees that could potentially fall and hit a power line. And, that is part of why we are where we are today, he said.

Though Cal Fire states the cause of the Dixie Fire is under investigation, Roen said hes heard reports from reliable sources that a tree fell on a power line causing a short.

According to a PG&E report (pdf) submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission on July 18, a PG&E worker on July 13 first discovered the fire at the base of a tree leaning on power lines.

ABC 10 reported that PG&E released photos taken from a drone during a 2019 site inspection to a probation judge on Aug. 16. The photos show a fir tree leaning toward the power lines at the origin of the fire, but more recent photos show the tree, believed to have fallen the morning on July 13, being held up by power lines, the report stated.

PG&E told the court the tree wasnt considered a hazard in early 2021, when the site was last inspected, ABC reported.

Biomass Facilities

The Center for Biological Diversity also opposes biomass facilities (pdf), or wood-burning power plants that consume dead wood and debris and emit steamnot smoke, Roen said.

In a release, the organization stated that biomass energy is often promoted as a tool to incentivize large-scale tree-cutting (thinning) under the claim that this will protect communities and forests during wildfires. The nonprofit group stated that thinning is an ineffective means of protecting homes and communities.

Although biomass energy is promoted as a means for disposing of debris piles from forest thinning projects, its mostly lumber mill residues from commercial logging that end up being subsidized. Meanwhile, biomass extraction does significant ecological damage to forests, according to the organization.

The organization claims that dead trees do not increase wildfire and should not be sent to bioenergy facilities. It also states that dead treesstanding or fallenprovide numerous ecological benefits such as wildlife habitat, soil stabilization, water quality, and carbon storage. These ecological benefits are lost when dead trees are removed and incinerated in biomass power plants.

However, Roen said its only common sense that dead trees and dry debris create a tinderbox and needlessly stoke forest fires with extra fuel that could be removed.

Its not rocket science, he said.

Roen said if a whole forest burns, all the benefits of leaving the debris, as well as everything elseincluding the wildlifeare lost anyway.

The forest is just a big lawn, he said. If you dont take care of it, what happens? Its a renewable resource. If we dont utilize it, Mother Nature will take care of it. Shell clean it up and thats what shes doing.

Roen estimates that more than half of the Plumas National Forest has been lost to wildfires in the past few years.

Climate Change

Roen disagrees with the narrative that climate change is the sole cause of the wildfires in California over the past several years.

Its not, he said. This issue weve created ourselves.

While there is no doubt climate change is a factor, thats even more reason to spend funds wisely and develop better forest management and more practical wildfire prevention policies, he said.

Roen said he wouldnt go as far as suggesting environmental groups have a vested interest in forest fires but pointed out they do benefit from any crisis that helps promote the climate change narrative.

Heavy smoke-filled skies spanning from the Desert Southwest to the Pacific Northwest and beyond over the past two summers should send a signal to federal agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, and state governments in California, Oregon, and Washington that their policies arent working, he said.

The U.S. Forest Service didnt immediately respond to a request from The Epoch Times for comment.
Doctors Without Borders Forced to Withdraw From Cameroons Crisis-Hit Northwest

Atiku Bakari, 12, living in Cameroons embattled Northwest Region, had gone to fetch firewood that fateful July 16, when his eyes fell on a rare toy: a hand grenade.

As Atiku innocently grasped the lethal object to start throwing around, it detonatedshattering his right hand, hitting him on the chest and wounding his stomach, and leg. His older brother, Aliyu Bakari, who was with him, also sustained serious wounds on his leg, stomach, and hand.

On getting the information, their mother, Zenabu Bakari, 33, fell fainting on the ground. Neighbors rushed the two children to the Fundong district hospital, where Atikus right hand was immediately amputated. The two victims were then referred to a bigger health facility, the Mbingo Baptist Hospital.

After spending 2 weeks in the hospital, Aliyus bill amounted to FCFA 87,200 [US $156.43]; I couldnt afford to pay; A Catholic Priest helped me pay it, Zenabu, mother of the two children told The Epoch Times in Cameroon Pidgin English on phone.

We have been discharged from the hospital, but still kept there because I dont have the FCFA 400,000 [US $717.58] hospital bill needed. Im still owing 52,300 [USD $93.82] in the district Hospital. I wouldnt have incurred all these costs if Doctors Without Borders were still operating here. They would have helped me treat my children for free, the struggling mother who lives on selling roasted fish told The Epoch Times.

That is because the international humanitarian medical non-governmental organizationDoctors Without Borders(MSF)decided to withdraw its teams from the North West Region of Cameroon on Aug. 3, after eight months of suspension by the Cameroonian authorities fighting Anglophone Separatist rebels in the region. The emergency humanitarian NGO has been accused of colluding with local armed groups.

Withdrawal

There have been a mix of formal accusations that are largely administrative in nature, and a series of deeply troubling informal accusations and allegations that have circulated mostly in pro Cameroonian government media, Laura Martinelli, who was serving as MSFs Program Coordinator for North-West Cameroon prior to the suspension, told The Epoch Times in an email.

These informal allegations range from being actively supportive of armed groups, transporting weapons and suchlike. Doctors Without Borders has consistently and categorically rejected the allegations of having provided support for separatist fighters in the North-West.

Justifying the withdrawal, Emmanuel Lampaert, MSFs operations coordinator for Central Africa said: We cannot stay any longer in a region where we are not allowed to provide care to people here.

This suspension significantly reduces access to medical services in an area where communities are badly affected by armed violence, he said.

Doctors Without Borders has now closed its services in Cameroons Northwestern Region but continues operating in the sister conflict-hit Southwest Region amid challenges.

Reached on phone, the Governor of Cameroons North West Region who suspended the medical charity, Adolphe Lele LAfrique, refused to comment to The Epoch Times regarding the December 2020 suspension order.

Since 2018, Doctors Without Borders had been working in partnership with a good number of health facilities in the crisis-hit Regions of Cameroon to provide free-of-charge medical care to children and pregnant women, as well as responding to victims of trauma.

Conflict

For close to five years now, there has been a conflict in Cameroons two English-speaking North West and South West Regions, stemming from the countrys colonial past.

Cameroon was first colonized by Germany (1884-1916), and later split between France and Britain. French Cameroon gained independence in 1960, joined by English-speaking Cameroonians through a federation a year later, after a vote in a UN-organized plebiscite. The French-speaking section constitutes about 80 percent while the English-speaking section constitutes about 20 percent, both in terms of territory and population.

A controversial referendum in 1972 abrogated the countrys federal structure.

The federal structure which guaranteed the rights of the minority Anglophone section was hastily dissolved in 1972 thus laying the groundwork for claims of political and economic marginalization by the Anglophones, Dr. Emile Sunjo, Senior Lecturer of International Relations and Conflict Resolution in Cameroons University of Buea told The Epoch Times in a text.

These claims were either ignored or brutally crushed in the successive decades, Sunjo said.

Tensions between the Francophone-led government and English-speaking secessionist movements reached a new pitch in 2016, after the government imposed French-speaking teachers and lawyers on Anglophone schools and courts.

The protests were met with a disproportionate use of force by government security forces and the arrest and detention of the leaders. Events then spiraled out of control and a separatist movement emerged, calling for the independence of the Anglophone Cameroon, Sunjo told The Epoch Times.

The war has left more than 4,000 dead, hundreds of thousands displaced internally and about 50,000 as refugees in neighboring Nigeria. Hundreds of thousands of children have been deprived of school and the local economy is in free fall owing to the war.

Health Care Dysfunctional

Many health care services have been rendered dysfunctional in the crisis-hit North West and South West Regions and victims of the crisis mostly rely on medical care from NGOs like Doctors Without Borders.

In 2020, the medical charity treated 180 survivors of sexual violence, provided 1,725 mental health consultations, performed 3,272 surgeries and transported 4,407 patients by ambulance more than a quarter of whom were women about to give birth, in the North West Region of Cameroon alone. That was before its activities were suspended in the region in December 2020.

The people are paying a very heavy price for this situation, Lampaert said.

Since 2018, we have witnessed numerous attacks and acts of intimidation against healthcare facilities, and MSF was not spared from this. While we are now forced to withdraw our teams, we call on all parties to the crisis to respect healthcare providers.

Martinelli describes the situation in Northwest Cameroon prior to the suspension of her team as dire.

Hyper-violence was a regular occurrence. And medical access, including ambulance services, was falling way below the level to meet the basic and lifesaving needs of the communities living in the area, she told The Epoch Times.

Raids on villages, kidnappings, torture, destruction of property, and extrajudicial killings have become the new normal in Cameroons English-speaking Regions, she added.

Fighting between the Cameroon military and secessionist forces continues unabated in the two English-speaking Regions of Cameroon. On Sunday, Aug. 23, gunmen opened fire on a church in Northwest Cameroon, killing a woman and fatally wounding a pastor. Both the Cameroon military and armed groups are trading accusations at each other.

Zenabu shudders as she recounts how her children were nearly shot one day on their way from the market.

There are days we cant step out because of gunshots everywhere, she says.

During shootings, we are forced to sleep on the floor for fear of receiving stray bullets. The following day, cartridges are seen everywhere. We live in fear, but we have no choice. We leave our life to God.

She also remembers having seen many people die from stray bullets in this area following indiscriminate shootings between the military and separatist fighters.

Zenabu may count herself lucky for not having lost her children to the grenade explosion, but the trauma remains.

I am traumatized and in need of help, she told The Epoch Times.

Finding food to eat is difficult.

In 2020, the socio-political conflict in Cameroon was listed as among the worlds most neglected.

Our ambulances have been fired on and stolen, community health workers have faced sexual assault and murder, armed men have opened fire inside medical facilities, and our colleagues have faced death threats, Zacharia Mwati Emergency Coordinator of the medical charity in Southwest Cameroon told The Epoch Times in an email.

Today, the conflict in Anglophone Cameroon is stalled; while the government is counting on a military victory and refusing to discuss the form of the state, the separatists are demanding independence of the unrecognized Ambazonia.

The main reason why the conflict has lasted this long is because both sides dont seem to want to agree on the basis for any negotiation or mediation, said Sunjo.

There is deep mistrust and so violence seems to be the best option for both parties. Significantly, both factions seem to be fragmented, with hardliners and those who want a negotiated settlement. Unfortunately, the hardliners seem to have the upper in both camps, he said. There is need for both parties to first of all reconcile within their ranks before engaging in any potentially fruitful negotiation or mediation.

To get out of the conflict, Sunjo insists the interest of the suffering masses must be put first, by both parties, rather than the current show of muscle.
Election Campaign Day 16: Promises Include Freshwater Protection, Animal Welfare, and Curbing Tax Evasion

Protecting freshwater, animal welfare, and going after tax evasion were some of the topics that leaders made announcements about on Day 16 of the federal election campaign.

In Quebec on Aug. 30, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announced that his party will invest $1 billion over a 10-year period to protect and restore Canadas lakes and rivers. The plan also includes investing $37.5 million over six years in freshwater research at the International Institute for Sustainable Developments Experimental Lakes Area.

While campaigning in Cambridge, Ont., on Aug. 29, Trudeau said if re-elected, the Liberals will create new jobs for the middle class by making Canada a leading manufacturer of batteries needed for zero emission vehicles. A proposed $2 billion investment in a Futures Fund for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador would see Clean Jobs Training Centres created to upgrade workers skills for the clean energy sector. A $5,000 rebate extended to half a million Canadians aims to make zero emission vehicles more affordable, with a promise to build 50,000 more charging stations across the country.

Trudeau also pledged to diminish plastic pollution by requiring all plastic packaging to be composed of 50 percent recycled plastic by 2030 and to expand programs to remove plastic from oceans and coastal areas. In a press release on Aug. 28, he said the Liberal policy to cut plastic waste has the potential to create up to 42,000 jobs across Canada.

Conservative Leader Erin OToole announced on Aug. 30 that his party is committed to protecting animals and will ban puppy mills to stop unethical breeders and dealers from misleading the public with false claims of offering rescue animals or humanely bred pets. In addition, the Conservatives will ban cosmetic testing on animals. Animal cruelty will also be added as an aggravating factor in domestic violence prosecutions.

While campaigning in Quebec on Aug. 29, OToole promised to help small businesses by offering a Rebuild Main Street Tax Credit providing a 25 percent tax credit to Canadians who invest up to $100,000 in a small business over the next two years. An elected Conservative government will also introduce a Rebuild Main Street Business Loan offering interest-free loans of up to $200,000 to small- and medium-sized businesses.

In New Brunswick on Aug. 28, OToole committed to raising the maximum penalty for price-fixing from $24 million to $100 million in order to lower food prices. The Conservatives will also introduce criminal penalties for executives convicted of price-fixing and will enact a code to protect suppliers and promote price competition.

At a press conference on Parliament Hill on Aug. 30, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh pledged to take action against tax evasion by the ultra rich through a $100 million investment that will strengthen the enforcement ability of the Canada Revenue Agency. The NDPs plan also includes increasing public reporting on corporate taxes and tackling unfair stock options.

Singh also promised to make student debt more affordable. In an Aug. 28 press release, he said the NDP will forgive up to $20,000 and remove federal interest from student loan debt, double federal student grants, and give new graduates a five-year remission for federal loan repayments.

Green Party Leader Annamie Paul said in a press release on Aug. 29 that her party fully supports the Quebec governments efforts to protect the French language within the province. In an Aug. 28 posting on it website, the party also raised concerns about Elections Canadas cancellation of campus voting programs for students.

During his campaign stop in Saint Stephen, New Brunswick, on Aug. 28, Peoples Party Leader Maxime Bernier pledged to defund and privatize CBC/Radio-Canada if he is elected. He also promised to abolish the federal governments media bailout program to prevent media organizations from becoming dependent on the funding and having it influence the way news is reported.
European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels on May 5, 2021. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

European Union Takes US Off COVID-19 Safe Travel List, Backs Travel Restrictions

The EU has recommended that 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the United States due to COVID-19 cases.

On Aug. 30, the EU removed the United States, Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and North Macedonia from the blocs safe travel list. Member nations of the EU are free to determine their own border policies, despite the blocs recommendation.

Some EU countries, including Germany and Belgium, consider the United States to be in the red, mandating quarantines and tests for U.S. travelers. France and the Netherlands classify the United States as safe, however.

Non-essential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed in Annex I is subject to temporary travel restriction. This is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers, the EU said in a statement.

But the EU Councils recommendation is not a legally binding instrument, according to the statement.

The authorities of the member states remain responsible for implementing the content of the recommendation, the statement reads. They may, in full transparency, lift only progressively travel restrictions toward countries listed.

The United States doesnt allow European citizens to visit the country freely, despite appeals from the EU. The United States also extended a moratorium on cross-border travel with Canada, as well as Mexico, despite Canada having rescinded travel restrictions for Americans and permanent residents who are fully vaccinated.

Average daily U.S. COVID-19 cases have risen to more than 450 per million people in the week that ended on Aug 28, compared with below 40 in mid-June, when the EU added the United States to its list, figures from Our World in Data show. Case rates for Israelwhich has one of the highest vaccination rates in the worldKosovo, and Montenegro are even higher, the data suggest.

The EU safe list is made up of 17 countries, including Canada, Japan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, South Korea, and New Zealand.

Non-EU citizens who are fully vaccinated can be allowed into the EU, although tests and quarantine periods may apply.

COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Ex-UK Marine Who Evacuated Cats and Dogs From Kabul Says Military Didnt Help With Airport Entry

The former UK Royal Marine who evacuated 170 rescue dogs and cats from his animal shelter in Afghanistan said UK government didnt help him to enter Kabul airport.

Paul Farthing, the ex-Marine who goes by the name Pen Farthing, arrived in London on Sunday with about 100 dogs and 70 cats on a privately-chartered plane after waging a media battle with the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) to get his flight cleared.

Farthings animal exodus, dubbed Operation Ark, has been applauded by some, and he has received many adoption offers. But the operation has also been heavily criticised as many Afghans who worked with the West are still stranded in the Taliban-controlled country.

Responding to a comment by Foreign Affairs Committee chair Tom Tugendhat that a lot of troops were used to bring in dogs while the family of his interpreter from when he served in Afghanistan is likely to be killed, Farthing said he didnt get any help from the MoD.

Nobody in the British government facilitated my entry into that airport. I did that with the Taliban, he told ITVs Good Morning Britain programme on Monday.

I came up to the British checkpoint, that was the first timeand this is well into the airport, the Taliban and British are stood there, theres some barbed wire separating themthat was the first time I spoke to any British people, he said.

Farthing added that no one facilitated the entry of him and the truck full of dogs and cats into the airport and that the animals went into a cargo hold where you cannot put people.

Minister for Middle East and North Africa James Cleverly also told LBC radio the government had always prioritised evacuating people over evacuating animals.

Although the cargo hold of Farthings flight was filled with rescue animals, there were several empty seats because his Afghan staff had to be left behind. Farthing said it was due to last-minute changes in paperwork rules.

While the British government had given them the correct paperwork because the Americans had controlled the airport, [President] Joe Biden had changed the airport on who could actually enter, it overruled the paperwork we had been given by the British, he said.

In a Twitter update on Friday, Farthing said his team was turned away into the chaos of those devastating explosions because of the rule change two hours earlier.

Farthing told ITV on Monday that his team has a few ideas about how to get his Afghan staff out, but nothing concrete yet.

He also said he tried to fill the seats with other people, but the Taliban wouldnt let him take Afghans with British passports, and the British military reassured him that there was enough capacity for the remaining people as the evacuation was wrapping up.

I was probably like the last person to enter that airport. It was closed. Americans [and] the British had obviously stopped taking people in because there had to be a point where they stopped taking people in, he said.

So they assured me they had enough capacity for everybody who was inside the airport.
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 Says Its a Good Idea to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccines for School Children

Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to the president, says that mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for children attending school are a good idea.

I believe that mandating vaccines for children to appear in school is a good idea. Weve done this for decades and decades, requiring polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis. So this would not be something new, requiring vaccinations for children to come to school, Fauci said on Aug. 29 on CNNs State of the Union.

A number of research papers over the course of the pandemic have revealed that children appear to be the least likely age group affected by the CCP virus, which causes COVID-19, and those papers have shown that serious illness or death is very rare among children under the age of 18.

Fauci, during an interview with ABC on Aug. 29, said he hopes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will approve the vaccine for children under the age of 12.

The data has been collected, and we should have enough data by, I would say, the end of September, middle to end of September, early October, so that those data can then be presented to the FDA to examine for the risk-benefit ratio of safety and effectiveness, he said.

A study published in June MedRxiv found that in England, COVID-19 caused 25 deaths among children younger than 18 between March 2020 and February 2021. And long-COVID casesin which symptoms last longer than four weeksamong children are also quite rare, according to a study published earlier in August in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

We know from other studies that many children who catch coronavirus dont 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, senior author Emma Duncan said in a statement released by Kings College London. 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.

But a study published on Aug. 27 in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that a teacher who wasnt vaccinated may have started a COVID-19 outbreak at a school in Marin County, California. Some federal officials, including those with the CDC, have recently cited this study before imposing mask mandates in schools.

In Northern California, we saw that the absence of optimal, multi-layer protection can result in the spread of COVID in this classroom and beyond, said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky several days ago.

If schools mandate vaccines for children, it will likely draw pushback from parents. Protests have occurred across the United States over masking mandates for kids, including a recent demonstration in Los Angeles County.
A utility worker photographs waves as they slam against a sea wall at the city marina as outer bands of Hurricane Ida arrive in Bay Saint Louis, Miss., on Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

1st Death From Hurricane Ida, Power Out Across New Orleans

NEW ORLEANSHurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., knocking out power to all of New Orleans, blowing roofs off buildings, and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River as it rushed from the Louisiana coast into one of the nations most important industrial corridors.

The hurricane was blamed for at least one death. The Ascension Parish Sheriffs Office said on Facebook that deputies responded to a home in Prairieville on a report of someone injured by a fallen tree. The person, who was not identified, was pronounced dead. Prairieville is a suburb of Baton Rouge, Louisianas capital city.

The power outage in New Orleans heightened the citys vulnerability to flooding and left hundreds of thousands of people without air conditioning and refrigeration in sweltering summer heat.

Few motorists travel on the 1-10 ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Ida in New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2021. (David Grunfeld/The Advocate via AP)

Idaa Category 4 stormhit on the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier, coming ashore about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of where Category 3 Katrina first struck land. Idas 150-mph (230 kph) winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the mainland U.S. It dropped hours later to a Category 2 storm with maximum winds of 105 mph (165 kph) as it crawled inland, its eye about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west-northwest of New Orleans.

The rising ocean swamped the barrier island of Grand Isle as landfall came just to the west at Port Fourchon. Ida made a second landfall about two hours later near Galliano. The hurricane was churning through the far southern Louisiana wetlands, with more than 2 million people living in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge under threat.

This is going to be much stronger than we usually see and, quite frankly, if you had to draw up the worst possible path for a hurricane in Louisiana, it would be something very, very close to what were seeing, Gov. John Bel Edwards told The Associated Press.

People in Louisiana woke up to a monster storm after Idas top winds grew by 45 mph (72 kph) in five hours as the hurricane moved through some of the warmest ocean water in the world in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

The entire city of New Orleans late Sunday was without power, according to city officials. The citys power supplierEntergyconfirmed that the only power in the city was coming from generators, the citys Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness said on Twitter. The message included a screenshot that cited catastrophic transmission damage for the power failure.

The city relies on Entergy for backup power for the pumps that remove stormwater from city streets. Rain from Ida is expected to test that pump system.

More than 1 million customers were without power in two Southern states impacted by Idamore than 930,000 in Louisiana and 28,000 in Mississippi, according to PowerOutage.US, which tracks outages nationwide.

An abandoned vehicle is half submerged in a ditch next to a near flooded highway as the outer bands of Hurricane Ida arrive in Bay Saint Louis, Miss., on Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

In New Orleans, the wind tore at awnings and caused buildings to sway and water to spill out of Lake Ponchartrain. The Coast Guard office in New Orleans received more than a dozen reports of breakaway barges, said Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom. In Lafitte about 35 miles (55 km) south of New Orleans, a loose barge struck a bridge, according to Jefferson Parish officials.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Ricky Boyette said engineers detected a negative flow on the Mississippi River as a result of storm surge. And Edwards said he watched a live video feed from around Port Fourchon as Ida came ashore that showed that roofs had been blown off buildings in many places.

The storm surge is just tremendous, Edwards told the AP.

Officials said Idas swift intensification from a few thunderstorms to a massive hurricane in just three days left no time to organize a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans 390,000 residents. Mayor LaToya Cantrell urged residents remaining in the city on Sunday to hunker down.

Marco Apostolico said he felt confident riding out the storm at his home in New Orleans Lower 9th Ward, one of the citys hardest-hit neighborhoods when levees failed and released a torrent of floodwater during Katrina.

His home was among those rebuilt with the help of actor Brad Pitt to withstand hurricane-force winds. But the memory of Katrina still hung over the latest storm.

Its obviously a lot of heavy feelings, he said. And yeah, potentially scary and dangerous.

Cars drive through flood waters along route 90 as outer bands of Hurricane Ida arrive in Gulfport, Miss., on Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

The region getting Idas worst includes petrochemical sites and major ports, which could sustain significant damage. It is also an area that is already reeling from a resurgence of COVID-19 infections due to low vaccination rates and the highly contagious delta variant.

New Orleans hospitals planned to ride out the storm with their beds nearly full, as similarly stressed hospitals elsewhere had little room for evacuated patients. And shelters for those fleeing their homes carried an added risk of becoming flashpoints for new infections.

Forecasters warned winds stronger than 115 mph (185 kph) threatened Houma, a city of 33,000 that supports oil platforms in the Gulf.

The hurricane was also threatening neighboring Mississippi, where Katrina demolished oceanfront homes. With Ida approaching, Claudette Jones evacuated her home east of Gulfport, Mississippi, as waves started pounding the shore.

Im praying I can go back to a normal home like I left, she said. Thats what Im praying for. But Im not sure at this point.

Comparisons to the Aug. 29, 2005, landfall of Katrina weighed heavily on residents bracing for Ida. Katrina was blamed for 1,800 deaths as it caused levee breaches and catastrophic flooding in New Orleans. Idas hurricane-force winds stretched 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the storms eye, or about half the size of Katrina, and a New Orleans infrastructure official emphasized that the city is in a very different place than it was 16 years ago.

The levee system has been massively overhauled since Katrina, Ramsey Green, deputy chief administrative officer for infrastructure, said before the worst of the storm hit. While water may not penetrate levees, Green said if forecasts of up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain prove true, the citys underfunded and neglected network of pumps, underground pipes and surface canals likely wont be able to keep up.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was in contact with more than 1,500 oil refineries, chemical plants, and other sensitive facilities and will respond to any reported pollution leaks or petroleum spills, agency spokesman Greg Langley said. He said the agency would deploy three mobile air-monitoring laboratories after the storm passes to sample, analyze and report any threats to public health.

Louisianas 17 oil refineries account for nearly one-fifth of the U.S. refining capacity and its two liquefied natural gas export terminals ship about 55 percent of the nations total exports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Government statistics show that 95 percent of oil and gas production in the Gulf Coast region was shut down as Ida made landfall on Sunday, according to energy company S&P Global Platts.

Louisiana is also home to two nuclear power plants, one near New Orleans and another about 27 miles (about 43 kilometers) northwest of Baton Rouge.

President Joe Biden approved emergency declarations for Louisiana and Mississippi ahead of Idas arrival. He said Sunday the country was praying for the best for Louisiana and would put its full might behind the rescue and recovery effort once the storm passes.

Edwards warned his state to brace for potentially weeks of recovery.

Many, many people are going to be tested in ways that we can only imagine today, the governor told a news conference.

By Rebecca Santana, Kevin Mcgill, and Janet Mcconnaughey
First Death in New Zealand Linked to Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine: Ministry

New Zealands health ministry on Monday reported the countrys first death linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

The Ministry of Health, in a release, said it wants to ensure that health care professionals and consumers remain vigilant and are aware of the signs of myocarditis and pericarditis after a woman died following the administration of the Comirnaty Pfizer vaccine.

The ministry said it has considered that the womans death was due to myocarditis, which is known to be a rare side effect of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed warning labels on Modernas and Pfizers vaccines over an increased risk of myocarditis and pericarditis, or heart inflammation. And in July, the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, or Medsafe, issued a safety alert about myocarditis in connection with the vaccine, adding that vaccine benefits outweigh the potential side effects.

While the unnamed womans cause of death has not been determined, the Ministry of Health said the myocarditis she suffered was most likely a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Officials in the country also noted that there were other medical issues occurring at the same time which may have influenced the outcome following vaccination, adding that more details cant be released as a coroner investigates.

This is the first case in New Zealand where a death in the days following vaccination has been linked to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the release said. While [the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring] has received other reports of deaths in someone recently vaccinated, none are considered related to vaccination.

New Zealand, like Australia, has implemented some of the strictest COVID-19-related lockdowns in the world. On Aug. 17, the government locked down the country after the first Delta COVID-19 case was discovered.

On Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern extended the lockdown by two more weeks. The Level 4 lockdown entails a stringent stay-at-home order with all physical contact being limited to household members.

Personal movement at Alert Level 4 is limited, except for the permitted reasons. If you are leaving home for one of the permitted reasons, you do not require any other form of approval. You should carry some evidence of your reason to leave your home, according to the governments website on COVID-19.

I know we all feel encouraged that our number is lower than what weve seen in the last few days and I know were all willing for that trend to remain, Ardern told reporters. The job is not yet done and we do need to keep going.

About 21 percent of the countrys population is fully vaccinated, according to data provided by the government.

Pfizer has not yet responded to a request for comment.
George Soros and China: What a Difference a Decade Makes

Commentary

Billionaire investor George Soros is no stranger to controversy. He has a history of openly criticizing a number of influential Republicans, including former presidents like George W. Bush and Donald Trump. At the same time, Soros has heaped praise on the Chinese regime.

In 2010, for example, he effusively praised the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), claiming, somewhat ludicrously, that China had a better functioning government than the United States. A decade on, does Mr. Soros still feel the same way? The answer appears to be no.

The recipe for good comedy, were told, is tragedy + time. The very same recipe can be applied to China-related commentary, it seems. In a recent op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, Soros called Xi Jinping the most dangerous enemy of open societies in the world. According to the 91-year-old philanthropist, the Chinese people are innocent victims, needlessly suffering at the hands of Xi. Soros, clearly disturbed by Chinas social credit system, is worried that other countries might find it an attractive option. His concerns are most definitely warranted. From Africa to South America, the Chinese regimes surveillance system has many admirers.

People walk by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in an empty Financial District in New York City on June 15, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Xis intensely nationalistic mindset, writes Soros, has seen the Chinese Communist Party morph into a Leninist party, with the leader willing to use both political and military power to impose his will. Now, according to Soros, Xis dictatorial-metamorphosis is fully complete. In modern-day China, with Xi at the helm, intimidation, writes Soros, reigns supreme.

I reached out to the Open Society Foundations, founded by Soros, for comment; none were offered. Nevertheless, the op-ed makes for a refreshing read.

Remember, this is George Soros we are talking about, a man who once called the United States the main obstacle to a stable and just world. Now, though, China appears to be national security threat number one. However, all is far from rosy in Beijing; the Chinese regime is not without problems of its own. Whether or not it manages to overcome them remains to be seen.

Crouching Tiger, Dying Dragon

In the words of British statesman Benjamin Disraeli, courage is fire, and bullying is smoke. Having lived in the country for an extensive period of time, I speak from experience when I say the following: Although China projects a strong image, underneath all the chest-thumping and harsh rhetoric lies a lot of smoke.

On an individual level, we are all familiar with the concept of impression management. Humans carefully curate their image, doing everything in their power to project a very specific message. Countries also engage in impression management; some, as you are no doubt aware, are better at it than others.

In China, the effects of the heavily filtered image are starting to wear off. As the researcher Ryan Hass writes, China is not 10 feet tall. In fact, its much smaller than it first appears. Authoritarian regimes, obsessed by the concept of impression management, excel at showcasing their strengths and concealing their weaknesses. Hass encourages policymakers in Washington to distinguish between the image Beijing presents and the realities it confronts. Dont be fooled by the wolf warrior-inspired bravado; China, writes Hass, is at risk of growing old before it grows rich. It is fast becoming a graying society with degrading economic fundamentals that impede growth. By 2050, the country will go from having eight workers per retiree now to two workers per retiree. The decline is rapid, and no filter in the world can hide this cold, hard fact. That crouching dragon is crouching for a reasonits injured, weak, and in desperate need of assistance.

The academic Yi Fuxian goes one step further than Hass. He believes Chinas demographic structure is actually much worse than the authorities would have us believe. An extensive analysis of the countrys age structure suggests that China has considerably fewer citizens than is currently being reported. In fact, Chinas population might be as low as 1.28 billion, which would make India the most populous country in the world. What we view as a fire-breathing dragon, writes Fuxian, is little more than really a sick lizard.

With a shrinking, rapidly aging population, the Chinese regime appears to be doing everything in its power to hide its gaping wounds. But the charade cant go on forever. Although the propaganda machine roars on, the world is starting to see China for what it really is. Behind all the five-year plans, huge investments in infrastructure, and bombastic rhetoric lies problems that are existential in nature. Dragons are, after all, a thing of fantasy, much like the Chinese regimes dreams of world domination.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on July 30, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Graham: Afghanistan War Has Not Ended, US to Deal With Catastrophe for Decades

The former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has rebuked the Biden administrations handling of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, saying that U.S. presidents will be dealing with the catastrophe for decades to come.

In an interview with CBS Face the Nation on Sunday, days before President Joe Bidens self-imposed Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Graham said he believes that the war in Afghanistan has not ended.

Its been a very emotional couple of days for all of us. The parade of horribles are about to unfold, the Republican senator said. Were leaving thousands of Afghan allies behind who fought bravely with us. Were going to leave hundreds of American citizens behind.

According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, some 300 Americans remain in Afghanistan and are awaiting evacuation. Many have expressed scepticism and concern over the likelihood of evacuating all Americans by the end of August deadline, amid heightened terror threats near Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Since Aug. 14, a day before the Taliban terrorist group seized control of Kabul, 114,400 people have been airlifted out of Afghanistan, according to a White House official.

U.S. Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, load people being evacuated from Afghanistan onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, on Aug. 24, 2021. (Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/U.S. Air Force via AP)

Evacuation efforts have continued in the wake of a lethal attack near the airport that killed 13 U.S. military service members and scores more Afghans. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.

President Biden said that he wanted to take this, Afghanistan, off the plate for future presidents. Hes done the exact opposite, Graham said. For the next 20 years, American presidents will be dealing with this catastrophe in Afghanistan.

The South Carolina senator said that the war in Afghanistan has not ended and that the United States has entered into a new, deadly chapter, adding: Terrorists are now in charge of Afghanistan.

Criticizing the Biden administrations handling of the U.S. withdrawal, Graham claimed that it has set the conditions for another 9/11, saying that he has never been more worried about an attack on our homeland.

The chance of another 9/11 just went through the roof, Graham said, doubling down on his call for Biden to be impeached.

I think its dereliction of duty to leave hundreds of Americans behind enemy lines, turn them into hostages, to abandon thousands of Afghans who have fought honorably along our side, he said.

I dont think he got bad advice and took it, I think he ignored sound advice. And this is Joe Biden being Joe Biden. Hes been this way for 40 years but now hes the commander in chief, hes not a senator, hes not the vice president.

The Epoch Times has contacted the White House for comment.
Hundreds of Afghan Evacuees Arrive in Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport has been transformed into a welcome center For Afghan evacuees, processing hundreds of men, women, and children fleeing the country as U.S. troops leave.

The city of Philadelphia is providing updates on the effort, dubbed Operation Allies Refuge PHL.

On Saturday, the city reported 505 total evacuees came through the airport on two aircraft.

On Sunday, several hundred more evacuees were expected on three aircraft. An update on the exact number is expected Monday.

Upon arrival, refugees enter terminal A-East where they find representatives from city, state, and federal agencies, as well as local hospitals and non-profit agencies, who provide immediate services after they deplane and are cleared by customs.

Scenes from the Philadelphia International Airport as Afghan evacuees enter. (City of Philadelphia)

These include culturally appropriate food and comfort items like stuffed animals, diapers, and hygiene products.

They receive a general medical evaluation that includes a required COVID-19 test, physical and mental health support services, and the opportunity to get a COVID-19 vaccination.

Refugees are then escorted to retrieve luggage and be transported to their next destination.

The city of Philadelphia is providing on-site interpretation in Dari, Pashto, Urdu, and Farsi, and has a space in baggage claim for reflection, meditation, prayer, and religious observance.

Im very pleased with the high level of coordination occurring at PHL Airport to best welcome Afghan evacuees into our country, said Mayor Jim Kenney in a statement. I thank all of the City departments involved as well as state and federal agencies, local hospitals, non-profit partners, and volunteers who have stepped up to aid our Afghan brothers and sisters during this critical time. We anticipate this operation picking up speed in the coming days and appreciate the publics support by way of volunteering and donating in the recommended ways.

Many refugees arriving in Philadelphia through this operation do not speak English. To communicate with them, the city is asking for help from volunteers who can interpret in Dari, Pashto, Urdu, or Farsi.

Scenes from the Philadelphia International Airport as Afghan evacuees enter. (City of Philadelphia)

All volunteers who can provide interpretation services are required first to sign up as members of the Philadelphia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The MRC is a group of more than 2,500 volunteers who serve the city during public health emergencies and large-scale events.

To sign up, visit the SERVPA website and select Medical Reserve Corps Organizations from the drop-down menu and then select Philadelphia MRC from the secondary menu. The MRC is actively reviewing applications and will be in touch as soon as possible.

The best way to support relief organizations is through monetary donations to vetted groups that are providing immediate and long-term aid, the city said in a press release. In Philadelphia, the citys Office of Immigrant Affairs is working with the Nationalities Services Center and HIAS Pennsylvania.

If you wish to donate material goods, the United States Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey has created a list of goods and materials to donate directly to incoming refugees. HIAS Pennsylvania is also accepting in-kind donations.

Donations are not being accepted at the Philadelphia International Airport at this time.
Evacuees walk to be processed during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 25, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Isaiah Campbell/Handout via Reuters)

Hundreds of Americans Remain in Afghanistan as Deadline Looms

Roughly 600 Americans remained in Afghanistan as of Aug. 30, one day ahead of the U.S. withdrawal deadline, according to U.S. military officials.

About 5,400 of the 122,000 people that the U.S. military has evacuated, or facilitated the evacuation of, in recent weeks were Americans, Pentagon officials told reporters on Aug. 30.

Approximately 6,000 U.S. citizens were in Afghanistan as of mid-August, a top U.S. official said last week.

We continue to have the capability to evacuate and fly out [people] until the very end, Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor, deputy director of the Joint Staff for Regional Operations, told reporters in Washington.

Pentagon officials said the State Department would have an exact count of Americans still in communication with government workers ahead of the deadline.

The White House and the State Department didnt respond to requests for comment by press time.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken pegged on Aug. 29 the number of Americans who are still in Afghanistan and want to leave at approximately 300.

Were trying to determine exactly how many and were going through manifests and calling and texting through a list, and well have more of a concrete number for you as soon as possible, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington on Aug. 30.

Government officials have said the count of Americans in Afghanistan fluctuates because they didnt have to register with the government when traveling there and because some who did register didnt deregister when leaving the country.

But official estimates of how many Americans remained in the country reached as high as 15,000 earlier this month, meaning thousands could conceivably be stranded if the United States does indeed withdraw on Aug. 31.

A U.S Air Force aircraft carrying families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, arrives at Kosovos Pristina International Airport on Aug. 29, 2021. (Visar Kryeziu/AP Photo)

Americans have been reporting to members of Congress that they cant reach the U.S.-held airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, and the last government alert told Americans to stay away from the facility and leave if they were already outside of it. Biden administration officials have said those reports arent true.

President Joe Biden has insisted on pulling out all U.S. troops on Aug. 31, which would give the Taliban terrorist group full control of the Middle Eastern country. Taliban extremists pummeled the U.S.-backed Afghan forces earlier this month before capturing Kabul.

There is still time. And the State Department is in touch, we know, with additional American citizens. Again, given the tense security environment that were dealing with, I think itd be better to not talk about it much more than that. But they are in contact, John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman, said Aug. 30.

Members of Congress have continued urging the administration to push back the deadline, which many have described as arbitrary.

No senior official  has explained why [Aug. 31] is the deadline that the administration seems hell-bent on adhering to, whether or not all Americans are out safely, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) wrote on Twitter on Aug. 30.

We must not remove any more of our troops from Afghanistan until we have succeeded in evacuating all Americans, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) said.
A government message is seen displayed on a digital sign on Oxford Street ahead of lockdown restrictions being imposed in Sydney, Australia, on Jun. 25, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Industry Groups Urge Senate Against Publishing Name and Shame List of JobKeeper Recipient Businesses

Industry groups have warned against calls to reveal the names of all large employers who received JobKeeper payments despite recording profits.

Independent Senator Rex Patrick passed a motion, with the support of Labor, ordering the disclosure of all large companies who received the wage subsidy, how much they received, and how much they paid back, if applicable.

Australians have a right to know which large employers have received taxpayer money and how much they received, Patrick said, pointing to the New Zealand government which does publish the names of employers and has received more voluntary returns of their wage subsidy.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg have previously said returning the JobKeeper payments in the event the company turned a profit was a matter for them to do as they see fit.

While many profit-recording companies have repaid the subsidy, others have also chosen not to.

Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) called the proposal to publish a name and shame list of businesses misguided and said the logic behind it was astounding.

Ironically, it was because JobKeeper was such a success that these companies are now facing accusations that they are undeserving, Ai Group CEO Innes Willox said on Sunday.

To be absolutely clear, the proposed criteria for naming and shaming do not in any way amount to evidence that the relevant businesses behaved fraudulently or that they misrepresented their circumstances in order to receive JobKeeper, he said.

Willox said the fact that JobKeeperwhich was passed with bipartisan supportwas not designed to be repaid was a critical reason why the stimulus was effective.

Echoing the Ai Group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said the demands were short-sighted and that the scheme was not a loan.

Efforts to publish the names of certain businesses that were recipients of the JobKeeper scheme are a deliberate attempt to smear thousands of employers, ACCI CEO Andrew McKellar said.

McKellar said businesses took the payments in accordance with the rules and those advocating to reveal the full list of JobKeeper recipients were forgetting the context in which the scheme had been implemented.

The Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan and the treasurer have been pushing back on Patricks motion, saying it could create a dangerous precedent of revealing private information without their consent.

In separate letters to the Senate President, Jordan claimed public interest immunity from the order while Frydenberg supported the claims.

Upholding these [tax secrecy] laws is therefore vital to the continued confidence of Australians in government and the assurances it provides about the protection of their confidential information, Frydenberg wrote on Aug. 26.

Both the Ai Group and ACCI have agreed with Jordans warning, saying the privacy concerns must not be dismissed.

Business will be apprehensive to provide sensitive information to the ATO if confidentiality is breached, McKellar said. Calls by some Senators to release the names of businesses that utilised the scheme are misguided; we urge the Senate not to go down this path.
Israel Bombs Hamas Weapons Manufacturing Complex in Gaza Over Fire Balloons: Military

JERUSALEM/GAZAIsraeli aircraft struck Hamas sites in Gaza early on Sunday in response to incendiary balloons launched from the Palestinian enclave, the military said, as a recent rise in cross-border violence tests a fragile truce that ended fierce fighting in May.

Sanctioned by Hamas, the Islamist terrorist group that rules Gaza, Palestinian groups said on Saturday they were resuming protests at the Israel-Gaza border, aimed at pressing Israel to ease restrictions on the enclave. The Israeli military said hundreds of Palestinians gathered along the frontier during the night, hurling explosives and burning tyres.

The military said its troops responded with riot dispersal means and Gaza medics said at least six Palestinians were hurt, one seriously. A few hours later, Israeli pre-dawn air strikes targeted a Hamas weapons manufacturing complex and a tunnel it said was used by Hamas terrorists, after incendiary balloons were sent across the border.

There were no reports of casualties in the bombings.

An Egyptian-mediated truce ended the May conflict in which terrorists in Gaza fired rockets towards Israeli cities and Israel carried out defensive air strikes on Hamas targets in the coastal enclave. At least 250 Palestinians and 13 people in Israel were killed in 11 days of fighting.

Israeli announced this month that it was allowing the resumption of Qatari aid to Gaza, a decision that had been seen as bolstering the truce. However, increasing attacks by Hamas recently have triggered retaliation from Israel.

Related Coverage Israel Carries Out Strikes on Hamas Sites in Gaza

Citing security threats, Israel and Egypt maintain Gaza restrictions.

The Epoch Times contributed to this report.
An employee of Japan's Mori Building Company, a property management firm, receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Tokyo on June 21, 2021. (Behrouz Mehri/AFP via Getty Images)

Japan Suspends Another 1 Million Moderna Doses Over Contamination Concerns

Japanese authorities suspended another 1 million doses of Modernas COVID-19 vaccine on Aug. 29 at distribution centers in two regions over contamination concerns, according to local governments.

The latest suspension comes a day after officials reported that two men in their 30s died after receiving doses from other tainted Moderna lots placed under investigationaround 1.63 million dosesearlier this month.

Okinawa, a Japanese prefecture made up of more than 150 islands, announced in a statement that it had suspended the use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at a major vaccination center in the city of Naha, The Japan Times reported.

We are suspending the use of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, as foreign substances were spotted, Okinawa officials said.

Also in Gunma prefecture, located north of Tokyo, contaminated lots were paused over similar concerns, though an official noted that they will continue distributing lots that are not affected by the incident.

More than 2.6 million Moderna doses are currently affected in Japan. Last week, three batches totaling 1.63 million doses were suspended over safety concerns after foreign materials were discovered in at least 390 dosesor 39 vialsof the Moderna vaccine coming from eight vaccination sites.

The Japanese Ministry of Health requested distribution centers to not use the suspended lots that were shipped to more than 800 centers nationwide.

A tiny black substance was found in a Moderna vaccine vial in Gunma, an official from the prefecture said. In Okinawa, black substances were spotted in syringes and a vial, and pink material was found in a different syringe.

The countrys health ministry said some of the incidents may have been due to needles being incorrectly inserted into vials, breaking off bits of the rubber stopper.

Moderna previously described the contamination reports as a particulate matter that didnt pose a safety or efficacy issue.

The U.S.-based drugmaker and Takeda Pharmaceutical said in an Aug. 28 joint statement that theyve been notified of the deaths in Japan, calling it a tragic event and adding that theres currently no evidence that the jab caused those deaths.

The logo of Japanese drugs maker Takeda Pharmaceutical is displayed at the companys Tokyo office on April 25, 2018. (Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images)

At this time, we do not have any evidence that these deaths are caused by the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and it is important to conduct a formal investigation to determine whether there is any connection, the companies stated.

The deaths of the two men, aged 30 and 38, occurred in August. They both suffered from a fever the day after getting a second dose from one of the suspended lots, with each dying two days after that.

Nearly 1,000 people in Japan have died after receiving shots from Pfizers vaccine, while 11 are reported to have died after receiving the Moderna vaccine. The countrys health ministry said they havent established a causality link between the injections and the deaths.

As of Aug. 30, 15,969 Japanese citizens have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, according to health officials. A large part of the country has been placed under strict measures in response to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes COVID-19.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Afghan people queue up to board a U.S. military aircraft to leave Afghanistan at the military airport in Kabul on Aug. 19, 2021, after the Taliban's takeover of Kabul. (Shakib Rahmani/AFP via Getty Images)

Kabul Airport Operations Uninterrupted by Rocket Attack: White House

The White House said early Monday morning that operations at Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport are continuing uninterrupted, amid reports of multiple rockets being fired at the airport.

According to Reuters, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that as many as five rockets were intercepted by U.S. missile defense systems.

The President was informed that operations continue uninterrupted at HKIA, and has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritize doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement.

Psaki said that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation by national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Chief of Staff Ron Klain.

Afghan media reports said Mondays rocket attack was mounted from the back of a vehicle. According to Pajhwok news agency, several rockets did strike different parts of the Afghan capital.

U.S. military cargo planes continued their evacuations at the airport after the rocket fire. U.S. forces have been working around the clock to evacuate as many U.S. citizens and at-risk Afghans as possible before Bidens withdrawal deadline on Aug. 31. Under 4,000 U.S. troops remain at the airport.

But evacuations were thrown into chaos by a deadly suicide bombing on Aug. 26, which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members, 3 Britons, and around 170 Afghans. Then, Sunday saw another threat from multiple suicide bombers, which the U.S. targeted in a drone strike that has seen reports of civilians casualties that U.S. Central Command is investigation.

Clothes and blood stains of Afghan people who were waiting to be evacuated are seen at the site of a suicide bomb attacked outside Kabuls international airport, Afghanistan on Aug. 27, 2021. (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images)

The terrorist group ISIS-Khorasan, an ISIS affiliate, claimed responsibility for the Aug. 26 attack, although self-declared acting president, the constitutions first Vice President Amrullah Saleh, has said he believes the Taliban were involved in the bombing.

Every evidence we have in hand shows that [ISIS-K terrorist] cells have their roots in Talibs [Taliban] & Haqqani network particularly the ones operating in Kabul, Saleh posted to Twitter a day after the deadly blast.

ISIS-K is reportedly made up of mostly disenchanted Taliban fighters drawn to an even more extreme view of Islam that prides itself on a focus of global, not local, jihad. They are said to be enemies of the Taliban, but have seen a boost to their ranks after the Taliban freed prisoners across the country.

Saleh is currently in the Panjshir Valley as one of the leaders of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan. The resistance group has vowed resist the Taliban and has been negotiating with Taliban leaders for a peace deal and assurances of a representative government.

Resistance leader Ahmad Massoud told Newsweek that the resistance front, which he says has broad support from across the country beyond Panjshir Valley, is prepared to fight for Afghans freedoms in a broad civil uprising if the Taliban does not agree to a power-sharing deal to limit Sharia law.

We hope that we can go for a decentralized system so different people like Taliban or non-Taliban can live with their own values wherever they want to live, he said, and they should not kind of impose their own values on some others.

The Taliban has claimed that they can ensure security for the Afghan people despite the growing number of attacks or threats over the last week.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was involved in peace talks with the Taliban during the Trump administration, told Fox News on Aug. 27 that former U.S. President Donald Trump didnt withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan like Biden has because he didnt have conditions to do so.

No one disputes that the right thing to do was to get these folks home, but we never found the conditions right to execute what President Biden chose to do, Pompeo said. President Trump wanted everyone out from January 2017, we never found the conditions right to do that.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In this file photo, Jockey John Velazquez rides Medina Spirit #3 into the first turn the 146th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland on May 15, 2021. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Kentucky Derby Champ Medina Spirit Wins at Del Mar

DEL MAR, Calif.Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit held off Rock Your World in the stretch to win the $100,000 Shared Belief by 1 1/4 lengths on Aug. 29 at Del Mar for embattled trainer Bob Baffert.

Medina Spirit raced for the first time since finishing third as the 9-5 favorite in the Preakness on May 15, days after the colts medication positive from the Derby on May 1 was revealed by Baffert.

Ridden by John Velazquez, Medina Spirit ran a mile in 1:37.29. He paid $3.80, $2.40 and $2.10 at 4-5 odds.

Its a relief. I was a little nervous today, Baffert said. It just shows the class that he has and determination. This is the reason he won the Kentucky Derby, hes that good a horse.

Sent off at 8-5, Rock Your World returned $2.80 and $2.20. The colt, who beat Medina Spirit in the Santa Anita Derby in April, finished 17th in the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Belmont Stakes.

He ran a huge race, jockey Umberto Rispoli said. He got beat by the winner of the Kentucky Derby. What are you going to do? I cant ask anything more of my horse.

Iowa Derby winner Stilleto Boy paid $3.80 to show.

Medina Spirit tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone, which is not allowed on race day in Kentucky. His Derby victory remains the subject of a court battle.

Baffert said the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing on Sept. 25 or the Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Oct. 2 are possibilities for Medina Spirits next start.
US soldiers walk through the tarmac to board an US Air Force aircraft at the airport in Kabul on August 30, 2021. - Rockets were fired at Kabul's airport on August 30 where US troops were racing to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan and evacuate allies under the threat of Islamic State group attacks. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

Last American Military Plane Leaves Afghanistan, Ending 20-Year War: General

The United States officially has ended its military presence in Afghanistan with the final U.S. military flight out of Kabul, concluding 20 years of American involvement after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) head Gen. Frank McKenzie said during a televised address that the last C-17 military plane cleared Afghan airspace after lifting off at around 3:29 p.m. ET Aug. 30. That came hours before President Joe Bidens Aug. 31 deadline for shutting down the final airlift.

Im here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuation American citizens, third-country nationals, and vulnerable Afghans, McKenzie said on Aug. 30.

There are still Americans who remain in Afghanistan in the low hundreds, he said in response to a reporters question, adding that the military and State Department will work to evacuate those individuals. A Pentagon spokesman earlier on Aug. 30 said that around 600 still remain in the country.

We didnt get out everyone that we wanted to get out, the general said, adding that it is a tough situation.

McKenzies comments, however, appear to contradict a statement made by Biden when he told ABC News on Aug. 18, If there are American citizens left [in Afghanistan], were going to stay to get them all out.

The U.S. pullout from Afghanistan ended with a rushed evacuation that extracted more than 100,000 people beginning Aug. 14 as the Taliban took over Kabul following a blistering military offensive that lasted only a few days. On Aug. 26, ISIS terrorists carried out a bombing at the Kabul airport, killing scores of Afghan civilians and 13 American soldiers.

Taliban terrorists are seen in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 29, 2021. (Aamir Qureshi/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden now faces condemnation at home and abroad, not so much for ending the war as for his handling of a final evacuation that unfolded in chaos and raised doubts about U.S. credibility. Biden has repeatedly defended his administrations handling of the evacuation, although he and other administration officials provided conflicting details about the situation on the ground in Kabul.

There were also questions raised about the intelligence reports used by the Pentagon and top military leaders regarding the speed at which the Taliban took over the country and the fall of the U.S.-backed Afghan government and army. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and other generals said they received no intelligence suggesting the countrys government would collapse in just 11 days to the Taliban, designated by some federal agencies as a terrorist group.

Meanwhile, the administration received blowback over the billions of dollars in American weapons, vehicles, aircraft, and other equipment that were seized by the Taliban.

Taliban forces block the roads leading to the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 27, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters)

The final U.S. exit included the withdrawal of its diplomats, although the State Department has left open the possibility of resuming some level of diplomacy with the Taliban depending on how they conduct themselves in establishing a government and adhering to international pleas for the protection of human rights.

Previously, the Trump administration negotiated with the Taliban over the course of months, setting a withdrawal date for May 1. Biden pushed back the withdrawal date to coincide with the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

A new threat posed by the Afghan pullout and Taliban takeover is the ISIS terrorist group. When the Taliban took over, its members released numerous ISIS members from prisons across the country.

McKenzie made note of the threat posed by ISIS, saying the Talibanan enemy of ISISwill now have to deal with the group.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
At the terminal that serves planes bound for China, airport employees wear medical masks at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) out of concern over the Novel Coronavirus in New York City on Jan. 31, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Lawyers Helping Airline Workers Land Religious Waivers Against COVID-19 Vaccines

A Florida-based coalition of lawyers says that its going to represent thousands of U.S. airline workers seeking a religious exemption from mandatory COVID-19 vaccines.

Liberty Counsel, an international group that advocates for religious freedom, said at least 3,000 employees representing 15 airlines in the United States and abroad have come forward asking for legal help.

Were working with people in a lot of different airlines, Liberty Counsel founder and Chairman Mat Staver told The Epoch Times. They come directly to us to contact us. [The number is] quite large.

Staver said the airline workers include pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers, and gate checkersall are represented.

We basically walk them through the process, he said. These people were working during the pandemic. Now theyre being told to get the shots or theyre being terminated.

On Aug. 6, United Airlines became the first major U.S. airline to require mandatory vaccinations for all 67,000 employees by Oct. 25 under threat of termination.

The Chicago-based airline estimates 80 percent of employees have received the shot, while more than 95 percent of pilots have already done so.

A United Airlines media relations spokesperson told The Epoch Times that the company has a very narrow reasonable accommodation process for those who qualify for medical or religious exemptions.

We do not have additional information to share at this time beyond what was sent to employees earlier this month in [a corporate] memo, the spokesperson said.

Staver noted that the vaccine mandates are causing severe mental stress among airline employees industrywide, resulting in accidents on the ground in some cases.

Staver said United Airlines is also challenging employees to prove their religious conviction to qualify for a religious exemption. To be eligible, he said, they have to show theyre a follower of a recognized religion with a history of opposition to vaccines. They also need to include a letter from the clergy stating their sincere religious belief.

Theyre trying to intimidate them, and in some cases, [employees] believe they have no other alternative, he said.

On Aug. 24, Delta Air Lines announced vaccines would be required for an estimated 68,000 employees and that about 75 percent have complied. Those that refuse the vaccines will be subject to a $200 monthly surcharge.

Weve always known the vaccinations are the most effective tool to keep our people safe and healthy in the face of this global health crisis, Delta Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said in a statement. Thats why were taking additional, robust actions to increase our vaccinations rate.

Earlier in August, Hawaiian Airlines and Frontier Airlines announced mandatory vaccines for their employees. Alaska Airlines is considering implementing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its 20,000 employees.

Staver said that despite full legal immunity granted to COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, private employers could still be held liable for any adverse reaction to the shots.

As of Aug. 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 13,500 deaths associated with COVID-19 injections through its voluntary reporting system.
Learn From Minnesota: How to Run for School Board. and Win!

Commentary

Its fair to say the rise of Critical Race Theorythe idea that ones race, rather than ones character, is the most important thing in ones lifeas the governing principle in many, if not most, U.S. schools at all levels has both astonished and alerted parents across the country to what has happened to our educational system, literally behind their backs.

Many citizens, who have never considered running for anything in their lives, are suddenly interested in running for local school boards to stop this and other related leftist infiltrations of our schools that are turning the American system into something resembling communist training camps.

After all, its about the kids.

This is true in Tennessee where I live and apparently in Minnesota where I attended a day-long seminar on how to run for school board and, most importantly and what made this event unique, how to win. (More of that later.)

We were invited by my old friend John Hinderaker of Powerline fame who now heads the American Experiment think tank in Minnesota, which was sponsoring the event.

It was overseen by Bill Walsh, a highly-experienced political operative (in the best sense), who did a superb job of organizing the presentations that were attended by a few dozen school board candidates. (Minnesota has two hundred slots to fill in 2021, many more next year.)

The event was divided in three parts, plus a lunchtime panel, with the first being an extensive analysis of CRT by Catrin Wigfall, a Minneapolis attorney.

She took us back to the 1970s when CRT reformulated the traditional Marxist view of the capitalist oppressing the worker economically into a matter of race, not class, as the dominant, actually all-pervasive, factor.

This was the beginning of equity, equality of outcomes (an impossibility, really) taking precedence over what most of us, including Dr. Martin Luther King, have sought and applauded for a long time, equality of opportunity.

It was basically a re-upped version of affirmative action, only much worse, leading to a renewed form of segregation, with this segregation being used as a way to upend the Western justice system and ultimately capitalism and freedom.

I was, alas, not surprised to hear from Ms. Wigfall that some teachers staff meetings in Minneapolis are already segregated by race. Joseph Goebbels would smile. (Indeed, much of CRT is Goebbels-like.)

One important point she made for the candidates was that CRT supporters in the schools rarely use the term CRT. To avoid controversy, they hide it while still following its principles. The candidates should be aware of that and push back on those principles that the public, polls have shown, doesnt like anyway.

The next speaker was Chas Anderson, a policy fellow of the American Experiment and once a teacher herself in Phoenix. She got into the nitty-gritty of education finance every school board member should know in order to do their job effectively. (If someone says its not about the money, as H.L. Mencken said in my favorite quote, its about the money.)

It was highly-detailed and much of it specific to the very liberal state of Minnesota, well-known to be enamored of government financing practically everything.

Since this is a national/international publication, I will skip through this, except to underline its importance as people move forward in their individual states. (One of the reasons I am writing this is to urge them to do so. This must be done everywhere, ditto courses like this for which Minnesota forms a template.)

Although the first two speakers were excellent, for me the heart of this event was a lunch panel of three active or former school board members led by Walsh, followed by a talk by Walsh. The subject was how to win.

After all, you can know all there is to know about Foucault and the Frankfort School and the provenance of all these creepy Marxist deceptions and bravo for you, go to the head of the class, but just as they say about swing, it dont mean a thing if you dont win.

Along that line, the most interesting thing I heard over lunch came from a current school board member, a woman with a seat on one of the largest boards in the state, governing a population of roughly two hundred thousand, who said the following, ironically echoing the CRT supports mentioned above:

Dont discuss CRT, even if you despise, as you should. Dont name it. It will only confuse people and put them off, become suspicious of you. (Most people dont know what it is anyway.) Discuss its principles in a general sense and people will agree they are bad and like you enough to vote for you. Be bi-partisan, or at least come off that way.

This womans business cardIm not revealing her identity or other current board members who may be at risksays it all: One Mission, Many Paths. The sub headline: Empower Each Students Success Story.

Who could disagree with that? Read into it what you wish.

Is this woman a Zen master or what? People have been searching for a more subtle Alinsky-on-the-right for some time. Maybe she is it.

Of course her approach is contingent, as she, and Walsh underscored later in more detail, on where she is campaigning. If in a heavily-Republican district, its probably okay, perhaps advisable, to go full bore, but in most areas good-hearted caution is the way to go. People are politics. Make them like you and they will vote for you. Above all, dont make them feel stupid.

Much time was given over to obtaining important lists before running. Turn-out, especially in off-year elections, and sometimes even during the big ones, almost always determines who wins.

Lists of who has actually voted and their party affiliation are available. Get them. The list will guide you on where its worth campaigning door-to-door. Even in something as small as school board, its difficult, often impossible, to knock on them all.

And consider running in tandem with a couple of other candidates because if you do win, youre going to need like-minded colleagues against an entrenched force of liberal reactionaries augmented by the usually-nefarious local Chamber of Commerce (another reason to get to know your states school finance laws, as Ms. Wigfall noted).

Theres a lot more at the American Experiment website, including a history of school finance, campaign tactics, and school board responsibilities. I implore you to go there if youre thinking of running or know people you think should.

I would give more of their advice here, but apropos of turn-out, I am typing this on a plane from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to cover what may turn out to be one of the most significant turn-out elections of American historythe 2021 gubernatorial recall.

Meanwhile, those who choose to run for school board are the American heroes of our time. Help them any way you can.

Or, as Chairman Mao might say, Learn from Comrade Minnesota!

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
McCarthy Urges Pelosi to Call Emergency Session for Action on Afghanistan

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told Republican members in an Aug. 29 letter that hes pushing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to convene the House immediately with the goal of extending President Joe Bidens Afghanistan evacuation deadline and to get answers to several questions regarding the U.S. withdrawal from the country.

Given the grave and immediate situation in Afghanistan, I have urged Speaker Pelosi to bring the House back into session before August 31 so we can receive a classified briefing from the Biden Administration on the next course of action and pass Representative Gallaghers legislation to prohibit the withdrawal of our troops until every American is out of Afghanistan, McCarthy wrote.

He told Republican members that while this weeks House schedule doesnt have members on Capitol Hill, hes in Washington to work with House Republican members who have served in the military to push the issue with leadership.

McCarthy warned that his conference will file a discharge petition to vote on Rep. Mike Gallaghers (R-Wis.) bill to extend the Aug. 31 evacuation deadline, if the speaker doesnt comply with the calls to convene the House to handle the Afghanistan issue.

According to the Congressional Research Service (pdf), the discharge rule (Rule XV, clause 2) provides a means for Members to bring to the floor for consideration a public bill or resolution that has been referred to committee but not reported. Discharge is generally the only procedure by which Members can secure consideration of a measure without cooperation from the committee of referral or the majority party leadership and the Committee on Rules.

Should the Speaker continue to shrink from her responsibility, we will file a discharge petition on legislation that will empower our military with the support they need to get Americans home. We will then lean on each of you to communicate the human stories of our fellow countrymen still in Afghanistan by meeting and doing events with local veterans in your districts and continuing to message on TV and local media, McCarthy wrote.

U.S. Marines provide assistance at an Evacuation Control Checkpoint during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 22, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps/Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla via Reuters)

Although the speaker hasnt called the House back in an effort to extend the evacuation deadline, she did tell members on Aug. 24 that additional briefings would be held to provide members more information about the Afghanistan evacuation.

I have requested that the Executive Branch keep members informed of developments in Afghanistan. In addition to todays classified all-member briefing, several calls have been held for members and committees and personal staff. Throughout this week, various committees of jurisdiction will continue to hold Afghanistan briefings. Additional events are also being scheduled for committees and staff, Pelosi said in a statement.

McCarthy also told Republican members that they should take all opportunities, including the upcoming committee workdays, on which funding legislation such as the National Defense Authorization Act and mark-ups of Democrat reconciliation will be debated, to exert maximum pressure on the Democrat majority to make Afghanistan the focus.

House members are currently conducting work in their districts, but are scheduled back on Aug. 31 for committee work.

McCarthy said once all Americans are safely evacuated from Afghanistan, the Houses focus must switch to getting answers from the administration about why the military withdrew without taking steps to secure American citizens and military equipment, and why the Biden administration allegedly shared intelligence with the Taliban.

Transparency in this matter is paramount, and our ranking members are already making formal requests for document and record preservation pertinent to the Administrations decision-making surrounding this debacle, he wrote.

Pelosis office didnt respond to a request for comment on McCarthys letter by press time.
Media Bias Against Israel Is Entrenched and Runs Deep

Commentary

Here is a joke I told some high school students years agoteenagers can be a tough crowdto show how easily media bias can manufacture or manipulate public sympathy.

In Paris, a man sees a pit bull attacking a little girl. He kills the dog, saving the childs life. Reporters swarm him. One says, Tell us your name. Your fellow Parisians will rejoice in tomorrows headlines: Hero saves girl from vicious dog. But Im not from Paris, the man replies. No worries, says another reporter. All France will smile when they see the headline, Hero saves girl from vicious dog. But Im not from France, the man says. A third reporter responds. Then all of Europe will  But Im not from Europe, he interrupts. Where are you from? asks an Associated Press stringer. Israel, he says. The next days AP headline reads: Israeli kills little girls dog.

The kids laughed, and I had their attention. I followed up with a real story demonstrating that the joke was only a slight exaggeration of reality. Shortly before my talk, a terrorist had driven his car into a crowd at a light-rail station in Jerusalem, killing a three-month old baby and a woman before fleeing. The police pursued and eventually killed him. Israeli police shoot man in East Jerusalem, AP reported. The headline was later changed to Car slams into east Jerusalem train station. Only after social media protests forced APs hand did a responsible headline emerge: Palestinian kills baby at Jerusalem station.

On Aug. 15, the Toronto Star re-published a July AP report on the plight of Gazan children, stories arising mainly from the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel. The distressing accountsa terrified child pulled bleeding and bruised from the rubble of a bombed building, others traumatized by deaths of family members and friends, severe PTSD, with accompanying photos of sorrowful children with haunted expressionsare deeply affecting.

But as the media-monitoring group HonestReporting Canada pointed out in a published critique of the piece, there was no nuance whatsoever in the 3,000-plus-word article, no relevant context that would serve to educate Canadians on the complexity of the Arab-Israel conflict. The obvious conclusion to draw from the AP piece was that Hamas had no responsibility in these tragedies, and that Israel is heartless and immoral.

Nobody has done more to expose media bias against Israelwith an emphasis on AP, for whom he worked from 20062011than American-Israeli journalist Matti Friedman. In 2014, following the Gaza-Israel conflict known as Operation Protective Edge, Friedman wrote a feature article for The Atlantic titled What the Media Gets wrong About Israel, and another long article on the same subject for Tablet Magazine titled An Insiders Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth. His basic thesis is that no matter what the actual story is where Israel is concerned, most reporters in Gaza believe their job is to document violence directed by Israel at Palestinian civilians. That is the essence of the Israel story.

Friedmans personal observations from his tenure at AP are revealing. During that time, there were 40 staffers covering Israel and the Palestinian territoriesmore than in China, Russia, India, the Arab Spring countries, and all 50 sub-Saharan African countries combined. In all of 2013, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict claimed 42 lives (about the monthly homicide rate in Chicago; Jerusalem had fewer violent deaths in 2013 than Portland, Oregon). Exactly one stringer covered Syria before the Syrian civil war began, even though 190,000 lives had been lost in Syrian violence in the previous three years, more than in Israel-Arab conflicts over the last century.

Friedman says AP staffers in Israel quickly learned the publishing rules. Corruption in the Palestinian Authority? The bureau chief told Friedman that was not the story. And yet Israeli corruption was covered thoroughly. From Nov. 8 to Dec. 16, 2011, Friedman notes, there were 27 stories on the moral failings of Israeli society, an average of one every two days. This seven-week tally was higher than APs total number of significantly critical stories about Palestinian societyincluding Hamasfor the preceding three years.

As Friedman observed in his 2015 keynote address, titled The ideological roots of media bias against Israel, at the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centres annual dinner in London: Jewish hatred of Arabs is a story. Arab hatred of Jews is not.  100 houses in a West Bank settlement are a story. 100 rockets smuggled into Gaza are not. A 2009 peace proposal from the Israeli prime minister to the Palestinian president was not permitted to be reported at all, he said.

Hamas censors what onsite reporters can write and photograph. They obey because they are justifiably scared of reprisals if they flout Hamass warnings. Friedman admits that as an editor for AP, he personally erased a key detailthat Hamas fighters were dressed as civilians and were being counted as civilians in the death tollbecause of a threat to a reporter. Indeed, information from the Arab side is so unreliable that Palestinians prefer intel from Israel, Friedman says. A reporter for Israeli newspaper Haaretz once detailed a planned coup by Hamas on Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas that was discovered by Shin Bet, Israels internal security service, and passed on to Abbas. When Abbas was scolded by Hamas leader Khaled Meshal for accepting Israeli information, he replied, I believe Israels reports.

The jihadist Hamas Charter, which calls for Israels destruction and rejects any possibility of peaceful coexistence with Jews, was never mentioned in print in all the time Friedman worked for AP. One can understand why. Its Caliphate dreams are no different from the Talibans.

The children in the AP story are innocent, but the Hamas adults who set those traumatizing events in motion are anything but. The Greek philosopher Aristotle established the essential principles of persuasion long ago: ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos is about establishing your authority to speak on a subject, logos is the logical argument and evidence you adduce to make your point, and pathos is a human-interest example of your thesis that is meant to engage the readers emotions. All three elements will be present in trustworthy reportage.

The Toronto Star republished an AP feature that lacked both ethos and logos. It is all pathos, a cynical exploitation of childrens suffering to wring sympathy for Hamas as the oppressed victim and hatred for Israel as the oppressor from readers hearts and minds. Such bias demonstrates the Toronto Stars complicity in this brazen real-life manifestation of the joke about the Israeli, the pit bull, and the child.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Milan Mayor Says Cladding Melted in Tower Block Blaze, as in Londons Grenfell

MILANThe mayor of Italys financial capital Milan demanded answers on Monday over why a fire was able to rip through an apartment block and melt its cladding, comparing it to the Grenfell Tower fire in London that killed 71 people four years ago.

Firefighters said everyone managed to escape the 18 story building in the south of Milan, which was gutted by the blaze that broke out on Sunday afternoon. Among the residents in the high rise building was rapper Mahmood, winner of the 2019 San Remo music festival with his international hit Soldi.

Smoke billows from a building in Milan, Italy, on Aug. 29, 2021. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)

Witnesses have said the fire, which started on the 15th floor, quickly surged through the outside cladding of the building. Video of the blaze showed panels melting off the building in liquefied clumps.

The tower was built just over 10 years ago and it is unacceptable that such a modern building should have proved totally vulnerable, Mayor Beppe Sala wrote on Facebook.

What was clear from the start was that the buildings outer shell went up in flames far too quickly, in a manner reminiscent of the Grenfell Tower fire in London a few years ago.

Blackened ruins of a block of flats are seen after a fire ripped through the building, in Milan, Italy, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Flavio Lo Scalzo/Reuters)

The deaths in Britains Grenfell Tower fire were blamed on exterior cladding panels made of flammable material. Owners of flats in similar buildings across Britain have since been forced to remove such panels at a cost estimated to run into billions of dollars, forcing many residents into economic hardship.

By Crispian Balmer
Cristhian Bahena Rivera listens to proceedings during his sentencing, at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma, Iowa, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Charlie Neibergall/Pool/AP Photo)

Mollie Tibbettss Killer Sentenced to Life in Prison

The illegal immigrant who murdered a college student in Iowa was sentenced on Aug. 30 to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Iowa District Judge Joel Yates handed down the sentence to Cristhian Bahena Rivera before relatives of Mollie Tibbetts, 20, who was found dead in a cornfield in Poweshiek County on Aug. 21, 2018.

Mr. Bahena Rivera, you and you alone forever changed the lives of those who loved Mollie Tibbetts. And for that, you and you alone will receive the following sentence, the judge said.

In addition to serving life in prison, the defendant was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $150,000.

Iowa abolished the death penalty in 1965.

Rivera, a native of Mexico, wearing headphones through which he received a translation of the hearing, declined to comment before being sentenced.

Given the mandatory nature of the sentence, we have nothing to say, his attorney, Chad Frese, told the court.

Before the sentencing, the judge heard an victim impact statement from the mother of Tibbetts, Laura Calderwood.

Calderwoods statement was read by Sarah Barnes, who works with the prosecutors office.

Calderwood said she didnt want to address the man who killed her daughter, but to give a voice to the deceased.

Mollie was a young woman who simply wanted to go for a quiet run on the evening of July 18, and you chose to violently and sadistically end that life, Calderwood said.

She recounted being woken up by her son, who said the sheriff needed to talk to her, and being told by the sheriff that her daughters remains had been found.

Who could harm such a beautiful, vibrant young woman so full of life and promise? she said.

Laura Calderwood (R), mother of Mollie Tibbetts, is comforted as her victim impact statement is read during a sentencing hearing for Cristhian Bahena Rivera at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma, Iowa, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Charlie Neibergall/Pool/AP Photo)

Mollie Tibbetts poses for a picture during homecoming festivities at BGM High School in her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, in September 2016. (Kim Calderwood via AP)

Rivera told investigators previously that he was driving his car when he spotted Tibbetts. He pulled over, got out, and started running behind her before running alongside her.

Tibbetts was scared and told Rivera she was going to call the police.

Rivera said he then panicked and got mad and that he then blocked his memory which is what he does when he gets very upset, investigators said.

He doesnt remember anything after that until he came to an intersection [back in his car], investigators stated.

Rivera later realized he had killed Tibbetts when he was blacked out and had placed her body in his trunk. He dumped her body in a cornfield and covered her with corn leaves.

Rivera ultimately led investigators to the body.

A jury found Rivera guilty of first-degree murder in May. He attempted to secure a new trial, but Yates denied the request.
Mom Accidentally Locks Baby in Hot Car With Keys, Calls Police Who Smash Window to Save Her

Weve heard horror stories of babies being left in hot cars during the sweltering summer season.

One Cleveland mom found herself in that dire situation when she accidentally locked her keys in the car with her baby still in her car seat inside.

The temperature in Euclid, Ohio, was 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius) that day on Aug. 13, but it was much hotter inside the car.

Frantic, the mom called the Euclid Police Department, who dispatched their officers to the parking lot where she was. One of the officers bodycams captured the harrowing rescue that unfolded.

Footage shows him pulling up to a crowd of concerned family and bystanders gathered around the white SUV in the lot.

He got out, rummaged through his trunk, grabbed a metal rod, and attempted to pick the lockbut to no avail.

Hes heard saying, Im not doing this all day with a baby in the car.

He radios dispatch. Were going to bust out this window, the babys been here too long, sweating, he said.

Another officer is seen wielding a sledgehammer standing in front of the drivers side door.

He knocks lightly a few times at first without cracking the glass.

Swing it, the other officer says.

He smashes the window. They unlock the door, and the mom is seen freeing her daughter from the car.

They place a frozen water bottle on her back to cool her while awaiting the ambulance, which is on the way.

After the timely rescue, the Euclid Police Department posted about the incident on their Facebook page.

(Courtesy of Euclid Police Department)

A mother loading her vehicle accidentally locked her keys inside the car with her baby strapped into her car seat in the back, they posted. At 10 minutes, an 86 degree temperature can reach 104 degrees inside a car. The mother called Euclid Police who responded and rescued the infant.

Social media users responded with words of gratitude for the Euclid PD.

One woman shared a similar experiencein which first responders were the heroes.

My husband accidentally locked our car with it running in winter time, commented Kim Polcar. The heat was onit was so upsetting not being able to get my baby as he screamed wanting us to get him out of the car. The fire department came super fast. I was very thankful.

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
Security personnel gather near the entrance to the Wuhan Institute of Virology during a visit by the World Health Organization team in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 3, 2021. (Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

New Intel Report on COVID-19: China Is Hiding Something

Commentary

An unclassified U.S. intelligence report summarized for the public on Aug. 27 makes clear that the first cases of COVID-19 were at least as early as Nov. 19, 2019, and that the first cluster of cases occurred at least by December 2019 in Wuhan.

The report makes clear that China is hiding information about the origins of COVID-19. But other scientific research from Harvard University indicates a possible origin as early as Aug. 1, 2019. President Joe Bidens new intelligence summary does not address this important data.

In conjunction with Fridays release of intelligence analysis, Biden denounced China for hiding the origins of the virus. But his administration does not go nearly far enough in pinpointing a potential August 2019 origin, assigning blame, and demanding reparations for at least $19 trillion owed globally, due to 6.9 million lost lives. This sum does not include additional amounts owed for economic damages, non-lethal suffering, medical costs, criminal penalties, and future damages.

Biden, who spoke to the public about the report, denounced Chinas lack of cooperation in the investigation. He said in a statement, Critical information about the origins of this pandemic exists in the Peoples Republic of China, yet from the beginning, government officials in China have worked to prevent international investigators and members of the global public health community from accessing it. To this day, the PRC continues to reject calls for transparency and withhold information, even as the toll of this pandemic continue[s] to rise. We needed this information rapidly, from the PRC, while the pandemic was still new.

Biden implied that China was being irresponsible in its lack of transparency. Responsible nations do not shirk these kinds of responsibilities to the rest of the world, he said. Pandemics do not respect international borders, and we all must better understand how COVID-19 came to be in order to prevent further pandemics.

The President said that he would continue to pressure China to release more information. The United States will continue working with like-minded partners around the world to press the PRC to fully share information and to cooperate with the World Health Organizations Phase II evidence-based, expert-led determination into the origins of COVID-19including by providing access to all relevant data and evidence. We will also continue to press the PRC to adhere to scientific norms and standards, including sharing information and data from the earliest days of the pandemic, protocols related to biosafety, and information from animal populations.

Bidens statement does not sufficiently emphasize potential COVID-19 signals in Wuhan as early as Aug. 1, 2019. According to the Harvard study, which was conducted at the medical school, 2019 internet search statistics and satellite imagery of auto traffic around five major hospitals in Wuhan are signals of a much earlier COVID-19 spread.

Dr. John Brownstein at Harvard told ABC News last June that the traffic increase, measured over two years with 108 usable satellite images from approximately March 2018 to May 2020, and increasing in fall 2019, coincided with an increase of Chinese internet search queries for symptoms that would later be determined as closely associated with the novel coronavirus.

A medical worker takes a swab sample from a resident to be tested for COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, on May 14, 2020. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The data shows a rise in vehicles parked around the five hospitals starting about Aug. 1, 2019, peaking on Dec. 1, 2019, which was the date of the first confirmed case of COVID-19, and falling rapidly into March 2020, presumably because of countermeasures, including the Wuhan lockdown starting on Jan. 23, 2020. Could Chinese countermeasures have started as early as Dec. 1, 2019, while waiting to tell the world until the data started to leak out on Dec. 30, 2019?

Some of the fall 2019 increases in hospital traffic that Harvard measured are as much as 90 percent compared with the same time in the prior year.

Brownstein did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

U.S. intelligence learned of the virus in late November and alerted the Pentagon, according to four ABC News sources.

Individual Chinese doctors attempted to alert the public of the unknown virus on Dec. 30, 2019. The next day, Chinese social media started censoring information about the virus. Chinese officials waited until that dayDec. 31, 2019to formally notify the WHO of the virus that emerged in Wuhan.

Biden ordered the August 2021 intelligence report in May, to reassess the virus origin, and determine whether Chinas scientists should be blamed. He should also have ordered more analysis on the sequence of events to control the virus once the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) realized that it transmitted from human to human. The CCP apparently realized such transmissibility but started to censor warnings coming from doctors in China as early as Dec. 31, 2019, thereby putting the world at risk.

Biden received the new intelligence report this past week of Aug. 27, according to the Financial Times. The government published a summary that day, which stated, Chinas co-operation most likely would be needed to reach a conclusive assessment of the origins of Covid-19. It continued, Beijing, however, continues to hinder the global investigation, resist[s] sharing information and blame[s] other countries, including the United States.

Former President Donald Trump, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, claimed that the virus may have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), a hypothesis that scientists are increasingly considering given the failure to find a species through which the virus might have naturally jumped to humans.

Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that in November 2019 (three months after the increase in Wuhan hospital traffic), three of the Wuhan lab researchers were hospitalized with COVID-like symptoms. These reports apparently prompted Biden to order the latest investigation.

One of the four intelligence agencies that participated in the report had moderate confidence that the Wuhan lab was the origin of the virus, due to its risky work on viruses. The Wuhan lab hosted years of research into bat coronaviruses, including gain-of-function manipulation of virus genetic codes to see how they could become transmissible to humans.

This gain-of-function research on viruses is clearly unethical, knowing what we do now: that it could lead to lab leaks that cause pandemics.

However, the report threw cold water on theories that CCP scientists developed SARS-CoV2 as a biological weapon. None of the four agencies believed this theory. The report ruled out that Chinese officials knew about the virus prior to its emergence among humans in 2019. This lack of knowledge is what convinced, albeit at a low level of confidence, the agencies to conclude that the disease spread naturally from animals to humans.

Regardless, the CCP is culpable for its mishandling of the initial outbreak, its censorship of warnings that started on Dec. 30, 2019, from individual doctors in China, and its failure to control the virus once it emerged into an epidemic. The Biden administration is wrongly and relatively silent on all of this, and most importantly, has failed to demand reparations of trillions of dollars that the CCP owes the world for what should be considered criminal negligence.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Police look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida in New Orleans on Aug. 30, 2021. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

New Orleans Entirely Without Power, 911 Service Due to Ida: Officials

All of New Orleans is now without power due to Hurricane Ida, according to the citys emergency preparedness campaign.

Entergy, the main utility for New Orleans, confirmed that New Orleans has no power, and the only power in the city is coming from generators, said the citys NOLA Ready on Twitter.

In a Monday morning update, NOLA Ready said the citys 911 dispatch service and power both remain out, numerous trees and power lines have been downed, and emergency personnel are responding to incidents on the ground. The 911 service went down briefly on Sunday ahead of the arrival of Ida, which was downgraded to a tropical storm early Monday morning and is now moving to the northeast over Mississippi.

Although severe weather has passed, continue to stay indoors, off roads [and] avoid hazards, NOLA Ready wrote.

The Orleans Parish Communication District, which serves New Orleans, said on Monday morning that individuals who are in an emergency need to go to their nearest fire station or find their nearest police officer for assistance.

Ida slammed southeastern New Orleans on Sunday afternoon, making landfall near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, with 150 mph winds and high storm surge. As Ida moved inward, hitting portions of New Orleans, the storm remained a hurricane for hours before it was finally downgraded.

The effects of #Ida has caused service outages at many 9-1-1 centers throughout LA. Our Tech Department has been working with our service vendors to resolve the issue ASAP. If you have an emergency in @CityOfNOLA, please go to the nearest fire station or flag down an officer. pic.twitter.com/uCCJJzUKH2  OPCD911 (@opcd911) August 30, 2021

Across Louisiana, more than 1 million customers are without power, according to monitoring website Poweroutages.us. Another 134,000 are without power in neighboring Mississippi.

All eight transmission lines that send power to New Orleans are out of service, according to Entergy.

Catastrophic damage to our transmission system, all of Orleans Parish is currently without power, an Entergy spokesperson told WWL-TV.

Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, urged New Orleans residents to remain where you are as the hurricane has brought many hazards including flooded roads, downed lines, and debris.

Now is not the time to leave your home. There is no power. Trees, limbs, and lines are down everywhere. It is not safe to leave your home right now. Please remain sheltered in place, said the New Orleans Police Department in a tweet.

A man passes by a section of roof that was blown off of a building in the French Quarter by Hurricane Ida winds, in New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2021. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

A hazard that was not mentioned by those officials includes two dozen barges that reportedly broke loose on the Mississippi River due to Ida, which is now classified by the National Hurricane Center as a tropical storm.

St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis told CNN on Tuesday morning that the barges may hit other infrastructure in his parish.

The relentless wind that weve been getting over the extended period of time is something that I wasnt expecting, McInnis said. The northerly turn that this storm took kept the edge of the eyeball very close to us; I havent seen relentless wind [like this] in my lifetime.

The citys Sewerage & Water Board pumps for the drainage and sewage system for New Orleans are also out of power, the city confirmed.

Vehicles are damaged after the front of a building collapsed during Hurricane Ida in New Orleans on Aug. 29, 2021. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

We are having to run an extremely lean operation without Entergy power. Obviously this is not ideal, S&WB spokesperson Courtney Barnes told WWL-TV. We lost at least 12 MW and are continuing to assess.

President Joe Biden on Sunday night approved a disaster declaration for Louisiana, freeing up federal resources to assist in the recovery efforts. Hours before that, Bidens administration said it would send about 2,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees to the state.
A massive oak, toppled by Hurricane Ida, stretches across a New Orleans street, stretching utility lines and resting against the fronts of two houses on Aug. 30, 2021. (Kevin McGill/AP Photo)

New Orleans Officials Warn Against Would-Be Looters, Tell Evacuees Not to Return After Ida

Officials in New Orleans on Monday said that people who evacuated should not return to the city following impacts from Hurricane Ida, which was downgraded to a tropical storm, causing mass power outages, while the mayor warned would-be looters.

New Orleans emergency response agency, NOLA Ready, wrote that the city has no power or 911 service after Hurricane Ida ravaged the citys electrical grid.

If you have evacuated out of #NOLA, we request that you DO NOT RETURN until further notice, NOLA Ready wrote on Twitter. There is widespread debris, power remains out, and emergency services are working to respond to those still in the city. We will let you know when it is safe to come home.

And in a press conference on Monday afternoon, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said that the citys communications have been compromised.

But, one thing that we also recognize is that we still have the ability to send text messages. AT&T and Entergy are doing everything that they can, she added. As I mentioned, our people in our cityour residentsneed to stay put. Again, power and communication are critical issues, the mayor added.

Cantrell and New Orleans Police Chief Shawn Ferguson also warned people against looters in the wake of the storm.

According to drone video footage, looters were seen breaking into an ATM in St. Claude, New Orleans, after Ida.

Without power, that creates opportunity for some, and we will not tolerate that, Ferguson said in a news conference on Monday night. We will implement our anti-looting deployment to ensure the safety of our citizens and ensure the safety of our citizens property.

Clark Street in Pass Christian, Miss. is completely flooded after the torrential downpour from Hurricane Ida on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via AP)

And as the mayor also stated, because it is dark, because we are without power, we need to be vigilant, he added.

During Mondays update, Cantrell said that there have been no reports of widespread looting so far.

We will not tolerate any looting whatsoever. Fire stations are open, and police stations are open. We are all on the same radio system. If you see looting, and you see an officer, then flag them down and tell them, she said.

More than 1 million customers in Louisiana and Mississippiincluding all of New Orleanswere left without power as Ida, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland, pushed through on Sunday and early Monday before weakening into a tropical storm.

The governors office said damage to the power grid appeared catastrophic. And officials warned it could be weeks before power is fully restored, leaving multitudes without refrigeration or air conditioning during the dog days of summer, with highs forecast in the mid-80s to close to 90 by midweek.

Traffic diverts around power poles that hang over a road after Hurricane Ida moved through Metairie, La., on Aug. 30, 2021. (Steve Helber/AP Photo)

The Louisiana National Guard said it activated 4,900 Guard personnel and lined up 195 high-water vehicles, 73 rescue boats, and 34 helicopters.

Local and state agencies were adding hundreds of more. Jefferson Parish in suburban New Orleans knew of 500 people who said they were going to stay in areas that were flooded, and it began sending out dozens of boats, Parish Council member Deano Bonano told WWL-TV.

AT&Ts phone system was down all across southeastern Louisiana. Many people resorted to using walkie-talkies. The governors office staff had no working phones.

President Joe Biden, in an update, visited with governors at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters in Washington on Monday, saying he will stand with Louisiana and Mississippi residents for as long as it takes for you to recover.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This 2018 portrait released by the U.S. Department of Justice shows Connecticut's U.S. Attorney John Durham. (U.S. Department of Justice via AP)

Nobody Stopped John Durham and Hes Still Coming

Commentary

A lot of people dont seem to grasp how problematic it would be for a president or an attorney general to be caught red-handed interfering with a special counsels office investigating what were widely alleged to be serious and historical abuses of federal law enforcement and surveillance powers in the targeting of a political campaign during a presidential election.

The fact isand it appears many have kind of forgotten about it at this point and need to be remindedthe Department of Justices own Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a damning report back in December 2019 (pdf) that overwhelmingly demonstrated that a federal surveillance warrant of a former Trump campaign adviser was granted through deliberate fraud committed against the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) by the FBIs Crossfire Hurricane team and the private political operatives they were using as informants.

Not only that, it subsequently turned out these political operatives working as FBI informants were actually paid employees of the other campaign in the 2016 electionthat of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Now, if that sounds like something that should never have been allowed to happenone campaign feeding the FBI fake allegations against the other to get a federal agency to employ its considerable surveillance and law enforcement powers to target and politically damage its rival candidate before an American presidential electionyoud be exactly right.

Supposedly, we didnt have a federal government where this kind of thing could even be attempted, much less successfully accomplished. Paid operatives should not have been able to become key informants for the FBI in a probe aimed at the Trump campaign. Before it was fully exposed, many people were confidently asserting that what happened in the Spygate scandal was impossible.

And yet it did happen.

Every single carefully placed safeguard, federal regulation, and policy that should have prevented this scandal from occurring was somehow bypassed or subverted.

Prosecutor John Durhams assigned task was to go in and break down the nuts-and-bolts activity of how exactly this entire federal government fiasco came about, to determine who did what and who should be held accountable for any criminal conduct.

Leak Campaigns Are Springing Up From Witnesses

Recently, multiple leaks indicating that both the Hunter Biden and the Spygate investigations are alive and well have appeared in the mainstream media.

Back in April anonymous sources went to The New York Times to reveal how Washington D.C.-based think tank the Brookings Institution had been forced to turn over subpoenaed documents to Durhams special counsels office related to Igor Danchenko.

If you recall, Clinton political operative Christopher Steele had named Danchenko to the FBI as his primary source for the fantastic Trump-Russia collusion rumors that appeared in his now-infamous Steele Dossier. Upon being questioned by the FBI about that after a surveillance warrant had already been granted by the FISA Court based on the dossiers fake claims, Danchenko had rigorously denied to the interviewing agents that he was Steeles source for those allegations. (Despite Danchenkos denial of being the source, the spy warrant was subsequently renewed two more times.)

What this leak made clear is that Durham is indeed deeply digging into exactly how the unverified and fake allegations in the Steele dossier ended up being used to target former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page for a surveillance warrant.

One of the key things for Durham is going to be answering this question: If Danchenko wasnt the source of the dossiers false allegations that ended up being the basis for a fraudulent spy warrant on a U.S. citizen, then who was?

Then in quick succession over the past two weeks, three leaks appeared in other media outlets. Stories in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and the Washington Examiner demonstrate not only that Durhams Spygate investigation is still going, but that its also beginning to create a backlash among its targets.

It appears that people subpoenaed to come to testify under oath to Durhams federal grand jury have begun loudly complaining that Attorney General Merrick Garland had better do something soon to get that Durham fellow under control.

All You Get From Silence Is Silence; It Isnt Evidence of Anything

Its easy to speculate that Joe Biden or Garland immediately moved to close down the Hunter laptop and Spygate cases. Whats harder to do is to verify that.

Because both these investigations have proceeded under complete radio silence since their inceptions, this allowed people to read the silence in a way that always ended up confirming their own biases. The silence was taken to mean that nothing is happening.

Because the Mueller special counsel was the subject of frequent leaksmany of which were fakeit was assumed a lot of furious activity proving the alleged Trump-Russia collusion was occurring. Only at the conclusion of Muellers probe when he had to announce his actual findings was the truth exposed. As far as proving actual collusion, absolutely nothing had been going on for almost two years despite all the stories that had been appearing in the press.

We have a diametrically opposite situation now in the Hunter Biden and Spygate probes.

After years of deafening silence, were beginning to have leaks related to the Biden and Spygate investigations that are starting to crop up with increasing frequency months after Biden and Garland assumed their offices.

While it was easy to assume that both investigations had been ended when there was silence, its becoming harder to maintain that narrative in the face of the recent leaking campaigns that are springing up.

And its increasingly clear that its a furious round of recent new activity by federal grand juries seated in the Biden and the Spygate investigations thats prompting these anonymous leaks.

So Whos Doing All This Sudden Leaking?

The leakers are never really who the mainstream media wants you to imagine they are. When these news organizations publish a story about a federal criminal investigation coming from an anonymous source, they try to give the impression the leaker is inside the investigation. But thats oftentimes not the case.

And when it comes to Durhams investigation, hes been on the trail of the Spygate leakers since April 2017. After more than four years of silence, people inside his office are suddenly reaching out to leak to the news media? I doubt that.

It looks to me that the people who have been receiving the search warrants for documents and the subpoenas for their testimony from Durhams federal grand jury are the ones who are going to these news outlets in order to anonymously leak to the press.

As with the leaker in the Brookings Institution story from April, the more recent leakers are also trying to get out a defensive spin and shape a narrative in the press of an out-of-control special counsels office engaged in a partisan witch-hunt.

The Washington Examiner story noted above makes it clear some people are really hoping Attorney General Garland acts soon to shut Durham down.

Which brings up the question everyone should be asking right now: If he was going to call Durham in and shut him down or curb his investigation, why didnt Garland do this months ago?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Opposition MPs Afraid to Challenge Governments on Lockdown Effectiveness: Senate Hopeful

Opposition leaders have been reluctant to challenge the reasoning behind government-mandated lockdowns or restrictions against COVID-19 that have had a serious impact on small businesses and the mental health of Australians, according to Senate hopeful Campbell Newman.

The former Queensland premier and long-time Liberal Party member, who quit in July over its policies on COVID-19 restrictions, joined the Liberal Democrats in early August to run in the federal Senate at the next election.

Newman spoke to The Epoch Times on the Liberal Democrats election prospects saying that opposition leaders have not had the courage to confront their respective governments on the consequences lockdowns had on businesses and the well-being of Australians.

The political class we have in this country have basically found it very easy or easier to just not get in the way, and so governments actually havent had oppositions, he said.

In fact, New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejikilians decision to offer freedoms to fully vaccinated individuals, was criticised by state Opposition Leader Chris Minns, who called for tighter restrictions, including a ring of steel and more economic support. By late September, Greater Sydney will have been under three months of strict lockdown.

NSW Police block off main roads surrounding Broadway in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 21, 2021. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Over the past year, four incumbent state or territory governments have won resounding election victories.

In Tasmania, the Labor Party decided to have a fight internally against itself. In Queensland, the opposition rolled over, didnt make its case, or deliver their plan. In Western Australia, the Liberal Party simply put up the white flag, Newman said, citing the highly unusual move by Zak Kirkup, the then-leader of Western Australias Liberal Party who stated he did not expect to win an upcoming election.

In each of those states, there wasnt an alternative plan or policy put forward in an effective way, and there was no critique of the government, he said.

Newman noted that the libertarian-leaning Liberal Democrats message would resonate with voters because Australian attitudes towards COVID-19 restrictions had changed over the past six months, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria, where the toughest and longest lockdowns have been implemented.

In turn, protests against restrictions have been held more frequently, including a nationwide event on the weekend of Aug. 21, that saw rallies across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, and Coolangatta-Tweed Heads.

We see the prime minister, who is very attuned to the polls and focus groupsthats hes guiding starhas changed his narrative in only the last week, he said. I like to think, by the way, that weve (the Liberal Democrats) had a little bit to do with that, in that we have been pointing out what our plan would be, and as a result, hes now remarkably talking about freedom, hes criticising state premiers when he wasnt prepared to do that for a long time.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Aug. 20, 2021. (Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)

In recent weeks, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has issued public pleas for lockdowns to end and for Australia to move forward together, encouraging state and territory leaders to follow through on the nations four-stage vaccination roadmap.

The messaging, however, has differed from previous months where Morrison has been largely supportive of state leaders readily implementing border closures and snap lockdownsin some cases over one infection.

Recent figures have revealed the damage extended lockdowns have caused with mental health support service, Lifeline Australia, saying August was its busiest month on record, while attempted suicide rates have also increased.

Job losses have also been increasing, with the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) finding that over a three-week period from June 26 to July 17, New South Wales shed 200,000 small business employees, 64,000 medium-sized business workers, and 12,000 large business workers.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have maintained a strong stance against zero-COVID policies, extensive health restrictionsincluding lockdownsand vaccine passports. The party is also calling for a Freedom Day on Dec. 4, 2021.
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Dec. 29, 2020. (Eric Baradat/AFP via Getty Images)

Over 100 GOP US House Members Declare They Will Not Vote to Raise Debt Ceiling

More than 100 House Republican members declared that they wont raise the debt ceiling, in a letter written to the American people, adding that its Democrats who should take responsibility for making the change to the debt limit because of their continued spending spree.

Democrats have embarked on a massive and unprecedented deficit spending spree. Without a single Republican vote, they passed a $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill in March, the letter, signed by 103 House Republicans, reads. Now they have passed a $3.5 trillion Budget Resolution, again without a single Republican vote.

The non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has calculated that a more honest score of this budget resolution will likely exceed $5 trillion.

The Republicans are telling their Democrat colleagues that they need to rein in the spending, since they have control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.

In order for this spending to occur, our nations debt limit will have to be increased significantly. Because Democrats are responsible for the spending, they need to take responsibility for increasing the debt ceiling. They have total control of the government, and the unilateral ability to raise the debt ceiling to accommodate their unilateral spending plans, the GOP stated.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers (D-N.Y.) offices didnt immediately return requests for comment on the letter.

The debt limit suspension expired at the end of July, and failure to increase or suspend the statutory limitnow at $28.5 trillioncould trigger another federal government shutdown or a debt default.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen testifies before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington, on June 23, 2021. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP)

In order to prevent a default, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Aug. 2 announced a series of so-called extraordinary measures the department is taking to give the federal government more room to spend under a reimposed debt cap.

Yellen detailed the emergency maneuverschiefly pausing investments in certain government employee pension fundsin an Aug. 2 letter to congressional leaders that came as a two-year suspension of the federal debt ceiling expired.

The reimposed borrowing limit caps the federal debt at the current level of around $28.5 trillion, restricting the governments ability to raise additional funds by selling government securities. The reinstated ceiling has forced Yellen, like her predecessors in prior administrations, to resort to emergency measures to allow the Treasury to keep meeting federal debt obligations.

The Republican members said that Congress shouldnt default on its loans or claim it needs GOP support to make an increase, writing, Democrats, at any time, have the power through reconciliation to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling, and they should not be allowed to pretend otherwise.

Earlier this month, a group of Republican senators also made it clear they wont vote to increase the national debt limit.

Republicans led by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) prepared a new strategy that would force congressional Democrats to take the brunt of the blame for increasing the limit. Almost every Republican senator in the body signed a petition created by Johnson vowing to not vote for a debt ceiling increase.

We, the undersigned Republican Senators, are letting Senate Democrats and the American public know that we will not vote to increase the debt ceiling, whether that increase comes through a stand-alone bill, a continuing resolution, or any other vehicle, the letter reads.

Tom Ozimek and Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
Paralyzed at Her Bachelorette Party 11 Years Ago, Woman Renews Vows to Defy Stereotypes

A woman who was paralyzed in an accident at her bachelorette party 11 years ago has renewed her wedding vows with her husband on their 10th anniversary. However, more than it being just a testament to their love, their vows were a celebration of how far she has come, of the trials and tribulations overcome, and of the accomplishments they have had as a couple during this journey.

I was just so proud of us for not only getting to this point but how effortless it was, Rachelle Friedman Chapman told The Epoch Times. Obviously the injury is hard, but our relationship never was. So many people doubted we would even make it.

I wanted to do something to show the world that true love exists.

Rachelle and Chris Chapman at their vow-renewal ceremony. (Courtesy of Kira Atwell)

Rachelle and her husband, Chris, decided to renew their vows after Rachelle, 35, lost her original diamond engagement ring almost nine months ago. The intimate event took place on July 22 in front of family and friends at Fearrington Village in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The couples 6-year-old daughter, Kaylee, was their flower girl. Describing Kaylee as literally our entire life, Rachelle and Chris were delighted to include her in the ceremony.

The pair exchanged vows that they had written themselves, and a friend officiated. Chris, 38, even upgraded his wifes lost diamond ring to a 1-carat diamond, with help from Diamonds Direct.

Rachelle and Chris along with their 6-year-old daughter, Kaylee. (Courtesy of Kira Atwell)

We didnt do it to prove everyone wrong, but at the same time, my advocacy is to break stereotypes, Rachelle told Today. People automatically assumed [Chris is] gone now that were not in the media spotlight, like when we first got married.

Hes a great guy, she added, responding to claims that eighth-grade science teacher Chris is a hero for sticking by her, but if he wasnt in love, he wouldnt be here.

In his renewal vows, Chris said: I promise to remain ever open to you. And above all, to do everything in my power to permit you to become the amazing woman you are still transforming to be.

At her bachelorette party back in 2010, Rachelle was playfully pushed into a pool by one of her best friends. She recalls standing on the side of the pool and hesitating because it was still May and kind of chilly.

Next thing I know I was in the water, and I remember everything, she told The Epoch Times. Rachelle fractured the C6 vertebra in her neck, causing chest-down paralysis. Four days after the accident, her heart stopped and she needed CPR.

During this time, Rachelle and Chris had just bought a new house, she had even found a job, they had a new dog, and were on the verge of being married. However, the accident changed everything.

The wedding was postponed until 2011 as Rachelle entered recovery.

Rachelle after she met with an accident at her bachelorette party alongside Chris. (Courtesy of Rachelle Friedman Chapman)

This impacted not just my life but everybodys lives around me, Rachelle said. I was now unable to do so much, and I needed help with nearly everything. I was no longer able to work and everything I had lined up kind of fell apart.

However, she says that family support, and humor, got her through her lowest moments. I dont think I wouldve made it if I didnt just laugh instead of cry, Rachelle said.

With their love untouched by adversity, Rachelle and Chris tied the knot in 2011.

It was so healing for both of our families and for us to finally become husband and wife, Rachelle said. Everything about the day was absolutely perfect.

Rachelle and Chris on their wedding day in 2011. (Courtesy of Rachelle Friedman Chapman)

Ten years on, Rachelle is stronger in both body and mind. Shes driving, and can even get herself in and out of bed unassisted.

She continues to grow as an individual and get stronger with her physical ability, and to grow as a mother as far as what she figures out shes able to do with Kaylee, proud husband, Chris, told Today. Shes found a way to find her own path for success.

As her accident and recovery story went international, Rachelle was given a platform to help others going through hard times. She has made it her mission to help change the way the public views people with disabilities.

Now a lifestyle blogger, Rachelle shares snippets of daily life as a wife, mother, and advocate on her Instagram page.

She also inspires people to see that marriage is possible even when one partner needs more physical support than the other. Chris, she explained, has more anxiety than she does, so she can repay the physical support she receives by being an emotional rock for her husband.

A lot of people think that someone with a disability cant be in an equal and loving relationship, she told The Epoch Times, but its important for me to let others know that its possible.

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 vial labeled with the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine is seen in this illustration picture taken on March 19, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Pfizer-BioNTech Still Immune From Lawsuits Over COVID-19 Vaccine After Federal Approval: Lawyers

The Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) recent approval of the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty has prompted a wave of vaccine mandates across the country, yet individuals who happen to suffer serious side effects wont be able to file a lawsuit against the producer of the vaccine, according to lawyers.

Comirnaty was fully approved on Aug. 23 for people 16 and older. However, the fact sheet for recipients and caregivers states that the vaccine is also authorized under EUA [emergency use authorization] for children aged 12 to 15 and for those in the same adolescent population requiring a third dose.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administered in the United States since December 2020 still remains under EUA for adolescents 12 to 15 years of age and for adolescents needing the third booster shot. The FDA also issued the vaccine EUA for people 16 and older.

Additionally, for logistical reasons, the EUA will continue to cover the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in individuals 16 years of age and older; this use is also now approved, the FDA website states in a question and answer section for Comirnaty as of Aug. 27.

Representatives for the FDA didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

Vaccines and other products under emergency use are considered investigational and cant be mandated according to U.S. law. But once a vaccine is granted full FDA approval, employers and school districts can require it and physicians may prescribe it off-label.

Mark Sadaka, a medical litigations lawyer who has handled more than 175 vaccination cases, said full federal approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doesnt change the immunity status afforded to the vaccine manufacturer, so lawsuits cant be filed if an individual has a severe reaction to the shot.

The government encourages the production of vaccinations and medications used to fight a pandemic like COVID-19 by protecting the companies making them from lawsuits, Sadaka told The Epoch Times via email. In fact, the government has already labeled any future COVID-19 vaccine as a countermeasure.

According to the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA), a countermeasure is a vaccination, medication, device, or other item recommended to diagnose, prevent, or treat a declared pandemic, epidemic, or security threat.

COVID-19 vaccines, including Comirnaty, are covered under the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP). Under amendments made to the 2005 Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, providers, distributors, and program planners are immune from lawsuits related to vaccine injuries and death, unless it can be shown that there was willful misconduct in the production of the vaccine by the company.

A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Wilmington, Calif., on July 29, 2021. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

John Howie, a trial lawyer focused on vaccine and personal injury, said the CICP is the only remedy available to those who are injured by the vaccination. The program was set up in 2010 and run by the HRSA, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The damages are limited to: 1) a death benefit for those who die; 2) lost wages; and 3) medical bills not paid by insurance, Howie told The Epoch Times in an email.

People have one year from the date that the covered countermeasure was received to file a claim.

I call it a feel good program. We like to say we have it because it makes people feel better. But, when you dig into it, it is a joke, he said.

There is no transparency like a true judicial process. There is no provision for attorneys fees, thus making it difficult for any injured individual to even retain a lawyer. Any appeals are handled by [three] people hand-selected by HHS to review the claim.

From 2010 to Aug. 2, 2,186 claims have been filed with the CICP, of which 1,693 are for COVID-19 countermeasures. None of the COVID-19 claims have been approved for payment, and some lawyers arent optimistic that any will be, since the vaccine is still new and data continue being collected.

Only 29 of the 2,186 claims have been paid, totaling more than $6 million. All but one of the 29 claims were mostly for Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis, from the H1N1 vaccine. Ten more claims were approved but were ineligible for payment.

An HRSA spokesperson said the agency has yet to develop a list of covered adverse events from COVID-19 vaccines.

An injury table for COVID-19 medical countermeasures will be developed when there is sufficient data to meet the compelling, reliable, valid, medical, and scientific evidence standard, Christy Choi, deputy director of HRSA, wrote in an email to The Epoch Times. When a table is developed, it is published in the Federal Register, with an opportunity for public comment, and is posted on the CICP website.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history.

Ugur Sahin, chief executive officer of BioNTech, said the full approval by the FDA underlines the vaccines high efficacy and favorable safety profile, noting that our companies have shipped more than 1 billion doses worldwide, and we will continue to work tirelessly to broaden the access to our vaccine and to be prepared for potential emerging escape variants.

The exterior view of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims that houses a special vaccine court in Washington on Oct. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Howie, who was also a former member of the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines, said the only way for COVID-19 vaccine-injured people to receive compensation is to add the approved vaccine to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, also known as the vaccine court. It was created in 1988 as a no-fault system to compensate individuals injured by a vaccine (listed on the vaccine table) fairly, quickly, and efficiently.

Until the COVID vaccines are added to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program [NVICP], the remedies for those who are injured are generally nonexistent. And, it will take an act of Congressliterallyfor the COVID vaccines to become covered under the NVICP, Howie said.

The compensation program is funded by a 75 cent excise tax thats charged to each vaccine administered by the provider, who later sends the money to the vaccine court fund. Since the inception of the program, more than $4 billion (pdf) have been paid out.

Sadaka claimed that with the liability protection offered to vaccine companies, there is no incentive to disclose safety risks of countermeasures outside of the simple goodwill of the large corporations that sell the product, noting that rare side effects are often swept under the rug in favor of profit.

The FDA says vaccines that are approved undergo the agencys standard process for reviewing the quality, safety, and effectiveness of medical products and that it conducts its own analyses of the information in the BLA [biologics license application] to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective and meets the FDAs standards for approval.

Fast-Tracked Approval

Some experts are questioning the FDAs quick approval of the vaccine, a process that normally takes years. The approval was based on six months of safety data of the vaccines phase 3 trial, where many of the participants in the control group have been unblinded.

Vaccines are usually made by first showing that they are safe and effective in experimental animals. Once this is established, the vaccine becomes an Investigational New Drug (IND), and the company is given an IND license to further study the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in adults, and eventually, children, the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia website reads.

Again, these trials can take years, giving companies ample time to provide the FDA with proof of long-term safety and effectiveness.

In its licensing process, the FDA bypassed the external advisory committee that usually reviews and comments on the agencys decision in the approval process, saying that the application met the agencys requirements.

We did not refer your application to the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee because our review of information submitted in your BLA, including the clinical study design and trial results, did not raise concerns or controversial issues that would have benefited from an advisory committee discussion, the FDA wrote in its approval letter to BioNTech.

However, Dr. Peter Marks, director of FDAs Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said the public can rest assured of the agencys decision to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

We have not lost sight that the COVID-19 public health crisis continues in the U.S. and that the public is counting on safe and effective vaccines, Marks said. The public and the medical community can be confident that although we approved this vaccine expeditiously, it was fully in keeping with our existing high standards for vaccines in the U.S.

Pfizer said it plans to seek full approval of a third dose of Comirnaty in people 16 and older when results from its phase 3 trial evaluating the booster dose are released. The vaccine company will also seek licensure of Comirnaty for adolescents 12 to 15 years once the required data out to six months of data after the second vaccine dose are available.

According to the FDA, the emergency authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 and the approved Comirnaty have the same formulation and can be used interchangeably to provide the COVID-19 vaccination series without presenting any safety or effectiveness concerns.

Providers can use doses distributed under EUA to administer the vaccination series as if the doses were the licensed vaccine, the FDA stated.

Currently, no doses of Comirnaty are available in the United States like they are in Europe. The FDA directed The Epoch Times to the CDC when asked about when Comirnaty will be available to Americans. The CDC didnt respond to requests for comment by press time.
Then-FDA Commissioner-designate Scott Gottlieb testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on April 5, 2017, at on Capitol Hill. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

Pfizer Board Member: Natural Immunity Against COVID-19 Needs to Be Included in Policy Discussions

Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who is also a Pfizer board member, noted that natural immunity gained from a prior COVID-19 infection needs to be included in discussions about virus-related policies and mandates.

The balance of the evidence demonstrates that natural immunity confers a durable protection, Gottlieb said during an Aug. 30 interview, referring to a landmark new preprint Israeli study that found that prior COVID-19 infection confers more protection against the virus than any of the vaccines. Its fair to conclude that.

Although Gottlieb said he would be careful about concluding whether natural immunity provides better protection against transmitting the virus, officials should start assimilating that into our policy discussions.

Natural infection confers robust and durable immunity, he said, citing the Israeli study and others.

However, whether natural immunity or vaccines are better than one another isnt that material when it comes to policy discussions, Gottlieb said.

Last week, researchers from Maccabi Healthcare and Tel Aviv University said that individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 had superior protection against the Delta variant of the CCP virus compared to those who received the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, the most commonly used shot in Israel.

This analysis demonstrated that natural immunity affords longer-lasting and stronger protection against infection, symptomatic disease, and hospitalization due to the Delta variant, the study reads, noting that the findings came from the largest real-world observational study in the world.

The study, which hasnt yet been peer-reviewed, noted outcomes for a period between June 1 and Aug. 14 of this year.

When the researchers compared cases of prior infection that occurred between March 2020 and February 2021 with vaccinations that occurred between January and February 2021, they found that the vaccinated cohort was 5.96 times more likely to contract the Delta variant and 7.13 times more at risk for symptomatic disease compared to those previously infected.

Those vaccinated were at a greater risk of COVID-19-related hospitalizations compared to those who were previously infected, the authors noted. They also noted that being 60 or older increased the risk of infection and hospitalization.

The authors said they only looked at protection against the Delta variant, and only at the Pfizer vaccine and not other vaccines or booster shots.

Mimi Nguyen-Ly contributed to this report.
Participants hold placards as they take part in a demonstration demanding the government take immediate action against climate change in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 10, 2020. (Mohammed Farooq/AFP via Getty Images)

Politicians, Environment Protection Authority Hoisted by Their Own Petard

Commentary

The New South Wales government has only itself to blame if it does not like the ruling from the states Land and Environment Court, which has ordered the states Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to develop goals and policies to ensure the environment is protected from climate change.

The landmark ruling came after a challenge by the Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, a community organisation founded in the ashes of a devastating bushfire that swept through Tathra in 2018.

They argued the EPA had a duty to protect the environment from significant threats and that climate change was a grave and existential threat.

The key to the decision was when the justice, Chief Judge Brian Preston, said that the threat to the environment by climate change was of sufficiently great magnitude and sufficiently great impact so that the environment would need to be protected.

That conclusion comes from the only evidence presented to the court and no doubt what the judge would regard as general knowledge.

A burnt-out vehicle is seen on Thompsons Drive in Tathra, New South Wales, on Mar. 25, 2018. (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images)

However, there are plenty of scientific arguments against the theory of anthropogenicmanmadeglobal warming, or as it is now called climate change.

Evidence to the contrary could easily have been called, for example, individuals like Professor Ian Plimer and a host of highly qualified scientists who question whether the science around climate change was settled or not.

But no such evidence was called.

As the judge noted, the need to protect the environment against climate change had been recognised by the EPA.

Now whether members of the NSW government truly believe in climate change that they would endorse a doctrine so far against their conservative philosophy demonstrates how little control political parties nowadays have over candidate selection and over the publics influence on their decision-making.

In any event, the NSW government and its entity, the EPA, have been, as Shakespeare noted, hoist with their own petard.

The judge has effectively told the EPA and thus the government to practice what they preach.

If the defendant had taken the point to argue that the manmade global warming theory could not be accepted as fact, they surely would have also objected to the chief judge hearing the case due to a conflict of interest.

Before becoming Chief Judge, Preston was involved in founding the NSW Environmental Defenders Office.

As a judge, he was involved in an international movement called Climate Change Justice and was one of the experts consulted, and referred to, in the 2014 report of the International Bar Association, Achieving Justice and Human Rights in an Era of Climate Disruptionwhich accepts without qualification the theory behind manmade global warming.

The judge is, in brief, a believerto which he is entitled.

Protesters calling for action on climate change at Melbourne Central in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 6, 2019. (Graham Denholm/Getty Images)

The case, however, is yet another example of the costs society must pay for a scientific theorywhich can still be legitimately challengedthat is believed by politicians, the media, and endorsed by an educational system under the influence of leftist ideas.

Mark Levin, leading American political commentator, argued that this religiosity has its basis in American Marxism, the name of his recently authored book.

He believes, rightly, that it will seriously damage Western economies and that the major beneficiary will be the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), who continues to pay lip service to the theory, but instead practices the opposite.

And not all global warmists believe in the strong measures which some Western countries, including Australia, are imposing on themselves, including increasing the cost of electricity by a factor of almost three.

Bjrn Lomborg, president of the Danish think tank, the Copenhagen Consensus Center, argues that many of the measures adopted by policymakers to counter global warming will have minimal impact and are an unnecessary burden.

In the meantime, who can blame the judge, personally committed as he is to the truth of climate change, applying the only evidence presented to him and delivering a judgement when no objection was made about this.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva, on Oct. 2, 2014. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse)

Renewed Activity at North Korea Nuclear Reactor Deeply Troubling: IAEA

VIENNA/SEOULNorth Korea appears to have restarted a nuclear reactor that is widely believed to have produced plutonium for nuclear weapons, the U.N. atomic watchdog said in an annual report, highlighting the isolated nations efforts to expand its arsenal.

The signs of operation at the five-megawatt (MW) reactor, which is seen as capable of producing weapons-grade plutonium, were the first to be spotted since late 2018, the International Atomic Energy Agency said in its report dated Aug. 27.

Since early July 2021, there have been indications, including the discharge of cooling water, consistent with the operation, the IAEA report (pdf) said of the reactor at Yongbyon, a nuclear complex at the heart of North Koreas nuclear program.

More plutonium could help North Korea make smaller nuclear weapons to fit on its ballistic missiles, said David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security.

The bottom line is North Korea wants to improve the number and quality of its nuclear weapons, he said.

While intelligence on North Korean nuclear weapons is limited, making it impossible to know their number, Albright estimated the country had the capacity to produce material for four to six bombs per year.

The IAEA has had no access to North Korea since Pyongyang expelled its inspectors in 2009. The country subsequently pressed ahead with its nuclear weapons program and soon resumed nuclear testing. Its last nuclear test was in 2017.

The IAEA now monitors North Korea from afar, largely through satellite imagery.

Commercial satellite imagery shows water discharge, supporting the conclusion that the reactor is running again, said Jenny Town, director of the U.S.-based 38 North project, which monitors North Korea.

No way to know why the reactor wasnt operating previouslyalthough work has been ongoing on the water reservoir over the past year to ensure sufficient water for the cooling systems, she said.

The timing seems a little strange to me, given the tendency for flooding in coming weeks or months that could affect reactor operations.

Last year, 38 North said floods in August may have damaged pump houses linked to Yongbyon, highlighting how vulnerable the nuclear reactors cooling systems are to extreme weather events.

Seasonal rains brought floods in some areas this year, state media have said, but there have been no reports yet of threats to the site, the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center.

Key Nuclear Site

At a 2019 summit in Vietnam with then-U.S. President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to dismantle Yongbyon in exchange for relief from a range of international sanctions over nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as they meet at the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Panmunjom, South Korea, on June 30, 2019. (KCNA via Reuters)

At the time, Trump said he rejected the deal because Yongbyon was only one part of the Norths nuclear program, and was not enough of a concession to warrant loosening so many sanctions.

U.S. President Joe Bidens administration has said it reached out to the North Koreans to offer talks, but Pyongyang has said it has no interest in negotiating without a change in policy by the United States.

There has been no agreement governing these facilities for a long time now, said Joshua Pollack, a researcher at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).

In June, the IAEA flagged indications of possible reprocessing work at Yongbyon to separate plutonium from spent reactor fuel that could be used in nuclear weapons.

In the Aug. 27 report, the agency said the five-month duration of that apparent work, from mid-February to early July, suggested that a full batch of spent fuel was handled, in contrast to the shorter time needed for waste treatment or maintenance.

The new indications of the operation of the 5MW(e) reactor and the radiochemical [reprocessing] laboratory are deeply troubling, it said in the report, which was issued without notice.

There were also indications of mining and concentration activities at a uranium mine and plant at Pyongsan, and activity at a suspected covert enrichment facility in Kangson, it added.

Its a safe bet that North Korea intends any newly separated plutonium for weapons, Pollack said, adding that in a speech this year, Kim gave a long list of advanced weapons under development, including more nuclear bombs.

North Koreas appetite for warheads is not yet sated, it seems.

By Francois Murphy and Josh Smith
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) speaks to the media after the Republican leaders' weekly lunch at the U.S. Capitol on March 23, 2021. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Sen. McConnell on Total Withdrawal From Afghanistan: One of the Worst Foreign Policy Decisions in American History

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) criticized President Joe Bidens decision to completely withdraw from Afghanistan, calling it one of the worst foreign policy decisions ever made in the nations history.

Now we are looking at the exit and over the next two days, our heroic military is doing the best they can with a horrible policy decision. This is one of the worst foreign policy decisions in American history. Much worse than Saigon, because after we left Saigon, there werent Vietnamese terrorists who were planning on attacking us here at home, McConnell told Fox News host Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday.

Just because we decided to quit fighting doesnt mean the terrorists go away. So they are still out there, they are invigorated, they are emboldened and excited about the success they say in bringing America to its knees in Afghanistan.

Biden has faced harsh criticism from Republicans and some Democrats for not evacuating citizens and equipment before the military shut down the strategic Bagram Airbase, as well as being forced to send close to 6,000 troops into Afghanistan a day after it became clear U.S. citizens were stranded in the country.

Biden has defended the way he handled the withdrawal.

I stand squarely behind my decision. After 20 years, Ive learned the hard way that there was never a good time to withdraw U.S. forces. Thats why were still there. We were clear-eyed about the risks. We planned for every contingency. But I always promised the American people that I will be straight with you, Biden said during an Aug. 16 press briefing at the White House.

Biden said the collapse of the Afghan government showed him that the U.S. military withdrawal was the right course of action.

The truth is, this did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated. So, whats happened? Afghanistan political leaders gave up and fled the country. The Afghan military collapsed, sometimes without trying to fight. If anything, the developments of the past week reinforced that ending U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan now was the right decision, Biden said.

Biden also said he had only one choice because if he didnt order the withdrawal, he would have had to send thousands of troops back into Afghanistan to fight the Taliban.

U.S. Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force  Crisis Response  Central Command provide assistance during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 20, 2021. (Lance Cpl. Nicholas Guevara/U.S. Marine Corps via AP)

However, most critics of the withdrawal say that they dont oppose the withdrawal, but how the exit was handled and that it could have been better organized to prevent the current emergency evacuation of U.S. citizens and allies, as well as preventing billions of dollars worth of U.S. military equipment from falling into the possession of the Taliban.

The Trump administration has said the withdrawal from Afghanistan that they had previously arranged was conditions-based and would have been assessed at the time to prevent any chaos or loss of life.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who was involved in peace talks with the Taliban during the Trump administration, told Fox News on Aug. 27 that former President Donald Trump didnt withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan like Biden has because he never saw the right conditions to do so.

No one disputes that the right thing to do was to get these folks home, but we never found the conditions right to execute what President Biden chose to do, Pompeo said. President Trump wanted everyone out from January 2017. We never found the conditions right to do that.

McConnell said that keeping the 2,500 troops in Afghanistan would have been the correct decision.

With the continued deployment of 2,500 people, we were in effect keeping a lid on, keeping terrorists from reconstituting, and having a light footprint in the country. The policy was working. Therefore, I think calling it an endless war or claiming that we are somehow trying to get involved in a civil war, domestic civil war is simply not accurate, McConnell said.

We went over there to protect us here at home. We have not had a mass casualty attack from over there in these 20 years. Id call that a successful policy.

Melanie Sun contributed to this report.
Should the Draft Be Abolished or Expanded to Women? Congress Mulls Dueling Proposals

Congress is considering polar opposite proposals for the future of compulsory military serviceone that would expand the duty to women, and another that would suspend registration requirements altogetherin what could be the most significant decision on the issue in decades.

On Sept. 1, the House Armed Service Committee (HASC) is set to mark up its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a provision that would effectively put the Selective Service System in limbo. Rep. Jackie Speiers (D-Calif.) Selective Service Standby Amendment would suspend draft registration requirements and eliminate sanctions for past or future non-registrations.

The House proposal stands in stark contrast to the Senates version of the NDAA, which would expand draft registration requirements to women. The Senate Armed Services Committee approved this version in July, sending the proposal to the Senate floor.

The competing proposals could result in the most significant changes to the Selective Service System since 1980, when President Jimmy Carter revived registration requirements. During the five years preceding Carters decision, the compulsory registration requirements had been suspended due to backlash over the war in Vietnamthe last time the government held a draft.

The ongoing debate hasnt fallen along usual partisan lines, instead resulting in some motley political alliances.

Those who want to abolish or scale back the draft include the usual antiwar leftists and libertarians, but they have also been joined by MAGA conservatives who argue that forcing women to fight is feminism gone awry. Their opponents include national security officials and leading lawmakers, who want to expand registration requirements in the name of gender equality and national defense.

I think it makes total sense for women to register for the draft, Harry Kazianis, senior director of Korean studies for the Center for the National Interest, told The Epoch Times.

When we think about the era of great power competition, a war with Russia or China could generate millions upon millions of casualties, creating the need for a massive pool of capable and quality warfighters, he said. I see no reason why any sort of draft or mass mobilization should not include all members of U.S. society.

The National Commission on Military, National, and Public Servicea body established by Congress to study the issuemade similar statements in its March 2020 final report. The commission recommended that draft registration requirements be expanded to women, largely out of concerns that a male-only talent pool is too shallowwith high obesity rates being among the reasons why.

The bottom line remains that neither the nation nor DoD will know for certain what a future conflict may entail, what skillsets will be necessary, or who would qualify for draft induction under specific qualification criteria, the commission stated. Therefore, enabling DoD to utilize all the nations talents and abilities is essential to mitigating the risks imposed by an uncertain future.

The commission, which is now defunct and planned to shutter its website on Aug. 31, also noted numerous objections to expanding the draft.

Some combat veterans feel that their confidence is being tested, the report stated. They firmly believe that combat physical readiness standards, critical to the lethality of the force, must be realistic and rigorous; and they acknowledge that many men and women may not be able to attain those standards.

Some Republican senators cited these concerns when voicing their opposition to their colleagues voting earlier this month to expand registration requirements.

Forcing our daughters into the draft creates a burdensome and disproportionately increased risk of injury and fatalities for our nations women, as readiness data shows, said Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). This policy change is rushed and unnecessary in our current time of peace, and unduly harms women more than advancing any notion of equality.

Republican senators like Lee want to maintain the status quo with the Selective Service System. Others want it scaled back or abolished entirely.

Sen. Rand Paul, for instance, co-sponsored a bill with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) that would finally put an end to the expensive, wasteful, outdated, punitive, and unnecessary military draft registration system.

We believe that a better way to achieve equality under the law would be to end military draft registration altogether and scrap this needless and expensive bureaucracy, Paul and Wyden stated in a July 23 letter also signed by Reps. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) and Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.).

With little hope that a proposal like Pauls to abolish the draft will be included in the NDAA, antiwar advocates have thrown their support behind the proposed Selective Service Standby Amendment set to be contemplated on Sept. 1 by the HASC.

The Selective Service Standby Amendment is not nearly as good as the Selective Service Repeal Act, but it is much better than continuing the status quo, and even more better compared to expanding registration to women, wrote Edward Hasbrouck, an activist who spent about four months in a federal prison camp in 1983 for refusing to register for the draft.

The Selective Service Standby Amendment is our best chance to avoid having Congress expand draft registration to women.
The campus of Chapman University in Orange, Calif., on Oct. 14, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Suspect in Shooting Near Chapman University Arrested by Police After Standoff

ORANGE, Calif.Police have arrested a suspect in a shooting today near Chapman University.

The suspect fled the scene and was holed up in a home near the campus, Orange police said.

After hours of negotiation, the unidentified suspect finally surrendered to a SWAT unit, police said. It was unclear if a gun was recovered.

At 9:23 a.m., officers from the Orange Police Department responded to the area of Maple Avenue and Glassell Street, south of the universitys campus, according to the schools Public Safety Department.

Shell casings were reportedly found in the area, and Chapman University officials tweeted that shots had been fired south of its campus.

School officials also said a suspect had been contained at a residence on the east side of North Glassell Street, north of Maple Avenue, and had urged the public to avoid the area.
In this photograph taken on April 13, 2019, Afghan farmers harvest opium sap from a poppy field in the Gereshk district of Helmandz Province, Afghanistan. Afghanistan is the world's top grower of opium, and the crop accounts for hundreds of thousands of jobs. (Noor Mohammad/AFP via Getty Images)

Taliban Likely to Continue Afghanistans Lucrative Drug Trade: Experts

With the Talibans takeover of large swathes of Afghanistan, the group is poised to take control of the countrys billion-dollar opium and heroin trade.

Afghanistan is the worlds largest illicit opiate supplier, with the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimating that the country accounts for 80 percent of the global opium and heroin supply.

Since taking power in Kabul, the group has indicated that it will move to ban the drug trade. But as the Taliban looks to secure the cash flow to sustain a new regime, analysts believe that the countrys already bustling drug trade will continue to grow.

Covert Narcotics

The Taliban has leveraged the illicit opium and heroin trade in Afghanistan for its own economic gain since the group formed and rose to power in the early-to-mid 1990s.

The Taliban considers themselves devout Muslims. But when it comes to cultivating and exporting opium, they dont have an issue, said Terry Blevins, chief executive officer of ARMAPLEX Security and a former police sergeant.

While the terrorist group has changed the narrative around its narcotics trade in the past, it has remained consistent in using the drugs to fund its operations, according to Jason Li, a research associate with the East Asia Program at the Stimson Center.

Estimates of the Talibans annual revenue from the drug trade range from the tens of millions of dollars up to $400 million, which the group earns from levying taxes on opium production, heroin labs, and drug traffickers, according to one U.N. report. A 2018 special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR) report states that illicit narcotics account for 60 percent of the Talibans annual revenue.

With its possible return to power, the Taliban may take an official stance similar to the one it took in 2000, when it banned the opium trade in Afghanistan in the hope of being recognized by the international community, Li said. The Taliban ended up changing this stance following a popular backlash against the policy.

But even if the Taliban adopts such a public narrative to appease other states, Li believes illicit opium trade in the country will remain unaffected.

Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that Taliban leaders had told local farmers to stop cultivating opium poppies, after a spokesperson pledged on Aug. 18 that a new regime under the Taliban wouldnt sanction the drug trade.

The illicit opiate trade out of Afghanistan will likely continueunder covert and less official auspices. Illicit production was not curbed under the U.S.-supported Ghani regime, Li said, referring to the former Afghanistan government that crumbled when President Ashraf Ghani deserted Kabul.

Li noted that, according to the UNODC, profits from opium and heroin have grown in recent years.

That has important implications for how the Taliban will frame its stance on illicit drug flows in search of international recognition, he said.

While the Taliban risks strong global backlash if it supports illicit drug trading, analysts expect an uptick in production as the group looks to secure sources of funding.

Most experts believe there will be a drastic increase, Blevins said.

Drugs End Up in Europe

The Talibans profiteering off of the opium trade has helped fuel the Wests drug crisis.

The vast majority of opium created in Afghanistan is sold into Europe, said Gary Hale, former chief of intelligence at the Houston Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), noting that more than 90 percent of Afghanistans opium ends up on the continent.

Only about 1 percent of the supply of heroin in the United States comes from Afghanistan, according to the DEA.

Hale noted that the DEA can determine where Afghanistan-generated heroin is sent because government intelligence analyzes the chemical signature of various grades of street opium, and the chemical signature unique to Afghanistans opium has been traced primarily to drugs sold in Europe.

An unexpected consequence of the revenue generated by European opium sales is that a significant portion of that revenue is used for terror purposes, Hale said.

The Taliban uses the proceeds of selling illegal narcotics in the Western world to furnish the organization with training and weapons, he said.

During the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan in 2001, demolishing the Talibans narcotics trade was a primary concern for the U.S. mission, which sought to limit the ability of Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other terrorist groups to target the United States.

After 9/11, 75 to 100 DEA agents and foreign-deployed advisory support teams (FAST) were sent to locate the heroin bazaars in Afghanistan, Hale said.

He noted that the significance of drug production for the Islamist fighters was used to justify a DEA presence in the region at that time.

Difficult to Stem Flow

As Western powers are still grappling with the security implications of an emerging Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a turbo-charged drug trade may complicate things further.

From 2002 to 2017, the United States spent $8.6 billion on efforts to cut the Talibans access to the lucrative trade, including poppy eradication, airstrikes, and raids on drug labs, according to the 2018 SIGAR report. But those efforts proved futile, SIGAR noted, as Afghanistan is still the major hub of illegal opium production and trade.

Blevins noted that global counternarcotics efforts now face huge challenges given the proliferation of a range of illicit drugs in the West.

The advent of more illegal products on markets makes it tougher to move the drug policy reform along, he said.

While the West wouldnt look kindly on the Taliban supporting an illicit drug trade, this may not be the case for Afghanistans neighbors China and Russia.

China, like Russia, seeks to undermine the U.S. at any opportunity, so the Russians and the Chinese are quickly moving to develop ties with the Taliban for a number of geopolitical reasons, Hale said.

While the Chinese regime hasnt yet recognized the Taliban, officials and state media have maintained a friendly stance toward the group. Beijings embrace of the Taliban, according to analysts, is due in part to the economic opportunities Afghanistan presents the Chinese Communist Party. But more importantly, Beijing is looking for the Taliban to ensure that it doesnt harbor insurgents bent on attacking Chinas Xinjiang region, a major concern for the communist regime.

Though China and Russia will not directly condone or support drug smuggling out of Afghanistan, they will turn a blind eye to Afghan heroin production and distribution, Hale said.
An exam room at the Planned Parenthood South Austin Health Center in Austin, Texas, on June 27, 2016. (Ilana Panich-Linsman/Reuters)

Texas Law Banning Abortions After Heartbeat Detection Set to Go Into Effect

Abortion providers ask Supreme Court to intervene

A Texas law that would ban approximately nine out of 10 abortions is set to take effect this week, after a court rejected attempts to block the measure and canceled a hearing.

A hearing that was going to take place on Aug. 30 that would have seen judges consider whether to grant a preliminary injunction against the law, Senate Bill 8, was canceled on Aug. 27 by a federal court.

Some 22 abortion providers had planned to try to convince the court to block the law from taking effect. Instead, it will become effective on Sept. 1, even as legal challenges against it continue.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals also denied emergency motions filed by abortion providers asking for action that might have led to the law being blocked.

At this point, there are no other legal vehicles to stop The Heartbeat Act from taking effect on Wednesday, John Seago, legislative director at Texas Right to Life, told The Epoch Times.

The law in question, signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in May, bars physicians from performing abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which can be detected as early as six weeks after conception.

The atypical measures leave enforcement in the hands of private citizens, who can file lawsuits against doctors, clinics, and anyone involved in an abortion that violates the law. State officials cannot enforce the provisions.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, on July 11, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The law drew praise from pro-life advocates and opposition from abortion providers, 20 of whom sued last month to stop it from going into effect.

The groups, which include Planned Parenthood, said the law could lead to abortion providers, clinic staff, and others being saddled with endless lawsuits that consume their time and resources and prevent them from providing health care services, ultimately forcing them to shut down.

If permitted to take effect, S.B. 8 will create absolute chaos in Texas and irreparably harm Texans in need of abortion services, the suit reads, alleging that Texas cant enact a law that goes against the U.S. Constitution, appearing to refer to the Supreme Courts decision in Roe v. Wade.

The defendants, top Texas officials, countered that the court lacked jurisdiction.

The defendants argued that the plaintiffs claims not only lacked standing, but that they were barred by sovereign immunity, as state officials are expressly forbidden in the law from enforcing its provisions.

The defendants asked the court to dismiss the suit, but U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, an Obama appointee, rejected those motions.

That prompted an appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and filings to Pitman requesting that he cancel the Aug. 30 hearing.

Pitman said in an Aug. 27 order that he largely granted the defendants latest requests and then canceled the hearing following a decision by the appeals court.

He also indicated that he agreed with at least part of the defendants position.

Forcing plaintiffs to wait until a state enforcement action is brought against them to raise their constitutional concerns would leave plaintiffs without the ability to vindicate their constitutional rights in federal court before any constitutional violation occurs, he wrote in a separate order last week.

A spokesperson for the judge told The Epoch Times via email that she couldnt comment beyond the filings in the case. The appeals court didnt include any rationale for its decision.

The abortion providers later filed an emergency request to the Supreme Court to review the law.

Seago, of the Texas Right to Life, told The Epoch Times that there will be an ongoing legal battle, but for now it looks like its good news for the pro-life movement this week.
People vote during the Primary Election Day at P.S. 249 The Caton School in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough in New York City on June 22, 2021. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The Clock Is Ticking on Ways to Fix the US Election System

Commentary

This column is not about relitigating the 2020 election. President Joe Biden is the duly certified U.S. president. Period. Now, lets talk about the mess in which we find our election system. Lets talk about voter fraud.

It does exist; claims to the contrary are incorrect. And discussions about voting integrity matter because we have about one year to decide how to avoid the confusion and controversy surrounding the 2020 election.

Flagrant election fraud has been documented throughout this nations history, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. And so it goes today. Voter fraud never went away; it just got more sophisticated. Both political parties have suffered.

Thousands of recent cases of voter fraud have been identified, and more than 1,000 people have been criminally convicted of trying to sway elections through bribes, intimidation, duplicate voting, impersonation of another, or manipulation of absentee ballots. Judicial findings of election fraud have overturned contests in California, Missouri, Georgia, Texas, and other states.

Facts are facts, yet it has somehow become taboo to even mention ways to strengthen election laws. Suggest that states should follow federal law and more diligently purge voter rolls and risk being charged with voter suppression. Recommend that all states require voters to show ID, as is the current practice in 34 states, and risk being labeled racist. Seems as though any proposal to ensure election integrity is automatically condemned as discrimination against minority groups or low-income citizens. Details on exactly how these proposals might discriminate seem vague.

Look, we need to determine exactly how this nations population should cast votes. In person only? Vote exclusively by mail? Should Election Day be changed to Election Week? It is a dense subject but, please, lets not follow the 2020 paradigm.

As a runup to the pandemic-plagued 2020 election, nine states and D.C. decided to mail out absentee ballots to all registered voters. That totaled 44 million ballots floating around, at risk of being lost, put in the wrong mailbox, or stolen and returned with unauthorized votes. In addition, 34 other states sent a ballot to anyone who asked, no excuse required. The infrastructure to deal with all that paperwork simply didnt exist. Within the chaos the opportunity for fraud was ripe.

We now know that in the 2020 election more than 90 million absentee ballots were mailed out. Fifteen million went unaccounted for, more than a million were undeliverable, and 560,000 were rejected for various reasons. So much for one person, one vote. Theres got to be a better way.

So instead of repeating that fiasco, how about following the lead of the 45 states and D.C. that offer pre-election in person voting? It is held as early as 55 days before an election, or as late as the Friday before election day, and weekend days are often included. And since polls show 81 percent of Americans support voter ID cards, lets require that too. With more time to vote and more fully identified voters, the chance for fraud is reduced. Citizens with special needs who cannot get to the polls can always get a mail-in ballot.

Also, if all states would purge their voter rolls of inactive, nonresident, or dead voters, that would help reduce the number of available names fraudsters could use to cast a ballot. But, beware, critics of voter reforms will always find some negative way to spin change.

Ohio, for example, published a list of 116,000 dormant voters who hadnt voted for six years and didnt respond to requests to confirm their residency. Activist groups wailed! The inactive were advised to either vote in the next election (2020) or confirm they were still eligible. Some 10,000 came forward to say they wanted to remain on the rolls. The media breathlessly spun that to say Ohio had nearly purged 10,000 voters! The state maintained it had lawfully reminded 10,000 citizens about their civic duty.

While the next election wont choose a president, it will decide the all-important makeup of the U.S. House and Senate, along with many other state and local elections. Dont we want the most accurate, uncorrupted vote counts possible?

Trust in the current election system has eroded. The clock is ticking to enact common-sense reforms. Can it happen before November 2022? Only if citizens demand it.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Top 10 Employee Engagement Strategies That Matter

In today's competitive marketplace, businesses need to focus on making sure employees are engaged



By Saurabh Kumar

Entrepreneur Leadership Network Contributor

CEO of Rezolve.AI

In 2021, employee engagement is one of the most important aspects of managing employees. Employee engagement helps you understand whether your employees are genuinely driven towards work and are motivated enough for your organization.

Why is Employee Engagement Important?

Happier Employees Employee engagement equals happier employees. Gone are the days when employee needs were limited to higher salaries and promotions. Today, the needs of employees include flexibility at work, working remotely, and much more. Catering to these needs helps you keep your employees happy and more engaged. Higher Productivity High employee engagement is directly related to high employee productivity. When an employee is genuinely driven and motivated to work, they tend to work harder, increasing the overall productivity within your organization. Improved Mental Health Sound mental health is extremely important. High employee engagement leads to the improved mental health of your employees as they feel more motivated towards working with their peers. Ultimately, sound mental health leads to higher productivity and an improved work atmosphere. Reduced Absenteeism Engaged employees are often connected with the organizations core goals and want to help the company attain the same. High employee engagement leads to lower absenteeism as employees do not want to skip a day at work and are willing to give their best every day. Greater Employee Retention High employee engagement allows an organization to retain more employees. If your employees are motivated and driven for work, they are less likely to leave your company or switch jobs. Engaged employees tend to stick around. High Employee Loyalty Employee loyalty is often overlooked when it comes to keeping your workforce engaged. High employee engagement often leads to employees being loyal to their organization. This implies that they will not leave the company when a better offer comes their way. Improved Customer Relations When your employees are engaged, they take better care of your customers and build healthy relationships. Especially in customer-facing jobs, high employee engagement leads to improved customer relations and better customer support. Higher Work Satisfaction Organizations often confuse productivity with work satisfaction. Your employees can be highly productive even if they are not satisfied. Higher employee engagement results in your employees being genuinely satisfied with their work and enjoying what they do. This, in turn, leads to high productivity at work.

Related: 7 Ways to Ignite Employee Engagement and Boost Your Bottom Line

Top 10 Employee Engagement Strategies

Employee engagement is much more complicated than it sounds. Your organizations HR department needs to be vigilant and creative to keep employees engaged and satisfied.

Here are some of the best employee engagement strategies to help you keep employees driven.

1. Seamless Employee Support

Its natural for employees to hit roadblocks and look for support. The traditional employee service desks are no longer useful in resolving issues faced by employees across all departments. An organization should implement a modern service desk to provide seamless support to its employees.

A modern service desk incorporates a single-window approach that allows employees working in all departments to obtain support from a single platform. It uses conversational AI instead of support agents to provide the first level of support to the employees. This helps your employees get their issues resolved simply by chatting with AI chatbots. The chatbots understand the context of the questions and can provide personalized solutions to the same by scanning your organizations knowledge base.

Plus, your employees can get their cases routed to support agents to obtain more insights into their issues. Here, the service desk acts as a connecting link between your employees and the agents, helping the agents communicate personalized solutions to your employees.

2. Successful Onboarding

How you onboard your employees can decide their fate with your company. If onboarded well, your employees will be thoroughly engaged while working in your organization.

Especially in remote employees, the HR managers need to provide them with all necessary resources as they join the organization. Based on their user persona, the managers can send personalized emails welcoming them into the organization. These emails can contain a welcome letter and details like company policies, the roles and responsibilities of the employees, contact information for your fellow team members, orientation dates, etc.

Effective onboarding helps make your employees comfortable in their new work environment, leading to higher engagement.

Related: 4 Essentials for Employee Engagement in a Remote World

3. Proper Training

In 2021, an organization needs to be in tune with the latest technological advancements and trends in the industry. Your employees need this knowledge too. A modern service desk can help with training by adding resources to your knowledge base. Employees can now train themselves from any location and at any time.

When your employees become capable of training themselves, it boosts their confidence and makes them more driven towards their work.

4. Effective Communication

Effective and streamlined communication is key to employee engagement. Its important to establish an organized hierarchy and structure of communication to avoid confusion and get your messages through in the best way possible. Effective communication helps your employees reach out to the management and vice versa, leading to thriving work culture and a productive environment.

5. Adopting a Modern Ticketing System

A manual ticketing system often results in non-technical employees feeling lost and confused. It is essential to understand that not every employee is capable of using a dedicated ticketing platform. This is likely to result in reduced employee engagement.

As a solution, you can implement a modern ticketing system that allows your employees to auto-resolve their issues. Here, the service desks create and manage support tickets for your employees, relieving them of spending time and effort doing the same. A simple chat allows your employees to create a ticket and send their case to an agent.

Modern service desks keep your employees updated on their cases via periodic notifications. Once the case is resolved, the service desk automatically closes the ticket and the case without your employees making any effort.

Such ease of operation for resolving their issues allows your employees to build healthy relations with your organization, increasing employee engagement.

6. Recognizing Employee Efforts

No employee likes spending the majority of their days working for you without the appreciation they deserve. To increase employee engagement, it is important to recognize the efforts put in by your employees and appreciate the same.

This does not mean rewarding your employees with money. A gesture as small as a personalized email appreciating their contribution is enough to keep your employees motivated. This makes your employees feel valued and motivates them to work harder.

7. Increasing Transparency in Communication

When you make your decisions more transparent, it makes your employees feel included. It is always advisable for management to share their decisions with employees and take their opinions on important matters into consideration. It increases job satisfaction and makes employees feel connected.

8. Empowering Managers and Team Leaders

Managers and team leaders are often the single-point contacts for employees whenever they encounter issues or need training. An organization needs to empower its leaders to train and manage their subordinates well. This results in an adequate delegation of authority and higher employee engagement as the needs of your employees are taken care of in the best way possible.

9. Focusing on Mental Well-Being

As mentioned earlier, employees need to have sound mental health to give their best while working. It is always advisable for an organization to focus on the mental well-being of its employees to increase their engagement. Managers should initiate conversations regarding mental health and be sensitive to the issues faced by their subordinates to ensure they are healthy.

Related: Now Is the Time to Start Embracing Mental Health in the Workplace

10. Respecting Your Employees

Finally, a company needs to treat its employees with the utmost respect and value their contributions to increase engagement. Remember that your employees will be driven to work with you only when they feel like a part of your work family.

The Final Word

These are some of the major tips to keep in mind for increasing employee engagement within your organization. Following these tips will help you keep your employees motivated and drive them to give their best.
Trudeau Blames Harper Government for GHG Emissions During National French-Language Interviews

During CBC/Radio-Canadas French-language television interviews with party leaders on Aug. 29, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau blamed the former Conservative government for Canadas greenhouse gas emissions.

When asked about his climate policy, including why greenhouse gas emissions have increased in recent years under his partys governance, Trudeau responded by blaming the Conservatives.

When we took power we had a [former] government that did nothing to fight against climate change, and we had to start from zero in 2015, he said, adding that his partys new goal to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45 percent to below 2005 levels by 2030 will work.

In 2015, when Trudeau defeated Stephen Harper who had been prime minister since 2006, Canadas emissions were 723 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, down from the 730 Mt Harper inherited from the Liberals.

The Radio-Canada live program allotted roughly 30 minutes each to Trudeau and Conservative Party Leader Erin OToole, followed by interviews with Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Annamie Paul.

When it was his turn, OToole defended his partys current policy on climate change.

Im a new leader with a new approach, OToole said when asked about speculation concerning a Liberal-backed climate lockdown plan, raised by Conservative candidate Cheryl Gallant.

We have a price on carbon. That is a change for our party, certainly, but it is very important for our plan to reach our objectives, he said, adding that as the leader of the Conservative Party, he is serious about climate change.

The Conservative Party has asked Gallant, longtime member of the Conservative caucus, to remove her YouTube videos on the issue and to fully support the partys platform or be ousted as a Conservative candidate, Global News reported.

Trudeau was also asked during the interview about the skyrocketing national debt and whether it will leave an enormous burden on Canadas future generations. He responded by saying, We took on debt so that people wouldnt have to go into debt.

He was also questioned about the appointment of Mary Simon as Canadas 30th governor general and her lack of French-language ability. Trudeau said while he understands that Simons appointment came as a disappointment to many francophones, it was needed as a symbol of reconciliation with the indigenous community.

No. It was not a mistake, he said. I thought a long time about that choice. I knew it wouldnt be easy to do.

The party leaders will return to Montreal for their first face-off in the French-language debate on Sept. 2 on Quebecs TVA network. Green Party Leader Annamie Paul and Peoples Party Leader Maxime Bernier are not invited to the TVA debate.

The federal Leaders Debates Commission has scheduled the official French-language debate to take place on Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. EDT, and the English debate the next day at 9 p.m. EDT.
UK Lawmakers Propose New British Army Regiment for Afghan Special Forces

Senior UK lawmakers have proposed creating a new British Army regiment for personnel of the Afghan special forces, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Hundreds of former commandos in the Afghan National Army, who UK troops helped to train, arrived in the UK this month, following the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban takeover of the country.

The UK government is considering proposals from senior Conservative MPs to set up a new British Army regiment for the former personnel of the Afghan special forces, The Telegraph reported on Monday.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, a spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence said: Thousands of Afghan nationals, including those who worked alongside our Armed Forces, are being welcomed into the UK and we are currently assessing how to best support them and utilise their skills and expertise going forward.

The elite Afghan troops played a key role in the evacuation effort at Kabul airport, the paper said. They went undercover into crowds outside the airport, and even into Taliban-controlled areas at huge personal risk, to find Afghan translators and their families and other eligible personnel, and handed them over to British forces.

British lawmakers who served as military officers in Afghanistan have backed the proposal.

Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative MP who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee in the House of Commons, said the former commandos should be welcomed into the British Army.

We trained and fought alongside many Afghans who are now in the UK. Theyve proved their loyalty a thousand times. If they want to serve, we should welcome them, I would love to see a regiment of Afghan scouts, he told The Telegraph.

Tobias Ellwood, another Tory MP who served in Afghanistan and is now chairman of the Defence Select Committee, said: Given that weve helped train these forces, its certainly something that needs to be a consideration. One avenue is they are kept as a unit, as the Gurkhas have operated. The other avenue is they are blended into our own system.

The Gurkhas are soldiers recruited from Nepal who have been part of the British Army for nearly 200 years. The Armys Brigade of Gurkhas currently comprises more than 4,000 Nepalese soldiers.

The UK government on Sunday announced new plans to resettle Afghans who worked closely with the British military and the UK government, which is dubbed Operation Warm Welcome.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement: I am determined that we welcome them with open arms and that my government puts in place the support they need to rebuild their lives. We will never forget the brave sacrifice made by Afghans who chose to work with us, at great risk to themselves. We owe them, and their families, a huge debt.

PA contributed to this report.
A Taliban patrol in the streets of Kabul on Aug. 29, 2021. (Aamir Qureshia/AFP via Getty Images)

UK Sceptical of Taliban Promises of Free Passage: Minister

The UK government remains quite sceptical of Taliban promises of free passage for those wishing to flee Afghanistan, according to a Foreign Office minister.

James Cleverly told the BBC that the UK is a long way from granting the Taliban diplomatic recognition.

Echoing previous remarks by the prime minister, Cleverly said that they would judge the Taliban on their conduct, not their words.

They have said that they want to be treated like a legitimate government,  he said. And theres a long way to go before we might consider that.

Cleverly said, If [the Taliban] start acting like a government, if they start facilitating both internal travel and exiting from Afghanistan, then we will engage with them on that basis, he said.

But of course what we are not able to do, what no country is ever really able to do, is give an absolute cast-iron guarantee.

The remaining British troops left Kabul on Saturday, after wrapping up the operation that had airlifted out around 15,000 people.

Ministers estimate that around 150 British nationals remain in the country, with some of those having elected to stay. The government estimates that 8001,100 Afghans who would have been eligible to settle in the UK under the Arap scheme were left behind.

The Arap scheme allows resettlement for Aghans who worked with the British authorities, such as translators, who are at risk of reprisals from the Taliban.

The Labour Party claims that the government has significantly underestimated the number of Afghans who could have come to the UK but were left behind.

Labours shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said that Labour MPs alone had identified potentially 5,000 cases of Aghans who will need our assistance meaning that the governments numbers were a significant underestimate.

The wording of her letter to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, however, suggests Nandy is referring to a broader category than Arap alone.

I understand that the government is working on the assumption of that there are 8001,100 people who will need assistance, she wrote. My office is currently tracking cases related to 5,000 people from Labour MPs alone, including British nationals, high-profile public figures, people with serious disabilities, and children separated from their familieswhich may give a sense of the complexity of evacuation.

Cleverly said it was impossible to say how many people were left in Afghanistan who were eligible to come to the UK.

Thats an impossible number to put a figure on, he told Sky News.

The vast, vast bulk of British nationals had left Afghanistan, he said, but there were also eligible people under the Arap schemefor people who helped UK forcesand others who could be under threat from the Taliban.

Shadow Foreign Office Minister Stephen Kinnock accused the government of an unforgivable failure to evacuate thousands of eligible Afghans.

Government ministers have had 18 months to prepare for this. The French government started evacuating its people in May so it is utterly unforgivable that we have left so many behind, the shadow minister for Asia and the Pacific told BBC Radio 4s Today program.

PA contributed to this report
Understanding the Constitution: Why Most Federal Land Holdings Are Unconstitutional and Why You Should Care

Commentary

This summer has been quite a wildfire season in the western United States. Uncontrollable fires are becoming increasingly common in the West, but many people in other parts of the country do not understand why. This ignorance makes citizens prey to propaganda about fires being caused by global warming, reduces resistance to authoritarian schemes such as the Biden administrations 30 by 30 program, and impairs understanding the real reasons for the blazes.

Heres the most important underlying cause of the fires: federal land ownership.

The feds currently hold title to 28 percent of the nations land area (pdf), and they control the uses of that land. The results are characteristic of other government-owned (socialized) enterprises: They are subject to political pressures, bad incentives, and defective information. The resulting mismanagement promotes uncontrollable wildfire. And this is only one of the enormous economic, social, political, and environmental costs.

Even people otherwise opposed to socialism often give a pass to federal land ownership, because they associate it with our national parks and national monuments. (As a matter of personal disclosure: Im a life-long outdoorsman who loves our national parks, monuments, and other open lands. But I want them managed better.)

However, the sad fact is that even the parks and monuments suffer from problems inherent in government ownership, such as grossly deferred maintenance. More importantly, they comprise only about 12 percent of the real estate titled to the federal government (pdf). The prominence and popularity of the parks and monuments helps disguise what happens on the other 88 percent.

The vast bulk of that 88 percent has no special value. Its nothing like Yellowstone, Yosemite, or Glacier. Its dismal scrub country or desertgood only for grazing or mining, if even for thator its ordinary woodland. Under federal neglect and mismanagement, the woodland becomes fodder for destructive plant diseases and kindling for devastating fires. Fires not only destroy the forest, but also frequently spread to state and private property. They also pollute the nations airshed.

Key to addressing these problems is to restore the Constitutions careful provisions for land ownership and control. Of course, that would require a corrective constitutional amendment proposed by a convention of the states, because no agency of the federal governmenteven the courtswill actively seek reduction of federal power.

When the Constitution was being debated (17871790), the new federal government was expected to take title to the vast territory between the coastal states and the Mississippi River. Nearly all the American Founders favored that areas organization into states. They also favored selling most of that land and transferring nearly all the rest to state governments. The Founders understood that states could not play meaningful roles in the federal system unless they governed the acreage within their own boundaries without federal interference. The Founders also understood that for people to be free, most land had to be in private ownership.

Accordingly, the Constitutions advocates repeatedly assured the public that the central government would have little or no authority over in-state land (pdf) (pdf).

On the other hand, the Founders recognized that the federal government had to own or otherwise control some acreage to prevent undue reliance on the states. For example, it wouldnt be a good idea for military installations or the national capital to be at the mercy of any state.

Heres a summary of how the Constitution, properly interpreted, balances federal and state interests:

First: The Constitution distinguishes between ownership of land and governance or jurisdiction over land. The rules for federal land ownership derive primarily from such enumerated powers as the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) and the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2). The rules for federal governance or jurisdiction appear in the Property Clause and in the Constitutions Enclave Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 17).

Second: Congress may own and govern areas outside state boundaries: the U.S. territories. These were ceded by foreign nations through treaties. Contrary to Thomas Jeffersons celebrated doubts, theres no constitutional bar to the federal government acquiring territory through the treaty power.

U.S. territories were once vast in scale, but nearly all have been organized into new states. The principal exceptions are the five remaining inhabited territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. Each is self-governing, but only by the grace of Congress.

Third: The Constitution does not give the federal government authority to retain land indefinitely for any purpose it wishes. The only unconditional power over land given to the federal government is the power to dispose. As explained below, even the right to dispose is subject to rules of public trust.

Fourth: The Constitution grants the federal government authority to acquire property within state boundaries to carry out its enumerated powers. For example, the Constitution bestows on Congress the power to tax, so Congress may acquire buildings to house tax collectors. To acquire such property, the feds need only purchase it or condemn it and pay just compensation. Its not true, as some conservative writers claim, that the Constitution denies Congress authority to condemn land (pdf) or that the federal government must obtain state consent merely to purchase or condemn land with state boundaries (pdf).

However, federally owned property within state boundaries is subject to state law, so long as the state respects legitimate federal functions. The modern Supreme Courts doctrine (pdf) that federal regulations always trump state law is also inaccurate.

Fifth: If the Congress wishes to displace state jurisdiction over a parcel of land and govern it directly, Congress may do so under the Enclave Clause. However, Congress must obtain the permission of the affected state. A state may make its consent conditional on the feds honoring particular terms.

The Constitution authorizes a national capital enclave of up to 10 miles square, but other federal enclaves should be smallno larger than necessary to carry out legitimate federal purposes. The Enclave Clause itself speaks in terms of acquiring jurisdiction only over Building[s]. In the 18th century, a Building did not have to be an enclosed space, but it did comprise a fabricated construction of some kind, such as a dockyard or (in modern terms) an airport runway. The current practice of holding huge tracts of relatively undeveloped land as enclaves is inconsistent with the constitutional balance.

Sixth: The Constitution requires the federal government to dispose of any acreage not used for enumerated purposes. This does not necessarily mean sale to the highest bidder. Under the Necessary and Proper Clause, federal land disposal is subject to fiduciary rulesrules of public trust (pdf). Each parcel must be disposed of in the way that best promotes the general welfare.

For example, the best disposition of a particular parcel might be to a state government for a park or for a state forest. Or in the case of environmentally sensitive lands, the best disposition might be to a perpetual non-profit environmental trust, as is common in England. Of course, any transfer of environmentally sensitive territory should be subject to strict covenants.

Thus, the Constitutions provisions for federal land ownership protect the functions of the federal government, respect state sovereignty, and promote individual freedom. Adhering to them also would reduce the number of wildfires.

Robert G. Natelson, a former constitutional law professor and historian, is senior fellow in constitutional jurisprudence at the Independence Institute in Denver. He is the author of The Original Constitution: What It Actually Said and Meant (3rd ed., 2014) and of Federal Land Retention and the Constitutions Property Clause: The Original Understanding, 76 U. Colo. L. Rev. 327 (2005) (pdf).

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Unfree Speech

In this episode of Counterculture with Danielle DSouza Gill, Danielle exposes the censorship overlords. She breaks down how the Biden White House is allying with big companies in order to carry out vaccine mandates, censor conservatives on social media, and more. She dives into free speech, forced speech, censoring individuals, and the role of private companies. She engages in a thought-provoking interview with commentator Michael Knowles about what kind of society we want to live inone in which free speech reigns, or one in which whoever is in power censors the opposing party.

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Rocket launcher tubes are seen in a destroyed vehicle vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi/AP Photo)

US Investigating Civilian Casualties in Airstrike on Vehicle in Kabul: Official

The United States is investigating reports of civilian casualties in Kabul after a U.S. drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying multiple suicide bombers from the ISIS-K terrorist group on Sunday, an official said.

The U.S.-led counter-terrorism drone attack may have caused additional casualties as well as the two ISIS terrorists it targeted, Captain Bill Urban, a Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson, said in a statement late on Sunday.

We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul, said Urban.

The reports are being looked into by the United States, Urban said, noting that while the drone strike disrupted an imminent ISIS-K threat to Kabuls international airport, We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life.

We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties, he added. It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further.

Journalists take photos of a vehicle damaged by a rocket attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 30, 2021. (Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi/AP Photo)

The Pentagon earlier said that two high-profile ISIS-K terrorist group members were killed in Fridays drone strike, and another was wounded.

They lost a planner and they lost a facilitator and theyve got one wounded. And the fact that two of these individuals are no longer walking on the face of the earth, thats a good thing, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said during a press briefing.

Its a good thing for the people of Afghanistan. Its a good thing for our troops and our forces at that airfield. And I think Im just going to leave it at that, he continued.

Fridays drone strike came shortly after the Kabul airport attack that killed 13 U.S. service members and over 100 Afghans. ISIS-K, an ISIS affiliate, claimed responsibility for the Aug. 26 attack, bragging about a suicide bomber managing to penetrate all the security fortifications put into place by U.S. forces and the Taliban.

A screen grab shows people carrying an injured person to a hospital after an attack at Kabul airport, Afghanistan, on Aug. 26, 2021. (Reuters TV/1TV/Handout via Reuters)

Founded in 2015, ISIS-K is a sworn enemy of the Taliban and the United States. It had been quiet since Kabul was taken over by the terrorist group on Aug. 15, raising concerns that it had been plotting a large-scale attack.

ISIS deems the Talibans rule to be insufficiently Islamic, and believes the terrorist group prides themselves for their focus on global, not local, jihad.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, said that it was conducting a Taliban investigation into the attacks.

Meanwhile, Amrullah Saleh, who says he is Afghanistans acting president according to its constitution, has claimed that the Taliban were behind the blasts.

Every evidence we have in hand shows that [ISIS-K terrorist] cells have their roots in Talibs [Taliban] & Haqqani network particularly the ones operating in Kabul, Saleh posted to Twitter a day after the deadly blast.

We knew from two or three days ago that the Taliban wanted to end the airport disaster with a series of bombings, he told Euronews on Aug. 26. They spread the word that ISIL wanted to carry out bombings. The Taliban is behind todays [Thursdays] bombing, he claimed.

Taliban involvement in the attack also hasnt been ruled out by the United States. Kirby said on Aug. 27 that U.S. officials were unsure if the Taliban were involved.

Melanie Sun contributed to this report.
US Officials: Lists of Names Were Shared With Taliban

The United States shared lists of names with the Taliban, U.S. officials confirmed on Aug. 29, as they disputed accusations that the terrorist group was given the identity of many Americans and Afghans trying to flee Afghanistan.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed the information was shared with the Taliban.

Blinken said there were certain times when the Taliban was given lists of people on buses that were en route to the U.S.-held airport in Kabul and needed to get through Taliban checkpoints.

Youll share names on a list of people on the bus so they can be assured that those are people that were looking to bring in, Blinken told NBCs Meet the Press.

And by definition, thats exactly what happened.

Sullivan disputed a report that the United States gave a list of names to the Taliban but indicated that some identities were shared.

We have given no list of all of the American SIV holders to the Taliban or any other kind of big list, he said, referring to Special Immigrant Visas, which are given to Afghans.

But he didnt deny that other lists were handed over and appeared to suggest that, in some cases, they had been.

Sullivan spoke about situations in which buses of Afghans and others were headed to the airport but had to go through Taliban checkpoints.

That is the type of coordination weve done with the Taliban. That has resulted in journalists and women and pilots and other SIVs being able to get through and get on planes and out of the country, he told CNNs State of the Union.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens to a question while speaking about Afghanistan during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington, on Aug. 25, 2021. (Alex Brandon/Pool/AP Photo)

President Joe Biden last week didnt deny that his administration shared lists of American names with the Taliban, telling reporters: There have been occasions where our military has contacted their military counterparts in the Taliban and said: This bus is coming through with X number of people on it, made up of the following group of people. We want you to let that bus or that group through.'

Biden also said he couldnt confirm whether theres been a list.

There may have been, but I know of no circumstance. It doesnt mean it didnt exist, that, Heres the names of 12 people; theyre coming. Let them through. It could very well have happened.

Asked about those remarks on Aug. 30, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said there may be cases in which commanders on the ground are sharing names with the Taliban.

I think we can all agree theres a big difference between providing the list of people who want to depart proactively and working at the moment on the ground in a coordinated tactical way to get people out and evacuated and save their lives, she said.

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), on ABCs This Week, denounced the sharing of names with the Taliban.

They passed a list of American citizens and Americas closest allies, people who fought alongside us, they passed those lists to the Taliban, relying on them, thinking they could trust on them. It was stupid then. Its insane now. And their plan still seems to be Lets rely on the Taliban,' Sasse said.

The U.S. military is leading an effort to evacuate tens of thousands of Afghans and nationals from various countries from Afghanistan before the military withdraws, a pullout currently slated to take place on Aug. 31.

U.S. troops hold the airport in Kabul, but the Taliban controls everywhere else in the city, making it a necessity to pass through Taliban checkpoints to reach the facility.

Asked if the United States would continue coordinating with the Taliban after the withdrawal, with an eye toward combating ISIS, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby declined to answer on Aug. 30.

I dont think its useful to get into hypothetical operations, future operations one way or the other, he said.
Leon Panetta, former U.S. Defense Secretary and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, speaks during a discussion on countering violent extremism, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington on Oct. 23, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

US Troops Need to Go Back and Fight in Afghanistan, Says Former CIA Director

A former CIA director called the Aug. 26 terrorist attack in the capital of Afghanistan President Joe Bidens worst nightmare, adding that he believes American troops need to return to the war-torn nation to combat terrorism.

I understand that were trying to get our troops out of there, but the bottom line is, we can leave a battlefield, but we cant leave the war on terrorism, which still is a threat to our security, said former CIA Director Leon Panetta, the secretary of defense under President Barack Obama who oversaw the U.S.-led mission that killed al Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

Were going to have to go back in to get ISIS, he added.

The attack on Kabuls airport last week killed 13 Americans, more than a hundred Afghan civilians, two British nationals, and the child of another British national.

Panetta said U.S. troops should return to Afghanistan when al Qaeda resurrects itself, explaining that the United States has not finished its work there and the Taliban, ISIS, and other terrorist groups still remain a national security threat.

U.S. Marines and German service member watch an entry gate during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Davis Harris via Reuters)

They gave safe haven to al Qaeda before, theyll probably do it again, he said, referring to the Taliban, which previously helped al Qaeda by providing sanctuary, allowing terrorists to plan and carry out deadly attacks around the world.

Although the Taliban recently reassured world powers that it will present itself as more moderate than when it imposed Sharia in the late 1990s, Panetta said they are still terrorists and certainly supporters of terrorists.

Amrullah Saleh, who says he is Afghanistans acting president according to its constitution, has claimed that the Taliban were behind the suicide bombing at Kabul airport.

Vice President of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh speaks during a function at the Afghan presidential palace in Kabul on Aug. 4, 2021. (Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States has also not ruled out the possibility of the Taliban being involved in the attack, with Pentagon spokesman John Kirby saying on Aug. 27 that U.S. officials were unsure if the Taliban were involved.

Terrorist group ISIS-Khorasan, an ISIS affiliate, did claim responsibility for the terror attack on Aug. 26, bragging that its suicide bomber managed to penetrate all the security fortifications put into place by U.S. forces and the Taliban.

ISIS-K is reportedly made up of mostly disenchanted Taliban fighters drawn to an even more extreme view of Islam that prides itself on a focus of global, rather than local, jihad. They are said to be enemies of the Taliban, but have seen a boost to their ranks after the Taliban freed ISIS prisoners across the country.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Aug. 29 revealed that 300 Americans remain in Afghanistan and are awaiting evacuation amid a heightened terror threat near the airport.

Biden and other officials set an Aug. 31 deadline for all troops to leave Afghanistan, raising questions about whether the administration can successfully evacuate any remaining Americans in the country by that time.

During the pullout, the Biden administration has received significant bipartisan backlash over his handling of the evacuations and for apparently failing to predict that the Taliban would take control over the country, including Kabul, in just a matter of days. Some have also questioned statements made by Biden and his top deputies that U.S. officials are working with, and even reportedly sharing intelligence with, the Taliban.

Melanie Sun and Jack Phillips contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Visit the Best Places to Witness Wildlife Migration Paths

Every year sees tens of thousands of animals and birds move around the country as they head to sunnier climates and breeding grounds. In my experience, nothing is better than seeing such spectacles of nature, and if you pick the right time, you and your family should be able to witness these migrations up close.

Plan the dates ahead of time to get a front-row seat to some of the most breathtaking sights in the world. My family and I have witnessed several such migrations, and we still have several to go before we complete our bucket list.

Every year, around 23,000 elephant seals gather on Californias Central Coast near San Luis Obispo to mate and give birth. If youre heading to Hearst Castle and the surrounding areas, chances are youll be able to catch sight of these huge, sluggish sea creatures. We usually stop by during the first week of January and are treated to lots of loud, strange noises and bunches of baby seals.

Elephant seals face off on a beach near San Simeon, California. (Margot Black)

An elephant seal mother cow and pup rest near San Simeon, California. (Margot Black)

A few of the seals live here year-round, but between October and March, their numbers swell considerably. That means youll almost certainly catch a glimpse of them as they recline with their young on the rocky beach near San Simeon.

They gather in their hundreds at the elephant seal rookery, which is 1.5 miles south of Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve (about 90 miles south of Monterey and five miles north of Hearst Castle).

Specified viewing areas offer good looks at these gummy, bulbous-nosed creatures as they look after their young. Docents from Friends of the Elephant Seal are usually on hand to help visitors get the most from their viewing experience. The viewing areas are open every day of the year, are wheelchair accessible, and no reservations are required.

Nebraska, home to the Great Plains, sees 80 percent of the worlds half-million sandhill cranes roost along the Platte River. Coming up from Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, the cranes arrive around Valentines Day and are gone by mid-April. They use their two-month stay to pack on weight before continuing their journey north. Cranes mate for life, so they travel as families; some eventually fly as far as Siberia.

Head to the Rowe Sanctuary, which is situated between the towns of Kearney and Grand Island and whose mission is to conserve and restore the Platte River ecosystem, focusing on cranes and other wildlife and their habitats. Starting at $35, you can join crane-sighting tours at the sanctuary along the river.

Between November and May, you can see humpback whales at the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Kihei, Maui. My family and I fell in love with Maui, which is beautiful and has nature in abundance. Managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which looks after the waters around the Hawaiian Islands, this picture-perfect sanctuary makes for essential shoreline viewing.

The humpback whales migrate to Hawaii to mate and give birth. The nursing mothers usually arrive first, followed by their young, then adult males, and finally the pregnant females arrive. Whales are creatures of habit and will return to the same area where they were born.

The whales here are North Pacific humpbacks, and in May they make a 2,800-mile trip to southeastern Alaska so they can feed at the Glacier Bay National Park. If Hawaii isnt your thing, then you can also find them in Alaska.

There are many whale-watching boat trips you can book off the coast of Maui, but at the Kihei visitors center, which is open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can view exhibits and learn about the efforts by the state of Hawaii to protect humpback whales, monk seals, sea turtles, and coral reefs.

Delaware Bay is the largest spawning area in the world for horseshoe crabs. The crabs arrive between May 1 and June 15 to lay their eggs, and their migration is truly one of the wildest spectacles of nature youll ever see. Horseshoe crabs are large creatures with a hard shield and sharp-pointed antennae. Because of their origin 450 million years ago, they are considered living fossils.

Their spring migration in an estuary of the Delaware River, which cuts through New Jersey and Delaware, also brings the red knot shorebirds that feast on the crab eggs and use them as fuel to power north for their own migration.

The nonprofit Delaware Audubon Society suggests that the best place to see the crabs spawn is the DuPont Nature Center in Mispillion Harbor. The center has an observation deck and many exhibits about both the crabs and shorebirds. Other noted locations for seeing both include Slaughter Beach, Bowers Beach, Ted Harvey Wildlife Area-Kitts Hummock, Port Mahon Road, and Fowler Beach. As well as the hungry red knots, you might also see sandpipers, sanderlings, and ruddy turnstones.

If you want to help the horseshoe crabs as they breed, you can join volunteers in New Jersey who flip crabs that have been washed ashore the wrong side up.

An oasis located on Highway 1 at the southern edge of Pismo Beach, California, the Monarch Grove is a spectacular nature destination that we loved visiting. Loads of colorful monarch butterflies migrate here from October through February each year.

These undeniably beautiful orange-and-black butterflies visit Pismo Beach to seek shelter from the freezing northern winters. They cluster in the eucalyptus trees, hanging from the branches that provide shelter from the rain as well as warmth as they gather in such huge numbers.

Monarch butterflies land in a tree near Pismo Beach, California. (Margot Black)

The monarchs that visit Pismo Beach have a life span of six months as opposed to that of common monarchs that live only six weeks, and seeing them in such large numbers is exhilarating. At the Monarch Grove you can join guided tours with the docent trailer opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 4 p.m. daily. Educational talks are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day, weather permitting.

When You Go

Elephant seals: ElephantSeal.org/view.htm

Elephant seal cam: ElephantSeal.org/view.htm

Sandhill crane cam: Rowe.Audubon.org

Humpback whales: HawaiiHumpbackWhale.noaa.gov

Horseshoe crabs and shorebirds: ReturnTheFavorNJ.org/get-involved/events, DelawareAudubon.org

Monarch butterflies: MonarchButterfly.org

Margot Black is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at Creators.com. Copyright 2021 Creators.com
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the terror attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport, and the U.S. service members and Afghan victims killed and wounded, in the East Room of the White House, Washington, on Aug. 26, 2021. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Vulnerable Democrats in Congress Distance Themselves From Biden

As the 2022 midterm elections loom nearer, Democrats in vulnerable House and Senate seats are distancing themselves from President Joe Biden over his handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

This is unsurprising: surveys since the beginning of the situation in Afghanistan have consistently shown that most American voters disapprove of the presidents handling of the situation.

One survey from Rasmussen near the beginning of the Afghanistan crisis found that a majority of likely voters59 percentthink that Biden is not doing enough to rescue Americans trapped in the country.

Another Rasmussen survey released Monday showed these numbers holding steady. The survey found that only 32 percent of likely voters thought Bidens handling of the situation was good or excellent. The survey also showed that about the same amount, 34 percent, thought that Bidens decision to withdraw all U.S. troops by Aug. 31 was a good idea.

For Democrats holding onto their seats in the House and Senate by a thread, being associated with the fiasco is an untenable position. Because of this, many have criticized Biden in an effort to distance themselves from the commander-in-chief.

Criticism From Democrats

Biden has received criticism from other Democrats since Afghanistan fell to the Taliban terrorist organization.

Just days after the Taliban took full control of the country, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, wrote that the images from Afghanistan that weve seen in recent days are devastating.

He worried that in the wake of the United States abandoning their Afghan allies, other allies would lose faith in the countrys commitments to its obligations. He said that this is unacceptable and insisted that the world must know that the United States stands by her friends in times of need, and this is one of those times.

Warner concluded with the promise that within his committee he would ask tough but necessary questions about why we werent better prepared for a worst-case scenario involving such a swift and total collapse of the Afghan government and security forces.

Around the same time, Rep. Crissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) also criticized the president in a public statement. She wrote: These past few days have been difficult to process, and not because the Talibans progress was surprising. In fact, the opposite. We sounded the alarm, and our dire warnings fell on deaf ears. Houlahan then promised that she is committed to being part of those tough conversations and holding accountable those who seemingly misled the American people.

Since then, the situation has only worsened for Biden and his party. On Thursday, thirteen U.S. soldiers lost their lives in an attack from the radical Taliban breakaway terrorist organization ISIS-K. The attack caused the highest casualties of U.S. troops in over a decade.

Only two days before, the House had met in an emergency session. Republicans urged them to suspend consideration of their ambitious policy agenda and to use the session to address the crisis, but Democrats refused.

Now, as the nation mourns the tragedy, many Democrats are trying to reposition themselves away from the White Houseespecially in hotly-contested and hard-won Senate seats.

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) won an incredibly volatile election to the Senate on paper-thin margins in 2016 (.14 percent). Now, as she faces a tough reelection campaign she joined her colleagues in opposing the president. She said of the looming withdrawal deadline We must complete this mission, regardless of any arbitrary deadlines.

Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), another Democrat who won a 2020 special election on fairly narrow margins in a historically Republican seat, has also sought to distance himself from Biden. A Navy combat veteran, Kelly has said that he considers it more important to get all Americans out than to honor the Aug. 31 deadline.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) won by a similarly tight margin in 2016. No doubt thinking about the challenges that the fiasco will bring to her campaign, Masto has been among the most outspoken Democratic critics of the administration.

Masto told a Las Vegas television station that she asked both former President Donald Trump and Biden about their plan for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan but said that in both cases she never got anything. She continued: And so yeah, I do have questions. What happened? Its devastating what were seeing right now and we need to have answers  The American people need to have answers, and we need to be sure we can still protect our national security.

Later, she wrote on Twitter that Bringing the thousands of Americans and allies in Afghanistan to safety must remain our top priority, and pushing the evacuation deadline is a necessary and important step.

Democrats Align With Republicans

In this demand, these senators echoed Republicans. When the House met on Tuesday, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) put forward a bill that would have required the White House not to leave the country until every American that wanted to leave was out of the country safely. Democrats shot the congressmans proposal down in order to address Democratic-sponsored election legislation and Sen. Sanders $3.5 trillion spending bill.

Despite refusing to address Afghanistan on Tuesday, several House Democrats have also joined their Senate colleagues in distancing from the White House.

Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released a statement to her website following the deaths of U.S. troops in Kabul.

She said that she was devastated by the deaths and the horrific attacks that led to them. She agreed with the Biden and Trump administrations initiatives to withdraw troops, writing, It is clear to me that it was long past time to end the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, and that we could not continue to put American servicemembers in danger for an unwinnable war.

But, she continued, At the same time, it appears that the evacuation process has been egregiously mishandled. She vowed to use her committee position to secure answers from the Biden administration about what went wrong. Our troops deserve nothing less than a complete and unvarnished account of the truth.

She joined Republicans and Democrats in criticizing Bidens Aug. 31 deadlines and said that she will continue working to ensure that we leave no oneAmerican servicemember, American civilian, or Afghan allybehind. That is the indefatigable spirit that drives our troops through every burden and every sacrifice, and our entire country must now strive to be worthy of that example.

Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) agreed as well that the withdrawal date must be extended.

Still, despite increasing internal pressure, the White House has stood resolutely by its commitment to the deadline.
We Need to Understand the Reason for Aggressive Protests at Trudeau Events

Commentary

Heckling and protesting at political events has been going on since time immemorial. The protesters who have been dogging Liberal Leader Justin Trudeaus campaign events are demonstrating anger and belligerence at a level we are not accustomed to seeing, however.

The number of protesters has been growing, as has been the ire they are expressing. We would be well served to take notice and try to understand what has been driving these protests. We cant simply dismiss the protesters as extremists and kooks to be ignored. In fact, it may be dangerous to do so.

While I respect and understand the importance of the right to protest our politicians, I cant say that I am a fan of heckling and disrupting events. I dont like it when guest speakers are drowned out by leftist protesters at university events, and I dont like seeing Trudeau being forced to cancel campaign events due to protests. That kind of protesting rarely wins sympathy for a cause, and most rational people understand that, so why do people do it? For the most part, the protesters feel cornered and out of options to push back against policies that they feel will harm them.

Its tough, but we have to try to put ourselves in the shoes of protesters in order to understand why they seem so enraged and hysterical.

Think of extreme climate activists for example. Those folks truly believe that the population of the entire planet may be on the brink of extinction due to emissions. They think that they are doing nothing less than saving themselves and the world with their protests and that there isnt time to try to make change through democratic means. If a person truly believes that their children will be fated to a fiery horrific death by climate change, they are not going to limit themselves to quiet, rational discourse. They are going to scream about the threat at the top of their lungs, and they do.

Most of the protesters who have been disrupting Trudeaus events are anti-vaccination activists who oppose vaccination mandates. Again, try to put yourself in their shoes. These are people who genuinely feel that vaccines will cause them immediate or long-term harm. They feel hounded, harassed, and cornered as their ability to travel, work or keep their children in school may be taken away if they dont submit to vaccination. They may feel that their choices are: a) to have a toxic injection or, b) to become unemployed and essentially locked into their home. Whether one shares that view on vaccinations or not, can you imagine the pressure and stress people with that mindset are feeling right now?

I dont want to excuse or encourage more protests laden with angry people screaming expletives at Trudeau. I would just like to see people, particularly those in the media, trying to offer a little understanding of what has led to these protests.

When Black Lives Matter protesters get violent and shout loud obscenities at demonstrations, the media fall all over themselves to explain why these protesters are so angry. When indigenous protesters put up barricades painted with violent and obscene slogans, media remind us of the pain caused by residential schools. When anti-vaccination protesters come to a Liberal event, the media dismissively calls them Trump-like. The mainstream media double standard is typical and galling.

So far, while the protests have been heated and loud, they havent devolved into violence. As people worried about vaccination mandates feel increasingly fearful, victimized, and marginalized, however, some may feel driven to take more extreme actions. I am not saying that these protesters need to be appeased, but I am saying that we need to take them seriously and try to defuse the situation.

The intolerance and even vitriol being directed at people who have chosen not to be vaccinated have contributed to the divided and caustic political environment that we are seeing in this election. We will never reach 100 percent vaccination rates. Do we really expect to keep up to 10 percent or more of our population permanently unemployed and restricted in movement? Do we think that those millions of people will simply sit back and accept becoming societal pariahs?

The protests and heckling at political events are symptoms of a large and growing problem. How can we respectfully accommodate the sizable segment of our population who will refuse to accept vaccination under any circumstance? Dismissing them or threatening them with unemployment or even the refusal of medical treatment wont help. That approach could cause a person to go from simply angry and frightened to outright dangerous.

The mainstream media and politicians dont need to agree with the protesters but they had best take them seriously. This could go from an annoyance to a crisis in short order.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Mainstream media is reporting that severe COVID cases are mainly among unvaccinated people, but who is counted as having COVID, and who is counted as being unvaccinated muddy the waters. (wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock)

Whos Really Being Hospitalized?

Breakthrough cases reach majority levels in some jurisdictions but numbers elude CDC

Im not going to arm wrestle with the administration about where to put you, Dr. C., a highly skilled gastroenterologist, said gently to my friend who was in bed in a triage room in the ER. We just want to get you into a bed so we can figure out whats wrong and get you treated.

We were at our small towns hospital. No one was sure why, but my friend had not been able to keep anything more than a handful of raspberries down since a complicated surgery for a chronic health condition three weeks before. Dehydrated and unable to eat, my friend had been violently vomiting after taking just a sip of water or sucking on an ice chip, and had lost nearly twenty-five pounds.

I was by my husbands side when he had a gallbladder attack so severe that it left his hands shaking. Ive had three unmedicated childbirths and attended many more, both as a journalist and a patient advocate. Still, Ive never seen a human in so much pain.

Diagnosed with a Pancreas Disorder, Admitted as a COVID Patient

After a battery of testing, my friend was diagnosed with pancreatitis. But it was easier for the hospital bureaucracy to register the admission as a COVID case.

Let me explain. This patient had none of the classic symptoms of COVID: No shortness of breath, no fever, no chills, no congestion, no loss of sense of smell or taste, no neurological issues. The only COVID symptoms my friend had were nausea and fatigue, which could also be explained by the surgery. However, nearly three weeks earlier, a COVID test had come back positive.

The mainstream media is reporting that severe COVID cases are mainly among unvaccinated people. An Associated Press headline from June 29 reads: Nearly all COVID deaths in US are now among unvaccinated. Another, from the same date: Vast majority of ICU patients with COVID-19 are unvaccinated, ABC News survey finds.

Is that whats really going on? Its certainly not the case in Israel, the first country to fully vaccinate a majority of its citizens against the virus. Now it has one of the highest daily infection rates and the majority of people catching the virus (77 percent to 83 percent, depending on age) are already vaccinated, according to data collected by the Israeli government.

After carefully reviewing the available data, including the safety and efficacy profiles of the mRNA vaccines, my friend had taken a cautious approach. Though a medical doctor who gives vaccines in the office every day, my friend opted to wait and see. According to WebMD, a huge number of frontline hospital workers have also chosen not to get the vaccine. Indeed, various news reports, from California to New York, confirm that up to 40 percent of health care workers have decided the risks of the vaccines do not outweigh the benefits.

After admission, I spoke to the nurse on the COVID ward. She was suited up in a plastic yellow disposable gown, teal gloves, and two masks underneath a recirculating personal respiratory system that buzzed so loudly she could barely hear. The nurse told me that she had gotten both vaccines but she was feeling worried: Two thirds of my patients are fully vaccinated, she said.

Data Limitations

How can there be such a disconnect between what the COVID ward nurse told me and the mainstream media reports? For one thing, it is very hard to get any kind of accuracy when it comes to actual numbers. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have publicly acknowledged that they do not have accurate data.

As reported by the Associated Press, The CDC itself has not estimated what percentage of hospitalizations and deaths are in fully vaccinated people, citing limitations in the data.

At the same time, data collection is done on a state by state basis. In most states, a person is only considered fully vaccinated fourteen days after they have had the full series of the vaccine.

This means that anyone coming into an American hospital who has only had one dose, or who has had both vaccines but had the second one less than two weeks prior, will likely be counted as unvaccinated.

So when the South Carolinas Department of Health and Environmental Control released a report about COVID severity on July 23, 2021, they reported higher morbidity and mortality rates in the not fully vaccinated. Are these people who have had one vaccine and gotten sick, two vaccines and gotten sick, or no vaccines at all? Without more details, it is impossible to know what is really going on.

We dont have accurate numbers, insists Dr. James Neuenschwander, an expert on vaccine safety based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

But what we do know, Neuenschwander says, is that the vaccines are not as effective as public health officials told us they would be. This is a product thats not doing what its supposed to do. Its supposed to stop transmission of this virus and its not doing that.

Overcounting COVID

Then there is the problem of attributing severe illness and deaths from other causes to COVID, like in my friends case. Health authorities around the world have been doing this since the beginning of the COVID crisis. For example, a young man in Orange County, Florida who died in a motorcycle crash last summer was originally considered a COVID death by state health officials (after Fox News investigation the classification was changed.) And a middle-aged construction worker fell off a ladder in Croatia and was also counted as a death from COVID (whether having COVID played a role in his death is still unclear.)

To muddy the waters further, even people who test negative for COVID are sometimes counted as COVID deaths.

Consider the case of 26-year-old Matthew Irvin, a father of three from Yamhill County, Oregon. As reported by KGW8 News, Irvin went to the ER with stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea on July 5, 2020. But instead of admitting him to the hospital, the doctors sent him home.

Five days later, on July 10, 2020, Irvin died. Though his COVID test came back negative two days after his death and his family told reporters and public health officials that no one Irvin had been around had any COVID symptoms, the medical examiner allegedly told the family that an autopsy was not necessary, listing his death as a coronavirus case. It took the Oregon Health Authority two and a half months to correct the mistake.

In an even more striking example of overcounting COVID deaths, a nursing home in New Jersey that only has 90 beds was wrongly reported as having 753 deaths from COVID. According to a spokesman, they had fewer than twenty deaths. In other words, the number of deaths was over-reported by 3,700 percent.

Whos Suffering from Severe COVID, Vaccinated or Unvaccinated?

In countries with the highest numbers of vaccinated individuals, we are also seeing high numbers of infections. Iceland has one of the most vaccinated populations in the world (over 82 percent) and is reporting that 77 percent of new COVID cases are in fully vaccinated Icelanders, according to Asthildur Knutsdottir, Director General of the Ministry of Health.

According to news reports, over 85 percent of the Israeli adult population has been vaccinated. But a July report from Israels Ministry of Health found that Pfizers vaccine is only 39 percent effective. Though Israeli health officials are telling the public that the cases are more mild in vaccinated individuals, this upsurge in COVID cases and deaths is leading Israels prime minister to issue new restrictions.

Dr. Peter McCullough, an academic internist and cardiologist in practice in Dallas, Texas, says that a large number of people in the hospitals right now have, indeed, been fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated people are being hospitalized, and  19 percent of them have died, McCullough says. This is not a crisis of the unvaccinated. Thats just a talking point. The vaccinated are participating in this.

Other physicians are seeing the same thing. In my practice multiple patients who are fully vaccinated have been admitted to local hospitals, says Dr. Jeffrey I. Barke, a board-certified primary care physician based in Newport Beach, California. Barke believes part of the problem is exaggeration of the efficacy: If the vaccine works so well, why are we now pushing a booster?
A Cigar hostess carries a cigar tray on the gaming floor at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., on July 1, 2020. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Will Snuffing out Fine Latin Cigars Strike the Match of Illegal Immigration?

Cigar diplomacy is backand once again it is clouding the landscape for an American president.

As the Cold War raged in 1962, a trade embargo against Fidel Castros communist government in Cuba was an easy political call for John F. Kennedy. The president had a personal conflict-of-interest, however: JFK loved a good smoke. So he quietly secured 1,000 of his soon-to-be-contraband favorite, H. Upmann Petit Coronas, for his personal humidor before taking necessary actions to promote national and hemispheric security.

As a nonsmoker, President Biden has a clear conscience as the feds prepare to take on the tobacco industry of Latin America. Its politics alone that put him in a bind: Does he back policies that would hinder premium cigar imports from Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic to appease the antismoking lobby, or let them be, to promote economic growth and help staunch the current massive flow of migrants to the U.S.?

Since the Food and Drug Administration took the reins of tobacco regulation from the states under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009, it has imposed rules on a wide range of nicotine products, from cigarettes and smokeless tobacco to vaping products.

Now the FDA has decided that what this country doesnt need so much anymore is a good $10 cigar, and its preparing to impose new rules on premium stogies, the main source of which is Central America.

The action comes as the Biden administration has taken on the migration problem by pledging $4 billion in aid to Latin countries to help them rebuild their economies. The number of migrants seeking entry to the U.S. has nearly tripled since January compared with the previous year. In July, U.S. Customs and Border Protection apprehended 212,672 people at the southern border, the most in 20 years.

With that human outflow in mind, regional advocates say that if the FDA gets its way, it may undermine one of the regions most vibrant industries and prompt out-of-work people to leave.

To impose more restrictions on the premium cigar industry now would disrupt the economy in these countries, at the least, said Pedro Gomez, who was born in Nicaragua and worked as a saddle maker as a youth. After getting an education in the U.S., he returned home, determined to join the countrys energized cigar economy.

Gomez now lives in Miami where he is employed as a brand representative for Drew Estate, a cigar industry giant that grows its tobacco in Central America.

There would be lost jobs, and those people would head to the U.S., where the better jobs are, Gomez said. He recalls the tail end of the U.S. embargo on Nicaragua in the late 1980s, which produced long lines of people waiting for food or cooking oil, the same things that send people from Latin America fleeing for a better life.

Gomez noted that premium cigars represent a small portion of tobacco sales in the U.S.between 3 percent and 5 percentbut are crucial to the countries that produce them.

What would be the point of over-regulating such a small industry? he said. It would hurt the economy in countries that cant afford that kind of damage.

Ambassadors from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras have repeatedly sent letters to the feds since the FDA tobacco takeover, warning that onerous regulation would result in lost jobs and revenue for the cash-strapped countries.

Some of the regulations that are proposed by the agency would prove disastrous to the centuries-old cigar industry that provides for over 300,000 jobs among our three nations and represents millions of dollars in export revenue, a 2015 missive reads.

A Cuban model stands next to a display with varieties of cigars, during the opening of the 22nd Cigar Festival, at the Havana Convention Center, Cuba, on Feb. 24, 2020. (Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images)

Politics have already ended the sale of Cuban cigars in the U.S., once a vaunted treasure among cigar smokers. Sanctions were eased by the Obama administration, which allowed unlimited quantities of Cuban cigars into the U.S. for personal consumption. President Trump then reimposed the ban on Cuban products, which still stands.

In their place are smoking from the three Latin nations, considered by many to be superior to the Cuban brands, whose biggest markets are China and Spain.

The FDAs anti-smoking efforts have until now focused on the smoking sectors that appeal mainly to youth, including e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.

In April, the agency declared that flavored smoking materials, including menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, are on the table to be banned.

The FDA wants to get rid of all inhaled nicotine, said David Gortler, who served at the FDA under the Obama administration as a medical officer, then worked as a senior adviser to FDA chief Stephen Hahn during the last two years of the Trump administration.

They are supposed to be protecting Americans, but lately there has been a very political influence behind everything they do, said Gortler, who is now a fellow with the conservative Ethics and Public Policy Center.

Lawyers, Smoke, and Money

Yet the FDAs battle with premium cigars has not gone as smoothly as it hoped.

Records reviewed by RealClearInvestigations show that of the 4,452 citations and warning letters issued by FDA agents for alleged violations of underage sales laws between August 2019 and August 2021, over 90 percent were issued to convenience stores, liquor hubs, and other general retailers that sell inexpensive cigars. Fewer than 20 citations went to cigar stores with a humidor, an indicator that the shop deals in high-end cigars.

The FDAs press office did not respond to an interview request.

Associations representing the premium cigar industry have stalled significant FDA progress in court. In August, a federal judge ruled that the FDA must seek more science on the issue to determine if the premium cigars represent enough of a hazard, particularly to youth, to warrant the FDAs costly oversight and rules.

Both sides accept the FDAs definition of premium cigars: They are wrapped in whole tobacco leaf, contain a 100 percent leaf tobacco binder, are handmade or hand-rolled, and do not have a characterizing flavor other than tobacco.

As part of the legally mandated pursuit of the science on premiums, the FDA has solicited the input of a committee of scientists and academics composed almost exclusively of tobacco critics.

It is a whos who of tobacco control scientists, said Drew Newman, general counsel for J.C. Newman Cigar Co., a Tampa-based family operation that has produced and sold cigars since 1895. In 2011, the company built a tobacco plantation in Esteli, Nicaragua, employing over 800 locals.

A Cuban instructor (C) helps participants roll cigars during a master class in the 20th edition of the Havana Cigar Festival at the Convention Palace in Havana, Cuba, on Feb. 28, 2018. (Adalberto Roque/AFP via Getty Images)

Today, Newman is the last large-scale cigar producer in the U.S., with 150 employees kicking out 12 million sticks a year. Once an importer of Cuban tobacco, its a largely symbolic remnant of a past that ended with the 1962 embargo.

An unfavorable report from the committee would result in an exorbitantly expensive nightmare for all of us, Newman said, noting that higher costs from taxes, registrations, and ingredient verifications would knock out most small cigar producers both in the U.S. and south of the border, costing many jobs.

To be sure, the 14-member National Academy of Sciences committee is not deliberating in a smoke-filled room, but most of its work has proceeded in closed sessions via Zoom beginning in March.

In its few public meetings, it has heard mostly from antismoking factions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FDA, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Center for Environmental Health.

It is also hearing from anti-tobacco doctors, who deny the existence of the panels focus.

There is no such thing as a premium cigar, Hasmeena Kathuria, a physician who directs the Tobacco Treatment Center at Boston Medical Center, told the committee in one of its first meetings. The premium cigar is a concept developed by the tobacco industry to escape FDA regulation of all tobacco products.  [The committee] should not adopt the fraudulent concept of a premium cigar.

Several appointees have previously put their name on reports condemning smoking, including one report with a contribution from panel member Maciej Goniewicz, who declared that high exposure to harmful constituents among cigar smokers is a continuing health issue.

The premium cigar committee will present its findings in March.

* * *

The Finck family produced cigars for 122 years in its downtown San Antonio, Texas, manufacturing facility, the longest-operating cigar factory in the U.S. When taxes increased from four cents a cigar to 52.75 percent of the wholesale price in 2009, the family did its best.

By 2014, though, as the FDA promised more scrutiny of premium cigars, Bill Finck Jr., whose great-grandfather Henry started the company in 1893, closed production. That left 100 people without workall older Latino women with limited job prospects.

That first big federal tax increase really hurt us, increasing our costs almost 50 percent overnight, Finck said. Part of the reason we kept going after that was pride. This was what my family has done for five generations.

Finck contracted out the production of his cigars to Latin America. He continues to operate three cigar stores in San Antonio.

The FDA has now focused [itself] against premium cigars, said Gortler, the former FDA official, They are the federal government, and they see themselves as their own entity with an unlimited amount of money to spend on attorneys and unlimited funding to conduct studies to demonstrate their narrative. They answer to no one, and can do anything they want, even if its not science. And its easy for them to say they are doing this for public health.

This article was written by Steve Miller for RealClearInvestigations.
Woman Has to Sell Broken Down Car for Scrap, Ubers and Walks to WorkUntil Sheriff Gives Her New Car

Going beyond the call of duty is what led officers of the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office to help one woman in a tough situation over the summerby donating a car to her.

The officers are known to put on community events, which calls for catering, and thats how they met the woman who works at Carrabbas Italian Grill.

The restaurant employee ended up in a predicament when she was forced to sell her car after the rear axle broke and she didnt have the money to fix it.

She had it towed back to her apartment where she lived, HCSO community outreachs Major Barlow told The Epoch Times.

And then the situation got a little worse, because her landlord didnt want a broken vehicle in her apartment complex parking lot.

The officers learned she had been taking Uber to work in the morning; after her shift, which ended at different times each day, in order to save money, she would walk home.

She mentioned that to one of the deputies that I work with putting these events together. And he mentioned it to another one of our deputies, and that sort of put the plan in motion to get this blessing for her, Barlow said.

He explained how the sheriffs office often use their relationships to think outside of the box to find unique solutions to issues community members face.

Because not every solution to a problem is, per se, something that an arrest can solve or a report can solve, he added.

They decided to help the restaurant employee in her time of need, contacting local business Stepps Towing, who was happy to help.

It was as simple as reaching out to Stepps and saying what we learned about this lady and her need, and Stepp didnt even think twice, Barlow said.

They donated the car right then and there.

He added, It was just us putting the pieces together, but its those relationships that Sheriff Chronister and the deputies that work for him and the employees that work for him have established that allowed this to happen.

When she learned she was getting a new vehicle, the woman was overjoyed.

Upon delivering her new Buick SUV, HCSO snapped photos with her and the vehicle, and posted them on their Facebook page, captioning:

Were thankful for the times were able to come together with our community partners and create something magical and THIS was one of those moments.

Barlow told the newspaper, This isnt an isolated story; theres deputies that are out there working that are buying diapers for single moms or getting a bicycle.

Anytime that we can get involved in and help people and make their part of society, their interaction better, were all for it. And were proud to do it.

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
WESTPORT  The Rowan Ear Piercing Studio on Main Street has only been open for a few weeks, but it already seems to be a hit.

Its been pretty great, said the studios nursing supervisor, Samantha Alvarado. Weve been pretty steady. The community seems to have welcomed us with open arms. Were really excited to be here.

The store opened on Aug. 14, at 47 Main St., in the space formerly occupied by Diptype Candles. Rowan is one of multiple businesses that announced earlier this year that they were coming to Westport and have now opened their doors, or are the verge of doing so.

Others include Local to Market, slated to open soon at 177 Main St., which aims to provide locally produced food and beverages, and an Elm Street location of the waterless nail salon Glosslab, opening soon.

Chris Marcocci, founder of Local to Market, said Monday that the store has been opening the patio on Saturdays for the last five weeks. He said he is hoping to open the markets inside retail space this week, but not sure when.

New England Antique Lumber recently opened a showroom on Post Road East, and the eatery Gabrieles of Westport will open soon at 27 Powers Court, next to the Westport Country Playhouse.

The arrival, or impending arrival, of these new businesses makes this an exciting time in Westport, said Randy Herbertson, president of the Westport Downtown Association.

With the lowest vacancy in over 15 years, Downtown Westport is becoming even more of a destination for our long-time and new residents, he said in an email. Our new additions are a promising mix of smaller chains, independents and concept stores for national retailers who are recognizing that malls are no longer the best avenue to reach their best customers.

Even before its arrival in Westport, Rowan was already a thriving brand, Alvarado said. The company has a brick-and-mortar store on New Yorks Upper East Side, and offers piercing services in almost 200 Target stores nationwide. The brand also offers subscription boxes and home piercing services.

Alvarado said some of the customers theyve seen at the Main Street site are new to Rowan, but others are familiar with the company. She recalled a pair of sisters who recently stopped in. One had been pierced at the brands New York store, and was bringing her sister to the Westport location for piercing.

Its been a mix, Alvarado said. Were very happy with the location in general.
NORTH HAVEN  Police Monday identified two brothers found dead with gunshot wounds in a Primrose Street home.

Darrell Chapnick, 67, and Randall Chapnick, 72, were found dead at Darrell Chapnicks home, Chief of Police Kevin Glenn said in an email.

We believe an argument took place over the estate of (their) recently deceased mother, he said in the email.

Officials have not said which brother they suspect was the perpetrator. Glenn did not provide further details.

Police had said Sunday in a Facebook post that At this time, it is believed to be a murder/suicide.

Randall Chapnick was an attorney whose Chapel Street law office overlooks the New Haven Green.

The Chapnicks mother, Angela Chapnick, had been living in the Primrose Street home when she died in February, according to Connecticut Probate Court filings. Her will, signed in 2000, left equal shares of her estate to each brother and designated Randall Chapnick executor.

The court granted Randall Chapnick administration of the estate on Aug. 3, according to the filings. They show that Darrell Chapnick obtained a lawyer, Christopher Goulden, who on Aug. 18 filed an appearance on behalf of his client.

Goulden declined comment Monday.

Randall Chapnicks attorney Robert Heinimann, a partner with the Hamden-based firm R. Eugene Torrenti LLC, also declined to comment on the legal matter.

But he said he had been friends with Randall Chapnick.

Randy was a very dear friend and he was also a loving husband to his wife, Mimi, Heinimann said. Its very unfortunate. ... my thoughts and prayers are with her.

Residents in Darrell Chapnicks neighborhood visited each others homes Monday to comfort each other in the wake of the tragedy.

Were all pretty much in a state of shock, said Primrose Street resident Janet Parkosewich. Its just a tragedy.

She heard someone calling for help Sunday evening, she said, and rushed over to Darrell Chapnicks home thinking there was a medical emergency of some kind. But when she arrived she found the two brothers , she said.

Parkosewich said she is a nurse and was able to keep calm as the events unfolded.

But on Monday, the tragedy was beginning to sink in.

Its just so sad, its so sad to have a family just destroyed like that, outta nowhere, she said.

First Selectman Michael Freda expressed his sadness regarding the incident in a statement. There is believed to be no threat to the public, he noted.

This was a terrible family tragedy that involved some form of family dispute, said Freda.

I am very saddened because I knew the resident but I can assure our community, and the residents in that area, that there is no threat or imminent danger to anyone else as a result of this family incident and tragic outcome as a result of that dispute, Freda said.

Ben Lambert contributed to this story. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com
BERLIN (AP)  Leaded gasoline has finally reached the end of the road, the U.N. environment office said Monday, after the last country in the world halted the sale of the highly toxic fuel.

Algeria stopped providing leaded gas last month, prompting the U.N. Environment Agency to declare the official end of its use in cars, which has been blamed for a wide range of human health problems.

The successful enforcement of the ban on leaded petrol is a huge milestone for global health and our environment, UNEP's executive director, Inger Andersen, said in a statement.

Petroleum containing tetraethyllead, a form of lead, was first sold almost 100 years ago to increase engine performance. It was widely used for decades until researchers discovered that it could cause heart disease, strokes and brain damage.

UNEP said studies showed leaded gas caused measurable intellectual impairment in children and millions of premature deaths.

The cost of environmental degradation is real, said Andersen, citing what she described as a very, very ballpark number of $2.45 trillion in damage to the global economy prevented by the ban.

Janet McCabe, deputy administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said measurements showed blood lead levels plummeted, literally, literally plummeted after the fuel was banned in the United States.

Most rich nations started phasing out the fuel in the 1970s and 1980s, but it was still widely used in low- and middle-income countries until 2002, when the U.N. launched a global campaign to abolish it.

Leaded gas is still used in aviation fuel for small planes, an issue that McCabe said the EPA was working with the Federal Aviation Administration to address

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the successful abolition of leaded gas, like the ban on ozone-depleting chemicals, showed the impact that international treaties could have on addressing environmental issues.

We must now turn the same commitment to ending the triple crises of climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution, he added.

___

Follow all developments about environmental issues and climate change at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-change
This is the first in a two-part series about air and water quality in the Metro East.

EDWARDSVILLE  Progress is being made in the effort to improve air quality in the Metro East and the St. Louis region, but the battle is far from over.

If you look at some of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) data that are available, you can see that we have had improvements over the last 10 years, said Dr. Carol Colaninno, a research associate professor at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville STEM Center. This summer there was a week where we were getting a lot of smoke from the wildfires out west and we had really poor air quality in our region for a few days.

We have made progress in technologies that keep our air better, but were still dealing with many factors that affect air quality. Some of them, like those wildfires, are things that we dont have any control over locally.

SIUEs STEM Center and Department of Environmental Sciences have developed a Noise and Air Monitoring Network to understand how air quality and noise pollution vary across the St. Louis area and the Metro East.

Sharon Locke, director of the SIUE STEM Center and professor in Environmental Sciences, and Georgia Bracey, assistant research professor in the STEM Center, are the principal investigators on the two grants associated with the monitoring networks, Environmental Health Investigators from the Science Education Partnerships Award of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Y-CITYSCI from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Colaninno is the project director on these two projects and helps oversee the Noise and Air Monitoring Network.

We started this around June 2020 and weve been monitoring the air quality in the region using a device called PurpleAir, which is a wifi-enabled and relatively cheap air quality monitoring sensor, Colaninno said. If you go to the PurpleAir website (purpleair.com), you can see how the sensors are deployed in the Metro East. We have eight sensors on this side of the river and two in the St. Louis region.

Over the summer we offer professional development for middle school teachers in the region and for attending, they receive a PurpleAir monitor to set up at their school. We now have monitors at Collinsville High School, Triad Middle School and Lincoln Middle School in Edwardsville and the Green Roof at SIUE and we hope to add one at Liberty Middle School in Edwardsville. I also have one at my house in Edwardsville.

Susannah Fuchs, meanwhile, is the director of clean air for the American Lung Association in Missouri. The St. Louis Clean Air Partnership, which was launched in 1995, monitors air quality in the St. Louis area and issues a daily forecast.

Like Colannino, Fuchs is cautiously optimistic about the trends for air quality in the region.

The tricky part of trying to turn things in the right direction is that we become more sophisticated and learn more about air pollution, things like COVID and wildfires are being thrown into the mix, Fuchs said. Were dealing with things that weve never dealt with before that make us much more vulnerable to air pollution.

On top of that, more and more research is showing that air pollution has a much more grave impact on us than maybe people used to think. Were trending toward less air pollution, but our work is not done.

The Clean Air Partnership was created because the American Lung Association and other organizations realized that they needed to put a forecasting system into place in the metro area so that people could have an idea of what the next days air quality was going to be.

For the ALA and its partners, the focus was on air pollution reduction from transportation.

Its not unlike the weather forecast where you might see that tomorrow is going to be very hot, Fuchs said. It has evolved a lot in the many years since the inception of the report. We have a media partner in one of the meteorologists at KMOV (Channel 4) and there is a forecast produced every day that looks at a lot of different meteorological factors.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is divided into five color-coded levels  green (good), yellow (moderate), orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups), red (unhealthy) and purple (very unhealthy).

The idea of air quality forecasting is that people can try to reduce whatever transportation emission they made produce by carpooling, flex-timing or teleworking, anything to take single-occupant vehicles off the road, Fuchs said. It also enables people to look at the forecast and make decisions about what theyre going to do the next day. If you have asthma, running outside in the afternoon may be a bad idea if the index is orange or red.

We have a lot of different partners in producing this forecast, from local municipalities to schools to individuals and governmental bodies. They participate in promoting the information that the Clean Air Partnership offers as we take steps to reduce emissions.

Another useful tool for looking at trends in air quality is the State of the Air report, available at stateoftheair.org. For 22 years, the American Lung Association has analyzed data from official air quality monitors to compile the report. Data can be viewed by state, county and metropolitan statistical areas.

A new year report comes out each year that is based on data from the previous three years, so the 2021 report has data from 2018, 2019 and 2020. It focuses on ozone and particulate matter.

For high ozone days, Madison County does not perform well, drawing an F grade and a weighted average of 7.7. The county had 17 orange days and four red days.

Madison County fared better in particle pollution, with a B graduate and a 0.3 weighted average and only one orange day.

According to information from the Illinois EPA, air quality by year has generally trended upward over the past decade.

In 2011, the rate of healthy air days was 92.05%. After a decade-low rate of 80.87% in 2012, the rate has not dipped below 96 percent since.

After a decade-high rate of 98.90% in 2019, the number of healthy days was 98.36% in 2020 and was 98.34% for the first six months of 2021.

For Colaninno and her colleagues at SIUE, its too early to detect any trends from their air monitoring project.

In terms of data, we havent quantified it yet because weve only had the monitors out for about a year, Colaninno said. The EPA has a database that goes back about 30 years and its continuously monitored and well-maintained.

For our efforts, what were trying to do now is work with teachers in the area to teach them how to use the data that these monitors record. We want to get them engaged in environmental monitoring in their classrooms with their students.

Colaninno notes that the PurpleAir monitors used by SIUE also track temperature and humidity.

Its interesting because you can see localized trends, and how the temperature at SIUE and at my house can be pretty different, Colaninno said. Temperatures in the Metro East tend to be slightly lower than in the city of St. Louis. Students can use that data and understand some of the factors that contribute to their environment.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Human rights lawyers representing hundreds of victims of Yemen's civil war are calling on the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition during the devastating conflict.

British lawyer Toby Cadman filed the request Monday, highlighting three separate incidents  an August 2018 airstrike that destroyed a school bus and killed dozens; a missile attack in October 2016 that killed at least 110 people; and allegations of torture and murder of civilians being held in prisons in the south of Yemen.

The filing came a day after a missile and drone attack, blamed on the Houthi rebels, on a key military base in Yemens south killed at least 30 troops.

The civil war in Yemen erupted in 2014, when the Iranian-backed Houthis swept across much of the north and seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile. The Saudi-led coalition entered the war the following year on the side of the government. All sides are accused of atrocities in the yearslong conflict.

Lawyer Almudena Bernabeu, representing victims of the school bus attack, said that the coalition said it would investigate the deadly strike and bring those responsible to justice.

Of course, they did no such thing," Bernabeu said in a statement. "As the court of last resort, victims and families have no choice but to call on the International Criminal Court to ensure justice is done."

A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.

Yemen is not a member state of the court and nor are key coalition members Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. However, in a 212-page written submission, the lawyers argue that the court should exercise jurisdiction because some members of the coalition are ICC member states.

A written submission filed by the lawyers says Jordan deployed fighter jets to the coalition, Senegal provided troops, while the Maldives supported it diplomatically.

The lawyers also allege that crimes were committed in Yemen by mercenaries from another ICC member state, Colombia.

The ICC can and must use its clear jurisdiction to investigate these undeniable and evidenced crimes, said Cadman.

The ICC, set up to investigate crimes in countries that are unable or unwilling to prosecute them, receives hundreds of requests each year to open investigations. Many are rejected as falling outside its jurisdiction, others are studied to establish whether they merit a full-scale investigation. It can take years for the court's prosecutors to decide whether to open an investigation.

Cadman said that lawyers for Yemeni victims are also looking at other ways of seeking justice.

While our campaign begins at the International Criminal Court, we intend to fight our case using all and every legal avenue available. Those who perpetrate the worst crimes can and will be held accountable," Cadman said.

____

Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed.
On Sunday, Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans and Louisiana, cutting off power, creating massive flooding and reversing the flow of the Mississippi river. A Category 4 hurricane, Ida is one of the most powerful to ever hit the mainland United States and comes 16 years to the date after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.

As the hurricane continues to move toward Mississippi and continues to diminish in size and intensity, those who monitor and work on the Mississippi River will be watching to see the effects the hurricane has on the river, even as far north as St. Louis and the Metro East area.

"What we always do in preparation is evacuate as much floodwater in our controlled pools as possible," said Joan Stemler, chief of water control for the St. Louis district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "Weve been doing that, our reservoirs are in really good shape. If there was to be effects here, wed be in pretty good shape right now and wed be able to hold quite a bit of water. Sometimes sister districts will reach out for assistance when something like this happens. We havent had any requests yet, but chances are we will."

Stemler said the St. Louis area could use some rain, which could pass through the area as a result of Ida. However, currently there is no expectation for an impact on water conditions in St. Louis as a result of Ida "unless something drastically changes," Stemler said.

The main impact is expected to be those needed storms and rain.

"I don't see anything out of the ordinary from Ida," Stemler said. "I anticipate less impacts than some of the other remnants of other hurricanes we've seen in the past. The heaviest stuff was forecasted to the south of us."

Storms like Hurricane Ike, which hit Houston in 2008, dropped a lot of rain in St. Louis districts. From past experience, Stemler said the Corps of Engineers knows how much rain to expect based on where the hurricane hits and are currently watching and monitoring and are prepared for significant remnants of the hurricane in St. Louis.

"This one is not as concerning to me," Stemler said. "Had it shifted a little more to the east I'd be concerned. As far as rivers go, we were almost at zero at the St. Louis gauge, if we do get some rains this time it will be welcomed. We've evacuated the floodwaters in our control pools, if something unforeseen happens, we have storage available."

Dennis Wilmsmeyer, executive director of America's Central Port in Granite City, said there would likely not be an immediate impacts on shipping and barges because of barge transit times from New Orleans to St. Louis. If there will be any effect, Wilmsmeyer said, it will be delayed.

"As we're getting a better understanding of this hurricane, there is a lot of wind, not as much rain so that means not as much flooding," Wilmsmeyer said. "We're seeing a lot of wind damage and that's associated with elevators, barge covers, there are some concerns there. If we see any downturn in shipping product being moved from New Orleans to St. Louis, it will be just a minor impact, and it will be delays."

Wilmsmeyer said shipping is currently dealing with delays because of the national labor shortage.

"That is definitely a bigger concern, not having enough workers," Wilmsmeyer said. "You see with restaurants, they're doing certain things to make up for lost staff, the barge industry is having the same problems. More product could be moved with more workers." hoping the situation changes and the movement of products could happen a whole lot faster."

Wilmsmeyer said he doesn't foresee a major issue of Ida compounding the shortage issue, but all these factors don't help. The hurricane does represent one more thing that can impact distribution systems, however. Barge distribution is especially important right now as more and more transportation of goods relies on barges and shipping, which Wilmsmeyer said is the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly form of transportation.

Stemler said that issues could take place with shipping on the lower end of the river, but right now there were no issues in the St. Louis area.

"I talked to my co-worker down in New Orleans, there are so many people without power and massive flooding, theyre just getting a handle on things, they're constantly monitoring," Stemler said. "In our district were in good shape, as well as Rock Island and St. Paul. St. Louis will be fine until we see the effects of the lower end or how far Ida works its way up."
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Partly cloudy in the morning followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 79F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 56F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 79F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 56F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
That release could not be found.
American tourist rescued after injured, stranded in kayaking scare

PHUKET: An American tourist was safely rescued and brought back to Phuket after he was injured on rocks on an island just offshore from Yanui Beach, on Phukets southwest coast, yesterday (Aug 29).

weathermarinetourismSafety

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 30 August 2021, 12:29PM

The American was safely brought back to shore and treated for scratches on his legs. Photo: Naiharn Surf Lifesaving Club

The American man had rented a kayak and paddled out to the island, but was unable to make it back to Phuket, explained Lt Col Ekkachai Siri of the Phuket Tourist Police

Phuket Tourist Police officers were informed of the mans predicament at about 4:50pm after the tourist had called the Tourist Police 1155 hotline, Lt Col Ekkachai confirmed.

The tourist, who Lt Col Ekkachai declined to name but estimated to be about 25 years old, had arrived in Phuket under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, Lt Col Ekkachai also confirmed.

Tourist Police along with a lifeguard from Nai Harn Beach boarded a jet-ski to recover the man from the island. As the jet-ski neared the shore, they could see him waving at them.

The tourist told police that he had gone kayaking from Yanui Beach out to the island, Koh Man. While on the island, he had climbed up onto a rock and slipped down, injuring his leg.

While back on shore at Yanui Beach, the man pointed out that he had asked the kayak rental operator whether he could paddle to the far side of the island.

The American was adamant that she said he could.

The kayak rental operator was adamant that she said he couldnt.

Lt Col Ekkachai confirmed that the tourist had suffered only scratches along his legs.

The tourist was brought back to Phuket safely and escorted back to the hotel where he is staying in Wichit, Lt Col Ekkachai said.

Phuket for weeks now has been experiencing typical southwest monsoon weather for this time of year, with strong winds and passing storms making travel on open water around the island dangerous.

Last week, German tourist couple were safely rescued and brought back to Phuket after they were blown offshore by a passing storm while kayaking off Phukets east coast.

The dangers of being blown offshore while kayaking off Phuket has previously made international headlines following the disappearance of Polish tourist Mateusz Juszkiewicz, 26, and Werakan Siriprakon, 23, from Nakhon Sawan, in December 2019.

The couple were last seen kayaking off Yanui Beach, where the American had rented his kayak from yesterday.

Despite days of searching by air and sea rescue teams, Mr Juszkiewicz and Ms Werakan were never found.
Booster shots start next month

BANGKOK: COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will be administered to about 3 million Thais who have already received their two shots starting from late next month, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC).

CoronavirusCOVID-19deathhealthVaccine

By Bangkok Post

Monday 30 August 2021, 09:12AM

A woman is administered with a COVID-19 vaccine shot at The Mall shopping centre in Ngamwongwan organised by Nonthaburi province. Photo: Apichit Jinakul.

DDC director-general Opas Karnkawinpong said the Public Health Ministrys subcommittee on COVID-19 vaccination agreed the booster shots will be given to Thais from late September until October.

Which vaccine type will be used depends on the availability of the vaccine supply at that time and an estimated 3 million people who have already received two vaccine shots are expected to receive the booster shots, Dr Opas said.

A source at the ministry said AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines will initially serve as the booster shots because by that time there will be enough supplies from the two manufacturers.

Among the 3mn people to get the booster shots, many of them are likely to be those who already received two shots of Sinovac vaccine at least three months previously, the source said.

Permanent secretary for public health Kiattiphum Wongrajit said yesterday (Aug 29) the latest wave of COVID-19 infections shows some signs of slowing down.

As a result, the hospital bed occupancy rates in Bangkok and surrounding provinces have dropped, particularly among green-and-yellow coded patients with mild symptoms, he said.

According to the Busarakham field hospital in Nonthaburi, on Saturday there were 1,905 patients being treated there, a 54% reduction from the previous week which saw 3,526 patients, Dr Kiattiphum said.

As for transmissions in the provinces, infections were still detected in communities, markets, and camps for construction workers, he said, adding that health authorities were instructed to ramp up proactive mass testing using antigen test kits (ATKs).

Those who test positive will be placed in home and community isolation systems to prevent the spread of the disease to other areas, Dr Kiattiphum said.

He said infections still spread among family members, causing deaths among vulnerable groups which had not been vaccinated.

He stressed the need to vaccinate people aged 60 and older, and those suffering from underlying illnesses that put them at risk, such as diabetes, obesity, chronic respiratory disease, heart and arterial disease, as well as women who have been pregnant for at least 12 weeks.

As of Saturday, a total of 30,679,289 vaccine doses were administered nationwide from Feb 28. Of them, 22,807,078 were given as first shots; 7,287,885 second shots; and 584,326 third shots.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said as many as 140mn COVID-19 vaccine doses are expected to be procured by the end of this year.

The government is in talks to procure an additional 2mn doses of AstraZeneca per month from September to December and 2.5-3mn Pfizer vaccine doses per month from September to December, he said.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the Public Health Ministry to procure vaccines for children aged 12-18 to prepare them for the safe reopening of schools, Mr Thanakorn said, adding that more than 573,000 teachers have been vaccinated.

Thailand logged 264 more COVID-19 fatalities and 16,536 new cases over the previous 24 hours, the first time new daily infections dropped below 17,000 all month, the Public Health Ministry reported yesterday.

There were 16,298 cases in the general population and 328 among prison inmates.

With new cases slowing down, the CCSA on Friday announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions on certain businesses in dark-red zone provinces, including restaurants, shopping malls, beauty salons, massage shops and parks, from Wednesday.

The changes include allowing restaurants to resume dine-in services, at 75% capacity in outdoor dining spaces and 50% in air-conditioned locations.

But all service staff must have two doses of vaccine and be tested with ATKs every 5-7 days. The guidelines also require customers to show proof of vaccination before they can enter restaurants to dine.

The curfew from 9pm-4am remains in effect for at least two weeks.
Sandbox at risk of collapse after infections surge

PHUKET: Local tourism organisations have called for strict COVID-19 curbs to be relaxed to help with a quick recovery despite authorities struggling under the weight of a new surge of up to 200 infections a day.

COVID-19Coronavirushealthtourismeconomics

By Bangkok Post

Monday 30 August 2021, 09:12AM

Sarayuth Mallam, chief adviser to the Phuket Tourism Council, said that if the island is put under a two-month lockdown, it could spell doom for the Phuket Sandbox scheme. Photo: PR Phuket

Thanet Tantipiriyakit, president of the Phuket Tourism Council, said the latest cases were not caused by tourists but by local activities, reports the Bangkok Post.

Disease control measures should be eased to allow visitors who are fully vaccinated and pass swab tests to enter the province to boost economic recovery, he said.

Chernporn Kanchanasaya, president of the Federation of Thai Industries Phuket Chapter, said September will be a pivotal month. It is essential to vaccinate as many local residents as possible to shield them from the virus.

She also said the Digital Economy Promotion Agency is expected to set up smart checkpoints to screen visitors in October.

The best measures must be put in place before people are allowed to enter Phuket, she said.

Sarayuth Mallam, chief adviser to the Phuket Tourism Council, said that if the island is put under a two-month lockdown, it could spell doom for the Phuket Sandbox scheme.

Foreign consuls have said foreign visitors already feel deceived having arrived in Phuket. If the province is locked down again, no visitors will come at all, Mr Sarayuth said.

Tourists from Bangkok and Europe will disappear during the high season. We need to strike a balance to coexist with COVID, he added.

Tourists from Europe want to dine and have a beer and wine together, but right now they cannot do anything. Many have said they have felt cheated for three months now.

If Phuket was not ready, then why reopen? Without an easing of the curbs, all will be ruined, Mr Sarayuth said.

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew said local authorities are stepping up efforts to contain the surge of infections as quickly as possible. Many of the new cases were detected using antigen test kits, whose results were confirmed again for accuracy by RT-PCR, he said.

Transmissions have increased among residents and migrant workers, he added.

With the spikes in local infections, the prospects for the Phuket Sandbox scheme may look dimmer now than when it first started, he said.

We have to do everything we can to get through this difficult situation and hope case numbers will slow down.

We have to join forces and move forward. This is a life-and-death situation for the future of Phuket Sandbox, the governor said.
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RIDGEFIELD  This fall, the public can learn about the past, present and future of the First Amendment from a slate of scholarly speakers in a new series titled, What Does the First Amendment Mean Today?

The programs were created by the Ridgefield Library, the Ridgefield Historical Society, the League of Women Voters of Ridgefield and other community partners to explore the First Amendments foundational principles from historical and contemporary perspectives.

The First Amendment protects the freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly and the right to petition the government.

For a lot of us the First Amendment ... is kind of a subtext, but (its issues have) really been front and center for the last couple of years, Assistant Library Director Andy Forsyth said.

These issues include the resulting tensions that have come from exercising freedom of assembly at protests nationwide; speech censorship in traditional and social media platforms; and censoring access to information, which affects the work of public libraries.

We want people to gain insight into what (the First Amendment) really is ... (from) presenters who could speak to these issues with expertise, Forsyth said.

The series kicks off Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. with a lecture by legal scholar Akhil Amar, a Sterling professor of law and political science at Yale University, in the librarys main program room.

A book discussion follows Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. with best-selling author Jess Walter, who will discuss his novel, The Cold Millions, via Zoom. The work examines free speech and the First Amendment through the lens of historical fiction.

Gloria Browne-Marshall will lead an online lecture Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. to discuss the evolution of freedoms of speech and assembly from the civil rights era to the present. Browne-Marshall is a civil rights attorney and constitutional law professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The series concludes with a panel discussion at the library Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. Ridgefield journalist Todd Brewster will moderate the panel, which features Amar, past ACLU President Nadine Strossen, New York Times journalist Mike McIntire and Ridgefield Library Director Brenda McKinley.

Patrons will be required to wear masks when visiting the library. No social distancing or capacity limits are in place.

Ridgefield Historical Societys Development and Marketing Director Kathryn Tufano said knowing what is and isnt protected by the First Amendment is more relevant and timely than ever.

My personal thought is in the world that we live in  post-Trump but also midstream in a pandemic  its really important for people to understand what their rights and responsibilities are, she said. What is the difference between real education and the news spin, or the person talking (the) loudest?

Marilyn Carroll, president of the League of Women Voters of Ridgefield, said the series will provide an opportunity for attendants to learn about their rights.

Our mission is to defend democracy and empower voters. That can only be done when the First Amendment  (is) vigorously protected and widely understood and respected, she said. Educating the public about those five freedoms and their importance to a civil society that welcomes a diversity of opinions is critical.

For information or to register, visit the events calendar at ridgefieldlibrary.org.

alyssa.seidman@hearstmediact.com
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Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 19C. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..

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Montreal, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 19C. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 14C. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
ALTON  In May 2019 AltonWorks was unveiled as a grand plan to revitalize Altons downtown business district.

Plans were made and input sought, but then the coronavirus pandemic hit and within a year the project was put on hold.

However  according to Pat McGinnis, a senior advisor at Alton Works  there have been quiet meetings and planning, and the organization is waiting on the right timing to go public again and start announcing plans. It helped plan a riverboat cruise last week to promote nature-related tourism in the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois rivers confluence.

McGinnis said even more is planned, including a proposed business incubator for the former Wedge Bank Building.

COVID created a moment of uncertainty, he said. We thought we needed to withdraw.

We didnt want to be out beating a drum when people were suffering, he said. But we never slowed down. We went kind of quiet, but were at a point where we need to come back out.

AltonWorks was launched to revitalize Altons downtown business district. The plan included about $75 million in downtown revitalization that included pedestrian-friendly landscapes, rooftop and riverfront development, and renovations of the citys long neglected landmark buildings such as the Grand Theater, the Stratford Hotel and the Wedge Bank building.

As part of the process AltonWorks acquired approximately 75 downtown buildings.

AltonWorks began as a real estate redevelopment effort to bring back the vibrancy of historic downtown Alton, McGinnis said.

The real endgame, he said, is to bring back the vibrancy of the community. That goes along very well with the tourism plans.

We thought we could do that. So there was an early commitment to social impact, positive social change, he said. One of the things were saying is the region can be a hub for outdoor recreation and active living.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on open letter was posted April 9, 2020, on AltonWorks Facebook page stating they had made the difficult decision to pause our current activities at AltonWorks.

Now, McGinnis said, the group is almost ready to start making public announcements and create some discussion  but are waiting for the right moment.

We havent really talked about it because we didnt want to get out in front, he said. We want to bring out some major announcements and post some big wins. But we want to do it as a team.

Although AltonWorks is centered around the citys business district, he said the group has decided it needs to cast its net a little wider.

Weve had great support from other communities outside Alton, he said. I believe in my heart for Alton to be successful, the region has to be successful.

McGinnis said iot is looking at key activation projects that will signal to investors and families that something is going on.

It gives the public the confidence that something different is possible, he said.

One proposed project is a business incubator in the former Wedge Bank Building on East Broadway in Alton. The Wedge Innovation Center would provide space, support and possibly start-up capital for small business owners to get their projects off the ground.

There have been discussion about creating a such an entity in Madison County, specifically the Alton area, for several years.

The difference for us  it would not just be about start-ups; it would be about startups with social impact, McGinnis said. We would encourage businesses that would have a part in community building.

He did not give a specific timetable or plan for the project.

For information about AltonWorks visit https://altonworks.us/ or the organizations Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HealthiestandHappiestCity.
The Telegraph

EDWARDSVILLE  A Granite City man is accused of setting his home on fire while another person was inside, and a Philadelphia man was found to be carrying a large amount of money from allegedly criminal activity, according to felony charges filed Friday by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Terry S. Randall Jr., 39, of the 2700 block of Nameoki Road, Granite City, was charged Aug. 27 with aggravated arson, a Class X felony; and unlawful violation of an order of protection (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony.

The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department.

According to court documents, on Aug. 26 Randall set fire to his residence, knowing another person were inside; and violated an order of protection by being within 300 feet of his residence. It was noted that he has a prior conviction for domestic battery out of Madison County in 2005.

Bail was set at $250,000.

Also on Aug. 27, Jieshi Li, 35, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged with money laundering, a Class 2 felony.

The case was presented by the Illinois State Police.

According to court documents, on Aug. 26 Li was found to be in possession of between $10,000 to $100,000 in U.S. currency and instruments being criminally derived property.

Bail was set at $75,000.

Other felony cases filed Aug. 27 by the Madison County States Attorneys Office include:

 Robert L. Robertson, 55, of the 1700 block of Sixth Street, Madison, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony. The case was presented by the Madison Police Department. According to court documents, on Aug. 13 Robertson fired a gun in the direction of another person or occupied vehicle. Bail was set at $50,000.

 Steven E. Adkisson, 44, of the 400 block of E. Ninth Street, Alton, was charged with criminal damage to government supported property, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on Aug. 26 Adkisson damaged the glass of an APD holding cell, with the damage being less than $500. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Thomas H. Snider, 21, of the first block of Oakwood, Collinsville, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. According to court documents, on Aug. 26 Snider was driving a Suzuki GSXR14300 when he fled from an Alton police officer, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted limit. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Breneisha C. Williams, 29, of East St. Louis, was charged with obstructing justice, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court documents, on June 25 Williams gave false information to a Troy police officer. Bail was set at $15,000.
SPRINGFIELD  The Farmers Almanac has released its winter weather outlook for 2021-22 that has its own set of extremes, earning it a frosty flip-flop moniker.

Managing editor Sandi Duncan said they make their predictions using a set of rules established back in 1818.

These rules look at things like sun spot activity, tidal action of the moon, position of the planet, and a variety of other factors, Duncan said. Its both a mathematical and astronomical formula.

The Farmers Almanac predicts a cold and snowy January for Illinois, but a much quieter February.

In your area we are calling for icy, flaky conditions, which means theres going to be near to somewhat below normal temperatures with above average snowfall and there will be some ice mixed in as well, Duncan said.

The thought of ice should bring the shivers to many in Illinois after the 2021 New Years Day ice storm that paralyzed Central Illinois. A thick coating of ice brought down tree branches and power lines. Temperatures did not warm up to near freezing for days, so the ice didnt melt until several days after.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center says there is a 70% chance of La Nina returning between November 2021 and January 2022. A La Nina winter could have implications for winter storm activity, flooding and even drought, depending on where you live.

Research shows winter road maintenance can pay for itself in less than a half hour after use. According to research from Illinois Policy, a traffic engineering study showed that applying salt and plowing two-lane roads pays for itself within 25 minutes.

Duncan says people who follow the Farmers Almanac weather predictions say they are between 80 and 85 percent accurate.

Obviously some local conditions could come into play, but we feel pretty confident that we give people a good idea on whats to come the next two to three seasons ahead, Duncan said.
JERSEYVILLE  A Grafton man has been charged in connection to separate burglaries on Aug. 20 and 27.

Kenneth L. Pace, 48, of Grafton, was charged with one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony, on Aug. 20. On Aug. 24 he was charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony; theft, a Class A misdemeanor; and criminal trespass to real property, a Class B misdemeanor.

A second person, Karlee J. Poore, 29, of Jerseyville, was charged Aug. 24 with burglary, a Class 2 felony; theft, a Class 4 felony; and criminal trespass to real property, a Class B misdemeanor.

According to court documents, on Aug. 20 Pace and Poore allegedly entered a building in the 28100 block of Spankey Lane, Fieldon, to commit theft and took miscellaneous household items valued at less than $500 while disregarding a No Trespassing at the property.

Poore faces a higher theft charge because of a prior conviction for a similar crime in Jersey County in 2012.

Bail was set at $40,000 each.

Court documents from the Aug. 20 filing allege that on July 27 Pace entered a building in the 21300 block of West County Lane, Jerseyville, to commit theft.

Bail in that case was set at $50,000.

Other felony cases filed recently by the Jersey County States Attorneys Office include:

 Zachery J. Linscott, 22, of Belleville, was charged Aug. 24 with burglary, a Class 2 felony. On Aug. 21 Linscott allegedly entered a building belonging to Gormans Ready Mix at 721 S. State St., Jerseyville, to commit theft. Bail was set at $75,000.

 Dalton A. Hardwick, 21, of Jerseyville, was charged Aug. 24 with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony. On Aug. 19 Hardwick allegedly failed to register with the Jerseyville Police Department as required by law. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Lakiesha Shawnta Yarn, 32, of Atlanta, Georgia, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Super Class 3 felony, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony. On Aug. 21 Yarn allegedly was found to be in possession of a Taurus Spectrum .380 semi-automatic handgun, a Smith & Wesson M&P9 EZ 9 mm and less than 15 grams of cocaine. Bail was set at $30,000.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Hurricane Ida blasted ashore Sunday as one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., knocking out power to all of New Orleans, blowing roofs off buildings and reversing the flow of the Mississippi River.

The Category 4 storm hit on the same date Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi 16 years earlier, coming ashore about 45 miles west of where Category 3 Katrina first struck land.

Idas 150-mph winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the mainland U.S. It dropped hours later to a Category 3 storm with maximum winds of 115 mph (193 kph) as it crawled inland, its eye 30 miles west of New Orleans.

The rising ocean swamped the barrier island of Grand Isle as landfall came just to the west at Port Fourchon. Ida made a second landfall about two hours later near Galliano. The hurricane was churning through the far southern Louisiana wetlands, with the more than 2 million people living in and around New Orleans and Baton Rouge under threat.

This is going to be much stronger than we usually see and, quite frankly, if you had to draw up the worst possible path for a hurricane in Louisiana, it would be something very, very close to what were seeing, Gov. John Bel Edwards told The Associated Press.

The entire city of New Orleans late Sunday was without power, according to city officials. The citys Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness said on Twitter that energy company Entergy confirmed that the only power in the city was coming from generators. The message included a screen shot that cited catastrophic transmission damage for the power failure.

The Coast Guard office in New Orleans received more than a dozen reports of breakaway barges, said Petty Officer Gabriel Wisdom. In Lafitte about 35 miles south of New Orleans, a loose barge struck a bridge, according to Jefferson Parish officials.

Elsewhere, engineers detected a negative flow on the Mississippi River as a result of storm surge, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Ricky Boyette said.

Edwards said he watched a live video feed from around Port Fourchon as Ida came ashore.

The storm surge is just tremendous. We can see the roofs have been blown off of the port buildings in many places, Edwards told the AP.

The region getting Idas worst includes petrochemical sites and major ports, which could sustain significant damage. It is also an area that is already reeling from a resurgence of COVID-19 infections due to low vaccination rates and the highly contagious delta variant.

The hurricane was also threatening neighboring Mississippi, where Katrina demolished oceanfront homes.

Comparisons to the Aug. 29, 2005, landfall of Katrina weighed heavily on residents bracing for Ida. Katrina was blamed for 1,800 deaths as it caused levee breaches and catastrophic flooding in New Orleans. Idas hurricane-force winds stretched 50 miles from the storms eye, or about half the size of Katrina, and a New Orleans infrastructure official emphasized that the city is in a very different place than it was 16 years ago.

The levee system has been massively overhauled since Katrina, Ramsey Green, deputy chief administrative officer for infrastructure, said before the worst of the storm hit. While water may not penetrate levees, Green said if forecasts of up to 20 inches of rain prove true, the citys underfunded and neglected network of pumps, underground pipes and surface canals likely wont be able to keep up.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was in contact with more than 1,500 oil refineries, chemical plants and other sensitive facilities and will respond to any reported pollution leaks or petroleum spills, agency spokesman Greg Langley said. He said the agency would deploy three mobile air-monitoring laboratories after the storm passes to sample, analyze and report any threats to public health.

Louisianas 17 oil refineries account for nearly one-fifth of the U.S. refining capacity and its two liquefied natural gas export terminals ship about 55% of the nations total exports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Government statistics show that 95% of oil and gas production in the Gulf Coast region was shut down as Ida made landfall on Sunday, according to energy company S&P Global Platts.

Louisiana is also home to two nuclear power plants, one near New Orleans and another about 27 miles (about 43 kilometers) northwest of Baton Rouge.
BERLIN (AP)  Chancellor Angela Merkel's struggling would-be heir on Monday hit back at suggestions that a center-left rival is better qualified for the job after a televised debate four weeks ahead of Germany's election failed to give him a clear breakthrough.

Armin Laschet, the chancellor candidate from Merkel's center-right Union bloc, insisted that he was not at all frustrated by a poll following Sunday night's debate. It showed most viewers picking center-left Social Democrat Olaf Scholz as the winner of the event, followed by environmentalist Green contender Annalena Baerbock and then Laschet.

The mass-circulation Bild daily's front page proclaimed it a clear victory for Scholz on TV and a debate debacle for Laschet.

The race for Germany's Sept. 26 parliamentary election, which has been marked by missteps first by Baerbock and then Laschet, is too close to call. Recent polls show Laschet's Union bloc  which long enjoyed a lead  level with or even slightly behind Scholz's long-moribund Social Democrats, with the Greens a few points back.

Merkel, Germany's leader since 2005, chose not to run. She said nearly three years ago that she wouldn't seek a fifth term.

The experienced and unflappable Scholz, the vice chancellor and finance minister in Merkel's outgoing coalition government, has seen his personal ratings rise in surveys that suggest many voters aren't impressed with the choices for chancellor that they face.

Let's let voters decide what they think is chancellor-like, Laschet said when asked at a news conference about the positive reviews of Scholz's performance. If you want Angela Merkel's politics, you have to get away from this completely state-oriented Social Democratic election program.

I didn't notice anything along those lines yesterday, and I didn't see him as ... a firework show of ideas, he added.

He once again assailed Scholz for refusing to rule out a coalition with the hard-left opposition Left Party, a possibility that the Union has repeatedly raised as its own ratings sink.

That's not chancellor-like, Laschet said. The chancellor would have given a clear answer.

Laschet, the governor of Germany's most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, sought to focus Monday on his pledges: no tax raises, modernization, security and more coherence in foreign policy decisions.

He promoted his climate policy, which foresees making Germany "climate-neutral by 2045 while still preserving industrial jobs, and has been criticized by the Greens as half-hearted.

We are counting on innovation, on market mechanisms, which from our point of view are more promising than the bans we heard about again yesterday evening from the Social Democrats and Greens, Laschet said.

The Social Democrats declared themselves satisfied with the debate. The party's general secretary, Lars Klingbeil, said Laschet is fighting for his personal future" and still needs to convince his own party that he should be Germany's next leader.

We will go at full throttle for 27 days now ... we want Olaf Scholz to become chancellor, and yesterday was an important milestone for that, Klingbeil told n-tv television.

Two more debates follow, on Sept. 12 and 19.

___

This story corrects the attribution of a quote in the 10th paragraph from Scholz to Laschet.
On Sunday, Hurricane Ida, one of the most powerful hurricanes to ever make landfall in the United States, hit Louisiana and New Orleans. The storm knocked out power to all New Orleans and reversed the flow of the Mississippi River as Ida rushed from the Louisiana coast into a major industrial corridor.

The power outage left hundreds of thousands of people without air conditioning and refrigeration in New Orleans during one of the hottest months of the year.

Ida hit New Orleans on the same date as Hurricane Katrina 16 years prior. Ida made landfall not far from where Katrina first struck land and is the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the the mainland United States.

As Ida continued inland, it dropped from a Category 4 storm to a Category 3 storm, the same rating as Katrina.

The entirety of Orleans Parish is without power due to catastrophic damage and both Jefferson Parish (195,000 customers) and St. Tammany Parish (100,000) in New Orleans are without power, according to the Sun Herald. Altogether, over 1 million people were left without power.

All eight transmission lines that deliver power to the city were knocked out of service by Ida, including a power line collapsing into the Mississippi River. Dozens of streets in New Orleans were flooded with runoff from the storms heavy rains, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the Washington Post, fully restoring power to New Orleans and surrounding suburbs could take weeks, as Entergy, New Orleanss utility company, said it could take several days to assess the damage.

Hurricane forecasters warn of dangerous storm surges, dangerous winds and heavy rainfall in multiple states.

Engineers detected a negative flow on the Mississippi River as a result of the storm surge, U.S. Corps of Engineers spokesman Ricky Boyette told the AP.

The U.S. Geological Survey calls that negative flow extremely uncommon, according to CNN.

"I remember, off hand, that there was some flow reversal of the Mississippi River during Hurricane Katrina, but it is extremely uncommon," Scott Perrien, a supervising hydrologist with the USGS Lower Mississippi Gulf Water Science Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told CNN.

Perrien told CNN that the flow of the river slowed from about 2 feet per second down to about half a foot per second in the opposite direction. However, that gauge did not measure the flow of the entire river, so deeper portions of the river may not have reversed flow.

During Hurricane Laura, strong winds blew the top layer of the Mississippi River upriver away from the Gulf and slowed the river's main current.

The number of powerless customers is expected to keep climbing as Ida works through Louisiana in the night as a Category 2 storm, making its way into Mississippi as a Category 1 storm by Tuesday morning, according to Newsweek.

These hurricanes are not the first time the Mississippi River has reversed flow because of natural phenomenon. On Feb. 7, 1812, the most violent of a series of earthquakes near Missouri caused a fluvial tsunami, a tsunami happening in a river, in the Mississippi River, causing the river to run backwards for several hours. The tremors, which took place between December 1811 and March 1812, were the most powerful in the history of the United States.

Earthquakes with magnitudes of 8.6, taking place on Dec. 16, 1811 and 8.4, which happened more than a month apart, shook the ground, although given that the population back then was sparse in the area and there werent many multi-story structures, the death toll for both events was low. However, the 8.4-magnitude earthquake on Jan. 23, 1812 was felt as far away as Washington, D.C., where it is said Dolley Madison, first lady of the United States at the time, was awakened by the earthquake.

The strongest of the tremors was on Feb. 7, estimated to be an 8.8-magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest in human history. Church bells rang in Boston, according to History, from the earthquake and brick walls were toppled in Cincinnati. Large lakes were created by the earthquake including Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee and Big Lake at the Arkansas-Missouri border.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Southern Louisiana's hospitals, already packed with coronavirus patients from a fourth surge of the virus, were dealing Sunday with another challenge  the howling Category 4 hurricane pounding the coast.

Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Lafourche Parish, near where Ida made landfall, reported extensive roof damage. All patients and staff are fine at this time without injury; although, our hospital has sustained significant damage, hospital CEO Karen Collins said in a message relayed via Facebook. The hospital's phone system was down.

Once it is safe to do so they will evacuate their small number of patients, state health department spokeswoman Aly Neel said in an email. Details on the number of patients involved were not immediately available.

Another Lafourche Parish hospital, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, reported a partial generator failure to the state. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards, said the facility had not lost all critical power. She said some patients were moved to another part of the facility and the state health department was working with the hospital.

Ida struck as hospitals and their intensive care units were filled with patients from the fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked by the highly contagious delta variant and low vaccination rates across Louisiana.

Daily tallies of new cases in Louisiana went from a few hundred a day through much of the spring and early summer to thousands a day by late July. Gov. John Bel Edwards told The Associated Press on Sunday that more than 2,400 COVID-19 patients are in Louisiana hospitals, saying the state was in a very dangerous place with our hospitals.

The governor also said 22 nursing homes and 18 assisted living facilities have been evacuated, though evacuating the largest hospitals was not an option because there simply aren't other places to send them. Anticipating that power could be out for weeks in places, Edwards said a big focus will be on making sure there is enough generator power and water at hospitals so they can keep up with vital patient needs such as providing oxygen or powering ventilators.

I hate to say it this way, but we have a lot of people on ventilators today and they dont work without electricity, he said.

Officials at Ochsner Health, which runs the largest hospital network in Louisiana, said roughly 15 of the network's hospitals are in areas potentially affected by Ida. The network evacuated some patients with particular medical needs from small, rural hospitals to larger facilities.

Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Ochsner Health, said Sunday that the system decided preemptively to evacuate a smaller hospital in St. Charles Parish when the storms track shifted a bit east.

He said 35 patients were moved to other hospitals in the region over a little less than three hours. When it comes to power at their facilities, Mike Hulefeld said, they are in pretty good shape. Three of their facilities in areas affected by Ida were moved to generator power in anticipation of losing city power.

Later Sunday the hospital system said they planned to evacuate all patients at two other hospitals in the system on Monday as soon as conditions allowed. One hospital, with 21 patients in Raceland, suffered roof damage while the other facility with 45 patients in Houma had roof damage and power issues. Other facilities have suffered roof damage, water leaks and some damage to windows that required moving patients. At the hospital's main campus just outside of New Orleans, Thomas said they'd had problems with water leaks but no structural issues and had performed some surgeries Sunday. They've had no injuries reported.

We'll know a lot more tomorrow morning when we have daylight," he said.

Hulefeld said the hospital network ordered 10 days of supplies for facilities in areas that might be affected by Ida, and everything arrived Saturday. Each facility has backup power that was tested and a backup fuel truck on-site. Many of the chains hospitals also have water wells in case city water goes out.

With people evacuating and potentially going to stay with relatives or in shelters, medical officials said they are concerned the hurricane could translate into more coronavirus infections in coming days just as hospitalization numbers are going down. Thomas said the hospital system has seen a decline in almost 200 coronavirus patients over the past week across all their facilities.

Officials said Sunday they have been making the rounds and talking to staff in the hospitals  often referred to as the A Team because theyre the ones that go into lockdown when a hurricane arrives and work until the storm passes and they can be relieved. The hurricane comes on top of the year and a half long pandemic that has been an amazing stress on health care workers, and many are sad and frustrated.

Folks realize they got a job to do. There are people who need to be cared for, Thomas said. But it does take a toll.

Dr. Jeff Elder, medical director for emergency management at LCMC Health, said the systems six hospitals went into lockdown mode Sunday. Employees were going to stay at the hospitals for the duration of the storm arrived Saturday and early Sunday and would sleep there.

Elder said one of the first things their hospitals do when storms arrive is discharge patients who are able to leave. However, the patient load is high because of the pandemic so theyre not able to reduce by much. He said the hospitals in the system are more robust since 2005s Hurricane Katrina.

Weve learned a lot since 2005, he said. Key pieces of infrastructure are now raised to keep them out of flooding. For example, at University Medical Center in New Orleans, which was built after Katrina, the generator is raised, diesel supplies are protected and the first floor doesnt have essential services so even if flood waters get that high nothing essential is lost.

All hospitals in the system have generator backup power, Elder said. He also stressed that communication is now much better between hospitals in the hospital system as well as with various levels of government.

__

Melinda Deslatte reported from Baton Rouge. Associated Press reporter Kevin McGill contributed from New Orleans. Follow Rebecca Santana on Twitter @ruskygal.
ALTON  Dr. Shoichiro Tanaka, MPH, board-certified in General Surgery, has joined the staff of Washington University Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, located in Suite 101 of Medical Office Building A on the Alton Memorial Hospital campus.

Tanaka specializes in plastic and reconstructive surgery, hand and wrist surgery, microvascular surgery and peripheral nerve surgery along with comprehensive skin cancer care.
To the Editor,

My concern with Biden was the damage he would do to our economy by increased govt regulation of business and Democrat/socialist growth of welfare and public payouts. But his unfolding Afghanistan disaster is beyond contemplation. Bidens mental vacuity exemplifies how much peripheral danger can happen when a president does not let his military fight wars. I have long thought we should get out of Afghanistan because it is beyond our salvation and thought Trump too abrupt in leaving, except he kept a strategic reserve nearby. Bidens mindless abandonment leaves a military contingent too small to evacuate and protect thousands needing to leave. More than 50,000 Afghans endangered themselves and family helping the U.S. military. However, an evacuation that huge and dangerous cannot be conducted without adequate cover and protection of the military. An exit deadline terrorists would honor is beyond comprehension.

Biden chose to evacuate abruptly planning to blame Trump for causalities or demise of the Afghan government. Possibly the worst decision a president could make thinking it would buy him enough time to escape blame for bad results. The government collapsed in days, not months, and likely his worst possible decision. We just had 13 Special Forces killed in a terrorist bombing and hundreds of civilians who worked for us some 20 years. It is typical of Biden vacuous thinking but no humor to find here like his lost thought processes or absent-minded name dropping.

It shouldnt take 20 years to introduce democracy to any state yet Afghan disarray approaches impossibility. Afghanistan barbarism seems beyond unifying innumerable tribes, clans, and religious orders of this Islamic state. It is their history and why Afghanistan has never had a central government. They are still in a 15th Century of adherence to either Sunni, Shia or other Islamic faith. Alexander The Great conquered the world from Rome around the African coast to Turkey (Troy) by about 300BC including Persia, part of which became Afghanistan. However, Alexanders army could not fight thru Khyber Pass between India/Pakistan. That is where we are today  2,000 years later.

Islam subjects women to secondary existence cooking, motherhood, raising children and no business jobs or public appearance without veil and full body cover. That in itself will be the demise of their Islamic world. Women and girls there cannot go to school to contribute to family prosperity and all faithful must pray to Allah five times daily. Islam demands total adherence to the religion and independent thinking insults Allah. This world will sink into chaos as a modern technological computerized world evolves. Govt that cannot recognize this will find their doom. Moreover, oil is their only economic foundation, for which demand diminishes exponentially as the world moves to eliminate fossil fuel.

I do not see how our world will be able to save an Islamic world that will not be able to feed its population. It is horrible to contemplate an inevitable decline with poverty leading to vast starvation.

Ron Jones

Alton
Marlene Soulsby, Ph.D., of Scranton, died Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, of complications due to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).

Born Oct. 23, 1946, in Monongahela, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret (Vincent) Pilarcik. She is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Robert G. Soulsby.

Marlene attended the Elizabeth Forward Joint Public School System, during which time she spent her senior year as her high schools first representative as an American Field Service student in Switzerland. Marlene earned her bachelors degree in the German language from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She received her masters degree in German literature from the Pennsylvania State University and her doctorate in comparative literature from the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton.

During her 43-year career at the Worthington Scranton Campus of Penn State, she received numerous awards for her teaching and advising activities. Marlene was recognized with the All University Atherton Award, the Liberal Arts Advising Award and honored to be the first recipient of the Gertrude Hawk Teaching Award.

In addition to her teaching and advising responsibilities, she was a Fulbright Scholar and traveled to Germany on many occasions. She was an active member of the International Society for the Study of Time (ISST) and served as editor of the societys journal Chronoscope over a period of nine years. Marlene also edited three volumes of the societys publication The Study of Time.

In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her husband/caregiver, practicing tai chi weekly despite the challenges presented by her illness, playing Mahjong with her good friends and participating in the First Friday Book Club.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Ryan, (Anthony Kermode) and grandson, Orry of Egham, Surrey, U.K.; brother, Joseph (Claudia); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of the Sacred Heart whose compassionate home care and case management were a wonderful, much needed blessing.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by a brief service at the funeral home for family and friends and interment at Forest Hills Cemetery, Dunmore. Duffy and Snowdon Funeral Home, 1810 Sanderson Ave., Scranton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Josephs Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.
London, KY (40741)

Today

Mainly sunny. Less humid. High 77F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear early, then a few clouds later on. Low 53F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
More than half of solar panel owners have been approached by a cold caller offering them upgrades or 'health checks,' according to a new report.

Households trying to help the planet are being contacted by spurious firms, some of which try to sell them unnecessary services or make claims that are likely to be untrue, according to data from consumer body Which?.

The most common cold calls about solar panels were offering free 'health checks', selling voltage optimisers, or claiming that the customer's inverter needed changing.

Although some product offers can be legitimate and worthwhile, some solar panel owners believe they are being mis-sold.

A large number of solar panel owners said they had been cold called since fitting the devices

It is very unlikely that a company would be able to monitor the performance of a solar panel system remotely, or to recognise any safety risks without detailed information  so customers are urged to question these claims from cold callers.

The data is based on a survey that took place in June 2021, polling 1,116 Which? Connect panel members that had solar panels.

This is Money, with the help of Which?, details the most common cold calls and whether or not they are likely to be genuine.

Cold call 1: 'Free health check for your solar panels'

This was by far the most common cold call solar panel owners said they received, with 44 per cent having been approached about this.

However, technical faults with solar panels are rare, with nearly seven in 10 of those surveyed saying they had not experienced a fault with their system. Some of those surveyed had owned theirs for more than a decade.

At the time of fitting, solar panel installers should tell customers how to check their system is working correctly, as well as explaining any maintenance or cleaning they will need to do.

Solar Energy UK, the trade body for solar panel installers, recommends that owners check:

 That solar panels are producing electricity (this is done by checking the generation meter or inverter)

 For any damage, discolouration or strange smells

 That they can't see any loose parts on the roof when they look from the ground

 That they know how to shut down the system in an emergency

 For any visible damage to the roof, for example gutters, moss or birds' nests

 If solar panels have cracked or moved out of place

 For any signs of internal damage to the roof, by looking in the loft

Many solar panels are covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. Customers may also have additional guarantees from the company that installed the panels.

If households notice a problem, these should be their first ports of call.

Solar panel owners should think carefully about any product they are being offered

Cold call 2: 'Do you need a voltage optimiser?'

Some 16 per cent of those surveyed have been approached about a voltage optimiser  a unit which reduces the electricity voltage coming into the home.

Some companies claim they can reduce your electricity consumption and cut your bills.

This is disputed. Before homeowners buy one, they should weigh up the cost against any potential savings.

Savings will be influenced by how high your incoming voltage is, how efficient your appliances are, how much electricity you use, and how long the optimiser is expected to last.

Cold call 3: 'Your inverter needs changing'

Cold callers had told 15 per cent of solar panel owners that their inverter needed changing.

The inverter is the unit which converts DC output from the solar panels into an AC current, so that the energy can be fed into the grid.

Inverters dont tend to last as long as solar panels, so customers would expect to replace it during the 20+ year lifespan of the panels.

However, households dont need to replace their inverter if its still working.

Newer models can be more efficient, but they can also cost several thousand pounds.

Consumers are advised to weigh up any expected savings with a new inverter against how long it will take those savings to pay back the cost of replacing the inverter, and ask the company how it has calculated the expected savings.

Cold callers had told 15 per cent of solar panel owners that their inverter needed changing

Cold call 4: 'The company that installed your solar panels has gone out of business'

Some 10 per cent of the homeowners surveyed said a cold caller told them the company that installed their solar panels had gone out of business, when this wasnt true.

If unsure, customers should try contacting their solar panel installer to verify this claim.

Check its website and try the contact information it left at installation. Households can also search for installers registered with MCS, the certification body for solar panel installers, on its website.

Consumers are also advised to ask the cold-calling company how it got their details.

Which? has also said people should not feel pressured into signing anything with a new company before they have had time to digest all the information they need to make a decision.

Other solar panel cold calls

Less common claims that solar panel owners heard from cold callers included:

 Their solar panels are a potential fire risk, 5 per cent

 They had been monitoring their solar panels, 4 per cent

 A fire switch replacement is needed because the law has changed, 2 per cent

Households are encouraged to think carefully about the claims made about any product they are being offered, and work out if it will benefit their system.

When Which? shared information about these calls with Solar Energy UK, it warned they could be dubious reasons that a cold-calling company may use to try to mis-sell to homeowners.

It said its very unlikely that a company would be able to monitor a customers solar panels remotely, nor tell without knowledge of their system whether it presents any safety risk.

If homeowners are concerned, they are advised to contact their installer in the first instance or a recommended solar panel firm.

If there is a problem with their system this will often be indicated by a fault code on the inverter.
Britain's listed supermarkets have gained more than 8billion in value after private equity interest in groceries sent shares soaring.

A bid for Morrisons in June set the industry ablaze with speculation, while reports last week of potential interest in Sainsbury's has boosted stocks even further.

Overall, supermarkets have now added 8.2billion to their market value since Morrisons revealed it had rejected a bid from buyout firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice on June 19. Morrisons shares alone have surged by 62.8 per cent, adding 2.7billion.

Supermarket sweep: Overall, supermarkets have now added 8.2billion to their market value since Morrisons revealed it had rejected a bid from Clayton Dubilier & Rice on June 19

Marks & Spencer saw its shares rise 20.1 per cent, increasing its value by 584m while Sainsbury's rose 19.3 per cent and added 1.2billion. Tesco saw its shares rise 14.9 per cent and its market value by 2.6billion. And Ocado, which has a joint venture with M&S for online groceries, rose 8.3 per cent and gained 1.2billion in value.

Clive Black, of Shore Capital, said the interest in supermarkets stems from improvements to their prospects. After slashing costs and becoming more competitive, they have also benefited from the pandemic online shopping boom.

Stronger sales and fatter profit margins  as well as assets owned  are attracting private equity investors 'like bees to a honeypot', he added.

Black said: 'These previously unloved, out-of-kilter supermarkets are now seen as a square peg in a square hole.

'I would not be surprised if we no longer have any listed British supermarkets in due course because even Tesco is not too big to be taken out by global private equity.'

The private equity raid on the groceries industry began last year when the Issa brothers and TDR Capital swooped on privately-owned Asda in a deal worth 6.8billion.

The surge in interest has raised fears about jobs, pensions and debt levels. Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, has been urged to probe the 7billion Morrisons deal over its impact on supply chains.
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Thomasville, GA (31792)

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Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 87F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

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Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High 82F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

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The latest in New York politics This article was featured in the Capitol Confidential newsletter. Sign up here to get it each morning.

State Sen. Liz Krueger is urging campaign donors to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to ask for their money back and also questioning the legality of the governor's post-resignation use of the account. (TU)

As JCOPE moves forward, its ability to pursue other controversies related to former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo could be dictated by whether Cuomo appointees remain on the panel. (TU)
Caleb Wallace, a Texas anti-mask organizer who allegedly treated himself with the horse dewormer ivermectin, has died after contracting COVID-19. He was 30 and is survived by his pregnant wife and three children.

Wallace founded the anti-mandate group "The San Angelo Freedom Defenders." Its Facebook page says its goal is to "encourage [citizens] to actively participate in their duty to secure God-given and constitutionally protected rights." On the Fourth of July, Wallace organized a so-called "Freedom Rally" for people "sick of the government being in control of our lives."

Because of his views, he was a regular presence at San Angelo city council meetings and on the local news.

My health has nothing to do with you. As harsh as that sounds, our constitutional, fundamental rights protect that. Nothing else," Wallace said at a November 2020 San Angelo COVID update meeting. "Im sorry if that comes off as blunt and that I dont care. I do care. I care more about freedom than I do for your personal health."

By late July, Wallace was infected with the coronavirus. According to the San Angelo Standard-Times, he tried to treat himself with ivermectin. Ivermectin is widely available as a deworming agent for livestock, but over the last year has become increasingly popular among fringe groups who distrust doctors and vaccines. The FDA has repeatedly cautioned against self-dosing with the livestock treatment.

"Ivermectin tablets are approved at very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical (on the skin) formulations for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea," the FDA says on its website. "Ivermectin is not an anti-viral (a drug for treating viruses)."

READ MORE: 21 heartbreaking stories of people who regret not getting a COVID-19 vaccine

By early August, Wallace was unconscious and required intensive care at the hospital. His wife Jessica Wallace, who is eight months pregnant, posted frequent updates on his condition on her GoFundMe page.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

"You all have the right to feel the way you feel as Caleb once fought for his beliefs," she wrote on Friday. "He was an imperfect man but he loved his family and his little girls more than anything. To those who wished him death, Im sorry his views and opinions hurt you. I prayed hed come out of this with a new perspective and more appreciation for life."

On Saturday, she confirmed that her husband had died. "Caleb has peacefully passed on," she wrote. "He will forever live in our hearts and minds."

Shortly before his death, Jessica Wallace spoke with the San Angelo Standard-Times. She said she believes in wearing a mask.

"Caleb would tell me, 'You know masks aren't going to save you,' but he understood I wanted to wear them," she said. "It gives me comfort to know that maybe, just maybe, I'm either protecting someone or avoiding it myself."
Barbara Olsen Pascale likes to share this story: one morning six years ago, her partner, Joanna Virello, woke up in bed and yelled, Grillsdale! out of the blue.

Call it an epiphany if you will, but that was the start of what has become a long-running end-of-summer food festival and grill competition in Hillsdale.

I fell in love with this town and the people who make it great to live in, Virello said. I felt like a grand feast was in order to celebrate all that grows ... here.

Virello previously worked in media relations in New York City and developed major food events, such as the ongoing Dans Taste of Two Forks on Long Island. Grillsdale, however, was more personal. She wanted to celebrate the gastronomic bounty of Colombia County and the Berkshires, and shine a spotlight on chefs and restaurants in the region to help them survive the winter drop-off in tourism.

The event has now run for five years, served more than 2,100 attendees, and crowned four chefs Grillsdale champions. (The lockdown year involved smaller events without the grill competition component, as will this years edition.)

The duo started the event shortly after they moved from Brooklyn to Hillsdale in 2015. The move wasnt planned; Pascale, a woodworker and builder who is trained in architecture, had bought a 1961 custom ranch property to flip  but after one summer found she didnt want to leave.

I fell in love with the land and country life, she said, before Virello interjects: It was news to me until a U-Haul pulls up outside my apartment in Brooklyn!

Virello, who grew up in Connecticut, was ready for a change, too, however. My whole life I wanted to live in the city, but it was becoming a grind, she said. I didnt want to be 50-something and climbing the subway stairs.

They relocated to the 27-acre property  the RoeJan Ranch  which has been a work-in-progress ever since. Its now a remarkable mid-century home, with two dogs, Freyja and Abbey, a cat called Angel, three vintage campers, and Lu-Na Blooms & Herbs flower farm operating from what they call the Lower Shire.

They have many more projects on the go, from completing the renovation of the campers for summer rentals to developing the lands agricultural potential. We couldnt be more of a lesbian Brooklyn couple cliche setting out to build a ranch retreat upstate! Virello said, laughing.

Courtesy Joanna Virello and Barbara Olsen Pascale

At first they were worried about feeling isolated, but these fears were quickly dispatched. We found friends right away, Pascale said. The gay community was really welcoming. There are a lot of gays in Hillsdale, and then we branched out  We were struck almost immediately by the interconnectedness of the community.

The inaugural 2016 event was a labor of love. We all pitched in, Pascale recalled. Jos dad hung the lights, my daughters arranged the flowers, friends helped. It was a homespun event.

They started with 300 attendees in Roeliff Jansen Park. The idea was to feature nine chefs serving nine different dishes, with the winners chosen by vote from attendees and a panel of judges, which included John Markus of BBQ Pitmasters fame and Steven Abrams, CEO and owner of Magnolia Bakery.

It was a huge success to everyones surprise, Virello said. People thought a Manhattan company had come in to produce it.

By 2019, Grillsdale had grown to 600 attendees  and then the pandemic happened. Virello and Pascale kept the brand alive through smaller events, utilizing outdoor spaces in friends shuttered venues. This year, its returning as a Labor Day weekend extravaganza with festivities spread over two separate days.

Downtime is the best time Make the most of your Hudson Valley weekend, every week with our newsletter.

Saturday, September 4th will be the four-course Winners Dinner with former Grillsdale champ Chef Bobby Hellen of Otto's Market in Germantown (he made brisket tacos in 2018 and it slayed everybody, Virello said).

On Sunday, September 5th there will be a Honky Tonk Barn Dance & BBQ featuring The Juke Drifters, with the legendary steel guitarist and five-time Grammy winner, Cindy Cashdollar. Both days of the event will be held at Taconic Ridge Farm, a smaller venue than usual, but one at which theyre already planning future events, whether they return to Roeliff Jansen Park post-pandemic or not.

Taconic Ridge Farm co-owner Jim Carden was a big fan" of Grillsdale before he hosted them for the first time last year. The food is the big draw, of course, but Joanna and Barb have such a quirky sensibility and great way of making a vibe thats fun, he said. Their personality really shows in the event; when you go its just a big party.

It was Grillsdales initial success that led a town supervisor to suggest that Virello join the Hillsdale Economic Development Committee, a position which would help her support of local business owners continue through the low season. This was the start of the pairs participation in local politics. Pascale now uses her background in architecture as Chair of the Town Planning Board; and in July, Virello won the Democratic primary for the Hillsdale Town Board. With the general election in November, two of her campaign promises include increasing workforce housing and creating a jobs database.

In the meantime, the pair can be found on the deck Pascale built outside their 1987 air streamer  their fun wagon  making cocktails, looking out over the wildflower meadows in the Lower Shire, and listening to some Cindy Cashdollar in preparation.

Grillsdale will be held at the Taconic Ridge Farm on September 4th and 5th, 2021 with tickets starting at $25; find more information at www.grillsdale.com.
A Newburgh man charged with attacking police in a pro-Trump mob at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has asked a federal judge to release him from jail or at least let him have a laptop in his cell to help his lawyers defend him.

Edward Lang, a 26-year-old Sullivan County native arrested at his Newburgh apartment in January, is accused of fighting for almost two and a half hours with besieged officers defending a Capitol entrance against the rioters. Photos of Lang in court papers show him swinging an aluminum baseball bat at police while wearing a gas mask and holding a police riot shield that he commandeered.

Most of the more than 570 people charged with participating in the rampage have been released by judges while their cases are pending. Lang has remained in custody for eight months because of the seriousness of the 11 charges against him, which include assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon.

In a 27-page brief filed this week, Lang's lawyers argue that he should be released from the Washington, D.C., jail because he poses no public danger or flight risk and has been unable to meet privately with them to prepare his defense. They also claim the jail staff has unfairly put him in solitary confinement for long periods and abused him.

"Lang's physical abuse includes being dragged, shoved, denied regular shower access, and getting an entire can of mace in his face, while standing inside of (his) cell with photos and a bible in his hand," attorneys Martin Tankleff and Steven Metcalf wrote.

Prosecutors haven't responded yet to the release motion. But they had argued in February  with no dissent from Lang's lawyers  to keep him in custody, citing the "overwhelmingly strong" evidence against him, the violence he committed and instigated, and his threat on social media after the riot to resort to guns next time.

"He armed himself and assaulted law enforcement with the intent to unlawfully enter the U.S. Capitol and stop the functioning of our government as it met to certify election results," Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Jackson wrote then.

Lang's release request will likely be taken up on Sept. 15, when Judge Carl Nichols of U.S. District Court in Washington is set to hold his next conference on the case.

Lang is the only suspect still being held in jail of the nine current and former Hudson Valley residents charged with taking part in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. In June, a judge approved the release of Thomas Webster, a retired New York City police officer from Goshen who is accused of tackling a cop and trying to rip off his gas mask as he lay on the ground.

Lang bragged about his role in the riot in social media posts shown in court papers, including a photo in which he identified himself at the head of an invading mob. Prosecutors have logged more than 1,000 pieces of evidence against him, consisting of videos, photos and social media posts.

Near the end of a court conference held by phone and video last month, Lang made an emotional plea to the judge about what he said were his "inhumane" jail conditions, saying, "I have been stripped of all human dignity."

Downtime is the best time Make the most of your Hudson Valley weekend, every week with our newsletter.

In this week's court motion, Lang's lawyers asked Nichols to either release him with no restrictions or confine him to either his father's or mother's home, with electronic monitoring of his location. They said his parents would post a $200,000 bond and property worth $100,000 as collateral.

Their fallback option was letting Lang have a laptop in jail with the evidence against him stored on it.

They opened their request for his release in an unusual manner: by quoting from the Talmud, the sacred collection of Jewish rabbinical writings, and then praising Lang as "selfless" for pulling to safety a fellow rioter who they said was nearly crushed to death during the melee.

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cmckenna@th-record.com

--

(c) 2021 The Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y.

Visit The Times Herald-Record, Middletown, N.Y. at www.recordonline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers in.

The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses the advice that it gave in June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on all U.S. travelers before the summer tourism season.

The EUs decision reflects growing anxiety that the rampant spread of the virus in the U.S. could jump to Europe at a time when Americans are allowed to travel to the continent. Both the EU and the U.S. have faced rising infections this summer, driven by the more contagious delta variant.

The guidance issued Monday is nonbinding, however. American tourists should expect a mishmash of travel rules across the continent since the EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism policy and national EU governments have the authority to decide whether or how they keep their borders open during the pandemic.

More than 15 million Americans a year visited Europe before the coronavirus crisis, and new travel restrictions could cost European businesses billions in lost travel revenues, especially in tourism-reliant countries like Croatia, which has been surprised by packed beaches and hotels this summer.

Nonessential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed (on the safe list) ... is subject to temporary travel restriction, the council said in a statement. This is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers.

U.S. travelers would have to be immunized with one of the vaccines approved by the bloc, which includes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson&Johnson.

Possible restrictions on U.S. travelers could include quarantines, further testing requirements upon arrival or even a total ban on all nonessential travel from the U.S.

In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stressed Monday that the EU travel restrictions applied to the unvaccinated, adding that the fastest path to reopening travel is for people to get vaccinated, to mask up and slow the spread of the deadly virus.

Paski told reporters that the U.S. government is working across federal agencies to develop its own policy for international travel, with the possibility of strengthening testing protocols and potentially ensuring that foreign visitors are fully vaccinated. But she said no final decision has been made yet.

The EU recommendation doesnt apply to Britain, which formally left the EU at the beginning of the year and opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. earlier this month.

The United States remains on Britains amber travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the U.S. to the U.K. dont have to self-isolate. A negative COVID-19 test within three days before arriving in the U.K. is required and another negative test is needed two days after arriving.

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe travel list on Monday.

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc to do so. Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EUs executive arm remained in discussions with the Biden administration but so far both sides have failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case-by-case basis."

The European Council updates the safe travel list every two weeks, based criteria related to coronavirus infection levels. The threshold for being on the EU safe list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.

The U.S. , meanwhile, is averaging more than 155,000 new coronavirus cases and 1,200 deaths per day, and several U.S. states have more COVID-19 patients in the hospital now than at any other time during the pandemic.

Authorities in Oregon are seeking extra refrigerated trucks because morgues are at capacity and Florida is in a similar situation after a week in which more than 1,700 people died from the virus in the state. Hospitals are desperately running out of staff in several states, and the start of the school year has brought even more fears that the outlook will worsen as millions of unvaccinated students return to their classrooms.

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U.S. school districts have been struggling over whether to impose mask mandates, sometimes even suing in states where officials are against such requirements.

Vaccine hesitancy also remains a problem in many locations in the U.S., where 61% of the eligible population is inoculated against the virus. In contrast, Britain has fully vaccinated over 78% of adults and EU countries have inoculated nearly 70% of those over 18.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at:

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak

___

Josh Hoffner in Phoenix, Arizona, Sylvia Hui in London and Joshua Boak in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
ALBANY  The Albany-based mom who fled terror in Afghanistan will be reunited with her four children.

Officials working with Suneeta, who has declined to use her full name for safety concerns, confirmed the children arrived in the U.S. on Sunday night.

Were just working through red tape now, Sara Lowry, a staff attorney for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), said on Monday. Mom is in (Washington) D.C. picking them up from government custody.

Their return marks the end of a weekslong scramble to get the foursome to safety after weeks of huddling in a Kabul apartment building, fearful of retaliatory measures by the Taliban due to her husbands work as an American ally.

Suneeta is thrilled.

She keeps sending me emojis: hearts, flowers, kisses and American flags, Lowry said.

The safe return of the children, ages 7 to 18, comes on the eve of the deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from Afghanistan after 20 years of war, and days after a deadly blast outside the airport killed 13 U.S. military personnel and at least 169 Afghans.

The rescue is the result of a sophisticated operation bringing together U.S. forces, Afghan volunteers and nonprofits, as well as other stakeholders.

Among the participants is Alex Plitsas, a U.S. Army veteran who previously served in Iraq and as a defense civilian intelligence officer in Afghanistan. Plitas is part of whats been dubbed Digital Dunkirk, an online operation to help shepherd refugees through the escape process.

Where people were having trouble in many cases, we helped them navigate the paperwork and bureaucracy, Plitsas told the Times Union in an interview.

But its not a rogue, lone cowboy-type operation, he said.

This is officially supporting U.S. government operations.

The childrens plight became widely known on Aug. 15 when Suneeta went public as the Afghan government crumbled and fell to the Taliban. At the time, the kids made a break for it, but were forced to circle Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport for hours in a cab before returning home.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper read his network's coverage of Suneetas plight and reached out to Christina Maxouris, the author who filed his network's dispatch. From there, he was connected to Lowry, who compiled a cache of info which was sent to Plitsas.

The Times Union and other local media first reported on Suneeta's quest to regain her kids on Aug. 15.

Im asking you to trust me, and Im going to help you, Plitsas recalled telling Suneeta.

Within 20 minutes, he arranged transportation to a local safe house.

Critical to their escape was an Afghan and ex-U.S. Embassy worker named Mohammad Afzal Afzali, who took the kids under his wing and helped navigate them to safety.

While Plitsas declined to discuss specifics of the operation, citing security concerns, Afzali served as their guardian angel, feeding and protecting the group after taking what amounted to an oath to Suneeta.

He swore an oath to protect them with his life, and he did that, Plitsas said. He took care of them as if they were his own children and protected them  this guy is a hero.

Now Afzali, too, will be relocated to the U.S.

Suneeta believed her kids had a target on their backs: Her husband, an interpreter and U.S. ally, disappeared and is presumed dead.

Shes been disconnected from her family since 2013, when her brother-in-law used the Afghan rule of the husband's family having the right to keep the children and forcibly took them from her during a trip to Pakistan.

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All four children had been pre-approved for whats known as "humanitarian parole. Ordinarily, they would then go for an interview at the U.S. Embassy for visas, which would enable them to get on a commercial airline to the U.S.

But amid the chaotic transition process  even before the government fell to the Taliban  the U.S. Embassy paused visa services and the kids had been waiting since June for an interview.

The group avoided the bombing last Thursday because they were on the other side of the airport, where they had been gathered for over 24 hours.

They were outside of the airport on the other side when the attack took place, Plitsas said.

After that, they still needed to gain access to the interior, which was thronged by thousands of people seeking to escape.

On the diplomatic end, Lowry worked with the offices of New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to clear hurdles.

Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, president of a nonprofit that has been working to evacuate high-risk individuals out of the country, also became involved, working with the White House and other federal agencies to obtain paperwork needed to leave the airport.

Over the last 24 hours, the American military carried out some 1,200 evacuees on 26 C-17 flights, while two coalition flights flew out 50 others, the Associated Press reported on Monday. Since the end of July, U.S. forces have evacuated about 122,300 people.

Some will eventually relocate to the Capital Region. Seventy-five Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) were issued in 2020 for people who have relocated to the Capital Region, and the USCRI expects to receive 400 refugees next year, 25 percent of them SIVs.

The next mission is when all of these people get here, Plitsas said. We have a moral obligation to take care of them.

Most arrive in the U.S. with just a few possessions, Lowry said.

We need jobs, housing and donations in terms of clothes, diapers  everything it takes to make day-to-day life run, Lowry said.

Contributions to USCRIs legal fund are also welcome.
Q: Probably few intersections in the city of Albany are as snarled or inefficient as that of Whitehall Road and Delaware Avenue (along with two other intersecting side roads).



The inefficiency includes long waits in traffic at red lights even when there is no pedestrian activity, as well as a significant chunk of unused space at the point of the large parking lot at the adjacent Mobil station.



This situation seems to cry out for conversion to a roundabout that would enable a far more efficient and safe flow of traffic. Inclusion in a roundabout would be a better utilization for the unused portion of the gas station's large lot  now occupied by garden planters.



Could city traffic engineers look into developing this as a potential "infrastructure" improvement project?

 Ed Rosen, Delmar

A: City engineers examined the possibility of a roundabout at this location in the past, but the option wasnt pursued because there wasnt enough public right of way to fit the proper size roundabout for the volume of traffic at the intersection, according to Steve Smith, public information officer for the Albany Police Department.

He added that they will review the signal timing at the intersection and adjust it if needed.

Online bike map: The Albany Bicycle Coalition has expanded its free online bike map at capitalnybikemap.com into Saratoga County. The newest additions to the map start north of Waterford with the Champlain Canalway Trail and include the Empire State Trail to Mechanicville, the Zim Smith Trail to Ballston Spa, and connections from Round Lake to a 10 mile network of paths in Malta via local streets.

The map, which is based on the Google Maps platform, can plan a custom route between any two points. It incorporates the experience of Albany Bicycle Coalition members and partner groups around the region.

County Road 29, Saratoga County: County Road 29 (West River Road) will be closed between Austin Road and Peters Road, where it crosses a tributary of the Hudson River, starting Monday, Aug. 30. Saratoga County is replacing a culvert. Work is scheduled to end Friday, Sept. 3. A detour will be maintained during the closure.

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State Route 151, East Greenbush: Watch for a single lane closure on State Route 151 with alternating traffic directed by flaggers starting Monday, Aug. 30, at 7 a.m. Crews are installing a new traffic light and adding a turning lane at the intersection of State Route 151 and Tempel Lane.

Shifted two-way traffic will resume after Monday, but watch for periodic flagging as crews move equipment. Work will be conducted between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays and is set to end by the end of September.

Hans Creek Road, Providence: Hans Creek Road will be closed over Hans Creek in Saratoga County starting Monday, Aug. 30, until about mid-November for bridge rehabilitation. The road will be open to local traffic only. There will be a detour.

Have a question about transportation in the Capital Region? Email gettingthere@timesunion.com and include your name, town and phone number or tweet @abigail_rubel.
ALBANY  Allegations of sexual harassment cost former Gov. Andrew Cuomo his job.

Whether they can cost him his law license - or lead to any attorney discipline - is a far tougher question.

The reason is New York's disciplinary rules for attorneys lack any specific language that makes sexual harassment the type of professional misconduct that can lead to discipline. The court system's Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers address harassment, but only in terms of discrimination - prompting a New York State Bar Association panel to find the rules flawed.

In June, the bar association's Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct recommended the court system change its rules to define "harassment" - and prohibit it. Its proposal would define harassment as "severe and pervasive" unwelcome physical conduct or derogatory or demeaning verbal conduct directed at one or more people. It would prohibit sexual harassment inside or outside courtrooms and law offices.

"Petty slights, minor indignities and discourteous conduct without more do not constitute harassment," the NYSBA proposal said. "However, severe conduct can consist of a single instance. Verbal conduct includes written as well as oral communication."

Those rules could certainly apply in the case of Cuomo. But unlike the world of television, which often depicts bar associations as the all-powerful watchdogs over attorneys licenses, in the state of New York that is the job of grievance committees within the state's four Appellate Division courts, including the Albany-based Third Department.

That's where the 63-year-old Cuomo, a graduate of Albany Law School and attorney of 37 years, is admitted to practice law. The Third Department's Grievance Committee would probe any attorney misconduct alleged of Cuomo. If it determined he engaged in misconduct, Third Department justices could impose discipline ranging from private admonishment to the more severe censure, suspension or disbarment.

On Aug. 3, Attorney General Letitia James released a blockbuster report detailing allegations of sexual harassment lodged against Cuomo by 11 women, including former staffers and a state trooper. Investigators for Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple are probing the allegations of the governor's executive assistant, Brittany Commisso, that Cuomo groped her at the Executive Mansion last year. The governor, whose resignation became effective Aug. 24, denies the allegations.

The Third Department's committee declined to comment. Given the possibility that it could potentially investigate the actions of the ex-governor, that's expected.

Law Beat found many attorneys, including lawmakers in both majorities in the Capitol, reluctant to publicly speak about the mere possibility of whether Cuomo could lose his license - or if any attorney could lose their law license for alleged sexual harassment.

Elected officials face the same ethical boundaries as New York's other more than 300,000 lawyers. If convicted of a felony, they automatically are disbarred. But it is not automatic disbarment to be convicted of a misdemeanor, nor is the absence of a criminal charge a sign no discipline will be imposed. Many attorneys face discipline for merely ignoring the committee's attempts to reach them.

Examples in recent years show attorneys have harassed - and physically abused - women in recent years and managed to avoid disbarment, if not suspensions.

Last year, appellate justices in Manhattan's First Department imposed a two-month suspension for Eli Cherkasky, a former Manhattan prosecutor who was convicted in 2015 of misdemeanor assault and criminal obstruction of breathing, both misdemeanors, and harassment, a violation, for an assault on a woman in a bar. Another example was the case of Robert Nickol, 34, who had been a counsel for late state Sen. William Larkin. In 2018, Nickol was convicted of two counts of misdemeanor assault for whipping his ex-girlfriend with an electrical cord and slapping her in the face. His discipline from appellate justices in Albany was a six-month suspension.

And in April, appellate justices in Manhattan suspended former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman from practicing law for one year. In their decision, the court said Schneiderman's misconduct involved "verbal and emotional abuse, and unwanted physical contact with three women." The court credited Schneiderman's significant record of public service, acceptance of responsibility and remorse as factors.

Cuomo, like Schneiderman, has a long history of public service. But he still strongly attests to his innocence.
Union Pacifics Big Boy No. 4014 may have steamed into Beaumont on a drizzly afternoon just as the sky was about to open up, but Southeast Texas didnt let it arrive without a welcoming party.

More than 100 people slogged through the mud and puddles to witness the worlds largest steam engine rest in Beaumont for the night after chugging in from Houston.

The Big Boy, named because its class was the largest set of steam engines ever created, is on a resurgent tour across the country  from Cheyenne, Wyoming to New Orleans, Louisiana and back.

On this trip, Ed Dickens, senior manager of Union Pacifics heritage operations and conductor on the journey, and the crew helping the Big Boy stay on the move are taking the 80-year-old train to parts of the country its never been before.

Its a team effort to keep this thing running perfectly, and its constant action, Dickens said. It may be big, but its delicate, and there is a lot of monitoring involved to make sure everything works smoothly.

In fact, it takes a crew of 10 people to operate the Big Boy on its odyssey and keep it in top shape. The Big Boy requires a lot of attention and materials to keep the steam rolling, consuming about 20 gallons of oil and 200 gallons of water per mile.

The large locomotive weighs 610 tons  some 100 tons heavier than any other running steam locomotive, making it the biggest in the world.

The Big Boy was built in 1941 to carry a massive amount of equipment over rough and steep terrain during World War II.

It was retired in 1961 after traveling a little over a million miles and reacquired by Union Pacific in 2013. It was restored and debuted again in 2019 on the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad.

After its original construction in New York, Dickens said it didnt travel back east again until after it was restored.

Now, in its second life, it is visiting parts of the Midwest and South for the first time, including Beaumont.

Shelly Helms and her crew of four  Grayson, Harrison, Branson and Jocelyn  braved the weather to welcome it to town, but it was more of a reunion than a first meeting.

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Helms said the group had already seen the Big Boy in Houston the day before but Grayson, the family train enthusiast, wanted to visit it again.

Grayson said it was one of his favorite trains he had ever seen, and he was glad that it was as loud as he expected the giant engine to be.

Fans like Grayson will have another chance to catch the Big Boy before it leaves Southeast Texas, as it will be making another whistle stop in Orange at 9:30 a.m. at Holly Lane Crossing.

Dickens said seeing the reactions of the crowds that have gathered to see the train at each stop is the best a journey like this, and this trip has been no exception.

Its all worth it when you see the faces as you come rolling up, Dickens said.

jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/jd_journalism
Addressing the hurdles farmers face in passing on their land is urgent. One-third of New York farmers are over 65, meaning 2 million acres of farmland are pending transition. That means some 160,000 jobs, $47 billion in annual economic impact and farmland that feeds communities and helps combat climate change are in peril.



The biggest threat is if theres no one to pass the farm to, leading to residential and commercial development. According to American Farmland Trusts research, New Yorks farmland is in the top 20 most threatened in the nation. Unfortunately, selling to a developer may be the only option for retiring farmers when finding someone who wants to farm and can afford to is almost impossible.



One resource, Farmland for a New Generation New York is the nations best program for helping retiring farmers connect with new farmers. But, to keep land in farming, farmers need more tools. Tax policy to support transition is essential.

Policymakers must:
SARATOGA SPRINGS  Sunday was just like most days for the popular 8-year-old gelding Whitmore.

He held court in his corner stall at the Stakes barn, accepting visitors and being even more receptive to them if they had peppermints. There was one thing different, though. Sunday was the first day that Whitmore was no longer a race horse.

Trainer Ron Moquett announced Saturday that the 2020 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner would run no more after an injury to his left front leg following his fifth place finish in the Grade I, $600,000 Forego.

Moquett's wife, Laura, Whitmore's exercise rider and constant companion, said Whitmore was doing fine. His left front was tightly bandaged and he had no problem putting weight on it.

He was diagnosed with a small fracture at the top of his sesamoid bone. The X-rays were sent to renowned equine orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. Late Sunday afternoon, Laura Moquett said via text that Whitmore will head to Kentucky to have surgery.

She is not sure when Whitmore will leave Saratoga. She said she prefers to transport the horse herself in the van and the trip might not be until after the meet ends on Labor Day.

Ron Moquett left Saratoga for Kentucky early Sunday morning. His wife, also his assistant, said Whitmore will stay with them for his retirement days.

"It's sad that he won't go to the races anymore," she said after feeding Whitmore a carrot. "But (the injury) is a small issue and he will be 100 percent sound and fine. We love racing but we love horses before we love racing. As long as they're fine, we don't get too worried if they are going to run again or not."

Whitmore concludes his racing career with 15 wins, 13 seconds and five thirds in 43 starts and earnings of more than $4.5 million. After winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint last year at Keeneland, he was winless in five starts this year. He was third in the Grade I Alfred Vanderbilt here on July 31 before the Forego.

Letruska likely not going to Classic

After beating fillies and mares in Saturday's Grade I Personal Ensign, running her 2021 record to five wins in six graded stars, Letruska will most likely stay with her own kind when the Breeders' Cup rolls around in November.

Trainer Fausto Gutierrez said Sunday morning that he will point his 5-year-old mare to the $2 million Breeders' Cup Distaff on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, not the $6 million Classic the same day. Letruska has already gained a free ride to the Distaff after winning a pair of Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" races: the Personal Ensign and the Ogden Phipps at Belmont in June.

"I think that is the correct decision," Gurierrez said about the Distaff over the Classic. "This is a group where she is the leader. She would be 6-5 (odds in the Distaff). She would be 8-1 in the Classic. Anything can change."

Letruska won the Personal Ensign by a half-length over Bonny South. Sunday morning, she was grazing outside of the barn with groom Victor Diaz holding her. Gutierrez said she came out of the Personal Ensign in great shape.

"She is okay," Gutierrez said. "She likes to run and she likes to come back and three days later she wants to go again. I thought (Saturday) was one of the most complete races she has ever run."

Better Talk Now

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More Information Sunday's recap Paid Attendance: 23,285 To date: 894,553 On-track handle: $3,079,553 Feature winner, odds: Sifting Sands, 8-1 Paid: $18.80, $9.60, $5.40 See More Collapse

Mechanicville trainer Chad Brown got a little closer to his fourth Saratoga title Sunday when he won a pair of races, including the featured $120,000 Better Talk Now, a one mile race for 3-year-olds on the Inner turf.

Brown's Sifting Sands stormed down the stretch to win the race by a head with Manny Franco in the saddle. Owned by Peter Brant, Sifting Sands was dismissed at odds of 8-1. Dreamer's Disease, trained by Robertino Diodoro and ridden by David Cohen, finished second at 12-1 odds.

Sifting Sands won an allowance race here on July 28 and went off at odds of 28-1.

"I guess it was because he was such a long shot last time," Brown said when asked about his horse's long price in the Better Talk Now.

Sifting Sands ran the mile in a time of 1:35.12 on the firm turf and paid $18.80, $9.60 and $5.40.

With six days of racing left in the meet, Brown has 34 winners, 10 more than Mike Maker. Brown won the Saratoga training title in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

tim.wilkin@timesunion.com. @tjwilkin
ALBANY  Lawmakers are expected back in the Capitol Wednesday or Thursday to address the state's expiring eviction moratorium, including tweaking policies to work within the parameters of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on emergency relief to renters, according to a legislative official.

The eviction moratorium expires Tuesday. The halt on evictions by legislators was intended to stabilize the rental housing market while New Yorkers protected their health from COVID-19 by staying home. Eviction bans began at a time when the job market plummeted and no vaccine had been approved or widely distributed.

Renters who have put in an application are expected to be protected from eviction for one year, state officials have said.

Prior to the emergence of the widespread delta variant of the coronavirus, many New Yorkers began to return to a "new normal." An issue that was left unresolved was millions of dollars of promised rent relief  provided by the federal government and doled out by states  was largely undelivered. Renters and landlords, despite the pandemic's grip on life easing with vaccinations, have faced continued hardships due to New York's slow delivery of the funds. More than $1 billion of New York's federal rent relief has been unspent.

The special legislative session is expected to focus only on the eviction moratorium and the emergency rental assistance program as opposed to a range of issues that were left incomplete in June, when lawmakers broke for what turned out to be a historically busy summer.

In the Capital Region, the issue has been pronounced in its city centers.

Within the Capital Region, 4,415 applications have been submitted for rent relief through the state's emergency rental assistance program, as of July 30, with about half of the applications coming from Albany County, according to the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Including the greater Capital Region, the total is 5,562 applications, according to state data, which accounts for about 3 percent of all applications in the state; two-thirds of the applications are to applicants in New York City. The greater Capital Region makes up about 6 percent of the state's population.

The applications by county: Albany, 2,064; Columbia, 142; Fulton, 169; Greene, 128; Montgomery, 214; Rensselaer, 785; Saratoga County, 638; Schenectady, 928; Schoharie, 73; Warren, 171; Washington, 250.

As of Aug. 23, according to the state agency, $4.1 million has been paid out to renters in the greater Capital Region among about 900 payments, with about $1.5 million to renters in Albany County.

About $203 million has been paid out statewide with an additional $605 million that is obligated to be distributed, but not yet paid, according to the agency. The state has over $1 billion of additional money it can distribute, state officials have said.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was outside the authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to place a nationwide ban on evictions, despite the ongoing health crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic. The three liberal judges on the nation's highest court disagreed.

Gov. Kathy Hochul called the court's ruling "appalling and insensitive."

The newly minted governor, who has looked to define herself in contrast to ex-Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, said it "eliminates a key line of defense for tenants" and urged renters to apply for assistance immediately, if they have yet to submit their application. Hochul and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance have emphasized in recent days that a person is protected from eviction for one year after applying for relief.

"We've been in intense talks all day to resolve this," Hochul tweeted Friday. "New Yorkers are scared and we need to help them."

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Before heading into the weekend, Hochul said she was in talks with legislative leadership over a potential special session. She said they would work over the weekend to to "address how best to deliver relief to renters and homeowners in need as quickly as possible."

By Sunday, Hochul turned the focus back to a need for people to first apply for the relief, because the "funding can't get out the door unless New Yorkers complete and submit their applications," she said in a tweet. Her post included a link to the application on the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said on Friday that it's "time for the government to step up and protect all New Yorkers as we continue to battle this pandemic." Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said that the leadership is in talks to "ensure (New Yorkers) are able to stay safe and remain in their homes."

Republican leaders commended Hochul for pushing to take on an issue they have been calling dysfunctional for months.

"Critical aid was available in January, but delays and dysfunction prevented money from getting into the hands of New Yorkers in need," Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay said in a statement Friday. "Gov. Hochul is correct to identify this as a program that needs immediate and dramatic improvement."

The GOP leadership wrote in a letter to Hochul and state officials that making sure housing courts are open is a critical element, because they can bring both tenants and landlords together to resolve disputes in a single place. The Republicans called for community based organizations working with the state agency to further facilitate the relief. And they asked for additional staff from the agency in cities where there are expected to be a high number of evictions.

"We must continue to focus solely on getting this money out the door  there are no more excuses, Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said in a statement.

Republicans have often placed emphasis on relief for landlords. Democrats have often focused on relief for tenants. Both parties are urging Hochul to ensure available money is distributed to prevent unnecessary evictions.
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Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of one of two Georgia prisoners accused of killing two guards more than four years ago
[August 30, 2021] Actress/Activist Rosario Dawson Joins The 2021 New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite Campaign

More than 200 franchised New Jersey new car and truck dealerships have participated in a variety of New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite fundraising campaigns since 2014. Raising over $2,250,000 since 2014, their generosity has made an extraordinary impact on the lives of more than 6,000 brave children with cancer, sickle cell disease and other blood disorders treated by The Valerie Fund each year. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005378/en/ Rosario Dawson spokesperson for The Valerie Fund (Photo: Business Wire) The 2021 New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite Campaign has set an ambitious goal of raising $500,000. Already, nearly 80 dealers have contributed more than $270,000, before the two-month campaign official launches on September 1, 2021. Rosario Dawson has also joined the campaign as the celebrity spokesperson and will be featured in a public service announcement expected to be launched in mid-September. Known for her roles in projects such as THE MANDALORIAN TOP FIVE, RENT and SIN CITY, she can next be seen in the upcoming Hulu (News - Alert) limited series DOPESICK which will air in October. In addition to her many acting credits, Ms. Dawson is also a well-respected activist, designer, businesswoman and community volunteer.



The September 1, 2021 campaign launch date coincides with the month's national recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness and Sickle Cell Awareness. This year's campaign will focus on educating the public about Sickle Cell Disease, in particular. The Valerie Fund Children's Center at Newark Beth Israel treats more sickle cell patients than any other hospital in New Jersey and is recognized as a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. "New Jersey's 500+ franchised neighborhood new car and truck dealerships are the backbone of their communities and support local organizations in hundreds of different ways," said Jim Appleton, President of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers. "These entrepreneurs compete for customers every day, but they can also unite behind a worthwhile cause."

"New Jersey's dealerships are coming together, across all brands, to pay it forward and support the thousands of brave children treated by The Valerie Fund each year, and their families," said Judith Schumacher- Tilton, NJ CAR Chairwoman and owner of the Schumacher Auto Group. "It is especially important to support the hundreds of children with Sickle Cell disease treated at Valerie Fund Centers. This is an incurable disease that effects an underserved population." For more information about the New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite campaign, The Valerie Fund or the services provided at The Valerie Fund Children's Centers, please contact Randi Zamkotowicz, Valerie Fund Assistant Director of Development for Philanthropy at (201) 993-3787 or randiz@thevaleriefund.org or Brian Hughes (News - Alert) , NJ CAR Director of Communications at bhughes@njcar.org. About The Valerie Fund Since 1977, tens of thousands of critically ill children have received state of the art medical treatment and customized health care services at one of seven Valerie Fund Children's Centers located close to their homes. The Valerie Fund is committed to fully funding psychosocial services that are not reimbursed by insurance but enable kids with life-threatening diseases to live life to the fullest. And now that COVID-19 is a serious threat to our families, The Valerie Fund plays a doubly important role keeping our children safe medically and emotionally. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005378/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Amid the Uncertainty, Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy is Ready to Help Students Succeed in the New School Year

Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (MGLVA), a full-time, tuition-free public school program of the Manistee School District, is ready to kick off the new school year and give students throughout the state a consistent education option designed to help them reach their full potential. MGLVA students and teachers will open their laptops to start the 2021-2022 school year tomorrow, August 31, 2021. For most families, 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 options, including full-time online or a hybrid model that blends online and in-person learning. And almost two-thirds of parents would consider full-time online public school after their 2020 pandemic-driven virtual education experience. "It's been a challenging couple of years for Michigan families, but online learning with MGLVA has been a constant and provided stability in such unprecedented times," said MGLVA Head of School Kendall Schroeder. "I'm looking forward to another year of seeing our students and families grow and achieve incredible success!" Authorized by Manistee Are Public Schools, and staffed by state-licensed teachers, MGLVA offers a personalized approach to learning, delivering rich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education. 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 MGLVA reported lower learning loss rates than those reported in national studies. And in some cases, students enrolled in Stride K12-powered schools experienced learning gains.



Students who attend MGLVA also have the opportunity to look to the future. High school students can participate in the Career Prep Program and enroll in classes that will help them discover and explore potential careers in Business Management, Health Science, Finance and Marketing. Students can also earn college credits while still in high school, giving them a head start in their state and potentially saving them thousands of dollars in college tuition costs. Students choose online learning for a variety of reasons, including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment and the flexibility to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs while maintaining a focus on academics. MGLVA's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style.

MGLVA is still accepting enrollments for the 2021-2022 school year. To learn more about MGLVA and how to enroll, visit mglva.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 Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy (MGLVA) is an online public-school program of the Manistee School District, serving students across the state of Michigan. MGLVA is tuition-free, giving parents and families the choice to access the engaging curriculum and tools provided by Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN), the nation's leading provider of proprietary K-12 curriculum and online education programs. For more information about MGLVA, visit mglva.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005001/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Amid the Uncertainty, Pikes Peak Online School and Colorado Preparatory Academy are Ready to Help Students Succeed in the New School Year

Pikes Peak Online School (PPOS) and Colorado Preparatory Academy (CPA), two full-time, online public schools serving students throughout the state, are ready to kick off the new school year and give students a consistent education option designed to help them reach their full potential. PPOS and CPA students and teachers will open their laptops to start the 2021-2022 school year today, August 30. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005002/en/ For most parents, 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 options, including full-time online or a hybrid model that blends online and in-person learning. And almost two-thirds of parents would consider full-time online public school after their 2020 pandemic-driven virtual education experience. PPOS and CPA both offer a personalized approach to learning, delivering rich, engaging curriculum designed to assist students who seek alternative pathways to education. Despite wide-spread evidence of a "COVID slide" of learning loss for students in the U.S. during the pandemic, Stride K12-poweredschools like PPOS and CPA have reported lower learning loss rates than those reported in national studies. And in some cases, students enrolled in Stride K12-powered schools experienced learning gains.



Students who attend both PPOS and CPA can earn college credits while still in high school. Eligible students are able to enroll in a combined number of high school and college courses per semester, giving them a head start in their state and potentially saving them thousands of dollars in college tuition costs. And Students who attend PPOS have the opportunity to look to the future. High school students can participate in the Career Prep Program and enroll in classes that will help them discover and explore potential careers in Education and Training, Hospitality and Tourism, and will be some of the first students in the nation to take classes in Law Enforcement.

"Let's get back on track. Let's move forward," said Nicole Tiley, head of school for both PPOS and CPA. "Last year was unique, and sometimes rough on parents and students. But let's get back to a consistent education that helps all Colorado students succeed." Students choose online learning for a variety of reasons, including advanced learning, a bullying-free environment, and the flexibility to support extracurricular pursuits or medical needs while maintaining a focus on academics. Both PPOS and CPA's online platform gives students the opportunity to pursue their academic goals in a supportive environment and at an appropriate pace for their learning style. PPOS and CPA are still accepting enrollments for the 2021-2022 school year. To learn more and how to enroll, visit PPOS and CPA, 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 Colorado Preparatory Academy Colorado Preparatory Academy (CPA) is an accredited, full-time online public-school program of Education reEnvisioned BOCES that serves Colorado students statewide in kindergarten through 12th grade. As part of the Colorado public school system, CPA is tuition-free, giving parents and families the choice to access the curriculum provided by K12, a Stride company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build their skills for the future. For more information about CPA, visit cpa.k12.com. About Pikes Peak Online School Pikes Peak Online School (PPOS) is public school program of Education reEnvisioned BOCES that serves Colorado students in grades 9-12. As part of the Colorado public school system, PPOS is tuition-free and gives parents and families the choice to access the curriculum provided by K12, a Stride company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build their skills for the future. For more information about PPOS, visit ppos.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005002/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Anxinsec proposed a protection solution for advanced threats to defend against 0-day exploits and fileless attacks

BEIJING, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the Beijing Cyber Security Conference 2021 from August 26th to 28th, Anxinsec was invited to attend along with more than 200 top domestic and international cyber security experts. During the conference, Anxinsec, a pioneer and leader in memory protection, presented a novel solution to prevent advanced threats. Recently, the world witnessed the rise of massive ransomware attacks, such as the SolarWinds attack or the Kaseya supply chain attack. These kinds of advanced threats are usually deliberate attempts by professional hacking organizations performing long-term infiltration strikes with the ultimate goal of destroying or stealing data in order to achieve a political or economic result. The rise of massive attacks have raised the alarm for the global cyber security defense system and proved that the current endpoint security isn't enough against today' advanced threats.



Today's advanced threat happened in memory and kernel space are increasingly common. In May 2020, Google engineers counted 912 security flaws with high and critical levels in Chrome since 2015 and found that 70% were memory-level vulnerabilities. Microsoft security engineer said at the 2019 Israel Cyber Security Conference, 70% of the vulnerabilities fixed in Microsoft's products in the past 12 years are memory security flaws. With the growing trend of threat actors moving lower in the stack into hardware and firmware, 0-day vulnerability exploits and files attacks account for a large proportion of the prevailing attack methods today. These attacks are extremely destructive and less visible with the current EDR techniques. Chinese cyber security start-up Anxinsec provides a novel solution to this rising threat. Through implementing hardware virtualization technology, it lowers the line of defence from the application level to system and hardware level. The Anxinsec memory protection solution based on CPU instruction and memory set can effectively prevent the risk of data breaches and tampering at the memory level.

Meanwhile, Anxinsec has a strong expert service team, can provide industry-leading security consulting, penetration testing, security maintenance, security operations and emergency response services. One of the main services the company provides in UAE is security expert service. Other services include enterprise mobility management (EMM), which includes mobile device management, mobile application lifecycle management, building enterprise mobile security framework, and unified endpoint management. SOURCE Anxinsec (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd

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[August 30, 2021] Blueberries Medical Reports 2021 Q2 Financial Results and Provides Corporate and Operations Update

TORONTO, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blueberries Medical Corp. (CSE: BBM) (OTC: BBRRF) (FRA: 1OA) the Canadian parent of Blueberries S.A.S. (BBSAS), the premier Latin American licensed cultivator and producer of medicinal cannabis and medicinal-grade cannabis extracts, (together the Company or "Blueberries"), is pleased to report its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Today, Blueberries has filed its unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis, both of which are available on Blueberries profile at www.sedar.com.

Blueberries Medical Corp. continues deploying the strategy of reducing administrative cost, capital and operational expenditures, as well as focusing on multiple revenue generating activities. Also, people with proven track record in Cannabis / Pharma / Fine Ingredients industries have joined the management team to cover key roles in the organization, primarily in Sales, Quality, Finance, and I+D. New Colombian Regulation Blueberries is closely following the changes in the Colombian new regulatory framework for medical cannabis, with the intention to be well equipped and fully prepared to seize additional revenue streams that the new Decree allows, primarily related to the opportunity to export dry flower of both THC and CBD strains and to manufacture FMCGs using non photoactive derivatives. Financial Highlights All financial information in this press release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. "Our three fundamental pillars, Operate with Excellence, Connect with Demand, and Differentiate, continue to be crucial in ensuring our long-term success, said Jose Maria Forero, President, Latin American Operations. As we had some open positions, we put special care in inviting the best people to help us run the Company, people with a proven track record in the cannabis or medical grade ingredient industries, primarily in areas such as Sales, R&D, Quality and Finance. Since February 2021, when current CEO & Chairman Facundo Garreton took over direction of The Company, a new management team was put in place with a single objective, specifically, Blueberries Medical Corp.s short term strategy will be to minimize fixed structure costs and expenses, reducing capital and operational expenditures, while preserving working capital to optimize the resource and cost structure and focus 100% on revenue generating activities. For example, Selling General & Administrative Expenses were reduced from $411,132 incurred during the first half of 2020 to current $209,114 in the first half of 2021, almost 100% improvement, added Guillermo Rodriguez, new CFO of The Company. On the other hand and accordingly aligned with this strategy, The Company started to expand its commercial revenues, adding more services and extending our model and we have started to provide extraction services to others Cannabis companies in Colombia, continued Guillermo Rodriguez Blueberries Medical Corp. signed a Framework Agreement with YVY Life Sciences of Uruguay a couple of months ago. Under the Framework Agreement, Blueberries and YVY will structure collaborative plans, initially starting with mutual development of strains and genetics in Colombia, and subsequent registration of those cultivars both in Colombia and Uruguay. This will provide a fast-track opportunity to register Blueberries proprietary genetics in Uruguay, thus allowing the partners to cultivate and export dry flower of Blueberries strains from Uruguay. We are thrilled with this strategic alliance. Our goal is to work closely with YVY, to replicate YVYs unique cultivation model with small producers in Colombia, producing high-quality and natural products while generating scalable social benefits and minimizing environmental impact, said Facundo Garreton, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Blueberries Medical Corp. Our vision is to use the Framework Agreement as the first step in a long-term strategic partnership which will help us quickly take practical steps in developing collaborative projects both in Colombia and Uruguay. Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,

(Expressed in Canadian Dollars) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Revenues $ 14,785 $ 4,644 $ 37,905 $ 4,644 Cost of sales (7,171) (3,356) (8,366) (3,356) Gross profit 7,614 1,288 29,539 1,288 Expenses Pre-operating expenses (123,060) (154,991) (237,231) (406,637) General and administrative expenses 35,692 (513,086) (124,261) (1,596,385) Depreciation and amortization (141,191) (166,144) (358,217) (342,036) Finance expense (64,980) - (127,469) - Other income (expense) 8,716 (26,533) (14,629) (49,580) Foreign exchange loss 8,204 45,382 (27,062) (90,088) Net loss (269,067) (814,084) (859,392) (2,483,438) Other Comprehensive Loss Foreign currency translation adjustment (75,917) 2,905 (269,723) (171,338) Comprehensive loss (344,984) (811,179) (1,129,115) (2,654,776) Loss per share - basic and diluted (0.002) (0.007) (0.006) (0.020) As at June 30, As at December 31, 2021 2020 Total assets $ 6,566,053 $ 7,270,212 Total liabilities 3,060,814 3,380,433 Total equity 3,505,239 3,889,779



Financial Highlights Commentary

Revenues - Blueberries commercial operations moved from introductory sales of cuttings of its cultivars to associate growers to effective sales of cannabis derivatives and extracts to customer both in Colombia and Peru. In addition to this, the company launched a tolling service processing flower and biomass from small and mid-size licensed producers that is also positively impacting revenue results.

Pre-operating expenses - Since the Company is in early stages of commercial operations, material operational costs are included under pre-operating expenses, which are non-capital expenditures relating to Blueberries cannabis cultivation and extraction operations. During 2020, due to COVID-19, the company implemented voluntary salary reductions for personnel in management positions, which is reflected in the lower pre-operating expenses in 2021. General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses  An analysis of selected G&A expenses is as follows: Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 Share based compensation (260,265) 179,534 (291,425) 682,478 Marketing and investor relations - 15,674 - 51,172 Director and management fees 43,700 108,188 100,700 248,343 Legal 4,496 2,999 4,829 46,584 Consulting 5,301 36,552 23,047 143,615 Salary, wages, and benefits 95,731 83,627 159,511 234,410 Audit & accounting 17,500 19,250 8,683 41,638 General office 10,171 19,600 24,979 66,697 Travel (23) 187 18 10,275 Filing and transfer agent fees 7,940 26,164 32,842 39,966 Insurance 20,568 21,941 38,183 25,995 Other 19,189 - 630 22,894 5,212 Total general and administrative expenses (35,692) 513,086 124,261 1,596,385 Share based compensation - During the second quarter of 2021, 775,000 unvested options were forfeited resulting in a reversal of stock-based compensation of $260,265. On first quarter of 2021, 3,099,998 unvested options were forfeited resulting in a reversal of stock-based compensation of $251,982.

Director and management fees - The year-on-year decrease reflects savings measures implemented due to COVID-19 pandemic, with certain directors and officers leaving the company. The Company continues to manage its costs and focuses its resources on commercial and revenue-generating activities. Legal fees. The fees incurred in 2021 and 2020 mainly relate to procurement of legal services for private placements, ongoing administrative matters and legal counsel regarding the structure and format of potential business ventures the Company is pursuing. Consulting  Includes advice and assistance on operations, quality management, facility development, financial and technical counsel, human resources services, and regulatory compliance. The reduction of consulting fees from 2020 to 2021 are due to the Company having incurred start-up related consulting fees in 2020, mainly engagement of new services by the company at the start of the operations on compliance with EU-GMP standards. The 2021 consulting fees are also lower because of savings realized by financial services being internalized. Salary, wages, and benefits - Include payroll, training, benefits, and severance costs of employees in Colombia. The year-on-year decrease reflects the Company continuing to manage its costs, including head count, and focusing its resources on commercial and revenue-generating activities. Audit and accounting fees - Include cost of audit, accounting and taxation services provided by the Companys external auditor and other third parties. The Q2, 2021 audit and accounting fees reflect the current accrual por annual audit. General office expenditures - Include office and equipment rent, utilities, communication, and cleaning services. The year-on-year decrease reflects savings measures implemented due to COVID-19 pandemic. Blueberries closed its Toronto and Bogota offices, with significant monthly rental fee savings. Travel  The decrease in travel expenses from 2020 to 2021 is due to tighter cost control on discretionary expenses and the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Finance Expense - The finance expense consists of accrued interest of $32,500 on the convertible debenture and the accretion of convertible debt liability of $32.480. About Blueberries Medical Corp.

Blueberries is a Latin American licensed producer of naturally grown premium quality cannabis with its primary operations ideally located in the Bogota Savannah of central Colombia. The Company is led by a specialized team with proprietary expertise in agriculture, genetics, extraction, medicine, pharmacology and marketing, Blueberries is fully licensed for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and international export of CBD and THC-based medical cannabis in Colombia. Blueberries combination of leading scientific expertise, agricultural advantages and distribution arrangements has positioned the Company to become a leading international supplier of naturally grown, processed, and standardized medicinal-grade cannabis oil extracts and related products. Additional information about the Company is available at www.blueberriesmed.com. For more information, please contact: Jose Forero, President, Latin American Operations

jforero@blueberriesmed.com

Tel: +57 310 345 8808 Guillermo Rodriguez, CFO Blueberries Medical Corp.

grodriguez@blueberriesmed.com

Tel: +54 911 6015 2227 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements 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 involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as expects, or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate, plans, budget, scheduled, forecasts, estimates, believes or intends or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results may or could, would, might or will be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to: commencement of commercial production of CBD-dominant oils and products, successful implementation of full GMP standards at its extraction facility to allow for additional export potential to international markets, achieving additional milestones is contemplated, or at all, ability to expand distribution networks, ability to expand and upgrade the Companys cultivation facilities in Colombia, internal expectations, expectations regarding the ability of the Company to access new Latin American and international markets, the ability to attract and retain new customers, and future expansion plans including development of the cultivation, production, industrialization and marketing of cannabis for commercial and scientific purposes. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; expectations regarding the size of the Colombian and international medical cannabis market and changing consumer habits; the ability of the Company to successfully achieve its business objectives; plans for expansion; political and social uncertainties; inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on cultivation, production, distribution and sale of cannabis and cannabis related products in Colombia, Argentina and elsewhere; and employee relations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. Additional information regarding the Company, and other risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's business are contained under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Listing Statement dated January 31, 2019 filed on its issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.





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[August 30, 2021] Booking.com reveals LGBTIQ+ travel barriers & opportunities in Aotearoa

- Booking.com launches global research with LGBTIQ+ travellers and 'Postcards from Pride' - a local visual campaign in partnership with award-winning Kiwi photographer Becki Moss fundraising for OutLine Aotearoa QUEENSTOWN, Australia, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Booking.com announces new research with LGBTIQ+ travellers and launch of Postcards from Pride, a local photo project with award-winning Kiwi photographer Becki Moss . With travel restrictions resulting in this year's Winter Pride being cancelled, and this key moment of travel and celebration put on hold for LGBTIQ+ communities, it's more important than ever to reflect on the challenges they face. With this campaign, Booking.com aims to create a more inclusive experience when travel becomes a possibility again. Postcards from Pride Each postcard features a diverse representation and stories from LGBTIQ+ travellers across Aotearoa. The stories hihlight the challenges faced by the community whilst travelling, and celebrate how travel can make the world a more inclusive place. The postcards are available for purchase for pre-ordered prints, digital and social media versions from the Postcards from Pride website . All proceeds from the campaign will be donated in support of OutLine Aotearoa .



LGBTIQ+ Travel Today in Aotearoa Key findings of the study include that over half (58%) of Kiwi travellers say they have to consider their safety and wellbeing as an LGBTIQ+ traveler when picking a destination and over half (60%) also believe that traveling as part of the LGBTIQ+ community means that some destinations are off limits.

While these insights expose the concerns that weigh on many LGBTIQ+ travelers' minds, often before they've even arrived at their destination, there are also more promising signs with 88% of LGBTIQ+ travelers surveyed believing the majority of the experiences they've had so far have been welcoming. More Welcoming Stays for Everyone To support creating a more inclusive travel experience, today Booking.com is announcing the launch of its Travel Proud programme in Australia and New Zealand. The Travel Proud initiative is for accommodation providers to become a Proud Certified property on Booking.com via a free 75-minute online Proud Hospitality training session that has developed in partnership with HospitableMe . To find out more about Booking.com, its Travel Proud study and 'Postcards from Pride', head to the Postcards from Pride website . CONTACT DETAILS For further information, contact the Booking.com New Zealand Press Office; briarb@thisismango.co.nz

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[August 30, 2021] Constant Aviation, Official Sponsor of the Cleveland National Air Show, To Support U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

Constant Aviation, the nation's leading provider of quality maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and aircraft-on-ground (AOG) services, announced today that it is the Official Aircraft Maintenance & AOG Support sponsor and provider for the 2021 Cleveland National Air Show at Burke Lakefront Airport (ICAO: KBKL) in Cleveland on September 4-6, Labor Day Weekend. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005373/en/ Constant Aviation is the Official Aircraft Maintenance & AOG Support sponsor and provider for the 2021 Cleveland National Air Show at Burke Lakefront Airport (ICAO: KBKL). They also will provide hangar space at their Cleveland Hopkins International Airport facility (ICAO: KCLE) and will provide other support for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. (Photo: Business Wire) Constant Aviation also will provide hangar space at its Cleveland Hopkins International Airport facility (ICAO: KCLE) and will provide other support for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are well known for their thrilling display of aerial acrobatics and demonstrate the finest aircraft in the Air Force fleet, the most advanced in the world. "The Cleveland National Air Show is a Labor Day tradition that aviation geeks like my colleagues and I look forward to attending. Sponsoring the show andhosting the Thunderbirds is truly an honor," said Constant Aviation CEO David H. Davies. "Our employees are looking forward to getting together outside of work to celebrate Labor Day and aviation during the company's 15th anniversary."



Constant Aviation will have a display of its own at the air show including one of its AOG service vans, which travel the country providing onsite aircraft maintenance, and a ground support equipment van featuring a Williams FJ44-3AP Engine. The company is actively recruiting for a wide range of positions including technicians with expertise in avionics, AMT (News - Alert) , paint, wire harness and others, to join the Constant Aviation team in Cleveland and other locations. Many of the technical positions are offering $2,000 signing bonuses. Human resource professionals will be on site to answer questions from prospective employees.

In addition to the F-16 Falcons flown by the Thunderbirds, the air show will feature other outstanding military aircraft including the U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog"; the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III; the Louisiana Air National Guard F-15 Eagle; and the Ohio Air National Guard C-130 Hercules. In addition, the U.S. Army's elite Golden Knights parachute team will perform, and the U.S. Coast Guard will perform a search and rescue demonstration with the HH-65C Dolphin. Orlando Sanford International Airport (ICAO: KSFB), where Constant Aviation has its other large full-service facility, hosted the Thunderbirds last year. Constant Aviation will once again be providing hangar space and support for the Thunderbirds at Sanford for the 2021 Orlando Air and Space Show on October 16-17, 2021. About Constant Aviation Constant Aviation specializes in aircraft and engine maintenance, major repairs, avionics, interiors and paint. In addition, it offers mobile response services through its AOG division, and accessory and composite services through its Nextant Aerospace division. With more than 15 years of expertise in a comprehensive array of business jet airframes, Constant Aviation has raised the bar in aircraft maintenance expectations by focusing on quality, always. In 2021, Constant Aviation became the official aircraft maintenance and AOG support of the NHRA and the title sponsor of the NHRA Factory Stock Showdown class. Constant Aviation is a member of the Directional Aviation family of private aviation companies. For more information, visit https://www.constantaviation.com/ or call 216.261.7119. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005373/en/

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[August 30, 2021] CoreLogic Investor Homebuying Report Shows Slowing Purchase Activity Amid Shifting Market Dynamics - A Decade in Review

CoreLogic, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, shared its Investor Homebuying report highlighting home U.S. purchase trends between 2011 and 2020. In the report, CoreLogic investigates activity nationally by both price tier and investor size and looks at which regions have had the most and least activity. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005077/en/ U.S. Investor Homebuying Rates: Top Ten MSAs 2011 vs. 2020, according to CoreLogic (Graphic: Business Wire) A decade ago, there was a flurry of home purchase activity following the 2006 housing market crash as investors began capitalizing on low-cost, high-growth properties. However, this purchase activity peaked in 2018 and since then, the pace of investment has slowed. In 2019, the investment rate (the share of home purchases made by investors) in the U.S. housing market was 16.3%, and by 2020, it had slowed to 15.5%. Despite the decreasing rates, overall, investors have maintained a strong presence in the market during te last 10 years. Smaller investors are making up a more significant share of investors than at any point in the past and continue to gain their market share at the expense of their larger counterparts. This is likely due to large out-migration from expensive areas to more affordable ones, allowing smaller investors to snap up properties at lower rates.



"At this critical juncture - the first year into the new decade and continually moving farther away from the pandemic - when the hot housing market cools down, we may see investor activity increase as they try to buy more properties at lower prices," said Molly Boesel, principal economist at CoreLogic. "Although investors seem to have given some of their coveted market share to buyers, it's hard to say how long this trend will last - or what the long-term implications will be on a larger scale." State and Metro Takeaways

California dominated investor activity in 2011, with Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Stockton and Riverside all in the top 10 areas with the highest investor activity. Despite this, no California metro areas made the top 10 in 2020.

Cities in the Mountain West, the western Midwest and the South led investment activity by 2020, and investment has grown in metro areas like Boise, Idaho; Phoenix and Salt Lake City, as they tend to have lower prices and growing populations fueled by out-migration in California.

Conversely, investor activity was the lowest in the Northeast over the past decade, with eight of the bottom 10 metro areas representing the region. Hartford, Connecticut, had the lowest investor share at just 8%. View the report here. Methodology This report uses the industry leading CoreLogic public record database. An investor is defined as an entity (individual or corporate) who retained three or more single-family properties simultaneously within the past 10 years. This report enhances the definition of an investor purchase that was introduced in a 2019 CoreLogic report. The previous report identified an investor purchase by looking for a corporate or non-individual identifier on the deed. Examples include LLCs, CORPs, and INCs, to name a few. This report includes those purchases but in addition, uses probabilistic record linkage methods to identify more investor purchases by seeing how many properties a person with the same name and address retains at any one time. About CoreLogic CoreLogic is a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider. The company's combined data from public, contributory and proprietary sources includes over 4.5 billion records spanning more than 50 years, providing detailed coverage of property, mortgages and other encumbrances, consumer credit, tenancy, location, hazard risk and related performance information. The markets CoreLogic serves include real estate and mortgage finance, insurance, capital markets, and the public sector. CoreLogic delivers value to clients through unique data, analytics, workflow technology, advisory and managed services. Clients rely on CoreLogic to help identify and manage growth opportunities, improve performance and mitigate risk. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., CoreLogic operates in North America, Western Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.corelogic.com. CORELOGIC, and the CoreLogic logo are trademarks of CoreLogic, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005077/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Fibre Channel Industry Leaders Honored in Annual InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards Awards Program

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA) today announced the InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS) has recognized the technical expertise and effective committee management of four Fibre Channel industry leaders as part of its 2021 Annual Awards Program. The program provides the opportunity for the INCITS community to acknowledge those INCITS supporters that have participated in standards development activities. Roger Cummings was given the highest honor of the program as the recipient of the INCITS Lifetime Achievement Award. This is an award presented to no more than one INCITS participant annually who has demonstrated a long-time commitment to INCITS and its standardization activities. A pioneer in the Fibre Channel industry and the founding Chairman of the T11 Technical Committee, Roger has been an active participant and frequent officer in industry standards groups for more than 30 years. He has held key detailed design and architecture positions in UK, Canada and the U.S., and is the author of many tutorials and major conference presentations. "Roger's contributions to the technical development and marketing of the Fibre Channelstandard can't be overstated," said Steve Wilson, current chairman, T11 Technical Committee. "He helped to ensure from the beginning that Fibre Channel was designed for high throughput applications with minimal latencies, data integrity and guaranteed delivery and was instrumental in its continued innovation."



In addition, two INCITS Technical Excellence Awards were bestowed on Fibre Channel Industry leaders: Anil Mehta, principal design engineer at Broadcom and Raul Oteyza, principal engineer at Marvell. Also, Jason Rusch, software development engineer at VIAVI Solutions received the INCITS Service Award. Anil, Raul and Jason have all demonstrated thought leadership in the development of Fibre Channel and are active participants in the T11 Technical Committee. "Anil, Raul and Jason have been primary technical contributors to Fibre Channel protocol and a guiding influence as we continue to progress," said Wilson. "We are grateful for their efforts and look forward to their continued contributions for shaping the future of the standard."

To learn more about why Fibre Channel is the storage networking protocol of choice for enterprise data centers, subscribe to the FCIA YouTube channel or watch the next live webcast scheduled for September 15, 10:00 a.m. PDT, or after on demand, titled: "Inside a Modern Fibre Channel Architecture - Part 1." To tune in to this educational presentation by Patty Driever, IBM; Dave Peterson, Broadcom; Craig Carlson, Marvell and David Rodgers, Teledyne LeCroy, reserve your spot here. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fibre-channel-industry-leaders-honored-in-annual-international-committee-for-information-technology-standards-awards-program-301364769.html SOURCE Fibre Channel Industry Association

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[August 30, 2021] Generational Equity Advises Spectrum Engineering Corporation in its Sale to EN Engineering

Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Spectrum (News - Alert) Engineering Corporation to EN Engineering. The transaction closed July 23, 2021. Founded in 1979 and Located in Auburn, Indiana, Spectrum Engineering provides high-quality electric power engineering, consulting, design, testing, and commissioning services to municipalities, universities, industrial clients, and government agencies. In 1985, the Company recognized a need for reliable high-speed relay communication between electric power substations and became involved with evaluating and designing fiber-optical telecommunication solutions. Today, the Company provides not only the electric power services for which it was known in the beginning, but also a wide array of telecommunication services. These include conducting feasibility studies, preparing detailed business plans, and tailoring systems designs for each client's unique telecommunication needs. EN Engineering (EN), headquartered in Warrenville, Illinois provides engineering, consulting, and environmental services to restore and expand infrastructures, enhance and streamline systems, and identify and record key assets for clients including pipeline operators, utilities, and industrial companies. As one of the fastest growing engineering firms in the country, the opportunities are endless for employees who are passionate, curious, and client focused. With this acquisition, EN Engineering will build upon its strong position in the electric power and gas utility markets with added presence in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, and other surrounding states. Spectrum Engineering's strengths will also add to EN's growing communications engineering platform through the addition of Spectrum's fiber optic, data center, and telecom services. "We are very excited to expand EN's transmission and substation engineering, protection and controls, and SCADA services for utilities," said Steve Knowles, CEO of EN Engineering. "Spectrum Engineering's solid reputation for excellence and integrity aligns well with the vision and values we hold t EN. The company will fit very well with our team and will expand EN's capabilities, geographic presence, and customer base."



Scott Bowles, president of Spectrum Engineering said, "We are excited to become partners with EN Engineering, a top-level engineering firm whose values and philosophy are very similar to ours. We were attracted to EN for the company culture and the growth platform that we believe will help accelerate our expansion." Generational Equity Executive Managing Director of M&A - Central Region, Michael Goss, and his team lead by Managing Director M&A, Jerry Yocum, with support from Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions, Ryan Johnson, successfully closed the deal. Senior Managing Director, Eric Colton, established the original relationship with Spectrum Engineering.

"This was one of the smoothest deals I have been involved with. Both sides worked very well through out the process. It will be a great partnership going forward," said Yocum. About Generational Equity Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America. With over 250 professionals located throughout North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. Their six-step approach features strategic and tactical growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A transactional services, and wealth management. The M&A Advisor named the company the 2017 and 2018 Investment Banking Firm of the Year and Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020. For more information, visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005067/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Harris Williams Advises Riggs Distler & Company, Inc. on its Sale to Centuri Group, Inc.

Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it advised Riggs Distler & Company, Inc. (Riggs Distler), a portfolio company of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (Oaktree), on its sale to Centuri Group, Inc. (Centuri), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SWX; SWGH). Riggs Distler is a leading provider of power and utility services throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Under the terms of the transaction, Centuri acquired a 100% ownership interest in Riggs Distler for $855 million. The transaction was led by Drew Spitzer, Matt White, Greg Waller, Thomas Saunders and Phil Hart of the Harris Williams Energy, Power & Infrastructure (EPI) Group.



Riggs Distler, based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is one of the largest utility contractors in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The company has established itself as a leading provider of turnkey network and infrastructure maintenance, repair and upgrade solutions, with a focus on critical electric and gas services for clients in the power, industrial and utility industries. The company also sits at the forefront of several energy transition megatrends, with capabilities in smart meters, energy storage, EV charging infrastructure and renewables. In addition to its turnkey solutions for utility providers, Riggs Distler is the only provider in the region with a full suite of civil, mechanical, electrical and fabrication capabilities. Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $156 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2021. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, private equity, real assets and listed equities. The firm has over 1,000 employees and offices in 19 cities worldwide.

Centuri is a comprehensive utility infrastructure services enterprise dedicated to delivering a diverse array of solutions to North American gas and electric providers. Through sound investment, shared services, and an unwavering commitment to the safety of its employees and the communities it serves, Centuri supports the performance of its operating companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. Centuri is a subsidiary of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SWX). Harris Williams, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, advocates for sellers and buyers of companies worldwide through critical milestones and provides thoughtful advice during the lives of their businesses. By collaborating as one firm across Industry Groups and geographies, the firm helps its clients achieve outcomes that support their objectives and strategically create value. Harris Williams is committed to execution excellence and to building enduring, valued relationships that are based on mutual trust. Harris Williams is a subsidiary of the PNC (News - Alert) Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). The Harris Williams EPI Group has significant experience advising market leading providers of technology, services and products across a broad range of sectors. These sectors include energy management; infrastructure services; utility services; testing, inspection, and certification services; environmental services; engineering and construction; power products and technology; and energy technology. For more information on the Group's experience, please visit the EPI Group's section of the Harris Williams website. Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005377/en/

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[August 30, 2021] HCA Healthcare Announces $250,000 Contribution to Tennessee Flood Relief Efforts

HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA), one of the nation's leading healthcare providers, and the HCA Healthcare Foundation today announced a combined $250,000 in contributions to support relief efforts by charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross, in Dickson, Hickman and Humphreys counties that were affected by the disastrous floods in Middle Tennessee. On August 22, 2021, record rainfall caused a devastating flood in Middle Tennessee that killed 20 people and destroyed hundreds of homes, leaving many members of the community without adequate shelter and supplies. HCA Healthcare affiliate hospital TriStar Horizon Medical Center is located in Dickson, Tennessee and serves many of the hardest hit areas. Waverly, Tennessee and the other affected areas in Humphreys County, which is home to approximately 20 percent of the total employee base at TriStar Horizon Medical Center, suffered significant property damage and lost loved ones. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic flooding that occurred and continues to affect many of our colleagues and neighbors in Middle Tennessee," said Sam Hazen, chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare. "I'm grateful for our hospital teams and the care they provided during a challenging time, and we are honored to be a part of the relief efforts as the community begins to rebuild and recover." Prior to the storm, TriStar Horizon Medical Center took measures to help ensure the hospital had enough staff, medications, supplies, food, water and power to operate and care for patients during and after the storm. Over the past several days, TriStar Horizon's Emergency Room has been caring for many patients who were injured as a result of the storm. Immediately following the storm, colleagues from HCA Healthcare and TriStar Health came on-site to assist and volunteer at the hospital and brought along supplies and donations for the community. "This is a difficult time for our community, but I am inspired by how our clleagues and friends have stepped up to help those affected by the disastrous floods," said Jason Boyd, chief executive officer of TriStar Horizon Medical Center. "I am confident that the charities receiving this funding will help make a meaningful impact on our road to recovery."



HCA Healthcare and the HCA Healthcare Foundation will contribute to the following organizations: American Red Cross - $100,000

Community Resource Center (CRC) - $50,000

Dickson County Help Center - $25,000

Humphreys Homeless Fund at First Federal Bank in Waverly - $25,000

United Way Humphreys County - $25,000

YMCA Dickson County - $25,000 To support colleagues in this and other disasters, HCA Healthcare established the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund-an employee-run, employee-supported 501(c)(3) charity that provides financial aid and resources to employees after extended illness, injury, disaster or other special situations. In 2020, the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund provided more than $10.6 million in grants that helped more than 4,900 families.

Over the last five years, HCA Healthcare has provided more than $4.5 million in financial support to the Red Cross for disaster relief efforts, including the tornadoes in Middle Tennessee in 2020 and the winter storms in Texas in 2021. HCA Healthcare supports the Red Cross through a yearly $500,000 contribution to the organization's Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), which helps the Red Cross to respond immediately to disasters, help families during the recovery process and prepare people for future emergencies. About HCA Healthcare Nashville-based HCA Healthcare is one of the nation's leading providers of healthcare services comprising 187 hospitals and approximately 2,000 ambulatory sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, and physician clinics, in 20 states and the United Kingdom. With its founding in 1968, HCA Healthcare created a new model for hospital care in the United States, using combined resources to strengthen hospitals, deliver patient-focused care and improve the practice of medicine. HCA Healthcare has conducted a number of clinical studies, including one that demonstrated that full-term delivery is healthier than early elective delivery of babies and another that identified a clinical protocol that can reduce bloodstream infections in ICU patients by 44 percent. HCA Healthcare is a learning health system that uses its more than 32 million annual patient encounters to advance science, improve patient care and save lives. Please click here to connect with HCA Healthcare on social media. About TriStar Health TriStar Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare provider in the region, comprised of ten hospitals, 21 imaging centers, 110 physician offices, five freestanding ERs, seven outpatient surgery centers, 16 CareNow Urgent Care centers and ten medical parks. TriStar Health provides the latest in clinical technology and innovative procedures while delivering high quality care. The TriStar Health network had over 2.2 million encounters last year, including 377,824 ER visits, 97,583 inpatient admissions, and 7,560 babies delivered, and provides $132 million annually in uncompensated care. The network is supported by over 1,400 physicians and 10,000 employees - including more than 4,000 nurses - who, above all else, are committed to the care and improvement of human life. TriStar Health is an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation's leading providers of healthcare services. Learn more at TriStarHealth.com. All references to "Company," "HCA" and "HCA Healthcare" as used throughout this document refer to HCA Healthcare, Inc. and its affiliates View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005487/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Homespire Mortgage Recognized Again Within 2021 America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies List - the Inc. 5000

For the fourth time, national award-winning residential mortgage lender Homespire Mortgage has made the Inc. 5000's list of "America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies." This prestigious list showcases America's most successful independent small businesses that have seen exceptional development and expansion, with companies ranked by their yearly revenue growth over a three-year period. For the 2021 list, Homespire had a strong showing that was fueled by a year of record-breaking sales volume and territory expansion, ranking 1680th overall, 98th in the Financial Services industry, 109th in the Washington, D.C. metro area and 56th in Maryland. "It is an honor for Homespire Mortgage to be included on this acclaimed list for a fourth year," said Michael Rappaport, President of Homespire Mortgage. "This recognition is a testament to our strategic focus on growth and expansion, fueled by our passion for opening the doors of homeownership to families across the nation and driven by our greatest source of success - our dedicated people." For decades, the Inc. 5000 program has celebrated innovation, highlighting the achievements of the nation's top growing companies and entrepreneurial leaders. The companies included on this year's list have proven especially resilient and flexible given the challenges of 2020, averaging a median three-year growth rate of 543%, with median revenue reaching $11.1 million. Together, these companies also added more than 610,000 jobs over the past three years. "The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled," said Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. "Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis we've lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people." To see the complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and interative database, visit www.inc.com/inc5000. The top 500 companies will be featured in the September issue of Inc., available now.



About Homespire Mortgage Corp. At Homespire Mortgage, we live for those high-five moments - when we've helped our homebuyers responsibly and affordably finance their dream of homeownership. That's what drives us and we've built a nationally recognized mortgage company, fusing innovative mortgage and marketing technology with the power of the human spirit to create a mortgage experience that Borrowers trust, Realtors recommend and Employees take pride in.

Why purple? It says everything about who we arebreaking the mold, creating new and vibrant energy that just can't be ignored. And it's not bragging if you can back it up. Funding over $2.4 billion in 2020, Homespire Mortgage is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, operating 32 branches and licensed across 42 states and is nationally recognized on the Inc. 5000's List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies. The company is proudly recognized by National Mortgage News as a "Best Mortgage Company to Work for" and as a "2021 Top Workplaces in the USA". Learn more about our award-winning company at www.homespiremortgage.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. About Inc. Media The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including web sites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Vision Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com. For more information on the Inc. 5000 Vision Conference, visit http://conference.inc.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005040/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Leading Japanese FX Company SBI Liquidity Market Expands smartTrade Partnership With Fully Managed Services

smartTrade Technologies, a pioneer in multi-asset electronic trading solutions, announces today an expanded partnership with SBI Liquidity Market, a Japanese leading FX infrastructure solution and liquidity provider. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005003/en/ smartTrade will provide support for SBI FXTRADE's cryptocurrency derivative trading operations, which complement the existing FX business of SBI Liquidity Market. As part of the agreement, SBI has also moved its trading facility into smartTrade's Tokyo data center to ensure its infrastructure is constantly monitored and refreshed as their business grows, as well as to take advantage of smartTrade's fully managed services including enhanced security and redundancy capabilities. The expansion comes as both retail and institutional interest in cryptocurrency trading continues to soar in the Japanese market. SBI has been a smartTrade client since 2013, when the company chose LiquidityFX as its connectivity, aggregaion and smart order routing partner to achieve best execution. Three years later SBI added smartTrade's award-winning pricing and distribution modules to grow its business outside Japan and provide liquidity to the rest of Asia.



David Vincent, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of smartTrade Technologies, said: "This unprecedented and volatile year demonstrated the need for high performance trading infrastructure capable of withstanding all circumstances. We're pleased that what we've been able to offer leading companies such as SBI such resilience. Today's announcement is a vote of confidence that we will continue to work together with our customers to deliver them the infrastructure they need to succeed." Itsushi Morimoto, Executive Director, SBI Liquidity Market, said: "SBI has been utilizing smartTrade's Connectivity, Aggregation and Distribution system for years to power our foreign exchange business. We are pleased to grow this relationship as we increasingly work to meet our clients growing requirements and desire to trade in a wide variety of digital currencies. smartTrade has been the best kind of partner - one that adapts with the business, supporting our change and growth."

About SBI Liquidity Market SBI Liquidity Market is a part of the SBI Group, Japan's largest on-line financial conglomerate, that provides various FX and derivatives services for the Group and external clients. Keeping with the customer-centric principles of the SBI Group, we maintain the highest levels of professionalism and expertise to deliver price-competitive, user-friendly, and reliable FX services to our customers. About smartTrade smartTrade Technologies, pioneer of multi-asset electronic trading solutions, offers innovative technology allowing you to focus on your trading and grow your business while quickly adapting to changing market requirements. smartTrade provides agile end-to-end trading solutions supporting Foreign Exchange, Fixed Income, Equities, Derivatives (including Options), Cryptocurrencies and Money Markets. Our solutions offer connectivity to over 130 liquidity providers, aggregation, smart order routing, order management, pricing, distribution, risk management and fully customizable HTML5 user interface. smartTrade works with a variety of clients ranging from banks, brokers and asset managers to corporate firms. LiquidityFX for Foreign Exchange and smartFI for Fixed Income are provided as a fully managed and hosted service, colocated in all the main marketplaces globally. smartAnalytics, our multi-asset Big Data analysis solution, allows the creation of historical or real time dashboards and reports to interact more effectively with markets and end customers. For more information, visit www.smart-trade.net View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005003/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Leidos Donates $1M to Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering

RESTON, Va., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a FORTUNE 500 science and technology leader, today announced a $1 million donation toward the construction of a new state-of-the-art academic and residential facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The donation will bring new advancements to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) and will further Leidos' commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education for students across the state. "We're proud to invest in Huntsville's future and support the pioneering technology coming out of Alabama," said Leidos Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Roger Krone. "This donation is our commitment to the future. It also addresses the ongoing need for a 21st century workforce of skilled science and engineering professionals. We're excited to be part of this effort, providing students with the education and skills they need to thrive." ASCTE is one of three public magnet high schools serving students throughout the state of Alabama. It is currently the only public high school in the nation to integrate cyber technology and engineering into all academic disciplines. The school actively promotes STEM education for a diverse population, including 37% female and 35% African American students in its enrollment. ASCTE's mission is to ensure all students achieve high levels of learning with a focus on embedding cyber protections into the engineering lifecycle. This mission is critical in meeting current and future workforce needs in these fields. While attending ASCTE, students gain valuable insights through internships, field experiences and cooperative learning, thus preparing them for either postsecondary education or the workforce. "We are very excited to welcome Leidos as an ASCTE Partner in Education," said ASCTE President, Matt Massey. "Donations from our industry partners are being used to construct a state-of-the-art academic and residential facility to educate students from across the state. Support from Leidos and other industry partners helps us provide a robust program to educate future industry professionals and leaders." About ASCTE The Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) is the nation's only high school focused on the integration of cyber technology and engineering into all academic disciplines. ASCTE is a public, residential magnet high school serving students throughout the state of Alabama. Tuition is free.







ASCTE Contact: Aleta Stender

(256) 489-3700

aleta.stender@ascte.org

About Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company's 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $12.30 billion for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. Leidos Contact: Melissa Duenas

(571) 526-6850

Duenasml@leidos.com





Thomas Doheny

(571) 474-4735

dohenyt@leidos.com





Victor Melara

(703) 431-4612

victor.a.melara@leidos.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leidos-donates-1m-to-alabama-school-of-cyber-technology-and-engineering-301365406.html SOURCE Leidos

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[August 30, 2021] Lenovo and RealWear Join Forces to Bring Assisted Reality Solutions to Enterprise Customers

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY), a global technology leader, and RealWear, the world's leading provider of assisted reality solutions for frontline industrial workers, today announced a global collaboration to bring assisted reality solutions to enterprise customers. The combined technologies and resources of both companies will enable customers to select, deploy and scale right-fit extended reality (XR) technologies worldwide. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005088/en/ RealWear HMT-1 with ThinkReality (Photo: Business Wire) Extended Collaboration for the Global Enterprise XR Market Under the collaboration, Lenovo (News - Alert) has certified the RealWear HMT-1 devices for use on its ThinkReality platform, expanding frontline workers' access to optimized, hands-free 2D applications. Additionally, Lenovo will offer RealWear's HMT-1 family of assisted reality wearable devices through its global sales network. A cloud and device-agnostic solution for enterprise deployments, ThinkReality is among the world's most powerful and flexible enterprise XR software. The platform provides enterprise customers with advanced development and management tools, including a software development kit, content and device management services, enterprise integration, a robust developer portal, and ready-to-use microservices. ThinkReality also includes turn-key certified solutions for vital XR applications from remote assistance, guided workflow and training to remote data visualization and design collaboration. Customers using devices on the ThinkReality platform have access to these common use case applications immediately without needing to spend additional time or money on content development. With the addition of the RealWear HMT-1, Lenovo's ThinkReality platform now supports a full range of solutions across the XR spectrum. These XR solutions include the 'reality first, digital second' experience of assisted reality through the RealWear HMT-1 to the 'immersive but not isolating' experience of the new ThinkReality A3 smart glasses and the 'world-focused' ThinkReality A6 with transparent lenses, as well as the fully immersive experience of virtual reality (VR) with the Lenovo Mirage VRS3 all-in-one VR headset.



The RealWear HMT-1 monocular device, the leading ruggedized head-mounted intelligent wearable, gives industrial workers real-time access to information and expertise, while keeping their hands and field of view free for work. The RealWear device allows workers to use voice-controlled commands - even in high noise environments - to collaborate with remote experts or navigate through complex workflows to reduce procedural errors. RealWear is fully compatible with worker Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), purpose-built for industry and enterprise, and features the category's only 'full shift' hot-swappable battery. The RealWear HMT-1 works with hundreds of powerful software applications from RealWear Ready solution partners, each optimized for completely hands-free voice control. That means no scrolling, swiping, hand gestures, or tapping - just simple voice commands. The HMT-1 can be used for remote mentor video calling, document navigation, guided workflow, mobile forms and industrial IoT data visualization. The device boasts more than 200 voice-controlled apps for hundreds of industrial use cases.

"To fulfill the ThinkReality vision of making it easier than ever to build, deploy, and manage enterprise XR solutions at scale, Lenovo is collaborating with a growing ecosystem of hardware and software solution providers," said Jon Pershke, Vice President of Strategy and Emerging Business Development, Lenovo Intelligent Devices Group. "The addition of RealWear's field-proven monocular device on the ThinkReality platform means we'll be able to support an even larger and growing number of enterprise customers as they equip industrial frontline workers with cutting-edge XR technology that improves workplace safety and drive unprecedented ROI." "Our collaboration with Lenovo will provide a rich and powerful experience for frontline workers while enhancing worker safety," said Sanjay Jhawar, Co-founder and President, RealWear. "We're excited to help bring the benefits of HMT-1 assisted reality solutions to Lenovo's enterprise customers globally, leveraging a strong ecosystem of collaboration and productivity software tools for digital transformation. Additionally, we look forward to expanding our cooperation with Lenovo in the future across a range of end-user experience driven initiatives." Powerful Ecosystem of Support and Services Lenovo serves enterprise customers in 180 markets around the world. The company's focus on quality and security is why Lenovo has been a trusted supplier to commercial customers and local/national government agencies around the world since 2005. In 2019, more than 300 of the world's Fortune 500 companies bought Lenovo technology products. The ThinkReality platform and devices are supported by Lenovo Integrated Solution Services (LISS), a global end-to-end service program that supports the relevant hardware, software, and services to provide an advanced level of care throughout a solution's lifecycle. Contact your local Lenovo or RealWear sales representative to find out more. About Lenovo Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$60 billion revenue Fortune Global 500 company serving customers in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that power (through devices and infrastructure) and empower (through solutions, services and software) millions of customers every day and together create a more inclusive, trustworthy and sustainable digital society for everyone, everywhere. To find out more visit https://www.lenovo.com and read about the latest news via our StoryHub. About RealWear RealWear is the world's leading provider of assisted reality wearable solutions that engage, empower, and elevate the modern frontline industrial worker to perform work tasks more safely, and with increased efficiency and precision. RealWear give these workers real-time access to information and expertise, while keeping their hands and field of view free for work. Workers use voice-controlled commands - even in high noise environments - to collaborate with remote experts or navigate through workflows. RealWear is fully compatible with worker PPE, purpose-built for industry and enterprise, and features the only "all shift" battery. RealWear is field proven with world-class customers, including Shell, Goodyear, Mars, Colgate-Palmolive, and BMW, who have used it to improve workplace safety while delivering unprecedented ROI. RealWear is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington in the United States, with local offices in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Korea, along with a new customer experience center in Dubai. RealWear's number one position was further strengthened with triple (3X) year-over-year growth in 2020. The company has shipped wearable devices to more than 3,000 unique enterprise customers worldwide in a range of industries, including Energy, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Automotive, and Telecommunications. For more information, visit www.realwear.com. LENOVO and THINKREALITY are trademarks of Lenovo. REALWEAR and HMT-1 are trademarks of RealWear Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2020, Lenovo Group Limited. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005088/en/

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[August 30, 2021] New AMN Study Shows Growing Diversity of Languages Spoken in Healthcare Encounters

In a clear sign of the nation's growing diversity, more than 50 languages other than English are commonly used in daily encounters between patients and healthcare providers in the United States, according to the 2021 Healthcare World Languages Index compiled by AMN Languages Services, a division of AMN Healthcare (NYSE: AMN). The new report is based on more than 110 million minutes of interpretation services the company provided over the last 12 months for patients in hospitals, medical groups, and other clinical settings. "The pattern is clear," said Maureen Huber, President of AMN Healthcare Workforce Technology Solutions (News - Alert) . "From Mandarin to Arabic to Swahili to Hmong, and many others, patients in U.S. healthcare facilities are speaking a broader array of languages than ever before." According to the report, the top ten most common languages nationally in healthcare encounters requiring interpretation are Spanish, languages commonly spoken in China (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Arabic, American Sign Language (ASL), Russian, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Korean. By far the most frequently used language other than English, Spanish is spoken in 74% of non-English patient-healthcare provider encounters nationally. Hawaii (Mandarin), Vermont (Nepali) and Maine (Arabic) are the only three states in which Spanish is not the most spoken language other than English. Vietnamese is the second most spoken language, but when Mandarin and Cantonese are combined, the languages commonly spoken in China represent the second most spoken language other than English. A Growing LEP Population Huber noted recent U.S. Census Bureau data indicating that 67 million people in the United States now speak a language other than English at home - a number that has doubled since 1990 and tripled since 1980. This trend has resulted in a growing number of LEP patients - healthcare consumers with Limited English Proficiency who require interpretation services to ensure appropriate care. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), languge barriers put 9% of U.S. patients at risk for an adverse safety event. To ensure equal access to healthcare, Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act requires that interpretation services be provided to LEP patients at facilities that benefit from federal funding.



Top Languages by State In addition to listing the top languages spoken in healthcare encounters nationally, the report identifies the top ten languages other than English spoken in healthcare encounters by state. Findings from the report for top ten languages show:

47 states include Mandarin

47 states include Arabic

38 states include Vietnamese

26 states include a sub-Saharan language

26 states include Russian

24 states include Korean Underscoring America's status as a land of asylum, many of the top languages originate in countries that have experienced violence or turmoil, including Vietnam, Somalia, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Haiti. The report indicates that the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in healthcare encounters is relatively common. ASL ranked second behind Spanish as the most commonly used language other than English in 13 states and the District of Columbia. According to the Communication Services for the Deaf, a global organization providing resources and technologies for the deaf and hard of hearing community, approximately 1 million people in the United States now use ASL as their primary way to communicate. A copy of AMN Healthcare's 2021 Healthcare World Language Index may be obtained at https://www.amnhealthcare.com/2021-healthcare-world-language-index/. About AMN Healthcare AMN Healthcare is the leader and innovator in total talent solutions for healthcare organizations across the nation. The Company provides access to the most comprehensive network of quality healthcare professionals through its innovative recruitment strategies and breadth of career opportunities. With insights and expertise, AMN Healthcare helps providers optimize their workforce to successfully reduce complexity, increase efficiency and improve patient outcomes. AMN total talent solutions include managed services programs, clinical and interim healthcare leaders, temporary staffing, executive search solutions, vendor management systems, recruitment process outsourcing, predictive modeling, language interpretation services, revenue cycle solutions, credentialing and other services. Clients include acute-care hospitals, community health centers and clinics, physician practice groups, retail and urgent care centers, home health facilities, schools and many other healthcare settings. AMN Healthcare is committed to fostering and maintaining a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. Our commitment to the inclusion of many different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives enables our innovation and leadership in the healthcare services industry. For more information about AMN Healthcare, visit www.amnhealthcare.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005075/en/

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[August 30, 2021]

Valmet to supply a paper machine grade conversion rebuild to one of its major customers in Indonesia

HELSINKI, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Valmet will supply a paper machine grade conversion rebuild to one of its major customers in Indonesia. In the project, paper machine, which was originally producing fine paper grades, will be rebuilt to produce brown grades. The start-up of the rebuilt paper machine is scheduled for 2022.

The order was included in Valmet's orders received of the second quarter 2021. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The value of an order of this type is typically around EUR 20-30 million.

"Our earlier good projects with the customer, along with other references and high-level technology, especially the forming section with shoe and blade technology, were significant advantages and differentiation factors for Valmet. This has also been one of the good showcases to present our wide product portfolio  the widest in the market  including new products for small and medium-size machinery from Valmet's acquisition from last year," says Veli-Matti Miskala, Sales Manager, Valmet.

Technical details about the delivery

Valmet's grade conversion delivery will include a forming section rebuild into OptiFormer Gap with shoe and blade technology, a new IntelliPress shoe press as part of press section rebuild, pre- and after-dryer section rebuilds, a new IntelliReel reel with transfer rails and process ventilation and runnability equipment for the board machine. The delivery will also include Valmet DNA automation system for machine controls, spare parts and consumables packages related to the machinery in the delivery. This combination of technology and automation will provide high-quality end-products and a significant capacity increase of the production line.







VALMET??

Corporate Communications?

For further information, please contact:?



Tinggar Urip Simeon, Director, Indonesia and Malaysia Region, Valmet, tel. +6281113310213

Mika Ollikainen, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Board and Paper Mills, Valmet, tel. +358 45 2711711??

Valmet is the leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. We aim to become the global champion in serving our customers.?

Valmet's strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bioenergy production. Our advanced services and automation solutions improve the reliability and performance of our customers' processes and enhance the effective utilization of raw materials and energy.?? ??

Valmet's net sales in 2020?were approximately EUR 3.7?billion. Our 14,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.??

Read more?www.valmet.com,?www.twitter.com/valmetglobal?? ?

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[August 30, 2021] Wells Fargo NeighborhoodLIFT Program Creates Pathways to Homeownership

Sixty-two percent of Philadelphia households spend at least 30% of their income on housing costs. The problem is particularly acute for renters with incomes below $30,000 per year, with 68% of them paying at least 50% of their income toward housing, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005080/en/ Joyce Bell received home down payment assistance at the Philadelphia NeighborhoodLIFT event in 2016. Today's expansion of the NeighborhoodLIFT program follows similar initiatives in 2012 and 2016 that created more than 1,000 homeowners in Philadelphia with a combined $16 million provided by Wells Fargo (News - Alert) . (Photo: Wells Fargo) To address this ongoing issue, vice chairman of Wells Fargo Public Affairs Bill Daley announced the NeighborhoodLIFT program today in front of the West Philadelphia home of Roy Washington, who received down payment assistance at a previous LIFT initiative in Philadelphia. The $5 million LIFT collaboration is funded by the Wells Fargo Foundation to boost homeownership in Philadelphia for low- and moderate-income individuals in collaboration with NeighborWorks America and its network member Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Greater Berks, Inc. The NeighborhoodLIFT program will offer $15,000 in down payment assistance to approximately 300 eligible homebuyers. NeighborWorks network members New Kensington Community Development Corp. (NKCDC) and HACE are also partners in the program and will provide required homebuyer education. "Housing affordability has been an issue for some time in Philadelphia, and the pandemic intensified the fact that too many people are paying a significant portion of their income on rent and mortgages," said Bill Daley, vice chairman of Wells Fargo Public Affairs. "This initiative will make a positive impact on the lives of families by putting them on a pathway to housing stability, wellness, and wealth accumulation through successful homeownership." LIFT programs have created more than 1,000 Philadelphia homeowners Today's expansion of the NeighborhoodLIFT program is Wells Fargo's 81st LIFT launch and follows similar Philadelphia initiatives in 2012 and 2016 that created more than 1,000 homeowners with a combined $16 million provided by Wells Fargo. The 2021 expansion of the initiative in Philadelphia includes $250,000 for 500 people to receive home ownership counseling so they can learn how to navigate the home purchasing process and determine how to best budge for ongoing homeownership costs.



"This important collaboration will assist more than 300 homeowners while maintaining social distancing guidelines via a virtual platform," said Joanie Straussman Brandon, regional vice president, Northeast Region, NeighborWorks America. "In addition, the required homebuyer education provided by trained professionals will help homebuyers better understand financial commitments of homeownership, from differences in mortgage loans, to property taxes, and more." Roy Washington and his fiancee, Tanya, purchased a home through the LIFT program in Philadelphia in 2013. "The LIFT process was very helpful. They told us what steps we needed to take to buy a house and financial things we needed to put in place," said Washington. "Now I have peace of mind that I can do what I want. It's a blessing to have something to call your own. God is good all the time."

Eligible homebuyers must earn 80% or less of family median income in Philadelphia, as determined by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. In Philadelphia the income limit is $54,000 for all borrowers. Participating homebuyers can obtain mortgage financing from any participating NeighborhoodLIFT lender, and NHS of Greater Berks, Inc. will determine eligibility and administer the down payment assistance. "We are ready to help more Philadelphians bounce back from the pandemic and achieve successful and sustainable homeownership," said Daniel Sansary, executive director, NHS of Greater Berks, Inc. "NeighborhoodLIFT is a unique program and we are thrilled to have it back in our community for a third time to help people transition to homeownership." Homebuyers can view a list of participating lenders, learn about the steps to apply for down payment assistance, and sign-up for homebuyer education with a HUD-approved provider at www.phillylift.org. Applications for down payment assistance may be submitted beginning Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at 9 a.m. ET. Committed to housing affordability Since 2012, Wells Fargo has invested $521 million in NeighborhoodLIFT and other LIFT programs to help more than 25,100 Americans become homeowners through the purchase of more than $4.86 billion in real estate on an aggregate basis. While the LIFT program is focused on serving low- and moderate-income families regardless of race or ethnicity, the majority of LIFT homeowners represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color with 25% of all LIFT down payment assistance recipients self-identifying as Black homeowners and 29% representing Hispanic households. These grants are part of Wells Fargo's housing affordability philanthropic commitment to address community needs in response to COVID-19. Since March of last year, Wells Fargo has provided more than $25 million in grant funding to national nonprofit housing and legal assistance organizations in support of housing counseling, renter stabilization, and eviction avoidance. About NeighborWorks America and its network members Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks, NKCDC, and HACE are chartered members of NeighborWorks America, a national organization that creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their communities. NeighborWorks America supports a network of nearly 250 nonprofits, located in every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Visit www.nhsgb.org, www.nkcdc.org, www.hacecdc.org, or www.neighborworks.org to learn more. About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is the leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 37 on Fortune's 2021 rankings of America's largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter (News - Alert) : @WellsFargo. News Release Category: WF-PESG - Philanthropy & ESG View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005080/en/

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[August 29, 2021] MetroWeather Supports TruWeather Solutions' NASA SBIR Contract

.Metro Weather Co., Ltd. ("MetroWeather"), a leading company providing high-precision information on wind conditions using compact, high-performance Doppler Lidar*, and TruWeather Solutions, Inc. ("TruWeather"), a leading micro weather data and analytics company, are pleased to announce a collaborative contract to support "Urban Weather Sensing Infrastructure", TruWeather's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with NASA. Under this agreement, MetroWeather and TruWeather will leverage the strengths of both companies to build an urban weather observation infrastructure which could be used for a wide-scale deployment of commercial Urban Air Mobility. We believe that the combination of MetroWeather's Doppler Lidar and TruWeather's urban wind simulation system will help accelerate the development of next-generation weather services that are essential for the safe and affordable delivery of advanced air transportation services (AAM), especially in dense urban areas. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210829005005/en/ *Doppler Lidar is the atmospheric measuring device using infrared lasers to analyze the light reflected from microparticles in the atmosphere to acquire data on wind direction and wind speed from the speed and direction in which the microparticles move. Roles of the two companies in this NASA SBIR project The goal of this NASA SBIR project is to complete the design for the construction of Urban Wind Experiment (UWEX) in an urban environment, with an award of a potential Phase 2 contract. We are currently working on a Phase 1 of this project, and if we get awarded a Phase 2, the UWEX shall be carried out in the next fiscal year. MetroWeather will play a core role by providing the optimal sensing algorithm and sampling strategy for the simulated lidar measurements in targeted urban areas and developing the model for multiple lidar data fusion using MetroWeather's compact, high-performance Doppler lidars. MetroWather will also design a system to deliver the observation data and API. Dr. Furumoto, CEO of MetroWeather, commented on the company's participation in this NASA SBIR project as follows: "The realization of small, high-performance Doppler Lidars at low cost will make it possible to deploy a large number of Doppler Lidars over drone ports (vertiports) and drone routes, and to visualize local wind gusts and windshear that affect drone takeoffs, landings, and flights in real time. It is also expected to deploy a number of lidars not only at drone ports but also at regional airports. As such, we believe we can contribute to the realization of safe drone operations and air safety and security. MetroWeather is very proud to partner with TruWeather and to engage in this NASA-funded project, which will bring us even closer to realizing such world."



TruWeather will integrate the real-time wind measurement data acquired from multiple Doppler lidars into its urban wind model to design a system that efficiently and optimally predicts the weather needs of UAS and AAM. "TruWeather is honored to team with MetroWeather to design a testbed with NASA focused on identifying hazardous wind conditions in urban areas. MetroWeather's reputation for scientific excellence and Wind LIDAR technology for urban environments is a key component of the testbed to demonstrate the ability to detect wind shear conditions potentially impactful to safe and reliable advanced air mobility operations.", said Don Berchoff, CEO of TruWeather Solutions. Strengths of the two companies and the significance of this agreement For three years starting in 2016, MetroWeather was awarded a basic research grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) to conduct a basic development of a Doppler Lidar for use on aircraft carriers. MetroWeather's Doppler Lidar achieves an unprecedented level of compactness and higher performance at a lower cost by combining the hardware completed in the course of this ONR grant project with high-definition signal processing technology that CEO, Dr. Furumoto, has accumulated through his research in the fields of atmospheric metrology and measurement engineering.

TruWeather is the first weather solution provider for UAS and UTM. TruWeather has developed and operates TruFlite V360, a subscription-based API that provides drone and air taxi operators with actionable weather insights designed to increase vehicle utilization rates and optimize stakeholder resources and scheduling for the best flight windows. The TruFlite V360 is based on TruWeather's CFD simulation and data analysis technologies in urban areas. Through cooperation in this project, MetroWeather and TruWeather will work to further advance next-generation weather services that are essential for the development of air mobility services. About Metro Weather Co., Ltd. Established in 2015 as a venture company originated from Kyoto University, MetroWeather has successfully developed a Doppler lidar with an observation distance of more than 15 kilometers in a 0.65 cubic meter form factor. MetroWeather's success largely owes to the innovative technology to detect small signals in predominantly noisy data sets which was originally achieved as a result of years of research at Kyoto University. This has enabled MetroWeather to make Doppler lidars without necessarily relying on expensive, high-specification and large-size components. MetroWeather is actively advancing the further development on its products and businesses in order to position Doppler lidars as an essential infrastructure for the coming wide-scale deployment of commercial Air Mobility. About TruWeather Solutions, Inc. Established in 2015, TruWeather Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider of weather data analytics and innovative weather risk management products in the US market and beyond. The micro-weather data and analytics company translates complex weather science into simple insights and intelligence for the drone and air taxi industries. To accelerate the safe and efficient integration of UAS into the airspace, TruWeather leverages weather data collection, prediction and a decision support ecosystem for multiple NASA, Air Force, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) projects to support development and initial operational capability of next-generation weather services. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210829005005/en/

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[August 29, 2021] Stibo Systems receives SOC 2 Type I report

SYDNEY, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stibo Systems, a global leader in multidomain Master Data Management (MDM) solutions, has received the SOC 2 Type I report from external auditors. The report is issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and serves as a third-party testament to the design and quality of the procedures and controls implemented for the company's Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering. "We have proven that we have documented procedures and controls in place. And we have provided evidence that they are used in the best interest of our customers," says Martin Samuel Nielsen, Chief Information Security Officer of Stbo Systems. "As a Master Data Management SaaS provider, we securely manage our customers' data to protect their organizations and the privacy of their clients." Stibo Systems' customers are primarily asking for cloud solutions. More than 80 percent of the company's new customers are choosing a Software-as-a-Service master data management solution.





About Stibo Systems Stibo Systems, the master data management company, is the trusted enabler of data transparency. Our solutions are the driving force behind forward-thinking companies around the world that have unlocked the strategic value of their master data. We empower them to improve the customer experience, drive innovation and growth and create an essential foundation for digital transformation. This gives them the transparency they require and desire  a single, accurate view of their master data  so they can make informed decisions and achieve goals of scale, scope and ambition. Stibo Systems is a privately held subsidiary of the Stibo A/S group, founded in 1794, and is headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark. More at stibosystems.com. SOURCE Stibo Systems

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[August 29, 2021] GCash cements fintech leadership and innovation thrust in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GCash, the number 1 mobile wallet in the Philippines, continues to be a rising star in Asia as it sets the bar higher for fintech innovation in the region. The company achieved unprecedented growth as it saw an exponential increase in its number of users from 20 million in January 2020 to 46 million in June 2021. The app also had over 13 million log-ins per day, peaking at almost 15 million in the second quarter of 2021. This year, GCash processed an average of PHP 300 billion in monthly transactions, and is on track in breaching its PHP 3 trillion Gross Transaction Value (GTV) target. The company boasts of its wide network of more than 2.5 million merchant partners and social sellers via its QR and P2P features, enabling the app to cater to a diverse set of stakeholders in the country. As one out of every 3 Filipinos is now using the app, GCash sets its eyes on achieving more game changing milestones to uplift the lives of many and contribute to building an even stronger and more robust Philippine economy. With its clear vision of promoting financial inclusion for all, GCash has quickly adapted to the needs of the Filipino people by being a digital payment essential for individuals and entrepreneurs, especially during the pandemic. The company has launched trailblazing products and programs to reach out to more sectors in the country, including underserved and vulnerable groups like overseas workers, the youth, small businesses and even market vendors and cab/tricycle drivers. The top mobile wallet company worked with the Philippine government last year and became its financial aid tool for communities affected by COVID 19, disbursing over P16 billion to more than 2 million Filipinos. It was likewise able to raise over P40 million in donations via digital bayanihan or resource mobilisation, helping at least 3 million Filipinos impacted by typhoons ad other calamities.



A fast-rising regional fintech brand The fintech brand was recently included in the Top 100 Brands in the Philippines, according to Campaign Asia-Pacific and NielsenIQ. GCash is also one of Asia's top 1,000 brands this 2021.

Asia's Top 1000 Brands is a consumer opinion survey across 14 markets in Asia-Pacific and measures brand preference in 15 product/service categories. It shows brands that are succeeding with their marketing and brand-building efforts and reveals the favorite brands among consumers. This year's study saw the changing consumer behavior among brands and their increasing digital services. "We are honored to be part of the top brands in the Philippines and in Asia. This award further inspires us to continue with our mission to empower as many Filipinos as possible by giving them access to digital financial solutions that can make their lives better and more convenient especially during this pandemic," said Martha Sazon, President and CEO of GCash. No other fintech brand made it to the top 50 of the prestigious list, where the ranking of GCash rose from the previous year's 51st spot to this 24th in the country in 2021. Among the high-ranking brands in the list are Samsung, Apple, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Nike, Nestle, Google, Colgate, and Starbucks. Solidifying customer experience through value-adding services GCash provides customers with an easy and secure cashless payment platform through digital products and services like free money transfers from user to user, frictionless bank transfers, and bills payments. The mobile wallet company also offers businesses, especially MSMEs, a contactless way to accept payment for goods through the use of QR codes and its P2P platform, which has empowered over 2.5 million GCash merchants and social sellers. Currently, a third of GCash's monthly active users utilize at least one of the app's digital products like GCredit, GSave, GInvest, or GInsure. GCash provides customers easy access to a pre-approved credit line to pay for bills or QR transactions with GCredit, safely deposit money with GSave, easily invest in a market fund with GInvest, and buy essentials on GLife. With the health risks of the pandemic, GCash also offers customers COVID-19 health insurance for as low as P39 (~USD 0.78) a month via GInsure. "We are glad to see that GCash has become an extension of the Filipino digital life everyday. It is our goal to democratize access to financial services because everyone deserves to have ways to protect and grow their money, especially during these difficult times," said Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO. GCash feted as outstanding fintech company promoting nation building GCash was recently named as an "Outstanding Partner" by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) - the Central Bank of the Philippines, at the agency's 2021 Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony. The recognition is for GCash's continued support and commitment to deliver innovative financial solutions for all Filipinos, especially the unbanked and underbanked segments. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno, in a recent webinar, described his vision for the country becoming a digital-heavy, cash-light society to help achieve inclusive growth. "50% or half of all transactions should be digital by 2023, and 70% of Filipino adults should have formal bank accounts by 2023," Governor Diokno said. GCash also garnered two awards from the prestigious Asian Banker Awards 2021, and was the sole Philippine fintech company to do so. It won awards for the "Best Financial Inclusion Initiative/Application" for its Social Amelioration Program together with the country's Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and "Best Digital Brand Campaign" for its CSR response to COVID-19, further solidifying the company as the #1 e-wallet app in the country. GCash continues to empower more Filipinos everyday as it strengthens its "One with the Nation" corporate social responsibility program employing various initiatives including NGO partnerships, programs on disaster response and environmental stewardship, as well as grassroots finlit education campaigns nationwide. Many Filipinos have come to rely on GCash for their daily cashless payment transactions, helping sustain the economy during the pandemic and propelling the mobile wallet to becoming one of the most respected and widely used brands in the Philippines today. According to Visa's latest Consumer Payment Attitudes study, Filipinos using digital commerce platforms like GCash helped boost the usage of digital payments in the country. It was also expected that it will continue to grow as more Filipinos appreciate the benefits of contactless payments like GCash during the pandemic. For more information, visit www.gcash.com. For partnerships and sustainability initiatives, please email chito.maniago@mynt.xyz. About GCash GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Financial App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, customers can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 600 partner billers nationwide; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 2.5M partner merchants and social sellers; and get access to savings, credit, insurance and invest money all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.) since 2015. GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 46 million Filipinos in the country today. For more information, please contact:

Chito Maniago

Vice President, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

GCash

Email Address: corpcomm@mynt.xyz  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gcashofficial SOURCE GCash (Mynt - Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.)

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[August 29, 2021] Launch of Fullerton Markets' Gold Trading Festival 2021

KINGSTOWN, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fullerton Markets announced its biggest Gold Event - Gold Trading Festival 2021 - launching on 30 August 2021. The Opening Ceremony will happen on the same day at 8 pm (GMT+8), where Paul Mladjenovic, gold expert, CEO of RavingCapitalist.com and best-selling author of "Investing in Gold & Silver For Dummies", will be present to officially launch the Gold Trading Festival 2021. Gold is always considered a safe-haven asset, especially in times of crisis, rising from USD250 to an all-time high f USD2,000 in 2021. Fullerton Markets has decided to seize this golden opportunity to enrich the gold trading knowledge and skills of its clientele.



The upcoming event has many golden opportunities to grab in September. There is a Facebook giveaway happening now until 3 September 2021 and a Cashback Bonus of USD 2 for every XAUUSD lot traded until 30 September 2021. There will be live webinars by renowned speakers, successful gold traders and their Market Strategists for their clients to learn more about gold trading, and more. In conjunction with World Charity Day, Fullerton Markets will also donate a portion of the trading volume, made in September, to charity. Mario Singh, CEO of Fullerton Markets, said, "One of our core missions is reaching out to the growing number of traders. Through this event, we are able to share our analysis, trading techniques and practical tips, equipping traders with the fundamental skills to help them embark on trading and gain insights about what the eternal value of gold can do for them."

Get ready to ride the gold wave with Fullerton Markets, and stand a chance to win exciting prizes worth over USD10,000, including a 24K gold-plated limited-edition Fullerton Markets Commemorative Coin during Gold Trading Festival 2021. For more details on the Opening Ceremony and Gold Trading Festival 2021, please visit https://www.goldtradingfestival.com/ . About Fullerton Markets International Limited Fullerton Markets is an award-winning broker recognised for being a disruptive force in the trading industry. Committed to delivering unparalleled safety of funds, lightning-speed execution and a reliable system of wealth creation, it offers its global clients direct access to the world's largest financial market and promises price stability at competitive rates through its tier-one liquidity providers. Equipping clients with the necessary tools and knowledge, Fullerton Markets empowers traders to effectively compete in the markets. SOURCE Fullerton Markets

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[August 29, 2021] Over 68% of Farmers in SE Asia's Biggest Crop-Producing Countries Claim Climate Change as Key Challenge

SINGAPORE, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A finding officially released today highlights a key challenge with regional food production  chiefly that a significant number of growers in Southeast Asia's largest agricultural-producing countries are concerned with the impact of climate change (68.5%) . This finding, part of new research titled the 2021 ASEAN Farmer Sustainability & Resilience Study, was conducted by leading agricultural and animal health market research company Kynetec and carried out in the first quarter of 2021. CropLife Asia contracted with Kynetec to conduct the survey among 525 corn, rice, fruit and vegetable farmers across Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently released a report warning against the effects of climate change and calling for rapid actions in global cooperation. The report was referred to by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as "code red for humanity" and has spurred additional discourse on how society can support more aggressive climate change action. "Farmers across Southeat Asia are facing increasing challenges that threaten their livelihood, food supply chain resiliency, and the sustainable supply of safe and nutritious food on which we all depend," said Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director of CropLife Asia. "As the prevalence of climate change-induced droughts, floods and erratic weather patterns continue to grow, Southeast Asia's smallholder farmers are under tremendous pressure to cope. There is no food and agriculture stakeholder more important than our farmers  and no voice more critical than theirs in the debate around how to make our food systems more resilient. We owe these food heroes our attention and full support."



While over 68% of farmers surveyed noted the effects of climate change (flood, drought) as a challenge of unique concern, the number of farmers from the Philippines and Vietnam raising their concern with climate change was particularly high. In those countries, the number was 77% and 70% respectively. The innovative technologies of plant science continue to enable farmers to produce more safe and nutritious food with fewer impacts to the world around us. Biotech crops have been developed with improved traits such as increased yield, better resistance to pests and/or improved nutrition, among others  and allow for sequestration of carbon in the soil through practices such as no-till farming. These are crucial tools that help farmers address global challenges such as food insecurity and climate change.

Meanwhile, farmers rely on crop protection products (or pesticides) to grow more food on less land and raise productivity per hectare. Without pesticides, 40% of global rice and maize harvests could be lost every year and losses for fruits and vegetables could be as high as 50-90%. These losses in yield would likely mean additional land would need to be cleared for agriculture, leading to increased carbon emissions. More findings from the 2021 ASEAN Farmer Sustainability & Resilience Study are scheduled to be released throughout the remainder of this year. About CropLife Asia CropLife Asia is a non-profit society and the regional organization of CropLife International, the voice of the global plant science industry. We advocate a safe, secure food supply, and our vision is food security enabled by innovative agriculture. CropLife Asia supports the work of 15 member associations across the continent and is led by six member companies at the forefront of crop protection, seeds and/or biotechnology research and development. For more information, visit us at www.croplifeasia.org. SOURCE CropLife Asia

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[August 30, 2021] Natural Diamond Council and Vogue India come together with an Exclusive Virtual Diamond Festival

Over two days, this first-of-its-kind virtual Diamond festival and Vogue India brought together industry experts and conversations focused on all things diamonds MUMBAI, India, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Diamond Council, the definitive destination for natural diamonds came together with Vogue India, a leading global lifestyle magazine for the first time to curate an online Diamond Festival, on August 20 and 21, 2021. This collaboration brought the best of natural diamond jewellery  from celebrating diamonds as heirlooms, to what's inside a modern millennial's jewellery box to the paradigm shift in retail with the rise in purchasing diamonds online. This online edit of the Natural Diamond Council put forth a line-up of renowned global experts who reminisced their love for the scintillating diamonds including Lucia Silvestri, jewellery creative director at Bulgari who discussed what makes the modern heirloom a point of confluence for the past, present and future. Actors Kiara Advani, Alaya F, Aditi Rao Hydari and Malavika Mohanan talked about what diamonds mean to them and their first diamond purchase while Sabyasachi Mukherjee revealed India's stories behind the legacies of diamonds. The festival featured a power-packed panel with Francesca Cartier Brickell, the Maharani of Baroda Radhikaraje GaikwadAmin Jaffer highlighting the relationship between royals and their diamonds. Celebrity influencer Mira Rajput Kapoor, Entrepreneur Kalyani Saha Chawla and her daughter, Tahira Tara Chawla also shared their views on how vital diamond heirlooms are and how shared diamonds signify a bond between the family. Over and above this, the festival also featured interesting conversations around the emerging jewellery trends, the new-found meaning of conscious luxury and how natural diamonds are an extension of one's personality.



The two-day festival was a jam-packed schedule of learning for everyone, be it someone in the business of jewellery, a purveyor and connoisseur of beautiful objects, or simply an aesthete who enjoys knowing more about the history of natural diamonds. "It was a great opportunity to unveil several facets of everlasting diamonds across various themes. Through these masterclasses, eminent global experts shared their views on conscious luxury and how natural diamonds perfectly blend royalty with craftsmanship to mark important milestones in our lives. This festival reminded everyone to capture their fond memories with diamonds that will eventually become a part of family heirlooms for generations to come," said Richa Singh, Managing Director, Natural Diamond Council - India & Middle East.

To watch all the sessions, visit- https://www.naturaldiamonds.com/in/style-innovation/virtual-diamond-festival-presented-by-vogue-india-and-natural-diamond-council/ and https://www.naturaldiamonds.com/in/style-innovation/virtual-diamond-festival-presented-by-vogue-india-and-natural-diamond-council-day2/ Follow NDC on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn About Natural Diamond Council: The Natural Diamond Council is an international industry association consisting of seven leading diamond mining companies in the world. Members include ALROSA, De Beers Group, Lucara Diamond Corp, RZ Murowa, Petra Diamonds, Rio Tinto and Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd., with a total production accounting for 75% of the global natural diamond market. Its mission is to show the multi-faceted world of natural diamonds and ignite people's desire for natural diamonds. The Natural Diamond Council strengthens its authoritative role in the field of natural diamonds by publishing industry trends and sharing messages and information. It also celebrates the extraordinary creativity embodied by natural diamond jewellery, and promotes the values upheld by its member companies and the positive social benefits created by the entire natural diamond industry. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1604153/Vogue_India_Natural_Diamond_Council.jpg

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[August 30, 2021] Search underway for India's Most Innovative Assistive Tech Startups in 2021 with Prosus Social Impact Challenge for Accessibility (SICA)

Award-winning initiative aims to attract applications from startups in every region of India NEW DELHI, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's search for India's most innovative assistive technology startups is underway with the launch today of Prosus SICA 2021. Created last year by Prosus - in partnership with Invest India, Social Alpha and the World Health Organization - the initiative invites Indian startups with the most promising solutions in the assistive technology space to compete for an annual grant and access to the Prosus SICA mentorship programme. With more than 70 million Indians estimated to live with some form of disability* the societal impact of improving lives and empowering people through assistive technology can be immense. Prosus SICA was recognised earlier this month as "CSR Initiative of the Year" by the AssisTech Foundation. Prosus has committed INR 16,500,000 to the initiative over three years, and each year awards grants to three successful startups. Partners including Invest India and Social Alpha provide additional mentoring and financing opportunities, while WHO supports the programme with technical assistance. In its inaugural edition in 2020, Prosus SICA received over 200 applications from 25 states and seven union territories across India. The top three startups recognised for their ingenuity and impact across a range of assistive technologies were Sohum Innovation Lab (Bengaluru), NeoMotion (Chennai) and Stamuri (New Delhi). In addition to the top startups, two other finalists were enrolled into the SICA mentorship programme to benefit from Prosus's experience in supporting entrepreneurs and helping them to succeed: Cogniable (Delhi) and Thinkerbell Solutions (Delhi). For Prosus SICA 2021, an expert panel of judges will assemble to identify innovative startups with the most potential to positively impact the lives of persons with disabilities. (Information on the 2020 panel here). Eligible startups can submit their applications from now until 19th October. The top startups will be announced in December to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Commenting, Sehraj Singh, India Managing Director, Prosus, said: "Enabling entrepreneurs across the world to improve people's daily lives is our mission at Prosus. Here in India, the needs of 70 million persons living with some form of disability have remained under-served despite a vibrant startup ecosystem. We believe that there can be a thriving market for assistive technologies and last year's excellent response to our inaugural Prosus SICA initiative validated this belief. We are so proud to continue the journey this year and I enourage all entrepreneurs in the assistive technology space to join our mission by entering Prosus SICA 2021."



Deepak Bagla, MD & CEO, Invest India, said: "The excellence of Indian ingenuity has been at the forefront. The ability of our entrepreneurs to pivot and develop impactful frugal solutions is India's strength. This challenge will lead the way in transforming assistive technologies in the country and propel India to become a world leader in the field." Chapal Khasnabis, Head (a.i) Access to Assistive Technology and Medical Devices, WHO, Geneva, said "Entrepreneurs across the country are attempting to innovate in a cost-effective and scalable manner to solve for the unique needs and requirements in healthcare aided through assistive technology. Prosus SICA is a unique programme that brings together industry expertise, financing and executional capabilities. We are proud to support the programme to transform India's healthcare landscape aided by Made-In-India assistive technology for her own population and beyond."

Manoj Kumar, Founder and CEO, Social Alpha, said, "Assistive technologies is a 25 billion dollar market globally but affordability and user experience issues hinder the market development in India, despite having a large population that needs access to high quality assistive solutions. Over the last few years, Social Alpha has been actively developing the sector through innovation curation, venture development, and financial innovation to facilitate market access and customer adoption. I am optimistic that Prosus SICA 2021 will unlock more opportunities and resources for innovators and help them go to market as they create world class solutions." Interested startups can learn more about Prosus SICA 2021 and the application process on https://www.startupindia.gov.in The top three startups will be awarded grants of: First prize: INR 25 Lakhs Second prize: INR 18 Lakhs Third prize: INR 12 Lakhs In addition to the grant award, eligible startups receive an opportunity to work with Social Alpha, an incubator that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship across India. As incubation partner, Social Alpha can also provide up to $40,000 in equity to the top startups. The top five finalists are also inducted into the Prosus SICA mentorship programme where they will benefit from Prosus's experience in supporting entrepreneurs and helping them to succeed. About Prosus Prosus is a global consumer internet group and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Operating and investing globally in markets with long-term growth potential, Prosus builds leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities. The group is focused on building meaningful businesses in the online classifieds, food delivery, payments and fintech, and education technology sectors in markets including India, Russia, and Brazil. Through its ventures team, Prosus invests in areas including health, logistics, blockchain, and social commerce. Prosus actively seeks new opportunities to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs who are using technology to improve people's everyday lives. Today, Prosus companies and associates help improve the lives of more than 2 billion users globally. For more information on Prosus and Prosus SICA visit: https://www.prosus.com/prosus-sica LinkedIn: ProsusInIndia Twitter: @Prosus_Ventures Facebook: ProsusGroup About Invest India Invest India, set up in 2009, is a non-profit venture under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. As the national investment promotion and facilitation agency, Invest India focuses on sector-specific investor targeting and development of new partnerships to enable sustainable investments in India. In addition to a core team that focuses on sustainable investments, Invest India also partners with substantial investment promotion agencies and multilateral organisations. Invest India also actively works with several Indian states to build capacity as well as bring in global best practices in investment targeting, promotion and facilitation areas. LinkedIn: InvestIndia Twitter: Investindia Facebook: InvestindiaIPA Instagram: Investindiaofficial About Social Alpha Social Alpha is a multistage innovation curation and venture development platform for science and technology start-ups that address the most critical social, economic and environmental challenges through the power of entrepreneurship and market-creating innovations. Since its inception in 2016, Social Alpha has supported more 150+ start-ups including 50+ seed investments. For more information, please visit www.socialalpha.org. LinkedIn: Social Alpha Twitter: @Social AlphaIN Facebook: @Social AlphaIN Instagram: socialalpha_in About World Health Organization The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States across six regions, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Its goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being. For more information contact: Photo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1604144/Prosus_SICA.jpg

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[August 30, 2021] Meituan Announces Financial Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

HONG KONG, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Meituan (HKG: 3690) (the "Company"), China's leading e-commerce platform for services, today announced the unaudited consolidated results of the Company for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Company Financial Highlights For the second quarter of 2021, Meituan continued to serve as China's leading e-commerce platform for services, providing greater value for our consumers, merchants, delivery riders, business partners, and the larger society. We continued to showcase strong growth momentum, with revenues increasing by 77% in the second quarter of 2021 to RMB43.8 billion from RMB24.7 billion for the same period of 2020. Our food delivery and in-store, hotel & travel segments maintained high growth during the quarter, realizing an aggregate operating profit by segment of RMB6.1 billion in the second quarter of 2021, an increase from RMB3.1 billion for the same period of 2020. On the other hand, operating loss for the new initiatives and others segment widened as we continue to invest in areas that will bring long-term value to the Company and provide consumers and our merchants with better products and services. As a result, both adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net loss experienced negative year-over-year growth for the second quarter of 2021 and decreased to negative RMB1.2 billion and RMB2.2 billion, respectively. Our net cash flows generated from operating activities decreased to RMB2.9 billion in the second quarter of 2021 from RMB5.6 billion for the same period of 2020. We had cash and cash equivalents of RMB71.4 billion and short-term treasury investments of RMB51.1 billion as of June 30, 2021, compared to the balances of RMB17.8 billion and RMB35.3 billion as of March 31, 2021, respectively. "As the Chinese economy continued to recover steadily, our various business segments maintained healthy growth in the second quarter of 2021. The recent new regulatory environment change reminded ourselves of our role in society and compels us to innovate and better contribute to society at large," said Meituan Founder and CEO Xing Wang. "As a technology platform, we will continue to use our systems to empower offline businesses and improve supply chain efficiency, creating more commercial and social value in turn. At the same time, we will continue to develop our businesses around the needs of mass-market consumers, to fulfill our mission: "We help people eat better, live better." Company Business Highlights Food delivery In the second quarter of 2021, we continued to witness strong growth in the food delivery segment. As food delivery continued to be an essential service, we expanded our supplies with more depth and breadth to better meet the evolving demand from consumers. Furthermore, we continued to improve economies of scale and strengthen our advantages in consumer base, merchant base, and delivery network, enabling us to achieve solid growth and higher efficiency. During the second quarter of 2021, GTV of our food delivery business increased by 59.5% year-over-year to RMB 173.6 billion. Daily average number of food delivery transactions increased by 58.9% year-over-year to 38.9 million. Revenue increased by 59.0% year-over-year to RMB23.1 billion. Operating profit increased 95.2% to RMB2.4 billion in the second quarter of 2021, with operating margin further improving to 10.6% from 8.6%. As we continued to provide wider selections on our platform and offer longer distance deliveries, we were able to satisfy the increasingly diverse needs from consumers. We maintained solid growth in both transacting users and purchase frequency. Thanks to our enhancement in marketing efficiency, the effective membership program, and the stratified operations among various consumption scenarios. Moreover, we penetrated more deeply in lower-tier markets, with most of our new users coming from lower-tier cities. Order contribution from breakfast, afternoon tea, and late-night snack further increased, and long-distance orders became a more meaningful part of the total food delivery orders. The growth in our consumer base and transaction frequency not only reflects consumers' increasing preferences for food delivery, but also demonstrates their ongoing trust of our platform and services. On the merchant side, we continued to onboard high-quality restaurants, as well as small and medium-sized merchants. We introduced a new fee structure that is more transparent and offers greater delivery flexibility to merchants, and it became widely adopted. This quarter, we also focused on helping restaurant merchants run online operations with higher efficiency. We launched a new "Food Delivery Manager" program, aiming to help small and medium-sized merchants adapt to online operations, especially in aspects such as operational diagnosis, store renovation, menu design, event planning, marketing, and so on. We are delighted to see that those who participated in the program posted visible business growth versus before. As the industry leader, we are highly motivated to solve merchants' pain points, provide more convenience and support, help merchants embrace digitization, and improve their operational efficiency. With respect to delivery network, we utilized differentiated delivery solutions to cope with different consumption scenarios and different merchant types. To effectively operate such world largest on-demand delivery network, we understand the importance of delivery riders, and we have launched several programs and measures to improve delivery riders' overall benefits. Through panel discussions with delivery riders, we collected feedback to improve our businss operations and enhance the delivery riders' welfare. We also established and upgraded various charity programs that were designed to improve the well-being of delivery riders' families and children, providing them with care and support. Moreover, we helped delivery riders with long-term career development through our "Delivery Station Manager" program. Going forward, we believe there are a lot more that we can do with the help of technology. For example, the assimilation of autonomous delivery vehicles and drones into our delivery network in the future would further relieve our delivery riders and help them improve delivery efficiency.



In-store, hotel & travel Our in-store, hotel & travel segment continued to post steady growth, with revenue growing by 89.3% year-over-year to RMB8.6 billion in the second quarter of 2021. Operating profit increased 93.7% to RMB3.7 billion in the second quarter of 2021 from RMB1.9 billion in the same period of 2020, and with operating margin increasing to 42.6% from 41.6%.

For in-store dining, GTV growth further accelerated from that of the previous quarter. We expanded the coverage of high-quality restaurants, introduced more light-meal options on our platform, and further enhanced operational capabilities. We also upgraded our transaction-based services and advertising products, and offered differentiated solutions to merchants. We intentionally lowered the price for subscription-based services to encourage more merchants to adopt our advertising products. Meanwhile, our CPC advertising products also penetrated more deeply to a broader merchant base. As a result, consumers became increasingly willing to use the transaction products on our platform to dine out, improving transaction frequency and user stickiness for the quarter. For other in-store services, we continued to see accelerated GTV growth. Categories such as medical aesthetics, pet care, and healthcare all achieved stellar performance. We also leveraged various festivals and campaigns, such as "Labour Day", "Tomb Sweeping Day", and "Dragon Boat Festival", to connect more merchants with consumers. On the operational side, we expanded our direct sales team to cover wider consumption categories and broader lower-tier markets, which effectively increased our annual active merchants base. Nevertheless, we believe that most lower-tier markets are still underserved, with consumer demand and merchant needs yet to be met, leaving ample room for future digitization. Thus going forward, we will continue to expand direct sales team in the appropriate markets, while improving our products and services to reach more consumers. For hotel booking, demand for travel continued to rise compared to the previous quarter. Our domestic room nights surpassed 140 million for the second quarter of 2021, representing a stellar 81% year-over-year growth, and a two-year CAGR of 22% from the same period of 2019. For high-star hotels, we continued to increase platform supply to meet the changing demand from consumers, and further strengthened our service quality and operational capabilities. For low-star hotels, we solidified our leading position, and continued to penetrate further into lower-tier markets, through the accelerated digitization process and offline traffic conversion. New initiatives and others During the second quarter of 2021, we expanded investments in new initiatives, especially around retail, which corresponds perfectly with our "Food+Platform" strategy. Revenues from the new initiatives and others segment increased by 113.6% year-over-year to RMB 12.0 billion, primarily driven by the growth in retail businesses, B2B food distribution services, and bike-sharing and moped services. Operating loss for the segment increased both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter to RMB9.2 billion in the second quarter of 2021, while operating margin improved sequentially by 4.8 percentage points to negative 76.8%. Meituan Select, our community e-commerce business, remained our largest investment area in this quarter. We further expanded our geographical footprints, and deepened our penetration into lower-tier markets. We helped hundreds of thousands of villagers to become group leaders, which effectively increased their personal income. We achieved solid user growth and further cultivated consumer behavior, and focused on providing consistently better products and experience to consumers. We also continued to make substantial investments to improve our product offerings, supply chain, and fulfillment capabilities. We built a nationwide cold chain logistics to ensure quality products and delivery of fresh produce. As our business scaled up, the operating efficiency and unit economics also improved. Going forward, we will continue to channel resources to develop long-term capabilities, comply with regulations, create value for all participants in the ecosystem, and fulfill our social responsibility. For Meituan Instashopping, we further expanded our merchant base and product coverage. By deepening our collaborations with FMCG brands directly, we help these brands reach more target customers and improve marketing efficiency. Moreover, our user growth accelerated, driving solid growth in transaction volume growth and GTV growth. With regard to category breakdown, flowers and medicine maintained high growth momentum, and continued to outperform other categories. We believe that the on-demand delivery of medicine has large potential, so we provided convenient delivery of medicine to consumers on a 24/7 basis to solve people's most urgent medical needs. As a result, our quarterly number of transactions and GTV growing north of 140% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2021. For Meituan Grocery, we strengthened our product and service qualities to provide consumer with better experience. We completed our coverage expansion in existing tier-1 cities, and increased our warehouse density. We also optimized our product structure, enhanced warehousing capabilities and strengthened delivery logistics to ensure quality. Thanks to our continuous investments and optimization, we are pleased to see that our quarterly transacting users and quarterly GTV both increased. As the industry leader, we firmly believe in our mission that "We help people eat better, live better", and set our business goals from a long-term perspective. In the second quarter of 2021, we broadened our service scope and optimized our product and service qualities to better satisfy consumer demand, enabling us to extend touchpoints with our consumers, particularly for those from lower-tier markets. We also worked towards serving a greater number of merchants, especially small and medium-sized merchants, helping them adapt to digitization and improve daily operations. Moreover, we further enhanced our on-demand delivery network to expand delivery service from food to non-food categories, bringing more convenience and wider selections for consumers. Most significantly, we know what we have achieved today is largely attributable to the hard work of our delivery riders, and we consider their welfare to be of the utmost importance. We have not only continued to improve their benefits, but also taken steps to care for their personal and family well-being as well as their long-term career paths. Going forward, we will continue to listen attentively to our delivery riders, value their perspectives, improve their welfare to the best of our ability, and work side by side with them to jointly promote the development of the industry. During the recent unprecedented flood in Henan Province, our delivery riders stood firmly at their posts, and played valuable role ensuring the livelihood of people from flooded areas. Some even risked their own lives to save others and help evacuate trapped people. In addition, we opened up our warehouse inventories of the retail business in Zhengzhou, and donated food and daily necessities to victims at their most dire needs. We also assisted with the allocation and distribution of emergency goods under the leadership of local governments. Moreover, our hotel business reacted quickly to coordinate a number of hotels that were able to operate during the crisis to provide emergency refuge for the public. To express our sincere gratitude for the support that they offered, we will provide preferential terms such as special subsidies for these merchants in the future. Our Meituan Charity Foundation donated RMB 100 million to provide shelter and post-disaster healthcare services to the suffering people. Our delivery riders, along with our business segments are trying our best to give back to the society for the trust in us, and take on more social responsibilities. We will never stop creating greater value for all the participants in our ecosystem and promoting "common prosperity" for the larger society. For the full announcement of Meituan 2021 second quarter and first half year results, please visit:

http://media-meituan.todayir.com/2021083016400162649913817_en.pdf About Meituan Meituan (HKG: 3690) (the "Company") is China's leading e-commerce platform for services. With the mission of "We help people eat better, live better," the Company's platform uses technology to connect consumers and merchants. Service offerings on the platform address people's daily needs for food, and extend further to broad lifestyle and travel services. Meituan is the world's leading on-demand food delivery service provider and China's leading e-commerce platform for in-store dining services. Meituan helps consumers discover merchant information, make informed decisions, complete online and offline transactions and enjoy on-demand delivery. The Company currently owns several household brands in China, including Meituan, China's leading online marketplace for services, Dianping, China's leading online destination for discovering local services, Meituan Waimai for on-demand delivery services, and Meituan Bikes for bike-sharing services. Meituan has 628.4 million Annual Transacting Users and 7.7 million Annual Active Merchants as of June 30, 2021. The Company operates in over 2,800 cities and counties in China. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the business outlook, forecast business plans and growth strategies of the Company. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are stated herein on the basis of the outlook at the time of this press release. They are based on certain expectations, assumptions and premises, some of which are subjective or beyond our control. These forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect and may not be realized in future. Underlying the forward-looking statements is a large number of risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these risks and uncertainties is included in our other public disclosure documents on our corporate website. For media inquiries, please contact:

Meituan

pr.global@meituan.com

ir@meituan.com Edmond Lococo

ICR Inc.

Email: Edmond.Lococo@icrinc.com

Tel: +86 138-1079-1408 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/meituan-announces-financial-results-for-the-three-and-six-months-ended-june-30-2021-301365030.html SOURCE Meituan

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[August 30, 2021] Chase and Visa Help Support New Yorkers with Tap to Ride

Chase (NYSE: JPM) and Visa (NYSE: V) have announced that starting today and through September, when riders tap on MTA subways or buses with a Chase Visa contactless card, they will donate 10 cents per tap, up to $250,000, to local nonprofit New York Cares.1 This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005082/en/ Tap to Pay is Here to Stay (Graphic: Business Wire) Whether a resident or visitor to New York City, tapping to ride is a quick, easy and secure way to get around New York. Now, riders who tap with their Chase Visa contactless card can also give back to local nonprofit New York Cares, the largest volunteer network in the city, which has been vital in supporting the local community throughout the challenges of the pandemic. Visa's Future of Urban Mobility study found that 88% of surveyed riders globally expect contactless payment options on transit2. Today, tap-to-pay usage on MTA public transport is up more than 225% since the start of the year3. Riders who are comfortable returning to subways and buses can get around by simply tapping their Chase Visa contactless cards - no standing in line to purchase or load a separate MetroCard required. Legendary running back, Saquon Barkley, is joining the effort to give back to New York Cares by tapping to pay on the MTA with his Chase Visa contactless card. "One of the things I've missed most about riding the subway in New York is the connection with my community-whether it be meeting fans, watching musicians perform on the platforms, or seeing new art in the stations-it's those unexpected moments that make the experience standout," said Saquon Barkley. "As we start returning to the subway, I'll be tapping my Chase Visa card to ride, and to support New York's recovery, because Chase and Visa will donate to New York Cares." "The pandemic has taught us that we are all in this together, and New York Cares has done a phenomenal job of enabling New Yorkers to help each other out. We are proud to support their work," said Rory Wilson, vice president of marketing strategy for contactless payments at Chase. "Chase has issued more than 50 million contactless debit and credit cards to customers and tapping to pay has emerged as one of the fastest growing trends in the payments industry. Chase saw a significant increae in customers who use tap to pay and tap transaction volume has grown 126% in 2021. Since Chase launched contactless cards, customers have made more than 1.2 billion tap to pay transactions."



Contactless payments continue to gain popularity around the globe, with more consumers looking for experiences where they can tap to pay. Today, the United States has surpassed 370 million tap-to-pay-enabled Visa cards4, and now has three cities where 25% of in person Visa payments are made with a tap5, one of them being New York which is nearing 30%.6 "The popularity of contactless payment options has been on the rise for a long time, and as cities and transit operators continue to navigate pandemic-related challenges, riders expect tap to ride to be a regular part of their daily commute," said Mary Ann Reilly, SVP and Head of North America Marketing, Visa. "Together with Chase, we're proud to support New York Cares, who have helped volunteers distribute 44 million meals, and serve more than 261,000 hours since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020."

"We are honored that Chase and Visa have chosen to support New York Cares and give back to the community at a time when the city and its residents really need it," said Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares. "Since the beginning of the pandemic, New York Cares volunteers have given back on the ground in a safe and contact-free way. Tapping to ride on the MTA allows for a more seamless and touch-free experience, something that we at New York Cares feel is important in helping people return to riding safely." Riders using MTA subways and buses can use a Chase Visa contactless card with the same trust and security as any other payment processed on Visa's global payment network. Chase, Visa, and the MTA are committed to getting New Yorkers back on transit safely. 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. About New York Cares New York Cares is the largest volunteer network in the city. Last year, 52,000 New Yorkers made the city a better place by volunteering in New York Cares programs at over 1,100 nonprofits and schools - improving education, meeting immediate needs, and revitalizing public spaces. For more information, visit newyorkcares.org. About Visa Inc. Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world's leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company's relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of digital commerce on any device for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit About Visa, visa.com/blog and @VisaNews. 1 Visa and Chase will donate $.10 per qualifying Chase Visa contactless card transaction (excluding mobile wallet transactions) made for a single ride fare with the MTA within NYC, up to a maximum donation of $250,000. Ends 9/30/2021 or when maximum donation amount is reached. For more info about New York Cares: https://www.newyorkcares.org/

2 Visa "Future of Urban Mobility" survey: June 2021 (conducted by Wakefield Research among 9,000 adults who take public transportation in nine markets: US, Singapore, Australia, Canada, UK, Mexico, S. Africa, Italy and France)

3 Metropolitan Transportation Authority Data, July 2021

4 Visa Data 2021

5 Visa Data 2021

6 Visa Data 2021 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005082/en/

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[August 30, 2021]

LightInTheBox to Report Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results on Tuesday, September 7, 2021

SHANGHAI, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd. (NYSE: LITB) ("LightInTheBox" or the "Company"), a cross-border e-commerce company that delivers products directly to consumers around the world, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 before the open of U.S. markets on Tuesday, September 7, 2021.

LightInTheBox's management will hold a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on September 7, 2021 (8:00 p.m. Beijing Time on the same day).

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, operator assisted conference calls are not available at the moment. All participants wishing to attend the call must preregister online before they can receive the dial-in numbers.

Preregistration Information

Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/3376424. Once preregistration has been complete, participants will receive dial-in numbers, an event passcode, and a unique registrant ID.

To join the conference, simply dial the number in the calendar invite you receive after preregistering, enter the event passcode followed by your unique registrant ID, and you will be joined to the conference instantly.

A telephone replay will be available two hours after the conclusion of the conference call through September 14, 2021. The dial-in details are:









US/Canada: +1-855-452-5696 Hong Kong: 800-963-117 International: +61-2-8199-0299 Passcode: 3376424



Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website at http://ir.lightinthebox.com.

About LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd.

LightInTheBox is a cross-border e-commerce platform that delivers products directly to consumers around the world. The Company offers customers a convenient way to shop for a wide selection of products at attractive prices through its www.lightinthebox.com, www.miniinthebox.com, www.ezbuy.com and other websites and mobile applications, which are available in 25 major languages and cover more than 140 countries.

For more information, please visit www.lightinthebox.com.

Investor Relations Contact

Christensen

Ms. Xiaoyan Su

Tel: +86 (10) 5900 1548

Email: ir@lightinthebox.com

OR

Christensen

Ms. Linda Bergkamp

Phone: +1-480-614-3004

Email: lbergkamp@ChristensenIR.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightinthebox-to-report-second-quarter-2021-financial-results-on-tuesday-september-7-2021-301365019.html

SOURCE LightInTheBox Holding Co., Ltd.
[August 30, 2021] AlphaGraphics recognizes top franchisees at annual conference

DENVER, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AlphaGraphics , a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, honored its top franchisees during the company's annual conference recently. The leading print franchise celebrated its 51st anniversary in San Diego, California, with an in-person event that welcomed 225 people. "After a yearlong virtual journey, both the senior management team and the franchisees were excited to meet in person," said Bill McPherson, vice president of franchise development. "The past year was difficult because of our inability to network and connect in-person with one another, but we made tremendous strides in our growth that were unmatched in previous years. So, this year's conference offered the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the top franchisees among the AlphaGraphics family." This year's winners included: Rising Star: Rob Barnett (Suwanee, Georgia) A franchisee with 30 years in finance and leading sales teams, Barnett was chosen for the award because of his ability to inject renewed passion into the chemistry of his team while quickly becoming a leader in the southeast region. Most Improved: Steven Service (Rochester, New York) An owner of an AlphaGraphics location since 2013, Service was chosen because his goal is to always meet customer's expectations by providing value and solutions without sacrificing high standards and quality. Project of the Year: Phil Davis and Lynn Nelson (American Fork, Utah) Davis and Nelson tackled a task for MX, a financial technology data company, that required them to deliver a packaging that would "speak for itself." The center did just that by creating a box with an embedded video player that automatically started playing when it was opened. Community Impact: A.B. Barrera and Paco Barrientos (Laredo, Texas) Barrera and Barrientos, along with the Laredo staff, helped slow the spread of COVID-19 in their community by partnering with the Laredo Mask Coalition. The organization launched a city-wide public service media campaign encouraging people to wear their masks. AlphaGraphics Laredo donated their services to the cause. Community Advocacy: Johanna Higginson (West Jordan, Utah) Higginson gave two former inmates a chance when she hired them to work inher center. The two prospective employees showed enthusiasm and had relevant experience at the prison's print facility. They continue to work in the center.



AlphaGraphics was founded in 1970, and the company began offering franchise opportunities in 1979. For more information, visit http://www.alphagraphics.com . About AlphaGraphics

AlphaGraphics, Inc., with more than 285 locations in 6 countries, is one of the largest U.S.-based networks of locally-owned and operated Business Centers offering a complete range of print, visual communications, and marketing products. Solutions include: full-service digital, offset, and large format printing; design services; mailing; one-to-one marketing solutions; promotional products; and web to print solutions. For more information about AlphaGraphics services, visit www.alphagraphics.com . To learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.alphagraphicsfranchise.com .

About MBE Worldwide

MBE Worldwide S.p.A. ("MBE"), a privately-owned company based in Milan - Italy, is a third-party provider of shipping, fulfillment, print and marketing tech-enabled solutions to small and medium enterprises and retail consumers via a Network of mainly independently owned and operated locations. MBE Service Centers facilitate the activities of entrepreneurs, people and businesses through an easy-to-access distribution Network and customized services and products delivered with a distinguished and unique level of customer service. MBE presently operates under multiple brands: Mail Boxes Etc. (excluding the US and Canada), AlphaGraphics, PostNet, Spedingo.com, Print Speak, PACK & SEND and Multicopy and its global Network counts currently more than 2,800 locations in 53 countries, with 11,000+ associates and FY2020 System-wide Sales of 879 Million (US$1,004 Million). For additional information please visit MBE Worldwide Group websites at www.mbecorporate.com - www.mbeglobal.com - www.postnet.com - www.alphagraphics.com - www.spedingo.com/en - www.printspeak.com - www.packsend.com.au - www.multicopy.nl - www.mbe.it - www.mbe.es - www.mbe.de - www.mbefrance.fr - www.mbe.pl - www.mbeportugal.pt - www.mbe.co.uk MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alphagraphics-recognizes-top-franchisees-at-annual-conference-301364344.html SOURCE AlphaGraphics

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[August 30, 2021] Talen Energy Corporation and Cumulus Data Applaud the Passage of Pennsylvania's Digital Infrastructure Legislation, House Bill 952, Which Provides Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Data Center Investment in the Commonwealth

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Talen Energy Corporation ("Talen" or "the Company") and Cumulus Data ("Cumulus Data") today applaud Governor Tom Wolf, House and Senate leadership, Representative Donna Oberlander and members of the Pennsylvania Legislature for passage of an exemption of data center IT infrastructure investments from state sales and use tax. House Bill 952 was recently signed into law with bi-partisan support as part of the recent Pennsylvania budget package. Talen and Cumulus Data believe this incentive is key to attracting data center clients and accelerating digital infrastructure investment in the Commonwealth. "We believe this legislation will allow Cumulus Data and other digital infrastructure companies in Pennsylvania to more effectively compete with the country's largest data center markets in Ashburn, Virginia and other rapidly growing cloud infrastructure hubs across the U.S.," said Alex Hernandez, CEO of Cumulus Data and President of Talen. "The combination of this legislation and the low-cost, reliable, carbon-free energy of our Susquehanna generation facility enables Cumulus Data to offer the lowest total cost of ownership and carbon-free ESG benefits to cloud, AI, and data center clients globally." Talen announced recently that it has broken ground on the Cumulus Data center campus on land adjacent to its Susquehanna nuclear generating facility, located outside Berwick, Pa. The Cumulus Data digital campus will provide up to one Gigawatt of carbon-free energy generated by Susquehanna's dual units to power the campus, including 475 Megawatts for hyperscale data center clients and 300 Megawatts for other digital infrastructure applications. The Cumulus Data digital infrastructure investment will create family-sustaining jobs, technology training, and other economic benefits including tax revenue and increased consumption of local goods and services to both the Commonwealth and surrounding community. The first data center is expected to be commercially for lease in the second half of 2022. Governor Tom Wolf, who signed the bi-partisan legislation, commented: "Pennsylvania has always been a place of innovation and welcomes digital infrastructure investment in the Commonwealth. We believe Pennsylvania has many competitive advantages to become a leading data center hub, including significant existing fiber infrastructure, abundant energy resources, carbon-free electricity generation, an exceptional workforce, and geographic proximity to the 60-80 million customers in the region. Pennsylvania's data center legislation drives our Commonwealth to a technology manufacturing future, while creating high paying jobs across our communities this year and for generations to come." Ralph Alexander, Chairman and CEO of Talen, said, "We are extremely grateful to the Pennsylvania Legislature and the Governor for their key support of this legislation, as well as Susquehanna's senator, John Gordner, for his efforts to advance the bill in the legislature, and Representative Donna Oberlander for sponsoring House Bill 952. Their efforts will help Pennsylvania reap the benefits that other states hae enjoyed from this rapidly growing industry, which include jobs, tax revenue and infrastructure investments. Our Cumulus Data investment is a tangible expression of Talen's Force for Good strategy to invest in and support the communities in which we operate."



Bill sponsor, Representative and Majority Whip representing the 63rd District, Donna Oberlander, commented on the projected benefits as well, "This measure has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in a rapidly growing industry while also serving as a catalyst for greater fiber and broadband deployment. Without this legislation, Pennsylvania was not on level footing with other states, as it worked to attract data center clients and digital infrastructure investments. This resulted in the Commonwealth missing out on the many benefits data centers have brought to other areas such as Ashburn, Virginia with more favorable tax treatment. Because Pennsylvania does not yet have a significant number of data centers operating here in the Commonwealth, the tax exemptions offered will create additive benefits, without any significant loss in revenue. We look forward to seeing this attractive industry grow quickly and benefit the economy for generations to come." Talen's Cumulus Data hyperscale data center campus is part of the Company's larger transformation to a more sustainable future. This transformation, which was discussed during the Company's investor day in May, is centered on converting legacy fossil power generation facilities to clean power sources and investing in renewable energy, battery storage and digital infrastructure within its current asset footprint. Talen recently announced a joint venture with Pattern Energy to develop 1.4 Gigawatts of solar and wind generation across its footprint, including 400 Megawatts of solar generation in Pennsylvania. Talen's first 100 Megawatt solar project, located in Montour County, Pa., is anticipated to break ground in 2022 and provide renewables additionality to digital infrastructure clients of the Cumulus Data center campus. Talen's approach, which includes converting, not closing, legacy generation facilities to cleaner energy sources and developing new infrastructure opportunities in the communities in which it operates, is what the Company calls its "Force for Good" ESG strategy.

For more information regarding Cumulus Data, visit: https://cumulusinfra.com/ For more information regarding Talen Energy, visit https://www.talenenergy.com/esg-focused-future/ About Cumulus Data Cumulus Data, a subsidiary of Talen, is developing a 475 Megawatt hyperscale data center campus located outside Berwick, Pa., with the potential to expand operations to other sites across the United States. The flagship Susquehanna campus will be powered by >1 Gigawatt of ultra-reliable, carbon-free, 24x7 nuclear power with the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) for cloud data center customers in the United States. Cumulus also offers customers the ability to supplement its carbon-free offering with 400 Megawatts of new solar generation capacity under development. Cumulus Data has broken ground on its digital campus and anticipates having its first data center available for lease in the second half 2022. For more information, visit: https://cumulusinfra.com/ About Talen Energy Corporation Talen, through its subsidiary Talen Energy Supply, LLC, is one of the largest competitive power generation and infrastructure companies in North America. The company owns and/or controls approximately 13,000 megawatts of generating capacity in wholesale U.S. power markets, principally in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas and Montana. Talen is also developing a large-scale portfolio of renewable energy, battery storage, and digital infrastructure assets across its expansive footprint. For more information, visit https://www.talenenergy.com/esg-focused-future/ Customer Contact

Cumulus Data

281-203-5800

info@cumulusinfra.com Investor Contact

Olivia Sigo

Director, Finance, Investor Relations & ESG

281-203-5387

Olivia.Sigo@talenenergy.com Media Contact

Taryne Williams

Media & Community Relations Manager

610-601-0327

Taryne.Williams@talenenergy.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/talen-energy-corporation-and-cumulus-data-applaud-the-passage-of-pennsylvanias-digital-infrastructure-legislation-house-bill-952-which-provides-sales-and-use-tax-exemption-for-data-center-investment-in-the-commonwealth-301365072.html SOURCE Talen Energy Corp.; Cumulus Data

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[August 30, 2021] VisualMed Clinical Solutions, Corp. provides update from new CEO

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VisualMed Clinical Solutions, Corp. (A Nevada Corporation) (OTC: VMCS), provides an update from its new CEO

I look forward to the opportunity and challenge created as a result of becoming part of VisualMed though the recent acquisition from Rennova Health. VisualMed is a long-standing public company with a significant and long-established shareholder base that I believe will benefit from the renewed business strategy resulting from this acquisition. Id like to share some recent developments and future plans for corporate and business activities and look forward to us sharing many successes in the coming weeks, months and years. Corporate; As previously announced the Company has recently regained compliance with OTC disclosure requirements and now has a verified profile and transfer agent verified shareholder indicator displayed by OTC Markets. The Company intends to complete a name change in the immediate future to InnovaQor, Inc., and will apply for a new trading symbol once complete. We look forward to confirming the completion of these actions and the launch of a new InnovaQor website for up to date information on the Company and its operations. The Company has retained auditors and is well advanced in completing audited financial statements to our financial year end, June 30th The Company intends to become compliant with SEC reporting requirements. We believe this increased level of reporting will facilitate transparency and information for our shareholders and the investment community and enhance the credibility and appeal of our Company in the public marketplace. Business; We have several software solutions that are fully developed and tested that we are ready to market. We have an expectation of immediate financial benefit from these efforts. In addition to this marketing and deployment, the Company is developing an intelligent platform that should help create a new level of efficiency and added value for almost every clinician and executive in the medical sector. We will continue to disclose significant progress with this project along the way. We will continue to expand our relationships and partnerships in order to better support our business model and accelerate growth and value for all. Current solutions include; Advantage Advantage is a proprietary lab ordering and reporting software that was developed and used since 2012 to connect doctors to a lab information system. The system was utilized in multiple clinical labs and by many clinicians. The system can facilitate multiple or single orders and creates a user friendly and fully track-able platform for a lab order and report. This system could be amended to facilitate much needed trackability and transparency for Covid 19 testing and vaccinations. The Company continues to monitor and consider how it can launch this technology to help with the current pandemic. Medical Mime Medical Mime was built with the direction of physicians for physicians, to specifically address the issue of reduced efficiency when clinicians must use an EHR/EMR. The platform gives users, at all levels, seamless and exact data they need to be as efficient as possible. The Company has been focused on the substance abuse sector and the majority of current software revenues are generated from this sector. Robust analytics provide a 360-degree view of the patient life cycle. CSuite and Executive users can easily identify gaps, monitor operational efficiency and make informed decisions regarding the overall health of an organization.



This added efficiency enables employees to focus more time and energy on the patient-provider relationship and less on the system. A full description and further information on this product can be found at www.medicalmime.com

vCIO Services HTSs Virtual Chief Information Officer?(vCIO)?services provides the skill set of an entire management team for less than it would cost for one employee. Beyond the cost savings from not having to hire a full time CIO, our services provide access to the necessary skills and expertise to handle the vital roles of an IT organization. Whether the needs involve assessing a current IT infrastructure, solving a pain point, or implementing automation within an organization, we provide neutral, third-party viewpoints to help customers see things more objectively and can substantially benefit the bottom line. ClinLab Our lab platform has been designed so that a lab can customize their specific and unique business and workflow. Since 1987, ClinLab LIS (Laboratory Information System) has been focused on helping hospitals, group practices, clinics and public health departments significantly increase efficiencies by reducing turnaround time and overall cost of operation. ClinLab is scalable from small point-of-care labs to large multi-user, multi-location clinical facilities. ClinLab acts as a data warehouse for lab results and includes reporting, data acquisition, label printing, electronic signoff and provides numerous interface capabilities to a multitude of reference labs and practice systems. The combination of ClinLab and Advantage creates a seamless and limitless option for any Lab and its customers Qira Healthcare data is ubiquitous, but insights are rare. Enter Qira, a solution already deployed in operating hospitals and national clinical reference laboratories. Unlike other healthcare systems, Qira aggregates and synthesizes data from departments throughout the healthcare ecosystem, presenting it in simple, actionable dashboards that make decision-making effective and seamless. In addition, Qira is a powerful management tool that aggregates data across multiple locations, giving administrators a complete 360 view of the organizations operations. Admissions, workflow, billing and the results or deficiencies of each. Qira will transform the way an organization is managed. For example, reports that used to run monthly, take up 100s of man hours and cost thousands of dollars to generate, can be presented in real time. Qira is the perfect solution for smaller and rural hospitals and facilities that cannot afford the burden of the management team that would be required to continuously analyze data and display it in a manner to drive immediate direction and action. MEDtuning MEDtuning, a Genomas product, offers patients and physicians clinicians the ability to personalize drug therapy and increase safety and compliance. MEDtuning is a genetic assessment of the patient genome in order to better assess the medicines currently prescribed or being considered for the patient, extending to 200 Neuro-Psychiatric and 160 Cardio-Metabolic drugs featured within the MEDtuning App. Deployment of this system allows the personalized management of drugs to treat mental illness, pain, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, leading clinicians and patients to their desired treatment goal and resulting in effective and individualized healthcare. MEDtuning has been used by more than 500 clinicians and 15,000 patients throughout the United States. Based on clinical studies and case reports, MEDtuning offers interpretative guidance to assess the individual's innate drug metabolism in order to establish and quantify functionalities and deficiencies. Clinicians and individuals are then guided to make prescribing decisions based on those metabolic capabilities and deficits. Our solutions are focused on helping clinicians and their organizations achieve improved efficiencies and optimize patient care and outcomes. We look forward to building a successful business while at the same time make patient care as accessible and effective as possible. Sharon Hollis

CEO/President

VisualMed (soon to be InnovaQor, Inc.) About VisualMed Clinical Solutions, Corp VisualMed provides software solutions for the healthcare industry and intends to develop a unique and innovative communication platform with multiple added value additions, for use by healthcare professionals and workers throughout the world. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from expectations and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors are contained in the Company's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in their expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Contact: Gerard Dab

Director and Secretary

438-501-6500

press@innovaqor.com



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[August 30, 2021] Leap Platform Expanding Store Count 300% in 2021

NEW YORK, Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leap, the retail platform for modern brands, today announced it will expand its fleet of stores by 300% this year. On pace to have 50 stores open by the end of 2021 and 250 by the end of 2022 - an additional 400% growth, Leap is accelerating growth for brands through its Platform that opens and operates immersive retail stores. Brands on the Leap Platform leverage Leap's infrastructure, operations and technology to launch stores in highly desirable locations with more efficiencies and less risk. Brands such as Goodlife, Faherty, Birdies, Mack Weldon, Naadam, Public Rec, Something Navy, UpWest, Pact, Vincero, Ashley Stewart and more are utilizing Leap to grow their retail footprint, increase omnichannel customer lifetime value and reduce customer acquisition costs. Leap currently operates stores across New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Austin, Scottsdale and southern Florida. As brand customer demand for stores has accelerated Leap's growth, Leap raised $15 million in capital including Series A funding from Hyde Park Venture Partners, Costanoa Ventures, Equal Ventures, and Lightbank. This funding is enabling Leap to further develop its technology and team and add more brands and stores to its footprint. "Brands are looking to grow via fully immersive retail stores to build their brand and acquire customers without traditional risks, barriers to entry and liabilities." said Amish Tolia, co-founder and co-CEO at Leap. "Our platform approach is the future of retail. Qualified brands are now able to scaletheir physical retail strategy without having to outlay significant upfront capital or dedicate internal resources to real estate, leases, store design, staffing or technology."



The Leap Platform is built on millions of data points across its network of stores, locations and brands. Proprietary algorithms, combined with world class operations, local market expertise and efficiencies from store clustering help ensure success for brands. In 2021, Leap expanded into Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin, Scottsdale and southern Florida, building on its pre-pandemic presence in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco. "Stores are core to our strategy for building our brands and driving overall growth," commented Matt Scanlan, CEO of Naadam and Something Navy. "But developing and managing the complex infrastructure required for physical retail isn't where we want to invest. By leveraging the Leap platform for stores, we can scale more rapidly with more flexibility and less risk, all while focusing on what we want to be best in the world at  creating awesome products and deepening connections with our customers."

Signing leases directly with landlord partners across street, mall and other prime retail locations, Leap abstracts significant risk from brands, while also driving benefits for landlords. "We're excited to work with Leap to bring new brands to our portfolio," said Gabrielle (Aaron) Licht, leasing manager at Macerich. "Their data-driven platform brings value to our partnership by helping brands access the strong demographics at our centers that mirror those of their online shoppers, which sets these brands up for success with us." "It's vital to meet customers where they are, whether that's online, on social media, or in stores," added Marisa Sharkey, Birdies co-founder and president. "Leap enables us to reach new customers, capture real world insights and connect more deeply with our customers in premium locations like Abbot Kinney Boulevard in LA." About Leap

Leap enables brands to deploy modern, immersive retail stores that drive growth and acquire customers. By leveraging millions of data points and a platform strategy, Leap makes physical retail more productive and less risky for brands. Discover and learn more about Leap's platform and brand stores powered by Leap at http://leapinc.com . View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leap-platform-expanding-store-count-300-in-2021-301364875.html SOURCE Leap

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[August 30, 2021] Affinity Takes Mezzetta's Website From Ordinary to Extraordinary

MARE ISLAND, Calif. , Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mezzetta, the fourth generation, family-owned and operated purveyor of artisanal foods based in American Canyon, CA, recently appointed Affinity Creative Group to revitalize their website. The new site celebrates the brand's mission, ethos, and of course, its mouthwatering variety of products and associated recipes. The new site celebrates Mezzetta's mission, ethos, and of course, its mouthwatering products and associated recipes. Known for an unwavering commitment to quality, Mezzetta has spent more than eight decades dedicated to sharing their love of handed-down recipes & unforgettable flavors. Established in 1935 by Giuseppe Mezzetta in San Francisco's North Beach, Mezzetta grew from humble beginnings introducing Mediterranean staples to the Bay Area and has since grown to a nationally celebrated brand renowned for authentic family recipes, exceptional ingredients, and unforgettable flavor. Dedicated to offering a bit of adventure in every meal, the Mezzetta team travels the world in search of the inest ingredients and is proud to cultivate strong relationships with local farmers. From the brand's state-of-the-art facilities, world-class test kitchens, and advanced production lines, Mezzetta customers can rely on the brand's promise to deliver only the highest quality ingredients in every product.



"Affinity was an incredible partner in our website journey. Their strategy first design and collaborative approach elicited the best from our team, and it's apparent in the end result. The team has given us an incredibly powerful online tool that is a true representation of the Mezzetta legacy, and we couldn't be happier."  Jeff Mezzetta, President, Mezzetta Mezzetta partnered with Affinity Creative Group to completely reimagine and rebuild their existing website while staying true to the brand's time-honored tradition and family-oriented aesthetic. With that in mind, Affinity prepared a brand style guide to act as the foundation, then created site architecture and wireframes which were populated with new content and brand assets.

Over 200 products were photographed, cataloged and cross-referenced in the production of the website to create a cohesive and connected experience for users. Comprehensive information on the Mezzetta brand history and mission is coupled with an exhaustive product catalog and bonus ancillary recipes for prepared foods, desserts, and cocktails, offering users a seamless and intuitive web experience. The Affinity digital team rounded this out with compelling copy and captivating visuals that include custom photography and illustrations, as well as an educational component that lets customers explore a range of olive and pepper varieties as well as other prime ingredients. Advanced UX allows users to customize recipes based on the number of people they're cooking for, while built-in e-commerce functionality provides direct-to-consumers sales and completes the seamless web experience. Mezzetta proves that great things come in glass jars, and they believe that when you share food, you share a part of who you are. The new website brings these tenets to life online in a powerful and engaging way. About Mezzetta: Mezzetta's commitment to quality and innovation is just as great today under the stewardship of President Jeff Mezzetta, as it was when his great-grandfather Giuseppe founded the company in 1935. Today Mezzetta has expanded national distribution to 32,000 stores while maintaining the same family-first culture that's defined the brand for 85 years. Visit https://www.mezzetta.com/ for more information. About Affinity Creative Group: From our unique creative campus, along historic officer's row on Mare Island, California, Affinity Creative Group provides brand design, digital media, and retail activation marketing services, particularly for wine, spirits, and other luxury categories. For more information about Affinity Creative Group, please visit: AffinityCreative.com or call 707.562.2787. Photos: Click Here View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/affinity-takes-mezzettas-website-from-ordinary-to-extraordinary-301364735.html SOURCE Affinity Creative Group

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[August 30, 2021] Solo Announces Seed Fundraising of $5.3M to Empower App-Based Gig Workers With Performance Data to Achieve Their Own Financial Goals

Solo, an innovative platform for app-based gig workers, announced today that it has raised $5.3 million in a seed round of funding led by Slow Ventures to fuel its ongoing development and go-to-market efforts. Solo's mission is to help workers optimize their time and maximize their income by leveraging community insights to power earnings predictions and dynamic income guarantees. The goal is to help tackle the problem of pay instability for those working in the gig economy. "While the gig economy has provided flexible work for millions of people, the jobs come with minimal security and stability," said Bryce Bennett, Solo CEO and co-founder. "We're excited to put better data and tools in the hands of drivers, shoppers, couriers and others so they can maintain their flexibility, while also knowing when, where, and what job to work." Solo tracks data across multiple gig platforms, including Uber, Doordash and Instacart, to provide city-level pay and performance benchmarks, including hour-by-hour earnings predictions that Solo guarantees, making up the difference if pay is less. Devn Jansa, a Solo user, who works with several gig platforms, said, "Solo maximizes my potential as a driver by providing data on earnings, rush hours and which platforms are performing best. I've added new jobs using their pay predictions and am now earning 30% more per hour, guaranteed."



Once a user securely links their accounts, the data is anonymously aggregated with the collective community, which provides a transparent market pay rate, helping workers harness multiple earnings sources to achieve their own financial goals. "Solo is bringing transparency to the gig economy and giving workers the information and power to earn more," said advisor and investor Harry Campbell, The Rideshare Guy. "From their planning and goal setting features to their one of a kind 'earnings guarantees.' Solo is a company that is truly focused on building solutions that gig workers need." In addition to Slow Ventures, the seed round included participation from Expa, Red Sea, Fuse, Ascend and Kindergarten. Angels in the round included Harry Campbell, The Rideshare Guy; Dan Lewis, CEO of Convoy; Rob Hayes, First Round Capital; Jeff Wilke, former Amazon Consumer CEO; and Salle Yoo, former Uber General Counsel.

For more information about Solo, visit www.worksolo.com. About Solo: Solo is a software company based in Seattle. Solo's platform provides a solution for app-based workers that leverages data to bring professional and financial stability to those in the gig economy. The company is led by two former Convoy & Uber executives, Bryce Bennett and Keith Ng, who have more than a decade of experience working with app-based workers in the gig economy. Learn more at www.worksolo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005124/en/

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[August 30, 2021] HilltopSecurities Celebrates 75 Years with Online Treasure Hunt, $75,000 Donation to Texas Public Schools

Dallas-based investment bank Hilltop Securities Inc. (HilltopSecurities) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and recognizing the milestone by continuing its commitment to support equity and inclusion in education across Texas. As part of its anniversary celebration, the firm is launching an online treasure hunt that will provide Texas public school educators with the chance to win one of ten donations of $7,500 for their districts' education foundations, as well as prizes for their classrooms. 75 Years of Financial Services Leadership HilltopSecurities was formed through the merger of First Southwest Company, a broker-dealer founded in 1946 and known for its municipal advisory practice; Southwest Securities Inc., a full-service broker dealer founded in 1972; and M.L. Stern & Co., a California-based financial services firm known for its fixed income bond expertise and retail wealth management. As part of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH), a well-capitalized and publicly traded parent company, HilltopSecurities is backed by a diverse financial services enterprise and has approximately 55 locations across the U.S. The company's iconic buffalo icon, "Mo," serves as a symbol for unified power and the unstoppable momentum of an advancing herd. "We are proud of our past, but today our sights are clearly focused on the future," says HilltopSecurities President and CEO Brad Winges. "We are welcoming new clients in new markets and expanding our businesses. Our business is built on trusted relationships, and relationships are about people. It's been that way since 1946 and it remains true today." HilltopSecurities is one of the leading municipal investment banks and one of the largest clearing services firms in the United States. The firm's areas of focus include public finance, wealth management, fixed incme capital markets, and structured finance/debt capital markets.



Join the Online Treasure Hunt HilltopSecurities' online treasure hunt will be launched this Fall. Eligible Texas public school educators may participate as individuals or include their classroom in the fun! More information about, and the rules for participating in, the contest will be provided as the launch date approaches.

Supporting Public Education Across Texas Investing in education, particularly for underserved students and their teachers, continues to be a priority for Hilltop, which last year pledged to invest $1 million in Texas public schools. Backed by the entire Hilltop organization, this initiative is led by HilltopSecurities, which works with more than 270 public school districts nationwide as a leading financial advisor. Here in Texas, as part of that $1 million education initiative, Hilltop has partnered with Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD, and Houston ISD with donations to each district through its education foundation. The donations are designed to support the communities' most underserved student populations, such as at-risk youth, individuals below the poverty line, and minority student populations. HilltopSecurities Moves into New National Headquarters in Downtown Dallas Earlier this year, HilltopSecurities moved into its new national headquarters in downtown Dallas. HilltopSecurities Tower is a 34-floor skyscraper located at 717 N. Harwood. The mid-May move from its previous headquarters in Dallas' Renaissance Tower signified more than just a change of address or an addition to the Dallas skyline. It represents the next chapter in Hilltop's legacy. The Tower features the company's iconic buffalo logo in 15-foot, lighted letters, and underwent extensive renovations on the spaces that HilltopSecurities occupies. "We are leaders - innovators who are driven to bring our clients a level of expertise and insight they can't find anywhere else," says HilltopSecurities Chairman Emeritus, Hill Feinberg. "We are proud to be celebrating 75 years of excellence and strength in this industry that will help carry us into the future." About HilltopSecurities Hilltop Securities Inc. delivers forthright advice and tailored solutions for municipal issuers, institutions, broker-dealers, and individuals. The full-service municipal investment bank and registered investment adviser is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices across the United States. Areas of focus include public finance; municipal and taxable fixed income underwriting, sales, and trading; retail brokerage services; securities clearing; structured finance; and securities lending. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH), HilltopSecurities' affiliates include Momentum (News - Alert) Independent Network Inc., PlainsCapital Bank, and PrimeLending. Learn more at www.HilltopSecurities.com. Member: NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005150/en/

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[August 30, 2021] ICE Announces That a Record 20,723 Micro NYSE FANG+ Index Futures Traded on August 26

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology, and market infrastructure, today announced that a record 20,732 Micro NYSE FANG+ Index futures traded on August 26, marking its highest volume day. Average daily volume has grown to a record 8,423 contracts in August. "The U.S. technology sector has had a standout year and there has been a lot of attention on the FAANG stocks and the NYSE FANG+ Index", said Caterina Caramaschi, Global Head of Equity Derivatives at ICE. "The Index's equal weighted methodology, coupled with the strong performance of many of the index constituents, has resulted in a diversified, positive performance for the index. This, combined with the smaller, micro size of the futures contracts, has attracted more participants who want to gain exposure to, or manage their exposure from, these ten giants among technology-related stocks." MICRO NYSE FANG+ Index futures are based on ICE's NYSE FANG+ Index, which provides exposure to the 10 highly-traded technology and technology-related companies Alibaba, Amazon, Apple, Baidu, Facebook, Google (Alphabet), Netflix, NVIDIA, Tesla, and Twitter (News - Alert) . The NYSE FANG+ Index has consistently outperformed many other U.S. indices, producing an annualized total return of 33.41%*. To provide greater flexibility, cost efficiency and accessibility for a wider range of participants, ICE reduced the notional value of the NYSE FANG+ Index futures contract in September 2020 by one tenth to a notional value of approximately $35,000 and renamed the index futures MICRO NYSE FANG+ Index futures. For more information about MICRO NYSE FANG+ Index futures, visit https://www.theice.com/fangplus. *Returns as of September 19, 2014 to July 31, 2021. The NYSE FANG+ Index launched on 09/26/2017. Prior performnce (09/19/2014 to 09/25/2017) is based upon backtested index calculations.



About Intercontinental Exchange Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks to connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes that offer our customers access to mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and operational efficiencies. We operate exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, and clearing houses that help people invest, raise capital and manage risk across multiple asset classes. Our comprehensive fixed income data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers capitalize on opportunities and operate more efficiently. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming and digitizing the U.S. residential mortgage process, from consumer engagement through loan registration. Together, we transform, streamline and automate industries to connect our customers to opportunity.

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading "Key Information Documents (KIDS)." Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on February 4, 2021. Apple (News - Alert)  is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Amazon is a registered trademark of Amazon Technologies, Inc. Netflix is a registered trademark of Netflix, Inc. Google (News - Alert)  is a registered trademark of Google, Inc. Alibaba is a registered trademark of Alibaba Group Holding Limited. Baidu is a registered trademark of Baidu.com (News - Alert) , Inc. Nvidia is a registered trademark of Nvidia Corporation. Tesla is a registered trademark of Tesla, Inc. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. ICE- CORP

Source (News - Alert) : Intercontinental Exchange View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005265/en/

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[August 30, 2021] SANTANDER CONSUMER USA (SC) SHAREHOLDER ALERT - Andrews & Springer LLC Is Seeking More Cash for Shareholders of Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc.

Andrews & Springer LLC, a boutique securities class action law firm focused on representing shareholders nationwide, is investigating potential breach of fiduciary duty claims against the Board of Directors of Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SC) ("Santander Consumer" or the "Company") relating to the sale of the Company to its controlling stockholder Santander Holdings USA, Inc. ("Santander Holdings"). On August 24, 2021, the two parties announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Santander Holdings will acquire Santander Consumer in a merger worth $12.7 billion. As a result, Santander Consumer's shareholders are only anticipated to receive $41.50 per share in cash in exchange for each share. Andrews & Springer's investigation so far has revealed that the consideration Santander Consumer shareholders are expected to receive in the merger is inadequate. While the Company claims that shareholders will receive a 14% premium for their shares, the deal consideration is significantly less than the $48.00 price target set by analysts at BMO Capital Markets on July 28, 2021. The deal consideration is also less than the Company's 52-week high trading price of $42.29. Given that Santander Consumer's controlling stockholder, Santander Holdings, stands on both sides of the transaction, the merger appears to have significant conflicts of interest thus making the process and consideration unfair. If you own shares of Santander Consumer and want to receive additional information and protect your invstments free of charge, please visit us at http://www.andrewsspringer.com/cases-investigations/santander-consumer-class-action-investigation/ or contact Craig J. Springer, Esq. at cspringer@andrewsspringer.com, or call toll free at 1-800-423-6013. You may also follow us on LinkedIn (News - Alert) - www.linkedin.com/company/andrews-&-springer-llc, Twitter (News - Alert) - www.twitter.com/AndrewsSpringer or Facebook (News - Alert) - www.facebook.com/AndrewsSpringer for future updates.



Andrews & Springer is a boutique securities class action law firm representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty or corporate misconduct. Having formerly defended some of the largest financial institutions in the world, our founding members use their valuable knowledge, experience, and superior skill for the sole purpose of achieving positive results for investors. These traits are the hallmarks of our innovative approach to each case our Firm decides to prosecute. For more information please visit our website at www.andrewsspringer.com. This notice may constitute Attorney Advertising.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005182/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Investment in Artificial Intelligence Solutions Will Accelerate as Businesses Seek Insights, Efficiency, and Innovation, According to a New IDC Spending Guide

Businesses and organizations across all industries are increasing their investment in artificial intelligence (AI) to create competitive advantage through improved customer insight, greater employee efficiency, and accelerated innovation. The new Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Spending Guide from International Data Corporation (IDC) forecasts global spending on AI systems will jump from $85.3 billion in 2021 to more than $204 billion in 2025. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the 2021-2025 period will be 24.5%. "The disruption through the global pandemic has been unsettling, but it is also serving as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and business transformations," said Ritu Jyoti, group vice president, Artificial Intelligence and Automation Research with IDC's (News - Alert) software market research and advisory practice. "Today, AI expertise is focused more on developing commercial applications that optimize efficiencies in existing industries. Acceleration of AI adoption and proliferation of smart, intuitive ML/DL algorithms will spawn the creation of new industries and business segments and overall will trigger new opportunities for business monetization." Retail and Banking are the two industries that will spend the most on AI solutions over the five-year forecast period with Retail spending growing at a slightly faster rate. Retail AI spending will largely focus on solutions that improve the customer experience through automated customer service and recommendation engines. The Banking industry will allocate much of its AI investment to risk reduction through automated threat intelligence and fraud analysis applications. The third largest industry for AI spending, Discrete Manufacturing, will invest primarily in quality management and automated preventative maintenance solutions. In terms of spending growth, all 19 industries in the Spending Guide are expected to have compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) greater than 20% over the 2021-2025 forecast period. A graphic illustrating the 2021 share of worldwide AI solutions spending by industry is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com. The two largest use cases in terms of total spending across all industries are Automated Customer Service Agents and Sales Process Recommendation and Automation.Together, these two use cases will account for $15.9 billion or more than 18% of all AI spending this year. While this shows an orientation toward better customer experience across industries, how the solutions are used will vary from industry to industry. For example, Federal and Central Government will use AI solutions to help constituents find the most suitable government service while Retail will focus on helping shoppers to identify additional items to purchase.



The next five use cases were closely bunched at just over $5 billion in spending this year - IT Optimization; Automated Threat Intelligence and Prevention Systems; Program Advisors and Recommendation Systems; Fraud Analysis and Investigation; and Automated Preventative Maintenance. Similar to AI spending by industry, all 27 AI use cases in the Spending Guide are expected to have CAGRs greater than 20% over the five-year forecast period. "In addition to the customer experience, a lot of AI investment is geared towards improving efficiency. IDC believes these implementations will migrate towards developing and enhancing new business models," said Mike Glennon, senior research manager with IDC's Customer Insights & Analysis team. "New ways of conducting business will fundamentally change how companies interact with their customers and will encourage new players across many industries. We have already seen dramatic changes in retail with companies such as Alibaba and Amazon, and other industries will follow as they discover how they can benefit from changes in how business is done using AI. AI will have an impact in all stages of business, from customer interactions, through supply chain improvements, to new and yet to be thought of services."

Software will be the leading technology group accounting for more than half of all spending on AI solutions throughout the forecast. The largest areas of investment will be AI Applications and AI Development & Deployment software while AI Lifecycle Software will experience the fastest spending growth with a five-year CAGR of 40.7%. A quarter of all AI spending will go toward Services with IT Services seeing spending totals similar to those for AI Applications. Hardware spending will be dominated by server purchases. On a geographic basis, the United States will deliver more than half of all AI spending throughout the forecast, led by the Retail and Banking industries. Western Europe will be the second largest geographic region, led by Banking, Retail, and Discrete Manufacturing. China will be the third largest region for AI spending with State/Local Government, Banking, and Process Manufacturing as the leading industries. The strongest spending growth over the five-year forecast will be in Western Europe (26.9% CAGR) and Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan and China) (25.1% CAGR). The Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Spending Guide sizes spending for technologies that analyze, organize, access, and provide advisory services based on a range of unstructured information. The Spending Guide quantifies the AI opportunity by providing data for 27 use cases across 19 industries in nine regions and 32 countries. Data is also available for the related hardware, software, and services categories. About IDC Spending Guides

IDC's Spending Guides provide a granular view of key technology markets from a regional, vertical industry, use case, buyer, and technology perspective. The spending guides are delivered via pivot table format or custom query tool, allowing the user to easily extract meaningful information about each market by viewing data trends and relationships. 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/20210830005091/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Kingston Digital Ships Record-Breaking DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive

Kingston Digital, Inc., the flash memory affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announced it is shipping DataTraveler Max, a high performance Type-C1 USB leveraging the latest USB 3.2 Gen 2 standard. DataTraveler Max (DT Max) delivers record-breaking speeds up to 1,000MB/s read and 900MB/s write2 to make it one of the fastest USB drives on the market and the first of its kind. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005014/en/ Kingston DataTraveler Max (Photo: Business Wire) DT Max is designed with portability and convenience in mind. The unique ridged casing protects the connector when it is not in use and is easily moved in a single motion. Seamlessly transfer and store large digital files such as HD photos, 4K/8K videos, music and more with top speeds and high capacities up to 1TB3. The addition of a keyring loop and LED status indicator makes the drive ideal for users who need storage on-the-go. "DT Max offers industry-leading speeds and uncompromised storage space to enable consumers to create and keep up with today's content demands," said Carissa Blegen, flash product manager, Kingston. "We deliver unparalleled performance that our customers have come to know and expect, and with this launch we are proud to set a new bar for USB-C flash drives." DataTraveler Max is available in capacities 256GB to 1TB and is backed by a five-year warranty with free technical support. For more information visit kingston.com. DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive Features and Specifications: Latest USB 3.2 Gen 2 Standard: Move your files in a flash with incredible speeds up to 1,000MB/s Read, 900MB/s Write

Move your files in a flash with incredible speeds up to 1,000MB/s Read, 900MB/s Write Uncompromised Storage: Available in a range of high capacities from 256GB-1TB to carry your digital library on-the-go

Available in a range of high capacities from 256GB-1TB to carry your digital library on-the-go USB-C 1 Connectivity: Supports next-gen laptops and desktops for seamless file transfers

Supports next-gen laptops and desktops for seamless file transfers Unique Design: Convenient one-handed sliding cap, LED status indicator, and functional keyring loop

Convenient one-handed sliding cap, LED status indicator, and functional keyring loop Capacities 3 : 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB Speed 2 : USB 3.2 Gen 2 - Up to 1,000MB/s read, 900MB/s write

: USB 3.2 Gen 2 - Up to 1,000MB/s read, 900MB/s write Dimensions : 82.17 mm x 22.00 mm x 9.02 mm

: 82.17 mm x 22.00 mm x 9.02 mm Weight : 12g

: 12g Operating temperature : 0C~60C

: 0C~60C Storage temperature : -20C~85C

: -20C~85C Warranty/support : 5-year warranty with free technical support

: 5-year warranty with free technical support Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, Mac OS (v. 10.14.x +), Linux (v. 2.6.x +), Chrome OS







DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive Part Number Capacity DTMAX/256GB 256GB DTMAX/512GB 512GB DTMAX/1TB 1TB

1 USB Type-C and USB-C are registered trademarks of USB Implementers Forum.

2 Speed may vary due to host hardware, software and usage.

3 Some of the listed capacity on a Flash storage device is used for formatting and other functions and thus is not available for data storage. As such, the actual available capacity for data storage is less than what is listed on the products. For more information, go to Kingston's Flash Memory Guide. Kingston can be found on: YouTube Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kingston Is With You About Kingston Digital, Inc. From big data, to laptops and PCs, to IoT-based devices like smart and wearable technology, to design-in and contract manufacturing, Kingston helps deliver the solutions used to live, work and play. The world's largest PC makers and cloud-hosting companies depend on Kingston for their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We strive beyond our products to see the bigger picture, to meet the needs of our customers and offer solutions that make a difference. To learn more about how Kingston Is With You, visit Kingston.com. Editor's Note: For additional information, evaluation units or executive interviews, please contact PR Team, Kingston Technology Company, Inc. 17600 Newhope Street, Fountain Valley, CA (News - Alert) USA 92708, 714-435-2600 (Voice). Press images can be found in Kingston's press room kingston.com/company/press/ Kingston and the Kingston logo are registered trademarks of Kingston Technology Corporation. IronKey (News - Alert) is a registered trademark of Kingston Digital, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005014/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Benevity Announces Janeen Speer as Chief People Officer as the Company Looks to Grow by 300 Roles This Year

CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Benevity, Inc., the leading provider of global corporate purpose software, today announced Janeen Speer, former VP of Talent from Shopify, has joined the companys executive leadership team as Chief People Officer. In this newly created role, Janeen will help build upon the companys purpose-driven culture for Benevitys rapidly growing, global team with a focus on finding the best people to power Benevitys mission and continue creating an environment where they can thrive.

With ESG trends, remote workforces and tight labour markets increasing demand for our solutions and services, it is critical for us to attract and retain exceptional talent. Our people and purpose-driven culture have powered our growth and innovation thus far, and are a key reason for our success and category leadership, said Kelly Schmitt, CEO of Benevity. Janeen is one of a kind, with deep experience in scaling talent, culture and innovation, and we couldnt be more excited to have her on board. With her leadership, we will add new talent to further fuel our growth, while retaining our unique, strong culture. Janeen joins Benevity with more than 20 years of experience and proven expertise in leadership development, talent acquisition and talent management. No stranger to scale, Janeen most recently led a team of over 380 people at Shopify and supported the company in growing from 5,000 to 10,000 employees in 3 years. She has also held senior leadership roles at WestJet, Lululemon and Starbucks, all mission-driven brands focused on engaging diverse employees across international locations. I have grown my career in companies with a strong mission and culture, and having called Calgary home for more than 20 years, Benevity is a natural fit, said Janeen Speer, Benevitys new Chief People Officer. Its exiting to support the growth of another Canadian-born company with such a compelling, purpose-driven culture, and also to be part of the growing technology sector here in Calgary. I am thrilled to be joining at this pivotal point in Benevitys trajectory and look forward to working alongside this innovative and passionate team who, like me, believe in the power of great technology to transform the world.



Janeens appointment comes at a time of high growth for Benevity as the company looks to add 300 people this year, across several high-profile technology, product and client success roles. Her experience will help the company scale a hybrid workforce while ensuring that it retains its highly engaged and unique culture. Janeens addition to our executive leadership team demonstrates the importance we place on our people and our culture, as well as our ongoing commitment to diversity. While it perhaps shouldnt be as noteworthy as it is, 75% of our executives are women, making us a stand-out in the technology sector and hopefully a role model for others, said Bryan de Lottinville, Benevity Founder and Executive Chairperson.

Janeen joins Benevitys growing executive team along with other recent additions and appointments, including Chief Data Officer Jane Moran, who joined in March 2021; Chief Impact Officer Sona Khosla, who was promoted in February 2021; and Chief Technology Officer Steven Woods, who joined in May 2020. About Benevity Benevity, a certified B Corporation, is a leading provider of global corporate purpose software, providing the only integrated suite of community investment and employee, customer, and nonprofit engagement solutions. A finalist in Fast Companys 2020 World Changing Ideas Awards, many iconic brands rely on Benevitys cloud solutions to power their purpose in ways that better attract, retain, and engage todays diverse workforce, embed social action into their customer experiences and positively impact their communities. With software that is available in 20 languages, Benevity has processed more than 7 billion dollars in donations and 38 million hours of volunteering time, 340,000 positive actions and awarded one million grants to 303,000 nonprofits worldwide. Media Contact: Andrea Davis  Media & Communications Manager  1.403.966.5622  press@benevity.com





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[August 30, 2021] Jamaica's Manufacturing Sector to Play Strong Role in Economic Recovery

Jamaica's manufacturing sector has shown resilience through the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country seeing positive developments in industries such as chemicals and cosmetics. Manufacturers have seized new opportunities to export to markets that have experienced disruptions in their supply chains. This has led to increased production of items like cleaning chemicals, sanitizers, masks, and OTC pharmaceuticals to meet local and international demand. Jamaica expects this manufacturing expansion to contribute significantly to its economic recovery effort in the next 5 years. These developments support the island's goal to be a manufacturing leader in the region. Its government has long highlighted the sector as an area for growth as a myriad of possibilities exist, and Jamaica is strategically located to easily access key markets like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, CARICOM and Latin America. Jamaica has one of the most diverse manufacturing sectors in the Caribbean, ranging from large food-based manufacturing giants such as GraceKennedy Limited and Jamaica Producers Group, to a burgeoning "clean beauty" industry with companies like Ettenio and Irie Rock manufacturing hair and skin care for local and international consumers. The manufacturing of medical devices, electronics, building materials, and product fitting and assembly are other activities taking place on the island. Contract manufacturing is also an emerging area, as companies seek to use the island as their manufacturing and export base. Jamaica benefits from preferential market access to several regions through trade agreements, further strengthening its position as an ideal contract manufacturing location. Building on this strong manfacturing tradition, Jamaica's trade and investment promotions agency, JAMPRO, says that the stage is set for more industries to grow, even with constraints created by the pandemic.



President of JAMPRO, Diane Edwards, explained, "Jamaicans are resourceful, innovative, and committed, and because of that our manufacturing sector continues to find new ways to develop products that are in demand. There are difficulties, but there are opportunities, so the government has been working to give this sector the support it needs to thrive during the pandemic." At JAMPRO, this assistance has included engaging manufacturers and investors to produce more value-added goods. The organisation has ongoing initiatives that deliver business-matchmaking services, and facilitates the packaging and promotion of investment projects.

In collaboration with the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association Limited (JMEA), JAMPRO also provides education and awareness around important subjects like incentives, the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) framework, and regional and global trade agreements that are favourable for products manufactured in Jamaica. The aim is to enhance opportunities for persons to do business in the island. Positive outlook for manufacturing With recent global trends in nearshore manufacturing and increased consumption of goods, JAMPRO envisages that more manufacturing will be taking place in Jamaica. Global health and lifestyle trends will fuel the production of high value goods such as Jamaican Black Castor Oil and its derivatives, and cosmetics made with natural ingredients. According to Transparency Market Research (TMR) the global cosmetics ingredients market, valued at US$30 Bn in 2020, is expected to attain a market value of US$51.6 Bn by 2030. TMR also notes the rising popularity of natural/herbal cosmetics products, as these items are viewed as healthier alternatives. This creates an excellent opportunity for Jamaica, which currently grows several of the ingredients needed to manufacture these goods. Reflecting on these trends, Berletta Henlon Forrester (News - Alert) , Manager of Manufacturing and Mining at JAMPRO, stated, "Entrepreneurs can explore manufacturing beyond food and beverage, and diversify into health & beauty, packaging & paper, and household chemicals. These industries are supported by Jamaica's capacity to provide an abundance of ingredients such as bamboo, castor, turmeric, aloe vera and cannabis, to name a few." To produce the ideal ecosystem for the success of the aforementioned industries, Jamaica is embarking on a National Five-Year Manufacturing Growth Strategy and is executing government reforms to improve the ease of doing business. This combination should foster the growth of manufacturing and strengthen the sector's overall performance. Forrester said, "This is the right time for ambitious manufacturers and investors, both large and small, to initiate their strategies towards Jamaica as the location for their manufacturing project. JAMPRO will be available, as always, to provide the necessary guidance and assistance." ABOUT JAMPRO The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO)'s mission is to drive economic development through growth in investment and export. JAMPRO is an Agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment, and Commerce. For more information on JAMPRO, please visit https://dobusinessjamaica.com/. Follow us on:

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[August 30, 2021] GNRC Shareholder Alert: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC Reminds Generac Holdings Inc. Investors of Class Action and Encourages Shareholders to Contact the Firm

Attorney Advertising--Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Generac Holdings Inc. ("Generac" or the "Company") (NYSE: GNRC) and certain of its officers, on behalf of shareholders who purchased or otherwise acquired Generac securities between February 23, 2021 and July 29, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/gnrc. This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Generac's portable generators posed an unreasonable risk of injury to users and the public; (2) as a result, at least sevn finger amputations and one crushed finger had been reported to the Company; (3) as a result, Generac would face increased regulatory scrutiny; (4) the Company would end sales in its Generac and DR 6500 Watt and 8000 Watt portable generators in the United States and Canada in June 2021; (5) the Company would recall its Generac and DR 6500 Watt and 8000 Watt portable generators in the United States and Canada; (6) the end of sales and the recall would occur before the Company's noted hurricane and wildfire seasons and following the Texas outage-periods the Company has touted for sales; and (7) as a result, defendants' public statements and statements to journalists were materially false and/or misleading at all relevant times.



A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/gnrc or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in Generac you have until October 19, 2021 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff. Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique. Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients. In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firm's expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005061/en/

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[August 30, 2021] Protiviti Becomes a National Sponsor of Girls Who Code to Encourage Careers in Technology

MENLO PARK, Calif., Aug. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global consulting firm Protiviti has agreed to be a formal sponsor for Girls Who Code, a nonprofit organization that seeks to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. Protiviti is extending its existing regional partnerships with Girls Who Code to help empower young women across the U.S. who wish to pursue technology careers. Protiviti's employee network group GET IT (Gender Equality in Technology and IT), one of several employee network groups that have grown out of the firm's global diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, aims to help address the unique challenges under-represented people face when pursuing careers in technology and strives to create greater gender diversity in the field. "Girls Who Code is an excellent fit for Protiviti as we share a mutual goal of advancing young women in their technology careers," said Kim Bozzella, global leader of Protiviti's Technology Consulting practice and one of Consulting magazine's 2021 'Women Leaders in Technology.' "We're pleased to be able to extend our support of Girls Who Code, while looking forward to the time when our joint efforts to close the gender gap in this field are no longer necessary."



As part of its existing relationship with Girls Who Code, Protiviti Chicago's GET IT group hosted the non-profit's local Summer Immersion Program for junior and senior high school girls, including a consulting exercise designed to introduce participants to a career in technology consulting. Protiviti technology consultants from its San Francisco and Dallas GET IT groups have also volunteered their time and skills with local Girls Who Code Immersion Programs to teach students the basics of web design, design thinking and a range of current software languages. The new national sponsorship will bring more opportunities for Protiviti technology consultants to support similar efforts in cities across the United States. "We're excited to help ensure students continue to have access to educational resources and to support the next generation of women entering the technology field," said Susan Haseley, executive vice president, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Protiviti. "As our technology consulting practice continues to grow, we recognize the value of bringing diverse perspectives to our clients to help them solve their most pressing technology challenges."

As part of the new sponsorship agreement, Protiviti technology consultants will volunteer in a virtual speed networking event for Girls Who Code college-aged alumni in September. About Protiviti

Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti and its independent and locally owned Member Firms provide clients with consulting and managed solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, analytics, governance, risk and internal audit through its network of more than 85 offices in over 25 countries. Named to the 2021 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list, Protiviti has served more than 60 percent of Fortune 1000 and 35 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies. The firm also works with smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index. Protiviti is not licensed or registered as a public accounting firm and does not issue opinions on financial statements or offer attestation services. Editor's note: Protiviti photos available upon request. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/protiviti-becomes-a-national-sponsor-of-girls-who-code-to-encourage-careers-in-technology-301364790.html SOURCE Protiviti

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[August 30, 2021] Harris Williams Advises ResMan on its Sale to Inhabit IQ

Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it advised ResMan, a portfolio company of Mainsail Partners (Mainsail), on its sale to Inhabit IQ. ResMan is a leading end-to-end, SaaS (News - Alert) -based solutions provider to property management companies across the conventional multi-family, affordable housing and commercial end markets in the U.S. The transaction was led by the Harris Williams Technology Group. "ResMan's fully-integrated property management SaaS and payments platform offers a range of solutions that help owners, operators and investors optimize operations, deliver a superior tenant experience and grow their business," said Brian Titterington, a director at Harris Williams. "Under the leadership of CEO Paul Bridgewater and a world-class management team, ResMan was able to execute highly strategic organic and inorganic growth initiatives that positioned the business to be a true market disruptor and leader. As one of the fastest growing and most innovative providers in the space, ResMan offers a unique opportunity for Inhabit IQ to expand its product suite and enhance the value it delivers to its customers." "This highly strategic transaction deepens our longstanding and highly valued partnership with Mainsail, which continues to solidify its position as a premier high-growth software investor," said Thierry Monjauze, a managing director and the head of the Technology Group at Harris Williams. "As a thoughtful partner to its management teams, Mainsail continues to execute upon a proven strategy of investing in people and technology that transform end markets and lead to superior outcomes."



ResMan is the preferred growth partner that drives profitability and efficiency for nearly a thousand property management companies across the U.S. ResMan delivers the property management industry's most innovative technology platform, making property investments and operations more profitable and easier to manage. ResMan's platform unlocks a new path to growth for property management companies that deliver consistent NOI improvement and brilliant resident experiences easier than ever before. Mainsail is a growth equity firm with offices in San Francisco and Austin, Texas that invests exclusively in fast-growing, bootstrapped software companies. The firm has raised over $1.3 billion and invested in more than 50 growing companies since 2003. Mainsail prioritizes investments in B2B software companies with compelling business models in growing markets. The firm's approach to driving value creation is anchored in a dedicated Operations Team that is purpose-built to help founders scale their businesses and accelerate growth. These women and men include former software company operators who leverage real-world experience, well-established best practices and a true partnership ethos to support management teams.

Inhabit IQ is a unique collective of tech-forward companies serving the vacation and property management industries. Its strategic partnerships deliver best-in-class software solutions and services while fostering innovation and collaboration with like-minded entrepreneurs and industry leaders. The company believes that property managers should have the opportunity to choose platforms that best support their business goals and benefit from strategic partnerships across their ecosystem. Inhabit IQ has several private equity partners, including Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Insight Partners, Greater Sum Ventures and PSG, that are committed to helping support the company's commitment to property management software innovation. Harris Williams, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, advocates for sellers and buyers of companies worldwide through critical milestones and provides thoughtful advice during the lives of their businesses. By collaborating as one firm across Industry Groups and geographies, the firm helps its clients achieve outcomes that support their objectives and strategically create value. Harris Williams is committed to execution excellence and to building enduring, valued relationships that are based on mutual trust. Harris Williams is a subsidiary of the PNC (News - Alert) Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). The Harris Williams Technology Group advises leading private and public companies, founders, and private equity, growth equity and venture capital firms on mergers and acquisitions and capital-raising transactions worldwide. The Technology Group has deep domain expertise in software and technology-enabled services and dedicated focus areas across a variety of vertical software applications and end markets. For more information on the Technology Group and its recent transactions, visit the Technology Group's section of the Harris Williams website. Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005448/en/

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[August 30, 2021] OnTECH Charter High School Realizes Dream With Help of Building Hope

Building Hope, a non-profit foundation dedicated to creating high-quality K-12 charter school opportunities for students through its expertise in real estate, finance and operational services, announced its partner school OnTECH Charter High School in Syracuse, N.Y., has finalized the purchase of its permanent location. Building Hope helped the school secure financing and renovate its facility in 2018. Dru Damico, president of Building Hope Real Estate and a native of Syracuse, N.Y., remembers "the opportunity to develop a charter school like OnTECH in my own hometown" as a shining career moment. The inspiring educational model truly prepares students for the future. Since opening, the school has thrived. Because of OnTECH's leadership, community support and fiscal management, the school was able to buy the property from Building Hope this summer. "This is a significant win for OnTECH - its administrators, families and students - as well as the Syracuse community and our Building Hope Family," said Building Hope Vice President for Finance Lance Helming. "We are proud to help this school grow and serve more students through its innovative curriculum and top-quality facility." The land and building previously served a Catholic school that had been vacant for a number of years before the property was acquired by Building Hope for OnTECH. Even through challenges presented by the pandemic, the school's leadership was able to secure funding and purchas the property from Building Hope well ahead of schedule. OnTECH's Principal Ellen Eagen said this exemplifies the school's commitment to the community and demonstrates solid financial footing for OnTECH's future.



OnTECH's small class size enabled it to be one of the only schools in the area to have in-person classes last year. Eagen said she believes that has played a role in her students' success and the school's growth. "We plan to begin the 2021-2022 academic year with a hybrid learning model that will include in-person and live online instruction." OnTECH joins career and technical education with project-based learning. Teachers combine English language remediation with authentic learning experiences, focusing on agri-business, renewable energy and the sustainable sciences. These areas of concentration are made possible thanks to local partnerships and business leaders. The school serves more than 300, 9th-11th grade students - nearly 89 percent of them qualify for free and reduced lunch prices.

Building Hope helps charter schools identify, finance and build facilities customized to schools' needs. The organization also provides support services that allow school administrators to keep their focus on educating students. For more information about how Building Hope helps charter schools nationwide with facilities, financing, and operational services, visit www.buildinghope.org. About Building Hope

Building Hope is a non-profit foundation created to support education and public charter schools. Since 2003, Building Hope's purpose has been to identify and finance viable facilities so that all students have access to a quality K-12 education. Building Hope has grown the capacity of charter schools nationwide by providing facilities, financial, and operational services so that schools can focus on and devote more resources to educating students in underserved communities. Building Hope has supported 300 charter school projects and 150,000 students in 20 states and the District of Columbia, by providing more than $363 million in direct loans, credit enhancements, and equity investments to support $1.9 billion in school construction. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005458/en/

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Alorica Recognized as Employer of the Year in 2021 Stevie Awards for Great Employers

Alorica Inc., a global leader in customer experience (CX) solutions, has been named the winner of the Gold Stevie Award for Employer of the Year in the Business & Professional Services category in the sixth annual Stevie Awards for Great Employers.

"This recognition reflects Alorica's deep-seated belief that our employees are at the heart of the company's success," said Andy Lee, Chief Executive Officer at Alorica. "As we continue to hire thousands of people globally, it's imperative that we maintain this unrivaled employee experience by creating the best environment for ongoing learning and career development. We don't take for granted the 100,000 Aloricans who choose Alorica as their employer every day, and we welcome passionate problem solvers looking to elevate their careers to join the family."

The Stevie Awards for Great Employers recognize the world's best employers and the human resources professionals, teams, achievements and HR-related products and suppliers who help to create and drive great places to work. With more than 950 nominations from organizations of all sizes in 29 nations, Alorica was honored to be chosen as the greatest business and professional services employer. More than 70 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year's Stevie Award winners.

Through its award-winning training programs, culture initiatives and constant feedback loop measured by its employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS), Alorica focuses heavily on employee engagement and performance. The organization is proudly comprised of many cultures, languages and backgrounds and views diversity as a core strength; more than 61% of its global workforce is women and nearly 70% of its US team is made up of minorities. And through its work-at-home solution-Alorica Anywhere-employees are offered additional flexibility and support, which includes gamified digital tools to help them improve their confidence, skills as well as KPIs. This Employer of the Year award demonstrates the company's commitment to its employees, which has resulted in increased employee satisfaction, lower attrition rates, and more leaders being promoted from within the organization year over year.

Alorica also embraces a family-like culture of inclusiveness and giving through its Corporate Social Responsibility, which includes the company's employee-led partnership with non-profit Making Lives Better with Alorica (MLBA), which has raised more than $6.5 million since 2015. In 2020, Alorica launched TIDE (Together for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity), its global social impact program that serves as a cornerstone for the entire employee experience. TIDE's Real Talk sessions provide an interactive forum for Aloricans to come together and discuss social issues that are most important to them and their communities-topics include gender bias, sexual orientation, discrimination and dismantling stereotypes.







This 2021 Stevie Award is among several accolades Alorica has received since last year, including a 2021 Silver Stevie Award for Minority-owned Business of the Year and a #16 spot on Comparably's Best CEOs for Diversity list. Additionally, the company was distinguished as a Global Outsourcing 100 for the seventh year in a row by IAOP for strategically hiring thousands of employees around the world from underserved communities. Alorica was also recognized by two of the leading industry analyst firms earlier this year. Gartner (News - Alert) named Alorica a Leader in its 2021 Magic Quadrant for Customer Service BPO for completeness of vision and ability to execute; and NelsonHall named Alorica a Leader in its 2021 Social Media CX Services NEAT Assessment for Content Moderation, Trust and Safety.

Details about the Stevie Awards for Great Employers and the list of 2021 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/HR.

About Alorica

Alorica is a trusted global leader in customer experience solutions. We are made up of 100,000 passionate problem solvers who make lives better through positive customer interactions-at every touchpoint-across voice, chat and social. Leveraging innovative technologies-including intelligent automation and a comprehensive analytics suite-we support the world's most respected brands with the best talent and resources necessary to create insanely great experiences. Alorica provides a host of world-class services-from customer care to financial solutions and digital services-to clients across industries of all kinds, many of whom are on the Fortune 500. Alorica contact centers and operation hubs span the globe with locations in 15 countries. To learn more, visit www.alorica.com.

About the Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in eight programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005210/en/
[August 30, 2021] In Timely New Book Code White Canadian Researchers Expose Ugly Truths, Urge Cures About Violence against Health Care Workers: Media Conference September 1

Before the COVID pandemic hit, researchers Dr. Margaret Keith and Dr. James Brophy began ground-breaking work on violence against hospital and long-term care workers. Today, with nurses reporting an increase in violence fueled by the world health crisis, the publication of their new book Code White: Sounding the Alarm on Violence against Health Care Workers (Between The Lines) offers an urgent window on how and why this gendered workforce - vital, skilled and dedicated - has been abandoned by governments and their health care employers, and how we can address this systemic problem. Drs. Keith and Brophy will present their findings and provide important solutions to help end violence against health care staff at a media conference on Wednesday September 1, 2021, at 11 a.m., via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9701270177 . Keith and Brophy began their health sector violence studies in 2017 and 2019 with in epth interviews with health care workers - several dozen of them members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). Those studies were followed in the spring of 2020 as the pandemic was unfolding in real time in hospitals and long-term care homes across Ontario with new work on the lack of protection provided to workers in COVID-19 wave one. Code White deepens these studies, and soberly assesses why these chronic problems in the health care system exist and what the solutions are.



Michael Hurley, president of CUPE's Ontario Council of Hospital (OCHU/CUPE) who wrote the forward to Code White will join Keith and Brophy at Wednesday's media conference. After brief initial remarks, the speakers will take questions from the media. Caroline Criado Perez, UK author of the bestselling book Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, had this to say about Code White:

"Around the world, health care workers have been applauded for their tireless work during the pandemic. And yet as Brophy and Keith reveal in this powerful expose, alongside these public displays of gratitude runs a hidden epidemic of violence-one that goes unchallenged by those with the power to prevent it. Harrowing, infuriating, and so important, this book could not be more timely. It should be on every policy maker's desk." From the book:

"Fixing the health care system so that it provides the care the public expects and deserves while protecting those who provide that care is going to require some fancy footwork. Those who have the power to make changes-by passing protective legislation, providing appropriate funding, designing safe facilities, establishing safe staffing levels, offering appropriate emotional and mental health supports, instituting protective policies, and making the compensation system more equitable-can no longer pretend they know nothing about the problem of violence against health care staff. The question remains: How do we get them to act on that knowledge?" lf/cope 491 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210830005564/en/

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 Company will be the exclusive U.S. producer of Amoxicillin antibiotics

 Manufacturing project to create more than 60 new jobs

BRISTOL, Tenn.  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and USAntibiotics officials announced today that the company will invest $16 million to establish new manufacturing and research and development operations in Sullivan County.

USAntibiotics is a pharmaceutical production company that manufactures, tests, packages and distributes prescription antibiotics. The project represents the creation of 63 new jobs in Bristol.

Located at 201 Industrial Drive, the 360,000-square-foot facility was acquired by Jackson Healthcare with plans to re-open the former pharmaceutical manufacturing site.

The Department of Homeland Security has identified USAntibiotics as critical infrastructure since it is the only manufacturing facility in the United States that is authorized to produce Amoxicillin and Amoxicillin Clavulanate, commonly known as Amoxil and Augmentin. These are two of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the U.S. and this investment will greatly bolster the U.S. capabilities to produce its own essential antibiotics.

Over the last five years, TNECD has supported more than 10 economic development projects in Sullivan County, resulting in more than 1,800 job commitments and nearly $700 million in capital investment.

QUOTES

This investment by USAntibiotics is a win not only for Tennessee, but for the entire country. Tennessee is known globally as a hub for the healthcare industry, and we are proud to welcome the only American-made Amoxicillin facility to Bristol.  Gov. Bill Lee

We are proud to support USAntibiotics in its critical mission to manufacture two of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the country. Tennessee offers companies around the globe a business-friendly climate and skilled workforce, and we are pleased to welcome USAntibiotics to the state as it sets up new operations in Sullivan County.  TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe

USAntibiotics is focused on what it does best  producing life-saving antibiotics and making them accessible to all Americans. We are proud to have our operations in the state of Tennessee and of the role we play in manufacturing high-quality, made in America products that support health and wellness and that reduce our dependence on vital medications produced outside our country.  Rick Jackson, CEO, Jackson Healthcare, parent company of USAntibiotics

Having USAntibiotics in operations in Bristol and Sullivan County is a remarkable win for our region and our country. The initial new jobs, the many, many more jobs that are bound to come in future phases of this project, along with the investment is great news to be sure. But we have a company here producing life-saving medication that has been dependent on foreign markets. This is a national health and security issue being solved and its being solved right here in Northeast Tennessee. The hours and hours of work put in by our team should be commended, and Im extremely grateful to the leadership of Jackson Healthcare and US Antibiotics for putting this facility into American ownership.  Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable

When choosing to invest and make a home in our community, our industry partners quickly realize the potential for growth that stems from the strategic, logistical and economic advantages of being located in Bristol, Tennessee. We proudly welcome USAntibiotics to Bristol, along with the key strategic role our community will now play in ensuring safe and secure access to these medications for our entire country.  Bristol Mayor Mahlon Luttrell

We are known for being a leader in a lot of things here  the Birthplace of Country Music, the first public utility to win a Malcolm Baldrige Award with BTES, the Worlds Fastest Half Mile at Bristol Motor Speedway  so why not Bristol, Tennessee as the reshoring center of our nations antibiotic production. Its this culture, particularly in our workforce, that was the real difference maker in attracting US Antibiotics. This is a great fit of a company and a community and Im excited to see all of the great things the future has in store for US Antibiotics, Bristol and Northeast Tennessee!  David Wagner, Bristol Industrial Development Board chairman, vice-chairman of NETWORKS Sullivan County Partnership

TVA and Bristol Tennessee Essential Services congratulate USAntibiotics on its decision to locate operations in Sullivan County. Helping to foster impactful job creation and investment in the Valley is fundamental to TVAs mission of service. We are proud to partner with NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership, the City of Bristol, and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help further that mission and support USAntibiotics in its future business success.  John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development

Congratulations to USAntibiotics for locating new operations in Bristol. USAntibiotics manufactures life-saving antibiotics such as Amoxicillin right here in the United States. The quality jobs that will result from this investment will not only benefit many individuals and families in Sullivan County but will also strengthen the local economy. I am proud to have this American manufacturer in our area and look forward to their continued success.  Sen. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol)



Bristol has played a critical role in producing life-saving antibiotics and medications for the nation for many years. We are proud USAntibiotics has made the decision to invest in our highly-skilled workforce and community, and I am excited to welcome the company to Sullivan County.  Rep. John Crawford (R-Bristol/Kingsport)

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

Jennifer McEachern

Director of Communications and Marketing

(615) 336-2689

jennifer.mceachern@tn.gov

###


Like it or not, it seems that we're in the midst of a global shift wherein the United State no longer dictates the future of the world.



Obviously, China is a rising super power and Russia remains a top adversary that's expanding their influence across the global stage.

To be clear . . . TKC doesn't claim any expertise in this area . . . I'm pretty clueless about geopolitics once I get a few miles away from Southwest Blvd.

However . . . Kansas City has boasted that we're an "International City" and so the state of the world impacts the future of this town.

And so we ask . . .

After a hasty and horribly planned retreat from Afghanistan . . . Is Kansas City prepared for a future wherein the U.S. is not the world's only dominant super power???



Will China Fare Any Better Than the U.S. in Afghanistan? China hopes to fill the political void left by America's hasty retreat, but Afghanistan isn't called the "graveyard of empires" for nothing.

Saudis Sign Military Cooperation Agreement With Russia Saudi Arabia and Russia have signed a military cooperation agreement at an arms expo outside Moscow. Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman announced on Twitter on August 24 that he signed the agreement with Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin "aimed at developing joint military cooperation between the two countries."

Russia faces major risks on Afghanistan despite Kremlin claiming propaganda victory over U.S. LONDON - The unfolding crisis in Afghanistan poses substantial risks to Russia and Central Asia, geopolitical experts have warned, even as the Kremlin seeks to claim a propaganda victory over the U.S. Initially, Russia's response to the Taliban's insurgence appeared to celebrate the defeat of the American-backed and trained Afghan government, as well as the U.S.

Russia and America's overlapping legacies in Afghanistan U.S. withdrawal from and Taliban triumph in Afghanistan generate an acute security challenge for Russia, Pavel K. Baev writes in an examination of Russia and America's overlapping legacies in Central Asia.

After Afghanistan: The Legacy of Two Decades of War The Afghanistan War, the longest in American history, changed the men and women who wore a U.S. military uniform, as well as the branches they served.

Russia looks to fill Afghanistan power vacuum as US exits TOKYO -- As the Taliban takes over in Afghanistan, Russia has appointed itself as a mediator in the war-torn country, underlining its position as a key stakeholder and hardly hiding its desire to expand its influence in the region to fill the power vacuum left by the retreating U.S. military.

Even with terrorism in Afghanistan, China remains the greater threat The tragic, poorly executed withdrawal from Afghanistan is a major setback for U.S. aims in the region and for America's position in the world. The terrorist attack on Thursday at the Kabul airport and the Taliban's full control of Afghanistan introduce the risk of attacks on the U.S.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com on this touchy subject that impacts the world and this cowtown . . .

You decide . . .
The level of killing is starting to ramp up again on local streets.

However, an old school case and hope to fight "injustice" has occupied the attention of a Courthouse leader . . . Here's the word . . .



"Most of us have heard the famous quotation that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Kevin Strickland stands as our own example of what happens when a system set to be just, just gets it terribly wrong.



"The Missouri General Assembly and Gov. Parson deserve credit for creating a new legal avenue for a local prosecutor to seek relief. Making it possible for an officer of the court to stand before a judge and argue to correct a grave wrong is a system of justice we can all stand behind.



"We look forward to presenting our evidence in the same courtroom where Mr. Strickland was convicted."

Statement from Jean Peters Baker

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Using New Missouri Law, Jackson County Prosecutor Files Motion To Free Kevin Strickland After 43 Years In a first-of-its-kind court filing in Missouri, the Jackson County prosecutor said Kevin Strickland, in prison for 43 years for a triple murder, is "actually innocent" and that he "should not remain in custody a day longer." According to the motion filed over the weekend and made public Monday, Strickland's innocence is "clear and convincing."

Jackson County prosecutor files motion to free Kevin Strickland from prison JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. - Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has filed a motion to free Kevin Strickland from a Missouri prison. Most of us have heard the famous quotation that 'injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' Kevin Strickland stands as our own example of what happens when a system set to be just, [...]

Jackson County prosecutor files motion to free Kevin Strickland after 43 years in prison for triple murder JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) -- The Jackson County prosecutor has filed a motion to free Kevin Strickland, a local man who has served 43 years in prison for a triple murder the prosecutor and legal experts say he did not commit.

Developing . . .
With little progress in efforts to create "transformational" change for local law enforcement, Mayor Q seems like he's getting frustrated.

To wit . . .

THE FIGHT AGAINST "DEFUNDING THE POLICE" SEEMS TO BE WORKING GIVEN THAT THE MAYOR IS NOW HIS CRITICS 'LIARS' IN HIS LATEST REMARKS!!!



Here's a money line from a lesser blog . . .



There is no way, according to the ordinances, money goes anywhere outside the Kansas City Police Department. Unless the Board of Commissioners wants to decide that the money would go to some other group, which I think is very unlikely.



It is a bold-faced lie, the mayor said, to pretend that any limits exist on how police can spend the millions that have been set aside. If Chief Rick Smith can prove its essential to spend it on an artillery of 20 new helicopters, talk to us about it and odds are they may get that money, Lucas said. He gave his guarantee every penny would go to policing.

However . . .

NEITHER MAYOR Q NOR 'DEFUND THE POLICE' ACTIVISTS HAVE PROVIDED A BUDGET FOR THE NEW KCPD COMMUNITY SERVICES & CRIME PREVENTION FUND!!!

Translation . . .

Without putting anything in writing, Mayor Q and every advocate of this budget flex deny voters the very same transparency and accountability which they accuse police of avoiding.



Let's make it even clearer . . .

In Kansas City at 12th & Oak . . . 42 MILLION BUCKS without a budget is nothing but a slush fund.



Of course www.TonysKansasCity.com would like more accounting of expenses from both city hall and the po-po.

Instead what we're going to get is a myriad of legal slap fighting that will only interest about two dozen mid-level lawyers who pretend they understand local politics in order to buff up their billable hours.

Developing . . .


AND WE'RE BACK!!!



We officially start this news week with what might be the last peek at Kim K's old school booty as news of its deflation has rocked the internets.

Accordingly, we share pop culture, community news and top headlines in order to try and figure it all out.



Check the www.TonysKansasCity.com news compilation . . .

Cowtown To The Rescue

Help is on the way from Kansas City BATON ROUGE, La. - Hurricane Ida is the fifth strongest hurricane ever to hit the U.S. mainland. Several local organizations are already on the ground in Louisiana while others are on the way. The CEO and co-founder of Operation BBQ Relief said Ida making landfall Sunday was their call to action.

Newspaper Plays Doctor

KC should require public employees to get vaccinated. Right now, about a third aren't Businesses across the region are trying to decide if their employees should be required to get COVID-19 vaccinations. It's a critical decision: The delta variant continues to wreak havoc, causing unneeded sickness and death. The City of Kansas City should take a leadership role by requiring its employees to get COVID shots, with only a few narrow exceptions.

Artsy Stunt

City Council members help raise money for the Kansas City Fringe Festival KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Several Kansas City Council members, and other donors, took a plunge today to raise money for the Fringe Festival. The Kansas City Fringe Festival is one of the largest celebrations of the arts and culture in the Kansas City area. The two week festival is a showcase for local and national artists.

KIM LOSES BOOTY!!!

Kim Kardashian gives glimpse of 'smaller bum' amid filler removal rumours Kim Kardashian has shared another snap which appears to show her with a much smaller bum. The reality TV star is rumoured to have had her filler removed from her behind. Kim Kardashian has been pictured again sporting what appears to be a much smaller bum than usual - adding to the growing speculation that she's had filler removed.

Kabul Goes Boom Again

Rockets Hit Near Kabul Airport A Day Before The Deadline For The Exit Of U.S. Forces As rockets apparently aimed at Kabul's airport rained down on a nearby neighborhood, U.S. forces scrambled to evacuate thousands of Afghan trying to flee ahead of a Tuesday deadline for the withdraw of all American troops. The attack, reportedly involving several rockets, occurred as U.S.

Veep Has Fewer Fans Than We Imagined

Kamala Harris' cackling is Joe Biden's job security Vice President Kamala Harris' team canceled press access to her remarks to US troops at Pearl Harbor on Thursday - surely because it feared yet another disaster for the veep at the site of a terrible attack on America, the same day as the horrors in Kabul.

Progressives Denounce MAGA Vaxx Objections

Don't Negotiate With Trump's Disease-Spreading Zombie Army What will it take for the American majority to stop being hijacked by the bad-faith politics of an increasingly radicalized GOP that will stop at nothing to promote death and achieve minority rule? Most of us in this country, who have chosen life during a pandemic, are asked to coddle the unhinged temper tantrums and violent extremism of a conservative base that continues supporting the Jan.

Whilst The Getting Is Good

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Kabul so quickly fearing execution by the Taliban that aides who returned from a lunch break wondered where he'd gone A chaotic picture has emerged of the Afghan government's last days as the Taliban seizing power. President Ashraf Ghani fled when aides were on a lunch break, believing militants had entered the presidential palace. The collapse of the Afghan government sparked chaos, as hundreds of thousands attempted to flee Kabul.

Top Doc Supports Mask Up

Facui says COVID vaccination mandates for school children 'good idea' Dr. Anthony Fauci says he thinks it's a good idea amid the surge in coronavirus cases, due the highly contagious delta variant, to mandate COVID vaccinations for students to attend schools. "I believe that mandating vaccines for children to appear in school is a good idea," the chief medical adviser for the White House said Sunday in an interview on CNN's "State of the Union."

Lights Out In N'awlins

Hurricane Ida live updates: all power lost in New Orleans as massive storm hits Louisiana Homeland Security says only electricity in city is from generators after Ida made landfall exactly 16 years after the devastating Hurricane Katrina

More Deets On Local Help

Kansas City native working in New Orleans COVID ICU shares struggles of Ida during virus surge NEW ORLEANS, LA (KCTV) -- Hospitals there have been overwhelmed for over a month, and now the stress and pressure of health care workers are compacted by the natural disaster. One of the doctors on the front line there happens to be the younger brother of KCTV5 video editor, Callahan Creek.

Local Must Read

BLK + BRWN bookstore aims to amplify America's most vibrant voices Cori Smith outside her bookstore, BLK + BRWN. // Photo by AJ McIntosh (We Are Here Studios) It doesn't take a well-read historian to know the complex and ugly history of the Black community's relationship with America and the erasure of Black history.

Cowtown Summer Cont'd

Pop-up storms possible Monday afternoon Hide Transcript Show Transcript IMPACT ON THE DRIVE OF THE BUS STOP THIS MORNING 12 HOUR FORECAST FOR TAYOD HEREN I KANSAS CITY ABOUT 87 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON MIGHT HAVE HEAT INDEX VALUES IN THE LOW 90S WITH MORE CLOUDS BUILDING THIS AFTERNOO INNTO THIS EVENING IS SCATTERED CLOUDS RIGHT NOW.

OneRepublic - Someday is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
CLINTON - Vernon Lee Kispert, 84, of Clinton passed away August 30, 2021. He was born on April 27, 1937, to Bernice and Elwood Kispert. Vernon is survived by his loving wife Ginny and daughter Shawna Kispert; stepchildren: Wayne (Nancy) McClara of Blanford, Bob (Judy) McClara of Mena, AR, Ma
Terre Haute, IN (47803)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High near 80F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 56F. Winds light and variable.
From your similar question in the Morocco forum.

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There is no way I would ever count on getting a Covid test with a 4 hour lay over. This is a big risk and could be a very costly one as you will have to get a new flight when you are refused boarding.

You will also need a PCR test from Morocco to get into Portugal.

From their web site it looks like the testing center in land side in the international departure check-in area. If this is correct then you will need to pass customs and immigration then go to the international departure area and get tested. Then you need to go past immigration and security and then to your gate. Then you might need to find somewhere you can print your emailed results ( will the WiFi be working when you need it) . Now hope the email is on time. And all in under 4 hours. I think this is crazy. So you would also have to provide a negative Covid test to enter Portugal.

Maybe overnight in Portugal and sit and wait at the testing center to get a printed results.

I would also hope that the EU does not follow the recent recommendation to ban travelers from the USA and add Canada to this list..
The above website describes scenarios of positive tests at airport on day of departure to return to USA and traveler having been forced to pay for a ambulance transport to a quarantine facility for 10 days. (Presumably all of this costing thousands, in addition to a new return ticket.)

Has anyone experienced a positive test in portugal? If one has to test every 2-3 days than chances also increase of a false positive. This could be a nightmare. Still, desire to travel to this seemingly beautiful country is great.

Would appreciate hearing more from folks' experience about testing and return to USA. Rapid Antigen test is ok for return to USA? Or it has to be PCR test? this is also unclear to me.
Just thought I would provide an update on how Fiji is going with Vaccinations etc in preparation for opening for business again for those that may be interested..

Vaccination status as of 30 August 2021:

95.3% of the target population have received one dose, which is 558,944 adults.

45.4% are now fully vaccinated nationwide in Fiji, which is 266,608 adults.

Another great initiative for those looking to visit Fiji and the islands in the future.

Care Fiji Commitment

In support of the Fijian government's COVID-19 initiatives, the Fijian tourism industry has adopted the Care Fiji Commitment; a WHO-approved standard of best-practice destination-wide health and safety measures designed to align our industry to safe travel norms in a post-COVID world.

Tourism operators are working on 100% vaccination of all eligible staff and once achieved will display the CFC 100% vaccination stamp.

It really does look like they are doing everything they can to welcome back tourists to this little slice of paradise.
Our stay was on August 17 2021. We were a bit surprised to be asked to pay for the room on arrival, a bit quirky in a 4-star hotel.

Our room was a long walk from reception and the restaurant over gravel paths making it difficult to wheel our luggage; sure, we could have put the luggage back in the car and driven to the room but the receptionist gave the impression that the walk was not very far. There was no signage to guide us and we took around 10 minutes to find the room. There was no offer of any help with our luggage.

Worse than that, the room was less than 5 metres from the busy and very noisy A619.

On the plus side, dinner was good, but after dinner the noisy road, made worse because one of the windows was jammed open, made it impossible to sleep.

Breakfast was woeful; we were quite early, but the items on the buffet looked as if they had been there all night. I asked for fresh eggs; they arrived after 20 minutes, overcooked.

In summary:

 We should have been advised when we booked that our room was very close to a busy road; this room should not be used until it has been upgraded with soundproof glazing

 We should have been advised when we booked that our room was a long outside walk over gravel paths

 We paid extra for a premium room; premium rooms should not be so far away and should not be close to a busy, noisy road

 Dinner was good

 Breakfast was awful

Finally, if you do stay there, check when you book that you will not be allocated room 410!


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Good for: Romantic, Special Occasion Dining, Groups

Dining options: Dinner, After-hours, Breakfast, Lunch, Reservations

Description: At Gauchos Steakhouse in Gibraltar, we celebrate the unique spirit of Argentina within the equally unique setting of one of the worlds iconic fortifications. The Rock of Gibraltar rises from the sea, one of the ancient Pillars of Hercules, and nestled within the stones of its city walls, the Gauchos expert chefs prepare the best Argentinian steak, accompanied by traditional Argentinian complementary dishes. Gauchos brings to diners vividly authentic flavours, capturing the scent of the traditional asado out in the pampas on a summer evening and the taste of some of the worlds most succulent cuts of meat. Superb wines and service that is distinguished by its excellence all come together to create an unforgettable dining experience.
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Over the past day, August 29, nine ceasefire violations by the armed formations of the Russian Federation were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine.

The enemy opened fire from 120mm mortars near Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol); hand-held antitank grenade launchers and small arms  outside Zolote-4 (59km west of Luhansk); under-barrel grenade launchers  in the area of Prychepylivka (50km north-west of Luhansk); hand-held antitank grenade launchers and heavy machine guns  near Krymske (42km north-west of Luhansk); heavy machine guns  outside Popasna (69km west of Luhansk); easel antitank and under-barrel grenade launchers, as well as heavy machine guns  near Zolote-3," the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports.

In Luhansk region, an enemy Orlan-10-class UAV was spotted flying over the line of contact.

As a result of the enemy shelling, two members of the Joint Forces were wounded. The soldiers were transported to medical institutions. The state of health of one wounded Ukrainian defender is assessed by doctors as serious, the other - as satisfactory.

Ukrainian soldiers opened fire in response to the enemy shelling.

As of 07:00 on August 30, one ceasefire violation was recorded. In particular, the enemy opened fire from easel antitank and automatic easel grenade launchers, as well as heavy machine guns near Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk). No casualties were reported.

The Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Center (JCCC) informed the OSCE SMM about all violations by the Russian-occupation troops, using the established coordination mechanism.

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Deputy Minister of National Defense of Poland Marcin Ociepa has said that the ministry will closely monitor the Zapad 2021 (West) Russian-Belarusian military drills.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by Polish Radio.

Ociepa recalled that Russia's aggression against Ukraine also began with military exercises on the border. Exercises have sometimes become a source of military aggression, he said.

According to him, the Zapad 2021 exercise will be held in close proximity to the Baltic states, so Poland must be ready for anything.

In fact, we have to be prepared for all scenarios. But today the most probable scenarios are provocations on the border, since Russian troops will be located very close to Poland's borders. They will be deployed at Belarusian training grounds and airfields in close proximity to those border events related to migration activity, he said.

As reported, in September 2021, a large-scale joint Russian-Belarusian military exercise Zapad 2021 (West 2021) will be held in Belarus. Experts see the drill as one of the main ways for Russia to absorb the neighboring countrys independence, also expressing concerns as regards Ukraines security.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ruslan Khomchak, said the upcoming joint exercises are posing a potential threat to Ukraine.

NATO said it would monitor the Zapad 2021 exercise and called on Moscow and Minsk to act in a predictable and transparent manner.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of July 30, 2021 "On measures to neutralize threats in the energy sector."

According to Ukrinform, the decree to that effect, No. 452/2021 of August 28, has been published on the president's website.

"In accordance with Article 107 of the Constitution of Ukraine, I decree to put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of July 30, 2021 'On measures to neutralize threats in the energy sector'," the decree reads.

The document also recognizes as invalid presidential decree No. 298 of May 28, 2015 "On the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of May 6, 2015 'On the status of implementation of the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of November 4, 2014 on the state of ensuring energy security of the state and urgent measures for the sustainable 2014/15 heating season and additional measures to ensure the provision of domestic consumers with energy'."

The NSDC secretary has been tasked with monitoring the implementation of the NSDC decision enacted by this decree.

The NSDC on July 30 held an offsite meeting in Donetsk region. NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said after the meeting that the National Security and Defense Council was considering introducing temporary administrations in private energy companies if there was a threat to national security.

At the same time, Danilov said that almost 17,000 gas distribution networks had become privately owned in a non-transparent manner and there was a monopoly in this area as a company owned by businessman Dmytro Firtash controls 70% of regional gas supply companies. The NSDC planned to instruct the Cabinet of Ministers to check this situation.

In early July, the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities launched an investigation into the behavior of electricity market participants in the day-ahead market.

Investigations into violations of the legislation governing the functioning of the electricity market are being conducted against United Energy, D.Trading, DTEK Dniproenergo, DTEK Zakhidenergo, Centerenergo, Ener Gy, Enerhozakhid, EcoTech Energy, Entra M, Utility Trading Artlex Energy, and ONK-Group.

The Antimonopoly Committee sees signs of anticompetitive concerted action in the electricity market and has initiated an investigation on its own initiative into the presence or absence of signs of violations of economic competition law.

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According to preliminary reports, the summit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Joe Biden has been postponed to September 1.

The White House has confirmed the information to Voice of Americas Ukrainian service, Ukrinform reports.

It should be recalled that the summit of the two presidents was set to take place on August 31.

As reported earlier, Volodymyr Zelensky late August will arrive in the U.S. at the invitation of his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak visited Washington on August 4-5 in preparation for the visit.

Last week, Kuleba said the summit, which had initially been scheduled for August 30, was postponed to August 31.

Then, President Zelenskys press secretary Serhiy Nikiforov explained the postponement with the need to expand the format of talks and set up a face-to-face between the two leaders.

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Tales of "one people" and Ukraine as a failed state, circulated by Russia, have been refuted on the Donbas battlefields, says Ukraines Permanent Representative to the UN, Serhiy Kyslytsia.

Thats according to Ukrinform's own correspondent in New York.

"Russia made a miscalculation when they tried to deny the Ukrainian nation the right to exist. "Fables about the 'one people and 'failure' of the Ukrainian state have been refuted in Donbas battlefields, where the aggressor was stopped," Kislytsia said at a New York event wrapping up celebrations of the 30 anniversary of Ukraines independence.

According to Kislytsia, Ukraine has many enemies, but the archenemy is "our internal squabbles." "This is what our enemy dreams of  that we bleed each other white. Lets not allow this to happen! the diplomat said, addressing the diaspora.

Kyslytsia considers common values and love for own land to be the strongest form of unity of the people: "This is what makes the population of a certain territory a single nation, majestic in its diversity."

The permanent representative noted that this applies to both Ukraine and the United States  but not to Russia. "They chose another way of self-identification  through aggression towards others. The path is obviously losing in the strategic perspective and is unacceptable for the vast majority of the international community," Kyslytsia stressed.

Therefore, according to the diplomat, Russia hoped in vain for global silence in response to armed aggression against Ukraine. This is confirmed by the annual resolutions of the UN General Assembly on Crimea and Donbas, as well as the successful inaugural Summit of the Crimea Platform.

"This is clear evidence that Ukraine, together with the world community wont stop until the final liberation of all temporarily occupied territories and restoration of the territorial integrity of our state within internationally recognized borders," said Ukraines Permanent Representative to the UN.

As reported earlier, on July 12, Russian President Putin published an article "On the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians," which claims, among other things, that Ukrainians and Russians are one people.

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The Embassy of Ukraine in the United States and the Office of the Ukrainian President are completing preparations for Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United States, which is expected to have a tight schedule.

Thats according to Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova, Ukrinform reports referring to her Facebook post.

"Together with the President's Office, our embassys team has reached the finish line in preparation for the President's very busy visit to the United States. The president will be in Washington for two days  August 31 and September 1  followed by a trip to California," the diplomat said.

The White House will host a summit of the two presidents, the main components of which have already been "planned and agreed by both sides," Markarova said.

Talks with the heads of key ministries for Ukrainian-American relations are also set to be held, as well as two important presentations by the president and the first lady for the media, the public, and think tanks, says the envoy.

During the visit, the launch of the Ukrainian House is planned, as well as a visit to Washington sites prominent for Ukraine-U.S. relations.

The media earlier reported that Zelenskys summit with Joe Biden, scheduled for August 31, was postponed to September 1.

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The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, has called on the international community to draw attention to the fate of persons missing or abducted in Ukrainian territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation.

The ministry said in a statement that according to the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, 258 people, including 67 service members and reservists, are considered missing in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

According to available information, at least 44 people have been victims of enforced disappearances in Crimea and Sevastopol since the beginning of the Russian occupation. The fate of 15 of them remains unknown. They are Valerii Vashchuk, Ivan Bondarets, Vasyl Chernysh, Timur Shaimardanov, Seyran Zinedinov, Islyam Dzhepparov, Dzhevdet Islyamov, Fedir Kostenko, Mukhtar Arislanov, Arsen Aliyev, Ervin Ibrahimov, Eskender Ibraimov, Eskender Apselyamov, Ruslan Haniyev, and Arlen Terekhov.

"The vast majority of these people are pro-Ukrainian activists who openly opposed the Russian occupation," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

Today, the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea provides procedural guidance in 112 criminal cases on 173 facts of enforced disappearance, imprisonment and kidnapping.

In the vast majority of cases, facts have been revealed indicating the involvement of the Russian occupation administration in the disappearances.

Numerous cases of intimidation of relatives of missing persons and witnesses were also recorded. According to OHCHR, the Russian occupation administration does not effectively investigate any of the crimes.

The facts of enforced disappearances of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar activists in the occupied Crimea are reflected in Ukraine's lawsuit against the Russian Federation in the case of Russia's violation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, submitted to the International Court of Justice in 2017, and 11 complaints against Russia submitted to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in 2018: "Ukraine v. Russia (re Crimea)," applications Nos. 20958/14 and 38334/18.

On January 14, 2021, the ECHR in its judgment declared the complaint "Ukraine v. Russia (re Crimea)" on applications Nos. 20958/14 and 38334/18 partly admissible and established that the Russian Federation had been exercising effective control over Crimea since February 27, 2014.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry demanded that Russia fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, in particular with regard to guaranteeing the right to life, freedom and security of person.

"Ukraine will continue to work with international partners, including members of the Crimea Platform, so that Russia's violations as an occupying power remain in the focus of constant international attention and pressure on Russia intensifies to prevent such crimes and to conduct effective investigations into all cases of enforced disappearances," the ministry quoted First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzheppar as saying.

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A total of 41,477 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Ukraine on Sunday, August 29, the Ukrainian Health Ministry has reported on Facebook.

"As many as 41,477 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 on August 29, 2021. Some 13,320 people received their first dose, and 28,157 people were fully vaccinated," the report reads.

According to the ministry, 304 mobile vaccination teams, 1,100 vaccination sites, and 354 vaccination centers were operating across the country in the past day.

A total of 8,931,640 doses have been administered in Ukraine since it launched a vaccination campaign, with 5,308,725 people receiving their first dose and 3,622,915 people receiving both doses (two people received their first dose abroad).

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign started in Ukraine on February 24, 2021. Anyone over the age of 18 can be vaccinated against COVID-19. Priority is given to vulnerable groups, including those over the age of 60 and people with underlying medical conditions. Priority groups also include doctors, educators, social workers, and the military who come into contact with large crowds.

All COVID-19 vaccines used in Ukraine have been approved by the World Health Organization for emergency use. They are safe and effective. The following vaccines are currently used in Ukraine: AstraZeneca (including SKBio and Covishield), Coronavac/Sinovac-Biotech, Comirnaty/Pfizer-BioNTech, and Spikevax/Moderna.

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Ukraine has received over 188,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's Comirnaty vaccine from the U.S. government through the COVAX Facility, according to the Ministry of Health.

"On Saturday, August 28, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) delivered 188,370 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine," the report reads.

These doses, together with diluent, are donated to Ukraine by the United States government through the COVAX Facility, as part of the global effort to ensure fair and equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for all countries around the world.

"I extend my warmest thanks to the U.S. government and our partners, who within and beyond the COVAX initiative are helping to protect from grave consequences of coronavirus disease as many Ukrainians as possible, first and foremost those from priority groups. I would also like to reiterate that the COVID-19 vaccine is available to all adults. All you need to do is book a convenient appointment, show up and get the shot, Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko said.

The United States is fully committed to the global fight against COVID-19, and we are proud to partner with Ukraine to scale up access to quality, approved COVID-19 vaccines across the country. Vaccines are one of the best tools we have to fight this pandemic, U.S. Charge dAffaires Kristina Kvien noted.

According to the ministry, the newly arrived vaccines are to be used at mass vaccination centres and for vaccination of professional groups.

Deliveries under COVAX will continue. By the end of 2021 Ukraine is expected to receive enough vaccines produced by various manufacturers to protect up to 20% of the population from COVID-19, within COVAX.

Previously, in July, UNICEF delivered 2,000,040 doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, donated by the United States through COVAX. In total, 4,325,910 doses of vaccines by different manufacturers (Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca) have been delivered to Ukraine to date through the COVAX Facility.

In early August, UNICEF also supported the delivery of 509,400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, donated by Denmark.

The COVID-19 vaccination campaign started in Ukraine on February 24, 2021. As of today, 8,931,640 doses have been administered in Ukraine, with 5,308,725 people receiving their first dose and 3,622,915 people receiving both doses (two people received their first dose abroad).

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Formerly stateless foundling Marc Eric is now a citizen of Cote dIvoire, after a judicial ruling confirmed his right to nationality.  UNHCR/Mark Henley

Ensuring the right to a nationality and eradicating statelessness is achievable and more pressing than ever, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, stressed today, as the international community marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the 1961 UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

New global challenges, such as COVID-19 and the effects of climate change, on top of persistent ones like rising forced displacement, showcase just how critical the right to a nationality is. Everyone needs to be counted and be visible in the eyes of their country and government, and included into responses, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Having a nationality  and the protection of a government that nationality affords  can make a life-saving difference, even more so in times of crisis, whether its vaccination, evacuation or providing a social safety net that is needed, Grandi added.

Stateless people can fall between the cracks in conflict and displacement situations because they lack the protection of any government, they dont have proof of their legal identity, or both. They also risk being excluded from accessing COVID-19 vaccinations as countries implement plans to tackle the pandemic. Similarly, stateless communities are unlikely to be included in socio-economic relief packages intended to lessen the pandemics impact on peoples livelihoods. Moreover, as climate change worsens, stateless people risk being excluded from government efforts to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.

More broadly, being stateless can mean having no access to education, medical care or legal employment. Statelessness can hinder freedom of movement, the ability to buy property, vote, open a bank account or even to get married. Globally, 4.2 million people are known to be stateless. However, the true number of persons not recognized as citizens by any country is likely to be much higher, given gaps in data collection.

The 1961 Convention is the key international treaty designed to prevent and reduce statelessness. If applied by all States, it would help to ensure that no child is born without a nationality  ultimately supporting the eradication of statelessness over time.

As of the end of August 2021, 77 States have joined the 1961 Convention, with accessions accelerating in the last decade. Since 2010, 40 States have formalized their commitment to reduce statelessness by becoming parties, most recently Iceland and Togo.

In the same period, more than 800,000 stateless people are known to have had their nationality confirmed and statelessness resolved. Almost 10 per cent of the decrease was observed in the Nordic and Baltic countries. Since the beginning of the iBelong campaign in 2014, Sweden has granted nationality to 37,400 persons, putting the country on fifth place on the list of countries who have granted the most citizenships to stateless persons.

In this anniversary year, UNHCR is urging all States that have not already done so to join the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, to incorporate the safeguards of the Convention into their nationality laws, and to guarantee every persons right to a nationality, Grandi said.

Accession to the 1961 Convention is one of the 10 actions of the Global Action Plan to End Statelessness. The Plan provides a framework for States to achieve the goals of the #IBelong Campaign, which was launched by UNHCR and partners in 2014 to end statelessness within 10 years.

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So far in 2021 violence has forced more than 550,000 Afghans to flee for safety and shelter elsewhere within their country. 80% are women and children. Humanitarian needs are dire.  REUTERS/Stringer

The act of fleeing the country of ones birth brings with it a harrowing sense of loss. The scenes at Kabul airport these past few days have sparked an outpouring of compassion around the world at the fear and desperation of thousands of Afghans. But when these images have faded from our screens, there will still be millions who need the international community to act.

In urging the Taliban and all other parties to uphold human rights, especially those of women and girls, the UN Secretary-General declared that the world would be watching. But so far, our focus has been far too narrow. The evacuation effort has undoubtedly saved tens of thousands of lives, and these efforts are praiseworthy. But when the airlift and the media frenzy are over, the overwhelming majority of Afghans, some 39 million, will remain inside Afghanistan. They need us  governments, humanitarians, ordinary citizens  to stay with them and stay the course.

Around 3.5 million people have already been displaced by violence within the country  more than half a million since the start of this year. Most have no regular channels through which to seek safety. And in the midst of a clear emergency, with millions in dire need of help, the humanitarian response inside Afghanistan is still desperately underfunded. Some Afghans are still internally displaced, while others are starting to find their way back home following the fighting. All rely on humanitarian programmes that need scaling up, and fast.

Some Afghans will inevitably need to seek safety across the countrys borders. They must be able to exercise their right to seek international protection, and borders must be kept open for them for this purpose. Those countries that neighbour Afghanistan who have been taking in refugees for decades need greater support. Now, they could face new outflows from Afghanistan while continuing to host existing Afghan refugees whose return prospects have diminished, as well as others who may have left for family, business or medical reasons, but who can now no longer safely return.

For four decades, Pakistan and Iran have hosted millions of Afghan refugees. While large numbers returned home after 2001 with hopes for a better future, these two countries still host some 2.2 million registered Afghan refugees -- almost 90% of the total. As we continue advocating for open borders, more countries must share this humanitarian responsibility, not least given the critical situation faced by the Islamic Republic of Iran as it confronts the challenge of the pandemic.

Refugees will also need longer-term solutions. The vast majority may voluntarily return when the conditions are right, and at a time of their choosing. In comparison, resettlement to third countries  a chance for the most vulnerable to restart their lives in a new country  is an option for only a tiny proportion of the worlds refugees. Yet even for this group, after 40 years of relentless conflict in Afghanistan, as well as other displacement crises around the world, the number of resettlement places was already woefully inadequate. More resettlement options are sorely needed. They are critically important, not only to save lives but also as a demonstration of good will towards, and support for, those countries who have taken on most responsibility for the displaced.

As people across the world welcome Afghans into their communities and homes, we cannot forget those who have been left behind. We must meet the critical humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and in countries around the region, and our response must be robust and urgent. Standing by the people of Afghanistan means standing by all of them, whether they have sought safety abroad or are picking up the pieces of their lives at home. Those who scrambled for a place on the evacuation flights out of Kabul airport are the same as those who may approach our borders in the next few weeks and months. We have shown sympathy and solidarity for Afghans over the past few days. Let us keep on doing so. This is the time for us to truly live up to the call for international cooperation as expressed in the 1951 Refugee Convention, as reaffirmed in the Global Compact on Refugees.

The airlifts out of Kabul will end in a matter of days, and the tragedy that has unfolded will no longer be as visible. But it will still be a daily reality for millions of Afghans. We must not turn away. A far greater humanitarian crisis is just beginning.
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Palouse Country Assisted Living administrator Helda Fuchs walks the hallways of the Fairfield facility with a resident on Sept. 12, 2019.
Its been nearly four years since Donnie Rowe and Ricky Dubose escaped from a state prison bus after reportedly killing two corrections officers in a rural part of Putnam County, and still neither of them has gone to trial.


(Photo : pixabay)

The United States is a popular country for international students seeking the opportunity to learn or practice English as their second language and obtain a quality education. During the 2019/2020 school year, there were 1,075,496 international students studying in the US according to the Institute of International Education and the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

However, earning acceptance at a US four-year college or university isn't easy. Not only do international students have to jump through the same hoops as students born in the US-including an acceptable secondary school GPA, qualifying standardized test scores, application essays, and letters of recommendation-they have to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as well.

Fortunately, there are intermediate educational steps these students can take to pave the way for acceptance at a prestigious US higher education institution. While some choose to enroll at schools that focus solely on English as a second language (ESL) education, others maintain their F-1 Student Visa through full-time enrollment at an accredited academic institution that provides additional career development and skills training along with ESL.

Computer Systems Institute (CSI) is one such institution. Founded nearly 30 years ago, CSI has helped thousands of international students obtain the training they need to have successful, rewarding careers.

"CSI is focused on the industry-specific skills employers are looking for today," explains Ramon Flores, Director of Marketing and Admissions. "However, career-focused colleges like CSI typically step beyond the boundaries of job training alone. We also teach students critical thinking, ethics, theory, and other valuable insights that can be used throughout their careers."

With six campuses across the Greater Chicago and Boston areas, Flores says CSI is popular with international students because of its affordable price, convenient schedules, and internship and externship opportunities available both during and after program completion.

"At CSI, students can expect formal college coursework along with practical career training," Flores continues. "And unlike a typical liberal arts school, CSI offers hands-on experience, in-field internships, and career services."

The school's business career program offers international students several concentrations including business fundamentals, digital multimedia, marketing, business finance, hospitality leadership, and organization administration. Students are given a substantive, comprehensive look at the fundamentals of developing and operating a business as well as professional development and customer service knowledge.

In CSI's networking career program, students choose between tracks that focus on computer networking and information technology or the core skills required for developing web applications. These tracks include certification exam preparation and qualify students for jobs as technical specialists, help desk specialists, systems administrators, UI developers, and software engineers.

When international students choose to enroll in the institution's healthcare career program, they can choose between tracks focused on billing and coding or clinical skills. Both paths prepare participants for certification in their field upon completion. Students in the healthcare career program are qualified for jobs as medical coders and billers, medical receptionists, medical administrative assistants, or clinical medical assistants.

CSI also offers students a number of skill building programs in areas including customer service specialist, hospitality industry professional, administrative assistant professional, sales and marketing professional, and small business administrator. These programs enable students to gain additional specialized professional skills needed to succeed in the business world. Most of these programs supplement classroom learning with the opportunity for externships and short-term workplace training programs through curricular practical training (CPT).

Each program at CSI spans 44 weeks. After completion, eligible international students can apply for up to 12 months of optional practical training (OPT). Authorization of OPT allows these students to live and work in the US for one year, gaining practical experience in their field.

Many students choose to go on to four-year colleges and universities in the US following these programs.

"CSI helps international students achieve their long-term career goals through industry certification exams and career-focused education," Flores says. "These programs set students up to transfer into degree programs to achieve bachelor's and master's degrees to grow their career."

Former CSI business career program student Edward Riveros is one such student. Riveros was accepted at DePaul University to work towards a master's degree in data science.

"Earning my business career program certificate from CSI increased my appetite for learning," says Riveros. "When I learned about digital marketing and all of the ways you can use data during my courses, I felt driven to pursue my master's to gain more knowledge."
(@FahadShabbir)

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday it feared another 236,000 Covid-19 deaths in Europe by December 1, expressing concern about stagnating vaccination rates and low uptake in poorer countries

Copenhagen, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2021 ) :The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday it feared another 236,000 Covid-19 deaths in Europe by December 1, expressing concern about stagnating vaccination rates and low uptake in poorer countries.

"Last week, there was an 11 percent increase in the number of deaths in the region -- one reliable projection is expecting 236,000 deaths in Europe, by December 1," WHO Europe director Hans Kluge told reporters, adding that "the stagnation in vaccine uptake in our region is of serious concern."
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 31st Aug, 2021 ) :The United States believes there are fewer than 250 Americans still in Afghanistan who are seeking to leave, a senior US official said Monday on the eve of the deadline for a full US troop withdrawal from the country.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that fewer than 300 Americans remained in Afghanistan who were seeking to be evacuated.

The US official said Monday that the number is believed to be "below 250." "We believe there's still a small number who remain, and we're trying to determine exactly how many," said the official, who requested anonymity.

"Of those who self-identified as Americans in Afghanistan considering leaving the country since August 14, we thus far have received confirmation that about 6,000 have been evacuated, or otherwise departed, meaning they traveled commercially," the official said.

President Joe Biden has set a deadline of August 31 for a full US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The Pentagon said Monday that more than 122,000 people, including 5,400 Americans, have been evacuated since July.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2021 ) :China on Monday reiterated that the international community should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity and "people's will" in Afghanistan.

"China believes that the international community should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity and people's will in Afghanistan," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing while reacting to French President's proposals for safe zones in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson said there were reports that the Afghan Taliban had already rejected such a proposal.

He said the United Nations Security Council and the international community, if they were to take any action, they should be conducive to ease the tension and smooth transition in Afghanistan.

According to media reports, French President Emmanuel Macron said France, Britain and Germany were working on a United Nations proposal aimed at establishing a safe zone in Kabul to allow safe passage for people trying to leave Afghanistan.
London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2021 ) :The UK government on Sunday faced a torrent of criticism after its hurried withdrawal from Afghanistan ended, leaving hundreds eligible for relocation behind.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed a mission "unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes" after the UK airlifted over 15,000 people in the last two weeks.

Troops landed back at Brize Norton airbase in southern England on Sunday after Britain was forced to withdraw following the decision of its ally the United States to end its 20-year presence.

Johnson praised the evacuation efforts in "harrowing conditions" and assured the military that decades of deployment "were not in vain" after the Taliban retook control.

But current and former officials slammed government failings, suggesting many more Afghans could have been rescued.

The Observer leftwing broadsheet cited a whistleblower as saying thousands of emails from MPs and charities to the foreign ministry highlighting specific Afghans at risk from the Taliban takeover went unopened.

Foreign Minister Dominic Raab has already been strongly criticised for not immediately leaving a beach holiday when the Taliban took control.

The Observer said it saw evidence that an official email account set up by the Foreign Office to receive such pleas regularly had 5,000 unopened emails last week.

It said these included messages from ministers' offices and the leader of the opposition Labour party, Keir Starmer.

"They cannot possibly know (how many people have been left behind) because they haven't even read the emails," the whistleblower was quoted as saying.

The Foreign Office responded that its crisis team worked 24/7 "to triage incoming emails and calls".

Officials have given varying estimates of how many eligible Afghans did not board evacuation flights, the last of which left Saturday, with the head of the UK armed forces General Sir Nick Carter putting this "in the high hundreds".

The Sunday Times rightwing broadsheet quoted an unnamed minister as saying: "I suspect we could have taken out 800 to 1,000 more people".

The same minister slammed Raab, claiming he "did nothing" to build ties with third countries from which Afghans might enter the UK.

The Foreign Office acknowledged that Raab had delegated calls to his Afghan counterpart while saying he recently called his Pakistani counterpart.

The damning reports came after the Times reported last week that it found contact details of staff and job applicants left behind at the British embassy compound in Kabul, potentially endangering them.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2021 ) :Covid-19 is not a respiratory illness, as widely accepted, but a vascular one, claims a study.

The study, led by the University of California-San Diego, could explain blood clots in some Covid patients and other issues like "Covid feet", which are not typical symptoms of a respiratory illness, Euronews reported.

The findings, published in the journal Circulation Research, showed how the virus attacks the vascular or circulatory system.

The S protein of the virus, the spike that forms the crown, attacks the receptor ACE2, damaging the mitocondrias that generate the energy of the cells, thus damaging the endothelium, which lines the blood vessel.

This is something that has already been observed, but what wasn't previously known is the exact mechanism and role of the S protein.

This protein is replicated by all of the currently available vaccines, the team said.

For the study, the team created a pseudovirus, which only had the S protein but not the rest of the virus, to show in the lab that this protein is enough by itself to cause disease.

The effects on the respiratory system are a consequence of the inflammation of the vascular tissue in the lungs."A lot of people think of it as a respiratory disease, but it's really a vascular disease," Uri Manor, assistant research professor at the varsity was quoted as saying.

"That could explain why some people have strokes, and why some people have issues in other parts of the body. The commonality between them is that they all have vascular underpinnings," Manor added.

According to Professor Rafael Manez Mendiluce, head of intensive care at Bellvitge University Hospital in Spain, the vascular problem could be related to the inflammatory response of the patient's immune system.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Aug, 2021 ) :German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is scheduled to arrive Pakistan today on two-day visit from August 30 to 31.

This is the second visit of Foreign Minister Maas to Pakistan during the current year.

During the official talks, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his German counterpart would exchange views on the latest developments in Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Qureshi will share Pakistan's perspective on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and discuss ways of addressing its various dimensions.

In the bilateral context, matters relating to cooperation in political, economic and trade, security and defence, cultural and academic spheres are expected to come up.

During the visit, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas will also have interaction with other high-level dignitaries.

Pakistan and Germany enjoy close and cordial relations. This year marks the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Recently, a number of high-level exchanges have taken place, illustrating as upward swing in bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Qureshi visited Germany in April 2021.
(@FahadShabbir)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) Estonia has rejected a visa application of a Russian diplomat in response to the expulsion of an Estonian diplomat from Russia, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"Today 30 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia decided to not issue a visa to a Russian diplomat in response to the expulsion of our diplomat from the Russian Federation," the ministry said in a statement.
(@FahadShabbir)

HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) The defense ministries of Finland and Latvia, and Finnish defense technology provider Patria, on Monday agreed on the framework for a common armored vehicle system.

"On 30 August 2021, the Finnish and Latvian Ministries of Defence and Patria signed a framework agreement on the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) ...

The contractual arrangements concern the implementation of a development programme to build and safeguard the Army's operational mobility on wheeled vehicles," the Finnish ministry said.

In addition, Finland and state-owned company Patria signed a letter of intent on the supply of 160 armored personnel carriers in 2023.

"The purpose of the Framework Agreement is to establish a collaborative framework for the procurement phase of the programme," Finland specified.

The program is open to other countries to join, the ministry added.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) Iran's newly appointed Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus on Monday to discuss issues of mutual interest, the ministry said.

During the meeting, the foreign minister congratulated Assad on his win in the May presidential election and commended the "political, international and battlefield victories of Syria," according to the ministry.

Amirabdollahian also briefed the president on the recent Baghdad Cooperation and Partnership Conference.

The Syrian president, in turn, thanked Iran for assistance for his country and outlined his views on bilateral cooperation.

Iran has been one of Assad's strongest backers, providing training and other assistance to Syria during the ten-year conflict that has killed half a million and displaced half the country's pre-war population of 23 million.
BERLIN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) The government in Kabul will take back irregular migrants from Afghanistan who have fled to Austria and Germany and then bring them to court, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has said.

Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung published an interview with Mujahid, asking him, among other things, about the Afghan government taking back its citizens who have failed to get asylum in Germany and Austria or who may be deported if found guilty of a crime.

"Yes. They will be handed over to a court. A court will decide what will happen to them further on," Mujahid told the publication.

On August 15, the Taliban (a terrorist group, outlawed in Russia) completed their takeover of Afghanistan by entering Kabul, which led to the collapse of the US-backed civilian government. Following those events, most countries started evacuating their citizens and diplomatic staff, as well as Afghan allies.

Last week, the German Defense Ministry said that the country had completed its evacuation operation at Kabul airport, having evacuated 5,300 people from the war-torn Central Asian country.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) The Russian Foreign Ministry is surprised to see that Western countries accuse Belarus of encouraging illegal migration from the middle East and North Africa to the European Union, the ministry's Commissioner for Human Rights Grigory Lukyantsev said in an interview with Sputnik.

Recently, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland have been expressing concerns over the influx of illegal migrants on the border with Belarus. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko insists Belarus will no longer restrain the flow of illegal migrants to the EU, since it has "neither money nor energy" to do it due to the sweeping Western sanctions.

"To be honest, we find it really surprising that Minsk is accused of consistently creating and encouraging illegal migration from the Middle East and North Africa to the EU countries," Lukyantsev said.

The Russian diplomat pointed to the increasing external pressure on Belarus amid the growing domestic security threats.

"In these conditions, the Belarusian law enforcement agencies have to focus on ... maintaining stability inside the country. As for the claims and questions arising among EU member states bordering Belarus, ... we advise them to establish constructive dialogue with the Belarusian authorities," Lukyantsev added.

The foreign ministry does not rule out there could be some Russians among the illegal migrants stuck on the Belarus-Lithuania border, but it has not yet received a list of Names or any "official notifications" from Vilnius, the diplomat continued.

Moscow will thoroughly study any appeal it could receive from Lithuania, Lukyantsev assured.

"If such facts are confirmed, then the return of these persons to the Russian Federation should be carried out in full compliance with the Russian-EU readmission agreement, signed on May 25, 2006," Lukyantsev concluded.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 31st August, 2021) Chief prosecutors of Russia and Belize agreed during a virtual conference on Monday that their agencies would join forces in the fight against cyber and crypto crimes.

"A program for 2022-2023 cooperation was signed during the meeting.

It aims to implement the agreements on cooperation and basic relations between Russia and Belize," the Russian chief prosecutor's office said.

Top Russian prosecutor Igor Krasnov and the Caribbean nation's attorney general, Magali Marin Young, agreed to work together on combating "cybercrime, including terrorism-related offenses, illegal crypto trading, environmental crimes, corruption" as well as the return of stolen assets.
The Taliban (banned as a terrorist organization in Russia) will establish full control over the Kabul airport on Tuesday after the US troops withdrawal, Al Jazeera reported, citing a source in the radical movement

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) The Taliban (banned as a terrorist organization in Russia) will establish full control over the Kabul airport on Tuesday after the US troops withdrawal, Al Jazeera reported, citing a source in the radical movement.

The Taliban are engaged in consultations with Turkey and Qatar on technical assistance for the airport operation, but no agreement has been reached so far, according to the source.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on Monday called on the Taliban (a terrorist group, outlawed in Russia) to honor their pledge to protect Afghan women and girls and to respect and fulfill human rights, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a release.

"As the planned withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan is due to be completed within hours, the Committees urge the Taliban and all other parties to take measures to protect the lives and respect the human rights of women and children," OHCHR said in a release.

The call follows reports of targeted attacks against women, particularly academics, health workers, human rights defenders, journalists, and civil servants.

The committees stressed that the women should be praised for their contribution to Afghanistan's socioeconomic and political development rather than being attacked.

They also warned that religious norms and traditions cannot be invoked to justify violations of women's and girls' rights under international human rights law.

"The Taliban has issued a number of statements in recent days referring to their plans to form an inclusive government. They have pledged to uphold the rights of women to work and of girls to go to school. The Committees urge the Taliban to honor their own commitments and not to let history repeat itself," OHCHR added.

Women's rights under the Taliban remain an issue of concern. Earlier in August, the Islamist movement said that women would be allowed to study and work as well as take part in governmental activities. Last week, the Taliban said that female state officials would be able to resume their work after necessary regulations are worked out.

However, according to the United Nations and media reports, the movement has already forbidden women in several parts of Afghanistan to work or leave their homes without being accompanied by a male relative.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) The death toll from the US airstrike that targeted a vehicle in the Afghan capital of Kabul on Sunday has gone up to nine, all members of the same family, a relative of those killed told CNN.

There are six children, including a four-year-old, a three year-old and two two-year-olds among those killed. The brother of one of the dead told a local journalist working with CNN on Sunday that they were all "an ordinary family," not affiliated with the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia).

Earlier, US central command spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said that a drone strike was carried out on Sunday on a vehicle in Kabul, eliminating an Islamic State-Khorasan terrorist group (ISIS-K, banned in Russia) threat to the airport.

"We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time. We remain vigilant for potential future threats," Urban said.

In a later update, the US central command said that there was a possibility of additional casualties resulting from the subsequent explosions caused by the US airstrike.

"We know that there were substantial and powerful subsequent explosions resulting from the destruction of the vehicle, indicating a large amount of explosive material inside that may have caused additional casualties," Urban said, adding that "It is unclear what may have happened, and we are investigating further.

"

Afghan media reported on Sunday that at least four children were killed in the airstrike that destroyed two vehicles and part of a residential building. CBS said that the size of the secondary explosion suggests that the US strike destroyed a fully loaded car bomb, and did not just kill a suicide bomber riding in the car.

On Saturday, US Army Maj. Gen. William Taylor said that two IS-K leaders were killed and another was injured in a US airstrike in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

On Friday, the White House admitted there was clearly a breakdown in the security process that failed to prevent the Thursday suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, which reportedly left 170 dead, including 13 US troops. The attack, claimed by the IS-K terrorist group, comes amid a chaotic US evacuation from Afghanistan following the Taliban's (terrorist organization, banned in Russia) takeover of Kabul on August 15.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Ukraine's Economic Minister Oleksiy Lyubchenko met on Monday to discuss opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade ties and resolve regulatory issues between the two countries, the Office of the Trade Representative said.

"Ambassador Tai and Deputy Prime Minister Lyubchenko also discussed their commitment to increase investment between the two countries as well as regulatory issues, digital trade issues, intellectual property issues and shared concerns about excess capacity in steel and aluminum industries from non-market economics," the Office of the Trade Representative said in a press release.

Tai and Lyubchenko also discussed Ukraine's economic reform initiative, the release said. Tai emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the Ukrainian government, the release added.

President Joe Biden will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House later on Monday. Biden was expected to welcome Zelenskyy to the White House on Tuesday for talks on politics, economy and security, but the deteriorating security situation in the Afghan capital forced a change in plans.
TASHKENT (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) Uzbekistan is not hosting Afghan refugees on its territory and only assists in their transit, the Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

The ministry issued a statement after several media outlets reported about Tashkent's readiness to open its borders for Afghan refugees.

"The Foreign Ministry reiterates that Uzbekistan does not accept Afghan refugees on its territory, provides assistance in transit, which envisions spending a strictly limited time in the country," the ministry said.

The ministry also said that the Termez checkpoint on the Uzbek-Afghan border is currently closed and there are no plans to reopen it in near future.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th August, 2021) The West is using economic sanctions to interfere with elections in Venezuela, Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa, the ambassador of the Latin American country in Moscow, said on Monday.

Speaking at the roundtable on counteracting foreign meddling in elections, which was organized by the Russian Civic Chamber, the ambassador accused Western countries of influencing the Venezuelan people by undermining the country's economy with sanctions.

"They have imposed very severe sanctions, especially against our company PDVSA, as well as financial blockade. They expropriated our gold," Faria Tortosa said.

The ambassador also thanked Russia, its government, and President Vladimir Putin for "the constant and unconditional support" rendered to Caracas.

In January 2019, Venezuela was plunged into a political crisis when Juan Guaido, former head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, proclaimed himself interim president in an attempt to oust re-elected President Nicolas Maduro from power.

The United States and most Western countries endorsed Guaido and imposed crippling sanctions on Venezuela. The restrictions specifically targeted the country's oil and financial industries. Russia, China, Turkey, and several other nations have supported Maduro.
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A priest of Cameroons Mamfe diocese, Msgr. Julius Agbortoko, has been abducted by persons who identified themselves as separatist fighters. According to Church officials, the kidnappers are asking for a steep ransom for his release.

By Vatican News staff writer

Msgr. Julius Agbortoko, the Vicar General of the Mamfe diocese, is the latest victim of kidnappers in Cameroons restive anglophone region.

A statement from Fr. Sebastine Sinju, Chancellor of the Mamfe diocese, explained that the Monsignor was abducted upon his return from Kokobuma where he had spent the weekend on a pastoral visitation and for the inauguration of the presbytery of the parish.

It is with a very heavy heart that I bring to your notice the sudden abduction of the Mgr. Julius Agbortoko, on Sunday, 29 August 2021, read the statement.

Dreadful incident

According to the statement, Msgr. Agbortoko drove in on Sunday just before 6 pm. About half an hour later, some young men who identified themselves as separatist fighters entered the compound of the Major Seminary and made their way to the residence of Bishop Lysinge. While there, they noticed the presence of the Vicar General whom they considered younger and stronger than the Bishop emeritus.

The kidnappers are currently asking for a ransom of over 20 million Francs CFA, the statement adds.

I call on all of you to invoke the One Family Spirit and pray unanimously for his safety and his subsequent release, Fr. Sinju urged.

He further seized the opportunity to denounce the attacks on the Church in general and that of Mamfe in particular, and called on the stakeholders of the ongoing crisis in the country to kindly hands off the Church, for Gods sake.

Cameroons crisis

Msgr. Agbortokos kidnapping joins a series of abductions and attacks in Cameroons separatist agitations in the English-speaking regions, which turned into armed conflict in 2017.

This latest abduction comes just over three months after another priest of Mamfe diocese, Fr. Christopher Eboka, was seized but later released after nine days.

According to the UN, the fighting in Cameroon has led to the deaths of thousands and has forced over 700,000 people to flee for their lives to other countries, including neighboring Nigeria.
A group of women and children who were the families of Albanian nationals who joined Islamic extremist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq have returned to their homeland. Their arrival Sunday comes amid a debate in several other countries in Europe on what to do with fighters and supporters of groups such as the Islamic State.

By Stefan J. Bos



After a long wait, five Albanian women and 14 children arrived in Albania from Syria's notorious Al Hol camp.



The women had joined Islamic extremist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq. Flying from Lebanon, they were accompanied by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Bledi Cuci.In a statement, Rama called it "a very positive event" and pledged that in his words, "We shall not stop here."



He made clear that the 19 women and children will be taken to a shelter in the western port city of Durres. There, police and social experts are making medical and psychological examinations. That is to be followed by a quarantine period, after which some may be allowed to rejoin their families.



Rama did not reveal whether the women would be prosecuted for possible war crimes and other atrocities. Sunday's transportation of the women and children was the third effort to repatriate Albanians from the war-torn territories in Syria. In October last year, five Albanians were repatriated, while a child returned to the country a year earlier.



Authorities believe a few hundred Albanian men joined the Islamic State and other groups fighting in Syria and Iraq in the early 2010s. Many were killed, and their wives and children are stuck in Syrian camps.

Europe watching

The Albanian case is watched by other European nations, such as the Netherlands, which is repatriating some women and children, despite criticism from several legislators.



One of the Dutch women held by Kurdish forces in Syria is Islamic State bride Hafidi. She was in tears when speaking in her tent recently about her hopes for a better future. "Me, if I go to prison, I take the consequences for what I did. But for my children, it is no life here in the camp, almost two years not. I am crying."



She said what she did "was stupid." But Haifida declined to condemn Islamic State, citing security concerns. Repatriating her and others remains controversial, with critical European legislators fearing they could undermine security in Europe, where punishments may be more lenient than in the Middle East.



However, several European governments oppose trials in the Middle East as especially former Islamic State group supporters, including

women may face the death penalty there.



After the outbreak of war in Syria in 2011, many Europeans joined Islamic State. As a result, the Islamic State group controlled 88,000 square kilometers (34,000 square miles) of land stretching across Syria and Iraq at its height.



But after they were declared territorially defeated in the region in March 2019, mothers and children were moved to camps and thousands of others displaced. Concerned about security risks and a political backlash, some European governments are reluctant to repatriate all their citizens from the camps despite appeals from rights groups.
US Vice-President Kamala Harris touched down in Hanoi on August 24 after a three-hour delay from Singapore as part of her Southeast Asia tour. The aim of the trip was to build relations and upgrade their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership. Harris visit was historic  the first time a US vice president has visited Vietnam since the end of the war

Harris referenced the progress telling Vietnams president, that our relationship has come a long way in a quarter of a century.

For the US the focus has been on developing US ties in the region to counter China.

Trade relations between the US and Vietnam have been strong despite the pandemic and likely accounts for the reasons behind Harris visit. The level of US imports from Vietnam was much higher than even in relation to Singapore, reaching a record high of US$84 billion in 2020, up from roughly US$70 billion in the preceding year. The vast bulk of imports are made up of electrical and mechanical machinery, but also household furniture and bedding. The US has become Vietnams second-largest trading partner and its top export market worldwide.

Not only this, the growing relationship has resulted in nearly 30,000 Vietnamese students studying in the US contributing nearly US$1billion to the US economy.

We highlight key points from Harris trip to Vietnam.

Key highlights of US Vice President visit

COVID-19: The US pledged to donate 1 million COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines to Vietnam bring the total donation to 6 million. As the pandemic rages, the US has also launched a regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) office in Hanoi to enhance health security cooperation. The new CDC office will support Vietnam and other countries in the region with public health issues and future pandemics.

Through USAID and the CDC an additional US$23 million in technical assistance is made available to Vietnam. These will help in distributing vaccines and strengthen Vietnams health system to combat the pandemic. US Department of Defense also committed to provide 77 temperature vaccine freezers for vaccine distribution throughout the country. Harris also thanked Vietnam for its donation of masks and personal protective gear in early 2020 when the US needed them.

Climate change: The US and Vietnam agreed to deal with climate change, increasing resilience and contributing towards a clean energy future. USAID and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) signed an MoU on boosting Vietnams competitiveness and expanding opportunities for US companies in the field. The MoU will focus on green technology and climate change.

In addition, the US government announced the Vietnam Low Emission Energy Program II (V-LEEP II)  a five-year, US$36 million USAID project to accelerate Vietnams transition to a clear market driven energy system. The project aims to increase the adoption of electric motorbikes and implement the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) mechanism to allow businesses to buy electricity directly from private firms producing renewable energy.

The US government also launched the Mekong Coastal Habitat Conservation project  a US$2.9 million project  to protect the Mekong Delta and allowing for sustainable fisheries, climate change adoption, and biodiversity conservation

Market access and development assistance: Harris emphasized the governments efforts to promote economic growth and opportunity by promoting women and ethnic-minority-owned enterprises as well as support for Vietnams transition to a digital economy. This was showcased by a US$2 million USAID project to transition from a labor-intensive low-skilled industry to a global digital economy.

Tariffs: US farmers and pork producers to have greater access to the Vietnamese market. Tariff cuts on corn, wheat, and pork products helping US farmers to sell to Vietnam while also reducing the US trade deficit with Vietnam.

Human rights: The US government has put human rights at the center of foreign policy and Harris emphasized the important role civil society plays in global development.

Security cooperation: the US supports Vietnams enhancement of its maritime security law and enforcement capabilities

Higher education: USAID announced a Partnership for Higher Education Reform, a five-year project that provides US$14.2 million to build up teaching, research, innovation and governance for three largest universities in Vietnam.

US-Vietnam bilateral relationship

Harris and Vietnamese leaders reaffirmed the strength of the US-Vietnam comprehensive partnership by the opening of a Peace Corps office in Hanoi as well as the construction of a new US embassy in Hanoi. The two leaders agreed that Vietnam and the US have many common points and large room for further cooperation in areas such as economics-trade-investment, security-defense, addressing war legacies, healthcare, education, science and technology.

Harris visit underlines positive and strengthening US-Vietnam ties

The US-Vietnam relationship has been on an upward trajectory in recent years but not without its ups and downs. Former US President Donald Trump had signaled the possibility of tariffs in 2019; while this didnt happen, the US did pose duties on steel imports from Vietnam. Last year, the US treasury also labelled Vietnam a currency manipulator prompting concerns about possible tariffs, however the US reached a agreement with Vietnam, without no penalties imposed on the country. This implies that the US knows the importance of its relationship with Vietnam as well as the economic ties that could have been hampered.

Further, Vietnam has emerged as an effect China plus one location. While the present COVID-19 outbreak has proved challenging for Vietnam and many have delayed moving production from China, long-term investments remain on track. In addition, investors remain bullish on Vietnam with several US businesses already shifted operations to Vietnam.

All these factors will ensure that Vietnam remains competitive provided it can control the latest outbreak and keeps supply chains moving in the long term. The US-Vietnam relationship will continue to remain effective as reflected by Harris latest visit.
In Thailand, a team of aerospace engineers is using the high-tech skills they honed programming planes and satellites to run a simple but effective mapping website helping everyday volunteers reach those with COVID-19 who are falling through the cracks of a struggling public health care system.

Since going live in mid-July, jitasa.care has seen well over 10,000 households sign on, seeking assistance for everything from food to oxygen to an urgent ride to the hospital, most of them in the capital, Bangkok. About the same number of volunteers have signed up to help them.

Jitasa ties together the Thai words for mind and volunteer.

In Thai it means  people who want to volunteer to do good deeds, said Wasanchai Vongsantivanich, one of the lead developers.

He was surprised by how quickly the site took off. It got a big boost after someone shared the link with a popular local Facebook influencer who passed it on to his millions of followers.

When it went widespread, people started to make use of this and a lot of volunteers subscribed by themselves [to] help each other, and that was fantastic and a wonderful thing that we see from the platform, Wasanchai said.

The engineers efforts are part of an outpouring of help from Thais of all stripes who are volunteering their time and singular skills to take some of the load off the public health care system. The medical services are strained by the worst wave of infections to hit the country since the pandemic began.

Every day brings tens of thousands of new cases and hundreds of more deaths. Intensive care units in Bangkok are filling up, forcing some Thais to spend days hunting for a free hospital bed and the worst off to die at home before they find one.

'People helping people'

Volunteers have played a vital role in meeting some of the shortfalls, said Pichit Siriwan, deputy director of relief and community health at the Thai Red Cross Society.

Theyre now very important. We need the volunteers help fighting against COVID-19 in Bangkok because of the rise in infections. Now the daily infection in the country is almost 20,000 cases ... and almost half of them are in Bangkok, he said, leaving hospitals in and around the city overwhelmed.

Pichit said the Thai Red Cross Society relies on thousands of volunteers itself, and that some of them have been using jitasa.care to find people with COVID-19 in need.

Wasanchai said the idea for site started with a backlog at crematoria burning the bodies of the newly dead, as per Buddhist tradition. A local volunteer group asked him and his colleagues to brainstorm ways to help families find available time slots.

By early July, so many people were dying of COVID-19 in the greater Bangkok area that the Buddhist temples with crematoria equipped to handle infected bodies safely were struggling to keep up. A colleague of Wasanchais who had just lost his grandmother to the virus had to call 19 temples before finding one that could take her.

Once the team came up with the idea of an interactive map of Thailand drawing on crowdsourced data to show people which temples had spare capacity, it was an easily leap to add community isolation centers with free beds, shops ready to fill oxygen tanks and more.

Just as helpful is the sites ability to quickly connect the sick with people who want to help others. Anyone suffering from COVID-19 can sign in with a phone number, pin their location to the map, and post a note explaining their symptoms and what they need. Anyone who wants to help can sign on with their own phone number and contact them directly.

Those asking for assistance show up on the map as a bright red circle that grows bigger the longer theyve been waiting. Their circle turns green when they start getting help, goes to gray once their needs have been met, then vanishes after a few days.

Everyone can see the map, and they see their community and the area around them. Anyone around them who needs help, they just volunteer. If they think they can help [those] people, that household, they just contact and help, Wasanchai said. That is the simple idea  people helping people.

Turning red to green

Sonskuln Thaomohr, who handles company registration records for the Commerce Ministry by day, has taken to jitasa.care with a passion.

Since coming across the site last month, he says he has responded to dozens of posts asking for help  taking blood oxygen level readings, dropping off food bundles to those self-isolating or helping seniors tap into public services by guiding them through online registration forms. Lately he has seen an increase in posts requesting anti-viral medicine.

If I could do something to help the situation, I really want to do it, said Sonskuln, whose close friend lost his mother to COVID-19 and blamed himself for having accidentally passed the virus on to her.

Im so sad for him, and that affects me personally because I dont want any other of my friends or others to tell the sad story and blame themselves like that again, he said.

Sonskuln likes that the site also lets volunteers communicate with one another and coordinate their efforts. But even then, they can sometimes be too late.

We call it super red, which is the triage level, he said. That means they are in emergency state [and] need paramedic attention and  transfer to hospital ASAP. Those people are waiting inside their house and, to be honest, they are not in good shape at all. We have seen people dying  me too  laying on the floor.

With other volunteer groups and even some government agencies signing in to jitasa.care to respond to posts for help, Wasanchai said, most of Bangkoks red circles are turning green. Most of those on the site still waiting for help are now to the south and southeast of the capital.

After climbing steadily for more than four months, new daily infection numbers for the country have also started to level off and dip a bit in the past two weeks, convincing the government to start easing lockdown rules that have crippled the economy.

But Pichit, at Thai Red Cross Society, warned that the latest trend could be an artifact of less testing and said infection numbers were still rising in some provinces in the south and northeast of Thailand, so that health care professionals and volunteers alike would have to stay vigilant.

The more you test, the more you find, so we still need to be aware that this decrease in number may be due to decreased tests, he said. So, we should keep an eye on it.
The United States' two-decadeslong presence in Afghanistan is over.

The last planes left the Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. EST, one minute before midnight in Kabul, said Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command.

A senior Taliban official told VOA, "All foreign occupation forces withdrew from the country moments ago."

Word of the final U.S. flights came even as the White House and the Pentagon promised they would continue to help evacuate Americans and vulnerable Afghans from Kabul up until "the very end," describing the evacuation as the largest airlift in U.S. military history.

"We continue to have the capability to evacuate and fly out those until the very end," Army Major General William "Hank" Taylor, deputy director for regional operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters.

The White House and the Pentagon said that as of early Monday, a total of 116,700 people have been evacuated following the Taliban's takeover earlier in August of Afghanistan, including 1,200 or so people flown out on 26 U.S. military flights and two coalition flights from Sunday into Monday.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Monday that some 6,000 Americans have left Afghanistan during that time but "there are still a small number" who had yet to make it out.

"We are continuing to work to evacuate American citizens," Psaki added. "Our commitment is enduring, and our commitment does not waiver, even as we bring our men and women from the military home."

White House says evacuation of SIVs did not stop after Thursday's suicide attack on #Kabul airport



"We have continued to evacuate Afghan partners & other applicants" per @PressSec  Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) August 30, 2021

Psaki also denied reports that the U.S. evacuation of Afghan partners, specifically Special Immigrant Visa applicants, stopped following last Thursday's suicide bombing, claimed by Islamic State's Khorasan province, which killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members.

"The president has made clear to his commanders that they should stop at nothing to make sure that ISIS pays for the death of those American service members at the Kabul airport," Psaki said, using another acronym for the group. "They have the authorities necessary."

Still, both the White House and the Pentagon described the conditions on the ground during the final hours of the U.S. military-led evacuation as both fluid and dangerous, highlighted by an overnight rocket attack on the Kabul airport, also claimed by IS-Khorasan.

NEW: #ISIS-#Khorasan claiming rocket attack on #HKIA #Kabul airport



"The soldiers of the Caliphate targeted Kabul International Airport with 6 Katyusha rockets, landing direct hits" ISIS-K claims in statement, via @siteintelgroup pic.twitter.com/lhJ0t0yYG3  Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) August 30, 2021

Defense officials said the attackers fired as many as five rockets at the airport. Three of them missed the airfield entirely, while a fourth landed at the airport without causing any significant damage.

A fifth rocket was taken out by U.S. defense systems at the airport, officials said.

"The threat stream is still real, it's still active and in many cases, it's still specific," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters, adding, "We have to try to be as quick and as nimble as they are."

In the meantime, the U.S. is also coming under increased criticism for some of its security efforts, including a drone strike Sunday in Kabul.

U.S. military officials say the strike killed IS-Khorasan operatives who were loading explosives into a vehicle with the intent of carrying out an attack on the airport, but media reports, including one by The New York Times, said the strike or secondary explosions killed as many as nine civilians, among them children.

Kirby on Monday stood by the initial assessment of an imminent threat but added the military is "not in a position to dispute" accounts that bystanders, including children, were killed.

"No military on the face of the Earth works harder to avoid civilian casualties than the United States military, and nobody wants to see innocent life taken," he said. "We take it very, very seriously."

US works to prevent civilian casualties "probably more than almost any country in the world" per @PressSec, asked about drone strike that may have killed 9-10 civilians



"There were explosives in this vehicle that could have led to additional damage" per @PressSec  Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) August 30, 2021

Airlift winds down

As the U.S. deadline neared, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Monday the Afghan people need governments, humanitarians and ordinary people "to stay with them and stay the course."

"As people across the world welcome Afghans into their communities and homes, we cannot forget those who have been left behind," Grandi said in a statement. "We must meet the critical humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and in countries around the region, and our response must be robust and urgent. Standing by the people of Afghanistan means standing by all of them, whether they have sought safety abroad or are picking up the pieces of their lives at home."

VOA White House correspondent Patsy Widakuswara and VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb contributed to this report.


Many Afghans harbor a bitter sense of betrayal. Others lament being left behind by Western governments they worked with over the past two decades but say they have little time for recriminations now and are focused on how they can get out of Afghanistan.

Some are drawing hope from the Talibans promise to Western governments that once the final evacuation flights depart Tuesday, they wont block Afghans who have legal documents, including passports and visas, from leaving the country on commercial flights when they resume.

But will the Taliban keep its promise?

Few are taking the pledge made by Taliban leaders to dozens of countries at face value. And U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken added a note of caution Sunday during an interview with American broadcaster ABC when challenged whether the Taliban will make good on the promise. Im not saying we should trust the Taliban on anything, he said.

Fear

Several Afghans speaking with VOA by phone from Kabul fear the pledge might be broken. Those who worked with Western missions or security forces worry about securing or renewing their passports, and those of family members, when government services resume in the Afghan capital. They suspect they might be on Taliban watch-lists and if they turn up to renew passports, or line up outside embassies to make visa applications, they could be detained.

"I personally don't know about the future and how can I plan when I have no idea what changes will come in the next few minutes or hours, said Aalem, who worked with U.S.-sponsored youth-oriented educational and cultural programs. He seems bewildered and in a state of shock that he was unable to get his staff out, let alone himself and his family. He asked not to be clearly identified in this story for security reasons  a request made by other Afghans.

Several Afghans who spoke with VOA since Sunday said they are trying to explore overland routes out of the country and say they fear that the Taliban will return slowly but surely to impose the same kind of oppressive rule they did in the 1990s. Women who have no male partners or relatives to accompany them on a trek out of Afghanistan are especially alarmed at the thought of going overland to neighboring countries.

I certainly think it might not be possible for us, said a 23-year-old, who also worked with the U.S. government. She and her sister are scared at what they might encounter overland. But they also say they wont leave their mother behind, who is too frail to make an arduous and uncertain journey.

There's no safe way for us, whether it is to Pakistan or Iran says Esin, a 22-year-old student. She is hiding, along with her mother and two sisters. A student, Esin worked as a volunteer for the U.S. government. Most of the roads are in the hands of the Taliban and under their rule and it will be very dangerous, she said.

As the Afghan evacuation was unfolding, NGOs and Western officials were being inundated by pleas from Afghans to help get them out. An Afghan who provided services for U.S. NGOs wrote last week to the manager of one project: I am especially worried about the unclear fate of my two young daughters. The Taliban has come to my home several times for questioning, and neighbors have filmed their arrival. At the moment, I am with my family in a secret location in Kabul. But I am not feeling secure and they can reach me anytime. Please, please help me and my family, our life is in your hands.

The manager responded, I wish I had the authority to do more for you and your family.

The desperate appeals made in hurried phone calls and increasingly frantic emails from thousands of Afghans were harrowing for officials and NGO workers who received them. They scrambled to find them flights, to get them included on evacuation lists or to secure visas for them, aching often with guilt that people whod worked for them for years were now possibly being left in harms way.

We have been burning up the phones, comparing notes, and trying to guide our staff to safety, an NGO executive told VOA. He asked for his name to be withheld. His NGO managed to evacuate 300 people but has left more than 200 behind.

Exploring all options



Like Afghans wanting to flee, some Western NGOs are also exploring overland routes to Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, most of which are officially closed, but all of which are being crossed illegally by Afghans desperate enough to entrust their lives to smugglers.



We have not yet seen mass cross-border movement, says Kathryn Mahoney, the global spokesperson for the UNs refugee agency, UNCHR. The large-scale displacement is still inside Afghanistan, where 3.5 million people have been displaced from their homes, she told VOA. She said the agencys border monitors have, though, reported several thousand crossing the border into Pakistan. And we know from the Iranian authorities that several thousands of people have recently arrived from Afghanistan, Mahoney continued.

Afghan activists in Pakistan say they reckon 10,000 Hazara Shia have managed to cross into Pakistan the past ten days. The Hazara faced violent persecution from the Taliban in the 1990s because of their ethnicity and Shiite Muslim adherence.

Mahoney said the UNCHR has been intensifying our calls, I would say over the last week, to neighboring countries asking for the borders to be kept open. She continued: I think what's really important to remind everybody is that Iran and Pakistan have been hosting most refugees who left Afghanistan over the past four decades. So they are not new to this. But we can't take that for granted. .

While welcoming the airlifts as acts of solidarity, Mahoney says they have only benefited a very tiny fraction of the millions of Afghans who have been displaced.

Western governments have already started negotiations with some neighboring countries to reopen their borders, including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Western officials say.

In the meantime, some nonprofits are already assessing overland routes. We have started a course of action development, to use a military term, says Adam DeMarco, an American military veteran and spokesperson for Allied Airlift 21, a non-profit that has been helping with the evacuations.

"There are some opportunities. And we are using what we have with open-source intelligence to scope out overland routes and to assess the security threats and the danger, he told VOA in a phone call.

DeMarco said routes to Pakistan could be among the most dangerous because either they go through Taliban heartlands or through the Afghan provinces of Konar and Nangahar, strongholds of the Islamic Stated affiliate, which claimed responsibility for last weeks suicide bombing at Kabul airport. In a lot of the conversations we're having, we're not even taking them into consideration, really, he added.

The safest routes inside Afghanistan are likely to be those heading to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, he says, but then if anti-Taliban forces in the North led by Ahmad Massoud do mount an insurgency the risk is that we might be sending people through the front lines of a civil war. DeMarco says underground railroad type operations will be unsustainable in the long run unless they are being supported by Western governments and international organizations.

The Tajikistan and Uzbekistan borders are currently closed to Afghans. Mohammad Zahir Agbar, Afghanistans ambassador in Dushanbe, told VOA he expects the Tajiks will start allowing Afghans to cross, if they get international support to handle the new refugees. I do believe they are going to open the borders, he said.

Uzbekistan seems less inclined to do so and has been deterring Western organizations from setting up to run evacuation operations, according to Jake Simkin, a conflict photographer who left Afghanistan last week.

Simkin says crossing the border into Uzbekistan is highly hazardous with Uzbek border guards ready to shoot. He has helped several U.S. nationals and residents enter Uzbekistan, but for Afghans it is almost impossible. The Uzbeks have their army deployed to stop people, he told VOA. There is a wide river and some Afghans made rafts out of plastic bottles and tried to cross, he says.

They did not succeed.
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Light mag. 4.4 earthquake - Philippine Sea, 16 km east of Pinamalayan, Philippines, on Monday, Aug 30, 2021 7:28 pm (GMT +8) -

Updated: Aug 31, 2021 13:01 GMT - Refresh

Light magnitude 4.4 earthquake at 269 km depth

30 Aug 11:31 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 3 minutes.

30 Aug 11:40: Now using data updates from BMKG

30 Aug 11:45: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 272.0 to 269.0 km (from 169 to 167 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 3.1 km (1.9 mi) towards NW.

Update Mon, 30 Aug 2021, 11:45

4.4 quake 30 Aug 7:28 pm (GMT +8)



The quake hit at an intermediate to considerable depth of 272 km beneath the epicenter near Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, Mimaropa, Philippines, early evening on Monday 30 August 2021 at 7:28 pm local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.

Our monitoring service identified a second report from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) which listed the quake at magnitude 4.8. Other agencies reporting the same quake include the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) at magnitude 4.8, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) at magnitude 4.5.

According to preliminary calculations, we do not expect that the quake was felt by many people and did not cause any damage. In Pili (pop. 3,400, 12 km away), Pinamalayan (pop. 43,500, 18 km away), Gloria (pop. 6,100, 19 km away), Bansud (pop. 13,800, 28 km away), Victoria (pop. 10,100, 41 km away), Mansalay (pop. 23,000, 62 km away), Lucena City (pop. 228,800, 98 km away), and San Jose (pop. 118,800, 99 km away), the quake was probably not felt.

VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 occurred only 17 minutes ago 18 km east of Pinamalayan, Philippines, Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency reported.The quake hit at an intermediate to considerable depth of 272 km beneath the epicenter near Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, Mimaropa, Philippines, early evening on Monday 30 August 2021 at 7:28 pm local time. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.Our monitoring service identified a second report from the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) which listed the quake at magnitude 4.8. Other agencies reporting the same quake include the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) at magnitude 4.8, and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) at magnitude 4.5.According to preliminary calculations, we do not expect that the quake was felt by many people and did not cause any damage. In Pili (pop. 3,400, 12 km away), Pinamalayan (pop. 43,500, 18 km away), Gloria (pop. 6,100, 19 km away), Bansud (pop. 13,800, 28 km away), Victoria (pop. 10,100, 41 km away), Mansalay (pop. 23,000, 62 km away), Lucena City (pop. 228,800, 98 km away), and San Jose (pop. 118,800, 99 km away), the quake was probably not felt.VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app . This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake.

If you were or still are in this area during the quake help others with your feedback and file a quick report here . Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic alerts online:

Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic alerts online:

Earthquake data:

[ show map ] Show interactive Map [ smaller ] [ bigger ]

please share your experience and submit a short "I felt it" report! Other users would love to hear about it!

Also if you did NOT feel the quake although you were in the area, please report it ! Your contribution is valuable also to earthquake science and earthquake hazard analysis and mitigation efforts. You can use your device location or the map to indicate where you were during the earthquake. Thank you! If you felt this quake (or if you were near the epicenter),Other users would love to hear about it!Alsoalthough you were in the area, please! Your contribution is valuable also to earthquake science and earthquake hazard analysis and mitigation efforts. You can use your device location or the map to indicate where you were during the earthquake. Thank you!

Data for the same earthquake reported by different agencies Info: The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision. Mag. Depth Location Source 4.4 269 km Mindoro, Philippines BMKG 4.7 9 km Philippines: 011 Km N 75 W of Bongabong (Oriental Mindoro) PHIVOLCS 4.7 91 km MINDORO, PHILIPPINES EMSC 4.8 10 km Mindoro, Philippines GFZ 4.7 93 km 0 Km S of Salcedo, Philippines USGS

User reports for this quake (14) User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute:

Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.

Flag as inappropriate.

Mark as helpful or interesting.

Send your own user report! Kinalaglagan, Batangas, Calabarzon (115.1 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Labasan, Oriental Mindoro, Mimaropa (36.2 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / very short Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, Mimaropa (17.6 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s Tambong, Oriental Mindoro, Mimaropa (19.2 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s Daykitin, Province of Marinduque, Mimaropa (39.5 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short Santa Rosa (143.2 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt Bongabong Oriental Mindoro Philippines (36.3 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s pinamalayan / not felt : nothing Home taal / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short : Weak Gloria / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s : Nervous and scared Binangonan (168.9 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt San Jose (98.9 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : people downstairs said they didnt feel it. Calapan City (51.4 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) Just now (38.4 km SSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short

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Moderate mag. 5.1 earthquake - Caribbean Sea, 17 km north of Guiria, Municipio Valdez, Cumana, Venezuela, on Monday, Aug 30, 2021 12:16 pm (GMT -4) -

Updated: Sep 1, 2021 22:30 GMT - Refresh

Moderate magnitude 5.1 earthquake at 93 km depth

30 Aug 16:19 UTC: First to report: VolcanoDiscovery after 3 minutes.

30 Aug 16:24: Now using data updates from GFZ

Update Mon, 30 Aug 2021, 16:30

5.1 quake 30 Aug 12:16 pm (GMT -4)



The event was filed by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the first seismological agency to report it.

Our monitoring service identified a second report from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) which listed the quake at magnitude 5.1 as well.

Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter.

Weak shaking might have been felt in Guiria (pop. 40,000) located 17 km from the epicenter, and Port of Spain (pop. 49,000) 90 km away.

Other towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Arima (pop. 35,000) located 116 km from the epicenter.

VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either Just 13 minutes ago, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Guiria, Municipio Valdez, Cumana, Venezuela. The tremor was recorded around noon on Monday 30 August 2021 at 12:16 pm local time, at an intermediate depth of 93 km below the surface.The event was filed by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the first seismological agency to report it.Our monitoring service identified a second report from the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) which listed the quake at magnitude 5.1 as well.Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter.Weak shaking might have been felt in Guiria (pop. 40,000) located 17 km from the epicenter, and Port of Spain (pop. 49,000) 90 km away.Other towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Arima (pop. 35,000) located 116 km from the epicenter.VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app . This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake.

If you were or still are in this area during the quake help others with your feedback and file a quick report here . Download the Volcanoes & Earthquakes app to get one of the fastest seismic alerts online:

Android | IOS to get one of the fastest seismic alerts online:

Earthquake data:

[ show map ] Show interactive Map [ smaller ] [ bigger ]

please share your experience and submit a short "I felt it" report! Other users would love to hear about it!

Also if you did NOT feel the quake although you were in the area, please report it ! Your contribution is valuable also to earthquake science and earthquake hazard analysis and mitigation efforts. You can use your device location or the map to indicate where you were during the earthquake. Thank you! If you felt this quake (or if you were near the epicenter),Other users would love to hear about it!Alsoalthough you were in the area, please! Your contribution is valuable also to earthquake science and earthquake hazard analysis and mitigation efforts. You can use your device location or the map to indicate where you were during the earthquake. Thank you!

Data for the same earthquake reported by different agencies Info: The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision. Mag. Depth Location Source 5.1 93 km Near Chaguanas, Chaguanas, Trinidad & Tobago GFZ 4.9 80 km SUCRE, VENEZUELA EMSC 4.8 80 km Venezuela: 5 Km Al Oeste De Guiria FUNVISIS 4.9 84 km 5 Km NNW of Guiria, Venezuela USGS

User reports for this quake (38) User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute:

Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it.

Flag as inappropriate.

Mark as helpful or interesting.

Send your own user report! Scarborough, Tobago (177.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : it was light and lasted a while I recorded it watch / Light shaking (MMI IV) bombay street st james (88.4 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short : a weak shake. slight intensity but felt the ground move . was sitting when it happened twice. Second one very very weak. Tabaquite (119.5 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) Puerto La Cruz, Municipio Juan Antonio Sotillo, Anzoategui (260.3 km WSW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s Villa Borinquen, Vieques (887.5 km NNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt petit valley diego martin (87.6 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt friend felt it (reported through (reported through our app / not felt Puerto Ordaz Bolivar (278 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Se detecta por vibracion de los cuadros. Casa de un nivel. (reported through (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar, Venezuela (273.1 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Cunupia Trinidad (108.1 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s : Water bottle shaking and building shaking Petit Valley, Diego Martin (86 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Sudden jolt Petit Valley (87.8 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s Maraval, Trinidad, WI (89.6 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Started small vibration then a pause then a 1s jolt Carupano, Municipio Bermudez, Sucre (98.3 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short Caribbean Sea (301.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s Port of Spain (91.5 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s Port Of Spain / not felt Office Port of Spain / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / 1-2 s Port Of Spain / not felt Port of Spain / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Low vibration of my hotel room Puerto ordaz unare / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s Westmoorings / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s : Bldg and dining table shaking woodbrook, port of spain / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s Port Of Spain / not felt Trinidad / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Shook twice Maraval / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s : I felt the shaking start and take a while to stop. Puerto Ordaz, Estado Bolivar, Venezuela / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : En Puerto Ordaz, Estado Bolivar se sintio, fue un poco fuerte y rapido, las ventanas se movian Nueva esparta Venezuela / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s St Augustine / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Single heavy jolt, rattling tapering off for about 5s. Mt. Hope, Trinidad and Tobago / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / very short : Sharp quick shake (blink and you miss it timing) Port of Spain / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s At home / Light shaking (MMI IV) / very short Maraval / Weak shaking (MMI III) Puerto Ordaz, Bolivar, Venezuela / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s Westmoorings / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short Curepe / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s Petit Valley / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Port of Spain / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s Hyatt hotel / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Look up aftershocks or earlier quakes

Aftershocks

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2 (=5 sqare miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 6 km (4 mi).

Aftershocks typically occur during the days and weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone.

The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock (check on the

Based on its magnitude, the fault that was active during the quake ruptured along a surface of approx. 13 km(=5 sqare miles) as a first-order estimate. The length of the rupture zone thus was probably around 6 km (4 mi).Aftershocks typically occur during the days and weeks following the quake at or near the same fault, at distances of up to approx. two times the length of the rupture zone.The often broadly linear arrangement of aftershock epicenters encompasses the rupture zone of the main shock (check on the map below to verify).

Earlier earthquakes in the same area since 1900

Map of earlier quakes
User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale

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Athens greece (54.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s : Small intensity in athens | 3 users found this interesting.

Isthmia, Peloponnese (10.1 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Fear | 2 users found this interesting.

Ymittos, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (58.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : Was laying in bed looking at my cell phone and the room did a quick jerk motion | 2 users found this interesting.

Piraeus (49.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I felt shaking and my bed was moving | 2 users found this interesting.

Megara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : Svegliato dal sonno | 2 users found this interesting.

Athens, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (57.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Shaking furniture and doors | One user found this interesting.

Nikaia, Nomos Piraios, Attica (50 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : It was short and very light | One user found this interesting.

Megara (26.7 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Furniture shaking | One user found this interesting.

Kato Patissia, Athens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : I felt the building shake. 5 level apartment building in Agias Paraskevis, Kato Patissia 111 44, Athens | One user found this interesting.

Chalandri (63.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : The sofa was moving around and I was sitting on it | One user found this interesting.

Paleo Faliro South Athens (52.7 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : Strong enough to worry us a little | One user found this interesting.

Palaio Faliro / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : The bed moved back and forth for 2-3 seconds. | One user found this interesting.

At bed in the hotel (54.3 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Stressed and I feel nervous | One user found this interesting.

Kypseli, Attiki, Athens (58.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt : I haven't felt the earthquake, but my chandelier moved for a moment. | One user found this interesting.

Athens, Egaleo / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I'm at second floor, me and my daughter felt it sitting on the couch. The wall was crackung slightly. Very short duration | One user found this interesting.

Hotel Perianth, Athens (56.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 1-2 s : The bed and the tables shook for 2 to 3 secs in both side ways and forward | One user found this interesting.

Koridallos Pireo / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Leve ruido proveniente de la tierra | One user found this interesting.

Palaio Faliro (52.2 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt I heard a crumbling but could have also been a big car | One user found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / not felt

Kallithea (53.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was lying in my bed. My bed shook at 00.11. i am in kallithea, Athens | One user found this interesting.

Athens kalliathea / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I felt that the floor was mooving | One user found this interesting.

Paleo Faliro / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : just a little rattling | One user found this interesting.

Athens metaxourgiou / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Rocking feeling | One user found this interesting.

Paiania, Nomarchia Anatolikis Attikis, Attica (66.8 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Door rattled and bed shook for 1-2 seconds

Paiania, Nomarchia Anatolikis Attikis, Attica (66.8 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Door rattled and bed shook for 1-2 seconds

Athens, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (57.4 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short

Cholargos, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (63 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : I was in my bed and I have felt my bed moving a little bit.

Agioi Theodoroi, Corinthia, Peloponnese (6 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt

Agios Dimitrios, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (57.6 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s

Vyronas, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (57.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / not felt (reported through our app / not felt

Vrilissia, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (67.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Vyronas, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (58.5 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Agios Dimitrios, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (56.2 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Peristeri, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (54.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s

Sofiko, Corinthia, Peloponnese (9 km SSE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / very short

Alimos, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (53.8 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s

Agioi Theodoroi, Corinthia, Peloponnese (4.9 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Loutra Oraias Elenis, Corinthia, Peloponnese (9.9 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Glyfada, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (56.7 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / 5-10 s

Acharnes, Nomarchia Anatolikis Attikis, Attica (60.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Kallithea, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (52.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 5-10 s

Moschato, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (52 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Vari, Nomarchia Anatolikis Attikis, Attica (62.7 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Ano Liosia, Attica, Attica (58.4 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Piraeus, Attica, Attica (49.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Athens, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (56.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Piraeus, Attica, Attica (48.3 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Salamina, Nomos Piraios, Attica (38 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short

Piraeus, Attica, Attica (49.1 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Athens, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (56.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Agios Dimitrios, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (55.6 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Voula, Nomarchia Anatolikis Attikis, Attica (56.7 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : 1 shake

Piraeus, Attica, Attica (49.9 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Athens (53.4 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Loutraki, Corinthia, Peloponnese (17.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Porto Rafti, Nomarchia Anatolikis Attikis, Attica (78.4 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Piraeus, Attica, Attica (48.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Nea Smyrni, Nomarchia Athinas, Attica (53.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s

Varkiza, Attica / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Yt

Paleo Faliro (52.9 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Glyfada / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

marousi athenas (63.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Athens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Megara / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s : Svegliato dal sonno

Athens / not felt

Athens, Petralona / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s

Athens (67 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / very short

Athen center / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Palaio Faliro / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s : Woke me up in bed. Bed shook lightly and light fittings swinging

KALLITHEA, athens / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : I was in an unstable bed and i felt the shake

Glyfada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Egine (39.3 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Voula / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : None

Loutraki / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : Vibrations and all windows and doors are moved

Athens (57.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Athens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 1-2 s

Athens, Aristotelous / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / very short

Athens Monastiraki / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s : Bett vibrierte

Sofiko (3.6 km ESE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Fira, Santorini / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 2-5 s : I was asleep but it was strong enough to wake me up.

Loutraki / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Nafplio / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Glyfada / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Isthmia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Rafina / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s

Athens (56.1 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : The whole building moved

Athens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Athens International Airport / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s

Athens / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Korinthos / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

 (57.3 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Loutraki / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump

  /  / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s

 (57.3 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Isthmia / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 30-60 s

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

athens (65.1 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s

Athens / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s

Glyfada, Attikh / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s : Glyfada

Glyfada, Athens (58 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s

Athens (57.3 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s

Athenes / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s

Maroussi / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Athens kifisia / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / very short

loutraki / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s

Varkiza, Attica / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Yt

Thermisia / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Loutraki / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 2-5 s

Varkiza / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Corinth (18.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 20-30 s : Every thing seems vibrating.

Chalandri, Athens (62.7 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s Very short, not strong (reported through (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Kato Alepochori (31.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Loutraki, Greece / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 1-2 s

markopoulo attica / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Athens / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Pireus / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Piraeus / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short

Athens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Kallithea (55.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / very short

Athens / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Corinth (18.7 km NW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / very short

Athens (61.3 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s

vouliagmeni, athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Drassa (11.3 km W of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 15-20 s

Drepano / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 5-10 s : I felt it

Drepano / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Athens / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 2-5 s

Voula 16673 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 10-15 s : Was lying in bed. Suddenly felt shaking from top to bottom of the bed

Athens, Greece (56 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / very short

Glyfada / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / very short

nkaa / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging

Athens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 2-5 s

Paleo Faliro (53 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II)

Nea Smirni / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Isthmia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Piraus / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Loutraki korinthias / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / very short

Rentis (51 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Athens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 10-15 s

nikaia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

GLYFADA (57.8 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

Ilioupolis (Athens) / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s

Nafplion (40.9 km SW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Loutraki / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Assos korinthos / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Korfos / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Loutraki / Light shaking (MMI IV)

Nafplio / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short

Egina / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s

Epidavros (25.3 km S of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

Korydallos (49.8 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Piraeus, Nikaia / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Nea Erythrea (67.4 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s Slight quake. Barely felt it. (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Athens, Kifisia, Kefallinias / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / 1-2 s

Athens (56.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / very short

Home / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Athens (51.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s

Athens (57.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Glyfada / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Kaisariani, Greece (59.1 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 2-5 s

Acharnes / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s

Xylokastro (47.4 km WNW of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Pireaus / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s

Kallithea, Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 1-2 s

Seating down. (55.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s (reported through our app / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s

Glyfada, Greece / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 5-10 s

Pefkali, Amoni / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : The house shaking

Iktinou 39 12243 Egaleo (52.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 5-10 s

Nea smyrni / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s

PIRAEUS / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single lateral shake / very short

Athens / not felt : Light shaking of our house

Athens / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / very short

p faliron (52 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short single lateral swoosh (reported through (reported through our app / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / very short

Nea Makri / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Loutraki / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Vouliagmeni (57.2 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Beds shaking

Athens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 5-10 s

Athens (56 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s

Vouliagmeni / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake

PERISTERI / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 s

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III)

Athens / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s

byron / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 2-5 s
Supporters of the Rumsfeld / Cebrowski endless war doctrine enthusiastically saluted President Biden for rallying their cause.

Joe Biden had rejected this form of war when he met with Vladimir Putin in Geneva. But he has just embraced it by endorsing the Talibans return to power in Kabul.

Professor Samuel Moyn  who is about to release his book Humane: How the United States Abandoned Peace and Reinvented War in two weeks (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York)  has published an open column on the Washington Post website: Biden pulled troops out of Afghanistan. He didnt end the forever war" [1].

Following the fall of Kabul and President Bidens address, Professor Moyn welcomes the fact that the War on Terror is being kept alive well beyond the hunt for Bin Laden. He salutes the existence of new military techniques that no longer require large numbers of permanent ground troops, but resort to drones and Special Forces. He is adamant that the deployment of US troops should not focus on Afghanistan, but be much more ambitious and take place globally; hence the current decline.

Samuel Moyn recalls that even before the election of President Biden, his future Secretary of State Antony Blinken had already spoken in favor of pulling out US troops from Afghanistan and their deployment elsewhere [2]. Yet in April 2021, referring to Afghanistan, President Biden said that it was "time to end the Eternal War." He was preparing for the June summit with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Now that it is over, he has reverted to the Rumsfeld/Cebrowski doctrine.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today at the White House with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of Israel to reaffirm the historic partnership between the United States and Israel and consult on the full range of global and regional challenges facing the two countries. The President expressed appreciation for Israels condolences for yesterdays attack in Kabul that killed U.S. service members and Afghan civilians.

The President conveyed his ironclad support for Israels security and right to self-defense. As part of this extraordinary bilateral defense and security cooperation, the President underscored his administrations full support for replenishing Israels Iron Dome system.

The leaders discussed the most critical challenges facing the Middle East, including the threat posed by Iran. The President made clear his commitment to ensure Iran never develops a nuclear weapon. The leaders reviewed steps to deter and contain Irans dangerous regional behavior. They reiterated their commitments to work constructively and deepen cooperation to address all aspects of Israels security against Iran and other threats.

The President and Prime Minister Bennett shared their perspectives on the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, both at home and around the world, and agreed that their respective teams would remain closely engaged to share expertise on this urgent global challenge.

The President expressed his full support for strong and expanding relations among Israel, its Arab neighbors, and Muslim states globally. The two leaders noted that Israels historic partnerships with Egypt and Jordan remain crucial to regional stability. They discussed ways to further deepen Israels relationships with Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates, and their goal of identifying new opportunities to expand such partnerships.

The President and Prime Minister Bennett also exchanged views on efforts to advance peace, security, and prosperity for both Israelis and Palestinians. The President underscored the importance of steps to improve the lives of Palestinians and support greater economic opportunities for them. He also noted the importance of refraining from actions that could exacerbate tensions, contribute to a sense of unfairness, and undermine efforts to build trust. President Biden reaffirmed his view that a negotiated two-state solution is the only viable path to achieving a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

President Biden also emphasized that his administration would strengthen bilateral cooperation with Israel in ways that would benefit both U.S. citizens and Israeli citizens, including by working together towards Israels inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program. The leaders directed their teams to enhance consultations as Israel works on addressing the programs requirements.
Photo: 18 August 2021 meeting in Mazar-i-Sharif between Turkmen and Taliban representatives.

The Taliban have confirmed their willingness to build the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline which would export Turkmen gas for the development of Central Asia.

This project had been developed by Argentinian oil magnate Carlos Bulgheroni (Bridas) with the Turkmen government in the 1990s. It was to be financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). But it entered into competition with a project sponsored by California-based UNOCAL. After an agreement between the two companies was reached, negotiations between the United States and the Taliban took place in Berlin in violation of the travel ban issued by the UN Security Council against the Taliban. It was the failure of these talks in the summer of 2001 that sparked the US war against Afghanistan (and not the attacks of September 11, 2001).

UNOCAL negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad happened to have an office in Kandahar (Herat Bazaar Road), next to both the Pakistani consulate and Osama bin Ladens office. Mr. Khalilzad later became US Ambassador to Afghanistan and then to the UN.

China subsequently picked up the TAPI concept and integrated it into its international projects. Work began in December 2015. Pakistan talked the Taliban into supporting the pipeline as soon as the Americans left. At the end of July 2021, China received the Taliban in Beijing to make sure they would participate in the project.

The Argentinians had good relations with the Turkmens; the United States with the Arab anti-Soviet fighters; the Chinese with the Afghan nationalists.
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For reasons understood by him alone, Kanye West brought out noted homophobic comment-maker DaBaby and accused abuser Marilyn Manson at his Chicago Donda release party. He also featured both of them on the Donda album. With some Chris Brown thrown in for good measure! Taking a moment for rebuttal, Evan Rachel Wood performed a cover of New Radicals You Get What You Give at L.A.s Bourbon Room. The song famously ends with a list of celebs whose ass Mr. New Radical would kick, including Marilyn Mansons. Wood captioned her Instagram of the cover, For my fellow survivors who got slapped in the face this week. I love you. Dont give up. In February, Wood said that Manson groomed and horrifically abused her when they dated. Before that, Wood discussed her abuse by a then-unnamed man while working to usher the Phoenix Act into California law. The Phoenix Act extends the statute of limitations for domestic-violence felonies from three to five years, as well as requiring police officers to undergo more training on the issue of intimate partner violence.

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Google and Apple are catching heat for their app store and payments practices in Asia Pacific.

Less than a week after Apple said it would allow App Store developers to promote alternative payment methods to their users, South Korea is poised to end restrictions that critics say harm competition. And Australia is piling on the pressure by floating reforms for how to tackle payment systems provided by Apple and Google.

In the United States, criticisms about how much power Apple and Google app stores wield over developers have led to lawsuits and efforts by lawmakers trying to give app creators more power.

Apple's commissions, for example, go as high as 30% on some purchases made through the company's platform  and developers say they have little choice but to comply, since Apple does not allow customers to download apps from any source other than the company's official store.

Now, South Korea may soon pass a law that would stop companies such as Apple and Google from forcing mobile app developers to use their payment systems.

Legislators have been reviewing an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act, which would ban app store operators from "unfairly using their market position to force a certain manner of payment" upon businesses. Once enacted, violators could be fined up to 3% of their annual sales, in addition to up to 300 million Korean won ($257,000) in penalties.

The bill was expected to be submitted for voting on Monday, but the parliamentary session was abruptly delayed.

If the law is passed, developers will be able to select which payment systems to use to process in-app purchases, meaning they may be able to bypass hefty charges imposed by the two longtime leaders.

South Korea isn't the only country in the region scrutinizing the two companies. On Monday, Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg called for new regulations on digital payments.

"Digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are used to make contactless payments just like debit cards issued by a bank, but the parties are subject to different regulatory settings," he wrote in an op-ed in The Australian Financial Review.

"If we do nothing to reform the framework, it will be Silicon Valley that determines the future of a critical piece of our economic infrastructure."

A brewing battle

The bill in South Korea, which is being closely followed internationally, could set the stage for similar action elsewhere. Numerous investigations of the app ecosystem are already underway around the world, including in Europe and the United Kingdom.

The South Korean proposal has been dubbed the "anti-Google law" in the country, as politicians argue that the Silicon Valley behemoth has taken advantage of its longstanding dominance in the field and undercut developers.

In July, South Korean lawmaker Jun Hye-sook urged parliament to move the bill along quickly, calling it "a law to prevent Google from lording [its position] over others," and a move that would "protect IT developers from the platforms lording over them."

According to the most recent government study available, Google and Apple made about $5.2 billion and almost $2 billion, respectively, in each of their app stores in South Korea in 2019.

Both companies have hit back, arguing that the law could hurt app developers and consumers in the long run.

"While the law has not yet been passed, we worry that the rushed process hasn't allowed for enough analysis of the negative impact of this legislation on Korean consumers and app developers," Wilson White, Google's senior director of public policy, said in a statement.

"If passed, we will review the final law when available and determine how best to continue providing developers with the tools they need to build successful global businesses while delivering a safe and trustworthy experience for consumers."

Apple said that the move would "put users who purchase digital goods from other sources at risk of fraud, undermine their privacy protections, make it difficult to manage their purchases, and features like 'Ask to Buy' and Parental Controls will become less effective." The tools refer to protections the App Store has rolled out for parents to better oversee activity on their families' accounts.

According to Apple, there are more than 482,000 registered app developers in South Korea, and they have earned more than 8.55 trillion Korean won ($7.3 billion) to date with the iPhone maker.

"We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this proposal  leading to fewer opportunities for [them]," it added in a statement.

South Korean Communications Commission Chairman Han Sang-hyuk, however, contends that new rules are needed as the platforms continue to exercise their "influence."

"Those app market operators are gaining controlling power in the market. It is becoming necessary to regulate them," he told lawmakers last week.

Mounting pressure

Last week, Apple announced concessions to developers in the United States, saying it would relax some restrictions on how iPhone app makers could communicate with customers outside its App Store.

On Thursday, the company said that "developers can use communications, such as email, to share information about payment methods outside of their iOS app," as long as users consent to receiving those emails and have the right to opt out.

The move gives developers more leeway to collect payments from their customers without having to pay Apple's commission on in-app purchases. It came as part of a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit brought in 2019.

Apple and Google's app store fees have increasingly come under scrutiny as lawmakers and regulators have zeroed in on their dominance over the iOS and Android operating systems.

Earlier this month, a bipartisan US Senate bill also took aim at both players by seeking to ban restrictions on app developers.

Currently, the iPhone maker's commissions are at the center of several legal disputes, including a separate lawsuit by one of Apple's biggest developers  Epic Games.

Apple has taken steps to reach out to developers, announcing last November that it would slash the fees it charged them from 30% to 15% if the developer made less than $1 million in the prior year.

 Yoonjung Seo, Gawon Bae, Rishi Iyengar, Brian Fung and Lauren Lau contributed to this report.

The-CNN-Wire

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As of Monday afternoon, heres the expected timing of Idas impact on weather across North Alabama from WAAY 31 Meteorologist Carson Meredith:

2 to 11 p.m. Monday

All of North Alabama is under a Flash Flood Watch. Outer rain bands begin to develop during the peak heat of the day as the center of Ida moves closer to North Alabama.

Threats: Heavy rain, brief spin up tornadoes

11 p.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Tuesday

The center of Ida moves closer, bringing heavy rain to our area.

Threats: Heavy rain, flash flooding. Brief spin up tornadoes can't be ruled out overnight, but the threat is low.

5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday

The heavy rain shield continues to make its way through the area. Additional bands of stronger thunderstorms will also develop with the rain shield.

Threats: Heavy rain, brief tornadoes.

The worst of Ida moves out Tuesday evening.

While a few lingering showers will be possible until Wednesday morning, the flooding and severe weather threat end around sunset Tuesday.

Our main concerns continue to be heavy rain and flash flooding.

Rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches are likely for the entire area over the next 36 hours.

Locally higher amounts will be possible for areas closer to the center of Ida (mainly the Shoals) and for areas that see heavier rain from thunderstorms in outer bands that develop.

Within any of those bands that develop, brief spin up tornadoes will also be possible.

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna, Meteorologist Rob Elvington, Meteorologist Carson Meredith and Ashley Carter will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE
Hospitals and their employees are at a breaking point with the coronavirus. ICU beds are completely full across the state, and the pandemic is worse now than it was in 2020.

WAAY 31 spoke with an ICU nurse at Huntsville Hospital about what it's like working the pandemic.

Its dreadful. Its devastating," said Nicole Minor.

Minor's been an ICU nurse at Huntsville Hospital for three years. She said they felt relief in the spring when the number of COVID patients went down, but now, ICU beds are completely full across the state of Alabama and the virus is spreading faster than ever.

We always expected it to come back, but we never expected it to get this bad again," she said.

Minor said her patients keep getting younger and younger because of the delta variant. She sees patients who are like her, and in their mid 20's.

Seeing patients that are closer to my age is very scary because youre always like, No, this isnt going to happen to me. Im not going to get COVID, or even if I do, Im not going to get very sick, but its scary because these patients, most of our patients are on a ventilator and require a lot of care. Theyre very sick," Minor said.

She said it feels like a never-ending cycle.

The past two weeks that Ive been here, I have seen a death every single day in this unit, and I have seen mothers, fathers, children, just come in and its devastating," she said. "They dont understand why. You know, they just beg and plead, theyre just like, you know, Dont leave. Thats the hardest thing to just sit there and watch because its just at that point we know theres nothing else we can do at this point.

Minor said the delta variant is causing their patient's health to decline quickly. She said nothing can really prepare you for the emotional and mental strain the pandemic can have.

It weighs very heavily on me, and I think I can speak for not only myself but for my coworkers, we are all having a very hard time with it. Those things just dont go away from your mind, and you cant separate those. You used to just leave work at work when you go home, and separate those things, but in this environment, you just cant.

Minor said the pandemic is taking a toll on the employees.

Were overworked, were exhausted, were tired, and were still here trying to give these families and patients the care that they deserve, and were still trying to do everything that we can, but were so tired," Minor explained.

Minor said in a two-week time period, she witnessed at least one person die from the coronavirus, every single day she worked.

She said their family members ask them to do anything to keep their loved one alive, but Minor said sometimes there's nothing left to do.

The maximum support that we can give them on the ventilator. They are on the maximum support of the medications that we can give them to keep their blood pressure up, and there is literally nothing else that we can do, and its just giving them enough time for their family to say their goodbyes. Thats the hardest thing.

Minor and other health care workers are begging for everyone to get vaccinated.
A manhunt is underway for a very dangerous suspect wanted out of Walker County.

Adam Ruiz led several law enforcement agencies through a multi-county chase. It started in Walker County in central Alabama, made its way up through Huntsville, before finally ending near the Tennessee state line.

Officials set up a perimeter in the area in search of the suspect. He was last seen near a boat dock in Stevenson. That's where they found his truck when the chase ended.

Helicopters circled the wooded area for nearly an hour. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office also use their search dogs to try to pick up Ruiz's scent. He is believed to be on foot near the Tennessee River. Ruiz is believed to have ties in the Nashville area and could be making his way to Tennessee.

The Walker County Sheriff's Office says Ruiz has eluded police for several days now. They called him a violent criminal with a long record, who may also have ties to a gang.

He is considered to be armed and dangerous, as well as a threat to the community. If you see Ruiz, do not approach him and immediately call 9-1-1.
These school systems have announced plans to shift to remote learning on Tuesday due to the threat of severe weather from the remnants of former Hurricane Ida in North Alabama. (Some schools are closing. See those schools HERE) We'll update this list as we learn more.

* Athens City School System

* Colbert County School System

* Cullman County School System

* DeKalb County School System

* Fort Payne City School System

* Franklin County School System (Already remote this week due to Covid)

* Morgan County School System

* Muscle Shoals City School System

* Scottsboro City School System

* Tuscumbia City School System

* University of North Alabama

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna, Meteorologist Rob Elvington, Meteorologist Carson Meredith and Ashley Carter will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE
These North Alabama schools will be closed Tuesday due to the threat of severe weather from the remnants of former Hurricane Ida in North Alabama. (Some schools are going remote on Tuesday. See those schools HERE)

We'll keep this list updated:

* Albertville City School System

* Arab City School System

* Boaz City School System

* Cullman City School System

* Drake State Community & Technical College

* First Baptist Church Child Development Center

* Florence City School System

* Guntersville City School System

* Huntsville City School System

* Jackson County School System

* Lauderdale County School System

* Lawrence County School System

* Lincoln Academy

* Madison City School System

* Madison County School System

* Marshall County School System

* Northwest-Shoals Community College

* Russellville City School System

* St. John Paul II Catholic High School

* Sheffield City School System

* Shoals Christian School

* Valley Fellowship Christian Academy

* Wallace State Community College

Operating on a two-hour delay

* Limestone County School System

Turn to WAAY 31 for everything you need to know to stay safe during severe weather. Chief Meteorologist Kate McKenna, Meteorologist Rob Elvington, Meteorologist Carson Meredith and Ashley Carter will provide you with the most accurate information on storms by using our StormTracker Early Warning Radar Network.

Stationed in Muscle Shoals, Decatur and Guntersville, the radars provide the best data for all of North Alabama by scanning EVERY community in North Alabama.

See all the radars HERE

Access the Muscle Shoals radar HERE

Access the Decatur radar HERE

Access the Guntersville radar HERE

And download our news and weather apps HERE
Decatur, IL (62521)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 81F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. Low 56F. Winds light and variable.
Green Pass demonstrations planned in train stations across Italy on Wednesday.

Protests against Italy's covid Green Pass are planned in 54 train stations across the country on 1 September, the day that new travel rules come into force.

From 1 September, the Green Pass - which shows that people have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from covid-19 - will be required to board airplanes, Intercity and high-speed trains, long-distance buses and inter-regional ferries.

Demonstrators are planning to 'blockade' stations the day the new rules take effect, with rallies being organised all over Italy via Telegram and word of mouth, reports news agency ANSA.

"They won't let us leave by train without a slavery passport? Then no one will leave", reads the Telegram chat titled 'Basta dittatura' (Enough dictatorship).

The planned protests come amid renewed opposition to the Green Pass which is currently required to dine indoors in restaurants as well as providing access to a wide range of cultural, leisure and social activities.

Demonstrations took place over the weekend in Milan and Rome where Antonella Alba, a journalist from state broadcaster RAI, was physically attacked for wearing a mask.

Protesters in the rallies include members of the "No Vax" and "No Pass" movements, as well as the neo-fascist Forza Nuova group, all of whom are against covid vaccines and restrictions.

Details about the Green Pass can be found - in Italian - on the Certificazione Verde website while for official information about the covid-19 situation in Italy - in English - see the health ministry website.

Photo credit: luca pbl / Shutterstock.com.
Italy tightens its covid 'Green Pass' rules again on 1 September, this time affecting transport and education. Here's what you need to know.

Italy will once again expand the scope of its Green Pass - the certificate showing that people have been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered from covid-19 - with the new rules taking effect on 1 September.

So where and when will the Green Pass - or its equivalent certificate for those visiting Italy - be required? Here are the main points.

From 1 September the Green Pass will be required to board:

airplanes serving domestic and international destinations

inter-regional ships and ferries (with the exception of Strait of Messina ferry services)

Intercity and high-speed trains

long-distance buses passing through more than two regions

charter buses

The Green Pass will not be required to travel on buses, trams and subways on local public transport networks, or on regional trains.

In addition to the new rules affecting transport, the Green Pass will become mandatory for teachers and school staff, as well as university staff and students, from 1 September.

School and university employees who fail to comply with the new measures risk penalties similar to the system already in place for doctors and nurses, the government has warned.

After five days of being off work due to not having the Green Pass, employees' absence will be regarded as "unjustified", leading to the suspension of their employment and pay.

Italy's Green Pass, or certificazione verde, was first introduced in June and was originally used mainly for travel within the EU and to facilitate access to large events such as weddings or to visit nursing homes.

However on 6 August the scope of the Green Pass, which does not apply to childen under the age of 12, was expanded and is now required for:

dining indoors in restaurants

cinemas, theatres, events and sporting competitions

museums, cultural venues and archaeological sites

gyms, swimming pools, spas, amusement parks, leisure centres, gaming halls and casinos

conferences and trade fairs

The Green Pass, which is the source of continued protests in Italy , is not required for consuming food or drink at tables outdoors or drinking a coffee while standing at the bar.

see our guide while for extensive information (in Italian) about the Green Pass see the For details (in English) about how the Green Pass workswhile for extensive information (in Italian) about the Green Pass see the Certificazione Verde website

For those who still need assistance, there is a call centre, tel. 800 91 24 91 (open daily 08.00-20.00) and an email address cittadini@dgc.gov.it

For official information about the covid-19 situation in Italy - in English - see health ministry website

Photo credit: Angelo Cordeschi / Shutterstock.com.
Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert faced the worst humanity could throw at her when she was taken from her home in Hungary and transported to Auschwitz. When she and other survivors were liberated in 1945, she experienced the hope and encouragement small acts of kindness can instil upon someone.

Transport to Auschwitz

Lily Ebert was born on December 29, 1923 in Bonyhad, Hungary. In the early months of 1944, the Nazis invaded the town and began to enact the antisemitic policies being experienced by Jewish individuals across Europe. What began as curfews and wearing yellow stars soon resulted in Ebert and her family being moved to a ghetto.

In May 1944, Eberts family was put on a train to Pecs and sent to a transit camp. Three months later, she, her mother, her brother and her three sisters were put into cattle cars and forced to endure the long trip to Auschwitz. Upon arrival, the occupants of the transport were lined up in front of SS officer Josef Mengele. Ebert and two of her sisters were chosen to work in the camp, while her mother, brother and other sister were sent to the crematorium.

Ebert and her sisters were imprisoned at Auschwitz for four months. Unbeknownst to the guards, she kept in her possession a gold pendant her mother had given to her when she was a young child. It remained hidden in the heel of her shoe until it wore down, after which she hid it in her bread rations. Its a pendant she still wears to this day.

Liberation at Leipzig

Four months after arriving at Auschwitz, the three sisters were transferred to the Altenburg work camp near Leipzig, where they worked in an ammunition factory. Months later, in April 1945, the Allies were continuing to chip away at German strongholds across Eastern Europe, forcing the Nazis to resort to even more extreme and dehumanizing measures.

Ebert and her sisters were liberated while on a death march near Pfaffroda, five kilometers from the Czech border. For weeks, they and other survivors were taken care of by American soldiers, before being billeted by a German family. They were then transferred to Buchenwald, which had been turned into a place to accommodate Jewish survivors.

An small act of kindness

While at Buchenwald, the Ebert sisters learnt the Swiss government was offering shelter to hundreds of Jewish children. Despite being young adults, the three were given permission by a Swiss Red Cross nurse to relocate to the country. According to Ebert, this was likely due to their malnourishment, which made them look younger than they were.

As they were getting ready to depart, a Rabbis assistant approached Ebert. The young American GI from New York bid Ebert farewell, for which she thanked him. It was then he did something she would never forget: he took out an Alliierte Militarbehorde 10-mark note from his pocket.

Hed intended to pull out a spare sheet of paper, but instead grabbed the military currency. On it, he wrote the following words: A start to a new life. Good luck and happiness. He then signed it Assistant to Chaplain Schacter, and attempted to write out his name in Hebrew.

He handed it to her and they parted ways. Ebert vowed to keep the banknote forever, to ensure she never forgot the GI.

Mission to identify the unknown GI

In 2020, Eberts great-grandson, Dov Forman, found the banknote in her family photo album. Not long after, he set to work tracking down the soldier who gave his great-grandmother hope all those years ago.

On July 5, 2020, he tweeted out a message, informing his followers of the banknote. The tweet was shared by the Auschwitz Memorial Museum and quickly went viral. Just eight hours later, Forman was sent a message, which contained an image of a young man in uniform. It read, The assistant to Rabbi Schacter.

Yesterday my great Grandma (Lily Ebert  an Auschwitz survivor) showed me this bank note- given to her as a gift by a soldier who liberated her. Inscribed, it says a start to a new life. Good luck and happiness. Later on, she met up with those who freed her (third photo). pic.twitter.com/LAx2ZGFCnH  Dov Forman (@DovForman) July 5, 2020

After translating the Hebrew on the banknote  Hi Yom Shul Man  and comparing the handwriting, a positive identification was made. The GIs name was Private Hyman Schulman, who passed away in 2013. While she couldnt thank him personally, she was able to set up video calls with his living relatives.

Keeping awareness alive

After residing in Switzerland for awhile, Ebert moved to Israel, where she got married and had three children. She moved to London, England in 1967, where she has dedicated her life to speaking about her experiences during World War II. For her efforts, she was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2015.

I promised myself that if I survived by some miracle, I would tell the world what happened there, she told NBC News in 2020. The next generation and next generations should know the story, so that something like that should not be repeated to any human being ever.

Inspired by the efforts of those on social media to locate Hyman Schulman, Ebert allowed her great-grandson to create an account for her on the short-form video platform, TikTok. She uses her videos to answer questions about the Holocaust, and her efforts have since gained her over one million followers.

She has also written a book, titled Lilys Promise: How I Survived Auschwitz and Found the Strength to Live. Set for release on September 2, 2021 via Pan Macmillan, she tells the story of her childhood, her time at Auschwitz, and her determination to keep herself and her sisters safe.
After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941, the US and its allies in the Pacific were subjected to a series of Japanese victories, conquering territory after territory. It wasnt until the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942 and the Battle of Midway in June 1942 that the Japanese war machine was finally slowed down.

The Battle of Midway in particular was one of the most important battles of the entire war, costing the Japanese dearly in men, equipment, and vessels.

Battle of the Bismarck Sea

In late 1942, Japan realized they were at risk of losing control of the South West Pacific, particularly New Guinea. A series of Allied victories on New Guinea had weakened Japanese forces on the island, which were now in desperate need of supplies and reinforcements.

The Japanese decided to send around 7,000 troops and a huge amount of supplies from Rabaul to Lae, New Guinea, via a convoy. This idea was risky, as Allied airpower in the region could wreak havoc with the convoy should it be discovered. Nevertheless, the convoy left Rabaul and made its way to Lae.

Unfortunately for the Japanese, radio communications relating to the convoy had been intercepted by the Allies, who, with the help of codebreakers, knew both the convoys destination and arrival date. With the luxury of knowing the Japanese plans, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) began making preparations to stop the convoy reaching Lae.

US and Australian commanders planned to first establish the location of the convoy with reconnaissance aircraft. Once this was known, a series of intense attacks by land-based heavy, medium, and light bombers along with torpedo boats would attempt to completely destroy the convoy.

The commanders knew that for their complex plan to work, the coordinated attacks must be carried out with extremely precise timing. As inexperienced pilots would likely struggle with this, a series of mock-up battles were staged to practice the attack.

The crews were instructed to rendezvous at Cape Rodney. From there, they would fly 90 miles to Port Moresby, where they would begin a simulated attack on a ship in the harbor.

These practice runs helped crews improve their aim and timing for the real thing.

The Japanese convoy consisted of eight destroyers and eight troop transports and was covered by 100 escorting fighter aircraft. It left from Rabaul on February 28 1943 and planned to arrive in Lae on March 3.

The attack begins

To begin with, the convoy was blessed with poor weather that hid it from Allied reconnaissance aircraft. However, the convoy was spotted by a USAAF Liberator early on March 2, prompting General Whitehead, the battles US commander, to launch eight B-17s followed up by another twenty. A further eleven B-17s were launched towards the end of the day, claimed to have caused considerable damage to the convoy.

By the end of March 2, the convoy was approaching waters within the range of all Allied aircraft, at which point unreserved devastation would be unleashed. To make sure the attack began as soon as possible after daylight, a RAAF Catalina followed the convoy throughout the night, reporting its location.

Daylight broke on March 3 to clear skies, ideal conditions for an aerial attack.

That morning, fighter bases at Lae were attacked to limit Japanese defenses, while 90 Allied aircraft took off to attack the convoy.

RAAF and USAAF B-17 Flying Fortresses, P-38 Lightning, B-25 Mitchells, Beaufighters, and A-20 Bostons repeatedly attacked the convoy over the course of the day.

The heavily armed Beaufighters strafed the ships at an extremely low level in an attempt to destroy their anti-aircraft capabilities and kill their captains and officers. The B-17s conducted medium-level bombing against the ships while the B-25s and A-20s attacked at extremely low altitudes. At the same time, the P-38 Lightnings engaged Japanese escort fighters above the chaotic battle.

The convoy was wiped out

The battle ended with a devastating Japanese defeat. All eight transports and four of the eight destroyers were sunk. The remaining destroyers transported 2,700 troops back to Rabaul, but 1,000 Japanese men were left afloat in the ocean. It was feared that any Japanese survivors that made their way to land would resume fighting the Allies, so for the next few days, Allied boats and aircraft combed the ocean, firing at the stranded survivors bobbing in the water or clinging to wreckage.

More From Us: Modern Technology Reveals Secret of the Sinking of the Bismarck

Overall, the Japanese lost eight transports, four destroyers, twenty fighters, and nearly 3,000 men. In return, the Allies lost just two bombers, four fighters, and 13 men.

After the defeat at the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Japan issued an order to ensure every soldier was able to swim.
While this is happening, California is being devastated by wildfires, and NIMBYism and the cost of living are out of control. Middle-class residents are leaving the state, poverty problems are perhaps the most serious in the country, and work from home is endangering the traditional revenue sources from employment at the big tech companies. Ezra Klein, co-founder of the Vox website, a columnist for the New York Times and hardly a right-winger, described the current California predicament as a failure of progressive governance.
Blackstone is broadening its bet on U.S. student housing, forming a $784 million joint venture with Landmark Properties. The new partnership will recapitalize a portfolio of buildings with 5,416 beds, according to a statement Friday. Investors are betting on college housing as students flock back to campus after more than a year of covid-19 restrictions. They're seeing a relative bargain in the typically private, off-campus complexes compared with the cost of apartments and other residential assets. Landmark, based in Athens, Ga., operates more than 75 student-housing properties with nearly 51,000 beds.
Kim has rolled out new solid-fuel ballistic missiles that are easier to move, hide and fire than many liquid-fuel versions. He has launched more than two dozen since May 2019 including nuclear-capable, hypersonic KN-23 missiles that can strike all of South Korea -- including U.S. forces stationed south of Seoul -- within two minutes. He has also launched KN-25 short-range missiles designed to be fired in rapid succession from a single launcher to overwhelm interceptors. The new ballistic Pukguksong-3 missile -- the biggest of the bunch -- is designed to be fired from a submarine and has an estimated range of 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles). At the October parade, it rolled out an even more advanced version, which likely has a greater range and payload capacity. Weapons experts say North Korea is also developing an ICBM that uses solid-propellant technology, potentially giving the U.S. less warning ahead of any strike aimed at the mainland.
Newly released 2020 Census data give us a better sense of where Americans think the best places to live are. Cities such as Phoenix, Dallas, Houston and Las Vegas continue to be popular, maintaining the strong population growth thats defined them for the last half-century. Others, such as Buffalo and Cincinnati, have reversed decades-long declines in population, leading to proud claims of urban revival. Still more, such as Detroit and St. Louis, continued to lose people as they have for the last 70 years.
The Fund is also abetting Russia in propping up a regime that has lost legitimacy in the eyes of most of the population. Since the political crisis began a year ago, Russia has extended new loans to Belarus. It understands that a financial crisis there could further weaken Lukashenkos rule and hasten a potential transition towards democracy, as past crises have done in other authoritarian systems. In doing so, Russia sustains a system that continues to abuse human rights on a scale not seen for decades in Europe. It also presses its own geopolitical conditionality by seeking a quid pro quo of deeper Belarusian integration into Russia. This could in due course include military basing rights  a matter of deep concern to the West, since three EU and NATO member states border Belarus. Against this background, the IMFs unconditional SDR allocation is not only a gift to Belarus, but also supports Russias goal of keeping Lukashenko in power.
The economists found that countries lost around one percentage point of economic growth every year after a populist came to power. This underperformance existed relative both to each countrys long-run growth rate and to the current global growth rate, and held for at least 15 years. They concluded that after a decade and a half, national income per person was 10% lower than it would have been if a populist hadnt come to power.
Its a necessary evil. The party identifies among its core tasks the advancement of the fundamental interest of the greatest majority of Chinese people. Four decades ago, then party patriarch Deng Xiaoping (who famously said poverty is not socialism) interpreted that to mean that it was OK if some people needed to get rich to improve the livelihoods of the masses. Since the introduction of his drastic economic reforms, more than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty in China. Dengs successor, Jiang Zemin, allowed entrepreneurs to join the party in 2002. That helped legitimize their position in society and gave them some say in the countrys governance -- many are members of the parliament or its advisory body -- while also tying them closer to the party.
The FDA will look into the requests made in the petitions. The agency has been conducting its own sunscreen research while it awaits data from the industry and found that all the chemical ingredients absorb into the skin at high enough levels to warrant the call for more information. The Maui City Council in Hawaii is considering expanding the states ban on the sale of oxybenzone products to potentially limit sunscreen use on the island to only the minerals the FDA found to be safe. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine is expected to release a report next year on the environmental and public health impacts of sunscreen.
Afghans with a lower profile in the culture sector may have more options, though few of them are risk-free. A young man who leads the local offices for an international cultural heritage organization said he was determined to stay in Afghanistan. I am checking every day, and right now, things are normal and safe, he said. Among the positive signs that he and several others cited was the Taliban decision to defend the National Museum in Kabul, which was looted several times during the countrys civil war in the 1990s. The Taliban reportedly destroyed thousands of museum objects in 2001. But the NGO staffer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid attracting Taliban attention, was also cautious: Trust is not a good option, so we are all looking forward to what they do after a formal government is established.
Perry folded plenty of bizarre sounds into the murky water of his tracks. You could hear what sounded like alien moaning, sizzling deep fryers, black-hole noise, even flushing toilets. He told his biographer that it was the sound of two stones smashing together at a construction site that kindled his sound: When the stones clash, I hear the thunder clash, and I hear lightning flash. But to be enamored with that strangeness, that perpetual smokescreen of his, means getting caught in Scratchs most profound musical trap. His own music could veer toward the nonsensical and ribald, but his greatest productions were also powerful and prophetic, the sound of a real revolutionary embodying the type of Black empowerment and pride that had only recently infused American music. During his 1970s heyday, he crafted music that was steeped in a deep knowledge of the brutal past of the Western hemisphere and an equally corrupt present, both in Jamaica and elsewhere. With the array of reggae vocalists and DJs who came through the Black Ark, Perry paired their heavy messages in a head-swimming sonic brew that could not be denied.
Its absolutely due to delta; its absolutely due to unvaccinated people, David Wohl, a specialist in infectious diseases at the University of North Carolina, told my colleagues at The Washington Post. There is an incredible increase in hospitalizations across the spectrum, from just needing oxygen and some care to needing serious interventions to keep people alive. If everyone was vaccinated, our hospitals would not be anywhere near where we are.
Ferebee said at news conference Monday morning that, even with the delta variant driving an uptick in cases, he did not think a systemwide switch to virtual learning would be needed. He said D.C.s safety measures  including mask mandates, teacher vaccinations and testing requirements  will help ensure that the city will not have the outbreaks and outcomes that other jurisdictions have experienced.
At the same time, lawyers involved in the cases estimated it may cost $500,000 per defendant to go to trial, leading several to predict that all defendants will eventually need either federally funded defenders or access to donor funds. For now, outside of Pierce, virtually all lawyers with a handful or more clients are with the Federal Defenders Office of D.C., which in some ways can pool resources like a defense firm.
Police said three or four men, possibly in their 20s, have carried out the robberies, using a gray Nissan Rogue in at least one incident. All the victims said they were blindfolded and forced to disclose bank or credit card PINs under the threat of being shot, according to police reports. They were released after the assailants withdrew cash.
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Youngkin pledged to create 400,000 new jobs during a four-year term in office, though he did not offer much detail on how he would achieve such a massive number. He said he would aim to cut state business regulations by 25 percent  scaling up a pilot program that has been underway for three years  and aides said he would work with the General Assembly to streamline requirements for starting a new business as administered by the State Corporation Commission.
I am going to do track and field in high school. I am doing (Jobs for Delaware Graduates) and (Junior) ROTC, and later in my future, I want to do military and be in the National Guard, she said. When I come here, I just feel like its more motivation.  You push through. Yes, youre going to go through pain. Youre going to fail. But youre also going to be successful in something that you did.
New Orleans officials said they are confident that the levee system protecting the city would not fail as it had during Katrina. Levee breaches during Katrina flooded nearly 80 percent of the city. Officials said the federal government has since spent $14.5 billion on a new system of levees, pumps, sea walls, floodgates and drainage systems to protect the city and most of its immediate suburbs from storm surge and flooding. That system is nearly complete, but there are three drainage projects that remained unfinished ahead of Ida. All gates in the levee system are closed, the city said Sunday.
The big project, though, was the federal remake of New Orleanss levees. After their colossal and deadly failures in 2005, the barriers were raised  some had been as low as five feet and some now reach as high as 30 feet. Pump stations were remade to withstand winds of more than 200 mph. Levees were bolstered and redesigned so that even if water were to flow over the tops of the walls, it would no longer destroy those barriers.
The United States was assessing the possibility of civilian casualties resulting from its attack, as witnesses and a Taliban official alleged that several members of an Afghan family had been killed in the strike. The possibility of civilian deaths was one of many variables that could create more tension in the coming days as U.S. officials warned of the possibility of more violence ahead of the Tuesday evacuation deadline Biden is trying to meet.
It would be one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, effectively outlawing the procedure at a stage before many women are aware that they are pregnant. Unlike similar bans that have been blocked in court, the Texas law is specifically designed to prevent judges from stopping it before it can take effect because it calls for private citizens  not government officials such as prosecutors  to enforce the measure.
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The Rev. Al Sharpton, whose National Action Network also co-sponsored the event, estimated more than 20,000 people marched through the D.C. streets on Saturday. Far fewer stayed for the rally  and he said at least one bus headed home early due to issues with fainting on the hot day in Washington. In addition to the heat, the COVID-19 pandemic could have figured in the rally attendance. Organizers wiped off the on-stage microphone between speakers, and volunteers offered free hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and face masks, along with bottles of water.
As a state without an army and with its biggest export being postcards, it can remain above the push and pull of economic and political power. Its charitable works further burnish its reputation. The popes diplomats are nonetheless powerful intermediaries on the world stage. If they are little recognized, its in part because they often prefer to work behind the scenes.
Theirs was a bond of unspeakable pain. Kerry Kennedy and Martin Luther King III both lost their fathers within months of each other. Both men were victims of assassins bullets. Both men died, in the words of the Hebrew poet Chayim Nachman Bialik, before their time and before anyones time  (with) one more song to sing, but that song had been stilled forever.
In December 2020, Miller announced that the dates for the convention, originally set for March 2020 in Grapevine, Texas, had been pushed back three months due to the ongoing pandemic. The change in dates, he said, was prompted in part by vaccines, which would help make it possible for the convention to be a valuable and safe experience for all who attend.
Rogers said that during the transition, he had pushed too hard and fast, leading to conflict between himself and Berger. Offenses have been taken, wounding has happened on both sides and theres been a level of skepticism toward one another in this process that is neither right nor good.
Leading up to the July restart of the 5-megawatt reactor, a steam plant at a radiochemical laboratory was in operation for five months beginning in mid-February, according to the report. This stood out because the duration is consistent with the time required to process a full batch of fuel from the reactor and much longer than is needed for maintenance or waste management, the report said.
The report said there were indications of the operation of Yongbyons radiochemical laboratory from mid-February to early July this year. It said this period of operation is consistent with previous reprocessing campaigns announced by North Korea of irradiated fuel discharged from the reactor. The laboratory is a facility where plutonium is extracted by reprocessing spent fuel rods removed from reactors.
Marilyn Sue Lents, 84, of Washington, passed away at 10:58 a.m. Monday, Aug. 30, 2021 at Ketcham Memorial Center. She was born Sept. 1, 1936, in Washington, Indiana, to the late Icel and Mary Kirk. Marilyn married Carol "Chick" Lents on Aug. 4, 1995, and he survives. She enjoyed tending to h
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The ABC board has been told a three-part documentary about the 1979 Luna Park tragedy may have unfairly dealt with allegations connecting former NSW Premier Neville Wran to an underworld boss, but the program still provided compelling evidence for a new investigation.

The review of the three-part series Exposed: The Ghost Train Fire, conducted by award-winning journalist Chris Masters and University of Sydney Professor Rodney Tiffen, was provided to the ABC board last week and is expected to be made public on the ABCs website.

Caro Meldrum-Hanna, the presenter of Exposed: Ghost Train Fire. Credit:ABC

It was complimentary of the documentary makers Caro Meldrum-Hanna and Patrick Begley, but was critical of the way Mr Wran, now deceased, was portrayed, an ABC spokesperson said.

An independent review of Exposed: The Ghost Train Series has found the program performed an important public service and describes its production values as world-class and exemplary, an ABC spokesperson said. Since its broadcast, there have been responses by the coroner and by the police, who are now offering a reward for information about the fire, and widespread calls in parliament and elsewhere for a new inquiry.
As the government prepares for the COP26 United Nations climate talks in Glasgow in November, the survey showed 41 per cent of voters wanted the government to reach net zero before 2050 and 32 per cent believed net zero should be reached by 2050. By contrast, 12 per cent believe 2050 is too fast and 15 per cent believe no goal should be set. Almost 70 per cent of Victorian voters want the federal government to do more on climate, while in regional areas of the state this figure is slightly lower at 65 per cent. Not surprisingly, the numbers are lower for Coalition voters: in Greater Melbourne just over half want more to be done, while in regional Victoria its 47 per cent. A third of Labor voters in metropolitan Melbourne said climate change was their number one issue. For Coalition voters this number was about 24 per cent.

In the two most marginal Victorian Coalition-held electorates  Chisholm and Higgins  climate action plans are the number one priority for about one in three voters (29 per cent and 37 per cent). In Labors most marginal Victorian seat of Dunkley, a quarter of all voters (26 per cent) say plans for action on climate change are their priority in the next federal election. Monash academic and political commentator Zareh Ghazarian said the polling showed there was obvious concern about climate change, but it was impossible to say how this would translate into voting behaviour. Its interesting data because you can see climate change is important to a lot of people, Dr Ghazarian said. I suspect it would be at the top of the political agenda if we werent in a pandemic, and there is an appetite in the community for governments to be putting clearer ideas forward.

I suspect [climate change] would be at the top of the political agenda if we werent in a pandemic. Dr Zareh Ghazarian But in the last election voters didnt seem to embrace an opposition that was proposing a range of reforms in this area. There is a sense they wanted to keep policy ideas steady. Climate change is the number one federal election issue for 29 per cent of NSW voters and one of

the top three issues for 67 per cent. It is the most important issue for 31 per cent of Coalition voters in metropolitan areas and for one in five in regional electorates. In the Coalitions most marginal NSW seat, Reid, 71 per cent of voters wants the federal government to do more, while in Labors most marginal federal seat, Macquarie, 67 per cent want more federal action.

ROAD TO GLASGOW Mr Morrison has said the government intended to get to net zero as soon as possible and preferably by 2050, though critics are calling for a firm target. The Australian government has a target for reducing emissions by between 26 and 28 per cent by 2030, compared with the United Kingdoms target of 78 per cent by 2035 and the United States goal of 50-52 per cent by 2035. The government is expected to come under international pressure during the COP26 talks to increase its 2030 goals, though some of its MPs, particularly in the Nationals, are concerned about the economic and political cost of increased action.

ACF chief executive Kelly OShanassy said the group commissioned the polling because it believes time is running out to stop run away climate warming, and it expects key decisions to be made on Australias efforts in the lead up to COP26 and the next election. We also wanted to get polling down to an electorate level if we could possibly do it because that was a good way of measuring the diversity of views in Australia, but its also a good piece of information for MPs to see whether they are doing what their constituents want done. She said she was not surprised by the overwhelming support for renewable energy the survey found, but was that those views were shared in so-called coal seats. Even the electorates that have coal and gas communities in them are rejecting the idea of coal and gas being a big part of our energy future going forward, she said. Loading

The poll found that in the Queensland regional electorates of Flynn, Capricornia, Maranoa and Dawson support for new coal and gas-fired power projects is 40 per cent or less. One LNP adviser who asked not to be named said that if the poll was correct and held true until the election it suggested that climate could present a political problem in some seats in the next election. He noted, for example, that the research suggested that in battleground seats like Gilmore, Eden Monaro and Macquarie concern about climate was high. Because all these seats had been hit hard by Black Summer bushfires he expected that concern to be maintained until the election. But he warned that in other seats voter concerns may shift from climate as the campaign began. Loading

A second Coalition strategist said he was not surprised by the finding that concern about climate change was widespread in rural and regional electorates, and the government was aware that this was the case. He said the governments mantra of technology not taxes was based on an astute understanding that Australians want to see climate action but did not want some communities unfairly penalised to achieve it. He said that if the poll asked had asked voters how much they were willing to spend on climate action, or what their communities should sacrifice to act on climate, its results would have been significantly different. Cristina Talacko, chairwoman of Coalition a pro-climate action group aligned with the Liberal and National parties said the finding about the level of concern about climate change among rural and regional voters was significant. She said the perceived divide on climate change between rural and urban voters had been used as an argument against taking stronger action was disproved by the poll.
Most tourists ended up at the concreted, rebuilt sections of the wall. Visiting Chinas famous architectural feat had become a feat of endurance as they fought their way through the crowd. Noisy buses blowing out dirty exhaust would disgorge visitors from early in the morning. An hour later theyd clamber back on, laden with gaudy souvenirs that would end up gathering dust back home, or would be gifted to a young relative who wouldnt question the trinkets authenticity. ABC journalists Leigh Sales, left, and Lisa Millar have been best friends for over 20 years. The wild wall, we were told, was untouched and mostly out of reach for time-constrained tourists. This adventure of ours was going to be an all-day affair and Gustav the Swedish count had promised it was worth the effort. We would make our lunch booking for 1pm but deliberately arrive far too early. Wed then suggest to hotel staff that wed take a look at the wall while we waited for our table. We made the lunch booking for later that week and, on the day, our driver arrived as planned outside our friends apartment. He had no English and we had no Mandarin but hed been given a rough outline of the scheme and we joined the traffic jam getting out of Beijing. Every now and then hed turn and speak, gesticulating with rapid hand movements while keeping his knees attached to the wheel. We assumed he knew where we were going. We certainly didnt. An hour later we hurtled past the tourist buses at Badaling, a drop-off place for regular Great Wall visitors, and 20 minutes later slowed down in front of a private gate guarded by armed security officers. There was nothing to indicate what was beyond it. Our driver turned to us and shrugged his shoulders, his face questioning if this was our destination. We shrugged back.

Whatever he said to the guards encouraged them to open the gate and we entered a vast expanse of summer greenery, driving past secluded villas built in earthy colours, poking out from behind pockets of trees. He deposited us at the hotel reception and these two Aussie tourists, dressed in shorts and covered in sunscreen, walked into an almost-empty lobby. A lone staff member peered at us from the front desk. We have a reservation for lunch, we told her. She glanced at her watch with a look that told us we were far too early for the reservation. But before lunch wed like to climb the wall, Leigh added, her voice echoing off the cool tiles on the floor. In broken English, the woman responded with words that crushed us.

Oh, we are very busy today and the wall is not open. Our mouths dropped open and we turned our heads slowly to remind ourselves the lobby was completely empty. Not open? The walls not open? we asked, bewildered. Our carefully constructed ploy was already starting to fall apart. But we want to climb the wall, Leigh added firmly. Which wall? the receptionist asked, delivering the words in English slowly. Um, the Great one? we tentatively suggested, wondering if wed missed something. There was a small sign of acknowledgement on her face. Go straight and security will tell you. We were so relieved we almost skipped out of there, but as we wandered outside and looked for signs or the promised security officers, we found neither. We strolled along a track that wouldnt have been out of place on a hike through the bush in Australia. There was no sign of any wall, let alone a Great one, and we wondered if our excitement had been misplaced.

We finally spotted a small weathered wooden sign stuck into the ground. It was about 10 centimetres tall, with faded painted letters. To Great Wall, it read with an arrow. We followed the grassy path for another 20 minutes, veering up a steep climb past scattered rocks. We wondered out loud if we were already on the wild wall. Was the wild wall so overgrown that we were walking along the broken remains of it and didnt know? For years after, if either of us felt our spirits sagging, we would remind each other of the awesomeness of that day and the tantalising prospect that another magical moment could be waiting just around the curve of an overgrown path. LISA MILLAR, ABC JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR OF DARING TO FLY And then, as the trail curved, the bushes opened up and we lifted ourselves into a vista that took our breath away. For as far as we could see, the Great Wall of China stretched out in front of us, up and over mountains and beyond. And for the next hour it was ours. We scrambled up ramparts, the steps forcing us onto our hands and knees. We posed for photos in the rectangular openings at the top of watch towers, laughing as we mimicked the hotel receptionist asking us: Which wall? What if wed said to her, Um, the not-so-great-wall? The one built in 1956?  Our giggles could be heard by no one. We were entirely alone. In some places the wall was in such disrepair, with trees growing up through the crumbling rocks, that wed have to leap down into the long grass and find a way to climb back up onto it.

Ants stung our legs, and wed been warned about virus-carrying mosquitoes, but nothing could take away our exhilaration. Each turn and bend in the wall opened up another sweeping view. We walked until we reached a fence and, far beyond it, we saw the tiny dots of human tourists who were crowding into the restored and concreted part of the monument. If only they knew what was on the other side. If only they could see what wed seen. We reluctantly turned back. When we reached the spot where wed first glimpsed the wall, when wed wondered if we were even on the right track, we hesitated. Stepping off the bricks would signal the end of this adventure and neither of us felt able to do it. We may never, ever have an experience like this again, we said with a tinge of sadness. On our return we were ushered into the almost-empty restaurant as if wed been simply strolling around the grounds for the past two hours. We took a stab at the menu and ended up with tasteless chicken gristle but washed it down with a glass of wine each. The lunch had been a means to an end and we werent bothered. We felt wed been granted a remarkable wish, something so rare and magnificent, so uplifting, we glowed with pleasure. For years after, if either of us felt our spirits sagging, we would remind each other of the awesomeness of that day and the tantalising prospect that another magical moment could be waiting just around the curve of an overgrown path.
Blak or Black or Blackfella or Blackfulla Lets get back to Blak. The provenance of this term goes back to 1994 and Aboriginal artist Destiny Deacon, who urged art curators Hetti Perkins and Claire Williamson to use Blak instead of Black for an exhibition. It ended up being titled Blakness: Blak City Culture. Last year, I asked Deacon the reason she advocated Blak and it came sharply back to the issue of representation. Growing up, Deacon always heard white people calling Aboriginal people black c---s. She wanted to take the c out of Black. Destiny Deacon. Credit:Destiny Deacon Between then and now, the use of Blak has taken on additional functions. It still signifies urban, contemporary Indigeneity, but has also become important in differentiating the Blak experience from the racialised experiences of non-Indigenous communities of colour. Blackfella or Blackfulla is now often used for the same purpose, but Blak also carries with it connotations of actively engaged, critical-political conscience, which Blackfella or Blackfulla, arguably, doesnt always convey. The concept and relational use of Blak also continues to emerge, which adds to its dynamism. Theres no difference in meaning between Blackfella or Blackfulla  usage is just a matter of individual choice.

Can white people use these terms? All the mob I know have no issue with whitefullas using Blackfulla/Blackfella, but I have heard strange tales of people employed in human resources taking issue with white staff using it. So, probably best to just try to avoid that HR mob altogether. No problem with white people using Blak in writing, but like Black it is more fraught in speech. Avoid swanning around liberally calling Aboriginal people Blacks. That wont end well. Country (note the capitalisation) Recently, my use of Country (capped and personified) in an article about the significance and power of traditional language momentarily baffled my non-Indigenous editor. It was important, I wrote, that the initial screenings of a film happened outside and on Noongar Boodjar (homeland) so that Country could hear its language being spoken. My editor, who was applying conventional Western perspectives and grammatical rules not equipped to convey the philosophical and spiritual cosmology, and time-space continuum of First Nations peoples notions of Country, was stumped. Yeah, its pretty heavy. Thats why we capitalise it. Same as you probably do with God. Mob Mob is another dynamic word, and a bit of a shape-shifter. It can refer to Blackfullas; it can refer to Whitefullas; it can be deprecating; it can be dignified. Always be careful of them top-camp mob telling you good mob you shouldnt use mob.

Also be wary of over-use. Indigenous or Aboriginal or First Nations This one will get me into trouble because it really boils down to personal choice. Some mob rail against the use of First Nations, viewing it as being imported from North America in the 1990s during a period of rich cultural exchange with our brothers and sisters over that way. Ive found that the mob that reject the application of First Nations, generally prefer to be referred to as Aboriginal. Backstage at the First Nations Fashion + Design show this year. Credit:Getty Indigenous is a tricky one in this context. It came into common usage during the reign of John Howard and many mob continue to hold Indigenous in a similar regard to which they hold him. It is permissible in bureaucratic circumstances, and to interchange with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and First Nations in a piece of writing, but it still makes some of us cringe inside. The Howard years were tough to stomach. Younger mob seem to be more accepting of Indigenous, generally speaking.

Abbreviations like ATSI or TSI? No. Disrespectful. Stop it. Be even more specific when you can too. Which brings us to the final entry for this round of Ask An Aborigine. Im a Goori not a Koori Loading Goori/Koori/Murri/Noongar communicate the region we hail from and perhaps some of the traditional languages, cultural beliefs and practices we carry, and the nexus of our familial relations. Broadly speaking, Murries are from up Queensland; Murdies are from kind of south-west Queensland and parts of western NSW; Koories are from up there too, but carrying on down into Victoria and around southern NSW from Newcastle down. Goories are coastal mob from Newcastle areas and heading north. Then over southern WA and some ways into SA you get Noongar. And I can already see how Im going to get growled at for attempting this.
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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When the 400-metre long, 220,000-ton container ship Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal in March, shipping was thrust into the limelight. We dont normally pay much attention to sea lanes but the Suez snarl, which lasted for six days, underscored how dependent we are on the maritime arteries of international trade. By blocking the busy shipping lane that connects Asia and Europe, the prone vessel halted the passage of almost $10 billion worth of seaborne traffic per day  around $400 million each hour. At any given moment, tens of thousands of commercial vessels are plying the worlds oceans, the unsung heavy-lifters of the global economy. We associate airports with air travel, which is all very glamorous and linked with holidays and so on, whilst shipping does the day-to-day grunt work of global trade, says Tim Harcourt, a trade economist at the University of Technology, Sydney. Shipping is like the hard-working midfielder and airlines are like the fancy full-forwards. Even before (and since) the Ever Givens mishap, disruptions caused by the pandemic have meant international shipping is under pressure. The flurry of online purchases we make during lockdowns has triggered a surge in demand for the giant vessels that traverse the high seas. At the same time, the spread of coronavirus has played havoc with shipping schedules and port operations. Reserve Bank figures show the global price of transporting containers quadrupled in the year to June 2021. Australian retailers have even warned Christmas shopping might be interrupted by the supply chain crunch as consumers face delays and price hikes for shipped goods. Many popular Christmas presents are imported from overseas  toys, electronics, leisure equipment and homewares. That means they come to us by sea. But right now, the global shipping system is caught in a perfect storm of pandemic-related events, from Delta outbreaks and port closures to freighter scarcity and a lingering boom in demand for goods transported by sea. In late August, hundreds of ships were reportedly stranded outside congested ports across the world, waiting to be unloaded. The head of one of the worlds biggest shipping companies, Rolf Habben Jansen, chief executive of Hapag-Lloyd, has warned the bottlenecks will persist. We currently expect the market situation only to ease in the first quarter of 2022 at the earliest, he said earlier in August. Even when global shipping is not grappling with these disruptions, seafarers face some age-old hazards. There were 195 incidents of piracy against ships worldwide in 2020, 20 per cent more than in 2019, and some crucial seaways are increasingly contested by regional and global powers.

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So, how did we come to rely so heavily on maritime trade? How vulnerable are the sea routes that keep the global economy going? And how is global shipping changing? Who invented container ships? A simple idea revolutionised the shipping industry in the mid-1950s. Truck driver Malcolm McLean stacked 58 metal boxes on an ageing tanker ship going from Newark on the US east coast to Houston, Texas. This concept sparked a flurry of innovation, including a standardised, truck-sized container called twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs. Shiploads are measured in TEUs, but containers now come in several sizes: three metres and six, twelve and 13.7 (in feet, thats 10, 20, 40 and 45). Given their size  designed to fit on trucks  many unused shipping containers have been recycled into small houses, granny flats and sheds. Before McLeans invention, most shipped items were packed in barrels, sacks, baskets, crates or pallets then loaded and unloaded separately, partly on the backs of wharfies. It was a slow, labour-intensive and backbreaking business. But the introduction of the shipping container brought sweeping changes to international trade by slashing transportation costs. Before containers, wharf labourers such as these men in Sydney in 1954 did the back-breaking work of unloading sacks. Credit:Archive

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In his 2006 book The Box, economist Marc Levinson explains how the standard-size container allowed huge economies of scale because ships, port facilities, trucks and trains in every country could be purpose-built to take any container in the world. The lower cost of shipping meant more factories could be located a long distance from customers, paving the way for economies in Asia, especially China, to become global manufacturing hubs. The introduction of refrigerated containers allowed perishables such as fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, flowers and some pharmaceuticals to be transported to distant markets. As a result, containerisation has been an important factor in the advance of globalisation. Cheaper, more efficient shipping has underpinned the development of sophisticated global supply chains and the just-in-time management strategies embraced by manufacturers, retailers and others. Rather than incur the costs of stockpiling goods in warehouses, companies rely on the global shipping industry to deliver what they need when they need it. This has given households access to a vast array of low-cost products  everything from power tools to iPhones and fresh fruit to plastic toys. Around 90 per cent of the worlds traded goods are transported by sea on a variety of ships. Tankers carry liquid cargo, mostly oil, while dry bulk carriers move huge quantities of commodities such as grains, coal and ore. Much of those raw materials are taken to manufacturing regions where they are made into finished goods, which are themselves then moved back across the oceans in container ships or more specialised cargo vessels such as the roll on roll off transporters that carry vehicles. The UNs Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says the total value of the worlds merchandise exports reached $US19 trillion in 2019. Container ships are the heavy-lifters of the global economy. A huge workforce keeps that trade moving. About 1.5 million seafarers are employed by the global shipping industry and each month about 150,000 crew members need to be changed over to, and from, the vessels they operate. China is now at the centre of shipping commerce, especially container cargo. It hosts the worlds biggest container port, in Shanghai, which moved 42 million containers in 2018. By comparison, all of Australias container ports combined move around 8 million per year, mostly in Melbourne and Sydney.

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The increasing scale of tankers carrying oil and gas from giant terminals and the bulk carriers transporting grains, coal, ore and cement has also helped to drive global trade growth. Tankers and bulk carriers are fundamental to the worlds supply of food and fuel. These giant vessels share the high seas with other commercial vessels  fishing boats, passenger liners, ferries and so on  and an array of more specialised vessels that provide specific maritime services such as drilling, research, salvage and dredging. Shipping containers seen from above at the worlds biggest automated container port, Yangshan Deepwater Port in Shanghai, in May 2021. Credit:Getty Images How does shipping affect our daily lives? The effect of shipping-based innovations on the everyday lives of Australians has been profound. More than 42 per cent of goods in a Sydney household arrive in containers through Port Botany, according to research commissioned by NSW Ports. Each year the Port of Melbourne, which is the biggest container port in Australasia, handles nearly 3 million standard containers. Container shipping is now fundamental to our society, says Marika Calfas, the CEO of NSW Ports. Its integral at a personal level, a family level and at a business and economic level, she says. And yet commercial shipping and ports receive surprisingly little public attention. Michael Bell, professor of Ports and Maritime Logistics at the University of Sydney, says that reflects positively on their efficiency. From the point of view of the consumer, it works; the goods turn up and they are on the shop shelves, he says. Around 90 per cent of the worlds traded goods are transported by sea. Credit:Getty Images

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Australia is especially dependent on international shipping. During the past three decades, our economy has become deeply integrated into global commerce, so much so that one in five of our workers is now involved in trade-related activities. We rank fifty-fifth in the world for population but a 2019 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade report said Australia was the worlds twenty-third-largest exporter and twenty-first-largest importer (although some of that trade is in services rather than the goods transported by sea and air). Shipping allows Australia to earn income from agricultural and mining commodities that are far too plentiful for us to consume ourselves. Australia exports about two-thirds of its agricultural produce and most of its iron ore and metallurgical coal production (used for steelmaking). Most of Australias merchandise exports leave on tankers and bulk carriers but when it comes to container shipping we import much more than we export. That means hundreds of thousands of empty containers are loaded onto ships each year and returned, mostly to Asian ports. Essentially, our biggest container export is air, says Calfas. The system can be perplexing for outsiders. Many commercial ships are registered under a flag that does not match the nationality of the owner. For example, at the beginning of 2020, more than half of all ships owned by Japanese entities were registered in Panama; more than a fifth of the ships owned by Greek entities were registered in Liberia and another fifth in Marshall Islands. Bell says the main reason for this is that owners wish to avoid the stricter marine regulations imposed by their own countries including labour rules, pay rates and taxation. Nations such as Panama and Liberia also offer simple and inexpensive registrations. But Bell says the quality of construction and maintenance of commercial ships is safeguarded by the need for insurance and the threat of inspection when vessels are docked at many foreign ports. A member of an anti-piracy team from Benin, in West Africa, on patrol in the Bight of Benin in 2011. Credit:Getty Images How secure is global shipping? The Suez Canal, a narrow sea-level waterway built in Egypt during the nineteenth century, is a shortcut between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean that means vessels travelling between Europe and Asia dont have to sail around Africa, saving weeks each journey. It is one of three strategically sensitive passages in the Middle East that carry a large volume of maritime traffic. The other two are the Strait of Hormuz, linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which separates Africa and the Middle East. All three are primary waterways for the transport of oil and natural gas. The Panama Canal, opened in 1914, is a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. As with the Suez, opened in 1869, it has been upgraded in the past decade to allow the passage of larger vessels. After the Ever Given debacle, Egypt announced it would further widen and deepen the Suez.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Within an hour of FBI agent Fred Bradfords boots landing on the rubble of Afghanistan, a rocket strikes near his base. Its 2006 and Bradford has been deployed to eastern Afghanistan to join the US Special Forces Green Berets in their pursuit of the baddest of the bad guys. Boom. Bradford is on the phone to his wife, Dani. He tells her its just a test rocket going off. It was actually inbound, and youre under a pretty serious rocket attack  and that was within the first hour. There was something like that going on every day that I was there, he says. I had a wife at home and Im thinking, What the heck am I doing here? Im 20 years older than these guys, and last time I checked, I signed up to the FBI to chase gangsters around and bank robbers, then I end up in bloody Afghanistan. Im a navy guy  I was in the navy in my previous life  and Im in full army kit with hand grenades and a bazooka, running with these guys.

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There were many, many moments when I wasnt sure I was going to get out of there in one piece. Fred Bradford joined the FBI after leaving Australia, where he studied at the University of Queensland. For four months, Bradford rolled with the US Special Forces, kitted up and chasing terrorists. He says every day was another way to get yourself hurt. At Camp Keating, a small American military outpost in Nuristan Province, Bradford and the team sustained heavy fire for 10 days. That was overrun a few years later by the Taliban, and up there was just a nightmare, he says. We were getting shot at all the time, getting rocket attacks dumped on us all the time, trying to sniff out the bad guys while were up there and actually capture or [make] hits on people. It was really 10 days of getting shot at every day  Im not sure how I even got out of that place.

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A few years earlier, Bradford, now 58, was an FBI criminal investigator working on bank robberies, casino fraud and embezzlement. But the morning of September 11, 2001, changed the American psyche - and the nations focus on crime. Bradford, like many of his colleagues, was moved to counter-terrorism and national security. It would be the last time he covered white-collar crime. Fred Bradford working for the FBI. He was no longer sorting through sheets of numbers but combing through maddening communication between suspected terrorists overseas. Al-Qaeda, a network of Islamic extremists, was growing fast, and fear among the western powers was surging.

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Almost 20 years after the ensuing war on terror, Bradford says the American withdrawal from Afghanistan this month shows the clock turning back to a darkness seen before. It seems we had finally reached a point of relative stability over the past few years, where our presence and occasional exercise of force kept any potential mayhem in check, he says. Taliban fighters patrol Kabul this month after reclaiming control of the capital. Credit:AP The reckless failure to change course  to stay  knowing very well that we were the glue that kept Afghanistans military together, coupled with the panic and deadly suffering of this incredibly bungled evacuation, are disgraceful. I believe this still-unfolding debacle was an entirely avoidable humanitarian failure. Bradfords mission in Afghanistan was crucial. It was important that paper trails were created for all the alleged terrorists the team followed. A baby is lifted across a wall at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan by US soldiers. Credit:Omar Haidari

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Bradford was a businessman by trade. Graduating from high school in Michigan, he joined the US Navy before being deployed to Japan. From there, he jumped to the University of Queensland for his MBA, where he was the only Yank in the program. He even became president of the students association. It all seemed to have a lot of purpose at the time  20 years ago. Asia was really starting to open up with not just Japan, but China was really starting to open up, so there was a lot of new stuff to learn about how to do business in the far East, he says. A lot of what I learned in Brissie is really coming into play now, more on the business side of things. I dabbled in that stuff and used some of the stuff I learned in the FBI, but Im really leaning back on that stuff from 20, 30 years ago with this new job. After a short stint in business, Bradford moved back to the US, where he became a staffer for Dick Gephardt, a house majority leader for the Democratic Party in the 90s.

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How can we encourage the unvaccinated when neither the carrot nor the stick works?

Getting back to school or work depends upon offering hope and reassurance, neither of which has been in plentiful supply.

People line up outside the Melbourne Exhibition Centre vaccine hub. Credit:Getty Images

Maybe we can try some friendly interstate rivalry, state against state, mate against mate. Victorians  get injected or NSW will get their cafes and pubs open first! Unimaginable. Queensland  COVID-19 is like cane toads, by the time you notice, its too late. Get the jab now.

Given we are assured the efficacy of the two vaccines is almost identical and any lasting side effects from either are vanishingly rare, we ought to emphasise that the walk, drive or bicycle ride to the doctor to get vaccinated carries greater risks than the injection itself.
The West Australian governments decision to crack down on travel for compassionate reasons under new extreme risk border rules is causing mental torture, two leading paediatricians warn.

The rules are the sharpest escalation of WAs domestic hard border policy since the pandemic began and leaves the fate of those wanting to enter the state from New South Wales on compassionate grounds with just two people: Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson and WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson.

Exemptions under compassionate grounds have been scrapped for people planning to travel to WA from NSW. Credit:WAtoday

After the new rules came into effect on August 26, Mr Dawson ruled out previous grounds for approval such as funerals and said he would only consider extreme circumstances such as someone needing palliative care.

Renowned Perth paediatric cardiologist Luigi DOrsogna said the restrictions would torment vulnerable people at the lowest points in their lives and cause long-term harm to their mental health.
Levies on financial advisers to cover Australian Securities and Investments Commission costs will be slashed by almost $2000 under a federal government plan to take pressure off the sector due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Monday said ASIC levies charged for personal advice to retail clients will be reduced to $1142 per adviser for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years in what he described as targeted relief.

Levies for personal financial advice will be slashed for at least two years to deal with the impact of the pandemic. Credit:iStock

Advisers were facing a levy of $3138 for 2020-21 alone.

Mr Frydenberg said the move would reduce levies by $46 million for 2020-21 with a larger saving for this financial year.
Newly minted United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly says he makes no apology for sending spam messages to voters urging them to back his anti-lockdown campaign, claiming they should be more concerned about their privacy rights over vaccines.

Mr Kelly, who does not believe in the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and has spruiked alternative unproven treatments in contradiction of the Commonwealths health advice, dismissed complaints about the unsolicited text messages saying he was absolutely not sorry and the practice was 100 per cent legal.

If theyre concerned about Australians privacy, they should be standing up and calling for an end to vaccine passports, Mr Kelly, the member for Hughes in south-west Sydney, said.

United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly says he is absolutely not sorry about sending unsolicited text messages to voters spruiking his anti-lockdown policies. Credit:Rohan Thomson

I find it a bit ironic that people are upset about their privacy by getting a text message, but by the same token, theyre absolutely silent about Australians having to show their health records before they could go and get a job across the state border.
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Pictured: an aerial view of one of the properties being searched by the FBI and and Nelson County Sheriff's Office in connection with the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. The mother of 5 disappeared in July 2015 and hasn't been found.


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BRAILA, Romania (AP)  Romania and Japan celebrated a century of diplomatic relations on Thursday with officials from both countries visiting the site of what will be one of Europe's longest suspension bridges.

The bridge in the eastern city of Braila will cross the Danube River and is a joint venture between Japans IHI Infrastructure Systems Co. Ltd. and Italian company Webuild.

The project is expected to cost 411 million euros ($483 million) and the bridge will boast a central span of 1.12 kilometers (0.7 miles).

The bridge, which is almost equal in length to San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge, is around 55% complete and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2022.

Ionut Ciurea, director of Pro Infrastructure Association, a nongovernmental organization that monitors major road infrastructure projects in Romania, told The Associated Press that the new bridge will bring significant regional benefits.

The bridge is a turning point, Ciurea said. Its important for the whole country. Its definitely one of the biggest transport infrastructure projects in the country. It basically connects the port of Constanta to the whole region, Moldova  and especially the Danube Delta.

According to Webuild, the Italian contractor, the bridge will consist of steel wires with a total length of about 40,000 kilometers (25,000 miles)  the same as the circumference of the Earth.

Hiroshi Ueda, Japans ambassador to Romania, said that the suspension bridge is a very good example of connectivity within the European Union.

According to the Japanese Embassy in Bucharest, more than 100 Japanese companies in Romania have created approximately 40,000 jobs. In 2018, Shinzo Abe was the first Japanese prime minister to pay a working visit to Romania.

___

Stephen McGrath reported from Sighisoara.
AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The associate warden at the federal jail in New York City has been charged with killing her husband after she shot him in the face in their New Jersey home.

Antonia Ashford is the associate warden at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, which houses British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein who is facing sex trafficking charges.
America has long been a stronghold of freedom. The first few amendments to the Constitution guarantee freedom of speech and religion, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, the right to bear arms, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to due process, and the right no
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

...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Pennsylvania... Little Lehigh At Allentown 10th St Bridge affecting Lehigh County. For the Little Lehigh...including Allentown 10th St Bridge...Minor flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Turn around...don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov/phi. ...The Flood Warning is now in effect until tomorrow morning... The Flood Warning continues for the Little Lehigh At Allentown 10th St Bridge. * Until Thursday morning. * At 10:45 PM EDT Wednesday the stage was 9.2 feet. * Flood stage is 8.0 feet. * Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 10:45 PM EDT Wednesday was 9.2 feet. * Forecast...The river will fall below flood stage just after midnight tonight to 3.1 feet and then begin rising early Friday morning. It will then rise again to 3.2 feet Friday morning. It will fall to 3.0 feet and then begin rising late Friday morning then rise again. * Impact...At 6.0 feet, Fountain Park begins to flood. * Impact...At 7.0 feet, The Fountain Park pathway floods. * Impact...At 8.0 feet, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive begins to flood near Lehigh Street. * Impact...At 9.0 feet, Fish Hatchery Road is flooded. * Impact...At 10.0 feet, Water is several feet deep on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive near Lehigh Street. Businesses are flooded. * Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 9.9 feet on 08/28/2011. && Fld Observed Forecasts (11 pm EDT) Location Stg Stg Day/Time Thu Fri Sat Little Lehigh Allentown 10th St Bridg 8.0 9.2 Wed 10 pm ED 3.1 MSG MSG &&
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Willmar, MN (56201)

Today

Rain showers in the morning will evolve into a more steady rain in the afternoon. High 67F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavier rainfall possible..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low around 60F. Winds SE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Walmart has announced that its corporate staff and management-level employees must receive COVID-19 vaccinations by Oct. 4. Associates who do not comply with the new regulations will potentially face non-paid suspension and termination.
William Dege, now in his sixties, recalls being at the family business, the Savile Row tailors Dege & Skinner, when he first saw Charlie Watts in the flesh.

I guess I was around 12 at the time, but even then I was surprised to find this man just wandering around the cutting room, which, seeing as it was behind the scenes, was pretty odd, he recalls. He was looking intently at this Army Flying Corp service dress jacket  we were making a replica of it for him. And when he left the cutter turned to me and said, That was Charlie Watts, the drummer with The Rolling Stones. I think I probably said, Whos that? But it struck me even then how very stylish he was.

Of course, Charlie Watts, who earlier this week died aged 80, had the money to indulge his interests. But these were also very particular, the products in some sense of a bygone, more securely masculine, perhaps more proper age. They in flouted the usual signifiers of the radical cultural revolution that birthed his band: horses, classic cars, first editions, rare records and, of all the things that might embody the staid establishment butting up against rock n roll rebellion, tailored suits.

The eye for a sharp two-piece was a gift from his father Charles, who took Watts for his first trip to a tailors in Londons East End. And Charles junior ran with that gift.

Wattss love of tailoring was a kind of representation of how he stood out from the rest of The Rolling Stones in many ways, not indulging in the excesses of the times as they tended to either, says Dege, whos company also made suits for the likes of The Kinks and, later, David Bowie. And I think with reassessment now hes come to be regarded as something of a style icon.

By his own admission, Watts always felt totally out of place in the group, in terms of the way I looked. Photos of the band would come back  Ill have a pair of shoes on and theyve got trainers [sneakers]. And I hate trainers, he once noted. Even on stage, while the rest of the band would raid the dressing-up box, Watts would be sat at the back in something precise, trim and Mod-ish. Forget loud, forget eccentric, forget  heaven forfend  jumpsuits. He was the rock n roller who never felt the need to literally wear it on his sleeve.

Certainly Watts, who reputedly owned at least 200 suits, from Huntsman, Tommy Nutter, Chittleborough & Morgan and other Savile Row greats, together with countless pairs of shoes, all bespoke-made by George Cleverley, wasnt notable for his tailoring purely in contrast to Jagger, Richards, Wood and Wyman. He wore it well of his own accord, standing out even when the other Stones dabbled in suiting for fashions sake  most famously, perhaps, when Jagger and his then wife Bianca wore matching white suits for their Studio 54 outings.

Watts (second from left) always looked understated, even subdued, next to his bandmates. In truth, he was outdressing them all. Lynn Goldsmith/Getty

But then Watts had a template to reference. Always at heart a jazz drummer, Watts had the likes of Buddy Rich, Art Blakey and Gene Krupas similar high regard for good tailoring as his inspiration (while conceding some incredulity at how any of them actually played in a suit), with his love of the golden, pre-war age of Hollywood providing additional source material. He loved a contrast or pin-collared shirt. Check out how the color of his socks always  always!  echoed that in his shirt, too.

Watts called his taste old-fashioned. But it was more that he was faster than most to realize, as he once explained, that when you get to my age  what works on a young boy wont quite work on me. People dont give the time or thought [to dressing well] anymore. Its a bit of a lost world. Theres little surprise that Watts never understood why anyone would use a stylist and have a look imposed by some stranger.

Whats remarkable is how dedicated he was to tailoring, argues Simon Cundey, CEO of Henry Poole, Savile Rows oldest tailoring house. Given the chaos of the 1960s and 70s, with the band overwhelmed by designers trying to get them into the most outrageous dress, Watts was all sartorial elegance. And somehow he managed to maintain that position. Id often see him coming down the Row, always chauffeur-driven  I always thought it was strange how a man so into cars never learned to drive himself  and his driver always looked impeccable too.

Watts made his sartorial mark most definitely in a double-breasted suit, a style  again, with period overtones  that turns most men into lost extras from Wall Street, or which only goes to emphasize their portliness. But small and always slender, with square shoulders, Wattss frame allowed the double-breasted suit to hang perfectly.

I think there are a lot of men still trying to model themselves on Wattss preference for a double-breasted suit, and not all successfully, laughs Cundey. But while Watts had an exquisite love of detail, he was ready to gently bend the rules in tailoring too  to make a lapel just a little bit wider than it might usually be, for example  while still loving the tradition of it all.

Indeed, Watts once opined on the hugely controversial subject of whether one should ever request a notch in the lapel of a double-breasted suit. That might make it interesting, but it was also out of kilter with the right way of doing things. He wouldnt respect a tailor that let him make such a monstrous sartorial blooper.

What was great about Charlie Watts was not just that he loved a suit, but that he was also a great advocate for Savile Row, appreciating the history, the culture, the differences of each house and each cutter within each house too, says tailor Richard Andersen, ex of Huntsman and now of his own eponymous tailoring firm, who met Watts several times over the course of his career. What really came across was that tailoring was a real joy for him. He gravitated towards the classic, but he always wanted to give some subtle kind of rock n roll quality to it. Savile Row is at its best when it cuts a suit to work with a certain personality. And Charlie Watts had personality in spades.

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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Californias next governor could be a Black conservative who would erase state vaccine and mask mandates, is critical of gun control, disputes the notion of systemic racism in America and opposes the minimum wage because he says it tramples the free market.

The rapid ascent of Republican Larry Elder in the Sept. 14 recall election that could remove Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is a striking turn in a state regarded as a Democratic fortress and national showcase for liberal policies on climate change, immigration and health care.

Elder is a talk radio host who Newsom identifies as his biggest threat in an election widely acknowledged as tight. Elder is promising to reverse California's progressive drift that he blames for an unrelenting homeless crisis, high taxes, spiking crime rates and government creep into peoples lives and livelihoods  from anti-science coronavirus mandates to regulations he says slow-walk housing construction.

There is a saying that the future happens first in California, and Elder's potentially historic victory could have broad implications, coming on the threshold of 2022 elections that will decide control of Congress.

An Elder win would also trigger a power struggle with Sacramento's Democratic state legislative majority over everything from government appointments to how to spend billions of taxpayer dollars.

In California young families are leaving, the taxes are going up on gasoline and this governor is either incompetent or indifferent, says Elder, who would become the first Black governor of the nation's most populous state. Hes got to go.

In another year, the charismatic Elders candidacy in heavily Democratic California might be a footnote  the GOP hasn't won a statewide race since 2006 and Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1. Former President Donald Trump lost the state to Joe Biden last year by more than 5 million votes.

But the unusual math that underlies the rare, late-summer recall election could upend the expected.

For years, Republicans have envisioned that a confluence of crises might result in a pendulum swing in leadership in a state that was home to  and voted for  Republican Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Mail-in ballots went out in mid-August. They are being returned at a time when COVID again is spiking and many voters are angry and looking for someone to blame.

The recall was driven by weariness over Newsom's whipsaw pandemic rules that closed businesses and schools, but it's buttressed by grievances that range from frustration with sprawling homeless encampments to soaring housing costs.

The GOP's chances rest in the atypical rules of the recall election.

There are two questions on the ballot: First, should Newsom be removed, yes or no? If a majority agrees to oust him, his successor is whoever gets the most votes on the second question. With 46 candidates, the winner could get 25% or less.

It's a rare opportunity for the GOP in a state where Democrats hold every statewide office and dominate the Legislature and congressional delegation. Republicans account for only 24% of registered voters, but the dynamics of the recall have allowed Elder and other conservative candidates to target their campaigns at right-leaning voters who could provide a sufficient winning edge.

Elder quickly overshadowed a field of GOP rivals that include businessman John Cox, state Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer and former Olympian and reality TV personality Caitlyn Jenner.

Newsom was successful in keeping prominent Democrats off the ballot, though YouTube personality Kevin Paffrath has emerged as a potential contender within Newsom's party.

At 69, Elder is a latecomer as a first-time candidate and hes far from a household name. However, hes been a celebrity within conservative circles for years through his provocative radio show that for many stations is part of lineup of conservative voices that includes Elder's mentor, Dennis Prager. Elder has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and counts nearly 2 million followers on social media.

The self-styled Sage of South Central - a reference to the rough Los Angeles neighborhood where he grew up -- is taut with energy that belies his age. When arguing points, he can talk with the rapid-fire certitude of the lawyer that he is  Elder is a 1977 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, and received an undergraduate degree from Brown University.

Arguably Elders biggest headline since entering the race July 12 was an unwelcome one  a former fiancee, Alexandra Datig, alleged he was emotionally abusive and showed her a gun during an argument in 2015, a claim Elder denies.

However, the allegations do not appear to have slowed his campaigns trajectory. He rolled out endorsements last week that included GOP national Committeeman Shawn Steel and former Democratic state Senate leader Gloria Romero, who favors charter schools, as does Elder.

His political views reflect a libertarian mindset that would elicit cringes among progressive voters  he believes government has grown too big, too intrusive, too costly.

He stands opposed to what he sees as government overreach, hence his opposition to sweeping mask mandates and the minimum wage. Hes been critical of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion nationwide, arguing that such restrictions should be left to states.

To Elder, climate change is real but he also warns against a war on oil and gas and shifting too quickly into a renewable-energy economy, which he says would cost jobs and fail to keep the lights on.

His views on race often have put him at odds with other Blacks. Elder is critical of the Black Lives Matter movement, and he has called racial quotas a a crutch and a cop-out. He opposes efforts to defund police. In a 1995 interview with The Orange County Register he said, We have to stop bitching and moaning and whining and crying and blaming the white man for everything.

Black Democratic leaders recently held an event to denounce his views on race.

He may look like us, he may talk like us, but he is not one of us, said Malia Cohen, a member of the California State Board of Equalization, which oversees collection of state taxes.

The embattled Newsom has called Elder more extreme than Trump in many respects.

From the start, Democrats have sought to link the recall effort to the former president, who is widely unpopular in the state outside his conservative base.

Elder rejects the notion that hes a mirror image of Trump, noting that he's broken with him on trade  Elder disagreed with tariffs and other restrictions imposed by the former president  and also thought Trump erred by cutting Afghanistan troop levels.

Newsoms steady focus on Elder isnt a surprise, says Democratic pollster Ben Tulchin. It allowed the governor to recast the race from a referendum on his own tenure by putting a face on the alternative.

Without a clear alternative, it was hard for Gavin and the Democrats to say, Oppose the recall,' because its such an amorphous thing, Tulchin said. Now, he can hold up Elder to define the race on partisan terms.

With mail-in ballots already being returned, the contest remains heavy with unknowns, including who will bother to vote in an election scheduled in what is normally an off-election year.

Elder might benefit from little-noticed wrinkles in state voting patterns. California has a liberal tilt, but not always.

Voters in 2020 rejected an organized labor-backed attempt to partially dismantle the states decades-old cap on property taxes, as well as reinstate affirmative action, while Republicans ousted Democrats in four U.S. House seats.

Elder says he considers the race a longshot, given Newsoms ability to raise unlimited funds. But he believes hes the only Republican likely to deliver a stunning surprise next month.

I dont think anybody can win except for me, he says.
Open Forum: Now is the time to pull together as one nation
The Stewart Bell Jr. Archives at Handley Regional Library is seeking the identity of this man. He's standing next to a Middletown [Volunteer] Fire Company truck. Date estimated as circa 1948. If you know this man, call the archives at 540-662-9041, ext. 17, or email archives@handleyregional.org.
On a grey morning with rain spitting down from the dark clouds, April Tawipisim stands in the window of her Portage Avenue storefront next to a mannequin wearing a yellow dress decorated with flowers of blue and green, an eye-catching blur of colour to the traffic speeding by.

On a grey morning with rain spitting down from the dark clouds, April Tawipisim stands in the window of her Portage Avenue storefront next to a mannequin wearing a yellow dress decorated with flowers of blue and green, an eye-catching blur of colour to the traffic speeding by.

The dress took real work: painstaking, careful work. The kind that not just any sewing machine can do. The kind that requires knowledge just as much as technique. A kind of work that takes time and a bit of belief.

For Tawipisim, who earlier this summer started Turtle Woman Indigenous Wear, which sells handmade jingle dresses, ribbon skirts and shirts, and other contemporary attire inspired by Indigenous cultures, getting here has taken years, decades even. A life.

"When I want to do something, I have the vision of it," she says.

Tawipisim lays out the fabric for a popular traditional ribbon skirt. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press)

"I see it, and I know what its going to look like at the end."

Born and raised in Brochet, Tawipisim, a Cree woman and a member of Barren Lands First Nation, graduated from university with a degree in management, and had a long career, working in areas such as low-income housing, municipal finances and community education. All along, the idea of running her own business was buried in her brain. The only question was what it would be and when it could be.

During the pandemic, she figured that out.

In the seemingly distant pre-pandemic past, Tawipisim had sewed a variety of dresses, shirts and skirts, making regalia in anticipation of a busy powwow season. She intended to take her creations to the events and sell what she had.

But COVID-19 trampled on that idea, with powwows and any large community events postponed for the past two summers. However, she wasnt discouraged: Tawipisim kept sewing and built up a large stock, trusting the fact that at some point, people would have occasion to wear her wares.

Tawipisim built up the stock for her store during the pandemic, when powwows were all postponed. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press)

Its with that stock, plus more since sewn by Tawipisims in-house team, and materials and garments acquired from Indigenous designers across Canada, that Turtle Woman Indigenous Wear opened. And though she expected a warm response, Tawipisim was surprised to receive one quite so hot: all 40 of the ribbon skirts shed opened with were sold in less than two weeks, with custom orders coming in rapid succession. (A big selling point: her womens garments have pockets.)

Its good for business, she says, but also a sign of something good happening in the world: a growing wave of Indigenous people looking to wear clothing designed by Indigenous people, not just to ceremonies but in day-to-day life, and to learn more about their history.

"There is a resurgence in people wanting to reclaim their culture, especially now with all those children being found," says Tawipisim, whose mother was a survivor of the residential school system. "A lot of people are doing soul searching, Id say, learning about themselves and their culture."

Thats also what Tawipisim has been doing for decades, though with more decisive action in recent years. She changed her name to April, the first name her mother wanted to give her, and her last name to Tawipisim, her grandfathers name, meaning "Eclipse." She got a traditional tattoo of three stripes on her chin. She put words in her mother tongue, Woodland Cree, on her businesss sign. The name of the business  Turtle Woman  is an homage to her moms collection of turtle art and trinkets, and her moms photo, taken at residential school, is seen in the sign as well.

"Its been, Id say, a 12-year journey," she says.

The skirts at Turtle Woman Indigenous Wear come in an eye-catching rainbow of colours. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press)

What happened 12 years ago was this: Tawipisim went to a powwow in Thompson, where she was living at the time. "I was there as an observer more than anything," she said. "I hadnt even worn a skirt, let alone made one."

Growing up, events like this did not happen in her community. For many years, Indigenous people were barred from cultural practices like it, she says, and for many, even after that wasnt the case, people were still scared or hesitant to do it. The connection was missing, a result of colonialism and cultural erasure.

She watched the powwow with great interest, but was confused to find very few people, especially children, dancing. She had no idea how to either.

So she went home, opened up YouTube, and became her own dance instructor, researching jingle dresses, grass dances and more, teaching herself the steps. She formed a club, starting with 20 kids and growing to 40, learning not just how to dance, but what the dances meant.

"The kids pick things up pretty quick," she says.

Tawipisim says theres a resurgence of Indigenous people wanting to honour their culture. (Mike Sudoma / Winnipeg Free Press)

The mesmerizing, percussive jingle dance, for instance, has a relatively modern story. It began in the early 1900s, according to Tawipisim and other sources, when in his sleep, an Ojibwa medicine man was instructed to make a jingle dress, covered in metallic cones or chimes, for his ailing granddaughter. He was told that if he made the dress and she danced in it, she would be healed.

At first, the young girl was too weak to dance alone, and had to be carried by the tribe, according to the National Congress of American Indians. But soon, she gained strength and, cured of her sickness, danced on her own. For that reason, the jingle dress is referred to by many as a healing dress.

"The young girl was likely infected with the flu pandemic of 1918 which hit Native communities around the Great Lakes hard," the NCAI said. "This was closely followed by a ban on ritual dancing on reservations, yet despite this, the jingle dress dance spread from the Ojibwa people, first to the Lakota and then on to the rest of Indian Country."

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A century later, during another pandemic, Tawipisim is learning more about that history of healing, and at her store, shes realizing how many people  specifically young ones  are eager to learn it too. A pair of tiny dresses for four-year-old girls rest on the stores front counter, back for a few routine alterations.

Its tough, Tawipisim says, to start a business in the middle of the pandemic. But its also rewarding, she adds, to share and learn with customers and community members alike. With help from her sister and brother-in-law, along with her sewers, shes enjoyed about as gleeful an opening month as possible.

Down the road, the grandmother of eight hopes to expand the stores stock to include more Indigenous-made clothing, apparel, art and other wares, kind of like a small-scale department store.

"I view this as a passion, as something Ive always wanted to do," she says as the rain slows.

It took time, but shes doing it now.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Rescuers in boats, helicopters and high-water trucks brought hundreds of people trapped by Hurricane Ida's floodwaters to safety Monday and utility repair crews rushed in, after the furious storm swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the electrical grid in the stifling, late-summer heat.

Tony Hilliard, left, and his family expose themselves to the elements as Hurricane Ida begins to make landfall, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Rescuers in boats, helicopters and high-water trucks brought hundreds of people trapped by Hurricane Ida's floodwaters to safety Monday and utility repair crews rushed in, after the furious storm swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the electrical grid in the stifling, late-summer heat.

Residents living amid the maze of rivers and bayous along the state's Gulf Coast retreated desperately to their attics or roofs and posted their addresses on social media with instructions for search-and-rescue teams on where to find them.

More than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi  including all of New Orleans  were left without power as Ida, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland, pushed through on Sunday.

The damage was so extensive that officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid was repaired.

President Joe Biden met virtually on Monday with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves along with mayors from cities and parishes most impacted by Hurricane Ida to receive an update on the storms impacts, and to discuss how the Federal Government can provide assistance.

Terry Shelvin stocks up on water and food as Hurricane Ida approaches Louisiana, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Lafayette, La. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

We are closely coordinating with State and local officials every step of the way, Biden said.

The administration said more than 3,600 FEMA employees are deployed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. FEMA staged more than 3.4 million meals, millions of liters of water, more than 35,700 tarps, and roughly 200 generators in the region in advance of the storm.

As the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression Monday afternoon and continued to make its way inland with torrential rain, it was blamed for at least two deaths  a motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge.

Greg Nazarko, manager of the Bourbon Bandstand bar on Bourbon Street, leans against a pole outside the club where he rode out Hurricane Ida that knocked out power in New Orleans, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

But with many roads impassable and cellphone service out in places, the full extent of its fury was still coming into focus. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards, said that given the level of destruction, Were going to have many more confirmed fatalities.

The governor's office said damage to the power grid appeared catastrophic  dispiriting news for those without refrigeration or air conditioning during the dog days of summer, with highs forecast in the mid-80s to near 90 by midweek.

There are certainly more questions than answers. I can't tell you when the power is going to be restored. I cant tell you when all the debris is going to be cleaned up and repairs made," Edwards told a news conference. But what I can tell you is we are going to work hard every day to deliver as much assistance as we can.

A police officer patrols past woman walking along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter after Hurricane Ida knocked out power to the city, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Local, state and federal rescuers combined to save at least 671 people by Monday afternoon, Edwards said.

In hard-hit LaPlace, squeezed between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, rescuers saved people from flooded homes in a near-constant operation.

Debbie Greco, her husband and son rode out the storm in LaPlace with Greco's parents. Water reached a foot up the first-floor windows, then filled the first floor to 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep once the back door was opened. They retreated to the second floor, but then screaming winds collapsed the roof as waves broke in the front yard.

A collapsed historical building is seen on S. Rampart St. in New Orleans, La., early Monday, Aug. 30, 2021.Hurricane Ida became a tropical storm as its top winds slowed over Mississippi on Monday, while across southeast Louisiana residents waited for daylight to be rescued from floodwaters and see how much damage was caused by one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. mainland. All of New Orleans lost power right around sunset Sunday, leading to an uneasy night of pouring rain and howling winds. (Max Becherer/The Advocate via AP)

They were finally rescued by boat after waiting in the only dry spot, five people sharing the landing on the stairs.

When I rebuild this Im out of here. Im done with Louisiana, said Greco's father, 85-year-old Fred Carmouche, a lifelong resident.

Elsewhere in LaPlace, people pulled pieces of chimneys, gutters and other parts of their homes to the curb and residents of a mobile home park waded through floodwaters.

Police look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. Hurricane Ida knocked out power to all of New Orleans and inundated coastal Louisiana communities on a deadly path through the Gulf Coast that is still unfolding and promises more destruction. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The hurricane blew ashore on the 16th anniversary of Katrina, the 2005 storm that breached New Orleans' levees, devastated the city and was blamed for 1,800 deaths.

This time, New Orleans appeared to escape the catastrophic flooding city officials had feared.

Stephanie Blaise returned to her home with her father in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after evacuating. The neighborhood suffered devastating flooding in Katrina, but only lost some shingles in Ida. However, with no idea when electricity would be restored, Blaise didn't plan to stay long.

Traffic diverts around downed power lines Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Metairie, La. A fearsome Hurricane Ida has left scores of coastal Louisiana residents trapped by floodwaters and pleading to be rescued, while making a shambles of the electrical grid across a wide swath of the state in the sweltering, late-summer heat. One of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland has now weakened into a tropical storm as it pushes inland over Mississippi with torrential rain and shrieking winds. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

We dont need to go through that. Im going to have to convince him to leave. We got to go somewhere. Cant stay in this heat, she said.

The city urged people who evacuated to stay away for at least a couple of days because of the lack of power and fuel. "Theres not a lot of reasons to come back, said Collin Arnold, chief of emergency preparedness.

Also, 18 water systems serving about 255,000 customers in Louisiana were knocked out of service, the state Health Department said.

Traffic diverts around downed power lines Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Metairie, La. A fearsome Hurricane Ida has left scores of coastal Louisiana residents trapped by floodwaters and pleading to be rescued, while making a shambles of the electrical grid across a wide swath of the state in the sweltering, late-summer heat. One of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland has now weakened into a tropical storm as it pushes inland over Mississippi with torrential rain and shrieking winds. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Four Louisiana hospitals were damaged and 39 medical facilities were operating on generator power, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. Officials said they were evacuating scores of patients to other cities.

The governor's office said over 2,200 evacuees were staying in 41 shelters, a number expected to rise as people were rescued or escaped flooded homes. The governor's spokesperson said the state will work to move people to hotels as soon as possible so they can keep their distance from one another.

This is a COVID nightmare, Stephens said, adding: We do anticipate that we could see some COVID spikes related to this.

New Orleans Firefighters assess damages as they look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Preliminary measurements showed Slidell, Louisiana, got at least 15.7 inches of rain, while New Orleans received nearly 14 inches, forecasters said. Other parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama and Florida got 5 to 11 inches.

The Louisiana National Guard said it activated 4,900 Guard personnel and lined up 195 high-water vehicles, 73 rescue boats and 34 helicopters. Local and state agencies were adding hundreds more. Edwards said he decided not to tour hurricane damage by air Monday to add one more aircraft to the effort.

On Grand Isle, the 40 people who stayed on the barrier island through the brunt of the hurricane gave aircraft checking on them Monday a thumbs-up, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said.

Jacob Hodges, right, and his brother Jeremy Hodges work to clear debris from their storage unit which was destroyed by Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Houma, La. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The road to the island remained impassable and rescuers would try to reach them as soon as they are able, the sheriff said.

The hurricane twisted and collapsed a giant tower that carries key transmission lines over the Mississippi River to the New Orleans area, causing widespread outages, Entergy and local authorities said. The power company said more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines were out of service, along with 216 substations. The tower had survived Katrina.

The storm also flattened utility poles, toppled trees onto power lines and caused transformers to explode.

Traffic passes by a traffic light hanging from a cable after Hurricane Ida moved through Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in LaPlace, La. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

The governor said 25,000 utility workers were in the state to help restore electricity, with more on the way. Were going to push Entergy to restore power just as soon as they can, Edwards said.

AT&T said its wireless network in Louisiana was reduced to 60% of normal but was coming back. Many people resorted to using walkie-talkies. The governor's office staff had no working phones. The company sent a mobile tower to the state's emergency preparedness office so it could get some service.

Charchar Chaffold left her home near LaPlace for Alabama after a tree fell on it Sunday. She frantically tried to get in touch via text message with five family members who stayed behind.

People are evacuated from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

She last heard from them Sunday night. They were in the attic after water rushed into their home. They told me they thought they was going to die. I told them they are not and called for help, she said.

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Idas 150 mph (230 kph) winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the mainland. Its winds were down to 40 mph (64 kph) around midday Monday.

In Mississippi's southwestern corner, entire neighborhoods were surrounded by floodwaters, and many roads were impassable. Several tornadoes were reported, including a suspected twister in Saraland, Alabama, that ripped part of the roof off a motel and flipped an 18-wheeler, injuring the driver, according to the National Weather Service.

Jerilyn Collins returns to her destroyed home with the assistance of a Louisiana National Guard high-water vehicle to retrieve medicine for herself and her father, and a few possessions, after she evacuated from rising floodwater in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Ida was expected to pick up speed Monday night before dumping rain on the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys Tuesday, the Appalachian mountain region Wednesday and the nations capital on Thursday.

Forecasters said flash flooding and mudslides were possible along Idas path before it blows out to sea over New England on Friday.

___

Reeves reported from LaPlace, Louisiana. Associated Press writers Janet McConnaughey and Kevin McGill in New Orleans; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge; Michael Biesecker in Washington; Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta; and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
IQALUIT, Nunavut - The Liberals promised Monday to pour billions of dollars into housing and mental health for Indigenous communities if re-elected, a move they said would help address long-standing gaps in supports for both urban and rural communities.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announces a fresh water action plan during the Canadian federal election in Granby, Quebec, on Monday, August 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

IQALUIT, Nunavut - The Liberals promised Monday to pour billions of dollars into housing and mental health for Indigenous communities if re-elected, a move they said would help address long-standing gaps in supports for both urban and rural communities.

The party unveiled a plan to spend $2 billion over four years on housing for First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities  with more than half flowing in time for the upcoming summer construction season  as Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau greeted supporters at a campaign rally in Iqaluit.

The plan would see another $300 million allocated to co-developing a housing strategy for Indigenous urban, rural and northern communities, in partnership with Indigenous organizations.

The Liberals have long highlighted funding for urban Indigenous housing providers as the missing piece of the national housing strategy, but did not include any such measures in their latest budget. Housing providers have been asking for specific funding to meet their needs.

The Liberals also promised an additional $1.4 billion over five years for a mental health and wellness strategy to be developed with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Nation. The sum would be on top of previously announced funding of more than $597 million, they said.

Speaking at an outdoor rally, Trudeau said the funding will ensure that Inuit get "properly cultural, sensitive, grounded supports" they need.

"We saw during this pandemic mental health is a huge challenge, but it continues to be and we need to be there to support each other," he said.

Before Trudeau addressed the crowd, he made his way through it, posing for photos in close proximity with children and adults, masked and unmasked. Trudeau himself wore a mask at all times.

As of July 30, masks are no longer mandatory in Nunavut, which has no active cases of COVID-19. Their use remains strongly encouraged, however.

Rebecca Veevee was among several Iqaluit elders who met Trudeau on Monday. When asked how she felt about his trip to Nunavut, Veevee replied, "About time."

Veevee said she met the Liberal leader five years ago during a previous visit to Iqaluit, but she thinks federal politicians should make more of an effort to visit the territory.

"Sometimes we need help... we talk about it but nobody listens," Veevee said.

Like Veevee, Grise Fiord resident Anne Akeeagok said she was happy to see the Liberal leader make the trip up North.

"I think it's great that we're not forgotten," Akeeagok said.

For her, Trudeau's announcement was good news, but she said she wants to see words followed up with actions. "Even if you put a lot of money into housing, you have to find money to maintain them," she said.

Cedric Bohemier, who grew up in Iqaluit, sat among a crowd of other residents gathered in a semicircle outside Iqaluit's elders home as kids and a few loose dogs ducked in and out of sight.

Bohemier said meeting Trudeau outside the elders home made things feel personal.

"There's not bars and chains in the way. It feels like an open discussion," Bohemier said.

The early evening announcement capped off a day that also saw the Liberal leader stop in Granby, Que., to pledge $1 billion over a decade to protect and restore Canada's big lakes and river systems.

A re-elected Liberal government would also build on its budget commitments by fully funding the creation of a new Canada Water Agency to co-ordinate freshwater initiatives, with a launch set for next year, Trudeau said.

The 2021 budget allocated $17.4 million over two years to begin work in preparation of the agency's launch and in establishing the scope of its mandate.

Trudeau branded his party's new campaign commitments on the environment as a continuation of work started six years ago when they were first elected, warning that if the Conservatives come to power the fight against climate change would be compromised.

Trudeau said Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole would set Canada back to the era of former Tory prime minister Stephen Harper, who was defeated in 2015.

Trudeau said voters face a choice of supporting his plan, which he said had the backing of environmental organizations, or "going back to the Harper targets, going back to the Harper approach on the environment under Mr. O'Toole."

The Liberal leader also said he planned to release his party's platform in the coming days. He has been under attack from his political opponents on the federal campaign trail for not doing that.

Trudeau needs to make inroads in Quebec if he wants to make gains in this election, so he also took aim at the environmental stewardship of his Bloc Quebecois opponent, Yves-Francois Blanchet, for his record while in his previous job as Quebec's provincial environment minister.

Trudeau defended his government's decision to fund the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, saying his new plan is dedicated to stopping the rise of carbon emissions from Alberta's oilsands.

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"But the industry knows that and indeed Albertans, and people in the energy industry have always been innovative and leaders in figuring out new solutions to move forward in the right way," he said.

The freshwater funding promised Monday will first go toward initiatives involving the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River System, Lake Simcoe, the Lake Winnipeg Basin, the Fraser River Basin, and the Mackenzie River Basin, the Liberals said.

The announcement also included $37.5 million in funding over six years for freshwater research at the International Institute for Sustainable Development's Experimental Lakes Area, a natural laboratory in northwestern Ontario that the party said is the only place in the world where experiments are conducted on real lakes.

Trudeau was able to make his announcements Monday free of the hecklers and protesters that disrupted his two previous campaign appearances in Ontario.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Aug. 30, 2021.

 with files from Emma Tranter
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  A space station astronaut is celebrating her 50th birthday with the coolest present ever  a supply ship bearing ice cream and other treats.

This long exposure photo shows the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on a resupply mission for NASA to the International Space Station from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center, seen from Merritt Island, Fla., Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. The SpaceX shipment of ants, avocados and a human-sized robotic arm rocketed toward the International Space Station on Sunday. (Malcolm Denemark/Florida Today via AP)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  A space station astronaut is celebrating her 50th birthday with the coolest present ever  a supply ship bearing ice cream and other treats.

SpaceXs latest cargo delivery showed up Monday at the International Space Station after a day in transit. Overseeing the automated docking was NASA astronaut Megan McArthur.

No ones ever sent me a spaceship for my birthday before. I appreciate it, she radioed after the capsule arrived.

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Launched Sunday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the capsule contains lemons, cherry tomatoes, avocados and ice cream for McArthur and her six crewmates, along with a couple tons of research and other gear.

The shipment arrived just a few days ahead of the first of three spacewalks.

Starting Friday, the two Russians on board will perform back-to-back spacewalks to outfit a new laboratory that arrived in July.

Then a Japanese-French spacewalking duo will venture out Sept. 12 to install a bracket for new solar panels due to arrive next year. That NASA-directed spacewalk should have occurred last week, but was postponed after U.S. spacewalker, Mark Vande Hei, suffered a pinched nerve in his neck. Station managers opted to replace him with French astronaut Thomas Pesquet.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. are asking the Federal Court to block Quebecor Inc.'s purchase of 5G spectrum in Western Canada, stating the company didn't meet the requirements to bid on airwaves there.

Quebecor headquarters are shown during the company's annual general meeting in Montreal, Thursday, May 12, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. are asking the Federal Court to block Quebecor Inc.'s purchase of 5G spectrum in Western Canada, stating the company didn't meet the requirements to bid on airwaves there.

The court challenges come after an auction of a key 5G spectrum by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada this summer.

The companies said Quebecor subsidiary Videotron was able to purchase spectrum in Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia that was set aside for smaller carriers, allowing it to access airwaves at a cheaper price than Canada's largest carriers.

Bell said the set-aside spectrum for smaller carriers was only eligible to companies that have pre-existing operations in the jurisdiction, and argued Quebecor doesn't have a presence in those provinces.

Telus and Bell are asking the court to block Quebecor's purchase and for the government to hold the auction again.

However, Quebecor CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau said his company is eligible because its affiliate Fibrenoire Inc. provides business services in several provinces outside Quebec.

"Detailed evidence regarding these activities was provided to ISED during the auction application process. It was based on this evidence that ISED correctly determined Videotrons eligibility." said Peladeau in a statement.

This is just another attempt from Bell and Telus to eliminate real competition, but Canadians deserve better than todays overpriced wireless marketplace.

Telus acknowledged Fibrenoire's services in its court filing, but said the company focuses on providing services in Ontario and Quebec.

"In Quebecors press release describing Videotrons acquisition of Fibrenoire, Fibrenoire is described as: a telecommunications company specializing exclusively in fibre-optic connectivity services for businesses in Quebec and Ontario," Telus said in its notice of application to Federal Court.

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"Fibrenoire continues to describe itself in a similar manner today."

Bell also said there is no indication that Fibrenoire solicits business from companies in Manitoba, Alberta or British Columbia.

It argued Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada failed to properly conduct analysis or review of Videotron's application.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada declined to comment on the matter while it's in court.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug 30, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE, TSX:QBR.B, TSX:T)
WASHINGTON (AP)  Abortion providers in Texas are asking the Supreme Court to prevent enforcement of a state law that would allow private citizens to sue anyone for helping a woman get an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

FILE - In this May 5, 2021, file photo, Texas state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, center at lectern, stands with fellow lawmakers in the House Chamber in Austin, Texas, as she opposes a bill introduced that would ban abortions as early as six weeks and allow private citizens to enforce it through civil lawsuits, under a measure given preliminary approval by the Republican-dominated House. Abortion providers in Texas are asking the Supreme Court to prevent enforcement of a state law that would allow private citizens to sue anyone for helping a woman get an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Abortion providers in Texas are asking the Supreme Court to prevent enforcement of a state law that would allow private citizens to sue anyone for helping a woman get an abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

The request to the court comes after a panel of appellate judges refused to block enforcement of the law before it takes effect on Wednesday.

If it goes into effect, the law would rule out 85% of abortions in Texas and force many clinics to close, the providers and abortion rights advocates supporting them said in an emergency filing with the high court on Monday. For now, Planned Parenthood clinics in Texas have stopped scheduling abortions beyond six weeks from conception, spokeswoman Sarah Wheat said.

Due to the new law, our health centers are not able to provide abortions to patients after tomorrow unless they meet these extreme new restrictions," she said.

At least 12 other states have enacted bans on abortion early in pregnancy, but all have been blocked from going into effect.

The Texas law, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in May, would ban abortion in the nations second-biggest state after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy and is before many women even know they are pregnant.

Instead of setting criminal penalties, as other abortion restrictions do, it asks private citizens to enforce the ban by suing doctors or anyone who helps a woman get an abortion. Among other situations, that would include anyone who drives a woman to a clinic to get an abortion. Under the law, anyone who successfully sues another person would be entitled to at least $10,000.

The enforcement scheme makes it difficult to challenge in court because it is harder to know whom to sue. In other states, six-week abortion bans would be enforced by government officials, allowing plaintiffs to sue state officials responsible for enforcing the law.

The law squarely conflicts with nearly 50 years of Supreme Court decisions in favor of abortion rights dating back to the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the providers argued in their high court filing.

Those rulings generally prohibit states from regulating abortions before the fetus can survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks of pregnancy. The justices are scheduled to hear a major abortion case in their upcoming term that could cut back on or even overturn the Roe decision. But a decision in a case over Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban is not expected before the late spring.

In less than two days, Texas politicians will have effectively overturned Roe v. Wade. We have filed an emergency motion in the Supreme Court to block this law before clinics are forced to turn patients away, Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.

Kimberlyn Schwartz, a spokeswoman for Texas Right to Life, said the court should allow the law to take effect. It is not surprising that the abortion industry is using their last, desperate option to try to block the Texas Heartbeat Act from taking effect on Wednesday," Schwartz said.

The issue at this point in the Texas case is whether federal courts will keep the law on hold while the legal fight continues. No court has yet ruled on the validity of the law.

The providers filed their emergency appeal with Justice Samuel Alito, who oversees such matters from the three states in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Alito can act on his own or get the full court involved.

Abortion is the latest big issue to come before the justices in an abbreviated way. Last week, the court divided along ideological lines with conservatives in the majority to force the Biden administration to reinstate Trump-era restrictions on asylum seekers and end a temporary ban on evictions for people behind on their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The practical effects of allowing the abortion law to go into force would be enormous, abortion rights advocates said.

If legal abortion care in Texas shuts down, many women would feel compelled to travel long distances to clinics in such states as Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico, advocates said. The average one-way driving distance to an abortion clinic for Texas residents would increase from 12 miles to 248 miles.

Abortion providers in nearby states already experienced a surge of Texas patients in the COVID-19 pandemic last year after Texas officials banned abortions on grounds they were nonessential.

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Texas has long had some of the nations toughest abortion restrictions, including a sweeping law passed in 2013 that the Supreme Court eventually struck down but not before more than half of the states 40-plus abortion clinics closed.

Lawmakers also are moving forward in an ongoing special session in Texas with proposed new restrictions on medication abortion, a method using pills which accounts for roughly 40% of abortions in the U.S.

Yet anti-abortion groups remain frustrated by what they say is the unwillingness of some prosecutors to file criminal charges against doctors who violate state abortion laws.

The turn to civil liability has allowed Texas Right to Life to set up a website where people can leave tips alleging violations of the new Texas law.

___

Associated Press writers David Crary in New York and Paul Weber in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.
NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  An oil slick believed to have originated from a power plant inside one of Syrias oil refineries could reach Cyprus' northeastern tip in the next 24 hours, the Mediterranean island nation's Fisheries and Marine Research Department said Monday.

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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP)  An oil slick believed to have originated from a power plant inside one of Syrias oil refineries could reach Cyprus' northeastern tip in the next 24 hours, the Mediterranean island nation's Fisheries and Marine Research Department said Monday.

The Department said the most recent computer model indicates the oil spill could affect Apostolos Andreas Cape in the breakaway north of ethnically divided Cyprus by late Tuesday.

It said information and photographs received from ships in the region show the slick is a thin film of oil rather than thick crude.

The Cypriot government has informed Turkish Cypriot authorities about the slicks progress and is ready to offer any assistance.

Syrias state news agency said last week that the spill occurred after fuel leaked from a tank at the Baniyas Thermal Station.

Syrias oil resources are mostly outside of government-controlled areas but its two refineries are under government control. This makes Damascus reliant on Iran for fuel, but U.S. Treasury sanctions have hindered the supply network, which spans Syria, Iran and Russia.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers in.

FILE - In this Friday, July 16, 2021 file photo, visitors enjoy the view from top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The European Union is expected to recommend that its member states reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infection levels in the country, EU diplomats said Monday, Aug. 30. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

BRUSSELS (AP)  The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reinstate restrictions on tourists from the U.S. because of rising coronavirus infections there, but member countries will keep the option of allowing fully vaccinated U.S. travelers in.

The decision by the European Council to remove the U.S. from a safe list of countries for nonessential travel reverses the advice that it gave in June, when the bloc recommended lifting restrictions on all U.S. travelers before the summer tourism season.

The EUs decision reflects growing anxiety that the rampant spread of the virus in the U.S. could jump to Europe at a time when Americans are allowed to travel to the continent. Both the EU and the U.S. have faced rising infections this summer, driven by the more contagious delta variant.

The guidance issued Monday is nonbinding, however. American tourists should expect a mishmash of travel rules across the continent since the EU has no unified COVID-19 tourism policy and national EU governments have the authority to decide whether or how they keep their borders open during the pandemic.

More than 15 million Americans a year visited Europe before the coronavirus crisis, and new travel restrictions could cost European businesses billions in lost travel revenues, especially in tourism-reliant countries like Croatia, which has been surprised by packed beaches and hotels this summer.

"Nonessential travel to the EU from countries or entities not listed (on the safe list) ... is subject to temporary travel restriction," the council said in a statement. "This is without prejudice to the possibility for member states to lift the temporary restriction on nonessential travel to the EU for fully vaccinated travelers."

U.S. travelers would have to be immunized with one of the vaccines approved by the bloc, which includes Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson&Johnson.

Possible restrictions on U.S. travelers could include quarantines, further testing requirements upon arrival or even a total ban on all nonessential travel from the U.S.

In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stressed Monday that the EU travel restrictions applied to the unvaccinated, adding that "the fastest path to reopening travel is for people to get vaccinated, to mask up and slow the spread of the deadly virus."

Paski told reporters that the U.S. government is working across federal agencies to develop its own policy for international travel, with the possibility of strengthening testing protocols and potentially ensuring that foreign visitors are fully vaccinated. But she said no final decision has been made yet.

The EU recommendation doesnt apply to Britain, which formally left the EU at the beginning of the year and opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. earlier this month.

The United States remains on Britains "amber" travel list, meaning that fully vaccinated adults arriving from the U.S. to the U.K. dont have to self-isolate. A negative COVID-19 test within three days before arriving in the U.K. is required and another negative test is needed two days after arriving.

The EU also removed Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro and North Macedonia from the safe travel list on Monday.

Meanwhile, the United States has yet to reopen its own borders to EU tourists, despite calls from the bloc to do so. Adalbert Jahnz, the European Commission spokesperson for home affairs, said Monday that the EUs executive arm remained in discussions with the Biden administration but so far both sides have failed to find a reciprocal approach.

In addition to the epidemiological criteria used to determine the countries for which restrictions should be lifted, the European Council said that "reciprocity should also be taken into account on a case-by-case basis."

The European Council updates the safe travel list every two weeks, based criteria related to coronavirus infection levels. The threshold for being on the EU safe list is having not more than 75 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over the last 14 days.

The U.S. , meanwhile, is averaging more than 155,000 new coronavirus cases and 1,200 deaths per day, and several U.S. states have more COVID-19 patients in the hospital now than at any other time during the pandemic.

Authorities in Oregon are seeking extra refrigerated trucks because morgues are at capacity and Florida is in a similar situation after a week in which more than 1,700 people died from the virus in the state. Hospitals are desperately running out of staff in several states, and the start of the school year has brought even more fears that the outlook will worsen as millions of unvaccinated students return to their classrooms.

U.S. school districts have been struggling over whether to impose mask mandates, sometimes even suing in states where officials are against such requirements.

Vaccine hesitancy also remains a problem in many locations in the U.S., where 61% of the eligible population is inoculated against the virus. In contrast, Britain has fully vaccinated over 78% of adults and EU countries have inoculated nearly 70% of those over 18.

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___

Josh Hoffner in Phoenix, Arizona, Sylvia Hui in London and Joshua Boak in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  With more than 1 million customers in Louisiana and Mississippi having lost power, Hurricane Ida is sure to take a toll on the energy, chemical and shipping industries that have major hubs along the Gulf Coast. But the impact on the overall U.S. economy will likely be modest so long as damage estimates don't rise sharply and refinery shutdowns are not prolonged, economists say.

This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and captured by NOAA's GOES-16 shows lightning swirling around the eye of Hurricane Ida as the storm approaches the Louisiana coast, Sunday morning, Aug. 29, 2021. (NOAA via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP)  With more than 1 million customers in Louisiana and Mississippi having lost power, Hurricane Ida is sure to take a toll on the energy, chemical and shipping industries that have major hubs along the Gulf Coast. But the impact on the overall U.S. economy will likely be modest so long as damage estimates don't rise sharply and refinery shutdowns are not prolonged, economists say.

The hurricane is expected to inflict a less severe financial impact than Hurricane Katrina did 16 years ago, thanks in part to a lower storm surge and New Orleans improved levee system. Analysts at Boenning & Scattergood, a financial consultancy, noted that Idas wind field is smaller than Katrina's, which likely narrows the area of catastrophic damage. The analysts estimated that losses for the insurance industry will hit around $10 billion, far less than the $90 billion-plus from Katrina.

Oil prices barely moved Monday as oil companies and refiners assessed any damage from the storm. The price on the New York Mercantile Exchange was flat at $68.74 per barrel. Gasoline futures rose 1.2%.

Still, Ida, which tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the mainland, left so many customers without electricity that any prolonged power outage could have repercussions, at least temporarily, for the oil, natural gas and chemical companies that have operations along the gulf. The longer power remains out, the longer those companies will struggle to restart their operations.

Fewer than 2 million barrels a day of production in the Gulf of Mexico  slightly more than 15% of normal output  is shut down. Yet the disruptions arent expected to immediately affect the availability of gasoline nationally because of ample fuel reserves in the system. The U.S. Energy Department announced plans a week ago to sell up to 20 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the largest sale this year from the federal emergency pool of oil.

There is a lot of crude oil that could backfill for some of these losses, said Richard Joswick, an oil analyst with S&P Global Platts.

Refineries with combined capacity of 2.2 million barrels a day were offline Monday, Joswick said, but it could have been far worse: Up to 4 million barrels a day might have had to be turned off had the storm tracked just slightly westward.

That said, they dont have power, he added. If you dont have power, you cant run a refinery.

For now, the ports of Baton Rouge, Gramercy and Morgan City in Louisiana and the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi are all closed. The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port has also suspended operations. The Port of New Orleans was closed but reported that initial reports indicate no major damage to our facilities.

Early indications are that refineries along the Gulf Coast were spared the magnitude of damage they suffered during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, which caused flooding that inundated several refineries in the Houston area.

A collapsed historical building is seen on S. Rampart St. in New Orleans, La., early Monday, Aug. 30, 2021.Hurricane Ida became a tropical storm as its top winds slowed over Mississippi on Monday, while across southeast Louisiana residents waited for daylight to be rescued from floodwaters and see how much damage was caused by one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. mainland. All of New Orleans lost power right around sunset Sunday, leading to an uneasy night of pouring rain and howling winds. (Max Becherer/The Advocate via AP)

Yet Jacques Rousseau, an analyst for Clearview Energy Partners, cautioned that "we need to wait a little longer to see if there is some sort of extensive damage that could take a refinery out for more than just a shutdown-and-restart period.

Over the weekend, Phillips 66 closed a refinery in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, and Exxon Mobil began shutting down production at a refinery in Baton Rouge. On Monday, an Exxon spokeswoman said the refinery didn't suffer significant damage and would begin restoring normal operations once the company knows it will have raw materials and power.

All of New Orleans lost power on Sunday evening as the hurricane barreled ashore. Local officials warned that it could take weeks to fully restore power. As the storm approached, offshore oil production in the Gulf was nearly entirely shut down, and crews were evacuated as a precaution.

The hurricane and the resulting disruptions to offshore production and onshore refining are occurring just as demand for gasoline and other fuels is likely to decline, as it typically does in September and October. That trend, if it holds, could lessen the storm's effect on prices.

Most natural disasters cause little overall damage to the $23 trillion U.S. economy. Even the hardest-hit regions often recover quickly, thanks to all the money typically spent on rebuilding from the destruction.

Still, New Orleans job market never regained its strength after Hurricane Katrina. In July 2005, the month before the hurricane struck, its metropolitan area had more than 620,000 jobs. It lost 185,000 in September and October that year as people fled the flooded city. Many never returned.

Since then, New Orleans recovery has been disrupted by the Great Recession of 2007-2009 and COVID-19, which crushed an economy that depends on tourists. In July, New Orleans had 530,000 jobs, down nearly 15% from its level before Katrina. Over the same period, employment across the United States has risen 9%.

Between Ida and a surge in COVID-19 cases linked to the highly contagious delta variant, the outlook for New Orleans fall tourism season has turned from hopeful to bleak.

Were on a long road to recovery, said D.J. Johnson, who owns the New Orleans Art Bar and the Baldwin & Co. bookstore, both of which sustained water damage from Ida. Weve just been hit very, very hard in New Orleans.

Bread on Oak, a New Orleans bakery, will open Tuesday, but only so the owners, Sean and Chamain OMahony, can cook up ingredients on a propane grill outdoors. They hope to save at least some of the food that would spoil in refrigerators without electricity.

The OMahonys are bracing for a hefty bill once they have to restock everything. And they worry about getting their 30 employees, who are dispersed and without electricity for now, back to work. Sean expects to lose some of them to better-paying jobs working on crews that will be making post-Ida repairs around the city.

Though such personal losses are many, Adrienne Slack, a vice president at the New Orleans branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, called the overall preliminary damage reports favorable.

The levee structures are much improved since (Katrina), and they held up very well," Slack said. "Were not looking at a city that will be underwater for three weeks.

She cautioned that the damage assessments will take time and that the local economy cant return to life until electricity is flowing again.

Cellphone service was severely disrupted by the storm. T-Mobile said its network was operating at only 70% of capacity in Louisiana and Alabama. AT&T said it was running at 60% of capacity in Louisiana.

On a national scale, Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics, said the disruptions caused by Ida will likely lead him to downgrade his forecast for annual U.S. economic growth in the current July-September quarter by a few tenths of a percentage point. But that economic loss, Zandi said, could be reversed in the final quarter of the year as a result of the rebuilding from the hurricanes damage that will likely follow.

Analysts at Citi Investment Research agreed that any drag on growth will likely be offset by subsequent reconstruction. They said, though, that inflationary effects may be more persistent as demand for building materials, autos and workers will confront already existing shortages.

The key channel for Ida to impact the broader economy is through energy prices, Zandi said. We will have to see how much damage occurred to production in the Gulf and how long that production will stay offline.

The worst-case scenario is Ida might add 10 cents to 20 cents to the price of a gallon of gas through September, he said. But he suggested that the increase in pump prices might last for only a few weeks.

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Likewise, Joswick, the analyst with S&P Global Platts, foresees nothing like the jump in pump prices that occurred after Katrina, when the average retail price jumped more than 70 cents in just over a week, according to government figures.

This is a much more modest event," he said Well likely recover in a week or two.

Robert Handfield, a professor of supply chain management at North Carolina State University, said he worries that disruptions at petrochemical plants will cut off supplies to plastics factories, which are still struggling to rebound from a February deep freeze in Texas and from supply-chain bottlenecks.

Theyre already behind where they should be, Handfield said. The inventories are pretty scarce.

___

Koenig reported from Dallas. AP Writers Kevin McGill and Rebecca Santana in New Orleans, Tali Arbel in New York and Martin Crutsinger and Michael Biesecker in Washington contributed to this report.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Rescuers in boats, helicopters and high-water trucks brought hundreds of people trapped by Hurricane Ida's floodwaters to safety Monday and utility repair crews rushed in, after the furious storm swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the electrical grid in the stifling, late-summer heat.

Tony Hilliard, left, and his family expose themselves to the elements as Hurricane Ida begins to make landfall, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Rescuers in boats, helicopters and high-water trucks brought hundreds of people trapped by Hurricane Ida's floodwaters to safety Monday and utility repair crews rushed in, after the furious storm swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the electrical grid in the stifling, late-summer heat.

Residents living amid the maze of rivers and bayous along the state's Gulf Coast retreated desperately to their attics or roofs and posted their addresses on social media with instructions for search-and-rescue teams on where to find them.

More than 1 million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi  including all of New Orleans  were left without power as Ida, one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland, pushed through on Sunday.

The damage was so extensive that officials warned it could be weeks before the power grid was repaired.

President Joe Biden met virtually on Monday with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves along with mayors from cities and parishes most impacted by Hurricane Ida to receive an update on the storms impacts, and to discuss how the Federal Government can provide assistance.

Terry Shelvin stocks up on water and food as Hurricane Ida approaches Louisiana, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Lafayette, La. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

We are closely coordinating with State and local officials every step of the way, Biden said.

The administration said more than 3,600 FEMA employees are deployed to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. FEMA staged more than 3.4 million meals, millions of liters of water, more than 35,700 tarps, and roughly 200 generators in the region in advance of the storm.

As the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression Monday afternoon and continued to make its way inland with torrential rain, it was blamed for at least two deaths  a motorist who drowned in New Orleans and a person hit by a falling tree outside Baton Rouge.

Greg Nazarko, manager of the Bourbon Bandstand bar on Bourbon Street, leans against a pole outside the club where he rode out Hurricane Ida that knocked out power in New Orleans, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

But with many roads impassable and cellphone service out in places, the full extent of its fury was still coming into focus. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards, said that given the level of destruction, Were going to have many more confirmed fatalities.

The governor's office said damage to the power grid appeared catastrophic  dispiriting news for those without refrigeration or air conditioning during the dog days of summer, with highs forecast in the mid-80s to near 90 by midweek.

There are certainly more questions than answers. I can't tell you when the power is going to be restored. I cant tell you when all the debris is going to be cleaned up and repairs made," Edwards told a news conference. But what I can tell you is we are going to work hard every day to deliver as much assistance as we can.

A police officer patrols past woman walking along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter after Hurricane Ida knocked out power to the city, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Local, state and federal rescuers combined to save at least 671 people by Monday afternoon, Edwards said.

In hard-hit LaPlace, squeezed between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, rescuers saved people from flooded homes in a near-constant operation.

Debbie Greco, her husband and son rode out the storm in LaPlace with Greco's parents. Water reached a foot up the first-floor windows, then filled the first floor to 4 feet (1.2 meters) deep once the back door was opened. They retreated to the second floor, but then screaming winds collapsed the roof as waves broke in the front yard.

A collapsed historical building is seen on S. Rampart St. in New Orleans, La., early Monday, Aug. 30, 2021.Hurricane Ida became a tropical storm as its top winds slowed over Mississippi on Monday, while across southeast Louisiana residents waited for daylight to be rescued from floodwaters and see how much damage was caused by one of the most powerful hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. mainland. All of New Orleans lost power right around sunset Sunday, leading to an uneasy night of pouring rain and howling winds. (Max Becherer/The Advocate via AP)

They were finally rescued by boat after waiting in the only dry spot, five people sharing the landing on the stairs.

When I rebuild this Im out of here. Im done with Louisiana, said Greco's father, 85-year-old Fred Carmouche, a lifelong resident.

Elsewhere in LaPlace, people pulled pieces of chimneys, gutters and other parts of their homes to the curb and residents of a mobile home park waded through floodwaters.

Police look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. Hurricane Ida knocked out power to all of New Orleans and inundated coastal Louisiana communities on a deadly path through the Gulf Coast that is still unfolding and promises more destruction. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The hurricane blew ashore on the 16th anniversary of Katrina, the 2005 storm that breached New Orleans' levees, devastated the city and was blamed for 1,800 deaths.

This time, New Orleans appeared to escape the catastrophic flooding city officials had feared.

Stephanie Blaise returned to her home with her father in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward after evacuating. The neighborhood suffered devastating flooding in Katrina, but only lost some shingles in Ida. However, with no idea when electricity would be restored, Blaise didn't plan to stay long.

Traffic diverts around downed power lines Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Metairie, La. A fearsome Hurricane Ida has left scores of coastal Louisiana residents trapped by floodwaters and pleading to be rescued, while making a shambles of the electrical grid across a wide swath of the state in the sweltering, late-summer heat. One of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland has now weakened into a tropical storm as it pushes inland over Mississippi with torrential rain and shrieking winds. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

We dont need to go through that. Im going to have to convince him to leave. We got to go somewhere. Cant stay in this heat, she said.

The city urged people who evacuated to stay away for at least a couple of days because of the lack of power and fuel. "Theres not a lot of reasons to come back, said Collin Arnold, chief of emergency preparedness.

Also, 18 water systems serving about 255,000 customers in Louisiana were knocked out of service, the state Health Department said.

Traffic diverts around downed power lines Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Metairie, La. A fearsome Hurricane Ida has left scores of coastal Louisiana residents trapped by floodwaters and pleading to be rescued, while making a shambles of the electrical grid across a wide swath of the state in the sweltering, late-summer heat. One of the most powerful hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland has now weakened into a tropical storm as it pushes inland over Mississippi with torrential rain and shrieking winds. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Four Louisiana hospitals were damaged and 39 medical facilities were operating on generator power, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. Officials said they were evacuating scores of patients to other cities.

The governor's office said over 2,200 evacuees were staying in 41 shelters, a number expected to rise as people were rescued or escaped flooded homes. The governor's spokesperson said the state will work to move people to hotels as soon as possible so they can keep their distance from one another.

This is a COVID nightmare, Stephens said, adding: We do anticipate that we could see some COVID spikes related to this.

New Orleans Firefighters assess damages as they look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Preliminary measurements showed Slidell, Louisiana, got at least 15.7 inches of rain, while New Orleans received nearly 14 inches, forecasters said. Other parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, Alabama and Florida got 5 to 11 inches.

The Louisiana National Guard said it activated 4,900 Guard personnel and lined up 195 high-water vehicles, 73 rescue boats and 34 helicopters. Local and state agencies were adding hundreds more. Edwards said he decided not to tour hurricane damage by air Monday to add one more aircraft to the effort.

On Grand Isle, the 40 people who stayed on the barrier island through the brunt of the hurricane gave aircraft checking on them Monday a thumbs-up, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said.

Jacob Hodges, right, and his brother Jeremy Hodges work to clear debris from their storage unit which was destroyed by Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in Houma, La. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The road to the island remained impassable and rescuers would try to reach them as soon as they are able, the sheriff said.

The hurricane twisted and collapsed a giant tower that carries key transmission lines over the Mississippi River to the New Orleans area, causing widespread outages, Entergy and local authorities said. The power company said more than 2,000 miles of transmission lines were out of service, along with 216 substations. The tower had survived Katrina.

The storm also flattened utility poles, toppled trees onto power lines and caused transformers to explode.

Traffic passes by a traffic light hanging from a cable after Hurricane Ida moved through Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in LaPlace, La. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

The governor said 25,000 utility workers were in the state to help restore electricity, with more on the way. Were going to push Entergy to restore power just as soon as they can, Edwards said.

AT&T said its wireless network in Louisiana was reduced to 60% of normal but was coming back. Many people resorted to using walkie-talkies. The governor's office staff had no working phones. The company sent a mobile tower to the state's emergency preparedness office so it could get some service.

Charchar Chaffold left her home near LaPlace for Alabama after a tree fell on it Sunday. She frantically tried to get in touch via text message with five family members who stayed behind.

People are evacuated from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

She last heard from them Sunday night. They were in the attic after water rushed into their home. They told me they thought they was going to die. I told them they are not and called for help, she said.

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Idas 150 mph (230 kph) winds tied it for the fifth-strongest hurricane ever to hit the mainland. Its winds were down to 40 mph (64 kph) around midday Monday.

In Mississippi's southwestern corner, entire neighborhoods were surrounded by floodwaters, and many roads were impassable. Several tornadoes were reported, including a suspected twister in Saraland, Alabama, that ripped part of the roof off a motel and flipped an 18-wheeler, injuring the driver, according to the National Weather Service.

Jerilyn Collins returns to her destroyed home with the assistance of a Louisiana National Guard high-water vehicle to retrieve medicine for herself and her father, and a few possessions, after she evacuated from rising floodwater in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Ida was expected to pick up speed Monday night before dumping rain on the Tennessee and Ohio River valleys Tuesday, the Appalachian mountain region Wednesday and the nations capital on Thursday.

Forecasters said flash flooding and mudslides were possible along Idas path before it blows out to sea over New England on Friday.

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Reeves reported from LaPlace, Louisiana. Associated Press writers Janet McConnaughey and Kevin McGill in New Orleans; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge; Michael Biesecker in Washington; Sudhin Thanawala in Atlanta; and Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's prime minister's office has urged former premier Benjamin Netanyahu to return dozens of expensive gifts he received while serving in the nation's top job.

FILE - In this April 5, 2021 file photo, state attorneys carrying prosecution materials in the trial of then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the Jerusalem district court in Jerusalem. Israel's prime minister's office has urged Netanyahu to return dozens of expensive gifts he received while serving in the nation's top job. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, now opposition leader, has developed a reputation for enjoying a lavish lifestyle, often at taxpayer expense, and is on trial for allegedly accepting expensive gifts from wealthy associates. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP, File)

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's prime minister's office has urged former premier Benjamin Netanyahu to return dozens of expensive gifts he received while serving in the nation's top job.

The request, confirmed Monday by the office of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, came as Netanyahu reportedly vacationed on a private island in Hawaii almost wholly owned by billionaire Larry Ellison. The Oracle founder is a friend of Netanyahu's and also a witness for the prosecution in the former leader's corruption trial.

Israel's longest-serving prime minister, now opposition leader, has developed a reputation for enjoying a lavish lifestyle, often at taxpayer expense, and is on trial for allegedly accepting expensive gifts from wealthy associates.

Netanyahu, ousted from the top job and replaced by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in June, has denied all charges and has said he's a victim of a smear campaign.

A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, confirmed the prime minister's office contacted Netanyahu to return gifts he received as premier. The Maariv daily, which first broke the story, said Netanyahu has been asked to return 42 items, including gifts from former President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It is customary for foreign leaders to bestow gifts on each other during official trips. But gifts worth over a certain amount  300 shekels or about $90  are the property of the state of Israel. Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, did not return those, according to a letter sent by the legal adviser in the prime minister's office, Maariv said.

The unreturned gifts allegedly include a rectangular box made of glass decorated with gold leaves, bearing Obama's signature and the first book of the Bible from Putin. The list also reportedly includes gifts from French and German leaders, a pope and various benefactors and ambassadors.

In a statement, the Netanyahu family said all gifts the law required to be returned have been given back, and that those in question are not in the possession of former Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The U.S.-educated Netanyahu, who spent some 15 total years as prime minister before he was ousted in June, has long had a reputation for living large.

During his first term in office in the 1990s Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, were suspected of pocketing gifts and foreign contributions received from world leaders  items considered state property. The Netanyahus also were suspected of accepting favors from a contractor. Both cases were closed without charges.

Netanyahu's recent term was filled with gossipy scandals about his official spending. His spending on ice cream caused a meltdown when it was reported that in 2012 he'd budgeted 10,000 shekels (about $3,200) of taxpayer money for his favorite flavors, vanilla and pistachio, for family and staff.

More outrage ensued the next year when it was reported that he spent $127,000 to furnish a bedroom aboard a plane for a five-hour flight to London to attend the funeral of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In 2016, an official expense report revealed that Netanyahu spent more than $600,000 of public funds on a six-day trip to New York, including $1,600 on a personal hairdresser. Netanyahu contended he was unaware of the cost and halted the practice.

Sara Netanyahu was charged in 2018 with misusing some $100,000 in public funds to order lavish meals from celebrity chefs at the prime ministers official residence, even though she already had cooks on the government payroll. She later was ordered to pay a fine of some $15,000 as part of a plea bargain.

Also in 2018, a recording surfaced of Netanyahus eldest son, Yair, joyriding with his super-rich buddies to Tel Aviv strip clubs in a drunken night out in a taxpayer-funded government vehicle.

Now, Netanyahu himself is on trial for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in a series of cases while he served as prime minister.

Among the witnesses prosecutors have named is Ellison, though it is unclear why. Ellison bought almost all of Lanai in 2012 for a reported $300 million. He did not return calls seeking comment.

But Ellison and Netanyahu have long been reportedly close. The Haaretz daily reported that Ellison came forward to help Netanyahu with his legal representation in the criminal case, and that the former prime minister wanted the billionaire to buy some Israeli media properties, including a newspaper.

For weeks, the family spokesman refused to confirm that the Netanyahus were on vacation on Lanai, saying only that they are paying for a vacation out of their own pocket.

But others on holiday on the island have relayed sightings to the The Associated Press of a conspicuous Hebrew-speaking security retinue on the Pacific idyll. Yair Netanyahu also was spotted on Lanai, the vacationers said.

Photos and other accounts on social media appear to confirm the family stayed for two weeks in Ellison's private enclave. One photo appeared to show a scowling Netanyahu sitting on a luggage cart in San Francisco's airport on his way to Hawaii. Another showed him lying on the ground while apparently doing Pilates.

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Asked about the propriety of hanging out with a witness in Netanyahu's corruption trial, the family spokesman replied: The law doesn't forbid him from meeting with witnesses.

The trip has also raised eyebrows because Netanyahu, who led the country's fight against the coronavirus before he was ousted, ignored recommendations by government experts to avoid unnecessary travel abroad while the country grapples with the fast-spreading delta variant.

Hawaii Gov. David Ige last week urged tourists to stay away, citing a surge there in coronavirus infections.

Netanyau's family is required to go into a mandatory one-week quarantine upon their return to Israel.

___

Kellman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana hospitals in the path of Hurricane Ida were forced to evacuate dozens of patients after the storm left them with pieces torn off their roofs, and water leaking down walls to pool on floors as they relied on emergency generators for electricity.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 file photo, Medical staff move a COVID-19 patient who died to a loading dock to hand off to a funeral home van, at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. Louisiana hospitals already packed with patients from the latest coronavirus surge are now bracing for a powerful Category 4 hurricane, which is expected to crash ashore Sunday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana hospitals in the path of Hurricane Ida were forced to evacuate dozens of patients after the storm left them with pieces torn off their roofs, and water leaking down walls to pool on floors as they relied on emergency generators for electricity.

Ida smashed into the Louisiana coast as a devastating Category 4 hurricane Sunday at a time when most hospitals were nearly full with coronavirus patients. Hospitals that suffered the worst damage worked Monday to transfer patients to other medical centers in the state, while others kept operating on generator power.

At Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Lafourche Parish, near where Ida made landfall, the storm ripped away a significant portion of the roof. On Monday morning, members of the U.S. Coast Guard managed to fly in and evacuate about seven patients, Gov. John Bel Edwards said on a call with President Joe Biden and other governors.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021 file photo, Medical notations are written on a window of a COVID-19 patient's room in an intensive care unit at the Willis-Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. Louisiana hospitals already packed with patients from the latest coronavirus surge are now bracing for a powerful Category 4 hurricane, which is expected to crash ashore Sunday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Ochsner Health, which runs Louisianas largest hospital network and had about 15 hospitals in Idas path, evacuated 165 patients Monday from three hospitals from Houma and Raceland in the hard-hit bayou region, said Warner Thomas, Ochsner Health's president and CEO.

Despite the evacuations, those hospitals still had emergency rooms open Monday, he said. Other Ochsner Health facilities in New Orleans and elsewhere stayed fully open, even after water leaked inside after the storm blew off rooftop ventilation covers and broke a few windows. All were running on generators, and some used water from private wells.

We know that we're in for several days, maybe a couple of weeks of this situation, Warner Thomas told reporters in a video conference Monday.

Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana's chief health officer, said Monday on Twitter that major hospitals seemed to have suffered minor damage from the hurricane, while a few smaller hospitals suffered significant damage.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021 file photo, Nursing coordinator Beth Springer, facing, has a cup of coffee while talking to coworkers in the emergency room, during her shift at the Willis Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. Louisiana hospitals already packed with patients from the latest coronavirus surge are now bracing for a powerful Category 4 hurricane, which is expected to crash ashore Sunday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Kanter urged people to avoid going to hospitals if possible, saying they will be busy in coming days.

New patients had begun to show up Monday morning at emergency rooms seeking treatment for storm-related injuries. Thomas said he expects those cases will grow as residents doing repairs and cleanup break bones falling off ladders or cut themselves with chainsaws.

Itll be tight. Its been tight throughout COVID, as we know, said Mike Hulefeld, Ochsner Health's chief operating officer. "We have adequate physical space ... but it's about having adequate people and staff.

Hulefield said Ochsner Health went into the storm with enough fuel to power generators for 10 days, and efforts to replenish that supply were underway. He anticipated no problems bringing in enough water, food or medical supplies.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 file photo, Dr. Kristen Rogers, left, a hospitalist on the COVID ward, joins Rebecca Russo, an occupational therapist, and Taylor Amedee, a physical therapist, as they assist COVID patient Joan Bronson at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, La. Louisiana hospitals already packed with patients from the latest coronavirus surge are now bracing for a powerful Category 4 hurricane, which is expected to crash ashore Sunday, Aug. 28, 2021. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File)

Hospitals in Mississippi and Alabama have reached out offering to take in some of the company's patients, Thomas said, but so far administrators were finding room elsewhere in Louisiana.

Edwards said Louisiana was prioritizing power restoration to hospitals because so many are on generator power  51, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The governor said federal and state disaster response agencies are working to put technicians at the hospitals to keep the generators running as long as possible, but also to (determine) exactly what size generator is needed so we can get a backup on site in case that one should fail."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said four Louisiana hospitals suffered damage from Ida. It did not specify which hospitals sustained damage.

Five Louisiana hospitals had evacuated their patients or were planning to do so Monday, said Kevin Litten, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Health. Litten did not say how many patients were being moved.

At Lady of the Sea General Hospital, where the Coast Guard rescued patients, CEO Karen Collins said in a message relayed Sunday on Facebook there were no injuries. The hospitals phone system was down Monday.

Another Lafourche Parish hospital, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, reported a partial generator failure Sunday that forced some patients to be moved. Louisiana state Rep. Tanner Magee of Houma said Thibodaux General's staff moved patients on ventilators through the stairwells to get them to another part of the hospital that had electricity.

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Ida struck as hospitals and their intensive care units were filled with patients from the fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, a wave fueled by the highly contagious delta variant and low vaccination rates across Louisiana.

An estimated 2,400 coronavirus patients were in Louisiana hospitals when the hurricane hit, according the governor.

Thomas said Ochsner Health was working to find temporary housing for potentially hundreds of staff unable to return home because of storm damage. He said that after 2005's Hurricane Katrina, many stayed in New Orleans hotels. But administrators are having to look outside the city after Ida, which severed power to all of New Orleans by inflicting massive damage to its electrical grid.

I think the biggest challenge in the coming days is around our people," Thomas said. Were going to have lots of people who have damage to their homes.

___

Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. AP writers Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia, and Joshua Boak in Washington contributed.
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP)  Montana State University said Monday that the founders of an insurance company are donating $101 million to its nursing school. School officials said the donation is the largest gift to a university nursing program in U.S. history and will help the state deal with a shortage of nurses.

FILE - In this April 2, 2021, file photo, a U.S. flag flies in front of Montana Hall at Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. The university said Monday, Aug. 30 that the founders of an insurance company are donating $101 million to its nursing school. School officials said the donation is the largest gift to a university nursing program in U.S. history and will help the state deal with a shortage of nurses. (Rachel Leathe/Bozeman Daily Chronicle via AP, File)

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP)  Montana State University said Monday that the founders of an insurance company are donating $101 million to its nursing school. School officials said the donation is the largest gift to a university nursing program in U.S. history and will help the state deal with a shortage of nurses.

The donors are Mark and Robyn Jones, the billionaire founders of Goosehead Insurance and part-time Montana residents.

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The couple, originally from Alberta, Canada, were inspired to make the gift after losing a friend to cancer and learning of the need for more health care professionals in Montana, the Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported. The couple is building a second home in the Whitefish area, where they vacationed as children.

This is a significant moment for MSU, as we estimate we will now be able to meet the states projected shortfall in baccalaureate-level registered nurses by 2030, MSU College of Nursing Dean Sarah Shannon said.

The goal of the donation is to allow MSU to increase the number of four-year nursing students who graduate each year from 256 to 400 by 2030 and add to the ranks of nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners can be primary health care providers and can prescribe medication.

Montana State plans to build new school buildings and labs at MSU College of Nursing campuses in Bozeman, Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula over the next nine years. The donation will also fund scholarships and an endowment to increase pay for five professors.

It is hard to put into words how moved and excited all of us are at Montana State University by the generosity of the Joneses, who are helping to address some of the most critical health care disparity issues in Montana, particularly in the states rural areas, MSU President Waded Cruzado said in a statement.

Forbes has calculated the Jones' net worth at $2.9 billion. Westlake, Texas-based Goosehead Insurance sells auto, home and life insurance.
MONTREAL - Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey tried to calm anxieties on Monday about Quebec's potential interests in his province's hydroelectric resources.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault, right, speaks with Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey during a meeting in Montreal, Monday, August 30, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL - Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey tried to calm anxieties on Monday about Quebec's potential interests in his province's hydroelectric resources.

Furey met Quebec Premier Francois Legault for the first time on Monday morning in Montreal. He held a virtual news conference following the meeting, assuring reporters his province's past mistakes with Quebec won't be repeated.

"I can see people dusting off their keyboards right now to write fearful, anxiety-provoking blogs over whatever meeting just happened," Furey said. "I want to again assure people that there were no specific details discussed toward any potential agreement, and if there was, we'd be very open about it and make sure that everyone understood that it would be in the best benefit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

The meeting came days after a reported settlement stemming from the Churchill Falls energy project, which entitles Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro to a payout worth nearly $25 million from Quebec's hydro utility.

The Churchill Falls agreement was first signed in 1969 and has yielded close to $28 billion in profits to Quebec  compared to just $2 billion for Newfoundland and Labrador. The deal ends in 2041 and has withstood several court challenges.

Furey characterized the 1969 deal on Monday as "lopsided" and "punitive" to his province.

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When asked how he thinks Legault views the deal, Furey responded, "As premier of Quebec, he represents Quebecers, of course. But I think there is an understanding that this has not been a balanced approach."

Fears about history repeating itself arose again in May, after a report from Furey's economic recovery team recommended packaging Labrador's hydroelectricity resources  possibly including Churchill Falls  and selling them to the highest bidder in order to help the province dig itself out of debt.

Furey insisted Monday that it will be Newfoundland and Labrador that benefits when that deal concludes.

He said he and Legault discussed mining, energy and other economic opportunities, but they didn't get into specifics.

"I think that together, working in a collaborative way, recognizing that Newfoundland and Labrador has to be the primary beneficiary of any potential future deals, is the way to move forward," Furey said. "Because it is our resource."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2021.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Southern Louisiana's hospitals, already packed with coronavirus patients from a fourth surge of the virus, were dealing Sunday with another challenge  the howling Category 4 hurricane pounding the coast.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021 file photo, Nursing coordinator Beth Springer, facing, has a cup of coffee while talking to coworkers in the emergency room, during her shift at the Willis Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, La. Louisiana hospitals already packed with patients from the latest coronavirus surge are now bracing for a powerful Category 4 hurricane, which is expected to crash ashore Sunday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Southern Louisiana's hospitals, already packed with coronavirus patients from a fourth surge of the virus, were dealing Sunday with another challenge  the howling Category 4 hurricane pounding the coast.

Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Lafourche Parish, near where Ida made landfall, reported extensive roof damage. All patients and staff are fine at this time without injury; although, our hospital has sustained significant damage, hospital CEO Karen Collins said in a message relayed via Facebook. The hospital's phone system was down.

Once it is safe to do so they will evacuate their small number of patients, state health department spokeswoman Aly Neel said in an email. Details on the number of patients involved were not immediately available.

Another Lafourche Parish hospital, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, reported a partial generator failure to the state. Christina Stephens, a spokesperson for Gov. John Bel Edwards, said the facility had not lost all critical power. She said some patients were moved to another part of the facility and the state health department was working with the hospital.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 file photo, Dr. Kristen Rogers, left, a hospitalist on the COVID ward, joins Rebecca Russo, an occupational therapist, and Taylor Amedee, a physical therapist, as they assist COVID patient Joan Bronson at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, La. Louisiana hospitals already packed with patients from the latest coronavirus surge are now bracing for a powerful Category 4 hurricane, which is expected to crash ashore Sunday, Aug. 28, 2021. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File)

Ida struck as hospitals and their intensive care units were filled with patients from the fourth surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, sparked by the highly contagious delta variant and low vaccination rates across Louisiana.

Daily tallies of new cases in Louisiana went from a few hundred a day through much of the spring and early summer to thousands a day by late July. Gov. John Bel Edwards told The Associated Press on Sunday that more than 2,400 COVID-19 patients are in Louisiana hospitals, saying the state was in a very dangerous place with our hospitals.

The governor also said 22 nursing homes and 18 assisted living facilities have been evacuated, though evacuating the largest hospitals was not an option because there simply aren't other places to send them. Anticipating that power could be out for weeks in places, Edwards said a big focus will be on making sure there is enough generator power and water at hospitals so they can keep up with vital patient needs such as providing oxygen or powering ventilators.

I hate to say it this way, but we have a lot of people on ventilators today and they dont work without electricity, he said.

Officials at Ochsner Health, which runs the largest hospital network in Louisiana, said roughly 15 of the network's hospitals are in areas potentially affected by Ida. The network evacuated some patients with particular medical needs from small, rural hospitals to larger facilities.

FILE - In this Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021 file photo, Medical staff from multiple departments gather on the COVID ICU floor at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, La. Louisiana hospitals already packed with patients from the latest coronavirus surge are now bracing for a powerful Category 4 hurricane, which is expected to crash ashore Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File)

Warner Thomas, president and CEO of Ochsner Health, said Sunday that the system decided preemptively to evacuate a smaller hospital in St. Charles Parish when the storms track shifted a bit east.

He said 35 patients were moved to other hospitals in the region over a little less than three hours. When it comes to power at their facilities, Mike Hulefeld said, they are in pretty good shape. Three of their facilities in areas affected by Ida were moved to generator power in anticipation of losing city power.

Later Sunday the hospital system said they planned to evacuate all patients at two other hospitals in the system on Monday as soon as conditions allowed. One hospital, with 21 patients in Raceland, suffered roof damage while the other facility with 45 patients in Houma had roof damage and power issues. Other facilities have suffered roof damage, water leaks and some damage to windows that required moving patients. At the hospital's main campus just outside of New Orleans, Thomas said they'd had problems with water leaks but no structural issues and had performed some surgeries Sunday. They've had no injuries reported.

We'll know a lot more tomorrow morning when we have daylight," he said.

Hulefeld said the hospital network ordered 10 days of supplies for facilities in areas that might be affected by Ida, and everything arrived Saturday. Each facility has backup power that was tested and a backup fuel truck on-site. Many of the chains hospitals also have water wells in case city water goes out.

With people evacuating and potentially going to stay with relatives or in shelters, medical officials said they are concerned the hurricane could translate into more coronavirus infections in coming days just as hospitalization numbers are going down. Thomas said the hospital system has seen a decline in almost 200 coronavirus patients over the past week across all their facilities.

Officials said Sunday they have been making the rounds and talking to staff in the hospitals  often referred to as the A Team because theyre the ones that go into lockdown when a hurricane arrives and work until the storm passes and they can be relieved. The hurricane comes on top of the year and a half long pandemic that has been an amazing stress on health care workers, and many are sad and frustrated.

Folks realize they got a job to do. There are people who need to be cared for, Thomas said. But it does take a toll.

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Dr. Jeff Elder, medical director for emergency management at LCMC Health, said the systems six hospitals went into lockdown mode Sunday. Employees were going to stay at the hospitals for the duration of the storm arrived Saturday and early Sunday and would sleep there.

Elder said one of the first things their hospitals do when storms arrive is discharge patients who are able to leave. However, the patient load is high because of the pandemic so theyre not able to reduce by much. He said the hospitals in the system are more robust since 2005s Hurricane Katrina.

Weve learned a lot since 2005, he said. Key pieces of infrastructure are now raised to keep them out of flooding. For example, at University Medical Center in New Orleans, which was built after Katrina, the generator is raised, diesel supplies are protected and the first floor doesnt have essential services so even if flood waters get that high nothing essential is lost.

All hospitals in the system have generator backup power, Elder said. He also stressed that communication is now much better between hospitals in the hospital system as well as with various levels of government.

__

Melinda Deslatte reported from Baton Rouge. Associated Press reporter Kevin McGill contributed from New Orleans. Follow Rebecca Santana on Twitter @ruskygal.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Taliban fighters watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky over Afghanistan around midnight Monday and then fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a 20-year insurgency that drove the world's most powerful military out of one of the poorest countries.

In this satellite photo taken by Planet Labs Inc., Kabul's international airport is seen Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Taliban forces sealed off Kabul's airport Saturday to most Afghans hoping for evacuation, as the U.S. and its allies were ending a chaotic airlift that will end their troops' two decades in Afghanistan. (Planet Labs Inc. via AP)

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  Taliban fighters watched the last U.S. planes disappear into the sky over Afghanistan around midnight Monday and then fired their guns into the air, celebrating victory after a 20-year insurgency that drove the world's most powerful military out of one of the poorest countries.

The departure of the U.S. cargo planes marked the end of a massive airlift in which tens of thousands of people fled Afghanistan, fearful of the return of Taliban rule after the militants took over most of the country and rolled into the capital earlier this month.

The last five aircraft have left, it's over! said Hemad Sherzad, a Taliban fighter stationed at Kabul's international airport. I cannot express my happiness in words. ... Our 20 years of sacrifice worked.

In Washington, Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, announced the completion of America's longest war and the evacuation effort, saying the last planes took off from Kabul airport at 3:29 p.m. EDT  one minute before midnight Monday in Kabul.

We did not get everybody out that we wanted to get out," he said.

British military personnel depart a C-17 aircraft at Royal Air Force Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, late Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. The final UK troops and diplomatic staff were airlifted from Kabul on Saturday, drawing to a close Britain's 20-year engagement in Afghanistan and a two-week operation to rescue UK nationals and Afghan allies. (Peter Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)

With its last troops gone, the U.S. ended its 20-year war with the Taliban back in power. Many Afghans remain fearful of their rule or of further instability, and there have been sporadic reports of killings and other abuses in areas under Taliban control despite the group's pledges to restore peace and security.

American soldiers left the Kabul airport, and our nation got its full independence," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said early Tuesday.

The U.S. and its allies invaded Afghanistan shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack on the United States, which al-Qaida orchestrated while sheltering under Taliban rule. The invasion drove the Taliban from power in a matter of weeks and scattered Osama bin Laden and other top al-Qaida leaders.

British military personnel depart a C-17 aircraft at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, late Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. The final UK troops and diplomatic staff were airlifted from Kabul on Saturday, drawing to a close Britain's 20-year engagement in Afghanistan and a two-week operation to rescue UK nationals and Afghan allies. (Peter Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)

The U.S. and its allies launched an ambitious effort to rebuild Afghanistan after decades of war, investing billions of dollars in a Western-style government and security forces. Women, who had been largely confined to their homes under the Taliban's hard-line rule, benefitted from access to education and came to assume prominent roles in public life.

But the Taliban never went away.

In the coming years, as the U.S. focused on another troubled war in Iraq and the Afghan government became mired in corruption, the Taliban regrouped in the countryside and in neighboring Pakistan. In recent years, they seized large parts of rural Afghanistan and carried out near-daily assaults on Afghan security forces.

Afghan journalists take a photos of destroyed vehicle inside a house after U.S. drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. A U.S. drone strike destroyed a vehicle carrying "multiple suicide bombers" from Afghanistan's Islamic State affiliate on Sunday before they could attack the ongoing military evacuation at Kabul's international airport, American officials said. (AP Photo/Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi)

Eager to end the war, the Trump administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020 that paved the way for the withdrawal. President Joe Biden extended the deadline from May to August and continued with the pullout despite the Taliban's rapid blitz across the country earlier this month.

Now the Taliban control all of Afghanistan except for the mountainous Panjshir province, where a few thousand local fighters and remnants of Afghanistan's collapsed security forces have pledged to resist them. The Taliban say they are seeking a peaceful resolution there.

They face much graver challenges now that they govern one of the poorest and most war-ravaged nations on Earth.

Militiamen loyal to Ahmad Massoud, son of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud, take part in a training exercise, in Panjshir province, northeastern Afghanistan, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. The Panjshir Valley is the last region not under Taliban control following their stunning blitz across Afghanistan. Local fighters held off the Soviets in the 1980s and the Taliban a decade later under the leadership of Ahmad Shah Massoud, a guerrilla fighter who attained near-mythic status before he was killed in a suicide bombing in 2001. (AP Photo/Jalaluddin Sekandar)

In recent days Afghans have lined up outside banks as an economic crisis that predates the Taliban takeover worsens. A string of attacks by the Islamic State extremist group's local affiliate, including a barrage of rockets fired at the airport Monday, shows the security challenges the Taliban face.

On Thursday, an Islamic State suicide attack at an airport gate killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. The extremist group is far more radical than the Taliban, and the two groups have fought each other before. The Taliban say they will prevent Afghanistan from again being used as a base for terror attacks, a pledge that will likely be tested soon.

McKenzie said the Taliban were significantly helpful in enabling the airlift but will have difficulty securing Kabul in the coming days, not least because of the threat they face from IS. He said the Taliban had freed IS fighters from prisons, swelling their ranks to an estimated 2,000.

Door attendants close the doors of the transfer vehicles during a casualty return Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, at Dover Air Force Base, Del., for U.S. troops who were killed in an attack at Afghanistan's Kabul airport on Aug. 26. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Now they are going to be able to reap what they sowed, the American general said.

Many Afghans fear the Taliban themselves, who governed the country under a harsh interpretation of Islamic law from 1996 until 2001. In those years they banned television and music, barred women from attending school or working outside the home, and carried out public executions.

The Taliban have sought to project a more moderate image since the takeover. They say women will be able to attend school and work, and have renounced any revenge attacks on Afghans who worked with the former government, the U.S. or its allies.

Families evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walk through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va., on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Many Afghans are deeply skeptical of such promises, and fear of the Taliban's rule drove tens of thousands to flee the country over the past two weeks. Thousands more waited in vain outside the airport, many of them standing for hours in a sewage canal.

The Kabul international airport had been one of the few ways out. At one point people flooded onto the tarmac and seven fell to their deaths after clinging to a plane that was taking off. Another seven died in a stampede of people outside an airport gate.

The Taliban have said they will allow normal travel, but it is unclear how they will run the airport and which commercial carriers will begin flying in, given security concerns.

Militiamen loyal to Ahmad Massoud, son of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud, take part in a training exercise, in Panjshir province, northeastern Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. The Panjshir Valley is the last region not under Taliban control following their stunning blitz across Afghanistan. Local fighters held off the Soviets in the 1980s and the Taliban a decade later under the leadership of Ahmad Shah Massoud, a guerrilla fighter who attained near-mythic status before he was killed in a suicide bombing in 2001. (AP Photo/Jalaluddin Sekandar)

Qatar, a close U.S. ally that has long hosted a Taliban political office, has been taking part in negotiations about operations at the airport with Afghan and international parties, mainly the U.S. and Turkey. Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwa al-Khater said its main priority is restoring regular operations while maintaining security at the airport.

The last known U.S. military operation in Afghanistan came Sunday, when American officials said a drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying IS suicide bombers who were planning to attack the airport.

But like so much about the Afghanistan war, it may not have gone as planned.

Taliban commando fighters stand guard in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, southwestern, Afghanistan, Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Abdul Khaliq)

Relatives of those killed in Sunday's strike said it killed civilians who had nothing to do with the extremist group.

Najibullah Ismailzada said his brother-in-law, Zemarai Ahmadi, had just arrived home from his job working with a Korean charity. As he drove into the garage, his children came out to greet him, and that is when the missile struck.

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We lost 10 members of our family, Ismailzada said, including six children raging in age from 2 to 8. He said another relative, Naser Nejrabi, who was a former soldier in the Afghan army and a former interpreter for the U.S. military, also was killed, along with two teenagers.

A woman evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan, walks through the terminal before boarding a bus after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport, in Chantilly, Va., on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

U.S. officials have acknowledged the reports of civilian casualties without confirming them.

Hours before the withdrawal was complete, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. military takes steps to avoid civilian casualties when carrying out targeted strikes.

Of course, the loss of life from anywhere is horrible, and it impacts families no matter where theyre living, in the United States or around the world, she said.

___

Akhgar reported from Istanbul and Krauss from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell and Aya Batrawy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Rahim Faiez in Istanbul; Munir Ahmed in Islamabad; Samy Magdy in Cairo; and Robert Burns and Lou Kesten in Washington contributed to this report.
TORONTO - When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the immediate health crisis was just the first of a long line of problems that tech company Voltera had to overcome.

Shawn Baron, operations manager at Voltera poses for a photo at the companys offices in Kitchener, Ont. on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins

TORONTO - When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the immediate health crisis was just the first of a long line of problems that tech company Voltera had to overcome.

TheKitchener, Ont.,-basedcircuit board printer maker was still recovering from an aluminum shortage when the pandemic grounded international commercial flights Voltera relies on to ship products, so it switched to slower ocean freighters.

Costs began to soar as demand for shipping services surged. Voltera then started having difficulty acquiring certain parts after its plastic manufacturer was contracted by the U.S. government for COVID materials. On top of that, a shortage of semiconductors materialized.

"It was like popping holes in a boat," recalled Shawn Baron, Voltera's operations manager.

Voltera's experience is similar to what other Canadian tech companies faced as the pandemic upended global manufacturing processes, shipping times and supply chains.

They predict it will be months  at the very least  until their processes are back to normal and warn it will take even longer to make up for lost profits and elevated costs.

Baron said Voltera's sales took a 20 per cent hit compared to 2019 and though his company absorbed that blow, he believes others will be dealing with COVID-19 ripple effects for a long time.

Experts are predicting it will take years to clear the shortage of semiconductors, known as chips, that emerged when people purchased more gadgets for their increased time at home, factories closed to quell the disease, a Japanese plant was engulfed by fire and a Texas facility was shut down by a cold snap.

Apple has warned the shortage could cut US$4 billion from its sales, General Motors temporarily laid off 1,500 workers at its Ingersoll, Ont. plant because of the lack of chips its vehicles require and Canadian toymaker Spin Master Corp. previously it was considering price increases to deal with the situation.

Shipping is also experiencing upheaval. The Drewry World Container Index shows the rate to move a container from Rotterdam to New York reached US$1,142 this week and surged by 107 per cent since last year. The Shanghai-Rotterdam route was even more expensive at US$13,787, up 637 per cent from last year.

"And the container price itself is only a part of our total shipping cost," said David Coode, the chief executive officer at Sera4, a Waterloo industrial keyless lock company.

"We have the port fees, the loading fees, the customs and brokerage clearance and all of those things."

He's seen shipping costs triple and quadruple, has heard of containers surging from $2,000 to $15,000 each and said insurance is on the rise too.

To add to the headaches, one of the world's busiest cargo ports, Ningbo-Zhoushan in eastern China, partially closed in recent weeks to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak, causing port delays many expect to stretch into next year.

The closure comes after roughly 1,150 dock workers at the Port of Montreal staged a strike in March, massive cargo ships were sitting at anchor in California as staff struggled to keep up with unloading in April and a blockage in the Suez Canal snarled transport times during the spring.

Sera4 uses ports in South Africa often, but found during and after the Suez blockage others started diverting their shipments there too.

"Those ports got clogged and the knock on effect was really, really difficult," Coode said.

"I don't know when that's going to get back to normal."

Even those who stuck with or switched to air freight were not unscathed.

The Baltic Exchange Air Freight Index, which tracks global air freight capacity and prices, found rates on Hong Kong to U.S. routes averaged US$8.70 per kilogram in May, the highest they had been all year. The price has since slipped to US$7.90 per kilogram in July, but remains about double the US$3.44 per kilogram rate shippers paid in the summer of 2019.

Those who were willing to pay those prices also had to contend with a lack of capacity because fewer commercial planes in the air during lockdowns meant less space for goods.

Supply chain problems are common and the product of years of strict and long production networks spread out over vast distances, said Dan Breznitz.

The University of Toronto professor and Munk chair of innovation studies said companies would benefit from shorter and more regional networks, but business leaders seldom pursue them because of prices, competition and comfort.

"Everything we have opted not to remember and not to be aware of comes to haunt us now," he said.

"Companies suddenly realized that things that they thought are mundane and that they shouldn't worry about like who produces what and where are suddenly things that became critical."

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When one region specializes in certain parts or products for much of the world, one hiccup can impact entire industries and fixing a snafu can be costly and time consuming, Breznitz said.

He hopes Canada will analyze issues highlighted by the pandemic and try to address them.

The U.S., for example, is mapping out its supply chains. The goal, said Breznitz, isn't to completely replace products or parts from popular manufacturing countries like China and India, but find ways to bring some of those capabilities to the U.S.

Breznitz thinks Canada should join in and create a North American supply chain plan.

"We want to make sure this is an opportunity of a lifetime," he said. "But that will not happen without coordination and thinking."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 30, 2021.
New Orleans Firefighters assess damages to properties effected by Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The Latest on Hurricane Ida:

JACKSON, Miss.  Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that state and local emergency responders conducted 20 rescues from flooded areas in the states three coastal counties.

He said he decided to let federal search-and-rescue teams leave Mississippi to help with bigger problems in Louisiana. Reeves said Mississippi had plenty of local teams to do what was needed.

Meanwhile, early Monday evening hundreds of utility trucks with buckets and ladders were seen parked at an outlet mall in Gulfport, Mississippi, that was being used as a staging area.

Workers said they were waiting on roads to be cleared and electrical substations restored before heading west into Louisiana to erect new poles and lines.

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HERES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HURRICANE IDA:

Rescuers set out in hundreds of boats and helicopters to reach people trapped by floodwaters, and utility repair crews rushed in, after a furious Hurricane Ida swamped the Louisiana coast and ravaged the electrical grid in the sticky, late-summer heat.

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Read more:

New Orleans Firefighters assess damages as they take photos and look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

 As Ida leaves Gulf, analysts foresee modest economic damage

 No cash or gas to run from Ida: We cant afford to leave

 Flood-ravaged Tennessee community braces for Ida remnants

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HERE'S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

NEW CANEY, Texas  The coronavirus had already taken a toll on Raven Dupre and her family as Ida rushed through the gulf toward her Gray, Louisiana, home. Her husband missed two weeks of work at the beginning of the month because of the virus.

He had it bad, Dupre said. He lost 10 pounds, and hes only 160 pounds, because he couldnt eat or drink and just felt weak.

Dupre herself had trouble breathing and went to the hospital. And now, their 1-year-old daughter had tested positive. She had been in and out of the hospital with a fever that would spike to 104. They worried about her being sick in a sweltering home with no electricity. So instead of riding out the storm in Louisiana they drove to Texas, where they stayed in a hotel near an urgent care.

Dupres mother-in-law and other relatives stayed in her home. They watched as water poured in through the ceiling, light fixtures, air conditioning vents and even the smoke detector. The wind sheared tiles off roofs and whipped awnings around like tissue paper.

We need a whole new roof, new flooring, new walls, because of the water damage, she said.

Dupre said she has filed a claim with her homeowners insurance. And while theyre recovering physically and mentally, the combined financial devastation of the virus and the hurricane will be harder to manage.

New Orleans Firefighters assess damages as they look through debris after a building collapsed from the effects of Hurricane Ida, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in New Orleans, La. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

This month has been horrific for me and my family, she said.

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BATON ROUGE, La.  Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said the states focus after Hurricane Ida continues to be centered on search and rescue, to make sure all the hardest-hit areas are checked multiple times.

Saving lives is the number one priority, he said. Those search and rescue efforts are going to continue all day, and quite frankly for as long as necessary.

The governor said the Louisiana National Guard alone rescued 191 people across St. John the Baptist, Jefferson and Orleans parishes by boat, helicopter and high-water vehicle. More than 5,000 Guard soldiers are working on the disaster response, and more soldiers are expected from other states within days.

Edwards said the state will soon be transitioning into a grid search of the hardest hit areas, going to search every single home on each street to determine if anyone is home and needing assistance.

Then, to make sure that weve adequately covered the area, well go back and do a secondary search, he said. But what we did mostly to date today was try to catch up on the 911 calls. So we were actively partnered with local authorities and going out and doing search and rescue at individual addresses where we know people had called for help.

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BATON ROUGE, La.  Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards urged evacuees not to try to return home, citing the widespread power outages, road closures and other dangerous conditions.

There are an awful lot of unknowns right now. There are certainly more questions than answers. I cant tell you when power is going to be restored. I cant tell you when all the debris is going to be cleaned up and repairs made and so forth. What I can tell you is were going to work hard every single day to deliver as much assistance as we possibly can.

He noted that cell service is being restored quickly by AT&T and others that suffered outages. He said most of the communication problems experienced in the early hours of the storm and its aftermath have been remedied.

Clark Street in Pass Christian, Miss. is completely flooded after the torrential downpour from Hurricane Ida on Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via AP)

Right now the overwhelming majority of communications that need to take place are happening.

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GRAND ISLE, La.  There was a hopeful sign Monday from firefighters and others who rode out the storm on Grand Isle, Louisiana  in the bullseye of Hurricane Ida, a Louisiana sheriff said.

As best we can tell about 40 people stayed on the island. Probably not a good decision, Gov. John Bel Edwards said. Were not aware of any loss of life ... Im quite certain that any immediate rescues have been made.

Theyre still cut off, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said by phone late Monday. Highway 1 goes under, and they are cut off from the rest of the world.

But a helicopter flew over Grand Isle on Monday, and we were able to see several of them out there -- firefighters  cleaning the road, Lopinto said.

Several of them gave the helicopter pilot a thumbs-up sign, he said.

Lopinto wasnt able Monday to say that everyone was accounted for, but said he felt certain that those who remained on Grand Isle have checked on them.

Rescuers would try to reach them as soon as they are able, he said.

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MIAMI  Ida has been downgraded to a tropical depression the day after it slammed Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane.

Fran Tribe and her dog Dave sit outside a home destroyed by Hurricane Ida in Houma, La., Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP)

The National Hurricane Center said Idas maximum sustained winds had dropped to 35 mph (56 kph) by Monday afternoon as the storms remnants churned northwest of Jackson, Mississippi. Forecasters said heavy rain from Ida remains a threat as it moves northeast.

The hurricane center said the storm may dump as much as 8 inches (20 centimeters) of rain in central Mississippi through Tuesday. And it could trigger flash flooding in parts of the Tennessee Valley, the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic later in the week.

Ida made landfall in Louisiana on Sunday, becoming the fifth most powerful hurricane to strike the United States.

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WASHINGTON  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says a nuclear power plant 25 miles west of New Orleans has declared an unusual event  its lowest level of emergency  after the facility lost offsite electrical power.

The Waterford nuclear plant in Killona, La., had shut down protectively on Saturday in anticipation of Hurricane Ida. The plant has maintained safe shutdown conditions with power from emergency diesel generators, the nuclear agency said.

On Sunday night, grid operators requested that the River Bend nuclear power plant in St. Francisville, Louisiana, reduce power because of load demands. The plant is stable and operating at 35 percent power with no significant equipment issues reported, officials said.

The Grand Gulf nuclear plant in Port Gibson, Mississippi, is operating at full power with no significant weather-related issues expected from Ida. No significant flooding has been reported at any of the sites.

Ida weakened to a tropical storm as it moved to Mississippi.

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LAPLACE, La.  Residents in the hard-hit town of Laplace, Louisiana, are beginning to make repairs -- or simply salvage whats left -- in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

A trailer is upside down in Houma, La., after Hurricane Ida blasted ashore, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP)

John Vincent, whose Laplace subdivision was covered by floodwaters, said it seems like the water has risen faster since flood walls were built in other communities farther east. He blamed a lack of coordination between parishes.

It seems like now with any kind of storm it doesnt take anything to flood, said Vincent, 65.

Ida left him frustrated and angry over the prospect of having to once again deal with a damaged home, insurance and contractors.

My dreams are destroyed. I mean, at my age Ive got to start all over, Vincent said.

Elsewhere in Laplace, northwest of New Orleans, residents waded in a flooded mobile home park and a convoy of ambulances with emergency lights flashing headed into town past homes with missing roofs.

Dozens of people pulled pieces of chimneys, gutters and other parts of their homes to the curb to be hauled away.

Carlos Paz Jr., and his parents spent Monday repairing the roof of a second home theyd been preparing to move into.

The damage can be replaced. A life cant, said Paz, 18.

Elsewhere, AT&T said its wireless network in Louisiana is operating at 60% of normal after Ida, describing significant outages in New Orleans and Baton Rouge from power supply disruptions, flooding and storm damages.

The company said some of its facilities remained inaccessible Monday. A mobile tower was sent to the governors emergency preparedness office to help get their phones up and running again.

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Residents walk a boat back into a flooded neighborhood to retrieve belongings after Hurricane Ida moved through Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, in LaPlace, La. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden has spoken with officials in states pounded by Hurricane Ida, detailing the federal effort to survey damage and ensure access to electricity, water and cell phone service.

The president said Monday that state officials should contact the White House if they need additional support  even though the effort is being led by FEMA.

Well get you what you need if we can, Biden said. The people of Louisiana and Mississippi are resilient. But its in moments like these where we can certainly see the power of government to respond to the needs of the people, if governments prepared and if they respond.

Also Monday, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said it had activated its Hurricane Response Team as Hurricane Ida made its way through the Gulf.

Based on data from offshore operator reports submitted as of late morning Monday, personnel have been evacuated from a total of 288 production platforms, 51.43 percent of the 560 manned platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

Personnel have been evacuated from 11 rigs, equivalent to 100% of the 11 rigs of this type currently operating in the Gulf. Rigs can include several types of offshore drilling facilities.

A total of seven dynamically positioned rigs have moved off location out of the storms projected path, as a precaution.

It is estimated that approximately 94.6% of the current oil production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut in, according to operator reports.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement estimates that approximately 93.57% of the gas production in the Gulf has been shut in.

Production information included in these reports is based on the amount of oil and gas the operator expected to produce that day. The shut-in production figures therefore are estimates, which the agency compares to historical production.

The facilities will be inspected after the storm has passed.

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NEW ORLEANS  Mayor LaToya Cantrell says a driver in New Orleans drowned during Hurricane Ida, which may raise the storms death toll to two.

Cantrell says additional details about the death would come from the coroners office, but those were not immediately forthcoming.

This case remains under investigation, coroners spokesman Jason Melancon said when asked in an email about Cantrells statement. He would not answer specific questions about whether the coroners office is investigating a drowning death or an Ida-related death.

A person also was killed outside Baton Rouge amid the storm when a tree fell on a home, authorities said.

The name of either victim have yet to be released.

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NEW ORLEANS  Police in New Orleans say they have received numerous reports of stealing from stores and other businesses, and made several arrests, in the wake of Hurricane Ida.

This will not be tolerated, Police Chief Shaun Ferguson said at a Monday briefing. He specifically described what was occurring as looting, saying, This is a state felony, and we will be booking you accordingly.

The police chief added of a storm that has left widespread damage, This is not the time to take opportunity of our vulnerable population right now, which we all are vulnerable at this point in time.

New Orleans police are working with the Louisiana National Guard to prevent thefts. Police are working 12-hour shifts, and its all hands on deck, Ferguson said.

The storm damaged power and water systems in many parts of Louisiana and made communication difficult. AT&T said Monday that it has set up a mobile tower at the Louisiana emergency preparedness and state police compound in the state capital of Baton Rouge, to try and get cell service working for the governors office and other first responders.

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CANBERRA, Australia  Australia says it has reached a deal with Singapore to acquire 500,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine next week in return for delivering the same number of shots to Singapore in December.

FILE - In this Aug. 25, 2021, file photo, people hold signs and chant during a meeting of the North Allegheny School District school board regarding the district's mask policy, at at North Allegheny Senior High School in McCandless, Pa. A growing number of school board members across the U.S. are resigning or questioning their willingness to serve as meetings have devolved into shouting contests over contentious issues including masks in schools. (Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)

CANBERRA, Australia  Australia says it has reached a deal with Singapore to acquire 500,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine next week in return for delivering the same number of shots to Singapore in December.

Australia bought 1 million Pfizer doses from Poland for an undisclosed price earlier this month.

Half of Australias population is locked down due to an outbreak of the delta variant of the coronavirus that began in Sydney in June.

Australian government leaders plan to end lockdowns once 80% of an areas residents aged 16 and older are fully vaccinated. Only 34% of that target population was fully vaccinated by this week.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk across an intersection in Tokyo Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

 Hurricane Ida slams Louisiana hospitals brimming with virus patients

 Texas man who worked against COVID-19 measures dies from virus

 Once a beacon of safety, Hawaii is seeing a surge of coronavirus cases driven by delta variant

 Anxious tenants await assistance as evictions resume

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 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronvirus-vaccine

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A woman makes a video call on her phone in Paris, Sunday Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrienne Surprenant)

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

PORTLAND, Ore.  City employees in Portland, Oregon, must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus  or obtain a medical or religious exemption  by the middle of October or they will be fired.

Mayor Ted Wheeler and all four City Commissioners wrote Monday in a letter to municipal workers: With COVID-19 filling hospitals and claiming lives, we must do everything within our power to end this pandemic and restore our communitys health.

The city will require its approximately 6,800 employees to either submit proof of vaccination, show they are in the process of being vaccinated or apply for an exemption by Sept. 10. They must be fully vaccinated or granted an exemption by Oct. 18.

The letter says that those who fail to meet the deadline will be put on a list for separation from employment.

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HONOLULU  The mayor of Honolulu says the city will soon require patrons of restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and other establishments to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test.

Christian Gravert, left, chief medical officer of the Deutsche Bahn, vaccinates a man with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in a special train of the public transport S-Bahn, in which vaccination against COVID-19 are offered, in Berlin, Germany, Aug. 30, 2021. (Christophe Gateau/dpa via AP)

The rule takes effect Sept. 13 and is aimed at helping the city beat back a surge in cases from the highly contagious delta variant. Honolulu joins other cities such as New Orleans and New York that have implemented similar requirements.

Children under age 12 will be exempt.

Employees of the establishments will have to show proof of vaccination or undergo weekly testing. Businesses that dont comply could be fined or shut down.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Florida officials have begun to make good on threats to withhold funding from school districts that defy Gov. Ron DeSantis ban on mask mandates despite a court ruling last week finding his order unconstitutional.

The state Department of Education announced Monday it has withheld an amount equal to monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward counties. It says funds will continue to be withheld until the districts comply.

President Joe Biden has said if money was withheld, federal money would be used to cover any costs.

Health workers administer Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to Palestinian students during a back to school vaccination campaign, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

The Alachua and Broward districts are among 10 that require all students to wear masks unless they have a medical exemption in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

DeSantis says the districts are violating parental rights by not allowing a parent or legal guardian to opt out their child.

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LANSING, Mich.  Four female soccer players at Western Michigan University are challenging the schools coronavirus vaccine requirement for athletes, saying it violates their Christian beliefs.

The lawsuit filed Monday came days after a Michigan State University employee sued to block that schools mandate, which is broader and applies to all students, faculty and staff.

The players say Western Michigan ordered them to get a shot by the end of August or be removed from the team.

Western Michigan says it has a compelling interest in acting to avoid the significant risk of an outbreak due to unvaccinated athletes.

Staff greets a student during the first day of school reopening at an elementary school in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Authorities in Indonesia's capital kicked off the school reopening after over a year of remote learning on Monday as the daily count of new COVID-19 cases continues to decline. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

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SEATTLE  Health officials in Washington state say the coronavirus pandemic is filling hospitals at an alarming rate and continuing to strain health care workers.

The executive medial director of womens health at Swedish Health Services also said Monday that for the first time during the pandemic, hospitals are seeing large numbers of pregnant women ill with COVID-19. Dr. Tanya Sorensen noted that pregnant women are generally less likely to be vaccinated.

The Washington State Hospital Association says that as of Monday morning, the states hospitals and health care centers were treating 1,570 patients for COVID-19. Of those, 188 are on ventilators. Eleven days ago, the hospital association counted 1,240 patients with 152 on ventilators.

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CHICAGO  An Illinois judge has reversed a ruling to bar a divorced mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she isnt vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Cook County Judge James Shapiro issued an order Monday vacating his Aug. 10 decision, though he offered no explanation.

Yvonne Willmann, a railway employee, draws up a syringe with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in a special train of the public transport S-Bahn, in which vaccination against COVID-19 are offered, in Berlin, Germany, Aug. 30, 2021. (Christophe Gateau/dpa via AP)

Rebecca Firlits lawyer has said the judge, and not Firlits ex-husband, raised the issue during a child support hearing for the former couple who share custody of the boy.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that Shapiro asked the mother if she was vaccinated. When she said no, the judge withdrew her rights to see the boy until she gets vaccinated.

Firlit said she has had adverse reactions to vaccinations and that her doctor advised her not to get a coronavirus shot.

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ROYAL OAK, Mich.  Some animals are rolling up their fur for a coronavirus vaccine at the Detroit Zoo.

The zoo in suburban Detroit says its gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers and lions are getting a vaccine developed by Zoetis, a veterinary drug company, and authorized by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Other animals will follow.

The zoo's chief life sciences officer, Scott Carter, says: Were both thankful and relieved a special vaccine is now available to protect against COVID-19. The animals routinely get other vaccinations.

A student sits alone during in-person class at the Republic of Argentina secondary school in Iztacalco, Mexico City, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. School begins for millions of Mexican children Monday, but who sits inside a classroom, who continues studying online from home and who simply doesnt return remains to be seen as a new school year gets underway in the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

The zoo says no coronavirus infections have been found in its animals.

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ATLANTA  Coronavirus infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations in Georgia are nearing the peaks set in January.

The state Department of Public Health says Georgias seven-day rolling average for cases was just below 9,591 Saturday, close to the high of 9,635 reached Jan. 11. About 5,600 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Monday, just short of the 5,715 set Jan. 13.

Also on Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order calling up as many as 1,500 more National Guard soldiers to help short-staffed hospitals with nonmedical jobs. He previously authorized 1,000.

Also, teachers and state employees insured by the state health plan will qualify for a cash incentive to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The governor is focusing on voluntary vaccination as a solution to the pandemic and opposes other interventions such as mask mandates and, capacity reductions in public places.

An Israeli man takes a selfie while receiving the third Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine from medical staff at a coronavirus vaccination center in Ramat Gan, Israel, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021. Israel is grappling with a surge of infections and urging people over age 12 to get a booster shot. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama has set a new high for the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care, although the total number of hospitalized COVID patients remains slightly below the winter peak.

There were 884 COVID-19 patients in intensive care Sunday, the most since the pandemic began, according to the Alabama Hospital Association. Dr. Don Williamson heads the organization and he said Monday that the previous high was 848 in January.

The total number of COVID-19 patients in state hospitals was 2,829 on Monday, still below the high of 3,087 set in January.

About 38% of the people in Alabama are vaccinated against the coronavirus, which is one of the lowest rates in the country.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The number of COVID-19 patients in West Virginia hospital intensive care units is approaching the high mark in the pandemic.

Seventh graders attend class at the National School 1044 Santa Ana on the first day that teachers are required to offer in-person classes at public schools in Asuncion, Paraguay, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, after one and a half years of remote learning amid COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

There are 203 virus patients in ICUs across the state, the most since Jan. 11. The record of 219 came on Jan. 6,

A total of 640 people are hospitalized for the illness that can be caused by the coronavirus, a fourfold jump in the past month. The record of 818 was set on Jan. 5.

Officials said at a news conference Monday that 82% of current virus hospitalizations and 74% of the statewide deaths over the past two months involved unvaccinated people.

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PHOENIX -- Health officials in Arizonas most populous county are sounding the alarm about a growing number of coronavirus outbreaks in schools.

The medical director for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health told the county Board of Supervisors on Monday that the agency tracked almost three times the number of school outbreaks in August as during the pandemics peak in February.

Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine says that of 188 outbreaks this month, 166 continue  far more than at any other point during the pandemic.

FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2021 file photo people walk past Waikiki restaurants and shops in Honolulu. The mayor of Honolulu says starting Sept. 13 the city will require patrons of restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and other establishments to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test for COVID-19. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones, File)

She adds that more than one in four COVID-19 cases in the county are now among children, a rate never seen before. One in six of those cases are among children under age 12.

Maricopa County is home to nearly 60% of Arizonas residents.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Mothers of two children with serious illnesses are asking a federal judge to block enforcement of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees order allowing parents to opt out of pandemic mask requirements in schools. They argue that it endangers kids with health conditions and hurts their ability to attend in-person classes.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman heard testimony in Memphis on Monday as part of the lawsuit filed by the parents of two students in the Shelby County suburbs of Collierville and Germantown.

The school districts had been under a mask mandate issued by the county health department when the school year began earlier in August. However, the governors Aug. 16 order allows parents to send their children to school without masks, and hundreds of students have been attending classes without masks.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. government advisers on Monday reiterated that Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people 16 and older.

The vaccine was the first to win full approval in the U.S. for that age group last week. It also remains available for emergency use by 12- to 15-year-olds.

The full approval gave advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a chance to look at all the extra evidence about safety since vaccinations first began last December. And data revealed Monday showed one serious side effect, heart inflammation, remains exceedingly rare after both the Pfizer vaccine and the similar Moderna shot.

The CDC has counted 2,574 cases of heart inflammation after hundreds of millions of doses of both vaccines. It mostly strikes males under 30 about a week after vaccination. CDC tracking shows the vast majority recover without lingering symptoms.

The CDC put the rare risk into sharper perspective. For every 1 million Pfizer vaccine doses administered to 16- to 17-year-old males, it estimated there would be 73 cases of the heart inflammation. But 500 COVID-19 hospitalizations among these teens would be prevented over the next four months.

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MIAMI  The number of patients with the coronavirus in Florida hospitals is dropping as infection rates stay high. It's a sign that while more people test positive for the virus, they are not necessarily developing severe illness.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tallied 15,488 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals, an 8% decrease over the past week.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the more than 30,000 people have been able to get monoclonal antibodies at 21 state sites set up over the past two weeks and avoided worsening their symptoms.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  The four largest hospitals in Oklahoma City on Monday said they either have no intensive care bed space available or no space for COVID-19 patients.

Mercy, Integris and SSM Health said they had no ICU beds available and OU Health had none for COVID-19 patients in the states largest city.

OU Health, the states only trauma center, must keep some ICU beds available for other critically ill or injured patients.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health, which reported 1,572 virus-related hospitalizations statewide Monday, including 422 in ICU, stopped providing daily hospital bed availability data in May when Gov. Kevin Stitt ended a COVID-19 emergency declaration. The department has said it will resume providing the data, but has not yet done so.

SSM Health spokesperson Kate Cunningham said the information provided by the hospitals is not in response to anything the state agency has or has not provided.

The only motive for acting together in this is because of regular requests for information from reporters, and we want to be transparent to the public, Cunningham said.
TORONTO - Uber Technologies Inc. revealed more details Monday of a labour model its pitching Canadian provinces and territories, a model that has drawn opposition from some worker groups.

An Uber driver's vehicle is seen after the company launched service, in Vancouver, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Uber Technologies Inc. revealed more details Monday of a labour model its pitching Canadian provinces and territories that some worker groups are already fighting. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

TORONTO - Uber Technologies Inc. revealed more details Monday of a labour model its pitching Canadian provinces and territories, a model that has drawn opposition from some worker groups.

The Flexible Work+ model the San Francisco-based tech giant has pushed since March asks provinces and territories to force Uber and other app-based companies to create a self-directed benefit fund to disperse to workers for prescriptions, dental and vision care, RRSPs or tuition.

Labour groups have criticized the model for falling short of designating gig workers as employees and not providing more job security and consistent benefits, but the company is sticking with the pitch and on Monday, offered a glimpse of how it thinks the fund should operate.

Uber wants the fund to be managed by the industry but enabled by provinces and territories. App-based companies, it suggests, would provide dataon hours and earnings accrued by workers, who would qualify for varying benefits levels based on their numbers of engaged hours per quarter.

Uber considers engaged hours to be time spent accepting a trip or delivery or travelling to pick up or drop off a passenger or food. Uber thinks time logged into platforms or awaiting orders should not count because gig workers often keep several apps running at once or open them just to check traffic or demand.

Once a workers aggregate hours surpasses a quarterly threshold, Uber suggests their gross earnings and tips should be multiplied by benefit rates set for their amount of completed work and then deposited into an account.

For those working 15 hours a week, there would be a two per cent rate giving them about $800 in benefits a year and for people who work 35 hours a week, there would be a four per cent rate resulting in $2,500 of annual benefits.

Each app-based company would provide a share of the benefits commensurate to the amount of work a person performed for them, but workers would be able to allocate the money to any type of benefit that suits them.

For example, some could use the money to fund schooling, while others might put it towards an RRSP or vision care.

Brice Sopher, an Uber courier in Toronto and vice-president of Gig Workers United, said the proposal fails to address ongoing issues workers face such as a lack of help with equipment costs and low rates of pay.

"Some weeks, I get a lot of orders, and I make a lot of money," he said. "Some weeks, I don't get a lot of orders, and I am out there working at 12 a.m. on a Sunday to try to get the amount I need."

He is disappointed by Uber's definition of engaged time, which is often out of a courier or driver's control and will omit periods when workers are awaiting jobs but eager to work.

He also has concerns about the fund being industry-run because that could leave workers with few ways to seek justice and little outside oversight, if they disagree with payment calculations or if a company goes bankrupt.

Simply put, Sopher said the plan "doesn't have gig workers in mind."

"We are pawns being used for them to get what they really want, which is the relegation of us to a second tier status as workers, where we will be denied the right to unionize, where we will not have any recourse."

The Canadian Labour Congress had a similar message.

Nobody goes to work asking for more insecurity and vulnerability, but thats what Uber is offering their workers," President Bea Bruske said in an email.

Uber has dictated the terms of their workers employment, offloading costs like gas and car repairs onto its employees and isnt even held accountable for providing basic employment standards, like a minimum wage and vacation pay."

Like many Uber critics, her organization believes the company has misclassified workers using its platform as independent contractors  people who arent employees because they can choose when and how often they work, and who dont receive sick leave, vacation time or health care benefits.

Uber has long argued workers value that flexibility, which would be lost if they were made employees, and says many people only work for the platform a few hours a week or part-time and already access benefits through spouses, parents or other jobs.

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The company commissioned an October survey of more than 600 Uber couriers and drivers in Canada, which showed 65 per cent favoured Flexible Work+. Roughly 16 per cent still like the current independent contractor model and 18 per cent wanted to be classified as employees with benefits.

But court cases paint a different picture.

The U.Ks Supreme Court ruled in February that Uber drivers are employees and are entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay.

Earlier this month, Ontario's Superior Court of Justice certified a class-action lawsuit against Uber, which advances a fight to get some of the platform's Canadian couriers and drivers recognized as employees.

Days later, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch struck down Proposition 22  a California ballot measure exempting gig-based platforms from classifying workers as employees eligible for benefits and job protections.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2021.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration on Monday launched a new health office that will prod hospitals to cut carbon emissions, aiming to provide greener, more environmentally friendly medical care.

FILE - In this June 10, 2021 file photo, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra testifies before the Senate Finance Committee on President Joe Biden's budget request, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Biden administration health officials Monday announced a new office that will prod hospitals to cut carbon emissions, and provide greener, more environmentally friendly medical care.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration on Monday launched a new health office that will prod hospitals to cut carbon emissions, aiming to provide greener, more environmentally friendly medical care.

Depending on how much money is at stake, that's likely to meet with industry resistance.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said the new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity will also work with localities to mitigate harmful effects of climate change, such as seniors succumbing to excessive summer heat because their apartments lack air conditioning. Minority communities that often bear a disproportionate impact from environmental problems will get special attention.

It's not just about the climate, it's not just about our environment, Becerra said. It's about our health.

The health care system is estimated to account for about 10% of the carbon dioxide emitted annually in the U.S., making it a substantial source of greenhouse gases that abet climate change. President Joe Biden has set a goal of cutting U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by at least half by 2030. Although transportation is the single biggest emissions source, every sector of the economy is being scrutinized to meet Biden's target.

Engaging the hospital industry will be the biggest test facing the new office. Becerra said the administration will move step-by-step, fleshing out the scientific case for health care institutions to reduce their carbon footprint, using government-owned hospitals as laboratories for best practices, and lobbying the industry's top leaders.

But he also raised the prospect of twisting arms via new regulations. Hospitals are heavily dependent on Medicare and Medicaid payments for their economic survival.

We are going to reach out to various industries and speak to them as much as we can, Becerra told reporters.

But I'm not interested in sitting around and waiting, he continued. If the science is with us, if we have the (legal) authorities to move ... I've instructed the team that we're going to move.

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As a former attorney general of California, Becerra built a reputation for taking on major industries. A top adviser in the new HHS office had previously served in a similar environmental policy position for Becerra in the state.

There is a path to potentially finding consensus. Both the Biden administration and the health care industry are committed to working with the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine in an effort to assess the extent of the industry's carbon emissions problem and develop workable and timely strategies to address it.

Financial penalties would not address the root cause of these issues," Michelle Hood, chief operating officer of the American Hospital Association, said in a statement.

Hospitals maintain that they have more than enough to do, trying to contain the fourth COVID-19 surge in two years. And they deflect some of the blame for emissions onto government requirements.

For example, Hood said the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration is requiring hospitals to work their air purification systems on overdrive to guard against COVID exposure within facilities, which she called a worthy goal.

But it also increases energy use, which would then affect the environment. There are numerous other examples of where regulations compel hospitals to take actions that may not be aligned with efforts to decarbonize, but may be important to the care of patients or the safety of staff and others, Hood said.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  Fully vaccinated employees in Alaskas largest school district will receive up to 10 extra days of paid time off if they test positive for COVID-19, but cant work from home while quarantining, according to a recent memo.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  Fully vaccinated employees in Alaskas largest school district will receive up to 10 extra days of paid time off if they test positive for COVID-19, but cant work from home while quarantining, according to a recent memo.

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However, Anchorage School District employees who are not fully vaccinated are not eligible for the leave, district spokesperson Lisa Miller said in an email to the Anchorage Daily News.

Matthew Teaford, the districts chief human resources officer, wrote in the Aug. 23 memo to officials including principals that employees will have to show proof of vaccination before the leave can be approved.

The district is not requiring employees to be vaccinated, but Superintendent Deena Bishop has encouraged employees to do so.

The district has mandated that masks must be worn by all people inside district buildings, over the opposition of new Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson. The district is also regularly cleaning and sanitizing classrooms, buses and other facilities.

Corey Aist, president of the Anchorage Education Association, a union representing the districts teachers, said it was important for all district employees to have fair access to the new leave policy.

It is in everyones best interest, including the district, that no employee uses up all their sick leave and puts them in jeopardy of going into unpaid status, Aist told the Anchorage Daily News.
OTTAWA - America's torturous, tragic withdrawal from Afghanistan finally ended Monday, leaving Canadian veterans and refugee advocates weighing several bad choices as they seek to protect hundreds of stranded Afghans still waiting to hear good news about their applications for passage to Canada.

In this photo provided by the U.S. Marine Corps, Canadian coalition forces assist during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla/U.S. Marine Corps via AP)

OTTAWA - America's torturous, tragic withdrawal from Afghanistan finally ended Monday, leaving Canadian veterans and refugee advocates weighing several bad choices as they seek to protect hundreds of stranded Afghans still waiting to hear good news about their applications for passage to Canada.

The final U.S. C-17 transport plane departed Hamid Karzai International Airport at 3:29 p.m. ET  one minute to midnight in Kabul, where the Taliban had vowed to hold President Joe Biden's administration to its Tuesday deadline to leave.

"I'm here to announce the completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third-country nationals and vulnerable Afghans," said Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command.

"Tonight, withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after Sept. 11, 2001."

As a result, those in Canada trying to rescue their stranded allies must now decide between having former Afghan interpreters and their families attempt an extremely dangerous trek to Pakistan, or following the Canadian governments advice to sit tight and wait.

"I don't know," said Stephen Watt, co-founder of the Northern Lights Canada refugee group, which has been working with former interpreters and support staff. "I'm saying: 'Try to stay alive. Try to get out if you can.' But I don't think any of us have any concrete answers for them."

Attention has turned to the land border between Pakistan and Afghanistan with the end of the American withdrawal, which was marred last week by a deadly suicide bombing at the airport that killed 13 U.S. service members and nearly 200 local Afghans clamouring for a flight out.

The end of U.S. military flights all but shuts down the last remaining avenues of escape for thousands of Afghans who supported Canada and its allies since the war began in 2001.

In an attempt to keep the door open a crack, France and Britain were expected to table an emergency resolution at the United Nations Security Council on Monday proposing the creation of a safe zone at the Kabul airport that would continue to facilitate the safe departure of Afghans.

Canada supports such a proposal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on the election campaign trail where he is campaigning as Liberal leader, saying Afghanistan will continue to need a civilian-run airport after the U.S. military leaves.

The Taliban have been reportedly turning Afghans with travel documents away from the airport. In response, some countries have sent military forces outside the airport to escort foreign nationals and approved Afghans through the Taliban checkpoints.

We're continuing as a global community to put pressure on the Taliban, including at the United Nations, to ensure that people with travel documents for  Canada are able to leave Afghanistan and can begin their lives anew elsewhere, Trudeau said.

The Liberal government has been repeatedly criticized for not acting fast enough to save Afghans who helped Canada during its military mission there, with the special immigration program announced last month plagued by bureaucratic and technical problems.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki continued to insist Monday that the U.S. effort to help people leave the country would persist even after the end of the military element of the mission.

"Our commitment does not waver even as we bring our men and women from the military home," Psaki said hours before McKenzie announced the end of the evacuation effort, pointing to "ongoing, immediate, urgent" discussions "at a very high level" among coalition partners.

"We remain committed," she added. "That's why we are so focused on ensuring we have a means and mechanism of having diplomats on the ground being able to continue to process applicants and facilitate the passage of other people who want to leave Afghanistan."

Psaki pointed to Secretary of State Antony Blinken's virtual meeting Monday with foreign officials, including Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau, as well as the coalition's demand that the Taliban continue to let Americans and Afghans alike to leave the country after Tuesday.

While Taliban leaders have already made that commitment, "that does not mean we trust what they say," Psaki added. "But there is an enormous amount of international leverage that we will continue to work, in a co-ordinated way, with our partners around the world."

It was well past the supper hour on the East Coast when Blinken finally emerged Monday to acknowledge the end of the mission and promise a "relentless" diplomatic effort with "no deadline" to continue helping those still in Afghanistan who want to leave.

"The military mission is over," he said. "A new diplomatic mission has begun."

That mission will be based in Qatar with a team dedicated to continuing the effort to exfiltrate American citizens, visa applicants and other vulnerable Afghans who assisted coalition forces and fear Taliban retribution. The U.S. embassy in Kabul, Blinken said, would remain vacant.

And he thanked the country's coalition partners in Afghanistan for their help during the evacuation, their willingness to serve as transit countries in the resettlement process, and those  like Canada  that have stepped up to resettle Afghan refugees.

"We hope more will do so in the days ahead," he said. "We are truly grateful for their support."

With uncertainty around whether Afghans will still be able to escape by air, Canadian volunteer organizations were increasingly mulling whether to encourage former interpreters and their families to risk fleeing to Pakistan where they can seek asylum.

Global Affairs Canada has warned Afghans who applied under the special program not to travel to the border with Pakistan. A copy of a message obtained by The Canadian Press instead says they should shelter in place, given the volatility of the situation.

Yet the message also says that should individuals decide to assume the risk of travelling, the Pakistan government has indicated they will try to facilitate Canadian-sponsored individuals' entry into Pakistan on request of the Canadian High Commission in Islamabad.

Watt accused the government of giving desperate Afghans conflicting messages by warning against travel to Pakistan while leaving the door open to possible salvation if former interpreters and their families can get there.

That kind of mixed messaging could possibly get these guys killed, he said.

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Compounding the problem is continued uncertainty and frustration over the state of hundreds of applications from former interpreters, local staff and family members to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which has failed to provide any update to most.

We have still around 900 in safe houses waiting for IRCC to approve their applications and decide what to do next, said retired corporal Tim Laidler, one of several veterans working to save former Afghan colleagues from the Taliban.

Without that approval, Laidler added, it makes it extremely difficult to know what to do next.

We've got good contacts at the Canadian Embassy in Pakistan. We can build the route line. We can do it, he said. We just don't want to build it and then strand 1,000 people in Pakistan for two years and have to hire immigration lawyers. So we need to know decisively and quick.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2021.

 with files from James McCarten in Washington, D.C.
KING CITY, ONT. - Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said Monday he supports building the cancelled Northern Gateway oil pipeline largely because it would provide Indigenous communities in favour of the project with economic opportunities.

KING CITY, ONT. - Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole said Monday he supports building the cancelled Northern Gateway oil pipeline largely because it would provide Indigenous communities in favour of the project with economic opportunities.

Pipelines and climate change have predictably emerged as issues on the campaign trail ahead of the Sept. 20 election, with O'Toole trying to convince voters who are skeptical of the Conservatives' environmental record that under him, the party takes the issue seriously.

Conservative Leader Erin OToole, his daughter Mollie, right, son, Jack and his wife Rebecca, visit an animal shelter while campaigning Monday, August 30, 2021 in King City, Ontario. Canadians will vote in a federal election Sept. 20th. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

O'Toole touted the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion and dead Northern Gateway pipeline as priority projects if he forms government during a Sunday evening interview on Radio-Canada.

While he honed in on First Nations who inked agreements to get 33 per cent ownership in the latter Enbridge pipeline, which proposed carrying oil from Alberta's oilsands to British Columbia's coast, he didn't explain how he would get the project built. It has faced fierce opposition from those worried about potential environmental harms, including from crude oil tanker traffic that would travel the Douglas Channel in a rainforest.

Eight First Nations, four environmental groups and one labour union challenged the project in the Federal Court of Appeal, which overturned Ottawa's approval of the pipeline in 2016 due to lack of Indigenous consultation.

Later that year, the Liberal government permanently shelved the project, telling the National Energy Board to ditch the pipeline proposal because environmental concerns deemed it outside the public interest,while approving the Trans-Mountain expansion.

"I would like to see intergenerational transfer of wealth and opportunity after generations of trauma-transfer," said O'Toole, standing in front of fields at an animal rescue after announcing plans to ban puppy mills and cosmetic testing on animals in King City, Ont.

The Conservative leader characterized Northern Gateway as a way to bolster "economic reconciliation" with Indigenous communities.

Marilyn Slett, elected chief of the Heiltsuk Nation, which was one of the First Nations that challenged the pipeline in court, criticized O'Toole's position as "not justifiable."

"It denies our inherent and constitutional rights and title to safeguard our lands and waters for our future generations. It ignores the immediate threats of climate change. It fails to move us forward into a green economy," she said in a statement Monday evening.

Before OToole stepped behind a microphone to make Monday's announcement and field questions, Liberal candidate Steven Guilbeault took to Twitter to point out the Tories history of running candidates who question the role humans played in causing climate change.

Most recently, longtime Ontario MP Cheryl Gallant created problems for O'Toole after it was revealed she sent correspondence to constituents in her riding warning of a pending "climate emergency lockdown" under a re-elected Liberal government.

She had also earlier posted a video, which has since been removed, that included a cropped photo showing something around Trudeau's neck. The original photo appeared to show Trudeau holding up a conference badge on a lanyard while sticking out his tongue, but that was excluded from the video. A party spokesman said it was taken down because it could be "misconstrued without context."

The Conservative leader sidestepped questions about Gallant's and other candidates climate beliefs on Monday, repeating that he expects all of his candidates to agree with his party's election platform or not sit in his caucus.

O'Toole has also faced criticism from environmental and other climate groups for sticking with a goal of reducing Canada's greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, rather than adopt a target recently increased by the Liberals to between 40 and 45 per cent. The government submitted the new goal to the United Nations ahead of an international climate change conference this fall.

Canada joined other G7 countries in raising its climate targets, which O'Toole suggested could happen later.

"We're not the Liberal and NDP approach of just shutting down whole sectors of our economy," said O'Toole.

Even with a lower upfront target, he confirmed he believed in getting Canada to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, a goal recently enshrined into law by Parliament before it broke for summer.

"I want to see a made-in-Canada solution for net-zero by 2050, yes," he said.

His position appears to run counter to findings from the Paris-based International Energy Agency that called for no new oil, gas or coal projects from countries if they want to slash emissions to hit net-zero by mid-century.

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OToole argued that Canada's energy sector is an environmental and social leader, so "over time" as a lower-carbon future materializes, democratic countries should be using Canadian resources, not those from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela or Russia.

The Conservatives voted against putting the Liberals' net-zero goal into legislation, citing concerns it could have consequences for Western Canada's oil and gas sector. The Liberals haven't yet detailed how they would meet their objective, but over the weekend pledged

O'Toole spent Monday campaigning in the Greater Toronto Area, where he visited a bakery in the afternoon in Markham, Ont.

There he spoke with bakery staff and about a dozen or so supporters gathered outside, where he said the campaign had picked up momentum entering its third week. O'Toole told the small crowd there was still much more work to do.

In the evening, he spoke to at least 200 registered supporters from the area, telling them the ballot-box question for the Sept. 20 vote is about which federal party has a plan to recover the economy from the months of lockdowns and restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. O'Toole, who released his party's platform early in the campaign, noted Trudeau has not yet done so.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2021.
OTTAWA - Liberals and Conservatives took aim at each other's candidates on Monday, questioning past statements and actions to build a character case about why they, and not their opponent, should be trusted to govern after election day.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau announces a fresh water action plan during the Canadian federal election in Granby, Que., on Monday, August 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

OTTAWA - Liberals and Conservatives took aim at each other's candidates on Monday, questioning past statements and actions to build a character case about why they, and not their opponent, should be trusted to govern after election day.

The Conservatives started the day by questioning tax arrears that Liberal candidate Steven Guilbeault disclosed in a parliamentary ethics filing, which the heritage minister later explained to reporters travelling on the campaign stem from his separation and are being resolved.

Guilbeault, likewise, used a series of posts on Twitter to highlight just over a dozen Conservative candidates who deny climate change, calling leader Erin O'Toole's party a home of "dinosaurs."

And not long after, a Conservative candidate in Nova Scotia withdrew from the federal election after an allegation of sexual assault, which he denied, surfaced on social media.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, speaking in Granby, Que., said Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole should be careful about slinging mud at Liberal candidates because of myriad issues with some Tory candidates.

Trudeau referenced longtime Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant in his comments to reporters, who in pre-election correspondence to her constituents claimed the Liberals were in favour of a "climate lockdown."

"It's probably a very dangerous path to walk for Mr. O'Toole to start trying to attack other people's candidates when we see that his own candidates won't even confirm that they're getting vaccinated," Trudeau said after outlining a plan to help restore Canada's big lakes and river systems.

"His own candidates are out there peddling conspiracy theories on vaccinations and, as we saw recently with Cheryl Gallant, on the environment."

Gallant on Sunday was forced to scrub an online video that included a cropped picture of Trudeau appearing to have some sort of noose around his neck. O'Toole didn't directly explain if Gallant would face repercussions.

Instead, he repeatedly said that Conservative candidates were running on the party's platform, which includes proposals to address climate change.

"All of our candidates are committed to the plan. It's exactly what the country needs," O'Toole said after announcing a plan to crack down on puppy mills.

"Everyone will be focused on that plan and a positive campaign."

The series of events and comments framed the start of the third week of the federal campaign and all landed hours before the deadline for candidates to file their nomination papers with Elections Canada to get their names on the ballot for the Sept. 20 vote.

The Conservative candidate for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, Troy Myers, stepped down from the race on Monday morning hours after a woman posted a series of tweets alleging Myers had put his hand up her skirt while the two were attending a conference in Nova Scotia in October 2019.

Myers said on Facebook the allegation is unequivocally false and he intends to challenge what he called defamatory statements.

Neither Myers nor the woman could be reached for comment.

O'Toole said his party takes any allegations of sexual misconduct or harassment very seriously and shows support for victims, which is why Myers is no longer a candidate.

Asked if the same would happen to a Liberal candidate, Trudeau said every situation is different and needs to be addressed with a proper process.

"But absolutely, Canadians deserve to know the people standing up to represent them to serve them in the House of Commons are not people who have shown disrespect or misbehaviour or are facing serious allegations," he said.

Trudeau was dogged over the weekend by obscenity-spewing protesters angry about his pandemic policies, particularly on vaccination mandates, and at times effectively calling for the Liberal leader to die.

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The protests have become an ignominious addition to the campaign trail that the party leaders have denounced.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said there is a fine line between attacking a political opponent personally and going after them for policies.

He said New Democrats would continue to criticize Trudeau for policies that Singh said have helped the Liberals politically even if they have cost students or homeowners financially.

"I don't believe in attacking someone just because I don't like them or because they're bad. That's horrible and shouldn't happen," Singh said in Ottawa after promising to boost spending at the Canada Revenue Agency to help crack down on "ultrarich" tax dodgers.

"But I absolutely believe people should know the decisions that a prime minister makes directly impact your life. And if they make bad decisions, you should know about them, and you should know those outcomes."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2021.
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - It was just six weeks in jail for Jody Blake, an Inuk woman living in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L., but those weeks were long and lonely, and there was no chance of her kids or family coming to see her.

Police tape is shown in Toronto Tuesday, May 2, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - It was just six weeks in jail for Jody Blake, an Inuk woman living in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, N.L., but those weeks were long and lonely, and there was no chance of her kids or family coming to see her.

Blake was 43 when she served time in 2019 at the province's lone detention centre for women, in Clarenville, N.L., about 1,400 kilometres from her home. She is among the many Indigenous women  who compose a disproportionate number of inmates in the province's justice system compared to their population in the province  who have been flown far away from their communities to serve their sentences.

"I don't know anybody in Newfoundland and my kids can't come and see me  they don't have money," Blake said in a recent interview. "There (were) other people there from Labrador when I was in there, too, and they were having hard times, too. Other people (were) getting visitors and people from Labrador never had anyone."

Gerri Sharpe, vice president of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, the national representative organization for Inuit women in the country, says sending Indigenous female inmates hundreds of kilometres from home to be detained is tantamount to exiling them.

"They're being banished," Sharpe said in a recent interview.

"If you look at the traditional way that the Inuit would have justice, prior to colonial contact, the most severe sentence that could be passed down on somebody is banishment from the community."

Back home, Blake's kids struggled in her absence. Her daughter started a new school where she didn't know anybody, and her son was acting out and getting into trouble, she said. The most she could do was wait each day for one of the jail's phones to free up and hope one of her kids was home to take her call.

Newfoundland and Labrador has one women's prison, the Clarenville Correctional Centre for Women. The squat brick building is about 200 kilometres northwest of St. John's. In the past five years, women have been transported from Labrador to the Clarenville facility 98 times, according to data obtained by The Canadian Press through an access to information request. The same offender may have been transported multiple times.

There were plans to expand the Labrador Correctional Centre for men in Happy Valley-Goose Bay so the jail could house women, but those plans have been delayed for up to two years, the Department of Justice said in a recent email.

Indigenous women are overrepresented in the Clarenville jail. In the past decade, 22 per cent of all admissions involved women who self-identified as Indigenous, according to the Justice Department. Meanwhile, Indigenous women make up roughly 8.9 per cent of the province's population.

Women who identified as Inuit accounted for nine per cent of those admissions,while Inuit people make up just 1.3 per cent of the province's population. Women who identified as "Indian" composed 10 per cent of admissions during that period, and those with "Aboriginal status unknown" accounted for nearly two per cent of inmates.

Sharpe said before colonial contact, rehabilitation took place in the community with help from elders and the offender's family. Rehabilitation is less likely in a system that sends Inuit women thousands of kilometres away. Inuit women need their community support, their elders and access to their culture and language in order to heal, Sharpe said.

Labrador is not the only province where Inuit women are taken far from home to be incarcerated in government institutions, she added.

Inuit Nunangat, Canada's Inuit region, spans the highest tip of the Yukon Territory to the north coast of Labrador, and it comprises some of the country's most remote, far-flung communities. In most cases, convicted Inuit women must travel thousands of kilometres if their sentences require time in a provincial institution.

If their sentences are more than two years, they travel even further to one of the country's six federal detention facilities for women. Women from Labrador, for example, would be flown to Nova Scotia. The closest federal prison to Nunavut is in Edmonton, nearly 3,000 kilometres away.

Statistics Canada figures indicate women are less frequently accused of and convicted for violent crime, and the violence they commit is more likely to be low-level assault. Sharpe noted that many Inuit women who commit crimes are doing so out of vulnerability  to escape abuse, for example.

"A lot of the crimes that they commit, it's because they cannot do anything other than that; they are stuck," she said.

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Removing them from their communities only exacerbates that vulnerability, Sharpe said, adding, "This is one of the leading factors that lead to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls," she said. "It all ties in together into the big picture. This is how we end up making our women more vulnerable  by removing them from those support systems."

When asked what these women need from political leaders right now, Sharpe didn't hesitate: "Reconciliation."

Without government action, she said, the overrepresentation of Inuit women in the country's correctional facilities will become another contributor of intergenerational trauma.

The Canadian Press spoke with several Inuit women who have been sent to Clarenville for incarceration. One, who wished to remain anonymous out of concern for her daughter, said she was often scared to speak her own language with the other Labradorian women in the facility because other inmates would accuse them of talking about them behind her back.

"It's really hard," she said, adding that it's lonely to watch women from Newfoundland get visitors. "It's just really different for Newfoundland and for Labrador. We're so far away, but Newfoundland is their home."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2021.
In 1870, Col. Garnet Wolseley led a military expedition into Manitoba to violently overthrow Louis Riels provisional government at the Red River Colony. On Sunday afternoon, a group gathered at Vimy Ridge Park to discuss how to push for the renaming of the neighbourhood that bears his name.

In 1870, Col. Garnet Wolseley led a military expedition into Manitoba to violently overthrow Louis Riels provisional government at the Red River Colony. On Sunday afternoon, a group gathered at Vimy Ridge Park to discuss how to push for the renaming of the neighbourhood that bears his name.

Red River Echoes, a Metis collective that first came together with the purpose of "bringing an alternative voice to what Metis people think in Manitoba" after Manitoba Metis Federation president David Chartrand put out an ad with the Winnipeg Free Press in March in support of the Winnipeg Police Service, put together the rendezvous to take questions and comments community members might have around the growing conversation to rename Wolseley.

"With a lot of names being changed right now, we thought it was a good opportunity," Red River Echoes member Claire Johnston said. "And Wolseley in particular has a really violent and negative association for Metis people, and also all other people of colour in who live in Winnipeg."

In the months since the remains of 215 children were found in unmarked graves near a residential school in Kamloops, B.C., calls have been sparked across the country to rename landmarks named after people who had a hand in the colonization of Canada. In Winnipeg, Wolseley isnt the first instance  calls to rename Bishop Grandin Boulevard due to its namesakes hand in the residential school system have resulted in consultations and a possible recommendation for its renaming coming to city council this fall.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS People take part in a Red River Echoes community meeting at Vimy Ridge Park to discuss renaming the Wolseley neighbourhood in Winnipeg on Sunday.

In June, Red River Echoes members placed hundreds of posters around the neighbourhood that said Wolseley "personally incited racism, violence, murder and displacement" and oversaw troops who raped and killed Indigenous people, along with noting his involvement in British colonial invasions elsewhere and asking that people call on their local representatives to push to change the name.

Around 50 people took part in Sundays event, with conversations being held around topics including engaging local businesses in the renaming process and decolonizing methods of advocating for the change.

NDP MLA Lisa Naylor, who represents Wolseley, attended Sundays gathering and said while she understood the concerns from some residents who have positive attachments to the neighbourhoods name or businesses that have used the name as part of their branding, she fully supported the push to change the name, noting "some of those stories belong in museums and in history books, but not necessarily to be honoured in a community."

"I think the most important piece here is the reconciliation piece, and the fact that the name mostly does carry a racist and colonial history and that can't be ignored," she said. "For that reason, I do support the efforts of (Red River Echoes), to have these conversations in our community and to see if they can move the community towards a name change in a positive process."

Any neighbourhood name changes would be decided at the municipal level.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS People take part in a Red River Echoes community meeting at Vimy Ridge Park to discuss renaming the Wolseley neighbourhood.

Both Naylor and Johnston said the response theyd heard to the idea of a name change was positive  Johnston noted that many people in the neighbourhood arent aware of the history behind it, negating the argument that keeping the names would have educational value.

"They think, 'Oh, I live in such a progressive, nice neighborhood, I love it here,' but really don't have that understanding of the name  It's very much a false narrative, that somehow keeping those names up there, that people in Wolseley, or people in Winnipeg, are being educated by that name staying there, because they don't know," she said.

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The next step for Red River Echoes is to continue gathering the community and inspiring people to get involved with the movement, Johnston said.

"I hope that people feel a sense of joy, they feel mobilized, and ready to take action. And just feel well equipped, feel grounded and ready to mobilize and make this change happen with us."

 with files from Dylan Robertson

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @malakabas_
Friends, former friends and co-workers of Patrik Mathews thought he was all talk until they read an article in the Winnipeg Free Press that identified him as a white supremacist who was actively recruiting for The Base, a secretive neo-Nazi paramilitary group, according to recently unsealed search warrant documents obtained by CBC News.

Friends, former friends and co-workers of Patrik Mathews thought he was all talk until they read an article in the Winnipeg Free Press that identified him as a white supremacist who was actively recruiting for The Base, a secretive neo-Nazi paramilitary group, according to recently unsealed search warrant documents obtained by CBC News.

In August 2019, RCMP raided Mathews' Beausejour home searching for firearms and ammunition days after the Winnipeg Free Press published a story about the former Canadian military reservist and his association with The Base.

In a sworn affidavit, the Mounties said after the article came out they received numerous calls from people who knew Mathews who said they were concerned about his recent behaviour, and feared he might be planning something.

To read more of this story first reported by CBC News, click here.

This content is made available to Free Press readers as part of an agreement with CBC that sees our two trusted news brands collaborate to better cover Manitoba. Questions about CBC content can be directed to talkback@cbc.ca.
When Canadian border agents searched a rental vehicle driven by a then-unknown Patrik Mathews in the summer of 2019, they made a disturbing discovery: homemade posters warning of White Genocide and a detailed list of mass shootings.

When Canadian border agents searched a rental vehicle driven by a then-unknown Patrik Mathews in the summer of 2019, they made a disturbing discovery: homemade posters warning of "White Genocide" and a detailed list of mass shootings.

It was June 1, 2019  more than two months before the Free Press exposed Mathews as an active member of the Canadian military moonlighting as a recruiter for a violent neo-Nazi paramilitary group  and the pressure was on.

At first, Mathews told the Canada Border Services Agency officials at the port-of-entry near Tolstoi that he was returning from Lake Bronson, Minn., where hed been visiting family.

But when pressed, Mathews buckled and changed his story, saying he was coming back from visiting his friend, "Jason," from Duluth, whom hed met online.

The posters in his backpack, which he admitted to making, warned that Canada was on the path to becoming a white-minority country. And the list of mass shootings in his journal charted every attack in the U.S. from 1988 to 2018, including apparent motivation.

"The list also noted whether the shooter in each mass shooting had ever made mention of joining The Base," reads newly unsealed RCMP search warrant documents, which were obtained by CBC News following a court challenge.

The unsealed documents are a request for a search warrant the RCMP submitted to a judge on Aug. 19, 2019, just hours after the Free Press publicly identified Mathews as the man behind a neo-Nazi recruitment drive in Winnipeg.

Mathews is currently staring down the possibility of decades behind bars in U.S. federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple firearms charges in a Maryland courtroom last month. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 28.

After being interviewed by CBSA agents on June 1, 2019, Mathews was allowed to return home  but it wasnt the last he would hear about his close call at the border. Two weeks later, on June 14, he was called into a meeting with the RCMPs national security unit in Winnipeg.

Mathews told the officers the list in his notebook charting mass shootings was "old research." He admitted to being interested in "prepping," but said he was not supportive of politically motivated violence.

The RCMP ultimately cut Mathews loose, but not before contacting the Canadian Armed Forces to confirm Mathews was a combat engineer active in the military reserves.

The search warrant documents indicate that after the Free Press exposed Mathews as a neo-Nazi recruiter, the RCMP interviewed multiple people who knew him. The picture painted by acquaintances is of a socially isolated man prone to hateful and violent outbursts.

"Mathews speaks passionately but can get angry Mathews has very right-wing ideas, jokes about dealing with certain types of people with violence. Mathews comments on how (homophobic slur) should be thrown off the roof like in the Middle East," court records read.

Mathews  shown here in a court sketch from a 2020 court appearance  is currently facing the possibility of decades behind bars in U.S. federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple firearms charges in a Maryland courtroom last month. (William J. Hennessy Jr.)

"Mathews is described as a loner, with few friends, is online, reclusive, usually stays at home with his cats."

Another acquaintance described scenarios where Mathews would be in public with friends and would begin ranting about "Black people or (homophobic slur) and others would try to stop him." He made comments, the acquaintance added, like, "Quick pipe bomb would fix that."

Multiple people who spoke to the RCMP indicated Mathews behaviour in the weeks leading up to their interviews had become increasingly concerning, with one person saying hed talked about getting "body armour."

Mathews was legally permitted to possess restricted and non-restricted firearms, and had one handgun, five rifles and one shotgun at his Beausejour home. The search warrant was requested by the RCMP so they could remove the firearms from his possession as a matter of public safety.

The records also show police were concerned by reports that Mathews had recently given up his four cats, which was interpreted as a possible sign he was getting his "affairs in order" prior to committing an attack.

"In conjunction with Mathews' association with a neo-Nazi/White Supremacist hate group, I believe that Mathews is an adherent to this violent ideology. I further believe that the posting of posters and like-minded comments is an expression of intention," court records read.

"Although I cannot predict the future, I believe that Patrik Jordan Mathews actions are unbefitting an individual that owns firearms (and poses) a substantial risk to public safety."

The RCMP raided Mathews Beausejour home on the night of Aug. 19, 2019. His firearms were seized and he was briefly taken into custody, but then released without charge.

Mathews was reported missing on Aug. 28, 2019, and a week later, his truck was found abandoned near the U.S.-Canada border. He illegally crossed into the U.S., where he met up with fellow members of The Bases neo-Nazi network.

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He was arrested in on Jan. 16, 2020, as part of a nationwide crackdown on The Base by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, and accused of planning a terror attack in Richmond, Va. He pleaded guilty to multiple firearms charges last month.

When requesting a court order sealing the search warrant documents in August 2019, the RCMP indicated it believed other members of The Base could still be active in Canada.

"This is an ongoing investigation which will be compromised should the existence of this order be revealed. This investigation has associated National Security concerns and I believe that there are other as yet to be identified individuals and also associated cells," the court records read.

"These individuals may have criminal liability in this investigation, as well as public safety concerns not only in Manitoba but possible in other locations in Canada and also the United States."

ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @rk_thorpe
Prison officials are investigating after an inmate from Stony Mountain Institution died while in custody on Saturday.

Prison officials are investigating after an inmate from Stony Mountain Institution died while in custody on Saturday.

David Midouin was serving a sentence of more than four years for firearms offences and other charges, including intimidation of a justice system participant or journalist.

As with all inmate deaths, the Correctional Service of Canada will review the circumstances.
Justin Trudeaus gamble to call a snap election doesnt appear to be paying off with Manitoba voters at this point, according to a new poll.

Justin Trudeaus gamble to call a snap election doesnt appear to be paying off with Manitoba voters at this point, according to a new poll.

Instead, Manitobans surveyed last weekend appear to see the Liberal leader in an increasingly negative light, while their views of other candidates vying to be prime minister are improving.

Just a few weeks before the Sept. 20 federal election, an Angus Reid Institute poll found 30 per cent of Manitobans surveyed had an "overall favourable" view of Trudeau, down from 42 per cent on Aug. 12. That was twice as steep as his nationwide decline and marked the incumbent prime ministers second-largest decline in support across the nation.

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An Angus Reid press release notes "Trudeau has lost ground with nearly every age and gender group, while Singh and OToole are generating higher levels of enthusiasm."

In Manitoba, Trudeaus competition appeared to fare much better than he did. Forty-two per cent of those surveyed had an "overall favourable" view of federal Conservative Leader Erin OToole (up from 32 per cent). And 57 per cent saw NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh in a mostly positive light (up from 52 per cent).

Of all Canadian regions, Manitobans were the third most likely to deem OToole favourable and had the second-highest approval rating of Singh.

While Trudeau had hoped to claim a majority government by sending voters back to the polls just two years after the last election, the survey doesnt bode well for his party, either. About 33 per cent of respondents across Canada said they have decided, or are leaning toward, voting Conservative, with the Liberals in second (at 30 per cent) and NDP third (at 21 per cent.) About 40 per cent of Manitobans expected to vote Conservative, 24 per cent would choose the Liberals and 25 per cent would back the NDP.

The poll was conducted online between Aug. 27 and 29 among a representative and randomized sample of 1,639 Canadian adults within the Angus Reid Forum. The sample size is expected to have a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

 Staff
Manitobans are in a rare position in the provinces electoral history. The hardships and costs of climate-change-fueled droughts and flooding are visible and visceral right now, just as contests are underway to elect new leaders provincially and federally. We have the opportunity to pivot our society toward protecting nature and acting on climate, thereby preserving our life support system.

Opinion

Manitobans are in a rare position in the provinces electoral history. The hardships and costs of climate-change-fueled droughts and flooding are visible and visceral right now, just as contests are underway to elect new leaders provincially and federally. We have the opportunity to pivot our society toward protecting nature and acting on climate, thereby preserving our life support system.

It is unfortunate that the mismanagements of a crippling global pandemic, a devastating drought and wildfires have overlapped. However, the tragedies we are experiencing have shone a glaring light on how we are ignoring scientific truth in favour of political gains. We can progress from where we are, as long as we talk about climate and nature in the coming months.

The federal government has continued to push fossil fuel projects, such as the Trans Mountain pipeline, even as our country literally burns in front of us. This has to stop. On the other hand, the feds have been keen to preserve more nature and wilderness, even though that action requires co-operation with provincial governments.

Provincially, we need to reverse course. In 2017, after Premier Brian Pallisters government was pushed for a commitment to expand protected areas, the sustainable development minister said we would not proceed in Manitoba as most jurisdictions in the world were. Every past Manitoba government has had a goal of expanding these areas  slowly  since 1992.

In 2018, the Nobel Prize for economics was given to an advocate of a carbon tax. The majority of governments on the planet signed off on the IPCC Special Report on our immediate need to reduce carbon emissions to zero. That same year, Pallister killed the carbon tax he promised us, after the legislation had already been introduced.

In the spring of 2021, Manitobas Progressive Conservative government released a budget that flatlined spending on provincial park staff and resources. This was during a pandemic, when parks were bursting at the seams with visitors because they were among the only places we could visit safely.

Every one of these decisions is devastatingly costly in the long run, despite superficial short-term savings. These choices werent made based on the will of Manitobans, but instead because of this governments belief that the economy is more important than nature or climate. They are ideological commitments, and they are relics of a world we no longer live in.

The world we live in now should be rooted in science. Science tells us how we must look after species, protect water, leave huge tracts of undisturbed nature and stop burning fossil fuels, in order to preserve a planet thats livable for human society. When I started advocating for wilderness 15 years ago, we explained that protecting nature was good for our souls. Now we know it is imperative for our survival.

Manitobans know the path we must follow. For decades, polling has shown they want to increase protected areas. A Probe Research poll in 2018 said 70 per cent of Manitobans want to end industrial activity in parks. In 2019, the largest protest in a generation saw 15,000 folks hit the streets of Winnipeg and demand governments act on climate.

The PC Party of Manitoba is finally about to bid farewell to its ideologically driven premier. The question is: will it reverse the old dinosaurs disastrous decisions? Are we about to get another relic who wants to rule from a bygone era, or a new premier who governs based upon science and with the will of the people?

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Here are the first steps to govern based upon science:

1. All governments need to commit to stop burning fossil fuels and building fossil fuel projects.

2. Manitoba needs a protected area goal, as a majority of scientists are calling for. The biodiversity crisis is driven by a lack of habitat. Other jurisdictions of the world have set a goal of 30 per cent protected area. Manitoba can do this, too.

3. Manitoba needs to commit to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions. Then it needs to set a timeline to reach zero. Until we commit to that goal, we will be failing ourselves and our future.

4. We need to increase spending on parks and protected areas, to bring our lives and our understanding within the boundaries of nature. The science is clear that we need parks and protected areas for our well-being.

Eric Reder is director of the Wilderness and Water Campaign for the Manitoba chapter of the Wilderness Committee.
IT was a late afternoon in December, 2006. We sat all together on the floor of a dusty office in downtown Kandahar, eating greasy kebabs from a huge platter of rice. My cameraman and I were guests of local Afghan journalists, all characters who would fit into any newsroom: cynical yet thoughtful, gutsy, and generally open-minded. Several moonlighted as producers with international media organizations.

Opinion

IT was a late afternoon in December, 2006. We sat all together on the floor of a dusty office in downtown Kandahar, eating greasy kebabs from a huge platter of rice. My cameraman and I were guests of local Afghan journalists, all characters who would fit into any newsroom: cynical yet thoughtful, gutsy, and generally open-minded. Several moonlighted as producers with international media organizations.

One of them announced with excitement, "Tomorrow night were having a party. Were bringing whiskey. And well dance." The remark about dancing led me to ask, "Are you bringing your girlfriends?"

The mood darkened immediately. "No! No women!" he said harshly. The others glared or looked away sullenly.

Back at the base, a foreign journalist described riding in a car driven by another of our local colleagues. Theyd trailed a pickup with women riding in the back. All wore head scarves, but not the enveloping burqa demanded by the Taliban. The Afghan reporter behind the wheel had grimaced in disgust. "Sluts," he said.

I was disappointed. But what did I expect? Was it because my Afghan colleagues seemed so much "like me" that I imagined they shared my liberal-minded worldview? The truth is, like so many westerners through the centuries, I completely misunderstood Afghanistan. I failed to grasp how the struggle for the country couldnt be won with bullets, cash or construction.

Wed missed the actual war being fought down at the level of culture, where deeply held beliefs were the true battlefields, and where Afghans struggled among themselves. Even back in 2006, Afghanistan wasnt my first war. But the Canadians were "my" soldiers, fighting for beliefs I shared. And no cause resonated more strongly than the oppression of Afghan women and girls.

We did a story with a brave teacher Ill call Noor. Canadian troops supported her girls school with supplies and building materials. But they couldnt stop Taliban fighters from visiting Noors home. They promised to kill her, Noor told us, if she didnt stop teaching. Still, the Canadian colonel remained upbeat, insisting, "Great progress is being made."

Indeed, thanks to aid and security assistance from the international community, by the time we told Noors story, Afghanistan had more than 4,000 girls schools. Yet in 2019, a survey by the Asia Foundation found barely 50 per cent of Afghan women believed strongly that boys and girls should have equal education. Fifteen per cent of Afghans still dont send their girls to school.

Support for girls education among Afghans has grown slowly and steadily. But its still a debatable proposition. Around Kandahar in the mid-2000s, Canadians promoted development work that appealed to the self-interest of Afghans. They built irrigation dams, guarded reconstruction projects and contributed to local initiatives.

The concept seemed simple to me: improve the daily lives of Afghans and maybe theyd put aside outdated ways of thinking. Unfortunately, secular westerners sometimes fail to appreciate how profoundly spiritual beliefs can shape the interests of men and women. The Asia Foundation survey in 2019 found an almost universal belief among both sexes that women should cover up their bodies. Nearly 60 per cent still want political decisions about the country to be made in consultation with religious authorities.

The survey revealed no love for the Taliban. But its results also suggested the Taliban are not outsiders. They are one end of a spectrum of conservative beliefs shared broadly across the country.

So what now?

Islamic practice in Afghanistan can be grotesque. But its hardly typical of Islam around the world. Unfortunately, with 57 per cent illiteracy, many Afghans rely on poorly trained local leaders to explain the meaning and codes of their faith. There is clearly room for reform within the existing belief system of the society.

Just ask the rulers of patriarchal, autocratic Saudi Arabia, one of the few countries to formally recognize and support the previous Taliban government. Internal pressures have recently forced small but significant concessions to their female population.

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The emancipation of women, perhaps the greatest cultural shift in world history, is an unstoppable force. But to achieve progress in Afghanistan peacefully, we might seek to work at the grassroots level with forces such as the Taliban, respecting their core beliefs and their authority while at the same time helping them see the social and economic benefits of reconciling womens rights with Islam, in ways millions of other Muslims have long since adopted.

Last year, negotiators with UNICEF arranged to establish 4,000 community learning centres in Taliban-controlled areas. These arent formal bricks-and-mortar schools, but village-controlled projects; 140,000 boys and girls will study in local buildings such as mosques.

The Taliban, perhaps seeing no threat to their authority, made an unusual announcement formally supporting the move.

Its shameful for me, a male, to be seeking patience in handling the misogynistic reality of Afghanistan. Yet I believe gentler approaches, such as UNICEFs, are the best means for gradually integrating thousands of women and girls into the institutions of Afghanistans society.

Air strikes didnt work. Lets try engagement, and see if after another 20 years, there might be an organic, uniquely Afghan society revolutionized by emerging gender equality.

Murray Oliver is a veteran journalist who has served as a local, national and foreign correspondent. He spent seven years as CTVs bureau chief in Africa, a posting that included two stints reporting from Afghanistan. He currently teaches journalism at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon.
The delta variant has been flagged in Sagkeeng First Nation, after 19 of 31 residents at a local assisted living facility were diagnosed with the highly transmissible virus.

The delta variant has been flagged in Sagkeeng First Nation, after 19 of 31 residents at a local assisted living facility were diagnosed with the highly transmissible virus.

There are 23 total active cases of COVID-19 at the George M. Guimond Care Centre (including four being members) and all are the delta variant, Sagkeeng Chief Derrick Henderson said Sunday.

Henderson said he hadnt heard any explanation for why so many residents  all of which are fully immunized  tested positive, but noted some werent exhibiting any symptoms and many of the cases were mild.

"Our residents are double vaccinated, and also our employees are double vaccinated  its a good question, Ive asked that question to the doctors on call," he said.

The province of Manitoba has estimated the current COVID-19 vaccines are 88 to 90 per cent effective and has cautioned those who get COVID-19 while unvaccinated are more likely to have severe effects.

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Henderson said Sagkeeng leadership is keeping daily contact with Shared Health, adding the Public Health Agency of Canada is to observe the case count in the care home.

There have been no deaths reported and no active COVID-19 cases in the community outside of the care home, located some 100 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg. Should cases spread outside the facility, Henderson said leadership will consider implementing restrictions on the wider community in an attempt to stamp it out.

Around 73.8 per cent of Powerview/Pine Falls health district, which Sagkeeng First Nation is a part of, has had at least one dose of vaccine, according to the province. Henderson said he encourages any residents who arent yet fully immunized to take the initiative to do so.

"I think the important thing is: how do we get over this? Or what do we have to do to prevent this? And I know that there is always that hesitancy, but the vaccine is important to reduce transmission," he said.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_
WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government says COVID-19 vaccination cards and QR digital bar codes are now available to people even if they don't have a provincial health card.

Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for Manitoba's vaccine rolloute, speaks about COVID-19 vaccination initiatives and answers media questions during a livestreamed news conference at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg on Wednesday, March 17, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG - The Manitoba government says COVID-19 vaccination cards and QR digital bar codes are now available to people even if they don't have a provincial health card.

Individuals will have to have had two doses  in any combination  of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson.

Their last shot will have to have been at least two weeks before the request.

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Manitobans vaccinated outside the province will need to provide proof to public health and the data must be recorded.

A public health order starting Friday will require people to be double vaccinated to attend sporting events and concerts, indoor theatre and dance performances, restaurants, nightclubs, movie theatres and casinos.

Public health officials say vaccine appointments have increased since the measure was announced last week.

There are 34 new cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba and 25 of those are in individuals not fully vaccinated.

There are 503 active cases with 65 people hospitalized.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2021.
OTTAWA - The Truth Test is a project of The Canadian Press that examines the accuracy of statements made by politicians. Each claim is researched and analyzed to provide Canadians with facts instead of spin.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh gives a thumbs up as he walks to the campaign plane at the airport, Monday, August 30, 2021 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - The Truth Test is a project of The Canadian Press that examines the accuracy of statements made by politicians. Each claim is researched and analyzed to provide Canadians with facts instead of spin.

STATEMENT

"Since coming to power, Trudeau has profited off of student debt, to the tune of nearly $4 billion in interest payments."  Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, in a Twitter post, Aug. 28, 2021.

BACKGROUND

Singh posted the tweet about Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau following an NDP campaign event Saturday morning at Ontario's University of Sudbury, where he vowed to do away with interest on federal student loans "immediately and permanently" as well as forgive student debt.

The commitment reiterated a plan New Democrats first laid out in March to offer financial breaks to students by cancelling up to $20,000 in tuition, freezing loan payments through July 2022 and scrapping interest payments, among other measures.

That campaign-style pledge earlier this year came as federal parties prepared to battle it out for the hearts and ballots of young voters ahead of the anticipated election, now set for Sept. 20.

In a May report, parliamentary budget officer Yves Giroux said the NDP proposal would cost $3.95 billion over five years, with the reduction of as much as $20,000 per student borrower by far the priciest plank.

Statistics Canada found last fall that more than 60 per cent of post-secondary students were concerned about using up their savings and taking on more debt.

The Liberals imposed a moratorium on Canada Student Loan payments between April and September 2020, and after a six-month thaw opted in April to suspend interest again until March 31, 2023, at the urging of student groups.

The April budget also proposed to allow graduates to avoid making repayments until they earn at least $40,000 per year, up from $25,000.

ANALYSIS

The federal government does generate revenue from interest on student loans. But all that income goes toward covering the cost of no-interest loans while students are enrolled, the repayment assistance program that suspends interest payments and annual writeoffs that can top $200 million, said Alex Usher, president of Higher Education Strategy Associates, a research and analysis firm that consults for governments and post-secondary institutions.

"It's a ridiculous use of the word profit," he stated, calling the characterization a "pretty medieval view of money."

"Cross-subsidizing of students who can repay their loans to students who can't is probably a more accurate way to put it."

Profit suggests financial gain  the difference between cash earned and cash spent  Usher said. However, all of the proceeds from federal interest payments go directly into various student support programs. (Usher presumes Singh did not mean to suggest Trudeau is profiting personally off student debt.)

"No interest on loans, that's a legitimate policy," he added, citing German universities as an example.

Singh stood by his statement Monday.

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"It is a fact that in the six years that Justin Trudeau has been prime minister, if you look at the federal interest thats been collected for student debt, that has been a $4-billion cost for students. And the prime minister has been responsible for that," he told reporters at a campaign stop across the Rideau Canal from Parliament.

In 2018-19, the federal government took in $841.4 million in interest on student loans, according to Employment and Social Development Canada.

Some 625,000 post-secondary students borrowed $3.6 billion via the Canada Student Loans program that year.

CONCLUSION

The Liberal government is drawing revenue from interest on student debt, but, as Usher says, is feeding money back into post-secondary loan programs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2021.
Another witness who said she had formal training as a performer got a little further with Kelly  or so it seemed. Her edge was a professionally made music video for a single she wrote, titled Liar Liar.

Asked for input, Kelly said that he did like it and that it was cute and that it wasnt too grown or too sexy, she said.

But prosecutors say Kelly was the liar. They allege his tutelage was merely a ploy to take advantage of the girls, leading them down a path of sexual degradation.

A prosecutor asked the woman what steps Kelly took to back up promises to help launch her career.

None, she responded.

THE NOT-SO-MAGIC KINGDOM

Many of Kellys draconian tendencies in running an empire headquartered in custom mansions and music studios were detailed by a former employee named Tom Arnold. One example was a failed attempt to organize a 2011 trip to Disney World for Kellys entourage that included, as always, female guests.

Arnold was ordered to pull the trip off on short notice, booking hotel rooms, arranging transportation and hiring a VIP tour guide for the theme park. He succeeded at the first two tasks. He ran into a glitch on the third.
Hulefield said Ochsner Health went into the storm with enough fuel to power generators for 10 days, and efforts to replenish that supply were underway. He anticipated no problems bringing in enough water, food or medical supplies.

Hospitals in Mississippi and Alabama have reached out offering to take in some of the company's patients, Thomas said, but so far administrators were finding room elsewhere in Louisiana.

Edwards said Louisiana was prioritizing power restoration to hospitals because so many are on generator power  51, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The governor said federal and state disaster response agencies are working to put technicians at the hospitals to keep the generators running as long as possible, but also to (determine) exactly what size generator is needed so we can get a backup on site in case that one should fail."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said four Louisiana hospitals suffered damage from Ida. It did not specify which hospitals sustained damage.
Jacob Blake Jr., who was left paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot in Kenosha a year ago, expects to be walking soon, an accomplishment he says is tempered by fears of it happening again.

Blake was shot seven times by a Kenosha police officer in August 2020, three months after George Floyd was killed by police in Minnesota. Blakes shooting set off days of violent protests in the city.

Blake told CNN he was able to take a few steps during his sons birthday celebration this past week, which he compared to sliding his legs through a woodchipper. Although he was so geeked by the moment that followed months of physical rehabilitation, he is not claiming victory.

Yeah, Im here, and yeah Im about to be walking, but I really dont feel like I have survived because it could happen to me again, Blake told the network. I have not survived until something has changed.
A farm worker has been sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for first-degree murder in the abduction and fatal stabbing of college student Mollie Tibbetts in July 2018.

The sentencing comes just over three years after the body of the 20-year-old woman was found in an Iowa cornfield.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera, a 27-year-old undocumented immigrant from Mexico, admitted in an August 2018 interview with police that he followed Tibbetts while she was out for an evening run, got angry at her and "blacked out," according to an arrest affidavit and testimony at trial. He said he later came to and realized she was bleeding in his vehicle's trunk and he then buried her in a remote Iowa cornfield, prosecutors said.

Rivera then led police to the cornfield, where investigators found her body with fatal stab wounds, prosecutors said.

"Mr. Rivera, I selected this particular sentence for you after considering the nature of the offense committed by you, the harm to the victim and the victim's family, your need for rehabilitation and the necessity for protecting the community from further offenses by you and others," Judge Joel Yates said at the sentencing.

After Rivera was found guilty, prosecutor Scott Brown said the Tibbetts family was "relieved" and "pleased" with the decision.

"The family, and other people that are that close to it, they live with it forever," Brown said of the tragedy. "We hope that in the end ... when these cases are over, we can bring a sense of justice to them, even though we would never have the ability to bring Mollie back."

Tibbetts disappeared after a run

Tibbetts disappeared after a run in Brooklyn, Iowa, sparking an extensive search that drew national attention.

She had been studying psychology at the University of Iowa and wanted to get a doctorate and write books, her father said. Rivera, meanwhile, had worked for four years at Yarrabee Farms, a nearby dairy farm.

Her death and Rivera's undocumented status pushed the tragic story into the rancorous partisan political debate around immigration. Former President Donald Trump brought up her story as part of his push to vilify undocumented immigrants as rapists and killers, though the existing evidence shows undocumented status does not correlate with criminality.

Rob Tibbetts, Mollie's father, has repeatedly called on politicians to stop using his daughter's death to make points against immigration, saying she believed these views were "profoundly racist."

Surprise testimony about masked men

The prosecution based its case on three key aspects: surveillance video of Rivera's vehicle near Tibbetts, his admissions to investigators in August 2018 and her DNA found in his trunk.

"When you put this evidence together, there can be no other conclusion than that the defendant killed Mollie Tibbetts," Poweshiek County Attorney Bart Klaver said at the start of the trial.

After more than a month of searching for her, the break in the case came when home surveillance video surfaced from the night of July 18, 2018, showing the silhouette of a woman running -- as well as repeated sightings of a black Chevy Malibu, prosecutors said. An investigator later spotted the vehicle and identified the driver as Rivera, Klaver said.

After initially denying knowing about Tibbetts, he then admitted he had seen her the night she disappeared, said he found her attractive and said he circled back for a second look, Klaver told the jury. He allegedly admitted he had followed Tibbetts and jogged next to her. She had threatened to call the police, and Rivera admitted he got angry and fought with her, Klaver told the court.

"The next thing he remembers" was that he was driving and realized Tibbetts was in his trunk, Klaver said. Rivera allegedly admitted he took her bloody body out of the trunk, carried her into a field and placed corn stalks over her body, according to Klaver.

He then led investigators to the scene, where her body was found hidden under corn stalks, prosecutors said.

Although Rivera did not explicitly tell investigators he stabbed Tibbetts, prosecutors said that was the only conclusion.

"He says that he blacked out. He didn't black out. He just didn't tell (an investigator)," Brown said Thursday.

"He's telling the officers, in telling those statements, 'I killed Mollie Tibbetts.' That's what he's saying. That's what the statements all point to," he added.

Rivera's testimony in his own defense sharply contradicted his earlier admissions, though.

He testified he was taking a shower when two unknown, masked men broke into his trailer and demanded his help. One had a knife and the other had a gun, he said.

He testified that they forced themselves into his black Chevy Malibu and told him to drive toward town. That was when he said they came across a young woman he now knows to be Tibbetts.

Rivera testified that he was told to stop, while the man with the knife exited the car. He said both men then got out of the vehicle and he heard them opening and closing the trunk. When the men left, he said he found Tibbetts' body in the trunk of the car. He said he took her body out of the trunk, placed her in a corn field and covered her body with corn stalks.

Rivera said he didn't know why the men sought his help. He testified that he falsely confessed to police because he feared the men would harm his daughter and ex-girlfriend and because he thought telling investigators what they wanted to hear would help him.

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Utica, N.Y. - The Mohawk Valley Latino Association held their 15th annual Latino-American Festival at Hanna Park outside of Utica City Hall on Sunday.

The festival is an opportunity for the Latino community to come together to celebrate their Hispanic heritage and to foster the cultural exchange between the variety of ethnicities in the Mohawk Valley.

There was plenty of live music throughout the day, as well as a number of food trucks and vendors on hand.

Latino-American Festival Executive Director Sonia Martinez says this truly is a celebration for all Latino Americans, "We are celebrating Latino heritage, our culture which is full of happiness, life, celebrating that we're not out of the woods yet with Covid but we are here to celebrate with the community."

Martinez says this event would not be possible without the help of so many volunteers from right here in Utica.
Vienna, N.Y. - An Oneida County man suffered serious injuries after a UTV crash in Vienna late Saturday night.

It happened around 11:45 Saturday evening in the backyard of a home on Haskins Road, right next to the Treasure Isle RV Park.

Oneida County Sheriff's officials say 42-year-old George Kirk of Vienna was operating a side by side UTV along with his passenger, 66-year-old Brian Strong, who lives on the property.

Sheriff's officials say Kirk was driving the UTV in circles in the yard when it rolled over, ejected him, and pinning him under the UTV.

Kirk was airlifted to SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse by Mercy Flight for injuries to his head, face and chest.

Strong, who was not ejected from the UTV, did not complain of any injuries but was transported to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica for an evaluation.

Sheriff's officials say the investigation is ongoing.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is in a stand-off with local school officials in the rural Cherokee Nation, with the school board insisting they can require that students wear masks in their Covid-ravaged community and the GOP governor claiming the board is in violation of state law.

Stitt is one of eight Republican governors defending a statewide ban on mask mandates for students by fighting with local school boards, taking the culture war to a new and acrimonious level just a year before most of them stand for reelection.

Local officials, noting the spikes in Covid-19 case rates in their areas, say they're less interested in the political debate than in protecting students. As the dog days of summer transition into a new school year, these school systems are having to take on powerful GOP executives for the ability to keep their doors open.

"I need our school day to be as normal as possible," Jolyn Choate, the superintendent of Hulbert Public Schools in Oklahoma's Cherokee County, told CNN. Choate said the best path to normalcy, for now, is for everyone in Hulbert schools to mask up.

The Hulbert district consists of just three schools -- one elementary, one middle and one high. There are 594 students enrolled and 82 faculty and staff members, from certified teachers to cafeteria workers. Hulbert, Choate said, has no vaccine requirements for employees.

Less than a week into the school year, Hulbert schools had seven confirmed Covid cases. By then, every middle and high school student was sent home for virtual learning. Things began to get out of control. Choate even found herself driving a school bus, filling in for a driver who had tested positive.

"It alarmed everyone when we had to quarantine as quickly as we did," Choate said.

On August 18, the fifth day of school, Hulbert's school board voted to require masks be worn inside school buildings and on school buses. The decision, Choate said in a letter to parents and teachers, was difficult but necessary for keeping the maximum number of students in person. Students can opt out with either a medical note or by taking classes virtually from their home -- exceptions that Choate claims keeps the district's decision legal.

But within a day, the governor and another top Oklahoma Republican, state attorney general John O'Connor, accused Hulbert schools of violating a recently passed law banning mask mandates.

"It is disappointing that one school district has chosen to openly violate a state law that was supported by 80 percent of the Legislature," said Stitt in a statement.

In his own statement from the same press release, O'Connor accused the Hulbert school district of "undermining" the state of Oklahoma's constitution.

"Under our constitution, the Legislature gets to set the policy of the stateespecially on controversial issues like this," O'Connor said.

Despite the initial harsh blowback, Choate said in the week since her announcement, neither the governor nor the attorney general has been in touch with the school district. There's been no legal action yet taken against Hulbert Public Schools, and students, faculty and staff continue to wear masks.

"I thought maybe the governor would reach out to me and call," said Choate.

A spokesperson for Stitt did not respond to questions from CNN.

Hulbert is one of several districts in Oklahoma to have mask requirements. Oklahoma City Public Schools, the state's largest district, has its own rule requiring masks with medical and religious exceptions allowed. But Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel has told local media outlets the decision was his own. The state law, McDaniel said, only prohibits school boards from taking such action.

The law is facing some legal challenges as well. Earlier this month in a state district court, the Oklahoma State Medical Association and a group of parents filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing the ban violates the state constitution. The school board for the Tulsa Public School district has also voted to approve taking legal action to challenge the law.

A spokesman for O'Connor says the attorney general's office is already defending the law against the group of parents and doctors.

"Once the case is fully litigated, we are sure that Oklahoma City Public Schools and other schools across the state will comply with the rulingrather than lawlessly defy both the legislature and the courts," said Alex Gerszewski, the attorney general's communications director, in a statement to CNN.

Mandatory masking faces challenges nationwide

Stitt is not the only Republican governor to target local school districts for implementing mask mandates.

Along with Oklahoma, seven other states run by Republican governors have either laws or executive orders curbing the ability of local boards to implement mask requirements: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.

In Florida, eight separate school systems are defying Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order allowing parents to opt out of mask requirements. School officials in two Florida counties, Broward and Alachua, have been threatened with penalties for instituting mask mandates.

On Friday, a circuit judge in Leon County ruled against DeSantis' order.

In his opinion, Judge John Cooper said that under the law the Florida governor "did not have the authority for a blanket mandatory ban against face mask policy, that does not provide a parental opt-out. They simply do not have that authority."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this month, also issued an executive order prohibiting local governments and school districts from instituting mask mandates. But nearly 60 school districts in Texas have challenged Abbott's order, either in court or by defying it outright.

Last week the state Supreme Court ruled against Abbott on a technicality, allowing school districts to maintain their mask requirements at least until a lower court reviews the order. Similarly, an Arkansas judge earlier this month blocked the state from enforcing its law, signed by Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, banning mandates after a challenge by one school district. Hutchinson has said he regrets backing the mandate ban.

Some Republican governors who have not prohibited mask mandates outright are limiting local schools, often in the name of empowering parents. In Tennessee, for instance, Gov. Bill Lee issued an executive order earlier this month giving parents the chance to opt their children out of school mask requirements.

In an open letter released last week nearly 90 doctors in the state, citing rising case numbers, criticized the order for weakening local school mandates.

"An executive order that allows parents to opt out of masks threatens the public health of entire communities and our state at large," said Dr. Erica Kaye, a Memphis physician who wrote the letter.

Laine Arnold, a spokeswoman for Lee, told CNN the governor is standing by his order, adding that there has been minimal opting out by parents in Tennessee schools that have mandates. In remarks announcing his exemption order, Lee said the state's hospital beds were "struggling under the weight" of unvaccinated adults with Covid, not children.

"Requiring parents to make their children wear masks to solve an adult problem is in my view the wrong approach," Lee said.

Covid culture war

The GOP positioning on masks in schools is partly a political consideration.

With several governors up for reelection next year -- including a few facing possible primary challenges -- banning mask mandates has been a way for Republicans to signal their populist bona fides. As a group, Republican voters have been among the most resistant to Covid mitigation efforts, from lockdown orders early in the pandemic to mask requirements to vaccinations. Some party leaders, including former President Donald Trump, have at times publicly dismissed masks.

As the new school year began, it became clear that masks on students would become the newest front in the Covid culture war.

Protests against mask mandates in schools across the country in recent weeks have been loud and heated. Earlier this month, the school board in Williamson County, Tennessee, approved a mask requirement for elementary school students, most of whom do not meet the age requirement to be vaccinated. Outside the meeting, demonstrators heckled people leaving the building with threats.

"We know who you are," said one man to a parent who had advocated for the mask requirement, according to a video obtained by CNN. "You can leave freely, but we will find you."

Days later, Lee, the Tennessee governor, announced his "opt-out" order.

The politics for Republicans are not always so obvious, particularly in swing states like Georgia. Gov. Brian Kemp is up for reelection next year in a state that swung to Joe Biden and the Democrats in 2020, following his own close race for governor in 2018.

Kemp has attempted to avoid the sticky politics of the issue by saying the choice to implement mask requirements falls to the state's local school districts.

"We're trusting the local systems, school boards to work with their parents and their administration to make a good decision for each individual school; our kids are going to be better for us doing that," Kemp told Atlanta-area WXIA-TV on August 6.

Back in Hulbert, Oklahoma, nearly every student is back in school, wearing masks. Superintendent Choate said the school will continue to do so until circumstances or the guidance from state and federal health officials change. She noted that masking has improved things. The last day of school before instituting the requirement, there were 154 students in Hulbert who had to quarantine at home.

A week later, and with masking in full effect, that number had dropped to just 22.

The shot from Stitt remains, for the moment, just words.

"As for the governor and the attorney general speaking out against us," Choate said, pausing before continuing with resignation in her voice, "I haven't been presented with anything."

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TIPPECANOE COUNTY (WLFI)  The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) is looking to provide COVID-19 relief to specialty crop growers.

The USDA has allocated $644,100 to the ISDA for the COVID-19 Block Grant. The ISDA determines the criteria and requirements for the grant process.

The Director of the ISDA, Bruce Kettler, says this grant is different from previous ones because its specifically focused on COVID-19 and the impact it had on growers.

"What relief, or what were the impacts, that someone may need to study and is there a way to provide relief of COVID-19, said Kettler. It's in order to enhance the competitiveness of those specialty crops because of COVID-19."

Kettler says the ISDA's funding priorities will focus on three main points:

Market Enhancement

Research

Access, Education and Training.

"This isn't a just because you apply it's guaranteed you get the funds, said Kettler. It's a competitive grant process that will be evaluated."

Kettler says it gives specialty crop growers, and researchers, a lot to think about.

Specialty crop grower and Owner of Wea Creek Orchard, Perry Kirkham, says hell be applying for the grant.

"There are a lot of downsides to COVID, of course, but one of the downsides for a lot of specialty crop farmers is there was no workforce, said Kirkham.

Kirkham says he has a very dedicated staff at Wea Creek Orchard. However, most of them are high school and college students who eventually graduate and get other jobs.

Thats why he decided to apply for the COVID-19 Grant through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture

Workforce issues have become much more acute, said Kirkham. So we're hoping with this new COVID grant to find a new population of workforce and do a little bit better job at training so once we train them we can keep them."

Kirkham, says a shortage of employees is something growers across the nation are dealing with.

"There's Orchards all across the state and all across the United States we know are having a difficult time finding people who can prune and help pick, said Kirkham. None of these things require an extreme amount of expertise."

The specialty crop grower says he is planning on working with experts at Purdue for the grant application process.

What we need to do is map out what we want the grant to look at and then find the experts," said the specialty crop grower.

Kirkham says one of the reasons hes applying for the COVID-19 funding is to hire more employees at his farm.

"What we do doesn't require a lot of expertise, it just requires diligence, said Kirkham. There's a lot of people out there that are willing to put that in, but they just don't have the physical capabilities and we think we can overcome that."

If Kirkham receives the funding, he plans to create a new, interactive, virtual reality where employees can learn how to work on the orchard.

"If we want people to learn how to prune they've got to be able to see a real tree and they've got to be able to make a decision 'I'm going to cut here' and then they have to know what the consequences are and even live with the consequences or don't make that cut, said Kirkham. So it always has to be very video driven, like a virtual reality."

Kirkham is extremely happy the ISDA is providing help, and future opportunities, for specialty crop growers around the state.

Kudos to the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and encouragement to continue to emphasize specialty crops, said Kirkham. Not just for the farmers, but for the future farmers as well.

The deadline for applications is October 7, 2021.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Indiana's top health officials said that despite having done everything in their power to educate and make vaccine available to Hoosiers, the state has reached the darkest time in the pandemic" amid a surge in infections and hospitalizations.

The states positivity rate has risen to 10.8%, marking Indianas worst surge of COVID-19 since last winter, said state health commissioner Dr. Kristina Box during a news conference Friday. The positivity rate was just over 2% at the end of June.

The more than 20,000 new COVID-19 cases reported in Indiana since Monday include spikes across all age groups, but pediatric cases have risen most steeply, with largest growth among those aged 10 to 14, Box said.

Echoing concerns raised by the Indiana Hospital Association last week, Box noted that hospitals are now struggling with staffing and intensive care unit capacity, and many elective procedures are being delayed or canceled.

The state Health Departments latest report showed that hospitals around the state were treating 2,186 patients for COVID-19 as of Thursday  a 30% jump in one week and up more than five times for the states level of about 400 patients a day six weeks ago in early July.

Hospitals reported treating 566 people with COVID-19 in intensive care units, taking up 26% of available ICU beds, compared with about 65 patients in 3% of ICU space in early July.

Four of the states 10 health districts, including central Indiana, reported that they had to use more than 100% of their ICU beds, Box said.

I want Hoosiers to understand that the decisions they are making affect others, Box said. We will continue to throw everything we have at this surge.

If more Hoosiers dont get vaccinated and wear masks, state health officials predicted virus spread and hospitalizations "will get much worse during the next six weeks.

To stem the surge of the delta variant  which accounted for more than 97% of Indianas cases as of Thursday  Box emphasized layered mitigation tactics. Most importantly, that includes getting vaccinated and wearing a mask in large groups and while indoors, she said.

With the start of the new school year contributing in large part to the latest surge, students, teachers and staff should also wear masks and get vaccinated if they're eligible to help decrease transmission, Box continued. Additional testing is also being offered in school setting to help reduce quarantines.

Having students in school together and participating in extracurricular activities is driving many of the new cases, she said. It's difficult to know the full scope of virus spread, however, given that more than 1,200 schools have not reported cases to the state's dashboard  as mandated by law  since the start of the new academic year.

Box said state health officials are talking with the Indiana Department of Education to take further actions that compel schools to comply.

The state Health Departments chief medical officer, Dr. Lindsay Weaver, said Friday that unvaccinated residents are at an extreme disadvantage when it comes to the coronavirus.

Breakthrough incidents account for 0.4% of Indiana's new cases, Weaver said, and only 93 of the state's 2,996 COVID-19 deaths since January were among vaccinated residents.

After the U.S. gave full approval to Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine Monday, the state's vaccine sites saw a 10% increase in appointments, which Weaver said was encouraging.

But with just 52% of Indiana residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Box said she was disappointed that nearly half of the state's population is refusing to get the shots. Although her goal is for all Hoosiers to receive the vaccine, she said reaching a 70% inoculation rate could drastically decrease future surges.

Conversations with the governor regarding pandemic measures are ongoing, Box said, although she made clear her support for elected officials to make decisions about implementing restrictions and other mitigation measures. The state continues to provide local leadership with recommendations on how to get out of the surge, she added, but she isnt sure what additional things to do.

People feel very strongly that this is a personal thing they want control over, and I understand that, Box said. I do not understand how wearing a mask is so difficult for people ... and we are incredibly blessed to have such effective vaccines at the same time.

___

Casey Smith is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

___

This story was first published on Aug. 27, 2021. It was updated on Aug. 28, 2021 to correct the characterization of a quote from the Indiana Department of Healths chief medical officer.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP)  Indiana State University is continuing to see sharp declines in student enrollment even as other universities in the state have more students arriving on campus.

Indiana State officials announced this past week a fall semester enrollment of 9,459 at the Terre Haute campus  down almost 1,400 students, or 13%, from last year.

University officials blame the COVID-19 pandemic as a big reason for the decline, the (Terre Haute) Tribune-Star reported.

Indiana State draws many students who are the first in their families to attend college or come from low-income families and are the most likely nationally to delay going to college, school President Deborah Curtis said.

This fall semesters drop follows a recent trend that has seen Indiana States enrollment fall by about 27% since it had some 13,000 students in 2017.

University officials announced earlier in August a program aimed at new fall 2022 students that will include a grant of up to $3,000 for an out-of-classroom educational experience such as an internship or study abroad and a guarantee of being able to graduate within four years or the remainder of tuition is free.

Were going to own this, Curtis said. Weve got work to do.

Meanwhile, Purdue University said it was breaking an enrollment record with more than 45,000 students at its West Lafayette campus, including a largest-ever freshman class topping 10,000. Indiana University hasnt announced a total enrollment yet but officials have projected a record-sized freshman class of some 9,300 students.

Curtis said the recent enrollment declines have hurt Indiana States budget.

Weve been very fortunate to minimally impact anyone currently working in a job, she said.

Staff reductions are never off the table, Curtis said, but the universitys goal is to keep people employed. However, Weve got to turn those enrollment numbers around.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  The construction of Indianapolis Inner Loop of Interstates 65 and 70 displaced 17,000 residents and demolished 8,000 buildings, The Indianapolis Star reported when the final leg was completed in October 1975. It tore apart once-vibrant historically Black neighborhoods like Babe Denny.

With this history in mind, a coalition of business and community leaders are gathering public support for a different design for the interstates  before the Indiana Department of Transportation has even conceived of a plan for rebuilding or repairs.

Rethink Coalition Inc, in partnership with the Indy Chamber, put together a $2.8 billion proposal to rebuild the highways partially underground, which the researchers say would physically connect communities, and save far more room for economic development and green space.

Rethink, formerly Rethink 65/70, has made the pitch before. In late 2018, after INDOT announced its plan to rebuild just the northeast corner of the loop, dubbed the North Split, the coalition commissioned engineering firm Arup to come up with a proposal for what it then called depressed highways. Then as now, INDOT did not have plans for capital projects beyond the $320 million North Split reconstruction.

This time, they teamed up with the Chamber to secure grant funding from the Lilly Endowment and commission a more expansive study from Arup, complete with price tags. Rethink also became a registered nonprofit earlier this year.

We started out more of a protest group, said CEO Brenda Freije. Were really now trying to be collaborative leaders and facilitators of conversation.

The same concept by a new name, the idea behind recessed highways is to demolish the elevated highways and rebuild them partially underground, consolidating ramps and replacing distributor roads with multi-modal boulevards, for example, to include biking and walking lanes. City streets or even parks can extend over the interstates, thereby connecting neighborhoods by foot.

The study, called the Inner Loop Visionary Study, identifies six areas of the loop for potential work. In total, Arup estimates the recessed highways smaller footprint could open up 68 acres of land for parks, commercial development or pedestrian travel.

The proposal takes inspiration from similar projects in Denver, Cincinnati and Dallas.

Arup estimates such a rebuild would cost about $2.8 billion, compared to $2.3 billion for rebuilding the interstates as is. But through the potential redevelopment of opened up space, the study estimates the redesign could generate tens of millions in new annual property taxes and more than $2 billion in real estate investment.

The north and south legs and southern portion of the east leg have had rehabilitation work done in the last decade to extend their life, INDOT regional spokesperson Mallory Duncan said. INDOT will do maintenance work as needed but does not have plans for any section of the loop besides the North Split, she said.

Thats why the coalition and chamber are talking about this now, Freije said, rather than reacting to an already baked plan, which is what happened in 2018.

The intent of this is to be very much in the front, she said.

In 2018, INDOT did adjust its plans in response to pushback. Rather than adding lanes, widening shoulders and building retaining walls up to 33 feet, INDOT chose a plan that condensed the interchanges current footprint. And while it was too late in the process to make the fundamental changes Rethink wanted, INDOT also agreed to design the interchange in a way that does not prevent future design changes to other parts of the highway.

The organizations have identified 18 stakeholder groups among the public but are still figuring out how they will solicit feedback. They envision a rebuild like this to take about 15 years, taking a segmented approach, said Kevin Osburn, an urban designer with Rundell Ernstberger and a member of the coalition.

The groups acknowledge that this kind of work may not be taken up for another decade or longer.

We know at some point youre gonna have to address these, said Mark Fisher, chief policy officer at Indy Chamber. When you do, lets not just do the same old thing. Lets think about how to enhance quality of life, rectify some of the racial injustices of the past.

Duncan called the Inner Loop Visionary Study thoughtful and forward-looking, noting its still very preliminary.

As with any effort to redesign and reconstruct major infrastructure, much additional planning, public involvement, impact review, and engineering development would need to be done before INDOT could react to factors such as design, cost and feasibility, she said.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  A coalition of voting-rights groups is sponsoring a contest for Indiana residents to draw new maps for congressional and legislative election districts across the state.

The group All IN For Democracy said the contest is aimed at finding fair proposed election maps to present to state legislators before they vote in late September on the once-a-decade redistricting based on population shifts from the U.S. census.

Voting-rights activists have complained the Republican-dominated Legislature isnt involving the public enough in the redistricting work and that partisan gerrymandering has helped Indiana Republicans gain outsized power in state government.

The organization is providing an online site where residents can compile maps based on the 2020 census data. Proposals submitted by Sept. 13 will be judged, with the winning map for Indianas nine congressional district getting $1,000, with $2,000 for the best districts for the 50 Indiana Senate seats and $3,000 for the fairest map of the 100 Indiana House districts.

The group said its judging will be based on how well the maps keep communities of interest together, maintain whole cities and counties in the same district and maximize the number of politically competitive districts.
Notice regarding Julian Ward Jones Jr.

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Provost Peggy Agouris sent the following message to the campus community on Aug. 30, 2021. - Ed.

Dear Colleagues,

I write to share the news that Julian Ward Jones, Jr., Chancellor Professor of Classical Studies, Emeritus, passed away on August 28, 2021. He was 91.

He was born on July 11, 1930, at Minor Essex County, Virginia, in the farm home of his maternal grandparents, William Milton and Rosa Ellen Greenstreet. He was the son of Julian Ward Jones and Dorothy Beatrice Greenstreet Jones. He grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where the development of his character was greatly enhanced by his associations with the local Salvation Army and Captain Ralph Millsap and with Boy Scout Troop 180. He graduated in 1948 from James Monroe High School as valedictorian of his class.

Julian Jones, Jr. earned his A.B. in 1952 from the University of Richmond, and, after a period of military service at the end of the Korean conflict, his M.A. (1957) and his Ph.D. (1959) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He joined the faculty of William & Mary in 1961 as an Instructor in what was then called "the Department of Ancient Languages and became a Chancellor Professor in 1968.

During his tenure at William & Mary, Professor Jones was a master teacher of teachers, counting among his former students many of the best high school Latin teachers in Virginia and many distinguished college and university faculty throughout the country. His Latin courses developed both the linguistic competence and the literary sensitivity of his students to the highest degree possible, and his Classical Civilization courses inspired many to a lifelong interest in the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean region. He made himself as available as possible outside of classes as advisor and mentor to students both during and after their time at W&M. Professor Jones stellar record of service to professional organizations at every level served to keep the Classics department foremost in the awareness of those who were in positions to recommend its programs to many of the most promising young scholars in the field.

Author of numerous papers read at professional meetings, Professor Jones published two superbly meticulous scholarly editions of previously unpublished manuscripts containing medieval commentaries on Vergil's Aeneid, was co-editor of a third work of similar nature, and assisted in editing a number of Latin documents related to William & Marys early history. He retired in 2001 after forty years of distinguished service at William & Mary.

Professor Jones is survived by his two sons, Gordon Bradford Jones of Falls Church, Virginia, and Douglas Ward Jones, of Williamsburg; also by a daughter-in-law, Presie Supremo Jones, and by two grandsons, Xavier Supremo Jones and Zachary Moreno Jones, all also of Williamsburg. He was predeceased by his beloved wife and intellectual companion of 54 years, Elizabeth Frances Hunter Jones, and by his sister, Dorothy Irene Wilkerson.

A funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 1 at Nelsen Funeral Home, and is open to the public. Notes of condolence may be addressed to Douglas Ward Jones, 104 Gilley Drive, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188. Donations in his memory may be made to the Williamsburg Baptist Church.

Sincerely,

Peggy

__________________________

Peggy Agouris

Provost
Posse Scholars begin momentous journey at William & Mary

Inaugural class: W&M's first cohort of Posse Scholars all came together in person for the first time Aug. 25. Front row, from left: Natalie Tubia, Mialy Simon, Kimberly Sejas, Darie Levermore; Middle row, from left: Amaya Jones, Peter Awabdeh, Temiloluwa (Temi) Abiodun, Alina Uzakpayeva; Back row, from left: Professor and mentor John (Rio) Riofrio, Shamsullah (Sham) Ahmadzai, Adriek Gill, Keon Parastaran. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Photo - of - Hide Caption

Last fall, William & Mary announced a partnership with The Posse Foundation to provide full scholarships to diverse cohorts of students, many of whom will be the first in their families to attend college and many of whom may not have otherwise seen the university as an affordable option.

It was an unprecedented union, as W&M became the first university to select Posse Scholars from the Commonwealth of Virginia and the first school to select from a broader region instead of a single metro area.

W&Ms first cohort of Posse Scholars, appropriately named Posse 1, arrived on campus Aug. 25 after four months of virtual Pre-Collegiate Training. Multi-hour Zoom sessions consisting of various ice breakers, team building activities and other exercises brought the 11 students together throughout the spring and summer and helped them build strong connections despite not being able to see each other in person.

The proof of these connections came when the students finally met each other face-to-face.

Darie Levermore, a Posse student from Fairfax, and four other members of W&Ms cohort arranged a get-together only days before they were scheduled to arrive on campus. They could hardly contain their excitement of seeing their friends and fellow Posse students in person for the first time.

The five met up at an amusement center in Fairfax and enjoyed an evening of go-karts, laser tag and other activities, mixing in meaningful conversations while waiting in line or during breaks in between.

Theyre 10 times better in person, Levermore said of her new friends and classmates.

The Posse Foundation is a national organization that identifies, recruits and trains teams of students who show extraordinary leadership and academic potential. It gained attention in 2010 when it was one of 10 organizations to receive a share of U.S. President Barack Obamas Nobel Prize award money.

During the pandemic, Posse adopted a virtual platform to help its cohorts build connections. From March to July, W&Ms Posse Scholars participated in Pre-Collegiate Training, or PCT for short, via weekly Zoom meetings.

PCT hit every point in terms of getting to know people, because we were able to talk about serious topics that are more difficult to have conversations about, Levermore said. But we were also able to have fun and laugh for two hours straight in some of our PCTs.

What stood out for me is how well PCT worked, said Temiloluwa Abiodun, a freshman Posse student from the Richmond area.

That's a great part of this Posse. We all want to know each other more. We all want to be friends. We all want to understand each other more. I love how quick it was and how easy it was for us to be friends.

That was a refrain spoken by Levermore and the other Posse students who recently met up for a fun night of games and conversation. At the end of the evening, the five sat down for a dinner of burgers, quesadillas and milkshakes and talked about their experiences over the previous months and what they were anticipating upon arrival at William & Mary.

We were just reminiscing about how far wed come, Levermore said.

Setting the stage

The Posse Foundation selected 20 W&M scholarship finalists from hundreds of candidates nominated by administrators, teachers and counselors at Virginia high schools. From that group, the W&M admissions office selected 11 scholarship recipients following a series of lengthy interviews.

Most Posse cohorts consist of 10 students, but W&M selected 11 because it was a very strong field, said W&M Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Public Affairs Henry Broaddus.

An 11-member cohort is quite rare, said Augusta Irele, director of Posses Virtual Program. We love it when it happens.

In the spring, William & Mary also selected a faculty mentor to work closely with the Posse Scholars upon arrival on campus. John Riofrio Rio, a professor in his 13th year at W&M, was an easy choice, Broaddus said.

Rio is an advocate for his students. He cares about students as people as well as learners, and he connects with them immediately and strongly, Broaddus said.

Riofrio, W&Ms Director of Hispanic Studies, participated in extensive training during the summer to prepare him for his role. He participated in multi-hour Zoom sessions and immersed himself in a 300-page mentors manual.

Being a mentor is a significant commitment. Riofrio will meet with the group each week for two hours and also meet with each student weekly.

Im flattered and honored to be a part of this, Riofrio said. You get these students who are incredibly inspiring and inspired, and I think that theyve dealt with some really significant circumstances in some cases. Others have this really enthusiastic ample vision for who they want to be and what they want to do, and I think bringing that energy to campus makes us a better campus.

In addition, I think that because of the way that Posse is set up, you're bringing students that come from extraordinarily diverse backgrounds, and I think that makes a better institution.

Abiodun said he cried when he was informed in March of the scholarship, and I hadnt cried in years before this, he added.

Abiodun and his family moved to the U.S. from Lagos, Nigeria, when he was 8 years old.

As an immigrant, you have to sacrifice so much in coming to a new country and giving up everything that you work and built for in your country, in your home. So for me, being a Posse Scholar, it allows me to kind of like give back to the people that matter to me the most, which is my parents.

Abioduns mother is going to school to become a Registered Nurse, and his dad works as an officer at a correctional facility.

Im so thankful for Posse because I dont think I would have been able to afford college, said Abiodun, who has three siblings.

Abiodun is active in his church and loves to play guitar. He has aspirations of becoming a pediatrician after college. He wants to be a friendly face and help children the same way his American doctors did for him when he was a young child new to the country.

This giving spirit is common in Posse students. Levermores parents grew up in Kingston, Jamaica, where she has seen first-hand the impact of poverty in significant ways.

Thats why she is so motivated to help low-income individuals, particularly young people. At the beginning of the pandemic, Levermore got involved in a student organization that worked with school board members to allocate resources to low-income students, helping them gain access to health care and food and other educational resources.

And over the summer, Levermore worked with special needs and disabled children at a local elementary school.

Helping people is something I enjoy doing, she said.

Being a part of the first Posse cohort at William & Mary is special to this group of 11.

Were setting the stage for all the Posses that are to come, Levermore said. We can start things on campus that turn into traditions, or we can create change that future Posses can keep doing for the William & Mary and Williamsburg community.

Momentous

Posse has partnered with 65 universities and facilitated scholarships for over 10,000 students from metropolitan areas nationwide, but William & Marys cohort is the first selected from Virginia.

This really is momentous, and I cant underscore enough how excited we are that William & Mary has joined us to become our first partner university to enroll Posse Scholars from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Irele said.

W&M has committed to a five-year partnership with The Posse Foundation. To cover the program costs and scholarships in future years, W&M is seeking support from alumni and other friends of the university who are committed to college access and student success.

W&M has secured a sponsorship deal with Langley Federal Credit Union that includes a commitment for a two-year contribution in support of the universitys program overhead for Posse. W&M has also received a number of donations to the W&M Posse Scholars Program that was launched in April around One Tribe One Day.

We have seen a lot of enthusiasm, said W&M Executive Director of Development for Scholarships & Special Projects Suzie Armstrong. The level of interest in supporting first generation students in particular has really been growing, and thats a big part of the background of these students.

W&Ms Posse students bring a range of academic and leadership qualities and interests. Some are accomplished musicians and scientists. Some are interested in medicine and anthropology. Some are active in the church.

I think thats one of the things that continues to keep me at Posse, honestly, is within each cohort, we have this really beautiful range of young folks who come together and support each other in their various interests, and that starts in Pre-Collegiate Training and continues all the way through their alumni life, said Irele, who was a Posse Scholar at Bryn Mawr College and has worked at Posse since 2010.

My Posse alumni and I are still in touch. That support doesnt end when you graduate.
Editor : Ling Xiao

Source : chinadaily.com.cn

Nerves, apprehension and excitement seem to collide on the first day at a new school, a pivotal moment for many teenagers. How welcome then are words of encouragement from a senior teacher. Words such as: "You don't need to call me Principal Zhang, just call me Ms Zhang. If you have anything troubling, you can always come to me." Or "you don't have to be afraid of anything when you are here".

On the evening of Aug 24, Xinhua News Agency posted a short video recording the opening day at Huaping Girls High School in Lijiang, Southwest China's Yunnan Province. School principal Zhang Guimei was having a cordial conversation with Yang Limei, a new student who lost her parents when she was a child.

Yang, of Naxi ethnicity, is one of the 159 high school freshmen this year. She lives with her uncle in Mingyin Town, Yulong County, about 300 kilometers away from the school. On registration day, Yang met Zhang on campus. Yang's mother fell to gastric cancer. Her father passed away soon after she fell ill.

Yang swore she would study hard in high school and get admitted to a good university. "After I finish my studies, I will return to people who helped me," she says.

Born in 1957, Zhang put down roots and built a life in the frontier for more than 40 years. In 2002, Zhang had the idea of establishing a girls' high school in Huaping. Initially her plans were met with skepticism but her efforts and tenacity paid off. With the care and attention of Party committees and governments at all levels, and the support and help of all sectors of society, Huaping County Girls High School became a reality in August 2008. Under her leadership, over the past 12 years, the school has helped more than 1,800 impoverished girls realize their dreams to further their studies at university, creating an "educational miracle" in the mountains. Thanks to Zhang's unremitting efforts, the school has prospered and built a formidable reputation. It has consistently been ranked the city's top school.

For a girl living in the mountains, Zhang says formal schooling can benefit at least three generations.

If it was not for the school, girls here would mostly marry and have their children at young age and stay in the mountains for a lifetime.

When they are admitted to university, the current preferential policies for poverty-stricken students will ensure that they complete their studies smoothly.

"As long as I draw breath, I will choose to fight to the last moment of my life for my pledge to the Party," she says. For more than 20 years, Zhang has not only been passionate about education, but also raised funds to help local people treat diseases, build roads and water cellars and resolve disputes. "Party members should help the people, and we should take care of them if they have difficulties," she says.

Over the years, Zhang has donated her salary and bonuses given to her by governments at all levels, and even the more than 1 million yuan ($154,000) from fundraising to education and social undertakings in the impoverished mountainous area. She doesn't have any personal property: "I have everything, I have a school in my heart and thousands of children."

Her body is racked with disease and covered with pain-relieving plasters. Yet Zhang still accompanies the students in morning reading, class and self-study every day. She insists on home visits all year round, clocking up a cumulative distance of more than 110,000 kilometers, for more than 1,500 students. She is also the "mother" of more than 130 orphans in Huaping Children's Home.

Since July 2020, Zhang has been awarded the honorary titles such as the National Women Red-Banner Pacesetter, National Outstanding Communist Party Member, Model of the Times, National Model of Poverty Alleviation and the July 1 Medal.

(Source: China Daily)
US President Joe Biden boards Air Force One prior to departure from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, August, 29, 2021. - Biden travels to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to attend the dignified transfer of the 13 members of the US military killed in Afghanistan last week. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
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Smoke rises from explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. The explosion went off outside Kabuls airport, where thousands of people have flocked as they try to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Officials offered no casualty count, but a witness said several people appeared to have been killed or wounded Thursday. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)
Additional support announced to help newly qualified teachers into their roles

New teachers in Wales who saw their training disrupted by the pandemic will receive a term of employment to help them into their new roles, thanks to an extra 1.7m in Welsh Government support.

With schooling disrupted by the pandemic many trainee teachers across Wales missed the opportunity to gain experience with in-classroom training.

As schools switched to providing services digitally, teachers in training delivered their lessons online.

With the new school year starting in September and pupils at all ages due to be back in classrooms, the Welsh Government has allocated an extra 1.7m in funding to ensure newly-qualified teachers (NQTs) have a term of employment to support their transition into teaching.

The funding will support NQTs throughout the autumn term, providing them with the training, experience and confidence they need.

As well as giving NQTs more opportunity for training and mentoring, the support will also allow schools to increase capacity and free up other teachers to provide extra help to vulnerable learners.

The extra funding brings total Welsh Government support for NQTs during the financial year to 7.7m, as part of a 39.1m package of wider funding backing the Welsh Governments Renew and Reform plans for education. This also includes continued support for its Recruit, Recover and Raise Standards programme, and supporting learners in exam years to move to the next phase of their education.

The new support is open to NQTs who have not already found full-time employment with a school, and more than 400 have been placed in schools across Wales.

Jeremy Miles, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, said: We know the last academic year was incredibly difficult for learners and teachers  and it especially impacted upon the training of new teachers, as they were unable to gain the experience they would usually have seen during a normal school year.

This new support will make sure they get the chance to build on their face-to-face teaching skills, plan for and evaluate the progress of their learners over a longer amount of time and build on the expertise they need to successfully complete their induction.

Those who trained as teachers during the last academic year worked incredibly hard, and its right that we support them and ensure schools and local authorities are able to retain their vital expertise.

Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said: As we move beyond the pandemic, its vital that new teachers feel supported in their new roles.

This additional funding will ensure that no-one is left behind as we work to build a fairer, greener, stronger and ever more successful Wales.
Devolved administrations express grave concerns over planned 20 Universal Credit cut and call for reversal

The UKs three devolved administrations have called on the UK Government to reverse a planned cut to the 20 a week Universal Credit uplift given to help struggling families during the pandemic.

A letter has been sent to the UK Governments Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions, Therese Coffey, expressing grave concerns regarding plans to withdraw the 20-per-week increase.

As it stands, the UK Government is set to slash benefits by 20 a week  equivalent to 1,040 a year  from 6 October.

The exact date people will see the cut kick in will depend on the day they get their Universal Credit payment.

For many, this means September will be the last month they see their benefits paid at existing levels.

If the planned cut goes ahead, it will hit nearly six million people on Universal Credit.

More than a third (38%) of those wholl see their income hit are already in employment, while one in six (16%) are under 25.

The letter  jointly signed by the Welsh Governments Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt, Scottish Governments Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Shona Robison, and the Northern Ireland Executives Minister for Communities Deidre Hargey  says:

We are writing to express the grave concerns of all three devolved administrations regarding your Departments upcoming plans to withdraw support to the poorest in our society by allowing the 20-per-week increase to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits to expire.

this planned reduction means the biggest overnight reduction to a basic rate of social security since the modern welfare state began, more than 70 years ago. Failing to maintain the recent uplift to Universal Credit will increase hardship and poverty for people who are already struggling.

To support the social and economic recovery, particularly as we ease out of the public health emergency, we urge you to reverse this decision and to strengthen the support offered by Universal Credit, instead of weakening it.

We are concerned about the potential impact that reducing Universal Credit will have on child poverty, poverty levels and the financial health and well-being of people.

The letter also questions the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stated position that the decision not to further extend or make permanent the 20-per-week increase to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits is to encourage people into work.

Latest UK Government statistics show that of the 6 million people on Universal Credit, 2.2 million are already working and 1.6 million are not required to work due to health and caring responsibilities that prevent them from seeking employment. The letter queries;

how failing to maintain the uplift to Universal Credit for households in these situations encourages people into work, and are concerned about the need to ensure that it provides them with adequate financial support that takes into account their personal circumstances.

A Government spokesperson said: The temporary uplift to Universal Credit was designed to help claimants through the economic shock and financial disruption of the toughest stages of the pandemic, and it has done so.

Universal Credit will continue to provide a vital safety net and with record vacancies available, alongside the successful vaccination rollout, its right that we now focus on our Plan for Jobs, helping claimants to increase their earnings by boosting their skills and getting into work, progressing in work or increasing their hours.
Welsh Government announce 6m investment in technology to improve air quality in classrooms

New technology to improve air quality in the education setting in Wales has been announced.

As pupils prepare to return to classrooms this week, the Welsh Government yesterday confirmed that it is to fund more than 1,800 ozone disinfecting machines and over 30,000 CO 2 sensors for schools, colleges and universities throughout Wales.

The new investment in technology aims to improve air quality and quickly disinfect classrooms, lecture theatres and workshops.

3.31m is being spent on ozone disinfecting machines, these will reduce cleaning times, improve disinfection and reduce costs.

The funding is expected to supply more than 1,800 machines, at least one for every school, college and university in Wales.

The time and cost of cleaning rooms was identified as an issue for schools and colleges early in the pandemic.

To address the issue, the Welsh Government asked Swansea University to establish an Ozone Classroom Decontamination Project, backed by Welsh Government funding. Scientists at the university have developed an Ozone disinfecting machine, now in production, which can be deployed for this task.

The machines can be used to quickly disinfect classrooms when clusters of Covid-19 or other communicable viruses are identified, such as norovirus.

2.58 m will be provided for over 30,000 CO 2 traffic light monitors, for teaching and learning spaces such as classrooms, seminar rooms or lecture halls.

CO 2 monitors include sensors which provide a visual signal of deteriorating internal air quality.

The monitors will alert teachers and lecturers when CO 2 levels rise, notifying them when air quality needs to improve, thereby aiding the control of ventilation during the winter.

This will help maintain comfortable temperatures for learners and staff during colder periods, reduce heat loss and save on energy costs.

Dr Chedly Tizaoui of Swansea University, part of the team who designed the ozone disinfection machine, said: I am delighted that the ozone technology we developed at Swansea University will support efforts to eradicate Covid-19 in Wales.

Reducing the spread of coronavirus in our educational institutions is vitally important, so our children and students can get back to the classroom.

Ozone is potent against Covid-19 virus and due to its gaseous nature, it kills the virus whether be it airborne or adhered to a surface.

Thanks to the support received from the Welsh Government and the Active Buildings pioneered by SPECIFIC, our research demonstrated that buildings can be Active on the inside and the ozone treatment developed here can be incorporated to support cleaning and disinfection of public buildings.

Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: Im pleased learners can return to classrooms and lecture theatres this autumn with fewer restrictions in place than there have been for several months.

This investment in CO 2 monitors will help improve air quality, while the disinfecting machines will enable classrooms to return to normal use quicker.

This supports our common goal of ensuring learners can continue learning together with their teachers and friends.

But we must keep our guard up against Covid-19. These measures will complement, rather than replace our current advice  which includes ensuring hygiene is maintained, and washing hands thoroughly and more often than usual.

Plaid Cymru said air quality monitoring in classrooms was long overdue but raised questions over controversial ozone disinfecting machines

Education spokesperson Sian Gwenllian MS said: Scientific advice has long highlighted the importance of air quality in limiting coronavirus transmission  and weve been calling for more guidance and resources for schools colleges and universities on the subject of ventilation since last year.

The provision of CO2 monitors to educational settings, while long overdue, is welcome, and is in line with other nations.

Its important that measures we use are in line with the latest scientific guidance and I urge Welsh Government to provide reassurance to educational settings on the use of devices such as ozone disinfectant systems.

The use of ozone disinfecting machines is controversial to say the least and we all need to be satisfied that Welsh Government is absolutely certain that they are a safe option before introducing them.

[Photo: Ysgol Penyffordd/Wynne Construction]
Educators, school staff, parents and other workers must mobilise against the unsafe reopening of schools across Britain.

Millions of children and hundreds of thousands of staff return to classrooms from September 1 in England and Wales. Schools in Scotland have already been back for weeks. The result will be an explosion of the virus, death and incalculable damage to the health and well-being of children, educators and the entire working class.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government and that of the Scottish National Party in Holyrood are pursuing a criminal policy of allowing the untrammelled spread of Covid-19 by removing virtually all safety restrictions. Scientists have warned in The Lancet that the government was pursuing herd immunity by mass infection, which will place 48% of the population (children included) who are not yet fully vaccinated, including the clinically vulnerable and the immunosuppressed, at unacceptable risk.

Year seven pupils are directed to socially distance as they arrive for their first day at Kingsdale Foundation School in London, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

On Friday, modellers in the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) warned, It is highly likely that high prevalence [of Covid] will be seen within schools by the end of September 2021. They noted, This may reflect either community or within-school transmission, and the role of schools in driving wider transmission remains uncertain.

There is no such uncertainty.

Since schools returned in Scotland at the beginning of August, daily cases have risen by over 300 percent, from 1,567 to 6,835. Cases have nearly doubled in the past week, with under-19s accounting for a third of infections and children aged 2-17 recording test positivity rates of 19.9 percent. Public Health Scotland (PHS) found that nearly 15,000 pupils (14,914) were absent from school on August 24 due to Covid, with nearly 18 percent (2,496) sick with Covid-19 and 11,976 in self-isolation. Over 1,500 Scottish education staff were also absent due to Covid-19 related reasons. Of these 266 teachers and 215 school-based staff either had a positive Covid test or symptoms.

Last September, schools in the UK were among the first to fully reopen. Within months they became a key vector of the virus, leading to a second pandemic wave as infections hit 150,000 daily with deaths more than doubling since the first wave. A second lockdown was imposed in January this year, only because tens of thousands of educators refused to go to work under Section 44 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulations.

Schools fully reopened again at the end of Easter, with mask mandates removed. Once again, there was a wave of infections. Almost 840,000 children (11.2 percent) in Englands state schools were not in class on July 8 because of Covid, with 39,000 testing positive and 35,000 with a suspected infection.

Things will be worse still this time.

The ending of UK-wide safety restrictions on July 19, just as schools broke up, has already led to over 30,000 average daily infections, 26 times greater than this time last year, with over 100 deaths a day. Hospitalisations have already reached almost 7,000.

This term there will be no mask wearing, no bubbles, and not even the isolation of children and double vaccinated staff who were in close contact with infected individuals. There is no vaccination for children under the age of 16. Moreover, most infections are from the highly transmissible and more deadly Delta variant and new and even more highly infectious variants can emerge able to evade the protection of vaccines.

Millions of parents are horrified at the threat of mass infections of children, child deaths, and Long Covid.

Contrary to the official lies that Covid has little impact on children and a return to school is essential for their wellbeing, 25 British children have died of Covid and over 10,000 have lost a primary or secondary caregiver to the pandemic. Of an estimated 945,000 people (1.5 percent of the population) who had self-reported Long Covid on July 4, 34,000 were children aged 216 years. Research led by the University of Liverpool found that around one in 20 children hospitalised with COVID-19 develop brain or nerve complications, an estimated prevalence of 3.8 percent compared to 0.9 of adults. And these are only some of the terrible effects of Long Covid.

Parents are ready to fight this homicidal agenda. Public Health Scotlands figures revealed that 399 pupils were not in school last week because their parents chose to keep them away contrary to public health guidance. Yet worried parents are being treated as criminals, facing harsh fines and the possibility of a prison sentence. A new Covid hit-squad has been announced, with attendance advisers paid 500 a day who are charged with instructing councils on the use of enforcement measures.

This catastrophic situation is the joint responsibility of the Conservative government and their de facto coalition partners in Sir Keir Starmers Labour Party and the trade unions, which have systematically demobilised opposition to the reopening of schools and the removal of all measures to minimise the circulation of the virus.

The National Education Union and all other education unions are in favour of schools reopening and a return to face-to-face teaching, providing only that a few mitigation measures are in place. The NEUs press release on the return to schools even heaped praise on the Johnson government for announcing a paltry 25 million for schools to provide C02 monitors, calling this a really welcome first step in accepting our argument that funding is needed for good ventilation.

But bitter experience has proved that a policy of mitigation alone does not work. It always involves a devils bargain between the desire of billions of people internationally to save lives and a ruling class that will not allow anything to cut across its gouging of corporate profits out of the backs of the working class.

The spread of the Delta variant has blown apart all claims that masking, social distancing, testing, contact tracing, isolation of infected patients, ventilation, and even vaccinations will alone end the threat posed by the pandemic. Instead, the advocacy of various combinations of such measures is invariably used to justify a policy of learning to live with the virusof learning to accept mass illness and death.

The only viable strategy is for the eradication of the virus, based on the policies advanced by the foremost epidemiologists, virologists and other scientists throughout the pandemic, a policy of Zero Covid.

Eradication entails the universal deployment of every weapon in the arsenal of measures to combat Covid-19 to stamp out the virus once and for all. This must be a global offensive. Over 6.5 million people in the UK have been infected with Covid since the start of the pandemic, a tenth of the population, and over 156,000 have died. But these tragic statistics are repeated the world over, with 217 million official cases and 4.5 million deaths, a massive underestimate, due to policies such as school reopenings identical to Johnsons agenda implemented by almost every government.

The Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee urges parents, educators and students throughout Britain to oppose the return to schools as part of a unified international offensive of the working class. The necessary measures to contain the pandemic, universal testing, contact tracing, isolation of infected patients, masking and vaccinations, must be implemented as part of a broader shutdown of schools and non-essential workplaces to cut off the chain of viral transmission. Such measures, implemented on a world scale, would see the pandemic fully contained and eradicated in a matter of months.

To take up this life and death struggle, join the Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee today, attend our meetings, and set up a committee in your workplace.
The election of Sharon Graham as Unite the unions General Secretary has been met with an unprecedented level of euphoria by the Britains two main pseudo-left groups, the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) and Socialist Party (SP).

Both the SWP and SP hailed the outcome as a victory for the rank-and-file even though the evidence clearly shows she received no such endorsement. They ran triumphalist headlines which belong to a parallel universe, with the SWP stating, Boost for left as Sharon Graham wins general secretary election and the SP, Sharon Grahams stunning victory opens new opportunity to resist bosses and Tories offensive and challenge Starmers New Labour.

Article in Socialist Worker's Party newspaper headlined, "Boost for left as Sharon Graham wins Unite general secretary election"

Graham the self-appointed Workers Candidate is, like her rivals, a creature of the trade union bureaucracy and drew her support overwhelmingly from its apparatchiks and the small periphery under their influence. Her only identification with the left has been provided by the imprimatur of the SWP and SP.

Graham became the new leader of Unite with the backing of under 4 percent of its 1.2 million membership. She received 46,696 votes, giving her a 37.7 percent majority of the votes cast, beating the other nominal candidate of the left Steve Turner into second place with 41,833 votes (33.8 percent). Gerard Coyne, the right-wing candidate, finished last with 35,334 votes (28.5 percent). Coynes vote represented a major decline on 2017, when he came within 6,000 votes of defeating the now outgoing general secretary, Len McCluskey and polled 56,544 votes.

All three candidates collectively secured the backing of barely more than 10 percent of Unites total membership. This is an historic low in a continuous decline in participation from 12.2 percent in 2017, 15.2 percent in 2013 and 15.8 percent in 2010.

The scenario presented by the SWP and SP that the election of Graham will serve as a catalyst for a fight against the bosses and the government is political deceit. It requires that they whitewash the role Graham has played in the betrayals of major struggles against fire and rehire in her role as an executive member of Unite and head of Organisation and Leverage.

The low turnout in the vote to determine the leader of the UKs second largest trade union can only been explained from the standpoint of the bitter experience workers have suffered at the hands of the trade unions, which sacrifice their most basic interests in their role as junior partners of the corporations imposing new and more brutal levels of exploitation.

This has been an extended process brought to a head by the global pandemic.

Unite covers swathes of workers in sectors which have borne the brunt of workplace fatalities and infection such as transport, including the buses and taxis, and mass outbreaks in the food processing plants in which employers have ranked among the most criminally negligent. But neither the election manifesto of Graham, supported by the SWP and SP, nor that of Turner, backed by the official United Leftincluding the Communist Party of Britain and the Corbynite Labour lefteven referenced the scale of social suffering imposed by the Johnson governments herd immunity agenda that has already claimed over 155,000 lives.

They share with Coyne a tacit understanding that the handling of the pandemic must be left in the hands of the British ruling elite and its prioritisation of profit over lives. The only demand placed on the government from any of the candidates following the abandonment of all mitigation measures from July 19 came from Turner, who called for the rules on self-isolationafter notification from the track and trace app to be loosenedto exclude workers in manufacturing so as to prevent Britain PLC from falling behind its overseas rivals.

The claim that Grahams victory is a boost for the left is belied by her openly declared hostility to any political position expressing the slightest degree of opposition to capitalism.

Utilising the rout of Jeremy Corbyn and his supporters by the Blairite right, the product of the political cowardice of what passes for the Labour left, Graham now calls for an end to Unites meddling in Labours internal affairs. Portrayed as a move back to the workplace, where real victories can be won and as a rank-and-file rebellion by the pseudo-left, Grahams real appeal was to the bureaucracy, including offering Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer free rein after years in which McCluskey associated himself with the Corbynite left.

The New Statesman noted that While primarily running as a reformer, Graham was also something of a unity candidate Though not associated with McCluskey, she enjoyed the support of a significant portion of Unites Executive Council (unlike Coyne) and took votes from both Coyne and Turner, who was McCluskeys anointed successor.

Starmer himself tweeted, Congratulations to @UniteSharon on her election as general secretary of Unitethe first ever woman to hold that role. Im looking forward to working together to improve the lives of working people across the country.

Grahams back to the workplace is based upon an explicitly corporatist agenda based on deepening the integration of the union into the structures of corporate management. The two main disputes against fire and rehire she lays claim to having secured a successful outcome are at British Airways (BA) and more recently at Go North West (GNW) buses as part of her 100% track record of success. Both ended in filthy betrayals in which fire and rehire contracts were withdrawn only because Unite agreed concessions, including job losses, that made such threats redundant.

The leverage weapon she frequently cites as the most effective tool in bringing to book bad bosses is based on Unite building alliances within the political establishment by proving itself to be indispensable in policing opposition among its own members. The latest sellout of a major struggle against fire and rehire occurred in August at the coffee giant Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) in which Unite rammed through a concessions agreement cutting annual wages by up to 9,000 while the union kept the fire and rehire ultimatum on the table to force workers into acceptance.

The SWP article claiming that Grahams victory was a move in the direction of supporting rank and file initiative from below consisted of just two interviews, one of which, Helen McFarlane, is an executive council member for Scotland of Unite!

The level of political dishonesty is boundless, with McFarlane stating, This is a new opportunity for people committed to win socialist policies, getting together with new energy.

The SWP declare, There has to be change. There needs, for example, to be a real fight against fire and rehire. Up until now most notably at the JDE coffee plant in Oxfordshire, Unite has dressed up defeats as victoriesdefeats Graham shares full responsibility for and lying claims of victory she has spread most consistently, and with the backing of the SWP.

In return for their pro-Graham propaganda, the SWP, SP et al hope to secure a lucrative place for themselves within the corporatist set up she wishes to establishbased on industry wide bargaining involving our Reps, Officers, Organisers and Staff and with budgets for each Sector and resources delivered to the frontline via networks of Shop Stewardsthe Combines.

A more accurate depiction of the significance of Grahams election was provided by a politically supportive editorial in the Guardian. Its message to the corporate boardrooms was, Dont Panic.

Some employers might worry that all this heralds a new age of union militancy, with Unite spearheading a campaign of shock-and-awe tactics. But the union movement is in poor health The balance of power between employers and labour shapes pay and conditions, and decides who in society bears the greatest risks. Most accept that workers lost out to capital because of a lack, rather than a surfeit, of bargaining power Union membership has fallen by almost half since the 1970s, and at the same time the number of people in work has risen by about a fifth.

Grahams claims to empower workers is not aimed at altering this balance of forces between capital and labour. She is a careerist representative of the trade union bureaucracy responsible for the betrayals that left the working class unable to combat the more than three decades long offensive against jobs, wages, working and social conditions that have given rise to todays staggering levels of social inequality. The political soap bubble of the Workers Candidate will not withstand its first contact with the harsh reality of the class struggle. This will confirm the SWP and SPs position as servile courtiers of the union bureaucracy.
In the last two days of their occupation of the Kabul Airport, US military forces have been reduced largely to evacuating themselves, Pentagon officials have acknowledged. Some 2,000 of the nearly 6,000 US troops deployed there have now left, and no more Afghan civilians are being allowed into the airport to board flights.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told Fox News Sunday that there were about 300 more American civilians still awaiting evacuation, and he said there would be no problem bringing them out in the huge C-17 transport jets that are conducting the lions share of the evacuations.

A single C-17 could easily accommodate all the remaining Americans, and still have room for military equipment that is now being taken out. One well-publicized flight last week crammed in 640 Afghan adults and 183 children, for a total of 823 people.

At Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, President Joe Biden watches as a Navy carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of a Navy Corpsman who was killed during an attack on the Kabul Airport. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

The evacuation is in its final stages, with France and Britain announcing that all their citizens and soldiers have left Afghanistan. The US military command told both American and Afghan citizens to stay away from the gates to the airport because of the likelihood of a terrorist attack in the next 24 to 36 hours.

Thursdays attack, which killed 13 American soldiers and at least 160 Afghan civilians, has had at least one effect. Despite the bluster by the White House and Pentagon about continuing their mission undeterred, evacuations have dwindled to a crawl since the bombing. While 13,400 flew out on Thursday, before and after the bombing, that number fell to 6,800 on Friday and only 2,900 on Saturday. About 1,400 civilians of all nationalities remain at the airport for screening and evacuation.

There were unconfirmed reports Sunday, appearing on the social media site 'Kabul Lovers,' that many of the Afghans killed in Thursdays terror attack were actually shot when American troops fired into the crowded square outside the gate in order to clear it after the bombing.

The television networks and daily newspapers in the imperialist countries have attributed all the Afghan deaths in the atrocity to the bomber and to confederates who opened fire on the crowd. All were acting at the behest of ISIS-K (Islamic State-Khorasan), according to a statement issued by someone claiming to speak for group, whose origins and very existence are quite murky.

Taliban officials have not suggested that US troops were responsible for any of the deaths Thursday, confining themselves to a pledge to investigate the circumstance of the attack thoroughly.

The likelihood that American troops fired on the crowd of Afghans they were supposedly in Kabul to rescue is reinforced by the events of Sunday. US forces carried out a drone missile strike on an alleged ISIS-K vehicle in Kabul eliminating an imminent ISIS-K threat to Hamad Karzai International airport, according a spokesman for the US Central Command.

Reporters on the ground in Kabul said that an entire family of nine people, including six children, was wiped out in this drone attack, only the latest example of indiscriminate warfare by American imperialism against the people of Afghanistan.

The drone missile strike in Kabul was the second attack inside Afghanistan acknowledged by US commanders since the Thursday bombing at the airport. On Friday, a drone missile struck a vehicle in Jalalabad, the eastern city that is the gateway between Afghanistan and Pakistan. US officials said two ISIS-K leaders were killed, described as a planner and a facilitator, although they conceded that neither had anything directly to do with the Kabul bombing.

Meanwhile intensive diplomatic activity continues between the US government, its major allies, and the Taliban. A statement issued Sunday by 98 countries, including the US, Britain and France, announced an agreement with the Taliban to continue permitting Afghan citizens to leave the country without hindrance after August 31, when the last US troops are set to leave and the Kabul airport is to revert to Afghan control.

We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country, the statement said.

We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding.

The statement only underscores the extent of the defeat suffered by the major imperialist powers in Afghanistan. The Islamist militia which they ousted from power 20 years ago, and which reputedly held only the periphery of the country six months ago, has now consolidated its grip on every major city, including Kabul, with its population of five million.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, a Taliban leader and deputy to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, issued a video message Saturday urging Afghans to let the US complete its withdrawal and promising that the new regime will not prevent Afghan citizens from leaving the country after August 31 if they wish to do so, including by using the Kabul airport.

The United Nations Security Council is to meet on Monday and will reportedly take up a joint French-British resolution seeking the establishment of a UN-supervised zone in Kabul where Afghan citizens opposed to the new regime can find shelter and make arrangements to leave the country. It is nearly certain that the Taliban would oppose such an effort as a violation of the national sovereignty of Afghanistan.

While the Taliban has offered to allow the United States to maintain a diplomatic mission in the Afghan capital, the Biden administration appears to have rejected that, although a State Department spokesman said Friday that the administration was actively discussing the request. All US diplomats in Kabul are at the airport and are expected to leave by Tuesday along with the remaining US troops.
The following report was delivered at the Socialist Equality Party (US) 2021 summer school, held August 1 through August 6, by Tom Carter, a writer for the World Socialist Web Site.

In recent months, factional warfare within the US political establishment around critical race theory has escalated to a fever pitch. This controversy is a contest between two fundamentally right-wing, anti-Marxist positions, neither of which can claim to be connected with anything left-wing or progressive.

On one side of the American political establishment, the Republican Party is mobilizing all the reactionary forces at its disposalfascistic militias, white supremacists and religious fundamentalistsfor a full-scale assault on the teaching of any left-wing, socialist or Marxist ideas at American schools and universities, which the Republicans intend to carry out under the banner of a fight against critical race theory.

As of today, Republican-controlled legislatures in at least 10 American states have enacted laws banning the teaching of critical race theory, and 26 are in various stages of enacting such laws. Many of these laws, to greater or lesser degrees, utilize the pretext of a struggle against critical race theory to target the real threat as the Republicans see it: Marxism.

Nikole Hannah-Jones (Source: New York Times)

A new law in Tennessee, for example, bans along with critical race theory any materials that promote division between, or resentment of, a  social class, or class of people. It is not hard to imagine how such laws, in the hands of Republican authorities, will be used to ban any articles from the World Socialist Web Site from being discussed in classrooms. These laws have been accompanied by provocative demands for cameras to be installed in classrooms to monitor the content of teachers lessons.

The Republicans, fresh from their violent attempt on January 6 to overthrow the results of the 2020 elections, are planning to make the purported struggle against critical race theory a centerpiece of their upcoming campaigns, electoral and otherwise. Steve Bannon, the fascistic political operative who played a significant role in Trumps 2016 election victory, told Politico magazine in January: I look at this and say, Hey, this is how we are going to win.

Bannon and his ilk are calculating that popular revulsion with the precepts and methods associated with critical race theory will play into their hands. Along these lines, as early as September 2020, the Trump administrations Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a directive prohibiting agency spending related to any training on critical race theory.

On the other side of this debate is critical race theory itself, a body of academic writing that emerged in the US in the late 1980s and early 1990s which combines postmodernism and subjective idealist philosophy with historical revisionism, racial sectarianism and an orientation to the Democratic Party and its satellites.

The ascendancy of critical race theory and other social justice theories over the preceding decades coincided with the accelerating shift by the Democratic Party of its ideological center of gravity onto issues of race, gender and identity, which in turn coincided with the Democratic Partys abandonment of the last vestiges of any reformist program with which it could make a genuine mass appeal.

Alongside this trajectory, critical race theory and similar postmodern identity theories emerged from obscure academic trends into a dominant ideology in universities, executive suites, Hollywood studios, media conglomerates, trade unions and within and around the Democratic Party itself.

These so-called social justice theories have an unmistakable and tendentious jargon that everyone by now has encounteredcultural appropriation, white privilege, speaking your truth, white supremacy, safe spaces, discursive violence, microaggressions, toxic masculinity, patriarchy, rape culture, intersectionality, trigger warnings and so forth.

The response of the Democratic Party to the Republican offensive against critical race theory has been to double down on it, mobilizing its supporters in the middle class pseudo-left and in the trade union bureaucracy for a fight to promote it. Charles Blow, writing in the New York Times, defended critical race theory in a prominent editorial as a lens through which to examine structures of power. And shortly after taking office, Biden himself rescinded the September 2020 OMB directive prohibiting federal spending related to critical race theory.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, issued a statement defending critical race theory, and similar statements have issued from state-level and local union officials around the country.

The pseudo-left tendencies in the orbit of the Democratic Party, for their part, are arguing that, in one or another way, critical race theory and similar postmodern identity theories should be appreciated by socialists or even harmonized with Marxism. In article titled Why Critical Race Theory Should be Taught in Schools, which appeared in Current Affairs magazine, editor-in-chief and prominent DSA figure Nathan J. Robinson defended critical race theory on the grounds that it is provocative and should spark important discussions.

The Democrats celebrated a victory in June when none other than General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appeared to align the Pentagon with those defending the teaching of critical race theory to officer cadets. Responding to denunciations from a Republican legislator during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Milley defended the teaching of critical race theory at West Point by saying: The United States Military Academy is a university, and it is important that we train and we understand. He added, I want to understand white rage. And Im white.

General Milleys apparent defense of critical race theory prompted a wave of disappointed and bitter denunciations from the Republican ranks and Trump himself, along with enthusiastic saluting from the Democratic side.

The Republican offensive against critical race theory grows out of and was made possible to a significant degree by the Democrats embrace of the New York Times 1619 Project. The Republicans responded to the 1619 Project with the so-called 1776 Report, issued in the final days of the Trump presidency, which demanded that America restore patriotic education and purge schools and universities of any teachings that are contrary to Americas principles. And the Republicans are now putting these threats into practice.

A central conceit of this whole official debate is that critical race theory represents something left-wing or even Marxist. This is often taken for granted both by its Republican-aligned detractors and by its Democrat-aligned advocates.

While genuine Marxists certainly oppose the drive by the Republicans to purge the schools of unpatriotic literature, it must be made clear that critical race theory, for its part, has absolutely nothing in common with Marxism.

The roots of critical race theory in postmodern subjective idealism

Critical race theory is a broad current, with many tributaries flowing into it and many offshoots flowing out of it. One can go to a library and walk down aisle upon aisle of shelves of this material, which at a surface level comprises many diverse and even internally contradictory trends that have emerged and shifted over time.

In characterizing this whole current, it is therefore useful to begin at the most basic level with its fundamental philosophical conceptions, the heritage of which can be traced to postmodernism and the conceptions advanced by the Frankfurt School. This is the critical theory from which critical race theory emerges.

This protracted ideological trajectory has been analyzed extensively elsewhere, including in David Norths Marxism, History & Socialist Consciousness (2007) and The Frankfurt School, Postmodernism and the Politics of the Pseudo-Left: A Marxist Critique (2015), but it will suffice for the purposes of this lecture to review a few of the characteristic conceptions.

In the book Dialectic of Enlightenment (1944), Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer, two leaders of the Frankfurt School, concluded that the Enlightenment was to blame for all the authoritarianism and barbarism that characterized the first half of the 20th century, on the grounds that it was all the inevitable result of a misguided attempt to exert control over nature through science and reason. Adorno would go on in Negative Dialectics (1966) to claim that all systemic thought is inherently authoritarian.

The postmodernists took as their starting point this rejection or denigration of science, reason and Enlightenment rationalismthis is the modernity that they claim to have moved beyondand proceeded to declare their incredulity to all meta-narratives, in the phrase of postmodernist philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard.

According to the postmodernists, scientific understanding constitutes only one web of reality or way of knowing or narrative or discourse among manyand a discredited, authoritarian one at thatso it is impermissible to speak in terms of universal truth, or of an objective reality outside and independent of human minds, to which human thoughts can reliably correspond and which human collective activity can effectively change or improve.

To cite one characteristic example, there is an anthology of writings titled Webs of Reality: Social Perspectives on Science and Religion, published by Rutgers University Press in 2002, which presents its subject matter as follows:

We explore some of the similarities between religion and science that stand out when they are treated as social structures and as systems of meaning  What we find is that the so-called scientific worldview is itself implicitly religious.

I am not singling out this book as especially significant. It just serves as only one of countless illustrations one could provide of the application of the postmodern framework. According to postmodernism, there is no scientific understanding of the world that corresponds with objective reality. Science and religion are merely different communities, different discourses, each with its own web of reality, neither of which is in any fundamental sense more legitimate than the other.

Conceptions flowing from these basic postmodern philosophical ideas find expression throughout the writings of the proponents of critical race theory, who employ phrases such as naming ones own reality and speaking your truth.

Because scientific reasoning is a discredited narrative associated with past oppression, according to critical race theory, particular emphasis is placed on what is called personal storytelling, and in particular, on the dramatic recounting of intensely emotional experiences.

As Jeanette Haynes Writer, a proponent of critical race theory, put it: The goal of CRT [critical race theory] is to construct an alternative reality by naming ones reality through storytelling and counterstorytelling; thus, the advantage of CRT is the voice that it provides people of color.

The concept of personal storytelling gives critical race theory as a body of writing one of its distinctive features. One opens a treatise on a historical or sociological topic and finds chapters devoted to the personal reminiscences of the author. Speaking your truth in this way is regarded as an entirely legitimate way to prove an ideaand indeed, even more legitimate than the discredited old method of employing objective facts, figures and logical arguments.

Whatever the intentions of the adherents of this theoretical framework, it must be said at the outset that these conceptions in themselves are not without patronizing and frankly racist implications. It is as if to say: Facts and logical reasoning about objective reality are for white people, so people of color use personal storytelling instead.

Notwithstanding the occasional invocation of Marx, these conceptions constitute, in precise philosophical terms, various forms of subjective idealism, or conceptions flowing from a belief in the primacy of thought over matter and a skepticism towards the correlation between thought and an objective reality independent of individual consciousness.

Subjective idealism constitutes the polar opposite of the philosophy of Marxism, historical materialism, which is grounded on the conceptions that matter precedes thought and that human thought can grasp and understand objective realitythe same objective reality that people of all races inhabitand through conscious and collective human activity, change and improve it.

These basic philosophical conceptions are key to distinguishing critical race theory from Marxismand why it is impossible to speak of commingling or combining any of the postmodern social justice theories like critical race theory with a Marxist critique of capitalism.

It is hoped that this lecture, if it accomplishes nothing else, makes this point perfectly clear: when we are talking about critical race theory versus Marxism, we are talking about two completely different, completely irreconcilable and completely incompatible theoretical frameworks, all the way down to their most basic philosophical roots.

In the period leading up to the Russian Revolution, Lenin was compelled in 1909 to produce an entire treatise on philosophy, Materialism and Empirio-Criticism, in which he vigorously defended Marxism from various forms of subjective idealism masquerading as improvements on the philosophical foundations of Marxism. And likewise, during the struggle with the petty-bourgeois opposition in the Socialist Workers Party, Trotsky was compelled in 1939 to write The A-B-C of Materialist Dialectics, in which he patiently reiterated fundamental conceptions that to Marxists are so basic that they are like learning the alphabet.

Cliff Slaughter, in Lenin on Dialectics, explained: It is only on the basis of seeing the existence of objective reality independent of human consciousness as the main thing that Lenin is able to make the great contribution  which he does in the [Philosophical] Notebooks. Only a materialist understanding of the active role of human practice in the real world could form the basis for the richness of Lenins conceptions, for it is from that real world that the infinitely expanding and enriched truth of human understanding is derived.

With the approach of a new cycle of revolutionary upheavals in our time in the 21st century, we can expect to find ourselves likewise compelled again and again to defend the most basic conceptions of Marxism from the corrupting influence of liberal university and establishment figures, who will more and more aggressively seek to displace them with various forms of subjective idealism.

The subjective idealist and postmodern roots of critical race theory are expressed in the concept of constructing an alternative reality according to ones individual desires, of truth being individual to each person, and the fixation on policing everyday languageor what the postmodernists would call problematizing dominant discourses.

The subjective idealist and postmodern roots of critical race theory are also expressed in another trope common to identity politics that is embraced by critical race theorythat only certain minorities have standing to speak about racism, and that statements by non-minorities are presumptively illegitimate by virtue of the standpoint of the person speaking. This conception, which is central to critical race theory, is described as standpoint epistemology.

Minority status, write Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic, leading proponents of critical race theory, brings with it a presumed competence to speak about race and racism.

This central precept of critical race theory is like arguing that a doctor has no business diagnosing a patient because the doctor has not personally experienced the subjective personal discomfort resulting from the patients condition. According to this postmodernist framework, the patient would be the only person presumed competent to opine regarding his or her condition, because the patient has experienced the symptoms, while the doctors diagnoses would be regarded as presumptively illegitimate on account of the doctors standpoint.

These anti-scientific conceptions are wrong at the most fundamental level about how human knowledge and understanding work. The doctor in this example has not personally experienced the patients subjective feeling of discomfort, but the doctor may discover and understand objectively the bacteria that is causing it, and he or she may be able through scientific methods to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment that saves the patients life. Meanwhile, the patients subjective feeling of discomfort does not automatically give the patient any special insight into the objective cause of the disease. Human beings suffered from bacterial diseases for millennia without understanding what caused them and without being able to cure them. The patient goes to the doctor because the subjective experience of the symptoms of the disease is not sufficient by itself to understand what the disease is or how to cure it.

This brings us to the concept of race itself, as it used by the critical race theorists. Race, it should be said at the outset, from the standpoint of Marxism as well as modern science, is not a coherent biological or even sociological category.

With the discovery and analysis of DNA, it can be stated categorically that from the standpoint of biology, there is no such thing as race. Moreover, any attempt in the present day to categorize individual Americans into members of a white race and a black race would itself be arbitrary and reactionary. How would that determination be made? Based on what criteria? It would necessarily require reviving and reinstating racist tropes such the one-drop rule associated with the era of Jim Crow apartheid, which categorized as black any individual with a single black ancestor.

Critical race theory acknowledges that race is socially constructed, in the sense of not being biological, but that only makes it possible to deploy the subjective idealist conceptions borrowed from postmodernism to breathe new life into these racial categories.

Kimberle Crenshaw, a founder of critical race theory, says this more or less directly: While the descriptive project of postmodernism of questioning the way in which meaning is socially constructed is generally sound  to say that a category such as race or gender is socially constructed is not to say that the category has no significance in our world. On the contrary, a large and continuing project for subordinated peopleand indeed, one of the projects for which postmodern theories have been very helpfulis thinking about the way power has clustered around certain categories and is exercised against others.

Crenshaw takes up the distinction between the statement I am Black on the one hand and the claim that I am a person who happens to be Black on the other hand, and she embraces the former on the grounds that it takes the socially imposed identity and empowers it as an anchor of subjectivity.

In the book Appropriating Blackness: Performance and the Politics of Authenticity, to cite another example of the way these concepts are employed, E. Patrick Johnson describes blackness as the ways in which the living of blackness becomes a material way of knowing.

The implication flowing from of these postmodern concepts is that race comes to be understood not as a form of a subjective prejudice in the mind of the bigot, but as a fundamental defining feature of each persons separate existence and way of knowing, an anchor of subjectivity in Crenshaws words, a condition upon which all of a persons knowledge and beliefs about the world are contingent. The logical endpoint of the operation of these postmodern and subjective idealist conceptions is that a persons race not only determines the reality that person lives in, but also that people of different races inhabit, quite literally, different realities.

Critical race theory and racial sectarianism

While its philosophical roots are in postmodernism and subjective idealism, what gives critical race theory its essential character is the addition of another ingredient: racial chauvinism and separatism, which itself has its roots in the right wing of American petty-bourgeois black nationalism.

Critical race theory takes the rejection of the Enlightenment from the Frankfurt School and postmodernism and adds a racial spin. According to Delgado and Stefancic, critical race theory challenges Enlightenment rationalism by questioning whether Western philosophy is inherently white by its orientation, values, and method of reasoning.

Delgado himself published an annotated bibliography in 2012 observing candidly, An emerging strain within CRT holds that people of color can best promote their interests through separation from the American mainstream. Some believe that preserving diversity and separateness will benefit all, not just groups of color.

This amounts to nothing more than a perverse revival of the old segregationist slogan of separate but equal, which was associated with the Ku Klux Klan and the 100-year regime of Jim Crow apartheid in the American South. According to this theory, it is in the best interest of all races to live separately and not to integrate.

This right-wing perspective is reactionary in the most direct and literal sense. It would represent undoing the progressive work of generations of people who worked and fought and sacrificed together to overcome racial division and prejudice, to break down barriers, to unite and to integrate.

This reactionary racial sectarianismwhich is reflected in demands within and around the Democratic Party for racial reparations, racial quotas and racial preferences, together with racially segregated classrooms, which they call safe spaces, or African-American cultural immersion programsis entirely consistent with the essential theoretical framework, conceptions and methods of critical race theory.

According to critical race theory, inequality and injustice are explained as the result of white privilege or white skin privilege, which is a system of racial benefits that American society is allegedly organized around bestowing to white people at the expense of black people.

In the language of critical race theory, whiteness is a form of property that is allegedly possessed by all white people, no matter what position they occupy in society, and whether those people are conscious or unconscious of their participation in White Supremacy. This conception, a key centerpiece of critical race theory, was advanced in a 1993 law review article by Cheryl Harris which sought to interpret a long list of legal decisions in the American judicial system as implicitly employing this concept.

What this means is that a homeless man sleeping on the streets of Los Angeles who happens to be white has a property interest in his whiteness that makes him in some meaningful way richer than Oprah Winfrey (net wealth $2.7 billion), at least from the standpoint of this key form of property, and therefore makes him complicit in the regime of white privilege and white supremacy.

When critical race theorists employ terms such as white supremacy and structural racism, they are not merely arguing that de facto discrimination is widespread in the United States, which is undoubtedly true as a statistical fact. Instead, these terms refer to the conception that the entire society is positively organized around the principle of advantaging white people at the expense of disadvantaging black people. Accordingly, for the adherents of critical race theory, it is not a question of whether racism is expressed in any given social phenomenon, but a question of how racism is expressing itself in that phenomenon, given that generalized racism on the part of all white people is supposedly the organizing principle of the whole society.

How does critical race theory explain the epidemic of police brutality? The answer is that it is a product of generalized racism on the part of all white people. Mass incarceration? Same answer. Government policy favoring the rich? Same answer. Low wages? Unsafe working conditions? High rent? Conditions in the schools? Same answer. Imperialist war? Flint water poisoning? Trumps victory in 2016? Same answer. The coup attempt on January 6? Generalized racism on the part of all white people. It is the explanation for everything.

This approach cheapens and detracts from the real struggle to confront and eliminate prejudice, while helping to cover up the deeper social causes of inequality and injustice. The majority of victims of police killings in the US, for example, are white. While racism may explain the subjective motivations of individual police officers who disproportionately target black youth or carry out particular beatings, asphyxiations and shootings, it is not sufficient to explain the phenomenon as a wholemuch less why the political establishment and both official political parties in the US defend the regime of arbitrary police terror.

By explaining the epidemic of police brutality as the result of generalized and pervasive racism on the part of all white people, critical race theory shifts the blame from the ruling class and the existing social order onto the mass of working people who are white, who are in no way responsible for police brutality and who themselves frequently fall victim to it.

For critical race theory, concepts such as white privilege, white fragility and white supremacy operate parallel to bourgeois feminist concepts such as rape culture, patriarchy and toxic masculinity, with sexism substituted for racism as the alleged generalized and structural prejudice at the root of all of societys problems.

In the final analysis, these are all frameworks for transmuting social phenomena that are fundamentally the products of capitalism and class society into forms digestible to middle class identity politics.

The concept of intersectionality, which is central to critical race theory, is an attempt to reconcile these various competing postmodern identity frameworks with one another, with each of the various prejudices operating along the axis of a separate identity category, such as race, gender, body weight or sexual orientation.

The principal function of the intersectionality framework in its current form is to displace the decisive role of class in history and society, relegating capitalism as a world economic system into classism, one of a long list of other -isms or forms of subjective prejudiceif not eliminating class from the discussion entirely.

In the book Is Everyone Really Equal?, which is a social justice education textbook aimed at students from high school through graduate school, Robin DiAngelo and Ozlem Sensoy use the framework of intersectionality to attack anyone attempting to introduce class into a discussion about injustice and inequality. The authors imagine someone saying, The true oppression is class. If you eliminate classism then all other oppressions disappear. They identify this statement as a form of channel switching, one of several forms of psychological denial and resistance and willful ignorance displayed by dominant group members.

They return to this theme repeatedly, later classifying under the subheading misconceptions about class the following statement: Class is the true oppression. If we eliminate classism we will eliminate racism.

In another publication entitled Whites Receiving Feedback on Racism and Responding from the Mainstream Framework: Above & Below, DiAngelo suggests that a white person saying the real oppression is class functions to maintain white solidarity, protects white privilege and protects racism.

This basic sentiment, by the way, was echoed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who recently attacked those who advocate a class essentialist position as essentially racist.

Let me answer this for just a moment. For Marxists, yes, we plead guilty to being class essentialists. Class for us is not just another form of subjective prejudice. Marxs contribution to human knowledge and understanding was not simply the observation that some people have more wealth and power than others. That much has been common knowledge for millennia.

What Marx discovered was nothing less than the law-governed dynamic driving the development of human civilization, based on a scientific examination of the development of productive forces, tracing the way that social classes correspond to specific social relations of production which arise from and then come into contradiction with those forces. Looking back over the entire preceding history of mankind, Marx was able to confirm everywhere the operation of these laws of socioeconomic development, providing new insight into the past.

And looking forward, Marxs discovery made possible, for the first time in human history, fully-conscious politics, making it possible to deliberately align the program and strategy of a revolutionary movementor a revolutionary governmentwith the objective interests of objectively existing social forces. It is possible, therefore, for Marxists active in the class struggle to study and analyze how the objective interests of social classes are expressing themselves in one or another way in that historical processfor example, in the choice of profits over human life in the refusal to contain the pandemic.

One can talk objectively about a historically revolutionary class, but it is not possible to talk about a historically revolutionary race, or for that matter a historically reactionary race. Any attempt to base politics on supposed racial interests in our world would be totally false and reactionary. Millions of people of all races have died from a preventable pandemic, not because of racial interests, but because of class interests. That is the answer to intersectionality. Comparing race and class is apples and orangestwo completely different categories and two completely different things. Racism, on the one hand, is a form of subjective and unscientific prejudice; class, on the other hand, is the key to understanding all human history, society and politics.

What perspective do these practitioners of racial politics offer for a person who wants to fight against racism and other forms of injustice, but who happens to be white? Given the racism allegedly embedded in the existential core of every white person, the prognosis is bleak. White people, as explained above, have no standing to discuss or even understand racism, according to critical race theory, so they can only be instructed to be silent and prescribed a bizarre form of therapy.

The book Me and White Supremacy, by Layla F. Saad, offers one such four-week course of study for the repentant white reader: Day 1: You and White Privilege. Day 2: You and White Fragility. Day 3: You and Tone Policing. Day 4: You and White Silence. Day 5: You and White Superiority. Day 6: You and White Exceptionalism. Day 7: Week 1 Review.

This 200-plus page tract, which future historians will catalog as a specimen of a disoriented intelligentsia going utterly out of its mind, is characteristic of a whole cottage industry of self-flagellating self-help books now being issued for the alleged benefit of white people, along with corporate leadership seminars and diversity workshops, which are designed to force white people to confront their own alleged unconscious racism.

There is good money to be made for those who have hitched their wagons to this tendentious nonsense. DiAngelo herself recently charged $12,000 for just one seminar at the University of Kentucky and $20,000 for one three-and-a-half-hour workshop at the University of Connecticut. She typically charges between $10,000 and $15,000 per event. Tim Wise, author of the book White Like Me, likewise charges a speaking fee in the $10,000 to $20,000 range.

An eight-hour day on the federal minimum wage, by contrast, amounts to $58, and comes out to about $15,000 for a year of full-time work.

These pricey workshops for white people resemble nothing so much as the gay conversion therapy practiced by Christian fundamentalistsin that the whiteness, like the homosexuality, can never be completely purged, but can only be meditated upon as a perpetual source of shame and guilt for the person so unlucky as to have been born in such a sinful condition.

One of the most toxic manifestations of this intensely subjective current is the insistence that all personal relationships (marriages, friendships, family ties) must be transformed into the preferred battlegrounds for waging political struggle for transformational change. Inductees of this ideology are urged to educate friends, spouses, lovers, co-workers and parents by forcing them to struggle with their alleged unconscious racism.

One feels that anyone who honestly attempts to put these precepts into practice with their friends will quickly find themselves without any, and that the lesson for anyone contemplating a romantic relationship across racial lines is that any effort to bridge the gap between these utterly separate realities will be so demanding and perilous that one should give up before even trying. In practice, while these theories posture as anti-racist, their effect is the opposite: to poison the atmosphere with obsessive fixation on race in every social interaction.

This is all foul garbageand, frankly, often an expression of racial prejudice in its own right. One anthology of writings titled Critical Whiteness Studies, edited by Delgado, presents uncritically an interview with Noel Ignatiev, co-editor of a magazine titled Race Traitor, a one-time Stalinist and former participant in the Students for a Democratic Society, who states: We believe that so long as the white race exists, all movements against what is called racism will fail. Therefore, our aim is to abolish the white race.

These practitioners of racial politics are expressly hostile to any aspiration of uniting human beings throughout the world in a progressive and egalitarian global culture. In a chapter of Me and White Supremacy devoted to cultural appropriation, a concept that constitutes a major ideological tenet of critical race theory, Saad directly argues that the idea of cultural sharing as a way to solve racism is flawed.

According to the retrograde, repressive, anti-artistic concept of cultural appropriation, which involves judging art on the basis of race, different artistic objects, motifs, genres and styles are owned by different races, which can only be performed or appreciated (or profited from) by members of that particular race. Therefore, anyone attempting to make art that does not belong to the artists race is guilty of illegal appropriation.

Within this reactionary framework, artists are admonished to stay in their lane, restricted to performing and consuming the cultural products of their race. This is a framework that plays directly into the hands of the far right, and with which white-supremacist Proud Boys and neo-Nazis would enthusiastically agree.

At a time when humanity is increasingly integrated on a global scale via the Internet, a development that is full of progressive potential for art and culture worldwidewith young people improvising, adapting and exploring dances and music from all around the world via TikTok and other social media platformsthe racial sectarian adherents of critical race theory throw up their hands and object to cultural sharing.

In the same chapter of Me and White Supremacy, Saad goes on to reject any aspiration towards color-blindness. In a highly revealing passage, she rejects the idea that we should act like one giant human culture who share everything equally would work if not for racism and the existence of privilege.

This amounts to a repudiation of everything that was in fact progressive in the civil rights struggles in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, which united masses of people of all races around the demand for legal equality.

There is a left-wing critique of the civil rights struggles, to the extent those mass struggles were limited by a national-reformist framework, and to the extent that they achieved formal legal equality but not genuine social equality. And inequality and injustice persisted in the decades after these struggles receded and persist to this day. But critical race theory draws from these experiences an essentially pessimistic and reactionary conclusion, rejecting as misguided the aspiration towards a united struggle for equality itself.

The embrace of critical race theory by the Democratic Party

Critical race theory emerged as a distinct trend in the late 1980s and 1990s in obscure corners of American academia, a time frame that coincided with the liquidation of the USSR, the receding of the tide of struggles for social equality that had characterized the previous decades and the jettisoning by the Democratic Party of the last vestiges of any commitment to social reform.

While some of the concepts and themes can be traced into the preceding decades, including writings of the Harvard law professor Derrick Bell, the first academic event centered on critical race theory in its current form is generally held to be a 1989 workshop retreat near Madison, Wisconsin, called New Developments in Critical Race Theory. As organizer Kimberle Crenshaw would go on to candidly acknowledge, there were no new developments because it was the first ever event dedicated to discussing the theory: Sometimes you gotta fake it until you make it, she later said.

The 1990s were a period of reaction worldwide and in the United States in particular, featuring a succession of wars of imperialist aggression under both Democratic and Republican administrations, with the Democrats themselves championing law and order campaigns at home while the Republicans embraced family values.

Critical race theory, in this context, did not emerge out of any mass social struggles or campaigns for equality or democratic reforms, but spawned and festered in the corners of middle class academia during a period of reaction. Nurtured in an atmosphere of bitter disappointment and subjective demoralization, it collected in anthologies of literary criticism, legal commentary and other nodes in the humanities departments.

For all its pretensions of being radical and even revolutionary, its content was always essentially anti-working class, anti-Marxist and anti-socialist: middle class academics venting their anger against the working class for the failure of previous struggles, concluding that these struggles failed because the vast majority of white people are hopelessly racist and sexist and unworthy of any role in history.

Critical race theory also represented, to be perfectly blunt, a means for ex-radical middle class academics to carve out a comfortable space to make money for themselves. The dirty secret of this whole vast exercise in hypocrisy is that for all the denunciations of privilege, it is figures like DiAngelo, whose net worth is likely in the six or seven figures, and Nikole Hannah-Jones, with a net worth estimated around $3 million, who are the real beneficiaries of privilege.

In a succession of presidential campaigns, including the Obama election campaigns in 2008 and 2012, together with the Hilary Clinton campaign in 2016, followed by the promotion of the #MeToo campaign beginning in 2017 and the 1619 Project in 2019, the Democratic Party turned more and more sharply to issues of race, gender and other forms of identity to mobilize sections of middle class professionals, students and young people behind its right-wing, imperialist policies. As part of this process, critical race theory rapidly gathered momentumand as of today, it can be said that for all intents and purposes it has been embraced as the crown philosophy of Americas oldest imperialist party.

As a theoretical tendency, critical race theory is quite compatible with nationalism, capitalism and the ideological requirements of US imperialism. Crenshaw herself recently gave a widely featured interview on CNN, in which she claimed that critical race theory is not anti-patriotic. In fact, it is more patriotic than those who are opposed to it

The practitioners of racial politics make an approach to young people angered by police brutality and by the persistence of racism. Young people in the US, like their counterparts around the world, instinctively hate all forms of bigotry and prejudice. They mistrust the flag-waving patriotic version of their countrys history and intuitively sense that there is something deeply wrong with the whole society. But the purpose of racial politics is to capture and derail those natural and healthy sentiments, channeling them away from class solidarity and revolutionary Marxism and into the framework of middle class opportunist politics within and around the Democratic Party.

Critical race theory has no unified international perspective. Its adherents focus their attention almost exclusively within the geographic boundaries of the United States, seldom stopping to ask themselves what the implications of their theory would be if applied beyond Americas borders.

For example, if racial division explains all the conflicts and ills of American society, then it would follow that countries that are more ethnically homogeneous, like Iceland and Japan, would be paradises free of any form of social inequality and injustice. Alas for critical race theory, that is obviously not the case.

When the practitioners of racial politics do turn their attention outside the borders of the US, the results can be cringeworthy and downright horrific, as on the occasion in 2019 when 1619 Project author Nikole Hannah-Jones took up the question of the Holocaust.

Socialism, meanwhile, has always stood for equality, and the struggle of scientific socialists for equality around the world stretches back a century and a half before the phrase critical race theory was ever uttered. Since coming onto the scene mere decades ago, the proponents of critical race theory have done nothing to contribute to that struggle and have instead only befouled the air with their pompous postmodern jargon and vicious race-baiting.

Marxists have a long and proud history of opposing all forms of prejudice and division within the working class, and of rejecting the category of race as having any explanatory value in the historical process. Even the long tradition of using the word comrade within the Marxist movement has itself underscored that every fighter who joins the struggle for socialism is on equal footing.

There is no value whatsoever to a method that proceeds from an assumption that racial divisions, socially constructed or otherwise, constitute a primary or decisive factor in history and social conflict. Such conceptions should be rejected absolutely and categorically.

Seeking to explain Trumps January 6 coup attempt, for example, as the product of white rage is no more helpful than an astrologers quest to discover in that same phenomenon an expression of the movements of the planet Jupiter. From any objective scientific standpoint, the one simply does not help explain the other.

The embrace of critical race theory by the Democratic Party reached its high-water mark, at least to date, with the promotion of the New York Timess 1619 Project. But the Democratic Party has shown no signs of changing course.

It is important to recall that in an earlier period, the American ruling class rejected the race-obsessed historical revisionism that came to be associated with critical race theory. The New York Times itself once vigorously defended Lincoln against accusations that he could be understood only as a racist. The maintenance of a national idea independent of race was previously seen as key to the long-term stability of American society and politics.

The more recent volte face to embrace racial sectarianism has a short-sighted and desperate character. Unable to make a popular appeal on the basis of a genuine improvement in living and working conditions for masses of people, the Democrats have to resort to emotional appeals to various forms of prejudice, envy and mistrust. But the incessant talk of white privilege and white fragility, as Bannon gleefully anticipates, will have the effect of driving workers into the arms of the far right and, in fact, undermining the real struggle to expose and eliminate prejudice.

Thirty years have passed since the outbreak of the Yugoslav Wars, which were triggered by the reintroduction of capitalism in the former Yugoslavia.

The nationalist movements that were quickly thrown together by the newly enriched Stalinist ex-bureaucrats, who were unable to give any progressive coloration to their shameless looting operations, based themselves openly on dredging up and exploiting ethnic hatreds.

In the course of a decade of bloody conflict, the term ethnic cleansing entered the global lexicon. These wars led to more than a hundred thousand deaths, and more than four million people were displaced. Similar wars and conflicts were triggered by the capitalist restoration elsewhere in the former USSR, such as the ongoing fratricidal conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.

A warning must be made that one or another form of Balkanization is the logical end point of all the obsessive harping on race inside the United States, as capitalism brings out of the sewers the old hatreds and prejudices to set workers at each others throats and preserve class rule.

While critical race theory postures and presents itself as a continuation of the mass civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s, nothing could be further from the truth. With its insistence that white people and black people essentially comprise incompatible species who have been at war with each other throughout history, critical race theory has less in common with Martin Luther King than it does with Adolf Hitler. Among the ideological precursors of critical race theory, in that respect, is the racialist pseudoscience that emerged in the late nineteenth century, social Darwinism, which purported to replace the class struggle in history with concepts borrowed from Darwins discoveries related to biological evolution, reimagining history not as a struggle between social classes, but as a process of competition and natural selection among biologically distinct races.

At the time of the Russian Revolution, the Bolsheviks likewise had to confront efforts to stir up racial, religious and national hatreds aimed at destabilizing and dividing the workers movement.

When the accursed tsarist monarchy was living its last days, it tried to incite ignorant workers and peasants against the Jews, Lenin explained in a 1919 radio address. The landowners and capitalists tried to divert the hatred of the workers and peasants who were tortured by want against the Jews.

It is not the Jews who are the enemies of the working people, Lenin said. The enemies of the workers are the capitalists of all countries. Among the Jews there are working people, and they form the majority. They are our brothers, who, like us, are oppressed by capital; they are our comrades in the struggle for socialism. Among the Jews, there are kulaks, exploiters and capitalists, just as there are among the Russians, and among people of all nations.

The capitalists strive to sow and foment hatred between workers of different faiths, different nations and different races, Lenin continued, concluding his address with the words: Long live the fraternal trust and fighting alliance of the workers of all nations in the struggle to overthrow capital.

A hundred years later, the basic conceptions articulated by Lenin remain a centerpiece of the Marxist tradition. Within every so-called race, there are the working people who form the majority, who are oppressed by capital and who are the brothers and sisters and natural comrades of all other workers on the planet. And within every race, there is a minority consisting of the capitalist class and its privileged agents.

Socialists around the world are engaged in the complex and challenging struggle to unite the working classincluding people of different nationalities, genders, languages, religions, ages and customsfor a common struggle for peace, progress and equality.

This certainly involves fighting and exposing prejudice and injustice wherever we encounter it, as it always hasif we see it, we wont stand for itbut we understand that prejudice survives not because it is fixed eternally in human psychology but because capitalism survives to nourish it. We explain to workers and young people how prejudice is cultivated and exploited to undermine class solidarity, and how overcoming those prejudices is not simply morally right but historically necessary.

The coming revolutionary upheavals around the world will bring hundreds of millions of people into struggle. The forces exerted on the revolutionary movement will be tremendous. A movement that is cracked and fractured along racial or national or gender lines will not be able to withstand those forces and will quickly break apart the moment real pressure is brought to bear. A world movement that can weather the revolutionary maelstrom must be prepared to advance a unified world perspective, applicable to all workers, from a shared understanding of its own history to its basic philosophical foundations and method, class orientation, conception of the epoch and strategy for victory. This is the real strength of a political movementthe glue that will hold it together through any crisis.

For these reasons, the answer to the bigotry of the Republicans and Trump is not to give an inch to the racial sectarianism of the Democrats and critical race theory. Rather, we must build international workers solidarity, which is an essential condition for the advance of human civilization and culture and for the final defeat of all forms of prejudice.
The following statement was written by the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee (DWRFC), which is coordinating opposition among Dana workers in the US to a sellout contract backed by the unions. Over the weekend, workers at several plants voted overwhelmingly against the contract, with other plants voting this week.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The contract agreed to behind our backs by Dana/UAW/USW appears headed for overwhelming defeat. Yesterday, workers at six plantsPottstown, PA; Warren, MI; Danville, KY; Paris, TN; Fort Wayne, IN; and Lima, OHstood up to say no to mandated overtime, no to 80-hour weeks, no to pay cuts, no to sweatshop conditions worse than those faced by workers a century ago and no to the way the company and unions treat us like trash.

Workers at the plants that have not yet voted must remain vigilant to prevent fraud. On Sunday, fellow rank-and-file workers at several plants sent delegations to watch ballot boxes to make sure the UAW and USW could not stuff yes votes as they have been known to do in the past.

The defeat of the contract must be followed by preparations for strike action. We know that Dana has important weaknesses and that we workers have immense potential power. Dana is engaged in ruthless competition with its corporate rivals and fears a strike could crush its standing with its clients like GM, Stellantis, Ford and John Deere. Without our parts, the entire auto industrymore interconnected than ever beforewould be seriously impacted.

A strike is also serious business. This means we must enter the struggle with a clear idea of what we are fighting for and how we will win.

As for what we are fighting for, the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee has outlined a set of minimal demands for a contract that workers are prepared to accept. This includes:

An eight-hour day and 40-hour week. A 75 percent wage increase for all workers. The abolition of the multi-tier system. Workers control of line speed with no speed-ups. New, clean machines, safety training and air quality checks. No points system. Bonuses for those with good past attendance. Adequate air conditioning in all plants. Workers oversight of safety protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19. Full pay to workers for all missed time.

To the UAW and USW, we demand an immediate end to the day-to-day extensions of the contract. The UAW and USW must set a strike deadline of Thursday, September 2, unless the company meets our demands. This should have happened weeks ago.

The DWRFC, however, does not place any faith in the UAW and USW to lead a strike to victory.

The UAW and USWs record in past struggles shows they will isolate us plant by plant, keep us from communicating and sharing information with each other, and enforce speedups at other parts companies and even at other Dana plants in the US. They will starve us on low strike pay while 450 UAW executives making over $100,000 per year continue to draw salaries on our dues money. They will force us to vote on the same contract (perhaps with slightly different wording) over and over again until we pass it. That is exactly what they just did to 3,000 of our brothers and sisters at Volvo plants in Virginia.

Thats why we are calling for each plant to elect its own rank-and-file strike committee.

These committees must be led by workers who do not and have never held elected office in either the UAW or the USW. Their purpose will be to unite all Dana workers at that plant, to get them on the same page, to provide information, to hold democratic discussions on strategy and demands, to keep out spies from the company and union, and to ensure that the workers at the plant all act as one. The strike committees can win over our brothers and sisters who voted yes by showing them it is possible to win something better.

Each plants strike committee will send representatives to a national strike committee, coordinated by the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee. The national strike committee will be an interconnected working-class network for information sharing across plants and for strategizing common action and carrying it through with one, unanimous voice. It will ensure that all plants act as one voice and will prevent the company, UAW and USW from dividing us against each other and cutting side deals. It will demand strike pay at 100% of workers wages.

The committees must be responsible for reaching out to our fellow workers at the assembly plants that use the parts we make. There are other parts workers, including at Faurecia and Magna, who work under conditions like ours. We must appeal to our international coworkers35,000 Dana workers in allincluding in Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Thailand, France, Italy, Germany and many other countries. In the 21st century, active international support is necessary to win a strike against a globally integrated transnational corporation like Dana.

We urge all workers to begin setting up a strike committee at your plant now. To start, share this statement and discuss it with the coworkers you trust. The Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee is standing by to provide whatever assistance we can to the development of a strike committee at your plant.

To contact us for advice and assistance, email us at DanaWRFC@gmail.com or text (248) 6020936.
When the French daily Le Monde reported on the national defence council meeting held on July 21, it noted that President Emmanuel Macron had made a clear and categorical refusal, a sort of presidential veto to the possibility of imposing local lockdowns or curfews in areas with high coronavirus infections, in addition to the health pass which mandates vaccinations.

The health pass restricts access to public places to people who have been vaccinated, recently recovered from COVID-19 or who have recently been tested. While it has been presented as a complementary measure to encourage vaccination, it is a set of disparate and inconsistent measures. It aims above all to justify the widest possible reopening of economic activity for the accumulation of profits, while allowing the virus to circulate widely.

The day before the defence council of July 21, Health Minister Olivier Veran reported a tripling of the number of positive cases in one weeka record growth since the beginning of the pandemic in France. This followed the lifting of the last partial lockdown measures. The much more contagious Delta variant has increased from 20 percent at the end of June to over 98 percent today.

French President Emmanuel Macron (Eric Gaillard/Pool photo via AP)

Macrons health pass involves a fundamental deception, to make people believe that measures are being taken to fight the virus, whereas there is no policy to reduce its circulation. The pass has nothing to do with a scientifically based policy to eradicate the virus.

The virus is spreading rapidly in France, with daily new cases at over 18,000 on average. The incidence is higher in different regions. In particular, it is significantly higher in the holiday areas of the South West and South East, as well as in the entire area near the Pyrenees. Six departments in the south of France have rates above 300 per 100,000 people. The end of August holidays will likely lead to a mixing of populations and an increased spread throughout the country.

The reopening of schools this week will inevitably create a health catastrophe. Youth vaccination rates remain low and are zero for children under 12. The reopening of schools under such conditions would be disastrous and poses the necessity of mobilisation of the working class, independently of the trade union apparatuses that support the school reopenings, against it. (See:  Reopening of French schools threatens childrens lives .)

In Martinique and Guadeloupe, where vaccination rates are three times lower than in metropolitan France, including among the elderly, Macrons in-principle rejection of lockdown measures has produced an explosion of cases. Only after several weeks of rapid case growth were social distancing measures belatedly announced this month. Hospitals are already overwhelmed, and the number of health workers is insufficient. A large number of deaths is expected in September and October, as many patients will not be able to access resuscitation units due to a lack of beds and available staff.

In response to the catastrophic situation in the French islands, Macron impudently declared that if it had to be demonstrated that vaccination is the most efficient way to respond to the Delta variant, unfortunately our Antilles are providing a cruel demonstration. What a fraud! While vaccination is essential to combat the virus, the real cruelty is that of Macrons policy, which consists of lifting lockdown measures, encouraging tourist travel and relying almost exclusively on vaccination alone, whether in the overseas French territories or in mainland France.

Macron justifies his refusal to take additional measures by referring to the social acceptability of restrictions on personal liberties of movement, as though public health measures were arbitrary, and not based on the necessity to contain the pandemic and save lives. In fact, Macron uses the same anti-scientific language as his adversaries, who openly oppose vaccination, the health pass and social distancing measures, and have held demonstrations dominated by the far right.

While the rate of vaccination required to prevent the spread of the virus is estimated to be somewhere in the region of 90 percent, and only 57.5 percent of the French population is completely vaccinated, it is impossible to speak of vaccination replacing social distancing measures. In addition, according to the latest studies on the Delta variant, while the vaccine severely cuts the severity of the virus among infected patients, as demonstrated by the proportionately small number of vaccinated patients in ICU, a non-negligible number contract less severe forms of the disease and are also contagious.

This makes clear that it is all the more necessary to combine vaccination with energetic social distancing measures, isolation and contact tracing, including for those who are vaccinated, and including partial and complete lockdowns when necessary. This is why the health pass that fully opens public places and permits the mixing of vaccinated and non-vaccinated people who have had a recent test (whose validity has been extended to 72 hours) is inefficient and dangerous.

Disastrous consequences have already resulted from this policy. After reaching a low point in mid-July, the total number of people hospitalized has since risen to 11,092 as of yesterday, up from 9,000 only two weeks ago. The number of people in critical care has reached 2,276, up from 1,831 two weeks ago. Mortality has risen sharply and now exceeds over 100 per day. Yesterday, the official total number of deaths by COVID-19 is 114,210 in France, 1,170,200 in Europe and 4,513,868 worldwide, though the real numbers are far higher.

Despite these alarming figures, Macron has refused to take any actions to contain the pandemic in France. No measures have been taken in departments where the contamination is very high, such as in Occitania. Behind the facade of vaccination and the health pass, it is the policy of herd immunity that is once again being pursued, as in the UK. On July 19, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lifted all lockdown measures on the occasion of what he cynically called Freedom Day.

In Spain, youth have been deliberately sacrificed, with incidence rates among this age group several times higher than the national average.

The irresponsible policy in Europe has resulted in many countries, such as Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and France, exceeding 200 cases per 100,000 people. For the whole of Europe, it is over 160.

In India, the fight against the coronavirus has been sabotaged from the outset by the Modi government. A study by the US-based Center for Global Development estimates that there were between 1.5 and 3.4 million excess deaths during the first wave of the pandemic, between April 2020 and March 2021. With the spread of the Delta variant between April and June of this year, between 1.4 and 2.4 million people died in three months, a death rate three times higher than normal. According to the report, The actual deaths are probably in the millions, not the hundreds of thousands reported by Indian authorities.

These results confirm that COVID-19-related deaths are grossly underestimated internationally, and that they are well over 10 million deaths, instead of the 4.51 million reported by official figures. Those responsible for this mass death are not to be found in India alone, but first and foremost in the heart of world capitalism, in the USA and in Europe. It is there that the priority of profits over human life has been decreed and that the refusal to conduct any international policy to fight the pandemic has been endorsed.

COVID-19 has killed 633,000 people in the USA and more than 1.1 million in Europe. The epidemic is in full recovery in the USA and in Europe. The indicators in many countries point to a strong resurgence of the virus, depending also on the progress of vaccinations. National governments are practicing a deliberate policy of herd immunity, leaving millions of young Europeans and Americans to be contaminated, including with severe illness and Long COVID, producing an inevitable rebound in the infection of older age groups, and the risk of creating even more dangerous variants.

Although the Delta variant is highly contagious, an aggressive policy of isolation and tracing would stop transmission as part of an internationally driven policy. The Chinese successfully blocked a Delta variant outbreak in May 2021 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, which stopped after infecting a total of 167 people over a 26-day period. Since then, China has faced a new and more serious series of cases. It has deployed millions of tests, contact tracing and isolation to block the spread of the virus.

At a recent international online meeting organised by the WSWS involving leading scientists from around the world, for example, Dr. Malgorzata Gasperowicz, a developmental biologist and researcher at the University of Calgary, gave a detailed presentation demonstrating that aggressive coordinated measures could have eliminated the pandemic within two months, had they been taken from the outset, and that even with the Delta variant, elimination of the virus could be achieved within months.

In France, Macron is responsible for tens of thousands of avoidable deaths, but he has received constant political support from the trade union apparatuses and the parties of the pseudo-left. This has allowed him to protect the interests of the financial elite over the lives of the population. This is part of a policy pursued by the ruling class throughout the European Union to impose a return to work and school and to let the virus spread in defiance of scientific recommendations. Yet explosive anger is building against the ruling class across Europe and internationally.

The repeated partial lockdowns and now health pass, including grossly ineffective measures, and the absence of a campaign of education for vaccination, has opened a space for the extreme right to cultivate support for its campaign against vaccination. But the far-rights denunciations of the health pass are aimed at abandoning all health measures and assuming openly the policy of herd immunity.

The pseudo-left and a part of the trade union apparatus are now calling for support for this campaign by the extreme right. This must be rejected with contempt. It results in strengthening Macron, as he pursues his agenda of strengthening his police state regime and prepares new attacks on the social rights of the working class.

Workers must create their own rank-and-file action committees, and break from the influence of the union apparatuses and the pseudo-left that has aligned itself behind the slogans of the far right. A struggle must be waged against Macrons policy of austerity and mass death, including against the reopening of in-person schooling. Contrary to the attacks from the right against Macron, the struggle must be anchored in the interests of the working class and have an international and socialist perspective.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) expects Hurricane Ida will continue to produce heavy rainfall through Monday across the central Gulf Coast, resulting in life-threatening flash and urban flooding and significant river flooding impacts, having made landfall just west of Grande Isle, Louisiana, Sunday afternoon. The NHC had warned residents to expect extremely life-threatening storm surge inundation along the Gulf Coast within the area between Burns Point, Louisiana and Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Meteorologists were stunned at the rate at which Hurricane Ida strengthened. From Saturday to Sunday, Ida grew from a Category 2-level storm to a Category 4 classification. Its winds accelerated rapidly to 150 mph, nearly strong enough to be classified as a Category 5 storm, making it the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana since Hurricane Katrina exactly 16 years ago to the day.

A man passes by a section of roof that was blown off of a building in the French Quarter by Hurricane Ida winds, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

As of Sunday night, the entire city of New Orleans was without power, the result of what utility Entergy described as catastrophic damage to the transmission system, leaving in the dark those who could not or did not evacuate Sunday night. Widespread power outages were also reported in the city of Hammond, up the Mississippi River all the way to the state capital of Baton Rouge and down through the city of Houma and surrounding Terrebonne Parish.

Catastrophic wind damage is expected where the core of the storm passes, and extremely dangerous winds spread inland throughout the day. High winds tore part of the roof off Lady of the Sea General Hospital in Cut Off, Louisiana, just inland from the Gulf of Mexico. The hospital said it had suffered significant damage but that its patients were safe.

The failure of an emergency generator at Thibodaux General Hospital in Lafourche Parish forced the evacuation of patients from an intensive care unit to another floor of the hospital which still had power. Nurses and doctors had to handbag patients, manually providing air to patients until they could be hooked back up to mechanical ventilators.

As of Sunday night, Idas forward speed had slowed down, and the storm was moving northwest at only 10 mph, increasing the chances of catastrophic flooding and the amount of time its high winds will batter inland locations.

Before Ida became a named storm, forecasters believed the disturbance was just another cluster of thunderstorms. However, the storm developed rapidly because it was hovering in an area where the wind was not fast enough to carry the oceans heat away from the system. Idas rapid intensification, which exceeded forecasts, was due to extremely warm ocean waters and ideal conditions in the atmosphere as well.

Satellite photo of Hurricane Ida (Source: NOAA)

Human-caused climate change, by warming air and ocean temperatures, is leading to both stronger and wetter hurricanes, and more storms that rapidly intensify. The Gulf of Mexicos unusually warm and deep waters provide ideal conditions for the development of severe storms.

On Twitter, meteorologists across the country expressed alarm at Idas rapid evolution into a colossal threat.

I desperately wish the forecast hadnt become reality, said Rick Knabb, a hurricane expert at the Weather Channel, adding that rapid intensification before landfall is the hurricane scenario weve always dreaded.

Eric Blake, a senior hurricane specialist at the NHC, said, I feel sick to my stomach watching this hurricane. This is a very sobering morning.

I feel ill watching this hurricane, Kim Wood, a meteorology professor at Mississippi State University, said on Twitter.

Sunrise reveals an absolute monster. The rapid intensification to the point of landfall is what meteorologists fear most with tropical cyclones, Steve Bowen, a meteorologist for reinsurer Aon, tweeted.

Idas rapid development also caught state and city officials off guard. After the NHC updated Hurricane Ida as a serious threat, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced Friday that there was no time to order a mandatory evacuation of the city. Cantrell said that, due to the timing of Idas landfall, the city was unable to put together a contraflow plan needed to quickly evacuate people.

Residents of the city within the levee system had been told to ride out the storm, while those living outside the levees were placed under a mandatory evacuation order. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said Sunday afternoon that more than 1,540 people were in evacuation shelters throughout the state, though that number is expected to rise.

The Weather Prediction Center estimated most areas could see as much as 8 to 16 inches of rain through Monday, and in extreme cases up to 2 feet. In New Orleans, the National Weather Service said 15 to 20 inches of rainfall or more could fall, overwhelming the citys fragile pumping system and causing extensive flash flooding.

Power outage monitors reported that over 430,000 households in southern Louisiana were without power Sunday, with warnings that outages could persist for weeks. The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans announced that many of its sewage pumps are experiencing power outages, increasing the potential for sewage backups and flooding.

Storm surges between 12 to 16 feet have been recorded across south coastal Louisiana, between Port Fourchon and the mouth of the Mississippi River. The NHC called the surge extremely life-threatening. Storm surge flooding is also underway farther east into Mississippi.

Numerous oil and gas facilities and chemical plants were in the path of some of the strongest winds and storm surges, including Port Fourchon, which is considered integral to the Gulf of Mexicos oil and gas production. Officials worry that damage to infrastructure along the coast and upriver, between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, could lead to environmental hazards and disrupt oil and gas production in the Gulf.

As of the time of this writing, the NHC still categorized Ida as extremely dangerous. Idas top wind speeds had decreased slightly, down to 125 mph, which still made it a Category 3 storm. Ida is expected to weaken during the next day or so, but is forecast to remain a hurricane late through the night and remain a tropical storm until Monday afternoon. The storm system is expected to bring heavy rains, resulting in flooding in Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia and on through the Mid-Atlantic as it progresses through mid-week.
Patients who have been hospitalized for COVID-19 but survive return home glad to be alive. But they are anguished by scenes of mass suffering, overworked hospital staff and a desperate struggle to survive. They will now have something else to deal with: even higher bills to pay.

Throughout 2020, co-pays and deductiblesthe cost-sharing amounts usually charged for medical treatment and hospitalizationwere waived by health insurance companies and some self-insuring employers for coronavirus patients. Those waivers for the most part have now been ended.

The Kaiser Family Foundation found that nearly three-fourths of the largest private health plans are phasing out cost-sharing waivers, with most ending them at the end of August. Another 22 percent of plans are ending the waivers by the end of the year. Medicare waivers will continue until the end of the federally declared Public Health Emergency in October. Employers who fund their own insurance and did not charge enrollees for COVID treatment are also ending waivers.

Dr. Rafik Abdou and respiratory therapist Babu Paramban check on a COVID-19 patient at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, LA, Nov. 19, 2020 [Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File]

In the private health insurance system in the US, costs for medical services are shared, with policyholders paying a deductible, co-payment and coinsurance. For example, in 2021, the lowest-premium private insurance sold on the Affordable Care Acts marketplace had deductibles that could be as high as $8,550 for an individual and $17,100 for a family. That means a family with one of these high-deductible plans has to pay $17,100 before its insurance starts paying anything.

It is well known these high costs often lead to ill people delaying or forgoing treatment. With COVID, any delay could mean increasing the spread of the disease while infected people get sicker.

In addition to out-of-pocket expenses required by insurance companies, hospital charges are a nightmare. As debt.com explained: There is no standard system that determines what a hospital charges for a particular service or procedure. Many factors figure into hospital pricing, including an individuals health circumstances, the cost of lab tests, X-rays, surgical procedures, operating room and post-surgical costs, medications, and doctors and specialists fees.

For most people, medical costs are more than they can afford. In 2018, 40 percent of Americans lacked sufficient savings to pay for a $400 emergency, according to federal data. A Blue Cross Blue Shield Association study found that total costs for treating patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are $22,500 to $45,000 on average. Patients could see bills, after insurance, as high as $13,500. If patients need treatment in the ICU, total costs average $56,250 to $112,500, with patients seeing bills after insurance as high $33,750.

While huge medical bills bankrupt many60 to 65 percent of all bankruptcies are related to medical expensesprivate health insurance companies have seen profits soar during COVID.

Health insurance companies waived cost-sharing payments because it was in their financial interests to do so. Federal regulations imposed as part of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) require that they spend at least 80 percent of premiums they collect on medical treatment, and no more than 20 percent on administrative costs.

When COVID began, many people postponed elective medical procedures and doctor visits. Insurance companies were still collecting premiums, but no longer paying for these postponed services. Their profits soared, but their 80-20 ratios were thrown off since the administrative costs (including executive salaries) were not reduced, even as medical payments declined.

Many insurers decided to meet the spending requirement by covering the deductibles and co-payments for coronavirus patients. It was also good public relations. As Health Alliance Plan CEO Dr. Michael Genord claimed in a March 2020 PR video about the insurers efforts during COVID: Our top priority at HAP is the health, safety and well-being of our employees and members.

The very sharp decline in the use of medical services meant billions more in profits for insurance companies in 2020, which continues in 2021:

UnitedHealth Group reported $4.9 billion in profits in the first quarter of 2021, compared to $3.4 billion in the same period in 2020a 44 percent increase.

Anthem reported $1.67 billion in profits in the first three months of 2021, a 9.5 percent increase from the same period last year.

Humanas net income was $828 million in the first quarter of 2021, a 75 percent increase from the same period in 2020.

CVS Health, the drugstore chain that owns the Aetna health insurance provider, reported $2.2 billion in profits, up from $2 billion in the same quarter in 2020.

Now, however, with false but widely publicized claims that the pandemic is winding down, elective procedures have resumed, and the insurance companies no longer need to continue the cost-sharing waivers for COVID-19 patients to sustain their 80-20 ratios. Co-pays and deductibles are back with a vengeance.

In an email to Modern Healthcare, a publication for health care leaders, Kaiser Permanente stated: With the economy continuing to improve and vaccinations readily available, treatment is currently covered subject to the standard cost-share provisions of the members health plan.

As Modern Healthcare put it: Most private insurers are no longer waiving cost sharing for COVID-19 treatment due to the widespread availability of vaccines rendering the illness largely preventable.

How are health insurance companies justifying placing this tremendous financial burden on people during a mass health catastrophe? If you get coronavirus now, they claim, its your own fault, because you could have been vaccinated.

Singing a different tune than in 2020, Dr. Genord, the Health Alliance Plan CEO, recently told Bridge magazine, Theres been a lot of effort for people to take personal responsibility for prevention of COVID that we didnt have before. COVID will produce a surge in hospitalizations in the future, just as flu does each season, he stated. But he noted that personal responsibility plays a role in blunting the peaks.

Melissa Riba, director of research and evaluation at the Ann Arbor-based Center for Health and Research Transformation, told Bridge that resuming patient costs associated with COVID treatment is another step in moving away from the incentives to more of the penalties associated with making a choice to be nonvaccinated.

The 35 million students in elementary school dont have the option to get vaccinated. Even though there is no vaccine for children younger than 12, families are being given no choice about sending their children into crowded schools where COVID is spreading. A similar situation confronts people who live in areas where there are government bans on mask-wearing. Nor have people with breakthrough infections after having been vaccinated made a choice to get ill.

Policy choices are in the hands of capitalist governments that represent big industry, banks and health insurance companies. To implement policies to eliminate COVID, the working class must organize to make public health and the lives of masses the first choice, not corporate profit. This applies to the health care system as a whole, which should be nationalized, under the democratic control of working people, and reorganized as a public service providing free health care to all as a basic right.
Representatives from the ruling parties of Japan and Taiwan held highly provocative bilateral talks on Friday for the first time. The purpose of the online meeting was to further integrate Taiwan into Tokyos, and by extension Washingtons, war plans against Beijing and will only further escalate tensions in the region.

Masahisa Sato and Taku Otsuka in charge of foreign affairs and defense issues respectively for Japans Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) took part with Lo Chih-cheng and Tsai Shih-ying, who both hold leading positions for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on the foreign affairs and defense committee of Taiwans Legislative Yuan.

The discussion was aimed squarely at Beijing. In highly inflammatory remarks afterward, both sides referred to Taiwan as a country, thus calling into question the One China policy, which recognizes Taiwan as part of China. In establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing and not Taipei, Washington and Tokyo both tacitly accepted the former as the legitimate government of all China including Taiwan.

A maritime engagement in the East China Sea on Aug. 25, 2021involving the passage of a U.S. Navy warship and Coast Guard cutter through the waters between China and Taiwan.(U.S. Coast Guard via AP)

Lo bluntly stated, Taiwan, as a sovereign and independent country, has the right to promote bilateral and multilateral ties with all countries. Such remarks risk the outbreak of war. Beijing has repeatedly stated that it will use military force to reunite with Taiwan if the island ever declares formal independence. Beijing rightly fears that Taiwan will be turned into a military base aimed at the mainland if Taiwan is able to formally align with the United States.

Beginning under President Trump and continued by Biden, Washington has pushed for high-level contacts with officials in Taipei in order to pressure Beijing while encouraging Tokyo to do the same. Lo acknowledged this, saying, From a certain perspective, todays talks represent the efforts of both governments to raise relations.

The talks were no ordinary meeting, as the Taiwanese representatives explained to the Financial Times beforehand. Given that all four participants are members of parliament, it is a bit like a track one dialogue. Although we will be attending in our capacity as party officials, we all have direct influence on policy.

While the exact details were not made known, Tsai confirmed that the two sides had discussed military measures, including possible cooperation between the Japanese and Taiwanese coast guards. Other key issues included plans by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to invest in Japan. Taiwan is a major exporter of semiconductors which are considered vital economically and militarily.

Lo also hinted at possible future trilateral collaboration with the United States, but only vaguely mentioned Japan, Taiwan, and a third place without elaborating.

China denounced the talks on Friday. During a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stated, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory. China firmly opposes all forms of official interactions between Taiwan and countries having diplomatic ties with China. He urged Tokyo to be prudent with its words and actions, adding that Beijing had lodged solemn representations with Japan regarding the talks.

Justifying the talks, Tokyo claimed that whatever happens on Taiwan has a direct influence on Japan, which opens the door for Japanese military intervention. In February, Sato announced the creation of a Taiwan project team to explore deeper relations with Taipei and called for a law similar to that of Washingtons 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, under which the US does not recognize Taipei but provides military support. As such, the initiative for Fridays talks came from Japan.

Tokyo has increasingly called into question the One China policy this year, both unilaterally and in diplomatic statements. Notably, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and President Biden directly referenced Taiwan in a joint statement while meeting in April, the first time leaders from the two countries had done so since 1969.

Japanese imperialism is deeply connected to Taiwan, having brutally ruled the island from 1895 to 1945. Furthermore, Taipei has covered up this history as it aligns with imperialism and the war plans against the mainland.

For more than three decades, Taiwan has pursued a policy of rejecting its shared history with the rest of China and promoting a separate Taiwanese history that includes emphasizing the supposed benefits of Japanese rule. While driving a wedge between Taiwanese workers and youth and their counterparts on the Chinese mainland, Taipei has hoped to undermine Beijing diplomatically by winning support from Tokyo.

This began under President Lee Teng-hui, who held office from 1988 to 2000, as the decades-long period of martial law, known as the White Terror, was coming to an end. This was not a coincidence, but a shift away from the use of force and terror to a different means of controlling the population and instilling anti-mainland sentiment.

Lee, who died in 2020, came from a family of Japanese collaborators, with his father serving with the Japanese police. Lee openly denied or downplayed atrocities committed by Japanese imperialism before and during World War II, such as the Nanjing massacre and the exploitation of so-called comfort women. While a member of the Kuomintang (KMT) until 2001 when he nominally became an independent, Lees policies were embraced and continued by the DPP.

The claim that Japanese imperialism was beneficial, or at least not as bad as conditions in mainland China today, flies in the face of reality. Japan initially ripped Taiwan away from China after more than two hundred years of Chinese rule, following the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895. Japan then engaged in a bloody five-month suppression campaign against those opposed to colonization, killing approximately 14,000 people, with minimal losses for the Japanese army.

To justify its rule, Tokyo promoted the pseudo-scientific claim that the Taiwanese were biologically different from the Japanese and therefore inferior. It cultivated a layer of collaborators to assist in the repression of the Taiwanese working class and peasantry while forcing people to adopt Japanese names, language and culture in order to prepare them for war. Japan forcibly conscripted Taiwanese workers en masse for slave labor and coerced approximately 2,000 women, many of them minors, into becoming comfort women, a euphuism for sex slaves.

The growing relationship between Taipei and Tokyo today is not aimed at the promotion of democracy as the two sides claim. While the Taiwanese bourgeoisie seeks to enrich itself by joining with the worlds two largest imperialist powers, Tokyo and Washington intend to subjugate China to their own predatory interests and offset their own relative economic declines, even at the risk of a catastrophic war.
Harvard geneticist Richard C. Lewontin, age 92, died on July 4, at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is considered one of the most prominent modern researchers in genetic diversity in humans and animals. Among his signal contributions was to demonstrate the exceedingly small genetic differences between various human populations (which are mischaracterized under the scientifically invalid concept of races) as compared to many other species, thus supporting the relatively recent, common ancestry of all living humans. He was a strong opponent of racist claims promoted by pseudo-scientific charlatans, such as Nicholas Wade, that there are significant, genetically based differences in intelligence between different races.

Born in 1929, Lewontin earned a Masters degree in mathematical statistics (1952) and a Ph.D. in zoology (1954), both from Columbia University, then taught at various institutions until joining the Harvard faculty in 1973. He combined his knowledge of mathematics and molecular biology to elucidate the mechanisms of evolutionary change. He rejected attempts to explain human culture and behavior as being directed solely (or primarily) by genetics, as for example advocated by his Harvard colleague, E.O. Wilson, the founder of sociobiology, which he critiqued in Not in Our Genes: Biology, Ideology, and Human Nature (1984), cowritten with Steven Rose.

Richard Lewontin (Credit: Ernst Mayr Library and Archives of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University)

Lewontins early work, in the mid-1960s (Lewontin and Hubby, 1966), initially carried out using the fruit fly Drosophila, and pioneering the use of computer simulation in the study of single gene loci, demonstrated that genetic diversity within species was, in general, far greater than had been previously thought. Indeed, many different versions of a particular gene, known as alleles, can exist within a species at any given time with little deleterious effect under existing environmental conditions. This contrasted with the view that mutations are usually detrimental and are soon selected out, leading to relative genetic uniformity.

The pool of genetic diversity discovered by Lewontin may well be an evolutionary advantage in that it can provide the raw material on which a species may draw (figuratively speaking) when selective pressures change, and new adaptations based on the existing genetic variation allow the species to survive in an altered environment. This research prompted a whole new field of research into genetic polymorphism.

This earlier research gained added relevance when, in 1972, Lewontin published a paper in which he presented an analysis of human genetic variation, based on blood proteins (before DNA sequencing was available), sampled from West Eurasian, African, East Asian, South Asian, Native American, Oceanian and Australian populations, which demonstrated a lower genetic diversity among Homo sapiens than in many other species. It revealed that within-group (e.g., population, race) variation is greater, approximately 85 percent, than between-group variation, at roughly 7 percent. These findings were described in a book, The Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Change, published in 1974.

To place this finding in context, the predominant factors in the development of genetic diversity between populations are distance and time. These include geographic separation leading to reduced interbreeding and, therefore, restricted gene flow, between populations, the length of time during which the separation has occurred, leading to the accumulation of different, random mutations in each population (known as genetic drift), compounded by the effects of different selective pressures due to varied environments cumulatively leading to the buildup of genetic differences. If enough time passes and inter-population gene flow is sufficiently reduced, these separate populations are likely to accumulate substantial genetic differences to the extent that they are no longer able to interbreed and, therefore, constitute separate species.

While modern racist theories do not go so far as to claim that human races represent different species, obviously false since all modern humans can successfully interbreed and produce viable offspring, the implication is that sufficient genetic differentiation has occurred between geographically disparate populations so as to lead to significant differences in such attributes as intelligence, propensity to violence, etc.

On the contrary, the strong implication of the contrast in genetic diversity between humans and many other species that was identified by Lewontin is that modern humans evolved relatively recently (in evolutionary terms) from a single ancestral population, located in Africa, and that, despite having spread widely across the globe, genetic differentiation between populations has been extremely limited. This interpretation has been strongly supported by subsequent research. In other words, observable variation in physical characteristics, such as skin color, which have been used to define races, are entirely superficial and of no fundamental significance.

The relative lack of genetic diversity among modern humans may be attributed to at least two factors. First, the well documented and extensive migrations of populations over thousands of years, especially since the development of agriculture, have to a significant degree counter-acted the tendency toward regional genetic isolation. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the entirety of human evolution, at least from the first appearance of the genus Homo (roughly two million years ago), if not before, has been characterized by an ever-increasing reliance on culture and technology rather than changes in physical attributes. Intelligence has become humans primary mode of adaptation.

Lewontin often described himself as a Marxist. A dialectical and materialist approach in his scientific work is evident. It appears, for example, in his article Organism and Environment. He argued that many researchers see Darwinism as viewing organisms merely reacting to selective forces generated by their environment. On the contrary, he argued that organisms play an active role in creating their environment. They are one opposite in the dialectical interaction among all the physical and biological components collectively acting and reacting to each other and are thus engaged in an ever-changing dynamic that produces the environment. Elsewhere, he criticized the concept that at any given time organisms are optimally adapted to their contemporaneous environment, rather than being in constant adaptive flux.

He once said, Science is a social activity just like being a policeman, a factory worker or a politician. Intent on disseminating the results of his research to a wide audience, Lewontin authored or coauthored a number of books and essays, many of the latter published in the New York Review of Books, aimed at the non-specialist. In 1985, for example, he coauthored, with Richard Levins, The Dialectical Biologist, which he dedicated to Frederick Engels. In it, he characterized the concept of race as an indication of the power of socioeconomically based ideology over the supposed objectivity of knowledge.

Curiously, he downplayed the significance of the Human Genome Project, which he viewed as a reductionist effort to define a blueprint for a human being, which he associated with attempts to genetically delineate races, IQ and promote eugenics. To the contrary, it is a significant accomplishment, when understood as elucidating one opposite in the dialectical interaction between biology and environment in the development of human beings.

Lewontin felt that a scientist also has a responsibility to engage in politics. As academics we are supported by society in a pretty nice way. To make a claim on the resources of society you have to do more than say I want to satisfy my intellectual curiositythats just a kind of masturbation that is not justified as far as Im concerned. So you have to do politics. [And in politics,] science provides you with legitimacy. When you lose your legitimacy as a scientist, you lose your legitimacy as a commentator.

His strong commitment to scientific integrity is well known. However, his view of himself as a commentator defined his political activities, which were clearly reformist and not revolutionary. While he criticized capitalisms distorting effects on science, Lewontins Marxism does not appear to have gone beyond protest politics in his youth and social criticism in his later years. He opposed the Vietnam War, including resigning from the prestigious National Academy of Sciences due to its collaboration with the US Department of Defense, and criticized scientists, such as Edward Teller, who were involved in military research. His later social commentary included criticism of agribusiness for developing genetically modified crops, not for superior quality but to entrap farmers into having to buy seed from them rather than being able to use a portion of the previous years crop as seed stock for the new season.

He was associated with such protest groups as Science for the People (after it was purged of its more radical elements) and Science for Vietnam. There is no indication that he was ever directly involved in explicitly socialist politics or the specific struggles of the working class.

Lewontin collaborated for a time with Stephen Jay Gould, another Harvard professor, who is also noted for opposing genetic determinism, including in the famous essay, The Spandrels of San Marco and the Panglossian Paradigm: A Critique of the Adaptationist Programme. In it, they proposed that certain components of an organisms genetic makeup are necessary in order for other mechanisms to function properly but are not in themselves necessarily adaptive, highlighting the high degree of complexity in the interaction of various genes.

The scientific dispute between the three Harvard colleagues became so heated that Wilson reportedly would avoid sharing an elevator with either Gould or Lewontin. Lewontin is also known for refusing to take credit for work actually accomplished by his students. In this he is the rare exception to a practice all too common in academia.

Later he broke with Gould over what he perceived as the latters quest for celebrity. In an interview, he described the basis for his falling out with Gould:

Now I should warn you about my prejudices. Steve and I taught evolution together for years and in a sense we struggled in class constantly because Steve, in my view, was preoccupied with the desire to be considered a very original and great evolutionary theorist. So he would exaggerate and even caricature certain features, which are true but not the way you want to present them.

Richard Lewontin made significant and substantial contributions to our understanding of biological evolution and human diversity. He will be missed.
Last week, the public health officials in Michigans two most populous countiesWayne and Oaklandissued emergency orders requiring everyone in pre-K-12 schools over 4-years-old to wear a face covering whatever their vaccination status. Wayne County is home to Detroit and has a population of 1.7 million. Neighboring Oakland County has 1.2 million residents.

The emergency orders were issued as COVID infections rise sharply in Michigan and across the US and warnings by scientists that opening schools amid a surge of the more infectious Delta variant will lead to a spike in illness and death, including among children under 12 who are not eligible for vaccinations.

Case rates in the state are up more than 1,000 percent since June 22, the day Governor Gretchen Whitmer rolled back the remaining statewide pandemic orders, according to a review Sunday of state data by the Detroit Free Press. The test positivity rate is up more than 600 percent over the same timeframe, and hospitalizations are up 175 percent.

Detroit teachers protest last year

As of August 29, 1.05 million state residents were diagnosed with COVID-19 and 21,509 have died. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the average number of new confirmed cases was 2,163 per day last week with a seven-day average of 13 deaths.

Governor Whitmer has ignored a recommendation from her chief medical officer for a statewide mask requirement for students. Instead, the Democratic governor said she was hopeful other schools would adopt masking guidelines. Only about a third of school districts have mandates in place, the Detroit News said.

By not issuing a mandate, the governor bowed to the right-wing campaign by state Republicans and Republican-backed groups like Unlock Michigan. These forces have organized small and provocative protests to oppose masking and vaccinations, to which the media has given outsized coverage.

Last July, the Republican-controlled state House of Representative voted 60-48 to repeal the 1945 law giving governors the power to declare an emergency and authorize mandates to protect the public during the emergency. The Michigan Republicanswho encouraged and collaborated with fascistic militias that plotted to kidnap and murder Whitmerare opposed to the slightest public health measures to save lives.

The promotion of mask mandates, as necessary as they are, will not stop the explosion of infections and deaths resulting from the reopening of schools. In fact, the debate over masking becomes a cover for the implementation of this murderous policy, which is backed by both corporate-controlled parties.

As one parent posted on a Facebook forum, Even with Oakland Countys mandate in place, Im feeling very apprehensive about sending my kids to in-person tomorrow. Theyre not old enough to be vaccinated. She noted that she had children with learning disabilities who do so much better in a school setting but theyre also immune compromised. Ive been sick to my stomach all day because of sending them to school tomorrow.

In Detroit, the Democratic Party-led school board and the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) have signed a letter of agreement to open the schools on September 7 for 53,000 students and more than 4,000 teachers and school employees. The deal is filled with vague language, including principals will adhere to social distancing standards to the greatest extent possible and inadequate and unenforceable three-foot social distancing guidelines, which will be undermined by large class sizes.

Finally, the letter of agreement includes the setting up of a Committee for School Reopenings, made up of district and union officials, who are all committed to fully reopen all schools with immediacy.

At a meeting called by the Detroit Federation of Teachers Sunday night, attended by thousands of teachers, educators denounced the unions efforts to bribe teachers with meager pay raises to get them back into schools, which are dangerous for educators, students and their communities.

One worker posted, There were COVID outbreaks throughout the district last year and staff members were not informed. This lack of communication increases our chances of getting and/or spreading Covid. Who is responsible for informing the staff on COVID outbreaks? What is the turnaround time for teachers to be notified? Why arent the doctors and scientists employed by the district informing us?

Another teacher posted, I have 27 students on my roster. Im already over the proposed contractual limit.  Students will continue to enroll, and my student number will further increase  My understanding is school administrators were told if the teacher can fit the desk in their classroom, then we would have to take them.

A member of the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Committee said, This is being rushed through, and the content of the tentative agreement make it imperative that we vote no. Regarding the pay, if Im dead the pay increase means nothing. The DFT and the district have agreed to open schools, but we did not agree with this. The Delta variant is producing a record number of child hospitalizations. Michigans case rates are up 1000 percent since June. How many students and teachers are we willing to see die? There is no amount of wishful thinking that will make COVID go away, it is still a global pandemic. So, we need to protect our children, protect our lives, she said, urging teachers to join the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee.

DFT President Terrence Martin and Vice President Lakia Wilson responded by denouncing any suggestion that there should be collective action to stop the opening of schools. Were not encouraging, asking or implying anything such as a work stoppage or a strike, Wilson said, adding that the school superintendent and Michigan authorities would impose serious repercussions, such as termination, for a teacher walkout.

If you feel that strongly about not reporting to work because of COVID then again, make your own decision, she said, but the DFT is not endorsing or embracing anything like that. There is no work stoppage. There is no strike. And there will be serious repercussions for anyone who engages in those behaviors.

Martin said, The local is sending out a message to all our members tonight that we fully expect members to turn up for work tomorrow, the rest of the week and the rest of the school year. We are not supporting a work stoppage or any sort of work action. We have to protect ourselves as a local.

The DFT, like its parent organization, the American Federation of Teachers, is doing everything to prevent a rebellion of educators and parents against the homicidal back-to-school policy led by the Biden administration and both corporate controlled parties.

A statement by the WSWS Educator s Newsletter urged Detroit teachers to reject the contract and to make preparations for collective strike action to prevent the reopening of schools to save lives. It noted, After spending decades cutting school funding and privatizing education, the Democrats and Republicans are hypocritically feigning concern about the emotional and academic well-being of our children. If they were really concerned, they would not be playing Russian roulette with their lives. And what about the emotional impact on children who see their classmates, teachers, parents and grandparents die from COVID-19?

The only reason the Democrats and Republicans want schools open is so that corporations can get workers back on the job to produce profits. This is of particular concern to the auto manufacturers, including Ford, which is complaining that 20 percent of its workforce is off work on any given day due to health concerns and lack of child care.

As explained by Dr. Malgorzata Gasperowicz of the University of Calgary during the World Socialist Web Site online forum last Sunday, the virus could have been successfully eliminated within 37 days during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020 through the application of aggressive public health measures. Even now, such emergency action, Dr. Gasperowicz said, can eradicate the virus within two months.

This requires a fight to close schools and all non-essential production, ensure income for all affected workers and small business owners, and implement a public health policy of universal testing, contact tracing, masking and social distancing, combined with a vast expansion of vaccinations in the US and globally.

This struggle will not be carried out by the DFT or any other unions, which are led by corrupt business officials impervious to the lives of their members, but by workers and the committees they build. We urge all Detroit teachers, school employees and parents to join the Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee to take up this fight.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported 345 cases of COVID-19 at Amazons Troutdale facility since May, making the Amazon PDX9 Fulfillment Center the workplace with the highest number of cases in the state. This follows a previous outbreak with over 100 cases at the same facility last December, bringing the total number of reported cases at PDX9 to at least 500 since the pandemic began.

The case numbers surpass those even at overwhelmed medical centers like Salem Hospital that has seen 299 reported cases since May, Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center with 108 cases since July, and even skilled nursing facilities. The Amazon Aumsville facility in Salem, Oregon sits at third place on the workplace outbreak list, with 185 cases since May.

The weekly outbreak reports demonstrate that Amazon and other warehouses, distribution centers, hospitals and K-12 schools are major vectors of transmission, as employees are forced to work in unsafe conditions where the Delta variant is spreading like wildfire.

OHA dispatched a bulletin on August 26 reporting 2,057 new COVID-19 cases and 9 new deaths, which brings Oregons total confirmed coronavirus cases to 265,210 and the death toll to 3,095. The state is currently experiencing its largest number of cases and hospitalizations at any other point during the pandemic. Hospitals across the state are completely overwhelmed without enough intensive care unit (ICU) beds to treat every patient who needs one. Doctors and nurses must make extremely difficult choices about who is eligible to receive life-saving treatment. This is hitting rural areas like Southern Oregon particularly hard that have low vaccination rates and underfunded health care facilities.

The Amazon Troutdale warehouse, which in 2019 and employed 2,000 workers, was already infamous for being one of Amazons most dangerous facilities. In 2019, the Portland Mercury newspaper reported on PDX9s records saying, 26 out of every 100 workers at PDX9 sustained an injury in 2018.

As the World Socialist Web Site reported in December last year, Amazon made PDX9 workers sign non-disclosure agreements during its massive COVID-19 outbreak. These agreements subject workers to civil liability if they disclose proprietary or confidential information of Amazon in whatever form, tangible or intangible, whether or not marked or otherwise designated as confidential, that is not otherwise generally known to the public, relating or pertaining to Amazons business, projects, products, customers, suppliers, inventions, or trade secrets.

These NDAs have helped Amazon to conceal the severity of coronavirus infections among its workforce because any worker who brings outbreak information to the public could face an expensive lawsuit. This information is often hidden from the workers themselves, with management referencing privacy laws to justify not sharing infection information with workers in order to avoid any potential disruptions to its operations.

As has been the case across the US, Amazon has been relaxing mask requirements and COVID workplace rules in the past few months just as the Delta variant spread rapidly. At the end of July, Amazon shut down their free on-site testing, ended temperature checks at the entrances to its fulfillment centers, disbanded its social distancing enforcement crews and stopped requiring masks for unvaccinated workers.

In February, Amazon released statistics that said that it spent $11.5 billion on COVID-19-related costs in 2020. Amazon spokesperson Maria Boschetti said in an email statement, As our employees and communities continue to get vaccinated and health authorities evolve guidance, we are continuously evaluating the temporary measures we implemented in response to COVID-19 and making adjustments in alignment with public health authority guidance. As a result, we will begin ramping down our U.S. testing operations by July 30, 2021. She continued, [Amazon would] always align our safety protocols with updated guidance from the CDC and other public health officials.

Boschetti revealed that Amazon was putting the burden on workers by recommending vaccination with few other workplace protections. Amazon reversed its position on masks in early August, requiring them again for all employees regardless of vaccine status. However, proper masking is only one component of the comprehensive mitigation strategies needed to keep essential workers safe on the job, and by itself does not stop the spread of the virus.

Amazon has enjoyed a massive increase in profits during the pandemic, due to increased sales during the pandemic as customers stayed away from in-person shopping. In the second quarter of 2021, Amazon grew its total sales by a whopping 27 percent to $113.1 billion and increased its profits by about 50 percent to $7.8 billion. Market shares grew by 87 percent between January 2020 and March 2021, and Jeff Bezos personal wealth grew by nearly two-thirds, reaching a staggering $195 billion.

Along with increased online ordering by customers, Amazon has ramped up the exploitation of its workers through the use of surveillance and automated efficiency algorithms. Cameras watch drivers and workers every move, and electronic devices control worker speed and even which musculoskeletal group a worker uses on a given day.

Anger is rising as warehouse workers and drivers realize the dangers they face from lack of adequate safeguards to protect them from COVID-19 and work injuries while management suppresses lifesaving information and Jeff Bezos soars into space on board his rocket. Apparently Bezos saw no irony in the fact that this trip was financed off the sweat and blood of his workers, declaring at his post-launch briefing, I want to thank every Amazon employee, and every Amazon customer, because you guys paid for all this  thank you from the bottom of my heart very much. Thanks indeed!

The conditions at Amazon illustrate more than ever the need to build rank-and-file safety committees to organize Amazon workers in the defense of their own safety and democratic rights. Through these committees, workers can call for strict testing and contact tracing, transparent reporting, and 48-hour shutdowns when viral spread occurs at their site.

In carrying out their fight, Amazon workers join the growing network of autoworkers, teachers, nurses, and other workers in a collective struggle to raise their own demands for better conditions. This struggle requires opposition to the corporations, political establishment, and pro-capitalist trade unions, all of which have defended the reckless policies that have led to nearly 700,000 COVID-19 deaths in the US alone.

It is possible to mobilize the resources of society to successfully eradicate the virus, using a combination of vaccines and public health measures known to be effective in fighting pandemics, such as short-term lockdowns, rigorous testing and contact tracing, ventilation, and masks. However, the ruling class has proven its unwillingness to carry out these life-saving measures, which would impede upon their urgent campaign to fully reopen the economy and send all workers back into facilities to generate record profits.

Only the working class has the power to change the course of the pandemic through an active struggle to assert that saving human lives must take priority over the profit mania of billionaires like Bezos. We urge workers at PDX9 across the US and internationally to contact the International Amazon Workers Voice to share your experiences, get assistance in forming rank-and-file committees, and join the fight for socialism.
Thousands of Dana auto parts workers across the United States are voting to reject the five-year sweatshop contract that the United Auto Workers (UAW) and United Steelworkers (USW) are trying to force through.

Major plants have already voted no by overwhelming margins, including Pottstown, Pennsylvania; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Paris, Tennessee; Warren, Michigan; and Danville, Kentucky. Workers at other plants will be voting early this week.

This rebellion against Dana, the UAW and USW is a powerful step forward for Dana workers and for the international working class. After 18 months of a pandemic that has killed over 650,000 people in the US and more than 4 million worldwide, the no vote is a sign of a growing sense in the working class that massive levels of social inequality are intolerable, and that something must be done.

Dana plant at Ft. Wayne

The reality at Dana explodes the arguments of groups like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and publications like Jacobin and Left Voice, which falsely present the trade unions as workers organizations.

At informational meetings held Sunday to discuss a proposed five-year contract, overworked and exhausted workers erupted at UAW and USW officials, who refused to let workers see the full contract and are collaborating with management by requiring overtime to help the company stockpile products in case of a strike. Concerned that the UAW and USW will commit ballot fraud, workers at many plants took the independent initiative to send delegations of rank-and-file workers to monitor the counting of votes.

Workers are rebelling against conditions that bring to mind the work of turn-of-the-20th-century muckrakers like photographer Jacob Riis or author Upton Sinclair. Sinclairs 1906 novel The Jungle described unsafe, unsanitary and exhausting conditions confronting immigrant workers in Chicagos back-of-the-yards meatpacking district that would be very familiar to Dana workers today. The fact that conditions in 2021 are arguably worse than before the rise of industrial unions is a product of decades of betrayals carried out by the AFL-CIO and trade unions everywhere.

In this union shop, Dana workers receive only one unpaid day off every three months. They regularly work 20, 40 or even 60 days in a row without a break, with shifts as long as 12 hours. Workers pass out from heat exhaustion, suffer heart attacks, seizures or contract COVID-19 on the job while the USW and UAW keep production moving, no matter the cost to human life.

The company and union treat workers worse than animals. When Dry Ridge, Kentucky Dana worker Danny Walters had a seizure at work, neither the company nor the UAW called his wife to inform her. The worker received a notification hours after his death saying he had been mandated to come to work the next day. Dana workers view Walters premature death as a symbol of the many layers of injustice they continue to face every day and have pledged to carry forward their struggle in his name.

Such horror stories are common at Dana plants, which workers call slave ships, prisons and sweatshops. Workers are paid next to nothing while the companys CEO, Trump supporter James Kamsickas, made over $10 million in 2020, and while the company doles out tens of millions in dividend payouts to wealthy shareholders. The company received $9 million in funding from the bipartisan corporate bailout known as the CARES Act, while production continued through the entire pandemic.

Workers confront not only one ruthless company, but the entire capitalist system. The extreme exploitation of Dana workers is not the exception under capitalism, but the rule. As millions die preventable deaths from the pandemic, this law of capitalist exploitation has propelled governments across the world to enact policies that the BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal ) described as social murderforcing students back to school so that their parents can go back to work to be exploited for profit, even amid the spread of the deadly Delta variant.

The policy of the ruling class is to guarantee corporate profit and fuel the astronomical rise of global stock exchanges, no matter how many millions die.

Dana workers have begun to coalesce around a committee established by Dana workers from critical plants across the country. The Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee (DWRFC) has won wide support by raising the demand for an 8-hour day and 40-hour week, as well as 75 percent raises and workers control over plant safety during the pandemic.

Many Dana workers report that the World Socialist Web Site has been an invaluable tool in their struggle, providing guidance and information about the company as well as that related to the experience of past struggles. Dana workers have been studying the lessons from the Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee (VWRFC), established by Virginia workers during their struggle against the company and the UAW, as well as the lessons of the 2019 wildcat strike of auto parts workers in Matamoros, Mexico.

The struggle at Dana is part of a growing international rebellion of workers across the world. An IMF report published last week warned that the world is in the midst of a massive eruption of the class struggle. The report says the number of general strikes and mass protests has skyrocketed by a staggering 244 percent between 2011, the year of the Arab Spring, and 2019. Of particular concern for the financial aristocracy: The number of general strikes increased by 821 per cent.

On International Workers Day 2021May Daythe International Committee of the Fourth International called for the formation of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, or IWA-RFC. The ICFI wrote:

The IWA-RFC will work to develop the framework for new forms of independent, democratic and militant rank-and-file organizations of workers in factories, schools and workplaces on an international scale. The working class is ready to fight. But it is shackled by reactionary bureaucratic organizations that suppress every expression of resistance.

It will be a means through which workers throughout the world can share information and organize a united struggle to demand protection for workers, the shutdown of unsafe facilities and nonessential production, and other emergency measures that are necessary to stop the spread of the virus.

The rebellion at Dana confirms the need for the development of an international alliance of committees to direct the struggle of the working class. The Socialist Equality Party and the WSWS are committed to assisting Dana workers and all workers in establishing and building a network of rank-and-file committees in the US and throughout the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic has once again spiraled out of control across the United States, with 190,536 new cases and 1,304 new deaths officially tracked on Friday, the highest figures since January and March, respectively. As the highly transmissible Delta variant has ripped through workplaces, schools and homes across the country, there are now more than 100,000 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the US, with nearly 25,000 in intensive care units (ICUs).

Under these conditions, the drive to fully reopen all of the countrys schools and send over 40 million unvaccinated children into tightly-packed and poorly ventilated classrooms takes on a sociopathic character. It is already clear that this policy, pushed by the entire political establishment, the corporate media and the teachers unions, is disastrous and will lead to the infection and potential long-term suffering of millions of innocent children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), more than 180,000 children tested positive for COVID-19 from August 12 to August 19, accounting for more than 20 percent of all new COVID-19 cases that week--a more than 20-fold increase over the same figure in early June. It is widely understood in the scientific community that this figure will skyrocket in the coming weeks, even in areas where mitigations such as mask-wearing and testing are more prevalent.

Students in class (Credit: pixy.org)

Data on infections in schools is not compiled nationally, with local and state agencies doing so in a haphazard manner or not at all. According to a compilation of local news reports from 19 states conducted by The Hill, over 90,000 children have already had to quarantine or isolate at home due to infection or possible exposure to the virus since the start of the fall semester. In addition, over 60,000 educators and school staff are similarly in isolation or quarantine.

The situation is most dire in the South, which has the lowest vaccination rates in the US and where many large school districts have already reopened without mask mandates. In Atlanta, Georgia, more than 23,000 students and staff have gone into quarantine in the first few weeks of the school year. In Mississippi, at least 65,500 K-12 students have already had to quarantine due to infection or exposure, according to the Mississippi Free Press.

Tragically, the surge in child infections is leading to a corresponding surge in deaths, with the AAP reporting that a record 24 children died during the week ending August 19. On August 25, an unnamed child under 5 years old died from COVID-19 in Mississippi. This follows the death of 13-year-old MKayla Robinson on August 14 and an unnamed teenager in late July, meaning that three children died across the state in just one month, as many as in the previous 17 months of the pandemic.

In Oklahoma, 13-year-old Clarence Johnson died from COVID-19 on August 19, days before he was set to begin eighth grade. The Oklahoma City Public Schools Native American Student Services department wrote on Facebook that Clarence, who was Comanche and Kiowa, was beloved by teachers and staff for his beautiful soul and unforgettable smile.

Over 640,000 schoolchildren in Oklahoma remain unvaccinated and at risk of contracting the virus, with the state reporting a three-day average of 64 pediatric hospitalizations for COVID-19. It is one of eight Republican-led states that have enacted bans on mask mandates or allowed parents to opt out of mandates for their children, with the others being, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.

Throughout the US, child hospitalizations have reached record numbers, with over 2,000 pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations. In the South, in particular, pediatric ICUs are at or near capacity, with record numbers of severely ill children.

In Louisiana, Childrens Hospital New Orleans has been inundated with child patients for weeks. I have never seen our faculty look so tired or sad, Dr. Adele K. Evans, who leads the hospitals tracheostomy team, told the New York Times. Roughly 60 staff members at the hospital were in quarantine last week. With Category 4 Hurricane Ida making landfall Sunday, this dire situation will only become worse in the coming days.

In Democratic-led states, including New York, California and Michigan, COVID-19 cases have also risen dramatically in recent weeks and are expected to further surge as schools reopen.

New York City, the largest school district in the US with over 1.1 million students, is set to reopen on September 13, with no remote learning option provided to parents, despite the fact that the parents of over 350,000 students opted to keep their children learning safely at home throughout the 2020-21 school year. At least 14,904 students and 12,690 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 over the past year, according to the citys inadequate testing program, figures set to surge as students are packed into the citys classrooms and the Delta variant already increasing statewide cases more than 10-fold in the past two months.

In Michigan, daily case rates have risen more than 1,000 percent and hospitalizations are up 175 percent since Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer eliminated all remaining statewide restrictions on June 22. Hundreds of thousands of children are returning to fully in-person school in the coming days, with numerous districts across the state refusing to implement mask mandates.

Across California, thousands of students and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 and tens of thousands have gone into quarantine within days of schools reopening. In Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest district in the US, with over 600,000 students, baseline testing of students and staff from August 2 to August 15 found that 3,255 students and 399 staff started the school year testing positive for COVID-19.

Beyond the growing body of real-world data proving that schools cannot reopen at present without causing a massive surge in infections, new scientific studies are underscoring this basic reality.

A study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Friday determined that one elementary school teacher in Marin County, California infected half of her students when she briefly took off her mask during a read-aloud of a story. The outbreak of Delta variant cases occurred on May 23, before the teacher was vaccinated, and led to further infections in another classroom at the school as well as at some students homes.

The conditions that existed at the school in May were those that are supposed to keep children safe, according to proponents of school reopenings with mitigations: masks were required indoors, desks were spaced six feet apart, classrooms contained portable air filters, doors and windows were kept open, and all students were kept socially distant.

Tracy Lam-Hine, an epidemiologist for the county, told the Washington Post, The mask was off only momentarily, not an entire day or hours. We want to make the point that this is not the teachers faulteveryone lets their guard downbut the thing is Delta takes advantage of slippage from any kind of protective measures.

Indeed, the fact that this huge outbreak took place in Marin, one of the wealthiest counties in the US, and under such ideal conditions, underscores that even the most stringent mitigation measures will not protect unvaccinated children and adults from the Delta variant. The reality in the vast majority of schools that serve students from working class familiespoor ventilation, overcrowding, the use of lower-quality masksis far more conducive to the spread of the virus.

Separately, a preprint of a scientific paper published this month estimated that in elementary schools with no masking or testing mandated, roughly 91 percent of students could become infected with COVID-19 within three months of the start of the school year, with most students infected by the end of the first month due to an exponential growth in cases.

This staggering rate of infection is reduced to roughly 49 percent of all students in schools that mandate masks but not testing, and 22 percent of students in schools with masking and testing, with infections still growing steadily in a linear fashion. Figures for middle and high schools were found to be slightly lower for each category due to the vaccination of some students. In effect, this study acknowledges that even in schools with testing and masking, cases will continually rise.

For masses of parents and educators, the school reopening drive is clearly reckless and should not continue. But for the entire political establishment, corporate media, teachers unions and official scientists, all of whom are subservient to the needs of Wall Street, schools must reopen in order to send parents back to work producing corporate profits.

Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Anthony Fauci, stated callously, You're going to see more children infected. And quantitatively, since more children are infected, you're going to see more children getting hospitalized, unfortunately and thats what were seeing. He went on to promote masking in schools as a means to protect children.

At a White House briefing Friday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stated, I want to strongly appeal to those districts that have not implemented prevention strategies, and encourage them to do the right thing to protect the children under their care. We know these multilayered mitigation strategies work.

In contrast to the claims of Fauci and Walensky, the reality in schools and the studies cited above demonstrate the bankruptcy of any mitigation strategy that accepts school reopenings. Rather, in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately eradicate the virus, it is critical to close all schools and nonessential workplaces and cut off the chain of transmission.

One week ago, on August 22, the World Socialist Web Site hosted an online webinar with leading international scientists, as well as parents and teachers from the UK, US, Australia and Brazil, which made clear the necessity of closing schools in all countries where COVID-19 has not been eliminated. This policy and the eradication strategy necessary to stop the needless suffering and death will only be fought for by the international working class, armed with a scientific understanding of the pandemic and unified on a world scale.
On Friday, the New South Wales (NSW) Liberal-National Coalition government outlined a plan for the full resumption of face-to-face teaching in schools, even as the states coronavirus outbreak sets new records for infections and hospitalisations multiple times every week, and there are growing warnings that the healthcare system is on the brink of a collapse.

The school reopening drive is the spearhead of a campaign for the lifting of inadequate lockdown measures and restrictions in October, once adult vaccination rates reach 70 percent.

The state Coalition government, with the backing of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, is insisting that whatever the level of infections and deaths, it is now time to live with the virus, and accept its indefinite circulation, so that full corporate profit-making activities can resume. Classroom teaching is essential to this, as a mechanism for forcing all parents back to their places of employment.

Ambulances lined up outside Sydney's Westmead Hospital on August 17 (Source: Australian Paramedics Association NSW Facebook)

Last Thursday, NSW surpassed 1,000 daily infections, the first time the four-digit mark had been reached by any Australian jurisdiction during the pandemic. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian marked the occasion by announcing the easing of restrictions, with permission given for fully-vaccinated people to gather in groups of five, if they live outside of hotspot areas in the working-class western an south-western suburbs of Sydney.

On Sunday, cases exceeded 1,200 and this morning, they reached a new record high of 1,290, meaning the state remains on track to register multiple thousands of infections each day by the end of September. At the press conferences revealing the infection figures, Berejiklian insists that the case numbers are all but irrelevant, and congratulates the state on the previous days vaccination doses.

The school reopening will inevitably result in an even greater surge, as hundreds of thousands of teachers and students are forced into overcrowded classrooms that will function as incubators for the virus.

Already, with most pupils learning from home, a third of all cases have occurred among those under the age of 19. With infections since the outbreak began on June 16 reaching 20,000 today, this equates to more than 6,500 children and teenagers being stricken by a potentially-deadly disease.

Most schools have been open throughout the pandemic at limited capacity, with a smaller number of teachers than usual attending to the children of essential workers. Even with the number of staff and pupils a fraction of the normal total, dozens of schools have been forced to shut after infections were detected, including four in Sydney today alone.

In the US, the full reopening of schools had led to a massive increase in child infections and hospital admissions, with roughly 2,000 children in paediatric units throughout the country. Experts have warned that children who do not become grievously-ill can still suffer the debilitating effects of long-COVID, as well as cognitive declines associated with infection that have been registered in Britain and elsewhere.

Announcing the plan on Friday, NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell dismissed the obvious dangers, declaring that she was excited for the reopening, which would proceed in a safe and reasonable way and provide children and teenagers with light at the end of the tunnel. Year 12 students, the oldest cohort, along with kindergarten and year 1 pupils, the youngest, are to fully return to the classrooms on October 25. They will be followed by year 2, 6 and 11 students on November 1, and all other cohorts on November 8.

Vaccination for teachers has been declared mandatory, while 1215-year-olds are now eligible for inoculation, along with those over 16. Ongoing supply issues with Pfizer, the only vaccine that can be administered to those under 18, mean that many will not be inoculated by the time of the reopening. There is no vaccine for children under 12.

The plan has provoked widespread opposition from educators, parents and students, including year 12 pupils who earlier this month launched a series of petitions campaigning against the forced return. On social media, there are hundreds of comments, warning of the risks and condemning the government.

The education unions, however, have already signalled that they will try and ride roughshod over the opposition. NSW Teachers Federation President Angelo Gavrielatos told the media that the union cautiously welcomed the school reopening announcement. The road map is something that we would aspire to ... ultimately we want students to return to face-to-face teaching and learning, he said.

The drive to end lockdowns is proceeding as the hospital system is already reaching breaking point with the current level of infections, forcing Westmead and Blacktown Hospitals to activate emergency plans last week and to pause COVID admissions.

There are now 840 COVID-19 cases admitted to NSW hospitals, with 137 people in intensive care units (ICUs), 48 of whom require ventilation. The figures have more than doubled in a fortnight. On August 15, there were just 381 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 62 people in ICUs, 24 of whom were on ventilators.

Health workers in Sydney are increasingly speaking out on the dire conditions they confront. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Michelle Rosentreter, a senior ICU nurse at a major metropolitan hospital, said she and her colleagues were exhausted. Last night was brutal. We literally hit capacity  Just holding on. None of us have ever faced anything like it. Nothing in our studies ever prepared us for this, and not even the most experienced of us have ever seen anything like it.

Rosentreter explained that the patients were air-hungry, starving for breath, and that even to turn them over required at least six staff members. Nurses were frequently working 12- or 14-hour shifts, instead of 8, because there were simply not enough staff.

We have been trying to warn the government for a year. We need more nurses! They boast about the ventilators theyve now got, but ventilators without nurses are useless, she said.

Asked if her hospital could cope, were infections to rise from 1,000 per day to 1,500, Rosentreter replied: I can honestly say we cant. We are at breaking point right now. With any increase in cases, she stated, We will risk looking like the catastrophes from overseas.

The interviewer, Peter Fitzsimmons raised the prospect of COVID patients dying in hospital parking lots, as seen during the humanitarian catastrophe in India last April. Rosentreter responded: I dont have a crystal ball. But I have no confidence we are not going to see similar scenes.

Today, Nine Media published an anonymous article, with the chilling conclusion: We have been repeatedly reassured the health system will cope. As an experienced respiratory doctor at a major western Sydney hospital, I disagree, and so do many of my colleagues. We believe it likely that projected patient numbers will soon be overwhelming. Tragically, their ranks will include many frontline health workers such as paramedics and nurses. From Westmead to Liverpool and Blacktown, ambulances now routinely line up in hospital carparks, unable to discharge their patients.

The doctor noted a major shortage of COVID-safe wards throughout the system. There was no central coordination or planning by NSW Health to develop COVID-safe wards, nor even to distribute the soaring number of patients based on available resources.

This morning, Premier Berejiklian responded to the warnings, by again noting that the health system is under stain. She predicted that October would be the worst month for the hospitals, but insisted that her government would proceed with a reopening of the economy then regardless. Asked if the resumption of face-to-face teaching would lead to an increase in infections and hence hospitalisations, Berejiklian made the extraordinary statement that The hospitalisation rate does not necessarily relate to transmission, a claim refuted by all experiences over the past 18 months.

The NSW government is asserting that the state has the necessary resources to cope with any surge in hospital admissions. The states currently staffed and open 863 ICU beds are already at 60 percent or more capacity, with COVID patients accounting for 14 percent.

The government, however, has touted an additional 2,015 beds and ventilators, it claims were acquired last year. Over the weekend, however, the Saturday Paper revealed that in a secret document prepared for national cabinet, the government admitted that additional nursing staff resources available for bedside ICU care amounted to just 328. They could staff only 164 beds more than those that currently exist.

In other words, the government is lying and preparing the conditions for an unprecedented crisis that will see COVID patients denied medical care, even if it results in their death. With the Victorian hospital system holding even fewer ICU resources, amid a rapid Delta outbreak in that state, the imminent danger is of national catastrophe, similar to those that have befallen the hospital systems in countries such as Italy, India and in parts of the United States.
This week marked twenty years since Australias infamous Tampa refugee affair.

The Liberal-National Coalition Howard government, fully backed by the Labor Party opposition, barred entry to more than 400 asylum seekers, mostly from Afghanistan, who had been rescued from a sinking boat by the captain and crew of the Tampa, a Norwegian container ship.

Defying the protests of the Tampas captain and the refugees themselves, the government dispatched Special Air Service (SAS) commandos to board the Tampa and block the rescued people from landing on Christmas Island, an Australian outpost in the Indian Ocean. It then forcibly transported them thousands of kilometres in a naval ship to the far-distant island state of Nauru. This launched what became known as the Pacific solution, consisting of cruel indefinite detention on remote islands.

The Norwegian cargo ship MV Tampa (Wikimedia Commons)

We are republishing below the statement issued by the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) on August 31, 2001 unequivocally condemning this action and demanding that the refugees be brought to Australia, and that all people have the fundamental democratic right to settle, live, work and study in any part of the world of their choosing.

The criminal act of inhumanity committed by the Australian political establishment, in violation of international refugee law, became another turning point in the brutal treatment of asylum seekers globally, causing the loss of untold tens of thousands of livesfrom the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, and the US-Mexico border. An estimated 8,000 died in the first half of 2021 alone.

The most immediate victims were the 353 refugees who drowned on October 19, 2001 trying to reach Australia on a boat known only as SIEV X (Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel 10).

In Australia, successive governments have since intensified the anti-refugee policy. It was taken to a new level by the Greens-backed Rudd and Gillard Labor governments of 2007 to 2013, which reopened the notorious detention camps on Nauru and Papua New Guineas Manus Island and declared that no asylum seeker trying to reach Australia by boat would ever be permitted to live in the country.

Worldwide, the number of people fleeing persecution, oppression, impoverishment and military conflicts has more than doubled since 2001, now totaling 82.4 million according to the UN, and the levels of social and economic inequality, accelerated by the COVID-19 disaster, have soared far beyond those recorded in the SEP statement.

Yet governments, especially in the so-called advanced countries, have followed the precedent set by the Tampa operation. They have resorted to ever-more repressive methods to shut borders, repel refugee boats, lock up refugees, including children, and deport asylum seekers to face suffering and death. This underscores the indictment of global capitalism made in the SEP statement.

* * *

Why the Tampa refugees should be free to live in Australia

By Socialist Equality Party (Australia)

31 August 2001

The Socialist Equality Party emphatically condemns the Howard governments refusal to allow 460 refugees on board the Norwegian freighter Tampa landing rights on Christmas Island and free entry to Australia.

The governments position, supported to the hilt by the Labor Party opposition, is a criminal act of inhumanity.

It brings to mind the infamous voyage of the St Louis in 1939 when 937 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in Europe were refused entry to both Cuba and the United States and were returned to Belgium, which was shortly to be occupied by Nazi forces.

The Cuban president of the time, Federico Bru, expressed his concern for humanitarian considerations and the pitiable situation of the refugees but denied them entry on the grounds that their return to Hitlers Germany was the lesser of two evils.

In denying access to the Tampa refugees, Howard echoed Brus insistence on the paramount importance of national sovereignty, declaring that whilst this is a humanitarian decent country we are not a soft touch and we are not a nation whose sovereign rights in relation to who comes here are going to be trampled on.

The Howard governments actions are the culmination of a decade of increasing vilification and repression of asylum seekers. Locked up in virtual concentration camps upon their arrival, they have been branded as illegals, akin to criminals. Every action to protest against their inhuman treatment has been met with increased repression, while successive governments have used every resourcelegal, political and economicto try to whip up public opinion against them.

Since taking office in 1996, the Howard government has enjoyed the full backing of the Labor Party, which initiated the forced detention of asylum seekers in 1992, and whose leader Kim Beazley declared his full support to the denial of entry for the Tampa refugees deeming it appropriate and in conformity with international law.

The governments campaign against refugees, waged in the name of defending the national interest, has inevitably recalled the White Australia policy, which formed the central plank of both major parties for the majority of the 20th century.

Already confronted by a powerful and growing working class at the end of the 19th century, the Australian bourgeoisie could not appeal to democratic ideals as it sought to forge an independent nation lest these ideals became the basis for a social movement challenging the private ownership of property. Accordingly it forged a nationalist ideology based on fear: the necessity for the protection of a white enclave within a hostile Asian environment.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Prime Minister Howard revives this outlook as he seeks to play upon the economic and social insecurities generated by his own policies and invokes the national interest against refugees.

The on-going bipartisan campaign against asylum seekers and the attempt to create a pogrom-like atmosphere against them raises a basic question: What is their crime?

It is merely that they have sought to flee life-threatening persecution and repression, economic deprivation and poverty and to bring themselves and their families to a safe and secure environment. This must be surely the most basic right of any individual. Yet in seeking to exercise it, they have come face to face with the Australian army.

In opposing the Howard governments response and demanding the immediate right of entry for the Tampa refugees, the SEP bases itself on one overriding principle.

There must be an inalienable democratic right of all people, whatever their birthplace, to settle, live, work and study in any part of the world of their choosing.

Every government around the world, and not least the Howard regime, accepts as a fundamental principle the right of capital to move freely all over the globe in accordance with the logic of the free market. Capital must be free and money must be accepted everywhere as a corporate global citizen. Moreover, the wealthy have the right to live where they choose. But this right is denied to working people.

Howard has made clear that for the government the central issue is the defence of the national state. We cannot surrender our right as a sovereign country to control our borders, he said, and we cannot have a situation where people can come to this country when they choose.

No third way

Here the issue is squarely posed: either defence of the unfettered democratic right of people to move anywhere in the world, or the defence of the right of the national state to impose restrictions and exclude them. There is no third way.

This can be seen by examining the positions of some of Howards critics, in particular the Greens and Australian Democrats. These parties are not motivated by a defence of the right of immigrants to live where they choose. Rather, they are voicing the concern of sections of the ruling class itself that the governments actions are damaging the Australias international profile and its strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region.

Democrats leader Natasha Stott Despoja has called the governments actions contemptible, inhumane and irresponsible and demanded that the government review its decision. The refugees should at least be assessed as asylum seekers under our international obligations, she declared.

Greens Senator Bob Brown said the whole world was looking on in astonishment as this wonderful country of ours, this rich country of ours, says no to 400 people who are in clear distress on the high seas, right at our back door.

But for the Democrats and the Greens, immigration is conditional. Both parties oppose free entry as an unfettered democratic right. According to the Australian Democrats latest policy statement, the party stands for a non-discriminatory immigration program, which gives priority to refugees and family reunion, the total number of which, when included with overall population trends, will not impede sustainability of the nations natural resources.

The Greens policy is similar. They maintain that immigration policy must be set within the framework of a broader population policy that takes account of our need to achieve our own social, economic and environmental sustainability. The Greens program also recognises that governments have a legitimate right to detain unauthorised arrivals while their bona fides are established.

While the Democrats and Greens oppose the governments actions in this case, and argue for a more humane refugee policy, they stand with Howard on one overriding principle: that at some point the state must set limits to the inflow of immigrants. The inexorable logic of their position is that if those limits are threatened, the armed forces must be called in to enforce them.

The SEP bases its position on a completely opposed principle: the right of people to free movement all over the world. The inevitable conclusion flowing from this internationalist principle is the following: If the present economic and social order is unable to accommodate those who want to immigrate, then it must be changed.

The basic doctrine of the Democrats and Greens is that the right to entry must be restricted because, in the final analysis, there are insufficient resources, either economic or natural, to accommodate all those who would seek to migrate.

This position has deep historical roots in the ideology of the capitalist social order. At the beginning of the 19th century in Britain, the Reverend Thomas Malthus denied the possibility of human progress and sought to obscure the root cause of the social ills produced by the developing capitalist system by arguing that there were too many people and the breeding of the poor had to be restricted.

Those who today oppose the unfettered right of free movement of immigrants on the grounds that resources are limited repeat this argument: that excess populations, not the economic order of capitalism, are the foundation of social problems.

Such arguments seek to obscure the real situation: that the source of all wealth and social progress is the labour, both physical and intellectual, of the working people.

A broader global process

The Tampa crisis is only the latest expression of a broader global process. All over the world, capitalist governments are denying the right of entry to refugees and immigrants on the grounds that there is no room, and economic resources are limited.

Consequently, as many as 40 million refugees are denied safe haven, most of them languishing in squalid camps in impoverished countries, and 150 million working people now lead a semi-legal half-existence subjected to the most terrible forms of exploitation and state repression, while being denied basic democratic rights. What an indictment of the global capitalist system!

Amid the vast advances in the spheres of technology and productive capacity the capitalist ruling classes, with their system of nation-states, borders, passports and visas have turned the world into a prison for hundreds of millions of people.

Controls on migration are generally accepted as a given fact of life. But it should be recalled that they did not exist at the turn of last century. The paraphernalia of passports, rules and regulations was only introduced to prevent the movement of workers around the world, and reinforce the nationalist ideology with which every capitalist government sought to cement its hold on political power.

In 1990, launching the war against Iraq, US president George Bush declared it was aimed at securing a new world order. Barely a decade on, the real face of the new order of global capitalism stands exposed.

The world-wide movement of refugees, displaced people and so-called illegal immigrants is one of its products, spawned by the innumerable wars, civil wars, ethnic conflicts and economic deprivation to which it has given rise.

The deepening social and economic inequality that lies at the heart of the refugee crisis, is spelt out in the language of hard statistics. Situated at the apex of the global capitalist system, the worlds richest 200 people saw their combined income double between 1994 and 1998 to more than $1 trillionequivalent to about one fortieth of global gross domestic product. The worlds three richest people have assets greater than the combined output of the 48 poorest countries.

In 1999 the United Nations World Development Report estimated that for an expenditure of $40 billiona mere fraction of the income of the top 200basic health, water sanitation, education and nutrition could be provided for the entire worlds population.

What these figures, and many others like them, reveal is that the global refugee crisis, of which the Tampa standoff is the latest terrible expression, is the product of the decaying social order of global capitalism.

The only answer of the ruling classes to the crisis, which their social system has produced, is the imposition of ever-greater forms of repression. While the Australian government is seeking to appeal to a national interest, working people have common class interests with the refugees, not Howard. They have the same basic needs and aspirations as those seeking to escape oppression and exploitation worldwidedecent living standards, social services, democratic rights and social equality.

Internationally, the working class must advance on a new road. The planet must be made a fit place in which all can live and work in common decency, free from all political and economic repression. The present social system, based on the accumulation of private profit in the interests of capital, must be overturned and a new one constructed in which the vast productive resources created by the labour of the worlds producers are used to meet human need.

It is on the basis of this perspective that the SEP opposes the brutal actions of the Howard government and demands immediate and unrestricted entry for the Tampa refugees.
At its convention in late June, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters resolved to conduct a nationwide unionization campaign to establish its presence at Amazon. The union has committed to fully funding this initiative, which will include the creation of an Amazon Division within the Teamsters.

The Teamsters campaign has nothing to do with building worker power at Amazon, as the resolution states. Rather, it is an escalation of the drive by President Joseph Bidens administration to bring workers under a form of state guardianship through the use of the pro-capitalist trade unions. Under conditions of the debacle in Afghanistan, the growth of opposition among industrial workers and growing surge in the coronavirus pandemic, made possible by profit-driven policies under both parties, the American capitalist ruling class is extremely sensitive to the threat of a challenge to its rule from below.

The previous attempt by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) to unionize a single Amazon warehouse in Bessemer, Alabama ended in high-profile debacle for the union and the Democratic Party. In spite of a full-court press by the media and the Democratic Party, including high-profile endorsements by Bernie Sanders and Biden himself, who staked the prestige of his office on an unprecedented de-facto endorsement of the union, scarcely one in eight eligible workers voted to bring the RWDSU into the facility.

Inside an Amazon distribution center (Source: Amazon)

This had far less to do with the campaign against the union by Amazon management, which, by both historical standards and those of the companys own practices, were relatively light, than with the fact that the union refused to connect the campaign with any concrete demands or even establish significant lines of contact among workers inside the facility. The National Labor Relations Board, meanwhile, is intervening to force a re-vote at Bessemer, another indication of the support for the campaign by the federal government.

To maintain and protect its own position, the ruling class must find a way to suppress and divert mounting social opposition among workers before it finds an independent, revolutionary outlet. For many decades, the unions have consciously served this function, suppressing strikes to historic lows, and paving the way for massive increases in social inequality. Even in union shops such as the auto parts supplier Dana, conditions prevail which are worse in some respects than in the 19th century before the unions were founded. Under the terms of the current contract, Dana workers are forced to work seven days a week for as many as 12 hours a day for weeks at a time.

The rejection of the RWDSU shows the degree to which decades of union-backed wage cuts, layoffs and brutal working conditions have created an unbridgeable social gulf between workers and the privileged union bureaucracy, which is unable and unwilling to make the slightest appeal to popular anger over conditions for which they themselves bear a responsibility. Meanwhile, the depth of hostility among workers to these pro-corporate outfits found a fresh verification this weekend in a massive rebellion against a contract backed by the United Auto Workers and United Steelworkers at Dana during balloting which began on Saturday and continues into this week.

The considerable resources of the Teamsters union, whose assets total more than $500 million according to the latest financial filings, are being brought forward in an attempt to plug the breach. But the corrupt, gangster-ridden Teamsters apparatus confronts, if anything, even worse problems with its credibility than the RWDSU. At workplaces across the country, the Teamsters have enforced multi-tier wage structures, inadequate health benefits and mandatory overtime. Moreover, the Teamsters regularly runs roughshod over the democratic rights of workers and is infamous for its historical use of violence to suppress opposition from the rank-and-file. In 2018, the Teamsters used an anti-democratic clause in its constitution to ratify a contract at UPS which a majority of voters had rejected.

The resolution adopted at the convention states that members of the Teamsters have the best wages and working conditions in the [logistics] industry. In point of fact, this is false: the Teamsters oversees conditions at UPS warehouses which are in some respects worse than at Amazon. Under the present contract, the starting hourly wage for part-time UPS warehouse workers is a mere $13. In contrast, warehouse employees at Amazon, who do not belong to any union, earn a starting wage of $15. Before this, wages were even worse, only $10 per hour. The current UPS contract also created a new category of lower-paid part-time drivers, which represents a significant attack on one of the few decent-paying positions left at the company.

Any appeal which the Teamsters union makes will not be to rank-and-file workers, but to Jeff Bezos and Amazon senior management. It will argue that it can help Amazon keep wages down and workers in line, just as it has done at UPS.

The intervention by the Teamsters underscores the fact that the Biden administration sees the unionization of Amazon as a strategic question. For decades, the American state has routinely intervened into the Teamsters union in order to safeguard what it saw as its key interests. This includes 1941, when Teamsters President Daniel Tobin cooperated with President Franklin D. Roosevelt to purge and imprison the Trotskyist leadership of the Teamsters local in Minneapolis, which was opposed to US imperialisms preparations for entry into World War II. President Reagan had close relations with Teamster presidents Frank Fitzsimmons, a known racketeer, and Jackie Presser, who worked with organized crime and as an informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

To salvage the Teamsters credibility, under conditions where it had been seriously undermined by its well-known connections to the Mafia, the federal government used the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in the late 1980s to orchestrate a federal takeover of the Teamsters and oust hundreds of union bureaucrats. State intervention, however, did not clean up the union, but pushed to the fore newer, less openly tainted layers of bureaucrats who proved their ability to sell out the interests of workers just as well as their predecessors.

Ron Carey, for example, was elected president of the union in 1991, in the first general election for the national leadership in the unions history. His chief accomplishment was the sellout of the national strike at UPS in 1997, which sanctioned mass layoffs and the expanded use of two-tier wages. Carey was later expelled from the union after being indicted for embezzling union funds for his own re-election campaign.

The critical role in providing a left cover for state intervention was played by the Teamsters for a Democratic Union, a pseudo-reform caucus which entered into Careys administration. While they have been at times the target of bitter and even violent factional attacks by the dominant faction led by James Hoffa Jr., the TDU has sought for decades to promote illusions in the unions capacity for self-reform, claiming its pro-corporate policies can be changed by a combination of ordinary elections and pressure from the government.

This unprincipled organization is endorsing a leadership slate, Teamsters United, in this Octobers Teamster elections led by Sean OBrien, who was until recently a vicious ally of Hoffa who threatened violence against TDU candidates, and Fred Zuckerman, the president of local covering the UPS Worldport facility in Louisville, Kentucky.

One of the other items of business at the convention was to ratify candidates for the elections. This undemocratic procedure is used to toss out candidates who do not receive sufficient support from delegates of the convention, made up of union bureaucrats. While TDU-backed slates normally barely squeak past the required 5 percent threshold in previous conventions, the OBrien-Zuckerman Teamsters United slate garnered more than half of the vote at the convention, raising the real prospect that a TDU-backed slate may win the leadership of the union.

The support for Teamsters United indicates, first of all, considerable factional support for the slate within the bureaucracy itself. But it also likely demonstrates the awareness among the Teamsters of the degree of hostility among the rank-and-file and the need for it to make certain adjustments to avoid losing control of the situation. The convention also ratified several TDU-backed amendments to the constitution, including the elimination of the reactionary clause which was used to override the 2018 vote at UPS. However, they defeated a proposal which would have limited salaries for top Teamsters officials to roughly $330,000 per year.

Amazon workers will not be able to take a single step forward through the mechanism of the Teamsters. Instead, the way forward is by mobilizing their own independent strength outside of the control of the union bureaucracy through rank-and-file committees, as Amazon workers in Baltimore, together with Dana auto parts workers, teachers and other sections of the working class have already done.
The Rank-and-File Committee for Safe Education in Turkey calls on educators, parents and students to oppose the full reopening of schools for in-person education from September 6, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreads rapidly and the pandemic is out of control.

All over the world, the ruling class and its political representatives are exploiting the concerns of parents and the working class as a whole about the education, psychology and future of children to enforce this policy. However, their decisions are not based on childrens educational needs, but on the ruthless profit drive of the ruling class. They aim to use schools as nurseries so that parents can be forced to go to work.

Doctors of the Istanbul Medical Chamber stand in homage to Dr. M. Mustafa Kartal who died of COVID-19, December 11, 2020, Istanbul. [Credit: Istanbul Medical Chamber]

We, together with rank-and-file safety committees in other countries with whom we stand in solidarity as part of a global fight against the pandemic, respond to this criminal policy: No childs or educators life and well-being can be sacrificed for capitalist profit!

A policy of death versus a strategy of eradication

The COVID-19 pandemic rages on, having caused 4.5 million officially-recorded deaths worldwide and more than 10 million according to various studies as well as permanent health damage for masses of people. In Turkey, as in most of the world, the government is normalizing mass deaths and suffering, pursuing a mitigation strategy against the pandemic, not aiming to eradicate it.

This is a failed strategy that relies on supposedly combatting the pandemic with methods such as masks and vaccinations, while opening up economic and social life almost completely.

This deadly policy, implemented by the government without any serious objections from opposition parties or trade unions, can only be stopped by the independent intervention of the working class and youth before it causes another disaster. Action must be taken to stop school openings.

The reopening of schools in February-March 2021 undeniably contributed to Turkey becoming an epicentre of the pandemic earlier this year. While the number of infections recorded in Turkey on March 1 was under 9,800, it grew to 40,000 by April 1. By mid-April, Turkey led the world in infections, with 63,000 daily cases. Over the same period, the daily death toll jumped from 60 to nearly 400.

In six months since March, the total number of people infected with COVID-19 in Turkey has risen from 2.7 to 6.3 million. The death toll also doubled, from 28,000 to about 56,000. These figures, the product of the policy of opening up for the sake of capitalist profit and wealth, make clear that stopping the spread of the Delta variant and containing the pandemic, despite increased vaccination, requires more comprehensive measures.

Scientists have explained that the only way out is combining worldwide vaccination with large-scale public health measures to eradicate the pandemic.

At an online event titled  For a Global Strategy to Stop the Pandemic and Save Lives!  sponsored by educators rank-and-file safety committees in the US, UK and Australia, Dr Malgorzata Gasperowicz of the University of Calgary in Canada explained: If we have transmission in the community, its not safe to reopen schools, full stop. Unless we have no transmission, we shouldnt reopen in-person schools, before adding: If we combine both vaccines and public health measures ... we can stomp it out.

She also noted that between 3 and 12 percent of children infected with COVID-19 develop long COVID, with potentially debilitating effects on mental health and cognitive development. Dr Gasperowiczs studies make clear that had aggressive and coordinated measures been taken at the start of the pandemic, the virus could have been eradicated within weeks. Today, they show that this can be accomplished in two months while fighting the more transmissible Delta variant.

Schools are not safe

Like most governments, however, the policies of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government are guided not by these scientific facts, but by the interests of the ruling class, prioritising profit over life.

The government and the Education Ministry (MEB) have done nothing to create conditions for safe in-person education in schools since the beginning of the pandemic. No preparations were made in the recent months while there was no in-person education. This exposes claims that the ruling class is concerned about childrens education as lies.

If education was the governments true concern, thousands of new schools could have been built during this period, hundreds of thousands of unassigned teachers could have been hired, and class sizes of at most 15 children created. However, hundreds of thousands of students have been deprived of remote education due to the states failure to provide the necessary materials.

No additional budget has been allocated for education, no new schools opened, no new teachers and school personnel hired, and no steps taken to eliminate the threat of infection linked to the use of public transport. However, in the same period, millions of people lost their jobs, and millions of workers were forced to work in unsafe conditions, while billions were poured into the financial markets and the pocketbooks of the rich.

The Education Ministry has not taken any measures other than making masking mandatory in schools, closing its eyes to the inevitable outbreaks that will occur when children and teachers are packed into crowded classrooms. Precisely because outbreaks are inevitable in the schools in the current health conditions, it is critical to oppose the reopening of schools and pursue a strategy of strict social distancing to eradicate the virus.

As for leaving vaccination as the personal choice of teachers and school staff and requiring the unvaccinated to be tested for COVID-19 twice a week, this makeshift solution is part of the governments bankrupt response to the pandemic. Vaccination is a mandatory requirement for all educators and eligible students to attend school, but only under appropriate conditions, when there is not a risk of mass infection. Attending school is not a question of personal freedom. In fact, no one has the right to make others sick while risking their own lives.

According to Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, speaking on August 27, 72.5 percent of teachers are fully vaccinated. The vaccination rate of the entire Turkish population is only 58 percent. Contrary to the governments claims, both rates represent a failure, not success.

Today in Turkey, where more than 90 percent of all cases originate from the Delta variant, the daily number of cases is around 20,000, and deaths are close to 250 people per day. Scientists state that after the Delta variant, along with other social distancing measures, about 85 percent of the population should be fully vaccinated.

Nonetheless, the unions support the governments policy, advocating school reopenings for in-person education, while admitting that no necessary measures have been taken. The Egitim-Sen unions slogan is Precautions should be taken, schools should be opened in September! but it also admits that no action has been taken for it. Nevertheless, it continues to support this policy and refuses to mobilise its tens of thousands of members and parents against school reopenings in unsafe conditions. However, the same Egitim-Sen had criticised the Education Ministry, announcing that at least 45 educators died of COVID-19 between March 5 and April 26, 2021.

Moreover, this policy has received statements of support from the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), which has played a significant role in scientifically opposing the governments social murder policy throughout the pandemic.

The TTBs School Health Working Group, together with many education unions, issued a statement on August 13, declaring: Fully in-person education is necessary. The statement admitted that no official preparations have been made for the return of students and educators to schools in safe conditions. Nonetheless, it insists that schools should be opened and kept open in any case.

However, the section titled Criteria that will form the basis for the decision to open and close schools based on provinces and districts and the measures to be taken at schools makes clear that schools should not be reopened, according to the TTBs own standards.

The most important of these criteria is whether the number of new cases per 100,000 people in the last seven days is over 100. If it is higher than 100, it means there is a high and dangerous spread of the disease. Overall in Turkey, the number of cases per 100,000 people is nearly 165 today. In only 11 of its major 81 cities (less than 14 percent of the total population live in these 11 cities) is this rate below 100, but the rate is increasing in these areas as well.

In this case, the TTB recommends that secondary schools and high schools switch to online learning, while pre-schools and primary schools remain open with class sizes of no more than 30 (which is still a very high number). However, most schools cannot meet the 30 student limit. According to a survey by Egitim-Sen, only 15 percent of schools in Turkey have class sizes of fewer than 20. Fully 93 percent of the teachers participating in the survey said that it is impossible to provide the necessary social distancing in their classrooms.

Those who advocate school reopening under these conditions claim that the probability of children catching COVID-19, transmitting it and being harmed by the disease is very low compared to adults. However, this claim is false and has been scientifically refuted.

Data from the United States, where more than 60 percent of schools have started in-person education, reveal the magnitude of the danger. More than 4.5 million children in the US have been infected to date.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the US reported 180,000 child COVID-19 cases in the week ending August 19, a 50 percent increase in just one week. There were less than 10,000 child cases just two months ago. Even worse, more than 1,900 children are currently hospitalised, and 24 children died from COVID-19 in one week. Clearly, this policy means that children will die or suffer long-term harm from COVID-19.

For a safe reopening of schools

The Rank-and-File Committee for Safe Education recognises the need to reopen schools safely and advocates the only viable scientific policy for doing so: To stop the pandemic and save lives, measures to eradicate COVID-19 in Turkey and worldwide should be implemented in a coordinated manner. Schools and non-essential workplaces should be closed, full income protection provided to affected workers and small business owners, and a global vaccination campaign initiated together with other social distancing and public health measures.

Implementing this strategy depends on the intervention of the working class and youth, including educators, independent from all establishment parties and trade unions. Instead of transferring billions to the corporations, the super-rich must be expropriated and the following demands implemented:

* For the immediate closure of all public and private schools! All teachers and students must be provided with good computers and high-speed internet access free of charge, to ensure quality online teaching.

* Resources for teachers, schools and online learning! New schools and day care centres should be opened in each neighbourhood to ensure safe conditions, without the use of buses or public transportation, and all unassigned education workers should be immediately employed as permanent staff.

* Before any school reopens, all ventilation systems must be modernised, janitorial and nursing staff hired, and class sizes permanently reduced to no more than 15 students.

* Everyone has the right to access public and scientific education. The subordination of education to capitalist profit must be stopped and all private schools nationalised. Private school teachers and other teachers employed on contract should be hired as permanent staff, and all teachers basic wages increased.

* Full income protection to all parents and caregivers who stay home with their children! The money handed over to the rich must be used to provide full income to those who cannot work because they must stay home with their children.

* No loss of income for educators who choose to stay home! Teachers and education workers who refuse to work in unsafe conditions must be provided with full income and benefits for the duration of the pandemic, not fined or penalised.

* The imposition of flexible working conditions on remote education should end, teachers working hours should be strictly followed, and overtime worked on a voluntary basis and paid. Attempts to put cameras in classrooms permanently under the pretext of the pandemic violates democratic rights and must be withdrawn immediately.

* For free speech and the protection of whistle-blowers! Those who speak out against unsafe working conditionswhether in schools, factories, warehouses, hospitals or officesmust be defended against victimisation by employers or state officials. All workers who have been victimised must be rehired with back pay.

* Resources should be used to promptly make millions of vaccines available, and private hospitals nationalised amid this public health emergency. Hundreds of thousands of health workers should also be employed immediately.

* Defend refugees and immigrants! The over 5 million refugees and immigrants in Turkey constitute the most vulnerable section of society. They should be promptly included in the vaccination campaign and benefit from all health services free of charge. Official data on refugees situations should be released regularly.

* No in-person school examinations during the pandemic!

* In order to combat the psychological damage the pandemic causes in children and all of society, psychological counsellors should be employed and accessible, free of charge.

Our demands are based not on what the corporations and the politicians claim is affordable, but what is necessary to protect the lives and well-being of children, educators and the entire working class. Our aim is to mobilise the working class as an independent social force against the dangerous reopening of schools and for the defence of public education.

We call on all educators, parents and students who support this initiative to contact us, to establish rank-and-file committees for safe education, and to expand this vital struggle for public health.
VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - The Vigo County Health Department says it will host a mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinic later this week.

It's all in an effort to get more people in the community vaccinated against the virus.

The mobile clinic will happen on Thursday, September 2, at the West Terre Haute IGA.

You can stop in and receive the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine from 10 am to 1 pm and then again from 4 pm to 6 pm.

You have to be at least 18, and the health department asks that you bring a photo ID if available.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Maps on display in the Mississippi Capitol give a vivid picture of how population has shifted within the state during the past decade, and legislators will use those in drawing new boundaries for legislative and congressional districts.

Republican Rep. Jim Beckett of Bruce is chairman of the legislative committee in charge of redistricting. He said during a public hearing in Jackson last week that the first order of business will be redrawing the four congressional districts because federal elections are being held in 2022. State House and Senate races will be on the 2023 ballot.

Mississippi, Illinois and West Virginia are the only states that lost population from 2010 to 2020, according to the Census Bureau. Mississippi did not lose enough people to also lose a congressional seat, but Illinois and West Virginia are losing one seat each.

The only one of Mississippi's four U.S. House districts that lost population was the 2nd District, which stretches through the Delta, southward along the Mississippi River and eastward into the city of Jackson. It is the states only majority-Black congressional district, and the only one represented by a Democrat.

The four Mississippi maps in the Capitol rotunda depict population losses and gains across the state. One shows the U.S. House districts, one shows the 122 state House districts, one shows the 52 state Senate districts and one shows population in each of the 82 counties. The maps were produced by the Mississippi Automated Resource Information System, and they are also online.

The county-by-county map and the two state legislative maps are color-coded like traffic signals. Growth areas are in green, areas with some population loss are in yellow or orange and areas with the highest percentage of population decline are in red.

Yellow and orange are the dominant colors on the county-by-county map, showing the continued population drain from rural areas that have few job opportunities. The growing areas have strong public schools and stable economies.

Eight counties gained 5% to 18% in population during the decade.

Lafayette County, which is home to the University of Mississippi, was the fastest-growing, with a 17.9% increase. That growth is evident with new shopping centers, subdivisions and apartment complexes that have sprung up in places that used to be covered in trees.

Lamar County  next door to the county that is home to the University of Southern Mississippi  had a 15.4% population increase. DeSoto County had a 14.9% increase; it has been one of Mississippi's fastest-growing counties the past three decades as people migrated southward out of Memphis, Tennessee.

The other dark green counties on the map are Madison with 14.6% growth, Harrison with 11.5%, Rankin with 10.9%, Oktibbeha with 8.6% and George with 7.9%.

Madison and Rankin are suburban communities for Hinds County and the capital city of Jackson. Harrison is on the Gulf Coast and has military installations and casinos. Oktibbeha is home to Mississippi State University, and George is just north of coastal Jackson County.

Ten counties gained up to almost 5% in population. They are Hancock at 4.8%, Forrest at 4.3%, Pontotoc at 4.1%, Stone at 3.1%, Jackson at 2.6%, Union at 2.4%, Itawamba at 2%, Pearl River at 0.6%, Lee at 0.5% and Lincoln at 0.1%.

Hancock and Jackson counties touch the Gulf of Mexico, with Stone and Pearl River just to the north. Forrest County is home to the University of Southern Mississippi. Pontotoc, Union, Itawamba and Lee counties are in northeast Mississippi, which has jobs in furniture and automotive manufacturing. Lincoln County is in southwestern Mississippi, along the Jackson-to-New Orleans route of Interstate 55.

The counties with the largest percentage population losses are all rural and poor. Quitman County lost 25% of its residents, Sharkey was at minus 22.7%, Coahoma was at minus 18.2%, Tallahatchie was at minus 17.3% and Humphreys was at minus 17%.

Republicans hold wide majorities in the state House and Senate, and that bipartisan balance is unlikely to change through redistricting.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

A Connecticut doctor awaiting trial on charges of writing fraudulent opioid prescriptions allegedly tried to hire the Hells Angels to murder a witness who was planning to testify against him.

Already under indictment for illegal distribution of oxycodone and health-care fraud, Anatoly Braylovsky, 50, is now also charged with obstruction of justice for the alleged murder-for-hire plot, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court.

This month, a former FBI employee contacted a current agent with an urgent lead: A tipster said Braylovsky had come to see him at work looking for help regarding witnesses associated with his case, the complaint states. According to the unnamed informant, Braylovsky said the five days he spent in the New Haven jail before being released on bail in 2020 were the worst five days of his life, and that he did not want to go back.

Braylovsky asked if [the tipster] would talk to his/her brother, who Braylovsky believed is the president of the Hells Angels, the complaint states. Braylovsky specifically referenced a guy who was micd up that would testify against him and said This guys gotta go. [The tipster] understood this as Braylovsky asking [the tipster] to help him find someone to intimidate or kill this witness.

Just Kill Her ASAP: Jealous College Student Accused of Wild Plot to Murder Her Lovers Wife

The tipster told Braylovsky that he needed to think about it, and told him to come back on Aug. 24 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. In the meantime, the FBI readied an undercover agent to be at the tipsters business when Braylovsky returned. On the 24th, an eager Braylovsky showed up a half-hour early for the meeting. The tipster wasnt there, but his child told Braylovsky that hed be back at 11. Braylovsky told the tipsters wife that they had a plan to meet that day. She said the tipster was actually out of the country but didnt want anyone to know, and Braylovsky left.

Later that day, the undercover FBI agent called Braylovsky at home. They were supposed to meet between 11 and 1 that day, the undercover agent told him. What happened? Confused, Braylovsky said thats not what he had been told by his pal who had apparently skipped town. The undercover agent told Braylovsky that he was only in town for a short time, and if Braylovsky wanted to meet, they could get together at a nearby Home Depot.

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Can you give me 15 minutes? Braylovsky asked, according to the complaint.

At about 12:30 p.m., Braylovsky arrived in the Home Depot parking lot driving a Dodge pickup truck. He circled the lot more than once, then got into the undercover agents vehicle, the complaint states. An FBI surveillance team was staked out nearby, and the undercover agent was wearing a wire. So [the tipster] reached out through a mutual friend, all right? the undercover agent told Braylovsky. Said you had a problem. I drove up here. What can I help you with?

Braylovsky said he got nervous when the hitman called him at home, saying, So, Im just, you know, in a fucked-up place [I]ts hard for me to trust anybody, adding that he wanted to be sure he wasnt being set up by law enforcement.Well, understand this is what I do, said the undercover agent. I am a professional, all right? And if I need to find somebody, I find them, OK? Now, my mutual friend said I was going to meet somebody there between 11 and 1. I went there at 11 and I waited.

When Braylovsky insisted that he had been there, and started asking questions about how the undercover agent knew his contact, the agent turned the tables on him.

Now... understand, I dont trust nobody either, the agent said. Thats why you asking where Im from, Im not going to tell you where Im from. Im not going to tell you my name, Im not going to tell you anything about me. Matter of fact, when this meeting is done, this truck is gone, everything else is gone. The phone I contact you on gets burned. All right? Because not only do you have to have trust in certain individuals, you have to know to protect yourself.

Braylovsky said he understood. The undercover agent pressed on, explains the complaint.

So when we find this person and you decide what it is you want to do how long do I have to wait around here? the undercover agent said. Im only here for a short period of time. Ive got other people Ive got to go meet and talk to.

The undercover agent said hed be changing his phone number in a day or two, and that he was ready to finish the job, according to the complaint.

[Y]ou reached out to [the tipster] and [the tipster] reached out to us all right? said the undercover agent. Were here now.

I understand what youre saying but Ihave to uh, I have to talk to [the tipster], Braylovsky replied. You got to understand, you know?

This is costing me time and money, the undercover agent responded.

Understand that this is costing me my life, said Braylovsky.I dont know about your situation, I dont know what's going on with you, said the agent. I dont want to know. All right? I dont want to hear whatever your issue is... I know why Im here and I know what my job is, all right? So, is this something that uh youre having second thoughts on? Whatwhats the deal?

Yes, said Braylovsky.

My guys are committed, you know when I get the phone call, people I go talk to are committed, said the undercover agent. This is whythis is why Im here. All right? So, I dont like coming up here

No, no, I totally understand, said Braylovsky. And Im not trying to, um, step over your toes you know, or to bring you here for no good reason. Its just thisthis is out of the blue for me. I was not expecting this. I thought this was

After some more back-and-forth, Braylovsky told the undercover agent that he needed some more time to think about things.

I dont know if this is an ex-girlfriend, ex-wife, I have no idea, said the undercover agent. Im not concerned with that. I take a job, I take, I fix it and I move on [D]o whatever the fuck you got to do. Square that shit away. Im here for another day, thats it, Im moving on. Youre going to miss your opportunity. OK? Fair enough?

Braylovsky kept asking questions, apparently concerned about the undercover agents story. Instead of continuing to talk in circles, the undercover agent finally told Braylovskyin so many wordsto shit or get off the pot.

So, youve got my number, the undercover agent said. Like I said, Ill be in town here.

After a few more questions from Braylovsky about exactly how the undercover agent got his home number, the two parted ways. The FBI then rearrested Braylovsky on Aug. 27.

Ordinary people who try to hire hitmen regularly fail, often because the purported killer is actually an undercover cop. Last year, a New York mom paid $1,000 to a detective she thought was a contract killer in a wild scheme to have a man murdered who was planning to testify against her son. In June, a Pennsylvania woman was busted after allegedly negotiating a weekly payment plan with an undercover cop to assassinate her husband. In 2019, the FBI arrested an NYPD police officer who paid an undercover agent $7,000 in gold coins to have her estranged husband and her new boyfriends daughter killed. In one particularly notable case, a Washington State college student tried unsuccessfully to have her lovers wife knocked off by a dark-web scammer posing as a hitman who later contacted the FBI.

Jury selection in Braylovskys case is scheduled for Oct. 5. Braylovskys attorney, James Glasser, did not respond to The Daily Beasts request for comment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Suzanne Stewart is not likely to claim any records for landing a 163-pound halibut last week while fishing in Alaska.

But Stewarts catch is remarkable considering that she had never been fishing and had to learn while matched against one of the most powerful species of game fish on the planet.

It was the first time I had ever held a fishing pole in my 62 years, Stewart, who is from Klamath Falls, Ore., told FTW Outdoors. My reaction? Utter disbelief, excitement, adrenaline rush, and much squealing to accompany all of it!

Stewart was fishing with her husband, Paul, at Highliner Lodge & Fishing Charters in Pelican, west of Juneau. The destination is so remote that the only access is via sea plane.

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For Paul Stewart, the trip was a pre-retirement bucket-list item. Suzanne was merely along for the ride, but she now seems to be hooked on fishing.

In four days of fishing we took in 49 coho salmon, 8 halibut, about 10 seabass, and one ling cod, she said, explaining that two boat mates also figured into that tally. We came home with 250 pounds of fish.

RELATED: Florida angler lands incredibly rare tortilla fish

The 163-pound halibut was featured in a Highliner Lodge Facebook post, along with the description: Not only was this Suzannes first halibut but the FIRST fish she has ever reeled in! Only took her 20 minutes too! Well done and welcome to the 100-pound club Suzanne!

The 100-pound mark is an aspiration that can take years to achieve.

However, a spokesman for the lodge told FTW Outdoors that the fleet recently enjoyed a 16-day streak of catching at least one halibut exceeding 100 pounds. Stewart hooked her fish at a depth of 350 feet off the northern coast of Chigacof Island.

Of course, much larger Pacific halibut roam Alaskan waters.

The all-tackle world record, set off Dutch Harbor in 1996, stands at 459 pounds. Fish even close to that size are exceedingly rare these days, but last August a 327-pound barn door halibut was landed off Seward.

An image showing that fish towering above the angler had many claiming that it had been altered. However, Snopes verified the facts and stated that while a little forced perspective [photography] might be in play in general, this is a real picture of a really big fish.
Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon/Instagram Reese Witherspoon and family

Reese Witherspoon is opening up about her early obstacles with motherhood.

During a recent episode of Dax Shepard's podcast Armchair Expert, the actress, 45, spoke to Kristen Bell and Monica Padman about the struggles she faced when she and her then-husband welcomed their first child.

Witherspoon gave birth to Ava, now 21, in September 1999, about two months after she and her ex-husband, Ryan Phillippe tied the knot. The pair would then go on to welcome son Deacon, now 17, in October 2003, before separating three years later in 2006.

"I did not have a lot of support with my first baby and I learned really early, like this is not going to work," she explained. "I tried to muscle through for five months with Ava, just not sleeping and I became delirious."

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RELATED: Reese Witherspoon Shares Sweet and Silly Selfie with Her Oldest Children: 'Goofy Is Genetic'

Noting that she "couldn't have worked" through the first few months she was a new mom to Ava, Witherspoon explained, "I was lucky enough to have money saved and I didn't have to work, but it's just not a one-person job."

"I would even say it's not a two-person job," the Big Little Lies star added.

Over the weekend, Witherspoon, who is also mom to son Tennessee James, 8, with husband Jim Toth, shared how grateful she is for her two older children with a sweet post on Instagram.

"Gosh, I'm lucky to be their mom ," the proud mother captioned the adorable family snapshot.

Posing together for the photo, Witherspoon sat between her two kids as the trio each flashed smiles for the camera before them.
Hurricane Ida made landfall in southeastern Louisiana on Sunday, causing significant damage across the region, resulting in at least one confirmed death in the state, knocking down trees and buildings as well as leaving millions without power.

Videos and photos showed the sheer force of the storm, which tied for the fifth-strongest hurricane to ever hit the U.S. mainland with enough power to reverse the flow of the Mississippi River, an occurrence that also happened during Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Isaac in 2012.

Even though Ida has now been downgraded to a tropical storm as it heads toward Mississippi, many were left dealing with severe flooding and 150-mph winds. Many social media users have shared addresses of those they know are in need of being rescued from their flooded homes.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said President Joe Biden had declared Ida a disaster, meaning federal funds will be used to assist rescue and recovery efforts. Numerous other organizations are also offering ways to help those affected by the storm.

Here are some of those organizations and aid efforts people can contribute to.

Check the latest: Keep track of active storms

Highway 51 is flooded Aug. 30 near LaPlace, La., after Hurricane Ida came ashore.

How to help victims of Hurricane Ida:

City of New Orleans recommendations: While the city said they cannot accept money, New Orleans officials recommend donating to United Way of Southeast Louisiana and The Greater New Orleans Foundation.

The city also said that meals and prepared non-perishable meals as well as generators and charging stations are their biggest needs.

American Red Cross: The Red Cross said they have over 600 volunteers in Louisiana and Mississippi and have opened dozens of evacuation shelters across the states with other organizations. People can find shelter and supplies by calling 211, 800-733-2767 or by downloading the Red Cross Emergency Apps.

People also can donate to the organization here.

GoFundMe: The popular donation website has set up a page dedicated to Hurricane Ida relief. If you don't trust any donations set up by strangers, GoFundMe has their own donation link you can donate to.

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Imagine Water Works: Led by Native, Creole, queer and trans community members in New Orleans, Imagine Water Works has a guide to staying safe with COVID-19 and hurricanes, as well as assisting those in the LGBTQ community. So far, they have raised over $84,000 for Hurricane Ida relief and you can donate to their organization here.

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief: The organization is looking for people who are want to volunteer to help those in need, as well as providing supplies and help. People who are interested in volunteering can fill out the form here and those in need of medical help, food or other assistance can fill out the form here.

NOLA Ready: Part of the city of New Orleans' emergency response, NOLA Ready is looking for volunteers to assist in sorting and distributing resources, navigation, supporting non-profit organizations among other duties. People can sign up to volunteer here to help with operations that began today.

Project Hope: Helping the Louisiana area since Hurricane Katrina, the organization is sending 11 volunteers to Louisiana and will also give out 8,000 hygiene kits, which include shampoo, soap, a toothbrush, deodorant, washcloth and a first-aid kit. The group will also give out N95 masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among rescue efforts. Donations can be made here.

Rebuilding Together: The New Orleans chapter of the organization is taking donations, and has an Amazon wish list of supplies that will be sent to people affected.

Save the Children: Primarily focused on assisting children and families, Save the Children is helping families find care for themselves and children, as well as assist learning centers and child care facilities impacted by the hurricane. You can donate to their organization here.

The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army said they have an emergency response crew in Texas ready to assist victims in Louisiana. They have 35 mobile kitchens and two field kitchens that can produce up to 20,000 meals a day. The organization also has a command unit, refrigerated truck, laundry unit, shower unit and a bunkhouse.

World Central Kitchen: Founded by chef Jose Andres, the organizations began preparing meals to emergency shelters on Sunday. Andres said on Twitter yesterday they have supplied three kitchens with over 10,000 meals.

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People can donate to the organization here.

Numerous other local and national organizations are assisting in rescue and recovery efforts. To check if they are legitimate organizations, you can look them up on Charity Navigator to make sure donations and other efforts are going to those in need.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Ida: How to help storm victims in Louisiana, Mississippi
Am I the only one working this hard?

katleho Seisa

A TikTok user by the name of @Uhdezuh had an extremely uncomfortable phone call with a Verizon employee last week, and the young social media goer recorded every last bit of the odd conversation for her followers to hear.

In her video posted to TikTok on August 25th @Uhdezuh stares at the phone in shock as the Verizon employee goes on a rant about slavery and sex trafficking.

Slaves have been around since Egypts days, Mayan and Incan days, the employee tells @uhdezuh. The Aztecs used to enslave the Mayans. She also adds that the movie Taken is more true than people realize.

Girls are kidnapped to be sex slaves, the employee rambles on.

Shortly after the video went viral across social media @Uhdezuh issued a follow-up post detailing more about the odd incident.

@Uhdezuh said her call with the employee lasted 10 minutes. Towards the beginning of their conversation, she complimented the employee on her name which prompted a long explanation from the Verizon worker on where it originated from. Minutes later the employee began ranting about her love for Disney movies, but according to the worker, there was one film in particular that she always wanted to see but couldnt obtain. That film was Song of the South, @Uhdezuh later mentioned to the Daily Dot. The Verizon employee explained that Disney stopped releasing it because it was racist.

When @Uhdezuh asked if the lady agreed with Disney discontinuing the controversial film, thats when she stated that slavery is part of our history, adding that it has happened in other places outside the U.S. and that there are white slaves currently.

@Uhdezuh revealed that while the lady was helpful during their phone call, she hopes Verizon will hold the employee accountable for her inappropriate remarks.

I would like just a confirmation that theyre handling it, said @uhdezuh. At least making it clear that [her] behavior was unacceptable and wont be tolerated in the future.

What would you have done if you were in @Uhdezuhs shoes?

RELATED CONTENT: The Tonight Show Helped A White Woman Erase Black Creatives On Tik Tok
CANBERRA, Australia  Australia says it has reached a deal with Singapore to acquire 500,000 doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine next week in return for delivering the same number of shots to Singapore in December.

Australia bought 1 million Pfizer doses from Poland for an undisclosed price earlier this month.

Half of Australias population is locked down due to an outbreak of the delta variant of the coronavirus that began in Sydney in June.

Australian government leaders plan to end lockdowns once 80% of an areas residents aged 16 and older are fully vaccinated. Only 34% of that target population was fully vaccinated by this week.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 Hurricane Ida slams Louisiana hospitals brimming with virus patients

 Texas man who worked against COVID-19 measures dies from virus

 Once a beacon of safety, Hawaii is seeing a surge of coronavirus cases driven by delta variant

 Anxious tenants await assistance as evictions resume

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 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronvirus-vaccine

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

PORTLAND, Ore.  City employees in Portland, Oregon, must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus  or obtain a medical or religious exemption  by the middle of October or they will be fired.

Mayor Ted Wheeler and all four City Commissioners wrote Monday in a letter to municipal workers: With COVID-19 filling hospitals and claiming lives, we must do everything within our power to end this pandemic and restore our communitys health.

The city will require its approximately 6,800 employees to either submit proof of vaccination, show they are in the process of being vaccinated or apply for an exemption by Sept. 10. They must be fully vaccinated or granted an exemption by Oct. 18.

The letter says that those who fail to meet the deadline will be put on a list for separation from employment.

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HONOLULU  The mayor of Honolulu says the city will soon require patrons of restaurants, bars, museums, theaters and other establishments to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test.

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The rule takes effect Sept. 13 and is aimed at helping the city beat back a surge in cases from the highly contagious delta variant. Honolulu joins other cities such as New Orleans and New York that have implemented similar requirements.

Children under age 12 will be exempt.

Employees of the establishments will have to show proof of vaccination or undergo weekly testing. Businesses that dont comply could be fined or shut down.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Florida officials have begun to make good on threats to withhold funding from school districts that defy Gov. Ron DeSantis ban on mask mandates despite a court ruling last week finding his order unconstitutional.

The state Department of Education announced Monday it has withheld an amount equal to monthly school board member salaries in Alachua and Broward counties. It says funds will continue to be withheld until the districts comply.

President Joe Biden has said if money was withheld, federal money would be used to cover any costs.

The Alachua and Broward districts are among 10 that require all students to wear masks unless they have a medical exemption in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

DeSantis says the districts are violating parental rights by not allowing a parent or legal guardian to opt out their child.

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LANSING, Mich.  Four female soccer players at Western Michigan University are challenging the schools coronavirus vaccine requirement for athletes, saying it violates their Christian beliefs.

The lawsuit filed Monday came days after a Michigan State University employee sued to block that schools mandate, which is broader and applies to all students, faculty and staff.

The players say Western Michigan ordered them to get a shot by the end of August or be removed from the team.

Western Michigan says it has a compelling interest in acting to avoid the significant risk of an outbreak due to unvaccinated athletes.

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SEATTLE  Health officials in Washington state say the coronavirus pandemic is filling hospitals at an alarming rate and continuing to strain health care workers.

The executive medial director of womens health at Swedish Health Services also said Monday that for the first time during the pandemic, hospitals are seeing large numbers of pregnant women ill with COVID-19. Dr. Tanya Sorensen noted that pregnant women are generally less likely to be vaccinated.

The Washington State Hospital Association says that as of Monday morning, the states hospitals and health care centers were treating 1,570 patients for COVID-19. Of those, 188 are on ventilators. Eleven days ago, the hospital association counted 1,240 patients with 152 on ventilators.

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CHICAGO  An Illinois judge has reversed a ruling to bar a divorced mother from seeing her 11-year-old son because she isnt vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Cook County Judge James Shapiro issued an order Monday vacating his Aug. 10 decision, though he offered no explanation.

Rebecca Firlits lawyer has said the judge, and not Firlits ex-husband, raised the issue during a child support hearing for the former couple who share custody of the boy.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that Shapiro asked the mother if she was vaccinated. When she said no, the judge withdrew her rights to see the boy until she gets vaccinated.

Firlit said she has had adverse reactions to vaccinations and that her doctor advised her not to get a coronavirus shot.

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ROYAL OAK, Mich.  Some animals are rolling up their fur for a coronavirus vaccine at the Detroit Zoo.

The zoo in suburban Detroit says its gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers and lions are getting a vaccine developed by Zoetis, a veterinary drug company, and authorized by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Other animals will follow.

The zoo's chief life sciences officer, Scott Carter, says: Were both thankful and relieved a special vaccine is now available to protect against COVID-19. The animals routinely get other vaccinations.

The zoo says no coronavirus infections have been found in its animals.

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ATLANTA  Coronavirus infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations in Georgia are nearing the peaks set in January.

The state Department of Public Health says Georgias seven-day rolling average for cases was just below 9,591 Saturday, close to the high of 9,635 reached Jan. 11. About 5,600 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized Monday, just short of the 5,715 set Jan. 13.

Also on Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp signed an executive order calling up as many as 1,500 more National Guard soldiers to help short-staffed hospitals with nonmedical jobs. He previously authorized 1,000.

Also, teachers and state employees insured by the state health plan will qualify for a cash incentive to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The governor is focusing on voluntary vaccination as a solution to the pandemic and opposes other interventions such as mask mandates and, capacity reductions in public places.

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama has set a new high for the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care, although the total number of hospitalized COVID patients remains slightly below the winter peak.

There were 884 COVID-19 patients in intensive care Sunday, the most since the pandemic began, according to the Alabama Hospital Association. Dr. Don Williamson heads the organization and he said Monday that the previous high was 848 in January.

The total number of COVID-19 patients in state hospitals was 2,829 on Monday, still below the high of 3,087 set in January.

About 38% of the people in Alabama are vaccinated against the coronavirus, which is one of the lowest rates in the country.

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The number of COVID-19 patients in West Virginia hospital intensive care units is approaching the high mark in the pandemic.

There are 203 virus patients in ICUs across the state, the most since Jan. 11. The record of 219 came on Jan. 6,

A total of 640 people are hospitalized for the illness that can be caused by the coronavirus, a fourfold jump in the past month. The record of 818 was set on Jan. 5.

Officials said at a news conference Monday that 82% of current virus hospitalizations and 74% of the statewide deaths over the past two months involved unvaccinated people.

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PHOENIX -- Health officials in Arizonas most populous county are sounding the alarm about a growing number of coronavirus outbreaks in schools.

The medical director for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health told the county Board of Supervisors on Monday that the agency tracked almost three times the number of school outbreaks in August as during the pandemics peak in February.

Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine says that of 188 outbreaks this month, 166 continue  far more than at any other point during the pandemic.

She adds that more than one in four COVID-19 cases in the county are now among children, a rate never seen before. One in six of those cases are among children under age 12.

Maricopa County is home to nearly 60% of Arizonas residents.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Mothers of two children with serious illnesses are asking a federal judge to block enforcement of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees order allowing parents to opt out of pandemic mask requirements in schools. They argue that it endangers kids with health conditions and hurts their ability to attend in-person classes.

U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman heard testimony in Memphis on Monday as part of the lawsuit filed by the parents of two students in the Shelby County suburbs of Collierville and Germantown.

The school districts had been under a mask mandate issued by the county health department when the school year began earlier in August. However, the governors Aug. 16 order allows parents to send their children to school without masks, and hundreds of students have been attending classes without masks.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. government advisers on Monday reiterated that Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for people 16 and older.

The vaccine was the first to win full approval in the U.S. for that age group last week. It also remains available for emergency use by 12- to 15-year-olds.

The full approval gave advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a chance to look at all the extra evidence about safety since vaccinations first began last December. And data revealed Monday showed one serious side effect, heart inflammation, remains exceedingly rare after both the Pfizer vaccine and the similar Moderna shot.

The CDC has counted 2,574 cases of heart inflammation after hundreds of millions of doses of both vaccines. It mostly strikes males under 30 about a week after vaccination. CDC tracking shows the vast majority recover without lingering symptoms.

The CDC put the rare risk into sharper perspective. For every 1 million Pfizer vaccine doses administered to 16- to 17-year-old males, it estimated there would be 73 cases of the heart inflammation. But 500 COVID-19 hospitalizations among these teens would be prevented over the next four months.

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MIAMI  The number of patients with the coronavirus in Florida hospitals is dropping as infection rates stay high. It's a sign that while more people test positive for the virus, they are not necessarily developing severe illness.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tallied 15,488 patients with COVID-19 in hospitals, an 8% decrease over the past week.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the more than 30,000 people have been able to get monoclonal antibodies at 21 state sites set up over the past two weeks and avoided worsening their symptoms.

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OKLAHOMA CITY  The four largest hospitals in Oklahoma City on Monday said they either have no intensive care bed space available or no space for COVID-19 patients.

Mercy, Integris and SSM Health said they had no ICU beds available and OU Health had none for COVID-19 patients in the states largest city.

OU Health, the states only trauma center, must keep some ICU beds available for other critically ill or injured patients.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health, which reported 1,572 virus-related hospitalizations statewide Monday, including 422 in ICU, stopped providing daily hospital bed availability data in May when Gov. Kevin Stitt ended a COVID-19 emergency declaration. The department has said it will resume providing the data, but has not yet done so.

SSM Health spokesperson Kate Cunningham said the information provided by the hospitals is not in response to anything the state agency has or has not provided.

The only motive for acting together in this is because of regular requests for information from reporters, and we want to be transparent to the public, Cunningham said.
From hot springs and geysers to fumaroles and mud pots, the thermal features of Yellowstone National Park are a major allure that draws millions of visitors each year  who are kept at a safe distance from the scorching natural elements. However, one tourist recently wandered off the path and onto the thermal grounds and was sentenced to seven days in jail.

Madeline S. Casey of Hartford, Connecticut, stepped off the designated boardwalk and began walking around the grounds of the Norris Geyser Basin, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a release from the U.S. attorney's office for the District of Wyoming. As a result, the 26-year-old was given a weeklong sentence and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, $40 in fees, and $1,000 as a community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Resource Fund, as determined during her court appearance on Aug. 18.

According to the release, the area is "well marked" with signage to stay on the boardwalk, but Casey and another person ventured off, as documented by other "concerned" visitors.

"Boardwalks in geyser basins protect visitors and delicate thermal formations," Morgan Warthin, Yellowstone National Park's public affairs officer, said in the release. "The ground is fragile and thin and scalding water just below the surface can cause severe or fatal burns. More than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone's hot springs."

The Grand Prismatic Spring is seen in the Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Patrick Gorski/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The potentially deadly consequences have long been an issue at the park, with one man getting severely burned after falling into a hot spring at night in October 2019, two tourists putting their faces over Old Faithful's opening in September 2019, and another trying to touch Old Faithful right before it erupted in August 2019. In 2017, another visitor was burned after falling into the springs at the Lower Geyser Basin.

"For those who lack a natural ability to appreciate the dangerousness of crusty and unstable ground, boiling water, and scalding mud, the National Park Service does a darn good job of warning them to stay on the boardwalk and trial in thermal areas," Bob Murray, acting United States attorney, said in the statement. "Yet there will always be those like Ms. Casey who don't get it. Although a criminal prosecution and jail time may seem harsh, it's better than spending time in a hospital's burn unit."

The naturally boiling waters are no doubt an intrigue to visitors, as a man was banned from the park after reportedly trying to cook chickens in the hot springs last year.
Moscow  A Russian sushi delivery chain issued an apology on its social media accounts after posting an ad featuring a Black man. The restaurant's owner said he was bombarded by death threats from a nationalist hate group and forced to take down the advertisement.

Yobidoyobi, which has stores in 65 Russian cities, posted its first ad featuring a Black model  a man surrounded by three women with Slavic features  on August 14. It followed up on the campaign two weeks later posting another picture of the same man easting sushi, and the chain's social media accounts were quickly flooded with hateful comments.

A photo used by Russia sushi restaurant chain Yobidoyobi, which the chain's founder said had been taken down due to a backlash against the use of a Black model.

Yobidoyobi founder, Konstantin Zimen, attributed the attacks to a hate group called "Male State," and said the barrage of threats came after the movement's leader, Vladislav Pozdnyakov, shared the chain's ad on his accounts.

Male State and Pozdnyakov, which describes itself as a movement promoting "traditional values" in Russia, have previously threatened Russian women with biracial children, LGBTQ and feminist activists, and others.

Russia court overturns transgender woman's "pornography" conviction

The group boasts on its social media pages of having over 100,000 members. Pozdnyakov has been convicted previously of inciting hatred toward women and was given a suspended sentence in 2018, which was overturned a year later.

"On Pozdnyakov's telegram channel, his followers call for 'real' actions, they publish links to the social media accounts of the girls who were also featured in the ad, and write negative reviews on all sites, online maps, AppStore, and Google Play," Zimen wrote in a letter published on his blog.

He added that he had received numerous deaths threats and that his personal phone number was leaked online, leading to dozens of hateful calls.

Putin wants to ban same-sex marriage in Russia

Pozdnyakov also called on his supporters to post fake orders and then refuse to pay for the food in an effort to hurt Yobidoyobi's business, Zimen said.

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"Yobidoyobi is known for its provocative marketing, but this time we did not pursue these goals  we just made a very ordinary promo for social networks. Many brands use images of different models, which may differ in skin color, gender, and so on," Zimen told the Inc. Russia outlet. "There was no provocation in this  it is just the voice of the times. I am sorry that someone thinks that a photo of a Black man (especially next to supposedly "Slavic" girls) on the Internet is unacceptable."

The second of two ads posted online - but then removed - by Russian sushi chain Yobidoyobi featuring a Black model.

Yobidoyobi took down the ads and posted an apology to its Instagram page: "On behalf of the entire company, we want to apologize for offending the public with our photos. We have removed all content that caused this hype."

On their Vkontakte page, the Russian Facebook-like social media network where the Male State rose to prominence, Yobidoyobi said it apologized "to the Russian nation" for having "hurt the Russian people" with the photographs.

Many of Yobidoyobi's Instagram followers were outraged that the ads had been deleted.

"Are you yourself not ashamed of this shameful apology, written as if the Taliban with machine guns was standing over you?" asked one person.

The incident with Yobidoyobi comes weeks after a Russian grocery chain, VkusVill, deleted an ad campaign featuring an LGBTQ family, causing a massive backlash. The same-sex family who appeared in the promo have since fled Russia, citing death threats.

COVID-19 surges in Japan with Paralympics ongoing

Black woman says she was racially profiled by Chicago police officer

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Dont blame the U.S. Supreme Court for ending the COVID eviction moratorium put in place by the Centers for Disease Control on Aug. 3, which was supposed to run until Oct. 3. A high court majority warned explicitly two months ago that most of the justices read the law as only allowing Congress to impose such a freeze. The CDC went ahead anyway and tried it by regulation, stretching the limits of the law, and the court was true to its word.

The Biden administration had a good inkling this was going to happen; its actions succeeded only in buying a few weeks of time. Now, as the court concludes, if a federally imposed eviction moratorium is to continue, Congress must specifically authorize it. So Congress should do it. New Yorks (Supreme Court-weakened) moratorium remains in place until Tuesday, and Gov. Kathy Hochul is rightly considering a special session of the Legislature to extend it.

There is nothing in the 6-3 Supreme Court opinion that discounts the threat of COVIDs delta variant or the importance of keeping people in their homes when bills come due. The question is who can enact the moratorium. The answer, according to the prevailing side, is Capitol Hill. The expiration of the protections lies at the feet of the House and the Senate, now enjoying their summer vacations as their constituents are at risk of being thrown on the street.

With millions of Americans having lost jobs and fallen behind in rent during the pandemic, evictions would have only made matters worse, without helping landlords. That was the sound logic of the original freeze passed by Congress. Congress also set aside nearly $50 billion to pay the back rent, making landlords whole.

The problem is that the states have done a fantastically poor job of distributing the rent aid. Laggard New York has only tapped $800 million, just a third of the cash sent by Washington. Hochul is wisely pushing to speed it up and reminding renters that once you apply, youre protected. Hurry.

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Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA

PHOENIXIt was another 100-degree summer day in Arizona and Kyrsten Sinema couldnt take the heat.

Arizonas senior Democratic senator may not have been physically present as a group of progressive activists gathered in a downtown Phoenix park, demanding she do more to combat the existential threat of climate change.

But a representation of Sinema was therea four-foot sculpture of her carved out of a big block of iceto display at an event held by activists from the left-wing Working Families Party.

And she was slowly melting.

Which was, of course, the point.

As speakers took turns pleading for Democratic leaders to take up a Green New Deal, the sculpture of Sinema dripped into a plastic basin in the back of a balmy indoor conference room. But the statues posean arm outstretched with a thumbs-downwas still intact, a reminder of her rejection of a plan to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 on the Senate floor earlier this year.

Shes barely making it, laughed one organizer walking by.

The layers of subtext behind the display are not hard to unpack. A melting ice statue, for one, is not an especially subtle metaphor for Washingtons efforts to slow climate change. And its a blunt symbol for the vanishing esteem within the base of the Democratic Party for centrist lawmakers like Sinema, who are seen as obstacles to the sweeping action required to tackle climate change and a number of other key issues.

But the actual, flesh-and-blood Sinema seems to be made of stronger stuff than her frozen likeness. And the attempts to pressure her back home, so far, havent fared much better than a block of ice in the desert heat.

Since Democrats took control of Washington in January, Sinemaa key swing vote in the evenly split Senatehas been the target of a number of progressive advocacy campaigns, backed by millions of dollars in TV and digital ads meant to galvanize calls and letters to her office.

In recent months, the senator has been flooded with calls to support voting rights legislation, labor organizing legislation, a $15 minimum wage, a multi-trillion dollar economic package, and most crucially, reforms to the filibuster, the Senates 60-vote threshold for passing bills. Since June, nearly 50 people have been arrested during protests at her Phoenix office, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Story continues

Through it all, Sinema hasnt budged, especially on the filibuster. Arizona progressives not only feel that she isnt listening to themthey are convinced shes simply trolling them at this point.

She doubles down, said Matthew Marquez, an organizer with the Working Families Party, in a brief interview under the glare of the Sinema statue. Shes very brazenly doubling down.

For the local and national advocacy groups trying to pressure Sinema, demoralization is setting in as they worry time is running out to enact Democrats ambitious agenda while they control Washington.

There is deep anger, too, over Sinemas perceived betrayal of the people who helped propel her to power in the first place.

She sold us out, said Channel Powe, a member of the Just Democracy Coalition, which has been bankrolling anti-Sinema TV ad campaigns.

These are the same people who fought for you, walked in 110 degree heat door-knocking she used us, flat out, Powe said. She used everybody to get to where shes at. And now shes high and mighty on her throne, and shes not coming down to talk to us little people.

In response to such claims, Sinema spokesperson John LaBombard said that during three terms in the U.S. House, and now in the Senate, Kyrsten has always promised Arizonans she would be an independent voice for the statenot for either political party. Shes delivered on that promise and has always been honest about where she stands.

But the sense has been simmering since Sinema came to the Senate in 2019. Even though she has acted like a Democrat who won a Senate seat by appearing allergic to being called a Democrat, its a long way from her roots as a Green Party activist who just a decade ago ridiculed centrist Democrats like former Sen. Joe Lieberman.

Progressives frustration hit a new level this March with Sinemas vote on the $15 minimum wagea vote that was made with a gesture seen by many as an exaggerated, almost breezy, thumbs down. And that anger boiled over when the senator, amid the backlash to that vote, posted a selfie on Instagram in late April, in which she wore a ring with a neat message in cursive: Fuck off.

Both moves were seen by liberals as middle fingers from Sinemaliteral and figurative. Since, the narrative that she delights in trolling the left has taken hold in Arizona: in July, the editorial board of the Arizona Republic declared that Sinema has cheekily provoked [liberals] fury with thumbs-down and curtsies and ring fingers.

Sinemas office has not clarified the intent of these scrutinized moves, only arguing in March that any discussion of her fashion choices or body language is sexist.

Amid that confusion, there are glimmers that Sinemas gestures had broader audiences than her left-wing detractors. The 19th News reported, for instance, that the thumbs-down seen around Twitter was perhaps a curtsy directed to overworked Senate floor staff.

And Sinema brandished the Fuck off ring on Instagram just as she was beefing with Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey for implementing a highly controversial plan to give more money to schools that got rid of masking requirements. Sinema called the policy absurdly dangerous and anti-science.

Still, liberals have found plenty of tangible moves to be mad at Sinema about. In June, Sinema wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post defending the filibuster on the same day that the GOP used the filibuster to block voting legislation that Sinema and nearly all Democrats support.

Sinema continues to oppose any changes to the filibuster, even a carve-out to pass voting legislation, which some fellow moderates have embraced. Eliminating that threshold even to pass voting-rights legislation that she supports would open the door to that legislation being completely rescinded a few years from now and replaced by a nationwide voter-ID law or restrictions on vote-by-mail in federal elections, further undermining voting rights in every state across the nation, said LaBombard, Sinemas spokesperson.

It doesnt help liberals case that Sinema is coming off a vindication of her vision of moderate governing. She played a leading role brokering a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal that attracted 19 GOP votes and inspired sentiment that the Senate was finally working again.

And immediately after that deal passed the Senate, Sinema made it clear she wasnt done shaping the debate, issuing a statement expressing concern over the size and scope of the $3.5 trillion economic package championed by President Joe Biden. That missive caused an immediate headache for party leaders and heartburn for liberals who think the price tag should be far higher.

As the senator digs in, differing opinions are beginning to sprout about whether or not a pressure campaign, no matter how sustained and well-funded, could ever make a difference.

Parris Wallace, the Arizona organizing director for the Working Families Party, said progressives have an imperative to remind the senator of why shes there and who she needs to be delivering for.

In her telling, Sinemas defiant responses only inspire many activists to do even more.

When we think about Democrats having majorities in both chambers, and for her quite frankly to tell us to fuck off, it makes us here on the ground work harder, Wallace said in an interview. For me, it motivates me to want to organize more community members and have that conversation, because she is blocking legislation that is honestly the most transformative weve seen since the New Deal.

New Dem Ad Campaign Tells Sen. Sinema: Youre the Problem

But other Arizona Democrats, like state Sen. Juan Mendez, have openly urged progressives to focus their energies elsewhere. Powe, who has observed Sinema operate for over a decade as an active member and past officer in the Maricopa County Democratic Party, told The Daily Beast that Sinema has clearly made her political calculation.

Kyrsten is fierce, and shell do anything to win. If anything means transforming her values, thats what has taken place, she said.

Were going to have to pressure her, go through the process, Powe added, but shes not gonna move.

The irony behind the bad blood is that Arizona progressives once adored Sinema. After all, she used to be one of them; the 44-year old got her start in politics as a left-wing firebrand who rose during the antiwar movement of the Bush era, doing the kind of organizing work that young progressives are doing now against her. When Barack Obama and Democratic majorities swept into office in 2009, Sinema urged them to avoid the false pressure to get to 60 in order to pass ambitious legislation.

Sinemas roots in left-wing politics are central to her origin story and political brand. In that telling, when she discovered that bomb-throwing didnt work in the Arizona legislature, she embraced a moderate approach centered on the idea that the only way to accomplish Democratic priorities was by building bipartisan consensus.

After her election to the U.S. House in 2012, Sinema began to cultivate that centrist brand, becoming a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and voting three times against electing Nancy Pelosi as party leader.

When she ran for Senate in 2018, she did not do so as a fire-breathing progressive, but those progressives canvassed, donated, and voted in support of her, anyway, in hopes of sending her to the Senate and turning traditionally red Arizona at least a shade of blue.

If Sinema is emulating the path of past Arizona maverickslike the late GOP Sen. John McCain, whom she calls a mentorthen the frustrated pressure campaigns targeting her may give way to heated primary campaigns.

Not every activist is ready to concede the point, but some readily admit that their best remaining move is to use current advocacy to lay the groundwork for a Democrat to primary Sinema when she is up for re-election in 2024.

The prospect of a Democrat challenging Sinema already excites the rank-and-file activists, like Charlotte Bliss and Sue Baird, who do things like drive 45 minutes each way, every Tuesday morning, to protest outside Sinemas Phoenix office.

On a recent one of those mornings, they were holding signs urging support of Democrats voting legislation as cars whizzed by. Both are retired residents of the citys suburbs and are active members of their local chapter of Indivisible, the liberal group formed after Donald Trumps election in 2016.

After Trumps exit from office, many members took a break after four years of constant protests and calls and letter-writing, but Sinema is the one that got us back out, said Bliss.

We are all just so fed up because she would not be in frickin office if it werent for us, she added. I think she thinks were going to forget.

Its that kind of sentiment that puts Sinema in a different category than her fellow swing vote and centrist ally, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV).

In deep-red West Virginia, Manchin has won by courting independents and Republicans. Progressives know that primarying him would all but ensure Republicans flip the seat. As a result, they give Manchin more political space to maneuver, even if hes subjected to similar pressure campaigns from mostly out-of-state activists.

Arizona, on the other hand, is at least trending purple: Biden won the state in 2020, as did Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a victory that gave Arizona two Democratic senators for the first time since the 1950s. To progressives, that means Sinemas gestures toward the center and the right are no longer a political necessityand that she cannot afford to alienate the growing bloc of liberal voters that propelled her to victory in 2018.

Public opinion polling on Sinema has been scant, given she is not up for re-election, and the political environment will surely shift by the 2024 election cycle. Still, a handful of surveys conducted this year dont offer particularly promising signs for her.

The Democratic Senators Hiding Behind Joe Manchin

A March poll by Arizona firm OH Predictive Insights found just 50 percent of Democrats viewed Sinema favorably, with 30 percent viewing her unfavorably. By comparison, 79 percent had a favorable opinion of Kelly, and only 11 percent had an unfavorable opinion. A July poll from the progressive polling firm Data For Progress found a similar dynamic at play.

Some Arizona liberals, like Baird, remain skeptical that a progressive Democrat could win statewideshe quipped that the state is blue on the outside, red on the inside. And thats one reason to be cautious of how far Sinema could really be moved. We were talking and saying, we're getting a little discouraged here, Baird said.

Despite the signs to the contrary, other activists remain hopeful that there might be changes yet in store for a politician whos shown a willingness to do what it takes in order to survive.

On paper, shes great. Her backstory is great. It reads super dreamy. In practice, its been a nightmare, said the Working Families Partys Wallace. And so, I think what we need from her is to remember where she started from, and to quite honestly come home, and remember, to go back to the Sinema thats on paper.

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Its human nature to blame someone or something else when we screw up. We all do it, but onl
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VILLANOVA, Pa.  Sunny G. Hallowell, PhD, PPCNP-BC, IBCLC, a pediatric nurse practitioner and assistant professor at the Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN), has been selected as a Macy Faculty Scholar, following a highly rigorous and selective national process. She joins a forward-thinking group of five researchers in the 2021 class of nurses and physicians, honored for their creativity and impact. Dr. Hallowell will receive salary support for two years as part of the program.

I am delighted that Dr. Hallowell has been selected as a Macy Faculty Scholar. This prestigious designation recognizes her innovative and promising scholarship to further nursing education and patient care, emblematic of the inclusive excellence work being done here at Villanova Nursing, notes Donna S. Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor. The scholar program is supported by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation and includes career development.

As a Macy Faculty Scholar, Dr. Hallowell will design, develop, and test Inclusive Clinical Advocacy - Responsible Education through a web-based virtual gaming simulation (ICARE-VGS) to support healthcare providers development of clinical and communication skills to promote equity, diversity and belonging in the communities they serve. FCNs Professor Elizabeth Burgess Dowdell, PhD, RN, FAAN, coordinator for Undergraduate Research, serves as Dr. Hallowell's mentor.

I am honored to join an interdisciplinary cohort of researchers and educators committed to preparing future healthcare professionals to meet the diverse and dynamic needs of patients in the 21st century. I am deeply grateful for the generous support of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation which will enable me to create a game-based, virtual learning environment where future nurses may develop the necessary skills to become experts in clinical assessment, decision making and patient advocacy, explains Dr. Hallowell, noting, The goals of the project are to empower students to be clinical change agents and problem solvers, facile at approaching patient care using health equity lens, in order to improve patient outcomes for the diverse communities of children and families we serve.



Dr. Hallowell has been recognized for her innovative mixed-methods approach to reduce medication administration errors using a game-based, immersive virtual reality simulation. Her pioneering work with nursing students in the design of virtual gaming simulations has created clinical learning environments rooted in science and social justice. As a member of Aequitas, Villanova's Presidential Task Force on Race, she is committed to cultivating positive cultural change across the campus.



We are pleased to welcome Dr. Sunny G. Hallowell to the 2021 class of Macy Faculty Scholars, said Holly J. Humphrey, MD, MACP, president of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. Her work with virtual reality simulation training is revolutionary in advancing care.

Since 1930, the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation has worked to improve health care in the United States. Founded by Kate Macy Ladd in memory of her father, prominent businessman Josiah Macy Jr., the Foundation supports projects that broaden and improve health professions education. It is the only national foundation solely dedicated to this mission.

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
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Panaji: The Goa government has once again extended the COVID-19 induced statewide curfew till September 6. A notification to this effect was issued by the Goa government on Sunday.

The 24-hour curfew was first imposed on May 9 this year and since then it has been extended regularly.

The Goa government has opened the majority of activities in the tourist state but the areas like casinos are yet to be reopened.

Goa's COVID-19 tally went up by 74 on Sunday to reach 1,73,791, an official had said.

The state had 945 active cases as of Sunday.

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Guwahati: The State Level Police Recruitment Board (SLPRB), Assam will release the admit card for the Assam Police constable PST/PET on September 1. Candidates will be able to download the admit card from the official website of State Level Police Recruitment Board, Assam, Guwahati at slprbassam.in.

The candidates from the Baksa, Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Cacher, Dibrugarh, Goalpara, Golaghat, Kamrup, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Nalbari, Nagaon, South Salmara, and Tinsukia districts will be able to download the admit card.

Assam Police Constable PST/PET: Steps to download Admit cards

1. Visit the official website of SLPRB at slprbassam.in

2. Click on the link which reads, 'Download Admit Card for PST/PET.

3. Key in your credentials and login

4. Your admit card will be displayed on the screen

5. Check and keep the copy for future reference

Candidates who have applied twice or separately for AB and UB constables will only get admit cards against one post. In case of any discrepancies, while downloading the admit card, candidates must contact the help desk at 8826762317 from 10 am to 5 pm or email at helpdesk.admitcard@gmail.com. Candidates must visit the official website to download their Assam Police Admit Card 2021.
New Delhi: India's foreign secretary Harsh Shringla on Monday called on Israel and Palestine to exercise restraint during his address at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) monthly meeting on the Middle East Peace Process including on the Palestinian Question.

Speaking at the meet, Shringla said, "We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the ceasefire and refrain from acts that could exacerbate tensions and worsen the security situation."

This is to be noted that May this year saw a full-blown crisis between the two sides that lasted for 11 days. The situation escalated after violence in Jerusalem and the possible eviction of Palestinians in the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhood. Over 250 Palestinians died in Gaza, while 10 Israelis were killed in the rocket firing and violence.

On the current situation in the Palestinian territories, Shringla called on for "regular and predictable transfer of aid and other essential items to Gaza to ease the humanitarian situation" and "facilitate early reconstruction, as well as for appropriate use of such aid".

He pointed out that it is important that the international donor community supports the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip through the Palestinian Authority while taking note of incremental relaxation of restrictions for entry of commodities into the Gaza Strip" urging the parties to "work together to ensure timely access to such relief for the Palestinians.

Recently, Israel, Qatar and the UN had reached an agreement for the transfer of cash payment to needy Palestinian families in the Gaza Strip. Around 1 lakh families will get monthly cash assistance of $100.

During the address, India asked both the parties to refrain from unilateral measures that undermine the viability of the two-State solution.

He also welcomed the decision by Israel to increase the number of work permits issued to Palestinians which "will help strengthen both the Palestinian and Israeli economies" and recognition of COVID-vaccination certificates issued by the Palestinian Authority and the facilitation of passage of patients from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank which he described as "positive signals".

India has helped in building schools, setting up ICT and Vocational Training Centers, a Technology Park and a National Printing Press even as it has been supporting several other quick-impact community projects in Palestine. During the address, the foreign secretary also reiterated calls for "resumption of direct peace negotiations" and "long-standing and firm commitment to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine, within secure, recognized and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace and security".

Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla chaired the meet as the president of the council. India, notably, is the president of the UNSC for the month of August and as the president, it decides the issues be taken by the council. India will now be the president of the top UN body next in December 2022.
New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday (August 30) said the COVID-19 situation is in control as the national capital continues to register low COVID-19 cases, while addressing the mediapersons.

The Health Minister said, "The COVID-19 situation is under control in Delhi. The positivity rate in the national capital is 0.4 per cent. The government has decided to establish more than 6,800 ICU beds in seven hospitals within six months."

The national capital reported 20 cases of the coronavirus and one death on Monday, while the positivity rate stood at 0.04 per cent, according to data shared by the health department here. The capital had not recorded any fatality due to the infection in the past four days.

The low number of cases can also be attributed to fewer tests (51,387) conducted the previous day. With the new cases, the overall infection tally in the city climbs to 14,37,736. Over 14.12 lakh patients have recovered from the disease. The death toll stands at 25,081.

Twenty-eight people have succumbed to the disease this month so far. The cumulative death toll was 25,053 on July 31.

On Sunday, the city reported 31 coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 0.04 per cent. On Saturday, it reported 29 COVID-19 cases. There are 375 active cases in Delhi, of which 88 are in home isolation. The number of containment zones stands at 144, the bulletin said.

Delhi battled a brutal second wave of the pandemic that claimed a large number of lives, with the shortage of oxygen at hospitals across the city adding to the woes.

On April 20, Delhi had reported 28,395 cases, the highest in the city since the beginning of the pandemic. On April 22, the case positivity rate was 36.2 per cent, the highest so far. The highest number of 448 deaths was reported on May 3.

The city government has been ramping up health infrastructure to prevent a repeat of the crisis witnessed during the peak of the second wave in April and May.

Steps have been taken to increase the number of hospital beds to accommodate up to 37,000 patients and to become self-reliant in terms of oxygen supply.

According to officials, around 160 PSA oxygen generation plants with a total capacity of 148.11 metric tonnes are being installed at various government and private hospitals in the city. While 66 plants are being installed in Delhi government hospitals, 10 are being set up in central government hospitals and 84 in private healthcare facilities.

Around 7,000 ICU beds are also being added at government health care facilities in Shalimar Bagh, Kirari, Sarita Vihar, Sultanpuri, Raghuveer Nagar, and GTB Hospital and Chacha Nehru Hospital. Notably, there are currently 10,000 ICU beds in the capital.

Portable mohalla clinics envisioned in Delhi

The Delhi government is constructing two mohalla clinics inside portable shipping containers in the city's Shakurbasti area, which the authorities plan to replicate in dense cluster colonies where creating health infrastructure in a dedicated building is a challenge owing to space constraints.

The Delhi government opted for this model in order to tide over the issues of land posed by DDA and civic bodies, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said.

Jain told reporters, "Land is a subject that comes under the Centre. Politics has been happening with the construction of mohalla clinics. DDA had promised in the Delhi High Court that it would give land for mohalla clinics but it did not given us anything for even a single mohalla clinic."

He furthe said, "The municipal corporations has also been troubling us. What we did was that we took a shipping container and prepared a readymade mohalla clinic."

Mohalla clinics is one of the flagship initiatives of the Kejriwal government to boost the primary healthcare system in Delhi. It has a doctor and a midwife-cum-nurse, providing an array of diagnostic services and essential medicines free of cost.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: At least 10 people including 7 children have been killed in Kabul due to the airstrike by the United States military on Sunday (August 29, 2021). Zee News went to ground zero and found out that 9 out of 10 people killed in the attack belonged to the same family.

However, the people who were killed in the airstrike didn't have any relation to the ISIS-K group, which the US claimed was the reason behind the attack. The Americans also claimed that the airstrike 'eliminated an imminent ISIS-K' threat to the Kabul airport.

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary in the DNA show on Monday (August 30, 2021) asks if the US can justify the deaths due to the airstrikes.

The US claimed that there was an explosive in the vehicle it targeted and that the people driving it were about to explode it near the Kabul airport. Whereas, the truth is that the attack killed seven children. Will America now give the evidence to prove that these kids were terrorists?

A person who has been killed and is said to be a terrorist was in fact an engineer. He was working in Kabul for a Japanese company for the last 17 years. So, will the US now prove that the Afghan engineer killed in its attack was actually a terrorist?

The US also said that there were two explosions after its airstrike and that the explosions were caused by the explosives that were kept in the vehicle. However, local people told Zee News correspondent Anas Mallick that there was only one blast. They also told Zee News that there was no smell of explosives after the blast. So, will the Americans now give proof to the world that the car they blew contained explosives?

The US has neither provided any such evidence which proves that there were explosives in the vehicle it targeted, nor has come up with evidence that the civilians who were killed were terrorists.

According to the US, they used the 'MQ-9 Reaper Drone' in the airstrikes in Kabul and Nangarhar. The US, notably, had taken the help of the same drone to kill Iran's top commander General Qasem Soleimani.

The weight of the 'MQ-9 Reaper Drone' is over 2,200 kg and it can fly up to 15 km with a weight of about 1,700 kg. It is equipped with six dangerous blades and the missile does not explode but can hit any target by breaking the roof of the vehicle.

The US claimed that the two ISIS Khorasan terrorists killed in Nangarhar were in an auto-rickshaw and that the use of this missile did not cause any harm to the common people. But, the truth is that not much information is available about the missile, which is why the world believes what the Americans say.
New Delhi: Already facing the factional feud in Punjab and Chhattisgarh, the oldest party is now facing the same situation in Kerala, where senior leaders like Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala flayed the state leadership over the selection of the new District Congress Committee (DCC) presidents.

The two senior leaders have accused the Kerala leadership of not holding proper discussions prior to the selection of district presidents and not taking everyone into confidence. This comes a day after two Congress leaders Sivadasan Nair and AP Anil Kumar were suspended as part of disciplinary action for criticising the party openly.

On the other hand, both Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran and Opposition leader VD Satheesan rebutted the charges.

At a press conference in Delhi, KPCC president said that it is unfortunate that he had to publicly correct the statement of a senior leader like Chandy, adding "Twice meetings were conducted with Oommen Chandy and Ramesh Chennithala. The names suggested by Chandy was noted by me in my diary," while showing the diary pages.

The KPCC president said that earlier times discussions were not held in the party and this time selection was made after proper discussion with all in a democratic manner overcoming factionalism in Congress.

Meanwhile, opposition leader V D Satheesan backed the KPCC president saying that discussions were made with all leaders including Chandy and Chennithala, adding "In the last 18 years, it is for the first time such elaborate discussions were held with all MPs, MLAs and other leaders including Chandy and Chennithala before coming up with the list."

"If seven persons each are taken from the list they had given then there is no point of us sitting in such positions? Maybe they are expecting it. As this is what that happened earlier," he added.

Meanwhile, both Sivadasan Nair and AP Anil Kumar hit back at the new Kerala leadership alleging that both Sudhakaran and Satheesan had severely criticised the senior leaders of the party on several occasions.

Earlier on Saturday, the Congress appointed the chiefs of the District Congress Committees of the Kerala unit of the party. PK Faisal has been appointed as the president of the Kasargod district unit, Martin George as the chief of Kannur unit while ND Appachan will lead the Wayanad district unit of Congress, B Babu Prasad will be leading the Alappuzha district unit.

Sidhu Vs Captain in Punjab

Punjab Congress row has taken a new twist after AICC state in-charge Harish Rawat made a statement that the state Assembly elections to be held in 2022 would be fought under the leadership of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

The state chief, Navjot Singh Sidhu, has publicly expressed his anger and asked the party to allow him the freedom to take decisions or he will give a devastating reply, adding that he didn't want to remain just a 'show horse'.

On August 26, Sidhu said he will ensure that the Congress remains in power in Punjab for the next 20 years, "But if you don't let me take the decisions, I will also ensure total devastation," using the term "itt naal itt bhi khadkavunga". His remark were made during a meeting with industrialists and traders in Amritsar, amid the ongoing turf war in the party`s state unit.

He further said that there was no point in being just a show horse ("darshani ghoda").

Sidhu's supporter in the party, Pargat Singh, told ANI, "When all the MLAs had met the three-member Kharge Committee constituted by the party high command in Delhi three months ago, it was decided that the Punjab Assembly elections to be held in 2022 would be fought under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi."



Pargat Singh also questioned Harish Rawat that he should tell when this decision was taken.

Baghel vs Deo in Chhattisgarh

Even as the ongoing power tussle in the ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh seems to have subsided after Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel met Rahul Gandhi for the second time last week, but differences between the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleague T S Singh Deo.

Trouble has been brewing in the state Congress ever since Deo sought a change in leadership citing a power-sharing agreement on rotating chief ministership after the party came to power in the 2018 assembly polls.

The MLAs supporting Bhupesh Baghel also reached the national to put up a show of strength, and the Chief Minister reiterated that the Congress government in the state is "safe" with the support of 70 MLAs.

The issue has come to fore as the Baghel government completed two-and-a-half years in office in June this year, and TS Singh Deo's supporters raised the issue of rotational chief ministership. Deo also said that every member in a team aspires to be the captain, making it clear that he is eyeing the top post in the state.

The Congress has never talked about the two-and-a-half-year formula in Chhattisgarh, but Deo's supporters claimed that this was promised post Assembly poll results.

(With Agency Inputs)

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New Delhi: India recorded 42,909 new COVID-19 cases, 380 deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall caseload to 3,27,37,939 and total death toll to 4,38,210, as per data released by the Ministry of Health on Monday (August 30, 2021).

The country also recorded 34,763 recoveries in the last 24 hours, taking total recoveries to 3,19,23,405 and the active caseload now stands at 3,76,324. The active cases in the country increased by 7,766 cases in a span of 24 hours. The COVID recovery rate currently stands at 97.51 percent.

India's weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.41 percent, less than 3 percent for the last 65 days. Additionally, the weekly cases are at an 8-week high and over 66 percent were recorded from Kerala. The daily positivity rate was registered at 3.02 percent. The ministry said that 14,19,990 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Sunday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far in the country to 52,01,46,525.

380 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, taking the total death toll to 4,38,210: Union Health Ministry Of 42,909 fresh COVID infections & 380 deaths reported in India in the last 24 hours, Kerala recorded 29,836 cases and 75 deaths yesterday  ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021

Out of the 42, 909 cases reported today, Kerala contributed 29,836 cases, which pushed the total number of those affected in the state by the viral infection to 40,07,408. The test positivity rate of the state almost touched 20 percent and with 75 deaths recorded in last 24 hours, taking the total number of fatalities to 20,541, a state government release said.

Over 63.43 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive, the health ministry informed on Monday.

Additionally, the Goa government once again extended the COVID-19 induced statewide curfew till September 6. The 24-hour curfew was first imposed on May 9 this year and since then it has been extended regularly.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases confirmed all over the world has surpassed 216.3 million on Monday, while the global COVID-19 death toll stands at over 4.5 million, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University`s Coronavirus Resource Center.

(With Agency inputs)

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Chandigarh: The current happenings in Afghanistan have raised new security questions, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday (August 30), adding that the government is alert and no anti-national force should be allowed to encourage terrorism from across the border by taking advantage of the situation.

He also asserted the central government is capable of dealing with any situation. He was addressing virtually the third Balramji Dass Tandon Memorial Lecture organised by Panjab University on the issue of national security.

"What is happening in neighbouring Afghanistan is raising new questions in terms of security and our government is constantly monitoring the developments there," Singh said.

Along with the security of Indians, he said, "Our government also wants that anti-national forces do not encourage terrorism from across the border by taking advantage of the development there." "We have some more concerns which can become challenges from the point of view of national security," he added.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15, capturing all major cities in a matter of days, two weeks before the US was set to complete its troop withdrawal after a vexatious two-decade war. Earlier this week, an Islamic State suicide attack outside the Kabul airport killed over 180 people.

Singh said that the Narendra Modi government was alert and capable of dealing with any situation. "We are always prepared to deal with threats arising from anywhere -- air, water and land," he said.

The defence minister laid stress on continuously upgrading and updating the national security system to face new challenges and said that some new threats have emerged because of the development of modern technology. He referred to the dropping of two bombs using drone at the Jammu air force station earlier this year.

"We have to continuously update and upgrade the national security system for new challenges," said Singh. He said the government's aim is to make the country prosperous, strong and secure. Such an India that does not scare anyone but develops a sense of security among small nations and that India's growing power is not a threat to them," he said.

Singh also said that there was a trust deficit between India and Pakistan and the country needed to be vigilant of this fact from the point of view of national security. Singh said Pakistan had understood that they would not make any gains from violations of ceasefire agreements.

An agreement was signed between the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) of India and Pakistan to maintain ceasefire along the Line of Control in February this year, he said. "We are also in wait and watch mode because the trust deficit between both the nations is a major problem," he said, adding that no ceasefire violation by the neighbouring nation has taken place ever since the agreement was signed.

Pakistan understands that it is not in a position to do much in Kashmir, especially after the nullification of Article 370, he said. He said Pakistan had suffered defeats in 1965 and 1971 wars and these defeats completely proved that it was not in a position to launch a full-scale war against India.

The minister said the inability to wage a direct war against India forced Pakistan to work on two policies -- on the one hand, the neighbouring nation took steps towards finding an atomic way and on the other hand, it started working on the policy of giving 'death by thousand cuts' to India.

Pakistan had commenced a proxy war against India, allowing their land for providing training to terrorists, money and weapons to target India, he said, adding that after 1980s Pakistan had become the ?nursery of terrorism? in the whole world.

On Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said an effective action by Indian security forces to stop terrorism has been going on for the last seven years there.

"I believe that the remaining terrorism in Kashmir will also end. I have this belief because the strength and oxygen that the separatist forces used to get there due to Articles 370 and 35A are over now," said Singh. He said the Modi government neither does politics nor allows it to happen on issues related to national security, and added that a free hand has been given to the security forces in performing their duties.

"How high the confidence and morale of the army and security forces can be guessed from the fact that in the last seven years, they have not allowed a single major terrorist incident in the hinterland of India," he said.

"India is not only taking action against terrorism within the borders of the country, the brave soldiers of our army have done the work of destroying terrorist hideouts by crossing the border if needed," he said, referring to the surgical strike after the Uri terror attack and the Balakot airstrikes after the Pulwama attack.

"Today we can say that Pakistan-supported model of terrorism is getting demolished in India," he said.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: A 23-year-old woman, who was allegedly gang-raped on Tuesday at Chamundi Hills, has reportedly left the city along with her family, without giving her statement to the police.

According to a report in a news channel, the victim of the alleged crime was unwilling to record her statement and this weakens the case in which the state police have arrested five men.

Earlier, the Karnataka government had said that the police were unable to record her statement as the woman was so traumatised and in shock.

The report about the alleged incident was filed by the woman's boyfriend who was beaten up by the assailants on Tuesday evening. The arrests and First Information Report (FIR) have triggered outrage in the state against the heinous crime.

Additionally, according to PTI, the police based the arrest on evidence such as bus tickets and liquor bottles near the crime scene and call detail records from mobile towers.

Police on Saturday announced the arrest of five people from neighboring Tamil Nadu, including a juvenile, while they are on the lookout for a sixth suspect.

During a search of the crime scene, police stumbled upon bus tickets from Talwadi in Tamil Nadu to Chamarajanagar in Karnataka, and also some liquor bottles found at the scene bore the seal of the Tamil Nadu excise department.

With all these leads, police left for Tamil Nadu on Friday and upon reaching there in the mid-night, they swung into action which resulted in the arrest of the five suspects early on Saturday.

According to the police, the five, who frequented Mysuru often for labour jobs, accosted the college student and her male friend near the Chamundi foothills on the outskirts of Mysuru on August 24 and tried to rob them. When they did not succeed, they allegedly assaulted him and raped her, police sources said.

Meanwhile, the court has remanded the accused to 10 days of police custody.

(With PTI inputs)

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is not in the race for the post of the prime minister though he has all the qualities required to become one, his party, the Janata Dal (United), said on Sunday. The party is an ally of the BJP at the Centre as well as in the state.

"Nitish Kumar is not a candidate for the post of the prime minister. The JD(U) is the most trusted member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the leader of the alliance. But he (Kumar) certainly is a PM material," JD(U) General Secretary and spokesperson K C Tyagi told reporters after the party's national council meeting in Patna.

Kumar refused to comment on Tyagi's remark.

"We are in the NDA and firmly support the alliance. The party would welcome setting up of an NDA coordination committee to resolve various issues. During the period of Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, several works were done after setting up the coordination committee. We will be happy if a similar coordination committee is formed again at the central and state levels for smooth functioning of the government and to put a stop to unwarranted comments made by leaders of alliance partners," Tyagi said.

To a question, he said the JD(U) will contest the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur in 2022. "Our priority will be to form an alliance with the BJP (for the polls). If that does not happen, we will contest independently," the senior JD(U) leader said.

The party had not contested the UP assembly elections in 2017.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, newly appointed JD(U) national president, had said on August 7 that the party is capable of contesting elections alone.

On the JD(U)'s demand for caste-based census in the country, Tyagi said, "A delegation led by the CM recently briefed the PM on the caste-based ensus and urged him to take an appropriate decision. The PM listened to the delegation. The caste census should be done at least once. It will be easy for the government to identify the poor other than Dalits and help formulate schemes for their welfare."

The caste-based census has not taken place in the country since British rule.

There is a view that a caste census will bring the Mandal politics to the centre stage of politics and can be an effective weapon in the hands of regional parties to counter the BJP's Hindutva and welfare planks, the twin issues used by the saffron party to make inroads into the OBC vote bank at the expense of state-based parties.

The BJP leadership has so far not taken a categorical stand on the issue which has been lapped up by a number of regional parties, many of them its rivals in different states.

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New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is expected to release the admit cards for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test soon. Once the conducting body releases the admit card, candidates appearing in the NEET 2021 exam can visit the official website neet.nta.nic.in. and download their hall tickets using their application number, date of birth, and security pin.

NEET-UG 2021: Steps to download admit card

1. Visit the official website of NTA NEET- neet.nta.nic.in

2. Click on the admit card download link

3. A login page will appear on the screen

4. Log in using your credentials

5. Your NEET 2021 NEET-UG 2021 Admit Card will be displayed on the screen

6. Download the NEET admit card 2021

7. Take a printout for future reference

Amid growing clamour to postpone the NEET 2021 exam, Vineet Joshi, Director General of the National Testing Agency confirmed that NEET Exam 2021 will not be postponed. There is no direct clash of NEET with other exams, thus the medical exam will be held as scheduled next month, Joshi told India TV.

Besides, officials from the ministry of education have also asserted that changes in NEET-UG dates will lead to indefinite delay owing to other precariousness, thus the exam will be held as scheduled.

The national-level medical entrance test for over 16 lakh registered students, was earlier scheduled for August 1. However, it had to be deferred due to an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases during the second wave. The entrance test will now be conducted on September 12. Owing to the pandemic, the number of cities where the examination will be conducted has been increased from 155 to 198. The number of examination centres will also be increased from 3,862 used in the previous exams.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had asserted that to ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols, face mask will be provided to all candidates at the centre. Staggered time slots during entry and exit, contactless registration, proper sanitisation, seating with social distancing etc. will also be ensured.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed state officials to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.

Talking cognizance of viral fever cases in Mathura, Mainpuri and Firozabad districts, hr has asked state officials to deploy special medical teams in these areas.

The Chief Minister, according to the state government spokesman, said, "Covid-19 infection has been controlled in the state due to the efforts of the Uttar Pradesh government but effective efforts should be continued for the prevention of communicable diseases during the rainy season.

"In such a situation there should not be any carelessness in view of the communicable and viral diseases. There should be adequate availability of medicines for the treatment of communicable diseases in all hospitals at every level."

Yogi directed that cleanliness, sanitisation and fogging work should be done regularly in rural and urban areas and extensive arrangements should be made to prevent waterlogging.

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Mathura: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday imposed a complete ban on the sale of liquor and meat in Mathura.

"The officers concerned are directed to make plans for the ban as well as for the engagement of people involved in such activities in some other trade," he said.

The chief minister was speaking at the Krishnotsava 2021 programme in Mathura.

He suggested that those engaged in the liquor and meat trade may take up selling milk in order to revive the glory of Mathura, which was known for producing a huge quantity of animal milk.

Adityanath also prayed to Lord Krishna to eliminate the novel coronavirus infection.

"Every effort will be made to develop Brij Bhumi and there will be no dearth of funds for this. We are looking at a blend of modern technology and the cultural and spiritual heritage for the development of the region," he said.

The priest-turned-politician also complimented Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a new direction to the country.

He said places of faith were neglected since long are being revived now.

Cabinet ministers Laxmi Narain Chaudhary and Shrikant Sharma were also present on the occasion.

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Agra: The security personnel at the 17th century monument of love, the Taj Mahal, denied entry to a visitor who was costumed in full regal splendour as Lord Sri Krishna, to celebrate the Janmashtami fervour. The incident happened on Saturday.

Even as the security personnel shooed him away, a big crowd cheered and admired the character after he played the flute.

The ASI officials said it was normal to deny entry to people carrying flags, banners or posters or making attempts at self promotion.

In the past, there have been several occasions when groups of donning Sri Ram 'dupattas' have been stopped at the gate, leading to controversies.

Meanwhile, cheer returned to the local tourism circles as around 20,000 people visited the Taj Mahal, the highest number after the second wave of the pandemic.

A large number of people taking advantage of the long weekend have come to Mathura and Vrindavan for the Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations on Monday.

"On Sunday, weather being pleasant, we expect a huge turnout of visitors at the Taj Mahal," tourist guide Ved Gautam said.

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New Delhi: Amid the controversy over the lathi-charge incident by Haryana Police on the protesting farmers in Karnal, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday (August 30, 2021) hit back at Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and asked that who is he to demand his resignation.

The BJP leader, instead, asked for Singh's resignation and alleged that he is behind the farmers' protests.

"Who is he (Capt Amarinder Singh) to demand my resignation. Instead, he should resign because he is behind the farmers' agitation. Farmers protesting there (at Delhi borders) are from Punjab. Farmers from Haryana are not protesting at Singhu or Tikri borders," Khattar said.

He also slammed former Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda and said that he is instigating farmers.

ALSO READ | Country has been occupied by state-run Taliban: Rakesh Tikait slams Haryana govt for lathi-charge on protesting farmers

"In Punjab, he (Captain Amarinder Singh) is instigating farmers and in Haryana, (Bhupinder Singh) Hooda and other Congress leaders are instigating them... No one has the right to block roads indefinitely," Khattar said.

In response, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh attacked his Haryana counterpart for defending the criminal assault on peacefully protesting farmers by putting the onus of their agitation on Punjab.

"ML Khattar's remarks had completely exposed his government's anti-farmer agenda," Punjab Chief Minister's Office quoted Singh as saying.

"The CM reminded Haryana CM ML Khattar and his dy Dushyant Chautala that farmers protesting against BJP meeting in Karnal when the police rained lathis on them belonged to Haryana and not Punjab," Punjab CMO added.

Earlier on Saturday, as many as 10 people were injured as Haryana police allegedly lathi-charged a group of farmers disrupting traffic movement on a highway while heading towards Karnal to protest against a BJP meeting.

Commenting on the lathi-charge incident, Khattar on Saturday had said that obstructing official work is against democracy.

"If they wanted to protest, they should`ve done it peacefully. If they jam highways and throw stones at police, then the police will also take steps to maintain law and order," Khattar had added.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: In what seem to be once again rattling the tech world in China, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has dismissed 10 employees for publicizing a female employees internal account wherein she has alledged her former manager and client of sexually assaulting her, said a Bloomberg report.

"Alibaba announced internally last week it fired the group for sharing a harrowing account posted on an internal forum by a colleague surnamed Zhou, who accused a former manager of rape. Their offenses include sharing screenshots of the womans post in the public domain after removing watermarks that bore their IDs, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing an internal matter. Another three people have been reprimanded for making inappropriate comments in public forums, they added," wrote a Bloomberg report.

Earlier this month, China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, its top anti-corruption agency, has criticised what it called a "disgusting" culture of business drinking following a sexual assault scandal at e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, reported Reuters. The female Alibaba staffer alleged that she was sexually assaulted by her manager and a client while on a business trip.

The staffer alleged that she was coerced into drinking while at a dinner meeting. She said that when she recounted the event to a high-level manager, he described drinking as necessary to do business. Later, Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang announced that the alleged perpetrator, along with several other Alibaba staff, had been fired. He also urged Alibaba employees to feel empowered to reject drinking alcohol.

Meanwhile, the Bloomberg report said that Alibaba internally announced last week that it has fired "10 employees in question" for sharing the harrowing account posted on the company's internal forum, which is accessible to "Alibabas 250,000 employees as well as many at fintech giant Ant Group Co".

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With Agency Inputs
SRINAGAR: The security forces on Monday foiled an infiltration bid by Pakistan-backed terrorists near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to reports, alert Army troops detected the infiltration bid by effective use of the integrated surveillance grid. On being challenged by the security forces, the terrorists resorted to a gunfight in which one of them was gunned down.

The slain terrorists body along with an AK-47 rifle was recovered by the security forces later.

Jammu and Kashmir | Security forces have foiled an infiltration bid and neutralized a terrorist along the Line of Control in Poonch Sector. One AK-47 rifle was recovered from the terroist. The operation is still in progress in the area: PRO Defence  ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021

The operation is still in progress in the area.

This action by alert Army troops once again displays the resolve of the Indian Army to thwart any misadventure along the Line of Control.

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MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted raids at 9 locations in connection with an alleged scam involving Shiv Sena leader Bhavana Gawali.

According to reports, these raids are being carried out at places including Mahila Utkarsh Pratishthan, Balaji Sahakari Particle Board, BAMS College, Bhawna Agro Product Services Limited in the Risod area of Washim.

Senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has accused Bhawna Gawli of alleged involvement in Rs 100 crore scam. Bhavana Gawali is a Shiv Sena MP from YavatmalWashim.

Maharashtra | Enforcement Directorate conducts raids at nine locations in Washim district in connection with a Rs 72 crore alleged scam case involving Shiv Sena leader Bhavana Gawali  ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021

All this comes a day after Sena leader and Maharashtra Minister Anil Parab was asked to appear before the anti-money laundering agency.

Taking a swipe at the Centre, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut earlier on Monday said that a notice issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is not a "death warrant" but a "love letter" for political workers.

"Frequency of such love letters has increased after unsuccessful attempts to breach the wall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) which is strong and impregnable," Raut told reporters.

Raut said Parab was been targeted by BJP leaders. "He will respond to the notice and cooperate with the ED," he added.

The ED summoned Parab for questioning on Tuesday in the money laundering case registered against former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and others, officials said on Sunday.

"Either a BJP man is a desk officer in the ED or an ED officer is working in the office of the BJP," Raut said. The Shiv Sena, a former ally of the BJP, shares the power with the NCP and Congress in Maharashtra.

He also hit out at BJP for organising protests for the reopening of temples in Maharashtra which remain shut due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"The Maharashtra government is following the directives of the Centre which has asked states to exercise caution ahead of the upcoming festivals and fear of the spread of coronavirus infection. We believe the central government is also 'Hindutvawadi' (pro-Hindus), he said.

Queried about the lathi-charge on farmers in Haryana by police, Raut said the BJP will have to pay a price for the blood that was shed by farmers.

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New Delhi: Actor Alia Bhatt, who is currently shooting for 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani' co-starring actor Ranveer Singh, shared some joyful pictures on social media on Monday.

Taking to her Instagram account, Alia uploaded a string of images where she can be seen laughing and smiling as she poses in front of a beautiful picturesque background.

In the images, the 'Dear Zindagi' actor sported a one-shoulder pink top, teamed up with ripped blue jeans. Alia finished her girl-next-door look with little gold hoops and naturally wavy hair.

Alia captioned the gorgeous pictures with a quirky caption.

"We learn the way, on the way --- we also must take some pictures while we do so," she wrote.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Alia has multiple films in the pipeline including 'RRR', 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani' and 'Darlings'.

Fans are also waiting to see Alia and her rumoured boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor together in the film 'Brahmastra', which also features Amitabh Bachchan.
New Delhi: Filmmaker Karan Johar, who is currently busy hosting Bigg Boss OTT, has shared a picture of her mother Hiroo Johar who recently underwent knee replacement surgery.

Sharing the picture of his mother on his Instagram handle, he wrote, My Mother  My super hero! She has had two massive surgeries in the lockdown. In the past 8 months Her Spinal Fusion Surgery (the brilliance of DR BHOJRAJ) and her right knee replacement ( the Genius of DR MANIAR ) She endured both surgeries with her indomitable spirit and a sense of humour. She is nearly 79 but has the spirit and zest for life as a millennial does! I am so so proud of her . I love you so much Mama! Your babies are waiting at a home with a cake and a song!

In the video Karans mother can be seen heading towards home after having successful surgery and was on a wheelchair. She also thanked the doctors for taking good care of her at a hospital.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Karan is busy helming 'Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani', which stars Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh.
New Delhi: Actress Kishwer Merchant who welcomed her first child into this world on August 27 with actor husband Suyyash Rai at the age of 40, opens up about her tough pregnancy in her latest Instagram post.

My Bugs Bunny I know there have been a lot of problems .. I haven't been the best , with the C section, pain killers, tiredness, anxiety and breastfeeding .. but like we promised each other today, we both will help each other in this journey and make things better for us , love you my son, wrote the new mommy.

Kishwer had earlier thanked everyone for their wishes and posted a picture with her baby. Naam bhi bataaayenge.Shakal bhi dikhaayenge par abhi ke liye aap sab sirf pyaar barsaayenge cant thankyou all enough for all the love and blessings you guys have showered love n only love #Sukishkababy wrote the actress.

New father Suyyash Rai is on cloud nine. Sharing a picture of his wife and newborn son, the actor wrote, Meri choti sii duniya bohttt kuch feel kiya hai aaj tak, but yeh jo feel hua hai is priceless, I love u @kishwersmerchantt this is the besttttt gift uve given #Sukishkababy thanku for completing US.

This is not the first time Kishwer had opened up about her pregnancy journey. She had earlier shared in a post, It's not all 'Hunky Dory'!!! A little about my pregnancy experience. Cons: #thyroid #haemorrhoids #Itchybreasts #moodswings swings #stretchmarkoil Also talking about #zumba, working out and about eating mango, milk and ghee which is ok. Pros: Last but not the least your partner which makes this journey amazing @suyyashrai."

Kishwer was super active on Instagram throughout her pregnancy and gave valuable tips to other moms-to-be to better navigate their pregnancy journey.
New Delhi: South star Samantha Akkineni, who recently garnered rave reviews for her performance in Amazon Primes The Family Man 2 revealed that Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma once reacted on her Instagram story. Samantha said it was a fan moment for her and she was in disbelief after looking at the reaction.

The Anjaam actress told this in an interview with Bollywood Hungama when she was asked if she ever received an unexpected message from any celebrity. Sharing that Anushka Sharma once reacted on her Instagram Story, Samantha told, "I felt that when Anushka Sharma reacted to one of my stories. It was like wait, what?

Samantha also told the portal that she likes Anushka Sharmas Instagram account and called the posts put out by the actress empowering. "I think Anushka Sharma posts really valuable engagement. I just feel like her Instagram page really empowers and makes you feel happy inside. Yeah, So I like Anushka Sharma's social media, said The Family Man 2 actress. Samantha often likes and reacts to Anushka Sharmas posts on Instagram.

The South star who has worked in multiple films like A Aa, Theri, Eega among various others, made her digital debut this year with Amazon Primes The Family Man 2. The show stars Manoj Bajpayee, Priyamani, Sharad Kelkar, Sharib Hashmi and Shreya Dhanwanthary in pivotal roles. Samantha essayed a role of a Sri Lankan Tamil fighter on a suicide mission in the show. Quickly after the trailer of the show was out, many people were upset over its depiction of Tamil Nadu and its people, with many demanding the show to be banned.

The show directors Raj and DK later issued a statement which stated that The Family Man 2 was very cognizant of the sentiments of the Tamil people and Tamil culture and criticism on it was based on assumptions and impressions that were formed based on just a couple of shots in the trailer.
India and China have been at loggerheads over the border dispute since last year and as a result, there was a strict ban on Chinese apps in the country. However, despite the ban, some of the apps with origin in China seem to have grown immensely in India.

According to a TOI report, 8 out of 60 apps prevailing in India are Chinese operated and they have reached a whopping figure of 211 million every month. If we compare it with last years figure, then in July 2020, it had 96 million users, which basically means that they have got 115 million new users in the last 13 months.

Last year, the government of India had banned 256 Chinese apps using provisions of Section 69A under the IT Act. These apps include TikTok, PUBG, Helo, UC Browser, Likee, Shareit, WeChat, Mi Community and more.

The Ministry of Electronics and IT has issued the order for blocking the access of these apps based on the comprehensive reports received from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs Government is committed to protecting the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that, the government had said.

After the ban, there were similar apps that made their way to India, and that eventually went unnoticed as most of the companies have tried to hide their Chinese roots, listing their apps with new companies and little details on the ownership of the apps.

Government officials told TOI that any kind of action on the new apps will be possible only after the security agencies have found something concrete against their functioning. In 2020, the ban was ordered by the IT Ministry after the security establishments found apps activities, not in consonance with Indias security interest.

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New Delhi: Bigg Boss OTT is now a few weeks old and looks like the makers are all set in a mood to call in their first wild card entry to spice up things among contestants in the show. Recently, the Bigg Boss OTT show host Karan Johar announced that a wild card entry will take place soon after which everyone in the house had been on the edge.

And now we have learnt that popular television actress Nia Sharma is all set to enter the show this September 1. The actress too has given her consent to become a part of the show and shared her excitement with her social media fans. "Chalo kuch toofani Karte haiBB OTT on September 1st," she wrote on her Instagram. In the pictures, Nia can be seen posing in a white sweater paired with matching shorts. She completed her look with pink shoes and tied up hair.

This is not the first time when reports of Nia being the part of the show is doing rounds. However, this time the actress has finally agreed to join the show and is soon going to be locked up.

Meanwhile, the contestants who are currently part of Bigg Boss OTT are Shamita Shetty, Raqesh Bapat, Milind Gaba, Akshara Singh, Neha Bhasin, Pratik Sehajpal, Nishant Bhat, Muskaan Jattana and Divya Agarwal.

Bigg Boss OTT, hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, will last for six weeks and is currently in its fourth week. The 15 edition of the televised version of the show will be hosted by Salman Khan.


New Delhi: Amitabh Bachchan-hosted Kaun Banega Crorepati 13 has finally got its first crorepati of this season. Yes, you read that right.

The show which has recently started from August 23, 2021, with Gyan Raj becoming the first contestant on the show, has been winning hearts of the viewers ever since it got premiered.

In the recently released promo, Big B can be seen offering the cheque of Rs 1 crore to the visually impaired contestant Himani Bundela and congratulating her over her big win.

In tonight's episode, Himani will be on the hot-seat and with her sheer brilliance and confidence faces 16th question worth Rs 7 crore. Will she be able to conquer the biggest title? Well only time will tell:

Who is Himani Bundela?

Himani is 25-year-old and is currently a teacher in Kendriya Vidyalaya in Agra. She was not blind since beginning, but met with an accident in 2011 due to which things got difficult for her. She was accompanied by her father in KBC-13 and in one of the promos when she won Rs 1 crore, her father can be seen teary-eyed and shared that the family is extremely proud of her.

Although, this year the contestants and the crew are taking extreme care of COVID norms but as Himani was visually impaired and so Big B was seen holding her hand and making her comfortable in every possible way. He was also seen offering her a glass of water.

Himani wants to help physically challenged kids

During the promo, Himani shared that she wants to help physically challenged children through mental maths where she will teach them through magic maths with special tricks which makes it easy and convenient for students to learn. She also shared that she wanted to come to KBC so that she can tell everyone about the awareness programme that she runs in her school and she also aims at expanding it to other Kendriya Vidyalaya schools in India.

Senior Bachchan got so impressed with her trick that he said he wants to leave all this and want to take her classes.

Himanis episode will air on August 30 and 31 on Sony TV.

For the unversed, Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC 12) is a game show based on the British TV programme titled 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'. Big B has been associated with it for 11 seasons, and Shah Rukh Khan hosted season 3 of KBC.
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has announced relaxation in night curfew on Monday and Tuesday across the state, in view of the Janmashtami festival.

The government had lifted all curbs barring the night curfew which remains in force between 10 PM and 6 AM.

Additional Chief Secretary (home) Avanish Awasthi told reporters that the festival of Janmashtami would be celebrated across the state, including all police lines and jails, with full enthusiasm and vigour as per the tradition.

He, however, said that all Covid protocols would be followed during the celebrations. All devotees will be required to wear masks and use sanitisers, he added.

Recently, in view of the increase in the Covid cases in some districts, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had directed officials to tighten night curfew in the state.

Director-General of Police Mukul Goel has instructed all the police commissioners and district police chiefs to remain on alert and also asked them to keep a vigil on social media for keeping a check on rumour mongering.

"All senior officers will remain in the field and be present in the sensitive areas of their jurisdiction," said Goel.

The Chief Minister, meanwhile, will be visiting Mathura on Monday evening to participate in the Janmashtami celebrations.

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Viral video: Taliban Militants surround TV Anchor during the news show, asked him to praise them!

Taliban militants reached a news TV studio and asked the anchor to speak to them at gunpoint. The TV anchor can be seen reading the news in which several Taliban militants are standing behind and around her with weapons. There is fear in the eyes of the news anchor, yet he is telling the Afghan public that "Don't be afraid".
Kabul: Six Afghan civilians, including four children, were killed after a rocket was fired at the Kabul airport where the US-led evacuation flights were continuing but failed to hit the target, a local source confirmed.

"The rocket struck a house in Khwaja Bughra, a populated residential area in Police District 15, killing two adults and four children," Hajji Karim, a representative of the neighbourhood in the municipality district, told reporters at the site.

The incident occurred roughly at 4:55 p.m. local time in the area, west of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, the Xinhua news agency reported.

On Thursday, a deadly suicide bomb blast and gun firing claimed by ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State group, killed 170 Afghans and 13 US troops at an eastern gate of the Kabul airport and injured nearly 200 others.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban officials and public health authorities have not commented on the blast so far.

The attack came after a US drone was hovering over the city, witnesses said.

Dozens of planes, including military planes, took off from the airport during the day. All US and coalition forces are expected to leave the country on August 31, a planned deadline.

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New Delhi: The casualties in the US airstrike in Afghanistan's capital Kabul increased to at least 10 including children on Monday (August 30, 2021). The attack by the United States military forces to 'eliminate an imminent ISIS-K' threat to the Hamad Karzai International airport in Kabul has reportedly killed four kids.

"We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material," Bill Urban, US Central Command spokesman had said in a statement after conducting the second US airstrike in Kabul on Sunday afternoon.



(Photo: Reuters)

The strike was the second carried out by US forces in Afghanistan since an Islamic State suicide bomber struck the airport on Thursday and killed 13 US troops and scores of Afghan civilians.

Multiple rockets fired at Kabul airport

As many as five rockets were fired at Kabul's international airport early on Monday but were intercepted by the US anti-missile defences. The local media claimed that the rocket attack was launched from the back of a vehicle and struck different parts of the Afghan capital.

(Photo: Reuters)

There is increasing concern that Islamic State militants will launch further attacks on the Kabul airport as US troops continue evacuating remaining American citizens and at-risk Afghans, before competing their own withdrawal by August 31.

The US State Department on Sunday also released a statement signed by around 100 countries, as well as NATO and the European Union, saying that they had received 'assurances' from the Taliban that people with travel documents would still be able to leave the country. The Taliban, on the other hand, have said they will allow normal travel after the US withdrawal and they assume control of the Kabul airport.

This is to be noted that the Kabul airport has been witnessing a massive airlift by US and allied forces that are trying to evacuate their citizens and Afghans desperate to leave the war-torn country since the Taliban took control on August 15.
Kabul: Backtracking from its assurances to respect womens rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban, who are set to form a new government in the war-ravaged country, have announced a ban on coeducation.

This comes a day after Shaikh Abdulbaqi Haqqani was appointed as the Acting Minister of higher education in Afghanistan. According to a Khaama Press report, Taliban officials in Afghanistan`s western Herat province had last week ordered that girls will no longer be allowed to sit in the same classes as boys in universities.

Taliban officials had said that there is no alternative justification for continuing co-education and the practice must be halted. The newly appointed education minister has said that education activities will take place according to Sharia Law.

Many people have decried this move, which is set to deprive girls of higher education as major universities in the country cannot afford to provide different classes due to a dearth of resources.

"Taliban officially announce ban on coeducation. Men not allowed to teach girls, Taliban Higher Education Minister says - This will effectively deprive girls from higher education because universities cannot afford it nor there are enough human resources," Afghan journalist Bashir Ahmad Gwakh said in a Twitter posting.

According to Gwakh, the Taliban higher education minister Baqi Haqqani during a speech at Loya Jirga Tent had added that all educational activities in the country will be conducted according to Sharia Law.

According to the rights group Taliban Watch, last week private universities owners objected to the Taliban order of separating girls from boys and told the authorities in a meeting that there aren`t enough female teachers.

Earlier this month, in its first-ever presser after taking over Kabul, the Taliban had assured that the group is committed to providing women with their rights based on Islam.

"Taliban are committed to providing women with their rights based on Islam. Women can work in the health sector and other sectors where they are needed. There will be no discrimination against women," said Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.

As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan once again after 20 years, experts believe that Afghan women are most likely to face an uncertain future under the terrorist group regime.

The Taliban`s seizure of the war-torn country came after international forces withdrew from Afghanistan, with the United States officially beginning its departure back in May and now it`s on the verge of ending its military mission.

Dr Sajjan Gohel, a security and terrorism analyst said that women are scared out of their (Taliban) minds, according to Four Nine, a prominent womens magazine in the West.

"From the Afghan women I`ve spoken to, it`s incredibly traumatic. You`re looking at an entire generation who only read about the Taliban in books. Now, they`re having to live side-by-side with what is effectively a misogynistic cult." Dr Gohel added. He also said that he believes we are going to see a return "to some degree of what we saw in the 1990s".

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KABUL/WASHINGTON: As many as five rockets were fired at Kabul`s international airport but were intercepted by a missile defence system as the United States raced to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan.

A US government official, speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, earlier said the rockets were fired early Monday morning Kabul time, though it was unclear if all were brought down by the defence system.

Initial reports did not indicate any US casualties, but that information could change, the official said.

However, the United States later confirmed that rockets were fired at Kabul airport. It issued a statement in which it said that the 'operations continue uninterrupted'.

White House confirms rocket attack at Kabul airport, says operations continue uninterrupted pic.twitter.com/fNfkayOcqu  ANI (@ANI) August 30, 2021

Earlier on Sunday, American forces launched a drone strike in Kabul targeting a suicide bomber in a vehicle that was aiming to attack the airport.

There is increasing concern that Islamic State militants will launch further attacks on the airport as US troops hurry to evacuate remaining American citizens and at-risk Afghans, before competing their own withdrawal by Aug. 31.

Officials had warned in the past that ISIS-K militants were looking to target the airport with rockets. But the United States has experience in countering such rockets, primarily in Iraq, and had already installed missile defence systems.

"We know that they (ISIS-K) would like to lob a rocket in there if they could," General Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, told reporters in Washington last week. "Now we actually have pretty good protection against that. We have our anti-rocket and mortar system," McKenzie said.

There is greater concern about suicide bombers and car bombs attacking the airport, after a suicide bomb attack on Thursday that killed scores of Afghans and 13 US service members.

On Saturday, US President Joe Biden said the situation on the ground remained extremely dangerous, and that his military chiefs had told him another militant attack was highly likely within the next 24-36 hours.

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Washington: US drugmaker Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine is likely to get authorisation for providing vaccines to children aged between 5 to 12 by October, according to Scott Gottlieb, former head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Currently of the three COVID-19 vaccines used in the US, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been granted the emergency use authorisation for children aged 12 and older.

Pfizer along with Moderna and Johnson and Johnson are conducting clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in children under 12. Results of the Pfizer vaccine for children are expected in September.

"Pfizer will be in a position to file data with the FDA at some point next month, and then submit its application to expand its emergency use authorisation for its vaccine in children 5 years and older as early as October," Gottlieb was quoted as saying in an interview on CBS News on Sunday.

"The agency (FDA) will be in a position to make an authorisation, I believe, at some point, late fall, probably early winter. "And probably they`re going to base their decision on what the circumstances around the country, what the urgency is to get to a vaccine for kids," Gottlieb, who is also a member of Pfizer`s board of directors, told CBC News.

Pfizer has also been conducting clinical trials of its COVID-19 shot in children ages 2 and older. The results will be available in November. If the FDA authorises Pfizer`s vaccine in kids between the ages of 5 and 11 in November or early December, "that, again, puts you on a timeframe that you could start rolling out these vaccinations before the end of the year", Gottlieb noted.

Vaccinating younger children against COVID would be crucial as the highly contagious Delta variant is driving cases, particularly among the children.

According to Gottlieb, there are roughly 300 kids being hospitalised each day with Covid-19, and infection rates among children have spiked with schools reopening.

The two "best things" schools can do, Gottlieb said, is testing students twice a week and keeping them in geographic or social pods to cut down on intermingling among the full student body.

Gottlieb also advocated for students to wear face masks and schools to improve ventilation, as well as vaccinated those who are currently eligible.

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Washington DC: All foreign nationals and Afghan citizens with travel authorisation from around 100 countries, including the United States, will be allowed to travel outside Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday.

In a tweet, Blinken also assured that America will hold the Taliban to that commitment.

"Today, nearly 100 countries issued a joint statement on the assurances by the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to safely travel outside Afghanistan. We will hold the Taliban to that commitment," he said.

The US & nearly 100 other countries in a joint statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel Assurances by the Taliban stated that all foreign nationals, Afghans with travel authorization from the said countries will be allowed to safely travel outside Afghanistan: US Dept of State pic.twitter.com/5ksMCWRIhQ  ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2021

According to the US Dept of State statement, the United States and nearly 100 other countries in a joint statement on Afghanistan Evacuation Travel Assurances by the Taliban stated that all foreign nationals, Afghans with travel authorization from the said countries will be allowed to safely travel outside the war-ravaged country.

"We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan. We have received assurances from the Taliban that all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorization from our countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to points of departure and travel outside the country, the joint statement said.

We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have a clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding: US Dept of State pic.twitter.com/OMOmLFRHK9  ANI (@ANI) August 29, 2021

We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have a clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries. We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding, the joint statement read.

Since August 14, the US has evacuated and facilitated the evacuation of approximately 114,400 people. Since the end of July, the US has relocated approximately 120,000 people. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday had said that the US will be engaging with the Taliban to ensure the safe evacuation of people from Afghanistan following the August 31 deadline for withdrawal.

"The President directed the Secretary of State to continue diplomatic efforts with international partners to secure means for third-country nationals and Afghans with visas to leave the country even after the US military presence ends," Psaki had said during a press briefing.

Afghanistan`s situation is deteriorating as people rush to leave the nation after the Taliban seized control over a week ago. On August 15, the Afghan government fell soon after President Ashraf Ghani left the nation.

Countries have been evacuating their citizens from the war-torn nation speedily. The Kabul airport is witnessing nowadays a heavy chaos due to instability in the region.

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